I Am No Hero
This my Warden from Origins. Like with my other story(s), reviews of any kind are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or Bioware. So sad, I know.
Chapter 1
Grey Area
Solona Amell hated the Circle. It was as plain as that. She hadn't seen the sun for well over a year since they bought her here. She chuckled at the irony of it. A year prior she was apprentice to a Magister of The Tevinter Imperium. She was well on her way to becoming one herself, before she turned nineteen even.
Her master, Claudius, was one of the most powerful Magisters of the Imperial Senate. His other apprentice, Kern, betrayed her. He was always jealous of her success. Where he had failed, she would almost always succeed. At least until he got the better of her when she was sent to Ferelden as an Ambassador, he made his move. He paid raiders to attack the ship she was on. Both ships didn't survive the battle. She washed up on Ferelden's shore a day later. All she had on was her robes and her two lyrium-infused short swords. Without paperwork to prove her Imperial status, it wasn't long before she was discovered. She was in Denerium when she was apprehended. She tried to convince the palace guards that she was expected. They reported her and a year later here she sat.
She was writing a paper on dragons and their relation to the Old Gods for history class with Senior Enchanter Sweeny. The library was mostly empty, the stone walls made things darker than they should have. The tall bookcases towered above her, she felt small. Her master's library was big. The circle library put it to shame. Her candle dimmed as the wick ran out and left her in darkness. She could have used the enchanted ones that burned for hours longer, but using the regular ones gave her the opportunity light using her fire breath. She had the ability since she was little, the weird thing was, she needed no magic to do it. She kept it to herself not out of fear, but to spite the Templars who were always watching. She was glad to know she could keep some things to herself. She breathed fire on the candle and set next to that old one.
"How do you do that?" Solona looked over to see Neria Surana standing behind her. The little elf stood there holding an old tome, brown hair glistening in the candlelight. Solona was a little envious of that, her black hair always seems to absorb more light than refract any. Neria followed Solona around like a puppy, her and her friend Jowan. Though Jowan seemed more like he was following Neria.
"Do what?" Solona said.
"The way you lighted that candle with your breath, how do you do it?" she asked again. Solona looked up from her paper.
"I don't know, I always been able to do it," Solona said. It surprised her how truthful she was with the elf since her time in the time tower. In Tevinter any elves she saw were slaves, none never daring to look her in the eye. She remembered when first got here how mean she was to Neria. Neria had only approached her with a polite "Hello." Solona was rude and uncaring. The tower gossip chains blazed a fire with the news of the new "Tevinter Witch". Solona was treated like a plague for that, receiving glares and being avoided by all in the tower. She ate alone, studied alone, and did everything alone. It was like being locked in an isolation cell. Solona noticed how Neria began to follow her around despite previous treatment. Then while she was eating one day, Neria sat down across from her. She was surprised to say the least. Neria began asking questions, almost demanding, about Tevinter and how things were there for her people. Solona was taken back to say the least, never had an elf dared to speak to her in such a way. She found herself answering the little elf's questions. Neria ate up everything she had to say about Tevinter. She found she liked the elf, despite how she been raised. They actually became friends after that.
"Oh, I've never seen anyone do that," she said, "Can you teach me?"
Solona thought for a moment, "I don't think I can. I don't use any mana when I use it."
Neria eyes widened, "Really? That's actually pretty amazing."
Neria also had First Enchanter Irving as a mentor, from the sound of it Neria's Harrowing was coming up soon. Solona was worried, her harrowing she was almost tricked by a pride demon named Mouse. The sneaky bastard disguised himself as an apprentice trapped outside the mortal world. After she caught on to the deception, the demon left. The gesture humbled her. The demon had her complete trust. She vowed not to make the same mistake in the fade again. It brought her attention to the tome she was holding. "What are reading?"
"Oh this," she hefted the thing on the table.
Solona glanced at the title, "Magic of the Elvhen by Enchanter Reniera of the Orliasian Circle," she read aloud. Solona raised her eyebrow and leaved through a couple pages. It was mostly conjecture and theory, but was still fascinating. "Trying to learn more about The People, huh," Solona said using what the Dalish referred to themselves as.
"Yes," she said looking anywhere but the book, "Well, it's more study work than anything."
Solona shrugged, "Okay just wondering what you're reading, is all." Neria looked nervous.
Neria nodded, "Can I study with you for a little while."
"I don't mind."
Neria sat in the chair across from Solona. Neria didn't really do any studying, she just sat there staring at her book, "My Harrowing is coming up." She looked nervous, "I was wondering you'd give me a hint of what it entails."
Solona glanced around the room looking for Templars within earshot. Finding none she looked back at Neria casually. She dropped her voice into a whisper, "I think you should read up on your demonology. Be discreet about it though." She wanted to tell her everything, but couldn't if Neria started studying things specific to the harrowing, the Templars would get suspicious.
…
The next day Solona was looking all over for Neria. "Where is she?" she said to herself. She found herself in the stockroom. She walked over to Owain.
"Welcome to the magical stockroom. How may I be of Assistance?" Owain said in his usual monotone, the lyrium brand on his head cutting of his connection to the fade and his emotions. She never seen a tranquil before becoming a "guest" of the circle. She found them fascinating and frightening at the same time.
"Hey, Owain how are you doing today?" she said.
"I am well," he responded.
"Have you seen Neria anywhere?" she inquired.
"No I have not."
Solona sighed and walked out of the stockroom. By chance she passed by First Enchanter Ivring in the hall, "First Enchanter." she called after him.
He turned around,"Yes, what can I do for you, child?" his voice was gruff. He had a shaggy grey beard and wore the green Circle robes of his station.
"I am looking for Neria. Have you seen her?" she asked him.
"She is back in the apprentice quarters recovering from her harrowing." He answered back," However is it fortunate that I found you. You can walk with me to my office. I sent for Neria. There is someone I want you to meet."
"Of course." She said, "Who is this person?"
"You will see when we reach my office." He said with a smirk as he continued walking.
...
"Hey, are you awake? Please, say something," Neria awoke to Jowan's whiny voice. Not that Jowan was a whiny person, but his voice gave that impression. Jowan was her first friend at the Circle, they had met when Jowan accidentally dropped a book on Neria's tow shortly after she arrived. Jowan apologized every day for a week. It wasn't long before he started to follow her around.
"What happened?" Neria said.
"Don't you remember, they took you away for your harrowing last night?"
"Oh yeah," she said remembering the desire demon and the Spirit of Justice she encountered in the fade.
"Your so lucky, they have yet to take me to my harrowing and I've been here longer than you. Now you get to move in to the nice Mages quarters upstairs with that Tevinter witch you hang about so much."
Neria glared at Jowan, "Don't call her that! She is my friend and it's not her fault that she has a hard time adjusting to life outside Tevinter."
Jowan backed off, "I am sorry. How did your Harrowing go? What was it like?"
Neria wanted to tell him or give him a hint like Solona had, but Jowan wasn't the most discreet person. So she avoided the question with a little humor, "It was harrowing."
Jowan looked put out by her response, "I guess you're not going to tell me. I was told to send to Ivring"s office when you woke. I guess you shouldn't keep him waiting any longer. "
"Thanks Jowan," she jumped off her bed and headed for the door of the apprentice quarters. She turned back to Jowan, "See you later Jowan." He nodded and followed her but turned down the hall towards the boy's dormitory.
Neria walked up the halls, most of older mages offering their congratulations as she walked past. When she arrived at Irving's office she found Irving, Knight-commander Gregior, Solona, and a warrior clad in armor almost as shiny as Gregior's. She wondered who that could be. Knight-commander Greigor and Irving locked in an argument.
"… we've already let enough of our own go to Ostager," the Knight-commander growled. Neria respected Gregior, he was a sensible Templar unlike some who were mean and bitter towards mages. He still did his job though to the letter though, you could tell he was getting wary. Rumor was it would not be long before he retired.
"When did you start feeling such kinship with mages, Gregior?" Irving mocked, "Or are you afraid that we mages will get a chance to actually use our maker-given talents."
"Knight-commander, if I may interrupt,"Solona interjected, "When I was fighting the Qunari on Seharon, Mages were crucial, as artillery and healers." Gregior glared at Solona.
The dark-haired mage held her ground until the other man in armor interrupted, "First Enchanter you have a guest."
Irving noticed Neria, "Oh sorry about that child, Congratulations on completing your Harrowing. Allow me to present you with this staff and your new robes," he motioned to Solona, who was carrying her new things, to give them to her. Solona walked over and hand her staff and new clothes to her.
"Good job," Solona said with a wink.
Irving gestured to the man in armor, "Allow me to present, Duncan of the Grey Wardens, he is here looking for recruits."
"This is the other young mage you've told me about." Duncan inquired.
"You've heard of the Grey Warden's I hope." Ivring continued.
"Of course, they're the best warriors in all of Thedas,"Neria said excitedly. If I became a Grey Warden I could get out of the tower, she thought.
"Would you be so kind as to show Duncan back to his room," Irving asked, "Solona you should accompany them as well?"
"Very well," Solona nodded.
As they walked down the halls Neria badgered Duncan with questions about the order, and the darkspawn to the south. Solona walked quietly behind them. Duncan answered every question politely. When they reached Duncan's bedroom, Neria excused herself shortly after. Solona stayed behind to converse more with the warden.
"Neria, pssst, Neria," Neria looked over to see Jowan standing in a doorway whispering.
"What do you need, Jowan?" Neria asked.
"Not so loud," he whispered loudly, "I need your help with something."
"Okay," she said skeptically, "What is it?"
"Not here, follow me." He motioned for her to follow. Neria shook her head and walked after him. Jowan was always a bit odd.
...
Solona had just finished conversing with Duncan. She was excited Duncan had accepted her into the order. The idea of being a Grey Warden was thrilling. She studied the Grey Wardens and their plight to rid Thedas of darkspawn. She always knew she was skilled, she used to be a Magister's apprentice after all. The Grey Wardens only accepted the best, and to be counted among them was an honor.
She walked until she got to the storeroom where she was told she could retrieve battle staff she'd brought from Tevinter. As she entered the stockroom she bumped into Neria, "Hey, watch out there. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Oh, I am just helping Petra with an experiment. She needed a rod of fire." Neria said nervously and quickly changed the subject, "What are you up to."
Solona could tell she wasn't being honest, but did not press her. Her excitement at being recruited quickly won out over being suspicious, "I getting my battle staff back, Duncan has accepted me into the Grey Wardens. I'll be traveling with him to Ostagar to take the Joining."
Neria eyes widened, "Really, that's great!" She squealed and wrapped her arms around Solona. Solona stiffened from the contact. She loosely grasped around Neria's back and returned the hug.
Neria pulled away quickly, "I'm sorry. I forgot you don't like being touched. It's great you were accepted though. I've got to go, but I'll be sure see you off though when you leave."
Solona nodded as Neria left. Solona relaxed the hug brought up bad memories of her master, any physical contact did. She leaned against the wall and took deep breathes trying to calm herself. She never told Neria about some of the things she was forced into doing. She hoped she never would. She stood up from the wall and walked back into the stockroom.
"Welcome to the Magical Stockroom. How may I be of a Assistence?" Owain said in the same tone as he always did.
"Hey Owain, I told I could pick up my battle staff and robes here."
"Sign this form and I'll bring them out," he said holding up a quill and clipboard.
Solona took the form, signed it and returned it to Owain. Owain took the form and disappeared into the stockroom. He came back a few moments later with her things and handed them over. "Thanks Owain."
"You are Welcome."
Solona stayed a moment to examine her short swords, she drew both and extended the pommels each with a flick of her wrists and clipped the ends together. The staff looked intimidating and deadly she gave a few practice swings. She was out of practice but she get back into fighting shape with time. She unclipped the staff and sheathed both blades again. She went back to her room to change. Duncan said to meet her on the first level of the tower in about two hours.
She walked by the Templar, Cullen who was standing guard outside. "Hey, Solona I heard you were accepted into the Grey Wardens," he said nervously.
"Oh, hey Cullen," she said. She knew the Templar liked her but she never wanted to get close to him. He was a Templar after all. He was nice, she could tell he liked her. She didn't want to pursue a relationship in the tower. Too risky, the Templars were wary of her enough as it was. The thought of sexual contact with any man or woman for that matter, was frightening. The memories of her master flashed again, she practically ran away from Cullen, "It's true, but I have to go." Cullen looked sad as she walked away.
...
Neria felt good about herself, she helped one of her best friends destroy his phylactery. His leash to the circle. Now he could escape without the fear of the Templars tracking him down. She looked at Lily, the ginger haired Chantry initiate, walking beside Jowan hand in hand, leaning her head on Jowan's shoulder . She was happy for both of them. They had just reached the entrance, maybe no one knew she thought maybe Jowan and Lily will get out of the tower after all. As they exited the basement, they saw a group of Templars approach with Ivring and Gregior at the head. Oh no, She thought.
"It is as you said Ivring," Gregior said as he approached the three. He looked at Lily, "Hmm, not a thrall of the blood mage, she seem perfectly in control of her own senses." He turned his gaze on to Neria, she took a step back,"And you, I expected better."
Ivring spoke up, "Why didn't you tell me, child? I am disappointed," he said. He sounded sad.
Neria found her courage, she pointed at the two of them, "You were both going to have Jowan made tranquil."
Gregior looked at Lily, "You will be sent to Aenar when this is over,"
Fear filled Lily's face, she backed away,"Not the mage's prison," she whimpered.
Anger filled Jowan's face,"No! You will not take her away from me!" He pulled out a small blade and plunged it into his hand. Neria was in shock, Jowan was using blood magic. The blood rose from his hand, he directed it at the Templars and Ivring. They fell over knocked out from the blood spell.
Lily face paled as she watched Jowan. "You're… a blood mage."
"Yes I drabbled, I thought it make me a better mage. I'll give it up, I swear. Please run away with me Lily." He pleaded
"Blood magic is evil. Be gone blood mage! I do not know you." She said with scorn in her voice.
He looked at Neria, her eyes brimming with tears, "Why, Jowan." He didn't say anything, he just ran.
Neria stood there a moment, as the tears slid down her face. She heard moans and grunt as the Templars awoke and got to their feet. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she went over the First Enchanter to help him up.
"Thank you child," he said. He looked at Gragior who was being helped up by Cullen, "Are you alright, Gregior?"
"Blood Magic! It has ensnared so many," Gregior looked at Neria, "You! You helped him escape!"
Neria felt her knees almost give out, she knew she would be punished. She tried to defend herself, "I didn't know he was a blood mage nor did Lily for that matter." She couldn't hide the bitterness in her voice."
"What? You think that absolves you?" He said.
"If I may, Knight-commander," Duncan said as he entered the room with Solona who clad in lightly armored battle robes with two short swords strapped to her back, "Ivring spoke highly of this mage," he looked at Neria, "I offer you a place in our order."
"What! No I will not allow it. You already have your recruit. This one must be punished." Gregior practically yelled.
"Fine," Duncan said, "Than I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription. I take this mage under my wing and take all responsibility for her actions.
"You can do that?" Neria asked.
Gregior clenched his fists. He looked like he was about to arrest them all, "Just get her out of here."
Duncan looked at Neria, "Get your things, we leave for Ostagar immediately." Neria nodded and walked by Solona, she looked angry.
"Why didn't you tell me, I could have helped," her voice sounded hurt.
Neria couldn't look at her friend, "I didn't want you to get in trouble if we were caught."
Solona relaxed a bit, "Oh. Meet us by the door to the tower when you're ready." She said and walked toward the door with Duncan.
Neria walked to her room, grabbed what she needed and walked to meet Duncan at the door. He and Solona were waiting outside the doors. She stopped at the threshold. She never had been past this point since she arrived when she was still a child. She took a breath and stepped outside.