Two Steps from Hell – Cross of Antiquan (Instrumental)

Hawke's journey to Kirkwall. (475 words)

Excerpt from the journal of Malcolm Hawke jr.

Kingsway, 9:30 Dragon

We are on that damn boat for weeks now. It feels as if we are doomed to stay on it for the rest of our lives. All you see is water, like the whole world consists of it, all you taste is salt and seaweed and all you smell is fish and unwashed bodies. I can't tell what day we have anymore. Everything feels the same, looks the same, day in and day out. There is nothing to do but sit and stare, sit and sleep, sit and think. That's the worst part. The thinking. You have no way to escape your own thoughts and they get gloomier every passing hour.

Many have died. The boat was packed when we left Ferelden. There's only about a dozen of us left now. Our supplies run low. If we don't get to our destination soon, more will die of starvation and sickness. Some are wounded. We were attacked by pirates the other day. Lucky for us, they let us go. Not much to raid from destitute fugitives, I guess. Either that or one look at us was enough to have them worry they might catch their death on our filthy, little boat.

Despair lies over the decks like a blanket. I hear the few children with us cry at night. I see the resignation in their mothers' faces when they try to sooth them by telling them stories of better times to come, better times they don't believe in anymore. I try not to let that despair and resignation get to me but sometimes I catch myself doubting as well. But then I look at my mother and Beth and I know I cannot doubt. I have to be strong for them. There's no one left to protect them and if I give up hope all is lost. We have survived the darkspawn. We will survive this as well. We haven't come this far to resign now.

I hear one of the Jack's calling down from the crow's nest.

Land, ho! Land, ho! I see the Twins!

For the first time in hours I lift my head and yes, there they are. The Twins. Those two towering, scary statues that mark the entry to the city of Kirkwall. There is a feeling of foreboding in my guts. As if a shadow lies over this place, a dark fog, frightening and repulsive. But then a ray of sun breaks through the heavy, gray clouds above us, the first in days, and things don't look so bad anymore. I turn my head and see the expression of hope and excitement on both my mother and Beth's faces.

We've made it. Maker have mercy and let this place hold better fortunes for us than the one we've left behind.