Drako continued flying even with the extra weight on him, however it was apparent that it was getting harder for him to swiftly maneuver himself.

More and more spells were being directed and each one getting closer and closer in hitting them. Jowan tried to attack but none of his spells hit the darkspawn.

Suddenly, intertwined energy spells of ice and lightning burst up into the sky and made a direct hit through Drako's right wing. He screamed in pain and lost total control as a hole formed where the spell had made contact.

"Drako!" Jowan shouted and braced both him and Maia for an incredibly painful landing.

Arrows were now flying towards them and a few managed to peirce through his scales, several embedding themselves in his tail. Unable to tolerate anymore, Drako shielded Jowan and Maia with his wings as they came spiralling to the earth. They crashed through the foliage, shearing branches off trees before finally rolling onto the ground.

Drako was in immense pain, his wing torn and arrows piercing his tail. Jowan stumbled from under his wing holding onto Maia's shoulder.

"Drako...We need to fight them off. Me and you, we can protect Maia. I am sure the rest are on their way," Jowan tried to encourage the wounded drake.

Drako keened in pain but forced himself up to face the incoming darkspawn. He loosed a breath of fire and set up a wall of flame between them and the oncoming horde. Jowan sent up a blast of ice, hoping that someone would see the spell and locate their position.

Genlocks ran through the firewall, catching themselves on fire but barreling on as if it were nothing. Jowan saw a hurlock, heard it as it growled "Take the girl alive. Kill the others."

He could not believe his ears and was almost struck with an arrow but Drako shielded him, taking the hit on his wing. Jowan knew he had to use his most powerful spell if they were to survive. He summoned all his energy and concentration, feeling the power building within him, and when the time was right, he unleashed it with a shout. All darkspawn within 500 meters of him were now under the power of his blood spell. He was controlling their every move. He made 3 fiery genlocks charge a hurlock, stabbing their swords and daggers into it's body, limbs and head. It looked like a scene of hungry zombies attacking their victim. Once they were done, they moved on the closest genlock.

Drako was struggling to keep up with the fight. His stamina was fast depleting and he was losing a lot of blood. A lightning spell whizzed over his head and struck the tree behind him. A loud bang and crackle rang through the air as the tree snapped under the power of the blast, crashing down on Drako's back, pinning him to the ground. The ground shook from his roar of pain.

Jowan spunned around and saw that Maia was crouching beside Drako still unable to protect herself. He ran towards her casting spells all around. He tackled her and they both rolled on the ground.

"Maia! Snap of out it! We are going to die if you don't get a hold of yourself!" Jowan shook her shoulders and she stared at him. "Come on Maia! Drako is going to die! Do you understand?!" She blinked as though she is finally returning to her senses.

"Drako?" Her voice was soft and hoarse, she was clearly still a bit dazed.

He sighed in relief and drew Maia unsteadily to her feet. The remaining darkspawn were closing in with murder in their eyes. Jowan knew he could not take them all, with his magics all but spent, and their chances of survival were slim. He cursed his weak body and inadequate skills. He did the only thing he knew best; he ran and dragged Maia along.

They kept on running until they reached a cliff. "Seriously! A cliff? Now?!" Jowan screamed in exasperation.

He turned around, shielding Maia behind him, turning just in time to be struck by an arrow in his arm. "Stay behind me," he whispered to her.

"Hand her over to me, you poor excuse of a mage." A hurlock growled.

"Over my dead body, darkspawn." Jowan answered, preparing to sell his life as dearly as possible, determined the filthy creature would lay no hands on Maia.

"That could easily be arranged. You are already bleeding and you have no more energy to cast any spell. The question is, should I take my time? Make it a slow and excruciating death for you?" The hurlock taunted him. The creature inhaled deeply, and smiled a fang filled grin. "Ah... All that power. Can you not feel it? It is just intoxicating. I feel stronger and powerful. If being this close to her allows me to talk to you, imagine what the Archdemon can do. Her powers are wasted with the likes of you. Together with my Master, Fereldan will not stand a chance. The world will not stand a chance! Muahahaha!" The hurlock laughed maniacally as it inched closer to them. "Now, die!" He shouted as he prepared to unleash the combination of freezing and lightning spell.

But just as the bolt of energy was released from its fingertips, an arrow whizzed in and embedded itself in the upper arm which changed the trajectory and blasted the ground at Jowan's feet instead. The ground beneath them shook and crumbled to pieces. Jowan and Maia fell through the crumbled ground into the river below.

In a desperate attempt, Alistair hurled his sword into the hurlock's head, slicing right through the skull and brain, the point exiting between the darkspawn's eyes, where it stuck, a foot or more of blade jutting out of it's face. He shoved the falling body aside, leaving his sword imbedded in its skull, too concerned for his friends to take the time to retrieve his blade, stumbling down to his knees as he reached the newly blasted edge of the cliff.

"Maia! No...!" He cried, his hands reaching out and down, as if to catch her even then, though she was far beyond his reach. He leaned over the edge, eyes darting everywhere as he hoped to see her alive.