DISCLAIMER: Dragon Age, Dragon Age Origins, Dragon Awakenings, Dragon Age II, The Stolen Throne, The Calling, Asunder and all Dark Horse Comics are property of Bioware™ and Electronic Arts ™.
SPOILER WARNING: This story may contain spoilers for Dragon Age games, books and comics.
A/N: This story uses characters from my I Shall Endure universe. It does not follow the plot line or reveal the outcomes of the I Shall Endure series.
FROZEN DRAGONS
Chapter 6; Avvar Village
Avvar Village, Frostback Mountains === 9:39 Dragon Cloudreach
Walking west from the meadow where they met the Avvars, Alistair's company passed through the narrow, twisting canyon seen on the map. The canyon opened gradually to reveal the shelters of the Avvar village before broadening into another meadow. The left canyon wall rose behind the village to the southeast. The right canyon wall sloped down into the meadow. The path continued beyond the village, turning left to ascend to what must be the Col of the Lady above them.
"You speak the Common Tongue. Is that true of everyone in your clan?" Alistair asked Howel.
"Most of them speak it to some degree. We do trade in the border towns and even Honnleath at times. Our language is not so different from the lowland tongues."
"I'm glad as that will make our discussions easier. It makes for fewer misunderstandings."
Similar to the Dalish, the Avvar moved with the seasons. For the Avvars, the availability of grazing for their sheep and goats and of game for their hunters determined the locations of their villages. They had sites at which they established shelters to which they could return. Wattle-and-daub long houses lined the path for this summer village.
The clan had only recently moved from their winter camp in the foothills to this summer site high in the Frostbacks. The companions looked about as they entered the village. Chickens roamed the village, undisturbed by the village dogs, which rested near the doors of most buildings. Sheep grazed in the meadow to the west. Goats wandered freely. The only disturbing sight was a burnt trail running through the meadow, the village and into the more enclosed area at the canyon's end. Several buildings showed traces of fire and smoke.
The Avvar group, which had intercepted the lowlanders, were hunters. In addition to escorting the lowlanders, they returned with field dressed game. On arrival, most of the hunters congregated in the central area to distribute the game. Angharat and Howel directed the foreigners to a large house on the north side of the village by the stream, which ran out of the canyon. The company of lowlanders settled on benches in front of the long house and watched as the Avvar villagers greeted their hunters and took their share of the meat. An older man observed the process, clearly ready to step in should a dispute occur. Once the hunters' bounty was shared, the man walked toward the lowlanders with Angharat and Howel at his side.
Alistair stood as the three Avvars approached. The rest of his company followed his lead.
"Father, these are the lowlanders we met on the trail," Angharat said. "Their leader is Grey Warden Alistair."
"Warden Alistair, this is my father, Maredudd, our headman."
"I'm not sure how I should address you, sir. Is simply Maredudd acceptable?"
The headman smiled. "It is, Warden Alistair. We do not stand on ceremony as you lowlanders do. Everyone knows my position. I do not need it announced each time someone speaks to me."
"I admire that. Please, call me Alistair. This company does not stand on ceremony either. As you can see, we are a mixed group with no titles."
"An interesting one, to be sure, Alistair. One which can, perhaps, defeat the enemies who now inhabit the Col of the Lady above us. As you can see, the dragons visited to warn us away from the Lady's Col." He nodded toward the path of burnt grass and dirt.
"They bothered you only once?"
"Twice. As long as we avoid climbing to the Lady's Col, they leave us alone. They seem more interested in flying over the foothills to the east. A few of our people spoke with Arl Wulff's scouts. The dragons were not so kind to his troops. The dragons attacked as soon as they entered the first range of the Frostbacks."
"Yes, we met with the Arl in Honnleath. He said the dragons broke off the attack as soon as his men retreated. I wonder they did not attack us."
"Perhaps you don't look threatening. You have the appearance of a trading party, not a war band, with your ponies, women and elves. The dragons did not attack the scouting party the Arl sent. It was that party who spoke with us."
Alistair chuckled. "We didn't intend the camouflage, but glad it worked. Our elves and women may surprise the dragons and the hunters."
"We need to discuss that, Alistair. Our shaman should join us for that talk, but first you group should get settled. The house behind you is empty. Your company can use it while you remain with us. If you need to set up some tents here in front, please do so. Your ponies can join our sheep and goats in the meadow. Why don't you settle yourselves. When you are ready come to the large house at the end of the path." He pointed to one of the larger houses with a chimney. "We will have a meal waiting."
"That is most generous of you, Maredudd. Can we contribute some food for the evening? Or perhaps…we still have a small keg of ale."
"Ale never goes amiss, Alistair. Yes. We would happily accept that contribution."
The company entered the empty house to find a large common room with a smoke hole in the roof. At either end of the building two rooms had been partitioned off. Alistair assigned one to Isabela and Fenris, one to Zevran and Varric, one to Rinae and Sofia and the final room to Will.
"I'll pitch my tent in front," Alistair added. "And not that I don't trust our hosts, but I think we should continue our watch rotations, although only one person should be necessary. I am easily awakened, should the need arise. Also, for now, keep the shutters on the windows closed and latched."
"Alistair, if you don't object, I'll pitch my tent in front as well," Zevran offered. "Not that I mind your company, Varric, but I don't think our leader should be outside alone."
"I agree, Daffodil. In fact, Bianca and I will take first watch and let the two of you sleep."
"I'll take second watch," Fenris offered.
"And wake me for third," Zevran said.
"Wait, that means-
"-you get to sleep through the night, Warden," Varric confirmed. "You haven't had a night without a watch since we left Higheverport. You're due."
"I think we should continue to pair up," Rinae said. "Sofia can take first, with Varric; Will can take second with Fenris; and I will take third with Zevran. If the dragons or hunters appear, you will need a mage."
"Well, that's taken care of I think. Thank you all for your enthusiasm. I'll try to sleep." Alistair smiled ruefully. "Not something I do very well, usually."
"Drink enough, Warden, and you'll do fine."
Alistair leveled his gaze at Varric. "You sound like another dwarf I know. "
"Not surprising. It is known in Orzammar."
"Yes, well, I do differentiate between passing out and sleeping. Fortunately, we're fresh out of dwarven ale. The Honnleath Homebrew will have to suffice."
Varric chuckled. "It'll do Warden, it'll do."
Alistair went out to set up his tent. Zevran joined him. The others went to stow their gear, finding each room set up with two cots. A rough table stood between the cots below a heavily shuttered window. All the simple furnishings could remain when the Avvars moved to a site in the foothills for the winter. The shutters kept most animals and weather out.
Once the company stowed their gear in their rooms, they congregated outside the house. Alistair led them to the Maredudd's long house, where Angharat greeted them and invited them into the large building. This house had a huge hearth with a chimney at one end. The hall held three tables, much as any lowland noble's would. One table in front of the hearth for the headman, his family and honored guests. Two longer tables extended at right angles from either side of the head table.
As the company entered, Maredudd looked at his son. "Howel, if you would."
The young man left and returned with a middle-aged woman.
"This is our shaman, Wentlyan," said Maredudd. "She will tell you more about the…dragons, but first food."
Alistair sat at the head table with Maredudd and Wentlyan. His company sat to the Maredudd's right at the long table.
The shaman smiled at Alistair as they sat down to eat. At first Maredudd, Wentlyan and Alistair discussed his group, their talents and what he had learned of the dragons and dragon hunters. When he finished, Wentlyan offered what she had learned.
"I cannot tell you the purpose of the dragons or the hunters, but I can tell you they are one and the same."
"One and the same?" Alistair asked, puzzled
"The dragons are mages, shapeshifters, if you are familiar with that type of magic."
Alistair laughed.
It was not the reaction Wentlyan or Maredudd expected. The shaman spoke angrily. "There is such magic I assure you."
"No, no you mistake my reaction and I apologize. I am well aware that mages can shape shift. I traveled with a shape shifter during the Blight. She was invaluable. And her mother…well, she could shift into a dragon. Actually we killed her in that form when she attacked us."
"You fought a shape shifter who became a dragon?"
"We did. Zevran was with me. He can confirm that."
"What…who were these mages? We thought your Chantry did not approve of such magic."
Alistair smiled. "They don't. The mages in question were not Circle mages. The Chantry would call them apostates."
"I see. So you believe my interpretation?"
"I'd like to know more, but I don't question that shape shifting into a dragon is possible. I also know it takes a powerful, experienced mage to do so. I would like our mages to join this discussion, however. As it happens, two of them shape shift as well." He looked sheepish under her glare. "I'm sorry, but, as you point out it's not a common talent. We don't announce that our mages have that skill."
Wentlyan raised her eyebrows. "I over reacted. I understand your reluctance to divulge that talent, but you surprise me again, Alistair. That you would allow the use of such unusual magic."
"Well, as I said, Fereldans learned a lot during the Blight. Grey Wardens have always used mages. We will do whatever it takes to end a Blight. Since the Blight, the Fereldan Army understands how to use mages in its army as well. Rinae, Will and Sofia are part of the Fereldan army, serving as free mages. Will and Rinae shapeshift in addition to their other talents."
"Good, that will make my observations easier for them to accept. Let's meet with your company after the meal and I'll tell you what we saw when we went up to the Lady's Col last month."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Alistair and Wentlyan left Maredudd's house and walked to their quarters. Maredudd, Howel and Angharat joined them. The rest of the company soon followed. Zevran and Rinae, sitting nearest the head table, had heard portions of the conversation between Alistair and Wentlyan. Their curiosity was piqued.
A small fire blazed in front of the long house, lending some warmth to the tents pitched there. Logs and benches had been placed around the fire. A young man and woman, clearly related, stood as the group approached.
"I see my apprentices have been busy," Wentlyan said, approvingly. "Rhys and Rhyannon, please stay. You witnessed as much as I did on our trips to the Lady's Col." She turned to the company. "Please, seat yourselves. Nothing I will tell you is secret. Unless, you have secrets you do not wish divulged, I think sitting here will be more pleasant than crowding indoors. Rhys and Rhyannon are twins and my apprentices."
Alistair stood. "I think introductions may be in order. Maredudd, Howel and Angharat, you've met our company, but Shaman Wentlyan has not." Alistair proceeded to introduce his companions and let the mages know he had revealed their talents to Wentlyan. He then sat and waited for the Shaman to begin.
"We arrived in your month of Guardian, to prepare the village for the rest of our people. Certain…rituals must be performed before we can reclaim this site. Some of those rituals require that we climb to the Col of the Lady of the Skies. There is a sky burial altar there. We take the remains of those who have died since we left in the autumn and offer them to the Lady of the Skies."
She noticed the interest that revelation aroused. "If you wish to discuss our beliefs or rituals there may be a time for that later, once we have dealt with the dragons. Please, let me continue."
The mages and Varric, in particular, had looked about to ask questions, but acquiesced to the request.
"We climbed to the Lady's Col to arrive before sunrise. As daylight illuminated the snowfield, we were surprised to find a Keep constructed of ice on the west side. That spot had always held an ice outcrop with caves, but now it showed evidence of human or dwarven construction." She glanced at the elves. "I don't mean to imply elves couldn't build such a thing, but we rarely see elves in the high Frostbacks."
Rinae nodded her acceptance of the Shaman's explanation.
"The…Ice Keep… I don't know what else to call it…the Ice Keep's upper floors seem to be built of ice blocks. It appears to have a flat roof surrounded by a parapet. We decided to ignore the Ice Keep, since we saw no signs of habitation. Our ritual requires we begin as the rising sun touches the altar. Apparently, those in the Keep did not rise that early. During the past winter, the clan suffered only a few deaths, so we completed the prescribed tasks quickly.
"Just as we finished we head a roar and turned to see a dragon on the roof of the Keep. It took off and flew in our direction. Fortunately, the altar lies against the cliff face. We quickly ran into the cave behind the altar. An overhang protects the cave entrance. It prevented the dragon from shooting fire directly into the cave's mouth. We heard the dragon and felt the heat from the flames for a long time. Finally, it seemed to tire and left.
"Rhys," she smiled at the young man and then at the mages, "Rhys can shape shift. He became a finch, to best escape notice, and flew out of the cave to see if the dragon had indeed left. It had. We quickly left the Col and returned to the village. The dragon had already been here scorching the path you can see between the canyon mouth and the meadow.
"We decided Rys should try and see what was going on at that Keep. He climbed to the cave in darkness and hid until the sun rose. Then he flew to the Keep. That's when he learned why there was a dragon in an Ice Keep. The dragon is a mage, a shape shifter. In fact, there are two who can shape shift into dragons. There are others there as well. At least two other mages and several soldiers. We do not know their purpose.
"As long as we do not climb to the Lady's Col, they leave us alone. They returned once to terrorize the village after the rest of the clan arrived. They took a sheep and scorched a path through the village. That was over a month ago. We remain here below and they do not bother us for now."
Alistair turned to Rhys. "What did you see in the tower?"
"There are four mages and five or six soldiers," as the Shaman said, "and three dwarves. They seemed to be artisans or builders, not soldiers. Perhaps they built the Ice Keep?"
"Rinae, if you feel you can penetrate the Ice Keep, I'd like further intelligence. Perhaps fly there, then change into mice? I don't know. Is that even possible?"
"It is Warden. Will and I can both do that, but it's ice, so we will be more visible than mice in a stone Keep."
"Right. Any other suggestions?"
"Birds. If the windows are not shuttered, we can just fly through. Shape shifting is not a common skill. If two or three birds fly through, I doubt it will occur to them that they are shape-shifted mages. If we stay too long, the mages might sense our magic, but if we fly through, they shouldn't." She looked at Will and Rys, "Do you agree?"
"It's true, if we keep moving we should not be detected." Rhys said. Will nodded his agreement. "I'd suggest we wait until the dragons leave, however. They keep to a regular schedule. They leave early every morning and return by dark. We'll have the whole day."
Alistair frowned. "Which way do they fly?"
"West or northwest. Towards the lowlands."
Alistair and Zevran looked at each other.
"They could wreak havoc with the Bannorn farmlands; the orchards and grazing lands on Lake Calenhad's west shore; the shipping on the lake; and the towns from Honnleath to Rainesfere, including Redcliffe." Alistair rubbed his neck. "They could destroy the food supply for the whole country.
"Orlais?" Zev asked.
"Or the Chantry. Or both. Orlais has its own political problems. It can't spare the troops to attack, unless Ferelden were seriously weakened again. The Chantry may be providing the mages, with or without templar approval. The Chantry outside Ferelden aren't happy with Fergus and Anora's policies toward mages. Or with the Ferelden Circle's open door to mages fleeing from the north. They could offer the mages in the White Spire or elsewhere a chance to get away by serving Orlais' interests."
Alistair looked at the mages seated around the fire.
"Rinae and Sofia reluctantly nodded.
Will spoke. "It is possible mages would jump at the chance to be free of a Circle Tower and templar oversight. That is, if there are no templars in this Ice Keep."
Rhys and Rhyannon shook their heads. "The soldiers are mercenaries, not templars. We can sense the mage hunters." He looked at Alistair as he said this, causing the warden to flush.
"It's an ingenious plan, Warden, you have to give them that." Varric looked from the human to the elf.
Zevran laughed. "It is Varric. And a desperate one. What's to stop these mages from turning on their masters and devastating the Orlesian farmlands to the west?"
"Calm down, kitten," Isabela whispered.
"Calm?" Fenris hissed. "Zevran makes a good point. What is to stop any of these mages from joining the dragons and turning on us?"
"They're not Anders. They're not possessed. They're Fereldan. They may be mages, but they're all Fereldans. They won't betray their homeland or see it devastated again."
"You can be sure of that, Isabela? That demons will not possess them?" He got up and stalked into the long house. Alistair watched him, then felt a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll calm him down," Isabela assured the warden. "He won't be happy, but he will follow your lead. His hatred of mages, it's complicated, but he can be sensible. He also has friends who are mages. The Champion was a friend."
"The Champion of Kirkwall?"
"You knew him…sort of."
"He gave me a few jobs, yes, when I first got to Kirkwall and was sober enough. Fenris was along on several. And yes there were mages, too." He sighed. "Please, do what you can Isabela."
She leaned down and whispered in his ear, while caressing his neck. "I will do more than that, sweet thing. I always do."
Alistair chuckled, turned back to the group. "Yes, I have templar skills, to answer you're unasked question, Rhys. Our mages know this. I am not a templar. I've not taken vows nor do I support their mission. I will use my skills against enemies. Against darkspawn emissaries and against any mage who attacks my company."
Wentlyan smiled. "We accept that, Warden. Thank you for being open and honest with us."
"So, can we scout tomorrow? Rinae and Will, are you rested enough or do you need a day?"
"Let us try tomorrow," Rinae said. "I don't know how difficult flying to the top of the Col will be. I suggest we fly to the altar, then meet in the cave to see if we are strong enough to go farther." She looked to Rhys for confirmation.
"I agree. Rinae and Will need to learn to fly at the elevation of the Col. It is different. I also need to show them how to shape shift into a bird common in these parts. It's one they would see flying around the Col everyday called the Frostback finch in the common tongue."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Isabela walked into their room. Fenris lay on his cot facing the wall. She unsheathed her blades and removed her throwing knives, leaving then on a table by the cot, within easy reach. Next, she sat on the other cot to remove her boots, making sure her boot knives went on the table as well. She curled up on the cot behind Fenris, still not speaking.
Fenris grunted, acknowledging her presence. "No lectures."
"No, Fenris, no lectures. You will give yourself better lectures than I ever could."
He snorted. "Shall I speak them aloud then?"
"No. I've probably already heard them all and yet, I'm still here."
"They're not so bad, really. I've certainly met worse."
"Oh yes? You refer to blood mages and perhaps possessed ones that blow up large buildings?"
"He could have been useful, healing…let's not talk about him or Merrill. The mages here are useful to their people. I cannot deny that. Nor do they try to control anyone. It's the ones in the Ice Keep which worry me."
"The ones we plan to kill."
"Yes, I will relax when we succeed."
"Oh, I think you will relax before that, sweet thing," Isabela whispered nibbling at his ear.
"You think so?"
Isabela's hand slipped under the light woolen tunic Fenris had put on after their arrival. She ran her fingers along the lyrium tattoos she knew so well. Fenris shivered at her light touch. It tickled and hurt and aroused him. She could arouse so many sensations with a simple touch. Too much pressure and the lyrium brands ached, but Isabela had learned the exact pressure needed to bring the perfect blend of pleasure and pain. She moved from his ear to his neck, kissing and licking the tattoos there while she continued to stroke his stomach and chest.
"Isa, I'm still angry."
"…but not at me."
"No, but-"
She leaned over him and captured his lips in a kiss stopping his words. He rolled to his back. His hands ran down her sides. Abruptly, he flipped her over. She yelped in surprise then chuckled.
"But you plan to take it out on me Fenris?"
He pushed a knee between her legs and reached up to loosen the ties on the short tunic she wore. He slowly slid his hands up under the tunic to push it over her head. It took her scarf with it, letting a flow of dark hair tumble around her face. Leaning down he took a dark, stiffening nipple in mouth, nipping then laving it while his fingers rubbed and squeezed its twin. Isabela turned her head from side to side, her chest beginning to heave as Fenris kept his knee between her thighs, almost touching her center. She strained to rub against him, but failed as he held her in place with a hand on her breast and the other on her hip.
"Fenris. Maker, it's been too long." She pushed his tunic up and he released her to let her push it over his head. He then ran his hands down her sides to her smalls. Tracing along their edge as she arched he moved his knee to her side, straddling her and slipped her smalls down below her knees. He put his knee between her legs again, pushing down the smalls with his heel. He sat back for a moment to admire her body.
"Enjoying the view, kitten?
Fenris' deep chuckle sent shivers down her spine, but she replied, "I'm getting bored." She started to sit up.
Fenris pushed her down and bent to trace his fingers up one thigh while kissing his way up the other, carefully avoiding her core. He reversed the attentions, again skipping over her dark, dampened curls.
Isabela moaned as he captured her wrists and said, "No, still my turn. Yours will come later."
Fenris dotted kisses up her stomach then turned his attention to her right nipple again nipping and sucking, while pinching and twisting the left. Then, leaving the wet right nipple open to the cool air, he moved his mouth to the left. The slight breeze blowing across her right nipple from the open shutter worked in concert with his nipping and laving on the left nipple and she arched trying to reach him.
His right hand drifted down Isabela's side to her stomach, swirled around her navel and continued traveling. He teased her running fingers through her now wet curls, gently touching her other lips and slipping his fingers along her wet slit making her jerk her hips upward in response. He finally slid down to suck her most sensitive spot. As he sucked, he slipped a long finger inside, thrusting gently at first. Isabela moaned and arched.
"Fenris. Yes. Please."
His other hand caressed her side. Her hips arched up to reach his hand anything to relieve the need.
"Please, Fenris, please."
He lifted his head and stopped moving.
"No. Don't stop." She arched and writhed beneath him, unable to satisfy herself. "Fenris you will pay for this."
He chuckled before leaning down to kiss her. "I hope so." He returned his attention to her nipples as he thrust a second finger into her wetness and cupped her, letting her arch into him. She shuddered arching harder as he added a third finger, thrusting harder..
His mouth and other hand continued to care for her nipples and massage her breasts. His fingers continued to thrust. Isabela arched and shuddered moaning his name. Finally, he replaced his fingers with his penis thrusting harder. Panting she arched against him again and again until she released and he followed her.
He sank down on top of her, rubbing himself against her stomach, as she relaxed, still panting.
He nibbled his way up her neck to her ear. "Now, Isabela, the payback you promised."
She grinned. "You promise to behave with the mages?"
"I promise."
"Then, sweet thing, payback you shall have."