Braelyn had no idea how long she'd been kept prisoner. She thought that it had to have been several days at least, but it was hard to tell. She slept a lot, and Denaria refused to answer any of her questions. Mangle did not understand the concept of time, so he was no help, either.
It was early morning; soft light peaked through the windows and under the door, illuminating Braelyn's run-down surroundings. Denaria had allowed her to give her prison a basic clean and tidy, but it was still no place she wanted to be.
I want to be with Lor'themar, she thought, with an intensity that surprised her. She didn't know where such a feeling came from. Was it a pregnancy thing? She had been thinking about him, and their night together, a lot lately, castigating herself for leaving him, and then not contacting him as soon as she'd found out about the baby.
Braelyn wanted only to see him again, to ask for his forgiveness, and to find out if he wanted this baby as much as she did.
Braelyn started as Mangle turned towards the door, Mrs Fluffy letting out an angry hiss. Heavy footsteps were heading towards the small cabin.
"It's about time Lethallan came back," Denaria snarked. "That's the last time I send a death knight to do my shopping."
Braelyn cringed. She was hoping Lethallan would stay away longer, until she'd gone. She hated the way he looked at her, like she was his favourite toy. He was disgusting, and she didn't want him anywhere near her.
But when the door opened, it was not Lethallan standing there, it was another man. A stranger with dark brown hair and the most arrogant face Braelyn had ever seen. This man must be Denaria's employer, the one who wanted to oust Lor'themar and take over Quel'Thalas. She didn't normally hate people on sight, but for this man, she made an exception.
"Denaria, always a pleasure to see you, my dear," the man said, and even his voice made Braelyn despise him. It was too smooth, too charming. He was not to be trusted.
"Dyran!" Denaria exclaimed, rushing over to grasp the man's hand. He kissed it, and Denaria actually blushed. "I'm so glad you're here."
So much for Rommath, Braelyn thought bitterly. All the chaos she caused back in Silvermoon was for nothing.
"You flatter me so," Dyran said with a smile. "Would you be a dear and give me a few minutes alone with our guest? I think it's time I introduced myself."
"Of course," Denaria simpered, heading for the door, pausing when Dyran called to her. "Yes?"
"Kindly dismiss your demons, pet," he said, and the tone of his voice indicated that he was giving an order, not making a request. "I dislike them being so near me."
Denaria flinched, and Braelyn managed a small smirk at the warlock's expression. Denaria was in a bind; decline her employer's demand and risk upsetting him, or go without her precious demons. As a demonologist, being without her demons was a big deal.
Mangle made to follow Denaria, but when he got to the door, he did not exit. He melded into the shadows, remaining behind to keep watch on Pretty Braelyn, just as Lethallan had ordered him too.
Braelyn took advantage of her captors' inattention to get to her feet and walk over to the fireplace. She stood with her back to the flames, reaching out to grab the iron poker. She held it firmly behind her back, looking as if she were just warming her hands.
When Denaria departed, Braelyn found herself staring into the eyes of her captor. He was wearing a garish set of black and gold plate armor, and carried an enormous two-handed sword. He was studying her intently, as curious about her as she was him.
"So, I finally get to meet the famous Braelyn Hawke," he said, an amused smile crossing his face. "My name is Dyran Sunblight, the future Regent Lord of Quel'thalas."
Braelyn said nothing, attempting to communicate the strength of her hatred through her gaze alone. Her grip on the poker tightened.
Dyran did not seem bothered by her silence. Instead, he appeared amused, his smile widening, and an appreciative glint twinkling in his eyes. "I am sorry it took me so long to get here, Miss Hawke," he said, all false courtesy, "but I was delayed in Silvermoon. My negotiations with the current Regent Lord took longer than expected."
"'Negotiations with'?" Braelyn queried. "I think you meant to say 'blackmail of'."
"Oh, come now," Dyran laughed. "Blackmail is such a vulgar term." He held his hand out towards her, and Braelyn had a flashback of Lethallan making the same gesture back in Darkshore. She refused to give him her own hand, watching as a brief flash of annoyance crossed Dyran's face.
The annoyed looked was soon replaced with another charming smile. "I think you'll find it easier to take my hand if you drop that poker, Miss Hawke."
Braelyn cursed silently, and Dyran grinned at her obvious anger. She still did not let go of her weapon, though, staring at her captor defiantly. "Make me," she challenged.
It was a challenge that Dyran accepted without hesitation. He dashed across the room, grabbing Braelyn and spinning her around. He pinned her against him, her back flush against his chest. He lay one hand over her stomach, the other grasping her chin and tilting it to the side.
"And here I was thinking that the descriptions of your stubbornness were pure hyperbole," he said, his lips brushing against her ear. "Do not think you can outsmart me, girl," he added, a slight growl in his voice. "I am far older and wiser than you."
Braelyn was afraid of Dryan, but fought to hide her fear. She hated the way he was holding her, as if she were his lover, not Lor'themar's. "What do you want?" she asked, proud that she could speak calmly. "What are you going to do with me?"
"If Lor'themar is a good boy and does what I told him to do, I will you return you to him in Silvermoon," Dyran replied, making no move to release Braelyn. "He's desperate to see you again, Miss Hawke. He's been looking for you for months, even before he found out about the little one."
The news calmed Braelyn's nerves slightly. It helped knowing that Lor'themar had been searching for her, even before knowing that he was to be a father. It implied that he cared about her, not just the baby she carried.
"And if he isn't?" she asked.
"I had been thinking of selling you into slavery after the child is born," Dyran replied, and Braelyn couldn't contain a horrified cry, "and I'm sure there's a childless couple out there willing to pay good coin for a baby of their own."
"No!" Braelyn protested, trying to wriggle free of Dyran's grasp, but the warrior held firm.
"But then, when I saw how desperate Lor'themar was to secure his little family, I changed my mind," Dyran continued with a quiet chuckle. "It got me thinking that maybe it's time I settle down. It's important for the Regent Lord to embody family values, though I couldn't stop at this child. All the noble families have at least three."
Braelyn was furious. How dare he say such things? "I will never give you my baby, or any others!" she spat out contemptuously. She wished she could turn around so she could show her revulsion at Dyran's idea by throwing up all over him.
"Did I say I was giving you a choice?" Dyran asked, hand circling around her stomach slowly. "Hmm, perhaps I'll keep you anyway. It will keep Lor'themar from launching a rebellion," he added. "I know he's already plotting something with Rommath and Halduron Brightwing."
Braelyn was so angry that she kicked Dyran in the shin. It achievd nothing save a bruised heel and wounded pride. She hoped that the warrior's plan was just a sick joke, or an attempt to mess with her head.
"I think it's time we sat down and got to know each other," Dyran suggested, dragging Braelyn over to one of the chairs. He was about to force her to sit when Denaria screamed, a sharp, brittle sound that was abruptly cut off, turning into a wet, gurgling sound.
Dyran acted quickly, yanking Braelyn back against him as he reached for a dagger.
"She probably just got eaten by a plaguehound," Braelyn suggested hopefully, but Dyran did not loosen his grip.
"I doubt it," Dyran replied, all charm gone from his voice. "I think someone's been sharing secrets."
Braelyn wrapped both arms around her stomach, her baby's wellbeing her only concern. Whatever had caused Denaria to scream like that, Braelyn hoped she could use it to her advantage.
Amlen, one of the soldiers coopted into the Hawke's service, sighed when he spotted a blood elf warlock sitting on a tree stump near Tirion Fordring's old shack. The warlock wouldn't be a problem on her own, but she'd summoned of her demons, one of those revolting creatures that looked like a giant, tentacled eyeball. It would be a problem, which meant Amlen needed to take it out first.
He did so, slowly and carefully; each step considered and placed with caution. The demon's death alerted the warlock to his presence. She stood, dropping a giant tome as she did so, and attempted to call for help. Amlen rolled forward, sinking a dagger into her stomach, the call turning into a sharp scream. He silenced her by slashing at her throat with his other dagger, and she fell to the ground in a bloody, lifeless heap.
Amlen immediately stealthed again so that when the warlock's boss stepped outside, he would not be able to tell where danger was lurking. The door to the cabin remained shut, however, and the only footsteps he heard came from behind.
Amlen's lip curled with disgust as Lor'themar Theron and his cronies came into view, quickly turning his gaze to Ellysan Hawke. The woman looked worried, as did her husband, who followed at her heels. Not far behind them were the rest of Amlen's colleagues, Braelyn Hawke's friends, and Lord Tirion Fordring. The head of the Argent Crusade had insisted on accompanying them on this mission as it risked starting armed conflict on his land.
"It is all right, Madam Hawke," Amlen said. "The scream came from the blood elf warlock, not your daughter."
Ellysan looked relieved as she glanced at Denaria's body. She looked over at Lor'themar, who also looked relieved. Amlen shook his head, puzzled as to how a human woman could willingly choose to be with a blood elf. The sin'dorei had betrayed her people, and the Alliance. Surely that was a deal breaker?
"What do you think we should do?" Jasper demanded, glaring at Lor'themar, but the Regent Lord had no chance to respond. Braelyn's angry voice rang out.
"Let go of me, you bastard!" she yelled. "Please, anyone, if you're out there, help me!"
Lor'themar tensed, his hand reaching for his sword. "Sunblight!" he bellowed in Thalassian. "If you have any honour, you'll let her go and come and fight me. It's me you want to get rid of, isn't it?"
"Make him mad, good plan," Jasper snapped, and Ellysan had to restrain him from going after the blood elf Regent.
"I know what I'm doing, Hawke!" Lor'themar retorted, but stopped talking when the door to the cabin opened.
Braelyn walked out, but she was not alone, and she was definitely not free. Dyran Sunblight was behind her, one arm holding Braelyn tightly against him, the other pressing a dagger against her throat.
"Braelyn!" Jasper cried out, striding forward. He was forced to a halt as Dyran pressed his blade closer to his captive's neck.
"I'm okay, Dad!" Braelyn said, giving both of her parents a small smile. Her blue eyes drifted to Lor'themar. "Lor'themar," she added apologetically, "I'm so sorry."
"It does not matter, Braelyn," Lor'themar replied, his tone softening as he looked at her. Even in the middle of such drama, she looked beautiful to him, his eye glowing with relief as he took in her rounded stomach. "Are you truly okay? What of our child?"
"I am tired, and angry, and hungry," she said, sensing that Lor'themar needed to hear the truth. "The baby is well," she added with a yawn. "Alive and kicking."
"As sweet as this reunion is," Dyran interrupted, "I believe you and I have business to attend to, Lor'themar. Do you really think I'm foolish enough to agree to a duel when the girl's parents and their band of Alliance heroes, not to mention your own sidekicks, stand ready to kill me after I end your miserable life?"
"They will not interfere," Lor'themar told him, although his eyes had not left Braelyn's face. So long had he been searching for her, and now she stood a few metres away. It wasn't how he wanted to reunite with her, but he would use his anger at Dyran's treatment of her to fuel his determination. He would end Sunblight's machinations, and bring Braelyn to safety.
"Like hell we won't!" Jasper protested. "If you don't kill this bastard, Theron, I will!"
"No you won't," Ellysan said firmly. "And neither will anyone else," she added, staring down her outraged companions. "That's an order. I may be retired, but I still outrank you all."
Jasper opened his mouth to argue, but his wife cut him off. "Our daughter's safety is the priority here, not revenge. If that means this... creature walks free, then so be it." Ellysan looked over at the blood elves. "The same goes for you lot, understand?"
"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am!" Halduron said, standing at attention. "What?" he asked, noticing the looks he was getting from the others. "That's Ellysan Hawke! I've heard stories about her. Stories!"
Dyran snorted in contempt. "As if I can believe the word of a human!" he said. "No, I'm afraid your challenge is declined, Lor'themar. The girl comes with me. As long as you don't follow, I may release the girl once I'm somewhere beyond your reach."
Lor'themar growled, frustration eating away at him, but there was one member of the crowd who'd had enough and was prepared to take action.
"This is ridiculous," Odariah stated, and with a quick snap of her wrist she cast Leap of Faith, dragging her cousin towards her and thereby freeing her from Dyran's hold.
Braelyn did not even spare her rescuer a grateful smile, she was too busy heading for Lor'themar. She barely had time to place a kiss on his cheek and brush his hand across her belly before her father pulled her away, pushing her into her mother's arms.
Dyran snarled, realising how much danger he was in now that he had lost his human shield.
"Bet you wished you'd accepted that challenge now, hey?" Odariah taunted him, a smug grin on her face. Dyran darted towards her, but was frozen in place by frost novas cast by both Ellysan and Rommath.
"Your fight is with the Regent Lord," Ellysan said coldly, pointing towards Lor'themar, "not my niece."
"And should he fall," Rommath added, "which I doubt he will, then you may worry about the rest of us."
Lor'themar stepped forward, his cheek still tingling where Braelyn had kissed him. He unsheathed his sword, staring at Dyran with no mercy in his eye. "For my lady and child," he said, assuming an aggressive stance as Rommath and Halduron moved away from his side. The Alliance members followed their lead, Braelyn's mother pulling her daughter away.
"For the future of Quel'Thalas," Dyran replied, unsheathing his own weapon. Halduron and Rommath both jeered him in Thalassian, while Lor'themar merely snorted in disgust. He knew what Dyran was really fighting for, and it wasn't the wellbeing of their race.
The two men stood and stared at each other in silence for several minutes, attempting to intimidate the other into making the first move. Odariah tapped her foot impatiently and let out a long sigh.
"C'mon, guys," she said. "Best to get this over with before Braelyn has the baby, right?"
Dyran snorted, not impressed with the human wench's impudence. Lor'themar took advantage of his distraction, and darted forward, sword aimed for the chink between Dyran's chestpiece and belt. He blocked the blow with his own weapon, stepping to the side.
Braelyn, firmly wrapped up in her mother's arms, could do little but watch as the two men began their dance of death.
AN - Dyran Sunblight is very much the living version of Lethallan Dawnbreaker. They both have that charm, but Lethallan's is more superficial, while it's very much part of Dyran's personality. They do both use it to lure people in. Dyran also has some standards - avoiding bloodshed when possible, attempting to maintain a civil discourse, having some ultimate ambition. Lethallan cares little about those things.
And last chapter I mentioned that Lethallan had a Dragon Age name. Well, Hawke is also a Dragon Age name, as are Aveline and Sebastian in Light Amongst the Shadows. Liara, Samara, Tali, Miranda, Rannoch and Jack all come from Mass Effect. Can you tell what my favourite games are? ;)
Next Chapter: Braelyn is forced to make a life-altering choice in the wake of the duel's conclusion.