Chapter 47: The Rollercoaster Chapter

"AHAHAHAHAHA!"

The senior wicked witch of the swamp cackled in the face of my suffering.

"That was quiet a sound, girl"

I hung my head.

That's my line.

Leliana patted my back comfortingly.

Kallian took a step forward, taking back the reigns of the conversation.

"You said you finished 'pulling her through'. Can you tell us more about that? Please"

Flemeth looked tickled "Such politeness. Very well. Consider it a gift for accepting my deal so easily"

She proceeded to laugh for a good while. I think we were all too freaked out to ask her to snap out of it. That woman wasn't all there to begin with.

I had to seriously wonder how Morrigan turned out so functional.

"The Fade is a realm separate from us, yet irrevocably connected"

Oh, she's done laughing. And about to give us a class on the Fade, apparently.

Welp, she's a good source, I should pay attention.

"The Chantry says it is a realm from whence all living beings come from. The Dalish refer to it as the Beyond and believe it to be a holy place of the Gods" Flemeth chuckled "Everyone has their own idea of what the Fade is"

I nodded. But they were wrong.

"They are not wrong, but that is only a small piece of a far bigger image."

Oh, shit. Thank goodness I didn't say it out loud.

Flemeth smirked evilly. I had a weird feeling she was talking to me.

I was probably wrong again.

I hope.

"The Fade is alive. It responds to reality and matches it. It keeps the balance, as it must be maintained. As it did when a foreign object landed in it"

I leaned towards Leliana and pointed at myself "That's me. I'm the foreign object"

She patted my head. It was nice.

Flemeth turned to me, stabbing me with those yellow eyes of hers, so similar to her daughter's.

"You, girl, caused the Fade no shortage of trouble. It had to bend more than it previously has. So much so, it almost broke"

I felt a shiver run down my spine. That didn't sound good.

"I'm sorry"

Flemeth chuckled again, without any real mirth this time.

"Foolish girl. Never apologize for something you did not cause. People will make you responsible for that of which you are not all too often" Like flipping a switch, her gaze suddenly hardened "I would have those responsible seen to. Should they attempt it again, the Fade may or may not collapse"

Despite the heavy atmosphere, Kallian let out a sonorous groan "Oh no. Stop. I see where this is going. I already have a world ending threat in my hands. You are not thinking of giving me another one before I even finish the first one, are you?"

Flemeth threw her head back in a boisterous laughter "No, child. You have quiet enough on your plate as is" Then she turned to me.

It took me a full second to understand why she was looking at me. Even then, I refused to accept it, turning around, hoping against hope maybe there was someone behind me.

"Oh! Okay, that could work"

I gaped at Kallian's relieved voice.

I waggled a finger at them "No no no no no. Me? Why me?" I wanted to get to the bottom of this as well. But being tied down to a Flemeth-mission was a BIG no no.

"You are involved already in all of this, are you not? I'd have thought you'd want to get them before they got you"

Alistair hummed, crossing his arms defiantly "And how would you know they want to get her"

Flemeth gave him the crazy smirk "Wouldn't you want to keep the fruit of your labor at hand? Whether they intended her coming to this world or not, she is the direct consequence of their work"

Duran nodded "She is right. If someone put that much effort into whatever they did, and I'm sure ripping open a bridge between worlds isn't easy, even if unintentionally so, they'd want to collect whatever results they could find. However…" he gazed at Flemeth with laser focus "Maya has been here for many months. It is odd they haven't directly come for her yet. Either they're waiting for something, or they don't know she is here"

His words made me whip my head back to Flemeth, who stood there, appraising Duran like a scientist encountering a new species.

"Perhaps" was all she said.

I was about to tear my hair in frustration when a thought occurred to me.

I turned to Alistair and Zevran.

"You guys remember our encounter with those mages? Back in the Brecilian forest?"

Al's eyebrows shot up "Yeeesss… you don't mean…?"

"If I recall, you were… concerned, such a mysterious group appeared during an important part of the story you know, yes?"

"Right. I figured something weird was going on, as the only anomalies were Duncan, who was supposed to be on the other side of Ferelden, and myself. And I couldn't think of anything I'd done to change the story so much"

Kallian gave a small gasp "But if a group of people brought you here, that in itself is a deviation of the future you know, isn't it?" I nodded, feeling a little lightheaded "Then, Maya, you're not the anomaly, but the result of one!"

"Holy CRAP" I slapped both my hands over my mouth. My God, my whole life was a lie!

"That means whatever Maya knows, this group may also know?" Leliana wondered out loud "It would explain why they were in the Brecilian forest… to interfere with us recruiting the elves, as they knew we would attempt to do"

Al snapped his fingers "And maybe that's why Zathrian wasn't where you expected him to be!"

I snapped my fingers back at Al, ending it in a finger gun, wordlessly agreeing with him.

"We shouldn't assume they know everything Maya does" said Duran in his deep, logical voice.

"Duran's right" agreed Kallian "we don't even know for sure summoning her was their objective, as they may not even know Maya was summoned as a result of whatever they did"

True. Everything was finally coming together, but our theories also raised more questions.

Duran spoke again. In fact, he'd been talking more than I remember him doing ever since I met him "I would be very interested in learning how they managed to cross between worlds" His gunmetal eyes landed on me.

Alistair frowned "Didn't you just–?" he shook his head once "I thought you already knew about the ritual?"

Oh yeah, he had been talking about it rather freely earlier, huh?

Duran shook his head "Just made a logical assumption"

Kallian cleared her throat "Could you tell us the story again? What exactly did the statue of Eleni Zinovia tell you?"

Zevran moved closer to her, inserting all the swagger he could muster in those three steps. Whatever reluctance he's been showing when we got here long gone. Or very well masked.

"Maya and I had a little adventure back in the Circle Tower, as you'll recall" Zevran explained, waggling his eyebrows "We learned of a certain ritual from a rather fetching statue, in which four sacrifices and four glyphs or some such would be needed, if one wanted to open the way to another world. There was something about a fifth person choosing where to go"

Flemeth made a hand gesture with an air of finality "Mages in the forest, a blood ritual and an otherworlder in the know? Sounds like a fine start to me"

A start to what? I WAS NOT TAKING THIS QUEST.

Flemeth glanced at me with bored eyes, as if reading my mind.

…come to think of it, she didn't seem surprised by my implied grasp on Thedas' future happenings, did she?

Her lips curved up into a cat like smile.

Oh God, oh God, oh God. Think about something else!

Quick! What's the most annoying song I know?

…

Babyyyy shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~

Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~

Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~

Baby shark~

Flemeth started cackling again. At this point, the crazy laugh didn't really tell me anything though.

"Girl, you seem to have taken a liking to a certain elf, mm?"

I… what?

I frowned at Flemeth, waiting for her to continue.

Before she could though, Zevran's arm snaked around me, grabbing me by the shoulders and squeezing. At my raised eyebrow he gave me a wicked grin. Not a second later, yet another arm found its way around my waist, pulling me from Zev's easy hug. I looked up to find Alistair glaring daggers at our friend. Said friend, by the by, was very obviously tickled at Al's reaction, which of course only made him glower harder.

Pfft!

He was so cute.

"Do you mean…?" I went back to Flemeth, avoiding Al's glare, which had been turned at me when I couldn't hold my amusement back.

"I mean the little boy you've been hauling around for the last month or so"

How did she know that?!

I mean, I guess I knew. She was Mythal and stuff. It's just… Damn it. Flemeth scared the crap out of me.

Thankfully, Kallian was there to cover up for me, somehow appearing twice as tall than she really was. Which admittedly, wasn't much anyway "What about the kid?"

Flemeth's Cheshire cat grin returned, slow and creepy as it was the first time.

"They are not ones to give up so easily. If you fail once…"

It was Duran who caught on first.

"The Dalish. If their objective was to interfere with the Wardens recruitment of them…" I'd never heard such urgency in his voice before.

Thanks to that, I easily came to the same conclusion as he.

And so did Kallian.

"When?" she urged Flemeth, her tone curt and her fists balled.

The old lady took her time to answer "I'd say five days from now, maybe"

We all tensed up, not even doubting the veracity of her words.

Kallian let out a low growl, deep in her throat "We need to go back" she told us, firm and unyielding; already in mission mode "The Dalish clan will be attacked".

She then proceeded to talk numbers. We'd have to leave Bodahn's behind if we even hoped to make it in time and force march our way back to the Dalish.

I'd already figured as much, but hearing her make plans made it real.

...Sylvan.

I felt the blood draining from my face at the thought of something happening to him. Just when I'd finally left him at a place where I knew he'd be safe, I find that I know nothing at all, and he might… he might…

I shivered, violently enough that Alistair took note. He placed one of his big, comforting hands on my back, silently supporting me.

Deep breaths, Maya.

"We won't make it"

Everyone stopped at Duran's doom bringing words, delivered in a gentle tone that booked no argument.

He continued "It would take at least 5 days only to reach the entrance to the Brecilian Forest, then close to double that to traipse through the forest itself until we reach the Dalish camp, though I am only able to estimate based on what I've heard from others and on how well prepared the scouts that took Sylvan were…" he began mumbling something about food provisions and likelihood on finding game on that side of the forest. Any other time, I'd be impressed by his attention to detail and his capacity to arrive at logical conclusions with little information. Today was another story though.

"What if we go by horse?" Leliana suggested.

We all looked at Duran, anxiously waiting for his verdict.

He took a moment to think on it, before shaking his head "We'd still fall short by a day, at least. Even then, we wouldn't all be able to go, as we don't have enough horses"

Fuck.

I saw Kallian balling her fists, her back straight and tense "Can you think of any other way?"

Despite his standard poker face, Duran did look sorry as he shook his head no.

I was about to throw my hands up and ask Flemeth to turn into a dragon and give us a lift, consequences be damned, when the old lady in question spoke up.

"Late by a day, is it? That is not much at all, and yet damning indeed if you were to leave it be… I shall aid you once more, Warden, as long as you see that this threat to the Veil is dealt with"

A deal with the devil, huh? Suddenly, my mind was clear once again, as a silver of hope made itself known.

Slowly, Kallian turned to me, a somewhat pained look on her face "Maya…"

"Yes"

Kallian blinked "Yes? You'll…?"

I nodded at her unfinished question "I'll need help for sure, but yes. I'll find a way to prevent them form screwing with the Fade" I switched to Flemeth, giving her a pleading look "Please, help us get there in time"

Flemeth smiled then, and it was different than the mocking smirks she'd been giving us all along. There was approval on her wizened features.

Without a word, Flemeth approached me, until she was standing right in front of me. I held my ground, fighting the urge to step back. By my side, Alistair tensed up.

"Then, I shall give you the means. Consider it a boon, as thanks for accepting my request"

I flinched as she raised her wrinkly hand to my face. She didn't pay it any mind and touched my forehead in a way that made me think of a certain big ancient turtle.

As if on cue, a light shone form her fingers, and I was pushed back without warning.

Alistair caught me in a hurry, glaring daggers at Flemeth.

"Oh, quit your staring boy. Have I not been helpful enough? And this one has already agreed to aid me back"

"More like coerced into it" he scoffed. His features softened when he looked at me "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good" I straightened, but couldn't feel anything different. I cleared my throat nervously "Er, what did you do, again?"

Flemeth chuckled "Why don't you see for yourself?"

It took me several seconds to catch her meaning.

I stumbled over my words "Spells!"

Spells (-)

Arcane

Arcane Bolt.

Primal

Flame Blast. Flaming Weapons.

Rock Armor.

Creation

Heal.

Spell Wisp. Grease.

. . . Haste.

Glyph of Paralysis. Glyph of Warding. Glyph of Repulsion.

Spirit

Walking Bomb.

Mind Blast. Force Field.

Entropy

.

Arcane Warrior

Combat Magic. Aura of Might.

I did a double take.

"What the frack?!"

I got a four-tier spell!

"OHOHOHOHO!"

Oh my God, that's a hell of a villainess laugh.

"You have what you need and no more time. Don't use it too often or you'll die. Now go!"

We went.

"Are you sure you'll be fine with just the two of you?"

"Woof!"

Kallian rolled her eyes "I'm sorry, the three of you"

"Not like we have a choice. You can only spare two. Bodahn's cart isn't going to pull itself"

"Right" Kallian peeked at me "Unless…?"

"No, I can't make cars, Kallian" That'd be a hell of a trick though.

She seemed disappointed. Honestly, she was asking for too much.

"And you're sure you know how to ride a horse, Bella?" asked Zevran, more entertained than worried.

"Sure do" I hoped. It'd been a while. But I used to be able to do a light jog, and I was more motivated this time. Plus, I had Rock Armor on and was an Arcane Warrior so even if I fell, I'd probably just bounce right up.

Again, I hoped.

"I still feel we should go with them" Leliana lamented.

Kallian grimaced, even as she nodded her agreement "Me too, but it wouldn't make much sense. It's better for us to keep moving on to Honnleath" her tone made it clear how fond she was of that idea.

I grinned at her from atop my horse "You'll be fine. You know what to do"

She gave me a deadpan look "Its not me I'm worried about, dumb dumb"

Alistair hollered from where he was waiting with his horse "I'll be fine too! Don't you worry!"

Kallian rolled her eyes again, but gave him well wishes and soon enough, it was time to go.

Our illustrious leader gave instructions to her beast of a dog to make sure this party survived and off we went.

We had a boy to save. Permanently this time.

"Uh, so… how do you want to do this?"

Al was looking at my recently set up tent with a doubtful look in his eyes.

I hid a smirk "We're sharing, obviously. Or did you want to sleep outside?"

He didn't seem convinced "But it's so small! We're not going to fit in here… I don't even know if I can fit in alone." He ducked his head inside the tent for a better look.

I shrugged. "I'm sure we can if we just squeeze in together."

He straightened so fast his head caught on the top of the tent. When he finally came out, his face was pink.

I laughed incredulously. "We're already planning to sleep in the same tent, and this gets you flustered?"

"Yeah but that's out of necessity" He reasoned "This would be…"

I could argue if we really didn't fit properly, cuddling was also necessary. I just didn't want to.

I batted my eyelashes "For pleasure?"

He gaped at me, flushing even harder.

Oh, this was too good.

An idea made its sneaky way into my head.

"Scout, why don't you… scout the area? We'll get everything ready and wait for you"

Alistair blinked at the sudden change in conversation.

"Wouldn't it be better for him to stay and dig a hole?"

I looked at him with something like pity "Oh, Al…"

Fortunately, Scout was a lot quicker, and he swiftly made his way out the camp. Pretty sure he rolled his eyes, too. Whether at my shenanigans or Al's innocence, I couldn't tell you.

"Alright, go on, check if it's too small for you" I urged him.

He shrugged, stripped his armor and went in, unaware of my wicked designs upon him.

He laid down inside the tent, stretching as long as he could.

"Hey, this isn't so bad"

I changed my clothes to more comfortable pants and a shirt with help from my inventory "I know, right?"

"Yeah. I mean, I can't sprawl but other than that– Uff!"

I landed on top, legs sprawled on both sides of him.

"Hi"

To his credit, it took him less than a second to realize exactly what had led him to this situation, and decide he was completely on board with whatever was going on.

He took a deep breath and tentatively placed his hands on my hips.

"Hello" he made a wry smile "I can't believe the dog is more perceptive than I"

I laughed, because… well, I had nothing nice to say to that.

"Soooo…" Al began timidly "What do you want to do?"

Up until now, we'd kissed a few times. Dragon Age Origins level of intimacy, which admittedly, isn't much. And because of this, Al didn't seem to mind taking the lead. I suppose this position might be too new to him, even though I wouldn't say we'd gotten anywhere close to leaving vanilla…

…I wanted him to take it at his own pace. And I wanted him to enjoy the trip.

"I want to know what you want" I said, trying to keep my voice light and warm "I'm right here, and I'll let you know if I like something or not so…" I sat back, still straddling him, and let my arms drop to the sides. An implicit invitation for him to explore what he liked.

Alistair's eyes widened, and he seemed to search mine as if to be sure he'd heard correctly. When he confirmed he had, he gulped audibly.

Tentatively, his hands rose from my hips, slowly making their way up my back. I closed my eyes, hoping he'd see my relaxed pleasure for what it was. Alistair gently guided me down, until my lips met his. A pleased sigh escaped me, and it was all it took for him to seriously kiss me.

His roaming hands went back down, then up, then down. Until they finally ventured toward the hem of my shirt. I nipped his lower lip, trying to convey how on board I was with this level of intimacy. Al opened his mouth with a groan, allowing for our tongues to intertwine while his hands took the plunge and started caressing my naked back.

I kissed him harder, biting and licking, encouraged by his moans and shudders, matched mine in both frequency and intensity. He broke away, gasping for air, and I took advantage of the moment to nibble his neck, drawing a low rumble from deep within his chest. His hands remained busy, stroking my thighs, then going back up to get under my shirt. His thumbs just barely grazing the underside of my breasts, causing me to shiver.

Yeah, I'd done away with the bra since before. Just in case.

And boy am I glad I did.

Alistair stopped suddenly.

"I… was– was that okay?"

It was more than okay.

I grinned, even as flushed and bothered as I was. "You bet." I nudged myself forward a bit. "You can go further, if you want"

Alistair's mouth fell slightly open; desire written all over his features. Without taking his eyes off mine, his fingers twitched, inching themselves closer and closer, until they were fully covering my breasts.

I purred in contentment, which was all the incentive Al needed to fully fondle me, his rough hands causing some interesting sensations.

"You can grab them a little harder, you know."

Alistair wasted no time in doing so, and I hummed my pleasure, closing my eyes to enjoy the feeling of his big hands on me. I twitched every time he brushed my nipples, prompting him to do so over and over again.

I couldn't take it anymore. I leaned forward to catch his lips with mine. By doing so, my body slid against his, creating some nice fiction while my ass bumped into a certain bulge on the way down.

All of a sudden, he stopped. Completely frozen.

Noting this, I leaned back "Al?"

"I'm… sorry. Just give me a second" he mumbled, throwing an arm over his eyes, breathing heavily.

He looked completely freaked out.

Oh, my dear Alistair.

I patted his chest, trying to make the gesture as friendly as possible "Al? Look at me please"

I had to repeat the request once more, but Al finally met my eyes.

I gave him a kind smile "You have nothing to worry about. It's fine if this is as far as you want to take it right now. I don't mind waiting at all… especially because I'm greatly enjoying what we are already doing"

Al's eyes relaxed a little, but he still appeared worried "I… don't know what to say, except sorry…. And thank you for being patient"

I chuckled and planted a sonorous kiss on his lips, before hopping off him, allowing some room for him to sit up.

"I told you, I'm already having fun" I shot him a cheeky smile "And next time, I hope to better know what makes you tick, too"

Unexpectedly, instead of blushing up a storm, Alistair simply laughed, kissing me back sweetly and swiftly.

"I would like that, my dear"

"Mama!"

I'm coming.

"Mama, help!"

I gritted my teeth, urging my legs to go faster, casting Haste once again.

"Hang on, I'm almost there!"

I finally made it to the camp. What I saw…

I jolted awake in the middle of the night, breathing raggedly. I cradled my head between my hands. It'd been a while since I had normal nightmares.

Remembering Sylvan's desperate pleas in my dream, I gritted my teeth. There was no way I was gonna fail that boy.

Raising my chin up, I glared at the darkness.

"Wait for me buddy. I'm coming for you"

Sooo... what did you think? I'm super nervous because it's my first time writing a spicy scene, and would love some feedback. Also, I thought about it and read the ratings again and decided against changing it. I didn't think it merited an M rating... that's fine right?

As always, thanks for reading! And for all your comments too!