Chapter 1: Burning Lothering
"Look at me, young one," the voice repeated.
I turned back slowly, cautiously. Where was I? It was safe to say this place creeped me out. There was an older woman, probably in her late fifty's. Her hair was as white as snow; tied back into a neat ponytail. Her wrinkled face was gentle and knowing. She released an air of a motherly type. She was in red robes and on her back was a staff. Her lips were upturned into a small, assuring smile. I wanted to smile back in respect, but, quite frankly, I was too scared to really do anything but stare back, eyes wide. She raised her hands to enforce the kind air around her.
"Good. Now, we can talk," the old woman said. Her voice was like that of wind chimes when blown by a gentle breeze. "I am Wynne. You have nothing to fear when I am here."
"Where the hell am I?" I demanded in a small voice.
"Right now, you are in the Fade, the world of the dead and dreams," Wynne said.
I freaked out. "What! I'm dead!"
She shushed me in that gentle way, like I was a small child who had just woken from a nightmare. "No, you are not dead. Your body is undergoing many changes to adjust to your world shift. To protect itself, your mind has put you to sleep."
"World shift?" I asked, calming to a small degree. My eyes darted around and over her continuously instinctively.
"Yes. Few have ever heard of it, but it happens on occasion. Your world and mine are jointly connected through the Fade. But, before I speak further, will you tell me your name?" she requested.
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. I searched my mind for my name, but nothing came of it. I couldn't remember. How could I forget my own name? I tried to think of my mother. Again, nothing.
"I don't…" my voice trailed off to a sad sigh.
Wynne nodded. "That's too bad," she said earnestly. "Can you hear any other voice but mine?"
"No."
"Alright. We don't have much time -."
I reached out in fear to her. I noticed the world around me fading. "Wait!"
"I need you to not fear this world. It is now yours and I'm sorry. You will come to know the meaning soon enough," she explained quickly. "Do not let anyone take control of your mind. Do not give into the temptation of demons."
She began to disappear, turning transparent. "Wait! Wynne! What do you mean!"
"You'll come to know the meaning soon enough." Just like that, she was gone.
"Wynne!" Dammit!
The ground beneath me disappeared. Oddly enough, I didn't fall this time. It was surreal; my feet were planted on something solid, yet nothing at all. When I took a tentative step forward, I slipped on something, landing on my back. I, then, slipped into unconsciousness.
My eyes opened slowly, blinking. The first thing I saw was a man with bright -almost luminescent-turquoise eyes. They were alarmed, yet mischievous in a way. He was very handsome; so much so that it startled me. Light stubble surrounded just around his lips, ending at his cheeks. His hair was contemporarily messy and the color of a moonless midnight; some tiny strands hung from the ridge over his forehead, and then led down into short sideburns.
"Hey there," he said. His voice was richly deep, soothing and powerful. The dim light of the sun and fire around us lit his tanned skin. "You alright?'
All that came out was a confused groan. What was going on?
"Garrett! We don't have time for this!" another man bellowed. He looked like the first, only with deep, brown eyes and shoulder length hair of the same shade.
"Carver, do me a favor and go sulk over there," Garrett suggested sarcastically with a smirk.
"Please you two. We must go," came yet another voice. Only, it was a girl. I felt a hand tighten on my arm, making me realize the girl was holding me upwards.
An older woman with white hair came around. She looked like the two men, obviously their mother. She had a worried look on her face. "Is she going to be alright?"
"Yes. I couldn't find anything wrong with her," the girl replied.
"Let's go!" Carver barked.
"Carver, brother! Look! There's a Darkspawn! Go kill it!" Garrett called. Carver and the rest jumped to face where he had pointed. I even glanced. When they confirmed nothing was there but stone, Carver glared at Garrett.
"What's a Darkspawn?" I managed to ask.
The group looked at me with confused expressions. "Are you stupid!" Carver snapped.
Garrett shot an angry look at Carver then looked at me again. "You don't know what Darkspawn are?"
I shook my head.
He pursed his lips and glanced up. His eyes widened. "Well, we'll have to deal with that later," he told us. "Can you walk?" he asked me.
"I think so," I replied. The girl helped me to my feet and I got a good look at her. She looked like the female version of Carver, same eyes and hair-only longer. I looked past her only to see some humanoid monsters with jagged swords and terrible armor shuffling towards us. I jerked back startled and hit a hard surface. A hand touched my arm. I looked up at Garrett, whose expression was fierce.
"You might wanna stick with my mother while we take care of this," he said with intense confidence. He lightly nudged me behind him and next to his mother. For the first time, I noticed the massive greatsword on his back. He reached up and grabbed it, readying for battle. Carver had his own greatsword that he pulled up on. The girl grabbed the lengthy staff on her back and twirled it in her hands.
"Are those…?" I asked the mother.
"Darkspawn, yes," she whispered. She stared in fear for her children.
"Umm, now may be a bad time to ask, but where am I?" I asked suddenly.
"C'mon little brother! Keep up now!" Garrett taunted, swinging the giant blade with ease. He took off a Darkspawn's head like it was made of butter.
"Bite me!" Carver growled.
"Take that!" the girl yelled, a fireball shooting from her palm. I stared in awe of it all-although, mainly the magic.
"Are you alright?" the mother asked.
I tore my eyes away from the fight. "I think so." I sounded so unsure.
"Can you tell me your name?" she requested.
My brows furrowed. "Erm..I can't remember," I murmured sorrowful.
She frowned. "You don't remember anything? Not even your name?"
I shook my head. "I don't know…I…"
"You're in Lothering, Ferelden. In Thedas," she prompted.
I shook my head. "I can't remember." The more I tried to think on it, the more a headache grew. I reached up to hold my head.
"Perhaps you can remember your mother?" she suggested.
I hounded my brain for anything to tell me something when I realized I didn't know who I was. Whatever life I had, it was gone. Erased. And I didn't know how or why. "Nothing," I whispered.
She touched my shoulder. She was slightly taller than me, probably 5'5. "You can't remember anything at all." It wasn't a question.
A single tear threatened to fall. I wiped it away quickly. "Who am I? Why is this happening?" I wondered softly.
"I'm so sorry."
"For what? You didn't do anything. I just wish I could understand. My first memory is now, meeting you all, in this burning place."
"You can call me Leandra, dear."
I gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Leandra. " I didn't know why I thanked her, but I felt I had to.
Garrett ran up to us, Carver and the girl in tow, blood covering the men's faces. "Let's move. More'll be coming," he said wiping the redness away.
"There's too many of them," Carver said bitterly.
"Perhaps they'll run out soon," Garrett joked.
His brother glared at him. Garrett just grinned and led forward. Carver and the girl chased after him. Leandra took my hand and led me to them. "Where are we going?" I asked after a short distance. We were on a cliff overlooking a destroyed village.
"We could go to Kirkwall," Leandra suggested.
Garrett stopped to look at his mother with a wince. "That wouldn't be my first choice."
"We have family there; an estate, wealth. We could make it," Leandra said.
"But what about the Templars? There are many in Kirkwall," the girl reminded her.
"Who cares," Carver said. "It's that or wander."
"We can't just wander aimlessly. We'll get killed," the girl stated.
"As long as we wander away from the Blight, I'm happy," Garrett smirked.
"Where are we to go then, brother?" Carver demanded. "South? The Wilds are south and that's suicide."
"We surly cannot stay here," I said quickly.
"Carver, if I had to choose between staying here and south, I'd choose south," Garrett informed him.
"Garrett's right, Carver," the girl said.
"Stay out of this, Bethany," Carver barked.
Bethany glared at him. "I have every right to speak, brother."
I was the only one who noticed the beasts advancing. "Erm, I'd hate to break this family misunderstanding apart, but," I pointed behind the brothers, "we have company."
They all looked back and, with great ferocity, attacked them. I stayed back with Leandra again and watched. Five all went at Garrett first, the other two going at Carver. Bethany stood in front of us and shot bursts of fire from the sharp tip of her staff. Garrett made one solid swing and cut three in half. Bethany picked off the two that tried to round him. Carver jabbed once, twice and halted them. With their bodies covering the ground, we all continued on.
Not fifteen yards off was a man with dark hair, wearing armor and robes with a sword symbol embedded in its surface, and a woman with hair the color of oranges, wearing what looked to be much lighter armor, were defending each other against the Darkspawn. One of the beasts landed a blow to the man's stomach, causing him to cry out and fall back. Just when the monster came upon him, the woman lashed out with her sword and shield. She landed on its chest and cut its head clean off. More Darkspawn appeared as if from nowhere and surrounded them. Bethany, Carver, and Garrett leapt to their rescue and helped kill the rest. I and Leandra came when the small battle was over.
"Stop squirming, Wesley. You'll only make it worse," the woman chided.
Wesley stood quickly at our approach. He openly glared at Bethany. "Apostate!" he growled at her. "Keep your distance."
"Oh the Maker has a sense of humor," Bethany noted sarcastically. "First the Blight and now a Templar. I thought you all abandoned Lothering."
"The 'spawn make their plans clear. A mage is always unknown," he said bitingly. He took a step toward her. "The Order dictates-"
Garrett stepped between them. The two men stared each other down.
"Wesley, dear, they saved us," the woman told him. "The Maker understands."
Wesley bowed his head. "Of course." He stepped back next to her.
"I am Aveline Vallen," she said. "This is my husband. We can hate each other when we're saved from the Horde."
"I don't think so," Carver growled.
Garrett raised a hand to silence him. "You're quick to offer your allegiance," he noted.
"We need to fight together if we are to survive," Aveline said.
"My duty is clear," Wesley paused, "but that will have to wait for another day. If we are granted that."
"We will be fine. We all will," Aveline stated firmly.
"The wrath of the Templars is terrible indeed," mocked Garrett.
"More so their wives," Wesley replied, glancing at his wife fondly. "As long as there is a greater danger, you have my accord."
"Thank you, Wesley," Aveline said. "For now, we travel with you." Her words were directed at Garrett. "North is completely cut off. We just barely escaped from there."
"Damn! Then we are trapped! Just as I'd feared!" Carver spat.
"Never mind that. South is the only way," Garrett said. "Let's get started, shall we?" He went past Aveline and Wesley and led us onward.
We followed down the valley, running for our lives. More Darkspawn were waiting for us. Wesley stayed behind, holding his wounded side gingerly. Garrett, Carver, Bethany, and Aveline shot ahead to strike. Some of the monsters had bows and shot off a cliff. Bethany was able to shoot them down with iceballs and fireballs. The tanks easily cut through the infantry horde. Our group continued forward until a mass of beasts circled us on a plateau. But, they didn't attack us. They seemed to be waiting for something.
The ground beneath our feet shook, each tremor becoming more powerful with each moment. Horns grew to a grotesque head then to a giant body the color of moldy cheese as it ran up the hill. The beast's eyes were small, but its nose made up for the size. The limbs that came out of this abomination were incredibly meaty, like they could crush the strongest of armor with only sausage thumbs and fingers. We jumped out of the way of its bulldoze.
Carver held his sword up to attack. "YOU ALL CAN DIE, BASTARDS!" he shouted. He cut down, but the giant parried with its armored arm and reached down to grab him.
"CARVER!" Garrett cried.
But, it was too late. The creature slammed the warrior down again and again, blood gushing from the impacts. It threw him against the rocks behind it and roared. Furious, Garrett attacked it.
"GO BACK WHERE YOU BELONG, OGRE!" he yelled, slashing at its legs. The ogre roared again, this time in pain and whirled around.
The rest of the force attacked our group. Bethany and Aveline were our only protection. Darkspawn after Darkspawn they came. The pair mowed them down as fast as they could. I felt so helpless, unable to help in any way.
Garrett shouted and struck the ogre with blinding speed. The monster tried to hit him, to grab him, but couldn't. Even in such rage over the death of his brother, he fought with precision and dodged the same. It looked like a mouse outwitting a cat. Garrett circled it, not letting it find him. He jabbed. It howled at the pain of a human blade stuck in its back. Garrett swiftly pulled it out as its fist swung back. As it stumbled, he jumped. His sword pierced its chest and, then its face, silencing the beast forever.
I didn't even notice Leandra leave my side until I heard her whimper. I jogged over to her kneeling form. She held Carver's body over her legs. "Carver! Wake up!" she begged, tears streaming now. "The battle's over. Wake up!"
"I'm sorry, Mistress," Aveline apologized. "Your son is gone."
"No! These things will not take my little boy!" Leandra snapped.
Garrett knelt down next to her. His eyes were calm now, but sad. "Mother, we should grieve when we're safe."
She looked at him with anger. "Do not speak to me of grief," she hissed. "This is your fault! How could you let him charge off like that? Your little brother!"
Garrett rose and looked away shamefully. Bethany tried to make her understand. "We cannot stay here longer, Mother. Carver wouldn't want his sacrifice to be for nothing."
"Allow me to send him off, Mistress," Wesley offered. "Back to the Maker's side." He began to chant, "Ashes we were, and ashes we become. Maker, give this young man a place at your side. Let us take comfort in the peace he has found in eternity."
Leandra whimpered again as she let Carver go. She closed his eyes to make it seem he was only sleeping. She leaned down, resting her hand on his cheek. "I will never forget you, Carver," she whispered almost inaudibly.
Garrett stood next to me with his back towards the scene. He glanced back at them and I saw a shimmer of a tear fallen. "At least Father will have company now."
The group turned away. "Flames! We're too late!" Aveline hissed. Darkspawn paraded from a hidden path, snarling and drooling, waving their swords madly. We were badly outnumbered. The fighters took out as many as they could, but they just kept coming.
"There's no end to them!" Bethany cried.
A low growl sounded through the valley. The Darkspawn stopped in fear and confusion. We looked back up to a tall ridge with a purple shape sitting at the peak. What were wings opened to reveal a large dragon. It roared threateningly and spread its wings wide. It swooped down, releasing a white-hot flame. The Darkspawn stumbled around; trying to escape, but the dragon's flames engrossed them all. We ducked as it flew overhead, taking one of the 'spawn into its jaws, and flew back up. It turned back and landed on the broad surface. It dropped the carcass for more flames. The edges just barely missed Garrett and Aveline. Raising its tail, it swept through the stragglers. The dragon stood on its hind legs and grabbed a Darkspawn, staring intently at us.
Oh, great. Another impossible foe, I thought.
The dragon's body glowed and slowly shrunk. Its limbs shortened to human legs and arms and its snout disappeared down to a human face. The horns turned to white hair with red tips. Somehow, they retained their shape. The dragon had shifted to a mature woman. Her scales had become armor. Her eyes were dark, a stark contrast to her white skin. She dropped the dead Darkspawn in her hand and strode up to us, her orchid colored cape whipping in the wind.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Her voice was sharp, sounding like a crow. Her eyes sparkled with amusement and curiosity. "It used to be we never got visitors in the Wilds, but now it seems they arrive in hordes."
"Impressive," Garrett commented. "Where'd you learn to transform into a dragon?"
"Perhaps, I am a dragon." She smirked. "If so, count yourself lucky. The smell of Darkspawn does nothing for the appetite." She turned away to leave. "If you are fleeing the Darkspawn, you should know you are heading in the wrong direction."
"Wait!" Bethany called. "You can't just leave us here!"
The woman stopped. "Can I not?" she mused. "I spotted a most curious sight: a mighty ogre vanquished! Who could perform such a feat? But, now my curiosity is sated, and you are safe…for the moment. Is that not enough?"
"You could show me that trick of yours. That would be useful," Garrett suggested.
The woman laughed at this. A sound that sent chills down my spine. "If only a clever tongue was all one needed. Tell me, child: how do you intend to outrun the Blight?"
"We need to get to Kirkwall-in the Free Marches," Bethany told her quickly.
"Kirkwall?" the woman mused. "My, that is a long voyage you plan. Your king will not miss you, hmm?"
"I'm sure he'll miss his life more," Garrett interjected.
She laughed again. "Oh, you I like! Hurdled into the dark, you fight…and the world will shake before you." She crossed her arms and thought quietly. She murmured something I couldn't hear. Then, she faced us again with a grin. "It appears fortune smiles on us both today," she said to Garrett. "I may be able to help you yet."
Garrett looked at her with suspicion. "There must be a catch."
She chuckled. "There's always a catch! Life's a catch so I suggest you catch it!"
"Maybe we shouldn't trust her. I don't even know what she is," Bethany told her brother.
"She's kind of our only freedom at this point," I said.
"I know what she is," Aveline announced. "The Witch of the Wilds."
The woman shrugged. "Some call me that. Also Flemeth. Asha'bellenar. An old hag who talks too much. Does it matter?" she questioned. "I offer you this: I will get you past the Horde if you can deliver something to a place not too far out of your way. Would you do this for a 'Witch of the Wilds'."
"What is a 'Witch of the Wilds'?" Garrett wondered.
"A Chasined legend. Witches that steal children," Aveline explained.
"As if I had nothing better to do!" Flemeth scoffed.
"You're an apostate?" Bethany asked.
"Yes. Just like you."
He turned to us. "Should we trust her?"
"With Wesley injured, we'll never make it past the Horde," Aveline said. Wesley squirmed and coughed on the ground.
"Leave me behind if you must," he said.
"No," she growled. "I told you I'd drag you out if I had to and I meant it."
"Roast a few more Darkspawn and I'll do anything you want," Garrett told Flemeth.
"My charity is at an end. There is a clan of Dalish elves near Kirkwall." Flemeth pulled out a small amulet with a dragon symbol on it. "Take this to their Keeper, Marethari. Do anything she asks and our debt will be paid in full." She handed it to him and looked at the sky. "Before I take you anywhere, however, there is another matter."
We all looked at Wesley's garish form. He had gone deathly pale since the battle. His eyes had turned from brown to grey, even his pupils. He shook uncontrollably. Aveline stood and unsheathed her sword.
"No," she hissed, "leave him alone."
"What has been done to your man is in his blood already," Flemeth told her.
"You lie!"
"She's right, Aveline. I can feel the corruption inside of me," Wesley said.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked.
"From the Darkspawn," he replied. "All that blood. I knew…when it happened. It's eating me inside, girl."
"How much time?" Aveline demanded.
"Not much longer, if I am any judge," Flemeth answered.
"It's the permanent sort, I take it," Garrett mused.
"The only cure I know of is to become a Grey Warden."
"And they all died at Ostagar," he finished for Flemeth.
"Not all," the Witch corrected. "But the last are out of your reach by now."
Aveline knelt down by Wesley. "Aveline," he whispered, "listen to me."
"You can't ask me to do this. I won't," she told him firmly.
"Please," he begged. "This Corruption is a slow death...I can't-" he fell into a fit of coughing.
She looked at Garrett for answers. He shook his head. "He's your husband. I can't make this decision for you." She stared at Wesley and tears threatened to fall. She touched his face.
"Be strong, my love," Wesley murmured. He brought a dagger up weakly. She helped him, holding onto his hands. Together, they positioned it over his heart. She hesitated. He nodded and, with a tear, she pushed down. He gave one cry before going limp. She shut his eyes and stood.
Flemeth stood behind her. "Without an end, there can be no peace." She went back towards the edge of the plateau. "It gets no easier. Your struggles have only just begun." She changed back into a dragon and shook. A stream of magic circled us, and I felt myself getting lighter. I looked at my hands to find that they were glowing blue and a warmth made its way around my body. Then, we were gone.
Author's Note:
Chapter one – complete. I enjoyed writing this. I enjoyed even making a Garrett Hawke file just for this story. Work and play lol. Chapter two is coming up. R&R would be nice. Hope this piece of entertainment keeps you reading. Until next time…
