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[mysteriouspast]

"I don't feel strong... or brave," Rael said with a horrified look on her face. "I--I've never done anything like this before," she confessed. "I'd never even left Denerim before a couple weeks ago. I just needed some coin, for my family, and I thought I could try adventuring..." she trailed off and looked at Tempest's eyes. "I do realize how foolish I sound right now," she continued with a chagrined expression. "I've never killed anything before those wolves yesterday. It's... overwhelming."

[obsessedwjpn]

Mercuriel took Beldin's offered hand and clasped it in his own, giving it a firm shake. He nodded at Beldin knowingly. "You are right," his expression became serious, "the blade I carry with me was taken up in protection of my clan. I intend to see that it is used to protect whomever so shall need its services."

 

Never had the human warrior and Mercuriel really spoken to one another before but, for some reason, Mercuriel had just brought up the topic of his clan willingly. Perhaps Beldin, as a fellow soldier, gave him a sense of camaraderie or understanding? Either way, Mercuriel knew that he could trust Beldin at his side in a battle. He didn't know how he knew that, he just did. 

 

After a few minutes, Dog bounced into the kitchen, obviously intent on ingratiating himself further to the one person, in the whole farmhouse, who provided him with attention. Mercuriel chuckled lightly. "Be careful, good sir, for I fear my hound has taken quite an interest in you."

 

Dog licked Beldin's hand and rubbed his head against the man's fingers. Meanwhile, Mercuriel pulled out his waterskin and took a swig. Had he seen Rael run through here earlier? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of a lot of things going on with this group. He needed to correct that. Beldin seemed like the person to ask.

 

He put the waterskin away and cleared his throat. "Beldin, I need to ask you,in all seriousness, what in the name of the Creators is going on around here? What happened to that Dalish woman? I've heard talk of demons."

[Mahumia]

The words of Eshara kept going circles through her mind. She wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it surely would not be pretty. 

 

She moved over to her backpack and rummaged a bit through it, before finally deciding to just pick up the entire thing and her armour. A quick glance around the room gave her the impression that most people were occupied. She opened the door to the kitchen where Beldin and the male Dalish were conversing. The dog was busy with bugging Beldin, so she decided that it was best to make use of that distraction and move out of the door quietly.

 

She noticed that Tempest seemed to be comforting Rael. ‘Better to leave them alone too, than.’ So she moved over to the water’s edge and sat down there. She laid out her armor on the ground and opened her backpack. On top she found the wolf’s hide from the day earlier. She removed it, turned the folded hide around a bit. ‘Pity… but the Ancestors know how long it will take before we find a leatherworker… can’t take the risk to have it go rotting in my backpack…’ She patted it a few times before she laid the hide aside.

 

‘Now where did I put it…’ she rummaged through the backpack. With a frown, she grabbed the pack and pulled it closer. “Andraste’s flaming…” she cursed under her breath. Some more rummaging followed, before she decided to just start unloading the contents. She paused when she pulled out a package, wrapped in a shirt. “Bronto poo…” She realized she’d totally forgotten to give it along to the group who went to bring the remains for the Fuldor’s to Vintive. ‘Well, maybe they will be of use some time.’ With a wry smile she put the package next to her.

 

She came to her stock: rations, clothes, pints of oil… she counted them: should be enough to last for some time. Glancing at the water, she wondered whether or not there would be time to do some laundry. Probably not…

 

All down at the bottom of her backpack, obviously, she found what she was looking for: a small pouch. She opened it in order to produce some thread and a needle. With a small knife she cut of a string of thread and attached the thread to the needle.

She picked up one of her bracers, or actually, what was left of it. She put the needle between her lips, so she had both her hands free to inspect the bracer. The wolves had been enthusiastically chewing on it, so there was no way she’d be able to fit all the parts together nicely again. That was not her intention anyway: as long as it would be somewhat functional again and protect her, at least from a first blow. Holding two shredded pieces together, she started to sew up the bracer. After a while she inspected her work and fitted it on: it should do, for now. If the whole experience would indeed leave her some extra coin, she might perhaps better spend it on a new set of armor instead of getting it repaired…

 

Her gaze went back to the rippling water in front of her. Coming to think of it, she started to realize that she appeared to just accept it all: she’d been close to death the day before, and would probably be more often. And maybe she would return feet first, if at all. She merely shrugged in response to her own thoughts.

[ChachiBobinks]

"Etienne, come with me, we'll talk out back real quick." Sarel shored up his confidence and conviction. "I would like to join your group and seek to help out the Dalish who are trapped, if only to ensure they get a proper burial and don't endure undue suffering. I hope to help save them. I would like for someone who knows me well, and you're the only one here I know who can do that. Would you be alright doing this for me?"

 

Etienne's eyes widened. "I, ah... yes, I suppose I am," he replied hesitantly. When they met up in the village, Etienne had been rushed and honestly, his stomach had hurt. He had been nearly depleted of power and ran on false energy. He really didn't have the opportunity (or the mindset) to question Sarel's presence outside of the circle. Or his previous disappearance. 

 

He gave a quick nod to the others and clasped his hands behind his back again as he made his way out, through the kitchen and out the backdoor. Perhaps it was time for questions to be asked, especially if the other man would be joining them. But first, he'd listen. "We have other Dalish," he added. "What additional aide would you bring?" 

Spoiler

"I can speak Elvhen. I am one of, if not the most, gifted caster of our age range, that human from the Anderfels with the cat obsession and failed escape attempts not withstanding. I am skilled in history, in particular Ancient Elven and Dalish histories, and you know that Kinloch Hold's selection of writing is more than most kings have access to. I know a variety of combat spells, in particular defensive Earth magic and temperature manipulation via flame and frost. I have a loyal Mabari who will keep us aware of danger and to help defend the party in time of trouble, and he can follow the scent of the Dalish, if we can find any part of their trail. I have a healer's kit for treating injuries, and have brought my own water and rations, so i won't take away from the general supply."

 

"In addition, I will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to see that these elves come back here. I will lay my life down for the Dalish, for Rael, and for my fellow mages. What more could you ask?"

 

Etienne flustered as the other mage practically read his resume. He had expected something along the lines of 'I'm really great a potions!' or 'Who are you to question me?' Not only was Sarel's history impressive, but he recounted it honestly. The day Sarel moved into the apprentices quarters, everyone whispered about how he was seen as one of the most brilliant spell casters of their day. He was sure to work his way up the Circle hierarchy in no time which, unfortunately, made him Etienne's competition. An idealistic healer and botanist stood very little chance against a powerful caster. 

So, with that in mind, the fact that Sarel seemed to think it necessary to come to Etienne in the first place sort of threw him off-balance. 

 

Sarel stepped forward and looked Etienne directly in the eyes.

 

Etienne instinctively took an awkward step back. "I, ah, er... would appreciate the assistance. We all would. Yes." It took his boggled mind a moment to register that in his list of people to protect, the human warriors were notably absent. "For Beldin, Bartha, and Tessa as well, yes?" 

 

"Bartha, and Tessa too, yes. I didn't know the dwarf's name, I apologize. Beldin. . . I do not know. I have little love for large human warriors and their weapons. If keeping him alive keeps the others alive, though, then he has use enough."

Maker, did that make Etienne slightly uncomfortable. He saw the warriors as a step above mages like he and Sarel. Protecting and healing them was the mages' inherent purpose. To see Sarel handle it with such unease made him worry. 

 

"Etienne. There are two things I need to discuss with you." Sarel said, softening his tone. The first. . . I know what was done to you in the tower, and I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to stop the priests. The second, and I know you won't want to hear it, but your affections are. . . Unwarranted, unhealthy, and unrequited. I won't say anymore, but know I can't endorse or support it. I do want to help you overcome what the priests did, though. " Sarel said, trying to keep his voice gentle but firm.

 

"Oh, I ah..." Etienne's gaze dropped to his feet immediately as his cheeks burned crimson. His way of handling the past was by a dedication to displacement: pretending as if the past wasn't real, he had lived the sort of dream life outsiders expected the tower mages to live, and covering for any lasting scars with blindness. To have it brought up again, after so many years, caused his shoulder to twitch and his eyes to close sharply. Anything he said after barely registered. 

But then part did. Unwarranted, unhealthy, and unrequited... Maker, did he know about him and Rael? Of course, as a Circle Mage, he'd understand that... that such relationships were forbidden. That it was dangerous for him to even consider such a union, better yet act on it. But unrequited? It certainly felt as if Rael was on the same level as him. He looked up at the other man curiously, mouth open and ready to reply, but thought better of it. 

 

Sarel knew Etienne was a skilled mage, and even charming and more skilled than he was in matters of botany, herbalism, and potion making. Sarel was skilled when he was around in a battle, but to anyone else? Useless. How many lives could Etienne make better with potions, poultices, and alchemical mixtures given enough time? All Sarel's magic was good for was death. If he could bring Etienne back, and the others like him. Who could stand against the mages? With people like Etienne, healers, creators, being both free and still helping. . . who would even want to oppose them? "Etienne, let me help you. You're capable of much more than me, if we can unbreak you."

 

"...I am not broken," he said quickly, defensively. "I am whole, with the by my side and the Circle closed protectively around me." It sounded canned, like force-fed dialogue. 

 

". . . Etienne. You have a choice. I see no Templars here, no priests. You do good by your own choice, not because there's a sword at your back held by a coward in a tonne of armor. You don't do good for fear the Maker should crush you into dust beneath his heel. You are good- but you allow great evil to continue if you don't admit evil was done to you and even worse if you don't act to end that evil." Sarel said, trying to be patient. Memories of heat devils dancing around him, that obscured his last vision of his family, the smell of ash and soot and their cries- like always, he quashed the memories down, trying to pretend the heat he felt emanating from his palms was merely body heat. "You are broken, Etienne, but you can be repaired. The Mages weren't the problem, and most look after their own. Know this- I'd rather die a thousand deaths for a fellow mage than walk willingly with a Maker who allowed what happened to you to happen to someone else. Help me. Sarel said. He turned, and pushed down the hood of his traveling cloak enough to show the 5 pointed star that the Templar's firm grasp left on the back of his neck as they drug him from his family's burned down shack in the alienage. "This is what the Chantry is, this is the Circle's purpose- a steel gauntlet with a firm grasp on the necks of children drug from their homes. We two have our scars. How many more must bare to you their injuries before you see your own?"

 

Etienne's own journey to the Circle had been far less heartbreaking. He was the second, and last, magical child born of the Duke and Duchess Durand. When he accidentally broke all the windows in the ballroom while throwing a fit during dance lessons, it was treated as if it was nothing at all. His parents kissed him on the forehead and even went so far as to walk him to the White Spire, opting to hand their son over directly to the Templars on their own territory instead of engaging in the unsightly removal of the boy from their home, as many nobles often did. His first Circle was also known for the glorification of magic. "The Circle is a protective ring," he countered unconvincingly. "Has been since the day I joined, serah. And... yes, some things might have happened, but I assure you, I deserved punishment for.." He cut himself off. Deflect, and shield. 

 

"Deserved punishment for. . . ? For what? The way the Creators, the Maker, father's seed or mother's womb made you? For having a personality? For having the audacity to. . . be? For passing the Harrowing? For what, man?!" Sarel said, jabbing his staff into the ground. "The way the templars treat mages is barbarism, a gilded cage lined with daggers and trapped with poison. The way they steal children from the arms of their mother's is barbaric. Do you know, Serah, how I came to the Circle? My parents knew too well the cruelty of humans and the Chantry's role in justifying that. When they found out about my talents, they sheltered me away from the templars, but somehow the word got out before I could be smuggled to the Dalish. Perhaps their own courier betrayed me. However, when the shems started beating on the door, my parents meager possessions shoved against it in our Alienage slum to hold them at bay, I couldn't control the fear, nor the fire." Sarel looked up, tears in his eyes, heat devils dancing briefly in front of his face. "When the fire started, rocks were hurled at my parents when they tried to come out. When they finally broke free of the death trap, steel met them. My sister was so afraid she couldn't even run and. .. died beside me. But no, I was spared by my own magic, and when the templar came in, and called me beast, and abomination, and hauled me half way to Kinloch Hold with his dagger at my throat and his gauntlet grasping the nape of my neck, I was dragged past the body of my dead parents, with the weapons the mob struck them down with still in them. Did I DESERVE that? Did my parents?"

 

"Magic was made to serve man, not rule over him. Your magic shouldn't control you-that doesn't mean you should be controlled. Did Andraste come to cast the world down or build it up? To end it, or bring hope back? What do YOU believe. He pointed knowingly at Etienne's unseen scars. You've hidden too long. I'm through."

 

It was the sort of thing he had heard so often, but blew off as lore. Sarel wore the scars to prove it. As did Tempest. He could remember those days back prior to his Harrowing, when the other young mages would tell the tale. He'd ignore them, or just simply believe it was a game, one trying to up another on whose life had been the hardest. It was hard for him to imagine that any of it could be real. His gaze dropped to the ground again. "If you believe me to be broken, I will at least allow you the opportunity to help. Open my eyes." When he looked up, it was in time to see Sarel's retreating back.

 

Sarel went off on his own, and changed into his Mage's robes. He wasn't goin to hide anymore, either. 

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"That doesn't sound foolish at all," Tempest said. "You're wise to recognize the magnitude of what lies ahead. Taking a life should not be an easy thing. Necessary, at times, unfortunately - but not easy. Not to be taken lightly. There is wisdom in understanding that these tasks aren't simple."

 

Tempest smiled again reassuringly. "I rarely feel strong either, or brave. There have been times in my life when I've considered giving up. There have been many times I was afraid. The most I can say for myself is that I survived - but even survival is no small thing. There is no shame in admitting feeling overwhelmed. You have a good heart, Rael. I believe in you. I think you should believe in yourself, too."

[mysteriouspast]

"I...I shall endeavor to earn your confidence," Rael replied quietly. She swallowed hard, trying to loosen her throat, which had gone dry, and began to flex and relax her fingers, which had gone stiff from clenching. If someone as gentle and sweet as Tempest was willing to fight a demon head-on, then perhaps she could too.

"I've been on my own for a long time," she said, staring at her sore hands that were starting to move more fluidly. "I suppose... I can do this. So long as I am not alone in it. Together, as a group, we might have a chance, right?" she asked the mage hopefully.

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"Of course," Tempest said. "You won't be alone. I promise you that. And yes, we have more than a chance. One thing I've learned is that determination counts for a lot. Our cause - the cause of saving innocent lives - is a righteous one. I believe that together, we can prevail."

 

Obviously Tempest knew that defeating demons would take more than a positive attitude. Strategy was necessary, but would come later. For now, the most important thing was their resolve.

[mysteriouspast]

Rael thought about Tempest's words. If it were as Eshara said, then, truly, innocent lives were at stake. Why else had she taken up learning the crossbow and sword, if not to protect the defenseless? She thought about that poor family, butchered mercilessly. If she could somehow prevent more lives from being lost in such a manner, then it would be worth the risk.

 

"Then I am with you," she responded with a surprising amount of confidence in her voice. "If you think I can be of use, I will be by your side, serah."

[berelinde]

Mercuriel took Beldin's offered hand and clasped it in his own, giving it a firm shake. He nodded at Beldin knowingly. "You are right," his expression became serious, "the blade I carry with me was taken up in protection of my clan. I intend to see that it is used to protect whomever so shall need its services."

 

Never had the human warrior and Mercuriel really spoken to one another before but, for some reason, Mercuriel had just brought up the topic of his clan willingly. Perhaps Beldin, as a fellow soldier, gave him a sense of camaraderie or understanding? Either way, Mercuriel knew that he could trust Beldin at his side in a battle. He didn't know how he knew that, he just did. 

 

After a few minutes, Dog bounced into the kitchen, obviously intent on ingratiating himself further to the one person, in the whole farmhouse, who provided him with attention. Mercuriel chuckled lightly. "Be careful, good sir, for I fear my hound has taken quite an interest in you."

 

Dog licked Beldin's hand and rubbed his head against the man's fingers. Meanwhile, Mercuriel pulled out his waterskin and took a swig. Had he seen Rael run through here earlier? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of a lot of things going on with this group. He needed to correct that. Beldin seemed like the person to ask.

 

He put the waterskin away and cleared his throat. "Beldin, I need to ask you,in all seriousness, what in the name of the Creators is going on around here? What happened to that Dalish woman? I've heard talk of demons."

Beldin stroked Dog's head, irrationally pleased that such a fine animal would allow him to do so and considered how best to brief Mercuriel.

 

"We were staying in Vintiver for various reasons," he said, "but we all responded to the innkeeper's request to check in on a farming family. All ten of the family were dead, slashed to ribbons by something that left claw marks about that far apart."

 

He held up his own hand, fingers slightly splayed, in illustration.

 

"We found Eshara, the Dalish woman, in the barn, dying of infection from wounds the same size and shape as those the farmers bore. Etienne, the red-haired mage - the human one - was able to heal her enough to bring her here. Villagers are going missing in Vintiver, and they're blaming the Dalish. It's madness, irrational fear, but we weren't about to throw her to a mob."

 

He shook his head at the locals' paranoia.

 

"As far as I know, those are the first words she's spoken," he said. "You heard what I did, but from the sound of things, Eshara's clan fell victim to whatever wounded her, and that thing, whatever it is, is now raiding the village. I'm not sure about the demons. Whatever attacked her had a physical form, and it will fall to physical weapons."

 

He smiled wryly at Mercuriel.

 

"I reckon that's all you and I need to know," he said. "I've never fought beside a Dalish warrior before, but I'll wager we've got that in common. Hold the line and let the archers pick 'em off, aye?"

[BFace]

After checking all of her gear and making what small repairs she could, Tessa found herself looking for Bartha or Beldin.

 

The enormity of the task before them, coupled with the thought of demons and all these mages, made her gravitate toward people who felt more familiar to her.

 

She found Beldin first, talking with the newest elf. Mercuriel.  Tessa thought that was his name.  He was Dalish, obviously, but also carried a sword.

 

“Hold the line and let the archers pick 'em off, aye?”

 

Tess heard the end of Beldin’s comments as she approached the men, her face still pale, but she tried on a smile anyway.

 

“Our job really *doesn’t* change much, does it?”

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"Of that I have no doubt," Tempest replied. She gave Rael's hand another squeeze. "I will be honored to fight by your side."

 

A little more hesitantly, she added, "I wonder if I might... ask a favor? As a comrade? If something should happen to me, could you see that word reaches my family? I can tell you where to find them. If the Maker sees fit to take me to his side, I don't want my children to be left never knowing what happened to their mother."

[mysteriouspast]

Fighting against the urge to panic once again, Rael solemnly nodded at Tempest's requests. The mage's assurances that they would survive the encounter were somewhat undercut by her alluding to her possible demise. Still, she was being pragmatic--anything could happen out there.

 

"This I will do for you," Rael agreed. "Perhaps you might do the same for me... I have two brothers in Denerim's alienage that count on me for survival. Should I...should I not survive this mission, I would hope you would tell them of my fate."

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"I will do so if necessary," Tempest replied. "You have my word. I'm confident, though, that it will not become necessary. We will prevail, and see our loved ones again soon."

 

She certainly hoped it would be soon. Tempest missed her children with a fierce, aching longing. Still, she could not abandon those in need.

 

"We should go back inside," she said. "There are preparations to make before we depart."

[mysteriouspast]

Rael stood up and smoothed off her leggings before offering Tempest a hand. "Agreed," she said. "Let us waste no time."

[berelinde]

Beldin shifted a little to make room for Tessa and forcing himself to relax. He'd been too exhausted the night before for either Bartha or Tessa's proximity to have much effect on him, but a good night's sleep had put an end to his tranquility.

 

"Have you met Tessa?" he asked Mercuriel. "After fighting with her yesterday, I'm glad to have her on our side."

 

Memories surfaced in his mist-filled brain, recent ones. He'd heard bits of Mercuriel's easy banter with Rael, and noticed the way his gaze loitered over Laurelin. Jealousy flared briefly, but he forced himself to stifle it.He had no reason to think that Mercuriel felt the same appreciation for humans, and even if he did, he had no claim on Tessa, nor any hope of changing that. That part of his life ended when the jailer's iron sizzled against his flesh.

 

"And it occurs to me that there are three of us," he said. "That's enough to risk sparring outside, training in turns while one keeps watch. I doubt the others will want to leave this close to sunset."

[obsessedwjpn]

Beldin's words gave credence to everything Rael had said. Not that Mercuriel didn't believe Rael. He had just hoped she'd been exaggerating seeing as she'd spent most of her life in an alienage and hadn't ventured out far before. Unfortunately, it seemed that indeed the group would be facing a demon or demons soon. Such a messy business. Mercuriel was not happy about this one bit. Of course his feelings really didn't much matter, did they? He sighed.

 

Beldin's small quip at the end of his speech caused the sides of Mercuriel's mouth to twitch up into a smile. Perhaps this human warrior wasn't so bad, after all? Mercuriel chuckled a little and held eye contact with Beldin. "Sounds about right. I imagine "holding the line" can get a bit more complicated than that but overall, sounds good."

 

As Mercuriel was running a hand through his loose locks a fellow human warrior appeared in the kitchen. This one was a female. He hadn't really ever been properly introduced to her but Beldin immediately took care of that. So her name was Tessa? That was a nice name, to be sure. All the females in this farmhouse seemed blessed with nice names and good looks. Perhaps his stumbling upon this group of travelers wasn't all doom and gloom after all?

 

Mercuriel nodded at Tessa. "My name is Mercuriel, a pleasure to make your acquaintance and may I just say what a beautiful lady you are. That sword on your back only makes your beauty that much 'sharper.'" Mercuriel knew he'd made just about the worst joke in history but he couldn't help himself. A woman in armor who knew how to take care of herself was just so sexy.

 

Beldin's suggestion of possible sparring caused Mercuriel's ears to twitch. He hadn't sparred in awhile. He'd fought and killed fairly recently but just sparring, not so much. Did he really want to spar with these strangers? He mulled it over in his head a bit while Dog trotted out of the kitchen and back into the main living area. 

 

"I'm up for it," he finally responded. He reached back over his shoulder and clasped his hand on the handle of his sword. Delphine ached to be used. He would oblige her this once.

[BFace]

 "My name is Mercuriel, a pleasure to make your acquaintance and may I just say what a beautiful lady you are. That sword on your back only makes your beauty that much 'sharper."

 

Tessa willed herself not to roll her eyes.  So this Mercuriel was that kind of man. Well, she would just have to show him that she was a good deal more than her figure or her face.

 

She glanced at Beldin and quirked a corner of her mouth in something not quite a grin. So much had happened in the last 24 hours and she felt a kinship of sorts to the tall man. Add to that, the fact that he had yet to make her feel like "just a girl" and she wondered if they would be friends at some point.

 

She rubbed her nose with her forefinger and coughed before her thoughts moved on from that.

 

"I'd like to spar, I think." Tessa smirked before going on. "I'll even go easy on the two of you."

[berelinde]

"That sword on your back only makes your beauty that much sharper," Mercuriel said, and it was all Beldin could do to keep from guffawing aloud... and then his laughter died in his throat. It was the worst line in the history of flirtation, but Mercuriel had the balls to say it aloud. When he was sober. The elf might play the buffoon when it suited him, but he was far from harmless. If Beldin wished to comepete...

 

If Beldin wished to compete, he would need to join the game, and he was out of uniform.

 

Still, it was gratifying to see that Tessa was immune to such cheap flattery... and she was looking at him!

 

He returned her half-smile, then clapped his hands together at her jaunty "I'll even go easy on the two of you."

 

"We'll just see about that!" he shot back, rattling his axe against his shield. "Because those lashes Mercuriel finds so enchanting won't save you from a trouncing if you don't keep your defense up!"

 

He felt self-conscious mentioning her beauty at all, but it was useless to deny it. He was not blind, after all, and she would have heard the compliment before. Still, she might appreciate the knowledge that whatever else he might say, he wasn't about to patronize her.

 

He drew a hard leather sheath from his pack and fitted it over the head of his axe. The others could strike with the flat of their blades, but there was no way to swing an axe backward. The protective shell would blunt the weapon enough to prevent injury, should he breach their defenses. Even fighting at half-speed, accidents could happen, and they were too few to risk maiming each other.

[berelinde]

{Let's keep things simple. We can go in reverse alphabetical order: Tessa/Mercuriel, Mercuriel/Beldin, Beldin/Tessa. The first of each pair gets one swing that the other blocks, then the second gets one swing that touches a weapon arm (Beldin's a lefty). The next blow is a block, and the first gets a swing that touches a leg (probably left for Beldin, since the right is behind his shield, but if Bramble posts otherwise, I'll go with it in Beldin's post). After two touches, it's a draw. If anybody ever wants to go at it for real with dice rolls and the ability to choose the attack site, there's a thread specifically for sparring.}

[BFace]

"Because those lashes Mercuriel finds so enchanting won't save you from a trouncing if you don't keep your defense up!"

 

Before she could stop herself, Tessa fluttered the eyelashes in question at Beldin, her grey eyes flashing with humor and retorted, "Oho, serah. I think I will be fine. Try not to get distracted, aye?"

 

'As if a warrior like Beldin would be distracted by girlish wiles,' Tess thought to herself as she turned to go outside to await her "opponents", already thinking about strategies.  

[berelinde]

Beldin's axe thudded to the floor.

 

Perhaps he was distracted... or perhaps he was simply letting it fall while he adjusted his gauntlet. Wild horses could not drag the truth from him.

[TreeHuggerHannah]

Returning from her chat with Rael, Tempest saw the group's melee combatants engaged in what appeared to be a sparring match. Assuming it was a display of friendly camaraderie and a training exercise - and blissfully unaware of the attraction dynamics involved - it brought a smile to her lips.

 

It reminded her of home, and that thought caused a sudden sharp ache of missing the Circle. She always missed her people, but it was like a low buzz in the background. This feeling was more like a roar.

 

She took out a small piece of parchment from one of her pockets and unrolled it, and the picture comforted her. It was a careful painting of her and her children, a gift from her older daughter. The little piece of home eased the ache in her heart.

 

This battle to save the Dalish clan must be fought, but she couldn't wait to see them again.

[obsessedwjpn]

Mercuriel saw the interaction between Beldin and Tessa and began to wonder if something besides friendship was bubbling beneath the surface. Tessa was a nice looking woman and she had a fiery spirit it seemed so Beldin would be a fool NOT to be attracted to her. However, Mercuriel was glad to see that nothing had been cemented between the two, yet. He would use this sparring match as a chance to test just how interested Beldin was. Why not get some fun out of the battle besides the obvious physical exertion?

 

Mercuriel unsheathed Delphine as he stepped outside the farmhouse into the fading light of day. He quickly swung the sword in a circle a few times to test his muscles. He then planted the sword into the ground and flexed his arms and shoulders some. He didn't really need to stretch before a battle, he had trained almost all his life as a warrior, but he did like showing off when he could. Perhaps a few ladies, even Laurelin, would be watching? He grinned as he looked up across the way at Tessa.

 

"Make sure that you don't go too easy on me. I want to feel just a little pain in my muscles after this match." Mercuriel retrieved Delphine from the ground and held her firmly in front of him with both hands.

 

(Wow, I didn't realize how euphemistic that all sounded, haha!)

[mysteriouspast]

(Here's the DTR I mentioned earlier...thought I guess they don't define much.)

 

Spoiler

Etienne rubbed his face as he turned to watch Sarel’s retreating back. Maker, had that been intense. His face still burned as he headed back to the house, but he paused in his feet to see Rael making her way for the door not too far ahead of him. Part of him thought to not let her see him in such a state. She’d either think him weak or, more likely, be ready to behead whoever had made him so upset. But he left her hanging on a hope and he’d not break a promise ever. “Rael,” he called out.

 

Rael’s name floated to her ear and she instinctively stopped in her tracks behind Tempest and looked over her shoulder. Etienne was emerging into the clearing, his red hair an unmistakable flame in the afternoon sun. Tempest had already disappeared into the dim interior, so Rael simply turned and began walking towards Etienne. A brief moment later, and the other elf--the one she hadn’t met yet--appeared behind him. The elf caught sight of her and simply changed direction, clearly avoiding her. Odd.

 

“I am sorry about earlier,” he called out to her as he hurried over. “I had pressing business.”

 

Now that he was only feet from her, Rael could discern the grayish pallor his face had taken and how his hands trembled. “Maker’s breath!” she cried, seizing his hands in hers. “What happened to you?” she asked in a tense voice. She pressed the back of her hand to his forehead, searching for a fever. “You look a fright! Are you unwell?”

 

His eyes shot open wide and round as she took his hands and his gaze instinctively settled on her knuckles. How a kiss was possible, but the feeling of a hand around his was so foreign, was a mystery even he didn’t dare ponder. As she assumed he had gone ill, he quickly shook his head. “No, I am.. I am fine, please do not worry yourself.” He forced a smile and lowered his hands, bringing one of hers along with them. “You could say that Sarel and I have a history. I am not so good at conflict. I hate to admit it.” Shaking his head, he leaned closer, as if to distract her from his issues with, well, him. “It is no bother, I am more concerned about you.”

 

“No bother, my foot!” she retorted. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost… or a demon… or whatever scares mages. That elf...Sarel...what in the Maker’s name did he say to you to disquiet you so?” He’d come nearer to her, close enough that she could smell that exotic citrus scent that hung about his clothes. But she would not be dissuaded.

 

“Chickens.” He nodded solemnly. “Chickens scare mages, not other mages. Terrifying with their feathers and large eyes.”

 

Rael pulled her head back, away from this enticing eyes and sweet-smelling skin. “So you and Sarel went to the woods…to… what? Talk? Secret mage business?”

 

“To talk about the Circle,” he finally clarified. “And his wishes for me to leave it.” He glanced at the farmhouse, as if he expected to see Sarel standing there seething. When he did not, he looked back at Rael with a furrowed brow. “And he said something of… thinking I’ve got feelings for someone who does not feel the same way back?”

 

Stunned, Rael said nothing for a moment. As usual, Etienne said many things--complicated things--at once and she needed to process them all before she decided which one to tackle first. This time, the choice was obvious. “Wait… what does he know of…?” She shrugged helplessly. “I do not know him, so he has no cause to comment on my feelings for you.” She felt color suddenly flood her cheeks as she realized she’d assumed something rather critical that he had not actually said.. “He… meant me, right?”

 

“I assumed so,” he replied quietly, flustering. “Horrifically so, as I’m sure you could imagine.”

 

Rael gave Etienne a knowing smile and said, “As I said before, he has no knowledge of my feelings for you.” She stepped forward, leaning her head towards him so that her lips just grazed his ear as she whispered, “Else he wouldn’t have taken them so incorrectly.”

 

His lips parted as hers brushed his ear and, Maker, when had it gotten so warm outside? His grasp tightened and he swallowed hard. “...then I am… very happy he is wrong, messere.” Quickly, almost like an afterthought, he added, “Happy indeed.”

 

His lack of composure was endearing, as always. She stepped back slightly, to look him in the face and give him the opportunity to remember to breathe. “I’m glad that we’ve had this conversation. I confess, serah,” she said, her eyes casting downward slightly. “After last night, I was not sure how we stood.”

 

“What, has he been whispering words in your ear as well, messere?” His brow rose jovially.

 

“Hardly,” she replied with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I’ve not exchanged one word with him.” Etienne had found what she said amusing, which must have meant that it wasn’t true. But she was still a bit confused by his behavior the previous night and decided to ask about it--not to assuage her fears, but to deepen her understanding of him. “It’s just… after, you seemed to feel guilty about it for some reason, so I thought…” She cleared her throat and said, more forcefully, “and then when you came into the great room, after everyone was asleep--I know you saw me awake, but you turned your back on me, quite literally.” She shrugged and looked at him with an expression that was surprisingly fragile. “I… didn’t know what to make of it. Any of it.”

 

He took his bottom lip between his teeth, and cast his eyes to the ground. She hit the nail on the head for at least part of it - the guilt that overcame him. And the rest, the part that wasn’t driven at all by the guilt, suddenly caused it. “Rael,” he replied softly. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I… contemplated going to you. But I didn’t want to awaken anyone.”

 

She shrugged and looked away. “Then there is no internal conflict in you? Is that your meaning?”

 

“No, there is plenty,” he replied honestly. “But I wasn’t conflicted when I saw you last night.”

 

“I see,” she said, blush deepening. “I must admit, I am uncertain about the source of your conflict.” She pressed her lips together for a moment, as though doing so might prevent the words from coming out. What good could come from asking him this? All she would learn would be what she did not want to know. But she found herself compelled to continue, to find the root of his fears, even if she could do nothing to quell them. “Is it… is it because I’m an elf?” she asked in a very small voice.

 

“What?” His brow furrowed and he looked at her in a way that made it obvious that it was the furthest from his mind. “What would that have to do with anything?”

 

“Well...everything?” she replied, giving him a quizzical look. “You’re from Orlais...I know how they regard elves.” She gave him an exasperated sigh. “You can’t be claiming ignorance of how it would look to most people--a human and an elf.”

 

“How it looks to other people matters not to me.” He frowned, brow furrowed deeply. “How other people feel doesn’t affect how I do.” It wasn’t as if he was a trailblazer, but he was the king of the unpopular opinion. “Who am I to judge someone based on what they cannot control? I’m a mage.”

 

“How enlightened of you,” she said with an appreciative smile and a slightly bowed head. “Then from where does all this inner turmoil spring?”

 

Carefully, he repeated himself. “I’m a mage.”

 

“What does that signify?” she asked, more confused than ever. “Are you considered… too powerful to mix with the rest of us?” There was no amusement, no teasing. She simply did not understand.

 

“No,” he replied quickly. “Maker, no. We are just…” Of all the things, that would prove to be the most difficult one to clarify. “The Chantry teaches that we are to serve, to spend a selfless life of learning and doing what we can to help mankind. Relationships, romance, they… serve to cloud one’s vision. It is the same reason why those who serve the Chantry are expected to do the same.”

 

“That...answers my question,” she responded in a voice that cracked. Her eyes fought to stare straight ahead. Truly, if that was how he really felt, what could she do to convince him otherwise? How could she reconcile the man he was outside in the moonlight with the one who espoused the Chantry’s strictest, most unfair rules?

 

He took a deep breath. He had spent years carefully following every piece of guidance handed to him, but his time in Vivinter had done nothing but push him in the opposite direction. And it wasn’t just the blooming emotions with Rael, but a change in mindset and a growing love for the world outside of the tower. He squeezed her hand again, his own shaking. “I don’t know that I care any longer.”

 

“Now that is a sentiment I can support,” she said with a satisfied smile.

 

“Do not worry about me,” he replied warmly. “I am not one of false emotions, messere.” As if to prove himself, and his emotions, to be as pure as his words expressed, he pulled her to him in one quick movement and brought his lips a breath away from hers. “And I do make my own decisions.” He captured her lips in what should have been warm and passionate, considering proximity and the fire in swelling in the air around them. But instead, it was quick and certainly teasing. He drew back, nose wrinkled. “..Maker, I wish I had my gloves. They’ve gone missing, you know.”

 

Rael had forgotten where she was for a moment, when Etienne’s lips met hers, full of promises and warmth. But those promises were quickly broken, the warmth dissipated as he pulled away from her, leaving her breathless. He had a knowing twinkle in his eye as he mumbled something about missing gloves.

 

Rael took a ragged breath and decided she wouldn’t play nice, either. “Wood goblins,” she replied, with an arched brow. “Must be the wood goblins.”

 

He stared at her blankly. “I, er… what?”

 

Rael nodded emphatically. “You’ve never heard of wood goblins, serah? What do they teach you in that Circle?” He still looked at her with a bemused expression. She spread her arms, an indication of an upcoming story.

 

“When we were children, we had very little in the way of possessions, so we kept very good track of them. Sometimes, our toys--such as they were--would disappear. When we’d come crying to her about some lost doll or whistle, my mother would say it was the wood goblins who did it.” She smiled at him, a sunny memory overwhelming her.

 

“They live in doors and furniture--anything made of wood around the house--and covet our things,” she continued. “Sometimes they can’t help themselves and steal them, secreting them away in the spaces we cannot see. But when they see how we miss what they have taken, the wood goblins feel contrite and return them, usually in better condition than they were before they were taken.”

 

“If your gloves are missing, serah, it must be the wood goblins,” she finished with a haughty grin.

 

“...but my hands,” he replied quietly, clearly buying her every word. Honestly, he had heard more outlandish things.

 

She sighed theatrically and said, “You’ll just have to wait until they deign to return them. There’s nothing else to be done.”

 

“Well, I suppose that makes sense.” It didn’t make sense at all. “Maybe I can find temporary replacements once we’re back in the village…”

 

Rael was about to offer condolences, when she heard the clang of metal on metal and some good-natured shouting nearby. She exchanged confused glances with Etienne and they raced together, hand-in-hand, to investiage the commotion.

 

Etienne and Rael join the others in watching the sparring match.

[BFace]

"Make sure that you don't go too easy on me. I want to feel just a little pain in my muscles after this match."

 

Tessa raised one eyebrow at the elf.

 

“Oh, I will endeavor to be an appropriate opponent.”

 

There was an exhilaration about sparring that she loved down into the very core of her being.  She realized over the last year that a small part of her felt that way, even when the fighting was real, but she very seldom acknowledged that, even to herself. Here, in harmless sparring (Well, mostly harmless), she could revel in the adrenaline and use it to become a better fighter.

 

She was glad that Mercuriel was her first “opponent”, because they were of a size, so she would be able to warm up before having to figure out how to get around Beldin’s reach.

 

She wondered, as she readied her weapon, if the Dalish fought differently. Tessa held her blade with both hands, point up, as if she were saluting Mercuriel, she nodded and said, “May your blade be enough.”

 

With a quick and feral grin, but no other warning, Tessa stepped forward and at the same time, she swung her two-handed sword overhand, careful to keep the flat of the blade where it would connect.