Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Tainted Treason

The night was cold. The soldiers stood shivering in their armor, some more concealed from the elements than others. It was too quite on the lines. One could hear every breath being inhaled and exhaled from all the bodies. The Chant was being spoken softly as several priests made their way down the lines, giving their blessings. Hounds sniffed the air and pawed at the ground. Their anxiety was just as built as their master's.
The Wilds loomed in front of the army. The gnarled trees giving off a frightening appearance in the moonlight. The mist on the ground crept like a living thing, slithering it’s way across the field like a giant snake. It grew thicker with each passing second, soon consuming the entire woods and obscuring the vision of the archers and men at the balistaes.
Duncan stood next to the king, who was in a newly shined gold plated armor, blonde hair tired back, but still swaying in the wind. The king’s face was hard as he peered out at the mist. Duncan could feel it, as well as the rest of the Grey Wardens who stood behind him. It would soon be time.
“The plan will work, your Majesty,” said Duncan.
“Of course it will,” the king snapped even though he did not mean to be so abrupt. “The Blight ends here.”
Through the mist dozens of lights could now be seen. Their number grew with every breath. Darkspawn began to emerge. Their ugly faces and armor covered bodies breaking from the mist as they slowly poured out onto the field. The men looked on with fear. Most had faced the darkspawn before, but there was much more now. The entire horde coming out of the trees like a nightmare. Their torches blazing, cutting through the thick mist and illuminating their numbers.
A large hurlock with heavy plate armor lead them. He carried a large axe in his hands. His face covered by a plated helmet with large horns sticking from the top. He held the axe with one hand then raised the other. The whole horde stopped in the center of the field. Each army looked on at the other, tensions rising.
Duncan waited for the signal. He knew the hurlock to be the general of the army, and once he let down his arm, the darkspawn would charge. Slowly, Duncan took his gaze to the Tower of Ishal which loomed over the battlefield from afar. He said one last prayer for his recruits. He knew they would succeed, but there was something that tore at his insides. There was something about this battle that he did not like. He also prayed for himself, hoping the Maker could hear him.
The tension between the two armies was so intense that it matched the thickness of the mist.
The hurlock general forced out a loud and long roar, before swinging his arm down. The darkspawn cried along with him, and they speed forth towards the waiting army.
This was what Cailan had been waiting for. He signaled to the archers to prepare to fire. Each archer in turn loaded his bow with an arrow, fire burning on their tips. The captain waited before giving the signal to fire. He waited until the darkspawn were in range before he shouted the order. The air lighted up with hundreds of burning arrows as they made their way to the darkspawn. They landed within the front of the horde, many darkspawn being taken down. The fiery tips burning their flesh, releasing a foul odor in the air. But the darkspawn still came. Some even having many arrows embedded in their flesh, but still charging, crying out with a mad rage.
It was time. It had come to this.
Cailan lifted his hand, sword pointing in the air. “For Ferelden!” he cried. He charged forward, his men following behind him, a great roar sounded from the army as they followed their king into battle.
***
It wasn’t long before the air was alight again with flaming arrows. Large balls of fire were cast forth from behind the army on the bridge. They hit the ground with great force, rolling over darkspawn and sending them ablaze. In turn, these same projectiles came from within the trees as well, crushing the humans and cracking the bridge as they hit it with a force that shook the foundations. The clanging and clashing of metal on metal could be heard, and the smell of blood and burning flesh was intense in the air.
Arawin stood on the bridge, looking over the side at the battle being held below. How she longed to be a part of it. How she wished she could fight along side the humans, if only to prove how skilled an elf really could be. She lend over far, trying to get a good look. The mist was very thick towards the back of the field. It was only visible when a large fireball landed and rolled it’s way to the forest. She lend closer, trying to see if she could spot Duncan, but she was too high. Every creature below looked like nothing but ants to her.
A hand then grabbed her shoulder, causing Arawin to jump and turn quickly around. Alistair stood before her. “Don’t fall over the edge now,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to die by your own stupidity, now would you?”
Arawin narrowed her eyes at him but only in a playful way. “I think you’re more likely to die from stupidity, Alis.”
“Really? Cause I’m not the one about ready to fall off the edge of the bridge.”
“Will you two stop!” shouted Zelda. A massive fireball hurtled towards them and landed on the bridge. It hit a balistae, killing the men who were operating it instantly. The balistae shattered, causing all three Grey Wardens to cover their faces as the burning wood exploded everywhere. The impact also shook the bridge, causing another soldier near them to stumble and fall over the edge.
“See there?” said Alistair. “That could have been you.”
“Oh shut up and get moving!” Arawin shouted.
“Come on,” said Zelda. “The tower is on the other side. We need to get across and fast!”
The four of them sprinted across the bridge. They had to stop and dive a few times when they saw a fireball hurtling at them. There were a few close calls, but they all finally made it to the other side. They made their way to the tower, Arawin in the lead, followed by Zelda, Rupee, then Alistair. When they got to the tower, they were met with a bizarre sight.
A mage in yellow robes ran down the ramp that lead to the tower entrance. He was breathing heavy and looked scared. When he spotted them, he stopped. “You... you’re Grey Wardens, aren’t you?” he said out of breath. “The tower... it’s been taken!”
Alistair stepped forward. “What are you talking about? Taken how?”
“The darkspawn,” the mage panted. “Came up through the lower chambers! They’re everywhere! Most of our men are dead!”
“Alright!” Arawin shouted with glee. “I guess we get to fight after all!”
Zelda and Alistair looked at each other. “What are darkspawn doing in front of the horde?” Zelda asked.
“I don’t know,” Alistair answered. “There wasn’t supposed to be any resistance here.”
“Weren’t you complaining that you wouldn’t get to fight?” Arawin asked. She was ready to charge in.
“Hey, you’re right,” Alistair said with a smile. “I guess there is a silver lining here, if you think about it.” He then became serious. “At any rate, we need to hurry! We need to get up to the top of the tower and light the signal fire in time. Teyrn Loghain will be waiting for it.”
“Then let’s get going before all the darkspawn get tired of waiting for us and go home,” said Arawin. She pulled out her swords and twirled them in her hands.
“I’ll come too,” said the mage. “I want to help.”
“Then you better prove useful.”
The mage smiled at her before he took his staff and chanted a few magical words. Instantly, Arawin’s swords came ablaze. The fire on them flickered and she gazed at them with intensity. She ran her hand over the flames, but they did not burn her. She saw that Alistair and Zelda’s own blades were aflame as well. Even Rupee was on fire. Flames escaping from her jaws and paws.
“Could you please tell me why my dog is on fire?” Zelda asked.
“It’s one of my favorite spells,” said the mage. “Old, but useful. The fire will not hurt you or any of your allies. Just darkspawn, and anything else you consider to be your enemy.”
Arawin’s smile broadened as she stared at her blades. “Then let’s go! I need to kill something!”
All five made their way up the ramp and entered the tower. Inside, they found a smaller version of the great battle outside on the field. Several soldiers were fighting for their lives against a fleet of darkspawn that very much out numbered them.
Arawin charged first, sinking her flaming blades into the back of the nearest genlock. It screamed as the fire spread throughout it’s body, causing it to fall to the ground. Zelda and Alistair charged after her. Zelda went to go help an injured soldier trying to fight two darkspawn at once. Rupee came up behind her, grabbing the smaller of the two darkspawn with her teeth and pulled him down to the ground, giving Zelda a chance to sink Silverbrand in his chest. The other darkspawn, however, was able to swing his sword, killing the soldier. He turned to Zelda and swung at her. She blocked him with her shield, and returned the favor. The flames from Silverbrand trailing behind the swing, creating a red arch in the air. The darkspawn blocked her with his own shield, but was pushed off balance when Rupee slammed into him. The darkspawn stumbled, and Zelda swung, cutting him across the chest.
When the battle was over, the floor of the room was covered in darkspawn blood and flaming bodies as the mage had sent forth several fireballs. The soldiers stood, confused, as they couldn’t believe they were still alive.
“Oh, thank the Maker you came, Grey Wardens!” said one of the soldiers. “We weren’t prepared. The darkspawn weren’t suppose to be here!”
“Yes, it is perplexing,” said Zelda. “But that doesn’t matter now. We need to get to the top of the tower and light the beacon.”
“There are darkspawn all over the tower,” said the soldier. “If you need to get up there, then good luck. I’m getting out of here.” He, along with the other soldiers ran past them and out the tower.
“There goes Ferelden’s finest,” mused Arawin.
“Were those Loghian’s men?” Alistair asked. “Aren’t they suppose to stay in the tower?”
“They are,” said Zelda. “But I guess the plan changed when the darkspawn invaded. This is something that should have been anticipated.”
“Wasn’t it?” commented the mage. Everyone looked at him with confused eyes. “I mean... why else would you be here? I’m sure you would be more useful on the battlefield than lighting a simple beacon. And why would it be the three of you? Only one is really needed.”
“This might be true,” considered Zelda. “Why else would Cailan send the three of us here?”
“But if he did,” said Alistair. “Why didn’t he just say so? Or Duncan just say so?”
“Who cares!” cried Arawin. “Can we just go and kick some darkspawn ass! And I don’t think the beacon is just going to light itself!” Arawin groaned before making her way across the room and through the door on the other side.
Zelda smiled slightly as she watched Arawin run through the door. She saw her sense of excitement. The thrill of the battle racing through her veins. She began to feel it herself. The adrenaline rush of the hunt, of the killing. It made her feverish and shaky. It made her determined to fight until all the darkspawn in the tower were defeated. Zelda had never felt this way before. Maybe it was the fact she had never been in a real battle before. Or maybe it was because she saw how Arawin was. Either way, she was eager to get moving too.
Zelda, Alistair, and Rupee followed through the doorway and found Arawin on the other side fighting even more darkspawn. They joined in the frenzy. It was a blood bath, and Zelda and Arawin reveled in the thrill.
***
The three Grey Wardens made their way up the tower, a trail of dead darkspawn left behind them. As they went, they would find pockets of darkspawn on each floor. It was making Zelda tired, and her thrill had worn out, far faster than Arawin’s had. She was still running on the excitement, allowing the kills to fuel her stamina. Zelda felt heavy, and was covered in a layer of sweat and blood that was making her sick to breathe in. But she couldn’t give up, and neither could Alistair who was beginning to show signs of the same thing. Rupee panted hard as well. Her large tongue hanging out of her mouth like a dead animal.
“Are we... to the top... yet?” Alistair asked through gasps of air.
“I hope so,” said Zelda. They had fought more darkspawn than this when they were in the Wilds, making Zelda wonder why they were so tired. But it occurred to her that they had been given breaks in between the fights, while in the tower, there was no such thing. It was one small battle after another, and it seemed that they were finding more and more darkspawn as they went up the tower.
The mage that was accompanying them was also beginning to show signs of fatigue. The fire that blazed on their swords was starting to flicker, seeming as if it was trying to stay lit. His spells were also beginning to not do as much damage as they used to be doing at the start.
“This bloody tower is too tall,” he said. “And I thought Kinloch Hold was high.”
“It’s not that bad,” said Arawin. “Look, we’re at the top. All we need to do is get in that room and light the beacon.” They had reached the top of the tower, which made everyone relieved when they realized this. The only thing keeping them from their goal was a small set of stairs and a closed door.
Arawin ran up the stairs first. She opened the door and a strong stench came from the room, insulting her nostrils. When the others joined her, they all went in to find something they did not want to see.
The room was completely covered in blood and gore. In the center, was a pile of bodies. What kind, they couldn’t really tell, most of them were just parts. But what caught their attention most was the thing that sat next to the pile.
It was gigantic, with large horns growing out of it’s head. They twisted up, black and sharp. The creature apparently was eating from the pile. It turned it’s head and looked at the small group. Bile oozed out it’s mouth as it chewed flesh and bone. The crunching of the bones within it’s jaw sounded throughout the whole circular room. It stopped chewing, swallowed, and let loose a loud and long roar that caused spittle, blood, and pieces of flesh and bone to be flung from it’s mouth.
“An ogre!” Alistair cried. “Oh, Maker!”
Arawin laughed. “Bring it on!” she shouted. “I still have plenty to give.”
Zelda felt another rush of excitement run through her. She felt herself becoming lighter and knew that this was a second wind. She needed it. The ogre was the only thing left that stood between them and the beacon. All they needed to do was defeat it.
She and Arawin charged at the same time. The ogre stood, making him twice as tall as he was when he was sitting down. It made Zelda stop where she was, while Arawin only increased her speed. What was I thinking? Zelda thought. I don’t just rush into things.
The ogre raised it’s hand and flung it down, trying to grab Arawin, but she was too quick. Arawin rolled to the side, slicing Fang across the ogre’s leg. It roared from the pain and from missing the small creature. It turned, trying to garb her again, but she wasn’t there. Arawin was at the ogre’s back. She stabbed both her blades into the ogre’s legs. This time, however, the ogre kicked back, knocking Arawin off a few feet. She hit the ground and skidded across the floor.
“Sodding piece of...” she said as she got up.
Alistair and Zelda began attacking the ogre after it had kicked Arawin. They flanked it, one on either side. The ogre would swing and turn, but the two warriors were able to block it’s swings, but not by much. Whenever the ogre hit their shields, it shook them to the core. It took all their strength to stay on their feet. Rupee barked, trying to get close to the ogre to bite it, but was unable. The mage stood back, casting arcane bolts at the creature, but they didn’t seem to be doing much damage. The ogre’s tough skin was blocking most of the magic and the piercing of swords.
It wasn’t long before Arawin joined back in. She stayed behind the ogre, dealing backstabs whenever she could. Zelda and Alistair stayed at the sides, trying to avoid the front and the ogre’s hands as much as possible. It seemed they were fighting the massive creature forever. It didn’t seem to want to go down.
Zelda was getting frustrated, as well as Arawin. She didn’t know how long she could stay on her feet. She knew that if the ogre hit her shield one more time, she would more than likely fall, and then the ogre could grab her. She needed to do something fast.
It came to both of them so easily, but it was Arawin who initiated it.
Rolling to avoid a large palm that was determined to grab the elf, Arawin found herself at the front of the ogre. She turned to face him, at the same time, Zelda used what little strength she had in order to smack the ogre as hard as she could with her shield. It worked to distract he ogre, making it turn to Zelda. This was Arawin’s chance. She ran forward and jumped onto the ogre’s chest. There, she drove Fang into it’s flesh, followed by the longsword. The ogre roared with pain. Arawin tore Fang out, then drove it in again. The ogre fell to the ground and gurgled, spitting up blood before dying.
Arawin jumped off with a yell. She was breathing heavy and her arms hung loosely by her body. She turned to Zelda. “How did you know I was going to do that?” she asked her. “That shield bash you did was perfect timing.”
“I don’t know,” said Zelda. “I just... knew. Course, I was thinking of doing the same thing, but you beat me to it.”
“You’re just too slow,” said Arawin as she sheathed her swords.
Alistair walked over to the beacon. The wood was all covered in oil, ready and waiting to be lit. He turned to the women. “Hey, we need to light this. We probably already missed the signal.”
“How do we light it?” Zelda asked.
Arawin walked up to the beacon and took out Fang. Their swords had lost the flames. She looked around for the mage who was slumped against the wall breathing hard. “Hey, do you think you have enough mana to light the beacon?” she asked him.
The mage looked up and nodded slowly. He lifted his arm and a small fireball came from the tips of his fingers. When it hit the wood and oil, the beacon went aflame and the fire grew rapidly.
“That should do it,” said Alistair.
“If you don’t mind,” said the mage. “I’m just going to sit here.”
Zelda came up to him and bent down. “That’s just fine,” she said. “We’re all tired. If you need to rebuild your strength, go right ahead. You’re pretty good for a mage that just completed his Harrowing.”
The mage looked at her questioningly. “How do you know I just went through my Harrowing?”
Zelda smiled at him. “You’re very young looking, and I wondered why you weren’t on the battlefield with the other mages, so you being brand new only made sense.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m the most green of all the mages here.”
“Yes, makes perfect sense,” said Arawin as she came to where they were. She stood next to the mage, staring out the window. Alistair came beside her. Zelda stood to look out with them.
“That’s where Loghain should be coming out,” said Alistair pointing to a spot in the trees. “He should be coming any minute.” They could see out far in the tower. The entire battlefield was laid out before them. But from the height they were at, they couldn’t tell who was winning.
“Why is he taking so long?” Arawin asked. “His men should be ready. I would've had them charge by now.”
Zelda looked out at the spot where Loghain should be coming from, then gasped. “What if he was taken by surprise!” she stated. The others looked at her. “Just like what happened here. What if Loghain is unable to come because the darkspawn got to him first?”
Alistair’s eyes shot open. “You might be right. There’s no way he can’t see this beacon.” He looked out towards the field. “We have to go and help them. If Loghain is detained, then Duncan and the king should know.”
“Beautiful,” said Arawin “So we get to do more fighting than we thought. I’m beginning to love darkspawn.”
“Well if we’re going to go, then we should do it now,” said Zelda. She then bent down next to the mage again. “If you can’t come, then don’t. In fact, you should stay here anyway to be a look out. If you see Loghain or anything else unusual then give a signal or something.”
The mage nodded at her.
“Alright, let’s go,” she said standing up again.
They headed toward the door, ready to run down the tower and to the field to warn the king, but as the reached the middle of the room, the door flung open and several arrows came flying in the room. Alistair and Zelda put up their shields just in time. The arrows bouncing off the metal. Arawin, however, was hit in the shoulder by one, hard. It sent her flying to the ground. Her head smacked on the floor, making a loud cracking sound. She did not get back up.
Zelda felt something hit the back of her head. Sparks obscured her vision and made her dizzy. She turned to see what it might have been, but there was nothing behind her. Loud growls caused her to turn back to the door to see many darkspawn pouring into the room. She readied Silverbrand to fight, cutting down as many darkspawn as she could that came at her, but it seemed useless. It seemed for every one darkspawn she took down, another two came to take it’s place.
There was a scream and Zelda turned to see the mage surrounded by the fowl creatures. She ran to help him, but it was too late. One of them had already ran it’s sword through the mage’s chest. Zelda stopped, only to be smacked in the back by a heavy shield. It sent her hurtling to the floor where she landed right next to Arawin. She noticed that the elf’s hair was redder than usual, and fresh blood was slowly collecting at the base of her neck.
Zelda tried to crawl over to her, but found she no longer had the strength. She rolled on her back, laying on the floor. She could hear Rupee barking from some far off distant as well as the clangs of metal. It all seemed far off, as if it was not taking place around her. Her vision was also beginning to blur. The flames of the beacon becoming fuzzy and the movement slow.
Her eyes averted themselves to the sky. She noticed how bright it was. There were no clouds, just stars. They shined brightly down on her. Zelda couldn’t remember the last time she had actually looked at the stars sense she had to leave her home. She missed them. She missed everything.
Funny, she thought. They look just the same here as they do in Highever.
There was a shape in the sky. Zelda thought it was a bird. It circled around, flapping it’s wings and inching it’s way down.
The vultures... They have come to feast, and what a feast it will be.
Slowly Zelda closed her eyes. She did not want to see the vultures coming. She did not want to see her death falling down on her with huge black wings. Instead, she saw Rory. He stood before her with welcoming arms and a huge smile. She was back in Highever Castle. Her family was even there. Her mother, father, Fergus, Oriana, and Oren. Everyone. All welcoming her home.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
- 13
- 14
- 15
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Blood Bond