The Dalish Commander (The Daughters of Thedas Book 2)

34: Sigrun's Past

As we were heading out of the city and listening to another round of Anders and Oghren's insult game, a red-haired dwarf bumped into Sigrun.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I —," The Dwarf paused and then narrowed her eyes at Sigrun. "Why you ungrateful, backstabbing duster!"

I assumed that she'd seen Sigrun's brand. "Hey, you bumped into her," I said. Seemed old grudges didn't die when Dwarves went to the surface.

"Commander, that's not what she'd mad about." I saw shame on the Legionnaire's face. "But—"

The Dwarf's glare turned on me. "The name's Mischa. I was a merchant until she ruined me. I had her running errands. Trying to keep one duster out of trouble. I thought I was doing a good deed." She looked at Sigrun. "Then I hear House Bemot's lost a gold statuette of their Paragon. Next day, it turns up in my shop." I knew about Sigrun's childhood as a casteless in Dust Town.

"Sigrun?"

The younger Dwarf hung her head. "I... I tried to say no but Beraht said he'd kill you if I refused! He needed to get rid of it!"

"The carta leader before Jarvia?"

Sigrun nodded. I hadn't known that she'd been forced to work for the carta. From what I'd heard from Behlen's mistress, Rica, he was ruthless. He and Jarvia forced every casteless to work for him in some way, either as a noble hunter or as a thug. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Sigrun had been trying to stay out of trouble but Beraht seemed to have wanted to control every part of her life.

"House Bemot could have had me executed! You could've spoken up, told them the truth!"

"And then Beraht would have killed me!"

Rica's brother was his last victim. The young Dwarf was the one that killed Beraht to protect his sister, who was with child at the time. He didn't survive the ordeal. Then I came along and killed his successor.

"I trust Sigrun, Mischa."

Sigrun gave me a grateful look.

"I trusted her, too!" Mischa snorted. "I have to deliver these skins to the tanner. Need to make a living somehow. Out of my way, brand." Mischa stalked off. Sigrun looked hurt.

I opened my mouth to say something to her, only to have her cut me off. "It's in the past. We should move on, Commander." She didn't say another word on the journey back to Vigil's Keep.

~~~

Sigrun went off by herself and the others scattered to do whatever they do best. Save Justice.

"Justice?"

"I've been thinking of Aura, the mortal woman who was wife to Kristoff. I continue to envy their love. But envy is what a demon feels, a desire for something it cannot have."

"You aren't taking it from them," I reassured him. "There's a difference."

Justice was obviously worried he would become a demon. He thought a moment. "I... think I understand. You coexist with both great darkness and great beauty. It must be confusing." I really had no idea if he was referring to our world or me. "Yet now I find myself wishing to be more. It is... enlightening. Thank you for bringing me into this world." Even though I technically wasn't the one who did.

"Thank you for remaining at my side."

"Which I shall continue to do, if you allow it. You have proven yourself a friend, Commander of the Grey. An example of all that is worthy in the mortal world. I am proud of what we will accomplish together."