Unveiling the Truth

Late Springtime:

Vorax made it a point to talk to the group, one person at a time to get to know them. Morrigan and he were on friendly terms. Alistair confided a lot in Vorax. Stenn was...well...Stenn. Leliana though. He felt himself spending a bit more time learning about her. She would tell him about Orlais, and about her time as a travelling minstrel. Though, Vorax picked up on certain inconsistencies, he never brought them up, keeping them in the back of his mind, and just listening to her. Vorax had no right to judge anyone. He was judged wrongly every time. At times, Leliana would ask certain questions about where he was from and if his helmet allowed the change in his voice to come through. Or the armor itself. He couldn't tell her. It was hard for him to bring up what he was, or what he wasn't. All he would say to her was: "It happens." The look in his eyes though, it hurt him to lie to her. He didn't know how to tell her. The time they travelled together, he found himself either keeping up with her or her catching up to him. They would joke, or she would talk about fashions and he would just listen. Of course he couldn't remember the fashion trends in Orlais. What he kept in the back of his mind was things Leliana liked. Shoes. Shoes were a big thing, but also flower. Andraste's Grace was the name of the flower Leliana liked. But damned if he knew where to find them, though.

The next morning the group packed up camp and made their way towards the Frostback Mountains. On their way, they came across a dwarf travelling merchant. The merchant had, surprisingly to Vorax, shoes. Blue satin shoes with embellishments. Vorax glanced over his shoulder at Leliana who was talking to Alistair. He bought the shoes. But not knowing what her reaction would be at this point, or how she would take his intentions, he carefully wrapped them and put them in his pack. Maybe someday, if he was able to build the courage to really express his feelings towards the young and beautiful bard, he would give them to her. He thought back to a conversation about shoes that Leliana brought up.

-"Did you ever see the shoes you wear here in Ferelden? Eww..." Leliana made a silly face of disgust.

"Denerim has some pleasant looking shoes." Vorax didn't seem to mind the way the shoes here looked, but again, he wasn't a fashion expert.

"Oh I am sure, but sometimes a girl likes to have pretty feet."

"You do not require shoes to make you look beautiful, Leliana." Vorax snapped to a realization after saying that. Maker's Blood! What did he just say? His face flushed three shades of red.

Leliana giggled. "That is kind of you to say, thank you." Either she was giggling because she was flattered, or giggling at him for going flush.-

Vorax was reserved. Very reserved around women, in fact. Looking at a pendant his mother gave him, he clenched it in his hand. The pendant was a Sword of Mercy. He wanted to give this to Leliana. But he wasn't ready. Sometimes when he complimented her, he sounded like an addled schoolboy. Stumbling over his words. He didn't know if Leliana felt the same way about him as he was starting to feel about her. But again, he was inexperienced in matters of love, of companionship. Maybe it wasn't mutual. He would try to indiscreetly see if she felt the same way as he. But she was a person who could hide her feelings just as easily. She admitted that bards were manipulators, assassins. He closed his eyes. Time would tell. He shook off his thoughts and told the group they were moving out. On the way, they came across yet another merchant. This one though gave them an offer about a golem. Vorax asked about it. The merchant put off a bit by his voice, but told him that the golem was in Honaleath and that Darkspawn were assaulting the town. The merchant gave Vorax the control rod for the golem. The group set up camp just outside of Honaleath and Vorax took with him Leliana, Stenn and Maskron, his Mabari.

It was true, the Darkspawn had overtaken Honaleath. The group refused to let the Darkspawn take over this small town. They found about five groups of Darkspawn and found the disabled golem. They walked up to the golem.

"It's...a real golem. But how did it get here?" Leliana asked.

Vorax's eyes shimmered under his helmet as he spoke the words the merchant told him. "Dulaf garn." The group watched as nothing happened.

Something was wrong with the rod or the words. Vorax looked towards a door that was cracked open off in the distance. The door led to a cellar. Along the way to the end of the hallways, the group fought off more Darkspawn. Stopping just short of the final room, Vorax raised his arm to stop the group. The all-too-familiar feel of dark magic. Plus, something else. The magic was closer though. Drawing his blade and shield, Vorax moved ahead slowly. A Grenloc Emissary, one of the more powerful Darkspawn. Its magic crackled as they tried to bring down a magical barrier to get to the remaining townsfolk of Honaleath. Leliana prepared her bow as Stenn waited with Maskron for a signal to attack.

Sneaking quietly to catch the emissary off guard, Vorax took one step forward and immediately brought an assaulting attack upon the Darkspawn mage. And he didn't stop until the mage was brought down. His training as a Templar only helping against the Darkspawn emissary. Stenn and Maskron charged after a couple of Hurlocks. But one of the Genloc archers aimed right for Leliana. Vorax turned to see him release an arrow aimed right at her heart. Vorax had no time to think. He threw his shield at the doorway as hard as he could. A second before the arrow could pierce her chest; the shield deflected the arrow and then got wedged right in the wood of the doorframe. Leliana was startled. Vorax took his sword and threw it at the Genloc archer, cutting its throat as the sword went through its neck. Stenn having finished with his Darkspawn foe turned to see a Hurloc jump down to go after Leliana's savior.

"Human, catch!" Stenn threw his greatsword to Vorax. Catching it, Vorax spun around and severed the Darkspawn's head from his shoulders.

The fight ended and the townsfolk thankful, the son of Wilhielm spoke to Vorax about Shale. But before willing to help him, his daughter was trapped further in the basement. He pleaded with Vorax to save his daughter. It wasn't even a second before he agreed. The feeling that Vorax had before became stronger. The only time he ever felt it this strong was in the Fade. What the hell was going on? Stenn said nothing, Maskron growled slightly. But Leliana saw the cautious steps her friend was taking. Why was he acting like this. He was always sure of himself. Something had him either spooked, which was unlikely given how he carried himself, or he did not tell Leliana everything when she asked him about his training and childhood. Who was this man? Why was he holding back now? On the way down they fought a few dust wraiths. Defenses? These weren't just defenses. He didn't feel a tear in the Fade. They saw Amelia with a cat as they got to the end of the stairway. She was talking to the cat as if having a normal conversation.

"Amelia? Your father is looking for you." Vorax said. Fixing his gaze on the feline a moment and narrowing his eyes. Leliana watch him. Her lips curling into a frown.

"Oh! You sound just like kitty! We're playing guessing games. But it's more fun with more people." The little girl clapped her hands excitedly. Maskron growled angrily.

"Amelia, I suggest you slowly step away from the cat." Caution became panic towards the girl. Vorax knew what this cat was.

"Oh pish posh. Kitty says you're starting to annoy her." Amelia pet the cat as Maskron hunkered down and growled again.

"I would not suggest going with these strangers, dear Amelia. Especially that one." The cat's eyes glowed lavender.

Vorax removed his helmet. His shimmering yellow eyes glowing a bit more. "Why are you here, Desire? You have no claim here."

"I would ask you the same thing, Vorax. But I doubt you would be so willing to tell me. I knew it was too much to hope Pride would have killed you by now, or corrupted you. Either way, you're an annoyance nonetheless. But since you care so much, I have been trapped here. This girl's grandfather bound me here so I could not escape. And her company is welcome after a decade or more of being locked away here. But seeing as how we are at an impasse, free me so we can leave here." The cat stretched.

Leliana's face contorted in fear maybe. What did this possessed cat mean? Thoughts were racing through her mind. She looked at Vorax who's face betrayed no emotion. He was angry, concerned, scared. This demon knew him. And he knew her. She walked over and grabbed his arm. "What is going on? How do you know this cat? And what are you? I thought...you didn't..."

"This is not the time to ask questions of this nature, Leli. If we survive, then I will tell you. But not before." He was focused on this cat. She blinked as he called her Leli. No one called her that unless she was very close to them. Did he even realize he called her that? She was going to demand answers from him. But she bit her lip. She hadn't been honest with him either. Her expression changed from anger to one of...well...almost shame. "You do not need this child, Desire. I will grant you passage out but you must leave the girl."

The cat looked at Amelia. "Mmm...but I so do enjoy her. But very well. We have an accord. Perhaps you will succeed where she has failed."

It took a while for him to figure out the way the wards worked. But when he did figure it out...

"Oh! Freedom!" The cat cackled gleefully.

"Kitty, what's happening?" Amelia started backing away.

"Something wonderful, my dear."

"We had a deal, Desire!" Vorax roared. His voice echoing angrily.

"I've changed my mind. I like this girl and I will take her!"

"Kitty! You're scaring me! I won't let you in I won't!"

Vorax drew his sword. "I will not allow you to have her!"

"Uurrghh! I'm taking her anyways!" Desire hissed.

"Amelia! Run!" Vorax pushed the girl to the door. "RUN!"

The desire demon transformed. "YOU HAVE INTERFERED FOR THE LAST TIME, VORAX! YOUR LIFE ENDS HERE!" Four Greater Rage Demons appeared, Leliana squeaked in surprise. Stenn didn't seem surprised. And Vorax wasted no time attacking the Desire Demon. But during the fight, the rage demons turned to face Leliana.

Desire was trying to keep Vorax busy. But he turned at the right time to see them heading to her, she was backing away quickly. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" Vorax threw his one hand up and magic erupted from it. Before Leliana, a Revenant erupted from the ground and driving its sword into the ground, used magic to pull the demons towards it and away from Leliana. Leliana fell backwards seeing the Revenant. She looked towards Vorax and watched him as he drove his blade into the desire demons stomach. The demon lurched forward. "You will not win this time, Desire. And you shall never return to the Fade to harm another again. I swear to Andraste I will send you all to the Maker should you ever come after my friends again." He pushed the demon away from his sword as she slumped to the floor. The Revenant finished with the Rage demons as did Stenn and Maskron. Vorax went over to Leliana and helped her up. "Are you hurt, Leliana? Do you require a priest?"

Leliana looked away and quietly said 'No'.

"I'm sorry, Leliana. I did not...it does not matter now. Let us return to the mage." The group left the cellar. Leliana walking behind Stenn. Maskron following her.

Later that night:

Vorax didn't know what to say. He and Leliana didn't really speak to each other the entire trip back to the camp. Usually Alistair would try to pipe in with some witty banter. But it was apparent that wouldn't be appropriate. After dinner, Vorax decided it was time to lay the truth bare. He walked over to Leliana as she was working on her lute. He sat down and lowered his head. "I am sorry I did not tell you the entire truth, Leliana. As foolish as the decision was, I did not speak of it because of your ties to the Chantry. Many believe what the Revered Mother tells them. And over the past months, I should have learned better. Forgive me."

Leliana sighed as she put her lute down. "You are not the only one guilty of not telling the truth. I lied to you as well." She proceeded to tell Vorax about her life as a bard, her life with Marjoline. How she was trained, betrayed, and put through a traitor's torture. And her truth behind her being at the Chantry in Lothering. For hours they spoke. He asked her questions. As he finally understood her life as a bard, he heard her ask. "What about you?"

He looked up. "I was a child of Orlais once. My father passed away when I was five or six. My mother is an elf. He knew everything there was to know about the Fade even though he was no mage. That knowledge cost him his life. I don't know how. Mother would never speak of it." He proceeded to tell her what happened to him when he was a boy. How the essence of a Pride demon was within him. That it changed him and that there was no returning to a normal human life. That Ser Bryant was his mentor and trainer and why the Chantry reviled him. And that he never summoned his Revenant unless the situation was so dire. He looked down.

Leliana watched him. Vorax was compassionate. He was reserved, especially around her. At times he was also a bit goofy. He had more than his fair share of branches hitting him in the face and knocking him back. His sense of humor was there, but only when Alistair started with him. One could almost say he was chivalrous. Leliana liked this about him. She remembered when he wept for the people of Lothering. He hid his sensitivity. He didn't try to be something he wasn't. She placed her hand on his and smiled slightly at him. "Thank you. Thank you for listening, and being honest with me."

He smiled back. "No, thank you, Leliana." Instinctively he placed his hand on hers. She seemed to blush and pull her hand away. He caught it and chuckled slightly. He looked up again. Focused on one star. Leliana moved closer to him and asked him about a certain constellation. He told her he'd never heard the story and she told him.

"I have always wondered if that kind of love is possible." She asked thoughtfully.

"If we give up on love, then we are all truly lost." He didn't feel embarrassed to say that. It was true. Even to him.

"It is a pleasant surprise to hear you say that. There is a certain severity to you. You should let your sensitivity out more." She smiled at him.

Vorax laughed. "I will certainly try." He stood and bowed to Leliana. "The night calls and we must take our watch for the night."