Recap: "I am Reaper and... MA halam!" The now named Reaper spoke before he casted a spell that injected a corrosive poison into the Keeper as well as blood wound. Reaper let him down before walking past him to join his minions. Those fools. So easily seduced by blood magic that it was mere child's play to control them. As he walked away he heard the resulting boom that the walking bomb he had cast on Theron as well as the pitter-patter of pieces landing on the ground. His eyes turned toward the staff he had won.
It was golden in color with a blue crystal held by four prongs and it was covered in Tevinter script. The runes on it read, "Yours is the fury of the elements." He could feel the power in it, it was so strong. It will do nicely for his plans. Now all he needed was the Tome.
Now
Dahlia ran as fast as her legs could carry her. How could this happen? How could her clan nearly be massacred? How could the shemlen do this? All that and more raced through her head as she continued to run. As the Keeper instructed, she took both the sword and the tome with her as well as some elf arrows figuring she might ran into one of their hunters that may have survived. It was dark out in the forest and nearly pitch black. She chanced a look back at her clan's campsite. The roaring fires were nothing more than a distant light now. She had to keep going. No matter how much she wanted to rest.
She had to keep moving.
She had to find another clan.
Another home.
Her legs burned in protest as she kept moving one foot after another. Then she suddenly collapsed to her knees.
She felt it.
Her Keeper, her teacher, her... father was dead. Tears brimmed in her eyes. How could this happen? She then looked at the tome in her possession. She knew why. That shemlen mage was after their book. One of the few artifacts left from Arlathan. One of the few elven artifacts surviving to date.
She got back on her feet and moved forward. As she continued on, more questions piled in her head. Why was he after the book? What knowledge was he seeking from them? Was whatever it was worth killing so many people? She shook her head to clear her mind. She needed to focus now. She kept walking for an hour more until she heard sounds coming up from behind her. Thinking quickly, Dahlia leapt into a bush keeping her head down to look around. She waited a few moments before she heard footsteps approaching her. There were 1... 2...3 of them. She stilled her ragged breathing as best she could. Finally, she saw 2 pairs of feet. It was the stems who helped that mage! But wait she could have sworn that she heard 3? So where was the third? The 2 passed her hiding space and she almost breathed a sigh of relief before she felt a hand grab her by the back of her hair. She was hoisted out of her hiding spot and was caught in a strong grip. She struggled but it wouldn't relent its hold on her. She managed to look around and see that it was the third one she heard. She could hear the other 2 running back having heard the scuffle. Almost immediately, the other 2 were insight and running straight for them one raising his sword, ready to run her through.
Thinking quickly she used winter's grasp on her captor and managed to get out his grasp before bolting in a random direction. She didn't bother to turn around when she heard a squelch and a shatter. She knew that her ex-captor was dead now. She kept running with the tome in her hands and the sword on her back. She ran for 20 minutes straight until she collapsed from the fatigue. She heard their running footsteps a few seconds later which came to a skidding stop right beside her.
Dahlia felt the blade against her neck and then saw one them raise it over his head ready for the kill.
'So this is how it ends? My clan is massacred, my father is killed? I don't become a Keeper or have a family, and one of our most sacred artifacts stolen form us? Why Mythal? Why must this happen?' She thought as tears came out of her eyes. She closed them waiting for the blade to come down.
WHISTLE-THUD
Her eyes opened to see her would-be executioner on the ground dead with an arrow sticking out of his neck. Her hopes raised briefly thinking that one of their hunters came to her rescue, but that hope faded when she saw the arrow. It wasn't the elf-flight arrows her people use. This one was a human made one.
"Listen, I don't understand why you're trying to kill the lady, but I don't appreciate it." Said an unknown male voice. She looked up as did the last hunter to see a human man with his bow trained on the other human. She heard a grunt from behind her and a bang from what she assumed was the hunter banging his sword against his shield in challenge.
"I'll give you one chance. Walk away or die." The new human said. The other merely charged at him with his sword raised and small shield in front of him. The new human aimed at the warrior's feet and fired at his leg hitting him in the left calf. The warrior last his stance and left himself from the pain of the injury. The new human pulled out a dagger and slashed the warrior's throat. The bandit fell down dead while her savior shook his head muttering, "Could've walked away."
Dahlia got up as the human approached her. She hissed at him before raising her hand and lightning crackled at her finger tips.
"A mage?" The human said in confusion.
"Keep away from me, shem!" Dahlia almost snarled out. He raised his hands and took a step back.
"Okay, okay. Fine I'll keep my distance. You wanna tell me why those 2 were ready to behead you? I know they weren't templars." The human said. She lowered her hand just bit. This shemlen had saved her life at the risk of his own.
"They were part of the force that attacked my clan. As far as I know, I'm the only survivor." Dahlia said. She then looked closer at the human as the moon came out. He was tall and young, couldn't be much older than herself. He had shaggy pitch black hair, thick stubble over his jaw and brown eyes. His figure was lean and athletic. A hunter, like one of the ones in the clan probably. He was kind of handsome... for a shem anyway.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"...Dahlia. My name is Dahlia. Of clan Hellathen. What name do you go by shemlen?" She responded.
"I'm Daylen. I have no last name sadly." Daylen said. They suddenly heard a snap nearby and turned towards it. The mage had found them and in his hand... was the Keeper's staff!
"Where did you get that?" Dahlia snarled as she raised her hand ready to strike with a spell. Daylen having a bad feeling about the new arrival readied another arrow just incase.
"This?" Reaper said as he gestured to the staff. A cold smirk came upon his face. "This is the prize I got from killing your Keeper."
Dahlia lashed out with a flame blast but Reaper was one step ahead of her. He erected a spell shield which blocked it easily. What he didn't count on was the arrow that dug into his arm. He roared in pain from the sudden attack. He turned his attention to Daylen who was readying another arrow. He pointed his staff towards the roguish hunter and fired an arcane bolt, sending him on his back a few feet away. Reaper ripped out the arrow before turning back to Dahlia who had taken the sword and tried to use it as a blunt weapon. Reaper blocked it with his new staff before grabbing the sword by its scabbard and wrenching it out of her grasp. He still for the faintest of moments before tossing the sword away as if burned. Dahlia used a repulsion field sending him back a few yards, but still landing on his feet.
"Give me the Tome and I might spare you." Reaper threatened as he put his hand on the arrow wound, blood trailing on his fingers.
"Never!" Dahlia said as she readied a lightning spell.
"Then die like your Keeper!" Reaper said as he stuck his hand out. Dahlia's body seized up as the blood in her veins felt like it was boiling. Dahlia whimpered as she was brought to her knees.
"Foolish girl. Did you really think that you could win? Your Keeper lost. I will have what I came for!" Reaper said as Dahlia began to spasm from the pain. Reaper suddenly felt a great streak of pain on his shoulder and his arm went limp. He turned to see Daylen wielding the sword of Shartan!
"How?" Reaper whispered. The same question came to Dahlia. How did this human wield a sword that only allowed elves to hold it. Wait... Reaper managed to grab it too, but he quickly threw it away. Reaper backed away from Dahlia and Daylen. His face became an angry scowl.
"Very well. I see I'm outmatched at the moment. You get to live... for now. We'll meet again." Reaper said as his body became covered by a mist of light and suddenly he disappeared. Daylen was panting from exhaustion. He wasn't used to this. He was just an experienced ranger that has lived on the land since he could walk. He had no real knowledge of blood magic and mages. From what he knew from the times he stayed in the towns, blood magic was some wicked type of devilry. Even so, with all the Chantry's talks about mages and the prejudice of everyone regarding them plus the elves, he never felt that way. He just didn't see the point in it. He looked at the elven woman he had saved. If he had to admit she was cute. Then he noticed her staring at him.
"What?" He asked.
"H-How?!" She asked in squeaky shocked voice. What?
"What do you mean?" He asked as he held a hand out for her to help her up. She looked at it hesitantly before taking it.
"How is it possible that you- a shemlen- was able to draw a blade that doesn't let even elves wield it?" Dahlia asked. Daylen's widened before looking at the curved sword in his hand.
"Seriously? None of you could wield it?" He asked while he turned to pick up the scabbard.
"Yes. None of the elves over the last few centuries could unsheathe the sword and the last human to have touched it was thrown into immense pain from gripping the hilt." Dahlia said as Daylen sheathed the sword. He then tried to unsheathe but found it stuck.
"What the?" He pulled again but it wouldn't budge. Dahlia was greatly confused. This human managed to use the sword but the second he sheathes it, it becomes stuck again? After a few more minutes of trying, Daylen gave up and handed it back to her.
"Look I don't know who that blood mage was, and I don't really care to know why he was after with you, but we need to get you somewhere safe. Somewhere this guy won't get to you." Daylen said as he walked in a seemingly random direction. Dahlia strapped the sword to her back and followed him seeing as he knew where he was going.
"I know, that's why I need to find another Dalish Clan." She explained. Daylen merely shook his head.
"Bad idea." He replied. Dahlia narrowed her eyes in annoyance at him.
"Why is it a bad idea?" She hissed out.
"Look, I'm going to assume that this mage massacred your clan for something in your possession right?" Daylen said to which she nodded solemnly even though he didn't see it as he kept walking.
"Well, what makes you think that he won't hunt you down and do the same thing all over again?" Daylen asked making Dahlia's eyes go wide. The shem was right. If she goes to another clan, she'll be putting them in danger. That mage knows who she is and that the tome is in her possession. Even if she hid it somewhere, he would still get it out of her. As she continued to think on this, Daylen noticed her silence. He turned to see her gently holding the book that was in her hands. He knew she was worried about it so he decided to try and help her.
"Look I know it's none of my business, but the way I see it you have 3 options:" Dahlia looked at him with rapt attention as he listed them.
"1) You could go to the Circle Tower. It's not the best I know, but let me finish. 2) Be on the run for the rest of your life or 3) Go to an Elven Alienage. Personally I'd take the Alienage. You could disappear and blend in. Well, there is the option of burning that tome too." Daylen said before Dahlia could say anything. Dahlia was strangely silent as she thought over the options he suggested. She could see the benefits of both, but... while the Circle Tower would be safer it would take her freedom away completely. The Alienage wouldn't be much better, but... it was definitely the better of the 3. She wasn't going to burn the tome. It was one of the last elven artifacts! The Dalish made it their personal mission to protect and preserve the old ways including such things. She finally noticed that they came to a makeshift camp.
Dahlia looked around the area. She could see that he had only been here for a couple of days with the tracks covering all over the area. She also noticed the black creature laying down next to the tent. A horse if she recalled correctly. She watched as the human packed everything before he gave a carrot to the horse who ate it eagerly.
"Did you miss me, Bill?" Daylen asked as stroked his hand on the horses face. The horse made an affirmative sound and nuzzled him affectionately. Daylen chuckled before turning towards Dahlia, still petting Bill.
"This is Bill. He and I have been stuck together for 17 years. He's my best friend. Bill, this is Dahlia. She needs help." Daylen introduced. Bill looked at Dahlia before getting up and walking over to her. The two stared at each other before Bill nuzzled her with his snout. Dahlia however just stood still, nervous of the creature touching her. Daylen laughed at the duo.
"Bill usually doesn't warm up to people so quickly. Most times he keeps away from them. It is fine, don't be nervous. That's just how he shows he likes you. Rub his snout. He loves that." Daylen said. Dahlia followed his instructions with a shaky hand, but she calmed down as she began to rub Bill's snout with growing affection.
"He's beautiful." Dahlia said making Daylen grin as she looked and smiled at him.
"He's an Amaranthine Charger. 'Spirited but not unruly; an uncommon mount sure to impress.' The man who had him told me that before I got him." Daylen quickly placed the saddle on Bill and tied his packs to it. He then mounted Bill before holding his hand out to Dahlia. She looked at him confused.
"I'll give you a ride to wherever you choose if you want." Daylen said, hand still stretched out.
"Why are you so nice to me? Why do you help?" Dahlia asked wondering about this human's intentions. All her life she had been taught to not trust humans, but this one had helped her and continued to help her. Why?
"Why? Well,... if I had to say anything it's because I can see that you need it. That you're a good person and that mage who was hunting you is very dangerous. And I don't like people like him. If he's willing to kill for that tome then it is probably in everyone's best interest that it stays out of his hands. Besides, just because you're an elf and I'm a human doesn't mean we can't help one another. Least I don't see it that way." Daylen explained. Dahlia looked him in the eyes and saw his sincerity. She nodded and took his hand as he helped her get on. Once she was seated properly, she wrapped her arms around him and held on.
"Where to?" Daylen asked.
"An Alienage. Take me to an Alienage." She said. Daylen smirked. This was gonna be good.
"You heard the lady, Bill. Time to show her the meaning haste!" Daylen said before snapping the reins. Bill reared back causing Dahlia to hold on tighter before running towards Denerim.
As the journey took several days, Daylen and Dahlia got to know each other a little better. They ended up becoming friends of sorts once they found something they had in common: Their families. He comforted her when she finally broke down about her clan on the way over. He told her about his past too. How he had lost his home in a fire. How his parents died in it and he was sent to live in the Chantry before he ran from it. His parents were more woodfolk than anything else- hunters who lived off the land and Daylen had followed in their footsteps. Not that he didn't learn a few tricks before leaving the Chantry. He was taught how to read and write. He eventually learned how to make traps and poisons. Not only that but he kew how to be stealthy and how to survive in the wild. From what Dahlia could gleam from his combat skills he was excellent with a bow and knew how to use daggers but not much else. Finally after several days of riding, they made it to Denerim.
"So... this is the shemlen capital huh?" Dahlia asked as she looked at the front gate. Denerim was surrounded by a large wall of stone and she became nervous at the sight of it. So nervous that she involuntarily gripped Daylen's hand. Daylen looked down and noticed it before smiling.
"Look, I've actually been thinking of settling here and building myself a house. I'd invite you to live with me but the other humans will probably have a problem with it." Dahlia gave him a glare that said he best finish his statement carefully.
"If it had been any other situation, I wouldn't care but you are trying to keep a low profile aren't you?" Daylen asked her with a raised eyebrow. Dahlia glare withered away at that statement. He was right of course. She had to keep attention away from her. Then she smiled when she realized he was thinking of her like that. She stood on her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Ma serannas, ma falon." She whispered. Daylen grinned at her having learned some of the elven words.
"You're welcome." He replied. He then put his arm around her shoulders and led her into the city.
Okay tell me what you think.
Good?
Bad?
In the middle?