And another one down
Kallian walked through the cites market place, bags filled with food, the market goers smiled as they traded greetings and well wishes while they shopped, she laughed and smiled at the children who ran underfoot through the stalls.
She carefully made her way through the crowds with her bag, already filled with breads, fruits and vegetables, resting heavily in the crook of her arm. Her house stood not far from the market, a fence and gate protect her small but green garden.
"Father, I'm back from the market!" she shouted out as she sat the large bundle on the table.
"Ah! Fantastic, just in time, your mother will be coming back with your aunt and Shianni will be coming with her, they've got another letter from Soris, seems he's doing well up in Highever with that new wife of his." Her father shouted back as he made his way towards the kitchen, he's hair seemed darker than the last time she'd seen him, his face younger looking with less lines.
Kallian paused for a moment, a feeling of unease pressing against the back of her throat, shaking her head she swallowed thickly, ignoring it and pushing it out of her mind.
"Well in that case we better start cooking." She smiled as she joined her father in making the meal. They laughed and joke while they argued over what ingredients to use, until the door opened and was filled with the voices of her family.
"Kallian there you are." Kallian turned to see Shianni standing next to her mother and aunt. Her mother's short blonde hair, similar to her own, feel loose around her face, a smile on her face that reached up into her bright amber eyes. Her stood next to her, her long red hair pulled back in a simple braid, eye's like her mother's grew wide as they stepping through the doorway, "My dear what's wrong?" her mother asked as she rushed towards her. Kallian reached up to find her cheeks where wet with tears.
"I don't know," she admitted as she looked at her hands in confusion; "it must have been the onions for the stew." She explained lamely wiping the tears away.
"Come on, stews all ready!" her father shouted from the kitchen.
"We better get in there quick before uncle has eaten it all." Shianni said as she made her way towards the kitchen.
"Father said you had gotten another letter from Soris?" Kallian asked as they began to eat.
"O yes, he says he's been doing well, he been training with a Knight up there, Ser Gilmore, I believe, I think he's going to try to become one of the castle guards. He told me to tell you that you are more than welcome to come visit, he said that he has plenty of single friends looking for a pretty wife." Her aunt said with a smirk.
She laughed as she tried to hide her blush, "Are you that eager to marry me off?"
"No of course not, we have another two months until your eighteen, then we're going to marry you off." her mother replied.
"Hey! Shianni is older than me by two whole years; shouldn't you be trying to marry her off?" Kallian half heartily protested.
"Ha! You think they haven't tried!" Shianni exclaimed.
"Every suitor that your cousin has she practically runs off," her aunt complained while rolling her eyes.
"I did not 'run them off', it's not my fault they can't handle a woman with an opinion." She scoffed.
"Don't worry dear, you'll find someone who will, your aunt did." Her father said with a smile as he looked over to his wife.
Kallian felt her cheeks strain as her smile grew wider; the moment was broken as a loud knocking started at the door.
"Who could that be?" Shianni asked.
"It's alright I get it." Kallian stood to get the door.
"No!" shouted her mother, Kallian gave her a confused look at the sudden outburst, seeming to calm herself, her mother spoke again, "Stay here I'll get it, finish you dinner."
Her mother stood and went to the door, Kallian listen as she her voice carrying down the hall through to the kitchen soon followed by the loud footsteps of people rushing through the house towards them. Everyone looked up when a white haired Elven woman, a white hair older human and a red hair man in armour entered the room.
"Who are you?" her father demaned.
"We're friends of Kallian's and we need to talk to her." The young Elven woman said.
"Kallian do you know these people?" her aunt asked.
"I-…" she stammered looking closely at each of them, "I do- well I think I do… I recognise you, but I don't know… who- who are you?"
"My Name is Neria, I'm a Grey Warden, this is Ruari Gilmore, and he's been travelling with you." Neria explained as Kallian open and closed her mouth in confusion, her brow creased in concentration. "We came to the Circle of Magi, remember? To get help for Redcliffe and Conner?"
Kallian had a sudden flash of images of a village, being attacked by creatures, of storming the castle and of finding a small boy in need of help, of leaving her new friends to get help, of creatures and terrible things in the tower.
"I remember! What- what's happening?" she asked as she backed away staring at her family as the illusion slipped away. She watched as the faces of her loved one faded to be replaced with shades that twisted and screamed at losing their prize.
"Later, we need to get Lyna!" Neria shouted as she began to attack.