My eyes were wide as I took in the scene before me: The battle had already begun.
The bulk of the horde was here, waves of them coming from the forest. Unrelenting. I saw King Cailan, but it was too late. We were too late. Death took the king, the ogre playing its role perfectly.
Dammit!
Duncan roared, pulling my attention toward him. He launched himself at the ogre, and I took off like a bullet. The darkspawn would overrun him, at this rate. Sure enough, the closest creatures turned and tried to push him to the ground. I hacked my way through them as quickly as I could manage, the two elves trying their hardest to keep up with me.
"Ana!? What are you doing here!? You're supposed to be-" his words were drowned out by the shrieks of the dying darkspawn.
"Can we talk about this later? When we're not fighting for our lives?" I cut through the armor of a hurlock, taking the opportunity to jab at its chest.
Scores of the monsters fell to the four of us, and we were soon granted a pocket of reprieve.
"Where are Loghain's men!?" the other Warden yelled, his eyes searching.
"He quit the field!" I shouted back, "And we need to get out of here, or we'll all die, too! I didn't go through all of that, just for it to end here!"
He nodded and motioned for retreat. The soldiers around us didn't need to be told twice, desertion the furthest thing from their minds.
...
"...And that's what's happened." I finished.
Duncan sat in silence, staring at the ceiling.
We were in a shack out in the middle of the Korcari Wilds. Where, though, I had no idea. I wanted to wait until other me had left Flemeth's, before we made our way out there. She would help us. Point us in the right direction, at the very least. Kallian and Lyna talked quietly amongst themselves, sharing stories.
"That certainly explains a great deal." he finally spoke.
"What happens now? Lyna needs help."
"I am aware of how precarious her situation is." he pulled a vial from inside his chestplate, "We will remedy that."
I blinked, really staring at the swirling liquid. He had been prepared.
"I'd decided to keep some on my person, in case you came with more recruits." he explained.
"Ah." I stood, turning to the other girls, "Are you ready?"
They nodded. Kallian excited. Lyna somber. I was struck by how much she had lost because of a horrible accident. I rubbed my temples, feeling the dizziness return.
"Will you be alright, afterward?" I murmured to him.
"You have other matters to attend to." he stated calmly.
"I do."
"Go, then. We will be fine."
We exchanged our goodbyes, and I walked to the door.
"Oh. And remember not to seek him out, please. He thinks you're dead, and that's motivating him. I know it sounds horrible, but… I can tell it's all he's got to keep him going, some days." my fingers tightened on the door knob.
"I understand."
"I'll let you know when it's okay." with that, I stepped out in to the night and left them behind, wondering how I would be able to find him at a later date. I shrugged it off; if we were meant to cross paths again, we would.
...
"Ah, I was expecting you." the old woman called out as she came in to view.
I nodded, "I thought as much."
"What can I help you with?"
"I was wondering the same, actually. I get the feeling there's something I can do for you."
Her eyes sparkled, "There is. Morrigan will eventually want me dead, you see. Sometime in the future, she will discover something that will make her want me dead and gone. And she'll most likely ask you to do it."
I nodded slowly, "I don't doubt it. Do you know what will trigger it?"
"Ah, good. You see the bigger picture." she cackled manically, "A grimoire. A false one. In the Circle Tower."
I frowned, "We've already been there, and we didn't find any of those."
She raised an eyebrow, "You know what they are, yes?"
My head bobbed.
"Hmm... Perhaps. Yes. That could work." she disappeared in to her hut, muttering to herself.
I waited, staying put. This woman was crazy. Wise, but crazy. Maybe the two went together.
"Here." she emerged, holding out a large, thick black book, "Give her this. Tell her you found it at the Circle Tower."
"Will do. Anything else?"
"Yes. Kill me, when the time comes." she winked at my sudden pallor, "Don't worry. I rarely stay dead for long."
A chuckle escaped me in my surprise at her lightheartedness, "If you're sure."
"Oh, right. One other thing. Why do you want to help me?"
I shrugged, "I'm not sure, exactly. I just feel compelled to, I guess."
She reached out and gently placed her hands on my shoulders, staring deeply in to my eyes, "You have a difficult path ahead of you, and not just here in Ferelden. No, my dear girl, you will be tried again and again, tested for all your worth. If only I could see how it will end. But alas, it is not for me to know."
"I remember you." I whispered, "You were there the day before I woke up in this strange land."
Her expression shifted, becoming shrewd, "I have no idea what you're talking about. We've only just met, my girl." She grinned knowingly, though, "Now, off you go, little one. There is much to be done."
I hugged the book tightly to my chest, willing myself to bring it with me when I woke up.
...
I came to, the first thing I felt being the heavy book lying on top of me. The next, was a pair of eyes.
"You missed a big scene, Warden." something was off about the elf. He seemed…tense.
"Oh?" I carefully placed the book on the bedside table before stretching myself in to a sitting position.
"An assassin snuck in while you slept."
I swallowed hard, "Is it any consolation that I wasn't really here, even though I was?"
He sighed, his shoulders relaxing a bit, "Not really, no, my dear Warden."
Tilting my head, I glanced at the door, "Was anyone hurt? Aside from the assassin, I mean."
His lips tipped up in a reluctant grin before he caught himself and leveled a glare at me, "No. No one was hurt, but that is only because you are lucky I was watching from outside. I saw a shadow slip in through your window."
My window. My gaze drifted toward it. The glass had been cut, a hole just big enough for a hand to reach in and unlatch it. I shivered. Something had to change. I wondered if Morrigan would be able to help me at least be able to dictate when the travel happened, if not grasp control wholly.
"Wait. What day is it?"
"It is still the day you left." his sigh was deeper, heavier this time, "If you are to make it to the market in time, you must go soon."
"Thank you, Zevran." I offered a smile which he returned.
"Do not think you'll get off that easy, though, little Warden." he narrowed his eyes, his tone cold suddenly, "We will talk more later."
I nodded as he left me to my own devices.
Was I that moody? I was beginning to understand why I exasperated Alistair so. I shook myself and jumped up to dress.
I don't know what I expected, honestly. The lady's maid was there, yes, but I don't know. It seemed too easy. Like child's play. I simply walked in to her, lifting the two small purses without incident. I was almost insulted by it all.
Lady Sophie was just as horrible. I'd recruited Zevran to talk to the guard, who stood out in the drinking area. Why? Wouldn't it be better for her to be in the actual room? A headache had begun at the sight of her, putty in the elf's hands within seconds of him striking up a conversation. Were women really that pathetic? I wasn't sure I wanted to grow up, if that's what I had to look forward to.
The lock was fairly simple. The chest beyond the door was fairly simple. Everything about these jobs so far had been FAIRLY SIMPLE, and I hated it. A silk carpet, a diamond, and two gold. Oh, and a book about Rivain, which I stole because why not? You never know when you might need a book to read on a boring day. It wasn't as if the blonde warrior was talking to me, yet. I wondered briefly if he ever wou-
I ran smack in to Alistair as I left the tavern. If it hadn't been for his quick reflexes, I would have fallen on my butt. I was not graceful at the moment, staring at the ground like I was awaiting execution.
"I was just looking for you." he said quietly, releasing me from his hold now that I was stable, "Can I talk to you?"
A shadow crossed his face at my hesitation, slight as it was, but it disappeared when I nodded. He led me toward the Pearl in silence for a while. I cursed inwardly, debating on whether or not he would yell at me again. I felt bad enough as it was, I didn't need another row.
"I was banished to the kitchen to scour the pots more times than I can count. And that's a lot; I can count pretty high."
I side-eyed him, noting his shy smile. I…. What?
The look on my face must have belied my confusion, because he ducked his head and ran a hand through his hair.
"I was a difficult child, growing up. What with Lady Isolde hating me with every fiber of her being."
"That wasn't your fault." I chided him gently, sensing there was more to this than a random conversation.
"What I was trying to get at was…" he stared at the ground, a concentrated look on his face, "I don't react well to things, and I tend to lash out?"
"Is that a question?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, "I'm trying to apologize, here."
"You are?" An innocent expression.
He pointed at me, "Dangerous child."
We shared a grin at that, though we quickly sobered.
"Alistair, it isn't that I didn't trust you."
"I know. I know I reacted poorly and said things I shouldn't have. Things I didn't mean. I finally had to stop last night and really think about why I was so upset. At first, I'd thought it was because you didn't trust me, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that wasn't it at all."
"What was it, then?" curiosity burned within me. It hadn't been because of me?
He chuckled nervously, "I've never seen magic like that before. Even during my Templar training, I was never exposed to that kind of…display of power. It was unnerving, to say the least, but I'm better now. As you can see."
"Remember Redcliffe?" I asked, unlocking the door to my room and ushering him in.
He gave a nod, watching me. There was no wariness to it, which was comforting.
I took a deep breath, "I was employing almost the same thing, there. Only it was to keep the villagers safe. Healing."
His brows shot up in surprise, "What? You mean, after the battle?"
"I… It feels almost like a second armor. Like the air is banding around you to keep you safe. You felt something like that, didn't you?" I searched for the words, "Almost like you were invincible?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, eventually nodding, "Yeah. Now that you mention it. A couple of the villagers were even talking about it, too, after the fact. That was you?"
"Now you see why I don't worry when it comes to fighting."
"Ah, it makes sense. Having that kind of protection available… Still, you shouldn't rely on it. What would happen if a Templar purified the area of magic?"
"Do you know how to do that?" I tilted my head, curious.
"Ah, kind of? I never officially became a Templar, mind you."
"I won't know unless we try."
He gave me a long look before relenting, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to find out. In fact, it could potentially be our downfall, if it does affect you and you're not aware."
"When do you want to try?"
"How about-" a glance out the window had him making a face, "tomorrow?"
"Damn. The sun is setting already? I just woke up!" I glared at the offending dark sky outside the establishment, wondering where the time had gone.
"Oh, that reminds me." he turned to face me full-on, "Zevran looked very…broody when I asked him where you were."
"Oh, you really were looking for me."
A peculiar expression crossed his face, "Yes, I was. He sent me to the tavern. Do you know what's gotten him all grouchy?"
"Perhaps because you were ignoring your fellow Warden?" the thick Antivan accent drifted toward us from the now open door, "No?"
Alistair ran a hand through his hair, "I apologized. Sort of."
Shrugging, I glanced at the elf, "Did you want to talk now?"
The warrior looked between us, his eyes narrowing again, "Is this more of that seedy stuff you guys have gotten yourselves in to?"
Zevran shook his head, his jaw tight, "No, but you should be present for this, anyway."
I swallowed hard. Oh. Oh, no. What had happened? Were the Crows coming for us again? For him? I rubbed my temples, unsure if I was up to the task.
Shutting the door behind him, he gestured for us to sit. We complied, settling around the table.
"Ana, my dear, tell us what has been happening to you." he started calmly, tenting his fingers.
I stared at him in horror. THIS was what he wanted to talk about? In front of Alistair? Why? "Why?" my voice came out sounding strangled.
The other Warden made a move to get up, but the assassin held up a hand and shot him a steely look, "Sit down."
Ali slowly lowered himself back in to his chair and watched me with concern, "What's going on? Are you alright? Are you sick?"
"No. She is not alright, though nor is she sick."
All attention on me, they waited for an explanation. The room felt hot. Restricting. I tried to keep it at bay, but the panic hit full force before I could get a foothold. I turned to the side and doubled over, throwing myself forward on to the floor. Gasped for air that wouldn't come. My lungs wouldn't work. Nothing was working. My mind was a mess of panic, everything tangling together. Why had Zevran done this? Alistair and I had just made up, were finally on speaking terms, and it was all going to be undone.
A chair hit the floor, loud and ringing in the small space. Small. So small. Not big enough for the warrior alone, not to mention the rogue and the child. Hands gripped my tiny shoulders and tried to lift me up, sit me up straight, but I was too tense. Too huddled. Arms around my middle, I hugged myself, willing the air to reach me.
"Shh..." A whisper against my ear, a hand against my back. Slow circles.
"The last time this happened, Morrigan hummed or sang or something." Fretful words from the warrior.
"Ah." Zevran cleared his throat and hummed a quiet tune, periodically murmuring some of the words. I was too far gone for him, anyone, to reach me. I closed my eyes and waited for it to subside.
Slowly, after what felt like an eternity, I came back to myself. My body went slack, and I opened my eyes. Something was holding me down. Glancing around, trying to get a handle on my surroundings, I noted Alistair above me, hands pinning my wrists above my head. Zevran held my ankles. Morrigan and Wynne crouched on either side of me. They all had worried expressions.
"I'm okay." I whispered, my voice hoarse.
"Thank the Maker." Alistair breathed as they released me.
"Do you remember anything?" Wynne asked, touching my forehead and my neck.
"No. But I know that sometimes, when it's really bad, I…" my eyes scanned my arms, "I claw at my wrists and say strange things. Sometimes, it's about darkness being inside me, other times it's just nonsensical screams or whimpers."
"This… happens? A lot?"
"Not a lot, no. It depends on the severity..." I stroked the damaged skin, sighing quietly.
"Let me look at those scratches." Wynne offered with a motherly tone.
I looked up at her, spied Alistair and Zevran standing behind her anxiously, and shook my head, "I've got it."
Without even having to look, I felt the magic pulse around me. Through me. Dance across my skin. The gouges, the scratches, the scrapes, the nicks. My arms were unharmed.
Wynne and Morrigan exchanged looks.
"Is this you admitting, finally, that you are a mage?" the dark-haired woman sounded bored.
"I... Yes." another sigh, "I'm sorry. It's not that I didn't trust any of you, truly. It's just..."
"You live with a secret for so long, it becomes hard to share it with others." the elderly mage smiled gently in understanding.
I nodded.
The door opened, and Leliana slipped inside the room.
"No one heard anything. Good job, keeping her silent." her eyes fell on me, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired. I'm alright, but tired." I rubbed my temples, "Where's Sten?"
"He is keeping Seraphine occupied. She..." Leliana paused, searching for words, "became rowdy when your attack started, it seems."
"Oh." my eyes slid shut, exhaustion sweeping over me.
Naturally, that was when Zevran decided to push the issue, "Now that we are almost all gathered, will you share with us your recent adventures?" I was going to kill that assassin.
I glared at him, "I will." I spoke through clenched teeth.
He gestured for me to begin.
Rolling my eyes, I took a deep breath to settle myself, "You guys should sit down. This isn't just a long story, it's... unbelievable."
I proceeded to give a detailed account of almost everything that had happened since I'd fallen asleep for the first time since the Circle Tower. I left out the bits with Duncan and Morrigan's mother, for obvious reasons.