Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 16

Chapter 16 - Monsters in the Dark

 Ayu stretched her limbs and rolled onto her back. Groaning, she opened her eyes slowly. Soft blue light filtered in through her long lashes. She threw her arm over her eyes as her body reawakened to her surroundings. Sighing, Ayu pushed herself up from the stone of the floor. Her body ached. Memories of the night before flashed before her eyes and she clutched a fist to her chest. Her heart felt heavy, but she refused to cry. They needed to find Branka and she couldn't do that if she was preoccupied with her breaking heart.

 She angrily wiped a few tears from her eyes and pushed the loose curls of her hair away from her face. She moved over to the edge of the pool, kneeling over the water's surface. Cupping her hands together under the cool water, the Warden splashed it against her face, and ran her fingers through her hair. Drawing two more handfuls to her reddened face, Ayu blew out her breath sending water droplets flying from her lips.

 Leaning forward, Ayu placed her palms on her knees and started at her reflection for a moment. Not finding the answers she sought, the elf slapped the water in ire, the waves rippling out from under her hand. She watched the ripples fan out over the surface and slowly subside.

It will be alright . . Do not be afraid . .

“Shut up Mythal.” Ayu glowered aloud in her little cave. “I do not wish to hear your assurances.” The voice inside her skull fell silent.

 She stood, brushing the dust and dirt from her breeches. She quickly brushed her fingers through her hair, untangling the knots as she went along. She deftly braided her hair on either side of her crown, her nimble fingers making quick work of the Orlesian-style braids. Tying both ends with leather strips that she had tucked into her belt, Ayu left the cave and entered the camp.

Most of the others were awake and Wynne was cooking breakfast when she emerged from the pathway. Ayu said not a word, walking immediately to her pack and kneeling in front of it. The Warden looped each braid into a circle at the nape of her neck, using pins from her pack to hold them in place. Once she was finished, Ayu returned to the fire and sat beside Leliana.

 “Ooh, I love how your hair looks that way!” Leliana cooed, gently touching one of the buns. “I have seen many noble women in Orlais sporting such a style.”

 Ayu smiled at her friend. “Really? I saw one of the ladies in the tavern wearing her hair this way, and I thought I would try it. She must have seen it from somewhere too.” Ayu self-consciously touched her hair. “I wasn't sure how it would turn out. Besides, it's getting hotter down here and I wanted my hair out of the way.”

 “It looks marvelous.” Leliana beamed. “It is very becoming on you.”

 Ayu smiled, honestly blushing at Leliana's praise and took the bowl that Wynne offered her.

The party finished their meal, quickly cleaning up and gathering their gear. They still had quite a distance to cover before they would reach Ortan Thiag. Ayu slung her pack over her shoulders and grasped her bow in one hand. The others fell in behind her as she moved forward along the pathway away from the camp. Leliana chattered along as they traveled, filling the silence.

 The highway was open, rock only chocking small sections at a time, forcing the party into a single line. When the path was clear, they walked three abreast, keeping an eye out for enemies. Ayu's eyes scanned the road ahead, sweeping from side to side. This area of the highway was richly carved along the walls and the supporting columns. The Taint was seeping along the crevices between the ceiling stones and slowly oozing down the walls. Ayu stopped short, her eyes widening in alarm. Alistair walked smack into her. Ayu stumbled forward a step from the impact. He caught her arm and picked up on the sensation that she was feeling.