The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 10

Fang rested near Fallyn's tent, while the elf wandered among the Varden. She had left her weapons in her tent, more than confident that she could protect herself in the camp without them - and from a need to be free of them for one night.

She had spent the day healing and mourning. Wyrden's death had been a painful one for her - though she had not known him well, she felt the profound loss of someone powerful.

She saw his death as the loss of knowledge.

So like she had for Oromis, she sang a song of unending sleep.

The elves had sung their songs, and so beautiful and sad were they that Fallyn wept and Fang gave a mournful keen.

The song of Uthenera echoed through the fields as Fallyn sang alone, the other elves listening carefully to the words. Fallyn had sung it through in the common tongue as well, and after that, the elves joined her as they composed it into the Ancient Language.

Fallyn shook her head lightly from the memories, refusing to sink into her melancholy. She felt a slight thrill of excitement, and was on her way to Nasuada's tent to share the news - although she would have to be cryptic.

She did not know what spies wandered the camp, and so tipping her hand too soon would be dangerous.

She paused by the tent, as Nasuada's guards declared her, waiting for when they would allow her in. She watched them with a tired but alert gaze when finally they allowed her in. She bowed her head in thanks then entered the tent.

Inside, Nasuada was in her nightdress, clearly preparing to rest.

"Fallyn," she said. "What brings you here so late?"

"News from... friends," she said slowly, her eyes flickering around the room. "I said I would tell you about where I went after... dying."

"Indeed," Nasuada settled into a seat, waving for Fallyn to take a seat as well.

She graciously took the seat, and slowly told the story of her escape then how she went to Thedas to avoid any suspicions that she might be alive at all.

"There are things I cannot tell you yet," she said carefully, "so I will tell you what I can though it may sound cryptic to you."

Nasuada chuckled tiredly. "Well, at least it's something."

Fallyn nodded.

"Not long after arriving in Thedas, I met with... a friend. He is - was - once called Andoral, an old god of unity, chains, and slaves in another life."

"And you call him a friend?" Nasuada asked incredulously.

"I did say that was his past," she chuckled. "Events conspired for him to be reborn as something - someone - else. He comes upon silver wings, and I am told that he should arrive within the week."

"Silver wings... like those you flew over the city?" Nasuada questioned pointedly.

Fallyn smiled slightly. "More than what I have said, I cannot."

Nasuada accepted the response with some reluctance.

"Tell me, can you become other creatures, or is a griffon your special trick you keep?" Nasuada eventually asked.

Fallyn smiled slightly. "I can become anything I have studied in great detail. I need to have a perfect understanding of both myself and the creature I wish to become."