"No, I haven't been out of the Tower until now." Once again I didn't quite understand as to why I had to save Zevran. Since the moment I was awake, since before I could even register what was even going on... he had already started with the questions. "I see, so how do you enjoy what you have seen so far?" I groan, the questions were utterly endless but I knew he was just curious at least. Besides it kept me from feeling the tension between the Templars and I. "Well... it is utterly confusing if that is what you're trying to get too." He sighs but I know that he was at least hoping for something different in my answer. "So no, so far I wish I could be back in the Tower. And not having to hike up large hills with dark looming forests surrounding me." Which was probably more so the truth than anything else. We had been walking for hours, or what felt like hours. I really had no idea what time it was nor how high the sun was in the sky. Apart me resented even agreeing to coming along. I could have hung back in camp, tried to bathe Thor and possibly get somethings completed. Instead I was completely terrified which didn't help since every time there was some sort of howl off in the distance, or even loud noise; I jumped. Nearly toppled over a few times. Though Zevran was behind me I wondered if he enjoyed me flailing around in fear. Or just, no I had the suspicion that he did enjoy it... probably too much so.
"How much further?" I groan but the quiet form of Cullen in front of me doesn't answer right away. "According to one of the villages we passed, a group of Dalish came this way." Alistair answers me from behind Zevran. "So, is that why we're wandering in circles?" Well, it felt like circles. "We're not wandering in circles." Cullen snaps over his shoulder. "I'm sorry, but all these lovely trees are starting to look alike to me." He sighs heavily within his armor and apart of me wondered as to why he can even move within all that metal. "Can we at least stop and take a break?" That came out as more of a whine than I thought. "If you're getting tired then we'll stop." He sighs again and pauses upon one of the many hills leading further into the forest. "Zevran, go ahead of us while she takes a small break." At least we were stopping though I get the feeling that none of them wanted to stop in general. "Oh thank the Maker." I fall back upon a stump, bending down to take off my boots. Thankful they hadn't given me blisters yet. Wiggling my toes, Zevran disappears into the shadows upon the path ahead of us. Now I can see why Cullen has him along.
"Are you alright?" Alistair asks of me, he had taken off his helmet but it was his tired gaze that catches my real attention. "I should ask you the same." I smile a little but at least he returns my little gesture. "I'm just tired, 'tis all." Sure it was. With a few moments to let my toes breath, I slip my boots back on and stretch my arms over my head. "So, you sure they're here... somewhere?" I ask Cullen, looking up to him in the process. "Wouldn't it make sense if they sought us out since we're just bounding through their territory?" I ask of him again but like usual he doesn't give me a simple reply, just a shrug of the shoulders. "That would make the most sense," Alistair answers my question with words. Apart of me regrets that conversation we had the night before. "They are a wary people." Cullen drifts his gaze to me, ignoring Alistair along the way. "They will probably not even trust us, despite who we might be. Though that leaves them little choice, in the matter of Grey Wardens." I groan but he was right. Which was probably another reason why we had Zevran along with us. "So why did you bring me along?" I ask him, once more he shrugs. I was starting to hate that little gesture of his. "Probably because next to you, Morrigan and Wynne are not nearly as strong as you." Did Alistair just compliment me? "You're jesting." But he shakes his head. "You did complete your Harrowing in record time." But that was nothing, I told myself. "Knight-Commander Greagoir and First-Enchanter Irving were talking about having you take over when Irving retires. There was even talk about you training directly under him." I blink, once more there were things I had no idea about. "Truly?" He shrugs again and I want to throw something at him. "I was there." He clarifies but there was something else behind it. "So I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you were supposed to be Greagoir's replacement?" He looks down to me, though he wasn't surprised that I caught on this quickly. "Yes, well that was the plan until you helped a Maleficar escape." I open my mouth to protest only to be paused by movement behind us. I jump from where I was sitting upon the stump. Only to be grabbed by Cullen, moved behind him as I went over a few quick spells to use in this situation.
"Mithra, you were right." A voice comes from above us. "Like I said Tamlen, we have a group of Shemlen here." Another voice cuts from above us. "What should we do with them?" The male voice offers to the female one. I on the other hand didn't want to find out. "Which tree are they in?" I whisper to Cullen. He doesn't move at first but nods to one to our left. "So two males and one female? Wonder why they're here?" She offers the other voice but I did not enjoy the idea of where this could be going. Instead I think up a less than lethal spell to knock them out of those trees. I close my eyes, the shroud covers me. Pressure upon my chest was welcoming in this situation. I kneel down to the ground and touch it, sending the small shaking into the direction of the two trees. "Mage?" The male questions but the shaking gradually gets worse. I keep my eyes close, concentrating on knocking them out of the trees without harming them at least. "Tamlen, kill her!" The female shouts, I hear the bow being pulled out. The arrow filling it and within that same second, the arrow is being let loose. I want to move but I know that I am not fast enough. I keep my place, knowing that if I can at least do this before I die, then well things were going well enough – right?
But I should be dead by now.
I open one eye slowly only to see the tip of the arrow a little too close for comfort. Another figure was before me. "Z-Z-Zevran?" The blond elf, who is normally always smiles and laughs... was deadly serious. He snaps the arrow quickly in half and pulls out one of his knives within his belt. The knife leaves his hand landing just below a branch that I assumed was occupied. "Come out, now." He was demanding, yet his voice was serious. I had no idea he could be this way. I was starting to miss his innuendos. The branches shift, but two figures land gracefully upon the forest floor. I take them in as I slowly raise to my feet. A little glad that Zevran arrived in time.
He gives me a glance from over his shoulder, I knew that look and I nod my head. Though I was slightly aware of the two elves before us. "Zevran?" Cullen speaks from behind me, but I heard his movement. His hand was upon the hilt of his sword, waiting. "Why are you here?" The small female questions us. "No one wanders these woods without good reason." Well, that much I was starting to get. "We have been looking for a Dalish tribe." Zevran answers them but I do not relax when Alistair moves forward a little. The male, who was the most intriguing held my attention. They reminded me of some of the elves within the Circle. Though we did not hold any sort of prejudice against them, there were some who came from the Dalish. They are a proud people. Strong even and apart of me quite admired this. Though the two before us did not hesitate with their bows out still.
"I very much doubt that, Shem." She spits out and my eyes narrow. "State your business." I sigh, heavily and this brings their attention upon me. Though I didn't budge, apart of me wanted to run and hide somewhere. "We are Grey Wardens." Alistair reaches for his helmet, though whom I thought was Tamlen shifts his bow in Alistair's direction. "Anyone could say that, how do we believe your words?" I move from behind Zevran, slowly I pause beside him. "We have these," I reach into one of my pockets within my robe and pull out the Dalish treaty. I move slowly forward but it was the male who eyed me. "Tamlen," the female was cautious but I wasn't surprised. She only verified his name for me, which made her Mithra. "It is a document, that only verifies who we are." I was cautious as well but this was a giant leap for me and what I assumed was for them as well. He lowers his bow, still eying me as he takes the steps closer to me. We are only an arms length away from each other but I hand him the document, the treaty.
He was still careful, well aware that my three companions did not like me this close to him. His eyes skim over it but he doesn't relax. "It seems real," He says quietly. "We will take you to our Keeper." So we get to see the leader? I was assuming that was who this Keeper person was. "Thank you." Cullen relaxes from behind me but it was the wary glance from Tamlen who did not waver. "But keep in mind our arrows will always be trained upon you. So do not try anything." I relax a little, at least there was no bloodshed. "Follow us." Mithra was quite demanding for a small thing. But like always, I tend to underestimate the smallest of creatures.
A howl echoes from behind us and my stomach turns. The howl was so bloodcurdling that it causes me to jump half way in the air. "W-W-What was that?" I stammer but it was the look within the elf's eyes before me that causes my stomach to turn another few times. "Werewolves," was all he had to say that made me blanch.
I mutter a little but we are being led away from the woods upon a path I had no idea was there. Obviously Zevran and the other two did, the grunting sounds from Cullen behind me told me was getting annoyed with everything. Well he wasn't exactly the only one. "So tell me again, why we have to go to these people first?" Alistair asks from behind him. "They were on the way to Denerim, that's why." What didn't make sense was why we were heading into the heart of the beasts den. "And why are we going to Denerim?" I ask him but he sighs. "I have orders to remove your phylactery from the Chantry there." My what? Wait, I had no idea it was moved there. "Now that you are a Grey Warden, you are no longer considered apart of the Circle nor under Chantry ruling. I am to send it to Weisshaupt Fortress." So I was trading one master for another, really I wasn't moving far in this world. So I close my eyes and take a deep breath as we come across the final edges of the path. There before us was a small group of Dalish stood before the ending of the path. "Guards," Cullen mutters from behind me but I was still concentrating on the path. That was the last thing I needed to do was trip and fall flat upon my face in front of all these elves. Some Grey Warden, I have turned out to be.
We passed the guards but none of them seemed to care for us, despite the fact we could possibly cause problems. But they glanced us over, Alistair's worry came to me. What surprises me is the fact now I can at least tell them both apart. Alistair sort of had a warm feeling behind it while Cullen's was so very different. It felt just natural, really. His own emotions mixing with my own. With my mind currently busy I did not realize we had stopped, causing myself to run into Zevran. Only to bounce back and land against Cullen. He held me steady as I brushed away a free strand of hair covering my eyes. "Sorry," I mutter in an apology but he doesn't seem to mind. "Who do we have here, Mithra?" The small elf female shifts her weight, but I had a feeling that this other elf before us must be their Keeper.
"I have a group of people, claiming they are Grey Wardens." Tamlen still held the paper I had given him and he steps around from behind us. "They gave us this." He hands the treaty to the other elf but I am suddenly worried. Once more Alistair doesn't really know how to rein down on his emotions. "Well, this seems to be legitimate." He looks up from the papers but I smile a little grateful he was able to agree to this. "Ma serannas, Mithra and Tamlen." They clicked their heels together and bowed their heads to him. "Ma nuvenin, Keeper." Almost in complete unison, really. They walked away but not before I noticed Tamlen looking over his shoulder towards us. I give him a small grateful wave, which to my own surprise he returned. "Huh..." I snort but only to receive a very strange look from Cullen. "What?" I press but he shrugs turning back to the Keeper.
"I am Zathrian, Keeper for this tribe." Cullen bows his head and as does Alistair. "I am Cullen, this is Alistair and Solona. We are the Grey Wardens, it is a pleasure." Manners, which seemed to catch Zathrian off guard completely. "And this is Zevran, one of our other companions." He finishes with the greetings but he is itching to move forward with this. "You are here for the Blight, I know of this. But I am afraid to say that we cannot help you in this matter." My heart sinks with those words. "We have a problem of our own." I hear a sigh from Alistair. "Yes, it seems like you have had your troubles. What are the odds?" I give him a small glare but he shrugs, his eyebrow quirked. I wanted to smack him for that retort but instead I bite back my tongue.
"Come, let me show you." Zathrian waves to us to follow but I know what I was to see. There would be his hunters, laying upon cots and on the verge of being turned into one of those things out there. I have read many times over about the history of the Lycanthropes but truly, nothing had prepared me for it. "Before we had come to this spot, we were ambushed by werewolves." I blinked, utterly lost. "Werewolves are not smart enough to complete such tactics." He turns his gaze upon me but I knew what he was thinking. He was just as confused as I was. "That must mean something or someone is acting behind the scenes." Cullen completed our train of thought with great ease. "But who would they listen to?" I press and only then did I see Zathrian hesitate upon giving his answer. "There is a way to cure these Hunters and end the curse. I will need the heart of Witherfang." Of who? I look to Alistair and we share the same train of thought. What the hell was going on? "I believe this mystical beast, Witherfang is the cause for the ambush. If we can only get his heart, we can end this and cure the hunters." There had to be more than just this plea for help. "Just who or what is this Witherfang?" I ask of him as he leads us away from the sick men and women. "He is an old, powerful wolf who has lived within these woods for many, many centuries. It is said that he is the cause of the werewolves coming to be. Which leads me to believe that with his death and his heart, it could very well end this curse." So my little plea to make things a little easier just wasn't working. "And that is where we come in." Zevran clearly makes the point mute but I sigh, my arms crossing before my chest. "I was hoping you would agree to this." We really didn't have much choice, it seems. "If we help, will you give us the men we need to fight the Blight?" We already knew Zathrian's answer. "Yes, I will honor the agreement between the Grey Warden's and the Dalish."
That was really all we needed. "Fine, we will help." Cullen agreed. "But we will need to time to gather our equipment and resupply." My gaze drifted around the small camp and realized there really wasn't much to look at. "Very well, I will tell Master Varathorn, to set aside some equipment for you." I let out a breath, sort of grateful that we would at least get supplies before charging into the midst of werewolf country. It was the least he could, I suppose.
From what I have come to understand of the Dalish is that they kept to themselves, mostly. Despite the fact we were outsiders, humans even. We had no right there. The sideways glances, the angry hushed voices and the distancing of themselves from us spoke more than simple words. I on the other hand knew this feeling only too well.
We found Master Varathorn quick enough, for his voice carried over the hush whispers, the strange looks. Simple enough for his voice was quite loud. "How many times have I told you, this is not the way to do it?" The younger elf shifted his gaze between us and what I assumed was the man we were looking for. "I am sorry, Master Varathorn." He muttered quietly but I sigh, knowing that a man like this wasn't going to be easy to deal with. "Just be sure and get it right, this time." When the younger elf turned his back to us, it was the elder looking elf that looked us over – one by one. "I have some gear for you, but she will need something a little warmer and safer to wear. I might just have that something, if you have the money for it." I sigh, figuring that whatever it was could have been better than these robes. "What do you have?" Cullen went right into his bargaining mode, but I decided not to stick around. After an uneasy glance to Alistair we decided to wander. Leaving Zevran to stay with Cullen. "How much longer do you think?" I ask him as we walk side-by-side through the small camp. "I don't really know," he shrugs.
Then the smell hits us. Yes, well I wasn't exactly expecting such a smell. "Is that... farm animals?" Alistair's fingers went to his nose. Clasping out the smell, but I on the other hand wander towards the direction of the smell. Coming down the hill there were as a small group of beautiful white creatures. I had read stories about such beasts. "Halla," Alistair says catching up with me. "I heard their antlers catch a hefty price on the market. They even say that they can cure diseases and the such." I knew about the curing, the medicinal portion of the antlers. "You aren't thinking about..." he looks down to me as I walk calmly toward the pin they seemed to be in. "No, no." I wave to him. "I just want to look, is that so wrong?" I wiggle my brows but he is sighing. "We can't be long from Cullen," he says only to verify as to why he was here in the first place.
Upon turning the corner, there was one that was out of it's pin. "I just don't know what's wrong." A gentle voice speaks from the other side of the beast. "Why won't you tell me?" It was a curious thing, really. I smile a little seeing as how it lay calmly down upon the ground. "May I help?" I ask to the voice with no face. "Oh... I had no idea someone was there." That answered my own query as to who she was. "I'm sorry, you must be the Grey Wardens." Damn, word does like to travel quickly. I glance to Alistair who shrugs again and I am starting to hate that gesture. "If you could help, that would appreciated." I kneel down before the lovely animal. I reach out slowly, as my fingers brush against it's soft white fur. As if by will, the animal starts to stand up. Kicking it's feet out as it stretches. "My goodness, you helped her. Thank you." I really had no idea how I helped her but evidently I did. "You must have a way with animals." Alistair's snide remark didn't help. "Be careful what you say, Thor could have imprinted upon you." I smile a little when he winces. Knowing just how overprotective the dog was. "No, I'm good." I nod as we turn back up the hill and towards the rest of our group.
Cullen had found a small place to go over the equipment as Zevran it seemed decided upon a new set of daggers. "I must say, the Dalish have such fine craftsmanship." I blink, staring at him as he fingered the blades of each weapon. "We have some poultices, herbs and I got you this." I don't want to even know when he stands up, walking towards me. He hands me a set of new robes, some boots and new gloves. I didn't quite know what to expect from this. I wondered if the First-Enchanter would have a heart attack if he ever sees me in something like this. "I don't know what to say..." I mutter but he gives me that damn smile of his and my knees want to buckle. "Just put them on. When you're done, we can get going."
He moves away, regrouping with the others. I on the other hand look down to the new gear in my hands. Something, really just didn't seem right I suppose. So I sighed and moved away. I move from behind them, walking through the a small crowd of Dalish hanging around a campfire. I could hear the stories being told but my gaze was looking for somewhere to actually change. "You can get dressed over there," a voice spoken behind me catches me off guard. The clothes in my hand are thrown up over my head. "Sweet Maker!" I cry out but there was laughter as I turn around. "Interesting name for your god." I must have made a face because he is laughing more. "Yes, well that can't be helped now can it." I drop to the ground picking up what I had just thrown up over my head. "Tamlen, is it?" I ask standing back up, with my gear in my hands. "Yes and you must be Solona?" I let out a sigh and look to where he pointed. "Thank you." I mutter moving off into the direction.
From behind the caravan I slipped off my robes, noticing how dirty the ones were that I was wearing. I plop on the ground, slipping off my boots and my gloves settling them in a neat pile next to me. Sitting in the dirt, with my small-clothes on didn't seem right to me. So I unfold the robe that was given to me and realized that it revealed far more than the other robe did. But it was finely stitched. Mix of different fabrics, but the soft fur along the shoulders was a nice touch. I slip it over my head, my arms finding the holes easily. Standing up and wiggling the fabric over me it was easier to get on than the other. A nice little belt fit for herbs around my waist, I bend over and slip the boots on. The fir lining on the inside would at least keep the blisters from my feet. The gloves were warm to the touch as I slip them on and straighten myself out... until I looked down. The end of the fabric within the middle of my robes, rested just above my navel. It really showed nearly everything. Luckily the robe was well, form fitting I suppose.
Reaching up I undid my hair, letting it fall down around my shoulders and hoping that at least that would cover up things. I move from behind the caravan only to see Tamlen leaning against it, his arms crossed before him as if he had been waiting the whole time for me to get changed. He takes a single glance to me but I could at least understand as to why he was here, keeping an eye on me. "I am sure your male companions would enjoy the sight of you." I look around, trying to find something that would at least change the subject. Nothing really came to mind. "Yes well... I have nothing to say on the matter." I move past him back to where the others were waiting. "I want to ask you a favor, before you leave." He stops me this time, his hand finding my shoulder causing me to turn around. "What sort of favor?" I press but he doesn't seem to mind. "Could you speak to someone for me? He is... a little lost." Lost? As in confused? "Okay..."
He led the way to another elf, whom I deemed was the one who needed my help. I look him over slowly, taking him in at the time. He didn't seem sick or well have any sort of problems but the sad look in his eyes. I sigh, closing my eyes in the process. "It doesn't look like something is wrong with him..." I look over to Tamlen and surprisingly he was the same height as I. Though I was quite short for a human in general. "There isn't anything wrong with him in that sense." But I was still at a loss for words. "If there isn't thing wrong then why do you need a favor from me?" I ask but he doesn't seem to know how to put it. "I was hoping you could offer him... female advice." My eyes go wide, suddenly realizing what was at stake here. "I probably am not the best person for this... I am horrible at being female in general. I mean really, are you sure?" But it was the other elf who looks up to me. He was so very young, even in his eyes I could see this. "I don't want to bother you with my problems..." He mutters as he moves up to his feet. "Nonsense, Cammen. Solona would love to help." I did? I blinked at Tamlen but he gave a slight smile before looking back to Cammen. "May I ask what is wrong?" I offer, at least I could try. "I'm in love... with another named Ghenya. But she wants nothing to do with me because I am not a hunter." I stare at him, probably making him uncomfortable but damn this. "So... why don't you just tell her?" I offer but he shrugs turning his back to me as he looks off into a direction I figured Ghenya was in. "I have asked for her hand but she refused." Of course, Dalish had their ways but I really didn't feel like getting into the middle of this. "Do you want me to talk to her?" I ask but he turns a sort of pink color causing me to smile a little. "I can, if you wish but I doubt she would want any sort of advice I have."
A snort from Tamlen makes me grimace but he doesn't budge. I was still holding my clothes, despite what was being asked of me. "I'll try..." I mutter flopping my clothes into the arms of Tamlen, probably taking him off guard. He stares at me while I wander in the direction of that Cammen was looking in and saw a small redheaded female elf sitting alone before a fire. Her arms wrapped around her legs, she doesn't budge when I find myself sitting beside her. Trying to cover up the area between my legs with the small piece of clothing I had for robes. "Oh! I am so sorry, I did not see you there. You must be the Grey Warden everyone is speaking of." She looks to me, though I wasn't surprised to say the least as to why Cammen liked the girl. "Yes, well I was asked to come talk to you..." A look of confusion spreads across her face but I go on to explain everything.
When I finished she blinked a few times and looked away. "I'm afraid," she begins. "That he will never become a hunter. He will never be able to provide for our family." I waver a bit but really I have no idea how to respond to this. "Well... if you love him then you should just accept him. Help him, I suppose, to become the best hunter he can be." She listens to my words but I watch as they slowly sink in. "You're... you're right." She looks away but before I can do anything else she was on her feet and running towards Cammen. I could hear the commotion behind me but I don't bother with trying to figure it out. Slowly I stand up, dusting myself off in the process as I look around for a second. I hear footsteps, the gentle crunching of dirt behind me. "Thank you," Tamlen starts but I shrug, turning around. "It's no problem." Though I was curious as to why he asked me of all people for help. I start to press but he puts up a hand, halting my words. "You are a Mage, you of all your companions understand what we go through." I did... well in a sense I guess I did. "You should speak with Sarel, he will have information about the forest for you."
I bow my head to him as he hands over my clothes to me and I wander back to Cullen and the others. Though they didn't look quite so happy to see me as I thought they would be. "We should speak with Sarel. According to... WHAT?" I shout towards Zevran who had his eyes in places he shouldn't have. "Excuse me but you should put those back inside your head." He looks up to me, that same smirk playing across his lips in the process. "Ugh, never-mind." I turn away and hand my clothes to Cullen. "Go trade these, I'm going to speak with Sarel."
I left them, turning on my heel I stalk back to where I had heard the stories being spoken. I assumed the one telling the stories was Sarel. I hang back, studying him as he finished the end of his story. "So Shem, is there something I could do for you?" He asks of me, but I shrug uncrossing my arms. "I was hoping you could tell me about Witherfang and the forest?" The look in his eyes spoke more than just his tone of voice. Somehow I knew there would be hostility here just wondering when it would come to pass. "I would, but I am afraid all that you know already is what Zathrian has spoken of." I sigh, sort of figuring that was how it would be. "If you must know you should be wary of the woods. There is more in those woods than just werewolves. Be wary, Warden." His choice of words makes me hesitate but I bow to him. "My thanks," I smile but he does not return it.
I wander back to Cullen who looked grumpier by the second... if that was even possible. "Let's go." I mutter gripping the staff he bought for me. I moved past him and towards the entrance to the woods.
A/N: I quite enjoy the random remarks from Zevran upon her clothing. Since those robes in the game, haha they are very revealing. So I figured, it would be cause for Zevran and his inability to keep his eyes away, yes? So for the shout-outs! darkmage6: haha, it was eventually going to happen - just didn't know when! now to figure out what to do between Cullen and Amell! so wait for those updates! much love, of course! ;) julie nyu: yes, i found the awkwardness between the dalish and the humans within in the game to be a little troublesome but like i said, i am doing my best to add those elements into the story. and you're welcome, love! it makes me giddy to read such reviews from time to time about my own work. i am currently plotting out the dwarves right now and finishing up this one at this time. but i figured when it came to the dalish, i figured they would sort of relate to Amell. since she is treated as such no matter where she goes. kind of held off by a stick, in a sense. but thank you! thank you! i am so glad you enjoy this story so far! ;) sandradee27: hahaha, there maybe more of that in the near distant future, possibly. depending on when Cullen can strick up the nerve to do something about Amell in the first place. which should make for an entertaining chapter! mapachita: aww, he's just a jealous boy who needs to understand that even she has no idea what is going on when it comes to her emotional state. xmaster: haha, didn't mean for it to be. but still she can never go wrong with Thor in the first place. pagelupin: i am too. at least for now there will be more fluffy awkward moments between them. haha, sort of glad though since she's so oblivious to his emotions and her own. ;)
Much love to all of you for your reviews! I really do appreciate it! Thank you! Look forward to the next chapter which should come out sometime later! Thank you once more! I enjoy taking the time to read all of your reviews, they mean quite a bit!
And I do not own Dragon Age, it belongs to Bioware! *-*