The Beloved of Andraste Ch. 2: Caylus

Opening her eyes, she found herself wrapped up in a scratchy blanket.  She blinked.  Had that all been a dream?  No.  Her wrist throbbed and when she looked down at it, she saw that it was neatly bandaged with clean white linen.  She glanced around.  She was lying beside a small fire that had been reduced to embers.  There was a large pack beside it and a small pan atop the coals.  She sat up, scanning the makeshift camp for its creator.

"Ah, awake are you? Good.  I was worried there for a bit." a man's voice startled her.  She tensed and whipped around to face him.  What little light there was, seemingly glowed off of the man's silver armor.  Emblazoned on the chest plate was a sword surrounded by flames.  He was young, maybe ten years older than herself, and carried an armful of sticks, "Woah, calm down there.  Just went to get some firewood.  Sorry if I surprised you." he said, smiling apologetically.

"Who are you?  Where am I?" she asked, reaching for her temples.  God did her head hurt.  The man walked past her and set the sticks down next to the fire.

"My name is Caylus, and this is... well, we're a ways west of Kinloch Hold.  In the foothills of the Frostbacks." he explained, rekindling the embers, "Who are you?  What were you doing out here?"

"I am... Arella.  I have heard of the Frostbacks but am unfamiliar with this 'Kinloch Hold'." she told him.

"It's at the top of Lake Calenhad...  The Circle of Magi?"  Arella shook her head, not recognizing either place, "Hmm, well anyway, what were you doing out here, alone?"

"I do not know...  I woke up here, I think, a day ago." she said, "I do not know how I got here nor what happened to my wrist."

"You're lucky to be alive.  I found you fast asleep, half lying in the water.  Who falls asleep within stretching distance of an almost frozen lake?" Caylus asked.

"I am unsure.  I remember seeing the lake but then my senses... slipped away."

"There is magic there.  I sensed it when I first camped next to that lake.  I think I was somewhat immune because of my training so I managed to get away." the man said, nodding.

"Thank you for helping me."  Arella bowed her head slightly.

"It was my honor." Caylus smiled, "I believe I can assist you in reaching the nearest town but I'm afraid that's all I can do.  I'm on a mission, you see, and what I'm after is very dangerous."

Arella gave him a quizzical look, "You are... hunting?"

"Well, sort of.  I'm looking for an apostate."  Caylus paused, seeing her blank look, "Erm... A rogue mage."

"I don't understand.  What do you mean by 'rogue' mage?  Do you mean a magister?"

"Dear Maker, no!  Were I after a magister I'd have a whole troupe of Templars behind me!" he laughed, "No, just a scared little boy who got himself lost.  Should be nothing to worry about, but I'm not going to take any chances."  Arella nodded slowly, still not entirely understanding but didn't want to press the matter further.

"I could help you, if you wished.  It seems like you are wary of mages.  Perhaps I could calm the boy for you.  I was raised among mages so I am comfortable with them."  The knight seemed taken aback.

"You... were raised among mages?  Are you a mage?" he asked, tensing.

"No, I was not born with the gift."  Arella stopped herself before saying more.  This man reacted to mages like they were vipers.  Perhaps it was best to keep her family to herself.

"You were raised in a Circle?"

"I have never heard of a 'Circle'."  She shook her head.

The Templar narrowed his eyes, "A group of apostates then."

"Apostates are rogue mages, yes?  And rogue mages are children who are lost?  Then no."  Caylus sighed.

"No, no.  Apostates are mages outside of the Circle of Magi.  Mages that deny Chantry law.  Look, your parents probably didn't teach you much about the world, likely because they were in hiding.  Just... get some sleep and in the morning we'll start heading towards Aren."

"Take me with you.  I want to help." Arella pressed, "I do not fear mages, my parents taught me how to fight.  I can defend myself."

"No.  Even the most skilled warrior could fall easily to a mage."

"Then I'll follow you.  You cannot stop me from doing that."  She crossed her arms and glared at the man.  Sparks flew for a moment as they stared each other down.  Finally, Caylus sighed.

"Fine.  But if you do not listen to me I will take you back and I will make you stay there."  Arella smiled triumphantly.

"Of course!"  Caylus stood, shaking his head and went over to his pack.  He rummaged through it for a minute then drew out a pair of small hunting knives.

"Here," he said, handing them to her, "You said you knew how to fight.  You can use these."

She tested their weight and balanced them on her fingers, satisfied, "So.  Who is the boy?"

"His name is Anders.  He was brought to the Circle a year ago after he set a barn on fire.  I believe he's 13."

"I see."  Arella looked around, yawning.  If she had the blanket, where was Caylus going to sleep?

He chuckled, "Get some sleep, I'll keep watch."