Dragon Age: Ryden The Mage
Chapter 2: Battle at the Crossroads
With his backpack returned; Ryden scrambled through what little he possessed; sighing with relief as he found his flask; barely a sliver of Lyrium sitting in the bottom; slipping out the cork; raising the flask to his lips and drinking the tiny blue sliver of liquid in one gulp.
Feeling a warm rush in his body; Ryden cast aside the flask; the glass shattering on the rocky terrain.
Ryden took what little Elfroot Leaves he had scavenged; pressing one leaf to his wounded stomach, pain flaring through his chest; letting out a gasp as the herb's healing properties began their work.
With his Ironbark Staff in hand and backpack slung over his shoulders; Ryden marched down the rocks and grassy mud to Crossroads Village; Ryden made sure to hide behind any rocks or overturned carts when passing any Sell-sword Mercenaries who might want him harmed; not having the strength to put up any kind of fight disgusted Ryden.
Arriving at Crossroad Village by an overlooking cliff; Ryden felt shock as he witnessed Rogue Templars and Rebel Mage's had set the village on fire in their continued and foolhardy war.
Houses and crops burnt to cinders and ashes; residents ran for their lives from the warring factions; Mage's were cut down where they stood; Templar's stood frozen in ice or laying on the ground with their armour melting from powerful flames, and there Ryden saw them; the very same team of four that saved him, fighting against both sides in the conflict.
The Herald wielding a mighty sword and shield; cut down and spilling the blood of Templar's daring enough to even challenge his skill with the sword; while Solas and Varric picked apart anyone who would come into range of their magic and crossbow respectively; and there was Cassandra; also wielding a sword and shield; her blade charging at and cutting down Mage's who had dared enter the battlefield.
Ryden watched the four from his hiding place; amazed by their unity, it had barely been any time at all since The Inquisition had been declared and already these four fought together like they had been doing battle together for years.
"You, who are you?!" came a gruff voice from behind.
Ryden turned and faced the voice; his eyes widening in shock as he saw yet another Templar; this one a large burly man; his armour damaged from fighting and his bruised and blood-stained face exposed through his helmet; as the Templar's side was a fearsome two-handed battle-axe; stained with the blood of many Mage's.
"If you will not answer me Apostate; then your filthy blood shall adorn my axe!" The Templar rose his Battle-Axe above his head; bringing the heavy blade down just as Ryden rolled out of the way; the blade splitting stones into pebbles on impact; the Battle-Axe shone with cruel light; Runes were embedded in his weapon.
Ryden took up his Ironbark Staff; he trusted with staff with his life, steeling himself for battle; thrusting the staff at The Templar; the jewel embedded in the staff's tip sent a light blue bolt arcing over the little distance between them both; though The Templar used his Axe to bat the spell away.
"What was that? You're rather weak for a Mage" He scoffed; shaking his head at such feeble prey.
Ryden grit his teeth, he needed more Mana; he only had enough for one good spell, and he needed the perfect window of opportunity.
The Templar charging again; slashing violently with his Battle-Axe; chopping down at Ryden with all his remaining might, Ryden blocking with small barriers but even he wouldn't keep it up forever.
Ryden then saw his opportunity; when The Templar brought his weapon up for a heavy strike; his damaged chest-plate stood out as a weak point; grinning to himself Ryden sidestepped the next horizontal attack; focussing all of his Mana into his staff; the Ironbark Staff igniting with his Fireball Spell; Ryden's two-tone eyes glaring at The Templar, "come and get me… Bitch!".
The Templar grew enraged at this insult; raising the Battle-Axe over his head; exposing his weakened armour; "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! I AM A TEMPLAR KNIGHT!" He shouted in his final moments of life.
Ryden took his chance; his magical flames spreading to his hands; the Charged Fireball ready; crouching down under the Battle-Axe and thrusting his Staff into The Templar's armour; the Fireball launching in close-range.
The Templar was dead on impact; The Fireball shattering his armour inwards; metal shards shredding The Templar's gut into a mess of cloth and blood; the flames burning away at The Templar's soon-to-be lifeless body.
Ryden panted; allowing himself a smile for his victory; he'd exhausted all of his remaining Mana in that Spell; his mind filling with glee.
"Well, it seems the young Mage can defend himself after all" Came another voice.
Ryden dreaded having to face another Templar; turning around and finding Solas; smiling at him.
"I knew you would follow us here Boy, tell me… what do you intend on doing here at The Crossroads?" Solas asked; leaning on his own Staff; his black eyes seemingly to be drilling into Ryden.
Ryden dropped to his knee's before Solas, laying his hands down on the muddy grass and speaking from his heart; that one wish he wanted granting in this moment.
"I want to join The Inquisition"