Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Ostagar

 Duncan had left his horse bound to a tree just off the road that they'd need to take to reach Ostagar. The density of the forest and the tangle of roots and hanging moss prevented the large animal from traveling any further to the camp. Duncan was worried about how weak Ayu still was, but she didn't complain and kept moving through the forest with the ease of someone who has been in the forest all their life. Within the half hour they arrived at Duncan's large brown horse. It looked up at them with large brown eyes and whickered softly to them as they approached.

“This is Ajax, Ayu. He will be taking us to Ostagar.” Duncan motioned with one hand toward the animal. “He'll be able to carry the both of us most of the way, if not all. You are quite light as it is and your armor doesn't add any more bulk to you.” Duncan eyed her armor obviously this time and Ayu noticed.

“My armor is custom made for me and my . . . abilities,” she chose her words carefully.

“How much does he know? What has the Keeper told him?” She thought as she moved toward Ajax, Duncan following behind her. “I am extremely proficient with the bow. One of the best in my clan in fact. But I prefer not to be weighed down by clunky armor. I move quicker and quieter that way.”

Duncan paused a moment and realized that the only sounds he heard beyond the ambient forest noises were his own footsteps and Ajax's excited pawing. Ayu was so silent that if he wasn't looking right at her he wouldn't have known she was there.

“Remarkable,” he thought to himself, “absolutely remarkable.”

Ayu was now within Ajax's reach and he was attempting to stick his nose against the skin of her neck. She laughed quietly to herself and allowed Ajax to greet her. Duncan tied their bags onto the saddle and untied the animal. Looking at Ayu, Duncan could see that she was barely keeping her feet and she was leaning heavily on Ajax.

“Here.” Duncan said “Let me help you up”

Ayu looked at him wearily and nodded slowly. She gathered her cloak up to get it out of the way and gripped the saddle. Duncan motioned for her to raise a foot off the ground and she complied. Grabbing her lifted leg, he hoisted her up into the saddle. Ajax whinnied in impatience. Moments after Ayu was settled, Duncan pulled himself into the saddle behind her. Picking up the reins, Duncan steered Ajax out of the remainder of the forest and onto the road.

They rode in silence for a time before Duncan noticed that Ayu was falling asleep. He gently woke her enough that he could turn her so she sat sideways in his lap as they rode. She pulled her hood up on her cloak and rested her head against Duncan's armored chest. Within moments, Duncan noticed she was asleep.

The afternoon waned into evening and Ajax kept his steady pace. Duncan was on the alert for any potential bandits, or worse Darkspawn, but he was relieved to find that the darkness descended without incident. They rode through the night toward Ostagar and the gates were in sight by the early morning light. It was then that Ayu woke.

“We're nearly there Ayu. Look you can see the gates up ahead. That's Ostagar.”