"So when do you intend to tell Juli?"

Doreen blushed. What is he talking about?

"How do you mean?"

Nick made a sudden stop. He took a long breath. Doreen almost bumped into him. He turned his head to look at Doreen, he was very serious, Doreen noticed.

"About your… abilities."

Doreen lowered her eyes. A feeling of dread washed over her. Will he accept me? I mean… one of my kind murdered his Father. No. I'm not like other mages, Doreen thought to herself. Still, she wondered if this will get in the way of the relationship between her and Juli. Despite his age, he is the only one that I can solace with. He is the only person who understands what is it like to lose a parent. I've been practicing archery with him for years. Even if we haven't gone hunting, that's something, right?

Nicholas noticed the frustration that the teenage girl was going through. He wanted to help her. He wanted to make everything ok for her, but he couldn't. How could he? He didn't know what it felt like to find out that you can do magic. He didn't know what it was like to become something one despises. He walked up to his… he didn't know what Doreen was to him. He'd known her since she was born— she is the daughter of his deceased friends. He'd taken care of her since they passed away. And he did that with Honor. He'd do anything to comfort her on her dire plight.

"Sorry." Nick said as his face turned into a grim— feeling helpless.

Doreen turned her gaze towards Nicholas.

"I'm not saying you've to tell 'em right now. But you'll have to. Sooner or later."

Doreen snapped, she jutted her chin.

"What?" Nick asked— puzzle by Doreen's gesture.

Doreen reached behind her, and pointed her bow with arrow at the ready, towards Nick.

Out of instinct, Nick crouched.

fum.

fum.

"What the…" Before Nick said anything, he saw it.

Doreen shot two arrows— she hit two deers that were at the distance, behind Nick.

Nick got up, "A little warning next time will kill ya?"

Doreen almost ignored him, and she grinned, "I had to take the shot. Unless, you want to starve?"

Nick smirked, "Fair enough.'

Nick had to narrow his eyes to have a good look at the two beauties that laid on the ground. He was agape— surprised by his student.

"Good shot."

It was a hot day, even if it was almost sunset. The wind was hot— it was humid. The heat was taking a toll on Doreen, and she noticed it was taking a toll on Nick as well. He was sweaty, and his beard was not helping. The fact that they were dragging deers, almost as heavy as a human being was helping neither of them. Doreen suddenly stopped walking, Nick noticed and stopped as well.

Doreen glanced at Nick, "Please don't tell Juli."

Nick smiled, "You know, my Father used to say that only one can tell one's secret." He shrugged, ""Am not one to tell your secrets."

Doreen nodded— grateful for Nick. For understanding her predicament.

Just like Nick said, they were back by sunset. They brought two deers. Nick dragged a brown, husky beauty that, on the ground, looked twice his size. Doreen dragged a deer that was a bit more limber but about the same size as Uncle's deer. Doreen was sweaty. Her pale skin glistened on the sun, a couple of beads of sweat ran down her face. Juli was waiting for them at the entrance of the camp. Her brown hair looked sticky— sweat and dirt worked as a glue for her short hair to stick to her face. She looked tired, and dropped the deer to the ground, and just strode past Juli— to the river.

Doreen didn't want Juli to look at her— she was ashamed. Not ashamed for being dirty in front of him. Rather for being what she was— a mage. She went to the river, and took all of her clothes off. She felt the need to take a bath. It was almost dark so she felt ok with taking her clothes off.

The water was lukewarm, that's how hot the day had been. She washed her face, arms, and feet. It was almost dark— the sky had a orange contrast to it. She could see it reflecting on the water. She decided she was clean. Doreen walked out of the lake, put on her clothes. She sat on the hill that led to the river. It was soft and comforting. The star-filled sky provided her with some kind of escapism— from the reality that she was a mage. Why I'm I dwelling onto this so much? Doreen wondered. Omar was a mage and the tribe seemed to like him, right? That reminded her; what if they send her to another tribe?

Usually Dalish clans didn't have more than one mage. When the clan found out there were two mages, one mage will be sent to another clan. Doreen didn't know why that was. She thought that'll be a good question for Juli's mom. She lay there, under the stars. The sky already had that dark blue— it was late. She knew Nick will be concerned but she didn't want to look away from the sky. Somehow, the stars took her away from Ferelden, from Thedas— from the world.

She heard some bush rattle— someone was approaching the river.

"Doreen, is that you?"

A woman's voice— Catherine. Her black hair, was long and loose— just like her son's. Cathy looked at Doreen— puzzled.

Doreen sat up,"Yes, it's me."

"You ok?" asked Cathy, noticing the face of a troubled teenage girl.

Doreen looked at her, baffled. Does she know?

Doreen gave Cathy a quick nod, trying to hide her plight.

Cathy didn't look too convinced, Doreen noted. Cathy walked towards Doreen, and sat next to her. Cathy took Doreen's hands in hers. Doreen looked at Cathy in awe. Juli's Mother and her weren't exactly close. Cathy held her gaze with Doreen, "Listen, I know we aren't close. But you're close to Nick. He seems to be very fond of you. And anyone who is close to Nick is close to me," Cathy jutted her chin and grinned, "is it a boy?"

Doreen blushed, it wasn't a boy. But don't I like Juli? No. She shook the feeling off— before worrying about boys I need to deal with this mage stuff. Doreen slowly shook her head, holding her gaze with Cathy.

Cathy smiled, trying to comfort the troubled teenager. She sighed, "If you don't want to tell me that's fine. But you should talk to someone. Talking always helps."

Doreen nodded. Cathy let go of Doreen.

Doreen was grateful that Cathy wanted to help, but she didn't know if she should tell her. I mean… dammit this is hard, Doreen thought.

Cathy was about to get up, until Doreen grabbed her and embraced her in a hug.

"I'm a mage."

Cathy was startled. She pulled away from Doreen. Trying to take it all in, she tried to keep her calm. Cathy was in disbelief. She didn't know what to do. This girl was her son's best friend. This girl is the one that has helped Juli through his grief. No matter what, this girl was her people. This girl was a Dalish. Doreen glanced at Cathy, and lowered her head— she was ashamed. Cathy lifted Doreen's head by her chin, gently. Doreen's eyes were wet. Cathy smiled, "So what?" Cathy said as she shrugged.

Doreen was staggered by Cathy's reaction. I mean one of my kind murdered her husband. How can this woman have such kind heart?

"I thought you'd be mad. I mean Juli's father was…"

Cathy nodded quickly, telling Doreen that she didn't need to be reminded of that. Cathy brought Doreen in for a hug. Cathy felt the wetness of the tears that ran down Doreen's face. She was sobbing. Cathy brought out Doreen to meet her gaze. She was being solemn and kind, "I don't care what you are. But to me, you're a Dalish." Cathy shook her head, "And no one, will change that. So what if you're a mage? Heck that might help us one day."

Doreen almost laughed at the idea of she using magic to help her tribe.

Doreen nodded— reassuring Cathy that she understood. No matter what, her people will accept her.

—

It was morning and Juli laid on his bed. He was awake and thoughtful. What was up with Doreen yesterday? After she and Uncle came back from hunting, she seemed… odd. Uncle said that it's girl stuff that I wouldn't understand. He decided he was dwelling too much into it. Doreen is fine, he thought to himself. Mother was still sleeping, on the bed that was across from his. Juli got up, Mother was having a class today, and he wanted to arrange as much time as he could to practice archery. Juli stepped out of his tent, and the camp was quiet as always. Everybody was still sleeping— it was early enough that crickets were still singing. Are they singing? Or are they talking to one another? After years of hearing that sound he still couldn't figure out why they made that sound. Still, Juli enjoyed the serene sound of early mornings. It gave him a sense of inner peace. For the most part of the day, people in the camp were either bantering or working on something. As Juli walked towards the river he noticed one of the tents lighting up. He could see it through the brown canopy. Red and purple colors came from Omar's tent. Something is wrong, Juli thought. Out of instinct, he ran towards the colored tent. As he opened the tent, he saw Doreen and Omar sitting next to one another. Doreen looked startled. Like she'd been caught doing something horribly wrong. Before Doreen said anything, Juli saw it: a blob of purple and green rotated as high as Doreen's chest. No. No no no no no no. This can't be. She's so nice. She's the girl that has taught me archery, well, and Uncle. But she's been there for me all these years. After Father passed away, I felt lonely. She's the one that has filled that void in my heart. Juli was lost in confusion. He just stared at Doreen with nothing but plead on his face— hoping that his brethren wasn't a mage.

Doreen got up on one hand, she reached out with the other, "Juli, I can explain…"

Juli fled. He ran to the lake. He felt dizzy. So much to take in. What if she's related to the woman of my nightmare? Juli felt that was too much to assume. Still, he wondered. He wondered if one day she could just be possessed by a demon from the Fade. Just like the mage that killed Father was. He knelt at the hill that led to the river. He washed his face. As if the water will make everything ok. Juli was still in shock. The water did not cleanse him this time. He still felt baffled. He didn't want to believe that Doreen was a mage.

"Juli." A voice startled him from behind— Doreen.

Juli said nothing, he kept staring at the river.

"Juli, I can explain." Doreen carefully shifted towards Juli.

"I didn't know." Doreen's voice sounded more like a plead rather than an explanation. She was hoping Juli would accept this new part of her. A part of her that she could barely condone.

Juli turned his face towards Doreen. Her pale skin glistened on the sun. She wasn't sweaty like the night before. There wasn't any gunk in her face. Her beautiful brown hair was dried. The tips of it barely passed her pointy and long ears. Once again, Juli felt that bizarre feeling. Once again, he shook the feeling off— she was a mage. He held his gaze towards Doreen, his face became rigid, "Can you be sure you won't be possessed by a demon?"

Doreen took a slow breath. She looked at Juli with sincerity, and shook her head. Juli wheeled back to look at the river. Doreen got the hint— she started for the camp. Juli felt an urge to go to the archery yard, to train. But he wouldn't know what to say to Doreen. He didn't know what to think of Doreen. He didn't hate her, he couldn't. He just felt… frustrated by the whole thing. Juli felt tired, from all the thinking he assumed. He let himself fall to the ground. He fell asleep.

—

Juli felt hazy. He was bouncing… somehow. I'm I on a horse? Yes, he was. Juli was riding a white beauty. The mount was covered in armor. So was he. Why I'm holding a sword, and why is it so dark? He was scared. Juli played along, he just kept on galloping throughout the dim landscape. On the distance, near a tree, he saw someone. He got closer… and then he saw it; A girl that was taller than him. Purple skin, blank eyes, short and brown hair. Doreen? Doreen, or whoever that was, was wearing a white gown. The gown seemed to be the only bright thing in the dark place. He dismounted the horse, and crept towards the girl that was just sitting with her back against the bank of the tree hugging her knees. Then he raised he sword and thrashed it through the girl's chest. Juli didn't know he'd stabbed her— he wasn't in control. Then, taking it all in, he dropped his sword, and stumbled backwards and sobbed. And the girl, who seemed as dead as ever, started laughing maniacally. As if the sword that peered out of her chest was nothing, she mocked him. The more he cried, the more the mage laughed— the nightmare was back. From all the sudden, everything was gone— the girl, the tree, sword and horse— vanished.

Juli sniffed. His nostrils were flaring — he could barely breath. The he saw it: Mother's face, Tobias, and Omar, were the foreground to the fire behind them. Mother was holding him gently, lifting his head just above the ground. Mother's pale face was coated with charcoal, "Juli, you ok?"

Juli's eyes widened— he had not clue of what was happening. His eyes flickered to Tobias, Omar, and then fixed them on Mother, "Mother? What happened?" Juli's voice was muffled, and he coughed a couple of times before Mother could speak.

Mother smiled, "Thank Andraste, you're alive!"

Omar and Tobias looked relieved— they'd thought Juli was gone. Mother helped Juli get up, "I'll explain later. For now, we have to get out of here."

As Juli got on his feet he saw a herd of people— the whole camp. People looked scared, Juli noted. They all looked at Juli, no not at Juli, but at Omar. Their terrified faces gazed at Omar as if they believed he would make everything ok. I mean, can he? As far as Juli could tell, everything burned— the tents, the blacksmith tables, and even the archery yard. For Omar to make everything ok he'll have to pull off a miracle. Amid the crowd, Juli could see no more than three hunters with bow at the ready. Tobias, who was the best hunter present did not have his bow.