"My work is not done..."

A follow up for Alarian's story arc with "I Am" and "No place like Home".

Marien Jade, the not exactly kind Inquisitor has challenged The Grey Warden Mage, Alarian (Surana) Cousland to a fight, as the two have historically not gotten along. Marien is excellent with a sword and shield, while Ali prefers magic and staffs, but also is a master at martial arts. After a heated argument The Inquisitor and The Warden are scheduled to fight, that takes place today, but something unexpected happens, and it certainly isn't good.

I walk through the dimly lit corridors of Skyhold as I go to my room to get ready. Why am I nervous? I've beaten things better than her, I killed Darkspawn and Templars and broke Alistair's wrist more then once, I even knocked Sten on his butt! I knock open the door with my side and stop in my tracks. "Leliana, wha-what are you doing here?" I ask confused as to why she's standing in my room. She gestures to my bed "I'm here to help you get ready." She says. I nod and step into the room closing the door. After some time we eventually got me into some enchanted chain mail armor that Morrigan had found. We have an hour or so before I need to go fight. We head down the hall and I spar with Zevran for a bit, and go over spells with Wynne and Morrigan. As I walk out to the amphitheater the others wish me luck. Stan says so stonily, more so than even Shale who is literally made of stone, Alistair tells me jokingly "don't die!" And Oghren lisps a little as he speaks, still holding an empty bottle. Leliana hugs me, Morrigan wishes me luck, Wynne reminds me to use the spells we went over  and then Sera and Bull come over "hey kid, good luck out there, you'll do great. Krem says hi as well." Bull says and gives me a high five, Krem's my friend that works with Bull, he's cool. He did some Mulan style stuff when he was in the army by bribing the medic and sadly he got found out but Bull rescued him and now they work together. "Hey, just because quizzy says some mean shit don't believe a word of it. Cause your awesome...And if you could kick her in the face or something for me that'd be great." Sera says with a laugh. I smile at that "okay I'll be sure to do that, might put her in her place a bit." And walk out the door.

It's bright out and I'm standing in the right corner of the amphitheater and can see Marien on the opposite side, the stands are fairly crowded, I feel like I'm in the colloseum. We walk to the center where the person initiating the fight stands. "Are you both ready?" He asks, we nod. "Okay. Begin!" And steps back. Marien tries to strike me with her sword as I lunge back and cast winters grasp. She moves slower until it wears off and I manage to get a few hits, I use magic, a Bambo staff that can be used for both martial arts and magic, and I have a dagger stashed among my cloak. The inquisitor runs to me and strikes me on the arm, ripping my shirt, I draw my dagger and kick her in the face "that was for Sera." I say as the kick hits and blood runs out of her nose. She seems inraged now and we circle around the ring. I parry a few more strikes before she angles her sword down and then up into my ribs lifting me off the ground. Intense pain runs through me and I make a small choked sound as Marien withdrawals her blade leaving me on the ground bleeding heavily. She sheaths her blade and retreats to her corner and into the fortress of Skyhold. My friends run to me and Wynns tries a healing spell, it doesn't really work as far as I can tell. I pass out and wake up in the infirmity, with my ribs wrapped in bloodstained bandages and then I feel weak and my eyes close and everything goes white.

I wake up in a light filled place, I know where I am. I see people who I've seen many a time before, though not in the regular world. I walk up a large marble staircase trimmed with gold until I get to a throne room. I walk up to my master and he asks "Alarian, why are you here? Have you finished your work?" I brace myself "No master, my work is not done, I wish to go back to my body that I had, if you would be so merciful, as my friends seem greatly troubled and grieved." He nods his head "Of course, my young friend. You have done a great deal, but you are not done no. It is not time for you to be in this hall yet, though their may come a time one day when you may linger here long after the world is done for. I shall do ask you ask, as my most trusted messenger. That  women who did such a thing needs to be educated in the ways   of mercy and not anger, though I expect it will be difficult and come with a great deal of pain, have faith and ye shall succeed." I then feel a wind and I wake up. I'm stuck in some kind of box, it's lined with velvet, I shake it a few times and then blast it off the top of the casket flying into the air. I sit up and look at the crowd of people who seem surprised and say
"I'm not dead yet!" Quoting Monty Python. My friends seem overjoyed and run to me giving me a giant group hug "we thought you were dead thank God!" I laugh and reply "I'm his most trusted messenger I can't just abandon my work!" And everyone laughs. I climb out of the casket and look at my cloths "umm where's my clothing?" I ask curiously and Morrigan pulls out my shirt and pants, Wynne gives me my staff, Leliana my books, Alistair my Grey Warden pendent, Sten my sword, Oghren gives me my boots somewhat clumsily, Shale gives me a little talismin that Jowan gave me, and then Zevran steps forward and gives me my most prized possession, my green cloak with the pin from my families castle in Tevinter. Then Lilly, my girlfriend, steps forward and hugs me as hard as she could, most likely. After a minute or so she lets go, she was crying. "Should we go back to Skyhold?" Shale asks my companions and I. "Yes, I want to see their reaction."

We walk up the steps and throw open the door to the wartable room where the Inquisition, except for Cole and Sera, are gathered "Suprise Bitch bet you thought you'd seen the last of me!!" I say as the doors fly open. Everyone looks and some start laughing in delight, Marien just looks confused. Good, she deserves confusion. After all she did stick a sword in my ribs. My friends explain what happened as I go find Sera and Cole who are playing cards in Seras room. "Surprise in not dead!" I yell as I kick open the door and sit down. Cole says "You met with Master, he said your work is not done and sent you back." Sera looks at him "how'd you know that creepy? Is he right?" I nod "yep, he's a messenger too. Only a different type." Sera nods "uh-huh. So your just plain old Ali?" "Yes I am. I'm not a ghost I'm just a person...now deal me in." Sera gives me cards and we continue to play. I'm glad my work isn't done, I get to spend eternity with these dorks.

I cried a bit.

Until next time,

M