Thanks for the review. Although it was never my intent to make him all powerful, I'll be sure to keep it in mind. And thanks again, because you gave me an idea of where to go with this chapter. Anyways readers, here's chapter two. I hope you enjoy.
"Absolutely nothing, you say?" her sultry voice echoed forth, a hint of amusement buried within. "You are absolutely useless to me. You realize that?" she continued with laughter. Ah, he missed the gentle teasing.
"Worthless, even, that you couldn't make it a single step past the gate of the city." The gentle, gentle teasing...
"Perhaps I should find some other willing, dimwitted Mage with the courage and ability to at least set foot inside!" her laughter continued. It was actually starting to sting a little bit, something he was sure she knew. After all, it never seemed to be enough until he felt like a worthless dog.
Staring up at her, even through the playful criticism, Amell couldn't force himself to play along. Her visits were too few and far in between for his tastes, and although he did love to hear her talk (hurtful comments or not), there was something more he'd rather be doing.
But that would have to wait. In such ways, she was almost like a cat. It had to be her idea, just like it always had been. If he so much as looked at her with a twinkle in his eye, she'd gleefully neglect him. He hated that about her, but then again, it was one of those traits that made her who she was. And that, he loved about her.
"But to think the guard would be so heavy..." she pondered aloud, staring down into his emerald eyes. "I can't say that I wasn't expecting it, but this must confirm there is something hidden within the Black City that is worth the peril." Although she wouldn't say it aloud, he knew that not even she who assigned him this mission had any idea what to expect.
They were essentially grasping at straws.
But her logic was sound. Just the gate was guarded with such intensity, so what could he possibly expect after actually passing through it? A horde of demons? A legion of them? An army? Some other name for a massive gathering that was sure to give him trouble?
"Well, I'd feel far more confident if you were with me, " he began, knowing that although it was a compliment, it showed weakness, which was something he had to correct, "But as long as I take care not to exhaust myself again, I doubt death will meet me quickly."
"Aha, well be sure not to. After all, I had intended on contacting you three days ago, but with your magic unavailable, I was left waiting." she reminded him once again, her hands bearing down on his chest as her eyes gave him a look he was somewhat familiar with.
Whoops. He'd pay for that.
It was the downside of what he was forced to do, however. Although using it put him out of commission for a few days, the situation a few days ago had called for it. Better to be put out of commission for a few days than forever.
The corners of his lips tugged at him until he formed a smile, staring back up at her as she gave him the look. He folded his arms, elbows out as he placed his hands as pillows behind his head. At times like this, it seemed that even a few days felt like forever.
"I don't plan on having to use it again. I don't care if the Archdemon himself shows up." he answered, confidence filling his voice, likely from knowing that the particular Archdemon in question would never show itself again.
"I shall be sure to keep her on a tight leash." Morrigan quipped mockingly as she leaned forward, her hands buried in his chest. It was a low-blow, especially considering the child in question had already nearly killed him at least twice.
"I wish you'd keep me on a tighter one..." he answered, his voice lowering as she approached.
She pressed her lips against his, parting them as she savored the taste, the feeling, everything. Although she would never admit it, especially to him, it was something he could tell she clearly missed. The feeling was mutual. Leaning his own head forward, his eyes closed as he briefly lost himself within their passion.
As they parted, his eyes opened to a sight. Her hands had risen to her hair, that beautiful onyx hair that he could stare at for hours. Rummaging through it, her eyes had begun to change. Lost was the light that guided her inquisition into his journey.
No, those were the eyes of a predator, particularly one with her prey in sight. He couldn't even hope to get away now, not that he'd ever want to. With one final tug, her hair tumbled down her shoulders. "Now, let us enjoy ourselves before the dawn."
"But first let me take care of that leash problem you're having..." the witch offered, intentions clear in her voice as a hungry grin formed on her face
It was going to be a long night, one that he had brought upon himself.
As the light of the sun broke through the leaves, casting their pattern across the landscape, Amell's eyes twitched briefly before slowly opening. Feeling the ring he wore now grow silent, realization hit him that his dream had ended.
As his elbow dug into the ground to prop him up, the Mage's free hand immediately felt at his neck. There was nothing there, but hey, with her you could never be too sure. Even now, he wasn't too sure.
"Where?" he asked himself groggily, his eyes scanning the area, yet seeing not a single elf, halla, or... anything.
"Ah, that's right..." Amell remembered. Several days ago, shortly after he awakened, the Keeper decided it was becoming too dangerous to harbor the Warden despite his phylactery having been destroyed years ago in the Siege of Denerim.
It was understandable, however. He was taking heavy risks by forcefully crossing the Veil every night, something that previously had been impossible without the use of lyrium or Blood Magic. Even beyond that, he had finally reached the Black City but had been stopped outside.
Her own curiosity had allowed him to travel with him as long as he had, but with the confirmation of so many high level demons residing within, it had become far too perilous to do so any further. If he were overpowered by their numbers, eaten, and then used as an avatar into their world, it would be a danger for the clan.
If he tore the Veil, which he had often attempted to convince her (and himself) was impossible with his spell, it could be the end of their Dalish clan for good. Thus, Amell couldn't blame her. It was her duty after all.
But now he was alone, something that had never been the case. He'd always had fellow apprentices or Enchanters, companions or soldiers alongside him. Even after he had left Vigil's Keep, he had not gone off alone. He had Dog, the Mabari Hound that had imprinted upon him back at Ostagar.
And then he had Morrigan again, not as a companion on a quest, but rather a companion in life.
But now, for the first time, he had nobody to converse with, nobody to fight with, nobody at all. It was discomforting, actually. Hero or not, he felt vulnerable and even lonely. It gave him a longing for the days of old.
But, Alistair was King. Wynne had passed, something he deeply regretted not being there for. He at least wanted to see her off. Shale had journeyed alongside her in search of a way to return to her mortal form. Sten had returned to his people, as had Zevran he'd assumed. Leliana had returned to the chantry, as far as he knew. Oghren, not surprisingly, had made a name for himself in the Grey Wardens. What was surprising was that it was a respectable one.
Anders, however, seemed to have made his own name infamous across the world. He, as the Warden had heard, was who ignited the war between Templar and Mage, something that threatened him as well. Already he had encountered Templar who, despite his status, tried to end him.
What had become of the others from Vigil's Keep he was unsure of. Justice he hadn't heard of since leaving, although Amell hoped he had found peace with himself for having possessed Kristoff's body. Nathanial Howe was another name he'd not heard since leaving the Keep, but it was possible he was still with the Grey Wardens. Velanna had vanished, as he was told, disappeared into the shadows of the Deep Roads. It was unfortunate, but not unexpected. Sigrun, however, had simply desired her own death. Shortly after he left, she did as well to seek it.
"As much as I'd like to see them all again, reminiscing won't solve any problems..." the Mage admitted.
Rising to his feet, his eyes caught his discarded robe thrown aside his bedroll. Strange, he didn't remember taking it off.
Clothing himself and taking a bite of some herbs he'd grown familiar with, Amell began to pack up camp. He'd rested enough. With his magic finally returned to him, his vitality restored, and a meeting with Morrigan to remind him what he was fighting for, the Warden was ready to set out.
He couldn't risk staying in this campsite any longer, himself. Templar would surely eventually feel the shimmer of magic in the area and come in pursuit. It wouldn't be wise at all to let them find him.
Throwing his pack over his shoulder, his staff in hand as a precaution, he set off for the deepest part of the forest. Still, a thought nagged at him.
Could he really take on the entire Black City alone? Going in fresh and prepared, it was likely that he could get through the gate and actually step foot in the city. But from that point on, he knew nothing of what was in store. Demons were one thing, but what else would he encounter?
'It all seems like a huge risk...'
As he considered, no answer seemed to stick out to him as a viable way of exploring the city. It slowly became clear to Amell that not even he could do this alone. He'd need some sort of help.
'But who would be brave enough, foolish enough, outright STUPID enough to venture into the Black City just because someone else asks them to?' the Mage asked himself inwardly, careful to purposely avoid making the connection between his questions and the very reasons he himself dared make the quest.
Could he ask the Grey Wardens? Surely as a Hero of their order who lead the assault on the last Archdemon they would at least consider it, right? It was possible, but then again, the Grey Wardens traditionally only dealt in Darkspawn when they could help it. Although he had seen Darkspawn within the Fade before, that was not going to be sufficient enough to warrant them to move with him.
He couldn't ask any of the Dalish clans he knew of. Some were still recuperating from their losses in the various skirmishes that had resulted from the Templar warring on magic. There were others he knew would help him in any way they could, but had wandered into mystery themselves. It would take too long to locate them.
He considered his options for hours as he trekked, the bush getting thicker as he went. Cutting through branches and thorns, his mind lost in his thoughts, Amell's sore arm came to a stop as he had finally reached the center. Breaking free from his ponderings, surprise overwhelmed the Warden.
"Y-you... have got to be kidding me..."
"Hello."
What appeared to be a small army of Dragonlings, about a dozen Drakes, and an actual, honest to the Maker Dragon itself were scattered about the ground. A river of blood painted the grass and the trees and everything else that could be found within the area. And standing in the middle of it all scratching his own butt was that funny little Dwarf. Again.
"Have you seen the nice lady?" he asked, not bothering to acknowledge the carnage surrounding him.
"Nice lady? I'm afraid I haven't. Uh, Sandal? Where's Bodhan?" Amell asked carefully. Sandal never failed to impress him, both with enchantments AND well... this. That said, although he respected Sandal, even considering him one of his companions, the boy was not the greatest conversationalist.
"He's with the nice lady in the pretty palace." he answered simply.
This was going nowhere, and without Bodhan it probably wouldn't go much further any faster. A palace? And who was this nice lady? Amell could ask questions all day, but there was no guarantee it would get them anywhere.
"Please help me." Sandal asked, staring at him with a blank expression, as if trying to wrench the Warden's heart so that he couldn't possibly say no.
With a sigh, shaking his head, Amell nodded. "Alright. Alright, alright, let's go." he answered with a laugh, waving his hand to beckon Sandal follow. "We'll figure out where Bodhan is and get you back to him."
For the moment, his thoughts and ponderings would have to wait. Although time was quickly counting down until what Morrigan predicted came to pass, it would do no good rushing it and getting himself into a dangerous predicament.
But still, he couldn't help but realize, at least one of his problems was solved for the moment. He was no longer alone, and the company was good. And perhaps he could improve the boy's dialogue along the way.
Another chapter out and about. I'll be honest with you readers, I'm essentially writing this story as I go along. The entire story came about with me wondering what is inside the Black City. I only have a vague idea about how I want to plot to go down, so I pretty much have to fill it as I go so that it reaches that. Anyways, thanks again for reading.