Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age II or any of the characters mentioned within this FanFiction.
A/N: There is a scene within this chapter that some readers may find distressing. Warning character death!
The sun bloomed in the sky, birds chirped happily within the cloudless sky. The mid-summer heat radiated of the streets caught by the slight breeze. Crossing the bridge that was located near the entrance of Lothering a chill ran up my spine. A breeze blows past my ears, I hear a whispering on the wind, a whisper of a threat not perceived.
We were all out together as father had insisted we help the refugees. Bethany and Carver being only 17 had picked up a bit of a fuss. However father, mother and I had managed to twist their arms with the promise of free time without us bothering them. Being a year older than my siblings I was expected to be the shining example, it is a difficult task to live up to.
Two years ago Father had finished training me in the ways of the blade. He therefore left the remainder of Carver's training to me as father wanted to focus more solely upon Bethany's training. Them both being mages father had forced countless volumes in front of Bethany and taught her about the temptations of blood magic. Carver and I studied as well during this time, I was determined that we would expand our horizons more through the things we learnt.
Carver has started joking with father as we make our way around the camps. Much help is needed and we can only offer so much but we the Hawke family try our very best. I begin helping apply bandages and salves to some injured people as I giggled at father and Carver joking around.
A shrill scream rings out, echoing around us. Silence follows. I quickly finish the bandage I had been applying, looking over at father he eyes the main bride that connects our tiny home place to the rest of Ferelden. Now finished with the bandage I run towards father, Carver has already joined him as Bethany is helping mother pack up her things.
"Let's go, there may be some people in need of help." Father states as he strides forward.
"Alright father, but let's keep our own well-being in mind." Carver inputted. Father just muttered something in reply as we raced onto the bridge.
Arriving upon the bridge I noticed the section that crossed the river now lay in pieces. Looking away from the ruined road towards I noticed fire. Fire was spreading in the grasses and trees that surrounded the village. Thick smoke billowed towards us causing a coughing fit, my eyes began to sting. Blinking furiously I tried to see despite the smoke. I needed to see if anyone needed assistance. Glancing around I noticed Carver doubled over beside me holding his face in his hands. Father was nowhere to be seen. I scanned what little I could see, hoping to catch a glimpse of him even briefly.
Still nothing, my eyes streamed as the smoke raged at them. The thick grey mass swirled and surrounded me. Coughing I forced myself to move forward, forced myself to find him. As I staggered through the smoke clouded scene I furiously glanced at both sides. My tear filled eyes presented me with a blurry dark greyness. Suddenly a wind wiped towards me and the smoke clouds shifted, an area double the size of the refugee camp had now cleared of smoke. The battle was visible.
Creatures, the likes of which I had vaguely read about surrounded various people. They growled and hissed and squelched and screamed. The noises caused all hairs to stand at attention and bile to rise to the back of my throat. They were strange creatures; they came in different shapes and sizes carrying a barrage of different weapons. Some almost resembled men whilst others reminded me of the build of dwarves. A strange smell that reminded me of damp, woods and decay mixed with the burning that overwhelmed me. As I glare at these creatures my book had referred to as 'Darkspawn' I noticed that they were overwhelming the people the surrounded.
There seemed to be an endless number of these beasts. A familiar spell flew through the air dead ahead of me. I rushed forward desperate to lend my aid. Gripping the long blade father had given me for my last Birthday; I swung it forward gripping it with both hands. I began the 'dance of skill' as father liked to refer to fighting. Five of those beasts ran towards my father closing the distance, the weakness of most mages was close combat. Father was not one of them; he had skills with combat, he had trained me and Carver after all.
I watched as I narrowed the gap between me, my father and the Darkspawn, they focused upon him. Father had no one to back him up yet, I will change that. One of the taller beasts made to grab my father, I stared at the narrowing gap as another from the opposite direction to the one that was attempting to grab him landed a hit. My father crumpled forward, screaming I forced my legs to move faster, the first beast closed his grip around my momentarily stunned father.
'Almost there' I screamed inside my head. I can almost feel the breath of the foul creatures against my skin. "Father!" I screeched, his head snapped in my direction. His eyes lock with mine; tears begin to stream down our faces. A smile sweeps across his face, his goofy smile that had made the twins to giggle when they were younger. I feel my muscles force themselves into a smile as they always do when they see father smile.
The second Darkspawn plunges his blade into my father's back. I feel a scream leave my mouth as my father slumps into the beast restraining him. My chest burns as I feel like my heart hits the ground below me. Falling; somehow I'm falling, I hit the ground the same time as my father. The wind rushes from my body as I furiously attempt to retain it.
"Daughter, listen to me." A whisper of a voice calls to me. "Take your mother and siblings and get out of her. Lothering isn't safe any longer." He begs.
"I will father." I stutter as I force myself to stand once again. "Come on, I'll get you out of here." I state bending over to lift him up.
"No, Run!" He shouts, his eyes widening in fear of a terror behind me. Fear grips my body refusing to allow my head to turn. "Run Now!" He yells. My body responds forcing me into a sprint. At the screen of smoke I glace back I notice a horde surrounding my father.
'I must go back.' I think. Turning I prepare myself to run back to him. "RUN AWAY!" I hear him scream. "Protect them." He adds. A sickening crunch sound fills my ears. The tears flow more furiously down my face. Turning once more I begin my journey through the dark grey blurring everything else.
"Sister, sister where are you?" I hear Carver calling. Pivoting myself towards his yells, I grip his arm as I sprint through the smoke.
"We need to go." I say in a strangled tone.