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

Zelda had to sit down as she was finding it difficult to breath as a slight pain began throbbing the muscles of her chest. She held a hand over her breasts and breathed in slowly to take in air.
“Zelda, what’s wrong?” Alistair asked once he saw her acting strange. “You’re not hurt, are you?” He knelt in front of her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m... not sure,” she said slowly. “My chest just started to hurt all the sudden. It’s not bad, I’ll be fine.” A hint of worry flashed across his face when she said this.
“Wynne!” he cried not taking his eyes from her.
“Alistair, don’t worry,” Zelda said trying to act like it was nothing. “It’s nothing, I swear.” But Alistair didn’t seem to register what she had said.
Wynne came over and he told the mage what Zelda had described. After a moment of Zelda trying to write it off and Wynne finally examining her, the mage stopped and stared down at her puzzled. “I don’t understand,” she said. “There is nothing wrong with you at all. You are completely healthy. You have no aliments that would lend to the pain you are describing.”
“I told you I was fine, Alistair,” Zelda said to him.
“But you’re still in pain.”
“Not much, and besides, I think I know what, or who in this case, is the cause.”
Alistair frowned. “Arawin?”
“Who else? So this obviously means she’s doing something stupid. What, I don’t know, but it appears to be over with.”
“Do you think we should go and investigate?” asked Wynne. “If they’re in trouble then they may need our help.”
“They’re fine,” said Zelda. “Or at least Arawin is, course I really wish she would stop going on her impulses. It’s that type of attitude that’s going to get her killed one day, and maybe even me along with it.”
“I highly doubt that,” said Sten who had joined them. “Her impulses may lead her to trouble, but her instincts are nearly falseness, and you are not the type of person who would blindly follow her into danger.”
“Perhaps,” Zelda muttered. “But she still could've came and gotten us first. I know she had a chance and ignored it. It just seems like her.”
All of them sat or stood in silence for a moment, wondering when they should go if they were needed. They knew Arawin would either come or send someone for them, but waiting for that to happen was maddening, especially for Zelda since the sudden pain she had felt made her uneasy. Alistair sat next to her, holding her hand and not seeming to take his eyes off her.
“Stop worrying, Alistair, please. I’m all right now.”
“I can’t help it,” he said. “I’ve come to care about you, so seeing you like this hurts me.” His hand squeezed hers, and Zelda shifted her eyes from his to keep from seeing the love in them. Her guilt had been growing again, causing her a different kind of pain in her chest. At first she thought she might have been over it, or at least at a manageable level, but once she and Arawin had reconnected, somehow the guilt had resurfaced. It seemed worse now, and even started to harm her when she was with Alistair. And now, it was always at it’s worse whenever he showed his feelings, his concern and love. Zelda hated herself for not showing it back.
It was only recently Alistair was starting to notice her distance. He wondered why she was doing it, but as he thought about it, he knew the answer was clear. To him, she started acting distant after he told her he was more than likely going to take the throne. As king, he and Zelda could not be together, and if that was true, then their relationship was already doomed. He hated thinking of it like that, as he loved her, and couldn’t even think of life without her, but he also knew the truth. They were both Grey Wardens, and even though it was not unheard of, it was looked down upon for two Grey Wardens to be together, as their love could get in the way of their duty. And for a Grey Warden, duty always came first over everything else.
Alistair sighed as he let go of Zelda’s hand. She was probably only trying to protect the two of them, by getting too close now, it would hurt more at the end. Alistair would try, maybe, but he wasn’t sure he could do that. He was already too close to her. To distract himself, Alistair looked over at the two dogs laying next to one another, staring off in the direction that Arawin and the others had gone. Rupee had her head on Kunjo’s back while Kunjo laid his on the ground. He whined a little, gazing at the spot where his mistress had disappeared.
“Oh, don’t worry, Kunjo,” said Zelda. “She’ll be back soon.”
The dog didn’t move, but moaned slightly. His head then picked up and so did Rupee’s. Together the two dogs stood and started smelling the air before barking happily. Kunjo ran into the trees and soon came back out with Leliana and Zevran.
“Hmm, I thought you hated me,” Zevran said as he scratched behind the hound's ears. Kunjo’s tongue dangled below his jaw as Zevran petted him. He answered Zevran with a bark.
“It might be just because you smell like Arawin,” said Zelda as she walked over to them. “Or seeing you means he’ll get to see her again soon.”
“Oh, I see, you’re just using me to get to your girl then, huh?” Zevran increased his speed on the dogs head and made his way down to his belly. Kunjo obliged by rolling over and kicking his leg as Zevran scratched away.
“So, I’m hoping you two are here to retrieve us?” Zelda asked Leliana. “Because I already know you guys got into a fight.”
“That we did,” said Leliana. “When we first sneaked into the village, we went into a house and found some very strange things. There was an altar with blood and guts all around it like it was some type of sacrificing altar.”
“What were they sacrificing?” Wynne asked.
“According to Morrigan,” said Zevran standing. “They were sacrificing both animals and humans.”
“Why?”
“We aren’t sure,” continued Leliana. “But after we found that, we then saw the villagers making their way up the hill, so we followed. We found them going into a chantry at the very top where they were having a sermon. Morrigan was able to get in without detection and found there to be a hidden door that might've had Brother Genitivi behind it.”
“And let me guess,” said Zelda. “Hearing this, Arawin decided to go in without getting us first?”
“Ah, but you know her all too well, my dear,” said Zevran.
“That would explain it, then. So, I assume you four went into the chantry, fought and won, and then opened the door? Was Brother Genitivi there?”
“Yes, and that’s when Arawin sent us,” said Leliana. “We’re going to need you, Wynne. Brother Genitivi is not in good shape. I don’t know what the villagers were doing to him, but it doesn’t look pleasant.”
“Then let us head up there and quick,” said Zelda. “Is the entire camp packed and ready?”
“Yes,” they all answered her in turn.
“Good, Leliana, Zevran, did you two have to sneak down here?”
“We did, but I don’t think it’ll be necessary going back in,” Leliana answered. “All the villagers are in their homes and the two guards who were standing at the stairs are no longer there.”
“Alright, then lead the way.”
***
Going through the village didn’t take as long as they thought. There was no one around to stop them as they made their way up to the chantry. Zelda knew the villagers were there, more likely spying on them from the safety of their houses through the windows. They probably wondered what the outsiders were doing, but unwilling to go and find out, only hoping they would leave and soon. Zelda would oblige as soon as she could, as she was not wanting to stay in this village any more than she needed to.
When they reached the chantry, Leliana lead everyone in and to the room where Arawin, Morrigan, and Brother Genitivi were. Kunjo sped past her, flying into the room and barking hysterically when he saw Arawin.
“Did you miss me, boy?” Arawin said rubbing his belly. “Of course you did!”
“Ah, so he was using me, tsk tsk,” Zevran sighed.
“He was using you? That doesn’t sound like my dog.”
“He was letting me pet him for once and seemed excited to see me, but alas, it was all a rouse just to get to you.”
“I told you he was my man,” Arawin said with a broad smile.
Zelda and Wynne made their way over to Brother Genitivi so Wynne could began healing him immediately. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Brother Genitivi,” said Zelda.
“You must be Zelda, then,” said Genitivi. “Arawin told me all about your journey in finding the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Is Arl Eamon really that sick?”
“I’m afraid he is, and nothing magical or not has helped him in anyway. The Urn is our last option.”
Genitivi shook his head. “That is a sad thing to hear, but do not threat, for I know for sure that the Urn is right up the mountain.”
“Really?” said Alistair. “How do you know?”
“I haven’t actually seen it, but I have seen the door which leads to a temple on the mountain. There’s also the way the villagers act. They wouldn’t be like the way they are if they weren’t keeping something sacred safe.”
“Well that Father Eirik could've been a little more cooperative instead of attacking us like he did,” said Arawin.
“So you were in a fight,” Zelda said staring at Arawin. “I was wondering why our chest hurt.”
“You felt that?” Arawin said curiously.
“It was hard not to.”
“But Morrigan’s potion should have kept you from feeling it. Or at least it should've.” Arawin gave Morrigan a sideways glance. The witch answered her with a cocked eyebrow.
“You and Zelda have been separated for a while, yes? And the bond has been growing. The potion was probably not strong enough. I can go and make a stronger batch now if you prefer. It will not take long.”
“Go ahead,” said Zelda. “Wynne needs time anyway to heal Brother Genitivi. It’ll also give me a chance to speak with Arawin.” She handed Morrigan her staff as the witch left the room.
“Oh great,” Arawin said rolling her eyes. “The Princess wishes to speak with me? I hope it doesn’t involve her complaining again.”
Zelda ignored her comment. “Arawin, I thought we had this figured out. The four of you would sneak in here, find information, and then come back. No where in that plan did it involve invading a chantry and having the locals attack you!”
“It’s not my fault they attacked. They would have anyway, with or without you.”
“That might be so, but you would've been in a lot better situation if we had been with you. Ten would have been better than four. Plus-”
“Oh, stuff a sock in it, Zelda!” Arawin blurted. “Better yet, why don’t you stuff Alistair’s-”
“Arawin!” cried Wynne. The old mage stood up straight and shocked. “I will not tolerate such talk, young lady. That is not a very polite thing to say, especially in front of a man of the Chantry.”
“Oh, trust me,” said Genitivi. “I’ve heard worse. Spend several months with these villagers and you’ll hear more than you ever thought possible.”
“Still, Brother Genitivi, Arawin should know better.”
“No harm done so no matter, but as it appears you are done healing me, I think it best I now show you where this door is. I am very eager to get to it myself, for if it truly does lead to a temple containing Andraste’s Ashes... It’s just so much to take in at the moment.”
“We are eager to see it as well, Brother Genitivi,” said Zelda.
“There’s just one thing first,” Genitivi said as Zelda helped him to stand. He looked toward Arawin. “Did you happen to take a medallion from Father Eirik after you defeated him?”
“No,” Arawin said shaking her head.
“I did, and here you go.” Zevran handed a golden medallion encrusted with rubies to the brother. “What? I saw it and thought it was pretty,” he said seeing the inquisitive look on Arawin’s face.
“Doesn’t matter, I guess.”
Genitivi took the medallion and examined it in his hands. “Yes, yes, this is it. Shall we get going?”
Before they followed Genitivi out of the chantry, Morrigan came back with the new and stronger potion for Arawin and Zelda to drink. Once it was down their gullets, they headed off, following Genitivi into the woods behind the chantry and up the mountain on a worn path. They weren’t sure how long they were following him, or how high they were on the mountain, but soon Genitivi lead them to a cave entrance hidden by trees and bushes. By this time, the sun was beginning to peek on the horizon.
The inside of the cave looked nothing like what they thought. It was lined like the inside of a temple with torches and a long set of stairs leading to the top. Genitivi continued up them until they came to a large door which he stopped in front of and pulled out the medallion.
Zelda came to his side and saw him fiddling with the it. “How do you know about this place?” she asked.
“They showed it to me,” he said. “But I never went in. I only say this door and Father Eirik opening the medallion and using it as a key, just like so...” Zelda looked in his hands and saw the medallion had opened like a flower.
“So why did they show you all this?” Arawin asked coming to his other side.
“I’m not sure. By all rights I should be dead, as the people of this village don’t take too kindly to outsiders, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. But I think the reason why Father Eirik kept me was for something that has to do with what is on top of the mountain. I over heard him talking about me and some ultimate sacrifice. Didn’t hear much more but I don’t think whatever they had planned was good. Now, let’s see, where does this go?” Brother Genitivi took the medallion and placed it in a slot on the door. Turning it, a loud click sounded and Genitivi pushed the door open with a creak.
Both Zelda and Arawin gasped at the scene that came before them. The room was huge with blue marble pillars and a cathedral ceiling lined with buttresses and iced stalactites. Light shined down from high windows, illuminating the large snow drifts that cascaded down. One could climb those snow drifts and look out into the bright sun.
“Wow,” both the women said at once. Everyone else shared their wonderment.
“What I would give to have seen this hall in all its splendor,” said Genitivi as he made his way into the room. “As it was meant to be... Still, sweep away the ice and the snow, and traces of beauty remain.”
“True, but we need to stay alert, Brother Genitivi,” said Zelda. “I’m sure there are more villagers here somewhere.”
“Sorry, what?” he said coming out of a daze. “I was a little distracted. I apologize. This place was created just after Andraste’s death, and it may have things other than the Urn that may reveal things about Her life that we do not yet know... I think I need more time to study these statues and carvings.”
“Is that what you want to do? You don’t want to go with us to find the Urn?”
“I could not keep up with you with my injuries. I should be safe; I don’t think there are any villagers here. Go. I will be all right. Perhaps my destiny was only to lead you to the Urn.”
“If that is what you wish, but I don’t think we should leave you here alone.” Zelda looked to her companions. “Is there anyone who would like to stay?”
“I will stay,” said Sten. “Although this is a beautiful place, I don’t have any desire to go looking for the remains of a dead woman in a wastebin.”
“Fair enough,” said Arawin.
“I think I’ll stay too,” said Leliana.
“What, Leliana, why?” Zelda said shocked. “Finding and seeing the Urn was all you could talk about when we were making our way here. We’re so close now.”
“I know, and I would still love to see it, but I don’t truly need to see it in order to know that it exists. If you come back with the Ashes, or with any other type of evidence, then that will be good enough for me.”
Zelda nodded to her friend, knowing what she meant. “Alright, then Sten and Leliana will stay with you, Brother Genitivi. Also, Rupee, I want you to stay as well, girl. You never know.” The dog sat in front of Zelda and whimpered. Zelda petted her, not really wanting to leave her behind but knew it was for the best.
“In that case, Kunjo, you stay too,” said Arawin. “If he comes with us then all he’ll do is whine because Rupee isn’t with us.”
“So it appears he has found a new woman,” Zevran teased. “Looks like you’re going to have to find a new man.”
“He did not find a new woman, he just found someone else to play with.”
“If that’s what helps to ease the pain...”
Arawin rolled her eyes at him and began walking ahead. Zelda shook her head at the elf and said good-bye to the others as she, Alistair, Morrigan, Wynne, and Zevran followed Arawin into the temple.
***
The temple was massive, spanning deep into the mountain, but remaining bright from the sun shining through the broken windows. Zelda didn’t feel confined within the temple for some reason. And she knew, that even if there wasn’t any sunlight or windows, she still wouldn’t feel it at all. This place was special in a way, and everyone could feel it.
Arawin was in the lead, but kept her eyes mostly on things around her. She couldn’t help but to be marveled by the structures and statues they passed. It reminded her of the ruins they explored in the Brecilian Forest, but this temple was different. She noticed Zevran and Morrigan were thinking the same thing.
“This doesn’t look like the ruins we were in,” she said.
“It is neither elven nor Tevinter,” said Morrigan who was right behind her. “Nothing like those ruins. In truth... I have no idea what this temple is.”
“Then it must be something unique,” said Zelda. “Purely Andrastian, even though none of the chantries look like this.”
They continued through the temple, walking and staring at the many amazing things they came across; statues chiseled in the image of famous people they knew from Andraste’s life, paintings and even phrases from the Chant of Light carved into the walls and pillars. It was beautiful, majestic, but also foreboding, like they were intruding on something they shouldn’t be.
After continuing through a few hallways they soon came to another large room with a balcony going along it’s walls. Stairs were on the other side, leading up to the balcony and out of the room. Arawin kept her far lead with Zevran beside her and Zelda and Alistair in the back with Morrigan and Wynne in the middle. Zevran positioned himself close to Arawin as there was no Kunjo now to keep him away from her, although he did wonder if the dog still hated him after how things went back at their camp. Kunjo had never liked him, but to greet him like that was interesting. As he thought, something on the balcony caught his eye and he looked up to see it hurtling towards Arawin. He quickly pushed her down, pinning her as the thing came fast.
“Zevran!” Arawin cried when he pushed her down. She didn’t know what was going on, her anger getting the better of her as she tried to sit up. It wasn’t until she was able to that she noticed an arrow sticking out of the calf of his leg. Her anger soon melted away and was replaced with concern for him as blood oozed from the wound. “Zev, are you all right?”
“It’s nothing,” he said, though she could sense pain within his words.
“Arawin, Zevran!” Zelda shouted running to them.
“Zelda, look out!” Alistair shouted. Zelda stopped to look up and see across the whole balcony men with bows and crossbows, pointing them directing at their group. In an instant, the ceiling was blocked by many arrows being released at once. Zelda put up her shield, unable to reach Arawin and Zevran in time, but she didn’t have to worry. Both Wynne and Morrigan placed up shields just in time around Arawin and Zevran, as well as themselves. Zelda felt the arrows bounce off her shield as well as her armor. There were many of them, a seemingly unending shower of arrows falling upon the six of them.
A bright light flashed, soon followed by extreme heat and then extreme cold. Feeling no more arrows, Zelda lowered her shield to see a battle of the elements before her eyes. Fire was being tossed down from the balcony, right on the stairs while ice was being thrown by Morrigan, directing it at the mage who stood on top of the stairs. Their battle seemed equal as neither spell seemed to falter. Wynne soon came by Morrigan’s side and summoned her stone fist, hurtling it toward the mage and hitting him squarely in the chest. He went down and so did his spell. Morrigan’s ice then filled the room, freezing everyone in place.
Zelda ran up the stairs with Alistair behind her. She grabbed the mage by the collar before he could stand as Alistair bound his magic. The mage looked at both of them with a blank face. “Who are you?” Zelda demanded. “Why did you attack us?”
“We are the Disciples of Andraste, and you are not welcome here,” he spat. “You have defiled our sacred temple and wish harm to She who we protect. For that, you must be destroyed.”
“What? We wish harm to no one,” said Zelda. “Who do you protect?”
“The Great Prophet, of course. This is why unbelievers must be destroyed. You will do nothing but harm! We must protect our Beloved.”
“We don’t wish harm on anyone,” said Alistair. “We just want to find the Ashes.”
The mage growled and spat on him. “The Ashes are nothing!”
“Don’t take any crap from him,” said Arawin coming up the stairs. She pushed Zelda aside and grabbed the mage herself. “Where are the Ashes?”
“Arawin!”
“Shut up, Zelda. Where are the Ashes?” Arawin said again forcefully.
“The only way to get to the Ashes is through Her, and She won’t let you pass. You are unworthy. But that is not all. There are more of us throughout this temple. Word has already been sent about your intrusion. You will need to get through all of us as well as Her children.”
“Oh, enough,” Arawin moaned. “He’s not going to tell us anything.” Taking her knife, she then slit his throat and dropped him to the ground.
“That wasn’t necessary, Arawin,” said Zelda.
“We don’t have time for your humanitarian bullshit,” Arawin yelled at her. “This is serious. These people really want to kill us, so it’s either kill them or have them kill us. Which would you prefer?”
“She has a point,” said Alistair.
Zelda sighed, knowing the truth, but she still didn’t like it. She had killed before, the blood mages in the Circle Tower, and she had hated that, but knew it was necessary. “I know,” she said. “But still...”
Morrigan, Wynne, and Zevran soon made their way up the stairs and joined them.
“Why did you do that?” Arawin said when she saw Zevran. He was walking fine, which meant that he had been healed by one of the mages.
“Do what?” he said confused.
“Push me out of the way of that arrow. You know the enchantment would've stopped it.”
“It was aiming for your head, mi querida. The enchantment only protects your body. You’re not wearing a helmet after all.”
“Oh.” Arawin had never thought of that. She only assumed her whole self would be protected. “Well... don’t do it again.” She then began walking to the door leading out of the room. “Are you guys coming or what?”
Zevran chuckled. “Oh, Hermosa.”
“Arawin, wait a second,” said Zelda running after her. “We need to stick together and stay focused, especially if that mage was telling the truth.”
“We don’t even know what he was talking about,” said Alistair. “Who’s She? And what are Her children? Something tells me he wasn’t talking about the Disciples.”
They all ran through the temple together, on the look out for any trouble. They had been distracted by the beauty of the temple before, and were not going to let that happen again. It wasn’t until they reached a closed door that Arawin stopped and so did the others.
“What is it?” Wynne asked.
“There’s something strange behind this door,” said Arawin. “Do you smell that? It’s somewhat familiar.” She went to open the door.
“Careful,” said Zelda.
Arawin opened the door slowly, staying flat. When it was fully opened, they found themselves not only staring into another room, but one with a great hole on the other side. It looked to lead into a giant cavern, straight into the mountainside. Arawin stood in the doorway, gazing around. A low rumble then sounded from within the cavern, making everyone nearly jump. Arawin smiled broadly, knowing exactly what it was.
“Arawin, don’t you dare,” said Morrigan seeing that smile. “If Lisha were here...”
“But she’s not,” Arawin said walking in the room. Immediately she stopped, seeing within the darkness of the cavern many bright spots that blinked. Eyes lingered on them, hissing and growling. Soon from the darkness heads popped out, snake-like with tiny horns and glowing eyes. Long necks followed with skinny bodies, clawed feet and long, whipping tails.
“A-Are those...?” Zelda stammered.
“Dragonlings,” said Wynne. “I’ve never seen one before. Dragons are suppose to be extinct.”
“Not extinct,” Morrigan corrected. “But extremely rare.”
“Apparently not so rare anymore,” Arawin said as she took hold of her swords. “And they don’t look so tough. Not after the one we took down in the ruins.”
“But there are more of them,” said Zevran.
“And there are more of us.” Arawin took a step forward and so did the dragonlings. One of them took the lead, meeting Arawin head on with teeth and claw. It reared up, swapping it’s front claws at her, growling and snarling with sharp teeth showing. Arawin swung Fang down, cutting across it’s claw and neck. The dragonling shrieked, it’s blood spurting from it’s wounds, but it didn’t back down. More of them came, attacking Arawin from the sides.
By this time the others had joined her, Zelda and Alistair smacking the young ones with their shields, forcing them back. Zevran beside her, cutting at the dragonlings with his daggers. Wynne and Morrigan stood in the back, casting spells upon them of ice and snow. The dragonlings were easy to take down as their skin had not grown scales yet, making it easy to penetrate. They were also vulnerable to the ice spells, freezing almost instantly from the cold and then shattering from the impact of either a sword or shield. But despite the easiness of killing them, more seemed to pour out from the cavern. They snarled, mouths open with hunger. Larger ones began coming with thicker skin and even ones that could breath fire. The battle was taking more out of them than they thought it would.
“How many could there be?” Zelda shouted as she sliced the head off of one.
“Who knows, but we need to start pressing forward,” said Arawin. She kicked one in the head, and began running toward the cavern.
“Arawin, wait!” Zelda yelled as she dispatched another dragonling before following Arawin through the threshold.
A loud roar, one much greater than a dragonling could make echoed in the cavern. Zelda stopped and covered her ears as it racked her brain. What sounded like a cry of joy followed and Zelda pierced her eyes through the darkness to see a looming and large figure.
“Ara!” Zevran ran passed Zelda, determined to get to her. Zelda followed him through the darkness. They then emerged into a brightened cave, light shining down from the high ceiling, but Zelda and Zevran didn’t have time to marvel at the new area they had just arrived in. Their eyes were more focused on the huge beast standing in the middle of the cave.
It was a dragon, that was for sure, but different, a drake. It was taller, much taller, looming over all of them several feet. It’s body was covered with thick scales, gray in color with long, sharp claws on it’s feet. Horns protruded from it’s shoulders where wings should have been. It’s eyes were black, colorless and mean. Arawin stood before it, trying to cut it’s skin, but the scales were too thick. The drake roared again, and swung it’s large claw, hitting Arawin and knocking her over. It’s mouth then clamped down on her shoulder and it began dragging her down the cave.
“Arawin!” both Zelda and Zevran yelled. Arawin screamed with frustration, and tried to free herself, but the grip on her shoulder was too strong. The drake then picked her up off the ground and turned to run out of the cave.
“No, Arawin!” Zevran screamed as he picked up speed. He was nearly to her, but then came to a halt when several Disciples jumped out from behind stalagmites and blocked him from reaching the still retreating creature and it’s prize.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond