Dragon Age: Prelude to Chaos

[AurianaValoria1]

"Pleased to meet you all," Danae said with a slight bow to each dwarf. She then followed the group through the doors and into the Deep Roads.

 

As she walked, she looked around at the expertly carved tunnels, now falling apart in places, "So...I've heard these passages are nearly endless. How deep do they really go? And how long do you think it will take us to get to this...Aeducan Thaig?"

[SteffiSyndrom]

Ruth twitched just the slightest at the rumbling voice of the Qunari, while at the same time she found it strangely soothing.

"Sure thing. If there's breakfast included? Or well, just some drink will do, too. All this running around here made me thirsty," she grinned back at Wind, enjoying his company and still remembering how well he and his Qunari friend have fought. He was a pirate, as seemed the Qunari -strange as that was - but they both had honor, more so than some knights or noblemen who claimed to be the gift of the Maker himself.

 

Ruth grinned even bigger and shook her head at the thought.

 

They soon arrived back at the docks. The moon was slowly descending and the darkness of the night made way to a dark blue with the faintest touch of purple and pink.

Ruth spottet Wind's ship right away. She was a beauty indeed and not easily forgotten and also the most impressive ship in the whole haven.

A surprised but also happy smile spread over her face as she saw the red haired elf standing there, along with the Qunari, who had been waiting so patiently all this time. It was something she started to really admire his people for.

There was also a man who seemed to be looking for something.

 

"Oh, rats and spilled wine ..." she cussed, remembering just now how little information she had put on the flyer.

You should really cut back on the rum for a while, my dear.

"Excuse me! I see you are holding this utterly beautiful and well writen flyer in your hand, sir," she approached the man with a dumb grin, hoping she wouldn't seem like too big a fool.

"Are you planning to join me on some adventure? I am not sure about how the whole crew thing is working out just yet, but you are here and some others have gathered as well so I guess it's not going too bad."

She sighed and rubbed the back of her head absently, combing her thick, reddish-brown hair as best as she could with her nails and fingers.

 

Ruth smiled and also waved at those who had been waiting for some time, the elf and the Qunari.

"Well, I guess that's all of us, yes?" she said, turning to Wind for support.

[Macman253]

Wind smiled and chuckled at Ruth's comment. He nodded to her. Ven stood behind him and tapped WInd's shoulder and pointed to the growing crowd of sailors that are responding to Ruth's recruitment ad.

 

"From the looks of things you are going to have a full day signing and recruiting." He said with a slight smirk.

 

Ven grunted and walked towards the Ilana, his job was done and he was looking forward to time in his hammock.

 

Wind walked up close to Ruth and stood with his arms across his chest. "Tell you what... when you get this sorted out how about you meet me here and we can talk about our dear departed elf friends treasure hunt over a bottle of rum." He said before following Ven, he gave Ruth a quick wave goodbye and made for the ship.

[Deleted6317247User]

Illadriel walked ahead of the group, as a Grey Warden she could sense darkspawn and it was for the better if she sensed them approached instead of being overwhelmed by them. The dwarves followed her closely.

 

"Deep Roads go very deep and far. Some say that they go all the way to Tevinter." Illadriel said as she continued walking down the road. "The tunnels are old and crumbled. How big and deep they really are? We may never know."

 

"As for reaching Aeducan Thaig," she started, "not long. If we're lucky, we will reach the thaig by tomorrow."

 

"And if we're not lucky?" Thinli asked.

 

"You don't want to know, kid." Miraak mumbled assuming that he guessed correctly what the elf was thinking. He was.

==================================

Tristan looked up from the flyer and noticed a woman standing close.

 

"Yes, that's exactly why I'm here," He said happily as he no longer had to fear that he may have came too late, "and you must be Ruthalia. My name is Tristan." The mage said and extended his hand in greeting.

[AurianaValoria1]

"Tomorrow?" Danae repeated with a bit of surprise. She couldn't really imagine staying underground like this for days or even weeks on end. It would drive her mad...

 

Still, if she wanted answers, she had to stick around, and that meant following this Grey Warden to wherever she thought her brethren had disappeared to. The warrior tried not to appear uncomfortable as she kept close to Illadriel, constantly glancing around at their surroundings. It was incredibly quiet down here. Too quiet. It made Danae nervous, and she was itching to draw her weapon just to have something protective in her hands.

[SteffiSyndrom]

Ruth grinned over Wind's offer and had that bottle of rum already floating around in her thoughts. Hey, didn't he have original Rivaini rum last time she had seen him? Surely he would have more on that on his beautiful ship?

She smirked even bigger but it softened into a friendly smile as the man introduced himself as Tristan and extended a hand.

Ruth shook it firmly and nodded. "Welcome aboard then Tristan. I cannot tell what awaits us but I hope it's worthwhile."

 

There was so much to be done still, that Ruth's thoughts immediately went to something else however.

She wondered whether it was okay to take Wind's ship? Were they all invited to sail on it?

As she watched the elf walk towards his beloved Ilana she shrugged and figured that was his answer to that.

 

In fact, he probably had already said something about the matter but it had simply slipped Ruth's mind.

She shook her head over her forgetfulness and made a gesture that told the others who had gathered to get a move on.

 

Ruth followed Wind and Ven and was excited to actually step foot and the Ilana.

[Macman253]

Wind told the watchmen to direct Ruth to his quarters under the stern-castle. The Ilana was a warship of Tevinter make, her hull was sloped for speed and she was wide for more cargo along with rows of holes for oars that were once oared by his kind, when she was captured her slaves were freed and many became members of the crew so long as the ship and her crew never fell back into Tevinter hands, and Wind was all to willing to Scuttle her before letting that happen.

 

He walked into his stateroom, the wall across from the door was lined with glass that offered an excellent view of the ocean. Sitting in front of it was a massive Teak desk with a dark red finish that appeared to be nailed to the floor along with three matching chairs, one facing the door and two facing the ocean. Around the room were many trophies, silks and various items. On the eastern wall was a painted picture of the House Of Crows symbol with numerous throwing knives dead center. His bed sat on the western side next to a massive wine rack loaded with various vintages and numerous different types of Rum.

 

Swords of all shapes and sizes lined the wall next to it aswell as a number of hand crossbows and throwing knives. Small bottles with green liquid clanked together in the spice rack he used to hold them. Wind sat behind his desk examining one of the many maps and charts in one hand and reading the supply reports in the other.

[Deleted6317247User]

Tristan followed everyone to the ship but because he was unsure where to go exactly he remained on the main deck. "What a beautiful ship." He said to no one in particular while looking around.

==================================

Illadriel shot a glance at Danae and noticed how uncomfortable she looked. Her very first trip to the Deep Roads wasn't very different. "It mustn't be easy to be down there but it will get better." She said but then stopped in her tracks.

 

The three dwarves stopped as well and cautiously watched the women in front as well as the road before them.

 

"Darkspawn." Was the only thing Illadriel said before drawing her daggers. Soon after a group of darkspawn emerged.

[AurianaValoria1]

Danae froze for a moment. She had heard tales of the darkspawn from her father, but she had never seen them before...

 

Until now. Her heart caught in her chest and her breath hung in her throat. Her feet and arms were like lead weights...

 

Horrors! Complete horrors! she thought, mouth agape.

 

Suddenly, something caused her limbs to feel free again. It was as if her father had placed comforting hands upon her shoulders, and a warmth banished the icy fear that clutched at her insides. Yelling a battlecry, she pulled her greatsword from her back and charged, dashing for the filthy demonic foes that dared raise their blades against a Grey Warden and a Warden's daughter. A powerful swing cut one nearly in half, and her followup thrust skewered it through the torso and dropped it to the ground.

[SteffiSyndrom]

Ruth's heart pounded faster when she stepped foot on Wind's beautiful Ilana.

She looked around with excitement, her mouth open in awe and her eyes big and almost sparkling with amazement. Definitely a good choice, she thought with a big grin on her face. She wondered whether she would ever have a ship like this but told herself that she would do anything to make that dream come true one day.

 

Her admiration and excitement was just slightly interrupted by a couple of watchmen that asked her to follow them to the Captain's quarters. Ruth answered with a polite nod and a smile and followed them.