Day 8
We got out of Jarvia's hideout through a hole in the wall of a merchant. He wasn't pleased at our sudden appearance and for wrecking his wall. We all stumbled out of there and found ourselves in the commons. We were all going through our own injuries.
"Remind me not to be around so many explosions." Alistair put his finger in his ear.
"That doesn't help you know. The ringing will stop…eventually." I said, still hearing it in my own ears.
"Well, we got that mess taken care of." Derek rubbed his nose. Eren and I looked at each other.
"You'll be ok?" Eren asked.
"Don't even worry about it Boss. What's done is done. I've made my peace with it." Derek lugged his hammer on his shoulder and walked on.
"When is our next stroll? That battle was only enough to spark my interest." Shale boomed around.
"Do you ever stop about squishing little things?" Morrigan asked.
"No swamp witch. Truthfully the city is only good for one thing, it has no disgusting feathered vermin." Shale scoffed.
"Anyway, let's get up to the diamond quarter. Hopefully this will make sure that Bhelen is crowned once and for all." Talen cracked his knuckles.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch Talen." Wynne chuckled. We all dragged our beaten butts back to headquarters. I put down my daggers that had dried blood on them, said my prayers, and went to change. I got out of my blood soaked underclothes, put my armor out, and went to the baths first. No one was there luckily so I got in, got clean, and got out. My armor had to be cleaned as soon as possible.
I got out my wipe and my shine and set to clean everything. It was a habit since we had to clean them by force since darkspawn blood had corrosive abilities. Human was different though. Red flacks instead of black tar, gooey instead of tough, it was…weird to say the least.
"Come on, I promised not to think about this stuff again." I muttered. I focused on my task and thought about some of my favorite songs. I got down to my boots and used my hammer to get out the dents from the earlier trap, when I heard a knock on my door.
"Yo!" I pipped up and Wynne was there. "What's up?"
"The others have come back from their dealings with Bhelen. They would like to discuss their plans over dinner." Wynne explained. I nodded and she left. Once I was finished polishing, I went to the dining room. Leliana and Talen were there, speaking quietly. Alistair was definitely RBF (resting bitch face) which was surprising. Eren was steepling and was thinking really hard on something. Derek was pacing and muttering which wasn't a good sign. I knew what was going on and what they were about to say so I just took a seat.
Soon all the others were informed and were coming in. Sten and Shale were at the wall with Alfred. Jowan joined up with Leliana and Talen. Wynne and Zevran were seating next to me. Morrigan leaned against the wall with distance between us.
"Well, you're all here. We went and informed Bhelen about our clean up of Jarvia's hideout." Derek started, coming up to the table.
"It wasn't enough." Alistair spat out. "He now wants us to embark on a dangerous mission."
"What is more dangerous than a gang's exact hideout filled with traps and mercenaries?" Zevran waved his hand in the air.
"The Deep Roads." Talen said. Everything grew quiet.
"…The Deep Roads?" Jowan gulped. Eren sighed and got up, putting his hands on the table.
"Yes. It seems that both Harrowmont and Bhelen have now gone to extreme lengths to grab at the throne. The council is still deadlocked and neither side is budging. This requires a vote from someone that has major grab, someone I'm not even sure is still alive." Eren explained.
"The old coots want a paragon's word in the choosing. We only have one live paragon, if you can call her that." Derek scoffed.
"Apparently Paragon Branka took her house into the Deep Roads years ago. She set out to look for something called the Anvil of the Void." Talen said.
"The anvil?" Shale whispered. I could tell that she remembered something from that.
"The secret to making more of you." Derek nodded.
"The thing is they're not sure if she's even alive. She's been in the roads for 2 years and they haven't heard anything from her. All they have was the last point where she was. From there, it's anyone's guess. Why are we doing this again?" Alistair wondered.
"We need the allies." Eren pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It is obvious that this is a dead end." Sten said.
"Not that hard to piece it together my big friend." Zevran said.
"So, what are we going to do?" Wynne asked. Derek bit his lip.
"The council is deadlocked, fanatics roam the street, the trade has been stopped, and it's only going to get worse. We have to do this, we have to go, otherwise people are going to end up killing each other." Derek said.
"More than what they have been doing already?" Morrigan chuckled. Derek gave her a glare.
"When people start fighting over food, then you know the bronto has only begun to fly." Derek muttered.
"But the Deep Roads is where all the darkspawn originate! It's a suicide run." Jowan got up. I can obviously tell he was shitting in his pants, figuratively of course.
The tension in the room was palpable. This was really a suicide run, even during the Blight. We'd be going into the belly of the beast, where the darkspawn are a plenty, water and food are hella scarce, and we'd be in constant turns of fighting. I bit the inside of my lip. We're living a very cushiony life here in the old headquarters. Running water, constant food, not having to worry about getting killed in your sleep, it was nice but nice doesn't win wars.
I got out of my seat and put my hands on my hips.
"Ok, when do we get started? The Deep Roads are enormous so if we're doing this, and we are doing this, we'll need preparations." I said. A few of the group looked at me like I just grew a second head. Then Derek busted out laughing until he was practically wheezing. Considered I was on the spot, I felt my cheeks get red in embarrassment.
"Ah my beautiful niña, you always do know what to say." Zevran caught my hand and kissed it before I could take it away.
"Yeah, we're gonna have to do this so we might as well be prepared right?" Talen leaned on his hand.
"Under normal circumstances a trip to the Deep Roads would be unorthodox but these aren't normal circumstances." Wynne nodded.
"So I'll finally be squishing the heads of these heinous darkspawn? I am a very happy golem." Shale commented.
"For once I will agree with your command. It does nothing for us to stay here." Sten said.
"You're all mad." Jowan breathlessly said.
"Well we are part of the unlucky sod club." Alistair chuckled.
"You are all running straight first into danger and I am sure one is going to get killed." Morrigan darkly commented.
"Thank you for your vote of confidence Morrigan. You are a beam of optimism." I said sarcastically and she just shrugged.
After that we all started to prepare for our journey. The last known location of Branka was in a Thaig farther than the Aeducan one. That one took 3 days to get to. The last known location is going to take a little more than a week. Not only that, I know we'd be having to go much further than that. I can only imagine how long this whole trip is going to take. A month, two months? I have no idea.
Everyone will be wearing packs to carry items and provision that would be detrimental to our trip. Food and water are going to be gold for us. Hammers, polish, to keep up the maintenance of our weapons and armor. As a start, we would all send off our weapons to get sharpened and maintained. We are in the dwarven capital with tons and tons of smiths. There was also a rune smith that would give us something for our armors, so they can take a hit and not degrade so much either.
We'd be dipping into our coin reserves but hopefully everything would turn out well.
Day 11
We spent the last three days getting everything ready. Everyone got packs made of drake skin that apparently came from scales that Derek has been hoarding. There was a leather worker outside that took great care into making them. They don't rip like regular leather and have stretching capabilities.
Derek also formatted a sort of mini water barrel for Shale. In it, was a rune of frost to keep the water frozen. We'd have some reserves. The barrel was going to be covered in metal plating to also be durable. Shale's reaction?
"So the dwarf has made me into a mule. I knew it was going to happen eventually. I will be watching it as it sleeps and counting the breaths, hoping they will stop." Shale looked down at him.
Derek merely laughed.
We went over the map time and time again to make sure we would make good time. Derek chose paths that had known underground rivers. These were going to be detrimental for our trip. As much as we're trying to pack as much water, we will run out. A person can go 30 days without food, give or take. Only 3 or 5 without water. Alistair warned us that we shouldn't eat so carelessly what we hunt if we got down to it. Things that feed on darkspawn will inevitable gain the taint. Deep mushrooms clean up the taint but take it into itself too.
Our food will consist of plenty of dried good, pickled veggies, hard bread that resembles tac, and so on and so forth. We'll be covered so long as we ration our food. I was looking at Talen when we were discussing this.
"Why are you looking at me for?" Talen gave me a side glance.
"We all know that you've been stuffing your face since we've been here." I laughed.
"I know that the hunger strikes all Grey Wardens but still, this is the first time I think you've beaten me, and I've raided the larder a few times." Alistair chuckled. Talen's ears grew red and looked away. I'm actually kinda glad he got a little chunky.
All our preparations have come together. All that was left was the mental preparation.
I have to say, I'm surprised I'm so calm about this. Maybe it was because I've been knowing that this was going to happen and steeling myself for it. It could also be that slight trip through the deep roads made me aware of the dangers and what was to come. The only thing that really has me on edge is the GIANT FREAKING SPIDERS I'm going to have to deal with. I'm almost contemplating blood magic to rewrite that part of my brain.
The one who was really going crazy was Jowan. Even after everything that happened in Redcliffe, darkspawn was everyone's personal boogeyman. Talen had to stay with him, telling him that he had to prepare for this anyway because he was conscripted. Of that I can't help with. This was Jowan's nightmare so he'd have to go through that himself.
In the end, I left everyone to their own devices. On the 'last night' we were there, I went out to the balcony to look at the city. Surprisingly enough, I found Morrigan looking at the city below with a serious look on her face.
"Getting mentally prepared for what's about to happen?" I stood next to her.
"Oh you mean the fact that we will be traipsing through darkspawn territory? Must I remind you that the blight happened in my backyard or has your memory been ran afoul?" Morrigan gave me a sideways smirk.
"I know my memory isn't that good but even I remember that." I chuckled. "I was just looking out for you."
"You do not need to. Have I invited you to become my friend or such for you to presume these things?" Morrigan looked down at me.
"No but I worry for everyone, it's what I do. That and listen to everyone's problems." I shrugged.
"As I have seen, you really do tend to meddle in other people's affairs. Do you truly think you have the time to help every single wailing person's woes?" Morrigan wondered.
"No, hell no, I don't even think I have the patience to do that for everyone but I try for our group. We've been brought together for a reason I think and it's better that everyone's mental state stays healthy. I mean, sure we've all been brought up about darkspawn, blights, undead but the regular person doesn't usually deal with all of this. Hell, I was a cook before I got involved. You'd be surprised how fragile some people can be and that's why I do this. There's always a point when someone is about to break, you're no different Morrigan. Though considering your mother is Flemeth, you're tougher than the norm." I laughed.
"You try living under her roof for so many years and see how far you can make it. T'was simpler when I was a child and then I started getting older, asking questions, starting to see the world from within those woods. I will not say that I had the fantastic childhood that others had but I am wiser than fools who choose to live in extravagance and ignorance." Morrigan explained.
"Yeah you're right about that. I guess I won't have to worry about you too much but…just keep an eye out. The Deep Roads are nothing to scoff at. I don't want anyone dying." I shook my head.
"Do you think so little of everyone?" Morrigan side glanced at me.
"It's called looking out for each other and it saves lives. I'm gonna go and sleep for what's it worth." I started to walk toward the base.
"Nia…I would find it most unfortunate if you should lose your life. After all, I have not repaid you for the cooperation against my mother." Morrigan said.
"You don't need to pay me back Morrigan…unless you really want to be my friend." I smirked.
"You are a fool." Morrigan rolled her eyes and went back to watching the city. I ended up back in my own room, looking at my packs and my armor. I laid back in the bed and snuggled deeply into it. It was the last time I would be able to sleep in here for a good while.
Day 12
It was the fateful day. The time to go to the Deep Roads. I wasn't too pumped since this is going to test my resolve and my sanity but I chose this path, can't get out of it now. I put on my armor, put away my weapons, and strapped in my pack. It was heavier than normal but that was the way it had to be. At least the drakeskin looked good.
"Already up?" Zevran was leaning against the wall near my room. He wasn't carrying as much as I was but his pack was set with more poison than food related stuff.
"It's not like I can sleep in today of all days. How's everyone else?" I asked.
"Jowan…" Zevran cleared his throat.
"I feel bad for him, kinda. First what happened at the Circle, then with Eamon, and now he's being thrusted into the Deep Roads. Well, karma works in mysterious ways. Is there anyone else we're waiting for?" I wondered.
"None. Everyone has only been making their peace. Have you, mi niña?" Zevran asked.
"Yeah. I prayed, left a will for whatever reasons, and I'm good. Let's get this over with, right?" I said.
We headed towards the double doors, leading out of the base. Talen and Leliana were at a wall talking to each other. Alistair, Eren, and Derek were going through the map one more time. Shale and Sten both at the ready. Alfred was sitting next to Wynne who was going over her grimoire with Jowan next to her, pale as a corpse. The only person that was missing was Morrigan.
"Where's Morrigan?" I wondered.
"It seems that she's already at the entrance. Is everyone ready? No one is forgetting anything?" Eren asked.
"We have all triple checked everything." Leliana nodded.
Sten merely nodded.
"Can we already leave? I think I'm about to lose my breakfast." Jowan gulped.
"Understood. Remember, we are all in this together. So long as we all watch each other's backs, we will survive. Let's move." Eren said, giving the map back to Derek. We all walked out of the Grey Warden base and headed down. There were more than a few nobles gawking at us as we made our trek. I heard a few prayers here and there. A lot of good wishes. There were a few whispers of Harrowmont's supporters that hoped we'd never come back.
"Are you prepared?" Leliana came by me.
"I think I am. I'm not going into a panic like Jowan but I'm not giddy like Shale. I know we'll come out of this, alive." I nodded.
"That is good to know. You seem so sure." Leliana fidgeted with her hands.
"We'll get through this, together." I smiled at her and that seemed to calm her nerves. We walked through the commons and there were even more people watching us leave. I swear it was almost a procession with lines of people until we were nearing the entrance.
"Hey wait!" We all stopped just as we were able to reach Morrigan who was waiting for us.
Oghren has stepped in! I was actually wondering when we'd run into each other. He was already set with a pack of his own, a large axe hanging right behind him.
"I knew that talk about the Grey Wardens coming wasn't just drunken rumors." Oghren panted.
"Heh, well if it isn't the red headed child of the Proving! What are you doing here, drunkard?" Derek put down his hammer on the ground.
"Heh, you old nug thumper. Can't believe you're still alive! I thought for sure a darkspawn would have been eating out of your skull!" Oghren shot back.
"Ale sucker."
"Decrepit geezer."
"Bronco rider."
"You wanna say that again?" Oghren growled.
"Ok as much as this is slightly entertaining, can you explain things for me?" Eren pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I want in. These people don't care about Branka as a person! All they did was just forget and leave Branka in the Deep Roads like a rotting darkspawn corpse. I'm the last of the house and I'm the one who knows the most about Branka. If we pool our knowledge, we might have a sodding chance at finding her. Branka was looking for the Anvil of the Void, the secret to building Golems centuries ago. It was created by the paragon Caridin and, with it, came 100 years of peace in Orzammar." Oghren explained.
"We were explained that." Talen nodded.
"The deshyrs told us that the last place they got any sort of feedback from here was Caridin's Cross." Derek explained.
"Psh, Deshyrs. The Anvil was built in the Ortan Thaig. Unfortunately, no one has seen that Thaig for five hundred years. We had to go past Caridin's Cross to get there and I know of a path to reach the Ortan Thaig." Oghren suggested.
"Well this is more your call, Derek." Eren said. Derek frowned at Oghren and it almost looked like they were about to go at it.
"We got maps. Get on board Oghren if you got the stones for it." Derek smirked.
"Then let's get moving you old nug fart! Branka isn't going to sodding find herself!" Oghren laughed as he ran for the entrance. Morrigan gave me her best, 'what just happened?' face.
This is going to be fun…I think.
Day 13
If there was one thing I was grateful for during the walk is the scenery. The Deep Roads will always be beautiful to me. Sten would often put his hands on the walls just admiring it. I could already hear Iron Bull's speech during the trip in the desert, talking about the fortifications of the dwarven fortresses, built to last centuries, to prepare for sieges.
Not prepared for Darkspawn though…is that too soon?
"Will you stop gawking at me? Your lecherous gaze is not welcome." Morrigan snapped.
"What!? I wasn't staring!" Oghren grumbled.
"You are a filthy liar and you smell repulsive." Morrigan walked forward.
"The stench is what brings the ladies!" Oghren yelled.
"Is that what we are smelling? I thought it was the dog again…" Wynne grumbled.
Alfred did a disgruntled boof as if he was insulted.
"You must realize that a slight perfume is a rather good tactic to bring in the ladies my dwarf friend." Zevran suggested.
"I'm not your friend elf and, as of right now, I'm more of a darkspawn killer rather than a lady killer." Oghren said.
"Speaking of which, how do you two know each other?" Alistair asked. Derek and Oghren looked at each other.
"Well I'm a warrior caste and he's casteless but damn does this man know how to drink!" Oghren laughed.
"We've bonded over drinks back in the tavern. They accept anyone's money for their swill. Then we got into a brawl, and I lost, lost! I've wanted to tear him apart since." Oghren said.
"Sounds just like a thunder humper would say, ha!" Derek laughed.
"Say that again you rotten nuglet!" Oghren shouted.
"I am going to lose what little sanity I have left…" Morrigan mumbled, away from the group.
"Besides, that fight in the Provings was the best excitement I've had in years." Oghren chuckled.
"You mean the one where he disguised himself?" I wondered.
"Yeah. Just goes to show that we'd have some talented fighters if the deshyrs weren't so busy fighting each other. I get the caste is there for a reason but when I'm a warrior and they told me I couldn't fight, what was the point?" Oghren took a swig from his flask.
"What do you mean, you couldn't fight?" Sten asked.
"I accidentally killed my opponent in the ring. Provings are to show merit to the Ancestors but there are so many rules! I have an axe, I have my enemy, the sodding ring is not supposed to be so complicated!" Oghren groaned. "It's easier in the Deep Roads. All I have to do is kill things."
"Careful, he drinks to get going." Derek smirked. "Might hit you if you're not careful."
"Hey! I can recognize…some of ya." Oghren mumbled.
"Not only a dwarf but a drunken dwarf, how original." Shale rolled her eyes.
"Oh sod! It can talk!" Oghren exclaimed.
"Is a speaking golem so unusual?" Shale wondered.
"We haven't had golems walking around for a few centuries so yeah. What's with that bright light in your mouth?" Oghren wondered.
"I am not letting the drunk look into my mouth." Shale growled.
"Come on, just a little peek!"
"I will crush you."
"Bring it on!"
"How long is this trip going to take again?" Morrigan face palmed.
Day 17
We've been at a good pace coming from Orzammar. Oghren has been very businesslike for the most part. I mean, Morrigan had to blast him for a bit from his leering eyes. He doesn't even hide it. He's made his choice, his words.
Other than that, most of our traveling consisted of small talk. It's amazing how our large group had smaller groups of their own. Eren was usually playing with Alfred, talking with Derek, Talen, Alistair, me, and Morrigan. The mages all stayed together with Leliana speaking here and there with them. Shale and Sten are almost inseparable. The stoic quietness between them makes me squeal on the inside.
During this time, I decided to train a bit on this weird…power I seem to have. Talen has already agreed so we stayed at the end of the group along with Jowan who Wynne was still training.
I stared at my hands, trying to get that power to get up but nothing. I kept on pouting as we walked and Talen rubbed his chin.
"Maybe there needs to be a catalyst to have this happen?" Talen wondered.
"I don't know really. All I know is that it was summoned but that's it. Do you still feel weird when I touch you?" I asked.
"Yeah I do. I'm sure if you touched the others, they'll feel it too. I mean, for one it's good that we are able to restore our mana so quickly but it's going to be hard healing you. If you get a mortal wound, we'll need to put our hands on you. If you drain us of our mana so quickly, it's going to be tricky." Talen rubbed his face.
"I guess I'll try not to kill myself." I laughed.
"Yeah, that would ease off some worries." Talen rolled his eyes. "For now, let's keep trying."
Really all I managed was to make myself feel like I have to go to the bathroom. I looked at my hands and no amount of willpower seemed to connect to that weird power again. There had to be a set of circumstances in order to call it out. I don't want to keep on putting myself in danger just to use it. That'll get in the way of everyone in this group.
"It's no use. Nothing I'm doing is working. Concentrating just makes my head hurt." I sighed.
"We'll keep working on it." Talen said.
Day 20
We arrived in Caridin's Cross without much incident. The stone that was cut here was different than the hallways. There were various sign posts written in dwarven that connected to other hallways. Some were intact, others were in disrepair but most were caved in. This was the center to most of the Thaigs near Orzammar.
"By the stone. I can't believe Bhelen was about to track this down. Caridin's cross. This was the midpoint to many thaigs back in the day. It was also called the crossroads and can lead us to Ortan Thaig if we're lucky." Oghren explained.
"Do you see any signs of Branka?" Eren asked.
"Not a one but I'm sure there's going to be a few once we find the road leading to Ortan Thaig. I've been waiting for this for 2 sodding years. Let's go." Oghren led the group down the hallway.
"It's marvelous if you ignore the stains and smell." Leliana said.
"Darkspawn ruin everything they touch. Such a pity." Zevran shrugged.
As we continued walking, we noticed a group that was ahead of us. Eren stopped as they noticed us and got up to meet us. They were well armed with an elven elf among them.
"Tch, these must be some mercenaries on Harrrowmont's side. Let's waste them." Oghren picked up his axe.
"We shouldn't assume that." Jowan chuckled before the group took out their weapons.
"Assume that everyone we meet wants to do us harm." Eren took out his sword and shield. It was a moderately sized group with 7 dwarves and one elf. The elf used her magic to strengthen the dwarves.
"Let's show them who's king!" One yelled and they ran towards us.
"How droll to think they can do us harm." Shale ran forwards with Alfred, Sten, Alistair, and Eren. The one to meet them first was Oghren who did a battle roar. He slashed across a dwarf with leather armor like it was butter. A spray of blood coated the others as the elf was getting ready for another spell. Shale tried to beat another dwarf but a large barrier was imposed between them. Shale pounded the spell but it was barely budging while a few of them took to their arrows and began an onslaught.
"We have to get rid of that mage!" Talen made his own barrier. There was a small gap in between the barrier and the mage and I ran toward it. Arrows followed me and the elf noticed me. She revved up a lightning spell but I got to her before she launched it. I grabbed her face and pushed her down. I felt that same pull from before. I mentally tugged at it and the elf gave me wide eyes.
"No!" She struggled underneath me but I kept on tugging on that power before she stilled beneath me. I felt empowered slightly but was distracted and got hit by one of the enemy's maul. I slid across the floor, rocks scrapping against my armor. I hissed as the dent poked my side painfully. I didn't need to worry about the dwarf as Shale came by and knocked his head into the stone. She crushed it underneath her arms and I got to view how a head really went pop.
"Ew, that is so gross." I stood up, away from the grey matter.
"Fleshy things go squish, hasn't it learned that?" Shale chuckled darkly and I rolled my eyes. I got back to the group and the dwarves were all taken care of. I saw Oghren take a swig from his water, well, alcohol skin with a big laugh.
"Hah! I haven't felt like this in years!" Oghren laughed.
"Must have been stifling not to even fight in the proving." Derek cleaned up his hammer.
"You have no idea." Oghren kept on going and there were two paths we could go. Either we went down the hallway or go through the tunnel that was dug up by darkspawn.
"We'll need to split up the group. We can cover more ground that way." Eren suggested.
"What if one gets in trouble or at least more trouble that they think of? We won't be able to communicate." Alistair wondered.
"What about a big explosion?" Talen wondered.
"Do you always have to think about big explosions?" I wondered.
"No, the rock isn't solid. If you let out a sparkler then we might suffer cave ins. I don't want to go digging more so than I want to stand and not do anything." Oghren advised.
"Then we'll just need to be prepared for what may come." Wynne said.
"It's a risk we have to take." Eren nodded. "Derek, take a group to the tunnels. I will go down the Roads. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet each other somewhere in the middle."
"Right boss." Derek nodded. "Priss, Missy, Oghren, Elf, Bard, and Blood mage. You're with me."
"Why do you call Oghren by his name but not us?" Talen wondered.
"Because I don't think he prefers to be called a Bronco Rider." Derek smirked.
"Up yours old man." Oghren stuck up his finger.
"Be careful. Don't forget to use your senses to pick up darkspawn. We're in their territory now." Eren warned. He did a nod and the rest of the group followed him.
"Come on, time to see what we can find in these shit smeared tunnels." Derek led our group.
"Of course that paints a pretty picture." Zevran said sarcastically.
We went through the first tunnel from the big hallway. Dust covered the ground and random torches were found everywhere. That meant there was life underground. My hands were twitchy and I found myself playing with my wedding ring again.
"Nervous?" Talen wondered.
"Yeah, can't lie about that. It's really quiet down here. No wind, no random wildlife. It's so…dead." I said.
"Darkspawn taint has sucked the life out of the Deep Roads for centuries. There's nothing down here except for nugs and deep stalkers with the occasional ghoul. It's not a happy place girly." Oghren said. Derek and Talen looked at each other.
"Get ready, there's a whole slew of darkspawn ahead." Derek took out his hammer.
"How many?" Leliana wondered.
"A lot. It's hard to know the numbers." Talen rubbed his head.
"I should have let the Arl kill me." Jowan moaned as he got his magic ready.
"Too late for that." Zevran chuckled. We walked through the tunnel into an enormous cavern with a man made stone bridge. As soon as we walked in it, we were found by a brigade of darkspawn. Genlocks hurled themselves toward us with Hurlocks following. Leliana kept to the tunnel entrance, using her arrows to stop a few Genlocks into place. Talen and Jowan were right next to her, summoning up spells.
Zevran and I followed Oghren and Derek into the fray. Derek was the first one to crush a Genlock's head with his hammer. Oghren followed swiftly and sliced open another head. Zevran evaded the huge genlock and went to the fight the Hurlocks behind them. I followed him with a quick jump away from a genlock. A Hurlock with a crossbow tried to get to the daggers on his thighs but I stabbed upward and caught its chin. I stabbed deeper and then kicked the corpse away from me.
Another group of Hurlocks were across the cavern and noticed our noisy fighting. They came running down. Zevran killed his Hurlock and I felt heat behind me, no doubt it was Talen's fireball. Zevran and I ran together to meet the other Hurlocks. I dodged a slash and kicked its feet from underneath it. Zevran was quick to follow with a slash across the throat.
"Here!" Zevran tossed me a bottle. The liquid looked purplish and clear. I doused my blade with it quickly before smashing the glass against a Hurlocks face.
"Duck!" I did and Derek smashed his hammer against the Hurlocks chest. A flurry of arrows met other Hurlocks with wisps of flames coming around. Jowan came around with his mace and did some blood magic to control a few Hurlocks. It didn't matter when a large fiery explosion knocked me, Zevran, and Jowan back.
"Darkspawn Emissary!" Talen shouted, bringing up barriers for all of us. I groaned but got up, feeling a few tingly scrapes on my face.
"Keep the barrier up!" Derek got out of the barrier and went towards the emissary. It used necromancy and brought up the dead Hurlocks under its control.
"Shit!" I cursed and went out of the barrier. If I can do stuff to regular mages then I can do the same to darkspawn mages too right? I ran to Derek and Oghren followed right behind. It created an earthquake and I fell on the ground from the shaking.
"Debris!" Talen shouted as large rocks from the ceiling started falling down.
"This is why we don't do explosions!" Oghren kept his balance and ran toward the emissary. It tried to get him in an ice cage but Oghren did a battle roar and threw his axe towards the emissary. It landed straight through its chest. The shaking stop and the darkspawn rolled on the ground, dead, again.
"Holy Jesus Christ." I breathed out.
"Status!" Derek shouted.
"A few scrapes but I'm well." Zevran stood up.
"We're all fine over here." Talen said and Leliana nodded.
"I'm good." I breathed out.
"Just a scrape." Jowan rejoined us.
"Never better!" Oghren laughed.
"Let's go then."
So I have really shit memory and a super busy life, Jesus. Anyway, I'll be uploading this in time for Thanksgiving for your viewing pleasure. I'm also debating on opening up a discord server for people to join to talk about DA and my fanfic (also like people can fucking remind me to post this shit). It's a Monday but here I am updating!
Thank you for Alexandria139, Super Sentry, molakrisz, ffwileykat, Heitor, Kiukun-Nadralexe, Grunt Lord Ryan, thor2006, Eagle0203, heartlessangel124, Terastrasza, therider'sapprentice, Dragon King Hecht, and Edward Cullen's Girl for following/favoriting!
I'm not sure how to do a poll but give a message/review if you guys want a Discord server for this!
Chimera Spyke: Yes it is I! I am back and I'm glad that you're back too! 3 The fact that you're here makes me really warm and happy inside. Let's get through this!
Anonymoose: Yeah the chapters get a bit long winded but that's what happens with first person introspection. I really hope you're still enjoying it though!
Please leave a review!