Pieces of bricks and dirt flew about upon the explosion. When the flames ceased and the dust settled, horrendous laughs filled the air.
A satisfied grin settled on the emissary's face as its eyes landed on the unmoving bodies of the Grey Warden and his companions.
While the remaining darkspawn were checking the women for signs of life, the emissary turned to make its way towards the slope to join them.
Just as it turned, however, a shrill ringing noise coming from behind it pierced its ears, followed by a growl and the sound of swords clashing upon one another.
Alarmed, the emissary swung its head around only to find the Grey Warden and the elderly woman fighting its minions. With fists clenched and eyes squinted, it analyzed the situation suspiciously, finding no traces of injury the explosion should have caused. Its anger was boiling as it bared its teeth dangerously, before it let out a furious roar, causing its minions to do the same and fight more agitatedly.
"Why are Liona and Zevran still on the ground?" Alistair called to Wynne whom he was fighting back to back with. "I don't know," she replied, freezing the darkspawn in front of her before kneeling down to place her hands on Zevran's and Liona's chests.
"They are still alive," she noted before quickly putting up a ward to block the emissary's spells.
"There are still too many darkspawn for us to handle," Alistair grunted as he parried yet another blow, "we can't fight them here and bring the two in danger."
Wynne nodded, summoning stonefists on the frozen darkspawn which immediately shattered upon contact.
"Stay close," Alistair said, assuming a more defensive stance as he readied himself to rush through. Wynne complied, casting a spell of paralysis on the crowd, before following Alistair who ran them over one by one.
A dangerous roar sounded from the cliff as the emissary hurried down the slope and after the Grey Warden, hurling one fireball after another at them. Wynne was quick to react, however, as she erected a barrier to block its spells. Another ear-deafening roar sounded coming from the other hurlocks. They, as well, ran after the two, their frustration imminent.
'Get them!' The emissary roared furiously. 'Kill the Grey Warden! Leave none alive!'
-
Upon dawn, Zevran and I were quick to rise and converse with one another about our situation.
"How are we to find them with no trace at all?" I asked worriedly. "We can't leave them behind, can we?"
"Our priority should still be Honnleath," Zevran argued. "I'm sure they are thinking the same."
A stressed sigh escaped through my nostrils as I was pacing inside the cave, unaware of his amused gaze. "Why would they leave us behind then? Surely something must have happened!"
Only when Zevran approached me, resting his hands on both of my shoulders, did I stop pacing. "You worry too much. They will be fine. Just calm down, my dear," he advised, an amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
We lingered like that for a moment as his grin grew brider at my distressed expression.
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down grinning at me like that," I seethed, slapping his hands away as I turned to hastily pack my belongings, telling him to do the same.
"They might have already gone to save the villagers," he argued once more, following me around the cave as I was hustling about, collecting my gear. His words, however, fell on deaf ears. I was too annoyed to put up with him and his humour. How could he be so calm when Alistair and Wynne might be in danger? Laughing even?
One glance at him was enough to know he was still grinning at me. "What?" I barked.
"I didn't take you for such an impulsive woman," he remarked, the amusement lingering on his face. I was baffled. "Would you listen to yourself?" I asked incredulously. "Alistair and Wynne are missing, we have villagers to save that might already be dead for all we know, and here you stand commenting on my temper? Pack your belongings, now."
I intercepted him as he opened his mouth to answer, holding up my finger. "Not another word, Zevran," I drawled. "We're leaving. Now."
Realizing there was no way to reason with me, he shook his head and began gathering his gear.
Author's Note: Hello! Thanks to those still sticking with the story. I'm not sure how I will continue as I've kind of forgotten about it after hitting a slump. I still have one more chapter written which I'll be posting, as well, but I'm not sure when I'll resume writing after that.
However!
I started another fic which I've been writing for some time now, taking place in the Pirates of the Caribbean universe. It's called 'The Curse of Time' and will be taking up most of my attention for the time being. For any of you who are interested, you can find it on my profile and on AO3!