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 8: Col of the Lady of the Skies

Avvar Village, Frostback Mountains === 9:39 Dragon Cloudreach

The mages were up before sunrise to meet in front of the Shaman's house. Clear but cool weather, with no wind, greeted them. They had practiced shifting into the Frostback finch form the night before. Rinae and Will tried again, wanting to make sure they had the details correct, before they flew up to the Lady's Col.

The Frostback finch, a small gray bird, nested at high elevations in grassy areas or near bogs. The Avvar often saw them flying through the Col. Seeing these birds should seem normal to the outlanders, as the Avvar had taken to calling the inhabitants of the Ice Keep. Once Rinae and Will had again shifted successfully, the three mages took off. As they climbed toward the Col, the Fereldan mages realized flying at this elevation was different. The air was dryer, there seemed to be less of it and they found it harder to breathe. Both Rinae and Will felt relieved to arrive at the cave behind the sky burial altar.

Inside the cave, the three mages shifted back to human and elf form.

"Maker," Will groaned. "Do you know what makes flying so much harder?"

"Not exactly, but it's not just flying. Walking up here is more tiring too, particularly for lowlanders. It even takes us a few weeks to acclimate after we spend the winter in the foothills."

"I think we should practice flying near the cave area today. It wouldn't be good if we give out near, or Maker forbid, in the Keep," Rinae said.

"I agree," Rhys said. "You can return here when you are tired. There's water at the back of this cave, fed by a natural spring. The Shaman came up last night and left us a food basket."

"Was that safe?"

"To come at night, yes. She can disappear into the shadows and there was no moon, so even though the dragons did fly last night, she was not detected. Her powers differ from those of lowland mages – well, those in your Kinloch Hold anyway. She can call on earth, air and water for powers, not just the Fade. "

"Some Dalish keepers have similar powers," Rinae said. "I hope I can speak with her once this is over. Such powers would be useful in battle. Does she have special healing powers as well?"

"Perhaps special to you. I'm not sure."

"We'll be sure to thank her, when we return. I think we'll need that food soon," Will laughed.

Rinae gave him a disparaging look. "Let's get some water and then shift. We'll return as we tire. No heroics today, agreed?"

Both men nodded. Rinae was Will's leader and Wentlyan treated her as an equal, so Rhys deferred to her as well. Although not as old as Wentlyan, Rinae must be almost thirty, which made her older than he and Rhyannon. He guessed Sofia was about his age. Will, barely out of his teens, was the baby of the group.

Once their thirst was slacked, Rhys shifted quickly and flew out of the cave. Rinae followed. Will slipped over to the basket first and ate some dried berries and cheese, before he shifted, flew out of the cave and along the edge of the snowfield. As he neared Rinae, Rhys skimmed by him and pecked his neck. Will took off after the Avvar mage. Rinae flew around the two male birds, but did not join in the chase. As they continued chasing each other, she worried that Will would tire, but refuse to acknowledge it and get too exhausted to make it back to the cave. Finally, she saw Will slowing and, to her pleased surprise, Rhys took the chase back towards the cave. The two male birds entered the cave, but Rinae decided to perch on the rocks above the sky altar and observe the Ice Keep. She found a spot with a puddle of rainwater and drank, then settled in to watch.

Rinae preened her feathers a bit, in case one of the Ice Keep's inhabitants noticed her. Her gray coloring should ensure that she blended into the rocks, but if the outlanders were from Orlais, their equipment might include eye scopes that brought distant things closer. Anora had given Loghain one. Probably the only Orlesian thing, other than his armor, that he liked. She did not want to take the chance that other shape shifting mages might observe her.

While perched on the rocks, she saw other finches flitting around the keep. Good, we do fit in, just as Wentlyan promised. Just then, one of the male birds flew out of the cave towards the Keep. I hope that's Rhys. She watched as he flew to the base of the Ice Keep then fluttered and circled his way to the top, before moving on to return along the ridge top. He disappeared behind the ridge and, finally, reappeared coming around the outcrop near where she perched. He flew past and entered the cave.

She immediately saw why Rhys had disappeared over the ridgeline. Two men appeared on the roof of the Keep. One shifted into a red dragon and flew off towards the east. That dragon then swung back to circle above the snowfield. Soon the other shape shifter became a dragon too, a dark mossy green one. The red and green colors stood out against the clear blue morning sky. They were beautiful. The two dragons soon rose above the Ice Keep and flew off to the northeast. As the Avvars promised, the dragons indeed left early in the day. She looked back to the Keep. The other men had left the roof. She flew into the cave and shifted.

"I think we should maintain a watch while we're here. If the Ice Keep inhabitants get bored, they might decide to investigate the altar and find the cave."

Rhys nodded. "A good idea. You stay and rest. I'll go perch above the altar as you did."

Will handed Rinae some bread, cheese and dried venison. Usually she preferred fruit for breakfast, but today the cheese and venison tasted quite good. "Maker, this flying up here is hard work. You would think we had never shifted into bird form before."

Will laughed, "I know. I'm exhausted chasing after Rys. I like him. He's a talented mage and fun."

"Fun!? I forget how young you are sometimes. Take a quick nap. I'll watch. You flew much more than I did. We'll fly again when Rys returns, then go back to the Avvar village after mid-day. These birds are active in the morning and then again later in the day, Wentlyan said. We can fly in the valley unobserved. It doesn't have the same elevation, but it should still help us acclimate."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Daylight arrived later in the valley. Alistair and Zevran woke first, when the sunlight penetrated their tents. The rest of the company slept. The heavy shutters, latched closed, kept their rooms dark.

"Shall I wake them?"

"Yes, the village is waking up. I'll build up the fire and put some water on." He noticed Zevran's uneasy glance. Chuckling he assured him, "Don't worry, I won't try to cook anything, although I can manage porridge with dried fruit. I'll wait for you."

The company filed out and gathered around the fire. Alistair spoke to them as they ate the porridge Zev had prepared with Sofia's help.

"Rinae and Will should return soon after mid-day. Until then, you have the morning to yourselves. Just be here for dinner and a meeting with our flighty mages later. We can't do any further planning until we have their report."

The company sat with Alistair, as Zevran handed out cups of tea.

"I'd like to capture some of these people in the Ice Keep. Take them back to Loghain for interrogation," Alistair said. He shook his head. "Maker's breath, dragons. This situation has so many bad outcomes I'm losing count."

Varric chuckled. "Makes for a good story though, Warden. One even my readers will find hard to believe."

Alistair frowned and gave him an annoyed look, while Zevran chuckled and poked him in the side. "Don't be so serious, my friend. They're not Archdemons."

"Right. Not so bad compared to the end of the world. Just Orlais and the Chantry working together with mages, but no templars…at least that's the likeliest explanation." He glanced at Fenris. "Or Tevinter."

Fenris nodded agreement. "Given Orlais' obsession with Ferelden, I think they are the most likely sponsors, but you are right, Alistair, it could be Tevinter. Holding Ferelden would give the Tevinters a bargaining chip with Orlais should they go to war."

Sofia shivered, "I don't want to imagine what might happen to the Fereldan Circle if Fereldan falls."

"Makers Hairy Toes," Alistair muttered, "Fergus and Anora have made strides on treating mages better. Shape shifting mages turning into dragons and attacking Ferelden could erase all that. It will set that policy back years and Loghain will lead the charge if the dragon mages are Orlesian. Ferelden could tear itself apart again."

"You assume the Templars and Seekers are not involved?"

"They're at odds with both the mages and the Divine, Zev. So yes, I do. That doesn't mean they won't do something in retaliation, catching Ferelden or the Circle in the middle."

"True, for either, the other way to 'fix' the Fereldan Circle is to make sure it's no longer Fereldan, while tearing the state apart. The Divine may well be working with the Empress and mages from the White Spire to accomplish this. Blame the Ferelden Circle for the dragon mages. Tear Ferelden apart from inside. Move in to take the Circle and then the state."

"That's why I want to capture at least one mage and one mercenary for interrogation."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The mages returned from the Col just after dinner and resumed their normal forms. After eating their meal, they sat down with the rest of the lowland company and Wentlyan, Rhyannon, Angharat, Howel and Maredudd.

"We will need another morning's practice, but I think we could practice, rest in the cave and then explore the Ice Keep in the afternoon tomorrow." Rinae spoke confidently. Will and Rhys nodded in agreement.

"So we will meet again tomorrow evening for your report. Then we can plan our attack."

"Make sure you include us, Alistair," Maredudd said. "We will join with your company. We can block the path, as well as give you more archers and melee fighters. We have an interest in ridding the Ice Keep of dragons too."

"Thank you. I'd hoped you would join with us."

"Father, perhaps we should have some sparring matches between our warriors and Alistair's."

"Not a bad idea, Angharat. Do you agree, Warden?"

"I do, Maredudd. Tomorrow? It will make the wait go by more quickly."

"Agreed. We'll arrange it then. You, Fenris, Isabela and Zevran against our best." He grinned. "And our best is very good lowlander."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Maredudd limped away from his match with Alistair.

"Haakon's Breath, lowlander, I never expected that kind of ferocity."

"I've been trained to fight since I was eight," Alistair replied. "and I'm a Grey Warden with templar skills. Be glad I didn't try smiting you."

"Templar skills?" Maredudd looked wary. "But you travel with mages."

"I…grew up in the Chantry. I trained as a templar for ten years, before I was conscripted into the Wardens. The templar skills work against darkspawn magic. I never took vows. I would have made a poor templar, anyway. I like mages. I think they should fight and heal and use their gifts…to serve the Maker as it were."

Maredudd looked relieved. "Ah, I was worried what we let into our midst for a moment. We've had run ins with your templars. They're not fond of our shamans."

"Or of the Dalish Keepers. I offer no danger nor do my people. You should have had less trouble of late. Ferelden becomes friendlier to mages every year."

"True, we've seen no mage hunters these past few years." The headman smiled. "I think I will go use the hot springs. Would you care to come along? Your people may join us." He nodded toward the caves on the cliff face. "They're up there. We've arranged some private areas for men and women."

"Sounds good, Maredudd. We'll join you."

"Just follow the sighs of contentment, lowlander."

Alistair gathered his company and let them know about the hot springs. The baths were a welcome relief after days of travel and the afternoon's sparring. When they came down to the fire refreshed, the evening meal was ready and the three shape shifters had returned.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"As Rhys told us, the entire tower is of ice. The dwarves carved into the base to create the ground floor and the first floor, which is why they are larger. One large room and a few smaller rooms off of it. The smaller rooms seem to be sleeping quarters or storage. The two floors above the original outcrop are dwarven built with ice blocks. Each upper floor has one room and a stairway to the next floor. The mages seem to have their common room and sleeping area on the second floor and a workroom on the third. The final stairway goes to the roof."

"The stairways are ice?"

"Yes, but covered with a rough cloth and sand, as are the floors. The cloth seems frozen to the floor, but did not appear to be slippery. At least, the mercenaries and mages were not taking any particular care as they walked around and batted us away," Rhys said, grinning.

"There aren't too many of them," Rinae said. "We saw two other mages, six mercenaries and three dwarves. They seem ready for a long stay, though. The mercenaries are well-armed warriors. There were a few bows, but they appeared to be hunting bows, not that they could not do damage, but I suspect the mercenaries will use their blades. Most used sword and shield, but there was a huge axe and a couple of two-handed swords. There was no way to tell what type of magic the mages practice. Or if they do blood magic."

"One interesting item, however," Will added. "They have birds, so they're communicating with someone. Once we defeat them, we could send a bird and Ri or I could follow it. Either of us could keep up with their birds as a hawk I think."

Rinae nodded her agreement.

"Let's talk about defeating them first," Fenris grumbled.

"it's a good idea Will, but Fenris is right, let's focus on defeating them. We'll go the day after tomorrow," Alistair said. "We're well rested and Rinae, Will and Rhys will be too, after a night's sleep."

"Why not tomorrow?" Maredudd asked.

"We need to gather supplies and get them to the cave. Tonight we take arrows, armor, weapons and some food and healing supplies. Tomorrow night we go up and stay in the cave. I want to walk up in leathers, not metal. No shiny. No noise. " He turned to Maredudd and Wentlyan. "Will that cave hold eight of us, plus you four, plus your fighters? Say twenty-five or thirty people? Or should the fighters come up later in the day? We can send some sort of signal. I don't want anyone out in the open when the dragons fly over to alert them."

Maredudd looked to Wentlyan who replied. "It's a large cave. It will hold thirty for one night. There's a second cavern behind the front one. I think your plan is wise, Alistair. Get the supplies, weapons and armor there first. It would be a shame to lose anyone for lack of healing."

"Then we have a plan?" Maredudd looked around him. "Alistair and his company; Wentlyan, Rys and me; and fifteen of our best warriors. Who will take responsibility for supplying the cave tonight?"

"Wentlyan and Zevran, if they agree," Alistair said. He looked at Rinae. "You need your rest. Show Zevran what you want to send up and he will take care of it, Rinae."

The mage nodded in agreement.

"I'll help," Angharat offered. "I know what our fighters might need. And a third back to carry the supplies won't go amiss."

Zevran grinned, "Nor will another pretty face, my lady."

Angharat snorted in a very unladylike fashion, "I'm getting used to you elf. Don't think the dark will give you any advantage."

"Ah, my lady, you wound me. But, I have two lovely ladies with me on this trek. If one rejects me I'll simply lay my head on the other's bosom."

Angharat looked at Zevran in shock, but Wentlyan laughed. "You might regret saying that Zevran. My…responses can be quite electrifying."

"Ah, I once knew a mage who used that to his advantage when seducing women. I've always wondered how it felt."

"Trust me, Zevran, you don't want to find out from me."

"Ah, well, I can try, yes?"

"Enough, Zev."

"Yes, my sweet warden."

Alistair frowned and rubbed his neck.

"Fine, fine Alistair. Enough it is."

Wentlyan, Angharat and Zevran went off, with Rinae in tow, to gather the supplies they would carry to the cave during the night. The rest of the company remained around the fire. Varric scribbled in a small book of blank parchment. Isabela and Fenris shared a bottle of wine and tried, unsuccessfully, to entice Alistair into a game of Wicked Grace. Instead, Alistair got up and wandered toward the meadow telling himself he would check on their ponies.

He did check the picket line where the ponies were tethered. They had food and water. He walked into the meadow until he came to an outcrop of rock. Sitting, his back against a smooth place on the rock, he looked up at the heavens. He hadn't looked at the stars in long while. Here, with the light from the village fires blocked, he could make out the line where the mountains met the sky. Along a jagged line stars appeared above and only blackness showed below. As he stared, his eyes fluttered close. Just for a moment. I'll go back in a moment.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Zevran, Wentlyan, Will and Angharat left the village with full packs. They followed the trail southwest through the meadow until it turned back upon itself to start up the cliff towering above them. Will had announced he would join them and provided good reasons when Rinae objected.

"I still wish you had cleared this with Alistair, Will." Rinae's voice had conveyed her annoyance as they filled the packs.

"Well, he isn't around is he? Having one of us stay up there and keep watch only makes sense. Rinae is needed for her leadership and healing. I am not. I'll stay in the cave most of the time, but I can fly about and perch on the cliffs to the east. I blend into the rock. They won't notice me. In fact, it's better that they see me there all the time and not wonder why birds appear then go away. Zev agrees and he's second in command."

"And I agree," Wentlyan assured him. "If I didn't, you wouldn't be leaving with us. I'll speak with Alistair when I get back."

The group moved easily and quickly up the cliff face, wanting to unload their supplies in the second cavern out of sight of the cave entrance and return before sunrise.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Alistair woke gradually, confused by his seated position on such hard surfaces. He opened his eyes slowly. Right. I'm in the meadow. I must have dozed off. Dark did not begin to describe the night. No moon, only stars. No light from fires in the village behind him. In front of him, he could still make out the jagged line, which marked the mountain peaks meeting the starry sky, but there was an even darker spot in the meadow. That dark spot moves? As he watched, a sheep bleated, then screamed. Wind buffeted Alistair, along with a flapping sound. A dark spot rose into the sky and blotted out a section of stars. One of the dragons had come hunting for easy prey.

Maker, did it even know I was here?

"I would guess not, my friend."

"Zev! Did I say that out loud?"

"Whispered."

"Did you see it?"

"Yes, I saw it land and realized you had not returned. So here I am, rushing to save you."

"Good job. I'm here and safe."

They both chuckled, realizing that it could have been very different had the dragon sensed or seen him.

"Perhaps you should come sleep in you tent? I thought you were there when I came back from the Col, but there were no snores. Then I remembered your penchant for star gazing."

"Thanks, Zev. I wasn't seen. Or he…she…it ignored me. Apparently, dragons don't have good night vision? And do shape shifters shift to a different sex? Aren't dragons female? How does that work?"

Zevran chuckled. "You are asking me about sex, Alistair?"

"No, no I was not. Just about dragons…gender and gender changes. I'll ask the mages in the morning." He turned and walked as quickly as the darkness allowed back to the camp.