Sun and Moon chapter 4
The emissary fell last and finally Bethany could take a moment to catch her breathe. Replacing her stave on her back, her eyes wandered until they fell to the elf that her older siblings had picked up. She could sense the struggle within her; just by the way she sat over in the corner by herself. Even Aveline and Wesley interacted more the she did. Perhaps we bother her?
The thoughts within Bethany's mind automatically changed. While their strange companion did withdraw herself, with her capabilities, she could understand why. Seeing her in battle had amazed Bethany. She was using magic that Bethany had never even seen. Yes, she was just a healer mostly, but if she could cast half of what this LeeLani could, she would rethink her stance.
"It should be a straight shot, once past this hill." She overheard Lissa speaking to Carver. "Just have Bethany keep mother back like before and we should be ok." Carver nodded and turned to look at her, his facing dropping as he realized she had overheard the conversation. But she just gave him a smile and began walking toward her mother, Wesley and Aveline.
Lissa had always believed that Bethany had been the weakest of the three siblings. She never strove to develop anything but her magic, and that to Lissa would never be enough to help you in the battle field.
I wonder what she thinks of LeeLani then.
The thought was harmless enough and she found herself stuck in her thoughts as she approached the group.
"Stop squirming, Wesley." Aveline wiped the sweat off her husband's head and stood again as Bethany joined them.
"What is it, dear?" Leandra's voice reached her ears and she smiled lazily as her thoughts evaporated.
"We are getting ready to move."
Aveline nodded and reached over to help Wesley up. The Templar rose with difficulty, and she noticed how he leaned quiet heavily on Aveline.
Bethany moved to his side quickly. His eyes fluttered slightly and she could only hope that he would not realize what she was about to do. Raising her hands to his body, she sent a small jolt of energy. As a result the Templar stood upright slowly, removing his arm from around his wife's neck.
"We need all the swords we have. It will keep him on his feet but only for a little while." Aveline stared at her, disbelief in her eyes as she turned to her husband who just smiled at her weakly as if he was not just a subject to magic. But as she turned back to Bethany, she gave a curt nod and went ahead with her siblings and the elf.
The others walked a bit behind as they cleared the road. She followed, keeping out a hand guard her mother and Wesley as she took out her stave.
Three paths stood in front of them and one behind them. Nothing more. The others lowered their weapons and began to decide which way to go. Bethany relaxed and turned to smile at her mother.
And that's when she heard it. The monstrous stomping, the shaking of the ground.
Running up from behind stood a tall, grayish ogre. The monster let out a roar and began to stalk toward her, her mother and Wesley.
It raised his hands to start the attack. "Maker, give me strength." Bethany pushed her mother back and sparked her stave to life, letting the fire burn the creature. The creature brushed the fire away and moved to grab her.
The last thing she remembered hearing was the screams of her family as the ogre's hand descended upon. And then her world went dark.
Carver froze as he saw his twin try to attack the monstrous ogre. His name escaped her lips as the creature brought its hand down to grab her. He ran toward her just as Lissa too, took off in a dash. He watched from the corner of his eyes as his sister dropped her weapons and grabbed Bethany before the monster snatched her up, sending up her shield to protect them. But it wasn't Lissa's use of magic that surprised him.
The elf stood in front of Bethany, who stood shocked and surprised. Her hands were up above her face, a shield of spirit separating them from the beast's hands.
The creature pushed hard against the base, scrapping LeeLani's bare feet against the ground. It brought its hand up, growling in frustration.
"GO!" The elf moved from the path of its hand, grabbing Bethany and Lissa as it slammed to the floor. Another growled filled the air and the ogre prepared for a charge.
Carver brandished his sword and ran toward the beast, Aveline joining him.
A blast of cold rushed past them and carver looked ahead to realize to see Lissa had forsaken her bow. The spell had just left her hands as she ran up to the creature, fire spreading from her fists. "SISTER!" Bethany's voice reached his ears. He turned from the ogre and Lissa to see several darkspawn coming up the paths.
"Get back!" He yelled to his mother and the Templar as he ran to assist Bethany on the paths.
His twin took the two left blocking them with fire and ice so that only a few could get through. He took the two on the right, slashing and hacking at anything his blade could make contact with. He had just cut through most of the path when an arrow came whizzing pasted his head, colliding with a darkspawn that had been on his left. He turned to see Lissa, ready position another arrow knocked and ready. LeeLani stood behind her, fighting the darkspawn to her rear, his mother and Wesley beside her. Aveline rushed beside her, hacking at the darkspawn that had managed to get through her barriers.
"FALL BACK!" Lissa yelled over the clashing of metal. The group closed tightly around their non-combatants, staring in fear at the horde that surrounded them.
"There are too many." LeeLani spoke relighting the fire that burned into her hands. Carver raised his sword. "Then at least we would have died trying." He went to move away from the group, but a sound stopped him.
The Dragon appeared seconds later causing them all to look up as it flew overhead. Doubling back it began raining fire down on to the creatures before them. Lissa, Aveline and Bethany ducked as the dragon flew closely to the floor. The darkspawn fell back.
LeeLani took this as her chance, sending her own fire at the ones behind them. Carver began slashing at those closest. Before knew it the last one hand fallen to his blade.
He went to his mother's side, just as Aveline came to Wesley. The Templar fell in to his lover's hands and both Leandra and Carver lent their aid as she lowered him down to the ground, resting his head on a rock.
A darkspawn fell from the sky as the dragon came in for its landing. Carver rushed to the others aid. As Aveline hung back to protect the others. The dragon came down, clawing at the remaining darkspawn as it began to transform.
Carver froze in amazement beside the others.
"Well, well, what have we here?" The witch approached the four of them, smiling. "It used to be we never got visitors it the wilds. Now it seems they arrive in hordes."
LeeLani knelt down, crossing her hand over hear heart, "Andaran atisan, Asha Bellannar." The elf bowed her head to the woman. The witch eyed the elf carefully. "So quick to bow before those you know nothing about."
"I know enough."
The witch smiled. "Even so, rise." The elf did as she was told.
"If you wish to flee the darkspawn" she turned away from them. "You should know you're heading in the wrong direction."
"You can't just leave us here?" the witch stopped at Bethany's words.
"Can I not?" she turned violently, a sadistic knowing smile spread across her face. "I spotted a mist curious site. A mighty ogre vanquished. Who could perform such a feat?" she eyed them curiously, her eyes falling quickly upon Lissa. "But now my curiosity is sated and you are safe. For the moment."
"We need to get to Kirkwall." Lissa stepped forward grabbing her bow tightly. Carver could sense the distrust as it radiated off of her. The witch turned from them, contemplating their request for help. She looked out into the wilds below her, thoughts swimming as she came to a conclusion.
"Is it fate or chance? I can never decide." She whispered. Sighing quietly she turned back to them. "It appears fortune smiles upon us both today. I may be able to help you yet."
"I am sure there is a catch?" Lissa released some of the tension she held as she questioned her.
"Lissa, is this even wise?" Bethany stepped forward. "We can't even be sure as to what she is."
"I know what she is." Aveline spoke from where she and Leandra tended to Wesley. "She's the witch of the wilds."
Carver felt his eyes widen as he turned back to face the legend. He had heard of her. Legends and stories passed down from his father who in turn had learned them from others when he had resided in the circle. He had heard of her form the people In Lothering as well. Everything from the taking of children to the death of many men, he had heard each tale many times but never once did he believe them to be true. How could someone possibly live as long as she without falling victim to a Templar's blade?
The woman laughed. "Some call me that. Also Flemeth," she turned toward LeeLani "Asha Bellannar," She nodded toward the elf and then turned back to the others with a shrug "An old woman who talks too much. Does it matter? I offer you this. I will get you and your group past the horde in exchange for a simple delivery not far out of your way. Would you do this," she eyed Lissa curiously "for the witch of the wilds?"
I stared at the witch before me, hatred running fiercely through my veins. I felt my magic spark to life. But I stood in control. I did not need to lose myself to this curse of magic. "What choice do we have?" I practically spat the words at her not even bothering to hide my dislike for her.
I had heard her story. Heard of the things that she had done and what she was capable of and I hated it just as I disliked most things that had to do with The Maker's curse on us. But I knew for the sake of my family and these people, I had to trust her, not completely but trust was required none the less.
Her eyes narrowed and I could feel the words on her lips. But she said nothing of it. "There is a clan of Dalish elves near the city of Kirkwall." She reached forward and held out an amulet. I took it slowly, waiting for her to further explain this task. "Deliver that amulet to their keeper, Marethari. Do as she asks with it and any debt between us will be paid in full."
"Do I get to know why this amulet is so important?"
The witch laughed. "So curious for a mage."
I felt my body tense at her words. "You may try to deny yourself, be your blood speaks louder than your actions." I saw her eyes flicker briefly toward the elf and began to wonder once again what she was hiding.
"Fine. You have yourself a deal."
She smiled. "Yes. Good." Behind us Wesley coughed sharply. Turning, I watched as Aveline helped him up, blood pouring from his mouth.
"The corruption has claimed him." Flemeth spoke softly looking toward the Templar with sad eyes.
"NO! YOU LIE!" Aveline shouted shielding her husband from the threat that the witch presented but I even I could see it. Veins lined his pale face and his eyes looked as if they were already lost. So many had been lost to the same fate in Ostagar. My stomach clenched with the sight.
"What has befallen your man is already in his blood."
"She's right Aveline." Wesley spoke quietly as he took Aveline's hand. She shook her head in denial. "You can't ask this of me. I won't."
"Please. The Corruption is a slow death."
Aveline looked to me as Wesley's grip slacked within her own. Her eyes pleaded with me, silently asking me if there was another way. I felt for her, remembering all too well the feeling of lost. But I couldn't give her false hope. Hope itself is pointless.
I shook my head at her and she looked down, heartbreak filling her features.
Wesley lifted a hand shakily to her face, caressing it before dropping it down and removing the small knife he kept on his side. He handed it to her as the tears began to fall.
"Be strong… My Love…" I turned away as his voice faded, looking to carver and that blasted elf. I heard the blade connect with his flesh and his last breathe leave his body. I didn't turn to face the warrior; I simply took a deep breath and began to walk. Death, as I have come to know, is the only certainty we have in life.