THE DEMON AND THE CHANTRY
THE STENCH OF DRIED BLOOD and decay swirling like a mist through the early dawn woke her up.
"Ugh..." Sinniralin's eyes fluttered to life. She blinked dizzily, trying to focus on her surroundings feeling a wave of nausea wash over her. She crawled onto her hands and knees and vomited her head spinning violently. Glancing around she tried to determine where she was. The memory from all those years ago burned within her mind making her unsure of what was real and what was not.
Lothering. Her brain recognized for her.
It felt as if she'd been dragged through all of the Fade and back to earth again. Then again the memory she had relived during her black out might as well have been the same thing. Her head and body throbbed with a dull ache and she could hardly move. She sat on her knees leaning on to her cuffs as she waited for the nausea to pass. She sighed and winced as she let her fingers slip across the back of her skull, feeling the swollen bump and crusts of dried blood.
"Gross..." She muttered to herself before she tried to stand up on her wobbly legs. She stood up too fast and her head swam with nausea again. She fell to her knees and vomited, chuckling in despair at her pathetic situation.
Hearing the Harpia's familiar cry she glanced ahead of her, Loghain's bewinged little thug.
"Oh... hey..." She whispered weakly, not moving.
It cocked its head at her, beady black eyes flickering her leather bag resting at its side.
"Aww... you brought me my bag, Loghain taught you well. I'm sure you're quite the gentleman." She said, happy that she wouldn't have to go back looking for it. She crawled up to it and shoved her hand into it digging around until her fingers brushed against a health potion.
"Oh yes!" She uncapped the vial and downed the bitter tasting content. "Ugh!" She rested a little longer until the potion helped numb her pain and ease the nausea.
"What was that?" She asked the Harpia, thinking back at the large dragon. Why had it left her alive? She stood up slowly moving just as efficiently as an old lady. As she scanned the village an eerie feeling crept on to her. There was nothing left of Lothering but ashes and sot. Even the darkspawns bodies had been burnt to the ground. Everything had been soiled but the fire, everything except one spot.
She felt her blood curl as she watched the spot she stood at. The grass was still green and damp there completely untouched by the fire. She spun slowly following the edge of the green, sparkling grass with her eyes. The edge created a perfect shaped circle. She stared at it in confusion.
"By the gods..." She whispered. What was going on? How could all of Lothering, even the smallest rodent, have been burnt to the ground except her? How was that possible?
Something from the memory swirled to life in her head, but she pushed it aside. No, it couldn't be that. She shook her head turning to the Harpia.
"Come then, we've got a long way to and I've been... well gone for too long."
She slung the backpack onto her shoulder remembering that day in the Magistrate's castle before pushing it aside concentrating on the task ahead.
.
.
Redcliffe wasn't much bigger than Lothering and lay silent when she arrived. What little was left of the town was closed and barred, evidently trying to keep something from breaking and entering. She could only imagine what from her own brawl with the dark dragon last night. She crossed the worn out stone bridge gazing up at the two large gates barring the castle as the Harpia came swooping down landing by her feet.
"See anything interesting?" She asked as she trotted down the slope towards the centre of the village. Gazing across houses she saw something similar to a tavern. A bed for the night and a bath was all she needed. She would have plenty of time to catch up with the Grey Wardens the coming days. The bird pecked at her hip demanding her attention.
"Yes?" She said absentmindedly as she steered towards the tavern. The bird pecked at her hand and she opened it tentatively this time, remembering last time the bird had tried to tell her something. A bronze amulet fell into her hand. She held it up in front of her eyes between her fingers scrutinizing it. It seemed to be some sort of initiate amulet. She'd seen amulets similar to this one being used in different groups to reinforce the feeling of being part of a fellowship. She snorted and tucked it into one of the tiny pockets on the inside of her cloak thinking she had better keep it. If it hadn't been important the Harpia wouldn't have brought it to her.
She pushed the heavy tavern door open stepping in to the warm room. A scent of newly baked bread and meat stew slithered underneath the gap of the kitchen door, curled and twisted in the air, teasing her nostrils and she felt her stomach rumble.
"Can I help you?" The redheaded barmaid asked.
Sinniralin turned to look at her. "Yes, I need a room and somewhere for my... messenger bird to stay at."
"There are plenty of rooms available. Your bird can stay with you if you wish." The barmaid said in a sweet tone.
"My bird, in my room?" Sinniralin asked frowning.
"Lloyd the man I work for is not here at the moment, and even if he was I still wouldn't care what he thought." The girl explained.
Sinniralin raised an eyebrow at the girl. "You must really like your boss then."
"Couldn't imagine a nicer bloke." The barmaid said sarcastically. "I could put up with his sleazy comments, but the grabbing and touching..."
"Why are you still here then?" Sinniralin asked, cocking her head.
"What else would I do? I was hoping he'd fight along the Grey Wardens and maybe... not return." She said looking sly.
"The Grey Wardens?" The elf asked casually.
"Yes, this young girl and her followers came as if they knew we needed their aid against the monsters attacking the village every night. It was quite amazing, I tell you. They killed every single one of those monsters." The barmaid explained her eyes glowing with excitement.
"That sounds very amazing indeed." Sinniralin agreed. So they Grey Wardens had been here, question was where were they now? Loghain had marked the map, but nothing said he'd been right about their location.
"Well, I best let you get to your room. I didn't mean to bother you with my talk." The barmaid said glancing bashfully at her.
"Oh... no really I enjoyed your talk, had I not been so tired I would have asked you to join me in my room to keep the talk going." Sinniralin said smiling her crooked sultry smile.
The girl laughed at the elf's remark. "Well, perhaps another time then?"
"Most certainly my Lady." Sinniralin winked.
"Well for now, how about some drink and food to keep you company in your room?" The redheaded girl asked.
"Sounds lovely." Sinniralin answered before ordering a tub with hot water and soap to be brought to her room. The barmaid had nodded and scurried off and Sinniralin had spun on her heels walking out to fetch the Harpia.
"You might not like it, but you're sleeping indoors tonight mate." She said and shoved the door open, the Harpia hopped in studying its surroundings suspiciously.
"Come on you little thug, I know you normally hang around these places picking fights, but when you're with me you'll have to behave."
The Harpia cocked its head a little at her.
"That'sch a prchetty biir-dh you gotsh there." A soldier slurred taking a step towards her. Sinniralin chuckled. He probably thought his drunken stumble was a suave swagger and that his slurring was his usually charming voice.
She shook her head and kept walking towards her room when she felt his hand grab her upper arm.
"Heeey, whe-hic-re are yoush goh-ingh?"
As if on command the Harpia arose like an angered dragon next to her its crest standing on its head, wings spread wide and a hiss escaped its sharp beak. The man took a drunken step backwards releasing her arm.
"He is very possessive, you see." She winked at the man walking past the Harpia putting a safe distance between her and the drunken man who stared at the aggravated bird.
.
.
"I'm starting to think that you might actually like me." Sinniralin murmured to the bird as she undressed and climbed into the tub filled with hot water. Her body was battered and bruised and she sat down slowly letting her skin adjust to the heat. When her body was fully under the water she closed her eyes and sighed relaxing for the first time in a very long time. Steam rose from the hot water, covering her face like a nice warm blanket. Her muscles started to loosen up, the tension in her muscles and ache in her body lessening.
She thought about the night before, at the ominous dragon she had encountered. During the pain it had afflicted on her she had felt something else. She couldn't quite understand what it had been, but it had felt as if they were connected on some strange level. Something pushed its way from the back of her mind, a small detail reminding her of that day in the High Magister's study. You're just like me. Her sister's voice echoed in her head. Sinniralin growled in frustration blocking the memory out. No need to dwell on things from the past you could do nothing about anyway. It was one of the many things Belkin had taught her.
She smiled at the thought of him and his twinkling eyes, and suave laughter.
"You were such a charming chap." She mused loudly to herself. It had been years since she lost him. She rested her hand on her belly staring at it. Blinking away the tears she fiddled the silver charm she still wore. She drew a deep breath and shook her head relaxing into the healing water. She sunk underneath the surface and held her breath. It always had a calming effect on her. The sounds of the rowdy tavern dulled by the thick water, the only sound she could hear was her distant heartbeat. Breaking the surface for air she remembered the amulet tucked inside her cloak. She leaned over the edge of the tub trying to reach it in a vain attempt. She muttered under her breath cursing the water's effect on her magic.
"Hey little thug…" She murmured to the Harpia. "Could you please hand me the amulet?" She pointed towards the heap of leather armour on the floor.
It obliged obediently dropping it onto the palm of her hand. She studied it once more in the dim light from the chandelier standing opposite the tub. It was round in shape thin lines seemed to run from the middle to the edge of the amulet giving the appearance of a beaming sun. A 'W' was etched into its middle surrounded by strange symbols. Flipping it she saw text engraved into it running in a circle along the amulet. The text created a perfect shaped circle. Twisting it round she read the text aloud. In war, victory. In peace, vigilance. In death, sacrifice.
"Huh, very poetic." She said as she let her hand rest on the tub's edge. Her eyes felt so heavy. Nodding off, the amulet dropped to the floor clanging loudly as it bounced and rolled before coming to a stop. She sighed loudly and scrubbed the dried blood and dirt away from the past days travelling then she slid out of the tub drying herself off before creeping into the large bed. She chuckled satisfied as she sunk into the thick pillows before falling fast asleep.
.
.
The men stared at her as she walked into to the tavern's bar wearing the studded leather pants and a loose fitting thin linen tunica, a leather belt at her waist keeping it fashionably in place. She knew very well the effect the hint of a pair of firm looking breasts had on most men and women whether they were admiring them or just noticing them.
She smiled as she remembered looking at Belkin's mistresses wishing she had as curvaceous bodies like theirs. She'd been just a girl then not knowing that by time she was eighteen her alluring appearance would overshadow most women. She wore her snow-white hair carelessly tied up at the back of her head strands of unruly hair breaking free and they twisted and curled towards her shoulders and thin leather strings kept her long fringe in place keeping it from falling in her face. Her high cheekbones and defined eyebrows were a pleasant contrast to her piercing, big, ocean blue eyes.
She saw the fat man the barmaid had been talking about last night. Lloyd, was it? He eyed her hungrily, undressing her with his eyes. She could see him lick his lips absentmindedly as he wrung his fat hands together.
This was going to be easy! She placed her bag on the counter smiling innocently at the barkeep.
"Ah, sweet Bella did not tell me we had such a… beautiful guest staying with us." He said emphasizing the word 'beautiful'.
She blushed and smiled coyly averting her eyes to the counter.
"You slept well?" He asked trying to sound casual.
"Very much so." She said gently, adding. "I had such a lovely bath last night."
Lloyd chuckled, his eyes lingering a little too long at her chest. She wore a coy look as she smiled. "Something about me you find interesting?"
The barkeeper blush slightly. "N-no..." He stuttered at her boldness. Surely he was not used to women like that.
She let a seductive chuckle slip across her plump lips. "There's no need to be shy, but surely your wife would not be happy to find you staring at me."
Lloyd's face lit up in a queer grimace that was supposed to resemble a smile. "Ah, well you needn't fear. This... stallion has not yet been tamed." He said rolling up his sleeves as if to emphasize his manly stallioness.
She let her eyes twinkle playfully. "So I take it this town isn't always this dull?" She said biting her bottom lip.
"No as dull, but nothing really happens around here. Not until those wardens came about and shook things up."
Sinniralin feigned excitement. "So I was told, it sounds so amazing. I wonder where they'll be going next. They must have so many places to rescue."
"I think the gossips said they were heading for Lake Calenhad something about mages." Lloyd said in an attempt to keep her talking for a while longer.
She smiled as she pulled at her magic pushing it against the barkeeper's mind soothing him, coating his feelings with just enough magic to make him trust her fully. She felt his conscious merge with hers and she had to focus to keep them apart. She drew a deep breath and looked at him innocently.
"Look, I must go to the Chantry and recite the chant, could I leave my bag here with you while I do that?" An imaged from Lloyd's mind flashed in her head. She wore Chantry robes, her legs spread wide as Lloyd thrust into her. Sinniralin cringed at the mental image. Bella was right. That man really was a sleaze.
"Of course, thought it'll be safer in the back." He said motioning for the larder. Much to Sinniralin's surprise he genuinely meant it. She nodded.
"Well, follow me." He said taking the lead. She obliged casting a quick glance across her shoulder before entering the cramped larder. The tavern was nearly empty save a few customers who seemed too busy being drunk to notice anything.
She shut the door silently behind her and before the fat barkeep had time to react she caught him by the throat in the bend of her left arm pulling him close to her body. Using her right arm she locked his head, pressing hard at the back of his throat with it. She pressed so hard his windpipe was completely blocked, depriving him of air. He tried desperately to twist himself free of her arms, but her lithe built was nothing but an illusion to the strength she held. It didn't take long before he slumped in her arms. As he did she used both her hands to break his neck. It twisted all the way around with a snapping sound and his body crumpled to the stone floor. She looked at it before she opened the larder door and walked out to the young barmaid. As she passed her she slipped the keys to the tavern into the pocket of her apron. Some of the guests turned their heads watching her.
"Looks like you've got yourself a tavern to run." She winked before leaving the stunned barmaid behind. As she left the tavern she heard the barmaid's surprised, but not frightened nor sad yelp. The Chantry's building caught her eyes as she heard the commotion erupt at the Tavern. She glanced over at the Chantry sighing. She better make sure the girl wouldn't get any trouble because of Lloyd's dead body. His dead had benefited her after all, it would be a pity if they accused her of his murder.
She steered her steps towards the Chantry feeling the burning sensation start to crawl underneath her skin the nearer she got. Pearls of sweat were breaking out on her forehead as she pushed the heavy wooden doors open. Her body protested at the harsh treatment and she nearly doubled-over with the pain racking through her body. Gritting her teeth she staggered towards one of the lay sisters who looked at her as if she was a drunkard. The pain cut through her like sharp daggers and she cursed under her breath. Feeling the magic protest inside of her she willed it to be still. A bookshelf fell over – seemingly by itself, and she knew she would have to push the magic further down.
She heard a gasp and saw the revered mother turn towards her with a frightened expression. "What are you doing here? You are a child of darkness, how can you enter the Maker's holy domain?"
Sinniralin blinked, shaking her head as the angry darkness coiled within her, eyes glazing over. The hundreds of small candles that were lit behind the revered mother died out with one single gust.
"I came to pay my debt." The elf answered through her teeth fighting the insufferable pain, grasping for control.
"Your debt?" The revered mother asked. The young initiates and lay people had drawn closed to the walls in fear of the strange elf before them that the revered mother had so clearly condemned.
Sinniralin pulled a see through orb from her pocket. "Lloyd's soul, I killed him." She said dropping it to the floor. It rolled to a stop by the revered mother's foot.
The revered mother looked up in horror and backed away from her. "You're a death wraith!"
The Chantry's visitors gasped in fear.
"I suppose that's what you humans call it." Sinniralin gritted her teeth as she retreated from the revered mother slowly regaining strength with every step she took closer to the exit.
Sinniralin felt her strength return fully as she passed the stone bridge leading out of Redcliffe. Looking up she saw a man trotting down the path on his horse.
"Ser, please ser, my husband and child are ill and I need a horse to get back with these blessed amulets from the revered mother or else they will not sit by the Maker's side." She pleaded with him. During her painstaking visit to the Chantry the top buttons on her tunica had come undone, and her hair hung in long strands from the bun. She imagined she must look quite distressed. She rummaged around her pockets and fished up a gold coin.
"I'll pay you one gold." She pleaded with him once again holding up the fake coin for him to see.
He seemed to be a stern yet fair man in his fifties and nodded eventually. "Very well." He answered slipping off the horse.
She swung the hilt of her dagger towards his head. It connected with his temple. He groaned and swayed before he fell to his knees and grabbed his head. Using his arched back as a springboard she leapt in to the saddle and nudged the horse into a gallop with her heels.
"My horse you stupid wench!" He cried out after her.
She pushed the horse as hard as she could feeling its muscular body flex underneath her as they flew across The Imperial Highway closing the distance between herself and the wardens. They were close now she could feel it in her bones, bloodlust gripping her. She smiled. As soon as the Grey Wardens had been dealt with she would be a free woman. Free. The seductress eyes turned dark, something sinister dancing in them.
.
.
The redheaded bard woke up with a jolt breathing heavily, her eyes darting back and forth. Realizing she'd been dreaming she relaxed just enough to crawl out of her bedroll. Pulling her cloak tightly around her as she stepped out in the cold night air she saw the dark, taciturn warden sit by the fire.
"We should leave." She said when she reached the warden.
The young girl looked up. "Why?"
"Something... evil is following us, something far worse than darkspawns." The bard – not easily shaken, looked frightened.
Deanna Cousland knew the bard was right. Ever since the joining she'd felt the connection to the darkspawn the endless singing of the archdemon, but lately something else had made its presence clear, something that overshadowed even the archdemon itself. Eyeing the bard she nodded.
"How do you know this?"
"I had a vision."
TO BE CONTINUED...
DISCLAIMER: BioWare owns all the names, characters, places, plots, objects etc that you may recognize from the game, anything else that can't be found in the game is mine. Sinniralin is definitely mine all mine! ;)
A/N: I realized perhaps this story is supposed to be marked AU since Sin isn't actually part of the game? Not sure, anyone got any suggestions?
So Sin is catching up with the wardens... interesting. And what is a Death Wraith? And will she kill the Grey Wardens or not? So many questions, so little time... ;)
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Also, I'm looking for a Beta-reader for both this text and Tread Carefully For Memories Claimed My Soul so if anyone feels like getting lots of happy, happy karma from me send me a message. :)
Till next time!
/Elmjuniper
PS. If you want to review the story... I'm not going to complain. Don't be shy now. Click the link. ;)