Ellendrya, Bethany, Leandra, and Aveline traveled the rest of the way to Gwaren with Flemeth, only running into a handful of dark spawn along the way. One night, as they set up camp, Bethany wandered over to Ellendrya.
"El? Do you have a minute?" She inquired.
"Of course. What's up?" Ellendrya replied.
"It's about Flemeth…" the young mage began. "Are you sure we can trust her? Her magic- it's different than anything I've ever sensed before. I can't describe it…"
"Well she hasn't killed us in our sleep yet has she? And she's had plenty of opportunities to let the dark spawn at us."
"I suppose… Just- be wary of her, okay? We've already lost enough…" She concluded sadly.
"I know Bethany." Ellendrya looked at her sister softly. "We'll make it to Kirkwall and everything will work out, okay? I promise." Bethany smiled sadly before returning to her tent.
She was running. It so dark, she couldn't see a thing. Then a light, far in the distance. Flickering, the light seemed to get farther away before all returned to darkness. Exhausted, Ellendrya collapsed to her hands and knees. Leaning against one of the walls she saw a glow to her left. Intricate patterns formed the shape of a body, but she couldn't see who it was. Then on her opposite side, Ellendrya beheld the scene before her. Standing once again in the clearing, the cliff blocking one side, she saw her brother leap in front of her mother. He glanced at her briefly, a small, tired smile upon his lips and a glint of knowledge of what would most likely happen in the next moment in his eyes. Again, Ellendrya was frozen in place, unable to act or even call out even though her head was screaming for her to do something. Then, Leandra's words echoed in her head. "I don't want a hero! I want my son! How could you let him charge off like that?" Ellendrya saw the tears streaming down her mother's face. Then, in the next instant, her surroundings were gone and she was back in the darkness, the glow beside her forgotten. In the next moment, Ellendrya felt like she was being pulled apart. She tried to scream, but her voice was lost within the pain…
Ellendrya woke up sweating, a scream barely caught in her throat. Shakily, she stood and emerged from her tent. Standing fully, she took a deep breath of the crisp night air, shivering slightly. Again and again, she remembered the feeling of being ripped apart from the inside, the pain of her blood seemingly boiling in her veins. Ellendrya shook her head, attempting to clear it.
Looking across the camp, she saw that Flemeth's fire was still going. She wandered over, seeing the witch staring into the flames, and sat down across from her.
"Bad dreams I presume?" the witch asked, keeping her eyes on the fire. "I heard you mumbling in your sleep."
"Y-yes…" Ellendrya finally replied.
"Care to share? I'm curious as to what would make the strong, composed Ellendrya Hawke so afraid hmm?" Flemeth finally met Ellendrya's light gray eyes. Something in them looked to El like she already knew the answer.
"I- don't know. I'm not really sure if it's fear exactly, but I can't really describe it. I was in a- tunnel of some sort. It was so dark. I saw my brother being killed again by the ogre…" Ellendrya stumbled a bit before continuing. "Then, after I was back in the darkness, there was a… pain. Excruciating pain that seemed to come from within me. There was no enemy for me to fight, just the pain. Then there was screaming… but it wasn't me. Then I woke up." She finished, seeing the nightmare again. She stared into the flames, trying to focus on what was in front of her.
'Why am I even telling her this?' Ellendrya thought to herself.
"Hmmm…" Flemeth hummed. "Was there no one else? In the darkness with you, I mean." She asked intently.
"Well, there was a glow of some sort, and it looked like a person kind of, but it was too dark…" Ellendrya replied after a moment of thought.
"Interesting," Flemeth mused.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing child. Just thinking to myself."
"Do you- think it means anything?" Ellendrya inquired.
"Well," the witch began, "dreams are simply dreams. How you decide to interpret them is entirely up to you." Ellendrya had to smile to herself a bit. 'Always talking in circles' she thought.
Ellendrya only remained at Flemeth's fire for a few more minutes before returning to her own tent. Wiping away the vision of her dream, she focused on her breathing, and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, the group finally made it to Gwaren. As they began to head into the city, Flemeth stopped, causing Ellendrya and the rest of her party to turn around.
"I will depart here. I have business elsewhere I must attend to." Flemeth said.
"Very well," replied Ellendrya. "Thank you again for all you have done for us." She said, bowing slightly. Flemeth smiled slightly before turning serious.
"Do well to remember our deal, Ellendrya Hawke. It should be no great task for you to deliver the amulet."
"Of course. It will be done." Ellendrya responded with the same seriousness. After a moment, Flemeth turned.
Before walking away, Flemeth paused. "Goodbye Hawke. I wish you luck in your travels. I'm sure we'll meet again." And with that she strode off in the direction they came, and into the forest.
Ellendrya and her party traveled the rest of the distance into Gwaren.
"It seems we aren't the only ones running to Kirkwall…" Bethany mumbled. All around them, refugees mulled around, looking food, shelter, or other supplies.
"Maker…" Aveline breathed. "I've never seen so many people packed in like this…"
"We should head to the docks as soon as possible," Ellendrya said sternly, not allowing herself to think on how many people's lives must have been destroyed because of the Blight. "I'm sure the line will be long," She said as she began walking towards where she thought the docks should be located. Aveline and Bethany followed, but Leandra remained standing, causing Ellendrya to stop and look back.
"What?" she asked quizzically. Leandra smiled slightly.
"You're going the wrong way dear," she almost giggled. Ellendrya blushed in embarrassment.
"Well how the hell am I supposed to know…." She scowled. "I've never even been here." Bethany just smiled as the set of for the docks.
Once they reached the docks, it was as Ellendrya expected. The line to get a pass to board the ship to Kirkwall had at least 50 different families in it. Bethany looked over at Ellendrya, knowing she was not one to wait. The look on her face was priceless, and made Bethany laugh aloud. Ellendrya already looked bored and irritated in anticipation of waiting in line.
"Maaybe… we should come back in the morning…" Ellendrya suggested dryly.
"You just don't like waiting," Bethany told her teasingly, still laughing.
"She may be right though," Aveline commented. Both sisters looked at her, slightly surprised.
"Really though…" she continued, "This place is a feeding ground for thieves. It wouldn't be a particularly good idea to hang around unless we continually had a hand on our purses. There's also the question of if we really want to be stuck on a boat for days with hordes of people. We have supplies and coin enough to last us two days at least. I say we wait, at least until the morning. We can come back early and find a ship."
"Yes!" Ellendrya suddenly cheered. "Splendid idea Aveline!" She grinned. Patience was not one of her strongest virtues.
Bethany rolled her eyes at her sisters' eagerness. Aveline chuckled slightly and Leandra gave her daughter a soft smile.
The group made their way from the docks, pushing through the masses of people as they went. The girls chatted easily, finding comfort in each others company. It felt good to dwell on more pleasant things than the most recent events. They had all been affected. Leandra remained as they went from tavern to tavern, searching for a place to stay.
"At this rate we're going to end up sleeping outside again," Bethany moaned.
"It could be worse I suppose," Hawke sighed. "At least its not raining or anything."
"Where do we go though? There's no room at any of the places we checked," Aveline put in.
She was right. All of the taverns were full with refugees who had arrived earlier. Hawke scratched her head uncomfortably.
"Looks like we'll be camping again," She said reluctantly.
Bethany frowned unhappily. Aveline simply shrugged, knowing this is how it would most likely turn out.
The group headed back out towards the forest, but not so far from the city that they would be threatened by anything in the lingering dark. Looking around, Ellendrya realized how many people were truly affected by the blight. The set up camp not too far from Gwaren. There were at least five other camps set up around them, each with their own fires, their own families attending them.
Dinner consisted of bread, cheese, and some dry meat. There was no room for extravagance in their current situation. Ellendrya kept an eye on her mother. Leandra had barely spoken since Carver's death. Bethany sat with her, speaking softly, simply making conversation. It was one sided though. Ellendrya knew it was her fault. She knew she should've done something, anything to prevent Carver from charging at the damned ogre. But she didn't. Carver was dead, and there was no going back.
Ellendrya shook her head, attempting to clear it of the dark thoughts. She wandered over to Aveline, taking a seat beside her.
"How are you- holding up?" She asked carefully. Aveline gave her a soft smile.
"I will never forget the feeling of my hand pushing that blade through his heart," She replied darkly. "It's like his blood is still staining my hands. I can't wash it off."
Hawke leaned against her new found friend gently, offering what comfort she could.
"Not to be blunt Aveline, but you haven't mourned his death at all since it happened. It's not good to bottle these things up." She frowned slightly.
"True, but you are no different are you?" Aveline raised her eyebrow at Hawke. She grimaced.
"I can't allow my self to crumble. Not now anyways. I have to remain strong for what family I have left," she said softly, gathering her knees to her chest and hugging them tightly. "My father would do the same."
Aveline only looked softly at Ellendrya. She understood. It was not like either of them to show weakness. Tears were that weakness in their eyes. They were more alike than Aveline first realized. Both fighting for something they had to protect.
"We should take watch tonight. I don't doubt everyone here is as honest as they'd like to be." Ellendrya said, stainding. Aveline nodded.
"I'll take first watch then. I'll wake you when it's your turn." Ellendrya just nodded and headed to her tent.
Her mother and Bethany had already retired while she and Aveline were speaking. Ellendrya had seen the sadness in her mothers' eyes. She looked exhausted. Hawke decided she would rise early, and get their passes as soon as possible in the morning.