Rituals and Magic
Apprehensive Marian walks next to her father a few hours away from Lothering. Walking along the Kings highway carrying her backpack; with her new blades hidden in sheaths given to her by the Dalish; she ponders all that has happened in the last week.
The Dalish Keeper Ilshae was intrigued with the markings and the shifting ability. The markings were Dalish and the one on her navel did indeed mark her for fertility. Ilshae notified her of a Dalish right embodying their code called Vir Adahlen "Way of the Forest -Together we are stronger than one." This rite will bind a lifemate and will bond any children to the parents. The upside to the rite is that it will guarantee a child to the couple. The downside to the rite is that when one lifemate dies the other will die with them. This rite is apparently rarely used because to lose a pair among the Dalish would be a tragedy with their dangerous lifestyle and low population already. However as the rite is already half completed information was given to both Malcolm and Marion on how to complete the binding rite. She didn't want to think about that right now.
The symbols on the daggers are a combination of Arcanum, ancient Elven, Dalish, and Dwarven. There are two faction symbols as well the Templar and Seeker Sigils. All the Mages looking at them could not find the connection. The only thing they could come up with is that the daggers together with the markings on her back created a prophecy. But they were not able to decipher what it was. Copies of all the symbols were made for further study.
While the three mages Malcolm, Ilshae and his second Solan were working on the deciphers, Marian went with the Dalish hunters into the forest to work more on her shifting and hunting skills. In wolf form she was accepted more so than in her human form, however her age and predicament as well as her personality allowed the hunters to warm up to her.
Out in the forest she was learning more and more skills. She found her senses were amazingly open. She could smell and see amazing things. Her speed and strength were increased. The hunters were also able to point out to her how to make tracks like other wolves so as not to stick out. She was able to help the hunters in return by sniffing out usable ironbark. Ultimately she agreed, she was given a gift. But how were others to react. She was in fear of how others would treat her if they knew. Understanding how mages were treated Marian knew if anyone found out then they would either think her a mage or worse and would seek to kill her.
After three days of practice in the forest Marian sought out other wolves. She could always sense where they were and they would verbally call out to her. The last night in the Brecilian forest, Marian decided to leave on her own. After dark she shifted and ran into the forest. It was lightly raining and few animals were out.
She started to run. If anyone were to look at her they would have seen a thing of primal beauty and would have thought a child of the old gods were at play. A streak of white light ran through the trees as she moved by weaving and twisting in what seemed like random patterns the trees appeared to become brighter and more healthy and full of life. Roughly one candle mark into the run, though it seemed only moments, three other wolves joined her on her run. Two females both grey and sleek in their beauty and one brown male wolf; all three of the wolves were juvenile as their youth were what allowed them to keep up with her. None were out hunting they were simply running with the joy of running in a pack. The more time spent with her chasing each other the more all four glowed with the shine of the moon. It was unearthly and would have been a sight to see. As time slowed and the moon started to fade Marian decided to return to camp. Howling a goodbye she was escorted back to camp in the dawn light.
Unbeknownst to Marian, during her change back to human a few of the hunters prayed to their creators as they were in awe of the sight. Marian glowed with the light of the dawn her fur turned from white to the colors of the sun coming across the horizon. It appeared to the elves that each hair of fur seemed to be an individual ray of moonlight that rotated to sunlight. As the white faded to yellows and oranges and reds, her body also changed shape. She stood upright and the fur armor she was given also reflected the changes in light. The colors settled into white at last and her form was back to her normal shape. The only difference was her blue eyes. Her normally blue eyes swirled with a forest green.
"When we get home go gather Carver and Bethany and bring them into the house. I will caste a silence ward so no one will over hear us and we will tell your mother what has happened." Malcolm states while rubbing his hand over the back of his neck.
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