Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 20: The Hut in the Woods

The small cluster walked soberly behind Morrigan who lead them. She seemed to be humming a tune that sounded eerily similar to the song Solana had been hearing back in the ruins. "What are you humming?"

Morrigan, without looking back, giggled. "'Tis a tune my mother sometimes sings, though I know not why."

Silence fell over the group again. Solana didn't know how to respond as Morrigan picked up the tune where she had left off from. Alistair, from the back, guarded the rear. He watched the expression change on the elven woman's face ahead after exchanging words with the apostate. His fists tightened, and he found it quite hard not to dash up there and ask what had been said. What was wrong with him?

They pass some more lone columns until a small shack came into view ahead. As they approached, Solana saw ahead an Andraste statue within the ruins. She pondered why such a thing was so close by, unless that meant the ruins are not as old as once thought. She wondered what Ostagar was really for, back in the day, other than for what Kip had told her. Solana's cheeks burned slightly at the remembrance of Kip.

The awkward fumble at his words, and the way his brown eyes softened whenever she spoke of home. The way his face lite up when she told a joke, and the way he smiled at her... She felt her heart jump a beat. It was quickly replaced with the image of Nelaros, however, and guilt again ate at her. Would she be plagued by his death for eternity? Solana frowned at the thought.

An elderly shemlen woman stood outside the hut leaning against the home. She was observing the road, as if expecting the group. Solana felt immediately drawn to her. It was as if she was coming home, but didn't understand what that home was. This elderly woman, also, had the features of an elf, but there seemed to be no real indication of her being a half-blood. Just like Morrigan, she was too human to be a half-blood. Solana was again finding it hard that a person could be elven, yet not entirely be so. Was it in the blood, perhaps? Maybe characteristic of the family's heritage?

"Greetings, Mother." Morrigan walked towards her mother as the rest of them stayed a small distance. "I bring before you four Grey Wardens who—"

"I see them, girl." The woman made no real facial expression and only nodded. It was only when Solana was eyeing her up and down did she smile. "Hmm. Much as I expected."

Solana stopped and met the woman's yellow eyes. She held them in a viscous stare that Solana was unable to resist. It almost felt like Morrigan's mother could read Solana's whole life just by one look. She had to peel herself away. Old scars began to feel as though they would surface if she did not look away, ones she dares not remember.

"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair did not like the way Solana went suddenly pale. Was this beginning to become too stressful for her? He walked over to her side and shot a glare at the woman. She only huffed and shrugged.

"You are required to do nothing, lest of all believe." Morrigan's mother waved him away. "Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide... Either way, one's a fool!"

"She's a Witch, I tell you," Daveth whispered to Ser Jory. He looked more determined now than before. "We shouldn't be talking to her."

"Quiet, Daveth," Ser Jory scolded. He didn't want the small man scaring Solana or him for that matter. "If she's really a witch, do you want to make her mad?"

Morrigan's mother smiled and her head dropped slightly. "There is a smart lad. Sadly, irrelevant," She remarked, "to the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will."