"Come stop your crying it will be alright
Just take my hand and hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you, I will be here don't you cry
For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry"
Phil Collins
August, 9:30 Dragon
The summers heat was settling in around the Dalish camp. Everyone moved about slowly, enjoying the warmth of the sun shining through the trees. Every so often a light breeze would shake them back into their early morning routine.
A few elders sat near the campsite, cleaning out their smoking instruments. One of them turned when they heard a squeal.
Paivel, who had been sitting in the center, felt a tug at his shirt. When he looked behind him he saw a young child with large blue eyes. He had been babbling about something only he could understand when Melia came over and picked him up.
"Ivor, be respectful." She kissed his cheek.
"The boy is just adventurous is all, Melia'nain, no harm was done." Paivel smiled at the child. He stood and ruffled Ivor's dark brown hair, "Only a year old and already running about like a true hunter."
"Just like his mother." One of the other elders said, her eyes shining as she looked at the boy.
"Oh I think I could do with a little stillness at the moment." Melia smiled at her son, bopping his nose while he giggled.
"Returning to the hunters soon, Melia'nain?" Paivel asked, "That cousin of yours is causing more trouble than good."
"Perhaps later, for now I think a good breakfast is in order," Melia bowed to her elders, "On dhea'him."
Melia held her son on her hip, walking through camp and smiling at everyone she passed. This past year had been difficult for her, but once Ivor began to grow it started to melt away much of the hatred. There were a few quiet grumbles here and there, but they dispelled quickly, especially if Thackery had been close by.
Melia set Ivor down, holding his hand as he walked the rest of the way back to the aravels at the edge of camp.
"Gramae! Gramae!" Ivor called out, stumbling while he walked.
"Is that my little gift from the Creators?" Ashalle poked her head out of her aravel, "It is!" She came outside, sweat beading her face as she bent down to scoop up her grandchild with her one good arm.
Larka came bounding around from the back, sitting down and nuzzling Ivors dangling foot. Revas looked up from her resting place, her yellow eyes lazily blinking.
"A busy morning already, mamae?" Melia asked.
"An elf who is idle is likely to grow lazy, and that is how Fen'Harel catches you." Ashalle said pointedly.
"Of course, mamae." Melia agreed, then she looked about, "Where is Thackery?"
"Tack!" Ivor said excitedly, "Tack!"
"Up to no good, as usual," Ashalle chuckled, "He said he was going to Fenarel before he and Tamlen set out on a scouting mission."
"I see." Melia said, her eyes glancing to the ground.
"Don't worry, Melia'nain. You'll be back out in the woods soon enough," Ashalle assured her, "For now I think you are needed just as much in camp. Your son certainly has Thackery's ability to disappear whenever it suits him." She kissed Ivor's cheek. Then she looked at Melia, "Now that you're here, I have a few baskets of linens to take to the river."
"I can take them, just keep an eye on Ivor until I return." Melia suggested.
"A difficult task indeed," Ashalle laughed, "Just be sure to take the washing board and the soap with you. I have some clothes bucking, so take the other basket first."
"Ma nuvenin, mamae." Melia said, kissing her son before she went off to do the laundry. She went behind the aravel, fixed her peplos, and took up a basket of clothing.
She ventured down to the river, Larka bounding after her with her tongue lolling out. Larka stuck close to Melia, watching her counterpart move deftly through the tall green grass. At the sound of the flowing river, Larka bounded forward to drink her fill.
Melia settled, preparing a few of the shirts she had made for Ivor to be washed. She took her washboard and soap, scrubbing hard at the food stains from the rabbit stew Ashalle had made the previous night. Melia shook her head, noticing that Thackery's shirt had almost an identical blotch of the creamy broth.
Melia reminded herself to give offerings to Sylaise for giving her mortal hands the patience to do her chore.
Once she finished the shirts, she went over to the clothesline that had been put up by one of her clan members only just a week ago.
She hummed to herself, enjoying the cool breeze that broke the stagnant heat. Her bare feet kicked up puffs of dirt as she moved, dancing to her own gentle humming. She lost herself in her own world, reveling in the warmth of summer. The grass tickled her toes as she moved back to her washboard, scrubbing voraciously at a dirt ridden skirt she had worn for one of the Dances of the People.
The smell of halla-milk soap and wildflowers flowed into her nostrils, and Melia felt at peace.
" Lae lae lee, she came to me, " Melia sang to herself, " Lae lae lo, she took my sorrow. In the Beyond where dreams may go, lae lae lee she said to me- "
Melia stopped when Larka let out a whine, her hackles bristling when she stood. Melia's blood ran cold when she heard an unwanted voice finishing her verse.
" When the grass no longer grows, at least I have my love in thee. "
Melia jumped to her feet. Larka lept to her side, salivating as she growled at an unknown entity. Melia wanted more than anything to have her daggers with her. Her heart was racing, her body feeling weak when she picked up the scent of a rich almond and sandalwood cologne. There was a sickness to her stomach when she smelled the acrid traces of blood.
Despite the heat, Melia could see her breath in the air. Faint whispers swirled all around her, and even Larka's violent snarling was drowned out by the voices.
"Stay away from me." Melia spat.
The voices stopped. A white noise rang through the forest.
There was a faint touch of invisible fingertips that grazed under Melia's chin. A chill fell over her when she felt a breath by her ear.
Melia let out a gasping breath as if her lungs were starved of air. Larka let out a sharp bark. Melia grasped the wolf's white fur, her body seemingly returning back to the earth. Her knees wobbled, but she stood her ground.
A harsh realization came over her, and she was about to set off running up the hill to the camp when she saw Ashalle coming down the slope, Ivor in tow.
Her breathing eased when she saw her son was safe. Ivor ran to her, holding one of his stuffed bears.
Melia picked up her son, holding him tightly to her. She kissed his cheeks repeatedly.
"Oh how I missed you, da len." Melia gushed.
"That boy is going to grow up always looking for his mother first," Ashalle warned, "He doesn't need to be smothered."
"He very well should, he is my da'assan." Melia set Ivor on her hip while he played with her long wavy hair, curling his tiny fingers into her snowy locks.
"Put your hair up, Melia'nain, it's too hot. Creators forbid you get sunstroke." Ashalle scolded, rolling up her sleeves to wash the next bucket of clothing.
"Ir abelas, mamae," Melia said, "Ivor just loves it so."
"He's not the only one."
Melia looked up from her son, seeing Tamlen and Thackery coming from the trees, dressed in their scouting gear. Argo and Samahl walked beside them, ever vigilant of their surroundings. At least until they saw Larka.
The three wolves greeted each other with excited barks and growling. Jumping over each other and playfully biting.
Thackery separated from Tamlen, keeping distance from the river. Ivor squirmed in Melia's arms, holding out his hands for his uncle.
"Alright alright." Melia set him down, watching him stumble over to Thackery.
"Tack!" Ivor squealed, falling at Thackerys feet, holding up his bear so he could make Thackery see it.
"What is this?" Thackery asked, picking up his nephew, "Is this your bear?"
"Yes." Ivor said confidently.
Thackery gave a hearty laugh and kissed Ivor's cheek, doting on how wonderful he thought the child was.
Tamlen walked to Melia, a smile growing on his face before he kissed her forehead. Melia playfully pretended to swat him away.
"You are late for your patrol." Melia scolded.
"Patrol can wait," Tamlen said, "For the Creators said to me that I must look upon your sweet face one more time."
Thackery made a gagging noise, causing Ivor to giggle uncontrollably.
"I also wanted to know if I could steal you away once we get back?" Tamlen asked Melia, ignoring Thackery.
"Maybe." Melia turned back to the wash.
Tamlen sat on the ground, "I won't leave until I have a definitive answer, lethallan." He grinned.
"Fenedhis." Melia rolled her eyes. Ashalle tried to stifle her amused chuckle.
"It would wound my heart if you did not join me for a stroll later." Tamlen pleaded, his eyes shining while he looked at Melia.
Finally she relented, "You may."
Tamlen jumped to his feet, taking Melia's hand to kiss it, "Then I shall see you later."
Before he left, he caressed her cheek, admiring her hair and curling his fingers into it when he gave her a quick peck on the corner of her mouth.
"Later, Tamlen." Melia told him.
"Alright." Tamlen pulled away reluctantly.
Thackery hugged Ivor one last time, "I'll be back. Then we can steal some desserts from Merrill's stores." He winked at his nephew before running off with Tamlen, their wolves in tow.
"You will not!" Melia called after him, angry when she heard Thackery's cackling. She muttered a few curses and returned to her chores.
It was hours before Melia and Ashalle had finished. They walked back up the hill, Ivor squirming in Melia's tired arms.
Ashalle opened up the aravel covers to let in the fresh breeze, allowing them to breathe so the two women could eat.
Melia prepared a plate of hard bread and soft halla cheese, cutting the tomatoes she had plucked from their stores the night before. She took a long drink of water before she finally sat in her wooden chair, removing the sleeve to her gown so she could slip it past her breast and feed her son.
Ashalle sat across from her wiping sweat from her brow before sipping her drink. Once she finished, she broke her bread and chewed quietly until Ivor finished eating.
Melia wiped away the milk from his face, burped him, and laid him in his play pen, handing him a patchwork halla doll to keep him busy. She kissed his head and sat down with Ashalle.
"I have been thinking, Melia'nain," She began, "Ivor is nearly a year old now." She smiled at her grandson, "You are a mamae. A wonderful one at that."
"Oh I do not-"
"Do not argue with me, Melia'nain. You have been a good mother to your son. And seeing you with him...it reminds...well…" She pulled something wrapped in cloth from her pocket, "I think it would be fitting for you to know about your own mother."
Melia felt her breath leave her, "But-mam…"
Ashalle handed Melia her gift, "This is the key to your mother's chest. I have kept it by the storage near the halla pen. She didn't have much to leave behind, but I hope you get more use out of them than I ever did." She sighed, "Amarie was a wonderful woman, and I think she would be proud to see what you have grown to be. I know she wanted to have what was left of your father..."
"You have barely spoken about my parents…" Melia pointed out.
"I know," Ashalle nodded, "Their memories are very painful to me."
"But why now?"
"Now?" Ashalle contemplated, "Melia'nain, I can feel a shift in the winds. Perhaps the Creators wish for me to lessen the burdens of my mind."
"You said a shift in the winds," Melia rubbed the back of her neck to ease a pain, "I confess I have felt a similar sense."
"Then perhaps I am in the right." Ashalle concluded, then let out a heavy sigh, "You must understand I have tried to be a good surrogate for-"
"Mamae, you are a gift to me. To Thackery. And to my own son." Melia took Ashalles hand, "I am ever grateful to you. I could never wish for better."
Ashalle gave a weak smile, "Ma serannas, Melia'nain."
She cleared her throat, "Your father was once our Keeper. Handsome, wise... I think you would have gotten along so well with him. He was also gentle, and I see much of that in you. We had been attending one of our Gatherings with another clan. That is where he met your mother."
"Her clan was one we had made contact with many times, and I had been good friends with her for many years. Your father laid his eyes on her and I could see he was smitten. He was a man of words, but he could barely speak when she came to us. Your mother was wild and the most powerful hunter in her clan."
"They brought out the best in each other. In me too...And when her elders said their match was unfit, I helped them meet in secret. For I loved them too. When your mother discovered she was to have you, we arranged to have her married into the clan. But the night she was to steal away, humans had attacked their hiding place. I arrived to see your father murdered, your mother beside herself with grief."
"She held on long enough to give you life. And try as I might, the love I gave her wasn't enough. And then one night I awoke to hear you crying, your mother's side of the bed had been cold and empty for hours. She just, walked out into the moonlight and never returned. Her grief was so great, she couldn't stand to live." Ashalle wiped away the tears from her eyes.
Melia was silent for some time, then she looked to her cooing son.
"I do not think I could have left him like that." She said quietly.
Ashalle nodded, "I know, Melia'nain, I know…"
They sat in silence for a while longer, the dead heat settling in around them. Ivor squirmed in his pen and begged for his mother. Melia finally broke the stagnant quiet by raising him up to litter kisses across his cheeks.
Ashalle leaned back in her chair, thanking the Creators that Melia had grown into the woman she wanted Amarië to be. She took out her newly cleaned pipe and began to gather her dried smoking leaves when the flap to their aravel flung open.
Melia sat Ivor on her hip, looking upon the flushed face of Fenarel.
"What is wrong?" Ashalle demanded.
"Some of the scouts and I spotted shems in the forest," Fenarel said quickly, "We sent calls to Thackery and Tamlen but haven't heard a response."
"Fenedhis," Melia sighed, "Thackery probably just lost track of time with a poisonous plant."
"And Tamlen?" Fenarel asked.
"You know he indulges in his fair share of adventure." Melia said, "They'll be back soon."
Fenarel seemed uneasy. Ashalle spoke up.
"Melia'nain, Fenarel just returned from a long hunt and it would do my heart much good if you went to find your cousin. We only just settled here and we do not need those two picking fights with the shems."
Melia gave Ivor a kiss on the cheek before setting him down in his crib.
"Very well," She said, "If I do not return in an hour be sure to feed Ivor the halla milk."
"Of course." Ashalle answered.
Melia stripped herself of her dress, once again adorning her hunting armor. She frowned, what might have been loose in her leather cuirass before was now snug. But she was pleased that her greaves and vambraces fit all the same.
From under her bed she took out her daggers, dubbed Elgara and Ghilan after her grandparents. She sheathed them before bending down to kiss her son one last time.
"I will be back in time for supper, da'len," She told him, "Be respectful."
"Try not to stab Thackery too many times, Melia'nain." Ashalle jested.
"No promises." Melia smiled before lifting up the flap of the aravel.
"Creators watch you." Ashalle called after her daughter.
She looked to Ivor, who was sitting up in his crib. He looked at Ashalle with his large blue eyes.
"Mam, mam!" He bounced up and down, "Mamae!"
"Mamae will be back soon, da'len," Ashalle said, "You'll see."
She went over to the child and picked him up. She cooed as she rocked Ivor in her arms.
"You'll see."
Thackery's ear twitched as he watched the plant before him slowly devour a fly. His head cocked to the side, curious as to what properties that plant might contain that would actually cause it to digest an insect.
Tamlen's sighs from above fell on deaf ears, and finally he jumped to the ground from the tree he had been lounging in.
"Thackery, the evening is nearing, I think we should send some calls back to the others." He suggested.
He looked down at Thackery, who hadn't heard him. Tamlen nodded to himself and decided it wasn't worth fussing over.
Samahl rolled over onto her side, stuck in a deep sleep. Tamlen chuckled, marveling at how he could have possibly gotten the laziest wolf in Thedas. He turned to look for Argo, finding that the black wolf was enthralled in following a very bright ladybug.
Tamlen chuckled, choosing to sit down in the grass next to a sleeping Samahl. He hummed to himself songs that had been sung during one of the Dances of the People. Setting up against the trunk of a tree, he looked up into the leaves.
A lush watercolor of green had canvassed itself through the canopy. Patches of sun peeked through to bring warmth to the cool forest floor.
He had been watching a few squirrels chase each other about when his ears twitched at a strange sound.
"Thackery." He stood up.
"Mmm?" Thackery paused his note taking.
A twig cracked, and Thackery jumped to his feet. There was a strong scent of sweat that carried itself through the air. Tamlen curled his nose.
"Shems."
Thackery stored away his journal, snapping his fingers to call Argo's attention. Both wolves got to their feet, their fur bristling.
"Fen, ghilas." Thackery said to the wolves.
Samahl and Argos sprang forth, saliva frothing at their mouths as they ran through the trees.
Up in the trees, Thackery and Tamlen leapt from branch to branch. They silently moved through the leaves and watched their wolves from above.
A group of three humans had been stumbling away, two mabari hounds in tow.
Thackery stopped and sat among the leaves, watching the humans huff and puff as they clumsily ran through the wood. Tamlen moved closer to the ground, making just enough noise to alert the humans and send them running even faster.
The shems blubbered and cried about ghosts. Thackery snickered at their ridiculous bumbling and he jumped to the ground. The thrill of the air rushing over his face as he plummeted made his pupils dilate. Adrenaline rushed through him and he laughed as he landed just in front of the running humans.
One of them came to a halt, falling to the ground and trying to stumble away.
"A Dalish…" One of them men said, trying to help his friend up.
The two mabari growled at Thackery, their bodies rippling with rage. Argo and Samahl flanked Thackery. They growled and snapped their jaws at the dogs who dared come close. Argo let out a vicious bark, lunging for the closest dog. Thackery pretended to jump for the men, causing them to reel back.
"He's only one knife ear." One said.
Thackery frowned when he saw the grins form on all their faces. He swung his daggers around and prepared for a fight.
Samahl leapt for one of the humans as another came at Thackery with a hand axe. He was quickly deflected by Thackery's dagger, his chin getting sliced in the process.
The mabari attacking Argo had wrestled the wolf to the ground, tearing at his ear.
Tamlen had joined the fray in enough time to fell the other mabari who had been snapping at Thackery's ankles.
Not anticipating the other Dalish, the man with the bleeding chin called back his dog and backed away from the two elves. The other men stayed behind him.
Samahl limped over to Tamlen, her paw cut by one of the humans knives. Argo's left ear had been destroyed by the mabari, the left side of his muzzle bleeding and the fur nearly scratched off. Thackery bent down to whisper to his companion, seething when he looked up at the humans.
"Leave this forest, shems!" Tamlen cried.
"We ain't mean no trouble." Bleeding chin had said, "We was running from the ruins! A demon were after us it was!"
"Forget these knife-ears, we'll-" The man on the left had started to say, his face went as white as a sheet.
Thackery saw the glint of a blade shining in the sunlight. It had been drawn across the mans neck, but hadn't cut the skin quite yet.
"You will what?"
Tamlen smirked when he saw Melia draw her second dagger, pointing it to the other armed man. Larka had come up next to her, baring her white teeth.
"Nothing." The human said quickly, beads of sweat running down his forehead.
Melia moved her dagger from his neck, warily circling them to reach her cousin.
"Mel-" Thackery started.
"We shall speak of this later, Thackery." Melia snapped, she turned to the humans, "You trespass too close to our people. Speak your intentions quickly."
"There was a demon," Bleeding chin repeated, "It chased us from the ruins."
"What ruins?" Tamlen asked, his sword still raised, "We know this forest and have seen none."
"It's all there! We swear we didn't know this was your forest-"
"The forest is not ours, fool!" Melia snapped.
"We have proof!" The third one piped up, digging through his pack to pull out a relic. He cautiously handed it to Melia.
Tamlen's eyes widened, "Is this elvish?" He pointed to the carvings with his free hand.
"There's more in there!" The man said, "We didn't get far in…"
"Because of the demon I presume?" Thackery stood up, his eyes alight with a burning rage.
"It's true!" Bleeding chin cried, "With black eyes and fangs!"
"Lies!" Thackery yelled.
"It's off to the west! See for yourself." The man pleaded.
Thackery and Tamlen were about to object when Melia stopped them.
"Enough!" She demanded, then looked to the men, "Take your things and leave. Get out of the forest and go home to your families."
"Bless you." Bleeding chin scrambled away, his friends and mabari in tow.
"Mel-" Tamlen started.
"I cannot believe you two!" Melia shouted, "Starting a fight with the humans have you no respect? Do you have any idea what they could do?"
"They hurt Argo!" Thackery yelled.
"Why do you think that?" Melia retorted, "You chase humans through the woods like animals and you think this will not have any sort of repercussions with the clan? It is not our job to decide when to fight them shemlen!" She shook her head, "[I am going to the keeper before this gets any worse."
"Melia!" Tamlen stopped her, "Do you not think we should at least see this cave? If we bring something back we may prove a little more favorable in the keeper's eyes."
"Absolutely not!"
"C'mon, Melly." Thackery calmed himself, "The Keeper will be spitting hot coals as it is…"
"I cannot believe this." Melia huffed, "But we will go...you two must promise me that we will be home before the moon comes out."
"Of course." Tamlen said.
After Melia sheathed her daggers he took up her hands.
"Ir abelas."
Melia scoffed, turning westward. Thackery patched Argo's ear with bandages from his supplies, realizing that despite the wound his companion was unphased and wagging his tail. Tamlen tended to Samahl's paw and followed the others.
They continued onwards for a little while longer, exchanging light comments about their surroundings. When the trail they followed began to narrow, Melia spotted a white figure on the ground.
"Oh no…" She went over to it.
The halla couldn't have been dead for more than a day, a fresh bit mark around it's neck told the two elves that wolves were close and they should be on their guard.
Melia brushed her fingers over its eyes to close them.
"The poor thing." She said sadly.
"I know, Mel." Thackery patted her shoulder, "It seems the Creators chose this halla to help feed the predators so that they can stay strong. We can come back and pray for it after we see where this cave is, I promise."
"Thank you, lethallin." Melia said quietly.
They walked for another half hour or so before they were enclosed by rocky walls covered in moss and overgrowth. Melia picked the stray elfroot sprouts, putting them in her pack.
"I've never seen this part of the forest before." Tamlen finally said.
"Neither have I... perhaps we should go back and tell Keeper." Melia suggested.
"Nonsense, Mel. This is what adventure is all about." Thackery grinned, pressing forward.
They could see now that vine covered columns were before them. The once white marble now stained brown with dirt and time.
The row of columns led the two to a cave entrance, it looked to be dark and musty, and it seemed to disappear underground.
"I guess the shem weren't lying…" Tamlen marvelled, "I don't recall seeing this before, do you?"
Melia shook her head, "No...and that's what worries me." Her stomach started to churn the longer she looked at the dilapidated structure around them.
"There's no one here but us," Tamlen assured her, "It's not worth making a fuss over. Let's just see what's inside." He put his arm around her and kissed her flushed cheek, "How dangerous could it be?"
Melia didn't answer. Instead, she walked with Tamlen, her left hand twitching over the handle of her dagger. Thackery kept behind, unsure of the idea of going so far into the ground. He kept Argo and Samahl close to him.
When they came into the threshold of the cave, there was a steep and slippery decline that led to a doorway. Carefully, they made their way down to the bottom. Tamlen looked around.
"It looked like these ruins are more human than elven…" He remarked.
"Still wanna look around?" Melia raised her brow.
"But of course." Tamlen waggled his brows up and down, making Melia shake her head and smile.
"It's adventure, old mum." Thackery winked.
After they crossed through the doorway, they could feel a chill. Dusty spiderwebs seemed to almost encase the room they came upon.
"Thackery-" Melia began, bringing her hand to his shoulder.
There was a sharp hiss. From the ceiling, the elves could see that two giant spiders laid in wait for them. Tamlen took out his sword and charged for the one closest to Melia. Melia took out her daggers and ran for the other, fighting off it's fangs with one, and stabbing it in the side with the other. Thackery sent the wolves out, taking his dagers to join the fray.
They made quick work of it, and after Melia cleaned her daggers, Thackery walked up to her and smiled.
"Adventure."
"Oh, Thackery..." Melia shook her head.
Thackery opened the only door to the room, which led to a narrow hallway.
"Left or right, Melly?" He asked.
Melia strode forward, turning to the right. She leaned back and looked at both him and Tamlen.
"Adventure." She said sarcastically.
"That's more like it!" Thackery laughed, following close behind her and wolves in tow.
The hallway turned sharply left, and they followed it down until it turned left again. For the most part, Thackery felt underwhelmed. He didn't enjoy the musty smell and the water dripping from the ceiling made him uneasy.
They followed the hallway to a crude statue with bronze wings.
"Do you recognize this?" Tamlen asked excitedly.
Melia looked at it, "It's a little worn..but it seems familiar."
"Back when our people lived in Arlathan," Tamlen began, "Statues like this honored the creators. Much of this lore was lost when the shem enslaved us."
Melia found that there was almost something beautiful about the statue, its arms seemed to open as if embracing her.
"This looks like human architecture," Tamlen observed, "With a stature of our people. Can these ruins really date back to the time of Arlathan?"
"So much of our past is lost to us." Melia ran her hand over the worn face of the statue.
Thackery sighed loudly, "This is ridiculous. All we're finding is dusty sculptures and moldy bricks. There's no demon." He looked down at Argo, "This venture is a bust."
"I agree. Still," Tamlen looked around, "Perhaps there's more to these ruins." He turned towards a door that was behind them. Melia lingered, looking at the statue and admiring its features.
Her attention then went to something on the ground. She slowly walked over to it.
It was a rotting corpse, arrows stuck in the ribs. The mouth was open as if it were screaming. It made Melia uncomfortable.
"Thackery...come look at this."
Thackery went over to her. Both Argo and Larka started to whine.
"Tamlen-" Thackery started.
"Hold on." Tamlen walked towards the door. He felt the ground shift slightly.
The fingers of the corpse twitched. Melia and Thackery reeled back.
Other skeletons that had littered the ground began to move, Melia's blood seemed to freeze. Thackery readied his weapons again and getting in front of her.
"Tamlen, what did you do?" She asked, taking out her daggers as another corpse started to stand and draw its weapon.
It swung at her, and she narrowly dodged its swipe. She knocked it towards the wall, some of the bones seemingly breaking against it. The skeleton came for her again, she could hear Thackery fighting off another one.
She kicked her foot up, knocking off the head of the corpse. The body fell to the ground when she stomped it into dust.
Tamlen swung his sword, cutting through the vertebrae of the skeletons. Melia followed suit and soon they were standing over bones and breathing heavily.
"What was that?" Melia asked.
"Maybe this place is haunted?" Thackery suggested, "Mel, we should go I don't like this."
"We should go back to the camp." Melia said.
Tamlen shook his head, "Just a little further, Mel, please?" He begged.
"Fine." Melia sighed.
"Mel!" Thackery groaned. He held on close to Argo and Samahl.
Tamlen went to the door and pushed it open. Immediately there was a resounding roar. Melia and Thackery glared at Tamlen, who just gave a weak smile.
The bereskarn, who had made the guttural sound, came out from the shadows, charging right for the elves.
Thackery threw one of his daggers at it, catching the bear in the shoulder. It paused to yelp, giving Melia time to get close and slash at it's face. Tamlen rushed forward, hitting and stabbing with his longsword. The wolves nipped at the bear's legs.
The bear swiped at Tamlen, one great claw scratching at Tamlens armor. Melia stabbed its flank. It looked at her, not seeing Thackery's remaining dagger thrusting right up into it's heart. The beast fell with a great thud.
Melia looked at Tamlen as she pulled her dagger out of its shoulder, "Adventure?"
"Okay, nag." Tamlen rolled his eyes, he kicked the creature, "What even is this?"
"I don't know...we should turn back and tell the Keeper." Melia said.
Thackery took both of his daggers from the dead body.
"It looks sick." Thackery said, "Like no sickness I have ever seen."
"The poor creature…" Melia sighed, "Tam-"
"Hold on…" Tamlen walked past her, looking at the great mirror that was in the center of the circular room.
It was flanked by two large statues of elven mages. They glittered silver underneath the bracken and moss. Thackery nearly threw up when he saw the shimmering surface of the mirror.
"Wait." Melia backed away, "I don't think that thing is safe. Please let's just go." She pleaded.
"Oh, Mel...it's beautiful." Tamlen ignored her, staring wide eyes at the mirror, "I wonder what the writing says…"
"Yeah, I think Melly is right. Mirrors aren't to be trusted, Tamlen. Paivel says the Dread Wolf can take your soul from a mirror…"
"Look, we need to tell Keeper about this. Let's go…" Melia pleaded.
"Hey!" Tamlen pointed at the mirror, "Did you see that?" He went closer, "I think something moved inside of it." He ignored the others.
"Tamlen, this isn't funny. Get away from it." Melia's voice cracked, she fell a chill overcome her.
"I just want to know what it is," Tamlen seemed annoyed, "Don't you s-There it is again!" He smiled, "Can you feel that? I think it's knows we're here. I just want to take a closer look…" His fingers lightly brushed the seemingly liquid glass.
All three wolves growled and pawed at the ground. Argo and Larka ran for the door, snarling at each other, Samahl following them. Thackery felt his heart drop.
"Tamlen…" Thackery said sharply, his hands flung up to grab his own hair.
"It's showing me things." He said, "I can see a city...underground? And-there's a great blackness."
Melia saw a panic rush over Tamlen.
"It saw me! Help! I can't look away, Mel!" He tried to resist it.
Melia ran over to him, when she touched his free hand she felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She heard herself screaming Tamlens name, but she felt as if her mouth couldn't move. A great, blinding, light overtook her, and she couldn't see anymore. Now she could hear dark voices whispering in her head.
" You remember the void, mon cher. Your mind came here when you felt my breath on your skin. " A voice called to her in distorted tones, " I will always be here. "
She felt like she was slowly going mad. She kept screaming, hearing Thackery call her name. There was a laugh that rang through the darkness.
Her mind went black.