Flashback Kindle

[Mealla Stormsong]

21st Summer, 510 A.V. It wasn’t often that Mealla found herself in Endrykas. Her Pavilion preferred to wander the grasses alone, keeping to themselves unless otherwise required, and now was just such a time. They’d needed supplies –and, Mealla had overheard, to discuss a potential marriage match for her. She should have been married long ago- so here they were. She wasn’t sure whether or not to be excited. Marriage had never been a plan of hers. At least, not until she had travelled and seen the lands of her mother, and she would see them. She would, whatever the cost. So, she decided, if they wanted her to marry, then she wasn’t going to make easy for them, unless it was to someone who was just as willing as her to travel. Oh, there would be no issue then. She'd snap the husband's hand off. She left the adults to do what they wanted, leaving the brightly coloured tents of her Pavilion behind to wander the streets of the city, taking in the sights and the sounds of so many people gathered together. Would this be what the other cities would be like? Or would they be larger? Smaller-? She’d heard that many of them were made from stone and wood and brick, and that they never moved, and that in itself was something that she had always found hard to imagine. Cities had to move in order to survive, surely, because how else did the surrounding lands continue to survive and support thousands of people? They had to move. Had to. She pushed the thought aside and continued walking, tucking the loose strands of her hair behind her ears as she weaved her way through the crowds. It felt strange to be without Andraste, but the mare was back at the Pavilion, resting, and it was stranger still to be without a weapon, but Endrykas was safe, protected by the webbing that enclosed it. She’d spent several hours the previous day just staring at the totems, wishing and hoping that she would one day have the skills to do such a thing. Sometimes she worried that all she would be good for would be making babies – that that would be her life. She didn’t want it to be like that; she wanted more. Needed more. She wanted to be like her mother - to see some of the world and explore. Finally, she reached the centre of the city – its campfire. It was bigger than anything that she had ever seen, and she once again found herself staring in awe as she had done when she’d first seen it, and, again, she found herself wondering what other cities would be like. She hoped to the gods – to Zulrav most of all – that she would one day find out. Her eyes flicked over the fire, taking it in, until they landed on a man. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?” she asked, pushing her hair behind her ears once again. She lifted her chin, already a little defensive. “It’s just a nice place to visit, and I would like to sit, if that’s all right with you? You have no problem with that, I hope?”

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Summer 21, 510 AV The day had not gone well. As he arrived at his families pavilion he was rudely greeted by his eldest brother commenting on how Tourmal had so selfishly left his family behind. That and the fact that he needed to get over his brothers death already reminding him how hard it is on the unrelenting sea of grass, and how much help the pavilion needed in order to survive. Tourmal understood his brothers concerns considering being next in line as ankal. It was a lot of responsibility to bear. However it was his brothers attitude that drove him away from the family. His brother had died when he was 13 the bond between the twins was nothing anyone else could know besides other twins of course. The two were insuperable, they did everything together. After his death Tourmal mourned for a year till he bonded with his strider Aurus. The event helped him to deal with his loss greatly. Still due to the loss of his twin he had changed drastically. He was no longer the typical extroverted drykas he once was. Had his brother not continually berated him on his inability to get over his loss, he would never have had to leave. The conflict with his brother led him to wander the city It had been a year since he last visited. That visit he also spent most of his time out of the pavilion returning after everyone was asleep. Late nights in the tent city of 20,000 kept the man busy. Sometimes to clear his mind with drink, others with skirt, sometimes both. Very rarely though he just thought seeking no vice rather staring at the blue sky and passing clouds, the black night and twinkling stars, or the magical sway of flames from the central bonfire. Today was one of those nights, and the flames flowed like a horses mane in the wind. Tourmal was uncertain of how long he lost himself in the blaze when he was awoken from his conscious slumber by the voice of a young woman. Slightly dazed he didn't hear everything the woman said only that she wanted to sit. Tourmal moved over a few feet to make room for the young drykas. As she knelt down to sit he looked at her, It was hard to tell how tall she was from his point of view but saw that her hair was brown and she wore it down. It's length was halfway down her back. She had a thin long face with a matching nose. In addition to her facial features she sported a long athletic build. As she knelt down to sit Tourmal watched the flames reflect off her skin. Tourmal shook his head to clear his thoughts. This girl is much too young. She should likely be wed soon. If there was something that he did not like it was conflict. And he would not let himself fall into another one due to his libido. That was him from long ago. And he knew if he brought any shame onto his clan he would never hear the end of it from his brother. News spread fast on the plains. The webbing that connected all drykas protecting them from the dangers that loomed across the sea, in this case was his undoing. After looking at her again he thought a little flirting never hurt anyone. “So are you going to at least tell me your name before we go on with our first date?” Tourmal looked at her and winked. “It's nice isn't it, I often come here to clear my mind. How about you?” He didn't want to push her too far, she was young and hopefully could still take a joke. "So what's on your mind lass?”

[Mealla Stormsong]

OOCI hope this is going in the direction that you intend. If not, please tell me, and I shall see what I can do. “A date?” Mealla repeated with a small snort. She had rather hoped that he would simply nod his head, give a grunt of acceptance as men were wont to do, and let her sit, and that that would be it. Despite her apparent confidence, talking wasn’t always her thing. There were times when she just liked to be silent and alone; to be the very thing that a Drykas was not meant to be. Maybe it was her mother’s blood. Maybe she wasn’t a true Drykas. Maybe that was why her thoughts always turned to the lands beyond. Maybe she was tainted. Maybe, maybe, maybe... After a moment’s hesitation, she sat down and hunched up her shoulders, her eyes on the fire, seeking its warmth, before her gaze flicked back towards the man. She arched an eyebrow, and one corner of her mouth quirked up in amusement. “Did you not know that I’m the type who prefers to skip the dates and go straight to marriage? It’s better to marry someone before they get the chance to know you, don't you think? That way they’re already trapped when they finally do find out about the real you. No escape for them. Such a shame. I’m so sorry. Awww. I do hope you’re not too disappointed in me.” With that said, she pushed her hair behind her ears once again, a habit that she had never been able to get rid of, and went back to staring at the fire. Please say that marriage was not all that she was destined for. She knew that she should be happy – that it was the way that things were meant to be – but it wasn’t for her. Why would Zulrav have given her his mark if all she was meant to do was sit at home and make babies, watch them grow up, watch them leave, watch them never come back; another life lost to the Sea of Grass? That was not how her life was going to be. She wouldn’t let it. One day she would join the Watch, she swore, and then go on from there. The Watch would give her the skills needed to venture into the lands beyond Cyphrus, and then she would see the sights that daily haunted her dreams, and then - and only then – would she accept her fate as a Drykas woman. She needed to see something of the world before she gave up on it completely. She turned back to the man and smiled again. A few strands of hair fell across her face, and she pushed them back, tucking them behind her ears once more. She should have just tied her hair back, she knew, but she hated to show how few knots she had earned. She wasn’t of much high-standing within the Drykas. “So are you sure you want to know my name?” she continued, her voice soft. “Because I might take that as interest in me.” She wouldn’t, of course, but she always liked to be difficult, especially when she was being made to do something that she didn’t want to– in this case talking when she’d much rather be keeping to herself. “And, well, I’ve just told you my views on marriage.” She gave another quick smile, half-amused, half-mocking; provoking. “But...” and she drew out the word, “if you insist... I am Mealla Stormsong, of the Stormsong Pavilion, Diamond Clan. Not ‘lass’, not ‘child’, not ‘girl’, before you decide to think of using those names, too. Mealla. And you? Will you give me a name at least?” She wasn’t particularly interested, but she had always been taught to be polite. You represented your Pavilion every second of every day. The way you acted reflected on them, and she was not willing to give hers a bad name, although... “I hope you also know that it’s rude for a stranger to ask a ‘lass’ what’s on her mind. What happened to manners? Speaking of dates, and now this? Tut-tut.”

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Summer 21, 510 AV OOCIt is fine I wasn't really looking for anything in particular just a response that's all. If you have an idea for something in particular just write it in. I'll do the same. The incredulous look on her face after he mentioned this being their first date showed Tourmal that she had not been ready for such a comment. After a moment of silence She brought up marriage, which completely threw Tourmal for a loop. Unknowingly she had just turn the tables on him. not realizing this the large drykas stammered in his thoughts searching for a reply instead it felt as though he had the wind knocked out of him. It was a stun for sure. As she went on he realized that she was joking by that time she said something about being trapped, and there being no escape. “Disappointed you kidding? No, women who know what they want are hard to come across.” Tourmal was startled how the young drykas had flipped everything around on him at first. After a few moments of looking back at the fire the feeling had changed to amusement. He hadn't met someone who could do that in a long time, and it definitely piqued his interest. Had only she been a bit older he may have given it a go and try to flirt his way back home with her. It would indeed be scandalous for everyone to hear that Tourmal Firemane of the ruby clan who had yet to achieve any sort of notoriety had plucked a budding flower from the garden that were drykas women. He would be sure to get a beating from her ankal, either that or he might end up trapped as she said earlier. There was no way that would come to be the man had a life in Syliras and it wasn't one involving him being tied down to a woman. Not yet at least. “Interest in you? Wasn't it you who asked me on this date? I was taught that it was only proper to know someones name before anything like this started?" If he kept this up he was bound to get in trouble. He knew it but when someone gives you openings like those what are you supposed to do? Just let them fly by? That was against his very nature, and nature was one thing that Tourmal believed in above most. Stormsong! She was of the diamond clan... oh no! Now he definitely should back off. Otherwise he would have his head ripped off by someone from one of the fiercest clans in Cyphrus. “Don't worry it is not a custom of mine to enrage a born warrior. You want me to give you a name? Didn't you just say you didn't like nicknames? And besides It takes a while to find a suitable nickname, well more than just one date at least.” what was he doing? Shut your mouth Tourmal stop talking to her! Stop you really don't want any trouble. Shut up, shut up, shut up! “The name is Firemane, Tourmal Firemane, now try and guess from what clan and pavilion.” Damn! Why don't you just stop. Tourmal had developed a weakness to the opposite sex, not them but rather their company. He hadn't many friends those of whom he had were men. But he still loved the company of women no matter how short of a night it was for. And despite the logic that was coursing through his head on how wrong it was for him to chat up this young filly, it was his hormones that was driving him now. What a sad story to not be able to listen to reason when it was coming from your own brain. “Well now Miss Mealla Stormsong, I don't want to be rude. So If you would rather talk about something else it's fine, I wasn't going to share why I came here either. You know I don't have any problems being called rude in Syliras. I thought that one born of the sea of grass would be more accustomed to a lack of etiquette than those from the city.” He said with a wry grin on his face hoping she would catch it was a jest.

[Mealla Stormsong]

Mealla’s gaze went back to the fire, and she wondered for a moment if it had actually been a wise decision to come and sit beside it. She really was not in the mood to talk or socialise, especially with a man she not know or care to know, and who was clearly quite, quite strange with his talk of 'dates' and things. But it would look even stranger still if she abruptly excused herself so soon after asking, and so she remained where she was, though she widened the gap just a little between them. Just a smidge; enough that another person could come and sit between them if they so wanted. And she rather hoped that someone would do just that to get rid of the awkwardness of this man’s... flirting. Couldn’t he see that she wasn’t interested? It wasn’t that she was too young, oh no, but rather that she just wasn’t looking. Wasn’t interested. “I don’t remember using the word ‘date’,” she said quietly, her tone just a little frosty; lacking the humour of before. “In fact, you were the first to speak it, were you not? So, yes, interest in me. Don’t deny it. Do you like me?” The frostiness lasted only a second before the polite mask was back up, and she smiled, pushing her hair back behind her ears, and glanced towards him once again, the firelight reflecting in her eyes. “But you don’t look like the type who’d want to get themselves trapped. And, besides-,” She leant back. “-has anything actually started? I don’t think it has. Or I've failed to notice. You'll have to try harder, sir.” And with that, she looked away again, her attention back on the fire, dismissing him instantly. She reached up to idly twist a strand of her around her fingers as she frowned in thought, her mind back on marriage. She had no idea if her father or mother - or even the Ankal for that matter - had anyone in mind, since she didn’t have much standing socially. Oh, her being a Stormwarden counted for something, but she sometimes had her doubts about just how much. She still struggled to control even the gentlest of breezes, and Zulrav had given her the mark years ago. Maybe she just wasn’t trying hard enough. Maybe she had to try harder. She really just wanted to be the best that she could be. Even if just for a husband, if it came to that. It seemed that he was not done with talking, and she turned back to him, holding back a sigh, though not before glancing about to see if anyone looked as if they might join them. She arched an eyebrow, wondering just how old this man was. He seemed a little young. Younger, less wise, than her, and she was sixteen. Maybe men just matured slower. That certainly would explain a lot of things in her life. Her mother had always said... “I’m not asking you to give me a name,” she said. “I have one. Mealla, remember? But I wanted to know yours. Although what would you call me? Come on. Tell me. I’m curious now. Intrigued.” She tilted her head and smiled – a simple curving of the lip. “You have my attention now, Tourmal Firemane.” Although, of course, he didn’t. She was just humouring him. “Let’s forget about etiquette. Tell me. What would you call me?”

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Summer 21, 510 AV “Okay sorry, It's not a date. Like is a strong word Stormsong. I might have said interested.” Tourmal said as he heard her cold statement followed by a smile. Hmm haven't met many like this one. Polite one second, then has a tongue like a dagger the next. Tourmal's interest was waning. As she asked her next question he was looking at the fire wondering if he would answer when she finished. “You are right.” He didn't want to be trapped but how did she figure that out. Oh well. “Try? Ok.” As she looked back to the fire Tourmal realized that she was just humoring him in conversation. Oh well It was tiresome thinking about your problems, all day and he was looking for a distraction. He watched the fire a bit more. This girl acted as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. One thing was for sure if you didn't feel sorry for yourself no one else would especially family. The Sea of Grass was a tough place and if you weren't tough you might as well leave. That's what he did. Maybe one day he would come back and settle down after being satisfied in his work and finding a woman or two he could grab one of the Inartians he had heard so much about in the stories of his father. And if he had enough Miza he could pick up a Drykas while he was at it. For now no a life in the plains wasn't enough for him. A name for this troublesome girl. “It probably won't suit you perfectly given I've only met you just now. And I will need a few chimes to figure this out” A name this was tricky depending on what he gave her she might hate him. Not to mention he had never done this before. Though he wasn't completely against her hating him, he did like a good challenge. The question was would he try and figure out a proper nickname for her or would he make one to try and get in her pants? After a few seconds of contemplating he had decided he would give her a proper nick. Well she was nice enough to not tell him to leave her alone. Had he picked up that she was not interested in talking to him earlier he would have given her the quiet she wished for. But she gave him a task and he would follow it through. So she was nice or polite. She got annoyed seemingly easily with him turning from nice to an ice queen in mere seconds. So she was emotional. And she had something that she wanted to stew on for a bit and wasn't inclined to share whatever it was. So she was secretive. Polite, emotional, and secretive. She was just like every other girl then. But every other girl was not this stubborn. Stubborn that was what he was missing. This is dangerous Tourmal he thought to himself. The man was stepping into dangerous territory. How would he spin this to make it work? Could he even spin this? This is going to be tough. Stubborn... Donkeys, Mules, No that wouldn't work. Zibri? Maybe... Nah. Well if there were no good animals that exhibited it then what. After thinking about it some more. He realized that stubborn was not a good quality to start with. Maybe emotional would fare better. As the drykas thought he decided to look to the gods for inspiration this time. “Sorry it is taking so long. It's hard to think up a nickname on the spot.” Let's see her emotions changed like the winds. Having lived in the plains most his life he knew how exactly how the winds could change in just a few moments. Zulrav... How would he work that into a nickname. As he thought about the name he looked at her again, she was deep in thought staring at the fire. She was reflecting on something that weighed heavily on her. Tourmal had heard that Leth was not just god of the moon but of thought also. Zulrav, and Leth. What could he do with these two names. Zulraleth? No. Lethulrav? No. Try shortening it. Lerav? Maybe. Zuleth. Not quite. Maybe if he added an I or A to the end, or both. Hmm. “Leravi, Lerava, Leravia, Zulethi, Zuletha, Zulethia. Hmm.” he mumbled to himself attempting to see how they sound aloud. He liked Lerava, but he like Zulethi too. After thinking about it he felt that Lerava was the better pick of the two. It wasn't much of a nick name rather a name. Oh well he could always shorten it to Lera (Lee-Rah). That's it. “Okay now I hope you like it, and don't get mad please.” He had worked hard on figuring this out. He really did wish that it would please her especially since and it nearly took a bell. “Here it is... Lera, It's short for Lerava. I mixed Leth, with Zulrav to get it.” He looked at her face looking for a hint of what she thought about it. If this doesn't work then I might as well quit trying. All he could do was wait to see how she felt.

[Mealla Stormsong]

“Lerava?” Mealla said, repeating the word. He truly had her attention now as she raised one eyebrow and looked at him in question. “You would name me after the gods?” Now that one she had not expected. She’d expected some sort of stupid name, yes - the type that most men came up with when they were trying to woo a girl and get into her bed (and wasn’t he the sort to do that?), but to bring the gods into it-? She wasn’t sure if she was entirely comfortable with that. You did not, after all, say their names in vain, and, of course, she was closer to Zulrav than most. She could feel Zulrav’s mark burning into her shoulders even as she looked at him; an ever present reminder that He had picked her as one of His own. It still amazed her that He had, and that He hadn’t left her for dead. She’d been stupid - foolish - to chase after the foal, after Andraste, but it had never crossed her mind to do anything else. She'd had to. And He had come to her. Picked her. Somehow He’d picked her. But she still didn’t deserve to bear His name, even as part of a nickname. She unconsciously reached for the mark as her gaze flicked back to the fire, her hand resting over it, fingers stroking where it marked her skin, forever ingrained. Her tunic covered it, but she knew that it was still there, as strong as ever – a swirling mixture of greys and blues; a hurricane; a storm. One day she hoped to be able to truly prove herself to Him; show herself to be worthy. One day she truly hoped to be able to master the storms and not just judge their moods. She wanted to be worthy. She wanted Him to know that He had made the right choice, and how could she do that if she was just a lowly wife? She needed to explore the world... She needed to get out, and to step beyond the Sea of Grass... It was moment before she realised that she had been silent for much too long, and she snapped back to the present with a slight jerk, automatically reaching to push her hair behind her ears once more. Old habits died hard. She smiled at Tourmal – a half smile that didn’t fully reach her eyes – and dipped her head. “I thank you for the name, though, but I don’t deserve to share the gods'. They’re greater than me. I’m not worthy of it.” She was utterly serious now, not toying with him or messing with him. The gods were, after all, not something to joke about, and she worried that they would strike her down. She knew that Zulrav could listen to her whenever He so chose, and speak to her at any moment, and she found herself hoping that today was a day where His attentions was elsewhere. She gave a quick, tight smile, suddenly aware of the awkwardness, and added, “I rather thought you’d pick ‘Filly’, or something, and make some crude joke about riding me,” before her gaze flicked back to the fire. She was serious still, not joking. “I’m glad that you did not. I hate men like that.”

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Summer 21, 510 AV After her initial reaction he re-thought what he did. And realized his mistake. Maybe I should have thought a bit more before inviting the gods into this. As he was going through the process of making the name he had not realized his error in naming a human after such powerful deities. Hopefully he would be struck down instantly for his insolence. “I'm sorry I didn't meant to....” He gave up as he realized he could not explain what had happened. After a few chimes it felt as though he was being tortured by her silence. It was deafening and he did not know what to do. As she jerked her head and slid her hair behind her ears which seemed to be normal for the girl, as she did so many times before, his fear was eased. Her modesty was great though he thought it was most definitely true. “Well maybe I went to far... However It may give you something to reach for.” Hopefully he was not out of line by saying so. He had heard of mortals taking the place of slain gods if only once. Though she did not seem to be one so bold as to take on an immortal. Tourmal chuckled at her remark about Filly. Then stared back at the fire as she revealed her view of men such as himself. This one was definitely different. She was much more serious less flirty, less sultry, and more stoic. She needed to come out, he wondered what it would take for that to happen. “So even though we just met, would you mind if I asked you again. What is on your mind?”

[Mealla Stormsong]

Mealla let out snort, arching her eyebrow once more as she gazed at him in both wonder and disbelief, not quite believing what she had heard. She wondered once again just how old he was, for he seemed younger than he appeared. Maybe he just lacked in wisdom. Maybe he was just naive. Whatever the case, she suddenly felt an old sixteen, and she’d never thought she’d feel like that. She was an adult, yes, a grown woman, but sometimes she didn't feel like it. “I think that perhaps you should learn to think before you speak,” she said finally after a moment’s silence, breaking the eye contact as her gaze flicked back to the fire. She shivered slightly, though not from the cold. “Because do you realise what you are saying? What you are suggesting? I am surprised that none of the gods have come to strike you down. They should. It is not our place to speak in such a way. Certainly not our place to strive to be like them. We’re human. We’re not gods, and I have no desire to become one. I am happy as I am. As a mortal. I am simply happy to serve and honour them.” Zulrav had chosen her. How could she be a simple wife now? She couldn’t. You couldn’t be both a wife and a Stormwarden. You couldn’t do anything whilst sat at home raising the children. You couldn’t be both. And Zulrav had chosen her. He had. She fell silent, her eyes growing distant as her thoughts drifted once again, before she snapped back, turning to face him once more, the slightly flirtatious smile back, though she had no interest in him; was just humouring him, “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a girl what’s on her mind? I thought I already said that. You’ll just have to imagine. Pretend. I’m sure you have some wonderful ideas. Maybe I’ll even let you think that you’re currently the only thing on my mind. How about that? You, and you alone.” And then she was back to staring at the fire, her thoughts elsewhere. They wanted her married, but she couldn’t marry. Not yet. She couldn't.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Summer 21, 510 AV Tourmal smiled at her snort and sat and awaited Mealla's response. As he did he kept his smile on his face and twisted it into a look of puzzlement when she gave him a similar one. The smith had no idea what she was unbelieving of. Having thought he spoke clearly when he just said what he did. As she finished. “That is possible I may be out of line. But I feel that if you have a dream you go for it. And the higher the dream the further you will get.” His eyes darted back to the flames taking in the beauty. “I just realized this. But I believe the single most powerful thing about mortals is ambition.” He continued looking at the burning fire. “ What do you think keeps us Drykas alive out here in this dangerous green sea. What do you think drives us to keep moving, To get stronger, to advance our skills? I'll tell you again what I think it is... Ambition.” Tourmal felt a bit proud of his declaration and sat a little taller. “Even though It is probably impossible to become as great as a god, If I am not allowed to dream so... Then why do they let us live? To be slaves? I am a Drykas man and I am the slave of no one!” As he yelled a few others around the fire cheered at his statement. Wow? What happened just now? The green eyed man had long since spoke of anything with such vigor. Tourmal didn't realize this however he knew that he enjoyed this conversation and would like to continue conversations such as this. The man looked at the instigator of his previous declaration. She stared at the fire, light from the flames dancing across her pretty face. He did no longer feel lust for her as he did before but thirsted for a continuation of what had just entailed. Then she began to speak. As Tourmal listened he like earlier knew that she was teasing him. Why not give the bait a pull. “I know that what you are thinking about is not me, even though I would love it to be, you barely looked at me more than a few seconds.” he gave the girl a wink. “But I can't imagine what you are thinking about. As far as me, let's just say family matters.” “Despite everything I enjoyed this. Would you like to talk again? If so we can meet at the Baultimes Barrel whenever is good for you. Unless you would rather somewhere else.”