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bricousland · 4 years

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The Doors

Leya has been sent into the Emerald Dream to help deal with the Void threat. The task becomes far more than she can deal with when she's trapped in a maze of doors, visions, and madness. For the first time in a long time, Leya must overcome a challenge on her own with only Shade, her nightsaber at her side.

Leya went deep into the Dream, following the trail indicated by Ohn’ahra. The fresh air invigorated her and allowed her to keep a fast sprint through the forest. A warm breeze guided her, and for every stride, the Dream became quieter and less groomed. The once clear path became overgrown with roots, twigs, and bushes. Branches hung low, forcing Leya to duck and leap. No birds sang this deep in the forest. It was lush with flora, and vines as thick as her thigh, choked trees as round as two of Darkshore’s largest Elms. Though there was no sun, sweat trickled down her back and hung on her brow. Leya ripped a vine from a nearby branch and used it to tie thick red locks of hair behind her shoulders. The path finally ended at the base of a lush green hill, Leya had to stop to squeeze between two ancient trees to reach it. The wind rushed past her and tore leaves from branches and swept them over the hill. With a sigh, Leya dug her fingers into the fertile soil and began to ascend the tall hill; it came loose under the weight of her feet making the climb difficult enough to force her to bury her boots into the hill to create a stair for every step she took. When she made it to the top, a valley spread out before her. It was decorated with ethereal flowers of every color and white trees similar to the ones she’d seen in Pandaria but larger and grown in odd spiral shapes. They hung, floating above the flowers, their roots dangling in the air and surrounded by a soft green light.

That’s when the stag appeared; he walked from the forest’s edge and stood so large that the meadow’s tall grass tickled its underbelly. He was white with twisted silver antlers and big silver eyes. Leya met his gaze and felt familiarity stir deep within her. His haunting eyes beckoned her and his ears turned forward. All of his attention was on her. She had seen deer similar to it wandering Azeroth but none quite so large nor noble and none called to her as this beast did. Its ears swiveled and his head whipped in another direction as if it heard something. In two graceful leaps, it disappeared into the dark edges of the forest.

There was no time for thought. Leya skidded down the hill in pursuit; soil and grass sprayed up behind her as she sprinted to catch up with the stag. The grove’s winding path opened up to her again, the claustrophobic trail became wider with each stride. She could see the stag fading in and out of the trees, its white coat glistening against the deep browns and greens of the forest. As she followed, the air began to grow stale and the smell of decay filled her nose. She coughed and came to a log barring her path. Not wanting to lose momentum, She leaned into the log and prepared to vault across. The rotting wood caved beneath her palm and sent her rolling inelegantly against hard, dry dirt. With a thud, her head met the root of a tree. The pounding sent the sky in sickening twists above her. She sat up, and the world meshed with the sky in a whirl of greens, blacks, and browns. Leya touched the sore spot on her head and felt warm blood on her fingertips. The stag was gone.

Great.

When the world stopped spinning, she found herself kneeling at the mouth of a cave. The grass around it had shriveled and died. For every step she took, there was a bubbling impression of refuse left behind. The cave was far larger than its entrance suggested, its smooth and round walls stretched high above her head. Had it been Silvermoon, the dome above would have been colored glass, and sunlight would have shown through and lit up the dirt floor. Instead, there was darkness. Along the stone wall clung withered, old vines that had once held flowers as large as her fist. They climbed to the highest point of the dome but were so dry and brown they would crumble if touched. At the center of the cave sat a pile of bones with a large feline skull staring back at her. It stared at her with empty sockets and bared fangs, a dead guardian there to remind her that she was not welcome in the Dream.

A bone fell in soft clinks down the pile. Another soon followed and then another until they were loosely spread in the middle of the room. The pounding in Leya’s head made it difficult for her to focus. Her bow felt heavy and clunky in her hands as she struggled to pull it from its place on her back. The vine around her hair rotted away and thick red locks spread across her shoulders. Her heart pulsed in her throat as she watched the bones tremble and pull together. She nocked an arrow. Its massive paws came together first; then its legs, body, and skeletal head reattached at an alarming speed. The sinew came next, growing in white strips around knuckles and joints. The muscle bloomed from the ligaments and wrapped like ribbons around the night saber’s form until it was a hulking mass of red muscle and green eyes without lids.

Leya took aim at the half-formed mass of flesh and bone. Before she could shoot, soft fur brushed against her arm. It was the stag, and with him, fresh air returned to the cave. The withered vines turned green again and stretched across the dome of the cave to create a beautifully woven canopy. The silver of his coat brightened the place with a soft white light. He lowered his antlers and tossed his head towards the cat. The night saber barely came to the chest of the stag, but it was defiant letting out an angry snarl. It swiped at the stag's antlers but missed. The stag forced it back up against the wall and touched the beast on the brow with the tip of his antler. Its image rippled and dispersed into a ball of formless void that hissed and raced to the edges of the cave.

“The Void is strong here, Child.”

The throbbing in her head dulled to a mild tenderness as the corruption was pushed back. In the clearing, where the illusion had been, Shade slept. Leya, struck with panic and fear, ran past the stag and threw her arms around him as the truth of the situation settled on her. She hadn’t felt the Void’s influence rioting her emotions and pushing her to fight. She’d only felt the throbbing of the wound on the back of her head; but now that the stag was there, she could feel the Void all around her, escaping to the shadowed edges of the room. Its anger was clear now, it lashed out in Leya’s mind.

He holds you back! A weakness that limits your potential!

It was always her mother's voice, dripping in disappointment, forcing a pang of heavy guilt on her heart. The taunts were as familiar to her as breathing. She ignored them. Shade stirred beneath her touch; the warmth of their connection touched her mind and the fear faded. Leya sensed recognition and respect from Shade as he laid eyes on the stag, something Shade rarely reserved for his dinner. But, the flicker of a name touched Leya’s mind and she understood.

"You're Malorne."

"I am." His antlers scraped against the upward curve of the cave as he approached her and Shade. "Ohn’ahra said you would come to my Grove. A young hunter with promise and ability to fight the Void." He paused and touched Leya on the forehead with his antler in the same way he had touched the monster. When he did, Leya was revealed. Her soft white complexion shimmered away, leaving deep bruise-colored purple skin exposed. Her hair, no longer the color of a rose, deepened to burgundy, and individual strands pulsed with void energy. Leya stretched her hand out in front of her as the facade faded away. Even in the Dream, she wouldn't be allowed to escape it.

"Interesting,” Malorne said, nothing in his voice betrayed how he felt about her true form. She felt exposed and Malorne did nothing to ease her discomfort. He had his head held high and level with the ground, tilted only enough to keep her in his sight. He was one of the few Wild Gods she knew by name. Van had brought her to many of his people’s temples and shown her the wooden etchings that depicted the story of the great stag who loved the moon. Of all the stories he’d shown her, that one had been her favorite. At the time, Leya could relate: pursuing someone even when you know you shouldn’t. Choosing to love them even if it risked your own sanity. It’s how she had felt when she decided that Van was worth more than the few months they'd spent together. Ari had told her a different story, however, a retelling that he’d learned from the Tauren on his adventures. According to him, they said Malorne’s love was born of a desperate bargain between him and Elune. He required shelter from Tauren hunters who chased him for his pelt. They say he bargained his love for her protection.

Leya preferred the Kal’dorei’s tale.

If only her story had ended like his, and that brought her to wonder if the moon had mourned as she had on the day Malorne was vanquished. Unlike the Gods, however, Van was not eternal. He wouldn't come back to her as Malorne had. Did that give Elune comfort? To know he'd always return?

Leya stroked the soft fur between Shade’s eyes and pushed the questions out of her mind, it didn't matter. “She did, and I want to help.” She stood up from where she sat and took a step back to completely take in the form of the stag in front of her.

“Do you?” with slow, delicate steps he strode to the other end of the cavern, fresh blossoms, caught by his antlers, floated down from the ceiling. The petals that were unfortunate enough to glide to the edges of the room dried up and withered. “Your people have manipulated and perverted powers beyond their understanding. They abandoned the ways of the Wild long ago, Child. How are you different?��

Leya knew she had never been a part of the Wild like Loth or Van had. Until recently, she couldn't connect to the flow of nature like Ari. She even continued to struggle to maintain her connection to Shade. Leya wasn't different, and she wasn't special. She'd become Ren’dorei without thinking of what that would mean. She corrupted herself and separated herself from nature to escape life. There was no reason Ohn'ahra should have chosen her. “I’m not.” she said, “not really. In some aspects, I am worse than many of my people. I took the power of the Void to escape, not to fight.”

“And it gave you peace?”

“No.” She admitted, regardless of her own hesitations, Leya had to try. “The... Kal’dorei are your people. Elune’s chosen?” His ears swiveled forward and Leya pressed on, “They are my family too, and if the things I have done to myself can help them. If it can be used to protect the Dream then I want to give back and protect it for my family.”

“Hmm.” His hoof was a clap of thunder against the floor. Hair-line fractures bled nature magic beneath his hoof and cracked open to the wall behind her. Malorne’s magic rose from the crevasses in a thin green mist that filled the room and revealed a curved seam in the wall.“Ohn’ahra and I have contained the Void Seed here, it will not be long before it floods my grove and roots itself in the Dream.” He stared at the door with contempt, the only emotion Leya had been able to gauge from him since he'd come to her. “I will tell you the same thing I told my Druids. The way in is the way out, yet you cannot turn around. To reach the center, you must always take the first door on your right. If you come to an incline, always descend. Always down, always the first door on your right. The Void will tempt you, Child. It will show you many things. It will show you visions of desire and horror. You may see the injustices of the past, wonders of the future, and days that never were and never will be. Speak with the visions as you please but do not go into any other door. Always to the right, always down. You will be lost, otherwise, and I cannot save you. If the Void becomes too much of a burden the path to return is the same.”

“To the right and down?”

“Yes, this is the Dream. It is bound to your heart, not a direction. It will take you where you desire."

"I understand."

"Good." The heavy stone scraped across the cavern floor and opened to only darkness within. "Succeed, Child of the Void, and the Dream will welcome you."

Darkness poured from the open door. Even with Shade nearby to enhance her vision, there was nothing, just a steady rhythm of Void washing over her. She looked at him once more and found the night sky sparkling behind the soft silver light in his eyes. “Destroying the Void has become somewhat of a hobby of ours. We’ll be back.”

Leya stepped through the door and as she did, the way out disappeared with the sound of a heavy door swinging shut. A circular room with four wooden doors appeared in front of her. Without a moment of hesitation, she took the door to her right. The next room she entered was the same as the last. She opened the door and this time it was an octagonal obsidian room with five doors.

Is this the Dream’s doing, or the Void’s? It made no matter; she pushed through the door to her right.

At fifty-three doors, she stopped counting. The only sound to follow her was the sound of the doors opening and closing; even the whispers had gone silent. The steady rhythm of the Void was her only company which also lent her no guidance. It got neither stronger or weaker the farther she went.

Sometimes, the rooms rose high above her with nothing but doors to choose from, and other times, the shapes were so obtuse she could barely discern right and left. The repetitive nature of the maze was enough to drive her to madness. Her world was consumed by doors; hours spent walking through the same door over and over and over again. She was always greeted by stone or obsidian rooms with the same rotting wooden doors, the same rusted iron latches that curved into the shapes of tentacles, and the same naked eye clumsily scratched into the wood. Always the same door, always to the right, always another room.

Doubt began to take root as she and Shade progressed through a door. Maybe Malorne had mistaken and Leya was lost. She cursed as she thrust another door open. If she went left, perhaps the continuous circles would cease and she could walk in a straight line again. Another door opened and closed. If she were going to be lost to madness then at least she could be comfortable.

She put her hand on the door to her right but stopped to consider the one to her left.

This room had three walls and it was so cramped that she and Shade nearly filled it. Shade’s growl filled the room as she touched the wooden door on the left. His tail lashed violently from side to side and his fur prickled down his spine. Shade’s discomfort pulled on Leya’s own emotions and steered her away from the leftmost door. He spun in a circle, his agitation flaring in the back of her mind, Leya watched as he reared up on his hind legs and clawed through the rotting wooden door and tore the iron-wrought tentacles off the frame. The wood of the rightmost door crumbled beneath his paws and the sound of fallen iron echoed in the room. He glared at the Void mist that poured from the door and his thunderous roar boomed in the darkness. The mist was unaffected by his growing anger and danced into the room, wrapping playfully around his paws and her legs. She touched Shade on the top of his head and his irritation receded. He continued to growl and lash his tail but followed Leya into the abyss.

The next room was oval and decorated with images of a city. It was barren of life and homes. There were no plants that she could see, no markets, or parks. The only inhabitants walked in dark robes with sweetie limbs hanging out of their hoods. The world was paved in sleek obsidian, its structures rose in sharp obelisks and layered platforms. The sky around it was red and hot. There was no moon, and the sun was hidden behind thundering black clouds.

The sleeping city wakes.

Six corridors stretched out from the painted room. Leya chose the rightmost and entered a long tunnel. The hall was so narrow that if she were to stand on her toes, her head would touch the ceiling. Beneath her feet, the ground squished and sloshed under a thin layer of stagnant water. The smell was magnified through her connection with Shade; the stench made her stomach twist and her mouth water. She had to stop and breathe before she could swallow the bile in her mouth and continue forward.

A deep red light lit the passage, though she couldn’t say where it came from. Like everything else in the maze, it seemed to exist without reason. There was an endless row of doors to her left, but nothing to her right. Leya tapped against the right wall and found nothing but thick stone beneath her hand. She continued forward, pushing and pounding against the wall to her right. The sloshing and squishing beneath her feet did nothing to ease the sounds she heard. There was scratching and scurrying within the walls that made her think of rats. Shade heard them too for when he looked in their direction, they stopped. He would bare his teeth and snap at the air, his irritation slowly returning. The sounds behind the doors were even more disturbing. One of the doors shook and thumped. From another, a woman cried from the other side pleading for someone to open the door. Then further down came a pained shriek that elicited a panicked growl from Shade. He swiped instinctively, and his anxiety trembled in Leya’s mind. Leya touched him and his anxiety lessened. The two hurried passed.

But, not all the doors were closed.

Resolved not to look, she kept her attention to the empty side of the tunnel. There had to be a door somewhere but as she searched, she found nothing, and eventually, her curiosity got the best of her.

In the first door, a valley of white-barked trees with golden leaves was lit up as if it were aflame, yet no fire was anywhere to be seen. Old Pandaren temples stood abandoned and crumbling with thick black tentacles protruding through the stone. The burnt orange that lit the city highlighted the floating obelisks and staggered platforms. Engorged parasitic worms flew overhead, carrying servants of the Void. And eyes, like the ones carved into each door, bulged from the trees, temple walls, obelisks, and monuments. The swiveled back and forth, up and down: looking, watching, observing its masterpiece. The black storm clouds parted and that’s when Leya saw the god that loomed over the valley. Its dome-shaped head was split down the middle with teeth stretched towards the sky. It wanted to consume it all, Leya could sense his will pulsing in her veins. It wanted everything. It wanted her to have everything: the valley, the sky, the moon. It would all be bathed in his image. It felt her too and in unison, hundreds of orange eyes looked upon her through dark slitted pupils. The whispers in her mind soared.

All eyes shall open.

Leya forced herself to meet the gaze of the god before her. Aerren and his bitch had thought themselves Gods. They had no idea. This god was power, this god had a plan. They were fleas compared to what this thing could do and Leya was afraid. Black smoke snaked through the valley, reaching for her, but before those bits of corruption could drag her in, she slammed the door. The sound traveled down the hall and the wooden carving of an eye stared at her. Leya could hear her heart in her chest, beating to the rhythm of the void that surrounded her. In a fit of rage, she screamed and buried a purple and white fletched arrow into the center of the wooden eye. Gathering some catharsis, she moved forward but only as far as the next open door. The sweet smell of sap and heavily spiced food gave her pause and she peeked through to find...

A home with no door.

Steamed grape leaves sat in a woven basket, sitting atop a pot of boiling water. She’d never forget the disheveled bed that they never bothered to make or the wall that Leya had started carving important dates into. The day they met, their wedding day, Ari’s birthday because she always forgot. And there, just inside the archway were their initials. A.S. + V.L.! It was a silly thing Leya had done once they’d realized they’d swapped names. The entire home was like that: a chaotic mish-mash of red and gold, violet and silver. It didn’t match at all. Nothing in their home belonged. The sight of it made her heart ache with longing.

My home.

As soon as she thought it, steam breathed out of the basket signaling that the meal was finished. Van came into the scene and knelt at the hearth. His long hair was tied back and a quiet smile was on his face. Leya’s heart jumped in her throat and her hands quivered. Even Shade mewled quietly at her side. Van carefully took the basket from the fire and set it aside. He glanced over his shoulder and his kind silver gaze found her. “Leya.” his voice purred in her ears as he stood and held his hand out to her, making a sweeping gesture to the food. Tears stung her eyes and her foot edged forward.

She wanted nothing more. Even if it was a lie, it was beautiful.

Shade’s cold wet nose touched her palm and the grief she felt in him matched her own. No. Leya thought. She pulled her foot back and touched the top of Shade’s head, searching for strength. “I can’t, I have to go,” she said to Van, her cheeks wet with tears. “Others are counting on me. I love you.” Van’s smile fell and his brows knit together in worry. He took a step towards her, reaching out to hold her, to comfort her.

She shook her head and backed away from the door, I’m sorry. It’s gone. Our home is a pile of ash. I can’t go back. She closed her eyes and let Shade lead her away.

Further on, Leya came upon a feast of corpses. Soldiers, savagely slaughtered, laid in pools of congealing blood. Some had been separated from their heads while others were cut open and bleeding with their innards poured out of their bellies. Flies buzzed around severed hands which still clutched their swords and shields while carrion perched on rotting flesh and picked at the eyes. Standing in the center of them all was a woman tall and lithe in stature. Her skin pulsed with a deep blue void, hiding the trail of freckles across her nose. Her eyes, wide and black met Leya’s and she spoke in a tired, twilight voice. “This is how we save everyone.” Behind her a man appeared, silhouetted in the red darkness by golden light. A loving smile touched the corners of her lips. Pleased, she winked and put her back to Leya. “Hello, Hummingbird.”

Leya ran.

The hall went on and on, door after door on the left and never on the right. There were more doors than she could count. Open doors, closed doors and none of them would draw her attention. Shade ran beside her, growling low, and Leya ran until she could run no more.

Finally, she came to a pair of double doors emblazoned with gold. They swung open with such force that it made Leya stop and look. A fair woman lay sprawled on barren dirt with a sword run through her chest. Her flesh had been picked from her body and from the blood that pooled around her, flowers of blue and gold bloomed. Many of the petals had been picked clean and the woman still bled. Gasping and convulsing she was focused on the sky above her. Her cheeks dusted with dirt and tears, her mouth stretched open in an inaudible scream as the sky shattered into shards of thin glass and a chained hand reached down, bloody and desperate to finish her. Leya watched as the woman’s life was taken and in a panic, she turned away. They had to keep moving.

With us, you will find salvation.

It would be another hour before the long hall finally ended in a rising wooden staircase. Every door opened or closed had been to her left. Leya looked back. The unnatural light that guided her was going out, she realized with a start. The Void wouldn’t let her do this forever. She could see only thirty doors at most and as she watched one more disappeared and the darkness came a little farther down the hall, creeping towards her. As she watched, she could hear something moving. It was the rattling of broken chains and a form shuffling, dragging itself slowly through the stagnant water. There was a slop and a hiss that made the walls around her tremble. The void in her surged and her fear rose, manipulated by the unseen force. It was powerful and it promised death. She could not go back and she could not stay here. There was no door on her right and the stairs went up. The Void would have her and she’d be lost. Better to have gone through the door with Van than face this unknown.

Another door disappeared. Then another. The sounds grew louder. Shade’s tail lashed from side to side and his hackles rose as he pressed himself back against the wall.

He hears it too. He’s afraid.

Leya began to pound her fist against the wall on her right. There has to be a secret door I cannot see.

Another door disappeared.

Another.

The first door on the right, he said, always the first door on the right.

Leya looked over her shoulder at the row of doors still left. The first door on the right... It came to her. … is also the last door on the left! The Void loved technicalities. There was no time to doubt. Leya turned around and threw herself through the door. Beyond was another room with four doors. To the right, she went. With new vigor, she went to the right and to the right, and to the right, until she was once again dizzy and out of breath.

She stopped in another obsidian chamber, but only one door awaited her. It was the mouth of a cave and Malorne waited on the other side. “Child.” he said, “You have made it out safe.”

“What?” Leya said, confused. “I’ve been in there for hours and still not found it.”

“You have taken a wrong turn, then. Come, I shall show you the way.”

Leya started towards the mouth of the cave but hesitated when she saw a small wooden door to her right, closed...

“That is not the way, Child.” Malorne’s voice was firm, “The Void Seed continues to corrupt the Dream and you must find it.”

“You cannot save me.”

“Stubborn child, you will be lost and never found. Your brother will die trying to find your bones.”

Leya walked away and Malorne shrieked, “No, No! To me, come to ME I say!” His horns collapsed inward and his face crumbled until it was nothing but a skull. Yellow and red eyes bulged from his sockets, staring at her while a tentacle lashed between bone-white teeth. “You are mine!”

She left the nightmare behind, entering a stairwell. One that went down. She and Shade began to descend and before long her legs were aching. The staircase finally ended and opened into a room. It was fashioned with doors made from dark, heavy wood. Leya laid her hand against the one on the right and she could sense the power of the Dream radiating off of it. The wood of a World Tree. It was beautiful; unlike all the other doors she had encountered, this one was heavy and healthy. A picture of the moon with the clouds and the stars was intricately carved into it. The fear that had chased her, washed away as she pushed the door open, praying to whatever god that would listen, for this to be the last.

The room was bathed in twilight. All walls had fallen away so what remained was a night sky full of stars. The moon was nowhere to be seen, but the flood of stars in the sky was enough to light the obsidian dais in front of her. On that dais was a flower of incredible beauty. Its petals were broad and navy blue. There was but one singular center petal curved protectively around the stamen. From its center, a mist of concentrated voice seeped out then dispersed in an indigo light throughout the room at the pace of a steady heartbeat.

We knew you were to come. We have been waiting, Ada’Leya. We have knowledge to share with you, the flower beckoned, And power to bestow. You have passed every trial. Now come, all your questions shall be answered.

“I’m not interested in your power or your answers.” Leya took a step towards the flower and Shade snarled. His distrust mingled with Leya’s and it gave her pause. Shade stalked around the altar and his nostrils flared as the flower sent out another wave of corruption. His anger was as strong as hers, “The Void has done nothing but cause pain.”

She reached for the flower but before she could, she heard a voice as thin as a mouse's whisper. “Leya.” The small voice was a shout in the quiet of the room and did not reverberate in her mind like the others. It was small, sweet, familiar, and real. She found him in the far edges of twilight, his bright blue, laughing eyes disguised by all the stars around him. He came forward, dressed in the armor of a Farstrider. He had Ari’s face and deep red hair just like hers.

“Dad.”

A gift… gift… gift… The flower echoed in her mind. She stared at the man she had not seen in nearly twenty years. He was exactly how she remembered him. We can give you a family that loves you… accepts you…

Her father embraced her. “My little girl.” His voice was soothing. Had it always been? Her mind grew foggy as she tried to recall memories of her father. His hand slid lovingly through her hair, his voice becoming a distant echo. “My free, brave little girl. You are perfect.” Her knees buckled under her own weight and her forehead rested against his chest. “That’s it, my girl, rest.” She lifted a hand and watched as ribbons of void were pulled from her fingertips.

Another trick. It’s always a trick. Leya tried to push away from him but she was too weak. Another pulse of the void came from the flower. It rippled through her bones and held her where she stood. It commanded her to be still and her body was too weak to resist.

Her eyelids grew heavy and her father’s face became a blur. Shade. She could barely make out the shape of the nightsaber charging towards her. Let me in… she went limp in the arms of her father and her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

It was Shade’s anger that woke her. A wave of deep rumbling anger at the monster who dared touch his master’s Life Mate. The Hunt replaced the Void in her veins and the urge to fight, to protect overwhelmed all other desires. Her eyesight was sensitive enough so that the darkness of twilight was more like dusk. Her tail thrashed from side to side and her fur stood along her spine. She saw her weaker body, limp and weak, through Shade’s eyes.

She bared her fangs as the corrupted scent of the Void hit her. The smell was wrong. This whole place had the wrong smell. Shade’s thoughts intruded upon her own, ... not the smell of nature, it told her... corruption, kill it… protect. Her father watched her with a satisfied smile “Unruly beast. You can do nothing without the command of your master, can you?” He spat, he raised his hand and in tandem with the heartbeat of the flower, pushed her away with shadows. The force of the spell was enough to throw her off balance but not enough to knock her off her feet. She was powerful now, there was real strength in her paws, and her feet and mouth were daggers that could not be taken away. The small elf couldn’t stop her.

The monster continued to pour Leya’s void into the flower. It became engorged the more it was fed and its roots dangled off the edges of the dais while the stem thickened and took on a bark-like texture. Leya crouched and when her father’s back was turned to her, she lunged and tackled him to the ground. Her elven body dropped in front of the dais, but she paid it no mind. The only thing she could see was her target. Her razor-sharp claws shaved metal off his breastplate and her fangs crunched into the armor. Her two massive incisors punctured the metal and crushed his lungs. The bones gave under the pressure of her bite and the taste of hot blood flooded her senses. It fueled her anger as she flung the body of Arithil Lightweaver across the night sky.

His body hit something solid with a crack. He stood and with one side of his chest caved in, laughed. Leya licked the blood from her nose and let out a loud roar. She charged and tackled him once more. The two of them tumbled in a haze of fur and flesh. Her back legs found him and ripped through his abdomen while her front claws tore the flesh from his face. As she reached with open jaws to remove his head from his shoulders, he struck her with a powerful surge of Void energy. She skidded across the ground with a hard thud. Her fur rubbed raw as she hit the altar, nearly crushing her weaker form. Her chest was on fire as the direct hit from the void began to seep into her skin. She roared and then everything went black.

She woke up.

Shade was a mere five feet away from her, standing and readying to charge the Seed’s servant. His shoulder was naked from his fall and she could see the Void creeping across his exposed flesh. Leya took advantage of his distraction and scrambled to her feet. She stood with such speed that whiplash turned her stomach in knots. With the taste of blood still in her mouth and her head pounding, Leya wretched. She grabbed the corner of the dais and pulled herself up, coughing while her entire world spun, the sensation threatening to relieve Leya of her stomach’s contents a second time. Shade’s anger and pain gripped her through their connection, she regained her focus and reached across the dais, grabbing the flower by one of its delicate leaves. How dare you -- Leya tore one of its petals off. For my mother. She pulled off another one, For my father. Both hands clutched the last two petals and she tore them from the heart of the flower. My sisters.

Shade roared in pain behind her. Another blast of void struck him, and she could sense its corruption seeping into their bond. There was a hard push on the back of her mind. The Void tried to take over again but her own void, fueled by anger, pushed past the pain.

You will die for this!

I hope so. She reached into its center and grabbed a hold of a soft, fleshy mass on the inside and pulled. For Ari. The void’s servant screeched in pain. From the corner of her eye, she saw Shade grab him by the back of the neck and in one quick motion, snapped it.

She smiled.

Leya yanked harder and pulled out the core of the flower. A heart of bruised blue sat in her hand, pulsing with corruption. The night sky around her fell away leaving nothing but a stone cave littered with the bones of the lost Kal’dorei. She looked around at the dozens of bodies that surrounded her. All appearing as if they’d been there for years, the flesh long rotted away and their robes faded and moth-eaten.

Leya clutched the heart and took an arrow from her quiver. She shoved the head of the arrow into it and when it persisted, she let out an angry scream. She tore the arrow out and stabbed it again and again until it came to its final beat. As the beating heart slowed, Leya’s anger began to subside and relief started to replace it. The heart bulged in one final beat but then exploded. Leya flew backward and the void sizzled inside her. It was everywhere, in her fingertips, her toes, her blood, and her heart. It seared her from the inside and bombarded her mind with taunts and whispers. There was so much, she couldn’t try to comprehend it. She felt shade at her side and his paw on her chest. The void, in slow pulses that followed her own heart, balanced and returned to normal. The flower sat rotted on the dais and the heart was nothing but a mass of torn flesh in her hand.

Leya threw it to the side and climbed to her knees. Her under armor was soaked through with sweat and her unbound hair stuck to the side of her neck and cheeks. Her eyes felt heavy and a dull throb of pain endured at the back of her head. She leaned into Shade and pressed her forehead to his. The Void corruption in him was gone with the flower and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The cave spun and suddenly they were in darkness once again. But she couldn’t discern the Void’s presence anymore. It was gone, and all she could feel was the flow of nature wrapping around her skin invigorating her and returning her energy.

Malorne appeared, “The Void is gone, Child.” He walked towards her, big silver eyes the only two stars she could see. “Ohn’ahra was right to choose you.” Leya stayed quiet as he touched his nose to her forehead. “You have my thanks, and my blessing, Ada’Leya Starwind. Use it wisely.”

As he turned to walk away, the darkness began to fall and she could feel herself being pulled out of the Dream. Leya quickly scrambled to her feet. “One question!” Malorne stopped and looked over his shoulder at her, ears turned forward, waiting. Even as she gathered her words, his image was fading and her mind was beginning to clear. “Which tale about you and Elune is true?”

The stag seemed to smile and his answer woke her up.

#Ada'Leya Lightweaver #Ada'Leya starwind #World of Warcraft #The Lightweaver Chronicles #Void whispers #void elf #ren'dorei #the emerald dream #Visions #original writing #original characters #fanfiction #Personal Journey #malorne

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bricousland · 4 years

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my weekend is incomplete without a meme :^)

[plsfeedme]

#World of Warcraft #sylvanas windrunner #jaina proudmoore #Once upon a time #maybe

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bricousland · 4 years

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Hunting Trip

It's been just a few weeks since Teldrassil burned. Since Ada'Leya Lightweaver lost the last memories of her home and life there. The last memories of her husband set to flame. Now a refugee like the Kal'Dorei, Leya is trying to do her part to help the survivors, but some people just can't let old prejudice go.

Notes:

This is a short story I wrote to fill in a time gap between my RP group's World of Warcraft Campaign. It’s the first story to feature my Void Elf Hunter, Ada’Leya Starwind, the youngest Lightweaver sibling. Like many of my WoW shorts, it was written for my RP group so, much of the details are left out since the group knows everything that’s happened to Leya leading up to this moment. If you’d like to know some of the details surrounding what happened, send me an ask and I’d be happy to fill it in for you or maybe it'll inspire me to write a detailed account for you!

Leya returned to Stormwind with two healthy deer and some rabbits slung over the back of a palomino shire. It stood outside of the leather shop while Leya bartered and charmed the local tanner into letting her use his facilities for a discount on the skins she was willing to sell him. Leya had some coin on her, but not enough that she was willing to part with it. She still had to make sure she had enough coin to get bandages and herbs for Shade’s wounds. She couldn’t expect Loth to heal him when his talents were needed elsewhere.

It was a long negotiation, but the tanner was ultimately agreeable and gave Leya access to his tannery to prep and skin her game in exchange for a sizable discount on the furs. It was about as fair a deal as a Ren’dorei was going to get, so she took it. Most of Stormwind tolerated her presence because King Anduin demanded it. Luckily, this one wasn’t so discriminatory that he was unwilling to share his equipment. Leya did not enjoy the idea of gutting and skinning her prey in the woods while protecting it against wolves, and other predators in the area. No, she’d rather take a reduced profit than deal with that. She thanked the tanner and led her horse to the tannery. Leya curled her nose at the smell of blood and piss as they approached. Leatherwork was one of the most thankless jobs in the city, and she was glad that the tanner had had the foresight to set up shop well outside the city’s walls.

Leya strung up the two deer, gutted them and got to work. The smell of blood soon overpowered that of the piss. She was thankful for it as she removed her skinning knife from her belt and set to work. She wasn’t a master skinner but she sold her furs for a rather fair price. It took her the rest of the afternoon and much of the early evening to skin all she had caught, clean up, and make it back to the city. Then she was off to the butchery to have the meat properly cut into family sized portions and salted.

Her muscles ached as she loaded the fresh meat back onto her pack horse for the third time; she hadn’t done that much hunting in awhile. Only having her and Shade to worry about meant less big game and more rabbits and fat wild chickens for food. Since the burning, not only did she feel responsible for Loth and Eva but there was also the added pressure to help the other Kal’dorei and Gilnaeans. Van’s people, she reminded herself. Many of them had begrudgingly accepted her over time, but there were still those who sneered, spit, or walked in the opposite direction when they saw her. If it weren’t for Loth and Eva, she knew she would have been run out years ago.

Throw it away. You’re fighting a losing battle, they detest you. They don’t deserve your generosity.

The susurrations of the Void were right, they didn’t. Any kindness Leya had presented them with had been met with either a cold shoulder or begrudging thanks. Very few had opened up to her and even fewer had gotten to know her. Why should she keep trying? There was no one to try for. They would most likely take the meat without a bit of thanks, or ignore the offer all together. She’d spent an entire day trying to help a people who didn’t want or need it. They were Night Elves, and they could hunt these woods on their own. They’d lost their home but they weren’t helpless. They didn’t want her help in Darnassus, nor would they want it now.

But Eva expected her to be better than them and Van would want her to look after them too. Besides, Leya was more familiar with the area and knew where to hunt... kill them with kindness... That’s what Lene always told her to do. Leya pushed down the whispers and finished packing. Her home and memories had been burned away just as much as theirs, she told herself. They were suffering too. She grabbed her horse by the reins and led it towards the small encampment she, Eva, and Loth were calling home.

The sun had completely set by the time she crossed the bridge between Old Town and the Dwarven District. The lamps lit up the water and music flowed out of the taverns nearby. She could hear the laughter and cheers of the residents as her and her horse clomped down the cobblestone streets. The cheer emanating from them made her think of Ari and Hela; she missed them. If they were there they’d be singing, dancing, and drinking with the dwarves. They’d push her into the tavern to help her forget about everything else, if only for a moment.

You may have chosen that for your own damnation, Leya, but I will not condemn him.

Hela’s words reverberated through her and her heart broke all over again. The void slithered up her arms and warmed her skin against the crisp night air.

Why worry about them? They don’t worry about you, they don’t even want to see you. They abandoned you.

Her hands tightened around the reins, and she reached out to touch the broad neck of the palomino beside her. The horse spooked and pulled back on the reins in a panic. She hadn’t noticed the Void power laced delicately around her fingers. Leya spoke softly to the horse but the starry quality of her voice didn’t help calm him. Bags of meat fell to the ground and the horse ripped the reins out of her hand. It was a small altercation that sent the horse running across the bridge in the opposite direction. It stopped once it reached the other side of the water, and turned around to look at Leya. It nickered and stomped its foot as if to ask her what had happened.

Leya let out a long sigh, “don’t move.” The shire shook it’s whole body like a wet dog and snorted, but stayed put. She leaned down and started to pick up the bags; luckily the horse hadn’t crushed anything and the butcher had carefully wrapped each piece so nothing would be spoiled.

“Even the horse knows not to trust a Ren’dorei.” The voice was light and airy, but cut through the cheer and celebration in the taverns. A Kal’dorei woman with beautiful blue hair pushed behind her shoulders and blue leaf tattoos decorating her silver eyes strode onto the bridge. Her skin was as dark violet as the night sky, but Leya had been around the Kal’dorei long enough to see that her cheeks were flushed from drink. Leya scooped up a few more hunks of wrapped meat before facing her.

“Balaena.” She had dealt with this Night Elf many times. She was young by Kal’dorei standards, about the same age as Van, and hot headed. She hadn’t been a fan of Leya when she was Sin’dorei, and her hatred had only swelled since she had become Ren’dorei. Her family was to blame but at least they went out of their way to avoid interacting with Leya. Balaena though, she saw tormenting Leya as a game and hunted her around Darnassus for the first year she was there. Had it not been for Van and Eva, she may have never stopped. After that, Balaena had taken advantage of any accidental run ins she and Leya had over the years. “Good to see you survived. Your family is well?” Leya held out a package of meat towards Balaena. It was a larger haunch meant for one of the druid families, but Leya just wanted to avoid the Night Elf’s temper.

Kill them with kindness.

“Like I would take any food from you. It’s probably poisoned. Are you trying to finish the job your Warchief started? You were as happy as your Horde family to see my home burn. I always knew your arrival would only serve to ruin my people.”

“My sisters would never--” Leya bit her tongue as she watched a satisfied grin tug at the corners of Balaena’s lips. Anger flared in Leya’s chest. Balaena loved it when Leya rose to defend her sisters.“Darnassus was my home too.” Leya pulled her offer of food back. If anyone deserved to burn in Teldrassil it was this woman. The Void was content in Leya’s anger; she took that as her cue to leave, she’d been with the Void long enough to recognize when it was becoming overzealous.

Keep it under control.

With her food in her arms, Leya crossed the bridge to collect her horse.

Balaena, in her usual fashion, would not allow Leya to leave with the last word. “We’re not finished.” She strode up beside her and blocked her from taking another step. She stood so close to her that Leya was forced to look up.

“I think we are.” Leya’s voice cut a little more than she had expected it to, “Now move, Balaena. I have a family to get back to.”

“Family?” Balaena spat, “You have no family here. The Starwind family doesn’t want you. They tolerate you because you manipulated Vandelar into your bed, they should have cast you out the moment you got him killed.”

Leya snarled, Balaena typically knew better than to involve Van in her pokes and prods, but the flush on her cheeks reminded Leya that the elf was going to be more brazen than usual. “Don’t you dare dishonor Van by bringing him into this insipid argument. Eva is not going to tolerate --.”

She struck Leya with the back of her fist before she could finish getting the words out. The force behind the hit sent the much smaller Leya stumbling into the stone rail. “He dishonored himself the moment he paraded you around Darnassus.” The food she had in her arms, once again, went scattering and Leya could feel her face swelling and blood on her lip. The Void also swelled with her anger and she could feel it tingling and warming her skin.

Leya warped out of Balaena’s vision, leaving the Night Elf alone on the bridge. The palomino tossed his head and stamped his foot at the sudden influx of Void energy. She didn’t have her bow, but she did have her skinning knife. Leya reformed behind her, hovering in a mist of black and white. She tackled Balaena and wrapped her legs around her torso. One arm clutched her around the head while the other pressed the knife between her ribs. Leya had gotten rather good at fighting things bigger than herself during the Legion’s invasion. “Do you want to say that again?” Her voice twinkled and hissed. It was a beautiful sound but what was more beautiful was Balaena’s fear in her soft gasp and the sudden quickening of her breath.

Break her neck.

The whisper was a seduction. Leya could feel her heart racing with excitement at the thought of finally ending the life of her tormentor. It was the same feeling she had when she tracked a particularly stubborn mark. A successful hunt and a job well done. She twisted Balaena’s head around and felt the tension in her bones as she looked into her big silver eyes. She’d loved eyes like that once.

Leya’s resolve crumbled.

The young Night Elf didn’t move and her voice quivered, “You are a monster.”

Just end her. What does she know of you? Of us? She’s plagued you for years. A knife in her belly is the least she deserves.

Leya grinned and pressed a soft kiss on Balaena’s cheek, “Yes. I am.” Leya stabbed the knife into her skin. She made sure the wound was just deep enough to bleed and let Balaena know who had won this fight. The sound of Balaena’s struggle was music to the Void. It curled around Leya in a warm, encouraging embrace, thanking her. Encouraging her to push the blade deeper. Leya resisted the temptation to see this woman’s insides decorate all of Stormwind. Instead, she threw her weight backwards to knock Night Elf off balance. As Balaena stumbled across the bridge, Leya hopped off her back. Balaena roared in anger and tried to grab Leya. She warped behind her and with one solid shove, she sent Balaena into the shallow canal below.

The Void was disappointed, but Leya was rather satisfied. She waited and laughed as Balaena splashed and sputtered Darnassian curses as she swam towards one of the many ramps that lead her back to the main road. Leya didn’t bask in her victory for long. As Balaena struggled to pull herself from the water, Leya collected her things and walked over to her horse. The large beast backed away from her and stamped his feet, uncomfortable with the Void presence that still steamed away from her skin. Leya didn’t pursue the horse, she didn’t want to spend the rest of her evening chasing him down. Instead she took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes. She focused on a memory of Van’s laugh. She’d asked him if she could also learn to sleep for months on end, like Loth. It sounded like a vacation, for someone who wasn’t familiar with druidism. His laugh had been so full and unhindered that Leya didn’t even have the time to be embarrassed.

Her anger settled and the Void slowly receded.

She approached the horse again, this time he stood still and let Leya tuck the remaining packages of meat away. She gently ran her fingers through his mane before pulling herself onto his back. Using her legs, she steered the horse back over the bridge and nudged him into a gentle canter just as Balaena reached the road. Her face was red with drunken fury. Balaena clutched her side and yelled as Leya rode passed. Leya ignored her and went home.

#World of Warcraft #Ada'Leya Lightweaver #Hunting Trip #original writing #original characters #fanfiction #Stormwind #Stormwind City #The Void #void elf #kal'dorei #Night elf #ren'dorei #The Lightweaver Chronicles #Leya #Void whispers #Ada'Leya starwind

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bricousland · 4 years

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Business as Usual

Nara returns home after the battle of Darkshore only to be met with bureaucratic politics and more headaches. Her long time lover, Fe'Lana offers what comfort she can but also brings a pile of other issues to Nara's attention. So basically, just another inescapable Tuesday for the head of House Lightweaver.

Notes:

This is a short story I wrote to fill in a time gap between my RP group's World of Warcraft Campaign. It’s the first story to feature my Blood Elf Paladin, Ada’nara Lightweaver, the oldest Lightweaver sibling. Like many of my WoW shorts, it was written for my RP group so, much of the details are left out since the group knows everything that’s happened to Nara leading up to this moment. If you’d like to know some of the details surrounding what happened, send me an ask and I’d be happy to fill it in for you or maybe it'll inspire me to write a detailed account for you!

Nara wanted to be home earlier, but the higher ups made her jump through hoops as if she were still a novice. Her support and alliance with House Windfire had not gone unnoticed. The nobles were angry and worse -- petty. Even after she’d become independent from Aarias, Nara had never had to go through the bureaucracy she did today. And all because her sister had not only spoken out against Sylvanas but also was planning to marry high above her expected station. As brazen as the first was, Nara suspected it was the latter that was causing her such a headache today. A Lady of her title and reputation should have never been given this much inconvenience. Her noble house was small but well respected. Nara wouldn’t allow them to feel her frustration, instead she turned the frustrations on the poor clerks. She didn’t complain, as they probably expected her to, though. Nara wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

No, she took her time sifting through each paper, and questioning every single document they dropped in her lap. It had been a battle of wills, and Nara didn’t lose those lightly -- she refused. The closer the office came to closing, the more frantic and curt the clerks grew. Nara understood the desire to go home. She was feeling it herself, sitting in a cold, dank office, surrounded by stuffy clerks and piles of paper. She was not going to allow them to arrive home on time for dinner -- she’d missed her’s, thanks to them.

Nara was not going to sign her life away just because she was eager to get home to Fe’lana. Apart from that, she wasn’t naive enough to believe that some of the more established Lords hadn’t slipped some retribution into the fine print. She knew well enough that a minor inconvenience in paperwork was not worth their time.

There was always more.

Kaivus had slighted their daughters for Lene -- a woman far below his station with a reputation for being obstinate in the face of courtship. Nara agreed that the sudden flip seemed suspicious to those who didn’t know the pair, but she was still in open support of the union. Her sister was happy and Nara wasn’t going to question Lene's choice, not after all she'd been through the past year.

Not that Lene would listen to her.

In return for her sisterly support, the nobility wasn’t going to be satisfied to make Nara miss only one meal. As she combed through the documents, she was disappointed to see her expectations staring back up at her. She’d been right, of course, there were sub agreements designed just for her. Ones that would make her pay out of her own pocket to the families of the deceased, or charge her some exuberant fine for not filling out the forms correctly.

Typical.

Only After Nara signed the last form did she allow the clerks to chase her out the door, but not before Nara watched them review and approve the changes to every. Single. Document. The nobility might get to her one day, but she’d be damned if they were going to do it hiding behind a piece of paper. They’d meet her with a sword or not at all.

By the time she returned to the estate, the sun had been long set. She climbed the stairs to her home and watched glowing mana wyrms weave through the tall grasses surrounding the manicured lawn. Off in the distance Nara could hear a pair of springpaw lynx fighting. Further towards the city center, Nara could see the lights of estate spires lighting up the sky as parties to welcome home the soldiers were in full swing. The air was humid, but clean and fresh as she breathed deep. Her home was silent and separated from the revitalized war; Nara was glad to be away from it and the Alliance seemed content to leave Silvermoon alone as they always had.

But after Teldrassil she suspected that may change. Sin’dorei had been there, had fought.

She could still feel the flames on her face and hear the screams of the Kal’dorei civilians scrambling towards the water as they abandoned their homes. Nara had seen quite a few horrors in her time on the frontlines, but never had she been the cause of them. It was the first time Nara truly felt shame for who she was and who she fought for. Women, children, healers, and merchants burning and dead for no reason other than a Warchief’s pipeline dream of a Horde continent.

Nara had tried to search for her sister, Leya, knowing she had been living in Darnassus even after the loss of her Kal’dorei husband. Nara had tried to send her word as her orders had become clearer on her march to Darkshore, but there had never been a safe moment to see the message sent. Her search for Leya had been interrupted and turned back to the battle when a guardian druid decided to engage her on the field. Fighting druids was always dangerous but the rage and grief that Nara saw in this one’s eyes made him nearly unstoppable a part of Nara wanted to lay her sword down and accept defeat. In that battle she’d deserved the loss.

It had taken most of her mana and all of her determination to walk away from that fight alive.

When Nara did catch sight of Leya, her sister was perched near the docks, protecting civilians as they fled. She stared through her bow at Nara with her arrow nocked and her body teeming with Void corruption. To Nara’s surprise, neither Leya nor her cat had pursued her and instead, Leya lowered her bow once the druid had been safely removed from the field. Despite it all, Nara had been glad to see her littlest sister alive.

Then there was that small glimpse of Arivath she’d caught in her retreat.

Nara shoved the memories aside and pushed on the heavy oaken door.The scent of cooked meat and herbs filled her home. Nara’s stomach turned as the stench hit her. She tore her gauntlets off her hands as Lendin came rushing to the foyer with a glass of wine and a warm towel.

Lendin should have been home by now. “I have told you a thousand times not to wait up for me.”

“It would have been most negligent of me not to, Lady Ada’Nara.”

Nara took the warm cloth and wiped the travel off her face. “You are anything but negligent.” Nara dropped her satchel of items on the floor and tossed her gauntlets on top of it.

“Good, My Lady.” A small, proud smile tugged at Lendin’s usually stoic features. “I’ll wake the girls and have them run you a bath.”

Nara dismissed the idea. “You won’t. I can run my own bath at this hour.”

“Then I shall be right up with a plate of food for you.” Nara shot Lendin a glare, but the old butler maintained his smile and waited for her to challenge him again. “Fine.” She relented, “No meat.”

Lendin bowed his head in agreement and victory. “Very well.”

Nara stepped out of the Foyer and headed towards the stairs that led to the upper chambers. “Fe’lana?”

“The Mistress has been in the study for most of the evening. When your company arrived in the city with the rest of the troops, the House was suddenly flooded with news and conflicting reports. She’s sorting through them.”

“And Kaithia?”

“Still in Northrend, My Lady.”

That girl was going to be the death of her. “Thank you, Lendin. Now if you would, please get some sleep.” Nara turned towards the stairwell and Lendin stopped her once more with a clearing of his throat. “Yes, Lendin?”

“Is everything well, Lady Ada’Nara? With the war, I mean.”

“No, Lendin. Our new Warcheif makes past battles look like skirmishes. Pray the boy king respects Lor’themar and Liadrin enough to leave Silvermoon untouched. I’ll give the whole household a talk in the morning, but for now, for the love of the Naaru, rest.”

He nodded and went off to the kitchen to prepare the largest salad she’d ever seen, Nara suspected. She climbed the stairway to her room, her fingers slid beneath her armor to loosen the heavy metal pauldrons on her shoulder. She pushed the door to her room open with a soft kick of her foot. It was dimly lit and Nara could smell the bath Fe had had drawn for her. It was sweetened with Lavender and honey.

Fe’s favorite.

Nara could do without.

There was a vase of vivid red roses in the corner of her room. Nara smirked, Fe hadn’t bothered to look up from Nara’s desk. Her black hair was loose around her shoulders, but still neatly brushed and pinned behind her ears. Her golden eyes were focused on a document in her hands and she chewed on her lip as she mulled over whatever information she was reading. To either side of her, she had stacks of letters neatly organized on every corner. Probably sorted into labeled piles from “true” to “false” and everything in between.

Nara set the pauldrons neatly on the armor stand near the door. “No ecstatic proclamation of worry?”

Fe set her pair of glasses onto the desk and leaned back in Nara’s large wooden chair. She folded her hands in her lap and quirked a brow at her long time lover. “Last time I did, you said it was too much.”

“Now it’s too little.”

“You’re too little.”

Nara snorted, “Clever.” She watched a wry smile twist across Fe’s face as she rose up from her chair and strode across the room. Fe hadn’t been born a noble but she carried herself with a poise Nara could never manage to duplicate. According to Fe’, Nara marched like a soldier no matter where she went, and walking beside her was like walking into battle -- everyday.

“You deserve it for being late. Darling, really, what do you want me to be: impartial at your coming home or a delighted school girl?”

“You should be delightedly impartial.”

“I give up.” Her slender fingers wrapped around each side of Nara’s face and pulled her into a kiss. Nara held her close and breathed in deep the scent of snow. She didn’t know how Fe pulled it off but she always smelled of fresh snow. It had made every night in Northrend unbearable. “Let’s get you out of this armor. It’s like hugging a sweaty pet rock.” Fe bounced her manicured nails off Nara’s battered bronze chest plate and found one of the leather straps and unhinged it. Even though Fe had never worn amor in her life, she could unhinge and untie every piece of Nara’s plate faster than she could.

“I thought you liked me in my armor?” Nara began unstrapping the arm guards and greaves, setting each piece in its proper place.

“I like you out of it more. Turn around.” Nara was soon down to a linen shirt and a pair of brown leather pants. The warm night air that slipped through the open window reached Nara and sent a shiver up her spine. Fe’s fingernails caressed across a fresh jagged scar that peeked out from the collar of Nara’s undershirt with a frown.

“A druid.” Nara looked at her plate, all neatly set upon its stand, waiting for more use. She sighed and rolled her shoulders, happy to be rid of it for now.

“One day, someone is going to take a part of you I like.”

“A part? Like my face?” Nara gestured to the scar that ripped across the side of her face.

“No, I can live without that.”

“Well, I can’t.”

“Details, My Dear. Details.” Fe slipped behind Nara and wrapped her fingers in the linen lacing that kept Nara’s shirt secured and pulled it free. She pressed a warm kiss against Nara’s neck and slipped her hands beneath her shirt. She found what she was looking for and a small jolt of arcane cold prickled along Nara’s skin. She shivered, and her cheeks flushed as Fe’s fingers took advantage of her body’s reaction to the cold with soft scratches and a firm pinch. “These are what I can’t live without.” Nara pressed into the touch of Fe’s finger as they slipped beneath the hem her pants and pressed between her legs “And definitely this.”

Nara could only take so much. She grabbed Fe by the waist, who gave an uncharacteristic giggle as Nara found the string that held her gown together and yanked it free, sending the garment fluttering about her ankles. There wasn’t much that Nara missed more than ruining all of the preparation Fe put into her day-to-day dress. Especially that perfectly pinned hair. Nara wrapped her fingers in her thick black curls and pulled Fe down so that their lips met in a deep, impassioned kiss. After all those years, the touch of Fe’s lips against her own never got old. Her mother had sworn she’d grow bored; however, Nara found Fe to be anything but. Fe stumbled out of her dress to keep up with Nara’s quick march towards the bed.

Tomorrow there’d be war, but for now there was just the two of them in this quiet room, separated from everything beyond it. It was all Nara needed to push the memories of recent events aside. The two of them fell -- at Nara’s insistence -- into the plush mattress and silk sheets. With Fe’Lana’s warm, unscarred body pressed against her’s, Nara was home.

There was a brief pause in their scramble towards undress. Fe gently pushed Nara away. Nara sat up on her elbows and looked down at Fe, chest heaving and hair disheveled around her face, and she smiled. Fe’ touched her scarred face and tucked thin orange locks behind Nara’s ear. “That’s what I wanted.”

“That’s all?” Nara caressed Fe’s cheek and smoothed her hand over her hair. As she did, Fe wrapped her legs around Nara’s waist and Nara let herself be rolled onto her back. Fe’s ebon locks spilled across her shoulders in messy disarray and icy arcane magic flared at her fingertips before rippling across Nara’s body.

“Oh no, my Darling. You know I am far more insatiable than that.” Fe caught Nara’s lips as her body shied from the brush of her cold hands. It was short lived as Fe’s lips grew bored of kisses and found other areas of her body to kiss and bite. Nara was paralyzed beneath the press of her lover’s body against hers, only her hand found the strength to hold her. The stillness of her body wasn’t broken until Fe’ disappeared between Nara’s thighs and her hips arched into the press of Fe’s mouth.

~ ~ ~

The feeling of a piece of paper running along the bridge of her nose drew Nara from sleep. She awoke with a jolt, the stench of blight stuffed up her nose and the sound of children screaming ringing in her ears. As she opened her eyes she saw a blurry image of Leya glaring down at her. Startled, Nara gasped and pressed back into the mattress and her heart pounded against her chest. As the nightmare subsided, Leya’s angry face faded, and was replaced by envelope hovering above her. She blinked a few times as Arivath’s precise and clean handwriting came into focus.

The letter.

Nara smacked it away and tried to close her eyes, but the letter came back to her and dropped on her chest. “You have to read it eventually, Darling.” She heard Fe from her place beneath the covers. Nara groaned and picked up the letter and looked at it. She flipped it over to see that it was still unopened.

Fe's restraint was immeasurable.

Fe reached out and squeezed Nara’s shoulder. Nara sat up in the bed and the blankets fell around her waist. The morning sun warmed her as she flipped the envelope back over. “I can tell you exactly what this letter says.”

“Oh?”

Nara nodded and looked at the way Ari had written her name. He had definitely been drinking. She hated that even drink his handwriting was better than hers. She snorted, “Nara, I’m really drunk right now, but I thought it'd be a good time to tell you: You’re a twat. All the best, Ari.”

“Well.” Fe said as she curled up beside Nara, forcing Nara to wrap her arm around her while Fe's own slid around her waist and caressed her thigh. “If it makes you feel better you do have a very delicious twat, My Dear.”

Nara pulled away slightly, and gave Fe an incredulous look, “What…?”

“Ada’Lene.”

“Ok.”

“Perhaps Arivath will defy your expectations this time. He did bring a girl home through the front door this time. A shame I wasn’t there -- I would have loved to see it. Arivath in a committed relationship? That has to count for something, My Darling.” Nara pinched the bridge of her nose but remained quiet. Fe drew close to her again and brushed her hand through Nara’s hair. “You almost lost him in Helheim. You were in tears when you returned home. Why won’t you open the letter?”

“The contents of this letter may not matter anymore.” Nara said with a sigh, though her voice still retained that stalwart evenness. “I’ve seen how the Void changes people. You’ve seen it. My mother, Lene, Leya. They were all affected and it was more than suggestive whispers. Their personalities were twisted, my mother’s beyond recognition. Who knows what it’s done to Arivath. What I’ve done to him. If this letter is anything other than him being a drunken prick then I don’t really deserve it.”

Fe took the letter from Nara and tore open the top of the envelop and gave it back, “This letter is from Arivath before the Void.” Nara took the letter from her, “If the Void has done anything to him, it’s not tainted by this letter. This is about as honest as you’ll ever get Arivath -- even if he is just being a fool. Which, I’ll admit, is highly likely. Give yourself some peace of mind and read. If he’s being a fool then you’ll at least have the satisfaction of knowing you were right.”

Nara turned the letter over in her hand and pursed her lips. Fe had been insistent she read the letter from the time Nara had returned for Helheim. Then again, Fe had been a proponent of Arivath and Nara mending fences for quite some time. Fe knew how much Arivath meant to her, even if no one else did. He was her little brother, she remembered the day he was born and his first steps. She watched him grow in personality and skill, tried her best to protect him from Mother when that personality swung too far towards Father. And when he'd grown older he’d protected her as well. Even with their conflicting personalities, they’d loved each other and she had always been proud of him.

Then Arthas came and overnight it all changed.

Nara looked at Arivath’s handwriting once more. She traced the fluid lines of his penmanship and recalled the broken man she’d glimpsed at Darkshore.

Could that man still write like this?

She shook off the thought. That was not how she wanted to remember her brother, but it was the only image of him she could conjure. She’d worked so hard to try to protect him the best she could, and now she was the one who condemned him. Nara glanced at Fe, who gave her a slight nudge. She then removed the letter from the envelope and unfolded it as if it were so fragile it’d crumble if she were too rough.

To the Prestigious Offices of the Prestigious General Lightweaver, Sorry. You know I can't resist being at least a little bit of a twat. Okay a lot a bit.

Nara flipped the letter over to show Fe. Their golden eyes met and Fe’lana shrugged her shoulders. “To be fair, he is calling himself a twat.” Nara kissed the side of Fe’s head before turning her attention back to the letter.

But it's the middle of the night, I can't stay asleep, and I'm stuck somewhere between still drunk and hungover. I couldn't get that way you looked at me about Leya's transformation out of my head. You're such a professional at the disappointing older sister look, and it cut deep. Hela and I had a long talk about you and me tonight. It hit me pretty hard, and left me with one big question. How did we get here, Nara?

How did I go from admiring the big sister who would carve wooden swords for me, to wondering if she hated me? I know you blame me for leaving home after father's death, for leaving the Farstriders, and now maybe worst of all, for Leya. For so many years I'd tossed the blame back at you. And Mother too. "If only they'd just came with me." I'd say. I never told you, but in truth, I'd hoped my leaving would pave the way for you to follow. I thought that if I left, my big sister would see how important getting away from Theron and his magisters was.

It's amazing how much a mere fifteen years passing can make you look like a fool. Hindsight is a bitch like that. I was wrong in predicting you'd let our sisters be corrupted by the Fel. I should have known better. Trusted you to protect them like you used to protect me. I still don't back the choice you made to stay, but I should have believed in you. I should have found a way for us all to stay together.

And I'm sorry.

It took all this time for me to realize the pressures you were under. We all felt them at the loss of our home. But you were the heir, and we all looked to you first. Even mother. You had to make a choice for us all, and while I may never agree with it, I can at least understand why now, and the burden the choice put on you.

I've never been good at these things. What I am trying to say is, I'm sorry for being such an ass over the centuries. I'm sorry we couldn't find a way to keep our family together. For not understanding the responsibilities put upon you. I could have been a better brother to you.

I have Hela now though, she helps me put things in perspective. See the bigger picture. I guess living amongst the stars will do that to a person. I know you two didn't get along when you met, but when this is over, you'll have to talk to her under less dire circumstances. I honestly think you'd like her. It's hard not to. And... believe it or not Nara, I really do love her. More than anything. She's changed me for the better. She's why I even have the strength to write this letter.

Maybe you two can give it another shot? Maybe you and I can too?

When all this madness is over and we get back to Silvermoon, I want you to come out with me. Have some drinks like we used to. See if we can't heal the scars we inflicted upon each other. I know, it's a long shot. We might just start fighting again. But if we do, at least we'll have more alcohol in front of us. And we can say we tried.

Hey, that one time we got drunk together in Silvermoon was one of our rare good times. Even you can't deny you had fun.

Kidding aside. History aside. I hate where we are now, Big Sister, but I love you.

Let's give this circus of a relationship another shot, yeah?

Your Idiot Brother, - Ari

Nara stared at the paper for a long time. Fe sat silent too, with her head propped up by Nara’s shoulder. Nara blinked away the tears and carefully refolded the letter and put it back in the envelope. She kissed the top of Fe’s head and wiped her eyes. “Satisfied?”

“Mm. Quite.”

“And what am I expected to do with this?” Nara asked.

“There are options.”

Nara shook her head and slid out from beneath the warm blankets and set the letter on her end table before she grabbed a fresh linen shirt and pulled it over her head, hiding all of the scars that covered her body from shoulder to navel. She brushed a hand through her hair as she took up a pair of riding breeches and pulled them on. “What options? No one knows where he is, and if Lene does, she’s not telling anyone. If I can’t find him, I can’t talk to him. At this point, he may not care to hear it.”

“Arivath will turn up. He always does.”

Nara paused while putting on her riding gloves. Arivath could go years without speaking to her, but he’d turn up at Lene’s eventually. And after Helheim, she doubted that her sister would let Arivath leave without at least trying to trick him into meeting with her. As meddlesome as Lene could be, at the moment Nara was glad for it. Her nonsense might be the quickest way of seeing Arivath. She scratched the thick scars on her cheek before she tugged the supple leather over her hands. “I know.” She added and sat on the bed to pull on her boots.

Fe slithered across the sheets and slipped her arms around Nara’s waist and kissed her cheek. “It will work out, Darling.”

“You always say that.”

“And I have never been wrong.”

Nara gave Fe a soft kiss. “I’ll see you tonight?”

“I won’t be having you for lunch?” Her disappointment was apparent in the immediate scowl that followed her words. Nara hated disappointing her, but with so much happening in Silvermoon, Nara didn’t have time to enjoy herself. She barely had time for this moment.

“Not today. I have a lot to catch up on at the stables; then I am going to have lunch with Lene to see how much she and Kaivus intend to aggravate the rest of the nobility. Maybe get a location on Arivath if I’m lucky. After what I am sure is to be a rousing discussion, I will be in meetings with other nobles to try and salvage what relations I can. I don’t imagine I’ll make it home until the evening.”

“Oh Darling, your brain is still a soldier -- you’ve completely missed my extraordinary wordplay.”

Nara rose from the bed with a small smile. “No, I caught it. I just chose to ignore it. Why play into a fantasy I can’t partake in?”

“My darling Lightweaver is all business when the sun rises.” Fe’s sigh was heavy as she leaned against the headboard and combed through her thick black locks. “But if you weren’t I wouldn’t love you so much. I suppose I’ll get the house’s finances in order then. You realize we’re over budget on training since you imported those Dreamrunners from the Broken Isles? They’re more spirited than the standard Destrier and are going to need a more experienced hand when they’re of age. They’ve already broken a few ribs.”

“I’m aware, but until we can start training the yearlings and selling them, you’re going to have to expect that. I was hoping to have Kai trained enough to work with the Dreamrunners -- I’ll take care of them personally and start interviews for extra hands within the week. I am sure your beautiful brain can rebudget the books in record time.” She gave Fe a kiss on the forehead and strode towards the door. “I’ll see you tonight.”

#world of warcraft #Ada'Nara Lightweaver #Fe'Lana #original Characters #original writing #fanfiction #f/f romance #Silvermoon #sin'dorei #Blood Elves #battle for azeroth #darkshore #The Lightweaver Chronicles

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bricousland · 4 years

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Ander, just.. please.

struggling to put together a group of three people least likely to fucking despise you after today’s wack-ass decisions

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bricousland · 4 years

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The Sunwell

The Void has been haunting Ada'Lene since her encounter with it while on a mission in Outland. It's been acting like a virus, slowly eating away at her ability to use the Light and forcing her to use Shadow Magic more and more. Visiting the Sunwell and asking M'uru for her help is Lene's last-ditch effort to re-balance the Void and Light within her. However, since Alleria's visit to the Sunwell, the priests have been limiting access and things aren't as easy as Lene had hoped.

This is a short story I wrote to fill in a time gap between my RP group's World of Warcraft Campaign. It’s the second story to feature my Blood Elf Priest, Ada’Lene Lightweaver. Like many of my WoW shorts, it was written for my RP group so, much of the details are left out since the group knows everything that’s happened to Lene leading up to this moment. If you’d like to know some of the details surrounding what happened, send me an ask and I’d be happy to fill it in for you or maybe it'll inspire me to write a detailed account for you!

A Note on Ada’s name: Ada’s full name is Ada’Lene Lightweaver and she has two sisters who go by Ada’Nara and Ada’Leya. The prefix “Ada” is an old tradition in her family for the female line. Her actual name is simply “Lene” and her sister’s: “Nara” and “Leya”. The group, however, doesn’t really know this and have always just referred to her as “Ada”. Up to this point, Lene has never been bothered to correct them since, at the time of this story, they don’t know her sisters and Lene has no incentive to introduce them. Ada is as good a name as any for her.

The summer sun filled the garden and warmed Ada’Lene’s face as she turned it towards the sky. Surrounded by the smell of golden overgrowth and flowers, she was reminded of the solace being back in the Temple could provide. The silence and isolation eased her mind in ways the city simply could not. It allowed for moments of temporary normalcy. When the sun was bright and she was among the foliage, the whispers would dull for a time. In these fleeting moments, she could feel the person she wanted to be fighting against the darkness that had plagued her for so long. The Temple gardens of Quel’Danas had been a sanctuary to her for the years following the destruction of the Sunwell and her Mother’s subsequent descent into madness. She needed that same feeling of safety now.

Failure.

Ada’s heart thumped against her chest when she heard the voice. It sounded more and more like her mother every day. It was learning, and that made it difficult to ignore and even more arduous to dismiss. The moments of contemplation were always fleeting, no matter how beautiful the day. The whispers always found a way to slither back into her head it’s why she’d decided to come. She had strived her whole life to be anything but a burden to those around her, and after seeing her friends rally behind her and fail, she knew this was something she’d have to solve on her own.

Ignore those thoughts. Deep breaths, clear your mind, find your Chi. Just like the Mistweavers showed you. Find your focus.

Lene lifted Kaivus’ small lantern from her hip and held it between her hands. She used the soft flow of the Light to help her focus on the sweet smell of the garden and the warmth of the sun on her back. Pleasant things, good things, not the thoughts trying to drown her. The small lantern in her hands grew warmer and the Light was snuffed out as she felt her body absorb the last of it to push back the whispers. Her mind calmed again and she breathed out a sigh of relief. The Pandaren’s method didn’t always work but coupled with the lantern it could numb the Void and give her time to feel like herself again. Even a minute was worth the effort.

Her mind cleared, but just as she felt the turmoil in her come to rest she was disrupted by the heavy sound of boots coming her way. The priests never came this far back, not did they walk with such heavy steps.

Priests are light-footed. LIGHT-footed, ha. Kaivus would appreciate that one.

With her focus broken, the whispers came flooding back. The Light in the lantern didn’t, however, it needed time to recover. She’d be on her own for awhile. Her attention turned to the approaching footsteps, only to see Cyrus rounding the corner.

They don’t trust you to handle this on your own. They know you can’t.

Ada stood. She’d told him to leave her alone. She wanted to try to deal with this without everyone looking at her as if she were a problem to be solved. Of course he wouldn’t listen, he never listened to anyone and had a penchant for trying to fix things when they were broken. Especially her. “I told you not to come.”

“Since when do I listen to you?” He was a child who had no regrets about being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Lene narrowed her gaze on him, “But, before you get angry, I come bearing good news.” Cyrus slid onto the bench and patted the spot next to him. Lene pinched the bridge of her nose but slid into the spot beside him. “Nara pulled rank.” He explained, “And has gotten you access to the Sunwell.”

Ada’Lene opened her mouth to berate him for coming. Just like everyone else, Cyrus was a distraction. He was more than that, he was an absolute pain in the ass. Then he mentioned Nara and all of a sudden Lene found herself staring at him, slack-jawed and with eyes as wide as the sun, “She what?” Nara didn’t use her political sway for anything. Especially for something she considered a personal matter, and Lene had heard her use that term, ‘personal matter’, everytime they talked about her visit to the Sunwell.

They’re losing faith. They know you’ll fail. You always fail Ada’Lene Lightweaver.

“Don’t get too excited.” Cyrus’ had an amused smile as he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. Lene tugged it away and stood on her own, “She wants to talk to you first, to know what your plans are if this doesn’t work.” Cyrus walked with Lene towards the front of the gardens, an arm sliding over her shoulders and holding her close as they moved along the path.

She walked beside him for a time but then slipped out from under his arm with a gentle smile and took a few long strides so she was ahead of him. “There is no other plan. The Sunwell will work.” She let her fingertips glide across a few soft petals which stretched out onto the path. Lene and Cyrus were officially courting, but lately Lene found herself less than enthused about the idea than when she agreed. She loved Cyrus, he was like a brother to her and took care of her during a time in her life where there was a lot of uncertainty. She felt she owed him the chance to be something more. She should have known better than to try and force these things. Lene touched the small golden lantern at her hip.

“Well, you can tell her that.” Ada bowed her head as the whispers continued to try and dominate her thoughts. They were bold little things, they poked and prodded until they felt the walls she’d built lower. Once they sensed even an inkling of instability, they sunk their fangs in and held on for as long as they could. They found the holes in her soul and filled them with doubt and paranoia. The priests had taught her to manage most of their attacks, but there were the ones which couldn’t be managed. The priests warned that eventually, Lene would have to choose to control them or succumb to them.

She wanted neither

Cyrus caught up to Lene as they came to the front of the garden. He put a hand on her back; he was always like this. She didn’t understand his desire to marry her, he didn’t even love her. It was all about following through with their fathers’ wishes. Lene hadn’t minded before, she wanted Nara and Fe’Lana to have their chance and so Lene had finally agreed to the match. But now things had changed. Ada shrugged him off and gave him a solid punch to the arm. “Stop. I can’t deal with your flirting today. Where’s Nara?”

Cyrus barked a laugh and rubbed his arm. “Over there.” Cyrus pointed to one of the private pavilions scattered throughout the temple grounds. They were made of rose tinted glass and stabilized by tall golden pillars molded to look like broad-leaved hyacinth vines. This particular one had real vines climbing up along the pillars and at the top large yellow and red flowers reached for the sun.

Cyrus opened the door for Lene and she stepped through feeling a sudden weight of life changing decisions pressed on her shoulders. Nara had that effect on people--on a room. She could make anyone feel small. Even if she was the shortest sibling. She sat on a bench reviewing some papers and scratching her signature across the bottom of a few pages. She wasn’t in her typical Paladin armor. Today she was dressed the part of a House Lady -- or in her case Lord. Nara would never be caught dead in a dress. Instead, she preferred a pair of deep red and gold leggings, flats, and a comfortable blouse. Her hair was tucked behind her ears with minimal effort but she still managed to look regal with perfected posture and a natural sternness in her features. The scar that marred the left side of her face did not make her look softer, even the pink tinted windows could do little to soften the General.

Nara looked up from her work and set it aside, laying her pen on top of the small stack of papers. “How are you?” There was a rare hint of concern in her voice; it threw Ada’s initial response out the window. The extent of her sister’s worry was written all over her face.

“Fantastic, now that I’ll have access to the Sunwell. Nara, thank you.” She ran up to her sister and hugged her. She felt Nara relax beneath her affection and Nara held Lene tight. She wasn’t completely made of stone.

“You’re my sister; and this has gone on long enough. I can’t watch you isolate yourself like this anymore. But Lene,” Nara pulled away and held her at arm’s length. Her bright golden eyes studying her. The look Nara gave her made her heart race. It was hard to tell what kind of answers Nara was looking for when she watched someone like that. It made it especially hard to lie.“I need to know what you’re going to do if this doesn’t work. You need a path, I won’t have you continue being lost like this.”

She’s lost her faith in your abilities. Everyone has. You’ve become a useless memory but you can find your purpose again. Just listen to us.

Ada grabbed her sister’s forearm, “Nara, this will work. The Sunwell connected me to the Light before. It can do so again.”

Why do you try? The Light has abandoned you, but we’re here.

“Maybe. But you need a plan. Will you learn to control the Void better? Take up another skill perhaps? You’re trained in battlefield medicine. A little bit more training and you’ll be able to heal in another way.”

This again? She’d thought about taking that path. Long and hard but then she remembered standing in front of an infected fel corpse. It needed to be put out of its misery and yet, as she strangled it and heard its neck snap, Ada felt dirty. Even as Qeldaras and Lahkrimosa had praised her for a job well done, all Lene could feel was the pulse of Void magic tightening its grip on her. The way the it sat with her, taunted her, gave into its base need for violence sent chills down Ada’s spine. She hated the feeling, “Nara, I won’t be a Shadow Priest. I won’t become our mother.”

“You’re not her, Lene! Shadow Priests have been using the Void to fight for good for as long as the Light has. Your closest friends are Demon Hunters. Corruption doesn’t have to mean degradation. With proper training you’ll manage. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Like she protected you from your mother? She let your mother torture you while she drew power from a dying Naaru. She should be ashamed of who she is, not you.

The whispers baited her anger and yanked the vitriol out of her mouth before she could contain it. “Like you kept me safe before? You left me to be beaten and broken. Everyday, it was something: I smiled too much like Father, I couldn’t use the Light, I wasn’t happy enough, I wasn’t sad enough. Every meaningless thing became an affront; an excuse to torture me, and yet you prioritized your training over being at home! We needed you!”

“Lene, calm down.”

She hurt you too. No one cares about what you want. No one cares about you -- except us, of course. We care, we’re here for you.

There was a warning in Nara’s voice but Ada’Lene chose to ignore it. “I don’t want to manage. I’m not a killer. I’m not you.”

“That’s enough!”

“Don’t like being reminded that you’re the reason our mother is dead?”

“Which did you want, Lene, to be saved or to have our mother alive?”

“I wanted both!”

“Alright, you’ve both had a good row at each other.” Cyrus stepped between them and took Ada by the arm. “Lene, let’s go.” He pulled her towards the door.

Nara bristled as Cyrus got between them, but she didn’t stop him. Instead she looked beyond him and set her gaze on her sister, “I chose you, Lene. You’re going to the Sunwell tomorrow. This ends, one way or another. Have a plan.”

Ada opened her mouth to respond, but Cyrus shoved her out the door. “You’ve said enough.”

She spun around to face him as she was pushed out the door, “what do you think you’re doing?”

“What do you think your doing? Lene, snap out of it.”

“Ari’s right. She believes she’s so much better than us. She’s the one who drained a Naaru and put her training over her family. She’s the one who abandoned Mother to Outland.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that.”

Ada’Lene slid onto a nearby bench and watched the glass pavilion. Through the rose stained glass she could see Nara’s outline standing as still as a statue. Her posture was straight and rigid and her back was turned towards the door. Nara wouldn’t come after her, it wasn’t the way her older sister did things. Lene sighed and with the sun warming her, the voices whispers subsided. She slumped forward and put her head in her hands. “By the Light, I am turning into my mother.”

Cyrus sat beside her. He didn’t say a word, he only pulled her close. This time, Lene didn’t fight it and leaned into him.

Weak.

The whispers creeped back into her head, they wouldn’t be extinguished so easily again. “I can’t do this.” Ada pulled away from Cyrus and took off along a narrow path away from the small neighborhood of pavilions. “Lene!” She heard Cyrus calling after her, and so she took longer, more determined strides deeper into the quieter, more secluded area of the garden. Where the trees were older and their heavy branches blocked out the sun. She needed just one moment of peace.

She followed the moss covered stones and even as she realized Cyrus had not given chase, Lene continued her frantic pace. Farther away, she needed to be farther away. Nearby priests greeted her but she could only manage a quick nod as she rushed under an arch made of thin green vines and wide golden leaves it was newer than the rest of the garden but forgotten.

They know what you are. They’re afraid of you. Afraid of the power you have, of your potential. Kill them all and show them you are not to be pitied. You’re not that same powerless girl that hid from her mother. If only you’d accepted our gift ...

Ada found what she was looking for: a massive sculpture of thorns and roses trimmed and pruned into the form of a Naaru. It had been tended to and shaped since M’uru sacrificed herself to save the Sin’dorei. Her thorns were thick and sharp. Ada seized a vine and all at once, several small thorns pricked her palm and Ada loosened her grip.

This is insanity.

Coward

She tightened her hold on the vine and the thorns dug deep into her palm. Blood welled up and slid down her hand in rhythm with the heartbeat in her ears. The whispers retreated to the back of her mind, cackling, as the pain flared in her hand and thrummed up her arm. Through the pain, Ada’Lene breathed a sigh of relief; her heart felt light again. She could feel a piece of herself trying to push free. The part of her that smiled and laughed, it was at the edge of her heart to remind her what she was fighting for. The darkness was there though, creating a wall between who she wanted to be and what she was. The small reminder crawled away as the thorns became more of a comfortable pain. She flexed her muscles to reignite it so she could coax the little spark of light deep inside of her back to the surface. The warm trickle of blood that slid beneath her sleeve was a small sacrifice for the moment of peace the pain produced.

“Ada!” A pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind and pried her hand off of the thorns she clung to. Lene panicked as the light began to slip away. She struggled in Cyrus’ grip and tried to grab the thorns again.

Just a few more moments.

“No! It was working!” Lene kicked him and with a grunt he released her. The whispers swarmed with rage and twisted her gut in knots.

See, what did we tell you? No one cares about what helps. They don’t want to be embarrassed. They’re ashamed of us.

Lene spun around in a fury but the single gold eye she met did not belong to the hunter she expected. They were far warmer and confused, “Kaivus?” Chest heaving, hands shaking, and hair in a red disheveled mess, she stared at him not believing what she was seeing. He’d come to the temple, but why? Nara wouldn’t have called him here. There was no reason to.

Ah, the letter...

Lene’s attention returned to her hand, it was smeared with blood and seeping more. She followed the stream of blood and watched it drip off her fingertips and fall onto the stone below. The small lantern on her hip had caught some of the blood and was already drying against the cool metal. Guilt struck her, she should have been better than this. She stared at the small lantern, devoid of light. It was better than facing the judgement she’d seen from everyone else come from Kaivus too.

What good are you to him? You can’t help him. You can’t save him anymore. Leave the saving to that little paladin nipping at his heels. Let this Light possessed fool be on his way. You’ll be much happier with us.

“Ada, you’re crying...”

Lene’s head snapped up at the sound of his voice. “What?” she touched her face and found her cheek wet with tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed. She used her sleeve to wipe them away. “I...” She started; she wanted to tell him she was alright, everything was fine. Everyone at the temple hugged rose bushes, didn’t he know? It’s why most priests were so prickly! It was tradition at this point, and he had nothing to be concerned about. Everything was completely fine and normal -- so what wounds could she heal for him today?

The jokes evaporated as soon as they sprung up in her mind, Lene knew her humor couldn’t hide her appearance: standing alone, bloody, crying and in complete disarray.

She looked insane. She was insane.

The whispers were right, it didn’t matter why Kaivus was here. She had nothing to offer him. There were no answers she could give him and she was far too lost to offer him guidance. It’d be better if she sent him away to Nara. Even Nara’s squire Kailee would be a better choice than her. The Void had rendered Lene useless and so she remained quiet, using the dull throb in her arm to ease the whispers away as best she could.

Kaivus closed the distance between them which forced Lene to look at him. She was surprised to see him full of concern. Not the kind that lended itself to pity, nor the kind that pressed for final goodbyes. It was concern for concern’s sake with that hummingbird trademarked spark of hope shining behind it and the whispers which were simmering in her heart were squashed. It was the same look he had for her back in Gadgetzan. She didn’t remember much of her time there, but she did remember him.

Kaivus picked up her hand and studied the torn and bloody flesh. “Is it that bad?”

Lene nodded, “Yeah.” She gently pulled her hand from his and pulled out a roll of bandages from one of the small pockets in her robes. “I’m going to the Sunwell tomorrow, so all of this will be over soon.” Lene fumbled with the bandages, she never was good with her right hand and the way the whispers had shaken her made her movements even more cumbersome. “I’ll get this Void infection purged and I’ll be back to healing your broken toes in no time -- Damnit!” She cursed as the bandages refused to stay in place and the roll slipped between her fingers. Kaivus caught them before they could completely unravel and took her bloody hand in his.

Use us, you don’t need those primitive methods. We’ll stop the bleeding, stop the pain. We’re here for you Ada’Lene. Let us give you purpose.

“I won’t!”

“Ada, let me help.” The calm in Kaivus’ voice pierced the cacophony of whispers and once again planted Lene’s feet firmly on the ground. Being pulled back from the anger the whispers insighted was like breaching the surface of water and taking a fresh gulp of fresh air after almost drowning. Her emerald eyes fell on Kaivus, ready to apologize. Her outburst had been sudden, but he wasn’t afraid and his smile lingered as a small crease on either side of his mouth, “I need to clean it first, right?” He held out his free hand and waited for Lene to hand over the bandages he knew she carried.

“Thank you, Hummingbird.” She was tired, she could feel the tears in her throat this time, beckoning to be let loose in a tsunami of anger and frustration. Kaivus wiped the blood off her fingers, taking a little too much care to avoid the deep thorn pricks. He cleaned where the blood had flowed over her palm. Lene watched as his nose scrunched up with extra focus as he tried to wrap her hand. She laughed, “When did you learn this?”

“A while ago… maybe?” His guilt made Lene grin, Kaivus used the bandages to apply pressure to the wound. She watched him pause and scratch his chin several times before making adjustments and increasing the pressure around the deepest part. It wasn’t perfect but it was far better than she could do at the moment. “I’ve been watching you, and practicing.”

“No, twist the bandage over the wrist. You’ll get more pressure -- yeah, that’s good.” He secured the bandage and focused on rerolling the others. “So, all those times I came to patch you up, you could have done it yourself?” She gave his shoulder a playful shove, eliciting a shy laugh from Kaivus.

“Well, yes -- but -- I just wanted to make sure it was done right. You would have just corrected me anyway!”

“I feel very betrayed right now. I woke up from very productive napping for you!”

“What a sacrifice it must have been.”

“It was.” The two of them shared a laugh. It was hard not to feel better with Kaivus. His enthusiasm was infections, even Qeld and Lahk had a hard time frowning around him-- and frowning was basically their favorite hobby. She glanced passed him and saw a stack of books dropped and strewn beneath the archway behind him. A little pang of guilt jolted through her. “Why are you here, Hummingbird? Does this visit have to do with your Light?” She helped him collect the books. The covers were embossed with titles Lene was familiar with. Some were wild stories about the Old Gods and titans. Fairy tales. There was just one book she didn’t recognize but it seemed to be more of the same, except it was from a journal of a historical records. Lene waited for an answer from Kaivus, and his his cheeks turned a soft shade of red as he took the books from her.

“No… I mean yes -- but more importantly, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened to you at the Exodar. Then, I came across an old childhood story my mother used to tell me. It reminded me of another story I’d heard, and so I started digging. Maybe, it could help?” Kaivus, with the books safe in his arms, left the little alcove and walked back towards the warmer parts of the garden. Lene stepped beside him with a smile; she showed him the cover of a book at the top of the small pile in his arms. It was a traditional story about an old god who stole a princess and was eventually slain by prince charming. Leya had loved that story as a child, “So, you want to be my prince? Prince Windfire or Prince Hummingbird?” a little shock of excitement jolted up her spine, “Prince Hummingbird is definitely meant for storybooks.”

The red in his cheeks deepened as he stumbled over his words. Lene felt her smile growing. The moment with the whispers had passed and for the first time in awhile, she was absorbed in watching Kaivus stumble and blush his way through the conversation. “Not at all! I mean, I do want to help, and fairy tales are sometimes rooted in a kernel of truth.” He gave an exasperated sigh and sat on a bench, “Just look.” Lene sat beside him and he handed her one of the books opened to a bookmarked page. He took the other books and opened them too, balancing them on his lap and handing a few others over for Lene to deal with. She skimmed the text as she listened, “All of these stories are about people who were possessed by the Void and had the corruption removed or destroyed by some sort of stone.”

“It’s an interesting connection,” Lene admitted, but looked at the books with a bit of skepticism, “But it’s not uncommon. You can find fairy tales that are similar between us and the trolls. It doesn’t mean they’re true, it means our cultures have had a lot of interaction. War, in this case.”

Kaivus leaned across her to point at a text Ada had in her lap, “This one is Shal’dorei, I had to get Thal to translate it for me.” He gestured to the one in his lap, “And this one is Tauren, and the one in your hand is the most recent text I’ve found, from a human. Three cultures, who didn’t interact with each other until recently, all with similar stories which date back well before they began to communicate with one another.”

Lene studied the books again and fell quiet. His hunch was just that, a hunch. Most of his sources were fairy tales, and the only historical account he had was a minor mention -- a sentence which would have easily been forgotten if Kaivus hadn’t been looking for it. It wasn’t anything to be excited about; yet he had come all the way here to share it with her. He believed in this and if she were honest with herself, she was excited.

A plan

A plan born of desperation and denial. Ada’Lene, don’t entertain this Lightbound fool. You know we’re stuck together, you and I.

“You don’t think I should… learn how to control it?”

Kaivus looked a little dumbfounded by her question, but he barely skipped a beat in his answer, “That’s giving up.” He said it as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. But to Kaivus it was, it was always so easy for him. “And that’s not what we’ve worked this hard and this long to do. But most importantly, living in the Void, isn’t what you want. So, we find another way. It’s that simple.”

She should have expected that answer. Save everyone, be the hero.

The confidence in his smile sent Lene into a fit of laughter. Kaivus was unable to be anything other than himself. The books threatened to spill onto the ground, she had to catch them before they went sliding off her lap. She held them tight and let her eyes meet his. Her laughter softened at the sight of his smile; he hadn’t changed, not one bit. It was her who had changed. “Trying to prove and track down a fairy tale is simple?”

“We’ve done more impossible things.”

Lene dropped her gaze to the book in her lap. Her bandaged fingertips gently traced the embossed etching across the leather cover. She set the books aside and turned towards Kaivus who was still looking at her with a soft, confident gaze. She pulled him into a tight hug. His whole body tensed beneath her touch but as he relaxed, he pulled her into a warm embrace. Lene rested her chin on his shoulder, “Thank you.” She released him, sitting closer to him than she had been. Kaivus’ gaze shied away from hers when he realized their closeness and he rubbed the back of his neck, tanking more interest in a few flowers across the way. In the quiet of the garden, he cleared his throat and his soft golden eye found its way back to her. He smiled and let out a soft laugh.

He was the same Kaivus she’d been taking care of for well over a year. Hopeful, determined, and barely able to walk on a flat surface without hurting himself. He was Qeld’s brother and someone whose company she enjoyed. She’d never thought much beyond that, not until recently. Gadgetzan, and the day at the beach urged her to look at him differently. Lene had wanted to avoid it, she tried, but this shy, compassionate person in front of her was making it impossible. He was clumsily pulling on her heartstrings in a way no one else had.

She closed and stacked a few of the books in her lap. “Alright, let’s do it. If … if something goes wrong, we’ll look into this. ”

Kaivus snapped back to attention. “Really?”

“Yes, but you have to promise me we’ll do this together. I don’t want you dying under a stack of books, alone.”

“Deal, but you have to promise you’ll stop hurting yourself.” He looked at her hand, some blood had already seeped through the wrap, but it was healing. “If the whispers become bad, you can talk to me. I’ll remind you how wrong they are.”

Ada laughed, “I promise, but what if you’re not here?”

Kaivus shrugged, “Send for me. I’ll come.” his voice didn’t ring with the same hint of jest Lene’s had. He was being serious.

Ada’Lene stood, holding the books and looking at Kaivus with a grin. “I will make you regret that promise.”

We’ll make sure of it.

“I look forward to it.”

Ada’s cheeks grew a little warm and she rolled her eyes, “Why don’t we go have lunch and spend some time going over these stories. You can catch me up on your theories.” Kaivus agreed and the two of them walked the narrow mossy stone path together. Lene stayed beside him as they conversed and laughed The whispers continued to swarm her mind, they hated Kaivus. It made Lene want to keep him closer.

Do you really think you can control this? Think about what you did to your sister. You’ll do it to him, just give us time. We’ll make the little runt fear you.

Lene tried to push the whispers away as they dug into her insecurities, but what they said was true. Eventually, the Void would get to her again, like it had with Nara. It always did. She would do or say something to Kaivus she couldn’t take back. She’d hurt him.

Her chest tightened at the possibility. Kaivus was smiling at her as he talked about the port and his new projects, much of the details she’d missed. Consumed more by the Void’s taunts and threats. Kaivus caught her gaze, there was a soft nod of understanding and without hesitation back tracked and started explaining again, the warm smile on his face never faltering. This time, Lene made sure to listen.

Kaivus had so much ambition; he was turning his father’s port into an international sanctuary. He wasn’t dividing the docks between Horde and Alliance. He was throwing them all together in one big messy stew to prove they could work together, with a bit more understanding. It was dangerous, and Lene foresaw a lot of growing pains. It would take more than his two hands to handle it all, but as always, Kaivus seemed unconcerned and more focused on the big picture.

She was going to ruin it.

You’ll become a burden to him. He’ll resent you for this.

The Void pulled on the strings of anxiety again and it must have shown. Kaivus’ excited smile softened. He pushed the whispers away with a playful jab of his elbow. “They’re wrong.”

At least someone wasn’t going to let her go without a fight.

~ ~ ~

The sun was barely a pink stripe on the horizon as Lene rolled out of bed and dressed herself for the Sunwell. It was a long flowing white robe, draped with a red and gold sash. An initiate’s robe. She adjusted the sash so it sat evenly, pausing to caress the soft silk between her fingertips.

I haven’t worn one of these since I was a girl.

She straightened the golden edged bell-sleeves that draped over her knuckles and were stitched into intricate lacing meant to represent the same curves and edges of a Naaru. The thread kept the lacing from falling apart and was enchanted with enough magic to make the edges glow with a soft golden light which circled her hands and again at her feet.

You will regret this.

She ran a hand though her vibrant red hair in a weak attempt to tame it. As always it had a mind of it’s own and even after a good brush it was a wavy mess around her shoulders and a stray piece fell in front of her Fel stained eyes. Unlike many of the other Sin’dorei, Lene’s had never changed. Hers were a relic of a time she wished to forget.

The Light abandoned you then, it’s abandoning you now. Yet here we are, loyal as ever and you wish to purge us. What kind of person does that make you, Ada’Lene Lightweaver? Ungrateful.

She stood in the stillness of her room. The wound from yesterday throbbed and itched beneath her bandage. She tried to pull on the Light to heal it, but nothing came. Only the Void responded with its slithering whispers.

Let us help. This ritual is a farce, only the Void knows the true way of the world.

There was a loud knock on her door, “Lene, let’s go.” Her sister was small but her voice carried like she were in the room with her. Lene hands straightened her robes one last time before she met Nara at the door. She stood outside, her back to Lene’s roomas if she were guarding it.

She probably was.

She glanced over her shoulder and up at Lene. Next to Ari, Lene was the tallest of the Lightweavers and it was rare when Lene let Nara forget it. Today was no different as Lene shot her sister a knowing grin and it was met with one of Nara’s icy glares.

They walked the halls in silence. The stained glass windows reflected the morning sun in colors of rose, blue and gold onto the emptied tiled halls. The Temple was asleep, there were a few elderly priests shuffling towards the kitchens, and a few cooks arriving to prepare breakfast, with those exceptions, Nara and Lene were alone.

“About yesterday…” Lene began but Nara quickly cut her off with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“It’s fine, Lene.”

“No.” She said, “It wasn’t. I know you did your best when it came to Mother. I lost control, and it won’t happen again.”

“It’s done.” Nara grunted and turned a sharp corner and the two moved down a long steep ramp. As they moved into the inner sanctum of the Temple, the density of people began to increase. Guards stood at every entrance, heavily armed and they saluted Nara as they passed. There were priests in long ceremonial robes decorated with ornate collars and sleeves scurrying about, gathering items, preparing rituals, or organizing books. Seeing Lene, they paused to stare; she was an anomaly. The choice of the Void had not been given to her. It’s curse was simply thrust upon her. It made the other priests suspicious -- a Ren’dorei in the making. They pitied her as well -- a once gifted, young priest brought down by the very beings she fought against. Lene refused to meet any of their gazes, this was the end of it. She’d walk out of here with the balance of the Light and Void restored to her. Even if she didn’t, there was the artifact from Kaivus’ tales. She wasn’t a Ren’dorei and she wasn’t to be pitied, she had options.

In a child’s fairy tale book.

I must be desperate.

The Sunwell lit up it’s room with a warm golden light which mimicked the sun on a warm spring day. The statues which once revered Kael’thas, had been removed or covered with long flowing red drapes and now had the symbol of Silvermoon stitched into them. The priests said the Sunwell belongs to all Sin’dorei. Yet, since Alleria’s visit, that had become more limited. It was not only available to those who seeked meditation and prayer. Should the Void come anywhere near it, and the priests would do all they could to keep them at bay. Without Nara, it was likely Lene would have gone insane before being allowed into the room.

Nara dismissed the inner sanctum guards, leaving the two sisters alone. “I’ll be right here.” though Nara spoke quietly, the echo of her voice sounded off the high ceiling and seemed to come from all sides. Lene gave her sister a soft nod and slipped off the white cloth slippers on her feet before she approached the Sunwell. The warm light rose and licked the edges of the pool in playful, soft swirls of Light. At her approach, the small wisps did not retract but swirled around her ankles, inviting her into the pool. The Void snaked through her mind and squeezed her heart, a shiver ran up her spine as she felt it recoil in disgust. She hesitated like she was being held back at the shoulder by a strong hand. The Void pushed all of her fears and worries to the front of her mind. She felt the overwhelming need to turn and run. This was a fool’s errand. The Light was going to kill her, not help her. Nara was right, she should just learn to control the shadows. She’d be better off.

They’re wrong

Lene fought through the thoughts and took her first step into the well. Her defiance was met with sharp papercut pain through her skull. She stumbled, but persisted towards the deepest part of the pool.

YOU BITCH, YOU WILL SUFFER FOR YOUR INSOLENCE!

The warm light lapped at her hips and curled around her arms. “Hello old friend.” There were sharp stabs of pain still reverberating in her mind, small warning shots. Lene took a deep, controlled breath, “I kind of need your help right now…”

For a long time, nothing happened. The Light did as it had, soft gentle swirls rose up and gracefully fell back into the pool. The pain receded and was replaced with an echoing chuckle.

What did we tell you? The Light is playing games with you, Ada’Lene.

Lene caught her sister’s watchful gaze. Nara didn’t move from her station, but Lene could see the worry. She’d been apprehensive about bringing Lene here, but neither of them considered the possibility that nothing would happen. Lene’s heart hung heavy; the Light had gone still, it flowed around her like rushing water and no longer reached up to brush against nor did it playfully dance between her fingers.

With no more words left in her, Lene waded back towards her sister. It had been a failure beyond her expectations. The Light didn’t even want to save her, the Void won and had dug it’s tendrils far too deep for even the Light to counter. The whispers were right, she belonged to them.

Submit.

The sound of armor against tile drew Lene from the waves of doubt. Nara was running towards her. Lene stopped, knee deep in the well. The Temple was the safest place in Silvermoon and her sister looked at her like she had sleep-walked onto a battlefield. She may not have the Light, but Lene was not defenseless. The power of the Void rushed to her fingertips as she faced whatever it was Nara was rushing to get her away from.

It was the Light

An immense, snaking pillar of Light.

“Nara, no!” Lene yelled back towards her sister and she halted at the edge of the pool. The power in her hands fizzled out, what was only a short moment felt like minutes as she and the towering font of Light considered each other. “It’s ok.” There was an understanding between them, it didn’t have eyes, a form, or gestures, but Lene knew. The Light had been with her for as long as she could remember. She knew it’s ebbs and flows as well as she knew her own, and this time it meant to fix her. She felt empty without it after the destruction of the Sunwell, and she felt that same emptiness now, even as the Void tried to fill it.

The Light was warm, but it wasn’t kind.

It hit Lene with such force that it threw her into the air. The weight of the Light was strangling, but she didn’t fight it. Lene’s muscles tightened as the Void pulsed in panic just beneath the skin. Her ears rung with indecipherable whispers of the Void and loud chimes of the Naaru, though they sounded more like nails on a chalkboard. When the Light finally managed to push the Void away, it disappeared from the outside and Lene hit the ground. Her body shook in pain, its own contained war zone between the Light of the Sunwell and the Void.

Her mind exploded into shards of searing pain, the Light and Void tore through her so quickly she hadn’t the time to discern what was happening. The sounds of the temple became muffled, her vision blurred. She could barely hear her own screams as she rolled onto her back and clutched her head, unable to carry the weight of the pain which swam through her. Nara’s boots sounded in the distance, but she was too paralyzed to stop her.

Let them fight, she wanted to scream.

Let it happen. Nara grabbed Lene by the arms and started to drag her away from the pool. She was talking, but the sound of her blood in her ears superseded the other sounds for her to make out anything her sister was trying to say. As she was pulled away, the Void screamed in the pitch of an angry harpy and the Light rang like a bell in her ears. Lene opened her eyes to see a blurred vision of her sister, bent over her and talking to her, though she didn’t know what she was saying.

Everything stopped all at once. The pain, the rush of Light and Void that filled it faded away so fast that every piece of her felt tired, like she was dead weight in Nara’s arms. She tried to grab Lene’s attention, but she still couldn’t hear Nara. So, her sister gently hit her cheeks and gave her a firm shake, but Lene could do nothing except fade away.

~ ~ ~

Lene woke up to the sound of rain and a pounding in her head. Small flashes of memory blinked in and out of her mind. The Light, the whispers, and her sister. She groaned, the mattress beneath her was hard and unforgiving against her back. Her muscles screamed for her to lie back down as she sat up in bed. Her muscles were stiff and her head screamed in pain, she would have given in to the demand for more sleep had Nara not grabbed her and helped her up.

“Finally, you’re awake.” Nara sat on a small stool beside the bed, there were stacks of paper on a small desk on the other side of the room along with a half eaten lunch.

Lene rubbed her face and fluffed her hair, “How long have I been out.”

“Two days.”

“Two days?!” Lene winced as the sound of her own loud voice caused a nice thrum of pain to echo in her head. Nara got up to pour her a cup of water.

“Yes, whatever happened at the Sunwell took a lot out of you.” She handed her sister the cup of water and sat on the edge of the bed with her. “Did it work?”

Lene’s head was silent. She couldn’t hear or feel the susserations of the Void creeping around her mind. She looked over at the small Lantern at her bedside, radiating the soft, warm energy of the Light. She took a sip of water and set the cup aside. Her heart pounded in her ears and a nervous shiver ran up her spine. She held her hands out infront of her, just one spell. One flicker of Light was all she’d need to produce to know for certain that her sanity had been restored. One spark of Light and she’d have a talk with Kaivus. A real one. She just needed to prove that she wasn’t going to hurt him. She could still protect him, she was still Ada’Lene.

One spark.

She pulled on the power that lay dormant at her fingertips. It came with a ease as it always had and she could feel the tendrils of power, wrap around her arms, ready to release from her hands in a small, midnight ball. Lene’s blood ran cold as she saw the power that swirled in her hands. There was a sudden boom of cascading laughter that overtook her thoughts. The familiar, crazed laughter of her mother danced through her mind.

Lene’s hands shook and the tears were hot on her cheeks. “No.”

“Lene…” Nara spoke to her at a distance as Lene’s reality started to fall into place. “It’s alright.”

“No!” The ball of shadow disintegrated in her hands and she threw her cup across the small room, the rage at her failure overpowering her for a brief moment. The Void relished in it’s victory and the Light of the small lantern next to her bed flickered out and slowly, the whispers were dulled to more familiar, dull chuckles.

“Lene.” Nara’s voice was a a little sterner as she spoke, “Take a breath, calm down and --”

There was a sudden bang on her door and a jostle of the door knob. Ada jolted upright as she heard a familiar muffled voice from the other side. “Ada, are you awake? Are you alright?!”

“Kaivus?”

The look of annoyance on Nara’s face was clear as Kaivus’ voice rang through the thick wooden door. “Lord Windfire has been stopping by to check on you multiple times a day. I’ve tried to run him off but he’s been persistent.”

If the whispers become bad, you can talk to me.

“Let him in.” Lene threw the blankets off her and strode over to the closest to grab a fresh gown.

“What? No. You’re not even dressed.”

“I don’t care open the door.” Lene stepped out of the gown she had worn to the Sunwell and pulled a fresh, dark green dress from the closet. She clutched the gown in her hands as her attention flickered towards the door.

“Lady Ada’Nara?” Kaivus called out again.

“You can see her in a moment, Lord Windfire.” Nara snapped at the young pup yapping on the other side of the door. “What are you doing?”

The void boiled in the back of her mind. It had been wounded but she could feel it’s heels digging in. Laying claim. A pang of fear hit her, she couldn’t do this to him. She’d sworn to Qeld that she’d look after him, and she wouldn’t let the Void try to twist and manipulate her feelings. It was better to swallow them for a little while. Lene pulled a small golden belt around her waist and grabbed a brush. “You wanted a plan. We have one.”

“You and… Lord Windfire have a plan?” Her sister looked un-amused as Lene let her wild red locks hang freely around her face. “And what plan might that be?”

She picked up a small book next to her bed. One that she’d taken from Kaivus after their stroll in the park. She gave it to her sister before stepping around her and unlocking the door. “Have you heard of The Void Lord and Princess Ferra’nah?”

#WoW #world of warcraft #creative writing #Writing #fanfiction #original Characters #original writing #Adalene Lightweaver #Kaivus Windfire #Blood Elves #sin'dorei #sindorei #Silvermoon #The Sunwell #Interlude #RP #wow rp #Void #Whispers

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bricousland · 4 years

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Fuzzy Slippers

This is a short story I wrote to fill in a time gap between my RP group's World of Warcraft Campaign. It’s the first to feature my Blood Elf Priest, Ada’Lene Lightweaver. Like many of my WoW shorts, it was written for my RP group so, much of the details are left out since the group knows everything that’s happened to Lene leading up to this moment. If you’d like to know some of the details surrounding what happened, send me an ask and I’d be happy to fill it in for you!

A Note on Ada’s name: Ada’s full name is Ada’Lene and she has two sisters who go by Ada’Nara and Ada’Leya. The prefix “Ada” is an old tradition in her family for the female line. Her actual name is simply “Lene” and her sister’s: “Nara” and “Leya”. The group, however, doesn’t really know this and have always just referred to her as “Ada”. Up to this point, Lene has never been bothered to correct them since, at the time of this story, they don’t know her sisters and Lene has no incentive to introduce them. Ada is as good a name as any for her.

Ada’Lene sat in her room at a wooden desk in the Order’s new headquarters. The room was comfortable with a nice feather bed and a fireplace, but even the warmth of the fire couldn’t keep out the wet chill of Gilneas. At night, it seeped into her bones, and during the day, it left her hair damp and tangled. Siegfire’s machinations and Kaivus’ recovery were what kept her living in this cold, unwelcoming, Worgen-infested land. She was happy to do it but she dreamed of returning to the warm, golden glow of Quel’Thalas and her hawkstrider-feather bed covered with light, silk sheets. The only source of comfort she had in Gilneas came from her favorite fuzzy slippers she brought from Silvermoon right before Kaivus had been taken.

At least the frigid breeze that crept through the small gaps between the window panes paired well with the work. Papers upon papers lined the perimeter of her desk detailing every spell Ada cast, every wound she healed, and every possible side effect. The priesthood was nothing if not diligent in their record keeping. Every healing spell she cast had to be documented; every result recorded and sent to the Temple for review and approval. Ada had a stack of twenty papers or so just on Kaivus’ recovery ready to stick in the mail. Not that they could really undo what she had done, but it was a good checks and balances system; as long as the priests stayed honest.

Once Ada signed the final form detailing what led to such extensive spell use she’d be done and able to relax for a while. Two copies of it sat in front of her, each carefully filled out but detailing two very different versions of the same incident. Some things were best kept away from the prying eyes of the Temple. It would be a mess if they knew she happily performed a soul transfer delivered by a rogue warlock.

Let the dead stay dead.

Ada’Lene remembered the words for the hundredth time since she’d returned Kaivus to his body. The lessons her instructors instilled in her compelled her to allow the dead to remain as they were. That was life and, while unpleasant, the way it worked. Not only were the risks of a delayed resurrection too high, but the stress of the Legion invasion had the Temple on edge and unwilling to accept any kind of assistance from Fel.

Even though all of her instruction railed against her actions, Ada didn’t regret her decision and she knew she’d do it again in a heartbeat.

You’ve run every test imaginable, Lene. No side effects. No lingering Fel presence.

Ergo, no corruption.

This is a different situation and he’s fine.

Kaivus. Is. Fine.

Ada strummed her fingers across the parchment and studied one of the forms she’d filled out: the honest account of the soul transfer. She glanced at the pile of papers labeled ‘Kaivus’ and then back at the pristine sheet of paper. It was a good argument, she had to admit. Her details and procedures were flawless. There was no way they would dare challenge what Ada had done nor would they succumb to old prejudices. Surely, they would agree that this life was worth the risk.

…

...

She tore it in half.

Ada tossed the pieces into the waste bin beside her desk and picked up the other paper; one that asserted a standard resurrection after the heavily wounded patient lost consciousness. It was the same quality the Temple had come to expect from her and, more importantly, it was nothing special. The evaluators would slide it across their desk without even a cocked eyebrow. With a tired smile, Ada picked up a quill and scratched her signature--Ada’Lene Lightweaver-- across its bottom before sinking into her chair.

Ada looked out the window and saw sunlight peeking through the shutters. She groaned and rubbed the dust out of her eyes; another night without sleep. How many had that been? Two? It was like being on the frontlines again. There was always some enemy refusing to back down or a new wound to clean. It didn’t leave any room for sleeping--just healing and fighting. Regardless, she had to get downstairs. Kaivus always woke up before her and managed to hurt himself again. Ada was fairly certain he was doing it on purpose to avoid getting back into his rigorous training with Lahkrimosa. If it kept up Ada would have to make good on the threat of tying him to a toilet.

Who was she kidding? He knew she wouldn’t do it.

Damnit. He was going to force her to tie him to a toilet, wasn’t he?

Exhaustion pulled her further into the chair. Ada gave into it and closed her eyes, let her shoulders fall, and stretched her legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles. Just a short rest before the start of the day. If Kaivus hurt himself she’d just heal him and fill out another form. What was the worst thing he could possibly do?... Die -- but that was unlikely to happen without a lot of noise.

As soon as she let herself relax from her work the unwanted reminders crept in. They’d been waiting for her, gnawing at the outer edges of her thoughts; missed chances and clues that Ada failed to see because she hadn’t tried hard enough. Krissica dead and Ada too far away--too preoccupied to pull her to safety. Then there was Siegfire speaking through Kaivus and flaunting his victory in front of everyone. If she hadn’t left for Silvermoon that day none of it would have happened. Ada’Lene kicked off her slippers; she didn’t deserve warm toes. She tilted her head back against the high backed chair and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t let these memories expend any more of her energy and so she pushed them down again. After a time her feet found their way back to the warm confines of her slippers as she dozed off into a light sleep.

That’s when memories not even her own flooded into her dreams.

The nightmare was never so much about the event as it was about the emotions attached to it. Ada didn’t have to know what happened to understand the monumental damage it had done to Qeldaras. She saw the face of a woman, infected with Fel, who attacked ‘Ada’ with deranged ferocity. The image faded quickly and then the feelings followed: an overwhelming sense of sorrow, regret, and anger. The sorrow Ada felt wasn’t akin to the crises she had experienced in her own life. It was stretched taut and thin like an overworked strip of tanned hide -- cracked and ready to snap. The cracks multiplied, blistered, and hardened around her heart. It made her feel as if she were underwater and out of air. The regret was fainter but it lingered for much longer and pulsed like an infection. It engorged itself upon the sorrow until the sorrow could do nothing but whimper. Then the anger began to stir. It was far more painful than any of the others. It was a war drum that resounded in an empty stone hall. A rhythm that polluted her thoughts and reverberated across every vein until it numbed the regret, squashed what remained of the sorrow, and left vengeance in place.

Filled with pain that was very much alive and not completely hers, Ada began to panic. She awoke from her brief respite with a jolt and toppled out of her chair. The heavy oak seat drummed against the hardwood floor. She clamored to her feet and stumbled into the desk knocking a pile of papers on to the floor. In a rage, she grabbed the arcane lamp that lit her desk and threw it against the wall. Glass shattered and tumbled across the desk and hardwood floor. Tears stung her eyes and wet her cheeks as her chest heaved. Ada stared down at her trembling hands and for a moment she saw Qeld’s, covered in blood, overlapping her own. She clutched the edge of the desk and sobbed.

She heard a loud voice call out from below. “Ada? Are you okay? I’m coming!”

Kaivus.

She heard him bounding up the stairs, probably taking them two at a time.

Ada looked around the demolished room and caught a glance of herself in a mirror, her eyes went wide.

NO.

Ada lurched from her position at the desk and sprinted across the room. A jagged piece of glass ripped through the thin cushion of her slipper and buried itself into the arch of her foot but she didn’t miss a step. She reached the door just in time to prevent Kaivus from rushing in. The resistance only made Kaivus push harder and for a moment it became a struggle he was about to win.

“I’m naked!” Ada yelled.

“Wha--? I’m so sorry!” The door immediately slammed shut. “I thought someone from Siegfire’s new order had come. Are you okay? Do you need any help?”

“...You want to help me get dressed?”

“Uuh...”

Ada laughed.

“I pulled my robes off the chair too fast and busted a lamp. I’m great at healing, terrible at day to day tasks. I’m alright but you’re still hurting, remember? Get back downstairs and prep for treatment. I’ll be there as soon as I clean up.” There was a long pause. “I’m okay, Kaivus.”

She began to worry that he wouldn’t buy it.

“Ada.”

“Yeah?”

“I think I broke my toe on the way up the stairs.”

Ada lightly pounded her forehead against the door and smiled.

“I’ll take care of you.”

She heard Kaivus withdraw from the door with less enthusiasm than when he came up. Ada let out a deep breath she hadn’t known she was keeping in.

Definitely, the right thing to do.

Ada’Lene wiped the tears from her eyes. She stared in the mirror at the mess she had become. Her red hair was frazzled, her cheeks were red, and her eyes were a little swollen. The wound on her foot throbbed and she could feel blood seeping into her slipper. Ada cursed softly as she limped to her bed.

I’ll never be able to get that clean.

Ada’lene sat down and removed the slipper from her foot. Around the frayed fabric there was already a small dark stain. Ada’lene frowned and tossed the shoe to the side.

She grabbed a pair of tweezers and removed the piece of glass from her foot before using a little bit of Light to heal the wound before sliding the slipper back onto her foot. She washed her face and pulled her hair from the ruined bun. She didn’t have the energy to do much else with her hair so she ran a brush through it letting the deep red, pin-straight hair hang free past her shoulders. Ada pushed down any residual emotions and put her weariness on hold. By the time she was finished straightening up, she almost felt like herself again. She left her room and started down the stairs.

“Kaivus, I’m going to break your other toe, okay? That way you’ll match!”

#WoW #world of warcraft #Blood Elves #sin'dorei #Legion #fanfiction #original Characters #Writing #original writing #Gilnaeas

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bricousland · 4 years

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Chapter 9: The Dawn Will Come

Chapter Eight Chapter Seven Chapter Six Chapter Five

Chapter Four Chapter Three Chapter Two Chapter One

AO3

The road home was solemn. Alistair was weak and could only ride a few hours at a time; between that and his nightmares, progress was slow and it took them twice as long to return to Skyhold.

During the journey, Briana sustained her fair share of injuries and more than once, Nanami had to step in and wrap Alistair in a sleeping spell when his delusions became unmanageable. These fits ended travel for the day and left the group waiting for another bout of sanity so they could continue home. The Fade haunted Alistair; he saw demons when there were none and enemies in his friends. During his lucidity, Alistair fell into terrible depressions as he remembered the pain his barbarity caused everyone--especially Briana. He sobbed, apologized, and tried to ostracize himself from the party. During those times, only Briana could bring him back, sometimes with kind words and other times with him slung over her shoulder. It was a long, hard trip filled with a lot less laughter and more tears. No one complained though, not even Sera who was eager to return home.

Nanami kept her distance from the group and rode at the back of the line. She stayed close enough to Briana and Alistair to step in, but far enough away to avoid conversation. Sera was able to coax her into a conversation here and there but Nanami was disengaged and distracted.

Once they arrived at Skyhold, they were treated to a hero’s welcome. Cullen’s men met them at the gates in straight rows with their armor shining. Josephine and the nobility that were currently in attendance greeted them with cheers. Briana kept herself and Cullen between Alistair and the visiting aristocrats, though they tried their very best to grab the attention of the would-be-king.

Leliana doted on them and had every nurse on staff examine Alistair. When she was satisfied that he was in good physical health, she escorted them to their bedroom and set two of her best scouts outside. The cheers and conversation faded as the door closed with a heavy boom behind them. There was complete silence in the small stone room. The two of them were alone for the first time since the day they had separated so many years ago.

Briana was at a loss for words. She stood tense, in the middle of the room with her fists at her sides. She looked at her axe propped near her pillow and her armor, carefully put away. The danger of the journey was over but a piece of her felt like she was back at camp with a darkspawn ambush waiting to happen. ”

Alistair finished washing his (now clean shaven) face but, when he turned around and his smile faded. “You’re afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid.” Briana shook out the tension in her hands and rolled her shoulders, “You’d never kill me.”

“We don’t know that”

“I know it.”

“Fine, then what’s bothering you?”

“You were dead, Alistair.” the words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself ”I heard your heart stop beating and I gave up. I was ready to follow you and to die right there at your side.” hysteria crawled into her throat, “But then you came back, and now -- you’re broken! You’re paranoid, sobbing, and apologetic all within short periods of time. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to help you and for once I feel powerless.”

“So-- it’s my turn to be the strong one, is it?” Alistair wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His fingers ran through her hair, and his cheek pressed against the top of her head. “Briana, you’re here and I know that things have been difficult but I swear to you, every time I look at you, I feel better. Right now, you’re an anchor in a world I barely understand anymore.”

“Why did the Maker bring this war into our bedroom?”Her face pressed against his chest, his skin smelled of soap and rose petals.

His laugh was quiet and gentle. She felt his chin rest on the top of her head, “Because, sleeping with Morrigan won’t fix this one.”

She smiled and gave him a gentle jab in the ribs and she found herself laughing. “You’re right. The Blight was too easy.” Her arms wrapped around his waist. He was so much thinner than she remembered. Losing him had been like losing a piece of herself and now that he was back she had no words to express how alive she felt. He was someone who had seen her at her absolute worst and her absolute best. He never treated her like a hero and always showed her more compassion than she deserved. It was finally her turn to do the same for him.

“I love you” He whispered in her ear, “and I’ll never let you leave my side again.”

“You’ll have to.” Briana stepped out of his arms and removed her shirt. She turned her back to him and showed him the exposed, darkspawn poison that crawled through her veins. “Now, I have to find that cure. I can hear the song, I can ignore it for now, but we know what’s coming if I don’t go.”

His hand was warm to the touch as it grazed her blackened flesh, “This shouldn’t be happening to you yet. I’m the senior Grey Warden and I don’t have a touch of it. I’m coming with you.”

“No.” Briana tossed her shirt to the side and turned to face him, even from the front some of the blight peered over her shoulder. She took his hand and ran her fingers over his knuckles. Her touch was soft but her voice was hard, “You’ll be a liability.”

“You’re using your Hero voice”

“I don’t have a hero voice. This is my serious voice. Al, you know you can’t come as you are.”

Alistair looked like he wanted to argue for a moment but after a few twisted and unpleasant features, his shoulder slumped and he nodded. “And if the Blight worsens?”

“If it becomes too much to bear I will return to Highever.”

“Promise me.”

“Alistair, I promise you, no matter how this ends, my final hours will be spent holding your hand.” She wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and pulled his face into her’s for a long, much needed kiss. His teeth caught her bottom lip and her hands slid down his body, feeling every bone and scar along the way. Her lips moved to his neck while her hand slid down his pants.

“Maker.” His breath was hot against her ear. His arms found their way around her and pulled her close again. The touch of his fingertips against several jagged scars sent a shiver up her spine. Briana tugged him towards the bed; her fingers caught the lacing of his pants and with one quick pull they fell around his ankles.

She slid back on the bed. He crawled after her and kneeled in front of her on the mattress. His hands cupped her face and he pulled her forward for a long, deep kiss. When they stopped, his smile was coy and playful. She pressed the tip of her nose against his, “I’ll be gentle. I don’t want to break you.”

Alistair laughed and pushed her onto her back, “Oh, shut up.” he leaned over her and blew their bedside candle out. In the dark she felt his warm body on top of her and his arms beneath her. When her legs wrapped around his waist, for the first time in a long time Briana Cousland felt whole.

~ ~ ~

The stars danced in the sky over the Frostbacks. Orlesian and Ferelden nobility alike made an appearance. Everyone was there to celebrate the reuniting of the Hero of Ferelden with her one true love and all of it because of, and thanks to, the Inquisition. Josephine couldn’t have been happier. Nobles were already spinning tales of the Inquisitor’s gentle heart compelling her to brave the Fade again to right a wrong. It was a tale for bards to someday sing of--Maryden already was, actually.

While having Orlesians and Fereldens under the same roof was stressful, Cullen and his men kept them separated and intimidated enough to keep the peace. The cooks were in a panic. The Orlesian food was too rich for the Fereldens and Ferelden food was ‘as good as rotting fish’ to the Orlesians. Even Nanami, and Briana were expended. They attended feast after feast as noble parties arrived to partake in the events. Alistair, was the only one excused from the rush of attention. He made intermittent appearances to the nobility orchestrated by Josephine; he was introduced and excused from the dinners in such a manner that the nobility didn’t think to question his absences.

Tonight was the last night Briana and Alistair would be with the Inquisition before they set off to Highever. Briana’s brother, Fergus had already arrived the previous day with a royal escort for the two of them. It included a beautiful oak carriage with thick velvet drapes and a private guard hand picked by Leliana and Cullen.

Briana was in Nanami’s room getting ready for the ball. Josephine brought them gowns to wear. She said a ball was no place for Grey Warden armor or beige lounge wear. The two women sat in chairs while stylists brushed and pinned their hair. Nanami nursed a cup of tea, bored and irritated while Briana seemed relaxed and confident, instructing the stylist to fix a pin here or to tighten a ribbon there. It was at times like these the Warden’s noble birth stood out.

“You know, Alistair has never seen me in a dress.” Briana took a cup of tea when it was offered. She tried to look at Nanami but the stylist turned her chin so she was facing forward again.

“Really? Not even at your wedding?” Nanami’s hair had been brushed until it shone like black silk and now it was being twisted and pinned. Her stylist cooed and fawned over the style but Nanami didn’t understand a word of his thick Orlesian accent.

“Yes. The Chantry mother was there to oversee it, all the papers were signed. It was all very official. We were in our armor in the Commander’s office. The Wardens wanted to send me out on another mission and I refused to leave Weishaupt until I was married. It was the least romantic thing Alistair and I have ever had to endure.”

Nanami laughed which, in turn, caused the stylist to panic “Maker, Inquisitor, Haven’t you learned to laugh without tears?” His Orlesian accent was thick and chastising. One of the servant girls came up and dabbed her eyes to wipe the makeup away.

Na’lahni sighed “What will you do after all of this? You’re going back Highever but it sounds like it would be best if you returned to the Wardens. Don’t you want to go to them?”

Briana was quiet while a woman painted her lips a deep ruby red, “I’m taking Alistair to Highever and I’ll stay with him for a little longer but, I’ll leave within a few weeks to finish my search for a cure for the Blight.” She pressed her lips onto a tissue when prompted, “Regardless of the outcome of that search, we’ve agreed that we will not be returning to the Wardens. All we ever wanted was a family and a place to belong. The Wardens turned on Alistair in my absence. I won’t forgive them for that. Thedas is in good hands and really doesn’t need me around with you and the Champion to fix things.”

Nanami smiled as she listened to Briana’s dreams of the future and wondered how many of them would actually come true.

We all get dragged back in, eventually.

“Thank you, Inquisitor.” Briana continued. “You’ve been a friend through all of this, even when I was trying to kill you, you showed me kindness. Can I give you one last piece of advice woman to woman?” Briana dismissed the stylists and other servants that were scurrying around the room. “Go, we look fine.” With a snap of her fingers the staff dispersed in a rush. She turned in her seat her long chocolate curls were left to hang around her shoulders. The front pieces were pulled and pinned behind her ears to give it that ‘intentionally messy’ look the Fereldens seemed to prefer.

“Why not?” One last pin was put in Nanami’s hair. Her thin, silky locks were wound in a thick, intricate Orlesian style behind her head. It showed off her elven ears and big blue eyes. It pulled tightly on her scalp and she wished she had asked a Ferelden to do her hair.

“I said it to you once in Lothering and I am going to say it again. Let Cullen love you.” Before Nanami could interrupt Briana shook her head, “before you try to tell me about Solas listen to what I have to say. I don’t know who Solas is. Sera hates him and while Cullen respects your decision, he’s not too happy with him either. From what I gather, this man ran out on you without a word as to where or why. I don’t question that he loved you. I don’t know anything about him to make that judgement. But, I can say that Alistair would never do that to me. He’d never leave without an explanation; he trusts me implicitly. Just as I trust him.”

Nanami sat back in her chair and looked down at her hands without responding. Briana reached out and held them. “You deserve better than to wait around for someone who might never come back.” Briana leaned back in her seat with a grin. “Besides, I can speak from experience, ex Templars make great lovers and eventually, with some training, great husbands.”

Nanami laughed her her cheeks blushed a shade of soft pink, “I’ll keep that in mind.” A part of her wanted to tell Briana about her experience in the Fade and saying goodbye to Solas, but when she gathered the words she pushed them back down. She rose to her feet and looked into the hearth where dying embers shone and the dining table set for two.

She smiled.

Nanami motioned to the door, “Let’s go.”

The entire hall was lit with warm candlelight and decorations that displayed Inquisition and Warden emblems. Nanami and Briana stood in front of the Inquisitor’s throne while everyone gathered. Briana reached out and took Nanami’s hand. “A new kind of battle.” she whispered. Nanami covered a laugh behind her hand as the hall grew quiet.

One of the many servants in the hall stepped forward and with a booming voice, spoke to the rest of the attendees, “Presenting Lady Inquisitor Nanami Lavellan, Herald of Andraste and Lady Warden Briana Cousland Hero of Ferelden.”

“My what big names we have.” Briana said as she and Nanami descended the steps hand in hand. Against Josephine’s wishes, Leliana had chosen Briana’s dress; it was hunter green silk with deep brown leather around the shoulders and then wrapped around the waist as an oversized belt emblazoned with intricate silver griffins. Nanami felt more awkward in her dress. In an attempt to soothe Josephine, she chose her dress sight unseen. It was soft, ice blue cotton with several creamy silk layers beneath and long billowing sleeves trimmed with silver thread. It was comfortable but the layers made it heavy and she had to hold it up to walk down the stairs.At the base of the stairs, Alistair waited. He wore a suit strikingly similar to what they had worn at Halamshiral. It was white with a green sash made out of the same material as Briana’s dress. Nanami smiled, happy to see he was well enough to make an appearance.

That has Josephine written all over it.

Briana’s smile brightened when she caught sight of her husband. Around him that warrior persona washed away and Briana was just a girl all over again.

“By the Maker you are beautiful.” Alistair took her by the hand and drew Briana in close for a kiss. Nanami stood to the side while the rest of the nobility cheered or hid their masked faces behind lace fans.

“You don’t look so bad yourself. You’re sure you’re up for this?”

“I’m fine. Just don’t leave my side, alright?”

Briana smiled, “Never.”

Nanami walked up a few stairs so she could see the crowd that surrounded them. “Hello, everyone and welcome. We are so glad you could all attend. Briana, Alistair, and I hope that you have the very best night.” She paused a moment as some Ferelden’s cheered from the back while the Orlesians looked disdainfully over their shoulders, “Enjoy the food, enjoy the wine, and enjoy the cakes. Most of all, enjoy dancing. Lady Cousland, if you and Alistair could start us off with a first dance?”

“We would love to!” Briana called up to Nanami.

Alistair looked at Briana, “We would?” Briana swiftly elbowed him in the ribs, “Ow!.” He rubbed his side and nodded to Nanami, “I mean, it would be an honor.”

Everyone clamoured to see the two of them. Nanami stayed up by her throne looking over everything just like she had at every other party. Except this time, she didn’t feel forced to enjoy it. Briana and Alistair were happy, she was able to right one of her many wrongs and save a life. She looked over at Josephine who was basking in her success at yet another flawless party and for once, Nanami felt she could relate.

As the night wore on a few nobles offered her a dance, and as always, she declined. She was happy to watch over everyone else. Briana danced with everyone though. She watched her dance with Iron Bull, Cullen, and Varric with all the grace a noble woman was trained in. On the other hand, she watched Alistair try to dance with a few noble ladies but he didn’t have the same amount of tact as his wife. Seeing her friend drowning, Leliana swooped in and danced with him so he could regain some amount of pride until Briana returned with mussed hair and red cheeks.

As the hours came and went Briana made her way up the steps and stood beside her. Nanami looked over at the Warden, “You seem like you’re having a great time.”

Briana nodded, “I loved dancing and attending balls in Highever. I didn’t like to dress up much but I always enjoyed this. I’ve noticed you haven’t taken to the dance floor.”

Nanami laughed, “I enjoy watching people dance. Their happiness makes me happy.”

“I bet you would have more fun if you danced with someone.”

“Did you really come up here to scold me for not dancing with Cullen?”

Briana shook her head,“Yes and no. Alistair is worn out; he says he’s alright but I can see that he’s slipping.” She tilted her head in Alistair’s direction where he stood talking to Cullen, his hands clenched together and his eyes darting towards Briana for a quick glance. “We are leaving early tomorrow with Fergus, I just wanted to say” Briana extended her hand towards her and Nanami took it “Thank you Inquisitor. If you ever need a sword--or axe, I’m yours.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Warden.” Briana smiled and left her at the steps, retrieving Alistair from Cullen’s company.

Nanami moved from her stationary spot and slipped through the crowd to find Cullen leaning against the wall watching over everyone like any good guard. He was dressed in his Halamshiral finery of white and royal blue.

“We’ve had three brawls so far. Orlesians don’t know when to quit with the dog jokes. I bet it’s a national sport. Is everything alright?”

She nodded, “Yes, thanks to you, everything’s been a success.”

“Well good. At least we won’t have to listen to Josephine’s complaints about it in the War Room tomorrow.”

“Cullen, would you… like to dance?” She smoothed her hands over her dress and tucked a piece of stray black hair behind her ear.

“Dance? I don’t-- I mean, yes -- are you sure?”

“Well, I haven’t danced with anyone all night and I’m not really good at it. I thought if I was with you, you’d stop me from making a fool of myself.”

“Well, how could I say no to that?”

Nanami reached out and took his hand in hers and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. Everyone stopped to watch, and out of the corner of her eye, Nanami saw Briana. She leaned against the corner of a narrow hall with Alistair at her side. When their eyes locked the Warden winked before she disappeared around the corner hand in hand with her husband.

Cullen pulled Nanami close and rested a hand on her waist. As the room fell silent, her cheeks became hotter and her hand held his tight. The music was the only noise echoing in the halls. Even the clatter of cups and plates had ceased, all eyes were on the Inquisitor and the Commander. Cullen’s eyes caught hers and he gave her a subtle nod before he guided her into the first steps of a simple waltz. As she followed him, a smile crept onto her face. The music was moderately paced and her lithe elven feet easily adapted to the rhythm around them. After a moment, she didn’t even remember they were being watched. When the song ended there were gloved claps from the Orlesians and merry cheers from the Fereldens. Nanami, face flushed, turned to her audience, gave a timid curtsy, and bow of her head. Cullen, no less abashed gave a gentlemanly bow as well.

“I think I’m going to need some fresh air.” Nanami whispered, “Will you come with me?”

“Maker, yes.” Cullen offered his arm and lead her into the cold mountain air.

As they withdrew from the crowd, they were saluted by two of Cullen’s men stationed at the door. Nanami smiled and took in a deep breath of frigid winter air as they descended the stairs together. “It’s so quiet out here.” Nanami descended the first flight of stairs with her hand still wrapped in the bend of his elbow while her other gathered and lifted the thick layers of her dress.

“It’s better than dancing in front of a room full of people.”

“Agreed.” Nanami laughed and stood on the small platform,looking towards the stables with her arms wrapped around themselves. “I didn’t expect so much attention.” Cullen stood beside her, looking out into the moonlit yard as well. There were so many things Nanami wanted to say but she had no idea where to begin, she wished, just for a moment, she had the same confidence as Briana.

“I’m sorry.”

His apology left her a little flummoxed. “What?” she finally managed, taking her attention away from the yard and onto him.

“The kiss, I wasn’t in my right mind and you were--”

“No. Don’t --” Nanami pinched the bridge of her nose, “Mythal’s horns, I wanted you to.”

“I know, it was foolish and I -- you wanted it?” It was Cullen’s turn to be speechless but a little smile couldn’t help but creep across his face.

“When I was unconscious in Morrigan’s home, I saw Solas and I realized that he didn’t trust me and even if he did love me, I was finished trying to love him. Cullen, I care for you a great deal and I don’t know what’s going to happen but, I know I want to find out. I know that when I look at you, I feel safe and warm even out here in the middle of winter standing on cold stone.” Nanami paused and chewed on her bottom lip. When Cullen didn’t respond, she started again, “I’m not trying to take advantage of your feelings. I only want you to know that they’re not one --” Cullen’s hands grabbed her face and wrapped his fingers in her hair. He leaned down and pressed a kiss against her lips and this time Nanami allowed herself to fall into it. Her hand rested on his arm while another wrapped around his waist. All of the anxiety that had infested her heart a moment before melted away. He felt as immovable as the frostbacks and even in soft cotton and silks he smelled of steel and a well oiled sword.

As their lips parted his hazel eyes looked down at her and tucked some of her hair behind her ears, “I hope that wasn’t too forward.”

“Not at all.” Nanami laughed.

“Should we go back? I’m sure you’re missed.”

“Let’s stay like this a little longer.”

Trespasser

Nanami Lavallen fell through the eluvian clutching what was left of her arm. Her body hit the marble floor with a loud thud and her staff clattered and echoed in the small room. All around her were Orlesian and Ferelden dignitaries gasping and shouting as Inquisition soldiers shielded her from their view. She was blinded from pain and everything around her was blurred chaos. The friends that had come with her, Dorian, Bull, and Sera raced to help her to her feet. Her lip was bloodied and she was hunched over in pain from a few broken ribs. Dorian handed the staff to her and she used it as a cane while she caught her breath.

Josephine and Leliana soon arrived, pushing the crowd out of the room and assuring them everything would be revealed shortly. From outside Nanami heard Orlesians gasping in disapproval before she heard the roar of her Commander, “Get out of my way that is my wife you’re keeping me from!”

“Your what?!” Sera’s voice boomed in her ear causing her head to throb.

“Well that really is a surprise.” Dorian’s softer voice rose among the deep chuckles of Bull who was holding her steady as Cullen rushed to her side. He took her from Bull’s arms and leaned down to come nose to nose with her. Nanami tried to focus but his face was an exhausted blurr.

“Nanami, Nanami what happened?” His voice was panicked as he took notice of her arm.

“I’m alright.” Nanami managed in a soft whisper. Her weight was too much to bare and her knees slowly buckled. Cullen held her steady and joined her on the floor as her exhaustion wore her down. “I’m alright” she repeated, she looked up and finally his face was clear and it made her glad. “The Qunari have been stopped”

“You can tell me all about it once we get you to an infirmary.” Cullen moved to lift her but she put a hand on his chest to stop him.

“Wait, Solas was there.”

“Solas?”

“He wants to restore Arlathan, and I may have to kill him.”

#dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #briana cousland #alistair theirin #alistair x warden #the dawn will come #commander cullen #cullen rutherford #cullen x inquisitor #Nanami Lavellan #creative writing #fanfiction #ending #dragon age

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bricousland · 6 years

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(commission by: rayeliann.tumblr.com)

#briana cousland #alistair theirin #alistair x warden #dragon age

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bricousland · 6 years

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Chapter 8: For One Day Soon

Chapter Seven Chapter Six Chapter Five Chapter Four Chapter Three Chapter Two Chapter One AO3

Nanami felt soft green grass beneath her and a hot sun above her. The smell of flowers, tree sap, and elfroot filled her nose. She was surrounded by dense, living forest. She could hear birds and a young halla baying for it’s mother not too far away. She hadn’t seen so much green since she’d ventured into the Emerald Graves. It was like being home again; she took a deep breath and let the warmth of the sun prickle across her skin.

She felt lighter and realized she was without her armor. In a moment of panic she pulled on the power of the fade, but she stopped as someone she hadn’t noticed before stood up from under a nearby tree. The familiar face marching towards her dissolved her panic and replaced it with rage.

“What were you thinking?!” Solas’s voice boomed in her ears. He knelt down to her level and grabbed her shoulders, “Jumping physically back into the Fade, and for what? A dead man? It was foolish, you could have been killed!”

“You haven’t been around. You don’t get to weigh-in.” She pushed his hands away and stood up, she was tired of seeing his face. Nanami looked around the forested area and saw no sign of her friends. “Where are we, demon?”

Solas looked aghast, “I’m not a demon, you’re safe here.”

She tried to think herself out of the vision only to find that her mind was clear, like when she and Solas used to meet in her dreams. It didn’t ease her anger, however, if anything it fanned the flames. “How did you know where I was?”

“Spirits, Veh’nan, you were easy to find.” Solas sighed, “You know you don’t owe the Warden anything; Why put yourself at such risk for a woman half out of her mind with Blight?”

The familiar endearment smoothed the rough edges of her anger. “You said, “Veh’nan”? So, you still...?”

He was hesitant; Solas looked down and straightened his sleeve, keeping his attention off of her, “Of course… but Nanami --” She closed the distance between them and kissed him. She had been through too much to allow him to be dismissive. No matter how deep in the Fade they were, Solas was as real to her here as he had been in the warm confines of his study. He felt solid and safe, his arms didn’t encircle her, and his lips returned her kiss half heartedly.

Nanami stepped away from him but he pulled her chin up and his lips pressed against hers in a more attentive kiss. The moment was brief and he released her before he lost himself.

“This isn’t why I came.” He took a few steps away from her to put some distance between them. His hands busied themselves with tugging at the edges of worn cotton sleeves.

“Then why did you?”

“I couldn’t watch you die.”

“Then, you should come back to Skyhold. It will be much easier to protect me there.”

He shook his head, “It’s not that easy.” His eyes avoided hers again, they looked down at the ground or through the dense thicket of trees.

“It can be.”

Solas laughed, short and shallow. “Because you are the Inquisitor?”

“Yes, because I am the Inquisitor! Solas, I’m not going to wait for answers any longer. Why can’t you trust me?”

“It has nothing to do with trust.”

“Trust has everything to do with it, Solas. Whatever trouble you think you’re in or whatever you think you need to do alone, I can help, I can--”

He took her hands in his. “Listen to me.” His voice was soft and thoughtful; while his eyes were weary and pained, “What we had was real. For a while, we traveled the same road, towards the same goals and perhaps it could have stayed that way had things turned out differently. But, they didn’t. Our paths are taking us in different directions and we must walk them. But you needn’t do it alone.” He touched her cheek and ran his thumb across it to catch a tear. “Some love stories are better as short stories, my love.” He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek and whispered in her ear. “It’s time for you to wake up. Goodbye.”

“Solas!” she tried to reach for him but already, the quiet forest was disintegrating around her and Solas was gone.

~ ~ ~

Briana woke up on a straw mattress with Nanami still fast asleep beside her. Her chest, neck, and shoulders were wrapped tight with cotton bandages. Standing at her bedside was a young boy with round yellow eyes. He had a wet cloth in his hands and smiled.“Mother will be pleased.” His voice was flat and lacked the emotion that usually accompanied ten year old boys.

A demon...

Briana sat up in her bed. The pain in her chest shot through every nerve in her body. She grabbed the little boy by his cotton shirt and reached for her axe. When it wasn’t where she was expecting it, she fumbled and fell out of bed hitting the hardwood floor like a heavy stack of potatoes. She yelped while the boy wrested out of her grip.

“Mother!” he cried, flinging the front door open and disappearing from Briana’s sight.

Briana stayed on the floor and stared at the ceiling. The blankets were twisted around her, and her feet were still propped above her on the edge of the bed. Briana was satisfied (by the pain and embarrassment) that she was, in fact, out of the Fade. She peeked under the bandage around her chest and saw a thick, red scar that was still stitching itself together.

Magic made dying complicated.

She had been stabbed through the chest and still managed to live. Who does that? Not Andraste, or Maferath...or Alistair. Just her, maybe she could find a dragon to fight with her bare hands and test the Maker’s resolve to keep her alive. After the initial anger quelled, the realization that she was alone made her listless, her mind was blank, and her eyes set on the wooden beams above her.

The rusty front door opened and swung shut.

“Well, well, the Hero of Ferelden, awake at last and with such grace .”

Fuck me, this is where it all comes full circle.

Morrigan stood over Briana with her arms crossed and brows raised. “I always said Alistair t’was the idiot but sometimes you make me think I was incorrect.”

“Not now, Morrigan.” Briana made no real attempt to untangle herself from the bed sheets.

“Ah yes, I’ve obviously interrupted something very important. Are you going to get up?”

“Nope.”

“Stop acting like a child and get up.” Morrigan snorted “I would have let you die, if I knew that’s what you wanted. You’re the ones who came through my eluvian.”

“Next time wake me up before you decide whether I should live or die. I’m getting tired of you, your mother, and the bloody Maker making that decision for me.”

“You would have survived even without my help, that wound on your chest should have killed you, but it was healing before I even touched it. Someone isn’t ready for you to die yet, Briana Cousland, so you could at least do them the courtesy of living. Get up; the rest are outside eating supper and you will do the same.”

Maker why?

Briana pushed herself to her feet, this time she moved carefully, using the side of the bed for support. She brushed her fingers through her curls and looked around the hut, “So, that was your son?”

“His name is Kieran.”

“Did Alistair meet him?”

“Briefly. Kieran doesn’t know anything about his father, as promised, and I kept him well away. Though I can’t say Alistair made that easy. Fool.”

Briana walked over to the fire and held her hands up to the flame. She felt cold to the core and the humidity that blew in from the windows was ice on her skin. She rubbed her hands together, trying to warm herself but Urthemiel’s quiet song seeped into her and pulled the heat away. “Thank you.”

Morrigan pulled the blankets back over Nanami who still lay unconscious. “For what?”

“For giving us time. I didn’t realize what you were offering. I was so convinced you had betrayed me; I didn’t even stop to think about another explanation. I did so little with the time I had; Alistair begged to come with me but, no, per-usual I had to put the world before us. I only seem to care when I risk losing him.”

“Why do you think that idiot cared for you so much? Because he could count on you to make the tough choices. Sentimentality doesn’t suit you, Briana-- even in your old age.” She tucked the blankets around Nanami and walked towards the fire, she came up behind her friend and dug a finger into Briana’s bare flesh. It was black, purple, and bruised.. It disappeared beneath the bandages and was about the size of Flemeth’s grimoire. “When did this begin?”

“Sometime after Alistair and I separated.”

“What do you plan to do about it?”

“Put a sword through my belly, eventually.”

“You’re pathetic, this isn’t the Hero of Ferelden who was ready to do what it took to end the Blight.” Morrigan started towards the door.“Go eat, Alistair isn’t the only person who cares about what happens to you. The Dragon Age isn’t the age to mourn someone’s passing. Too many people have been lost, death is apart of everyone’s life. Keep him with you but remember who you are. Things are not going to get better.”

Briana didn’t respond. She walked away from the fire, grabbed a clean linen shirt and pulled it over her head. She went into the frigid Ferelden air with Morrigan. There was a larger, warmer fire lit in the yard. It chased away the damp cold and left the air smelling of smoke with a hint of fresh swamp. The stars were bright and clear in the sky. Flemeth's hut had gone untouched by the Blight that surrounded it, on the other side of a small stream at the front of the cottage, Briana could see dead grass and blighted trees. The perimeter of the cottage, however, looked exactly like it had the day she had left it after (presumably) killing Morrigan’s mother.

Cullen and Sera sat together on a bench with their faces half stuffed with stew. When they saw her, Cullen tried to regain some dignity: wiping stew from the scruff of his ungroomed face and sitting a little straighter. Meanwhile Sera shoveled more food down her throat, more than happy to stay in gravy-faced bliss.

Briana looked between the two of them, unsure wether to laugh or cry, “How did we end up here?”

Cullen set his bowl aside “When the Nightmare reappeared, another spirit showed up in the form of a wolf and defended us. I don’t remember anything after that. Not saving you, or Nanami, or going through an Eluvian, as Morrigan claims we did.”

“What about Alistair? What happened to him?”

“Well, that’s even a bigger mystery, but one I’m sure you’ll be pleased by.” Cullen motioned for her to turn around.

She turned and her heart stopped. He stood there, his clothes too loose for his skeletal frame; his hair too long and frazzled around his square, bearded face but those eyes. She’d never mistake them, not in a million years. “Maker preserve me.”

“He hasn’t done anything but ask for ya.” Sera said through mouthfuls of food, “An’ give Morrigan these sideways looks but she said tha’s normal.”

Briana threw herself into Alistair’s arms. He hugged her tight. Regardless of how skinny or weak he was it was the safest she’d felt in years. His lips pressed against the top of her head and his fingers ran through her hair. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and just held him..

Alistair chuckled, “You’re going to break me.”

“You were dead.” She looked at him, touched his face, traced his cheek bone down to his chin.

“Me, dead? Perish the thought.” His hand rested on the back of her head, “Come here.” He pulled her face close to his and kissed her. He was warm and solid, the same as she remembered. All of her worries were gone. Anything that had been plaguing her before the kiss simply vanished. Even Urthemiel couldn’t rear his ugly head. Not when Alistair was so close and alive. So very much alive.

Alistair ran his hand through her hair and looked over every inch of her face. His eyes lingered on the top of her head and his brows came together as he touched the area where her rose usually sat. “Briana,” his voice was distressed, “Where’s your rose? You’re never without it.”

Briana felt his entire body tense, she reached a hand up to fluff his hair and soothe him but he was fixated on her rose. She tried to find eyes as she explained,“It shattered while we were in the Fade.”

“Wynne put a protection spell on it.” Alistair was curt and sild his hand out of her hair, “It wouldn’t just break.” He looked at everyone around him like they were part of the scenery and no longer people. “We’ve been through worse bloody battles and it’s always survived.” Alistair pulled out of Briana’s embrace.

“It was more than that.”

“I was free.” His eyes turned away from her and flickered from face to face, becoming more and more distant.

“Al” Briana reached for his hand.

“Briana, get away from him.” Morrigan warned.

“Not again, I won’t let you taint my memory of her anymore.” His voice was soft and shaking; tears touched the corners of his eyes. Briana ignored Morrigan’s warning; Alistair lunged at her when her fingertips touched his hands. Faster than her eyes could follow, his hands wrapped around her neck and squeezed.

Alistair looked through her, seeing a demon no one else could. Briana tried to pry his hands from her neck but the lack of air to her lungs, coupled with her injuries, weakened her. She thrust her hands against his chest and with a hard shove, she pushed him away from her and took a few stunned steps back. Before he could reach her again, Cullen was on him and restrained Alistair by the arms. He screamed,and cursed, and yelled, lost in whatever nightmare he conjured for himself.

Briana tried to go to him but Sera pulled her away. Alistair struggled in Cullen’s grasp. He screamed through heavy tears, calling Briana a demon, an illusion, spawn of the darkest depths of the Fade. He kicked and flailed like a child throwing a tantrum and though he was lithe and light, Cullen clearly struggled to hold him back and he kept shouting “I was free. I was free. I was free.”

Just as Alistair deteriorated from violence into sobs, Morrigan waved a hand in front of his face; magic slid up his nose and Alistair’s whole body froze before he collapsed into sound sleep.

“Alistair believes he’s still in the Fade.” Cullen’s voice was muffled behind the blood that pulsed in Briana’s ears. “I suffered the same after the uprising in Ferelden’s Circle. He was fine until he decided something wasn’t right in his world.”

Morrigan nodded, “Take him inside and tie him to the wooden chair near the fire. He won’t be waking up anytime soon but when he does I don’t want another fight.” Cullen nodded and carried Alistair inside while Morrigan turned her attention to Briana. She began to examine the bruises already forming on her neck.

Briana ran her hands through her hair, expecting to feel the velvety petals but instead felt nothing but dry brown hair.

Morrigan sighed, “Well if that’s all,‘tis simple enough to fix. Temporarily, at least.” Morrigan kneeled and pressed her hands into the soil. Magic penetrated the ground and slowly, fresh green vines rose up. Morrigan pushed more magic into the plant until a single red rose blossomed. Morrigan picked it and wove a quick spell around it before handing it to Briana. “This should help but you need to be careful. If the absence of your rose can set him off, who knows what else may. Don’t be alone with him.”

Briana took the rose and tucked it into her hair. She felt the soft red petals beneath her touch and twirled it between her fingers until it sat just right. “Can you erase the memories?”

Morrigan paused and shook her head, “No, the magic involved and the unintended consequences would be worse than its benefits. I will send you with sleeping potions and sedatives. Tis the best I can do. I’m sure the Inquisitor can put him to sleep if it must come to that.”

“Briana, he can recover. I went through something similar after you left the circle.” Cullen said as he stepped out of the hut, closing the door gently behind him. “With time and patience, he will feel the world become solid again. He’ll eventually begin to trust what he smells and feels. I worked through it and he can too. It will never go away though, Briana. The nightmares are continuous and it’s something the two of you will have to learn to live with. However, I have complete faith you’ll pull him out of the worst of it. Much faster and more whole than I could on my own.”

“You should stay at Skyhold with us.” Sera said as she skipped back over to the warm fire, sat down in a chair, and rubbed her hands together. “Until he’s better yeah? You’ll have everything you need there. I’m sure Quizzy wouldn’t mind and I know Bull and I’d like to watch you knock Cullen on his ass a few more times!”

“Thank you Sera but, I don’t want him paraded around in front of Orlesian and Ferelden nobility. It wouldn’t be safe for him to be seen there like this. We’ll go home.”

“You can’t bring ‘im back to the Wardens acting all Blighty.”

“I never said I would.” She had no desire to return to living under the thumb of the Wardens. Sera was right, with Alistair in this condition they may believe he had Blight sickness. They’d eventually find hers too and she’d be thrust into the Deep Roads like the unwanted problem she’d become, or worse.

Then there was, Skyhold. There she’d have Lilly and the entire Inquisition at her beck and call, but she had no desire to expose Alistair to people that still petitioned him to overthrow Queen Anora. She knew she could trust her allies but had no desire to trust the rest of the Inquisition.

Betrayal came cheap.

They needed somewhere safe, and warm, and surrounded by the people who loved her and not just her title. When she thought about it, Briana smiled “Highever, I think we’ll visit my brother in Highever.”

#dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #briana cousland #alistair theirin #the dawn will come #commander cullen #cullen x inquisitor #solas x lavellan #Nanami Lavellan #Cousland #alistair x warden #dragon age

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bricousland · 7 years

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Chapter 7: Look to the Sky

Chapter Six Chapter Five Chapter Four Chapter Three

Chapter Two Chapter One AO3

Briana opened her eyes to a silent hall and a dead archdemon laying in front her. She could hear hordes of darkspawn scattering below Fort Drakon, the bloodcurdling screams of Blight survivors, and the softer sound of crackling flame. She expected to see Alistair, Lilly, and Wynne at her side. Instead she saw people she didn’t recognize. A Dalish mage with wispy black hair and another disheveled blonde elf with a bow strung across her back. She tried to stand and found that she was being carried by that crazy templar from the Ferelden Circle. Cullen looked down at her and smiled a very un-crazy smile.

“Ah, you’re awake.” The sound of his voice acted as a familiar anchor and pulled all of her memories from the present back and pushed the dream away. The song, Urthemiel’s song remained.

“Put me down.” Her voice was dry and wavered with the simplest demand, but Cullen set her on her feet without complaint. Briana stumbled, her own weight being too much for her knees to handle, and Cullen caught her around the waist until she found her center.

“Take it easy. You’ve taken quite the beating.” His chide was soft and well meaning. He stood with her until she adjusted to having all her weight carried by her own bones again. Every muscle in her body demanded she allow Cullen to carry her the rest of the way, but her pride demanded she walk. She steadied herself on her feet, patted Cullen on the shoulder, and marched forward with the rest of the party. Her armor was in no condition for more fighting. It was dented and punctured from the damage wrangling a dragon caused. A piece of the metal pushed uncomfortably against her spine and became a constant source of pain as she continued the short walk to Nanami’s side.

“You’re going to need a lot of rest once we get out of here.” Nanami said as they walked out the front doors of Skyhold and into the open night air..

“I’ll be fine.” Briana looked back within the keep. It was destroyed. The dragon had gutted the throne room leaving nothing intact, save the cold stone walls that served as a skeleton for the remains within.

The dream hadn’t faded as all the others had; the longer they stood there, the more Briana began to worry that it wouldn’t disperse. Just as her worries began to swell, the keep turned black. A powerful force threatened to crack her chest as it thrust her back into her body.

The stale air of the Fade filled her deflated lungs. She could hear the others around her, coughing and pushing themselves to their feet. Briana grabbed her axe and used it to push herself up. The exhaustion and pain from the fight with the dragon stayed with her, though now it was only a soft throb of sore insides. Her dragonbone armor was whole, and though every bone wished she’d rest, she pressed forward, helping Nanami to her feet and drinking another potion to dull the pain.

In the distance Briana could see a bright green light that hadn’t been there before. Nanami saw it too, “Our way out.” relief laced Nanami voice and she even smiled a little.

“Or a trap. Let's go.” Briana started down the rocky path without waiting for the others to follow.

Nanami caught up with her about halfway down the steep slope, “Alistair may not be there.” Her pity was as visible as an Orlesian mask from Ferelden.

“I saw him, Nanami. I know you think it was just the demon but I know my husband. I’ll find Alistair-- one way or another.”

“He wouldn’t want you to die for him.”

“And, I didn’t want him to sacrifice his life for this, for the Wardens, for you. Yet, here we are: cleaning up messes none of us approved of in the first place. I didn’t set out to be a hero and I have a feeling you didn’t embrace becoming the Herald of Andraste.” Briana didn’t intend to sound as accusatory as she had, but it was enough for Nanami to leave her alone, while Urthemiel sang his sweet song in the back of her head.”We all do what we must.”

For the rest of the descent Briana thought about her dream: being quiet and content in Denerim, with Alistair on the throne. With her at his side, maybe he would have come to appreciate the safety. Perhaps they’d have less scars and more smiles. She had been telling herself she’d done the right thing for so long, that she had begun to believe it. The demon, however, brought back all of the doubt she felt when she had been standing in the Landsmeet staring at Alistair and Anora. Was that really the best solution? She could have protected him, she could have put him on the throne and then they wouldn’t be here, once again, mixed up in Thedas politics. They’d have Ferelden. They’d have each other; in the end that’s all Briana had wanted.

But , she reminded herself, Alistair was no King .

After all this time, he was no Politician. Even in Ferelden, ruling a country was a game and Anora was still the best player. Briana couldn’t protect Alistair from daggers she couldn’t see. Darkspawn were easier enemies. But still, the ache in her heart for a moment of peace pulled at her like a chained mabari pulls on his leash. She had put Ferelden’s needs ahead of her own ten years ago and it brought her down a jagged path to collect her husband’s body.

What’s done is done...

As the party came closer to the rift, the never ending sea of stone became covered in thick, sticky spider silk. Nanami burned through some, while Cullen and Briana cut through others. When they finally reached the end, a man met them in front of the rift. A short elven man with a bald head wearing dull green and brown cotton clothes and a large spider’s web with human sized cocoons looming behind him.

As quiet as a deer Nanami lept ahead of Briana and unleashed a spell of ice and snow towards the elf. He stepped out of the way and pursed his lips with a soft ‘tsk,tsk,tsk’.

“Nanami I thought you had more heart, more love. Or, has it all shifted to that abomination? That kiss meant more than you expected, didn’t it?” His hard yellow eyes focused on Cullen and bore down on him with more contempt than Briana supposed a demon could feel for any one person.

Nanami clenched her fist around her staff. “You can’t use the same trick twice.”

The demon’s eyes rolled with a special kind of indignation that only came to those who were used to winning.“You misunderstand me, Veh’nan. This isn’t a trick. I’m showing you your destiny.” With a smile on his face he approached her and drew a line in the dirt between them with the tip of his toe. “You’ll kill Solas because your honor dictates you must. You’ll save Thedas, but at the cost of his life.” Briana laid a hand on a small pouch of powder deep in her pocket; behind her she heard Cullen’s sword unsheath and the pull on Sera’s bow.

The demon shot his attention towards Briana. “That’s not smart. I have what you came for.” With a snap of his fingers, the web vibrated and a cocoon fell to the ground. “I hope that didn’t kill him.” The spider’s silk unraveled and Briana’s heart leapt into her throat when she saw a muss of blonde hair.

Al.

His face was sunken and malnourished but his chest rose and fell with the softest, weakest breaths.

“It’s been fun killing you, over and over again Warden. Delicious, even.” Briana tried to run to him but she met an invisible wall. She rose her axe and swung at the barrier but it crashed against it with no success. “I don’t just give gifts, Briana. Your husband has so many fears, so much regret. It’d be a shame to just give him away for free .” A spell died on Nanami’s staff and Briana stepped away from the barrier. “Good girls.”

“We’re not actually going to listen to this...thing?” Sera stepped forward with her bow still in hand, “Let’s just punch through this tit and get out of here. I’m piss tired of this place.”

“Briana,” She heard Cullen’s voice, deep and quiet behind her, “We can’t negotiate with demons. Nothing good will come of it.”

“I’m listening.” Briana didn’t bother looking at Sera, Nanami, or Cullen. She didn’t need to, to know that their weapons were trained on her.

The demon smiled, “I knew you were reasonable, Warden. In the end, you’ll always do what’s best -- for you . I know you; you don’t care about him as much as you care about the stability he offers. Now listen, I need a new supply of food. I need a larger supply; ever since that fool Corypheus failed I have been a beggar and scavenger. I am tired of this place and would prefer to move among the living. I want you to let me move through the physical world through you or the Inquisitor. Do this and I promise not to harm another hair on Alistair’s head.” Briana looked at the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor would be busy fighting the demon if it tried to possess her and then there was the templar. One on one she could beat him but even with the Inquisitor at the mercy of the demon, she’d still have the rogue to contend with.

She felt the dagger at her hip.

The archer’s close enough. Cut her throat and then turn on the templar while the demon is busy with the Inquisitor. I could do it. In minutes I could have Al and be out of here.

She looked at Alistair lying unconscious beneath the web; she watched his slow, labored breathing and saw the way his skin stretched over his muscle and bone.

“Take the Inquisitor.”

Nanami rose her staff and Sera drew an arrow. The demon dropped his shield and reached for Nanami. Briana inserted herself between Nanami and the demon. One of Sera’s arrows scraped against her armor and she could hear Cullen’s sword sliding from its sheath. “You don’t know me as well as you think.” She tackled the demon and the two of them fell to the ground. Briana wrapped her legs around his waist and dug into the small bag at her waist. She pulled out a small paper packet of the same powder she had used on Nanami and forced the poisonous dust between his lips. The demon convulsed and lost its physical form almost immediately. It roared as flesh melted away, leaving nothing but a twisted, incomprehensible body made of fade energy; its thin green wisps carved claw marks into the stone before they expanded into long thin strips and receded into a tiny green ball.

Briana ran towards Alistair while the others ran for the Rift.

“You are going to regret that! We had a deal! It was a good deal!” The demon boomed from the tiny, green ball.

It’s body began to reform, “Come on Al, let’s get you home.” When she grabbed him, a giant spider dropped from the web and wrapped its legs around her. Ahead of her, more spiders fell from above. One caught Nanami on the shoulder and Briana watched as its fangs crunched through her flimsy cloth and leather armor. Cullen sent his sword through the spider’s body and ripped it away from Nanami. He was too late however, vines of venom were already climbing Nanami’s neck and she collapsed.

Briana wretched the spider off her back and clutched her axe in her hands. With a swift strike between the eyes, the beast was dead. She looked to where the Nightmare had fallen and saw no sign of him. The spiders began to regroup but a figure appeared between Briana and the spiders. With a raise of its hand, a burst of yellow light erupted around them. It looked back at her, its face was familiar and masculine but different from the demons she had encountered before. Whatever it was, didn’t try to make itself more definite. It had the outline of a man with a kind face and glowing eyes. It exuded a sense of calm confidence.

When the light faded, there was nothing but dead spiders and silence. The spirit said nothing at first. It’s hollow eyes stared at Nanami, Cullen, Sera, and finally Briana. “You haven’t much time, Pup. I gave you what I could; say your goodbyes and go -- quickly.”

The spirit was gone in a gust of wind; the sound of her father’s voice still ringing in her ears. Briana dropped to her knees, and pushed spider webs off of Alistair’s body. In the distance Cullen called out to her but she didn’t listen. She focused on the man she had come for. “Just once more, Alistair… look at me; I didn’t abandon you. Wake up. We have to go.” She could feel everyone else’s eyes on her as she shook him. Her fingers combed through his knotted hair.

But his eyes didn’t open.

“Cullen help me!” Her fingers unfastened his rusted grey warden breastplate and she threw it to the side. It scraped and slid across the ground far away from them.

“Briana.” Cullen’s voice was closer now, “He’s not going to make it and--Nanami isn’t waking up. We have to go.”

With the breastplate out of the way she hunched over his body and pressed her ear over his heart. She listened as it beat slower and slower.

It stopped.

“No.” Tears filled her eyes and tumbled down her cheeks. “No, no, no” her shaking hands grabbed his shirt and she pulled him onto her lap. “Come on Al.” She felt a strong hand on her shoulder, urging her away.

Briana shook her head, “No.” She sat up with Alistair’s head still in her lap. She removed the rose from her hair; her long curls came tumbling down to her shoulders in a mess of knots and blood. She wiped her face but only managed to smear it with more dirt. “Leave.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’ve fought too many battles and sacrificed too much. Let Josephine spin a beautiful story for you.” She set the rose on Alistair’s chest, “I’m tired, Cullen. The Calling is coming for me. I feel it sliding through my blood and pumping in my heart. I won’t live much longer if I return and the death that awaits me there would be far more painful. I came here to die. Nanami didn’t, you need to go.” She stared at the rose resting on his heart; the petals, one by one, fell and disintegrated. “And Cullen, when the opportunity arises, take her as far away from the Inquisition as you can. Or else you may find yourself in my boots one day.” A soft glow emanated from the green stem. It grew brighter and brighter, then shattered as if it had been made of glass. It was beautiful and Briana found herself smiling. She thought of Wynne and when she asked her to preserve the rose. It had taken her days to give it back and she had never explained why. She must have known the two of them would end this way. It was a small, beautiful farewell for the one constant in her life, from a woman who she had considered family.

It was better than any funeral the wardens could have provided.

Thank you Wynne.

Cullen’s voice was quiet. “This is no place for either of you to die. We’re going, together.”

Briana didn’t respond. She remained focused on Alistair’s sunken face. He looked like he was sleeping. Briana sat as still as a statue, her body felt numb, heavy, and hollow. Like a husk of corn that had been stripped of every bit of nourishment. As she sat there she didn’t feel the movement in the air behind her nor did she see Sera’s arrow fly past her. However, the familiar voice of Loghain Mac Tir pushed against through the fog in her mind.

You’ll never have your happy ending, Grey Warden.

Cullen reached for her and Sera yelled her name.

Briana didn’t reach for her axe even though she could have. Nor did she try to stand when she felt the pull of Cullen’s hand on her arm. The idea of death calmed her and she welcomed it. She’d see her father and her mother again; she wouldn’t feel the weight of responsibility on her shoulders any longer. She’d been carrying that boulder for too long and she was ready to sleep. She was so, very tired.

It was muted chaos.

Cold steel punctured her armor, blood filled her mouth, and when she looked down she saw a sword shoved through her chest. Her body relaxed as the blade withdrew and she fell on her side. She felt cold, and though her muscles began to fail, her hand clutched Alistair’s for one last time. It was warm and reminded her of long nights curled up in front of a fire while Lilly and Zev sang songs and told stories.

Who would have guessed her final thoughts would be of the Blight?

#dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #briana cousland #alistair #alistair theirin #the fade #Nanami Lavellan #sera #Solas #solas romance #solas x lavellan #cullen #commander cullen #cullen x inquisitor #cullen rutherford #Cousland #dragon age

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bricousland · 7 years

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Chapter 6: And the Path is Dark

Chapter Five Chapter Four Chapter Three

Chapter Two Chapter One AO3

Colors of green, red, grey, and white whipped around them until they stood at Skyhold’s gates. The moon lit up the night sky and the cool air was still. Nanami directed herself towards the steep steps that led into the main hall. Everything was abandoned; the sign at the tavern door hung by one chain, and swayed from side to side though no breeze traveled through the air. The flags that framed the staircase to the main hall hung limp in dirty strips of torn cotton. No one barred their advance and there was no sign that anyone was going to.

She climbed the steps cautiously at first; when she reached the landing between the two flights of stairs, she looked towards Blackwall’s barn. In the distance she saw an army of impaled heads. “What has the demon done?” fear throbbed in her heart and mana swelled in her veins; her body faded and without caution, Nanami fade-stepped up the second flight of steps. When she faced the heavy oak doors, she saw her own marked hand nailed to the front of it. Ignoring it, she raised her staff and slammed its bladed end into the stone floor. With a sharp snap and a loud pop, a fire mine tore the doors off their hinges and flung them into hall.

The great hall was brighter than she expected; she rose her hands to protect her eyes and immediately she recognized the song of red lyrium, humming in the back of her mind. The walls were crusted with a thin layer of the parasitic crystal. Nanami rushed in, ignoring the song in her haste but was brought to a halt just a few steps in. Over the hearth she saw Varric, hanging long dead and rotted. Further in, a pair of Qunari horns were mounted on a wall, supporting a familiar Venatori staff. Finally, the heads of Josephine and Leliana were in a place of honor on either side of the Inquisitor’s throne.

“No, no, no, no” Sera’s voice quivered and her steps were hesitant as she moved into the hall. Everything was silent except for the sound of crunching lyrium underfoot.

“I have to find him.” Nanami shook off her distress and flew through Solas’ study towards Cullen’s office. When she hit the stale night air, the song in her head cleared. With renewed vigor she marched across the battlements. In the distance, she could see Cullen’s office. She stopped in front of it, heart pounding. “I’m going in-- alone.”

Sera wanted to be obstinate but Briana laid a hand on her shoulder and shook her head. “Yell if you need us.”

Nanami pushed the door open and stepped in. The red lyrium’s song invaded every nerve as soon as she crossed into his office. She stopped with her hands on the door and her eyes closed. She eased the door shut behind her and when she could suppress the song she opened her eyes and saw Cullen. He was sitting behind his desk; old documents were torn and scattered around him, bottles knocked over and broken. Cullen was leaning on his elbows with his face in his hands. His whispers were soft and fast as he rocked himself back and forth.

Nanami took cautious steps towards him.“Cullen.”

Cullen didn’t stir.

His usually well maintained hair was oily and disheveled. It seemed time had passed differently for Cullen than it had for the rest of them, who knew how long the demon had exposed him to this. “I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Fade; for there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker’s Light, and nothing that he has wrought shall be lost.”

“Cullen, it’s Nanami. Please hear me.” At her insistence, Cullen’s head snapped up and he stared at Nanami. His yellow eyes were were dry, the rim around his iris gleamed red and they were filled with unsullied anguish. Nanami withdrew her staff from her back. “Cullen--”

“Not this madness again!” He rose from his chair and slammed his fists into the table. The wood cracked under his strength. “I will not succumb to your trickery, demon.” His hand wrapped around the edge of his desk and gripped the wood so tightly the small rivets in his gauntlets dug into the wood. “Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.”

“This isn’t a trick” Nanami approached him with one hand on her staff while the other touched his hand. “You’re safe.”

Cullen snatched her wrist hard enough to make Nanami drop her staff. It clattered against the hard stone floor and rolled several feet away. Cullen snarled like a wild mabari “Get away from me. I won’t take your poison.” He released her and his voice dropped “You’ve done enough.”

Nanami grabbed his hand again and when he tried to pull away she held tight. Cullen tried to wrest away from her, but he only managed to pull the lithe elf off her feet and onto the desk. Nanami had to grab ahold of the ledge to stop him from pulling her any further. She kneeled on the desk, and pleaded with him. “Cullen! it’s me -- It’s really me. Look at me, please just look.” She could feel tears touching the corners of her eyes. She’d never seen Cullen like this, so unwound and defeated, “I’m not a demon. You haven’t failed, you’ve been stronger than any of us. I’m sorry Cullen. I should have never let you come. I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t move or speak; he stared at her for a long time. When she was sure he was listening she spoke as gently as she spoke to spooked halla. “How did I die? Tell me.” her thumb caressed the soft flesh above his pulse as she did, she sent the barest pulses of magic into his body. She used it to soothe him and coax him to focus on her rather than the nightmare. His hand began to relax around hers and he no longer resisted her touch.

“Corypheus” His voice was hoarse, caught between his chest and his throat. “came to Skyhold. I wasn’t able to get you to safety. The only way to save you was to take the red lyrium, I tried to resist but for you I --.” Cullen released her hands and rubbed his face. “Wait-- that’s not right -- We defeated Corypheus. You did.”

“Yes.” Nanami urged him to remember, “How?”

“Corypheus came to Skyhold, true, but… you fought him. You won.” The red that clouded his vision dissipated. He stood straighter and ran a shaking hand through his hair, “Maker, how many more demon tricks must I fall for?” He scanned his office looking at the red lyrium and the bottles that littered the floor.

“It did it to all of us, Cullen I--”

Cullen kissed her.

His arms embraced her, they were strong and warm as he pulled her gently off the desk until she stood on her own two feet. It was sudden, but soft, sweet, and not entirely unreciprocated. Ever since that night she overheard him with Briana and Sera, a small kindling had been lit her in heart. Though, she hadn’t had the time nor energy to piece it all together.

Now, however, it was a forest fire.

“Maker forgive me; I thought I’d lost you.” Their noses touched they were so close. Her mind raced with a million things and none of them could sate the situation.

By the Dread Wolf what am I going to do?!

She withdrew herself from his arms and took slow steps towards the door. Cullen stood scratching the back of his neck while his cheeks remained a soft shade of pink. “Nanami--Inquisitor, I --”

Nanami could only manage a quick, “It’s alright.” Deciding that the last thing she wanted to do was talk about it. “We should-- go.” She pointed towards the door. “Briana and Sera are waiting for us.” She gathered her staff and went for the door.

Briana and Sera were waiting with their weapons raised.

Seeing Nanami unharmed, they relaxed. “We almost came in after we heard scuffling-- how’s Cullen?” Briana asked while lowering the head of her axe to the ground and leaning her arm on its pommel.

Cullen walked out after Nanami, rubbing the back of his neck and looking embarrassed.

Briana inspected the two and let out a low, amused chuckle, “You’re blushing? What happened?”

“We need to find the demon and get out of here.” Nanami shouldered past the two of them and without pausing to answer any questions, walked back down the battlements.

Mythal protect me… What timing.

They met no resistance between Cullen’s office and Solas’ study. Snow whirled around Nanami’s staff ready to release a spell, for once in her life she felt like she needed to hit something, but no enemies appeared to sate that desire. The main hall was still save for the dim, red, pulsing light that sang sweet nothings in their minds. Finally, at the front of the main hall, on her throne, a figure stirred and stood.

“How unfortunate. Minor demons are altogether useless.” The demon wore Wynne’s skin but spoke with the voice of Corypheus. “Nightmare will not be pleased. He likes to play with broken little templars.” Her arms crossed over her chest, “You should have stayed in your rooms. It would have ended a lot more comfortably for you.”

Briana’s grip tightened around her axe “I’ve never been inclined to make life easier for demons. You have my husband and I want him back.”

The demon sucked her teeth in a disappointing tone. “Now, Briana. Is that anyway to treat an old friend? Do you really want to wake up just to die?”

The demon touched her chin and considered the four of them. An unnatural smile was stretched across her human face. As if it didn’t quite understand how human bodies worked. The lips stretched too far back while her teeth were unevenly spaced and too sharp. Her skin was growing paler and her eyes were becoming milky. Wynne walked towards them, her eyes locked on Sera, “You chose darkness over happiness. So unappreciative; I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s all you are.”

“Shove it.” Sera lifted her bow and shot an arrow at Wynne. Wynne lifted a hand and caught it mid flight.

“You shouldn’t have done that, knife-eared brat! I was trying to be reasonable. Just like an elf to come looking for a fight. Well fine, if all you know is violence then I am happy to oblige.” The demon’s body started to writhe and the walls began to shake. The red lyrium that surrounded them cracked and fell in small sharp shards of red rain.

Cullen yelled, “Spread out!” and everyone dispersed. Nanami threw an ice spell at the demon, then sent her magic to wrap her friends in a protective blanket.She ran with Sera towards the main doors while Briana and Cullen held their ground near the hearth.

The demon stood in the center of the room, wings sprouted from her back and she roared.The demon grew and soon towered over them. Scales folded over flesh and long curling horns sprouted from her forehead. Compared to other dragons she was small, but no less intimidating. Her scales sunk around her bones and red lyrium radiated from between obsidian teeth; the beast was a black and red lantern in the darkness of the hall.

Corypheus’ laugh shook the stone walls. “If you ever want to return to your bodies I suggest you kill me quickly.” She reared her skeletal head and spit a ball of red magic that collided with Cullen’s shield. The force knocked the templar back but he maintained his balance; he slammed his sword against his shield, the loud clamour of steel against steel drew the dragon’s attention towards him.

Sera didn’t wait for an invitation; she ran forward and stuck arrows into the beast’s hind quarters. A few bounced off the animal’s thick hide but with some good aim, and luck, a few slid between the scales and buried in soft muscle. The dragon poised her hind claw to strike Sera but before she could stike, Sara tumbled away to a safe distance.

Nanami slammed her staff into the ground; beneath the dragon, an intricate circle of ice, in the shape of elven runes appeared. The light within the ice grew until enough magic pushed through the spell that, it exploded in a flurry of ice and snow around the dragon. Once the spell finished, the dragon’s body was left encased in a film of hard ice. The dragon flexed her muscles and turned towards the mage; the ice that encased her cracked and fell like shattered glass. Her tail swept across the throne room’s floor, knocking over tables, chairs, and the heavy Ferelden throne. Nanami pulled on the Fade and summoned a gust of wind to stop a stray chair from colliding with her. When the dragon’s tail swept towards her, she lept into the air and over the mass of muscle and scale. She raised her staff again; this time electricity prickled across her skin and traveled down her arms until it became a bright crackling ball at the top of her staff. She rose it above her head and the ball of lightning released; an array of bolts focused on the body of the dragon, and her whole body became paralyzed. The amount of mana it took to hold the dragon for only a few seconds made Nanami sweat but it was enough time for Briana and Cullen.

Briana dug her axe into the dragon’s front claws. The pain broke the dragon’s paralysis and she spun towards Briana, snapping dagger sharp teeth at her as she rolled beneath the dragon’s belly. Briana stood and swung her axe above her head and into the silky soft underbelly.

The dragon’s hind quarters kicked without purpose and her body trashed in an attempt to get away from the axe. The struggle only pushed the axe deeper, blood pour from the wound and onto Briana. It slid down the axe’s haft, across her armor, and into her eyes where she was blinded.

Panic tamed the demon’s initial bravado, she stretched her massive leathery wings and pushed them against the unmoving stone walls. When she realized she could not fly, she screamed and reared back, exposing her supple bleeding belly. The dragon smashed her front claws into the stone floor. The beautiful stonework cracked beneath her forced weight and her large black claws pulled up the tiles, exposing the mountain soil beneath. Briana wiped blood from her eyes and escaped the dragon’s violent retreat.

Sera’s arrows came down like a heavy rain and tore through the beast’s fragile wings. The dragon charged towards the door in another attempt to free herself but Cullen stepped between it and the dragon. The dragon bowed her head like a bull and bared her teeth; the templar didn’t hesitate, Cullen met the challenge the dragon slammed her head into cullen’s shield. Her hard horns dented the metal and Cullen was pushed out into the open air. He aimed his sword blindly and with the Maker’s fortune, the tip of his sword found its way into the dragon’s nostril.

The dragon tore away from Cullen and lost its battle for the door. Blood, thick and warm flowed down her muzzle and dripped onto the floor. She sucked in a deep breath and as she did, the red lyrium in the hall began to glow. It tore away from the walls and gathered in the back of her throat.

Cullen held his ground at the door. Briana, covered in dragon’s blood, ran along the side of the dragon, trying to reach Cullen before the lyrium was released. As the beast lowered her head Briana sunk her blade into the dragon’s neck. The thickness of her scales minimised the axe’s damage but the beast jerked her head back and the red Lyrium expelled from deep within her throat and smashed into the ceiling, missing Cullen completely. The dragon swung her head around and ripped Briana’s axe from her grip. The steel crunched in her powerful jaws and the oak haft snapped.

A dwarven-made chandelier came loose and crashed onto the dragon’s back; the pointed iron crashed into the dragon’s spine. She roared, and reached around with her long, bleeding neck and grabbed the iron piece in her jaws. Like trying to hammer a nail the dragon swung the chandelier down onto Cullen’s shield.

The force was enough to bring the templar to his knees.

The second time it targeted Briana. One, two, three times it slammed the twisted iron into her body. Briana used a chunk of her axe as a shield but when the chandelier connected in a fourth, monstrous swing, Briana’s abdomen took the hit. The iron punctured her dragon bone armor, and her already fragile ribs crunched and snapped. It skewered her like a piece of meat. Briana cried and gripped the twisted metal and stared into the dragon’s big red eyes. The dragon lifted her into the air and tossed Briana like a piece of kindling into the stone hearth.

And there the Hero of Ferelden rested. Unmoving.

The dragon prided herself on a job well done, her chuckle boomed off the walls and into the ears of Briana’s companions. Cullen called to Briana and Sera nocked another arrow. Nanami called out to her, “Sera, cover me!” she summoned a wisp of mana and it wrapped around her and pulled her to Briana’s side. Everything was a mess. The metal that surrounded her looked like a maze. The metal punctured her armor in several places, there wasn’t anyway for Nanami to know which injuries had been lethal; she’d have to heal them all.

Nanami concentrated on getting rid the iron first, and summoned a surge of magic; ice crept across the metal until every inch of it was glistening. She sent another tempered pulse of mana through the chandelier and the metal cracked. Nanami pulled the broken pieces off of Briana, while leaving the metal that pierced her armor.

“You’ll die here!” The dragon jumped into the air and dug her claws into Skyhold’s cold stone walls. With a wave of her staff, Nanami wrapped her allies in a shield to minimize the damage of falling stones as the dragon made her escape. The dragon stretched her wings and reached for the hole created by the chandelier.

Sera lept into the air and sent a swarm of arrows into the dragon’s neck. The dragon roared and snapped at the arrows, crunching a few with her black teeth. While she was distracted, Nanami sent a bolt of ice over her head. When the storm of arrows receded, the dragon continued her climb but when she reached forward she got a claw full of ice. She scrambled and raked her claws against the stone but she could not find her grip. She fell and landed on her side with incredible force. The sound of her delicate wings snapping rung throughout the hall. Cullen lunged between the dragon’s kicking hind legs and pierced its belly with his sword. With the dragon prone, Nanami was able to turn her attention back to Briana. The Hero’s were cold to the touch and the pink in her cheeks had faded. Blood still pumped beneath her skin and though shallow, Briana still breathed. Nanami removed the iron spikes one at a time and began the healing process.

Behind her she could hear the dragon climbing again. As the stones started to fall, Nanami had to abandon Briana. The majority of the bleeding had been stopped, but it had not been enough to wake her. As she rose to her feet, Cullen met her where she stood and wrapped an arm around her. He forced her to crouch down once again and pulled his shield over their heads just as stone fell from the sky.

Nanami struggled to look beyond Cullen’s shoulder, “Where’s Sera?” Nanami gathered ice at the tip of her staff. The dragon was bleeding and weak. She just needed one clean hit and they could escape. She fragmented the ice into small daggers and threw them at the dragon. Some daggers iced the wall again while others dug into already open wounds. The dragon slipped but held her grip this time. Blood flowed down her black body in small red rivers, she had abandoned her plan to kill them and simply sought escape.

Cullen’s voice rang in Nanami’s ears “Maker, stop your attack -- Sera’s on the dragon!”

Of course she is.

As sure as she was to find nug shit in Orzammar, Nanami found Sera holding on to the spikes of the dragon’s back. The dragon’s protests were meak; she was too busy keeping herself on the wall to properly kick Sera off. Nanami and Cullen were forced to watch as the dragon and Sera reached the hole above. Sera positioned herself between two spikes on the neck. She lifted her bow and notched an arrow. The dragon whipped its head around and tried to grab her with it’s obsidian teeth. As it did, Sera loosed her arrow and it buried itself deep into the dragon’s eye. It screamed and released it’s hold on the wall. It tried to use it’s wings to cushion its fall but the membranes had been burnt, sliced, and torn. They were useless. All the dragon could do was push her fragile wings into the wall to slow her fall, scraping off her own scales until the thin white tendons could be seen beneath.

Nanami pulled on the dregs of her mana just before the dragon crashed into the ground she threw the spell into Sera and shielded her as her small, lithe body bounced against the stone floor. Before the dragon could recover from the fall, Cullen removed himself from Nanami’s side and thrusted the point of his sword between her eyes. Nanami pulled on a string of magic she tethered to Sera’s shield and pulled her away from the dragon as it died beneath Cullen’s sword.

#briana cousland #alistair theirin #Grey Warden #lavellan #commander cullen #cullen x inquisitor #cullen rutherford #Nanami Lavellan #skyhold #the fade #sera #dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #dragon age

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bricousland · 8 years

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Chapter 5: The Night Is Long

Chapter Four Chapter Three Chapter Two Chapter One AO3

Nanami woke with her heart in her throat. She stared at her bedroom ceiling for several minutes while it found it’s way back to a steady thump against her chest. She rubbed the sand from her eyes and tossed the satin sheets away from her body. The morning sun streamed through the glass doors and brought tears to her groggy eyes. Her hand was a shield against the sun as she gazed out at the Frostbacks rising beyond her windows, just as immovable and imposing as she remembered.

I’m home -- Just a dream then...

A warm, crackling fire roared in the hearth and the birds flew past the windows in small white flocks that were swift moving clouds in a clear blue sky.

She slipped out of bed, her warm feet turned to ice against the hard stone floor; a sensation she had grown to love since moving to Skyhold. She wandered onto the balcony where the sun’s crisp warmth soaked into her body and warmed her from her heart to her flesh while the chilled mountain breeze tickled her nose and made the tips of her ears red and numb. Nanami leaned against the rail and picked small knots out of her hair while stories below, Cullen’s new recruits trained. She watched from the balcony, enjoying a sense of tranquility she had not felt since her years with the Dalish. It was something she hadn’t realized she missed or was even lacking before today. Her mind returned to her dream: the roars of Darkspawn and the screams of a dying spirit came racing back. It made her blood run cold and her muscles stiffen.

This is a sign, I need to contact the Hero of Ferelden.

The door to her chambers opened and shut quietly behind her; with the sense of urgency still twisting in her stomach she reached for the fade but before a spell could completely form it fizzled to nothing when she saw Solas ascending the stairs.

He was picking at the sleeve of his shirt without a care in the world etched on his clean, placid face. When his eyes rose and fell on her, a carefree smile touched the corners of his lips. He joined her on the balcony. “Good Morning, Veh’nan.” When Nanami lacked response, Solas leaned his hip against the balcony rail and crossed his arms., “Is everything alright? You seem distressed.”

Something quickened in her again. A need to run filled her and pushed out the momentary contentedness that had surrounded her. Nanami listened for guards, for Liliana, or Cullen. Anyone that would take him away. Nothing came, just the sound of the hearth crackling and birds singing. The peace around her remained and conquered the urgency that plagued her.

“Where have you been?” The words came unbidden and she found herself confused by her own impulses. She felt foolish and embarrassed.

What am I saying?

Solas didn’t to know how to respond so, he chose to close the distance between them and rested his hands on the curve of her waist. His fingers gently pulled her chin up until their eyes met. “Look at me.” His voice was a soft, easy whisper, “I’m right here.”

His fingers slid across her cheek and pushed her hair behind her ears. His lips were dry but soft against hers and the familiar smell of paint, lyrium, and books left her feeling whole. When he pulled back, he nodded towards their small dining table in front of the hearth. “You should eat.”

Deciding to fully embrace the morning, Nanami took Solas by the hand and tried to lead him back to the bed.“We could always have a late breakfast.”

“We could...” Solas kissed the side of her neck and urged her into her seat before he slid into his across from her, “But then we’d be late. You and I have been planning these negotiations for months, I am sure Josephine would be furious if we let our passions get in the way. Again.” He reached across the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and sat back comfortably with the teacup between his hands.

“Negotiations? What negotiations?” Again, her heart leapt into her throat as the same need to run intruded, stronger than before. Images of Briana and the Fade swam inside of her, demanding her attention; she crossed and uncrossed her legs as she leaned forward with her elbows on the table. Her eyes locked on the little porcelain cup between Solas’ hands. His voice a distant echo as Briana’s words seeped into her mind.

Slaying an archdemon was nothing compared to loving him!

“The negotiations Cassandra set up with Empress Celene and your Keeper. We’re going to take back the Dales, or at least a portion of them, for our people, they will finally have a place to call home because of your efforts.” He took a sip of tea and then another and another and another.

The dream shattered; it was like noticing a small crack in a perfect mosaic.

The Fade -- I am so foolish.

“You hate tea.” Her room in Skyhold became muted, a little less real. The sun wasn’t as bright; the hearth, while still crackling orange flame, became frigid; and the birds went silent.

Solas set the teacup down. “Nanami… you don’t have to do this. We can be happy here; we can have everything you ever wanted for our people, for us. Here, I will not abandon you. Here, you will not have to be alone. Don’t be the hero, let yourself find peace.”

When his hand reached for hers, she sprang to her feet and tore her hand away. Nanami snatached her staff from it’s resting place against the hearth. “None of this is real. None of these changes would have meaning.” She thought of the city elves scrounging for food in the alienage and the Dalish wandering throughout Thedas, clinging to their small bits of culture like a child clings to their oldest teddy, bereft of cotton or thread. Then she thought of Briana, Sera, and Cullen, who had sacrificed the most to see her through this mess.

“Inquisitor, if you do this, you will suffer. Your heart needn’t break, your bones needn’t ache. Just sit back down, Veh’nan. I can make it all go away.”

All of the peace and contentment she had felt upon entering the dream were replaced by the familiar ache in her hand that crawled up her arm and poisoned her. The gift of release the demon offered still pulled at her, and begged her to put the staff down and accept this infinitely better resolution. “I can’t.” Her words were a choked whisper and she didn’t even know if she meant them.

Solas frowned “You would choose all that emptiness and pain to this?! You mortals continue to perplex me. You are a selfish little girl! I never loved you anyway. I loved your position and power.”

Their intimate conversation was interrupted by Sera, who materialized at the top of the stairs, “Oh, I’ll enjoy this.” She nocked an arrow in her bow and sent it flying into Solas’ back. “Eat it Baldy.” Sera drew another arrow as Solas spun around, and loosed it into his throat. As the body fell to the floor another arrow found it’s way into his heart, “That one’s for being a shit.” The twitching body clutched at the arrow at its throat as it sunk to the ground and died. Nanami stood, frozen with her staff clutched in her hands and small drops of blood splattered on her face. Sera stepped over Solas’ body without so much as a hesitant glance and grabbed Nanami’s wrist. “It isn’t real, Quizzy.” For once, Sera’s voice was soft and the tug on Nanami’s arm was gentle as she tried to direct Nanami away.

“I know…” Nanami’s voice was a whisper and it shook more than she’d have liked. She tugged her hand away from Sera and stared at the body for a long time, “Still…” She felt as if her heart would stop.

”Yanno--” Sera stopped as her words were slow to come, “I’m sure that’s not how he really felt. Solas wasn’ that big of a shit.”

Nanami laugh was just a huff in her chest, “Maybe.” She leaned down beside Solas and when her fingers touched his cheek, the mirage faded away. A desire demon lay beneath, its body was twisted and bloody; horns protruded from its forehead and curled out to the side with open, black eyes staring up at her. Even after seeing it for what it was, she couldn’t get its words out of her head.

“Come on.” Sera took her hand again and pulled her away from the body. The dream was fading, the small table in front of her fireplace was beginning to blur and twist. Sera pulled her down the stairs and opened the door.The walls evaporated into smoke until she and Sera were surrounded by nothing. With the dream gone, a weight lifted off Nanami’s chest. The concern for the dead demon faded and blood pulsed in her ears like a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

“Sera…” She reached out and clasped her friend on the shoulder. The light of the fading dream reflected around them, “how did you get out?” Sera notched another arrow in her bow but didn’t pull it.

“I didn’t wake up in a dream. Just blackness, yeah. I was scared as tits! But then I saw a wolf standing over the body of a dead fire demon… thing. I wasn’t afraid of it and it didn’t try to fight so, I followed it to you.”

“You trusted it?”

“ Yeah...I knew it was there to help… this is weird. Shite. Don’t ask me about it anymore! If I keep thinkin’ about it I won’t be able to shoot straight.”

“How do we get to the others.”

“Looks like we’re goin’ there now.” The world warped around them in a blur of colors and sounds. Everything clamoured together in a symphony of chaos until it finally settled. Sera and Nanami found themselves standing in a cool, damp, and stony hall. The walls were draped with thick Ferelden tapestries and statues of dogs guarded heavy oak doors. At the end of the hall was a large set of double doors on one the emblem of House Theirin was carved and lined with silver paint and on the other was the sigil of House Cousland equally matched in detail and beauty. Sera had no patience and rushed towards the door pulling an arrow back on her bow. Nanami caught up to her and placed a hand on Sera’s arm to urge her to lower her weapon.

“Stop Sera. If you just walk in there and kill Alistair I don’t think Briana will just snap out of it. We need her to see this dream as it is before we kill anything. If we have to kill her here then she may die in the real world too.”

“Fine.” Sera unnotched her arrow. She nodded in tense agreement and put her weapon away.

Through the door Nanami heard laughing. It was happy and sweet. It gave Nanami pause, “I’m going to have to kill him all over again.”

Even Sera seemed less enthused than she had a moment ago “It’s not him. It’s a demon fucking with her head. She’ll thank us later.”

“That won’t make it hurt any less right now.” Without anymore hesitation, Nanami pushed open the large oak doors and entered the room. It was warmer than the hall and smelled of fresh firewood. There was a vase of roses on an end table and a bed piled with warm furs.

Briana emerged from beneath the furs. Her long chocolate curls fell loose around her face and her smile stretched from ear to ear as she held the blankets around her body. “Well this puts me in a precarious position.” She reached to her left and yanked back the remaining blankets. “Alistair, we have company. The Inquisitor is here.”

Alistair snatched the blankets quick enough to pull them back over his head. “Tell her I will meet with her tomorrow. The King is taking the day off.”

Briana pulled the covers back again, “Kings don’t get days off. Now go get ready while I catch up with my friend.”

Alistair sat up with a groan. He ran a hand through his tousled blonde hair and smiled at Sera and Nanami with a hint of red on his cheeks. He looked back at Briana and gave her a playful push on the shoulders. “Alright, Queen of Responsibility. Have it your way.” He snatched his pants from the side of the bed and pulled them on before sliding out from beneath the blankets. Once he rose he smiled at Nanami, “Lovely to see you as always, Inquisitor. But, if you’ll excuse me my wife has left me in a state unfit to be seen.” Before he could say another word a pillow met the back of his head.

“Remember the crown this time, Love.” Briana grinned and watched as Alistair stalked out of their room, less than thrilled.

“Your desire is my command.”

Until Briana turned her attention back to Nanami, it had been as if they were flies on a wall. Briana had less modesty than Alistair and threw the blankets off her naked body and stood up.

A soft whistle escaped Sera, “I think I like Fade Bri.”

“I like you too Sera.” Briana’s scars were thick and jagged, they ranged from her back, to her arms, abdomen, and legs. She looked more like a wood carving than a person. She grabbed a thick fur robe and pulled it over her shoulders, “Even with magical healing, Darkspawn wounds never heal properly.” She tied the robe around her waist.

“You just fucked a-a demon!” Nanami watched the tactful approach she had planned slip through her fingers.

So much for sensitivity.

Briana didn’t react she just stared at Sera with her head cocked to the side and then laughed. “ Yes, I suppose I have.” Her shoulders rolled in a careless shrug as she closed the distance between them, “Though, it’s hard to tell the difference. It’s small things like a smile that’s not quite right or a familiar phrase used a little too often. Demons don’t seem to understand subtlety the way we do. Lilly would have done a better job, don’t you agree Inquisitor?”

Nanami raised her hand to silence Sera before she could gather up enough energy for another outburst, “You know this is the Fade. You know that’s not really Alistair?”

“Of course! This isn’t my first Orlesian ball. I knew immediately, I assumed you’d show up eventually.”

“Good, that makes this a lot easier.” Nanami said, “We can kill this demon and get out of here. We still need to find Cullen.” When Briana shook her head Nanami wasn’t as surprised as she expected to be.

As usual, Sera was the one to jump in when everyone else was still searching for the appropriate words. “What do you mean, no? You can’t--” Sera’s chest heaved as she looked at Nanami for some sort of support. “She- She can’t stay.” Her head whipped back around to face Briana. “You can’t stay! That’s not even him, That’s not even your real body. You’re not a Queen, he’s not a King. None of this is bloody real! Were gonna put an arrow in his brain, get outta this, and get back to reality!”

“I’m sorry Sera, but I am staying.”

“No! This is crazy no one chooses to stay with a demon.”

Briana turned her gaze away from them and looked towards the dressing room Alistair disappeared behind, “Nanami, if you find Al, tell him I’m sorry but I just couldn’t fight anymore.”

“Briana, this isn’t you. You don’t give up. You’ve traveled all the way to Skyhold just to get revenge. This is the demon talking, don’t accept this fate, fight!” Nanami could see the lack of emotion in her green eyes. The demon had done to her what Solas had tried to do. Nanami and Sera had come too late.

“I’m aware of the consequences. It’s not everyday a Warden gets to choose how they die. The voices… the Calling has been getting stronger lately, I wouldn’t live much longer anyway. Alistair would understand; Sera, Inquisitor, let my last moments be ones that I choose.”

Nanami begged, “Please reconsider.”

“The longer you sit here and try to convince me to go, the lower your chances of survival are.” Nanami couldn’t deny the appeal. She looked over her shoulder as Alistair came back through the door, this time clothed in a fine red tunic with a fur lined collar and his crown in his hand. She looked back at Briana, still naked in a thick fur robe with her hair disheveled. It was the life Briana had dreamed of and Nanami realized she deserved it, even if it was just an illusion.

Nanami sighed, “What is it you humans say? May you find eachother again at the Maker’s--”

“Fuck the Maker.” the swoosh of an arrow hissed in Nanami’s ear before she could finish the sentence. Sera’s sights were locked on Alistair. The arrow struck him in the hollow of his throat and immediately he started to convulse and twist into the form of a demon.

Nanami opened herself to the Fade to ready a spell if she needed it.“Sera!”

“I just saved her life.” Sera ducked when Briana reached for her. Slowly, the world around them began to warp and twist. With the the death of the demon the castle was unable to sustain itself no matter how much Briana wanted it. The robe that was wrapped around Briana’s nude body molded to her skin and reformed into her steel and blue warden armor. By the time the armor wrapped around her hands she had caught Sera. Her metal fist met the young elf’s cheek and left her face bloody and bruised.

“That was not your right!” Briana’s voice was clogged with fret. She took Sera by the shoulders and shook her. “I want to die, why won’t anyone just let me die?!”

Sera kneed Briana in the gut, slipped out of her grasp, and jumped back. Briana’s anger warped the dream around them. The magic thrummed in Nanami’s mind and pulled on the lyrium in her veins. It was like the tapestry the demon created was ripping at the sheer force of Briana’s anger. The room was swallowed by blackness and the three of them were left standing in complete darkness. Nanami could only hear Sera and Briana exchanging blows until a sliver of light split the darkness and illuminated them. Nanami stepped towards the small tear in the dream and through it poured a voice she didn’t recognize.

She’s a Broodmother now Alistair. She went into the Deep Roads without you and the Darkspawn took her. They held her down and fed her their flesh. She embraced her corruption and so should you.

“Loghain?” Briana stopped her assault on Sera and threw the elf to the ground. Sera rolled across what could only have been a hard floor and picked herself up. Her arms shook from stress and blood ran from her busted lip. The magic to wrapped around Briana and released in rhythmic beats; her anger was a beating heart with her at it’s center. The thrumming magic pressed against the light and the tear became wider. Beyond the it, they were all finally able to see images. A man with long, black hair and heavy silverite armor stood over an emaciated Warden Alistair.

“You’re lying.” Alistair’s voice was almost inaudible, “I know her. She’d never --”

“Then let me show you, you would be King.” Logain reached down where Alistair lay and grabbed a fist full of bedraggled hair and dragged him to his feet. “Briana!” Alistair screamed and as quick as the tear had come, it repaired itself and they were once again in silence and darkness.

Sera wiped the blood from her lips “What the fuck was that?”

“Alistair’s alive.” Briana stared, unmoving, at the darkness that had once held the tear. The laugh started from her gut and forced it’s way up. It was so violent that her shoulders shook and her tears fell from her eyes. The anger washed away from her in a sudden burst of clarity. The demon’s spell had been broken.

Nanami couldn’t deny what she saw and heard, but a twinge of mistrust gnawed at the back of her mind. “It’s more likely the demon is playing with us; letting us think he’s alive just to feed off of us for longer.”

“Your welcome, by the way.” Sera spat and then shot a glare towards Nanami, “You were going to let her kill me?”

“I’m sorry Sera. The surge of magic that came with Briana’s anger surprised me and by the time I could step in, the fight had ended.”

Briana looked at Sera, “Thank you, Sera. If this was a mistake on the demon’s part we now know that Alistair is alive enough to save.”

“Yeah, well…” Sera rolled her shoulders in a shrug.

“I hope the nightmare demon has finally made an error.” Nanami smiled as the darkness around them started to reshape. “Let’s find Cullen and get back to our bodies.”

Sera grinned, “Well, I wonder who he’s going to be rolling around in bed with.”

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #Nanami Lavellan #cullen x inquisitor #briana cousland #Cousland #alistair theirin #the dawn will come #commander cullen #Solas #solas romance #solas x lavellan #hero of ferelden #sera #Im sorry this took so long

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bricousland · 8 years

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Hey, could you put a readmore in your fics? It's a little hard to browse tags since the posts are long. Thank you!

Omg, I have no idea how long this note has been sitting in my inbox and I am so sorry if it’s been forever!

I honestly have no idea how to do a read more. I’ll play around with it to see if I can figure it out. Again, so sorry about the incredibly late response (if it is in fact late. Tumblr never alerts me when I have messages.)

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bricousland · 8 years

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Chapter 4: The Dawn Will Come

Hello everyone! Sorry for my long a terrible absence. Life will do that to you. I have not forgotten my story, however. Here is the fourth chapter ready to be read! I hope you enjoy it and the next chapter should be out in a few more weeks.

Chapter Three Chapter Two Chapter One AO3

Briana rolled onto her back; it ached against the unrelenting stone beneath her. Her head felt like it was full of water and her hair was thick with fresh blood. She groaned; the deep gash on her scalp throbbed and only added to the disorienting pain that pulsed in time with her heart. This wasn’t the first time she’d woken up sore and alone and it wouldn’t be her last. Above her, a black sky with no end, and no stars. It’s only companions were green tendrils of mist that danced without a wisp of wind to guide them.

Her head rolled to the side.

Dear Andraste…

A great black rock pierced the sky, it rose higher and higher until it splintered into small fragments. It all hung, suspended and unmoving. The green mist wove around it like it was an old friend. The black obsidian stone reflected the mist in turn and shone like dead stars in an abandoned, dead sky. There were no trees or sun to be seen only the constant dull green light and black obsidian cliffs.

She watched the sky, with it’s dancing waves. She had very little desire to move; her body was an anchor holding her in place until the heartbeat in her head subsided. Slowly, her body became her’s again and she tested it by moving her toes and tapping her fingers to the beat of her favorite tavern tune. When she was satisfied that she was going to live, Briana pushed herself to her feet. Her ribs screamed as they crunched beneath the pull of gravity.

A glowing light out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was different than the mist; it was blindingly bright. It was Nanami; She was propped up against a stone with her shoulders slumped forward and her staff lain across her lap. She sat as still and lithe as a deer. Briana wouldn’t have seen her if it weren’t for the anchor; which made Nanami a beacon of green light in an otherwise bleak, black desert.

At the sound of Briana’s approach, Nanami looked at her “Welcome to the Fade.”

“What a welcome it is.” Beyond Nanami, the Black City loomed close. Briana felt like she could reach out and touch it. This was an entirely different experience from the sloth demon’s cage. There, she had felt contented and at home but here she just felt wrong and intrusive.“You don’t look so good.” Briana kneeled beside her and parted the severed leather at her thigh to take a look at Nanami’s wound. It was already healed and left a thin white scar. There was no blackness, not even signs of bruising. “Did any darkspawn blood get in the wound? Did you swallow any?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Good.” Briana rose and dusted off her armor as best she could, keeping her eyes peeled for anymore familiar faces. When she saw none she frowned.“Where are the others?”

“I don’t know. I finished healing my leg just as you woke up.” Briana reached out and caught Nanami by the arm to steady her as she came uneasily to her feet. Briana’s ribs begged to be healed, and after a fight with a horde of darkspawn, Nanami had to be low on mana. She could deal with a set of broken ribs but a tired mage in the Fade was not a situation she wanted to be faced with. Briana removed two health potions from a small pouch on her belt and handed one to Nanami. “Here. Save your mana.” Briana took the other potion in one gulp; it tasted like nug shit and made her tingle from head to toe but it eased the pressure on her ribs and that’s all she needed to keep going. When the pain became a dull ache, she was ready to fight again.

Briana reached for her axe but it was gone. A quick, panicked scan of her surroundings revealed the axe to be several feet away at the edge of a pool of water. She moved to retrieve it with Nanami close behind. When they rounded the corner near the edge of the water the vastness of the Fade stretched out in front of them. The pool of water rested on the edge of a cliff and tumbled onto the rocks hundreds of feet below. The waterfall was the width of four Freleden Frostbacks and poured over twenty times as much water down it’s side. However, the water was as silent as a fennec fox. If they hadn’t searched they wouldn’t have known it was there. Other than the crunch of her booths against loose gravel and the tap of Nanami’s saff on the rocks behind her, nothing made a sound.

Beyond the waterfall,she could see nothing but barren, black rocks with shallow pools of water and smaller waterfalls spotted across the landscape. Buildings, bodies, and stone hung suspended in air; frozen mid-destruction, like a rusting war memorial that no one remembered. The chantry, however, was the grandest sight of them all. The building was decimated; broken bricks littered the sky (Briana could have reached out and taken one if she had dared) and the sunburst emblem shone gold and reflected the little green tufts that frolicked around it. Pieces of the door were burnt,the iron locks were twisted and deformed, and skeletons were suspended in air, skewered with floating debris. She yanked her axe from the bouldered earth. “What is all of this?”

Nanami was leaning heavily on her staff, peering through the cracks of the broken chantry’s walls. “Memories --. I think. I was told the Fade preserves them; That the events of our world scar this one indefinitely. The Fade preserves everything. Even the things we no longer remember, or don’t care to.”

“Such as the lost history of your people? That must make visiting tempting.”

“Sometimes but the consequences of such things would largely outweigh the benefits. Last time we were here, there were memories from the the Mage-Templar War scattered everywhere. Honestly, I don’t know what event this is supposed to represent. If Solas were here he’d probably be able to give us more insight.” There was an uneasy shift in her stance before her gaze met Briana’s and she gestured away from the chantry and its mysteries. “We need to find the others and Alistair as fast as possible.”

Briana and Nanami left broken chantry behind them in search of Sera and Cullen. Without the sun and moon to guide her, Briana couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Her impatience made it feel like hours but for all she knew had only been minutes for when she looked behind her she could still see glimpses of the chantry.

The Black City followed them, it was never completely out of sight and remained a constant in an otherwise unpredictable world. It was that desperate ex-boyfriend that you could never really get rid of until you moved to a new city. The terrain was equally as welcoming: never ending, jagged, and dispiriting. To top it off, There were no battles to keep her occupied or signs of life-- demon or otherwise.

They passed several more memories parceled out amongst the landscape. Some were like the chantry; large and intimidating monuments with shattered skulls and bleak endings. Most, however, were small, simple things such as a table, or a chair sitting abandoned in the middle of a black river, or an unmade bed with candles floating where an end table should be.

They passed an old larder; it’s door ripped off the hinges and floating. When Briana peered through the cracks, she saw a pile of dead rats and the bloody paw prints of an excited mabari smeared across the stone floor. Briana smiled. She missed that dog every day; luckily, the darkspawn that took him didn’t live long enough to revel in it’s victory.

Nanami kicked a small stone that rested at the tip of her bare foot. “Last time we weren’t far from one another. Maybe we should turn around. They couldn’t have ended up this far away.”

“Going back seems about as profitable as going forward.” Nanami had promised to bring her into the Fade and had held up her end of that promise. However, apparently, neither of them had thought about what would happen once they arrived. Briana stood there with Nanami for awhile in the dead silence that surrounded them. Then, the soft sound of an arrow bouncing off stone and skidding across the ground echoed in the distance followed by a shout that rivaled the voice of an ogre.

“Back off Shit- Tit!” It didn’t take long for Briana and Nanami to find Sera stranded on a small island in the middle of a pool of stagnant water. Her bow was nocked and pulled. She straddled an unconscious Cullen with her arrow pointed at a rage demon. It looked more like a porcupine set aflame at this point. It roared and rolled across the small battle field, it’s misshapen claws dripped with liquid fire as it lashed out at Sera. She dodged the attack but poor Cullen’s armor paid the price. The stream of fire that dripped from its claws singed and blackened the armor at his feet.

Nanami raced towards the fight and stopped once she was calf deep in water. She sucked power into the lyrium stone at the tip of her staff and sent a blast of ice across the water. It froze the demon in its tracks and Sera finished it off with a well placed explosive arrow that released an appropriate BOOM followed by Sera’s, “Right in the face!”

“Elgar’nan’s Blessing!” Nanami breathed, “Are you alright?”

“’Bout’ time you got here!” Sera put away her bow and gave Cullen a rough shove with her boot. “He took a bad hit to the head. I shoved a health potion down his throat but it’s not kicked in yet. That demon found us before I could give him another; He’s breathin’ though.”

Nanami staff illuminated a bright flash as it channeled more power and with a precise gesture of her hand a bridge of ice extended from the little elf to Sera. With Briana close behind Nanami rushed across the bridge to Cullen’s side. She quickly dropped to her knees and her hands erupted into the same light that had been absorbed into her staff. Her eyes closed, a deep breath was taken, slowly released, and her palms pressed against Cullen’s temples.

Sera reached down and smacked Cullen across the cheek (it was her way of helping) as he began to stir. “Wakey Wakey.”

Cullen swatted Sera’s hand away “Good to see you too, Sera.” Sera cackled and pulled him to his feet. While they were stopped, Nanami finished healing a few burns Sera suffered from the demon and forced Briana to allow her broken ribs to be tended to, beyond the patchwork job the elfroot potion had done. When Briana replaced her last piece of armor, she looked at the path ahead of them and the one behind them. “I know this wasn’t explicitly a concern of mine before but, how are we going to find Alistair, exactly--and how do we leave??”

Nanami pulled a lyrium potion from her satchel and drank it before speaking,“Solas talked about how benevolent spirits felt compelled to help dreamers and mages who sought them out. If we can lure one close enough without startling it...” She shot Sera a pointed stare, “I may be able to convince it to help us. As for leaving, we can leave through the rift we were originally searching for in the Wilds. It should be close by--in theory.”

“In theory? Wait, wait, WAIT.” Sera shouldered her way past Cullen and Briana., “So, you’re tellin’ me that we’re trusting Solas? Quizzy, he was a shit and a liar. We can’t trust him. What if what he told you makes us demon food instead?”

Nanami pinched the bridge of her nose, her sigh was heavy and tired. “Sera, regardless of what you think Solas has done or will do, he saved my life; He helped us defeat Corypheus and close the Breach; he’s done nothing but help the Inquisition since the day it was founded. Leaving doesn’t make him a liar. I know the two of you could never agree, but his information has always been honest. He left, Sera, as was his right. He didn’t betray anyone.”

“He betrayed you and that’s what I care about.”

“That had nothing to do with his commitment to the Inquisition. This argument is tiring, and I won’t continue it in the middle of the Fade.”

“Nanami,”Cullen interjected, “ is it really wise to trust an apostate we know so little about?”

Nanami’s voice cut the silence of the fade like a dagger through week old cheese. “And what am I, Cullen? Besides, we don’t really have a choice.”

Sera whirled round and kicked the stony ground sending a rock into the still lake. Her hands white-knuckled around her bow as she focused on the wave of ripples that spread out from her disturbance.

Briana sighed, she didn’t envy any of them and was glad to be an outsider in this argument. “Seems we’re damned if we trust him and damned if we don’t. There isn’t a friendly spirit or another demon, anywhere in sight. We are effectively lost. Without our packs we have, maybe, a day’s worth of rations between us. Whether or not we should trust Nanami’s ex-boyfriend is the least of our worries.”

“Briana, don’t be so pessimistic.” A familiar voice crept into their conversation. The voice immediately sated Briana’s worries as it reminded her of late night meetings by the fire and the sound of her friends snoring all around them. The voice of reason and tranquility in a world ruled by civil war and archdemons. Her white hair was pulled into a short ponytail and she was dressed in red Circle robes with her arms crossed. She was as old as Andraste and just as wise.

“Wynne.” If any spirit were to find them, of course it would be her. A blonde blur out of the corner of her eye whirled around with her bow strung.“Sera no!”

The arrow flew.

A dark light illuminated Wynne’s hand, when the arrow struck her palm the magic twisted around the arrow and shattered it into pieces that fell around Wynne’s feet. “Shite. No, no, no. Demons aren’t supposed to stop arrows.” Sera sucked her teeth and took a few steps away from the group, grabbing another arrow. Just in case.“Who’s the magicy old broad, Bri?”

Cullen had his sword out and was ready to fight as quickly as Sera loosed her arrow but Briana stepped between them and Wynne, “Stop. I know her.” Briana waited with her arms crossed and Cullen slowly lowered his sword, but kept it clenched in his hand. When she was satisfied, Briana turned again to address Nanami.“You said a spirit came to you last time? Looks like we’re lucky enough to find another.

“Possibly, yes, She might be the same.” Nanami explained.

Sera lowered her bow and scowled. “I don’t like this.”

Wynne stood in front of them, smiling as if she had some big secret. Even in the Fade, some things never changed. Still, Briana felt obliged to trust her, the kind eyes and the mischievous smile. No demon could replicate someone so well.“Wynne, where is Alistair?”

Wynne reached out to take Briana’s hand but paused and withdrew.“ I came here to tell you that it’s best if you leave here with your memories.”

“So, he is alive?”

“If what you would call his time here life, then -- yes. He’s been with Nightmare for almost two years. In the Fade that’s nearly a lifetime. The demon won’t let him die; though he wants it desperately. He views Alistair’s constant abuse as his revenge on the Inquisitor for thwarting his plans. The man you loved is dead and his body will be soon as well. Even the demon cannot keep him alive much longer.”

“If he’s going to die I won’t allow it to be here; cold and alone. I won’t abandon him.” Her cheeks were warm and in the stillness of the Fade she could hear her heart slamming against against her eardrums. The mere thought that Alistair could make it out of this desolate prison had Briana chomping at the bit.

“He would want you to. I came to warn you. Please, Briana, for once listen to me. Nightmare doesn’t know you’re here yet. Leave--all of you. If the Nightmare senses you here again he will find the rift and guard it with more ferocity than last time. I implore you, my dear, to turn away. ” The spirit pleaded but all Briana could see was the possibility that her life could return to normal.

Nanami stepped forward, “Briana, maybe we should consider --”

“No. Take me to him, Wynne. You know better than anyone that I won’t leave him.”

Wynne nodded, “I should have known killing an archdemon and surviving would go to your head.” Her smile was sad but understanding as she turned her back on the party and started forward. “Follow me.”

Briana started forward with the rest of them with Cullen and Sera slightly ahead. Sera was too suspicious to lag behind, while Cullen kept himself wedged between Wynne and Nanami. Briana imagined he was reliving what was probably his worst nightmare to keep Nanami from becoming an abomination.Cullen knew Wynne, Briana remembered, seeing her now must be yanking on those templar impulses. She could see it in his eyes, Cullen was afraid, of what, Briana was uncertain but it lingered in his grip on the hilt of his sword and the strength he used in each deliberately placed step. She’d have to have a talk with her about this weird triangle when everything was said and done.

Nanami walked beside Briana. They climbed over jagged cliffs and through lifeless pools of water. They traveled around mountains taller than the Frostbacks and then down -- into steep, sharp valleys. They saw remnants of times none of them could place; Briana recognized some of the debris: Tevinter, Orlesian, Elven, Antivan--all of it was scattered throughout the Fade without rhyme or reason.

As they marched, there were spirits who lingered on the fringes of the path. Some peered out at them while others would run and hide. They were strange, some took the forms of people and some -- Briana didn’t know how to explain it-- they simply existed with and without solid form. When questioned, Nanami explained that the spirits may be attracted to the mark. The Avvar had told her it was like a bright flame even when she was in the real world. It was quite possible that the spirits were attracted to it like moths. “We should be thankful that they are spirits and not demons.” she added. Briana couldn’t agree with her more. They were all weary and tired, unable to hold a conversation much less fight. It was like the stillness of the Fade was wearing them down as a waterfall did the boulders that stood beneath it.

As another hour ticked past Briana’s impatience got the best of her and she reached forward and wrenched on Cullen’s shoulder forcing him to walk at her side. “Somethings not right. Nothing is ever this easy or boring. I’m not that lucky--and neither are you for that matter.” Her voice was low, her hand squeezing the bend between Cullen’s shoulder and neck to keep him at her height so she could talk in his ear.

Cullen nodded, “Even with a guide Nanami faced much more resistance last time. Just stay alert. It’s all we can do right now.” He patted Briana on the shoulder and returned to Nanami’s side. The elven mage was leaning heavily on her staff, but she pushed herself to stay at the head of the group. Cullen bent down to talk in her ear which prompted a scowl from Nanami but after his hand rested at the curve of her back and a few more words were said, Briana watched Nanami’s whole demeanor shift; her muscles relaxed and her shoulders dropped in defeat as she gave Cullen an apology and a nod. She withdrew a health potion from her pocket and swallowed it.

Sera was the only one who walked with even a hint of energy. Briana was convinced that was due to Sera’s unique brand of stubborn. Even though she moved with a conviction that rivaled Andraste’s commitment to the Maker, there was sweat pouring down her face and wetting her choppy blonde hair. Her cheeks were flushed a blotchy shade of pink and her chest heaved as she stomped behind Wynne with her bow gripped in her hand.

“How much farther?” Briana looked at the barren rocks below them. She wondered how Wynne even knew where they were going.

“Not much.” Wynne smiled and pointed to a winding path that took a steep drop and was out of sight. “Nightmare is close. It’s grown weaker since last time the Inquisitor was here but no less deceitful. You’ll have to defeat it this time.” There was a pause in Wynne’s voice that was abrupt and her eyes shifted to the side as if someone were whispering in her ear. “Maker -- It knows you’re here. It’s always known. It’s been waiting.” Wynne whispered and clutched her chest, “Run -- it’s binding me.”

Briana didn’t have time to object; Cullen made the choice for her. He grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her away from Wynne. Briana stumbled after him, looking over her shoulder. On the ground, Wynne lay in a heap of twisted bones; her screams filled the air. “Run, Run!” it shouted. Her clothing singed off her body and her flesh melted into fire. “He will have you!” It cried and a pulse rippled out from the demon like an earthquake and hit the party hard enough to send all them them tumbling to the ground. Exhaustion hit her like a pair of horse hooves to the gut. She tried to push herself to her feet but the world spun around her and she hit the hard rocky ground. In front of her Nanami lay still on her side with a nice gash on her forehead. The screams still echoed in her ear but she was unable to react.

Not again.

She was just-so-tired.

#dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #the dawn will come #briana cousland #alistair #alistair theirin #cullen x inquisitor #cullen rutherford #Fade #Sera #Grey Warden #lavellan #Wynne #demons #dragon age

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bricousland · 9 years

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Chapter 3: Steel Your Heart

Hey, sorry this is coming so late! Between moving and job hunting editing hasn’t gone as quickly as I’d hoped. But, now that things are settled I should have the next chapter out at least a little sooner.

Chapter One Chapter Two AO3 Link

In the valley below Skyhold, Briana sat with Sera on a wooden fence overlooking vast, green pastures littered with Inquisition mounts. The sun was just peeking through the mountains in the east and the grass was still wet with morning dew and half melt patches of snow. Briana pointed to an isolated pasture far away from them. In it stood a tall, black, emaciated horse with skin devoid of fur stretched over its bones and a sword embedded in its skull. “I want that one.”

“That one?” Sera’s lips curled in a manner that usually preceded vomiting “It’s a demon; even the Inquisitor doesn’t ride it, yeah? Look at it! It’s separated from all the others. I mean… it’s got a sword through its head and you can see its bones. That isn’ right. It don’t even eat. Just stands there and… stares.” Sera’s whole body shuddered so, she turned her attention to the rest of the horses.

Briana laughed as she watched Sera out of the corner of her eye. “It’s so unique; I’ve never seen anything else like it.”

Sera’s laugh came with a snort loud enough to startle a few grazing horses. “It looks blighted yeah? The Wardens would shit themselves.”

Nanami stepped out of the tack room with her saddle propped on her shoulder. “What are you two laughing about?”

Briana turned her attention from the pasture to Nanami. “Apparently, Wardens shitting themselves.”

Sera was thrown into another fit of snorting laughter. “Warden Cousland wants to take that Bog demon.”

Nanami laughed. “You can’t take that one. I don’t want to attract too much attention while we travel but, if you’d like, I’ll gift it to you when we return.” She tossed the saddle onto the fence and slipped the bridle around the horn.

Briana grinned. “The Wardens will be pissed if I brought that back with me.” She could see them: faces hardened and displeased with their arms crossed, jaws set and teeth clenched as she pranced it around Weishaupt. “I’ll take it.”

“Good.” Nanami slung a halter over her shoulder and gathered a lead line. “Master Dennet will be pleased. I recommend one of the harts or horses as the dracolisks can be hard to handle around regular mounts.”

Briana’s smile twisted into a frown. “How boring. Well Sera, what’ll it be?”

Sera scanned the pasture and pointed at a handsome dappled palomino with a bald face. “That one, yeah? Dennet says he’s a breed from the Free Marches or somethin’. I’m not picky, right but, once Dorian, Bull,n’ me had a race and that horse won. He’s fast not scared of my arrows.”

Briana nodded. “How about you Inquisitor?”

Nanami whistled into the field. Her red hart raised its massive, antlered head and came trotting towards the gate. “This hart has been with me since I came to the Inquisition. I don’t ride any of the others.” She slipped the halter over the animal’s head and opened the gate to lead him out. “You two should choose and start packing. Cullen won’t be happy if we are late on the first day.” Briana looked at Cullen a few feet away who was already brushing a blood bay Warmblood with heavy hooves and a thick, black mane and tail. She returned her attention to the pasture as Nanami collected her things and led her hart to the hitching posts.

Sera hopped down from the fence and grabbed a halter for herself. “Well, Warden? What’ll you take?”

“The battle nug.”

“No!” Cullen and Nanami responded in unison. Sera exploded into laughter and walked away while Briana contemplated the rest of her, admittedly boring, options.

Briana hopped off the fence. “I guess the Ferelden Forder will have to do.” She picked up a halter and followed Sera into the pasture.

“Really? The Anderfel Courser, uh, that one--” She pointed at a brown and white painted horse towards the middle of the field, “--was bred for Grey Wardens, right?”

“Huh, you’d think the Grey Warden horse would be… Grey. You really like horses don’t you, Sera?”

Sera directed her attention away from Briana and chewed on her bottom lip. “I come down here a lot, yeah? And Master Dennet likes to talk. I picked up a few things cause I listen. Don’t matter really.”

“Hey, I’m not judging. I loved horses as a girl; I grew up with the Ferelden Forder in Highever. I wasn’t a Warden until much later.”

“Shite. I forgot you was a Lord’s daughter, too. My people say your people are a good sort.”

“Oh right; Red Jenny. You have people keeping an eye on my brother in Highever?”

Sera gave a curt nod, “Yeah, that’s us.” and departed to fetch her horse.

Briana approached the Forder, the large bay horse lifted its head from a patch of green grass and flared its nostrils. She slid the halter over its ears. She began to lead it towards the gates and crisp cool air filled her lungs.

Her mother had panicked the first time Briana’s father put her on a horse ‘Bryce don’t let her fall!’. She’s my only girl!’ It was only a few weeks later that she and her brother, Fergus, had snuck out late at night to race around the entire castle. Right before she won, her horse slid on a patch of mud and she fell, breaking her arm on a sharp rock. Her father was furious and they both had been forbidden to ride until her arm healed. However, unbeknownst to her parents, Briana was back on her horse within a week.

A small smile crawled across her face. It was rare to recall memories from so long ago and even rarer to see her parents faces happy and smiling.The Blight had consumed her and left little room for anything that came before it. Sometimes, she would wake up sweating and screaming with Alistair’s arms wrapped tight around her to stop her thrashing. She’d often leave him bruised and scratched but he never complained. On nights like those all she heard were the deep, guttural growls of darkspawn and the call of Urthemiel.

Then there was the song. The soft, haunting melody that crept into her dreams and hummed behind her thoughts. Not even Alistair knew about that. Soon, she’d have to prepare for her journey into the Deep Roads or continue to follow a few leads to the cure.

A different problem for a different day.

Her heart pounded in her chest and her fists clenched so that her knuckles turned white. Briana ran her hand down the horse’s sleek, brown neck and took a stabilizing breath.

Since her initial meeting with Nanami, she spent quite a bit of time helping Cullen with new recruits or in the Chantry with Leliana. Her initial anger had subsided; now all that was left was a dull ache she knew would never go away. Her hand reached up to touch the rose in her hair and, when she felt its soft petals against her fingertips, she sighed.

Maker guide me.

She opened the gate and walked towards the hitching posts. Nanami and Sera were laughing while Cullen tried to scold Sera for some prank she had just pulled. He seemed to be having trouble keeping a straight face himself. Briana tied her horse to the post and reached over to grab a brush out of Cullen’s bin. She listened to them argue back and forth; it was like watching Zev, Lilly, and Alistair all over again. As with them, Briana was happy to stay a silent bystander and watch them while she worked.

It wasn’t until everyone was quiet again that Briana spoke. “The Blight could have ended more smoothly if I’d had a horse.”

Cullen smirked. “You mean to tell me Arl Eamon didn’t offer you a horse?”

Briana rolled her shoulders. “Nope. Not one. Then again he was in a demon induced coma for a majority of the Blight… and his city was overrun with undead.” She shook her brush in Nanami’s direction. “You are spoiled. You have everything you could possibly need.” She managed to attract the attention of Nanami’s hart who snorted at her with its mouth full of hay.

Damn harts are the Dalish mabari. Sharp as a whip.

“I assure you it wasn’t easy.” She could hear Nanami but could barely see her behind her mount. “Though, that explains a lot about Alistair. When we rode out to Adamant Fortress we gave Alistair the Anderfel Courser. So, after a few pointed jokes about the horse not being grey...” Nanami had to walk around to the other side of the animal so Briana could see her: tan-skinned and dressed in her Dalish robes with her black hair plaited into a long rope. “He managed to fall off… three times. He failed to tell us that he had only ridden a horse twice in his life.”

Briana interrupted Nanami with a laugh. “That’s true. Once, when he was a boy and left for the Chantry and again, when he and I left for Weisshaupt after the Blight.” She pulled the cinch tight around the horse’s belly. “If he only fell three times, that was an improvement.”

“Maker, I remember that.” Cullen ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. “When we made camp my men were scrambling to teach him. The thought that they could teach a hero of the Blight something? That inspired them more than I ever could. They spent half the night trying to teach him and the other half telling stories. Though I’m not sure they helped in the end; Alistair took his second fall half way to Adamant the next day.”

“He always had terrible balance outside of fighting.” Briana grew silent and her smile softened as she tied bags to the back of her saddle.

It was Sera’s turn to interject. “Them stories weren’t really scary, yeah?”

Nanami pulled herself into her saddle and Sera did the same. “Sera, you made me share my tent with you that night. You thought a pack of flesh eating nugs were going to burst from the bushes and kill everyone.”

With a snorted laugh Sera slapped her knee and took a fist full of reins. “Ha! Yeah...that pissed Solas off. He had to be the nug bait and sleep outside.”

“Yes, Sera, that’s why Solas was angry. Not because you wouldn’t even let him use your tent.” Briana watched Nanami’s smile fade; it was a look Briana was all too familiar with.

“Well if the nugs were gonna eat anyone it had to be him! Besides, I didn’t want his weird bald head in my tent. That’s jus’ wrong. He shoulda packed his own.”

Cullen spoke again, his voice softer and more cautious than before. “I’m sorry if this is uncomfortable for you, Warden.”

“Enough of this Warden business, Cullen. Call me Briana.” She slipped her foot into the stirrup and pulled herself into the saddle with ease. She rocked back and forth to test the girth and the horse groaned beneath her. She patted its neck and returned her attention to Cullen. “It’s alright, really. That’s how I want to remember him; falling off horses and making people laugh. So, please, don’t stop telling stories on my account.”

Cullen gave a curt nod. “Let’s head out. We have about six days of travel ahead of us.” Cullen was the last on his horse. He adjusted the thick, fur collar around his neck and turned his horse towards the narrow rocky path leading away from Skyhold expecting everyone to follow.

~ ~ ~

Nanami watched the sun set on the shores of Lake Calenhad at the end of their third day of travel. Kinloch Hold rose dark and abandoned from its center and cast large shadows across the murky water. Even from the lake’s shore, it was tall and imposing. The Mage-Templar War may have finally settled but the scars it left were riddled across Thedas. Some came in the form of stagnant magical traps and others were like this tower: a tall, dark reminder of Chantry oppression. The windows were dark; shutters hung misshapen and broken from the window sills not a single candle was lit on the inside. Debris still littered the shore: torn, wet, unreadable spellbooks and a rusted templar sword were all that remained of the prison the Circle had once been.

Nanami’s Keeper had told her about the Circles but she always assumed it was just prejudice bred from hatred between her people and the humans but, when the Chantry fell apart in Kirkwall, the problems contained within the Circles began to bleed into Thedas like an open wound. The fallout reached everyone; from the dwarves of Orzammar and Kal-Sharok, to the most remote Dalish Clans. Everyone knew the humans had failed.

She never would have imagined she’d be the one to start stitching Thedas back together.

Behind her, Sera and Briana talked amongst themselves while Cullen rode beside her. They had ridden hard all day to get this far and by the slight slump in Cullen’s otherwise perfect posture, she knew they should be searching for a place to camp soon. She caught him staring at the tower and frowned. “Are you alright, Cullen?”

He tore his eyes away to look at her. “I was going to suggest setting up camp.”

“Here?” She twisted in her saddle to better take in her surroundings. In front of her, the valley spread out as far as she could see with grass as high as her waist blowing in the wet Ferelden breeze. The evening sun set behind her, peeking through the peaks of the mountains and casting colors of pink, blue, and red in the sky. “We’re a bit exposed; don’t you think?”

Cullen pointed across the lake. “Not exactly, the entrance to Kinloch is quite safe. It’s surrounded by ruins of the stone bridge and a steep cliff. There’s just one way in and one way out. If we make camp there, we can have fresh water, at least. Also, if we’re lucky, there may wild deer and rabbits in the area; tomorrow we are entering areas affected by the Blight. It’s best if we are well fed and rested.”

Nanami’s mouth watered at the idea of something other than hard Orlesian cheese and jerky. She almost regretted rejecting Josephine’s offer to have the Arls house them as they traveled. It was satisfying for a few days but she craved a hot meal. While she may be Dalish, Nanami was no hunter.

She returned her gaze to the tower. “This is the first Circle you served at, isn’t it? The one that fell to blood mages during the Blight. We don’t have to stay here.”

Cullen nodded “I’ll be fine, Inquisitor.”

“Everyone would understand if you wanted to go somewhere else.”

Cullen looked at her from the corner of his eye and a half-smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I said I’ll be fine. What happened at the tower was a long time ago and it was nothing compared to Kirkwall if I am being honest.”

Nanami rode at his side until she was satisfied he wasn’t going to change his answer. When his silence failed to satisfy her worry, she turned her hart around and nudged it into a canter towards Briana and Sera who were lagging a few yards behind.

“...and when I opened the door there was a desire demon standing over a templar. I tried to save him but… in the end we had to kill him, too. The demon had too much control after giving him everything he wanted; a home and family. It’s almost impossible to pull a person out of a dream they don’t want to leave. Poor sod. Too many people were killed in that Circle. Cullen was lucky --” Briana’s story fell short as Nanami approached.

Sera had been listening with morbid interest. She seemed frightened but too interested to actually stop Briana from talking. Sera’s focus had been locked on Briana but she turned her big eyes to stare at Nanami as she approached Nanami knew that Sera would be curled up in her tent for another night. Last time Sera came crawling into Nanami’s bed she had been a nightmare to sleep with. She kicked and stole all the blankets.

“Barring no trouble, we’re making camp at the entrance to Kinloch Hold. Cullen said we won’t be as exposed and to go further would take us into land affected by the Blight. Sera, do you think you could catch us a few rabbits for dinner?”

Sera scowled and sucked her teeth. “You just said we were near blighted land, yeah? I’m not goin’ out there alone! Fresh meat or no, I don’t wanna come face to face with blighted bears or worse, darkspawn.”

Briana stretched in her saddle and let out a long yawn. “There’s no darkspawn around, Sera. If there were I’d know. I know where the blighted areas begin so I’ll accompany you if you’ve got a spare bow. Besides, I need something fun to do. Other than that small band of thugs we encountered on the way out of the Frostbacks this has been the most boring travel I have had in months.”

Nanami noticed the dark circles under Briana’s eyes. “Are you sure? You look like you could use some sleep.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse fatigue than this.” They’d only been traveling for three days but Nanami knew Briana had been up every night since their departure. Sometimes Nanami would wake to hear her praying or crying. One night she had a nightmare so bad Nanami, Cullen, and Sera found her in her tent screaming and thrashing, trying to fight invisible enemies. Not even Nanami’s magic could wake her. Worried she’d hurt herself, Nanami had to have Cullen grapple her until the nightmare was over. No one slept well that night. The next morning she apologized but refused to talk about it and didn’t speak for the rest of the day.

“You can use a bow?” Sera crossed her arms in disbelief

Briana looked insulted. “Well enough to hunt a rabbit. Leliana taught me when we were traveling together.”

“Good, then it’s settled .” Nanami let her hart walk beside Briana as they followed the circumference of the lake. Nanami focused on the back of Cullen’s head; his hair was mussed from a lack of proper care and his shoulders were still hunched over in exhaustion.

Briana moved her horse closer to Nanami and her voice dropped to a whisper. “Are you sure he’s going to be alright camping here? I remember what he was like. I can’t imagine he’d willingly come within ten feet of that tower.”

“He said he’s fine.” Nanami’s shoulders rose in a helpless shrug, her eyes lingered on the back of Cullen’s head trying to read his mind. “I’ll keep an eye on him while you’re hunting. If things don’t seem right, we’ll leave after you return. I won’t allow him to torture himself for our safety. I’d sooner risk the darkspawn.” Without waiting for a response, she nudged her hart and returned to Cullen’s side. Just ahead, she could see the tall archway that served as the entrance to Kinloch Hold’s dock.

Briana and Sera were large personalities; They sang their way through the Frostbacks and then they told stories from the base of the mountains until the last tent was set up. Cullen and Nanami had remained silent listeners. At least Sera seemed to be a good distraction for Briana. She kept her mind off Alistair, or at least from the thought of him dead in the Fade. Every other story Briana told featured Alistair in some way. From the sound of it, they had been joined at the hip since they met. Compared to the woman who held a dagger to her throat, Briana had become a different person. Someone closer to the person Leliana claimed she was; though Cullen still watched her like a hawk. Once the last tent was pitched and Briana left with Sera the camp felt a little more empty. Cullen shouted from within an old tavern whose door had long rusted off its hinges. “Looks like--” He walked out of it with a large kettle in his hands. “--we can make a stew if they come back with something.”

“You can cook?” She wrested the kettle away from him and headed down to the water.

Cullen walked beside her. “I can, actually. My mother taught all of us to cook. Maker forbid if her children were ever to go hungry.”

Nanami laughed. “I think that’s all mothers.” She slipped off her boots and rolled her riding breeches up so she could wade in the water. The lake was icy cold and mud squished between her toes. The sharp temperature made goosebumps prickle across her skin and a shiver climb up her spine. Nanami crouched down with the kettle and filled it with water to begin cleaning out the soot and cobwebs.

“True. What was yours like?” Cullen stood close to her like a lazy watchdog, his arms crossed and his eyes focused on the upper floors of the tower. “I’d imagine Dalish mothers would be quite different.”

No one asked her about the Dalish; not since they had been killed at Wycome. Only Solas had been brave enough to broach the subject with her in private. Cullen and Leliana had given quiet condolences. Then there was Josephine, whose cool demeanor cracked just long enough to express remorse for her poor advice. As much as Nanami wanted to blame someone else she couldn't allow Josephine to shoulder that burden. After all, she was the one who made the call. In an attempt to lessen the amount of lives lost she ignored Cullen’s advice and sent her people to negotiate with racist bigots. Now, because of her incompetence, her mother’s face was just a vague outline with long black hair that smelled of deathroot and pine. “My mother...”

“Nanami, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”

“No, it’s alright. I just haven’t talked about her in a long time.” She stood up with the now clean pot and pushed the long black braid behind her shoulders. It swung side to side as she walked over to their tents. Cullen caught up with her and took the kettle from her hands. She gave him a reproachful look but let him have it. “My mother…” She repeated but then corrected herself, “Elven mothers, I should say, are not as different as you might think. My mother’s name was Rena. She told me stories of Elvhenan and the Elven pantheon. Much like yours told you about Andraste. She taught me to read and write, she sang to me, and urged me to play with the other children when I was too shy. She supported me through my magic training and when I got my Vallaslin she was there to hold my hand. She did all the things a mother is supposed to do. The only difference was that she was Elven. If the Dalish and humans could come together, sit down, and have a real talk I think they would see that we’re all after the same thing: happiness.”

Cullen set the kettle over a pile of wood at the center of camp. “Was your mother a mage, too?” He sat down in front of the unlit fire, regarding her with a soft, apologetic stare.

Nanami remained standing; a soft prickle of magic danced across her skin. The thin veil had her on edge and unable to relax. “No. She and my father were both hunters. I was a surprise. The first day I used magic I was… maybe six years old? I was trying to learn the bow but I wasn’t very good. My mother was a master and all the other children were picking on me because I couldn’t hold the arrow right. One boy, Masa, was a bully and one day, when our teacher wasn’t looking, he nocked an arrow and pointed it at me. The arrows were blunt but I was young and frightened. So, without knowing, I froze his hands to the bow and his feet to the ground. The magic started to spread and I didn’t know how to stop it but before the spell could spiral out of control the Keeper stepped in and neutralized it. She took me away and my training began immediately.”

Cullen laughed. “Sounds like he deserved it.”

“Oh, he was just a boy.” Nanami laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “He was a good hunter last time I saw him…”

Nanami stopped mid sentence when her attention was drawn to a mass of red and orange moving just behind the destitute tavern.

She began to reach for her staff from its place on her back. “Cullen...”

Cullen followed her gaze and just as he lept to his feet, a rage demon rolled through the thick foliage. Its body scorched brambles and disintegrated the rotting, wooden fence leaving a gaping hole in the Tower’s natural defenses.

Snow swirled around Nanami’s hand and when she extended it in front of her a thick wall of ice rose between the demon and them. It gave Cullen just enough time to draw his sword but when he reached for his shield he realized he left it nestled against his saddle on the other side of camp. He turned to retrieve it but Nanami shook her head. “Not now.”

The ice wall steamed and evaporated as the demon pushed its way through. Fire poured from its mouth and more steam rose from the ground where the ice had been. Nanami channeled her mana into her staff and a chunk of solid ice flew from the point of it striking the demon with enough force to freeze it solid.

I would have sensed a Rift; blood mages… has to be.

She was blind in the low light of the setting sun; she couldn’t see beyond the hills and bushes the demon had come from. When she heard movement behind her she expected to confront a mage, but instead found herself face to face with another demon.

A terror demon.

The tall, green, skeletal demon crawled up from the ground; its twisted face stared at her and its shriek pierced her ears. She took a slow step back and raised her staff in front of her. She should have been used to them but a terror demon’s face still caused her stomach to turn.

The ice that paralyzed the rage demon shattered. Foregoing his shield, Cullen charged forward. Nanami murmured a few words and a thin layer of magic hardened over their skin and armor. As the terror demon sank into the ground, Nanami prepared for its attack with an ice mine at her feet.

It didn’t take long for the mine to trigger; the ground rose up around her in a storm of ice, snow, and wind; the terror demon shrieked, clawing at its face and stumbling away to pluck shards of ice from its cheeks. Nanami extended her staff in front of her and it morphed into the blade of the Knight Enchanter. While the demon was preoccupied, she struck one of its long, bony arms with a quick swing of her sword. It screamed again and stumbled back clutching its wound. It swiped towards her with dagger like claws but before the demon could reach her, she dug her heel into the ground and relaxed her body, letting it slide through the fade. She carried herself through like a ghost and reappeared beside Cullen’s shield.

The demon disappeared into the ground again.

Like sharks on the hunt...

Nanami dragged the tip of her blade in a circle around her, laying down another ice mine. She flicked a ball of white light from her palm; it wrapped around Cullen’s shield and sent it sliding across the ground to his feet.

Cullen had managed to put the rage demon on the defensive . However, with only his longsword he was left without any form of protection from the hot flames the demon had at its disposal. Cullen managed to dodge a line of flame at the cost of his coat which was singed and smoking. His hand was suddenly surrounded by a white light and when the energy was released it shocked the demon long enough for Cullen to crouch down and collect his shield. It roared and a jet of flame poured out of its mouth. Cullen lifted his shield and the flame dispersed against the cool metal.

Nanami’s attention was forced back to her own fight when the ice mine erupted around her again. The terror demon had reappeared and lifted its massive claw to strike but the mine covered it in a thin layer of ice; freezing it solid.

Nanami struck the demon with her blade several times and when the thin layer of ice began to crack she slid into the fade again to put distance between it and her. She put down another mine and tried to find the mages behind the demons. She focused on the area where she had seen the first demon and she listened. She knew they couldn’t be far.

And then she heard him.

Over the rage demon’s roars; the sound of someone chanting a summoning spell. Nanami lifted her staff and gathered the mana that stirred deep within her gut. A cold wind prickled across her skin and snow danced around her. She raised the Knight Enchanters blade and slammed the tip into the ground; a blast of cold air and ice flew in the direction of the summoning.

A maddening scream was the response and the mage came flailing out of his hiding spot. He was older with receding, thin, white hair. He wore old, blue Ferelden circle robes that were torn and covered in stains. His arms were littered with cuts old and new; some festered and others were deep, pale scars. His eyes were black and wild. He stared at the chaos in front of him, his smile twisted and stretched until his chapped lips bled and stained his teeth. In his hand he held a stick; sharpened to a point and covered with blood.

“The Circle is mine! Do you hear me knife ear? Do you?!” In one quick movement he stabbed the stick into his palm until blood swelled and evaporated into the air. “Mine, mine, mine!” With a new sense of urgency the man shoved the sharpened stick deeper into his palm and twisted the stick in a slow circle.

The amount of blood that poured from his hand could fill a wine bottle. Nanami just stood and watched in horror, unable to act.

The mine couldn’t save her this time.

Nanami’s body began to feel hot and her heart began to race; all the muscles in her body tightened and breathing became difficult. As the blood in her veins began to boil, she closed her eyes and tried to focus but there was just too much blood magic wrapping around her. The mage simply had the upper hand, dirty as it may be.

Nanami dropped to her knees and her whole body spasmed. Her staff fell from her hands and the spirit blade disappeared. Her scream was caught in her throat and it was all she could do to breathe shallow gasps of air; the magic wrapped around her like a noose on every limb. She struggled to regain control of her body and looked at Cullen for help but now both demons were attacking him. Just as he turned his shield to block the dangerous claws of the terror demon, the rage demon caught him in the side with a sphere of red and blue flame.

The mage cackled with delight and shoved the stick into his wrist. The nooses around her joints tightened. “Yes, yes, yes… kill the templar… kill him!”

Guided by an invisible string, Nanami’s arm snapped away from her body. She groaned in pain as her hand wrapped around her staff and her legs were yanked out from under her as the blood mage manipulated her to stand. Sweat poured down her face as she struggled to control her own mana.

When she felt an unfamiliar spell building inside her, she focused her mind on the fade. She ignored the pain of the blood magic and instead focused on her mana. She felt something in her brain pop and she regained control long enough to call out to Cullen. It was a strangled cry for help but it got his attention. She watched his face change from calm and focused to panicked and afraid. He dropped his sword and threw his hand up into the air. A brilliant white light surrounded him before leaving his body and crashing down on the demons from above and rippling outwards around the entire camp. The demons shrieked and retreated into the shadows and the mage was left paralyzed.

The blood mage’s hold on Nanami broke. She fell back to the ground as his control over her left. Weakened and shaky, Nanami managed to scramble back to her feet and fade step to Cullen’s side. “Thank you...” She could feel her blood still hot under her skin and the unfamiliar spell slowly creeping out of her.

Cullen retrieved his sword. “Are you alright?”

As the light faded, Nanami nodded. Cullen’s gaze lingered on her and she could see the concern but as the last of the light faded, the rage demon gurgled and spit a ball of flame which turned Cullen’s attention back to the fight. He raised his shield and the ball of fire propelled away from them. He gave her one last look before he left her side to continue the fight with the rage demon, leaving Nanami to finish the blood mage.

She lifted her staff and the cold winter air started to build around her again. Snow swept around her feet and whipped around her body. However, just as the spell began to gather into her staff the terror demon reappeared and grabbed her by the shoulder; its long, thin claws dug between her shoulder blades. The light mail that she wore beneath her robes protected her skin from the majority of the damage but as she twisted to get free she heard her arm pop and slumped uselessly below its socket. She gathered a small reservoir of mana and stepped into the fade only to reappear a short distance from the demon. Her limbs felt heavy and, without sufficient mana, her arm remained ineffective.

Nanami forced herself to ignore the terror demon stalking towards her and focused her attention on the blood mage, the root of the problem. With sweat rolling into her eyes she reached deep down and pulled up enough mana for another spell. Long shards of ice formed in the air and flew towards the blood mage; they were as clear as crystals and the size of small throwing daggers. Still paralyzed by Cullen’s templar ability, the man had no way to protect himself. Like a knife through tender meat, one shard found a home in his gut while the other sliced through his neck. The moment the ice pierced his skin, the paralysis faded; she watched him struggle to channel the blood from his wounds towards another attack but another crystal of ice found its way into his chest and another one into his eye. He fell to the ground and died with the spell still on his lips.

As he laid convulsing on the ground, the demon charged her. Without the blood mage as an anchor, its hold on the physical world was weakened and it stumbled towards her while flecks of flesh mottled off its body and disintegrated into the fade. When it reached her she outstretched her staff and her spirit blade returned; she shoved the blade through its sick, green abdomen and twisted. The demon, with its face inches from her’s, gave a final scream and dissipated into the Fade.

Her attention turned to Cullen. Pieces of the rage demon flickered away from its body as it died. With her uninjured arm, Nanami pointed her staff at the demon and its molten body turned to ice. Cullen swung his sword and it shattered on contact.

It was over as quickly as it had begun.

Sweating and panting, Nanami and Cullen waited for a second attack but it never came. She listened for another summoning but all she could hear was the water lapping behind her and her blood racing in her ears. “Two…” She breathed, “that mad man was able to summon two demons?” The sun had completely set behind the mountains and it was just the stars that lit the night sky. Nanami walked towards the campsite and threw a fireball into the pit. The wood crackled and burst into flame beneath the kettle. “Are you hurt?”

Cullen sheathed his sword.“Nothing I can’t recover from. Maker's Breath, your arm… let me see.” Cullen took her by her good arm and dragged her closer to the fire. When they were safe in the light, she saw a burn that started at the back of Cullen’s neck and disappeared beneath his armor.

“Just… put it back in place.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to use magic?”

“No. I don’t have a lot of mana left and your burn looks serious.”

Sighing, he removed his gauntlets and tossed them to the side. One hand rested on her twisted shoulder while the other grabbed her forearm. “Alright. On three. One, two...” He twisted her arm and there was an audible pop which accompanied an agonizing groan from Nanami. “Three.”

Nanami moved her arm to test it. She could feel her muscles stretched and sore but she could hold her staff again. “Your turn.” She said to Cullen motioning to the burn on his neck. “You’ll have to undress.” She watched him fidget where he stood and for a moment she was able to forget they had almost been killed by a mad blood mage. Her arms crossed over her chest and she laughed. “Cullen, are you embarrassed?”

He unbuckled a piece of his armor and set it off the the side. “What? Maker, no. I’ve been healed a hundred times.” Nanami went to Cullen’s side and helped him with his armor. She pulled his red fur coat from his shoulders and laid it on a nearby stump. Her hands worked to unhinge his breastplate while he stood there, looking more uncomfortable than before. “You know I could do this myself.”

“Yes, but you were being slow.” She set his breastplate aside and saw the damage the demon had done. It was nothing she couldn’t heal; his under armor had been scorched to rags and his abdomen was burned, she could already see blisters forming and areas where the skin had been completely burned away leaving muscle and sinew exposed. “Nothing you couldn’t recover from?” She scoffed, “This could have easily become infected Cullen.” She ignored his uneasiness and focused on his injuries. “My shoulder is nothing compared to this. Finish undressing and have a seat. I am going to set some traps in the mean time.”

While Cullen finished undressing, Nanami dug through her bags and pulled out a small vial of Lyrium. She swallowed it and put the small glass vial away. The new source of mana recharged her making her feel ready for another fight. Nanami breathed a sigh of relief and set the perimeter with a variety of magical traps.

I should have done this in the first place.

When she was finished, she returned to Cullen and knelt down beside him. “Okay, arm up” He lifted his arm and his avoided eye contact; instead he looked straight ahead, focused on the entrance of the camp.

Nanami summoned a quick healing spell and a soft white glow emanated from her hands. When she guided the light towards Cullen he twitched and jumped away from the touch of her hands. “Cullen!” Surprised, Nanami pulled away and the spell vanished. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… Maker…” He rubbed his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I thought it was all behind me but, being here, fighting blood mages… It’s too familiar.” He turned his head to look at the tower looming behind them.

Nanami reached out and took his chin, guiding his gaze away from the tower. “Cullen, look at me.” Hesitantly, his soft, hazel eyes turned to meet hers, bright and blue even in the dim light of the fire. “Do you trust me?”

He nodded, “Of course. I just--”

“Good, then don’t look away. My magic is just an extension of me. Kinloch won’t change that.” She closed her eyes and whispered a spell. The soft glow reappeared around her hand. Her eyes opened and she held the soft glowing light up to Cullen. “See?” Cullen remained quiet and, while he shied away from her at first, he began to relax and Nanami began to stitch his skin back together with magic. His body was covered in scars and only a few were healed by magic. Most were jagged and thick from ointments, mundane stitches, and other primitive healing methods.

He’s suffered a lot of pain to avoid magic.

To keep his mind away from bad memories Nanami hummed a Dalish lullaby. It turned Cullen’s attention away from the magic and he leaned in closer to listen. The two of them sat like that for the remainder of the healing process. Once his skin was healed she breathed an exhausted sigh. She could feel sweat trickling down her neck, her eyes felt weary, and her mana was low again. She needed a good night’s rest.

Now that she had nothing else to focus on, her mind returned to the fight. The way the blood mage had taken control of her so easily. She had never experienced anything like that before. The pain, the heat, and the way that vile spell had sucked up her mana for its own use. She felt violated even with the enchantment completely dissolved, she still felt like something dirty coursed through every vein in her body.

What would have happened if Cullen hadn’t been there? What would have that man made me do? Kill myself? Kill someone else?

The possibilities seemed endless and it made her feel cold and powerless.

“Nanami?” Cullen must have seen her distress.

Her heart slammed into her chest as she looked up at him and shook her head. “I’m alright. You’re not the only one shaken by that fight.”

“Ah” He nodded his head, understanding immediately “You would have fought him off even without my help.”

“How do you know that?”

Cullen smiled and reached out to take her hand. “Because you’ve been through worse and I know--” One of Nanami’s traps triggered. She and Cullen jumped to their feet, staff and sword back in hand. They looked towards the deactivated trap to see a massive black wolf fleeing into the trees with ice and frost stuck to its fur.

“Just a wolf.” Cullen breathed. Now that he was standing, he took the opportunity to grab a fresh undershirt from his saddle bags. “It must have smelled the blood.” He returned to the fire just as Nanami was sitting down. Cullen sat down beside her and pulled the shirt over his head.

Nanami smiled. “Or maybe, Fen’Harel heard my song.” She leaned back on her arms and stretched her legs out infront of her. “Thank you Cullen…”

Cullen looked at her and tipped his chin in a slight nod. “Who is--”

“Well, well, don’t you two look comfortable!” Briana appeared at the entrance to Kinlock with three rabbits in her hands already gutted and skinned. She held them up to show them off. “You know we had to fight off three blood mages so you could eat?”

Sera appeared behind Briana with a big grin on her face and ran down to the fire. “We were hunting around Kinloch and came across a small band of them, right? So, Bri n’ me planned an attack and wiped them out.” Sera was still grinning from ear to ear, “It was good, yeah? They didn’t even see us comin’. I sent an arrow into their camp and it went BAM and they went AHHH and then blood and tears and demons … and dead. One shit got away though.”

Nanami pointed at the twisted, dead body farther from the fire. “Is that him?” Sera walked over and leaned down to get a good look at his face.

“That’s him. Wild, innit?” She gave the dead body a good kick, grabbed a small pail from their supplies, and went to get water from the lake.

Briana laughed and moved to her pile of bags and put her bow away, along with her axe.

Cullen voiced Nanami’s concern first “Maker's Breath the two of you could have been killed. Thank Andraste you weren’t hurt”

“Like Sera said, we had the advantage.” Briana answered, “She was able to take out two mages before their demons found us. By then, that one--” She pointed to the dead man, “ran off and the demons were as useful as nug shit without the blood magic to anchor them to our world.”

Sera came back and poured water into the pot. Steam rose and disappeared into the crisp night air. “You took a nasty blast to the back from that demon though.” Sera bit her lip and looked at Nanami. “The one that uses ice.”

“A despair demon?” Nanami looked at Briana. “Do you need healing?”

“No need.” Briana shook her head. “I used a potion.” She reached into one of the small pouches on her belt and pulled out some elfroot and other assorted herbs. “I found these while we hunted. We can add them to that pot and have something decent. Alistair taught me how to make a fantastic Ferelden stew.”

She remembered the stew Alistair made. It had given her and Hawke a stomachache for the rest of the night and into the next day. Nanami grappled the rabbits out of Briana’s hands. “How about I make a Dalish meal. You hunted so I’ll cook.”

Briana narrowed her eyes at Nanami, suspicious. “If you insist.” When Briana sat down in front of the fire, Nanami peeled the meat off the bone and tossed the pieces into the boiling water. She added some of the herbs as well as some other ingredients she had packed. Briana pulled out a small tankard of Dwarven ale from Maker only knew where and soon, there were stories, laughter, and familiar food surrounding her; when mixed with the scent of smoke from a roaring fire, Nanami felt like she had found a piece of home again.

~ ~ ~

Rain fell and chilled Briana to the bone. Any blessings the Maker had given them a few days ago had been stripped away by Ferelden weather. The mounts splashed through thick, sticky mud which had effectively slowed their travel to a snail's pace. They were a few days behind schedule and, to top it off, they were surrounded by blight. After so many years the land was still recovering from the brief Darkspawn incursion. The horses danced around trees that had once been covered with thick, black ichor and sometimes they flat out refused to go where Briana lead them.

Camping had become a dreaded necessity rather than something they looked forward to at the end of the day. Being so close to the corruption had all of them seeing enemies in the shadows . The forests surrounding the wilds still stunk of Darkspawn. The air was thick and hard to breathe; for the first few hours the four of them had coughed and gagged until their bodies became adjusted to the corruption.

For Briana it was worse; the song in Briana’s head was stronger here and the hum of the Darkspawn that still prowled the area was a constant numbness in the back of her mind. They knew she was there. They were looking for her but, by the Maker’s good fortune, she had been able to keep the party away from them.

She maneuvered her horse around a pile of bones long picked clean of their identifying features. It had been the fourth pile they’d passed in the last hour. It was a somber reminder that the old Circle was well behind them and they were ass-deep in blight; even the trees were bare of life. There were no fallen leaves crunching under the horses’ hooves nor anything green and alive as far as the eye could see. The forest was bleak and black and dead. She heard no birds save for the distant caw of carrion crows and vultures. When she looked through the branches of the dead trees she couldn’t see a hint of sun beyond the thick black clouds that covered the sky.

Sera was nervous; she usually enjoyed lingering behind or far ahead of the group, but now she clung to them like glue. Like her horse, she jumped at every shadow and sent arrows deep into the forest only to imbed them into trees or nothing.

Nanami and Cullen seemed pensive.

Nanami’s staff never left her hand; a soft white light wrapped around it and pushed back the darkness that surrounded them. Even through the rain and the stench, the young elf didn’t complain. She lingered back, though, like a shepherd following the flock.

Cullen rode with Briana at the front; his hair clung to his face and he had long since abandoned his fur-collared coat. With the soft tap of the rain falling against their armor she and Cullen sounded like tin roofs. Briana could tell Cullen tried to ignore the bleak forest that surrounded them but every time they passed the remains of someone long dead she caught him closing his eyes in silent prayer.

To Briana, it was just another Tuesday. Walking by the piles of bones and dead animals was like walking by a particularly ugly baby. It made you stop and look but otherwise was insignificant.

Common and forgettable.

Briana took her feet out of the stirrups and stretched them forward with a sigh. Alistair probably looked like that now. A pile of bones for a spirit to float past. She rubbed her eyes and pushed the thought out of her mind. When she opened them again she found Cullen looking at her as if she were a little girl whose dog just died.

“Commander Cullen?”

“Are you alright? You look upset.” Even after almost a week of travel, Nanami and Cullen still danced around her feelings. Sometimes Briana appreciated it, but the unasked questions and awkward silences made her irritated and quick to snap.

“We’re surrounded by corpses and darkspawn. I’m as fine as the rest of you. This isn’t exactly a place that makes any of us want to sing and dance.”

Cullen narrowed his eyes at her; unappreciative of her sense of humor.“You’ve been in high spirits since we left Skyhold.”

The silent pause between sentences made Briana’s fists clench until her knuckles were white. “And?”

Speak you nervous little Templar.

“...I can’t imagine what you must really be feeling.”

And there it is.

She let out a deep breath, her hands loosened around her reins again, and she shrugged her shoulders. “What Alistair and I had… have… was… is…” She felt the words failing on her tongue as she tried to put her feelings into words, “special.” She rolled her eyes, “He’s much better at this than I am. So, I’ll use his words.” Briana reached up and tugged the rose out of her wet hair. “Alistair gave me this rose after we left the Circle; he found it in a small town called Lothering. We should be rather close to it now. Anyway, he said that I reminded him of this rose. I was… a light amidst the darkness of the Blight.”

Cullen chuckled. “A lovely sentiment.”

It was Briana’s turn to laugh as she wove the rose back in her hair. “It was cheesey. I laughed at him and teased him mercilessly from Kinloch to Denerim. I never really told him how much those small gestures meant to me. I think he knew though; he kept doing them. Without him I think I would have become the darkness he talked about. There were times I almost did but he kept me sane when the weight of the world threatened to crush me. I didn’t keep the rose because I thought what he said was true. I kept it because he was more like this rose than I could ever be. So, that’s what I’ve lost Commander. A light amidst my own darkness. I can’t explain it beyond that.”

“I think I understand.”

“Well, I imagine it’s similar to your relationship with Nanami, right?”

“Yes, I -- wait, what?” Cullen looked over his shoulder and his voice dropped to a whisper conveying everything from anger to embarrassment. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Don’t insult me, Cullen.” Briana looked over her shoulder. Sera had the reins wrapped around the horn of her saddle with her arms crossed, asleep. Nanami was well behind them, more concerned with invisible threats lurking in the woods than their conversation. “I saw the two of you at Kinloch.” Briana’s smile grew as she guided her horse around some debris. “Admit it.”

“How do you even know --”

“Sera and I hid in the bushes and watched you two for awhile.”

“Maker's Breath. You two are like children.”

“I bet her three gold you’d kiss her. She said you ‘weren’t ballsy enough’.” Briana sighed, “Your balls, or lack thereof, lost me three gold.”

If it weren’t for that damned wolf…

The look of shock and disapproval on Cullen’s face was priceless. She rolled her shoulders back in a haphazard shrug. “I’m easily bored. Anyway, why don’t you tell her?”

“Because Solas is a tit.” Sera’s voice clipped into the conversation no louder than a mouse. Briana pulled her horse out of the way as Sera pushed herself between the two of them. Her blonde hair stuck to her freckled face and, thanks to the dense wood, she had pieces of sticks tangled in it.

“You said that name before. Who is he? He’s not at Skyhold.”

“You don’ know? He’s the shit who broke Quizzy’s heart. Can’t say what happened but they went off alone - somewhere - and she came back all quiet with no Valla-shit on her face. She avoided him until the battle with Coryphallus then Baldy’s balls broke an’ he disappeared.”

“You mean Corypheus?” Briana asked and when she looked over she noticed Cullen was trying not to pay attention and shaking his head back and forth. From behind, Briana heard an extra set of hooves splashing closer.

Cullen raised a hand to interject and gave Sera a look that warned against continuing. “Sera I don’t think it’s wise - ”

He was ignored.

“Yeah, Coryphifish that’s what I said. Anywho, Solas disappeared after that; even Leliana can’t find him, yeah? She’s still broken up about it. You can’t mention his name without watching her face get all mopey.”

“Sera,” Briana insisted, “I think--”

“He wasn’t even that great. He was always talking about the Fade and demons and elves and the past. I mean, who even gives a shit anymore, yeah? The Dalish; an’ Solas don’t even like them. Go pick up the pieces, Cullen. At least you got hair.” Sera let out a snort and crossed her arms over her chest.

Briana pinched the bridge of her nose. “Andraste’s hairy pits, Sera. Shut up.”

“Anything’s better than watching her torture herself. He’s not coming back.”

“Well, Sera, I’m glad to know your opinion on the matter.” Briana’s gut twisted as she heard Nanami’s voice behind them. It was soft, stern, and hurt.

Sera spun around in her seat to confront Nanami. “Well it’s true, innit? If he were coming back he’d have told you, told someone, right? If he’s disappeared it’s probably because he’s up to something.” Briana watched Sera dig her hole deeper. She wanted to step in and help the young elf but she just didn’t know how.

“We have no proof of that! We have no proof of anything. Regardless, my personal life is not your responsibility. You shouldn’t be sharing it with other people, Sera, and Cullen, I am disappointed that you allowed it to get this far.” Cullen slid deeper into his saddle as if that would hide him from Nanami’s chastising gaze; his ears were red and he couldn’t even look at her. Briana could see the word ‘disappointed’ hanging over his head like a guillotine.

Cullen snapped to Nanami’s defense. “Sera, that’s enough.”

Sera sucked her teeth and dug her heels into her horse, taking off ahead of them.

Briana thanked the Maker when Sera returned unharmed and without a pack of darkspawn on her tail. Without a word, she pulled her horse up beside Briana and rode with them in silence.

As the forest began to thin and the shadow of the sun began to fall below the trees, Briana noticed that everything was becoming a little more familiar. The ground beneath them was more solid and she could see the remnants of an old road emerging from beneath the mud. The further she went the more confident she was about their location. She squinted through the trees and in the distance she could see the silhouette an old windmill standing tall against the light of the orange sun hanging behind it.

Lothering. It’s been 14 years.

She turned around in her saddle. “There’s a small town ahead, it’s been abandoned for several years. We can camp at the Chantry if it’s still standing; though, I can't say how safe it will be. It’s probably safer than the forest, considering.”

Despite the thinning forest, their surroundings were dark and still. The field just outside Lothering was bare of life, the grass that once rose to her hip was gone and replaced by the same thick, black, mud they had been trudging through for days. The Windmill’s blades were rusted and the blight that had once covered it blackened the brick and ate through the wooden door. As they passed through the entrance to the town, Briana stared at a tall, rusted, dented cage that was big enough for a man to stand in. Its hinges had long rusted away and the door lay on the ground, half buried in the mud. She smiled a little and nudged her horse through the broken village gates.

Within the village the buildings were destroyed beyond recognition; they had either collapsed or stood on thin, rotting frames. One side of the small stone bridge that led to the Chantry had crumbled into the river and the cloth tents that had scattered from one end of the village to the other, all filled with refugees, were gone.

The Chantry stood as proud as the windmill. Its stone structure preserving it among the corpses of wooden homes and shops. It cast dark shadows in the yard and, from a distance, Briana could see holes in the roof and rubble from a broken chimney laying around the foundation.

She’d heard that Lothering had tried to rebuild but the land was so tainted it failed. There were rumors that many became sick with Blight after eating what meager crops would grow and eventually the village was abandoned. An old anger boiled deep inside her as she recalled stumbling into this dying town after the battle at Ostagar. Calin could have saved Lothering, saved so much more of Ferelden, if it weren’t for Loghain’s paranoia and treachery.

She tried to forgive him over the years.

Even Alistair had urged her to let it go since it was making her nightmares worse, but looking at the skulls that stared up at her from the ground half covered in dirt and stone, reminded her why she never wanted to forget.

They lead their mounts across the crumbling bridge on foot;by the time the animals could be coaxed across the bridge, the rain had stopped. Once they found a sturdy wooden fence to hitch the horses, they began preparing for sundown: tending to their mounts, setting traps, and safeguarding their food.

As everyone saw to their own chores, Briana wandered toward the Chantry. In front of it, there was a statue of a Griffin sitting proud on its haunches, it was blackened from remnants of the taint and its eyes bore down at her as she approached. She looked down and saw a tarnished silver plaque with engravings.

For the Grey Wardens who saved us and for those who gave their lives to protect Ferelden: Maker guide you all.

Briana removed her gauntlet and used the damp sleeve of her under armor to wipe the plaque clean. It would never shine again but at least now the words could be read.

She walked up the stairs and pushed the heavy wooden doors of the Chantry open. The blight had rotted holes in the roof and left a thick black ichor clinging to the stone walls; even so, the building persevered. While the outside was black and smelled of taint, the inside was well preserved. The candelabras were rusted and had long fallen and crashed into the stone floor, scattered in broken pieces of twisted metal. The altar had toppled over and collapsed but the walls retained their cool grey color.

It’s dry here and sturdy enough to sleep safely.

Her boots echoed as she followed the hall to the back of the Chantry where bookshelves had fallen over; the remaining books were torn and scattered under her feet. There was an intact door just beyond the small library. She pushed it open and walked into a garden.

All the plants had died long ago. The rose bushes were petrified and their thorns jutted out in every direction. She wasn’t sure what she expected to find. Everything else in Lothering was dead; why should the garden be any different? The only thing that had survived was the rose in her hair and that was due to a preservation spell Wynne had cast a long time ago. The chance of finding another one blooming on blighted soil was a fantasy at best.

She tried to imagine Alistair in the garden, picking the rose and thinking of her. It was an awkward thought; Lothering had been so early in their journey together. She had barely given him a second thought, still wrapped up in her own grief and anger towards Arl Howe. Seeing past her emotions had been a challenge in itself and yet he still saw past his own to pick that rose for her.

Idiot.

She had been so afraid and so angry that she hadn’t even considered Alistair a friend until Lothering was far behind them. In fact, she even remembered being rather callous towards him at first. The whole fate of Thedas sat on her and Alistair’s shoulders and all he managed to do was thrust everything onto her. He drove her mad and for a while she resented him for not taking more of the responsibility. Yet, somehow, Alistair saw past her anger and loved her anyway. At the time, it infuriated her.

It wasn’t until he backed her into a corner and confronted her about his own feelings that she realized she might actually felt the same. Then, he gave her that rose and kissed her. He joked when she called that rose a weapon but it was true. With one stupid gesture he tore down the walls she built between her and the others. Now, like the petrified bushes sitting gnarled and twisted in front of her, she was left with hollow memories that would no longer grow and would eventually crumble to dust if the Calling didn’t end her first.

“Hey.” Nanami stood in the doorway, her staff still glowing with its faint white light.

Briana’s voice was hollow, “Evening.” She stared at the garden a moment longer before turning to face her. “Look, I’m sorry about before. I shouldn’t have asked Sera about Solas.”

Nanami stepped out into the garden, shaking her head. “It’s alright. I should be used to people talking about Solas and I. It’s not like it was a well kept secret. When he left, he left a lot of unanswered questions and broken promises. The wound is still fresh and I know I can be a little sensitive.” She walked in a small circle around the garden, crouched down, and looked through the thick knots of vines and thorns. Nanami was looking for the same thing Briana had: life.

Briana watched her search,“You know, I give Cullen a lot of flak but he’s a good man who seems to care for you a great deal.”

Nanami stared at an empty flower bed that lay at her feet. “I know, but it wouldn’t be fair to him. I can’t be with him just because he’s here.”

“True, but you don’t exactly shy away from him. If that’s the excuse you want to use then you would have rejected him already.”

Nanami opened her mouth to speak but paused to consider her words. She rose from her crouched position and looked at Briana as if she were forcing her to admit some terrible secret. “I still have unresolved feelings for Solas. Cullen doesn’t deserve that; to be second to someone he can’t compete with.”

“Look, Nanami. You’re not going to like what I have to say but, this Solas, doesn’t sound reliable and that’s exactly what someone like you needs. You and I live in a very...” Briana paused, collecting the right words before continuing, “...unreliable reality. Having people in our lives we can’t count on isn’t an option. I know Sera was harsh earlier but she’s probably right. He wouldn’t have hurt you without a reason and it’s probably something you're better off not knowing about.”

“You think I should move on. How about you Briana? Will you do the same?”

The thought made Briana’s gut twist and her heart skip a beat but her answer was quick. “No. Alistair and I had ten years together. He and I saw and experienced things that not even another Grey Warden could understand. This--,” her arms spread out to gesture to the dead garden surrounding them, “--is the end for me. You’re a good person, Nanami. You’re kind, forgiving, compassionate, and patient. You don’t need to constantly push people away, pretending the reasons are for the greater good or because it’s not fair. You need a safe place to land when you fall and eventually, you will fall. We all do.” She started back towards the Chantry.

“Why didn’t you make Alistair King?”

Her question stopped Briana in her tracks. The dirt crunched under her feet as she turned to face Nanami. “What?”

“Leliana told me the story. You could have been Queen of Ferelden. You and Alistair could have had a comfortable and safe life together.” Nanami looked around the garden and her hands flared out to gesture towards it. “Why choose to surround yourself with so much death?”

Briana wasn’t sure if she wanted to answer. She wasn’t even sure that she had an answer for her. “Comfortable, maybe, but safe? Darkspawn are easy, Inquisitor. They want to kill you and they hold their blades out where everyone can see them. But people?” She laughed. “I can’t protect Alistair from people. Eventually we would have trusted the wrong person. I told myself it was safer to be Wardens than to become bitter and paranoid like Loghain. Besides, the Nobility could have rejected the match. Then I’d definitely be alone.” Before Nanami could press further Briana climbed the stairs and shut the door behind her.

~ ~ ~

The Blight infected the Wilds like a cancer. Unlike in Lothering, the Blight still thrived in the Wilds. It hung, black and alive, from old Tevinter ruins. They passed several swamps, each dried up years ago, with nothing but fishbones left to bury themselves in the sediment. It was bleak and Nanami yearned for the talk and laughter they all shared in the Frostbacks.

This journey hadn’t been what Nanami expected. She had assumed she would have acted as Briana’s silent guide. However, Briana had been anything but silent. The Warden had pried her open and was forcing her to confront feelings she hadn’t thought about in a long time.

Nanami lifted her face to the full and grey rain clouds. She dropped her gaze from the sky and looked at her hand and sighed. The mark was a soft glow on her skin and unresponsive to its surroundings. She had been searching for a rift since they entered the Wilds but her mark was showing no signs of being anywhere close to one. Even without a rift, the familiar presence of magic lingered in the air. The power contained in the Wilds crept beneath her skin and filled her lungs. It made her feel more refreshed than she had in days. If it were not for the blight that surrounded them she would have been curious enough to seek out the source of the Wild’s magic. As it stood, the swollen pockets of black ichor kept her curiosity in check.

She looked at Sera and Cullen hunched on the backs of their horses, equally somber. Briana had left the group again; since Lothering she’d grown quieter and busied herself with finding safe routes around bands of darkspawn. Several times it felt as if she were leading them back to Skyhold but the longer they traveled the thicker the blight became.

Sera had begun second guessing her decision to come along since the first time they had to sneak around a large group of darkspawn. She was often murmuring incoherent strings of curses; pointing her arrows at the blight and threatening it as if it could be intimidated.

Even Cullen jumped at invisible enemies.

Nanami had barely spoken to him since Lothering after Briana’s relationship “advice” poisoned her mind. Had she never met Solas then maybe something between them could have flourished. Nanami didn’t know how to approach it and she really didn’t know if she wanted to or should.

Briana appeared in the distance, racing towards them; her horse was slick with sweat and black blood was smeared across her armor.

Nanami felt like she should be surprised.

Cullen stretched his arm out and everyone pulled their horses to a stop. From behind, Nanami heard Sera suck her teeth and sigh. “Well this looks like shit.”.

Nanami nodded. “It definitely doesn’t look good.” She looked at Briana as she pulled her horse to a stop. “Maker's Breath! What happened? Are you hurt?”

Briana caught her breath and pointed behind her. “I’m fine. I was ambushed by a group of genlocks. I took their heads off but not before the rest of their horde were pointed in our direction. I was barely able to outrun them. They are on their way. Two genlocks and … an ogre. Maybe more. We have to fight. Sera, Nanami, Cullen, leave the ogre to me. Once we take down this group we get back on our horses and run. We’ll have to lose them or we’ll never make it out of here.”

Sera grabbed an arrow and nocked it. “Fuck! Just… ball tits… things couldn’t stay easy..”

Cullen unsheathed his sword.“We can’t outrun them?”

“No.” Briana answered. “We run and we risk alerting every Darkspawn in the area.

“Then we fight.” Nanami grabbed her staff and with a wave of her hand, soft green spheres surrounded them.

Sera dug her heels into the horse’s flank, it sprang into a gallop and raced towards the small horde of darkspawn just as they came into sight.

The ogre lumbered behind a pair of genlocks partnered with another pair of hurlocks. An alpha genlock lead the pack. The ogre’s beady eyes locked on Briana; it leaned forward on its massive, purple knuckles and roared so loudly it could have been mistaken for a dragon.

Nanami raced after Sera and pulled her staff from her back. With a flick of her wrist the long dragon bone rod transformed into a spirit blade.

Nanami’s hart followed Sera into the center of the group. To her right, Cullen raced beside her. The three of them hit the horde with enough speed to force the darkspawn into scattering. As Sera’s horse plowed through the center, she loosed an arrow between the eyes of an unsuspecting genlock and it crumpled into a dead pile of green skin. “Eat it!” She screamed as she spun her horse around for another attack. Sera marked her second target, a hurlock, with an arrow. It slammed into the beast’s shoulder and while its attention focused on Sera, Nanami raced by and severed the hurlock’s arm from its shoulder.

Nanami pulled her hart to a stop and lept off. She raised her spirit blade and slammed the point of it into the ground; ice snaked away from her to the nearby darkspawn and crawled up a genlock’s legs and froze it in place.

Briana pushed her horse past the main fray and headed straight for the ogre. She hung off the side of her horse and when she reached the massive, grey skinned beast she lept from the saddle onto the back of the ogre, digging a dagger into the back of its neck. It flailed its massive arms in pain and swatted Briana off. Nanami cringed as she hit the ground and bounced.

As Nanami focused on a healing spell, cold, rusted steel bit into her leg. She screamed and fell to her knees. Falling brought her eye to eye with the alpha genlock. It grinned with rotten, yellow teeth; its muscles bulged unnaturally around its thick neck and its breath smelled of a thousand rotting corpses. Black blood ran from long, deep gashes in its ribs and nose. Nanami waited and just as it leapt forward to stab her she lunged forward and grabbed its face; a blast of ice shot from her hand and covered the genlock’s face in frost. It screamed and struggled against her grip but the ice kept the beast close. Nanami strengthened the spell until the frost hardened into ice and sharp icicles protruded from the back of its head. When the darkspawn fell dead and frozen in front of her, Nanami turned around to find the last genlock rushing towards her, daggers poised to strike. She raised her spirit blade to attack until Cullen stepped between them in a blur of metal and fur and knocked the creature to the ground with his heavy shield. His blade came down and punctured the genlock’s heart.

Cullen looked at her from over his shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Nanami struggled to stand. She inspected her leg; the dagger wound was deep and blood was seeping through her armor. Briana was back on her feet and digging the blade of her axe into the thick meat of the ogre. Nanami pointed at the Ogre. “Take that thing down.”

“You can barely stand.”

“I said ‘Go!’ Commander!” Nanami forced herself to her feet. “I don’t need to move to cast a spell.” He lingered at her side a little longer before giving in to her orders and rushing to Briana’s aid.

She turned her attention to the hurlocks that crowded Sera. Sera had abandoned her horse and the hurlocks were gaining on her no matter how many arrows she put in them. Nanami swept her staff to the side and a trap appeared in front of Sera. When the hurlock with the missing arm touched it, an explosion of ice and snow erupted; freezing the hurlock solid. Sera followed Nanami’s spell with an explosive arrow. It shattered the hurlock into black, blighted shards around Sera’s feet. “Thanks Quizzy!” She yelled as she loosed another arrow into the second hurlock.

Nanami tried to take a step forward but her leg gave out causing her to stumble. Nanami gathered mana through the pain and fade stepped to Sera’s side just as the hurlock closed the distance between it and her. Nanami’s spirit blade pierced its abdomen; the hurlock dropped its crude battle axe and sputtered and clawed at its wound. Sera lifted her bow and imbedded an arrow in its skull. Nanami dismissed her blade and the hurlock fell to the ground twitching and gasping.

Now all that was left was the ogre.

Briana and Cullen were keeping the monster’s attention. The ogre was bleeding. Nanami could see bone protruding from its ribs and black blood sliding down its legs and chest. Nanami lifted her hand to the sky, mana swelled around her arm then shot into the swollen, grey clouds above. The clouds over the ogre opened and snow began to fall. A strong wind swept around the ogre and hail began to fall against its skin. The chill slowed the beast and the hail grew as sharp as daggers. They fell harder and faster, slicing through the ogre’s thick hide as well as any sword would. With a great roar, the darkspawn tried to escape the blizzard but Briana ran towards it and lept into the air. She lifted her battle axe over her head and swung it into the ogre’s chest. Cullen attacked from the ground and opened the back of its heel; the ogre fell on its back. Sera disappeared from Nanami’s side,running towards the ogre and leaping into the air with three arrows nocked in her bow. She released them into the neck of the ogre and all three exploded causing the darkspawn to roar, stumble, and fall.

Briana fell with the ogre, keeping her axe buried in its chest. Its back hit the ground with thud so strong it made the ground shake beneath Nanami’s feet. When the dust settled, Briana ripped the axe from the ogre’s chest and took three long strides to its head and buried her axe in its skull.

The silence of the Wilds returned.

Nanami looked down at her leg. It throbbed with pain; she allowed herself to fall to her knees and withdrew a lyrium potion from a small bag around her waist. She gulped it down as the others ran towards her. Briana grabbed Nanami by the arm and forced her to her feet. “No time. Others heard the fighting and are coming. We need to go.” Nanami tossed the empty lyrium vial and tried to keep pace with Briana but she only stumbled and fell. Cullen caught her by the other arm and pulled her back to her feet.

“Where are we going to run?” Sera snapped, “Nowhere yeah? Quizzy can’t.” The growl of darkspawn returned to the field as more flooded their vision. Sera nocked another arrow and turned her back on her companions. She loosed it into a group of charging darkspawn and it found its target in the skull of a charging emissary. It fell to the ground dead but more swelled behind it. She loosed a few more arrows, each felling a darkspawn only for another to take its place. “Shite. Too many. We need a plan. Now.” Nanami waved her hand and an ice wall rose around them.

The mark on her hand began to pulse. “The Fade.”

“It’s too risky,” Cullen interjected. “I can carry you, we just need to get to the horses.”

Nanami looked behind them. The horses and her hart were scattered at the far ends of the field. “We know there’s a rift somewhere in the Wilds. We’ll find a way out. Nothing ever goes according to plan. Stay close.” Before there could be anymore objections, Nanami lifted her hand to the sky. A flash of green surrounded them and pulled them into the Fade.

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