Life and Reflection
Ardyn had quickly found a cave within her own given network that enhanced her burgeoning magic even more than the Cave of Reflection.
She found it when she was training and running a circuit around her cave. It had opened up to her randomly and she felt so connected to it she told no one about it and began practicing there daily.
After practicing in the Cave of Reflection.
It was a cave of wonder. Flowers bloomed from every craggy surface and water continually flowed from nowhere. It smelled of spring and quiet calm days and there was always a dense of peace about the entire cave.
She was standing in a broad flower patch, focusing her breathing and trying to perfect the technique her inner self performed. She let out a long breath, her purple hibiscus bloomed within her and a well of magic formed, as she tried to push it forward it sputtered and she felt it spark then fizzle.
Magic plumed from her in a vast chaotic burst – flowers wilted around her and Elsa, who was just entering ducked and dodged dramatically.
She peaked out, just as dramatically, and Ardyn fell flat on her bottom, utterly exhausted. Elsa smiled and looked around.
"So this is where you disappear to? These caves have truly embraced you, they Have not opened up to anyone in centuries." She breathed in and exhaled deeply, all the wilted flowers sprang back to life.
Elsa nodded in satisfaction. "This is a very calming cave." She sat next to Ardyn. "Now. Explain to me what you're doing."
Ardyn sighed dramatically. "I want to replicate what I did in the Cave of Reflection."
"what you did? What did you do?"
Ardyn frowned in frustration. "Well I didn't really do it. Well it was like a second me."
Elsa blinked and then nodded slowly. "You faced your inner self." She looked deeply at the young girl. "Your aura is okay. Do you know, if something would've happened to you Varric would have killed us all."
Ardyn blushed. "Aren't you being a bit dramatic teacher?"
"No. Not at all. Show me this technique. But remember. This is your inner self. Often times it is a partial reflection or a mirrored reflection. I would say mirrored since this happened in the Cave of Reflection. Think of doing things the opposite way to what seems is right."
Ardyn looked at her with confusion, shrugged and dragged herself up from the floor.
She pulled in the cool calming energies around her and her hibiscus bloomed almost instantly, but then something happened and she thought of Varric's fury due to her pain and her heart swelled and something pinged within her.
Her hibiscus swelled to four times the size she could usually manifest and her eyes closed as she exhaled and moved her magic forward.
It plumed forward like a soft spring rain. Her body was instantly revitalized and the cave itself seemed to sing.
Even Elsa was affected. Her eyes going wide as an old injury instantly healed.
"That's not what the other me did."
"Hmm. You probably need to strengthen yourself more. Your magic expanded because of your bond with Varric, you can keep using that if you want it is a powerful thing."
"My love for Varric."
Elsa leaned back into the bed of flowers, the flowers enveloping her like a protective blanket. She decided to enjoy the new cave and allow Ardyn to figure things out on her own.
Varric sat on his obsidian throne, Ardyn's chaise empty but still bringing a smile to his face. He sighed as he moved to call another waiting aid forward.
He had truly come to hate audience days.
He almost outwardly rejoiced when Marcus entered the room. One glance from Varric and everyone left.
"What do you have to tell me Marcus?"
The large serpent beast-kin took a knee and lowered his head.
"My Lord it may have been worse than we feared. It seems the family used her as a servant after her parents and brother died when she was a baby.
"The worse part is it seems her father left a large estate but, by all accounts she lived as a pauper."
Varric listened, his frown deepening.
"So they sent her to me to get this estate?"
Marcus shook his head. "No My Lord. It would seem the younger daughter was jealous and commanded lady Ardyn to sacrifice herself. This girl, Sonia, has been bragging about it."
As Marcus spoke the room simmered with energy. Varric was losing control. His claws duh unto his obsidian throne as if it were made of soft bread, his silver eyes flashed with devastating power, and it was all he could do not to leave immediately and destroy this family.
How dare they defile someone so precious?
"I want this family to pay Marcus."
"Yes My Lord."
Varric's calm was terrifying and the entering messenger decided to go to Marcus instead of Varric.
Marcus looked to him. "My Lord, the crocs are invading our borders and seem to be heading straight to Silver Vale."
There was no question. A promise was a promise. And a promise made in his beloved's name was a solemn, un breakable, oath.
"Send red and gold guard to the border and have the black guard defend the village. And Marcus, put two of your best on the Stronghood family. I want to know all.
Marcus bowed and left to set things into motion.
It was not over. It was not even paused. He could keep two promises in one fist.