Hello everyone, I just want to say a quick note. I don't know if anyone has got the hint but my character Arinda is going to end up pretty OP. So if that isn't your cup of tea than I don't recommend continuing. She isn't always going to win nor is everyone going to like her. But she is going to have potent magic and be stronger than normal people. Anyways thank you to everyone else reading!
9:23 Dragon
Nia is busy laughing while Arinda is ready to strangle the Tevinter. Currently the two are following a floating wisp as they track down the idiot who went out to gather some of the rabbits in the traps. He should have learned the last time him and Jeremy were sent out to get water from Marcus. Both boys have absolutely no sense of direction; even with a map in hand. The young elf even drew a very detailed map with small check points, so the boy knew where to go. She is going to throttle them when she finds them.
Thankfully the wisp is a very obvious leading light, Nia has become less wary of magic. Or less wary of the magic of people she trusts. It was funny seeing Varric literally break down in tears the first time she called him dad. Probably adding onto the fact that Bartrand has been working him a lot. Here the two levelheaded kids are out searching in the mountains again for the dumbass. The annoyance and irritation is at the forefront of her mind, but also a small sliver of fondness. It has been known that Roy cannot find left from right. His magic is subpar, he knows enough to not hurt himself or others but no matter how much the ten-year-old tries he can't manifest it well. The eldest boy has decided to instead practice swords. That means he comes out to train a lot; gets lost a lot too. Roy always has to have someone come and go with him or he ends up in some random spot in the forest.
Massaging her head she glares at Nia who is still giggling at the mess "Oh shut it. You do remember there are still wolves here. Roy might accidently set the forest on fire if one jumps out at him." Rolling her eyes at the elder she looks around. Eyes flicking to the ground to track anything that could lead her to the boy. It takes a couple of minutes before she finds a lead; there are a few branches broken. They look like they were stepped on, they lead further into the woods away from the path. Arinda's face is set into a very annoyed look, mouth pressed into a thin line as she stares. There is a clear path where people have walked so much that there is more dirt then grass. How the moron missed that and went deeper into the actual forest- She is going to kill him. Bring him back to life then kill him again.
There is an odd feeling, the hair on her neck sticking up. Nothing like before, no goosebumps or ominous warnings. Pale eyes flicker around, glancing at Nia who is also tilting her head. For now, the girls both ignore it. While they aren't seasoned warriors, they can both generally feel ill-intent. Another hike and they find the male sitting on the ground leaning against a tree. Once he catches sight of the two Roy stands up and smiles "Hi, I knew you both would find me." Nia walks over and flicks the others forward "Or maybe you could not get lost. You know we wasted time finding you when we could have been training? We left Jeremy with Bartrand since he has been helping him with keeping all the books organized." Her accent isn't as strong as it once was, but it is still clear she isn't from the Free Marches.
Said male laughs while scratching the back of his head, he makes sure to not look at the elf who is glaring at him with a deadpan. Sweat gathers on his brow as he attempts to look everywhere but at her. It really feels like his mother once more. Finally Arinda shakes her head and turns "Let's head out and get a few rabbits. We already lost an hour looking for you." While the words might seem cold the Tevinter knows she isn't being mean to him. She is a logical girl, her focus would be on things like that. "I managed to find one!" He unties the hare from his waist to hold it up. Staring for a few moments the elf shows a small smile to the boy "Well… there is that I suppose." Her soft voice has the smallest bit of approval in it.
They all turn but both Nia and Arinda end up pausing. The eldest is staring straight with narrowed eyes. The youngest closes her eyes, tilting her head. Her ears are far more sensitive than any other race. It takes a moment to differentiate the sound; leaf's rustling. Not the wind. The noise isn't loud, branches aren't moving. Either they are very good or very small. Most likely the latter. With this thought in mind Arinda opens her eyes, flexing her fingers she feels a chill flow through her. The tips of her fingers tingle and she breathes in while letting thought fill her. Cold. Twisting the elf throws her arm out, hand extending and power wells within her core. It flows out from her body and hand, climbing up part of the tree she hears the sound of wood breaking open. The ice sinks into the bark and as it freezes it grows forcing the wood to creak.
There is a yelping sound and something falls from a tree. Nia is the next to move, daggers out the black haired girl shoots forward low. Kneeling over the stranger she as one hand holding the dagger against their throat while the other is pointed into their side. Roy looks between everything with wide eyes before he struggles and manages to pull out his sword. Huffing in amusement Arinda shakes her head and walks forward. A chill still wafts off her, every breath seeming to fog. Glancing at her hand she see's a small bit of frost on her finger tips. It seems she needs more practice. Clenching her hand the female walks closer and crouches getting a look at the person. Oddly pale pink skin, fairer than a nug but not quite human or elf. "Ah-" It is a young Qunari. Most likely around their age.
Arinda narrows her eyes, she quickly glances around. It doesn't seem like anyone else is around. Biting her lip she looks back at the other "What are you doing here?" She tries. The person glares at her stormy grey eyes showing fear. Raising a brow she gives them a flat look "Being angry at me won't help you." They shift but flinch when Nia holds the dagger closer. "Saarebas! Basra!" They shout. Staring at the other she can see Nia looking at her with wariness. Unlucky for the little boy, by the sound of it, she can understand the basic's of Qunlat. Holding her hand up Arinda has Nia remove her weapons. "I can understand you. Insulting me is no way to get yourself out of this situation." It is harsher, the language difficult to string together. No doubt some things are mixed up.
The other stares at her wide eyes unsure but also curious. Once they stand up the boy brushes himself off. The black horns twist up about two inches before curving back another few inches. The ginger hair is a surprise. "You can speak my language?" Arinda gives him a look "No." They both stare at each other "But you-" She sighs. Gosh she hopes this Qunari understands sarcasm. He does, by the way he is actually pouting at her. How darling. The silence drags on and all of the children look at each other unsure how to continue or go about this. It all rushes together when there are loud noises. Swiftly Nia and Arinda twist, jumping back by Roy; weapons out they stare only to just gaze blankly as two large Qunari rush out. If they attack they are all doomed.
The two adult Qunari look around, a female and male. They catch sight of the kids and confusion shows on their face. The female spots the younger Qunari and rushes over. She talks too quickly for the elf to understand. They remain in a fighting stance unsure how to go about this. The child Qunari points at them and says a few things, she can make out another curse word. Arinda seriously wants to smack that child. The woman gives the child a look only to lightly smack his head. She whispers harsh but softly to him before she turns towards the group of children. Arinda tenses but keeps her magic in check, her hand still feels cold but not as numb and tingly as before.
"We sorry. Saari curious, but means no harm." Her voice is thick but smooth, the words curling in a weird way with an accent. Blinking slowly Arinda watches the woman hold her hands up. The children all look at each other before they stand less tense, or at least pretend, as strong as the three are the other two adults will easily end them. For now, they need to act like they are not on guard and as if they are relaxed. The youngest does not put her weapons away but does let her arms hang languid by her side. Each side eyes the other, unsure how to proceed.
After a moment Roy finally speaks up "We should get back to The Hanged man, Varric and Cyrel are probably worried." Speaking softly the male's head is bowed, trying to keep himself as small as possible. Looking over at Nia the elf nods in agreement. They have been gone for long enough to cause the males panic. Sighing Arinda finally slides the daggers into the holster, more like knives with her size. The three slowly turn away, they feels tense with their backs turned. Finally the smallest pauses and looks back. "They might be wary, but Kirkwall will allow you in if you need to buy wares. There are a few other Tal'Vashoth in the city." With that she bows and turns catching up to the others.
After a few moments all let out a silent breath of relief "We can all agree that was terrifying." Laughing Nia shakes her head "You are scared of spiders, Mocoso." Teasing the male with the name she lets the word roll off her tongue. The boy glares back at the tan female "I don't know what you are saying, but I know you are insulting me you Corvus." He sneers back with no heat. Rolling her eyes at the two bickering Arinda sighs "Stop calling each other animal names." Snapping at the two she shakes her hand trying to get feeling back into it. The warmth is back but the tingles remain, magic no doubt. Even though she let her voice whip at the two the elf isn't angry.
Arinda has seen the Antivan girl 'sneaking' off a few times to talk to the street urchins and beggars. It isn't hard to figure out why. She has been asking questions about Varric's and Bartrand's contacts and how they got around to creating them. While she thinks that it is a good idea that the human is starting, the elf believes she shouldn't push too hard. Desperate and hungry people can be bought out if they aren't loyal. She has come to… care for the elder girl. It would be burdensome and even painful if she would to be killed.
Thankfully Jeremy has picked up healing magic (after some light threats from the young elf) which helps. While they haven't got severely hurt, they have stumbled and been involved with a few scuffles. Generally other children or teenagers even trying to prove their worth. Some adults even. Generally, most adults that aren't slavers leave children alone. Not to say they don't try to hurt them, that is unfortunately most desperate people looking for food or money. Stabbing through someone's throat is harder than one thinks. Arinda isn't small for a seven-year-old but she is an elf and shorter than an adult. The skin of a person's neck while easy to cut through gets harder when you hit muscles and even everything else under it. The blood was also a factor, her grip on her knife was difficult to maintain.
The other kids were a mess after having to kill other people. Arinda just couldn't understand. They have all killed and hunted animals, it isn't different. Once someone chooses to come after you with the intent to kill then they are no longer the important in her eyes. It is different from killing someone that can't defend themselves or when someone doesn't want to fight. They made the choice. After that Jeremy while he does learn healing he doesn't want to fight. It was brought to Bartrand's attention that the boy was a genius with numbers. When he isn't learning in the small school or magic he helps out the dwarf organize the wares and keep everything up-to-date.
Surprisingly Roy is the one who gets over it faster than Nia. He understands perhaps from the Imperium, life isn't fair. Maybe it is fear that his father could easily be killed if slavers come after him. The half elf makes sure to practice hard; though the youngest always reprimands him. He is young and his body needs to grow and change. He can't push himself too much or it will damage him irreparably. There was a small fight between the two and unsurprisingly Arinda wins. She fights dirty and to win. A good kick to the balls, dirt in his eye and she won. Roy certainly wasn't happy about it but he couldn't argue with the result.
Walking with Nia they head out towards the woods again and hear the tell tail signs from the trees. Arinda's pale eyes flick up and her lip quirks "Would be best to enjoy that while you can. I doubt you could travel through the trees when you grow." The young Qunari jumps out, rolling as he lands. His lips pull back but there is no true anger. It took some time but after a month or so; the Qunari have decided to stay for the time being. Another shock is when talking to some of them with her father. Saari's parent's managed to leave the Qun when he was born the father's name Kaariss and the mother, Shokrakar are a Mercenary group called Valo-kas.
The young Qunari was given two name's, to fit in with the culture of cities. Saari Adaar. He is a feisty little shit, but he isn't bad. More like a naughty brother. He also has been going to the small school two days a week. Varric and Shokrakar have signed a contract, for the next year they will give one or two of their people to help guard any merchandize whenever they head out to sell. Also he will tell them whenever other jobs for guards or anything they could do comes up. The Valo-kas while thankful, are wary. At least Saari is allowed to play with the other kids. "Move. We hunt." His accent is heavy, more guttural but they can understand.
Arinda and Nia have shown him the best places to hunt, but made him promise to always shift each hunting ground. It would do no good to overhunt a specific spot. Also sometimes they need to go for smaller game like squirrels, birds and even insects. With all of the shit happening at the Gallow's more people have moves to Kirkwall. So there has been a populace explosion. It won't last for more than a few months but it would be best to not push. Kirkwall isn't a beautiful city by any means so any luster people think it has will fade with time.
"Yes, now don't get twisted." Nia rolls her eyes fondly and ruffles the Qunari's hair. He hisses at her, showing his sharp teeth but the human merely coo's and squishes his cheeks. The brunet shakes her head and whistles getting their attention. Heading towards the mountain area they all go after birds for now. They got a large stag last week so for now they are going for large insects and birds. Saari jumps from branch to branch, the bow on his back small but well made. He manages to spot a few birds and take them down while also grabbing eggs from nests.
The two girls have a container that they put any bugs they find in. Coming across a giant spider was not in the cards. "That… That is big." Nia whispers as they all stand frozen. Arinda can agree, it is certainly an intimidating sight. The elf can hear Saari pulling the bow string back and she sighs. The best bet is ice, break the legs so it can't charge at them or run. It doesn't seem like there are other spiders around. The fight ends fast. Arinda managed to trap half the legs and showing some semblance of intelligence the Qunari went for the legs that were free first. Arrow's flying into the softer bit on the legs. With the creature focusing on spitting out acid into the tree's Nia sneaks behind and goes for the large bulbous rear. Cutting off the large stinger Arinda throws her hand out as she rushes forward.
Hopping onto the black spider she touches around its crown and calls heat to her hand. An inferno pushes out, hot flames shoot right from her palm and instantly sear into the beings head. It flails about but the fight doesn't last as it's body collapses to the ground. The hissing sound from its body burning is weird but the scent is worse. Nia gags and backs up going to cover her nose but see's the weird green gooey blood that is from the spider. Saari jumps out of the tree with a feral grin. He looks at the two with such profound happiness before throwing his head back and shouting. It is an odd sound, perhaps a victory growl.
"We won! Mother and father will be so proud. Even the older kids have yet to fight a giant spider!" He slips into Qunlat with his excitement. Arinda's eyes widen and she rushes over as Saari grabs one of the legs that is slightly attached and goes to bite it. "What the-" Nia whispers and the youngest is quick to wrap her arms and yank him back. Or tries to. She manages to pull him half a foot. The kid is a head taller than her and more build. They are the same age but very big race difference, it's bullshit! "don't fucking eat it!" She snarls out still holding the males waist. He wiggles but stops "why not? We always eat our prey… well not humans or elves." The way they are spoken is in confusion.
Pausing she looks over "At least prepare it first you fool." Just as she finishes there is some noise and out pops one of the qunari. An elder female. Kotoh, she blinks at all three and then smiles. "Oh, it was you little Adaar. Your mother will be very happy to see what you three managed on your own." It seems they do eat spiders. The large Qunari woman grabs what is left of the spider and carries it to the camp while the children follow. All the members congratulate them on their first hunt (Shit dad is going to be so mad he wasn't there to see it.)
Shokrakar walks out of a tent, her grey skin dark but beautiful. Seeing the children her gold eyes flicker over them before smiling. She heard everything, when leading she is firm, no nonsense. But when everything is calm, the woman indulges. She lost too much to the Qun already, she will not allow herself to follow so strictly again "My sweet Kadan, we could hear your roar from here." Looking over she catches sight off everything the kids have managed to gather. "ah… what a bountiful hunt you have managed to gather." The large Qunari's (she is the biggest) hand falls to pat each of their head with a fond and proud smile.
The girls leave with two birds, rather large, a handful of fried bugs for Nia and Arinda (the only two that are willing to eat bugs.) and one hare. The Qunari even gave them a bag of dried fruits and nuts. Once back in Kirkwall Arinda splits off to visit Revas. He has been doing better, he helps out with Marcus but doesn't work just for him. Bartrand hired him for some heavy lifting, after some persuasion from both Arinda and Varric, so he is getting more money. The Qunari lives in Darktown, the only place willing to allow a Qunari a place to live. It could be worse, Varric helped him gather some wood so he fixed it up rather well. A nice bed, desk and dresser even. It keeps the cold out and they managed to make a small fire place with some ore they had left so the house doesn't burn down.
Revas has been thankful for everything the family has done, he even has taken Arinda under his wing. He teaches her Qunlat, more so when he heard about the group of Tal-Vashoth. He also helps the elf train, it seems that he was being groomed to be a Ben-Hassrath before he left. The man is smart, taught how to read and write, history and how to understand someone's body language. Revas also knows how to fight, though he prefers to not. Arinda has a feeling there is a story behind and she won't push. Every time he brings up his past he doesn't seem to be afraid or nervous, just so… sorrowful. And guilty.
"So what have you been up to?" He questions once she plops herself in one of the chairs. Looking over she smiles. "That is one reason I am here. I have… Well I have been writing books. Mostly children's stories. I have three already done, Nia has been a big help translating them to Antivian, Natal is helping with Elvhen (and the spirits), Roy and mister Cyrel and doing the Tevinter. I am working on Qunlat but I am not fluent so I was wondering if you could help." She has already sold a lot just in Kirkwall, the common folk, even nobility have bought them for their children. Two are for young children, to help them learn to read. The last is more entertainment for the young.
Bartrand couldn't say no when she posed the prospect of translating. If just that sells; even he couldn't deny that having a larger crowd to buy would bring in more money. Also Varric has already begun publishing some books, talking the editor into helping with his daughters was simple enough. The man may be a prickly bastard but he isn't stupid. They just had to fluctuate the cost depending on how much someone makes. It was a difficult bargain but even he could understand how that would reel in people. Arinda has kept most of the money, but she has donated, if you will, some to the school. Making the building bigger, more supplies. It has allowed more children to come, even allow some people from Darktown. Teenagers and even adults. Though adults are only allowed once a week, they are all very thankful. Not to say there haven't been hiccups, the gain is more than the loss.
"You…" Revas looks at her with wide eyes. Every time he has spoken with the elf he gains a new prospective. She is more than a genius. It makes her dangerous, frightening. Powerful. A threat his training would say. The Qunari also see's everything else, the first time he met he saw the wall in her opal gaze. The dullness, almost like those Tranquil he saw a few times. Not a lack of emotions per say, a lack of caring. There has been a shift as of late, like a babe just learning how to express themselves. She is still sharp, willing to twist her words and strike where it hurts. Arinda could easily talk someone out of money (if they take her serious because of her age.) She would make a good Ben-Hassrath. But she has magic, she would be stripped of everything she is, or killed. Probably killed, she is too smart.
Slowly he looks with wonder and respect "What wonderful idea's you have." He speaks truly. The man has seen the books she has made in passing. The idea is a smart one, yes very for the people if you will. In the long run it will help people get better jobs, less fighting and violence. Most people that learn to read well is because they are nobility or something similar. Mages are taught because they need to be taught, some soldiers so they can give out strategies and read when they are given. But the normal common folk are given the bare minimum.
"I would be honored to help." It was a shock for Revas when he saw the school. Similar to where he was raised, the Tamassrans taught them all to read. The ones who learned faster were given more opportunities. However; every single one knows how to read and write. Even the smallest baker or seamstress. Arinda shows one of her rare smiles and nods "Great, you should come to The Hanged Man sometime and you can look over everything. We could look at the books and work on it so everything fits in a comprehensive manner." There are always times certain languages don't have words or lack the understanding on a phrase. The tall man nods down at the girl.