Snippet #2020622

The lone raven perched on the cart watched with slightly narrowed eyes as the slim elven girl made her way to it, and waited. She appeared pitifully small... but Suicide supposed he had little reason to boast at the moment. After all, he was just a bird. The elven girl's legs looked like tree trunks compared to his at the time. But when he chose to reveal his presence to her, he would tower over her by nearly a foot and a half, and he didn't doubt his natural body had twice again her weight.

But as Suicide had learned since leaving the Wilds, size was not always important. These northern folk were, almost without exception, smaller than his people, but in the last few months he had seen valor and prowess among them like he had never witnessed among his own people. These Grey Wardens, as they called themselves, often made up in strength and skill what they lacked in sheer size. They were a fascinating group to Suicide, warriors that had devoted their lives to a company, condemned themselves to death so that others might live a while longer. They were admirable qualities, but Suicide had turned down Malik's offer to join them. The Path demanded that he fight alongside those who were worthy, but Suicide's death would be on his own terms. This taint these warriors took into themselves would eventually destroy them, whether they were ready for it or not. Seeing no guarantee that his Path could be followed to completion by the time the taint took its toll on his body, Suicide had been forced to refuse.

But that hadn't stopped him from joining the Wardens' cause. The darkspawn needed to be destroyed, this much was indisputable, and a small company of skilled individuals could do something to achieve that. It didn't require that he join their ranks, and it gave him an opportunity to fight alongside others of his caliber, against odds that were largely considered insurmountable. It was perfect.

Or it would be perfect, if Suicide could come to value those he fought with. As for this first one, he wasn't sure. He could smell the nervousness about her. He could see it in the way she stood, the way her hands shook ever so slightly. And in her face, which appeared so innocent... childish almost. She was their leader? She did not look a warrior in the slightest. This led Suicide to believe that she was likely hyper-intelligent, perhaps skilled in magical arts, or otherwise more dangerous than she looked. Wisdom was acquired through experience in the Wilds, and Suicide had learned the hard way that many things were far more dangerous than they appeared.

He cocked his head slightly to the side when he heard her reassure herself. The first of their group was arriving. She hid her shaking hands. She was ashamed of her fear? There was little point in trying to hide it... it would be easy to see either way. Suicide couldn't help but wonder why this little one had been chosen to lead them. Perhaps she had hidden skills, and was more dangerous than she appeared, but she wasn't inspiring in the slightest. She appeared as though she would make a far better follower than a leader.

The one who approached, though... Suicide approved of her. She was even shorter than the elf, but not nearly so thin. She had muscle on her, there was power vested in those stocky limbs. And she spoke strongly, immediately calling out the fact that their leader was as thin as a leaf. Twig-bean, she said. It earned a laugh from Suicide, which came out as a single caw from his raven form. And yet she did not disapprove of the twig-bean's presence, stating that it had been her choice to be here. Spoken well, he thought.

Figuring it was high time to reveal himself to his new companions, Suicide cawed loudly to draw their attention to him, hopping off the side of the cart and gently flapping his wings to settle lightly upon the ground. A brilliant flash of light later, and the raven had been replaced by the crouching form of Dekton Hellas, the Chasind shapeshifter. He rose slowly to his full height, towering over both of the women before him, a mountain of muscle beside the twig bean. They would both be able to examine his powerful physique quite well, as he wore no shirt at the moment. The climate here was quite temperate, at least compared to the Wilds. His lower body was covered by simple garments of fur and leather, ending in boots of bear skin and fur that were quite clearly fashioned by hand. He exemplified the savage appearance, actually. Much of his skin was tarnished by scars from countless struggles against the wild. Dark tattoos striped diagonally across his face and eyes, and his hair was fashioned in a short cut mohawk. His posture was poor, slightly hunchbacked, meaning that he could have appeared taller if he'd tried. The only thing that was not distinctly barbarian about him was his complete lack of any weapons. No massive axe or maul was slung over his shoulder, no ludicrously large hammer that only a Chasind could dream of wielding.

He gave a nod of greeting, first to the elven girl, and then to the dwarven one. "I apologize if I've startled either of you," he said, his deep voice steady and level, "I often spend time in the form of a raven. Few are the given the opportunity to have wings, and I don't mean to squander the gifts I receive along my Path. I am called Dekton, formerly of clan Hellas, though in recent years I have been known as Suicide. You may call me what you wish." Suicide turned to speak more directly to the twig bean. "The one called Malik offered me a place in the mission that you are to lead. I accepted. I offer you the strength of the bear, the speed of the wolf, the sight of the raven, the bite of winter, and the grasp of the earth. If you would have me, I am yours to command."

His face showed remarkably little emotion as he spoke, and his entire form was remarkably still, a contrast to the slight trembling of the girl who he had just offered his services to.