A/N: Lothering. OK, the Wardens have left the Wilds with the delightful Morrigan in tow. The Mabari which Nereid obtained the flowers for caught up with them, and Nereid christened him "Huolir" which means "dog-song" (I would say Howler, but you know those wacky elves). In this part we begin to get an idea of some more of Edward's past.
Part 4.
The Wardens and Morrigan, along with their newly adopted mabari, trudged along the causeway leading to Lothering. Nereid patted the dog every so often, and the mabari responded with a happy doggy grin. Edward was walking in front, munching on an apple, while Morrigan walked along side, occasionally stealing a glance at the tall man.
"Just say it, Morrigan. What's on your mind?" said Edward.
"I am merely wondering why we are all being led by a new recruit" she said.
"Ha! I'm hardly a new recruit. I might be a new Warden, but I've been in the army for something like sixteen years. Leading is something I can do."
"How old are you?" asked Morrigan.
"Hmm. I would be thirty six one week before midwinter" said Edward, after thinking about the dates.
Morrigan merely nodded and remained silent.
"So you were a child in the army?" asked Alistair.
"Yep. Started as a reservist until I was recruited into the east army, and from there just worked my way up to captain."
"Did you travel much?" asked Nereid.
"A little bit. We were in Nevarra once for about six months, and I had postings at Cumberland and Ostwick in the Free Marches. But for a long time I was based at Alamar, which is on an island to the north of Denerim".
As they chatted about other places, the town of Lothering drew closer. Edward had hoped that Barlin had taken good care of his horses, as a cart would make travel so much easier. In the distance, Edward spotted a cluster of carts on the road, and a few figures slouching close to them. "Nereid, you might want to have your bow out, just in case. Carts across a road is usually a bad sign" said Edward.
"Highwaymen" grumbled Alistair. "How do you want to do this?" he asked Edward.
"Follow my lead. Morrigan and Nereid pick off any archers. Alistair, you and I will have to clear the middle".
The group walked towards the highwaymen, Edward readying a cruel looking dagger in his hand, hidden from sight with the blade running against his forearm. Alistair had unslung his shield, and Morrigan was using her staff like a walking stick rather than having it slung across her back.
"Greetings, travellers!" said the rather-too-chirpy spokesman for the highwaymen. "Ten silvers, and you can walk right on past. It's a bargain, even though I say so myself!"
"Ten? I have fifty, right here" said Edward, dangling a fat purse in front of his face. "Oops, I dropped it" he deadpanned.
The bandit leader darted forward, bending down to retrieve the leather purse. Quickly Edward flicked his dagger out and threw it at one of the archers in the back line of highwaymen. The dagger buried itself in his throat and pinned him to a cart, his twitching body spraying gouts of blood across his comrades. Edward grabbed the bandit leader with both bear-like hands on the sides of the head. Bringing his knee forwards, he stove in the bandit's face and with a flick of both wrists he snapped the bandits' neck like a twig. Nereid loosed an arrow at another archer, bringing him low with a shot through the chest. She readied another arrow while Alistair used his shield to knock a highwayman down, drawing his sword on the backswing. Morrigan was surprised at the sudden burst of speed from the Wardens. She identified another archer in the background, who was raising his arm to notch an arrow. She let a spell fly, freezing the archer on the spot.
Huolir leapt at another highwayman, bringing him down and proceeding to maul his throat.
Nereid fired at the highwayman Alistair had brought down, and easy shot from point blank range into his head. Edward, meanwhile, had leapt at the remaining highwayman, locking his mace in his hands where he couldn't bring it to bear. Edward roared and kicked the highwayman in the balls, yanking him forwards and still holding his wrists pinned together. "Alistair! Get this one!" he yelled. Alistair brought his sword down with a solid thunk into the man's chest, ending him.
Edward let go of the dying man and retrieved his purse. "Right, search and strip the bodies. I'll check these carts" he said. While the other three checked for coins and other valuables, Edward looked at the carts close at hand. The third one along looked kind of familiar.
"Son of a bitch!" he yelled. This was his cart, the one he had left at Ostagar. It was to have been delivered here, but he wasn't able to check it with the battle and its' result. Quickly he made his way to the front rail and ejected his hidden compartment. The box was intact. Morrigan, made curious because of the yelling, watched closely as Edward pulled out a heavily laden leather purse from the box.
"How did you know that was hidden there?" asked Morrigan.
Edward smiled at her and said, "this is my cart, I hid this before the battle."
"But you could not have known you would find it here, surely" said Morrigan.
"I didn't know the battle would be lost, either" replied Edward. "But I had arranged to have this cart delivered with a pair of horses to Lothering".
Morrigan chuckled "ahh, it is good to see someone so prepared, Warden."
"For every minute spent in organising, an hour is earned" said Edward, with a smile.
Alistair, Nereid and Huolir joined them and the travellers made their way down into Lothering.
"Wow, there's a lot more people here than the last time I was here" said Edward. Crowds of refugees were camped to the north of the Chantry, and a steady stream of bedraggled people meandered aimlessly through the town.
"Alistair, we need to find out what happened after the battle. I suppose the Chantry is as good a place as any to start. The templar commander is probably in there."
Alistair fiddled with the locket and note he had found by the highwaymen. "There might be some more local information about this legend mentioned in the note here" said Alistair.
Nereid walked with Huolir towards the bridge in the centre of the town. She was careful to keep within sight of her friends, not wanting to get separated in a strange shemlen place. She pulled her cloak to her and re-adjusted the hood, grateful for its' concealment of her pointed ears. On the bridge there was a small boy, perhaps seven or eight years old. He looked up at the elf and asked her "have you seen my mother?"
"I don't know, what does your mother look like?" asked Nereid.
"She's really tall, with red hair. She said she was coming after me back into the town, but I haven't found her yet."
Poor child, thought Nereid. "Here, take this coin and get yourself something to eat. When you come back, talk to the templars, yes? The nice men in the dresses should be able to help you." Nereid pressed a silver coin into the child's hands.
"A silver? Wow, thanks ever so much!" said the lad. With that he skipped off towards a hut on the far side of the bridge.
Morrigan had watched this exchange with some interest. Approaching the elf, she asked "would it not have been better simply to tell the child his mother was dead?"
"Probably" said Nereid, adding "but we don't know that for certain. Amongst our people, there was never a funeral without a body." Except for Tamlen, she thought. But Morrigan wouldn't know differently.
Morrigan left the matter at that, not wanting to step on Nereid's Dalish heritage.
The group went into the Chantry building, taking a minute for their eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting. In the centre of the building there was an imposing figure in a templar uniform. Approaching him, Edward and Alistair waited for him to acknowledge them.
The Templar introduced himself as the local Commander, Ser Bryant. Addressing Edward, he said "you seem familiar. Have you travelled to Lothering before?"
"Last year I was here for two visits. The Revered Mother said the rites at my wife and child's funeral."
Alistair was stunned by that line, looking at his companion with a shocked expression. Morrigan also gaped at the Warden, but said nothing.
"Ahh I'm sorry for your loss. Such a sad thing to see a man made a widower in his prime. What can I do to help you today?"
"Lothering seems changed with all these refugees. There were some highwaymen on the way down from the causeway, did you know about them?"
"What? I thought we drove them off two days ago."
"That's probable, but you won't need to drive them off again. They're worm food now."
"You killed them?"
"Yes" said Edward.
Another templar whispered to Ser Bryant, verifying Edward's story.
"There's a reward up for that, you know" said Bryant.
"Keep it. Donate it back to the Chantry. You're going to need every copper to evacuate this place."
"You speak of the darkspawn? Were you at Ostagar?" asked Bryant.
"We are Grey Wardens, well three of us are. We were at the battle but not involved in the main fighting, but a side skirmish from which we were lucky to survive".
Bryant lowered his tone and whispered "did you know that Loghain has ordered all Grey Wardens arrested? He has declared you traitors and regicides."
"What?" cried Alistair.
"Shh - keep your voice down, Alistair!" said Edward.
"I know the Wardens would do no such thing, and my men will not harm or hinder you. But you must realise that I can't be seen to be helping an enemy of the state."
"I understand. Thanks for the information, at any rate. We'll get out of Lothering as fast as we can. I suggest you do the same, that horde will be through here in under a week" said Edward.
Ser Bryant nodded and saluted before turning to speak with some other Templars.
Spotting a lone figure in the garb of a Redcliffe knight, Alistair walked over and tapped the knight on the shoulder. Turning around, the knight stared at Alistair, thinking, before saying "Alistair? Is that you?"
"Ser Donall!" said Alistair.
"By the Maker, we thought you were dead, along with the other Grey Wardens at Ostagar."
"It was a close thing. Not all the Wardens are dead, but we three are perhaps the last in Ferelden."
Donall looked over at Edward and Nereid. Morrigan was busy snuffing out votive candles with a grin on her face.
"Some advice for you. There is a bounty on the heads of the Wardens. Keep yourselves hidden and keep moving. Be wary of strangers and keep your wits about you."
"Thank you, Ser Donall" said Edward.
Alistair brought out a locket and note which he had recovered from the highwaymen earlier in the day. He handed them to the knight, saying "I'm sorry but your friend Ser Henric is dead."
"Maker's mercy. I wonder how many knights will fall on this quest" said Donall.
"The note mentioned the Urn of Sacred Ashes?" said Alistair.
"The Urn is believed to contain the ashes of Andraste, which can cure any illness. Arl Eamon has been struck with a dread disease that refuses all our healing and medicine craft. If we were able to recover this relic, we could cure him."
"Arl Eamon is our best bet to counter Loghain and solidify support against him. But if he's sick..." Alistair's thoughts trailed away.
"We can stop in at Redcliffe while we're on the west side of the lake, Alistair. We practically go past anyway" said Edward.
"I agree, and sooner rather than later. If the Arl is sick then time might be running out" he muttered.
Seeing their options disappearing, and conscious of getting out of Lothering quickly, Edward shook Ser Donall's hand, saying "thanks once again for your advice. We had best get moving. Hopefully if we meet in Redcliffe in the future, its' under better circumstances."
Ser Donall saluted and turned back to the book he was looking through.
The travellers walked from the Chantry across the bridge and over to the Inn, Dane's Refuge. "In Dane's Refuge, there's an acquaintance of mine who runs a supply shop named Barlin. He's a nice old chap, and we should see him before we leave. I arranged to get some horses delivered to him, so if we were able to get them it would save us a lot of walking" said Edward.
"We also need to trade for some bits and pieces" put in Nereid, who was counting off the low number of arrows she had in her quiver.
They strolled inside and were presented with a typical view of a busy inn. Some patrons were listening to a bard, the inkeeper was selling watered down draughts of ale, and tavern wenches weaved through the crowd with the skill of a dancer. Morrigan squinted and was about to say something when a soldier stood up and pointed at the Wardens. "You - you're Grey Wardens! I saw you at Ostagar" he yelled.
The noise in the inn faded as his accusation struck home. Other soldiers at the same table as the first one stood, some readying weapons.
Edward saw motion behind the soldier, and grinned. "So let me get this straight. The Grey Wardens, a group who do nothing but fight the darkspawn, betrayed the army so the darkspawn could win the day? Killing the King who was our biggest sponsor, and almost all of our order at the same time? That's what you're saying?"
The crowd muttered, hostile.
"Well... yes. I was there! Teryn Loghain pulled us from a trap!"
"The problem we have here, is who is the bigger fucking idiot - Loghain for making up this load of shit, or you for believing him!" yelled Edward, using his height to tower over and intimidate the soldier.
"But... the Wardens..." began the soldier.
The crowd booed at the soldier. Someone threw a pewter mug at one of the soldiers, hitting him in the cheek. Several members of the crowd blew raspberries and began shouting witty comments like "rubbish!", "gerroff!" and "fuck off!"
Edward nodded and from behind the mouthy soldier, Barlin raised a cast iron frying pan, and clocked him on the head, knocking him out cold. The innkeeper held a blade at a second soldier's throat, saying "don't move. I'm afraid the inn is no longer serving drinks for you lads" he added. The other soldiers, realising that instead of four travellers and a dog, they were now facing probably sixty pissed-off villagers as well, dropped their weapons.
Alistair disarmed the inkeeper's victim, and they put the collected weapons on a table. While the others dealt with the soldiers, Edward went over to Barlin and shook his hand. "Nice timing there, my friend."
"It's good to see you, Ed. They say you was made a Warden? Good to see you survived that battle" said Barlin with a toothless grin. "Now we got the good news out of the way, time for the bad."
"Bad news?" asked Edward.
"Yeah. Your horses got here last week, but when the army came through on retreat, they scooped all of 'em up, press gang like. Compulsory seizure, they says. Arseholes didn't pay nuffink for them either, just a tax credit note which is worth fuck all."
Edward sighed. "So there's no horses we can get at all?"
"Well they didn't take all of 'em. I know a guy out on one of the outlying farms and he sold me three donkeys just two days ago. You can take one of them, use him to carry your stuff. Best I can do, Ed."
"It'll have to do, thanks Barlin. You're getting out of here, aren't you? The spawn will be here within a week".
"Yep, packed and leaving in two days."
Alistair was talking to the innkeeper. "Not that I'm complaining, but why did you all stick your necks out for us back there?" he asked.
"My uncle was a Warden. We also all know Ed, he used to come here with his Lisa. She was a real firebrand that one, enough woman for three men. But Ed calmed her down, and we all helped him out when she passed on a year and a half ago."
"I didn't even know about his... umm ...wife until earlier" said Alistair.
"Well he would have told you when he was ready. You don't just start a conversation by saying 'what lovely weather, oh by the way my wife died' " the innkeeper said. He uncorked a bottle and poured a few glasses of golden liquid, passing them to the Wardens and Morrigan. Alistair put a silver down on the bar, but the inkeeper said "no, this one's on me. Those soldiers stopped paying four rounds ago, so you've saved me a lot of hassle by chucking them out".
A Chantry sister had come forwards and was reviving the knocked out soldier. Edward stood beside her and asked "how's our stupid friend doing?"
"He'll have a headache for a few days. I must say I was pleased that you didn't have to kill any of these men" said the sister, looking up at Edward. Nereid sat up on the table, watching the soldier carefully.
Edward looked at the sister, liking her red hair and bright blue eyes. "Your accent - Orlesian?" he asked.
"I grew up in Orlais before coming here" she replied. "I remember you - you came to the Chantry a couple of times, didn't you?"
"I did, yes. But these soldiers are right, I'm a Grey Warden now. My name is Edward" he said, offering his hand. The sister shook it, and Edward noted that there was a solid grip there.
"My name is Leliana. I was one of the lay sisters at the Chantry" she said, indicating her robes.
"Was?" asked Edward. "What happened?"
"Well, you are here to fight the blight aren't you? That is what Grey Wardens do? I'd like to come along."
"I'm all for volunteers, but Leliana, this won't be a picnic. We'll be doing a serious amount of killing. Are you sure you can stomach that? Can you fight, or do you have other skills?"
"I wasn't always a Chantry sister. I can fight with bow or blades. I can also pick locks, tell tales and sing".
Nereid, who had been listening to the exchange, interrupted with "we don't only kill darkspawn. There's all manner of things trying to stop us, even people like this one" she said, poking the soldier.
"What do you think, Nereid?" asked Edward.
The elf nodded and extended her hand to Leliana. "My name is Nereid, over there is Alistair and Morrigan. The friendly four legged one is Huolir" she said with a smile.
Leliana shook the elf's hand and beamed. "Thank you, I won't let you down."
The soldier woke up after Leliana had bandaged his head. "Owww." he muttered.
"Right, wakey wakey, Sergeant idiot. You're now a messenger. I want you to take a message to Loghain. It's all here on this paper. Read it" ordered Edward.
"Loghain, we know what you did at Ostagar and we're not giving up. Enjoy your small victory while is lasts. signed, the Grey Wardens."
Edward rolled up the paper and sealed it, using wax and a ring that Alistair had as a signet. Passing it to the soldier, he let the man up and escorted him to the door.
Picking up his drink from the bar, he raised a toast to the house, saying "thank you, people of Lothering!" before downing his drink in one shot. The crowd cheered and soon returned to the usual hubbub of a busy inn.
The group spent some time in the inn, making sure that everyone was equipped as well as possible. Nereid picked up a few more arrows, and Edward found a deep plum coloured cloak which he bought for Morrigan. Passing it to her, he said "it will start to get colder, so this should help keep the chill at bay."
Morrigan blinked, saying "I... thank you, Warden. This is a fine gift indeed." Morrigan was at a bit of a loss because this was the first time that someone had simply given her something.
After the group was equipped as best as they could manage, they left the inn and made their way to the town gate, aiming to pick up the causeway again and travel north. Barlin had provided a donkey for carrying their gear. At the gate was a crow cage and inside was a giant of a man. His odd lavender coloured eyes and slightly pointed ears, bronze skin and sheer bulk identified him as a qunari.
"Well now. Here's something you don't see every day" said Edward.
The qunari noticed him and growled "you aren't one of my captors. I'll not amuse you any more than I have the other humans. Leave me in peace."
"You're a prisoner? Who put you here?"
Leliana spoke up, saying "the Revered Mother said he slaughtered an entire farming family, even the children."
The qunari looked impassively at Edward. "It is as she says. I am Sten of the Beressad, the Vanguard of the Qunari peoples."
"I have heard of your kind. The giants of the north. You're a long way from home, Sten" said Edward.
Beckoning Alistair over, he whispered "we could use this one. Have you heard about their skill in battle?"
Alistair nodded "it looks like they were planning on leaving him to the darkspawn. If we spring him, we'll have to leave Lothering right away. Unless you can convince the Revered Mother to part with the key to the cage."
Edward pondered, looking at Leliana. "I can't, but she might be able to" he said.
Turning back to the qunari, Edward said "Sten, we are Grey Wardens, dedicated to stopping the blight. If we were able to free you, you could seek out your atonement for the killing of those farmers. Use your skills against the darkspawn."
"It is true. Death in battle is preferable to death in this cage. Very well. Release me and I will follow you against the blight."
"Leliana and I will go and see the Revered Mother. Give Sten some food and water, we shouldn't be long" said Edward.
The Revered Mother sat in her study, off to one side of the main Chantry hall. Ser Bryant had shown Leliana and Edward in, quietly closing the door behind them. The Revered Mother stood up and greeted Leliana, then smiled at Edward before bringing him into a warm embrace. "So good to see you again, Edward. How have you been?" she asked.
Edward explained that he had become a Grey Warden, telling the story of the battle of Ostagar. As he told the tale, Leliana and the Revered Mother listened, hanging on every word. When his tale was concluded, Leliana wiped away a tear, and the Revered Mother sniffed, her eyes shining.
"It seems you have had your share of bad luck, Edward. What can I do to help?" she asked.
"The qunari in the crow cage. If you were to release him into my custody, we could use him as a soldier against the blight."
"The qunari could do a great deal of good by helping the Wardens. I am sure of it" added Leliana.
"Done. I trust you, Leliana. Here's the key."
"Thank you, your reverence. Make sure you leave as soon as you can" said Edward, opening the door.
Leliana bowed and followed Edward out of the Revered Mothers' study. Catching up to Edward, she asked "Edward, can I quickly grab some of my things?"
"Sure, Leliana. We should hurry though, the others are waiting."
Leliana led Edward into the rear rooms of the Chantry, and in one of the side rooms was a simple bed with a dresser and desk. Leliana began grabbing things from the dresser, opening drawers and extracting various items. Edward said "I'll just be waiting outside, Leliana."
Leliana looked up and nodded as Edward left the room. She took the opportunity to find her old leather armour. Still well looked after and supple, she quickly shed her chantry robe and changed into the leather equipment. Grabbing some toiletries from her dresser, she put her items quickly and efficiently into a well worn leather pack. Finally saying goodbye to her home for the last couple of years, she turned and went out to where Edward was waiting. Edward was surprised at the change in the chantry sister. Looking her up and down, he said "well, your armour is a little more revealing than the chantry robes, I'll give you that."
Leliana smiled and said "well as long as I meet with your approval, we can be off, yes?"
As they walked through the Chantry, Edward turned to Leliana and asked "why did you want to join us, Leliana?"
Leliana sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I had a dream. No, a vision! In it, I dreamed of an incredible darkness that swallowed everything. There was this terrible noise as the darkness consumed everything. I stood on a peak and when everything was dark, I fell... When I woke, I went out to the gardens" she gestured over to the right as they passed under the arch at the front of the Chantry. "There was a dead rosebush out there. But overnight it had grown a single beautiful rose. It was as if the Maker said that even in the midst of all this despair there is hope".
Edward stopped and looked as Leliana turned to face him. This woman had laid her soul bare for him. He pulled her hand up and placed it with her palm over his heart. Leliana could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady. "As long as you can feel this, there's hope" he said. He dropped his hands and Leliana held hers in place for a few seconds, then with a smile she turned, the pair walking to where the other companions were waiting for them. This was going to be interesting, thought Leliana.
When they released Sten, Edward gave him a large two handed sword. The group walked up to the causeway and as they came up onto the top ramp, a group of half a dozen darkspawn attacked them. The travellers had no problem repelling the attack, and within thirty seconds all the darkspawn were dead. While checking the corpses for anything salvageable, Nereid found a pair of dwarves who had been hiding amongst the wrecked crates. The elder one dusted himself off, and helped up his younger companion. "Mighty timely arrival my friends, I'm much obliged! Name's Bodahn Feddic, and this here is my son, Sandal."
