The Forgotten Ones - The Clever One
They are not entirely certain where, exactly, their prison lies. It is in the Dreaming they believe; somewhere confining and constantly changing to keep them from finding a way out. Ever shifting, like wind sculpting sand dunes in the desert. They can’t find their footing; solid ground is a distant memory, and every time they turn to look the landscape has changed to something unrecognizable.
It is easiest to close their eyes and drift. Struggling makes them sink deeper into whatever chains have bound them. The Dread Wolf’s jaws snapped shut tightly that day, and it has taken them thousands of years to pry those jaws open. Even now it is not enough to slip free. But almost, almost.
Hope is a fickle thing. Desperation even moreso.
Somewhere in the darkness around them, the sound of two coins hitting stone echoes.
Intent is a powerful force within the Dreaming, moving upstream through harsh currents, reaching them despite their chains. A prayer to the Clever One, a prayer given to one thought divine, and because Melarue once wore the mantle, the prayer comes to them.
There are not many who pray to the Forgotten Ones anymore and fewer still who remember what the coiled snake carved into stone means or who it represents.
But there are some…and Melarue knows them well.
There is Uthvir, of the Tevinter Dalish, who they felt so much kinship with. A slave misused who fought for their own freedom. Cunning and sharp but gentle all the same.
There is Violaine, a lone city elf in the Ghislain alienage whose mother was Dalish and told her of the Clever One, who asks them for advice and who they whisper to in her sleep, words of wisdom and clever ruses to keep the humans from harming those she holds dear.
And the circle mage Arasri, a dreamer who walked across the small shadow they’d slipped through their prison. Apostate now, after they’d taught him how to flee the Templars who sought to make him tranquil.
Banal’ras, a shadow, with a shrewdness to admire and a desire to protect her people, who leaves small tokens upon their shrine.
There were others once, passed on before Melarue could do more than visit in dreams.
Melarue has never considered themselves a god.
But once they have escaped this prison and are able to walk upon the earth anew, they will show the world the power of one.
The People call to the Clever One, and the Clever One hears.
