So I lost my beta readers. This is a rough one and short. Not that anyone actually reads this but here it is..
Back At Camp chapter 7
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She sat as close to the fire as she dared wrapped in a thick bear skin, turning the pendant over and over
in her hands. They were camped a few miles outside Haven, it had taken nearly a full day to wind their
way through the mountain halls, and by the time they reached the urn of sacred ashes the sun had sunk
below the horizon.
You allowed yourself to be manipulated by Bhelen, and you murdered your elder brother, Trian. Do you
think you failed Trian?
The question had been so awkward and unexpected she had blurted out yes before she could stop
herself. In truth, she hadn't thought about it in weeks.
She flipped the amulet over and stared at Trian's smiling face as it wavered and flickered on the
pendant.
You allowed bhelen to make you his lackey. Are you proud of what you've done?
You are not my brother, I don't have to answer you.
I am the brother you remember, the one you have seen in your dreams these past months. My sister, I
know you are haunted by shame and regret, let the past stay in the past. Take this, and use it well. I give
you this... and my blessing. Remember me.
She knew it was magic, she knew Trian was encased in the stone and that his spirit had joined the
ancestors, but that still didn't stop her from smiling at the illusion. It was nice to see him smile again,
even if it wasn't real.
"I still can't believe you didn't take the deal with Kolgrim, his men would truly have been powerful
allies." Zevran said as he sat down on the fallen log beside her, his back toward the fire.
"It wasn't my place."
"No? It was you he asked, does it not make it your choice?"
She grinned. "I pray to the ancestors, not some dead woman in a jar who heard voices." she wrapped
her fingers around the pendant and looked up at Zevran.
"What does this have to do with Kolgrim's request?" He frowned.
"Well, I was standing there thinking, EEW dead burnt woman in a jug! But then I thought, how would
I feel if some maker shrieking zealot came into Orzammar and poured dragon blood over the... what
did you call it?... Shrine? Desecrating the very stone we leave bare to accept the prayers of my people. "
She shook her head and looked down at the chain snaking from her fist. "To me it was as Sten says,
nothing more then the charred remnants of a dead woman. But to people like to Ali and Lel, its more.
Who am I to desecrate something they hold as dear to them as the Ancestors are to me."
She looked over at Sten as he crawled into his tent and shivered. She was glad he was still at camp, and
even more so that he had not lopped her head off when they returned.
"You are far to rational sometimes my dear warden. And what is this?" He nodded toward her hand.
She opened her hand, the small silver pendant bared the chantry symbol on the exposed side. "It's
magic, or something. It shows me Trian's face sometimes. It's interesting, but most magic is." She held
the chain up letting the pendant dangle in-front of her face. She watched the fire dance on the smooth
surface and she smiled.
The pendant was simple, but made of the purest silver she had seen since she left Orzammar and could
not deny the beauty of it, magic or not. The way the light flicked and danced on its surface made her a
little homesick.
"You do not miss your brother? I figured that was why you have been staring at that necklace so long."
She heard Leliana ask from across the fire causing the dwarf to smile.
"Sure, a little. But I came to terms with his death awhile ago. No, the necklace reminds me of home.
Metals from the stone melted down to their purest form, before the smiths took it to forge." The bard
frowned but asked no more questions.
"Well my dear warden, everyone seems to be turning in, and since we are doubling up on the watch
tonight perhaps we should go take our posts. First watch, yes?" Zevran stood and glanced at
Nahalanee who was still staring at the pendant.
"I have first watch with Morrigan tonight." She said without any real thought. They had indeed thought
it a good idea to double the watch. They expected no more trouble from Haven survivors, if there were
any survivors left. But they did not want to take any chances.
She felt his hand tangle in her hair and pull, forcing her to tilt her head up and back to meet his gaze as
he loomed over her. "Oh? Such a shame. And here I was thinking we could find new ways to keep
each other entertained. But alas..." He sighed overly dramatic letting go of her hair as she gave a little
shiver..
She blinked and dropped the pendant into her other hand "Wait.. what?" she replayed the last few
seconds in her head and realized what just happened.
Zevran laughed when she finally grasped the situation and he strolled off toward the edge of camp.
"Lel, tell Morrigan she is off the hook for first watch will you, please? Thanks!" Nahalanee said as she
jumped up. Grabbing her daggers and bow, she hurried after the smirking Antivan. "Wait up!"
Leliana only laughed and shook her head.
