The Herald and the Hero (closed)

[LeoLion98]

"It must be hard being an elf in a position of power." Josephine never thought about it but Krishna was a very special case, an elf in power was almost an unheard of thing around Thedas. Being a Bann, an elf, and the Hero of the Fifth Blight must have been very hard for any noble to swallow. "Your a good leader for the Denerim elves, no matter what any high strung noble thinks. Personally, I think they feel threatened by and elf in power. And if they get any worse, do try and take a break from writing, wouldn't want to not be able to use your hands later."


"I probably shouldn't agree to this, but sure why not." Falon was glad to see the normal Juanarel, that he was glad to be off the topic. In the Heralds younger years, he would have loved to break rules almost being the one to suggest it, now was different that he was not only due to the fact he was older but also since he was, for the first time, in a position of power. "What do you have in mind?"


"Perhaps. Or perhaps many of them just can't let old prejudices go. Once, elves were the greatest race to ever exist. Now? Now we're treated like animals, ones that need to be tamed." Krishna sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Josie. You don't want to listen to me prattle on about this, I know. It's my issue, not yours."


"It's a surprise," he said, winking again before leaping off the roof. He landed perfectly on his feet and stood straight again. "I think you might really like this one. Come on."


He motioned for Falon to follow him and took off for the gates of Haven.

 

[Radsattack]

The diplomat shook her head. "Trust me you are not bothering me in the slightest." She may not have understood exactly exactly happened in the life of an elf, but she knew it was harder than what anyone thought. "It's sad to see all of those poor people treated like that." Josephine's frown slowly turned into a comforting grin.


"If you need to talk about it I'm here, I don't mind listening to you."


Falon stumbled backward in shock when the elf jumped off the roof, never-the-less he followed. When he realized they were heading for the gates he raised an eyebrow. "What exactly am I going to see?" He wasn't too afraid, he was more exited than anything but a part of him still had to worry, it was Juan after all.

 

[LeoLion98]

She smiled tiredly at her friend. "Thank you. Know that your offer goes both ways. I will always lend you an ear when you need one."


In the distance, Krishna heard faint laughter. Her trained ears caught the sound easily, and she recognized the voices straight away. Either Dez and Nina were causing trouble or- no, these were her children, of course they were causing trouble. The shout that followed their laughter, which was followed by even more, only confirmed her theory.


"I think Dez and Nina are up to something," she said, rising from her seat. "I'd better go see what it's about."


"Do you not know what a surpise is?" He asked rhetorically, a mischievous present as always.


When they reached the guards outside, he stood ramrod straight and marched stiffly past them. They rolled their eyes at the scout's mocking, but at least it was something. The elf strolled past the tents where the soldiers slept, saluting Cassandra as he went. She only scoffed and turned away. When he back was turned, he motioned for Falon again and darted into the woods.

 

[Radsattack]

Josephine smiled. "Thankyou, Krishna I will have to remember that." The laughter of the children, and how quickly Krishna picked up on it, nearly took her off guard.


"I understand, I really need to finish up a few things so I think I should stay here." She smiled. "If you need anything don't be afraid to swing by."


Playfully rolling his eyes, Falon went along with Juan without any questions. He couldn't help but laugh when watched the other elf mock the guards. Following close behind, Falon got more and more anxious to know about what could be so important in the woods.


"The woods? What could you possibly have hidden up in here?" The Herald asked.

 

[LeoLion98]

"I'll be sure to," she replied and went off to investigate what her len were up to. She walked out of the chantry, and stopped just outside the door.


Her eyes scanned the scene. There didn't appear to be anything amiss. But really, that was likely not the case. Warily, the mother walked towards the apothecary. The only one outside was Solas, and he was focused on the Breach. Nothing wrong here. She turned and headed towards the gates, thinking perhaps the children had passed the chantry and run off somewhere and that's why she couldn't find anything wrong yet.


Juanarel groaned. "Seriously, do you not know what a surprise is, Sparkles? Just be patient!"


He walked along the path that wound past the abandoned cabin, running his hands along the trees whenever he got near one. When the sounds of Haven were beginning to become faint, the elf stopped and looked around. Then, he whistled twice, short and piercing.


"I think you might like this surprise, actually," he said with a grin. Right as he spoke a large grey wolf stepped into view and ran at him.

 

[Radsattack]

"Is everything alright, Krishna?" Solas called over to her. Her back was turned to him and from how she was walking he could tell that something was wrong.


She was the only thing that he seen other than the Breach. It would be a nice change to talk to someone instead of looking at the hole in the sky.


Panic had began to set in and Falon could do nothing but stand still and breathe intensly. His body began to shake as the creature ran closer towards them. Nervously, the Herald took a step back, small sparks jumping off his fingertips.


"Juan..." He nervously muttered through his shaking lips.

 

[LeoLion98]

She turned to him, surprised the other elf had even noticed her. Then again, he seemed to notice her an awful lot. But she didn't think of that. She was too focused on finding out what her kids were up to.


"Maybe. Did you happen to see Dez and Nina come past here? I fear they may be causing unnecessary trouble."


The Dalish's eyebrows furrowed and he cocked his head to the side. "What? Something wrong?" Before he could say anymore, the wolf was upon him, slamming the man into the snow.


But rather than screaming in terror... He was laughing. And the wolf wasn't mauling him. It was licking him, all over his face. Juan grinned and only barely tried to push the canine off of him.


"Ugh, Ryker, no!" He shouted through his laughter, though he didn't seem to mean it. "I'm all covered in your slobber now, ew!"

 

[Radsattack]

Solas slowly shook his head, as if still thinking. "I haven't seen a trace of them." He said. "I figured they would be with you."


Again he thought, he was sure they had to be around Haven somewhere but where specifcly he wasn't sure. "Where do you think they have gone to?" Solas would help her look of course, but where to even began was beyond his own thinking.


Falon's jaw dropped, the wolf was lucky it pounced on Juan when it did or else it would have had a fireball shot at its face. "Wait. This is your...pet?" He took another step back, cringing as the wolf continued to lick it's owner's face.


"How long has it-er I mean he been around here?" He asked hoping that a causal conversation would cover up the fact that he was terrified out of his mind.

 

[LeoLion98]

"I'm thinking they may have gone outside the gates, but I can't be-"


Suddenly, she stopped speaking. Something was wrong. There was shouting and noise coming from the soldier barracks, which was normal... But the usual clang of metal striking metal was gone. Where were the swords?


"He's more than that," he said, pushing the beast off of him and standing up. He scratched behind the creature's ears and the wolf wagged his tail. "He's my best friend. Falon, meet Ryker."

 

[Radsattack]

At the sound of the metal hitting metal he glanced at Krishna, waiting for the women to speak. It would be just like the children to be causing trouble in the barracks, what with Dez's enjoyment with the soldiers and of course training with the commander nearly everyday. As for Nina, it was possible she went wherever her brother went.


"Shall we go take a look? They could be over there for sure."


"Good to meet you, Ryker." Falon managed to form a grin though his quivering lips. It was easier to feel better knowing it was Juaneral's pet but still it made him feel uneasy. In the end, any friend of Juan's was a friend of Falons'.


"Did he follow you here all the way from your clan?"

 

[LeoLion98]

She simply nodded and took of without waiting. If her children were in danger, heads would roll. Nina and Malcadez would finally get to see their mother's combat skills in action. Maybe then they'd think twice before they broke the rules. When the two older elves got outside, however, danger was definitely not the right word to be using.


It was an all out snowball war between the newly arrived mages and the soldiers. Oh yes, her children were definitely the source of this.


"I didn't plan on getting caught by you, so I brought him along. He's been waiting out here for me this whole time. The only reason I haven't brought him in yet is because I'm not quite sure how everyone will react. i don't want everyone in Haven reacting like you did, scardey cat."


The wolf walked over to the Herald and sniffed him curiously. He sensed the fear that Falon felt and was about to back off until he caught a whiff of the elf's right hand. It was a strange sort of magic that the animal couldn't quite place, but felt it familiar all the same. Odd. After a thorough inspection, Ryker was satisfied and retunred to Juanarel's side.

 

[Radsattack]

When the Mage caught up with her, he stood by her side waiting to see if there truly was trouble. Upon seeing a snowball being thrown he grinned.


"I believe this is the trouble you were looking for." Solas said in his usual tone. He found himself smiling more than usual watching the game. It was comforting in a situation of the Breech.


"Well, I could see why you hid him." Falon's brow thoughed. "And I'm not scared, and I hate cats." He nearly shriked when the wolf came closer. Falon placed his arms in front of his face, tensing when Ryker sniffed him.


As the wolf made his way back to his master, the Herald crossed his arms. "Not scared, just uncomfortable. I'll survive."

 

[LeoLion98]

She wasn't sure whether to be angry or to laugh. For some reason, this seemed exactly like something they would cause, and she told Solas as much. Before either of them could get another word in, however, a snowball went sailing well of course and landed right on top of the mage's head. Many stopped and looked at the elf with trepidation, especially those that knew of him. But, of everyone, Krishna had a much different reaction.


She laughed. A lot. And then many others joined in. The snow was dripping down off of his bald head, some of it getting trapped on his pointed ears while the rest slid down his face or down the back of his neck.


"You? Uncomfortable with wolves? You are a wolf, at least from what I saw a little while ago. Unless that was one giant illusion."


Juanarel didn't quite know all the capabilities of magic, so to him, that was a possibility.

 

[Radsattack]

The blow took the Mage by surprise, Solas was still for a moment and reached his hand up to his head. Wiping the snow away, he found himself smiling especially when the Hero began to laugh. It was almost as if he was completely ok with being hit.


Shivering, he reached down to the ground. Rolling the snow into a ball in his hands, he glanced at the one he thought threw it and tossed it in their direction. A happy grin planted on his face.


"I'm not a wolf! I am a shapeshifter, there's a difference." Falon nodded. "If I was a wolf I would have flees and smell but I assure I don't." He realized it might sound strange for someone like him to be afraid of something so similar to him but he didn't have the heart to tell the truth.


"It was no illusion, it was simply me changing shape of you will. It gets a bit out of control sometimes and that happens. But I do like you wolf, he wasnt as scary as most I've seen."

 

[LeoLion98]

The unfortunate recipient of the mage's snowball was Nina, who had purposely aimed for him and her mother. She ducked to the side, and it hit a soldier behind her. The man laughed and threw another snowball, which only made the entire battle pick up again.


Krishna, meanwhile, had grabbed a handful of snow and snuck up behind Solas. She quickly grabbed the neck of his sweater and dumped it down his back. She laughed and was off in a flash, watching him over her shoulder.


At Falon's comments, Ryker growled, deeply offended.


"Watch what you're saying there, Sparkles," Juan said, also offended on his wolf's behalf. Even calling him "not so scary" wasn't going to help the situation.

 

[Radsattack]

The cold feeling took him off guard and as the cold snow dripped down his back he shivered even more. He turned quickly to find the now giggling culprit.


Chuckling to himself, he quickly reached down to the ground, picking up another handfull of snow, only this time picking a new target. Playfully, he placed the handful of snow into the hero's blonde hair. He laughed, backing up and, knowing what kind of retaliation would come from her.


Falon nearly jumped back, the sound of the grow taking him off guard and scaring him. "I wasn't trying to be rude, and I'm sure that he quite the catch to uh, other wolves."


The herald sighed. "Sorry if I offended you Juan, and you too Ryker. I just haven't been too buddy buddy with canines in awhile." Falon reached his shacking hand towards Ryker, attempting to pet the creature as a way to apologize.

 

[LeoLion98]

The snowball landed right in the middle of her back and she jumped when it made contact. Her armor was enough to keep it from soaking through, but she could still feel some cold. This was war now.


The snowball fight continued on for many minutes, and several other people joined in. No one really had a side by the end of it, it was a free for all. Some people, such as the Tabris family, teamed up, protecting each other.


"You're allowed to be scared, just don't be an arse is all. I can forgive you, though. You have been spared from my wrath," he said, the last bit only said for effect. He never took much seriously.


As for the wolf, he turned his nose up at Falon's hand. After a moment, he quickly touched his nose to the elf's fingertips and then looked away again. Apparently Ryker forgave him this time too, if only just.

 

[Radsattack]

Many of the people in Haven were now completely engulfed in the fight, it was almost as if there was really nothing wrong for awhile and all was fun.


While soldiers and family's teamed up with each other, Solas stayed loyal to only himself, never choosing a side to stay on. He constantly fired off now snowballs, when they would come at him he would sometimes freeze them leaving them heavy and falling to the ground. He knew it was a cheap move, but hey, it was worth it. Quickly, he reached down and picked up a hand full of snow and went off to search for a target.


"Oh thank Creators, I sure wouldbt want the wrath of a Levellan coming my way." He said sarcastically, chuckling to himself. He was glad to have made peace among the two of them, he could only guess what might have happened if he didn't.


His fingers twitched when the creature had brushed his finger tips, it made him smile oddly enough. "I remember when I first met Krishna when she came to the Circle, her Mabari was the first to greet me and I wanted it out of my sights." Falon smiled. "Especially when he licked my face and started barking, now it's one of the best creatures I've ever seen." He nodded. "I think Ryker will be the second."

 

[LeoLion98]

Krishna spotted a familiar red and black clad commander and decided she would pull the same trick on him that she had Solas. The rogue informed her teammates of her plan and they eagerly watched, while also keeping aware of their surroundings.


The rogue skirted the edges of the battlefield, towards the bewildered commander. Before he could ask what was going on, she grabbed a handful of snow and dropped it down his back. Unlike with Solas, however, something went awry.


Her foot caught on a patch of ice when she moved to escape and she started to go down. Her grip on Cullen's armor tightened and pulled him with her. She landed with a thud on her back and he landed on top of her, face down due to how he started to turn.


The elf's rather would actually be rather terrifying. Luckily, since the Herald was a friend, it would only be pranking and nothing overly serious. If he hadn't been, it would have been much, much worse. Just ask the mages that took his sister. Oh wait, you couldn't. They were dead.


"Oh I heard about that. She is a literal dog lord, right? Has a whole pack of mabari at her house and everything. Is it true she can command other animals too? Like, bears, and giant spiders, and wolves?"


Ryker's interest piqued upon the mention of the Bann. From what he could understand of his master, the elf was very excited about her. Mainly, her supposed ability to control wild beasts, such the ones listed. Something about being a ranger?

 

[Radsattack]

Taken off guard, from both the cold snow and the grip of Krishna, he fell to the ground. It didn't occur to him what exactly was happening, all he heard were the laughs of his soldiers and citizens. Cullen looked down to see Krishna staring up at him.


"Oh!" Cullen's face was beat red now, and he quickly rose to his feet. Clearing his throat to calm himself down, he lent out a hand to held the elf up. As he did he flew the snow tricking down his back, the commander shivered.


As Solas watched the two, he slowly backed into the crowd of people, loosing interest in the game entirely. He stood and watched the two from afar, staying silent and drawing no attention to himself.


Falon nodded. "Yep. You name it's and she's probably controlled it at least once." He thought back to all the times he had witnessed her in action. "It's an amazing talent, something that seems almost too good to be true." He smirked. "It's especially amazing when you see a controlled spider nearly make Alistair jump out of his close. Yeah, that was a good one."


Back in his younger days, it was always a sight to see the once wild Krishna cause trouble, it always made Falon laugh no matter the situation. It was almost unnatural to see her so different, he still wasn't quite used to it, but never the less Falon was still glad they were together again.

 

[LeoLion98]

Krishna flushed as well and took the hand offered. She laughed at the situation, finding amusement in the whole ordeal. Yet as they stood there, their hands lingered for a moment before drawing back.


Many were still interested in the game, and kept at it, even if they did see the awkward situation with the commander and the warden. Nina and Dez were particularly interested in it and a certain hedge mage's reaction. They gave each other a look that only siblings could understand. The old elf ran over to a mage and whispered something in his ear. The man grinned and nodded before casting a spell. A pile of snow flew over the pair's heads and fell on top of them.


"That's really incredible. But don't tell her I said that, or else it'll go to her-" The scout stopped mid sentence. "Do you hear that? It sounds like something's happening back at Haven and it doesn't sound good."

 

[Radsattack]

As he opened his mouth, more snow dumped over his head. Cullen was still for a moment, trying to gather what was actually going on, and then shaking off as much snow as he could. By now, he was cometely covered in it and his armor had traces of snow all over.


"Can someone please explain what's going on?" Cullen asked, his teeth clattering as he spoke. "And can you cease on the snow for a moment?"


Falon paused for a moment and listened. "You don't think it's super bad do you?" He sighed. "I thibk we should head back, who knows what could be going. Oh and it was good to meet you, Ryker."

 

[LeoLion98]

Everyone else continued their battle and left the commander and warden be so she could explain. They could get him for all of those drills in a moment.


"It's called a snowball fight, Cullen," Krishna said, speaking like she was happily explaining something to a toddler. The childish nature of it all was making her feel impish. "You take a handful of snow, pack it into a ball, and then throw it."


"Let's go then," he said and whistled once. The wolf was on his feet in an instant and took off after them as they hurried back to the town.

 

[Radsattack]

Quickly glancing around, Cullen scanned who was all participating. He figured his soldiers would if he was target. The Commander wasn't angry, instead he was calm and quiet.


"A snowball fight." He said alloud to himself. Cullen grinned. "I know what a snowball fight is, there's no need to explain. All I wanna know why everyone is having a snowball fight all of a sudden."


Falon tried to keep up with the other elf, at times it was hard due to how awful Falon was at running but never the less he pressed on. As Ryker followed them back, it made Falon a bit uncomfortable at first since it felt like he was being chased. He didn't men hon it though and shrugged it off.


When they were close, Falon noticed the group of people. "What's going on?"

 

[LeoLion98]

She sighed, but with a smile. "You can thank my children for that." Krishna glanced behind her at the chaotic battle. "I really think that this is good for them, the troops I mean. We're about to close the rift at the temple and nobody knows what's going to happen. We've had nothing but despair lately. I think that a moment of fun is just what they need."


The scout grinned wickedly. "A snowball fight." Before he could go charging into the fray, a snowball smacked him in the head. He whipped around to see Dorian grinning.


"Whoops," the mage said, obviously nowhere near sorry. Rather than retaliate, the elf took off for the mass of people, Ryker on his heels. The Vint looked to Falon. "I get the feeling that your boyfriend doesn't like me."