Sun and moon

The walk to the wounded coast was a quiet one. Bethany walking silently beside her, the dwarf trudging a few paces behind them. Lee'lani had wondered his purpose. He seemed all too eager to accompany them to get the boy back and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was not here for the sake of the child.

Finally he spoke. "I have heard the name Hawke before." He looked at Bethany "Although, I've got to say, you are definitely not what I had in mind."

Beth halted in her place and took a deep breath. Lee'lani watched her carefully. "I do enough not to live in my sisters shadow without people thinking I'm her." Beth began her walk again leaving the dwarf slightly stunned.

Lee'lani turned and followed smiling.

"And what of you, elf?" it did not take long for the dwarf to regain himself. She had to keep from rolling her eyes. Does no one ever learn their lesson?

"I work alone."

She saw him nod in acknowledgement. "Take on whatever job suits your fancy?" Lee'lani turned her head ready to tell the dwarf to leave her alone and stop prying when the sound of laughter filled her ears. He must have heard it to because he stopped speaking almost as quickly as her. Very quietly she and he began to move down the path toward the cliff's edge. Bethany was already crouched low behind the rocks observing the scene below.

The small group was sitting around the camp fire. Their laughter and the smell of stale ale filled the air. Only four of them were in view. But a tent pitched nearby indicated to Lee'lani that more might be around. She spotted the boy quickly. Chained; hands and feet sitting between the 4 mercenaries by the fire. She could see the fear in his eyes, the tear marks on his face. He was scared for his life.

Lee'lani tightened her grip on her bow. Drawing an arrow she held it loosely in place as she began to walk further down the path. The rocks provided her with more than enough cover. Moving as close to the group as she could without getting seen, she glanced quickly above her. Bethany stood above, staff at the ready with healing magick coursing through it. To her left behind another rock stood varric, his crossbow loaded and aimed.

She directed her eyes back to the men, watching as one rose from his feet. The man circled the boy, grabbing his face and pulling it up to his own. She heard the boy cry out in pain as the chains pulled with him against his skin. Lee'lani didn't hear what he was saying. She honestly didn't care. The minute she heard the boys cry her arrow was free. The arrow flew straight and hit its mark. She didn't even let the others have the luxury of seeing the man's body hit the floor. Another to her right fell as Varric's arrow pierced his throat.

She lunged for the one to her left, bringing her bow across his face hard. He recovered quickly and made for a right hook but Lee'lani weaved around. Dropping her bow she grabbed the man by the neck and sent a bolt of arcane power through him. He screamed for a moment before going limp before her.

"OI!" she looked up to see another man holding the boy up, knife at his neck. She felt herself straighten and felt her eyes flicker. Memories flashed in her mind's eye and she felt her control beginning to slip.

"Release the boy." She spoke calmly and she began walking toward the man. "or join your friends."

"Like 'ell I will. I got a magister that'll pay good money for a brat like this." He brought the dagger closer to the boy's neck. She could see where it nicked the skin; the tiny bit of blood began to show there. "Bloody mage-" the man's sentence was cut off. The dagger dropped from his hand and both hands went to his throat. He grasped at the spirit force as it tightened around his neck. He gasped for breath as Lee'lani walked closer to him her eyes focused on her connection to the magic. The boy scrambled out the way as she stopped right in front of the slaver. "Flebilis es nisi homo qui scit aliquid de potentia tenemus." She spoke in arcane, still watching as the man began to lose consciousness. How easy it would be…

The magic around him faded and he collapsed to the ground, choking. "If I ever see you her again, I swear on my ancestors, you will not live to see another day." The man looked up at her with fear in his eyes. "I will not have mercy." With that he got up and staggered away stumbling up the mountains path.

She watched his retreating figure. Sounds of Bethany consoling the boy filled her ears; Varric as he shifted through the few corpses and checked the tent. But even as her ears registered these sounds, she couldn't help but get lost amongst the stars. The sky had been clear that night as well, if she remembered correctly. That dreadful night when everything just seemed to go wrong.

And it almost happened again. She had felt herself losing control as she saw that man holding the knife to the child's neck. She had felt the anger and rage as she thought about the life the young mage had almost been forced into. She couldn't bear it.

She heard footsteps behind her and quickly dismissed her thoughts as Bethany came to her. The young woman looked at her with a kind smile. "He's healed and all ready to go. Poor thing though, he won't forget about this."

Lee'lani turned to her briefly and then looked back to the sky. "No. no he will not." Her words hung in the air between them. She could feel the question burning on Bethany's mind but know she would not ask. Instead she asked, "what happened, Lee'lani? "

"Nothing,da'len. Do not trouble yourself."

"but, you seemed so-"

The anger welled up again briefly as she spun and turned on beth. "SATIS! I said enough!" Feeling her eyes shift, she turned away just as beth reached out for her. Hurrying her pace, she made her way up the path alone, wrapping her arms around her. Magick flared, she could feel her eyes changing even as she tried to calm herself. She heard Bethany calling her name. but she couldn't turn back. She needed to be alone.

Always alone.

A/N ok so I have big plans for this fic! But im not going to say anything yet. Hopefully I haven't lost to many of ya'll life has been crazy but I already have like the next 3 chapters written so im set for atleast alittle while. Anyway R&R

flebilis es nisi homo qui scit aliquid de potentia tenemus.- you are nothing but a pathetic man who knows nothing of the power we hold.