He could see it in his mind’s eye. Not so long ago they had been packed into one of the glassworks – ironically one of the most defensible buildings in Serault Town. Sheltering all together, with all their neighbors too, smokey and suffocating. Avishan had worried so much for his family then, cut off from the river and the forest that they loved so much.
But at least they’d been together. He should have appreciated that more. At the time … Well. He’d been drunk and pissed and bored, interchangeably. No help was coming, perhaps the bloody Marquis had never even made it out of the Tirashan.
“They’ll be alright. I’ve never known darkspawn to swim, and mom knows the river better than anyone. We’ll, uhm …” The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. They’d go back for them as soon as they could – but that wasn’t possible and might never be. He was a deserter and little Liru had killed all those men and women. The Blight might confuse things for a while, but if anyone ever came looking, of course they’d start at home. Avi couldn’t let that happen.
Their only chance was to get far, far away. Where no one would have any cause to link the two of them to a patrol of dead wardens in a blasted ruin. Arlathan would do, for that. The city was fairytale come to life if that stranger they’d met near Val Firim could be believed. A place for elves in the heart of an ancient, magical forest.
Someone there would be able to help Ru with her new passenger. But even if they couldn’t, it was on the other end of Thedas and there was no blight there. That was enough for Avi.
“Oh. Here.” Avishan picked up the sword from among his other effects and offered it to Lirulin, hilt first. It was long and light, suitable for wielding in one hand or two. “It’s ironwood – supposedly the Dalish are the only ones that can work it.” He wasn’t so certain about that. Surely Ru’s magic could shape a bit of wood, if she wished.
“I can’t imagine father doing battle against anything but the slugs in the Marquis’ garden. He always kept it locked away.” Avi had been fascinated with it as a boy. He had thought that when he joined their lord’s household guard, perhaps … But no, a decade of service hadn’t made him worthy.
“Probably took it off some noble asshole deep in their cups.” That would make sense, wouldn’t it? If it was stolen. “They do like to crow about ancient history.”
But at least they’d been together. He should have appreciated that more. At the time … Well. He’d been drunk and pissed and bored, interchangeably. No help was coming, perhaps the bloody Marquis had never even made it out of the Tirashan.
“They’ll be alright. I’ve never known darkspawn to swim, and mom knows the river better than anyone. We’ll, uhm …” The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. They’d go back for them as soon as they could – but that wasn’t possible and might never be. He was a deserter and little Liru had killed all those men and women. The Blight might confuse things for a while, but if anyone ever came looking, of course they’d start at home. Avi couldn’t let that happen.
Their only chance was to get far, far away. Where no one would have any cause to link the two of them to a patrol of dead wardens in a blasted ruin. Arlathan would do, for that. The city was fairytale come to life if that stranger they’d met near Val Firim could be believed. A place for elves in the heart of an ancient, magical forest.
Someone there would be able to help Ru with her new passenger. But even if they couldn’t, it was on the other end of Thedas and there was no blight there. That was enough for Avi.
“Oh. Here.” Avishan picked up the sword from among his other effects and offered it to Lirulin, hilt first. It was long and light, suitable for wielding in one hand or two. “It’s ironwood – supposedly the Dalish are the only ones that can work it.” He wasn’t so certain about that. Surely Ru’s magic could shape a bit of wood, if she wished.
“I can’t imagine father doing battle against anything but the slugs in the Marquis’ garden. He always kept it locked away.” Avi had been fascinated with it as a boy. He had thought that when he joined their lord’s household guard, perhaps … But no, a decade of service hadn’t made him worthy.
“Probably took it off some noble asshole deep in their cups.” That would make sense, wouldn’t it? If it was stolen. “They do like to crow about ancient history.”
10-15-2024, 09:47 AM
