Sisters of Tevinter

Mercy

     The concussive blast rocked the foundations of the Conclave, snapping stone bases and columns as if they were twigs in the boughs of a long dead tree. Jor stumbled, panicked, clutching scrolls to her chest as she bolted across the rumbling temple floor. The mosaic tiles bucked and rolled like a stormy ocean beneath her feet, challenging her balance with every leap.

     There was a brilliant flash, a cacophonous roar, and the next thing Jor knew she was sprawled over a jagged chunk of marble. Everything hurt, her ribs screamed in protest as she drew a breath. Agony simmered over her right hand, clawing its way up her wrist. Around her was only clouds of smoke and ash, gray fog lingering over the ruined walls and drifting through the temple that had been opened to the sky. As if split by the hammer of some mighty god.

    Jor coughed, groaning. Her ears rang.

    A sound slithered past the damaged keening of her eardrums, the clicking chitter and skittering steps of something inhuman. Jor struggled to her feet, clutching her aching head. Her blood ran cold as something hissed- the skittering grew louder.

    Staggering, she began to run. Glancing behind her, she could see massive thorny abdomens with far too many legs, glittering black eyes and fangs dripping venom and silk. A fumbling mass of giant spiders were pursuing her. Numb with fear, Jor ran, staggering up the crumbled incline of the temple wall.

   The spiders were gaining, one of her knees was starting to give out. She wasn't fast enough- ebony mandibles snapped at her heel, spurring her onwards with the last of her strength.

    Her breath came in desperate gasps, her breath burned in her lungs- something had to be broken in her hand, it hurt so badly- she was afraid to look. The spiders shrieked, again, one of them nearly caught her leg. She tripped and collapsed over the stones, agony bursting in her abdomen as a jagged tile dug deep into her side. Helpless tears gathered in her vision as she struggled to claw her way forward.

     Light. An unearthly green glow. A hand reached for her in the ash and darkness.

 Help me...

      The light was searingly hot. Ethereal fingers closed over Jor's hand, hauling her to her feet. Her world spun. The spiders screeched.

      Then suddenly, the spiders were in front of her. But they were no longer spiders. They were men. The stone beneath her had turned to hard packed earth, the air lingering with the smell of blood and smoke.

     The men shouted, evidently surprised to see her. Jor's knees buckled. Her head hit the dirt, her eyes rolled back in her head.

     Silence.