Chapter IX, Part IITen minutes in and Merek was already panting, tired of climbing up the stone trai

Chapter IX, Part IITen minutes in and Merek was already panting, tired of climbing up the stone trail. He watched her curiously; she almost seemed to float, feet not touching the ground as they continued on. He was sure it was a trick of the eyes, his mind and body tired, but as they climbed, doubt settled in. “There are easier ways to lose me in the forest, Andraste, if that is your plan.” He laughed, but it was uneasy. Shaking her head, turning a corner and pushing herself up onto the face of another large rock, she called out to him. “I promise I aim only to show you something and not lead you to demise. Now, no more whimpering.” He reached the rock and with the help of her hand, she pulled him up and over. Wiping her hands on her dress, it disheveled and a tad dirty, she tilted her head and grinned at him. “How is this so easy for you, even in your… condition?” He asked, trying to catch his breath. Shrugging her shoulders, she turned from him and started walking on the uneven plane of the boulders they now stood on. “My condition notwithstanding, I told you. I used to come here often as a girl and am used to nagivating treacherous ground, both natural and political. I can handle myself, Merek. I am not one of Riordahn’s dolls on a shelf.” Shaking his head, following her, he hopped from boulder to boulder as she did until she stopped in front of an odd-looking stone, a hole seemingly cut in the middle of the top. “Well, tell me of the view, Merek. Does it not take your breath away?”Finding a seat next to the stone, she let her legs dangle over the boulder's edge, gently kicking her feet to and fro as they hovered over a pond. Leaning backwards on her hands, letting her head fall back, she closed her eyes and took in a large breath through her nose, the scent of lilac heavy in the air. “Hmmm. ‘Tis not the view I find breathtaking, but more so the beholder,” Merek said sitting down next to her, his legs too dangling over the edge. Opening one of her eyes, she watched him watching her and she smirked, closing her eye once more. “Ever the flatterer, but thou would not utter such things if there were others about, so how does one know if what you speak is true to your feelings?" "Tell me to shout it for all to hear, and I shall. Let all know how I find her majesty captivating and breaktaking as the view from here.” “Woudst thou change their tune if Dionysus could hear?” She sat straight up and looked directly in his eyes, a twinkle shining brightly from hers. “Ah, Dionysus. He is but a mere obstacle and one that could be overcome if the queen dained to say she felt the same.” Inches apart from her, he longed to pull her close and capture her mouth with his over and over again. Swallowing hard, waiting for a signal from her, he was sorely disappointed when she stood and walked to the strange stone.Without a word, she placed a hand on the side of the stone, her head leaning toward it, her eyes closed. Muttering something under her breath, Merek watched as leaves, both from the trees surrounding them and from the places where they had fallen on the boulders, stirred and started to pick up, become almost alive in their movements, swirling around. The air shifted around them and a feeling of unease overcame him as he stood, wearily watching her as she continued to mutter to the stone, the droning of her words encircling him, becoming the only thing he could hear. “Tentendo jalioarun attelium caelargo,” she recited, her voice growing louder and more enthusiastic. Her hand throbbed against the stone, warmth spreading from it through her, sweat dripping from her brow. She continued her chant as Merek grew more alarmed, her tone commanding as she spoke. “Tentendo jalioarun attelium caelargo!” A deep humming and vibration emanated from the stone and for a moment Merek thought the boulders beneth them might split apart and send them tumbling through the cracks. “Andraste! Your Majesty! Stop! You must step away from the stone!" He shouted, the humming becoming all consuming, louder than anything he had ever heard before. She turned to him, her eyes white as pearls, and spoke, her voice high-pitched and not her own. ”Do not be afeared, Merek. She is but a child of the wood, of nature, a conduit. My intentions are pure as is her soul. I am only one of the Keeper’s of this forest, friend to fuana and flora and those who seek peace amongst the trees. I commune with the Mother Goddess who sees and knows all, who sees the man you truly are, Merek. The path that stands before you is frought with peril, deceit, betrayal. He who you do bidding for is a foul creature. He has misled you at every turn and will be your undoing.“ As the spirit continued to speak through the Queen, her body tiny against the huge edifice, a swirl of color started to form in its core, purple in color, shining and reflecting off the surface, vibrating and undulating. ”Choose wisely, Merek, for the lives of those among you are within your grasp. Save them, or lead them to their doom. But be wary, for the choices you make will have undeniable consequences. As above, Merek, so below. You will reap what you sow. Now, come forth and gather the Queen. She and the babe grow tired and cannot hold this connection for much longer. Take her in your arms and touch the stone.“ Entranced and speechless, Merek moved toward the stone and wound his arms around Andraste, eyeing the rock suspiciously before glancing at the Queen who looked frail and exhausted. Brushing stray locks from her face, he turned back to the smooth surface of the stone and pausing hesitantly, he placed his palm against it, warmth instantly spreading through his body. Before he could utter a word, he felt his body jolt and a feeling of weightlessness overcame him. As if tumbling down a rabbit hole, Merek clung tightly to an unconscious Andraste and watched as the world and falling debris flashed before his eyes. Sure that they were dying and daring to take a chance before the end, he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her gently, his hands moving to the back of her head, fingers wrapping around stands of her hair before he too gave in to the darkness that surrounded them.***"I see you wait until I am feeble to kiss me. I do so hope that next time I am fully awake to enjoy it.” Merek opened his eyes to see her grinning. Sitting in the middle of a wheat field near the castle, the spires visible in the fading daylight, she in his lap, he blinked a few times in disbelief. Looking down at her, he noticed her eyes had returned to their crystalline blue and he smiled, relieved. “Next time shall be memorable, this I promise. Now, tell me what just happened. I am at a loss.” Sighing, opening her mouth to explain, she was cut off by the shouts of peasants running toward them. “Over here! They’re over here! In the name of The Watcher, 'tis her Grace!” Cringing at being found, Andraste rose to her feet, her head still spinning, and looked down at Merek. “I shall explain all, but for now, we must make haste and leave for the castle. The peasants will have too many questions and I wish not to be found in the middle of this field.” “But the horses, they ran off. How do you purpose we get back?” As if in response, Merek felt a gentle nuzzle from behind, the nose of Poppet sniffing his armpit. There they stood, the two mares, saddles and all. Smirking, Andraste made for the horses in a hurry and mounted Poppet. “Come, before they reach us!” In an upheavel of dirt and crop, she took off full-bore, heading straight for the castle, Merek behind her, narrowly missing a peasant in the process. Shouts from the field followed them, but were paid no mind as hooves pounded against the ground, which quickly turned to cobblestone as they reached the road and eventually the castle.Beginning // Previous Part I -- source link

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