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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
- 33
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- 35
Barriers

Making their way down the tower was faster than going up. On the way, Zelda and them collected the templars who had been controlled by the blood mages. As Wynne had stated, they were fine with only a few injuries that both Wynne and Esumi were able to heal. Many of the other mages they had saved in the Harrowing Chamber helped as well, but most were too weak to do much.
When they finally arrived on the first floor, the mages below were relieved to see them all coming from the library with everyone in tow. Together, the now giant group of Zelda and her friends, along with mages and templars walked over to the closed doors. Irving made his way to the front and waved a hand across the doors before knocking. The sound of unlocking could be heard then the doors slowly began to open. The first to jump through the doors, even before they were all the way opened, was Greagoir who’s face was completely anything beyond what Zelda thought possible. A smile was on his face, as well as surprise.
“Irving?” he said stopping in front of the first enchanter. He was followed by several of his templars who lined themselves behind him. “Maker’s breath, I did not expect to see you alive.”
“It is over, Greagoir,” said Irving. “Uldred... is dead.”
Cullen stepped forward, and Zelda saw that Esumi was no where near him, which almost shocked her. For on the way down, it seemed like neither of them would leave each others side. But, as she remembered from Alistair’s comment, their relationship was forbidden. Wynne and Irving were more willing to allow it, but she knew that Greagoir never would.
“Uldred tortured these mages,” Cullen stated. “Hoping to break their wills and turn them into abominations. He succeeded with many of them, but not the ones we have here.”
More surprises were coming from him. He was definitely different from when she had first met him in that cage. She was sure he would mention something about having all the mages annulled for how he spoke about killing all of them in the first place, but that was when he thought he had lost Esumi. Now that he had her back, he sure wasn’t going to do anything that would cause him to lose her again.
“Is that so?” said Greagoir. “So you killed all the abominations, then?” He directed this question toward Zelda.
“I believe order has been restored to the Circle,” she said. “We went through every single room of this tower to make sure they were all killed and taken care of. There is much to clean up, but that is about it.”
“We can rebuild,” said Irving. “The Circle will go on, and we will learn from this tragedy, and be strengthened by it.”
Greagoir breathed in deeply before letting it out and hardening back his face to look more like the knight-commander everyone knew. “Then I will accept Irving’s assurance that all is well.” He faced back to Zelda fully. “Thank you. You have proven yourself a friend of both the Circle, and the templars.”
“You are welcome,” said Zelda. “Now, if everything is secure, I need to talk to the first enchanter immediately about the reason why I came here.”
“You mean the situation in Redcliffe?”
“Yes.”
“What situation is this?” Irving asked, listening in on the conversation.
“There is a boy in Redcliffe that has been taken over by a demon, but he is still in control at times. He has not yet become a full abomination and because of this, I know he can be saved. But I need several mages to come with me to enter the Fade.”
Irving considered for a moment. “I think that can be done, yes. Because of what you did for us, we will go with you to Redcliffe in order to help this poor child out.”
“You will? Oh thank you!” Zelda was very pleased, and wishing to leave as soon as possible. “We need to leave immediately. There isn’t much time.”
“Sis, is this what you were talking about? With... my friend?” Keiven had made his way to her side. He looked at her with worry and fear.
Zelda nodded.
“Then you have to let me come with you!”
“No Keiven,” Zelda said sternly. “I’m sorry, but you can’t come with me this time.”
“But...”
“No buts, mister. I said no.”
“I say no as well,” said the first enchanter. “And it is my word that surpasses even your sister’s. Esumi will come with me, though, as well as Wynne. That should be enough in Redcliffe to help fight this demon.”
Esumi glanced up at the sound of her name and Zelda saw her shift her eyes slightly in Cullen’s direction. The templar did the same, but they only saw one another for a second. Besides that little glance, Zelda saw how odd they acted toward each other. If it wasn’t for the fact that she knew the truth about their relationship, she would have thought them to hate each other. They apparently had been doing this for some time as they were good actors.
“You wish for me to go, First Enchanter?” Esumi asked.
“I trust both you and Wynne to do a good job by my side.”
“Not fair!” Keiven cried out. “How come they get to go, but I can’t?”
“Keiven, what are you getting so upset about?” Esumi asked.
“Well, it’s just...” He walked over to her and whispered in her ear. Esumi’s face lit up and she brought her hand to her mouth in a gasp.
“No...” she breathed.
“Well according to Zelda he is.”
“Then don’t worry, Keiven, I’ll make sure everything goes okay.”
“But I still want to go,” he protested. Keiven ran to his sister and pleaded with her. “Come on, Zel, you know I can do it. If you’re a Grey Warden then I want to be one too! Let me come with you and help at Redcliffe, then go and fight darkspawn.”
Zelda went to her knees. “You heard the first enchanter,” she said. “Stay here, and I’ll tell you what: If you study spells that help to defeat darkspawn, and practice them, I promise when you get them down, then you can come with me.”
“Swear it.”
“I swear, okay?”
Keiven smiled. “Fine, then I will go and do that as soon as possible. The library hasn’t been completely destroyed. I’m sure I can still find something useful.”
“And I will return,” said Esumi taking a knee to him as well. “So when I get back I’ll help you. I’m sure your sister could use all of our help. Oh, speaking of which.” Esumi turned her attention to Zelda. “My name is Esumi,” she said. “I know this isn’t very formal, but we didn’t quite meet each other in the best way. It’s a pleasure to meet you, though. Keiven did always talk about you fondly.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Esumi,” said Zelda. The two women looked and smiled at one another. “And yes, I could use the help from you, from all of the mages.” Zelda stood and went back to Irving. “Before I forget, I have here a treaty that requests the mages of this tower to help the Grey Wardens in a time of Blight. Which would be now.” Zelda handed Irving the treaty and he looked over it.
“Ah yes, I remember looking over these once. It is the least we can do to help you against the darkspawn. I would hate to survive this only to be overcome by the Blight.” Irving gave Zelda back the treaty and stood before her straight, shoulders back, and with his hands behind his back. “You have my word, as first enchanter. The Circle will join the Grey Wardens in the fight.”
“I am glad to hear it. Now, if everything is good, then we should get going. I only hope we did not take too long here.”
Irving gestured for Wynne and Esumi to gather what they needed so they could leave and head to Redcliffe. Zelda had Alistair, Leliana, and Rupee follow her out into the atrium where Greagoir and his templars gathered, Cullen amongst them. Zelda could slightly see the angst on his face. He apparently didn’t want Esumi to go even if she was returning.
“Cullen, what is wrong with you?” Greagoir asked as he saw the templar. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I'm fine, Knight-Commander,” he said. “It’s just... I don’t trust so many mages leaving the tower just after this horrific crime.”
Zelda was about ready to protest. She wasn’t going to let him keep her from her goal just because he didn’t want to let Esumi out of his sight. But she didn’t need to.
“We do not have that kind of say,” Greagoir said. “I don’t like it either, but unfortunately, we don’t have a choice. The first enchanter is the one who decides such things. We are only here to watch. But maybe...” Greagoir stopped to consider. “Since this is an abomination we might be dealing with, then maybe it would be wise to have a templar there. Cullen, I give you permission to join the mages in Redcliffe. Watch over them to make sure nothing happens, and it will be your job to take the abomination out if it cannot be dealt with.”
“Yes, ser.” Cullen seemed awfully happy about the decision.
Zelda found her way beside him. “Nice move,” she whispered in his ear. “Did you have that planned?”
“Yep.”
Zelda only rolled her eyes, and laughed a little.
***
“Oh... So what I miss?” Arawin asked as she rubbed her temples.
“Nothing much,” answered Zevran. “Just a pack of werewolves attacking the camp is all. Not that exciting.”
“Man...” Arawin moaned. “Why do I always have to miss the good stuff?”
“You didn’t miss much. But you, on the other hand, my dear, must have had some type of strange adventure, no?”
Arawin continued to rub her temples. The headache she had didn’t seem to want to go away. She also felt sick. It was the same way she felt after talking to Zelda in the pendant.
Morrigan knelt beside her and took Arawin’s hands away from her head to examine her. The witch lifted up her eyelids and peered into Arawin’s eyeball. “She seems back to normal,” she said letting go. Arawin blinked hard to get her eye wet again, as the way Morrigan had held it open dried it out.
“Do you remember anything, Da’len?” Lisha asked. All of them, except for Sten, were standing in Arawin’s tent. Lisha stood over Arawin, on her right side, next to the tent opening. She looked down at the younger elf with some concern. It reminded Arawin of the way her own mother used to look at her.
“Not really,” she said. “Or at least, it’s just blurs. Pictures mostly. It was just weird. Not like when I first talked with her. When that happened all there was were... feelings, is the best way I can describe it.” Arawin moaned again as her head began to throb and stomach churned.
“Here, drink this.” Morrigan handed her a bluish potion. “It will help.”
Arawin took the potion and drank it down in one shot. She then rubbed her eyes before continuing. “It felt like I wasn’t here, but far away. Like I was trapped or something. I could feel Zelda’s presence, of course. It was very strong, and pulsating. I could feel and sense what she felt. What was strange was that I could see what she saw, but that was it. There was no sound. I couldn’t hear what she heard, or even hear her thoughts. Just pictures and emotions.”
“That does make sense,” said Morrigan. “You are, after all, connected to her by an emotional bond. If you were to communicate to one another it would be through them, and not the mind. The fact you could see through her eyes though, might suggest that the bond is getting stronger, even with the distance.”
“I don’t know if I like that,” said Arawin. “If she or I can pull one another away from where we are just to help fight an invasion... oh, I don’t even want to think about it. I guess this is how Zelda felt when I pushed her conscious to contact me.”
“So what is happening with our other companions?”
“I think they were in a tower. Probably the Circle, though why they are there I can’t say, but it has something to do with whatever is happening at Redcliffe. I could feel Zelda’s distress about it, but I couldn’t fix on anything because of the battle with the demon.”
“You were fighting a demon?” Lisha asked sounding alarmed.
“Yeah, and it was awful. The demon was so strong, and I think we might've lost if it wasn’t for that wave of energy that passed through. It cut the demon right out of Zelda and once it was gone, I got flung back here. It didn’t feel very good.”
“I wouldn’t think,” said Lisha. “You don’t look well, Da’len, but unfortunately we need to get moving. The werewolves now know we are here, and they will attack again. The faster we get moving, the better. Which is to say that your lessons will have to be postponed for now.”
“But I only had two lessons!”
“Yes, but we are now in the danger zone, and it is crucial that we stay together and keep our wits about us. Do you think you can handle it?”
Arawin laughed. “Of course I can.” She tried to stand, only to fall over. Lisha had to help her up, worrying about her health. “I’ll be fine,” Arawin reassured her. “Let’s just get going.”
“Alright,” Lisha said reluctantly. “Let us get this tent down and then move out. We are close.”
Once they all exited the tent and brought it down, Lisha began leading them back through the woods. They stayed more alert and closer together than before. Arawin was still feeling horrible, but she wasn’t going to let herself slow the others down. If the werewolves really were going to attack again, she didn’t want the others to worry over her.
“Watch yourself,” she heard Morrigan say. “We have just come into the area where the Veil is the thinnest. I can feel it.”
“Yes, this is it,” said Lisha solemnly. “We must hurry.” She picked up her pace, and everyone soon went into a slight jog behind her.
There was something about this part of the forest that Arawin didn’t like. It more than likely had to do with the Veil being thin. There was less light coming through the trees. It was gloomy and dreary, and there were also barely any sounds. No birds chirping or insects buzzing. It was almost like being in the Korcari Wilds, only with more trees and a little greener. In turn, the trees themselves seemed twisted and knurled. It almost seemed as if they had eyes, and watched the group make their way through the forest. It made Arawin shutter at the thought. Didn’t she hear something about spirits possessing trees and such?
Almost as if they could hear her thoughts, something ahead of them moved, and Lisha stopped her run. The others fell behind her as she kept them from going any further.
“Tiro! Orne rana. Sylvans.”
Arawin peered ahead and noticed the maple tree in front of them begin to move. It ripped out it’s roots from the ground, trunk separating into two parts like legs. It’s branches came down like hands and it began walking toward them, giving off a low, long rumble like an exhale. Lisha began making the others back up as the tree sped up it’s pursuit and swung down it’s branch-hands on them. Everyone ducked out of the way, rolling to the sides and pulling out their weapons in the process.
Arawin and Zevran were on either side of the maple while Sten stood in it’s front with Kunjo. Lisha and Morrigan had made their way back from the tree. Morrigan raised her staff and muttered a spell that froze the tree's trunk-legs to the ground, but it didn’t hold the sylvan for long. The tree freed itself then swung down it’s branches, swiping at Sten and Kunjo. The mabari tried to jump out of the way, but was struck by a branch and went sailing to the side. Sten had raised his sword to block the swing, but the tree’s branch proved stronger and also sent the Qunari flying.
Lisha notched an arrow and sent it toward the tree's main trunk. It stuck in the bark, but did nothing to slow the tree down. This was one creature she knew wouldn’t be taken down easy. She then watched as both Arawin and Zevran, daggers out, jump in the tree, toward it’s back and began climbing it’s branches. They stabbed at the tree, but it didn’t seem to do anything to it except make it mad. The maple reached up with it’s branch-hand and tried to pull Zevran off, as he was the highest up in the tree. He hacked at the limbs, breaking some of them off. Arawin continued trying to cut off branches from the other side. The tree spun around as it tried to get them off.
Sten had regained his stance and ran to the tree, driving his greatsword across the main part of the truck. It left a rather large gash, causing the tree to moan it’s breathy exhale again. It stopped messing with Zevran and Arawin and began making it’s way to Sten again, trying to grab him with it’s limbs. He was able to duck away from the tree right before it could grab him. He then struck again, and the sound of cracking wood could be heard as he tore off a large portion of it’s branch-hand.
If it could show emotion, Lisha figured the tree was mad as it stood still for a moment looking down at the large limb on the ground. In a flash it took it’s other branch-hand and drove it into the ground. A rumble went through the earth and then something shot out and grabbed Sten’s legs, pinning him down. They could hear his cries of pain as the roots holding him sent jolts through his body.
“Sten!” Arawin cried. She went to jump off the sylvan, only to be caught in it’s branches. The tree had switched limbs, giving it a new hand. It squeezed her between the bark, and Arawin cried out just as Sten was.
“Da’len!” Lisha yelled. “Zev, help her!”
Zevran made his way through the branches, breaking them off as he went to keep them from grabbing him too. When he got to the one holding Arawin, he quickly stabbed down into it, trying to cut the wood, but his daggers weren’t made for chopping.
“Get the two of you out of there now!” Morrigan screamed at them. She lifted her staff and at the tip a ball of fire began to form. It grew bigger and when Zevran saw what she was about ready to do, he abandoned trying to chop the branch off and instead ran down the branch and jumped. He grabbed Arawin’s legs on the way down, and just as he thought, their combined weight caused the limbs to break and they both hurtled to the ground.
He landed on his feet and rolled forward to take the impact, but Arawin instead landed on her back. The wind was knocked out of her and she coughed heavily as she tried to take in air. Zevran quickly regained his feet and grabbed Arawin by the shoulders, pulling her away from the tree just as Morrigan’s fireball connected, sending out a shock wave.
The tree caught fire, sending out a moan that was now more high pitched and short. It pulled it’s branches from the soil, releasing Sten and began flaring as it tried to put out the flames. Morrigan sent another fireball at the tree and soon it’s whole body was consumed by the flames. It fell to the ground and soon moved no more.
Arawin stood with Zevran’s help, still coughing. “You idiot!” she said punching him in the shoulder once she was good. “Did you have to do that?”
“What? It was either that or have you be charred.”
Lisha went to them and looked at the two in turn. “Are you both all right?” she asked.
“Despite the fact that I might have a few splinters, I’m just fine,” answered Zevran.
“Don’t worry about me,” Arawin said. “I’m fine.” It was a lie, as she was now feeling worse than before. Her back hurt now, and her queasiness was still in her stomach. The potion she had taken was helping, but not going fast enough. The impact from the fall had also brought back some of the headache.
Lisha looked at her suspiciously, perhaps seeing through her lie, but she didn’t press the issue. The three of them then walked over to where Morrigan was tending to Sten and Kunjo. The dog had only suffered minor wounds from the blow, while Sten had several burns on his legs. He kept telling Morrigan to leave him alone, but the witch ignored him as she removed his boots and began healing his legs.
“This is going to happen a lot more,” stated Lisha. “So it is important that all of you are feeling your best. As you can see, sylvans are not easy to take down. I just wish we had something more than your fire spells, Morrigan. You won’t be able to do that all the time. You’ll need to reserve your strength.”
“Maybe we should have brought axes,” said the witch once she was done with Sten. “But since we don’t have any, I don’t have a choice.”
“We could just run from them, maybe,” said Arawin. “They aren’t very fast.”
“Perhaps that is best,” Lisha said. “But we won’t be able to run all the time.”
Sten placed back on his boots and grunted. “Is this all we have to worry about besides werewolves?” he asked while standing.
“No,” answered Lisha. “Obviously not. Spirits will also possess corpses and animals. There may even be darkspawn. Our clan did encounter them before the werewolf ambush.”
“We don’t need to worry about darkspawn,” said Arawin. “If we get close, then I can sense them and we can go around. It’s just the other stuff we may have to fight.”
“Yes, so just prepare yourself,” Lisha said taking a place in the front once she saw everyone was ready. “The forest communicates with itself, so I’m sure we will be sot after for the death of this tree. The forest will want it’s revenge as well as protecting the werewolves. But do not threat too much, we are very close. If we keep going then we should be there soon.”
***
They stood in front of a barrier that glowed a strange white light. It pulsated and billowed, sending out soft pulses of light and heat into the air. Morrigan stood in front of it, analyzing and studying it’s components. Occasionally, she would touch it slightly, even putting her whole hand right through at one point.
“Interesting,” she commented. “If we were to pass through this barrier, we would walk several feet before realizing that we had come right back to the beginning of the path. The forest, it seems, does not wish for us to reach wherever the path leads. How protective.”
“I thought as much,” Lisha snorted.
“So what does this mean?” Arawin asked. “Can we not get through it?”
Morrigan turned around and faced them. “This barrier is not by any means natural. It was more than likely formed by a powerful spirit wishing to keep it’s sanctum safe. The only way to pass through and get to the other side is to either be a werewolf or a tree. And since neither of us are either of those, and we do not wish to become werewolves, then the answer is no.”
“Bah,” cried Sten. “Haven’t we dealt with enough magic already? We have fought maple, oak, and chestnut. What else is there?”
“Well, let’s see,” said Zevran. “There’s redwood, and birch, and--”
“Paashara! I was not being literal.”
“I was only having a little bit of fun, my dear Sten. Are all you Qunari so up-tight?”
“I will show you ‘up-tight’, elf.”
Arawin groaned, not wanting to hear any of their bickering. “You two stop, this is not helping.”
“Yes,” said Lisha. “We must think of something. There is no way to get to the werewolves unless we go through this barrier.”
“So then what are our options?” asked Arawin. No one seemed to have an answer.
“One of us become a werewolf?” suggested Zevran, shrugging his shoulders.
“If that’s the case, then I volunteer you,” said Arawin. She smirked at him and he looked back at her with narrowed eyes. “Don’t worry, if we succeed then you’ll be cured.”
“Perhaps there is a better plan,” he said crossing his arms and looking away from her.
“Hmm.” Morrigan clicked her tongue and looked beyond the group into the forest.
“You appear to be in thought,” said Lisha.
“I am, but I do not know if it will help.”
“Anything would be better than nothing,” commented Arawin.
“For some time now I have been sensing a powerful source of magic,” began Morrigan. “‘Tis not the werewolves, I am certain, but I cannot fully say what it is. I can’t even say if it may help us or not.”
“Can you locate this source?” asked Lisha.
“It is coming northeast of us. I believe if we head that way I can direct us to it. But again, I must press the danger this could be leading us into.”
“We will risk it,” said Arawin. “I’d rather go find out what it is than wait here and do nothing.”
“Then I suggest you lead on, Da’len,” Lisha said gesturing for her to go forward. “I have lead you to the barrier, now it is my turn to follow.”
Arawin once again took the lead, and the others followed her as she made her way northeast and in the direction Morrigan had suggested. They only got a few feet from the barrier, however, before Kunjo stopped and began to growl.
“What’s the matter, boy?” Arawin asked when she stopped and saw the hackles on his back standing up. He growled viciously, lips curled over his teeth. He was hunched, as if ready to pounce and stared at the trees that lined the barrier.
It wasn’t until the werewolf leaped from the trees did they realize what was happening.
Everyone worked fast to gather their weapons as werewolves poured out of the forest, surrounding them and attacking with tooth and claw. Arawin barely had time to get Fang out before a werewolf nearly took her head off. She lifted up Fang, causing the werewolf to bit down on the blade. He let go, growling with blood dripping from his mouth. Arawin pulled out Dar’Misaan and charged at the werewolf with vigor.
It snarled at her as it caught her two swords in both it’s hands. The strength of the werewolf was incredible as it flung Arawin on her back, causing her to lose her grip on Dar’Misaan. The longsword went flying from her hand and into some bushes. Quickly, Arawin regained her footing and parried the werewolf’s advances with Fang. It was hard work, as she was used to fighting with two swords instead of one and the werewolf was using both it’s hands and jaws. She also noticed that it was trying to go straight for her mid section, right where she feared would be vulnerable. The only thing that kept the beast from tearing her apart was her quick reflexes. She was able to avoid the werewolf’s reach by ducking and rolling, where she would then stick Fang in it’s back. The werewolf howled, then turned on her, trying to grab her with it’s claws. It missed and Arawin saw her opportunity to strike.
She rolled to the side again and went for it’s flank but the werewolf was on her and clamped down it’s teeth right on Fang and ripped it from her hands. Arawin backed up, weaponless now, and the beast grinned at her as it couched down, ready to spring. She looked around, but saw that no one could help her. Everyone else was busy with their own werewolves.
The beast then sprang, but Arawin moved to the side, right before it hit her. She grabbed her bow and swiftly notched an arrow. Without looking, she loosed the arrow and it went soaring in the air, embedding itself in the werewolves thigh. It howled at the pain, but then grabbed the arrow and pulled it out of it’s leg. Arawin grabbed another arrow as she backed away from the beast and notched it as the werewolf readied itself to spring again, but this time it was quicker. It didn’t allow Arawin to pull back the string, but leaped on her, ripping the bow from her hands and pinning her to the ground. Arawin covered her face with her hands as the werewolf clawed at her, trying to get by. It was then that she realized she still had the arrow in her hand.
Bucking out with her legs, she kneed the werewolf in the gut, causing it to momentarily stop it’s assault. It was all the time she needed in order to jam the arrow into it’s eye. The werewolf howled with pain as it rolled off her. She followed it, jamming the arrow even further into it’s eye before it finally laid still.
Breathing heavily, Arawin stood and looked down at the werewolf. “Yeah, that’s right,” she said. “Don’t mess--” but she wasn’t able to finish as she didn’t see the other werewolf lurking in the shadows. It leaped forth, and Arawin only noticed when it was too late as she was once again pinned to the earth. She lifted up her arm to protect herself and the werewolf’s teeth bit down into the leather of her glove. She could feel it’s teeth ripping the leather apart as the werewolf flung it’s head back and forth with a vicious thrust that even lifted Arawin off the ground. She held on tight to her arm, trying to keep the werewolf from popping her shoulder from it’s socket, but the whipping and thrashing of it’s head was beginning to cause her to blackout. She screamed as she tried to free herself, but it was no use.
Zevran heard her cry and looked up to see the werewolf on top of her. He took his dagger and stabbed the beast he was dealing with in the face before he began making his move toward Arawin. He leaped over werewolf bodies, calling her name as he tried to reach her, but he wasn’t the only one. He saw Lisha, running faster than him, abandon her bow and grab her hunting knife from her belt. Her face was determined as she fell on the werewolf, wrapping her arms around it’s neck, and with strength he did not know she possessed, Lisha lifted the werewolf off Arawin. It struggled with her as she choked it, prying it from it’s prey. She then took her hunting knife and plunged it into the beast's throat. It coughed up blood and gurgled before falling limply to the ground. Lisha then crouched over Arawin protectively, challenging any remaining werewolves to come forth.
No others did. When the attack was over, many werewolves laid dead on the ground, while the rest fled back into the trees and across the barrier where they couldn’t be followed. Once she saw that the coast was clear, Lisha moved to Arawin’s side and helped her sit up.
“Give me your arm,” she said. Before Arawin could even lift it, Lisha had already grabbed her arm and peeled off the glove. She then examined her arm and hand intensely. She sighed with relief. “Good. The leather has done it’s job.”
“Huh?” Arawin said. “What do you mean?” She took her hand from Lisha and gazed at it, stunned that it was still in tact. “How can that be?” she asked. “I felt the werewolf’s teeth. How is my arm not shredded to pieces?”
“Dalish armor,” explained Lisha. “It is enchanted so that the wearers skin is not pierced. It is not permanent, however, so eventually the werewolf would have gotten through.”
Arawin stared up at the older elf with a new sense of respect. “Thank you, Lisha. I don’t know what I would've done.”
“You are welcome, Da’len. It was something I had to do. I could not let what happened to her... happen to you as well.”
By this time, the others had made their way over to the two elves. Arawin wanted to question Lisha more on what she had just said, but saw the look in her eyes. It was one of regret and sorrow. Lisha stood and helped Arawin stand. Arawin then picked up her glove and stared. It was completely shredded and now useless.
“Great,” she muttered. “Now I only have one glove.”
“Here,” said Zevran as he took off his gloves and handed them to her. “Take mine.”
“Zev,” Arawin said taking the gloves. “Thanks, but... these are too big for me. I can’t use them.”
“They’re better than nothing.”
“No,” Lisha said. “That will not be necessary. Ion, take your gloves back. Da’len, you can have mine.”
“Ion? So what, am I to have a pet name now?” Zevran asked.
“It is the name I choice to call you, yes.”
“Huh.”
“Well wait,” said Arawin. “What about you, Lisha? You’ll need gloves too.”
“You will need them more than I, Da’len. Both of you.” She said the last part while staring at both Arawin and Zevran.
Arawin took Lisha’s gloves and handed Zevran’s back to him. Lisha’s gloves did fit her better, but they were made more for archery than combat. Still, it was better than nothing. “Thank you again,” she said.
Lisha breathed out heavy. “As long as you are safe.”
“Is everything now taken care of?” Sten asked, sounding impatient. “We must be going before they spring another attack.”
“And they will,” said Morrigan. “It is only a matter of time. I suggest we get moving.”
“Yes,” stated Lisha. “It is time we proceeded on. Morrigan, perhaps you should lead the way and quickly.”
They gathered any weapons that they might have dropped before Morrigan took the lead, taking them away from the barrier and in the direction they were heading before the attack. They moved quickly through the forest, trying to gain ground away from the werewolves and hopefully closer to the source of magic that Morrigan said she felt.
Sten stayed in the back of the group with Kunjo. Both of them looking back and around every now and then to make sure they were not being followed. Arawin stayed in the middle, edging herself close to Lisha. She still wanted to know what she had meant by her comment, and knew that this would probably be the best time to ask. Zevran had also positioned himself on Lisha’s other side, apparently curious just as much as she was.
“Is there something you wish, Da’len?” Lisha asked noticing the two younger elves coming beside her.
“I wanted to ask you something,” said Arawin. “About something you said. If you don’t mind answering.”
“That will depend on your question, but you may ask.”
“You said you didn’t want what happened to ‘her’ happening to me. Who’s ‘her?'”
Lisha sighed and looked to the ground. “I guess there is no reason not to tell you, is there?”
“You don’t have to.”
“Oh, I believe I do, Da’len. You remember where you found me the first time we met, yes?”
“Yeah, I found you knelt next to a freshly planted tree. I assumed you were mourning a lost friend or comrade.”
“You would be correct on the mourning,” said Lisha. “And I did lose someone close to me due to the ambush.” They still continued to walk, but they had slowed down, and it seemed that everyone listened to her. Even Morrigan.
Lisha sighed again before continuing. “It was my daughter, Ariel. She was only eleven years old, and full of potential.”
Arawin swallowed hard. “Lisha... I... I didn’t know.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. None of the others would've told you because it was not their place.”
“Still...” Arawin looked in front of them, noticing Morrigan’s turned head. She then looked back and saw Sten looking off into the forest, apparently deep in thought. “So is that the other reason you wanted to come with us?” Arawin asked after bringing her gaze back to Lisha.
Lisha looked at her puzzled. “I told you why I wished to come. I lost my daughter. I do not wish to lose my husband too.”
“That, yes,” said Arawin. “But you can have more than one motive. If you wanted revenge for her death, then you could've just said so. I would've understood.”
“No, Da’len, no,” Lisha said shaking her head. “I do not wish for revenge. It is not what I seek.”
Arawin stared at her aghast. “What are you talking about? If I had lost my daughter to such things then I would go out and kill every single werewolf that crossed my path.”
“That is not how it works. Revenge will not heal wounds.” Arawin snorted. Lisha ignored her and went on. “You see, revenge is like a double-edged sword. When you use it to cut down the one who wronged you, then you also end up cutting yourself. And those wounds can be harder to heal than the first, if they even heal at all.”
“Yes,” said Zevran as he looked at his hands. “It's true.”
Arawin shook her head. “I can’t believe what I am hearing,” she said stopping. Everyone stopped and stared at her. “You’re saying you don’t want to avenge your daughter? That doesn’t make any sense!”
“Arawin,” Lisha said, surprising her by actually calling her by her name. “Understand, the only thing I need to do in order to avenge Ariel is to make sure her father lives.”
Arawin stared at her, mouth hanging open. She remembered what it was like to seek revenge. She remembered the feeling when she had plunged her sword into Vaughan’s abdomen, cutting him open and spilling his guts. She remembered the look in his eyes when he realized he had been defeated, and by none other than her. It had been a glorious feeling, and one that Arawin had kept in order to remember. She began twisting the ring on her finger again as the memories began to surface. She stared at Lisha, frustrated with her now. Lisha only looked at her with concern. Everyone else stayed silent.
“Well, if you aren’t going to do it,” said Arawin. “Then I will. I’ll be the one that kills all the werewolves for your daughter.”
“Da’len, no.”
“Don’t try and stop me.”
Lisha looked at her with big eyes, trying to see past the hardness that showed on Arawin’s face. “What has happened to you, Arawin? What happened in your past to make your heart so cold?”
Arawin huffed, gripping the ring tighter in her hand. “Nothing,” she said. “Nothing of your concern at least.” She then looked around at the others, anger radiating from her. “Or any of yours. Now let’s go.” She went back into the lead, striding off into the forest.
They all sighed and followed her. Lisha hanging her head.

All Sindarin belongs to JRR Tolkien.
Sindarin Translation:
Tiro - Look
Orne rana - Tree wanderer
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Blood Bond