Another day, another chapter. Sorry about the delay, made changes to chapter 1 for those who first read that chapter. well i hope you enjoy this one.
Chapter 3
The next morning, after having a quick breakfast, Aedan and the rest of his company were just about to head out when Harry stepped out of his home wearing his grandfather's armor with Neart and Acharn strapped to his back and a backpack to carry what he needed. The armor Harry was wearing had a blue undershirt with brown pants, with intricately designed armor plating on his chest, shoulders with arm and shin guards for the forearm and legs respectively, lastly there was the dark black cape that was attached to the armor with a hood that was under Neart and Acharn. The armor was meant to allow the wearer to have a solid defense while not sacrificing speed and mobility. Luna was wearing her Dalish Keeper armor that she had worn when she was saved by Harry. Slung over her back was her trusty Dalish longbow and a quiver of arrows, as well as a short sword that was strapped to her belt.
Harry walked towards the group, who were just about to set off towards Kinloch Hold to continue to find support against the Blight. "Hold a moment Aedan. My wife and I would like to join you and aid in your endeavor to stop the Blight." Harry said.
Aedan looked at Harry and Luna in surprise, not expecting for them to want to travel with them. Looking behind at the rest of the group for their opinion, Alastair was the first to give is opinion on the matter.
"Well we do need all the help we can get, but we already have one apostate in our ranks, do we really need another with us?" Alastair said as he pointed at Morrigan, which earned a withering glare as if she was trying to set his hair on fire.
"If these people wish to join us, then I say let them. Not only would they be of great help in battle but he would also be a much better cook than Alistair, and I for one would rather not have any of the fool's cooking again." Morrigan stated.
"If they wishe to join us, then I approve. Anyone that can wield a weapon should combat the darkspawn." Sten said. Finally turning to Leliana for her opinion. Leliana simply nodded at the idea without giving any input. Nodding, Aedan turned back to Harry and held his hand out for him to shake, which he did.
"Welcome to the group Harry and Luna" Aedan said. He only got a smile and a nod from both Harry and Luna, and thus the group set out.
Hours later when the sky was darkening and the sun was setting, the group would settle down a few miles away from Lake Calanhad, and set up camp. During their journey they came across Bodahn and his son Sandal, who decided to follow them on their journey, giving news and selling merchandise as thanks for saving their lives in Lothering.
"Right then, Dane, Sten I need you go and gather kindling for the firewood. Leliana, you will help me with setting up the tents, while Alastair gets the water. As for you Harry, once Alastair gets back with the water you'll be making dinner." Aedan ordered to them. Realising that one of their members was not only not mentioned but also missing, Alastair decided to speak up.
"Have any of you seen Morrigan, and speaking of her, how come you don't tell her what to do, as well as Luna?" He asked.
"Morrigan went to look for more herbs to help in making potions and poultice, as for not telling her and Luna what to do, Morrigan's not one to take orders and Luna is Harry's wife, I would rather not get on his bad side by ordering his wife around." Aedan explained, after which everyone went and did as they were told.
After everyone had returned and their duties carried out, Harry began to start on making dinner for everyone while Aedan went around the camp striking a conversation with some of their other companions, first starting with Alistair. As they spoke, Harry sensed that someone was coming up from behind him, without looking up from his preparations nor slowing down.
"May I help you?" He asked. The person seemed startled that they knew they were coming up to them without looking behind. Said person happened to be Leliana, who had wanted to thank Harry for saving her the other day.
"Well, I didn't get to thank you for saving me the other day." Leliana said. Nodding, Harry stopped stirring the ladle in the pot, knowing that the food was done cooking, and stood up.
Soon after dinner was over, Harry decided to speak with the rest of the group individually. So placing the bowl he used on the pile, he quickly made his way to the only other magic user of the group, Morrigan. He noticed that she was mixing a bunch of herbs and grinding them down in a mixing bowl.
"Yes." Morrigan asked, not looking away from her work.
"You know if you are busy, I can always come back another time." Harry said.
Morrigan stopped her work and looked at him, her golden eyes shining from the nearby fire. "No, no, please speak your mind." She said.
Harry simply stared at her for a full minute thinking over what to ask before nodding to himself. "Tell me about yourself first, then we can discuss some magic." he said.
Morrigan gave a small laugh, her eyes dancing in mirth. "You wish to more about me? My, my whatever would your wife think." she asked, giving a coy smirk.
Hary simply smiled back and answered her. "Well she would first be suspicious, but then return to what she was doing as she knows that I am simply getting to know everyone I meet, as I normally do."
Morrigan continued to smirk and gave a small nod. "A very good answer. Very Well, what do you wish to know about me?" she asked.
"Aedan mentioned that you along with your mother managed to save both his and Alistairs life during the battle at Ostagar. My question would be who your mother is and how she manged to save them during a raging battle." Harry asked.
"My mother is known as Flemeth, or Asha'Belanar to the Dalish. And as for how she saved them, well she turned into a giant bird and plucked them from the tower." Morrigan answered, mirth in her eyes, expecting him to not believe her.
"Ah, that would explain how she managed to get to the top of the Tower." Harry stated.
"You believe me?" Morrigan asked, sceptical about his honesty.
"Yes." Harry answered. "It's not that difficult to believe considering that I myself can also change into animals. Something I'm sure you're mother taught you as well."
"And what kind of animal can you change into?" Morrigan asked.
Harry simply smirked. "You may get to find out during our journey." he replied.
"You stated earlier that you would like to discuss about the topic of magic." Morrigan said.
"I did yes. Tell me, what are your views on magic, ignoring the fact that you yourself have magic." Harry asked.
"I find that magic should be free for all to use and that it should not be controlled, unlike what the Chantry do." Morrigan stated her opinion. "And what is your opinion on magic?"
Harry though for a moment before answering. "Magic, much like the forces around us is a tangible and powerful tool. It can used to cause great acts of kindess but also great destruction. I agree with what you have stated, but that also raises the question about Blood Magic?"
"Blood Magic is just another form of magic that is looked at with disdain and mistrust. But it is most powerful, especially when the mage using it can make them very powerful." Morrigan said.
"And that is where I disagree with you about Blood Magic. While yes, one could gain power from that particular branch of magic, it also carries great risk of backfiring." Harry stated.
"Why?" Morrigan asked, narrowing her eyes. "As a fellow mage and a free one at that, surely you cannot believe the drivel that the Chantry preach about Blood Magic."
"I have seen the consequences of relying on Blood magic for power." Harry stated with a dark look.
"Might I ask what this person was doing for you to say such a thing?" Morrigan asked with a raised eyebrow.
Harry gave Morrigan a hard stare as he weighed his decision about telling her about Voldemort. On one hand it would give her a glimpse of what his life was before and migh give her an idea of how powerful he is. But on the other hand she might try to replicate the ritual or any number of atrocities that Voldemort had committed to further increase her power. Decideding to allow her this small glimpse, harry told her.
"Very well. A few years ago, I dealt with a Blood Mage of considerable power trying to rip open the Fade and summon an army of Demons in hopes of destroying Thedas and reshaping it in his image." Harry stated. "He got his power by using Blood Magic to increase his power, killing innocent people, whether they be man, woman or child it did not matter to him."
"I see." Morrigan said, her eyes widening as she saw the truth in his words. "And you have never thought of doing so yourself?" she asked.
"What? Becoming more powerful by using Blood Magic?" Harry asked before shaking his head. "No. I have no reason to do so, and besides I'm already quite powerful in my own right. I have no need for a boost in power."
"Truly?" Morrigan asked. "My you are an arrogant young man aren't you."
"Is it arrogance if it the truth." Harry quipped back. "Anyway, thank you for the conversation." he said before turning around and walking over to the campfire as everyone began to head to bed.
Aedan and Harry decided to stay for guard duty for that night, as well as cleaning the dishes. After they had cleaned the dishes, Aedan sat by the fire and began stoking the fire, after a while he decided to know more about Harry. "So if you're not from Fereldan, where exactly did you come from?" Aedan asked.
"Markham, in the Free Marches, while my wife is from here in Fereldan." Harry answered. Aedan nodded and asked him another question. "Ok, well then who are you, really?"
"My name is Hadrian James Potter, Harry to my friends and Potter to my teachers. I am the last son the noble house Potter in the Free Marches, between a Templar noble Father and a Circle Mage Mother, and also its heir" Harry replied. Aedan was surprised at that fact, considering that mage children were not allowed to inherit anything of nobility. Noticing his surprised face, Harry chuckled knowing where his trail of though went off to, and said "While the Chantry frowns upon mage children inheriting a title, there is no law or rule stating it as fact. So while they could try to take the child away, they would cause an uproar in the nobility, because if the Chantry was to take a mage child away from their inheritance, what would happen if their own children were taken as well?"
"There are some noble families out in Thedas that do not disinherit their children just because their mages and they take their place after their parents move on. Most prominently is the Amell family in Kirkwall, they were known to have a lot of magic in their blood." Harry continued.
Aedan nodded at this, understanding the worry that the nobility would be in if the chantry could simply take their children on a whim, he knows that his parents, his mother especially, would fight tooth and nail for Fergus, himself or Maker forbid, Oren against the Chantry if they were mages and that they were to be taken away. Deciding to ask one last question before waking Alastair for guard rotation. "I noticed earlier that you have a scar on the palm of your left hand and that it seemed to be glowing a little, might I ask what happened to your hand and why it was glowing." He asked looking at the hand in question.
Harry was also looking at said hand, thinking things over but decided to trust Aedan on this. "I got the scar on my hand by having a mace smashed over it." Aedan winced at the image that seemed to come to his mind. "As for the glowing…well, that's another story for another time." Harry answered, Aedan seemed to accept the reply he got, understanding that trust was needed to be earned, and that required time and patience, something Aedan was familiar with, with his time spent with the nobility.
So I decided to have Harry speak to Morrigan first as that was simple as they were both Mages, but from two very different backgrounds. There will be more interactions between Harry and the other characters, so don't worry about that. Remember to have an awesome day.
