Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Circle of Magi

Ayu remained still until the echo of the closing doors quieted. She quickly knelt down, pulling off her cloak. Ayu wrapped the cloak around her quiver, securing it in place. Standing up, she swung her quiver across her back and buckled it in place.

“Didn't want to destroy my arrows.” Ayu said with a chuckle, her ponytail slipping off her shoulder. Becoming serious again she looked at each of her comrades. “We're going to take this slowly and carefully. I don't want us rushing into anything. Keep a sharp eye out in case there are traps and I want us all to pay attention to any sounds of the enemy. We have to free the mages in order to release Connor from his possession. Let's go.”

Ayu started down the curving hallway, her bow at the ready. Alistair walked beside her on one side, Zevran on her other. Morrigan walked behind the three, her staff in her hands.

As Ayu slowly rounded the bend in the hallway, a demon was standing near the doorway to the central room of the tower. It had not yet seen or heard her. She silently motioned for the party to stop. Alistair stopped just behind her and Morrigan behind him. Zevran slipped in beside Ayu and peered over her shoulder. His shoulder length hair brushed against her skin as he did so. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but kept her attention on the creature on front of them. Ayu pulled her bow up and drew back the string. She felt Zevran brush passed her as he moved up to hide behind a statue in the hall. He nodded at her once he was in place and Ayu released the arrow. It struck the demon and roaring in surprise, it charged down the hall toward the party. Once the creature had moved passed Zevran, he stepped out into the hall and stabbed the monster in the back. It roared once more and collapsed into dust onto the floor.

“We make a great team, you and I.” Zevran said winking at Ayu. He sauntered up to her sheathing his daggers.

Ayu blushed slightly, but tried to hide it by looking down at the dust at her feet. She touched the pile with the toe of her boot and smeared it around a little.

“If they all disintegrate like this, clean up will be a snap.” she tried to sound casual and not flustered. Clearing her throat, she looked up and started to head to the door. Zevran watched her walk by appreciatively and the party followed her through the doorway.

The party could hear voices as they entered the central chamber and they cautiously moved forward. Ayu caught sight of a small group of mages clustered together. She called out to them and walked into the light surrounding the mages. The mages eyed the group warily at first, but at the sight of Ayu, an older woman calmed the others down.

“I am glad to see you child. I had so hoped you had survived Ostagar.” The woman stepped from the back of the group to stand before Ayu and her companions.

“Wynne! What are you doing here?” Ayu cried in surprise. “How did you get out of Ostagar?”

“I was called back to the tower just before the battle was set to begin.” Wynne chuckled. “I technically wasn't even there. When I started to hear rumors of two Wardens that had survived, I could only hope that you were one of them. Child, as happy as I am to see you, there is a part of me that wishes you hadn't come. You know the Templars won't let you leave this place.” Wynne reached out and touched Ayu's arm. “However, what's done is done. You are here and we do need your help.”