Chapter two
Sten walked briskly across down the road. He'd asked many frightened locals if they knew of a certain Grey Warden's whereabouts. They all lead him to the forest he now stood. He looked around cautiously. He was told that there were dangers along the way, to which he had not taken lightly. He glanced around every few steps, gripped on Asala, his mighty sword.
He'd seen nothing yet, but was beginning to worry. He'd not seen any for of life within the last hour or so. This was never a good sign.
As if on que, a beam of sunlight through the trees caught a glimpse of shadow, blocking out the natural light in one area. Sten turned strictly to his left, bracing what came fourth. He waited patiently, and kept his ears open. The shadow stopped, showing the figure of a small person… or something. His eyesight had receded over the years, which led him to a disadvantage. He squinted, but the figure must have seen him, for it ran a great deal to the right, and began to get smaller. Sten withdrew Asala and broke into a fast run. He was beginning to gain on whatever was fleeing. For all he could know, it could be an enemy reporting him. He wasted no time, and jumped over obstacles of logs, bushes and fallen trees.
He began to get closer and closer, when the figure came to an open clearing. It fell in a panic, which let him get closer. Asala withdrawn, he stepped closer, only to find a whimpering child. She could have only been four years old. Her long blonde hair reached her waist, and her large hazel eyes glistened with fright and tears. Her skin was tanned to match a light tree trunk. 'This is how she blended in with nature,' he thought. She sat on the ground, looking up at him with begging eyes. He pitied the small thing, and put his sword away. Bad idea.
The little girl smiled with relief as Sten felt a blade to his back. He growled, but stopped upon hearing a voice. "Put the weapon down, and step away from her," it was a cool, calm voice, somewhat mystical and sultry. He smirked for the first time in four years.
"Hello, Neria," he said softly. He hear the woman catch her breath, and the blade was instantly withdrawn. He turned to see the same young woman he respected for so long. Small blade on the ground… She'd changed significantly.
Long black hair, reaching her hips replaced the short below the ears length. Her fierce blue eyes pierced his should, but had aged as much as he had. A long white, flowing dress, practically see through replaced heavy juggernaut armour and breasts so much more larger than he could remember. The look on her face was a mix of worry, relief, and most of all lust.
"Sten," she sighed, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He'd never been one for affection, but he made an exception and embraced back, however awkward it may have been. She stepped back and looked behinde him to the little girl. "Asala, come here," she softly whispered. The little girl walked cautiously to her. Sten watched.
"Your daughter," he mused, a bit heartbroken. The little girl made a brisk walk to her mother and hid behinde her dress, which matched her own. "Her name is my sword," he added, confused. Neria bent over and picked the little one up. She lovingly held her and nodded. He looked around. "Are there any dangers?" he asked.
"No. Not here. Here, it's safe," Neria spoke, as if she were dreaming. She bent over and picked up the small dagger and began to walk in the distance where Sten had followed the girl. She turned slowly. "Follow me, Sten,"