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

A New Warden

Juli and Doreen stood up and followed. As they followed the two mages and the warden, Juli noticed that Lou and Patrick were already crafting weapons on their wooden table. Patrick stared at a wooden arrow, studying every detail of it. Lou did the same with a bow. How much more weapons will we need? Quinn suggested Juli to get ready. He stopped by his tent and got his bow. The quiver was filled with those deadly black "onyx" arrows. They walked until they reached the clearing. It had now more scoring rings than before. Despite that they just had breakfast, most of the camp was training already. Juli was grateful that he had people around him who wanted to help him. Most of them didn't mention Mother, but Juli knew that was why they trained. The blue-eyed girl and the green-eyed boy looked at Juli and Doreen with nothing but sheer amazement. The boy was a couple of inches taller than the girl, however, still shorter than Theodore. Juli and Doreen smiled at them. Poor kids, Juli thought, so defenseless in the midst of all this chaos. But aren't me and Doreen kids also? Well I mean teenagers, technically speaking.

Kid or teenager, it didn't matter. They were getting ready to rescue Mother and Tobias. If they're still alive that is, as Omar says they are. Erick and Theresa were already training; neither hunter missed a shot. Theresa in particular bared a face of determination that could be only be matched by the one of an animal going after its prey. Theodore appeared to be in some kind of deep meditation as he sat crosslegged on the ground. Is he really younger than me? Physically, the boy appeared to be an eight year old. However, the things he did with magic showed that he was as experienced as the Keeper was.

"Let's see what you've got." Tailor startled them from behind. Eva was on his heels.

Were they following us? If they were, Juli didn't notice them behind.

"We don't have all day Quinn." The female Warden said impatiently.

Juli winced, "What's going on?"

He could see that Doreen was going through the same deal of confusion he was.

"You want your mother back, yes?" Quinn asked solemnly.

The question annoyed Juli, of course I want Mother back. He nodded.

"Then you better listen to everything they say." He cocked his head, gesturing to the two wardens that stood behind them. "You too Doreen, both of you can learn a great deal from them."

"That's wonderful, but what are you really doing here?" Omar chimed in.

Eva responded rather quickly, "Killing darkspawn. What else will we be doing here?"

Omar looked dubious. He squinted his eyes at them.

Quinn placed a hand on the Keeper's shoulder, "Trust me. That's all they're doing. I called them here so that they could help us rescue your people." Quinn's voice was almost as low as a whisper. It was as if he'd ignored everyone present and wanted to talk only to Omar. The trust between those two, Juli thought, was the fruit of a very long relationship.

Even though that trust was there, Omar seemed to have considered this for a second. "Very well then." He finally gave in.

"Oh right kid," The weary old warden regarded Juli, "Let's see what you're made of." Purple lightning danced inside the diamond of his staff. The mage tilted the wooden staff forth and a lightning strike went after Juli. Out of instinct, he jumped to the side. The electrical current blackened the grass where Juli stood. He looked to Omar and Quinn for help, but neither of them even moved a muscle. Doreen tried to cast a spell, however, Quinn gestured her to stop. I guess I'm on my own on this one.

The next lightning bolt was even faster and louder. The thunderous streak almost caught Juli. He felt the air that was knocked out by the sheer force the bolt carried. This time the lightning ignited a small fire that viciously burned grass. Juli managed to dodge the next two attacks, each increased in speed and force as they came.