Chapter 1

What the Void?

My ears were ringing and the world swirled around me as I tried to get my bearings. My body ached and I couldn't help the pained cry that ripped through my scratchy throat. Coughing was painful too, but there was so much dust and dirt floating through the air I couldn't help it. Pain erupted through my ribs. Holding my side to stop the pain was a futile effort, but I tried anyway. What in the Maker's name happened? Looking up I noticed something very different and a sense of dread filled me as I noticed something was very, very wrong with the scene before me. The Temple of Sacred Ashes, the home of the Most Holy, gone. I closed my eyes trying to wake up from this nightmare, but when I opened them it still was not there. The ground was still settling and I stood up woozily. What happened? Looking around the ground I was standing on I noticed the rubble around me. Large chunks of the Temple's walls scattered among stationary and scorched bodies of Templars, Mages and Clerics. I felt my heart sink at the sight. This had to be a nightmare, a horrible nightmare. Nothing so bad could happen! The Maker wouldn't allow it! Taking strides through the wreckage I looked for any sign of life. Nothing. That's when the thought hit me like a bolt of lightning. How did I survive? In the middle of where the Main Hall used to be I cringed; I was getting closer to where the explosion took place. Looking at the ground I found much to my horror there were scorch marks of bodies around the floor. This was a massive explosion. I dropped to my knees sorrow clutching at my heart. There were good people in there. Important people as well. My body burn with agony and I held my arms around my midsection as I was racked with a silent sob. Suddenly, a bright green light burst right before my eyes and a person tumbled out. I stared at the green light noticing briefly that it almost looked like a door way. There was someone else though. A large golden figure had her hand held out, and then turned its head to me. Feeling myself freeze up at the golden creature noticing me I titled my head in question. It was amazing and terrifying.

"Who are you?" I asked very quietly my voice surprising me at how calm and serene it sounded. The golden figure looked back towards the figure on the ground before settling back on me.

"Protect." The golden creature demanded in a calm voice. Confusion twisted a nauseating path through my mind as I tried to comprehend what the golden woman has said to me. I was about to question it when the green light and the golden figure blinked out of existence. Looking towards the person lying on the ground my mind leapt, was this person the one I was supposed to protect? Staring only for a moment I hesitantly and painfully crawled towards the figure in front of me. Grunting in pain from the sudden anguish that pulsed through my ribcage.

"Shit, that smarts." I groaned to myself as I rolled onto my side trying to see the persons face. It was a man, his frame was small, but masculine. His eyes were closed his hair mussed and he had dirt and grime caked onto his skin. Scanning him further I saw his clothes were in tatters, and there was something wrong with his hand. I reached out and grabbed it trying to get a better look when a green light burst from it. More out surprise than fear I jumped back my body screaming at me. What the Void was that thing!? I tried to get up to get back to him, but I collapsed as my body gave into the pain, but I kept my eyes open trying to reach for the man. I'm not sure why exactly, but I was and it gave me a small bit of comfort in the midst of all this confusion and tragedy. That's when I heard voices and feet, 3 pairs to be exact. Whoever they were, they weren't going to hurt us. Well, any more than we were already. I flipped over when I heard the person closest to us stop and I could almost feel the person looming over top of me. Holding my dagger at the ready I grabbed the back of the person's neck. I snarled at the man that was staring at me with wide eyes and I faltered slightly, but didn't move the dagger from his Adams apple. "Who are you? What happened here!?" I demanded from him as I looked over him. He was quite handsome, too handsome. His lovely golden eyes, hair the color of wheat as the sun shone through the soft tresses, his thin lips and a sinful scar that peaked above his top lip. I kept my tight glare at him as he glared back, but didn't move.

"I could ask you the same thing, seeing how you and this man are the only two survivors of the explosion on the Conclave." My eyes widened slightly, that sounded a lot like an accusation. I held the dagger in place,

"I'll ask again. Who are you?" He glared back and I heard one of the men that was with him speak up,

"Commander, there's something wrong with the man's hand. I-It's green, and he looks like he's in pain." I growled and turned my head slightly to the young soldier next to the man who walked out of the green light.

"Step away from him!" I barked making the young recruit jump away at the animosity in my voice. I turned my head back to the golden eyed man.

"Search him, recruit." Anger lit in my eyes as I pressed the blade closer into his throat and his eyes narrowed at me. The blade bit at his skin, but not cutting. Not yet anyway. I barked orders again,

"Recruit if you value your Commanders life, step away from the man." Never taking my eyes off the Commander. "I wouldn't test me." I spoke darkly and the Commanders eyes flashed with something, something that looked a bit like sympathy. Biting back the snarl at the thought I kept my eyes level and the dagger dangerously poised at his Adam's apple. His eyes wavered as he regarded me and I felt my stomach lurch strangely. Like a twist, but it was too unfamiliar, I had no clue what it was. I felt pain erupt through my rib cage once again resonating through my chest like someone was banging it with a hammer or had been for hours. I gasped at the sudden angry flare up and I felt the dagger fall from my hand dropping to the ground harmlessly. I took quick labored breaths trying to ease the pain, but it was no use. Coughing I held my hand over my mouth and when I pulled away I caught a glimpse of red on my hand causing my eyes widened. The man who was now staring back down at me with wary eyes moved his hands making me seize up in preparation. Was he going to kill me? He was probably going to kill me. I mean, I did just threaten his life. He was still kneeling over me and I felt one of his hands on my rib cage and my eyes snapped to his which were inspecting me and I grabbed his wrist with a tight glare.

"Hands off, pretty boy." He gave me an exasperated expression and rolled his eyes at me, much to my amusement. Still keeping the tight glare on my face and the scowl on my lips I said, "Or, at least buy me dinner first." His gorgeous honey eyes widened and a blush speckled across his cheeks. His reaction made a grin split my face as he let out a small nervous laugh before clearing his throat.

"We need to get you to a healer, you're badly hurt. I believe you might've broken a rib or two." I grimaced and tried to pull myself up, but without any avail.

"Or all of them." I grumbled and he shook his head a small smile on his lips and I liked it. Damn it, Quinn you don't even know the man! Suddenly his hands were gingerly moving underneath my back and I hissed in pain when he picked me up. I felt like my body was going to explode with pain. Noticing my discomfort he muttered an apology shifting me a little trying to get me comfortable. I shook my head as I sunk into his embrace. He was so comfortable, and his smell…Maker be damned this man was dangerous. Holding onto him for dear life I found myself slipping away.

"Get the man to Haven, and make sure Seeker Pentaghast is made known of his arrival." The Commander commanded from the recruits and the two hurriedly picked him up. Trying to keep my eyes open was a hassle, but I had to do it. If I were to protect this green handed man than I'd have to stay awake. Maybe I'll just take a quick nap. "Hey, stay with me." The Commander murmured gently, Damn it. "We're almost there, and we still need to question you." Groaning partly from the pain as he lightly shifted me, and partly from his words. My chest ached and my lungs burned, but I wanted to know.

"Do you really think I did this?" I asked him looking for honesty from him and he looked down at me and I saw the war within him pass before his eyes. He shook his head and looked straight,

"I can't be sure." I groaned and stiffened when another cough burned at the back of my throat. "If you did, then you will suffer for committing such crimes. But, if you didn't and you are innocent then you have nothing to fear from anyone. Current party included." A laugh erupted from me before I could stop it and grimaced when it dissolved into a cough. His eyes snapped down to me looking me over before looking back up at the path in front of us.

"I agree. There were good people caught in that explosion. Whoever did do this will die, and I want to be there when it happens." My own voice surprised me, it was dark and scratchy and dripping with venom. He seemed to appreciate that and I felt weaker than ever as I felt my eye lids droop. The last thing I heard from him was his plea for me to stay awake. But, it was no use. I was already slipping away into an endless swirling darkness of unconsciousness.