Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – A Night at Tapster's

“Ayu!” Wynne cried. She shook the elf gently by the shoulders. The woman on the bed did not stir. “No, this cannot be!”

“Wynne, please. Do something!” Alistair pleaded. “She can't be gone . .”

“I do not know what to do!” she responded in panic.

“Heal her!” Alistair cried back. “You have to do something!”

“I can't heal the dead, Alistair!”

“You have to try Wynne!”

Wynne slapped the tears from her eyes and attempted to compose herself. She channeled her mana into both her hands. The pulsing blue light shone in the tears lingering on the woman's cheeks. Wynne poured as much strength into the spell as she could muster. The light eventually faded from her hands and she stood up straight beside Ayu's bed.

The pair waited with baited breath, staring at the still form of the elf on the bed.

After what felt like an eternity, Ayu's eyes fluttered open.

“Zevran?” she croaked, looking groggily around her. “Where did he go?”

“Ayu! Thank the Maker!” Wynne collapsed on the Warden. “Zevran . . I thought he'd . . You're alive!”

Ayu looked around, confused, as Wynne cried into her hair. “What happened? Where's Zev?”

“I saw him run from the mansion.” Leliana entered the room, “What did I miss?”

Wynne steadied herself and cleared her throat. “Well, after I left you and . . Schmooples, I came back here and Zevran was giving something to Ayu. I pushed him away and he ran off. Ayu, you stopped breathing. I thought you were dead!” Wynne clasped the elf's hands in hers.

“I am glad that you are alright. I would be very cross if something happened to you.” Leliana spoke with fervor. “He will come back.” she added softly. Ayu looked sadder than Leliana had ever seen her. She really hoped that Zevran did return.

Ayu wriggled uncomfortably on the bed.

“What is it Ayu?” Wynne asked.

“I do not know. My stomach feels . . odd.” Ayu pushed her blanket off of her, and sat up on her pillows.

“Let me see.” Wynne gently removed Ayu's bandages and examined her wounds.

A thick green ooze was working its way out of Ayu's body. Wynne was quick with a cloth to clean the wounds until they stopped weeping. Wynne channeled her mana into her hands again and touched Ayu with a healing spell. Her wounds sealed shut, leaving only angry, pink scars behind.

“He was right. She was poisoned.” Wynne whispered, more to herself than to anyone else. “Why didn't I see it?”

Ayu sighed in relief, the colour returning to her cheeks. “I feel so much better.”

Leliana leaned over and hugged the Warden. “Do you feel up to leaving the mansion? Tapster's has a group of minstrels playing there tonight. We could have dinner and listen to them play.” she offered.

“I don't know if she should be -” Wynne started.

“I'd love to go, Leliana. I need to see something other than this room for awhile.” Ayu slowly pushed herself up and off the bed. She stretched tentatively, but her wounds remained closed. “Ahh, so much better. I'd hate to lose the rest of the evening laying in bed.”

Leliana clasped her hand in Ayu's and she pulled her over to the vanity. “Let's get you cleaned up then!”

Wynne sighed and left the room, knowing Leliana would not be deterred from her goal. Leliana, meanwhile, picked up Ayu's brush and began to untangle the elf's hair.