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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
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 32
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Battle Within

“You need to concentrate, Da’len.” Lisha was a little frustrated with how slow Arawin was going, as well as how horrible her shooting had become. “I warned you last night, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” Arawin said, dragging out the word. She felt exhausted and wasn’t hitting any where near the mark. She had even gone back to snapping the string on her arms again.
Arawin had only gotten an hour of sleep before she was dragged out of her tent by Lisha. The cold air hit her naked skin, causing her to jolt awake. It only took a few seconds for her to realize where she was and why Lisha was looking down at her with a glare.
“I want you dressed and ready in ten minutes,” Lisha said before walking away. “We have a lot to do before heading out.”
Arawin quickly scrambled back into her tent, hoping that no one had seen her. She wouldn’t be a very good leader if she was seen in nothing but what the Maker gave her. Except for Zevran, of course. Thinking of him made Arawin curse. He was such a bad influence on her, but she couldn’t deny that last night was fun. In fact it was better than their first time, in her opinion at least. She had taken the lead, tying him up and basically torturing him with pleasure. She did eventually let him go, in which he had attacked her, ravishing and compulsive. Neither of them had lasted long after that.
When she finally emerged from the tent, she found that the sun hadn’t even risen yet. It was still fairly dark, and the air was cold with a light mist. Dew stuck to the ground in the phase between water and ice. She found Lisha next to the fire with her arms crossed and an impatient look on her face. When Arawin came to her, Lisha began to examine her from head to toe.
“You look horrible, Da’len.”
“I feel horrible,” Arawin yawned. “Couldn’t I've had at least one more hour?”
“No.” Lisha continued her inspection, even touching and moving Arawin around. “Straighten your back and make sure your shoulders are square. Make the breastplate a little tighter, and turn your skirt around. It’s backwards.” Arawin did as she was told, even if she was still half asleep when she did it.
“Never come to me looking like this again, Da’len,” Lisha continued. “I will let it go for now, as well as your hair because it looks a mess, but I will not tolerate this type of behavior for the rest of the time we are traveling together and I am instructing you. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now grab your bow and we’ll get started. The others can hold down camp until we return. Then we can go on through the forest and towards the werewolves' lair.”
“Gee, I almost forgot about them,” said Arawin as she followed Lisha and rubbed her eyes. They were burning from lack of sleep and her head felt heavy along with the rest of her body. Even if her night with Zevran had been more pleasurable than before, it was not more refreshing.
For the rest of the morning, as the sun began to rise, Lisha had wanted to work on Arawin’s aim, but it wasn’t going to be possible with her tiredness. Lisha began rubbing her temples when one of Arawin’s arrows barely went ten feet from her and the bowstring struck her once more on the arm.
“I know this is only your second day, Da’len, but normally my students don’t start going backwards on just their second attempts.”
“Sorry,” Arawin said as she went to pick up the arrow. “But you know I’m tired and I can’t see the arrow in the tree very well.”
“Your sight has nothing to do with the fact that you can’t even use the bow properly.” Lisha closed her eyes and shook her head. “Somehow I knew this was going to happen. That boy has some type of influence on you that you can’t seem to repel.”
“He does have his charms, doesn’t he?”
“He is young and naive as are you.” Lisha came up to her and gestured for the bow. “Go ahead, Da’len. Get something to eat and rest for a moment. We’ll work on this later. Right now you may need your strength more for if we run into the werewolves.”
Arawin reluctantly gave Lisha her bow. She really did want to continue trying, but she also knew that Lisha was right. “Again... I’m sorry.”
“Just make sure it doesn’t happen again, or if it does, you at least get some sleep. I can’t fully keep you away from him, but I would hope you would be able to control the situation at least.”
“I will.” Arawin looked down at the ground, ashamed. She could tell Lisha was disappointed in her, and it didn’t make her feel any better.
Lisha only nodded before turning back to camp and walking away from the area. Arawin sat on a rock and closed her eyes. She could feel the warmth from the sun’s rays hitting her back and neck through the trees. It felt good, and made her even more sleepy. She probably would have fallen back asleep right there if it wasn’t for the sneak attack.
Zevran tackled her and they tumbled to the ground. It knocked the wind out of her and at first she started fighting, thinking he was a werewolf or something just as horrible. It wasn’t until he had her pinned to the grass that she realized it was him.
“Zevran!” she screamed angry. “Did you have to do that? I thought you were a werewolf!”
“Well if that is what you want, mi querida, then I can pretend.” Zevran began gently nibbling at her neck, growling lightly and scratching at her chest.
Arawin laughed as he did so. “No, cut it out! Come on! Let me up.”
Zevran stopped and chuckled as he rolled off her and let her sit up. “You look tired, my dear.”
“Really, I do? Huh, I wonder why?” Arawin gave him a sarcastic look. “It’s not like I had someone keeping me up all last night.”
“I believe it was the other way round. After all, I was the one tied up.”
“Uh, what does it matter anyway,” Arawin said dusting herself off and adjusting her armor. “Lisha’s mad at me for it. This morning I was so tired, I couldn’t even shoot the arrows properly. A huge back step from yesterday.”
“Yeah, I saw,” he said.
“You were watching?”
“Just today. Yesterday I stayed back, so I can’t really compare. But you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself, and neither should Lisha. It’s only your second day learning. It took me at least a week before I found my technique.”
“Then I guess I am better than you,” Arawin said with a big smile. “I found mine on the first day. Course I lost it. Now I just need to try and get it back.”
“Practice, mi querida. Practice.” Zevran reached into his pouch and pulled out something wrapped in cloth and handed it to her.
Arawin took it, smelling the contents instantly, making her stomach rumble. When she unwrapped the cloth, she found some jerky inside. “Oh, thanks Zev. I’m starving!”
“I thought you would be,” he said standing up. He let down his hand to help her stand as well. “I thought I would bring both you and Lisha some breakfast, courtesy of Morrigan, but after hearing her comments, I thought it best if Lisha didn’t see me.”
“So you heard our conversation as well?” Arawin asked with a full mouth.
“I heard everything, and if you wish to stop our little game, then I would respect your wishes.”
Arawin swallowed before she answered. “I don’t really want to stop, especially since we just got started, but... maybe if we slowed down. At least while we’re here. Or if it didn’t last throughout the whole night, maybe.”
“Hmm, I could try that,” he said considering. “But it might be a little hard for me.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to force it out of you, huh?” Arawin pushed him playfully. Zevran grabbed her by the waist and pushed her up against a tree. He looked deeply into her eyes, and Arawin had to quickly swallow the piece of jerky that was in her mouth.
“That does sound like fun,” he said, his voice smooth. “Perhaps we could try it now. After all, it is my turn.”
Arawin grinned stupidly at him. The giddiness starting to take over her system. Everything about him was driving her wild: his smell, his voice, the way he felt pressed against her, the way he tasted when he brought his lips to hers, and those eyes. Those eyes! Why were they so alluring? Arawin couldn’t help but to be lost in them. When he kissed her deeply, he also pressed his body closer to hers, pushing her into the tree. She began to fall into his embrace, wanting him to take her then and there.
A sharp pain splintered her head and Arawin stiffened.
Zevran noticed her sudden change in stance and stopped kissing her to see the grimace on her face. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
The grimace disappeared only to be replaced with confusion. Her eyes blinked rapidly as if she were trying to focus on something not there. Zevran was confused himself. He took her by the shoulders and tried to look in her eyes, but they would not look back at him.
“Ara? Ara! What is wrong with you?”
“Z-Zev...” Her voice was shaky and sounded panicked. “Zev, where are you? Where are we? What happened to the forest?”
“Ara, I’m right here,” Zevran said, slightly shaking her. “What are you talking about?”
“We... ah!” Arawin began screaming and her hands flew to her head. She pushed herself away from the tree and collapsed to her knees on the ground. Zevran went over to check on her, but then something hit him hard in the gut. He found himself pinned back to the tree, a knife at his throat, and Lisha looking at him with murder in her eyes.
“What did you do to her?” she screamed, pressing the knife into his skin.
“What? I... I didn’t do anything!” Zevran said annoyed with the fact that Lisha would even think such a thing. “She just all the sudden started screaming.”
“And why should I believe that?” Lisha said calmly, her voice full of malice. “Do not think that I don’t know who you are, Crow.”
Now Zevran was starting to get mad with her. He chanced a glance at Arawin. She was still screaming and holding her head. “I wasn’t trying to hide it,” he said when he felt Lisha press him to the tree even more. “If Arawin didn’t tell you, then that’s not my fault.”
“It will be if she dies.”
By this time Morrigan and Sten had made it to the scene, brought there by Arawin’s screams. Morrigan quickly went over to her and pried her hands from her head. “Arawin, what is it?” she said looking into the elf’s eyes. “What is going on?”
“We... we're being attacked.” Her breathing was heavy, body trembling and her voice shook with every syllable.
“You are being attacked by who?”
“A-a man. He tries to take us over. He-he tries... but did not expect us. Did not expect two.”
Morrigan eyed her. She took Arawin’s head and forced her eyes open. There she saw within them movement. Blue sparks shot from the pupil through the green to the white sclera like wheel spokes. She let go of Arawin’s head, but still held on to her to keep her up.
“What do you see?” she asked.
“We see a f-forest. We see... a circular room. The man, ah, he burns our mind. Blood mage. Demon. Won’t... let... him...” Arawin replaced her hands on her head and held in a scream. “We will fight him together. He cannot win!”
Morrigan looked up at Lisha, who hadn’t taken her own eyes away from Zevran the entire time.
“Well?” Lisha asked sensing Morrigan’s stare. “What is it?”
“It is not he,” the witch answered. “It is the bond. I hope Arawin told you of it.”
“She did,” said Lisha, but she still refused to take her gaze away from Zevran. Her stance never let up, but she did lower the knife a little. Zevran continued to stare at her, readying himself if need be. “Are you sure it’s the bond?”
“I’m positive.”
“Then what can we do?”
“Nothing, as the battle is happening far from where we are. It is Zelda who is being attacked, and it is only with either her success or death that Arawin will be freed.”
“What do you mean?” Lisha took a chance and glanced her eyes over toward Arawin but didn’t turn her head.
“Arawin is only being used to help fight the evil that is attacking Zelda, but it does not yet know of the connection to her, so right now she is safe. All we can do is try and make her comfortable and hope that the battle ends soon. Once it does, then Arawin should be fine.”
Lisha finally turned her head completely away from Zevran and peered down at Morrigan and Arawin. She could see that Arawin was already starting to scream less. She seemed more as if she was concentrating on something. Perhaps she finally got the hang of it and was now fighting this unknown evil. Lisha knew about the bond, and about the human Arawin was connected to, but that didn’t mean she understood it. Arawin wouldn’t give her the specifics, just that it was an accident that happened during their Joining to become Grey Wardens. Lisha didn’t press to get anymore of it out of her, as she knew also about secrets.
“She will be fine?”
Morrigan nodded her head. “As long as the demon doesn’t find the connection, but I don’t think that will happen. I will keep an eye on her, though.”
“Good.” Lisha then looked at Sten. “Sten, could you please take her to camp. I’ll be there shortly.”
Sten bent down and picked Arawin up. The elf didn’t fight him. She now seemed to be completely in herself, as if nothing from the outside could get her attention. Lisha watched Sten and Morrigan leave the clearing before she brought her attention back to Zevran. She froze.
Zevran had let his face loosen when Lisha had looked away. He stared over at Arawin, concerned for her. This bond thing seemed to be nothing but trouble for her. When Lisha looked back at him, something changed in her face. She got caught in his eyes, and looked the way most women did when he gave them that look he was so famous for. But he wasn’t giving her that look at the moment. Instead, he stared at her confused. What was with her now?
“Zevran...” she whispered slowly, sounding more as if she were saying it to try and confirm something. She took the knife from his throat and let him go. “I apologize,” she said. Lisha then turned away from him and began walking away, but she didn’t head toward the camp.
“Wait a minute,” Zevran muttered after her. He felt his throat and noticed a small amount of blood on his fingers. He was starting to become angry again, but not because of that. He watched as Lisha made her way through the trees. There was something about her that made him wonder. Something that he hadn’t noticed before. She had basically snuck up on him when she attacked. He thought no one was able to do that to him. He was always aware. Always certain about his surroundings, but not with her. He needed to find out what she was hiding. She was obviously trying to get him to follow her. Why else would she not go toward the camp? If that was what she wanted, then he would oblige.
***
Zelda stood her ground, facing Uldred fully. She didn’t know where the others were, or what was happening to them. She just knew that she needed to fight Uldred with all she had.
She could feel Arawin’s presence. It was very strong, pulsating and bright like the sun. She could also see through Arawin’s eyes. There were many trees, and at one point an elf came into her view. Zelda knew him to be Zevran. He looked alarmed at her state. She couldn’t hear him, though. In fact, she couldn’t hear anything of Arawin. No thoughts or speech. Zelda could just feel that she was there and see what she could see.
The visions kept going back and forth: trees then the room, trees then the room. Soon they blurred together. Trees stood in the background, fading in and out like ghosts.
“What is this?” Uldred hissed. “There are two of you? How is that even possible?”
“We do not need to explain anything to you,” said Zelda. Her eyes exploding inward with the colors of blue and green. She narrowed them and fought him hard inside her head. She wasn’t actually sure what he might be trying to do. He couldn’t possess her, could he? Demons could only possess mages, or so she thought. No, that wasn’t what was working here. It wasn’t a demon trying to force it’s way into her body, into her mind and take over. What was at work was blood magic. Evilness snaking into her mind and trying to corrupt her thoughts. Trying to control only her mind, just like he had done to Cullen.
Give it up, she heard Uldred’s voice say in her head. There is no way you will be able to resist me forever. Even with two, eventually you both will tire while I will not.
You can try and take us, but we will fight you to the end, Zelda thought. She tried pushing him out, but it didn’t seem to work. Fire was burning through her brain. Heat radiating from a hot poker that had sliced through her mind. It was this hot poker that they needed to push back. Zelda and Arawin kept going, kept trying to get Uldred out of Zelda’s mind, but they soon learned that he was right. They were beginning to tire while he seemed to only be biding his time, waiting for the opportunity before he could really strike.
Zelda didn’t want to give up, but she could feel her strength wan. She thought of the others. She couldn’t see them. Where was Keiven and Alistair? Where did Wynne and Leliana go? Esumi had disappeared as well as Rupee and all the other mages. Were they being attacked as well? Zelda fell to her knees. She couldn’t fail, she just couldn’t. She had promised Connor she would return.
A wave of a cool, clearing sensation washed over her and with it, Uldred was instantly pushed out. Once his threat was gone, she felt Arawin's being spring back across the distance that separated them. The coolness washed over her mind, healing the burns the blood magic had created, as well as reviving her a little. Zelda knew this to be templar magic. It was the same thing Alistair had used in order to dispel the magic used by the mages they had fought in the lower levels. She felt someone run by her side. Zelda looked up, hoping to see Alistair there, readying himself in anticipation to fight Uldred, but who she saw wasn’t Alistair at all. It was Cullen.
Zelda stared up at the templar, amazed that he was standing right there. He was no illusion, she was sure of it. “I knew you could do it,” she said.
Cullen had both hands on the greatsword he carried, eyes determined and stance ready to strike. “How did you know?” he asked, though he never glanced in her direction.
“I didn’t,” she said standing by his side. “I just thought that if you knew the truth it might help.”
Cullen shifted his gaze to hers and nodded. “It did.”
Zelda looked behind her to see the others shaking their heads and standing from being on the floor. They all looked to be all right and nodded towards her to confirm it. She was glad to see them all alert and ready.
“I should've known you’d be a thorn in my side,” said Uldred as he got his bearings back. The hit of dispelling magic Cullen released had knocked him down, cracking his head on the marble floor. Blood ran down his bald head, going into his eyes and down his face. “I should've killed you along with that little elven whore of yours.”
Cullen growled. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that! I’ll cut you down for what you’ve done.” Cullen made to move forward, but stopped when Uldred began laughing sadistically.
“You think you can kill me? Ha! Watch as you witness your doom.” Uldred lifted his hands and his whole body began to glow with a reddish light. He then began to grow larger, limbs elongating as well as his head and body. When the light died, standing before them was no abomination Zelda had ever seen before. He was much larger than the others. He still had the frozen and cracked skin of a pride abomination, but he was darker and had bone-like structures sticking out all over his body. His eyes were red and glowed like fire. Uldred, or what used to be Uldred, smiled down at them with two rows of jagged teeth.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” Wynne said coming beside Zelda. “That’s not just an abomination. He has become a full demon.”
“I don’t care,” said Cullen. “He’ll pay for what he--” He stopped in mid sentence, mouth hanging open and Zelda soon saw what he was seeing.
Lying on the floor behind the demon was Esumi. There was a pool of blood surrounding her head, while the other abominations hovered over her, acting like a pack of ravenous wolves determining who would feast first.
Cullen gritted his teeth and charged forward. His war cry blasting it’s way around the room. He swung his sword at the demon, determined to get past him to get to Esumi. The demon took his great hand and swiped it at Cullen. They both clashed with a huge bang. The sword cut through the demon’s skin, but did not stop it enough, and he hit Cullen, knocking him down.
“Quick,” shouted Zelda. “We need to help him. Leliana, Keiven, can you try and free the other mages?”
“I can do that,” said Keiven. Leliana nodded, agreeing with him.
“Right. Wynne, stay back and try attacking him, but mostly watch us.”
“You don’t have to worry, I'll watch out for you,” Wynne said.
Zelda smiled. “Good. Alistair, Rupee, that means you’re with me. Let’s go kick some demon ass.”
“Huh, I never thought I’d hear you say that,” said Alistair.
“No, but this guy really pissed me off, so I would really like a piece of him.”
“Then let’s get going.”
They all headed in the direction they were sent to go. Leliana and Keiven went to the edges of the room to free the mages. It would take a longer time than they expected as they were being held down by magic and Keiven wasn’t very strong.
Zelda and the others rushed forward to help Cullen. The templar had already risen and was attacking the demon once more, rage radiating from all over his body as he desperately hacked at the demon to get past him. Zelda took Silverbrand and jammed it right into the demon's skin, but her blade only bounced away from it’s thick hide. She tried again, but the same result happened. She noticed that Alistair was having the same problem. She looked over at Wynne and the mage saw her plight and chanted something before lifting her staff. Zelda felt something attach to her sword and it began to glow a bluish light. When she struck at the demon again, this time Silverbrand was able to cut through the hide, making him turn on her and Alistair.
This gave Cullen the chance to strike hard as he brought his sword down onto the demon’s back. It ripped through skin, muscle, sinews, and bone, causing the demon to roar out in pain, turning back on Cullen.
Zelda heard also scratching and scrapping. She quickly glanced over and saw the three pride abominations fighting one another, still trying to determine who would get to have Esumi. “Alistair, Rupee, quick! Take care of those before they do something to Esumi.”
Alistair nodded, though he was reluctant to leave her side. Rupee barked once before leaping over and taking down one of the abominations with her great weight. Zelda turned her attention back to Cullen and the demon. She wanted to help Alistair and to make sure Esumi was okay, as the blood around her head looked to be getting bigger, but she couldn’t just leave Cullen alone.
A bolt of magic went past Zelda’s head, hitting the demon in the gash that went down his back. The demon shrieked again, turning in all directions to see where it had came from. Zelda had to maneuver out of the way of it’s giant hands that nearly took her footing. Wynne then summoned a large rock within mid air and hurdled it toward the demon, hitting him squarely in the face. The demon roared it’s protest and began making it’s way toward Wynne with a fury that clearly showed on it’s face. Zelda charged at it, slamming her shield into the demon’s leg. It stumbled for a moment, but then got it's balance back, and struck at Zelda with it’s hand, flinging her across the room. Zelda hit the wall and slid down to the floor. Sparks and lights flashed before her eyes. She could hear the screams and cries of the battle being fought all around her, but it all seemed distance. She could feel herself slipping and tried to keep from being taken into darkness.
“Zelda!” She could barely see her brother’s face in her line of sight. “Hang on, I’ll heal you.” She could feel something closing in the back of her skull, as well as a warm sensation running through her, just like when Wynne had rejuvenated her so many times before. Her vision soon cleared, and she felt better.
“Thanks Keiven,” she said standing back up and gripping her sword. “Have you freed everyone yet, cause we could really use their help.”
“I’m trying,” he said. “But the magic bonds are so strong, I don’t know if I can do them all. Plus many of the mages are so weak from their mental fights, that they may not be able to do anything.”
“Still free them, and if they can, tell them to help.” Zelda ran back into the fray. She saw Alistair struggling with one of the last abominations. She quickly threw herself on it, stabbing it in the throat and slicing through it’s neck. It fell to the ground, head still attached to it’s body by a few muscle strands.
“Wynne!” Zelda yelled, getting the mage’s attention. “Check on Esumi!” Wynne nodded and hurried over to the elven mage’s side and began examining her.
Once she was there, Zelda, Alistair and Rupee made their way back over to Cullen and the demon. They swung and hacked at the demon, trying to bring him down. He had gashes and was bleeding all over the floor. Zelda couldn’t be for sure, but it looked as if the demon was weakening. If so, then all they needed to do was bring him down and deal the final blow.
The demon swung it’s arms, determined to bring the four warriors attacking it down, but with one last smash with their shields, Zelda and Alistair brought the creature down to it’s knees. The demon breathed out hard as if it was out of breath. Cullen came up to it’s head, breathing hard as well and covered in a glistening film of sweat.
“You die here, demon,” he said lifting up his sword, then pointing it down to strike.
The demon then began to laugh. “Not yet,” it breathed. “Watch this.” A cry then came from Wynne, and something moaned behind them that Zelda recognized. It was the moan of a desire abomination, and when she looked back she saw one standing in the place where Esumi had been laying.
Cullen looked over with wide eyes, mouth agape. “No,” he whispered, shaking his head with horror.
The abomination moaned once again before flinging itself at Cullen. It went so fast, he had no time to react. The abomination landed on him, causing him to drop his sword and smash to the ground. He fought her, trying to get her off, trying to keep her claws from digging into his skin. Zelda and Alistair ran up to help, but he yelled at them to stop.
“No! She’s not your responsibility,” he protested. “Come on Esumi, stop this. Don’t make me kill you. I know you’re in there. I know you can fight this!”
He finally flung her off, and she went skidding across the floor. She stopped and stood, ready to attack again. Cullen was up, sword back in hand and faced her, ready to pierce her if she came closer to him.
“Don’t do it,” Keiven sobbed. “Please don’t kill her.”
“It’s too late,” said Wynne. “She’s already gone.”
“I don’t believe it!” cried Zelda. “It can’t be true.” She never knew the elven mage, but something told her that she was special. Not only to Keiven, but also to Cullen as well, and perhaps even to Jowan. Wynne seemed very hurt and disturbed by the scene that was in front of them. She even heard gasps of horror and surprise from the mages still against the walls.
“I don’t believe it either,” said Cullen. “And I won’t.”
A low rumble began to emit from the demon. They all looked at it to see that the sound was laughter. It’s glowing red eyes pierced into Cullen’s, as the laughter began to intensify. “You promised her, didn’t you?” it said. “You better not hesitate.”
Cullen gripped his sword even tighter. His anger clearing showing on his face as he stared at the demon. “How dare you,” he said through his teeth. “This is not over.”
Cullen took one last look at Esumi. “I will not hesitate, my love. Just like I promised.” He lifted his sword and ran toward her with determination. The abomination that once was Esumi moaned then ran right for him. Everything then went into slow motion as the two got closer. Cullen raised his sword above his head, preparing to strike. When they came to each other... he went right past her only to sink his sword into the demon that was once Uldred’s head. The demon shrieked and cried in pain, it’s body flinging all over as a bright light began to emit from all around. Cullen let go of his sword and stumbled back as soon as the demon exploded with a bright light and cries of agony.
Once the light died, everyone looked back to see nothing where the demon was except for a black stain in the marble. Cullen’s sword had also turned completely black and stood up from the floor, part of it still in the marble. But Cullen didn’t go for it, instead he ran toward Esmui, who was lying on the floor again on her belly. He picked her up and turned her over, taking her in his arms. Keiven ran over, wanting to see what was happening. When he got there, he saw that Esumi had gone back to normal. No longer was she an abomination, but back to her old self again. Cullen held her close, trying to keep from crying.
“She’s not... is she?” Keiven whispered.
“I...” but Cullen wasn’t able to say anything.
“Damn your armor,” they heard a harsh whisper say coming from Esumi’s lips. “Why must you always wear so much?”
Cullen took her head in his hands and cried with joy as he gazed into her eyes. “Thank the Maker you’re all right. I thought I had lost you for sure.”
“And I thought the same about you,” she said. He brought her lips to his and they kissed deeply in their embrace. He squeezed her closer, and she flinched a little.
“I missed you too,” said Esumi. “But please not so rough.”
“Sorry. It’s just... that was such a nightmare I had to live through. I'm so glad it’s over with.”
“Oh, this isn’t good,” said Alistair when the others came to the scene. “Mages and templars aren’t suppose to be in this type of relationship.”
“What are you talking about?” said Zelda. “I don’t see anything inappropriate.”
“Yes, I think it’s so cute and heart-warming,” Leliana stated.
“Huh?” Alistair said looking at the two women.
“As do I,” said Wynne. “I see them acting just as they should be.”
“Or at least how things should be able to go if it were only allowed.” They all turned to see the first enchanter come and stand in their little group.
“Irving!” cried Wynne. “Oh, I am so glad to see you are not dead.”
Irving held his side a bit but didn’t seem too bad. “I’ve... been better. But I am thankful to be alive. I believe I have you to thank for that?” he said toward Zelda.
“Not just me,” she said. “But everyone here. Especially Cullen. I don’t think we would've been able to do what we did without him.”
“The Circle owes both of you a debt we will never be able to repay. But I think it is time to get moving, yes? The templars will be waiting, I’m sure. We shall let them know that the tower is once again ours.”
***
Lisha had disappeared. Zevran had watched her walk behind a large oak tree. He hurried to get around it, but found nothing. He stopped and looked everywhere for any sign of her, but he found nothing. Not even a sign that she went up the tree. It was making him nervous. What was she playing at? He was sure that she hadn’t seen him, though it was quite possible that she knew he was following her. After all, it was she who had walked away from him, back turned and heading away from their camp. All signs saying to him to 'follow me.'
Now he wasn’t sure what he was getting himself into. There were many things about Lisha that sent red flags in his mind. He needed to find out the truth.
“What’s this?” he heard her whisper in his ear. He felt the point of a dagger placed gently by his throat. “An assassin caught off his guard?”
In the same movement, Zevran grabbed his own dagger and ducked away from the tree. He turned, and both his and Lisha’s daggers clashed together. He pulled out his other one and advanced on her, driving at her with all his speed and strength. Lisha was having trouble just fighting him with one, but then she grabbed her bow and struck him in the face with it’s end. He stumbled back from the sudden blow, only to recover to find an arrow right in his face.
“You’re good,” she said. “Quick reflexes, nice stance. Your swordsmanship could use some work, but focused nonetheless. You also seem very aware of your surroundings besides the fact that was the second time I caught you. The Crows taught you well.”
“They apparently taught you good also,” Zevran said with narrowed eyes.
Lisha chuckled as she lowered her bow. “You are good,” she repeated. “I didn’t think you would have guessed.”
“Then you do work for the Crows.” Zevran didn’t let down his stance, instead he hardened it. If he was going to have to defend himself, then he wanted to be ready.
Lisha chuckled again, shaking her head. “You’re only part right,” she said. “I used to work for the Crows, but I don’t anymore. Not when they were unable to give me the answers that I wanted.”
Zevran eyed her suspiciously, trying to determine if she was telling the truth. “You used to work for them? So then what are you doing now?”
“Can I assume that you are acting so cautious is because you are afraid of retaliation from your former masters?” Lisha replaced her bow on her back and stared at Zevran, relaxed and calm. “Let me guess, you were contracted to kill Arawin, but obviously, that failed. Now you are traveling with her because you know she can protect you from the Crows, since once they find out what you did, they will come to kill both you and her.”
“It was either that or die, which I’m not ready to do just yet.”
“Then why are you traveling with a Grey Warden? Is there something more to what I see between the two of you?”
Zevran huffed. “Not likely. She and I just have a connection of sorts.”
“Ah, I see it now,” Lisha said. She began walking in a circle. “You don’t care about her, only yourself. Typical attitude of a Crow, yes.”
“What are you really doing here, Lisha?” he asked her. “You say you don’t work for them anymore, but that doesn’t mean much to me right now.”
“You need to relax,” she said stopping in front of him. “I am not here to kill you or her. Really, from what Arawin has told me, do you think there would be enough time for them to find out what you did and then send me? Then not only that, but for me to also know where you were going, what you were planning on doing, which clan you might run into, and also infiltrate the clan to make sure I was there before you found them? Please, Zevran, I’m not that good.”
Zevran finally lowered his stance. “I suppose you're correct.”
“There is no supposing about it. You don’t need to fear me, Zevran. I am here because of the very reason I gave before. My husband is dying from the curse, and I want to help get the cure.”
Zevran replaced his daggers but still didn’t take his eyes from Lisha. What she was saying sounded true, but there was still more to it than that. “What were you doing working for the Crows, then? You said something about them not getting you an answer.”
Lisha crossed her arms and looked up toward the trees. “You remember when I said I had been to Antiva? Well, I went there to look for my sister. I was only sixteen at the time, not a hunter just yet, and my best friend, Tamlen, went with me. I knew my sister was in Antiva City, but when we got there, we found no sign of her. I was about ready to give up and head back to our clan when I got caught in a situation.
“Tamlen and I were walking down the street when suddenly a young boy came from behind and snatched my bow. I chased after him through the alleyways and finally caught him right before he entered a secret tunnel. He was so frightened of me, afraid I was going to kill him that he immediately dropped my bow. I let him go, of course, no use killing the pathetic thing, as he even wet his trousers at getting caught. It wasn’t some time later that I was approached with a message that had someone asking to meet me at a local tavern. At first Tamlen didn’t want us to go, thinking it might be some type of trap, but who would want us dead, first of all. And second, I was interested.”
Lisha began her circle around him again, her arms still crossed as she did so. “When we arrived at the tavern, it was to our surprise that the person who wanted to see me was a Crow Master. Apparently, my capturing of the boy had impressed him and he wanted to know if I could help him out with a few things.”
“All you did was capture a thief and he was impressed?” Zevran asked curiously. “I have heard of outsiders being recruited, but... normally they are brought into our world for other such matters.”
“That’s what I wondered too,” Lisha went on. “But the master would say no more about it. He just offered me the jobs, ones that apparently no one would take. He said that I would be paid quite handsomely, and if I did a very good job, I would benefit greatly indeed.
“As always, Tamlen was cautious, that’s just how he was. I, on the other hand, was intrigued. I knew a few things about the Crows, and knew that they had valuable resources that I might be able to use. So I told him yes, that I would take any job he offered me, and I also didn’t need to be paid. The only payment I wanted was for them to look into the whereabouts of my sister. Since they are known for finding their targets with little to nothing, I assumed it wouldn’t be too hard. The master agreed, happy to have me aboard and said that it should take no more than a week to find her.”
“But it took longer, didn’t it?”
Lisha stopped and snorted. “One week became two. Two weeks became a month. One month became another month before I finally got fed up. Every time I went to ask about my sister, he would always say that they were getting closer to the truth. I knew that he was lying, obviously. After all, not only was I a good assassin, but I was also free. Who would want to give up that gold pot?” Lisha shook her head and kicked a stone. “It finally took a knife to his throat to give me a straight answer.”
“What did he say?” Zevran had become interested. Her story was one that he had heard before, but it was also different.
“He told me that she was dead, but I cannot truly say if that was the truth. Maybe it was, but I could tell he was hiding something from me. Something that was important, but I let it go, let him go, and walked away. Tamlen and I returned to our clan, and I never went back.”
“Did you ever figure out what he was holding back?”
“I think so,” Lisha said staring at him. “But I’m still not sure. I will have to find some other things out first.” Her stare did not falter and he was wondering what it was she was seeing. “You’re eyes,” she whispered. “Like looking into liquid gold.”
“I don’t underst--” but he was interrupted by a noise. Something loud had cracked in the distance and both Zevran and Lisha turned toward the direction it was coming from.
“Arawin...” Lisha said softly. She took off running before Zevran could register what was going on. Quickly he followed after her, having somewhat of a hard time keeping up, even if he did lose her, he knew where she was going. The sound had came from their camp.
When they reached the camp, they came to a sight that was hostile and startled Zevran, nearly making him fall over. Several werewolves were hunched over, claws out. They were huge, about as tall as Sten if they stood straight. Their hair ranged in colors from all shades of gray and brown. They walked on two legs, and had long jaws lined with many teeth. The werewolves growled and barred their fangs as they stayed fixed on the witch and Qunari that were guarding the camp.
Morrigan had her staff out, ready to call upon any spell she may need. Sten was right next to her, greatsword in hand raised above his head. Kunjo growled at the werewolves, hackles raised and straight. Arawin was no where to be found. Zevran assumed she was in one of the tents, hopefully resting and not still fighting whatever force was attacking her.
He saw Lisha spring to Morrigan’s other side, bow out with a notched arrow, pointing right at the middle werewolf. Zevran found his way next to her, holding his daggers in each hand. Both groups stood their ground before the werewolf in the middle spoke.
“Hrrr. The watch-wolves have spoken truly, my brothers and sisters.” His voice was deep and gurgled, making it somewhat hard to understand. He seemed to growl with every word, like a purring in his throat.
“It speaks?” Zevran said confused. “I thought Zathrian said they were not intelligent?”
“Just because one can speak, does not mean one is intelligent,” said Morrigan.
“Thus is true,” Lisha spoke. “But in this case, Zathrian knows not what he speaks. These werewolves are cunning and smart. Be cautious.”
The middle werewolf gave a throaty laugh. “So one of the Dalish has come to seek her vengeance.”
“I come to seek a means to an end,” said Lisha.
The werewolf growled. “Do not think us mindless, we know what it is that you seek. You speak to Swiftrunner. I lead my cursed brothers and sisters. Hrrrr. Turn back now, go back to the Dalish and tell them that you have failed. Hrrr. Tell them we will gladly watch them suffer the same curse we have suffered for too long. We will watch them pay!”
“Why did you attack us? We did nothing to you.”
“There was much done to us that must be avenged. The Dalish must pay!”
“Pay for what? I do not understand.” Lisha’s eyes narrowed. “Do you not realize what you have done to us? Or do you not care?”
Swiftrunner broke his stance and stood as straight as he could on his hind legs. “Apparently you do not know the whole truth.”
“We know enough.” Lisha pulled back more on her bow. “Now begone, beast, or suffer the consequences.”
“Hrrr. Very well. I will not risk throwing my people at you like unthinking brutes. Come, brothers and sisters, let us retreat. The forest has eyes of its own, and it will deal with intruders as it always has.” The werewolves went on all fours and ran off in the opposite direction. It was awhile before they all relaxed.
“What was that?” Zevran asked. “Why didn’t they try and kill us?”
“Because they were caught,” answered Lisha. “I assume that loud noise we heard was them crossing over your ward, Morrigan?”
“If it wasn’t for that they would've likely ambushed us the same way they did your clan,” said Morrigan.
Lisha sighed. “I was hoping they would not know of our presence until we were much closer, but I guess that is not the case. From now on, we need to be more aware of our surroundings. I don’t think we will see the last of them before we reach the lair.” Lisha looked around the camp and saw that most of the things were all packed and ready. “Is Arawin all right?”
“She is,” said Morrigan. “Though she has not awoken yet.”
“Can she be woken?”
“I can try.”
“Then please do. We need to get moving as soon as possible. There is much ground that we still need to cover.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond