Lavellen's Tale

Into The Woods

The new recruit had just arrived when Warden Commander Duncan came to see Wynne in the mage's sub-camp. My usual curiosity led me to hide and listen, something I became very good at in the tower, when adults didn't want me involved. 

"Duncan, good to see you again." Wynne welcomed the newcomer. "It's been years since you visited the tower last."

"Yes, and I believe you refused my offer of joining the wardens, did you not?" Duncan chuckled. Wynne hummed an amused agreement.

"What brings you to us today?"

"My recruits will be heading into the wilds, and I thought a healer could be beneficial, if you could spare some time to come along?" 

"Oh no, I have far too much to coordinate here at camp."She retorted. Just when I was going to speak up and volunteer my assistance, the hound that had previously been seated at Duncan's feet came barreling towards me, attacking me with a wet tongue and happy barks. "Inari! Were you eavesdropping?" Wynne admonished. 

"Yes, I, um, but I can help!" I shot up and dusted off my robes, coming to stand beside Wynne, with the hound right behind me. "Commander Duncan, sir, I've been Wynne's apprentice for a decade. If she can't help, maybe I can!" Wynne raised an eyebrow at me but didn't seem as mad as I thought she'd be. 

"If your mentor is alright with it young lady, my recruits would indeed benefit from you coming along." Duncan had a gleam in his eye as he said this, and looked toward Wynne. I turned my puppy eyes on her as I'm sure my new canine friend did as well. 

"Oh alright," Wynne sighed and I jumped, "But this is not a game Inari, do you understand? You listen to the wardens." 

"Yes, I promise!"

"Be careful love." She kissed my forehead and turned to Duncan. "This one might as well be mine Duncan, I lend her to you in confidence, keep her safe." He nodded and then began to walk away. I quickly gathered my potions bag, medical supplies, spellbook, herbal collection pack, and harvesting knife, before heading towards the grey warden tents on the other end of camp. 

I spotted Duncan and Aedyn talking by the fire and I made my way up to them. 

"Ah, as we speak, here she is." Duncan spoke, "Aedyn, this is Inari, she's the healer I'm sending along with you, Alistair, and the recruits." Aedyn smiled.

"I've met her before, shes the one that patched me and the soldier up after our,.. Disagreement. Wise choice Duncan." I smiled in response and settles down on a log beside the fire to wait for the rest of our party. The hound from earlier noticed me and came bounding over, her stubby tail whipping the air. She settled at my feet and I began to scratch and pet her. 

"You know, you're a beautiful creature, but I don't know what to call you." I laughed as she rolled over to give me more access to her tummy. 

"Her name is Rebel." A clear feminine voice answered. I turned to look and was taken aback, the voice belonged to a gorgeous woman, maybe a few years older than me, with jet black hair and eyes as blue as the sky, her olive complexion seeming golden in the firelight. "She likes you." Rebel sat up and looked at the woman with incredible affection and loyalty. 

"I like her too, shes a wonderful hound." I blushed, "Now I know her name but what's yours?"

"Daniera, but my friends call me Dani." She smiled and offered me her hand. I stood and shook it. 

"You can call me Inari, I'm a healer sent to aid you in your venture to the wilds."

"Well met Inari, these are the other warden recruits, Daveth," she gestured to a rugged looking man with a smirk plastered across his face, "And Ser Jory." a balding man in full armor and a scowl. "And this," she gestured to a handsome blond man who looked a fair bit like the king, "Is Alistair, he joined the wardens about six months ago. It looks like you've already met Aedyn."