One mages mistakes: Road to Ostigar
The templar watching over the docks narrowed his eyes slightly as the boat reached the docks, two figures climbing out of it. It wasn't his place to judge the people that came and went from the circle tower. However, these two in particular made him nervous.
The first wore armour of an unknown origin. Though it wasn't that the templar was studying. Instead, it was the always grim expression the man bore. His weathered features never seemed to show anything but a grim look that wore down anyone in his presence, or something of that nature. Did that man ever smile? If so, he'd never seen it.
Shaking his head, the guards gaze shifted to the woman that accompanied the *Warden.* Slender and nervous was the first thing that came to mind. She seemed to glance about almost fearfully at the area as she staggered out of the boat and onto the docks. Her pale blue eyes were wide with fear…No, wonder? Had she never been outside the tower before?
He noted her smooth features seemed almost too perfect. And as she tucked a lock of her fiery red hair behind one ear, the templar understood everything. Her pointed ears were a dead give away, she was an elf, hence why she held her appearance so well.
If it wasn't for the strange markings, or tattoos, whatever they were, across her cheeks, chin and forehead, she'd be flawless, though even he had to admit they didn't detract from her natural beauty in the slightest.
As they passed, he offered a slight nod to each in turn, the elf a hesitant one as he nodded the staff and magi robes. "None of them freaks should be out of there." He muttered once he thought they were out of earshot. "No good will come of this…"
The elf, or Melina as everyone knew her, shivered slightly and pulled the cloak she'd been given by her travelling companion tighter about her figure. Winter was beginning to grip Fereldin. And with it came the icy grip that chilled the ill prepared to the bone. How she wished to be safe and sound in her bed once more, or sitting by the library fire reading a nice book.
But no, she was out here with this…Gray Warden. Something she'd began to question the existence of. Though with Duncan standing before her, it was hard to deny or argue now was it?
Apparently he'd come prepared, for aside from his own horse, there was one for her as well. She didn't say anything unless spoken to, and the warden didn't say anything to her either unless it was important. All she knew, was that they were going to some place, she couldn't remember the name. Though right now, she didn't have any choice but to follow.
As they left the small town that resided on this side of the lake, she couldn't help but turn in the saddle and spare the looming tower that had been her home, and in a way, prison, for the past fifteen years of her life.
One night she'd been full mage. She'd passed her harrowing with flying colours and was done as an apprentice. One night, then everything went to hell…
Her friend, Jowan had come seeking aid. Apparently he was deemed unfit to take the trial and become a proper mage. Why she didn't really know. But he was going to be made Tranquil instead. Striped of all emotion and free will almost. A shell of his former self. The thought alone made her shiver in both disgust and dread.
A plan had been formed, but one she couldn't agree with. He and his companion, Lilly. Would escape, with her help of course, they'd destroy there phylactery's and the templar's wouldn't be able to find them. That way they could escape.
As her flash of memory continued, the elf's head bowed slightly, the hood of her cloak slipping further and obscuring her face. She'd said she would help…Then went straight to the First Enchanter and told him everything. Much as she wanted to help the couple, she couldn't remain silent.
Of course, he'd told her to do just that, help them escape, or rather appear to, instead she lead them straight into the templar's hands and would have gotten her friend killed. Had he not made a last ditch attempt to escape.
The very thought of what he'd done made her skin crawl. Blood magic, the one thing he'd been accused of and denied. The forbidden art of demon worship and damnation, or so they were trained told in training. He used it to escape, likely killing a number of people along the way. And she'd helped him do it.
She'd likely be dead if it not for Duncan. The elf lifted her head slightly and peered out of her hood at the warden. Why her though? She was hardly experienced, or skilled in the ways of magic. But no, he'd conscripted her and managed to pry her from the chantry's claws at the last second. Sparing her either being turned tranquil or execution. Instead she was off on some unknown mission to some unknown place. She was supposedly a Gray Warden now…But what did that mean? Was she a soldier in the war that was brewing? The one she'd only heard rumours about? Or was she spared one death, in favour of another?
The only knowledge she had of the wardens was old story's and history books. But that told her little. As they accepted anyone they deemed fit to serve against the Darkspawn.
Which begged the question…Why was she chosen?
"You seem troubled. Something on you're mind?" The elf almost jumped when Duncan's voice appruptly broke her train of thought and snapped her back to the present. "Ahh..N-No ser…Just trying to…Digest everything that's happened." She mumbled, it wasn't a lie, but at the same time, she wasn't elaborating on everything either.
Her words were met with a slight nod, followed by more silence. It was almost troubling. The silence broken only by the clip clop of hooves on the road. And the sound of her own breathing as she spared the tower one final look, before it was blocked from sight.
In her mind, it would be the last time she'd ever seen it again. If she knew what lay ahead. She'd wished that were true.