Sparks flew as blades collided, swords hummed as they whipped quickly through the air.
The storm ravaged the sky with roars of thunder, the cabin only visible from the flashes of light. Silence blanketed the room inside, two figures stood near the door motionless. The elven woman faced her husband, Grimace filled her deep blue eyes.
"Honey, do you have to go?" Her voice cracked.
The burly man stroked his red beard, with a sorrowed expression he shrugged. "If I could refuse, then I would have, but I can't turn down a personal request from the king."
"I know, but something just seems off..." Her expression tensed, "Please, l-let me go with you."
"I want you to go, but we need someone to watch over Lily. Don't worry, my brother Varric will be with me." He pulled his wife close and caressed her blonde hair. "I will return Val, I promise." He went for a kiss when a rapid knock emanated from the door. "Come in," he called out in frustration.
A cloaked man walked through the door, his gear wore crusted mud and one long horizontal scar across his face.
"Good afternoon Val, Bjorn, I'm sorry for the intrusion, did I interrupt anything?"
"In fact we were..."
Val cut in. "Not at all Varric."
"Well then Brother, are you ready to go?" Varric murmured.
Bjorn straightened his posture, "I'm always ready, dear brother." He formed a massive grin.
Varric gave his brother a blank stare before both men burst out into laughter.
"You're always ready? Don't make me laugh! How about the time you forgot your boots in camp?"
"Come now Varric, need I remind you who is the older brother here!" With one motion Bjorn grappled Varric and put him into a headlock.
Val gushed at the sight. "What am I gonna do with you two?"
Magic blasted by at lightning speed, only visible from the quick flashes as they collided above.
"Mommy, Daddy, what's going on?" a young girl stood half asleep in the hallway.
Val hurried over, "Hey there, sleepyhead; what's wrong, you couldn't sleep?
"The storm is trying to get me, mommy." She clutched onto her mother.
"Oh, sweetheart the storm isn't gonna get you."
Immediately an earth-shattering crack of thunder shook the cabin.
Lily grabbed onto her mother even tighter. "It's coming, mommy!" Tears began to fall like rain.
"Shh, shh, everything will be alright angel, nothing will harm you, I'm right by your side."
She looked up at Val. "Reawwy?"
Val gently stroked her brunette hair. "Yes, really."
The young girl's eyes looked towards the men. "Mommy."
"Yes, angel?"
"What's uncle Varric doing here?"
"Oh, well your dad and uncle Varric were about to head out, so I was saying goodbye."
Suddenly Lily ran over and clutched her father's leg. "Don't go daddy!"
Her father a large intimidating warrior whose presence alone shook most men to the core began to melt at the look of his young daughter.
"There's my little Lily." He swiftly picked her up and twirled her around.
Lily giggled loudly. "Yay, faster daddy."
"You got it!" Bjorn spun even faster.
Lily's laughter was uncontrollable. "So fast..."
"Hey dear you should stop, i don't want her getting sick."
Bjorn laughed. "Yes, that would not make for a good send-off."
"Where are you going daddy?"
"Listen, sweetie. Daddy has some work to take care of." He smiled. "Be a good girl for mommy until I get back, okay?"
She gave a hallow smile. "Alright, daddy."
"That's my girl." He kissed her on the forehead.
"Love you, daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart."
"Let's go little one." Val took Lily from Bjorn's arms. "Time for bed."
Lily squirmed. "But daddy..."
He walked over and patted her head. "I will be home soon, sweetheart."
She quickly stopped fussing. "Okay." She pouted.
"Thanks, dear." Val kissed him.
"No problem." He smirked.
"Don't forget to say goodbye to daddy and uncle, Varric."
"Bye daddy and uncle Varric." Her eyes hung heavy with sleep.
The men waved back. "Goodnight Lily." Varric smiled.
"Goodnight my little Lily," Bjorn said softly.
Val carried Lily back to her room, which was filled with colorful flora from many regions. The smell alone would make even the rowdiest of children fall into a deep slumber. "Mommy, will daddy be okay?"
Val paused; Lily began to twitch nervously. Val inched closer and closer before tickling her.
"Mommy...ha ha...stop.." Lily laughed harder.
"Ok Angel listens, what I'm about to tell you is important."
"What is it, mommy?"
"Your father is powerful, so don't worry." Val flexed her arms.
Lily giggled and Val began to laugh as well.
"Thanks mommy." Lily yawned.
"Time to sleep."
"Wait'! Mommy, can you sing to me again?"
"Sure thing sweetheart."
Val began to sing. "Hush little angel....don't you cry.....goddess sil'va will be by your side." With that short song, Lily was soothed to sleep. "Get some rest angel." Val kissed her cheek.
The brothers stood in silence contemplating the mission until Val entered the room. "She's fast asleep."
"Good, I don't want her to know about our work."
"I can understand that you're worried about Lily, Bjorn, but she is getting smarter by the day. It might be best to let her know who she is before she finds out on her own."
Val rushed forward. "No! I will not allow that. She will live free from those chains!"
"Val! Put the dagger down!" Roared Bjorn.
"What?!" Val looked down confused. "When did I? How?"
Varric was unfazed. "It's alright Val, when you care that deeply for someone, you end up just reacting."
"Listen close you two, I don't know what her future will be, but what I do know is that she will be the one to decide that, not any of us."
The room went quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time when in the silence, Varric motioned to his brother. "We should get going; it's a long walk from here."
"Fair point. Let us be on our way then."
"Wait, Dear." Val ran over and kissed him. "Please be careful, your not alone anymore you have a family now."
"Trust me, Val, I will return no matter what. I love you."
"I love you too."
The two embraced with a lock that not even the greatest thief could pick.
Varric coughed. "Well, I will be outside when you too finish up."
"I will be right out, Varric."
Val turned red. "Sorry, Varric."
STAI LEGGENDO
Telnari: End of a Dream
Fantasy"Say you woke up one day and your father or mother were gone, what would you do? How far would you go to find them? Truth comes at a price, and the price can be more than you are willing to pay!" In a land where countries are on the brink of war...
