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Lake Calenhad glittered in the morning sun, waves gently lapping against the shore. To anyone else, it might have been a beautiful sight. To Joana Amell, nothing could be beautiful.
Not this day.
She could still hear the echoes of her mother's cries in the breeze, see her tears in the waters of the lake, though her own tears had dried long ago. Her Templar escort seemed unmoved by such displays, and she would no longer give into them.
Joana wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear.
The journey from Kirkwall had been difficult, and now, a month after she had been taken, and five weeks after someone had reported her magic, she was ready to rest.
In truth, she ached to go home, but even at ten, Joana knew that was impossible.
The tower that stood before her was to be her home, now.
Her escort — she hadn't bothered learning his name, of course — gripped her shoulder tightly as they boarded the small rowboat, as if he was afraid she might try to run.
But where would she go, she thought, half-hysterical with a terror she refused to show. This was Ferelden, land of the dog lords. She knew nothing of this place, and had no coin, besides.
Joana could do nothing but follow him into the boat and sit down, surrounded by Templars. She had a feeling she would have to get used to that.
The journey across the lake was short, but the breeze off the lake was cold, and by the time they reached the small island where the tower was seated, Joana was shivering. The Templar helped her out of the boat, and caught her as she stumbled.
"Careful, there," he said gruffly. She jerked her arm out of his grip, straightening her filthy dress and gathering what scraps of dignity she had left.
"Suit yourself," he shrugged. "Come along, girl."
With no other choice, Joana walked on shaky legs after him. The journey there had been arduous, and she was half-dead on her feet. But she would rather die than allow the Templar to carry her.
The Templar lead her inside. Joana paused for a moment, looking out over the lake. It was nothing like the ocean she was used to seeing, nothing like the great harbor of Kirkwall.
She hated it immediately.
Looking back, she watched as the great doors slammed shut, locking her in with the Templars and mages. She was one of them now, she supposed.
As she climbed the stairs, legs trembling from exhaustion, she wondered what would happen to her now.