Chapter 2 – Again
"I've been searching for you, I heard a cry within my soul
I've never had a yearning quite like this before
Now that you are walking right through my door
All of my life where have you been?
I wonder if I'll ever see you again and if that day comes
I know we could win, I wonder if I'll ever see you again
A sacred gift of heaven for better, worse, wherever
And I would never let somebody break you down, nor take your crown, never"
Again by Lenny Kravits
Pain… excruciating pain is the first thing that Josie's minds registers. Her veins feel as if liquid flames are coursing through them instead of blood. She tries to draw in a deep breath, but her nostrils are assaulted with the pungent smell of sulfur and she begins to cough and choke. She opens her eyes and before her is a horde of darkspawn marching over a stone bridge in a cavernous ravine. She hears a loud screech from overhead, she looks up to see a large, bony dragon flying through the air. It has an aura of unrelenting malevolence surrounding it. It swoops down toward her, its eyes boring into her, causing a new wave of pain and nausea to lick through her. She cries out, but no sound comes because her throat is too parched from the heat and she feels her lips beginning to crack from dehydration. Water! She would give her life for a drop of water. She would give her soul to soothe the agony in her throat.
The dragon lets out another loud roar. All of the darkspawn on the bridge halt and turn their gaze on her. She is a threat to them, to the dragon, their hatred for her radiates off of them and she can feel their desire to kill her. The dragon turns its attention away from her and as the darkspawn resume their march, Josie falls in quiet darkness.
Josie felt the gentle touch of fingertips as they stroke the side of her cheek. Her eyes flicker open and she was staring into warmest, most inviting pair of honey brown eyes she has ever seen. There is something familiar about them. A memory tickles at the edges of her mind, but she was unable fully grasp onto it. However she was certain that this wasn't the first time she has gazed into these alluring eyes.
Alistair tenderly tucked a loose hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"
"Have I died? Cause I feel like I've died and some damn mage decided to resurrect me."
Alistair chuckled. "That good, huh?"
Josie stomach grumbled loudly, demanding substances. Josie looked down at her belly and sheepishly smiled up at Alistair who was laughing. "Well, I guess I'm feeling well enough to eat."
"Good thing I brought you some stew. Can you sit up?"
Josie nodded as she pulled herself up. Alistair handed her the bowl and she practically inhaled it. He stared at her wide eyed as she handed him the bowl and asked for more. He grinned at her as he went out into the camp to bring her more stew. When she had devoured the second bowl she leaned back and rubbed her stomach. "Feel better now, Gracie?"
Alistair cocked an eyebrow and sly grin spread across his face. "Gracie?"
She smiled back at him. "Yes, I know it's weird, but it's the name I gave my food baby when I was a kid."
Alistair leaned back, pushed his stomach out and rubbed it. He grinned over at her as he said, "Gracie, let me introduce you to George."
Josie's eyes went wide and she felt her mouth fall open. Her brain refused to function as she stared at him in disbelief. He couldn't be her stable boy. The boy with the kindest eyes she had ever seen. The boy that could make her laugh no matter what the circumstance was. The boy that she had thought about since she was eleven years old. When she could finally speak she asked, "Alistair?"
He grinned at her. "Yes, that is my name."
"Are you my Alistair?"
He laughed. "Your Alistair! I don't know, but I like the sound of that. Why don't you describe yourAlistair to me and I'll let you know if I'm him?"
Josie shook her head and looked down at her hands. "Never mind, that was a stupid thing to ask. Just my imagination and silly childhood memories running away from me."
Alistair smiled at her. "Come Josie, tell me about your Alistair...I dare you."
Josie's eyes shot up to met his, she grinned at him, but shook her head no.
"I double dog dare you," he said slyly.
Her lips perched as she fought the growing smile as she shook her head no again.
"I triple dog dare you," he said teasingly.
"I never turn down a triple dog dare."
"So I've heard."
"Oh and who told you that?"
"A little bird."
"Okay," she said as she settled back against her pillows. "My Alistair was this devilishly handsome lad…"
"Devilishly handsome? I think that disqualifies me right there."
"Oh please, you're gorgeous and you know it."
Alistair didn't comment, but a pleased expression settled on his face. "Please continue telling me about your Alistair."
"My Alistair had a quick sense of humor although quirky at times."
"Quirky!" Alistair exclaimed.
"I like quirky."
"Oh…okay…well that's good to know."
"My Alistair liked to raid the larder instead of doing chores."
"Well now that does sound like me."
"My Alistair gave me my mabari as gift."
"Generous fellow this Alistair."
"Yes he is. He has a kind heart. It made me want to protect him."
"What? He needed a girl to protect him! He sounds like a wimp," Alistair chuckled.
She punched at his arm and Alistair rubbed at it, feigning pain. "Ouch, you certainly don't punch like a girl. No wonder he wanted you to protect him. Will you protect me too, Jo? I'm afraid of the big bad darkspawn and I need strong girl such as yourself to keep me safe," Alistair teased.
Josie went to punch him again, but he grabbed her wrist, she lost her balance and fell against his chest. His arm went around her waist pinning her to him. She looked up at him and felt his warm breath wash over her. She gazed at his lips and remembered the soft feel of them against hers and she yearned to have him take her mouth once again.
"Your Alistair sounds like a lucky man," Alistair sighed. His lips only inches from hers.
"He wasn't a man, yet. He was only a boy…a poor, perfect boy," she whispered.
"You thought I was perfect?" She nodded, Alistair smiled as he leaned down and just before he pressed his lips against hers...
"I hear voices so you must be up, Josie" Duncan said from outside her tent.
Alistair pulled away from her just as the flap opened. Duncan looked over at Josie and smiled. "The color is back in your cheeks. That's good. Has Alistair been taking good care of you?"
Josie glanced over at Alistair whose face was three shades of red. She looked back at Duncan. "Yes, he brought me some stew to eat, but I really could go for some chocolate."
Duncan laughed. "Well, good luck finding that in camp. I doubt even Cailan has any chocolate left."
"Somehow I doubt that. I'm sure he is just hoarding it all. It would be so like him," Josie stated.
"Yes, well you would know that better than I. Speaking of Cailan, he would like to see both of us first thing in the morning," Duncan said.
Josie noticed Alistair stiffen at the mention of the King's name and she eyed him curiously. She gave Duncan a nod of consent. "Of course."
"Well, I have final preparations to tend to. Don't let Alistair keep you up all night taking your ear off. Both of you will need your rest tomorrow."
"I won't," she replied as Duncan backed out her tent.
Josie glanced over at Alistair. Her eyes wandered over his handsome face, his broad shoulders, his chiseled chest, yes she wouldn't mind staying up all night with him, but talking was the last thing she had on her mind.
Her eyes then went wide as she realized exactly what she was thinking. Where the hell had that thought come from? What the hell was wrong with her? But then her eyes fell once again to Alistair's lips, those full soft lips and she remembered the current of electricity that had passed through her the last time they had met. She longed to feel that again. Sweet baby Andraste in a manger, what the hell was this? Was this some bizarre side effect of the taint? Did the taint make you horny? Or was this because she had been reunited with the boy that she had a crush on since she was eleven?
Josie leaned back towards him, but she could sense that his demeanor had changed and she fell back against her pillows. She looked at him for a long moment before she spoke. "To answer your question, my Alistair is perfect."
Alistair shook his head. "No, he isn't. Those are the memories of an eleven year old girl. The reality is very different from those childhood memories."
"The reality is better," Josie replied.
"No Josie. You deserve more than a stable boy. You're a noble. You deserve someone better, someone like a king."
There was irritation in the way he had said king. She looked into his face. She saw jealousy etched there and all the pieces fell into place. "Wow, Alistair that is one hell of an opinion you have of me. You think I slept with the King the first night I was here, and tonight I'm throwing myself at you...what's that make me? The camp whore?"
Alistair looked stunned by her questioned. Her eyes were stinging as she fought back the tears. The walls of the tent felt like they were closing in on her and was having trouble breathing. She needed to get the hell out of here, she needed fresh air.
As she scrambled toward the opening Alistair reached for her. "Josie, no...that isn't it..."
Josie pushed his hand away and threw herself out of the tent. She started across the camp when her vision began to blur and the ground beneath her feet started to spin. Her body swayed and just as her knees were about to give out she felt two strong arms scoop her up.
Alistair whispered in her ear, "It's the taint. It makes you weaker while your blood adjusts to it."
He carried her back to the tent and set her down on her bedroll. "Josie...I don't think you're a whore. I could never think that about you. I was just trying to say that you deserve better than me. I am far from perfect, I have nothing to offer you and he can offer you everything. I can't compete with that."
"There is no competition, Alistair. I have known Cailan for most of my life and for as long as I can remember he has been a womanizer. I would never be one of the many notches on his belt."
"I'm sorry, Jo. I-I just assumed when you didn't return from his tent that night you were with him."
"You know what they say when you assume?" Alistair shook his head. "You make an ass out of you and me."
Alistair smiled, but didn't reply.
"Look, Cailan asked me to his tent because he had received word that Fergus' scouting squad was close to Ostagar. He allowed me to take a few of his men to go look for him so that I could tell him the news about our family."
"Did you find Fergus' camp?"
"Yes, but by the looks of the bodies that were scattered around the campsite they were attacked by darkspawn."
"And Fergus?"
"He wasn't there."
"I'm so sorry, Jo...wait...what news about your family?"
Josie looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, her throat felt tight preventing her from speaking and the weight from the sorrow was crushing her chest making it difficult for her to speak.
"Josie, what happened to your family?" He asked tenderly.
She hadn't spoken of that night since it happened and she wasn't sure she could form the words.
"You can trust me JoJo, I'm here for you."
Josie closed her eyes as cleared her throat before she began. "T-the night that Duncan conscripted me..."
"Duncan conscripted you?"
She waved him off. If she was going to tell him she couldn't be interrupted. She just needed to get this out. "The night that Duncan conscripted me, my father was betrayed by a close family friend, Rendon Howe. Howe attacked the castle with his knights that were supposed to be on their way to Ostagar. Their attack was merciless, they killed and raped everything in sight..."
"D-did they...harm you?" Alistair asked through gritted teeth.
Josie shook her head and she drew in a deep breath to steady herself. "No, but by the time I had got to Fergus' wife and son they...it was too late for them. My mother and I fought through Howe's knights to the kitchen larder where my father was. M-my father...he...uhmm...he had been gravely injured, blood, there was so much blood, his blood and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I felt so helpless. Duncan rushed in and my father insisted that he take me and my mother with him out a secret passage. Duncan agreed, but only if my father consented to me joining the Grey Wardens, a request he had denied earlier. My father agreed. As Howe's men broke down the kitchen door Duncan and I escaped through the secret passage."
"And your mother?"
Josie shook her head. "S-she refused to leave my father's side."
Alistair leaned toward her and pulled her into his arms. "Oh JoJo, I'm so sorry... I wish that I had more words of comfort to offer, but I don't... I liked your father. He was kind to me and so very understanding. I wish I had the opportunity to get to know him better."
"He liked you too Alistair. He wished that there was more that he could have done for you."
"He had done plenty...he and you had changed my life. I owe him much." Alistair kissed the top of her head, then turned her so that her back was pressed against his chest and he eased them down onto her bedroll. His body enfolding her making her feel warm and secure. He held her tightly against his chest as she cried herself to sleep.
xxXxx
Josie slowly began to return to consciousness, reluctant to leave the delicious dream she was having of Alistair pressing her against a tree while he did the most amazing things with his tongue. She tried to open her eyes, but the moment that she did a splitting pain shot through her head. She tried to lift her hand to her head, but her arms felt heavy.
Where was she? What had happened? She tried to think...the battle...yes, the battle had begun and she and Alistair had been charged with lighting the beacon. Alistair had been very unhappy about being left out of the fray and sent on what he considered a menial task. As it turned out their assignment wasn't so humdrum after all. The tower had been overrun with darkspawn and they had to fight their way up to light the beacon...the beacon...yes she had just lit the beacon when there was a burst of bright light from an explosion and than...nothing...Alistair...where was Alistair?
She moaned as she tried to open her eyes again. She felt the warm, rough sensation of a tongue licking her hand and she smiled. She reached out and scratched Strider behind the ears.
"Oh good, you're awake," a voice said.
Josie opened her eyes and slowly turned her head toward the direction that sound had come from. Near the fireplace was the witch that they encountered in the Wilds. The one that had brought them to the old woman that had protected the scrolls. Josie chuckled at the memory of Alistair sarcastically saying, "Swooping is bad", but then winced from the pain.
"Morrigan?"
"Aaah, I see your memory is still intact," Morrigan replied.
"W-what happened?"
"Hmmm, maybe not so much. Mother rescued you and your friend although it was a close call. You were severely injured, but mother managed to save you. The man who was to respond to your signal quit the field. The darkspawn overwhelmed the Ferelden soldiers and Grey Wardens, they were massacred."
"All of them?" Josie interjected.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. The king is dead and I believe that you and your friend are the only Grey Wardens left. Your friend isn't taking it well. He has waffled between grief and denial. He is outside by the fire. Mother asked to speak with you once you had awaken."
"Thank you, Morrigan. I appreciate your help."
Morrigan looked a little taken back by the words of gratitude. "Aaah...you're welcome, but it really was Mother who you should be thanking. She did most of the work."
Josie slowly eased out of bed, her body still tender from her wounds and gingerly got dressed. Morrigan walked over and handed her a vial. "Here drink this healing potion. It will alleviate some of the pain. Your wounds were substantial. Mother did her best heal you, but you will be sore for a few days."
Josie drank the potion then stepped out of the hut into light of the day. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the brightness.
"See here is your fellow Grey Warden now. I told you she would make it," the old witch said.
Alistair spun around, grief etched on his face. The moment that he saw her, his face was flooded with relief. He rushed toward her, his right arm slipped around her waist as his other hand slid around her neck to the nape of her neck, his fingers fisted into her hair as he pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "You're alive. Thank the Maker...I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't survived, Jo."
Strider jumped around both of them, happily barking.
"I'm fine, Alistair. It's going to be okay," Josie said trying to reassure herself as much as him.
"Things are never going to okay again. Everything has changed. If it wasn't for Morrigan's mother we would both be dead on top of that tower."
"I'm standing right here boy, no need to talk about me as if I'm not here," the old woman said.
Alistair released his hold her and turned to face the old witch. "I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect. You never told us your name, what should we call you."
"Names are useless, however the chastened folks call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."
"The Flemeth...from the legends...you are the Witch of Wilds," Alistair said astounded.
"What of it. I know a bit of magic and has served both you well," Flemeth retorted.
"Thank you, Flemeth for coming to our aid. We are most grateful," Josie replied.
"Your manners continue to surprise me, but you are welcome," Flemeth stated.
"I don't mean to be rude, but why did you help us?" Josie asked.
"Someone has to fight these darkspawn. The battle outside the ruins was beyond hope, you two were the only ones left. It has always been the Grey Wardens duty to unite the lands against the Blight. Or did someone change the rules without telling me."
"Of course not!" Josie replied defensively.
"We were fighting the darkspawn. Cailan had nearly defeated them. Why would Loghain do this?" Alistair asked.
"Now that is a very good question, but then again why do men in power do most of things they do?"
Josie's eyes narrowed. "To gain more power."
Flemeth smiled sly at her. "Smart girl, there maybe hope for Ferelden after all."
"Then we must stop him!" Alistair demanded.
"Oh and how do you propose to do that?" Flemeth questioned.
"Arl Eamon...if he knew about Loghain's treason he would call for his head...He wasn't at Ostagar. He still has all his men. He was Cailan's uncle...We can go to Redcliffe and appeal to him for help. The Arl is a good man."
"I believe your definition and my definition of a 'good man' are vastly different," Josie interjected.
Alistair shot her dirty look, indicating that the Arl's past sins were not up for discuss at the moment. "Do you have a better suggestion?" He snipped.
She glared irritatingly at him. "Why yes I do. I looked over those treaties before I turned them over to Duncan. Those agreements give us the power to demand aid from the dwarves, elves and mages. I believe that would be a good place to start."
Flemeth grinned at her. "You do continue to impress, girl. This sounds like the beginning of a plan, one that could lead to building an army against the Blight."
"Thank you once again for your aid, Flemeth. Would it be ill-mannered to ask if you can offer any further assistance?" Josie asked.
"Well, I'm glad that you asked that. I do believe that I will be able to provide you with further assistance," Flemeth said just as Morrigan approached them.
"I have finished the stew. Will we have company for dinner this evening?" Morrigan asked.
"The Grey Wardens will be leaving and you will be joining them," Flemeth replied.
"What?" Morrigan, Josie and Alistair said in unison.
Flemeth chuckled. "I do believe I am still speaking English. Her magic will be useful, even better she knows the Wilds and will be able to guide you out of here. Consider it repayment for me saving your lives."
Josie scrutinized the old witch. It seem rather odd that she seemed rather eager to get rid of her own daughter and throw her into the middle of civil unrest that was sure to follow after Cailan's death. Before she could address this Alistair spoke up.
"Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but outside the Wilds she is an apostate."
"You didn't seem to troubled by an illegal mage aiding you on top of that tower," Flemeth retorted.
Alistair shook his head in defeat. "Point taken."
It had only taken Morrigan a few minutes to gather up her meager belongings and before long they were heading for the little town of Lothering. Alistair, lost in his thoughts and grief, had been unusually quiet during their trip, but she could completely understand that. She honestly didn't believe that she had said more than a handful of words to Duncan on their way to Ostagar. She had been so lost in her grief, her sorrow and despair crushing her, breaking her. It had been Alistair that had pulled her out of the mental and emotional fog that she had been. Within the first five minutes of meeting him, he had made her laugh...she hadn't laughed since before the death of her family. She knew then and there that the boy that she had a schoolgirl crush on had become the man that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She couldn't explain it, she knew it sounded crazy, but there was some kind of connection between them. When she was with him she felt safe, secure...and loved.
She was also beginning to realize that he was at times the most infuriating man she had ever met. He had no problem voicing his opinion, but when it came to actually making a decision he continually allowed that burden to fall on her shoulders. His lack of confidence in his leadership abilities actually angered her. Not because he lacked them, quite the contrary, leadership was in his blood, but it had never been properly cultivated and that oversight fell directly on Eamon's shoulders. However, she was going to remedy that. She was going nurture and foster those traits in him that she knew were there, but that were buried under the mounds of uncertainty and self doubt.
Alistair had wanted to head to Redcliffe first, but Josie really wasn't up for facing Eamon and Isolde just yet. She had never completely forgiven Isolde for her poor treatment of Alistair and Eamon for so willingly turning a blind eye just for a piece of Orlesian ass. At the time when her father had accused Eamon of being whipped by what was between Isolde's legs Josie had no earthly idea what he had meant. However, a few years later when Fergus explained what the statement meant she was furious at Eamon. Josie didn't care how great she was in the sack, Eamon's first priority should have been to Alistair, not his cock.
However, despite her negative feelings toward the Arl and Arlessa if Alistair could have properly stated his case and the reason for his convictions she would have gone along with his plan, but when she had given him the smallest amount of resistance he had thrown his hands up in defeat, told her he didn't want to argue with her and stormed off...just like a child.
As she watched him walk away she called out after him, "Really, Alistair? You're going to just stomp off like a child? Didn't you know that making up after a fight is the best part? It might be worth your while to stick around for that."
That last bit had given him pause before he continued into the woods.
"Don't take it personal Josie," Leliana said from behind her.
"It's hard not to."
"You push him and challenge him to be a better man. It's obvious that he hasn't had many people in his life do that. It perplexes him and he has yet to learn how to rise to the challenge. Give him time, with you as his teacher it won't take him long to master it."
Leliana had only become one of her companion the week before, but Josie had already taken a strong liking to the Lay Sister. She had a style and grace about her that reminded her of her mother and Josie took comfort in that. Leliana also possessed wisdom beyond her years and at times Josie really needed that guidance.
"It will be a cold day in the Void when that boy grows a spine," Sten grunted.
"I didn't think the Qunari believed in the Void," Leliana said.
"We don't," Sten replied.
"Than why reference it?" Leliana asked.
"I had to use it as reference because you humans are fond of your fairytales, so it would make sense to explain it to you in such context," Sten retorted.
"I should probably go after him," Josie sighed.
"Probably a good idea. I doubt he left a breadcrumb trail to find his way back," Leliana said with a smirk.
Josie grinned up at the giant as she headed into the woods,, "Take note, that's fairytale reference."
It probably wasn't a wise idea for Josie and Alistair to be in the woods...alone...at night...angry at each other. If Josie had not been so focused on how childish Alistair was behaving and paying closer attention to her taint that was now screaming she might have been better prepared for the Ogre that charged at her through the trees.
The attack surprised her and she screamed as she rolled out of its path, unsheathing her sword and dagger at the same time. She leapt to her feet and spun to face the beast just as loud warrior cry came from behind her. Alistair rushed past her charging head on at the monster. He shield bashed the beast three times before driving his sword toward its stomach. The ogre quickly swatted the sword away and sending Alistair flying back in the process. Josie charged at the beast, leapt into the air, driving her sword and dagger into the sides of the fiend's neck. The monster staggered as it tried to swat at Josie, but she was too quick for it. She withdrew her dagger and used the sword that was still in the ogre's neck as leverage she pulled herself up to the beast's shoulder. The ogre roared in pain as it flailed wildly trying to dislodge her. Once on its shoulder she drove the dagger into the back of ogre's neck. The monster lurched forward and fell dead on the spot.
She jumped off the ogre just as it crashed to the ground. She spun toward Alistair who was now fighting two hurlocks when a third appeared from the bush behind him. Josie yelled out a warning, but was too late as the darkspawn drove its sword through Alistair's side. He collapsed instantly.
Josie was outnumbered three to one, but Alistair's only hope of surviving that wound was her to come out victorious. Fading in and out of the shadows, Josie maneuvered behind the darkspawn dealing backstabbing and heartseeking blows as she went. Sliding in and out of sight made it hard for the darkspawn to anticipate her movements, and it was only a matter of minutes before all three dispensed were of.
Josie rushed to Alistair and fell on her knees beside him. "Alistair," she cried but received no response. She pressed her fingers to his neck and felt the steady beating pulse there. There was a lot of blood on the ground and she couldn't tell how sever nor how deep the wound was. She unfasten his breastplate so that she could examine his wound. Thank the Maker that they had just finished setting up camp and he still had his armor on. She doubted he would still be breathing if he hadn't.
There was no wound on the front of his abdomen which was good. It meant the blade didn't go all the way through. Josie gently rolled him over and examined the entrance wound. It was deep, but it was a clean cut. It didn't look as if the darkspawn had twisted his blade when he withdrew. Josie quickly removed her rogue's vest, using her dagger she cut strips off of the bottom of her tunic so that she could pack the wound then wrap other strips around his waist to hold it in place. Once the wound was a secure as she could make she looked around the clearing trying to figure out where the hell she was.
She had been so lost in her thoughts and her frustration with Alistair that she hadn't paid attention to where she was heading. Now she was wishing for a few breadcrumbs. She looked up at the sky, but the moon had just past behind a large group of clouds and she couldn't pinpoint its exact location. She stood up and began examining nearby trees for moss, but found none.
Fuck! Now what was she going to do. She couldn't very well drag Alistair around the forest trying to find her way back to camp. He was twice her size, she wouldn't make ten feet dragging his dead weight. She widened her perimeter and continued to look for something familiar. She had gone approximately twenty feet from where she had left Alistair when she spotted an opening in the side of a cliff. She rushed over and examined it as best as she could in the dark. It wasn't a deep recess, but it extended far enough into the cliff that it would hid them from anyone passing by.
Josie rushed back to Alistair, grasped him underneath his arms and began to pull him toward the cave. She had only dragged him a few feet before the muscles in her arms and legs began to burn. She stopped long enough to catch her breath and resumed moving him. It was a slow process, but eventually she made back to the cave. She checked the packing on his wound and was pleased to find that it remained in place during the move. However the move had not been good for Alistair. He was now covered in a sheen of sweat and was shaking uncontrollably.
Damn it! He needed a healer or he wasn't going to make it. But if she tried to find her way back to camp she could be lost in the dark woods for hours, wasting precious time. Tears of frustration and fear began to slide down her face. "Please Maker, don't take him from me too, please. I can't do this without him. Please...I need him."
She laid her head against his chest, trying to stifle her tears, trying to clear her head so that she could think. She didn't know how long she had been resting her head on him when she heard the first faint sound of someone crying out in pain. She sat up and listened. A few seconds later she heard it again. She pulled on her armor vest, unsheathed her weapons and stepped out of the cave. She cocked her head and waited for the cry to come again. When it did she started off in that direction, marking trees as she went by them so that she could find her way back.
The cries of pain brought her a small camp that was occupied by three templars who were beating the shit out of mage who was on the ground. A sly grin spread across her lips. The Maker moves in mysterious ways, she got to correct an injustice while at the same time acquiring a mage who could heal Alistair. She didn't care what it took, that mage was hers even if she had to conscript all of them.
A/N - Thank everyone for your reviews and for adding this story to your alert and favs list. It's wonderful hearing your thoughts and comments. Please keep them coming they are like crack to junkie.
*Hugs and kisses to the betalicious dynamic duo, Jinxy and The Lilacgirl. Thank for continuing to make me look good. I appreciate all that you do for me. You ladies are the best!
