THE ADVENTURES OF ANDRASTE THE DRAGON
Chapter 38: Pirate of the Rivaini
Roslyn as it turns out rose about a week later given that she was still weak from giving birth and from taking the so called joining. I've already analyze the contents of the cup and other then Darkspawn blood I found traces of a blood that I am all familiar with.
The blood of an Archdemon.
I told this to Alistair who was the only one of my companions in the compound. Anders was dealing with the patients in the Gallows while I dealt with them in the Qunnari Compound.
Speaking of Qunnari
It turns out that Sten had indeed returned with his Arishok. Though the people did not want more Qunnari around this Arishok understood what had happened in the past with the previous Arishok.
And this time he has a ship so he can leave as soon as he is well supplied.
"We are nearly done restocking our supplies; once we are done we shall return to Par Vollen to await your arrival," he said to Roslyn.
"Thank you Arishok," she replied while holding Angelina.
"You have done us well Sarah Hawke and by honoring our previous Arishok with a duel to the death; which you clearly honored him in I am still surprised that you are not of the Qun." He said
"No, I like where I am thank you very much," Roslyn replied
Unlike the previous Arishok from what I heard this one actually has a sense of humor.
"My predecessor has been foolish to try and take over this city. If I were him I would have gone somewhere else if the Zealots wanted us out. In fact I would have probably gone to the Wounded Coast. Instead he wanted to play the conqueror like many of my kind. I prefer to leave them alone to their own it is better that way. The Qun demands that all who wish to join can join. Though those who died under his command are rather sad figures…the Viscount's son for example now that he wanted to chose to follow the Qun he would. I have no argument with that if he wishes but that is not his purpose. Just like you Hawke; finding your purpose with being a mother is rather hard, but I think you can handle," he said
"You talk a lot more then the previous Arishok?" replied Roslyn.
"The last one was all serious and straight forward," Varric who was on my tail replied.
"A little too much into the policies that drives our people then," The Arishok replied
"And yet you don't?" I asked him
"Naw! When you grow older you tend to dismiss some of those like I have," he said.
"So what now?" I asked
"Now we head towards Par Vollen, I have seen enough of this blight to know that my own people are threatened and so the Qun demands that I protect that which I consider my home. So are our supplies ready?" he asked a dock worker.
"Yeah! You stuff is all supplied and ready to go," said the dock worker.
"Then I shall meet you all in Par Vollen then," he then turned to Sten.
"Are you sure you want to stay with them my friend?" he asked him.
"Yes, Arishok," replied Sten looking at the ground in humble respect.
"Then I shall leave you then you will protect these Grey Wardens with your life," he said
"That I shall as the Qun demands it Arishok," he replied
"Panahaden then Sten and remember the Qun demands that you protect them with your life," with that the Arishok walked out being followed by his men.
I noticed that unlike the description that Roslyn and the others gave. This Arishok is more clothed then what they described. Looking down I noticed that Varric also notices the differences as well.
Speaking of the dwarf.
"Well if I'd known that Qunnari had comedians in their ranks I would have knocked them out and pissed in their drinks." He said and I laughed
"Yeah, who would have thought," I said
"My Arishok is older then most and highly respected where I am from. The reason for his actions shows his age and he sees things in a more humored light," Sten said shaking his head as if embarrassed.
"Well I don't mind that much Sten I am used to assholes as my bosses as well," I replied to him
"This is from back at your world eh Andraste?" Varric asked.
"Yep," I replied.
"Well you still have to tell me more about your world it seems interesting to live in a world without magic," he said
"Well magic I believe has gone extinct long ago in my world so my people had to live without it," I replied
"I see," Varric said to himself.
Roslyn shook herself with laughter as she spun Angelina around and I could not help but envy her.
"You know Roslyn has been looking a lot happier with little Angelina around," Varric said
"Really?" I asked
"Well she was very different when I first met her. Someone who has lost everything…it seems sad in a way to see her like that and now that she has given birth to Angelina; well I am glad to see her finally happy for once," he said
"You care a lot about Roslyn don't you?" I asked
"She is like a sister to me; family and because of that I would do anything to make sure she is safe," Varric replied
"I understand," I said to him
"When are we leaving anyways?" he asked
"As soon as Morrigan finishes her latest lessons in dragon mage training with Flemeth," I said to him.
"Oh that can take hours," the dwarf replied
"Hours or days," came a rather deep voice.
"Fenris! Isabella!" Roslyn's cry came and I turned my head to see the familiar pirate and her elven consort standing beside her. Both look a lot darker then normal but that is to be expected.
Isabella quickly made her way to Roslyn and gave her a warm embrace even if Angelina was in between.
"My being a Grey Warden sure as hell place a smile on your face," she said
"A Grey Warden or the fact that I get to spend as much time with my daughter as possible before I leave," she said
"Ok maybe both girl," she said
"Well lets discuss this in more comfortable surroundings I would rather get a bath and then we can discuss this over lunch…coming dwarf?" Fenris asked Varric.
"Nah! I have a date with a bard named Leliana at the Hanged Man soon," he said
"Really? You on a date or is this a business date?" I asked him
"We are just exchanging stories she wants a report on what really happened here a few months ago with the Chantry," Varric explained.
"Oh alright then," I said as he leaped off my tail and headed towards the compound entrance.
He turned towards me his face in a huge smile, "It's the chest hair then," he shrugged
"No it isn't; it's the smooth talking that turns the ladies on…except me," I said
"I know, different species Andraste," he said laughing as he gave my foot a good pat.
He walked out of the compound towards the direction of Lowtown and the Hanged Man bar. I decided it was time to visit Flemeth and Morrigan as I spread my wings and took off.
Flying over the city of Kirkwall was indeed a sight to see; kind of like Thedas's version of London or New York City. I flew around the city getting a good eye for it and trying to memorize it in my mind as I soared higher. I could make out the estates in Hightown where the nobles in their palaces look down upon the citizen of Lowtown and the Docks. Just as I was getting a hang of the heights my stomach decided it was time to pay attention to it and so I realize that fish was on the menu. Pumping my wings south I flew over the docks towards the two huge statues of crying slaves; the twins. It was supposed to give one the willies in the days of the Imperium.
I soared past them their crying was overlapped by the tall light house that stood on the other side of the cliffs. I flew down the narrow passage towards the Waking Sea and to food. The birds who nested along the cliffs decided to give me high berth as I flew past them. Once I was free of the cliffs which fortify the city against ocean going invaders as well as high cliffs behind it to protect it from the mountains to the north Kirkwall was a natural fortress.
The wind greeted me when I left the cliffs and I let my wings relax alongside me as I glided along the waves. A good sized ship was seen in the distance a fisherman catching food for his wife and children perhaps as I flew past them. The man nearly fell out of the boat as my shadow flew past him. I must have been a sight to him. Soaring as low as I could over the waves I watched for fish as I looked below.
Spotting some I took a dip below the wave the fresh clean ocean water felt cool on my sun warmed scales. Diving down deep I chased after some good size jacks and caught a rather large marlin instead. The fish I swear are bigger here then on Earth; but I guess it has something to do with how the fisherman fish here. Instead of over fishing with huge factory ships they do what they did in the old days catch enough to sell and to feed the family.
Two sharks and about a dolphin later I returned to the surface. Man dragons can hold their breaths! Or is it just me as I bobbed my head on the surface getting a good feel of the nearly bottomless ocean. I think the Waking Sea is about as deep as the Mediterranean or the Black Sea back home.
Looking down I saw a rather large shadow go past me and at first I thought it was a whale.
But then I remembered this isn't Earth.
Diving down and swimming as fast as I could I saw the creature below me as a gentle giant a leviathan about the size of a Blue whale and like the whale feeds on plankton. If I was a zoologist I would have been studying this whale since I can get close enough to touch it.
And touch it I did when I sheathed my claws and gently stroked it.
Until I saw another shadow which is more sinister then this creature. The monster was something I would rather not deal with as it came up with teeth to spare.
Swimming as fast as I could I breached the surface and pumped my wings as hard and as fast as I could to gain height. The creature leaped up to take a bite out of me and missed I was glad as I tried to gain height.
The creature tried to take a bite out of me again and I gave it a mouthful of flame. Screaming in agony the creature dove back down again his tail coming up to hit me. I dodged just in time and caught an updraft to soar upwards. The wind pushed me higher and away from the creature that tried to eat me.
"Take that you fucker!" I laughed in his face as I turned towards Kirkwall again.
I flew low again and spotted an interesting sight. A group of penguin-like birds flying through the ocean as I soared lower. They were about the size of a large Mabari if I am not mistaken. The sight of the cliffs of Kirkwall was a good omen as I flew towards them.
Entering them again gave me a sense of pride as I entered towards the so called, 'City of Chains,' using the thermals made by the rising water inside the inlet I was lifted even higher. The smoke from the factories and the usual city pollution never seems to annoy me as I headed towards Hightown and the abandoned Chantry.
Wynne and Flemeth used that as a way to train young Connor and a new mage by the name of Feynriel. The half elf was recently ranked a Magister in the Tevinter Imperium but has recently returned when the Darkspawn showed up. He was having trouble with dreams from what I understand. Roslyn told me of the encounter and he has learned much in Tevinter about how to control the nightmares, but not how to protect himself from it.
That part Flemeth was good at as she took to his teaching.
It seems as if the old witch was finding ways to forget the regrets of her past.
I think Feynriel would be good for her.
I gave a loud honking noise to announce my presence. Morrigan in dragon form greeted me in return as I dipped one wing down to land next to the younger dragon. When I landed I watched as Feynriel was deep in a trance.
Flemeth stood over him instructing him to clear his mind while in the Fade. I remember that trick as both she and Morrigan practice it every day.
"So how does being a dragon suit you?" I whispered to her.
"Interesting, it is if I can see everything even from this height; oh and the smells! Sometimes it is overpowering but I can smell things no normal person can. I mean did you know that Alistair indeed smells like a dog?" she says
"I like the smell of dog! Did you know that it was Sten who stolen Leliana's cookies that day in camp before we finally left Kal-Sharok?" I replied back
"It was Sten? I thought Oghren was the one who stolen the cookies. Leliana was so pissed when she found out," Morrigan replied
"Nope it was Sten," I replied
"Wow if the Tevinters knew that one; they would have one the war against the Qunnari with cookies instead of magic," Morrigan replied.
"Yep," I replied back
"So," she said
"So," I replied
"Are we almost ready?" she said
"I am ready fully fed and ready to fly how about you?" I asked
"Yep all packed up and ready to sail," she said
"We are going by sea then?" I asked
"Yeah, reports are flying in that Rivain, Antiva and Nevarra have already fallen to the Darkspawn and the Tevinter Imperium. It is as if they have sided with the Darkspawn to gain back their lost empire," Morrigan said
"What about the rest of the Free Marches?" I asked
"The Free Marches barely standing as it is. Kirkwall is one of the few cities still standing. Starkhaven is another one being guarded by both refugee and natives. I've been hearing that Cumberland has been sacked but barely holding. They have taken the Deep Roads towards Starkhaven. The Weyrs is the only place in Antiva that is still free. Anderfels have a strong concentration of Grey Wardens there and so far are holding back the line of Darkspawn. For how long I have no idea," Morrigan replied.
"Shit!" I said
"Why can't we just fly to Par Vollen?" I asked
"Because unlike the rest of Thedas Qunnari have better technology in dealing with any intruders. From what I understand their ballista's have a higher firing range and shoot thunder," she said
Now the only thing I know of that best describes that would be a cannon. So if the Qunnari have cannons then they are indeed on the winning side. From what Sten and I discussed they also possessed gunpowder making them the equivalent to the Chinese of ancient times. If they also have rocket launchers then I am in real trouble.
Unless Sten's Arishok pulls through for us by the time we get there. I rose from my sitting position just as Flemeth turned towards us and Feynriel opened his eyes.
"Wow that was awesome!" he said
"The Tevinters never taught you that trick eh?" Flemeth said
"No they didn't," was the boy's response.
"Well lessons over get some rest," the older dragon replied.
As soon as the young man left Flemeth resumed her dragon form and leaped towards us. Upon landing she was huffing but she managed.
"Feeling alright there Flemeth?" I asked her
"I will be alright just need time to rest since I've used so much mana," she replied.
I found that when Flemeth used too much mana or the energy that magic derives from she must revert back to her true form in order to gain it all back. Since shape shifting takes up a lot of mana Flemeth remains in her true skin to rest from being a human. It takes quite a bit of concentration which is second nature to her to shift. But once she is in a form she can rest as she sees fit.
But to truly replenish her magic she has to resume her true form.
"Well you need to get some rest mother I will take watch from here," Morrigan replied and all Flemeth gave was a huff before she wondered to a nearby rock to bask in the sun.
One thing I liked about Thedas is that you don't have to worry too much about skin cancer here. Well that is what I want to believe since there is more wilderness then cities. This place is under constant threat from being whipped out like in the old days and there is less pollution.
At least that is what I think.
Anyways Morrigan and I began to discuss our voyage to the Qunnari homeland of Par Vollen and for both Morrigan and myself it is our first time.
"So what do you think this land would be like?" I asked
"Hot, full of Qunnari, bet Sten would be loving it," she replied.
"Yeah I bet he would be all too happy to go home and be amongst his kind again," I shot back with a smile on my face.
We both started laughing all excited to be going to another land.
A FEW HOURS LATER
As it so happens the chat I had with Morrigan took longer then expected, but the sun felt so good on my wings so I stayed. We both chatted about many things like our home forests. Morrigan would share some of her experiences within the Korcari Wilds, while I tell her about the Brecilian Forest.
Speaking of forest…
"Sorry to burst your bubble but I have to check up on Longfang and the others. I have not visited them in some time and I have to make sure he has not accidentally killed anyone," I said
"Alright then see you at the docks," Morrigan replied
I spread my wings and took off towards the Gallows where Anders is currently having his clinic. I too use it to treat patients as well as the old Qunnari Compound.
Circling around I gave a mighty roar to announce my presence. Everyone who was in the gallows ran for cover and to clear the way. Landing gently on the ground the people were surprised to see that I could land peacefully. Without a sound and a bare whisper I landed. The people where amazed that I could land in such a way that they could barely notice.
"Andraste! Lady Andraste you've returned!" Longfang ran up to me on all fours like any of his kind.
When he stopped he was all smiles.
"Well Longfang how has it been?" I asked
"Healer Anders has taught me much when treating wounds. I also use the techniques you have shown me back home. The others have since left with the Qunnari to Par Vollen. I however wanted to stay and help here in Kirkwall. Besides Healer Anders's pup Angelina needs another babysitter." He sounded bashful on the last part.
"Longfang! Don't tell me you found yourself a new friend," I inquired
"It is not that my lady; since I am still rather young for someone of my kind I was often left in charge of the cubs." He said with a shrug
"Oh well carry on then I must prepare for my voyage," I said and with a nod he wondered off to where a few of the younger wolves are.
I was surprised that the werewolves would leave with the Qunnari, but I guess that they wanted to find safer forests to run in. I could not blame them; the blight has taken its toll on everyone, even myself. Gone was the ignorant doctor I had been; thinking I was nothing but healing.
Now however I found that being a dragon not only symbolizes strength; but also power, loyalty, and a means to fight. Looking around as I saw Anders help a soldier that was wounded in battle with the Darkspawn outside of Kirkwall's border I saw how desperate our need to get to Par Vollen will be. If these people need to stand up for one more day that I would gladly do it.
I flew my way towards the docks where the last of our supplies are being loaded onto the ironically called "Rivaini Pirate" owned by Isabella. It was a magnificent ship if I saw it any better. The only thing though was that someone had painted a dragon on the side with markings similar to Fenris's tattoos. Landing near it I felt overly large since I am clearly too big to fit on the hold. So I guess I have to either fly or swim. I also like the head of the ship with also the dragon on the head.
"Quite the work of art eh?" said a voice.
I looked down to find the captain herself in her bodily perfection or so she says according to many of the men around the ship.
"Why design your boat to look like a dragon?" I asked
"It was not my idea; I just bought her from an Orlesian Captain who could not afford to keep her no more. I thought that if I gotten that from him and changed the name to Rivaini Pirate to suit me just fine," Isabella replied.
"Wow quite a feat you have," I said looking the ship from head to toe. It does look sort of like a sea dragon.
Kind of reminds me of a Narnia movie I saw once.
"Well one thing about Orlesians is that they always travel in style," Isabella replied
"Does she sail?" I asked
"Oh yes she does! In fact she came back from Sheldon near Par Vollen. Now if that is not dangerous waters then what is?" she asked with a smile.
The ship was large enough to hold all of us…well all except me and hold enough supplies for a long trip.
If I remember my history lesson correctly that ship looks to be about the same type as a sixteenth to seventeenth century model. Well at least the Spanish armada type certainly. I watched as Sten was busy prepping the ship for sailing as he unlatched the cargo from the primitive cranes into the cargo hold. Already I saw some of the others already on board. Wynne was one of them being that she is no longer able to travel she would be staying. Though she was able to make sure the ship was full of healing supplies from fresh herbs to potions and animals. Morrigan in human form was busy keeping inventory. From what I understand we are almost done.
In fact I saw another familiar face on the deck.
Not only did Bodahn and Sandal survive the trip to Kirkwall. They came with the werewolves onboard the same ship. I did not notice as the time seeing as Sandal had taken a liking to the Gallows for some reason.
But imagine my surprise when just yesterday those two show up here to help set up ship. Bodahn was insistent on finding us. He and his son wanted to make sure that we are well taken cared of. And he also wanted trade partners elsewhere.
"Well one more hour and we would be ready to sail, it took me long enough to get this ship to not look so ugly with its mustard beige," Isabella said to me.
"So I guess it is ready to sail; is Fenris is coming along as well?" I asked
"Oh yes, he is my first mate after all," she said.
Shrugging I waited till all was onboard after about two hours of gathering the crew.
Isabella was truly at home on her ship as it started to leave. The docking arms have been removed and so have the boarding handles. Fully rested I spread my wings to fly. Morrigan was in her human form having always wanted to ride in a ship.
The Rivaini Pirate was unable to move until I moved into position. I asked since it would be fun. Isabella handed me a rope and I began to pull at the ship. The docks at Kirkwall lack any wind because of location so as I pulled the ship made a hard right with Isabella at the helm.
As I pulled I flapped my wings to give more power as I pulled the ship outwards towards the waves beyond. It was only when it was clear of the docks did the current pick up and helped me along in pulling her out the sea. The outgoing tide was a good way of getting us out of the docks in Kirkwall. Once again I passed the sad twins statues that mark Kirkwall's entrance. Pulling the waves began to pick up as we neared the open sea.
Already I could feel the wind just beyond the gates and when at last we exited the narrow passageway Isabella gave me the signal and I released the rope.
When I did she unleashed her sails and the ship was free of the Free Marches. Turning towards the east we headed out to sea and the Amaranthine Ocean. Soaring over the ship I spotted Zevran at the helm while Isabella and Alistair adjusted the sails.
At the top of the mast was Varric with Sten.
As the Rivaini Pirate headed further out the sea the wind felt good on my scales as I dove into the ocean and swam after the ship.
The ocean was the perfect place to play in for now and rest my wings.
Our next stop should be Par- Vollen
I hope
TBC