"Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play"
Eshne watched Melia from across the fire. She had been quiet the whole trip. It seemed that the closer they came to Ostagar, the more uncomfortable Melia had gotten. Eshne had wanted to strike up conversation, but she didn't know where to start. She looked back and forth between Melia and Thackery, distressed at how much they really had changed over the years.
Eventually she cleared her throat, "Can I ask you something?"
Melia came out of her trance, her pale green eyes slightly red from staring at the fire, "What is it?"
Eshne twirled her thumbs, "About thirteen years ago, there was a girl. Part of your clan. She was taken by men in silver…"
"I do remember you." Melia cut her off, "I used to braid your hair and you would yell at the older children who would make fun of my lisp. In fact I think you stole their trousers and put them in the halla pen."
Eshne smiled, "They had it coming. Couldn't get the smell out for weeks." She laughed, crinkling her nose, but then winced when she felt a sharp pang.
"Are you alright?" Thackery asked.
"Oh, it's nothing," Eshne pointed to her nose, "I broke it before I left the Circle. Rather unseemly I think. And as if I didn't have enough trouble breathing before."
"You still have trouble with your lungs?" Melia asked.
"Sometimes," Eshne shrugged, "Only when the dust is bad or I cast too many spells at once. It's the exertion I think."
There was an awkward silence for a moment, Thackery had almost drifted back into his trance when Melia spoke.
She had been turning the Keeper's ring around her middle finger, "Eshne, do you ever resent the Keeper for sending you away?"
Thackery felt a pang in his chest, excusing himself from the fire to relieve Nicolai for patrol.
Eshne thought for a moment, "I used to. But. I know she did what she could do. The other clans already had mages. And besides. I think I turned out alright. Aside from the absolute disregard for personal manners and overt behavior."
"There is nothing wrong with that." Melia said, she bowed her head and gave an annoyed sigh.
Eshne bit her cheek, "Hey, why don't you get some rest. I'll stay up and take your watch."
"I could not ask that of you." Melia looked at her, "I will be alright."
"You didn't ask, and I'm telling you. C'mon, Mel," Eshne said, "We have a long day tomorrow."
Melia sighed, clearly feeling weakened by their journey so far, and she missed her son terribly.
"Perhaps I will." She finally said.
Eshne watched Melia go into her tent, then turned back to the fire.
"You know I could have Melia take a look at those."
Nicolai had been tending to his dagger wounds when Thackery startled him.
"It's no problem." Nicolai lowered his sleeves.
Thackery said nothing else of the matter, instead taking the branch of the nearest tree and deftly swinging up into the leaves.
Nicolai felt as if he had a million burning questions in his head, but kept his silence for a while longer.
"I suppose you're going to tell me to go back to camp?" He finally asked.
"You could stay if you truly wanted. But mayhaps you would also like to be rested for the journey tomorrow? Ostagar isn't too far off. I'd wager we arrive just after the sun passes its highest point." Thackery noted.
"You make a compelling argument." Nicolai said, standing to his full height.
Thackery's eyes had been glowing, and it was all that Nicolai could see amongst the dark leaves. He wondered what the man had been thinking about, if he was planning on stealing away in the night to a shem village to kill their children as all of the stories had said.
A loud belch came from Thackery's direction.
"Shouldn't have eaten those nettles." Thackery said to himself.
Nicolai concluded that perhaps his assumptions were far from truth.
He was just about to turn for camp when a low growl came from behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he felt a chill in his bones.
Thackery dropped to the ground, getting to his knees.
Nicolai felt two large creatures move right past him, jumping onto Thackery who was grinning ear to ear. Two large wolves had been wagging their tails, jumping all around and barking. The black one fell onto Thackery and the white one sniffed his hair.
"Argo, mir falon." Thackery laughed, "I told you to stay with mamae." He held his wolf in a hug, at the same time letting Larka lick his face.
Nicolai was stock still, watching these two wild things completely tamed by this man, or as tame as wolves could get.
"Amazing." He whispered.
Thackery got to his feet, letting Argo play-bite his hand.
"I found these wolves and their dying mother some time ago. Since then they have been my greatest companions. Though I think Larka should like to see Melia again more than I." He told Nicolai.
Larka let out a whimper in agreement.
"I suppose it's good to always have something to remind you of home." nicolai said.
Thackery's grin turned to a frown, "They are not home."
The two wolves followed him back to camp.
Nicolai furrowed his brow, reminding himself it was too soon for anyone to be talking of such things.
Instead he sat back down, thinking Thackery perhaps deserved more rest than he.
Duncan and the recruits packed up their camp before the sun came up. Eshne noticed that Melia's and Thackery's eyes began to cloud from sickness, but they didn't say anything.
The group reached Ostagar by midday. The air was warm and pleasant, which invigorated Eshne. She admired the ruins, imagining what it must have looked like after it had all been built.
"It's wonderful isn't it?" She asked Nani, who only grunted her response, "It was built by the Imperium. Said to be the furthest outpost they had in the barbarian lands. I read that it was nearly impossible to attack, but of course it fell into ruin after the First Blight…"
"How do you know this?" Melia cut her off, overhearing the jabber.
"I read it in a book. I wasn't allowed to go outside when the Templars used to let mages have outdoor time. So I spent it in the library." Eshne said, struggling to hold her birdcage in one hand and her bed roll in another, "I tried to read up a lot on the Imperium. But my favorite book was by brother Genitivi. He even had a few passages on the Dalish…"
"And what would a shem know of our ways?" Melia asked.
"Well not much to be frank," Eshne said, not noticing the biting tone Melia held in her voice, "Thing is I don't remember much from when I lived in the clan. But the Dalish don't exactly share a lot of their writings. I had to get it from somewhere. Which is why I'm glad you're here. Expect a whole ton of questions from me because I am just absolutely…"
"Maybe later." Melia sighed.
"Excellent." Eshne grinned then she looked ahead to Duncan as they came up to the ruins, "So how long will it be until the darkspawn are here?" She asked.
"The King's forces have already clashed with them several times," He said, "This is where the bulk of the horde will show itself. There are few Grey Wardens in Ferelden, but all of us are here. If the Blight spreads to the North, Ferelden will fall. It must be stopped here."
"I haven't really fought darkspawn before," Eshne said to Melia, "Are they scary?"
"They can be killed." Melia said bluntly.
Nani piped up, "Who is that?" She yelled to Eshne, pointing in front.
"You don't need to y-" Eshne started.
"Ho there, Duncan!" A man said, followed by an entourage of armed guards, he was adorned in heavy golden armor. Eshne could see the apparent scowl cross Nennet's face.
"King Cailan…" Duncan seemed surprised, "I didn't expect…"
"A royal welcome?" The King asked, "I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun." He looked amused.
"Not if I could help it, Your Majesty." Duncan said.
"Then I shall have the mighty Duncan fight beside me in battle after all. Glorious!" The King grinned, "The other Wardens told me you've found promising recruits." He looked to the elves.
"Allow me to introduce you, Your Majesty." Duncan said, turning to the others.
The King laughed, "No need to be so formal, Duncan. We shall be shedding blood together. Ho there, friends! Might I know your names?" He looked to Nennet first, seemingly amused by her unimpressed expressions.
"I am no friend of yours, human lord…" Nennet started, her mouth forming a snarl.
"Eshne Surana, Your Majesty," Eshne cut in, "My good friend here is just tired from the journey I apologize…" She held Nennet back, smiling at the King.
Cailan laughed, "A pleasure, Miss Surana." He looked at Duncan, "It seems you have a lively one. And here I thought all Wardens were stodgy priests." He remarked, then he turned to Melia, "You are Dalish are you not? I hear your people possess remarkable skill and honor."
Melia seemed caught off guard, "Thank you." She said, clearly uncomfortable. Larka, who had been at Melia's side, growled at the King when he came too close.
Calian stepped away from the two Dalish and their wolves warily. He was quickly distracted once more.
"And mages!" Cailain looked at Eshne and Nani excitedly, "We are indeed lucky to have not one but two join the Warden ranks! I look forward to seeing you work your magic on the battlefield."
"It's not just the battlefield I work wonders on, Your Majesty." Eshne grinned.
Duncan sighed. Nani glared at her.
Cailan seemed entertained, "Well," He cleared his throat, "I tell you all this. You are most welcome. The Wardens will greatly benefit with you amongst them. I am sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent, Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies."
"Your Uncle sends his greetings. And reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week." Duncan said.
The King scoffed, "Eamon just wants in on the glory. We have won three battles against the darkspawn, and tomorrow should be no different."
"You seem quite confident, Your Majesty." Nicolai said, trying to avoid the gazes of the kings guards.
"Overconfident, some might say. Right, Duncan?" Cailan laughed.
"Your Majesty," Duncan said, "I am not certain the Blight can be ended quite as quickly as you wish."
"Oh, I'm not even certain this is a true Blight," Cailan waved Duncan off, "There are plenty of darkspawn, but we have seen no sight of the archdemon."
"Disappointed, Your Majesty?" Duncan asked.
"I had hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god! But I suppose this will have to do." Cailan sighed, he turned to Eshne and Melia, "I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens."
He turned to leave with his guards. Two of them offered to take their belongings, to which Eshne's arms readily agreed, throwing Nani's items with hers. Melia was hesitant, but relented when she realized how tired she really was. She suggested Thackery do the same. Nennet held her possessions close to her, glaring as the guards came by. Nicolai politely declined the offer.
Melia glared and looked at Duncan, "He isn't taking the darkspawn seriously."
Duncan sighed, and motioned for the recruits to follow.
"Despite the victories so far, the darkspawn outnumber us. Their numbers grow with each passing day." His forehead crinkled, "I know there is an archdemon behind this. But I cannot ask the King to act solely on a feeling."
"He seems to highly regard your opinion." Nicolai said.
"That may be so, but there is only so much I can say." Duncan sighed, "That being said, we should proceed with the ritual as soon as possible."
"What do we have to do?" Nani asked, holding her hands to her ears to try and hear Duncan.
"Well. Feel free to explore camp if you wish. All I ask is that you do not leave for the time being. There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out and tell him it's time to summon the other recruits. Until then, I have business I must attend to. You can find me at the Grey Warden tent on the other side of this bridge if you need to." He took his leave.
"Very well." Eshne said, she held her arms out for Nani and Melia, "Shall we?"
Nani went to her right away. Melia rolled her eyes, but Eshne saw she was slightly amused.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"To look around. If we're gonna be here until the darkspawn come, we might as well get to know our way around." Eshne suggested, "You're welcome to come, Nennet."
"I'll be just fine, darling." Nennet walked off, seeing if she could find a smith to sharpen her rapier.
Melia linked her arm with Eshne's, "Perhaps we should just get the ritual over with."
"Not so fast, my Lady Mahariel. Duncan said he had business to attend to." Eshne reminded her, "We should see if there are any possible bedmates for the long night ahead of us." She winked.
"Oh my…" Melia blushed. She looked back to Thackery, "Would you join us?"
Thackery shrugged, "I think I'm going to take Argo around. Maybe see if there's an apothecary of sorts."
"Alright." Melia frowned, "Well try and meet us where Duncan suggested."
"Yes, yes." Thackery waved her off, "Nag."
Eshne started to laugh, holding it in when Melia glared.
Melia looked to Nicolai, who had been shuffling his feet in the ground.
"I must ask you to keep an eye on my cousin. Please." She implored, "I really do not like when he is by himself. And he just gets very easily distracted."
"Of course." Nicolai readily agreed, following after Thackery.
Eshne waited until Nicolai was gone.
"So…"
"I do not want to find bedmates." Melia sighed.
"I do." Nani said.
"Oh Creators…"
It hadn't taken long for Nicolai to catch up with Thackery. Argo let out a bark, but Thackery hushed him quickly.
"Did Mel send you?" Thackery asked as they walked on.
"I thought I might get away from them for a while. Eshne started talking about possible fuck choices."
Thackery let out a snort, "Mel must be loving that."
The two walked into the camp. They could hear the sounds of mabari barking, Chantry mothers giving prayers, wounded soldiers being tended, orders being yelled, and overall chatter.
Nicolai watched Thackery's ears twitch back and forth.
"It's quite amazing how humans can take up a space and make it their own so quickly."
Thackery nodded, seemingly overwhelmed by the sounds.
"It's just as loud in Denerim." Nicolai remarked.
"You live with the shems?" Thackery asked, almost excitedly.
Nicolai smirked, "Somewhat."
Thackery hesitated, but shook his head. Nicolai took notice but didn't press why a Dalish would be so curious.
They walked around camp in a comfortable silence, Thackery observing the new surroundings.
The two ended up by the dog pen. Argo fell closer to Thackery, growling when he heard the dogs barking.
"Argo doesn't like dogs much." Thackery said to Nicolai.
"I can imagine. Many mabari are trained to hunt wolves. I know many shemlen nobles who engage in such practices."
Thackery furrowed his brow, his hand going to pet Argo's great head.
The Kennel Master had been talking to himself.
"I'd hate to waste such a promising member of the breed…" He looked up and noticed the two elves, "Are you new recruits? I could use some help." He said.
"What's wrong?" Nicolai asked, Thackery keeping back.
"This mabari's owner died in the last battle. The poor hound swallowed darkspawn blood. I have medicine that might help, but I need him muzzled first." The Kennel Master said.
Nicolai looked into the pen, his eyes softened when he saw the hound lying in the dirt, it's breathing ragged and sharp.
"Well I certainly could try…" he said quietly.
Nicolai took the muzzle and quietly made his way into the kennel.
The dog growled at him, but he crouched low to the ground.
"Hello, Princess." Nicolai cooed.
The hound looked at him curiously, but she stopped growling.
Nicolai spoke gently, "I see that you are quite ill, yes?"
The mabari whined, seemingly agreeing with him.
"I must apologize firstly," he said, holding up the muzzle, "It must be done, sweet girl."
Another small whine came from the hound, and she sat on his back legs, waiting for Nicolai.
He pet behind the ears of the hound, cooing gently. He hummed quietly as he slowly put the muzzle around the mabari's mouth. He then slowly stood up, still rubbing the hounds ears, "Thank you, Princess." He smiled at the mabari.
Thackery cocked his head to the side, watching the hound slowly wag her tail at Nicolai.
"You're very good with him," The Kennel Master remarked, "Now I can treat him properly…" He thought for a moment, "Hey, are you two going into the Wilds by any chance?"
Nicolai shrugged, "I'm not sure." He exited the pen.
"Well. If you are. There's an herb that could improve the dog's chances. It grows in the swamps around here. Just. If you happen across it, it would be useful. It's a white flower with a blood-red center."
"If we see it we can bring it back to you." Nicolai said, looking into the kennel.
"Thank you, in the meantime I can begin treating this poor fellow." The Kennel Master said, turning back to the dog.
Nicolai suggested that he and Thackery continue on their way.
"I didn't know you were so good with animals." Thackery said as they walked towards an old tower.
"I think that dogs are no different than wolves. Treat them with respect, and they shall do the same for you." Nicolai gave a smile at Argo.
"An admirable attitude I think." Thackery said.
They went up into another part of the ruin and Nicolai spotted a man in armor talking to a mage, who seemed unamused. Off to the side was Eshne, Nani, and Melia who were all silently spectating. Nicolai felt a tug at his sleeve, seeing Nennet holding onto him.
"There you are." She seemed relieved to see Nicolai, "I've been looking for you."
"Well, we've only just arrived. I'm sure they're just taking in the sights." Nicolai suggested.
"What sights? It's an old ruin?" Nennet rolled her eyes. She looked at Thackery, seeing that he looked paler than when they had arrived. She brushed it to the side and shook away her thoughts, "Is this the Warden that Duncan told us about.?"
"I'm not quite sure." Nicolai said as they came closer and stopped next to Nani.
The Warden they had been watching scoffed at the mage he was talking to, "Yes, I was harassing you, by delivering a message."
"Your glibness does you no credit." The mage frowned.
"Here I thought we were getting along," The Warden said sarcastically, "I was even going to name one of my children after you. The grumpy one." He lowered his tone.
Eshne held back a snort, Melia just crossed her arms and watched the mages reaction.
"Enough! I will speak to the woman if I must." The mage left in a huff, pushing past Eshne and Nani. Nani was ready to trip him but Eshne pulled her away in enough time.
The Warden turned to the elves, happy that he had an audience, "You know. One good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."
Eshne started laughing. Melia just looked at him.
"You are a strange human." She said, making Thackery raise his brows.
"I get that a lot." The Warden smirked, his eyes staying on Melia a little too long for Thackery's liking, "We haven't met have we?"
Melia pursed her lips, but no words could pass them. Instead, Eshne spoke up.
"Don't mind her she's just grumpy." She said, "And we haven't met. You must be Alistair."
"That would make you all the new recruits," Alistair concluded, "Glad to meet you. As the junior member of the Order, I am to accompany you when you prepare for your Joining." He finally looked around at the others.
"I'm Eshne, and this is Melia'nain. Or Melia, she hates when you add…"
Melia gave a slight kick to her foot.
"I'm Nicolai, and this is my cousin Nennet. And to my right is Thackery Mahariel." Nicolai extended his hand out to Alistair.
"A pleasure," Alistair smiled, "Anyhow. Whenever you're ready we should head back to Duncan. I imagine he's eager to get started."
"As are we." Nennet grumbled to herself.
"If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, lead on." Alistair said, seemingly not hearing any snide comments.
Melia quickly turned and walked away, Larka by her side. Thackery met up with her, keeping close as they neared the Grey Warden tent. Two other recruits stood by Duncan.
"I see you've found Alistair," Duncan said to the incoming group, "I assume you're ready to begin preparations." He looked at Alistair, "Assuming of course you're quite finished riling up the mages."
"What can I say?" Alistair began, "The revered mother ambushed me. The way that woman wields guilt they should just stick her in the army."
"She forced you to sass the mage?" Duncan raised his brow, "We cannot afford to antagonize anyone, Alistair."
"I apologize, Duncan." Alistair sighed, then he turned to the elves, "I'll introduce you to the others. This is Ser Jory, a knight from Redcliffe." He pointed to a tall red-headed man adorned in chainmail, "And this is…"
"We've met." Daveth winked at Eshne.
Nennet glared at him.
"They of course are the recruits that Duncan brought." Alistair told Jory, "Nicolai, Thackery, Na'Nalia, Nennet, Eshne and Melia'nain…"
Melia spoke quickly, "Just Melia. If you please."
"Right…" Alistair seemed embarrassed.
"Now that you are all here, we can begin." Duncan said, "Your group will go into the Korcari Wilds and collect eight vials of darkspawn blood. One for each recruit. Your other task is to find a Grey Warden archive. It was abandoned long ago when we could no longer maintain such remote outposts. It has come to our attention that there are scrolls that have been left behind. I would like you to retrieve them, if you can."
"Finally, we get some action." Nani bumped Eshne's elbow with hers.
"Without a doubt," Duncan chuckled, "Darkspawn aren't known to give their blood willingly."
"Let's go then." Nennet said.
"Remember. these scrolls contain very important information. They promise support, and they may prove valuable in the days to come." Duncan told them, he looked at Alistair, "Watch over your charges. And return quickly, and safely."
"We will." Alistair assured him.
"Then may the Maker watch over your path." Duncan said.
The warden recruits went to where their things had been placed. Eshne took out one of her saplings and placed it in a patch of dirt by the tents. Melia sheathed her daggers, placing them behind her with care. She put on her leather armor and bent down to Larka.
"Mir falon, I need you to stand watch of our things. I will return."
Larka whined, but when Thackery said the same to Argo the two wolves laid themselves by the tents.
Nennet checked her rapier, taking care that it was sharp enough. She eyed Nicolai showing Thackery his daggers and them comparing the weapons make as they walked to the gates. She looked over to Melia, who was busy ignoring Eshne.
Once they were all ready the party went to the gates that led to the Wilds.
"Hail!" The guard said, opening the gates, "I'm told you have business in the Wilds. Just be careful out there. Even a Grey Warden won't be safe in the forest tonight." He warned.
The gates shut behind them, and the group was left to the savage and unruly Wilds.
Melia stepped quickly, weaving through the trees. Her pallor was pale; her bronze vallaslin glimmering with sweat as she tried to focus on where she placed her feet. She wore only her barefoot sandals, made of dark woven cords adorned with three round copper pieces, engraved with halla and sunflowers, that laid across the top of her feet.
Thackery came in next to her, his daggers at the ready. He made a few bird whistles and then he and Melia continued forward.
The acrid scent of burning flesh stung itself in their nostrils. They came out of hiding when they saw a man crawling on the ground. Thackery signaled for the others to come forward as Melia ran to the dying soldier.
She knelt beside him, taking out a bandage to stop his leg from bleeding.
"Who…Grey Wardens?" Was all he could choke out, he coughed and laid on the ground, groaning when Melia tied his tourniquet.
"Well. He's not as half as dead as he looks." Alistair remarked.
"My scouting band was attacked by darkspawn." The soldier said, wincing when Melia applied a salve to his wounds, "They came out of the ground. please, help me. I have to ...return to camp."
"Stop talking." Melia told him, making him sip water to help his burning throat.
"Let us take you back…" Eshne suggested.
"No. I can get back myself." The soldier insisted.
"I have a few bandages in my pack." Alistair knelt down with Melia, removing the soldier's chest armor to patch up the wounds in his side after Melia applied her elfroot mixture.
Once they put his armor back on, the man could wobble to his feet.
"Thank you," He said, "I'll report back." He slowly walked away.
When the soldier fell out of sight, Jory looked at Alistair.
"An entire patrol of seasoned men killed by darkspawn." He seemed agitated.
"We'll be fine if we're careful, ser Jory." Alistair tried to assure him.
"These soldiers were careful and look where that got them. They were still overwhelmed. What can five of us do against them? There is an entire army in this forest!" Jory gritted his teeth.
"Yes, there are darkspawn about. But we are in no danger of walking into the horde." Alistair said.
"How do you know? I am no coward, but this whole thing is foolish. We need to go back." Jory insisted.
"Have faith, man," Nicolai said to him, "Our group is formidable enough."
"I agree." Eshne shook her head, leaning against her staff, "We need to do this."
"She's right. Duncan gave us this mission, so we should see it through." Nennet crossed her arms, "How can we be Grey Wardens if we fear the very thing we are to be sworn to fight?"
Jory was silent for a moment, "I suppose you're right."
"Know this, all Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn. That's why I'm here, to make sure they don't take us by surprise." Alistair said.
"See?" Daveth smacked Jory's shoulder, "We might die, but we'll be warned about it first."
Melia rolled her eyes and packed up her medical supplies.
"That is...reassuring?" Jory glared.
"That doesn't mean I'm here to make this easy, however," Alistair said, "Let's move on."
Melia and Thackery went ahead.
They could hear Daveth behind her, annoyed that he insisted on scouting ahead with them. The shem was too loud for their liking, but Melia especially didn't want to admit her sickness had weakened her eyesight.
Up ahead, the rogues could see a large group of darkspawn camped on a hill.
Melia couldn't make out how many there were, but she turned to signal Daveth to fall back to the others.
Before she could, he had already drawn his bow and was aiming for a hurlock that was walking down the hill and towards them. The arrow went straight into it's skull, and as soon as the creature fell to the earth it alerted the others.
The sounds of roaring darkspawn caught the attention of the rest of the group, and they rushed forward towards the darkspawn. Eshne kept back, calling the earth to her as she sent hurls of rock out to hit the darkspawn. Nani grinned maliciously, summoning blasts of ice to stab into the darkspawn.
Melia ran to the front. In swift strokes she slit the throat of the genlock closest to her with both of her blades. A hurlock came towards her and she kicked it's stomach, smashing it's deformed face into her knee guard, broke it's neck and threw it to the side.
Nicolai held back, worried that his unprofessional dagger strokes would give him away as someone who wasn't truly a warrior. His harried stabs would have been spotted had it not been for Nennet, who swiftly felled the darkspawn around them with her rapier.
Alistair finally caught up with her, fighting off two genlocks, cutting one's head off and driving his blade right through the other's ribcage.
Nani froze another genlock that had been heading for Jory, earning a thankful nod. She blasted the remaining ones with fire.
Melia angrily stabbed at the last hurlock, jumping onto it and screamed murder as she fell to the ground, her dagger in it's bloodied mouth. Darkspawn blood covered her face as she wildly stabbed it again and again with her free blade. Thackery had to run over to her and pull her away from the massacred corpse. He held Melia up, letting her regain her breath.
Once Thackery let her go, Melia rounded on Daveth.
"Dirthara-ma, Daveth!" She scolded, "Why did you not wait? You could have gotten us all killed!"
"I-I…" He sputtered.
"Mel, we handled it. It's fine." Thackery put his hand on Melia's shoulder.
"Fine? It is not fine!" Melia said, pushing him away, "Premature actions upon a group that outnumbered us was foolish! You must always think of the lives of your party members beforehand…" She shook her head, "Fen'Harel ma ghilana…" She walked over to pull her dagger out of the darkspawns head.
They watched her walk away to clean her blades in a nearby pool of water.
"I didn't mean to…" Daveth started.
"It's not your fault," Thackery said, "She really isn't usually like this…"
Jory shook his head, "She isn't very stable if you ask me. Did you see the way she kept stabbing after that thing was dead?"
"Don't you talk about her like that." Thackery's eyes blazed, Nicolai held him back.
"If it's how she vents her anger I'd rather it be darkspawn than us, ser knight." Daveth said.
"It doesn't matter," Alistair said, "We need to focus on completing our tasks. Starting with the blood…"
Melia walked back to the dead darkspawn, she knelt by one of them and checked it's arms for cuts. Then the neck. She pulled one of the glass phials out of her pack and squeezed the blood from the main artery into it. Nennet bent to help. The two repeated this once more, and went around to give out the phials.
"How's your breathing?" Melia asked Eshne quietly, handing her the darkspawn blood.
Eshne took the phial, "I'm fine. A bit wheezy, but I'll get over it. Are you alright?"
Melia gave a curt nod, but didn't say anything.
"It would probably be best if we didn't send you two out again," Alistair looked to Thackery and Melia, "We'll stick together this time."
Melia remained silent.
Once they were done collecting the blood they circled the hill and came upon the hanging bodies of dead soldiers.
Eshne gasped, holding her hand to her mouth. Melia sighed, looking up at them with pity. They could hear Daveth turn around and vomit. Nennet grimaced, stepping away from Daveth.
"That's just...so excessive." Alistair said.
"They should be buried…" Melia said.
Alistair looked at her, "I don't think we have time. As it is it's getting darker and we need to move."
"They're just going to hang?" She asked.
"We can come back if there's time." He told her.
They walked further, seeing ruins with more bodies hanging from them. Eshne felt sick to her stomach, Nani would just make her turn her head and keep her focus on moving forward.
"Distract yourself." She said.
"I don't know…" Eshne whispered.
"How about this?" Nani said, "Each time you feel as if you're going to lose it, ask a question. You like those."
"If you must," Melia started, "You can include us all in this, Eshne."
"Really?" Eshne perked up.
"That counts." Nennet chuckled.
"It does not. Real question. Melia, when did you get your vallaslin?" Eshne asked.
"I was 15." Melia answered.
"You're not going to say more than that?" Eshne begged, "Tell me more."
Thackery let out a soft chuckle, recalling the exact moment Eshne had asked about. Melia glared at him, but then sighed.
"Ashalle had been ill. It was winter and the clan had been up north. Some of the aravels had broken their wheels, so we were stuck for a time."
The rest of the group had started to listen in.
"Ashalle looked at me and said, 'Melia'nain. If I had known we were going to be stuck here, I wouldn't have sold my furs back in the last town.' I felt absolutely useless, she was getting shivers and the wind was particularly bad. So what did I do? I snuck out of our tent and went deep into the forest. I must have waited in the trees for hours, trying not to let the wind and snow keep me from doing what I needed to do."
"Finally, when just a sliver of the moon was high up in the sky. I spotted two bears, one black and one brown. Without hesitating, I prayed to Andruil for guidance, and shot them from my perch. It took many arrows, but I did it. I got down from my tree, and skinned them. I made sure to pack the meat and salvage what I could. Little did I know, I was being watched. Out from the shadows came a great white bear. He roared at me, never in my life had I been so terrified. He lunged for me, and I narrowly missed him, catching a claw in my side. Bleeding, I jumped on him slicing its throat. I wore him down, and finally, when the sun started to rise, he fell to the snow dead."
"Freezing, tired, and bleeding; I skinned him and took the meat. I limped back to the camp, where I found that Merrill had been looking for me. The Keeper came out of her tent, furious with me, until I gave her the bear meat and dropped the skins to the earth. Everyone in the camp stopped to look at me, Ashalle came out of her tent, intent on punishing me for leaving in the middle of the night. When she saw the skins, she couldn't believe it. She said to me, "Melia'nain Mahariel, what in the Creator's name did you do?'. Without skipping a beat, I said, 'Mammae, I didn't know what color you wanted for your new fur coat, so I got you three to choose from.'" Melia gave a slight chuckle and Eshne started laughing.
"She was so angry with me," Melia continued, "But it is a rite of passage when a Dalish makes their first kill. Usually a clan member is 18 when they get their vallaslin, I was just an exception. The next night, I was taken to the Keeper and she gave me my vallaslin."
"Mind you she managed to not wake me in the process," Thackery told them, "And you wonder where Ivor truly gets his ability to move about like a ghost."
"Thackery." Melia shot a glance at him.
"Why that pattern?" Eshne asked.
"Well…" Melia thought, "My birth mother saw that I was born with a few white hairs, just like our goddess Ghilan'nain, my namesake. It seemed to fit that I got her blood writing."
"Stop!" Thackery held the others back.
The group paused. Thackery knelt down, carefully blowing on a pile of leaves where Alistair was about to place his foot. Underneath was a set of iron teeth glistening with an acrid poison.
Melia handed him a long stick and pressed he it on the traps pressure plate. The jaws clamped together, breaking the stick.
Everyone's eyes widened and Thackery stood up.
"There could be more." He said, looking at his cousin.
"Mel?"
Melia stumbled to the side of the trail. The others watched with wide eyes as she dry heaved and eventually spit up blood. Thackery could see that the veins in Melia's neck and arms were turning black.
"What's wrong with her?" Jory whispered.
"She's just...sick." Thackery went over to help Melia clean the blood off, ignoring the fact that he too felt his blood slowing.
Alistair sighed, he could sense the sickness as soon as he met her and Thackery. He looked to Daveth and Jory.
"We need to hurry," He said, "Daveth, Nennet, check for traps. When the way is clear, we should be coming up to a small bridge, when we cross that we should be close to the outpost."
Daveth and Nennet set to work. By the time they found all of the traps, Melia was on her feet. She looked even more gaunt than before. Her iris' were almost completely white, and her mouth was still red stained from her own blood.
"Are you alright to move on?" Thackery asked her quietly.
"I'm fine." Melia said, seeing that Thackery too was growing as sick as she. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
The group moved on.
Eventually, they came upon the bridge Alistair had mentioned, up ahead they could see darkspawn moving about and scuffling with each other.
Thackery pointed out a few traps up ahead, but when he tried to disable them the darkspawn had spotted him. Alistair and Jory went past him, drawing swords. Thackery pointed to a trap right next to Alistar.
Alistair took the nearest hurlock and pushed it into the trap. It snapped it's leg while Alistair ran his sword into the creature's chest.
Eshne sent bursts of flame to whatever darkspawn came close to her or Nani. When Eshne felt weak, Nani would freeze off the darkspawn.
They all worked to rid the small area of darkspawn. Nennet was the one to kill the last remaining genlock. They all cleaned their blades and checked for wounds.
"The Grey Warden outpost should be just up that hill." Alistair pointed, "Let's hurry and grab the documents so we can get back to camp." He glanced over at Melia, who was remarkably stone-faced.
The group made their way up the hill. Off to their left, Nicolai spotted a small patch of grass where a white flower with a red center was slightly hidden.
"Is that the flower that the Kennel Master was looking for?" He asked Thackery.
Thackery squinted his eyes, "Maybe…" He said quietly.
Nicolai picked it, roots and all, and put it in his pack. The two caught up with the others just as they came upon a group of darkspawn that surrounded the dilapidated bottom of a tower.
They took the darkspawn by surprise. Alistair and Jory rushing at them while Daveth and the two mages attacked from a distance. Melia ran forward, ignoring the pain that ran through her whole body, and she pounced on darkspawn, stabbing them in the throat and head.
A genlock ran straight for Alistair, who was fighting an emissary. Melia turned around and flung her dagger straight for it's neck. It fell right behind him just as he turned to see it. He was stunned for a moment, but then bent over to take the blade out and hand it to Melia.
"Thanks." She mumbled.
Nani froze the remaining darkspawn, which Nennet kicked over, shattering them into bloody pieces.
"Is everyone alright?" Nicolai asked, getting exasperated nods from everyone.
Eshne sat for a moment to regain her breathing. After a few moments, they all walked into the tower together.
"There." Alistair pointed to a corner of rubble.
Sitting amongst the debris was a cracked chest, dusty and worn from years of abandonment. Nennet bent down to check the contents, finding that it was empty.
"I thought Duncan said there was a seal?" She turned to Alistair.
Her eye caught something on the stairway to the upper level. She stood up slowly.
"Well, well, what have we here?" A woman appeared from the shadows.
The other members turned around to see her descend to where they were.
"Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse that has long since been picked clean? She asked.
Eshne watched her in wonder, smitten with how beautiful she was. Nani stepped in front of her.
The woman stopped in front of Melia and Thackery, "Or are you merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn filled Wilds on mine in search of prey?" She said, "What say you? Scavenger or intruder?"
"And just how are these your Wilds?" Melia asked.
"You are the intruder, I believe the first question is rightfully mine." The woman crossed her arms, "I have watched your progress for some time. 'Where do they go?' I wondered. 'Why are they here?'" Her yellow eyes surveyed the group, "And now you disturb ashes which have not been touched for a long time. Why?"
"Don't answer her," Alistair said, "She looks Chasind, that means others could be nearby."
The woman sarcastically waved her arms around, "You fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?"
"Yes," Alistair glared, "Swooping is bad."
"She's a witch, I tell you," Daveth said, "She could turn us into toads."
Nennet rolled her eyes.
"Such idle fantasies," The woman grinned, "Have you no minds of your own?" She looked at Nennet, "You. Women do not scare as easily as little boys. Tell me your names and I shall tell you mine."
"I am Nennet, and this is Melia, then Eshne as well as her sister Nani." She pointed behind her, "Pleased to meet you." She gave a curt bow.
The witch seemed amused, "Now that is a proper greeting. You may call me Morrigan." She cocked her head to the side, "Must I guess your purpose? You sought the items once in that chest? Something here no longer?"
"'Here no longer?'" Alistair repeated, "You stole them didn't you? You...sneaky...witch thief."
"How eloquent." Morrigan raised her brow, "How does one steal from dead men?"
"Those documents are Grey Warden property. I suggest you return them." Alistair glared.
Morrigan pouted, "I will now. For 'twas not I who removed them."
"Then who did?" Nennet asked.
"'Twas my mother, in fact." Morrigan said.
"Then can you please take us to her?" Eshne asked.
"A sensible request," Morrigan smiled, "I like you."
"Do you now?" Eshne started to step forward but was held back by Nani.
"I'd be careful," Alistair said to them, "First it's 'I like you' then zap, frog time."
Daveth whined, "She'll put us in the pot she will."
"If the pot is any warmer than it is out here, I welcome it." Jory sighed.
Morrigan seemed amused, "Follow me."
It had seemed almost an hour before the party came upon a small hut. Eshne had been whispering to Nani how beautiful she thought Morrigan was.
"Do you think she likes women?" She asked.
"I don't know, Esh." Nani said, "You could ask."
"I'm too nervous." Eshne held her stomach.
They all stopped outside the hut, and old woman had been kneeling and tending a few herbs.
"Hello, mother, I bring you Grey Wardens who-" Morrigan began.
"Yes, yes, I know who they are, girl." Her mother stood up, she looked over the group, "Much as I expected."
"You were...expecting us?" Alistair said, slightly amused.
The old woman waved him off, "you are required to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide...either way, one's a fool."
"She's a witch, I tell you. We shouldn't be talking to her." Daveth whispered.
Jory was annoyed, "Quiet, Daveth. If she is a witch do you want to make her mad?"
"There's a smart lad. Irrelevant in the larger scheme of things. But it is not I who decides, believe what you will." The old woman said.
She cocked her head to the side and looked at Melia, "And you. Does your elven mind give you a different viewpoint? What do you believe?" She gazed over Melia's Blight-ridden face.
Melia thought for a moment, "Perhaps once I knew. But now, I don't know."
The old woman smiled, "A statement that possesses more wisdom than it implies." She said, "So much about you is uncertain. Yet I believe. Do I? Why yes. It seems I do."
"So this is a dreaded Witch of the Wilds?" Alistair smirked.
Morrigan's mother scoffed, "Witch of the Wilds? Morrigan must have said that. She fancies tales of that sort. Oh how she dances under the moon." She laughed.
"They did not come here to hear your wild tales, mother." Morrigan sighed.
"Of course. No doubt you are here for your treaties. The seal wore off long ago. I have protected them." Her mother turned and went into her hut, returning with a bundle of folded papers, she handed them to Melia, who gave them to Alistair to put in his pack.
"You…" He seemed angry at first, "Protected these?" He looked at Morrigan's mother.
"And why not? Take them to your Grey Wardens, and tell them this Blight is more of a threat than they realize." She warned them.
"Thank you." Nennet looked at her warily.
"What do you mean the threat is greater than we realize?" Nicolai asked.
"Either the threat is more or they realize less. or perhaps it isn't a threat at all. or perhaps they realize nothing!" The old woman cackled, "Do not mind me. You have what you came for."
"Time for you to leave then." Morrigan started to wave them off.
"Do not be foolish, girl. These are your guests." Her mother said.
"Very well." Morrigan sighed, "I will show you out of the forest." She walked ahead of them, "Follow me."