Time Of Reckoning

Chapter 3.

Each ten or fifteen steps, Shianni would moan and groan about her feet. And while Mel was just as uncomfortable, walking through the wilds in the middle of the night, she knew there was no point in complaining. She was used to heavy labor, and Shianni was too, just not outside the city or in the dark. Mel couldn't blame her for being this way, she was scared and shaken after everything she'd been through. That didn't stop her from grinding her teeth every time Shianni would whine though.

Mel could feel the wildlife staring at the two elves, and she kept the torch up high for them to see. Most animals were scared off by the sight of fire... But not bears.

A loud, low growl sounded out from behind the two. Mel must not have heard it sneak up on them with Shianni's constant bitching. While Shianni froze up in place, not daring to look behind her, Mel reacted quickly. Turning on her heels, free hand already on the handle of Fang, she shoved her cousin to the side and threw the torch at the bear's face. "CLIMB A TREE, I'LL HANDLE. THIS!" Mel roared over her shoulder as she used the distraction the torch provided to unsheathed both her daggers and get in to position.

The bear swiped down at the tiny elf, its claws managing to tear at the skirt of her dress. Mel moved swiftly, using the chance between the bear's attack to slice at it's eye with one dagger while punching it in the nose with the butt of the other.

Shianni was frozen, still incapable of following her cousin's commands. She stared in awestruck fear, watching her cousin dance around the apex predator like a hummingbird. Mel's movements were deliberate and elegant, she predicted the bear's attacks and reacted accordingly. It wasn't long before Mel had managed to slice at the bear's other eye, completely blinding it.

Before she could try and land a killing blow however, a resounding thwack! whizzed right past one of her hands and an arrow was planted in to the side of the bear's head. Mel stood back in surprise, her eyes darting in the direction the arrow had come from. The torch, still lit on the ground, was too dim for her to see whoever had shot that arrow. She weighed her options before slowly lifting her blades in the air. It was best to surrender now before the demands even came, to not show any aggression until she could at least see them.

"Wise choice."

Now all's Mel could hear was the sound of Shianni's ragged breathing and footsteps slowly coming closer. "C- Cousin..." Shianni whimpered lowly, hugging herself tightly. Mel shushed her over her shoulder, continuing to face the oncoming footsteps.

A tan elf with tribal tattoos on his face, bow drawn, stepped in to the light, amber eyes narrow and suspicious. He pointed the arrow directly at Mel's head, eying her daggers. "You sure seem to know how to use those. Put them down and I'll lower mine." He nodded affirmatively, staring her directly in the eyes.

Mel grunted, carefully setting her twin daggers on the ground in front her her, kicking them close to him. "Are you one of the Dalish?"

As he promised, the elf lowered his bow and pointed it at the ground. He raised a brow to her question, a small smirk playing on his lips. "And if I am?"

Mel's gaze did not waver and she held her eyes to his with a certain... Determination. "Then we need your help." She pulled down her hood, flicking her right ear. "I hear you take city elves on occasion."

"Flat ears don't come to join often, I take it all that dried blood is part of the reason. Are you bandits, trying to hide from the law?" His eyes were clear yet guarded, he let his suspicion be well known.

The blond shook her head. "I'm a wanted criminal in human lands now, but that doesn't mean much. My cousin here has done nothing though, if you cant take me, fine. But take her with you. It's no longer safe in the cities for her." Shianni's eyes widened and she pushed herself up on her knees, glaring at Mel. "No! We stick together! I'm not going anywhere without you."

Mel ignored her however, keeping her eyes locked on the Dalish's.

A few moments passed and the elf sighed, shaking his head as he placed his arrow back in its quiver. "The Keeper is going to have my head for being out so late..." He sheathed his bow and nodded to Mel, glancing at Shianni for the first time. "Grab your daggers, the camp is not far but there's likely to be more predators out at night."

~•~

Both Mel and Shianni sat next to the fire, listening to Paivel tell the story of the Dales. Mel had never heard it before this, and it seemed like everyone here was very well versed in the tale. She couldn't really blame them, after everything she'd witnessed, today alone.

Pol, Theodore's brother, sat on Mel's left. The redhead was from Denerim, like Mel and Shianni. He seemed almost entranced, she had heard him talk about joining the Dalish since they were little. And while this place was much better than the alienage, she couldn't quite understand the reverence that all these elves seemed to have for the past. The Keeper didnt seem nearly as obsessed as the other clansmen here, she seemed to care more about keeping her people alive.

Mel had to admit though, Paivel did have a better storytelling voice than Valendrian. That old bastard needed to drink some damn water.

She looked across the fire at Tamlen, the elf that had found her and her cousin out in the woods. He stared right at her, studying her. So she studied right back, making no secret of it either. Crossing her arms over her chest, she smirked. He was rather cute, she had to admit. Well tanned, dirty blond hair, mischievous amber eyes...

A smirk slowly grew across his face as she stared back at him, a challenging gleam in his eye. Oh, it was on.

With all the blood and gore washed off, Mel was definitely nothing to scoff at. Long, silky blond hair, tied up into a loose ponytail. Her eyes seemed to change color, from an almost crystalline silver to icy blue, depending on her mood and what she was wearing. Tonight, they were silver, filled with both apprehension and cautious hope.

Tamlen seemed to like what he saw, at least. So long as he didn't expect her to proclaim her undying love, this could be fun. Mel was never one for deep bonds. Short and sweet, nothing deeper than the skin. It was easier that way, to stay unattached, unbound. That was her way. Hopefully that wouldn't interfere with her joining the Dalish.

Shianni nudged her cousin playfully, wiggling her brows and whispering in her ear. "So Nelros isn't good enough but HE is?"

Mel rolled her eyes, giving her cousin a light shove. Tamlen grinned and dragged his attention back to Paivel, not wanting to seem too distracted. The other elves didn't seem to notice though, and if they did, they didn't show it. Maybe this really was the best place for both her and Shianni. Surrounded by people who were just as obsessed with freedom as she was.

At least the scenery wasn't so bad.