Well, just like they said: if you want the job done, you must do it yourself. Poor Issara, she had to work even still in bad condition.
Who afraid of the big bad wolf?
The large claw swooped down so fast like thunder. Lady Warden wasn't able to do such thing but guarded her head with right arm. Dragonbone arm-guard protected her arm from wounded but the force still caused so much pain. The wave of ache vibrated in her arm in maddening echo. Issara gnashed her teeth and did thrust another blade in her left hand into her foe's neck. She twisted it and then sharply yanked it off caused its head to fell.
Panting, her legs were shaking so hard while she dodged another attack. There's no many choice, she shot the big bad wolves with gun. Although it doesn't silver bullets, four of werewolves fallen when the gunpowder exploded in its head. Anyhow, the recoil caused her arms and flank hurter than them already did. The exotic Warden totally exhausted, almost fell to her knees. Alistair ran to help her but the Dalish was faster.
"Are you all right?" Lynx asked concerning while helped carrying the redhead.
"I'm fine…just a bit tired." Still, Issara forced herself to smile and concealed her painfulness. At any rate, the leader couldn't show weakness. The follower's morale depends on leader's strength.
"Let's me see." Wynne offered. They had known she was a spirit healer; the greatest healer. So they let her took care of stubborn leader.
Leaning with a large tree, Issara took off her vest and undershirt to let the old mage check her was still hurt flank. She gnashed her teeth when Wynne applied essence of health poultice on dark violet skin.
"Perhaps we ought to go back to the camp." The older woman said in worry. "You still aren't yet fully recovered."
"I won't lie to you." Younger woman answered with weak smile. "I really want to go back and rest for year. But Millar and her team go deeper in this forest for day and not yet return. I'm worry about all of them, more than that, thing will be worst if we can't break the curse before those elves transform."
Lynx glared at Lady Warden. She had never met any shem who concern about the other than herself, especially of the elves. The huntress denied the Keeper's order that forbidden the member of the clan from getting to the deep forest because she wanted to know more about this woman. But Issara was more than her expectation.
However, the old mage still tried to reason. "But you're hurting, dear. With the body like this, you can't go far."
"I swear I won't overdo myself and drink anything you give. But I really can't leave this forest until everyone safe. This place is…intensity with a lot of spirits. I'm not sure if Morrigan had known how to handle it." Stubborn Warden insisted.
The Dalish exclaimed in surprise. "You know it? I had never gone this far but I heard about the heart of forest. The story teller said there're many battles inside this forest, and people who lost their life still remain here."
"That means we're standing in haunted forest? Wow, what the great news." Alistair interjected.
"Congratulation," Issara mocked and automatically redone her shirt. However, before she could go anywhere, Wynne gave her a bottle of stinky potion.
"Drink it or I will straight you down and command Alistair to carry you back to camp."
You shouldn't argue with you grandma. Issara squeezed her nose and drank it in one sip, followed with a large gulp of water. "Yuck… Alright, can we go now?"
"You bruises won't better if you continue walk like this. I suggest you to rest for an hour or so." The spirit healer ordered.
The leader looked around. "I don't mean to challenge you, my dear grandma. But this spot doesn't a good place for rest. There're so many open spaces, the attack could come from any direction. We should find another spot if I really need rest."
"That won't be so hard." The wild elf said and pointed at strange symbol in the bark of the tree that Issara was leaning with. "This symbol told us there's one of us near this tree. Anerin's camp must be somewhere around here."
"Anerin…" Lady Warden repeated. "Aren't that your apprentice… the one you mentioned?"
No one was able to resist when lovely Warden asked them anything. The old mage told her a lot, and Anerin was the only regret of Wynne. Many years ago, she pressed upon this elf apprentice too much, which made him ran from the tower and eventually hunted down by the templar.
"Perhaps it is the elves' common name. This one can't be him." Wynne denied. She wanted to believe if her old apprentice still alive in somewhere, but it could be a false hope that hurt her more.
Lynx replied honestly. "I'd known only one Anerin. He is great healer but he prefers to live alone in the deep forest. Any clan could ask him for aid anytime."
"It doesn't hurt to find him. We need some aid anyway." Issara gave her teacher a big smile.
Who could resist that smile? The old mage smiled back and then sighed. "You're right, my dear apprentice. But you can't walk now… So, can you help me, Alistair?" In the last sentence, Wynne asked her favorite templar.
"Anything for my second favorite mage," He replied happily. "What do you want me to do?"
"Carry her until we found a good place for rest." The old mage commanded seriously, even though both Grey Warden gasped.
However, Issara was always reasonable. She saw no other option so she wouldn't argue. "Alright, then Lynx and Rabbit will in the frontline for looking for the path and watch out for anything hostile. Wynn, you will cover our hide in the backline. And for Ali, you won't able to move freely if you have to carry me. Perhaps it will more convenient if I ride you, piggy style."
To be honest, Alistair wasn't a pure heart chantry-boy as Morrigan bantered. When he heard she said she would ride him, he got some…improperly idea. "As you wish,"
Issara might notice something in his voice. She made funny face and stared him doubtfully but didn't say any word.
…
The potion that Wynne gave to Issara was sleeping potion, so she fell asleep on Alistair's back before the party found small campfire in East Brecilian Forest and still slept until the ex-templar woke her up.
"How long I slept?" Little leader asked sleepily. Her eyes were hardly open while she was yawning, looked like a girl more than woman.
Alistair thought it so cute. Her big brown eyes looked…yummy when they were around with honey shade skin. She just glared at him with them, and he lost all of self-control he had. Involuntary, his hand reached to her honey cheek. "Not been long,"
Didn't think much, she rubbed her cheek with his hand softly. Her lips parted slightly when she thought about how it felt when his putted his hands on her last time.
He couldn't stand it. Alistair gently gathered her into his embrace, paused for awhile to give her chance to deny. But she cradled his cheeks in her hands before pulled him closer. After that, he didn't need more encouragement.
Since last time in Denerim, they weren't able to be like this because of lack of privacy. However, Anerin loaned them his tent. So they were having private moment.
No more pain around her flank or arm, Issara let him explored her…Lillian's body as he please. She moaned softly when his kiss traced around her jaw, involuntary gripped his shoulders tightly when he took her earlobe into his mouth and nipped it gently. All the time, she never had known how hot she made him. Thankfully he was wearing massive armor, or they might go farther than simple kiss and cuddle.
"Maker's blood, you're so beautiful." He murmured.
Smiled shyly, she reached to the back of her neck to take off light-brown bandana, to give him better access. However, he grabbed that fabric and smelled her sweet scent that reminding.
"Can I have it?" Alistair asked. "We hardly have anytime to be together. This will remind me of you if we… you know."
How sweet he could be? "I love to give something to you but I can't give you anything that not mines."
"What does it mean?"
Softly, she showed him small alphabets on a corner of light-brown fabric. "This is…was Lady Eleanor's handkerchief. In the night that Highever had fallen, she used this as the bandage to dress my wound. At first, I thought she did it because she thinks I'm her daughter. But before we…part, she told me that she loved me even she has known I'm not Lillian. So, I keep it as my spirit mother's keep sake. You know, they said people haven't truly dead unless everyone forget them. As long as I still remember, Teyrn and Teyrna Cousland will still alive in my heart."
He had known what she believed about family. Blood doesn't the most important thing to be family, the relationship do. Although the Couslands weren't bound with her by blood, they still were her family.
Anyway, before he could say anything, she grinned slyly and said. "I happen to know what I shall give you but…I can't give it to you right now. You have to be patient."
"What is it? A golem doll or a knight figure perhaps," Trying to guess, but her mischievous grin told him that didn't even close. "Oh, come on. Tell me, I don't like to be left in the dark."
"Just for temporally, nah… Don't you like a surprise? I swear it will be worthwhile."
He looked dismay, but suddenly changed. "Could I get some…guarantee?"
"Well, we always could seal the deal with…the kiss." Naughty dazzled him with her tongue on his lower lips. She smiled when he groaned her name in ecstasy. However, her hands pushed on his breastplate, stopped him from grinded himself with hers. "Your armor crushed my skin and Wynne will furious if I got bruised again. So, we ought to stop, unless…you take your armor off."
Alistair groaned fiercely. He should have known she loved teasing him, especially because of she knew how bashful he was. "You're very wicked woman."
"Thank you for the compliment." Not so proud, but a woman from another world knew she certainly wasn't so innocent person. Part of her wanted to challenge him, unleash him from his self-control and meet the beast within. Who afraid of the big bad wolf anyway?
With deep growl inside his throat, the ex-chantry boy warned her. "Maker… Woman, you're driving me insane."
Issaa just smiled and then left the tent. Alistair followed her close like faithful dog but tried to conceal his emotion when they saw the old mage and the healer were sitting around the fire, having conversation. Not far, Lynx was eating roasted quail, while Rabbit took care of the leftover.
Wynne stopped talking with the elf when she noticed her patient. However, small smile still was on her face. "How are you feeling?"
Darker color eyebrows arched in curiousness. Her teacher seemed a lot younger and happier than normally. "Very much better, I'm not hurt anymore but… This must be out generous host: Anerin, yes?"
"Yes, he is." The older mage replied with small sob. "And he is the same Anerin I told you about."
"Oh… This is pleasant news. My name's Issara, I'm really glad to see you well, Anerin." Smiled wide, Issara shook the healer's hands hardly.
"Thank you, kind lady." The elf mage carefully removed his hands from hers. He seemed to don't familiar with so friendly human.
"No-no-no, no need to be formal," The Warden smiled. "We are Wynne's apprentices; back to my country, we are the brethrens. You can call me Issara."
That sounded strange for him, but also made him felt at ease. "I'm glad to see you as well, Issara. Wynne told me she is traveling with you. It's good to know that she with good person."
"Well, thank you for your kind word but I'm the one who appreciate her aid. I don't think I can go this far without her." As always, the exotic Warden replied politely. "I want to talk with you longer. You must have something about Wynne that we could assemble and giggle together for a week, but I need to find my comrades. Didn't you see any traveler around here? They went to this forest for a day."
Not different from the other, Anerin eventually caught silly smile disease. He smiled back like they were long term friends. "I knew something that could make our dear instructor blush. Too bad, we don't have a week for those. For your question, I met the elves, qunari and human yesterday. I told them to go back but the leader said she had important business in the heart of the forest."
"Which way they've gone?"
"South east," He showed her the way. "There's a narrow path that lead you to the old ruin. I never go inside but I used to see the werewolves came from that ancient place."
Something strange, Issara asked in curiousness. "They've never bother you?"
"I'm not sure why, but they never have."
The lady Grey Warden frowned. That answer wasn't good enough for her but she knew it's true. In the second she shook the man's hands, she scan his memories and knew everything in his life pass through a few day. She just asked him because she wanted to test his honesty. The carelessness is the way to the death. Even though Anerin were Wynne's pupil doesn't mean he will be good person.
Anyway, it doesn't matter. She still had friends to rescue, with his help or no. "Thank for your help and farewell, Anerin. I guess we have a long way to go."
"Something tells me that there're many dangerous things inside that place. But although I suggest you to go back, you surely won't, so be careful."
"Thank you." Issara replied and shook his hands.
Wynne gave Anerin one last hug before followed the Grey Wardens to long, narrow path. She smiled wider while her eyes met Lady Warden. "Thank you, Issara."
"For what? I don't remember what I did to deserve it." Younger mage bantered. She knew what her teacher wanted to appreciate for, but she really couldn't change her irksome habit.
Didn't understand or just didn't care, the older mage answered. "You brought me to him, even you didn't mean it. We talked and understand each other, I could die as happy old woman for have known my deed is done."
Issara had known about Wynne's condition. The old mage was already dead since the horrible event in the tower of magi but the spirit gave her another live. Nowadays, she lived with borrowed life, similar with the exotic woman who borrowed the life from the Teyrn's daughter. Anyway, when is the last time she could be so serious?
"Just remember this feeling when I accidently burn or freeze something with my magic…again." Novice mage smile sheepishly while was thinking about the accident in her training. More than one time, Lillian's power goes out off her control and destroyed everything it touched. Wynne was always cleared the mess and punished her with a pinch on her cheek or ear.
True be told, the grey hair mage never angry about the young one's mistake but the expression when Issara was pinched is priceless. Wynne loved to pinch those cheeks as much as her loved to made Alistair blush. Intend or not, these kids always made her feel alive, no matter how briefly it could be.
So, she pinched that cheek lightly, which made the cheek's owner moaned like a child. "Oww, what did I done to deserve that?"
Wynne didn't answer. She just smiled and increased her walking speed to meet Lynx and Rabbit who were walking in the front line, left the confused Grey Wardens behind.
…
The narrow path led them to darker part of the wilds. Just an hour or so, the party found the ancient ruin was hiding in the green shadow of ancient forest. From the look, they thought they would able to walk to the destination that seemed to don't farther than a mile. But no matter how they tried, it's still beyond their reach.
"This isn't good." Issara groaned. "My grandpa used to tell me about something like this. There's something blocking our path."
"So, what shall we do now?" Lynx asked. She was panting because of long walk.
"Well, just like what my people said: if wits can't bring you success, you ought to use force." The exotic Warden held her throwing knife in between her palms, and then closed her eyes. Her lips moved in silent chant while something in the air was moving in chaos. The mage and templar knew she was using magic, but it's strange kind from what they ever have known.
Alistair was still remembered. Back to the tower of magi, once he was trapped in the Fade, Issara used that knife cut through the wall to invade his dream realm. She surely knew how to handle these kinds of problem.
At last, Issara slashed the knife in the air in front of her. Suddenly, they heard piercing scream like someone was in horrible pain came from nowhere. Nothing changed for the eyes could see, but they felt the air was lighter.
"Tsk-tsk-tsk, you should practice more before try to mess with me." She grinned while was looking at het knife that now covered in crimson liquid.
"What-what is that?" Lynx exclaimed. "I saw you slashed the air. Where is that blood came from?"
Younger mage looked confuse. "It's complicated, especially for ordinary people. Well, just say I had been destroyed our obstacle already. Now we can…"
"Issara..!" Someone shouted.
When they turned to that direction, the party found what they came for. Millar, Sten, Zav and Morrigan were standing not far from them. The lost party seemed surprised and exhausted, all of them was glad to see the rescues.
"My dear Warden, I really glad to see you again." With insincere smile, the assassin leapt to the beautiful leader with wide hug. Alas, the jealous templar dragged her out of his way. So, instead of hug Issara, Zav bumped to furious Lynx and was slapped.
"Ow, that must be hurt." Alistair mocked. Issara rolled her eyes and nudge his ab.
Anyway, Issara gave Millar and Morrigan a hug, even the last woman tried to deny it. "Are you all alright?"
"Just tired and hungry, we don't rest or eat anything since this morning." The elven Warden answered. "I don't know what exactly happened. We just tried to walk to that ruin but we lost in strange fog. Suddenly, it's gone and we found you. I'm totally confusing."
"Well, my grandpa used to tell me about the ghost that uses black magic blind people and trap them in its domain. When the victim fell asleep, it will suck the essence of live from that person to dead. I always thought he just wanted to make me fear, but it looks like he spoke the true." Wiping bloody liquid off her knife with a leaf, Issara admired small runes in the sharp blade. "The good thing is: he also taught me how to defeat these fiends. And this enchanted knife could be useful more than I expected."
"You killed it, yes?" Millar asked. She was city elf, thus she doesn't familiar with the wild. In fact, she fears it.
"I'm not sure, but at least we can go to the ruin. However, I think you ought to go back to the camp and let me take care of the quest."
"No, I won't let you do my job." The elf refused. "We agreed that I'll take care of the Dalish and you go to Haven. I am Grey Warden too, Issara. I have to make it done."
The leader sighed. She knew how stubborn women could be, thus she had no attention to offend her friend. "Alright, you won. We will go inside together. But you must eat something first…all of you." Last sentence, she ordered everyone in party of four, include Sten.
The qunari and witch grunted but followed her command. Even though they tried to look tough, they still have soft side and the need some rest.
Wynne might be the oldest member of the party, but Issara is only one that they respect most. She wasn't just leading them, but also took care of them like they're her family. Day after day, her attitudes broke their walls. Even the witch of the wilds knew that they would follow her to the ocean of darkspawns if she asks them to.
…
"Will you angry if I tell you something?" Issara asked her instructor when the group of zombies ran to them. The ancient ruin was full with those walking dead.
"It does depend on: what is that about?" Wynne throw the magic rock to the nearest undead.
"Um… I just… I had learned a thing or two from Morrigan." Shooting the Devouring corpses, but metal bolt doesn't effect on the dry flesh as much as she wanted. Perhaps she needed another solution. "I'm sorry I don't tell you sooner."
"If that could help us from this situation, do it now!" Millar who was handling two enraged corpses shouted. She was still too tired to fight with lot of enemies.
"I never use it in fight but… everything has the first time." The exotic Warden placed her crossbow and then closed her eyes. A second later, she transformed to a strange beast that looked like very big cat.
Golden fur looked so bright in the torch light, contrasted with beautiful raven stripes those line up on muscular but nimble body. Issara pounced on the enemies with powerful force that almost broke them. However, claws and fangs were her most fearful weapons. Every time she beat those dried corpses with those huge talons, some part of them was cut piece by piece.
Alistair shocked. He stood still; looking the golden beast gripped the zombie at its neck and thrashed it with the stone wall until totally crushed to pile of debris. No matter what this beast was, it's so strong and…charismatic.
Almost doesn't different from her normally movement, Lady Grey Warden in animal form moved in swift and smooth motion. Still full of confident, she turned back to original form in front of everyone.
"It's not bad, is it?" Issara asked, not specific to anyone.
"You make me proud." Morrigan replied, which made newbie shape-shifter smiled wider.
Another mage made rude noise in her throat. "It seems you could do better with this school of magic."
The grey hair mage pouted, Issara hurried apologize. "I'm sorry, Wynne. I just wanted to learn as much as I able. And…I didn't tell you because I afraid if you will angry."
Sad eyes, lovely voice and regretful gesture were her most powerful trick to soften people's heart. At last, Wynne sighed in surrender. "All right, but if you wants to learn anything…beyond the circle's knowledge again, you must inform me first."
"By girl scout's honor," Issara gave her teacher unofficial salute.
These playful attitudes could make her smile, but sometime it also made her want to stop breathing. The old mage sighed again and pinched that soft cheek.
Issara shouted, a bit overreact but her funny expression made everyone laughed. As Thai people, she loved to see her friends in the good mood. At any rate, gloomy mind unable to think about bright idea as cheerful mind does.
However, there's someone curious.
"I knew about shape-shifter and know many kinds of animals. But I have no idea about the beast you able to become. What is that, exactly?" The huntress asked.
"Um… I don't know if Ferelden have this species of wild creature. The predator I turned to is tiger, well, what is that name? Oh, right, it called royal tiger…" Issara paused. She just remembered about Lillian's prophecy. And when she looked at Alistair, she knew he was thinking about it too.
One day, a royal beast will come. Good or bad, happy or tragedy, the destiny of yours, Ferelden and a whole world would depend on it. Whatever the result might be, you would become someone you never wanted to be in the end.
"Lillian knew about me." Issara wondered to herself. "Why I do have bad feeling about it? Perhaps I should pay more attention on her encode journal."
Things never had been easy for her. Issara didn't have even the time to think, her thought was completely distract by the roar. In another room, the pack of werewolves was standing in front of them but didn't attack. The exotic Warden grabbed her crossbow but was stopped by another female Warden.
"That's Swiftrunner." Millar grunted to a brown werewolf who leaded the pack. "When I enter the forest, he warned me to turn back. If he doesn't try to attack us, he might have something to talk."
Dark eyebrows arched in curiousness, but downed her weapon anyway. "Then, what do you want?"
The werewolf snarled. It looked hostile but tried to control its temper. "I have to admit. I never have thought you will able to come this far. But you gave us too much pain in our neck, so the lady wants to talk to you."
"Be careful, this could be the trap." Alistair warned.
Issara thought about it. Follow them in peace or fight, both ways could lead her to the lady but the result must be different. Anyway, although she prefers the peaceful solution, she should prepare in case this meeting is a trap.
"Alright, I'll go with you. I prefer not to fight, everybody down your weapon." She sheathed her weapon, and then winked.
The party didn't know that signal but they saw Issara left her pistol's pocket open, in ready to use it. Even Lynx understood that hint, which mean: you must be wary.
There're many ghost stories those about the wilds. The one that refer in this chapter is wild ghost (yes, this name.). This thing was any creature that died in the wild, probably used to be wild animal or human. Mostly was found in the woman's form. In the story, it will use magic to make its victim sleep and drink their blood. Anyway, some story said it was mystic human's race that hidden in the deep forest and would come to outside world just once per year for hunt human's head. I don't think either or both of them were true. But it's still give me some creep everytime I thought about it.