Chapter 1: A Harrowing Experience.
>-- Kirkwall: The Gallows / Circle of Magi --<
>-- Rodwen's POV --<
"Statues of tortured slaves fill the Gallows courtyard, a ghastly memento of Kirkwall's history. Fifteen-hundred years ago, Kirkwall was the Tevinter Imperium's largest quarry, feeding the construction of the Imperial Highway.
The Imperium's hunger for expansion led to legions of slaves forced into working the quarry. When the empire's construction phase ended, Kirkwall slid naturally into its new role as the capital of the slave trade—the Gallows at its heart."
"Yaaawwwnnn" I take a sharp intake of air as a let out a loud dull yawn, quickly I cover my mouth as I hear the annoyed tired mummers of my fellow apprentices around me. The dorm we are in is filled with row after row of bunk beds each belonging to a pair of apprentices, they are so close together that I feel we are packed in like corpses in a morgue, there are two light sources that can be seen within the dorm, the first is the natural light of moon shining through the open windows, since we are on the fifth level of the Gallows the Templars allow us to keep our windows open, it can also get stuffy up here. But the second is of the lantern placed by my bedside which has a dim orange glow that helps me see these scribbles words in this book.
"The statues are not monuments to the suffering of slaves. Every inch and angle of the courtyard was designed by magisters bent on breaking the spirit of newcomers. Executions here took place daily, sometimes hourly, and corpses were hung from gibbets throughout the yard. New slaves trudging in from the docks saw what awaited them."
I feel the breeze of a pillow being thrown as an projectile but if it was aimed for me then who ever threw it aimed too high for a angered grumble confirmed by my bunk mate Ashalle, a female Dalish who was picked up around the same time as me, that her sleep was end abruptly by the flying pillow fiend.
"Rodwen you knife eared little Bastard, I swear by The Makers beard that if you don't go to bed right now I'll-" Warren, a Human noble from some High-town family, threatens with great passion before being cut off by Ashalle.
"..Warren I swear by your Maker you won't wake up in the morning'.” Ashalle warns with venom seeping from her lips, I dare say her hatred for Humans has been flaring up the last couple days.Warren lets his head fall back onto his pillow though his hand from what I can see is left in a rather vulgar gesture towards Ashalle and me.
"When Our Lady turned her armies against the Imperium, the slaves of Kirkwall revolted and claimed the city for themselves. The Gallows stood empty for two hundred years, not to be reopened until the crowning of Divine Justinia I. The Gallows transformed the city again when the abandoned prison tower became the home of Kirkwall's Circle of Magi."
As I start to finish the last chapters of my book I notice the main door to our dorm is being open slowly and quietly, I don't think any of the other apprentices notice this but since I am wide awake I take note, once the door is wide open three Templars enter swiftly and silently and then make their way to my bunk, I peer over the top of my bunk to see that they have surrounded my bunk and are looking directly at me. In a matter of seconds the two male Templars are dragging me down the halls as they are being lead by the female Templar upwards the tower, I try to think why they are taking my to the higher levels of the Gallow's tower is it because of my new idea for teleportation spells or have I done something wrong? I guess I won't find out until we get to our destination because this idiot Templars are being silent jerks.
>-- Kirkwall: Gallow's Harrowing Chamber --<
>-- Rodwen's POV --<
I awkwardly stand in the harrowing chamber, my Templar escort stationed directly behind me, I stare directly forward as I list the people in the room. It appears the First Enchanter is present as well as the Knight Commander, the First Enchanter nods towards me to signal to step forward and as she commands I take a few steps her way, I don't know why I hold so much fear to such an old woman but there is something about that causes an air of stillness.
"Come Rodwen, this is the most important night of your life." She takes a small pause before continuing "On this night, this hollowed night you will take your Harrowing and when you pass you will take you place among the other mages of the Circle." As she talks we have begun to walk to the Centre of the Chamber.
The Knight Commander steps forward and signals for us to stop "If. If he passes" He says sternly with a strict voice "There is the chance he will fail and when that happens he will die." I stare at the Knight Commander in mild shock of what he just said.
"F-First E-e-Enchanter...What does he mean by that?" I ask softly and shyly, my voice trembles with mild fear. The Knight Commander, an old man that has only become bitter with age, looks down upon me with a smear.
"What I mean Elf is that the Harrowing will involve you entering the Fade and taking on a Demon." The old bitter Templar states with a deep anger, I shift backwards a little in fear of what he has just said. How can the first enchanter allow this kind of test? From what I can tell it sounds rather barbaric but no doubt this "Test" was designed by the Templars, a way of rooting out the weak and the strong no doubt. I take a deep breath and step forward once more to show that I am not afraid, both the Knight Commander and First Enchanter seem a little surprised by this as I am usually more of a shy and meek individual but nonetheless I show that I am ready to handle what is to come.
The First Enchanter ushers for me to follow both her and the Knight Commander as they walk to the Centre of the chamber and as we walk the First Enchanter decides that she will shine down some words of wisdom on me, I know the old woman means well but everything she says contradicts what she means.
"Now as the Knight Commander stated you will be entering the Fade to duel a Demon." She gives me a reassuring motherly look to help calm my nerves before continuing her little speech. "As you must have perceived by now this is indeed a trial by fire where you will ever fail or Succeed! And Succeed you must young one!" She calms herself down a little before we reach the Centre of the chamber, which has some kind of glowing rock on a pedestal.
"Now remember the Fade is the realm of dreams, your own will is power there and as long as you keep what you have learnt in your brain and heart you will pass this test." she utters placing a hand of my shoulder.
Turning my gaze from the First enchanter to the glowing rock I try to figure out what it might be, I sense large amounts of magical energy flowing from it but I still can't pinpoint what it is though it appears the Knight Commander has notice my interest in the magic rock and decides to put me out of my misery.
"I am indeed surprised you don't know what that is Elf. You are staring at pure lyrium...Essence of magic itself and how we are sending you into the Fade." he ends his sentence with a small grin, he thinks that since I don't know one thing that he is instantly smarter then me? Oh...How I would love to take him down a few notches but that will have to wait for another time. I stare at the Lyrium once more and take a few cautious steps towards it before stopping altogether and taking one last look towards the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander.
"Is there any other choice in this matter?" I ask meekly directing my question towards the First Enchanter, though by the look on her face the answer I am about to get may be a worse alternative.
"There is indeed another option my dear apprentice, the rite of tranquility but I hope you understand that is not an option of a Mage with you talents." she says with a mournful expression, I know what she means by the rite of tranquility it’s when the Templars somehow disconnect you to the Fade and all magic and through that process leaves you this hollow abomination known as a Tranquil, a creature that still looks like the Mage before the rite but has no emotion or feeling when it comes to talking or anything they are simply hollow.
I nod my head towards the First enchanter as I turn my attention back to the Lyrium, I take my final steps the Lyrium and slowly I reach my hand out to touch the glowing rock, at first all I feel is a cold sting in my hand I see the Lyrium has passed it glow to it and the next thing I feel is a cold burning sensation as the Lyrium quickly covers my whole body in mere seconds. The last thing I see is the ceiling of the Tower as the Lyrium's glow overtakes my vision and cause the world to fall out from under my feet.
>-- The Fade --<
>-- Rodwen's POV --<
I take a sharp intake of air as I feel my whole body come back to life, I shift uncomfortably on the ground I lay on its harsh sandy texture causing my back to gain quite an itch so I decide to take the first steps into solving this problems as I move to sit up. Once I am now positioned with my back now straight and my butt touching the odd ground I finally take in the environment around me from my sitting position, nothing I have ever read in the thousands of books I have catalogued inside of my head would have prepared me for this level of intensity. That Fade appears to be Island after Island floating through out a void of pure insanity, the colors I see are a mixture of dark browns and greens morphed in the sky, as I then move to stand and peak over the edge of the island I seem to be placed on I get a sudden wash of altitude sickness as I see that the bottom of this dimension seems to be a never ending dark vortex.
I step backwards as I try to regain my composer so that I may brave this new world, find this demon that I need to end and hopefully not gain the attention of some weird creature staring at my from across the island, if I had to describe the creature I would said it looked like a pony though there are a few exceptions that make it seem a little odd, one its hide seems to be purple lavender color, also it has a an even darker purple for its base main color bit with a pink highlight going through its mane and tail and it also appears to have some kind of intelligent spark in its eye as it stares at me with a expression of...Well fear.
From my position I try to figure out why there is a little pony creature in such of an inhospitable place, could this be the demon I have to face? It can't be! It’s too darn cute to be a demon! So I quickly make the decision to usher it towards myself with the traditional "Come here Boy" I whistle a little and utter "Who's a good boy, come here" as I make the hand gesture to approach me, though the next thing I know I see a magical hand appear in-front of my face that process to slap me twice, once front and once back, the odd thing beside the pain is that the aura the hand was covered in is the same that is limited from the ponies horn and just because the universe seems to hate me the pony actually utters some words.
"I will have you know that I am mare...Creature?" at first she sounds annoyed but then proceeds to take a more questioning tone with me.
"Hmm...What are you? I've never seen a creature like you before." she points out as she trots around me, sometimes coming in too close for my liking.
"Hmm...You seem to wear clothing showing that you intelligent adding to the fact you can obliviously can talk and also to be in this realm you must have some form connection to magic...But what are you?" she questions as she sits on her haunches a few meters away from me.
"Well...Since you managed to deduce it, yes I am intelligent! In my book I am very intelligent!" I say somewhat annoyed at the Unicorn pony, a hurt expression showing on her face.
"Also yes...I am magical, it’s kinda the reason I am a Mage." I shoot in a little less hostile as the Unicorn pony then takes a more interested look at me, this looks kinda puts me off but I answer her last question none the less.
"And I am an Elf, ya know once immortal race then enslaved by humans but that doesn't matter now, I am an elf Mage known as Rodwen...Pleasure ta meet ya miss.” I put out my hand for a handshake as I wait for her to shake it.
"Sparkle...Twilight Sparkle." She says placing her hoof in my hand as we shake. I give the little creature a smile and a chuckle at the act of the handshake and afterwards we start to talk about our interests of magic. From talking to her I learn allot of information such as she is known as the element of magic in her world and that her other five friends also have different elements of the "Elements of Harmony" I give her a confused look and try to explain that that harmony can't be a element but that lead to nowhere fast we continue to talk and learn about each other’s worlds and tastes.
"So...In your world magic isn't feared...but revered! And besides that you are rules by immortal Alicorns that control your sun and moon...Also you and your friends have these elements of harmonies that allow you to do great feats of magic huh? Whoa...Your world sounds interesting." I say bewildered from what I have been told of her magical pony world, though as we have sat and talked I still feel as I have forgotten something.
"Hey! Don't sell your world short, the magic you Mages learn seem to be far more potent and stronger then the magic of your world...Most probably the reason there aren't so many of your kind on your world but still from what you have told me of your world it sounds amazing! Well...Uh...Besides that whole Templar and religion problem you have...But if you don't mind me asking why are you hear in the Dream World?" She asks confused of my presence.
"Well from what I have just recently learned is that the Templars seem to force us Mages to do a trial by fire where are sent to the Fade to fight a demon and prove our inner strength...Though I wish I never knew that part of the Harrowing now.." I say scratching the back of my head in annoyance, though as I look at Twilight she seems to have a confused expression.
"So...You have killed the Demon...Right?" she asks as I feel my body freeze up. I have completely forgotten about the demon! I think inside of my head though I believe Twilight can see my internal mental struggle.
"Can't believe you would forget something as important as that!" She shouts at me. "Sorry! It's just I have been busy talking to you all this time so yea...This is your fault!"
I point accusingly at her, her face is priceless as she takes an offended expression on her face.
"My Fault! How dare you say it’s my Fau-." She stops mid-sentence as her whole body freezes up, An expression of pure horror on her face as she seems to stare at something behind me.
My throat is suddenly dry and as I swallow I make an audible gulp as I slowly turn myself around and stare at the creature that has been emitting heat behind me, as soon as I am finish turning I am greeted by the sight of a Class One Rage Demon, a demon that takes the appearance of what seems like living lava, it lifts a claw ready to strike me as I shout back to Twilight
"Stay behind me!" as I ready a shield spell.
>-- One Epic Fight Scene Later --<
I take deep breaths of Air, my once pristine robe is now covered in ash and burn marks and my once brushed, washed and styled long brown hair fares not much better than the state of my robe, apparently when you overload a rage demon with too much energy they explode...By the maker I wish they taught they that in most of the classes I had to go through, after I gain my breath back I wipe some of the grime of battle of me as I then walk towards the mighty element of magic...Who seems to curled up in a ball stroking her tail, muttering some incoherent ramblings.
I stare down at her and honestly I have no idea what to do with her, during the battle she managed to hold her own and if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have survived that the demons attacks though as I look down at her I don't see her as that brave mare that helped me in battle I see a scared little filly who just wants to go home. I kneel down and scoop her of the ground in my arms as I take her away from now the scorched part of the island and then proceed to sit down and hug her, the best way I can try to comfort her at this time, her fur is soft and even has the scent of lavender and even though she is a small creature I still feel a strong presence come from her, after a few minutes she stops her crying and manages to strain out a small thank you and now that she stands by my side I see that she only reaches up to my waist what I take advantage of by patting her on the head.
We say our goodbyes as she creates a portal to take her back to her world, she even offers for me to come with her but I know deep down that even though I want to go I can't due to my shackles of the circle, she is sad at first that I can't go with her but she comes up with a new idea, she teaches me a quick spell that will allow me to send her letters even across dimensions. I tell she will receive a letter from me as soon as I return to the Circle, we hug one last time and as soon she goes through the portal I feel myself start to fade from the Fade.
>-- Kirkwall: Circle Tower --<
>-- Rodwen's POV --<
As I awaken from my Fade Slumber I notice a Templar already has a blade to my throat, ready to end my life in a moment’s notice and knowing me I give him a sarcastic eyebrow raise and then looks towards the Knight Commander to call his dog back, after that little bit of annoyances the First Enchanter processed to congratulate me on my performance but then criticize me about my speed, Figures.
Over the next few hours I have obtained the official title of Mage, I have been from my bed in the apprentice dorm and moved to my own room in the lower levels which was to the dismay of my friends and now I am sitting at my desk writing about my day's experience and also finishing my first letter to my new purple friend, as instructed I finish the letter and cast the spell which at first I think burns the letter but I see that the ashes are sent through a miniature portal to maker knows where.
I sit back and smile as I start to think of what is to come...Maybe something new blows this way for us Mages is what I think as I fall asleep in my chair.
>-- End Chapter One --<
Chapter 2: Equestrian Missive.
>-- Golden Oaks Library --<
>-- Third Person P.O.V --<
Twilight sits quietly within Library, its thick wooden walls stopping the harsh winter winds from chilling her being but even though her shelter keeps her warm, safe and secure she cannot stop herself from shivering. It has been a full day since the event where she crossed dimensional planes into the world known as the Fade and discovered that strange bipedal creature that knew itself as an elf, she had spent the first half an hour from returning from the Fade trying to find out where she had heard the name of that species before and she of course she found a whole chapter on the species of Elf's within a old book of mythology, though there were no true physical description of them and all the information seemed based of fairy tales. But now she sits herself in-front of her desk trying to figure out the events that unfolded when she was in the ghastly realm of the Fade.
Slowly she starts to recall the extraordinary events she witnessed within the Fade, firstly one of the most important things that happened within that God-forsaken realm was the discovery of the Elf known as Rodwen, from what she could recall of the Elf's appearance is that he appeared to be around "5'6, he also had a long brown mane that covered the majority of his face and went down to his spindly shoulders, from what she could remember of his face is that it was oddly gaunt and his skin was a very pale complexion but beside all of that the main feature that made him stand out was his long pointed ears, from what Rodwen had explained to her is that was one of the main features that distinguished them from the other races of his world. As she remembers what Rodwen told her of how his race was once treated as slaves forces a cold shiver to run up her spine quickly and she decides to think of the other experiences she found within the Fade.
During Twilight thoughts on her time in the Fade she fails to notice that the young drake known as Spike starts to make his way down the stairs, as he descends he takes notice of Twilights solitary presence within the main room of Library, from this angle he can barely she the blank facial expression dawned on his "Adoptive" older sisters muzzle.
"Twilight?" He asks softly as he finishes his decent to the ground floor of the Library, a ever present chill seems to be caught in the air. "
Twilight? Are you okay?" The small drake asks once more since his first inquiry is left un-responded though this time he succeeds and Twilights head darts quickly in the direction of Spike, A little surprised at the baby drakes sudden appearance she answers his call.
"Oh...Spike? What are you doing up so early?" She asks inquisitively and she is met with a plain answer from Spike, he tells Twilight that he had heard a noise a few hours ago down the stairs and was scared it was a intruder in the house so he had ventured down to investigate, after he had gained the courage to take the first steps, to see who it was and what they were doing. Twilight gives the baby drake a reassuring smile and gestures for him to come over to her and give her a hug, Spike rushes over to Twilight and is embraced within her warm hug, when the hugging had finally ended after several minuets Spike offers to make Twilight and himself some tea and once confirmed by Twilight that she would like some tea he rushes off to begin the task.
Once Spike leaves the main chamber of Library and enters the kitchen Twilight then returns to her thoughts on what transpired yesterdays night, she starts to remember the long discussion that her and Rodwen the Elven Mage had enjoyed together, the idea of ever meeting a new cultural demographic had always fascinated Twilight but this was even more exciting considering that this culture was cross-dimensional. Twilight then proceeds to pull out a blank journal from a shelf located not far from her desk and a quill from its inkwell and starts to write down all she can remember of her and the elf's discussion last night within the Fade.
Halfway through her spree of writing down all that she can fathom from her memory Twilight is pleasantly disturbed by her number one assistant brining her a nice steaming cup of hot tea.
Spike looks over Twilights shoulder as he examines the journal she has begun writing. "So is this adventure you went out on yesterday?" Spike asks with enthusiasm as he moves forward a little to get a better look at the Journals contents but is quickly blocked by Twilights form, a bemused expression stuck on her face that is caused by her assistants enthusiasm. Twilight lifts the quill and journal with her magic and hands them Spike.
"Indeed, this journal holds at the moment only a small amount of content of what I experienced last night within Fade." she pauses while Spike mouths the word Fade. "And since you are now awake you can help me write it all down!" Twilight says eagerly at Spike who now grimaces his decision to wake up this morning.
Two Hours later Twilight and Spike now rest the newly filled journal atop Twilights desk, the tome now filled with the information about the Fade, Rodwen and even the Demon. Though Twilight wishes to leave enough information about the demon un-written which did at first confuse the young Drake Spike but after Twilight explained how frightening and powerful the demon was Spike understood Twilights fear of the demon but honestly it was not only the demon that frighten Twilight but the power Rodwen had displayed when fighting the foul creature, it was nothing she had ever seen before in her study of magic and friendship and now she was regretting the decision of giving the Elven Mage the access to Spikes delivery system.
Though she could no longer regret the decision once Spike had delivered a very odd scroll. The flame quickly dispersed from the scroll and Spike seemed to have been effected with the mail sickness faster then usual when accepting mail from Celestia, the seal of the scroll was dawned with an odd sign that she had never seen before, it kinda reminded her of a horse shoe of some kind but that wasn't important now what was important is that she had received mail...From another dimension!
Spike was still recovering from the sickness but Twilights focus was on the scroll she had received from the Elven Mage, she quickly tell spike to go back upstairs and rest for how long he needs, once Spike has gone up stairs Twilight starts to unfurl the scroll and begins to read the letters on the parchment.
Dear Twilight Sparkle.
If you don't remember me allow me to refresh your memory, I was the Elven Mage you had encountered within the Fade last night.
Now Unless your mind has become corrupted somehow, maybe to the exposer to the Fade? I will hopefully help remind you of your memories.
Last night you and I crossed paths within the land of Dreams, The Fade, within these lands we conversed on subjects on both our worlds present actives, I remember on how you told me how your world is known as Equestria, you have three main species of your kind known as Unicorns, Pegsi and Earth ponies and finally you told me that your rulers have magic that allows them to control celestial bodies.
I remember telling you about my world, a world where magic is feared and hated and anyone who can use it treated as so. The world were my kind was once shackled into slavery by Humans who were beaten upon greed and power and finally how I told you about the Circle of Magi what I explained in detail was as much of a school as it was a prison forged by the human religion that sees magic as a cursed that needs to be eradicated.
After our conversation we were set upon by a demon that tried to kill me and you alike, thankfully as you can guess we defeated and killed the fiend and found a portal to return you to your realm, before you left you made me promise to write you this letter and to include more information on my world, you will find this information on the back of the scroll, the magic that made the letters invisible should have faded by now. Have to play it safe with this kinda information.
Anyway I can't wait to hear from you again and I hope we can figure out a way we can meet again.
Your Sincerely.
- R
After reading the letter a few times she checked the back and noticed that there was now writing to be discovered on the back, it appears the information seems to based on the Circle of Magi and another group known as the Chantry but Twilight would have to ask about them in her return letter, were they the religion?
Twilight snaps to attention as she realises that she should send a letter back as soon as possible, it appears that Twilight will stretching the limits of the meaning of pen-pals.
>-- End Chapter 2 --<
