Snippet #1445596

She can feel them all around her. These people, these humans and elves that she hardly knows, grouping and mending her. Such aegis and perspicaciousness the mere strangers had at this hour for the elf woman was astounding. Others usually turned away when she was hurt (outside of her clan obviously) or agreed with the actions taking place. Blysse easily gets intimate with those she barely knows. She'll hunt for them, snuggle up to them, prance around them fearlessly, tug them around...it's simply her way. So when something such as what Valen did happens she has no idea how to respond. Her first thoughts are never revenge. Although right now she refuses to be coddled. It would show great weakness. With a throbbing ear and a diverted gaze the elf takes up the rag Cash brought along, dips it in the bucket of water and carefully dabs herself as clean as she could. She ignored any hands trying to urge her to sit and would tense before slapping them away with a startled expression. Blysse fixed herself up before she stumbled up the stairs to rejoin with Zephora, leaning weakly (although she masked it as a shoulder rub) on the wild woman and daring anyone to come near them with teeth bared. Cash remained downstairs, perturbed by the event.

Severia continued to go on and socialize. She even met with Loghain who for all the world of evil he's done was still an uncle to her. They were cordial but when she brought up her family and Howe, there was no trace of Loghain knowing. He used that voice he never uses. The most regretted one of any kind which would only tell the lady knight that he spoke the truth. Loghain was not connected to the murders of her parents, her sister-in-law nor her nephew. In this she thanked the Maker inwardly while feeling her chest expand, that accursed weight lifted to ease tension. She had since then calmed enough to be coaxed by Loghain to sing as she used to in the Chantry when she was a young girl. Afterwards she had found Raelnor and guided him in dance as the ball wound down. Most of everyone were dancing when disaster struck. True to his word Ryuu ended the Teryn after consulting Tiaryn. The Crows made it swift but it gave the panicked nobles no more comfort.

Escape was maddening but they had crafty rogues on their said; namely Jasper (which only raises nothing but suspicion for the lady knight. Why would he need to be that good at getting out of that sort of situation?) Ryuu and of course Tiaryn. The Dalish siblings kept up easily enough although Cash fussed over the haphazard rise each time Blysse took a bound that drove her dress up her thighs to flash undergarments. The struggle was brutal and Severia winced in knowing that Orik did have reason to suspect the group yet had taken it out on the wrong candidate. Outside of the estate the party rode hard with Severia and Ryuu barking at one another. Severia had started it not out of spite for what the assassin had done for she noted it was inevitable, but because he, her friend, had placed himself in danger. It was friendly bantering barks if anything.

Sadly Lisa had died in the process of escape. A poisoned row of darts found her system before Asmara or any other mage located and healed her. The strange couple, Gann and Merle, were nowhere to be found. Severia, stressed without an outlet, turned it into gossip for Ryuu and Asmara's ears, easy on them as they are all Wardens. Perhaps Gann and Merle whisked themselves off on romantic endeavor after too much drink and were too embarrassed to return to the group. Celestelle grasped Severia in a sisterly embrace which still made the warrioress flush. It had been in front of the others after all. The Orlesian admitted there were pressing matters back home. She had taken both Ceallach (with Blodwyn's bidding to let her borrow the elf) and Andor to Orlais.

A day after the ball Severia had held true to her word. She allowed Valen to enslave her for a day, collar and all. The group continued to make their way for the Circle as they need to act on document. Blysse seemed skittish of the group and would not sleep within the light of the camp's fire, instead shirking into the woods with Dareth. Cash could only wait anxiously for her at times as he cooked and cleaned beside Severia. Whom was haplessly instructed to be silent the duration of servitude. Her duties were rubbing the Akritas' shoulders and feet, polishing their weapons, and sitting in Valen's lap when he wished it. Although near sundown he dared whisper insulting things in her ear. A few more hours could not be waited until she was freed; Severia punched Valen in the face. He had bellowed at her through a bleeding (possibly broken) nose before suddenly withdrawing his blade. Valen had advanced on Dareth whom placidly grazed, oblivious to any in the camp bringing him harm. The Golden Peacock's blade drive behind the halla's shoulder and came out the other side of his broad ribcage. Dareth emitted a keening, panicked trumpet. Dark blood ran down in rivulets on his silken stilts as he raised his tail and darted into the forest. Blysse moved to help Dareth but Valen grabbed her wrists, berating her, not letting her go help her friend. The Dalish began screaming but her screams were soon drowned out Valen's own. Blysse's body ripped from its clothing as she grew to an eight foot tall beast. Her old body torn and shredded, blood stained her as she gripped Valen in her claws and wept for Dareth.

Valen was hurled around like a ragdoll before Blodwyn distracted Blysse. The effulgent she-wolf bit off Valen's ear before she chased Blodwyn to Dareth. Blood magic was used to restore the stag but Blysse was not seen after that nor was Dareth. Severia had drew her own blade, then still clad in a slave's outfit before she challenged Valen to the death. He had done too much wrong and Blodwyn did not seem keen on stopping the duel between her brother and her best friend. It was not a swift battle. Both warriors were without armor and stubborn. While Valen was filled with vanity, woeful of his lost ear, Severia was filled with contempt for the loathsome man and how he spoke of her mother. Valen was beheaded by the Grey Warden before fatigue took over. Kujo sat beside his mistress while she slept on the ground, bristled and snapped at anyone who tried to move her. Cash remained with the group, he had known of this and apologized to everyone for keeping Blysse's dangerous secret. Blodwyn, distraught (though grateful all the same) from the loss of her brother (as evil as he was) took leave of them. The next day the group began to move again.

It's officially been two days after the ball. Severia is still sore and feeling...mucked from battling Valen last night. Her body feels wonderful in all honesty. Fighting helps her relax, either that or running around with Kujo. Astride Blue Moon her eyes pick along the dirt road. Before them is a fork and the sun has begun to sink. Something else is bothering her. She rid the world of Valen's cruel tongue, wicked hands and deceptive good looks. Yet he was someone's brother. Had she felt too much pleasure when her sword seared through his muscles and cervical vertebrae to part head from shoulders? Did she not kill Valen but butcher and murder him? What of Blysse, why has she not returned to face them yet? Severia sighs, rubbing her temples before slowing her mount. She glances back at the others for a group vote of sorts. "It may be a fine time to set up early camp to get an earlier start in the morning. Any objection or thoughts?" she feels much older than she should be. Maker she misses her friends, Blodwyn and Celestelle. Around them all trees shield prying eyes but span out to give way to fields and the like. The hills provide decent shelter if they find themselves under attack.