Chapter Four
Allies
They were fighting – Loghain and Cailan – again. I was highly annoyed. I tuned it out for the most part as the Revered Mother asked me question after question about my magic. I answered to the best of my abilities, but some of the questions had no answer… yet. Like how demons would affect the Jinni, Mermaids or other 'creatures' of Elysion.
I had taken offence to the title she bestowed upon us and snapped, "We are no less intelligent than you or your 'Divine', Miss. Becca. You will treat us with the same curtesy as you would elves, humans or dwarves. To most in Elysion, you humans are nothing more than an amusement that they occasionally take to bed. To Jinni, you are people we respect – but only so far as you respect us."
Cailan and Loghain had stopped a moment to glance at the Mother. Before either could inject, Becca said, "It is Mother Becca – not Miss."
"And it is Princess Avalon – not Creature. You call me names, then I don't see the point in calling you with respect." I sniffed, "My Father would… ugh. Just forget it – our conversation is done until you learn the meaning of the word respect."
Cailan jumped in, "To be quite honest Mother Becca, Avalon may marry into my family if I have my way – I don't take kindly to you belittling her. So she has magic – it can't rule over her since it's genuinely a part of her. I see nothing wrong with her abilities when they can't cause death or the like."
They must have been listening in while I'd listed my rules.
It was a misconception. Jinni could pick 4 hard rules on top of the main rules to follow. I couldn't kill using magic – but my father could for example.
The main rules were as followed; no extra wishes, no bringing back from full death, no changing the past, no interfering in love, and so on.
"But… Magic is a curse on…"
"Magic was blessed to my line – blessed. You will spout your nonsense elsewhere. Cailan – either she leaves this meeting or I do; I will not stand here and allow some ignorant bitch to belittle my people, my family."
"You heard her mother." Cailan said coolly, "She has Griffins, the backing of the Wardens, and is a Princess. You will remember that you do not rule here – I do."
"Well, I never," she began in a huff. I snorted, "Never had brains or compassion, you mean. You priest types sit around and leave the important things to those with far more to lose – I will never understand it. If your chantry truly cared about the people, you would do more. Maybe you'd feed the hungry, clothe the poor, heal the sick, and house the homeless. Do more than preach from your life of comfort while people die without the simplest of needs. Yes, I suppose you do make some sacrifices, but all you give up is luxury while there are people without necessity. My people would never follow your doctrine – it's heavily racist, and completely useless. Now leave – before I lose all good will I have left and teleport you away myself like I did to the mage you were looking for just this morning."
Her eyes widened and she beat a hasty retreat.
Loghain looked almost amused, "The Chantry won't allow your marriage to people from here if you provoke them too much."
"I don't need their permission. When we find our mates and lay with them, there is no going back. We will be marked as married – in my fathers' instance, he and each of his mates gained a tattoo around their wrists. In my brothers, their hair each gained a stripe of gold. Real gold, even. There are many ways it will be shown, but it will always show. Your chantry isn't the least of my concerns when they don't even properly know their own history. Purging so many things that Elves did and attributing it to humans? There are many ways your chant is racist. Don't get me wrong – I did read it. I wanted to better get to know people here and thought that would be a good way. Dwarves? Mentioned only twice in the whole thing. Qunari? Once. Elves? They've been repeatedly and systematically removed until there are so few mentions that I do not think any race but humans would ever truly follow such drivel."
The mage off to the side – a bald man with green eyes – said, "And what are your views on the mages here?"
"They're being imprisoned – what people are doing to the mages would be considered a war crime in one place that I know. Your people tear them away from their families, imprison them when they've committed no crimes past being born with a predisposition to magic, and the drawings I saw of circles indicate that your circles pack them in like cattle… they are treated as though they are little more than animals – that's inhumane. Your people use them when you need them and toss them aside after – that's slavery. Many are raped or tortured from my research. There can be no peace when you perpetuate fear against a whole class of people. You're committing several war crimes against the mages."
Cailan and Loghain looked at each other. Loghain said, "Then what do you suggest? They are susceptible to demons and blood magic…"
"Turn the circles into school – don't rip them away from their families and don't rip their children from them. Allow them to go home once they are taught and Harrowed. And Tranquility? That is an abomination. I'll be curing any tranquil I meet – you rest assured of that."
"It's… not curable," Cailan said softly.
"It very much is – the Lady Seeker knows exactly how to cure it and so do I. Tranquility is a sin. It's slavery."
Cailan looked surprised, "You know how to cure it?"
The mage said, "Will you tell us?"
"Once this battle is over, I will be more than happy to. Look – there's Aedan and Duncan. Let's get this meeting over with."
"I saw the Revered Mother stalking off in a huff, muttering about insolence… Ava, what did you do?" Aedan asked.
My cheeks flamed red, "She called me a creature."
"Ah – then it was well deserved for her to be scolded," he smiled at me.
Cailan coughed. I hummed, "I'm going to skip this meeting – though, Cailan… when you have a moment after this, we need to discuss Alistair some more and… you need to get it down on paper that he's… um… you know. Just… signed and sealed, if you please?"
"It's a good idea; I'll get it down on paper before coming to find you – I'll have Loghain sign it too. You can stay, you know."
"Nonsense – though, if it's alright with you, this whole new group of wardens needs to stick together; all 7 new wardens and possibly Alistair too. They're too new to the Wardens to be of much use on the front lines when the battle is tomorrow and they're all weakened from the joining. Of course, that is your choice; I can easily give them trinkets to aid in their fight anywhere on the battlefield."
"… I'll consider it." He smiled softly at me and I headed out.
It took 5 seconds for the Mother to ambush me again – this time with Alistair nearby.
I glared at her, "Was there something you needed now?"
Alistair was making his way to us as she said, "You don't follow our faith – so… what is yours?"
"I worship the Fates. The Moirai who weave our destiny. Hello, Alistair."
The mother looked smug, "Young man, don't you think the Jinn should worship the Maker too?"
"Not really – there's no mention of them in the Chant, right? So I'm sure the Maker will forgive them not worshiping him if he didn't realize that they existed. That means they aren't his children, right?" Alistair asked.
I smiled at him. He was being sincere – not patronizing. I added, "Mother – we will not be conversing again until I hear an apology from you on calling me and my people creatures."
Alistairs' eyes widened and he hissed, "The Maker preaches love and guidance – not… not… that. Mother, tell me you didn't?"
Her cheeks flamed red and she stalked off. I grinned at Alistair, "Erm… the King offered me your hand in marriage."
He blanked, "… I'm sorry, I think I have sludge in my ear – can you repeat that?"
"The King? He and Loghain are plotting our marriage. Meaning Loghain is trying to get you into my bed… as soon as tonight – since I explained Soul Mates. Cailan is keeping the name of who is in my bed tonight a secret. I don't blame him. But uh… they really want this alliance – I showed them my house and said that it was what they could expect from one and… well… Storms' Fury, I'm sorry."
"… I-I… why me? Just – not that you're … I mean…" he looked away. I would be lying if I said that the rejection didn't hurt.
I looked down, "I… well, it's really up to you anyway. Excuse me – I should… get dinner started. T-that… will you be joining us for dinner? We're having Cheesy Ham and Potato soup with a side of garlic toast."
"Cheese…? Er… sure – I'll attend." He looked like he was trying not to get excited. I knew he liked cheese.
I nodded and poofed into my home. I waved my hand to get dinner started while I sank into a chair. My chest hurt so badly…
I looked through a book on mates – only to find my suspicions were right. It wasn't Cailan that was my mate. It was Alistair. I pressed my hand to my mouth in an attempt to not cry; he and I hadn't mated, so he hadn't fully broken the bond, but by the waves, it hurt.
Dinner was close to being ready when my Master said, "Avalon? We're all ready."
I summoned the Warden Recruits, Loghain, Cailan, Alistair, and Duncan. I kept my back to them while I tried very hard to control my expression… and my emotions.
Cailan spoke, "So, Alistair – I wondered if we might talk privately?"
I chimed in at once, "Aedan, could you show them to my study on the second floor?" I didn't need to hear Alistair rejecting me again – as it was, I planned to cook and go to bed.
"It smells good," Loghain said from beside me. I couldn't help but glance at him. He looked surprised before schooling his features and lowering his voice, "What's the matter, girl?"
"… I learned the hard way that Alistair is my mate. I didn't… know that you could learn that outside of the bedroom…" I muttered.
"How?" he asked.
"He… doesn't want me. It hurt – it hurt so, so bad to hear him reject me. I think I'm going to turn in early. You just need to tap the coin by the door to return to the camp or you can pick one of the bedrooms to the right of the staircase for the night." I then turned with a fake smile, "Hey, guys – I'm exhausted; I think I over did it today. I'm gonna get some sleep early since we got a battle tomorrow. If anyone needs to leave here for any reason, just tap the coin by the door 3 times and you'll be returned to the camp. Night!"
Oren looked at me in confusion – I hoped he hadn't seen me crying earlier.
On my way past the study, I poked my head in, "Hey you two – dinner is ready; I'm headed to bed, though. If either of you need me, my door is this last one at the end of the hall. If either of you need to get back to camp for whatever reason, the others can tell you how – otherwise, the other rooms just past the stairs are all available – except the first on the left. Cailan can take the one on the far end, mirroring mine since it's fit for royalty."
They both looked concerned, "Are you alright? I doubt you've had a chance to eat yet…" Cailan said.
I hoped they bought my watery smile, "Yeah – just… tired. As I said – if you need me, don't hesitate."
I then made my retreat.
It was two hours later when Cailan came to my room – I took it that the others were all in their own rooms by now.
I answered the door in my robe, "Cailan." I let him in.
I knew by not that he wasn't likely to be my mate – but… maybe I hoped he was; or maybe he just looked so like his brother that I wanted to pretend for the night. He was wearing a pair of silk pajama bottoms and a matching button up top. It suited him.
All the bedrooms had womens' and mens' clothes in the His-and-Hers walk-in closets – I could always change things later.
His hand came up to caress my cheek as the door softly shut behind him, "What's wrong? You look… Maker, you look like someone just died."
I flinched, "I… didn't realize that there was a second way to learn who your mates are. I told Alistair that Loghain was going to try and get him into my bed to see… for a marriage alliance. He rejected me." A sob tore from my throat as Cailan pulled me into a hug. I continued, "I-it… it hurts. It feels like… like I'm being stabbed – in the chest… over and over."
"So… I'm likely not your mate then? I doubt brothers would…" Cailan muttered against my hair.
"Most likely… no. That doesn't mean that it isn't possible. It just… isn't likely. Princess Ziva; her dads were brothers. But that's rare." I sighed as the King pulled me over to my bed and sat me down in his lap. He just stroked my hair and let me cry.
Maybe we would sleep together another time – but that night… he just held me while I cried, and fell asleep beside me.
The next morning, I was woken up by Aedan barging into my room. He took us in – laying on top of the covers, fully dressed – and said, "This is not how I pictured you two. I thought you two were going to…?"
I heard, but didn't see, someone else outside the door. I sat up tiredly, "We didn't – he just… I was depressed and he played pillow. It… helped. Thank you, Cailan."
"It's the least I can do; by the way – if you're up to it, I would like to see if I could be your mate another time. I'm sorry about…" he looked like he knew that I didn't want to tell them.
I shrugged, "As I said – it isn't likely, though it's possible. We can… see about it later. I'm sorry I was such a mess last night."
"Maker – after that kind of news, I might be too. I'm going to get my armor. You and your warden recruits – as well as Alistair – are all heading to the Tower of Ishal to light the beacon at our signal. Alistair should know what to look for."
I nodded and he sauntered out of the room without a trace of shame. I almost paled when I heard, "Ah – good morning, Alistair… sure, follow me."
Aedan said, "What news?"
"It's nothing – don't worry about it. I'll… I'll be fine. Eventually."
"Ava – you're practically family now; Oren calls you Auntie. I'm here if you need to talk about it. Loghain kept frowning at Alistair last night – not sure what that was about. But he went back to the camp after dinner so that there was someone in charge there. Cailan claimed he was staying to talk more to Alistair."
I stood and headed to my closet, stripping on the way. "It doesn't matter – I believe the Fates have plans for us all. If this is their will, then it needs to happen. It doesn't mean that it hurts any less, but… I'm not a Fate – I can't see the big picture."
As it was, my dad had gotten a message from them saying I was completely allowed to 'interfere' here. That was why we were saving Cailan.
"… Okay. So, what do you want to do?"
I barely paid notice that he'd followed me into the closet while I picked out my armor for the day. Leathers – I had a whole section dedicated to it.
"About?"
"Whatever it is that had you depressed last night." Aedan said.
I heard movement in my bedroom and Aedan glanced back. He didn't say anything, so I did, "Nothing. I'm not going to do anything about it. I won't force… can we just not talk about this. My heart feels like it will explode when we do. I think I got more Swan-maiden blood than I expected. I shouldn't have – that was 4 generations ago…" I mused.
"Swan-Maiden?" I almost yelped at Alistairs' voice. I whirled but he had his back to me. His neck was red, so I think he saw me naked.
When did he come back?
"S-swan-maidens are shape-changers. They're always women. The Swan-Maiden becomes a docile wife of the man who hides her feathered mantle. It's like her swan skin, she sheds it to become human and bathe or interact with others. They… die of broken hearts."
"… Was your heart broken?" Aedan asked tightly.
"Not fully – not yet. But it might be one day. I have two mates – and I think I… I think I lost one before 'finding' them. See, even if we find them while in service, it doesn't count. We just know who they are then. We can't fully mate until we're free – and thus, we can't be fully rejected either. I didn't know there was a second way to find our mates, okay? Now can we drop it? I'm… hurting. It's still a raw wound."
"… We'll drop it – only because I don't want to risk it killing you if we push the topic too much. I'm… here, if you want to talk. Come on, Alistair – let's allow our host some privacy to change."
Alistair bolted from the room. I fell to my knees at the further confirmation that he didn't want me. I clutched my chest as I dry-heaved. It hurt so much that I was getting sick? I pulled out my phone and dialed my mother – she'd know…
"Darling?" moms' voice answered happily.
"Mom – is it possible that I got the Swan gene?" I asked.
"Well, of course – you're a female within 5 generations of… honey, what's this about?"
"… Mommy… it hurts." I whimpered. "One of my mates… he… I didn't know you could… you could find them… without…"
"Oh, Poseidon – you found him because he rejected you?" Mothers' voice was horrified.
"It hurt, mom…" I cried as I leaned back against the wall of my closet.
"Oh, my baby. I'll discuss with the Swans and see if there's something we can do for you. You hold on – you still have another mate out there and I'm sure they'll love you. The Fates wouldn't just… let you die so close to freedom, would they?" she sounded panicked.
I sighed, "I'm… scared to find them. You know what this world is like about magic… what if…?"
"Don't think like that – if you break your own heart… just, please believe that things will work out. I'll go talk to the swans – you hold tight okay." She assured me that she loved me before hanging up.
I pulled on my leathers and headed downstairs – feeling sick at the sight of food. I turned away from the kitchen. Aedan grabbed my hand, "Hey – you didn't eat last night and now you're not eating today?"
"I can't. I feel really sick just thinking about it. Mom says it's possible that I did inherit the Swan Gene. So she's going to talk to them and see what can be done. I'm not a full swan, so…"
By the looks on the others' faces, Aedan had already told them that heartbreak could kill me. I shrugged, "It'll all work as it's supposed to. Excuse me. I'm going to wait in the camp."
Loghain was there almost a moment after I showed up. He looked me over, "Are you well?"
"No." I said simply.
He sighed, "I know the feeling – somewhat – of love lost. I was in love with a woman that… well, I don't think I was ever meant to have her. She loved me too – but politics got in the way."
I looked up at him, "My condolences – did you actually move on, or were your wife and daughter just…?"
"I love my daughter – but no, I didn't love my wife. She was… she knew it, I think. I spent more time in Denerim than at home with her." Loghain shook his head.
"Tell me something, Loghain – if… if today goes badly, and the battle is looking like a loss… would you leave Cailan and retreat, or would you rush in anyway?"
"Badly? It should be fine as long as the signal is lit in a timely manner." Loghain looked surprised, "But if something happened and the battle went south, then I suppose I would retreat. We cannot expect to win later if all of our forces died here. Maric wouldn't want me to save a single man over the rest of our forces. Why?"
"I have a bad feeling about the tower. Something might happen, or it might not. Maybe I'm just paranoid – but if the signal comes late, then something happened. Know this – I would never betray you or Cailan. I know you don't know me very well, but… Cailan is Alistairs' brother – and Alistair is my mate. Even if he doesn't want me… I'll protect his family to the death – because they are mine too."
Loghain hummed, "A bad feeling… you will have a considerable force at your disposal to get that beacon lit, Princess – 9 including yourself. And you still believe something may delay or prevent you?"
"Who knows? Perhaps a ceiling will collapse – or a floor? I hear the tower is quite old. Maybe treachery? Look – maybe I'm wrong; I just wanted to you to know if something does happen, then it isn't for lack of trying. And… Alistair doesn't know that I know of his lineage. I'd like to keep it that way. No need to put undue pressure on him."
"I'll keep your words at heart. Should something happen, I'll not blame you. Despite not knowing you for long, you have this air about you. You remind me a bit of Rowan – the woman I loved and Cailans' mother. Right, I need to see to things."
"Wait. This charm… it's linked to one that I have. Tell no one that you have it. If you press down on this button here, we can speak to one another. It will glow blue if I'm attempting to speak with you. And… red if I am heavily injured. I don't know what will happen up there – but it's best to be prepared for the worst."
He instantly put the bracelet on, "A good plan."
"Thank you, Loghain. I'll do my best to make sure we all make it out of this alive."
"Why not call on your people?" I heard Cailan asked behind me. I glanced at him, "An Ancient Pact. Genies can only get involved in any sort of war if one of us is mated to someone of status on one side. We're too powerful otherwise. I can get involved because my 'Master' is – Aedan is the only link keeping me involved. If I were mated to a prince, general, king, queen, princess… anyone of status… then, as the daughter of the king, I could call on my people. But… I'm not."
Loghain frowned, "Aren't you?"
"No – we can't fully mate until we're free anyway. We can find while in service, but… even if my mate lay with me before I was freed, it wouldn't count. And until I or Aedan personally take care of a traitor that tried to kill us, then I can't be free. Besides – Aedan still has one more wish before he can free me."
"Ah…" Cailan looked sad, "It's troubling to think that you can die if my brother doesn't get his head out of his ass."
"What?" Loghain jerked.
Cailan explained while I looked anywhere but at them. Loghain frowned, "The boy…"
"It's fine. I can't expect him to find me attractive if I'm not his type – and I won't be forcing anything. That's just not right. I'd appreciate if no one told him that he is… was… my mate. I'll get around to it so we can get the full rejection out of the way once I'm free. It's… it hurts, but… my mother is right. I have a second mate – and hopefully…"
"What will happen if your second mate…" Loghain began.
I shook my head, "I'm under orders not to think like that. Swan-maidens can die of heartbreak and just thinking of it can put too much stress on the heart when I'm already fragile. So, you two have places to get into. As do I. we'll talk after the battle."
Loghain motioned Cailan ahead and asked, "What if you die – the color on the bracelet?"
"Oh – it will shatter." I said and walked off.
Cailan stopped me and asked that – just in case – I send the Royal Arms Chest into the room he was meant to use last night. I wasn't the only one with a bad feeling, it seemed.
I got to the others as Duncan was explaining our role in the battle.
"We won't be in the battle?" Alistair asked – though he already knew the basic plan, I guess he assumed we'd join after.
"This was the Kings' plan, Alistair…"
"I get it, I get it – but just so you know; if the king asks me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold, I'm drawing the line. Darkspawn or no." Alistair pouted.
"I'd like to see that," Lyna snorted.
He flashed her a grin, "For you, maybe – but it has to be a pretty dress." My heart panged – I see… he liked elves?
"Don't go flirting with me, Shem – I only do elves." She quipped back. He went red "I-I wasn't – I didn't mean… Maker; let's forget I said anything."
Duncan continued his spiel but… I couldn't focus.
"Hey – Ava – where's your head?" Aedan nudged me.
"Down the rabbit hole, Alice," I quipped back with false cheer.
We began heading to the tower and I watched as Alistair flirted lightly with Solona – so… it wasn't that he liked elves? Then…? Oh… I wasn't thin – was that it?
The two he flirted with were… thin…
I looked down at myself – I was… I shook my head; I guess that was why I wasn't good enough for him. It was something I couldn't change – though I would in heartbeat if my mate wanted.
My shoulders slumped – why? Why didn't I have Skin-Walker blood? Or Fairy Blood? I could change my look if I did. I knew that this was the Fates plan, but that didn't help.
I was shocked out of my thoughts when I heard, "You – you're the grey wardens, aren't you? The tower – it's been taken!"
Alistair spoke up, "What do you mean? Taken how?"
"The Darkspawn – they came up from the lower chambers – the basement door had been barricaded but they dug right through the floor! Most of our men are dead."
Aedan took charge, "We'll take care of it – you go and warn Loghain."
I hung back a little as we headed for the tower and tapped the button on my wrist. Loghain answered with a whisper, "Ava?"
"Darkspawn tunneled from the basement and took the tower – we might be delayed. I hope not, but…" I said.
"… I'll pray for your swift victory… but I'll be ready. It appears you were right, then."
I sighed, "I'll do what I can – but something is blocking a good portion of my magic. I can't just teleport us up to the top floor like I normally would."
We cut the connection and I moved forward to catch up to the others.
Aedan gave me a look, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah – just letting someone know about this." I nodded.
"Okay… can you just… poof us up to the top floor?" Aedan asked.
I shook my head, "Something is limiting my magic here; I felt the drain half-way across the bridge. It wasn't here yesterday, so I assume it's the fates."
"Would they?" Lyna asked in curiosity.
"… I don't know. They work in quite mysterious ways," I muttered. Before, I'd say they'd never have a swan-maiden Jinn die of heartbreak before they were freed. But now? I wasn't so sure.
We moved through the first tower and… other than my bow, I was of very little help. It was as though something was draining my magic, not just blocking it off. I got so tired – I was practically tripping on my feet by the halfway point; the 7th floor.
Coincidentally, that was where Alistair said, "Makers' Breath, what are these Darkspawn doing ahead of the rest of the Horde – there wasn't supposed to be any resistance here!"
"I don't know – want to try telling them that they're in the wrong place?" Solona deadpanned.
"Right… because this is clearly all a big misunderstanding; we'll laugh about it later!"
"I don't understand why they would even be here… unless they knew the plan?" Sereda asked.
Alistair shuddered, "Now there's a scary thought. They couldn't know the plan; how? They're not that smart, are they? At any rate, we need to get to the top of the tower and light the signal fire! Teyrn Loghain is waiting for it."
I didn't even comment that Faren was looting and pocketing things as we went – some of it was too big so he had me move it to my house.
When we got to the Kennels, Aedan released the hounds who instantly set upon the Darkspawn in the tower. The farther up the tower we went the less there was to kill.
It was on the thirteenth floor that Alistair muttered, "Loghain had better to be ready to charge as soon as we light the signal – I get the feeling we've missed our cue."
I frowned – hoping he was wrong.
When we entered that final floor – and it was all one large room with a ceiling high enough to fit a 20-foot giant – there was an Ogre. It was eating Loghains men.
I looked at the group and whispered while the Ogre was distracted, "I'm going for the signal – distract or kill that thing A.S.A.P."
They all nodded and we got to work.
The tree warriors – Aedan, Sereda and Alistair – all charged at once while Alim focused on healing and Solona was using what they called Spirit Magic. Lyna was shooting arrows, aiming for the eyes. And Faren and Darrien – sweet quiet Darrien – were going for the knees with their daggers.
I lit the signal. The ogre went down. My bad feeling intensified so without further ado; I sent the others into my house. I didn't have enough strength left magically to send all of us – one was going to be left out, so… I chose me.
Loghain called, "The battle is lost – you only just reached the signal?"
"There was an Ogre eating your men," I quipped.
"We're sounding a retreat – there's… no choice."
I sighed, "I under… Ah!" I screamed as several arrows pierced my back.
"Avalon? Avalon! What…?"
"D-Dark…spawn… go, Loghain… save…" I fell to my knees, blood trickling from my lips. My head turned and I saw them preparing more arrows; I was going to die.
At least I had saved the others and Cailan – the exit to my house would let out in an area that was 'safe' when using the coin at the door.
I fell sideways – this… was less painful than the rejection had been. My eyes slipped closed and… I felt no more.
