Fighting for Eden CH2: Swooping Is Bad...

"So this is the Kocari Wilds huh?" Merlissia said as she kicked a random rock. Fergus? Are you still out here? she wondered to herself as she scanned the area to try and see if she could find any clues of a scouting party.  The tension building in their little group was easy to feel as they walked further into the Wilds observing the random dead bodies decorating the ground.

Quietly they fell in line, the large knight staying in the rear alongside Alistair as Daveth remained in the middle, leaving Merlissia to lead the bunch. No use trying to sneak up on any darkspawn here with that idiot around she thought as she glared back at the large knight who was carelessly stomping around.

"Jory, you said you were from Redcliffe?" Merlissia asked curiously.

"I hail from Redcliffe. But Duncan recruited me in Highever, a city off the northern coast. Have you traveled there?" Jory asked curiously.

"I'm from there," Merlissia answered cautiously as she began to ignore the blubbering knight as he rambled on and on about his wife. I wish I didn't ask she thought as she began to get annoyed with the fool in front of her. That's right… he's the one who won the tournament she remembered as he babbled on.

Before he could finish she turned to Daveth, hopefully he'll have a better tale to tell she thought as she asked him where he was from. Listening to his tale. "So you're a cutpurse? Must be good with your hands then," Merlissia said casually. "So, how did Duncan enlist you?" she asked curiously.

"Eh… I cut Duncan's purse as he was standing in the crowd," he started, explaining how Duncan ended up conscripting him.

"Nice, I like you," Merlissia said with a laugh. "Battles aren't won on strength alone.. Finesse is quite needed skill," she added

"So, the symbol on your armor… that's one of the Teyrn's symbols isn't it?" Daveth asked quietly as he walked up beside Merlissia.

"Yes," she answered coldly. She didn't really mean to sound so bitter towards the man, he seemed likeable enough… she just didn't want any questions. Luckily, before she began to make up some explanation they heard a quiet shuffling in the distance.

"Hey… Over here!" a soldier called.

Quickly the bunch headed over towards him.

"Who is that? Grey Wardens?" the soldier gasped out.

"Well he's not half as dead as he looks, is he?" Alistair said lightly as they approached him. Merlissia couldn't help the muffled chuckle that escaped her as she heard his comment.

"My scouting band was attacked by darkspawn… The came out of the ground…. Please, help me! I've got to… return to camp…" the injured soldier pleaded.

"We can take him back to camp can't we? I don't see how it will hurt… it's not like we're that far," Merlissia said as she saw her family's crest on his armor.

"If you just bandage me up, I can get back myself," he groaned as Alistair knelt down and pulled out his bandages. "Wait? It's you?" the guard asked as he got a better look at Merlissia, causing the rest of her companions to turn and look at her.

"Hush, sir knight… you need your strength to get back to camp," Merlissia said quietly as she helped the soldier to his feet.

"Thank you. I have to get out of here," the man said as he stumbled off.

"Did you hear? An entire patrol of seasoned men taken down by darkspawn!" Jory rambled nervously as he watched the soldier make his way back towards the ruins.

"Calm down Jory, we'll be fine if we're careful," Alistair tried to reassure the knight but it was plain to see he wasn't taking it.

"Those soldiers were careful, and they were still overwhelmed. How many darkspawn can the four of us slay? A dozen? A hundred?" He asked plainly as he looked over to see Daveth standing idly by, and Merlissia already starting to make her way further into the Wilds.

"There are darkspawn about, but we are no were near the bulk of the horde," Alistair insisted trying to calm the knight down still.

"How do you know? I'm not a coward, but this is foolish and reckless. We should go back," Jory added nervously.

"Humph, you sure sound like a coward to me," Merlissia snapped as she glanced over her shoulder to Jory.

"I… I am simply tyring to stay alive you don't see me fleeing do you?" Jory asked as he hurried up to her, pulling her shoulder forcing her to face him. Finally, able to get a better look at the woman. Her eyes were like those of the forest at twilight, a deep green that faded into an amber burst as if it were the sun shining over the trees. He had only seen a woman with eyes like those once, back in Highever, but they weren't as cold back then. When he finally had the mind to inquire about her Alistair finally spoke up.

"A bit of fear isn't unnatural you know. Few relish meeting darkspawn up close. I know I don't," he said calmly as he gave a stern look towards Merlissia who shrugged him off.

"I didn't say that I did.. but this is what is required of us, so let's just get it done," she snapped as she turned away from Jory to try and get her party moving.

"Know this: all Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn. Whatever their cunning, I guarantee that we won't be taken by surprise." Alistair reassured the group.

"See Sir knight, we might die… but at least we'll be warned about it first," Daveth said with a laugh as he started to follow behind Merlissia.

"No! Wait up!" Jory shouted, angry from how Merlissia had treated him. "I know you, You're Merlissia C—"

Instantly he felt a dagger pressed firmly into his neck. Wide-eyed he looked over to see Merlissia's eyes glaring at him. "Not one more word, or your wife will be missing a husband… if she's not dead already," Merlissia said dryly. Her tone was dark and cold to match her eyes.

"You wouldn't!" Jory shouted trying to call her bluff.

With a smirk she pressed her dagger a little harder as she cut a small knick into his neck, "Oh I wouldn't, would I?" she asked coldly. "I don't see how you would be any use to the Grey Wardens," she added as she pulled her dagger away. "You all know all that you need to about me," she said plainly as she turned to walk away.

"And I thought I was quick with a blade," Daveth said as he walked passed the shocked knight. "I'm glad she likes me," he added lightly.

"Oh look… friends!" Merlissia said with an evil smile as darkspawn began popping out of the shadows. Quietly she pulled out the blade and the old dagger she had picked up on her way to Ostagar. Had it been with a different adversary she would have liked to see how the other's fought, but this wasn't the time for that. It was only a small group of darkspawn, easy enough to dispatch.

Merlissia swung her sword up high, deflecting the darkspawn's axe as she spun around the foul creature, stabbing her dagger in the side of it's head. "Alistair! Does it matter what kind of darkspawn blood we collect?" Merlissia shouted as she yanked her dagger out of the hurloc's head.

"Nope, just anyone offering some up would be great!" Alistair shouted back as he rammed his shield into the darkspawn rogue in front of him. Quickly he took a glance to see Daveth toying with his prey, Jory on the other hand was trying to battle the beast while keeping as much distance between him and his opponent as possible. Not  bad tactic… but is it out of fear or strategy? Alistair wondered as he shifted his gaze over to the woman on his left. She's very aware, considering it's her first time fighting darkspawn, Alistair thought as he watched her glance around the perimeter for new opponents as she beheaded her foe.

Her eyes, they were cold and calculating. As if they were daring the darkspawn on. Her dark hair whipped through the air as she spun around her enemies. I don't understand her style… her weapons are like that of a rogue but her stance is not as refined as it should be Alistair thought as he watched her.

Quickly she spun around her foe dodging his thrust as she flung her dagger. "Behind you!" She shouted, finally bringing Alistair back to the fight as he looked to see a hurlok falling to its knees, it had it's sword already raised high, and ready to strike. With a deep breath he saw her dagger lodged deeply in the monster's throat. Quickly he looked back to her to see that she hadn't missed a beat. She took a large step to the right as she bent down picking up a darkspawn's axe and lodging it into the emissary beside her as his spell began to fade before her.

Slowly she stood up, looking the creature in the eye as it began to falter. Quickly she cut a deep gash in it's neck and pressed her vial against the creatures throat. Once the vial was full she kicked the darkspawn to the ground as she capped her vial.

"Everyone got what you came for?" Merlissia asked calmly as she started searching the darkspawn.

"What are you doing?" Jory asked, clearly disgusted with her actions.

"Looking for anything useful. Daveth you use a bow right? Here's a quiver full of arrows," Merlissia said as she tossed them to him.  "Everyone got their vial of blood?" she asked, looking up to see Daveth and Jory nod.

"Good, now to find those treaties… Duncan said you'd know the way… so Where to?" Merlissia asked calmly as she looked over the group. No one looked injured from what she could tell, so they couldn't be that bad of fighters Merlissia thought.

"Can we just take a minute?" Jory asked as he looked over the group of darkspawn littering the ground.

"Yes, take a couple minutes to rest," Alistair said as he watched Merlissia start to walk off. "We'll be back," he added as he followed after her.

"She is a beauty isn't she?" Daveth said motioning in the direction Merlissia walked off in.

"Oh she is… The rumors of her do her no justice," Jory commented, "Of course she does not compare to my wife,"  he added quickly.

"Right…. She has rumors of her beauty?" Daveth asked curiously, looking to see if she was close enough to hear them.

"You haven't realized who she is? That's Merlissia Cousland, the fabled daughter of Teyrn Bryce Cousland. Stories of her beauty had spread throughout Ferelden…" Jory explained.

"You're shitting me! That's her? Maker she is easy on the eyes…" Daveth agreed as he scanned the perimeter for their comrades.

****Meanwhile****

"So, thanks for watching my back," Alistair said happily as he leaned up against one of the nearby pillars.

"Don't worry about it," Merlissia said quietly as she knelt down washing the darkspawn blood from her hands and face. "So, did you always want to be a Grey Warden?" she asked as she sat down on a nearby log.

"You first," Alistair retorted quickly, more curious of her answer than he was to explain his past.

"I'll admit as a child… Growing up, listening to all the stories… The excitement, honor, self-sacrifice… it was a romantic idea," she started as she looked up into the sky, watching the setting sun. "But now… I would give it all up to go back," she admitted quietly, quickly stealing a glance over to see Alistair watching her like a sad puppy. "But that's not possible… So I will not fail," she said, her voice a little stronger as her eyes focused on the random rock on the ground.

"Your turn," Merlissia asked as she looked up to him. "Unless you don't want to discuss it. Everyone has a past and I can respect that," Merlissia admitted when Alistair hesitated.

"So, you don't really seem to like Jory," Alistair asked nervously.

"Nope… He's a coward," Merlissia said bluntly as she stood up. "For a guard he is capable of fighting some brute… but this? No. You saw him," Merlissia explained calmly.

"That could have been his strategy you know, who would want to get that close to a darkspawn?" Alistair asked lightly.

Quickly Merlissia turned around grabbing Alistair's shoulder. "He's a liability to everyone around him… and you know it," she explained as she as she looked him in the eye. "That wasn't the stance of that type of fighter… As a templar I'm sure you know that," she spat. "That was a frightened boy," she finished bitterly.

As much as Alistair hated to admit it, he knew she was right. "Either way, it's not our decision to make," Alistair said quietly as they walked up to the pair. "Ready? We cannot afford to dally any longer," he instructed as Merlissia headed in the direction Alistair had turned towards.

So, a Chantry boy… he could be fun to toy with Merlissia thought as she made her way through the marsh, careful to not step into the water. "So what do you think the scouts ran into? Nothing so far seems so difficult that they should have been caught so off guard," Merlissia asked looking back over her shoulder at the slow group. Carefully she threw a rock at one of the traps watching as it popped up from the earth.

"I'll take care of those in no time," Daveth offered as he hurried to the traps, easily disabling them.

"How much further?" Jory asked prompt as Daveth finished the last trap.

"Not far, just over that hill," Alistair reassured the nervous knight. She's right about him… he's going to endanger everyone around him Alistair thought as he stole a quick glance at the woman standing before him, catching a glance of her neck as the wind blew her hair from her shoulders. He frowned as he saw the beginnings of a deep bruise forming.

"Thank you Daveth," Merlissia cooed quietly as she let her fingers glide over his shoulder as she walked passed.

Small groups of darkspawn appeared every once in a while which they easily dispatched, each time Merlissia took the time to look over her companions. Daveth had adjusted to the creatures fast enough, it was as though he were playing with them at this point. Alistair fought bravely enough, not too aggressive, just did what was necessary. It was clear he didn't relish the act of killing. Finally, Jory. He still fought with the same cowardice she thought, she could give him the first fight.. but now it was clear. He was a weakness to their group.

Ignorant fool Merlissia thought bitterly as she plunged her sword into the darkspawn's head spewing his blood all over herself and the ground. Quietly she sighed as she rubbed the blood from her face with a rag, before she looked into the old ruins.  Briefly she scanned over the area as she headed towards the small chest  lying on the ground. Well that is certainly convenient she thought as she knelt down to see the chest had been broken into and barren.

"Well, well. What have we here? Are you a vulture I wonder a scavenger poking amidst a corps whose bones have been long since cleaned?  Or merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn filled Wilds of mine in search of easy prey? What say you, hmm? Scavenger or intruder?" the woman asked as she walked down from the ruins.

"I am neither. The Grey Wardens once owned this tower," Merlissia replied to the woman as she saw the hesitation in her companions.

"'Tis a tower no longer… The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse. I have watched your progress for some time. Where do they go I wondered. Why are they here? And now you disturb ashes none have touched for so long why is that?" the woman said as she walked passed the group.

"Don't answer her, she looks chasined. That means there might be others nearby," Alistair warned quietly.

"Oh you fear barbarians will swoop down upon you," the woman laughed as she shrugged her shoulders.

"…Yes… Swooping is bad," he said quietly.

"She's a witch of the wilds I tell you," Daveth muttered quietly in the background.

"Witch of the wilds, such idle fantasies. Tell me do you not have a mind of your own? You there. Women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine," The woman offered quickly as she looked over Merlissia and her companions.

"I am Merlissia. A pleasure to meet you."

"Now that is a proper civil greeting, even here in the Wilds. You may call me Morrigan. Shall I guess your purpose? You were searching for something in that chest, something that is here no longer?" Morrigan asked lightly.

Here no longer? What do you mean you stole them didn't you, you're some kind of sneaky witch thief

How does one steal from dead men

"Quiet easily it seems, those are Grey Warden property. Return them," Alistair demanded.

"I will not, for 'twas not I who removed them. Invoke a name that means nothing here any longer if you wish; I am not threatened," she taunted coolly.

"Then who removed them?" Merlissia asked, growing a little tired of all the talking.

"Twas my mother, in fact," Morrigan replied with a sly smile.

Maker save me if this doesn't end soon she thought before responding to Morrigan "Can you take us to her then?"

"There is a sensible request. I like you," Morrigan answered as she began to turn around.

"I'd be careful, first it's I like you… then zap frog time," Alistair warned, only to see Merlissia shake her head.

"Follow me then, if it pleases you," Morrigan offered over her shoulder as she headed into the thick brush.

"Mother, I bring before you 4 grey wardens who—"

"I see them girl.. hmmm much as I expected," the old woman answered quickly.

"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair questioned lightly, trying to suppress the chuckle that escaped him.

"You are required to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut ones eyes tight or open them wide… either way, one's a fool," the old woman snapped as she looked over Alistair. Quickly her old eyes turned their attention to Merlissia, "And what of you? Does your woman's mind give you a different viewpoint? Or do you believe as these boys do?"

"I'm not sure what to believe." Merlissa admitted as she watched the old woman.

"A statement that possess more wisdom than it implies. Be always aware or is it oblivious? I can never remember. So much about you is uncertain and yet I believe do I ? why it seems I do.." the woman rambled on.

"They didn't come to listen to your wild tales, mother" Morrigan cut in as her mother mocked Jory and Daveth's chatter.

"True, they came for their treaties yes? Before you start barking the seal wore off long ago.. I have protecting these" the woman explained slowly.

"You… oh.. you protected them?" Alistair began to shout before realizing his tone.

"And why not? Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this Blight's threat is greater than they realize!" She warned calmly.

"Thank you for returning them," Merlissia said with a polite bow. I'll have to get over these formalities… she thought as she looked up to the older woman.

"Such manners, always in the last place you look… like stockings. Oh do not mind me, you have what you came for," the old woman laughed as she looked over towards Morrigan.

"Time for you to go then," Morrigan said happily.

"Do not be ridiculous girl, these are your guests," the old woman insisted.

"Oh very well, I will show you out of the wood, follow me."