Fuck.
Carver was stubborn, he knew that, he also knew he didn't go down easily, but even he could see where things were heading.
He was so tired...he didn't even have the energy to hide it any more. Leaning heavily on his greatsword, he let his weary gaze travel over the group and then the beasts, a strange calm descending upon him.
Leandra, having never held a sword in her life, was nervously fiddling with her fingers, not knowing what to do and so trusting her hope to her children. Children no longer able to protect her...
I'm sorry mother...
Bethany was leaning on her staff, nearly hugging it as she swayed back and forth, too exhausted to cast even a single spell, her eyes looking to Garrett, foolishly hoping for some miracle.
We protected you for years from the Templars...and now you'll die at the hands of Darkspawn...maybe it would have been best to simply let you go to the Circle after all...
At the front of the group Garret stood alongside the Aveline woman. The ginger haired warrior had shield and sword ready, something bitter in her stance, a steadfastness, a determination not to go down easily.
She looks proud...guess I should be too, we got this far...not many can say the same...woho...
Garrett was a pitiful sight in comparison. His armour was cracked all over his torso from the ogre's grip, his sword notched and almost dull from the use it had seen during their long flight. He himself was in no better shape, his breathing still ragged from his injuries while he was clearly favouring his right leg. Yet he still stood at the front with Aveline, shield and sword ready, though the way he looked at the approaching horde left little hope.
You were right, as you always are, we should have run...
The dog at his side didn't look much better, the mutt's back covered in sticky blood from the impact when the ogre had thrown it, yet it somehow stood there, matching its master's stance, ready to fight to the last.
Well I won't be any worse...
Grunting, Carver forced his blade free and slowly moved forward, gaze turning to his doom.
He swallowed, for all his bravery, for all his thirst for recognition and honour...he didn't want to die.
He could see the monsters clearly now, a multitude of creatures, clawing at one another even as they moved closer. A mass of darkness where there were no individuals, only evil, only hatred...only hunger.
I won't be an easy meal... Growling, Carver raised his blade and moved forward.
Aveline and Garrett turned, looking back at the source of the growl, eyes widening.
Huh...? Carver stopped.
And found the growl continuing, louder, deep and...inhuman.
Carver turned as well, gaze moving up over the cliffs behind them, up to the top, to the source of the sound.
There was no mistaking a dragon, the massive creature's long neck crooked as it gazed down from its vantage-point on the humans and Darkspawn as if they were nothing but ants. The leathery wings were first pulled close to its sinuous body, then pushed out wide, blotting out the scorching sun with its massive size.
Oh.
Carver could only stare, frozen to the ground, as the creature lazily leapt off the mountain, then gracefully swooped down, its great jaws opening, revealing long fangs.
As well as a growing flame...
Ohhhh...
"Get down!" The world became a blur, then stopped with a crunch and a flash of pain as Garrett's words reached Carver's stupefied mind even as the man tackled his brother to the ground.
Grunting, Carver looked down to find Garrett already struggling to rise, looking over at the...
Ohhhh...
Carver instantly forgot his annoyance with the tackle as he stared at the gout of flame now disappearing from the dragon's mouth as it gracefully arched upwards. The ground where the Darkspawn had been was now nothing but tree-high flames and dark shapes turning smaller and smaller as the creatures within were turned to ash.
In mere moments, however, the flames started to die, revealing a throng of Darkspawn stumbling over one another in confusion, corralled into a small area, their milky eyes following the dragon as it swung round, then arched down at them like a falcon spotting its prey.
The very ground heaved, making Carver fly to his feet, away from the horrifying sight of the dragon landing.
With an earth-shattering crash, the dragon landed on all fours, the claws digging into the ground to slow it as it slid forward. The surviving Darkspawn turned into nothing but gory pieces beneath those claws, a single unlucky creature was caught in the maw of the monster...and then split in half as the dragon bit down, sending the halves to the ground in a shower of blood.
Staring at the beast, Carver blindly reached for his greatsword. Yeah...no easy meal...erm... He stared at the dragon's yellow eyes, eyes as large as his fist..and quaked. Y-yeah...th-this w-will be f-fun...
With something almost resembling a sly grin, a grin from which blood still poured, the dragon crooked it's neck, gaze moving to the limping figure heading towards it.
Garrett had dropped his sword on the ground, and now placed his free hand on Aveline's shoulder, slowly pushing her backwards and making her reluctantly lower her weapons. Holding the beast's gaze, Garrett dropped rather than sunk, to one knee and dropped his shield before holding up his free hands. His voice was a croak, and tense with fear. "Can you understand me? We wish you no harm...see?" He pointed at the dropped shield, not taking his eyes off the dragon for a moment. "No harm..."
Yeah, that'll work...
To Carver's surprise though, the dragon's head shot back, something almost resembling a laugh escaping it...
Then lights swirled around it, ash from burnt Darkspawn whirling up, concealing the great beast in a miniature tornado of light and darkness.
Then, mere moments later, it stopped.
The lights died.
The ash fell to the ground once more.
And an old woman stood before them.
She wore a baggy dress that was spotty and full of patches, something only an elf or a beggar would wear. Her hair was a solid grey, hanging limply at the sides of a wrinkly old face, a face lined with laughter as she kept her head tossed back, giving voice to her amusement.
Carver glanced to the side, finding Bethany there, and she looking back at him, eyebrow raised in a silent question. What the...?
Then the laughter turned into a chuckle, the old woman turning her face towards Garrett and opening her eyes, revealing yellow irises that were so bright they almost seemed to glow as she fixed them upon the man. Her voice had a rough texture to it, speaking of age, and power. "Soft words soothe the beast, hmmm? Fancy yourself a clever one?"
"I...err..." Garrett hesitated, slowly struggling to stand. "...did not expect that."
"Most don't." The woman replied, some of her mirth disappearing as her gaze moved over to Bethany, Carver's sister visibly shrinking under the gaze. "Though I'm not surprised you are less shocked than most...another apostate, hmmm? How curious..."
Maker, I hate magic... Carver shivered even as Aveline took a bold step forward, coming up next to Garrett. "You're the witch of the wilds, aren't you?"
"The? You presume there is only one?" A mirthless chuckle escaped the old woman as she looked at Aveline, the woman straightening slightly under the scrutiny, as if unwilling to back down. Which was almost amusing considering how small the old woman was in comparison to her. "But I suppose you're referring to Flemeth?" Dear Maker, Flemeth! "How dreary names are...but yes, I am she." The woman cocked her head to the side, smirking. "Does that...frighten you?"
Aveline visibly bristled, her mouth opening...only for Garrett to put a hand on her shoulder, speaking fast. "Most would be frightened by someone able to turn into a dragon, I, however, don't think you're here to kill us, and we won't give you any reason to."
"Is that so?" The woman smirked, a dangerous smirk, as she turned her gaze upon the man, taking in his cracked armour and visible injuries in a glance. "And who are you, to come with such a bold statement?"
"Hawke, Garrett Hawke." Was the calm reply, somewhat ruined by a pained cough at the end.
"Ah, and what, Garrett Hawke..." Flemeth seemed to taste the name...rolling it with her tongue. "...makes you so certain I won't kill you?" Flemeth's smirk widened as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"For one, you could have done that easily as a dragon, in your first sweep, in fact." Garrett responded, the man not taking his hand off Aveline's shoulder as he used her as a support. "Second, you not only saved us, but you're down here talking to us, and if the legends of you are true I do not believe you stop to chat with people unless it's for a purpose."
"Ohhh...how devious I sound." The smirk widened, then turned into a cackle as Flemeth shook her head. "But oh my, you are a clever one!" Looking back to the man, her smirk never left her face. "True, I watched you from afar, not many survivors escaped Ostagar. It's a shame you're not Wardens, but you may still be of use..."
"Wait...you watched us!" Now it was Carver's turn to bristle, and he found himself taking two steps forward, greatsword raised to attack the calm-looking crone. "You watched us and did nothing to help!"
"Carver." It was one word...but the tone was decisive...and Carver grudgingly lowered the blade and came to a halt even before he saw Garrett's raised hand. "She did save us, eventually, remember that."
From his side, it looked almost as if Flemeth was hiding behind Garrett's larger bulk as she grinned at him. "Oh, there's much fire in you...beware that you don't get burnt..." She cocked her head to the side as Carver gnashed his teeth in frustration, wanting to bash those teeth out of her smirking mouth. "Yes, I watched, wondering if you were capable enough..." Her eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment. "...it's funny, hundreds of thousands are never tested to see if they're capable of something more...and I believe they are happier for it."
Silence.
Then Garrett spoke, head tilted to the side. "Capable enough?"
"Ah yes, the heart of the matter..." Flemeth clucked her tongue, eyes flashing as she turned them to the man. "Tell me, where are you going?"
At this, Garrett hesitated, but Bethany, having snuck closer, quickly quipped in. "We're trying to get to Gwaren so we can take a boat to Kirkwall, to...family." She glanced back at Leandra, their mother looking lost among all the magic and battle as she idly scratched Maric behind the ear since the dog had sat down next to her, the Mabari watching the exchange with attentive eyes.
"Ah, Kirkwall? How curious..." For a moment Flemeth's gaze was distant as she stared at Garrett's chest, making the man frown in confusion. Then she looked back up to him, smile almost genuine. "It seems you and I can help one another." She held up her hand, revealing a thin string of silver holding a piece of polished bone smoothed to an ellipse. "See this little trinket? Near Kirkwall there is, or will soon be, a clan of Dalish elves. Bring this to them and perform any service they require of you." She dropped it in Garrett's palm. "In exchange, I will get you safely as far as Gwaren, from there I'm sure you're capable of making your own way..." Another smirk, this tainted by an unearthly flash of her eyes.
"Done." Was Garrett's immediate response, the man closing his hand around the necklace.
"Done?" Flemeth echoed, surprised and amused. "So easily you accept my offer? The clever child is not afraid of me and my...devious plans?"
"If the options are me and my family dying here or playing along with whatever you have planned, then the answer is easy." Was Garrett's stoic response, the man raising his chin.
"Ah yes, sometimes...the answer is simple." Flemeth responded, a knowing smirk on her lips as her gaze moved between Carver, Leandra and Bethany, then back to Garrett. "Sometimes..."
Creepy. Carver felt himself shiver, and couldn't even help but speak up. "Do I even want to know what that bone came from?"
Flemeth's grin was instantly gone, her eyes flashing dangerously at him, making him take a step backwards. "No, you do not."
Silence.
Then she smiled, almost softly, as she turned her gaze back to Garrett. "Now...continue east and know..." She turned, walking away. "...that for the moment at least, you are safe..."
A flash of light, making them all turn their head...and then a dragon was soaring the sky, heading east...
Silence.
Then Garrett grunted, releasing Aveline as he started to limp forward. "You heard the dragon..."
8
8
8
Wesley's gone...
Aveline stared at the ground underneath her walking feet, her arms limp at her sides. The thought didn't cause much pain, just an...emptiness. He had been taken away so swiftly, in a way that she couldn't even fight...and she couldn't quite wrap her mind around it. Gone...
"You okay?" Looking up, Aveline found the mage girl, Bethany, slow down to walk next to Aveline, a concerned look on her face. Being five foot eight, Aveline was by no means short, but Bethany was taller, as all the Hawke children were, yet in comparison to her brothers had something...delicate about herself. "I mean with...your husband and all."
"You live and move on, what else is there to do?" Aveline grunted. She knew she was speaking the truth, she had done the same when her father had died, yet it didn't do much to combat the emptiness...
"Just...like that?" Bethany asked, a hint of disapproval and confusion in her voice.
"What else would I do?" Aveline looked up sharply. "Lie down and die?"
"No...no of course not." Bethany turned her head away, making Aveline regret her words. The girl had been kind, assisting Aveline in setting a pyre and then used her dwindling energy to light the fire and give Wesley a proper Ferelden funeral...much to the chagrin of her older brother, Aveline remembered with some irritation. As if reading her mind, Bethany looked back to her, hesitant as she spoke. "I just...you sound like my brother. Garrett's the same; survive, move on..." She looked over at the front of the journeying group. "...I'm not as good at letting go...this is my home..."
"Home is where the heart is." Aveline automatically replied, her own gaze drawn to those ahead of them.
The younger brother was a few feet ahead of them, greatsword balanced on his shoulder and stiffly walking forward, head craning left and right, as if challenging the Darkspawn to reappear once more. Something they had declined to do ever since the appearance and deal with the shapeshifting witch.
The older brother was leading at the front, though he was moving awkwardly, shuffling forward even after they had had a break and his sister and mother had fussed over him, something he had stoically endured. He was still enduring his mother, the woman was walking next to him, hands hovering over his injuries and the cracks in his armour,as if afraid he'd shatter at any moment. Not that he seemed inclined to do so, the man had, despite being the most injured of them, insisted that they'd keep up the pace in case the witch's offer would expire.
I suppose that makes sense...
Aveline hadn't liked how he had rushed her to slay her own husband, but she could see the reason behind it, as well as the reason for hurrying despite his injuries. The man wasn't one for mercy for anyone when it came to survival, she could respect that...even agree with it. Next to her, Bethany chuckled. "Father used to say the same thing when he was alive and we were on the road, always watching for Templars, doing odd jobs to afford a warm meal and to sleep in a barn...but we were happy. Because we were home, he'd say..."
Gone. "If you were moving around, why did your brothers join the Lothering militia?" Aveline asked, wanting something, anything, to distract her from the emptiness welling up within her.
"Oh we settled down..." Bethany cocked her head to the side and stroked her long dark hair back even as she watched her brothers, something soft in her eyes. "Tried to make a home for ourselves on the outskirts of Lothering, Garrett and Carver worked for Barlin, bad pay, but it was enough to put food on the table if mother went out and picked some herbs and berry's to go with it. I suppose Carver joined the militia to get some glory and make his own life...though he'd never admit it." She smirked. "Not that I don't appreciate him wanting to protect us and get some extra income for us...of course that meant Garrett had to come along, the Hawke's protect one another."
"Like they should..." Aveline nodded, then arched an eyebrow. "And you? What did you do?"
"I...studied." Bethany replied, a flicker of a grimace in her eyes."I have to in order to control my magic, otherwise I would be a risk..." She lowered her voice to a bitter mutter. "...more of a risk than I already am, anyway..."
"And you never went to the Circle?" Aveline asked, already knowing the answer. She had never, in contrast to her late husband, been much of a religious person, and as such she had difficulty believing that mages were inherently cursed...yet even she could appreciate the need to keep them contained and trained against the dangers that existed within their very souls. It was the same principle why you kept swords and bows in a locked armoury.
"No...father was already an apostate for fleeing the Circle, he wouldn't want me to go to what he fled from." Bethany shrugged. "And mother...well...could you see her letting me go to what father used to call a 'gilded cage', never to see her again?" She nodded towards the woman that was still fussing over her son that stoically endured it, looking as worried as if he was dying.
"I...suppose not." Aveline conceded. "And you've never...considered it?" Aveline wasn't like Wesley, she didn't see an apostate as blasphemy, yet a mage outside the Circle still felt...off.
"Maybe..." Bethany grimaced as she looked down at her feet. "...living with people where I'm not unnatural sounds...nice." A sigh. "But I...no offence meant...am terrified of what the Templars would do to me if they found me now. A self-taught apostate, gone for so long? They would cry blood-magic and run me through before I could say anything..." The girl visibly shivered at the thought. The fact that Aveline couldn't really argue with it, she had heard the stories Wesley told after all, made her grimace. "And to never see my family again..." Bethany bit her lower lip, staring at those ahead of her. "...how can you make such a decision...?"
"I understand." Aveline didn't know what else to say, what could she say? Seeing the pensiveness in the eye of the only one of the Hawke's that seemed to hold some sympathy for Aveline, she grimaced and changed the subject. "So you're going all the way to Kirkwall? To find a new home with family?"
"Yes, our Uncle lives there..." Bethany replied, brightening a little. "...the Amell's, mother's side of the family, are supposed to be nobles..."
"Oh? So you'll suddenly turn into a rich princess?" Aveline managed a grin. "Quite a step from sleeping in barns, wouldn't you say?"
Bethany chuckled at that. "Well..brother says I shouldn't put my hopes too high..." She smiled though, still chuckling. "...though I suppose that sounds nice, doesn't it?" The smile died. "It's better than anything here, where we have nothing but what we're carrying..."
"Yeah..." Aveline's mirth also died at the words sinking in. Wesley dead, me technically a deserter, not that I'd fight for Loghain anyway, and Darkspawn pouring into the land...
"Aveline?"
Nothing left, no family, no job...nothing...nothing but these people and their plan...
"...Aveline?"
Looking up, Aveline raised her voice. "Hey Garrett!" The man slowed and turned his head at her, eyebrow raised in question. "You're going to Kirkwall, right? I want in."
Next to her, Bethany gasped, the man only frowned though, obviously ready to decline.
"I'll pay more than my share, I won't be a problem, only an asset." Knowing the family with their sparse income and hasty flight couldn't have much, Aveline held up her coin-purse, the pouch heavy with coins from a pay she had never had time to spend. She also figured her argument would bite on the kind of man the elder Hawke seemed to be...
She was right, there was a flicker of interest in the man's gaze as his gaze drifted to her offered money. "You keep Bethany's secret, you do as your told."
"You treat me with respect, I obey when your orders make sense." Aveline responded, not about to fold before his demands.
The man regarded her, held her gaze...and she steadily looked back.
Then he spoke. "Done."
"Done." Aveline echoed and tossed the pouch to him.
The man caught it, weighed it in his hand and then attached it to his belt before turning back to his walk.
Silence.
The group continuing on.
"Huh.." Bethany muttered, obviously amused. "...I think he likes you."
Aveline arched an eyebrow. "How can you tell?"
Bethany laughed.
8
8
8
Thanks to Abydos Jackson for taking care.