Chapter Eight

Exiting the Roads


I was sobbing as I allowed my wings to wrap around me. I had made it to the room with the Ancient Rock Wraith… and told it to fuck off, I only wanted to cry. I had made it this far without killing anything: I had shielded myself from view while I ran.

The Wraith had been taken aback, but when it realized I wasn't going to do anything but sit wrapped in my feathers while I sobbed, it went back to sitting dormant.

It was several hours before the group caught up; I was sitting numbly by then. I saw them enter the cavern as I heard Hawkes voice, "You better hope we find her Varric. Fenris looks like he wants to rip your heart out."

"I said I was sorry, chuckles… what more can I do?"

"I don't know, man… if you haven't noticed, I think he's falling in love with her, and you go and shoot an arrow at her?"

"I missed! On purpose… Broody didn't really have hit me, did he?"

"Varric, I'd have done worse if he hadn't…" Anders remarked.

I lifted my head slowly enough that they didn't notice the movement.

"Enough: you have proven your mettle. I would not see these creatures harmed without need." The Wraith re-formed once more.

"I'd say being attacked on sight gives us plenty of need!" Hawke shot back, looking up to the 12 foot tall pile of jagged rocks.

"They will not assault you further, not without my permission." The voice of the Wraith was deep and soothing… obviously a hunger demon.

"What are these things? They seem like rock wraiths, but…" Varric trailed off as Fenris glared at him. I noticed that the twins also stood a little away from him.

"They hunger… the profane have lingered in this place for ages beyond memory, feeding on the magic stones until the need is all they know."

"The Lyrium; that's what sustains them?" Hawke asked in disbelief.

"I am not as they are; I am… a visitor."

Hawke snorted. "That's one way to say 'Demon'. I can sense it, you know."

"So could she. I would not see my feast end; and she did not seem interested in anything to do with me… a companion of yours, I believe. Unlike any mortal I have ever heard of. She longed only for quiet to despair in. I sense your desire: you seek to leave this place, but you will need my aid to do so."

"Where is she?!" Fenris glowed and the demon turned the front of its body to him. "You carry the Magic Stone within you. She is just there," one 'arm' gestured to me, and they all turned. Fenris rushed over to me and the asked, "Do we kill it?"

I knew my face was lifeless as I shrugged. "Do what you will." Even I wanted to flinch at the lack of emotion in my voice.

Hawke looked over to the Wraith, "We don't deal with demons."

"Most unwise."

Several profane and shades bled into the area. Fenris took a defensive stance in front of me, his body glowing a fierce blue as he hacked anything that got too close. There weren't too many, so I didn't even bother unwrapping myself until the fight was over.

"Feathers… I'm so…"

I flinched as he reached out to me. Fenris growled and stepped between us. "Close enough, Dwarf."

"Feathers, I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

My voice cracked as I spoke. "An angry mind is no different to a drunk one, Varric Tethras… it speaks sober thoughts. You meant it well enough; and it is good to know where I truly stand…" I had Fenris help me stand as I folded my wings away.

I kept to the back of the group, using a shield during the fight with the rock wraith but otherwise not engaging. I handed each person a void bag… well I handed Hawke two so he could give one to Varric. I was trying to stay out of the Dwarfs way.

There was at least a thousand gold worth of goodies when all was said and done.


5 days later, we were back where we started, and the twins fell over.

"Carver, Bethany!"

Anders stepped up at once. "Well, it's the blight. I can sense it."

Everyone looked at me but I pointed at Anders.

"You know I stole the maps from a Warden that came to Kirkwall; I wanted to know if he was looking for me… the maps were because they were planning their own expedition."

"I have the letter of conscription for the both of them," I said softly, handing it to Anders.

"You know not everyone survives the joining, right?" Anders asked. I nodded, "They will."

I summoned two stretchers for the Twins, and we were off.

"Anders." Stroud said as we killed the last of the Darkspawn in the tunnel. He was 5'9 – I hated Thedas humans at this point as they were all taller than me – with black hair and that odd mustache from the game. His eyes were a pretty shade of blue-green and his skin was a nice even tan.

"Stroud; fancy meeting you here."

"I could say the same; aren't you supposed to be dead?" wait… I glanced at Anders who gave me a sheepish grin.

"That's the rumor; I didn't come here to swap stories with you." Stroud looked over to the two people being supported by Hawke and Fenris, "You mean… them as recruits? Of course you…"

"They've been conscripted, Stroud. I have Warden-Commander Couslands letter right here."

He took the letter and ripped the seal. "Who is Arvaala Cousland?"

"Me," I raised my hand.

Stroud sighed. "You'll have them back as soon as I can get them trained… assuming they survive their Joining. It could be a few years."

"You have 2, no more, no less." He nodded and the four other wardens with him moved to take Carver and Bethany.

I called out, "I expect status reports!"

"Yes, My Lady!"

Hawke pulled me into a hug and we continued on our way. It took a week and half to get back to Kirkwall, since we were now pacing ourselves.

We arrived at the Gate, Cullen and Aveline were there. Cullen rushed forward to embrace me. "You want to scold me about being reckless! When the team arrived back without you… Maker take me, Ara… I feared the worst."

I sobbed as I threw my arms around him. I think he was stunned.

"I would… I would like permission to court you… if that is… okay?"

This wasn't supposed to happen. Cullen was meant to be un-Romanceable until he was off the Lyrium! I nodded anyway. I had a feeling things were going to be slow for a while anyway.

"Thank the maker… when the team came back and said that your group was lost… presumed dead… I feared I would never get the chance…" I yanked him down and kissed him; things were looking up for now.