I spent last evening wondering, as I got ready for bed, what happened to my mage after she helped to rebuild the Wardens and was too old to continue on. How would she look back on Alistair's sacrifice, rebuilding the Wardens... Actually, how would she look back on her life? Would there be regrets?
The Prologue
“Is it true, then?”
“How should I know? It’s not like she talks to apprentices. Hell, she doesn’t even really talk to the First Enchanter anymore.”
“Then ask her. I dare you.”
“I don’t know. What if she turns me into a toad for waking her up?”
“Coward. I bet she’s too old to do any spells any more. I mean, look at her! She’s wrinkled like an old apple.”
The two apprentices stared at the wizen mage who sat, dozing in the sun. She looked like someone’s grandmother with her silvered hair scraped back into a knot at the base of her neck and a knitted blanket around her knees. Could this really be the Grey Warden who had led the charge against the archdemon at Fort Drakon?
“Fine, I’ll do your paper for summoning class if you ask her.”
“Deal.”
The young boy could not believe his luck. Summoning was his worst class. If he could get out of his paper simply by asking an old woman who she was, well, it was definitely worth it. Summoning was a pain in his arse and not just because his mentor insisted on nothing less than perfection. He had yet to summon anything beyond a baby nug that immediately dropped dead.
Closer he crept until he stood but a few paces away. He cleared his throat, “Umm, excuse me?”
“What is it, child,” the old woman asked, her voice rusty from disuse. She did not open her eyes, though she turned her face towards the sunlight streaming through the tiny window.
“I, I mean, we,” the boy gestured to his friend standing partially behind the door jamb, “We want to know if it’s true you were at Fort Drakon?”
The old woman finally opened her eyes, staring intently at the boy. “So, someone finally works up the courage to ask me, then,” she laughed softly, “Well, come sit, both of you, and I’ll answer your question. It’s not as though I have anything else to do.”
“Where shall I start, boys,” she asked as they seated themselves at her knees, “At the very beginning before Ostagar? Or shall I go forward straight to the arch demon?”
“You were at Ostagar,” the second boy gasped.
“It seems I should start at the beginning,” the old woman shifted and shakily reached for the mug of tea on the small table beside her.
“My name is Malaya, and I was a mage of the Circle and a Grey Warden,” she paused to sip, “I suppose, since you both have taken the time and gathered the courage to talk to me, you may call me Maly, like my friends once did.”
“Now then, where was I,” she shook her head slowly, “Oh yes, the beginning. All good stories have a beginning and, I assure you, my story is a good one.”
The Old Mage
Débuté par
AdorableAnarchist
, janv. 14 2010 01:22
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#2
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:31
sensei1986
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Grey Wardens don't live very long.... They have a short live and they existance end in the Deep Roads. If you have finished DA you should know about that. The Tainted Blood corrupts Grey Warden's minds...there is no options to be lively.
#3
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:31
The Gay Warden
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Looks awesome. As a fellow Dragon Age fan-fic writer, I commend you! Good job.
#4
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:40
Tarante11a
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Like your take - fogies don't get much attention in fanfic really 
Interested to see where you go with it.
@sensei1986 - I *thought* that Wardens had 30 years from the time they performed the ritual so if you were in late middle age when you did that then you could reach old age before the Deep Roads started to beckon. At any rate - no need to be *quite* so catty I think.
Interested to see where you go with it.@sensei1986 - I *thought* that Wardens had 30 years from the time they performed the ritual so if you were in late middle age when you did that then you could reach old age before the Deep Roads started to beckon. At any rate - no need to be *quite* so catty I think.
#5
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:40
AdorableAnarchist
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sensei1986 wrote...
Grey Wardens don't live very long.... They have a short live and they existance end in the Deep Roads. If you have finished DA you should know about that. The Tainted Blood corrupts Grey Warden's minds...there is no options to be lively.
True this (and yes, I did finish a couple of times)... But, I was having fun with the idea of someone managing it. Who knows, perhaps, in the time after rebuilding, a cure for the taint was discovered? Maybe she made a deal with a Fade Spirit along the lines of Wynne? Maybe being on top of the tower when the archdemon was killed affected her in an unusual way? That's the beauty of fan fiction, the ability to play with a universe and see what you can see.
#6
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:42
tevikolady
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sensei1986 wrote...
Grey Wardens don't live very long.... They have a short live and they existance end in the Deep Roads. If you have finished DA you should know about that. The Tainted Blood corrupts Grey Warden's minds...there is no options to be lively.
If you did the Warden Base quest, you would also know that Avernus was researching ways into perfecting the taint in our blood. He survived over the pre-requisite 30 years. Its possible his reasearch gave her a chance to live to her *fullest*.
But the let the author tell the story already and don't question them!
#7
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:42
AdorableAnarchist
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Thanks, TGW and Tarante! I'm having a blast thinking on this storyline.
Ooo, I didn't even think about the whole "starting in middle age" angle. I was thinking of seeing if she could figure out a way to keep Wardens alive... I can see I will be thinking on this a lot today...
Ooo, I didn't even think about the whole "starting in middle age" angle. I was thinking of seeing if she could figure out a way to keep Wardens alive... I can see I will be thinking on this a lot today...
#8
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 01:43
ReubenLiew
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I heard that the Taint ages a warden faster than normal, so an elder looking GW would not be so far-fetched.
Though by the sounds of your character she's more than likely ready to head into the deep roads soon.
Though by the sounds of your character she's more than likely ready to head into the deep roads soon.
#9
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:03
tevikolady
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ReubenLiew wrote...
I heard that the Taint ages a warden faster than normal, so an elder looking GW would not be so far-fetched.
Though by the sounds of your character she's more than likely ready to head into the deep roads soon.
Heading into the Deep Roads is a tradition, not a neccessity. They go there to avoid succumbing to the taint, which, I don't think is a pretty process. So its much much easier to die in battle than, well, however else you die of teh taint.
There are many possibilities to explore here.
#10
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:06
ReubenLiew
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You become a darkspawn if you don't die from the taint, you know...
#11
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:07
AdorableAnarchist
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I have to say, the discussion is fueling my wicked little mind now... I had planned on a nice retelling of a few things, but now... *steeples fingers together and chuckles* We shall see....
#12
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:10
MarcusDeVarro
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i can't wait to read the rest of this!
#13
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:16
AdorableAnarchist
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Thanks, Marcus. Let me get my dwarf's vignette out of my head and I'll see about writing the next section.
#14
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:20
tevikolady
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The best thing about this game, is how open things can truly be for interpetation. Things can be mingled here and there, changed a bit, but ultimately your path, decisions are your own.
#15
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:25
AdorableAnarchist
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Teviko, I completely agree! This game and the universe are amazing and filled with fodder for the imagination. I'm finding myself more inspired to write than I have been in ages. I'm even inspired anough to go back to my more serious writing and not just my fan fic. I have a book of photographs and poetry that just needs layout work done to be complete and another photojournal that needs to be written up for a grant application... I can see myself actually beginning on these projects again because DAO has unblocked my creativity.
#16
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 02:26
sensei1986
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To author of this topic: Do not lose your inspiration! I've just only mentioned about Grey Warden's existence. I'm glad that Dragon Age lives in players minds and hearts:) That's very refreshing!
To tevikolady: Yes I'm aware about Avernus research....and it will be a good thing if the DA creators won't forget about this possibility:]
To tevikolady: Yes I'm aware about Avernus research....and it will be a good thing if the DA creators won't forget about this possibility:]
#17
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 07:57
AdorableAnarchist
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“Ostagar was impressive, younglings,” Maly smiled as she looked down at their eager faces, “It gleamed white in the sunlight. That only made King Cailen all the more striking as he greeted me and Duncan. His golden armour was like the sun and gleamed without a single fingerprint,” Maly paused and sipped her tea.
“What was the king like?”
“Oh, full of old tales and stories about even older honour and adventures,” Maly chuckled softly, “I thought him so young and excited. But, he was kind and took time to greet the young mage that stood before him.”
“I heard that he died at Ostagar and so did Duncan the Warden.”
The old mage sighed sadly, “Indeed. It was hard to realize that. Duncan was a good man, a noble man and Cailen, he was so young in spirit.”
The mage paused and adjusted her lap blanket, taking the time to compose herself. It would not do for the boys to see her come undone during her tale. No, she would reveal the horrors of the story, but without falling prey to her own emotions.
“Duncan had sent myself and Alistair to the Tower of Ishtal at the king’s request. That was the only reason two Grey Wardens survived when Loghain pulled his men out. Well, that and Flemeth’s magical rescue.”
“The Witch of the Wilds,” one boy exclaimed, “How did she rescue you?”
“I am told that she swooped down in the shape of a giant bird and plucked Alistair and me right off the top of the tower,” Maly chuckled at the amazement on each boy’s face, “I was told that by Flemeth’s daughter, but she had an odd sense of humour. I do not know if that really happened. I had been badly wounded and only Flemeth’s magic kept me alive.”
Maly cleared her throat and reached once more for her tea. How could she explain to these young boys who had grown up in a world of peace the terrors that she had seen? Did she even want to?
“What happened then?”
“Hush, she and Prince Alistair started gathering armies, you nug,” the older of the two lightly punched his friend in the shoulder.
“Boys,” Maly’s voice reminded her a moment of Wynne’s. She paused. Wynne… It had been ages since she had thought of the older mage, now long gone into the Maker’s embrace. Ages since she had heard Wynne’s voice take on the exact exasperated tone with Alistair. Even now, his name brought a bittersweet pain to the mage’s heart. It no longer felt as though she was ripping in two, rather, it was a pang for what might have been.
“And yes, Alistair and I started gathering allies. We started with Flemeth’s daughter, Morrigan.”
“And you ended up with an Antivan Crow, a dwarf, a mabari, a qunari, and a golem,” the older boy interrupted, his voice taunt with excitement.
“And do not forget an Orlesian bard,” Maly laughed. They were charming scamps, truth be told and it had been a long time since anyone had diverted her thoughts so. The nightmares had started, shaking her to the very marrow in her bones. She needed something to keep her mind off what that meant.
The youngest boy moved to rest his head on her knee and she absently stroked his hair. It was blond, rather like Alistair’s. How silly she was being today, seeing her old lover everywhere she turned.
“So, you have heard of Ostagar, what other tales can I tell you?”
“What of the Deep Roads,” asked the older boy.
“I do not think that is a tale you should hear. The Deep Roads are too horrifying, even for brave lads such as yourselves.” Maly could feel the tension slip out of the younger boy. He would have listened to her tale to prove his bravery, but regretted later that night. Far better to spare him the nightmares.
“Did you know how I came about my faithful Mabari, Etzian,” Maly asked, deftly changing the subject. At the shaking of their heads, she continued, “I was wandering through Ostagar before the battle. I had not even been made a Grey Warden at this point. The kennel master asked for my help in muzzling the great, slobbery beast,” Maly paused, smiling fondly, “He had bitten a darkspawn and tasted the tainted blood even as his owner had perished. The kennel master asked me to find a herb in the forest when I went out for medicine.”
“I didn’t see the beast again because that night I became a Grey Warden and the battle began. All I knew at that point was surviving. The dog never crossed my mind, I’m afraid. And yet, one day, while walking towards Lothering form the Wilds, I heard a bark,” Maly cleared her throat and reached for her tea, “And there he was, racing towards me, his stump of a tail wagging as though it would fly from his rear end,” Maly paused as the boys laughed.
“Of course, he brought me quite the gift. A warband of darkspawn were following him. They were quickly dispatched and Etzian became a member of our little group. He was good dog, faithful and strong. He would talk to me, just as I am talking to you, it seemed.”
“But, mabari are fierce warhounds,” the littlest apprentice spoke up, his voice soft with shyness.
“Yes, they are. Etzian was no different. He would charge into battle with a ferocious bark, chomping and biting everything he could get his mouth on. But, he was also kind and loving, a truly faithful friend. I miss him dearly.”
“I want a mabari too!”
“Me too!”
Maly laughed, “I don’t know, children, I think the First Enchanter would have something to say about that.”
“What was the king like?”
“Oh, full of old tales and stories about even older honour and adventures,” Maly chuckled softly, “I thought him so young and excited. But, he was kind and took time to greet the young mage that stood before him.”
“I heard that he died at Ostagar and so did Duncan the Warden.”
The old mage sighed sadly, “Indeed. It was hard to realize that. Duncan was a good man, a noble man and Cailen, he was so young in spirit.”
The mage paused and adjusted her lap blanket, taking the time to compose herself. It would not do for the boys to see her come undone during her tale. No, she would reveal the horrors of the story, but without falling prey to her own emotions.
“Duncan had sent myself and Alistair to the Tower of Ishtal at the king’s request. That was the only reason two Grey Wardens survived when Loghain pulled his men out. Well, that and Flemeth’s magical rescue.”
“The Witch of the Wilds,” one boy exclaimed, “How did she rescue you?”
“I am told that she swooped down in the shape of a giant bird and plucked Alistair and me right off the top of the tower,” Maly chuckled at the amazement on each boy’s face, “I was told that by Flemeth’s daughter, but she had an odd sense of humour. I do not know if that really happened. I had been badly wounded and only Flemeth’s magic kept me alive.”
Maly cleared her throat and reached once more for her tea. How could she explain to these young boys who had grown up in a world of peace the terrors that she had seen? Did she even want to?
“What happened then?”
“Hush, she and Prince Alistair started gathering armies, you nug,” the older of the two lightly punched his friend in the shoulder.
“Boys,” Maly’s voice reminded her a moment of Wynne’s. She paused. Wynne… It had been ages since she had thought of the older mage, now long gone into the Maker’s embrace. Ages since she had heard Wynne’s voice take on the exact exasperated tone with Alistair. Even now, his name brought a bittersweet pain to the mage’s heart. It no longer felt as though she was ripping in two, rather, it was a pang for what might have been.
“And yes, Alistair and I started gathering allies. We started with Flemeth’s daughter, Morrigan.”
“And you ended up with an Antivan Crow, a dwarf, a mabari, a qunari, and a golem,” the older boy interrupted, his voice taunt with excitement.
“And do not forget an Orlesian bard,” Maly laughed. They were charming scamps, truth be told and it had been a long time since anyone had diverted her thoughts so. The nightmares had started, shaking her to the very marrow in her bones. She needed something to keep her mind off what that meant.
The youngest boy moved to rest his head on her knee and she absently stroked his hair. It was blond, rather like Alistair’s. How silly she was being today, seeing her old lover everywhere she turned.
“So, you have heard of Ostagar, what other tales can I tell you?”
“What of the Deep Roads,” asked the older boy.
“I do not think that is a tale you should hear. The Deep Roads are too horrifying, even for brave lads such as yourselves.” Maly could feel the tension slip out of the younger boy. He would have listened to her tale to prove his bravery, but regretted later that night. Far better to spare him the nightmares.
“Did you know how I came about my faithful Mabari, Etzian,” Maly asked, deftly changing the subject. At the shaking of their heads, she continued, “I was wandering through Ostagar before the battle. I had not even been made a Grey Warden at this point. The kennel master asked for my help in muzzling the great, slobbery beast,” Maly paused, smiling fondly, “He had bitten a darkspawn and tasted the tainted blood even as his owner had perished. The kennel master asked me to find a herb in the forest when I went out for medicine.”
“I didn’t see the beast again because that night I became a Grey Warden and the battle began. All I knew at that point was surviving. The dog never crossed my mind, I’m afraid. And yet, one day, while walking towards Lothering form the Wilds, I heard a bark,” Maly cleared her throat and reached for her tea, “And there he was, racing towards me, his stump of a tail wagging as though it would fly from his rear end,” Maly paused as the boys laughed.
“Of course, he brought me quite the gift. A warband of darkspawn were following him. They were quickly dispatched and Etzian became a member of our little group. He was good dog, faithful and strong. He would talk to me, just as I am talking to you, it seemed.”
“But, mabari are fierce warhounds,” the littlest apprentice spoke up, his voice soft with shyness.
“Yes, they are. Etzian was no different. He would charge into battle with a ferocious bark, chomping and biting everything he could get his mouth on. But, he was also kind and loving, a truly faithful friend. I miss him dearly.”
“I want a mabari too!”
“Me too!”
Maly laughed, “I don’t know, children, I think the First Enchanter would have something to say about that.”
#19
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 08:20
AdorableAnarchist
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Ask and ye shall receive. LOL
“Boys, where are you?”
The shout caused both of the children to start. Maly pursed her lips, “Are you two supposed to be doing something else?”
They nodded in tandem. The youngest piped up, “We’re supposed to be helping the kitchen today.”
“I see,” Maly cocked her head as the shout was repeated, “And, knowing the Circle as I do, you will be in trouble for neglecting your duties, yes?”
The boys nodded once again.
“Well, let’s see if we can keep that from happening then, shall we,” Maly called out, “Are you looking for two young apprentices?”
A very harried woman strode in, “Indeed I am, Mistress Malaya. I am so sorry they bothered you.”
“Oh no, please, they have been very kind to keep me company today,” Maly slanted a sly glance at the boys before turning back to the woman, “In fact, it is such a nice change, having company.”
The young mage had the good grace to look embarrassed, “Forgive me. I assumed, I mean, we all assumed that you wished peace and quiet.”
“Perhaps I could have these boys visit me in the afternoons once their lessons are done,” Maly looked to the boys, “Would you like that?”
At their vociferous agreements, Maly turned to the other mage, “With your permission, of course?”
The woman shrugged, “I’m not going to deny the Hero of Fereldan anything, Mistress,” she offered a wry smile, “But you may have gotten more than you bargained for. These two may give a hurloc a run for its money.”
‘That may be. We shall find out tomorrow,” Maly held up her hand, quashing any protests, “No, lads, I am weary and need to seek my bed to rest til supper. I will see you here tomorrow.”
Before he followed his friend and the other mage out, the littlest apprentice ran back and pressed a kiss onto Maly’s wrinkled cheek, “Thank you!” She started in surprise but he was gone before she could say anything. Tears pricked her eyes and she cursed herself for being an old fool. It had been easy, pulling away from the Wardens and then pulling away from the Circle. It had been the coward’s way out and she knew it.
“Boys, where are you?”
The shout caused both of the children to start. Maly pursed her lips, “Are you two supposed to be doing something else?”
They nodded in tandem. The youngest piped up, “We’re supposed to be helping the kitchen today.”
“I see,” Maly cocked her head as the shout was repeated, “And, knowing the Circle as I do, you will be in trouble for neglecting your duties, yes?”
The boys nodded once again.
“Well, let’s see if we can keep that from happening then, shall we,” Maly called out, “Are you looking for two young apprentices?”
A very harried woman strode in, “Indeed I am, Mistress Malaya. I am so sorry they bothered you.”
“Oh no, please, they have been very kind to keep me company today,” Maly slanted a sly glance at the boys before turning back to the woman, “In fact, it is such a nice change, having company.”
The young mage had the good grace to look embarrassed, “Forgive me. I assumed, I mean, we all assumed that you wished peace and quiet.”
“Perhaps I could have these boys visit me in the afternoons once their lessons are done,” Maly looked to the boys, “Would you like that?”
At their vociferous agreements, Maly turned to the other mage, “With your permission, of course?”
The woman shrugged, “I’m not going to deny the Hero of Fereldan anything, Mistress,” she offered a wry smile, “But you may have gotten more than you bargained for. These two may give a hurloc a run for its money.”
‘That may be. We shall find out tomorrow,” Maly held up her hand, quashing any protests, “No, lads, I am weary and need to seek my bed to rest til supper. I will see you here tomorrow.”
Before he followed his friend and the other mage out, the littlest apprentice ran back and pressed a kiss onto Maly’s wrinkled cheek, “Thank you!” She started in surprise but he was gone before she could say anything. Tears pricked her eyes and she cursed herself for being an old fool. It had been easy, pulling away from the Wardens and then pulling away from the Circle. It had been the coward’s way out and she knew it.
Modifié par AdorableAnarchist, 14 janvier 2010 - 08:21 .
#20
Posté 14 janvier 2010 - 11:08
frostajulie
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Now I am intrigues why did she take the easy way out? What hurts has she sufferred What was her story like to make her this kind but lonely lady. I will def be reading up on this so don't stop.
#21
Posté 15 janvier 2010 - 12:13
AdorableAnarchist
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Tha nk you so much! I have to admit, Maly is intriguing me too... I'm sure she'll tell me the rest of her tale of the coming days and I'll write them down.
#22
Posté 15 janvier 2010 - 01:12
tallon1982
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I really like how this is going. It's nice to see this told from another perspective =)
#23
Posté 15 janvier 2010 - 05:28
MarcusDeVarro
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Maly seems like shes a really deep character
not to mention her names fun to say
malymalymaly lol
not to mention her names fun to say
malymalymaly lol
#24
Posté 15 janvier 2010 - 12:46
AdorableAnarchist
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Thank you! She started out as rather insufferable, but grew up pretty quickly. I want that to come out as the story goes along.
LOL!! Rather like Alistair saying "Sister. Siiiiiiisssster." I crack up every time over that line!
LOL!! Rather like Alistair saying "Sister. Siiiiiiisssster." I crack up every time over that line!
#25
Posté 15 janvier 2010 - 04:57
jenovan
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Aww, I'm really liking this! I've always been a fan of the "aged hero looking back on life" POV.. it adds a lot to the story, all of the hindsight and possible regrets...
Camping out and looking forward to more! XD
Camping out and looking forward to more! XD
