The day started with light fanfare as the Rutherford home celebrated her initiation, the day she officially would be welcomed into the fold as an Avvar. Just before midday, her nearest and dearest friends joined them for an early meal before Evelyn was to present herself to the Augur. Mia and her family were in attendance along with the usual friendly crowd and some of the more prominent members of the clan who had sworn fealty to the Rutherfords back a few generations. More interesting was the crowd that huddled about outside their home watching the comings and goings.
Each time the doors to the longhouse opened, she could see people craning their heads to get a glimpse of the gathering. Any other time with it being anyone else, it was a family and close friend affair. However, the Phoenix had just won a great victory giving hope to many couples throughout the Basin. Prayers for rain to the Lady of the Skies were on everyone's lips as the Augur struggled to keep his store of it, giving out to everyone in the Hold. Word of gifts and offerings en route to her from every hold, even that of Wolf-Fang Hold, had Redhold in a flurry of excitement as they were at the epicenter of a legend in the making.
There were still a number of Avvar, in particular the elders, who refused to acknowledge her until she was stripped of her Lowlander status. They spoke only Avvish around her and often ignored her unless in the Thane's presence. He had tried to politely explain that they were just of an older generation and that's just what they had been brought up doing. She supposed it made sense, at her Great Aunt Lucile's Summer Ball, she had Henley as a "chaperone" for the night, and even though he was a Knight-Lieutenant, some of her older relatives couldn't look past the fact that he was the son of a bricklayer.
With two days to go before the Knotting Ceremony, her initiation was high on the priority list. As it had been explained to her, she and Dhara were to enter the Land of Dreams again under the influence of a ceremonial liquor that would invoke visions. Unlike lyrium, however, this ritual would take them to a realm of the Fade directly linked to the Avvar gods and spirits. The more she learned of their religion, the more she truly began to believe that the Frostback Basin existed as a separate entity in Thedas and beyond the Veil, like the gods had put up a barrier shielding it from outsider influence. The odd thought occurred to her wondering if the Maker hadn't been absent, the same would have been felt back in the Lowlands.
After they broke the fast, with spirits high, the startling figure of Dhara entered the home. She was scantly dressed, about how she expected the Avvar to dress when she had first arrived; The apprentice Augur wore a fur breastband barely covered by a leather sleeveless vest. The vest had many thin strings crossing across her breasts and tied to the side with colorful textured shells, bone, and glass beads. Her torso was exposed, as were most of her arms and legs up to her hips, but it was all painted a clay red. Fur bracers and boots did help to add some warmth to the ensemble, though she didn't seem bothered by the chill in the air. Lastly, she wore a loincloth with a decorative belt adorned with a raven's skull.
As the gathering parted for her, Evelyn whispered to Cullen, "Tell me I don't have to dress like that." There was a slight laugh in her tone as she eyed her intended who just gave her a guilty face. Her mouth made the shape of an 'o' watching Dhara approach with what she would assume was her ceremonial matching outfit in a pitifully short folded stack.
He swallowed hard, seemingly knowing her well enough now as to how she reacted to such things, "Well, yours may be slightly… less than that."
Her eyes burned holes in him, "Less than that?!" Her harsh whisper garnered some attention, "You'd let your soon-to-be wife out in public like that?!"
He rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I-- it's tradition. We have to have proof that you were touched by the spirits to approve of your acceptance into our culture. Hence the paint, it's enchanted and will change color upon their touch." It was true, as explained to her the spirits would mark her as favorable if they approved of her based on their interaction in the Fade. Dhara wore the paint in solidarity, but her role was purely supportive in the endeavor. She had been warned that on rare occasions the gods have even made their mark on the truly favored. Having already encountered Hakkon, the chances of meeting another god were better than most.
The redhead stood in front of her biting her lip in excitement, "Come on, time to strip ye and paint ye." The couple shared a look, "… with the Thane's permission of course."
"Cullen…"
"Go, and I'll give you my mantle to walk outside."
"Just outside? My brother is here, you know?"
"I'm well aware, along with the fact that he has described various women of his in excruciating detail. I believe he is quite familiar with the fairer sex. Besides, I'm sure he's capable of closing his eyes. Go, Trevelyan," he said with a playful annoyance.
She huffed, readying a rebuff, but Dhara ushered her back to the Thane's bedroom to prepare, "You heard 'em, Evie. You can argue when we're finished."
Once in the privacy of the bedroom, she shed her dress as she was painted from the shoulders down with the red enchanted paint. It tingled as it dried on her skin as if making every nerve hypersensitive. Once she was coated, Dhara wrapped a loincloth around her waist. It hung off the tops of her shapely hips and ended in a point about her knees in the front and back. Her top was similar to that of her student's, but it had fur trim and feathers lining the arm holes.
"Dhara, this paint…"
"I know, it makes ye more… sensitive. It's an effect of the spell to attract spirits." As she fussed over the final touches of Evelyn's outfit, an urge to hug and hold the young mage broke over her. The warm protective spirit of their friendship bloomed and fond memories of their time together surfaced. She looked at the redhead's face as she worked until she caught her eye. Immediately she broke out into a giggle, "Feelin' all cuddly, Evie? Try to ignore it, or ye'll be humping everyone's leg out there like a bitch in heat." A wicked smile graced her pink lips while mumbling, "Though I'm sure the Thane wouldn't mind one bit."
She groaned and rolled her eyes lying, "As if that'd be my reaction to him."
"Aye, maybe," the look she gave out of the corner of her eye told her she didn't buy it, "but what of him? Did ye ever consider his feelins'?"
A thoughtful look graced her face, "I never… no, that's ridiculous. We have a mutual understanding and a shared mission. I mean, I think we care enough for each other…"
"Evie," the young mage with her big brown eyes softened her usual cheery tone to one of sincerity, "let me tell ye what I see because it's obvious the two of ye don't." When the door opened, in stepped Mia and Rosalie, asking after her preparations. Thinking the moment had passed, she broke away from Dhara, but she pulled Evelyn over to sit by the fire with the other women. "I have no doubt ye'll pass yer initiation today, so let us speak like Avvar women, with open honesty."
"What exactly are we speaking of?" Mia's tone for once was softer, yet still held its stern edge. The crackle of the fire beside them made for an intimate atmosphere, though the occasional sound from the main room broke the tranquility.
"I was just about to tell her that she's daft if she thinks what she and the Thane call 'friendship' is just that." The Rutherford women snorted a laugh sharing a look, which was the first hint of a smile she had seen from Mia.
"Why does this conversation sound familiar, Mia?" Rosalie smirked over at her mischievously. Without answering directly, the graying woman stroked her long thick braid smiling to herself with a deep inhale. "I suppose it's her turn now." Evelyn sat with a sour look on her face, unsure if she liked all this Avvar blunt honesty, especially when she didn’t wish to hear it. Yet, would she rather deal with lying nobles with fake sentiments and ulterior motives for their every word? It was like she was doomed to suffer at the extremes of different cultures at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Why this marriage was everyone's business was beyond her - well, not really, she knew the family was the focal point in which the clan revolved.
Mia flicked her eyes up to the Phoenix as if reading her mind, "Looks like our soon-to-be sister is none too pleased by the topic. Maybe they are more alike than I had originally thought."
"Aye, like two sides of the same coin," Dhara chimed in.
"So, what? Is this where you all tell me that we are in love and don't know it? If we're so similar, then I'm quite certain he told you how wrong you are." The sisters nodded their heads, "And… you didn't listen to a word he said I bet?" They both nodded again laughing lightly as Evelyn groaned. "Fine, you want honesty," her temper flaring slightly at their pigheadedness, "then let me reiterate what I'm sure he told you and put the matter to rest. We are making the best of a situation being orchestrated beyond our control. The gods didn't necessarily mean to bring me to Redhold, it was Kitsa and her actions on your behalf. I could very well be marrying Axlan or gods forbid one of those bastards from Stone-bear Hold, had they beaten you to me. To all of your credit, you were able to keep me here as I fought to leave."
"I do recall Cullen saving your arse multiple times," Mia quirked an eyebrow up at her.
"Exactly my point."
"No, you also wanted to come back," she raised her eyebrows very matter-of-factly.
"Given the choice between marrying a sadistic madman, being raped by a dozen men, or returning here, I think it's a rather easy choice! Can you blame me?"
"And what of Wintersend?"
"Does everyone know of that?!" The three women shared smiles. Evelyn groaned hiding her face in her hands as she grumbled, "Wasn't Dhara going to tell me of what--"
"Don't change the subject, Phoenix," Mia scolded though with good humor. Clearly, Evelyn's discomfort was proving entertaining for the matron. "Granted, your lovemaking was--"
"Oh, no, no, no! Love had nothing to do with it! We had been drinking, then fighting…"
The small cabal of women speaking in earnest became a debate between her and Mia, "Yet, you were coherent enough by the end to deal with Axlan rather nicely."
The conversation was grating on her patience, as she was becoming more and more frustrated. Standing, she paced back and forth all but yelling now, "Is what you want to hear is that I am attracted to Cullen, physically? That he makes me feel safe and I enjoy his company?" A creak from behind her nearly tore her from her tirade, but she was too committed to stop, "That the more I understand him, the more I sympathize with all he's endured and wish to lessen his burden? That I have finally found someone who understands my trauma and has helped me with the process of moving past it. That the idea of marriage to him is no longer disgusting to me, and I look forward to it…" she turned as her mind finally caught up to processing the noise she heard. Standing in a bit of shock was Cullen.
As the awkward moment stretched on, he finally spoke, "I see they got to you too."
Wiping a hand down her face, she breathed out a breathy response, "Yes, they did." Trudging in defeat towards the door, but before she reached them, her temper got the better of her, though she kept her tone stern, "You know, the fact that you cornered both him and I is completely inappropriate. You like to say Lowlanders are bad with gossip, when in fact you lot are just as nosey. I think, considering the pressure that has been on the both of us, that we deserve a bit more privacy." Her mana was pulsing in her veins, "I'm glad you find us so entertaining, and yes, it is laughable at times, but believe me when I tell you that I say this with all the sincerity in my heart… fuck off!" A gentle hand wrapped around her waist guiding her toward the doors. Expecting to be scolded for the reprimand given to the women, she found he too directed a nasty scowl their way. "Since we're soooo alike, did you tell them that too?" Her sarcasm landed heavily as she addressed him.
He still didn't look at her making his point to the others, "No, though I should have. Come, it's time." Taking off his mantle, he slung it around her shoulders helping to cover her. When their eyes met, both softened in understanding as they shared a wordless moment. She had just fought for them, as a couple, for the first time which was not lost on him. Looking both over his shoulder, he called, "Dhara, are you waiting for an invitation to join us?" Blushing, the redhead stood and hurried through the door first with an apology and the sisters filed out after the Thane and his bride.
The gathering in the main room parted for them, and Cullen kept his hand on her tightly. Wishes of luck, even from her brother, were given in passing and she nodded her thanks. Bran and Rylen opened the double doors to their longhouse as they approached, to which the crowd outside clapped and cheered. It was only then she realized she wore no shoes, having been purposely forgone. Clutching the mantle closed tightly for modesty, the gentle breeze of the sunny day wafted the scent of oakmoss and elderflower at her. That combined with his hand on her skin made it feel like she was enveloped by him. The sensation as if she was in a cocoon was intoxicating wanting to curl up on his lap again as they did the other night.
As they approached the Augur's hut, she couldn't help but whisper, "I'm sorry for yelling at your sisters."
He chuckled, "I'm not." Their eyes met again with a cheeky smile.
At the door to the hut, Dhara stood holding it open looking sheepishly to the ground. As she went to part from him, he grabbed her hand pulling her back. Gliding the back of his finger down her cheek, he asked, "May I?" She looked up into his amber eyes seeing something there that made her heart thump against her ribcage. Consenting, she gave him her unscarred cheek and he kissed it gently. "Be strong, and good luck Trevelyan."
A bit bashful, she softly replied, "Thanks Rutherford." At the door she paused, pulling Dhara into a playful headlock and hugging her until she giggled back to her usual self.
Inside, the Augur cast his spell and the two women laid down on reed mats. Taking one more deep breath as the Dream World pulled at her consciousness, she savored the warm loving feeling, knowing that so long as Cullen was nearby she had nothing to worry about. As he had said before, she was safe with him and now he knew, if he didn't believe her before, that he was indeed safe with her.
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Cullen sat on the dais alone for one of the last times. Evelyn was off on a journey of her own to speak with the Spirits and emerge an Avvar. Aside from the morning festivities that were carrying on into the afternoon at his home, as Thane, the business of running a Hold did not stop on account of personal matters. Far from it, in fact.
"Thane, there are Orlesian merchants here looking to trade. They seek an audience with you to gain permission to enter." Cassandra, always weary of Lowlanders and their motives to visit within their walls, always insisted he meet with them out at the gates. Excusing himself for a moment, the two of them made their way out of the Great Hall and to the tall fortified walls.
As they approached getting an eyeful of their guests, he felt something was off about the merchants. First, there were only two of them with a small stock of goods to trade. Typically, when merchants came, they had wagons and mercenaries with them for they knew the Basin was a wild untamed land full of dangers. Though the Avvar would not attack traders without cause, the beasts would. With his standard questions at the ready, the Lowlanders straightened upon seeing him approach, the wind ruffling his maroon cotton shirt missing its accompanying mantle. His face was set intensely, matching Cassandra's serious demeanor.
"I am Thane Rutherford of Redhold. If you wish to trade, you will answer my questions." The couple before him clasped their hands in front of them, though he was unsure if it was due to the cold or custom, for even though it was spring, there was still a chill in the air. They nodded and agreed in their odd accent readily. "Have you conducted trade with any of the other Holds?"
"No, Thane. You were our first stop, but we hope to stop elsewhere." They failed the first question. There were at least two closer holds to the pass through the mountains. Any merchant would've stopped there first, hoping to not have to travel deeper into the wilds. If not, by the time they arrived at Redhold, their wares were usually picked clean of the better quality goods. The dwarven stalls did much better than others here since the Thaig's entrance was much closer to Redhold. Not to mention they having one of the largest populations in the Basin, traded mostly for food, herbs, and spices with the dwarves. Despite the low stock of tradable goods in the Lowlanders' possession, their reply piqued his suspicion.
"I see," he crossed his arms and his chief warrior followed suit, "where are you from and what have come to trade?"
Digging into one of their sacks, he and Cassandra discreetly tightened a hand on their weapons, but they only pulled out a handful of various citrus fruits. He supposed they didn't need wagons full of food, but something was still not sitting well with him. "We come from the distant shores of Antiva. Our employer wishes to establish relations in the Frostback Basin with the Holds to provide your people with quality citrus grown on the finest orchard in all of Thedas." The overly friendly speech and sultry accent did not faze him. Knowing his geography, why Antivans would travel weeks to trade with them did not make sense when Orlais was just to their west. Surely, there was a better market for their goods closer? As the woman continued to speak of their desire to have exclusive trade rights and other such nonsense, Owayne approached them slowly, his eyes trained on their guests. He came to stand just behind the two Avvar, seemingly interested in the conversation.
"Are there only two of you?" He turned slightly glancing at the other vendors who had a staff of four and about six hired swords enjoying lounging about before they were dismissed for a night at their Mead Hall. "I find it difficult to believe the two of you, carrying food, made it through some of the most dangerous parts of the Basin unmolested by beasts?"
The two Antivians shrugged, shifting their weight and laughing airily. After a few moments, as they went to reply, Owayne cut them off, "If I could have a quick word with you, Thane Rutherford, it'll only take a moment." The subtle twitch in his brown eyes told him it was important. The merchants eyed the Lord with a cautious eye and tilt of the head. Excusing himself and stepping away, the three conversed privately. His countenance was relaxed as he occasionally eyed the merchants waiting at the gate, "I'm not sure you know, but those two are Antivian Crows."
The two Avvar shared a look, "Who?" Cassandra went to whirl around after asking, but Lord Trevelyan grabbed her, spinning her smoothly into a friendly embrace. The woman scrunched up her nose at the Lowander, but let it go as he flashed her a stern look.
"A famed assassin's guild. Don't let them know you're on to them. They're only here for one thing," his gaze darkened, "because there is a contract out on someone's head." There was a tense silence as they all looked back and forth to each other thinking as to who they'd be after, but it didn't take long to ascertain the answer. Cullen's fist clenched as the air about him turned dark and violent, but Owayne tried to control the situation, "What I don't get is why they are trying to bluff their way in when... wait, were there any others?"
"They said no, but I have a hard time believing that seeing as they had fruit on them." Cullen wrung the leather grip of his sword needing an outlet for his anxiousness to rid them of the threat standing nearby.
He covered his mouth to hide his cursing, "Fuck, then there are more and these whoresons are just a distraction. They could be already over the walls." He released Cassandra, who huffed at him, "I know these assassins well, we need to get to Evie, but we can't tip them off or they will signal the others. The Chantry must want to tie up all their loose ends. A contract would be far easier than sending more Templars and could be done anonymously. The price of the job would be a drop in the bucket for those swindlers."
"What then would you suggest?" Having no real experience dealing with this sort of guild, he hoped the rogue would provide some guidance. To hide in the shadows was to fight like a coward among the Avvar. Open battle was the way of Hakkon; it was loud, proud, and bloody. There were no assassinations, only challenges issued before the gods and their people.
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"Let them in."
"You can't be serious?" He tried to keep his face unreadable, but he couldn't help the way he grits his teeth at the thought of letting the enemy within the walls - his walls.
"Look," he indicated with a flick of his eyes to the burlap sacks, "they've turned them inside out to try and hide the branding on the bags of who they've stolen them from. If my memory serves me well, that very merchant is right over there in the market with a nice band of thugs. Let them in, let them sell, and let them fight it out. All it'd take is one comment to get their suspicions aroused, you'd be surprised how cutthroat Lowlander businessmen can be."
"I can post warriors around to contain the fighting, and have someone tip them to the stolen goods" added his raven-haired advisor.
"While they sort out their issues, we look for the other assassins. While the two here are too occupied trying not to blow their cover, the others will be without their overwatch and unaware we are hunting them. For a job like this, I'd say there'd be about five of them." He nodded towards the two at the gate, "They are the watch and signal, then there's the lead assassin and backup in case the lead fails, and lastly, there will be the secondary signal between them coordinating the two groups. They won't begin until everyone is in place, so let them in and we'll purge the snakes from the garden."
"Are you sure about this? We are inviting them to make an attempt on Evelyn's life. It's leaving a lot up to chance." Rash plans seemed to be a theme with these Trevelyans, though he had little choice. This was happening now, and while he had had his own suspicions about them, Owayne certainly helped with pulling the wool from their eyes.
"There are three of us, along with your men manning the defense. Cassandra alerts them discreetly that there is a treat then looks for one of the bastards hiding up high between the market and Augur's hut. I'll hunt the two assassins while you go to Evie's side as the last line of defense. If a fight breaks out involving our merchant friends there, know that their assassins will be on the move, if I haven't gutted them by then." Only his eyes betrayed the severity of his words.
Cullen sighed heavily, "Alright, you heard him, Cassandra. No matter what happens, no one gets in that hut alive." The rogue smiled wickedly at the proclamation before walking off as if he were taking an afternoon stroll. He and Cassandra went back to speak with the intruders, hesitantly giving his permission for them to enter his Hold.
As they settled in a spot of their choosing in the market, he made his way to the Augur's hut. Despite not being allowed to enter while the ritual was being conducted, he felt the circumstances warranted a breach of tradition. He opened the door quietly and slowly, so as not to disrupt anything, but regardless his presence immediately made Dusan do a double-take.
"My Thane, what--"
"There is going to be an assassination attempt on the Phoenix."
"Now?!" His voice was raspy and harsh.
"Yes. I'm here as a last line of defense, with any luck however, they'll be dead before they can get in here." He looked about studying the structure for weak points. Having only a few small windows obscured by heavy fabric, the only worrisome feature was the vent in the roof. "Dusan, can we close it?"
"Do we have a choice?" The man was trying to concentrate back on the two mages dreaming again before them on the ground. Cullen quickly retrieved the cover and hook, placing it back in place above them.
The first few tense minutes passed painfully slow as the Thane's ever-moving eyes swept over every inch of the hut looking for odd shadows, strange smells, and listening for movement outside. His sword was still sheathed, but his hand flexed on it, ready to be pulled in a moment. Dusan was unable to cast a barrier due to his mana being consumed for their sleep, making him wish he had seen Dorian on his way through the village. There was a slight commotion outside in the distance, and he had a sinking feeling he knew what it was. Peeking out one of the windows, a crowd was gathering in the market. Shouts were heard, but he couldn't hear what was being yelled. Quickly retreating from the window, he crept silently back toward his bride in his soft-soled leather boots. He motioned to Dusan to stay quiet as the thatch roof rustled as if someone was tip-toeing on it.
As tall as he was, the roof was well within his reach, prompting him to pull his sword silently. Unsheathed, he listened as the person crept closer to the vent. He worried for a moment that it was Owayne, but a man of his size would not have been able to snap the thick fibers of the roof. A sliver of light appeared and something thunked to the ground. Reflexively, his sword stabbed up through the coarse roof into something soft. Red rivulets dripped and then steadily flowed down from his sword before the flash bomb exploded, blinding them. In his disoriented state, he stumbled and spun a few times before falling on his hands and knees, trying to stop the tilting of the blurry world before him. There were sounds of feet and fighting about him, but having been rendered nearly useless, he simply crawled in the direction of where the mages were.
Still unable to see, having shut his eyes from the sickening sway of his vision, his hands felt for signs as to which woman he had grabbed. He knew Evelyn's body intimately and just from the sheer weight difference of the woman in his arms, he knew it was Dhara. From the orientation of her head, he knew which direction his bride would be in, and quickly slid the mages' bodies together, putting his body over theirs. The brush of a furry boot told him Dusan was still on his feet, and as the ringing in his ears subsided, he heard him chanting in Avvish to the Hold Spirits for protection.
It was then someone else stepped on the back of his leg wearing a leather greave. He fought the urge to get up, as his senses were still reeling from the flash when he heard a string of colorful curses growling out in that familiar Marcher intonation. If Owayne was here then the other assassin was too. Bunching the women up as much as possible beneath him, he tried to prevent their limbs from being stepped on or sliced with a poison weapon. He was an easy target, as evident by how many times they crashed into him, flipping completely over him one time. In a last-ditch attempt to kill her, the assassin must've suffered a blow to the head, because they too swayed as if on the sea. Having gotten away from Owayne, they tried to steady themselves on his back to which he threw elbows at them, but he was still afraid to move from Evelyn if there were more than one.
The sting of a blade sliced through his clothed back making him arch, but he had suffered worse. Bracing for another hit, the blade fell upon him again but at a sloppy angle barely even cutting his side. More cussing from the Marcher followed by the sound of two hard cuts and a thump.
"Owayne?" He ventured to call to him as all movement inside the hut stopped.
"They're… dead," he said panting. "Thanks for the assist, by the way. Oh, you best drink this," a cork of a vial popped, and it was shoved into his hand. "It's a precaution in case their blades were poisoned. The Crows are ever predictable in their choice of toxins." The roar of Cassandra barking orders made its way over to them.
"Go help Cassandra! I can't bloody see because of that bomb."
"Ah, right. Those things are nasty. On it boss!" And with that, he crashed through the door.
Able to take a breather as his vision slowly returned, he squinted looking his charges up and down for damage finding none thankfully. As he sat up against the wall beside them, he grunted at the sting of the slice across his back and side. "Are you alright, Dusan?" There was no answer, in fact, there was no sound, "Dusan?" Looking about, to his left behind one of the long heavy curtains stuck out two furry boots. Reaching over to tap his foot, there was still no reaction. Hesitant to leave Evelyn even with the threat past, he willed himself over feeling a cold pit open in his gut.
Moving the fabric to the side, his stomach flipped as he gazed at a set of purple lips and bloodshot eyes. Dusan's head drooped to the side with a trickle of foamy saliva falling from his mouth. There was a slash on his arm that looked infected despite receiving it recently. Poison. Owayne must've not seen him, too worried about him than Cassandra. When he felt the Augur stumble against him just before the assassin did, he must've been cut in the scuffle. Cullen raked a hand through his hair, knowing that had he not taken the antidote, he too would've been dead in a minute. And had he not blocked the blades with his body, Evelyn would've... his heart pounded with dizzying fear at the thought.
Closing the elder's eyes, he said a prayer, grasping the man's thick hand. Dusan had always been The Augur ever since he could remember. He had served Redhold as their spiritual leader for decades, having knotted and blessed nearly every couple and person in the Hold. Though he no longer had any family living within the walls, Dhara had become like a daughter to him after the loss of her parents. Dhara… Evelyn…
Dusan had been casting a spell on them to call them back to their bodies from the Realm of Dreams, and if he was not casting it anymore…
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Evelyn opened her eyes in the viridescent glow of the Land of Dreams. This time, Dhara was already by her side as the two stood in a wide beam of light. The darkness swirled all about them, and they waited like two rats in a trap for someone to approach them, feeling eyes on them from all around. The light must've been drawing spirits to the mages like moths to a flame. Shadows stood veiled beyond what their eyes could see, though one, she noticed, was much larger than the rest.
"We meet again Lowlander," the deep resonance of Hakkon startled her. The large figure stalked forward into the light. Taking a few steps backward from the god in front of her, he suddenly appeared behind her. Stepping on his foot he grasped her under the jaw when she turned, lifting her gaze to his. "You've done well thus far, but there is still much to do. You have used my gift well."
"I'm glad I've pleased you, Lord Hakkon," her tone respectful not wanting a repeat of the last time they met. Dhara fell to her knees in awe taking in the frightening appearance of the god.
His crimson eyes shone with mirth as he bared his sharp teeth, "I've been impressed by several things since we last met." He released her, walking slow circles around her, "Escaping Stone-Bear Hold and a kidnapping, cutting off the fingers of that Templar, and the challenge issued to your Thane have shown me you are strong and have what it takes to be one of us." She didn't waver as he looked down into her eyes, "I will grant you my mark." With a swift smack to her stomach, Hakkon's large clawed hand marked her with the other on her back seemingly for good measure.
The magic of the paint absorbed his essence, filling her with violent need. Her whole demeanor changed and he laughed menacingly. She felt the urge to join him as thoughts of bloodlust turned everything red. In her mind she saw herself slice through the God of War's gut, watching his innards plop to the floor. With her staff blade, she'd carve him a wider grin on either side of his mouth, before ripping out his heart to…
"Phoenix," his voice turned low and sultry, "you flatter me with such thoughts." His eyes darted to the side as a small woman walked out from the darkness towards them, "But… it looks like you'll thank me later for them." Unsure of what that meant, Hakkon backed away into the shadows of the Fade, his hulking silhouette blurring into the void.
Turning to greet the spirit, trying to shake the feel of the god's touch on her middle, she was met not with a friendly face, but one of scrutiny. Jutting a hip out to the side, she eyed the young woman studying every inch of her. Feeling as if she was transparent, she looked to Dhara who wore an expression of dread and concern. That mixing with Hakkon's words, she gruffly spoke to the brunette, "Who are you, spirit?"
Balking at her words, her catlike blue eyes widened, "I am the one whose future you stole."
At the accusation, the anger from the print on her pulsed, "Stole? I stole nothing."
"You took him away from me, along with our child!"
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat, looking to her fellow mage whose worry morphed into a frown, slowly taking a few cautionary steps towards her mentor. There was no mistaking who she had supposedly stolen, when in fact she was the one he stole. "Are you… are you Kattrin or Ninne?"
"I am his one true love. I am Kattrin, Lowlander." Her voice was forced, as she imagined it normally carried softer with less rasp.
She fought the urge to provoke the delusional woman, reminded by the rational part of her brain that she was a spirit and nothing more. "A demon took him from you, not I."
"A demon you fed!" The Phoenix stood in shock. She didn't know much about Kattrin, but she couldn't imagine Cullen ever loving such a vile creature as this. If this spirit knew so much, then she would also know the reason she had inadvertently fed Despair.
"Dhara," she growled quietly, "did you know her? Was she like this?"
The redhead shook her head swallowing hard, "No I didn't, but Ros had once said Kattrin was as fierce as any Avvar, but her ferocity lay in her tender heart." Looking back to the seething woman before them, there was no way this was her - but if it wasn't her, then who was it? What was it?
Protectively, she held an arm out halting Dhara and putting her behind her as her Knight-Enchanter instincts came to the forefront, "I will know your name demon. Reveal yourself!" At that, her skin turned a sickly green and her eyes glowed yellow, "What have you done to Kattrin?"
"Her jealousy gave birth to me." It laughed manically, "But why settle for this when I can be you! Yes, you will make the perfect host." Its voice turned demonic as it showed its true form. It stood about double her height with long lanky limbs, covered in scars. Its face twisted with one eye that could hardly open on its puckered face. The mouth was turned down with jagged broken and spaced apart teeth. Envy.
With unnatural speed, it prowled on all fours with a vengeance at them. With no weapons nor control of this plane of the Fade, as she had against Despair, they were limited to hand spells as well as hand-to-hand combat. Hakkon had again given her a great boon as his violence pumped through her veins welcoming the fight.
"D, keep flames in your hands at all times, if it touches you, burn it!" She nodded her head with wide eyes, this now being the second powerful demon she had fought in two days. With its sight set on Evelyn, it stabbed at her, trying to capture her. Her wings temporarily halted its advance, frightening it with its bright intensity. The Phoenix dodged, rolled, and dove every which way, throwing whizzing fireballs at the enemy who proved hard to hit due to its skinny agile frame. Its taint felt like frostbite on her painted skin, making her wince at the cold burning sensation. It paid her partner no mind, flinging her away with a long foot like a fly. She could hear Dhara cry out as she skittered across the plane feeling the same pain enhanced by the paint's magic.
When it managed to pin the Knight-Enchanter flat on her back, it took her form, though was still an ugly shade of green. Kicking her mirrored self back so she could roll to her feet, they engaged in a melee of punches, kicks, and holds. Its hand kept trying to touch her head, no doubt trying to probe into it for control of her body. Though it conjured flames, it was all bluster, as it possessed no actual mana yet. The Phoenix's real magic was enough to keep it at a distance as she finally grappled the demon into a submissive position.
Evelyn hissed at it, "You want to be me? Then get used to the flames." With her hands grasping the creature, she let go of her restraint on her mana allowing the ethereal fire to bleed from her. The spidery limbs tapped frantically as she became volcanically hot. The Phoenix's grasp didn't falter, burning the demon's flesh as it cried out in an otherwordly screech. Dhara joined her, and within seconds they had burnt Envy to oblivion.
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Panic rose in Cullen as he clawed up onto his feet towards the door. Opening it, his voice echoed back to him off their stone sentinel lioness, "Ilara! Dorian!" Everyone who had been out along the path to the market or in it froze as he roared their names again. The two suddenly burst through the doors of his longhouse, running in his direction. Cassandra and Owayne caught up to them and the crowd began to descend on the Augur's hut. Ushering them inside, no words were needed to understand the severity of the situation.
"What can be done?" He asked calmly, but he was anything but that. The rogue and shieldmaiden backed up against the wall, not fully aware of the magical dilemma, opting to listen before they voiced concern - especially Owayne.
The mages conversed back and forth for a few moments discussing their options. Dorian looked up, rubbing his mustache with his thumb and finger, "We know the spell he has been casting, as we've used it before to defeat Despair, but…"
His brow drew down into a scowl, "But?"
The Tevinter-born mage sighed, "But it's supposed to be cast before they go into the Land of Dreams. We have no idea the effects or consequences of what casting it now on them would do."
Ilara stepped forward with a serious frown, "It could also do nothing and work as it is supposed to. I can't fathom an adverse reaction to the spell, it's all but harmless, Dorian."
He scoffed back, "Harmless, my dear, is the bunny that I find outside my lodge every morning nibbling on grass. This is a spell binding the consciousness of a person to a physical anchor as they explore deeper beyond the Veil than any mage has the right to. Casting it now would be like fishing; we have no idea what we would be catching and inviting to their bodies! Not to mention let's say we do manage to fuck it up and one of the lovelies turn into a demon, which we'd have to kill, now we are short a body!"
The whole of the room reacted uncomfortably to his statement, though Ilara seemed unconvinced, "And what of a mage's ingrained defenses from becoming lost in the Land of Dreams? Their mana and blood will call them back with the coaxing of the spell. You and I both felt their bond to their body, perhaps we can discern them from demons or others using those?"
Dorian fell silent for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut tight searching his memory, "Blood. I think I remember a spell that could link us better to them, but it's been years. Give me a moment." Rubbing his temples now mumbling phrases in Tevene, he chastized himself several times before figuring out the words. "Got it, I hope. With this spell and ward, we should increase our chances of hooking them. You two, sit them up." Cassandra and Owayne each grabbed a mage and sat them upright as Dorian drew wards where their heads would be placed. Gazing at Evelyn's face, it was one of serenity as it lulled onto her brother's shoulder.
Reciting the words to the runes, they glowed favorably to the mage's liking. Upon laying them back down, both he and Ilara took the hand of their charges, the same from the other night, "I assume you have a blade on your somewhere?" Cullen passed him a small concealed dagger from his belt. He gave Ilara a rundown of the spell but hesitated looking up at him again, "Your little spitfire here is not going to like that I used blood magic on her. When she wakes up, I'm telling her you told me to. I'm not getting my pants burnt off."
"You can tell her whatever you want, just bring them back," the Thane impatiently barked.
"Right then, here we go," Holding the dagger between his hand and hers he cut their palms in one fluid motion. Intertwining their fingers, he chanted the spell again with added lines which made their hands and the ward on the floor shimmer. Ilara followed his instructions exactly as her spell took effect too. Now, they would wait and hope they were not lost.
In the meantime, there was one thing he would have to do, "Cassandra, has Rylen returned yet from hunting?" She shook her head, "Send a runner to find him and have him hunt a suitable offering to the gods for Dusan if he can. Send some men in to carry his body to the Keeper of the Dead to be prepared for his journey into the sky." His words became heavy with sorrow, "I will address the Hold. Owayne, I trust you can keep an eye on things here until I return?" The Marcher nodded resolutely.
As Cassandra left with her orders, he paused letting the door close on him. He needed to gather his thoughts and feel for the words to adequately express and explain the loss of their beloved Augur.
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After Envy had been defeated, a small crowd of spirits cautiously approached. Determining that they were indeed spirits and not demons, they all pressed their mark upon her, but these were just any Avvar, they were the essences of her past lives. The feel of their hands upon her reverberated with fulfilling tranquility as if they were becoming one. They said very little, merely introducing themselves before being drawn to her skin, but each one of them carried a familiarity and a story. Images flashed through her mind of things she had seen in dreams, though she never understood their origin. They had felt so real from the surge of emotions she'd wake up with to the realism that the Fade had sculpted around her, she knew now that these were memories. They carried hard lessons learned through victory and defeat, meant to aid her through her own trials.
One by one, they disappeared back into the Fade, but their connection lingered with her. With a deep breath as the last spirit left, she felt more content and whole than she ever had in her entire life. With the initiation now complete, having been welcomed by their ancestors, it was time for the mages to go back and show the clan their success, but not before another swirl of energy rushed into the space.
The two watched as no other than Dusan materialized before their eyes. "Augur, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" The man blinked a few times tilting his head back and forth thinking. Evelyn looked to Dhara before continuing, "Is everything alright out there?"
The aged man gasped suddenly, "No! No, we were attacked! I…" His pause was meaningful as he sought his own understanding, "… I died."
The two pyromancers were paralyzed, not expecting such news. "Is that why you're here? To tell us?" The Phoenix held a hand on her pounding heart barely holding herself together. She owed the man much, having helped her through the turmoil of her conversion. Dhara had sunk to her knees in grief beside her, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Yes, you both are safe, but you should return now."
"How?" His former apprentice sobbed, "Ye aren't there castin' the spell? How do we find our way back?"
"My dear Dhara," he regarded her warmly, "do not waste tears on me, child. I will be with the Lady soon. The sun has set on my time as Augur, as yours rises. You are ready to lead them." The new Augur of Redhold stood, wiping her tears. "Be strong girl, and use your intuition."
Dhara closed her eyes using the foreign Avvar magic, making her glow purple, "I sense… a spell. Like an untacked sail, whippin' about in the wind."
He nodded, "Yes, now call it to you. They are searching for you. It is your way home."
Squinting her eyes shut tighter, the aura of her magic grew, "Got it!" She moved grasping Evelyn's hand, "Feel my magic, join with it." They held hands their mana danced about intertwining until she felt her powerful mana being steered towards a third party's. Its unique signature was that of their sole Tevinter mage and without further direction, she attached herself to his.
Dusan and his new state of awareness commented on their success, "Good, now go. You mustn't linger here." The two women faced him for one final time with sorrowful expressions, "Now, now, no tears for we will meet again one day in the sky. Phoenix, my best wishes for your Knotting Ceremony. I will be there in spirit. Believe in yourself and you will see the prophecy through." He turned now to Dhara, "Fear not child, for you are ready to take up the post of Augur. I have taught you everything I know. Remember that you are my legacy, and so long as you live, so do I."
When the young mage's voice failed her, Evelyn interjected, "Thank you Dusan for everything. May you find peace with The Lady. I'm so sorry our time was cut short together."
He smiled, "All was how it should be, Phoenix. Do not blame yourself, you've enough on your shoulders as is." She was unsure of what that meant.
"Dusan," Dhara finally squeaked out the words, "though you walk with the ancestors, I will carry you with me in my heart, always." The former Augur bowed placing a hand on his heart as he slowly faded.
Watching him go, she began to sob again, but they needed to heed his warning to leave, "D, we need to go. There will be time to mourn, but not here." Gently grasping her shoulders, she lifted her to her feet. "Are you ready?" She nodded and the two mages closed their eyes allowing themselves to be called back to the present.
In a rush, she sat up back in the confines of the Augur's hut. Dorian was beside her, and she twisted about to grab his shoulders, "What happened?! We saw Dusan in the Fade." The man was silent as he looked at her with a wrinkled brow. In the background, she could hear Cullen speaking and she paused to listen. A few words permeated through the walls of the building: Attack. Lowlanders. Dusan. Dead. Assassins.
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"… Knowing his duty, Augur Dusan acted to protect both the Phoenix and his apprentice from the Lowlander cowards. As we speak, he is no doubt with the Lady in the sky rejoicing in reuniting with the gods and the ancestors. He…" The door behind him opened and out stepped his stolen bride followed by the new Augur and the other three he left inside. The crowd gasped and he couldn't keep his jaw shut at the sight of her emergence.
Dhara held Evelyn's glowing marked hand high in the air, her voice shook with sorrow but she fought through the grief, "Behold! The Phoenix emerges as one of us! Dusan was the first to congratulate her on his way to the sky!" The somber crowd heard hope in her message that their long-time Augur had indeed made the crossing into the afterlife. "Hakkon himself favors her, having been the first to mark her," the young woman pointed to her stomach and then spun her showing off the inhumanly large clawed hand of the God of War himself. "Twice now has Lord Wintersbreath met the Phoenix in the Dream World. She truly is favored by the god." The clan stood astonished whispering back and forth, and Cullen watched their mood swing, calling out in reverence and thanks to the gods for their partiality towards her; For if she was esteemed by a god so cruel and callous as Hakkon, so too was the clan and their Thane.
Following the prayers, cheers were yelled in praise of their Thane and his soon-to-be wife. Evelyn had not only managed to become Avvar but possibly had just become the most favored Avvar of the Dragon Age. Her victories were his, and without realizing it, she may have just ended the war with Wolf-Fang Hold. Once word reached the other holds of her initiation, even Axlan may think twice about waging war against Hakkon's champion.
"Not only that," Augur Dhara continued, pointing now to the white hand prints standing out against the red paint, "but each spirit mark was that of legends!" This list of heroes who she recited as the Phoenix's past lives was extensive and infamous. The clan grew more excited, whooping and hollering for their favorite heroes. Turning back to see how Evelyn was doing, to her credit, she stood proud and strong under their attention half naked. Catching him staring at her, her eyes sought reassurance, and he gave a resolute nod.
Their gaze was broken when the redhead began to tell of their battle with Envy. Evelyn's head shot around to Dhara, but he could see a conversation happening with their eyes. Turning back to the crowd, Evelyn chanced a look back at him resuming her empowered posture. Listening on and feeling his brow furrow at hearing they faced yet another demon, he was comforted by the fact that both mages stood seemingly unharmed before him, though some of their paint looked burnt where Envy must have touched them.
When the new Augur completed her first official task beautifully, Cullen offered his hand to Evelyn and the two meandered their way through the village back to their home. Their people reached out to her, and she brushed against their hands in passing. The gathering from within his home had moved outside to listen but now turned back inside to celebrate their new clanswoman. Evelyn walked gracefully, though her muscles were hard as there was some tension to relieve, no doubt from wanting to know what happened regarding the assassins. Once inside, he suggested she change so she was comfortable, though he had to admit he enjoyed the traditional garb Dhara had chosen for her. When she returned in one of her usual dresses, they all sat around taking turns in telling her about the Antivan Crows. He admitted to her that he did get cut twice, but it was easily healed, and that Owayne had been invaluable not only giving him the antidote but also recognizing the threat.
As the night reached its end, the newly dubbed Avvar looked exhausted as their guests left and the others readied for bed, as usual, the two of them lingered in the main room. "Are you alright? You look worn out. Don't forget we are hunting and traveling to the lake tomorrow."
She wiped her slender fingers down her face, "I'm fine, I just remembered something Dusan said to me. He told me not to blame myself. At the time I didn't know what he meant, but now I do."
"And are you blaming yourself?"
"How can I not? The Crows were here for me on the Chantry's orders. Will they ever leave me in peace?"
"I don't know, but what I do know is that Dusan meant what he said. Death is inevitable, and as Augur he knew better than most about that having helped so many of our people understand that cycle of life and death - myself included."
She looked up wearily at him, "You said 'our people.'"
His hand found the back of her neck and pulled their foreheads together, "You're one of us now, you couldn't have made me prouder today. I was wrong in saying that you wouldn't make a good Lady of the Hold." Her eyes brightened, "I think now, you are exactly what we need - what I need." Her eyes grew heavy again but it was with desire as she searched his face. They were a breath away with their heads touching and noses grazing, and all she had to do was decide; the choice had to be hers.
Evelyn's hand came up to stroke his cheek, and just as he felt the gentle brush of her lips on his, Ros returned from saying goodnight to Rylen from out on the porch. Seeing what she interrupted, she clumsily bumped into Owayne passed out on his bed roll, who sat up, causing her to part from him. He shook his head with a huff as his sister skipped quickly back to her room and his almost brother-in-law hit his pillow to mold it just right before settling down again.
She slid her hand into his, which rested on his leg, "Thank you for saving me, again."
He gave a wry smile, "You do not need to thank me." He stood bringing her up with him, "It's never a dull moment with you." They shared a halfhearted laugh as he cupped her cheek in his hand watching her nuzzle into it. "Time for bed, we have an early start tomorrow." She hummed and nodded walking past him slowly releasing his hand along the way.
Looking back at him once with a tired smile to which he returned, he stood there for a moment waiting to hear the door to Ros' room shut. Making his way to his solitary quarters for one of the last few nights, he lay in bed reflecting on the wild day. It had its highs and lows, but what stuck with him the most was that the majestic creature sleeping down the hall would soon be his. The fear that welled up in him thinking about how she could've died was more profound than he expected. The attachment to her was there combined with her words from earlier… she was looking forward to marrying him. That thought kept him awake for a while longer as all the meanings of that phrase floated through his mind. His arm absently reached to the empty place beside him on the bed, feeling the cold blankets.
Turning his head to look, at the void in his bed. He forced himself to consider letting another woman into his life, but unlike Ninne, he cared for this one. Kattrin was stuck in his heart, but she was the opposite of Evelyn. That fact alone helped him justify making room for her there, but would she want to stay? What if their knotting was only for a few years and she left him after? Could he afford to take such a risk? Forcing the gloom from his thoughts, he tried to call back the warm feelings from almost receiving a kiss as he drifted off to sleep.