I can't go back. Taren was right, the Clan will not take what I did lightly. Especially Deshanna, I had promised her I would protect the Clan and keep my aura suppressed. My connection to the Fade was too strong, posing too many threats for myself and the Clan. I did so well until my panic literally took the control I had over my body away. There will be repercussions for my actions, accident or not. Whatever those consequences may be, I don't think Deshanna can protect me any longer. I have secrets that were kept hidden from the Clan, secrets that Deshanna cannot be shown involved in. My being a mage was not a secret to the Clan, but the extent of my abilities was. I want to go back to the Clan so very much, but my fear keeps my feet moving further in the opposite direction.
After my eyes could shed no more tears, I finally gathered myself together enough to stand. I followed the creek until it came to an end then halted to determine what direction I should go next. A few meters from the creek I spotted an elfroot sprout. I cut the elfroot at the stem and placed it on a rock of decent size to grind the leaves on. I crushed the leaves as much as I could then gathered a small amount of water from the creek to mix the crushed leaves with. The mixture created a paste that I was able to put on the torn skin on my hands to help them heal faster. After I applied the paste to my palms I then rewrapped them and could feel the elfroot immediately begin healing my skin. I took what was left of the elfroot and placed it wrapped up in my first aid pouch. I also have a potent healing potion in there as well, but refuse to use it unless the circumstances are dire.
With the elfroot applied to my palms, they will be able to heal without infection soon enough. At least that is one less problem I have to worry about. The next issue to take care of, and more important one, is where I am going to go. The sky is thankfully clear so I can use the sun for direction and time. Not that direction is truly going to help me while I am moving forward. I have no idea where any villages are. But, if I need to back track for any reason, the sun will give me enough direction to know which way to go. The creek luckily flowed in the direction of the sun when I began following it. But, soon the sun will be behind me rather than in front of me as well as the creek. I decided to say my farewell to the creek and splashed my face with the cold water and stole a few more drinks. I have nothing with me to store water in since I left with only what was on my body at the time. Taren had the pleasure carrying the goatskin that held our drinking water in. So since I am without, I will drink up as much as I can, while I can.
I really need to start moving. I've dilly dallied by this damn creek long enough. It's funny to me that I have sworn from any attachments and yet find myself attached to a creek. Of all things. The sun is slightly behind me so I need to just keep moving forward and make sure the sun stays behind me. I should probably consider searching for food of some kind. But to be honest, I have no appetite. All of the events from today just sucked the hunger right out of me. It's funny how shitty situations can do that to the body.
The sun has finally begun to set. Not only do I not have food or water, but I also have nothing to set a camp with. I don't want to release my aura ever again, so setting wards while I sleep won't be happening. Up a tree it is for me then. Luckily, I don't move much while I sleep, so falling out of it hopefully won't be an event.
Climbing up trees has always been easy for me. Taren used to make fun of me for it, but right now it's proving to be quite useful. The first time I had to climb a tree was when Taren and I were attacked by a bear. The ass didn't feel the need to help me when it wasn't coming after him. Just sat there doubled over laughing at me while I scrambled up a tree and hopped between branches. Anytime I had a steady balance I would shoot an arrow at the damn thing. When I finally got a good blow to the head, it fell hard with a loud thump. I yelled at Taren that day for not helping me. He shrugged me off saying "You must learn to defend yourself and the Clan on your own. I won't always be with you during hunts." Dick! Dick, dick, fucking dick! That's what he is. Sure I lost control over something petty. But if he would have kept his lips to his damned self, none of that shit would have happened. I know I shouldn't blame him for my loss of control. But I can still be pissed. And I am, I am very pissed.
Finally up high enough to where I feel safe and undetectable. I move myself to get comfortable on the branch, then stop. Off a short distance I can see a small flame. There's a camp nearby? Climbing up a little higher to investigate I see a steady flow of thick branches coming off of nearby trees. I jump and swing my legs up on a branch connected to the next tree over. Curling around the tree and neighboring branches, I jump to the next tree and do the same. I only really had to jump and climb across four trees to get a decent view of the fire. There's only one man? I can't make out any distinct features because he is wearing a hooded cloak that appears to be black as night. Ah, a mage as well. His staff is leaning up against a tree next to him. Well, good thing I am in the trees then. The last thing I need is to be spotted and killed by a mage.
I steady myself on my branch and get comfortable. I fully intend on nabbing some food from this man when he goes to sleep. My appetite decided to kick in full force not long ago, when it's too dark to hunt. He will likely set wards up on the ground around camp, if he has not already for protection and to alert him of any intruders. Well, smart mage didn't think people would find other means, such as the trees, to invade his space. Then again, how smart am I if I'm planning on invading his camp while he sleeps to steal food? He could wake up and kill me. Though, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Perhaps death here is the only thing that could send me home. Although, if I died back on Earth before I came here then I suppose that would be an issue. But, never the less, I am starving and I will only take what I need. Nothing more. Training to hunt with Taren really helped me with my dexterity skills. I may not be graceful in my reactions or even actions for that matter. But I am damn graceful on my toes. I also give a lot of credit to ballet for that.
Finally, he starts climbing into his bed roll. Lucky bastard! Gets to sleep nice and toasty wrapped up by the fire on a full belly. It's been a good hour of sitting here watching this man. I was beginning to wonder if he will ever sleep. I also took notice of his horse not far in the distance, opposite side of the camp where I am. Fingers crossed I don't spook the horse. Just wait a few more minutes, like a half hour, then I will climb down. While I wait, I should start scoping out his bags. He left a larger pack by the log he sat on by the fire. Most likely where his food would be stored, I hope. He has a smaller pack, but he has that one placed by his staff. Which both lay directly next to his bedroll. I may be quiet on my feet, but even I'm not stupid enough to test those waters.
Slowly and surely I make my way down the tree and onto to solid ground. I didn't set off any wards, thank god. He must have them placed a little further back, which makes sense if they were to go off. He would need time to get up and grab his staff. I move to make way to the log he was sitting on by the fire. Luckily, elves can see wonderfully in the dark. His fire went out a short while ago and now just sits with hot embers. I squat next to the large pack and carefully open it. The first thing I pull out is a pelt made of white wolf fur. It almost lays big enough to cover over half of my body. I carefully set the pelt on the log. Underneath where the pelt sat is my winning prize. A loaf of bread and cheese. I grab my dagger and cut a third of the bread and a fourth from the cheese. Gather them both and stuff them into my cleavage under my tunic. Classy I know, but really? Where else am I to put them while I climb back up that tree? Then I grab the pelt and stare at it. I look over to the man who still seems to be sound asleep. He looks warm and comfy enough. Does he really need this? I sat there debating and feeling pounds and pounds of guilt when I throw the pelt over my shoulders. I will find some way to repay my thievery. Or hopefully I will wake before him and can throw it down from the tree? No too suspicious. I will have to rest for only a few hours then climb back down and return it to him. The night is cold and I have nothing to keep me warm high in the trees where the wind will definitely pick up. I close his pack back up and slowly make my way back to my tree and climb back up.
Finally making it high enough to where I feel safe from being noticed. I pull off the pelt from my shoulders and sit down, legs stretched along the branch and back up against the tree. I cover my legs and stomach with the pelt then pull out the food from my tunic. I don't think I could even try to eat this food slowly and savor the taste. Which honestly isn't a bad thing. It taste like shit. But, I'm too hungry to even care. I am going to eat this food like a fat kid eats cake. Devour it all practically in a few big bites. I wish I had thought to snag some water. But, I have already stolen enough from this man. I hate that I had to steal from him to begin with. It really is a low blow for me. I am not a thief and on normal circumstances I would not steal from anyone. I don't even know this man and I feel down right awful.
Swallowing down my guilty conscious, I bring my knees up to my chest and the pelt up to cover more of my body. Placing my arms across my knees and my head over them, I finally start to allow sleep to take me.
I woke up to a smack across my face. The hell? I look down at my hands and see a pebble laying in my lap.
"Good morning sunshine!"
I freeze and slowly begin to look down to the source of the deep voice calling below me. The man I stole from is staring up my tree with a shit eating fat grin across his face. Fuck! I immediately sit up, legs falling on either side of the branch. I whip my bow out so fast and aim it directly at his head. His hands come up in surrender and he chuckles. He's seriously laughing at me?
"I made you some tea to go with the bread you stole from me. Also, that's my favorite pelt. I'd like for you to give it back please."
He waves his arm at me to come down, then turns and moves to the log to sit. He pats the log on a spot next to him. He can't be serious. I am not going to have tea time with him and I am not going to sit with him either.
Not saying a word, I sling my bow and his pelt across my shoulder, holding the arrow in between my teeth I begin climbing down. When I reach the ground he looks at me and smiles. I immediately throw the pelt at him, with it landing on and covering his face. I take the opportunity of his face being covered to sling my bow back and aim my arrow directly at his head, again. He sighs with the pelt still on his head and then lifts his hand up to remove it. Placing it on the log as he turns to stare at me. First thing I notice is his face. This man looks very familiar, though I know I have never seen him while I've been in Thedas. He has shaggy thick jet black hair that sweeps across his forehead, a little grown out it would seem. Then I take in his black facial hair and his cheek bones that sit prominently on his face. Then I look at his eyes, they are a light golden brown color. He has his lips pulled into a cocky grin. His staff is attached to his back just reaching up past his shoulders by a little less than a foot. He is freaking tall, at least 6'2 in height. I'll be honest, he is actually extremely attractive. That's when it hits me. I know who this man is! This is Hawke! Champion of fucking Kirkwall. Holy shit, fan girl moment. It literally takes all of my will to not lay down my bow and jump around giddy like a mad woman. Now, it makes sense. I don't remember exactly what Varric said about Hawke's companions when I played Inquisition. But I remember enough to know they are not with him while he is on the run. He would be the only mage brave enough to travel Thedas alone during the Mage/Templar war. Anders, his 'spirited' companion, began the war when he blew up the Chantry in Kirkwall to free the mages. Hawke has to travel alone to remain hidden.
Instead of blowing my cover and announcing that I know who exactly he is and why he is near Wycome, traveling alone. I roll my shoulders, tense my body further and pull the drawstring on my bow back just a little farther.
"Well, I figured since you stole from me that we could have a nice chat over tea. I'd much rather offer you food than have you sneak around my camp at night to steal it." He says this to me, maintaining his cocky grin. Then walks over to his fire to remove the pan with boiling water. Does he really not care that I have an arrow aimed at him? Though, he most likely could throw a barrier up faster than it would take for my arrow to reach him. That and let's be honest, I am not going to actually stick an arrow in him.
He begins to pour the hot liquid from the pot into one cup, then into another. Then he places the pot down on the ground by the fire and begins walking back to me with both cups in hand. He stops just a few feet from me and my aimed bow to offer me a cup. I look at it, then look at him.
He sighs then rolls his shoulders. "Alright, let's start with something else then. What's your name?"
"Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine." I lift my chin up at him, waiting to see what his response would be. I know he won't tell me who he is.
He chuckles at me then shakes his head. "Clever thief then. Alright, it's ….Dom."
This time I laugh at him and lower my bow. "Ya know, that's a load of bullshit."
"Well, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. And clearly, I don't want to do that. I did make you tea and all…after you stole from me."
"How did you know I was up in the tree?"
"Well, when I woke up and noticed my pack significantly empty with my pelt and part of my food missing, it got easy from there." He lifts his chin towards the direction of his back by the log next to us, then shrugs his shoulders.
"How so?"
"Well, I did set wards. But none went off during the night. I'll admit that hit me with a brush of confusion. Then I looked up at the trees wondering how the hell someone snuck in my camp…..that's when I saw you. Rolled up in my favorite pelt up in the tree. Then, I took in what all you took and realized you only took enough for a very small snack and to keep warm. I decided to make you some breakfast and tea so you wouldn't go hungry and be forced to steal from another sleeping man, who may or may not be as charming as I." He's smirking again as he talks. Cocky fellow.
"Well, I only took what I needed and did have a plan to give you back your pelt, hence why I stayed in that tree and didn't just take off."
"What? Planned on waking up before me did you? I can see that worked out well. How's your cheek by the way? I had to chuck that pebble pretty hard for it to reach you." Still grinning at me while he's speaking. Yeah, time for me to go.
I turned around to go then I hear him step closer to me and grab my arm before I can bolt it.
"I still have my wards set. Can't have you go and catch fire now."
I sigh and turn around to look at him. "Fine, tea and breakfast then you'll let me go?"
"Deal." He gives me another wide grin and turns to head to the log to sit by the fire. Patting his hand on the log in the spot beside him for me to sit. When I came to sit a little further on the log than where he patted, he offered me a cup of tea again. I sip on it while staring at the fire. I cannot believe I am literally having tea with the Champion of Kirkwall.