Dragon Age Origins: Dovahkiin

by Arch-Daishou00

(M) 'Mature story' "Sea-bound to foreign shores, the Dunmeri Dragonborn Miara and her kin embark on a new land on orders from the emperor. The family's mission; To investigate and explore these foreign nations. But no objective is ever straightforward for a Doom Driven hero" Co-Author: Etheral-23. UNIGORE did the original artwork. "Thank you so much!"

29. Shifting the board

Disclaimer: We do not own Dragon Age or Elder Scrolls Series

Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23

Shifting of the board

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Miara gazed into the glowing hearth sitting at her table in Proudspire Manor. Its warmth keeps the coldness of Skyrim's winter nights far away from her home. She smiled down to her little Sofie, who had proudly declared she could stay up with her mother, which only lasted five minutes before the hearth's warmth lulled her to sleep in her lap.

"Shall I take lady Sofie to bed, my Thane?" A blond Nordic woman questioned at the Dragonborn's side in a gentle whisper.

The dunmer peered over with a slight grin, "I think that'd be best, Jordis." Gently she handed over her daughter to her Housecarl, who gave an even glance to the figure sitting opposite her Thane before walking away.

"Not sure she is used to me yet," A Dunmeri man dressed in modest robes and long black hair expressed with a calm baritone leaning against the chair.

"She's adjusting to the extended family I never knew I had," Miara quipped back with a glance. "As well as I am. Didn't think you ever came back to the mortal world, Alandro."

"Once in a while, I like to see Morrowind, or in this case, visiting my youngest sister."

"Where's Rathuni?"

A snort escaped her brother's lips; "No doubt our sister is causing some stir. She never was one to stay put in Moonshadow."

"I hear skooma does make you restless," The Dragonborn said in jest.

Alandro chuckled, "You do seem to share that trait."

"What can I s? I haven't found my roots yet. Why do you think I own so many houses around Skyrim?" She poured her brother some more mead in his mug before filling hers. "I will have to find one place to settle down, though. Traveling around is not good for Sofie at her age."

"It's a good life you're building" He smiled, "Treasure it for as long as it lasts."

Though his tone was kind, Miara couldn't help but frown at the specific choice of words used. Sometimes she pondered on the lives of her siblings. Alandro lived in the times of their father's first life and witnessed the Tribunal's betrayal and Rathuni during the Interregnum, some of the most chaotic times in Tamriel's history, not exactly the best moments to build a life. But she thought once things had settled for them, they would find a place where they'd be comfortable.

Yet Alandro chooses to remain in Moonshadow with their mother. Rathuni traveled so far and wide constantly that she didn't seem to have a steady home, which she attributed to her khajiiti outlook on things.

It concerned her sometimes, made her feel that with time they had grown detached from Nirn.

"Why did you never settle down here on Nirn?" She finally asked.

"I did" He shrugged, "For a time. But eventually, the centuries pass, and you. You feel as though the connections you made here were not as steady as you once believed," Alandro paused, "Long-lived as dunmer is; eventually. The devoted gazes of companions and the smiles of friends become a memory. The world continues changing, and you start feeling like a stranger in a strange land"

That made the Dragonborn pause peering over to her brother; "So... That could happen to me too?"

"Inevitably," Alandro addressed somberly; "We aren't mortals, Miara. While we all grew up amongst them, endured their hardships, reveled in their victories, we are gods and they are not." His tone stated more a simple fact than arrogance.

"I don't feel like a god," Miara omitted holding her drink staring into the fire; "Hell I'm not even sure what I am some days."

Her brother gave a nod; "I attribute that to your youth. Our minds don't comprehend who or what we are. It takes centuries or more before we actually grow to understand that we are different. That is when the world we grew up in becomes so alien to us."

Miara sharply turned her head; "That... scares me"

"I know, I was the same believe me. So was Rathuni in her own way. But we all come to terms eventually and deal with it however we can. Though the prospect can be horrifying considering all we have known are our lives on Nirn."

Miara's gaze shifted, "And what comes after?"

"We take our place alongside Mother, as we must," Alandro said with a type of simple certainty. "We are Ada, Miara. We may take part of this world, but in the end, it belongs to the mortals"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

'It belongs to the mortals'

Miara feared that was another way of saying she did not belong here.

Sitting in the storage room on the Soldiers' Keep, after having released the dozens of warding spells she put on her treasure, she stared at the rock that had fallen from the skies. The gleaming, almost glowing, blue metal that peaked from underneath the charred rock sang to her. Beckoning her like a siren. To craft it into something beautiful.

She let out a deep breath through her nostrils, running a hand over her mouth before gently touching one of the edges of the metal. It felt like no ore she had ever handled before.

"You too came from beyond this world huh" She mused out loud. "And like me, you found your way here"

And much like how she was a lifetime ago, it had yet to become what it was meant to be. A weapon of the Gods, like she herself was. Of course upon discovering the meaning of her birth she was beyond enraged. Screamed and cursed at Azura for even having her, if all she was meant to be was a tool for some prophecy.

Then fell into darkness which changed her life forever.

But that was the past and she had long since amended her bond with her mother. Walking the path of righteousness, guiding the mortals to a prosperous future. Her hands slowly grasped the metal; "And you are to become what I was always meant to have."

Yet how much longer could her time on Nirn last? Would she simply reside in her mother's realm, to only be summoned when most needed? Or wander through Nirn like her sister every few centuries?

Or...

"Well, you're deep in thought," The dunmer was brought out of her musing by her lover's lyrical voice and hands resting upon her shoulders. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Miara let out a sigh, leaning back and reaching to hold one of her beloved's hands, holding it tightly. "Just... the Fade stirred up bad memories"

"Hmm" Serana knew better than to once more tell Miara to put the past down. It depended on her and her alone and had to happen on its own when she was finally ready. "You look more concerned than just with memories"

Miara let out a soft humming sound. "Revealing my nature to the others was a touch uncomfortable to me. You know I don't like people looking at me differently" Be it her Dragonborn status, or her finally on the road to casting aside her mortality, she felt there was always something that would push people away from her.

Serana's free hand tightened on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Well, it happened. Not much you can do about it now"

"I know... I just feel it's a reminder of how far apart I'm growing from people"

"You always looked to your mortality as the best part of yourself" Serana softly commented, running a thumb over Miara's shoulder.

Miara sighed, "It made me who I am. Had I not grown up amongst them I think... I know I would have been too detached. Too uncaring of them. I would have become like Mira-"

"You're not him" Serana was quick to assure her. "You're never going to be like him"

The words of reassurance warmed her. She knew her family would never let her slip again. But it never could fully push away that single tiny gnawing fear of what she could become.

"So finally come with an idea on that hunk of metal?" Serana decided to switch topics for both their benefit.

Her elven lover gave a soft nod; "I think I finally have. But not here, this metal... I need to work on it somewhere else." She turned to her lover before leaving the storage room.

Serana followed; "And where might that be?"

"First I need to ask someone's permission."

"Whose?"

"Kyne's," Serana's brow shot upwards; "And I must tell Paarthurnax what is going on."

"Okay, let's table the talk with your kind for a moment because you can't just unload the first part like nothing" Serana moves to stand in front of Miara. "You're going to talk to Kyne? Does that mean you plan on forging that star metal in the-"

"-Throat of the World, yes" The dunmer clarified.

The implications of what she was saying...

The vampire frowned, "This isn't just going to be another weapon, is it?"

"No. No, it will not" Miara said somberly. "This will be my weapon, the one I will make as a god"

Perhaps her first full act as one.

The vampire knelt in front of her, her height still letting her be almost eye to eye. "Miara, this is a huge step..."

"If I keep denying this side of myself it will only be worse in the long run" The dunmer sighed, "Mother knew, that's why she sent this thing. Oblivion damn it all, she always knows..."

Serana holds her lover's shoulders; "Want some company?"

"No," the Dragonborn shook her head; "I feel I have to do this alone. Stay here if our kids and young friends might need you." She leaned in giving a brief kiss; "Be back in a few days." Walking around Serana the dunmer vanished in a flash of light.

The Nordic vampire let out a sigh as she stood upright.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The journey back to Redcliffe was a short one. And by that Marcus had to admit it was nearly instantaneous. The 'fast-travel' arcane system Sarya had set up was saved them so much time that the Cousland was more than willing to push away how weird it felt to have his body displaced by magic like that. The possible applications were staggering, simply revolutionary.

All they had to do was wait for the mages of Kinloch Hold to arrive so they could watch over the arl; meanwhile, they could just plan their next move. So far their efforts to gather allies had been very successful, despite the challenges they found on their path. So Marcus was optimistic about their progress.

That is not to say there wouldn't be any other bumps in the road. Like the one Sarya had seen fit to inform them about.

"Thalmor" The word was strange to Marcus' tongue. "The old enemies of Tamriel?"

Sofie had a positively murderous look on her face, as she leaned back against the wall. She was clearly not taking the news well; even Leliana was giving her a wide berth as it looked the Nord woman needed her space. Oryrn for his part kept a stoic if concerned frown on his face, crossing his arms over his linen shirt as he stared at nothing in particular.

"We heard it from the assassin herself," Sarya said warily. Clearly, she too was disturbed by this development. "She answers to the Thalmor. They're here, on Thedas"

"How can that be?" Brianna questioned. "Didn't your empire kill them all?"

"The ones who didn't surrender at least" The Telvanni mage continued. "Oh, but it gets better this Thedosian branch? They've been operating for decades. Likely before even the Second Great War. They go by the code name of 'The Executors', I don't know if that means anything to you"

Leliana gasped in shock, "The Executors?!"

"Okay, so we do know about them apparently" Alistair quipped from his seat at a table.

"I heard a bit about them" Marcus admitted, "Some sort of rumor about a very secretive guild of assassins?"

"The Executors are more than assassins" The redhead clarified with a disturbed tone. "Back in my days as a bard, I managed to learn about them. They're a very mysterious group who employ all sorts of tactics, including political assassination, extortion, bribery, to further whatever agenda they have. From what I was told they do not answer to any power or authority in Thedas, but to some 'powers beyond the sea'"

Sitting at the table where Alistair sat, Bann Teagan leaned against his chair; "As Sarya explained the Aldmeri Dominion was that power until Summerset turned against them during the Second War."

"Queen Ayrenn the third and the entire Altmeri people denounced the Thalmor as radical extremists," Oryrn digressed with a sigh; "Once they lost the support of their nation and people, the empire brought the bastards to heel."

Marcus grunted; "Looks like not all if they came here to Thedas." He looked to Sarya; "Did the assassin explain how they found us?"

The telvanni shook her head; "No, but it doesn't matter. The Thalmor are here in Thedas. This makes the situation in your lands even more dangerous."

A low rumble came from Faren's throat as he drank from a bottle; "Can't we get one damn break from this sodding craziness?"

Silence claimed that hall for a moment. "The Thalmor must die," Sofie finally spoke up with a primal edge to her tone.

The twins sharply glanced at each other before peering over to their sister; "We agree on that but we need to think rationally," Oryrn lamented receiving a heated glare.

"Rational would be to put a blade on their throats as fast as possible" Sofie growled with fury.

"He means plan ahead" Sarya abolished her elder sister. "You know far better than the two of us that Thalmor are shrewd bastards."

Sofie snorted but did not question her.

"Do we even know where they might be?" Marcus asked.

"The information we got from the assassin points them somewhere at the Storm Coast" Theron explained leaning against a pillar. "From the maps I studied, there are dwarven ruins there are they not?"

"Plenty" The Cousland grimly said.

"You would need someone who knows how to navigate them" Sereda pointed out. "Luckily for you, you got two dwarves with perfect Stone Sense on your side"

The Bann rubbed his chin glancing over to Oryrn; "This attack would raise awareness of your nation. Possibly in a negative light, thus why I kept this incident as quiet as possible."

Wrong assumptions made by those in power if brought to light could spark negative relations between Tamriel and Thedas. Or worse...

"How should we handle this matter?" the nobleman questioned.

At that, the twins looked to each other and to their older sister who glared back. "This has to be reported back to the Empire," Sarya lamented heaving a sigh; "Our rulers need to know the Thalmor are still very much alive and functioning here in your lands."

"And if left alone who knows what else they will do. Especially if they have been here for years causing all kinds of trouble for Thedas," The Tamriel Templar remarked seriously. "And somehow learned we are here along with our mothers."

Having been the quietest, Sten grunted; "Allowing a viper to remain in the shadows only means a quick death when least expecting it."

"Then we need to speak with your emperor," Teagan rubbed his hands; "Should we get Miara for this?"

The bann saw as the group exchanged a series of uneasy looks amongst themselves, making him wonder what got them so hesitant.

"I'm afraid mother is... not in the right state at the moment" Oryrn explained, keeping his voice low. "She has taken some time away from our quest to collect herself. Perhaps it'd be best if we keep this to ourselves for the time being and handle it ourselves. The Thalmor are too sensitive an issue for her, she might abandon everything just to hunt them down herself"

Teagan frowned as he hummed. "It does concern me that we are not counting on Miara's aid at the moment. But you have proven yourself to be a highly competent company, so I will defer to your judgment on this." He ran a hand over his beard. "Do you believe the Thalmor may be scheming behind the brewing civil war right now?"

"At this point anything is possible" Sarya shrugged, "But personally I doubt it. The Blight overrunning Ferelden would be detrimental to them, they'd lose a base of operations, potential pawns, and opportunities to further whatever goals they have. The Darkspawn are just something they can't properly plan around"

"Right, right..." The bann muttered as he thought about it. "But why did they try to assassinate my brother then?"

"It may have been to hurt US" Marcus brought up with a pensive look. "They may not be in favor of the Blight overrunning Ferelden, but if they are such sworn enemies to Miara, it's likely they do not want us to succeed."

That drew Teagan's full attention; "Is their spite so vicious?"

"Yes," Sofie hissed garnering a surprised glance from Leliana; "Our mothers, mainly Miara, were instrumental in breaking their hold on Tamriel. And made them fear her."

"..." The Bann narrowed his eyes; "One does not go that far unless there is a great deal of rage behind it."

Sarya began to pace after getting out of her chair; "They earned mother's hatred for what they did to her a century ago." She clutched herself rubbing her arms; "But, thirty years ago they went further kidnapping me, Oryrn, and Sofie when we were children... And killing a very dear friend to our mother who was protecting us while she was away on business."

Shock etched in the eyes of many around the siblings.

A low growl came from Sofie who seethed just recalling that moment. "They killed uncle Valdimar and took us because they wanted to manipulate mother into working for them."

"It did not work, I take it" Gin muttered in a low tone.

"Mother reduced the Thalmor Skyrim branch to ashes. And then when the war broke out at last, she was first in line to take the fight to them" The Nord recalled, the memories still fresh in her mind. "The rest is history. The Second Great War ended with the dissolution of the Second Aldmeri Dominion, and the end of the Thalmor... or so we thought"

Neria let out a long breath through her nose. "So... what's our first course of action then?"

"Contacting Emperor Nihlus should take priority" Oryrn pointed out.

"But who will talk to him?" Teagan brought up. "I imagine he will want to bring troops to Ferelden. The thought makes me nervous but so the idea of genocidal elven supremacists in our midst unnerve me more. I'm just a bann, I would have no authority to parley with him and we have no proper authority until we can make Loghain stand down"

"That will take far too much time and we're not ready to face him in a new lands meet" Marcus agreed. "Fortunately, we have the heir of the crown right here"

All gazes slowly shifted to Alistair, who remained impassive even under all the scrutiny.

"...Aww shit"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The flurry of snow was constant at the peak of the throat of the world. Perched upon the broken word wall was ancient Paarthurnax who gazed at the sight of many Dovah who flew around the Strunmah. His wizened eyes quickly shifted with many other perched dov as a light flashed and appeared Miara who smiled up at him. "Ahh," a warm growl escaped his throat; "It has been some time since we have seen you, Thur."

"I'm sorry it has been so long," she bowed her head as her kin did the same. "And I have much to discuss with you all." She took a deep breath; "Bo Wah Zu'u!" Her thu'um shook the mountaintop as she shouted to the skies above.

It was not long before they all heard a roar in the distance. Starting with one, it grew into many as countless dragons had begun to appear flying around at the great mountain. "Mu Fent Tinvaak!" Miara roared as all the dov roared back.

As many Dovah kept to the skies, others now had perched themselves on the peak of the throat. All their gazes remained on their overlord who peered towards all of them; "Kogann fah bo." She expressed with sincerity.

"Mu los het," A green-scaled dragon spoke with reverence.

Paarthurnax hummed; "Why do you call upon the dov, our thur?"

Miara raised a placating hand; "There is one other person for whom I must bring here for council. And our combined thu'um can bring her forth." The dragons around her understood her words as she knelt to one knee bowing her head; "Lot monah do strun ahrk lok." Her thu'um resonated throughout the area.

All the dov around her bowed their heads and repeated her words; "Lot monah do strun ahrk lok."

"Bo us mu..."

"Bo us mu..."

"This humble acolyte of your ways beseeches your audience." She along with her dov kin took a deep breath before all chorused; "Kaan!" Their unified shout shook the very mountain.

Then all was silent with the snow dancing in the wind around them.

A dainty pale white hand gently rested on the Dragonborn's shoulder. Slowly the dunmer's head rose to the sight of a beautiful ethereal human woman adored in simple but regal blue robes. Her hair was as white as the snow flowed down to the ankles of her bare feet, lines in wave-like spiral patterns dotted her skin, her eyes were the richest sapphire with a smile radiating motherly warmth.

"Long has it been since we last spoke, my old champion" The Mother of the Skies uttered, her voice feeling like the ever echoing wind on the mountains. She walked over to the edge of the mountain, the dragons bowing their head in absolute reverence at her whose Voice was the breath of the world. Muttering 'Kaan' under their breaths over and over.

The goddess looked to Paarthurnax, and courtly nodded. A simple greeting that carried much greater intent than most would see.

An aedra walking upon this world was extremely rare. Great gods like her even more so. But the Thu'um was the Voice of the Gods, it commanded the world and bade it to obey. Masters of the Thu'um in numbers could do miracles like this, such as when in ancient times the Ghost of Shor was summoned to battle alongside his people. The great voices of a rage of dragons could invoke a manifestation of such a great entity to appear before them for an audience.

Kyne stood before the edge and looked upon the world, her world. No doubt feeling every single breath from the smallest animals to the rustle of leaves on the largest trees. A hawk appeared from the sky, its feathers white and brown, and perched into her arm. The goddess of nature gently strokes its beak with care.

A mortal would fall to his knees in reverence at her sheer presence. But Miara was no mere mortal, not even the mightiest glare of the strongest god in Aetherius would affect her. She saw more than what Kyne's vessel would show to common eyes. She saw a woman of ethereal beauty. Young; then mature, and finally a crone all at the same time beneath the ageless visage the goddess shrouded herself in.

"So... why have you called to me?" Kyne asked, her attention focused on the hawk. "It is not every day an aedra walks upon the world like this"

"I required an audience to ask for your permission regarding a matter of importance to me" Miara respectfully bowed at the waist. "I require your mountain to forge a weapon made out of a star"

"Hmm" The goddess made a sound of vague interest. Her deep blue eyes frowning. "A daedra asking for an aedra's permission. Now that's a novel concept"

The dunmer did not expect that reply. "I... am not fully daedra, my lady"

"Are you not?" Kyne turned to her with a raised eyebrow, making Miara feel she was being scrutinized by a grandmother. "You mingle among them far too often. Even your rage must have their... doubts"

Only a goddess like her could say something so openly to her rage of dragons and have these merely bow their heads further.

"I simply just desire to embrace what I am. Slowly" Miara says softly. "This weapon is a step"

"In your path I see you embracing the role of a daedra, you are meant to be different than that. Child of Akatosh" Kyne said as she walked over to Miara, letting the hawk fly free. "You consort too much with chaos"

"I am a chaotic being, my lady"

"Perhaps, perhaps..." The goddess mused. "You always exist in a complicated position to us gods, Dovahkiin. Not everyone in the heavens is content with your allegiances."

Miara did her best to suppress her anger. "Those 'allegiances' are my family"

"Akatosh is your family as well"

Now did Miara look at her with mounting frustration. "Then he has a funny way of showing it"

Kyne arched an eyebrow.

Miara gulped and bowed once more, "I... apologize"

"Hmm... perhaps you have a point. But it is not by choice we are distant to this world" Kyne watched the hawk fly overhead, "I will let you forge your weapon here. But you must do so as an aedra, it is an act of creation after all"

Well, that'd please her mother who got her the metal in the first place...

"And you will do a task for me in return"

Miara looked at her curiously, "A task?"

"Some time ago... I sent a child into this world"

The dunmer gasped, and many of her dragons looked on in shock.

A demigod... Be them the children of daedric or aedric gods, demigods like her were beings of otherworldly nature whose power flared like beacons in the night. While daedra would sire demigods on a whim, the aedra never created them without an important purpose in mind.

"In allowing you to forge your true weapon, Dovahkiin. You shall train my daughter for the coming tasks she is meant to bear."

Miara's eyes swayed in thought before speaking; "Have I met her already?" If she was tied to someone's fate like this…

"Only in passing," Kyne gave a nod; "You will know who she is when you meet her again." The goddess walked to the elf's side; "She will be confronted with many hardships and trials. They will test her heart, soul, and will. But you will ensure she is ready for what is to come."

The Dragonborn gave a deep bow; "When I meet her again, I shall become her teacher."

"Then we have an accord, my champion." The goddess soon began to fade; "Forge your fang of the stars, wield it to cut away the coming darkness."

As the Aedra goddess vanished, her words had given much weight for the Thur and her dov to think on.

A curved horned dragon with black and purple scales and white wings spoke; "A most curious bok we have returned to." Many other dov muttered in agreement with grunts or nods.

"And there is much I have to tell all of you," Miara garnered the attention of her rage. "Especially of the golt called Thedas and what we have found." Raising her hands a purple glow came from her hand and soon appeared on the mountaintop was a large ornate designed forge, anvil, hammer, and smelter she had created at the College of Winterhold.

These were her greatest instruments of forging. All of them were crafted with magically attuned materials, and months of enchantments poured into them. The forge would remain hot no matter the location, the anvil was so durable it'd take the blows of a giant to break, and the hammer would tamper even the strongest of metals.

Combined with this sacred location, where the earth met the heavens, she would craft a weapon of the stars.

Miara hauled the hunk of ore and began the process of removing the metal and placing them upon the smelter. "In Thedas, I found dragons... as wrong as it feels to call them that" She had never worked with star metal before; it would most likely take far longer to meltdown. "They lacked the Thu'um"

Immediately, her kin was in an uproar. Dovah and the Thu'um were one and the same; you could not separate one from the other.

"Madness!" A bronze dragon cried out. "What cosmic joke is this?! For such creatures to exist is a mockery!"

"Believe me, I felt the same" Miara huffed, crossing her arms. "Their souls were but a flicker compared to the great dovahsil, yet it was still there, embers of our divinity..." She turned to her rage. "Dragonlings in the Iliac Bay were bred by dragons as pets. Do you think it could be possible someone tried to do the same but to a greater degree?"

"If it happened it is the height of folly," A frost dragon said, "Only our Bormahu may create the dragon soul. Any other attempts are doomed to failure"

"I fully intend to learn the reason for this. But there is something more," Miara grunted watching the smelter; "Moreover I found next to nothing of true Dovah save one." She crossed her arms; "A Jill, hiding in mortal form." Every dragon around her stared with unreadable expressions as she kept speaking; "She is old, likely as ancient as you Paarthurnax. But her power feels vast, she has mantled an unknown power."

"Insanity," and elder dragon murmured. "This golt of Thedas is dur..."

The overlord spared a glance; "I haven't even gotten to the truly insane part. The shores of Oblivion, not Aetherius has interwoven itself to the entire continent. Including a highly malleable and ever-changing realm perceived as a dream world to their 'god' housing entities you would not even call Daedra."

"Hmm," Paarthurnax thought for a long moment; "such a thing is deeply troubling."

"If I may, thur" A blood dragon with horns curled forward intoned with a rather higher-pitched tone. With the slender frame and tone, Miara thought of some dragons as female sometimes. But 'gender' to the dov had more to do with the role, the Jill in heaven being 'females' for their task on mending-time alongside their father. The 'males' exercise dominion over the mortal world. Most dov considered mortal genders to be pointless, though some displayed more fondness towards one designation or the other, such as this dragon. "I do remember great Alduin as he journeyed through the world to revive us; he traveled to all corners of the planet. To even distant lands like Akavir and frozen Atmora"

That made sense to Miara, there were months in which Alduin's sightings were non-existent. He couldn't be all the time in Aetherius.

"We do not know what he found in the west, but he returned ill-tempered and silent on the matter" The dragon continued. "Perhaps it is likely he found what you did"

And if Miara remembered her readings on Thedosian history, the 'Dragon Age' got its name because of a great dragon bringing great devastation to the Orlesian countryside... some accounts recording it was black.

"Then he knew a lot more than I did," the Dragonborn muttered; "I need to find our true kin on those lands. Outside of that Jill for whom is keeping her silence, maybe they can explain what is going on there."

A blue-scaled dovah who looked more serpentine leaned in; "Why does this Jill defy you so thur?"

"..." Miara crossed her arms tapping her foot; "She is immensely devoted to a drun. I saw that in her eyes, she went so far as to mantle an unknown power. Whatever her reasons she deems it extremely important to keep me in the dark about it. I don't even know her Dovah name, only the title she goes by, Flemeth..."

Paarthurnax narrowed his eyes; "For a dov to be so dedicated to a drun to defy you Thur... I feel the mysteries of these strange lands are possibly tied to it."

Realization struck Miara as she sharply glance to the old dovah; "...I think you're right." She started to pace as her mind began to be filled in the unconnected dots; "She 'wants' me to learn about Thedas and why it is as it is. And she is a part of that mystery."

"What will you have us do, Thur?" A serpentine dragon asked, arching his long neck.

"For the moment, nothing. Let me investigate this personally" Miara knelt before the smelter watching as the star metal heated up. "Right now I have other things in mind..." With a wave of her hand, she gave them permission to leave.

The sounds of flapping wings echoed along with the howling winds, but not all the dragons left, a few stayed behind to watch as their overlord worked her greatest weapon yet.

Miara's mind drifted back to Kyne's words, how she called her weapon. Her Starfang... yes, that sounded right.

Blades were her dragon fangs, it was fitting she'd made one out of star.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"-so back in Soldiers' Peak, Sarya and I were speculating; If Magicka potions work the same as lyrium potions, could they actually be used to power a Templar's abilities?" Neria explained with fascination in her features.

"Uh-huh," Alistair replied, only half-listening to her.

"I reckon you can't use the strongest Templar abilities anymore, and nobody wants you taking lyrium again. So this would be a perfect opportunity to experiment and give you back your powers without risking your long term health"

"Right" He craned his head over to the edge of the room, where the Redoran siblings were setting up a large mirror, as Marcus and Teagan discussed something that went over his head.

Neria huffed a breath, "You're barely listening aren't you?"

"Uh-huh…" The former Templar recoiled in sharp pain from the elven mage swatting him on the head with her staff. Holding his head a stunned Alistair turned his gaze to Neria; "Why did you hit me?!"

"Because you weren't listening to me when I was talking to you," the young elf abolished.

Alistair nursed his head; "When did you get so violent?"

"Since being stuck with a band of lunatics for several months!" Never mind the fact she was still wrapping her head around the fact that one of their companions is an actual GOD.

The human man groaned rubbing his head; "Alright I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"I was saying there might be a way to use your Templar skills by using Tamriel Magicka potions instead of lyrium."

Alistair blinked for a moment staring at the elf; "You think so?"

"Worth a shot to try..." Neria glanced to the twins adjusting the mirror and back to the man; "Are you nervous?"

"Nervous? Why would I be nervous?" The senior warden quipped; "I'm about to speak with an emperor of an entire country. The bastard son of a late king and a servant girl. Totally feels normal."

Neria deadpanned at the man's thick sarcasm. "First of all, the Cyrodiil Empire spans a continent, not a single country"

"Thank you. That makes things so much easier..."

"Second; have you not been oriented by Marcus and Teagan on this?"

"Between as much free time as we have, maybe" Alistair shrugged. "But I went from the unwanted bastard to the crown heir, and now to negotiate on behalf of a nation that hasn't even recognized me as its ruler to a foreign leader" He shook his head, resting his hands on his hips. He looked lost, "I have no idea what I'm doing, and all I can do is feel sorry for myself because of how little control I have over my life..."

Neria's green eyes looked at him in sympathy. Her grip on her staff tightened and loosing as those words echoed in her mind. She sighed softly, looking to the item given to her by her mentor. "People like us were born with little control over our fates," She said with melancholy.

Alistair knew then that Neria understood him very well.

"I don't know what this life has in store for us, Alistair" She softly said, "At this point, I'm not sure we'll ever be in control. None of this is going away, my friend. But I rather face these circumstances head-on rather than be afraid of them for the rest of my life" And placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Maybe you should too"

The young man gave her a long look before sighing; "Guess I can't keep running can I?"

"None of us can."

Scratching his beard Teagan stared at the mirror Oryrn and Sarya were working on against the wall of the main chamber; "I must admit. All these magical materials are extremely useful." He omitted before sighing; "And completely over my head in understanding them."

"I'd say if your Chantry wasn't so overly fanatical against magic I would happily offer some items," Sarya voiced while creating sigils with her fingers on the glass.

"Couldn't we just teleport to the White-Gold Tower and talk to them directly?" Marcus questioned crossing his arms.

Sofie grunted; "We would cause a bit of stir showing up in the Ruby Throne. Regardless of our mother being Sentinel to the Empire."

"Is this Emperor Nihlus a competent ruler?" Sten surprisingly asked beside the Nord woman.

"Well, nearly thirty years into his rule and the empire hasn't descended into civil war. So far so good" Sofie said with humor.

"Without a unifying ideology, the individualism and differences in culture will lead to internal strife and eventual collapse," He said, as though he was quoting something by text.

"Hmph, give it some time big guy. Your people will find a way to have internal strife too"

"Unlikely"

"Okay, nearly set," Sarya said as she finished waving sigils over the mirror. Oryrn arranged his clothes and hair to look presentable to the emperor, something his twin didn't really care about all that much. "Already sent word through a Dreamsleeve wave to the court mages, they're bound to have informed the emperor by now"

"A what wave?" Marcus frowned in confusion.

Sarya sighed, "Telepathy"

She got more blank looks from the non-mages.

"Oh, for- Mind reading!"

Teagan got the wrong impression. "Such magics are warned about by the Chantry"

"Your Chantry is full of hypocritical assholes"

Before another word could be uttered, the image of the mirror stopped reflecting them, its surface turning opaque and rippling as though the glass was reflecting water waves. It soon ceased moving and began showing other images, not of their own reflection to their amazement, but of a man wearing some sort of white robes, with short hair and a short-cropped beard. He had an average stature and from the visible features of his body, they could tell he had spent a lifetime on the battlefield. His bearing was more of a military man than a politician, Marcus and Teagan could tell.

Nihlus Crassus massaged the bridge of his nose and spoke with a colovian accented drawl. "Sarya, Oryrn, Sofie... do you have any idea what time it is here?"

"Your majesty," Oryrn bowed along with Sofie who made Sarya do the same; "We apologize for disturbing you, but a matter of extreme importance has come to light."

The emperor cocked a brow leaning forward on his chair; "You discovered the raising darkness Arameris saw in her visions?"

"More than that sire," Sofie stepped forward; "The Thalmor are in Thedas."

Everyone heard the sound of glass breaking through the mirror, pure shock etched on Nihlus's visage at words just spoken. There was a deafening silence the emperor's features bore cold steely glare with a deep frown. A silhouette drew close to the man with the Thedosians seeing an elven woman very much resembling an elf of their country came over in a nightgown covered by robes. Keya's green eyes were wide; "What?!"

"Empress Keya;" Gin, Neria, Zevran, and Theron nearly gawked when hearing those words uttered by Sarya. "It is true; The Thalmor survived and are here in these lands."

"Are you certain?" The man raised a hand, urgency, and flashes of anger visible in his eyes. "Are you absolutely certain?"

"Very certain, my lord" Oryrn grimly replied. "We got confirmation by interrogating one of their agents"

Keya let out a harried breath as her husband placed a hand to his temple and paced around rising from his chair. To inspire such fear and worry on two rulers of such a large empire, the Thalmor had to be a much greater threat than they realized.

"They have been here for decades" Sarya informed them, stressing the last word. "Possibly long before the Second Great War and now a full chapter of their organization has survived"

Keya's face twitched as she held back a snarl. "I'm sending my best hunters, the Oculatus will scour every corner of Thedas if need be to find the bastards"

"Yes... yes," Nihlus softly said, agreeing with his wife. "Smaller forces sent to search and destroy. Avoid drawing attention"

"The situation here is more complicated than that, my lord" Oryrn said, "Mother has informed you of the current affairs in Ferelden?"

"Some messages about the mess she caught herself into" He grumbled, "Your actions are all completely unsanctioned by the empire, whatever you deal with, that's on your heads"

"We're aware" Sofie nodded.

"Where is Miara or Serana for that matter?" Keya asked.

The children of the two women looked at each other. "Mother is... in a delicate place right now. She's taking a rest from our quest"

"I see..." Nihlus slowly said. "You haven't told Miara yet"

"We figured it's best to wait"

"Hmm, well she will know eventually. Once we send our teams we can start hunting the Thalmor"

"About that, my liege" Sofie interjected. "We also came to speak in favor of Ferelden's hour of need. The horde of monsters they face is massive, they could use military aid"

At that, the monarchs looked back strangely. "Military aid? To a land we don't even know?"

"If I may, your imperial highness" Marcus and Teagan stepped in, motioning for Alistair to join them. "We believe we can reach an understanding"

The former Templar reluctantly came over to his friend's side as the Bann gave a respectful bow; "My name is Teagan Guerrin, Bann of Rainesfere. This is Marcus Cousland, and Alistair Theirin. Rightful heir and king of the Ferelden throne."

Alistair did his best not to visibly cringe to the last words spoken.

But those words drew the attention of the monarchs onto him; he stood a bit straighter as they took his measure. "Is he now?" Keya gently remarked; "Step forward young man." Alistair obeyed as he came closer to the mirror. It felt like the Bosmer's gaze was piercing through his soul. "You're the bastard son Miara mentioned correct?"

"Yes your grace."

"Do you even want to be king?"

A few were surprised by her question. Alistair the most as he gazed his hands before letting out a long sigh; "In all honesty no." He omitted earning sharp looks from Marcus and Teagan; "I spent majority of my life being told I would never have the bloody thing. And I was okay with that. My half-brother Cailan was king and I was content to just being Alistair the Gray Warden and nothing more."

Nihlus gave the younger man a look; "Has that changed?"

"Everything changed after Ostagar. After Loghain betrayed and left us, including my brother to die by the Darkspawn." Alistair clenched his fists hard; "As much as I am against the idea, Ferelden needs stability before it tears itself apart by civil war. And then completely destroyed by the Archdemon and Darkspawn. So if my country needs me to be king to save it, then I shall."

Teagan found Alistair's bold declaration to be a mistake; one should not be so open to foreign rulers whom they just met. Any insight into their person could be exploited. But he also couldn't say he didn't find it heartening to see Alistair starting to embrace his role, doubts he may had, and do what was best for their nation.

He was learning.

"And what do we get out of helping you?" Down to business, the pragmatism may sound ruthless but it was refreshing. This was the game all politicians played; at least Nihlus was upfront about it. "We have our own matters to attend to. Sending my soldiers to die on foreign soil does not appeal our interests"

"We can help you by giving you more solid ground where you may conduct your hunt on the Thalmor" Marcus took over. "Having permission from the crown to have a forward base of operations would make your activities smoother. A place to consolidate your efforts in Thedas"

"Hmm" Keya hummed with interest. "It would be simpler to have a steady ground instead of trying to carve our way throughout and unknown landscape"

"And you'd allow it?" Nihlus asked Alistair.

"Once the throne is mine, I promise"

"If the throne is yours" The emperor stressed.

"Miara is on our side" Marcus said, only half-joking. "Do you really doubt our chances?"

The empress brow rose; "Never overestimate your chances young man. While Miara can fight for you, that is all she is capable of doing. She has no political clout in your nation. Moreover she has told us of your country's treatment towards the Mer of your lands. Would your nobility take the word of a 'knife-ear' to heart?"

Teagan could not stop the visible wince as the Bosmer's words rang true. Even as Marcus wanted to rebuke it, she was correct.

"Uh..." eye shifted over to Neria who slowly approached; "I-I'm Neria Surana your grace." She offered a quick bow; "With Alistair on the throne he could help our people."

"As a king his voice will have weight," Keya omitted; "But would the masses listen?"

"I damn well will try," Alistair addressed with resolution. "And keep trying till someone finally listens."

Nihlus' arms crossed, seeming to ponder on their options for a moment. "I will send one legion to aid Ferelden" The Thedosians breathed out collectively in relief, "In exchange; we shall form a written accord to iron out the details of this exchange. The location of our forces, the number we can station in your land"

"I agree" Said the senior Warden.

The emperor stared at him for what felt the longest time. "Any other politician would have taken advantage of the situation in your land. Do not mistake my lack of greed for a lack of my own interests, our goal are to find the Thalmor and eliminate them, so we expect you to repay the favor. Protection against your enemies in exchange to hunt ours"

"I promise I will honor my word" Alistair swore solemnly.

"Very well" Nihlus nodded. "It will take time, prepare our ships and troops to set sail and then cross the sea. You need to prepare yourselves in case we do not make it in time"

"They're already mustering strong allies" Sofie said, "They know what they're doing"

"May the gods give you strength" Keya said in farewell as she and Nihlus faded from view. The mirror once more showing a reflective surface.

Alistair felt as though his knees might give out, he let out an explosive breath and ran a hand over his face. Marcus approached him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You did well"

"Not even on the throne and I already welcomed in a foreign power" The former Templar drawled. "I don't think that's going to help my claims..."

He turned his head as a grey hand rested on his shoulder. "I know the scars of Orlais still linger in the hearts of many," Oryrn lamented gently; "But let Ferelden see our actions and deeds to show that Tamriel is nothing like those who occupied your lands decades ago."

"For some that will be enough," Teagan lamented with a sigh; "But for many others it will never be enough. Not after what Orlais had done to Ferelden and her people. Many will always distrust foreigners and see them as an enemy."

"Well we can ignore them," Sarya dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Brianna cocked a brow; "Even if some are of Ferelden nobility?"

"We can deal with that when the time comes," Marcus addressed pacing; "But for now we need to figure out what to do about these Thalmor. We can't continue our quest while we have them plotting against us in the shadows."

Sofie crossed her arms under her bust; "As much as I want to go after them for all they did. We can't rush in blindly, not against the Thalmor. These bastards are nothing if not careful."

However before a plan could even being to be form a Redcliffe guard ran into the room; "Bann Teagan! The patrol found a gravely wounded man in the Hinterlands. He said he's one of King Cailan's vassals who followed him at Ostagar!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The footsteps of Teagan, Marcus and Alistair were fast and heavy, making loud banging noises over the stone floor. Neria and Sarya were quick to follow after them, being the best healers at present. The guard directed them to the castle's infirmary, a room with rows of simple bed where the wounded and sick were treated.

They saw the doctor, a balding bearded man; tend to the bloodied bandages of a middle-aged man with graying hair. He looked terrible, battered with bruises and multiple wounds. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths.

"You're here" The doctor sharply turned to them, "Master Mages, I need your aid"

"Neria" Sarya quickly instructed who nodded and quickly began to work with her on the man's wounds.

Teagan stepped forward to better look at the man. "Where did you find him?"

"Scouts report he was coming from Bann Loren's lands, he claims to have fought some of his men and escaped" The guard dutifully explained.

"Loren" Marcus said in disgust. "That poor excuse of a man changes allegiances as the moons change shape. What was he after?"

"The man claims to have been member of King Cailan's honor guard" The guard explains.

Surprise shined in the young noble and the Warden's eyes. "So that means Loren choose Loghain's side then..." Alistair darkly mused.

Neria shook her head as magic gathered on her hands, flowing into the man who groaned and squirmed, if a little easier now as Sarya worked to cure infected wounds. "It's not looking good. There are multiple wounds all over him"

"Which are days old even" The doctor added from his previous inspection. "He's lost a lot of blood"

"His life force fades too quickly" Sarya grimly observed, "All we can do now is make him comfortable..."

The man on the bed groaned, opening his eyes as he struggled to speak, "The king's... must get the king's..."

"Save your strength, soldier" Marcus gently spook as he walked closer.

"No... No time" He gasped, "Name's Elric... Maraigne. Served King Cailan" The soldier coughed. "He entrusted me... to recover documents left... left at Ostagar"

Alistair took a sharp look to Marcus who did the same before returning their gazes to the dying Elric. "Surely those documents, whatever they are, were destroyed." Along with everything else that crossed the path of the blighters.

"No," Elric groaned out shaking his head; "They're hidden. Buried under the kings tent… The box was magically enchanted with special wards. It cannot be destroyed…"

That drew Teagan's attention; "If that is the case whatever is in that box is of grave importance."

The dying honor guard nodded shakily putting his hand in his shirt to pull out a finely crafted key; "Retrieve..." the light begun to fade from his eyes; "them..." His final breath escaped his lips as his hand fell to the side dropping the key.

Sarya sighed alongside Neria and the doctor; "He's with the Maker now," the doctor murmured before closing Elric's eyes.

"What the hell could these documents be to ask us to venture into Darkspawn territory?" Sarya quipped glancing to the men.

"If they were the king's, then it stands to reason they were of incredible importance" The Circle mage deduced, "Treaties, secret plans, or even state secrets perhaps?"

"Sensitive information Cailan deemed important enough to be brought with him and not be left out of his sight" Marcus mused with a hand to his chin in thought.

"But the heart of the Horde is at Ostagar" Sarya pointed out, "Can it even be safe to retrieve them?"

"Reports shows the Darkspawn have already advanced in the south and began to spread. They have already destroyed Lothering, and are now assaulting South Reach" Teagan gravely informed them. "The Darkspawn at Ostagar might be much less numerous now"

The Wardens and their allies exchanged a wary look.

"We need to talk to the others" Alistair said, pressing his lips into a thing line. The memories of that fateful day reflected by the haunted look in his eyes. The place where Duncan, his king and brother, and his brothers and sisters of the Order all perished. He really did not want to return to that cursed place but... "It looks like returning to Ostagar will be part of our plans now"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX