Chapter 21
Silent the Apartment of the Norrathians as they dressed.
The elves had primped and preened in their simple dress. Simple as in terms of an elf of Norrath. House Swiftleaf adorned their children in blue, royal deep rich colors, with gold and silver trim scrolled on the cuff, that covered the back of her hands, high collar, and hem of the warm robe. The Elder Lady wore, a sheer white under robe that flowed behind sweeping the floor as she walked, showing off her matching royal blue slippers. Silver metal sparkled like well-polished mirror, inlay gems in several brilliant hues.
Her long hair was curled neatly pulled up to tumble down half atop her head, falling in waterfall-like fashion. Generous loose curls sat on her shoulders and continued to tumble down her back, adorned with her beloved circlet and metal charms that dangled and tinkled when she moved.
Her daughters wore something lighter. Sweeping her light lavender hair to a soft curl over one eye. Lili'Enyel chose a soft light doeskin jerkin and pant that was as warm as it was soft, embroidered vines with delicate leaves of green and gold, the royal blue was stitched in small hyacinth bundles, dotted along the rib, a bright white long-sleeved tunic embroidered royal blue threads fit neatly on her wrist.
The twins donned identical colors, matching darker tanned doeskins, warm pants that had similar embroidery along the outer thigh to the ankle that hid into their low-heeled boots, tunics that matched their elder sister. Taming their curled tresses braiding a similar braid that fell to the left and right as their normal hidden braid.
Okhor, with his Uncle, wore the same rich blue in their outfits. Okhor with a tunic and pants of the deep blue, under a white high collared deerskin jerkin embroidered with the same gold and silver threads of leaves along the collar, cuffs, and the left front of their knee-length jerkins.
With Xellexes family color of a medium grey. The silver and gold accents enhanced the beauty of their outfits.
They dressed the children in warmer clothing dyed the colors of House Swiftleaf.
Cullen had his armor cleaned and polished. He stood waiting for the others. His thoughts drifted to the young woman he missed the opportunity to confess. Silent prayer for her safety.
Dressed, Deedolit had one last item for her family. Seven square-shaped, black lacquered boxes were in her hands. Peeking in the sealed box handed each to the respective owner.
"For you, for tonight." All but two left held in her hands. Giving the box a squeeze. Placing the box down On the nearest end table, she adorned her children first as her cousin fitted his, Okhor looked every bit a prince, with his swept-back hair. The girls, her princesses.
"These for Letty, and Lord Brother?" Okhor pointed out.
"Yes. It was for them if they could have joined us."
With a solemn nod, held his arm for his mother to take. "One day, and soon Mother."
"Correct. Shall we?" A smile as she took his arm, they were then led from the apartments to the Grand Hall.
The Grand Hall of the Royal Palace, Denerim.
The need for a ruler was felt by the Warden known as Deedolett Surana. Anora understood what they needed and offered her knowledge. For the past several years, with Cailan, saw the lands and her people. After the near civil war, that also tore the lands, while under Loghain's guide.
Deedolett, with her knowledge offered, a Theirin by blood and not name, should rule the kingdom. As it was her fondness for the tales of Maric and Deedolit and the stolen throne.
The mood was pleasant standing on little more than ceremony, feeling quite rushed. The coronation of Ferelden's new King, Alistair Theirin, was held with little frivolity. Several nobles who were loyal to the son of Maric stayed well after the Archdemon had been defeated.
Then, with Calian pulling in the Grey Wardens from Orlais, Loghain's previous encounter with the enemy of Ferelden set in motion like that of 'fool me once, never will fool me twice.' Giving his word to Maric to keep the lands free from the tyrannical rule that slaughtered and raped both The Rebel Queen and Loghain's parents.
Maric went so far to set it so Loghain would rule after him if the mage Deedolit had never returned. As stated in letters the High Elf read. Not that he did not trust his son. He knew there could be dangers with him away. Loghain conceded to the Elven girl. When she reminded him of what he, they once fought for.
Loghain did what was needed. With him, the guilt he admitted to his lover, the mother of his firstborn. Now he has been summoned to the very empire he so desperately wanted far from his mind. Whether it be a blessing or curse, Olett allowed him to keep his head.
They stood, front of the dais with the last of the Theirin blood crowned. Deedolit stood waiting, watching, as she had always done. Lying in wait until they could go in search of a way to cure her daughter, as well as in search of her.
Her youngest child had become possessed by the crone Witch of the Wilds, who seemed older than time itself. Stolen from swaddling, from the Elven mage Flemeth met, or pulled into Thedas several decades ago.
Deedolit with eyes closed listening to the Chant of Light, reminiscent of the coronation and marriage she once attended. Eyes fluttered shut, her heart heavy, her emotions flooding. Still very proud during the brief ceremony with her other children, her eldest Lily'Enyel, the next eldest twins Ruroni and Tenkou, with Olett's twin brother Okhor, secret second eldest of former King Maric, as well as her cousin Xellexes. Deedolett Swiftleaf, the Hero of Ferelden, was announced as their hero who saved them from the fifth Blight, and none spoke of her missing.
There were those in attendance who came to aid, from nobility to farmers. Olett had her companions who stood by her with awe and love.
Morrigan, daughter of Flemeth, who came back because she felt the power return her mother once spoke of. Morrigan first encounters Olett as a mere mage searching in the Korcari Wilds, following them in animal form, then later leading them to Flemeth, who held ancient Grey Warden documents necessary for the completion of their Joining. Kept safe from their resting place. Alistair was leery and continued to be so well after their meeting. Following the Battle of Ostagar, Morrigan helped nurse Olett and Alistair back to health, much to her mother's insistency. Spirited herself away once the battle had started, telling her child to make a space for the girl they had met days prior. Later accompanied them on their quest at the behest of Flemeth. She stayed hidden behind Xellexes.
Leliana, born in Orlais, is Orlesian. Her mother, however, was Ferelden and so she considers herself as such. After her mother's passing at sixteen met one beautiful summer, the widow taught her way of the bard: manipulation, subterfuge, and combat. Later, learning the latter was not all she seemed. Leliana then found herself in Lothering. On her mother's home soil, she sought refuge. Leliana joined the chantry there as a lay sister, becoming intensely religious.
There, her confession of a vision from the Maker, and discovery of an impossible white rose on a dead bush in Lothering, both made her an outcast and spurred Leliana's passion to aid the Warden Olett in ending the Fifth Blight.
Zevran Arainai, trained as an assassin at a young age. His skills proved useful to the House of Arainai, which allotted him his now surname. A contract to assassinate the Warden and Alistair reached the Crows. Zevran took his bid for a contract to kill the two remaining Grey Wardens in Ferelden. To which was interpreted by some as an attempt to attain the rank of master, but was in actuality a suicide attempt. His life spared by Olett too much of Alistair's distaste.
Sten is Qunari from the north, a warrior of the Beresaad, the vanguard of the Qunari people. Permission to travel to investigate the Blight, upon arriving, they gathered as much information as they could. After some time in the south, Darkspawn attacked his group. Killing his comrades, Sten awoke in a panic. A horrendous crime he had committed led to being brought to Lothering, where the Revered Mother sentenced him to die in the cage where he is found by Olett and Alistair.
Wynne, senior mage from the Circle of Magi, Kinloch Hold, Ferelden's mage tower. A Circle mage for most of her life has been upstanding and forthright with her apprentices. She hesitated not when answered the call of King Cailan's aid. It was early in the next year that Wynne would see Olett. When she questioned the girl as to why she was in Ostagar, Olett replayed the entire ordeal once more. Wynne could do no more than gather the young woman whom she very fond into a tight hug.
Oghren Dwarven, once the greatest warrior of his House in the grand city of Orzammar. Became an outcast, casteless, and visible exile in part of his estranged wife, Branka. It was in 9:28 Dragon Branka took her entire household, with the sole exception of her husband, into the Deep Roads in search of the secrets of the legendary Anvil of the Void. Olett along with Oghren witnessed the nightmares made real in the Deep Roads. House Branka was never heard from again.
Along with the Golem Shale, originally from Orzammar. The first of the many war golems created by Paragon Caridin in -255 Ancient. The First Blight. Deedolit met the creature during her time in Ferelden, during the occupation as Wilhelm's golem, who served for Maric. Cullen knew her as the statue they would decorate and play amongst as a child in his home village. Where many years later, Olett found in Honnleath village, along with Wilhelm's son and granddaughter.
They stood side by side, strangers brought together for one reason: Olett. All the saving, the aid she lent when she stepped from the tower, the shoulders she lent. Her companions were going to do their damnedest to aid her in return.
"Lady Deedolit Swiftleaf, will you on behalf of the Hero of Ferelden, Lady Deedolett Sura… Swiftleaf, as her mother please accept several Boons on her behalf?"
Deedo stepped forwards, curtsied low to the floor. The gathering in attendance was in shock. Murmurs filled the room like bees buzzing around flowers.
Denerim's Marketplace
After the ceremony, it was customary to go about the city. The people lined up to greet their new King. It was still new, all of it, it was Olett that guided him to be where he is now. As well as his impulsive decision during the Landsmeet. Alistair watched the reactions when they made their way through the markets as if he were watching Olett and himself; when they had first arrived in the large city. He saw the Elder Deedo stop to greet the children; directing the young Druid and Ranger to inquire if anything was needed. The children and sisters gladly welcomed them, stating that they had all they needed and more. The children in warm clothing smiled, hugging the twins as they showed off their small finery. Alistair couldn't help but smile. It was as if he saw Olett with them. His sister, not just of the Order.
During the remainder of the tour, Deedo and the others politely showed Alistair the work they had done, while he had been busy with other duties. Though Alistair dreaded the last stop in his Kingdom… the Alienage. Tenkou had asked about this place before, and now having to face the question the young druid asked, he knew he had to address that they had been hit just as badly, if not worse, than that of the rest of the city. Before the Darkspawn.
They made their way, with Deedolit and Xellexes taking notes on how they can offer more help, pointing and agreeing, Deedo every so often smiling at the young King. Knowing that these good people are Elven, he dreaded bringing them to the Alienage because when he himself first stepped foot here. They gave Alistair word that all the elves had evacuated in time and found that they had not evacuated. Olett made her warning clear.
It was when they came to Denerim, gathering any aid that they could as they opposed Loghain. It was in the Alienage that they saw poverty; the conditions left at the hand of those who did not care. They were hardly thriving buildings, crumbling, barely held together. Their clothing in tatters. How it had been left this long without care confounded Olett, for she was one of them, and for Alistair, because these were his people.
The Tevinter was in the city, the Alienage under the guise of curing a sickness that was sweeping through. They freed the Elven from being sold, eliminating the slavers that were the ones that taking the people under false pretenses. Under Loghain's rule.
Saw first hand the deplorable conditions it left them with, what ultimately gave him the heart to rule, his outburst that led him to charge Loghain, was the orphanage that was indeed possessed by an evil entity, that had taken one of this almost Order. A Blind Templar named Ser Otto. The evil that surmounted they had to face was near unkillable. When it took Ser Otto...
Olett had Alistair contact whoever they needed about his family to send them a letter that stated his dedication in his last hour, along with what they could spare of their monies. Anora undoubtedly paid little attention to the Alienage when she and Cailan ruled. Now, this fell to Alistair, a city this large. He felt the weight already. A hand to his shoulder pulled him from thoughts.
"Shall we continue?" Deedo asked with a soft smile.
The Alienage of Denerim
With the Norrathians in tow, they entered the broken gates, there were elves busy cleaning up debris, on their side of the large gate, shouting orders, and helping the injured that became injured from crumbling buildings as this area saw fires sweep the poorly cobbled together homes they shared in this cramped space.
The young king cleared his throat. "This is Denerim's Alienage. It is home to the Elves... who live here, in Denerim." He nearly whispered at the end.
A young soot-covered woman, who would be lovely once cleaned, turned as the parade approached, her eyes hard and bright, the look of accusation. Face dirtied from the day's work, Alistair took a deep breath. This woman was outspoken and distrust of "Shems" oozed from her entire demeanor.
Deedo's head slowly turned towards him as her eyes scanned the area from where they stood, the ground upturned with enormous gaping holes in the ground from what seemed like something large came through. Building crumbled and destroyed more than they should. A large tree in the center of it all, uprooted on its side, charred, broken, the branches and trunk, the paint markings almost gone covered from the flames and the smell was indescribable. When her eyes finally landed on him, he could see a multitude of questions.
The High Elves' eyes narrowed. Deedo spoke what they all wondered. "What do you mean, the Elves live here? Denerim's Alienage? Is there more than one?" She heard from Loghain's lips of this place. To see it firsthand was indeed another. "Certainly, this is a ruse. You truly expected people to thrive in deplorable conditions such as this?"
Her birth home was a city of white polished marble, grand and pristine, with her guards standing tall. Felwithe was with a proud King. What she saw before her was far from the stone walkways, clean waters, and tree-lined streets she used to live.
Even the Wood elves had a vast treetop city that sprawled acres, as she tried to imagine what it would have looked like out of the state it is in now, her mouth drew into a frown that borderlines a scowl, seeing Alistair cringe her gaze was like fire. Expecting an answer, as well she should, this was inexcusable: no human let alone elf should live under these conditions, Blight or no.
Shianni stepped forward as Alistair directed her attention to the new leader of the City Elves. "Allow me to introduce Shianni. Olett had assisted her and her cousin, Naline Tabris when Loghain took it upon himself to sell off the elves." Deedo's eyebrows all but hid in her hair.
Deedo shook her head, 'Believe whatever you hear true that came not from me.' Loghain had warned her.
The redhead elf stood before them, speaking sternly, making herself known, "She is a credit to us for getting Naline out. The Warden also helped with the fighting, as some couldn't escape. Are you going to, now, help us, or are you just showing us off to this Shem woman of yours?" She looked past Deedo, the agitated girl breezed to Tenkou, "Ah, Warden, I thank you greatly. Will you help us once again?" Shianni addressed the Druid.
Deedo turned her eyes with a look of disbelief. Her whole body swiveled to face the Elven girl.
Tenkou pointed at herself and smiled kindly. "I am afraid I am not my baby sister. My name is Tenkou, this is my twin…"
"Ruroni, we would be happy to assist and restore to even better rebuild." Ruroni came from her twins left to stand before the smaller Elven lady, the Bard, finished.
Shianni stood proud, a little embarrassed, apologized soundly for mistaking the woman in front of her. She inspected the two women; they were strikingly beautiful, like the Warden, a head taller than she. Their hair and eyes were indeed different from the Warden. Shianni looked among all who were there. "Where is Warden Surana?"
Deedo cleared her throat, and the twins smiled kindly, looking at their mother. "I am no 'Shem'. Is that what you called me? I will assume, young one, that is a disparaging mark." Deedo tucked her hair, exposing her Elven ear. "I am like you, Elven."
Shianni gasped, not knowing what to say she just stared at the tall woman before her, Deedo stepped forwards taking the girl by her hand, and nodded, "My daughter is not here presently. As they said, we will help you. For that you have our word, Xell, we have to get word home. We need our best to help rebuild."
Xellexes nodded in agreement. Shianni knew not what to say to the woman before her, her Uncle Cyrion Tabris, stepped forward, "Shianni, you know not who this woman is?" The older man bowed, Shianni helped him to stand, "Nevermind me, this is Lady Deedolit Swiftleaf."
Deedo smiled at the man before her. "You know me?"
With a nod of his head, "I was but a boy but I told my daughter, niece, and nephew all about you, your grace."
They flattered Deedo. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Nothing at all. We are finding our way. Shianni, be kind." And he walked off, assisting who was closest to him.
Deedo turned her head, knowing she will not leave things be. Bowing her head to the right and left, and the girls silently went to work. Alistair watched them. He felt a little sickened. What happened to the Tabris girl? Her wedding day was viciously assaulted, along with Shianni and the groom. He lost his life as well. Olett indeed was a credit to them. Now he has the dutiful task of seeing that they no longer suffer while under his care.
"When we finish with our parade, I shall pen letters." Xellexes noted quickly things he saw himself to aid these kindred.
"Many ideas are forming, cousin." That was all Deedo could say, turning to Alistair. "You, Your Majesty, and I should have a long talk."
Alistair blushed a thousand shades of crimson as he nodded and swallowed hard.
"Lady Shianni, please speak with me." Okhor took her free hand and secured it to his arm.
Tenkou was at the tree. The Vhenadahl, she was told, went to restore it and rested her hand on it, hearing the great tree faint as it was in the winter months and barely hanging on because of its current battle.
"Worry not, I am here to help you." The young girl smiled, closing her eyes as she felt for the tiny thread tied to the earth still. "Grasping roots." She whispered. They stood, mouths agape. The Vhenadahl creaked, the roots the girl summoned formed anew. Tenkou closed her hands, tugging invisible strings, wrapping and twisting, pulling the tree upright once more.
Never had they witnessed such magic. Weaving her hands, she touched the ground, and it rumbled. The fissures, the scars from the battle, sealed once more.
Deedo smiled, her Sisters grinned, nodded their approval, Tenkou has indeed gotten stronger, to heal their Vhenadahl fully, Tenkou stepped over the newly exposed roots, once again laying her hand on the tree the burn marks she apologized for them, but cast a healing spell to make sure the tree understood, it can continue to live.
Ruroni and Lili'Enyel took to tending to the injured, as well as helping to move the debris that littered their dirt streets. Seeing where the tree once laid, an idea formed from their pockets, seeds scattered in places of the homes that were destroyed.
"Tenkou, my little sister. You can surely do better than a tree. I have seen you tend the grove of Surefall?" Lili'Enyel teased. Tenkou blushed and grinned right back.
"You doubt me?"
"Of course, we prepared your turn." a smirk played on the sister's lips.
Tenkou took the bait. She heard the tree, its roots reaching the seeds her older sisters spread. Tenkou raised her hands, and slowly brought them down, her palms upright, " Hiz Feir Curuvar, Arbo Aros Thalinor!" A whisper, fingers spread wide, a green glow as she reached to the root, and it sank into the grown.
Much like the small cabin Lily had helped grow. Nudging Cullen to witness what true druid power of growth was, he was far from disappointed; he was astounded, along with everyone around.
The seeds sank into the upturned earth. The elder twin and ranger moved people back, the sound of roots gathering and shaping, their tendrils forming a floor, raising up, then another, roots attached themselves to the stone wall, walls of vines formed, staircases leading to second floors, inside new homes. Tenkou was outdoing herself. But she was replacing the homes lost, vines spread to the next house, and the next, making them sturdier than before.
Shianni looked on with the others of the Alienage in wonder. Xellexes nodded his approval as well. Okhor held a wide grin as Cullen stood in awe. They watched the roots slip in and out of the hard earth, hearing Tenkou chanting her spell, "ArosTha, linor!" As a whispered wind.
She was rebuilding; thousands of tendrils covered each home in new vines, uprighting homes, or building anew. The warehouse that was once the trade center for shipping the Elven people became covered as well.
It charged the whole of the Alienage with healing energy. The waters that were once unbearably filthy were being cleansed as well. The putrid smell that coated the air cleared.
The young Druid wove her hands covering the entrance of the Elven home, to the back end with fresh tendrils. As winter flowers sprang up in greeting, she covered the ground once trampled and barren with a lush green carpet.
Deedo elated by the magnitude of her tiny Druid's power. She knew she made the right choice to send her and her twin to find Olett.
Her elder sisters were far from done, they placed several more seeds down, and from them sprang fruit and nut trees, bushes full of various berries, they quickly pulled others to gather the bounty, bushels, upon bushels before the spell had finished its magic. The children giggled, the older elves cheered. They will live out this winter.
Tenkou completed her spell, "Un Fyr!"
The trunk of the Vhenadahl stretched, its branches touching each house as it rose high above the top of the wall. Tenkou opened her eyes, and the spell ceased. The green fading their spring time color, and preparing its winter armor, the once lush grasses now crunched under the chilled air. She smiled brightly, proud of herself. She ran over to her mother, hugging her tight.
"My little love. You wonderful girl, look at what you did!" Hugging the girl tightly, she turned her around to show her the power she possesses. "The Goddess has granted you the power of growth."
Ruroni teased as they trotted over, "We knew you could do it." Handing the girl an apple.
Once they gathered and distributed the bounty,
Alistair ordered the guard to bring in wood, meats, and wool from the castle storage. Making note of anything else that may need to be replaced for his people. His initial fear quelled; he didn't know a new one was about to challenge again.
Okhor pulled the young woman on his arm out of her stupor to walk the newly covered path that his sister bore for them. Xellexes walked alongside them and continued noting what Shianni wished to see for her people in the Alienage, possibly all Alienages around Ferelden, nodding in agreement with certain things that would be an improvement, noting of the now odds and ends.
Shianni then shared what happened to her cousin during her wedding, with many of the female elves at the hands of the Former Arl of Denerim's son, Vaughan. Shianni divulged information that caused the even-tempered Elder to once again see red.
Okhor's brow furrowed. "Just how are you treated?"
"He called us rats, vermin. He killed a girl, his maid. They rumored that was true. Nearly killed Naline on the day of her wedding. They thought it sport, the Shems, it would have been better to die."
Aghast, the Elves stood amongst their smaller kin, taking in what she was saying. Deedo had taken notice the way wasn't like before. They had worked together, mostly. Even the elves' treatment in Kinloch, separated almost even by the humans having shared magical abilities, along with the number of Elven servants that are in the New King's court. The Alienage is a test to the many years that flew without her here. Has it always been this way? Had her child been subject to such harsh, discriminative treatment? Deedo stopped. That was what she feared when leaving her son. It was not nearly as horrible as it was then. Or was it?
A deep breath left the Beguiler's body, loud enough to be heard from the others. "Let me ask you, had he harmed you?" Deedo's inflection caused the girl to shudder. Okhor pressed his hand firmer on her smaller one, placing his arm around her shoulders to protect her, feeling her tremble on his arm. "Where is this Arl's son now?" Deedo turned to face the young king.
Alistair had closed his eyes, nearly forgotten. Feeling a tinge of guilt, he had done better by the way he spoke and treated the Elves since meeting Olett. He never once saw them as anything but people, but he sees now that has to change. Deedolit and Deedolett, both Elven, looked up too. That should be enough...
"Alistair!" Deedo's voice broke him from his thoughts.
"The castle prisons. Still, it was where Olett and we left him." A pit grew large and cold in his stomach.
Alistair dismissed the others and had a few guards follow
The Alienage to the Arl of Denerim's estate was a pleasant walk, under normal circumstances. The parade headed back towards the palace; they asked Shianni to accompany them. Curious eyebrows rose from Morrigan and Jowan when the group met them outside. They too summoned to join them, the twins waved the others to follow them.
They all headed to the lowest part of the estate, the pathways moderately lit with torchlight. Deedolit motioned for them to proceed. She brought up the rear. Quietly she cast, stopping a moment to adjust her hair, braiding her changing starlight sea. Braiding just enough to secure draping over her shoulder from light to dark, gaining mass and height, two inches; defined muscles, broad shoulders, much heavier, denser than before as her footsteps now heard.
The others looked back to see her as she changed form, a tall woman with a tattoo adorning her left cheek and eye, she stood with chestnut locks braided to the middle of her back, her dress, once of warm velvet red shifted into a pair of brais with an overskirt, chemise, and ankle-high dark leather bootie.
Long discarded her cloak the twins now carried, she excused herself as she made her way to the front next to the King.
Her arms crossed over her chest, she radiated intimidation; the tattoo scrawled along her jaw and down her left arm looked like a spell frozen on her skin. Deedo waited as the guards awaited the order to unlock the cell. Alistair jumped back in shock at the sight of this new person who wasn't there before. He had to look up at her, turning her head slightly as she watched the cells.
"Aye, who's there? I know you can bloody well hear me. Let me out!"
A wicked grin spread across her lips. With a nod, she leaned in. "Give yer order yer Majesty." Her voice was a low rasp. He nodded to release the man held in the cell.
"Mother, I doubt there is enough room in here for what you plan." Okhor pointed out with a playful snort.
"Mind the exits, ye let me handle this."
The Norrathians stood back, pulling the King and the few guards away to give room. Okhor hiding Shianni behind him. The man, Vaughn, gingerly walked from the cell with a smirk on his face.
"Bout time you freed me, hey a warm welcome with Elven whores to make up for it. Don't I know you, you were here with that Bitch Warden."
Alistair went to step forward but was held back by the Ranger. As Cullen seethed, a hand held him from the twin girls. "Do not refer to my sister in such a way!" Okhor announced for them.
Deedo tilted her head to the side and snorted, "Bitch, is that how ye call em? Oh, vermin and whore as well?"
"That's right. What you going to do about it?" the boy before her sneered.
Striding up, out of the shadows, "Did ye touch her when she asked ya to stop?" Hitching her thumb at Shianni as she stood behind Okhor and now Xellexes.
"Well, well, you're a big bitch, aren't you? What else she good for? That was a fu-"
Deedo landed a hammer-like right fist in the boy's mouth.
Vaughan stumbled back, "You big BITCH!" He spat, felt his jaw where he struck, tasting the blood in his mouth, he went to lunge at her with a swing of his own, Deedo stepped back half a foot, landing another strong swing to his left eye, his head snapped to the right so fast he twisted losing his footing.
Gathering him up by the back of his linen shirt, she hurled him into the bars of the open cell he stepped from, the loud clunk it made echoed the dungeon. He slumped to the ground. Deedo gathered him once more, giving him a hefty toss into the other set of cell bars opposite from where he sat.
Stopping to let him recover, she waited, arms folded, until he could stand. His face was already showing signs of swelling, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and eyebrow.
He felt the blood trickle into his eye. "You Bitch!"
"That da best ye have?" She shrugged, unfazed. Behind her, the twins chortled, Lily, patting the beyond astounded King and Cullen on the shoulder.
Wiping his eye, he squared his shoulders and the look of anger raged in his eyes. "You sodding wet shit, bitch!" Vaughan pushed off the iron bars, going for another swing.
A mock pout. "Aw, that could have gone better, but from da look of it, yer outmatched."
She brought from an unholy place a solid right into his abdomen. His reach never made a purchase. Her arm's length and power took him off the ground a few inches.
A sloshed wet cough and blood came from his mouth on her shoulder, face, and neck. He fell to the ground with a thud, groaning as she turned him on his back.
Deedo straddled him sitting on his chest and she continued her assault, his hands went up to protect his face "Don't ye… ever… touch… another woman… as long as you live!" As she shifted to her natural form, her hair still held in place grew light and long. The others saw she was indeed the High Elven woman who was with them earlier.
She hit him with every word spoken til she tire. "You think it amusing to hurt others? Guess who amused now. I." Deedo slapped Vaughan across his swollen face before absolutely done with him. The men stood shocked, Shianni in tears as she sobbed a small laugh, Okhor smirking still, placed an arm around her.
The High Elf stood over top of him, breathing hard. "On your feet, hurry now. Fight me. You want to hit women and beat on elves? I am Koada'dal, Hit. Me." She backed up further, inviting him to stand. Vaughn got to his knees, forcing himself to stand. Deedo backhanded him, causing him to fall to the ground. The noble could no longer get to his feet.
"I wish him castrated." She turned to the King in an even tone. Her anger got the better of her in a second's breath, her eyes then glowed briefly.
Vaughan stood awkwardly, groaning as he came to his feet. The bloodied man walked corpse-like to stop standing before Shianni.
Regaining her composure in an even tone, "Apologise." Deedo, she waited politely inclining her head, then released her spell hold of him, checking her hand. It was hard to close her fingers.
Vaughn wiped his mouth, head down. "I apologize."
"For?" The Elder prodded with her eyes closed, taming her temper.
Vaughan turned his head to Deedo as she stood inches near him on his right side. "Everything. I apologize."
Deedo sucked her teeth, "Seems I will have to teach you manners." Speaking then to Alistair. "I hope you grant my request and have this… person… castrated then turned over to me to be my… what did you call us Elves?" Addressing Vaughan turning to face him, tilted her head to looking at him questioningly, he refused to meet her eye, she fixed her aqua eyes to his.
Vaughn visibly jumped. "Lowly undesirables." He answered meekly.
A pleased gasp left her lips. "I can teach him." Mock amused, then Deedo waved a finger and the Arl's son fell to the ground in a heap, asleep.
The Guards, Alistair, Cullen, Shianni, Morrigan, and Jowan, all stood with their mouths wide in shock. Tenkou excused herself, coming to the front where Deedo stood, handed her a waterskin. Deedo pushed it back into the girl's hand, shifted quickly into a water nymph, then back to herself. Tenkou handed her mother her cloak, noticed a few minor cuts on her knuckles and some swelling.
Deedo looked up to the King through her long eyelashes, "Will you allow it, your Majesty?"
"I doubt it would be wi–"
Deedo nodded as Tenkou applied a salve to her hand. "I will not harm him further. His beating was punishment enough. He will be safe in my care. I will treat him well. He will just not be able to pass on his idiocy." A chuckle escaped Morrigan's lips. "I believe sending him to my home for training would suffice. My apologies for that array. I seem to be at my wits' end."
Alistair's lips pressed into a fine line. He could see no wrong with it, as long as he would no longer harm others. "You can turn me into a toad, can't you?"
With a shake of her head denounced that sort of spell work, Morrigan snorted again.
Tenkou and Lili'Enyel raised a finger, "Best we have is wolf?" Lili'Enyel accounted as she shrugged.
Alistair blinked at them. As a loss for words, he thought back. He saw them change to wolves, but all he could do was shake his head. Their magic was indeed a thing to behold.
Deedo retrieved something from her cloak, passing it to the Witch, "Eat." She mouthed.
Stunned to see a mage use their fist in a fight, "Just where does a mage learn to fight?" Alistair, astounded by what he witnessed as he leads them up to the first floor, signaling the guards to carry the sleeping man.
Tenkou cast levitation on him and the guards jumped back in shock, drawing their swords. Deedo laughed, a simple flick of her wrist. The guards placed their swords back in their scabbards, pulling the man on the way.
Alistair pointed to the men. "How?" gesturing to his men as they pulled Vaughn along.
Deedo cleared her throat. "A charming spell, when I made him apologize. As for the fighting hand to hand, training with a few friends of mine, and just then, a memory blur, it affects them not, my son." Alistair's heart warmed, he repute the words she just uttered casually, he nodded, he had much to learn as well as a multitude of questions to ask.
Turning to Shianni, Deedo took the girl by the hand as they continued the path out of the dungeons. "Are you well now? Perhaps I should have let you first hit?"
Shianni blotted her eyes, and a laugh erupted from her. "Thank you. My cousin and I will be forever in your debt. I cannot thank you enough, my lady."
Shaking her platinum head, "No need to thank me love, as long as he is in my care, he will have a constant reminder of the Elven he now serves. Your Majesty. I wish for her to be Bann of the Alienage."
"Of course." Alistair agreed. The time for change was now.
Ruroni and Cullen were already standing, waiting for the others. Ruroni pulled Cullen aside. "Have you ever been to Kirkwall?"
Cullen shook his head. "I have been in Kinloch for a long while, and before that training, to become a Templar. To be asked for personally, it is an honor."
Ruroni nodded. "I guess we will search for Olett when we get there. Maybe they have maps here. I can lay the land, so to speak." Taking a slow exhaled breath, she pondered just how to think about how to even ask this question that was nested in her mind. It was difficult enough to hear how that man called his sister, to hear Shianni speak of their treatment. "Is it true that we are… beneath you?" Ruroni disturbed, she being stronger at swordplay than her sister. She would hate to coat her blade for someone who harmed her double, or any of her family.
Shaking his head. "I do not think that way, never fear that from me. There are people who… would. Like Ser Waltgud, he…." He would not speak more of it. They both saw what happened. Ruroni nodded again, turned to face the door, seeing Xellexes summon his imp, turned straight for the palace.
Tenkou and Lili followed by Alistair and their mother, Okhor, with Shianni following behind. All made way back to the palace. There were several things that needed to be done. Deedolit and Xellexes were the only ones who knew the time to do it in.