Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Battle for Ostagar

Ayu slowly opened her eyes. She was wrapped up in her cloak, her head laying on her pack for a pillow. She started to stretch within her confines, but winced in pain as her body protested the movement. She lay quietly for a few minutes. The central fire was behind her and she could feel the pressure of another body sitting against her lower back. As she adjusted to her surroundings she could hear two men talking. Listening for a moment, she determined the voices belonged to Duncan and Alistair. She laid still, hoping that neither man knew she was awake.

“So she's part of a prophecy? That's what you're telling me?” Alistair asked, disbelief in his voice.

“That is what I'm telling you, Alistair. Ayu, though I didn't know it myself, is the Phoenix Child. I now understand what the leader of her clan, Marethari, meant when she said Ayu was special.” Duncan muttered to himself a moment and then began again. “Once an Age, or sometimes longer, the spirit of the Phoenix chooses a child to inhabit. This child is prophesied to have great power to either save or to destroy.

Legend states that Phoenix is one of the Old Gods who has been tasked with saving life in Thedas when it is in peril. At the end of the last Age, a prophecy was discovered. It told a story of the Phoenix Child being born to the Wilds of Thedas in the coming Age, who would rise to great power and save the lives in our world from the brink of darkness. Ayu, I believe, is that child. Phoenix has chosen her, probably from even before birth, to be her vessel. Phoenix cannot inhabit this world without a body and infuses her spirit and power into a suitable person. The host is always marked with the symbol of the Phoenix. With the Blight upon us I fear that is the 'darkness' that the prophecy told of.”

Ayu felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder.

“Well that explains how she could pick up the Darkspawn in the Korcari Wilds.” Alistair said quietly. “She has same extra help in there. Do you know what's going to happen to her, now that she's a Warden and all?” Alistair removed his hand from Ayu shoulder and began playing with his mug of cider again.

“I don't honestly know. The person to answer that question is locked deep in Ayu's body. I'm afraid I don't know anymore of the legend than what I have already told you. I'm not even sure if Ayu knows about this presence herself. I am even more uncertain about this battle tomorrow . . .especially with the Chosen laying right behind us. Is she still sleeping? I'd hate to move her while she sleeps.”

Alistair leaned over and looked at Ayu's peaceful face. She felt his weight increase across her back as he did so.

“It looks like she's sleeping peacefully now. You go to bed Duncan. I'll stay here with her tonight. I saw how some of the men were looking at her and I won't risk leaving her alone.”

“Alright then Alistair. Good night.”

Duncan stood up and left to go to his tent leaving Alistair and Ayu around the fire. Alistair moved so he was sitting by her head and settled himself against one of the half fallen pillars surrounding them. Alistair looked at her for a moment and content that she was warm and at least slightly comfortable, he drifted off to sleep.