THE ADVENTURES OF ANDRASTE THE DRAGON
Chapter 21: Into the Deep Roads
The smoking ruins of the city of the Imperium reigned as Lusacan settled on the highest tower. His wings flared in a full show of his might as his army swept across the now ruined city in search for the mirrors of time.
It was then that a lowly shade approached his slinking in the dust left minor unsettlements as he bowed low to the mighty Archdemon.
My lord we have found something in the ruins of the Chantry he said
Opening his wings Lusacan flew towards the ruins and landed with a thud. His curled horns displayed his mighty brow as he approached.
Well show me! He demanded
Two ogres appeared carrying a large dark mirror with them. At the moment the mirror is dark but the symbols on the side are truly Elvin in design. Pleased the gently laid the mirror before him as Lusacan strolled up to it.
Very good my servants this pleases me well send a messenger to the other Archdemons; inform my brothers that I have found the first mirror he said
Two shrieks nodded as they vanished into thin air leaving Lusacan to study the mirror. As he studied the mirror his smile could not be kept as the shrieks return also brought good news. His brothers also found the other two mirrors that they needed to summon their brethren from the depths of time. Satisfied Lusacan rose from his position ready the troops we march for the Elven capital and with that our victory is near my brothers!
The cry went out to all Darkspawn as they began their march towards the capital of the ancient Elven lands.
MEANWHILE
I stood out amongst the traders of the Frostback Mountains being as I am a dragon. Morrigan stood on a stone slab that was found in the middle of the stand up village. I used it as my examine table and was currently checking her.
She was not feeling good ever since we left the mages tower and she had told myself, and Aleria about the grimore; a book of spells and rituals that Flemeth wrote that she recovered from the Mage's tower. But I fear that the book was probably cursed to protect its contents. Though what I found instead of the usual findings of a curse in my travels were dragon scales.
"What is this?" I said holding up the scale I had plucked from her leg.
Shocked she snatched it out of my claws and examined it. "By the Maker!" she cursed
"By the Maker indeed," said another voice and we both turned to find none other then Flemeth standing there with a huge smile on her face.
"Mother!" Morrigan said shocked
The woman was nothing like I remember her. Gone was the old cripple woman look. Even though her hair was still white and her face still had the signs of age. However she stood taller and her clothes were more defining her figure. Now this side of the woman I've never seen before. Even now she still walks with a grace to her.
"What surprised to see me?" she said
Other vendors chose this moment to back away even the guards from the Ozammar gate drew their swords.
"Why are you here my friend," I said trying to defuse the situation.
Flemeth laughed at this but then turned somber at the sight of Morrigan. Slowly she walked towards her daughter and looked at her arm which shown light scales and her leg which was a little worse. Smiling to herself she stroked the little bulges on her back.
"My, my it seems that your time is drawing near," she said to Morrigan.
"My time?" Morrigan said
"That book you hold is not the true grimore that I wrote. It only contains my experiments and only basic rituals that have long since forgotten by the circle of Magi. I have the book at home back in the wilds should you need it; but don't wait too long. Andraste my friend bring her to me when the Wardens leave those gates the time has come to prepare. Oh and the part in that book of me taking your body…." She said with a smile and saw Morrigan's confused look.
"Did you read up to that part yet?" she asked sweetly
"I did sort of," she said and Flemeth laughed
"That part is a lie! I do not take my daughters bodies as my own in three moons time when the moon is at its fullest seek me out in the wilds. But come by air the horde is upon it fully by now. I am in the ruins of the old Warden's library. Until then do not shapeshift it will only make it worse," she said and with that she transformed into her dragon form and took off towards the south.
Shocked by all this Morrigan turned towards me, "What doe this all mean?" she asked
"I guess we will find out sooner or later in three moons times," I said to her.
Morrigan could only give a nod in reply as how her mother knew about it but she looked down at the book and figured that it was probably enchanted. As she slowly stood up from where she was laying down she looked rather solemn.
"Are you alright Morrigan?" I asked her
"No, how could I play the fool for reading this?" she asked me while she held up the book.
"I don't know; perhaps she did it to fool the circle and the church," I said to her.
"Is that what you call the Chantry in your world?" Morrigan said
"Yes that is what we call our chantry it is called a church." I said to her and she seems to accept that role quite well.
"Is everything alright," said a voice and we turned to find Leliana walking up to us.
"How are the others faring?" Morrigan asked
"Not well I'm afraid in order to elect a new king a Dwarven Paragon is needed and the only one who has any sway is in the Deep Roads somewhere. The others went to find her but I was sent back up here to tell you the news. We also have her husband going with us to find where they went," she said that with a sad note.
"So the dwarves are lost without a king eh? Mind telling us the news," I inquired.
Leliana filled us in on everything and we did the same.
DAYS LATER
Ok all this waiting is driving me bananas Morrigan, Leliana and I have waited for a few days for the others to catch up. Bodahn and Sandal had gone underground to visit some family with the permission of the guards. Meanwhile we are all stuck up here in the snow with the other merchants who insisted I fix minor aliments from them. Ok enough is enough and I am worried.
"We need to find them," I said to the other two.
"How? The guards are not going to let us in again; and how is it that we will find a way into the Deep Roads?" said Leliana
I smirked at them…
TWO HOURS LATER
Soaring high as the clouds flowed past us the other two girls hugged their furs to themselves as I raced away through the mountains. The girls were amazed at the sight as I insisted that they were some eye guards to protect their eyes from the wind. I need not worry for dragons; like birds have special tears which are thick and oily to keep our eyes clean of debris and moist in places like this. Holding on to my back scales the girls were armed in armor and ready to fight.
"There!" said Morrigan as she pointed towards a chasm in the ground.
Some of it was caved in but the entrance was clear with signs of ruins and a hole; large enough for me to fit in.
Diving I felt the girls hang on as I entered the hole at full speed towards that entrance. As soon as we were in I saw the rivers of lava far below.
"Just how deep are these chambers?" I asked the girls.
"The Deep Roads as is there namesake go very deep underground the dwarves built these roads long ago before the Darkspawn came to being. If we are to find the others we have to go deep and find them when we can," Leliana said to me.
Smirking I pumped my wings and used the heat of the lava below to guide our way. I rose upwards again through the cracks and again I flew into a wider chasm filled with statues of dwarves and golems like shale. I landed with the girls in tow.
"It seems like they were here not too long ago," said Morrigan who had better tracking skills then Leliana and I took in the scent of the others.
"The were here I can smell them," I said
"Yes and I appears as if the tunnel they went through is blocked," Leliana said.
I turned my head and spotted the river not far from here and followed it down a tunnel…the same that the others had taken.
"I know a way how to find them but we will have to fly again and follow the river," I said
The girls quickly ran up my back with my help and we took off again.
The river was indeed long and cavernous as we avoided stalagmites the size of skyscrapers. The blue glow of Lyrium had me weary as we neared another exit and another dwarven settlement. This one just as abandoned but that is where the water ends and the lava begins. For the river disappears into the rocks and the rivers of lava still boil from caves deep below. We took the warmer of the two routes and prayed to any god out there that we will be alright.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER
The rivers were endless as I flew higher to avoid the heat for the women's sake. My body can handle it but seeing as they are both human I had to get as far away from the heat as possible. At least we were making good time in the Deep Roads.
As we traveled further northwest a smell hit my nose. It was a scent I knew all too well. Traveling at top speed we came upon a chasm where the lava split and the deep roads where going into many directions. A fork if you will and with it the horde of Darkspawn.
"Holy shit!" I whispered to myself.
The horde was marching towards a destination to the south probably the split where they emerged from seeing as that is the only place where they can safely climb out.
Looking towards a ledge we were surprised to see a few dwarves there and rose up to meet them.
Landing they were startled at first till Leliana reassured them that I was a friend.
"By the stone! We thought you was the Archdemon Urthemiel come back to kill us!" said the first dwarf a commander named Jatson.
"You have no need to fear from Andraste she will not bite we are just looking for our friends. Two Grey Wardens, an elf, a Qunnari and a mage did they pass through here?" Leliana asked
"Yes about a day or so ago across that bridge but it is littered with Darkspawn so be careful! We are only here cleaning up the mess and report back any activity to the council." With that the girls leaped back onto my back and we were off again.
Flying at top speed across the chasm looking for the others grew tiresome but at least we were on the right track. My nose tells me that we are getting closer to them. As the scent grew stronger I could hear barking in the distance. The tell tale signs of Loki could be smelled and when the roof was too low for me to fly anymore I landed with the others leaping off of my back weapons ready. We could hear fighting going on at the other end of the tunnel and the sound of something sickening.
"Oh dear Andraste don't let that be what I think it is?" said Leliana.
"What is it?" I said
We rounded the corner and to our surprise I saw the most hideous thing in the world stare right back at us.
"HOLY SHIT!" I said out loud and she roared before sending Alistair and Aleria towards the side.
Zevran was busy protecting Wynne who was firing spell after spell at the creature. Loki, Sten and the Grey Wardens were trying to get to the main part of the body.
Suddenly a single tentacle came out of the ground at us and grabbed Morrigan around the legs. She fell down hard with her staff clattering away. Leliana slashed with her knives at the next one that came from the ground and I burned another.
"Man when you guys are in trouble you sure as hell don't go in small doses eh?" I teased.
"Shut the fuck up Andraste!" Alistair said
"Why ca….!" I could not speak any more when a tentacle wrapped itself around my snout and pulled me to the ground.
I struggled to get free lashing my tail out hoping to get her but she gotten me good. I could hear her voice as she whispered of devouring me and I struggled even harder. I will not let this multibreasted bitch eat me like the fat pig that she is! I struggled even more but her hold on me was good.
"Andraste!" I heard a faint voice as she wrapped her tentacles around my neck and squeezed. I could not even lash my claws out at her.
Her grip was good as I struggled to breathe and struggle I did until I felt the tentacle that was around my snout suddenly gave way as that thing's screams was any indication to go by. I felt the fire in my throat before I thought about it and burned the remaining tentacles around me.
This bitch has pissed me off and now she will die!
Rushing at full speed I bit down hard on her largest tentacle which was just behind her and she screamed in fury. Suddenly the room was filled with Darkspawn as they came out to defend this creature.
What the fuck is this thing?
I held on as she lashed at me with all her fat might as she sent another tentacle at me. I met it with my tail and swung it in her face. Alistair it seems was the one who freed me and used my tail as a ways of stabbing the bitch where she deserves it.
"Andraste! Her face! Burn her face!" Alistair yelled and I let go of her rear end and let loose a white hot ball of flame.
She screamed in agony as she held her face in her hands. The Darkspawn came again and again a whole horde of them but I was ready for them as I roared my fury at them. The Grey Wardens were at my side also Aleria firing some arrows while Loki went for some throats. Wynne and Morrigan firing spell after spell and Sten with a new comer a dwarf from his size swinging some serious axes.
I lashed out with my tail and took most of them out my main focus is on a bitch whose fat won't let me kill her. She shook herself free of me her tentacles swinging wildly reminding me of Ursula from the Little Mermaid. Well an uglier version of Ursula but no more. Growling low in my throat I let lose all the fire I had while Alistair came with his sword and plunged it into the creature's heart. She seemed to still be alive after all that so I grabbed Alistair and stung my hand palm out smashing the sword into her breast…well her main pair of breasts anyways.
The screams of agony that I have received from her was all that I know to be her death throes as she struggled to breathe only to end up with blood as black as pitch darkness oozing from her body. She fell flat along her rolls of blubber and tits.
"Quickly Andraste burn her so the Darkspawn can't use her again!" Morrigan shouted and I burned her with the sword in all. The fire was enough that she looked as if she was melting the flames were so hot.
As soon as the flames died down and nothing was left but burning ash I turned towards the others, "What the FUCK is THAT!" I practically shouted at the Grey Wardens.
"That was a brood mother a creature created by forcing females of any race to eat the flesh of humans and Darkspawn. They in turn become corrupted and become what you see…they are the breeders of the Darkspawn and they create more had we not kill this one," the dwarf said.
"You mean that thing is like a queen bee?" I asked
"I don't know what bees are but yeah you could say that," the dwarf replied.
"So Mr…I did not get your name, but do you know what I am?" I asked him
"Yeah you are a talking dragon nothing scares us dwarves down here. We are used to seeing Darkspawn and all sort of creatures here so your presence does not bother me the least," he said to me.
Oh well that explains it other then the fact he might be drunk as hell.
"Um Andraste meet Oghren; Oghren meet Andraste our healer," said Wynne as she slowly stood up again.
"You alright Wynne?" I asked
"Oh I am fine just I am not a spring chicken no more," she said
Getting up from after burning that thing…err Brood Mother we started down a deep hole when….
TBC
A/n: ha! Cliffhanger! Sorry the chapter was getting too long so I had to cut it here but look to the next one to see what happens.