Chapter 2: Taint

Alistair, Hawke, the Inquisitor and the advisers all looked up when the door opened to allow Investigator Shepard, followed by Cole, into the War Room. "Should have known he would tag along, "muttered Cullen as he looked towards the Inquisitor to see what he would do about the unwanted guest. Maxwell shrugged and then said, "Good timing. Warden Alistair was about to give us a more detailed rundown on what is happening in Weisshaupt. Warden you have the floor."

Alistair looked tired and much older than his thirty something years. Grey hairs started to appear at his temples and deep frown lines cut into his face. "Something is corrupting the Wardens in Weissaupht, "the man said, "It's not the same as what Erimond did to the Orlesian Wardens. As you now know, we Warden's hear whispering and singing from the taint that makes Grey Wardens what they are. I've lived with this for years and even at it strongest during the Blight it did not sound anything like what I was hearing in Weisshaupt. The First Warden ignored my report as to what happened in Adamant and had standing orders to collect but not kill any Darkspawn they could find. I snuck into the holding pens area and there were hundreds of Darkspawn, but they were different. More feral, with glowing blue streaks. I left first chance I could after seeing that."

Sensing what Shepard wanted, Cole 'listened' to the Warden. There was the old tainted song, but Harbinger's whispers were not there. Shepard looked towards Cole and who tilted his head. Shepard then sighed and said, "We've come across similar Darkspawn a few months ago. They were being controlled for the lack of a better term by a creature calling himself, Harbinger. The whispers you heard is a means in which he takes control of people. It takes time for it to sink in and it can be fought off for a period of time. Small question, did you see any Dwarf Wardens? If you did, did it seem that they also being affected?"

Alistairs eyes narrowed as he thought back, "Now that you mention it, no. I didn't notice before since there are so few dwarves among the Wardens now. Why?"

"The same thing that makes Dwarves resistant to lyrium and magic seems to make them immune to this indoctrination, "said Shepard with a shrug, "I was wondering if the Warden taint makes them more susceptible and if a Dwarf Warden was also being controlled…"

"That's just great, "said Hawke, "Another reason not to trust the Wardens. They're controlled by a giant squid from another world."

"Suggestions, "said the Inquisitor, "In spite of recent events, the Wardens are or will be needed. Normal Darkspawn is still around and unless I miss my guess, there is the possibility of two more Blights in the future. We cannot let the order die out."

"Thank you, "whispered Alistair.

"If we were closer to Weissaupht, I would say keep what Wardens we know we can trust here and then go deal with the others the same way as we did Adamont, "said Cullen, "Sadly, we know the indoctrination is permanent. "

"You can't be serious, "said Leliana.

Shepard kept one ear on the discussion as she looked over the map. The Warden headquarters was extremely far away. In fact no one from the Inquisition has gone to the Anderfels since its founding. "Approximately how many Wardens were there, "Shepard asked, "While traveling did you hear of any else out of the ordinary?"

"Last count there was about a thousand Grey Wardens in the Anderfels, "answered Alistair, "How many were actually at Weissaupt, I'm not sure. Wardens come and go all the time, maybe a few dozen that actually live there. As for rumors, only the normal griffon sighting and grey ghost stories."

The Inquisitor said, "You have a plan."

(The next day in Jane's quarters)

"Ugh, why can't there be Dwarven mages, "growled Shepard going over a list of possible people to go with her to the Anderfels. It was decided that a small team should go and investigate the situation. If that team can resolve the issue even better, since the Inquisition just didn't have the resources at the moment to take on the Grey Wardens on their home turf. Since it was her job to look into Harbinger's actions, she was of course going as lead. Cole was going as well. She already knew even if she left him behind, he would only follow plus he has proven able to fight off the indoctrination due to him being..spirit-like. She wanted a mage for the third member, but someone who might be able to fight off the indoctrination. She was not going to go the old route of hoping to meet someone on the road that just happens to have the abilities that they need. She did not want to take anyone else from the Inquisitor's inner circle since any of them might be needed if Corypheus showed up. Recent events in the Arbor Wilds make it very likely he might be planning something. A knock at her door broke her train of thought. She took a sip of stale tea and said, "Enter."

"I understand that you are looking for a mage to go with you to the Anderfels,"said Hawke nervously.

Shepard leaned back in her chair and answered, "Definitely, but I need someone who might be able to fight off the indoctrination. If you're volunteering…"

"From what I heard, your friend Cole is able to detect this indoctrination and fight it off, "said Hawke taking a seat, "Is this because he is or use to be a spirit?"

"Yeees, "said Shepard and then it dawned on her, "You are not suggesting I take your friend, Anders?!"

(Week later, outside of an old cottage)

"Nervous, Scared, Worried, "said Cole as they followed Hawke to a cottage out in the middle of nowhere, "He's worried that we somehow tricked or forced Hawke to lead us to him. The other him, is just below the surface waiting to see if he needs to bring Justice to any harm done to Hawke."

"And this is the person you want me to take into a fortress filled with brainwashed Grey Wardens and mutated Darkspawn all controlled by a Reaper, "said Jane.

Hawke smirked and said, "When you say it that way…He'll fit right in."

"He's going to attack, "whispered Cole.

Jane brought up a biotic shield just before a fireball left the open door way. It struck the shield and then harmlessly went out with a puff.

"Damn it, Anders!" Hawked yelled

(A little later)

Once Anders was convinced that we weren't going to haul him off to Skyhold for judgment, he became a decent if reluctant host. A warm meal using some of the supplies they brought with them and the food he had stored was a nice change from the jerky they ate on the road. Hawke and Jane explained why they were there as Cole played with something that was in one of his travel packs. Normally he only carried one if any on trips outside of Skyhold, but this time he brought two. The second one was wider, stiffer looking and had holes towards the top.

"How can you two even consider asking me along on this mission, "hissed Anders, "I'm a mass murderer, a traitor…"

"Mew"

Cole shushed and placed other piece of dried meat into the travel bag. "Cole, "said Jane with her eyes narrowed. Since Skyhold, she felt her friend was hiding something but since he was feeling so certain, she let it go. Cole was rarely wrong when it came to helping people, no matter how strange his actions seemed at first, "What do you have in that bag?"

"A friend, "Cole answered as he tapped the edge of the open bag and a small paw popped up to attack it.

Hawke covered her mouth as she watched Anders stare at the strange young man, or was it bag that he kept his eyes on.

Jane pinched the bridge of her nose and said, "I thought you found homes for all those kittens?"

"I did, "said Cole looking up from under the rim of his hat towards Anders, "But this one said her home was not in Skyhold."

To be continued…