331 réponses à ce sujet

[Serelir]

Time is weird in the Fade, so bring her back whenever you need her. (But Caius needs time to miss her a little!)

[Uccio]

Oh he misses her already, just doesn't want to admit it to himself.

[Serelir]

'Cause he is Mr. Badass Toughguy!

[raging_monkey]

Hmm we should make a timeline so we don't trip over each other

[Serelir]

Ja, I'm already having trouble, which is why I haven't updated my FF page yet.

[raging_monkey]

Hmm

[Uccio]

Spoiler

 

*"Shanedan Magister" the rumbling deep voice of Armath greeted Caius. The old Tal-Vashoth stood before a little rundown shack located by the shore of this little cove. His spouse, Hatam, the mother of Nazlik stood next to her watching the little baby in her arms. Their stoic approach to the situation seemed a bit strange to Caius, but them being runaways from the Qun explained their diminutive emotions. Some things are hard to leave behind.

 

"Greetings Armath" Caius intentionally used more friendly approach and reached out his hand for a handshake. Armath stared at his hand with his grey eyes and indecipherable look on his face. Caius stood there his hand reached out, "it is a common courtesy to return a greetings". Caius said calmly. The gigantic Tal-Vashoth stood there still for a moment, then took his arm.

 

"I know... Caius" his rumbling voice blurted out, like trying to decide weather or not the word contained poison. "I am just not sure if I care to shake a hand of a Magister".

"Fair enough", Caius smirked, "the feeling is mutual. Shall we?". He pointed the way to the shack where Nazlik and her mother had already disappeared.

 

"Just a moment", Armath placed his hand on Caius shoulder. "You carry that cold and arrogant Magister mask well", he said. "But I see you are worried beneath it".

Caius cocked an eyebrow at him, "really?". Armath smiled shortly, "I was Salit in Ben-hassrath, I can still read people". Then the smile disappeared, "tell me. If it is something that concerns my daughter I want to know".

 

Caius stood there contemplating for a moment, then he nodded. "You are right, things are not going as I planned".

He gazed at Armath grey eyes for a moment, "there might come time when my messages to you cease. Know then that I have fallen and my house has been destroyed. When that happens I would ask you to take the ship I gave you and sail to mainland. You will find your daughter from Fereldan taking refuge. This place". Caius placed a little note in his big hand. "Go there with your wife, don´t take Nazlik back to Seheron. It is too dangerous place. I have placed enough funds to Fereldan to last a lifetime".

 

Armath looked at the note silently, then turned his gaze into Caius. "Will you be there?".

 

"No. But I trust you will do everything in your power to keep her safe".

 

The old Tal-vashoth looked at him silently for a moment, "I will". Caius nodded.

 

They had left Minrathous two weeks ago with the child, slipped out of the city in plain traveling clothes cloaked from head to toe. They left in the following night after a House Vaellanius military convoy had left for the training fields in Silent Plains. Led by Publius disguised as Caius. Only Livia was aware of their destination.

 

"Are you sure it is safe for you to leave now?", She asked concerned. "You just recoved from the assassination attempt".

 

Caius took a sip of his wine, "yes, I need to clear my head and Nazlik needs to see her parents. I will move unnoticed. You will take care of things with my daughters in the mean time. Let them believe I am leading the military convoy. They don´t need to know where I am going".

 

"I wish... ", Livia placed her hand on Caius arm. He looked at her surprised. "I wish you wouldn´t be so hard on yourself" she said softly. Caius gazed at her in his thoughts as he stood for leaving. At the door he turned around whispering, "thank you", and left.

 

Nazlik had been overflowing with happiness to see her parents and to get out of Minrathous. They had traveled north avoiding main roads and occasionally backtracking to throw off any possible pursuers. In this remote and hard reaching cove by the mountains they met Nazlik parents brought here by a fast ship, manned by Caius' agents.

 

"There is one more thing. I want you to know that this is extremely dangerous" Caius said silently to Armath as they were walking towards the shack, "you are the enemy of the Imperium for all intents and purposes. There is no formal alliance between the Beres-taar tribe and Tevinter yet. If this would leak I would loose my head, and that would be the easiest way out. My daughters, Nazlik and the child are in mortal danger just because we came here. Remember that".

 

Armath nodded with a grim look, "I understand and appreciate it. And I trust you will protect my daughter and grandchild with the best of your ability". "To my death" Caius said, "but let´s not rush there yet".

 

Inside the shack they found Nazlik and Hatam playing with the boy on the floor. "He is a little human" Hatam smiled softly at Nazlik, "but he has your hair and eyes".

"What is his name?" Armath rumbled as silently as possible but still got the baby´s attention. 

 

"Cassius Akaar Vaellanius" Nazlik said proudly pinching the baby´s cheek, the boy burped in response. "The boy has a destiny on him" Hatam said silently, "but there is a dark shadow, a danger looming over him. Dices are rolling". Caius glanced at her sharply. She had a absent look on her while she spoke, then shaking her head she continued "So, we brought gifts. I want to give them now".

 

"What shadow?" Nazlik asked concerned, "what dices? what were you talking about?". The nightmare she had seen surfaced in her mind. "Oh, don´t mind me" Hatam said, "I´m getting old. I sometimes get a little dazed". For the rest of the night the issue was buried.*

[Uccio]

I thought these guys needed more attention.

 

Spoiler

*Publius stood by the large mirror in Caius tent admiring himself from it. "I am a Magister of Tevinter Imperium" he whispered to himself stroking Caius robes he was wearing, I would make a great Magister.

 

"Should I step outside? Maybe you two need alone time?".

 

"Haha, very funny", Publius turned around irritated. Vel sat by the table his legs streched over it. "And take your boots of the table. I eat on it!", Publius snapped. Vel put his feet down, "alright, alright your highness. Boy you are a tight ass".

 

"I am a Magister now. Or will be someday", Publius took a deep breath and tried to look calm. "Master trusted me with this job. He truly knows my potential".

 

"Yes, you make a good rack for his robes".

 

Publius glared at him but didn´t say a word. Vel sighted, "I´m sorry. I am feeling a bit low now". He reached for his lute and started plucking it playing few melancholy tunes. "So what is it this time, some bar maiden punched you again?", Publius said trying to get a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

 

"It´s Elowyn. She disapperead, no one knows where she went and boss is not going to look for her", Vel shrugged shaking his head. "What´s with that anyway? I thought he valued her talent".

 

"No wonder she left, look at the way you treated her ser Sensitivity. You don´t have any clues?", Publius cocked an eyebrow at Vel.

"What do you know about women, oh great dusty tome?", Vel said with a furrowed brow.

 

"I know plenty", Publius said raising his chin with a imperius look on his face.

 

"And please tell, from where did you aquire this higher knowledge?"

 

"I read it", Publius said looking himself from the mirror "from a book".

 

Vel stared at him for a moment with his mouth open. Then he exploded with a laughter. He wrapped his arms around himself but fell off the chair. His neighing just kept going as he rolled on the floor carpet.

 

"It is not that funny", Publius said glaring at him. Vel tried to catch his breath, but then he got another glimpse of Publius face and fell on his back laughing again.

 

After a round of heartfull laughter he sat up viping his eyes, "thank you, I needed that".

"I wasn´t kidding", Publius said, "for a man of many women you seem to know little about women".

 

"I know enough that the answer is not in some dusty tome my friend", Vel smirked. "Women operate mostly with feelings, not on knowledge".

"I know that, but do you?", Publius said, "you just left her hanging there. What did you expect would happen?".

 

"I didn´t leave her hanging", Vel said angry. "I was there, but I had to work my way back to bosses better side. One slip and my head would have rolled". He stood up, "and I like it just where it is".

 

"Well, you keep telling yourself that", Publius twirled before the mirror. "You know, dressing up to him doesn´t make you him", Vel said sitting down to the chair and pouring himself a cup of wine. "And why do you care? You didn´t exactly like her".

 

"I didn´t", Publius said, "but she made you calm down. No more following you to one of those horrific whorehouses in some Maker forsaken alley". He turned to see Vel. "I have also started courting, for your information".

 

"Oh really, who is this lucky maiden to be tormented by your presence?"

 

"I sent gifts to Miriel. And I sent a official request to master for a permisson to court her if she accepts me".

 

Vel smiled, "so, you have your work cut out for you then. Best of luck!". He raised his cup and drank it all.*

[Serelir]

What a treat! I love those two. Feelings, schmeelings! What do men know about feelings?! Elowyn would come back from the Fade just to snip Publius' nose. 

 

I wonder which book he was reading...

[raging_monkey]

Haha i love those two they are like me and my brother just hilarious

[Uccio]

Nazlik´s dream, she get´s hints what is going on.

Spoiler

*Nazlik opened her eyes, the tent was silent as only rain poured on it with smoothing sound. But she felt restless at heart. She gazed at the baby sleeping in the crate next to her. He was sound asleep, with a slight snoring.

Her anxiety kept increasing despite the calm surroundings. Then she felt a presence, Caius.. she whispered her heart racing. The ring in her hand heated slowly up. She could feel Caius thinking of her, he felt agigated. There was rage, then a vivid image of him smiling and touching her chin. I love you, he whispered.

A flash of pain broke through severing their connection. A desolate loneliness filled her. The baby started crying. He felt it too, she thought crabbing her shirt pressing her chest. She reached out and took the baby lulling him in her arms.
"Shhh it was just a dream. Your father is alright, he will come to us later". She whispered knowing it was lie and tears filled her eyes.

Suddenly the cloth on the tent door was pulled aside. Livia stuck her head in, "put your clothes on now! We need to leave this instant! I will prepare the horses".

She disappeared leaving Nazlik surprised for a moment. She knew the situation thought. There was no time to loose. In a few moments she had dressed in her traveling clothes and placed the baby in his chest straps. He could walk already and tried to form words. And now he would never see him again, she thought tears blurring her vision. Nazlik stepped outside wiping her eyes.

Livia ran to her pulling a horse behind her, "here climb on, there in no moment to loose!". The whole camp was buzzing with activity. Soldiers pulled on their armors, readying their weapons. Nazlik mounted her horse, a black stallion. Caius favorite horse, a plaintive thought flashed in her mind.

"Ride like a wind. Do not look back nor wait for me. I will follow you if I can", Livia said holding the reigns, "if I don´t find you keep riding, you have the instructions. Do you have your gold?". Nazlik nodded, "aren´t you coming?".

A guard ran into the camp light from darkness, "they are here, the Imperial troops are here!".

Livia gazed at the guard then turned to Nazlik. "No, I need to buy you time". She waved her hand and Nazlik´s tent caught fire. "If they know Caius has a heir, even a bastard, they will hunt him to the end of the world".

"What about you, what if they catch you?", Nazlik looked her concerned.

"No they won´t", Livia said showing a grenade in her belt, "they will not get me alive".

Nazlik reached down and took her arm, "why are you doing this? You don´t have to. You could just ran away and not look back".
Livia looked into her eyes, "I promised to Caius". She looked her for a moment in silence, then whispered, "and I loved him too".

She reached out and slapped the horse on it´s behind. "Don´t look back!".

Nazlik rode out of the camp and into the night. The wind soughed in her ears, after a moment she could hear fighting breaking out behind her. Shouting, explosions, metal hitting metal. The night was illuminated with magical power.

Goodbye my friend", she whispered tears in her eyes. In her fist she clenched Caius signet ring.


Nazlik winced awake from her dream. She wiped the sweat off her forehead her heart racing. So real, so vivid dream. She reached for Caius but he had disappeared from the bed. Morning first light peaked through the cracks in the wall.*

[Serelir]

Dang, Elowyn is missing all the excitement! Stupid self-absorption, curse it all.

[raging_monkey]

things are getting  cray

[Uccio]

Spoiler

*Caius stood by the pier watching the waves, feeling the salty drops brought by the wind on his face. The eternal movement of the sea was comforting. What ever happened the sea would still be here. He drew some strange strength of the thought. He raised his hands gesturing, slowly the air electrified around him.

 

Caius closed his eyes, letting his power fill him. The air around him started to move against the wind blowing from the sea. Clouds gathered, darkness filled the area. Caius stood there his eyes closed, arms stretched out. Letting his power run freely. Lightning struck across the sky. power twirled around him pulling his robes.

A series of lightnings struck from the clouds into the sea and near him with a deafening strength. The air was electrified, and smell of smoke lingered. More and more lightning struck all around him turning the storm into a constant thunder where all the lightning formed one massive sound.

 

Sea hissed bubbling as the water boiled and large craters were carved into the ground sending dirt and grass flying in the air. The flashing of the lightning burned into Caius retina despite his closed eyes. And yet he kept feeding his power to the storm making it even stronger, his feet slowly raised from the ground.

 

He was one with the power. Ecstatic feeling flashed through him. Venting all his feelings, his frustration and rage into the storm. The constant roar of power turned the world into one gigantic white light with no sound as the power of the storm filled everything. And in the heart of it stood Caius and he roared with the storm.

 

He let go of his power reluctantly, his feet touched the torn and smoking ground. And the storm died down, in a few moments nothing was left of it but dead fish floating in the sea and smoke in the air from the little firest around him.

 

Caius took a deep breath.

 

"Are you alright darling?"

 

He turned around and saw Nazlik walking towards him. "That storm probably alerted everyone in 10 miles radius", she said smiling. Caius smiled shortly, "I chose this place for a reason. It should be desolate".

 

"Funny thing my love, the baby was not startled by the sound. He just started laughing", Nazlik walked to his side looking at the sea.

"He has a great future ahead of him", Caius whispered.

 

"Mother had something to talk about so I will head there. I just had to make sure you were alright", Nazlik said leaning down giving him a kiss.

 

Caius gazed after her in his thoughts. Am I a monster my love? I have taken so many lives, and so many lives have extended mine. I would not be alive otherwise. Caius turned to look at a seagull crying high in the air. And yet I feel no remorse. Lives are just expendable asset to me, only people close to me have a value beyond others. Like you, like her.

 

Caius rubbed his temple. He thought of the note he had left for her. In vain, but he found some odd comfort in it. Elowyn, you touched me and for that I let you go. Be free where ever you are, maybe this is for the best for both of us.

 

He swept his hair. No hesitation, no remorse. I need to be strong and ruthless for the times that are ahead of us. He sighted looking at the calming waves. I don´t have the luxury of happiness.

 

There is only duty, duty for the Imperium and for the family, surfaced from the depths of his mind.

 

Caius closed his eyes. Old pain filled him. Like a tidal wave it appeared from the darkness of his mind.

 

Darkness, flickering red lights on the black stone walls. Cold granite against his burning flesh. Chanting. Sounds and voices tearing him apart, removing parts of him. Screaming, panting, shivering mass of bloody meat. Nothing, there is nothing left of him. Then a cloaked figure leans towards him, to finish what he had started. Whispering the words to his ear as sweat drops fall down his cheek mixing with his blood.

 

There is only duty, duty for the Imperium and for the family.

 

There is never going back, he knew it. Caius raised his head and straightened his back. With a steel clad voice he whispered. "I am what I am".*

[Serelir]

Now I know what's killing the fish!

[raging_monkey]

Yea hardcore.. least they will be good for a month.

[Serelir]

Collateral damages. Better get a LOT of ice, Monkey. Maybe Coldi can help with that.

[raging_monkey]

She's might be able to to do that

[Uccio]

Spoiler

*Caius opened his eyes in the early morning just to look into Nazlik silver eyes, her face hovering above his. She gazed at him leaning against his chest, her white hair covering the world from Caius sight. "Did you sleep well my love?", she whispered looking into his eyes.

 

"I did, with you by my side", Caius whispered touching her cheek. "How´s the baby?".

 

"Still asleep", Nazlik whispered. "I thought we could steal some time for each other". She leaned down kissing him softly.

 

That afternoon they were ready to leave. Armath and Hatam stood at the pier ready to board the ship that had brought them. After they had said goodbyes Armath handed a scroll to Caius.

 

"This is a list of spies Ben-hassrath has placed inside the Imperium, I made it from memory so it is not up to date, and it´s been decades since I was in the Qun so there might be new ones". Caius took the parchment quietly. 

"I was Salit so I know these names by heart, I recruited most of them. Humans and elves. They are supposed to start sabotage when the qunari land in Tevinter".

 

He gazed at Caius steadily, "and they will. Soon. Don´t let them take my daughter and grandchild". Caius nodded firmly, "it will never happen, that I swear". He took Armath hand shaking it, "and you remember what I said".

 

After the sleek ship had sailed out to the Nocen sea they mounted their horses and headed for the mountain path. Nazlik sang a lullaby in qunlat to the baby snoozing in the harness against her chest. "I am going to teach him talk qunlat too" she smirked at Caius.

 

"That is actually a good idea, it is good to know your enemy" Caius agreed. "And no, by the enemy I mean the Qun" he continued seeing the look Nazlik gave to him. She smiled at that, "I know silly".

 

In a few days they had cleared out of the mountain ranges shadow riding slowly along a narrow cart path south bound. Nazlik sang silently at the baby as they rode almost side by side. "I´m so glad we got to do this" she turned to Caius. "Thank you my love for bringing my parents to see us".

 

Caius looked at her gently, "for you anything darling, never doubt that. When we get back hom...". 

 

Just a faint whisper gave away what was to come before a gigantic boulder flew down from the hillside bouncing on the path striking the horse from under Caius. He flipped in the air falling to the ground striking his forehead painfully to the gravel dazing him for a moment.

 

Nazlik horse bolted up on its back legs neighing terrified. A massive roar echoed from the hill. Caius stumbled on his feet blood flowing into his eyes just a dozens of darkspawn ran down the hill followed by a few ogres. Nazlik struggled to control her horse, the animal had caught the scent of the darkspawn. Caius took a one glance on the coming darkspawn sweeping blood off his eyes, "ride, as fast as you can!" he roared.

 

Nazlik fought to control her horse screaming, "No! Come here, we can ride all together!". Caius saw how some of the darkspawn archers got inside the range pulling their arrows from quivers, the gigantic Ogre grabbed another boulder from the hill side. He glanced at Nazlik.

 

Broodmother... the image of the monster crossed his mind, Nazlik... "No time!", Caius barked while the blood magic spell sparkled in his mind powering itself from his wound. He took a deep breath concentrating on the horse, run.

 

The horse bolted straights down the trail like a arrow with Nazlik fighting with the reigns "No!". But the horse was strong and fast, her struggle was futile. They disappeared soon down the path. Save our son I will find you, Caius thought turning to the charging darkspawn. He struck his staff on the ground, black smoke twirled and massive demon appeared next to the ogre charging it.

 

A rising howl made him to take a quick glance around him, all around darkspawn emerged from the bushes charging at him. Caius twirled around gesturing, a massive gravity ring formed where he stood, centering on him. He raised his arms calling for entropic power and storm.

 

"You want me? Come get me then!", Caius roared. A rumbling sound escorted black clouds apperearing in the sky. Temperature dropped fast while first lightnings struck across the sky. Caius pulsated hand of winter followed by repulsion field freezing the closest darkspawn into glimmering ice statues then shattering them into thousands of ice crystals showering into the ground.

 

Power roared around him under the black clouds, a blizzard exploded into a massive snow storm followed by a lightning storm. Pillars of lightning struck the ground all around him with a massive power destroying any darkspawn struggling with the gravity ring sending black blood and body parts flying into the air, frozen pieces. A storm of the century was being cast. Entropic power wrecked havoc among the darkspawn.

 

Then a massive stone boulder struck Caius, thrown by another ogre. His magical shield and the gravity ring withstood the kinetic power but it still had enough power to send Caius rolling down the hillside unconscious.*

[Serelir]

Who let all those darkspawn out? Hmmmm...

[raging_monkey]

Hmm most interesting

[Serelir]

Spoiler

Elowyn stepped out of the vault, bemused. The world was full of strange events, so many mysteries! How did a revenant come to inhabit a mark on her throat? She wanted to look in a mirror – how would she explain a scar in the shape of a key? Just then, she felt a tingling in her hand. It was the ring Caius had given her. An image sprang into her mind: Caius injured, bleeding. But where was he? He was supposed to be training with his troops. Yet she felt him in a different place, a barren, rocky place, all alone.

 

She felt a sense of urgency. Her heart started beating fast. How to get to him? He was far away, too far for her to walk. He needed her quickly. There was only one way. She stepped across the Veil.

 

It might have been a bad idea to cross the Veil in the largest cemetery in Minrathous. The Fade teemed with spirits, all wanting to talk to her. There was no time!

 

“I need your help!” she called to the spirits as they gathered around her. “One of your own is injured and in danger. I must get to him. Will you help me?”

 

An elven woman reached out to her. “You serve my house. It is my descendant who needs you – come!” The woman transformed into a giant rook. Elowyn climbed onto its back and held onto its feathers as it spread its wings and rose into the air. The city dwindled below them. Sunlight glittered on the water. The water was so clear, Elowyn could see into the depths. Gigantic sea creatures swam below, their forms moving in layers like cloud shadows across mountains. The rook flew north.

 

The signal in her hand grew stronger. They reached a narrow defile through two rocky escarpments. Something black and evil oozed across the landscape.

 

The rook landed. “Be careful, daughter of my House. Evil inhabits this place.” Elowyn dismounted, the rook took off, and she stepped back through the Veil. A group of Darkspawn was running toward her, followed by a gigantic ogre. Its roar shook the ground beneath her feet, sending a small avalanche of stones bouncing down the cliffs. Where was Caius?

 

The ogre ripped a huge boulder from the side of the hill and raised it above its head. Elowyn felt a rush of anger at these mindless creatures. She called her mana and hurled it at the group of darkspawn in a wave of entropy. They slipped and slid backwards toward the ogre. It lost its grip on the boulder, which tumbled down, crushing some of the darkspawn. Elowyn twisted her hands and converted the entropy to growth, calling up gigantic roots from the rocky ground. They pierced through the ogre’s body and sucked its lifeforce. She reached out for its blood and pulled it toward her, shaping it. The Veil tore open, and Elowyn drew its raw substance through, transforming the black blood into spears, which she hurled at the remaining darkspawn.

 

One of them had reached her, however. It swung its rusty, blood-encrusted sword and she jumped back, raising her staff. Brilliant white light flowed from the staff, burning the darkspawn to cinders. Another group of darkspawn appeared, running down the hill. She had nothing left with which to fight them. Then she remembered the mark. She touched it and said, “I need you now!” With a burst of light, the revenant appeared. It saw the darkspawn and roared. They stopped in their tracks, tripping over each other.

 

“Go,” said the revenant to Elowyn in its gravedust voice. “This is but child’s play.” It turned back toward the darkspawn and raised its sword. Black energy snarled out of it, entangling the darkspawn. The revenant pulled, and its enemies were drawn helplessly toward it. With a swing of its sword, the revenant hacked through them.

 

Elowyn felt dizzy, drained of mana, but the darkspawn were all disposed of. “Thank you, once again,” she said to the revenant. It nodded and seemed to smile, then it disappeared. “I don’t know if I can get used to that,” thought Elowyn to herself.

 

“Master!” she shouted, “Where are you?” She heard a weak cry and ran toward it. Her Master lay in a ditch, hidden by rocks. He was bleeding and bruised. Elowyn called up the little bit of mana that remained and channeled it through her staff, sending it into Caius to stop the bleeding.

 

She kneeled next to him and checked his body for broken bones. “You came,” he croaked. “Nazlik…”

 

“We’ll find her,” Elowyn said. “We need to get away from this place though – there might be more darkspawn.” Caius' body was badly bruised, his flesh torn in places, and he had a concussion, but his bones weren’t broken, thank the gods. She put her arms around him. “Try to stand. I need you to take only a small step with me.” Caius struggled weakly to his feet, his knees buckling. Elowyn supported his weight on her small frame. “One step. There!” She took him into the Fade.

 

“We are safe for the moment, but I don’t know what lies on this side of the Veil,” she said, laying him down. She quickly shaped a small shelter around them and a pillow for his head. He started to drift off, and she patted his cheek, “Stay with me,” she said. “I’m sorry, but you need to stay awake. You have a nasty head wound. I need you to do something. I am out of mana.” She slipped a stiletto from a pocket in her dress. Caius’ eyes widened. “Shh,” she said, “don’t worry.” She drew the blade across her breast. The blood flowed in a seam. “Take my blood,” she said, raising his hand to her body. She felt him draw on her blood to heal himself, and she moaned as his power swept through her. Would he take too much?

 

She felt herself growing weaker. “Master…” she gasped. His color returned as she grew pale. Then he released her, and she collapsed.

[Uccio]

Awesome. That was quite the dracula effect. And she is getting much stronger.

[Serelir]

She did a lot of training at the Manor before this whole thing with the brothel. She's learning from Caius. And she's casting off the mantle of despondency that weighed her down in the Circle.

[raging_monkey]

Stoked