Before The Storm

by whitetiger62512

this is the origin of Asaaranda, Cassandra, and Sydney. how they came to be the people they are now, WARNING! this contains the torture and rape of Asaaranda from when she was turned into a qunari chained mage! DO NOT read if you can not handle the tags as they are not jokes here, this will be VERY dark. while there will be some fluff and comfort at the end of her section it is bad

3. Chapter 3

Summary:

Asaaranda is placed into her role.

Notes:

Cutler does not belong to me, he is visiting from TheTrueFro and their series 'Like mother, like daughter.' which is one of my fav series to read.

for reference AriQun is the rank for the leader of all the priest and is one of the three leaders of all the Qun. Tallis is basically the rank for assassin and spy.

Chapter Text

Ch.3 Gathering Clouds.

{Alright sit down and shut up.} the AriQun barked and at once the enter training yard fell silent as a grave.

X01, who know as Asaaranda, sat dwarfed on both sides by her friends Y21, Y14. Y21 was nicknamed The IronBull for his horns, sat on her right, even siting he was still taller by a head. On her left sat Y14, he would one day become a warrior with the name Cutler, who served the hornless Arishok with honor.

{Today's test is simple, ring the bell in the shortest time.} the AriQun held up a bell for all to see, before moving to hang it on a small stand at the end of the new obstacle course. {Now warm up and then line up in your positions.}

Without another word the woman walked off to the watcher's seat, her peg leg making a distinct click as she walked. X01 moved to stretch out with another female her size while Y21, Y14 helped each other. When the entire group was stretched out and lined up, the AriQun ordered them to begin.

The AriQun sat forward on elbows on knees, as the young ten-year old qunari's began the test. It was coming up on the time for the group to be split up and begin their training for their future roles, already the three top students of his class were showing where they would end up. The first of top three approached the start.

Y14 approached the start line, the entire course was set up like a ring enclosing the training area. With a simple nodded from AriQun 'Cutler' was running the course in record time, his strength making it self shown in how well he powered through the course.
'Antaam for him.' The AriQun thought as she made notes in his file, the next few runners were middle of the pack in performance.

Finally there was only two runners left, Y21 stepped forward and the moment AriQun nodded he shot off with a sped that was surprising. The AriQun watched as 'The IronBull' ran in the exact opisite direction of the start line, heading straight for the stand holding the bell. With a loud grunt the young qunari punched the bell, the loud grunt of pain rivaled the loud ringing.

{Go see the Tamassrans for your hand boy.} AriQun ordered, Y21 bowed flushed from pain and embarrassment. AriQun raised an eyebrow at the last runner, her daughter.

X01 stepped up to the start looking thought fulfill but bot focused on the course, AriQun nodded and waited to see what her daughter would do. Instead of running or even hurrying, the young female looked at the ground spinning slowly around in a circle. Wondering what she was doing AriQun leaned forward to watch.

Asaaranda suddenly crouched, hand lashing out and sprang back up. her arm whipped out and a second later the bell rang, the AriQun had a smirk on her face as her daughter bowed low and moved off to get water. The AriQun walked back into the temple after dismissing the young ones, dropping off the files into their job recommendation bins. Only two did the AriQun take with her to the center of spies' grounds, X01 and Y21's, those two had shown just the kind of thinking that was needed in the heart of many.
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**Three months later**

Asaaranda woke in a panic for the three time that week, drenched in sweat and just heaving. It was the same thing repeatedly, the dream started off different but ended with her magic found out and her killed for it. shortly after her and Y21 were moved into the ben-Hassraths quarters she start waking up to her hair standing on ends, from the sparks rolling across her skin. Then came the whispers, starting every time she neared hall of the antaam for their fallen members. The weapons spoke to her, whispering their lives and regrets.

The stirring of the other female students brought her back to the present, it was time to start the day's lesson. Across the hall, she heard a very loud crash followed by cursing, Y21 had fallen out of his bunk again. X01 snickered as she dressed for the day, Y21 always made her feel better on her worst days. As the bells for the morning meal rang she groaned, remembering that today was private lessons with the AriQun.

X01 always loved and dreaded the lessons in equal measure, the lessons covered the art of anti mage combat, and the AriQun would accept nothing less than perfect from her every time. as she sat down for breakfast Y21 dropped into the seat next to her.
{Looking good this morning Asaaranda.} X01 sighed at the flirty tone of her friend.

{Y21 did your fall this morning knock you sense loose, or did you for get what happen to the last fool.} X01 ask reminding her friend of what happened last time someone flirted with her.

{Come on I am far more sturdy, besides you can't blame me for trying.} he countered, sighing she looked at her friend.

{Fine tell you what beat me on Tallis's test today and we will give it a shot, I don't want someone who is less than I am.} X01 smirked at the frown, everyone knew that Tallis and AriQun seemed to have it out for X01.

She was pushed beyond the others, this made her the best out their of their group when it came to stealth and planning. Y21 agreed with a determined glint in his eyes, X01 sighed knowing he would not stop now. Giving up on the talk she finished eating quickly, moving off to her lessons with the AriQun.
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