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Vhenan'ara	By : Arcanis_Born Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 6576 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from this.

Chapter List
- 46
- 47
- 48
Dragon Age: Origins is owned by Bioware, as with all its characters, the story as it deviates from canon is mine, however, as with the personalities of characters as they deviate from those in the game.
Please do tell me what you think so far of the story! I would love to know your opinions!
Thank you all so much for your continued readership! It means so much!
Translations:
Mi bella: Antivan. "My beauty." Endearment Zevran uses for Riel.
Mi amiga: Antivan. "My friend."

That evening Riel sitting by the fire, helping Leliana dry the meat that she and Alistair had hunted earlier that day. Ever since that morning, the two of them had been near inseparable, talking and laughing with each other in ways that on the surface seemed no different than any other time. Yet Riel knew the redheaded bard too well, and more than once she caught a strange look shared between the two of them. A shy smile, or a quick blush that was quickly hidden. It was strange watching it happen, a piece of herself becoming uneasy as she witnessed the casual flirting and quick looks.
To Riel, Leliana was as close to a sister that she had ever experienced. And Alistair - well, it was no secret how little Riel cared for the man. True, they may have come to some sort of peaceful truce that morning, yet the other Warden was nothing if not a bumbling fool when it came to women. And while Riel found his affections annoying, watching him flirt with Leliana brought forth a strange protective streak inside of her. She would definitely watch him. And if the fool decided to hurt her friend…. Well, perhaps Riel would finally be able to see if men fought as well after they were gelded.
From across the fire, Riel spotted the familiar form of their resident witch approach her. In her hand she held a long stick of wood that wasn't her staff, and more resembled mangled and old walking stick left to weather over the years. Riel felt the subtle tightening of Zevran's arms around her midsection, responding to her own slight shift in anxiety. Even with him at her back though, the determined and hard look Morrigan gave to Riel caused a shiver to run down her spine.
"You will come with me now, my friend. There are things we must discuss." Morrigan than cast a leveled glance at Zevran before adding, "in private, away from the camp."
"Morrigan, I think perhaps-"
"It's fine, Zevran," Riel interrupted, offering the man as best of comforting smile as she could.
"I do not like the idea of you outside of the camp without your armor, mi bella. Especially not so soon after…"
"The woman shall be fine, assassin. Not only will we not be far, I am not without my own means to defend us. You shall have your Warden back to you before true night falls."
Zevran disliked the irritated look on the mage's face, yet he saw no real reason to argue against her. At least a reason that wouldn't go against the promises of freedom that he gave to his Riel. To have her out in the wilderness, not just without him, but without armor…. The thought chilled him down to his bones. Yet perhaps if they didn't know he was there….
"Of course, my lovely Morrigan," Zevran replied with a broad smile on his face. "I only ask that Riel take her daggers with her, if I make such a request."
Riel saw the apprehensive look on his face and understood his worries that he hid. Honestly the thought of being away from the protective circle of the camp caused a streak of fear to scratch inside of her stomach, yet Morrigan was right. They weren't defenseless. Between her daggers and the witch's magic, there shouldn't be much danger to them.
"You do not need to worry, Zevran. I'm sure all it is just womanly things that Morrigan wishes to discuss," Leliana stated with a giggle.
"Maker…. Trust me, Zevran, that is not something men should ever be listening too…" groaned Alistair from beside Leliana. It was the first words the ex-Templar had spoken to Zevran all day, and even though much of the bite was gone from his tone, there was still a harshness to way he spoke.
Riel placed her hand on Zevran's cheek and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll be fine, Zevran. We won't go far."
Zevran held onto Riel a bit tighter, looking into her brilliant silver eyes. "Be careful, mi bella. And if you spot anything - anything - you return here. After all, I cannot let you have all the fun of slicing apart our enemies," he added with a wink. Even though his words were light, there was no mistaking the concern in his eyes as Zevran watched Riel stand and follow Morrigan from the camp.
Once the two women were out of sight, Leliana bit back a small laugh as she saw Zevran casually stand. "There are some trees, but I would stick mostly close to the ground. The night is not yet dark enough to provide true cover. And do not think for one moment that Morrigan will not notice you," Leliana stated with a coy smile, her eyes not meeting his as she spoke.
"Excellent advice, mi amiga. However, I also seek to attend to nature's call, of course," Zevran teased back, giving a wink and a short bow. He then briskly walked away in the opposite direction Riel and Morrigan had disappeared.
Alistair's brow furrowed as he watched the man leave. "I don't understand…"
"Oh Alistair…." Leliana sighed with a shake of her head, smiling to herself.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Here should be well enough," Morrigan stated, turning to face Riel. "Now, take this, and hold it in your main hand."
Riel raised her brow as she took the piece of wood Morrigan offered to her. "Umm… What is this for?"
"You, my friend are a mage. And 'tis time you learned how to fight as one," Morrigan clipped harshly.
Riel's eyes went wide as she looked up at the witch beside her. Her mouth gaped open, small sputtering noises coming out before she finally managed to find her tongue. "Morrigan…. I'm not… I mean, I am, but…-"
"Hush, woman," the witch snapped. "You survived something horrible, and I do not just mean what happened the other day. And while I have minded my tongue in times past about your insistence on using blades instead of the power you were born with, I can do so no longer. Not while doing so endangers not just your physical body but your spirit as well. I may abhor the Circle and teachings of the Chantry, I am not blind to dangers that demons and spirits pose to those such as you and I. Without proper training, you shall continue to be a victim of things more powerful than you are."
"Morrigan, I can't use magic," insisted Riel, a cold shine of sweat appearing on her hands and face as she spoke.
"You can and you must," Morrigan again snapped, her tone hard. Riel began to tremble as she held the long piece of wood in her hands. Fears of cages and being locked away again whispered in her mind, bringing with it a deep darkness that crept along Riel's spine. Morrigan watched the other woman as a string of curses went through her own mind. Sighing, she placed her hand lightly on Riel's shoulder. "Listen carefully to me, my friend. I do not do this out of cruelty. You need this. And you shan't be alone, for I will aid you as best I can. I will admit to perhaps not being the best teacher for one such as yourself, however I cringe at the thought of that old crone stifling what power you possess under the guise of her 'Chantry doctrine."
"I've never used it on purpose before though… It's always been an accident or in response to something…"
"As it is with all mages at first, I imagine," shrugged Morrigan. "No mage is ever born knowing how to control their powers. It takes much training and practice. However, even I will admit that an untrained mage is a danger not only to themselves but to those around them. I may not agree with the Circle's ways, but I am not blind to the power that we wield."
"Won't using magic just draw Templars to me, though?"
"Riel, not only do you travel with two mages - one an apostate may I add - but you are also a Grey Warden. That alone puts you beyond their reach. Long have the Wardens kept their own mages, and the Chantry nor the powers of the Circle are unable to exert power over them. The true dangers to you are not fools clad in armor or those in Chantry robes who hold their leashes. The fact you have lived so long without gaining the attention of the spirits have been miracle enough."
"Honestly, until I met the Dalish, I didn't know anything of demons or the dangers of being a mage."
"Your clan's Keeper should have began your teaching, not I. Why she did not is indeed a mystery."
Riel shrugged her shoulders, her hands coming together in front of her as she thought back to her time with her clan. "They didn't know. I-I never told anyone. I was too scared too."
"I may not know your Keeper, but I can promise you that she knew of your powers and status as a mage. The question is not whether she knew, only why she did nothing of it."
"What do you mean?" Riel asked, her eyes coming up to meet with Morrigan's.
Morrigan sighed and rolled her eyes. "All mages can sense another mage if we are close enough to them. 'Twas how I knew you were a mage long before what happened at Lake Calenhad."
"Wait… You knew?" Riel balked.
"Oh do not look so surprised," the witch huffed indignantly, waving her off. "You showed little interest in working magic, and I cared not at the time for your reasons to. Only after coming to know you as I have, had I began to think of this solution. Not that it is much of one, yet 'tis better than the alternative."
Riel bit her bottom lip, worry etching her face as she looked at the stick in her hands. "This doesn't look like a mage's staff."
"Contrary to common belief, magic does not require a staff to be cast. Having one simply adds to the power of the casted spell. The staff is only a focus, enchanted with runes and then given a crystal to help direct the Fade energies that a mage calls forth. This here 'tis merely lacking a crystal, yet is should not suffer ov'r much for it."
"What should I do?" Riel asked, her voice full of apprehension.
"Casting magic is not so different as any other motion. 'Tis a part of you, as your arm or foot is. You think to cause a fist, and you do. You think to raise your arm, and it happens. Casting a spell only requires more concentration, and practice at using. It is a muscle that can grow in strength from use, or go weak from disuse." Morrigan took Riel's free hand and placed it on the wood. "Close your eyes. Then bring to mind the fire back at camp. The way the flames work as they dance in the air. The warmth they cause. The light it gives off."
Riel obeyed, shutting her eyes and thinking of the fire they sat around. Doubt and fear niggled at her consciousness, yet she persisted, forcing away all other thoughts. At first, nothing changed, and she felt no different. Yet slowly a small tingling began to take shape inside of her mind. A spark of power, small yet continued to grow the longer she focused.
"Good. You feel it, yes? Now open your eyes."
Riel peeked open her eyes and gasped as the wood she clasped in her hands was now glowing. Her hands alight with a shine of soft flames that flickered gently under the dimming light of the sun.
"Now you must direct the power. As you would wield a blade, extending your arm and turning your wrist to inflict a blow in a desired area, so too can you guide the power that you have called forth. Imagine the wood you hold to be a dagger, yet let the strike you intend to be further beyond what you could normally reach." Morrigan pointed her hand towards a small group of rocks a few feet away. "There. That is your enemy's stomach. Their heart. The flesh you wish to render with your blade. Now strike at it."
Riel lifted her eyes to where Morrigan indicated, feeling a slick of doubt edge at her. The small grouping of rocks was easily ten feet away, far beyond the distance she would normally strike at. Yet she supposed that was the point, wasn't it? Still, the biting fear of her memories cut at her. The tight bindings she had wrapped around her inner magic wasn't easy to forget or let go of.
"Come now! If they be a charging bandit or Darkspawn, you dare not hesitate such!" Morrigan cursed out impatiently.
"If it was, I would be using my daggers, not magic!" spat Riel in response.
"Blades can be left behind! Forgotten or damaged! The magic you hold is far sharper than even the most well made dagger! Now use it!"
Riel tried to focus her mind as Morrigan commanded, yet anxiety still clawed at her. Whispers from her past, threatening to keep her locked away forever. Nightmares of Templars coming upon her as she slept, smiting away her magic until she was unable to fight back. Using her magic was beacon to everything that had haunted her. And now here she was, trying to harness a power that signified everything she feared most.
"Morrigan, I… I can't…" she cried, fear gripping her throat and strangling her voice.
"By the Void!" cursed Morrigan. The witch then lifted her own staff high into the air and a bright light erupted from her. Riel shielded her eyes with her hands, dropping the wooden staff to the ground.
When the light cleared, Riel screamed as where the witch used to stand was now a giant spider. "By the Creators!" Riel cursed out in surprise.
It's hairy legs danced back and forth, feining an attack before retreating back again. Mandibles clicked in a hungry anticipation as the spider's eight dark beaded eyes glared with malicious intent upon Riel. Scrambling back, Riel grabbed for her daggers, readying herself against the creature. However, the spider spit out a long creamy spray of webbing, the thickness attaching itself to the daggers in her hands. Rearing back suddenly, the spider tore the blades from Riel's grasp and sent them flying away.
"Shit!" Riel cursed out, barely rolling away in time before a clawed limb cut across her midsection.
"Riel!"
Riel looked over in horror as Zevran joined the battle, his own daggers at the ready. The giant spider backed up, it's focus now split between the two elves. Zevran ran forward and placed himself between the creature and Riel, making sure to keep her behind him as he faced off against the menacing spider.
The spider actually seemed to hesitate as if it were thinking. Then another bright light erupted forth, blinding both Riel and Zevran momentarily. When they were able to see again, the spider was gone, and its place was now a huge swarm of buzzing insects. The insects attacked both of them, stinging and biting at both Riel and Zevran. Cursing wildly, Zevran batted at the insects, yet still they swarmed the two of them.
"It is no use! I cannot fight them! Retreat back to the camp!" Zevran yelled above the din of the buzzing.
Riel tried to scrambled away, yet the cloud of insects surrounded her. Tangling in her hair and crawling along her skin, she couldn't even see past the thick coat of them. Blinded, Riel tripped over something at her feet and fell down to the ground. The buzzing continued, the swarm not just acting as a blinder but also blocking out all sounds other than the cacophonous buzzing that echoed in her ears. Fear welled up inside of Riel as she tried to swat the insects away, yet still they flew around her, biting lightly into her skin. Riel tried to get to her feet, her hands going to the ground to try and push herself up. Instead of grass however, her hands came across a long piece of wood.
The staff! she thought to herself. Fear turned instantly to anger as frustration welled inside of her. She may not be able to strike out normally at such tiny things, but she can burn them! Her mind focusing on the anger, Riel took hold of the staff and thought back to the flames of the camp fire.
Immediately a small fire erupted from her hands and travelled into the staff. Yet this fire was different from the one Riel had used before. This fire was not comforting, and carried with it a different feeling than before. These flames were not the ones that protected her and that which she called upon to defeat the spider queen. This was mage fire. Powerful, heated, and raw, this was the elemental fire that all mages had access to.
"Enough!" Riel screamed as she gripped the staff tightly. Raising it upon her head, Riel focused the mage fire through her hands and into the staff, before releasing it into the air around her. The fire spell spread out, driving away the swarming insects from her. The swarm dissipated, then came together again several feet away.
"Riel, are you alright?" Zevran called out, however before Riel could answer him the swarm flashed brightly. A heartbeat later the swarm was gone, and again a giant spider loomed before them.
"You're starting to piss me off!" Riel screamed out at the creature. Calling forth the magics within her, Riel pointed her staff at the spider, unleashing another blast of fire. The spider easily dodged the blast, skittering away on it's long legs. Riel was unused to aiming her attacks from a distance, as such each time she threw out a blast of fire they missed their target as it moved back and forth.
Other than moving out of the way of the blasts, the creature made no moves to attack or approach either of them. Even when Zevran leaped forward with his daggers, the spider dodged the strikes and backed away, merely defending itself instead of returning the assault.
"Why isn't it attacking?" Zevran asked as returned to stand beside Riel.
Riel twirled the staff in her hands, sending forth another small fire ball. "Because she's making a point, not trying to kill us." Riel huffed angrily. She then steadied the staff upon the ground, leaning on it as she caught her breath. "Isn't that right, Morrigan?"
"What? Morrigan?" Zevran questioned in disbelief.
The area around the spider erupted in another flash of light, and a moment later stood the dark witch where the creature once was. "You learn quickly. 'Tis good," the witch chuckled to lightly. "However, your power is lacking, as well as your aim. Aim not where your where opponent is, but where they will be, and your spells will find their target instead of empty space. A tactic that I suspect is little different than when you strike with your blades, however now you must account for a greater distance and a larger range of possible movements."
"You know, those stings hurt," Riel groused, walking over to Morrigan.
"Those little bites? Come now, I barely grazed you. Of far more concern to me is how you nearly burned away my hair! I may not be vain, yet I even I do not care for the smell of burned hair."
Zevran looked back and forth between the two women, his brow knitted in confusion. He wasn't sure exactly what was happening, yet he was sure it was not something he should be all that happy about. "Excuse me, my lovely ladies… But may I ask what exactly just what happened here? One moment we are being attacked by a spider, the next by a swarm of insects, and then once more a giant spider! And now here Morrigan stands where the creature stood."
Riel shook her head, laughing softly. "I guess you can say this was Morrigan's attempt at teaching me something."
"I cannot say I care for this form of teaching…" Zevran replied with a frown, sheathing his daggers. He then walked over to Riel and placed a hand lightly on her arm. "Are you sure you are alright, mi bella?"
"I'm fine, Zevran," Riel said with an awkward smile.
"Worry not, your woman is well," Morrigan replied, her tone sharp.
"I didn't know you could shapeshift," stated Riel. "Can all mages do that?"
Morrigan waved her hand dismissively. "'Tis old magic that Flemeth once taught me. Despite what the Chantry would like it's mages to believe, there are many old and and varied magics to be learned and mastered for one so willing to seek them out."
"Why haven't you done so before?"
"Why do you not use a long sword when you fight as Alistair does? Or a bow as Leliana?" Morrigan questioned back. "In truth, I am at my best in this form most times. As a creature, I am limited to the creature's own abilities. The night eyes of a wolf or the wings of a bird do have their uses, however when facing Darkspawn or bandits, my magic is my most useful weapon. If I have need of other forms, I shall use them when appropriate."
"Fair enough," Riel said with a chuckle, shaking her head. "Still though, do you have any other useful abilities that I should know about?"
Morrigan smiled wickedly at the other woman. "My friend, there are many secrets that I am privy to. And as I feel they may be useful to you and I feel so inclined, I shall perhaps share them."
Riel sighed heavily. "I guess I should have expected that," she replied with a laugh.
"Again, pardon me… However, I still do not quite understand-"
"Whether she likes to admit it or not, Riel is a mage," Morrigan stated, interrupting Zevran. "As such, she must learn to fight as one, or not only does she limit herself, but she places herself and those around her in undue danger."
Still Zevran did not look pleased, his frown deepening despite Morrigan's explanation.
"It's fine, Zevran," Riel smiled at him. "She's right. I just needed some… motivation I guess… The magic that I have still frightens me, even though it's a part of me."
"Motivation, perhaps I can understand. However, facing off against a giant spider and a swarm of insects is not what I would call that."
While Zevran could respect the witch's attempt to try and teach his Riel how to use her magic, he was far from pleased with her methods. When first spied the woman he loved being attacked by a giant spider so soon after the Deep Roads, Zevran nearly felt his heart stop right in his chest. And then to have her daggers taken from her so easily…. To say he was upset over the encounter would be putting it mildly. His innate protective instincts that his Riel called out to still screamed inside of his chest, demanding the witch's head on a pike for what she did.
Riel turned towards Zevran and pulled his face down to hers. His honeyed eyes burned with a mixture of anger and fear, and it took a moment for him to release the glare he held on the witch beside them and focus instead on Riel. Yet when his eyes met hers, the love that she held for him erased the remaining bits of tension in his features.
"I'm fine, Zevran. I promise," Riel whispered to him.
Morrigan shifted her feet as a silent moment passed between them. "Well, as I am sure that there is some duty or tiresome chore that Leliana has in mind for me, I shall take my leave. I care not to witness your sickening display of affections. Hearing them nightly is far more than intolerable as it is," she grumbled before stalking off towards where the camp was.
Riel laughed as she watched Morrigan leave. "She really is a good friend. Different. But good."
However, Zevran wasn't nearly as amused as Riel appeared to be. "Mi bella…. I…" There was so much he wanted to say, yet the words eluded him. Seeing a giant spider attacking his Riel so soon after their multiple close calls deep underground brought back far too many memories and emotions for him to express.
"Let me grab my daggers, then we'll go back to camp. Okay?"
Zevran just nodded his head, yet still his arms lingered on her as he held tightly to her. He knew that he should let go of her, however images of her fighting weaponless against such a dangerous enemy filled his mind. True, the creature turned out to be only the witch Morrigan, that still did not lessen the anxiety he felt. Too many times in recent days had he come dangerously close to losing her. And even more heartstopping was the very real possibility of future times where her life would be placed in jeopardy because of the mission she had undertaken.
"Riel…"
"At camp. Okay?"
Zevran gave her one last squeeze before reluctantly letting her go. However, he stayed close beside her as Riel went in search of her daggers. When she finally found both of them, she took hold of Zevran's hand and led him back towards the campsite that they shared with the others of their group.
Beside the campfire Alistair sat next to Leliana, his body leaning in close to hers as he listened to her recant one of her stories from her days as a bard. Leliana even seemed to be enjoying the attention he was giving her, a wide smile on her lips as she talked in her elegant lilting voice.
Off at her own fire was Morrigan, that great tome of a grimoire settled in her lap as she went through its pages. Wynne was several feet away, speaking with Bodahn, while Oghren was drinking and laughing with the golem Shale while Sten watched on, grumbling in his own language. Everything seemed completely peaceful and normal, which is probably why the feeling of wrongness hit Riel so deeply.
A slick feeling of death and decay crawled over Riel's skin, sharpening her senses and bringing her eyes up to seach the shadows that surround their camp. Immediately Zevran noticed the change in his Riel; the way her back stiffened and her soft smile disappeared into a mask of both fear and anger. His own eyes went to the areas beyond the light of the campfire, yet even his sensitive hearing and eyesight couldn't detect anything.
"What is it, mi bella?" he asked her, his voice low in her ears.
"Alistair…." she hissed out, her eyes quickly moving to his.
"Weapons ou!" Alistair shouted out as he leapt to his feet, his hands drawing his sword and shield.
"Alistair? What-?" Leliana asked curiously. Yet before she could finish her question, Alistair raised his shield just in time to block an arrow that came whooshing through the air that was aimed directly for Leliana's heart.
"Darkspawn!" Riel cursed in a foul yell as she readied her daggers.
The chaos of the next few moments burned itself into Riel's memory despite how quickly everything seemed to move. Within a heartbeat, the enemy was upon them. Several hurlocks engaging both Oghren and Shale while Sten swung his sword wildly at the genlock rogue that danced around him.
Leliana found herself on top of Bodahn's wagon, firing off arrows in rapid succession while Wynne blasted back a hurlock just before it's sword swing nearly decapitated the elder dwarven merchant. Alistair was on the ground beside the wagon, swinging his sword and kicking back anything that dared to get too close. Morrigan however was on her own by her fire, bringing down fire and cold on a pair of genlocks and a shriek. A hulking mass of a hurlock was stalking towards her, shrugging off her spells as it readied it's powerful axe to swing.
And beside her was Zevran, his blades out and slashing at another dual wielding genlock, their parries and strikes matching each other's in a twisted harmony of clashes. His speed and agility matching the stout abomination's own, neither seemed to have the upper hand as they moved back and forth beside the campfire.
Everything was happening too quickly… A deep panic threatened to swell and take Riel over as she watched the scene around her. No! I will not them take us! she cursed out to herself.
"Fen'harel!" Riel called out. The hound was growling and snapping his jaw at the legs of one of the hurlocks fighting against Shale, yet at his master's call lifted his head and ran to her side. "Go protect Morrigan!" The mabari hound barked in a quick response before dashing off toward the witch, arriving just in time to snap his jaws right through the leg of the leg of the advancing hurlock.
"Riel! Get out of here!" Zevran yelled, his attention diverted to her for a moment. Unfortunately that was enough for the genlock he was fighting to take advantage and land a slice through Zevran's main arm.
"Zevran!" Riel screamed out in horror, watching as Zevran twisted his body just in time to avoid a more fatal blow.
A shriek stepped out of the darkness beside Riel and swung its bladed arm at Riel's chest, barely missing her skin as the tunic she wore split apart. Right now, she needed to focus, the lives of her friends and loved ones resting on the balance. Riel glared at the disfigured face of the shriek in front of her, the demented creature's features almost lifting into a twisted smile.
"You shall not have us!" Riel spat out, launching into an attack against the blightborn evil.
With both of her blades out, Riel knocked back the shriek's strike before turning her body and ducking under the thing's arms. One slice to the thigh, the other along where the ribs would be on a normal creature, then a stab straight into the back and out through the front. Twisting the blade in her hand, Riel gouged out a large hole in the thing's chest before bringing her other blade up and around, slicing the shriek throat from ear to ear.
As it fell down to the ground at her feet, Riel again sought out her allies and the enemies that they fought. Alistair was still near the wagon, protecting Wynne and the dwarves while Leliana fired off her remaining arrows. Sten was now engaging enemies at Morrigan's back, while Fen'harel snarled and bit at enemies wishing to flank at the witch's side. Shale and and Oghren were tag teaming cutting down a magic wielding hurlock and its two genlock defenders.
Zevran was still close by her, keeping himself between the enemies and Riel as he swung out with his blades. Sweat and blood glistened on his body as he struck out, slicing through decaying flesh and bone of the hammer wielding hurlock to his side before leaping up and stabbing his blade through the hurlock's eye. Yet still another shriek came out of the darkness, aiming its bladed claws at his back.
Riel took a step forward, grabbing the shriek by it's armored back and pulling it away from Zevran just before it made contact with Zevran's back. The shriek twisted around in Riel's grasp, screeching out in anger before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. The corrupted creatures were masters at stealth, able to hide even in the slimmest of shadows, and so Riel kept her daggers at the ready as she searched out with her senses.
Just then a low rumbling reverberated through the ground, the feeling sending tremors of fear straight through Riel. The thick dense of trees and brush in the distance wavered slightly a moment before an enormous purple skinned ogre came barreling forth. It's horns the color of night, with eyes as red as blood, and a wide gaping maw filled with dagger like teeth, the Darkspawn ogres were a rarity on the battlefield. Yet even one was a force to be reckoned with.
Bellowing forth a powerful roar, the ogre ran forward, its head down so it's neck and skull acted more as battering ram against anything unfortunate enough to be in its path. The sharpened horns on its head added an even deadlier aspect to the savage attack, as they could tear through whole trees and could render even a man wearing heavy armor dead within moments.
And standing directly in the rampaging ogre's path was Riel, without even the lightest of armor and only her own reflexes to save her.
Riel felt the power she had felt earlier swell inside of her. A swirling chaos of emotion that matched the scene of battle around her, Riel mind switched beyond survival and into something far darker. Far deadlier. The air around her crinkled and sparked with energy as if the very elements themselves were being drawn to her. A dark billowing cloud came together above Riel's head as the magic gathered, light crackling in its darkness as lightning before a storm.
With a feral scream Riel unleashed the built up energy. Shocks of electricity leeched out in all directions, finding the flesh of her enemies even as they fought with her allies. With pained spasms the lesser Darkspawn fell to the ground, yet the ogre still continued on its charge undeterred. Another clap of energy hit the ogre, bringing it to a sliding halt. Hands as large as boulders grabbed at its head as the creature screamed out in pain. Yet still the thing refused to fall.
"Why won't you just die already?!" Riel sneered in frustration, hefting her daggers in her hands. With anger fueling her mana reserves, she felt her power travel down her hands and into the twin daggers she clasped. "Alistair! On it's knees!" she screamed out a moment before launching herself into a charge at the monster. Alistair nodded his head and swung out his sword, cutting deep into the ogre's left knee, dropping it down.
Just as a roar of bloodlust ripped from her throat, Riel's charged blades found the creature's temples, delving into what gushy mass could be considered its brain. The resulting shock of electricity lit up the ogre's face, the light shining forth from its eyes and mouth in a solid brightness before dying away, taking the life of the ogre with it.
Now nothing more than dead weight, the ogre lurched forward, falling down to the ground in front of it. And taking Riel down with it, pinning her under its hulking mass.
A collection of screams rang forth from her companions as they called out to her, yet Riel couldn't hear it as a deep darkness overran her consciousness. Even before her head hit the ground below, she was lost to the blackness that quickly overtook her.
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Vhenan'ara