Been toying with an idea for a while now and thought I would throw it out there. So finally I put pen to paper and wondered just what kind of reception it would receive within the DA community.
Below is the start of Lucina's journey I have stopped just short of the Adult content so as not to offend anyone and to prevent any mods needing to step in and remove content.
Would love to know what you guys think of it so far also any ideas or things you want included.
Most importantly do you feel it stands up well enough to not incorporate the adult content?
Many thanks for reading and responding. Still a WIP and just draft at this stage. This is a total first for me normally I don't consider putting up stuff till I have drafted, redrafted edited and tweaked to death. However a friend flicked through this and said I should take the plunge. Hope she's right.
By the Maker I feel as nervous posting this as I was restless waiting for DA:O to be released.
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Lucina's Tale
The smell of putrid smoke and burning flesh crept over my body and up my nostrils burning my lungs forcing my awake, hot and covered in sweat my eyes stinging, bright orange filling my vision. Screams filling my ears as my senses one by one returned from their slumber. A dread filled scream off to my right as I sit bolt up right in my bed, panic and dread filling my body as I realise the room was burning. A scream building in my body as I try to jump out of bed and find my parents. The floorboards smouldering and groaning as I run across the room. A loud thump thump thump against the door fills me with dread. A menacing growl emanating from behind the door as the thumping continues. The wood splinters sending shards of wood in every direction, three large shapeless figures walk in the flames dancing in the reflection of their heavy plate armour. I let out a piercing scream.
"Lucina. LUCINA! Wake up." A hand rocks my shoulder. I bolt up from the bed hitting my head on the slats from the bunk above my mine.
"Ow. ****." I sit clutching my head, beads of cold sweat running down my face and back. Kella kneeling next to me her hand on my shoulder.
"Luce. Maker are you ok? I heard you screaming down the hall."
"I'm fine Kella, just a bad dream again." Still holding my head I try to focus and look around at the apprentices quarters. The fear abating slightly, the smell of smoke and burning flesh fading slowly from my nose. The door to the apprentices quarters slammed open as two Templars barged in. Their swords drawn, heading towards Kella and me making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
"What's going on in here? I demand an explanation." The largest Templars eyes studying Kella, her short brown hair and gentle features drawing you into those brown eyes which always seem to get her out of trouble. Kella averted her eyes from Brunt.
Templar Brunt and I had a mutual hatred for each other. Brunt was a big man even for a Templar, a few of the Mages had once commented that Brunt was built like a Qunari, with the backbone of a Nug and the manners and morals of a highwayman. Not many people crossed him and most of the apprentices went out of their way to avoid him.
"Well I'm waiting apprentice what in the Makers name is going..." His eyes as if for the first time looked past Kella to me. "I should have known. Apprentice Lucina, what is it this time?" His eyes bored into mine filled with annoyance and hate. Before continuing down over my body forcing me to grab the sheet pulling it up to cover myself. I glared at Brunt, before he snorted and sheathed his sword.
"Nothing Templar Brunt, it was nothing. I thought I saw a rat." Kella had walked towards Templar Brunt her hand on his arm trying to take his focus.
"Apprentice Kella Do you really expect me to believe that?" Brunt pulled his arm back and glared at Kella. "Leave before you are put on report apprentice."
"Ser please. I honestly thought I saw." Kella's voice trailed off as Brunt glared down at her.
"Now apprentice."
"Yes Ser." Kella looked over at me almost apologising with her eyes before walking over to the door. The second Templar closing it as Kella left before blocking it with his body.
"Lock it Davis." Brunt looked back at me sneering. "Well apprentice I'm waiting for an explanation?"
"Kella told you Brunt. We thought it was a rat." My defiance was evident, my tone barely civil. Brunt was disgusting. I didn't hate the Templars I even understood why they were in the tower, in my home. It was the way some of the Templars treated us which riled me so much especially Brunt. Maybe they should take one of First Enchanter Irving's lessons on the consequences of using and having power. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the Templars all sat in rows as Irving drilled it into their thick skulls. Brunt lunged forward grabbing my by the hair, shocking me with his speed for such a large brute. My hands grappled his wrist unable to free myself his hand like a vice pulling me from the bed by my hair making me squeak like a timid mouse cursing myself for giving him the satisfaction. Dragging me across the cold stone floor before pinning me against the wall his dagger at my throat. Goosebumps prickling against my bare skin. The wall freezing cold chilled me.
"Templar Brunt. Apprentice." He spat the words at me pressing the dagger against my skin. I looked over at Davis who seemed to be enjoying the show, eyeing my body before whistling. "Apprentice you need to be taught some manners." Brunts eyes were all over my body, licking his lips with a perverse grin. His hand dropped down to his belt, unbuttoning it awkwardly.
I knew the stories well enough of Apprentices who had been beaten or worse, warned that if they made a report they would be found and tried as Blood Mages or Malificarum. As much as I understood the reasons for the Templars being here no way in hell was I going to let this repulsive reptile touch me. I could feel the pulse of power in my body swimming through my veins like a raging river it would be so easy to incinerate the weasel only to be made Tranquil or just dead for attacking a Templar. Maybe I could distract him or force him to drop the dagger that at least would give me a chance. I dug my nail into his cheek hard, just below his eye hoping to draw blood, punching him with my other hand. "Just try you bastard." I spat. I pressed my nail in harder, the dagger dropping to the floor as Brunt stepped back dropping me by my hair. I didn't even see Brunts hand move as it struck my lip. My vision blurred and I could taste blood in my mouth. I hit the floor hard banging my elbow and wrist. My body shaking from the shock. Down the other end of the room the door slammed open.
"What is the meaning of this?" Trainer Tamas's voice boomed as he marched towards Brunt his eyes seeming to scan the room like a bird of prey.
"Templar business, Mage I suggest you go about your business." Brunt looked down at Tamas indignantly.
"Beating a young girl and stripping her of her dignity is Templar business is it?" Tamas grabbed a blanket from the nearest bunk and walked over to me, kneeled and wrapped it around me and looking me over. "Get out Brunt and take your lackey with you." Brunt went to say something. Tamas rose to his full height, for a second he seemed ever taller than normal and much more powerful. I had to wonder if he was using some kind of enchantment. Surely Brunt however inbred would detect the aura, after all that is what he is trained for. "Now!" Tamas was right up in Brunts face. Neither flinched.
"We were just finished with the runt anyway." Brunt turned and headed to the door turning back to look at me. "For now."
"Brunt this isn't over, be sure of it."
"Hah! Go about your business Mage and be careful we are always watching."
"Bastard!" I spat. My hand pulsing with blue energy as I focused into being a bolt hurling it towards the door which had already shut behind Brunt. The bolt hitting it and leaving a satisfying round scorch mark where Brunts head had been seconds before. Tamas helped me to my feet my body still shaking from the cold and my head dizzy from the slap Brunt gave me.
"Damnit Luce, are you trying to get yourself killed? How many times are you going to provoke the Templars?" His fingers were checking my face for cuts and bruises his thumb wiping off a trickle of blood from my cut lip.
"It wasn't like that Tamas. Brunt is an **** has been all his life. I didn't provoke him."
"What happened, he doesn't do anything without a thin excuse behind him." Tamas lead me over to my bed. I sat shakily sighing as I pulled my sheets around me.
"It was nothing. Just another dream."
"Come on let's get you cleaned up."
"I'll be ok Tamas, just need to bathe and fix my hair. Besides I've got a practical with Irving in.... **** less than an hour. I better get ready." I threw the blanket on the bed and grabbed my towel and soaps, bending to pull them from under the bed.
"Oh wow." I looked back at Tamas who was staring at my ass, before smiling and giving it a little shake. "I never get tired of seeing that Luce."
"You perv. Scoot get out of here. I need to get ready." I turned back to face Tamas letting him stare at my body before bending down and kissing his soft lips. My hands running through his thick brown hair. It never seemed out of place, mine was so unruly.
"Do I get to see you later?" His eyes wondered up and down my body his hands holding my waist.
"Of course, how else will I thank you for rescuing me from Templar Grunt and company. My knight in shining armour. Now shoo."
"Until later then, my little damsel in distress." Tamas stood up his shoulders level with my nose. I always wondered why none of the other female Mages had snapped him up before now. Tamas was handsome almost regal. Despite being 11 years older than me, at 30 he could easily pass for 19 or 20.
"Tamas. I mean it you know. Thank you. I don't know what Brunt would have done if you didn't come in when you did."
"I know you do, I've always got your back Luce." I leant forward and hugged Tamas tightly standing on tiptoes to kiss him. His arms almost covered my back and I felt warm and safe. His lips soft and gentle almost hypnotising. Every kiss seemed to culminate in the thousands of others we had shared. Making each one more intense. His hands reached down grabbing each cheek of my ass making me moan softly into his mouth as he cupped them.
"Grrr I'm going to be late." I half heartedly pushed him off me.
"Go quickly before I change my mind." Reluctantly Tamas let's me go and slapped my ass as I ran to the bathing area.
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Everything had gone to plan. I'd managed to cast vulnerability hex on the target, with just seconds to throw an absorption spell around myself as the lightning blast hurled towards me. It struck with so much force I felt my body thrown back slamming me against a stone pillar. The smell of singed cloth filled the room. My eyes ringing and my head heavy. Sparks of blue pulsed lightning rippled over my body. Absorption spells took a heavy toll on a Mage and generally needed a lot of time to prepare and focus the fact I'd managed to pull it off at all was a miracle. It did the job though, the Mage turned dismissing me as dead and focused on Jonah and Krystal. Jonah had just finished casting a cone of cold icy blue and white waves covering the target as both him and Krystal who was shielding them both were struck with a paralysis spell. It brought me just enough time to race to my feet and slip around the pillar and around the back of the Mage as the freezing effect began to wear off. Golden energy pulsed around our target and his hands began to pulse with red fire. It was an elaborate fire column spell if he managed to cast it Johan and Krystal were both dead.
I slipped behind him pulling out the dagger which was concealed under the hem of my skirt out and lunged for the Mage knocking him down, winding him. We scuffled on the floor I managed to keep my balance using my knees to pin him to the floor the knife pressing against his throat as I grabbed the sash from his belt. I was shaking, sweating and panting heavily an after effect of the absorption spell. "Do you yield First Enchanter?" First Enchanter Irving raised his hand and tapped the floor with the back of his hand twice signalling a defeat. The First Enchanter grinned and laughed, coughing from my weight crushing down on his body.
"It appears I have little choice. Splendid. Haha. Yes I yield." I sat up straddling the First Enchanter holding the sash up triumphantly turning to grin at Jonah and Krystal who were being helped up by two of our classmates. No one had managed to beat Irving in years especially not in his own lesson.
"Does this mean I get to be First Enchanter now?" I mocked, turning to smile at both Johan and Krystal. The First Enchanter grinned and grabbed the sash before disappearing from under me in a brilliant white flash making me lose my balance and land heavily on my knees.
"Not I feel today." The First Enchanter walked from behind a pillar at the other end of the room, attaching the sash back to his belt before walking over and helping me to my feet. "Remember this students and remember well. If this were a real battle don't hesitate, always make sure your enemy is dead or incapacitated before you do your gloating. Or trying to usurp his job Apprentice Lucina." The class giggled at his comments. I felt the heat burning through the flesh of my cheeks. Great work Luce make yourself look like a total moron in front of everyone. First Enchanter Lucina dead 10 seconds after getting the job I scolded myself but realised just how important the point was. "Now class, review what we have learnt so far. We'll be having a test the day after tomorrow." A group of whispered groans filled the room. Amusing Irving to no end. "Now we've all had enough excitement for one day I think. Take the rest of the afternoon off to reflect and study. That is if it's ok with the First Enchanter?" I was collecting my books from my desk still running through the practice battle in my mind as the commotion of scuffling feet and chairs stopped. I looked up sheepishly to see every pairs of eyes in the room on me. "Well First Enchanter?" I blushed and bit my bottom lip.
"Umm.. Afternoon off for everybody." No one moved had I missed something? "Ohh and no more tests?" I said quietly. To a huge roar of approval. Irving grinned. No one was going to leave until he spoke but the mood was light everyone was smiling.
"Go. Scoot. Remember tests day after tomorrow." Everybody raced for the door, Jonah patting me on the shoulder as he went by.
"It was worth a try Luce." He grinned.
"Apprentice Lucina." I stopped and turned.
"Yes First Enchanter?"
"May I speak with you a moment?" Irving waited till everyone had left the room and motioned for me to sit on the sofa over by the window. "That was impressive work today child."
"Thank you First Enchanter. It wasn't enough though, if it was real..."
"If it had have been a real battle you would have killed me and taken the sash. My slight of hand with the doppleganger was incidental. The practice is designed to be a no win scenario. Besides I wanted to talk to you about something far more troubling."
I stared down towards the floor wondering just what I was in trouble for this time. I had been working hard and doing my best to keep out of trouble since my time on Red. That had been almost a year ago and apart from Jowan I had stayed away from everybody who had anything to do with Red. I still remember the feeling of dread as Irving stood over me in the hospital after I had collapsed after taking too much. I lay there waiting for him to tell me I was going to be made Tranquil or worse. Instead he sat with me for 2 days while I recovered, he never spoke just sat there until finally I broke down and cried my heart out. I'd been hiding behind the Red for months, trying to blot out the horror of those dreams, Red had been the only thing to keep them at bay it also had the effect of making me a total **** and wantonly destructive. The Templars had been looking for an excuse to catch me for months at that point and the rest of us who had been taking it. It was relatively simple to make, some Lyrium dust, Deathroot extract and ground Lifestone powder mix it with alcohol and there you go Red.
Irving listened for hours silently while I told him about the dreams and the pain they caused. He seemed to mull his decision over for what seemed like an eternity before telling me he was going to tutor me and would teach me to block them out. I had to agree to attend his advanced lessons and pay back the cost of the ingredients I had stolen for the Red by working around the Tower in my spare time. The first few months we had battled constantly butting heads but Irving had infinite patience and slowly but surely started to teach me how to block the dreams for the most part. He never shouted or scolded me and always explained at length why he was teaching me the way he did. His advanced lessons were even harder than I had heard. I was studying and practising things way behind what I was used to and had cried myself to sleep the first two weeks wondering how I would catch up or more importantly keep up. I had never made many friends in the Tower and tended to avoid other students as much as possible even now with the exception of Tamas, Kella and Jowan. Within 4 months I was casting spells that a full Mage would have been proud of and by 9 months I was helping other students with some of the more complex elements of spells. Irving had become more than just a tutor he was a friend and a source of comfort and he pushed me to question everything and always challenge myself. A smile crept over my face remembering all the times I would stay behind and question at length some tiny element of a lesson or spell until I was satisfied. Irving never refused he always seemed to have time for his students, for me.
"Lucina. Why are you carrying a knife around?" My mouth opened slightly before closing having no answer. I had taken to carrying it with me after an incident with one of Brunts goons not long after the whole thing with the Red came out. It turns out Brunt was the one who had been behind selling it to the younger students. Irving had found out the Red was being sold only after I had stopped and the ingredients were still being stolen. I had been inadvertantly covering his tracks not that I knew that at the time. Brunt wasn't stealing them himself he had his lackeys do the dirty work or young apprentices but when the house of cards came tumbling down there was enough doubt cast on him that he had been stripped of his supervision position and had been placed on review. Brunt's goon had cornered me in the library and had just finished telling me how Brunt was going to slit my throat for then I was to settle for a beating. Tamas had walked into the library saw what was happening basically me on the floor with a beautiful black eye and having Brunts goon trying to disconnect my head from my body with his boot. Tamas had moved like lightning dancing in the night, his movements elegant and graceful, Brunts goon ended up unconscious after being hurled across the room. That was how Tamas and I had met and how we came to band together against Brunt.
"I...I." I sat quietly wondering if I should tell Irving what had happened. Irving sighed heavily.
"You always have been strong willed Lucina. Just promise me you won't do anything rash and that you'll stay away from the Templars. I take it you had a bad dream this morning hence the altrication with Brunt." I looked at Irving, who smiled at my immediate sign of guilt. "It would be a poor First Enchanter who didn't keep an eye on his charges."
"But how....?" I sat rubbing my temples the after effects of the absorption spell giving me a headache. "Did Tamas tell you?"
"Tamas hasn't spoken to me." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Neither has Brunt or Greigor, I did wonder who had left the scorch mark on the door though." He chuckled and paced in front of the fire. "It would also be a poor First Enchanter who doesn't look after a friend. His eyes glinted in the firelight. I smiled and walked over to him before hugging him tightly. I felt like a young girl all over again. His arms holding me tightly making me feel safe. I couldn't remember when Irving had first allowed me to hug him, but even before the Red he had always welcomed my affection. Maybe like me he'd realised how much I missed my father. What hadn't occurred to me until now, maybe I was the closest thing he had to a daughter. It was common knowledge Irving had been in the Tower most of his life apart from the odd official First Enchanter visits he made. It was also common knowledge he hadn't taken a wife. Pairings between Mages in the tower weren't forbidden but were discouraged by the Templars. It didn't stop the students of course quite the contrary most of them were going at it like rabbits and the mixed quarters made it all the more accessible.
"The knife is just a precaution First Enchanter you know I don't have many friends here. It makes me feel safe."
"It seems it also comes in handy for battling sneaky First Enchanters." Irving hugged me tightly. "Just be careful child, Brunt can make a powerful enemy. He has a talent for getting his neck out of a noose." Irvings comment had me extremely curious but he'd said it in such a tone that the matter was closed and unless he chose to elaborate I would find out for myself or not at all. "Strong will is what will be needed in the days to come. Remember whatever happens everything around you can be altered but your will is real. Now unless you really do want my job go and enjoy the rest of your day, get some sleep tomorrow will be a big day." I hugged Irving again and grabbed my books heading back for my quarters. I planned on dropping off my books and a nice long bath before Tamas got back.
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Tamas had given me a key to his quarters months ago and slipping in past Cullen wasn't hard, especially since the rumours that he fancied me had started. Cullen was actually quite a nice guy for a Templar not my type but in different circumstances we could have been friends he was only a few years older than me. However since the rumours he had done his best to keep his distance and generally avoided speaking to me. I couldn't blame him for that pairings with Templars was forbidden and by the Maker I didn't need any more hassle from them. Tamas's room was huge compared to the tiny space we were allowed in the Apprentice quarters he had bookcases all along the far wall and a huge four poster bed, tables and chairs but the best part was a private bath. Maker what I wouldn't give for my own bath. The Apprentices Dormitory had shared baths and everyone had bunk beds, small and cramped. I walked over to the second cabinet taking out my bag which I left there just a few of my things which I couldn't fit under my bunk back in the Dorm. Along with a spare robe and a hairbrush and my home made makeup. I tended to horde things anyway so Tamas letting me keep things here was a fantastic bonus.
I slid my shoes off and unclasped the collar on my robe pulling it down letting the robe pool around my feet. I always envied how warm the Mages quarters were compared to the Apprentice Dorms. If only they gave a tour of these before showing you the Apprentice Dorms. Half the Apprentices would demand their Harrowing straight away. I pulled the rope next to the bath signalling the unseen heroes down in the bowels of the tower that I was requesting water. Waiting patiently for the water to pour effortlessly out of the nozzle in the wall. Beautiful clear hot water. Apprentices have to pump the water into the tubs which made you need a bath by the time you filled it, then you had the problem of actually heating it. I'd burnt my back and legs a few times miscalculating how long to flame burst the tub to heat the water to the right temperature. Not in the Mages quarters here hot water came effortlessly at the simple pull of a cord. The scare rumour amongst the younger students was that the tower had a high dragon in the basement who warmed the water. It was also said that apostates were fed to the dragon by the Templars. Of course the smart gold was on drakes. The tower did have hatchlings and drakes and had been researching them for sometime also harvesting them for dragon blood which makes a fantastic alchemical ingredient. They probably had them heating the water tanks on demand and them pumped the water to wherever it was needed. I had begun to absently brush my hair as the water began to flow filling the bath. I walked past the vanity to the mirror putting the brush down.
Staring at myself in it's reflection, my bottom lip had swollen quite a bit from the slap from Brunt earlier and a bruise was forming on my cheek, elbow and wrist. I picked up the brush and began to work my hair again which was as black as charcoal along with my eyebrows trying to straighten out a few knots it was the only thing I hated it was so unruly and took ages to fix each day I'd deliberately kept it long though to enhance my appearance I'd learnt pretty quickly that sex was a powerful weapon and the more delicate and fragile I appeared the easier it was. My eyes were were quite large and dark brown with flecks of black and gold. Kella had once told me I had beautiful cheeks as had Tamas however I think he was referring to a different set. I stood on tiptoes trying to appear taller turning back and forth. I resembled my mother from what I could remember of her. She was slender and elegant and quite buxom her eyes were a darker brown than mine I think, but she had the same char hair as me and had her skin had been just as pale as my own. I remember she smelled of garden flowers and grass after a rainstorm. I pulled the cord next to the bath watching the water slow to a trickle before sliding off my underwear and slipping into the water. It's heat warming my body deep into my bones. "Thank you Ser Drake." I chuckled towards the open nozzle. Wondering if deep down the tower a Drake was taken aback by the manners of an Apprentice Mage. A silly image of a Drake bowing his head drifted through my mind allowing myself to drift and wonder as my hands drifted over my skin my eyes closed soaking in sheer bliss.
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If you guys and gals have read all that I would love to hear your thoughts thanks for taking the time out.
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