Disclaimer: We do not own the Dragon Age or Elder Scrolls series.
Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23
What lurks in the Wilds
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Ser Jory wasn't some chauvinist bloke who thought women had no place in the battlefield. Indeed, he had served alongside plenty of fierce women before. The prospect of them being smiths wasn't outside his understanding either, that nice dwarven lady back in castle Highever could do wonders, and even mentored many young apprentices with her husband, men and women alike. Of course, those women through years of hammering away at iron would develop formidable and sizeable muscles, their arm ending up looking more like tree trunks.
So it was to Jory's surprise that the tall elven women before him, well tall for an elf but not nearly as tall as him, was hefting his greatsword with one hand, said hand was attached to a lithe arm that truly didn't look it could lift something as heavy as his sword. Much less with such ease.
Much more impressed than with her physical strength he was with her knowledge of weapons and armor. Lady Miara was a savant of smithing, as Lord Marcus had attested, so it was logical to let her check their gear before they went out to the wilds.
"This side is starting to dull" She said, her blue eyes sharply narrowed, taking every detail of the blade in her hand. "Nothing major, it won't give you any trouble in the wilds, but have it sharpened before the battle when we return"
The knight gave a nod as he took back his blade; "Understood my lady." Miara grinned as she proceeded over to inspect Alistair's weapon and shield. "When the Wardens gave us these silverite weapons I thought they looked freshly forged."
"They are well cared for, I will acknowledge that," Miara responded, her eyes critical over every inch of the former Templar's longsword; "The smiths I spoke with at Highever explained about silverite and how it works well against Darkspawn."
"Indeed lady Redoran. There is also the added Cleansing Rune for an extra kick for the blade." Alistair gestured to the rune symbol just above the guard.
The elf gave it a glance before handing the sword back; "Overall good shape, now your shield."
"Thorough lass isn't she," Daveth chuckled gazing down at the crossbow the Wardens gave him along with silverite tipped bolts. And in case he needed to get close were two curved daggers on his belt.
Marcus only smirked back as he looked of his family sword Engeram and the silverite blade the Quartermaster had given him. He soon took a long deep breath of he focused himself. Never in his life did he thought he would be facing against the monsters old Aldous spoke about during his history lessons. He'd be lying if he did not feel a slight ting fear, but shoved it aside as he glanced down to his faithful hound who sat at his side.
"Any last minute advice we should know Alistair?" Sofie asked as she waited beside Ser Jory.
"Watch out for their arrows, Darkspawn tip them with their own blood. We're unsure how many of the blighters are in the wilds so pace yourselves. And if Andraste forbid there is an Ogre out there don't be an idiot and fight it alone." The man spoke with an odd sense of humor
Brianna leaned to Neria and Gin whispering with a lifted brow; "Who's crazy enough to fight an Ogre alone?"
Serana, who heard her, merely gave a deadpanning look at Miara. The elf merely responded with her own dry look, as if saying 'I fought dragons and grouchy giants. What's another huge monster more to me?'
The dunmer in disguise soon returned Alistair's shield to him, "It'd be best if we form up before heading out" She advised. Already multiple ideas and formations went through her head, but she was merely here as an aid. She wasn't here as a general, it simply wasn't her place.
"Your orders, Ser Warden?" Daveth said with a hint of humor in his voice.
"Hmm, I confess I don't have a lot of experience leading a group of this size. Or, you know, any at all" He replied with a soft grumbled. "What about you, Marcus, surely you were trained for that?" He asked, turning his gaze to the noble.
"Me?" He was caught a bit off guard. "I'm just another warrior in this party, I don't have any authority here" It seemed his reasons were very similar to Miara's own.
"Ah, but you're a fine tactician milord" Ser Jory spoke in praise of his lord of Highever. "I've been on parties lead by you and your brother before; I believe our group could benefit a lot from you if we are to head out to the wilds"
At that the young Cousland gave a long pause before he rubbed his chin peering over to Brianna and Neria; "What type of magic are you two best at?"
"I've always been heavier on the primal schools. Neria is great in all fields but it is creation where she is by far her best." Amell clarified, patting the shoulder of her longtime friend who nodded stiffly.
Marcus gazed over to the elven mage; "I've heard of invisible shield spells that protect the user, can you do those?"
"I can make barrier spells for added protection and healing if anyone needs it." Neria gripped her staff close.
The young noble gave a nod before turning his gaze to Serana; "Your strengths Lady Volkihar? How good are you with that dagger and sword?" He noticed the woman's sword was similar in design to Dragonbane.
Serana gave a shrug; "I'd say I'm fairly decent with my sword and dagger but I'm best with my spells. Like Amell I'm destruction based with my skills." Before they had regrouped with at the Wardens Camp she secretly summoned Butler to get her father's sword after the lesson on the Darkspawn.
"Then you three stay at the back for range with Daveth," Marcus stated getting nods from the four. He now glanced over to Miara. "I never could figure out your style."
"Because I don't really have one since I'm versed in multiple forms of combat and magic. However I best be at the middle with Gin since my talents center me around as a Nightblade."
Gin peered over to Sofie; "Nightblade?"
"A fancy title for a rogue that uses magic."
"Well, rogues don't usually take on so many people like you do" He replied with a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He remembered very well the same kind of massacre she inflicted upon Howe's soldiers.
"That you know of"
He let out a soft laugh as he shook his head, the Cousland soon turned his gaze with to the tall nord, "I think I can guess what your specialty is" It wasn't hard to, given Sofie's prominent size and muscles, coupled with her heavy armor and greatsword. Also he noticed the short handled axes on her belt.
The eldest daughter of the Redoran family shrugged, metallic pauldrons clinking with the movement. "What can I say? I like simple"
"Simple is good. You're with Alistair, Jory, and me. We take out the main bulk of whatever we fight, draw their attention to better protect the others" He nodded at Gin and Miara, "When you two see an opening, get in and kill them fast, get out before they even know what hit them"
"Sounds like Tuesday to me" The city elf droned, "Only with more stabbing involved"
The young noble turned Daveth who smirked holding up his crossbow; "Armed and ready milord." He spoke in a chipper tone.
"And you" Marcus said to the mages, "Brianna, hit them with fireballs, lightning, whatever it is you mages can do to dish out damage"
"I like this plan a lot" The human mage grinned, excited at the idea of letting loose for once.
"And Neria" The young elven mage gave a small jump, "You cast your barriers on us, keep us alive"
"Y-Yes" She nodded stiffly, looking rather unsure with herself.
It was something the Cousland noticed, but choose not to comment on it. He merely nodded slowly as he looked back at each of his companions, "Let's head out then"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
After a quick talk with the guards protecting the rear fortified gates the group began their trek into the Wilds. They sight they were greeted with was a vast patchwork swamps, dense forest areas, and open grasslands. They could see least a dozen broken structures that were once enormous ruins and statues now reclaimed by nature.
"That is a lot of ground to cover." Miara muttered as her eyes took every detail she could see. It partly reminded the elf of the Argonian homeland, if only just. She took a glance to Dawnbreaker as she felt it pulsing ever so faintly.
Marcus looks down Loke; "Keep your nose sharp boy." The huge mastiff gave a small grunt as he sniffed the ground.
Surana kept her stave close as her heart was racing as the group started their trial. Her sharp elven ears twitched at the faint noises coming from the forest areas. Brianna glanced to her longtime friend noticing the nervousness.
Going down a small hill they stopped at the sight of dead soldiers and a man in robes of the chantry; "A missionary?" Sofie glanced to the others. "Brave and foolish coming out here."
"Check him out" Miara said, "See if he has something valuable"
Multiple sets of eyes turned to her in a mixture of horror and disgust. Save her lover and daughter who only groaned rubbing their eyes.
"...to... give back to a next of kin... or something" She mumbled out as she cowered before the judgmental looks. "Look, decades of adventuring are hard to shake off okay? You learn to loot everything that isn't nailed down to the floor"
"That's horrible" Neria shook her head.
"It's lucrative and allows you to survive!"
Sofie rolled her eyes as she knelt down and checked through the man's clothes. Pulling out a small journal from which she started reading the clergy man's last words, "This man's from Redcliffe" She let out a long sigh, "There's a wife and son there..."
"Not the best place to preach the Chant" Alistair spoke solemnly.
"Pretty bad call" Daveth said, his voice bordering on the uncaring. "If not for the Blighters, then the wilders would have killed him anyway. The tribes here don't like the Chantry"
"We'll take his belongings to his family at a later date" Miara said, "For now, we have a job to do"
Sofie gathered up the journal along with a small box likely carrying something of value to the man's family. Placing them into her belt satchel the group pressed on, checking the dead soldiers. Finding none alive they round a corner where Neria stopped at the sight of some flowers. Daveth joined at her side; "Ah yeah, those are the flowers that kennel master been looking for. Best to take a few," he muttered as the elven girl grabbed several and tucked them safely away.
Rounding on another corner they find themselves in an open grassland with a large open cliff-side nearby. Neria, Brianna, and Gin paled as they saw several knights hanging. Their armor badly mauled and torn in sections, some were missing limbs as horror was forever frozen on their faces. "Poor bastards." Alistair shook his head grimly.
Keeping his snout to the ground Loke paused before a snarl came from him. The group sharply looked forward as they saw several figures ahead of them roaming around a ruined stone house. Dawnbreaker glowed brighter in Miara's hand as she glared hard for the coming battle.
Most of the creatures looked just like the Darkspawn corpses they had seen in Ostagar, but they were finally seeing more of the monsters' kin. The same twisted flesh, the same foul existence, but some were tall like humans wearing rugged plates and mail, while others were stout and bulkier, walking on all fours.
Each step they took, every breath they drew, Miara could feel the foul corruption in their every action.
"Darkspawn up ahead!" Alistair shouted as he brandished his sword and shield.
Marcus was quick to stand in front of the group, "Positions!"
Sofie flanked the right side while Ser Jory stood to the left; both had their greatswords at the ready. Daveth loaded his crossbow as Miara and Gin readied their blades. Serana let frost gather at her fingertips, a smirk forming on her lips.
The younger mages of the group could feel their hearts pounding on their ears. Brianna steeled herself as she channeled lightning through her staff, gulping down the lump in her throat
Neria could only cling tightly to her stave. Those... monsters were nightmarish, it reminded her too much of the demons of the Fade.
One of the black armored Hurlocks spotted them and howled, pointing a rusty blade at them, signaling the other Spawn to attack. They charged with vicious wanton abandon, arms wildly flailing around, and dark drool escaping from their mouths in blood lust.
Serana drew first blood, firing a blast of pure cold that impacted a hurlock on the front, icy spikes exploded outward from inside its body, black blood flowing freely as chunks of its flesh fell to the ground. She immediately transformed into mist, moving unto a more advantageous position over a small hill to continue her attack.
Alistair charged with his shield up, parrying away the blow from a Hurlock's axe, followed by his silverite sword slashing across the creature's chest, cutting through rugged metal and into its dark flesh. The metal burned the unholy flesh with its bite.
Ser Jory grit his teeth as one of those large quadruped came straight at him, he brought down his greatsword with a war cry and buried it through the creatures shoulder and into its back, it cut into its spine and let a screeching wail of pain, its movements on its hind legs stopping, yet it still tried to claw away at Jory, trying to reach him with its arm. Jory planted his armored foot unto its face, pulling his sword free before bringing it down once more, this time splitting the monster's head.
A Genlock with a bow howled as a silverite bolt pierced his shoulder. Daveth's gaze was unflinching as he reloaded and fired true as it went through the beast's head killing the blighter. Loke charged as his jaws clamped down on a Hurlock's arm that got too close to his master. Fearless and powerful the giant hound cleverly kept the corrupted monster from moving until Marcus came forward plunging his blades into the Hurlock's chest.
Despite her imposing height and muscles Sofie deftly dodged two attacks from a Hurlock and quadrupedal Genlock. The creatures were relentless and primal with their vicious onslaught to kill their prey. With a roar the Nordic woman spun her blade in an arc, severing the Hurlock's head from it neck. The Genlock only snarled as it pressed on. Unaware of an aggressor coming for it in the shadows. Gin was silent and fast as he struck his daggers at the Blighter's large back. It howled in pain as the silverite burned before Sofie's Sword came down onto the beast's head.
"Not bad Tabris!" Sofie smiled kicking the monster off her blade.
An ear piercing shriek caught their ears as they saw Miara tearing through several darkspawn with her holy sword with relentless savagery and grace. The agony was immense from the foul creatures as Dawnbreaker and Dragonbane sliced through their armor and body like butter. Their bodies engulfed in golden fire as they violently trashed around before falling to the ground dead and burning to ash.
"By the Maker..." Alistair paused in shock before resuming his battle.
By the Maker indeed, it was like that the god of the Chantry reached down to smite the abominations with holy fire. And that was the only way Brianna and Neria could describe those flames, holy. But it wasn't the gentle bliss of what praying in the Chantry must feel like, oh no, it was an imperious. A fierce and powerful magic that demanded, no, COMMANDED respect.
Miara swung her sword in an arc, the edge sharp enough to completely cut through metal and flesh, bisecting a hurlock as it flaming remains became ashes on the ground, wreathed in azure and gold. If the Darkspawn felt any fear or pain, their cries were the only evidence, but were soon silenced all the same.
"Gods I hate that sword..." Serana grumbled in displeasure as she rained down lightning upon their enemies.
Marcus grunted as the rusted blade of a Hurlock hit his shoulder guard, thankfully it wasn't able to pierce through his armor. "Neria, the shields!" He called out to her, but there was no response. "Neria!"
Brianna gave a quick look at her friend, but was distracted by the sounds of the growling blighters, the human mage snapped herself back into focus, fighting a demon or two in the Fade was quite different than fighting in an open field like this. Too many things going on at once, so she concentrated on the nearest Darkspawn, taking great satisfaction in the fact her magic was finally unchained, free for her to use as she wanted.
And right now, she wanted to burn something.
A flare of her stave and three genlocks were set ablaze.
Huh... that had been... exhilarating.
Unconsciously a smile was growing on Amell's lip as she waved her stave with precision. Her flames struck hard against any Darkspawn that either approached her or a fighting comrade. In her mind she recalled the few stories Duncan told on their way to Ostagar.
The rush and thrill of battle. Every part of her body felt alive as she dealt out a fiery death against the corrupted blighters! This feeling, it was borderline orgasmic as her smile never wavered from her beautiful lips. While her weapon was not a sword, dagger, or bow, Brianna showed her prowess as a mage worthy of respect and knew her craft well.
Spinning her stave Brianna brought forth lightning which surged through several Genlock and Hurlock, cooking them from the inside-out. "Now this is a rush!" Brianna exclaimed brightly. "Don't you think Neria!?"
She couldn't think. So many things were happening all at once, Neria found the focus she was known for in her classes to be slipping, the elf couldn't handle it. Her eyes darted wildly, one moment seeing Marcus cut down a Darkspawn, then a Hurlock than was wildly charging towards Alistair's back, only to be stopped by a bolt to the head courtesy of Daveth.
The sounds, metal against metal, the animal like dying shrieks of the Blighters, they all thundered over her eyes as though they were happening right next to her. Even her breathing was deafening. Her knuckles popped as she held her staff tightly against her chest, begging her body to move, to do something, anything to help her comrades!
...But she would not move. Neria was simply too overwhelmed.
She was afraid.
In the classrooms, she had the careful guidance of her teachers. In the fade it had been her against a demon, and even then a weapon had been gifted to her to slay it.
All that time she had relied on others to help her, and now that other people were counting on her on a life and death situation, all she could do was remain frozen.
And this inaction had not gone unnoticed by Miara, Serana, and Marcus as he had glanced her way while tearing down the blighters. As the Dovahkiin took down the final Hurlock Marcus stomped towards Neria who sighed as no enemy remained. "What was that?!" His voice rose with such anger it startled the elven girl.
"I-I-" Neria trembled under the young noble's fierce gaze.
"You froze in battle!" Everyone was quiet as they watched. "We are in the middle of dangerous territory and the only way we can get through this is fighting and trusting the person beside us to watch our backs!"
"Hey!" Brianna yelled sharply as was about to move towards Marcus till being stopped by Miara. The older elf said nothing but shook her head.
Marcus leaned forward; "One mistake and it could kill one or all of us while out here. You're not in Kinloch Hold anymore; there is no one here guiding your hand, you look after yourself and the people fighting beside you. But if you cannot pull your own weight, you're as good as dead!" He hissed before standing straight; "You're a Grey Warden now, Act like it!" The man turned and walked away as Brianna walked passed him with an angered glare.
The young noble sighed as he stopped in front of Miara and Serana who came back down from the hill; "First time I ever had to chew out a new fighter like that, not sure I liked it" he whispered in admittance.
"But needed to be said, Neria needed to hear it, so well done." Miara whispered back with a nod of respect from the hooded Nord woman.
The tense silence was soon broken by Alistair; "We can extract some Darkspawn blood with the vials. I say we do that while looking around here." Daveth and Gin went to help as Ser Jory and Sofie kept watch.
Neria faintly shook as she held her stave tightly. "I'm not a warrior, I'm a scholar." The elf muttered as she fought off some stray tears from her eyes. She gazed up seeing Miara standing in front of her while Serana inspected the ruins with Loke. "…I'm pathetic..."
"No you're not," Miara spoke in a maternal tone; "I know you're not a coward, but the question you have to ask yourself now is do you face this fear or run from it? Cause out here we are in constant danger."
"I never asked for this!" The younger elf seethed through clenched teeth, "I never wanted to become a Warden, and the choice was made for me!" Brianna gently put a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"We seldom choose our fate" There was a heaviness to Miara's tone, almost like a mix between resignation and understanding. "So we need to face it with our heads held high"
"But I'm not... this" Neria waved a hand, at Miara and the other warriors. "I don't know how to fight, I don't want to fight"
"You'll die then" Miara spoke bluntly, "And not just you. Your inaction could cost people their lives. Your friend here could die from your mistakes" She nodded at Brianna.
The dark tanned elf remained silent.
"In a fight, you need to prioritize and react. If you see a threat closer to you, take it out. If you see a companion in need of aid, give it to them, and then move on" She said, much more gently than before, "You can't teach a warrior how to properly handle their first battle, it's something that comes naturally. Many freeze up, yes. You were fortunate it happened when you were surrounded by allies, and the enemy was not a very high threat"
Neria was silent before glancing to Brianna who offered a comforting grin; "You're not alone. I've always had faith in you."
Those words stirred the young elf while gazing at her longtime friend, before turned back and nodded before gazing to Miara; "I understand." The hidden dunmer smirked before patting the girl's cheek.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
After getting the vials of Darkspawn blood and searching the ruins for anything, which held nothing. The group pushed onward through the wilds. Serana eyed a large statue carved in the shape of a dragon; "How big are these ruins?"
"No one really knows," Alistair commented as he kept his eyes alert. "Between Ostagar and what was added after Tevinter was pushed out, it's hard to say."
Sofie walked beside Marcus "Would have been a sight to see." Absently the noble gave a nod as Loke sniffed the ground.
All the while, Miara continued to guide Neria on what to do on certain situations when it came to a fight. The younger elf wished Wynne could have been this practical in her advice, she understood the importance on how to act on her own, but Miara's wisdom wasn't shrouded in platitudes, but rather it came from her own experience.
"Now, rogues can be a nightmare if they're talented. They can just appear and disappear from the battlefield, and I mean that literally"
"That seems... unlikely" Neria said with a touch of disbelief. Unless the rogues in question happened to have magic then she couldn't see how they'd be able of performing such a feat.
Loke began growling and Marcus signaled the group to stop.
"Oh that's where the alchemy comes in" Miara grinned, her hand slowly going to her swords. Neria could suddenly feel the atmosphere becoming colder, but not in a physical sense. Rather, like danger was near. It made the hairs on her neck stand on edge. "Invisibility potions or gas based compounds capable of producing the same effect by just being inside the chemical cloud when it goes off"
Everyone slowly drew their weapons, as though they could see something Neria couldn't.
The younger elf gulped. "Then... how do you know a rogue is nearby?"
"You listen" Miara softly spoke. At her side, Serana summoned frost on her hands. "The weight of footsteps on grass, twigs breaking under their weight..."
Neria gasped softly as her sensitive ears felt it, a branch breaking.
"And of course" The foreign elf slowly drew out the word. "The smell" She chuckled, "If the compound is designed to become gas instantly, you can't mistake the lingering smell of the reagents on a person... That and Darkspawn reek of rot"
The young elven mage made only let out a squeaking yelp as she barely avoided jagged blades that swiped at her. Dressed in crude hard leathers and black armor with bladed gauntlets attached to their wrists. They snarled with utter blood lust from their bestial maws as their elven-like ears twitched from their helmets. For Neria it felt like they literally appeared out of nowhere and surrounded the group, attacking with malicious veracity!
Neria's attacker was met by Miara's holy sword as Dawnbreaker tore through the beast's chest and engulfed it in the golden divine flames. The young mage did not even see when the older elf had drawn her blade, she was so fast!
"Shrieks!" Alistair's blade was drawn with speed along with his shield as he deflected an attack from the rather deftly fast and agile monsters.
Though surprised the group reacted swiftly to fight against the blighters. However, the danger grew as a pack of wolves rushed through the foliage of a nearby tree line. Their once beautiful fur was badly matted or had fallen off, revealing chunks of tainted flesh. Some had spike coming out of their bodies as they milky coated eyes glared murderously as they also charged with several Genlock quickly charged with savage roars.
On the verge of panic, Neria miraculously reacted, swiping her arm and casting a lime green force around herself and her allies. A shriek that got too close found the swing of his bracer-blade bounce off Neria's form, this one shimmering as the barrier held. The elven mage let out a cry as she thrust her staff forward, blasting the monster away with a pulse of kinetic force.
Gin back flipped back to get away from another shriek's strike, pulling out multiple throwing knives he impaled the creature on various vital places. The snarl of a Blighted wolf made him turn around quickly, one tainted creature leaping at him with its fangs laid bare. When suddenly a brown blur collided with it, dragging it back to the ground. Loke snarled as he tore at the wolf's tore, ripping it apart.
"...Good boy" He swore the dog smiled at him. It looked significantly less cute with so much black blood dripping from his teeth.
Marcus dodged the spiked shield of the Genlock that came for him while it swung a hatchet in the other hand. The blighter snarled as the young noble parried its weapon before running his family's sword through its skull. Beside him Alistair struck a Shriek with his shield before slicing it knees, crippling it. Per its name it let out a horrid shriek of pain till the former Templar cut off its head.
A spike made of pure ice fired passed them both impaling a tainted wolf to a tree. They turned to see Serana giving a small nod before drawing her father's sword and in one swift motion cut two heads of charging Genlocks. "Just decent with the sword she said," Alistair dryly muttered before getting back to the fight. Close by Daveth kept the pressure on anything that moved as he fire his crossbow.
Sofie and Ser Jory were back to back as they were handling most the tainted wolves coming for them. "Blighters are endless!" The knight growled as he swung his greatsword.
"Must have been a fairly large wolf pack, best we can do is end their misery!" Sofie yelled back as she dodged the teeth of a large white wolf.
Brianna whispered in an arcane tongue under her breath as she spun her stuff, summing a wall of pure flames that set the Blighters ablaze. They writhed and cried out in agony as the mage-fire consumed them, reducing to charred corpses on the ground.
Miara looked down with disgust at the shriek snarling beneath her boot, with a swift movement and sufficient pressure; she snapped the creature's neck with ease. Ugh, just when she thought fighting those afflicted by Peryite was disgusting enough-
"Ugk!" She hissed in pain when an arrow bruised against the top of her hand. She felt a horrible burning wash over her skin.
Her fake blue eyes widened in terror as she realized she had been hit with a Tainted arrow, the corruption sought to spread over her body through the wound. She could feel it's darkness entering her bloodstream and... Being pushed away?
All of the dark liquid fell out from the wound, her own unique blood rejecting the intense corruption completely.
Huh... so that was a thing.
The dunmer in disguise glared at the ones responsible, a group of genlocks, she took just one threatening step and they immediately turned to run away, and quite conveniently for her they were just within range of the wall of flames the human mage had erected. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured force a strong gust of wind that swarmed over the flames and made them spread with voracity, spreading over Darkspawn.
She ignored their dying cries as she cleaned her wound and discreetly closed with magic.
Brianna whistled as she stepped towards the elf, the battle seemingly over as all their foes were dead. "Air magic? Nice to see some use for it"
She shrugged, doing her best to pretend nothing had happened to her. "Same deal as with water, not a lot of situations where you can do actual damage with it"
Pulling one of his swords out from a Shriek, Marcus gazed at the small battlefield. The area was now still as Sofie finished off the final wolf with a huff. "This is a good workout today," she muttered before whispering a small prayer of Kynareth to the fallen wolves.
The young noble turned to Neria who gave a small nod to him. He had noticed her weaving her magic for everyone and was grateful his words moved her. Kneeling down to his faithful mastiff Loke let his large tongue hang from his mouth as he panted. "That collar is working I see."
"Of course," Serana said with pride as she sheathed her father's sword. "He'll still need a good wash after leaving here though." She crinkled her nose from the odor coming off the Mabari. Reminded her of when they brought Bran along who got into the thick of fighting beside them. That was a brave old husky to face down Vampires and even a few dragons!
Daveth pulled out the bolts he had shot at the Blighter's corpses and cleaned them mildly panting; "Just glad he can sniff out those monsters for us." Loke barked happily as if thanking the man.
Catching their breath the group pressed further in. Miara glanced at her healed wound before shifting her eyes towards a tree. Perched on a branch was a large crow which stared back letting out a caw at her.
Hmm, had she had seen that crow before? The elf cocked a brow before shaking it off. "My imagination."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Entering an open clearing the group found themselves around huge broken pillars with a grizzly sight of at least a dozen dead soldiers which lay dead on the ground. Their bodies badly mangled and their armor shredded.
Marcus walked close to them, trying to spot any trait in their gear that would spark his memory, looking for any familiarity with the armor of Highever... His brother's.
One particular armor caught his eye; it was very similar in style and color. He walked closer to make sure, ignoring his heart thundering in his chest.
He knelt down next to one of the fallen soldiers, turning him over and checking his face. Half of it was horribly scarred, its skin peeled off and the flesh teared, but the other half remained intact, it wasn't his brother.
The young lord of Highever sighed, both in relief and concern. His brother might not be in this battlefield perhaps, he was still out there.
But whether he was alive or dead was the question. One he was terrified of answering.
"Oh Maker..." Neria gagged, coughing into her hand as she saw the massacre before them. The elf at least had a strong stomach, for its contents had not emptied themselves on the group yet. Adjacent to her, Brianna appeared just as nauseated having to look away.
"Poor slobs" Alistair declared with a shake of his head. His tone was for too unconcerned for the elf's liking.
"How are you so calm?" Neria asked incredulously.
"Experience. You get used to it"
"I don't think I want to..."
"Well, too bad my friend" He smiled cheekily at her, patting her shoulder. "You're joining the Wardens. Gruesome death is part of the job description"
"Yay" The elven mage droned with the same joy a drowning man could muster.
Miara walked around the bodies, seeing Marcus going through them with trepidation in his gaze, and understood what was going through his head. "Your brother's party must be somewhere else, continuing their mission"
"...I know," a whisper came from the Cousland as he shuddered; "And yet I can't help but feel a knot in my heart finding bodies out here. That one might be-"
"Don't think that." the elf responded back quickly. "You have to hold out onto hope and trust in your brother."
Marcus gave a nod before noticing Loke beside him whimpering. Keeping his guard on alert Ser Jory kept his gaze sharp. "Almost feels like that skirmish we had in the Bannorn when those Qunari bandits or whatever they call themselves were causing such a bloody fuss."
"Tal Vashoth," Marcus clarified as he rose from his kneeling; "You wouldn't think grey skinned horned giants like them would have been so difficult to find." He rubbed the back of his neck; "Not sure what I would prefer to battle now after facing these Darkspawn."
"Ohhh my dear boy, just when you think you found the worst of the worst to fight, the world always throws a new nightmare at you" Miara sagely articulated. "Trust me; I've fought all manner of monsters throughout my years, many that would have taken the heart of lesser warriors. Yet whenever I thought I had seen the worst of it, I would find my greatest challenge scuttling through the darkness" Her voice took on a hard severity. "I have faced the most vile, horrifying and malevolent creature there could ever exist... one that haunts me to this very day"
If Miara truly had lived as long as she said, then her claim could make the Darkspawn look pale by comparison. It simply boggled the mind that a warrior like her could be afraid of something. "What was it you fought?"
"Spiders"
"...Come again?"
"Spiders!" She spread her arms, "Giant, eight legged things, with far too many eyes and-uf!" Miara quavered as she massaged her arms, "Those hairy legs..."
"The most dangerous thing you have ever faced... were giant spiders?" Granted, those things were pretty treacherous, but compared to all other types of beasts out there. "I mean, I suppose they can be-"
"Suppose nothing!" Miara snapped at him. "Those unholy demons are PURE EVIL INCARNATE!"
A low murmur came from Sofie while Serana ran her hands over her face as she shook her head; "My mother is deathly afraid of spiders..." The former flower girl of Windhelm uttered with exasperation.
Marcus along with the others was silent for a moment as they simply stared the Dragonborn. The Tamriel elf only glared back; "You get stuck in an underground giant Ayleid ruin turned into a spiders den for a week and then you talk!" She huffed as she stomped away from the group swearing in Dunmeri.
Neria cocked a brow over to Serana; "Ayleid?"
"Tell you later."
"Were you expecting that?" Gin questioned in a hushed tone to Daveth.
The human rogue just shook his head.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Inspecting a semi-stable ruin taken over by the forest, Miara eyed a small single edged dagger in her hand. "No rust at all, impressive." The elf gave a nod before securing it to one of her belts.
"Does she have to go over every ruin we find?" Brianna bemoaned as she shook her head.
"You get use to it," Sofie and Serana both quipped as the group pressed through a forest area of high grass.
Loke and Alistair walked in front as everyone noticed they came to a halt making the rest follow suits; "What's wrong?" Neria questioned beside Daveth.
"Seems there is a bridge there" Ser Jory pointed, and indeed, further up ahead she could see a bridge atop the murky waters, connecting to another patch of land. "Can't see what's beyond"
"There are Darkspawn ahead" Alistair spoke with certainty.
"How do you know?" Gin asked in confusion. The other side of the bridge was filled with tall foliage and elevations of earth, he couldn't see anything.
"Wardens can feel Darkspawn" He clarified, much to their surprise. "I'm sensing a mass of Darkspawn ahead, but I can't tell how many"
Marcus grunted as he thought it over. "Walking straight into their territory beyond that narrow bridge is too dangerous. They could have fortified it, laid out traps"
Raising her hand a crimson glow came off her palm and fingers as her eyes began to shine. Her fake blues soon gained a cold edge. "Least a dozen of them. Two being fairly larger than the rest with another tall one just hovering off the ground."
"Hovering" Daveth repeated confused, "Like, floating?"
Alistair clicked his tongue, "Tch, great. Emissary, darkspawn mage. They are very smart and very dangerous"
"Well that settles it" Sofie said in a flippant tone, resting her hands over her waist. "Going there is a pre~tty bad idea. You don't charge in where there is a mage waiting for you"
"Oh look at that" Serana droned, "Unlike her mother, she knows better than to charge in to fight mages"
"Um, excuse me. You're her mother too" The elf replied with indignation. "And I don't always charge in... it just so happens that at the end some ruins there isn't any other route for me to take"
The eldest daughter rolled her eyes. "Ignore them. Anyway, the freaks are waiting for us no doubt. How about we turn things around and prepare for them instead?"
"Hmm..." Marcus made a sound of contemplation as he looked at the clearing that lay before the bridge. "Open enough to set up something, a good killing field to ambush them"
"Don't know about you, your lordship" Daveth's tone didn't really carry the respect reserved for those of high status. "But I ain't packing a dozen bear traps"
"Right" The noble replied with disappointment. "Other than draw them into the field so they don't have the advantage of their camp, we don't have the resources to prepare this place to suit our needs"
"A-hem" It was not really a cough, but rather Brianna had intoned the words to call for their attention. "Unless you've forgotten we have a little thing called" She waved her fingers, letting out tiny wisps of light in between them. "Magic~"
"Good to see one of you remembered" Serana replied with an amused smile. "We can set up runes. They'll explode the moment with elemental power when stepped on"
"I was actually thinking of something else" Neria wasn't sure she liked the smile on Brianna's face. "Back in the Circle we have this spell to turn the earth into a grease-like substance. The grease is to slow down opponents, or trap them in it. Turns out the thing is pre~ee~eety damn flammable"
"Our timing has to be exact and we must not get the attention of those blighters while setting up the trap." Gin countered.
"Leave that to me." Miara responded garnering the others attention; "I use invisibility and head towards their camp. Distract them with noises for a few minutes before revealing myself and make them chase me back here."
Concerned etched on Ser Jory's face taking a glance to the elven woman; "Wouldn't that be too dangerous my lady?"
"Only if I get caught, and I don't get caught," Miara said with pride in her voice.
Serana retorted back with dry sarcasm "Unless you're drunk."
"Oh hush you"
"Very well then" Marcus nodded in approval before turning to the Circle mages. "How long till you can set up the field?"
"Not long at all" Brianna replied, "Come Neria, help me with this"
The two mages stepped in front of the group, planting the end of their staves against the ground, holding up their free hands as magic channeled from their tools to the ground before them. They whispered in an arcane tongue to focus and guide their power.
The earth in the small clearing softened, looking like a mud-like sludge had been caked over it, the smell it was giving mixing up well with the smells of the swamp, to the point it masked the grease substance without much issue.
"Right" Neria soon said, pleased with their work. "All it needs is a bit of fire and the whole thing will be lit"
"A few other defenses wouldn't hurt" Alistair spoke up, "Can you make some elevations of earth for you two, and Daveth to have a clearer vantage point to shoot?"
"Sure" Brianna replied, and she and Neria immediately began their work.
"Nice thinking" Marcus complimented the Warden's idea with a nod and a smile
Alistair rubbed his nose, trying not to look too smug. "I've got my moments. The Warden Mages like to get creative, seen them do really clever stuff"
The former Templar shifted his head back to Miara who was already gone. "She doesn't waste time does she?"
"I may tease her a lot but my love is perhaps one the best Nightblades I have ever met." Affection filled her Serana's voice as she grinned.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
As if she was a living shadow, the Dovahkiin moved with masterful silence towards the Darkspawn encampment. It was not hard to miss with large metal spikes and strange totems dotting the area. Disturbingly there was also bodies of least several brave Ferelden soldiers, either horrifically mutilated or somewhat eaten. A faint reminder of the nightmares she had bore witness to in Blackreach with the savage Falmer and their worshipers.
Her eyes took notice of the corrupted beasts who were invading these lands. Least over a dozen Hurlock and Genlock either moved about or chewed on the limbs of one of the dead soldiers. Not far were what she assumed were the Alphas. It was a stark difference from them to the others as the Hurlock wore thick black armor and stood almost as tall as a Nord. Resting on its back was a large jagged double-bladed war axe. Beside was a massive Genlock with an enormous spiked shield and black armor.
Then lastly the Emissary, a horrid beast resembling a Shriek but almost the height of an Altmer. Dressed in worn robes with segmented armor, it floated near the Alphas.
Thankfully, the invisibility also concealed how much Dawnbreaker was shining. The sword reeeeally hated these monsters. The only thing Dawn could possibly hate more was undead, which was both hilarious and relieving that Meridia allowed the sword to remain calm when in Serana's presence. The Prince took pleasure in seeing a Daughter of Cold Harbour foil the plans that would have ultimately benefited the Lord of Domination, so long as Serana fought against other vampires, Meridia would 'tolerate' that the bearer of her blade choose to be with a vampire.
These Darkspawns truly were a form of corruption of life for the blade to hate them so. The Taint did exactly what its name said, as far as Miara heard; it tainted things, corrupted people and turned them into more of those things. Even the ground would eventually become barren and lifeless due to prolonged exposure to the Darkspawn spreading their cursed blood. Some tomes even said that lands that had been heavily touched by the Blight were yet to recover.
Even if centuries had passed.
Their mere existence offended her, her aedric blood called for their destruction, fire raging from the center of her soul moving up her throat, threatening to spill out in a shout that would engulf them all in flame. If it were up to her, she'd go to the heart of the Horde and unleash any and all Shouts of mass destruction to end the Blight and purge the abominations.
But, that would be a bad idea for several reasons.
Besides, she was not about to rob the Wardens their chance of actually fulfilling their order's duty.
Now, how to get their attention? Miara pondered with a fingertip tapping her lip.
After a few seconds of deliberation, the dunmer in disguise dropped out of invisibility, enjoying the look of sheer surprise the monsters were actually capable of doing. She smiled back at them.
Then she casted daedric curse at the nearest Hurlock, and made his body blow up into bloody pieces.
"Bo fah zu'u!" The elf roared in dovahzul as the Hurlock alpha roared back as if accepting the challenge. Hefting up it axe it pointed for the dunmer which began to ran with the Darkspawn hot on her heals.
She dashed like the wind through the encampment dodging several arrows and blasts of magical energy from the Emissary. As she ran a Hurlock came from out a hidden brush to ambush her. A predatory smile sprang from her lips as she slid under the beast avoiding its sword, the seconds it left itself open fire grew from her hand. The blighter's head was literally blown off by the sheer power of the fireball that shot upwards. Its black blood sprayed like a fountain before falling forward onto the ground dead.
She was back on her feet and sprinting as she smiled back at the charging horde. Her action seemed to anger the Alpha Hurlock as it snarled fiercely.
She ran through the bridge and into the swampy field, with a snap of her fingers she casted levitation and held it off long enough for her feet to just skid in the air just a few inches away from the greased ground. She turned around as she flew back, enjoying the sight of the Darkspawn still chasing after her.
The first row slipped on the grease, falling to the ground face first into it. The second row didn't bother to stop and just jumped over their bodies, only to find themselves in the same situation as their feet just slipped or buried themselves on the sludge filled surface. A few still tried to crawl forward and even walk with a very clunky gait. She had to give them credit, the bastards were relentless.
The elf made it back safely to the others, taking note of the elevated position their ranged fighters now took a few feet behind them in rock formations Brianna and Neria had conjured up for them. Miara quickly nodded to Marcus, who gave the order. "Set them ablaze!"
Neria and Brianna fired bolts of fire. They didn't even try to aim for the Darkspawn, but it did not matter, the grease suddenly became alive with hungry flames, spreading very quickly and engulfing the Darkspawn that had fallen to their trap.
"I am having the disturbing realization that I like setting things on fire" Brianna confessed, "It is not a good trait to have"
Absently Neria could count the few dozen times her longtime friend had a little too fun with fire magic at the tower but stayed focused on the task. Everyone observed with morbid satisfaction as the corrupted monsters burned to their deaths.
Until a frozen wave washed over them as ice enveloped the flames and the Emissary hovered above the bridge. Beside it were the Alphas who snarled with now a group of lesser Darkspawn at their command.
Marcus cursed but the plan worked for the most part, thinning the enemies to a more manageable range. Miara drew her Dawnbreaker which glowed with holy fire. "Neria, Brianna, Serana! Deal with the Emissary!" The young noble ordered; "We will handle the rest!"
"On it!" The hooded Nord yelled back as ice coated her hands.
Daveth wasted no time to line up his shots and let loose, yet the bolts harmlessly bounced back of the genlock's great shield. Alistair let out a war cry as he charged; bringing his sword down upon the stout Alpha, yet this one parried it with a swing of its sword and pushed the Warden away with a shield bash. Ser Jory joined in the fray, greatsword raised above his head, yet the genlock used its height to its advantage to block the attack with its shield, pushing its body against Jory's kicking his legs and making him lose his balance, flipping him over to the ground.
It snarled; sword poised to strike him down, Ser Jory's eyes widened in terror, cold sweat dripping from his face as he stared at his imminent demise. Yet it was not to be, as the brave mabari chomped on the genlock's armored sword arm and pulled. The alpha, unable to attack the hound, tried shaking him off, before delivering a strong blow against the mabari with the edge of its shield. The let out a whimper as it reared back, letting go at last. It recoiled in pain upon receiving kick from the genlock's armored boot. Rearing the sword back it prepared to jab the blade directly unto the hound.
Only for Alistair to intercede, bashing his shield against the genlock with such force in his charge the creature was thrown to the ground. Beside him Sofie charged with a roar.
Close by Gin's daggers danced alongside Marcus's swords as they slashed through the flesh of the corrupted blighters who charged them. The city elf's speed matched with the young noble's power worked flawlessly to one another as their backs were to each other.
Miara weaved and dodged the ferocious powerful swings of the Hurlock Alpha's axe that despite its size was deceptively quick. "Los daar pah sunvaar!" The dunmer mocked as her movements were one step above the enraged Darkspawn attacks. However much to her annoyance it dodged and blocked strikes from Dawnbreaker and Dragonbane. Their intelligence wasn't exaggerated as the beast knew being struck by those weapons would be a death sentence for it.
Magical energy flew around them with young Wardens recruits and undead necromancer firing at the Emissary who retaliated against the trio. It let out a bone chilling shriek deflecting lightning, fire, and ice spells while attacking with its own.
The unholy mage raised its hands and conjured forth a pale glow from them, a wave of dark miasma stretched over the battlefield and towards the mages. Serana and Neria casted barriers just in time to block the horrible wave of disease from reaching them.
But Brianna had been unrelenting on her assault, choosing to cast lightning over and over at the creature, even as it struck against an invisible ward that covered its body. The toxic cloud reached her, and Brianna fell to the ground, emptying the contents of her stomach, her skin turning a sickly pale color.
"Bri!" Neria shouted in alarm.
"I got her!" Serana disappeared like mist, safely traversing through the toxic air as she reappeared next to, Brianna, casting a barrier field around them to push the miasma back. "Keep it busy!" She immediately searched through her pouches as she turned the young woman over, forcing a healing potion down her lips next to a cure disease flask.
The elven mage found within her a new surge of drive that she had been lacking all this time, never before had she wanted to strike down something with so much anger. The Emissary casted fire bolts over and over at the two dark haired women, Serana constantly switching between keeping the barrier up and making sure Brianna wouldn't succumb to the poison.
She acted on instinct, her movements almost weren't her own as her body just reacted, rearing her arm back as she channeled the familiar, powerful and comforting magic she had used in the Fade. A golden spear formed on her hand and she hurled it.
It soared, leaving behind a trail of golden motes, bypassing the Darkspawn's ward completely and impaling it on the chest. It wailed in agony as the sheer raw energy proved to be hurting it immensely, not unlike Miara's sword. Its body burned with golden magic, before soon crumbling to the ground.
The miasma soon faded as amazement shone briefly in Alistair's and Ser Jory's eyes before resuming their battle with the Genlock Alpha. However disbelief was visible on the faces of the three ladies of Tamriel, however questions have to wait as they battled the remaining Darkspawn.
Color returned to Brianna's face as she was helped up by Serana; "Thank you." The Nordic woman gave a nod before turning to a mist and going to aid her lover. "Have to ask how she did that…" Gripping her staff she unleashed a fury of lightning with renewed fervor.
A growl came from Tabris' throat as he dodged around a Genlock's sword before running his daggers into the beast's head. Marcus parried a Hurlock's mace before slashing through the blighter's armor with one sword before striking with his family's sword through its heart. The Cousland froze as a Shriek had appeared beside him to attack only for a bolt to pierce its head. Marcus gave a nod to Daveth who focused on the two remaining alphas
Fighting the Hurlock Alpha reminded Miara of her bouts with ancient revenants, big and unholy strong. She ducked under a swing of the war axe, briefly being baffled at the sheer size of it and with how much ease the Alpha could wield it. It was doing a good job at keeping Dawnbreaker from striking distance its flesh and keeping Miara on her toes. The dunmer attacked with a left swing of her katana, only for the beast to block it with a swipe of its armored arm, making Miara stagger back.
She bit back a curse as the axe came down towards her, seeking to cleave her in two. But she back flipped away quickly and glared at the monster with irritation.
Serana soon appeared at her side scowling; "You could try magic on this thing you know." The elf only dryly glared back before rolling her eyes.
"Okay, fine" She channeled lightning through her fingertips. Honestly she could have used magic from the beginning to make the whole fight easier, but her warrior's pride was as much a virtue as it was a handicap sometimes.
Both she and Serana struck the Alpha with lightning, this one staggered and shivered as the arc of lightning coursed over its body... and yet it still swung its axe at them.
"Are you kidding me?!" Both ladies hollered as they kept their distance from the beast that attacked more viciously towards them. It soon hissed as several bolts from Daveth's crossword bit into its flesh, charging her magic Neria formed another spear and threw towards the beast but this one dodged it.
A low growl came from the dovahkiin as her patience was wearing thin "Wuld!" the word was a whisper but Miara soon was like a blur before appearing in front of the monstrous blighter, running Dawnbreaker straight through its heart. Its death cry bellowed throughout the Wilds as holy fire scorched and engulfed the large beast. It war axe fell from the beast's hand just as Miara pulled out her blade the Darkspawn becoming to ash and collapsing to the ground as the elf walked away.
"Always for the dramatics," Serana gibed with dry smirk. Her lover only waved her off as they turned to their final prey.
Sofie evaded the huge shield of the large alpha Genlock as it lashed out at her and Ser Jory. Alistair huffed with Loke growing lowly ready to pounce. Marcus and Gin soon ran over with the dragonborn and Nordic vampire following. Though now alone the Genlock only seem to act more violently while it was slowly being surrounded. Nearby Neria and Brianna ready their spells while Daveth readied a bolt.
Then the ground froze underneath the Alpha Genlock, causing it to lose its balance and slip, its head falling perfectly over a spike of ice that emerged from the underneath, piercing its head and taking out its eye in a gruesome display. Its body slumped against the ice as black blood flowed from underneath.
"There" Serana said with exasperation, looking at her lover with open annoyance. "Was that so hard?"
"You take the fun out of everything..."
"This was 'fun' to you?" Neria replied incredulously, choosing not to look at the skull pierced dead genlock.
"Bit of advice" Miara spoke sagely, "This is your life from now on, so you better come to enjoy it. Or bear with it in some way"
"She's right you know" The young Warden among them spoke, "Why do you think I joke so much?"
"Poor taste?" Gin droned.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Thankfully for the group that was last of any Darkspawn along with any tainted beasts, or at the very least the ones in their area within the Wilds. Having taken a short break to rest and some water they marched further towards an enormous destroyed longhouse connected to two even larger towers. Time and nature had long reclaimed the place as vines and several trees grew through it. Alistair walked ahead of Marcus and the others to inspect the engraving at the ruin's entrance.
Neria beheld the ruins with awe; "Out of everything this one is most intact."
"The architecture is still quite beautiful though," Serana admired beside her lover and their daughter.
"Definitely Dwarven-make," Marcus chimed as he recalled the tour of Orzammar with Sereda when they were children. "They build things to last. The style is Tevinter of course, but they would often hire dwarves to craft for them"
"Should be quite a bit of loot in there if the Wilders have not plundered it all this time." All eyes shift over to Miara who dryly glared back; "If there are armor schematics in there, they are mine." She proclaimed in utter seriousness.
Sofie only rolled her eyes while she shook her head. "Naturally the first thing on your mind when we find ruins is find something related to smithing." Serana droned with sarcasm laced in every word.
Amell only glanced to Ser Jory who dryly shook his head at the conversation. At the ruin entrance Alistair ripped off the vines covering the engraving of a griffon; "Yup! These are the Warden ruins." He announced returning everyone's attention to him.
Sharply Miara's and Serana's eyes turn towards a broken window. It was only a moment but they both felt a strong burst of powerful magic come from within the said ruins.
"Be on your guard" Miara whispered to the group. "We're not alone, there's magic around"
The more level headed individuals of the group keep a careful to their surroundings. Ser Jory gulped despite himself; he feared no foe he could take on with a blade, but magic? He had no way of fighting that.
Neria and Brianna exchanged glances worriedly before nodding, preparing themselves in case a quick cast was in need.
"It's no Darkspawn" Alistair disclosed to them discretely. "I can tell you that much"
"Let's get what we came for and leave" Gin proposed, eager to leave these death filled wilds.
The longhouse had long since crumbled, but some of the supporting structure remained. Alistair walked in front of the group in search for the copy of the Warden treaties, remembering Duncan's directions regarding the possible location of the chest that contained them.
It wasn't that hard really, the chest was at the end of the ruin's crumbled wall... problem was, it wasn't the only thing that had crumbled.
"Ugh, blast it all" The Warden spat, "The chest is trashed" He knelt down and began picking through the broken fragments.
Neria peered over his shoulder, "And the documents?"
"The chest's enchantment should have preserved them, but with the thing broken they may as well be dust now. Humidity is not good for parchment, I hear" He dryly quipped before slapping a hand against his kneed in irritation. "They're not here, and chances are they did not survive"
A chorus of groans went around the Warden recruits, "Fantastic" Brianna spoke tiredly, "All that fighting for nothing"
"We did get the blood at least?" Daveth tried to look at the glass half full.
Marcus pursed his lips in thought, "Are the documents vital for their initiation?"
"Not really" Alistair replied with a shake of his head as he stood up once again, "They're just copies. Duncan has the originals, but still, better to be safe and have the second set in case anything happened to first one"
Miara was going through the possibilities on how to help them in her mind, musing about the odds of finding the treaties with a clairvoyance spell, when they all heard it;
"Well, well, what have we here"
The sultry words were spoken with playfulness to them. But not the kind one would associate with a good gestured greeting, no. Those with more experienced recognized it for what it was, a predator sizing up their prey.
There, coming down from the steps that once lead to an upper level of the structure, walked down a wilder woman. Her hair dark, her clothes very revealing, looking like they were handmade from a mixture of tanned leather and rags. But despite her visible physical beauty that would captivate most men, her most prominent trait was those piercing golden eyes of hers.
The woman's steps were slow, deliberate, purposely keeping herself in the shadows near one of the tower stairways as she came forward. "I must say you have cause quite stir, noisily tearing through the Darkspawn and tainted beasts they had thralled. T'is begs the question, why venture to the wilds an cause such a ruckus hmm?"
Marcus came beside Alistair who stood ready to draw his sword; "We were seeking the Grey Warden treaties, my lady," the Cousland responded back courteously as to not cause an unwanted conflict with the woman.
"My such polite words, rare to hear such in the Wilds. But then again the Chasind do lack the formal education that a highborn like yourself would have been privy to." Her words surprised Marcus as she chuckled; "Your stance and words give you away 'milord'." She chuckled again.
To most of the party, the woman was a mystery.
Outlandish was the first thought that came to both Miara's and Serana's minds eyeing the woman's attire.
"Careful" Neria advised the group, not too loud but she also wasn't pretending the wild woman couldn't hear them if she spoke low enough. "This is clearly an apostate"
"And a wildling" Alistair added gravely, "Where there is one then others are nearby"
The woman rolled her eyes, "Oh please, spare me your 'civilized' notions of magic and tribesmen. Do you fear your every shadow swooping down upon you?"
"Well, swooping is bad" Alistair replied snidely.
Miara rolled her eyes. Not the best comeback she heard. And by looking at Serana's expression it was clear her beloved felt the same, she prided herself on quick wit after all, and she could have come back with something better.
"There is no need for any violence" Ever the diplomat, Marcus intervened with his hands raised before placing one to his chest. "Let me introduce myself, I am Marcus Cousland"
"Ah!" She smiled pleased, "So refreshing to see someone actually capable of staying their sword, rather than waving them around like meandering morons at anything they consider 'different'" She replied, directing a sneer at Neria and Alistair. "If there are to be introduction, you may call me Morrigan"
"Your outfit is completely improper"
The witch now named Morrigan blinked a couple of times at the tall elf. "I beg your pardon?"
"Is it a local native's fashion choice, or are you leaving your vital organs so exposed on purpose?" Miara asked sincerely. "Because it looks like the next of kin to the infamous 'chainmail bikini' unless- Oh, I get it! It's a distraction tactic"
Said attire being obviously homemade with a mix of dark leathers and purple cloth. Morrigan's top being rather revealing giving a view of her bosom but keeping her nipples covered with the purple cloth and small clothes. She was a young woman around Neria's age with fair flawless skin, her raven colored hair up with carved wooden clip. Of course the sight of her alone would be tantalizing to any hot blooded male.
Brianna would not be caught dead in those clothes in her opinion. Sofie cocked her head gazing at the woman who dryly glared at her elven mother. "I'd still bed her though…" The nord admitted under her breath.
Marcus chose to ignore that comment, and the expression on Morrigan's face indicated she wanted to as well. "Lady Morrigan?" The apostate glanced over to the young noble; "Would you happen to know where the Warden treaties are?"
"At least one amongst you know how to be polite" The woman of the wilds replied.
"I can be polite" Miara quickly cut it, "I just don't want to"
Morrigan continued as though she wasn't interrupted. "But I'm afraid they're here no longer"
Alistair jumped to accuse her, an antagonistic frown upon his features. "'Here no longer'? Why, you stole them you... you... thievy witch!"
The city elf gave him deadpanning look, "Smooth" And gave him a sarcastic thumbs up.
Feeling a headache growing, the Cousland sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you know where they are now, who took them?"
"'Twas my mother of course"
Neria frowned as she tilted her head, "Your mother?" Another apostate mage?
"Indeed, my mother" Morrigan replied with snort, "Do you believe us witches just spawn out of the mud of the swamp?"
"Wouldn't be the first time I've seen that happen" Serana pointed out.
Brianna took a step forward, "Would you be willing to take us to her?"
"Ohh alas you're not alone in your politeness, 'milord'" The witch grinned. "And a mage with power to her I feel. Hah, you" She pointed at the human mage, "You I like"
"Careful with witches" Alistair warned her, "One moment they're 'I like you' and then ZAP... frog time"
"Polymorph can be nightmarish..." Miara muttered, the memories of Brelyna's experiments still fresh on her mind. The elf felt a tap on her shoulder shifting her attention to see Ser Jory leaning beside her;
"We should be careful with this Morrigan my lady. Witches of the wilds are known to be highly treacherous and very dangerous." He paused as the elf saw genuine fear in the man's face; "Who knows what of magic she-…" Miara placed a calming hand on the man's shoulder.
"If we're met with a battle against powerful mages, trust in your comrades to see it through beside you. And don't let superstition cloud your mind or judgment. You're a knight Ser Jory, trust in the experience and skills that brought you here."
The elf's tone was stern and commanding, reminded Jory of Lord Bryce in a lot ways. It was enough to quell the man's concerns as he gave a nod of respect before he stood straight. Gin and Daveth who overheard everything before taking a glance to one another.
Sofie stepped forward nearing Alistair; "Then may you take us to your mother please?"
"…Since you asked nicely, avvar, I shall take you to her. Follow me."
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Leaving the ruins the group followed Morrigan through a very well hidden trail passed several trees and bushes. Simplistic, but also very at the same time clever in using the natural elements to make the path invisible unless you were paying close attention to your surroundings. Alistair kept an alert regard to their guide who subtly glanced to Marcus. Loke sniffed ground beside Miara before her; Serana, Sofie, Neria, and Brianna stop and sharply turn their heads.
The Cousland had took notice as he stopped making the others follow suite; "Something wrong?" Morrigan only smirked as she observed quietly.
At first the ladies did not respond as they all surveyed the area. "We passed through a barrier." Serana responded as her eyes inspected every detail around them.
"Indeed," the young wildling witch acknowledged garnering the group's attention. "While normally it is easy to keep Chasind away with their silly superstitions, mother took no chances once the Darkspawn crawled out from the Deep Roads."
But it was doing more than keeping Morrigan and her 'mother' invisible from the blighters. The hidden Dunmer grew still as could feel an immense power further ahead of them. It was old, ancient, easily rivaled her along with Serana who now took notice. Her lover's eyes grew wide before glancing to Miara who nodded gravely.
This overwhelming power was eerily similar to beings both had encounters numerous times in Tamriel.
Even Sofie, how had spent her life next to such beings, knew it instinctual by now. She shared a concerned look with her mothers, who silently told her to keep quiet with nothing but their gazes.
They approached a simple hut in the middle of a clearing, a patch of land next to the murky waters of the swamp. There she was waiting for them.
An older woman dressed in plain but well-kept clothing. Hair having gone white with the years with wrinkles adorning her face. The most noticeable feature was her piercing golden eyes, which obviously Morrigan had inherited them from.
But the Tamriels saw beyond that, they could feel inside the old woman a force, power of ages past. This form of hers was just a shell, a disguise to what truly laid beneath. The dunmer could feel it in her very soul.
Miara's eyes narrowed dangerously as the elderly woman met her gaze with a mischievous glint to them.
"Mother" Morrigan spook as she approached, the group not far behind them. "I bring-"
"Interesting guests" Her mother replied in a rather aged husky voice.
The dragonborn felt her hand tighten around the hilt of her katana, old instincts surging forward as her soul cried out to demand obedience.
...But was this woman truly what she thought? The soul certainly felt like one, yet at the same time there was something off. Something that Miara couldn't quite put her finger on.
And it unnerved her greatly, feeling there was an important piece of a puzzle she was missing.
As the group stopped in front of the elder woman Brianna and Neria were tense as they felt the magical power emanating from the woman was quite intimidating for the young mages. Daveth was considerably wary along with Jory and Gin while Marcus kept his emotions in check. Alistair eyed both Morrigan and her mother with his sword hand at the ready if anything goes wrong.
Sofie kept a hand on Loke's collar as the large mastiff growled. His body was rigid as his fur stood on ends, the elderly woman glanced at the hound before looking to Marcus who stood at the head of everyone. "I take it you are the leader of this little group?"
"Yes ma'am," the Cousland gave respectful nod; "I am an ally of these Grey Wardens." He gestures to Alistair and the recruits before pointing over to Miara, Serana, and Sofie. "Those three-"
"Are from very far off shores." The elder woman spoke cryptically. She ignored the shock from the young noble along with the others as she strolled over and stood in front of Miara; "I must confess; I did not expect anyone from Tamriel to journey to our lands." Morrigan's brow rose as she now paid attention to the three in question.
That was not what she truly was saying and Miara knew it as she glared back. This was a show of dominance, and the Dovahkiin would not display an ounce of weakness before this woman. "These are strange times," The dunmer uttered simply.
At that the woman chuckled; "Indeed my dear."
Marcus cleared his throat as the tension he felt between Miara and Morrigan's mother getting too uncomfortable to his liking. "Ma'am?" The woman shifted her eyes to the young noble; "We came here for-"
"The Grey Warden treaties. I was beginning to wonder when the order would finally come to claim them."
She waved her hand and old scrolls just... appeared on them. There was no flash of light or blur that distorted the air. They merely popped into existence.
The display of power sent Daveth into nearly panicking, muttering 'witch' under his breath as he took a step back. Ser Jory was sweating, hand already going for the handle of his blade.
"Unless you want to piss off the witch of the wilds" Gin advised, keeping his own hands from going to his blades. "Then you better not do anything stupid"
The old woman smiled dangerously, "Witch of the wilds? Oh my Morrigan has been entertaining you with tales haven't she?" Behind her, her daughter run a hand over her face in both annoyance and embarrassment. "Elves have sensitive minds. At times. Be sure to keep yours ever sharp, lad" She held up her hand with the scrolls to Gin, who suddenly found nervous at the attention the witch was giving him.
He took a step forward and took the scrolls, trying not to be too quick or too slow about it. He felt anything could set this witch off, like she was watching his every movement, waiting for a moment of weakness.
The city elf took the scrolls from her hand and felt he could breathe again. He immediately handed them to Neria, "Here, make sure they're not hexed..."
"We thank you for your generosity" Marcus politely replied with a bow of his head. "But now we must return to Ostagar"
"Indeed, the Horde is much more dangerous than your king believes" The warning had gotten the group's attention before she turned to her daughter; "Be a dear and help them back?"
Morrigan sighed lowly; "Very well." She gestured with a motion of her hand; "follow me."
Daveth and Ser Jory could not move quick enough as the group began to leave. Miara remained for a moment as she and the elderly woman stared at one another. Amusement danced in the woman's golden eyes as she only smiled. Neither spoke before the elf began to walk to the rejoin the others.
"Ruz tiid Thur," the woman chuckled quietly as she kept her sight on the departing group.
Serana and Sofie walked behind the others as Miara caught up with them. "That woman is a dovah," the dunmer spoke in a hush tone to her lover and daughter.
"A dragon who shapeshifted into a mortal?" Serana wondered in astonishment. "Never thought one would 'lower' themselves to do such a thing" Dragons were immensely proud creatures, for them to take the forms of beings they considered inferior to them, they would kill you for even suggesting such a thing.
"Once we're done at Ostagar, I want to come back here" Miara spoke again, "She may know more of the lands and the state of the… dragons here"
"You think she has answers?" Sofie wondered.
"She may yet do" Her mother shrugged, "It's not like we have any other lead"
At that, they couldn't disagree.
The dunmer in disguise let out a long sigh before turning her attention to a particular member of their party. It had been bugging her for a while, and now seemed a good time as any to ask her a few questions.
She had the feeling she wouldn't like the answers.
"So Neria, about those light spears you casted today…"
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Another chapter will be coming. And we all know what's next!