Nathaniel had once seen a drake.
It had been far away, almost looking like a bird as it soared over a distant mountain.
They're bigger up close. Diving under the sweeping claws of the small dragon Nathaniel bit down a curse. I never want to meet a high dragon up close if this is supposed to be a small one. Even as he straightened he watched the creature swing around the large hall they had entered, its red scales looking like liquid fire as they reflected the light from the sparse lamps covering the walls.
With a loud crash it landed on the ground, next to its now decidedly dead kin, its long neck leaning forth as it growled at a calm Lynn tearing her weapons out of the dead dragon she had practically wrestled to the ground with the aid of a still panting Mhairi.
The next moment Nathaniel's arrow thudded into its leg...not even enough to draw its attention. Eyes it is. Before Nathaniel could take aim the ground under the creature heaved. The flat stones of the floor breaking apart as thick roots of dark wood came rushing up. Wrapping themselves around the creature's four legs and even going so far as to close around its torso.
A rumbling hiss escaped the dragon as it tugged at the roots, only for the strange bindings to tighten around its limbs, pinning it to the ground. Nathaniel shot Velanna a look, finding the Dalish mage stalking forth, her eyes a strange hue of glowing green as she held her staff raised above her head. Huh...neat trick... He shook his head and focused back on the dragon. Better make the most of it.
Before he could use the opportunity offered crackling lightning struck the creature, Anders advancing with his staff levelled, the tip shooting a dozen bolts of continuing rays of energy over the dragon, making its scales sizzle as a high pitched shriek escaped it.
It didn't die.
Grunting Nathaniel notched another arrow and pulled the string back behind his ear, eyes narrowing as he watched the creature swing its head back and forth in agony, its body slowly tearing it free from the snug fit of the roots closed around it. Left, right, left, right...loose!
The arrow struck the creature's right eye in an explosion of gore, turning the shrieking into a shrill cry as its legs finally tore themselves free from the roots covering them. Yet it didn't die, the head twisting and turning as it tried to get shake itself free of the arrow stuck in its ruined eye, its shrill cry making Nathaniel stagger back in pain.
Then Mhairi was there, her shield swinging about...and striking the end of the arrow head on...driving it deep into the creature's skull.
A shudder...and the creature collapsed.
Panting Nathaniel heard the mages next to him do the same, both exhausted from the many spells they had cast. Personally I'm surprised the Dalish isn't unconscious...she's cast twice as many spells as Anders... Mhairi was in better shape, the intense pace of fighting better suited for her apparently...which the small grin on her lips as she kicked the head of the dragon showed. Ah, bet you think yourself as a dragon slayer now...Nathaniel shook his head as he searched for Lynn.
The Commander had already moved on, having apparently had confidence in their ability to finish off the monster. How kind of her... Nathaniel had no time to roll his eyes at the Commander's behaviour though as he saw what she was moving towards.
Velanna spotted them too, her panting becoming hitched as she began to run, exhaustion once more forgotten. Grunting Nathaniel moved to follow, pushing his growing light-headedness aside with an effort of will as he heard the other two scramble to catch up. "Seranni!"
The blighted elf stood at the very far end of the large hall, face sad and downcast as she pressed her hands together close to her lap, looking like a scolded child despite her ghoulish features. And to her right...the pale purple face of the emissary was all too familiar, making Nathaniel shudder. The man...creature...towered over the elf, taller then even a hurlock, tall and spindly built, as if sick. It was dressed in a long and purple robe that looked worn beyond years, a gnarled black staff in its right hand as the left was drapped over the shoulders of the elf, as if supporting her.
It was an eerily human gesture.
"Seranni!" Velanna's cry echoed over the hall as the Dalish ran forth, only to come to a stumbling halt as her sister raised her head, the milky eyes shinning with yet unshed tears.
"You will die." Lynn didn't stop, her weapons drawn as she advanced upon the pair, apparently unfazed by the crying ghoul as well as by the staff held by the tall and spindly emissary. Should I even be surprised?
"I do not desire a battle at this time." The emissary replied, its voice slow and strangely smooth, giving the impression that each word was weighted and measured before being allowed to leave its lips. "Neither should you."
The elf didn't slow, steps fast and measured as she closed the distance. "Your wishes mean nothing."
"Very well." The emissary waved his staff, the grip on the shoulders of the blighted elf tightening...and suddenly the pair begun to fade.
"Seranni!" Velanna repeated, the Dalish once more animated as she rushed forth.
The blighted elf only shook her head, a transparent tear running down a fading cheek...and then she was gone.
Leaving Velanna to stumble to a stop, her staff falling from limp fingers. "S-seranni?" Her voice was soft, confused...pained. "Seranni..."
Slowly, meekly...the elf slipped to her knees. Spent.
Silence.
Nathaniel grimaced, but didn't know what to say, what could he say to someone whose sister had just chosen to leave her for a monster? Anders didn't seem all that happy either, the mage silently sighing where he stood, watching the elf with sympathy in his eyes. Mhairi on the other hand seemed torn, the woman smirking slightly at the pain inflicted upon the criminal, yet her eyes were conflicted, remembering what it was like to lose someone.
Only Lynn seemed unfazed, the elf having turned to look down at the Dalish, her weapons sheathed as with a cocked head and crossed arms she regarded the other woman. Nathaniel felt disgust well up within him at the sight, there was...something in the Commander's eyes, cold calculation. She planned this...Maker... Nathaniel felt a shiver run up his spine.
"She is not dead." The Dalish didn't react to Lynn's words, the Commander's words slow and measured, intent on penetrating the haze of grief of the other woman. "She is alive somewhere, as a darkspawn." The elf shuddered at Lynn's words, but said nothing. "Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn." A flinch, life. "Find them."
Velanna shot to her feet, the elf all fire and decisiveness again, despite the slight shaking of her shoulders. "They can!" The words were hissed as a bony hand shot out to steady the Dalish against Lynn's shoulder, revealing just how tired the constant spell-casting had made the elf. "Please, anything...make me one!"
Lynn's eyes were dead, yet Nathaniel could feel the victory behind them, the knowledge that she had twisted the situation to her own ends, fooled another into her growing army...and it disgusted him. She held Velanna's gaze though, not noticing his grimace. "You have to obey my orders."
Mhairi's gasp of disbelief was barely audible over Velanna's intense hiss: "Done."
"You have to defend both elves and humans."
"Done!" Velanna's hiss turned into a growl, the hand on Lynn's shoulder tightening its grip as she visibly swayed where she stood.
Lynn's cocked her head further to the side, eyes narrowing. "Your life as a Dalish will be over."
"D..." The woman finally hesitated, her head dropping as the hand not gripping Lynn's shoulder rubbed her temple. She swayed back and forth even more now, a tree about to fall. "...done...just...I must find her..."
Nathaniel swallowed, sudden shame washing over him. Shame of being a warden, of Lynn being his Commander and tricking the Dalish...of never having done such a thing for his now dead family.
Lynn merely nodded. "Then this is your punishment for slaying those merchants." Mhairi gasped, but Anders hand on her shoulder stopped her from crying out in protest. "You will become a warden."
Velanna looked up at Lynn, both hands suddenly on the shorter elf's shoulders as she stared at her Commander, her voice but a hiss. "Then it is done..."
She fell, crumpling into a pile, eyes closing as unconsciousness took her.
Silence.
Nathaniel moved, walking over to the unconscious woman he scooped her up into his arms, the elf weighing no more then a feather, despite Nathaniel's weariness. Even unconscious there was a...harshness to her face, as if she was glaring at her dreams. Nathaniel sighed and turned his head to look over at Lynn, to shoot her a glare.
But the Commander had already turned to move on, uncaring of her deed, of her crime.
Nathaniel sighed and looked back at the unconscious woman, another sigh escaping him as he saw how pale she had gotten, the woman having driven herself to the point of no return...and Lynn having pushed her over. "I'm sorry..."
8
8
8
Not a word had been spoken on their journey back to Vigil's Keep, all lost in their own thoughts.
Mhairi had of course spent most of the journey either glaring at Lynn's back...or at Velanna, whether the elf had her back turned or not. Apparently the knight was once again mounting her high horse when it came to standards...Nathaniel had chosen not to comment though, knowing the situation was volatile enough as it was.
Lynn was of course silent, and so had Anders been for some reason, the mage apparently not so oblivious as to wish to disturb the others. Though he had opened his mouth to speak a couple of times, a joke no doubt on his lips...he had held his tongue, shooting the women of the group short glances.
Velanna had so far not looked the least hesitant about her choice, the colour having quickly returned to her cheeks once she had gotten some food and drink into her. Her eyes distant, deep in thoughts as she nibbled upon whatever she was given to eat, reminding Nathaniel of a squirrel.
But there had not been any doubts in those bright grey eyes of hers, no second guessing. Not even when hearing that the joining might kill her, not even when they brought her into a castle full of humans, not now...with the final words spoken.
"And that one day...we shall join you." Lynn stepped forth, offering the chalice of darkspawn blood.
With a snort the other elf snatched the chalice, holding it in both hands she scowled down at the dark blood...or perhaps her own reflection?
Another snort and the elf snarled at it: "As it must be."
She brought the chalice to her lips in one swift move, emptying half of it, her throat bobbing as she struggled to drink the harsh liquid.
Then she returned the chalice to Lynn, her angular face twisting into a scowl. "Filthy drink, and I don't fe-" She blinked, making Nathaniel grimace as he dutifully watched the proceedings. "Feel any...di-" She shook her head, taking a step back as both hands reached up towards her forehead...
Only to limply drop to her sides as the elf's eyes rolled back...before the woman herself fell backwards, crashing onto the floor. Really ought to have someone stand ready to catch people... Nathaniel dryly noted even as he with a quick glance made sure that indeed the elf was still alive and breathing.
"This wasn't her choice, not truly." He felt he had to say it, if nothing else to ease his own mind. I was conscripted, sure, but this...this was blatant trickery.
"It was either this or her death." Lynn growled back, putting the chalice aside as she gestured for the unconscious woman. "Take her to a room, guard her, I have nobles to attend to."
Nathaniel looked down at the Dalish, the woman's face twisting into a grimace as she dreamt the nightmare he knew she must have. I...yes...and the nobles would be uncomfortable with me around anyway... "That still does not make it right..." He sighed and looked over at Lynn, forcing himself to meet her dead eyes. "Then again, life isn't fair."
Lynn nodded slowly, then brushed past him as she stalked to meet the assembling nobles of the land.
Sighing Nathaniel moved to once more carry the elf, his heart heavy.
888
Thanks to Abydos Jackson for saving me here.