Part 1
Kaya Mercar was a mystery to Neve. A mystery that she was determined to solve. From the moment she met the elf, there was something about her that captivated her. Her short, black hair with red tips always looked like she had just gotten up. Olive touched skin and gold-colored eyes that stared into her very soul. Her body was built for fighting, even with her being a head shorter than Neve. The elf could easily hold her above her head which explained why her arms never shook when she held her bow. Though, she normally used her twin blades to fight. She was a force to be reckoned with. That’s why Varric had put her in charge. Kaya knew what she was doing…more or less. Sometimes the elf would lead them in the wrong direction or walk into a tree branch. She was a klutzy, but a caring person. When Lace asked to practice her newfound powers, Kaya had easily agreed. When Bellara needed company in Arlathan, Kaya jumped at the opportunity. Neve was more than happy to have to woman with her when they went to Minrathous as they both knew the city. Perks of being Shadow Dragons.
“Merida, she’s at it again,” Lucanis pointed out. Neve glanced over her shoulder, seeing Kaya buying far too many rations from the vendor. They had gone to Minrathous for a supply run and Lucanis had insisted on going with them. The Crow didn’t trust them to buy the right ingredients.
“Aww, it’s kind of cute,” Bellara giggled.
“I got her,” Lace sighed. Neve held out her hand to the dwarf, earning a raised eyebrow from the redhead.
“I’ve got it. You three finish shopping and we’ll meet at the Cobbled Swan for drinks.”
“So long as Rook’s paying.”
“I’m sure she’d be alright with that,” Neve hummed. She headed for their leader and smiled as the elf bought three bags of rations. “What in the world are you doing?”
“Buying rations,” Kaya shrugged. She handed the man her coin before turning with her spoils.
“And what are you going to do with those?”
“Why don’t you follow and find out, detective,” Kaya teased.
Neve smirked and motioned with her hand. “Lead on.”
Kaya smiled and started for the deeper parts of the city. As she walked, she kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Neve stole glances at her as they went and wondered what she was thinking. She wore her emotions on her sleeves, but she was also guarded. Kaya never gave too much away. She stopped outside a bigger and knelt, holding out one of the bags to them. “Rations.”
“You are too kind to us,” the woman smiled. Neve saw movement behind her and two children poked their heads out from behind some crates. Kaya gave them a tiny wave before standing.
“Do you need anything else?”
“No. You’ve done enough for us. Thank you,” the woman thanked. Kaya inclined her head and started walking once more. Neve chose to stay silent as they walked, observing instead of acting. Kaya stopped at an alleyway where many beggars resided. She held up the bag and placed it at the edge before continuing on their way. Their last stop was the orphanage.
“Kaya!”
Kaya grunted as she was taken to the ground by a mass of children. Some hugged her, some tried to grab her swords or bow, and some reached for the bag in her hands. “Hey! I missed you too but be civil!”
“They knew you’d be coming today. I could hardly keep them inside,” an elderly man chuckled. Kaya rolled her eyes and stood, somehow keeping the children on her. “Now, now. If you don’t let her go, she won’t be able to go on more adventures.”
The children whined and Kaya held up the bag. “Hey, you know I’ll be back next week. I need to go and help my team.”
“Is the hat lady a member of your team?”
Neve raised and eyebrow and Kaya nodded, holding her finger for her lips.
“Don’t tell anyone, but that’s THE Neve Gallus. We’re on a super important mission,” Kaya whispered. The children beamed and held their fingers to their lips before running back into the orphanage. The elder chuckled as Kaya handed him the bag of rations. “Is anyone giving you trouble?”
“No. The Shadow Dragons are keeping us safe.”
“Good. If that changes, let me know and I’ll come running.”
“Thank you, dear,” the elder beamed. Kaya waved goodbye to the children and walked back to Neve.
“So…this is why you buy so many rations?” Neve asked. Kaya nodded and adjusted her bow on her back.
“I take them things once a week. Sometimes every other depending on what they use.”
“That’s kind of you,” Neve spoke. Kaya shrugged and the two of them headed for the Cobbled Swan.
“I’m just doing what anyone else would do.”
“Not just everyone would buy three bags of rations and give them to beggars and orphans.”
“Eh, they should.”
“No. Most would focus on themselves. You on the other hand, don’t,” Neve countered. Kaya didn’t respond to her as they continued to the Swan. The mage could practically see the gears turning in her head. Kaya was thinking of what to say next. “You continue to catch me by surprise.”
“I do?”
“Yes. Here I thought you were just a klutz of an elf…”
“Now?”
“Now, I see that your kindness isn’t just directed at our team. You truly are just a kind person.”
“W-was that a compliment?” Kaya stammered. Neve glanced at the woman, seeing the brightness in her eyes. The excitement.
“That’s going to go right to your head, isn’t it.”
Kaya beamed up at her. “Neve Gallus gave me a compliment!”
Neve scoffed and playfully shoved the shorter woman away. “You are trouble.”
“That one didn’t sound like a compliment.”
“That is up to your interpretation.”
“I’ll say they were both compliments then.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
They stopped outside of the Cobbled Swan and Kaya cleared her throat, kicking a pebble as she did. “For the record, I take care of them because I have to. They have nothing and I have something. Enough to buy them rations when they need it. It’s the least I can do for our city. I’ll always do what I can for the people who need it.”
Neve pondered what lengths Kaya would go to. What she would do to protect the city. Would she do whatever it took? Would she devote her time to every nook and cranny like Neve did? We’re they truly similar? It was a case that Neve would have to investigate.
Neve never did get to investigate before a bloody dragon appeared, scorching Minrathous and bringing the Bligh. Death and destruction was everywhere. Chaos was likely to erupt at any moment now. The Shadow Dragons wouldn’t be able to keep the order. Not even the Threads would be able to. Things weren’t going to go well. That dragon had done a number on them. And Kaya…Kaya had chosen to save Treviso. Neve would never fault her for that decision, but it had broken her heart to see the elf choose Treviso over their city. She knew why she had chosen to. Treviso wouldn’t have survived. Kaya had made the correct choice, but that didn’t make it any easier. Neve stared down at Ashur as the man writhed in pain from the hit he took from the Blighted dragon. He was going to die. So many were going to die.
“We’re here! What’s the situation?!” Kaya shouted, running towards them with the rest of the team. Neve shook her head and gestured around them.
“Look around. I don’t know where to start,” Neve answered. She noted that Lucanis wasn’t with them. “Treviso’s alright? Lucanis?”
“We stopped the worst of it, even if we couldn’t kill the dragon,” Kaya assured. She glanced at Ashur and Neve saw the way she winced in pain. Had the dragon hit her? “Ashur…”
“Ashur drew the dragon away from the safe house and took a claw to the gut as thanks. A healer could fix the wound, but the Blight’s already in him,” Neve spoke. Tarquin stomped to Kaya, grabbing her by her tattered cloak.
“You have a Warden now, right? Do something. Or are you only good for bringing bad news?” Tarquin growled. Kaya glared at him but said nothing in return. What was there to say? Assan screeched in warning, making Tarquin flinch.
“I’d suggest letting her go. Assan doesn’t like it when people get handsy with those he likes,” Davrin suggested. Tarquin released Kaya with a huff and crossed his arms.
“I would stay away for a bit. If word gets out that you chose Treviso over our city, then you’ll be in danger,” Tarquin spoke. Kaya’s eyes widened at that.
“What? I can hel—”
“You’ve done enough!” Tarquin snapped. He steeled Kaya with an angry glare. “This is all you. The risen Gods, the Blight. The dragon! Now the city’s lost to the Venatori—”
Ashur grunted and sat up as best as her could. “Rook isn’t to blame. It is what it is…but Tarquin is right about one thing. You need to stay away for a time.”
Kaya dropped her head in shame and Neve resisted the urge to hold her. “I-I’m sorry.”
“Tensions are a bit high right now. I’ll stay here and help them rebuild,” Neve spoke. Kaya looked up at her with barely concealed tears. “We both can’t be away when the city is falling apart.”
“Right,” Kaya murmured, turning and heading back in the direction she had come from. Lace hurried after her while Davrin and Bellara stayed behind.
“You know, it wasn’t easy for her to make that decision,” Davrin stated. He was looking at Tarquin. Glaring at him as the man glared in return. “She tried to make it back here in time. Took a hit from the dragon’s tail and fire. We couldn’t even heal her before she ran for the Eluvian to get here.”
Tarquin said nothing as he turned to care for Ashur. Bellara looked at Neve, twiddling her thumbs as she did.
“She kept saying she had to get here. Even as she was limping and dragging her leg behind her. She didn’t give up,” Bellara explained. Neve clenched her fists at that knowledge. She was hurt. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. As much as Neve wanted to chase after her, she couldn’t. The city needed her.
Point of View Change, Kaya
Days turned into weeks as Kaya tried to gain allies. The Crows readily gave their allegiance to her because of her decision to help them. The Mournwatchers were hesitant, but their new Necromancer was helpful in convincing them to give the Veilguard a chance. Then there was Taash, the dragon slayer that Lace had found. There were more of them now, but it still didn’t seem like enough. From what they heard, Minrathous was still in shambles. They weren’t rebuilding fast enough, and it was all her fault. The only positive was that she was getting to know the team. Lucanis was broody, but he cared and made a nice cup of coffee. Emmrich was a bit creepy, but he knew a lot and even taught her how to beat Manfred at chess. Taash was fun to be around too. The qunari challenged her to workouts and she would find herself pleasantly sore after their training sessions.
Her favorite moments were spent with Davrin, Bellara, and Lace. Davrin reminded her of a family she had long forgotten. He was patient with her and showed her how to carve. Bellara showed her how to tinker with artifacts and the two of them bonded over their losses. They had both lost a brother. Lace would sit with her while she strung her bow, and they would talk about anything and everything. It was nice having the team around.
It wasn’t like she could avoid her city forever. She hadn’t eventually visit.
Kaya felt uneasy as they ran through Minrathous. They had been jumped the moment they walked out of the mirror and the building was in shambles. The Shadow Dragon hideout was no more, and Kaya had to keep herself from being sick. Those were her friends lying there dead. The docks. They had to get to the docks. Lorelei was there. Venatori materialized in their path and Kaya roared in anger. She’d kill them. Every single one of them. Her swords slashed through the nearest Venatori as Bellara and Lace laid cover fire. She vaguely heard them shouting for her to not get too far, but she didn’t care. She just wanted the Venatori dead. Kaya grunted as a shield bashed into her, making her stumble backwards. Before her enemy’s sword could impale her, they were frozen in place. The other Venatori shouted in alarm before they too were frozen.
“Neve!” Bellara exclaimed. Kaya glanced over her shoulder, seeing the mage standing behind her. The woman had an unimpressed look on her face as she stared down at her.
“Rushing in blindly will get you killed,” Neve chastised. Kaya shook her head and got to her feet, running for where the Venatori had been guarding. “Hey!”
She pulled the lever, and the gate opened, allowing her to enter. Her eyes frantically darted around the storage room as she looked for Lorelei. The elf had to be here. She had to be. Her eyes found a broach on the ground and could see a hand poking out from behind the crates. The broach was Lorelei’s. Kaya recognized the unique Fereldan style. She moved to get closer and was stopped by Neve.
“Hold on,” Neve cautioned. Kaya glanced around her, seeing Lace and Bellara inspecting the crates. Their faces fell in dismay and Kaya dropped her short swords. No. Lace undid her cloak and draped it over Lorelei’s body.
“Lorelei…” Kaya gaped. She shoved past Neve and Bellara intercepted her next. “Bel—”
“Don’t. Don’t do that to yourself,” Bellara pleaded. The pleading look in her eyes made Kaya falter. What was the state of the older elf? Kaya stepped back and Bellara turned to speak with Lace. She didn’t hear what they were saying. All she could do was stare at Lorelei’s hand.
“You!” a familiar voice shouted. Kaya turned and took a solid punch to her cheek, crashing to the ground as she did. Her team yelled in protest as the figure above her kicked her square in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. As she caught her breath, she stared into furious green eyes.
“Alana—”
“This is your fault!” Alana shouted, balling her hands into fists. “They’re dead because of you!”
Bellara and Lace helped her to her feet as Neve pulled on Alana’s arm. The taller elf spouted curses at her in elven and Kaya shook her head.
“I-I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“That’s Vashedan! You knew the Venatori would take control! You knew that and yet you still chose Treviso over your own city!” Alana shouted. She gestured to the crates. “You chose a bunch of strangers over your own family!”
“I—“
“You killed her, just like Kai!”
“That’s enough,” Neve hissed. Kaya lowered her gaze and shook herself free from her team. Alana wasn’t wrong. She had chosen this. This was her fault. She went to grab her swords and sheathed them before leaving the storage room.
“Don’t you dare come back!” Alana yelled after her. Kaya felt anger and pain blossom in her chest. This was her fault. All of it. She stalked through the city, ignoring the shocked look on the faces she passed. She was still sporting the colors of the Shadow Dragons. She was showing that she was there and that she meant business. The air rippled around her and Venatori appeared. They drew their weapons and Kaya did the same, growling as she did.
“I’ll kill you. Every last one of you!” Kaya roared. She used her lighting, shooting herself forward to slash through the mage there. He sputtered and fell dead before he knew what hit him. Her magic was always unstable. Unpredictable. It was something she used in moderation. But right now, all she wanted was to watch them bleed. A blast of fire was sent at her, and she sidestepped it, charging at the mage who had casted it. Her sword easily slid through their chest, and she turned, using their body as a shield. The blades of the other Venatori met their comrade’s flesh, giving Kaya the chance to strike them down. They fell easily to her strikes, and she wiped the blood from her cheek. Four down. Hundreds to go. She ran through the streets, knowing that the Venatori would come for her. Her swords slashed through those who came, killing them with a ferocity that she couldn’t quench. Lorelei was dead. That kind, hopeful elf who had helped her the moment they had met. The elf who had helped care for and raise Alana and their ragtag group of misfits. Her magic surged and Kaya blasted several Venatori, feeling her body scream in protest. They would all pay. A hit to her side made her snarl and she stabbed the attacker in the face. She didn’t care who she killed. Any of the Venatori who came for her were fair game. She would kill as many as she could. Her sword broke on the next impact, making her growl in frustration. She threw what was left of it, stabbing one Venatori in the stomach before grabbing the blade. She used that to stab a mage in their jaw and she released the blade, turning to the Venatori that had her sword in his stomach. He backed away from her, beginning for mercy. He’d get none. She swung her intact sword down, only to be stopped by a hand holding her wrist.
“Stop it,” Neve firmly stated. Kaya glared at the mage, clenching her free hand.
“Move.”
“Not happening. You’ve done enough.”
“There’s still Venatori.”
“There will always be Venatori,” Neve countered. Kaya tried to pull her hand free, but Neve tightened her grip. “He’ll bleed out.”
“That’s not good enough!” Kaya shouted. She held Neve’s steady gaze, cursing the mage in her head. She didn’t know what she was going through. She had no clue.
“Rook?” Bellara hesitantly questioned. Kaya gripped her sword and felt a hand on the lower part of her back.
“Rook, take a breath,” Lace instructed. Kaya did just that. She took a shuddery breath, and she felt the fatigue in her body. Tasted the blood on her tongue. How much magic had she used? She loosened her grip on her sword and allowed Neve to take it from her. “Let’s go back to the Lighthouse. We can figure things out there.”
There wasn’t anything to ‘figure out’. Lorelei was dead because of her. Hundreds were dead because of her. Had she chosen to save Minrathous, none of this would’ve happened. Their blood was on her hands.
Point of View Change, Neve
Neve stared at her notes with a quill held between her fingers. She had come back to the Lighthouse with the others and Kaya had secluded herself in her room. None of them had seen her in several days. While she was there, Neve gathered what she knew about her.
-Kaya Mercar, nickname Rook
-Alana and Lorelei are related to her? (connection of some sort, who’s Kai?)
-Can easily take down nearly two dozen Venatori when upset
-Broken
-Member of the Twin Blades?
That last note made Neve pause. If Kaya was a member of the Twin Blades, then that would explain a lot. Rumor was that two elves who had escaped slavery went on a killing spree. Murdered their captors and freed the other slaves. Supposedly, they were swords for hire after that. That’s where the rumors ended. No one knew where the Twin Blades went after that.
There was a knock on her door and Neve hummed. “It’s open.”
The door creaked open, and Neve listened to whoever it was entering. They stopped at the entry way, not entering further.
“Bel, you know standing there without talking is a bit unnerving.”
“Does she do that often?”
Neve jumped, looking up from her notes to see Kaya leaning against the wall. There were bags under her eyes and her hair looked messier than normal. “I didn’t realize it was you.”
Kaya shrugged and a wisp floated to her. It twrilled as it circled around her, landing on her shoulder. “Are you settling in alright?”
“More or less. Lots to catch up on, but when isn’t there? I’m ready to get back to work,” Neve answered. Kaya nodded and stared out the window in thought. She looked troubled. More so than normal. “I came across something interesting.”
“And what is that?”
“An old rumor. People in Dock Town are talking about the Twin Blades,” Neve spoke. Kaya flinched at the name and Neve raised an eyebrow at her. Bingo.
“What about them?”
“They say they are working for the Venatori.”
Kaya twirled and anger flashed through her gold eyes. “That’s Vashedan! We wouldn’t work for them!”
Neve placed her quill down and leaned back in her chair. “Thought so.”
Kaya frowned and then her eyes widened. She looked away with a huff. “That wasn’t fair.”
“I assumed you wouldn’t say anything otherwise…were you just going to keep that information to yourself, or were you going to tell us?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“No? Your little stunt says otherwise. You left nearly two dozen Venatori dead.”
“They deserved it.”
“I’m not saying they didn’t…but you were a loose cannon. You will put everyone in danger that way,” Neve argued. Kaya kept her eyes on the ground and Neve could see the tension in her jaw. She was trying to keep herself in control. “Is your recklessness why the Twin Dragons stopped running?”
Electricity sparked at Kaya’s fingertips, and she lifted her head, giving Neve a look that could kill. “Fuck you, Neve.”
Kaya pushed away from the wall and stormed out, slamming the door closed behind her. Neve pinched the bridge of her nose as the wisps floated around her. That was a low blow on her part. She knew it was, but she wanted to see how far she could push Kaya. Evidently, not far. The elf was falling apart at the seams. She’d get them all killed at the rate she was going.
Case in point, their current situation. Weisshaupt was a disaster. Darkspawn flooded the fortress and a damn Archdemon was flying around, wreaking havoc as it did. Ghila’nain was there too, spouting nonsense as a cloud. How was Lucanis supposed to stab a cloud with a dagger?! This plan was foolish. First, they had blindly followed Mila through the Fortress. Then, Kaya had knocked out the First Warden. Now, they were going to try and use an ancient dragon trap. None of this would work. They hid behind debris, watching as the Archdemon flew above them. They were all hurt and tired. Battered from fighting and running on empty.
“If this goes south, you all run and get out of here,” Kaya ordered.
“Are you sure there’s no other way to do this?” Bellara questioned. Kaya twirled the lyrium dagger in her hand with a huff.
“I’m sure,” Kaya stated. Davrin’s hand shot out, grabbing Kaya’s arm.
“Think this through, Rook,” Davrin hissed.
“I did,” Kaya huffed. She shook his hand free and stood, gripping the dagger tightly.
“This is suicide!” Lace shouted.
Kaya’s shoulders drooped and she glanced back at them with a sad smile. “It’s better than you all dying.”
Neve felt her chest constrict and helplessly watched Kaya run from the safety of the debris. They watched in silence as Kaya shouted for the Goddess. Watched as she waved the dagger around for the dragon to see her. Ghilan’nain shouted her orders for her Archdemon and the dragon hissed as it landed on the Warden trap. It stalked closer to Kaya and the elf merely squared her shoulders. As it reared on its hind legs and roared, Kaya yelled at it in return. The dragon lunged for her, and she rolled out of the way, avoiding its snapping teeth. The dragon stepped back to prepare itself for another attack, stepping on the trigger. Spears shot into it, chaining it and forcing it to fall. The Wardens around them cheered and the team released a shaky breath. Kaya stood before the dragon with her hand on her sword. This was it. Davrin hurried to the smaller elf’s side, drawing his weapon as he did. Neve wasn’t sure what he said, but the look on Kaya’s face made it clear. Davrin was ready to sacrifice himself.
“Halt!” the first Warden commanded. Neve cursed and grabbed her scepter.
“We need to move,” Neve stated. The team followed her as they watched the first Warden’s heart be ripped from his chest. Ghilan’nain used her magic and the Archdemon was pulled into the water. “Rook!”
Kaya turned and looked at them with wide eyes. “Stay back!”
The water exploded and a serpent-like creature appeared. It screeched at them and Kaya pulled her bow free.
“What is that?!” Lucanis shouted.
“The real Archdemon,” Kaya cursed. She pulled on her bowstring and her arrow flew true, striking the flesh below the demon’s jaws. It recoiled in pain and the elf knocked another arrow. “Aim for the boil on its throat!”
Neve let her magic fly, following Lace and Bellara’s arrows. Their attacks struck true and the serpent fell back into the water. Ghilan’nain shouted in elven, and two heads appeared.
“Oh, come on!” Kaya exclaimed. She rolled out of the path of one head, stabbing it as it pulled away. Davrin and Lucanis attacked whenever the demon overreached, and Neve did what she could to knock one of the heads down. Her ice froze one head and Bellara used a lightning arrow to take down the second one. Unfortunately for them, Ghilan’nain summoned a third head…and Darkspawn.
“I’m running low on arrows!”
“Same here!”
“Rook! We need a different plan!” Taash shouted. The qunari slashed through several Darkspawn as Lucanis weaved around them. This wasn’t going to work. Neve blasted two charging Darkspawn with a huff. Her magic was starting to run out.
“Neve!” Kaya shouted. She felt herself be shoved out of the way and rolled to her feet, seeing the serpent head hit Kaya. The elf flew back and slammed hard against a fallen piece of the fortress. She slid to the ground with a groan and Neve ran. Taash got to the elf first, defending her before the Darkspawn could reach her. Neve released a large blast of ice and froze two of the heads as they careened towards them. Bellara and Harding shot down the last head, giving Davrin the chance to strike the finishing blow. The Archdemon died and the red tendrils of energy surged to the Goddess. She screamed in agony and Kaya threw the dagger in the air. Lucanis caught it and flew straight for Ghilan’nain and Neve yanked the elf to her feet as the Crow missed his mark.
“We need to go!” Neve yelled. Their team ran from the tendrils that exploded out at them. Ran from the Blight that chased them. They leaped through the Eluvian as the fortress behind them was engulfed with grunts and gasps. They had made it but barely.
“Head count. Thumbs up if you’re here,” Davrin groaned. Neve gave him a thumbs up and saw Taash flipping him off. Lucanis looked annoyed as he helped Bellara to her feet. Kaya stared at the cracked Eluvian and Neve could see the tension in her posture. She got to her feet and walked to the elf’s side.
“Rook—"
“I messed things up.”
“No, you didn’t. You couldn’t have known—"
“We need to move. Regroup at the Lighthouse and plan our next steps,” Kaya spoke. Her eyes were steely as she brushed by her. The others gave her a worried look as they followed the elf. She was going to do something stupid.