Dragon Age: Of Noble Birth
Korcari Wilds
Day 7
The dark of night.
A hawk, unnaturally large for a normal bird of prey, circled high above the Wilds, watching.
Penetrating eyes, yellow and cold as ice, gazed down at thousands and thousands of ghastly creatures as they poured slowly from the ground in droves.
Darkspawn.
The bird dove rapidly and slowed, landing on a gnarled, half dead tree not fifty yards from a large chasm the creatures were pouring out of.
The darkspawn were grouping themselves in areas surrounding the chasm, spreading out for several miles in every direction. Makeshift camps were erected, weapons were honed and smaller groups set off in varying directions at seemingly regular intervals.
The hawk's eyes darted left, then right. Turning on a branch, the other two directions were viewed.
The beasts are slower than expected it seems.
The hawk took to flight, circling high above the makeshift encampments. At least twenty thousand darkspawn could be seen. Far fewer than expected.
The hawk turned sharply and beat its wings, heading north.
Smaller groups of several hundred could be seen, patrolling, scouting, scattered throughout the Wilds. Some were quite close to the small hut called home.
No matter. They will instinctively avoid it.
The bird of prey picked up speed and approached long forgotten ruins, built sky high in a majestic fashion. Normally devoid of all but smaller creatures, the ruins were afire with activity.
The hawk rested atop a large tower, eyes darting to and fro, taking in the sights.
Thousands of men, soldiers in full combat gear for the most part, could be seen, many asleep. A quick estimation revealed nearly nine thousand. Supporting the army was a small group of elves, men and even a few surface dwarves. Maybe a thousand in total.
The hawk took off and glided gently down for a closer look, resting atop a circular abutment in the central complex. Tents lined the sides, some ornate, even gaudy.
Fools. So predictable.
The hawk took off again and glided past a few structures, landing in the center of a large field filled with many more tents.
A small area was separated from the rest. The hawk glided gently closer and sat atop an old pillar near a larger fire.
Seventeen men and three women sat around that large fire, sharpening weapons and preparing arrows and other weapons. Their armor gleamed, clearly of superior quality compared to the others. Those who stood, moved with a certain sense of superiority and certainty, unlike the others, who moved about with barely contained terror.
The hawk's yellow eyes studied the twenty warriors, spending seconds gazing at each, taking in details. They stopped when a young man, sword and shield on his back stood and moved away from the fire.
The bird took flight and followed above, circling.
The young man stopped near one of the old observation posts at the edge of the camp. He stood still, gazing out at the Wilds below. A large bonfire to his right lit the area clearly.
The hawk landed atop one of the tall pillars beside the observation post and stared at the boy. His features were clear to see. Unmistakable in the light of the fire.
Him.
If it were possible, the bird of prey would have smiled. Instead, it spread large wings and took flight. Rising high and surveying the land as it slowly made its way to what could only be called home.
Events were in motion.
Gliding softly in the dark as it approached the ground near a small, old hut, a bright flash erupted and an old women appeared. She calmly adjusted her clothes and walked into the small hut on the edge of a lake.
A younger, beautiful, dark haired woman sat on the floor near the fire, reading a book.
The girl looked up as she entered but paid little attention to her.
The old women moved to a small book shelf and removed an old tome. She opened the book to the back and read a few passages. Marking the section, she set it aside. She removed a second, even older book and did the same.
Calmly, she walked over to the girl and snatched the book she was reading away. Turning the book to front, she read the title, then tossed it in the fire.
"And what, pray tell, was the purpose for that, mother?" The girl looked clearly irritated, but years of such behavior had conditioned her to react in a certain manner.
The old woman ignored her, turned, and walked back to the other two books. She picked them both up and put them in the girl's hands.
The younger girl scanned both titles and looked up oddly at her mother.
" 'Tis a history book and an old book on summoning spells. I have read both already mother."
"Read, yes. Understood, no."
The younger girl's eyes, yellow like her mother's, narrowed as she tried to determine if she was being insulted or instructed.
"I must admit, I am not following your intent mother."
The old woman smiled and sat down on the floor beside the girl.
"Tonight you shall commit the marked parts of these two books to memory. Then, you shall listen as I tell you a tale and teach you what will become the most important spell you shall ever learn. Then..." The old woman gave a wicked smile that caused a chill to run down the girl's spine.
"Then...you shall learn of your destiny."