King & Lionheart

Under the Bed

The lead trainer was surprised, to say the least, when a recruit and a mage approached him with a rare flower saying a senile old woman living in the darkspawn infested Wilds said he would need.

Tabris and August were more surprised by the fact that she was right.

"Poor buddy," the trainer knelt down in front of a kennel, a black haired Mabari laying inside, breathing labored, eyes half lidded. "Swallowed some darkspawn blood last time they were out. Such a promising member of the breed, I hate the thought of having to put him down."

One hand reached inside to gently rub the back of the dog's ear, other feeling the petals with his fingers.

"This... this is exactly what I need to make a treatment for him," his eyes met the two recruits'. "With this amount, he should be able to make a full recovery."

Tabris looked between him and August, struggling to find the words to say.

"Well, glad we could... help."

"You know, Mabari have this thing called imprinting," the trainer began. "This one's not been able to find someone yet, but I think he can sense you're helping him. Try and put on the muzzle for me while I get ready."

He gestured the item to her, swiped off a nearby table, Tabris nervously accepting the role. Cautiously unlocking the kennel, the dog made no move to try and stop her, only meeting her gaze with sleepy black eyes.

"Shhh, it's okay," she whispered, brushing her hand over his head, gently strapping the muzzle over his snout. "You're gonna be good again."

"Let's get back to Duncan," August took a deep breath, fingers running over a faint slit in his left eyebrow. "We have a Ritual to get over with."

"Come back tomorrow after the battle," the trainer nodded with a smile. "I'm sure he'll be glad to have you visit."

Tabris nodded. "Yeah- I think I will."

The room they were herded into was dark, made completely of stone, as opposed to the rest of the compound's cold metal walls. The floor was old tile of different colors, forming a spiral originating from the center, dizzying in the low light.

"I just don't understand why they have to keep it this deep dark secret," Jory grumbled, leaning back against a wall, remaining in the light from the open door. A small round table stood in the center, of the spiral, a chalice larger and older than Tabris had seen before standing atop.

"Maybe that's why they don't tell people," Daveth said. "If people knew, maybe they wouldn't want to join, and they're desperate."

"I mean, if no one stops the Blight, we're all gonna die anyway," Tabris shrugged, sitting on the floor and fiddling with the ring hanging from her neck.

"Look, all I know is that my wife is back in Highever with a child on the way," Jory went on. "I refuse to die before anything has even begun."

"If it's in pursuit of the greater good, I'd be willing to risk death," Daveth narrowed his eyes. "You risked your life fighting darkspawn earlier."

"Yeah, but I could defend myself."

"Poorly, might I add," August mumbled under his breath, leaning against the doorframe, picking at the dirt under his fingernails. "Look, don't act all high and mighty. We're all here for some ulterior motive, not 'the greater good'."

Tabris scowled. "Don't be such a pessimist."

"What, you're saying if it were between dying and saving humanity, you'd die?"

"Well, yeah."

August scoffed. "Sorry if I find that hard to believe. We both know how well humanity's treated both of us."