Hello everybody! I'm back!

Sorry for the long wait this time, I have been busy with Christmas coming. My Nana likes to prepare four weeks early. I hope you're all having a nice advent!

No one listens to me, do they? I got about four more favourites and subscriptions without reviews. Without sounding rude, guys, It takes two minutes. I'd absolutely love you forever if you could review.

Thank you to my ongoing reviewers and my new reviewers! MaiveBT and Whiteshade24 and Linda. Anyone else who would like to speak, please do, I'd appreciate it!

I've been working on a chapter structure for the rest of the story, though. I'm in this for the long haul, guys.

Enjoy the chapter.

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Chapter Six:

Witches of the Wilds

The Korcari Wilds

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There was another marble ramp that lead down from the camp into the swamp-like countryside of the Wilds. The Four warriors wandered down it, looking right and left, taking in their surroundings. Rain went last, her mind still buzzing with the very reality of what she had gotten herself into.

"We are looking for an Achieve building," Sir Jury pointed out. "That can't be too hard to find." He held his arms out.

Daveth summed it up, with the expression on his face. "But we need the vials, too…" His eyebrows raised, like it had just dawned on him. "A ha! We actually have to kill Darkspawn on this trip, we do."

"We have an experienced Warden with us," The Knight reminded him.

Alistair smiled nervously, walking ahead of them so no one could see him. Not that they needed too. Upon hearing that, Rain rushed down the ramp and over to them, eager to join in the conversation. "Oh, don't trust him. He hasn't killed any Darkspawn down here, yet." She grinned, not thinking about her words.

"Oh, thanks." Alistair called back. "Let everyone know."

But Daveth was frowning, all ready. "Hey, hey… Why not?" He looked back to the Gates of the Camp, which slowly grew smaller. "Why haven't you- Oh, I swear, If they have sent us out with some lightweight-"

Jury turned and looked down at Rain. He could have been one of her Father's men, for all she knew. "And you, M'Lad-… Rain," He paused, "How did you come to be a Fighter?"

Rain looked a little bereft. "My best friend taught me." She explained. "Whenever my Father's Guard Captain trained them, he would come and teach me all he learned." She explained. In the back of her head, it was always there, the worry for Sir Gilmore. Did he ever escape that Burning Castle? She noticed the looks on their faces and added. "And I'm good."

There was a noise.

All of them stopped, Alistair quickly turned, raising the Shield he had attached with straps to his arm. He watched the bushes where the noise came from. Rain felt the ends of her fingers tingling. She had been so cocky barely a second ago, but this world of true battle… It was completely new to her.

"Wait!" She suddenly called out. "They are just wolves." She noticed the snouts, at least three of them. They pawed out of the bushes, noses low to the ground. There had been wolves in the forests by Highever, but they never did anything to Rain while Rufus was with her. She felt her heart sink, realizing her Mabari Hound was not with her after all.

Yet, the pack simply moved past them, keeping as far away as they could.

"Bloody mutts are cowards." Daveth whispered.

"They are not fleeing from us," Alistair reminded him, "They're fleeing Darkspawn."

The party untended themselves and began to make their way through the Wilds. They were pools of dark liquids that, at one time, must have been dense, slime-filled water. It looked to have turned to blood now, dark red and putrid. Around it, weeds grew and tangled at the trees. The grass had lost it's shade of green, as if it had turned gray. This was a World inverse.

Rain noticed how Daveth stopped at one point. She looked ahead as Sir Jury and Alistair continued and walked back to the thief, looking confused. "You found something to steal, even here?" She asked. She was brought up a noble, she had little respect for common thieves.

Daveth smirked and crouched down. "You think I didn't see you stealing from the Guard?" He asked. "You have a lot to learn, little rich girl." He reached out, cupping his hand around a flower. It's white petal seemed to blow gently, shying away from his hand. "The Kennel Master wanted these." He explained. "It is said they can heal Dogs who have bitten Darkspawn and become infected."

Rain suddenly crouched down, forgetting her argument with him. "Dogs become infected?" She repeated, her worry stemming for her own Rufus.

"That's what the fellow said." He shrugged. "All I know is he wants these. He's offering one hell of a reward."

Rain screwed her nose up. "Give it up," She said quickly. "Rufus liked you. Rufus never likes anyone. You care about them," She smirked at him.

He smirked back, "You do not know me." Was all he said. He began to pull the flowers up by their stems. Rain was simply staring at him, however after a second she began to do the same, helping him to harvest them. He had a bag on his side, the pair began putting the flowers into the bag, as neatly as they could so none of them would be broken.

She heard laughing above her, and peered up. "You could… Notttt make this up." Alistair was looking at them with two raised brows. "We're off to the Wilds and Duncan's new recruits are flower picking?" He seemed genuinely shocked. He looked to Rain, "And I thought you weren't a Lady."

"Oh go su- It's for the dogs," Rain piped up, defensively.

They could have carried on, but they heard a cry from Sir Jury. "I see it!" He called out. "I see Darkspawn, too!" He was stood about fifty metres away, hand on the hilt of his blade. His calmness suddenly diminished. "Get here! Get to my side, now!" He called, like a battle charge.

Rain darted to her feet and rushed forward, to the hill where Sir Jury stood. The others were by her side, as they all looked down. The Archieve was there, not at all as grand as Rain thought it might be. It was a ruined building, a circular stone structure with grass growing up through the middle. The only piece of furniture not ruined was a small shelf-like objected, which glistened as if it were brand new. The area had been broken open, the roof blown clean off somehow. Sure enough, about five darkspawn were walking back and fourth, grunting like the Undead themselves.

They were taller than the one Rain saw back at the Camp, slender, lanky, with long, skeletal arms holding hammers and the likes. They're noses and mouth stuck out like snouts, with grotesque fangs, their very flesh falling apart.

"Oooo Beasties… I see beasties.." She heard Alistair's voice turn surprisingly high-pitched in her ear and gave him an odd look.

"Are you really a Gray Warden, or is Duncan playing tricks?" She whispered back.

He suddenly looked at her, it made her freeze. "Are you scared?" He asked her, his voice suddenly normal. She realized her own voice had been the one holding more fear. She quickly looked away, not wanting to answer.

"What is our plan?" Sir Jury whispered.

Rain seemed to phase out of them all talking amongst themselves. She had noticed a Human figure. It's dark hair a contrast to her own, yet it was the most familiar sight she had ever seen. Fergus, he stood right there. "Fergus!" She called out his name on instinct, quickly jumping over the top of the hill, rushing down towards him. She reached back for her daggers as she did.

The alerted Darkspawn turned their heads, some of them growling. Their growls were shocking to her. She suddenly recoiled, stumbling back. Suddenly, the realization of what she did hit her. These… Things were right in front of her.

She heard someone shouting 'Go!' from behind her, her allies were suddenly at her side. The first Darkspawn to come near her was slammed back onto it's back by Alistair, who wielded his shield with more skill than Rain had expected. Sir Jury was on him then, a blade slamming down through the Darkspawn's neck. Even then, though, the thing rose to it's feet, continuing to try and fight.

She stood still, in horror. "Do they die?" She heard Daveth shouting somewhere beside her.

Alistair was in front of her with what seconds he could spare. "Snap out of it!" He shouted at her, sounding almost desperate. He could not imagine that Duncan would have picked someone who could not handle this.

She gasped and quickly ran forward, feeling the hilt of each blade in her hand she rammed them into two Darkspawn at once. She ripped them straight out, spinning around to dodge one of their hammers, she felt something slam into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and bringing her to her knees.

Her brother blurred in front of her.

"Fergus, help us!" She called.

Seeing a shadow of a darkspawn tower over her, Rain reached for her blades. Her brother was not helping her, she understood nothing here. Quickly, she rammed the blades into the back of it's ankles and it emitted a horrific cry, falling backwards. She clenched her fist and rammed it up into the back of the thing's chest. She closed her eyes as she did, feeling dead flesh and bone crash past her hand, her fist went straight through it's ribcage, her hand covered in blood - if it was blood.

She pulled her hand back and moved to the side as it fell. She was shaking, horrified by what had happened. She looked to the side, seeing a Darkspawn had forced Alistair to the floor, she grabbed both her daggers and raced up to it, lunging them down into it's back. The demon fought at her, launching her off it and onto the ground as it howled in pain.

The girl hit the ground and went skidding across the floor, holding onto her daggers when she could. She saw a head come rolling after her. Alistair had apparently taken the opportunity to behead it.

With her heart racing, she got back to her feet, looking around for the next danger. Jury and Daveth were taking one each, so she looked for the fifth one, one of the one's she had stabbed the first time.

It was about speed, Sir Gilmore had taught her.

Forget your fear, and replace it with tactics.

She repeated all of his words in her head, imagining herself in the courtyard, back in Highever, sparring with the man with the flaming hair.

A sudden wipe caught her back, she had heard the change in the wind and managed to move left, so it cut only slightly into her side. Anymore and the wound may have been fatal. The creature growled into her ear and she ducked, it's arm swiping over her head. She spun the daggers in her hands, forming them into a cross and slashing at the Darkspawn left and right. Behind it, she noticed Alistair, he was making a motion with his fingers. At the next opportunity Rain got, she raised her leg, kicking the Creature backwards with as much strength as she could muster. A sword appeared out through it's chest, Alistair stood behind it, the wielder. The blood spurted out and she quickly turned her face away, feeling it slam against her cheek.

Rain panted gently, hearing movement behind her. Daveth and Jury were coming to join them, each of them looking reflectively tired. "Our enemy is slain…" Sir Jury panted, the four of them forming a circle.

Alistair turned and glared at Rain. She looked down slightly, it was the first time she had seen him angry. "What were you thinking?" He asked. "You could have gotten everyone here killed." His words softened slightly towards the end.

"I saw Fergus… My brother." She tried to explain. She suddenly remembered him and spun around, looking for where he had been. "Fergus!" She called.

No one was there.

"I don't see anyone." Daveth grumbled, wiping guts from his armour.

Alistair sheathed his sword, reaching out and putting a hand on her shoulder. "They play tricks on you, sometimes." He explained. "It's kinda' what beasties are known for."

She shrugged away from his hand, as she tended to do when people had 'told her off', it was a bad, childish habit. "I'm sorry.." She mumbled.

As they quietened down, Sir Jury put a hand to his side, it seemed he had a cut, much like Rain herself. "We should hurry and collect the Blood. We are all in need of medical assistance." He whispered, wanting to change the subject.

Alistair nodded, taking out the vials Duncan had given him. "Who wants to clean up?" He asked with a merry tone, trying to lighten the mood.

They collected the three vials, Rain first. While the other two collected their own, she noticed the bright little trunk. It glistened like a new piece of furniture in a Palace, totally alien to this deserted place. "Why is this here?" She asked, reaching out and touching it.

"It must be where they kept the scrolls. They had a magical seal, Duncan said, and this remains the only thing untouched." Sir Jury walked up behind her.

Alistair walked past them, opening the shelf. Duncan had instructed him as to how, as of course, it could only be opened by a Gray Warden. Or powerful magic, but no one ever discussed that option.

They stared down at the emptiness in silence.

"There's nothing there." Rain pointed out the obvious, finally, seeing no one else was going too.

"Well, well, what have we here?" The feminine voice made everybody freeze. Rain took a deep breath, not wanting another battle. The last one had been enough for a lifetime. She knew a life of fighting was not one for a Noble's daughter, it was not glorious like the stories, in fact she still had blood and flesh on her hand. Yet, the merciless voice continued. "Are you a culture, I wonder? Scavengers, poking amidst a corpse who's bones were long since cleaned?" She spoke with elegance, despite being out here, in the middle of nowhere. "Or an intruder, come here to these Darkspawn filled Wilds of mine in search of easy prey?"

As she approached, past the half-broken pillars, the group took in her face. She had unusually light eyes, which were dark round the edges and narrowing straight for them. Even her clothing was unusual, one shoulder had feathers sticking out, as if she were the Vulture, some kind of crow. On her back, a staff, as if she were a Mage.

When none of them answered, she approached Rain. "What say you, Scavenger of Intruder?" She tilted her head, as if she mocked them.

Rain looked quickly to Alistair, and then back to the woman. "It is a Gray Warden Achieve, we are with a Gray Warden." She thought t was obvious.

"'Tis that no longer," The woman pointed out, her mouth formed into a smirk. "The Wilds have obviously claimed these ruins long ago."

Rain felt Alistair, taking her arm. "Don't answer her, she is Chasant and that means others may be nearby."

This made the strange woman laugh. "Ah, you fear Barbarians will swoop down upon you?" She threw an arm into her air, laughing as she spoke.

Alistair, though, seemed unparsed and spoke to her as if she were a babe. "Yes, Swooping is bad." He enunciated each word.

"Barbarians too." Rain nodded. "You've just seen us get rid of Darkspawn but yes, we'd flee the scary barbarians." She raised her chin, wanting to show she was not afraid.

Daveth glared at her. "Don't," He urged. "She's a Witch of the Wilds, she is, She'll turn us into Toads.."

Morrigan began to laugh again, this was proving an amused venture for her. "Such idol fancies. Have you no minds of your own?" She asked, her eyes scanned the group and landed on the white-haired girl. "You there. You are a female, surely you are not as easily taken in as these men." Rain didn't know if she should feel grateful, or not. "Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine. Forget your sarcastic tonge and let us be civilized."

Rain walked forward slightly. "My name is Rain."

"Now, that is a proper civil greeting." Morrigan congratulated her.

"And my mother always told me I lacked tact," Rain sighed, unable to stop the sarcasm. It came more and more to her now, in this new World.

Before the Witch could give her own name, someone else was at her side, walking slowly to meet her. She had long gray hair, hanging either side of her face. Yet, somehow, she had a quality of the black-haired girl about her, only older. "Mother's know best." She pointed out, in a thicker voice. She turned to the black haired woman. "Morrigan, stop playing games with them. You know what they came for."

Morrigan seemed unhappy all of a sudden. "Mother, I was amusing myself." She sighed out and nodded her head, smirking still. "They think us Witches of the Wilds." Daveth seemed to shake on the spot, fearing a second one.

Alistair put a hand up, as if he wished to speak. "Ah-ah, I think you some kind of.." He paused, thinking. "Sneaky… Witch thief!" He huffed.

Rain coughed slightly, the others shifting awkwardly.

"How very eloquent," Morrigan said, voice sweet as sugar.

Alistair's face darkened. "You said you know what we want. The Scrolls. You stole them!" He frowned. "They are Gray Warden property and you shall return them."

"I shall not, for it was not I who stole them." Morrigan stood to the side, "Mother," She invited the older woman instead.

Alistair huffed slightly. "The first time we've met and she's bringing her Mother." He commented.

The old woman examined them, and paused, unimpressed. "Here they are then, Much as I expected." She smiled, not letting any of them time to answer. "I have the Scrolls you seek." She explained, bluntly.

"She's a witch, we shouldn't trust her." Daveth urged.

"Quiet Daveth, if she's really a Witch do you want to make her mad?" Jury scolded him.

"Clever lad," The Old woman laughed dryly, returning her gaze to the Female. "What of you, what is your viewpoint? Do you think me a thief?"

Rain looked odd, hating to be put on the spot. However, she had always been quiet naïve. "It seems odd that you would offer this information to us so readily if you did steal them." She mumbled. "They are treaties, anyway, what use are they to you?"

"Don't tell they're treaties…" Alistair sighed, raising his palm to his face.

This girl had a lot to learn.

The woman smiled, and reached into her robes. "Listen to the Girl, Gray Warden." She explained. "For you're precious seal wore off long ago. I knew what these were, and I protected them." That caused them to hush, looking at each other. "Why should I not have protected them when the threat of this Blight is much greater than they realize?" She held out the Scrolls. "Girl, you shall take these."

Rain felt everyone looking at her, and walked forward. Daveth groaned in fear, as if he expected the worst. But all Rain took was paper. She looked down at them in her hand, then back to the woman. "Thank you," She said, having no reason to distrust these people.

Alistair looked uncomfortable, but even he had to nod in thanks. He stepped to Rain's side. "But what do you mean the threat is Greater than we realize?"

She laughed. "Either the Threat is Greater, like I said, or you simply do not realize enough." She said, as if it was all some game to her. She began to laugh a lot more, amused by herself. "Perhaps the threat is nothing or… Perhaps you realize nothing." She didn't notice the looks she received, even from her own daughter, and slowly calmed herself. "Oh, don't mind me. You have what you came for, you should return." She smiled.

"Time for you to go then," Morrigan said, almost in relief.

"Nonsense, child, these are your guests."

Her face fell. "Very well then," She forced a smile. "Let me show you out of the Woods."

Daveth was only too happy to abridge, eager to return to safety where there were no witches. Rain wondered how he could fear these woman, but not Darkspawn as much. They seemed harmless to her, if not helpful.

Perhaps one day she would learn better.