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Magic's Slave	By : chibichibi01 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 3174 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age. I own my PC Thomais. I don't own any of the NPCs, they all belong to Bioware. I'm also not making any money from this.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
oh look, a bit of plot and a lead in! And I don't own anyone here except Henri, Tia, and Helios. They are mine. Everything else belongs to Bioware.
Nathaniel stalked through the halls of the Keep, searching for the Commander. His boots made little to no noise on the hard stone floor and he wore a thunderous expression. The rogue was not a happy man and wanted nothing more than to throw the commander against a wall and demand an explanation.
He found Thomais in the study, pouring over a book that he'd never seen before. Clearing his throat he said, "I just heard something very interesting from Oghren, and I wasn't sure whether he was delirious from drink, or whether he was telling the truth. So I decided to find you and ask." He kept his voice tightly controlled.
Thomais looked up from his reading with a tired expression. "Well, ask away. But make it quick. I've nearly managed to translate this."
Nathaniel clenched his teeth and let out a long and steady breath. "I heard that you not only took Anders into a hostile situation, you brought the hostile home with you. And in addition, you managed to get all of your gear stolen by an intelligent darkspawn. You went into a mine, to go after this… killer's sister, and put all of you in danger for someone you had no obligation to!"
Thomais raised an eyebrow and set the book aside. "Yes. We did manage all that in a week, didn't we?"
Nathaniel stared, opened mouthed at his Commander's nonchalant expression. "It sent all of you to sleep! Knocked you out without a second thought! It could have killed all of you, and you're calm about this?"
"We're still here, Nathaniel. It didn't kill us. We made it out with nothing that Anders and Velanna couldn't heal." Thomais sighed and leaned back in his chair. "What would you have done in my place, hrm? Killed the Dalish woman for thinking her sister had been stolen by humans? Ignored the silverite mine and a chance to wipe out more of those things? Coddled Anders and wrapped him in lamb's wool to keep him safe? You know what he's been through. He's tough enough to handle being a Warden."
Nathaniel actually growled. "He's never encountered anything like this before. At least the Templar kept him alive."
"And that's better than what this intelligent Darkspawn did to us?" Thomais sighed and pressed his lips together. "There are things worse than death, Nathaniel."
Nathaniel sputtered, anger deflated. "I'm going with you next time, Commander," he said in a tone that brooked no argument. "I'm not going to let you get him killed."
Thomais raised an eyebrow. "'Not let.' That sounds and awful lot like you're trying to tell your Commander what to do, Nathaniel Howe. If I want to leave you at this Keep, I will. I'm your Commander. Don't forget that." He pulled the book back in front of him. "You're dismissed."
This was not an argument he was going to win. Not now, anyway. This riled, it would be easy for Thomais to twist his words and get the better of him. Hell, he already had. No, what he needed to do was clear his head and make his wishes known when his emotions weren't riding so high, and the best way to do that would be to pulverize some helpless straw dummies in the training area.
The sound of birds chirping floated through the open window, while the fantastically warm air swept around the room, making its occupants sleepy and lazy. Well, except for one of them.
"No!"
Slim fingers slapped Anders on the back of his head, bringing him abruptly back to attention. He frowned and released the shaky grip he had on his mana. "What did I do wrong this time?" he asked mulishly. He twisted his neck around so he could stare out the window and not at his irate teacher.
"You need to keep a firm grip on your power," Velanna lectured. "You don't want to have a fire blast sputtering about while you're trying to use it, do you? And don't pout. You're a grown shemlen. Not a da'len. I'm not going to treat you like one. And you should be well beyond the pouting stage."
Anders only responded with another pout and sought to reach for his power again. He was rewarded for his efforts by another slap. He winced away and rubbed the back of his head, glaring at her for an explanation.
She just glared back at him. "You pulled too much. You release that and you would roast everything around you. Try again."
He sighed and shuffled over to the window, letting the breeze wash over his face. "We've been doing this for three hours. Why can't we take a small break? Please?" He turned wide, innocent brown eyes on her. This ploy had worked the last few times he'd tried it and this was no exception.
She sighed as well and dropped her hands. "Fine. Fine. But tomorrow we are going to work an extra hour. You need to get a better grip on your power, shem. You'll end up killing one of your friends if you don't. Now scat." She waved a hand at him. "You've been moping about the outdoors long enough. You're worse than a da'len."
He flashed a cheeky grin. "One of my many talents, my lady. Why don't you join me? My friends wouldn't be nearly as apprehensive of my lessons if you would sit with us, and maybe, one day, when their collars come off, you could teach them."
She pressed her lips together in a firm line. "Let it be known that I am doing this under duress, and only if it will make you concentrate on your lessons."
He chuckled. "Duly noted. Now come on!"
Tia and Helios were already in the kitchen, cuddled up in front of the great hearth, eating a very dense looking brown bread.
Anders had Velanna by the arm, preventing her escape as Tia rose to her feet and embraced the Dalish woman. "I heard what happened," she said simply. "I'm sorry your sister is gone."
Velanna stiffened in the embrace and pulled away. "You're sorry? How can you be sorry for what I've gone through?" She shook her head. "Elvhen slavery ended centuries ago in Ferelden and the mages were brought to heel at the same time. Our freedom came at the cost of yours and you're sorry for me?"
Tia and Helios exchanged a look and Anders chewed on his cheek, second guessing his decision to invite her along.
"What's this?"
Anders turned around and silently thanked the Maker for Henri's sense of timing. "Henri!" he said with some relief. "This is the newest Warden. Her name is Velanna. She's Dalish."
Henri beamed at Velanna. "Welcome to my kitchen. If there is anything you want, or need, then you come here and I will give it to you. These doors are always open to anyone who wants something to eat or," he gave a subtle wink to Anders, "even a place to hide."
Velanna blinked and stepped away from the over-enthusiastic Orlesian. "Don't touch me," she said reflexively as he reached out to crush her in a hug.
Henri pouted, but let his arms fall. "Ma chère dame, if there is ever anything you need from me, let me know and I will be most glad to help you."
Velanna eyed him with some suspicion. "Anything?"
Henri nodded.
"Then can we be left alone?"
Henri's face fell almost comically before he turned his frowning expression on Anders. "La dame est grave?"
Anders nodded. "I'm sorry, Henri. You can still bring us some of those, ohh, what are they called? The pastry things with the sugar and honey on top."
Henri beamed. "Aaah! You want the beignet! Yes, indeed, I will get those out to you right away. Feel free to move in front of the fire, yes."
The four mages settled on the hearthstones, Velanna blatantly ignoring Henri's attempts to get her to eat. "So what do you… talk about?" she asked, keeping her hands on her lap. He voice wavered, seeming a bit ill at ease.
"Mostly how things have been progressing lately," Anders replied. "There's a lot that's happened for us over the past few months. It's a little hard to adjust."
Helios nodded. "Going from slaves, to being as good as free… And having King Alistair take steps to send our tormenters to Aeonar. I never thought I'd see the day when Rylock got what was coming to her."
"I wouldn't count her out of the game just yet." Tia shook her head. "The bitch is persistent. She wants you Anders. She'll find some way of getting out."
Anders shook his head vigorously. "Nathaniel would kill her. If she so much as touched me, he would gut her."
Velanna stared. "Nathaniel? The brooding man with the funny shaped nose? Why would he do such a thing? I've gotten the impression that he doesn't much care for anyone or anything."
Anders bit back a chuckle. "He's a very reserved man. He doesn't often show his emotions unless they're very intense." He gave a lopsided grin. "And his emotions usually run to the intense side around me. He's my former owner. When Thomais purchased me from the Tower, he gave me to Nathaniel of all people. I was terrified of him at first," he confided, "but he's been good to me, and even got me a cat!"
Velanna gave a nod. "Still doesn't explain why he'd go to all those lengths to keep you from this woman. Now that your magic isn't being hampered, can't you take care of her yourself?"
Anders shook his head. "There's some sort of training the Templars do. It drains all your energy. I can't even light a candle around one of them if they're doing that." He shivered and rubbed his arms. "They did it all the time while I was in solitary. As for Nathaniel…" He grinned again. "He's very possessive of me and I wouldn't have it any other way. Protecting me is his way of showing he cares."
Velanna huffed. "You are a free being. He has no right to be possessive. You should go to the commander and get him to set this man right."
Anders opened his mouth to reply but Helios beat him to it. "Has anyone heard from Jowan?" he blurted. It was obvious he was trying to change the subject.
"Jowan?" Velanna asked.
"He's a friend of ours from the Tower," Anders replied, settling back. "He went with King Alistair to the palace in Denerim. I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure he's still taking his time and getting adjusted. He'll write us as soon as he's able." He shot Helios a look that said: We'll be talking about this later, and said, "Alistair wouldn't keep that from him. Wouldn't keep us from him."
Tia smiled. "I didn't think he would. Now, Velanna," she said, changing the subject again, "what have you been teaching Anders? Is he being stubborn about learning the proper ways to use his newfound freedom?"
Velanna nodded and began explaining the process while Anders sulked and ate beignet after beignet.
- 14
- 15
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Magic's Slave