Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon age: Origins or Skyrim
Camp reprieve
The air escapes his lips as Loghain sits quietly at his desk in his study. Though reading some documents, his mind barely notices the paper's contents as thoughts of the events at Ostagar plague him. Anger quickly made itself present as his remembers the letters he had found hidden in Cailan's chest. Eamon, that treacherous bastard, urging Cailan to leave Anora in favor for another, based on the belief her daughter could not sire a child. His hands tightened and teeth clench. Cailan had been in contact with empress Celene.
He knew how Orlesians thought, he knew by the familiar tone that orlesian bitch wrote him she was planning for Cailan to cast Anora aside and marry her. In a single vow Ferelden would once more be under orlesian rule, once more under the subjugation of a nation of pompous tyrants and plotting cowards. All so Cailan could call himself emperor.
The hero of Riverdane would never allow his country or its people to ever fall under their rule again, not while he still breaths. When calming himself, his thought also stray to the foreign general of Tamriel.
He had received reports about Cousland and the other Wardens having survived Ostagar. They passed through Lothering with other companions but there was no sighting of the gray elf. Fortunately she had died in Ostagar apparently. Good, he was not about to start a war with a power beyond the sea. And if they came here asking for her, he'd simply tell them she died in unfortunate circumstances while aiding the kingdom in fighting the darkspawn.
He reaches for a bottle of ale and fills his cup, drowning his worries. He had enough as it is. Half the bannaron did not believe he was taking the Darkspawn threat seriously, nor did they believe what he told them about Ostagar. But they hadn't been there, they hadn't seen the horde outnumbering them greatly, tearing apart their forces with ease. But the strategy at the time had not been the best, he was confident that with a new plan they could turn the tide.
Right now, the true threat was Orlais who even to this day sought to reclaim their lost 'province'.
Hearing a knock at his door Loghain looks up from his book; "Yes, enter." As the door opens, the new Teyrn of Highever, Rendon Howe steps into his study.
"Sire" He greeted the regent with a nod. "I've been reading more recent reports on the Wardens' movements, they appear to heading towards Redcliffe" Of course they'd go to see that bastard, Eamon must be dying by now if the apostate he hired did his work. "Perhaps we should stop them before the manage to make any progress"
The old general can see Rendon's true motivation in his eyes, the hate in them is nearly palatable, knowing that a few Couslands survived his attack only made Howe seethe with rage. Loghain lifts a brow; "What are you suggesting?"
Snapping his fingers Loghain gazes at a blond haired elven man in full leather armor walking in. His eyes sharpen seeing this elf's posture and stance. The elf smirks while doing a small bow. "The Antivan Crows send their regards"
The Crows… Pretty much everyone in Thedas who was even aware of the outside world had heard of the Antivan Crows, there were even suspicions of their group having activities in Denerim and other parts of Ferelden. Though Loghain did not expect this was the solution Howe had in mind. "An assassin..?" He said in distaste. Regardless of any activities he had been forced to take lately, he rather trust his own people rather than relying on a blade for hire like some Orlesian noble hiding his face behind a mask.
"I know you have you reservation sire, but it is better to keep your hands clean and let those who are professionals deal with these unsightly annoyances," Howe reasons politely.
The elven man smiles pleasantly; "We can guarantee these Wardens won't be a bother to you my lord while you handle your present affairs."
With a begrudging grunt Loghain waves it off; "Very well. Kill the wardens and their allies and let it be done. Now leave me be."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Last night Neria wouldn't stop asking questions, but they were too tired to deal with it. Sending her to bed was like dealing with a small child who kept insisting she wasn't tired. Now that she was awake and had an entire day ahead of them, there was absolutely nothing on this world that could stop her.
And so now the elven mage was observing the large ruby dragon, taking in every small detail, reaching out with her magic to feel the creature. And sweet heavens did the creature had so much magic.
"I-It's fascinating!" She exclaims with a large grin, as if she were a child on candy store. "He has an extremely high magical affinity that must be influencing his body to the highest point! This is what must be granting him the ability to speak and fly despite not having the proper facial muscles and the lack of an aerodynamic body!"
Gin, and pretty much everyone else, was giving her a disturbed look. "Neria" He said slowly. "You're drooling..."
Quickly rubbing her mouth with a faint blush on her cheeks, Neria still cannot stop smiling. Her enthusiasm is not shared by Odahviing as he looks at her warily; "The last mage who gave me that look scrapped off some of my beautiful scales all for his research." The ruby dragon growls, still cross about that whole embarrassing moment.
"I won't do anything of the sort" She quickly said, not wanting to infuriate the dragon. "Promise"
"Hmph. If you wish to bask in my magnificence fahliil, then do so from where I can see you"
Gin looks to Miara who only rubs her eyes; "Fahliil?"
"It means elf in dragon tongue," Serana speaks up chuckling at the young elf literally bouncing on her feet like an excited child. "Wonder how she will react to Durnehviir?"
"With much less enthusiasm I imagine" The dunmer quips. "So let's not give them more than they can handle... again"
Alistair, sitting beside Leliana, chuckles; "I'm still wrapping my head around the whole you being a dragon elf thing."
"There are many things joor cannot understand" The ruby dragon said simply. "It is beyond your ability to grasp them"
The senior warden blinks; "Was that a compliment or insult?" Seeing a dragon version of a smirk, he was not going to ask again.
Shale only looks at the gray elf; "You are rather different than most of the things around this camp. Not counting the dragon of course"
Morrigan looks over from her book; "You did say the Dragonborns were considered a part of Nord heritage. Yes? How did they take you the first elf becoming one I am curious of?"
"Some, they took it very badly" Miara said flatly. "Nords have a long history of enmity with elves. Never mind there have been other Dragonborns in history who were not Nords, to them their legendary hero being an elf was an insult, a cruel joke of the gods. To others, they didn't care, I was the legend made flesh in a time Skyrim needed it the most"
Marcus noticed the faintness in her tone; "Most did not see you as Miara but as the Dragonborn didn't they."
The dark elf nods while Leliana looks over; "Did you hate it?"
"Sometimes... But complaining about it, ignoring, or outright running away from it is a coward's way out," The dunmer's voice resolute in her tone.
A brief troubled look graces the redhead's features. It had been so fast Miara had barely missed it. She wondered what it was about, but decided not to pry. It was the young woman's business, not hers.
"So" Alistair says. "The next place is Redcliffe right?"
"Yes" Marcus nods. "I reckon we'll get there tomorrow" Everyone looks as he continues; "With everything we need least a day's rest. We're no good to anyone if we over pace ourselves."
Sten nods approvingly. Bodahn sighs with a grateful smile; "After everything I agree young master Warden." He notices Sandal walking over to Miara who takes notice.
She tilts her head curiously at the young dwarf; "Yes Sandal?"
"Enchantment" He says enthusiastically.
Serana tilts her head. "You... want an enchantment?"
Bodahn chuckles. "More like he wants to enchant something. It's his specialty you see, a savant of the craft if I say so myself"
The elven mage stares at the young dwarf with curious eyes. "Oh I heard about dwarven enchanting, yours was the first people who discovered how to craft runes with lyrium to enchant weapons"
Miara looks at them in confusion. "I heard that dwarves had no magic. How can you enchant things anyway?"
"Oh it's all in the lyrium my dear" Bodahn replies. "It's a very magical mineral, you just need to know how to work it to make wonders"
"Basically the entire magic related economy depends on the stuff" Alistair adds.
Going through her satchel, Morrigan takes out a glowing blue veil handing it Miara; "Take a look, this helps mages of Thedas restore our magicka."
The dunmer agitated the vial, Serana peered over her shoulder to take a good look, and they both could feel the familiar hum of magic emanating from the substance. Popping out the cork, she proceeded to smell it before dipping a finger into it and sampling it.
Miara smacked her lips and rolled her tongue inside her mouth. She felt the properties of restorative magicka in the substance, along with a familiar sensation she couldn't quite place.
"Hmm, what do you make of this?" She hands the vial to Serana who samples it as well.
"Well, this lyrium is magical alright, highly concentrated too. I'll run some tests later to examine it" The vampire rubs her chin in thought. "I can't imagine how volatile this thing can be when as a raw mineral"
"Oh you have no idea" Alistair said. "Lyrium is highly poisonous, just being near the stuff is hazardous I heard"
"You heard right" Bodahn adds. "I heard from miners just how dangerous mining lyrium can be. Even the famed dwarven resistance to magic can only protect us so far. Accidentally ingesting the stuff is still deadly when it hasn't been properly refined"
Miara frowns and asks, "This thing... is found much underground?"
Marcus nods; "The dwarfs mine it, their economy spins around the stuff. Sereda to me about it, her father and the assembly is always dealing with one or another business which involves lyrium." He notices Bodahn looking at him in shock.
"Sereda? You don't mean Sereda Aeducan don't you? The princess of Orzammar?"
"Yeah actually" He explained as he saw everyone looking at him in curiosity. "Father often went to Orzammar as a diplomatic envoy. He took me and Fergus from time to time" He smiled. "There I got to meet the royal family, and became friends with the princess"
"You know the ruling body then" Miara said, that'd prove useful when it's time for them to head to the dwarven kingdom.
"Indeed. King Endrin is a respectable man, he'll help us against the Darkspawn without question" His expression grows solemn. "They more than anyone know what is to face these monsters"
Gin nods; "Spoke to a dwarf who came from Orzammar. He said the Legion of the Dead fight hard against the Darkspawn in the Deep Roads"
"Duncan told me about it" Alistair said, there was a hint of sadness in his tone as he remembers the late commander. "The dwarves fight against the Darkspawn constantly"
Feeling a tug on her sleeve Miara notices Sandal still looking at her; "Enchantment?"
Opening her satchel she pulls out an ebony dagger. Flipping the blade in her hand she points the handle to the young dwarf smiling; "Have fun with it."
XxX ~ that afternoon ~ XxX
"The flow of your magic is... Strange," Serana says quietly while Miara nods beside her old friend. Sitting together Neria and Morrigan show their magics to the two Tamrielians.
The elven mage dispels the sphere of arcane energy that had been gathering in her hands. "Strange how?"
"I don't know how to really explain" Miara muses hesitantly. "It's... different, wilder" The gray elf gently grabs her young elf's hands as she summons a healing spell. "How does that feel?"
"Oh" Neria's expression is that of surprise and curiosity. "Very warm actually, so soothing..." Her voice trails closing her eyes with a content smile. Miara knew this to be so, even after all these years her blessing as an Agent of Mara still held power, gifting a bit of holy energy to all her healing spells to make them stronger. And holy magic possessed that distinctive energy that could ease someone, infinitely less powerful than the blessings from a god's shrine, but it could still be felt.
The dunmer decided to test a theory that just came to her mind. "I'm going to try something. Don't panic" The younger elf looked at her with confusion before nodding confidently. "Alright, here goes"
Even though her knowledge of the holy magical arts was not as formidable as other more experienced users of holy magic, such as templars and priests, her dragon blood, her aedric dragon blood granted her a stronger connection to the divine powers of Aetherius than most. So she was certain she could channel the desire effect through this spell.
Neria observed as a spear of pure golden light, flickering like a mix of both fire and lightning, comes forth into existence on the dunmer's hands.
The young mage's eyes widen. The golden light feels warm, soothing, and powerful. Morrigan looks beyond fascinated; "T'is... A powerful energy I never felt before. But it feels calming."
"Divine magic, while not as experienced like most other mages."
Both the swamp witch and elven mage frown, both with a mix of confusion and skepticism. "Divine magic?"
"Or holy magic as it's also known. Templars and priests specially practice this brand of arcane. It's about tapping closer into the divine powers of Aetherius by having a stronger connection through the gods by faith and prayer" Or by taking a shortcut like her, who was pretty much the daughter of one of the Divines so her ties to Akatosh provided her a good grasp of holy magic.
Both Morrigan and Neria look at each other before lightly touching the divine spear. They both hold an amusing reaction to the dark elf and vampire princess. The arcane construct had both sent a shock through their bodies and a burn on their fingertips, but it also carried a magical energy they just couldn't describe.
Neria shakes her head and looks at the dunmer in confusion. "You said Templars practice this magic?"
"Our Templars" She clarifies. "They're knights who employ holy magic. From what I heard of your templars they have some similarities. They both hunt dark forces and protect the people, but our templars have an order that operates very differently I imagine" She dispels the spear and gives them a bright smile. "Now, why don't you show me what you two can do?"
Neria shrugs as she speaks first and shows; "Like I said before, I am both good at elemental attack spells and expert healer. Before becoming the first enchanter Irving's apprentice, I was Wynne's, the Kinoch Hold's Circle master healer." She lifts a hand showing a fire spell.
The swamp witch shows some false cheer; "The First Enchanter eh? That must have been quite an honor for you."
A glare comes from the younger elf at the witch. "I've no need for your sarcasm Morrigan. Whatever you want to say, say it"
"I just believe 'tis not much honor in being deprived of freedom and tutored by emasculated mages"
"Irving is a good man and a second father to me. I love Wynne like a mother; the Circle has done a lot of good because of those two." Neria only glares harder at the amused look from the raven haired witch.
However before another word was spoken, the young elf's wrist is grabbed by Miara who keeps her gaze at the flame.
"What are you doing?"
Miara doesn't answer as she closes her fingers over the flames, feeling the magic circulating through it, keeping it alive. For mages, their main power source was Aetherius, to where most souls were bound to go after death, though they could also draw magicka from Oblivion due to its proximity to the mortal realm, and because how well mortal souls resonated within the chaotic fabric of those realms. Mortals are, after all, chaotic beings.
Yet this magic Neria was casting... it felt like it was being drawn completely from Oblivion. There was no mistaking that wild and chaotic magic. But how was this possible? Neria was drawing on it automatically when her main power source should be Aetherius, and the dunmer suspected this was the case with every other mage of Thedas. This would no doubt explain why Thedosian mages were seen as dangerous and in need of controlling their powers. The chaotic energies from Oblivion were always unstable, it'd definitely cause their magic to spontaneously act without them intending too, unlike Aetheriam magic.
The questions remained though. How and why had this happened?
"Is something wrong?" Neria asked worriedly, no doubt concerned with Miara's expression.
The dunmer lifted her crimson eyes from the flame and stared at the younger elf. "I just..." She paused. "Wanted to see if you possessed any kind of fire affinity" It was better not to unsettle them with this, not until she could get more information on why their magic acted like this.
"Oh" Neria replied. "No, I don't think I have a particular affinity with any element" Good. She had bought her lie.
She needed to change the subject. "What about you Morrigan?" The witch, who had been seeing the dunmer's interaction with the younger elf with confusion, perked up. "What can you do?"
The swamp witch smirked. Taking a couple of steps back, her body shrouded in magic, her entire form shined and began to change before their eyes. Before them no longer stood the seductively clothed witch, but a giant eight legged and eight eyed spider.
Everyone, excluding Shale and Odahviing, cover their ears as an immensely loud shriek nearly shakes the ground. Upon returning to normal, Morrigan hisses as she holds her ears. Both she and Neria see a petrified dunmer hiding behind an annoyed vampire.
"Miara is deathly afraid of spiders," Serana says as the ringing stops in her own ears.
"Really? You don't say!" Gin said. Louder than he intended to but his damn ears wouldn't stop ringing.
Miara peers over her friend's shoulder like a frightened child. "Is it gone?"
"Yes it's safe now honey" Serana pats her friend's head.
The ruby dragon looks over dryly to Morrigan; "For future reference joor don't shift yourself into a damn spider."
The witch tries to massage her poor ears. "I'll refrain…"
Trying to recover some semblance of dignity, Miara tries to ignore the fact that one of her companions can turn into one of those eight legged hairy monstrosities. So she stands tall and puts on a curious face to hide the remnants of her panic. It works as well as using a dry wooden stick as a spear. "So, you can shapeshift. Fascinating"
Morrigan just nods; "Yes, does Tamriel have this ability?"
"I've seen people changing into animals before" Miara says. Choosing to omit a painfully embarrassing moment back during her time as an apprentice in Winterhold. "Serana can turn into bats but that's part of being a vampire like her. I've never found out in detail what it involves" She says, inviting the witch to explain.
"T'is was a skill my mother taught me among others over the many years living in the wilds. The Chasind holds some wild tales, but that is all they are."
Neria, letting go of her previous anger at the witch, looks at her with curiosity. "What else can you turn into?"
"Anything from a bird to a wolf. Out of all my lessons I truly loved learning the art of shape-changing." She notices Neria looking at her keenly. "Yes?"
"Can... can any mage learn this skill?" The elven mage asked a bit shyly.
Morrigan soon sported a haunting smirk. "Oh, is the Circle mage interested in craft that would not be... approved by her gilded cage?"
Neria took a deep breath to fight down the newfound anger. She truly disliked Morrigan for a number of reasons, her complete lack of empathy and concern for other people being the most prominent. So her asking the witch to teach her this craft that greatly interested Neria left a bad taste in her mouth, probably her own pride which she was starting to swallow. "Yes..." She finally says. "I want to know if it'd be possible for you to teach me"
Tapping her chin in mock thought Morrigan nods; "To those with magic it is possible." She looks to Miara. "You also seem highly interested as well?"
"It'd be useful for when sneaking into places" How many times had she been impeded by walls which had a hold in the corner just tight enough for mouse to pass? She had lost count. "Not to mention it just sounds very freeing. And could finally fly with my own wings."
Odahviing looks over, to most it was a just baffling how a dragon could look hurt, emotionally that is; "Briinah, are you saying you don't like me flying you around on my glorious wings?"
"Oh you know flying on you is some of the most fun I have" She says placating. "It's just... not the same as having the power to fly yourself"
The red dragon rumbles. "Hmm, true. A shame you lack the superior body of our kind. It is a very cruel thing for a dovah to be born without wings"
"Ah, so you wish to take the form of that of your soul hmm? My mother can turn into a dragon so it is possible." Morrigan shrugs.
Of all things, Miara looks uncertain and nervous. "Yes, well... once step at the time"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
With every bladed weapon sitting on a large boulder, Sten and Alistair watch Miara as she works diligently, showcasing her skills as a smith.
"You're pretty good at this" The Warden says while she tampers his sword on the grindstone her demon servant had brought (Maker he wouldn't be getting used to that any time soon...), Miara then proceeded to apply oil to the weapon and clean it, she gave it a few swings, hearing the metallic ring of the edge cutting through the air she knew the blade was now at better conditions that it had been not but moments ago.
"A fine work" Sten nods approvingly. He would have taken care of his own weapon, but the dark elf showed expertise in what she was doing.
"It's my craft" Miara replies with a confident smile before getting to work on another sword.
Not far from them, Serana looks on as her friend continues with her work. Miara always had this serene look on her whenever she crafted or improved something, it was good to see her taking some time to relax.
Leliana, amidst adjusting the string of her bow, turns her head to the dunmer. "Hmm, I haven't realized it before. But there is a certain... exotic allure to a woman working on weapons" It could be the sweat rolling over her skin, the way the lean muscles of her arms bent as she worked on the blade. Leliana had to shake her head so not to get trapped on those thoughts.
It did not help though Serana heard everything as she smirks to the redhead; "you should see her when she is really into it. When she is at the forger and all that sweat glistening off her body."
The vampire's words called forth unbidden image into the Leliana's head. She blushes and immediately goes back to her bow. "Well..." She coughs awkwardly. "I imagine you have first-hand experience in admiring such sight"
"I-uh..." This time, it was the vampire's turn to blush and cough awkwardly.
"Leliana sweetie, please bring your bow so I can look at it," the redhead perks up hearing Miara call for her.
"She is very thorough," Serana snickers.
As Miara reinforces the redhead's bow, she asks her; "I'm having a hard time imagining a lay sister learning how to fight like you do" Well, except priests and monks who did dedicate to fighting, but they were their own kind of badass.
Leliana scratches her head -a nervous gesture Miara and Serana saw- as she smiles. "I wasn't always a lay sister you know. My prior profession was more complicated."
"And what could that profession be I wonder?" The vampire says with a playful tone, placing a finger on her chin. "The calloused hands show you've been using the bow for a long, long time."
"The proficiency with daggers tells us you have experience with them" Miara quips.
"Not to mention you really know how to move in battle, all that jumping and spinning. You must have trained a lot to be able to move like that" the vampire princess smirks.
Leliana was growing increasingly uncomfortable, they were quickly assessing all her skills correctly. And she didn't want to tell them about her past. But she soon found her situation to get increasingly more complicated.
"I'm curious as well actually" Gin's voice was heard as he and Marcus approached Miara with their weapons in hand, no doubt wanting to ask the dunmer to take a look at them. "My mother trained me how to be a rogue so I can tell your skills are top notch. What were you before being a lay sister? A mercenary? A thief perhaps?"
"I... well I..."
"Hey, nobody's judging you here" Miara says. "You're among thieves after all"
The redhead turns her gaze from Serana, to Miara and finally Gin. All who in some way acknowledge the claim with a nod. The male elf on his part just chuckled and said. "Guilty. You don't always get to eat much in the Alienage, and there's always some Shem in the market with more money than he needs and/or deserves"
Finally, her gaze settled on Marcus. The Cousland shrugged. "I'm not here to judge anyone"
Hearing Marcus's words calmed her heart as she takes a deep breath; "I... was a bard. And not the type that did only music."
That got Marcus and Alistair's attention; "An orlesian bard?"
The two Tamriel ladies share a confused look as Serana speaks. "Uh, what is it so surprising that she's a bard?"
Miara nods. "Yeah, we've known plenty of skalds, they're a type of traveling warrior poets. One important part of telling their tales is to stay alive to actually tell the tale, so they learn to fight"
The Cousland shakes his head as he crosses his arms, giving Leliana an analytical look. "You don't get it. In Orlais there is a game, The Grand Game. Where the power struggles, the plots nobles make behind closed doors against others is the national sport"
Once more Serana and Miara shared a look. That sounded a lot like in High Rock. And from the sound of his voice, Marcus held little love for that kind of thing.
"Orlesian bards are the agents of The Game. They're thieves, saboteurs, assassins" Marcus narrows his silver eyes, making Leliana cower under his gaze. "And spies. Not only used among the orlesian nobility in their game, but against other countries as well... Why did you come to Ferelden Leliana?"
Regaining some courage the redhead looks Marcus in the eye; "Sanctuary... After someone that I loved betrayed me I left that life, I became a lay sister and tried to forget it all." The others remained silent, waiting for her to explain at her leisure. "Her name was Marjolaine. I simple worshipped the ground she walked on" Her voice became distant, sad. "She taught me everything I know, so I became her pawn in her games. One day, she tasked me with the planting of documents, documents I really shouldn't have looked at but I did... they had information that would compromise Orlais, just having them was outmost treason"
"And you told her about it" Miara reasoned with a frown.
The former bard sighed. "I was concerned for her... but it turns out she was doing this to frame me, she turned on me and my companions, saying she was getting rid of me before I could do the same to her. She never knew the thought would have never crossed my mind..."
Her body shakes slightly as the redhead hugs herself; "I was captured... They did things to me I will never speak of..." Leliana's voice broken as she bites her lip, "I escaped and never looked back."
Miara, hearing the pain in her voice, places a gentle hand on her shoulder. While Serana looks at her with sympathy, perhaps she more than any other understood. Everyone is silent as Leliana feels the weight of it all pressing and being lifted from her heart at the same time.
After a moment, Marcus sighs heavily; "Forgive me for bringing such painful memories Leliana, and for distrusting you" He says guiltily.
"It's alright" She responds. "Orlais and Ferelden have never been on good terms, and I haven't really offered a reason for any of you trust me"
"Well, you've told us about your past, and I can see it was hard for you" The Cousland gives her a soft smile. "You're our companion now Leliana, you have nothing to fear from this group. You can trust us to protect you whenever you need it" The others agree with his words with encouraging nods.
Those words made the redhead's heart swell with sincere happiness. The feeling of being accepted regardless of her past, of the things she had done, was a joy unlike any other. It felt like she belonged. The smile on Marcus's lips felt was like a beautiful promise that these people, all with different backgrounds and ways of life, could be dear companions to her, even friends.
"I..." She couldn't stop the blush from rushing over her cheeks, she avoided Marcus's gaze, feeling touched by his words. "Thank you"
The Cousland chuckles, none notice the small glare from Morrigan before looking back into her book.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The swings of his blade cuts the air, he then raises his shield to defend against the strike of his imaginary opponent. Alistair bashes his shield forward before thrusting his sword; he repeats the technique over and over. He trains both to perfect his abilities and to take his mind off things.
Soon they'd be going to Redcliffe, and he didn't know how long he'd be able to keep secret his true parentage. He had told them some of the truth, that he was the son of a maid who had served Arl Eamon, who in turn had helped raise him after her death, working for the arl as a stable boy before going to the Chantry to be trained as a Templar.
These people were his comrades, and many of them were quickly becoming dear friends to him in this desperate situation they were in. He didn't want them to start treating him different like everyone always did because of who his father was.
Using the balls of his feet he spins with a quick horizontal slash. Should he take a leap of faith? He almost had to chuckle at everything he has seen thus far. But still, should he say anything at all?
These people all came from different places and paths, and were even shown to be... somewhat accepting of each other (Understandable, they were in a position where they couldn't afford to be picky) But still, he feared they would treat him differently after they find out.
Marcus was a Cousland; he must have heard rumors among the courts about Maric having a bastard. He particularly cared about the opinion of the man he deferred to as leader of the group, he wanted no special treatment for him... or worst, that he'd get the silly idea of using him against Loghain. Like considering him as a candidate for the throne or some nonsense like that.
He knew well enough Sten did not really care. He half wondered if things like royalty and things of that nature really mattered at all to the Qunari. Shale... Yeah moving on.
With Gin, the elf wasn't particularly keen to noble humans, though he did get along with Marcus and spoke good things about his family, so it was only the stuck up nobles he had a problem with. Morrigan... no, just... no. Miara and Serana were foreigners so he didn't know how to exactly approach them regarding this.
Neria he felt did not really care. You treat her with respect she gives it right back, and he does like her being so kind and helping people. Leliana, regardless of her past he could tell is a very kind person with quite a few quirks.
Maybe not just a few.
The senior Warden sighed. He honestly did not want to tell them, he knew he had to. But not just now. When the time comes he'd come clean then, but for now, he'd enjoy the time he had with them standing as equals.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Uh... What exactly are we doing," Alistair says nervously. A shared thought between him and the rest of the Thedosian, who watched the senior Warden standing quite a few feet away from them
"You just stay right there honey" The dunmer says while charging a fireball in her hands.
"Wait, what are you-" He didn't have time to finish as a flaming bolt launched towards him. They watched in horror as Alistair was shrouded in flames, the former Templar began running around screaming in pure terror; he dropped to the ground and began rolling.
He was too busy being horrified to notice the flames weren't actually affecting him.
"Why did you set him on fire?!" both Gin and Neria yell out.
However they only see Miara, Serana, and even that big damn red dragon just watching on dryly. The vampire speaks first; "Alistair stop rolling around."
"I'M ON FIRE!"
"Yes you are, but if you stop for a second you'll notice you're okay"
Stopping as he sits up he looks at himself. While yes he is covered in flames he is not 'burning' alive like what should normally happen when someone sets you on fire. There was only silence as the flames finally died out. Leaving the group stupefied.
That is until Alistair shouted; "WHAT THE BLOODY THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
"A skill I learned called 'Companion's Insight', basically I can use my spells and thu'um and no one I consider and ally will be harmed."
Gin points weakly to Alistair; "You had to set him on fire to prove that?"
"What better way than a demonstration?" the dunmer shrugs.
"You set me on fire!" Alistair waves his arms around wildly.
"Tch, stop shouting you are fine"
"You. Set. Me. On FIRE!"
Morrigan to her credit holds back her laughter but still giggles; "That's the best thing I have seen all day."
"Um, barring this... strange occurrence" Marcus says delicately before looking at the dunmer. "You're saying you can cast large area of effect spells without harming us? Miara that could prove invaluable in battle"
Crossing her arms under her chest the dragonborn smirks; "Giving how powerful some of my spells are... Yes. Though it's not something we can do on the fly" She adds. "If I cast a high level spell where you guys are without you knowing first, it'll most likely just create panic and confusion as you wouldn't know it came from me" They had to agree to that. "For that reason, it's better we use this with tactics and plans already laid out before going into battle"
Marcus nods; "That's a sound idea"
Miara then turns Neria and Morrigan. "Do you two know how to use a blade?"
To her surprise, the Thedosian mages burst laughing uncontrollably. "A blade?" Neria asks in between guffaws. "W-W-Why would we need to know how to use a blade?" It irritated Miara and Serana, two spellswords, for the mages to find the idea of spell casters using weapons to be a laughable one. And they weren't the only ones by the looks of it, Alistair apparently thought so as well.
"Come now" He says. "They aren't Knight Enchanters. And even them don't use real swords"
"...We do" Miara feels she really didn't need to point it out.
Serana only taps her foot as she crosses her arms; "Miara and I are both highly fluent in both magic and weapons. Both of us were rigorously taught these crafts till they became second nature to us."
"And that may be common from where you're from" Morrigan says, not trying in the least to sound amicable. "But we who wield such power should not degrade ourselves by using such crude methods"
"Crude methods?!" Miara had to be stopped by Serana so she wouldn't do anything she'd regret later. She takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I'll have you know, sword fighting is one of the most glorious things in the world"
"Forgive us Miara" At least the darker skinned mage had the decency to look a bit regretful. "It's just the notion is too... odd for us"
The vampire rolls her eyes. "Well in Tamriel, there are mages who utilize martial prowess far and wide. Spellswords, magic archers, mystic knights, to mix the art of the arcane with physical combat is a great feat. Some can even become walking engines of destructions"
"Like... You two," Alistair looks over dryly. "I saw you fighting both fighting the darkspawn in Honnleath. You both were nearly sleepwalking through those monsters."
"We know that already honey" Miara says with a smile and bit of condescended as well.
"We just don't like to brag" Quips the vampire. "We're far too modest for that"
"Right..."
The dark elf clears her throat; "Point is. There will be a time or moment when can't use magic against an enemy. When no ally is with you, how will you survive you two?"
"Well, I don't know-" Neria started but was soon cut short by Serana.
"Exactly. You don't know, so during this journey, we'll be making sure you two learn how to fight in close quarters"
Morrigan dryly asked; "Have we no say in this?"
"None whatsoever" The dunmer sounded a little too cheerful for their tastes.
Suddenly, the vampire grabbed the younger elves' arm and began squeezing along the limb. "Uh, Serana what are you-AH!" She jumped a little when the vampire's hand began rooming over her leg, getting dangerously close to her glutes. "P-please stop touching me..."
Serana huffs in annoyance. "Girl you have no strength in your limbs. Do you even workout?"
"Um... I eat healthily"
Miara shakes her head. "Not enough, you need to train your body if you want to be a spellsword"
"I never agreed to anything!"
Serana just smiles right into an angry Morrigan's face; "Don't care. You both need to shape up."
"And we are going to be whipping your cute little asses till neither one of you will be completely helpless." Miara noticing Leliana actually looking at the said two lovely backsides.
The redhead muses to herself. "They'd look even better after some training" Luckily no one heard. Well, only those who didn't have elven ears or enhanced hearing didn't hear her. In short, over half the group heard her.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The dunmer and vampire spread the fire and frost salts over the symbols they had carved on the ground. They kneel in opposite sites and bring their hands over the symbols, channeling their magic. They quietly chant in the arcane tongue, bringing to life the sigils as they begin to shine.
Gin watches beside Sandal; "What are you two doing?"
"Creating an enchanter's circle" Miara says.
"Enchantment!"
"Yeap" Serana says while ruffling the young dwarves' hair.
"I did not have time to work on my swords, but since we have that now can do that while figuring out this stuff." She holds a veil of Darkspawn blood.
"We'll see what enchantments we can make that could affect Darkspawn" Serana explains finishing on the circle.
"Heard the Grey Wardens can make good weapons and enchantments to fight the darkspawn" Gin says before frowning. "Though I doubt Alistair knows how to make them"
Both ladies nod in agreement as Miara sets up her alchemy instruments. "Which is why Serana and I will be going over it."
"You really sure that is okay? The Taint could..."
"We'll be careful. Don't worry" Miara says. Serana, who knew her better, could tell she was being a bit defensive on the issue.
He throws up his hands. "Alright, if you say so" He turns and leaves. "Tell me if you have something. I'll need to have my own weapons enchanted at some point"
Once he was out of earshot, Serana turns to Miara with a raised eyebrow. "You don't seem to concerned for this Taint" She notes.
"It can't hurt me" Miara says quietly. "It is a truly malevolent curse, bordering on divine disease levels even. But it has no effect on me"
"Considering what you are" The vampire's glowing gaze shifts for a moment. "It wasn't the dragon part of your blood what saved you I reckon"
"No"
Serana sighs; "Explaining that will be fun to these folks."
"Yeah..." The dunmer said slowly. "About that..."
The vampire plants a palm on her face. "Really, Miara? Really?"
"Listen" She whispers. "Currently, they do not need to know that. Just like how they don't to know many other things about you or me. And trust me when I tell you their trust will only go so far"
"It will only go so far by you not telling them," Serana chides. "I told them I am a vampire. Do they seem to be overreacting?"
"Well, they've yet to see you tear off some poor sod's throat with your fangs and drink his blood while you look like you're having sex"
"...I don't make faces like that when I eat" She mumbles.
Miara only stares blankly at her friend who in turn sticks her tongue out at her, very maturely. "I am not ready to tell them just yet, nor are they ready to hear. The fact I exist will throw a lot of their religious beliefs in an uproar."
"Honey, some of the things you can do and have already throws their beliefs into uproar" The vampire argues.
"Point is; they don't need me to add even more to their problems. They are not ready to understand"
Sighing, Serana runs her hands down her face; "You can be impossible sometimes..."
"I promise I will tell them at the right time, just not sure when that time would be." Miara grumbles quietly. "Now" She grabs a pair of vials, one filled with a few drops of a silverish liquid. And another filled with Darkspawn blood. She poured the dark vial in the first one and began heating it with her magic. As she softly agitated the vial, she thought on how to develop harming properties for an enchantment against the Darkspawn.
Gin had said Grey Wardens had weapons and enchantments meant to strike down Darkspawn, so developing one on her own would not be difficult. Her mind wandered on a certain weapon that had a potent effect on a particular race.
Wuuthrad was a symbol of glory and honor to the Companions, wielded by Ysgramor himself against the Snow Elves. But honestly, the damn thing felt more like a cursed weapon than anything else. It had spilt so much elven blood and Ysgramor's own hatred for elven kind had poured into the weapon throughout his campaign that it developed a pseudo-enchantment, making it deadly when used against elves.
She still shivered at the memory of just holding the weapon. She had used it on Ysgramor's tomb to free Kodlak, but after that, she left it in the Companion's hall and never wielded it again. It could stay there for all she cared.
The process of weapons developing their own powers was not uncommon. The impact they left on the world and the deeds done with them allowed certain weapons to 'grow', some even developed their own kind of sentience depending on the materials they had been forged with or whatever magics had touched them in history. The result was often the world itself imprinting them with a special magic that gave them some effect. She suspected Marcus's family sword to be one such weapon, its cutting power and strength was simply superior to the materials it was apparently made of.
She didn't doubt that the Grey Wardens must have old weapons used in the previous Blights that were sure to have devastating effects on Darkspawn. But unfortunately she was stuck with creating an enchantment on her own that wouldn't yield as strong results as whatever enchantments the Wardens', in all the experience of killing Darkspawn, may have created.
Serana also hold a veil of Darkspawn blood her glowing orange eyes narrow some; "You said this was close to divine level disease?"
"Very close, it taints the very ground itself." She pours the few last drops of Tainted blood left in second vial on the ground. The grass it touches immediately blackens and withers.
"Fuck..." The vampire says with disgust.
"Why I warned you not to drink any of their blood. I have no idea what it would do to you and I am not losing you any time soon, or ever."
Serana can only stare at the black spot on the ground with disgust. "That thing looks like it was spawned by Peryite. Or Namira. Void, it'd could even pass as their lovechild"
"Now there's an image I could have lived without..."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Absently reading Morrigan notices Marcus sitting beside her reading one of the books Serana's daedric merchant sold her. Her golden eyes study the man silently. Finally she speaks. "I did not expect you to find the books the demonic merchant sold me to be of interest"
"It's not about magic. Plus, I wouldn't really be touching anything magical that demon gave you" He said. More accepting or not about Miara's and Serana's magic, that thing had seriously creeped him out. "Just lore a book"
"About?" The witch asks with curiosity.
"These daedra and aedra Miara speaks of" He responds. "She says not too completely generalize either group because of what they are. That they are too complicated"
"Truly, there gods seem far more involved than your Maker," Morrigan quips.
Marcus shrugs; "Honestly I never have been one for religion." That prompts the witch to raise an elegant eyebrow.
"Were you not raised as an andrastian?" She asks.
"Yeah but, Andraste, the Maker or whatever, I simply don't care. Too many people lose sight of what's in front of them when trying to look for something they cannot see. Ferelden, my home that is real and is the only thing I need to believe in. I'm not saying the Maker doesn't exist, but if he does, I doubt he's going to start helping now"
The tips of her lip curve slightly; "A very logical and acceptable answer. I knew I liked you for a reason."
The Cousland smiled and gazed at her from the corner of his eyes. "What do you believe in Morrigan?"
"Religious wise, nothing. I believe in power and believe in myself. Anything else is meaningless."
"And what is 'anything else' to you?" Marcus lifts a brow.
Morrigan looks at him directly in a clam tone; "For one aiding the weak. Back in Lothering you and the others went out of your way for no given reason to assist those people. If they truly wanted to alter things for themselves they should have done it on their own."
"So you say" He defends calmly as well. "But it's because they weren't in a state to help themselves it's because we helped them"
She scoffs in disdain. "Then they should have been left to their fate"
"Not if I can help it"
His 'chivalrous' attitude was starting to get on her nerves. Just when she thought of him as an appealing man, one of strength and understanding beyond the limited 'civilization' he came from. "They gain nothing if they can't stand on their own"
Marcus simply shrugs. "Either they will in the future or won't, I did what I felt right, what they decide to do after is not my responsibility" He says, looking at her sternly "If you have a problem with how we do things Morrigan, then I suggest you just leave"
Morrigan only glares at him; "As appealing as that sounds I will not. But don't expect me to hold my tongue with my opinions."
She only receives a calm shrug; "Don't expect you to. And while it might surprise you I do respect your opinion, even if I disagree with it."
The witch raises an eyebrow skeptically. "Do you now?"
"I don't like it, but you're entitled to believe what you please"
"Hmm" Without another word, Morrigan returned to her book.
A few seconds of silence passed before Marcus once more spoke. "But tell me, are these your own believes based on your own experience, or are they what Flemeth taught you?"
She lifts her gaze to his sliver eyes; "Both in truth. I took things my mother taught me with a grain of salt since her anger has colored her memories. And yes my experiences outside the woods was limited to Lothering, I would say I know enough. Are you implying I don't?"
"If it is as limited as you say, then it can't be enough to claim understanding of the world. Or were you not given much leisure to how much you could venture beyond the wilds?"
"When I was but a child I never went far. Or turned into an animal and roamed the wilds, but remained in the wilds. When I grew older I went to Lothering for supplies." She tilts her head. "You seem oddly curious, is there a real question you wish to ask Marcus?"
"It's just..." He hesitates for a moment. "I am curious about something. Legends tell that Flemeth is centuries old, and she's had many daughters... the less pleasant stories say she took children and raised them as her own"
Morrigan, to his surprise, chuckles. "Ah yes. Such tales are often said about my mother. You are wondering if she is my birth mother are you not?"
"Am I being rude in asking?"
"You are not. The truth of the matter is that my mother is something very complicated. All the tales you'll hear from her are twisted with the passage of time and the inclinations of the people who speak them. Flemeth's husband was Osen, and Conobar a jealous lord. He killed Osen and forced Flemeth to flee, where she eventually, she made a pact with a demon who made her powerful"
Marcus's attention was solely on her now. "So she's an abomination. Can they-?"
"Have children?" She finished. "I do not know. I once asked my mother about any other daughters but she refused to speak of them, just like I also asked if she was my birth mother, her laughter was my only answer. But she made me into I am today, therefore I consider her my mother"
"So you love her then"
To his surprise, Morrigan laughed. "What does love have to do with anything? Flemeth taught me how to be strong, and the truth of men, love is unimportant, if any other mothers do not teach them I find them lesser"
"Ah" He said, in a tone she didn't quite understand. "I see" Was he... pitying her?
"Love is a weakness Marcus..."
"To you perhaps" He still remembers the warmth of his father's smile, and of Iona's hand on his. Morrigan most likely had never received true love from Flemeth, or anyone, so she knew nothing of what she talked about. But he couldn't blame her.
Shrugging Morrigan returns to her reading; "I suppose then one of us will have to prove the other wrong then."
She only hears Marcus chuckle as he also resumes reading. She suppresses a groan, such an infuriating man he was…
XxX ~ nightfall ~ XxX
"It's so refreshing to see lutes here" Miara comments as Leliana tunes her instrument before the campfire.
"Music is a universal language my friend" The redhead replies with a smile.
"I couldn't agree more"
Leliana tries a few notes to hear the acoustic. "You have more than the lute as well I imagine"
"Every culture ultimately develops nearly the same instruments, flutes, drums. Music is in everyone's hearts" Miara winks; "In Skyrim there is the Bard's College, I studied there and even took Serana there to learn."
A growl comes from the Vampire princess; "More like dragged me there against my will."
The former bard chuckles. "I bet it was worth it. You have a lovely voice"
"That's what I kept telling her, but the stubborn woman did not want to till I literally dragged her kicking and screaming." The Dragonborn huffs. "And she might gripe about it but deep down I knew she loved every minute of it there."
Serana grumbles in annoyance. "Once they stopped sending us on quests and finally began to teach us how to play some gods damned music..."
Leliana only giggles at the two as they bicker. Lost souls or not they were very entertaining to watch when they got into it. "So would you like to sing for us, both of you?"
The others look among themselves. Gin shrugs; "I'd like to hear some Tamriel songs"
Alistair smiles; "Yeah me too. See it as a way of making it up to me. You know, for setting me on fire"
"Boy you're never going let that go aren't you..."
Hearing Miara's dry words she only gets a glare from the former Templar. "Alright..." Leliana hands her the lute looking to Serana; "What should we sing?"
Serana looks thoughtful for a moment before smiling; "How about the one made for the Champion?"
Asking for Leliana's flute, Serana places it to her lips. The dunmer clears her throat before her fingers pull the strings skillfully, Serana accompanies her with a soft note from the flute, both instruments composing a lovely melody.
"An old man by a seashore at the end of day
Gazes the horizon with sea winds in his face
Tempest tossed island, seasons all the same
Anchorage unpainted and a ship without a name
Sea without a shore for the banished one unheard
He lightens the beacon light at the end of world
Showing the way, lighting hope in their hearts
The ones on their travels homeward from afar"
The others quickly found themselves enjoying the song. Its beautiful lyrics and rhyme were delightful to hear, it also showed that Miara's 'voice' served for more than a force of destruction like she had proclaimed.
"This is for long forgotten light at the end of the world
Horizon crying the tears he left behind long ago
The albatross is flying, making him daydream
The time before he became one of the world's unseen
Princess in the tower, children in the fields
Life gave him it all an island of the universe
Oh, now his love's a memory, a ghost in the fog
He sets the sails one last time saying farewell to the world
Anchor to the water, seabed far below
Grass still in his feet and a smile beneath his brow"
To Leliana, who had heard so many songs in her life, find this one to be one of the most lovely she's ever heard. The message was clear, it was about an old adventurer, one who had left his mark on the world but whose time had long since passed, his journeys ended, all he had now were the memories of his adventures.
The others showed their love for this beautiful song with the soft smiles on their faces, the pat of hands on knees, the slow sway of their bodies. Even Sten, ever vigilant around camp, couldn't help but find the melody somewhat... soothing.
Odahviing rested his head on the ground as he enjoyed the sound of his thur's voice, he remembered when she first sang at the top of the Monahven, she had sang like their ancestors that time.
"This is for long forgotten light at the end of the world
Horizon crying the tears we left behind long ago
So long ago, so long ago
This is for long forgotten light at the end of the world
Horizon crying the tears we left behind so long ago
So long ago"
When the song ended, they received clapping and cheers from their companions. Neria couldn't stop smiling; "That was so beautiful..."
"Briinah's voice is the mightiest and most soothing," Odahviing muses.
"Thank you" Said dunmer does a small bow along with the vampire. "The song was written long ago to honor one of Tamriel's greatest heroes. Talin the Eternal Champion, the Hero of Heroes they also called him"
"To all adventures on Nirn, a part of his spirit is in all of us," Serana smiles as she and Miara hand the instruments back.
"You look up to him a lot" Gin quips. "I can tell"
"Talin is the inspiration for heroes everywhere in Tamriel" She remembers the image of giant warrior, clad in glorious ebony, whose prowess in battle was simply out of this world. "One day I'll tell you the story"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The rustle of chains is barely perceived by her ears. She feels the cold iron painfully pull her arms until she is in a somewhat more straight position. Her tired eyes see dozens of shrouded people in front of her. It's night and is clouded, not even the moons shine in the sky.
Torches are the only form of visibility, they're in a forest, and at least she believes so. She can't tell where in Cyrodiil they are. Miara feels too tired, too hungry and in pain for her to think straight.
"My brothers" A hooded man, whose robes are embroidered with golden patterns, gathers their attention, extending his arms while issuing his speech. "We have gathered to pay tribute to our mighty lord, Molag Bal, and offer him this pure maiden as a sign of our devotion. Now" He brings his hands together. "Let us pray to our master and give him his rightful claim" He then begins to recite. "Oh great Molag, harvester of souls, weaver of schemes, lord of defilement, we offer you this pure one for you to claim as your own. May her soul be bound to you with the chains of Coldharbour itself"
The acolytes chant as one, "The slave shall obey, the prey shall be devoured, and may soul and flesh be tainted"
Miara wanted to scream as she felt a horrifying presence pierce into her mind and something cold like ice yet burning like coal began to touch her very soul.
"Hmmm, yes..." A malevolent voice says out of nowhere. "You have brought me a lovely tribute indeed" Tears fell from her eyes, she prayed to all the gods listening for salvation. But deep down, she was certain none would come. "I will make you scream, little one. You will beg for death and death you shall find… but it won't be the release you'll hope for"
The skies suddenly rumbled with thunder. And Molag Bal's own presence was being pushed back by another force.
"What is this?" The Daedric Prince's voice said with confusion and anger. "Someone dares interrupt my offering?"
A chuckle is heard from among the acolytes, they gasp in shock and back away from new presence that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was a woman, but she was not mortal.
She was beautiful, long raven black hair, tan mocha skin, a bicolored dress with a very open low-cut on the front and back. Her red slips smiled in a subtle yet demented way, her eyes were strange, one silver and the other golden. Both held incredibly power that would drive most people mad.
In fact, some of the acolytes who had stared at her in the eye fell to the ground while holding their heads and letting out wails of pure terror, their minds suddenly broken.
"Tut, tut Moly" She says playfully. "Stormy nights are mine, now stop being such a sourpuss and let ME have my fun as it's due"
Miara could breathe again as she felt Molag Bal's presence banished completely from this place.
"Now, now boys and girl" Her smile resembles that of a wolf before a whole herd of wounded sheep. "How about we play some games?"
What followed was a carnage that would have made Miara empty her stomach more than a few times were it not so empty. The mortals tried to fight but it was all in vain. All the demented being left on her wake were piles of limbs, vaguely resembling bodies that had been torned from the inside out, and other things she would prefer to forget.
The beautiful woman's face was covered in blood and gore, but she never stopped smiling. She loomed over the cowering form of the sole remaining cultist, the one who had been leading the ceremony, clinging tightly to a staff in his hands. "Just you and me now buddy"
The cultist whimpered, tears fell out his terror-filled eyes as he raised his staff and pointed at his own head. Preferring to end his life right then and there before suffering at the hands of the monster before him. A single burst of magic was all it took for his head to explode in bloody shower of bones and gray matter.
"BHAHAHAHAHA!" The mad woman howled with laughter. "Di-Did you see that?! Pussed out like a bitch!" She wiped a tear from her eye and walked towards the dunmer. "Okay, okay, what do we have here?" She smirked as she leaned her face closer to Miara's. "Seems to me like I just rescued you"
Miara could not form the words to speak; she was too weak and terrified to say anything.
"No reason to thank me. Wait... Do thank me actually, so very few people appreciate what I do nowadays"
Miara let more tears flow for her eyes, for a moment feeling safe despite the insanely powerful being before her. She thanked every deity among the stars.
"Aww don't give me that look. You look like a damn puppy" The two colored eyed woman clicked her tongue a few times and puff her cheek. "Alright, you know what? You're kind adorable, so here's what I'm gonna do, I'm going to free you, buuuut I also get to keep you for a time. Deal?"
Weakly, Miara nods in desperation.
"Wonderstasticulous!" She exclaimed the utterly nonsensical word with outmost delight. "Ohhh the fun we'll have together! I'll be teaching you so much girl... soooo much..."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Do not own the song 'The islander' by NIGHTWISH