Isabela laughed a little from Leliana's warning. Though she knew that she probably had meant it more than of what teasing she implied; the Captain was mostly a trustworthy person and reliable. She took a remaining group with her (including Leliana), and left the rest behind to watch over the ship. By the time Anders had caught up with them and learned of the plans, they were practically halfway to one of the Fog Warriors' campsites.
The area was like a wide-opened party, only native and full of men and women that Anders most certainly would have mistaken for the Chasind. Of course to say such would have been an insult to these people. They might have seemed to live off the land but they were certainly not cannibals. Isabela had slipped past their wild nature party and lead her group towards the caves. The walls were chipped and dripping from water inside. It was damp with moss covering over the area. It was a little strange to Anders that Isabela knew almost exactly where to look after a quick stop to the Fog Warriors' camp; but he wouldn't question it out loud.
The only main notice that Isabela had was that most of the puzzles from within the cave was already done. Carvings and symbols that she never would have figured out on her own were already opened and revealing more twists and turns deeper into the caves. They came at a large platform that was surrounded by golems. The crew was looking up at the beings staring them down; motionless and breathless.
"I thought the dwarves only had tunnels spread over Thedas. What are golems doing out all the over here?" Anders found himself asking out loud and then hearing his own voice echo.
"Beats me." Isabela gave the follow-up remark and kept on her merry way towards the stone platform in the center. "Maybe their ancestors were grand diggers too."
She didn't take her time as she readied herself for the venture to the find the book. She made sure she was well equipped with not only her long bow on her back but hidden upon her could be found daggers along her waist, thighs, and maybe even ankles. In her pouches she stuffed with healing poultice, and bombs. She wasn't about to leave unprepared if they were going to run into unfriendly faces.
When they happened to sneak past the fog warriors Leliana was surprised, figuring that was a little bit too easy. But she immediately felt a sigh of relief pass through her lips as she quickened her pace to a small jog, her hand reached out as she slid her bare fingers along the moist walls as they went forth.
Leliana wrapped her arms around her mid-section as she couldn't help but shiver as they had walked deeper within the tunnels. What came next surprised her. Stopping her in her tracks, she looked around to all the many Golems that surrounded them. "Great." She muttered softly under her breath, as she began dropping her arms down to her side as she shifted her weight to one side of her body. "Be careful guys. Who knows what kinds of traps may lay ahead?" She finished with trailing off beyond the crew, just in case if there were any traps she wanted to find them before one had stepped on one. She really didn't want to be either engulfed them in flames, getting latched on by a bear trap, or the least of the few, the Golems waking.
"That's the weird thing here. Most of these puzzles and traps have already been dealt with." Isabela said upon coming up to the large stone tablet in front of her.
"Well, better to have them dealt with for us than against us, I say." Anders chimed in quite happily to the thought. "Let's not ponder to much on why, just in case of prodding a late blooming trap to spring on us."
Isabela reached down at the stone tablet and wiped her hands across the dust. In a growing excitement, she blew away the rest and circled around it. "Oh! This is it! This is it! It has to be."
She tried to pull on one end of the stone tablet to lift it up from it's base. However, no matter how hard she tugged, the lid would not move. She grunted and strained until the point of exhaustion took over her. Leaning over the stone, Isabela propped her elbows up and rested her chin on her hands.
Anders couldn't help but to smile back at her failing attempts. "What's the problem? Did you prod something you weren't supposed to already?"
"I'm always prodding things I'm not supposed to." Isabela grinned briefly back at him in the dirty joke and then hopped up on the stone tablet. She walked on it and looked down at it; this time stamping her boot's heel onto it. "I can't get this blasted thing to open. Help me shift this, will you?"
"Are you sure you don't want to look at the pictures on the stone's casing first?" Anders questioned, looking back at the illustrations that were carved on the tablet sealing them from what was inside. He didn't know what the pictures meant but there quite a few of them on there. "There might be a reason it's closed this tight."
"Of course there's a reason. It's locked to keep us from getting it open." Isabela swooned and hopped off from the tablet and landed next to him. "You're a strong man. Show us how much muscle we'd need to shift that lid off."
Anders shook his head some and walked up towards the stone tablet. He started to push and nearly grunt. After a while, the gravel started to give away and soon the lid was quickly beginning to slide off. Anders was half expecting something to pop out and grab him, but no such an adventure yet. It wasn't until after the block had hit the floor, did the walls of the cave begin to quake.
Leliana began stepping forward, once she passed by a follower she grabbed the torch from their hands as she tried to look ahead. Narrowing her eyes further down the path, but to no surprise it was too dark. Failing she turned on the heel of her boots and watched for a moment as Isabela worked at opening the dreaded thing she was so certain was what she was looking for. As Anders spoke of the illustrations on the walls, it brought Leliana to stalk back up to them. Bringing the torch up to light the wall before her. Obviously it would take some time to decipher and they had little time at that.
She figured she'd let the two continue their fun in trying to open the tablet. But then her eyes gleamed as she caught onto some words. None she could really make out, since it was old dwarfish speak carved above the impressions. The dwarfs usually had riddles, and not easy ones as passwords to either keep people out of their treasures or keep them safe.
She pointed to the words momentarily. But it hadn't lasted very long as she was interrupted from the rumbling from underneath the soles of her feet that rose up her legs. She immediately braced herself. Handing over the torch to a nearby person as she drew out her weapon as quickly as she could.
"What did you do Anders!" She shouted in a scares tone as she shot her hues around the room. un-expecting what she saw next. The hand of one of the Golem's moved. Crap… She muttered in the back of her mind as she reached back swiftly pulling out a arrow as she lined it with her bow, shooting to towards the knee cap of the Golem making him in capable of moving. At least for a moment if that. "I think we should have gone with your idea Anders." She began to state as she didn't have a chance to recollect as she felt a large thumping tremble from behind her.
Leliana tried to look back but no matter how quick she might have been as a rouge, she was caught off guard. The rock solider took no time as it rose its arm up and swung its arm her way. In one fellow swoop she was tossed aside like a ragdoll. Almost knocking her unconscious, her body stayed still for a moment. To allow the spinning to eventually stop. Through hazy vision she tried to shake herself clean as she began standing to her feet in a wobbly manner. "Ugh, ouch." She whispered, shaking her head one last time.
"Yeah, Anders! Since when do you ever listen to me?" Isabela asked, reaching for the blades strapped to her back.
Anders raised his hands and aimed it to the golems that were approaching. His ice spells of winters breath and cone of cold were quickly shooting out from his fingertips. He saw Leliana falling and injured. He had to make it to her. Running towards her direction and ducking between two golems to keep them from hitting him and instead each other, Anders had slipped towards his way towards her.
Though by the time he reached her location, a large boulder was being thrown near his direction. The mage had to turn sideways, feeling the stone scrape against his back. He hollered, feeling his skin crack and his body glow. It was Justice's power, pushing forward in waves. So, when he unleashed more of the ice spells onto the approaching stone army, the spells had coated over them to freeze the golems for a bit longer. He placed his hand over Leliana's wound for a quick healing spell; at least being able to accomplish his struggled goal.
"We have to get to the others." Anders encouraged and pointed over towards the remaining elves and Isabela who were clustered together and fending off the swarm.
Isabela pointed towards the exit with her blade. "We have to get out of here!"
Though her pausing had kept her from looking at the oncoming bolder that pushed her body into the stone wall behind her. She was sailing there until suddenly being lifted up. Opening her eyes and feeling herself being cradled, Isabela looked up and around herself to find that Tempest had came for her and saved her from being crushed. He was swinging on a vine that carried them both practically to the other side.
"Tempest!" She cheered almost like teenager. Reaching up to hug his neck tightly; grateful that he was still alive. "Wait... Where were you?"
"We'll talk later." He answered once they had landed. He turned from the second story of the cavern after having their feet on the ground and threw the vine over towards the other elves to climb up. Looking towards his left side, he could see Anders and Leliana fending for themselves for the moment. "Hey, Anders! Are you two okay?"
"Don't worry about us! We got this!" Anders managed to call back; although his voice was certainly multi-toned. Then anger he channeled for battle was pretty clear by then.
All the same, though, Tempest reached for the small blade in his belt-clip and pulled it out to make a wide cut along the palm of his hand. The red aura of blood magic flowed over him as his life-force was dripping out to be used. Isabela hadn't said anything though. She turned her attention towards trying to guide the elven slaves to swing up along the vine to safety.
Leliana's eyes widened in shock in hearing Anders yelp due to pain. As worry filled her mind, she placed her hands against his shoulder before beginning to part her lips. "You okay?" She asked while her hues shot down to Anders hand that cupped her wound. Almost feeling lost in the moment, the thought of how clumsy she was brought to the back of her mind. And she had to admit it was embarrassing . Every time a battle seemed to rise, Leliana always had a knack of getting hurt in the process. This is why she attempted to stay as far back from the action. Unlike how Isabela, with her and her dual blades. Though if it came down to it she wouldn't hesitate to pick up that trade in battle.
Nodding to both Anders and Isabela's statement of needing to leave this area before they got more in muck than they were able to get out of. But just as she turned she saw a flash of males form swing by. Leliana didn't stop in her dash to the elves as she watched the event before her unfold. Once her hues had focused she was surprised to see Tempest. A sigh of relief had pushed it way through her lips. Thankful he had gotten there when he had. "About time." Was all she could muster out as she fought off the horde of Golems.
Looking to Anders, Leliana was hesitant at first as she reached out to him upon hearing his voice. Knowing Justice was near. She shook it off though as she gave a small tug to his hand and sprinted towards the vine. Ordering the elves one by one to swing over to safety.
After the last of them had swung over, Leliana grasped onto the vine within her hand. Her emerald hues shot back to Anders as she saw the Golem's nearing with each passing second. "Come on Anders." She spoke out, while she extended her arm out to him her hand waiting for him to grasp upon.
Anders ran after Leliana once he was certain she had a secure way out of the pit. It wasn't as if they probably wouldn't have survived it, but climbing out or to a higher position would have been the wisest thing to do. It could avoid many casualties. He reached out after Leliana had called for him and jumped, grabbing onto the vine. When the vine had swung to safety, Isabela pulled on the end of it, trying to keep it steady so that everyone could safely land at the upper level of the cave.
Tempest still stared down at the ground below, seeing that bottom floor was still heavily littered with the golems. Some of them were walking around aimlessly while others were instigating battles against one another. Tempest knew he had to take care of them though; or otherwise he couldn't get down below.
"Take the path behind me, lass, and slide along the walls to reach the exit. Have the others follow you." Tempest instructed in a hushed tone so that he wouldn't alert the golems below. "Be quick about it."
"But wait-" Isabela started to question him until her eyes caught sight of Tempest's blade flashing against the dim light of the cave. For the first time she was acknowldging rather clearly that he was a bloodmage.
"I said go." The bloodmage demanded rather sternly; in a surprise that caught most of the others off-guard in the process.
Isabela inched back slightly from him and quieted down a little. Though Anders, looked between them and saw the slight growing delima. Isabela obviously didn't want Tempest anymore injured than he already was-despite the fact that he was doing these injuries himself in order to fight.
"I can stay behind." Anders/Justice offered to her but Tempest shook his head firmly still.
"No good. You're a healer, and the way out is paved with Tal Vashoth and Fog Warriors." Tempest explained and turned his attention towards tracing a slightly deeper cut into his previous wound in order to keep his power a few centimeters stronger. "...The crew can spare someone like me. They can't spare someone like you."
Anders/Justice gritted his teeth; showing he certainly didn't approve of the thought, but he wasn't about to let Tempest's intentions turn into a vain attempt. He nodded some and signaled for the others to start following him as he took the lead to take the others out to safety.
Meanwhile, Tempest turned in the opposite direction to sneak over to the front of the cave. Once he reached there by sneaking and climbing more rock; (proving for certain that his bummed leg had a bit more power than he complained about) Tempest turned and nested in a safe spot. He turned around and raised his arm up into the air; summoning a pain spell from his blood magic.
"Hey! Dirt-For-Brains! Over here!" He called out to the golems to get their attention. "Your Mama was a paper-weight!"
About four golems turned towards the hollering and raised their arms up. Pretty soon the entire army had turned to face him. Each one had reached down into the ground and pulled out large boulders to throw at him. Tempest had to quickly dodge each one before throwing down a blood magic spell that controlled a few of the golems around them, in order to turn some against each other.
"You call that a rock? My head's harder than those dirt-clods!" He teased more and stuck his tongue out at them to keep their patience thin and frustrated at him.
Landing firmly on the ground Leliana began to recount in her mind as well as looking over her shoulder where they came from to make sure there were no other elves in harm's way. Seeing they were safe, at least for the moment she began to glance to Tempest as he began barking orders.
"You're crazy! You're going to get yourself killed. This isn't a one man's battle." She argued, as she winched from seeing him dig the dagger just slightly deeper into his flesh. She looked to Anders and Isabela sighing a defeated sigh as she shrugged her shoulders, her head dropping. "Fine." Was all she muttered when Anders had begun leading the crew out, and through the tunnels of the cave. Obviously there was no convincing him so she picked up her pace once more, following slowly behind.
As for the carefree warden. He had finally finished speaking with the Qun, and gained somewhat of a trust with them. Fooling them as well as he had was an easy task. Now he walked through the tunnels of the cave, his orbs bounced off the walls as he halted for a moment upon hearing clashing, and muffled speak. He looked back to Fenris arching a brow. "You hear that?" He asked curiously, as he picked up his pace once more and went deeper within the tunnels, letting all but his ears guide him to where the sound was coming from.
Stepping foot out the of a one of the tunnels and into a larger opening in the cave, the Warden began looking around aimlessly for a moment. At least that was until he heard a familiar voice echoing towards him. He looked ahead, seeing Tempest, and below that he set his orbs on the Golems. All the Warden had muttered out in a questionable manner was. "Golems?" He was just as lost as the crew were to see these things here, and activated none the less.
"Need help?" He called out to Tempest. As he reached back, over his broad shoulders as he began to un-sheath his sword from its metal and leather casting. The blade was recognizable as it once belonged to the man that saved him from a cruel death, Duncan's blade. He swung it left to right in what seemed like a effortless motion. As he stepped towards the Golem's giving off a whistle to grab the nearest Golem's attention.
The Golem looked over, seeing Aragorn approach. Not only one but a few had turned to face the fearless Warden. Stepping forth, closing the gap ever so slowly.
Aragorn chuckled as his hand tightened around the hilt of his blade. And with not another passing second he dashed towards the Golem's, swinging his sword to one of the legs of the Golems. Causing it to fall to the ground, cracking the dense ground below. Behind him came another. But Aragorn blocked the arm that came down crashing against him with his shield.
He took his foot as he placed the ball of his foot against the Golem's chin, and his heel to his chest. He pushed forcibly with all his might he had within. Cracks formed at the center of the rock soldiers neck. Small grunts emitted from him as he gave one more fellow push, beheading the Golem. He then turned his attention to the other Golem who was pounding still on his shield. Pushing him back, he let out a huff as he stalked forward to end the next Golems being.
Fenris had remained quiet for the moment, but only nodded some once he acknowledged Aragorn's lead. He was just as puzzled as the Grey Warden was over the issue of golems lurking around. His green eyes were wide at the surprise and it hadn't taken him long to have been dragged into the fray as well. His body glowed and pulsed form the lyrium underneath his skin, forcing his power strikes to be harder and faster against the attacks that the stone soldiers would attempt.
Tempest heard the call towards him and looked down below to see the Grey Warden fighting quite a handful of the creatures on his own. Of course, he had to laugh with relief; since he had first feared it to have been someone like the Arishok or some Fog Warrior Leader creeping inside.
"By the breath of Dumat! And I thought you were at the ship!" His laugh was proud and his magic strong, spilling over him in his continued spells of mind-control against the remaining golems choosing to stay near his sector. He obviously hadn't a problem with power; but he did have a problem with how short ranged and clustered that his spells had to be. Either way he had his own nesting army for little while to carry out his work.
Fenris was chipping his way through three golems that attempted to surround him. Though in the middle of his fighting, he was dodging a bit more than he anticipated. This happened at least until Tempest's private rock-army started to lend a hand in his and Aragorn's struggles.
"Can someone please tell us what's going on?" Fenris asked, more intently for Tempest to answer, although with all of the rubble and enemies coming at them in a frenzy, he wasn't certain who all was still around.
"Well!" Tempest started and ended up doing a backbend in order to dodge a flying boulder. He turned and flipped all the way before landing back to his feet again; only to focus his draining spells on the remaining ones he had left under his control. "A trap was sprung, obviously...!"
Using his puppet master spell, Tempest was able to control the remaining golems to at least remain still so that the Grey Warden and Fenris could finish them off. When the rubble had finally started to clear and the dust settled; that was when Tempest's light-headedness started to catch up to him. He lost his balance a little before plopping back down onto the second story of the cave, dangling his legs down below.
"And I'm... in the need of a major spa treatment." Tempest winced after glossing over the room.
The bloodmage checked to make sure that all of the golems were dead. His eyes glanced down at the tomb Isabela and Anders had opened. He could see from his angle that there was nothing there. Tempest was of course disappointed but there wasn't time to think on it right then.
"Thanks." He finally said once he caught his breath again and pointed his blade towards the path that the others had taken. "Everyone else is heading outside. They should be on the other side of this cave, but the Tal Vashoth are nearby. You two need to hurry there."
The Warden hacked away as quickly as his body would allow him. After getting through with the ones that were uncontrollable, for whatever reason. Aragorn didn't hesitate as he made sure to finish off the rest. Coming to a sprint, he pushed his way through the still ones. His sword clanging and possibly even dulling with each swoop he threw to the Golem's, left to right leaving no room for mistake. Knowing one Golem could easily knock out the toughest of men. After the final Golem fell. A small pant submitted from his lips as he allowed his arms to dangle low to the ground regaining his energy.
"It's been a while since I've taken a Golem on." Aragorn stated, as he looked to his now chipped a dull blade. Shrugging his shoulders he began sliding his sword back into its holding place. His glowing blue orbs shifting to Tempest as he spoke. He then looked to the tunnel, picking up his pace. But he wasn't so quick to leave just yet. "Aren't you coming?" He asked a bit curiously.
Whichever it was him coming or not he figured the boy needed to rest. So as he walked forward where he stopped near the tunnel which Tempest spoke of. "Just follow us after a bit. I need to make sure the others are safe." He then took a look to Fenris unknowing if he wanted to stay or leave with him. Since he was looking for him this morning it would make sense for him not to leave the bloodmage to run off again. He didn't bother to speak another word, as he turned and began walking once more through the tunnels.
Outside Leliana paused as she leaned her frame against the rock formation. She rested she waited until each and every person had exited the cave, as she began to look outward. In attempt and hope to see any kind of threat before it attacked. But for now, even for a moment it seemed if they were safe. Which brought her mind to wonder of how Tempest was doing with the Golem's inside. She wished they didn't have to leave him behind as they did, but it was probably for the best.
Pushing herself off from her resting place she began walking forward. Leliana came to Anders. She began circling him as her hand glided across his back where the bolder had scraped past. "Are you okay?" She asked, her hand dropping to her side as she made her way to his front. "You shouldn't have tried to help me. I was okay." Leliana's hues dropped to the ground staring to her booted feet for a moment. She hated to think of Anders getting hurt as he was trying to help her. Though she would of been in more pain without his help.
The sound of steps nearing caused her to quickly jolt around. Figuring the Golems had somehow passed, and were now coming back for round two. But to her surprise she saw the Warden stepping out in the light. His arm reached up blocking the rays of the sun from beaming in his eyes. "Leliana?" He spoke quietly under his breath, his arm dropping in the process.
Leliana smiled brightly as she ran up to him in. Immediately her hues shot around and over his shoulder looking for both Fenris and Tempest. Thinking the worst she brought her attention back to the Warden. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be busy all day with the Qun?"
He shrugged his shoulders for a short and quick reply. "Guess I'm lucky. I came looking for you guys. I can't let you guys have all the fun now can I?" He teased, as he began to look past Leliana and put his set of eyes on Isabela and Anders.
Fenris had only nodded after receiving his orders. He couldn't very well give any verbal argument anyway by how fast the other man moved. So, his attention had turned back up towards Tempest, who looked very pathetic cradling his hand injury.
"What are you waiting for?" Tempest huffed when he noticed that the elf wasn't moving. "I didn't know free elves took orders so well."
"Taking on an army of golems by yourself..." The elf remarked out loud at him. "Has anyone told you you're mad?"
"You're not the first." Tempest chuckled and turned away to cough a little. "It was a strategical maneuver; nothing more... You should catch up with him though. They'll need every muscle they can muster."
"It's pretty obvious this ship isn't going to leave without you, either. So, you had best get those strategically maneuvers out of your head for now." Fenris retorted and reached up over his shoulder to sheath back his sword once more.
"Maker... I'll be down in a minute, laddie, but I'm sure as sodding spit-fire not going to jump down!" Tempest laughed and shook his head. "Head on out. By the time you handle those Tal Vashoth, I'll be biting everyone's ankles, I promise."
Fenris rolled his eyes some and reached into his hip pouch. He pulled out a healing potion and without a word tossed it up for Tempest to catch. The bloodmage barely even recognized what was coming his way until he grasped it with his good hand. He wobbled some before straightening back up.
"Hey..." Tempest huffed after seeing the elf turn away from him. He then looked back at the healing potion. "I thought you hated mages."
"I do." Fenris replied just as venomous as ever, but he left the discussion at that upon his leave.
From where the others were hiking away, Isabela was looking back towards the cave entrance in worry. She was expecting Tempest to have come out at any moment, but with each step they were taking away from it, the farther the image started to seem.
"Maybe, maybe we should slow down." She said, taking a half-step back.
The others had paused, looking towards Isabela and then to Leliana and Anders for guidance since they were the only ones willing to lead them at the time. Anders/Justice wasn't certain of what to have done. It didn't feel right to keep pressing forward, no matter how strongly enforced Tempest's orders might have been.
Tempest had been in war, and he understood what logical decisions-despite how tough-had to be made sometimes in order to continue living. He survived the Slave Wars in the frozen tundra of Nevarra; which was something Justice/Anders seemed having a difficult time to realize. The decision to have been left behind might have been wise; but Justice/Anders was looking more for the selfish choices to be made.
Anders/Justice had felt Leliana's touch against his injury and he flinched some; rather an automatic reaction. He tried to think of a word of confidence quickly for the moment, and shrugged it off. "It's just a scratch..."
Though, before he had even attempted to try and calm himself so that Justice's power would dwindle, Aragorn had reached them. He looked to the reunion he had with Leliana and felt a relief that the man was alright. Though it did leave lingering questions to what might have happened about Fenris.
No decision had been given this time; however, and the group ended up waiting. The wait turned long enough to have had groups of Tal Vashoth Qunari and renegaded mage Qunari types to enter the area. The eyes of the elves and their remaining leaders had looked up and around the wilds-filled land until the thresh-holds of spears and largely tipped arrows had greeted them.
"You have entered sacred ground, bazarath." One of the Tal Vashoth addressed to them openly. "The penalty for crossing this boarder is death. What say you in your defense?"
Isabela glanced around before looking back at who she believed may have been the leader and shrugged as innocently as she could. "We're sorry?"
Apparently, they didn't like the answer. Arrows and spears were quickly being thrown at them. The only split-second defense that Anders/Justice could think up was to raise the ground in front of them. He lifted the earth, made of solid rock, and used it through luck as the crew's next threshold. Glancing back over towards Isabela, he was quick give an annoyed rant.
"If we live through this, woman, remind me to ring your neck." Anders/Justice said in his double-tone.
"Is that...? Is that Justice speaking with me now?" Isabela questioned while idly holding her hands out for any spare bow and arrows to take. "That voice is quite sexy."
As they waited for the elf and mages return Aragorn saw fit to begin his own work on his blade, sharpening the edges. Since he needed to be ready for any form of attack that could come out of the blue out here. He began to wonder what was taking Fenris so long. But of course he didn't mind the wait since this gave him a good time to sit and rest for a moment.
Leliana glanced from the corner of her socket. Hearing a rather unfriendly voices. She looked to Aragorn who had already began to stand to his feet, slowly making his way over. Before approaching he put his newly sharped weapon away to show no threat. But it seemed as if things didn't go in his favor, as the Tal Vashoth had already begun engaging in battle. Aragorn stepped back, thankfully as he was just centimeters from the rising block of rocky earth had almost grazed him across the tip of his nose. He looked back to the mage. Also hearing the doubled voice. "Justice?" He spoke questionably. As his hand rose up rubbing his nose. The last he remembered of Justice was that he was gone, for good… Or so he thought. So hearing that name brought a big question to his mind.
Leliana shook her head at Isabela's words, as she reached back. Once again readying herself for yet another battle. At least this one wouldn't happen to be as difficult. Or so she hoped. "Can you knock it off. I'm gonna lock you in a closet Izzy." She teased lightly, as she began stepping back a few steps. Drawing her arrow back waiting for the first victim who would fall to her steel pointed arrow.
"Yes, it is I. Hello, Commander. We spoke before, but you did not realize it." Justice/Anders spoke briefly above Isabela's snickering. He had risen his staff slightly over the wall and attempted to blindly shoot fire-ball spells at their new enemies.
Fenris had managed to catch up with them, seeing the new carnage in front of him. From what elves that were wounded from the arrows being shot at them, Anders/Justice had found himself busy with healing and repairing torn wounds just as quickly. He shook his head some, finding that they were out of one battle and heading straight into another.
The elf reached back for his sword again and started to cut through the Tal Vashoth that dared to approach too close to the final shield that the crew had left. Finding that he was able to make a move outward, Isabela spun from her position and attempted at firing arrows until she had ran out of them. She ran towards the trees to hide against, and when a soldier came close, Isabela would spin on her heal and punch the man in the throat.
However the fighting had dwindled to a standstill when the light around them had started to darken. Most of the groups had looked up towards the sky; seeing a large and thick crimson cloud roll from over the hill-top of the cave and spread outward. From the center of the shadow, stood a tall slender male dressed in proud and black-feathered Tevinter robes. It was Alexander, holding his left arm out to have revealed his opened bleeding arm. It had a bite mark to it that sunk down deep past his stitching and soaking to the ground below to them.
"Bloodmage! There's a bloodmage among them!" The Tal Vashoth started to chant in their warnings.
However, for the remaining Tal Vashoth, the warnings were coming far too late. Alexander's victims froze due to being trapped under his puppet-master spell, and by the time he was finished with them - draining each of their life forces to feed his own gluttonous health, the bodies exploded. Like fresh globing sacks of flesh being forced out; similar to an air-bubble being popped.
The frightened crew shouted and screamed from the horror; for to them, most of them had never even touched a weapon before. This sort of excitement (with no prior experience) for ex-slaves was far too much for them to take in all at once. Though when it was all over, and the bloody gore dripped off from the trees to land on the ground, Alexander took his cane in his right hand and made his casual stroll down the hill.
"Si shilta ti jikahshi si tepoha ekess return tenamalo ekess nomeno putrid joork di vi thaczil." Alexander growled lowly in his dragon's tongue.
He didn't show a scowl to his face; in fact the man had seemed very calm. It was just the tone of his voice that seemed to set off a bit of alarm. Well... that and the fact that he instantly killed off the rest of the growing army with only a couple of spells. His eyes glanced over the group hiding behind the wall and lifted his cane up to clap the back of his hand with his free one.
"After six years of fighting these cretons, I never thought I would have to set foot on Par Vollen soil ever again." Alexander spoke out towards them, but his tone remained charmed. "Now, Fenris. Come on out. You've had your fun for quite some time. Wouldn't you agree?"
Fenris remained braced against one of the trees, still hiding. He wasn't going to move. He had planned to wait there until Alexander possibly had stepped a little closer.
Aragorn blinked a few times, shocked at the state of Anders and this Justice. He hardly remembered Justice. As he had so many things going through his mind that he just forgotten. Being reminded of the spirit, seeing it and Anders as one brought him to wonder how long this had truly been going on. Was this one of the many reasons the Stark Haven, the Templars, along with the Chantry… Heck even some of the Wardens were out to get him besides him destroying the Chantry. Because he had this spirit inside him. He knew from experience of knowing Wynne that if a spirit was inside one's body it didn't always corrupt them. It all depended on the willpower of that person. But this wasn't the time to be dwindling about such things.
He quickly shook the thought from his mind as ran up to the wall barricading him from any form of arrows impaling him. He peaked around the side for a quick second, retreating his head back to rest of the wall, as a sigh passed his lips. And with a swift movement he stepped out into the open, charging forward as he swung his sword. All it took was one swoop to have the Tal Vashoth crumble to their knees. And if one was persistent. He wouldn't hesitant to turn right around, sliding his blade across their jugular. Before turning to the next foe.
Leliana stayed in the far back as Isabela had. Keeping to the shadows, as she shot arrows at any Tal Vashoth that dared to get close enough. Before they had the chance to react and attack back. When the light dimmed around them, Leliana gazed up to the skies. Her brow furrowed in question as brought her bow to her chest. "What's going on?"
Ahead of them Aragorn looked to the skies as well. He stood there for a moment longer before retreating as well to the shadows. But he never took his eyes off the figure that began appearing before him. This was one person he had never come across. And seeing he was a blood mage caused him to wonder why he was helping. Unless he was going to attack them next. Which he would be ready for if it had come down to it. It wouldn't be the first time he'd taken on such a mage.
Leliana glanced over her shoulder and past the brush of the forest. Seeing the bodies of the Tal Vashoth laying lifeless on the ground. The voice of Alexander's filled her ears causing her to roll her eyes, unsure whether to step out or not. She looked over to Anders who she figured should and would make the first move and then she would follow his lead. Or better yet, Fenris. Since it was more than a coincidence that they all happened to leave his home at the time Fenris escaped.
"I bore easily, Fenris." Alexander warned as he continued on his careful march. "The amusement to this is fading."
Of course he could sense the others around him, but unless they had something as strong as the Litany of Adralla or Templar magic at their disposal, it would have been wise not to cross him.
Fenris ignored this thought though, and when he charged and hollered for his attack, he swung his large sword down in the Magister's direction. Alexander dodged the attack easily and turned around to face the elf once more. He watched as Fenris turned back around and swung at him again. Though no matter how fast or strong his attacks were coming, Alexander still managed to dodge them. It was when he braced himself against the other side of the rock-shield, had Fenris turned back around to face him.
"You seem so tired." Alexander smiled to him and tightened his grip on his walking cane upon his approach. "Don't you think it's time you returned home?"
"I'm never going back to that prison." Fenris growled to the thought of it.
"Oh, but you are." Alexander retorted almost playfully while casting his eyes more daring towards the sounds of scared breathing and muffled hushes.
Fenris rolled his head to one side, looking at him and shook his head. "What sort of magic are you going to drag me back with this time? Another 'puppet-slave' enchantment?"
"Not this time." Alexander smiled brightly and within a sudden swift movement, brought the cane up to brandish it across Fenris's face.
Fenris rolled to the ground and tried to turn away, but from each moment he headed towards, the Magister had risen his cane back high into the air and started to strike at him harder and harder with each blow. The smile he had was even gone briefly upon giving such punishment.
Justice/Anders was busy staring back at the other side of the rock. He could hear the swings just as plainly as the others could. It really hadn't taken him long to stand to his feet, soon afterwards followed by Isabela in the process.
"That's enough!" Isabela shouted; while Anders/Justice seemed to have taken the liberty to fire another wave of magic ice at the new arrival.
Alexander only had the brief moment to reach up with his striking arm and swat away the on-coming ice with his cane. He pointed the weapon back at Anders/Justice just as threateningly for the moment.
"And that will be quite enough of that!" He warned him before squinting his eyes back towards Isabela. His smile had slowly started to return once more. "You can't have everything, my dear. It was either the man or the elf; and this elf is rightly mine..."
Isabela stiffened some as she came out from hiding against the tree. Her arms folded across her chest, while her eyes returned a fierce glare.
"Oh, look at you." The Magister chuckled with pride and lowered his cane back down. "Such beauty in that hatred... I see it's carried you a long way, hasn't it? ...Now, would you mind telling me why on earth would you think kidnapping my guests along with taking my wife's escort be some sort of fun idea? The poor girl is beside herself with being ill."
"We were not-" Anders/Justice started to speak honestly but his voice was quickly cut off from Alexander's raising tone.
"As far as I see it, and for your sake wish to believe-you were forced against your will. Do not have me hear something otherwise. Is that understood?" Alexander questioned and then turned back to Fenris and tapped his armor. "And as for you, I see what the problem is... Your last master must have loved to play games with you; letting you go and capturing again. Well, I don't play things like that. I have a reputation to keep."
After the moment Anders stood up to have shown himself Leliana quickly followed suit behind him. It was then she had finally been given the sight of what had happened to Fenris during that short time. She couldn't bring herself to look away from him as only her bare fingertips reached up to rest along the edge of her lips in her shock.
As for the Warden, he looked from Fenris's wounded body and to Leliana then. Almost tempted to have asked of this man since it sounded to him Anders and this man knew one another, but when he parted his lips Leliana had spoken before him to break out any words that may have seemed to want to come out.
"It isn't her fault as to why we left, or Anders…" Leliana spoke quickly in hopes no one would disrupt her words. Even if what she was going to say was a lie, it was better than Alexander being irate with either Isabela or Anders. "It was my idea to leave… Please don't be upset with them from my own doing."
Aragorn turned more towards Leliana then, more confused than ever. As he could see clearly just by her stature that she was lying… But why? He didn't understand. He wanted to ask, to have her speak the truth so she wouldn't have been in harm's way, since obviously Anders wasn't going to protect her from him. So he had to, by some way he would have done it too. No one was unbeatable like everyone was making out this man to be. But also Aragorn wasn't one to quickly pounce into battle, it was only if truly needed would he do it and even if Fenris was wounded to a point where he wanted, he doubted the elf would have approved at this moment. Almost seemingly making him seem weaker.
After sighing, Aragorn approached the Magister, with his hands at each side of him to have shown just then that he was of no threat to the man, that he wasn't about to pull a weapon either. Once he neared close enough he looked down from Fenris's body to the males where he parted his lips. "I'm Aragorn Cousland, Warden Commander of Ferelden… Or more known as the Hero of Ferelden." He stated in a pause. "Fenris was put under me by the orders by the King of Denermin. Taking him from these lands and taking him into completely different territories will only bring you trouble which you will not wish to seek. Clearly one soul isn't worth the risk of your life now is it?"
Naturally, the Magister had turned his listening ear to Leliana's confession. Though the whole time, Anders/Justice was turning his head towards her and shaking his head. While her words did amuse Alexander, and he was willing to accept it, the abomination from the other end of the conversation was shocked to find that Leliana would admit to such things. Though in the enlightment of her question (whether to have prodded him or be a tease), Alexander decided to entertain as such he was given in return.
"My dear, when it comes to my simple and ...Ferelden wife, ...my reasons for my actions are hardly complexed." He smiled, taking a step back and holding both arms out wide in a welcome to his explanation.
Fenris took the moment in between of catching his breath and wiping away the blood from his new wounds, so that he could regain his baring's. His hands clutched at the brick wall and despite his shaking knees, started pull himself to back up to stand. His hand clutched the handle of his sword and used the blade for a proper balance on the way up.
"He is stubborn as mule. He will not falter; he will not break, and my poor misraised Anna admires him so for it. In fact, his bloody name is all I ever hear..." Alexander mused and dropped his arms as his eyes had shifted towards Fenris to make certain he could stand.
"You see the Initiation for Magisters is not easy when all one is ever taught is to care for thy neighbor and to love openly. The night my precious Anna learned her first lesson in her 'emotional training' was the night her precious heart broke in two. Now, somehow - miraculously - she believes that this ...creature... forgives her of the so called 'sin' that she riduculously burdens herself with. If I am to keep my wife from becoming a hospitalized, drooling baffoon, then I have no choice but to give her a form of emotions that I can no longer personaly give. Hence, as I once before claimed him to be: My Wife's Escort."
"What did you do to her?" Anders/Justice had demanded, though his staff never risen from its angle at Alexander still.
"Me? What an absurd pressumption! She volunteered, for you. So that you could get the proper audience you deserved without any hassel. Remember? ...So be damned greatful!" The Magister laughed and shrugged to show a little bit of carelessness.
Anders/Justice scowled under his breath, but his staff had finally lifted from its aim. He knew Alexander was right. He remembered the Initiation night when the choice to kill a slave was either to fall on himself or to be Anna's choice. Even though, in truth, Anders/Justice probably would have killed just about anyone for his cause (and of that he whole-heartily believed); it was a shock to find Anna vouching for him when she did.
Then upon hearing the Grey Warden speak, Alexander had to shift his stance a little. He knew it was a form of stalling; but the Magister didn't seem to mind it much. He held back the notion to laugh too abruptly since he was trying to remain polite; but the ever dominant smile Alexander had shown enough of his prowess to the rest of the world.
"Another Ferelden, is it? ...And a Commander of the Grey even! Looks like somebody's been dealing out lives she knows nothing about. How marvelous." He teased, meaning for it to aim towards Isabela since his previous dealings did involve her upon obtainint Fenris in the first place. Alexander leaned back on his heels and reached up to fold his arms, tucking the cane under his arm, in finding that he was explaining more and proud to entertain even through information.
"Bastard King or not, Ferelden, this elf is under Tevinter documentation through an extensive Will which is under my name. This is elf's citizen ship is stated as such to be a Tevinter, our current residence is in-fact Par Vollen and the last time I knew of the Grey Wardens, they were not to involve themselves with such affairs... Well, you could, ...but if I do, I would love to be there just to hear Empress Celene of Orlais declar a national war against the rest of Thedas. So, then by all means, Warden Commander, do threaten me still."
"Emotional training?" Asked the Warden, his eyes shot around for a moment until he saw what seemed like a guilty look on Leliana's face. This brought him to step towards as he reached up putting a hand on her shoulder.
Right off the feel of the Warden didn't bring Leliana to look at him he had to ask what the Magister was speaking of. And then she was shaken out of her trance like state of mind. Her body began to turn to him. Unsure of whether or not it was safe to tell him of the events that went on in that dungeon. She shook her head in a slow back and forth shake as her gaze shot to the ground once more.
"Leliana?" He asked as he reached over with his other hand to force her chin up, so his eyes met hers once more. "What happened?" Aragorn took a moment to shift his gaze to Alexander, a glare was held in his eyes before returning a gentle look back to Leliana.
The rouge sighed some, as she pulled away from the Warden, taking a few steps back. "He's speaking of the night before we left…" She started with a pause; a small sigh escaped her lips. "It was either Anders or Anna that had to take a life of a slave… You should know that the way of life is different in Tevinter compared to that of Ferelden."
The Warden reached up rubbing the nape of his neck. It was true he had heard the way of life in Tevinter, but wasn't one to experience it himself. He was surprised to the fact that Leliana still stood by the mage after enduring such things. But it really wasn't any of his concern… Right? Aragorn looked up upon hearing his title, one he was more use to than just hearing his given birth name. He couldn't help but shake his head as he heard his tease. "She's not dealing out any lives. I'm here under orders is all. It has nothing to do with her." He replied waving his hands towards Isabela, knowing that's who he was speaking of.
Aragorn was at a lost when he heard of these documents. The Magister must of had all his ducks aligned prior to. Making it more difficult on the Warden, since he obviously wanted to help, and didn't want to give in so lightly. But he was right, Warden's didn't involve themselves in such things… But what the Magister hadn't know was he had his own form of documentation. One he happened to hold on him in dire times such as this. He raised a hand, giving a small signal to wait a moment as he began digging through his pouch of a pocket, pulling out the rolled and folded piece of paper. Aragorn slowly opened it, stepping towards Alex as he had, and began holding it out for him to see. "Its from the King… Oh wait. The bastard king." He began with a pause pointing to the signed name. "Stating hes in my custody as the King can't be here. Plus were not in Tevinter anyways... Making your will useless. If you push me further. I will see to it he finds protection from the order if needs be. Even going to the extreme of joining the order if he is willing to make sure you can't touch him."
Alexander arched an eyebrow; finding it rather interesting to see that a man with seemingly no magic or true capabilities in dealing with an opponent such as himself would dare to continue any sort of disputes. The Grey Warden didn't look like a Templar of any kind, and Alexander highly doubted that he possessed copies of the Litany of Adralla. Alexander scanned over the document; though it was hardly needed. It was then he came to an understanding of the man's possible strategy. It had to be faith that pushed this Grey Warden so much. He probably believed he could move mountains to crumble over a bloodmage or a Magister such as himself.
"…You do realize I could crush everyone's brains here…? That little trick to get rid of your nasty qunari problem wasn't just for show." Alexander's voice had lowered slightly and his briefly narrowed; an obvious display of either teasing again or giving a rather dangerous warning. He sighed and reached outward with his walking stick, pointing it towards the piece of paper.
"Now something like this, as I said before, only places us at an impasse. The moment you chose to take action while brandishing a Grey Warden breastplate, is the moment you spoke of treason against Tevinter's High King. You, Ser, have just initiated a National War… and since Ferelden is already at grips against Orlais, all of Southern Thedas will bow its knees."
He lowered his walking stick back down to the ground; doing his best to struggle against the desire of igniting the piece of paper right there. Alexander couldn't if he wanted to keep Anders's support, or so that was what he had felt. He needed to remain in-the-right, or at the very least: close enough, so that Anders would hopefully return with him. Though, over-all; he figured the other mage would do so anyway.
"Be sure to greet her Excellency's Orlesian Frontlines properly then." He concluded and tipped his cane up to rest against his shoulders and against the small of his neck. "And if my poor fool-hardy wife suffers in the meantime, I'll look forward to putting both your heads on a pike."
"No!" Anders/Justice exclaimed and then glanced down when he felt everyone's eyes glance towards him. He looked down, poking his left hand against his right in stagnation. "…I mean… How bad is she?"
Alexander's joyful expression faded and he looked at Anders with a flattened and dull expression. "Bad."
The Magister turned away and started to head towards the direction of the ocean. Of course such a blatant answer left Anders/Justice unsatisfied. He didn't want Anna to start blaming herself in some continuous guilt trip over something he could have prevented. She could turn into one of those disgusting Chantry Loyalists from the Mage Circle fraternities, or (worse) something like of what Naomi has become. Anders/Justice couldn't allow that to happen. There was no way…!
Justice/Anders stepped out from behind the highly risen earth and opened his hand out towards Fenris. The ice spell of Cone of Cold quickly struck out at the elf in a wintery blast. Of course, Fenris was more shocked than angered to retaliated properly. After shaking off the first on-coming blast and readying his sword against Anders/Justice, the mage had ducked away from the swing and turned in time to aim and fire again.
"Traitor! Damn you, Anders!" Fenris scowled and swung at him again, but he was too tired, and after being beaten from Alexander's cane, he could hardly make much of a stand.
Justice/Anders barely felt the blade slice along his abdomen, but the cut was more of another scratch due to how far away he was. By the time he had Fenris frozen solid though, Alexander had already made it three fourths down into the jungle. He had to hurry if he was going to catch up to the Magister. All the while Isabela started rushing towards his side, the mage was busy picking the frozen elf up to carry.
"What do you think you're doing? Anders!" Isabela started to demand from him.
"I am not Anders!" Anders/Justice scowled at her and held his hand out again only this time towards her direction as a threat. The reaction had worked and stopped her from rushing any forward to him. Able to move freely again, he turned away and followed after Alexander.
Meanwhile, a few moments later, Tempest managed to finally climb out of the cave. He held up a large pile of bananas in his arms and obliviously held them up for the rest to see. "Who wants bananas?"
"And you do realize I do not fear you." The Warden threw back in a cocky tone. As he began to shift his posture while folding his arms over his chest. Aragorn wasn't sure if he was beginning to dislike this magister or just getting to the point of annoyance. He was one to never be too fond of Blood mages, nor held a fear against them. Which is probably what made the Warden so thick skulled at the moment.
Aragorn's icy blue optics narrowed upon Alexander speaking of this so call starting of war, and him brandishing the Wardens. A scoff had all but come out as he turned a deaf ear to his words while shaking his head. Obviously the Commander had a higher belief for the south unlike his friend here. "Believe what you may. But we will not fall so easily."
As for the rest the Warden didn't bother to listen, he actually began trailing back farther away from the magister, unknowing of what was to happen next. And as it did, he turned around as quickly as he could as he shouted out the Apostates name. "Anders!?" He took no more than a second later as he began reaching back, and drawing his weapon. "What do you think you're doing!?" He demanded.
Leliana, still in the forefront was shocked at what had just happened in front of her. She couldn't believe Anders was actually going to side with him yet again. Though it shouldn't have been any surprise. She glanced back to Aragorn and his drawn weapon readily waiting. The two passed glances to one another for a moment before she raised her hand giving a signal to lower his weapon.
Aragorn was shocked, was Leliana really going to side with this mage. Obviously he should have turned him into the Wardens or even killed him himself if this is where it was going to lead all along. But from the look on Leliana's pleading face caused the Warden to drop his weapon. One of his weakness' was her, one that he had never gotten over obviously after all the time they spent away from each other.
Leliana smiled gratefully to the Warden while mouthing the words 'thank you' to him. All he did was look away unable to meet her eyes. Upon turning around, Leliana saw Anders had already darted off. Her emerald hues shot from one end of the over grown forest, to the other until she looked back once more to Aragorn and the others. "Don't follow me."
"Are you serious!? You're going to follow him… After what he just did!?" Aragorn asked, angrily and astonished at what he just heard.
"I'm sorry." She replied softly, as she fought back any form of emotion. May it be sadness, anger or a mixture of the both? She didn't even wait for a single word from any of them and ran into the depths of the forest and after the two men and frozen elf.
As she ran within the forest, ducking, dodging and pushing any branches which stood in her way, she never stopped looking for a sign of the men. She wasn't even sure if she was going in the right direction, she began slowing her pace to a jog and through small pants of exhaustion she began calling out… "Anders! …. Err… Justice? Alexander…. Anyone?"