WARNING: (POSSIBLE Trigger) This chapter deals with fighting back during an attempted rape. NOT Graphic
Thank you Judy and my spanish speaking guest. I am glad you like it.
Here is the map I use when writing. It is done by a talented artist on DeviantArt rubecso/art/Ferelden-Map-Simple-722043493
9:30 Dragon,/ 20 Wintermarch – Kings Rest, Fereleden
Cailan, Teyrn and I had fallen into rhythm in the last ten days since Flemeth left us on the Kings Highway outside the village of King's Rest a four-day walk northwest of Ostagar.
That was the first place we got in trouble and learned how deep Cailan's father in law's treachery went. We had gone to the tavern to get a meal and a room. When they asked us if we were refugees, I responded, no Grey Wardens.
Every village member turned and started attacking us for murdering the king. Cailan was impressed by their patriotism but a little less than enthused by their exuberance in bringing us to justice. The altercation was short. Cailan had no weapons; they muzzled Teyrn and left me with no choice but to use magic or be captured.
Unfortunately, when I froze the group in the tavern, I paralyzed my companions also. That was no longer going to be my go-to spell. Feeling foolish, I went around and removed the weapons from the hands of our attackers.
Thinking that I had tipped the balance in our favor I missed the Templar coming down the stairs until the blow landed across my head. Knocked to the ground I sat up her sword was at my throat.
The Templar along with two of the Bann's soldiers escorted us to the dudgeon. Where they confined the three of us in separate cells with an empty one between us. After that they proceeded to ignore us for hours.
The jeers and ribald remarks told us that didn't believe for a moment that we were Grey Wardens. The Templar thought I was either mage who'd escaped the circle or apostate on the run. Either way the Bann would deal with the dog and Cailan in the morning and I was off to the tower.
Along about the darkest part of the night when we were trying to get some sleep despite the rodent and flea infestation two of the jailors decided to have some fun with us. They mocked my robes and told me I would be better off naked with all the skin that showed. They were going to teach a mage the Ferelden way to dress. Their intention was to rape me.
The altercation woke both Cailan and Teyrn.
As the two men pushed me back and forth between them toying with me. Cailan shouted at them to stop and tried to force his way out of the stone cell. Teyrn tried to dig his way through stone. Me. I was attempting to use the sword I pulled from one of my attacker's scabbard.
The bigger of the two men quickly knocked the blade from my inexperienced hands and backhanded me. This really upset Teyrn who started gnawing on the bars. Cailan's shouts became louder.
Which big and burly sent his partner out to shut them up. That didn't interest the taller leaner man, and he jerked me to my feet by hair. I guess he thought he could take me with him.
His partner mollified his anger by punching me in the stomach and telling him not to worry he would get his turn; they had all night. They were of the opinion that with the Templar in the other room, there was no magical way to fight back. That was only partially true.
Doubled over clutching my stomach I tried to calm my nerves. I had faced Ogres and Templars; these were only men. I controlled my breathing enough that I could stand.
And the torment started again. But I could finally grasp tendrils of the fade so the Templar must have finally fell asleep.
Big and burly grabbed me by the throat, pulled me against his body, and ground his mouth against mine forcing his tongue into my mouth. Biting as hard as I could I put both palms on his face and thought freeze. My magic responded to my fear and anger in within seconds he was frozen sold.
The other man froze for a moment but not by magic but fear. Sometimes the reputation the blood mages gave us came in handy. I wasted no time in trying to get away from either of the men.
I was almost at the cell door when he grabbed me from behind causing me to fall backward into my first attacker. We hit the floor with me falling on the frozen man and him shattering into hundreds of pieces.
The lean man was angry, scared and struck me with a mailed hand opening a cut that went from my cheek to my lip. Then drug me into a standing position by my hair before flinging me onto the bed. As he advanced, I put my hands out in front of me and flames erupted from them engulfing the man.
As he was dying, he reached out for me screaming in pain. I scrambled out of his reach slipping on what was left of his frozen friend. I shrieked as I almost lost my balance. I wasn't thinking straight I'd killed Darkspwan but never humans.
I grabbed the key ring with trembling hands and tried to let myself out of the cell. But my hands were shaking so much that I could not put the key into the lock.
"Rhiannon." Cailan called out trying to calm me.
I was still trying to stab the hole with the key, and I wasn't paying attention to him. I was trying to block out the dying man's screams.
"RHIANNON!"
I looked up bewildered.
"Look at me," he said softly. "Breathe."