stingy paladin

Day 1: Older blood, older oaths / Origins

I blink blearily, staring ahead numbly… Mouse and I hear the song even from the Fade… I lower my head, staring through my lashes at the black guck on the forest floor…

"The spirits here are growing ever restless… something is happening, Dallas."

"Yes, I fear for what it will do to this calling…"

I sigh softly, ear flicking as I try to tune into it. Only to gasp as a spirit whisks past us before floating back curiously… I stare in awe at it.

"Curiosity fused with Caution… what a peculiar way to soften," It chimes almost playfully and I shake my head with a warm laugh. Another spirit akin to the Grand Oak…

"Greetings… I am Dallas Surana and Mouse, do you perhaps know what is going to happen? Is someone doing rituals?"

"A ritual to return the world as it were, a sad wolf wishes to stop death, he shall not let it be again a defer, for all require fresh breath.."

I frown softly in confusion, smiling softly though, "I see…"

"You too shall have fresh breath, you are of old blood, from living death… you will most strongly feel the flood. Essence of spirits, blood of mortals, nightmares of titans - all stir within you - what shall you become if one were to rule over the other?" it circles me closely as it sings this softly - puzzling me, "Oh, what a sight you will be to behold - older blood even than normal mortals - now having an older oath to uphold!" it chirps before flittering off and I quickly rush after it.

"Wait, what if it is a trap-?"

"What if it knows answers to questions I've had for decades?" I counter Mouse as I reach out to the spirit! "Please! Indulge me more?" I call hopefully and it slows to a stop in front of an old wolf statue… no… a Fen'Harel statue…

"Your mother's promise was to the Dreadwolf - he who freed the slaves from would be gods… she whom was a lone wolf, from the time of those very frauds! She had children with two of death - one of humble and one of fierce last breaths. Yet you are all that remains of her blood… the nightmares of titans claimed both half relations… the very one she served shed fiercely yours lifeblood…" it chimes sadly, flittering back towards me. "The nightmares of titans are slowed by Caution… will you live to uphold the olden oath then? Or will it all be for naught and ashen?"

"What olden oath?"

"To correct a fatal sin - a sin borne of remorse and love and twisted - you carry it now within - nearly resisted. Will it all be for naught? Or shall more of it burst forth before it can be tamed? Do not let it rot… he is ashamed…"

I shake my head, frowning as I try to piece this all together, "So, you say I did have two half relations… you say they both died from what I carry now? Myth'Ra and Arion…" the two elves that Duncan recruited, did he know? Or was it simply fate we all met at all? My mother cannot be from the Dreadwolf's time though? That would make her centuries old! Albeit, I have seen enough in the fade to know there are things in this world I have yet to learn - there is always information yet to be found…

I jolt awake as I feel myself be shaken, looking up at Zevran with a soft smile. "Ah, my Ember…" I greet warmly as I try to blink the sleep away - his brows are furrowed so…

"G-Good morning, mi amor… you slept so long and deep! What sweet dreams you must have had.." his voice is strained and his eyes red - yet he tries to smile so sweetly at me and I reach up gently, caressing his cheek before kissing him softly.

"I apologize for worrying you… I met a spirit. But none are as sweet as you." I hum gently, nudging our noses together.

Warnings: general game violence

@dragonagenostalgiamonth

Duncan would always be glad he brought the people he did into the fold of the wardens. He will forever be glad that he brought Alistair in, gave him purpose, gave him something to fight for and believe in. After all the hell people put his soul through already the boy needed a purpose and a reason to move forward. Duncan could see that and he was happy to grant it.

Their new recruit needed it as well. They needed something after getting left with nothing. They needed family, they needed connections, they needed saving. And watching the recruit connect so quickly to the secret prince made him aware he'd made the best move he could have made for both of them.

Sending them away from the main fight was selfish. He wanted them as far from the main parts of the danger as he could get them. They were still so green, and Alistair needed extra protecting. Him and his brother couldn't be on the same battlefield.

So as Duncan died he could only hope that the blood that ran through all their veins would do what it needed to do in order to keep the pair aware and ready to fight.

The wardens were here long before Alistair and they would be around long after.

He remembers how much pride Duncan had in what they did and who they were. He remembers the way he held himself and spoke about what they did. Even when people were convinced the Blight was gone, he never stopped seeing what they were as important.

It's what made his loss so much harder on Alistair.

Because who else should have been the one that came stepping up and led them after what happened in that battle? The man who never stopped seeing the wardens as the protectors of the realm. The man who never hesitated in who he was and what he was here to do. Like the old blood of the previous wardens still went through his veins just as much as blight did.

Alistair thought about that as he gave over command to someone who was his junior in arms. How Duncan probably would have been disappointed in him for not stepping up.

The new recruit had the same kinda soul that Duncan did.

The same move forward no matter what attitude. The same ability to get people to hear them and come to their cause.

It was like the oath they took stuck more to the new recruit in the same kinda way it did Duncan. Alistair only hoped he could do a little bit of the warden history proud.

Dragon Age Nostalgia Month

older blood, older oaths / origins

day 1

Day 1: Origins