Dragon Age: The Silences Song

Chapter 7

"You know, I don't even remember the alienage," La'el said, struggling to control her horse as it trotted beside Elizabeth. "I was only about five when they discovered my abilities and dragged me off to the Circle."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Elizabeth replied, her voice filled with sympathy.

La'el shrugged, dismissing the past. "No matter. I think I got off easier than most. The Templars were kind to me—better than what I've heard happens in the alienage."
Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment, a sharp sting of pain blossoming in her heart. "You have no idea," she whispered, the weight of her experiences pressing down on her.
"Have you ever been?" La'el asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, often," Elizabeth said, a smile breaking through as she recalled fond memories. "I lived in Denerim for a time. I would often sneak away to visit the elves; they became my good friends."

"You lived in Denerim?" Cullen's curiosity got the best of him as he rode ahead of the two women, glancing back over his shoulder.

"For some time." Elizabeth felt a sense of triumph as Cullen acknowledged her words. "Before that, I was in the Anderfels. It wasn't the nicest place to live, but I think I made a significant difference there."

"Wow," La'el said, hanging on Elizabeth's words. "Seems like you've traveled a lot."

"I have been around," Elizabeth replied with a smile.

"Where do you originally come from? I can't seem to place your accent," Cullen asked.

Elizabeth's smile faltered, a flicker of tension crossing her features. "That is a story for another day."

A silence fell over them once more, thick with unspoken thoughts and lingering questions.

Elizabeth strained her ears, picking up a faint sound of shuffling in the bushes nearby. "What's that?" Her head whipped in the direction of the noise.
Cullen immediately came to a halt, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. La'el, too, tensed, readying her staff, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of movement.

"Stay alert," Cullen instructed, his voice low and steady.

Without waiting for an invitation, a giant gray wolf leaped out from the bushes, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its thick fur. Two more wolves followed closely behind, their eyes glinting with a predatory gleam as they emerged from the underbrush, growls rumbling deep in their throats.

Cullen's stance shifted, protective instincts surging through him as he drew his sword. "Stay back!" he commanded.

La'el raised her staff, determination etched across her face. "I can distract them!" she shouted, her eyes locked on the approaching wolves.

With a swift incantation, La'el unleashed a bolt of fire from her staff, the flame sizzling through the air before igniting a nearby bush in a brilliant blaze. The wolves paused, momentarily entranced by the flickering flames, their heads tilting in confusion.

"Not the brightest move!" Cullen shouted. "Now we have to fight wolves and escape fire!"

In an instant, he leaped from his horse, sword gripped tightly in his hand, circling the snarling beasts with practiced agility. Elizabeth followed suit, her heart pounding in her chest. She pulled two daggers from her boots. Adopting a defensive stance, she prepared to engage.

The lead wolf, snapping back to reality, lunged toward Cullen, jaws wide open, teeth bared. With a swift movement, he sidestepped the attack, bringing his sword down in a sharp arc that met the wolf's side with a satisfying thud. The creature yelped in pain but recovered quickly, spinning to face him again, its eyes narrowed in fury.

"Keep moving!" Cullen shouted, dodging another strike. He felt the rush of wind as the second wolf barreled toward him. He barely managed to parry its attack, feeling the impact reverberate through his arm.

Meanwhile, La'el gathered her focus, calling upon her magic once more. "Get ready!" she yelled, channeling energy into another spell. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of shimmering light toward the second wolf, temporarily blinding it. The creature staggered back, disoriented and snarling, giving Cullen a crucial opening.
"Now, Elizabeth!" he shouted, glancing over his shoulder.

Elizabeth sprang into action, sprinting toward the distracted wolf. With a precise motion, she thrust one dagger into the wolf's flank, twisting the blade as it howled in agony. The other dagger followed swiftly, slicing across its throat, silencing the beast as it collapsed in a heap.

The first wolf, enraged and wounded, charged at Elizabeth, but Cullen was ready. He intercepted the beast, slashing downward with his sword. The blade met its target, cleaving through fur.

Cullen did not see the second beast lurking at the edge of the fray. In a sudden flash, the wolf lunged, teeth sinking deep into his arm. Pain exploded through him as he screamed in agony, the sharpness of its bite sending waves of shock coursing through his body. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest, intensifying the chaos around him.

"Cullen!" Elizabeth shouted, her heart racing as she rushed forward without hesitation. With a fierce determination, she plunged her dagger into the wolf's side, driving it deep. The creature yelped in surprise and released Cullen's arm, staggering back with a whimper, blood pooling beneath it.

"Hold on!" La'el cried, her voice urgent as she stepped closer, staff glowing with a soft, ethereal light. She could feel the pulse of magic thrumming through her as she gathered her energy, focusing on Cullen's wound. "This will help!"

With a graceful sweep of her staff, she called upon the Fade and released a wave of healing magic that enveloped Cullen's injured arm. A warm light cascaded over the wound, knitting flesh and sinew together. Cullen felt a soothing sensation wash over him, the sharp sting of pain dulled by the magic's embrace. The bleeding slowed, and though he still felt weak, the worst of the agony began to ebb.

The remaining wolf weighed its options, recognizing it had been outnumbered. With a final, furious snarl, it turned on its heels and bolted back into the underbrush, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

As the flames from La'el's earlier spell began to lick higher into the air, consuming the brush and sending embers spiraling into the sky, La'el's eyes widened in alarm. "We better get out of here!" she shouted, urgency flooding her voice.

With adrenaline still coursing through their veins, the three of them sprinted back toward their horses. They mounted quickly, spurring their steeds into action.

After a while of riding, Cullen glanced over his shoulder, ensuring the fire was not pursuing them. Sensing they were nearing safety, he slowed his horse, bringing it to a halt. He spun around to face the women. "What in the Maker was that?!" he shouted, his voice rising above the sound of hooves and crackling fire.

"Cullen—" Elizabeth began, attempting to soothe him, but he cut her off.

"And you!" he snapped, pointing at Elizabeth, his tone sharp. "Who the hell are you?"

"I told you I could handle myself! Now would you calm down?" she shot back.

Cullen groaned in frustration, rubbing the back of his neck as he fought to reign in his temper. "We need to move forward"

"Then lead the way," Elizabeth said, trying to subdue her own temper.

Cullen took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. "Come on," he ordered, turning back toward the path ahead. The women silently followed, each of them lost in their own thoughts..