It was nearly dark when they neared the broken gates of Redcliffe village. They could not see what was wrong but knew that the signs of destruction were not good. Debris littered the streets and no signs of life could be seen. The only spark of hope for the party was that there were candles burning in the chantry.
Railan slowly lead them to the large stone building, it was easily the biggest structure in the village. He still wasn't used to being the leader of their little party, but out of necessity he was learning. It had helped that it was more than just the three of them, but there were times that he found himself fighting with the mage instinct to follow rather than lead especially as they neared the chantry. All his teachings from the sisters in the tower came rushing back to him. Magic was created to serve man and not rule over him rang in his ears warring with what Duncan had told him that Grey Wardens do what they must. He pushed both those thoughts back as focused on the here and now.
As he neared the door, he heard sounds from inside. He eased the door open and was greeted by frightened shrieks. Those near the doors pressed themselves back against the walls. Children peaked out from behind their mother's skirts. The women brandished daggers at them. Railan raised his hands to try to pacify the frightened villagers.
Railan was surprised to realize that most of the people in the chantry were women, children and elderly. The group moved slowly past the survivors toward the head of the chantry, that was where Railan noticed some official looking people who sounded like they were trying to plan something and were surrounded by the men of the village.
"Ho there," Railan called out causing the locals to turn and look at him.
"Who are you?" asked a man wearing golden Redcliffe armor.
"We are Grey Wardens," Railan responded calmly in spite of the strange welcome they had received. "We have come to speak with Arl Eamon."
"I am Teagan, brother to the arl and Bann of Rainesfere," said the younger man who seemed to only be a few years older than Alistair. "And this is Ser Perth," he said gesturing to the armed warrior who was next to him.
"Teagan?" Alistair spoke up finally. "I remember you. I was a lot younger when we met and I think…" the next was said bashfully as Railan noticed Alistair's cheeks color, "I was covered in mud."
"Mud?" Railan watched as recognition dawned on the bann's face and he smiled fondly at the memory. "Alistair! You're alive. This is such wonderful news. We were led to believe that all at Ostagar had fallen."
"Yes, not all the Grey Wardens died," Railan said grimly. "I'm Railan Amell. It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord."
"Teagan please, no need to be so formal," he said with a small smile. "You said that you are here to see Eamon, unfortunately that might not be possible at this point."
"What do you mean?" Alistair asked concern evident in his voice.
"Eamon is ill. Gravely ill," Ser Perth responded. "His guards were sent out to try and find a cure for him. Very few of them remained in the castle."
"No one has heard from the castle in days," Teagan said solemnly. "The attacks started a few nights ago. Skeletal beings came down and assaulted the village. We have holed up and defended those who remained here in the chantry."
Suddenly the doors to the chantry flew open and a woman came rushing into the sanctuary. The woman stumbled falling to her knees in her haste to move toward the group at the front. Teagan stepped near her recognizing and helping the woman as she straightened up.
"Lady Isolde, how is the castle? We had no word to know if there were survivors."
"Oh Teagan, it is terrible a mage has released horrible creatures upon the castle. Few survive," the arlessa spoke with a severe Orlesian accent that Railan struggled to understand. He had known very few Orlesians in the tower and was only just getting used to Leliana's accent. "You must come back to the castle with me, now!"
"Alistair," Teagan began cautiously, "I hate to ask this of you but would you be willing to help?"
"Well, I would like to, but I can't speak for everyone… Railan?" Alistair asked giving Railan a sad look that nearly broke his heart. "We don't stand much of a chance against Loghain without Arl Eamon."
Railan had never really known a family but he could only imagine what he would feel like if something like this was happening at the tower. He gave an understanding smile to his fellow Warden and nodded slowly, "Of course we'll help."
"NO!" shrieked the Orlesian. "I was told to come back with only Teagan."
"Alright Isolde," Teagan sighed trying to sooth the agitated woman, "I will go with you just wait by the door and I will give some final orders to the men here."
The arlessa walked to the door not once acknowledging the people from her village who called out to her.
"Here's the plan, I'll go in with Isolde and you enter the castle from the passage that connects to the dungeon."
"That sounds good, but will you be safe going in unprotected?" Railan commented.
"I should be and if nothing else I can distract whatever is inside and let you get in unnoticed." He looked over at the woman standing by the door impatiently stamping her foot. "I can delay no longer. Good luck."
Railan nodded and watched as Teagan left with Isolde. He knew there were huge gaps in the plan and that so very many things could go wrong but he would have to play some of it by ear.
"Are we truly just going to send him with that woman?" Leliana asked in a hushed tone.
"You're right it is dangerous," Railan let out a sigh, "but we have to work with the resources available to us. Morrigan, Leli, Alistair and I will head up to the tunnel entrance and work our way through the castle. Alistair, do you remember enough of the castle to lead us through?"
Frowning, the warrior nodded, "It's been a while since I was last here but I think I can remember."
"We'll figure it out but I'm sure it will take some time especially if we run into any of these skeletal creatures and demons. At daybreak, Ser Perth you and your men come to the front gate. We'll get in and open the gate for you. That way we can have some reinforcements when we confront the problem in the castle."
"My men and I will be there," agreed Ser Perth. "We will take shifts defending here so that we are ready for what awaits us at the castle."
"Sten, you and Lodan will stay here. Help them defend the villagers tonight." Sten grunted but did not argue with his orders.
Railan was astounded at how much he sounded like a leader as he gave instructions and planned for this attack. He was changing and adapting to his new position quickly and surprisingly he was enjoying this.
He nodded more to himself than anyone else and made the commented to them, "If all goes as planned, hopefully this will all be over tomorrow." Railan, the witch, the bard and the warrior headed out into the dusk eve to the windmill which held the entrance to the dungeon.