My breath came out in quivering streams as my blood still raged about. My mind knew that the battle was over for today but my body was still tense and ready to fall back into a Berserker's rage, all I could hear was the thud-thud-thudding of my heart in my ears and deep in my heart I knew that this was a changing point, that I was going to have to do this again. I would lose myself to this and wouldn't be able to stop it because I was no longer free.
A loud cheering broke across the battle field as the dying were taking their last breaths. I closed my eyes and lowered my head in shame, in broken hearted sorrow. I only let myself wallow in myself pity for a few moments before I turned my back on the dead, on the slaughtered. My feet felt like they were trying to lift up the earth as I walked and joined some other people in piling up the bodies to be burnt.
"We shall eat and drink good tonight!" One of the soldiers cheered as he threw the dead into the flames. I shook my head but didn't say anything but throw the body that I was carrying into the flames. Over and over again the same motions of throwing dead elvhen into the building flames that ate them with greedy licks. I stopped seeing their faces, their expressions as time went on and my stomach cramped as it wanted to disgorge what little I had eaten earlier that day.
After the sun was ready to fall into its slumber all the dead from both sides were gone and the only thing left was ash. Once that was done I was sealed to the ground and wondered what I was supposed to do now, did I just go and eat? Bathe with little water that was give to us? I went to rub my eyes but stopped at the last moment and stared at my hand with horror, dried blood was caked onto my hands and had seeped under my nails.
Just like that I was running and running to where I was housed with other elves that were in similar situations, my hands pulled opened the flap not noticing how other haunted eyes watched as I frantically pulled my armor off and rubbed my skin with a course cloth that had water that could freeze flesh. I drew it across my skin until it turned a bright red and raw. Hands grasped me lightly but I didn't stop until the person ripped it from my hands and drew me into a hug. I shook lightly in his arms and felt Conner rub my back in circular motions.
"It's okay... It's okay..." He mumbled into my hair and when the flap opened again to release Ziy'ha's form. She stared at us for a long moment before rubbing her eyes and then glared at us.
"Get dressed, now. Milord is expecting you in the royal tents. Don't dally long and behave." With that she threw clothing at us and left. I took a deep breath and detached myself from Conner and I watched as the other elves in the tent turned their eyes away and tended their own wounds. I picked up the clothing and didn't look at it but quickly pulled it on with no thought behind it.
"I can't believe he's making you wear that..." Conner said and motioned to my clothing. I glanced down to the loose see through fabric that showed more skin then I would have liked but I had no choice. I didn't say anything to him and quickly put my long hair into a braid as we walked towards the royal tents and wind pushed against our bodies with spring scenting the air.
My head was respectfully down when we entered and followed what Ziy'ha motioned for me to do, which happened to be sitting behind Malachi on my knees on his right side while she sat down on his left. Malachi was leaning back on his pillow that had designs of dragons and fire along with snakes embroidered upon the bright red fabric which contrasted with his blue clothing that hung from his form like a foreign king.
"...Yes, yes I know milord, all I am saying is that we should send a small group this way," he moved a few pieces on a map to the right side of what seemed to be where we were at the moment. "and scout while our main forces destroy the front, the small group can take any that decides to run."
A older man that shared Malachi's red eyes but had dark blonde hair instead of his lighter shade. He rubbed his beard in a thoughtful motion as his demon eyes took in the map with intelligent eyes that spoke of mercilessness of his person.
"Father, why not have two small forces cut them off from the back instead of only one? The forces can cut off the army from both front and back while causing panic in their mists; there for we will loose less numbers and gain more territory faster." A hawk eyed man that had dark hair and red eyes spoke up while moving other pieces with a sweep of his large hand. The older man slowly nodded and a smile that could make even the most fearless of men shiver with fear crossed his face.
"Yes that will do, Rivo... We will send the orders before the sun decides to show her face. Now bring in the food." The man ended with three loud claps and two elves came and moved the map while three others placed down steaming bowls and plates before the three men.
"Those are your dogs, brother? I thought you had better... tastes." The man, Rivo, said sipping a mug of ale while studying how Ziy'ha easily stayed in her position like a faithful wife, Conner moving his body about a few feet away with Hades, Huren, Naska, Siallin and the two dwarves. I felt myself stiffen as his gaze fell on me but was relieved when his gaze went back up to Malachi's.
"My tastes are what is going to win this war, best realize that dear brother." He said mockingly while blowing on his hot food with a smirk upon his lips.
~o~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
P.o.v: Suiadan
I pitched my nose with my forefinger and thumb as the swamp witch spoke another negative thing into the air to whatever Oghren had spoken and I wasn't quite sure if I was glad we found what we were sent to find or not; if she kept speaking probably not.
"I apologize for my mother, she has always been like this." A tall pale skinned boy that was just cresting adulthood said with worried golden eyes and he ran his hands through his strawberry blonde hair. A huff passed my lips and I kept looking forward, the soon we got to the prince and king the faster I'd find her.
"...Would you mind me asking about those?" The boy asked pointed to my red bound wrists.
"I mind." I curtly said and kept walking as the boy frowned.
"Come on, you can tell me anything. Plus were to be stuck together for awhile- what's the harm?" He asked studying me while I held a huff between my lips.
"Because I said no."
"You didn't say no, you said mind." The boy said with a smile and a impish look to him.
"Those are most likely some girl's favor bestowed upon him in a random town." Zevran said off offhandedly as his gaze watched Leliana's hips move. I glared at him and before I knew it words were being thrown out of my mouth.
"She wasn't just some girl, she was the girl you decided that wasn't good enough to watch over; you damned bastard!" He spared me a roll of his eyes.
"I watched a lot of girls, but its good to know why you're so... handsomely cross." He said as his eyes looked at me I wasn't comfortable with. Surprisingly the boy scowled at him and stepped into his line of sight and turned to me with an expression I didn't understand.
"Just ignore him... it's alright if you don't want to tell me, I can wait." And with that he smiled at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders I didn't like it just like I didn't like Zev's gaze. Something seemed off about the swamp witch's boy...