Tainted: Love Over Lineage

Chapter 5

Ixion ran to his fastest with Christophe sleeping soundly on his back. He arched a smile to see the previously crying baby sleeping like a rock. Maybe it was the cold comforting wind from the skies they were traveling in that made him fall into slumber. Or maybe he was just tired. Nevertheless, they should hasten into the arms of safety.

Salistre was now in Ixion’s sight, and from far above, he already searched the town for a secret staircase leading down.

He lied. He actually didn’t know any staircase that leads to any hideout. He just didn’t want to be marked as incompetent and unreliable, especially not form his master, not only considering the fact he she is queen, but he would also take on any damage aimed at her.

He landed behind the pub and changed his form, emitting a bright green light. He emerged from behind the building and went inside the Chantry, for it would be wise to first look for clues and hints in a place with many known information. And the Salistre Chantry was the best place to investigate in the whole town.

Ixion browsed through the archives and tall book shelves for any hints on where it is. After a few hours of searching, he sat down with Christophe in his arms, still sleeping soundly. He smiled at the calm sight, but the thought of safety and protection still overcame his mind.

Then he was distracted by the sound of children. The sound of laughter with a sense of mockery rang in his ears, as well as the sound of tears. He stood up and looked out from the arched window to the side of the royal kitchen, seeing a girl with another girl by her side, being pushed down and made a fool of by a boy.

The boy was dangling the girl’s doll above her head for he was tall, and the girl kept jumping to reach it as the boy laughed in pleasure. Ixion was displeased at the sight. The girl jumped for a few times, and then a determined look emerged from her face. She swiftly kicked the boy by his privates, and grabbed his ear as he knelt in pain, pulling and throwing him to a pile of barrels behind the kitchen.

Ixion laughed at the sight of the mischievous boy fleeing to his fastest.

The girl’s friend jumped with awe and joy for her friend’s new found courage as the girl picked up the doll and hugged it, dusting it off before doing so.

“You were magnificent, Charlotte! That showed him!” said Althea, the girl’s friend.

“Yes, well from now on, he will never see tomorrow again if he were to do it again.”

“I could actually see a heroine in you after that sight.”

Charlotte smiled largely.

“Aveline, the Knight of Orlais.” both girls exclaimed.

The name struck an idea in Ixion’s mind as his eyes widened. He had to smack himself in the head later for not looking at the children’s section of the archive right away. He searched for Queen Valdona’s favorite story of all time, the story of Aveline the Brave.

• • •

It was a story of a woman, who was abandoned in the forest by her father in the woods to die of exposure, for she had not met her father’s expectations, like the fact that her father wanted a male child, and that her appearance was meager to say the least.

She was crying helplessly, until a travelling band of Dalish elves came upon her path. The Dalish elves raised her as one of their own, and taught her talents of combat and survival, until she grew to be a full pledged warrior. She was such a fine and strong warrior that the clan encouraged her to enter a human tournament in Orlais.

But unfortunately, women were not permitted to register.

But it did not hold her back. She entered the tournament disguised as a man, claiming to be a knight of Antiva.