The Youth of the Dalish: A Dragon Age Fan-Fiction Story

Shannon

Cathy noticed her son was lost in thought. She knew. She'd noticed the day before that her son was once again blaming himself for the people he'd lost. She turned her gaze towards Juli, her tone firm and even, "Juli, we don't know if they're alive or dead." Cathy hadn't meant for her words to come out as harsh and honest.

Juli didn't seem to have heard Cathy— he was lost in his thoughts. Cathy scooted over to Juli's cot and sat next to him. Cathy hadn't realized that sometimes she forgets that Juli is only eleven. She softened her face, and took Juli's hand in hers, "I know how you feel honey. You want to burst out of the camp and rescue them. I do too. But Nick is smart, and he won't he let anything happen to Doreen."

Juli turned his head towards Cathy, and nodded. Cathy couldn't tell whether she was doing the right thing. On one hand, she wanted to do anything to help her son endure what he was feeling— anger, frustration, and most of all helplessness. On the other, she herself, didn't even know if Nick was even alive. She didn't see him at all as she and Tobias carried Juli out of the burning camp.

"Mother, I have to return her gear." Juli said as he cocked his head towards the black bow and quiver that laid on the green ground of the tent. Cathy nodded. Juli got up and left carrying his red bow on his right hand and the black bow on the left.

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Juli almost felt better after Mother solaced him. He knew Mother felt weak and helpless, just like he did— his bow told him so. Juli walked towards the tent that the woman had walked into, it was the second tent after his. Juli tapped his finger on the roof of the tent— it was the clan's way of knocking. The head of the woman peered out of the tent, and she smiled, "Come in."

Juli crouched and entered the tent. It was just like his— two cots made of vines and wood, and a wooden table. She sat on the cot that was on the right side of the tent. Juli sat on the one that was to the left. Juli noticed she had her baby somehow attached to her chest wrapped in some kind of white cloth— she was feeding it. She looked at Juli quizzically. Her eyes seem to study every corner of Juli, and then she squinted her eyes at him, "Are you Kurl's son?"

Juli's eyes widened in surprise. Did she know Father? Once again, his bow told him that this woman was being genuine. Juli nodded. However, the mention of Father triggered something in him. It took him back to the days of hunting with Father. Juli smiled, as he drowned in those wonderful memories of Father. Juli noticed that the woman stared at him, and lifted an eyebrow— wondering what happened to Juli whom was physically present, but mentally gone.

The woman adjusted her baby, and gave Juli a mischievous grin, "He was a great hunter. I went hunting with him once," her eyes were staring at the roof of the tent, it was as if the orange contrast of it took her to another planet, "and I remember him being so concerned for me because it was the first time that I had gone hunting." The woman seemed to snap out of the memory, and gazed nostalgically at Juli, "He was a good man."

Juli didn't know how, but he seemed to feel fond of this woman. Juli realized he had not given her the bow. He held up the black bow so the woman could see it, "Almost forgot to return it." he placed bow and quiver beside him on the cot.

The woman seemed to pay no heed to her bow, "I hear you're a good hunter, yes?"

Juli was taken aback by the question, "That's what some people say."

The woman chuckled, "Modest, just like your father."

Juli grinned, and got up, "I must go, Mother is probably waiting for me."

"'What's your name?" the woman asked as Juli started walking out of the tent.

Juli stopped, and wheeled to look at the woman. He hadn't realized it before, but this woman looked younger than Mother. Her hair was black and long. Her face was thinner than Mother's, and her skin tanner. In fact, her skin was so tanned that it didn't stand out in the orange light of the sun. Unlike his skin, which was almost as pale as the white canopy of the tent. She extended out a hand, "'Am Shannon."

Juli extended his hand as well, " I'm.. Juli."

Shannon raised a finger against her left temple, and released it— making a gesture of exasperation, "Where are my manners, thank you."

Juli nodded and walked out of the tent.