Part Two
Chapter Three
The Sister and the Qunari
The Inn itself was a small and dingy place. Aerianes noticed that humans were not the cleanest race in Ferelden, and the smell that filled her nostrils made her cringe. Alistair and Morrigan seemed unaffected by it, however, and she hid her distaste. Around them, patrons were drinking ale, fighting with each other, some were even sleeping on the floor. The elf cringed as they stepped further into the dark building.
"Well, look what we have here! Men, I think we've just been blessed!"
Aerianes and her part looked over to the guards who were watching them with a great interest. Alistair nudged the elf and whispered in her ear.
"Uh oh, Loghain's men. This can't be good."
The four guards walked forward, putting down their ale and smirking at the small group. One man looked over to his commanding officer and grinned.
"Didn't we spend all morning asking about an elf by this very description? And everyone said they hadn't seen one?"
The commander nodded, keeping his gaze on Aerianes. "It seems we were lied to."
"Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble!" A voice came out of nowhere and approached the soldiers. A woman in long robes placed a hand on her hips and kept her voice calm. "These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."
Loghain's soldiers glared at the red haired woman and the commander shook his head furiously. "They're more than that." He tried to gently shove the woman out of his line of attack, but she held true to her position. "Stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them!"
Aerianes' heartbeat sped up. She didn't want to cause trouble to those who didn't have any place within its boundaries. She stepped up to the woman and noticed the ferocity in her pale green eyes. From the look of her, Aerianes guessed she was a chantry sister, as she was dressed like the ones in Ostagar. However, there was something about her; something different, and a little odd. Nevertheless, she did not intend on harming any innocents who wanted to help.
"I don't need your help miss," she offered, catching those eyes. "Please stand back."
The woman turned her gaze to the small elf and smiled brightly. "You don't need my protection," she said jovially. It kind of scared the warrior. "But these men will blindly follow their master's command, even unto death!"
The commander growled and grabbed the red head's wrist. "I am not the blind one! I served at Ostagar where the teryn saved us from the Grey Warden's treachery! I serve him gladly!" He released the sister's wrist and she glared at him, unaware of the red marks his hand left on her. The man glared at Aerianes. "Enough talk! Take the Warden's into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else who gets in our way."
At those words, the sister withdrew a dagger concealed under her robes and attacked immediately. It caught the three warriors so off guard that they almost forgot what they were to be doing. Daugion howled and shook them out of their trance as he bounded for the commander, who knocked the dog out of his way.
Morrigan began her chanting once again as Alistair and Aerianes attacked. They made quick work of two of the guards, the hound helping to rip at the soldiers with such ruthlessness that the two warriors had to get out of its way. Alistair advanced on the commander as Aerianes sprinted to the sister to help her.
Morrigan cast the few protection spells she knew on the unarmored woman who was foolish enough to get in their way. She frowned as she watched Aerianes run towards the red head to help her; but was amazed when it seemed the woman needed no help at all. Though she suffered one small slash across her arm, she had gained the upper hand and was dealing the killing blow to the guard. Even the elf stopped and stared in awe.
"All right! You've won! I surrender!" the commander yelled, on the floor with Alistair standing over him. He gulped as the templar slowly backed away and he scrambled to his feet.
The sister smiled and nodded. "Good, they've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting now."
Again, Aerianes was caught off guard by the woman's disregard for the danger they were in. She acted as though she had just finished the most mundane of tasks and was ready for something more fun! She wanted to slap some sense into this human, but she had the guard to deal with first. She walked up to the trembling man and glared. "Take a message to Loghain."
The man gulped and wiped the sweat from his brow with a shaky hand. "W-What do you want to tell him?"
Aerianes looked at her companions, the determination in their eyes made her grin. She narrowed her gaze on the shem before her and said, "He'll have to do better than this."
The man slowly slinked away from the group, tripping over his own feet. He nodded. "I'll tell him right away! Thank you!"
With that, he left. The silence in the bar was deafening, but only for a moment. Slowly, the chatter began back up, as if nothing had happened. The barkeep ordered three men to dispose of the bodies, and they obliged, careful not to anger the Mabari, who seemed to stand guard over his kill.
The chantry sister sighed and sheathed her dagger under her robes again. "I apologize for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help."
Aerianes nodded. "I appreciate what you tried to do." She kept her ear on the woman's accent, but couldn't quite place it. It seemed quite familiar though, as if she had heard it long ago.
"I am glad you found it in your heart to offer that man mercy. Oh, let me introduce myself," she smiled and cleared her throat. "I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or, I was."
Alistair became quite interested all of a sudden and cocked an eyebrow. "Was?"
Leliana nodded. "I joined the Chantry to live a life of religious contemplation; but I am not a priest. I'm not even an initiate."
Aerianes could see how Alistair would be interested. He was a templar after all. He was trained in the Chantry. She looked back at Leliana. "And is there something you wanted from me?" she asked.
"These men said you are a Grey Warden. You will be fighting the darkspawn, yes? That is what Grey Wardens do? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get. That is why I'm coming with you!"
For a moment, Aerianes was sure this woman was joking. She stifled a laugh and looked over to her companions. She saw by the looks on their faces, though, that this woman was not delivering a punch line. Aerianes looked back to the sister and saw the finality in her eyes. The elf ceased her amusement and stared at Leliana, wide eyed. This was the first human who, besides Alistair, was willing to put her life on the line for other humans. It was so rare that Aerianes almost forgot that some humans were selfless and fought for the greater good. However, this was no quick bout with poorly trained soldiers, and the elf didn't think the sister - regardless of how well she fought - would be ready for the road ahead with them.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry sister, but you are very mistaken."
Leliana was not shaken by the elf's words. She kept the smile on her face and spoke. "Ah, I thought you might say that, but you see, the Maker wants me to join you!"
Aerianes saw the glint of something in those eyes, and it made her wonder if this woman wasn't insane. "Right," she said. "This is where I back away...slowly."
The sister faltered slightly, her face dropping at their skepticism. "I-I know that sounds absolutely insane; but it's true! I had a dream - a vision!"
"More crazy?" Alistair whispered. "I thought we were all full up."
Leliana frowned, determined to make them see her point. She motioned to the patrons in the bar, many of them beaten and down trodden. "Look at the people here. They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos, will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do," she said, looking intensely into the elf's steel eyes, "what you are meant to do is the Maker's work. Let me help!"
"You feel sorry for these people? Then stay and help them here." Aerianes replied, determined to make this woman see reason.
"Then what?" Leliana asked, slightly frustrated with these warrior's closed minds. "What happens when the horde comes? It will follow anywhere we flee until all we know is destroyed."
Aerianes felt sorry for Leliana. This woman wanted to help against the Blight, but she was no soldier. Although her intentions were good, Aerianes just couldn't risk another life; she couldn't take that responsibility.
She shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry sister, but we do not need you."
Leliana's eyes fell, the light escaping them. "But I..." she sighed and began to walk to the door. "I will go, for now." She placed her hand on the wood door and turned to them, her eyes pleading. "It is not important that you believe what I say, only that you serve the Maker in the end. Think about it, please? That is all I ask."
Though Aerianes said that she would, she had no intention to give it a second thought. For herself and Alistair, it was duty to defeat the Blight, no matter what small number of men they might collect. Daugion was her war hound, bound to follow her no matter where she went, thirsting for battle. As for Morrigan, well, she was not about to deny Flemeth's request. The witch had saved them, and she was dangerous, the elf knew that from the sight of her. But she couldn't be responsible for someone who was not a warrior. Alistair had practically dropped the leadership role into the elf's lap, and she wasn't about to worry for other's lives when she had three to think about already.
She sighed. "Come on, let's talk to the barkeep. Perhaps he can help us with our...money predicament."
The man who stood behind the bar was obviously not pleased with the display the four warriors had put on. His patrons were now shaken up and nervous, yelling at himself and the party in their frustration. He huffed as they approached him and crossed his arms.
"You going to make more trouble?" he asked, his bushy brows coming together. "We've about all we can stand in Lothering now."
Aerianes glowered, angry that this shem would blame them for defending themselves. "We are not here to make trouble."
The man sighed, rubbing his large nose and lightened his tone. "Well, those boys were trouble themselves, to tell the truth." He straightened his posture and forced what looked like a smile on his face. "Right then, name's Danal. Sorry I can't chat much, but as you can see, we're full up."
"I don't suppose you have any rooms?" Alistair asked, his voice hopeful.
Danal scoffed. "Look around! People are sleeping on the floors and in the attic! That's how many rooms I don't have. Now be on your way, lest you find yourselves at arms with the templars."
Morrigan stepped forward, flashing him a provocative smile. "Who were those men that we fought, exactly? Surely you can spare a few moments?"
His eyes traveled to the cleavage she bore and he grinned. "When Teryn Loghain marched by, he left those fellows behind to look for Grey Wardens." He tore his gaze away from the witch and looked over at Aerianes, his eyes less hungry. "I suppose that's you?"
She nodded. "I suppose you'll be keeping that to yourself." She placed her hand on the hilt of her dagger, as if to emphasize her point.
"I have no qualm with you, whatever the teryn says," Danal replied, amused at her attempt to intimidate. "My grandfather served. Your secret's safe with me. Now, can I get you anything?"
Aerianes felt the heat of embarrassment flood to her face as she remembered they had not a copper to spend. However, Morrigan had secured their time with this man, and he seemed a good source of information. At the very least, she could get some talk for free.
"Heard any rumors as of late?" she asked.
Danal shifted his eyes and leaned over the bar. Aerianes and the other followed suit; even Daugion stood on hind legs and placed his snout on the table. Danal didn't seem to mind and he lowered his voice to a throaty whisper.
"Well, some folks aren't happy about Teryn Loghain being named regent. There are rumors he had something to do with the king's death," he sniggered, his breath making Aerianes flinch. "Isn't that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? The darkspawn killed him, sure enough. If Teryn Loghain couldn't save the king from that end, then nobody could."
Aerianes noticed Alistair's hands shaking and she stopped the conversation. The last thing she wanted was for him to fly off the handle give away to the entire populace that they were Grey Wardens. If she were to die, it was to be at the hands of the darkspawn, not hired thugs for a traitor.
"Um...where can we restock our supply?" she asked, quickly diverting the conversation. She saw her partner breath a heavy sigh and calm himself.
"Well," Danal said, straightening up. "Barlin over there has some supplies. I s'pose you could barter with him. His prices are more fair than the thief over by the Chantry." He spit on the ground, as if to prove his distaste. "Sodding man, robbing us of our coin and whatnot!"
Aerianes nodded and they took their leave. They left the dark Inn, knowing it was pointless to talk to this Barlin without any coin to barter with. The elf sucked in the delicious fresh air and noticed the sun had begun to descend behind the forest of the town. They would have to set up camp soon if they were to find a safe place to stop on the road, but they needed a plan first; a way to make a little gold before leaving this town.
"Greetings to you, my lady."
The travelers looked over to see a couple and a small girl by the Inn, huddling together in the mild chill. Aerianes noticed how small they were and her eyes caught sight of their ears. Her heart leapt and she smiled. These were the first free elves she had seen since she left her clan. She smiled and walked over to the family, happy to be in the presence of her own kind again.
The man waned a smile and hugged his daughter close. "If it...isn't too much to ask, might you be able to spare some bread?"
Aerianes' heart fell. The child with them was shivering in the cold and her face was streaked with tears. Her blond hair was matted with grime from traveling and she looked exhausted. Aerianes couldn't help but be reminded of herself when she was a child, with her own parents. Before they were taken from her...
"What happened to you?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.
The elven father sighed, defeat written on his weathered face. "We thought it would be safer in Lothering, that the teryn would bring his soldiers here. When we arrived, however, bandits attacked us and they took everything we had! Our food, our clothes, my daughter's pet lamb, and nobody cares about a few elves like us," his gaze was pleading with her as he spoke. "Surely you understand."
Aerianes felt compassion for her own kind, naturally, but she knew they had little to spare, and no gold to make up for their losses. However, she thought about the bandits the man mentioned and grinned. "I met the bandits," she said. "They are dead now."
The mother gasped, holding her hands to her chest. She looked at Aerianes with tears in her eyes. The elf wasn't sure if they were thankful tears or not.
"You...killed them?" she asked. When Aerianes nodded, she smiled and hugged her family. "That is wonderful news! Perhaps our belongings are still there!"
The father was shaken with joy and as his daughter and wife walked towards the highway, he turned to Aerianes and smiled. "I can't thank you enough, friend. Even if we don't get everything back, it's good to know that others will be safe."
The elf beamed from the praise she received from the family. Ever since she began her journey as a Grey Warden, she had met and fought with and for only humans. Although her opinion of a select few shemlens was changing, it still felt wonderful to help her own kind, regardless if they were Dalish or not.
"Shall we continue on then? Or shall we stay and continue to offer our services for free while the darkspawn gather?" Morrigan asked, untethering the steed.
"Didn't that make you feel at least a little tingly inside?" Alistair asked, annoyance evident in his tone.
Morrigan glared as she pushed past him. "Oh yes, and I'm sure the archdemon will have the same tingly feeling as it is enjoying the four of us for its dinner. I do hope that you do not give the poor beast indigestion whilst it devours your shoddy sense of humor."
Alistair was about to open his mouth and respond as they followed behind the witch, until Aerianes hushed him. She listened and looked off in the distance, her ears picking up a strange language ahead of them. She ran ahead of the group, her hound following close at her heels, barking at her wildly.
"Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad ustaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aawn." The voice continued in its soft prayer as the elf neared the cage it came from. "Maraas chokra. Anaan esaan. Qun."
The man who stood before her was nothing short of a giant. He stood just under seven feet tall, his tanned skin had the same likeness of leather. He wore his hair back in tight cornrows and the whiteness of it reflected in the evening sunlight. His face was stern, concentrating as he recited what had to be a prayer in his language. Aerianes was intrigued by the huge man and approached his cage. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the tiny elf, then to her companions who caught up to her.
"You aren't one of my captors," he said flatly, his eyes emotionless. "I have nothing to say that would amuse you, elf. Leave me in peace."
Despite his arrogance to her, she couldn't help but be fascinated by this man. He was a seven foot wrecking machine by the looks of it, and yet he was calm and serene in his captivity. She had never seen a human of this size or nature.
"What are you?" she finally asked, her gaze narrowing on the man.
He responded as if the answer were as plain as day. "I am a prisoner. I am in a cage, am I not? I've been placed here by the Chantry." He straightened his already rigid postured and spoke again. "I am Sten of the Beresaad; the vanguard of the Qunari peoples."
Her gaze was no less perplexed. "Qunari?"
He shook his head. "If you haven't heard of us, that is your own shortcoming. Though it matters little now. I will die soon enough."
Morrigan frowned and looked to Aerianes. "This is a proud and powerful creature, trapped as prey for the darkspawn. If you cannot see a use for him, I suggest releasing him for mercy's sake alone!"
Alistair sniggered. "Mercy? I wouldn't have expected that for you."
She sneered. "I would also suggest that Alistair take his place in the cage."
"Yes! That's what I would have expected!"
The caged man sighed, annoyed by the unwelcome company. "I suggest you leave me to my fate."
Aerianes sighed, confused by her conflicting thoughts. This man seemed calm enough to accept the death that awaited him, yet she thought she could see some sort of pain in his eyes. Perhaps it was regret? Perhaps it was only the unexpected attention he was receiving from these passers by. Whatever it was, she didn't care. He was built like a warrior, and it seemed that maybe he could be of some use to her and her party. There had to be a way to get him out of there.
"What did you do to end up here?" Aerianes asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"I have been convicted of murder," Sten replied. "Have the villagers not spoken of this?"
She inquired further. "Are you guilty?"
Sten looked at her, confused by her question. "Are you asking me if I feel guilt, or if I am responsible for the deed?" He did not wait for a response from her, and quickly continued. "However I feel, whatever I've done, my life is forfeit now."
"How long have you been here?"
"Twenty days now. I shouldn't last much longer; a week at most."
Alistair stepped forward, obviously intrigued as much as his partner. "Aren't you interested in seeking atonement?"
"Death will be my atonement."
The templar frowned. "So you prefer to die?"
Sten grunted. "I would prefer to die in battle, but my choices have been made."
Aerianes was staring at Alistair wide eyed. She was amazed that he was so willing to speak with a man who was convicted of murder. He seemed so against mages like Morrigan, who lived outside of the Circle's walls, but it seemed he felt a bias towards warriors such as himself. She was beginning to see that he was much more complicated than she first thought. He caught her looking at him and his face flushed with embarrassment. She supposed even he wasn't used to being so bold.
She turned to Sten. "You could help us defend the land against the Blight!"
She had expected Sten to look a little surprised, interested, anything. Yet his face remained unchanged. It was creepy and made her skin crawl. His eyes gazed at her and she almost wanted to shy away from them.
"The Blight?" he asked finally. "Are you Grey Wardens then?"
The two nodded their heads and even Daugion barked. "Yes, we are," Aerianes replied.
Sten looked thoughtful for a quick moment. "Surprising," he said. "My people have hear legends of the Grey Warden's strength and skill. Though, I suppose not every legend is true."
The elf's posture slunk over slightly to his remark. She huffed and turned to Alistair who frowned back. He looked back at Sten, regarding the man from a Warden's standpoint as best he could. He knew they needed warriors, and he had heard tales of the Qunari's stamina and battle expertise. This Sten would be a great asset, if he could be trusted. He seemed calm enough, yet as he said, he was convicted of murder. He looked at his partner, however, and saw that she thought the same.
"Would the revered mother set you free?" Alistair finally asked, deciding to follow his gut feeling.
"Perhaps," Sten answered. "If you told her the Grey Wardens need my assistance. It seem as likely to bring my death as waiting here."
Alistair turned to the elf and nodded. "The sun is setting and the revered mother is surely going to be in her bedchamber by now. There is nothing that we can do tonight, Aerianes. Tomorrow, however, we can return and speak with her. Perhaps she will hear our plea then."
She nodded and turned to Sten. "We'll be back as soon as we can."
Sten returned the gesture. "Farewell then."
"A penitent man left to be torn to pieces by darkspawn," Morrigan sighed as they left the outskirts of the town and started to find their place to camp. "'Tis a fine example of the Chantry's mercy, is it not? Alistair?"
The man grumbled something inaudible and continued to walk. Aerianes smiled to herself, and shook her head. Though they had no gold and not an ounce of hope between them, she felt an unusual peace as they sat around their fire that night. Perhaps it was only her fatigue talking, but she felt calm for the first time since Tamlen...
As she lay in her tent that night, she sighed to herself and allowed her thoughts to travel to her clan and the life she had. This time, she did not cry.
