I just wanna say thank you to all those who kept supporting this fic in spite of the hard bumps here and there. Personally, I thought the Knight of Heide was getting pretty stale by now, but your reviews tell a different story. Now, as a symbol of my gratitude, here's an early update- please enjoy :)
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"Papa? Are you still there?"
I groaned, slowly shaking off the mild vertigo gripping my head from resurrection. I got up from the forest floor that acted as my grave for the time I spent dead.
"Oh thank the Maker, I thought you'd stay that way forever!"
"How long was I gone?" I asked, not bothering to guess it myself when I looked at the state of my skin.
"About a day and a half." Riven answered, "I had to cook my own meals close to where you lay. I didn't want the animals to get to you." The fires of her little campfire still burned below the spit where she roasted a piglet she had slain from a hunt. Resourceful little girl, she's outgrown the princess
"That's thoughtful of you." I said gratefully. "I hope you've put the time to good use, though. I meant what I said that we'll continue training right after I come back. Well, I'm back. Pick up your weapon and take position."
Riven's expression was one of abject horror, "What?! B-But, Papa! I don't want to do this anymore!"
I arched my brow, "I don't think I heard you right. What happened to your determination when you asked me to train you? Why get cold feet all of a sudden? Hm? Explain yourself, girl."
"I killed you!" She shouted, wringing her hands nervously. There was a fresh scar where the wound had closed on her left shoulder, she touches it gingerly. "And...and you hurt me."
I had to explain it, otherwise the child will grow to resent me. I knelt before her and looked her in the eye, "Riven. I don't do this because I like it. I hit you because it was necessary."
"How was it necessary to cut me?!" Riven wails.
"Think back and see reason." I said firmly, "Did you not learn to use your spells when your life hung in the balance? I sought to teach you to use all that you had in battle. I succeeded." I dared to touch her shoulder, "You succeeded, and bested me."
Riven slowly digests the essence of my lessons, and nods. "I...I see."
"Now, about your guilt in killing me." I said, moving on to another issue. "Let it go. I am not a mortal man that you'd have to worry about hurting."
"But I don't like doing that to you, Papa." Riven says, her words moving my heart. "I love you. I might've been angry for a bit back there, but to hurt those closest to me..."
"I know, and your heart is good, my daughter." I replied. "You remain uncorrupted by this world, but you must grow strong. Understand? There is no other way for me to teach you what must be done. You've seen firsthand many times what I have spoken of. This world is full of monsters, many of which you will face in the long run. I'm just making sure you are ready for anything that crosses your path."
"But what about this magic I carry?" Riven gives voice to one of her biggest doubts.
You hold a power unlike any other, but you will never be like them. No, you will surpass all others, even me."
"Is this all to prepare me for the Endwar? So that I will save the world from the demons?"
"Yes." I chose to be frank with her, "I can only show you the path to take, but that will be your choice to make."
"My choice?"
"Mhm." I rumbled, "What good will it do if you allow others to force a destiny upon you?" I stood up and picked my fallen weapon from the brush, "Now, shall we continue where we left off?"
Riven nods slowly, hesitation still clinging to her decision. "Alright. What's the next step in our lesson, Papa?"
"We will find out what other magical abilities you might have." I said, "Then, we get creative. As I've said, a warrior must be adaptable. And since you must become better than the rest, I will have you exploit every asset at your disposal." I led her into the middle of the clearing and instructed her accordingly, "Take form! Begin!"
The day wears on. Riven's training was grueling, to say the least. But I gained the satisfaction of seeing that she does not complain nor falter as before. There is the mild hesitation on her part when raising her hand against her own father, but that was about the only thing I have against her. Before night falls, I learn many things about the child's arcane potential.
Aside from her use of the Sundercry, a name that she came up with herself and stuck, Riven was capable of manipulating fire. It was a primitive form of pyromancy, like many of the mages of this world. Fleeting, barely a low flame at best, another thing that needed strong instruction for certain. She was also capable of ice magic, although at this early stage she can only manage to set a chill in the air and not much else. Another was a unique form of magic, akin to telekinesis, that she manages to use to manipulate her own weight and the objects in her hands- namely the heavy battleaxe she carries.
Of these revelations, I thought of the many things my little girl could become. She will not be of a singular destiny. She could become a battlemage, a warrior with near limitless strength. I've heard tales of Andraste's gifts when she was yet of the mortal realms. Though cursed with a frail form, she was unmatched in wit and finesse. Riven can be so much better than her, and I felt honored to take part in molding her to that end. The Maker does not deserve her dedication, but it's none of my business to act as judge. I'm willing to do my job as set by the Prophetess, nothing more.
"Papa, I'm hungry." Riven said just as the creatures of the night sang their song at twilight's arrival. "Let's go back to the inn. Please?"
I nodded, "Yes, I believe we've trained enough for today. Just let me pack up, and we will be on our way."
We returned to the trail, following the path back that I set with markers. The inn was packed with many travelers, all hailing from the province of Seleny as they were just about returning home from the Queen's festivities. There were revelers and drunkards singing and swigging mugs of ale, while weary adventurers and mercenaries like myself were led upstairs and outside for the whores to ply their trade. I kept Riven clear from them and brought her to the table in the far corner, ordering two bowls of porridge and a slab of venison that I had the cook dice up and serve from the deer I killed earlier. Riven wanted some sugar-flecked loaves for dessert, so I spoiled the lass and bought them.
We ate in silence, listening to the terrible songs the revelers sang as they downed their mead.
"You there!" I mirthful voice called to me.
I glared at the woman whom the voice belonged to. She was a bard, from the way she dressed. That loud, red and frayed toussles, and the feathered cap. A vision of Leliana crosses my mind, until I laid my eyes on the bard's golden locks. The vision fades, and I grow sad. "Serrah! Would you like to join us in song? Come and make merry!"
"No." I turned back to my meal.
"Papa, why not?" Riven surprises me with her suggestion. "I bet you know a good song. Come on, it doesn't hurt to be happy every now and then."
"Listen to the lass. Here, take my lute!" The tipsy bard offered.
I frowned, but acquiesced to the challenge. I knew a song, a very mournful one at that. If these revelers are looking for a tune, by the gods, I will sing them one. Clearing my throat, I plucked at the strings of the instrument, familiarizing myself with the old patterns until I found the right course.
"Here we are, Riding the sky
Painting the night with sun
You and I, Mirrors of light, Twin flames of fire
Lit in another time and place
I knew your name, I knew your face
Your love and grace, Past and present now embrace
Worlds collide in inner space. Unstoppable, the song we play"
The stanza gives way to a roiling passion within my tortured soul, the words flowing free as I let loose the inner struggles of my being.
"Burn the page for me!
I cannot erase the time of sleep
I cannot be loved so set me free
I cannot deliver your love
Or caress your soul so
turn that page for me
I cannot embrace the touch that you give
I cannot find solace in your words
I cannot deliver you your love
or caress your soul..."
I let the lute play a few notes, letting my little audience hang on every word, every pause with baited breath.
"Age to age
I feel the call
Memory of future dreams
You and I, riding the sky
Keeping the fire bright
From another time and place
I know your name
I know your face
Your touch and grace
All of time can not erase
What our hearts remember stays
Forever on a song we play-
I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet air of the tavern.
"Burn the page for me!
I cannot erase the time of sleep
I cannot be loved so set me free
I cannot deliver your love
Or caress your soul so
turn that page for me
I cannot embrace the touch that you give
I cannot find solace in your words
I cannot deliver you your love
or caress your soul..."
I set the lute down and looked around, finding to my surprise that tears flowed freely from the eyes of both men and women. The drunkards were sobbing uncontrollably, lovers were embracing each other, and everyone else gave a polite applause at my performance. I didn't care for their laurels, I just wanted to be left alone.
I stormed out of the inn and stomped towards the horse trough, grabbing a handful of ice-cold water to wash my face and clear my head. With a strangled gasp, I breathed in the winter's wind. The song was not mine, but my long departed wife's. She sung that song to me the night I left for my king's quest. It was the last time I ever saw her, or my son before the waves of the sea drank up Heide.
"I didn't know you could sing so well." A familiar voice spoke from the darkness.
The corners of my lips tug into a smile, "Leliana..."
She patted down her horse's shoulder and closes the distance between us, "Would you write it down for me?" The rogue placed her hands on my face affectionately, "It's the most beautiful and soulful thing I've ever heard." Her lips warmed my cold own, and I pull her closer. When she finally breaks away, she remains with but an inch away, breathing on my chin as she looks up to meet my gaze.
"I thought you had gone to report to your Divine on what happened in the Weyrs?" I said.
"I changed my mind." Leliana explained, "You did nothing wrong, I see that now. What crime could one commit when you were protecting your own child?"
"I'm sorry I said those things." I apologized.
"And I'm sorry I misjudged you." Leliana pulls me close and embraces me, "I love you."
I stroked her fiery locks and hugged her back, "I love you too.
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I really love that song, Two Steps from Hell did an awesome job coming up with Star Sky, and I think it fits the overall mood of DS and DA in many ways. Also, fluff is rare for a dark fic, but I'll try to leave one here and there to balance the grimness a bit. Once again, thank you for your support, yall have a nice day