Sorry for the long wait, but here is the next chapter.
Just a little heads up, though. The next chapters from now would be written in 3rd person pov. Hopefully, it helps shorten the cramped scenes.
Also, ChildOfTheWicked, here is your character and her intro.
BrotherCaptainSheperd, here your character will come in, too. I hope you approve the way I depict him.
SoySoySauce, I love your character, I do! This guy could be bad ass in another story, but not this one. If you really want him in, look through the format and change him a bit. It's in the other chapters.
MGR.0 I sneaked your character into this as well. Try to find her! Enjoy!
Now, that is over with. On with the Show!
...
Fereldan: On the way to Lothering
Dragon Age 9:30
William's POV
...
It has been exhausting our journey towards Lothering. Ever since our great escape from Denerim. That stunts we pulled with the rescue and running from the Grey Wardens was a good excuse as any to run for the hills.
But we were already tired on the trails towards our destination. The forest-line we passed only gave us a silent regard, whilst we do the same.
Everyone is tired. I am tired. Any longer on our trek I would tumble from the horse; hopefully I would land gracefully, but that would be too much to ask.
"Hang in there, Will." I heard Bob called me. I regarded with him my good eye, with his back still turned to me.
"I'm tired, man." I groaned. Besides me, Sam spoke to me.
"Hey, don't worry, little man. We almost there. . . . Right, guys?"
Julius answered. "Hmm, we maybe still a few days away from Lothering. So, if we keep up this pace, we might reach there next afternoon."
All of us were silent, until Sam broke it with a groan. "Arrhg, never mind! I'm with William on this. I am TIRED! Whew. My butt's probably flat by all this horse riding."
We all chuckle at his antics before Bob spoke up. "I guess, a little rest wouldn't hurt, right Julius?"
Julius sighed, betraying his exhaustion as the same as us. "Fine. Let's camp here for tonight."
We all got off our horses and began preparation for our camp. Sam went to get some woods, while me and Bob were trying to set up the camp fire. Julius was off tying the horses from bolting. until he was done he came to us to help set up the fire.
When Sam came back with the woods, barks, and dead leaves, the older men pushed me aside and began preparing the fire. I mean, I know I never built fire before, but how hard can it be.
Then ten minutes has passed; I changed my mind, it is hard just by looking at how they tried to make a fire.
When it finally lit, the three dropped on their rear in relief, groaning and moaning their exhaustion away.
"Finally!" Julius grunted as he lay down.
"The fucker finally lit!"Sam cried in joy.
"Took you guys long enough, heh." I quipped, causing three sets of eyes to glare at me. "Just saying."
After that, we all stayed in relative silence, the comfortable kind. We didn't speak, neither hum a tune, just sitting by the fire and staring at the flames. Until Julius broke it.
"Well, let's gets some sleep. We got a long day tomorrow."
"True dat." Sam respond as he curled up on the ground. "Night, bros."
"G'night" I said. Then I noticed that Bob was still sitting up, probably wasn't tired. I am not tired either, well, at least not that much. Might as well ask. "Not sleepy?"
He turned to me with a somber face before a small smile formed on his lips. "Nah. You?"
"Well, just couldn't stop thinking, is all."
"About?"
". . . The Cousland girl. Saving the elves. Being branded criminals."
"Hmm, yeah. Me too."
"So, if she's there, does that mean we were too late?" I asked. Bob only sighed before he spoke.
"Yep. We were too late."
"Oh." was all I said, drowning myself in my thoughts. The fact that we helped saved an elf was exciting and exhilarating, but we made ourselves wanted criminals afterwards; not what I call a fair trade, but it'll do.
"Can you believe it?" Bob turned to me curiously. "We are wanted criminals. Imagine if our parents found out about it."
Bob chuckled a bit. "My ma would tan my hide if she knew. The same could be said for all of us. That is, if they're still alive when we get back."
"My brother probably have a wife and some kids by now." I guessed, chuckling at the thought that my brother holding his babies in his arms."
". . . I wonder where my brother is now." Bob said, somberly bowing his head.
Oh, yeah. Coyten. "Um, Bob? How do we know Coyten came with us?"
"He was there when the explosion happened. I was closest to the door, yet I am still here. I know he is here somewhere."
"Then we'll find him." I said confidently, causing Bob to smile at least. "After all, you both are brothers, aren't ya? Both of you are made from sterner stuff!"
"And that sterner stuff is actually my mother." Bob quipped, causing us both to laugh. "Thanks, Will."
"Anytime, man. Somebody got to make people smile nowadays, otherwise they look ugly with them frown-y faces."
We all sat there, in comfortable silence again, regarding the flames like it is probably the new soap opera channel. Yeah, even K-drama sounds good right now to watch. Urgh, TV, I miss you.
Suddenly, the horses began to neigh out loud, stomping back and forth where they were tied by the trees we were camping close to. They were panicking, which wasn't a good sign.
Bob stood up, surveying the trees with hawk-eyes. "Wake the others!" he whispered. Immediately, I crawled where the two others where, and slapped their rear ends to wake them up.
Sam woke up with a snort, muttering, "Meh, no, the dog - What?!"
"Sssh!" I shushed him. Both of them glared at me, until they noticed the horses panicking and the tension in the air.
"Sam, the horses!" Julius whispered. "Will, go help him."
Sam and I went to comfort the horses by petting them and gripping onto the reign to make sure they don't bolt.
When we were finished, we regarded the other two who were standing the by the treeline, watching, waiting for something out there. Or someone.
We could hear the rustle of the bushes as it approaches our location.
"Steady." I whispered to the horses. I was that scared to be talking to the horses.
At first it was silent, which choked the air around us, then we heard the rustle close by. Then a child burst out of the woods.
She was. . . actually, she looked like hell! The poor kid regarded us with wide eyes, bloods trailing from her head and arms. She glanced back before she yelped, "Help. . . ." then fell onto the ground.
The older two rushed over to her, Bob holding her in his arms, cradling her as if she was fragile. He carried her back to us and placed her near the fire, where our sleeping spots were.
We all looked at one another, about to ask the same question running through our heads, until another rustle, this one more loud and boisterous with barking voices. The owner of those voices burst through the bushes, I count eight or seven, all armed to the teeth!
One of them, probably the leader, walked up to us. He had a scar running across his cheek on the left, and a broken nose, and he sneered at us as he neared; the look itself screams 'Not friendly. . . . at all!'
"Well, gents, fine night to see you around here." he said, sickeningly charming. Emphasis on the 'charming' part. "What bring you four here around this parts, hmm?"
"Resting before we head off on our way." Julius replied, his hands at his back holding onto his saber.
"I see!" he smiled at us. Good God, he smiled! Enough can be said, his maw isn't something to describe which will bring nightmares!
"Yeah, so, we'll be on our way now-"
"Ah, before you go, I would request that you give back that child."
Bob glared at the ugly man as he passed the child to me. He shielded me and the girl as he spoke in a emotionless tone. "Why?"
"Ah, you see, the child belongs to us, yes. She's an acquired slave of ours, and she'll be bringing an hefty sum for a girl her age."
"She's just a kid!" I shouted at the man.
"That may be," he said, nonchalantly continuing his dialogue. "We don't want to hurt anybody. So, be a nice chap and give her to us. If you want, we could make it worth your while!"
Sam was about burst in with his axe, until Julius spoke. "How much is she worth?"
There was a pause on both sides. I glanced at Julius, then at the girl in my arm. Now that I see her up close, she's no younger than five her eight years old.
"Well, she be about, two hundred silvers worth!" he said, tilting his head curiously at us. "Can ya pay that?"
Bob walked up, in his hands he had a bag. He grabbed five gold coins and threw it at the slaver. "That be enough?"
The man picked up the coins that fell on the ground, carefully dusting it off. "Yes it is." He then regarded the men behind him. "Kill them and get the girl."
Well, fuck!
The men charged at us, while the guys drew their weapons and fight to defend the girl, whom I was busy holding.
Clangs of weapon rang out, and raindrop fell from the sky before it began to escalate into a downpour.
And just like that, it began the fight of our life.
...
Fereldan: Meanwhile, behind the four friends.
9:30 Dragon Age
Jon's POV (This character goes out to BrotherCaptainSheperd)
...
Drip! Drop! Drip! Drop!
The rains started pouring now. Ack, at this pace, we will be soaked before Lothering.
"Sir," a feminine voice said behind me. "Shouldn't we set up tent now? You'll be soaked and might catch a cold."
Ah, Aria, the Templar. It's funny how she can still dotes over me as if I was child. Three years has passed in this world, nothing has changed. I remember how I met her; stern, fierce, loyal, the embodiment of a real Templar.
I turned back to regard her upon her horse in her standard Templar armor, her shield and sword strapped to her sides. A cloak draped over her shoulders and head to combat the rain.
"I guess it would be wise to do so." I replied. Relying on her wisdom would be wise for me to do so, but someone else begs to differ from the other side of me.
"Ack, come on! A little rains doesn't hurt! Does it?" Shouted the voice of Cerys.
I faced Cerys who was adorn in her sleeveless armor with fur trims and a battle ax strapped to her back. Her short, brown hair were soaked wet, same could be said for her horse.
"You have no idea, Cerys." was all I said to her, which caused her to pout. I laughed at her adorable response, despite her claims that it wasn't funny.
We continue our ride, hoping we could find suitable area to pitch a tent; but we are really hoping for a tavern or a creepy shed somewhere. Hopefully, we find the former.
"Wait!" Aria exclaimed, halting our march. We regarded her as she looked into the rain, her head swivels back and forth, like how owls do to locate the source of noise. "Didn't you hear that?"
Cerys and I regarded the dense rain that curtained our sights up ahead, so we couldn't see much. I tried to listen in hopes to hear what Aria heard.
"I can't hear anything!" Cerys yelled, breaking my concentration, earning my glare at her. "What?"
"Shush." I silenced her, before straining to hear again. Despite the fact of the drowning sound of rain hitting ground, one sound stood out the most.
The clash of swords.
"Battle, up ahead." I said, earning an affirmative nod from Aria.
"What do you want to do, milord?"
"Same as I always do, help the ones that needed it."
Cerys laughed excitedly. "I was hoping ya said that!"
"As always, we are getting ourselves in a lot of trouble, milord." Aria grumbled, but made no more further complaints.
I urged my horse on and sprinted onward into the rain with the others following me. What we came upon was a sight to behold.
Out in the clearing by the road, four men in hoods were fending off what was like eight men. Both sides were armed but, despite being outnumbered, the four were doing well in fending off their attackers. Question is now -
"Uh, which one of them to we help?" Cerys asked.
I glanced at one of the four hooded fighters, who was fighting one man with his crossbow, and saw a tiny figure hiding behind him. It was a little girl! Seeing her helps confirm which side to choose. I hope I chose correctly.
"Lord Jon? Orders?" Aria demanded.
"Help the ones out numbered! Cerys, go help the man defending the girl!" I barked out orders. My two companions were eager to follow it through, and so was I to be in combat again. I drew my long-sword and charged forward, gripping the handles of my weapon which I earned three years ago
We charged out in our horses. Before we collided into our first group, they sighted us but too late to react. When we broke through the first, Cerys immediately head off to save the man and the girl. Me and Aria stayed with the other three, slashing our swords down upon the attackers.
When we killed the first three, four others started to break and fled for the trees. I guess we won. I checked on Cerys and see her on ground with her twin ax in her hands, and the fallen body of one of the men under her feet.
Yep, victory.
We turn back to our rescued strangers, only to be met with their weapons pointed at us. Awkward. . . shouldn't they be thankin' us?
"Who are you people?" the man with a saber and a bad scar across his cheek asked.
"We the people who bloody saved you lots! A little thank you would be nice!" Cerys spoke, causing the guy with a pole ax to regard her in a guarded stance. She regarded him with a glare, twirling her dual axes. "Oi, what?"
"Sorry, not in the mood to trust strangers." the man from before spoke. Aria prepared her blade, trotting in front to act as a shield.
Meanwhile, I understand where they going with this. After a fight like that, I'd be distrusting to others too.
"Listen," I said, garnering their attentions. "We mean you all no harm. That I can promise. I swore to Andraste above."
At that, I received a glare from Aria. I only shrugged to her in response since I am not a big believer in the religion itself, and she knows that. From that, I get a lot of flak from Aria, especially when I use 'Her' name in vain. Hopefully, it helps calms down others, like these guys.
All the four men shared a glance with each other, before one of them, a young man with a scarred eye on his left, who was holding the small child his arm and the cross bow in the other, spoke out. "Hey, guys. They did us a favor by chasing those slavers off. The least we can do is say thank you . . . without aiming your weapons at them!"
All the other three slowly complied as they stood in a relaxed stance.
"Do you have elf root with you?" the man with the child asked. "The girl is badly hurt, and she needs help."
"Aria." I called, gesturing with my hand for her to assist them. She dismounted and fetched the vial of elf root for the little girl.
I dismounted as well, approaching the other men with my hands up in a gesture of peace. The three of them, walking up to me, kept their weapons to their sides.
"Lucky we came around when you guys were in trouble."
"Yeah. Thanks for that, though." The man with a scar said. He held out his hands for me to shake. "The name's Julius, and these are my friends Sammy (He pointed at the tall, dark-skin man with a pole-ax), that's Bob (pointed to another dark-skin man who has a sword and a shield to his arms, his hair tied into a wolf-tail), and William (Lastly, the blonde hair man with a wounded eye, his hair framing his face, but no beards growing on his chins).
I nodded towards all of them that were introduced, each one I either shook hands or waved to. "And you are?" Sam asked me.
I was about to do the honors, but Aria beat me to it.
"He is lord Jon of Creekwatch, and knighted champion of the Chantry. He has many names-"
"Which we will not utter here, Aria." I cut her off, she blushed sheepsihly.
"Lord Jon? I heard of you." Bob said, causing me to regard him. "They said you were some sort of hero, busting up slaver's drives and operations."
"Ah, I guess you have heard of my name." I chuckled sheepishly.
"Morbin speaks of you a lot."
"Morbin!" Aria gasped, who gawked at the man in surprise. "You know master Morbin?"
The man with tied hair looked at her with a raised brow as he spoke. "Yes."
Aria turned to me, like as if I would react as she was over this person named Morbin like he was well-known. Well, not to me, though. At my shrug, Aria groaned exasperatingly before she explained. "Master Morbin is a high lord in Starkhaven who was known for his duties to the Count and many others. He was one of the politician that supported your endeavors with the slave drives."
"Oh, I see." I said in awe. I turned to Bob as I continued, "Now, I remember. Um, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know Morbin?"
"I am his bodyguard."
". . . .Ok. What's his bodyguard doing here, then?" I asked, suspicious at the whole situation.
"None of your business to worry about." Was all he said before he walked away to his friend with the girl.
"I am so sorry for my friend," Julius said, with his hand outstretched. "He got some trust issues nowadays."
"It's alright." I reciprocated his gesture and clasp hands with him. Then, he paused as he glanced at my hand. I looked to where he was looking and saw that he was eyeing my watch. . . the one I bought from my previous homeworld.
It was, in a way, too advanced for the people of Thedas to know what a watch is, so I tend to keep it hidden or just brushed it off as an accessory to the natives here on Thedas. Usually I expect a quirk of an eyebrow from the locals, questions regarding it, and fascinated curiosity.
What I didn't expect though, was the sudden yank from Julius followed by a shoulder check that send me laying on the ground.
I heard the sound of swords being drawn and shouts from my companions versus the others. I glanced up and saw Julius glaring down at me. His eyes smoldering, and his grip pinning me to the ground also holding me hostage.
Before I could demand an explanation, he shouted, "Where did you get this?!"
"Ack- What?"
"I said, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS!"
I groaned in pain at the position I was in, before focusing on the question and answered with gritted teeth. "Its. . . . MINE!"
"From where?!"
"Julius, what the hell!?" Bob demanded, from somewhere.
"This guy, here, has a watch! Look!" Julius yanked my arm facing it towards his friends, causing me to growl at the discomfort.
"Get off of him!" Aria shouted.
"Ya gonna regret it if ya don't git off, fool!" Cerys said, the sound of her dual axes clanged each other.
While Julius was distracted, I yanked my hand back hard, causing him to fall of me while I roll away from him. I took my weapon off the ground and held it in a defensive.
"There better be an explanation to why ya did that, Julius, before I hurt ya bad." I growled back, looking between him and his friend.
"So, that watch is really yours?" Bob asked.
"Yeah! Wait, how do you know what a watch-"
"That means your not from here. Well, same could be said for us, Earthling." At that, I glanced at them in shock, lowering my weapons as I gawked this men in a new light. "That means, you're from where we're from."
"Wait, what?" I stared at all of them, them at me, and before I know it, I dropped to my knees suddenly feeling weak. Aria came and supported me as well as Cerys, both of them by my side.
The three others came over and helped me up too, not without some distrust from the two girls.
"Stay away from him!" Aria hissed, until I told her to stop.
She reluctantly complied, as the men I don't know that well, but suddenly came to trust them suddenly. Why? Well, they're from the same world I was from before Thedas. Earth. My home!
"Hey, man, relax. Stop the tears already."Sam laughed, while slapping my shoulders. I didn't even know I was crying!
"Sorry, about before." Julius apologized, rubbing the back of his head. "I thought you stole that from our friends we haven't found yet."
"Yet? Wait, there is more of you? Of us?" I asked, anxiety creeping into my voice.
"Can somebody explain what are you guys talking about that made Lord Jon weak to his knees and weep like a wee babe!?" Cerys demanded, crossing her arms along with Aria.
I was worried. I haven't told them about my condition as an alien not of this world. How can I dodge this one now?! I tried to put up an excuse before Bob stepped in.
"You may not know it, but you are looking at the long lost family members within our clan."
What?
"We used to be a prominent family, until we were attacked and sold away by slavers. Jon here is one of our members thanks his watch on his arm which signify him as one of us."
This guy. . . When did he came up with an excuse that fast. No, the question is, did the others bought it?
"Huh, nice, what be the clan name then?" Cerys questioned again.
". . . . Earth clan. That makes us Earthlings, or Outlanders for a fancier way of putting it."
"That's corny." Sam chuckled, which I agree but it is better than nothing.
"Aria, Cerys, look it was just a misunderstanding, okay. Right?" I said to the others, who all nodded.
"We don't know this people, milord, yet you just up and trust him just because of some trinket he identified for you." She said suspiciously toward me.
"This . . . trinket is more than that. Because they can identify is more reason for me to trust them. Now, drop it." I said sternly, which made her did but gave me a look that said it wasn't finished between me and her.
I sighed, before turning to the other men. "Thanks for the save. I didn't want them to know about my secret yet."
"Yet? That means you planned to tell them?!" Bob said angrily.
"Of course, they are my friends. They have been with high and low. I owe them that much." I replied, looking at Bob with a quirked brow.
"Can you afford to do so? We can't tell everybody about our conditions." Julius explained, his eyes distrusting toward the two girls who walked up to help William with the girl.
"I can trust them. And so should you. By the way, where are you from?" I asked, curiously at them. "You don't look like you guys are from the States."
"Pacific." Sam answered.
"Hawaii?" I asked, earning a groan from Bob.
"Why is it that everyone thinks we are Hawaiians just because we are from the Pacific ocean. Is Hawaii all there is in that bloody ocean?!"
I sheepishly grinned at him. "Sorry."
"Never mind." Bob sighed in exasperation. "What about you?"
"I am from the States." I explained.
"It figures." Julius said. "Say, nice work on the whole Lord thing-y."
I must have blushed red at that, being reasonably uncomfortable with my title. "It just a title. I didn't want it at all, but they put it on me any way."
"Hmm. Looks like ya earned it. No one was able to escape that pin when I used to wrestle with others."
"Thanks."
Then, Willliam called us over. We ran over as he still cradled the girl in his arms. I ran up and asked, "What is it?"
"The girl said there was more out there." Aria said, offhandedly avoiding my gaze. "The slavers has captured her brother along with her."
"Then we go and get them. Just like the old days." I said, smiling in earnest, but only got a bland response from my two companions. I turned to the other four, "Is it too much for me to ask for your help?"
They all looked at each other, before staring at Bob intensively. He looked at all of them before he groaned out loud. "Fine! Besides, we needed to keep our eyes on you anyway." The other three smiled in triumph.
"There's more." We all glanced at William as he spoke. "The girl said she was captured along with someone else. . . a witch."
At that, I saw Bob looked even more determined as he asked. "What witch?!"
...
Fereldan: In the carriages in the forest.
9:30 Dragon Age
Katherine's POV (This is all for ChildOfTheWicked)
...
"Ack!" the boy cried as I applied pressure to his wounded arm.
"Oi, suck it up." I scolded, angry at him for disrupting the wrap I did. "You're ruining the bandage."
"It hurts." he said, tears welling up in his eyes. The wound on his arms was beginning to fester. Not a good sign.
"I know it hurts, but try to bear it okay. We'll just have to wait for your sister to go get help." I assured him, my tone betraying my facade of confidence; heck, I think a blind man can see it.
"I-I hope she's okay." he said, but I didn't answer; hope would be a strong word to use when it comes to describing a frail girl outrunning slavers.
Yeah, hope. I think pray is the better word.
I closed my eyes, turning away from the boy from seeing my uncertainty. It won't help him if he saw me like this.
"Oi, Witch!" a voice called me, earning my glare and scorn. A man, ugly as fuck, walked up to the cage of our carriage and slapped his palm against it as he snarled at me. "Ya gonna pay for letting my pay get away!"
"Eww, did you brush?" I snark, earning his growl. "I know a great way to wash all those cavities in a single swig. Have you ever heard of Cyanide?"
"Oh, you're gonna pay for what ya did, girl. I don't care if you're some sort of witch!"
"Well, come and get me, asshole."
He called over his lackey and started talking in whispers, directing at me with a smile. The both glanced at me and grinned.
His lackey grinned in a not so friendly way. Maybe I should have kept my snark to myself? In retrospect, yes I should have. Was it worth it? The guy deserved it!
They opened up the door, and I prepared myself to fight them off, when one of them grabbed my arm from the outside of the cage pinning me to the bars. I tried to wrench free, trying to kick at the other fugly (Wordplay for fuck and ugly)but he passed me by and took the kid.
"No!" I screamed. "Leave him alone!"
The boy cried, struggling at the man. I shouted in rage, trying to struggle at the other's grip on me. I tried to kick him, but he latched onto my leg and pulled it between the bars, putting me in a uncomfortable position, but that was the last thing on my mind as I struggled even more.
"Come on, brat!" the man shouted as he dragged the boy out of the cage, then locked it. By that time, one holding me released my limbs, walking over to the boy and started hitting him.
"NO!" I screamed even louder. "Ya want me! Let him go! Let him go!"
"Witch! Help me!" my heart wrenched as he cried. The men continued beating him, fueling my rage.
"Let him go!" I began kicking the cage, body slamming, even tried to pry the bars apart. I was desperate! "I am going to fucking kill you all!"
They let up from the beating on the poor boy, the main leader walking up to me as I tried break down the cage door. He glared at me, his eyes raking my angry face, which I hope was scary enough to intimidate him.
He laughed. "I like to see ya try from behind that bars! Haha!" He turned to his lackey. "He's all yours."
The other grinned, his hands untying the belt to his trouser. . . Oh, no! "You sick fuck! Leave him alone!"
They laughed, the boy cried, and I couldn't do anything!
"Boss! Boss!" a group of men ran in, the same one who was send to recapture the girl I managed to bust out.
Luckily, it made them stopped whatever the sicko was planning for the kid. Thank God!
"Where's the girl?!" the leader demanded.
"They have her. . ." the man looked away fearfully.
"Who have her?!"
"Four men who were camping near the woods borders."
"Why didn't ya took care of them?! They are just four of them!" the leader shouted, probably bursting a vein, hopefully.
"We were about to. Captain ordered the attack on 'em, but knights came out of nowhere and ambushed us!"
"Knights?!" at this, the boss just sounded scared. "Knights are out there?!" the slaver nodded. "Fuck! Pack everything up! Let's go!"
All the others moved into action. The man walked over to the sicko and called him off, telling him to do something. He picked up the boy and throw him to the ground.
He glanced at the infected wound on the boy's arm then looked at me as he said, "Hmm, damaged goods. Ya ain't gonna cut it, boy." he drew his sword as he approached the boy.
"No! Please, no! I'll do anything, just leave him alone!" he laughed at me as I begged. I screamed even more as he yanked on the kids hair backward, exposing his neck. "NO! No, please, no! Touch him, you'll die! I swear you'll die!"
He smiled. "I like to see try, witch."
Just as he was about to slid the sword in the boy's throat, the sound of men screams drew our attention. I looked around and could have swore I saw arrows flying. Wait, there were arrows!
I saw the other slavers began running about, looking for the assailant shooting at them. One of them got shot in the throat, another in the chest. More of them started dropping. Meanwhile, the boss who used the boy as a meat shield began barking orders to his men only to gawk as they began to die off.
Then, I saw them! Figures in the woods riding on horseback charging through the foliage and camp mowing the slavers down.
I smiled. Hope was a strong word, also a strong feeling as it wells up inside me. One by one, they slayed the entire slavers leaving the leader alone who was backing up with the boy towards my cage.
"Whoever you all are, back up! Or the kids dies!" he shouted, causing the rescuers to pause in their advances. Other hooded figures appeared out of the woods, one with a bow and one with a crossbow.
I saw them glanced at me and noticed them looking at me. One of them drew their head back in surprise. Must be my clothing which was weird by Thedas standards.
"Listen, give the boy and the other slaves and we'll let you pass unharm." one of the newcomers spoke in a loud voice.
"How do I know that?!" the slaver barked, hesitantly walking up to my carriage.
As he neared, I began untying my shoelaces and slipped it off. They still argued as he came closer, and closer.
"Come on, you're surrounded. Think about it for a second."
"Ha! I'll be bringing the boy with me then. Just in case ya decided to follow me."
"We give you our word not to follow you, or hunt you down."
"No, I think I won't take you're word for it. I'll be taking my hostage and-" Bingo! I took the laces and tied it around his neck and began to pull as hard as I can, "Ack!"
I heard his sword dropped to the ground, and saw as the boy shuffled off to safety. Meanwhile, I continued choking the bastard! I felt him tug on the laces, struggling to breathe.
"Ya said ya wanna see me . . . try kill you from behind bars, huh?" I said, pressing my leg against said bars to put more force to it. "Die, you bastard! Die!"
After a long moment of him choking on the string, I saw his body go slack against the cage, put I didn't let up for a second or two until I am sure. I let go of the strings and watched as his body fell lifelessly to the ground.
It was over.
I began to cry, tears pouring out my eyes. I felt sick, knowing that I killed someone on my own accord. I wish to say I didn't regret it, but to be honest I wasn't sure if did.
I heard the cage door opened, and saw who came in. It was the girl (I still don't know their name, need to fix that).
"Are you okay?" she asked sweetly.
"Yes, I am. Thank goodness you're okay." I whispered as I hugged her. She hugged back.
Another stepped into the cage, and it was her brother who was looking at me with tears in his eyes. I urged him over as I checked him if he was harmed in any way.
Satisfied that he wasn't, I pulled him close for a hug, tooHe didn't reciprocate it, but I can feel the warm tears pour down my shoulder.
Then I remembered our rescuers, and saw them waiting outside. I winced when I noticed the knights Templar armors. If they see me as a witch, misunderstanding will probably follow.
I slowly stood up as I exit the cage, and was helped by one of the hooded figures standing outside while his look alikes were freeing the others slaves. Looking at his face, I noticed the scarred eye on his left, but his smile kept from being scared which was a friendly smile.
"Thanks." I whispered due to the overuse of my voice.
"Thank the little one there," he said with a smile. "If she hadn't found us, we wouldn't have found you as well."
The Templar knight came up to us, and I couldn't shake off the anxiety due to their piousness for Andraste and the outlaw of magic. My name as witch isn't gonna give me credit here, is it?
"So, you're the witch." he said in an amusing voice. "Odd look for a witch."
He chuckled, as well as the guy beside me.
"Listen, I am not a witch. I know I don't have any prove of it, but please I am not a witch!" I said desperately.
"That's what the girl called you."
"... It's a nickname?"
"Then what is your real name?"
"Um, Katherine O'Neil." the two men share a smile between each other, a smile that said that they know something. "What?"
"Well, Katherine, welcome to Thedas." he said with bigger smile. He patted me on the shoulder as he walked off to his friends. "Come on, let's go introduce you to the others. They'll want to meet you."
"What?" I said stupidly. "What do you mean by 'welcome to Thedas'?"
"Like what he meant it to be," the other hooded figure said.
"Come on, the others are waiting."
At that, I paused. I mulled over his words before I replied. "What. . .?"