Disclaimer: Bioware owns Dragon Age II. David Gaider and the whole writing team are awesome.
Oh god oh god oh god why- Why was the ogre after me?
I tried to scramble to my feet, but they just wouldn't keep me up. A quick glance behind me showed Mama Hawke being guarded by both of the twins. That wasn't right. I noticed Aveline was busy trying to get her husband out of the way, and Hawke was hesitating on how to take the ogre down, Calenhad growling by her side.
It lumbered towards me when no one made a move to stop it.
"No, no, oh god please no-" I chanted. A dream, that's all this was. Some dimension I didn't belong to. Pressure built up in my chest, sharp and twisting. My throat felt thick, like I couldn't breathe. I finally made it to my feet, but my actions only seemed to agitate it more.
"You vile creature," I heard Carver shout.
"Stop!" I yelled, though at who, I didn't know. It roared and reached for me.
I felt the pressure in my chest and throat reach a bursting point. I wasn't sure if I screamed, but when I threw up my hands and stumbled backwards, there was a sudden large howling. I looked up to see a distortion in the air, similar to the one I had noticed in my car. It twisted between the ogre and I for just a moment before the darkspawn stumbled back. It roared again in agitation.
What happened? I stood still for a moment, wondering at the emptiness I now felt. Was the distortion some of Bethany's magic? I noticed Carver standing next to me now, eyes and mouth wide. He gaped like he hoped to have words come out, but nothing.
I looked further behind me and locked eyes with Bethany. She looked just as shocked. Why? Because she hadn't used the spell before? But her expression quickly changed to flat determination, and she sent an ice spell at the ogre to slow it more.
"You're a mage!" I finally heard Carver shout. Of course Bethany was a mage, what a stupid-
My train of thought screeched to a halt. He was still looking directly at me.
"No, I'm not- I didn't-" It wasn't even possible, magic didn't exist on Earth!
The clang of metal brought us both back to our senses. Hawke and Aveline were providing good distractions, and Calenhad had run around to meet us.
Carver gave me a hard look. "Move to safety. Stay with Calenhad," he commanded before charging at the beast.
I wanted to yell at him, but Bethany had moved up and started pushing me behind her. "Go now!"
I stumbled over to Mama Hawke, confused, and we both followed the mabari over to where Ser Wesley lay. He was breathing hard now, clutching his good arm over his side, but he still had the time to send me a wary glance.
"Did you know?"
"No! I mean, I'm not-!" I tried to deny, but the words got stuck in my throat. I didn't feel as empty, like I was slowly drinking a cup of hot chocolate and the warmth was trickling down my insides.
"Don't lie to me." His tone was harsh, even as he suppressed tremors.
I couldn't bring myself to pity him right now. "I didn't know," I cried. My thoughts whirled more violently than ever. I couldn't come to terms with it. This was a goddamn dream!
I felt Mama Hawke's hand on my shoulder. "It's alright," she insisted. I didn't see how it could be, but I let it go.
Even Ser Wesley seemed to soften, and he just sighed, turning from me. I tried desperately to calm down and breathe, though my eyes were drawn back to battle. They all seemed to be doing alright, though hurlocks had joined the battle as well. The creatures caused significant distractions and forced Calenhad to defend us several times when the dark soldiers ventured too close.
The ogre itself seemed to have gained a second wind. Despite all the wounds on his form, slowing him down, his anger made each hit whistle through the air and shake the ground. The close-combat fighters took turns trying to stun or knock down the ogre, while the others held back the ever replenishing numbers of hurlock soldiers. Carver took his turn, and my heart jumped into my throat when I saw the ogre make a swipe at him. He dodged out of the way, but it was a close thing.
Couldn't it just die? My hands were trembling, so I clasped them together at my chest. I could feel Wesley giving me looks, but I just couldn't acknowledge them right now.
I kept my eyes on the fight, occasionally jumping when a hurlock forced Calenhad into battle. A darkspawn near us burst into flame, and I realized Bethany was keeping an eye on us as well.
There were just so many darkspawn, and so many bodies now littering the ground... I felt a pressure returning to my chest and throat. My breathing grew faster in response. There was still no way the earlier magic could have been from me, but the feeling made me nervous. Wesley and Mama Hawke both gave me looks when I started a hurried breathing pattern. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
The pressure grew, but this time I recognized it. I held my hands over my stomach and turned away from the battle. There was a small crevasse between some of the bigger rocks, so I knelt and unloaded once again. There was nothing in my stomach this time, only bile, so it burned more than before.
Almost a whole decade I had gone without puking more than three times total, ever since I was thirteen, and now I'd gone and done it twice in the same day. I wasn't even sick. How unfair.
Mama Hawke was rubbing my back, murmuring something I couldn't comprehend with the ringing in my ears. What broke through the silence was something I had not wanted to hear. "Maker, give me strength."
The other fighters were distracted by the soldiers, and though it looked like there wasn't any more backup coming for those weaker darkspawn, Bethany was the one facing off against the ogre. Her magic was reaching better than the others' swords could, but she was dangerously outmatched in strength.
The ogre reached for her. She batted its hand away with her staff, but with each strike, the appendage barely moved. She was only just holding off the hand, and soon it's strength would overwhelm her. No one was close enough to help. Whipping around, I watched in horror as it grabbed Bethany's leg.
"HEY!" My throat felt raw, from the stomach acid and now my screaming, but it did catch the attention of the largest darkspawn. "Someone HELP HER," I screeched.
My screaming had done it's job. With the ogre distracted, Bethany sent ice spikes through it's wrist. Howling, it let go of her, and she quickly stumbled back towards her sister. Now though, it set it's eyes on me, a loud and obviously vulnerable target.
It seemed all the blood drained from my face and pooled in my chest as it rumbled towards us. Neither Calenhad's growls nor Aveline's taunts dissuaded the creature. Mama Hawke stepped backwards and Wesley tried and failed to get up. One thought pierced the noise in my head, don't get them killed. So of course I did the most obvious and stupid thing I could do. I ran.
Calenhad barked in dismay as I ducked to the left, hoping to strafe around the ogre, keeping it's attention without getting killed. The hurlocks were virtually gone now, Bethany backing up her sister in taking down the last few, back near the entrance we had come from. Thank god. At least I only had one darkspawn to worry about. Though that one darkspawn was enormous and now charging right at me holy sh-
I felt like an olympic sprinter as I barely made it past the ogre. I actually felt the wind rush by behind me, ground rumbling, as I just missed getting gored. Not bothering to look back and see my demise, I ran straight for the first friendly faces I saw, Carver and Aveline. With a roar, the giant 'spawn geared up for another run. I practically flew past the two and prayed that no more darkspawn would show up. I stumbled to a stop and looked back, mouth hanging open to draw in air.
Aveline and Carver dove to the side to avoid the charge, but thankfully it stopped right between them. They immediately took advantage. Shield up and ready, Aveline started slicing at the knees. It roared in anger, but a backhand swing did no damage, as she danced out of the way. Carver had a longer reach with his broadsword, but the ogre's swings were too wide for even him to reach past.
I dithered for a moment, but that was all the time it needed to lock eyes with me again. I took off before I could think about it, taking a wide circle again in hopes of making it back to the others, but apparently the ogre was having none of that. It stomped forward, cutting me short as it took the inside route. Oh no, they were smarter than game AI. I stepped back as it advanced, wanting to turn around and out run it, but my stupid, stupid legs wouldn't cooperate. Then, Carver was in front of me.
"You soulless bastards!"
He swung at the arm which descended towards us and gave it a good slice along the forearm. Roaring in pain, the ogre managed to backhand him away.
I might have screamed as his body flew through the air, rolling to a stop at Hawke's feet. She grit her teeth and looked up, eyes ablaze with fury.
"Hey ugly!" she yelled, running towards the beast, "I believe you're missing something!"
It responded with its own roar, though it quickly changed to pain as Hawke lopped off several of its fingers.
"Or at least you are now."
Aveline ran up beside her, and together they began a dangerous dance. With the ogre's attention off me for the time being, I skirted around to Bethany, leaning over her brother.
"Carver? Brother?"
Her words came out stiff and muted, like her throat was blocked. I looked closer and saw the tears slowly building in her eyes. My own throat was suspiciously tight, but I had to check, make sure...
My first-aid training had expired at least seven years ago, the last time I had bothered lifeguarding. However, I did remember the basics. I hoped it would be enough. Steeling myself, I grabbed Bethany's shoulder and made sure I had her attention.
"Move back Bethany." My voice sounded more steady than I hoped for, and I continued.
With her out of the way, I leaned over his body. Gently, I felt his neck; It didn't seemed broken. Maybe his spine was okay too. His body was limp, arms flopping to the ground as I rolled him onto his back. I bit my lip, hoping I wasn't making things worse. My heart was beating hot in my throat, chest too constricted to hold it, but I gently tilted his head and lowered myself to his face. I couldn't hear any breathing. Desperately, I put my hand in front of his nose. No air movement. I moved my hand to his neck instead, placing my first two fingers just under the hook of his jaw, and pushed lightly. I waited. One second, two, three... Finally, after a grueling six seconds I felt a weak flutter. Okay, okay, so he was in bad shape, but alive.
Bethany came back into my line of sight, looking into my eyes. "Are you a healer?"
Not unless she counted my vague knowledge of first aid. I shook my head. "You?"
She fidgeted before answering. "Not much. Just flesh wounds. Right now, I can only heal things I can see."
"Fine, just, do it." I ran my fingernails across my scalp. Next step in treatment. I didn't have time to think. While Bethany concentrated on his bloody scrapes, I moved myself over Carver's chest.
One hand over, then other hand on top; I pushed with the heel of my hand, right? I positioned my shoulders over my hands to make it easier to push, and I started up a rhythm, shoving down on Carver's chest.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
I whispered to myself to make sure I kept pace. I didn't know how many repetitions I needed, so I just sang the chorus a couple times. My adrenaline made sure I pushed deep enough, and I felt a small crack below my hands. Right, ribs can crack during CPR, great, fine. Bethany didn't stop me though; I must have looked confident enough. Then I moved back to his face. Don't think about it, just do it, do it do it-
I tilted his head a little more and opened his jaw, leaving my right hand cupping his chin. Just before starting, I remembered to plug his nose with my other hand. I lowered and placed my mouth over his, leaving no gaps. Twice I breathed out all of my air into him, making sure the chest rose a couple inches. I checked his heartbeat. Still just a flutter.
I started the process again, not paying attention to anything else. The next time I checked his pulse, it felt more consistent. Still quiet and slow, but keeping an almost steady beat. Should I keep going? I didn't want to stop his heart just as he recovered.
I settled for two more life-saving breaths. Why wasn't he breathing? Bethany was done healing now; I saw no scrapes on him. Maybe the injuries were mostly internal?
I started to shake. Bethany put a hand out to stop me from starting another set.
"What-?" I spit out, angry. I was trying to save her brother's life. But her tears stopped me; She was already grieving.
I heard the others coming up behind us, and knew the darkspawn were dead. We had to move, or we might not have another chance. But one more look at Carver's face had me pushing away Bethany's hand. If they weren't going to help him, I would give it my all.
I placed my hands down on his chest again, fingers intertwined, and began another set. Someone was weeping, probably Mama Hawke, and my chest tightened in sympathy. I felt a tingling across my skin, centered at my heart before jumping down my arms.
A couple gasps reached my ears, and Mama Hawke stopped crying, but I couldn't get distracted. Not even when I felt another prickle across my skin or saw light spots dancing in my vision.
I made it to the end of my compressions and began two more breaths. I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a strangled inhale next to my ear. He- he was alive! Not to say he wasn't before but, now he was really alive, or something.
I let out a shaky laugh and closed my eyes against my tears. They escaped anyway. I heard Mama Hawke kneel next to her son.
"Carver, Carver wake up. The battle's over. We're fine." I opened my eyes to see her stroking his hair.
Sitting up, I now saw Hawke and Aveline walking up behind her, grim looks on their faces.
"I'm sorry Mistress..." Aveline started, but seeing Carver's breaths made her pause. "How is he?"
Wait, she was looking at me now. Say something helpful, Sabrina. "Alive?" Perfect.
I stuttered in embarrassment and stood up so I could look her in the eyes, sort of. Aveline was tall, wow. "That is, he's breathing now- again. And also, heartbeat. He-he needs actual healing though."
Hawke took charge then, helping her mother tilt up Carver's head. They trickled a potion down his throat, both watching carefully for the automatic swallow before continuing.
Ser Wesley stepped up next to his wife, eyes narrowed at me. "You say you were not aware of this?" He made a sweeping motion with his hand, gesturing to the whole scene.
I froze. W-was he talking about my future knowledge? No, that wouldn't make sense. I swallowed and gathered my thoughts.
"Not aware of what?" My confusion just caused his face to contort in anger.
"Don't play coy, mage," he spat. My eyes blew wide at the accusation. "That's twice now you've used magic."
"But it wasn't-"
"Do not lie to me!"
Bethany stepped closer to me, drawing Ser Wesley's attention.
"You knew," he accused, "And you hid it from me."
Aveline beat Bethany to the punch. "I suspected as much." She ignored the distressed look her husband threw her. "I thought you must have a good reason for hiding it. Did you also come from Ostagar? With the rest of the circle enchanters?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I'm not a mage!" I insisted. Ser Wesley began to argue his point, but I cut him off. "That was CPR! It's a life-saving technique. Maneuver. Anyone can do it if they learn!"
"Yes, clearly creating lightning from your hands is a learned skill." That amount of sass was completely unnecessary. What did he mean, lightning? I did no such thing.
I could feel blood pulsing behind my ears, so I looked away from the Templar. However, everyone else looked just as skeptical as he did at my declaration.
"What are you talking about?" I reluctantly turned to look at him again. "All I did was- was chest compressions." At my protesting, even Bethany turned to face me.
"Do you truly not know what you're capable of?" I had no response. Neither, it seemed, did anyone else.
Thankfully, Hawke took this time to speak up. "It doesn't matter right now. Sabrina-" I startled at my name, "-Come and help mother with Carver." I nodded, still shaking.
As I moved over, I could feel Ser Wesley's eyes boring into me. I was afraid to meet them, not sure what expression he'd be making, but certain it would upset me more. Bethany was the one to break the silence.
"We need to get moving. Carver wouldn't want us to sacrifice ourselves."
The twisting on Mama Hawke's face told me she was thinking exactly what I was. Carver would clearly do so for any of us. Neither of us voiced it though. Instead, we worked together to get Carver between us, one arm hooked over each of our shoulders.
By the time we were ready, we heard more snarling, hurlocks once again charging up the hill where we stood.
"Flames, we're too late," Aveline cursed.
"No," Hawke breathed, frustrated, "Can't give us a break, can they?"
Mama Hawke and I stumbled back towards the cliff side looming over us, hoping to protect our backs, along with Carver. Ser Wesley limped next to us, arm now wrapped tightly around his midsection, breathing more labored than before.
The others formed a semicircle around us, slaying as many as possible, but more darkspawn kept coming. Our window of opportunity was closed.
"There's no end to them." Bethany's sentiment had a sort of finality to it; We all saw the numbers which continually took place of the fallen spawn.
I tightened my grip on Carver. Come on, come on, don't let me down. Where's that deus ex machina?
Just as the others readied their weapons for the next round, we heard a screeching roar from behind us, and I sighed in relief. The darkspawn began to back away almost nervously. Thank God. We all looked behind ourselves, up at the bluff at our backs, where a dark maroon dragon perched, plain to see.
She growled lowly before tensing her muscles and leaping off, spreading her wings quickly enough to avoid hitting the ground. Our party crouched as she soared over us, opening her maw to release a scorching stream of fire at the company of darkspawn in the clearing.
No one seemed coherent enough to say anything about the obvious high dragon. What does one say about the timely appearance of the most powerful, primarily female species in the land? We simply watched as she wheeled back around, grabbing an unfortunate hurlock in her maw and climbing skyward. Once high enough, she dropped her prey. The creature's dying screech was abruptly cut off as it hit the ground with a crunch, bones breaking and organs ruined.
I grimaced at the sounds and sight, looking away soon after. That was more gruesome than I was expecting.
The dragon circled around and landed across from us on the hill. After throwing one more gout of flame into the last group of dark soldiers, she swept her muscled tail into those behind her. The final hurlock was crushed beneath her front paw. Or was it foot?
The dragon then turned her attention to us, standing only on her hind legs. I didn't look at the rest of the group, but I was certain they were as transfixed as I was, if more wary of the potential threat.
A flash of fire and light swirled around the dragon, slowly condensing into Flemeth's badass self. The older woman stood tall, clad in red leather with knee-high steel greaves and similar gauntlets. Her white hair whipped in the remaining wind of her magic, four parts styled back like the horns she had just shed, all of it held back by a steel headpiece. She stalked towards us, her long maroon tabard sliding over her legs as she dragged the dead hurlock in her hand.
I felt significantly less awed when I noticed it was only connected to its arm by a sliver of tendon and muscle. She finally dropped the spawn as she fully cleared the smoke.
"Well, well," Flemeth said tauntingly, "What have we here?"
Her voice-oh, help-was exactly, exactly like I remembered. And I would know the rough cadence anywhere; It was the same as Captain Janeway.
Clanking armor distracted me, and I noticed Aveline helping her husband sit back against the cliff. Oh no, I had forgotten about him. There was nothing I could do to help though. Not even Flemeth could. I turned to face her again, stomach churning.
Her eyes and mouth wore an amused tilt. "It used to be we never got visitors to the Wilds, but now it seems they arrive in hordes!"
I must've heard it three times by now, but I finally understood her joke. Hordes. Like the darkspawn horde currently invading her home. I sighed, not in the mood to appreciate her humor.
The eldest of the Hawke siblings seemed to share my sentiment, placing herself directly in front of the injured party members.
"I don't know what you are," Hawke started, voice strong though her hands clenched tight, "but I won't let you harm us."
"Let me?" Flemeth seemed amused by this. "If I wished you harm, I daresay you would not be able to stop me." She then turned and began strolling away.
"Sister," Bethany spoke, and I leaned in to hear her soft words, "Perhaps she is one of the enchanters from Ostagar."
Hawke turned to tilt an eyebrow. "Somehow, I doubt that."
"Did you see everyone there?" the youngest countered, "Her abilities certainly would have helped her survive."
Eyes flicked back to the old woman, hesitant, before realization crossed the older sibling's face.
"Hold on." Flemeth paused, so Hawke continued cautiously, "Where did you learn to turn into a dragon?" The witch looked at us over her shoulder.
"Perhaps I am a dragon." Her smirk did nothing to confirm or deny her claim. "If so, count yourself lucky. The smell of burning darkspawn does nothing for the appetite." Looking back at the dying flames, she continued.
"If you wish to flee the darkspawn, you should know you are heading in the wrong direction."
Ah, dammit. Why didn't I insist on a course change earlier? They might have listened, though I wouldn't have known how to get around the troops already north of us. Actually, maybe it's better we just ran into Flemeth. Carver's weight on my shoulder seemed heavier at the thought, but I ignored it.
"Wait!" Bethany walked just past her sister, despite whispered protests. "You can't just leave us here!"
The witch stopped, a dangerous, "Can I not?" crawling from her lips as she slowly turned to face us again.
"I spotted a most curious sight: a mighty ogre, vanquished! Who could perform such a feat?" Her gaze lingered on Hawke as she stalked back towards our party. "But now my curiosity is sated, and you are safe... for the moment." Her gaze flicked to Bethany, challenging. "Is that not enough?"
The younger sister didn't have a response. Hawke, however, stepped up to her side, meeting Flemeth's eyes.
"It's fine, Bethany. We can travel on our own."
"All the way to Kirkwall?" the young mage asked, frowning, "With this many darkspawn?"
"Kirkwall?" The whole party looked stiff as the old woman pondered aloud. "My, but that is quite the voyage you plan. Your king will not miss you, hmm?"
I watched as Hawke visibly tried to relax. Loved Not-Actually-Captain-Janeway in the game, but I was uneasy with her uncaring tone now that my life was on the line. Hawke had some success calming down, as she gave a tense one shoulder shrug.
"I'm surprised you don't know. King Cailan was betrayed. So, I'm sure he'll miss his life more." Flemeth was startled into a laugh.
"Oh, you I like." The smile never left her eyes as she went on. "Hurtled into the chaos you fight... and the world will shake before you."
Everyone's wariness grew at that statement, though I simply watched as she turned to pace away. Carver was getting heavy, so after a glance at Mama Hawke and an understanding nod from her, we slowly knelt down to set Carver against the cliff side. Mama Hawke stayed next to her son, but I stood up again, limbs still shaking.
"Is it fate or chance? I can never decide." Flemeth's sentence trailed off as she bowed her head in thought. When she looked back, her face hardened with a decision.
"It appears fortune smiles on us both today. I may be able to help you yet." She gave a chilling smile and looked directly at... me? "Though how much, I cannot say."
The two sisters seemed to pick up on the oddity as well. They exchanged a look before Hawke spoke.
"There must be a catch."
Flemeth laughed again, though this one seemed more scornful. "There is always a catch, life is a catch! I suggest you catch it while you can."
"Maybe we shouldn't trust her," Bethany cautioned, "I don't even know what she is."
"I know what she is," Aveline spoke up, "The Witch of the Wilds."
"Some call me that," she agreed, "Also Flemeth. Asha'bellanar. An 'old hag who talks too much.'" She chuckled after her last title, low and harsh.
"But it's a Chasind legend. Witches that steal children."
"Bah!" Flemeth waved the accusation away. "As if I had nothing better to do! And does it matter? I offer you this: I will get your group past the horde in exchange for a simple delivery to a place not far out of your way." She watched all of our reactions as she offered this, but kept most of her attention on Hawke, the obvious leader. "Would you do this for a 'Witch of the Wilds?'"
"You're an apostate?" Bethany asked cautiously.
"Yes," the witch assured softly, "Just like you. And just like her."
My stomach twisted harshly at the attention I was now getting from several people. Though I tried to protest, they came out weak, too quiet. Flemeth ignored my feeble excuses and let her smile grow.
"You would go through all that to have something delivered?" Hawke questioned.
"I have... an appointment to keep." What had it been again? Maybe something to do with her daughter, Morrigan. Ellen and I had never finished that companion quest. Or started it for that matter. I shook the thought away and listened.
"It is far more convenient this way. Happily, you're not without your own needs."
"How much trouble will this delivery be, exactly?"
"About as much trouble as my saving your lives not five minutes ago."
"Good point," Hawke said, sheepish. Flemeth chuckled softly.
"If you knew my daughter, you'd know how seldom I hear that." I actually watched Hawke hold herself back from addressing the witch's offhand comment.
"Even so, that's a lot to ask without telling us what this involves."
"It's nothing more dangerous than one so capable can handle." Which meant it was troublesome.
Hawke turned her head to the rest of our group.
"Should we trust her?"
"Wesley is injured," Aveline worried, "We'll never escape the darkspawn."
"If you need to, leave me behind."
"No!" Aveline turned a determined look on her husband, "I said I would drag you out if I had to, and I meant it."
"Carver won't make it in his condition, either," Mama Hawke said, voice low, "We need help."
Hawke looked particularly grim as she turned to the Witch of the Wilds. "We have to reach Kirkwall first."
"But you will do it."
"We don't have much choice, it seems."
"We never do," Flemeth agreed. "There is a clan of Dalish elves near the city of Kirkwall. Deliver this amulet to their keeper, Marethari."
Hawke stepped closer to grab the amulet from Flemeth's hand. I didn't get a good look, but it looked to be made of gold with some sort of twisting design.
"Do as she asks with it and any debt between us is paid in full. Before I take you anywhere, however, there is another matter or two..." She turned her attention to Ser Wesley, whose coughs had become more violent even just in the few moments they had been talking.
Hawke noticed as much, face twisting and eyes sorrowful. Right, she was at Ostagar, of course she knew what darkspawn corruption looked like.
Aveline still stood up before Flemeth. "No! Leave him alone!"
Though the witch stopped walking, her voice contained a note of apology. "What has been done to your man is within his blood already."
"You lie!"
"She's right, Aveline," Ser Wesley croaked. "I can feel the corruption inside me." He heaved another cough. "From the darkspawn. All that blood... I knew, when it happened..."
"Then how much time before you...?" Tears gathered in my eyes at the tremble in her voice. I knew I was a chain crier. I could never stop myself from feeling sympathetic.
"Not long now, if I am any judge." Flemeth's words rang like the final tolling of a church bell.
His wife looked absolutely miserable, pleading to Hawke with her eyes.
"There must be something we can do." But I could tell Hawke had already lost hope.
"The only cure I know of is to become a Grey Warden," Flemeth offered.
"And they all died at Ostagar."
"Not all, but the last are now beyond your reach." Hawke and Flemeth shared a look, and their eyes made it clear they both accepted the inevitability of Ser Wesley's death.
"Aveline-" Hawke started.
"No!"
"Aveline. Listen to me," Ser Wesley beckoned. His wife settled next to him.
"You can't ask this of me. I won't!"
"Please," he breathed, "The corruption is a slow death. I can't..."
She still looked hesitant as Hawke kneeled beside them. When she turned to face our de-facto leader, her eyes had a glassy sheen.
"He's your husband, Aveline. I can't decide his fate."
She shook her head, looking into Ser Wesley's foggy eyes and whispered something I couldn't hear.
"Aveline," he beckoned. He placed a weak hand over hers. "Be strong, my love."
A tear cut a path through the blood on Aveline's cheek as her husband jerkily unsheathed a dagger at his side.
I had to look away as they shared their last moments. A pained grunt followed by a rattling exhale let me know the deed had been done. Bethany put her hand on my shoulder and gave a light squeeze, giving me the strength to look over at the couple.
Aveline closed his eyes and hung her head. I could tell the group was anxious to move on, but we couldn't leave just like that. We needed some sort of send off, or prayer, or at least to burn his corpse so it wouldn't get eaten or possessed.
Flemeth had stepped up behind Aveline, looking more remorseful than I expected. "Without an end, there can be no peace."
I had always liked her sentiment, but it hit me how alone Aveline would feel now. The living grieved, not the dead.
Hesitant, I stepped forward, gaining the attention of both women. Ignoring the stare of one of my idols-but oh god it's Janeway-I locked eyes with Aveline.
"Would you- I can..." Speaking up was harder than I thought. I had always been embarrassed showing my religion to people who didn't share it. I always felt like I was being judged for it. But now was not the time for such discomfort; Aveline was waiting for a complete sentence. After a calming breath I continued.
"I want to pray for him," I stated. Feeling the blood rush straight to my head I added, "If that's o- ...please."
She just nodded, probably thinking I would recite something from the Chantry. I sighed and knelt down, a tear finally escaping my eyes at the sight of his clammy, greyish skin. He had already started developing pustules on his face before he died.
There was only one prayer which came to mind when I thought of death. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee."
Usually, for someone's passing, we prayed a whole rosary, but I knew we didn't have that kind of time, even with Flemeth on our side. So I simply finished my prayer and added one of my favorites to the end.
"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen."
With the "Glory Be" finished, I opened my eyes, unsure exactly when I had closed them. Once I stood up, feeling both calmer and more embarrassed, I simply made my way back to Carver and Mama Hawke, eyes glued to the ground.
Before I could offer to help pick him up, Flemeth's voice stopped me.
"And that brings up the second matter." I looked up to find her staring right at me. What matter? "What are you going to do now?"
The look of confusion on my face must have been a dead giveaway, since she clarified.
"You have already saved this young man's life,"-she gestured to Carver-"so what reason do you have to continue with this group?"
She appeared genuinely curious, but I didn't know what sort of answer she was expecting.
"I have nowhere else to go," I said hesitantly, "I-I want to stay with them."
I kept my gaze trained on Flemeth, afraid to see the expressions of any of the other Hawkes. How embarrassing. I hated being dependent or telling people how much I liked them. I felt soft.
"Is that so?" she asked. "I suppose that their plight is what inspired you to come here in the first place."
I felt my back and neck heating with the suggestion. "I didn't come here on purpose." With effort, I forced the words out. "I don't even know... how I ended up here in the first place." Admitting it made my stomach churn, especially when it seemed everyone's gaze sharpened on me.
"You do not know?" she inquired. I shook my head. "Hmm. An inexperienced voyager. And a mage, at that. How fortuitous."
My hair stood up on end at her tone. Hawke and Bethany both moved slightly more in front of me, once again tense.
"What do you mean by that?" Hawke questioned.
"Exactly as I said," she responded. "But if she insists on following you, you may want to consider a change in wardrobe." She directed the last part at me, and I felt all the blood drain from my face.
"That's not an answer," Hawke insisted.
"Does it have to be? I believe I have made myself perfectly clear on the matter." The edge to her voice made Hawke back down.
Aveline was inspecting me closely, and I swallowed, hands coming up to wrap around myself. I knew my jeans and red graphic-tee would draw their curiosity, and I wasn't sure how to answer any questions. Finally, the redhead spoke up.
"She's right." Her voice was horse from grief, but she plowed on. "Even if you aren't fighting close range, or at all, you should have more protection than that."
"But we don't have any extra sets she could wear," Bethany argued, "and there's nowhere we could get some at this point."
Flemeth seemed amused for some reason. "It just so happens that I have an old set of robes that I no longer require."
Despite how uncomfortable I was, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows. I was clearly at least a foot shorter than her.
"And how exactly will that help us?" Aveline sounded skeptical.
"You needn't take them if you don't want them," Flemeth assured, "but they will certainly be a lot warmer than what you currently have."
The chill in the air hit me full force. Even with the all the running I'd done and fire being thrown around, the temperature in the air should have been more noticeable. I chalked it up to shock.
My slight shiver was all the convincing we needed. I nodded at Flemeth, and Hawke backed me up with a cautious thanks. The witch gave me another glance before turning and stalking away one final time.
When Calenhad bumped into my leg, I lowered a hand to run across his shoulders. The motion was soothing until I ran into a wet spot on his right side. A quick glance told me it was blood, and I jerked my hand back. He whined, but I couldn't bring myself to try petting him again.
"It gets no easier," Flemeth warned, still facing away, "Your struggles have only just begun."
We all watched warily as she stopped at the edge of the clearing, raising her arms. Power ran through her, manifesting in light while blowing her hair and clothes behind her. I felt a strange tingle across my skin, like an intangible wind was caressing me.
It died down just as quickly as it came, leaving everyone to unwind.
"I suggest begin your journey immediately. I have provided as much help as I am able, at this point."
Hawke, at least, had already relaxed enough to respond. "I don't suppose you would roast a few more darkspawn?"
A small smile graced Flemeth's face. "Sadly, my charity is at an end." She turned one last look to me. "We choose what and how we believe. Will your choice blind you to the truth, I wonder?"
With those cryptic words, she swirled with more power, the light so bright we all squinted or looked away. Then she was gone.
We were fortunate enough to have a small campfire that night. Though the darkspawn pursued us for a couple hours at the start, they had slowly dwindled, and we hadn't seen many during our last hour of travel. Similarly, the gorgeous bluebird who had been our guide was nowhere to be seen.
It had been odd, following an animal who was probably charmed to help us. I wondered if it was like something from Brisingr. However, the bird had come with gifts. We had only been walking for a few minutes after Flemeth left, in a more easterly direction than before, when we had come upon the blue feathered creature. Perched on a fallen tree, it trilled when we got close, but did not move. Haw-Marian had noticed the bundle sitting next to it. Closer examination showed it consisted of a couple blankets and the promised green robes. Thankfully, it appeared they had been altered and hemmed to the point they would fit me well enough.
After I had carefully pulled them on, the bird had flown dutifully ahead of us; close enough to see and hear while keeping a good pace. I wondered if it's directions were the reason we eventually lost the darkspawn on our tail.
Fleeing still exhausted the group, of course. I was sore all over. Carver wasn't even entirely to blame, as I had been tired and beat up even before having to cart his dead weight for miles. Mama Hawke and I had been staunch in our 'no's to anyone who offered to help carry him. They were our fighters, and needed to be in top shape if we wanted to survive. Silently though, I wondered if our slower pace would mean we couldn't make it through Ferelden the way they did in the game.
I shivered. The ground was cold, even close to the fire. Mama Hawke had been discussing the possibility of snow with Bethany, and I fully believed the prospect. Marian noticed my tremors and came to sit next to me.
"So." She looked contemplative. "How are you taking this?"
My sigh sounded ragged, even to my ears. "I... I don't think I can talk about it."
As much as I wanted to be truthful, there was way too much for me to come to terms with. I wasn't sure it was all really happening. When I stared into the fire, it felt like there was a blanket draped over the world. As though I was just a visitor in my own body.
Her brows furrowed and lips thinned. She hesitated a few times, breath catching before she reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Maybe you should." Her eyes burned into mine.
It was so weird how Marian felt like an older sister; That was always my role. My stomach squeezed as I thought of it, and I couldn't look at her face anymore. Instead, I glanced at my intertwining fingers, rubbing small circles with my thumbs.
"How old are you?" I blurted. Her eyebrow hiked up.
"Twenty-three."
God, she was my age. Hot shame ran down my spine and I clenched my fingers.
"What about you?"
"Twenty-three, also."
"Not so different then."
I sighed. It gave me no comfort. She had experience fighting. How would I survive? I had to get home and... A glance at Carver's form had me blurting out my fears.
"My brother... he's only-he's like, ten-or nine, I meant. H-he..." I buried my head in my hands. "I need to go home." My breath hitched and I felt a couple tears slide down my face.
Marian shuffled over and wrapped her whole arm over my shoulders. She tried to comfort me, but I couldn't stop, words pouring from me.
"He d-doesn't know where I am-he..."
"He'll worry?"
I burst into full sobs. "I have to... he needs me."
Words completely failed me, and I resorted to whines and moans with unintelligible words gasped out periodically. The warrior surprised me when she turned completely and pulled me into her embrace. I desperately grabbed her sides and hid my face in her shoulder. When my shaking slowed down, only then did she speak.
"Where's home then? Can..." She sighed and rubbed circles into my back. "Can we help you get there?"
She would abandon so much for me? Or maybe she would just help me find a way to travel there once we reach Gwaren. Either way, it's surprisingly sweet.
I shook my head regardless. "N-no. I don't think... It's too far. And, I don't know how to get back." I whispered the last part, terrified as the truth of it hit me.
Marian allowed me to get over my bout of shivers. It took several minutes, and more crying, but I quieted my sobs.
I noticed I was hugging her, and awkwardly moved to sit beside the warrior, though I couldn't quite remove one of my arms from her. Staying partially in the side hug was comforting, and I was grateful she removed her outer armor.
The words for a thank you wouldn't come, but I nodded and attempted a smile. She leveled a wry grin at me in return.
"You're not going to tell me you're from the Anderfels, are you?"
"What?" Her random question actually surprised me. "No... Why would I?"
"No reason, really. I suppose you reminded me of... an acquaintance." I was too scatterbrained to figure out who she meant, not to mention my lack of Dragon Age lore. However, Marian continued before I could question her statement. "So then, where is 'home' for you?"
Oh, no, I couldn't. She wouldn't believe me, and even if she did, I wasn't sure I should be giving out such information. Her face was getting colder and more skeptical as time went on and I didn't answer. Dammit, dammit.
My bottom lip began trembling again, my emotions still unstable and volatile from my earlier cry. I tried to keep it still, but my face just pulled into a pitiful expression, I was sure. Marian confirmed it when her eyes softened again.
She wrapped her arms around me again as I started another round of tears.
"Well, I suppose it is a bit late for questions like that."
"I'm so sorry, I want to, but... we just met and..." My uneven breaths keep breaking into my sentences, so I try to calm down. "I don't know. Don't be angry..."
"I'm not, Sabrina. I'm not."
I continued to cry in her arms right up until I fell asleep.
A/N: Whoo boy, would you believe part of this had been in the first chapter? My roommate suggested I cut it, so that's how this one happened so fast. Seriously, don't expect stuff so quick all the time.
Well, we finally got to the first major change! Huzzah! Carver was going to die as per game canon, but my roommate whined and complained... so now I have a really difficult curve ball to deal with.
Honestly I want to talk about my decisions and ALL THE LORE I have to keep up with, but that would take up entirely too much space. Feel free to review or message me though! I love answering questions and discussing my choices. See ya!
