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[TreeHuggerHannah]

"We need the rest, anyway," Tempest added. "Some of our party are still recovering from injuries, and speaking for myself, my energy is nearly spent. I know we're all anxious to reach the Dalish camp, but Maker knows what we'll find when we get there. Better to delay and arrived rested, than to make haste and start a battle half-exhausted already. We'll be no help to the Dalish clan if we aren't at our best when we reach them."

[obsessedwjpn]

Mercuriel recovers from almost dying and has a real heart to heart chat with Laurelin.

 

Warning: You may giggle with delight.

 

A joint post between Lorien and Ann

 

Spoiler

Mercuriel could feel his body again. And that was when the pain hit. It felt like his body had been put through a meat grinder. The fact that he felt pain though signafied he still lived. How fortunate. Although, he began to reconsider whether living was worth it if it was this painful. He gritted his teeth and attempted to move his arms or legs. He could feel his muscles attempt to respond to the command but nothing really happened.

 

He did, however, feel another presence in the area with him. And he was laying on something soft. Where was he? He tried opening his eyes. It hurt to even move his eyelids but he managed to open them slightly. His vision swam. He could only make out the outline of a person next to him. He tried to speak but his throat was dry.

 

He closed his eyes again and grunted as he tried moving his hand out to the person near him. He couldn't. Damn his body. It was so useless. He fought to open his eyes again and this time his vision allowed him to at least make note that the person next to him had long hair. A female?

 

"Who?" He managed to croak out.

 

Even after being assured,that Mercuriel's condition was stable Laurelin refused to leave his side.

She was seated besides him,the exhaustion of the battle taking it's toll on her.She couldn't keep her eyes open anymore,until she heard his voice,hoarse and faint wondering who was there next to him.

Laurelin smiled "It's Laurelin."She said softly 

"It's alright,you're safe now...please stay still."She said as soon as he tried to move 

"You gave me...I mean us a good scare out there."

 

Her voice was melody to his ears. She was alright. When those bandits had shown up, surrounding her, he'd feared the worst. Tension that he didn't know he'd been holding eased out of his body. Thank the Creators. 

 

She said that he'd given them a good scare. Did that mean he had almost died? He guessed so. Obviously he'd suffered severe injuries from the battle. The pain wracking his body prevented him from remembering much about what happened though. He sighed and closed his eyes. He summoned forth any energy he could and put it into two simple words. "Water, please."

 

Laurelin nodded silently and reached for her flask.She then helped him up and held the flask for him to drink."Easy"she said calmly and slicked some loose strands of his hair behind his leaf-like ear.

"You are strong,few could survive such injuries."she paused "It was nearly impossible to stop the bleeding."Her expression softened but her eyes were filled with concern.

"But let's not ponder on it lethalin,you're alive and that's what matters to me."

 

Mercuriel greedily accepted the water. He gulped down all of it. He could feel his throat coming back to life. No longer did it feel like a desert. He coughed a bit then listened to Laurelin's melodic voice. She was telling him about his strength for survival and how he'd lost so much blood. It sounded bad. He noticed at the end of her talk she mentioned that his being alive mattered to her. Not to them, not to the group, but her.

 

A weak smile formed on his face as he opened his eyes and looked at her. "It's good to see your face again. For awhile, I thought I wouldn't make it out alive." He couldn't quite move any of his limbs yet but he tried to convey his happiness at seeing her again through his eyes. He wanted so badly to touch her. To reaffirm his connection to this world. 

 

Suddenly the memory of their earlier disagreement came to mind. He looked away from her and examined the tent they were in. Was this her tent or his? She'd obviously been here awhile with him because he'd noticed some fatigue in her facial features.

 

Laurelin smiled back,she was glad to see that despite the pain he was still smiling at her.She reached out for his hand,it wasn't as cold as before.

For a moment,she noticed his gaze wandering around the tent,she looked back at him and gave him a reassuring smile.

"We are safe now the bandits are gone,Beldin built that to shelter you from the not so warm Fereldan weather."she chuckled "How are you feeling?"

 

"How nice of him." Mercuriel attempted a laugh but just coughed instead. Perhaps he should hold back on the laughter for now.

 

So they'd defeated the bandits or at least driven them off. That was good to hear. His body could take its time and heal up. Laurelin wasn't in any danger and neither was the rest of the party. In fact, the mention of Beldin made him realize he hadn't asked yet how everyone else was.

 

"How are the others?" He felt her hand slide into his. He got his fingers to cooperate and did his best to wrap them around her hand. 

 

"Alive"Laurelin said"some of them injured,but Tempest and Philomena are trying their best.But nevertheless no one is in danger."She looked back at him "I'm so sorry lethalin...I know you were rushing to protect me."She paused for a while,her eyes fixed on the ground.Her hand remained on his her grasp slightly firmer but not firm enough to hurt him.

 

He breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear it. Thank the Creators."

 

He felt her grip on his hand tighten and his eyes locked with hers once again. "There is no reason for you to apologize. How could I not rush to help you? You were surrounded and I wasn't about to let anything happen to you."

 

The tent was small to begin with but it felt tighter with the two of them in it. He swallowed. "I...I couldn't let anything happen to you," he added hastily.

 

He shifted his head a bit so that he could gaze at her face. Despite some fatigue, she looked breathtaking as always. He felt his breath catch in his throat. "Thank you, for staying by my side."

 

 

Laurelin's eyes widened in surprise,she felt the heat rising to her cheeks,she smiled and leand close to him,kissing him gently on his cheek.

"No need to thank me either...I suppose I couldn't let anything happen to you either."

For a moment she found herself looking at him,she noticed a sadness in his eyes.The same look as that night theyear had an argument.

her smile faded "Is something troubling you?"she asked hesitantly.

 

She'd asked him so nicely. He couldn't refuse.

 

"Yes, actually. Something is troubling me." 

 

He cleared his throat, thankful again for the water, and started to speak. Just then, Dog barged into the tent. The hound's ears were down and he was whimpering. Apparently he'd suffered from worry just like everyone else in the group. He couldn't stay away from his master any longer.

 

Mercuriel cursed the hound's timing but he didn't yell at Dog. He couldn't yell, even if he wanted to, but he also understood that Dog needed reassurance just like Laurelin. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the hound laid on the ground, crawled to him, and nuzzled under his arm. Mercuriel had very little energy but he managed to raise his arm up a bit so that Dog could snuggle in next to him.

 

He sighed. "My apologies, Laurelin. It seems he just couldn't stay away."

 

Laurelin chuckled as soon as she saw dog invading the tent,worried for his master.

She reached out and caressed him behind the ears,smiling.

"They call it imprinting,he's connected to you in a way that it's impossible for us to understand."She said "Mabari will do that."

She looked back at him and at dog again.

"How is it that you haven't named him?"

 

"I did name him. His name is Dog. I am not the creative type really and at first I didn't want him around." He looked adoringly at the mabari despite his harsh statement. "He sort of grew on me over time. He wouldn't leave me alone and followed me everywhere."

 

Dog's whimpering quieted down as he pushed in closer to his master. He rested his head against Mercuriel's chest. 

 

"I can't imagine naming him anything else now, really. His name fits him. Something that started out unremarkable but grew to be so important in my life."

 

He spoke the words with such affection. He gazed at Dog. For a moment, master and hound shared an emotional connection through their eyes. Then Mercuriel turned his gaze back on Laurelin and frowned.

 

"Don't mention what happened here to anyone. I will deny it." He tried to maintain a serious face but soon a weak smile broke out. He laughed just a little then winced. "Geez, laughing is bad for my recovery apparently."

 

Silence followed for a second before he returned to their earlier conversation. 

 

"Laurelin, I'm sorry...about how I made you feel earlier, back at the Tarl's." He reached out with his hand and wiggled his fingers to her. "Could you lay next to me for a moment please? I can't really move much..."

 

 

Laurelin looked away when he mentioned the incident at the warden's house"Don't worry about it now."she paused "Besides,you were honest with me and I appreciate it."she shrugged.

She raised an eyebrow at his request,"Are you sure?I wouldn't like to make you uncomfortable."She looked at the bedroll he was laying on,it was narrow enough already.

 

He couldn't hold his hand out to her any longer, the effort it required grew to be too much, and he laid it across his stomach. She seemed hesitant to get close to him. Or perhaps, it was just as she said, she didn't want to inconvenience him while still injured. He did already have Dog on one side.

 

He closed his eyes and exhaled. "I may have been honest with you but I could have presented it in a much better fashion. My manners need work." 

 

He wanted so badly to touch her. He turned his head away and faced Dog. The hound seemed very content at the moment.

 

Laurelin reached out and held his hand,

"Three's no need to worry about it now."She said kindly and smiled,her hand caressing his.

"Although you did seem quite upset,as if I said something truly hurtful to you."

Her smile faded and she looked back at him,truth be told she wanted to hear an explanation about his odd behaviour the other day,but perhaps it wasn't the right time to pester him with such questions.

"I'm sorry,I didn't mean to pry."

 

He looked at her again. "You aren't prying. It's fine." He managed a smile and squeezed her hand. "Truth be told, I'm upset more with myself than you. I want to be honest with you Laurelin. I feel like it is important that I tell you something about me. That way you can understand better why I acted the way I did."

 

He readjusted his head so that Dog became somewhat of a pillow to prop himself up against. The hound was soundly asleep now, snoring inelegantly. "We have never spoken of my clan. The one that I left some years ago. And we have never talked about why I left. It is a subject I have most difficulty with discussing. But I want to discuss it, with you, now, if you would like."

 

 

"I'm all ears."she chuckled but her expression became serious again as soon a as she noticed the sadness in his voice.

From that moment she knew that whatever he was going to tell her,wasn't good at all.

Her eyes remained fixed on his as she rested her head on her hand,waiting with anticipation to hear what he had to say.

 

He exhaled slowly and began.

 

"I left my clan some years ago, as you know. The reason for that is because...a fellow clan member died while out hunting with me. They were my partner and well, I let them die. I let her die. Her name was Shaunee and we grew up together. We were very good friends despite my coming into the clan late in life. I was not born in it. I had initially been born to city elf parents but they abandoned me, or so I am told, near where the Keeper of my clan found me. The Keeper took a liking to me and introduced me to the clan. I grew up there and the Keeper's intended first, Shaunee, welcome me with open arms. She and I caused all sorts of chaos together."

 

He smiled lightly while remembering the past.

 

"Eventually, as we grew older, we fell in love. And the Keeper supported this. He felt that the two of us were good together. I planned on proposing to her, doing a ceremony, everything but then one day we were out with a hunting party. We'd heard of strange beasts showing up in the forests but we weren't that worried. I mean, how could we have known it was darkspawn? While hunting we ran across an opening to the Deep Roads and some darkspawn wandered out while Shaunee and I were busy fighting a bear. We managed to defeat them but not before Shaunee was gravelly injured."

 

He paused, a little unsure of continuing. He hadn't told this story yet to any of the other group members. Laurelin would be the first and he wasn't sure how he felt about someone knowing besides him. Would she rush to tell the others? Would this cause her to stay away from him? He had many uncertainties but he pushed on.

 

"She...she'd been infected by the taint. I could tell...it was already affecting her body. Her skin...she...begged me to end her life. To give her peace...." His throat closed up for a moment and a few tears dribbled out from the corners of his eyes. "I...stabbed her...killing her...and buried the body out in the forest. I didn't tell anyone in my clan what had truly happened. Despite the fact that no one blamed me for directly causing her death, rumors spread throughout the clan about my former status as an outsider leading to this somehow. No one trusted me anymore. The Keeper believed that whatever happened I was innocent but he couldn't sway the whole clan. I decided to leave so that they could somehow move past this tragedy..."

 

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against Dog. 

 

 

Laurelin nodded silently,and placed her hand on his.Everything was clear as day now,why he reacted in the way he did,why he found their group in the first place and most importantly why he was trying to avoid her.

Perhaps she reminded him to much of his lost love,it must have been really painful for him.

"I understand lethalin,even if your clan considers you an outsider,you are always welcome in the Illan clan...As long as I have a say to this...You see I've never seen eye to eye with them either..."She paused "In fact if it wasn't for the keeper,they'd probably exile me to begin with."Her eyes remained fixed on the floor and then she looked back at Mercuriel."I'm really sorry for your loss,and the pain you had to go through...Had I know I wouldn't...I had no intention to hurt you."She said quietly.

 

"It's okay, Laurelin. You didn't do anything wrong. I was in the wrong. I wanted to share my story with you because I knew it would help shed light on my recent actions. I thought it might help you to understand better where I was coming from. Thank you for listening."

 

He squeezed her hand and smiIed.

 

"I'm sorry to hear about your clan issues. It sounds like the both of us have some things from the past to work through. Although I appreciate your offer to join your clan. I'm not sure if I can. I still feel connected with my clan despite leaving them. I am sure you understand."

 

He put out an arm to help steady himself as he slowly bent at the waist and sat up. It was painful and he gritted his teeth but he managed to stay upright once there. He ran his free hand through Laurelin's long hair then cupped her cheek in his palm. "Thank you for staying by my side while I recovered. It was nice to wake up to such a beauty."

 

A bit of his old mirth and flirtatious manner returned, a sign that he would recover fully in time. Before she could respond, he leaned forward, albeit slowly, and kissed her. It was a light kiss, very chaste. Just a simple reminder of the feelings the Dalish elf was developing for her. He pulled back after a few seconds and kissed her nose. 

 

"I wonder if the others are taking bets as to what is happening inside this tent." He laughed and leaned his forehead against hers.

 

 

"That we do."She said wistfully,her eyes were filled with sadness but her expression wouldn't betray it.

Laurelin didn't wish to burden Mercuriel further,she smiled back and moved closer to him.She was glad that the closeness they shared from the very first moment they met,wasn't completely gone .

 

To her surprise he kissed her again,this time his lips barely touched hers in a delicate gentle manner.

As soon as he pulled away from the kiss,she reached out and slicked back a lock of black hair,persistently fall in his face and chuckled at his remark.

"They know that you're injured Merc,and they're also worried...Besides Tessa also had a rough time out there."she said "But I'm sure she's in good hands,Tempest's in particular."She said softly 

"As for you,you also have Philomena to thank for your recovery."She leaned one last time and pecked his cheek "It's time for you to rest now...Just know that I'll be here if you need me."

 

"I shall have to remember to thank Philomena later then. And I'm glad Tempest is taking care of Tessa." It seemed that, for now, he could rest without too many worries. He gently kissed Laurelin's forehead and settled back down on the bed roll. Dog was still fast asleep next to it.

 

"Make sure you take care of yourself too. We can't have you passing out from fatigue. If you need, you can lay out your bedroll next to mine." He said it with no flirtatious tone whatsoever. He was genuinely concerned about her lack of rest. "Can't have you in danger...again..." His voice slowly faded as his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

[BFace]

In which Beldin and Tessa have a small quilting bee.

A joint post by berelinde and BFace

 

Spoiler

 

Rummaging through her pack with her left hand, Tessa was getting frustrated. She knew this gash on her right bicep was going to want stitching, but she couldn’t seem to find her kit. She’d managed, just, to get her tent up, although she was going to have to look at it again before she slept.

 

And she had declined any offers for further healing because she knew that the others were going to have thier hands full with others who’d been more injured, and it wasn’t like Tess had never stitched a wound.

 

Granted, she’d only stitched her own, once, and it was a fairly simple gash on her left thigh, just above the knee. And she hadn’t had to do that one with her left hand. Grabbing hold of her small sewing kit, she wrinkled her nose.  She knew she was going to need someone to do this for her, but there wasn’t really anyone…her eyes lit on Beldin, who looked about like she felt, but he was walking around, inspecting tents, it looked like.

 

Stiffly, Tessa got to her feet, throwing her pack just inside her tent.

 

“Ho, Beldin,” she said as she walked toward him. “Can I get you to give me a hand with something?”

 

"Aye," he said, straightening and wincing as the tear in his arm reopened for the third time. "What do you need?"

 

Looking a bit sheepish, she said, “I...the arm is going to need some stitching, I think. And I trust your left hand better than my own, if you get my meaning.” 

 

"I can do that," he agreed. "Have you got waxed thread? I had to leave mine behind a while ago."

 

“I do.” She handed over her small kit, which was really just 2 needles, and a fair bit of waxed thread, as well as some normal sewing thread, wrapped in a bit of linen. “Can we do it in, out of the air, do you think?”

 

He cast an eye up at the thickening cloud cover and nodded, then followed her toward her tent, ducking in wordlessly after her. Once they were both inside, he said, "Looks deeper than I thought. Will you allow me to play squire and help you with your armor?"

 

“Yes.” She was glad of the offer- in honesty, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get at all the buckles alone. Looking at him, she smiled shyly. He didn’t look to be in much better shape than she was. “Thanks, Beldin.”

 

"Anytime," he said promptly, and regretted it immediately. Of course, he would enjoy helping her out of her armor, he chided himself, and her tunic, shirt, and any other article of clothing. But it was done; best to act as if his words could have no other meaning. He undid the buckles on her bad side and slid the armor off. The entire right side of her tunic was drenched.

 

"Look, Tess," he said, "that tunic's going to have to come off, and I don't want you tearing that arm open doing it. If I can get it off on your left side, I might be able to get it over your head and down past your wrist without making it worse. Think we can manage it?"

 

Taking a deep breath, Tessa nodded. He was right, and she didn’t think she could do it by herself. “I think we can, yes.”

 

He let her unbuckle the belt that held her tunic close to her body, then ran his hands up under the fabric on the left side. He tried to keep his hands away from anywhere that might get him slapped, and mostly succeeded. She was... a bit more generously endowed than he thought she was, however, and his jaw clenched as he tried not to think about where the backs of his hands were touching. Fortunately, her tunic was roomy enough to allow her to pull her right arm back through the sleeve, and he lifted the tunic over her head and down her right arm without further embarrassment.

 

"Right, that wasn't so bad," he said in the quiet, cheerful tones he'd heard field medics use around the wounded. Judging by the sleeve, the fact that she still had an arm was a miracle. He untied the knots that held the sleeve closed at the wrist and slid it up over the wound and onto her shoulder. "You've easily got enough thread for the job, but it's going to pinch a bit. And it won't be quick. Do you want something to bite down on?"

 

She tried to look dispassionately down at her arm, then she wished she hadn’t. 

 

“Uh, no,” she answered, swallowing. She looked at him, and took a deep breath. “Just..talk to me a bit?”

 

"I don't know about that," he said, a twinkle of mirth in his eye as he threaded the needle. "We both know how laconic I can be. But maybe you wouldn't mind hearing about the training we did at the chantry. I was going to be a templar, you know."

 

He positioned the needle about a third of the way up the wound and, pinching the edges together with his free hand, pushed it neatly through both layers, then released the tension.

 

She hissed in a breath as the needle pushed through, then released it slowly. The trepidation of the pain was almost always worse than the reality of the pain, although it bothered her a little that the wound itself still didn’t really hurt, and she was hoping the numbness in her hand would go away as it healed.

 

"A lot of us took training at the chantry, up in Logerwold," he said as he drew the thread through and knotted it before cutting it off. "Most lads expected to become farmers or loggers, but we had letters to learn, and sword training never hurt anyone."

 

He repeated the process about a third of the way from the other end.

 

"But in my case, and my brother's, we were destined for the chantry," he said, pulling the edges together and driving the needle through. "Sam would get the farm - we raised horses - and Martin and I would become brothers."

 

He pulled the thread through and tied it off.

 

"It was alright for Martin," he said, making another stitch between the two he'd already placed. "He didn't really like it, but a chantry education would serve him if he wanted to start a business in Denerim or what have you. I couldn't have sat in a temple all day, though, or stood outside to hawk the Maker to a bunch of people who already came to services twice a week."

 

He made another stitch between the first and the third.

 

"So I thought that being a templar must be a fine life," he said. "Going out in Andraste's name and saving the world from demons and maleficar."

 

He made another stitch.

 

"And it was good to train in the courtyard," he said, "and swing at the pell or spar with the few templars stationed at Logerwold. They weren't all that eager to break a sweat, but it amused them to keep a boy out of trouble."

 

He kept adding stitch after stitch as he talked.

 

"I thought it must be a fine life," he said as he worked. "Serve the Maker, enjoy the camaraderie of the Order... There's a kind of peace in knowing you're part of something bigger than you are. At sixteen, it was a fine dream."

 

Tessa blinked blearily as Beldin spoke.  The pain was fairly distant as she focused on the deep vibrations of his voice. She was surprised at his chantry education, but not unduly. “How do you feel about it now?”

 

He surveyed his handiwork. One more stitch, and it would heal clean and swiftly. It would leave a scar, but it would not reopen if she moved incautiously.

 

"I don't know," he said, placing the last suture. "My love of Andraste has not changed, but maybe I have. There are many ways to serve, aye?"

Reaching across her face to tuck a braid behind her right ear with her left hand, she nodded. “That’s true, I think. I feel like I serve the Maker best, maybe, by trying to go where I’m needed.”

 

She looked down at the stitching.  It was going to be sore tomorrow, but it looked like it’d heal cleanly. “Beldin, I...thank you. The talking helped.” 

 

A corner of her mouth lifted slightly. “I appreciate you stepping outside your normal, quiet demeanor.”

 

He started to laugh at that, and then grew pensive.

 

"Say, Tessa, I... I don't suppose you'd be willing to do the same for me?" he asked. "I mean, I understand why you might not want to..."

 

She pulled her sleeve down and took the sewing things from him. “Of course I will. Uh, where is it needed, Beldin?”

 

He hesitated only a moment. "My left leg's a ruin, Tess," he said, not meeting her eyes.

 

Matter-of-factly, she said, “Well, pants off then, hmm?” and turned away, without further remark, to give him some privacy.

 

He undid his breeches and pushed them as far as he could reach down his thighs.

 

"Er, Tess?" he said. "I'm not that bashful that I'd refuse some help here."

 

She turned to see what he meant. “Oh. Beldin, I didn’t even think…” She went to him and shoved his pants down till he could step out of them. She stood and surveyed the damage. Tessa was amazed that he was still able to walk on that leg.  

 

“Well. I think I’ll best be able to sort this out, Beldin, if you lay down on your side on my bedroll so I can get at everything without you having to move around too much. Can you do that on your own, or do you want my help?”

 

He chuckled. "Lying down is easy," he said. "Getting up... well, once you're done, it'll be easier."

 

He stretched out on the bedroll, tucking his shirt between his legs front and back to ensure that everything stayed where it belonged.

 

Once Beldin was settled, Tessa dropped down beside him, sitting crosslegged on his left side, facing his legs. As she threaded the needle, she looked down to see where she wanted to start. Her eyes narrowed as she studied his injuries.

 

“Did you...that looks like an arrow wound. Did you ...pull it out?” After she’d spoken, she realized that she’d done the same thing on her shoulder so that she could continue to use her sword, but she felt that she maybe didn’t need to say so right then.

 

"I thought about leaving it in," he joked through clenched teeth, "but I figured I'd only trip over it, so it had to come out."

 

He was better than he had been, but the cold air stung against his injured flesh.

 

"Maybe you should talk a bit, aye?" he asked.

 

She smiled, so he could hear it in her voice as she began the first stitch. “I can do that. If you’re not sick of hearing me talk all the time, that is.” Quickly, she put the needle through flesh to get started, and went on. “You said your family raised horses. As a youngster, I spent some time working on a horse farm.”

 

As Tessa worked, she kept her voice steady and conversational. “I was 15, and at first, of course, it was just a lot of ****-shoveling. But eventually, I was able to start working with them a little. You know, leading them around, basic grooming. It...I loved it, really.”

 

"The ****-shoveling never goes away," he said, grinning himself, but falling silent again so she could continue. The needle pinched, but it was a tiny thing, not a javelin.

 

Tying off a bit of thread to begin on the next section of the bigger of the wounds on his leg, she kept talking. She snorted at his observation, working to keep her movements smooth, to minimize the time and the pain. “That’s true, I suppose. The first time I was allowed on the back of a horse...she was the most docile old lady of a horse I’ve ever known. But I felt like I was riding into battle, you know? I was 16 or so-everything seems like it’s the most important thing ever at that age, doesn’t it?”

 

He snorted agreement, thanking the Maker that no further response was requested or required. At this point in his sixteenth year, he'd been trying to devise a way to get down off the plateau without freezing to death.

 

Tessa marveled silently for a moment at how easy it was to just keep talking to him. She was nearing the back of the gash that seemed to go around his leg. Resting her left hand on his thigh for a moment, she asked, “Can you get on your belly, for just a mo, Beldin? It’ll be easier for both of us as I get the end of this, so I can start on the other one.”

 

She waited for him to comply, then went on, both with the stitching and the talking. “I haven’t been on a horse in several years, but I do miss it sometimes.” She finished the last few stitches before tying it off and taking a deep breath.  

 

“I still have the arrow hole to patch up. Do you want to take a minute before I start on it?”

 

"Leave me here long enough, I'll drift off," he chuckled. "What kind of horses did they have? Plough horses or riding horses? But aye, you never forget it, do you?"

 

“Well, then, I’d better get back to work-that should keep you awake, maybe.” She saw that this was only going to take a handful of stitches, so she started talking again. “Mostly plough horses, but he had two decent riding mounts. I mostly mucked about on the work horses, but I did learn how to ride properly.” 

 

She finished the arrow wound and made a quick look to make sure she kept his leg hair out of the stitching. His legs were pretty hairy but the stitching looked fine. Patting him on an uninjured part of his leg, she said, “I think I’ll call that done, but I...wonder, while I have you here, if you’re up for a couple questions. I mean, it can wait, I’m sure, but after this battle...I’m wondering something.”

 

He rolled over and sat up, sitting cross-legged on the bed beside her.

 

"It's as good a time as any," he said encouragingly. "What's on your mind?"

 

“I learned swordplay with a sword and a shield, but I haven’t used one in maybe a year.” She paused before going on, having just realized how close they sat together. “I wonder, after tonight, if I should maybe think about going back to the shield when I get a chance to buy a shield. What you think? Would it be a help?”

 

"The best way to help the group is to follow your own inclinations and strengths," he said. "Tempest and Laurelin are both mages, but they're better suited to different roles. You could do either, and you should probably train to do both, but whether you reach for the greatsword or the broad, that's up to you. Maybe we should switch some time, you take up my shield and I'll give a go with a two-hander. Would you be interested in that?"

 

“That...would actually be a really good idea. Maybe the next time we spar, we can do that.” She wrinkled her nose. “Providing we don’t draw bandits. I’d rather avoid that part of the spar, if we can.”

 

"Those bandits had a grudge," he said. "I think they followed us from Vintiver and were just waiting for a chance to get their silver back."

 

He leaned in to nudge her shoulder with his, and suddenly realized that they were already almost touching. He said nothing for a moment, but sat drinking in the cozy, companionable silence. It was pleasant, sitting here like this. In another life, he might have put his arm around her, but now...

 

"How's the arm?" he asked. "My leg's much better. Should close by morning, I think."

 

She smiled at him, enjoying the warmth he seemed to radiate. “It’s better. I think stitching you up helped keep it from stiffening up too much.  I may even be able to sleep. Thank you, Beldin.”

 

He smiled back at her.

 

"I'll take that as a hint," he said, tilting his head to the side until it touched hers in a kind of farewell nudge. He dressed himself, waved in parting, and ducked out of the tent. He took himself off to his bedroll, wrapped himself in a blanket, and went to sleep.

 

Tessa sat for a moment, still smiling, then crawled under her blanket, thinking to herself, as she drifted off, “It smells like rain…”

 

 

 

Beldin's Heal Action

3d6+2 → [6,6,6,2] = (20)

Healing Tessa

http://invisiblecast...r/view/4714513/

 

[berelinde]

Haven't You Ever Heard of Tents?

A joint post by BFace and berelinde

 

Spoiler

After their sewing session in Tessa's tent, he took himself a short distance from the campfire and unrolled his blanket. He looked up at what little of the sky was visible and shook his head. Both day and night had been warmer than the day before, but that may have been due to the leaden grey clouds brooding above the trees. It would almost certainly rain. He only hoped that it would hold off until morning. Some sleep would be welcome. He wrapped his blanket around himself and curled up against the base of a tree.

 

He slept soundly until a few hours before dawn, when an icy cloudburst startled him awake. He swept the raindrops from his eyes and pulled the blanket tighter around his ears. It was thick, heavy wool, and spun in the grease. It would soak through eventually, but with any luck, he'd stay dry enough to sleep until sunrise.

 

Tessa stepped out of her tent, shuddering as her bare foot touched the cold, wet grass.  It had rained overnight. Tess could be a deep sleeper, and she’d thought she’d heard the rain but hadn’t woken enough to care.  She took a moment, as she stood in the cool morning air, to stretch.  

 

She left the immediate area in just her shirt and leggings. As she came back into their small camp she saw something out of the corner of her eye and turned, immediately alert. Someone was curled up at the base of a tree a bit away from last night’s fire. Tess had only taken two steps before she realized it was Beldin, curled up in his blanket, soaked to the skin and sound asleep. Creeping toward him, she noticed how pale and wan he looked. He’d lost a lot of blood last evening, and even though she’d done a decent job in her stitch-work, she worried. Stopping several feet away from him, she shook her head as she noticed the gleam from a drop of water hanging off the beginning of what could eventually be a respectable spider web in his hair, the weaver in question industriously adding to it as Tess watched.

 

Maker, this man, Tess thought to herself.  She softly called, “Good morning, Beldin.”

 

He stirred in his sleep, and opened his eyes.

 

"'Morning, Tess," he said, rising creakily to a seated position and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "You're up early."

 

Tessa snorted. “Morning yourself. It rained last night.” She crossed her arms and watched him wake up. 

 

"So it did," he said, fishing around in the blanket for his boots. "Started a few hours after midnight, I think."

 

“I imagine you were in a unique position to observe.” Part of her wanted to kick him. “You know who didn’t get wet last night?” She tried to maintain a conversational tone because she couldn’t decide if she wanted to laugh at him or shake some sense into him.

 

"You look pretty dry," he observed, "so that would probably be you."

 

Tessa threw her hands in the air, and gave in to the part of herself that wanted to laugh. “Beldin, you could have slept dry, too, if you’d asked. There’s plenty of room.” 

 

"It... never occurred to me to do that," he said. "I mean..."

 

Tessa crossed her arms again and raised a brow, giving him a narrow grey glare. “You have your own blanket, Beldin. I wouldn’t have assumed anything...untoward. Not from you.” She relented slightly. “Mercuriel, on the other hand…”

 

"If his tent disappears off a cliff, at least we'd know why," he chuckled. He'd managed to find both boots, poured out the water that had pooled in one, and thrust his bare foot into it before turning his attention to the other. "That's very kind of you, Tessa, and I'd be glad of your generosity. I don't mind sleeping out of doors, but winter isn't the best time for it. I might... er... snore a bit, though. You might have to give me a nudge to roll over."

 

Tessa held out her hand to help him up as she spoke. “Well, then I should tell you that I’m sometimes...restless, and if you wake up to me taking up more room than I should, then you have every right to shove me back onto my side.”

 

He accepted her hand and stood up. Water droplets dripped from the hem of his shirt. He wrung out the shirttails and pulled his soggy tunic off a branch.

 

Tessa shook her head and stepped forward, matter-of-factly picking the small spider out of his hair and handing it to him. “Your pets however, can sleep outside.”

 

He laughed at that, shook out the spider, and clapped her on the arm. "Can I give you a hand shaking out your tent? We'll probably have to pack it wet, but that will get the worst of the water off."

 

She smiled at him as she stepped back so he could finish gathering his things. “Of course you can. Let me get my own boots on first. My feet are cold.” She turned then, walking toward her tent.

 

"Maybe you'll allow me to put it in my pack today," he said. "It only seems fair, since you're kind enough to share it when it's up."

 

Tess stopped and turned back toward him, smiling. She waited until he was standing in front of her before she reached out to rest her hand on his arm. “That’s fine, Beldin. I’d do the same if you had the tent. That’s sort of how friends work, yes?”

 

He remembered her easy banter with Rhys, and how seldom she was that unguarded around anyone else. Her acceptance of his caress was a fine thing to have, but her friendship meant even more.

 

"Aye," he agreed happily, and, still smiling, watched her duck into the tent for her boots.

[Lorien19]

Laurelin left Mercuriel's tent as soon as she was assured that the warrior was fast asleep.She felt like a weight was lifted from her chest,hopefully the same could be said for Mercuriel as well,although, it was admittedly a heavy burden to bear.

She made her way outside,her eye caught by the body of one of the bandits.She approached him and took a closer look,he was elvhen and had vallaslin on his face,Laurelin felt a sudden feeling of guilt,she noticed that among the other bodies some of them were Dalish,she didn't have to look at their faces to know as their gear betrayed them,Laurelin could tell Dalish craftsmanship from miles afar.

Bandits or not they deserved a proper Dalish funeral,and thankfully she remembered every word in the ancient song the Keeper taught her.She eventually walked away from the bodies,it wasn't the time for her to perform the rites,as she could feel her body collapsing from exhaustion,quietly she walked towards Mercuriel's tent and rested against it's fabric walls,curled in her shawl.It didn't take her long to fall asleep.

[Lorien19]

Laurelin wakes up from her little nap and decides to move closer to the camp-fire where, she and Bartha have a chat.

Joint post by Mahumia and Lorien. 

 

Spoiler

Bartha approached Laurelin. "Hey Laurelin, how are you? You seem so quiet today..." She didn't really want to pry, but she was also worried about the wellbeing of her companion. Perhaps there was something she wanted to talk about, if only to ease her mind. And if she preferred to be left alone, that would be fine too.
Laurelin smiled at the dwarven woman, they didn't have many opportunities to talk so far yet for some reason she was fond of her. “Hello Bartha. “She hesitated to reply for a moment when Bartha mentioned her being quiet, “I...I am fine. Just thinking about small adventure. “She shrugged "How are you?We didn't get the chance to speak after the incident at the windmill."
Bartha smiled in return. "You are right, we haven't spoken often. I am fine. Still alive and with all limbs attached." Her expression softened a bit. "Are you worried about those demons and the wellbeing of your brethren?"
"That I am."she admitted and gazed towards the Dwarven woman. “I don't even know whether they're still alive to begin with. The creatures that attacked the Fuldors are merciless, I just hope we find them first."
Laurelin's brow furrowed, worry was apparent on her face.
Bartha placed a hand on Laurelin’s shoulder. "I hope so too, but surely they have your gods watching over them? I'm sorry, I am not that familiar with your religion, so I wouldn't know any names... and your people seem very capable of defending themselves anyway. Those two mixed up, and I think it sounds like they have a good chance." She did her best to sound as assuring as possible. Of course she could only hope as well, and the tales of Eshara were far from encouraging... but she refused to believe that the elves would be an easy target. Not if the tales held any truth in them.

She softly squeezed the woman's shoulder. "And we will make sure that the forests only contain their regular dangers, when we are done, right?"
Laurelin smiled, she appreciated Bartha's reassuring words.
She thought for a moment about her gods, how they were tricked by Fen'harel and ended up trapped in the beyond. But she appreciated her consideration.
"I hope so Bartha. “She finally said, the Dwarven woman was right, they shouldn't cease hoping, otherwise their battle against this evil was already lost.
She found her self snickering at her last comment.
"That we will, it’s a promise."
She found herself thinking the dwarves for a moment.
"How about your people, I believe they have their own gods as well but I haven't seen many dwarves in the surface to know for sure."
Bartha nodded slowly. “Yes, dwarves worship both the Stone and their ancestors, but neither are considered to be gods. Although the surface dwarves are said to have been forsaken by both, my knowledge is that most hold on to their faith nonetheless. But if you’d ask a dwarf, he would probably consider me to be no more a dwarf than you elves or humans are. Perhaps it helps to know that being exiled to the surface was once considered to be the most severe punishment? Even worse than being sent into the Deeproads. It is said that once a dwarf become ‘suntouched’, they will lose their Stonesense and their favor of the ancestors. This would mean that, when we die, the Stone will not accept us, and therefore our spirits cannot be laid to rest. I mean: we dwarves have no connection at all to the Fade, so we probably cannot go there either.”

She shrugged. “I was born topside, so I have never had Stonesense. I just know that I can’t miss what I’ve never had. So, if you ever get the idea to go to the Deeproads: don’t follow me, for I will get lost too. It would require a regular dwarf, with Stonesense, so navigate those. And regarding the ancestors… I think they won’t completely forget about us on the surface. If only to have a laugh, they might still hear us and interfere if they feel like it. To be honest, I really have no clue. But it helps me to have the idea I’m not completely out of everything.”
Laurelin placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, unlike her dwarven friend she wasn’t always good with comforting words, knowing that they were words, but to her actions often spoke louder.
"I don't believe you are forsaken Bartha...I don't know the will of your ancestors or the stone...But I know that people aren't capable of interpreting the divine, or what they consider as such. “She smiled at her warmly.
"And when the try, their interpretation is hardly without bias."
Bartha smiled at Laurelin. "Thank you. Actually, I do not worry about it anymore. I used to, but it would only be a waste of time and energy. I have no strong faith to hang on to, but I also agree with you that it would be unlikely that the whole of us would be forsaken. It is said that the surfacers outnumber those downside, so if they feel inclined to stick to their traditions and slowly die out... their problem." She scratched her chin and chuckled softly. "It's just funny that we are both the same and different. I guess something similar is going on for the Dalish and city elves, right?"
"You could say that. “Laurelin remained thoughtful “Truth be told, my people don't look kindly upon our city brethren...And one could say that our city brethren doesn't think highly of us either...We are savages to their eyes. “She crossed her arms "Though the Dalish can accept a city elf in their clan, and the city elves will accept a Dalish in the alienage."

She looked back at Bartha her smile slowly fading "If only we could all see beyond our petty disagreements, Thedas would have certainly been a better place."
Bartha sighed: "It certainly would... But at least we can make our own happy place, I guess. I mean, look at us: we're a ragtag band of misfits, but somehow we fit well together and are about to risk our lives for the sake of others. I think we are just proving that we are capable of putting any disagreements aside, right?"
Laurelin laughed "That we are indeed! “she slicked back a wavy lock from her face, her hands gently fiddling with her wooden staff. She glanced around the camp where everyone was present and smiled.


"You know, that night at the windmill when I saw you climbing the stairs, trying to hide from the bandits, I was really worried about what might happen to you...We all were. “Laurelin looked back at Bartha "I rarely felt such kind of kinship with my clan-mates. Even if I would fight for their well-being. At this point I think we're more than just a ragtag band of misfits...I think we're becoming a ragtag band of friends."
Laurelin chuckled, the word sounded so alien to her, yet she loved the sound of it.
Bartha chuckled along. "I like the sound of that, we should stick to that description. And it warms me to know that all of you were worried about my wellbeing." Her smile faded into an expression of confusion, and she rubbed her chin, pondering. "Wait a minute... what do you mean, that you saw me in the mill? They had already dragged me outside when you lot arrived, right?"
Laurelin rubbed the bridge of her nose "I know, but didn't you wonder how we found you?"Laurelin thought it would be a good opportunity to tell Bartha about her little "trick”, would also prevent her from being startled in case she used her shapeshifting abilities again.

"I just used some form of ancient magic, that allowed me to turn into a bird and scout the area. While scouting, I found you hiding in the mill and a group of armed men and women digging for something."
Laurelin kept a straight face while describing the events, despite knowing how ridiculous this might have sounded.
Her mouth fell open. "You did what? But how...? Of course I wondered how you could find me, but Rael said that you just followed the lead from the note. I didn't know..." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh, I'm rambling... but that means that I owe my life to you. If you hadn't found me, I would have probably ended up in some gutter." She moved in to give Laurelin a hug. "Thank you, for being that brave."
"An old magic trick that the Keeper taught me."She chuckled
Laurelin was surprised by Barthas gesture. Such demonstrations if affection would usually make her nervous, since she didn't know how to react. But apparently this time it wasn't the case, since she hugged Bartha back.
"You don't have to thank me...I'm glad we found you just in time. “Her expression softened and her mouth corners turned into a warm smile.
“I’m glad for that too.” Bartha smiled in return. Being this close, she observed the pattern on Laurelins face. “Such a beautiful pattern… I once heard that the Dalish facial tattoos are something to be proud of. Is that right? For a dwarf, it is usually something they are ashamed of: casteless are branded upon birth, so everyone can recognize them.” She chuckled a bit. “It is also why me and my family never went further than the gates of Orzammar. In order to do business, we would have to be branded too.”
"They are symbols that represent our gods, a symbol that our people follow the ways of Arlathan...That they refuse to bow to the humans or anyone." She smiled "But the Vallaslin ritual is also a test by itself.You have to prepare yourself before receiving the them you see, any indications of pain and the Keeper will stop the ritual... That usually means that you're not ready to undertake the responsibilities of an adult... You're a da'len, a child."
Laurelin rubbed her chin remembering the excruciating pain on her forehead, some of her clan-mates even got fever after the ritual "I see, to be honest I've only encountered few dwarves and that from afar, but I always assumed that their tattoos were their choice. So that means that if you are castles you will remain so for all your life...That sounds cruel."
Bartha smiled. "I like that... a symbol of a proud people. But I can imagine that it hurts indeed... so fair enough, also a prove that one has become of age?" She glanced over in the direction of Mercuriel. "Do you choose your own, or is it clan related? Merc's different and I recall that your brother had another one as well, right?"
A corner of her lip curled up in a bit of a smirk. "Oh, some actually do choose to have tattoos... and often those are people you want to stay away from, as far as possible. At least that is my experience. Fair enough, in the caste system it is very hard to move around, although in rare occasions someone can be lifted for extraordinary achievements. It is more likely that someone gets demoted, though. Children will take over the caste of their same sex parent, and right in there lays the most common trick for those who want to rise." She wrinkled her nose before continuing: "Ever heard of noble-hunters?"
"The Vallaslin we wear it's a personal choice, one for a different god and all have a special meaning... Mine is Dirthamen's, the Keeper of secrets and god of knowledge." she turned her head towards Mercuriel’s tent before looking back at Bartha "Mercuriel wears the symbol of his patron god as well, and this is pretty much how it goes." Laurelin's brow furrowed in confusion when Bartha mentioned these noble hunters." I'm afraid I've never heard anything about them. I assume that they hunt nobles from the name only... But I slightly doubt that they do so with a bow and arrow." She chuckled.
Bartha nodded. "That sounds like a good choice. I hope I'll get to understand more of it, for it truly intrigues me." She smiled at Laurelin, and started to chuckle when she spoke about the noble hunters. "Fair enough, that is what I thought at first too." Her smile faded though, and became more serious. "I actually think it is worse than that... Lower caste people, mostly casteless women, try to become the concubine of someone of a higher caste, with nobles being the favorite. Usually they require a 'patron', but you might call it pimp too, in my opinion, in order to get access to the quarters where those nobles live. The sole purpose is hoping that it will produce a child from the same sex as the noble, so they can apply for getting raised to the same caste and become a member of the same house... If the child is of the wrong sex, or there will be no child, well, sod it then." She shook her head. "Dusting idiots down there. Birthrates are low, sure, but... it feels wrong in many ways."
Laurelin cringed at Bartha's description, she felt sorry for the fate of these women." This is terrible." she exclaimed "Imagine what these women... These people are going through, when they use such means to escape their social position." She crossed her arms and shook her head, sometimes she was glad to be isolated in the forest since just the hearing of such injustices, was enough to make her blood boil.

And of course, she knew that her city brethren didn't have it better.

"I can tell you're not very fond of your underground Brethren, and for good reasons...But how did you end up on the surface in the first place, I mean your family since you were born here." She asked.
"It's not that I don't like them... it's just the society that I don't like." A small smile played on her lips. "That much has always been a touchy subject for my parents. The official story is that they joined the other merchants who decided to stay topside instead of handing over their earned money to Orzammar. A bit of a rebellious betrayal, so to speak. Sometimes I wonder whether there is more to that story, but I don't feel like pushing it. I guess that knowing that you are considered to be a traitor by your people is not something to be proud of anyway, even if you make a decision for your own good."
Laurelin nodded, she could sympathize with Bartha's views and her decision not to push the issue further. She hardly did so herself, and she didn't even knew herself parents, not even their names.
Or maybe she did, for she overheard one of the elders mentioning the woman who according to them gave birth to her,Sylvariel.
Laurelin looked at Bartha again, after snapping out of heroes thoughts "On the contrary, I think you should be proud, that your family were brave enough to leave everything enough, in order to improve their lives. “She said smiling.
Bartha's frown turned into a smile. "Oh, I am proud of them, do not doubt that. I just guess that it is a bit of a mixed feeling for them though, hence why they prefer not to talk about it too much. They chose for themselves, and they were probably already expecting their first child. But by doing so, they left their house behind. It must have not been an easy decision to make."

She pondered a bit, wondering if she would be able to abandon her family for her own fortune. "Perhaps that is also why they are so eager to keep us close, and pushy for us to settle down." She chuckled softly. "Is it the same for the Dalish? With strong family bonds I mean?"
Laurelin shrugged at Bartha's question “I believe it depends on each individual...Me for instance, I’ve never met my parents. Whether they're dead or just abandoned me, I have no idea. “she frowned "But I'd must admit, that we usually feel strong kinship for our fellow clan-mates."
She smiled gently at the Dwarven woman,
"I'm sure your parents are proud of you as well...They have every reason to be."
Bartha rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry, I didn't know... but I cannot imagine that your parents would abandon you. Unless you would have managed somehow to be more of a nug than I was at childhood, but you seem way too nice for that."
Laurelin laughed “I don't know about that...But the Keeper told me that I would often talk his ear off. “She smiled wistfully and chuckled a bit, at the memory.
"Thank you for your kind words, I also hope that it wasn't the case...But no one would ever tell me what happened to them, so I can't say for sure. “She shrugged and looked back at Bartha, glad that they finally got the chance to talk.

[TreeHuggerHannah]

After they had pitched the tents, eaten their evening meal, and settled in, Tempest spent a few minutes strumming her lute and trying to pick out chords by ear, but before long she realized she was just too tired. The efforts of the day had taken more out of her than she had realized, and her concentration was insufficient for even an enjoyable task.

 

The ache in her lower abdomen didn't help matters. It was just the usual pain that came and went, most of the time at a low enough ebb that she could ignore it. Perhaps because of all the walking they had done, tonight it was flaring intensely. The tea she'd sampled at Bess's hut had helped, and Tempest briefly wished she had more, but there was no reasonably private way to acquire any. She was too embarrassed to discuss such a personal problem with Philomena, and she didn't relish the thought of the rest of the party witnessing it and speculating why she needed the assistance of another healer. No, the indignity of all that would be too much. She would just chew some willow bark, as she usually did - she could see to that discreetly without anyone else knowing.

 

Tempest arranged her turn for watch duty, bid her comrades goodnight, then slipped into her tent and into her bedroll, feeling some relief from her discomfort as she worked the piece of bark between her teeth. 

 

When she was wrapped up and reasonably comfortable, Tempest began her nightly prayers. There was nowhere to kneel in her small tent, so she simply thought the words silently.

 

 

Maker, preserve us. Protect us from the evil we will face, and strengthen us to do Your will. Grant us the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. Watch over the Dalish clan, and preserve them from harm until we can reach them. Dear Maker, let it not be too late. Please safeguard the people of Vintiver, also, and grant them Your loving care. May they persevere, and continue to show determination in the face of fear.

 

I pray that you will forgive my transgressions, and pardon my mistakes. May I will become a truer servant, and more pure and faithful of heart.

 

Bless those I love back home, and keep them safe. Be with my children, even though tonight I cannot. I thank you for Cara, for her confidence and wit, and her good heart. I thank you for Annice, so loving and sincere, so wise beyond her years. And I thank you for Minnow, my sweet little one so full of energy and wonder. For Trina... not my child, perhaps, but I love her too. Thank You for bringing her into our lives, and keep her safe. Help her heal. Forgive me for my failure to spare her pain.

 

Maker, be with my Circle. May they walk in Your paths, and may they find favor in Your sight. Grant them safety, and the strength to stand fast against temptation. And if it be Your will, please someday grant us a safe place, a permanent place - a home.

 

Watch over my traveling companions. I thank you for each and every one of them. Preserve them and bless them. I pray no harm may come to them.

 

I pray that You will grant healing to Eshara. I pray You give her peace, and spare her from suffering. May she soon will be well again. Thank You for Tarl, for his kindness and good heart. I pray that You will strengthen him through whatever difficulties may lie ahead, and protect him. Maker... if it be Your will, I pray that you will grant Eshara and Tarl every future happiness. I have hope that they can find some way to be together, forever and without fear, without abandoning their people. I pray that You will grant them much joy. Marriage, perhaps, or children if they so desire. I do not know how this can be, but Your wisdom is infinite, as is Your capacity to bless.

 

Be with us all tonight, with family and friends both far and near. Grant us wisdom, strength, and courage. Above all, grant us hope. May our souls be lifted upon Your return. So let it be.

 

 

Tempest knew the Maker was gone from the world. He did not answer prayers any longer. But somehow, praying made her feel better. Surely the gesture of fidelity would matter to Him, even if the words themselves did not.

 

Tonight Tempest did not wake screaming, for which she was grateful. That humiliation was inevitable eventually, but she was in no hurry to demonstrate to her friends the brokenness of her mind. Unknown to her, however, her sleep had not been entirely silent - she had spoken aloud occasionally, begging for mercy, mercy her dreaming brain had known would not come.

 

In the morning she rose early, as was her custom, and was her usual cheerful self, humming a tune under her breath as she began her morning's tasks. 

[obsessedwjpn]

Mercuriel somehow managed to roll out of his tent in the morning with Dog in tow. He felt infinitely better but his joints were still a bit stiff. That was the price to pay for almost dying and then sleeping with a giant mabari as your pillow he imagined. Dog seemed pleased with himself for managing to hog most of the bedroll the entire night. Mercuriel frowned at the Dog as he trotted off to inspect morning food preparations. Mercuriel himself was rather famished. He hadn't eaten anything after the battle. He saw Tempest walking around already and decided to talk to her.

 

"Good morning, Tempest. How are you? I heard from Laurelin about what happened in the battle after I fell. I am glad that you are alright. I wouldn't want my failure to protect cause the rest of you harm."

 

He kept his voice low partially due to low energy but also because he didn't want to spook her or wake anyone else still sleeping.

[mysteriouspast]

After the fire was lit, Philomena set to her other task, namely, masking the scent of blood from the ground so the local animals would leave them be. The others were setting up tents, so she hastily assembled hers before doing her walkabout. She noted Beldin entering a tent with Tessa and realized the two of them were close. That explained the dark looks the warrior woman gave her while she was arguing with Beldin.

 

Not your finest hour, nuvi... Bess' voice bubbled up in her head.

 

"Is it ever?" she muttered to herself as she located the place where the ground was soaked in blood. As she walked she, lightly pressed her foot on the ground every so often, quietly chanting, "ocultar la vergonya." As she touched the ground, small bursts of purple light burrowed into it, burying the sight and scent of blood deeper into the earth.

 

When she was finished, she arranged a watch time with Bartha and Tempest, then wearily went to bed.

 

In the morning, she rose early, and ate a quick meal alone in her tent as she meditated for a few minutes. Afterward, she restoked the fire and set up a kettle of curacio next to it. Once the kettle was boiling, she saw Tempest and said, "I made more curacio tea. I imagine there are a few people who are waking up in pain today. You seemed to like it, so help yourself."

[berelinde]

After the usual morning wash in the stream, Beldin made his way back to where the others were starting their day. He spied Laurelin outside Mercuriel's tent, her hair and cloak as soaked as his own.

 

"Good morning, Laurelin," he greeted her. "I see you're as much of a drowned creature as I am, although you're the mink to my rat. I was hoping I might have a word with you before we got moving. When we talked yesterday about thin Veils and corpses rising from the dead, do you think there's a chance of it here? We can burn the humans and give them a proper send-off as well, but is that appropriate for the elves? I don't want to disrespect their faith, but I don't want them chasing us as walking corpses, either."

[Mahumia]

Bartha has silently helped with gathering the bodies. They would indeed deserve a proper funeral, so hopefully the group could arrange things the next day.

 

She had put the longsword on the pile, along with the stuff Tessa had collected. Perhaps someone else would have use for it, otherwise she might exchange it for some coin at a later date.

 

After pitching her tent she enjoyed the warm meal. The cold was setting in, so having something warm in her stomach did make her feel a lot better.

 

A soft smile lingered on her face. The conversation she had with Laurelin had been an interesting one and gave her lots of things to think about. She had offered to take watch and by the silence around her she concluded that the rest was probably sound asleep. The box she found earlier came back on her mind, and she reached for it. The box itself was not that special, but it was the contents that interested her. It was some kind of white powder... It was too dark to give it a good look, but so far, she had no clue what it could be. Perhaps one of others would know?

 

The next one to keep watch showed up. Although reluctant to leave the warmth of the fire, she knew well enough that she would require some sleep in order to be fit enough for the upcoming battles. She slipped into her tent and on her bedroll. She rolled herself into her blankets, but still she was shivering from the cold. And the winter hadn't yet completely set in... 'I hate tents...'

[berelinde]

"What was that about?"

Tessa and Beldin talk about conflict and misgivings, a joint post with BFace.

 

Spoiler

"What was Philomena actually angry about?" Tessa asked Beldin as they gathered firewood for the pyre they planned to build.

 

"Ultimately? She didn't think I'd tell anyone about her abilities, and when I did, she felt that I betrayed her."

 

"Huh. Did she not want us to know at all? Or did she think it wasn't yours to tell? And how did you know?" She gave Beldin a narrow look. A group that had to worry about fighting together could not afford to keep secrets like this.  This was the kind of thing that got people killed.

 

"She thought it wasn't my secret to tell," he said. "I knew because she told me, but not until after she and Laurelin talked about it in the market in terms too obvious for the dullest drunkard to miss. I... should probably have told you at once, but I forgot you weren't next to me when we met her."

 

Tessa nodded, quirking a smile at his last sentence.  "I can understand her recalcitrance, maybe. I think being a mage is probably a fearsome burden. But surely she understands that it was something we needed to know. Ah well. Are the two of you in accord, then?"

 

He sighed. 

 

"I doubt it," he said. "She seemed to think that the drill was no place to make such a revelation. I tried to explain that the middle of combat would have been much worse, but I don't think I got through. As for the second... I don't know. She's got a temper, and a burning need to prove herself."

 

She wrinkled her nose. "Hmm. Well, let's hope she finds her place in this raggle taggle group."

 

Beldin nodded. He wanted to tell her more, to let her see the depth of his misgivings, but everything he could say in support of them could only be construed as gossip. He overheard her speak of Fereldans as ignorant, craven barbarians, but the conversation was not meant for his ears. Repeating it would not be ethical.

 

"Just be careful, Tess," he said. "She swore that she's as dedicated to the best interests of the group as I am, but the only things she was really passionate about were her own abilities and her own anonymity. Granted, the latter is better than walking through the village shooting fire at scarecrows, but her pride makes her dangerous."

 

Frowning, Tessa nodded slowly. Beldin was an easygoing man, and for him to be hesitant was something that she needed to heed. "Well, we can only show her that we're not any more interested than she is, in shouting our mages from the rooftops. But you're right. Pride is a dangerous thing." 

 

She sighed. "All we can do now is take her at her word. And be careful."

[obsessedwjpn]

Mercuriel gingerly walked back to this tent to grab some rations from his pack. He proceeded to hungrily devour them as he sat down on a log. Dog, back from his meandering around camp, stole a few of the choice pieces. 

 

The elf watched everyone go about their morning activities. He finished off the rations and shoved Dog away as he got back up and walked over to Philomena. He wanted to thank her for the healing she'd provided. 

 

He spied the tea she was preparing and smiled. Something warm would do him some good he thought. He addressed her cautiously.

 

"Philomena? I hear from Laurelin that you are the one who healed most of my injuries. I wanted to thank you for that." He eyed the tea as he waited for her response.

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"Good morning, Tempest. How are you? I heard from Laurelin about what happened in the battle after I fell. I am glad that you are alright. I wouldn't want my failure to protect cause the rest of you harm."

 

He kept his voice low partially due to low energy but also because he didn't want to spook her or wake anyone else still sleeping.

 

"Good morning," Tempest replied. "I am well, thank you."

 

Her soreness from the night before had not yet receded, and she had a few more muscle knots from a night spent sleeping on the ground, but otherwise she was not much worse for the wear. Since they were all alive and in one piece, she was feeling quite optimistic.

 

"I'm glad to see you back on your feet. I was very worried about you. I'm sorry I was not of more help. I was simply too far away to reach you when you fell, but thank the Maker Laurelin and Philomena were there to assist."

 

Tempest did not feel the same guilt about the extremity of Mercuriel's injuries as she did about Tessa and Beldin's; he had been well out of her reach, while the other two had practically fallen at her feet. It was more clear, in Mercuriel's case, why there had been nothing she could do to prevent it.

 

"Please, though, do not think you failed. You were incredibly brave. Reckless, certainly - but brave. It is likely your actions helped save lives. You should be proud, Mercuriel, not apologetic."

 

In the morning, she rose early, and ate a quick meal alone in her tent as she meditated for a few minutes. Afterward, she restoked the fire and set up a kettle of curacio next to it. Once the kettle was boiling, she saw Tempest and said, "I made more curacio tea. I imagine there are a few people who are waking up in pain today. You seemed to like it, so help yourself."

 

Tempest was taken by surprise by the offer, but she quickly responded with a smile.

 

"Yes, that would be very helpful," she replied. "Thank you for your kindness."

 

She was glad that Philomena had not inquired about the nature of her need. It was too pleasant a morning to get sidetracked into a discussion of Oh yes, I was tortured, and some of the physical damage is permanent. If everyone assumed she was just sore from the battle like the others, so much the better.

 

Tempest filled her cup and sat down on a log to sip it. As she glanced around, she noticed that Laurelin was soaking wet. That couldn't be comfortable, Tempest thought. The only reason she could think of for why the elf mage might have been out in the rain was that perhaps she didn't have a tent. Likely before long she would be sharing with Mercuriel, Tempest thought with a small smile - at least if she was reading the situation right. In the meantime, though, Tempest had room for a second person, and sharing a tent with someone who had nightmares might be mildly preferable for Laurelin versus getting rained on. Tempest decided that when Laurelin got done talking to Beldin, she would see if the other mage wanted to bunk with her.

[Lorien19]

Laurelin laughed at Beldin's comment,her voice still hoarse from sleep.She'd often sleep outside in the open,especially when she was troubled.When she was smaller she'd even climb on a tree like a squirell.
She found that looking at the constellations up in the sky,whenever the stars were visible,was extremely soothing.But Fereldan weather was always unpredictable,and most of the times she'd wake up soaking wet and shivering.
She shook her head when Beldin mentioned the bandits.Her people have been burying their dead there for years,yet Beldin was raising an interesting point.
"We Dalish burry our dead and plant a tree over their remains."She said softly her voice still hoarse "We also perform a rite,where we sing in our ancestral language."She stood up and held her shawl closer to her "I understand your concern Beldin, but bandits or not they were Dalish,no matter the path they chose they still believed in the creators.For that reason I should arrange for them to have a Dalish funeral."She said sadly and looked at the direction of the dead bandits.

[berelinde]

"Then it will be done," Beldin said, touching her cheek with compassion. "I have to get the fire going, but after the pyre is lit, I will not rest until I have both graves dug. And then you can say the words. And if that's going to happen, I'd better get started."

 

With that, he bid her peace and walked off toward the treeline, dragging every dead branch he could find toward the eastern firepit. It was hard, dirty work, and he was grateful to have Tessa's help. Once the others realized what he was doing, most pitched in, and it took less time than he feared. The wood was soaking wet because of the rain, but with any luck, one of the mages would help light it.

[berelinde]

Game Post: Philomena's Phinale

A Mage Succumbs to Temptation

 

Spoiler

Beldin spread the map out across a convenient stump, comparing distances with a long, big-knuckled finger.

 

"It doesn't match up, Tess," he said to her. "There's no stream on this map."

 

Tessa looked toward the stream, then at the map. She looked up at the sky, then back down at the map.

 

"Andraste's ass." She looked at the map again. "Does anything at all look familiar to you, Beldin?"

 

Beldin shook his head and raked his fingers through his short hair as if massaging his brain might help.

 

"Not a blighted thing," he said. "We might as well be exploring the moon."

 

Philomena had been expecting to leave for some time. She shielded her eyes from the noon sun, and wondered how many hours they'd have before nightfall. No one showed any sign of preparing for departure.

 

She noted that Beldin and Tessa, once had been going back and forth laden with firewood, but now they stood still poring over something on a tree stump. Curiosity got the better of her and she approached, quickly seeing that it was a hand-drawn map.

 

They had their backs to her, and everything up until that point told her that her presence would be less than welcome. But she'd joined them to help guide them through the forest--at least, that was to be one of her functions--and she'd be failing miserably at her task if she didn't at least offer her opinion.

 

She cleared her throat and said hesitantly, "Is..is that a map of the area? Do you mind if I have a look?"

 

Beldin stepped away from the map and left her to it.

 

 

*Philomena...*

 

Mena's head turned toward the sound. She heard only the wind through the branches at first, and the ever-present crackle of the fire. But then she heard it, faint, distant, beckoning.

 

*Philomena...*

 

It was a strong voice, masculine, but as indistinct as the rustling of leaves. She needed to be closer.

 

She advanced toward the treeline, ever alert to silent, concealed enemies. These fools trusted to wards too much. They would let anything come within range.

 

Another noise teased at the edges of her hearing, a sniffling, pitiful and weak, as if a young child were injured not far under the eaves. She crept closer. The sound grew clearer. It was not one child, but several, and they were not far. She could almost see their outlines against the fading light on the horizon. She advanced, her staff in her hand. Her healer's satchel was back at camp, but she would not need it. Her spells alone were ample remedy.

 

*Philomena...* the voice spoke as if it were her own conscience, *You are, indeed, a powerful healer. The others are jealous of your skills. But you cannot heal these children on your own, even with your talent. But I can give you what you need.  Then no healer will be your peer.*

 

Clearly, the voice that spoke to her was a spirit. Bess had often told her how spirits of healing sought out worthy vessels to enrich with their knowledge. In Rivain, it was commonplace, but here, the fools shunned it, called it possession, and those who allowed it, abominations. But it was more than that. It was an almost sacred union between the mortal realm and the Beyond. And it was time. She was entering her gift, ready to embark on the journey that would fulfil her destiny.

 

The children knelt before her, their forms wasted by disease and their eyes hollow with hunger and despair. They reached for her with outstretched hands. And she reached out with open arms, and accepted her birthright.

 

 

Tempest looked up in confusion from her seat on the fallen log as Philomena passed her. The other mage’s eyes looked glassy, her cheeks oddly flushed. She didn’t acknowledge Tempest as she passed. Oddly, she didn’t even seem to see her.

 

“Philomena?”

 

No answer. Worried now, Tempest got to her feet and followed.

 

“Philomena, are you ill?”

 

Again, there was no response. Philomena walked with determination, as if beckoned by an unseen voice. Tempest strained to hear. There might have been a faint sound. Or it might just have been the rustling of the leaves.

 

Philomena was moving even faster now. Tempest could scarcely keep up. She called out again, but the other mage still didn’t seem to hear her.

 

“Philomena!” 

 

Tempest’s voice was taking on an edge of desperation. It was too late, though. She was losing sight of Philomena among the trees. Tempest heard no whispers, only silence.

 

And then she was just...gone.

[Mahumia]

Some time, when everyone was already up and running, Bartha emerged from her tent. With her blanket still wrapped around her, she made her way towards the campfire. She grumbled some barely audible "Morning" to people she passed, and she was clearly not in a good mood.

 

Eventually she'd fallen asleep, but the cold had made her sore and stiff. The warmth of the fire did her well though, and it also made her mood rise a bit. She had helped herself to some breakfast and, once she smelled it, some of the tea. The scent brought back memories of long ago, when Elias' mother would put down a mug of tea in front of her during one of her many visits to their house. She still had no clue what the tea was called, or what it was made from, but she should surely ask Philomena about it. At least, she thought it would be Philomena's, as Philomena was Rivaini as well and Bartha had never found the same one amongst the Ferelden teas.

 

The wound on her thigh had healed sufficiently to not require a new bandage. 'Good, that will safe me undressing in front of the entire group'. She chuckled softly to herself. 'Maybe I should ask Fabian to help me next time... yet a bit more in private.' Her mind prevented itself from sinking down further into the gutter when Bartha noticed that something was wrong.

 

It took her some time to progress the news, and still she didn't understand much of it. "So, our guide has disappeared? But... what? I don't get it. One cannot simply disappear, right?"

[berelinde]

Maker Forgive Your Children

Tempest, Tessa and Beldin solidify their friendship as they consign the dead humans to the Maker's mercy.

 

Spoiler

The pyre would be ready soon, so Beldin and Tessa walked back into the camp to find Tempest.  Seeing her friend looking through a book, Tessa’s mouth quirked momentarily into something like a smile.

 

Calling softly before she got too close, so not to startle her, she said, “Tempest? It’s not quite time, but I wondered if you’d come now?”

 

Tempest nodded. “I’m ready,” she said, closing the book. She was still reading the collection of sermons Tarl had lent her. The words of the long-dead Divine put her in the right frame of mind for what needed to be done.

 

She was afraid that Beldin and Tessa might be angry at her about the battle, and that thought made her a little anxious. The job of a healer was to keep the warriors on their feet, and hers had fallen. With Mercuriel, it was more understandable; he was too far away for her to reach. When it came to Beldin and Tessa, though, she had no excuse except poor judgment and bad luck. She owed them an apology, and had she not been so tired the night before, she wouldn’t have put it off. Today, she would make sure she took the opportunity to ask for their forgiveness.

 

“I owe you an apology, Tessa,” Tempest said. “Beldin, too.”

 

Blinking, Tessa stopped walking to face Tempest. “What in the Maker’s name for?” 

 

"Aye," Beldin added. "There's no cause for that."

 

“I failed you,” Tempest said, looking down at the ground, unable to meet their eyes. “During the battle. It was my job to keep you on your feet, and I was not able to make good on my responsibilities. I understand if you will find it difficult to rely on me in the future after what happened, but I will do my best not to let you down again. I’m so very sorry.”

 

Beldin stepped closer and peered at her gently.

 

"Tempest, don't," he said softly. "You did not fail me, and you did not fail Tessa. You saved both of us. Aye, we were injured, but that's on us, not on you. You do keep us on our feet. We're fine, both of us, and it's thanks to you that we are. Remember in the drill? When I said that you weren't to risk yourself until it was safe for you to do so? That is your responsibility, and you excelled at it. The survival of the entire group depends upon you staying alive, and you can't do that if you've got an axe through your skull. Wouldn't you agree, Tessa?"

 

Giving Beldin a look of dismay at Tempest’s comments, she reached out to rest a hand on her friend’s arm, Tessa said, “Tempest. The fact that either of us is alive-that’s a testament to your skill. I  rely on you, without question, and you’ve let no one down.”

 

Tempest realized she’d been holding her breath, and she released it in a puff of exhaled relief. She smiled, then hugged each of her friends in turn. 

 

“Thank you,” she said. “I cannot tell you how good it is to hear that. A real battle… it’s so different than what they tell you as an apprentice. It’s so much messier. I haven’t seen a lot of combat, so I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t expect such… close calls. The combat theory books for mages didn’t talk about that part very much.”

 

Thinking about it a bit more, Tempest added, “I think the true reason I was angry at myself is that I was afraid. I was afraid of losing one of you, which would have been horrible. I am grateful that didn’t happen. Thank you for being so courageous in standing toe-to-toe with our enemies and not faltering. I know that I can rely on you both too, and on Mercuriel. I can rely on you completely.”

 

“Thank you, Tempest, for being so courageous as to run intentionally into danger to get us on our feet when we need it. That is the most important job out there on a field of battle.” Tessa clasped Tempest’s hands, smiling.

 

Tempest beamed at the unexpected praise. “I was glad to,” she replied. “I will do my best to be there any time you need me, as you have both always done for me.”

 

"I'm sure I speak for Tessa as well when I say that we will always be there any time you need us," Beldin said. "You're part of the family I choose, Tempest. That's what we do."

 

Tempest’s smile only increased at this. “And I consider you both family as well,” she replied. “I thank the Maker for bringing us together.” For Tempest, family was far more than just blood. It was people who chose for their lives to intertwine. She was glad that Beldin and Tessa had become part of hers.

 

 

 

Solemnly, Tempest murmured a word of incantation, and a tiny spark kindled in the piled wood and kindling. It flickered, caught, then roared to life. She bowed her head, backed up a pace, and said a silent prayer for the souls of the departed as she awaited the invocation.

 

"Maker, forgive Your children," Beldin said, raising his hand toward the pyre. "May Andraste, Your Beloved, guide them to your side. You breathed life into the darkness of the Void, and you spoke these words to us, Your children.

 

'Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls.

From these emerald waters doth life begin anew.

Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you.

In my arms lies Eternity.

 

'The one who repents, who has faith,

Unshaken by the darkness of the world,

He shall know true peace.'"

 

He lowered his hand and spread his arms wide in a gesture of supplication.

 

"Maker, these women and men have voices no longer," he said. "Hear my plea as I speak on their behalf.

 

'O Maker, hear my cry: 

Guide me through the blackest nights 

Steel my heart against the temptations of the wicked 

Make me to rest in the warmest places. 

 

'O Creator, see me kneel: 

For I walk only where You would bid me 

Stand only in places You have blessed 

Sing only the words You place in my throat 

 

'My Maker, know my heart 

Take from me a life of sorrow 

Lift me from a world of pain 

Judge me worthy of Your endless pride 

 

'My Creator, judge me whole: 

Find me well within Your grace 

Touch me with fire that I be cleansed 

Tell me I have sung to Your approval 

 

'O Maker, hear my cry: 

Seat me by Your side in death 

Make me one within Your glory 

And let the world once more see Your favor 

 

'For You are the fire at the heart of the world 

And comfort is only Yours to give.'"

 

His arms fell to his side and he withdrew.

[BFace]

In Which Tess and Merc make friends and Tess gives information she cannot possibly know.

 

~A Joint Post by Ann and BFace!

 

Spoiler

 

Mercuriel tapped Tessa on the shoulder playfully before sidling up next to her. "It's been a little while since we last talked, my beautiful Tessa. How are you doing of late?"

 

He put on his most dashing smile and motioned to Beldin. "And how are you two doing? Emphasis on the two part, obviously." He chuckled a little, showing he only meant to tease her good naturedly.

 

After last evening's attack, Tessa was on alert as they walked today so she heard Mercuriel come up behind her. She tucked a braid behind her ear as he spoke.

 

"I am not your Tessa, beautiful or otherwise, Mercuriel." She smiled slightly to take the sting out her words. She was oddly fond of the elven warrior, in the same way she thought one might be fond of a sibling. Meaning that her fondness was tempered with periodic urges to throw dirt at him. She smirked to herself at that thought, until she registered his second question.

 

She followed Mercuriel's gesture in Beldin's direction. She stretched her right arm.  Beldin had done a wonderful job on the stitching- even today it was sore, but mobile- and she didn't want anyone to think he'd done anything at all untoward in her tent the night before. He was a decent man and didn't need potential gossip.

 

"What do you mean?" Her tone remained friendly and conversational but she wrinkled her nose.

 

"You are certainly feisty today, Tessa, what exactly happened last night in your tent?" He waggled his eyebrows at her and chuckled.

 

He held up his arms as if to say he meant no harm and smiled. "I didn't mean anything by that. Don't hurt me. I think I was injured severely enough already."

 

He lowered his arms and winced a bit. He was mostly healed from the attack yesterday, thanks to Laurelin, but a residual stiffness and slight pain still held on. He had to be careful with any sudden movements. 

 

"You and Beldin seem to get along well, that is all I meant. I wondered if you had some good conversations last night. Plus, it was very thoughtful of you to allow him respite from the elements in your tent." He laid a hand on Tessa's shoulder. "Although I am just a little sad you didn't offer me a place in your tent."

 

He pulled back his hand and grinned, flashing his teeth. "Actually, I wouldn't have been able to respond anyways seeing as Laurelin kept most of my attention last night." 

 

Tessa rolled her eyes with a grin. "Mercuriel, I'm pretty certain that anything that goes on in my tent is none of your business."

 

She gently moved her shoulder from beneath the elf's hand, still smiling slightly, before she answered him further. "I wouldn't offer you a place in my tent for several reasons. First, you have your own. Beldin does not. Second, I am very fond of Laurelin, and for reasons I cannot understand, she seems fond of you."

 

Tessa smirked before going on. "And lastly, I cannot trust you to behave yourself, but I do trust Beldin to act like a gentleman."

 

She looked down as if she were surprised to find that she felt that way.

 

Tilting her head to look at Mercuriel as they walked, she said, "How do you feel today? I'm glad you had Laurelin to aid you, and I will admit that I was a little worried last night."

 

As if to herself, she added, "We've lost too many already."

 

Tessa was right. They had lost many already in this journey. The stark reality of the deaths their company had suffered brought Mercuriel out of his playful, flirty mood. Last night was no exception. He had almost died. He would have probably if not for the intervention of Laurelin. Damn, he had all of his companions to thank for his breathing.

 

"Tessa, pardon my inappropriateness earlier. You are correct in your assesment of how much we've already lost. Sarel is no longer with us and even though Etienne and Rael still live, their fates no longer intertwine with ours. Besides, my own life was under threat last night. Death comes to claim us so quickly we barely have the chance to say goodbye."

 

A somber expression appeared on his face. He looked ahead, down the road they traveled as if he could see what would come.

 

"It occurs to me that I have never asked you where you are from Tessa or what your life was like before joining this merry band. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me?"

 

His tone wasn't as serious as before but he had yet to return to the playfulness of before. Mercuriel realized that life was too short and he knew so little about this strong woman walking beside him. This strong woman - who he'd come to consider a friend. who he wanted to see live a long life. For now he just wanted to engage with her in some meaningful discussion for once. He wanted to learn about her and perhaps share a little of his own past with her. He wanted to foster the bond of friendship with her before it was too late.

 

Mercuriel's question didn't surprise her. She was actually a little surprised that it was only just now coming up. She'd seen, throughout her life, that people were generally curious.

 

She could understand where it was coming from-last night must have been frightening for the elven man.

 

"I'm from a small village Northwest of here, called Lothering.  Not much there, really, but the Chantry and some farms." She wrinkled her nose. She didn't think about Lothering much, but sometimes, like now, she missed the warm, homey smell of Sloan's horse barn.

 

"I came to Vintiver, though, because I'd recently left a loose company of...of, well hire-swords and the like.  That's how I know Rhys."

 

Glancing over at Mercuriel, she asked, "So, what of you? Has your life been one of wandering the forests with your clan?"

 

Mercuriel held her gaze for a moment before looking away.

 

"Not exactly," he explained, "I used to be a part of a clan but that was many years ago. I am no longer affiliated with any clan and simply wander on my own with Dog. Actually, I didn't meet the little softie until after I'd been traveling quite awhile on my own. Ran across him on what looked like a battlefield - bodies everywhere, including darkspawn. Thought he would die for sure but he still had some fight left in him. I managed to save him through the use of healing herbs and now he is my constant companion."

 

He looked down at Dog and patted the mabari on his head.

 

"The two of us are mercenaries who simply wander, looking for coin wherever, and living off the land when necessary. I've...never been back to my clan since I left. Sometimes I wonder how they are doing."

 

A wistful look gathered in his eyes as he remembered fondly the time he had spent among his brethren. 

 

Tessa felt some surprise at his description of being a wanderer. "I thought Dalish kept very close to their clans. Laurelin, in fact, told me when we met, that she would only travel with me until it was time to go back to her clan."

 

Tilting her head toward Mercuriel, she went on, "I am glad to be wandering with this group of folks, for the most part. It is better than wandering alone. Don't you think?"

 

"Laurelin and I have separate circumstances, I imagine. She is still part of a clan whereas I am not. I am free to go wherever pretty much although I don't stray too far from my clan despite what happened. As for traveling in a group versus alone, I enjoy the time I've spent so far in your company and the others. And I have met people here I would never have otherwise." 

 

He threw a quick look in Laurelin's direction and shot her a warm smile. He then turned back to Tessa and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

 

"For example, you, Tessa, are one friend I would never have made if not for joining this group. I'm sorry," he dropped his arm, "may I call you a friend? How do you feel about that?" He smiled.

 

Stepping neatly out of his embrace and moving out of arm's reach, Tessa wrinkled her nose.

 

"You may call me friend, Mercuriel," she spoke with a bit of humor in her voice, "If you stop trying to put your hands on me."

 

She cracked a small smile. "Save that for Laurelin."

 

She looked ahead of her at some of their other companions.

 

"I know what you mean, though. We're an interesting mix, and I'd be missing out on some wonderful friendship if I'd not gone to Vintiver looking for work."

 

Mercuriel threw her an exasperated look.

 

"I am not putting my hands on you in a display of my interest or anything. Do not worry my dear Tessa. I know that your heart lies elsewhere. Or, at least, I am assuming." He winked at her and chuckled.

 

"I am saving many things for Laurelin but I just wanted to show you my comradeship."

 

For a moment he pouted then returned back to his usual smiling self. 

 

"We are an interesting group, that's for sure. Sometimes I wonder how we all don't rip each other's throats out. We all come from such different walks of life and our experiences vary greatly. But perhaps that is a benefit to us. I'm almost expecting us to run across an old clan member of mine now. We seem to pick up another when least expected."

 

He looked ahead at Beldin and out of nowhere changed the topic. "Do you see Beldin as the leader of our group? He seems to fit in to the role nicely but perhaps he doesn't want it?"

 

Ignoring his small outburst, Tessa followed his gaze to Beldin and focused on her elven companion's question.

 

"Well, Beldin is the only one of us with military experience, so it only makes sense that he should lead the combat drills and such."

 

She looked over at Mercuriel.  "But any one of the three of us should be capable of leading in battle, no? It's sort of what we are designed to do."

 

She shook her head, still thoughtful. "But, for the most part, we don't have or need a leader, do we? We all seem to be capable of choosing for ourselves, yes?"

 

"I imagine any of us would be capable of leading although I, personally, don't like to lead. It isn't really my style seeing as I spend most of my time alone. But I think it is important to have a leader figure whether or not each of us can defend ourselves. Someone who rouses us to challenge whatever lay in our path. Someone who can give good speeches and uplift spirits. Would that be you, Tessa?"

 

He smiled at her. "Perhaps we should have some kind of vote to see who everyone feels the best leader would be. Personally, I don't wish to be included. I am fine doing my all from the sidelines. Anyways, speaking of Beldin, as warriors us three are going to be close, naturally, but did I perhaps spy a little quiet moment between the two of you back at camp? After I died and recovered of course."

 

She chuckled at Mercuriel's very heroic descriptions of a battle leader.

 

"Mercuriel. You've been in battle. You've traveled with this group. You know, as well as I do, that most times a rousing speech is nothing more than hot air and time that could be better spent in planning. And you also know that in times of need or crisis, encouragement can come just as easily from Tempest or Bartha, as from me, or you."

 

At his talk of voting, she tilted her head to look at him.  She started to tell him how silly she thought that was, then shut her mouth as she wondered if that might just be standard Dalish procedure.  After a few moments, she spoke.  "I don't think such a vote would be necessary.  I think to make such a thing formal in this very diverse group of people would actually have the opposite effect."

 

She smiled. "Besides, there will be times when every single one of us will be uniquely suited to lead the party somewhere, or in some endeavor. Even you, maybe."

 

At yet another question from him about Beldin, Tessa made a face. "Quite possibly. You may also have noticed one between Tempest and myself." Sighing, she went on, "Are you going to keep asking until I give you a reply you like? Just leave it go, Mercuriel."

 

Mercuriel caught on to Tessa's growing frustration with him and decided to finally lay off. He held his hands up in a sign of peace. "Alright, I get it. I'll stop. No more commentary from me." He sighed and looked away, trying to avoid eye contact. Apparently he'd managed to rile Tessa up. He imagined that all the talk concerning Beldin and prying into her personal affairs was the source. But he just couldn't help himself. Tessa was too easy to needle.

 

"My apologies, Tessa. I went too far." He turned back to face her. 

 

Heaving an exasperated sigh, Tessa looked askance as Mercuriel.

 

She held her hands in front of her, about 9 inches or so apart, palms facing each other.

 

"Lest you feel like all your questions were a complete waste."

 

Without waiting to see his expression, Tessa walked on, thinking that, for once, the blush creeping up her face was worth it, especially if Mercuriel thought she was in any way serious.

 

[BFace]

I Spent It All At The Brothel

~A Joint Post from berelinde and BFace!

 

Spoiler

 

The respite the weather offered proved to be short-lived. The rain started again by mid day, light, but insidious. Beldin's spirits drooped almost as much as the dripping leaves, though nothing more than the weather troubled them.

 

"Flames," he said abruptly. "Now I remember what I forgot."

 

Sitting in companionable silence beside Beldin, Tessa was enjoying the rain. She tilted her head at Beldin’s exclamation. “I hope it wasn’t a spare shirt,” she said with a grin.

 

"I'd forget my pants before that," he said around a short laugh. "I wanted to see if the sutler had any shields. This one's serviceable enough and I've had it a long time, but I might want to look into something larger. But it's no use anyway. Even if I found one, I'd have had to borrow the coin."

 

“Not that it’s any of my business, really,” Tessa started, “but did you give all your coin to your brother?”  Tessa tried to do a mental tally of her own coin, but she wasn’t sure how much Rael had handed out from that Maker-forsaken chest. She’d never paid a lot of attention to her coin. If she had some, that was good, if she didn’t, she’d get by.

 

"All that we got from the bandits, aye," he said, shrugging. "I left some for Tarl and used some for the journey from Amarantine, but I spent all the rest at the brothel."

 

Her eyebrows shot nearly into her hairline before she could stop herself, and a laugh was startled out of her. “If any other man in Thedas had said those words, Beldin, “she said once she’d stopped chuckling, “I’d have been done talking to him. But now, I feel like I want to know what you spent your coin on, since I’d lay money that it wasn’t...the traditional services a brothel offers.”

 

"The traditional..." The day was a cold one, but his flaming cheeks suddenly made it feel much warmer. "Uh... no, not quite. I'd just been released from prison, and that was as far as I could crawl. And it worked out well. They'd have turned me away at the chantry hospice, that's certain."

 

Opening her mouth to ask why, she shut it again and frowned. “And they don’t ask a lot of questions at a brothel.  I’m sorry I made light, Beldin.” Tess felt a small, swift surge of sadness for what Beldin had gone through. She didn’t feel sorry for him, he seemed fine, but she did remember what his back looked like in Tarl Dale’s courtroom.

 

"What else would you think?" he asked, shrugging away her apologies. "And as it happened, they asked a great deal of questions, most of them variations of 'How are you going to pay for this?' I had nothing but a shirt and a noose on me, so I can appreciate their concern. I told them to send word to the garrison, and one of my men brought over my gear and my back pay. A week and a lot of poultices later, I was fit to travel. They're remarkably good nurses, I'll have you know. And very kind. But aye, it cost me. So here I am, boring you with tales of hardship and woe."

 

“You’re not boring me, Beldin,” she said a little shyly, “It’s interesting to learn something about you.” She rubbed a forefinger down the bridge of her nose in her familiar gesture of nervousness. 

 

“If you need a new shield,” she said abruptly, “I can loan you the coin. Especially since I’m at least a little responsible for the current shape yours is in.”

 

"Let's just see what we find," he said, patting her shoulder. "If those ruins are as ancient as all that, who knows... or no, maybe not. If that Harellan went wandering down there and got cursed, whatever's down there had better stay where it is. But we got a fair bit of coin off the bandits, and we may pick up more here and there. But you have to promise me something, aye?"

 

She glanced sharply at him. “If I can. What do you need, Beldin?”

 

"If you do something and it's for my own good," he said, "don't take the blame if a bit of harm comes of it. Whatever it is, it's a lot less than what would have happened otherwise. Can you live with that?"

 

“You don’t ask for much, do you?” She said, smiling.

 

"I only ask you to let me take what's mine," he said, smiling in return.

 

“Can you promise the same to me?” She was still smiling but her tone was serious.

 

"Done," he said solemnly.

 

“Then, done,” she said in return.

 

[TreeHuggerHannah]

It took her some time to progress the news, and still she didn't understand much of it. "So, our guide has disappeared? But... what? I don't get it. One cannot simply disappear, right?"

 

"Unfortunately, out here one can," Tempest said, returning to the group with a sad and weary look on her face. The leaves clinging to her clothing and snarled in her curls bore testimony to her unsuccessful pursuit of the other mage.

 

"There's a great deal of forest out there, and Philomena gave no indication of where she was going. I can tell you she's not near the camp any longer, but beyond that..."

 

Tempest sighed. "All I can tell you is it appeared she went willingly, and that she does not wish to be found. She knows this forest far better than we do. We could search for days and never find her - and days are something we do not have. It is unfortunate, but under the circumstances, I think we must simply allow her the choice she has made."

 

Truth be told, Tempest had a suspicion of what temptation might have led Philomena away. She'd seen it plenty of times in Kirkwall, a mage following voices no one else could hear. That didn't bring her any closer to knowing where Philomena might have gone, though, and it was a suspicion, not a certainty. Likely they would never know.

[BFace]

“All I can tell you is it appeared she went willingly, and that she does not wish to be found. She knows this forest far better than we do. We could search for days and never find her - and days are something we do not have. It is unfortunate, but under the circumstances, I think we must simply allow her the choice she has made."

 

“It’s true.” Tessa spoke up. “She was supposed to be our guide because she knows this forest.  Yet, she walked away, of her own volition.” She shook her head, her braids swinging softly.  She felt indignant about the whole thing at this point. On the one hand, she wished no harm of her. On the other hand, she’d offered her help and then when it was accepted, she just…walked away.

 

“She made it clear to me that she did not think of the people we are helping as we do, and I have to wonder if she did not agree to help us, intending to leave at a particular spot…like this one, for her own purpose.”

 

Tessa sighed. “I am not going to speak ill. And as we move through the forest, as a group,” she emphasized that phrase, “we should keep an eye out for her.”

 

Wrinkling her nose, she added, “But I feel it’s pretty clear that she did not wish to remain in our company.”

[obsessedwjpn]

Tempest's kind words were an ointment to the pain in Mercuriel's heart. He had felt like a failure for falling so soon in combat and leaving the others without aid. Tessa and Beldin had suffered too because of it. He was just grateful that everyone seemed okay now and Tempest's commendation of his time in the battle eased his guilt. She really was a good person.

 

He smiled at her and said, "Thank you, Tempest for everything. Your worry about my condition and support of my actions in battle means a lot. You are a kind woman and I am glad to know you."

 

He slowly reached out a hand and patted her gently on the shoulder in a show of camaraderie. Then he moved over to where Laurelin sat. He came over just in time to hear the end of her chat with Beldin. So some of the attackers had been Dalish? He hadn't noticed what with the flurry of fighting and his dying. He turned to Laurelin with a somber face and said, "I will help you in burying the bodies of our once kin. I do not approve of the life they chose but they still deserve a sending unto the Creators." 

[obsessedwjpn]

Philomena's sudden departure confused Mercuriel but he hadn't known her that well to begin with. He had wanted to thank her for healing him in the previous battle but apparently he'd not done so soon enough. She was gone and with her went any sort of chance to get to know the woman who had done him a kindness.