Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 16: Mourning Mabari

"You!" A man suddenly grabbed Solana's arm as the two passed the medical wing on the way to Duncan's tent. She had to hold back a sudden shriek. The nurse nearby scrambled over and Alistair had to pull the man from Solana's arm. His eyes were wild with fear!

"You need to convince them! We've got to run! The darkspawn are coming!" Solana had never seen a man so twisted in appearance. His eyes were glazed over, as if the man was going blind. His skin was covered in purple veins that moved when he did from under the skin; his mouth had dried sores all over his lips, some were even bleeding. The smell of him was that of rotten meat, and Solana had to keep herself from gagging. The very sight of him was atrocious and ghastly!

She jumped when he shot up from where he lay again. "You have to warn them! The darkspawn are on their way!"

Solana felt something tingle up and down her back. She didn't know what it was. Was it a sixth sense? Maybe the Maker telling her to listen? "Why... Why do you say that?"

The man's eyes drooped and he let out several whines. "I saw them! We're going to die!"

The nurse cleared her throat and came close. "I apologize, Warden. Jason's been like this ever since they found him in the Wilds."

"Is it possible that he has important information?"

The nurse shook her head at Solana's question. "The commander who brought him here didn't seem to think so."

The man coughed loudly, spitting up blood. He reached out and grabbed hold of Alistair's chest plate. Alistair attempted to pull him off. "You... You can feel it, can't you? They taint the land, turn it black and sick. You can feel it inside!"

Alistair tore the man away, stumbling back with a ragged breath. Jason pointed a crooked finger at Solana. "They'll come out of the forest and spread! Like caterpillars covering a tree, they'll swallow us whole!"

Alistair pulled Solana away from the man who still yet called out to them in sobbing wails. He couldn't believe what that man had said. It must have been the taint inside of him. The darkspawn blood that was killing Jason was causing him to have similar powers to that of a Grey Warden. He looked down at Solana who appeared shaken.

"Hey now," he assured. "Don't let what he said bother you. The sick guys do that sometimes."

"Something about what he said," Solana said with seriousness, "was true. I believe him. Something is telling me this battle won't go over well..."

"Nonsense! That guy just has you spooked is all, girl." Alistair grinned. "Besides, I'm here to protect you. A Grey Warden to ride in to save the day!"

Solana rolled her eyes and smiled. However, a nagging feeling still bothered her about Jason. Ugh, she didn't have time for silly second hand feelings! She had things to get done. She glanced over at Alistair who didn't seem to be even thinking about the man from before. Maybe he was right, maybe it was just whatever was making the man sick.

Their walk took them through the Ash warriors campsite towards the east of the king's camp. The Ash warriors was something Solana had only heard in stories. A brave -aggressive- legion of men who are more bite than bark. They trained mabari war hounds like they were soldiers. They lived with their companions, trained with them, and even ate with them. They carried on the traditions of Battle-Rage learned from the dwarves by the first ash warrior Luthias the Dwarfson. They are a hearty band of men, well-loved in Ferelden for their courage and bravery.

"Oh... This isn't good..."

"That guy looks... Troubled," Alistair said slowly as he stopped and pointed over at a man pacing by the kennels where the Ash warriors were holding their hounds for battle. The two Wardens exchanged a look before walking over. He barely even seemed to notice them there as he looked over the wood railing.

"I hate to throw away such a promising member of the breed..."

"Excuse us," Solana began. "Are you alright?"

The man turned and blinked a few times before he seems to register her. "Are you the new Warden? I could use some help."

It didn't take him long to sober up, Solana highlighted. Her blue eyes glanced side to side. "What's the problem?"

"This is a mabari," he gestured behind the fence. Alistair and Solana leaned over and saw one heaving great breaths, pacing as the Kennel master was before. "Smart breed, and strong. His owner died in the last battle, and the poor hound swallowed darkspawn blood. I have medicine that might help, but I need him muzzled first."

He gave Solana the eyes, puppy eyes if you will. She gave a nervous smile and chuckle. "A-Alistiar? Maybe you can help him?"

The Warden shook his head slowly and held up a hand. "Nope," he said firmly, "Dogs and I don't get along. You do it, if you're so eager. Leave me out of it."

"Fine then," Solana huffed. She snatched the muzzle from the Kennel master's happy hands. "I'll do it!"

She entered the fence, spectators of the two men behind her watching. The dog was in front of her. "Here boy... Don't be scared. It's going to be okay..."

The dog was hunched back, hair standing and he was growling. The two of them locked eyes. Solana swallowed a sudden lump in her chest. "Let him smell you," the Kennel master spoke. "I hope this works. I hate to put him down."

The dog looks up at Solana as she gets closer. She cooed at him, holding eye contact that she knew was surely telling him who was boss here. The look of respect crossed his deep set brown eyes, and he backed down from his aggressive stance. She could see the intelligence in his eyes, as well as a great deal of pain. This animal is very sick.

With a swift motion, she threw on the muzzle. The mabari growls weakly, but does not challenge her. After she was done, he whimpered plaintively.

The sound touched Solana's heart strings and she patted the poor dogs head, "Shh, now. It's okay to mourn, but you need to hold on. Your strong, and very brave. I'm sure your owner would want you to live in spite of them being gone. To be the brave hound that you are, and will be."

The mabari's eyes were filled with sorrow, and regret. Solana gave a few more pats and left the pen. She was dusting herself off when the Kennel master whistled. "Well done! Now I can treat the dog properly--Poor fella. Come to think of it, are you heading into the Wilds any time soon?"

"I might be," Solana stated. "Why?"

The Kennel master began his pacing. "There's a particular herb I could use to improve the dog's chances. It's a flower that grows in the swamps here, if I remember. If you happen across it, I could use it. It's very distinctive: all white with a blood-red center."

Solana assured she would keep an eye out for it. As they walked away Alistair narrowed his eyes. "How do you even know we are going into the Wilds, and are you going to remember such a simple thing as a flower?"

Solana gave a sly smile. "I won't, but you will!"