Evelyn opened her eyes in the viridescent glow of the Land of Dreams. This time, Dhara was already by her side as the two stood in a wide beam of light. The darkness swirled all about them, and they waited like two rats in a trap for someone to approach them, feeling eyes on them from all around. The light must've been drawing spirits to the mages like moths to a flame. Shadows stood veiled beyond what their eyes could see, though one, she noticed, was much larger than the rest.
"We meet again Lowlander," the deep resonance of Hakkon startled her. The large figure stalked forward into the light. Taking a few steps backward from the god in front of her, he suddenly appeared behind her. Stepping on his foot he grasped her under the jaw when she turned, lifting her gaze to his. "You've done well thus far, but there is still much to do. You have used my gift well."
"I'm glad I've pleased you, Lord Hakkon," her tone respectful not wanting a repeat of the last time they met. Dhara fell to her knees in awe taking in the frightening appearance of the god.
His crimson eyes shone with mirth as he bared his sharp teeth, "I've been impressed by several things since we last met." He released her, walking slow circles around her, "Escaping Stone-Bear Hold and a kidnapping, cutting off the fingers of that Templar, and the challenge issued to your Thane have shown me you are strong and have what it takes to be one of us." She didn't waver as he looked down into her eyes, "I will grant you my mark." With a swift smack to her stomach, Hakkon's large clawed hand marked her with the other on her back seemingly for good measure.
The magic of the paint absorbed his essence, filling her with violent need. Her whole demeanor changed and he laughed menacingly. She felt the urge to join him as thoughts of bloodlust turned everything red. In her mind she saw herself slice through the God of War's gut, watching his innards plop to the floor. With her staff blade, she'd carve him a wider grin on either side of his mouth, before ripping out his heart to…
"Phoenix," his voice turned low and sultry, "you flatter me with such thoughts." His eyes darted to the side as a small woman walked out from the darkness towards them, "But… it looks like you'll thank me later for them." Unsure of what that meant, Hakkon backed away into the shadows of the Fade, his hulking silhouette blurring into the void.
Turning to greet the spirit, trying to shake the feel of the god's touch on her middle, she was met not with a friendly face, but one of scrutiny. Jutting a hip out to the side, she eyed the young woman studying every inch of her. Feeling as if she was transparent, she looked to Dhara who wore an expression of dread and concern. That mixing with Hakkon's words, she gruffly spoke to the brunette, "Who are you, spirit?"
Balking at her words, her catlike blue eyes widened, "I am the one whose future you stole."
At the accusation, the anger from the print on her pulsed, "Stole? I stole nothing."
"You took him away from me, along with our child!"
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat, looking to her fellow mage whose worry morphed into a frown, slowly taking a few cautionary steps towards her mentor. There was no mistaking who she had supposedly stolen, when in fact she was the one he stole. "Are you… are you Kattrin or Ninne?"
"I am his one true love. I am Kattrin, Lowlander." Her voice was forced, as she imagined it normally carried softer with less rasp.
She fought the urge to provoke the delusional woman, reminded by the rational part of her brain that she was a spirit and nothing more. "A demon took him from you, not I."
"A demon you fed!" The Phoenix stood in shock. She didn't know much about Kattrin, but she couldn't imagine Cullen ever loving such a vile creature as this. If this spirit knew so much, then she would also know the reason she had inadvertently fed Despair.
"Dhara," she growled quietly, "did you know her? Was she like this?"
The redhead shook her head swallowing hard, "No I didn't, but Ros had once said Kattrin was as fierce as any Avvar, but her ferocity lay in her tender heart." Looking back to the seething woman before them, there was no way this was her - but if it wasn't her, then who was it? What was it?
Protectively, she held an arm out halting Dhara and putting her behind her as her Knight-Enchanter instincts came to the forefront, "I will know your name demon. Reveal yourself!" At that, her skin turned a sickly green and her eyes glowed yellow, "What have you done to Kattrin?"
"Her jealousy gave birth to me." It laughed manically, "But why settle for this when I can be you! Yes, you will make the perfect host." Its voice turned demonic as it showed its true form. It stood about double her height with long lanky limbs, covered in scars. Its face twisted with one eye that could hardly open on its puckered face. The mouth was turned down with jagged broken and spaced apart teeth. Envy.
With unnatural speed, it prowled on all fours with a vengeance at them. With no weapons nor control of this plane of the Fade, as she had against Despair, they were limited to hand spells as well as hand-to-hand combat. Hakkon had again given her a great boon as his violence pumped through her veins welcoming the fight.
"D, keep flames in your hands at all times, if it touches you, burn it!" She nodded her head with wide eyes, this now being the second powerful demon she had fought in two days. With its sight set on Evelyn, it stabbed at her, trying to capture her. Her wings temporarily halted its advance, frightening it with its bright intensity. The Phoenix dodged, rolled, and dove every which way, throwing whizzing fireballs at the enemy who proved hard to hit due to its skinny agile frame. Its taint felt like frostbite on her painted skin, making her wince at the cold burning sensation. It paid her partner no mind, flinging her away with a long foot like a fly. She could hear Dhara cry out as she skittered across the plane feeling the same pain enhanced by the paint's magic.
When it managed to pin the Knight-Enchanter flat on her back, it took her form, though was still an ugly shade of green. Kicking her mirrored self back so she could roll to her feet, they engaged in a melee of punches, kicks, and holds. Its hand kept trying to touch her head, no doubt trying to probe into it for control of her body. Though it conjured flames, it was all bluster, as it possessed no actual mana yet. The Phoenix's real magic was enough to keep it at a distance as she finally grappled the demon into a submissive position.
Evelyn hissed at it, "You want to be me? Then get used to the flames." With her hands grasping the creature, she let go of her restraint on her mana allowing the ethereal fire to bleed from her. The spidery limbs tapped frantically as she became volcanically hot. The Phoenix's grasp didn't falter, burning the demon's flesh as it cried out in an otherwordly screech. Dhara joined her, and within seconds they had burnt Envy to oblivion.
***
Panic rose in Cullen as he clawed up onto his feet towards the door. Opening it, his voice echoed back to him off their stone sentinel lioness, "Ilara! Dorian!" Everyone who had been out along the path to the market or in it froze as he roared their names again. The two suddenly burst through the doors of his longhouse, running in his direction. Cassandra and Owayne caught up to them and the crowd began to descend on the Augur's hut. Ushering them inside, no words were needed to understand the severity of the situation.
"What can be done?" He asked calmly, but he was anything but that. The rogue and shieldmaiden backed up against the wall, not fully aware of the magical dilemma, opting to listen before they voiced concern - especially Owayne.
The mages conversed back and forth for a few moments discussing their options. Dorian looked up, rubbing his mustache with his thumb and finger, "We know the spell he has been casting, as we've used it before to defeat Despair, but…"
His brow drew down into a scowl, "But?"
The Tevinter-born mage sighed, "But it's supposed to be cast before they go into the Land of Dreams. We have no idea the effects or consequences of what casting it now on them would do."
Ilara stepped forward with a serious frown, "It could also do nothing and work as it is supposed to. I can't fathom an adverse reaction to the spell, it's all but harmless, Dorian."
He scoffed back, "Harmless, my dear, is the bunny that I find outside my lodge every morning nibbling on grass. This is a spell binding the consciousness of a person to a physical anchor as they explore deeper beyond the Veil than any mage has the right to. Casting it now would be like fishing; we have no idea what we would be catching and inviting to their bodies! Not to mention let's say we do manage to fuck it up and one of the lovelies turn into a demon, which we'd have to kill, now we are short a body!"
The whole of the room reacted uncomfortably to his statement, though Ilara seemed unconvinced, "And what of a mage's ingrained defenses from becoming lost in the Land of Dreams? Their mana and blood will call them back with the coaxing of the spell. You and I both felt their bond to their body, perhaps we can discern them from demons or others using those?"
Dorian fell silent for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut tight searching his memory, "Blood. I think I remember a spell that could link us better to them, but it's been years. Give me a moment." Rubbing his temples now mumbling phrases in Tevene, he chastized himself several times before figuring out the words. "Got it, I hope. With this spell and ward, we should increase our chances of hooking them. You two, sit them up." Cassandra and Owayne each grabbed a mage and sat them upright as Dorian drew wards where their heads would be placed. Gazing at Evelyn's face, it was one of serenity as it lulled onto her brother's shoulder.
Reciting the words to the runes, they glowed favorably to the mage's liking. Upon laying them back down, both he and Ilara took the hand of their charges, the same from the other night, "I assume you have a blade on your somewhere?" Cullen passed him a small concealed dagger from his belt. He gave Ilara a rundown of the spell but hesitated looking up at him again, "Your little spitfire here is not going to like that I used blood magic on her. When she wakes up, I'm telling her you told me to. I'm not getting my pants burnt off."
"You can tell her whatever you want, just bring them back," the Thane impatiently barked.
"Right then, here we go," Holding the dagger between his hand and hers he cut their palms in one fluid motion. Intertwining their fingers, he chanted the spell again with added lines which made their hands and the ward on the floor shimmer. Ilara followed his instructions exactly as her spell took effect too. Now, they would wait and hope they were not lost.
In the meantime, there was one thing he would have to do, "Cassandra, has Rylen returned yet from hunting?" She shook her head, "Send a runner to find him and have him hunt a suitable offering to the gods for Dusan if he can. Send some men in to carry his body to the Keeper of the Dead to be prepared for his journey into the sky." His words became heavy with sorrow, "I will address the Hold. Owayne, I trust you can keep an eye on things here until I return?" The Marcher nodded resolutely.
As Cassandra left with her orders, he paused letting the door close on him. He needed to gather his thoughts and feel for the words to adequately express and explain the loss of their beloved Augur.
***
After Envy had been defeated, a small crowd of spirits cautiously approached. Determining that they were indeed spirits and not demons, they all pressed their mark upon her, but these were just any Avvar, they were the essences of her past lives. The feel of their hands upon her reverberated with fulfilling tranquility as if they were becoming one. They said very little, merely introducing themselves before being drawn to her skin, but each one of them carried a familiarity and a story. Images flashed through her mind of things she had seen in dreams, though she never understood their origin. They had felt so real from the surge of emotions she'd wake up with to the realism that the Fade had sculpted around her, she knew now that these were memories. They carried hard lessons learned through victory and defeat, meant to aid her through her own trials.
One by one, they disappeared back into the Fade, but their connection lingered with her. With a deep breath as the last spirit left, she felt more content and whole than she ever had in her entire life. With the initiation now complete, having been welcomed by their ancestors, it was time for the mages to go back and show the clan their success, but not before another swirl of energy rushed into the space.
The two watched as no other than Dusan materialized before their eyes. "Augur, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" The man blinked a few times tilting his head back and forth thinking. Evelyn looked to Dhara before continuing, "Is everything alright out there?"
The aged man gasped suddenly, "No! No, we were attacked! I…" His pause was meaningful as he sought his own understanding, "… I died."
The two pyromancers were paralyzed, not expecting such news. "Is that why you're here? To tell us?" The Phoenix held a hand on her pounding heart barely holding herself together. She owed the man much, having helped her through the turmoil of her conversion. Dhara had sunk to her knees in grief beside her, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Yes, you both are safe, but you should return now."
"How?" His former apprentice sobbed, "Ye aren't there castin' the spell? How do we find our way back?"
"My dear Dhara," he regarded her warmly, "do not waste tears on me, child. I will be with the Lady soon. The sun has set on my time as Augur, as yours rises. You are ready to lead them." The new Augur of Redhold stood, wiping her tears. "Be strong girl, and use your intuition."
Dhara closed her eyes using the foreign Avvar magic, making her glow purple, "I sense… a spell. Like an untacked sail, whippin' about in the wind."
He nodded, "Yes, now call it to you. They are searching for you. It is your way home."
Squinting her eyes shut tighter, the aura of her magic grew, "Got it!" She moved grasping Evelyn's hand, "Feel my magic, join with it." They held hands their mana danced about intertwining until she felt her powerful mana being steered towards a third party's. Its unique signature was that of their sole Tevinter mage and without further direction, she attached herself to his.
Dusan and his new state of awareness commented on their success, "Good, now go. You mustn't linger here." The two women faced him for one final time with sorrowful expressions, "Now, now, no tears for we will meet again one day in the sky. Phoenix, my best wishes for your Knotting Ceremony. I will be there in spirit. Believe in yourself and you will see the prophecy through." He turned now to Dhara, "Fear not child, for you are ready to take up the post of Augur. I have taught you everything I know. Remember that you are my legacy, and so long as you live, so do I."
When the young mage's voice failed her, Evelyn interjected, "Thank you Dusan for everything. May you find peace with The Lady. I'm so sorry our time was cut short together."
He smiled, "All was how it should be, Phoenix. Do not blame yourself, you've enough on your shoulders as is." She was unsure of what that meant.
"Dusan," Dhara finally squeaked out the words, "though you walk with the ancestors, I will carry you with me in my heart, always." The former Augur bowed placing a hand on his heart as he slowly faded.
Watching him go, she began to sob again, but they needed to heed his warning to leave, "D, we need to go. There will be time to mourn, but not here." Gently grasping her shoulders, she lifted her to her feet. "Are you ready?" She nodded and the two mages closed their eyes allowing themselves to be called back to the present.
In a rush, she sat up back in the confines of the Augur's hut. Dorian was beside her, and she twisted about to grab his shoulders, "What happened?! We saw Dusan in the Fade." The man was silent as he looked at her with a wrinkled brow. In the background, she could hear Cullen speaking and she paused to listen. A few words permeated through the walls of the building: Attack. Lowlanders. Dusan. Dead. Assassins.
***
"… Knowing his duty, Augur Dusan acted to protect both the Phoenix and his apprentice from the Lowlander cowards. As we speak, he is no doubt with the Lady in the sky rejoicing in reuniting with the gods and the ancestors. He…" The door behind him opened and out stepped his stolen bride followed by the new Augur and the other three he left inside. The crowd gasped and he couldn't keep his jaw shut at the sight of her emergence.
Dhara held Evelyn's glowing marked hand high in the air, her voice shook with sorrow but she fought through the grief, "Behold! The Phoenix emerges as one of us! Dusan was the first to congratulate her on his way to the sky!" The somber crowd heard hope in her message that their long-time Augur had indeed made the crossing into the afterlife. "Hakkon himself favors her, having been the first to mark her," the young woman pointed to her stomach and then spun her showing off the inhumanly large clawed hand of the God of War himself. "Twice now has Lord Wintersbreath met the Phoenix in the Dream World. She truly is favored by the god." The clan stood astonished whispering back and forth, and Cullen watched their mood swing, calling out in reverence and thanks to the gods for their partiality towards her; For if she was esteemed by a god so cruel and callous as Hakkon, so too was the clan and their Thane.
Following the prayers, cheers were yelled in praise of their Thane and his soon-to-be wife. Evelyn had not only managed to become Avvar but possibly had just become the most favored Avvar of the Dragon Age. Her victories were his, and without realizing it, she may have just ended the war with Wolf-Fang Hold. Once word reached the other holds of her initiation, even Axlan may think twice about waging war against Hakkon's champion.
"Not only that," Augur Dhara continued, pointing now to the white hand prints standing out against the red paint, "but each spirit mark was that of legends!" This list of heroes who she recited as the Phoenix's past lives was extensive and infamous. The clan grew more excited, whooping and hollering for their favorite heroes. Turning back to see how Evelyn was doing, to her credit, she stood proud and strong under their attention half naked. Catching him staring at her, her eyes sought reassurance, and he gave a resolute nod.
Their gaze was broken when the redhead began to tell of their battle with Envy. Evelyn's head shot around to Dhara, but he could see a conversation happening with their eyes. Turning back to the crowd, Evelyn chanced a look back at him resuming her empowered posture. Listening on and feeling his brow furrow at hearing they faced yet another demon, he was comforted by the fact that both mages stood seemingly unharmed before him, though some of their paint looked burnt where Envy must have touched them.
When the new Augur completed her first official task beautifully, Cullen offered his hand to Evelyn and the two meandered their way through the village back to their home. Their people reached out to her, and she brushed against their hands in passing. The gathering from within his home had moved outside to listen but now turned back inside to celebrate their new clanswoman. Evelyn walked gracefully, though her muscles were hard as there was some tension to relieve, no doubt from wanting to know what happened regarding the assassins. Once inside, he suggested she change so she was comfortable, though he had to admit he enjoyed the traditional garb Dhara had chosen for her. When she returned in one of her usual dresses, they all sat around taking turns in telling her about the Antivan Crows. He admitted to her that he did get cut twice, but it was easily healed, and that Owayne had been invaluable not only giving him the antidote but also recognizing the threat.
As the night reached its end, the newly dubbed Avvar looked exhausted as their guests left and the others readied for bed, as usual, the two of them lingered in the main room. "Are you alright? You look worn out. Don't forget we are hunting and traveling to the lake tomorrow."
She wiped her slender fingers down her face, "I'm fine, I just remembered something Dusan said to me. He told me not to blame myself. At the time I didn't know what he meant, but now I do."
"And are you blaming yourself?"
"How can I not? The Crows were here for me on the Chantry's orders. Will they ever leave me in peace?"
"I don't know, but what I do know is that Dusan meant what he said. Death is inevitable, and as Augur he knew better than most about that having helped so many of our people understand that cycle of life and death - myself included."
She looked up wearily at him, "You said 'our people.'"
His hand found the back of her neck and pulled their foreheads together, "You're one of us now, you couldn't have made me prouder today. I was wrong in saying that you wouldn't make a good Lady of the Hold." Her eyes brightened, "I think now, you are exactly what we need - what I need." Her eyes grew heavy again but it was with desire as she searched his face. They were a breath away with their heads touching and noses grazing, and all she had to do was decide; the choice had to be hers.
Evelyn's hand came up to stroke his cheek, and just as he felt the gentle brush of her lips on his, Ros returned from saying goodnight to Rylen from out on the porch. Seeing what she interrupted, she clumsily bumped into Owayne passed out on his bed roll, who sat up, causing her to part from him. He shook his head with a huff as his sister skipped quickly back to her room and his almost brother-in-law hit his pillow to mold it just right before settling down again.
She slid her hand into his, which rested on his leg, "Thank you for saving me, again."
He gave a wry smile, "You do not need to thank me." He stood bringing her up with him, "It's never a dull moment with you." They shared a halfhearted laugh as he cupped her cheek in his hand watching her nuzzle into it. "Time for bed, we have an early start tomorrow." She hummed and nodded walking past him slowly releasing his hand along the way.