Chapter 25) The Beacon

Layla POV

"Are you ready?" Senior Enchanter Sweeney asked me excitedly. I shared his enthusiasm. Today would be the first day I tried a fourth leveled spell, the great Inferno! I was one of the youngest to ever be elevated to it, and Sweeney was the one overseeing my endeavor today. Irving was in a meeting with Knight-Commander Greagoir.

"Yes!" I cheered, bouncing on my feet. I was already calling the magic around me to crackle and warm, prepping ahead.

"All right. Stand there." Since Inferno was known for encompassing a wide area, I wasn't in one of the normal areas, but a warded off hallway where few went. A templar was stationed on either side, to keep anyone from coming. "You're already calling for fire, but call for more. This isn't a simple fireball you throw. This is a storm you whip around you. Force the very air to burn." I did as instructed forming a shaky fiery column around me. "Good, good. Steady your breathing, Layla. You're doing wonderfully for a first attempt." Yay! "Just… hey, wait, listen to the templars!" Huh? "DON'T COME-"

An explosion shook the entire Tower then, and I only found out later what all had happened. An apprentice had been carrying volatile chemicals for his teacher and had decided to take that hallway as a shortcut. He had disobeyed the templars orders and run right into my spell, igniting the chemicals. He'd died instantly. The shaking had knocked down many heavy things, injuring people who hadn't even been nearby. I'd gotten burn scars on my back and Sweeney was never able to see quite right again.

And even though I knew it wasn't my fault, I could never cast a fourth level spell or a fire spell without remembering the smell of charred flesh and the screams of pain resulting from a horrible, horrible accident.

I bit back a sigh as I felt Wynne's 'presence' fade away to the ether and opened my eyes. Shaking my head to better ground myself, I stretched and stood up from where I'd sat down to drift briefly into the Fade to 'talk' to Wynne. I just wished it had been a more optimistic conversation.

"So, anything?" I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Alistair as he walked over to me. I glanced behind him to see Nuada checking the strength of our latest barricade. "Layla, hello?" Alistair flashed a grin as he tried to catch my attention. "Anyone in there?"

I flushed as I realized I was unintentionally ignoring him. "I am sorry, Alistair," I mumbled awkwardly. "I am… mostly grounded." I shook my head again and focused on him. "Are you well?"

"Yeah, I didn't add any bruises to the ones you healed earlier." Thank the Maker for that. "You going to heal Nuada?"

"He will not let me." I could not keep the sourness out of my voice. "He told me to tend to you, and refuses to let me near when I have healing magic ready."

"Well, he does have the best armor of us. Maybe he's not as injured." It still would not hurt to let me check! "You holding up?"

"Yes, I am." I winced as screams filtered in from up ahead. Were they darkspawn or soldiers…? I honestly could not tell anymore. "I…"

"Oh, great. More. Curse the blighters and their numbers." Every floor we hit seemed to just have more darkspawn, not less. "You never answered my question about the message, though."

"Oh! My apologies!" I ducked my head in embarrassment, flushing at his gentle laugh. "We are to light the beacon as soon as we are able."

"All right. Let's hope it's not too late." He sighed, patted my head, and turned back to Nuada. "Well?"

"Well, if they shoot magic at it, it'll collapse, but it might hold a bit against simple warriors," Nuada answered. He rolled his shoulders as he walked up, before palming his sword and shield again. I frowned over the cut over his eye and my fingers itched to heal it. "But what should we do from here?"

"You mean we have options for once?" Alistair joked, picking up his own sword and shield from the floor. "I thought it was hack and slash until there aren't anymore and barricade, just like before."

"Since we're getting close to the top, there should be more narrow corridors, so we actually have the option of crashing through and setting up a trap before running like mad and setting up more barricades." Nuada shrugged. "At least, that's what I'm assuming. If this place is anything like the other Tevinter Towers I've been in."

"You've been in many?"

"Tevinters loved their towers. I'm sure they were compensating for something." Alistair barked a laugh at that, but I blushed a little in embarrassment. "So, what'll it be?"

"Personally? I like the trap idea. We're not going to last much longer for drawn out battles." I could agree to that. "Layla?"

"I am afraid all I know are glyphs, so I do not know how to help set traps," I answered slowly. "But I think it would be best, at least for me."

"Oh, I've already a trap in mind," Nuada declared loftily. I waited for him to explain, but he just moved to the door ahead and peeked around. "Okay. Ready to run?"

"Yay, time to stampede," Alistair deadpanned. I had to cover my mouth to smother my giggle. "Right. Layla, in the middle. I'll be last." Huh? Why?

"Alistair, I'd rather you be first, actually, so I can keep a better eye for where to set the trap."

"Oh, you don't want me to lead. We'll get lost, something with be destroyed, and we'll be stranded somewhere without any pants." Uh…

"Well, that sounds like a night after downing some aquae lucidis." Wait, what was…? "Alistair, just get in front."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Alistair sighed and ambled over to the entrance. "…You would give me the fun job."

"Go already." Shoving Alistair a bit, Nuada grabbed my wrist and tugged me forward. "Run fast," he advised before shoving me too. I was both glad and not glad that he did. The room was completely filled with darkspawn, and all of them were looking right at us.

Still, Alistair crashed into the closest ones to make an opening and Nuada and I followed close behind, jumping and ducking as appropriate to avoid the countless numbers of sharp objects heading out way as we broke through the group. I squeaked as an arrow grazed my face, wincing at the burst of pain. But I did not stop. I was too scared too. I would like to think Alistair and Nuada were too.

"Layla!" Nuada yelled as we rounded a corner. There were none ahead of us, thank the Maker. "Set down some of that grease spell stuff here!" Huh? "Just do it!"

"Ah, yes?" I agreed, still horribly confused. I turned around briefly, tripping over my own feet as I prepped the spell and just slung it through the air. I winced as it splattered, wondering if that was all right. The darkspawn were still chasing us. "Um…" Before I could say anything more, Nuada snagged me by the shoulder and slung me behind him as he threw something forward. It looked like a small vial, and I almost asked what it was. But then it hit the grease and a wave of fire erupted, devouring the darkspawn and blocking the way.

I thought I heard Nuada make some quip, but I could not focus. All I could see, and hear, was the flames. I pressed my hand to my mouth as I attempted to not vomit as old memories surfaced, locked my knees to try and keep from collapsing. But neither really worked. The world tilted strangely and harsh, deep coughs ripped from my throat as my eyes burned like the darkspawn. My cheek crashed into something cold and hard, but it was not into someone forcibly stepped between the fire and me that I could register anything. Even then, it took me quite a long while of coughing, wheezing, shaking, and slow blinking to realize the something had been Nuada's armor, and the someone had been him.

"Hey, you in the present again?" he asked me softly. There was no judgement in his face, no pity or even confusion. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you had a fear of fire." I almost demanded how he did not, but logic checked the urge in time. He was not from the Tower, during the attack on Highever, I had been far too scared to let old memories bubble up, and when we camped, Cleon had always made the campfire. "Layla, can you hear me?" Cold, gauntleted hands cupped my face. "You're incredibly pale."

"I…" I croaked, coughing again. My throat hurt. "Um…"

"Do you want to punch me?" Huh?! "If it'll make you feel better about this, feel free."

I opened my mouth and closed it a few times, trying to think of a reply. "That… that does not make sense."

"It doesn't?" He flashed a grin. "I recall you wanting to attack me in anger a while back." I honestly did not know what surprised me more: that he remembered, or that he actually referenced something to do with Highever. "So…"

"I… I am not angry." I was just… ill. I was scared. I was coming out of a panic. "Sh-should we be standing here?"

"Honestly, no, we shouldn't." I appreciated the truth. "But you weren't in any condition to move forward."

"But Alistair is waiting."

"Yes, he is. Can you move?"

"I have to." I took a shuddering breath and looked him right in the eye. For some reason, his eyes widened. "What is it?"

"…You're a brave woman, Layla." He took my hand and led me to the next room, where Alistair was prepping for yet another barricade. I told myself my flush was leftover from the panic. It was the only thing that made sense.

"All good?" Alistair asked when he noticed us. He shut the door behind us and started reinforcing it with scattered, broken weapons. Nuada let go of me to help. "I mean… we somehow survived the suicide run there."

"Yes, I am fine now," I answered him. It was not quite a lie. I was at least better. "I am-"

Alistair stopped my apology by ruffling my hair, laughing at my squeak. "If you're ready to continue, then let's get this set up and move."

"Very well."

After blocking the door, we raced up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The air was moist and sharp, crackling with the electricity of the storm raging outside. We were close to the top. We had to be.

The ground shook as we ran into the final, open-walled room and I wondered if the Tower had been struck. But Alistair's eyes were far too wide for something like that. "Oh, great," he said with a slight shrug. "We have an ogre up here." I almost asked what he meant, but then it came into view. I stared at the thing and could only barely breath as I watched it draw itself to its full height, blood dripping down from razor teeth and body parts tumble out of its grip.

Commander Duncan had been right. It was impossible to not know when an ogre was nearby, if they all looked like this.

"Layla," Nuada whispered to me as the ogre studied us. I felt remarkably like a rabbit facing down a starving wolf. "Can you light the beacon?"

"H-huh?" My voice shook as I just stared at him. He stared right back, firm and confident just as before. "I…"

"Can you?" I tried to get a read on him, but did not really find anything. It was a simple question. Could I or could I not? Whatever the answer was, it looked like he would accept it.

So, I opened my mouth to say 'no'. But my treacherous voice had other plans. "Y-yes." Why? Why did I just say that? I still was panicking from before and…

"All right." His face softened slightly in a smile more real than any of the others I'd seen him wear today. "Thank you." The ogre suddenly roared and charged for us. "We'll keep it off you. Go." I tried to protest, but his smile was replaced with a smirk and he turned his attention to Alistair. "Ready?"

"Oh, I'm always ready for an ogre killing," Alistair laughed. Strangely, as the two palmed their swords and shields, they tapped the sides of their swords together. The metallic 'cling' was strangely loud amidst the roaring and shaking ground. "Tag team, go!"

I turned away as they began fighting, steeling my courage for what I had just agreed to do. I crept around the room, wincing as the fierce wind slammed rain into me, jumping at each crack of thunder and spark of lightning as I made my way to the brazier at the edge of the room. That had to be where I needed to light the beacon, yes? It was the only thing that made since.

Ignoring the yells and roars and sounds of flesh crashing into metal, I approached the brazier, checking to make sure it had tinder. It did, so all I had to do was light it. I patted my robe and whimpered when I realized I did not have the rod of fire with me. It was in my pack, deep in camp and far from me. I glanced around and saw no convenient torches or sparks. Unlike Nuada, I did not carry bombs. So, if I was going to light the beacon just as I said I would, I would have to cast a spell of fire. But… but could I? I was shaking at the mere thought, and unsteady hands never led to steady spells. If my magic went out of control here…

I glanced back and saw Alistair and Nuada fighting off the ogre, doing everything they could to make sure it never caught sight of me. They were depending on me. The people on the battlefield… they were depending on me, too. I… I had to try, huh?

I took a shuddering breath and tried to still my mind. Memories of the Incident bounced through my head and made my stomach turn. But… but I pushed through it. I had to. I had to just bear the nausea and the sweating and the headaches. I had to concentrate solely on making the magic near my hand ignite…

A sudden burst of warmth nearly made me yelp, but I bit my lip until it bled to keep quiet as I stared at the small, wavering flame hovering between my palms. It looked absolutely pathetic. But it would be enough. It had to be. I… I honestly couldn't do more!

Shaking my head, I leaned forward and urged the fire forward, into the tinder. It sparked instantly, roaring into a frenzy and casting the room in an eerie red-orange light. Lightning flashed in time, making me squeak. I was still trembling and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to breath and calm down. I did it. It was okay. No one had been hurt. It was done. I should not cry, even if my eyes burned. I should not scream, even as the sound bubbled in my throat. It was fine. It was fine.

I turned to let Alistair and Nuada know that I had succeeded, but gasped when I saw them. The ogre had Alistair in its grip and was slowly crushing him to death. I watched him flail, trying to break free, and wondered just what I could do. I should use a spell, but I still shook far too much to use a proper offensive spell.

But even as I processed it, the ogre screeched, hand loosening on Alistair as it slowly toppled to the side. I glanced down at its legs and saw Nuada, blood dripping down his face, removing his sword from the ogre's knee. Alistair took advantage of the ogre's pain to wriggle free and sling himself forward burying his sword into the ogre's chest and crashing his shield into its throat. When it hit the ground, it was completely still, dead as dust.

My feet were already moving for them, as Nuada wiped off the blood and Alistair staggered off the ogre's corpse. "The beacon is lit!" I yelled, focusing on healing magic. Healing magic could go wild. The only consequence would be my tiring quicker than usual, and that was a feeling I was slowly recognizing. "Hold still, please. I'll…"

"Get Alistair patched up," Nuada ordered shakily. I frowned because I could see the bruise purpling his neck and reached for him anyway. He ducked away from me, and I saw the shallow cut at the top of his head. "I just took a hit that damaged my throat a little. Alistair's armor is cracked." Ah…

"Yeah, who'd have thought iron would be so breakable?" Alistair wheezed. I hesitated, but seeing the shards of armor clanking to the floor made me tend to him first, just as Nuada asked. "Thanks for the hamstringing. He'd have crushed me otherwise."

"Yeah, no problem." There was a dull thud and we all turned back to the entrance of the room. "…We don't have anything to barricade that door."

"So, what's going to happen?" I asked slowly, healing Alistair's cracked ribs.

"We fight." Nuada straightened and rolled his shoulders. "We fight," he repeated. "That's all we can do."

"…" I glanced around the room, and realized he was right. There was nowhere to hide, and nowhere to run. We were trapped, and a bunch of creatures were coming to kill us. "Then let me get you two fixed up."

Maker, help us.

Author's Note: So, this is why Layla has a fear of fire. Thought it would be a good place to show both where she got it from and her pushing through it. Because, sometimes, you do really have to push through trauma, and it's a horribly hard thing to do (I'm basing Layla's reaction on my own while I had to force my way through phobias). Also, you cannot convince me that the Tower didn't have accidents. They teach FIRE SPELLS IN THE LIBRARY, OKAY?!

Next Chapter – Interlude: Elspeth and Loghain