Chapter Five
The Wait
-Inside the house-
Aedan paced back and forth, "Where is she? She should have come too."
Alistair frowned, "I don't know – perhaps she meant to… I don't know."
Cailan went downstairs at hearing the noise, "Oh – hello again, guys."
"Your Majesty?" Solona blinked at the king – looking like he had just showered.
"Yeah – Ogre 'killed' me by crushing me. The trinket that Ava gave me stopped it at the last second and brought me here. I was covered in blood and… other stuff… so I took a bath. Where's Ava?" Cailan was rubbing a towel along his hair.
"We don't know – she should have followed us in; I'm not even sure why she sent us in here. We just lit the beacon and then she… and it's been an hour. The coin at the door isn't letting us out at the moment – it flashes red and a spirit-like whisp tells me that it 'isn't safe' yet. It gave me an estimated time for 2 hours from now." Aedan growled like a wounded dog as he ripped his hand through his hair.
Cailan frowned, "Well – have you asked Maria? The bird-woman taking care of the Griffins? Oren is out there with her at the moment."
Aedan shot up and stalked toward the back yard to do as the King suggested.
Cailan shook his head, "So… Alistair. I have a question for you; it doesn't relate to our earlier conversation, relax."
"Ask away," Alistair muttered.
"Ava… what do you think of her?"
"Oh – not this! please don't tell me you plan to… push me into her… her bed. I was relieved when Loghain didn't mention it last night like she said he would." Alistair leaned forward and placed his head in his hands.
Cailan frowned, "So… you don't like her as a woman?"
"What? Look – it's not that I… I mean she… I was raised in the Chantry, your majesty. They preach that we shouldn't be looking at women like that, let alone… er… that until marriage. To be fair, I think they'd be happier if we were all… celibate."
Cailan frowned at his brother, "I think you might want to explain that to her. You see, she believes that you've rejected her completely. Apparently, the Jinn can find their mates that way too. And she has swan blood, it seems…"
Alistairs' head snapped up – horror etched into every line on his face, "Maker, no… you're telling me that I'm the reason… that she… she could be… dying?"
"Right – I forgot you heard that part. She didn't want Loghain or I to say anything to you about it, but… I thought you had the right to know. You're her mate, and I still plan to try and see if I'm her second, so I won't keep that from the only one that we know is mated to her. I would have last night but… she was so… she just needed to cry; I think. I wouldn't let her know that I told you, if I were you. She'll be mortified." Cailan hummed.
Darrien stood and shook his head – he had been the only one in the group that had any success learning to use the kitchen appliances, so he was designated to cook for now. Avalon had gifted him a small square-rectangle device that he could tap on word-runes and it would say the words out loud. She said that since he didn't know sign-language, this was the next best thing.
Avalon had started to teach him sign-language; Darrien was worried that she hadn't arrived yet. Thus far, he was the only one to suspect that she had depleted her magic somehow and couldn't come home.
But he felt that he would be ready for her with a nice meal.
Solona and Alim were looking though the magic guide-books that King Jamal had gotten for them. Solona, as a spirit mage, already knew Telekinetic Weapons – but that just infused weapons with an energy that increased armor penetration. Solona looked forward to learning true telekinesis.
Alim, on the other hand, was focusing on Mer-magic; a book gifted by Lady Pearl – Avalons' mother.
Sereda had gone down to the home gym with Farren – the two were working furiously in their work out. Neither wanted to be so caught off guard that Avalon felt the need to send them away again – they suspected that she hadn't come back because she was cut down. That she sent them here because of danger that they hadn't seen.
Aedan spoke softly to the woman before him – she looked mostly like a beautiful human woman – but from her elbows and knees down were bird talons; each with 4 sharp claws. Her head was covered in feathers, her ears were sharply pointed, and she had long brown feathered wings to match her hair. She was perched on a boulder at the back of the roost. She also had a lion-like tail.
He had just told Maria the problem with the front door.
Maria frowned, "It simply means that she is in a dangerous place. If she had died, the coin at your hip would have split and appeared to her two mates – even if she hadn't met them yet. That your coin is still whole is a good sign. Have some faith – she will return. Wait until the time the door has specified and then you may go check on her yourself."
"Thank you, Maria. Oh – earlier today, she wanted me to have you find a Griffin for King Cailan? She said the female one named Poodle."
Maria fluttered her wings and landed beside one of the large huts that held a mating pair. She reached in and grabbed a brown furred, black feathered griffin with silver eyes. She handed the squirming cub to Aedan, "He can join your classes on caring for griffins. I understand that you joined an order that reveres them and once had control of them?"
"The Grey Wardens; yes. All of us did – minus Cailan, of course. And Fionas' bond-mate, Alistair, is one as well. He's been one for 6 months. Considering all the other Ferelden Wardens just died, I suppose that makes him the new Commander of the Grey."
"… Bring him to the classes too. Now, shoo – it's time for my nap. And tell Lyna that the Halla in the yard doesn't eat the same as Griffins – I need more information if I am to aid in her care."
"I will – thank you, Maria." Aedan bowed his head in difference – a move that Avalon said was important among Harpies as they were proud people. Aedan was showing that Maria was his teacher and thus placed above him.
Meanwhile, Alistair – who had been silent – finally spoke again, "Cailan… I'm really… her mate?"
"Hmm? Ah – yes. I'm not sure what you said to reject her if you don't even realize that you did, but I know true swans are quite delicate. It could have been the smallest of things, I suppose. I don't know what made it worse – but when I caught sight of her as you all headed to the bridge toward the tower, she looked… despondent; like she was contemplating jumping from the battlements and just… ending the pain. I worry that maybe she's also found her second mate – and they made motions that might seem like rejection too." Cailan sat back on the comfortable couch in the conversation pit; he liked the style and wondered if he might get something like this done in the palaces' royal lounge.
He especially liked the fire-pit thing in the center of it; under a 'hood' Avalon called it that would vent the smoak so it didn't cloud the living room. It was in a circular shape – the couch and pit, that was – with a 3 step of stairs to get in and out without stepping on the cushions.
Aedan walked back into the room holding a squirming griffin cub. He handed it down to Cailan, "Ava set this little gal aside for you – her name is Poodle. I have no idea what that means, but you can't change it. Maria says that both of you are to join our 'Care of Griffins' Class every Thursday. Where's Lyna?"
"Lyna? She went out to care for the Halla – something about it not eating?" Alistair muttered.
"… Everything okay, Alistair?" Aedan looked at the Prince – though he didn't know it – with a concerned eye.
"… Yeah – just fine."
Aedan headed off to talk to the elven archer while Cailan continued talking to his brother, "Look – she doesn't want you to feel obliged to her, I think; but I would at least see where things go. I get the sense that mates are very, very important to the Jinn."
"Yes; they are. She told us in the wilds that after 25, mates were the only ones they could have kids with. As well, the mates of Jinn lead love-less lives if they don't properly reject the Jinn – by… consummating… the relationship and then rejecting them without any… fondness in their hearts for the Jinn. But she also said that they… have to erm… find their mates through… that…"
"So you're worried that she'd cheat on you?"
"No! Maker… she said that Jinn would usually… just not seek out their other mates if their first mate was jealous; though they wouldn't tell their mates that. I guess she didn't know yet while we were in the wilds that I was… no – I'm not worried about her… cheating on me if… we got together. But I mean… I just met her Cailan; I can't… I don't know her and… as I said… raised in the Chantry."
"So… are you worried that if you sleep with her, she won't enjoy it? Because she has experience and you don't?" Cailan asked bluntly.
"What? Makers' Breath, I didn't even think of that! Do you think…?" Alistair was bright red – while he didn't like the direction the conversation was heading; he had started to like Avalon. Even if it was mostly a boyish crush at the moment, these were things he would need to consider if he were to woo the woman.
Soul-Mates; she said that meant we were meant to be together, the prince thought in satisfaction. He felt that it could be a wonderful thing to have a soulmate – and had even hoped that he could one day see if… but he hadn't thought he'd rejected her.
Alistair ran through his conversations with her but couldn't figure out when he had done so.
Cailan shrugged, "I doubt she'd care. She can always teach you what she likes – most people prefer finding inexperienced lovers if only so they don't have to reteach them what to do in bed. Easier to start with a blank slate than make them forget what past lovers liked."
"Wait – you said… you two didn't…?" Alistair asked.
Cailans' lip twitched, "She was too upset. I like to think I'm a gentleman and wouldn't force a lady who isn't in the mood. We just snuggled. But if it wasn't that, then why are you hesitant?"
"I… hardly know her. I wouldn't… want to… I mean – as I said. I was sort of taught not to… take that lightly. I'll admit, knowing we're soulmates makes things a bit different – but I still don't know her very well. I'd have to get to know her to… commit to her." He flushed.
Cailan hummed, the golden towel still hanging around his shoulders, and said, "I understand – I wish I'd had that chance with Anora. I never would have married her had it not been arranged for me. And now, she and I are no longer wed. For one thing, I'm sure they think I'm dead at the moment; for another, I already annulled the marriage."
"Right – but… you understand?"
"Yes – I do. Get to know her, Alistair. Or you could lose her for good. Look at now – we don't know what's going on, but she isn't here. She wouldn't leave Aedan, of that I'm sure, since he's her master for the moment. So where is she? Is she injured? Could she be dead? I wonder if we've already lost our chances to be with her."
Cailans' words caused Alistair to freeze, "You think… she could be dead?"
The young prince didn't understand why his chest hurt so much at the thought that his potential wife could be dead – as, unbeknownst to him, he'd begun thinking of her as his… the very moment Cailan confronted him about it.
Cailan sighed, "What else can we think? It's been more than an hour now, right? And she's not here. She sent you here and didn't follow. She wouldn't leave Aedan – and especially not Oren when she adores that boy. The only explanations I can think of involve death or serious harm. According to my dads' journal, Darkspawn kidnap women – they don't kill them. No, it didn't say why, but I can guess. I hope I'm wrong, but where else could the Darkspawn keep upping their numbers?"
"Y-you think… they breed the women?" Alistair felt sick as the possibility crossed his mind. Horror filled him and dread soon followed.
Cailan shrugged, "We don't know how they replenish their numbers, Alistair – but they always seem to gain in number. They kill men, but kidnap women – the only explanation I can think of… is that they're using the women they kidnap to fill their ranks."
Cailan didn't know that he was both right – and wrong. That women were turned forcibly into Broodmothers that reproduced asexually.
Alistair didn't know either, but felt that Cailans' words made too much sense. He felt sick – so very sick – at the thought of Avalon being… defiled by the monsters. He stood and headed for the coin by the door; the ancient design upon it from a civilization long since forgotten by Earth Humans. A trident – the symbol of the ancient god of the civilization – adorned the blue-silver coin; surrounded by wave-like patterns. The other side adorned with an ancient rune letter 'A'. Avalon had explained to the recruits – and they explained to Alistair and Cailan last night – that it was the official currency of her mothers' home city under the waves on Earth.
He tapped the coin the three times required – and to the surprise of him and the other two in the room (Aedan had just returned) he was allowed to leave.
No one else was able to follow.
-in the tower-
Alistair landed right beside Avalon – she was riddled with arrows and bleeding out. Alistair knew better than to remove the arrows; if he did, the wounds would simply bleed more and be made worse. And he hadn't thought to grab his pack, which had bandages and a few health poultices.
He knelt, seeing her bracelet glowing blue on her wrist – he was unsure what that meant, but likely nothing good. A glance outside the window left him furious – Loghains' forces were nowhere to be found, dead or alive, on the battlefield. The coward had retreated and left Cailan to die?
He lifted his shield on instinct as he heard the roof explode and rubble began to collapse around them. He drew his sword and pointed it toward the dragon descending into the room – a large purple dragon with gold eyes. It wasn't tainted – this wasn't the Archdemon.
Alistair was standing protectively over his mate – the woman he was destined to love – and ready to battle to the death defending her from what seemed to be a hungry dragon.
But then… it changed. It turned into the old hag from the woods – Asha'bellanar, Ava had called her.
Alistair didn't lower his weapon, "State your business."
"Rescue, boy. I'm here to save your sorry hide. Tell me – how are you unscratched when she isn't." The old woman sneered at him.
"She… sent us to her home – through magic. I don't know why she didn't come with, but… I was able to leave when the others couldn't. I don't know why. I will protect her. If you can save her… then I'm in your debt."
"Very well. It works better this way – I won't have to pick her up in my claws and risk stabbing those arrows deeper into her. You can make sure she doesn't fall from my back as we fly back to my home." The witch said in contemplation.
Alistair finally lowered his sword – sheathing it and putting his shield away. He gingerly picked up the blue-haired woman from the floor – having to carry her over his shoulder to avoid the arrows in her back. He climbed onto the Witches back in her dragon form with difficulty – managing to place Avalon lying face down in front of him. He held tight to one of the witches spine-spikes with one hand and Avalon with his other.
He'd failed her once by not being there when she got injured. He'd failed her by accidentally rejecting her when he'd had no such intentions. He would not fail her by letting her fall to her death as they flew to safety. Hopefully, the powerful witch below him would be able to save her… he wanted very much to have a chance at wooing her and he was simply grateful that the Darkspawn hadn't managed to cart her off or fully kill her.
His eyes hardened as he looked over the desolate battlefield – overrun with darkspawn dragging a few forms behind them and killing others. Cailan had been right, it seemed – the women were being taken.
He suspected that they had left her because she couldn't be tainted. He had seen that with his own eyes in the wilds yesterday. He was sure that Darkspawn needed to taint women in order to breed them.
Alistair clenched his jaw – Loghain would pay for deserting them. For tucking his tail and running when the battle hadn't been even half-over.
Cailan was still alive only thanks to Avalon… his angel. She was his, damn it – and Loghain would pay twice for each arrow stuck in her back.
When they landed, he saw that black-haired witch – Morrigan – looking at him in contemplation, "She is injured and you…"
The old witch quipped, "The girl saved the rest – they're sequestered in her home and unable to leave. Help me get her situated, boy – Morrigan will brew the poultices while we work."
Alistair lifted Avalon higher and followed the old witch to a room on the second floor. Reminding himself that he'd seen it before and that this was to help her, he attempted to keep his focus as he aided the old witch in cutting the shirt and pants from the blue-haired genie now laying on the bed.
He tried hard not to think of this morning – when he'd seen Aedan in her room after Cailan had informed him to be more diplomatic to Avalon (though he hadn't understood at the time), and he'd walked over to see her stark naked in the middle of picking an outfit.
Maker, but it was… a beautiful sight, he mused as his hands worked absently – years of tending his own wounds after templar training and when the stable-hands would beat him in Redcliffe being put to good use now.
He wished that seeing it this time was under much different circumstances – before shaking the thoughts from his head and forcing himself to focus. Templar Discipline, he reminded himself, I can't get distracted – not while it's uncertain if she'll even live. She has to live… has to.
The old witch took in the great care with which the boy before her treated the girl under her care. She realized it back in the tower – just the way he was able to get out of the home and get to her spoke volumes, but the way he defended her against such a perceived threat as the Witch? Flemeth was almost amused to have seen him stand so resolute.
She knew the boy was mated to the girl – even if the two didn't realize themselves. Flemeth wasn't sure if they knew or not. The boy acted too… shy to have lain with the woman. And from what Morrigan had told her, that was necessary.
Morrigan came into the room carrying a selection of small jars and vials – each with liquids in colors ranging from orange to crimson; health, regeneration, and some Alistair didn't recognize. Morrigan sneered at him before setting to work slathering the honey and mint scented poultices into the wounds where the arrows were already removed.
Honey? Alistair was sure that honey scent only came from Andrastes' Grace flowers – though… those did make good reagents for healing if you chewed the petals, he didn't know of a poultice that could use them.
Then again, Alchemy wasn't his strong suit – he was more suited to traps and combat tactics. Alchemy completely escaped him – so it wasn't so hard to think of a poultice that he didn't know the reagents for.
He hoped they weren't secretly poisoning her – but he didn't think the older witch would save them from the tower just to kill them slowly.
When all the arrows – 7 of them – were removed and the cuts – 15 of those – were tended to, Alistair collapsed into a chair beside the bed and took hold of her hand. A blanket now covered her, though nothing else did. They had nothing that would fit her.
Just then, Aedan and the others all popped into the room in a puff of cerulean smoak. Seeing Alistair sitting beside an unconscious Avalon with health poultices and potions littering the room, they understood – she had been injured.
Aedan stumbled, "She…"
"She'll live, boy."
"Ah… you look a lot like the witch of the wilds that my dad described in his journals," Cailan spoke.
Flemeth turned her narrowed golden eyes on him and laughed, "You're the king, boy?"
"Only alive curtesy of Avalon there, yes. Ogre got me." Cailan flashed her a charming grin, "My thanks – I assume you saved her?"
"You assume rightly. But I won't be hosting the lot of you. The girl will stay under my care until she wakes – two more of you can stay to assist in tending to her or cleaning up around her. The rest will need to go back into her home."
Alistair said in a hard but tired voice, "I'm not going anywhere."
"I'll stay to clean." Alim said.
A mechanical voice sounded, "I. Can. Cook. If. You. Want." Heads turned to Darrien Tabris. Flemeth looked intrigued, "What was that?"
"This. Is. A. 'Tablet'. Avalon. Gave. It. To. Me. So. I. Can. Communicate… my. Tongue. Was. Cut. Out. By. A. Noble. That. Took. My. Bride. From. My. Wedding… I. Killed. Him. When. His. Guard. Was. Down… He. Thought. I. Was. Incapacitated. After. They. Did. It… My. Name. Is. Darrien. Tabris."
"… You can stay too if you're really willing to cook while that one cleans and that boy tends her." Flemeth decided.
Everyone else headed back to pace in worry while the three volunteers began their work.
It was a week and half before Avalon opened her eyes again.
