Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4556 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
The Blood Mage Paradox

“There's no way! You cheated?”
“Do you really think little ol' me would cheat you?” Isabela smiled at the man sitting in front of her. They had been playing a game of Wicked Grace, starting with him challenging her. She was well known throughout Lowtown as the best card player, and many had come to try and take that title from her. All having failed.
“That's exactly what I think!” he said, pounding the table with his fist. “I think the reason why you're so good is because you cheat! Now give me my money back, bitch!”
“I don't know what you're talking about.” Isabela fanned herself with the cards. “We played the game. My hand was better. You're just a sore loser.”
The man stood fast and glared down at her. “Maybe I should make you sore, bitch, then I'll call it even.”
Isabela just rolled her eyes as she didn't budge.
“Ya know, you shouldn't insult a lady like that,” Jordan said behind the man.
He turned fast at her sudden appearance, glaring at her as well as she rounded him and stood next to Isabela. “What's it to you?”
“Well... she is my friend and I don't take too kindly to someone insulting my friends.”
“The bitch cheated me! That hand of hers should have never been!”
“Do you have proof that she cheated?”
“Uh... no.”
“Then why are you saying she did? I was watching the whole thing and I saw nothing that would indicate she was cheating.”
“You're as much of a lying bitch as she is,” the man said, getting in Jordan's face. “Maybe I need to teach you a lesson as well.”
“Really?” Jordan said, not backing down. “Are you sure you want to be this close to me? I've been known to be very accurate.”
“Just try it.”
Jordan gladly took his dare. In a mere flash, her hand moved, grabbing the knife on her belt and slamming the blade into the table right between the man's closed ring and index fingers. The blade was so close it only brushed his skin. He stared at the blade, unbelieving, before he slowly moved his hand away and checked to see that his fingers were still intact.
“That was...” he said in a shaky voice. “Perfect aim.”
“What are you talking about?” Jordan said as she pulled the knife out of the table. “I missed. Care for me to try again?”
The man shook his head, stumbling backwards and tripping over his chair as he sped out of the tavern.
Isabela laughed in her seat. “Nice show. Now pay up.”
“Damn it,” Jordan breathed. She replaced her knife then flipped Isabela a silver coin. “Teach me never to bet against you.”
“You should have known that from the start.” Isabela flashed the coin between her fingers. “But I suppose you won the other bet. Maybe I shouldn't bet against you.”
“Just get me my drink and we'll call it even.”
“Right. I'll just use the coin I won.”
The rest of the night went without much incident. Isabela joined with Varric and Fenris in their own game. Once Fenris had walked into the Hanged Man, Jordan went to him to see what might have been his problem. Although she never found out what it was, it was soon forgotten when she told him about the blood mage underground they were going after. He wanted to be apart of their destruction.
Jordan sat at the counter in her usual spot. It was a place she could easily watch the entire tavern from, while also watching the door and seeing who was coming in and going out. In the corner sat her friends, the three playing Wicked Grace while Merrill just sat next to Isabela, watching. It made Jordan chuckle to see her. Even though Merrill had vowed to never drink again, there was still a nearly empty mug of ale in her hand.
As the evening ticked by, Jordan's gaze soon began to drift from her friends to the door as she continued to wait for Anders to return. She knew he was more than likely okay. Even if he couldn't get Feynriel into the Dalish clan, hopefully Keeper Marethari would keep her elves from killing them. But no matter how ridiculous she felt, she still couldn't help but to feel the urge to race to Sundermount herself to find out what was going on.
Her urge to leave, however, soon got the better of her. Not to go to Sundermount, but to turn in for the night, even if it was still early. Jordan didn't want to continue to wait any longer for him, nor did she want to get into another drinking game with Isabela. Tonight wasn't a good night to get completely wasted, especially if they were planning on going after the blood mages in the morning. Jordan needed to keep her head.
Jordan rose to leave and headed for the door. Once she opened it, she stopped suddenly, seeing Anders right before her.
“Oh... there you are,” he said.
“There I am?” said Jordan, shaking off her surprise. “No. There you are! What took you so long?”
Anders made his way into the tavern and Jordan followed. She could see he was tired, a little dirty even. She could tell he hadn't been to his clinic yet. Possibly having come straight here first.
“It takes time to get from Sundermount to here,” he said after sitting at the bar.
“I know, but usually not that long.” Jordan sat right next to him. “Can I assume that since you're finally back and in one piece the clan decided to let Feynriel in?”
“That's another reason why it took me so long.” Anders took a drink from his canteen. “It was hard, considering Feynriel is a human, but eventually the clan decided they would take him in. Feynriel is now officially a Dalish.”
“That's good news,” Jordan sighed. “One less thing his mother needs to worry about. I'll make sure she knows her son is okay and with the Dalish. But... how did you convince them not to kill you when you approached? Or at least how did you convince them to even speak with you about the matter? I was only able to get us into the clan because of the amulet. If I didn't have that, then we may have been killed, or run off.”
“The Dalish don't just kill for no reason,” Anders said after taking another drink. “They'll only do that if they think you really threaten their clan. Most of the time they just scare humans off with intimidation. But I was able to get an audience with Marethari at least because of this.” He held up what looked to Jordan to be a brooch. It was round, made of some type of wood with a wave-like pattern carved into the surface. It was painted with natural colors and looked old.
Jordan stared at it. “What is--?”
“Where did you get that?” Merrill came quickly up to the bar and between the two. She took the brooch from Anders and turned it in her fingers. “This is the symbol for my clan! Did the Keeper give it to you?”
“No,” Anders said. “That was given to me before I even came to Kirkwall.”
“But how...? Who...?”
“The warden-commander of Ferelden,” he answered, taking back the brooch. “Or at least she was the commander when she recruited me. Her name was Lisha Mahariel.”
“Lisha? Oh! You must mean Lisha Arainai. That was her name before she married into another clan. You know her? And she's a Warden now?” Merrill gasped as she forced herself on Jordan's chair, pushing her off so she could stare at Anders in disbelief.
“Uh, yes, I know her. In fact, she taught me a lot about healing. A lot more than one would think from someone who isn't a mage.”
“Oh yes, Lisha was always good when it came to that sort of thing. Hunter, potion maker, midwife, you name it, she did it. So that would explain how you have all those Dalish potions in your satchel. I've always wondered about that. But tell me, please, how is she? It's been so long since I've seen her.”
Jordan sat herself on the other side of Merrill as Anders went on to tell her about how Lisha was warden-commander in Amaranthine for a short time, before Arawin—one of the Heroes of Ferelden—was able to take control. She had recruited him and saved him from being taken back to the Circle and possibly executed for something he didn't do. His templar escorts had been killed during a raid on Vigil's Keep by darkspawn while they were holding him there. After helping Lisha clear the darkspawn out of the keep, she then conscripted him when another templar tried to arrest him for the murder of the other templars.
“Then both she and I, along with the other Warden recruits, went about clearing Amaranthine of the remaining darkspawn. Once it was all taken care of, Arawin took back her title, and Lisha was content. I believe she's still at the keep.”
“Wow.” Merrill had been hanging on to Anders's every word. “I can imagine her doing all that. Both Lisha and her husband. Did he become a Grey Warden too?”
“Yes, but... Dayno didn't make it. He was killed during the second attack on the keep.”
“Oh...” Merrill hung her head. “Poor Lisha. That must have been a hard blow. She's lost a lot.”
“Yeah, she told me. And before that, during the Blight, she lost her daughter to a werewolf attack.”
“She had a daughter?” Merrill said looking back at him.
“Yeah. You didn't know that?”
“When Lisha left our clan, I lost touch with her. Not that I couldn't have spoken with her if I wanted to, but I was so busy studying Dalish history and learning the ways of a Keeper, it was hard to do anything else. I do miss her, though. She was always there for me, even when it felt like no one else once. I wasn't born into the clan like she was. I had come from another one from Nevarra. During a gathering of the clans, I was given to Keeper Marethari to be her First, since there were no children with magical talent in her clan at the time, and I was the third child in my own. I was four years old at the time, and it was scary for me to leave my mother and join a completely new group of elves. Even then I was awkward and didn't seem to fit in. Lisha helped me, though. She became my friend when I thought I didn't have any. That was around the same time she and her friend, Tamlen, came back from Antiva City. She told me she had gone there to look for her sister, and found she had died. A few years later she and Tamlen found that mirror, and... Tamlen died. I never saw her so distraught before. I wanted to do something to help her, like she had done for me, so I went and...” Merrill stopped as she noticed how intently both Anders and Jordan were listening to her.
“Did what, Merrill?” Jordan asked.
“I, uh, went and tried to find a way to heal Tamlen. I was young, of course. Didn't understand there was no cure for blight.” She smiled innocently at Jordan.
“Okay...” She could tell Merrill was hiding something more.
“Anyway, I'm just glad to here about Lisha, although it's sad to hear about Dayno. Did you tell the Keeper any of this, Anders?”
“Yeah, she asked where I had gotten the brooch as well,” said Anders. “I told her the same thing I told you.”
“Why did she give you the brooch, anyway?” Jordan asked.
“Just in case I should ever need it.”
“Good thing. Came in handy.”
“Hmm,” Merrill hummed as she stared off in the distance. “I think I should go home now. Are we meeting anywhere in the morning, Jordan?”
“Yeah, at Anders's clinic. Be there early.”
“I shall.” Merrill got up from her seat, looking slightly odd, making Jordan wonder if it was from the ale or something else.
“Oh, and Merrill...” said Jordan.
“Hmm?”
“If you happen to run into Arianni, could you tell her that her son is fine and with your clan?”
“The Keeper allowed him? Oh, of course she would. Yes. I'll tell her.”
“Thanks.” Jordan then took back her seat next to Anders, and watched as Merrill stumbled out of the tavern, wondering if she should've went with her to make sure she made it home safely.
“Why are you meeting at my clinic in the morning?” Anders asked, getting back Jordan's attention.
“Ah, right, you've been gone. You don't know. While you were away, I made a little visit to the Blooming Rose where I learned a few more things about Keran's whereabouts.”
“So Cullen was right?”
“Keran was last seen at the Blooming Rose, being entertained by a woman named Idunna. In fact, that's who all the missing recruits were last seen with before they disappeared.”
“So you went to see her?” Anders asked, almost too curious.
“Yes, I went along with Varric, Bethany and Isabela.”
“Great, that's exactly what I want to hear.”
“We didn't do anything like what you're probably thinking. Although Isabela did try a few times. Why do you care anyway? Besides, I thought two women were a man's fantasy. With certain ones being more earnest about it than others.”
“I... I just know what goes on there when it comes to... other things,” he hesitated. “Many of my patients who need certain diseases cured are either workers or clients from there. Not to mention all the things I've had to do for Isabela.” He mumbled the last part.
“I guess I can understand that,” said Jordan. “But Idunna was not what she appeared to be. She was a mage, and cast a spell on us the moment we entered her room. She used blood magic to seduce and prepare the recruits to be taken by other blood mages to Three Spear Alley. After revealing what she was doing to us, and stopping her, Idunna told us everything she could. Apparently there's a blood mage underground that's conspiring against the Circle. Now I know you would like to conspire against the Circle as well, but--”
“I might want to free mages from the Circle, but that doesn't mean I think using blood magic is the key,” he said. “I despise mages who turn to it, thinking it's the only way. They're the reason why templars are so hard on us. So if you are wanting me to accompany you to this blood mage underground, then I will. Besides, I would like to know what these mages are doing to the templar recruits. Wilmod became an abomination because there was a demon in him. It makes sense for blood magic to be at work, but it would have to be a very powerful blood mage do something like that.”
“Which is why I would like for you to go with me. I'm not exactly sure how many mages we'll be facing, but one thing I'm pretty sure of is they'll all probably know blood magic. So having all three of you with me would be nice.”
“Of course. I'll go with you if that's what you need.” Anders then stood from the bar. “So if we're going for an early morning, then I hope you don't mind if I retire for the night. I'm also pretty tired from the trip.”
“I can understand that. I was on my way out myself, but if you stayed a little longer, you might be able to see Isabela take a shot off me. It looks like she might want to start again.”
“Again?” Anders asked with a raised eyebrow.
“We had a lot of fun last night,” Jordan smiled. “If you want, you might even be able to join us.”
“Uh...” Anders stood silent for a moment. “I'm... good. I'll see you in the morning, Jordan.”
“Alright,” Jordan said, a little saddened. Anders then left. Jordan was soon right behind him before Isabela could corner her. She was glad to see he was finally back. It would make her sleep a little easier not having to worry.
***
Three Spear Alley was a connection of tunnels that acted like a maze under the city. It was the lowest one could go, the tunnels being the sewers as well as the secret passages that would take people all over the city. It was a perfect place to hide, and served as the main headquarters to the Coterie as well as a few other crime rings, and apparently, the blood mage underground.
Jordan stood outside one of the entrances to the tunnels, thinking as she stared into its dark void. Going into Three Spear Alley was going to be an issue. She had no idea where to find the mages, and she didn't want to make a wrong turn and end up lost or in an area they didn't want to be in. It was a dilemma, and one she couldn't really afford to have.
“Are we going in?” Fenris asked, becoming impatient.
“We are,” said Jordan. “But first we need to figure out how we're going to find these mages. Otherwise we'll be down there forever.” She continued to think, but nothing was coming to her. How were they going to find a group of blood mages in the maze of the undercity?
“I might be able to help,” said Merrill.
Jordan turned to her. “How so?”
“Well, um... They'll probably have traps set up where they are, so that would help us find them. But those traps could be dangerous. I could find and deactivate them, but it would require me to use...”
“Blood magic?” Jordan finished for her.
Merrill nodded.
It wasn't ideal, and something Jordan didn't like, but she couldn't see any other way.
“Let her do it,” said Anders. “I would prefer she didn't, but she's also right. The only way to track them down is with blood magic.”
“I agree,” Aveline added. “I can't really think of anything else we could do.”
Jordan nodded to the two of them, then turned to her sister. Bethany also nodded, indicating her agreement. When Jordan turned to Fenris, she found him staring at her. “And what do you think, Fenris?”
“You're actually going to ask my opinion?”
“Of course. Why wouldn't I?”
“Because my opinion doesn't matter. It's already been voted upon for her to use blood magic. If I were to object it would make no difference.”
“That's not entirely true! But...” Jordan sighed, knowing he was right.
“Look, instead of arguing about this,” he said. “And even though I don't like it, I think it is probably the best way to find these mages. Go ahead and allow her to use blood magic. It will get me closer to the actual blood mages I can kill.” His smile was almost cruel.
“I guess that settles it, then.” Jordan then turned back to Merrill. “Go ahead, Merrill. Do what you need.”
“Right.” Merrill took a step to the front of the entrance. Exposing her wrist, she took out her knife and placed it against the skin. Taking a deep breath, she then slit her wrist. A red aura surrounded her cut, spreading to her hand and up her arm. She then gestured for the others to follow her as she made her way into the dark tunnels.
In the tunnels, Bethany and Anders cast lights from their staffs to illuminate the darkness. They had entered a more secluded part, an area where no lanterns were hung from the walls. Once they found their way into more traveled areas, they put their lights out, so as to not attract attention. Merrill continued to lead them, taking them down tunnel after tunnel, having to stop when they came to cross sections, and test which way would be the best to go. After what seemed like forever going through the tunnels, Merrill finally stopped and waved her hand in front of her. Something shimmered in the air before her, and a clicking sound was heard as if a trap had just been deactivated.
“What did you just do?” Jordan asked.
“I found a trap and dispelled it,” said Merrill. “It should be safe now. And that means we're on the right path. Come on. They're close now.” She continued down the tunnel with more confidence, it growing as she came across more traps and deactivated them.
“Hey, Aveline,” Jordan said as they went on.
“Yes?”
“I was just wondering... Did Wesley ever teach you any of his templar abilities?”
Aveline stared at Jordan, but then realized why she might be asking. “No, he didn't.”
“Why?”
“Because the templar abilities are a secret. I never asked, and he never offered.”
“Too bad,” Jordan said. “We probably could use a templar right now.”
“I would have to agree, but it's too late to turn back and go to the Gallows now. We should be good, though.”
“I hope so.” Jordan looked at all her companions as they went down the tunnel. They were about ready to go against an unknown amount of blood mages. She worried about them, hoping she had chosen the right ones to come with her. The mages might be able to defend themselves, although she worried about her sister, and Fenris could surely take care of himself against mages, but Aveline didn't have what Jordan hoped she would. Although throughout their time together, she had never witnessed the warrior use templar abilities, she had hoped Aveline was just holding back. But she knew the warrior could take care of herself, just as she could. With Edge and the rune her father had placed in it long before she was even born, Jordan was able to dispel magic used both from mana and blood. The only problem was she didn't know how many spells she could defend herself from at the same time. She just hoped there weren't that many blood mages. That if they found and killed Terohne, the rest would scatter and it would be over with. If any mages ran, Jordan wouldn't go after them.
“Wow,” Merrill said as she stopped suddenly and shook her head. “That's not... What is that?”
“Merrill, what's going on?” Jordan asked, making her way to Merrill's side.
“That. Right there.” Merrill pointed into the large chamber they were about to enter. At the far end of the room Jordan could see something shinning a dull blue. She couldn't tell from the distance, but it looked almost as if whatever it was, was floating in the air.
“Are there any traps around here?” she asked before going fully in.
“No, this area is clear.” Merrill let down her hand and the red glow around it vanished.
Jordan took back the lead as she went into the chamber and straight to the glowing object on the other side. Once she got close enough to see what it was, she gasped as she saw the object was floating above the ground, and that it was a man.
He was naked, curled in a ball, eyes closed as he floated several feet from the floor. His figure spun slowly in the air as a strange blue light flowed from around him to the ground.
“He's still alive,” said Anders as he stared at the figure. “I can sense this thing is draining life from him slowly, but what it really is, I couldn't say. I've never seen anything like it.”
“Is there a way you can get him down?”
“Maybe. If I--” Anders went to touch the blue light, but stepped quickly back when a small fireball nearly hit him. Staring over at another doorway, they spotted several mages standing about, with what also looked to be a few templars.
“The recruits,” Aveline whispered.
“Oh, how wonderful,” said the mage at the front. “More vessels for our experiments.”
“Experiments?” Jordan said as she stared at the mage.
“Yes. I know none of you are templars, but maybe one of the demons will find you suitable.”
“Always the demon thing,” Anders groaned. “Can't you people say 'no?'”
The mage smiled at him. “Don't think I just ran crying to a demon. I actually called them. They came and I willingly allowed it.”
“So you must be Terohne,” said Jordan.
“Indeed I am.” Terohne put her focus on Jordan. “I find it interesting you know who I am, yet I don't know who you are.”
“All you need to know is that I'm the person that's going to stop you. Now why are you taking templar recruits? And what are you doing to them?”
Terohne chuckled, her laugh beginning soft but then growing to hysterical. “I'm doing what needs to be done. Demons can inhabit much more than mages and corpses. With assistance, they can control anyone I ask. Any templar... any noble... any well-meaning meddler.”
“So she is forcing demons into people,” Bethany whispered.
“Yes, of course! If a few more templars fall to the demons, we can seed chaos in their ranks. How many abominations can they discover amongst their own before it drives the knight-commander crazy?” Terohne began her laughter again, the mages behind her joining in.
“Is that what you did to the ones behind you?” Jordan asked, gesturing to the templars with the mages.
“They are the ones who survived. The ones that were deemed worthy. Others, however, were not so lucky. Either they died during the processor, or I merely added them to the compost heap. The one floating behind you is an example of that. My experiments need so much fuel, you see. No need to waste a vessel, useless or not.”
Jordan stared at her, seeing an unnatural gleam in her eyes, the tattoos on her face that looked to be Tevinter. The robe she wore was even foreign, along with the rest. “You are insane. Don't think I'm going to let you get away with this.”
“In days of old, the Tevinter Imperium spanned the known world. Demons were their allies... held in check by power and knowledge. With a wave of a hand I could do more than a templar can achieve in a lifetime. Yet they command us? Absurd! We should be ruling them. We should rule you all!”
“The time for talk is at an end,” said Fenris. “Hawke!”
“I agree.” She took out Edge and pointed it at Terohne. “You want us? Just try it, but don't think we're not going to fight back. We know your tricks.”
“Kill the vessels only if you must,” Terohne ordered to the other mages. “Otherwise capture them and bring them to me.” She lifted her staff and a dark feeling engulfed the area. Around them, glyphs appeared on the ground, and from their middles, demons began to manifest themselves. Jordan wasted no time, running straight for Terohne, only to be stopped when an abomination crashed into her. It had been one of the templars that stood with the mages. The abomination moaned in her ear, its eyes dry and red. Jordan pushed it off her, scrambling to her feet as she got a better look at it. This one had wind-swept, tangled hair, gray and dry, cracking skin. Its eyes rolled around in its head as it stood and moaned even louder. It stretched out its thin arms, fingers nothing but bones as the skin clung around the knobs and joints.
Another screech caught Jordan's attention and she looked over to see another, different, abomination slowly making its way over to her. This one was covered in a thick layer of slim, the stuff dripping from its hair and fingertips. It moved slow, but its arms were massive, muscular and budging. Jordan knew she couldn't allow that abomination to wrap its arms around her. It might be slow, indicating to her it was probably a sloth abomination, but she couldn't underestimate it.
The other one—an abomination of desire—wailed and flung itself at her. Jordan moved, slicing Edge across the abomination's chest. The skin ripped, and blood poured. The abomination moaned, but didn't lose step as it attacked her again. Jordan pressed Ripper forward, jabbing into the abomination's side. She then brought Edge around and stuck it in the creature's neck. She twisted both her blades at the same time, hearing bones break along with the screams coming from the abomination's throat. Jordan ripped both blades out, making the holes larger and tearing away flesh. Blood splattered on her face as she did. The desire abomination cried out once more, then fell. Jordan stood for a moment catching her breath, but then cried in pain as large arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders and lifted her off the ground. They squeezed and Jordan nearly blacked out.
She had forgotten about the sloth abomination, now squeezing the life out of her. Despite its slimy exterior, she was unable to wiggle herself from its grasp. Jordan tried to scream, but there was no air in her lungs, and she was unable to bring any in. Her legs kicked out, her grip on Edge and Ripper lost. Spots clouded her vision and she could begin to feel herself slipping.
There was a flash behind her, and Jordan hit the ground, a rush of air filling her lungs. It hurt, but she would gladly take the pain in order to breathe again. Looking behind her, the abomination screech as it battled with its new opponent. It was Anders, but not as himself. Justice fought the abomination, but not with a staff, instead with a sword. He fought hard, pushing the abomination back. He ripped its flesh with his sword, using the weapon better than Jordan had ever seen anyone use it before. He soon parried, planting the blade in the abomination's chest and dragging it through, tearing the entire chest and abdomen open.
“How do you...?” Jordan said as she stared at him from the ground. “I didn't know Anders could fight with a sword.”
“It is not he who knows how to use it,” said Justice as he turned on her. “I am a warrior spirit, I know how to fight with a sword as well as a staff and magic. If Anders wished, he could use my knowledge to fight just as I use his to weave spells. As for you, you are reckless. You should not underestimate these creatures.”
“I tried not to, but that one snuck up on me.” Jordan stood, but immediately cringed from the pain in her chest. Justice stared at her, then placed up his hand, but before he could begin the spell to heal her, another abomination ran at them. Justice raised his sword to fight it off, pushing Jordan out of the way. She fell to the ground, crying from the impact, but quickly went back to her feet, grabbing her blades along the way.
All about the chamber was chaos. Mages using blood magic to raise demons and corpses. There weren't as many blood mages as Jordan thought—which was good—but they were still outnumbered. Justice fought two abominations at once, a lot better than Jordan had. Aveline and Bethany fought together, the warrior keeping corpses away from Bethany as she blasted others with her spells. She also got into a small fight with a blood mage, but the mage was quickly taken out by Fenris who ripped his way through their foes. He feared nothing from the mages or demons, making Jordan wonder if the markings in his skin might have done more than allow him to phase through solid objects. Maybe they also protected him from magic.
Merrill, Jordan found to be the most impressive. She was using blood magic to fight the mages, but in a different way than they were. She was able to take control of some of the lesser demons and turn them against the very ones who summoned them. She also seemed to be using her own blood instead of taking it from else where, like the other blood mages who were killing their comrades by taking each others life force. Jordan wasn't sure how long Merrill could keep it up, but it seemed she had the upper hand at the moment. The only thing was, Jordan could feel these mages were week. The one they really needed to take down was Terohne. She was the real threat.
Spotting her on the far side, Jordan pushed aside her pain and ran across the battle straight toward the mage. She used Edge to cut through any spell that might have been thrown at her on her way. Terohne noticed her half way. The mage smiled, and from her hand formed a large sphere of black energy. She hurtled it toward Jordan, destroying a few corpses and a demon along the way. Jordan waited until the last moment before she went down, rolling under the sphere and popping up in front of Terohne. The mage blocked Edge with her staff. Jordan moved quick, bringing Ripper around to Terohne's side. She was able to block the attack as well, before swinging her staff to hit Jordan in the legs. This caused Jordan to fall, but she used the movement to move herself to Terohne's back. Bringing herself back up, Edge was planted in the mage's back. Terohne cried, but pulled herself away. The blade left her back, but not without tearing muscles and sinew. Her left arm went limp, but she still clung tightly to her staff with her right.
“Do you really think you'll defeat me?” Terohne growled.
“I think I already have,” Jordan said as the two circled each other. “Your followers might know blood magic, but they're not doing such a good job. And for being such a powerful blood mage, yourself, I've yet to be impressed.”
Terohne snarled. “I would not waste my magic on you. And neither would they. You are not worthy of seeing my greatness. Nor are you worthy of becoming apart of my glorious plans!” Screaming, she lifted her staff and sent another black sphere forth. Jordan moved, the sphere barely missing her. Her two blades collided with Terohne's staff. She pushed the mage back, flinging her daggers forward. Terohne went off balance, unable to use her left arm to steady herself. Taking the opening, Jordan lunged forward and stabbed both daggers into the mage's chest, falling on top of her. Terohne cried out from the pain and glared up at Jordan. “I won't be the last! The Circle will fall! There will be others like me who will take you down!”
“You're a fool!” Jordan glared. “All you blood mages are! If you hadn't have been so crazy and gone to such drastic measures, then I might have helped you!”
“Lies!” Terohne struggled, but Jordan kept her pinned.
“Not lies. But now you'll never know.” Jordan twisted both blades, then tore them out at an angle. Terohne screamed, her body turning black and falling into ash. At the moment of her death, all the remaining blood mages stopped their fighting. They stared at the pile of ash which used to be Terohne before taking off, out of the chamber and disappearing in the tunnels.
***
“How do we get him down?” Bethany asked as she stared up at the templar recruit still floating in the air. Even with the blood mages gone, and Terohne dead, the spell keeping him trapped was still active.
“I assume it's blood magic holding him,” said Merrill. “Which means it's blood magic that also needs to release him.” She stepped up, and cutting her wrists one more time, flashed the red aura at the recruit. The spell holding him wavered before it completely disappeared and he fell to the ground. The sudden impact caused him to groan. He stirred and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing everyone staring at him, he startled and backed away.
“Easy now,” said Jordan. “We're not going to hurt you.”
“You're... you're not the ones who were holding me,” he said, shaky.
“No, we're not. The ones who were are either dead or ran off.”
“Yes... Terohne... She's dead?”
Jordan nodded as she helped him to stand.
“Then... it's over.”
“For the moment. Can you tell me your name?”
“K-Keran... Yes, my name is Keran.” He blinked a few times and shook his head.
“Oh good, I'm glad we found you,” said Jordan. “Your sister was worried about you, and sent us to find you.”
“My... sister? Macha...”
“Yeah, Macha. I think we should probably get you out of here so she can see you're okay.”
“Hang on there, Jordan,” said Anders. “Something doesn't seem right here.”
“I know he's a templar,” said Jordan. “But I'm taking him back to his sister.”
“No, not that. It's just he's acting unnatural. Like he's not himself.”
“But he just went through a terrible ordeal,” said Bethany. “And he was caught in a life draining spell.”
“Yes, but just with Wilmod and the other recruits we fought down here, there might be a demon in him.” Anders stared at Keran, who stared right back.
“But Terohne said he was useless,” said Jordan.
“That could've been a ruse. Let me check to see if there is anything.” Anders sent something flying at Keran. The spell passed through his chest, making Keran jerk back.
“What... what was that?” he cried.
“A test, but it looks like he's clear. If there was a demon in there, it would have defended itself.”
“Good,” said Jordan as she helped to steady Keran again. “Can you tell us what happened to you?”
“My memory's in pieces, but I remember being with a lady, and then things got fuzzy. Nightmares, then. On fire for days, a demon laughing. The naked lady with her razor claws... in my chest. I'd wake and hear screams. Maybe my own? I'm sorry, it's all a tangle in my head.”
“It's okay, Keran. You're safe now. We'll get you out of here and back to your sister.”
“Oh Macha...” Tears began to form in Keran's eyes. “I'm so sorry for this.”
“Don't be sorry,” said Aveline. “What occurred is not your fault.”
“I know. I just feel for her. I know she must have been suffering for the time I've been gone. How long have I been gone, exactly?”
“Weeks,” Jordan answered.
“Only weeks? It felt like so much longer.”
“Well, it's over with, so let's get you back to the Gallows. Cullen will want to know about this as well, and learn the fate of the other recruits. Looks like you might've been the only one to survive.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
- 24
- 25
- 26
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 Promise