/ Chapter 3 / Melancholy of a terminal patient.
My dreams were filled with horrible monsters and bloodied corpses everywhere, screams of despair and burned flesh was all I could see no matter where I looked.
But thanks to God, my conscience soon returned to me, and my senses began to pick up lights and noises in the tent where I was.
My back ached as if an elephant had crushed me, and my arms felt as if my nerves had exploded from within.
Every time I moved a finger, it hurt horribly, as if it had been broken. When I raised my arm to see it, my pain was so bad that I had to curse with the female of a dog for almost an entire minute before the pain subside.
Then I noticed a young girl next to me, it was the same mage that Duncan introduced me, she was standing next to me and she grabbed my hand to immediately put more healing magic on my body. I desperately need it.
Soon the pleasant sensation of warmth returned to me, but this time it seemed that it was harder to keep the spell on, her face looks troublesome somehow, besides the fact that I didn't feel that it repaired anything inside, she only applied a kind of magical analgesic against the pain. How strange, she can't repair what he can´t see?
Apparently, she had also lost the cloth hat she was wearing when we parted, now her brown hair decorated her head in a simple and short cut to the side. She looked like a normal Wera* girl from my school.
- "I see that someone is already awake, what a relief, I thought we would have to carry you to Ostagar like a bag of potatoes, but apparently you had just run out of mana, you got really worn out there, it's more than I expected from a mage of your age, you should be more careful in that, one day you will run out of luck, and it will be open-feast-season for the veil demons."-The girl scolds me, with an apologetic smile on her face.
I wasn't surprised by the fact that I was a mage, after all, reliving my dreams, again and again, I began to accept the fact that for some reason, I could use magic, that made me a mage in Thedas, I knew that I had to worry about it, but I was very tired at the time.
- "Dond- where am I?" – I ask very dizzily in the foreign language.
- "You are still in our camp, you fainted after finishing that Gremlock using all your magic on him, we brought you to my tent to try to heal you" -responded the mage
I open my eyes in a rush, that scares me, if she had used lyrium potions with me, this could get very ugly very soon-"Did you give me some Lily potions¡? "-I ask scared.
- "No, of course not! We do not have many lyrium potions right now, to use them right and left, and if I was right and you were an apostate who escaped from the Magic circle before their Anguish, I just couldn't put the whole camp in danger in case a demon possessed you, I just couldn't take that risk"-The girl defended herself.
That calmed me down, I dropped myself into the bed, feeling my own anguish of the last days vanish, knowing that the next time I slept, a demon wouldn't t try to possess me in my dreams, it was something strangely relaxing in this new world.
The girl took advantage of my silence and spoke to me in an unusual way with a certain informality in her words - "Listen, I understand that you wouldn't want to show your powers while you are surrounded by strange people, but they are the Gray Wardens; If you can use your combat magic somewhere, it's around them as they fight Darkspawn , you understand ?! "
His complaining face was painfully obvious; as if it was my fault I did not know I had those damn powers to invoke fire from my hands in the first place!
- "... Sorry, the truth is that magic is not something I know how to use ... Actually, I didn't even know I was a mage until then" - I answered something insecure trying to be honest with her.
The female mage didn't answer for several seconds.
- "... This is a joke, right? ... you didn't know you were a mage? But you're almost 30 years old! "
- "HEY, I'm only 24, OK?!" - I answered furiously.
- "How do you expect me to believe that you have never had an accident with magic in your life!?", Didn't anyone make you angry as a child and end up seeing your magic come out ?, Where the hell have you been all your life?"- She asks incredulously.
- "I ... hem ..." - Shit, I was in trouble.
On the one hand, if I told her the truth at this time, she would believe that I really lost my mind or that I was a boy possessed by a demon and would set me on fire at that moment without blinking, I had to lie, any lie would be enough to get out of this.
- "I was raised in a place where we do not know what magic is" -I answered, ok a half-truth will work the same...
- "There is no place in this world that is free of magic, even the simplest commoners recognize it easily, you had to at least have heard of it before" -the mage keeps going, putting her hands on her chest, seeing my obvious lie.
Ok Sebas, lie better, and fast.
"Ok, ok, the truth is that I had never been angry enough to get fire from my hands, ok?, I had a simple life and I haven't had many problems and it just didn't happen, ok?" - I answered. That was the truth, but I had to omit the fact that the magic of this world was only part of a video game of mine...
That seemed to work. The mage just stared at me seriously for a moment.
- "... So you're a noble?" - The mage asked in a very serious way as she looked into my eyes.
- "Of course not!" - I thought to myself, but I restrained my mouth, if I didn't follow her game, She would discover very soon what was really happening and once I told her the truth, there would be no way to convince her that I wasn't possessed by a demon of sorts.
I had to start playing my cards well in a world where the penalty for stealing a loaf is losing the whole hand by the sword…Lying had to become my second nature if I wanted to have a chance to survive.
"Something like that ..." -I answered; Shit, this was going to be harder than I thought, half-truths will have to be for now.
Fortunately, that seemed to be enough for her.
- "*sigh* ..., ok, I know when someone tries to hide a secret, and if isn't that you are a mage then, it must be something really big. I apologize for trying to get into your affairs. Getting into the plots of "The game" is not something that one looks forward to"-the mage told me a little more relaxed.
- "But I'm afraid there's more bad news and I need you to accompany me with Duncan before it's too late in the day and we have to leave camp" -said the girl taking her stuff back, she then take my wrists and pull me out of bed, I just take a little squeal of pain for her action, my body was still sore chamaca *damn it!
-"Ho! I see you must have used too much mana and are still sore, I can make the sensation disappear, but it will take a little longer for your hands to heal completely. "- She answered.
That said, she spread her hands over my head and closed her eyes, she soon managed that make the yellow light on her hands and it began to run through my body again. After a minute, I was able to move my body without feeling any pain, although I still felt a numbness for my entire body.
The magic of this place kept surprising me every time, I had to learn more from her when I could ... I was a mage too after all.
"So…You said I have to talk to Duncan, right?" - I asked her. She turns to see me with my gaze fixed on her, and she notices that I was looking at her very seriously and with a worried tone.
- "Do not worry, you're not in trouble, Duncan just wants to ask you a few questions and he said that once you finish with him, you can leave if you wish." - The girl said - "Ho and your clothes are inside your backpack next to your bed, they are somewhat burned but you'd better put them to leave the store, if you're really a noble, they have to cost more than all my magic equipment."
I complied with her request, surprised that she believed that my clothes full of cartoons and holes, were worth more than his magic tunic.
With much help from the doctor-mage, I managed to stand up, put on my gray shirt on, (I still had my Spiderman pajamas on ) and leave the store. She accompanied me all the way, by my clear and petty request.
I take the opportunity to look around the camp and note that this wasn't anything like in the video game, everything was much more detailed, (yes, even more than DAI), and many more people moved around everywhere.
On one side I saw the elf-man who defeat with me those Gremlock last night, he was showing his wounds and healed by the campfire, while humans and elves saw them and sing a cheery song, surely about him as a hero while taking the first meal of a new day, he saw me and greeting me with his mug of beer when he noticed I looked at him from afar, and I returned the greeting as I continued on my way guided by the mage woman.
Soon I ran into the overbearing dwarf of last night, and he was talking to the human with dark hair about something, but they stopped for a moment when they noticed my presence. They looked at everything I have on, they didn't think I belonged to them, you damned semi- elites.
Even as I thought that I knew that the best thing was not to attract attention and I went on my merry way again.
But apparently, no matter where I went, my blue pajamas captured everyone's attention and they stared at me like I was a circus phenomenon. The murmurs were low, but they made me feel like they were shouting volumes about me and my self. Ho social anxiety, how much I missed thy cold embrace... thou are surely a cold-hearted bitch even in this time and period.
At last, we came to Duncan's tent and I slipped inside as soon as I could, I was a tall and big boy, so I always excelled in the room, (As much as I wanted, as it if I not). I learned to try to avoid attracting attention since I entered high school.
The fewer teenagers see you as a freak, the less chance there is that they will end up making jokes and pranks ...
Inside the tent, there were a few pieces of furniture and several papers, there were even a main table and a makeshift bed. Duncan welcomed us cheerfully after he stopped examining an armor that was on the table.
- "Ho it´s you Amell, It seems that our guest has finally awakened from the sleep realm" - Duncan told us.
- "This is it, my lord, I had to use a little more of my magic to cure the effects of magical wear out of him ... So please be careful, he is not ... in the best conditions s of right now to handle any strong emotions" - The mage answered, and I saw that he was about to continue speaking, but then she remembered something and used a pause to think his words better- "... With your permission, my lords".
- "... I understand Solona, that will be all for the moment, you can go back to your store" -said the commander of the gray wardens.
- "Very good" -say the girl with brown hair, then she turned to look me in the eye, I could see the concern in hers- "Take care of yourself, you hear?"-I was disconcerted by their strange response, but she was out before I could ask her anything more.
- "... That was very strange, she is never so casual with people she doesn't yet know ..." -Duncan spoke in English.
And so, in a blink of an eye, the gray warden change his language to that of the Spanish people of Madrid-Spain in the 14 Century, with a different accent and a strange word here and there, but old Spanish non the least.
Like listening to a person speaking normally and then suddenly, they start to talk like Shakespeare.
-"Así que chico, mis subordinados me han dicho que habéis salido ayer en la noche desde las espesuras Kokary, gritando mientras erais perseguido por un pequeño ejercito de engendros tenebrosos a vuestras espaldas, ¿os molestaría explicaros? ".
("So kid, my subordinates told me that you came out of the Korcary Forest last night during, screaming while you were being chased by an army of Dark Spawn; Would you mind telling me that story?")- the gray warden spoke.
I was still surprised that Duncan knew how to speak Spanish, and even more so with the accent of the old motherland.
- "Hablas mi idioma?" -
-(You can speak my language?)-I responded both in awe and surprise.
*Note from the Autor: From this point forward, all dialogues will be written in English, to facilitate your understanding in this specific version of the Fanfic.*
- "Yes, that's right, even if I do not recognize the strange accent you have, I can understand you more or less in a well manner, my father taught me the native language of Rivani, and although I do not know exactly where you came from; Do not be surprised that I know where you are from, your skin color makes you stand out like a firefly in the middle of the night, the tanned flesh is very unusual in this parts "-Duncan said.
So this was not Spanish, but more an own version of Spanish from Thedas, based on Galician Spanish and with lighter accents in the vowels?, this was interesting. Another question was ... Tanned? What kind of political term is that?
- "Please do not take it badly, I really think you are a good kid, but first there are some important issues that we must attend before late."-He says moving out of the way and revealing what was he analyzing before I enter.
-"Like this here for starters" –He pointed to the armor on the table. I recognized it.
It was my old armor
-"As you can see here, this armor comes with a seal of a guild on the chest, and I recognize it from my days with the wardens in Orlais, this armor especially.
It belongs to the veteran commander of the Gray Wardens, a certain Gerod Caron if I remember correctly; We were supposed to meet him in this place, but that was two days ag.o and without any trace so far we were starting to lose faith, until you came that is, will you care to explain this my dear friend? "- Say Duncan with an obvious accusatory tone in his voice.
This filled me with fear, I knew that had I to explain myself and quickly or else I risk losing my head- "No, no, no, no, no wait, it's not what you think!, I only found it in a dead guy in the lake, ok? And that happened loooong before I took his armor, I swear it"
- "You removed the armor from his corpse!?" - The Gray Warden shouted in rage.
- "NO¡, no, I meant that he was already dead when I found his camp in the woods, I just borrow it ok?" - I answered in my defense weaving my hands in fear.
-"And having stolen things from a dead man is any better? Are you not more than a vile thief? "- He screams at me.
... Fuck
- "...What could I do? the guy was already dead, he didn´t need it, and I was surrounded by those monsters around the forest ..." - I answered trying to convince him.
"Mmm and what tells me that you were not the one who killed Commander Gerod and stole his equipment before you came screaming with us to save your skin?"-He asked me.
"Do I really look like an assassin¡?"-I ask him desperately.
"You should know that all Rivanenses are thieves in the bottom of their hearth. I really hope that that is not your best defense in this case kid" -Duncan said
"Ouch, that was… a little racist, but Ok, good point, my face really looks like a bad guy, but that doesn't explain the fact that I suck at fighting.
You saw me fight out there last night against those things, do I look like someone who can kill a veteran Gray Warden without any problem? "- I replied to Duncan.
"... Well ... Reason will not miss you, but I myself am a witness that it does not take much sometimes to win a fight, especially if you cheat and play dirty.
Say what tells me that it wasn't you and a couple of other friends, who murdered the commander and took his things, only to end up being massacred by the monsters and ending with you running in the forest to end up being saved by us?"-An annoying Duncan accused me.
"Duncan, I swear it, I didn't kill anyone" -I said begging and scared
"Well¡, hello there!, did we already know each other ?, no?, So you know my name and you use it with such ease, he? are we relatives? friends?" - Duncan answered and took out his dagger from among his clothes.
Oh shit, oh shit, what the hell have I just did?, I'm not supposed to know his name, stupid, stupid, stupid¡
I was losing, and very, very fast, I needed to put Duncan on my side and soon.
"No, no, no, just look, I-I just want to help ... ok? please listen, I can see things, I know things okay? things that happen, and could happen, bad things and good things.
Things that could help you win the war against those monsters.
You and your wardens, the war, even thing! Even things about you, that you don't even know about yourself!, please believe it, please "-I responded to the defense after seeing him bring his dagger to my neck.
"Are you a damn spy!?" - The gray guard shouted at me, bringing the blade closer to my flesh.
"NO!" - I replied scared.
"THEN EXPLAIN YOURSELF!, DON'T EVEN THINK IN LIYNG TO ME OR I SWEAR KID¡" – Duncan say screaming at my face.
Lie Sebastian, LIE¡
"I CAN SEE THE FUTURE!" - I answered scared and without thinking .
That would not end well, but at least it stopped him from killing me.
Duncan stared at me for a second.
- "... You are a god damned liar, And a spy¡" Duncan said before he pounce on me.
Shit, say something, say something¡, what do we know about him? ... ok it's all I have so he does not kill me.
- "I KNOW YOU LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE ARCHEDEMONY SINGING IN YOUR DREAMS!" - I scream scared and covering my face with my arms.
Duncan just stopped and looked at me incredulously.
-"...How do you know that?; only a Gray Warden knows about the Arch - Demon's song " -he said in a low serious voice.
- "Because I've seen it before, it's my dreams, as clear as day, a huge Dark Dragon that would kill everyone if we left it" -I answered, I knew I wanted more, but saying too much was very dangerous, I had to think very well my words-
"And I see you defending yourself and sacrificing yourself to save us all, you offer yourself to do it because your end was fast approaching"- I said trembling and leaning on a makeshift chair, fighting against the humidity of my eyes and praying to the sky that the giant man would not hurt me.
Duncan is incredulous in the tent, still as a stone, he lowers his arms and keeps his dagger at his waist.
My white lie has convinced him. I kept fighting to control my tears.
-"Are you one of the seers of Rivani?"- Ask Duncan not yet convinced.
!Loteria¡* I could use this¡- "Yeah, something like that ." - I replied trying to see very serious.
-"Quick, what will we eat for dinner today?" - I ask the armed man.
Damn it, cheat with intelligence...
I had to lie- "It does not work like that Duncan, I can not ... * sigh *.
I can not see every movement and every possible action that can happen, I can only see some things that can happen in the future, it does not have to be like like that at all.
I see a possible future, and sometimes is something important, some times is not. I can't control it yet"-I answered, I was lying a bit in this, but I showed enough confidence not to mislead him.
- "... I see. Then I guess you already know what I'm going to say, right? ..." – Duncan say in a very serious manner.
- "What do you mean?" – Ask confused and somewhat afraid .
Duncan took a deep breath.
- " Amell informed me what happened in the battle last night.
You had injuries in your upper back, you had several cuts in the head and arms, an ugly one in the upper back.
Also, your magical Berserker attack didn't help you much to prevent the blood from spreading, and I fear it was the blood of a Dark Spawn ... "- Duncan explain.
Ho no, ho no, please, this is not true, this isn't happening.
I felt my blood escape my face.
This is not happening, this is not happening, fuck, fuck, fuck...
- "We also found some in your neck, not all were infected, but I'm afraid many have changed in color, they were all black, you must know what it means." – The warden explains.
- "Ee-am I, am I infected wit- with the plague of the Dark Spawn?" - I asked stuttering and scared.
- "If I'm afraid that's the way it is. I'm so sorry." - Duncan answered.
-"Dios mio…"
End of Chapter Notes:
*-Wera: A mexican slang term, for a woman of white skin.
*-Chamaca: A small and cheery girl, that likes to play pranks in others./ A synonym of a little girl, chica, pequeña, niña, etc.
*-Loteria: A bingo-like game, that uses some traditional Mexican images like moons, drunk men, watermelons, and random objects. In order to win, one must make a line or a row with those images and scream ¡Loteria!