As soon as she entered the Fade, she wasted no time in transforming the boundless plain before her into the Circle of Ostwick. Everything from the hot sunny weather to the smells, people, and their clothing were all meticulously fashioned from memory. Once it was stable, she called out to Dhara who materialized before her eyes in the middle of a large courtyard. As agreed upon, the two discreetly cut their signals into their arms, which were healed in seconds - all was set. Taking in the ambiance around them, she studied the young mage who looked about in awe at the architecture, gazing up at the height of the tower.
"I had no idea such tall buildings could be built by man! Ye said ye lived in a tower, but by Korth's beard, this is a tower!" Searching the courtyard, she spied the iron bar gate that led out into the city's market district, "Oh, is that yer city? How I'd love to see it!" She jogged and skipped over to it to see what little she could from there.
"Normally, the Templars would not allow us to approach the gate without an escort, but for the dream's purpose you are a new mage who I'm showing around so it's permissible." In her time as an Apprentice of the Circle, she had never had the chance to show new mages around because Ostwick was known more for its healing arts than offensive training. With the support of Bann Trevelyan, Knight-Commander Tobias had arranged for the famed Knight-Enchanter Croft to stay in the Circle to train her, having no others in their senior ranks who'd earn the title. Once her training was complete and Croft had gone back to his home Circle at Kinloch Tower, Evelyn's career picked up being assigned to missions. She didn't mind the taxing schedule though; the work was a freedom in itself being able to travel around Thedas doing the Maker's work.
Lost in thought, she caught Dhara approaching one of the Templars at the gate, creeping up on him like he was an animal she was hunting.
"You there!" The soldier grabbed his sword on his hip, "Step back, mage!"
Evelyn quickly grabbed her student's arm and spun her towards the tower, "Apologizes, ser. She's new." The man grumbled through his bucket helm and the two headed for the tall doors leading into the tower. As they walked away, she muttered quietly, "If you want to see a Templar close up, I have one you can meet, but I promise you, they are the same as any other men or women. Remember, this dream is as real as I could make it so don't do anything, well, just don't do anything." She had to remember the Avvar had no notion of what proper behavior consisted of here.
Reaching the doors, she spotted old Knight-Lieutenant Hayes manning his post. The man's mind had begun to deteriorate and though he was still strong, he needed to be assigned simple tasks. Some days he remembered her, other days he just politely nodded and opened one of the doors for her. "Good afternoon, Ser Hayes. Not getting too hot in that armor I hope; the sun is brutal today." Regardless of what he did or didn't remember, she was always kind to a man who had given his life to duty.
"Ah, Phoenix! Done for the day then, girl? It's bloody hot, but the Chantry Sisters have been doing me a kindness with rounds of water. Don't worry yourself about me, I'm a Marcher born and bred. It'll take more than this heat to break me!" Exchanging smiles the two mages stepped into the darkness of the Circle Tower of Ostwick.
Lit by mage lights, as the smoke from torches would choke its residents, the bright blueish glow cast cool light over everything in contrast to the warm sunlight. The temperature inside was much cooler as the stone walls were inscribed with runes keeping it from becoming an oven in the hot Marcher climate. Mages milled about both lazily and with purpose with arms stuffed with books or alchemical ingredients. Templars lined the halls like living suits of armor, spaced evenly apart. One mage in a particular rush, dropped all her notes that fluttered about like ashes blown from a fire. The Templar nearby looked around and then bent to help her. She thanked him for his help, and he simply grunted in response before she continued in her state.
"I expected them to be more like slavers," Dhara whispered over.
"Believe it or not, my Circle was the most sedate of all the others around southern Thedas. I have seen that same thing happen when visiting other Circles, and it went like this," Evelyn recreated the same scene before them.
The mage had jogged by dropping her papers again, but this time the Templar grabbed the girl by her wrists, "You casting blood magic on me, maleifcar?! Are you?"
"N-n-no, ser! I dropped my--"
"What's this?!" He held up the recently sharpened quill still in her hand, "Were you planning on slitting your wrists with it and think I wouldn’t see it?"
"No!" She hollered desperately, "Please, ser! I'm just late to see the First Enchanter!" Begging for another few minutes, the Knight finally released her.
She frantically picked up her notes, but before she could leave, he grabbed her by the collar, "I'm watching you, go!" He spat after her under his breath, "Filthy mage." The pyromancers both sighed heavily as no words were needed to express their disgust at the latter scene.
Moseying along, they came upon the Mess Hall. The long room was lined with long tables with benches occupied by several groups of students cramming for their upcoming exam as Chantry Lay Sisters cleaned up from the most recently served meal.
"Trevelyan!" A deep brassy voice echoed through the Mess Hall. Dhara jumped slightly at it, but she just smiled and shook her head. Turning, a tall, dark handsome man with streaks of gray hair just above the ears strode up to them. His raven-black hair, tan skin, and charming smile disarmed many a mage and Templar alike in the Circle - including the Phoenix. "You're back, and just in time. Come here, I have news." Waving at them, the three walked back out into the hall and into a small reading enclave out of earshot.
"News about what, Henley?"
He opened his mouth to answer, but stopped to eye her companion instead, "Ah, who's your friend?" Dhara's eyes perked up as he eyed her wild clothing up and down.
Evelyn chuckled, "She's a friend of mine, you can speak freely in front of her." She turned to her sister mage, "This is my friend, Knight-Lieutenant Byron Henley. Feel free to gawk and gape, he loves that sort of attention, don't you?"
"Aye, and rightly deserved too. You may call me Dhara, Templar."
He chuckled with a flirty grin, "She talks funny. What Circle are you from, Dhara?" The young mage all but swooned at hearing her name.
"Any Circle ye'd like me to be from, handsome."
"Oh, for the love of…" Evelyn pinched the bridge of her nose. "Keep it in your pelts, D."
Henley chuckled, wiping a hand along his trimmed beard, "While I appreciate the compliment, you're a bit young for me, darlin'. I see Trevelyan has failed again to tell her so-called-friends about--"
"Nope, so shut it, big mouth before you find my foot in it." She gave her fellow Marcher a sharp look. Observant as ever, Dhara's eyebrows all but lifted off her forehead looking to Henley who gave her a wink. That was followed by a closed-mouth howl of pure glee at the discovery. "Look what you've done. This is why I don't tell people because you do it for me!" She thwacked his arm.
"Hold on, is this…," Evelyn winced at the turning wheels in her friend's head knowing what she was just realizing. "This is the Templar ye told us about at the Mead Hall after we got ye all saucy! Wait 'til I tell Ros I got to meet him!" She quietly squealed. "He certainly gives our Thane some competition," she elbowed her, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Who's Thane?" Henley balked at her crossing his arms.
"No one, forget it," she groaned, "what was it you needed to tell me, we have somewhere to be."
"Right, we've been called to help with a situation in Kirkwall. An ex-Templar by the name of Sampson is assisting mages in escaping the Circle. So far there are at least a dozen missing. They are requesting the aid of their sister Circle here in Ostwick. We leave in two days." He leaned slightly closer to speak in her ear, "We should be gone for some time, so um, bring something lacey." She shook her head at him as he popped his helmet back on and walked away with a grin.
When he turned the corner, Dhara looked as if she was a geyser set to blow. Bubbling up to her lips were thousands of comments and questions all halted when her mentor placed a finger on her lips, "So much no." The redhead deflated with great animation, "Let's not tell the Thane or his sister, or anyone in fact, about this until after the wedding. Or even better, after the Grey Wardens arrive and I leave with them, deal?" She nodded her head up and down enthusiastically. Hooking arms, the two continued on their tour of the Circle, all the while still focusing on the task at hand.
They got as far as the library when the Knight-Enchanter began to feel the cold hum of a demonic presence, "Let me show you the training grounds." She felt Dhara immediately tense, who still held her arm. They briskly made their way back down and out the front doors, saying hello to Ser Hayes who had already forgotten her name. The sun was setting and all the training was wrapping up for the day as the men and women all filed into their respective armor closets to store their gear. Usually, the only mage out on the grounds at this time, Evelyn was used to having the storage room to herself to change out of her sweaty practice armor. The space was small with a few old dusty weapons and armor racks. She had set herself up a nice little area as the room was exclusively hers.
Behind the only door in and out of the space were old crates and barrels the Templars likely threw in there not caring what the space was supposed to be used for. "Hide there," she pointed while the skinny mage wedged herself in behind the cover. Evelyn looked around at it from every angle making sure her bright hair could not be seen. Satisfied, she took her place in front of her armor stand and waited.
The cold shiver of his presence looming on the other side of the door pricked up every hair on her body. When the rusty click of the latch rang out, she dared not to look behind her. In order for the trap to be a success, she needed to feel the fear and despair, pushing away the memory of his death from her mind. Each clang of his armor made her twitch for her mana, but she couldn't, not here, not now.
"Good evening, little bird," the slight rasp in his voice from a childhood injury gave it a sinister edge, "You did well today in the yard, I enjoyed the show."
"What do you want, Ser Aeron?"
He lifted her braid inhaling her scent. The same hand then pushed it in front of her shoulder before placing it back on her neck massaging slow circles with his thumb. "There was just one problem…" she held her breath knowing what was coming. His nails dug into her neck as he threw her against the wall. She caught herself in time before smashing her skull on the stone. He grabbed her there again with a bruising grip, forcing her to look up at him, "The problem is you don't know your place, you piece of abomination shit! You think you are so much better than the Maker's true children, besting those Templars."
She gritted out, playing along, "It was a friendly spar! Just practice, we are on the same side!" As she spoke his pupils exploded as they roamed from her eyes down the column of her pale neck. He kissed her hard, all but hitting teeth together. His mouth was overwhelming and his hand was firm as she tried to pull away. Finally parting for air, they panted though for two completely different reasons.
"The same side? A friendly spar? Do you not hear the lies that spill from your beautiful lips? You are Desire itself." He kissed her again, but this time bit her lower lip, tearing it open. He pressed his thumb hard on it making it gush before painting it down her chin. While he was distracted, she tried to gauge how close Despair was. The demon was close, but not close enough still watching from a distance. It was time to entice it.
"The only lies I hear are the dilutions that create your reality, you deranged cretin!" She spat blood back at him. Unfazed, he stared at her for a moment with an unnerving calm. His dead eyes betrayed nothing, but his jaw muscles tensed as she awaited retribution.
A swift fist to the gut had her retching down on all fours. Followed by a few kicks at her torso then back. "I'm a cretin, am I?" His rage bubbled over, "This coming from the irredeemable blight on humanity! The Maker's children have been forced to suffer because of your very existence! You corrupt everything you touch! Look at what you've done to me!"
"I've done nothing to deserve this treatment!" Willing the haunted memory forth easily with her demon's help nearby, her voice trembled slightly. "It is not as if I have put you under a spell!"
"Oh, but you have bewitched me, my love, and I can no longer deny my sin. Your gravity is too much for me to fight, and I hate it! You are the reason at the hour of my judgment the Maker and His Bride will turn me away. I should kill you now," his hand gripped her throat hard, "end both our misery, and yet I can't because I love you!" He pushed her away before backhanding her. She fell to the ground, but caught herself, feeling the sting of the stone under her hands.
"You don't love me, this is not love!"
Hulling her up against the wall, his hot breath battered her face, "Don't you see, you make me do this to you," she glared at his pointed blame, and he tightened his grip on her. "You could be obedient and try to repent for your taint, but you don't! You don't apologize for what you are, instead, you waltz around here like you’re the fucking Divine!"
She gritted through her blood-stained teeth, "I have nothing to apologize for, unlike you." That did it. She watched the man before her quake so violently with rage, she was sure had this actually been a night terror, she'd earned herself a slow painful death.
Yet, the pain was nothing compared to the years of verbal abuse she had suffered from not only him but many others. The hate she battled wherever she traveled was always tiresome, but she was determined to show the world that not all mages were monsters. Each time she heard it, that rage ignited the fire in her, but soon she developed a thick skin able to ignore it at best. Modest in Temper, Bold in Deed. Sure, there were times she lashed out when it became too much, her Templar handlers reigning her back in on what little slack they gave her leash, but it was more than most mages had. Soon she learned The Game and how to play it even as insults flew at her like a spymaster's busy rookery. She may have had to play by their rules, but she had little to risk aside from her own reputation. The more she made friends with mages and Templars, along with those outside the Circle's influence using her noble lineage, the more the Chantry took notice.
Recreating her former home in the dream made her realize just how much of a prisoner she really was after living free all these months. Gods, she wished now she could go back just to shout from atop the Temple of Sacred Ashes the corruption and oppression the Chantry has condemned mages to. How they taught hate, for no child is born with it in their hearts, it is learned from the heavy influences in their life. It had always been the children who were most receptive to mages, but they twist their innocent minds, as they no doubt did Aeron's, against them. For what purpose, she feared to know. How some Templars like Henley came through their tutelage unscathed amazed her, though he was not the only one she had met. And yet, it would be those good men and women who are condemned to the slow deterioration of the mind for their service - the Chantry's gift to help them forget the abuses ordered upon their charges. That is, unless they enjoyed it, like Ryker Aeron.
Pushing her down to her knees, he held her in a hold to dislocate her arm. The pop and tear made her cry out, finally pulling tears from her. She fed the pain of both her physical and mental torment until the chilling presence was just outside the door. It reached into her mind feasting upon the devastation harbored there of the past and the things she could not change.
"Dhara, open the door now!" Kicking the empty creates out of her path, she pulled it open. Evelyn, using her good arm, grabbed the dagger she always had in her boot, slicing a surprised Aeron's throat deeply, before cutting the signal into her shoulder. Feeling the instant rejuvenating effects, including that of her shoulder being placed back into the joint, she listened to the heavy thud of the Templar's body hitting the ground. Her eyes though were trained on the hideous demon before her as she shook the forlorn feelings to steel her mind for battle, changing out of her Circle robe into battle armor.
Despair. It had indeed grown fat, the lanky disproportioned body hung out like a slug. It was the largest one she had ever seen, and it made her sick to know it had fed on her, Cullen, and the people of the Basin for years to become so. Its mouse-like face and beady eyes bore what she thought was surprise having been caught. Dhara had already cast a firey wall around them, trapping it as Evelyn molded the dream around them into an inescapable space where'd they do battle - The Harrowing Chamber. The great domed room provided the mages with space, but even the demon would have trouble escaping her now as she pulsated with lyrium consciously in her dream. The power of the combined pyromancers heated the metal holding up the roof's shape and tall windows. Despair winced at the increasing temperature radiating off the mages, becoming more agitated by the second.
Suddenly, a burst of ice cut through the room, staggering the mages back. "Barrier!" Evelyn called to her partner who had just shielded herself in time. The demon shot a stream of ice at them both, but despite its formidable strength, its power was divided and easily countered by the Phoenix. She fired her thick flames at Despair, overpowering the beam. The heavy black smoke had just touched the enemy when it shrieked an ear-piercing wail, making her cease her attack to cover her ears. Willing her eyes to stay open, it targeted Dhara, wanting to take out the weaker foe and thereby causing Evelyn no small amount of pain if it was successful.
The redhead had lost her footing after tripping on its ice splayed all over the ground. Down and vulnerable, Evelyn fade-stepped, spirit blade in hand ready to defend the moment she materialized. Sensing her next move, Despair faked making an attempt for Dhara, instead turning at the last moment sending the Phoenix flying backwards despite the appearance of her fiery wings. She skidded across the stone, limbs flying with her wing tucked about her. Coming to a stop, she groaned at the ache of her recently dislocated shoulder. Pushing through the pain, the demon was now after Dhara in earnest, but this time she was up and parrying as Evelyn had taught her. Seeing the opportunity, she fade-stepped to the slug-like body of the demon. Brandishing her spirit blade, she stabbed into the blue-gray fleshy mass. It wailed again in that high-pitched shriek, and as it did, she watched as her blade illuminated the inside of its body. To her horror, shadows of people appeared waving their arms as if calling out to her for help. The sight gave her a shiver that made her skin crawl as she struggled to make a larger cut into the demon to free them.
"Evie, watch yer asre!" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Despair swing its front around to cast at her. Large shards of ice were forming in its hands as she continued to try and release those trapped.
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"D, it has imprisoned people or souls, I don't know what, but they're inside! I'm trying to get them out, they are likely fueling this fucker! Light it up!"
"On it!" Running over to get a better angle, behind Evelyn a few paces, the young mage threw fireballs and streams of flame to try and counter its attacks. Sweating, having sawed through almost three feet of thick blubber and black demon ichor, she steeled herself to reach inside to grab whoever was there. The Knight-Enchanter was covered in the bile from her ears to hips reaching as far into the body as she could, but felt nothing.
Before she could try again, the pyromancers were hit by small dagger-like shards of ice. They were so sharp, it was like being cut by glass, as the dozens of slashes stung. Despair finally was beginning to take them as a serious threat, increasing the potency of its spells. Evelyn knew it didn't want to kill her, for she was a prime supplier of its power, but her Avvar companion was fair game.
Dhara cursed in Avvish, trying to shield them with a barrier but it was too late. Evelyn was no stranger to being hit by winter magic, but for the apprentice, it was a new experience though she bore it well. In fact, the veteran hadn't stopped from her current course of action before a wave of healing washed over both of them right on cue.
When her blade illuminated the belly of the beast again, she saw some of the shadows being sucked away. Looking at the demon, it was conjuring a powerful spell, "It's using the souls inside to feed its spells! We need to get them out. Distract it, I need to cut another foot or so!"
"Aye, I'll try, but my mana is getting low!"
With a foot planted on the side of its body for leverage, she poured more mana into her blade. Forward and back her shoulders sliced. She paused to vomit once, having got its black blood into her mouth, but continued at a feverish pace. Every now and then the demon slashed and clawed at her when it got away from Dhara, but the lacerations were swiftly sealed. Finally, having made a large enough incision, she stowed her hilt on her belt and grabbed the slimy flesh with her nails. With all her strength she pulled open the wound. A gush of demonic ichor flooded out, followed by arms reaching out screaming for help.
"Dhara! Come help me! I'll put up a barrier!" The agile Avvar dodged Despair's next few attacks, grabbing the first hand she seized. A spherical barrier formed around them as one by one, each soul was freed. Many quickly morphed into a ball of energy fleeing the dream through a small hole she created in the Harrowing Chamber's ceiling where the demon could not reach.
As the men and women emerged, she remembered how the demon was taking infants, one man lingered just off to her side and she called to him, "Hey, you!" He turned looking a bit distressed, and for a moment a jolting shock reverberated through her. Staring back at her was a man who, while nearly double their age, bore a stark resemblance to the man she was about to marry. His facial bones were more prominent, creased with wrinkles, no scarred lip but there were two striking lines by his left eye. Upon his examination of her, his shared eyes with his eldest son narrowed in that familiar way at her. She swallowed hard, "Why are there no children or infants with you?"
The spirit of this man was clearly disoriented, but the weight of her question fell upon him with such force, she thought him close to tears, "The demon always consumed the weaker ones first." Now she couldn't help the glassy sheen over her eyes, as she shared this profound revelation with Cullen's father.
"You need to go," her voice cracked, "follow the others. Find your wife in the sky with Our Lady." She groaned, still holding pulling back the flesh and concentrating on the weakening barrier Despair was desperately trying to break. Glancing back at him, time slowed as the two exchanged knowing looks. He didn't know who she was, but she knew of him, "Shall I give your love to your children?"
The thought seemed to pain him, but she saw the affection brighten his countenance, "Yes, and I ask for their forgiveness."
Even as she lost her footing in the black gore splayed about the floor and her body, she never broke eye contact, nodding. "Go, please!" Turning and shrinking into a ball of blue light, he fell in line with the others as they escaped for good to finally be united with their gods and loved ones.
"I think that all of them," Dhara was panting heavily and now painted black as well from helping the souls out. A loud crack made them jump as the demon finally broke through. Enraged, it clawed the redhead's back up fiercely before the Phoenix could react, slipping about.
Her own rage boiled over at the thought of this demon consuming infants to fuel its evil. "Shield yourself and stay back," her tone was grave, "and don't follow me." With a final look to her partner who glowed with healing magic, she pushed through into Despair's body. Passing through the blubbery folds, she heard Dhara cry out for her, but she saw only red.
Though it was dark, her pulsating blood lit the moist interior of membranes and nerves. They twitched and tensed at her every movement. With a firey hand, she pressed it to the side of the wall listening to the creature scream. She was going to enjoy torturing the cause of her night terrors; of Cullen's; of the entity that had caused so many mothers and fathers to weep. Sensing her plan, the demon hit its own body trying to dislodge her, but she crouched in the center protected by the same slimy blubber that had imprisoned the helpless innocent souls. The heat of her aura grew as she began smelling something akin to burnt blood.
When its physical attacks on her failed, it resorted to mental ones. As she squatted inside it, a sensation like she was drunk suddenly made her sway like she had been swallowed by a whale. Visions of painful memories flashed through her mind accompanied by a hammering headache that forced her eyes shut. Forgetting where she was for a few moments, she fought it as it threatened to bring her to the depths of its trickery. It knew her weaknesses intimately, as it highlighted every low in her life. It was only Dhara's voice, yelling to her from the outside that broke the trance.
Evelyn's eyes snapped open, remembering where she was. With a deep breath, she began crafting a bomb between her hands. The flames rolled and glowed as she poured her mana into it. The woman on the other side stopped her calls, no doubt now able to see the Phoenix's silhouette against the light emanating from inside. Despair invaded her mind causing her no small amount of agony with every probe, but she would never let it win. Unable to contain the growing fire bomb in her hands, she shot it toward the front of the slug-like form, before casting a barrier and curling up into a fetal ball. It had occurred to her only then that she hadn’t fully thought this plan through…
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"How will we know if they were successful?" Cullen paced impatiently as another hour came and went. He told Rylen and Cassandra to go back to their longhouse to update the three no doubt still awake with worry. If this was to go on all night and day, then they would need to take shifts.
"They will wake up, my Thane," Dusan's deep rumble was calm as he watched over the other mages.
"And if they don't?"
"They will. You need to have more faith in the Phoenix." As the battle moved into the early hours of the morning, the adrenaline pumping through him kept his exhaustion at bay as he wore a path on the dirt floor of the hut. His worry stemmed from several reasons, the most worrying being the consequences of Evelyn's death. Everything was falling into place from their wedding to the impending arrival of the Grey Wardens. She was his responsibility, everything depended on her.
A sharp gasp made everyone jump and turn towards the two lying on the floor. Dhara's eyes snapped open as she sat up wide-eyed looking over to Evelyn who still lay there dreaming.
"Fasta vass, she not breathing!" Dorian, who had still been concentrating on his charge, mirrored the young mage's reaction.
"She was inside Despair when she cast a massive firestorm spell! I was able to pull her out, but she was covered in demon blood! The dream deteriorated as she became unconscious and booted me from it!"
"Move!" Cullen was on her faster than lightning, pumping her chest hard as Dorian felt for her pulse and breathing. Every few pumps they met eyes, the mage shaking his head. "Can't you do something, Dusan?!"
"Not if it's demon blood, it is unholy. Our magic cannot remove it from her."
"But is it all in her head or is she actually drowning in it?!" He looked from mage to mage as they thought about it, his anger rising with each second of silence. He growled redoubling his effort. "Evelyn, wake up!" He commanded - as if she ever listened to him, though he really wished she would in this instance!
Dhara was only about a foot from him watching intently, "Please, my Thane! Do somethin'!"
A memory from his youth surfaced in his mind of the time his father had saved one of the other village boys from drowning. He moved off her and turned her on her side. Placing his fingers down her throat, she instantly gagged, dry heaving a few times until a vile black bile coated the floor. He held her loose hair back as she spit, gasping for air as she braced herself against the ground. Wiping her mouth, she leaned back, guiding her back to rest on him. They crowded around them taking a quick assessment of her health.
"Water, please," she rasped out, spitting on the floor again. Ilara passed her a wooden cup of it that she used to wash out her mouth. Dorian gagged and turned away from her, scrunching up his nose at the smell of the black bile on the ground. Dusan began instructing Dhara on how to rid the sanctified hut of the vile ichor, while Ilara and he stayed with the Phoenix. "I'm fine, I'll just be ill for the next few hours until my body purges itself of the taint."
"Is the demon dead?" At her omission that she was indeed well, he could help but ask about the outcome of the mission.
"Oh yeah. I fried that fucker back to the Void, and then some," she smiled wearily back up at him. "Told you, Rutherford, I know what I'm doing though your assistance was helpful at the end."
"Did you really go inside the demon?"
Dhara quickly jumped in to answer his question, "Ye should've seen it, my Thane!" The young mage made motions with her hand indicating its size and then the fate that befell it. He couldn't help but stare a bit amused by her expressiveness.
At her telling, Evelyn's eyes went wide as she sat up on her own volition as everyone listened, "If you've seen it, you'd have shit your pants. It was the biggest demon I've ever seen. Dhara did very well." The redhead's face brightened with a satisfied smile, "You'll need to cleanse your back. Do you have anything akin to holy water, Augur Dusan?"
"Yes," he chimed in, "I will fetch some, it's the same water you drank at the Wintersend ceremony."
"Just plain rainwater?" She looked at him with skepticism.
The Augur's wrinkled chocolate lips smiled knowingly at her, "Rain is the Lady of the Skies' tears when the clouds obscure her view of the Mountain-Father, and as such is sacred - at least here in the Frostback Basin. Have faith, Phoenix, it will heal your wounds." With that, the elder walked out into the darkness of the wee hours of the morning.
"I hate to be a pain--" Dorian began.
"No more than usual," Cullen quickly muttered, his tired brain not even realizing he said it aloud until he heard the snickering.
"Oh, really? Well, I look forward to the two of you mating on a nightly basis, perhaps then you'll be in a better mood!" Both his and Evelyn's jaws dropped, "That's right, I just made it awkward and now I'm leaving. Have fun with that parting gem!" As Dorian's hand touched the door, the Thane's stolen bride vomited again. "Sorry darling, I didn't know how strongly you felt about it," he gave Cullen a 'yikes' face as he scooped up her hair once more while she purged more demon bile from herself. Glancing at the other two women who looked ready to both laugh and bolt out of the room, he scowled and nodded at the door. They happily fled, using the excuse that they were going to go find and help the Augur.
"Sorry," she spat, "bad timing. It was not purposely done, I swear." He only realized then that she was chuckling as much as she could in her present state.
He scratched the back of his head joining in, "Yeah, thanks for that, now I'll be condemned to an evening of him telling me what I need to do to woo you properly as he goes down his list of my flaws."
"Well, considering that you'll still here holding my hair while I empty myself of this disgusting taint, I'd say you're doing a fairly decent job." They shared another smile and laugh before her brow drew down, "While we're alone, there's something I need to tell you." He clenched his jaw in natural response to her tone, "While in the Fade, I mean - ugh, I'm still getting used to saying it - Land of Dreams, Realm of Dreams, whatever it is, I saw your father."
Never in a million years had he expected her to say that, "What?!"
She turned her body to face him, and quieted him with a gentle touch holding his hand, "He was trapped inside Despair's body, as were other souls. We freed them to move on, but your father just happened to linger by me. I asked him," she paused, almost making him think she was leaving something out, "… a question, about how many others were still inside, and there was no mistaking the uncanny resemblance once I saw his face."
"I-It's true, I take my looks from him."
"Scared me shitless, for a second I thought it was you - anyway, he wanted me to pass along a message to you and siblings," he held his breath, "he sends his love and asks for your forgiveness."
He felt his brow knit together as he stared off to contemplate the meaning of the words. Was he sorry for getting himself killed right after losing their mother? For not sending word back to the Hold one way or another for months until news finally came that he was killed? Then for the decline of law once Mia refused to step forward to take his place? That despite her stout support, that the responsibility and honor of their family rested with him to earn the Thaneship at any cost. To place him in the path of this prophecy to deal with. To shed his blood and sweat against his neighbors, some good friends, to preserve their family's legacy.
"Cullen, you're hurting my hand," came the soft, but still hoarse voice from across from him. He mumbled an apology not meeting her eyes that he knew were fixated on him. "I can see those words carry a heavy message. Shall I give you a moment alone?"
"No, I'm alright, it was just unexpected."
"I'm sure. I will leave you then to decide if and how to tell the others then. I will not say a word." He finally met her tired eyes, and a new wave of concern washed over him noticing the purple bags under her eyes and the scars from the demon's attacks. He cupped her cheek brushing a thumb over one that scored her across the eyebrow, "Don't worry, the blessed water with take away the marks, I'll be good as new." Her face suddenly turned green as he was quick again to move her long locks away from being soiled.
"I'll send word to Ros, to get a bath ready," she nodded at his words while still bent over. "Thank you for ridding us of bloody demon, I know it could not have been easy to see Aeron again. And thank you for the message."
Wiping her mouth with a disgusted grunt, she sat up looking paler but with a smile, "Just doing my job, Thane." They shared a look before her expression took on one of terror, "To be honest, I'm not sure what would've happened to you all had I not been here." Evelyn grimaced at the thought.
"Does that mean you like us now?"
A slow smirk grew on her face as he hoped, "You're all like family now, and some," she poked his shoulder hard pushing him back a bit, "actually will be." He couldn't help but smile at the fact that she had finally accepted things, because, for the longest time, he feared he was going to be bound to a spiteful woman who could indeed light his pants on fire every day.
"Come on, let's go find the Augur, get you the water, and go back home." She nodded and he helped her from off the floor. "Try not to vomit on my boots along the way."
"Shut it, you try cutting a hole through a few feet of demon fat and guts, then go delving in to blow the fucker up. It smelt like a vinegary bog of piss and rotten meat." A second later she was already bent over dry heaving. "I better tell you the rest of it later, I don't think my stomach can take it."
"I'm sure Dhara will beat you to it," as they exited the hut, his prediction was verified as they watched the young mage jump and lunge expressively as she told the story to the others. "It will be her job one day to recount your deeds to the clan."
She hummed beside him in acknowledgment, "And do I have a say in what she shares? I don't need everyone knowing about-- never mind."
"What?"
"Not important. Just things from my past." He didn't quite believe her but let the matter drop, knowing it could be something painful. "May we test out that boundary line we made on the bed earlier, I mean last night, technically? Despite the demon being gone, I can still have nightmares, they just won't feed anything this time."
"If that's what you want, I'll stay with you. Did Aeron..." At the hearing of his name, Dhara froze rigidly as they had joined her and Dusan, Ilara having left after helping cleanse her wounds.
"No, he didn't, just landed a few good hits is all." She looked worriedly over to her student, "I'm sorry D, are you alright after... that."
Rarely seeing the girl angry, she replied, "I was after seein' ye nearly cut his head off," she spat in disgust, "plowing whoreson. Are ye alright? T'was not I who he abused." Cullen remembered the cut lip, bruising about her body, and the dislocated arm that they could do nothing about as they held their breath waiting eagerly for the signal to appear again. Each new injury Dorian announced made him wish on the day of her challenge he had made that monster suffer more rather than giving him a swift death.
The heaviness of her sigh carried in it the years of living through that hell, yet overcoming it all. As she went to answer, he cut her off putting an arm around her, "I'll see to it that she is, Dhara." His voice was soft, one not many were used to hearing or at least had not heard for years. Yet, it came easily as he gazed at his bride with a new dawning appreciation of who she was.
Evelyn Trevelyan was stubborn and defiant, but it had saved her from becoming a victim, weakening under the lash of her abuser. Any lesser woman would have given in to the monster's torment, submitting to any punishment just to end the misery. It was those same two traits that she deployed against him when they had met. He didn't see it then, but she was fighting against another jailer. She had tried escaping, negotiating, and in one last ditch effort, challenged him to an all-or-nothing fight to the death. Granted, he wasn't a rapist - as they shared one physical, yet consensual night - but this was a woman who was not going to be subjected to anyone's will but her own after years of battle for her freedom in every sense of the word.
Not even actual demons could stand against her, having just vanquished one attached to the prophecy. Perhaps, he had been wrong about her not being worthy of the title of Lady of the Hold. It had been her fiery resolve that convinced him to let her go after the demon being so confident she'd kill it. Though he felt they were rushing into it, his faith in her was rewarded.
"The Phoenix, with the help of our future Augur, has vanquished the demon hurting our people. Let it be announced in the morning to the entire Hold and in all the others," he declared.
The two Augurs bowed their heads and then placed a fist on their heart. "It would be an honor to tell our people the news when they wake," Dusan replied resolutely.
"Now, let's get you back and rested," he still held her, and she had curled up slightly to his chest, looking up at him happy to have his strength. Cullen took a pitcher of the blessed water from the Augur for her to cleanse the purple scars cut across her body before she bathed.
Once home, he helped her get what she needed and then left to wait out in the common room for her. The others had since gone to sleep, but a plate of bread and cheese was left out for them to eat. Owayne lay in his makeshift room in the corner snoring, no doubt relieved to have heard his sister was alright. With his earlier revelation came a new respect for the brother of his bride, having traveled to the opposite end of Thedas to be with his sister. He was no longer afraid of her thinking of home for she had accepted her place here, with him.
His heart began to hope, to beat back to life that everything he had done and sacrificed for his family in the last eight years was finally working in his favor. Could he be allowed an ounce of, dare he dream it, happiness? In his eyes, it could take many forms from a peaceful home life to the completion of the prophecy. Restoring the balance to the Basin and maybe starting a family of his own finally. As he stared at the dwindling fire, the possibilities presented themselves to him.
His deep line of thought was stopped when Evelyn emerged from the washroom. Her hair was wet and her skin shined in the low light missing the signs of her earlier battle. She put her flowing nightgown back on and began to braid her hair looking over to him as he sat in the old but sturdy log chair his grandfather had made. It was draped in furs and even had a soft goose feather cushion on the seat. She looked expectantly over to his room, but seeing the food, she changed directions pivoting on a bare foot over to him.
Curling up in his lap with a piece of bread, he could feel the heat from the bath coming off her. He took in her vanilla and embrium scent that reminded him of holiday cakes. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to recline back, resting his head back until he felt the trickle of crumbs on him. He opened an eye to see her guilty face looking right at him, with those large molasses eyes. He scowled at her in jest before simply leaning back again closing his eyes and chuckling, "Didn't they teach you how to eat in your fancy noble house?"
She laughed while chewing on the hearty piece, "Yes, but the bread was cut more neatly."
"Sure, blame the bread for there being crumbs in my lap."
"I don't know why you're," she poked his nose making him open his eyes, "complaining, I'm the one sitting in them."
She shifted trying to brush them off, but he wrapped his arms around her pulling her to his chest. "Just leave it, I'm comfy." He let out a large yawn. Content with a yawn of her own she placed her head on his shoulder and a hand on the opposite one. The Thane pulled a heavy wool blanket off the arm of the chair to place over them, "I think we can get an hour or two of sleep in before the house wakes."
"That sounds lovely… thank you, by the way for staying with me while I was sick. Demon poisoning is nasty even for most healers. I think it has passed."
"No need to thank me for taking care of what's mine." She stirred at his words, feeling her eyes open and blink against his shirt. "I didn't mean…"
Her hands gripped him tighter, "I know," she tilted her head up and he looked down at her sleepily. Thinking on instinct, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. With a relaxing breath, she melted back into him.
"Only good dreams," he whispered.
"You too." A few gentle breaths later the two were fast asleep in the chair.
Three hours later, the clanking of pots with a whispered 'sorry' came from across the room as Rosalie began breakfast while Bran and Owayne talked quietly. He slowly came to out of a dreamless sleep for once, and the woman still asleep in his arms lazily stretched about not quite ready to awaken yet.
"Does fighting a big-arse demon not entitle me to a few more minutes," she turned her back to their audience, shimming back into the heat of his core.
"How are you feeling little sis? Heard you killed that bastard in true firebird fashion." The other Trevelyan called over.
At hearing his voice, she picked her head back up, "Sore, and I certainly did." She chuckled, "I think I confounded the bloody thing when I jumped inside it. It was hitting itself to try and dislodge me. In hindsight though, it wasn't the smartest move. At least I'm not puking demon blood anymore."
"You did… what?!"
"I second that," Bran echoed, both men with shocked faces. "I think it's story time."
Evelyn groaned burring her face back into his shirt, her voice muffling out, "A few more minutes!"
"Leave her be," Cullen finally intervened, happy to enjoy the mage tangled about in his lap. "The Augur will be telling the story in the market soon, you can hear his version first. I'm sure Dhara will do the tale justice, having been there and all." Pacifying them for the time being, he closed his eyes again to revel in the old-new feeling of having someone to hold.
"Don't you two have a bedroom you can move to so we can stop whispering?" Bran annoyingly pointed out.
Cullen opened his eyes again with an unreadable look to his brother, "We do, but seeing as this is my house, we will sleep where we'd like."
He felt her laugh silently against him, "Maybe we should sleep on the table so we can sleep and eat, Bran can feed us since he's so insistent upon us starting our day." Evelyn stretched her arms up out of the blanket circling his neck with a tired grin.
Branson huffed, "I liked it better when you two fought all the time." The couple simply ignored them the rest of the morning lulling in and out of a light sleep.
As the morning light streamed in through the high slit windows, shining right on their faces, she grumbled up to him, "Do we really have to get up?"
He arched his back forward in a stretch making her sit up, "The Thane's work is never done. I have to at least get up and meet with the council. We do have a war on - a defensive war but one nonetheless. I also need to send word to the other holds of your victory. Perhaps by the winter, we will have a babes to strengthen our people."
"About that," she rubbed sleep from her eyes, "they really shouldn't expect to conceive so soon. I would suggest everyone drink the Lady's water. I'm not sure of the extent of Despair's curse, but that should rid them of any internal taint. That goes for the men too."
"I will include that in the message." The prophecy suddenly recited itself in his mind, reminding him that only after the Phoenix's conception would others be able to do so as well… that was a problem for another day. They have a Knotting Ceremony to get through first.
Standing they made their way lazily over to their room to dress and splash some water on their faces. Though the breakfast was cold, it was still editable and they ate quickly. "What are you doing today?" He asked knowing that it most likely had to do with their wedding in three days.
"Not sure, but I better go check in with the Augur about my initiation tomorrow." Walking towards the doors, she turned suddenly blocking his path. "I wanted to thank you again for looking after me last night, I know it wasn't the most… attractive sight. I hope I didn't… I mean," she blushed looking to the heavens for the words, "Just thank you, I really needed that and I didn't even have to ask you."
"Well, Trevelyan, as I told you, I take care of what's mine. I do have more experience with marriage than you, so trust me when I say that's what husbands do." Since the demon's demise, he felt a lightness in his mind and soul. As if he was unable to process the deaths of his parents and wives when the demon reigned. While the pain could never be taken away, especially where his stillborn children were concerned, he looked upon it with new eyes. Despair had wanted him to blame himself, for he believed he was cursed, but in the years that followed after Ninne's death, he selfishly dwelled on his pain ignoring that of others who were losing infants or misarranging. It wouldn't allow him to see beyond his grief, and now that he could it was as if a whole new world had unfolded before him. He felt like an Avvar again, for change was constant as with the cycle of life and death. The gods ensured balance and took action to preserve their mortals. He needed to trust in their plan for him, having not been able to comprehend it before. There was much for him to think about now, he just hoped it wasn't too late.
Evelyn bit her lip trying to hold back her radiant smile at his words but failed, "I… do trust you, as you trusted me last night. It means a great deal to me. It's all very new to me. I never thought... I didn't expect to feel…" A palpable tension hung in the air between them. There was a different glimmer in her eyes he had never seen. The deep chocolatey pools swirled with warmth, begging to say something. He saw it on the tip of her tongue, her lush lips parting and pursing in frustration. With a defeated sigh, she laughed dispelling the heaviness the way she was always good at, "I'm quite articulate this morning." Though it was said in jest, a moment later she looked faintly angry with herself, as he watched the twitch of her brow. Remembering his thoughts of her last night and how differently he viewed her, he wondered if Despair's absence was affecting her too.
"When you find the words, you know where to find me," he sidestepped her and opened the door. Feeling as though he could've finished her sentence, he wished she would've just said it, it would've been easier, but she was still stubborn and so was he.