Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 19: Witch of the Wilds

Solana and the band of merry men had been walking for ten minutes with no real threat. Then there it was, the music had once again returned. "Do you guys hear that," she finally asked.

"Hear what," Daveth asked as he flicked a bug from his shoulder.

"That music," Solana paused to listen to the faint, but hypnotizing song. "It was being sung each time we got into trouble. It... Sounds almost sad."

Alistair watched the expression change on Solana's face. She appeared to be dazed, and she grew pale. The music she speaks of was not being heard by any of the them, and Alistair pondered what it could mean? Could she be sensing the darkspawn with the taint? The feeling she described was similar, but that is impossible. Solana wasn't even a Grey Warden yet, she had nothing inside of her to be sensing the darkspawn with... Could she?

"Are you alright?" Alistair finally asked, coming close as Solana seemed to grow still.

Solana shook her head. She had almost lost herself again. "Yes...Yeah, I'm fine," she said again with more authority. She was almost about to comment again when Ser Jory stopped walking and she collided with him.

Ahead was almost twenty darkspawn. One wore copper plated armor that shimmered like gold in the evening sunset. He wore a grin that showed more than just rottener meat, but teeth that were browning from rot, and a blood smeared face. He let out a blood curling roar from atop the hill where there lie ruins, and a statue of a large bird-like creature that Duncan wore on his chest plate.

"There has to be over twenty of them," Ser Jory exclaimed. "There's no way we can take all of them!"

Alistair came to Solana's side, his own weapon drawn. "We can do this. Together!"

Solana agreed. She raised her arm and pointed directly at the darkspawn who awaited. "He's mine!"

"No," Alistair commanded. "I will take him. You stay and help your fellow recruits. You all will be close as blood soon, time to test your metal as a team. Watch each other's back."

Solana watched him dash off. She wanted to call after him, but she kept her mouth shut. He was right. Daveth, Ser Jory, and Solana needed to hold the others back. They formed a tight circle with their backs facing each other. "Whatever happens," Solana said with might, "stay close to each other! They can't take us all at once."

"Yes Ma'am," Daveth twirled his daggers before gripping them tight. Ser Jory nodded and angled his sword ready. Together, their clash echoed through the Wilds. Solana wielded her sword more masterful than the men. Daveth took on the sturdier Genlocks. The taller Ser Jory took the brute force of the Hurlocks, as the majority of them came his way. Solana was just happy to be able to test her skills without the worry of whatever it was that was haunting her.

Alistair dealt his fair blows to the Hurlock Alpha before he finished the darkspwan with a finishing shield and sword combo. He rammed the Hurlock with his shield, sending the beast to the ground where Alistair could run his sword straight into the brain. When done he went to join the others, but found them already done. They stood breathless, and covered in a dark stain from the blood of the monsters.

"Good job."

Solana smiled. "All in a day's work, right?"

"Yeah," Alistair smiled. His eyes softened and he chuckled. "All in a day's work."

The two of them shared a smile before Ser Jory cleared his throat. "If you two are done, we have scrolls to get."

Alistair cleared his throat. "Of course, Mr. Knight! Come on, this should be the right place."