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“This again? Shapeshifting is not such an easy thing to grasp! You do not simply wake up one morning and master it!”
“That is why I need you to show me,” Solona said, silently grinding her teeth.
Nothing with the witch was ever just easy! And of course, she would be drawn to her from the very first sarcastic line that had tripped over those delectable lips, cause wasn’t she just her type?! “Type” apparently meaning veering wildly between hot and cold. Solona just couldn’t keep up anymore, one moment it was “My tent is chilly, I was hoping you’d heat it up a little” and the next its “I do not leap at your command like a trained war hound.” It was all driving her crazy!
Morrigan was driving her crazy!
And once again, here she was speaking from two minds. Was she going to teach her shapeshifting or not?
“Should you not return to your precious Circle to learn this art? Surely, as you yourself have stated, Circle magic is wildly superior—”
“Blood and ashes, Morrigan, I never said Circle magic was—”
“Are you sure? It’s so hard for us Chasind folk to understand your—”
“You know what, forget I asked!” she said angrily, turning around to put distance between herself and the source of all her aggravation. Not including the Blight, of course.
“Well, if you are going to be a child about it, I will show you. If only to stop the tantrums from upsetting the camp.”
Solona was steaming, her every instinct screaming to just keep walking. But she couldn’t. Because the enchantment this wilding witch had on her was beyond all reason. Circle magic, indeed! Just where did Morrigan think she was from?! Had she not walked the halls of Kinloch with her, not seen her origins for herself?
But she didn’t care, did she? She never cared, even after all the moments they had shared, the teasing looks, the lingering touches, all she had ever been to the woman was a means to scratch her itch.
“Watch closely now, or would you prefer to make notes? To carefully pin down everything in your Chantry-approved little notebook. We all know just how much you crave to organize things. Shall I wait?”
The. Actual. Witch! Drawing on the part of her Circle training that had been the cornerstone of her survival, she smiled, not too sweetly, with just enough of an edge to seem a sincere reaction. She was way past the point where she could learn anything now, her emotions broiling inside like a furnace.
As she saw Morrigan weave her spell, tapping into the Fade, she tapped into her own power, the magic Morrigan wouldn’t be able to see her ready, as she surreptitiously slid her palm along the blade of the red steel dagger that was always fastened to her side.
“I know the Circle labels this as something scandalous, but as you can see, I am still drawing on the Fade, it is no different from any of the other curriculum approved charms they teach you. Though of course considerably more complex. It would behove you to pay attention, I shall only demonstrate this once.”
“Oh, I’m sure once will be enough,” Solona said calmly. Amiable, even.
Morrigan scoffed at that. Actually scoffed! She wasted no opportunity in faulting the Circle for their hubris, yet the only person flaunting the superiority of their skills had ever been her! Even Wynn, with all her years and knowledge behind her, didn’t have so much of an ego, and hers would certainly be deserved if she had it!
“Behold,” the witch said and seamlessly dropped the spell over herself. Solona had to admit that it was a very elegant piece of work. Much neater and eloquent than the hot mess she was about to deliver. Ironically enough, the discipline behind Morrigan’s spell would be something the Chantry would greatly approve of.
Where the witch once stood, a raven now sat on the barrel that had been next to her. Even in this form leering at her contemptuously.
“Truly masterful,” Solona said, and meant it. “Let me show you my magic then, indeed learned in my Circle.”
Uncurling her hand she revealed her bloody palm, blood flowing where the red steel had cut into her skin. It was much more than she possibly needed for this spell, but she was feeling a bit supercilious herself.
Curious, I didn’t know ravens could look shocked.
Before the bristling bird could make another move, Solona dropped her own spell over it. The bird squawked in panic, stretching its wings to take flight when she dropped a second spell, thwarting its efforts.
“Now,” she said pleasantly, walking to where Morrigan stored her elfroot potions and casually downing one. “Since I know you are fully aware in your animal state, and so very much smarter than all the rest of us, it would be redundant of me to explain to you that you are now trapped in your form. At least, until it pleases me to release you. You are also bound to me, so to show my goodwill, my shoulder is available to you,” she added, sweeping her long hair over her right shoulder to indicate the open space on the left. “I do know how you like to… nibble there, but please remember the conditions of your release.”
In a voice like cold steel, finally showing her anger, she added, “The only one to draw my blood shall be me.”
She turned around and walked away, hearing the raven become increasingly agitated as the distance between them increased. Of course, she would fight it—it was only to be expected. And of course, her only choice would be to give in and follow the compulsion.
She smiled as the bird landed on her shoulder, talons digging in as it landed.
“Ah-ah!” Solona admonished in a singsong voice as she neared the fire where the rest of the companions were sitting blissfully unaware, having their dinner together.
“Solona!” Alistair said happily on seeing her, “I have a ques— Hey! Nice bird!”
“Thank you,” she smiled demurely at her fellow warden as she sat next to Leliana. “It’s been following us as we moved around, and I finally managed to coax it to obedience.” She smiled as the raven’s talons tightened briefly on the word. “I’ve always had a knack for taming carrion birds.”
“Really?” Leliana asked, intrigued, “I’ve always liked ravens! I find them quite fascinating.”
“Oh, you’ll love this one then. It has quite the personality.”
“Has anyone seen Morrigan?” Zevran suddenly asked. “There won’t be much dinner left if she doesn’t hurry up.”
“Oh, did she truly not tell you?” Solona asked, clicking her tongue. "She left earlier, said she would like to spent a couple of days with her mother, since we’re in the area." The involuntary death grip this provoked from the talons was absolutely worth it, she mused, as she treated her companions to her biggest smile yet.