To my loyal readers:
I sincerely apologize for how long it has been and how inconsistent I have been. I have been deployed for the better part of a year and I have just not been able to do what I would like. I have since returned home and hope that you all continue to take these journeys with me. I appreciate all of you for sticking with me.
The rain was coming down quite heavy, causing the already treacherous path to become even more dangerous. The horses whinnied as lightening flashed and thunder boomed around them. A half dozen men did their best to pull the terrified horses through the ankle deep mud, all the while trying to keep their own footing. Curses and shouts of anger echoed in the night, making it impossible to pick out any one voice. A whip cracked and the horses once again expressed their displeasure.
In the middle of this chaotic and disorganized group was a large cage attached to a massive cart being pulled behind the uncooperative horses. Three small figures huddled in the middle on this makeshift prison, sitting close together trying to gather what little warmth they could against the frigid air. The largest of these figures sat in the middle, arms wrapped protectively around the smallest figure who had been clinging to her since they began their terrifying ordeal.
Aria Trevelyan peeked out from under the hood of her cloak at the chaos happening around her, trying once again to make sense of what had occurred since her parents had sent her to bed just a few hours ago. She did not recognize her captors, and it was impossible to tell who was behind it as the accents of the shouts ranged from Orlesian to Antivan. No doubt these were nothing more than mercenaries doing the dirty work of someone who held a very deep grudge.
But against who?
Aria wracked her brain trying to make the pieces fit together. She was still yet a child whose only offense was skipping cleaning her teeth between meals. Her fellow captives were even younger than she and she could not imagine who would want to harm a child as small and innocent as Ember Cousland who was small for her age and had the temperament of a timid rabbit. Raedar Hawke was a handful to be sure, but it was hard to stay mad at a boy who was constantly causing destruction for the greater good. Nothing about this made any sense to her. She pulled Ember close to her, though rather it was for her own comfort or the younger girl's she couldn't say for sure.
Lightening flashed in the sky illuminating a hooded figure in a dark cloak. Their hood was pulled low over their face making it impossible to make out any facial features, though Aria guessed the stranger must be female based on the way their clothes clung to their frame. A loud crack of thunder echoed in the night making the trio jump and Ember to bury her face in Aria's cloak. A cruel laughter reached their ears, the high pitch affirming Aria's suspicions that this was indeed a female. The stranger approached the cage and gripped the slick iron bars.
"What's the matter little Imp?" The stranger said addressing the now trembling form of Ember. "Surely the daughter of such a revered hero isn't afraid of a little rain."
"Leave her alone." Raedar shouted, his small voice shaking even as he tried to be brave.
The hooded figure turned her attention to the small boy. "Ah, you must be the one who tried to bite the finger off one of my men." Raedar bared his teeth, silently threatening that this stranger would meet the same fate if she were to venture too close. The figure laughed again, amused by the spirit of this small child.
"Keep it up boy and we will have you de-fanged."
Raedar closed his mouth but continued to stare daggers at the woman.
"Considering who your fathers are I would have expected a bit more fight out of you. Had I known what an easy task this would be I would have cut these buffoons pay in half."
"My father will never allow you to get away with this." Aria spoke up, her voice ringing with a confidence she did not feel. "He will come for us."
"Oh my dear girl, don't you get it yet? That is precisely what I want, and when he comes I will make sure the Maker Himself cannot save him this time. Too much time has passed, and he will be made to answer for his crimes. As will yours," she pointed to Ember who once again buried her face into Aria's cloak.
"And especially yours." She said pointing to Raedar. "You are nothing more than bait to lure your fathers here. And when they come, Fereldan will finally be rid of these false heroes they have far too long idolized."
The figure turned to leave, letting her parting words hang heavily over the now confused children.
"What do you want?" Aria said, her voice now shaking.
The figure paused and once again turned to face them. She raised her hands and slowly lowered her hood that had thus far kept her face hidden. Aria was surprised to see a young woman who seemed to be only a few years older than she. Her dark straw colored hair that fell just below her shoulders clung to her rain soaked forehead. A long thin scar ran from the bridge of her nose along the length of her left cheek stopping just before her jawline, the only flaw in her otherwise attractive face. But the most distinguishing feature on this woman was not the disfigurement lining her face, but rather her eyes. They were a bright shade of purple, the likes of which Aria had never seen before, giving her the impression that this was not a natural occurrence. They appeared to be almost glossy, usually seen on those who had been blinded further adding to their uniqueness. Had this been any other situation, Aria would have asked to hear the story of how she had acquired eyes such as these.
"What do I want?" The woman repeated. "You think it is just I who has a desire to see your father suffer? No, dear girl. There are many of us who fail to see your fathers in the same light that the rest of Ferelden does. There are others, other who have lost everything while your father gained everything. I am just one of many, the one who was sent to fetch your entitled, privileged selves. And we all want the same thing. "
She pulled the hood back over her head, once again hiding her face. Though Aria could have sworn she could still see her mysterious eyes.
"What we want is revenge."
I apologize for such a short chapter after such a long hiatus. This is something I love to do in my spare time and that has been lacking as of late. Life has a way of making other plans for me and I once again apologize and thank you for the support.