Chapter 21
"Uh-huh, sure I do." I said sarcastically eyeing her, perhaps she is crazy?
"I am not crazy!" She said as if hearing my thoughts.
"What?" I took a step back aiming my staff.
"Um, no need to get hasty and try to kill a poor elf," then she continued saying under her breath "Not that I would be missed."
"Your Shiri, clearly a Dalish, how do you know of me." Well that was a stupid question.
Shiri echoed my thoughts, "Well that was a stupid question! Your Lenobia Mage and Grey Warden of Ferelden you helped stop the blight! You even fought next to the king! Who doesn't know about you?"
"I guess everyone knows of me. And yes, I did all of those things, so clearly I can handle myself why would you, One, Sneak up on me and Two, claim I need your help?"
"Well because, I need your help, so I was hoping you would help me if I helped you with something." She said sheepishly. I resisted rolling my eyes and I put my staff on my back the familiar cold of the Winters breath returning. At least she didn't just outright expect me to help her.
"Fine, I will help you. With what do you need help?" I asked patiently, a quest could preoccupy my mind away from-I winced.
"Well, I was expelled from my Dalish Clan, and I have no where to go…" She trailed off.
"Okay Lets make camp and talk, but first, what happened to your leg?" I asked curiously leaning my head to one side.
"Oh, you notice everything. Um It was bitten by a wolf, its made it hard to walk and that is why I did not sneak up on you better."
"I see." I said reaching behind me to grab my pack, Shiri's eyes widened in terror, no doubt thinking I was going to grab my staff. I laughed a little "I'm not going to kill you, I'm going to heal you." I told her grabbing a lesser injury kit out of my pack and patching her up. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Lenobia."
I nodded and started to silently set up camp. Shiri kept glancing at me clearly unsure of what to say. I suppose I will have to start this conversation.
"so you hail from the Brecillian forest?"
"Currently we are set up in the Southron Hills."
"Ah, I see, so why exactly have you been expelled?" I asked settling down on my blanket.
"I am…Unnatural." I gave her a questioning look and so she continued. "I have been orphaned since I was an infant. Ashalle took care of me. I suppose, as a young child one day I came back with a bite on my arm, I couldn't remember where it came from and then I had a terrible Illness. I was unconscious for over a week. Then when I woke up I felt fine, nothing was different." She stopped.
"So you got expelled because…you weren't different?"
"No, later just about the time of the blight, something began to change in me. I could, sense the dark ones, sense their thoughts."
"I can-" I almost said I can do that too but that would put too much out there about Grey Warden abilities and I do not yet know this woman fully. "Never mind continue."
"So, anyways, I didn't tell anyone, but after the blight I began to be able to sense animals thoughts, I first noticed it when I walked by the Halla pen. Then 3 months later I could sense Humans thoughts. It worried me so I told my keeper. My Keeper, Marethari, Told Paivel and Merrill. They all three decided it was best for the clan as a whole if I left. I was outraged and wondered why they would want me to live amongst Shem. But they just took me out of the camp and left me there forbidding me from ever returning."
"I see. But I do not know how I will be able to help."
"Yes me either, but I am sure we can figure it out." She yawned, and lay down to go to sleep. I lay back and look up at the stars, all so beautiful. I sigh, wondering if my life will ever work out and just be happy, before I die my early death. I close my eyes and for a split second a shadow hovered over me. I opened my eyes, and looked into the trees, but found nothing. Perhaps, in my tired state, I am simply imagining things. I yawn and fall asleep.