The Guardian

Chapter 21

Sinéad

Oh Sinéad ,

For the first time love is gonna turn around,

I'm telling you,

You will like it,

I know.

Oh Sinéad ,

It's the first time,

Only you can set it free,

Oh Sinéad,

Come break away with me.

(:.:)

Saber had her sword in her hands. Without much thinking about it, she ran towards the two guards of the gate. They immediately saw her. She unsheathed her sword and kept her feet moving. The guards roared and yelled that someone was attacking, but before he could finish his sentence, Saber cut her sword through his neck. The head flew off his body. Without stopping, she sliced her sword through the other. She used so much force that the man was staggered back. While he stumbled and grunted, Saber took the opportunity to stab her sword in the man's chest, where his heart was. She heard him whimpering and letting out his last breath.

She dropped the body ruthless, snorting at them. She could sense another presence behind the big door before her. A lot of guards were there. And mages. Without caring, she kicked the door open. Her red eyes were shining in the darkness of the room.

She could see that the guards were surprised by her incoming. Saber gave them a cold look, not even a glare. She ran towards them. One of the guards shouted that she was dangerous and immediately they all started to move. Saber narrowed her eyes. One of them ran towards her, holding up a shield and sword. While roaring, he slashed his sword towards her. Saber dodges it easily, while her sword hit the man's stomach. She could feel how the steel met the steel of his armor. A dark magic from inside her filled the sword, and it sliced easily through the man's body.

Keeping her feet moving, she didn't even care to look if he was dead or not. She didn't care anymore. About nothing. She went to the next battle. Archers came to the balcony and more guards to the lower level where she was standing.

She roared angry, feeling irritated how all of them were standing in her way. She flashed herself towards a guard and killed him with her sword. Blood sputtered around, and she felt some of it falling on her face. Taking the shield, she touched it. A it soon had a veil of lighting around it. She threw the shield at the other guards, pinning one of them down. It also released an explosion of electricity, killing the guards around them. Saber looked at it, feeling strangely satisfied by the violence.

She looked up and saw the archers aiming their bows towards her. Not far from them was the stair that led up to them. With all the strength she had in her legs, she ran up. Dodging all the arrows that were shot at her, she lifted her sword up.

She approached of them, and saw panic written of the woman's face. She reached out for her dagger, but before she could take it, Saber lashed out and hit the woman between her neck and shoulder. The archer let out a high pinched scream as the sword sank further in the flesh. Saber saw how her blade soon was covered with blood.

She met the eyes of the woman, who looked horrified at her. Normally, she would have felt pity, perhaps even regret towards the woman. But now, she felt nothing more than emptiness inside her. A dark growing pit inside her, making her numb inside.

Hearing the bow span again, she looked over at the other archers. Seeing how one arrow was shot at her, she kicked the woman before her down. Running forward, she dodged every arrow, slicing any arrow in half, killing every person that stood in her way.

When the last one of the guards fell dead before her, she heard a soft whimper behind her. Without thinking, she slashed her sword to the right, ready to cut open any throat. A yelp was sounded. Saber stopped just n time, while the steel of her sword was resting against the neck. A young elven maid was looking at her, her eyes wide and scared. Feeling the urge to kill her, hearing a voice whispering that it was alright, she pushed further slowly. The maid let out a whimper, when Saber pressed the blade against her throat, drawing blood from her.

"Ne me tuez pas, s'il vous plait!" begged the maid.

Saber listened to the pleading maid. She tightened her hands around her sword, and clenched her teeth tightly together. "Where is the King of Ferelden." She demanded in a cold voice.

The girl looked shocked and afraid. In her eyes, Saber could the doubt. She knew something. "I-I don't know, Ma-"

Saber pushed the sword harder against the throat and the maid shrieked out of horror as it cut her flesh. "He is in the dungeon, Madam!" she almost screamed, panic written over her face. "It's down the hall, down stairs!"

Saber searched down her face. She could see that the girl was telling the truth. "And Gaston? Where is he?"

The girl mumbled something, her eyes begging her not to ask. But Saber didn't care, and once again she gave a warningly push against her throat."He is in the Throne Room!" she exclaimed. "Please, believe me!"

"I believe you…" grumbled Saber in a low voice.

"Then please, Madam… let me go!"

She narrowed her eyes towards her. She was in a struggle with herself. Something inside her was telling her that she should just kill the maid. Tapping her fingers against her sword, she took in a deep breath. With all the strength she possessed, she released the girl by pulling her sword back. Looking away from the maid, she whispered: "Sortez…"

She heard the running footsteps from the maid, and the grand door being opened. For a couple moments she stood there, standing still. Staring at the ground, she felt herself still being numb. She glanced to her right side, and saw one of the mirrors against the wall. Turning completely towards her reflection, she saw her appearance being covered completely with blood. Her red eyes stared back at her, with a cold hard glance in them. Placing her hand against her image, she was staring at herself.

What was that with that maid? She was an innocence! But the urge to kill, it had almost took her over. She had to fight it with every fiber in her body. She continued looking at herself. There was, however, no feeling of regret or remorse. She felt like she was a blank shell. An empty being.

Her thoughts were disturbed when a rumbling sound went through the air. The building shook, and loud clashing sounds were heard outside. Saber glanced at the small window as she heard people screaming immediately. She could sense magic in the air.

"So they start with or without me…" she mumbled to herself, remembering the words of Deane. "Destiny my ass…"

Looking for the last time at her reflection, she pushed herself away from the mirror. Feeling slightly dizzy, she placed a hand against her forehead. Walking over to the path that led her inside the palace, she was determined to find the dungeons. And once this was over, she shall leave Thedas for good.

(:.:)

The capital city of Orlais came closer and closer. Fenris felt himself being nervous, excited, fearless, fearful, happy, angry. The decision, going back to find the woman called Saber and save her, perhaps from her own madness, was causing all these emotion inside him. And even if they succeed, then what?

He looked at Anders, and felt anger boiling inside him. A small voice inside him yelled that the mage should keep his distant. How dared that mage claim something that was actually his! The possessiveness in him hated Anders more than ever. But another voice told him that he had no right to claim that woman for himself. Saber was a person, and not an object. Shame would creep inside him. He felt disgusted by himself for his jealously and possessiveness. Was he now truly better than any Magister, who made slaves as their own?

The buildings of the city came closer and closer. It was surrounded by the city wall, protecting it against unwanted outsiders. The tower of the Chantry was sticking up, almost reaching the heavens of the sky.

Striding his feet over the cold ground, Fenris looked up. The sky was red colored by the sun. staring at it, he was reminded by her red eyes. Snapping himself out of his thoughts, he scowled at himself that he shouldn't think of her.

"Stop." Fenris and the other looked up at the commanding voice of Hawke. Fenris looked surprised at the Champion, who had a wary look on his face.

"What is it? Why are we stopping?" Isabela asked, while she placed her hands on her hips.

Hawke pointed out at the sky. Fenris narrowed his eyes, and saw black smoke rising from the city. Was there a fire? It came near where the Chantry was standing.

Hawke looked at Anders. "Anders, can you feel that? The Veil?" he asked. Hawke then looked at Morrigan, Merrill and Wynne.

"I-" Anders started, his eyes looking surprised and perhaps even panicking. "The Veil! It feels like it has been torn apart!" Anders looked at Hawke with big eyes.

"Well, let's be on our guard then." Zevran said with a shrug and a careless voice. "We'll-"

He was interrupted by a lightning shot. Zevran managed to dodge it in the nick. Fenris jerked himself around and saw mages approaching them. Cursing out loud, he took the sword from his back, sensing their hostility. Without much thinking his marking lightened up.

There were at least ten mages, if not more. Fenris saw how Hawke barked out their positions to them. He saw how Sten and Oghren were running towards the mages, followed by Aveline. Isabela and Zevran were running next to the warrior, but they moved faster than them. Circling around the mages, Isabela threw her dagger towards one of the mages, and Zevran attacked one with a leap in the air. The mages deflected their attacks, and fired one spell to another.

Leliana, Sebastian and Varric were standing slightly from the battlefield. They shot their arrows at them. At some point, Leliana took a dagger from her waist, and ran towards the mages. Merrill, fired a stone fist towards the mages, knocking one of them away from Isabela, who had her back against them. When the Pirate Queen fell over by the impact, she was immediately helped by Hawke.

Fenris flickered his eyes towards the right side of them. More mages were approaching them. Now, there were at least twenty of them. Fenris tightened his fingers around his sword. He ran towards them. when one of them shot a spell at him, he dodged it. Rushing towards the mage, he slashed the sword towards them, knocking several mages away from him. His marking were shining bright.

He narrowed his eyes as he observed the mages before him. He recognized the Imperium symbol on their robes. Glaring at the mages, he reached out towards a mage with his hand lightened up. His former hate for Tevinter surfed up.

"Fenris! Watch out!"

Fenris turned around, and saw a rage demon standing behind him. The creature was roaring, and growling. Lashing out at him, Fenris held his sword defensively up. Out of reflex he narrowed his eyes, ready to take the blow. Suddenly something staggered the demon. It was followed by a shots of magic against it. He looked at his left, and saw how Anders shot the magic at the demon, while running towards Fenris. The elf narrowed his eyes towards the mage. Without saying a word, the mage took his stand behind Fenris. Now they were covering their backs. Fenris hated the fact that Anders was covering him, since he didn't trust the mage. He bit through his pride and, took a step to his left side. Moving his shoulders, he threw the weight of the sword against the mages, hitting them backwards.

Anders followed his movements, and released a pile of ice against the other mages. Fenris could hear the crystallizing of the water. But they were still surrounded by many mages. Glaring at the more approaching enemies. A bloodmage shot at them. Fenris could dodge it, but as soon as he saw the mage face, he knew it wasn't meant to hit him. He turned around and saw how the magic drew the demons out of the Fade.

An enormous demon stepped out of it, with the seize of an ogre. It roared and howled at both Fenris and Anders. For a moment the mage and elf looked at each other wide mouthed.

"Andraste's flaming knickers, why do they always summon the big ones!" exclaimed Anders. The demon lashed out to him. Fenris jumped backwards, as Anders rolled over the ground.

Fenris saw how the demon was fighting against Anders, followed by Morrigan and Wynn. He searched for the mage who summoned it. Seeing the mage getting backwards, Fenris narrowed his eyes. He rushed towards him, knowing that killing him would undo the spell on the demon. The mage shot a magic spell at him. Fenris didn't had enough time to dodge the spell, and hit him on the shoulder. Groaning, he forced his legs to continue.

He could feel more magic around him, and he looked up. He was surrounded by mages, while his companions were too far away to help him. He cursed himself for going against them alone. Hearing the buzzing sound of their magic, Fenris closed his eyes. All his focus went to his markings. Feeling the sensitive edges in his skin, he took a deep breath.

He heard how their magic was released on him, and without hesitation he released his own powers. The lyrium got out of his skin and with a powerful blow his surroundings was covered with the dust from lyrium. The mages were blown backwards, with shocked and stunned looks on their faces. Fenris snorted at them as they were moaning on the ground. Rushing over towards the bloodmage, he lightened up his markings once again. The mage tried to scramble up, but Fenris took him by his collar, hoisting him up. With a cold look in his eyes he looked at the mage, before he reached in his chest, and crushed his heart.

The mage let a painful yell, before he fell on the ground. Behind him was the agonizing shriek from the demon. Turning around, he saw how the it was pulled back in the Fade. Varric shot the last of them down. Their battle was over.

They gathered again, all of them covered in blood.

"Maker! What are all of those mages doing here?" Aveline exclaimed.

"Those were from the Imperium." Fenris stated coldly, looking at one the bodies with a glare.

"And guess what? There are more of them in the city." Hawke said, half joking. "I can sense how the Veil is torn apart by magic there. No doubt it they are from the same team."

"So, it has truly begun…" Leliana said. Her eyes were casted low on the ground. No doubt that the mages and Templers are clashing against each other in Val Royeaux."

"Mages from Imperium?" Sebastian questioned. "I don't understand. I thought that they had quite another ideal."

They heard a laugh. Fenris looked at the direction it came from. He saw how one the mages chest was moving up quickly, because of her laughter. Without hesitation and thinking over it, Fenris walked over towards the mage. He heard some of the others calling out at him, but he ignored them. The woman looked at him with a wicked grin on her face. He was immediately reminded of Hadriana. Snarling, he kneeled before her.

"What are your plans." He demanded in a harsh voice.

The woman spit at him, hitting him in his face. "Im 'noniensutdico,vosdryadalemmiserabili!" she hissed at him.

With a cool movement, Fenris swept the spit out of his face. Then his marking lightened up again. And without much of effort, he lifted the woman up by holding her up by her throat. The woman gasped and whimpered at the stern hand around her throat.

"Dic mihi,priussolverecolla…" Fenris said in a dangerous low voice. He used his native tongue to let the woman know that he could understand her perfectly.

When she didn't gave him any answer, he tightened his hand around her neck with more force, making her gasp even more.

"We are after her!" yelled the woman. She looked at Fenris, with her eyes filled with terror. Hawke came closer to her, followed by Varric.

"Elf," Varric hushed, as he watched the woman going blue because of the lack of oxygen. "Perhaps you're overdoing it. Maybe you-"

Ignoring the dwarf, he tightened his fist even more. "Tell me!"

"T-The one that attacked the Archon in M-Minrathous!" stuttered the mage. "A woman called- ugh,- S-Saber! We are s-searching for her!"

He could feel how all eyes were shot at him, as he felt himself being staggered and stunned. It was soon replaced by his anger. "What do you want from her?"

"T-The O-o-old God! The o-one inside her!"

"Wait," interjected Anders. "What do you want to do with that?"

"I-In order to r-restore Tevinter..." she gasped for more air. "W-we must h-have-"

"And Old God for worshiping them." finished Fenris the sentence coldly.

The mage looked horrified at the tone in Fenris' voice. His green eyes were standing hostile against her. Sobbing, she tried to push Fenris' hand away from her. "Amabo, parceme-"

"Voselegitiniuriamdominus." Fenris said back and before any could say to stop him, Fenris lightened up his markings and snapped the mages neck. Falling death on the ground, he snarled disgusted at the body, spitting on the ground.

"Well, by my sodding Ancestors asses…" cursed Oghren. "Does he always start to sparkle when he is excited? Because if he is, then I'll just… uh stay away from him."

As the dwarf touched his neck, Fenris glared at him. He was hardly in the mood for jokes.

"That was crude, Fenris. Even for you." Hawke said.

Fenris turned around and glared at Hawke. "And what do you suggest I do? Let them have their way?" He narrowed his eyes towards his friend. "I believe we already did that in Kirkwall."

Fenris saw how Hawke's impression was stunned, before a sound of protest was sounded. "Don't you shot you anger at Hawke, you prick!" Isabela snapped at him, standing protective before Hawke.

Fenris didn't stop his glare, but without saying a word he passed them. It was a quiet warning for the others to be wary with him now, since he was still feeling angry. Now Tevinter has decided to chaste after Saber. Hearing the words of the mage over and over, he clenched his fists together. Once again, Tevinter, or rather mages were chasing something to make them more powerful. They don't care who or what they will affect. As long as they can get what they want.

After a while, they came closer to the city. Fenris had sulked back, without noticing it. His mind was drifted far away from the presence.

"So, are you going to snap Saber's neck too when we find her?"

Fenris was jerked out of his thoughts and looked at his right, looking at the annoying blond mage next to him. Without a word, he looked away from him.

"You do realize that she could be an abomination, right?" Anders said in a serious voice

Fenris ignored him. He felt hardly the need to explain himself towards him. But the question had been formed in his head. He had wondered what will happen if Saber was an abomination. Morrigan, the witch had admitted that the chance was there. She could be an abomination. And Fenris knew only one way to free someone from a demon. Feeling fear, they continue with approaching the city.

He had to find her. That he vowed himself. Fenris glanced slightly at Anders. The mages cleared his intentions. It was up to Saber what she will do with it. Feeling powerless, he clenched his fists. He knew what she thought of him. He knew that she would never feel the same towards him as he felt towards her. The cut on his neck, where she had pushed her blade at, was a cold reminder for that. He remembered how she looked at him. The fear, the hate in her eyes. Fenris knew that both he and Saber were damaged. And even if they were together, it wouldn't work. He knew that. Sighing, he admitted that perhaps they were better off without each other.

Glancing at the city, he saw that it was one chaotic place to be. There was one thing he vowed. No matter what, he shall find her. And once he had his answer, he shall let her go.

The idea of it pained him more than he would ever dare to admit.

(:.:)

Saber placed her hand against the door. She had finally found the entrance towards the dungeons. She walked down on the stair, without sensing any presence. She guessed that they had rushed upstairs, or they had fled away.

She was embraced by little light the dungeons possessed. The corridor was narrow and the air was stiff. It was even hard to breath. There was also lingering a strange smell, that crept up in the nose. Saber kept on with walking.

There was a lonely table middle in the room. It had on solemn candle on it, lighting the room slightly. Behind Saber saw a closed door, and she could feel different presence. The way towards the prisons. She walked towards it, with her sword in her hand. Pushing the door slightly open, she climbed into the opening.

Before her was a long dark hallway, with on the left and the right doors. She could her different kind of sound. The droplets of water falling down, the fire that sputtered, the moans of agony from prisoners.

Trying to ignore them, she walked determined through the hall, checking every single door. It was hard to recognize the persons in the darkness. So instead of, she whispered softly the name of the king. But most of the time she got a grunt or a moan as a reply. Even a woman called out that she was Alistair. After checking all of the prisons, she could conclude one thing: The King of Ferelden wasn't here.

Feeling disappointed, she sat down on the ground with a deep sigh. All of the work for nothing. Saber brought her hands to her eyes, and rubbed them.

"Damn it all!" she cursed out. She couldn't think of any other place to be than this prison. They must have moved him. When it was to knowledge about her staying in Val Royeaux. She cursed again, for her carelessness. Clenching and unclenching her hands, she closed her eyes.

She had think about her next move.

What am I missing? Perhaps they have moved him to another part of the prison, or to another resident. Perhaps even Tevinter… Or maybe-

Suddenly, in the darkness she heard a whisper. Her eyes snapped open and she looked wary towards the dark corridor. She could sense no one nearby. She didn't felt herself at ease, but she forced herself to calm down. Calmly, and trying to ignore the unsettling feeling inside her, she stared purposeless in the fire of the torch. She continued with staring and staring… the fire hypnotizing her and dancing seductively with the thought of taking a nap.

Her eyes felt heavier. The sounds around her became softer, and the surrounding slower. She tried to blink a couple times, until she fell away… in the Fade.

Saber opened her eyes again. Gasping, she looked around, with her chest being filled with the feeling of fear. Her heart was hammering against her chest, and she tried to remember what had happened. All she saw was cave like area. Frowning, she noticed that the spot she was standing, was the only place that was lightened up.

Hearing something making a sound, she snapped her head to the right. The cold holes of eyes were staring at her. It shocked her so much, that she stepped back. A skeleton was sitting on a throne. He had a crown on his head, and his shoulders were clothed with a expensive mink, made for a king. Saber reached out to her sword, where her sword was resting. But when her hand touched the empty space, she looked shocked at her hip. She was only wearing her armor, without her sword or dagger. While trying to remember where she had left her sword, she heard a crackling sound.

She looked up at the skeleton, and saw that his head was moving to the left. Automatically, her eyes followed the direction where the skeleton was looking. She another throne, with another death king. And next to him another one, and another one. Stepping back in horror, she now saw that she was standing in a circle, surrounded by death kings.

"You think you are so smart." Grumbled a very low voice.

Saber looked at the direction the voice came from, and turned her head. She first saw nothing. Until she noticed that the stone wall of the cave, wasn't made from stone. Her face grimaced when she saw that the yellow eyes of the beast opened and looked at her with great might. It moved, seeing the scales of the beast. Saber opened her mouth out of surprise and shock, but it failed to produce any sound.

When it wings were spreading, Saber was slight blown away by the impact. Coughing from the dust and sand, she heard the beast growling and grunting.

"You have deceived us all, but now I know your plan." It grumbled. The fact it could speak, surprised her even more, but all she could do was listening to it. It stamped its mighty feet on the ground, making it shake. Seeing the cracks in the ground, Saber avoided for stepping on them. The wall of the cave collapsed, and before Saber's was Thedas. Everything was in flame and chaos. Gasping, she fell on her knees, seeing how her home was being destroyed.

"Soon, all your Kings and countries shall fall, and we shall rule…"

The dragons were flying in the sky. There were so many of them. Seeing them how they spread the flames through the sky. Saber could clearly hear the sounds of yell and screams of the people there. She could see all being slaughtered: Man, woman. Child, adult. Human, elf or dwarf. Templar or mage… all were slaughtered.

She felt herself being overwhelmed by the feeling of desperation and grief. She stared to sob hopelessly, not knowing what to do. Glancing over her shoulder, not understanding why this happened.

"I know this is the key…" it said. "But no matter where you hide it, I'll find it, and I'll shall become the mightiest of all. And then there will be no hope to rely on."

It reached out to her. Without much thinking, Saber guarded her body with her hands and arms. She tried to crawl away from the dragon, as she saw how its giant claw was heading towards her. She tried to scream, being filled with fear and now panic. She didn't understand. What was happening to her?

"Come here, child…"

A soft whisper over her shoulder. With bewildering eyes she looked at the person who whispered, but all she could see was an arm reaching out to her. The light blinded her, and made it impossible for her to identify the person. The light drew her away from the monster, and the presence felt familiar. She gasped, as her eyes were blinded. But her body was warm and comfortable. She felt a warm hand on her cheek, who whipped her tear away from her eyes. She grasped to hand, and held it firm. She tried to open her eyes, but the light immediately hurts her eyes.

"Light comes through the darkness…"

Saber jumped up and looked bewildered around. Her cheeks felt wet from the tears she cried. Her breath was uneven and her heart was hammering against her chest. The feeling of panic was still there. She held her breath in for a couple times, until she realized everything was a dream. Her mind eased, but her body was still shaking with the impact of the terror. Her body burnt with pain. Everywhere where she was marked burned.

"It was a dream…"she whispered to herself. She repeated the sentence to herself. This wasn't some kind of prophecy or some predicting dream. It was just a dream. The sweat on her forehead was still there, but her eyes had already dried up, feeling that they were frail. It just because of the amount of stress and pressure. That's all. Nothing more.

She sighed deeply, and became calmer now. The pain slowly faded. Taking another breath, she gathered herself together. She told herself that she wasn't some kind of little girl, and scowled at herself for the fear.

With checking her sword on her hip, she took a shaky footstep towards the door, exiting the dungeon. Even though, her mind was still shaken by the terrible dream, she told herself that she had to move on.

She still had her father to find. With each step on the stairs, the light of the palace came closer. With each step, she became more successful to put the dream back in her hand.

Finally, she reached the door. Her hand reached out to the wood of the doorframe. Clenching her fingers around, she pulled herself up. She closed her eyes, gathering herself. The fear was still strong inside her. It still made her finger tremble.

And then, she heard a sound in the hallway. With her hand on the hilt of her sword, she looked to her side.

(:.:)

The soothsayer gasped out loud. In all his experience, he had never had such intense vision! Reaching out towards his heart, he touched his chest. The organ was hammering madly in his body, making his body shake.

Was that it? The true danger that that was threatening Thedas?

He stared at the window of his prison. The fire was coloring the night sky to red. The sounds of the war was intruding his room. Fools. They aren't even aware of the true war.

Bringing his head between his hands, he bowed his neck as far as it was allowed to. The vision, it was terrible. The dragon, the terror. But most of all… he had seen her. The warrior with blue and green eyes. She was part of the vision, but everything felt so real.

It was almost as if she had truly was there. The dragon snarling and growling at her, and she looked at the monster as if she could understand every word. She wasn't what he had imagined what she would be. He had expected an fearless woman, ready to fight any opponent. But instead, he had seen a woman, who was filled with fear. Was she truly the one of the prophecy?

He had seen the doubt, the fear in her eyes. It was almost as if she was holding herself back. As if she was fighting against something. And it took all her energy, her concentration. He could hardly that such fragile small woman was the one who was supposed to safe Thedas.

But on the other hand, time and again had proven him that the future and his visions are always turning towards the most unexpected ways. Even though he had doubt, he had to keep his faith.

Perhaps, all she needed was a guide. Perhaps that was what he was meant to be. The old man, saying a couple of wise words to the youngster.

(:.:)

"Hello." Said the dwarf with ignorant smile on his face.

Saber raised her eyebrow at the dwarf. The boy didn't seem normal, since he has… just something out of the ordinary. He didn't look harmful in any way. Convinced that the boy wasn't a threat, she let her go, and pushed the steel back in the holder.

Continuously, she looked wordless at the dwarf, who smiled naively at her. He didn't seem to feel threatened by her. After a while, she shook her head, and took steps forward. When she was about to pass him, she heard him speak again.

"One day the magic will come back. All of it."

Saber's eyes immediately widened. She angled her head to the right and looked at the dwarf with suspiciously and surprised eyes. To hear the exact same quote from him, as she heard from the spirit frightened her. She only saw his back, and couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

"What did you say?" she cracked out eventually.

"Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part and the skies open wide. When he rises, everyone will see."

Saber gasped as the dwarf quoted the exact same words from the prophecy. With a rough hand, she grasped the dwarf's shoulder and turned him around. He had a fearful look in his eyes, but Saber didn't care.

"What is this shit? What are you saying?" she raged. She shook him by the shoulders, and the head of the boy with thrown forward and backward. "Do you even know-?"

"That old lady is scary!" he said. Saber raised both her eyebrows at the words.

"Old lady? What old lady?"

The dwarf looked terrified at her, as Saber was confused by the sudden change of subject. His body started to shake, and he inhaled a deep breath.

"She has a scary laugh!" he said with a slightly high pitched voice.

She released the boy by his shoulder, and took a couple steps back. Frowning, she looked at him. This dwarf was definitely more than he appeared to be. She closed her eyes, and reopened them, revealing the red orbs. She saw that the dwarf had a yellow stream inside him. Magic. She definitely saw magic in him!

"That's impossible…" she said in a soft voice. "A dwarf is incapable to bear magic." She slowly brought her hand to her sword. "Are you an abomination?"

The boy didn't answer, but saw that his eyes curiously looked at her hand. She tightened her grip on the hilt, debating with herself whether she should kill him or not.

"Enchantment?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, she heard that familiar quote. She had heard that sentence somewhere before. She narrowed her eyes, and tried to remember where she'd know it. She saw a brief flash of a small village. Her mother, her life before flashed before her eyes. For a moment she saw the dwarf's face in her memories… She could hear his name in the back of her mind, and rested on the point of her tongue. She tried to mouth it, but she couldn't find the exact letters.

"Sandal!" a deeper voice yelled out.

Saber immediately straightened her back, and looked behind her with a wary look. She saw another dwarf, an older one this time. He had a surprised look on his face. He noticed how Saber's hand was resting on her sword. The dwarf looked back at her face with a puzzling look.

"Lady Warden?" he asked hesitantly.

Saber looked stunned at the dwarf. How did he knew her? Or that she was part of the Grey Wardens once? She opened her mouth to ask, but was interrupted by the sound of storming feet. Looking behind the dwarf, she could see shadows formed. The enormous feeling of different presence was overwhelming.

Without any hesitation, she passed the stammering dwarf, and ran towards another part of the palace. She could hear the roaring voices. Guards, mages, all were mixed up. She could feel them from different directions. She continued with running, until she ended up in a great hall.

Feeling, but also seeing many people approaching her from different directions, she took her sword out. With narrowed eyes she looked at the doors, hearing the feet coming closer and closer.

Until the door opened, she saw an familiar smirk that sickened her. The presence of magic was overwhelming, and she knew that was now in trouble.

(:.:)

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