Heroes Never Die: Ronin Mahariel

by S3eK

Heroes never die... they are reborn. Killed during his rescue of a woman, he's been thrown into a game he knows well. He keeps his memories as a human gamer and received new ones from the Dalish elf he's taken possession of. The only problem: his origin story is ten years early. Now he has ten years to prepare for the Blight.

2. Waking Up

AN:_HPB_update_scheduled_for_October_2

Okay… that's the last time I get that drunk, thought Ronin as he sat up, eyes closed as to keep the light from his bedroom window from blinding him. He put his hands to his face, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before he pushed back the hair that fell in his face.

His fingers brushed the tips of his ears. When did my ears go pointed?

A new stab of pain in his head reminded him that he wasn't in his world anymore. Right, I'm of the Dalish… not human anymore.

"You think he's going to be okay?" asked a somewhat familiar voice, sounding quite close.
Ronin put his hands over his ears as the words sent fresh waves of pain into his mind, much like a migraine cubed or a hangover squared.

That's Fenarel's voice if I'm not mistaken, thought Ronin as he stood and opened his eyes, finding himself in an aravel. His dagger and quiver harness hung from a hook near the door, his cloak hanging next to it. His torso and forearm armor sat on a small table to his left. His boots were on the floor near the foot of the cot.

"He'll be fine," said a familiar voice in an unworried tone. And that would be Tamlen! I did it! He's alive… and hopefully untainted by darkspawn corruption, thought Ronin as he reached for his armor. That's all I need…I save him from being sucked into the mirror to… who knows where and he contracts darkspawn taint. "The Keeper's been healing him with the old magic."

He dressed quickly, throwing the leather armor on as fast as one can with a splitting headache. The straps gave him a little trouble, his fingers a little stiff and clumsy, but he managed all the same. He pulled the hood of his cloak low over his face, hoping to block any rays of bright, blinding sunlight from entering his eyes. Something told him it wouldn't help his aching head.

"You're awake!" said Fenarel, walking over to where Ronin stood. Noting the tightening of his clan brother's lips, Fenarel quickly lowered his voice as not to cause his lethallin undue pain.

"You've the god's own luck, lethallin," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. "But, no matter. You're back at camp, safe. Everyone's worried sick about you. How do you feel?"

"Like the time Tamlen and I had a drinking match." Fenarel chuckled for a second before Ronin leveled a glare at him. He swallowed nervously, unnerved by the stoic hunter.

"How did I get here?"

"A shem brought you and Tamlen back two days ago. You don't remember him?"

"I don't remember anything," Ronin replied, rubbing his eyes. "I was in a cave… then nothing."

"The shem was a Grey Warden and he appeared out of nowhere with you slung over his shoulder. Tamlen was being half carried as well, leaning on the shem's shoulder to walk," said Fenarel in a low tone as he led Ronin over to a log where they could sit as he relayed the rest of his tale. "You were delirious with fever.

"He said he found you and Tamlen outside a cave in the forest, the both of you unconscious," Fenarel said. Ronin nodded slowly, already knowing most of the dialogue anyways. "He left you here and ran off again. Where do you think he went?"

"If he is a Grey Warden, who knows? The Wardens are a secretive bunch."

"True… anyways, the Keeper's been using the old magic to heal you," said Fenarel, suddenly straightening as he remembered something important. "The Keeper wanted to talk to you as soon as you awoke."

He sprang to his feet, holding out a hand to forestall Ronin's attempt to get to his feet. "Wait here. I'll get her."

Dialogue with Fenarel: check, thought Ronin as he drew one of his dar'misu and proceeded to clean the dirt from beneath his fingernails, a habit that both him and his Dalish counterpart seemed to have in common.

…that, and a penchant for pointy things.

Keeper Marethari walked up, a warm smile on her face as she saw Ronin. She reminded Ronin of his own grandmother, a tender woman who loved all her friends as much as she did her family. "I see that you're awake, da'len. It is fortunate Duncan found you when he did. I know not what dark power held you, but it nearly bled the life from you. It was difficult even for my magic to keep you alive."

"I'll assume this 'Duncan' you speak of is the shem who brought me back?" asked Ronin, already knowing the answer but asking for the sake of it.

"Yes. He introduced himself as a Grey Warden. I've seen him from time to time as we travel the forest and he patrols the land, but we haven't had the chance to be properly introduced," said Marethari, a smile playing about her lips. It quickly faded though, as her thoughts turned towards other things. "Duncan thought there might have been darkspawn creatures in the cave. Is that true?"

Ronin put up a mask of confusion. Of course, he knew there had been no darkspawn in the caves before he touched the mirror, but couldn't reveal that he knew there were darkspawn in there now. "There were a few giant spiders, a score of walking corpses, and something akin to a bear. Nothing else besides that."

"Walking corpses?" asked Marethari, thinking aloud. "Dark magic, but not darkspawn. I know not what the other creatures might have been. What else did you find? What is the last thing you remember?"

"A mirror," replied Ronin, sheathing his dar'misu.

"A mirror… and it caused an event that drew the attention of a Grey Warden? I have never heard of anything like this in all the lore we've collected," said Marethari, annoyed at the incompleteness of the elvish histories and lore. She sighed as Ronin and Tamlen's report on the cave did not answer the questions she needed answered. "I was hoping for answers when you awoke, but there are only more questions."

"I'm sorry, Keeper," said Ronin. Strange…I actually feel guilty for being unable to change things outside my control for her, Ronin thought. The Dalish elf in me must be affecting me more than I thought…

"It's not your fault, da'len," Marethari said, placing a hand on his shoulder in a comforting way. "Now, how are you feeling? I worked a great deal of magic healing you of your sickness."

"I feel fine. Ma serannas, Keeper, for caring for me."

"I care for everyone of the clan, da'len. You would do the same for me, were you in my place," said Marrethari, sitting on the log next to Ronin. Her features changed for a moment, quickly changing to that of a person with business to attend to. "Duncan returned to the cave to search for darkspawn, alone, despite my protests. Tamlen knows the way to the cave, but he wanted to wait for confirmation that you would survive whatever curse you were submitted to. Do you feel well enough to go with him to reinforce the Warden? You do not have to go if you are not feeling well enough."

Ronin inwardly flinched as the dialogue moved away from what he had accustomed himself to. The dialogue is changing…a result of my meddling with the original storyline?

"I am well enough to accompany Tamlen, Keeper."

"Very well, da'len. Take Merril with you. She has learned healing magic, should you, Tamlen, or Duncan need it," she said, rising gracefully to her feet. "Merril is by my aravel, reading some of the more difficult texts. Gather her and Tamlen when you are ready to go."

"We'll leave soon, Keeper," said Ronin, standing with the same grace as the elder.

Another elven woman was making her way over in his direction, prompting a raised eyebrow from Marethari. "It seems Ashalle has heard that you are awake, da'len."

"Should I be worried?" he queried, noting the blank look on his surrogate mother's face.

Marethari gave no answer. When Ronin turned back to look at her, the place she had occupied was empty. By the Creators, she vanishes faster than a rogue!

"Ronin!"

He turned back to face his Dalish mother figure, swinging his head right into her open left hand. A crack that made everyone in the vicinity wince was heard, the slap nearly knocking Ronin off his feet. He clutched at his face, glad that his vallaslin covered the redness that was sure to be there.

He was even more confused, however, when Ashalle threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.

"I thought we lost you, Ronin! By the Creators, it is good to see you whole and well," she blubbered, a few tears flowing down her face. "I was so worried."

"Aneth ara, Ashalle. It is good to see you as well," said Ronin, hugging her back.

"All that time you were ill… the Keeper didn't know if you were going to live or die. I stood outside the Keeper's aravel the whole time. I've never been so relieved as when I heard that you would pull through. What happened?"

"We were exploring a cave. We both found a mirror. That's all I remember." The lie came easily, as it was necessary to hide his knowledge of past, present, and future events.

"I'm glad both of you came out alright. Tamlen and you have been such good friends, ever since you were fledglings," she said. A stern look appeared on her face. "You must be more careful. Your mother and father, may they rest in peace, would be horrified to see you take such risks!"

"Abelas, Ashalle. I will try to be more careful," said Ronin, properly chagrined. A point of interest made itself known from his Dalish memories. "You've never spoken of my parents much, Ashalle."

"What happened to them is a sad tale and it's in the past," she said, evading the statement. "Reopening old wounds benefits no one."

"Don't we Dalish strive to learn from our past?" asked Ronin, using that Coercion skill he always put the points in. I have been told I can be quite persuasive when I want to be.

"True…perhaps your old enough to hear this, though it… hardly seems like the right time."

"Is there ever a good time for sad tales?"

"Very well. If I do not tell you now, you will only wonder. Your mother was a hunter, one of the finest, and your father was the Keeper, before Marethari. He was with us for a very long time," she said, smiling as she relived the memories.

He must have been a good Keeper, thought Ronin, watching Ashalle grin.

"Your mother was from another clan and her elders did not approve of the match. She and your father had to meet in secret."

Ashalle paused there, as if she was trying to put the words together. "One day, bandits… caught them alone in the forest. Your father was killed, but your mother escaped."

"Humans killed my father?" queried Ronin as he felt a small amount of hatred for humans well up inside him. This is very strange… I am not impressed with my… former species. I swear I'm going to give myself a headache with all this over thinking.

"…yes, but also city elves, too. Those of our kind living with humans do not hold to the old ways," she said, as if she knew that he was starting a heavy dislike for humans. "Your mother held to life long enough to give birth to you. But grief wracked her heart. One night, she… she simply walked into the moonlight and never returned."

"I don't know what to say…" said Ronin. Despite knowing the story beforehand, it was something different entirely to have his Dalish side react to the news.

"The clan decided not to discuss this around you, lest it poison your heart with sadness," said Ashalle, placing a hand on Ronin's shoulder, concern plain on her face.

"I… understand…" said Ronin, both sides of him understanding the need for secrecy.

"Our people have learned to live with much sorrow. It seemed only right that we not dwell on it," She said as she reached up to her neck and removed a chain with a simple key hanging from it. "Your mother did leave you a few gifts, some things of your father's and your mother's for you to have when you were older. Perhaps the time has come."

"I'm not sure if I want it."

"Don't say that. This is part of your heritage. Take this key. It opens the chest in my aravel, the black one I've told you not to open. Its contents are yours should you wish."

"Ma serannas, Ashalle. I will see you later. The Keeper has asked me to assist the Warden."

"I will see you then, da'len."

With a final pat on the shoulder, Ashalle left Ronin, heading back to her aravel.

Ronin looped the chain around his neck and tucked the key beneath his armor. I'll care for this after I help Duncan, he thought, giving the key a pat.

Now… to find hahren Paivel... if memory serves, he's by the fire.

True to the game, the elderly elf was next to a large fire, idly sitting and watching the flames. He stood quickly, however, as Ronin approached, weaving between other elves going about their business within the camp. For an elder, Paivel moved quite gracefully, much like Marethari.

Perhaps it's natural for elves to be graceful?

"So… you've returned to us, da'len," he said in greetings, a stern look on his face. "We are grateful you are whole and well."

"I'm glad to be here, as well, hahren," replied Ronin, already grimacing inwardly as he knew Paivel would be voicing his displeasure about his actions very soon.

"So you should be!" Paivel said, his voice rising in anger. There it is, thought Ronin, taking a step back as to distance him from the angered elder. "What were you two thinking, wandering into that cave without first coming to tell the Keeper!"

"You're right, hahren. We should have come back here, first," Ronin said in a low tone, feeling properly chastised. First Ashalle, now Paivel? Who else is going to rub this in my face?

"I suppose your youth can be forgiven," grumbled Paivel, his tone becoming less angry. "Luckily, neither of you came to such harm that the Keeper could not cure you."

Paivel sat back upon the log he had occupied, patting a place next to him in invitaion. Ronin complied, sitting next to him by the fire.

"Losing either of you would be a terrible crime, Ronin. You belong to more than just yourself. Or do you not remember?"

"My memory is as sharp as ever, hahren. I'm sorry. I'll try harder next time."

Paivel sighed. "Would you even know the reason behind your efforts? I wonder…"

A group of elf children were playing nearby, their giggles and laughter drawing the elder's gaze. A smile played over his lips, remembering when he was that young. He looked at Ronin out of the corner of his eye, nodding his head at the fledglings. "Let us tell these children of the fall of the Dales. You can honor me by sharing in the telling."

"It would be my honor, hahren."

"Come, then… help me as I go along.

"Children!" he called, drawing their attention. A wave of his hand had them scurrying to seat themselves in front of the aged storyteller and the famed hunter. "Hear of the fall of the Dales. Hear the tale of what makes you Dalish."

Paivel looked at the rogue next to him. "Would you care to begin, da'len?"

Ronin nodded, ready to play his part in the telling. I always enjoy hearing this story.

"Long ago, we were slaves to the humans," he began. Much to his surprise, Paivel waved his hand for him to continue. "Slaves to a terrible empire the humans built on the darkest magic. When it fell, we became free."

"We built a homeland in the Dales, worshipping the Creators and rebuilding the culture and history we lost in our long years of slavery," regaled Paviel, starting his own part of the telling. "But the humans would not let us be."

"They were resentful; because we would not worship their gods, and because we put our people first," continued Ronin, retelling the tale he had committed to memory long ago, after his second play-through of the Dalish origin. "Over the years, their nations grew cold toward the Dales. In their eyes, we were blasphemers and cruel tyrants. Soon after, the humans then declared war upon the Dales, a holy war called an Exalted March."

"Originally, the human nation known as the Orlesian Empire was the only attacker of our ancestors. We responded with such fury that the Empire could not handle us themselves. Only after the Empire was joined by other human nations were we pushed back," Paivel said, causing a raised eyebrow from Ronin.

Strange… not part of the original dialogue, yet correct all the same.

"And so the Dales fell. They took our land and dispersed our people, forcing us to live in their cities and abandon our gods," continued Ronin as Paivel fell silent, taking it as his cue to tell more of the story. "But many of us refused to relinquish our ways. We instead chose to scatter to the winds, wandering the lands."

"We chose wandering the lands rather than the human rule," said Paivel as Ronin paused for breath. "To survive and preserve our culture, the clans stay apart until the day the Elvhenan have a homeland once more."

"When that day comes, we shall return the old ways to those who have lost them," said Ronin, both Dalish and human sides believing it to be true.

Both Paivel and Ronin spoke at once, reciting the Oath of the Dales.

"We are the Dalish, keepers of the lost lore, walkers of the lonely path. We are the last of the Elvhenan. Never again shall we submit."

The children clapped as the story was brought to a close and then ran off, already discussing what game they were going to play next.

Paivel smiled and shook his head, knowing that, someday, they would realize how much the Oath means to every Dalish elf. "Thank you for your forbearance, Ronin. You remember both the tale and the Oath of the Dales perfectly."

"I was taught by the best, hahren."

Paivel smiled wider, reaching up to ruffle his hair, much like he used to do to a younger Ronin. "I will let you get back to your tasks, da'len. May the gods guide your path."

"And you as well, hahren," said Ronin, bowing his head respectfully to the elder before he left, leaving Paivel by the fire.

Last stop before finding Tamlen: Master Ilen, Ronin thought, running a hand over the fletching of the arrows in his quiver. Even if I don't get the bow, I cold use some arrows to replenish my quiver.

Ronin scowled darkly as he remembered the number of walking corpses in the cave. Two would have been easy to deal with, as he had expected them. Not the score of enemies he had faced, their numbers surprising him more than anything. Defeating them was easy despite their numbers due to their lack of combat prowess.

If this trend continues, like in Life on Thedas' undead assault at Redcliffe, I might need to pack a lot more arrows than usual.

Master Ilen was at his aravel, same as the game, talking to another elf, a bow in hand. Behind him was a table, filled with lengths of ironbark, tools, bundles of arrows and a few dar'misu and dar'misaan. "It is good to see that you've recovered from your injuries, Ronin."

"Aneth ara, Master Ilen. How are you?"

"Well enough, now that I know that both you and Tamlen returned safely," he said, handing the bow to the other elf. "Here you are, Theron."

"Ma serannas for the bow, Master Ilen. It is light and sturdy, much better than the one I made last year."

"You are more than welcome, da'len," said Ilen, smiling at the enthusiastic hunter. "My father made it and used it in battle against the Clayne tribes."

Ronin leveled a glare at Theron. "You will take great care of it, won't you, lethallin?" throwing him a quick smile as show he was just making fun.

"Of course, Ronin. I will carry it with honor."

Ronin nodded before turning back to Ilen. "Master Ilen, I would hear the tale of your father's battle against the Clyane, if you have the time."

"I am honored to tell it," said Ilen.

"Our clan was one of the first to flee the Dales. When we came to Ferelden, the fiercest of the shemlen were the barbarians known as the Clayne," he regaled, watching the hunters' eyes almost glow with interest. "We did not wait for them to attack us. Every Dalish clan in Ferelden united to bring the battle to them."

"We attacked them first? Sounds like a good strategy," said Theron. Ronin nodded in agreement. A very sound tactic… we would have lost the element of surprise had we waited.

"The Clayne were barbarians without honor. They would have slain us without a second thought. The ensuing battle went well for us. That day, we carved out our reputation of being the deadliest of archers. Our arrows won us the right to wander these wilds at will."

Ilen paused and looked at the bow in Theron's hands. "It was this very bow that my father used that day."

"Thank you for the tale, Master Ilen, and especially the bow. I will honor its history," said Theron, holding the bow reverently.

"Yes, thank you for the tale, Master Ilen," Ronin said. He unlimbered his own bow and held it out to the Craftmaster. While I'm here, I might as well see if my bow measures up to the standards of the Master. I will need the best gear I can when I join the Wardens.

"Would you give me your opinion of my bow, Master?"

Ilen took the bow and looked it over, humming and talking himself as he tested the bow. "Made from blue ironbark… very strong… draw weight of forty five pounds… top heavy… imperfection on the handle, possibility of breaking if overdrawn…" Ilen muttered, running a critical eye over the bow. "You made this yourself?"

Ronin winced as each flaw was announced. Memories of long hours crafting that bow a few months ago surfaced, making him feel all the more disappointed in himself for not creating a perfect bow. "Yes, Master Ilen. Two months ago."

"Your first attempt at using ironbark?"

"Yes. I had used whitewood, but it broke a few months ago when I was attacked by a bear. After that, I wanted to make a bow with a stronger material."

"Not bad for a beginner. Why did you choose a recurve style?" asked Ilen, curious.

"As a hunter, I need to be accurate. Longbows generally have more hand-shock, making them less accurate. That, and it easier to use in the forest."

Ilen nodded thoughtfully as he turned to his aravel and walked inside, bringing Ronin's both with him. Theron and Ronin exchanged glances, unsure of whether to follow or remain where they were.

Before either could choose either action, Ilen reappeared, carrying a second bow.

"Here," he said as he tossed Ronin the new bow. "Try this one."

Ronin caught the bow and looked it over. It was made of blue ironbark, just as his was, though he could not find any flaws with his un-experienced eyes. It was painted in splotches, much like Ronin's cloak, making it blend with the forest.

Ronin nodded at Ilen and walked over to the front of the aravel, putting him in sight of the archery targets for the young fledglings and city elves new to the Dalish way to practice on. He pulled one of his black arrows from his quiver and nocked it.

An experimental draw had him raising an eyebrow. A heavier draw than my old bow, he thought as he drew his fingers back to his lips. A few adjustments due to wind and distance to target preceded the arrow's launch.

With a satisfying thud, the arrow sunk into the target a hand span higher than Ronin intended.

"Well done, Ronin. Especially with an unfamiliar bow," said Ilen, clapping the rogue on the back. "The bow has a much higher draw weight, so it may take some getting used to."

Ronin looked over his shoulder at the Craftmaster. "You're giving me the bow?"

"Of course. One of my own crafting, back when I was a bit younger. I can always make another and you need a replacement, lest your bow fail you in a critical moment."

"Ma serannas, Master Ilen," said Ronin, bowing his head to the elder elf.

"Think nothing of it. A bow like that should be used, not left in an aravel to rot," said Ilen, waving away Ronin's thanks. "It may not have a history, but you shall supply one soon enough, yes? Now, I must return to my work."

Ronin placed the bow on his back, making a note to start retraining himself on this new bow. He started to walk away, but turned back when he remembered an important job he needed to do. "Master Ilen, do you have any arrows that I may buy?"

Ilen paused for a moment, turning back to the hunter. "Of course. Come, we will talk business."

Ten minutes later, Ronin left with a bundle of ninety-nine arrows, lighter two sovereigns.

Now that I am reequipped, time to help Duncan…where's Tamlen gotten off to now?

After Ronin put the bundle of arrows in the Ashalle's aravel, he looked to the edges of the camp, looking for a certain elf with vallaslin dedicated to Andruil. He was surprised to not find him anywhere close, seeing how he was the one who was hurt. The least he could have done was make sure he was all right after the Keeper talked with him. When I find him, I'll probably find Merril as well…

After a quick walk around the perimeter of the camp, Ronin found the pair sitting side by side beneath a tree. They were holding hands, Merril's bearing a Dalish promise ring, which made Ronin smile. It's nice to see a little happiness in such chaos.

Of course, this made Ronin think back to his games. Now, I wonder what will happen in Dragon Age II…

Deciding to leave the unanswered questions as they are, Ronin walked over to the pair, treading carefully as to not disturb them. It looks like they're asleep.

Merril's head was leaning on Tamlen's shoulder while his head was leaning back against the tree. Both were not moving, sans an occasional twitch from their limbs. Deep, even breaths confirmed Ronin's theory, both dead to the world.

Ronin hated to disturb them, being at peace with each other and all, but they had a job to do. He threw back his hood, placed his hand on Tamlen's shoulder and gave it a small shake, trying to wake Tamlen as quietly as possible as to not disturb Merril. "Tamlen? Wake up… we have work to do."

Tamlen groaned as he opened his eyes, blinking blearily against the light of the sun. "Wha… oh, Ronin. We headed out?"

Ronin nodded, smiling the whole time.

Tamlen nodded and proceeded to wake Merril, gently shaking her shoulder as to not shock her right out of sleep. Last time he had done that, he woke up an hour later with a splitting headache and a lump on his head.

Mages abruptly awakened sometimes react badly, automatically using a mind blast spell or some other self-defense spell.

"Mmm?" Merril awoke slowly, rubbing the bleariness out of her eyes. She jerked back as she saw the cloaked form of Ronin almost blending in with the background as he leaned on another tree. "Ah, Ronin. Time to go to the cave?"

Ronin nodded and put his hood back on before walking away, already retracing his steps to lead them back to the cave. He fell into an easy walk, his long strides soundless against the forest. He was soon out of sight, leaving Tamlen and Merril scrambling to stand.

Tamlen helped Merril to her feet, gave her a quick kiss, and followed Ronin, easily catching up with the loping hunter. His hands strayed close to his belt, where his sword was sheathed. After facing giant spiders, walking corpses and a bear like creature, he decided it best to err on the side of caution.

Merril fell into step behind Tamlen, looking through her pack for her lyrium potions and healing supplies, just in case they had to fight any more of the creatures Tamlen had told her about. Hopefully, I won't have to use any of it.

After walking through the forest for half an hour, the terrain became familiar to the pair. The path that led to the cave curved around a small ravine, leading to where the fallen halla and the wolves had been.

"You think the wolf corpses are still there?" asked Ronin in a low voice, nodding to the other side of the depression. "I could use a wolf skin rug for when winter comes."

"I doubt it, but it would be a nice surprise to see them," replied Tamlen. "They were beautiful creatures. I wish we didn't have to kill them."

The sound of a twig snapping had Ronin's ears twitching, his eyes shooting over to where the noise emanated from. Some sort of slight tug from within him made him search for the darkspawn he knew to be around. A low buzzing filled his ears, like television static. Is this how Wardens sense darkspawn?

"Did you hear that?" he asked, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow.

Tamlen drew his sword and readied his shield at Ronin's question, taking note of the alarm in his lethallin's voice. "What?"

Merril readied her staff, ready to cast any spells should an attacker show himself. "What is it, Ronin?" she asked, her eyes searching their surroundings.

Ronin scanned the area, thinking that it was much easier in the game to spot the darkspawn, especially with the automatic targeting of enemies.

There! A genlock archer was drawing his bow to full extension, a black, wicked looking arrow almost ready to be launched.

Smoothly, Ronin drew his own bow, touched the fletching to his lips, dropped the bow a fraction of an inch, and released. Please let me hit him, please let me hit him!

Much to his relief, the arrow flew perfectly, hitting the genlock in the eye. The impact had the darkspawn flip backwards, landing in a heap while his arrow flew over the elves' heads.

"What are those things?" asked Tamlen as he stepped in front of Merril, raising his shield to deflect any more arrows. Merril smiled at Tamlen for his gesture as she launched an arcane bolt at another genlock who was unwise enough to stick his head out of the bushes.

"The Keeper mentioned something about darkspawn," hissed Merril, tracking the genlock who had just taken an arcane bolt to the face. It tried to rise, a hand raised to its ruined face, before a second arcane bolt struck him, punching through his skull and turning his brain to splatters against the foliage. "Perhaps that is what these… things are?"

Ronin pulled a new arrow from his quiver before slipping into the shadows, becoming, for all intents and purposes, invisible. Merril quickly looked around, trying to find the rogue with no success. Tamlen merely accepted the fact, knowing that, while his friend was, for all intents and purposes, invisible, he was still around.

"Tamlen, guard Merril," said Ronin, his voice emanating from a bush not that far away from the mage and warrior. "I will surprise them."

Tamlen nodded and shifted his shield, catching an arrow from a third genlock. "Hurry. I think I see some melee fighters. If they get close, I'm gonna have a hard time blocking Merril from the archers."

Ronin crept forward, moving as quickly as possible while in 'stealth' mode, flanking the darkspawn. He bared his teeth in a grin, adding a second arrow to his bow string. A second later, an archer and a rogue tumbled to the ground with one of Ronin's black arrows sprouting from a chink in their armor.

Ronin slung his bow over his shoulder and drew his daggers as a pair of genlocks closed in on his position, screaming unintelligible war cries. He grinned as he noted a quickly fading glow on one of them, which indicated that the genlock on his left side was under the effects of a weakness spell. It slowed down, letting the other charge to his doom.

The genlock swung overhand at Ronin, trying to slice his torso open with the long sword it wielded. It was surprised when its blade hit nothing but dirt, as Ronin had already moved out of its attack.

His main hand dar'misu sliced across its throat, releasing a large amount of blood as its heart pumped it through the gaping wound. The darkspawn sank to its knees, dropping its sword in its haste to try and stop the bleeding.

Ronin didn't hang around to watch the genlock die. The second genlock walked forward, on guard after seeing its partner killed so easily. The elf smiled at the short darkspawn, staring down at the sword wielder.

With a raised blade, the simple darkspawn charged, seeking flesh and blood. Its simplemindedness allowed Ronin to step out of its path and stab it in the stomach as it charged. The stab was quickly followed up by a slash to its kidney and hamstring, its rotting leather armor parting easily beneath an ironbark blade.

The slight tugging in him ceased, the buzz melting away. Ronin sheathed his blades as he beckoned to his allies on the other side of the depression. "Come on! That was the last of them."

Tamlen nodded, straightening from his crouch behind his shield. He held his sword parallel to his shield and brushed it down the shield, snapping the arrow shafts off his shield. Merril raised her staff to a vertical position and followed Tamlen, stepping around the darkspawn Ronin had slain. "Thank you for the save, Ronin."

Ronin shrugged noncommittally as he walked over to meet the pair, noting another pair of archers who had been killed by magic. "You would have done the same for me."

Merril pushed over a corpse with the butt of her staff, looking down on the tainted creature. "I've never seen anything like them! You can almost smell the evil on them."

She looked over at Ronin, who was crouched over a genlock, contemplating whether or not it was worth it to pull the arrow from its tainted corpse. "Where did they come from? Where they here before?"

Ronin shook his head, leaving his arrow where it lay. "Maybe the mirror had something to do with it…"

"What would darkspawn have to do with our people?" Merril asked, confused. "The stories say that Arlathan fell long before the darkspawn appeared."

Tamlen slung his shield on his back, starting to head down the path. "We'll find out soon enough. Let's hope we don't run into more."

Merril laid a hand on Tamlen's shoulder, stopping him from proceeding, before turning to look at Ronin. "Before we go, are you all right? Were you wounded during the battle?"

"I'm fine… why do you ask?" replied Ronin, not believing the words from his own mouth. He could feel the taint, feel the darkness in his blood. I can't stop now… I have to join the Wardens.

"You do look quite pale, now that Merril's mentioned it," said Tamlen, stepping closer to look at Ronin's face. His vallaslin is standing out a lot more than usual.

"It's just the exertion," said Ronin, pulling his cowl lower over his brow.

"Well… I'll keep an eye on you. You've only just recovered from you illness," said Merril, laying a hand on Ronin, ducking slightly as to see his eyes beneath his cloak. "But let us not talk about that now. We should move on."

Ronin and Tamlen nodded as one before moving further down the path, senses strained to hear any signs of opposition.

A minute later, they came upon the dead halla Ronin and Tamlen had found two days previously. Both were happily surprised when they removed the brush they had laid over the wolf corpses to find a folded pair of neatly skinned wolf hides, teeth and claws still attached. A strange circular amulet sat on each one, which Merril claimed was a preservation charm. This explained why the hides seemed freshly skinned rather than rotted as one would expect after two days.

"You think this 'Duncan' the Keeper mentioned did this?" asked Tamlen as he packed away one of the skins, keeping the amulet against it. He'd tan it later, when he had time.

Ronin shrugged, tucking the other skin under his cloak. "Maybe."

"Hey, Tamlen? What's that?" asked Merril, pointing down the path.

A simple campsite was set up at a bend in the path. A small fire pit sat in the middle of the clearing, a rolled up bedroll a few feet away.

Ronin put his hands close to the ashes, noting the slight amount of heat that remained. "It's warm. Put out maybe an hour ago."

"I wonder whose campsite this is…" said Merril as she placed a hand on the bedroll, feeling for residual heat. "Do you remember it being here?"

Ronin shook his head, settling back on his haunches with a burnt twig in hand. "No. It's fresh…"

Tamlen took the stick from Ronin, twirling it absentmindedly between his fingers. He snapped his fingers, an answer coming to him. "Perhaps it belongs to the shem who found us."

"Maybe your right. He told the Keeper he would be heading back to the cave," Merril said. "Well he's not here now. Maybe he's at th- do you hear that?"

Both the hunters froze in their positions, their armor and weapons making no noise as the pair turned into statues of flesh and blood. They slowly turned their heads, ears twitching in an attempt to sense anything out of the ordinary.

"It's too quiet," said Ronin, noting the absence of background noises except for the rustling of the leaves in the wind. No birdcalls. No soft footfalls of animals. Even the sound of insects had faded away. The forest sounded… empty to the elves.

Tamlen nodded in agreement. "No forest creatures."

"Exactly! The forest it too… still," she remarked in a low tone, eyes searching the forest. "There's something in the air, something unnatural."

"I feel the same way I did when we were in the cave, Ronin," said Tamlen, watching the forest with wary eyes.

"I don't like this," said Ronin as he placed an arrow on his bow. "Be on your guard."

"It seems that whatever you two woke in the cave has… spread outside," said Merril, swing her staff into a ready position. "The sooner we find the cave and the Grey Warden, the sooner we can leave."

Tamlen and Ronin nodded before walking further down the path, on the look out for more darkspawn. I know there's more… thought Ronin, uneasy at how few darkspawn there were at the first confrontation. There were four or five in the actual game play…so I'm guessing we're about to encounter at least half a dozen…or more.

They had turned the final corner of the path to the cave when the trio caught sight of a large group of genlocks, amassed right outside the mouth of the cave, grunting and shuffling around. Their armor was made of some crude-looking, black metal, their weapons no better, both covered in barbs and spikes. A film on a few of the blades made Ronin think of poisons, making a mental note to avoid being cut.

From this distance, Ronin could smell the corruption, a scent of rotting flesh mixed with the coppery tang of blood and the foulness of death.

Ronin held up his fist from his position a few meters ahead of Tamlen and Merril, signaling them to halt. Keeping as still as possible, Ronin relayed the information regarding their position.

At Tamlen's raised eyebrow and Merril's look of disbelief, Ronin crept back to the group and allowed himself to become visible. "What's wrong with my plan?"

"When you mess up, you run the risk of dieing," said Merril.

"That's 'if' I mess up, not 'when,'" Ronin said, correcting Merril's slip. He shrugged off his quiver and took a quick tally, which had him letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

The quiver held twenty-eight arrows, more than enough to end the group that barred the path to the cave. Though... how many more are within?

"It doesn't matter! A mistake could cost you your life!" hissed Merril, clutching her staff while eyeing the bend, expecting the darkspawn to pour around it at any moment.

Ronin slung his quiver back around his shoulders and buckled it tight, making sure that no loose straps or buckles could make a sound. He turned back to the bend in the path, looking over his shoulder at the warrior and mage. "Unless you have a better plan, we will follow mine."

Merril opened her mouth, as if to speak, but closed it a second later. With a sigh, she said, "Fine, then. We will follow your plan."

Tamlen nodded, having agreed to the plan as soon as Ronin suggested it. "I agree," he said, unlimbering his blade and shield. "You'll sneak over and cut into the beasts before they know what's happening. When they try to mount a counter, you'll run back around the bend, leading them to their deaths by Merril's flame blast."

Ronin took a deep breath, let it out, and vanished, leaving the pair standing alone.

Merril took up her position in the center of the path and shoved her staff into the ground, letting it support itself so she could cast the flame spell with both hands. Tamlen stood off to the side, his weapons close at hand should Merril's attack miss one or two of the darkspawn.

"Now, we wait..." he said.