Arms, Armor & Ash

Winter had come to Fereldan, it had come from great glaciers that few people had heard and even fewer have seen.
Cold wind and snow tested strength off the trees, trying to get a few falling down. But the trees were standing, they had withstood stronger storms and harder frost. But some of them had fallen ill, Blight had struck the earth and trees, like other living things.

How long trees would last against the darkness and corruption as well as the forces of nature, no one knew.

Cold wind blew in the ruins of Ostagard, it shouted in the corridors and towers like an angry demon.
Part of the fortress, Ostagard large stone buildings had been forced to give ground over the period of wind, water and ice.

But nevertheless, they defied the forces of nature. Large stone bridges and temples were still standing, although had suffered. Defiant as the general who led troops at the frontier, stood Ishal tower, it had taken the most challenges that had been thrown against it.
It stood defiant against surrounding forest, snow and wind, after hundreds of years it was still standing and had witnessed many battles. Now, it witnessed one more.

The spear cut already dead flesh, sharp blade cut head from the body. Darrian did look for the next opponent. War dog brought down the headless body, and began to tear it to pieces with its teeth.
Next came, a walking corpse, it looked more like a skeleton, most of it flesh was gone, and it lacked one arm. But the dark power, held it up, creature's eyes shone at dark light.
Darrian strike his spear, Snake fang, at the creature's chest knocking it over. Runes of power began to destroy the body and sent the demon what was inside it back to where it came. Darrian step over it, now he saw the actual target. Behind several walking corpses stood darkspawn, it had raised the dead to fight.

Darrian felt the power radiating from emissary, just then it released it's power and more corpses rise through snow and ice.
He glanced quickly around, Shale, Sten and Oghren fight together in the center, striking corpses back on the ground. Oghren almost cut one corpse in two with his ax.

Behind them at a higher ground, Morrigan and Wynne used spells against rising corpses. On their side, Leliana and Zevran used they bows.
Alistair protect them and cleave head off one corpses with his sword, Starfang.
Darrian struck one corpse down, but more creatures were emerging from the snow.
"The darkspawn, shoot it down." Darrian shouted and pointed his spear towards the emissary.
Leliana and Zevran turned their bows towards it and shot arrows. The arrows were well shot, but the other one missed and other did hit some kind of shield that covered the emissary.
"Alistair." Darrian cried.
Alistair started to run towards the darkspawn through a flank. Majority of the corpses were fight in the center, Darrian saw Shale crushing one of them to pieces.

Darrian could not help them now, he had a bigger problem. Great horned ogre, who came towards him with several other corpses. It was a huge creature and like other corpses, it was already dead. Darrian saw it clearly, it had several sword and dagger cuts in it's flesh.
Viima, his mabari plunged into the one smaller corpses and Darrian run his spear trough other. Then he got to dodge giant strokes, Darrian cursed.

Damn snow

He could not move as fast as he had hope for.
Serpent's fang cut a few of the new wounds in dead flesh. The ogre roared with rage, and tried to grip him. But the movements were not very fast or accurate, apparently early wounds and coldness make ogre move slower. Suddenly ogre were stumbling, Viima had sunk it's teeth on monster's foot. Darrian saw a opening and immediately struck his spear to it's chest. The ogre cried with a loud voice or more correctly it was a demon inside it. The ogre grabbed the spear, Darrian mercilessly twisted the blade, but was forced to let go of it when other corpse attacked him. Darrian dodged corpse attack and grabbed it by the hand twisting it arm almost off. Thing cried loud, cry faded when he hit its face to pieces with his armored glove.
Darrian immediately pulled his sword Topsider's Honor from his back and block blow from sledgehammer.

In the meantime, ogre got grip at Viima and pulled mabari off it's feet. Darrian pierced the chest of the corpse and kicked it off the sword. The ogre was about to throw Viima, when Darrian cut it's other leg. Ogre did fall to it's knees and put it's other hand on the ground.
Darrian is struck the arm with all his strength, honor cut through the dead flesh and ogre arm ended on the elbow.
The giant fell on its side and Viima got himself off, striking his teeth to ogre's remaining arm.
Darrian quickly glanced around.

Others fought to remain with the corpse, Shale, Sten and Oghren held its position. They had struck many corpses to pieces.
Behind them Zevran had drop his bow, and apparently used King Maric's Sword, striking down all who got past the trio.
Above them, Morrigan and Leliana were covering Alistair. Witch sent black energy towards corpses and Leliana send arrow trough corpse who was closing at Alistair from behind. Alistair was now close to the emissary. But the few corpses still separated them. Behind Alistair several corpses were closing in.
That moment Wynne sent a great ball of fire, it hit corpses that were behind Alistair and exploded, turning the corpses at flame torches.
Alistair struck down the remaining corpses. The emissary rise it arm and sent to some kind of black might towards Alistair. Alistair raised his shield as cover when blast hit him.

Darrian was forced to block other attack, cursing, he cleave the attacker's skull. Ogre had got himself seated position in the meantime, mabari still hanging on it remaining hand. Darrian struck his sword between it shoulders, Honor bite deep. Darrian heard how the demon inside dead ogre cried out and it began to fall. He pulled Honer out and when the giant fell he struck the sword trough ogre's throat.
It was enough, the demon could no longer maintain ogre's body. It fall in the snow, when demon fled from it.

Darrian turned to look at others, Alistair had meanwhile get close to the emissary, ignoring the blast that was hitting him.
Alistair sank Starfang deep in the chest of the darkspawn. Darkspawn collapsed in front of him. Alistair hit darkspawn few more times, better to be safe. They had learned that long ago.
The battle was won, the emissary was no longer raising more corpses in the battle. And soon they had beaten the rest of the corpses in the snow.

Darrian look the others, all seemed to be more or less pkey. He saw how the Wynne and Shale went towards the Alistair. Even if Alistair had received Templar training and was able to stand against emissary's power. Darkspawn attack's was certainly still felt in him.

Hope he was okay.
Reading Darrian's thoughts, Alistair raised his sword in his direction. Darrian responded by raising his own sword.

"It was a nice brawl." Commented Oghren to Zevran.
"Nice that you had a great time my friend."
"You got too little taste of battle and also your new sword tasted blood."
"None of these corpses got any blood in them, but you´re right, i did got little testing for blade. "Assassin said, and admired the shiny surface of the sword.
"Do not get excited." Leliana said and walked beside them.
"It is Feralden's king's sword, you only lending it."
"There is no king in Fereldan now, and I will use this blade a noble purpose, I will fight against darkness."
"Alistair will be king, sword belongs to him."
"He already has a good sword and Darrian gave this to me."
"Darrian gave you permission use the sword while we are fighting darkspawn, after a blight you give it back."
"Dear sister, how can doubt me."

Morrigan walked next to them.
"Easily, perhaps you are going to take it crows and hope that they will accept that as a apology and do not cut your throat open." Witch said.
"Dear Ladies, you wound me." Assassin said a sad voice.
The witch snorted and walked away. Leliana roll her eyes and went to collect her arrows from dead.

Darrian checked Viima's condition. Mabari had few cut but none was deep and it was little limping it's back leg. But it seemed to be fine, Wynne or Morrigan could later check it.
Darrian was himself also received a few hits, and but was otherwise fine.

Darrian stood up and drew breath. The wind had begun to blow harder, the storm should be here soon. He did not sense any darkspawn nearby, but sooner or later they would be back. They had all what they came from. They had found the king Cailan's armor and weapons, and his letters. Darrian looked at Ostagard, it was time to take care of the king's body.
"Let's go back, we got what we came for." Darrian cried.
"About time." Darrian heard Morrigan saying.

Darrian turned and went to pull his spear out off the body. First time when he had faced ogre in battle, he was horrified, even now he was afraid of them. But the fear did no longer affected his ability to fight.
He glanced ogre one more time and stopped.
"Alistair."
Alistair turned and started to come towards him.
"Go on, we'll follow you later." He shouted to the others.

Alistair came to his side.
"I found the last part of Cailan armor."
And showed him a helmet that was beautifully done, Darrian sensed the might of it. He nodded.
"We got at least something back from these things." Alistair said, and waved his hand towards corpses. He put the helmet in the bag which what held other parts of Cailan's armor.
"We have to go take care of the king Cailan's body, we can´t leave him in there." Alistair said and turned.
"Alistair."
"What?"
Darrian presented him with a dagger, it was made from a dragonbone. It was simple but strong and durable. There was engraving in the hilt. Darrian was waiting for Alistair recognize the knife, he didn't have to wait for long.
"This is a Duncan's." Alistair cried.
He nod and showed a second weapon, a sword, it was also made to the dragon bone. It was a clear and simple long sword, but clearly a masterwork .
"What ... where?" Alistair asked.
"They were struck at that ogre, that's why it did not fight as good as I had expected, blades weakened it."
"It means ..."
"Duncan apparently managed to kill the ogre, but because the arms were still there, i assume that killing that thing, was his last action."
Alistair stared at the dagger, and closed his eyes, squeezed dagger in his hands.
Darrian sighed and looked the ogre. Viima sensed their mourning and step next to him.

Alistair cried out voice with grief and rage. He kicked ogre's carcass in furious.
Darrian just stood still and bowed his head.
"He... must be here." Alistair cried, and turned quickly, knocking over the bag, armor parts fell in the snow.
Alistair went after the tracks, trying to find a point where ogre had risen. But the snow was already covering traces of the battle and the traces. Wind blew more snow top of the corpses and the tracks.
Alistair was trying to dig a snow on the side, holding one hand at Duncan's dagger. Darrian walked next to Alistair.
"Alistair ..."
"He had to be here."
Alistair threw snow on the side, and suddenly something was revealed under the snow. It was shemlen armor, but was a wrong kind of armor and the body was a different shape than Duncan's.
"No." Alistair cried out and began to dig at another location.
"Alistair ..."
"He had to be here."
Alistair threw snow on the side, but the wind blew new snow. Alistair stood up, and then his gaze fell to the dark bodies of the darkspawn had brought against them.
"We might have struck him down."
He began to look through the bodies, most them were no longer recognizable.

Darrian was silent and stood still. He looked at the sword.
Duncan had lent it to him, that seemed like a long time ago, and it had happened to someone else. He had managed to rescue the others. He was not sure whether he had succeeded without Duncan's help. Guards would have detained him and executed. That if i had been lucky.

Alistair has stopped in the meantime, he just stood there. Darrian walked next to him, Viima followed him and whine sadly.

For a long time they just stood in the middle of the corpses. Cold wind blew the snow on top of the corpses and tracks. Soon everything would be covered in snow and ice.

"No matter how much we wish, we can´t turn back time." Darrian said.
"Even if you had been with him on the battlefield. I do not know if I have reach signal fire in time, without your help it would have take longer."

Or I could have died.

"Even Loghain would have attacked, I do not know, would that longer sufficed to reverse the flow of the battle."

"But I know Duncan's last words to us."
"We are gray wardens, Duncan expects us to be worthy of that title."
Darrian's voice have come thicker.

There was a long silence after that.

Finally Alistair nodded, then he raised Duncan's dagger and turned the handle so that he could read the engraved text.

"In peace, vigilance." Alistair said.
"In war, victory." said Darrian
"In death... sacrifice." Alistair said, so quietly that Darrian barely heard it.
Alistair raised Duncan's dagger to salute him, Darrian did the same with the Duncan's sword.

Alistair turned and wiped his eyes. He walk next the ogre and put Cailan armor parts back to the bag. Darrian was walking beside him and took his spear.

Darrian sighed.

Goodbye Duncan, we may follow you soon.

They walked silently after the others. Walked bass cold dungeon's in to catacombs, there Ishal tower.

My first big battle and it was close to be my last. For many of the rest of it was.

The bodies of the darkspawns were on the floor, their pale flesh and grotesque corpses seemed to contaminate up to the stone. Darrian look at them.

The first time I saw them, I did feel sick, now they are just disgusting to me. I hate them too, but also loathe. Now my whole life is a struggle against them.

They walked through the gates of the tower Ishal out, the others were waiting for them.
Are darkspawn even the ones that kill me. Bounty hunters and assassins are after us, as well as all those who believed that the grays warden's are traitors.
He looked at the others.

Or did the threat come closer... Darrian did shake his head.

Think about these things later on, now there are other things taken care of.

They walked in silence back to the bridge. Then they stopped to watch the King Cailan body. His body was nailed to a totem of stone, wood and iron.

Darkspawn have some sort of sense of cruelty. They hung a number of wilderness still hanging from trees. The king's armor peak their interest, that which they had shared victory signs with each other. I guess they realized that he was an important person, they have seen dead bodies in a deep roads. Darkspawns struck some of they enemies to totems and signs.

"Alistair, are you all right?" Wynne asked.
"Ugh. They've left him here to rot. We need to do something." Alistair said.
Darrian look at the body.

Cailan had come to the gate when they have arrived in Ostagard. The King was kind enough to greet him, that was surprise to me. Rarely nobles have been friendly towards elves. Duncan had promised to speak to the King what he had done in Denerim.

Before setting off into the wilds, Duncan had told him that Cailan had understood and would ensure that the other elves in alienage would not be punished for his actions.

"He is of royal blood and deserves a byre."
"He was a good man who hope too much and died too young. He deserves what little honer we can afford to grant him. "

Then he start cut robes with Duncan's sword. Alistair began to help him by using Duncan's dagger.
"Go over there and start collect firewood for a byre" He said to others.
The witch shake her head and Zevran seemed to be more concerned about the cold. But when the others left, they went after them.

Wynne stay with them and help get Cailan's body off the poles. It was not easy, some iron nails had struck deep into the body, nailing it to hard wood. The body was also frozen, so they had to be careful.

But in the end they got Cailan's body mostly in one piece and bound it in the fabric which Wynne had found nearby.

They carried the body to byre, others had found firewood what the army had left behind, wood was dry. Alistair and Darrian but King's body center of the byre.

Wynne took a bigger stick in his hand, Darrian felt how sorceress gathered strength, soon stick caught fire, he handed it to Alistair. Alistair glanced at Darrian, he shook his head.
You are the Cailan half-brother, you are the closest relative of him, you need to ignite the pyre, not me.
Alistair understood and walked over to pyre and lit it.
The fire spread quickly and greedily soon trees pyre was burning brightly.

Viima raised his head to the sky and howled for a long time.

This place has a lot of bad memories and dead.

And how many will die before this ends.

Darrian turned and started walking away, Viima did follow him. Morrigan and Zevran left as well. Others did watch fire little longer.

Shale, Sten and Oghren went out next when the bonfire was burning brightly and it's started to snow and wind were getting stronger.

Leliana touched Wynne shoulder and went after the others. Old sorceress stood for some time front of the pyre, then she said something to Alistair and left.

Alistair still remained until the trees were burned to ashes.