If I could find assurance to leave you behind
I know my better half would fade
And all my doubt is a staircase for you
Up and Out of this Place
The first step is the one you believe in
The second one might be profound.
I'll follow you down through the eye of the storm
Don't worry I'll keep you warm.
I'll follow you down while we're passing through space
I don't care if we fall from grace
I'll follow you down
I'll follow you- Shinedown
When the two groups split it was an awkward but thankfully brief affair. Jowan felt much better that there were a dozen or so less swords ready to cut him down. But that also meant that they would be able to travel that much faster. And without as many of those swords should they inevitably encounter trouble.
"What do you mean a side trip?" Cullen glared at Jowan and Morrigan distrustfully before letting his hardened gaze come back to Nemeria.
Something in the man had certainly changed since his ordeal in the tower. Where he once could barely string a sentence together in the elf's presence he now had a barely veiled anxiety whenever he had to listen to their unusual trips across the countryside. Jowan was not the only one to notice the tension between the two but up until now no one had spoken about it since the celebration back at Redcliff.
"We are going into the Wilds to defeat a powerful apostate mage. I thought you would be very interested in helping." Nemmy pressed her lips together until they were white. She was not in a mood to baby the Templar and if this was going to be how he acted in front of the others it was going to be a very long trip to track down the Dalish. Maker knew she had tried to keep her hurt from his actions hidden, she still had little patience for him trying to lecture her like a school child.
"Track down one apostate for another apostate. In the middle of the Wilds during a darkspawn invasion." He countered.
"I am a Grey Warden, we will avoid most of the hoard. Since Lothering they have largely moved on."
"This is not what you told the Bann or Alistair we would be doing." Was that a hint of a whine in the armored man's voice? Part of Jowan should feel a grim satisfaction at that but instead it built a ball of dread in his stomach for reasons he could not quite identify.
"I am not asking permission Cullen." She snapped. "If you are so concerned about Darkspawn stay at the camp and make sure the Tranquil and Bodan are safe." She waved him off before pulling out another map.
"This is not proper use of our time Nemeria." He stood trying one more last ditch attempt.
"Then go back to the tower and file a complaint with Gregior."
Something in her tone was ice when she said the Knight Commanders name. Jowan looked to Roland and the others but saw they were just as clueless as he. They all sensed they were in the middle of a lovers spat that was about to get even uglier. Thankfully the Templar knew when he was beat and nodded his head before returning to his tent to pray. He seemed to do that more and more as of late.
"So now my dear woman please tell me how we are supposed to defeat a living legend for her darling daughter…." Zeveran said with a laugh.
The plan was simple. So simple that it was almost inevitable that something would find a way to screw it up. They were traveling a bit late into dusk when the poorly laid ambush was sprung. Within the first few seconds most of the party had realized that the thirty or so people attacking them were not hired mercenaries or professional killers. They were Chasined and refugees, bedraggled and desperate enough to try to take on the much smaller group of well-armed people.
"Refugees! Broad side of the blade!" Nemeria screamed from the middle of the mob. She always had to be in the midst of a fight and it drove Jowan nuts. Nemmy had always been much better at area spells where he much preferred typical spells cast from a distance. The downside of course was that many of these spells needs to be cast as closer ranges. Her personal favorite ice spells always made her charge into blade reach.
Closer to him and towering above the others is the wall of a man they called Sten. Not sure what Nemmy initially meant he noticed the Quanari grunt and begin turning his sword sending men flying but not dismembering them with the wide strokes of his sword. Roland seemed to be favoring his shield knocking men off their feet as well.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of Jowan's neck were standing on end. Instinctively he knew what was next and his eyes went to Nemmy just as her staff went high into the air. All at once the winds seemed to be coming from all around and the temperature dropped. Apparently in her time away from the tower her elemental abilities had only gotten stronger as the snow began to fall and lightening streaked the suddenly darkening sky.
The effect on the normally superstitious common folk was instantaneous. Those who were not immediately struck by the pelting snow and rain began to cower from the apparent onslaught from the weather. The skies themselves had opened up and many were knocked off balance on the now slick ground. It made it all the easier for Sten and Roland to knock the men off their feet or those who were more aggressive unconscious so they were no longer a threat.
Like in the Fade Jowan could feel the pull of mana coming off of Nemmy and he could only imagine the sheer amount it took to power the storm. Squinting against the blowing wind he could make out the shape of Nemmy as those who could get to their feet did so and bolted. Just behind the elf he managed to make out a large shape with a two handed blade swinging at her from the mist of the storm.
"Nemmy!" Jowan screamed into the wind but he feared it would not get to her. She must have heard because she looked up and then turned just in time for the pommel of the massive weapon to connect with her temple sending her crumbled to the ground.
"Fiend!" Cullen roared. His eyes were wide and glassy even from Jowan's distance. A look of terror he had never seen in anyone's eyes "Anathema! I see you for what you are."
The Templar was surprisingly agile for his heavy plate. Thank the Maker that the heavy weapon took a time to bring back around. As Cullen in his flashback was ready to land a blow on the unconscious elf a blur of silver and blue knocks the man off balance and the heavy sword does the rest of the work. Before he can regain his balance an image of a laurel wreath heraldry sends him off balance again.
A shield Jowan realizes belatedly. Specifically Roland's Cousland shield. The winds are beginning to die down and the visibility increases as the snow settles. The pull of mana still powers the spell even as the caster lies in a heap on the ground. He and Zeveran have made their way to the scuffle as Roland drops his shield and pins Cullen against a large tree.
"Maker so help me Cullen I swore myself to protecting her and that includes from YOU." Jowan had never seen the knight so angry. Actually he had never seen the knight angry period. Cullen's eyes suddenly blinked once, twice and then looked at the man who had a gauntlet across his throat as if confused who had they gotten there. Roland must have seen the look of confusion in the Templars eyes because he dropped the man with grunt of disgust before turning to the rest of the dumbfound party.
"Zeveran bind him. Sten kept watch. "He turns to where Nemmy was lying. The knight had managed to throw a fully armored man against a tree but leaning down he scooped up Nemeria with the gentleness of a kitten. He motioned for Jowan and Morrigan to follow.
Morrigan was running her fingers over a thin gold chain as Jowan rolled out her sleeping bag for Roland to place her down. She had not woken yet and that was not a good sign. Roland looks at Morrigan expectantly but she looked almost upset.
"I am no healer." She admitted. She had gotten the first aid kit that the party carried with them but both their eyes went to Jowan. He nodded and knelt down beside the still woman what else could he do?
The knot where the pommel had hit her was big but did not look like it needed stitching. Her pulse was steady as was her breathing even if a little shallow. He turned to Rory and tried to give his best nonworried voice.
"She is all right just knocked out cold. We won't get any farther today so we will need to camp. I'll keep an eye on her and let you know."
Roland nodded and asked Morrigan to help him set up camp. Within a few moments Nemmy's tent was set up around them and the two walked off in the direction of the others. He could hear the others heated discussion but he knew he had more immediate concerns.
"Come on Nemmy, open those beautiful green eyes." He brought a lantern closer to her face and she flinched away, a good sign. Her breathing was more regular now but he knew she needed to be woken, much as he wanted to let her sleep after the blow she had taken. He took some of the ice Morrigan had made and wrapped it in bandages before putting it on the massive welt. She whined softly and turned her head away.
As she turned her head a glimmer of metal around her neck caught his attention. Reaching with careful hands he pulled a thin chain out of her robe. Never one for jewelry Nemeria did not even have her ears pierced. Jowan was not entirely surprised to see the chain was much to long for the elf and obviously made for a man. A thin silver medallion of the Andrastean sunburst not the flaming sword of the Templars. Still there could be only one who would have given her such a token.
"How am I going to explain to you what just happened?" He mused aloud looking down at the pained expression on the mage. "Sorry the man you have been sleeping with for years went a little nuts and tried to cut you in half because you learned a new spell. So sorry." Jowan moved the ice and saw Nemmy's eyes flutter before slowly coming open.
Her eyes did not open fully and they took a while to focus so Jowan moved the lantern further away. His movement must have jostled the icepack because she inhaled sharply and her eyes came more focused with the pain.
"H…Hey you." She tried to give a faint smile.
"Morning sleeping beauty. How are you feeling?" He felt the sides of her cheek and motioned for her to stay lying down when she tried to get up feebly. Her eyes were not focused properly and he pointed a finger to try to get her to follow.
" Hazy, also a weird ringing noise" She admitted. "And there are spots." She winced and looked up at him with deliberate concentration. "Concussion?" She sighed.
"One hell of one but you should be better in a few days if you take it easy. And you need to stay awake for the next half day or so." Her pupils were finally returning to normal and he helped her raise her head slightly.
"Did….did we get um?" She stammered finally, gritting her teeth in as much annoyance as pain.
"Who?"
"The one who sucker shot me."
Trauma of course she doesn't remember…Well fuck.
"He …he is restrained. I should tell Gilmore that you are awake. I'll be right back. Don't try to move."
"Dun….don't worry, would fall over." She flinched as she took the icepack from him.
Great now what?