"Bull's Chargers!" I laughed into the forest air, my hands raised above my head and then Tenebri shifted underneath me and I yelped grabbing the reins to steer her back to remaining still. I wasn't very good on a horse, on any horse actually. And while I had ridden for most of the day on her, I wasn't any more confident on her than when I started. If anything I was more terrified of her.
"Bull's Chargers?" Emeric rode to the right side of me. "I have heard of them. Though not of where their allegiance lies. Are they Andrastian?"
I snorted. "Not bloody likely. The leader, The Iron Bull is Tal-Vashoth." Better to keep his being a spy a secret. No need to make Emeric worry. "Or… so I've seen. His lieutenant is an ex-Tevinter soldier-" At Emeric's narrowed eyes I realized I probably should have omitted that. "Oh don't worry about that. No trouble from the Vints with him. I mean… he doesn't like the vints either."
"Why would an ex-Tevinter be following a Qunari savage?" Alon's horse had a lead on mine, keeping my horse from going off the path. It happened more than once. Twice by my hand. Okay actually four times.
"Wow, Alon… wow. That's incredibly prejudice of you." I glared at the ginger. Did they have the term racist?
"It is. Especially as according to the Chantry when all races have converted to Andrastian then the Maker will turn his sights back to us." Emeric preached then took a swig of water, or I hope it was water. I had done a healing check on all of the blades and I found a very disturbing commonality. The sheer alcohol damage to their liver. I immediately yelled at them to either have tea or water more often. So far few have listened to me.
I looked up at the hills where the Breach still was, lightning from the eternal storm at its center flashing in the distance. But it wasn't spewing demons out anymore which was a relief.
"I remember hearing of a Qunari who killed an entire farmhold with his bare hands, along with the children in Lothering during the blight. They are savage." Alon continued, looking forward.
"Qunari, in Lothering?" I squinted in thought. You could have seen the metaphorical light bulb go off. "Oh! That was Sten! He was one of the Hero of Fereldan's companions. He went into a blind rage, which he regretted. But it was because he could not find his Asala. That's Qunlat for soul. I think any soldier under the Qun's weapon is referred to as Asala and if they return without it they would be claimed deserter and be killed. And uh…" I shrunk under both of their gazes.
"You know quite a bit about Qunari." Alon looked at me hard.
"She is well informed. Though, where she has gained such insight to the Qun is suspicious, nonetheless she is the Maker's Seer." I rolled my eyes.
"I was not questioning-"
"I know. But it needed to be said." Emeric hummed and concentrated on leading us, the map open in his lap. What would have taken a one day trip before the Breach now takes two because of all the detours we had to take. Rifts were everywhere. "How about you sing another one of your songs?"
"Sing? Here….where we are essentially sitting ducks? So people can hear us and be able to pinpoint our location?" I looked at Emeric questioningly. He would have already known that. "You just want to keep me quiet?"
"Sharp as ever, Mercy." He snickered and pulled ahead to examine the path. It was just Alon and me next to each other now. Our horses taking it slow on the uphill path that would wind around one of the rifts nearby. It was silent, the only sounds being that of the horses and the forests.
I looked at Alon and frowned. "Are we not even going to discuss this?" I questioned softly. I wanted to reach for his hand. Alon looked to me, his brows furrowed a troubled look about him.
"No." Was his simple reply.
"Fucking coward." I spat at him, grabbed the reigns and meant to ride the horse toward Emeric but what ended up happening was me going so off course that they both ended up having to dismount their horse to get me back on path. Embarrassing if I hadn't found a rare find of bush of embrium that I immediately cut and collected into my pack. Yeah, totally what I meant to do.
We stopped off at the lodge when the sun began setting. It felt a bit odd being back here with Alon and Emeric but neither showed any interest. It was just for the night. I set the wards, in the order Yvette had taught me.
After a small dinner of cured ram meat and winter berries, we all turned in. Emeric had the big bedroom, I had the one adjacent to that and Alon the one across from me. I was reading the book Yvette had given me to study from, on magical theory, when there was a knock on my door. Was it Alon?
It was not. It was Emeric.
"Care to join me for a drink?"
"I thought I told you no ale?" I gave him a pointed look but decided to join him anyway. We both went downstairs to the main hall. I poured the ale, still worried there might be magebane in any of my drinks, while Emeric refreshed the fire and then set down a small box.
"You looked pensive the entire way here. I can only assume you and Alon are…" He tilted his head and opened the box, pulling a pipe out. Now I was interested.
"He says it's because I'm the Maker's Seer and that I'm holy and blah blah blah nonsense. It's not like I was a virgin before, definitely not now." I sipped at the ale, watching Emeric pack some dried herbs into his pipe. "What are you smoking?"
Granted I was still wary of Emeric but we had come to a mutual understanding these past few weeks. He won't make advances like he used to and I'd stop being insufferable. His words, not mine.
"Helps with the withdrawal. It's elfroot, nettles and blood lotus." He packed it in tight.
That's right. Emeric still is a Templar, or was. He's probably suffering from a pretty bad case of lyrium withdrawal. Good. Suffer, I smiled grimly. He lit the pipe and I wrinkled my nose at the smell. "That's rancid." I coughed, waving the air.
"Silvie says the same, says I'm to smoke it when she leaves for the night." Emeric coughed and sipped his ale.
"Silvie…wait. What?!" Emeric raised his brows. "You and Silvie?!" He nodded as he took a deep pull from the pipe. "Fuck that's gross thinking about."
Emeric let out a bark of laughter. "As if having to lay in bed listening to your second have his way with a woman on his cabin floor is any better." Emeric wheezed, a twinkle in his eye.
"You… you were awake?" My cheeks burned as he nodded and I buried my head in my arms. "Uuugggghh. That's like the time my father walked in on me with Jimmy Crespo!"
"I am honored to be compared to your father."
"Not like that!" I bristled at him, Emeric chortling as smoke permeating around us. There was a moment of silence. "So you and Silvie. Is that why she wanted to be my tent-mate?"
Emeric took a deep pull of his pipe and then tapped it against the box, emptying it. "Yes and no. She knew at one point I had considered bedding you." I leaned away slightly disgusted. "Until Alon showed his interest quite clearly. I thought I might tease you both though. I have not seen that boy become so flustered over anything let alone a woman."
"Good to know you were having a laugh." I ground out.
"I did. Although if he is letting your status as our chosen stop him, I have to wonder if you would consider my offer." His eyes darkened and leaned to me, placing his hand on mine.
"You're disgusting." I deadpanned and stood up.
"I thought as much. But if you do ever change your mind." He chortled as I moved away from him.
"When nugs can fly!" I snorted and went up the stairs, paused and went down to see him drinking ale. "Stop drinking ale. I didn't save you from certain death for you to die of liver damage." Emeric grumbled but stoppered the ale. I narrowed my eyes as I went to bed. You'll die by the Herald's hands.
We reached our destination by noon the next day. The sun was out and shining and I bemoaned having to be on this errand. I could be out practicing magic with Alise.
But then again, The Iron Bull.
The Iron-FUCKING-Bull.
It's going to be so worth it.
We were on a cliff looking down and out into their camp where they were. The Bull's Chargers with The Iron Bull sitting and drinking in the center of it. I couldn't really spot anyone else, but Bull was kind of hard to miss.
He was massive! I giggled gleefully.
"Why are you so cheerful?" Emeric turned to me.
"It's the first Qunari I'll ever get to meet face to face." I grinned widely and bounced on my feet from left to right. "I've always wanted to meet one."
"You shouldn't. They are dangerous, savage and wish to invade southern Thedas." Alon looked to me incredulously. "Surely you have heard of what happened in Kirkwall?"
"Er…yes." I shifted uncomfortably as he still told me the carnage that had befallen the nobles by the Qunari and the Arishok until the Champion slayed him in battle. I rolled my eyes at Alon, as Emeric made some motions with his hands. My eyes following his line of sight. On the other side was a few specks that I could barely make out but the colors were obvious. Our colors. "What are they doing there?"
"Should our words be taken unfavorably, they will be our reinforcements." Emeric said and then pulled his pack closer and he rummaged around pulling a few potions out and tying them to his belt. He pushed one bottle of lyrium to me and three health potions, which I hastily set into my belt.
"Wait, what? No no. We can't just kill them."
This didn't happen in the game!
"And why not? If they do not respect that these are our hills, then we will have to eliminate them. I will first try to engage them civilly of course." Emeric then pulled out his map. "We do not even know why they are here. I am uncomfortable with an ex-Tevinter being in these hills, regardless if he is following under the command of a Qunari."
Shit. Shit. Think fast!
"Uh… well we… we can always ask them?" It's not that I had any doubt we could kill them, it's that I really didn't want to have to kill them. It would be a massacre, I would be dead or taken prisoners if they won. Plus, that's the Iron Bull! He's going to be needed to help the Herald!
Ah!
I may have neglected to tell the Blades of who stabilized the Breach. Well I don't really know myself either I just know someone did, not who or what they are. News was getting to us slow but the traders have been talking about the Inquisition. I chewed my bottom lip as Emeric and Alon went into the forest to approach from the beach.
"Mercy?"
Fuck.
I followed after them, my staff pulled forward.
Okay. Maybe I can jump the boat before Emeric starts talking? Maybe I can ask him, nicely to reveal his intentions. I could just jump right in and say what the intentions are but that would put me on the Qun's radar if I revealed too much. And being on the Qun's radar about information seemed like a really bad idea, no matter how you look at it.
However if I lied, Bull would know. Ben Hassrath training and all that would completely see right through any lie I attempted.
Crap this was seeming like a worse and worse idea the closer we got to the Charger's camp.
"Okay. I may know why they are here." I whispered harshly to Emeric and Alon who both turned to me. "But you're not going to like it…"
"You choose now to reveal this to us?" Emeric glowered at me.
"Yes. Sorry… I just got a vision." I fumbled with my staff. Yes, use the visions! "They… were sent to kill some Tevinters that have been spotted on the Coast." Would that endear them to the Chargers?
"Tevinters?" Alon stepped closer to me. "Are you certain?"
"Well, if watching them cut the throats of Tevinters is any indication, then yes." I looked down with a frown.
"Then they may be our allies. However they still need to know they mustn't linger, even if we have similar purposes." The Blades really didn't like Tevinters. After Dugan was killed by them, and then Zazz and Bryant revealed to be working for one… Tevinters haven't been seen favorably. I let out a small breath as Emeric sheathed his sword. "We will approach neutrally."
"Are you certain? They may be killing vints but they could be paid to do so. It may not reflect-" Alon tried but Emeric held his hand out.
"We shall trust our seer on this." Emeric moved forward
Fuck, I really hope this ends well.
"However, the others will still attack if I do not send them a signal, so I hope you can speak quickly Mercy."
What?! "What?" I tripped after Emeric.
"You will speak to them, as you know much more about Qunari than I. I do not wish to disrespect their leader. So if I do, I want you to take over." Oh, that… made a bit of sense. "Ready?"
No. "Yes." And we exited the forest.
I could see the Chargers now, but I was focused on Bull. He didn't seem fazed by our sudden presence. He probably knew we were here since the cliff, probably even knows the reinforcements were in place too. Would the Qun know about the Blades of Hessarian? Well if they don't, they are about to.
I watched Bull as more and more of his details came into view. He was big, big. His horns were massive, his single uninjured eye swiveled to take us in. What was he seeing with his trained eye? His other eye was covered in a leather eyepatch, not the metal one I remember from the game. His chest was mostly bare, I could see the leather harness and the crisscrossed scars over his grey skin. He was scruffy but only just with his stubble coming in. I could see the black and faded gold stripes of his large pants and the support brace on his leg. At his side rest a large, huge axe that I knew was the Bull's Edge.
I noticed Bull turn to someone and say something, then I noticed the Chargers were standing up. Was that Krem? I refrained from giggling as I watched Cremisius cross his arms and stand by the Bull, his eyes guarded. The other Chargers sat down at one word from Bull, I didn't catch it.
Emeric stepped forward, one hand raised in greeting and peace. That's when Bull stood up and holyfuck he's tall. He had a foot, maybe more over me. I wasn't the only one that faltered. Emeric and Alon had to take a pause as they adjusted their eyes up. Then Bull pulled up his axe, resting it along his shoulders.
Way to intimidate us, Bull.
"Greetings. I understand you are Iron Bull-"
"The Iron Bull." I corrected Emeric, and then flushed when Bull's gaze flicked to me. Crap! Stop looking at me. I looked down, shrinking slightly. Emeric looked sideways to me but nodded his thanks.
"Apologies. The Iron Bull, and this is your mercenary band. I am Emeric, the leader of the Blades of Hessarian." Emeric gestured back. "This is my second and third. We control the hills of this Coast. My scouts spotted you and informed me you were here. We come in peace, we only wish to know your intentions on the coast and how long you intend to remain."
"Well met," Bull said.
Hello, Freddie Prinze Jr. I shifted, feeling the excitement bubble up in me. It's Bull, it is The Iron Bull! I noticed Bull wasn't looking at me anymore though, instead Krem was. Actually I noticed the other Chargers were watching intently. My eyes taking them in. There was Dalish, I inwardly cringed remembering the leather of my robe. I spotted Skinner, Stitches, Grim. Where was Rocky? Oh, oh there he was, I forgot how short dwarves are.
My focus turned back to Bull, wary of Krem who was watching me. You should be watching Alon, who was practically glaring daggers at him.
Bull tilted his head, his horns making the action that more obvious. "You won't have to worry about us. We're just passing through." There was a low chuckle beneath that, sending a thrill of excitement up my spine. That chuckle! Bull grinned. "I knew the hills were controlled by a company, wasn't sure who. I'm actually glad you approached us first. Although, could you get your archers to back down. Making my boys a bit twitchy."
His boys.
His boys.
Bull you are so adorable. I suppressed a smile.
Emeric stared up at Bull for a full minute, sizing him up again. Then Emeric turned to me, to make sure. I nodded and he nodded back at me. He turned toward the hills, raised his open palm up. I watched as a near dozen blue and beige armored archers rose and retreated back into the forests. Exactly how many Blades were at the North Camp?
"Thanks. Well then, now that the tension is down." Bull rested his axe back against his seat. I watched Krem drop his crossed arms and look a tad more relaxed instead of on guard. No doubt their guards weren't completely down. "Come have a drink. I'll let you in on why we're here, ease your concerns, leader to leader."
Emeric looked amused but he stepped up, somewhat relaxed.
This is not how I imagined this going but I was very glad it was.
Krem stepped up and held his gauntlet covered hand out. "Cremisius Aclassi." I went to shake his hand but he raised my hand and placed a kiss on my gloved knuckles and sent me a wink.
An honest to the Maker, girlish giggle slipped out of me at that. Krem smiled brilliantly at the sound. Oh god! Why does Krem have such a dazzling smile?! I felt my cheeks flush. And then Alon stepped up, practically pressed close to me. Krem's eyes hardened somewhat as he took him in.
"Ah… sorry. I'm Mercy Byrde." I fumbled. I watched as Alon and Krem shook hands, it was tense.
"Alon. Well met."
"Well met." Krem returned the greeting. "So you're the second to the Blades of Hessarian, what's that like?" Krem directed the question at me.
I snorted and sputtered, and had to cover my mouth as Alon stilled, shocked.
"No. No… I'm not." I snickered. "I'm not the second. That's Alon." I pointed to the ginger next to me and stepped away. I caught Emeric and Bull sitting off to the side, a flagron of some kind between them. What the?
"Oh sorry, I just assumed. Emeric turned to her for counsel, after all."
Ouch, would you like some elfroot for that burn, Alon?
"I'm the second." Alon bristled. "Mercy however had a bit of foresight on this exchange, so Emeric turned to her as she is more knowledgeable about you and your people." Alon gritted out. Yeah the prejudice was flowing right out.
"Ah, so you know I'm ex-Tevinter then? Good makes this easy." Krem leaned forward. "I don't exactly hold any loyalties to my old countrymen. So you've got nothing to worry about."
"How do we know you're not some blood mage?" Alon questioned tensely. I jabbed Alon.
"Alon, that was rude. Besides If he was, I would know." I turned back to Krem and gave an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for him. He's… prejudiced obviously. We lost one of our own to Tevinter mages a few months back." I glared at Alon who sent me a look.
"You did?" Krem seemed interested now. He turned to The Iron Bull. "Hey Chief, these guys fought off some Tevinters recently."
"Oh?" Bull quirked an eyebrow and turned in his seat to appear more open. "And how did that go?" He lifted his goblet up.
"Not well. We lost one of our own to them. But we gained a very valued member in turn." Emeric raised his own goblet to me, to which I glared at the goblet and he drank from it with a smirk.
"And who might you be?" Bull directed his question to me, his gaze on me. I must have jolted because he laughed. "No need to be scared, I'm not going to eat you. Not unless you want me to." There was that low chuckle again and his voice lowered. I must have flushed because Bull was now appraising me openly, his eye raking up and down my form, only to emit an appreciative hum as he drank again.
I heard Alon growl next me and watched as Emeric snickered into his drink.
Oh boy.
Ripper1337, You know, I feel like that is probably exactly how Mercy would start using blood magic. She just cuts herself accidentally and calls forth magic using her own lifeforce. But I think given the nature of her abilities it may do some serious harm to her rather than be a boon.
GreaterGoodIreland, Oh yes. We tackled Bull very differently. There will also be more Iron Bull next chapter.
jedielfsorcerer, Yes, she's similar to a Spirit Healer, without needing to contact a spirit of course. But she also has Rock and Primal magic, which is from Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2. I missed those two schools of magics in DAI and decided to throw them into Mercy's repertoire of spells. And She indeed knows Storm. but she's really bad at fire and ice. She's limited to runes for fire and just fade step. I, at one point, wanted to give her Entropy too but dropped that. I think Rock, primal, Storm, and Spirit Healing are more than enough. Plus her whole being able to cast magic with her feet. She's already turning out to be TOO special for my taste but thankfully there are drawbacks! You'll see those later.
5 Coloured Walker, THANKS! I spent a bit more time to make that sex scene fade out a little easier. Acknowledge it happened but say nothing else, leave it to the imagination!
NobleD93, OOOH. I'm glad you kept coming back. I was a bit worried the slow build toward the game would throw people off, make them uninterested but it's coming along and I'm glad you like it now, thanks to Mercy. I tried to make her easy to relate to and connect with. Sometimes it's difficult because its hard to imagine being in that situation and how you'd react naturally. It's a bit of a conundrum. Like at one point, you can have your OC/MS/SI go "LOOK SEE I TOLD YOU!" but then it was a catastrophe the Breach happened and you realize thousands of people just died and in that situation I think the character would be more worried about the danger or sad about the loss of life before they gloat about being right. It's those kinds of emotions I put in because Thedas is not a nice place and Mercy has come to learn that. People die, people get hurt, and things are rough but also because she's a big girl she does what she has to, to survive. ( Sorry for rambling, here's a spoiler: Mercy is going to try to save those scouts, don't you worry!)