Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Abandoned Sanctuary	By : EvalyneEvermore Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 1923 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or any of it's characters. I do not own any Finaly Fantasy Series. I do not profit and/or make any money off this story. It is strictly wirtten for fun.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Title: Abandoned Sanctuary
Chapter One: A Stranger in a Strange Land.

I will journey to the place, that
was shaped by heaven's hand.
And I will build for me a bower, where angles' footprints
mark the land.
Where castle rock in towers high,
kneel to valley's wide and green.
All my thoughts are turned to you, my waking hope, my sleeping dream.
~I am Going to the West
-Connie Dover

Alistair sighed heavily as the guards from Redcliffe shut
the castle gate behind them with a bang. His fellow Warden�Laurena�, Wynne,
Leliana and himself had just successfully cured Arl Eamon's sickness
by using Andraste's ashes. Eamon had offered them a place to stay for the
night, looking to repay them in some small way for his revival, but Laurena had
kindly refused, opting to return to camp where their other companions awaited
their return.

�I don't see why we couldn't have just stayed one night and slept
in a real bed for once. Eamon looked disappointed when you turned him down,�
Alistair said absently. He turned to look back at the castle with a sort of
longing as they past the border of the village portion of Redcliffe.

�A soft bed and a roof over our heads would be a nice change
but it would not be fair to the rest of our group. I can't peacefully sleep in
a well protected castle while they sleep on the ground in the wilderness,�
Laurena said and turned her sky blue eyes away from the road ahead of them
towards Alistair. His breath hitched when her warm gaze met his and he stopped
walking.

�It would be very rude of us to keep the rest of our
companions waiting,� Leliana unintentionally interrupted the quiet moment
between the two Wardens and turned their attention to the red-haired bard. The bard
in question smiled when she noticed the blush creep across their cheeks, she chose
not to say anything. �We do have the supplies to give to them that Arl Eamon gave
us,� Leliana shifted the heavy pack on her shoulders for emphasis.

�We all are weary, my dear boy, but the Warden is right; it
would not be very fair,� Wynne spoke softly gave Alistair a motherly kind of
smile.

�We�ll stay a few days extra at camp to recover our strength
but then we need to get on the road again, this Blight won�t be going anywhere,�
Laurena turned to the members in her group. �Is that agreeable?� The female
Warden watched as her companions each nodded in turn and then resumed her place
at the front of the group to lead them back to camp.

The walk back towards the camp was a cheerful one with the
sun shining softly down upon them from between the canopy of trees. It was warm
out but not over bearingly so because of a gentle breeze that rolled off Lake
Calenhad to the west of them. Laurena smiled, listening to Leliana and Alistair
banter one another about the Chantry.

�I
would tell them that I was just checking. You never know, right?� Alistair said
laughing at one of his fond memories at the monastery.

Leliana made a face that to anyone who looked at her
would think she had just bitten into a lemon. �I... no, I never�� Leliana
stopped midsentence and her face suddenly became very serious as she took out
her bow and notched an arrow. �Did you hear that?�

�Sounded like talking,� Laurena said with her naked great
sword at her side. �It sounds like it is coming from over that ridge.� She saw
movement to her left. Alistair took up
position at her side with his sword and shield at the ready, his back was
almost touching her left side.

�Another ambush?� His
voice was barely above a whisper, Laurena could feel his
warm breath tickling her neck when he had turned to speak to her quietly. She
shivered then shook her head to regain her focus.

The group approached the ridge with caution and
positioned themselves to be hidden in the shadows of the canopy of leaves above
them, the leaves that had cooled their path earlier
now became perfect camouflage. Alistair and Laurena were crouched together low
on a part of a boulder, they were in the best position to be able to quickly
get down the ridge. Leliana was leaning
against a large oak, barley moving she look a peek
down at the small clearing below them before moving back into her original
position. She nodded sharply to the two Wardens across from her then motioned
with another quick jerk towards the clearing. What they saw, once they were in
attack position, was a group of six men�all of them carrying swords around
their waists with some having chains dangling from their hands�surrounding a
lone cloaked figure. The figure wore a tattered tan cloak that was splattered
with mud from travel. Not much of the figure's features could be seen from the
companions� vantage point and the cloaked figure's face was cast in shadow by
the hood she wore.

�What do you make of it, Leliana?� Laurena hugged the
boulder tight against her body as she positioned herself to better speak with
her fellow companions.

�If I had to guess, slaver traders or guards. No
one else would carry chains used to bind a person with,� Leliana said after a
moment�s observation.

�They don't look like Loghain's guards,� Alistair
observed from the other side of the boulder.

�What are we to do, Warden?� Wynne stated from the far
side of the oak tree she was using for cover.

�Observe for now,� Laurena's voice was flat. �If they
make a move for the one in the middle we'll flank them. I don't want to see
anyone get dragged off to be a slave but we have got to be cautious about
this.�

�They pay handsome bounty for someone as usual as you,
girl,� the head slave trader reached and gripped the feminine-looking chin of
the cloaked stranger with a sudden jerk. The hood fell back to reveal auburn
tresses flowing out from beneath a wrap that cover the top portion of the
cloaked woman's head. The slaver ran his grim-covered thumb over the woman's
pale cheek and started at her leeringly. �Maybe I should make you learn your
place first,
hmm?� The woman just started up at him�she came only to
about his shoulder height�her emerald eyes showing no emotion.

�I would hate to disappoint ma future buyer,� the woman's
voice held a thick accent and when she spoke her words were clipped yet very
pronounced.

The man scoffed and removed his hand from her chin then
walked back towards his men. �Make sure you get her feet this time too. I don't
want her killing any more of my guards so make sure she doesn't escape this
time.� Two men with chains nodded to their leader then made their way towards
the woman. Laurena watched intently, she raised her hand in signal to the
others to prepare to attack.

�You didn�na let ma finish.� The woman's voice rang over
the field. �I was saying that I would hate to disappoint ma future buyer� but
I'm not coming with yah.�

The woman pulled on the chains of the man closest to her,
throwing him off balance and forcing his stomach to hit her raised knee. He had
no time to recover from the wind being forced out of his lungs by the sudden
impact before the cloaked woman had reached up and twisted his neck. There was
a sickening crack and the man fell to the ground, dead.

�Sod the reward, kill the girl!� the leader of the
slavers yelled out to his men and ducked behind their wagon.

Laurena wasted no time. She lowered her hand in signal to
the others to attack and ran down into the valley, Alistair at her heels. The
men looked up at Lauren�s war cry with wide eyes. Some of the men took out bows
while others went after the easier looking target of the unarmed, cloaked
woman. Leliana took out one of the armed men that went after the other woman,
hitting him through the neck and letting him bleed out. The cloaked woman had
taken one of the guard�s side daggers and plunged his own weapon into his chest
before moving out of the way of a blow from another guard. Laurena charged at
the guard, who just missed the cloaked woman, and was able to take off his head
with one powerful blow. Laurena watched the cloaked woman nod sharply then dash
over to where the leader was hiding behind the wagon.

�Watch out!� Alistair yelled over to his fellow Grey
Warden, Laurena looked behind her as an injured guard was making his way to
her, sword in hand. The other
Warden had just stabbed another guard through the chest but when she tried to
remove her sword to defend herself she found it stuck. All
Laurena could do was to try and free her blade but the injured guard kept getting
closer to her. She closed her eyes waiting for the blow that she knew would
come. There was a large crash as Alistair hit the injured man with his shield
then finished the job with a quick thrust to the chest.

�Thank you.�

�Anytime,� Alistair smiled softly at Laurena.

�Not to interrupt but we might want to follow that girl. She
went after the leader, I saw her follow him deeper into the forest,� Leliana
said reaching out hand to help Laurena up.

�Right, follow me,� Laurena put her long sword into its
sheath hanging on her back.

They rounded the bend and felt the earth beneath their feet
start to tremble. Laurena and Alistair exchanged looks and started to run
faster, afraid of something they could not name. Trees flew past them, most in pieces, one slashed here another one broken over there. The
treeline broke and the companions entered what looked like to be a battle
field. The cloaked woman was doing her best to avoid the leader�s attacks�side
step, duck, jump back, roll�but she wasn't able to get a hit of her own in, her
inability to block was making it difficult.

�Lel, she is unarmed help her!� Laurena shouted back to the
bard. Laurena and Alistair wouldn't be able to get to woman quick enough, Leliana would at least be able to slow the armed man
down. Leliana notched an arrow and, with a small prayer on her lips, let the
arrow fly.

Time seemed to slow down as the arrow whistled in the air
towards the slaver's head and the intended victim turned to see his intended doom
soar at him. The auburn haired woman did something that Laurena thought was
impulsive and stupid; she kicked the slaver in his leg, causing him to stumble
and consequently miss being hit by the arrow. As the man tried to regain his
balance, the auburn haired woman twisted the slavers blade out of his hand and
kept turning his wrist until the man was on his knees with his armed twisted
behind him. The woman then bent down towards the man's head and spoke to him.
Laurena couldn't make out what either of them were
saying, she could see their mouths moving, but the distance between them was
too great. The conversation ended abruptly and the man's arm was released, his
would be captive reached down, picked up his blade, and ran it through his
chest. The deceased man hit the ground with a thump and the woman spat on him,
she then turned her attention towards the group of companions.

The woman's eyes examined each person, analyzing them
thoroughly before moving on to the next, Laurena was finally able to take in
the woman's appearance as well. The hood on her ragged cloak was thrown back and
her auburn tresses, nearly the color of blood Laurena noted, hung under a black
wrap that covered the top of her head. From what could be seen from under the
cloak, the woman's blouse and trousers were loose and worn, the boots made of
black leather with the ends of her trousers tucked into them.

�Whose name might I use to thank for yer assistance in handling
those brutes?� The woman looked directly at Laurena, who walked closer to the
questioning woman. When the other woman took a defensive step back Laurena
stopped and smiled.

�I am Laurena Cousland, of the Grey Wardens but I originally
hail from Highever. This is Alistair, Leliana and Wynne.� Laurena indicated
each one. �Who might you be?�

�A Warden?� The woman looked at
Laurena thoughtfully. �Aslinn of the Seekers of the Sun Tribe, I hail out of
Grinina in Eoreza.� Aslinn gave an odd sort of salute that ended in a bow. �May
I ask, wat you are doing out here?�

�We are on our way back to camp actually,� Alistair
answered.

�Are you injured, child? There is blood dripping from your
hands,� Wynne took a step towards the younger woman, but Aslinn took too step
back grabbing her hands and holding them to her chest. It was obvious she was
wounded but didn't want to be touched.

�They're fine, I just need to wrap them,� Aslinn looked at
the woods to her left.

�It's alright, Wynne is a Tower Mage. A healer,� Leliana
said soothingly, approaching Aslinn as she would a wounded animal. Hesitantly
Aslinn allowed the others to approach her. When they got close enough Wynn
tentatively took Aslinn's hands to examine the damage. �Why your eyes, they are
so unusual. Very pretty shade of green, like emeralds and the shape of your
pupil remind me of a wild animal�s eyes.� Leliana commented gleefully.

�All Seekers of the Sun's eyes are shaped like mine,� Aslinn
flinched when Wynn touched a tender area on her hand.

�Child, why are their shards of wood in your hands?� Wynne
began to, as tenderly as she could, remove the larger pieces.

�That bloody bastard moved faster than I anticipated and
some of the trees took the brunt of the impact.�

�Why would you try and fist fight an armored man?� Alistair
asked shocked at the news.

� 'Cause I'd be what they call a
Pugilist, that's what we do. Fist-to-cuffs is how we fight. Me hands wouldn't
be so busted up if he hadn't take me gloves.� Aslinn took a quick intake of
breath, when Wynne had to get a particularly deep piece of wood out.

�Pugilist, I've never heard of it before. Have you?� Laurena
turned to Alistair in question and he shook his head negative.� Aslinn, I find
myself in need of good fighters, would you be willing to help us in our quest
to end the Blight?�

�Quest, eh?� She smiled showing the tips of her sharp
canines. �Count me in, Warden, but first I need to recover me belongings from
that caravan there.�

�Of course and welcome.� Laurena
smiled back, she and Alistair headed back in the direction of the caravan with
the three remaining members trailing behind.

�Thank thee, old one, it feels much better now,� Aslinn
moved her fingers testing the soreness after Wynne's healing magic.

�You�re welcome and it�s Wynne, not old one.�

�Me mistake. Ah, there be the wagon,�
Aslinn walked past Laurena and Alistair to a wagon left by the traders. She
pulled out a worn knapsack, a pair of unusual looking gloves, a purse full of
coins, and leather bracers. She hastily put on the leather bracers and gloves
while the others in the group pilfered the corpses looking for anything worth
keeping or selling.

�Let's head back, shall we?� Laurena spoke and turned back
towards the road, Alistair followed close behind.

Luckily the rest of the trip back to camp was uneventful and
the group arrived just before sundown.

�We were beginning to worry if the ground had opened up and
swallowed you,� Morrigan got up from the place by the fire to greet them. �I
see you have brought another stray into our group. Are we to pick up every
miserable creature long to way to join in our fight?�

�Nice to see you too Morrigan,� Laurena looked around the
camp briefly. �Where are the others?�

�Hunting. Food supplies were
running low and we did not know when you would return.� Morrigan looked over
Aslinn briefly then returned back to her own fire. Laurena and Wynne set down
their supplies, Wynne retreated into her tent and Laurena stroked the fire
Morrigan had abandoned.

�I suppose a nice welcome would be too much for her?�
Alistair voice was thick with sarcasm.

�You'd suppose, right,� Laurena smiled up at Alistair. �You�re
on dinner duty tonight.�

�What me? Can't get enough of my tasteless gruel can you? I
suppose it better than Sten's half-cooked rabbit.�

�Your meals are fit for a king since it�s the soon-to-be
King of Ferelden making them,� Laurena giggled and took a seat by the fire.

�Hey now, don't start that again,� Alistair whined as he
took out the cooking pot.

�Pardon me, Warden,� Aslinn was standing in the same spot
she was when they entered the camp. �What would you have me do?�

Laurena looked back to the smaller woman standing by the
entrance to camp. She looked near exhaustion. Her hair hung limply from
underneath the wrap, her green eyes looked dull, and her clothes were
splattered with mud and gore. Laurena realized at that moment they didn't have
an extra tent for her to use. �I want you to rest but I don't have an extra
tent for you to use, I'm sorry.�

�No offense but I prefer not to sleep on the ground,� Aslinn
looked around the camp quickly. Her eyes seemed to gleam slightly in the
firelight.

�I can offer you a bedroll,� Laurena suggested.

�No, that's all right I found me a suitable place,� Aslinn
walked to the left of the pond towards a large tree, she bent down for leverage
then gracefully jumped onto a tree branch. She perched on the branch for a moment
before moving closer to it�s trunk, she pulled her
hood up and wrapped her cloak tightly around her. There she positioned herself
as not to fall then closed her eyes.

�She can't be possible be thinking of sleeping in that tree,
can she?� Alistair gaped wide-mouth at the acrobatic performance
he�d just witnessed.

�Maybe she feels safer up there; we did just rescue her from
men that did who knows what to her,� Laurena pondered.

�Do you think she is Chasind?� He speculated.

�I don't know. Let�s just her be for now and let her get
some rest,� Laurena turned to him and smiled. �Come on now where is my royal
meal?� She giggled at Alistair�s loud groan.

A/N: Thank you again to my wonderful Beta of all time, Janec
Shannon! Please check out her Story �Stars�! Thank you to all my fellow fans of
Dragon Age

I also want to thank Bioware and EA Games for making Dragon
Age and Square Enix for the Final Fantasy Games. This will be a mostly DA fic
with a splash of the FF world.
- 1
- 2
- 3
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

Abandoned Sanctuary