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Late summer air whistled through the cracking and crumbling marble bridge, the pillars that lined either side of the structure blotted out the low orange sun in spaced strips of merciful cool and between blaring light. The repetition of relief followed by sweltering heat was enough to drive one mad, but the promise of rest and cool ale in Lothering was too good to delay.
A high pitched whine sang next to me, followed by an onslaught of slobbered licks and nibbles to my knuckles. I glanced at the Mabari hound who was fervently sniffing, licking, and nipping until he was sure I was looking at him. The dog tilted his head as we met eyes before nudging his big snout against my hand again with another gentle whine.
There wasn’t any defence in my heart against this hound, as I melted almost immediately. “Aw, Bark, I’m alright.” I insisted, swivelling my hand away from his maw to the back of his head to give him a good rub behind the ear, while wiping his slobber back onto him. He never seemed to care, simply happy to help. He gave a deep woof followed by little tippy taps of his excited paws on the marble under foot as he walked next to me.
“How old is that mangy thing?” The witch of the party, Morrigan, piped up after watching the sickeningly sweet exchange. Whether she was bored and just wanted a rise out of me or genuinely asking for one reason or another, I couldn’t be sure; her sour attitude always seemed to bleed through no matter what she said.
“Maybe you shouldn’t insult a war dog smart enough to understand you, you swampy toadstool.” Alistair, my fellow Grey Warden, spoke up with a light tone that only thinly blanketed his annoyance.
I was acutely aware that any bickering about to ensue would be too much to handle for a fuzzing brain such as mine. “It’s alright Alistair,” I said quickly, waving a hand over my shoulder while continuing to trudge on. “He’s going to be six in about a month, I believe.” For the first time in a few hours I turned back to my companions, finally coming to a slow standstill. “Why do you ask, Morrigan?”
She hummed passively, picking at her nails as she stopped in her smooth strides. “I would just like to know when a Mabari heart will be available. They are quite helpful in boosting a potion’s potency, you know.” The subtlest of smirks quirk the edges of her mouth upwards as her eyes land on Bark, who’s stubby ears start to bend back with a low, threatening rumble radiating from his chest.
I place a protective, steady hand on the back of the dog‘s neck. “Is that so?” The sharpness on my tongue couldn’t be helped. This hound was all I have left of my old life, my family. So even the slightest whiff of a threat towards him managed to prickle my skin.
Morrigan’s eyes finally lifted, only to be met with both grey warden’s eyes boring into her.
She stood there aloof as her expression twisted to an exasperated mein. “Oh settle down, I’m not going to gut him when you aren’t looking.” She huffed, a tinge of humour littering her tone as she rolled her eyes. “I was simply asking a question and sharing my knowledge.”
“Charming as always, Morrigan.” Alistair dryly remarked, holding a steady and disapproving stare squarely on the witch.
She tipped her head. “What? Is it so awful of me to offer helpful information?”
I didn’t bite at the bait, instead opting to turn away and continue on. “We should keep moving, the sun is gonna set soon.” I said, as evenly as I could, brushing my fingers around next to me to make sure Bark was close.
The bickering that floated about between the two companions continued, much to my dismay.
“Have you ever taken a moment to yourself and think about how unsettling the things you say are?” Alistair muttered towards the witch who’d fallen in stride next to him, his eyes sharp in their intricate cataloguing of the woman.
She hummed to herself coolly. “Interesting, am I to bend to others for something as little as comfort?” Her blazing amber eyes met his challengingly. “Are you not a Grey Warden? A supposed warrior meant to slaughter darkspawn, sleep not a wink for nights on end, drink the very blood that kills others upon the smallest of tastes?” She laughs cruelly, her eyes crinkling in satisfaction at the sight of his thinning lips. “How odd that you of all people demand comfort, and for feelings that are not even yours to be felt.”
Alistair visibly bristled, fighting to keep his aloof voice. “Right, How could I forget soulless husks can’t comprehend basic human empathy?” The slight bite in his voice pushed through despite his best efforts.
They continued bickering as I pushed myself a little faster. For fucks sake I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
Just as I was about to snap on them, a group of men ahead of us caught my attention. The sight of them roughly rummaging through a broken cart pulled me forward with a quick jog with Bark right next to me matching my pace.
Alistair called my name only once before catching sight of my concern. He began to jog after me as well.
Morrigan strolled behind at her consistent pace.
“Hey!” I called out once getting a better view of what was going on. There were two dwarves men watching in dismay as these thugs ransacked all their stuff. “What the hell’s going on here?!” The confrontation didn’t fall on deaf ears as I encroached closer.
Who I assume was the leader turned around from his comfortable job of supervising only to cast me a bored, smug look. “Ah! Well these fine people are just paying the fee to pass.” He said with a smiley smile.
“A fee?” I questioned, bewildered.
He nodded while a few of his accomplices walked up next to him as some kind of intimidation tactic. “Best believe it,” He nodded with a poorly acted look of displeasure. “Unfortunately there’s been a lot of robberies on the route. With the blight in the south, it’s been making everyone antsy about their financial and supply situation. So we offer protection.” He extended his unturned, grimey hand out towards me.
I stared unimpressed at his hand then glanced passed him to the ransacked cart. “This looks like a robbery.”
He shrugged dismissively. “Doesn’t matter what it looks like, if you want to pass safely you need to pay the fee like everyone else.” He outstretched his hand more.
Before him or his cronies could stop me, I shot my hand around his and twisted harshly. He yelped and was immediately on his knee before me. “Do you know who I am?” I asked calmly as I stared down my nose at him.
He stared up at me stunned and confused. “Wh-What? Let me go!” I twisted his hand harder, causing his arm to start to twist at his shoulder in compensation.
“No. But you and your friends here are going to leave these poor people alone.” I commanded. One of the men behind attempted to come towards me, to which Bark quickly jumped in between with a threatening growl, baring his jugular ripping teeth.
My glare became far more severe. “I’m a Grey Warden.”
The thieves all seemed to go pale. “A… A Grey Warden?” He repeated, his eyes wide with horror while his body became completely tense under my grasp.
“That’s right,” I mused coldly. “And you are going to abandon this irritating road block permanently if you wish to continue this sad little life you lead.”
He looked like he was about to say something, possibly the last bit of rebellion in him. I tightened my strong hold at this, twisting his arm ever so slightly farther, feathering the thin line between his arms natural range of motion and a dislocation. “Nod if you understand.”
The thief fought a yelp of pain as he nodded in small, aggressive bobs of his head.
I eyed his companions for any sign of defiance. Upon finding none I stare down the man in my grip a few seconds longer before releasing his arm. He grunted and immediately held his arm as he scuffled away before finally scrambling off with his accomplices.
I can’t help but watch them run away. A satisfied look coats my confident expression as I turn back to Alistair and Morrigan.
Morrigan wore a similarly satisfied look on her face, however, she wasn’t directing it to me or any of the men I’d sent off running. Her amused eyes laid squarely on Alistair. He looked shocked, surprised, maybe even invested in every moment within the exchange between you and the man on his knees. His face was a vibrant red with his mouth slightly agape all the while his wide eyes stayed squarely fixed on me.
Me?
My eyes flicked between him and Morrigan, confused until I felt my heart start to race. Alistair cleared his throat into his fist and abruptly forced his eyes away by turning himself in another direction.
Morrigan chuckled. “Oh don’t get shy now, Alistair,” Her mischievous eyes drank in his state like it was her only water source in a hundred kilometre radius. “That display of strength was quite alluring, wasn’t it? There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” She teased.
“God Morrigan, do you ever shut up?!” He snapped, but his heart wasn’t in it as he remained facing away.
An extra warmth ran through my body, which was the last thing I needed in this muggy, summer air. “Can you guys knock it off please?” I cut in sharply, “Let’s just get to the inn, I need a drink.” That was the last thing I said as I swiftly made my way down off the bridged path and onto the dirt road into Lothering with Bark in tow.
Morrigan only laughed as she padded behind. “I think we all could use one.”
Alistair awkwardly followed behind the group as he shifted his armour about.