Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Kingsway 9:30 Dragon- Ostwick
The sky was black in mourning and the clouds were grey and heavy when they arrived in Ostwick. This city too seemed to mourn as they did. The templars and mages of the Kinloch Hold had sailed the seas for several weeks after the Ferelden Circle treachery. The tension between the mages and templars aboard was all too evident and reminiscent of that time. With only their will to survive and to live, they bared the harsh seas of the Free Marches together.
There was fear in the air of a new time to come and of the unknown. Everything about their future was up in the air. Who would live and who would die was the only thing people seemed interested these days. Both mages and templars kept to themselves and avoided talking to the other side altogether.
Everyone out for themselves it seemed.
For Adrianne, this silence gave her time to reflect upon the events of recent. How much had changed, and what will continue to change. Change is coming as Wynne once told her so long ago. Adrianne remembered the kindhearted woman telling her things would change and she couldn't do anything to stop that. Wynne comforted her by telling some years later that what people did with that change defined who they were and what they stand for.
Adrianne didn't know how this change labeled her.
Now as Adrianne seemingly lost everything she once cared for, she worried what this change would bring. It was uncharted territory, and she may be forced to face it alone. Fighting just to walk, no, to take a step without falling was daunting enough. It was nearly impossible by herself.
Adrianne pondered how different her life turned to be. Never in her wildest imaginings did she ever suspect the misfortunes bestowed upon her. From being sent away at young age to reuniting with Cullen to falling victim at Ostagar to fighting against a demon in her to now fleeing Ferelden's treachery with the support she once had gone. Tragedy enjoyed following her.
In truth, Adrianne wished only to recover and move on with her life. These were the only things she could do now. She didn't need people, as she had yelled in anger at Cullen, to drag her down. She wanted people who would support her surrounding her.
In a moment of weakness, Adrianne reached to her neck to stroke the amulet. A sense of urgency overcame her when she felt for it. It was like her life depended on it being there. When her fingers touched air, she remembered those last words she spoke to Cullen.
Goodbye Knight-Corproal Cullen.
Not Cullen. Adrianne had called him by his title and severed any familiarity she had with him. Adrianne had burried the hatchet. Deep within her heart, she demolished the pedestal she had placed him on and saw him for who he truly was. He was a person, and Adrianne now understood she shouldn't have thought him to be so wholesome and incapable of hurt.
Adrianne accepted their end and learned her lesson: Show no one your weakness, and you'll never get hurt.
The ship had docked in the Ostwick harbor as templar and mage alike filed out of the boat. They moved slowly and made sure to avoid others of the opposite faction. Their time at sea did not build or instill the sense of commeraderie among the two groups. It could be said it allowed that tension to fester into a deep sated hate.
It was hard for Adrianne to see the falling relation between the two groups. There was nothing she could say or do that would calm their anger and frustrations. That was a battle for another day and another time.
This current battle she faced was a test of her own strength and willpower.
Adrianne frowned as she held onto the ship's railing as she stared at the long way down. Several mages had helped her out of the living quarters beneath the deck, but they soon abandoned her once they saw how dependent she was upon them. Even her own people wanted nothing to do with her.
Now she stood holding onto the sides of the ship for dear life and wondered how she would she accomplish a feat such as this by herself. Adrianne sighed and decided to somehow get across. Anyway as long as she got off.
She began wobbling as she attempted to step forward. Adrianne's hands held the wooden railing with an iron grip as sweat began to form upon her forehead from the immense strength it took for her to stand and lift one leg. Adrianne face was in deep concentration as she willed her body lift and bend her leg.
Don't fall. You can do it...don't fall.
For a moment Adrianne believed she could walk. That she would succeed and this would all be over. That one part of her past would be returned to her and she would be able to stand tall and proud.
Life was never that generous or easy.
Her motivation soon came crashing down as she went tumbling head first off the ship and onto the hard ground. She was sure bruises would surface in the morning. Adrianne looked around with a dazed expression as the world turned in circles at how disorientated she was. Her things were scattered about the ground in every direction.
Considering all the noise she had made, people continued about their business. No one stopped to help and Adrianne looked everywhere for some type of leverage she could use to stand. A raindrop landed on her head with a thud as the grey clouds in the dark sky unleashed their sorrow.
She really was on her own.
With shaky arms, Adrianne attempted to lift herself, but fell back onto the ground. She continued this action until she no longer had the strength to pick herself back up again. Adrianne had never felt so weak in her life. Here she lay on the ground with no way getting up.
Things were as terrible as they seemed.
The rain began falling harder and people scattered indoors, and Adrianne remained were she was. If this wasn't a sign that life was out to get her, she didn't know what was.
Suddenly, Adrianne felt someone sling her arm around their shoulder and lean her weight against them. Adrianne turned her head to a tall, strong red-headed woman in templar armor hold Adrianne's weight against her own as she bent down to gather Adrianne's things.
Of all people, a templar came to her aid. This woman had every right to keep walking like the rest, yet she didn't. Adrianne eyes watered slightly at the sight of this woman. The woman slung Adrianne's things upon her other shoulder and began walking.
The woman moved a strand of her short firey hair from her face and revealed the most beautiful blue eyes Adrianne had ever seen in her life. They were like living aquamarines.
"Easy now, one step at a time. Up and lending you a hand little lady since no one bothered. I was born and raised in brothel surrounded by the lowest of the lows and I still have better manners than these arses. Templar or mage, rudeness is still a thing, sadly. Don't matter who you are," the woman said in a thick Ferelden accent.
Adrianne smiled faintly, "Thank you..." Adrianne paused to allow the woman to say her name.
"The name's Guinavere Ackerman, little lady," Guinavere responded as she pulled both of their hoods up as the rain pounded harder.
"I'm Adrianne Chantelle Calligaris and I thank you," she stopped for a moment before continuing, "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't helped," Adrianne admitted.
Guinavere shrugged as the rest of the templars and mages came into view,"No worries, I would've helped you even if you didn't want me to"
A templar came hulking forward as he eyed the two women with disdain, "What are you doing touching her, Knight Lieutenant? She'll infect you. She's a mage,"
Adrianne watched Guinavere snort at what the man said, "Sod off, Hammon. I'm more likely to catch a disease from you than her. Now go away and lead the group like a good little sheep,"
The man mumbled words beneath his breath as he turned away. The corners of Adrianne's mouth tugged upwards as Guinavere defended her. The other sensed as much and returned Adrianne's smile.
"Nasty fellow there. Spineless, though. Doesn't have the courage to raise his sword against me. He needs a nice humbling every now and then,"
This was first time Adrianne had seen a templar turn away their own. Usually they were a tight knit group with little in fighting. Yet, here Guinavere was doing just that.
Adrianne nodded slowly before stating, "You're different than most templars, Guinavere,"
Guinavere laughed, "I've no doubt," before her face grew serious, "We think we're all high and mighty flaunting about doing the Chantry's bidding. Some use that favor to do whatever in the Maker's given name they want. I've seen templars do downright despicable things when they thought I wasn't looking. It was enough to make rethink if I truly wanted this life.
"What made you stay," Adrianne asked.
Guinavere looked the sky and answered,"In those times of doubt I remembered why I chose this: I joined because I wanted to protect people no matter who they were. Sometimes most of us forget the templars were made to protect innocent lives against the misuse of magic, not mages. Mages are people who need our protection as well. Now they forget that more than ever. Being a templar means you don't get to pick and choose who you bat an eye an to and who you treat like shite,"
Just like Cullen believed.
With a sad expression, Adrianne said, "My friend thought the same when we were kids. He said similar things,"
Guinavere nodded in approval,"Must be a good man, your friend,"
Adrianne remained silent as she thought of what to say. It didn't matter, Cullen had changed, but he was a good man once. He was lost like her.
"Yeah, he was until the day he wasn't,"
I hoped you guys enjoyed the introduction of Guinavere! She'll be in the next few chapters. Also, I know nothing about the landscape of the Free Marches, so excuse the not so accurate descriptions. I'll do better next time.
As always, thank for all your support!
Until next time!