I
Andi screamed in agony, but no sound escaped her lips. Her blood boiled within her veins as the world around her evaporated into whirling green and blank nothingness. Her head ached for oxygen and she gasped for air, but there was none to breathe. Her chest collapsed, she felt like she was drowning in absolute emptiness, her body twisting and writhing to find anything familiar. A hand tightened around her own and yanked her forward into the darkness before letting go.
Finally, blessedly, her body hit solid ground. She collapsed onto the earth, relishing the smell of dirt and grass as the blissful air filled her lungs. Her head pounding at the sudden surge of oxygen.
Andi lay still on her stomach, her breathing ragged and uneven, clenching and unclenching her hands in the soft grass. Inhaling a deeply, she opened her eyes and lifted her head to take in her surroundings.
The low fog that had surrounded them on the hilltop had been replaced with a blanket of mist so dense that it left Andi disoriented. She gently pushed herself up with her hands, turning her head this way and that to find the woman. A green glow engulfed her, and she looked up to see the rift still roiling in midair. It was different now, rather than looking like glass it had collapsed within itself, twisting into a menacing force.
Flares of light sprang from the rift, the low whispering hum changing into a ferocious roar. The ground quaked beneath her and she looked around to see the flares crash into the ground like powerful lightening bolts. Andi's hands flew to her pistols under her arms, drawing them out and planting her feet firmly into a stabilizing stance. She aimed at the rift as she glanced to the ground.
Where the flares had struck, things were crawling out of the ground as if they were swimming onto the shore of a lake. Andi backed up, still crouching, aiming her pistols at the two closest creatures. They were transparent and ghost like, howling at her fiercely. She didn't stop to think before firing two rounds into each of them. They shrieked, fading into nothingness. Two more creatures had erupted from the ground. They made there way toward her, awkwardly, their bones creaking. Skeletons? Strips of rotting flesh clung to their bones as they raised long wooden bows. "This is a dream," Andi thought desperately, "I'm still asleep on the hilltop." An arrow grazed her shoulder, leaving a gash in it's wake. Andi gasped at the sudden pain and looked up to see the other skeleton loose an arrow at her. Andi dived forward and rolled onto her back before springing to her feet. She aimed both pistols and fired, the skeleton's ribcage shattering and spraying fragments onto the ground.
Desperately she looked around for the second skeleton. The heavy mist swirled around her, so thick that she lost sight of her own pale hands clutching her guns. Pain pierced her side and Andi screamed, looking down to see an arrow protruding from her side. A pool of blood beginning to seep through her shirt. She stumbled forward, her eyes roving the dense fog for any sign of her attacker. Movement to her left caught her eye and she spun, aiming her pistols and firing. Deafening silence met her ears after the echoing blast dissipated.
A warm breeze caressed her cheek, clearing the blanket of fog momentarily. Dizzily, she holstered her pistols before clutching her side. The ground still quaking beneath her, the Rift hummed and trembled. She looked up and squinted, the soft green light had become painfully bright. It was folding into itself, becoming smaller and smaller as the ground trembled. All at once the sky cracked, and the rift had disappeared.
Andi fell to her knees, looking down at the arrow sunken into her side.
Die here, or die there?
Andi didn't have the energy to pull out her pack and find her first aid kit. Not that she would know what to do even if she wasn't on the verge of exhaustion. She looked up at the sky. The mist had been cleared away by the wind, but her vision blurred. She tried to focus, tried to see the sun through the trees, but the sky seemed to close in around her. Andi collapsed onto her back, her legs tucked awkwardly beneath her.
II
Harsh shouts roused Andi from a deep sleep. She started to sit up, but gasped at the pain in her side before falling back onto the cot. Her mind reeled. Where was she? As the events on the hilltop clunked into place, Andi's eyes flew open. She looked down at her side and saw a neat bandage wrapped around her side, the arrow gone. Her pale flesh was exposed to her waist. She took stock of her surroundings. Someone had found her and nursed her, removing her shirt, jacket, shoulder holster, and bra. She shot up off the cot ignoring the pain coursing down her side. Her eyes darted around the room before relief flooded down her spine at the site of her personal effects. She gingerly crouched down, taking careful stock that it was all there. She sighed at her bloodied t-shirt. It was clear that someone had tried to remove the stains. She considered grabbing a new shirt, but decided against it before slowly pulling the stained shirt over her head.
Andi dressed silently, listening to the shouting grow ever closer. She tried to make out words, but they seemed to be shouting in a foreign language. The door of the small cabin burst open, and a small, dark skinned figure swiftly entered and shut the door. The figure turned to see Andi, slightly crouched, one hand on the pistol secured to her back. Andi stared down at the small woman, her skin a smooth brown painted with green ink. She wore skins and a necklace of stones, her inky black hair plaited neatly behind her and adorned with feathers. Andi was reminded of Native Americans. The girl calmly looked up at Andi and spoke, her voice smooth and delicate, but Andi did not understand the words. In fact, they didn't sound like a language she had ever heard before. She frowned. The woman smiled gently and said in a thick accent, "Do you speak the common tongue?"
Andi stared, careful to make her expression blank before giving a curt nod.
The woman's smile broadened and she motioned to the cot Andi had laid. "You were not long from this world. Our magic would not seal the wound. I had to tend you with care." The woman shifted, listening to the commotion outside before continuing. "You need rest. You are weakened, and you must regain your strength." The woman took two steps foreword before Andi jumped back, her arms automatically raising her Glock to point at the woman's chest.
The dark woman grinned, eying the gun curiously. Andi was taken aback, the woman did not seem frightened. By all accounts she should have frozen at the threat. Instead, she was looking at Andi with open curiosity. Andi took a step back, releasing warning growl. The woman stopped at the sound, finally realizing the warning.
"I will not hurt you," she said softly, motioning at the cot one more,"I am the one who cared for you."
Andi let her muscles relax, lowering her gun. She looked at the woman. Surely if she had been sent by Tallius she would have killed her by now.
"You must be famished. Here," she said, walking to a table and picking up a loaf of flat bread and a bowl of liquid, "I've had some Nava bread and water set out for you. Please, if you will not heed my advice and rest, you must at least sit and eat!" The woman's tone did not leave room for argument. Andi swallowed a smile, this woman reminded her of her mother. A pang of sadness twinged in her stomach at the memory. Andi pushed her gun back in it's holster and allowed the woman to take her arm and lead her to a animal skin rug by the crackling fire. The commotion outside had quieted, and sounds of birds chirping floated into the room. Andi eased herself down, grabbing her side and wincing. The woman appraised her and tutted. It was clear she felt Andi was in no condition to be out of bed.
The woman sat down next to Andi, placing the plate of Nava bread and bowl of water between them. Andi looked down at the bread before looking back into the woman's face.
"It is not poison," the woman said simply.
Andi didn't hesitate. She had barely eaten before the incident on the hilltop, and by the looks of it she had been unconscious for hours. She tore into the bread, and closed her eyes in delight. It was like nothing she had ever tasted. The spices within the bread were foreign to her tongue, tangy and sweet.
"Good, isn't it?" the woman smiled.
Andi nodded, washing down the bread with gulps of water. She stopped, lowering the bowl. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak.
"..."
She cleared her throat again, "how," her voice cracked, "how long...?" She couldn't continue. He throat was dry. She gulped down more water.
"Nearly two days, I'm afraid," came the kind response. "You were nearly gone when Tibi found you. He tried to heal you, but..." she broke off, eying Andi strangely.
Andi spoke again, her voice broken with disuse, "Where are we...?" She let her voice trail off, silently seeking more answers than what she could voice. The woman leaned and patted Andi's knee in understanding. She seemed to think that Andi remembered nothing.
"You are in Seheron. Two nights ago our warriors went with Tibi to scout the mountains. There have been strange disturbances in the Fade, and it was beginning to worry us. Tibi led the warriors until they found a tear releasing spirits and demons. Before they reached it however," she paused and licked her lips, "they found you. Tibi said you released your power into the creatures and killed them before collapsing from an arrow. The tear closed after you destroyed them. Once it became clear that Tibi couldn't heal you, he picked you up and started down the mountain."
Andi chewed slowly, taking in the woman's every word. The story seemed to match with her own recollection, but the subject matter left her confused. In the back of her mind, some of the terms seemed oddly familiar.
"Tibi and his warriors didn't make it far before they were intercepted. A Magister from Tevinter with some of his companions demanded Tibi release you to them."
Andi stopped chewing. She had no memory of this.
"Tibi refused. You were unconscious and needed healing. The Magister was furious, and killed two of our warriors in rage. In the end, Tibi agreed to release you to the Magister only after you heal." The woman looked steadily into Andi's wide eyes. "It is they that you heard shouting," she added.
Andi sat silently. The words Tevinter and Magister seemed oddly familiar, but she could not place where she was. Seheron. None of the places the woman had mentioned seemed German. She thought back to the horned woman.
"Your second choice is to enter the rift with me. You will be met with circumstances that you cannot understand at this moment."
Where had the crazed woman taken her? Who was Tibi and the Magister? Where would he take her? Andi's mind reeled with questions, but she reigned them in. The woman sitting in front of her had shown her kindness, nursed her back to health. Andi focused on her, and took a deep breath.
"What is your name?" Her voice was weak and quiet, but didn't crack.
"Oh," the woman breathed, "I'm so sorry I neglected that part. My name is Kindu, I am one of the tribe's healers." she smiled widely, "My husband is Tibi, he is the Chief of our tribe. In common tongue, we are called Fog Warriors."
Andi racked her brain at the term. She felt like she had read the name before.
Kindu continued, answering Andi's unspoken questions, "Tibi communicates with the Fade. When he couldn't heal you, he reached out for help. We haven't truly spoken in wake of the Magister's arrival. The only other information Tibi revealed to me was the the Magister believes you interrupted his ritual, and he demands answers."
Andi was thoroughly confused. What the bloody hell was a fade? And who is this Magister? She kept her expression blank and instead asked, "May I speak with this Tibi?"
Kindu sighed, "Straight to the point, you are. I'll see what I can do."
She stood up and walked gracefully to the door, but paused before opening it.
"You are a strange one," she stated, before turning and walking out of the room.
III
Andi sat warming herself by the fire. The Nava bread was delicious, but left her terribly thirsty. Her bowl was empty. She looked around the small room, taking in the thatched roof and mud-lined walls. The floor, or lack thereof, was covered in skins. The softest of which she was currently sitting on, mindlessly running her hands through the soft brown fur. The cot she had slept was lined with straw and covered in skins. The only other object in the room besides her belongings was a small table, a large pitcher sitting in the center. Andi flexed her legs, gently uncrossing them. She gingerly tucked her feet beneath her and pushed up, careful to keep her stomach muscles relaxed. Her side twinged at the movement, though not unbearably. Once fully on her feet, she walked across the room to the pitcher. She frowned. She had left the bowl on the floor. She eyed it, but decided it wasn't worth the pain before tipping the pitcher to her lips and drinking deeply.
The door opened, and a tall man with tanned skin entered. His shining black hair draped over his shoulders and down his back with a single small braid trailing the right side of his cheek. Large feathers intertwined his braid and fastened to every seem of his leather leggings. His body was covered with angular green markings, contrasting with his smooth dark skin. He was clearly the chief. He crossed his arms as he took in Andi, water dripping off her chin.
She hastily put the pitcher back on the table and looked up at him.
The chief walked into the center of the room and stared at Andi. His gaze pierced her, she felt as if she could see straight through her. She was unnerved and shifted uncomfortably.
"You are not of this world, traveler."
It wasn't a question, and Andi stiffened and met his eyes. She waited, keeping her expression carefully blank.
"My magic cannot touch you. It passes through you as if entering a stream." He paused, observing her carefully. "Your destiny lies with the Tevinter Magister. You must not let him know of your ability."
Andi was frozen. Her eyes glued to the man standing before her. Magic? Ability? What was he talking about?
"He will know you are not of this world. He will covet your weapons, and stop at nothing to seek your ability to diffuse magic." The chief remained still, stoically staring into Andi's eyes as if he knew everything about her. "The people of our world, Thedas," he added, inclining his head to her, "are all connected to the Fade. The fade is our spirit world. It is from the Fade that our magic is born, living in each of us, but only manifesting powerfully in some. Mages have a stronger connection than most, some can become dangerous when they fall victim to the temptations of demons."
The chief paused, allowing his words to soak in. "You, however, are not of this world. You have no connection to the Fade. Magic does not effect you. You must take precautions. Heed my warnings."
Andi remained frozen. The chief, this Tibi, was answering many of her unasked questions, but that didn't make her any less confused. Was she really in a different world? He was intimidating, towering over her with his arms crossed, but his features spoke of honesty and trust. She shivered, she had no other alternative than to trust him. She would see for herself how this 'Magister' behaved.
"I have sheltered you for as long as I could, but it is time. Remember, traveler, do not demonstrate your skills. Not until the snake baits the wolf." The chief uncurled his arms and motioned for Andi to come. She stood still, her mind combing over what he had said.
"Come, traveler," he said again, impatience written on his features. He bent and picked up her bags, holding them out to her. She extended her arm slowly, then grasped her backpack and pulled it on, looping her arms through the straps. She reached out again and took her leather saddle bag, lifting her arms to loop the strap over her shoulders. She winced in pain, her side was beginning to ache painfully.
I've never written anything before in my life! Play nice and please review!