Dragon Age: Origin
Levyn
Chapter Five – Darkness, Gladys
It was that laughter again.
The snorting kind of laughter, like a child trying to laugh with a mouth full of food.
"Hung-hung, hung-hung, hung-hung."
Her blood coiled, her heart tightened. Gripped with fear, she spun around, trying to distinguish where the sound was coming from.
But she couldn't see, nor feel anything. She could only hopelessly listen as the dark, malevolent mirth approached…
Gladys gasped and sat up abruptly, her arms outstretched, as though trying to grab something. It took the Chasind girl a few minutes to register that she was no longer asleep. Slightly tricky these days, as her eyes now were just two empty sockets and could no longer function like they used to. Awake and sleep, day and night had become indistinguishable. She had to rely on her ears to determine her surroundings. In the first few days, every single little sound around her made her flinch. She was confined to her bed, refused to go anywhere and screamed, according to Tabi, almost every night in her sleep.
The Revered Mother visited her the very evening she regained consciousness. Her voice sounded calm and comforting, giving Gladys a certain degree of relief from the trauma she had endured. Apparently, they did something to contain the taint she contracted from the darkspawn that attacked her. It slowed down the process of turning her into a ghoul, but it could not cure her completely. She would still suffer nagging nightmares and searing pain in every nerve of her body whenever a darkspawn drew near, however. Eventually, the taint would catch up to her, and then they might have to kill her.
How promising, thought the girl, saved me from the grasp of those darkspawn, only to realise I will eventually became one of them.
Not that she had many promising options anyway. She should have realised that when her father sold her to that wealthy Gwarenian logging family, shouldn't she? Several seasons without getting any decent food, livestock was getting thin. their usual hunting area was being dominated by the darkspawn, plus her mother had been sick for ages. It was the last resort. Gladys could still remember his reluctance as he came to the conclusion, his slumped shoulders when he waved off the wealthy family's courier after dropping off the money and the day when he delivered her to at the farm gate, his dark face forced into a fake smile against the morning sun.
"Now, remember, be a good wife, kiddo." She had looked up into his face, lined by the years and miles of his life as his big, rough hands covered hers. "Northerners are a lot different in some ways. It will take you some time to get used to. But do not despair, everything well turn out all right at the end."
"Papa…" Gladys sobbed. It would be the last time they ever saw each other again, they would be heading up north, looking for some decent doctors to have a look at Mother's sickness. The family had paid well. They might have some spare coins to last until next season.
"There, there. Don't get all depressed, Gladys." Father touched her cheek lovingly, wiping off the tears. "After all, it's your wedding day! May you have a long, joyful and content life, my Dot."
They embraced the one last time. And Gladys watched her dear papa, on the horseback, disappeared into the mist of the forest. His back hunched slightly, and he suddenly looked older than he already was.
Gladys waited until her ragged breath returned to normal. She brought her knees toward her chest and tucked them under her chin, listening carefully to the sounds surrounding her. She determined from the birdsong outside her window that it must been early in the morning. Tabi would be up and busy preparing breakfast any time now. Very soon the rest of the household would wake up, and one of them would come upstairs to check to see if she was up. Usually it would be Levyn, the mage who saved her life.
Levyn.
The Chasind girl frowned slightly. Now that mage, according to the townsfolk who chatted a little bit too loudly outside the house the other day, was a blood mage. She had no idea what a blood mage should look like, but he certainly didn't sound like one. Since she woke up, he had done nothing harmful to her but assisting her whenever he could. The only magic he had used was healing magic to attend to her wounds. They were mostly healed now, except for her eyes. No magic could repair such damage.
She couldn't help but beslightly curious about him. What did he look like? He told her he was a northerner and grew up in a mage Tower. What was he doing in the middle of the Brecillian Forest? She noticed occasionally, there was a certain hint of regret and despair in his tone. Usually, these moments passed quickly, and Levyn would try to cover them up afterwards. What had happened to him in the past?
There was a small knock at the door, soon a familiar voice came from the other side: "Gladys? Are you up?"
"Levyn?" Gladys lift her head. "Yes."
"Good morning." The blood mage's voice was all smiles. "Tabi's breakfast should be ready soon."
"Okay."
"You will join us downstairs?" asked Levyn.
"Yep." Her arms tightened around her legs a little more.
"Give us a yell if you got lost and need help." The voice remained behind closed door. "Or change your mind."
"I will."
His footsteps echoed through the outside hall and slowly faded, indicating the mage was headed back downstairs. Gladys inhaled deeply, uncurled her legs and slowly placed them at the edge of the bed. She stretched out her hands and carefully searched for the rough direction of the exit. Once certain there was no obstacle, she gathered her courage to stand up and stepped forward cautiously.
By the time she managed to reach the dining area downstairs, breakfast was already started. The room was full of noises. Smells of honey and porridge filled the room. Gladys' hand tentatively stretched forward, and realised she was being hugged by something small at her waist.
"G'lady." It was Boo. His little voice was full of delight and contentment. The Chasind girl grinned. She reached down and felt his soft, small and chubby hands. The little boy giggled, squeaked excitedly, and started mumbling baby talk.
"Huh, Gladys, you're here." Jethro's mouth was stuffed with food. " How are you this morning?"
"I am quite well, thank you." Gladys smiled.
"Just back from the morning fish market down at the docks, you see." Jethro swallowed the porridge in his mouth. "Lots of people over there today. Apparently, Denerium was nearly torched to the ground after the Blight, suddenly timber…wait, no, ieverything/iwas in high demand. Got a bit of extra coin from the batch I sold this morning!"
"That's wonderful," Grinned the Chasind girl, allowing Boo to drag her toward the table. Levyn drew a chair near and guided her to sit.
"Some porridge, Gladys?" asked Tabi.
"Yes, please." Gladys turned her head towards the Chasind woman's direction.
"With honey?"
"That would be lovely, thank you, Tabi," the girl nodded.
"Now you are being too polite." Tabi busied herself with dishing out the porridge. "Has Jethro told you I get rashes if someone's being to polite to me? Don't worry about the manner in this house. We Chasind never pretend to have the social graces of nobles. Doing so is bad for our health." She laughed.
"Who would have known, aye?" The Chasind logger asked his wife for another bowl of porridge. "We actually earn more after that sodding Blight than we used to. Arh…that should be sufficient for us to stay in Gwaren for a little while. A year or two, maybe."
"What?" Levyn's voice piped up. "I was under the impression you only stay for the off season?"
"No, no, mate!" Jethro replied."Not this time. If I am a single free lad, maybe. But not when I have my Tabi and Boo to worry about."
"What do you mean?" The blood mage's voice sounded concerned.
"While in the market, I heard something." Jethro began to spoon food inside his mouth again. "Something dodgy outside."
"Define 'dodgy.'"
"Those darkspawn," said the logger grimly. "More have been sighted."
"More?" said Gladys and Levyn in unison.
"Oh yes." Jethro nodded. "And it's not just one or two, it's increased into packs of them. Several places, where those creature had never been seen before, are suddenly infested with those sodding things."
"They are going to attack Gwaren again any time soon, are they?" the mage asked.
"Not sure, mate." Jethro shrugged. "At the moment they are just wandering around the forest, attacking lone travelers or animals, doing what they do best. But I reckon it would only be wise to stay in the city for a little longer. I don't trust those dodgy creatures."
"That kind of explained why the city is suddenly getting a lot more people over the last couple of days," said Tabi thoughtfully. "I bumped into Orphee. She was actually complaining to me that her tavern was completely full!"
"And it's not just that." Jethro bent over, picked up Boo and placed him on his lap. "There was something else."
"What else?" Tabi asked.
"The talking darkspawn." The Chasind logger rubbed his stubble chin. "Apparently, we weren't the only ones who've seen them."
"What?" Gladys felt blood drained from her face. "They…talk?"
"Some of them do," Levyn explained. "There was one at the farm when I found you, asking who took your eyes. It seemed that they weren't suppose to do it."
"How comforting," mocked the Chasind girl sarcastically. "Nice to know some of them are willing to treat their hostage with some civility."
"Here we thought the Blight was finished," Tabi sighed. "What do we know, aye? Where else those talking thing being spotted?"
"Near Amaranthine. Vigil's Keep. The Gray Warden's new base," Jethro replied, "It was attacked last week."
"Oh, Spirit of the Forest!" his wife gasped. "Are they all right?"
"Nearly blood-soaked the place," the Chasind logger grunted. "Luckily, the Warden Commander, our Teryna, happened to be there, so she and some recruits managed to get rid of them."
"Neph…was there?" Levyn murmured. Gladys cocked her head sideways and frowned slightly. The blood mage seemed to know the Teryna very well, well enough to call her by her first name. She was told the Teryna was also a mage. Perhaps they knew each other? Then she must know what Levyn was like before he left the Tower.
"Humph." The Chasind logger finished his breakfast and started chewing the end of a toothpick. "I think I'd better go to the Chantry to have a look to see if there is any notice on the Chantry board. Let's hope the Revered Mother is aware of the situations and having them taken care of. You coming, Levyn?"
"I'll pass this time," said Levyn politely. "I need to go to the afternoon market later to buy some elfroot. Supplies are running low. I will stay in the house for a while. And I've got some potions to brew, as well. Plus," his voice turned toward Gladys. "Got to do her daily healing sessions."
"…You don't really have to do that," Gladys blushed, feeling as if her face was on fire. "I feel a lot better now. As for my eyes….they aren't going to return to normal. You can't make them grow back."
"You still suffering from the nightmares, aren't you?" Asked Levyn gently. "The healings help you sleep better. I must apologise, if my ability was stronger, it wouldn't take this long."
"You already done enough, Levyn," Gladys smiled. "You saved me."
"Anyone would do that." Levyn sounded slightly embarrassed. "I happened to be there, that's all. Couldn't let them drag you back to the Deep Roads."
The Chasind girl's smiled deepened. "Nevertheless: Thank you."
"Let's….let's see what I can do today, aye?" The blood mage pushed himself away from the table and stood up.
Tabi dragged Boo away to feed the chooks at the back of the hut. The mage found a spot by the fire and guided Gladys to sit. The Chasind girl felt him slowly undone the bandages wrapped around her face, revealing what was underneath.
"How do I look?" asked Gladys half-jokingly.
"You look great." The blood mage chuckled. "Now, let me know if you feel any discomfort."
The Chasind girl nodded, allowing Levyn's fingers to touch her forehead. She heard some crackles and felt a familiar sensation ripple over her head; like someone cracked open an egg and its contents were slowly dripping down from the top of her head. The feelings gradually turned warmer and cloaked her entire body. The warm currents tickled every corner within her. Gladys' lip curled up.
It felt quite good, whatever this healing thing was.
"How are you faring?" The blood mage's lilting voice echoed next to her ears. He sounded tense, probably because of the healing spell he was casting.
"I am all right." The Chasind girl smiled. "Don't worry too much, mage."
The warmth continued to surge through her body in waves. Gladys heard Levyn inhale another breath and cast another round of spells on her. His hands brushed past her forehead briefly. The Chasind girl noticed they began to tremble a little.
"Do you want to stop and take a break?" she asked.
"…After this round…"
"Levyn?"
"Hmm?" The sensation seemed slow down a little. Sounded like his mana was getting dry.
"I heard something from the villagers the other day."
"You've been out?" asked Levyn absently.
"No." The Chasind girl shook her head. "Still unable to work up the courage to do it. Boo did try a few times, doing his best to convince me one of their chickens laid some golden eggs and wanted me to have a look." She chuckled.
The blood mage laughed.
"The villagers," she explained, "they were talking right outside of the hut."
"On purpose," Levyn grunted. "Gossipy types. Okay, what did you hear?"
"You are not only a mage, but a blood mage," Gladys sputtered.
"I am."
"You are?" The Chasind girl was surprised. "But…but…"
"I don't sound like a blood mage?" The rustle of Levyn robe suggested he shrugged: "Well, you aren't the first one who said that. I suppose I am lucky that I am in Gwaren. If it was any other city, the Order would execute me on the spot."
"But I thought…"
"The new king had ordered the Chantry not to?" The mage sniggered. "Do you think the Order of Templars will do as they're told at the snap of his fingers? Nah."
"What so special about the blood mage?" Gladys tilted her head as Levyn stopped the spell. "Why would the Chantry hate them so much?"
"Because of the blood magic." The mage sighed. "Legend has it that it was taught by the demons themselves. It was the blood magic that blackened the Golden City."
"Golden City? You guys?" The Chasind girl's brows shot up.
"Didn't you heard any of the Chantry stories when you were little?" Levyn asked.
"Heard the traveling Chantry sisters talk about it a few times." Gladys frowned. "My father always said they were just stories, don't take it seriously."
"Well, then you know how the Golden City was blackened." The blood mage began wrapping new bandages around Gladys's head. "Unfortunately, the Chantry took those stories very, very seriously."
"But, it should be all right if you use it carefully," Gladys carefully tilted her head to make Levyn's wrapping easier.
"Try telling that to those stubborn Templars," Levyn chuckled. "They believe it cannot be contained. Too dangerous. Shouldn't learn it in the first place."
"That's obscure," Gladys blurted out. "What about those Dalish and Chasind who don't believe in the Maker and the Chantry? What magic is theirs called?"
"Those are apostates," Levyn explained calmly. "They aren't necessarily maleficar, who are—"
"Mages who use forbidden arts," the Chasind finished what Levyn trying to say. "I've been told about it. A very unfair and narrow-minded judgment."
"You tell them," The smile in Levyn's voice thickened: "As I said, fortunately, I am in a city that doesn't really care about that law."
"Is that why you left the Tower?" Gladys asked as she heard the blood mage chucked some more logs into the fire. The wood block made a small clang sound as it hit the other burning wood: "Because you were exposed as a blood mage?"
She heard the man pause, and suddenly worried if she had gone too far, prying into something that he was unwilling to tell. She froze, listened with every pore as Levyn slowly straightened up in front of her. She could not hear anything other than the sound of his robe rustled.
"Yes and no." The mage's voice sounded reserved and more polite than usual. "And I must apologise that I don't really want to talk about it at this point and time. Ask me again in the future, aye?"