amellsinferno | In Another World | locked to apostate

"You're right, Nel," Solona replies sullenly.

Their attention though is slightly caught by a large explosion in the distance.

Cullen turns to the rest of them. "We better run, now!" he says with utmost urgency.

Anders swears and nods, grabbing Solona's hand without a second thought.

"Let's move."

And without looking back, they're on the run, once again.

Cullen leads them towards the forest, unsheathing his sword and carrying his shield protectively before him. He'd given each one of them a dagger as well, hoping the rest would know how to at least wield it-- if not distract the darkspawn before it gets to them.

"As much as possible, limit the use of magic," he says as he pushes into the trees, taking the lead.

Nellie nodded, and while Anders had a nasty scowl on his face, he also agreed.

"If worse comes to worse, though, I'm setting them all on fire, and you can't stop me."

Any other time, Nellie would've laughed and rolled her eyes at that...but now...

"Lightning would be a safer bet," Solona squeezes Anders' hand. "Don't want the forest catching fire around us."

"Right, right, that would be bad too." He gives her a small smile. It's not much, but it's all he can give her right now, as they keep running.

"Quiet!" Cullen hisses, holding his hand out to stop them from moving. They've finally reached a clearing. He wanted to make sure it was safe. He listens carefully to his surroundings.

Was that a slight crackle of leaves or the wind?

Anders swears quietly again, moving to grab his dagger tight, wishing he had use of his staff. He moves in front to protect Solona. He knows she can take care of herself, but...with her extra passenger, she could use extra support...

"Anders, I can take care of my--!"

An arrow shoots right at Cullen which is easily deflected by his shield. "Be on your guard!" Cullen roars as a dozen-- no, maybe even more, darkspawn emerge from the shadows behind the trees.

"Fuck!"

Anders immediately resorts to the lightning, because they're outnumbered and in trouble, and he won't stand a chance with just a dagger.

And Anders isn't the only one moving to attack with magic. Nellie panics slightly, moving to put up a barrier to block as many of the hoard as possible, before she attacks a few of them with an unexpected Entropic spell, stunning a few of the Darkspawn.

"Maker's breath! They're hideous!" Solona cries out in disgust, gathering her mana to produce a fireball.

"No magic!" Cullen roars, charging into the throng with his shield, slashing away at the fuckers with as much rage as he could muster.

"Fine!" Solona spits out. "Well, at least let me use a bit so we can actually gain the upper hand!" She releases a burst of energy and suddenly their weapons are coated with flames.

Cullen jumps at the sight of the fire, licking away at his blade. However, it didn't grow hot. He would scold Solona but there were more pressing matters at hand. He slices his way through another genlock right before it could attack him from behind.

"Guys, we need to MOVE. These won't be the only ones...I can block them off with a barrier, and Solona can enchant it to be on fire, and that should buy us time to get away..."

Nellie grabs for her dagger and slashes at the stunned Darkspawn, taking off their heads.

"Nellie!" Solona looks over at her sister impressed. "I didn't think you'd have it in you--!"

"Enough talking, please!" Cullen cries out, struggling with a genlock swinging away at his shield.

"Right," Solona nods. "Nellie, cast your barrier. Anders, shield her. I'll help out Cullen until the barrier's set?" She rushes over to Cullen's side, swinging her dagger down the back of the genlock. It falls to the ground, gurgling. Solona scowls, looking at her shirt. "I've go some blood on me!" she growls, readying herself for any other incoming attack.

Anders whips around to look at the blood on Solona.

"DO NOT TOUCH THE BLOOD. We'll need to burn these clothes, the blood is toxic, it carries the taint..."

Nellie nods and casts the barrier, with Anders protecting her from behind.

Cullen manages to catch a glimpse of Nellie casting the barrier. He groans. He said no magic. But there was nothing more he could do, especially with his back against Solona's back and them trapped between at least six of the blighters.

"Any ideas, fearless leader?" Solona calls out to Cullen. Honestly, he doesn't But what the hell. He charges at the nearest darkspawn he can reach and bashes it with his shield, swinging around and recovering quickly, slicing the body of another in half. Solona follows suit, only ducking from the swings the hurlock she was against tried to hurl. She slides on the ground and manages to slice at his feet. The demon cries out in pain. Solona scrambles up before lodging her dagger into the bastard.

"I'm going to need a bath after this," she groans.

Nellie's erected the barrier, and Anders has enchanted it to be on fire.

"The barrier's up...! Sorry about the magic, Cullen, but this should slow down the other Darkspawn...we need to move, though!"

"Cullen, let's go!" Solona calls out to him, breaking out into a jog, back into the throng of trees. Cullen looks back, aghast at the tower of flames and the damage it was causing the trees surrounding it. But the darkspawn were being held back. That was all that mattered. He runs towards Nellie and takes her hand, following after Solona into the woods.

While the barrier lasts a long time, the flames eventually die out, and the trees survive for now.

They're running for what seems like ages, and they do lose the darkspawn, and get away from Lothering...but they've still got a long journey ahead of them, as they get to the docks to take ship. Most of the ships have left, and it looks like the darkspawn already managed to attack once, before being driven back...

"Fuck." That's all Solona could say. She watches as the countless refugees make their way around them. "What do we do now?"

Even Cullen is left speechless. He takes a look around, scanning the area for at least the slightest idea.

Nellie bites her lip, nervous and scared.

"There are still people getting out from here, right...? Otherwise, we need to keep moving to Gwaren..."

Cullen's eyes narrow. "There is no hope here," he says, turning to the rest of them. "There are far too many people and far too little boats. Even if we were to secure passage across the sea, it would take weeks. I strongly encourage Gwaren."

Anders nods grimly.

"There are more boats at Gwaren, and its farther away from the main hoard. We've got a better chance going there than trying here..."

Nellie nods nervously.

"Then we should get moving, before other people realize that...how far away is Gwaren?"

"A few days travel, if we're quick," Cullen replies. "We're heading to Amaranthine."

Solona doesn't feel too well. She pushes her way to an alley and pukes at a corner. Running and morning sickness really don't mesh well together.

Nellie winces as her sister throws up, moving to pat her on the back.

"Amaranthine it is, then...where do we go once we're out of Ferelden, though?"

Anders doesn't respond, as he's too busy making sure Solona is okay.

"Love, are you going to be all right?"

"Yes, I'll be fine," Solona grimaces, straitening herself out. She gives both Nellie and Anders grateful looks. Cullen just stands there awkwardly.

"Where do you suggest we go? It's not like we have much money at our expense at the moment," Cullen says.

In Another World | locked to apostate_amell

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