A Lost Faith

Chapter One: Darktown

The elevator came to an uncomforting stop, eyes scanning the darkened room quietly. An elven woman looked around peacefully, eyes blazing with curiosity. So this is where Anders had escaped to. She walked towards a set of stairs and paused to listen closely, sensing any presence other than her own. Her hands clenched into fists as her gaze fell over her shoulder, looking back towards the lift as it ascended upwards. She began descending the stairs, feeling the cool breeze against her face and neck as she rounded left towards a skinner staircase. She stopped and looked up at the lit lanterns, glowing hauntingly back at her. Their eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips together. She went up the stairs and carefully pushed the doors open, her armor glistening silvery white in the candlelight. Eyes locking into one another entranced for a moment. She watched his magic dim before he stepped away from the patient, hesitantly approaching her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking her up and down. The reflection of her warden armor on her face made her stunning; he had always thought so. He swallowed thickly, waiting with bated breath for her answer. I missed you. He had restlessly hoped she would have said.

"Why did you leave Vigils Keep after the battle?" Her words pierced his stomach and he opened his mouth to answer, unable to form the words he needed to.

"You wouldn't understand." He answered anxiously, stepping back from her a few steps. She remained elegantly in her place, lips pursed and a knowing scowl appearing. Maker did he hate it when she looked at him like that. Disappointed. He lowered his gaze and swallowed his pride. "I couldn't handle the responsibility of having to protect the world. But I was more afraid you would send me back to the circle when you didn't need me."

"We always needed you, Anders. A Grey Warden doesn't just leave the ranks. We don't give our mages away. Do you think I would be here if that was the case? I never would have met you." Her eyes softened and he watched her eyes nervously, stepping towards her until they were less than a foot apart. "King Alistair would have gotten rid of me almost immediately after the blight."

"That's different. He liked you. But I'm just some mage."

"A mage that I recruited. Once you take the oath the only way out is death." Anders' eyes widened as he shook his head.

"You're not here to..." He trailed off, watching her unchanging face as she shook her head.

"If I was here to kill you, then it would already be done." Her hands folded over her chest, the glint blinding the mage. "And I'm not. I didn't even come here for you."

"Then why are you here?" Anders asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I just wanted to find you. Figure out why you left. That's all." She turned her gaze away and pursed her lips when the doors opened behind her. A young woman stepped forward, holding her arm anxiously. She saw the Warden and stared in awe at her, unable to tear her eyes away. She watched her in return, reaching out and tenderly touching the woman's bicep. A bluish glow emitted from her hand and in a short time, the woman released her arm and looked at it with shock. 

"Maker! Thank you." She looked at Anders, smiling as she retreated out of the room.

She looked back and Anders and frowned. Anders felt his stomach churn at her frown, as it was the only face she had usually made when he knew her. How badly he wished he could get to know the elven woman from what was underneath that pain and trauma. "Where will you go after this? Do you have somewhere to stay? Will you return to Ferelden?"

"I don't have anywhere left to go, Anders." She answered, looking back at him quietly. "The only family I have left is either here in Kirkwall, or in the circle in Ferelden. I have nothing to go back there to. Only my father. And I have not seen him in years." She looked lost momentarily as if caught in a trance. Anders reached out and touched her arm to catch her gaze. She looked back at him and cleared her throat. "One of my contacts got in contact with a member of my family here and I plan to meet him sometime tomorrow. It has been a long time now. I doubt he even knows who I am."