A/N: Hey there, dear readers! The second chapter is finally here! I would like to thank you for all the views, specially for those who put it in their favorite/follow list! You made me happy! :D

I would like to thank wintryone, Rohh Lael and failusnot for the great feedback! Yay! :D

And thank you reader, for being here with me again! Muito Obrigada! :)

You can find the artwork for this chapter here: " goo . gl /K22MH " (Link shortened by google. It will redirect to my devianart page. Copy and paste in your browser without the spaces and the quotation marks. Or, if you prefer, use the link on my Profile)

Here we go! I hope you like it!

"And where the journey may lead me

Let your prayers be my guide

I cannot stay here, my family

But I'll remember my pride"

-Shadowland , The Lion King on Broadway

Chapter 2

The Champion in the Storm

.

Kallian

"Maker preserve us, Maker protect us…"

Voices echoed in my mind. I tried to open my eyes, but the weak light of the place reminded me of a headache I didn't know I had. Maker, it hurt…

"Thank the Maker!" I could feel Shianni pressing her hands on my forehead, relief written all over her face.

I breathed deeply a few times, trying to remember what happened. When I recalled the face of Vaughan, I instinctively put my hand on my thigh, finding only an empty sheath. Shit. The sudden movement made my head spin again, forcing me to return to Shianni's lap.

The girls explained to me that we were now in the Arl's dungeons, and it was a only matter of time before those shems come back. I remained silent throughout the explanation. It wasn't that I had nothing to add, but rather because deep inside I was afraid that my jaw would dislocate if I tried to speak.

"It will be easier if we do what they want," Valora – Soris' wife - said.

"No way!" Shit. The pain shot through my face, but at least now I knew that my jaw would not fall off. "You're not serious. You cannot be serious!" I got up angrily. My bones creaked in protest, but I didn't care. Just the idea of allowing Shems to touch us...

The guards came before I could finish my thought, and took Shianni, Nessa and Valora. Nola - who had spent the whole time whispering prayers to the Maker - was lying dead a few feet from me. I tried to resist but there were six guards to fight with only my bare hands. One of them said I was the "Scrapper" and should be tied up. I'm not surprise they had heard about me. They immobilized my arms, one guard on each side. The third was staring at me smiling, playing with my knife between his fingers.

"We'll see how tough you are when I'm done with you, bitch." He used the knife to make two tears in my dress – One on my thigh and one across my shoulder, the blade cutting through the material and into my skin. I was beginning to feel desperate, and was completely helpless, but I would not give up. I kicked the unprotected part of the Shem's knee, but apparently it hurt me more than him. Angered, he grabbed my hair and forced my head back, the knife pressed to my cheek. At this point, the adrenaline running through my body was making me obvious to pain.

"I'll make you regret it, knife-ear," The guard told me, dragging the blade from my cheek to my ear. Maker, he really would cut off my ear. He was cutting my dammed ear and the only thing that seemed to matter was the sound of a roar that echoed loudly in my head.

"Remember, the pain is real. But I can stop it," His sadistic voice said. "For the right price."

I could feel the demon's breath on my neck, his paw burning on my exposed shoulder. "I offer you Vaughan on a silver platter, if you prefer, along with his guards. It's more than enough for you and your friends to go back home and resume your little lives." I felt his presence around me, tempting me, teasing me, hoping that I will fall so he can offer me his hand.

"For the right price," he repeated. Maker, I was paralyzed. Every time the demon was around, it was the same. I panicked and could not think straight. While part of me wanted to send him to the Void, another part of me, over which I had no control, began to consider accepting him. But my answer was the same as it always was.

"No," I said in a low voice.

"You had your chance." I felt his tongue licking the blood off my shoulder. "Do not regret it later." He brushed his canine on my neck before disappearing.

After what seemed like almost an hour inside my head - but was only a few seconds in the real world - the guard in front of me fell dead at my feet, a sword in his neck. I looked at the door and saw Soris nodding. One of the guards let go of my arm to try to contain Soris and I did not think twice - I disengaged the grip on my other arm, pulled the sword off the dead guard's body and cut the shem's throat. We took care of the last one without problem.

"Kallian, you okay?" Soris asked me, sounding worried, "Did they ..."

"No," I replied. "We have to find Shianni and the others quickly!" I pulled another sword from one of the bodies and left the cell, following Soris. I caught him glancing back at me with concern as we ran.

"Soris," I said while tearing pieces from the skirt part of my dress. "These are superficial injuries," I lied, tying the straps on my thigh and on my shoulder. The cuts were deep, especially in my ear which, by the way, was still where it belonged. Maker bless Soris and his excellent timing. "I'll be fine."

"Kallian, you're trembling, are you sure -"

"I don't recognize these weapons. Where did you get them?" I cut him off.

"The human, Duncan, gave them to us, to save you." What? Well, that's new, I thought.

"But Kallian…" He started again.

"We will have time to talk later, cousin. Let's go!" I cut him off again. By his expression, he understood that I was not willing to talk.

We cleared the way to get where Soris said Nelaros would be waiting. We arrived only in time to see Nelaros being killed. How many deaths ... I felt my eyes burn as we struggled against the guards. When I finally knelt beside Nelaros, with the last of his strength he gave me his best smile. In his hand lay a golden ring.

My heart squeezed so hard that I thought I would faint. He died to protect us. To save me. He did not deserve that.

"Nelaros ..." I hesitated. The words struck in my throat.

I didn't want to leave him like this, but what choice did I have? We still had to find the girls. They at least could still be saved.

I took the ring from his hand and stood. "Let's keep moving."

It did not take long to reach Vaughan's room. I have no words to describe what I felt when I opened the door.

Shianni was injured on the ground with her clothes torn, crying and trembling like a beaten animal. Vaughan stood bragging. He swallowed his laughter when he saw us. He was terrified - and I wasn't sorry for it - and he started talking a lot of shit. For each word he spoke, my muscles twitched painfully in response and more hatred pulsed through my veins. He called for more guards, but we managed to kill them as well.

In the end, he was the only one left alive.

"I'll give you money. Enough for you to escape and start a life somewhere else," he stammered, desperate. "Forty sovereigns, just leave the women here."

"Fuck you and your offer," I said, cutting his tendons and making him kneel in front of me. I held him by the hair, forcing his head back the same way he ordered his men to do with me. "Look at me you son of a bitch!" I shouted and he obeyed me, trembling.

Alone, he was a coward. He didn't even try to resist. I wanted to make sure he knew who was doing this to him. I wanted to give him enough time to remember everything for which he was being judged. I wanted him to feel the same fear he'd put in the hearts of my friends.

"May your money and your soul burn in the Void forever!" Then I cut his throat.

Soris watched in silence, tears rolling down his face, waiting until the shem suffocated in his own blood before he plunged his sword into his chest. I never saw him with such hatred before.

We ran to Shianni's side, not knowing how to approach her. She was staring at the floor, holding her temple with her shaking hands.

"Is he dead?" She asked with a trembling voice, wiping away the tears.

"Yes," Soris said. For a moment I did not recognize his voice. It was so hoarse and choked. He took a coat from the closet of the shem and placed it over her shoulder.

"Good..." She said, her eyes never leaving the floor, wrapping the clothes around her shoulders.

Oh shit, I knew that look.

"You .." Soris began, but his voice died before he could finish.

"The others are stuck back there ... Go help them," She said.

Soris nodded and left.

The emotionless face, the serious look, the strong words. Seeing the mask that I had put on so many times to convince others that everything was fine - seeing it being used by one of the people I had tried so hard to protect my whole life made me gasp for air. She didn't wanted be questioned - I knew that very well – so instead of talk, I pulled her into a hug. She held my lower back tightly as she cried quietly on my uninjured shoulder.

"Do not leave me alone, please," she said between sobs "Take me home."

"Everything is going to be fine now," I said, stroking her hair "We're going home."

She sank her head on my shoulder even more. At that moment I thought my heart would stop.

Maybe it stopped, I don't know. But it hurt like it had.

"You had your chance. Do not regret it later." I could hear the demon's words repeating over and over again inside my head. That bastard knew what would happen and I'd had the chance to avoid everything.

She was suffering and it was my fault.

I heard voices approaching, and soon Shianni was standing, leaning on me, back to her mask. She wiped tears from my face that I didn't know I had cried and started to pretend that nothing had happened. Nobody discussed it further and we left as quickly as possible, having to deal with only a few guards along the way.

We walked in silence back home. Duncan, Valendrian and my father were at the gates, talking to the guards. Shit, this is getting better and better.

"Elves invaded the Arl's Estate and started a bloodbath," We heard the guards saying. "Give us the culprits, otherwise it will be worse for everyone!"

"There must be some misunderstanding, Ser," Valendrian said.

"Shut up, scum!" One of the guards tried to punch him, but Duncan stopped him.

"I think the use of force against civilians who are cooperating with the law is not necessary, don't you agree?" Duncan said. The captain nodded, motioning for the guard to get back.

"Hey, you!" The captain said, turning the spotlight - and weapons - on us, "Explain yourself!"

"Your Lord has kidnapped my guests in the middle of my wedding, Ser," It cost me all my stock of goodwill to respond with something non-harsh, but I still failed to avoid sounding sarcastic. All eyes turned to both of us - the only armed ones - so I gestured to Valora to take Shianni away from the guards. They'd already had enough of this crap for a lifetime.

"Who was responsible for the events inside the property of the Arl?" He barked.

Soris opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, I took a step forward. "I did."

The captain laughed in disbelief, but the other guards flinched. They'd known me long enough to know that It was true. "You? Alone?"

"Yes," I said seriously. Soris looked at me with a mixture of concern and gratitude in his eyes. I discreetly pushed him away from the guards before he said something.

"So be it. Arrest her," he said. I was immobilized by guards again. "You are arrested for the death of Vaughan Urien."

"This time you will not escape, Scrapper." The guard shook my shoulder, satisfied to apprehend my weapons.

"Captain, a word please," Duncan said, "I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription to transfer the prisoner into my custody."

What the hell?

"You do not have that right, Warden." One of the guards said.

"Yes, he has," the captain said in disgust. "I have no authority to revoke your right, Warden, but I ask you to take that elf out of town today."

"As you wish," Duncan said. The guards released me and said something before leaving, but honestly I did not pay attention. I escaped a shem to be a slave of another? Really?

"Kallian," Duncan called me, taking me from my reverie. "You're with me now. Prepare your things, say your goodbyes and find me when you are ready. The deal was taking you out of town as quickly as possible, and thus should it be done."

"What do you want with me?" My voice came out harsher than necessary, but I did not care. Not after what happened today.

"I want you to be a Grey Warden," he said without ceremony. "You will go with me to Ostagar to help against the Darkspawn."

"Why me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You have proven to be worthy." He said. "We need people like you in our ranks."

"I'll pass," I said firmly. "My people need me more than your army. I will not leave."

"So do you prefer a swift execution? What good will you do your people inside a cage or dead?" I opened my mouth to protest but he raised his hand to stop me. "You have no idea of what the darkspawn will do to these people if we don't stop them," He whispered. "If you really want to do something, if you really want to protect them, then you know what you must do."

I thought for a moment. I heard about how cruel the darkspawn can be, and what they usually do to the villages they attack. I gave a quick look at everyone around me. They were holding their breaths, waiting for me answer. No way I'm going to leave them to their fate.

I hated to admit it, but he was right. I had no choice. "Right," I said defeated.

I couldn't believe I had to leave my home… Be away from my family. But there was no turning back. I turned to my father and hugged him, as tight as I could. He did the same, and for long minutes we stayed that way.

Fighting against tears is so damn hard…

"Don't worry about me, dad. I will be fine," I said, after a while.

"I know you will," I could see he was holding back the tears as well. "I will miss you, my little girl."

"So will I." Realizing that my voice would fail, I paused before continuing. "May the M-" I stopped again. After what happened today, I could no longer use the name of the Maker. It didn't feel right anymore. "Be well, dad. And please, take care of them for me. Don't let them press Shianni or the others. They've been through enough."

Father nodded. "Take care, my daughter," he said holding my hands.

"You too, Dad." I kissed my father's forehead. "I'll pack my things." My father nodded again, and hesitanted to release my hands.

I kissed his hands and turned to Valendrian. "Nola and Nelaros didn't make it. Please, do a proper funeral for them." My weak voice denounced my feelings, so I headed back to my house as fast as I could, without waiting for Valendrian's answer. I wiped out the rebel tears along the way, trying to regain my self-control.

I found Soris outside the house with his head pressed against the wall. He turned to me when saw me coming.

"I. .. have no words to thank you for what you did," he said hoarsely. "Taking all the blame alone..." I saw him struggling against the words. "You will really leave?"

"Take care of everything in my absence. I am countingon you, okay?" I pulled him into a hug, which he responded to with such intensity that it made my heart stop. Parting was more difficult than I thought.

"Will you talk to Shianni before you go?"

I hesitated before answering. "I do not know. I..."

"It will break her heart if you leave without saying goodbye." I thought for a moment. He was right. I probably would never forgive myself if I didn't, neither would she.

I nodded and walked to the door.

"May the Maker protect and guide you, cousin." He patted my shoulder and walked away with wet eyes. I watched him disappear before turning to the door again.

It took me a few minutes with my hand on the doorknob before entering. I pressed my head against the door, the same way Soris had before me.

My shoulder wound throbbed so hard that it was difficult to even hear my own thoughts. I was still hearing the demon's words repeating themselves.

I breathed deeplya couple of times before entering. I found Nessa and Valora standing in the living room.

"She wants to talk to you," Nessa said, hugging me. "Maker, you saved our lives. I can never repay that." She smiled weakly, holding my hands. "Do us all a favor and return home alive, ok?"

I couldn't promise that, but I wouldn't say it, so I just nodded.

Valora said nothing, but her eyes were full of gratitude. I patted her shoulder in understanding and entered my room.

Shianni was standing in front of the window, wearing a new set of clothes. I stopped beside her and waited.

"It's true what they said? That you took the blame alone?"

"I did what should be done."

"You always do."

I wish I had the courage to look in her eyes now. Instead, I waited in silence for long moments, staring out the window.

"I'm sorry. I should have-" I tried to say after a while.

"You saved me," she said and for the first time I dared to look at her face. "I'll never forget that." I opened my mouth to question her but she made a gesture with her hand to silence me "One day they will tell legends about you." She smiled.

I gave her a weak smile. "People don't tell tales about elves…"

"Rowdy as you are, I'm sure they will have much to tell," She turned serious again, "Go, Kallian. Run through the world and make us proud." She hugged me. "I will miss you."

"So will I." I said in a weak voice, burying my head on her shoulder.

I stayed a few moments like that, regaining my self-control and my breath. Shianni knew I was crying, but she said nothing. She just stayed there, stroking my hair in understanding.

"You will be fine?" I asked. Crap, my voice sounded horrible.

Her eyes were lost for a moment before she answered. "Eventually, yes," she said weakly. "Don't worry about me, cousin. I will be fine."

And there came the mask again.

This made me worry even more. But, the longer I stayed, the more it would hurt. The only thing I could do was to believe in her words, and hope for the best.

I swapped the white dress – White? Actually red blood - for something more comfortable and put a few things into an old bag of leather - A few pairs of clothes, my daggers, bandages and other things I thought be useful. I decided to take my diary too. Well, it was a sketchbook with some little notes at the end of the pages, but it would serve as a reminder of home. Before leaving, Shianni helped me to bandage my wounds. It would be at least a couple of days before they would heal.

Duncan was waiting at the exit of Alienage.

"Ready?" I nodded and followed, looking back for a last time. All the people I knew – actually, almost the entire Alienage - were grouped at the gates. I gave them one last smile before leaving.

Before we left the market district, Duncan broke the silence. "I have to tell you one thing before we go on." These things are never easy, right? I should have known he had a "but" implied somewhere. As if all of this wasn't bad enough. But I also had something to say. Something was bothering me since he conscripted me.

"Tell me something first," I said, crossing my arms. "Your arrival here was no coincidence." it was more a statement than a question. "You're collecting people to fight your war, I got it, but I do not think you went to Alienage by accident." I took a break to consider his reaction. Apparently he knew where I was going, but had no intention of interrupting me. "That was your plan all along? Cause I believe that the Grey Wardens have too many problems to go around using their military benefits to save prisoners for mere charity."

"No, it was not charity. Indeed, it's true that I did not come there by accident." He stopped walking, and stoodin front of me. "My goal was to recruit you, from the beginning."

Now I was confused. "How did you know about me?"

"You're not the type of person who goes unnoticed," He said. "You might not know, but I tried to recruit your mother long ago, before she married your father, but your elder convinced me otherwise."

"My mother?" And now I was surprised, "You knew my mother?"

"Yes, she was a good friend," he said, his eyes full of affection. "And a talented rogue. She was always fighting with the guards, causing all sorts of confusion wherever she went." He smiled. "When I heard rumors that there was an elf causing problems, I knew it was Adaia's daughter." He turned serious." I only regret that the circumstances of your recruitment have been so disturbing. We didn't have much time to talk properly, but I want you to know that you have my condolences about what happened."He tried to put his hand on my right shoulder but I flinched.

"Look, I agreed with all of this Grey Warden thing and appreciate your good intentions, but no touching okay? I've had enough of that for the rest of my life," I answered too roughly again, but I could not help it. Besides, the wounds were burning so intensely that I would probably faint if something touched it.

"Fair enough, sorry." He seemed sincere. "I know that my presence is only accepted because I am your Elder's friend, and even knowing you believe that my word has no credibility because of what my race has done to your people, I assure you that I am not a threat, nor do I intend to do any harm to you."

"We'll see." He seemed to speak the truth, but only time could give value to his words. My mother said she knew some humans who had good hearts. I wondered if this was one of them.

"As for what I wanted to talk about before," he said and resumed his walking. "I had the opportunity to recruit someone else before coming to Denerim." He seemed to choose the words carefully. "This man has gone through tough times before joining us. He lost his whole family, except for his brother, who should be in Ostagar at this moment." I slowed the pace without realizing it. Poor man. "And that was less than a week ago. So I ask you to try to understand if hisresponse is not the most pleasant. He is… suffering… so do not take it personally."

"Right," Not that I'm going to be looking for conversation, but the last thing I want is problems. "I promise not to hassle with him if he does not hassle me"

"Fair enough."

For long minutes we walked in silence. The guards looked at me with anger, and most of them I knew. But none of them caused me problems, even seeing that I was carrying weapons. This Grey Warden thing may have a bright side after all.

"Take that, bastards!" I said smiling victoriously at them. I would never miss the chance to mock those idiots.

"Someday I will kill you, Scrapper…" He promised between his clenched teeth.

"Be my guest," I said, opening my arms, inviting him to try.

"Kallian, you were allowed to leave. It's not wise to press your luck this way." Duncan whispered to me.

"I have none left, so no problem at all." I answered him, before embracing the silence again.

We arrived at the gates of Denerim and I soon saw the recruit that Duncan had commented on, sealing the last of three horses. He was tall, medium brown hair disheveled and unshaven with the stance of a soldier - broad shoulders and strong arms. He was also a human. When he turned to us, I could see his light brown eyes. I'll tell you, it was gruesome. He was pale, sunken eyes with heavy dark circles, his mouth in a straight line and an expressionless face, frowning at me.

It looked like he hadnot slept in a week.

"Kallian Tabris, This is Noah Cousland." Noah gave me an icy stare, for no more than a few seconds before giving me his back. He also said nothing. Duncan, visibly uncomfortable, cleared his throat before continuing.

"You know how to ride a horse?" He asked.

"I learn quickly," I said that, but I had great difficulty climbing the animal. It was even harder to stay on it. I could see Noah rolling his eyes impatiently over my shoulder. I wanted to say something, but I kept my mouth shut out of respect for his pain. Duncan, on the other hand, waited until I was used to the animal to leave.

We rode for a while, and here I was, on the same hill that I visited almost every night in my dreams. But the scene was so different.

No warm breeze or colorful sunset. It was cold and dry; the kind that hurts your nose when you breathe and the sky was no more than a gray scale palette - with the sun hidden behind storm clouds. The tranquility was replaced by steps of guards in their armor. The sound of the War.

I stopped and stared for a few minutes. That chaotic and imperfect scene was my home, and maybe that was the last time I would see it. At least in a long, very long time.

"Let's get moving, Elf!" Noah shouted, already far from me, with a cracked, angry voice. Creepy. "It will be useless if we arrive at Ostagar after the battle!"

It was official now. This guy was going to be a problem.