PROLOGUE, PART 2 - THE HERO OF FERELDEN
And thus, three days passed. Abominations appeared on the lower chambers too, but few enough for Keili, Kenon, Petra and Alice to deal with. Wynne, she was focused, as we all know, on keeping the barrier which held the abominations from the other levels of the tower at bay. The children helped as they could, which was not much, after all. The younger mages, they, time and again, renewed Wynne's energy magically, but it was only a matter of time until their own energy would be exhausted. Alice loved those children and Wynne toO much not to help them. So, she decided she would stay with them instead of returning to the upper floors and go on a suicide mission. By the end of the second day, they heard the Great Doors open and close right after. All rejoiced as they heard the armored steps that came in their direction. Surely, the templars came for their rescue! Even Alice felt relieved, sure that she would see Gregoir, leading the warriors of the Maker. And, O Maker, show she hoped that Cullen would be with them! All this time, Alice prayed and prayed that Cullen was on the other side of the Great Doors with Gregoir.
But it wasn't the templars who came. Those who came were the ones who would soon change much of what was then known and taken for granted in Thedas. The group of mages saw John Cousland, followed by Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana, Sten and Thorand, John's legendary mabari warhound.
Well, I take it that you are already familiar with much of the party who joined the mages on the other side of the Great Doors, reader, as much as with the conversations that followed between the party leaders, John and Wynne. But I'm pretty sure you don't know the details of what exactly happened, thus, it is important that I explain how exactly did the conversation go.
First things first: John Cousland, as we all know, fled Highever when his family was betrayed and slaughtered by the usurper arl Rendon Howe, and traveled to Ostagar with (Maker rest his soul) the Grey Warden Duncan, where he met Alistair. Only survivors of the onslaught that followed, timely rescued by Flemeth, THE Flemeth, they went north, to Lothering, followed now by Morrigan, where, besides sending an ill hearted merchant away and killing road bandits, John gave a lost boy a whole silver, sent a message to teyrn Loghain through one the teyrn's men, and brought Sten and Leliana to his party. Also, he gave a little elf girl her pet lamb back, and a whole sum of five gold. We'll return to John's weak spot for elves later in this Tale.
You may think of him as a paragon of virtue and the apex of virility and masculinity. Well, as most things go, reality falls a little short from myth. John was around his mid twenties, and while he bore the physique of man who grew accustomed to wear thick armor and wield heavy blades (you see, the blades he likes to use even today are so heavy that can only be properly wielded by using both hands). He was not as tall as Alistair, and was considerably shorter than Sten, not counting the Qunari's horns. His face bore still some roundness from youth, and will most likely bear it until the end of his days. His hair, with the first signs of baldness over each temper, was of a color that was too dark to be blond, too light to be brown, too brown to be ginger. He had been red haired while a child, and now, the only copper tones left were the ones on his well trimmed beard. But his eyes, since he were born were of this blueish green, or greenish blue, whatever the reader fancies.
So, after Lothering, they went to Redcliffe, hoping to find support from arl Eamon. And, the Tale continues: John and his party help bann Teagan defend Redcliffe village, they go through the mill's secret passage and enter the castle, battle the hordes of the undead, and finally find Connor possessed by a demon. Much to Sten and Morrigan's demise, John decides to go to the Circle of Magi and seek help to free the boy without killing him. Also, be noted, John had, as a boy, a little crush on arlessa Isolde. So, how to deny her the chance to keep her son alive? Even at that time John still hoped she could decide to, maybe, thank him with a passionate kiss. You see, reader, his relationship with Leliana was still blossoming, and he still didn't know the Orlesian former bard would turn to be his future wife, despite John's weak spot for elves and, even if she were married and older than him, arlessa Isolde.
Enough of John, now. This tale I tell you, while it involves a lot of him, is about Alice, and I only came this far in telling what John did by the time he reached the Circle so you can understand where this tale interlaced with that of the Hero of Ferelden.
So, John's party arrives at the room where Wynne, Alice, Keili, Petra and Kenon are holding back bravely, trying their best to keep the children safe.
"Who are you people? Halt, and announce yourselves!" Alice asked, furrowing her brow and holding her staff in a menacing stance ahead of her. Now, this is a place the tale of the Hero of Ferelden doesn't keep to the truth. Wynne was tired and busy keeping the barrier up, and if she talked to any other person, she would loose her focus and the barrier would be gone. Another thing to point is that John's party didn't look like help. Morrigan was there, with her yellow eyes, weird and exposing clothing, and a staff that looked like taken from a darkspawn. Also, Alice had never seen a Qunari before, and for her, at that moment, Sten looked like yet another abomination.
It was John who answered, in a peacing tone, lowerign his sword (and the whole party had their weapons drawn when they arrived, which added to their unfriendliness) as he spoke: "We are not enemies. I am John Cousland, of the Grey Wardens, teyrn of Highever and we are here to help you." Alice narrowed her eyes as if that truth was too plainly good to believe, and John added: "Knigh-Commander Gregoir allowed us in. We know what's going on here, and we want to go and search for the First Enchanter."
The countenance of the other mages brightened at this words, and even Wynne, who were listening, tried to look over her shoulders to see who were these people who came with such good intentions. And like Alice, she didn't like when she saw that Morrigan and Sten looked like they thought John's word to be but gibberish. Alice said: "We are most likely all you will find here. It's been days, I don't know how much, exactly, since the attack on the Tower begun." She made a pause, and the weight of reality sank her shoulders down. The mage lowered her staff and let a sad sigh out, as her eyes met the ground. "There was nothing we could do. I believe... I believe everyone inside are either dead, or became abominations."
John's answer was swift: "We won't know if we don't go and look for ourselves. Besides, the Knight-Commander told me that if I don't bring the First Enchanter himself, he'll call for the Right of Annulment. So..."
Alice interrupted John, with wide eyes as a flicker of hope shone in them. The same flicker shone too in Keili's eyes, and on the eyes of the other mages. But for Wynne, Petra and Kenon, the flicker was of sheer terror. "They haven't called for it already? What are they waiting for?"
The reaction in John's party was one and the same: astonishment at the fact that a mage agreed, and indeed wished for the Right of Annulment.
"I can't believe it!" Morrigan said, looking at Alice in a mixture of disgust and awe. "Not only they submit theirselves to the Chantry's encagement, this one actually wishes for it!" And with that, she laughed out loud, turning her back and touching John's shoulder plate. "Come on, John. Leave them to their fate. If the mages of Circle are like that, they'll be more of a bother than of help against the Blight."
John touched Morrigan's hand on his shoulder lightly, telling her to wait. His eyes were now fixed on Alice's, but it was Wynne who, panting, spoke: "Alice! Don't say such a thing! There may be survivors, and if anyone is powerful enough of a mage to stand this cruel test that has befallen us all, this person is Irving!" She then closed her eyes shut, and suddenly the barrier was gone. Petra and Kenon ran to help her stand, but Wynne used her staff for support, and did it on her own, thanking them with a kind gaze. Alice looked at Wynne with worry, and walked fast towards the older mage to make sure she was alright. In fact, all the mages but Morrigan did. The latter, she looked at it with a curious gaze, that was only noticed by John and Alice. Alice didn't pay much heed, but that look of confused feelings Morrigan gave to the gathering of mages around Wynne called John's attention.
"I am fine, dears, I am fine. Tired, but your magic kept me well and, as far as I can say, rested. Thank you, thank you all." Wynne, then, rose her gaze past her fellow mages and looked at John. "Very well, Grey Warden. I am glad you came, and that you're willing to help the Circle. But I am going with you."
Once again, all people from John's party, all but Sten, were staring in bewilderment. She was an old lady, maybe even a powerful mage, but would she stand the test of battle? Even today, readers, I tell you, it's hard for me to believe that Wynne had that much inside her. It was Alistair who spoke: "Please, don't take us bad, lady, but... You're old. You should stay here, and send some of the younger ones with us, if you wish to help."
"Wynne, please!" Alice said, walking in between the two groups. "Even we can't tell maleficarum from sight. We saw blood mages earlier, and they're still inside! They may have corrupted the survivors, if there are any. It's too risky, to save the Circle and have blood mages amongst us, look what they did already! The Maker doesn't approve of this!"
Wynne answered: "And how can you know what the Maker does or doesn't approve, child? Let it be a test. If it is the Maker's will, we will succeed and bring Irving here."
Morrigan was going to say something but John did it before her: "This is not about the Maker, or even blood mages. In fact, the templars had it comming, for keeping you here against your own will. I'll save whoever I can. I don't care if they do their magic with mana or with blood." Even Wynne was shocked at John's words, but, she thought, was she to look a gift horse in the mouth?
"You can't! I won't let..." Alice begun, but with a tender hand to Alice's shoulder, Wynne continued the younger mage's sentence: "...you won't let nothing happen to the children. The barrier is down, and I need the four of you to fight back whatever comes from it. If we kill all abominations on our path, few will be the ones missed that will be able to come down for you."
Alice wanted to protest, but how could she? Wynne had something within her, something that gave her words both authority and comfort. So Alice simply added: "Then at least let me come with you, Wynne. Keili, Petra and Kenon, they can take care of the children. It's a serious threat you are about to face, another able hand will surely help."
Wynne seemed to be moved by this. After all, Alice was indeed great at dealing with magic, inspite of the fact that it was a gift she wished to get rid of, and the more the better, after all. But it was John who interfered, stepping ahead of both the groups and leaning slightly forward, eye brows seekign each other as his eyes scanned the hall ahead of them. There was a brief moment of silence as he turned to Alice. "No." said he, sharply. "Morrigan and Sten may think the mages deserve this fate, but they are not so... Keen in enforcing it. I won't have a mage under my leadership who is more worried in following the words of the Maker than my own orders."
Alice was left wordless, staring at John with a horrified expression. Did he just say his orders were more important than that of the Maker? What kind of man was he, after all? She didn't even notice the apologetic smile that both Alistair and Leliana were giving her, and she decided that she wouldn't let him inside the Tower. Maybe he would even help the Maleficar! But Wynne, once again Wynne, stepped in front of her, placing both hands on Alice's shoulders. "Please, please Alice. This is the only chance we have. The Grey Wardens are like that, you know, they are... pragmatical." These last words were spoken in but a whisper, and Wynne continued: "He is a military man, don't take his words by the letter. Now. I leave you in charge of those in here. Take care of any survivors we send your way, ok?"
"No!" Alice said, and Wynne looked at her like a mother looks at a daughter who shouldn't be arguing with her. Incredibly, that made Alice stop. Wynne had that kind of power over her. The older mage added: "You and I are the only ones here who know healing magic, and I am going with them. It's important that you stay here and help the survivors we send. They'll likely be in pretty bad shape. Can I trust you to do this for me?"
Alice's eyes were filled with worry and anger. Worry for Wynne, the old, carrying, tender Wynne, and anger towards the Grey Warden who thought he should not heed the Maker's holy Word while carrying his duty. She wished for his defeat, she wished for him to die the death a heathen deserved. So, she nodded, finally giving up, and said: "Very well. I'll stay here and help the others. But please, Wynne: don't go further than you're capable of. I don't want to see you die, not even at the hands of the templars."
Wynne smiled softly and brought Alice's head down, laying a tender kiss on the girl's forehead. At the same time, John whistled a short, sharp whistle, and Thorand approached him, cocking his head to the side as he waited for his master's words. The Grey Warden knelt next to the hound and patted his head, making a little mess of the short fur there. "Now, good boy. I want you to stay here and help Alice defend these people, ok? Until I return, you will obey her orders, and protect the ones in this room. Understood, Thorand?" The dog barked a loud, almost goofy bark, circled John two times, and then went to Alice, looking up at her and awaiting for her orders.
He was an impressive beast. On his for legs, he was as tall as Alice's breasts, and his muscles were clearly seen beneath his coat of short brown fur. Alice beheld that magnificent animal and slowly extended her hands towards him. You must know Alice loves animals, and dogs more than anything. Now, a legitimate Mabari stood in front of her, and she was completely hypnotized by him. Without meaning, John did the very thing that would keep Alice distracted enough not to argue. She touched Thorand's head, and at that, he open his big mouth and let his tongue hang, just smiling that big dog grin we all love so much. If you don't, reader, please, put this down and go away. You don't deserve to live if you don't like dogs. Who doesn't like dogs, anyway? Alice, she sure did, and she did as she was told: she used Thorand to distract the children there.
Yes. That huge, massive, killer beast was now playing like a happy beagle with the children scattered there. She didn't even notice when the party went upstairs to do the fighting you're well aware of. John had some choices to make up there, two were such that would have Alice try and take his life if she knew what he were doing. And she would not be aware of what was going on the floors above, had it not been for her tempter. The demon who, since her Harrowing, had hunted her dreams and produced offerings she never accepted. He was just starting to show himself. But now, he had an unique opportunity to show himself before her. Uldred had torn the Veil open. Even the lesser spirits traveled freely from one side of the Veil to the other. And so, he took a step to our side.
