9:30 Wintermarch 23rd
I couldn't go back to sleep after that dream. Instead, I got out of the tent and decided to train with my daggers. Alfred was awake and made his way toward me. He watched intently as I went through my routine with my daggers. There was also another person awake who was watching me. Sten.
I noticed him meditating slightly away from the camp in the snow, without his shirt. Jesus, how in the world did he do that? Anyway, I kept on training but Alfred started butting my thigh until I couldn't ignore him anymore.
"What is it? Are you hungry?" I asked. Alfred lolled out his tongue. "Come on, you're a big war dog. Go get something." I motioned toward the forest. Alfred barked and went off. I chuckled at his antics and I saw Sten get up to grab his sword. I have to admit, I did look. Qunari were…ok I'll be honest. It looked like he was sculpted by the finest hands. If only he would work on that scowl of his.
I walked closer as he swung the sword with finesse and amazing control. I was mesmerized. He let me watch until he stopped and sighed.
"Is there something you want or are you going to continue gawking at me?" Sten asked.
"I just want to say you're awesome with your sword." I said honestly.
"This is not my sword." Sten mumbled.
"So it's true then that Qunari soldiers have weapons only for them?" I asked curiously. I already knew the answer though. Sten let out a sharp exhale.
"Is that what the Tal-Vashoth told you?" Sten asked.
"Yes." I nodded. Sten continued his routine.
"Every blade is forged for that unique hand. That sword is that warrior's soul. Should one lose it, they would be seen as a deserter." Sten explained.
"Is that what happened to you?" I asked. Sten stabbed the sword into the ground.
"Why do you heckle me so? Is it a grim sort of pleasure you derive from pestering me with these questions?" Sten snapped.
"All I want to do is help." I said. Sten came and stared down at me.
"I did not ask for your help. There is no need to find it. You cannot find a single blade in a war torn country such as this. There is no point for false hope." Sten huffed, turning his back on me to go get the sword.
"You love your country and if finding your sword can help you get back, then I swear I'll find it. Even if you can't go home, you can stay here with us. I won't judge you for who or what you are." I stated. Sten grabbed the sword and put it back into its sheathe.
"Perhaps those are empty words but thank you." Sten said. Alfred came running to me with a large hare in his jaws. I sighed. I patted his head and thanked him. Alfred barked and went off to hunt for himself. Sten didn't look at me as I prepared the hare to eat. After that, I got the fire started and decided to roast it instead of making it into a soup. The sun's light shown through the trees and everyone started to get up. Wynne gave me a look before helping me prepare the hare.
"I will trust your spirit to protect you." She said quietly.
"Ok but you'll have to tell me why he called you faith." I said. Wynne nodded. Talen ate through a few bites of his bread before making the flame larger.
"If you burn it, you're eating it." I said.
"Uh huh." Talen yawned. "We'll be eating more once we reach Lothering." Talen added. I bit my lip before using my dagger to cut into the hare. It was fully cooked.
"Breakfast." I said.
"Ahh! Nothing like meat roasted to perfection!" Derek laughed, getting out of the tent. Eren followed shortly after. He glanced at me before sitting down. I took my share as well and ate silently. I saw Alfred hanging out with Morrigan. I could already hear her complaints.
"Are you alright?" Leliana asked.
"Hm? Yeah, It was just a wild dream so I'm a little out of it." I yawned. Sten's sword, Wynne's spirit, my own spirit. It was one hectic morning. We got done with eating and taking care of our armor and weapons. We put everything away in our packs and started to walk again. I couldn't help but be a little giddy from the dream and yet I was tired too. I wanted to go home now. I didn't mind helping but…
I'm not supposed to be here.
Spirits call me an irregularity, something that was impossible that became possible. I still don't know what that means. In all cases, it points to me or something to do about me. Was it the fact that I'm not part of this story or was it Halo and his power? That one spirit called him a behemoth and I just saw a little bit of his power. Something that I can't explain and he was a part of my husband too.
Little by little, I just seem to have more questions than answers. When I get back, I'll be sure to ask my husband about Halo. Until then, I have to wait. Did I mention I hate waiting?
Either way, as we walked, I was lost in my own daydream. I watched the Lake when we were close to it. We had to follow the path away from it. I was in the back with Alfred and Sten. Everyone else was making small talk. I saw a few clouds in the distance. If it was going to snow, things would get tricky. Our tents weren't made for snow.
The group came to a stop though. I knew we weren't at Lothering though. I looked at the field across and my breath stopped. Caravans, wagons, horses, and people were scattered about. It was a massacre. The Grey Wardens went toward the horror and I followed. Their wagons were overturned, destroyed or burned. The people were all dead. Barely any women corpses though. That made me shudder.
I saw a tiny hand underneath the wreckage of a wagon. I turned away before I got too emotional. Leliana also had a look of hidden horror. She was trying to hide it though. The rest were of acceptance.
"This was darkspawn." Derek knelt down and reached to what looked like a bloodstained weapon. It had speckled black blood though. "It's been some time though." He said, rubbing off the specks from the twisted weapon.
"They're starting to drift from the Korcari Wilds. This won't be the last time we'll see this." Eren deduced.
"What if they hit Redcliffe village already?" Talen asked.
"I doubt it. It would take an army of Darkspawn to breach the walls of Redcliffe castle. It's one of the most defensible lands in Ferelden." Alistair explained. "Most likely what we're seeing are the first of the scouts. Darkspawn will then find tunnels or make their own to spread. The cold season is helping deter them though. Once all this snow is gone however, we'll find more attacks. The south must be having attacks now though."
"We can't do anything to help?" Leliana asked.
"If we stopped to help every single person that had trouble, the Blight would ravage this land faster than you can say 'Andraste's Grace' or mercy." Morrigan huffed.
"She's right." Eren sighed. "The best we can do now is gather as many allies as we can and then come together to defeat the Archdemon. Once that is dead, then we can rest. Otherwise, we need to keep moving. There's no darkspawn around for now. Let's take this as a good sign." Eren said as he walked over to the path. Morrigan smirked at Leliana before following Eren.
"There is nothing we can do for the dead." Wynne sighed, rubbing her hands. She and Talen had a look and they both nodded.
"Let's go." I said. Leliana was quiet as we went back to the trail. I heard magic performing at my back as well as warmth. Talen and Wynne followed behind us as we left everything to burn. Whoever they were, they at least were able to turn into ashes like Andraste. I said my prayer for them as we continued walking.
All's fair in love and war? No. Nothing is fair in war.
After we encountered that, everyone was in a sullen mood. Well, mostly everyone. I've noticed that Morrigan has been hanging near Eren after we left the Circle. Him agreeing with her seemed to put her in a good mood. It kinda annoyed me really.
As we walked, we saw a woman sobbing in the middle of the road. When she saw our group, she immediately ran to us.
"Thank Andraste! You have weapons yes? Please you must help my caravan!" She begged us.
"What was your caravan attacked by?" Eren asked.
"It was bandits! I was the only one that got away but my family was there, please!" She pleaded.
"Well we have to go through this spot anyway." Derek shrugged.
"Oh thank you kind Sers! It was this way!" She ran off while we followed her. Of course warning signs started to come up in my head. Once you have your first ally for the Grey Wardens, the group gets ambushed by Zevran and we can get the chance to recruit him. I did give her the benefit of the doubt as we ran to catch up to her. At a corner, she started to walk toward what looked like to be a few wagons that were overturned. One lone man was waiting there for her.
One lone, extremely familiar looking elven man. I took a step back when she turned back to look at us. We were surrounded as more assassins came out from the hills. We heard an explosion and a large log came toward us. We all rolled or leaped away.
"The Grey Wardens die here!" I heard Zevran shout. A fireball went toward us until Wynne held a protective barrier.
"Take care of the ones on the hills, Morrigan, Wynne, Leliana!" Eren shouted. He was barely able to get his shield up when Zevran singled him out. Alistair ran past to get at the mage girl at the end. I went to follow him before a guy jumped down from the hill in front of me. I side stepped and immediately kicked at his back. Sten came and started to fight with him. Alistair grabbed the mage girl and stopped her magic.
I groaned in pain as an arrow caught my arm. I growled as I ran past Alistair. I jumped over the tripwire. The archer aimed at me but I tackled him to the ground. I rammed my knuckles into his face and knocked him out. I side stepped a few arrows before a cloud of wasps got the two other archers in front of me.
"Boss!" Derek shouted, hammering away another assassin. Eren was on the ground, he lost his shield. Zevran was not letting up his attacks. Alfred barked and lunged at Zevran but he kicked him away. Talen threw a fireball at the remaining archers. I jumped and rolled across the ground before sprinting and tackling Zevran. We rolled around before I punched his throat. He coughed before slashing at my face. I felt a sting before I grabbed his arms and leaned my head back to deliver a brutal headbutt. He groaned before I let go of my dagger and punched him clean with my fist.
He got knocked out as I got up unsteadily. I shook my head before feeling the blood run down from my forehead. Eren gathered his shield and came up to me. He patted my shoulder.
"Thank you." He breathed out. "This is going to hurt." Eren grabbed on the arrow still stick out. I nodded and he ripped it out. I groaned and held my arm out so Talen can heal it. I wiped the blood from my face before Derek came and knelt by the knocked out Zevran.
"So the elf is still breathing. I'm surprised you didn't kill him." Derek eyed me.
"This whole thing was too well planned. Him and his group knew about us and where we were going. That means he probably has information." I lied.
"You sure about that?" Talen asked and crossed his arms. I nodded.
"Then we might as well be careful. Sten, can you go over to those wagons and check for some rope?" Eren asked. Sten went over while the rest of us began looting the place. Every little thing counted. Sten tied up the knocked out Zevran so he couldn't move his feet or hands. I saw Morrigan and Leliana kill anyone that wasn't dead. I looked away while Eren whistled so everyone can come around again.
"How are you feeling?" Wynne asked.
"I'm fine." I shrugged. Alfred growled at Zevran.
"So how are we going to wake him up?" Talen asked.
"Simple." I said. I picked up some snow until it made a ball and smacked him with it. Zevran sputtered as the cold caused him to wake up.
"Ugh, what in…" Then Zevran looked up and saw our group. He struggled against the ropes until the situation dawned on him. "Oh, I would rather have thought I would wake up dead or not wake up at all."
"We have some questions elf." Derek asked.
"Ah I suppose that this is an interrogation then? Let me save you some time. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows and I was brought here for the sole purpose to slay any surviving Grey Wardens, which I have failed sadly." Zevran explained.
"We're very glad you failed." Eren said.
"An Antivan Crow, a member of one of the best assassination leagues." Leliana explained.
"Ah then you know of us? You must have dabbled in some dark territory." Zevran winked. Leliana huffed.
"Hey, stay on topic." Talen snapped.
"Oh of course, I wouldn't mind paying attention to you as well." Zevran flirted with Talen. His hands were immediately coated with fire.
"If he doesn't have any information I say we kill him." Talen said flatly.
"Now, now! I am sure you would like to hear about the one that hired me no?" Zevran chuckled nervously. I was trying so hard not to laugh. "A gentleman by the name of Loghain hired me to kill you. He did so because you threaten his power no?"
"I'm guessing since you're telling us all of this that you're not particularly loyal to Loghain?" Derek asked.
"Loyalty is a very interesting topic but no, I am not loyal to the one who contracted me. I was hired for a service, one that I have failed. And there will be consequences, to me of course." Zevran cleared his throat.
"That's a good way to know that Loghain knows we're still out here. Trust me when I say he probably won't be the last one." I mentioned.
"Your beautiful companion is correct." Zevran chuckled. I rolled my eyes.
"So what do we do for now?" Derek asked.
"Well my life is forfeit and if you don't kill me now, the crows will later. The thing is I like living. You are all very strong, strong enough to give the crows pause. Let me serve you instead." Zevran offered. A moment of silence followed.
"An interesting offer if you were not trying to kill us." Morrigan piped in.
"Technically he was trying to kill the Grey Wardens and we were only in the way." I explained.
"Please don't tell me you're defending the assassin." Alistair shook his head. I shrugged.
"All I'm saying is that, in the end, we need more people right? He knocked Eren's shield out of the way, kicked Alfred away, and I'm pretty sure I only won our fight because of dumb luck. We need skilled help right?" I tried persuading everyone. Eren stared at me.
"Aren't you supposed to be protecting me from people who want to kill me? Who says he won't complete his job later on?" Eren asked.
"Sometimes you got to have faith." I countered.
"I am starting to fall for your friend here." Zevran chuckled.
"Don't push your luck elf." Derek laid his hammer on the ground, none too gently.
"I have to agree with her. His skills are something we can use later on." Leliana asked. "And the crows will kill him still even in our group. He won't flee because he'll die. We'll be protecting him."
"It is as she says so please?" Zevran asked again.
"Are we really sure about this?" Wynne crossed her arms.
"Not really." Talen huffed and looked to Eren.
"Can we decide already? If he is skilled to defeat the Blight then recruit him. Otherwise, kill him." Sten put his own opinion in. Alfred barked.
"Eren do you trust me?" I asked.
"What does that have to do with-" He turned to me.
"Do. You. Trust. Me?" I emphasized. Eren huffed.
"Of course I do." He breathed out.
"Then trust me on this." We had a staring contest before Eren growled out.
"Fine, Zevran you can join us." Eren said.
"Wait, are we seriously taking in the assassin now?" Alistair scoffed.
"He has evidence we can use against Loghain and, as I hate to admit it, is very skilled with his daggers." Eren scowled.
"Thank you for your wonderful praise." Zevran commented.
"Hm, fine but I think desperate just knocked on our door." Alistair mumbled.
"You will probably have to regularly check your food for poison." Morrigan huffed.
"That is wise information for any occasion." Zevran laughed. I took out my dagger and went behind him to cut his ropes. I went closer to his ear.
"If you so even think about killing any of the Grey Wardens I will personally make you a eunuch." I whispered before cutting the ropes on his feet. I got up while Derek went to give Zevran his weapons.
"Then from this day onward, my blades will fight for you and I am yours." Zevran bowed. Eren gave him a disgusted face before shaking his head. Zevran looked to me and winked.
"Why do I get the feeling we bit off more than we can chew?" Leliana asked.
"Because I can tell he's going to flirt with all of us." I rolled my eyes.
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku!
Yay! Zevran is here! He's so awesome when he's not trying to kill you. As you can tell there will be more traveling chapters as I will stretch the traveling time to a more believable rate.
Shout out to Fuzzie Wuzzy for following! Thank you Undeadhero143, WindBear47, and Syutaku for reviewing and loving the direction this is going!
Chimera Spkye: Don't worry, Wynne is going to think on it before confronting Nia again lol
Boudica: lol Thanks! Yeah, Wynne is like that with everything. It's like the spirit said at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, that she spews information but doesn't realize that maybe, just maybe, it's nonsense or no one wants to listen you know? I'm glad you're enjoying the fic!
Please Review! :D