A.N: Thank you to all whom have read, reviewed, or both! We are finally continuing on to Highever!
P.S: I do not own Dragon Age, Skyrim, or any of the characters.
Chapter 4
Together, they watched in muted anticipation as the captain guided the ship into the harbor, the creaking timbers groaning in response to the ship's gradual halt. The briny sea air, sharp and cold, mingled with the scent of old wood and salt-crusted ropes. The water lapped softly against the hull until, with a heavy thud, the ship's side met the weathered dock. The sound echoed in the stillness of the early morning, a final declaration of their arrival.
Moments later, the thick iron anchor splashed into the water, sending ripples across the otherwise calm surface, its chain rattling as it unfurled. The crew, practiced and efficient, moved with purpose. A thick wooden gangplank was lowered with a hollow thud, bridging the gap between ship and shore.
She stood there, her heart racing, watching as the men hurried to disembark. The ship rocked gently beneath her feet, as though reluctant to let them go, while the dock seemed so close and solid—a promise of land after endless weeks at sea. She hesitated only for a moment, then took her first step forward, the planks beneath her boots firm and unmoving. Behind her, the ship's sails flapped lazily in the wind, a final farewell to the journey that had carried them here.
Shade followed closely at her heels; his golden eyes alert as they stepped onto solid ground. The moment his large paws hit the dirt, however, his restraint dissolved. With an excited burst of energy, he dashed ahead, his muscular frame cutting through the air. She didn't even have time to call him back before he flopped onto the ground, rolling around with reckless abandon. Dust billowed up around him in soft clouds, his sleek black fur quickly turning a dusty brown as he kicked his legs in the air, wriggling like an overgrown pup.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. What a puppy, she thought, shaking her head with amusement. Shade was no small creature—his size and strength marked him as a Mabari, a breed renowned across Ferelden for their loyalty and power—but moments like these showed how young and playful he still was.
Several passersby paused in their tracks, some smiling at the sight, others letting out soft chuckles. Despite being a common sight in Ferelden, a Mabari acting so carefree in the middle of a bustling town was enough to draw attention. Shade seemed completely unaware of the amused glances as he rolled about, happily coating himself in dust. His tongue lolled out of his mouth; eyes half-closed in pure joy.
She shook her head again, stepping over to him and giving a playful whistle. "Come on, you big lump," she called out, but Shade only rolled over one last time, his fur now a ridiculous mix of black and brown, before hopping to his feet, looking entirely pleased with himself.
"'Scuse me, m'lady, these horses here belong to you?" came a soft, childlike voice from behind her.
She turned to find a young boy, no more than ten summers, standing with the reins of two large horses clutched in his small hands. His light brown eyes were wide with curiosity, and his shaggy, dirty blond hair hung just above his brow. Despite his youth, there was a sense of responsibility in his stance as he held the reins of the impressive animals.
The horses stood tall, each around fifteen and a half hands high, their muscular forms steady and calm. Both were in their prime, about four years of age, and they exuded strength and grace.
The first horse, a powerful black stallion named Sheton, had a coat as dark as night—matching the jet-black of Shade's fur when it wasn't covered in dust. His pale green eyes flicked between the boy and his owner, exuding a quiet intelligence. His saddle was plain, made of sturdy black leather, with two small saddlebags strapped to the back. The reins, equally black, rested loosely in the boy's hand.
Beside Sheton stood his sister, Rain, a striking contrast to her brother with her sand-colored coat. Her dark brown mane and tail rippled gently in the breeze, her deep chocolate eyes calm and gentle. Though smaller than Sheton, she was no less majestic. Strapped to Rain's back were several packs—supplies for the journey ahead and gifts she'd collected for her family along the way. The reins of Rain's bridle were tied securely to the horn of Sheton's saddle, keeping the pair tethered together.
"Thank you," she said with a smile, stepping forward to take the reins. She reached up and patted Sheton's strong neck, his fur soft beneath her hand despite the long journey. Rain nickered softly, as if welcoming her back. The boy watched her carefully, his eyes shining with admiration for both the horses and the rider.
She crouched down, meeting the lad's gaze. "You did well keeping hold of these two. They can be a handful."
The boy beamed with pride, standing a little taller. "Ain't no trouble, m'lady. They're strong ones, but they like me just fine." He gave a small, proud smile, glancing back at the horses as if expecting their approval.
She chuckled at the boy's pride, appreciating his youthful eagerness. Reaching into the small pouch at her waist, she pulled out two silver coins, their surfaces glinting in the mid-morning sun. She held them out to the boy, whose eyes widened in surprise.
"Here, for your trouble," she said, pressing the coins into his small palm.
The boy stared at the coins, clearly not expecting such a generous reward. He fumbled for words, looking from the silver to her and back again. "Th-thank you, m'lady!" he stammered, his voice filled with awe. He clutched the coins tightly, as though afraid they might disappear if he loosened his grip.
"You earned it," she replied with a warm smile, then gave Sheton's reins a gentle tug, guiding both him and Rain forward. The boy stepped aside, still beaming as he watched her lead the horses toward the bustling heart of the city.
As she entered the city proper, the noise and life of the streets enveloped her. The cobblestones beneath her boots were worn smooth from countless feet over the years, while merchants called out their wares from stalls lining the busy market square. The smells of freshly baked bread, roasting meats, and the sharp tang of spices mingled with the earthy scent of leather and horses.
Shade, now trotting beside her with his coat still dusted in brown, kept a watchful eye on the crowd, his ears pricking at every unfamiliar noise. Despite his earlier antics, he seemed alert now, ever the protective companion.
Sheton and Rain moved steadily behind her, their hooves making rhythmic clopping sounds on the stone streets. Their presence turned a few heads, the sight of two such fine horses—especially a Mabari alongside them—rare enough to draw attention, though not enough to cause alarm. Ferelden was used to travelers, after all.
She weaved her way through the crowd with ease, making her way toward her destination. The city's tall stone buildings loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the street. People bustled past, wrapped in their own lives—some hurried to their errands, others stopped to barter at the market stalls. A few children dashed by in play, giggling as they ran, and old men sat by the fountain, watching the city move around them.
Her mind wandered as she walked, thoughts drifting toward her family. It had been far too long since she'd seen them, and the gifts she'd packed on Rain's back seemed paltry compared to the weight of her absence. She wondered how they would greet her—if things had changed in the time she'd been gone.
As she made her way deeper into the city, the crowds began to thin. The market square's noise faded behind her, replaced by the quieter sounds of the city's side streets—the distant clanging of a blacksmith's hammer, the occasional bark of a dog, the soft murmur of conversations behind closed doors.
She turned down a narrower road, her eyes scanning the street ahead. The sun cast long shadows across the alleyways, and it was in one of these shadows that she caught sight of something that made her heart tighten.
A young elf with fiery red hair stood cornered in a narrow alley, her back pressed against the stone wall. Her clothes were simple, and her pale skin was smudged with dirt, but it was the fear in her bright eyes that caught her attention. In front of her, looming menacingly, was a Denerim city guard.
He wasn't just standing in her way—he had one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other gripping the young elf's arm, his posture oozing with authority and the confidence that no one would challenge him.
"You think you can just wander where you like, knife-ear?" the guard spat, his voice low and filled with disdain. "Denerim's no place for your kind, especially not in this part of town. Maybe you need a reminder of your place."
The girl—barely more than a teenager—tried to pull away, but the guard's grip tightened, making her wince. She was trembling, her red hair falling in tangled strands around her face. It burned her blood to see anyone, especially a young female elf being forced into such a position by one who should protect her.
Stepping forward, she called out, her voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "Let her go."
The guard turned his head sharply at the sound, his eyes narrowing as he sized her up. His hand remained on his sword hilt, but his grip on Shianni loosened slightly.
"Mind your business, stranger," he growled, though a hint of uncertainty flashed in his eyes as he took in the sight of the tall black stallion and the sand-colored mare behind her, and Shade at her side, who stood silently, his gaze locked on the guard. The presence of a Mabari always carried weight in Ferelden, and it was clear the guard wasn't so certain of himself anymore. "This is city business. Nothing for you to interfere with."
She took another step forward, her hand resting casually on Sheton's reins. "It becomes my business when I see a city guard abusing his power," she said, her tone still calm, but there was a sharpness to her words that made the guard's hand twitch. "You're going to let the girl go, and you're going to walk away."
The guard sneered, but he didn't make a move. "You think you can threaten a guard of Denerim? Just because you've got a couple of horses and a hound, doesn't mean—"
"You misunderstand." She stepped closer now, her voice dropping low, ice in her tone. "I'm not threatening you. If I were, you'd know." Her eyes met his, unwavering. "I'm giving you a chance to walk away before you regret it."
The guard's bravado faltered. He looked from her to the horses, then to Shade, who hadn't moved but was watching intently. He wasn't foolish enough to think he could handle a Mabari, let alone an armed traveler. His fingers flexed nervously on his sword hilt, then he released his grip entirely, stepping back with a scowl.
"Fine," he muttered, glaring at her as he shoved Shianni roughly to the side. The elf stumbled but caught herself against the wall, keeping her head down. "But remember this, knife-ear," he spat at the girl. "This city doesn't belong to your kind."
With one last venomous glance, the guard turned on his heel and stalked away, his armor clanking as he disappeared down the alley.
Once he was gone, she turned to Shianni, who was still leaning against the wall, her shoulders shaking slightly. The girl's red hair had fallen in front of her face, and she brushed it back with trembling fingers.
"Are you all right?" she asked gently, stepping closer but not wanting to startle her.
Shianni looked up, her eyes wide but filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "I didn't... I didn't know what to do. He just—" She swallowed hard, looking down at her feet. "I shouldn't have been here."
"You don't need to apologize," she replied firmly. "No one deserves that kind of treatment."
Shianni nodded, still shaken but starting to steady herself. "I'm... I'm Shianni," she said quietly, as though offering her name was the least she could do in return.
She smiled softly. "Elena. You should get back to the alienage. Be safe."
Shianni gave a small, grateful nod, then hurried off, disappearing into the crowd. As she watched the young elf go, her grip on Sheton's reins tightened slightly. The encounter left a sour taste in her mouth—yet another reminder of the inequalities that still poisoned even the most civilized cities.
Shaking off the unpleasant encounter in the alley, she continued her walk through the city streets, weaving her way back toward the bustling market district. As she strode past rows of merchants hawking their goods, a thought crossed her mind: Oh yeah, I should probably sell a few of the gems I brought for Ferelden currency. Not sure if the septims I have will work here.
Her hand instinctively went to her pouch, brushing against the small collection of precious stones she carried. She was fortunate to have mined these herself, knowing they'd fetch a good price. Glancing around the market stalls, she spotted one that seemed promising—an armory run by a stout, grizzled dwarf. His stand was cluttered with weapons of all sorts, gleaming steel swords and sturdy axes, alongside a few shields lined up against the wooden frame. The dwarf himself had a salt-grey beard that nearly reached his broad chest, and his deep-set dark eyes, almost black in the morning light, glimmered with the sharpness of a seasoned tradesman.
"Heyo, lass, what can I do for you?" he called out in a gruff, weathered voice as she approached. Despite the roughness of his tone, there was no malice in it—just the directness of someone who had spent a lifetime in the market.
She gave him a nod in greeting and reached into her coin pouch, though instead of coin, she felt the familiar cool edges of the gems she carried. Pulling out one of her flawless rubies, she held it up for the dwarf to see. It was a deep, rich red, catching the light as it glinted between her fingers. The stone was small, but its clarity and cut were nearly perfect—work done by her own hand after long days in the mines.
"I was wondering how much I could get for this gem?" she asked, handing it over when he extended a rough, calloused hand.
The dwarf's thick fingers carefully turned the ruby over, examining it with an expert eye. His bushy brows furrowed in thought, and he brought the gem closer to his face, tilting it in the sunlight to inspect the facets. After a few moments, he gave a low grunt of approval.
"Fine piece of work this is," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "Good clarity, flawless cut. You don't see many rubies like this around here, especially not with the quality I'd expect from a mine deep underground. Must've been a skilled hand who worked this one."
She offered a small smile, not to mention that it was her own. "So, what do you think it's worth?"
The dwarf straightened up, tucking the ruby into the palm of his hand as he sized her up. "Well, lass, gemstones like this don't come cheap, but we've got to be fair in the price. I'd say..." He paused, his gaze calculating. "About fifty gold, because the cut is so good, and the ruby doesn't look flawed."
She raised an eyebrow, considering his offer. It was a fair price for a ruby of this size in Ferelden, but she wasn't just here for a quick sale—she needed to convert enough gems to fund her time in the city and beyond. "I've got more gems like this," she said, her tone casual but with a hint of negotiation. "If I sell a few more, think you could bump up the price a bit?"
The dwarf scratched his beard, his dark eyes glinting with interest. "More, you say. Well, that changes things." He gave her a shrewd look. "If you've got a handful of gems like this one, I can go higher. But you'll want to sell them smart, not flood the market. Too many at once, and you'll drive down the price."
She nodded in agreement, appreciating the honesty of his advice. "I'll keep that in mind. For now, let's say we start with this one. Fifty gold, correct?"
The dwarf grunted and reached under his counter, pulling out a small pouch. "Fifty it is lass. And if you've got more of these gems, come back my way." He counted out the coins, placing them into her hand with a firm nod.
She pocketed the coins, satisfied with the deal. "Thank you. I'll be back soon enough," she said, giving him a respectful nod before turning to continue through the market, already scanning for her next stop. The day was still young, and she had more business to attend to.
She continued her way through the lively streets of Denerim, the clang of metal and the hum of chatter fading into the background as her thoughts shifted to her journey ahead. There wasn't any reason to linger—no more stops to make. What she needed most was to head to Highever, where her family awaited. The silver in her pocket would keep her supplied for some time, a reassuring weight as she moved with purpose toward the city gates.
The towering stone walls of Denerim loomed ahead, and beyond them stretched the vast wilds of Ferelden. The large outer gates were wide open, as they always were until sundown, allowing travelers and traders to pass freely. The sight of the sprawling forest that lay beyond filled her with a sense of freedom. She had spent far too much time confined within the city's walls, and the open road was calling her name.
"Alright boys and girl!" she said aloud, glancing at her companions. Shade trotted ahead eagerly, his coat still marked with remnants of the dust he had rolled in earlier, while Sheton and Rain followed closely behind. They seemed just as ready to be out of the city as she was.
With practiced ease, she swung up into Sheton's saddle, settling comfortably on the black stallion's back. She gave a gentle nudge with her heel, urging him forward, and with a soft whinny, Sheton picked up into a steady walk, his strong legs carrying them through the city gates and out onto the wide dirt path that led beyond.
The road ahead stretched into the distance, flanked by towering trees that cast dappled shadows along the trail. The air felt fresher here, cleaner, with the scent of pine and earth replacing the city's more pungent aromas. A sense of peace settled over her as the sounds of Denerim grew faint behind them.
Highever. She could almost picture it—her home. It had been far too long since she had last seen the rolling hills and familiar stone walls of the Cousland estate. The thought of reuniting with her family brought a small, wistful smile to her lips. There were still many miles to travel, but each step forward brought her closer.
Shade bounded ahead along the path, his energy never wavering, while Rain walked steadily beside Sheton, the soft clinking of the packs on her back a rhythmic companion to their journey. She breathed in deeply, feeling the tension of the city fall away.
"Let's see if we can make good time," she murmured to herself, giving Sheton a gentle pat. With the open road ahead and the sun still high in the sky, she knew they could cover a good distance before dusk. The path to Highever lay ahead, and she was ready for whatever the journey would bring.
A.N: Thank you for reading