Prologue
Planet: Earth
Location:United States, Midwest
Day: June 21st Friday
Year: 2018
Time: 8:24
A day like any other. Getting out of bed has become a struggle over the years. Today is no different. My days run together to the point where I forgot what day of the week it was let alone the date. Summer had just begun and I was already hating it. It wasn't the heat in particular that I hated but in fact the people who come out in the nice weather. It was always the same. Hootin and howlin, driving like assholes, loud music, crime, and the drugs and alcohol that people consumed out in public. ANNOYING. As if I needed more reason to hate people as it were. I threw my blanket off my face, replacing it with my arm. 'I should get outta bed' I thought. I looked down at my legs to see a large lump of black cat laying on my legs. "Kuromi get your cute little black turd ass of me so I can go shower". Kuromi looks up at me only to go back to laying her head on my leg. I wiggle my legs free from her warm bod causing her to get up and stretch. Opening the bathroom door I stood in front of the mirror briefly.
Greasy, messy hair, and slight bruising under my eyes from lack of sleep. The picture of health and beauty...oh the sarcasm. I quickly warmed up the shower water while I used the toilet. I stood there in the shower letting the water trickle on my face for what seemed like forever before I actually washed my hair. Five minutes is usually all it takes to shower for me, but today I just needed the to feel the water hit my face.
Quickly washing my face in the sink and putting on body lotion I throw my robe on and walk out to the kitchen to prepare a pot of coffee. "Good morning Oolong". Oolong was curled up in her little cat bed on the couch. She gave me a acknowledging hum to let me know she heard me. Turning my computer on I txted my boyfriend good morning since he was at work. The usual morning routine of coffee and GMM.
Everything was as it always was or so I thought. A few hours later my boyfriend texts me good morning. He asked if I'd like to go check out the Broken Spoke when he got off work. A antique like thrift store. One we rarely visit. I thought why not, maybe I'll find something interesting. Noon rolled around and I picked up my boyfriend as per usual. I drove us up to the Broken Spoke and we walked in. It was a old house, probably built in the late 1800s. The door stairs was filled with old novelty toys and collectibles, but the upstairs held more interesting things like clothes and decor.
Letting my boyfriend look through some cases filled with early 1950s things, I wandered upstairs. The first room I passed was filled with vintage clothing. It wasn't until the third room that something caught my eye upon passing by. The room had nothing special in it, a few odds and ends, but what caught my eye was sitting eerily in the middle of the room. A gothic style mirror, one of extreme stature. It was uncommon to see a mirror in this style let alone this size. The mirror had to be at least 10 feet tall. My boyfriend took the opportunity to appear next to me to ogle my find.
"That's a incredible find" he said. I reached out towards the mirror. " you know what this reminds me of?". I paused to look at him who just shrugged at me. "Dragon age" I said smiling. He rolled his eyes at me and started to head out the room. He was only gone for a brief moment before he returned and said "she says it's 50 bucks. Do you want it?". I gleefully turned to him with the biggest smile. "Yes!...but how are we goin to get it home?". "I think she said she could have her son deliver it". We walked downstairs and up to the counter to pay for the mirror. "That's quite the mirror isn't it". The women said. "It was left on the door step yesterday". I looked at her confused. "Someone just up and left this mirror here? On the door step?". I looked at my boyfriend who looked unphased by what she said. Something just wasn't right.
Who up and leaves something like that on the door step of a family owned business without any kind of note or anything. A few hours passed by and a man in a large truck came by to drop off the mirror. Because of the mirrors enormous size we had to place it in the garage. The mirror stood in the middle of the garage conveniently propped up against a beam. I couldn't believe the size of this mirror. The night brought in a storm, thunder and lightning so loud and bright I couldn't sleep. I decided to get up and put my headphones on. Popping my butt on the couch I picked a song to listen to and started playing a game on my phone. It wasn't a few minutes later that I heard a noise coming from outside. The noise was loud enough for me to hear through my headphones but not loud enough to wake up my boyfriend. Putting my headphones down around my neck I grab my phone and go to grab my shoes.
Peering out the door I see that the garage light is on. 'Strange I don't remember leaving the light on' I thought. I carefully open the garage door wondering if somebody had broken into the garage, but no one was there. Walking over to turn off the light a gleam from the mirror caught my eye. I stopped in front of the mirror putting my phone in my pocket, I reached out to touch the mirror. Looking closer at the mirror I realized my reflection was distorted and practically none existent. In an Instant thunder cracked and a strike of lightning caused everything to go black except for the shine of the mirror.
Location: Thedas, somewhere on the outskirts of the Free Marches
Date: 8th day of Drakonis
Year: 9:30 Dragon
Time: Early night
The night is dark with the only light coming from a few homes built in a heavily forested area. It was raining peacefully with minimal sound. A family prepares a meal and a bed for their unexpected guest. He is gracious for their hospitality and reassures them he'll be gone by morning. He sat in a corner of the room he was offered, clutching his sword. The faint sound of horses drew nearer. Before the family could warn him of the danger he had already slipped out into the darkness to continue the chase.
Location: Thedas, Outskirts of Lothering
Date: 18th day of Justinian
Year: 9:30 Dragon
Time: Midday
"Run!" A young man screams towards three others following close behind him. The older women falls, exhausted from running as several menacing creatures tail the group up a hill. A flash of fire strikes the ground creating a wall between them and a few of the creatures. The fire only stopped the creatures for a moment before they ran barreling through it. One quick slash cut one of the creatures in half. It's torso sliding off it's waist onto the dirt. A bladed staff thrust threw its head, making sure it was dead. The eldest man looked up from the corpse to see the twins finishing up the rest.
"We're safe now" the youngest man said as they walked over to the older woman. "For the moment." The young girl said looking over at the older woman. "Maker it's gone. Everything your father and I had built...it's all gone." The women said nearly in tears. "I'm sorry mother...but we should get moving. It's not safe here" the eldest son said. "Yes your right...". "We should have fled sooner. Why did we wait till the last minute?" The girl said glaring at her twin. "Why are you looking at me!? You know we've been running since we left Ostagar". "Would you two stop arguing this isn't the time nor place". The eldest scolding his siblings. "Listen to your brother you two". "Fine ...lead on then". the young man said motioning to his brother. The eldest sibling lead the group threw the scourched land slashing threw and setting fire to several creatures on the way. "Wait...where are we going exactly?" The young girl stopped turning to her brothers. "Far away from the darkspawn, where else?" Replied the youngest. "And then where do we go? We can't just wander around aimlessly." "Anywheres fine as long as it's far away from the horde that's nipping at our feet." The eldest son stepping in between the twins. "We can go to Kirkwall." Their mother paused. "Why there?" "There are a lot of Templars there mother." The young girl looked over at her brother. "It wouldn't be wise for Bethany and I." Said the eldest.
"Yes I know that, but we have family there and an estate." Bethany sighed loudly before saying "Then we'll need to get to Gwaren and take ship." "Where ever we go I'll just be happy to get out of here." The youngest stated before walking away. Coming around the side of a hill they heard the clash of swords and the screech of darkspawn.
A red headed women and heavily armored man where fighting back to back against a numerous amount. Without a second thought the siblings joined the fight. It only took a few moments for the 5 of them to cut down the creatures. The stench of rot and blood coming from the bodies was overwhelming. It didn't help that they were covered in it. "Stop squirming Wesley, you'll only make it worse." The women said trying to check his wounds. Walking over the dismembered parts and chunks the family stops when Wesley immediately stands up and yells "Apostates! Keep your distance!" "Well the maker certainly has a sick sense of humor. First the darkspawn now a Templar...I thought they all abandoned Lothering?" Bethany said first rolling her eyes than shrugged her shoulders in a confused and questioning manner. "The darkspawn are predictable, but mages are not." Wesley took a step forward before continuing. "The Order dictates." The eldest sibling stood in front of his sister in a protecting manner. "Wesley, please." "These two are apostates. The Order dictates."
The red headed woman spoke up again. "Wesley they saved us, the Maker will understand." "Of course." He said angerly standing down. "I am Aveline Vallen and this is my husband Ser Wesley. We can hate each other once we are far away from the horde." "I am Hawke and this is Carver, Bethany, and our mother Leandra. How bad is your wound can you keep up?" Hawke points to Wesley. "My sword arm is a loss but I can keep up" he replies clenching his fist. "you have mine, as span always." Aveline glanced around her husband then back at Hawke. "The way to the north is blocked off by the horde." "Then we're doomed. The only way left is south and there's only the wilds to the south." Carver said in a cowardly tone. "Then we go south" Hawke stated walking forward. The group headed south fighting through darkspawn. Taking down even a Darkspawn emissary. "Quickly, before they regroup. We must make it to the wilds" Aveline said coming up from behind Hawke. Running up into a clearly they feel the earth shake beneath them. A large Darkspawn ogre stomps its way up to the group at full force. It stood in front of Bethany and Leandra ready to attack. "Maker give me strength." A blast of fire came from Bethany's finger tips to no avail. The ogre unaffected by the attack grabbed her and began recklessly slamming her to the ground several times, breaking nearly every bone in her body, before the ogre tossed her aside like a rag doll. "Bethany!" Screamed Leandra, running to her daughter's side.
The ogre turned its attention to Hawke and the others and charged them. Dodging the attack Hawke looks around to see more Darkspawn have gathered. This was not going to be a easy fight for them. "I'll handle the ogre!" Hawke yells to the others. Hawke dodges the ogre yet again, sending a bolt of lightning at it. The ogre stumbled to one knee allowing Hawke to gather his magic enough to rip the ogre right down the middle. Blood sprayed the near by area in thick almost black viscous liquid. The ogre's body falling to the ground with two loud thuds. Hawke turned his attention to Aveline and Carver who had just finished off some Darkspawn. "Bethany! Please wake up! The battles over!" Leandra was hunched over her daughter's broken mangled body, tears flowing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry mistress, but she is gone" Aveline said walking over to her. "No! I won't let these things take my Bethany!" Leandra screamed hysterically back at her. "I'm sorry mother, but we don't have time to grieve." "Do not tell me about grief!" Leandra hissed at Hawke. "This is your fault! You were supposed to protect her!" Leandra continued. Wesley stepped forward to intervene, offering his services as a Templar. He said a few words of the Maker over Bethany's body as her mother held her close and wept. "I will never forget you Bethany." Leandra said kissing her daughter one last time. "She won't be alone mother, father will keep her company". Hawke reassured her. "Flames! We were to late." Aveline yelled from behind Hawke. Standing up he turned around to see another horde of Darkspawn gathered around them. Staff at the ready, he was about to jump into battle when a dragon landed on top the cliff above them, setting fire to the horde before jumping down backing the group into the wall of the cliff. The dragon began to glow and disappear. Flames burned away the dragon and from it a old women walked toward them. She wore only armor plating on her arms and legs with a revealing burgundy leather outfit dawned with black feathers on the shoulders. Her hair was the most curious as some of it was tied up to mimic the horns of a dragon. "Well, well what do we have here" she said. Hawke stares at her curiously. Aveline yelled for for Wesley who suddenly collapsed behind them. "It used to be we never got visitors to the wilds, but now it seems they arrive in hordes." She continued. " you saved us, I don't know what we would've done if you had not come". " I do, you would have perished." She continued " if you are seeking a safe haven from the darkspawn, you should know you're heading in the wrong direction." The women turned walking a few steps away from the group when Carver said "then where are we suppose to go? You can't just leave us here." She stopped and turned around "and why not? Curious i was to see a mighty ogre vanquished. Who could perform such a feat. But now my curiosity is sated, and you are safe...for the moment. Is that not enough?" She asked looking at Hawke. "We can not make it out of here on our own." "And where is it you plan to run to?" "Kirkwall, in the Free Marches." Carver spoke up. " My my, so far... just to flee the darkspawn." She sounded as if she didn't care if they lived or died. "We have family there." Hawke said. "I see hurled into the chaos you fight, and the world will shake before you." Hawke gave her a confused look as she walked away seemingly lost in thought. "Is it fate or chance, I can never tell." She seemed to have said to herself.
Turning back towards them "It appears fortune smiles on us both today. I may be able to help you." Hawke furrowed his brow "Just like that? What's the catch?" The woman laughed almost maniacally. "There's always a catch, life's a catch, I suggest you catch it while you can." Hawke wondered you himself if she was insane or literally thought this was a joke. "Can we trust her? We don't even know what she is?" Carver asked his brother. Aveline sat back and looked over at the siblings. "I know what she is The Witch of the Wilds." "Some call me that also Flemeth, Asha'Bellanar, an old women who talks to much. Take your pick." Flemeth laughs as she continues "I offer you this: I will get your group past the horde in exchange for a simple delivery to a place not far out of your way. Would you do this for a witch of the wilds?" Hawke contemplates for a brief minute before saying "we don't have much choice." "We never do" she pauses. "There is a clan of dalish elves near the city of Kirkwall. Deliver this amulet to their keeper Marethari. Do as she asks of it and any debt between us is paid in full." She turns away only briefly. " before I take you anywhere, however, there is another matter." Wesley is heard coughing behind them. Both Hawke and Flemeth turn to face him and Aveline. "No! Leave him alone." She says standing in from of him.
"What has been done to your man is in his blood already." "You lie!" Aveline shouted back at Flemeth. "She's right, Aveline. I can feel the corruption inside me." Wesley chokes out. "There is nothing we can do for him Aveline." Hawke sounded almost harsh in his words, but what he spoke was true. "No!" "The only cure I know of is to become a Grey Warden." "And they all died at Ostagar" Hawke added. "Not all, but the last are now beyond your reach." Aveline's head hung in disbelief, walking back over to Wesley. He begged her to listen to him, telling her the only way was to kill him, that he did not want a slow death that the corruption offered. Hawke knelt down beside her. "It's up to you Aveline, if you can't do it, I will do it for you." She nodded taking the knife from Wesley. They said their goodbyes before she plunged the knife into his chest. "It gets no easier from here, your struggle has only begun."
Flemeth walks off leaving the group to catch up. Flemeth kept her word and got them through the Darkspawn to Gwaren where they were able to board a ship. Two awful weeks they spent on that ship cramped in with the fearful and desperate. Finally they saw the it, Kirkwall, the city of Chains. The rocky opening they sailed through still adorned with statues of slaves chained. It was not the most welcoming image one should see. The ship docked at a place known as the Gallows, though the name seemed disconcerning, any remnant of why it was called that has long since been gone. Stepping off the ship they see many angry and shouting people gathered at the gate. "It appears they aren't letting anyone into the city" Aveline said as they walked closer. Upon closer inspection, all the people gather at the gate were also from Fereldan. "We're getting into the city one way or another." Hawke said. "Hopefully Gamlen got your letter mother." Carver said walking past them. Aveline looked at Hawke "We should speak to that guard." The group made their way over to the crowd, pushing their way through to get to the man in charge. The man spoke first demanding they step back, that bullying then way through won't get them in any faster. Hawke demanded they needed to get into the city. The guard directed them to a Captain Ewald and that he was only there to keep the peace. They made their way up the stairs past several refugees and caged walls before appearing in the courtyard of the Gallows. Between all the cage like walls and the massive slave statues that lined the grand stairwell to the city, the courtyard gave off an intimidating presence. Hawke spotted near the stairs a guard surrounded by a few rowdy men. As they walked closer they over heard the men demanding entry to the city. The guard in response told them the city was full and that they could not let in anymore refugees. One of the men blurred out that they spent good coin to get here and that the ships have left, so they were stuck here. The guard once again told the men that they were to late, that the city was full. Carver called over the men to the guard "But we have family here." The guard seemed unamused telling them he had heard that a thousand times already. He told them that they would find ships to send them all back to Fereldan, but until that time they had to stay in the Gallows. This time Hawke spoke up "Our uncle is Gamlen Amell, we need to speak with him." The guard looked shocked "Gamlen? I know that name." "He's a noble here in the city , our family has an estate." Carver added. "A noble? No, the Gamlen I know is a rotten weasel who couldn't rub two coppers together. I can send someone to find him for you, but for now you'll have to stay here, I don't have time to.." "what!? Your going to let them through, but not us!?" Spoke a rather irritated man. "I did not say that.." the guard said trying to defend his words.
The men complaining that they had been there longer suddenly decided they were going to cut their way through to get into the city. They stormed the guard, several other men joining the fight. Hawke drew his staff, cuttin down and casting spells on a few. The guard shaking his head over the corpses, thanked Hawke and the others for their help and assured them he would find their uncle. Three days pasted and the group was getting sick of waiting, thinking the guard lied. Finally a poor, scruffy looking man approached them. "Leandra! Poor girl the years have not been kind to you." "Gamlen!" Leandra said running over to give her brother a hug. He started talking to about the blight and her husband, he came off slightly apologetic.
Leandra near in tears told Gamlen how they barely made it alive and how her only daughter was killed. He told her not to drop all this on him now not when he was unsure if he could get them into the city. "Can you at least get mother in?" Hawke said. Gamlen said he could see what he can do, as for them he knew someone who might be able to help them, if they didn't mind the company. "I'm listening." Hawke seemingly unamused at this point. Gamlen went on telling him that he knew some people that would be able to buy their way into the city. The catch, was that they had to work of the debt for a year. What's a year Hawke thought. Gamlen pointed them in the direction of the contact he mentioned. Meeran, an older balding man, the sleazy looking type. He was looking for someone for mercenary work. Hawke approached him asking him what he needed to prove he was worth his time. Meeran pointed him in the direction of a man named Friedrich who gave his men bad info and nearly got them killed. He told Hawke to go and kill the man. The job seemed simple enough, but upon getting close to the man, he demanded to what the three of them were doing there.
Hawke told him, he was sent by Meeran. The man begged for his life, but Hawke told him it was just business. The men then attacked the group, but killing them was to easy. Hawke picking through the pockets of Friedrich's corpse, he found 5 to Meeran he thanked them for the good work and hoping the birds feast on his corpse and shit him into the ocean. Carver let out a laugh "I like this guy." Meeran told them he is going to make the arrangements now to get them into the city. Returning to Gamlen and Leandra, Hawke conformed the agreement has been arranged. For now they had a new home and a long year ahead of them. Little did Hawke know his life was about to get awhole lot more interesting.