Dissonance (Arc II)
Chapter 2: Steel Fauna
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dragon Age or their characters or their stories. Bioware is to thank for bestowing us such amazing work. I only claim my own original character and any other made up character that I have created.
A drop hollows out the stone not by force, but falling many times.
-Latin proverb
The Bannorn was the section of Fereldan that mostly contained vast farmlands or a village that produced much agriculture. Surely the Bannorn was the hub for crops and certain materials that Fereldan couldn't live without.
However, the journey from Denerim to the Bannorn would not have taken too long. But the duos' destination would be where it all started. Well not where it all began but where his career started.
Somewhere in the outskirts of South Reach was "The Steel Demon", an infamous yet legendary blacksmith who was said to make shields unbreakable, mauls strong, swords that never dull, well enchanted armor and many more. Not many people venture to his smithy for fear of facing the horrendous behemoth. Due to his seclusion, he does not share his gift with many. It is a true feat to track down him down and request for a weapon. But that was what Sin did many years ago when he just reached adulthood. And when Sin confronted the demon, everything he heard about him was just a mere legend. This "demon" turned out to be a Qunari who was called Ark.
The Qunari did not pry his eyes from his work and Sin never moved. Each was at their own stalemate until Ark had spoken, "You are meaning to tell me you are a werewolf, a beast?"
"Call me what you will, it does not denote me as such. I am what I am."
Ark used his tongs to throw the piece of metal in the water. The hiss reminded Sin of the same snake that induced his training. He shook off the memory as Ark turned to Sin. His build much surpassed his own and what only seemed few inches higher than Sin. But yet he stood tall nonetheless, "But what will armor and a weapon serve you?"
"I plan to utilize these tools so that I can become a mercenary."
"Why a mercenary? There are plenty of ways you can put armor and a sword to good use."
"I only know the way of the warrior. I am no soldier, I have too much honor to be one. I cannot be a pirate, I have no aspiration for riches. I cannot be an assassin, I show no stealth. I cannot be a Templar, I have no faith. I choose to be a mercenary because it is the only thing I can do. It is my only skill besides survival. The sword will be a symbol of what makes me a warrior. It is by the way I treat it and the memories of blood that will be stained that will remind me of who I am. The armor is to protect me from the cruel hands of my enemies. And to have something that doesn't rip apart if I change."
Looking into Ark's dimmed violet eyes, he could see not in his mind. He was unreadable.
"Your eyes hold much experience behind them. You have seen much, but dare not speak it. You are a warrior. Very well, I shall accept your request. Come back to me in five months and perhaps it will be finished by then."
Under his boots was the soil of the forest outside of South Reach and where he became the warrior, Sin.
His eyes trailed up the blue sky above their heads. It was a rather chilled day, a sign that winter would be arriving soon. Sin dreaded for the moment the first sign of winter when the clouds would be pregnant with the heavy white crystal grams falling from the sky like the hydrating rain of an autumn or spring day.
Marea nudged Sin gently on his arm to get his attention. Sin returned from his daze and turned his head to Marea who appeared confused. Marea was a long-time companion, someone who would always be by his side. Sometimes he wondered what kept her waiting for him for so long. No matter how many times he asked her, she never responded to him. She would just grin and turn away as if she enjoyed not telling him. She was just another mystery to him.
"Is he close by?" Marea asked with a yawn. Ever since Sin had been comatose, Marea had time to adjust to society. Her syntax and lexicon has improved immensly since then. Instead of speaking in incomplete or one worded statements, she now speaks in full, coherent sentences. He was able to understand what she has to say, but somethings she leaves unsaid.
Sin crushed the twig underneath his boot. The thread of twigs and leaves ahead of the two paved a rather nice path ahead of them. This path appeared to be used not as frequent as others. There were obvious concaves in the ground due to the wear of its use.
Sin raised his shoulders lazily while keeping his eye on the road, "I am not sure. It has been a long time since I last returned to this place. I am not quite sure if it is still there. But one can imagine so."
Their path soon came to a stop, guarded by a long trunk of a fallen tree. Sin hopped onto it, helping Marea up and jumping down. The scent of the charred smoke filled his nostrils, a familiar scent he remembered from his first visit to this place. The demon was surely to be in his forge.
His head turned slightly to the right only seeing the repetitive existence of trees. But his nose would lead the way. He gestured Marea to follow him as the path of the scent would lead him to his goal. Eventually, the two had arrived to the infamous "Steel Demon's" forge.
Before Sin and Marea stood a large gazebo like structure in the middle of a clearing. The structure contained the forge and was where the smith worked on his weapons. Sin emerged from the bushes along with Marea. He began to approach the forge, taking note of the hanging pelts and the mounted Qunari horns greeting him. He detected the hint of something sweet as well upon entering. He then saw the origin of the sweet scent was a bundle of flowers tied together, resting on a small table near the entrance to the gazebo.
It had not changed since his last visit.
Upon taking his first step into the forge, he could see the Qunari standing over a wash basin, washing his hands. Once Sin had entered, the Qunari looked up from the basin and to Sin.
The Qunari and the Lycan looked at one another in silence. Ark turned his body to Sin and took a moment to study him, until he remembered, "You are the beast."
Sin nodded, "I return to inquire you. You hold answers that I am seeking. "
The Qunari looked puzzled, "I have no answers for you beast, begone."
How was he going to go about this? Why would a Qunari answer such an ambiguous question? This would be more difficult than Sin had anticipated. He watched as Ark approached the bucket of water where he picked up the tongs.
He had to say something to get a conversation going. A bard Sin had met in Amaranthine years before he became a warrior, was the one who had told him of Ark. It was just a tale the old man had spun for others' entertainment, but the bard claimed that one of the Steel Demon's weakness was that if you showed interest in its past, then you will eventually get what you want. Of course Sin and Ark's first encounter did not have such personal banter towards the Qunari but mainly to the young man who wanted a chance. Sin rolled the many questions he concocted in his mind, ready to be asked. He then spoke of only one, "You were a part of the Qunari army, yes?"
Ark released an irritated sigh, "Yes, I was."
"And what did you serve as?"
"I commanded a dreadnought, Meraad. She was a fine ship, my asala."
"If you had such a fine ship, then why are you blacksmith in Fereldan?"
The Qunari was silent. Perhaps that question would have to go unanswered. Just as Sin was about to speak, Ark overlapped him, "Our ship was bound for Seheron to rendezvous with the Arishok. We had just finished our reconnaissance in the Free Marches and were bound to complete our orders. But we had met a complication when ships from Tevinter flanked Meraad. "
"The dreadnought would still have the upper hand, no?"
The Qunari shook his head, "That was what I had thought. But even the strongest of structures can fall from wear and decay. Meraad was able to eliminate a few ships, but the dathrasi were closing in our position and we had only so much gaatlock to use as defense."
"You surrendered?"
"I would be a disgrace if I had surrendered. I did not take that approach. Instead as the ships were closing in on Meraad, I had set fire to the gaatlock, destroying the Tevinter ships but taking our dreadnought in the process."
Sin's eyes observed Ark's right arm, where he noticed several burn scars branded on his skin. An explosion like that would have killed him.
"How are you still alive?"
Ark turned to Sin. The slithering burn mark on the Qunari's neck faced Sin with the brand that only reminded Ark of his actions, "Perhaps it was luck that deserved me such a dishonor, or maybe it was chance. The tide had fortunately taken me to my destination, Seheron. I followed my duties and submitted my report to the Arishok. I then proceeded to explain to him about what had happened."
"Were you exiled?"
"No, he gave me another dreadnought and a new platoon."
It was difficult to tell if he was being serious or just sarcastic. He continued, "I began to contemplate a while after receiving my new platoon, about my old crew. In a way they are what you may call, 'family'. After what I had done, I was supposed to move on and become accustomed to my new platoon. But I could not."
A small smirk crept on Sin's lips, "It is difficult to know a Qunari could feel guilt or any emotions at all."
Ark stared blankly at Sin, "I am mortal like any human, elf or dwarf. I have humanity. Do not brand me like any other senseless Qunari you have met."
Sin's smirk remained for a moment but had returned to its neutral state. Arl was definitely different than other Qunari he had stumbled across. Sin continued, "So is that why you are in Fereldan?"
"I was sent to Fereldan along with the rest of the Baarasad to seek answers for the Arishok. But when we had docked, I disappeared and abandoned everything that I had became apart of. I donned the title 'Ark' and used my skills in craft to become a smith here."
"Do you think your platoon or the Arishok are looking for you?"
"Perhaps. To their knowledge, I am still preforming my duty. I am welcome to return whenever I wish."
Ark had turned from Sin and proceeded to go about his work. He must had assumed since he was done telling his life story, he could return to smithing. Sin stood in his place, in silence. His eyes darted to Marea who was only looking at Sin. He looked back to Ark about to state his next question, but Marea spoke over him, "If you could return, then why don't you? You have been here for enough time to mourn your comrades' death."
Ark tossed the metal into the bucket of water, "I could. But I would be leaving kadan here."
Sin had spoken quite enough for the Qunari to tell him what he needs to know. Vidar's words echoed within his mind, "Ask him about the Witch."
Sin cleared his throat before speaking, "You have been in this forest for a long time then. Do you know where I can find the Witch?"
The word was like a dagger, inserted into Ark's spine. He was frozen in place without a word to say to him. He dropped the other metal into the bucket, letting the hiss fill the silence, "What do you want with her?" he responded coldly.
"She may know something about my past that I have forgotten. I wish to speak to her of this topic."
Ark placed his tongs down and turned to Sin, "Your blade looks it could be re-enchanted. I can restore its strength. I can work on it while you visit her."
Sin narrowed his eyes in question. Why is he so willing to help him out of the blue? Was he hiding something? Regardless if he wanted to seek answers, this Witch must know much if this Qunari would defend her so, or perhaps he is leading Sin to his death. But he would have to bargain with Ark if he wanted to see the Witch.
Sin untied his scabbard from his belt and grabbed onto it. He then handed his precious sword to its creator. Ark took it graciously in his hands, "She lives not far from here. She is most likely further up the grove or at her hut near Southern Hills. "
Sin nodded and led Marea out of the gazebo. Upon taking his last step he spoke, "Take care of her for me."