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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
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Vir Tanadhal

“Come Da’len. While the others set up camp, we shall go hunting.” Lisha had pushed them through the forest for quite some time before suggesting to stop and set up camp. She had stated that the werewolves' lair wasn’t far and that stopping to rest for now would be a good idea, even if the sun was still in the sky.
Arawin grabbed her longbow and followed Lisha into the trees, away from the small clearing they had found to set up camp. It was awhile before they stopped in another, smaller clearing.
“In order to became a true hunter, you must first become one with your surroundings,” said Lisha. “This is your first lesson. Now, place your bow down and do as I do.” Arawin followed as she was told. “Stand straight, and close your eyes,” Lisha began. “In order to become one, you must be able to feel everything that is around you. Your eyes can show you many things, but your other senses are just as important. Listen to the sounds of the forest. Breathe in the wind in the air. Feel the heat upon your skin from the sun. Can you also taste all these things?”
Arawin followed Lisha’s commands. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She listened to everything that was around her. She could feel the wind and heat, as well as hear it as the wind made it’s way through the leaves.
“This is something that can be done in any environment that you find yourself in. The city, just as the forest can be filled with danger and you must be in tuned to your environment at all times. It is something that can take time to master, but once you do, then hunting will come easy. Nothing will take you by surprise. And even maybe, you will be able to hunt blindfolded. Now, open your eyes and string your bow.”
Arawin did so. “Can you hunt blindfolded?” she asked as she tried to string the large bow. Lisha already had hers done.
“I have done it on occasion, yes,” she said. “It’s actually something required, however, in order for me to dub you a true Dalish hunter.”
“Then I guess I won’t be one any time soon.”
“Just relax, Da’len. You still have a long way to go. Maybe later I can give you a demonstration.”
Arawin continued trying to string her bow, but it wasn’t cooperating with her. The thread did not want to reach the other side. She pulled as hard as she could, but was afraid she might break it. Lisha just watched patiently. “I could use some help,” Arawin finally said.
“If you loop the string in the beginning, then it will be much easier. Don’t worry, the string will not break.”
Arawin followed her advice, and before long was finally able to get it in place. She stared at the longbow in her hands. Is was huge, but surprisingly light. “Don’t you think it would be best to start me out with a shortbow?” she asked. Her uncertainty with the bow was still in her mind. She wasn’t sure if she could handle it.
“I know,” Lisha said smiling. “I do start out my students with the shortbow, but this is a different situation. I also don’t start them with ironbark either, but don’t worry, you will do fine.” Lisha took her own bow and notched an arrow. “We can now begin your second lesson. It is called the Vir Tanadhal or the Three Ways of the Hunter. First is the Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow. You must fly straight in order to reach your goal, unrelenting.” Lisha lifted her bow parallel to the ground and aimed straight. “The second is the Vir Bor’assan: the Way of the Bow. You must be able to bend without breaking.” She pulled back on the string, the bow bending only slightly. “And last is the Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood. Always remember that together you are strong and that each tree is part of the greater whole.” When she released, her arrow flew straight and clean through the clearing before landing in a tree only thirty feet away from them. Arawin could barely see as it wobbled in the bark.
“Now, I want you to hit my arrow,” said Lisha. “Split it cleanly if you can.”
Arawin stared at the arrow, dumbfounded. Could she really do it? It seemed almost impossible, but she couldn’t think that way. Arawin quickly took in a deep breath and notched an arrow and took aim. She was a little shaky, and when she pulled back on the string, it at first didn’t want to stretch. It took much of her strength to finally get the string pulled back. Then something went wrong. Whether she pulled it back too hard, or her tying wasn’t as good, but something snapped and hit her in the face. Arawin dropped the bow and arrow and began cursing from the pain.
Lisha stood patiently. Her face stayed neutral as she waited for Arawin to be done. “You pulled back too hard,” she said once the string of curses ceased. “Restring your bow and try again. This time, recite the Vir Tanadhal as you do.”
Arawin rubbed the bottom of her right eye. She could feel it beginning to swell. There was going to be a nice, big bruise there.
She restrung her bow and tried again. Arawin began to whisper the three ways as she readied the arrow. This time she didn’t pull back quite as hard, but she still wasn’t able to fire the arrow. The bow snapped back on her again, hitting her arm this time.
“Patients, Da’len,” Lisha said slowly. “You aren’t going to master this in one day.”
“Could you maybe show me how to fire?” Arawin asked. “I don’t want to be covered in bruises.”
Lisha shook her head. “I can only show you how I do it, which might not work for you. In order to find your own, you must experiment. Try something different, such as how you hold the bow or the arrow. The position of your arms, hands, and fingers. These all can be changed, and even the slightest movement can make a difference, so keep trying.”
Arawin continued to practice firing the arrows. She acquired fresh bruises all over her arms and even one on her abdomen before she was finally able to loose the arrow and it hit the tree next to the one Lisha’s was in. She was so excited when this happen, she cheered, but Lisha only told her to continue on. That she should cheer once her arrow had split the one waiting.
They were at it for quite some time, in which Arawin had gotten better and better. Soon, by the time Lisha stopped her, she had fired enough arrows in a row without a single bruise. She wasn’t able to hit Lisha’s arrow, but Arawin was still happy anyway. The fact that she could use the bow now was good enough for her. Aim and precision she would have to work on later.
“I believe it is time we start heading back,” said Lisha as she stared at the descending sun. “I’m sure the others are wondering where we are.”
“They know what we’re doing,” said Arawin.
“I know, but we still have one more thing to do. I don’t think the others would appreciate it if we returned with no game. I think now would be a good time for that demonstration.”
“Where are we going?”
“We don’t have to go anywhere. I can do it right here, without ever leaving this spot.”
“This I got to see,” Arawin smirked.
Lisha reached into her pack and handed Arawin a black bandana. “Tie this around my eyes, Da’len.”
Arawin took the bandana and did so. She checked to make sure the bandana was nice and tight as well as covering her eyes. “Is it good?” she asked. “Can you see?”
Lisha shook her head to test it. “It is fine. Now stand back, Da’len.”
Arawin backed away and watched as Lisha stood alert. She stared straight ahead, breathing slowly. Her head turned slightly to the sides, as she listened to the forest. Her movements were slow and graceful as she lifted her arm to grab an arrow out of the quiver. She notched it on the bow and lifted to aim, pointing it right at Arawin.
“I would move, Da’len, if I were you.”
Arawin moved out of the way as fast as she could when Lisha released her arrow. It flew by her head, speeding through the trees. Arawin heard it land with a crunch. Lisha already had the bandana off and was walking toward the spot the arrow had landed. Arawin followed her and when she saw the arrow, she was amazed. The arrow was sticking out of the base of a tree, embedded in the head of a snake. The snake was clearly dead, as the arrow had severed it’s spine, but the body still withered and curled around. Lisha bent down and collected her arrow and grabbed the tail.
“This should do,” she said examining the wriggling form. “Come.”
“Is that going to be enough for all of us?”
“I never said we were going back now,” said Lisha. “There are still creatures around here that can be ours for the taking. Let us see how well you are at hunting. This will be lesson three.”
***
It was dark when they returned. Lisha carried in her hands two dead snakes and a rabbit. Arawin had another rabbit and a squirrel. All of them were killed by Lisha, as Arawin was able to shoot her arrows without hurting herself, but she still needed to work on her aim as well as her distance. Arawin was concerned that she didn’t seem to be learning fast enough, but Lisha didn’t. She told her that she actually was learning fairly quickly, and that she shouldn’t expect too much on the first day. At least she was getting the basics down. Arawin had the entire journey to master them.
When they got back to camp, a fire was already blazing and Lisha took all the animals and walked over to Sten. Together they skinned and skewered them, placing the carcasses over the fire to roast. Sten seemed especially interested in the snake skin. He took the two skins and with his knife, began shaving off the fat and remnants of muscle. Lisha worked beside him with the furs of the rabbits and squirrel. Arawin noticed that she was humming something. She went over and sat down next to her.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.
“You can take your hunting knife and remove the fat from the back of this fur,” said Lisha as she handed her one of the rabbit pelts.
Arawin took the fur and began copying what she saw Lisha doing. “What do you plan on doing with them?”
“I don’t plan on anything. I am only preparing them right now, then when we return, I shall give them to Varathorn. He may be able to use them for armor lining, or whatever else he thinks they could work for.” She went back to humming her song and scraping the pelt.
Arawin returned to hers as well. They were silent for a while, the only sound was Lisha’s humming and the fire. Zevran and Morrigan were not there making Arawin assume they both were out setting the perimeters of the camp. They thought it best for Morrigan to not go alone as the threat of the werewolves was very great. She didn’t necessarily like the thought of the assassin going with her, but Morrigan had little choice.
After some time, Arawin stopped and looked out into the trees. She wondered what was taking them so long.
“Do not worry about them, Da’len,” Lisha said not taking her eyes from her work. “You’re mage friend is more than capable of taking care of herself, and Zevran is as well. Unless you are worried about what the two of them are doing together?”
“What? No!” Arawin cried. “They can do what they please. And besides... Morrigan would never do that.”
Lisha smiled slightly. “Of course.” She went back to her humming.
“What is that you’re humming?” Arawin had to know. The song sounded graceful and lovely in Lisha’s throat.
“It’s an old elvish song,” she answered. “One made long ago that was discovered before I was born.”
“What’s it about?”
“The song sings of sorrow and emerging from it. To endure even when things seem the most dire.”
“Yeah, like right now,” Arawin sighed. “This is a dire time with much sorrow. I try to endure, but there is one thing that concerns me.” Arawin paused and Lisha waited for her to continue. “From all the stories I've read and heard about Grey Wardens, it’s usually them that lose their lives while the rest live on.”
“That is your duty,” said Lisha. “That is why the Grey Wardens were created. To save humanity from it’s own corruption.”
“Yeah, but how am I suppose to emerge from that? Knowing I'll more than likely die.”
“That's why you need to endure, and keep moving forward, Da'len. Know that what you are doing is saving humanity. It is a worthy pursuit. Would you like to hear the words?”
“That would be nice.”
Lisha nodded. “The song actually sings of the Elvhen enduring after losing our ancient lands and traditions, but I believe the theme works for your sitiation.” She put down the knife and pelt and stood, gazing into the fire. It’s flames danced in her eyes.
“Melava inan enansal ir su araval tu elvaral u na emma abelas.”
The song was slow but crept out of Lisha’s mouth in beautiful waves. Arawin found herself being hypnotized by it’s rhythm, and Lisha’s wonderful voice.
“In elgar sa vir mana in tu setheneran din emma na.”
Lisha began walking slowly around the fire. Sten had stopped his own work and listened intently to the song, captured by it just as Arawin was.
“Lath sulevin lath araval ena arla ven tu virmahvir.”
By this time, Morrigan and Zevran had returned. They stood fixated on the edge of the camp, listening to the lyrics. Kunjo had even laid down next to the fire. His attention on Lisha.
“Melana 'nehn enasalr ir sa lethalin...” Lisha let the last syllable drift off her tongue before sitting back down on the log and went back to her work. Arawin looked at her in wonder.
“That was beautiful,” she whispered.
“It is a sad song,” Lisha sighed. “But yes... beautiful.”
“You are just full of surprises, my dear Lisha,” said Zevran. “An excellent hunter, gorgeous, and a beautiful singer. We are truly blessed to be in your presence.”
“One would think you were up to no good, Zevran, flirting with a married woman like you are.”
“Well, when I see something I like, a simple ring isn’t going to stop me.”
“How about the fact that I am older than you by quite a few years,” Lisha said as she got up and checked on the animals. They appeared done and she took them off the fire and started handing them out. She gave Zevran one of the snakes.
Looking at the snake, he sniffed it. “Hmm, are you trying to tell me something? Isn’t snake meat suppose to be an aphrodisiac?”
“What you are thinking of is nightcrawlers,” said Lisha. “They’re snake-like, but I wouldn’t suggest eating them. Not unless you're really lacking.”
Arawin listened to their conversation and laughed internally at Lisha’s joke. It was actually quite funny to watch Zevran flirt then get smacked down by Lisha.
“So, what’s the translation? I don’t understand a whole lot of Elvish, and that didn’t sound very familiar.” she asked, trying not to sound like she was interrupting their feud. She bit down on the rabbit and found it was actually pretty good.
Lisha swallowed the piece of squirrel she had just chewed before answering. “It’s old elvish, very old in fact. I can’t give you a translation, as there are still words and phrases in our language we don't understand.”
“Then how do you know what it's about?”
“It's what the Keepers tell us. They are the ones who keep and study the lost lure. What they say we take to be true. Keepers are normally never questioned.” Arawin noticed Lisha said this with contempt, as if she didn't believe it.
The rest of the night, they ate in silence before retiring to their tents.
“I shall take the first watch,” offered Lisha. “I need to work on replacing the arrows lost this evening, anyway.”
“Then wake me when you are finished,” said Sten. Lisha nodded to him and he went off into the woods and sat under a large maple tree. Soon everyone was gone besides Lisha and Arawin. Kunjo settled himself by the fire like he did every night and drifted off.
Arawin was reluctant to head off to bed just yet. Before going to his tent, Zevran had eyed her with a lustful grin. It had reminded her of the game they were playing and she hadn’t thought of anything. She wanted to follow him, but she wasn’t sure what to do. Finally she breathed in deep and stood, making her way to his tent.
“That is not your tent, Da’len,” Lisha said stopping her between the tent and fire. Arawin stood where she was and slowly looked back at Lisha, unable to think of something to say.
Lisha raised her eyebrow, realizing what she was doing. “I can’t say I approve,” she stated. “But I can’t stop you.” She looked away from Arawin and began carving a long piece of wood. “I will warn you, however, that you should get some sleep tonight. We will be getting up early to practice on your aim. And when I say early, I mean before the sun rises.”
“I-I understand,” Arawin said. She quickly made her way to Zevran’s tent and ducked in. As soon as she was inside, she was attacked and ended up in Zevran’s embrace, his lips on hers and his hands roaming around her body. They found her exposed mid drift and his arms wrapped around her tight.
“Did you get caught?” he said teasingly. He began kissing her neck, making his way down to her chest.
“For a moment I thought she wasn’t going to let me.”
“Like she could stop you.” He began unbuckling her breastplate as his lips brushed against her skin.
Arawin grabbed his hands to stop him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Zevran stopped his assault on her chest and looked at her questioning. “Is there a problem?”
“The only problem is that you think I’ll come in here and do whatever you say, well that ain’t happening. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m in charge. Whatever I say, you have to do.”
His eyes brightened as a devilish little smile slowly crept up his face. “Really? And what makes you think I’m going to listen to you?”
Arawin pushed him down on the ground and sat on top of his chest. “Because if you don’t I might have to punish you. Now let me see...” Arawin backed up and sat on his hips as she thought. Zevran took this opportunity and sat up, kissing her and letting his hands roam her back. Arawin stopped him once more and forced him back down, holding his arms above his head.
“You just don’t listen very well, do you?”
“I can’t help it,” he said. “You are just so ravishing. Who knew I would have a Dalish fetish. That armor really makes you look dangerous. I just can’t keep my hands off you. You may have to restrain me.” Zevran indiscreetly gestured to some rope that just so happened to be in the corner of the tent.
Arawin reached out and grabbed it. “I suppose this will do.” She tied his hands together as well as his feet and took her regular position on his hips. “That’s better. Now, I want you to pay special attention to me, because I’m only going to say this once. I’m in charge tonight, and if you are a good boy and do what I say, then everything will go smoothly. But, if you're a bad boy, well... this could be a long night.”
***
No one was sure how long they had fought. Zelda and her friends did nothing but fight abominations and climb up stairs unaware of time. Every time they came up to a new floor, they searched every single room. They did this to make sure that every abomination was killed, and to also see if there were any survivors. So far, they had found none. Wynne looked stricken as they searched. The situation was starting to become dire. Were there really that many mages dead? Zelda was starting to wonder if looking for survivors was a waste of time. They were certainly fighting enough abominations to make one think that all mages had become one, and they weren’t just restricted to adults either.
Many of the abominations they could kill easily. The more they fought the more they learned, but more than once they came across abominations that were also children. One, an abomination of hunger, Zelda saw to once be a little girl. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do when it came to killing her. She only hoped that she wouldn’t have to do the same thing to Connor. That was the reason why she was here in the first place. They fought several other child abominations as well, and Zelda noticed that she wasn’t the only one hating herself for striking down a child.
After awhile, Zelda also was able to spot the differences between the abominations. There were five different types, and they each had a different look. The rage ones were covered in the purple splotches that appeared to be bruises of some sort. Their shrieks were the loudest and they were the fastest and the easiest to anger. The ones of desire were scraggly with gray, dry skin and wind-swept hair. Their eyes blood shot, and they more moaned than shrieked. Hunger abominations were large, with protruding bellies, and a stink that lifted from their crud covered skin. They howled like dogs and mostly attacked with their sharp, blackened teeth. The abominations of sloth were covered in a thick layer of slim, hair and skin dripping with it. They were slow, but they made up for it with their strength, making them the strongest when it came to brute strength, but not the most dangerous. Those were the abominations of pride. They stood massive and firm with hard, set eyes. Their skin was blue and frozen, but also cracked and icy blood drained down from the wounds. All abominations did have one thing in common, however. They all had strange, puss oozing growths about their skin. As well as pointed teeth and eyes of red fury.
It wasn’t until the small group made it to the fourth floor that it seemed the onslaught of abominations had stopped. They took a little break, allowing their bodies to relax and heal for a moment before they would continue on. Wynne used her healing spells to treat their wounds and also to give them back stamina. Zelda didn’t think any of them would have be able to make it much longer if it wasn’t for her. She had already suffered several sever wounds which included broken bones and deep gashes from claws and teeth. Everyone had suffered from such wounds. Zelda just hoped that Wynne wasn’t exerting herself for their sake.
Before long, they decided to continue on. So far, as they checked every room, they came across no abominations of any sort. It was a relief, and they hoped this meant that their task was coming to a close.
“I think we’re done with this floor,” said Zelda as they came up to the next flight of stairs that would lead to the fifth floor. “There is nothing on this floor, which is good.”
“Not yet,” said Wynne. “There is still one last area we need to check before continuing.” She pointed to a small alcove, hidden at the end of the hall. Zelda had completely missed it.
Straightening herself and looking at Alistair and Leliana, they headed toward the alcove and began searching the few rooms that were within. So far their luck was holding. There were no abominations in any of the rooms. Finally they reached the last one, in which once they opened the door, their luck changed.
There were two abominations in this room. One was of hunger while the other of desire. They were scratching at a wardrobe, barking and moaning as they tried to claw their way in. Quickly, Zelda and her companions made their move, drawing their weapons and attacking the abominations before they realized they were there.
Zelda leaped at the desire one, sweeping Silverbrand and cutting the once woman across the back. The desire abomination moaned and turned to her assailant and began running towards her. The creature was completely missing all of her clothes as well as large patches of hair on her head. She moaned loudly, and struck Zelda’s shield. This didn’t cause the warrior to falter, however. Zelda had readied her stance, waiting for the abomination to do so. When she did, Zelda then pushed back and then swung Silverbrand low, cutting the creatures legs off. The abomination fell to the floor with a crunch. Blood spurted from the exposed and splintered bones of her legs, landing on Zelda’s leggings and staining her shield. The abomination clawed at the air, desperately trying to stand and renew her attack on Zelda, but she wouldn’t allow it. Zelda jumped on the creature's chest and drove Silverbrand into her neck. The creature moaned one last blood clotted gurgle before laying still.
Zelda cleaned off Silverbrand as she saw the others had taken care of the hunger abomination. They all stood, covered in blood and gore, but happy with the results.
“I wonder why they were trying to get in this wardrobe,” Leliana said as she walked up to it. Rupee was right behind her. She sniffed it before beginning to growl.
“Leliana, step back,” said Zelda as she raised her shield and came up to the wardrobe. She saw it shaking, and heard something move inside. “There’s something in there.”
Alistair was beside her and examined the wardrobe himself. Shield up, he grabbed the handle and looked toward Zelda. “Get ready,” he whispered. “I feel magic.” Zelda nodded, and readied herself for anything that might come out.
With a quick pull, Alistair opened the wardrobe. In an instant, something yelped with surprise and fell from the wardrobe right at Zelda’s feet. When she looked down, she was shocked to see a young mage, completely himself, cowering.
“Please! Don’t hurt me!” he pleaded covering his face. “I'm not an abomination, I swear!”
“We’re not going to hurt you,” said Wynne. “Now stand up, young man.”
“W-Wynne?” he said, slowly uncovering his face. “Teacher, is that you?”
Zelda’s heart nearly stopped. Her eyes wide as she stared down at the mage. She should have known. That long, shaggy blonde hair, the same crystal blue eyes. “Keiven!” she nearly shouted.
The mage looked up at her with the same shock. “Zelda?”
In a flash Zelda had him swept in her arms, twirling around like a cyclone. “You’re alive! You’re alive! You’re alive!” she chanted. “Oh, Keiven, I was so worried!” Zelda stopped her twirl and squeezed the young mage closer to her chest.
“Zelda... you’re... squishing... me...”
“Oh, sorry.” She let him go and placed her hands on his shoulders to look in his eyes. “Are you all right? Those abominations didn’t hurt you, did they?”
“What? No... no.” Keiven backed away from her. “Do you really think those abominations could hurt me? Ha! If I wasn’t trapped in that wardrobe, I could've taken them on, easy.”
“Uh huh.”
Alistair cleared his throat. “Apparently you two know each other?”
Zelda glanced at him, a little annoyed at his mood. “Yes... you could say that.” She felt her checks beginning to turn red.
Alistair noticed and looked from her to Keiven several times. “Can... can it be?”
“Can what be?” asked Leliana.
“Keiven,” said Zelda. “He’s my brother.”

Song: Suledin, sung during the dungeon scene in the DLC Leliana's Song
For the abominations in the tower, I based their descriptions off from Dante's Inferno. Depending on the sin, determines which circle of Hell one would go. Here is where each of the descriptions came from (what sin they are based off of from the book and what circle they can be found in).
Rage (Wrath) - Circle 5
Hunger (Glutton) - Circle 3
Sloth (Sullen) - Circle 5
Desire (Carnal) - Circle 2
Pride - Circles 8 and 9
- 30
- 31
- 32
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Blood Bond