The Last of the Couslands | By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4395 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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Chapter 27
Flemeth Bridget stepped outside Genitivi's home and took a deep breath. She began to question herself on whether or not it was a good thing to help Morrigan. Yes, they had seen Blood Magic before, but something told Bridget that Flemeth was going to be much more powerful than Uldred. She scanned the crowds in the market place searching for Leliana. After a moment she spotted her with a basket full of bread and cheeses and Zeus playfully bouncing around her. Leliana spotted her and hurried towards her, smiling widely. "I must say the food here is cheaper than what I thought it would be! Look at all the food I bought! There will be plenty to last us at least for a few weeks! Were you able to find the Brother?" she asked. Bridget shook her head. "No, he's in a village far in the west. We need to move as soon as possible, there is another pressing matter at hand." Bridget led them back to the Gnawed Noble to collect Wynne who had been resting in her room. Once out of Denerim and back on the road, Bridget explained to everyone what was going on and what they were going to do. Wynne shuddered as she glanced at Morrigan. "We in the Circle have heard many tales of…Flemeth. Her magic will be fierce and potent despite her age. Is it truly wise for us to do this?" Morrigan looked at Wynne and said, "By doing this Flemeth will cease to exist, meaning that she cannot bind her soul to another young vessel. She will die as will her magic." Wynne said nothing in response but set her worried eyes to Bridget. Alistair sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "This isn't going to be easy…" And so the journey back to the Korcari Wilds began. The weather only seemed to get worse, as did the hordes of Darkspawn that they came across. Upon reaching Lothering some days later, the entire village was destroyed. Bridget looked around and sighed. The ground was black with ash…the buildings that once occupied the small village were either completely gone or severely dilapidated, looking as if a single gust of wind would blow them away. The air was still and cold. All that remained of Lothering was death itself. They continued moving forward until it grew too dark to see. They set up camp at what Bridget guessed was the edge of the Wilds. Leliana cooked them all some soup and once it was finished, they all ate quietly. Bridget noticed that Morrigan kept to herself, only joining them to refill her bowl before leaving again and going off to her own tent. Alistair sighed as he stared into the soupy mixture and asked, "Why can't all mages be like you, Wynne? So kind and caring…" Wynne shook her head and replied. "All of Thedas would be a much better place if there was no such thing as Blood Magic or Abominations." Bridget nodded and looked up at all the others. "Who wants to go with me tomorrow?" Zevran raised his hand. "I will always offer my services when you are in need, my friend." He stated. Zeus wagged his tail and barked happily. Bridget turned to Alistair who smiled and asked, "Did you even have to ask if I was going?" Bridget chuckled and shook her head. "I guess not." Wynne stood. "I will remain at camp. My healing powers will come of great use to you, I am quite sure. If I stay I can rest and be fully prepared to tend to anyone's wounds if need be." With that she bid everyone a goodnight and went off to her tent. Bridget turned her attention back to the others only to find that both Leliana and Zevran had slipped away somewhere as well. "They're even worse at hiding it than we are!" Alistair exclaimed. Bridget chuckled and rested her head against his shoulder. Alistair looked at her and sighed. "Why did you decide to help her?" he asked. Bridget pulled back from him and looked into his eyes. "You did not hear the fear in her voice when she told us about Flemeth's intentions. By doing this we are helping her a great deal, and by doing so I believe we will fully secure her as an ally. Plus, Morrigan may be able to help us in the future if we help her now." Alistair shrugged. "If you say so…you really do see the good in everyone, don't you?" Bridget smiled. "I certainly try, though there are some that are impossibly evil and have nothing good." She stated. Alistair dropped his smile as he realized she was talking about Howe. He still could not grasp how that man could find it in him to betray his closest friend. Temptation for a higher power was a great thing, obviously in order for someone to do that. Bridget stood. "I'm off to bed…you are welcome to join me in my tent, if you wish." Alistair smiled up at her. "Really? On the eve of an impending battle?" Bridget rolled her eyes. "Not for that, to keep me warm. I don't know about you, but I'm freezing." Alistair grinned and chuckled. "Then let me serve as your personal source of heat." The group rose very early the next morning, the sun barely showing itself. They ate and dressed quickly, wanting to be done with this task as quickly as possible. Before they left, Morrigan approached Bridget and whispered, "Once she is dead she will drop her key, in her hut there is a chest with her true Grimoire. Please return this to me as it carries all of her secrets. I do not want that information in the wrong hands." Alistair raised an eyebrow as he overheard the conversation and thought that it would be in the wrong hands if Morrigan got a hold of it, but kept his thoughts to himself. Once Zevran was ready, Bridget led them through the thick bramble of the Wilds and began her way towards Flemeth's hut. The Wilds were unusually quiet, and Bridget couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were upon her. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, much like they had the night Howe murdered her family. Another curious thing was that they encountered no Darkspawn in the Wilds. Soon enough after much apprehension, Flemeth's dilapidated hut appeared in the distance, and upon approaching the rotting structure, so did Flemeth. She cast her cold, knowing eyes on Bridget and the others and quirked a brow. "Back again I see. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Bridget swallowed. "We know what your intentions are, for Morrigan." Flemeth threw her head back and cackled loudly. "So you have found my secrets, as Morrigan has found someone so willing to dance to her tune. If it is the Grimoire you wish, take it. I will disappear from here." Bridget narrowed her eyes. "Just like that?" she asked slowly. Flemeth crossed her arms. "Just like that." She repeated smoothly. Bridget drew her brows together and thought long and hard for a moment. If she simply let Flemeth go…what would happen if she decided to ambush them one day and take Morrigan then? Although…if she did let her flee, she and the others would avoid a tough battle." At long last Bridget made her decision by shaking her head. "I can't do that. I can't betray Morrigan." Flemeth's face grew dark. "If that's what you wish. You put too much trust in others, girl." She spat. Bridget withdrew her sword, but was thrown backward by the gust of wind that flew past her. When Bridget opened her eyes, a High Dragon stood instead of Flemeth. "She can turn into a dragon?" Alistair shouted. Of course she would turn into a dragon that was just their luck. Flemeth however was unlike the dragons they had faced before. Yes, those certainly paled in comparison to her. She was a fully grown dragon, which meant that she was fully powerful, her fire breath would scorch you in an instant, and every swing of her tail would hit you like a ton of bricks. Bridget stood and she and Alistair ran towards Flemeth whilst Zeus and Zevran tried to flank her at her sides. That tail of hers was bothersome, it had already nearly whacked Zevran who just jumped out of it's way in time. Flemeth blew fire out across them all, Bridget covered herself with her shield against the frightening heat. Zeus tried his best to nip at her large feet, jumping back when she raised one to kick him. They were getting in a few hits, which was good (and quite surprising). Alistair felt his stomach drop when Bridget was nearly caught in Flemeth's grasp. This was his mistake. Flemeth breathed fire towards Bridget and swooped her tail, slamming it into Alistair and thus knocking him back against the tree. Once Bridget removed her sword her blood chilled in her body. She screamed at the sight she saw before her and wanted the image out of her mind forever. Flemeth had Alistair pinned to the ground and was tearing at his armor with her sharp talons. Zevran ran for her and jumped into her back, burying his blades into her purple scaly skin. Once he drew Flemeth's attention away from Alistair, Bridget ran towards him and dropped to her knees. Alistair's splint-mail was not match for Flemeth's claws. There were deep scratches in his skin, spilling out his crimson blood. Everything going on around Bridget ceased. She heard nothing, saw nothing but Alistair…and she felt bile rise up in the back of her throat. She didn't even hear Flemeth's death cry or Zevran running back towards her. Bridget fought back her tears as she and Zevran lifted Alistair and hurriedly trudged through the Wilds and back to their friends. It was twilight before they made it out of the Wilds, and as soon as Bridget saw their camp in the distance, she screamed, "Wynne! Help us!" The old mage ran with great speed towards them and covered her mouth to suppress her gasp once she saw Alistair's form. "Bring him to the fire, quickly now." Leliana dropped her basket of berries once they set Alistair down by the fire and dropped to her knees in prayer. "Maker preserve us all, save this man who so valiantly fought against the dark spirits of this world…" Wynne asked her to fetch some water, which she did. Bridget helped Wynne remove Alistair's armor (or what remained of it) with shaky hands. Leliana returned with the water and Wynne and Bridget began to wash the blood from Alistair's skin. Wynne placed her hands on his chest and closed her eyes. Bridget watched as her hands erupted in a blue glow. "Did you get the book, the Grimoire?" Bridget narrowed her eyes and slowly stood. She did not want to look at Morrigan for fear of what she may do to her. She clenched her fists together and replied in a tight voice, "No." Morrigan crossed her arms. "Why?" she demanded. This was not the most logical thing to say. Bridget whipped around and stared at the apostate, fury blazing in her eyes and present in her voice. "Why? I'll tell you why! That abomination almost killed Alistair! Did you really think we were going to waste any second we had with searching that damned hut for some fucking book!" Morrigan's eyes widened, as did the others. No one had seen Bridget this furious before…and it was not a pretty sight. "If you want that damned book so bad go and get it yourself! I almost lost a friend to this shit, and I am not about to leave his side!" she shouted. With that Bridget turned back around and sat back next to Alistair, stroking his hair and holding his hand. Wynne continued to heal his wounds, and Zevran and Leliana watched as Morrigan disappeared into the Wilds. Zevran winced and removed his hand from his side. Leliana's eyes widened. "You're hurt!" she exclaimed. Zevran shook his head. "Ah, is but a new scratch to the many already covering my body. I could use a bandage though." Leliana retrieved some from her pack and followed Zevran to the other side of the fire. She helped him remove his armor and gently pressed the cool, wet cloth to the gash in his side. "How was Alistair wounded so?" she asked softly. Zevran shook his head. "I don't know…it all happened so fast. I do know one thing though. If he doesn't make it through this…I don't think Morrigan would have had to worry about Flemeth taking over her body. Bridget will probably kill her." Leliana gently wrapped the bandage around Zevran's chest and shoulder, pinning it together once an appropriate layer was laid on. Leliana replaced her bandages in her pack but stopped suddenly when she felt Zevran's hand on her shoulder. She turned around to look at him and brushed back some of his hair. "Thank you, for bandaging me, my dear." He whispered. Leliana smiled. "You're welcome, Zevran." She replied. She hugged him then and they remained in each others embrace for some time. Bridget wiped the grime and blood away from Alistair's face as Wynne had finally finished healing his internal injuries. Now she was working on closing the wounds, and Bridget found that the sound of flesh being sealed back together was a most unpleasant one. A knot grew in Bridget's stomach. Alistair still had not come to yet, and she was beginning to get worried. Wynne sighed as she removed her hands from his chest. "That is all I can do for now. We should stay at camp for a few days and let him recover. I expect he will wake either later tonight or sometime tomorrow." Bridget stood and embraced the aging mage in a strong hug. "Thank you for everything, Wynne." She whispered. Wynne nodded. "You are welcome." She replied wearily. She slowly slipped away to her tent and left Bridget and Alistair alone as Leliana and Zevran had retired for the night. Bridget sat down next to him and held his hand in hers, lacing their fingers. He would be scarred because of this, those scratches permanently etched into his skin. Bridget laid down next to him and pressed her lips to his cheek. She hadn't bothered to remove her armor, nor had she bothered to wash the dirt and blood from her skin. Exhaustion consumed Bridget's body. She rested her head against Alistair's shoulder and was able to say a final prayer to the Maker before falling into a deep sleep. A/N: So there you have it. Angry Bridget is kind of scary…this is a lesson to us all, let's not mess with her man ;) I had a really tough time with the fight scene, but my awesome friend swooped in and gave me some pointers. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!While AFF and its agents attempt to remove all illegal works from the site as quickly and thoroughly as possible, there is always the possibility that some submissions may be overlooked or dismissed in error. The AFF system includes a rigorous and complex abuse control system in order to prevent improper use of the AFF service, and we hope that its deployment indicates a good-faith effort to eliminate any illegal material on the site in a fair and unbiased manner. 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