Demons
Lawrien walked down the paths, ignoring the faint ghostly forms of Connor and Arl Eamon. This demon had connected them both. That wasn't a good sign, if it had to do that to keep Arl Eamon alive then the situation was very bad. If they were separated now Arl Eamon could die if the demon hadn't healed him enough.
One of the voices finally stood out compared to each other. The echoes of Arl Eamon and Connor had been calling to one another all this time, but this was the real Arl Eamon. She could feel his fear.
"You there!" Arl Eamon stared at her. Lawrien paused. Huh, she had to admit, she had thought he wouldn't be so aware in the Fade. "Have you seen my son? I-I can't find him. This blasted fog!"
"I'm here to help you and Connor-"
"Help us? Connor is in danger?" Arl Eamon gasped.
"Yes, but I'm here to save you both," Lawrien said. "I know you're scared and confused, but I am here to help."
"Why would a Grey Warden be helping me?" Arl Eamon eyed her distrustfully.
"Because Alistair is my friend and loves you deeply," Lawrien said, then sighed. "And because an innocent child needs some help too."
"Alistair is here?" Arl Eamon startled.
"Yes, we came for your help with the whole thing with Loghain. I hope you know he put bounties on us, and I'll never forgive him for that. My fellow brothers and sisters stayed back to let the people of Ferelden escape and us too because they put their faith in us," Lawrien rambled, shaking her head. "But I miss Duncan. I miss Yegrettie. I miss them all. Duncan would be furious with us right now and it would have been so funny, but he died." Lawrien felt her shoulders slump. "They all died..."
"Who are you?" Arl Eamon frowned. "You look young-"
"I am Warden Commander Lawrien Amell," Lawrien said softly.
"You're the Warden Commander of Ferelden now?" Arl Eamon stumbled back, startled.
"Yeah, but I don't mind. I have my friends and family beside me," Lawrien said, cracking her knuckles. "Speaking of family, right now we need to save Connor," Lawrien said, searching the island. "I made a promise and I'm going to keep it."
"I... Thank you..." Arl Eamon softened. "Please save my boy..."
Lawrien nodded. "I will."
She turned on her heel and headed for the next portal, disappearing into its darkness.
"Who are you? Are you the one who made my father ill?" 'Connor' snarled.
Lawrien tilted her head. "Why are you speaking through illusions? You don't think I'd hit the kid to get to you?"
'Connor' faltered. "Y-You wouldn't-"
"I would," Lawrien said sharply. "If I have to I will beat the shit out of him and drag him out of here by his hair. I will because I have no time to coddle a demon possessing a child. I will because I made a promise to this child's mother that I would bring him and her husband back."
"No!" 'Connor' screamed and disappeared in a flash of light.
Fire flickered along her body, but Lawrien forced it back down and marched forward. "You can't hide from me, Desire. I will find you and I will be taking the boy with me. All you are doing right now is annoying me."
"An odd sight from you, Lawrien. You're usually so relaxed walking in the Fade."
Lawrien stopped and glanced at the side table sitting next to a book case and chair. Mouse sat comfortably atop it, its tiny form staring at her. Lawrien tilted her head, then glared.
"Find her," Lawrien ordered.
Mouse tilted its head. "And what do I get in return?"
"Nothing. Just do it," Lawrien snapped.
Mouse laughed, delighted. "Ah, you Amells, always so enchanting."
"You've been stalking my family for years. I don't know why and honestly I don't care. You've done nothing to try possess any of us." Lawrien scowled, crossing her arms across her chest.
"You Amells. Such a special bloodline," Mouse crooned, delighted. "Not one of you have given me what I wanted either. I was so worried when the last generation showed no magic but your generation turned out the opposite. All your siblings are mages and then there is young Syrus Hawke-"
"I'm busy right now, Mouse," Lawrien interrupted. "This boy's mother is dead to try and save him and I won't let that sacrifice go wrong. You will either help me and give me the quick route or I take the long one and help myself."
"Alright then, my dear Lawrien. I'll take care of this for you," Mouse chuckled. "You're lucky you're so important to me."
Lawrien snorted. "My bloodline is apparently."
Mouse did it though. He broke the barriers keeping her away from the Desire demon and brought Lawrien straight to her. Lawrien grinned at the sight, her hands instantly on fire while Desire tilted her head, sighing softly.
"I am surprised that you managed to get a Pride demon to tear apart my illusions," she drawled. "But you are in my domain now, little mage, and it is here I am at my strongest. I have no wish to engage your power however, nor should you wish to engage mine."
"I already told Mouse I'm not letting Isolde's sacrifice be for nothing. That woman gave me her life and faith. I will save Connor," Lawrien hissed and she could feel flames spilling out of her, her footsteps leaving burnt prints on the ground as she strolled forward. "One way or another you will be releasing the boy!"
Desire backed away, looking strangely alarmed. "You don't kill spirits-"
So far Lawrien had never killed a spirit, but that was a 'so far', not a 'never'.
"Not usually. It affects things too much in the Fade," Lawrien agreed. "But I will kill anyone who gets in my way."
"Fine. I have no desire to face you. You are powerful, especially if you have a Greater Pride demon following after you." Desire frowned, still backing away. "I will leave the boy and never come back."
"I won't chase you then." Lawrien nodded, watching her disappear into nothing. She let the flames die down, fading back into her body, into her magic. "So, how old are you, Mouse? All the other demons seem to recognise you."
"I'm one of the strongest of my kind, Lawrien," Mouse said. "I am far older than you, far older than most of your bloodline."
"Were you always Mouse?" Lawrien asked.
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Mouse mused.
"You're a powerful spirit yet you've never possessed anyone in my bloodline. What are you waiting for?"
"Perhaps the right time. Now wake up, little Lawrien. You've won this battle, now it's time to walk to the next."
"I still have questions." Lawrien frowned.
"For another time, Lawrien," Mouse said softly. "Right now you must win the war, as you and your knights have always done."
Lawrien sighed, closed her eyes and allowed the world around her to slip away.
He was right on that one. She still had a lot of work to do after all.
.::.
Lawrien hadn't noticed the sword. Mouse gingerly stepped up to it where it stood impaled on the ground. Lawrien hadn't felt it in her hand, nor had she even noticed that she had dropped it. Lawrien hadn't noticed her armour flickering with fire, turning green, as one of the Emerald Knights of old.
Mouse chuckled. She was as oblivious as always, even generations later. It was rather amusing.
The sword sparkled, flames and lightning flickering through the blade. Mouse watched, feeling the crackle of Lawrien Amell's magical energy flow through him. It sent a delightful shudder up his back.
"You miss them too."
Mouse paused, and glanced back. A wolf sat behind him, staring at the sword longingly. Mouse snorted and sat back on his heels to stare up at Witherfang.
"The Amell family was mine," Mouse said firmly. "Just as the Mahariel family was yours."
"Lawrien was yours, as Epona was mine-" Witherfang tried to correct him.
"They are all mine," Mouse snapped. "No one else is allowed to touch them otherwise I will destroy them. I will erase their puny existence from time itself."
"Fair enough," Witherfang chuckled, approaching the sword cautiously. "The old bloodlines seem to be gathering around our Grey Wardens."
"The world will need them soon," Mouse mused. "The Archdemon rises, elven Gods are returning, and kingdoms are on the brink of war again."
"And with it new heroes rise too." Witherfang tilted his head. "There are new companions with Epona."
"It's a new age," Mouse scoffed. "Of course they'd meet new people and reunite with some old."
"I just hope Epona doesn't die young again..." Witherfang sighed.
Mouse deflated. That was a touchy subject. Epona Mahariel tended to die young, and usually Lawrien Amell died right along with her trying to kill whatever took Epona down.
.::.
Lawrien had been asleep for hours, so most of their group had wandered back down to the village after sharing their stories. Faren could see Epona helping the villagers settle the bodies on to the boats, muttering prayers beneath her breath. Oddly enough no one seemed offended considering those were definitely Dalish prayers. Cobian was with them, helping laying bodies into the boats, surprisingly quietly, eyes damp.
Narascha and the servant girl had wandered off to what Faren swore was a smithy, and Faren couldn't help but smile at the loud, joyful cry. The older man racing to the young woman, hugging her tight in his arms.
Leliana smiled warmly. "What a lovely sight."
"Yes, just a shame not everyone had such a happier ending," Zevran said, eyeing the bodies.
"But it did have a good ending," Leliana insisted. "The others came here and protected them, fighting throughout the entire night. A much better tale to be told than what we faced by in the ruins."
"I'd say 'easier' rather than 'better'," Faren corrected.
Leliana considered it. "A fair point. It was certainly an adventure."
"I'm still not sure if I completely believe all these tales," Zevran mused.
Faren snorted. "If Lawrien isn't about to punch a demon in the face right now I'd be surprised. That's how bad it is. I wouldn't have said this a few months ago."
"Hey, people of Redcliffe, got you all some drinks!" Torph yelled, he and a red haired woman were dragging a cart over, filled with what smelled like ale.
"I also brought food," the red head said.
"Thank you, Bella!" People quickly headed over, and she and Torph handed out the food and drinks.
"Thank you, Torph!" A group of children quickly surrounded him, giggling and cheerfully babbling away, asking questions like "Did you kill the demon?" or "Did you beat the monster?"
"The big boss is dealing with it," Torph said. "She's kicking its ass right now!"
The children cheered.
"So it's over?" One of the younger ones peered up at Torph.
"Listen here and listen good," Torph said firmly. "The Commander of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden is no pushover. When she sets her mind to something she's gonna do it. So if she says that demon is gone? That demon is fucking outta here!"
"Mind your language in front of the kids, Torph," Narascha said as she wandered over, lightly smacking the back of Torph's head, earning a grunt.
The kids all went silent, staring up at Narascha with a mix of awe and fear. The fear Faren recalled most of him and his family as kids giving the Elder whenever they were in trouble. He couldn't help but smile fondly at that.
"And Torph is right. That demon is done for," Narascha said. "It's why we came back down here so soon. We wanted to help you out."
"Tell us a story!" A kid tugged on Torph's hand.
"Better idea!" Torph cut them off, waving at them instead. "Oi, Leliana, come tell these brats a story!"
"We're not brats!"
"Little brats!" Torph stuck his tongue out at them, cackling as he dodged their attempts at whacking him.
Faren couldn't help but laugh as the small rabble began to chase Torph over the village square. He'd let them almost catch him, then slip free and laugh like a madman again. It kept the kids entertained, and the adults looked happy to see it. Narascha chuckled as she approached, handing the three of them drinks before sipping at her own.
Leliana smiled. "He's good with children."
"As long as it keeps him busy and out of trouble," Narascha said, smirking. "He's already ruffled quite a few feathers here."
"What do you mean?" Faren tilted his head.
"Bella now owns the tavern because Torph forced the last owner to fight last night. He died during the battle and now Bella owns it instead. He also threatened to head of the Chantry here into giving the knights amulets of 'holy protection'."
Leliana gasped. "How could he?"
"Relax, he didn't do anything to the woman, and the tavern owner had it coming too. He was a complete and utter asshole," Narascha said.
"That didn't mean he deserved to die!"
"He was making Bella run to the Chantry for shelter at the very last second while he locked himself down in the cellar every night," Narascha said sharply. "Bella could have died for his greed for money. As for the Chantry lady sometimes a lie is a good thing, and sometimes people just need to shut up and let the Grey Wardens work."
"Still..." Leliana faltered.
"There are Grey Wardens like Alistair who will do everything in their power to do the heroic thing," Narascha said gently. "But sometimes you need the people with the harder, sharper edge to them to make the horrible choices, just like what we did with the demon up there. It's why Lawrien will always be the perfect Commander. She is kind, she is ruthless, she is emotional, but in control. Lawrien knows when to rely on people, and when to rely on herself. That is why she has my complete and utter faith."
Faren smiled and nodded. "Now all we have to do is wait for Lawrien to wake up."
Hopefully she did soon otherwise they would have to go to the Circle without her. Faren really didn't want to do that, especially with their record of getting into trouble everywhere they go.