Sacrifice and Temptation – Chapter 4
Two hours later the army was roused and marching on the road to Denerim. There was a nervous excitement as they moved closer and closer to the city. The highway was littered with abandoned wagons and carts. People ran to take cover wherever they could leaving personal belongings behind. Many hours later the outline of Denerim could be seen against a red sky. As they marched just outside the city gates, the scent of burning wood and flesh assaulted their nostrils. In the distance a black form could be seen silhouetted against the sky; a dragon – the Archdemon. The sight of it sent a chill up Brianna's spine and a twitter amongst the soldiers. It seemed the army was beginning to lose its nerve. Brianna touched Alistair's arm.
"The army is losing its courage. You'll need to speak to them; bolster their confidence," she told him.
"You're their Commander," he began.
"But you're their King," she said forcefully. "It is your words of assurance and encouragement they need now."
"I don't know what to say."
"Speak from your heart, Alistair. Tell them we will win; that is what they need to hear. These are your people. Lead them," she softly urged him.
Brianna and Alistair led the soldiers to a small clearing where the remnants of a wall with stairs and a platform remained. It could have been the last pieces of someone's home. There was a buzz among the army; a nervous hum. Alistair looked at Brianna who gave him a nod of encouragement. Alistair climbed the stairs to the platform. All talking ceased. Every eye was turned towards him. Alistair took a deep breath, then spoke in a strong, clear and commanding voice.
"Before us stands the might of the darkspawn horde. Gaze upon them now, but fear them not."
Brianna strode to stand next to Alistair.
"This woman beside me is a native of Ferelden; risen to the ranks of the Grey Wardens! She is proof that glory is within reach of us all. She has survived despite the odds and without her none of us would be here!"
Alistair moved down off the platform and in front of his army. Brianna followed.
"Today, we save Denerim. Today, we avenge the death of my brother, King Cailan. But most of all we show the Grey Wardens we remember and honor their sacrifice!"
Alistair turned and pointed towards Denerim.
"For Ferelden! For the Grey Wardens!"
The army cheered as their morale and confidence was renewed. Brianna, Alistair & Riordan led the soldiers to the gates of Denerim. They could see a mass of darkspawn in front of them, bodies scattered on the ground. Brianna stopped the army to organize a full frontal assault. The darkspawn saw them coming and raised their blades, ready for action. Brianna lifted Maric's sword over her head and screamed, "For Ferelden!"
She ran forward with Alistair and Riordan at her side and the rest of the army behind her. A roar from the men could be heard as they charged the darkspawn line. Very quickly the army had covered the distance to the awaiting darkspawn and there was a thunderous clash of metal on metal; grunts, screams of anguish and pain. The fighting continued for a few minutes then the darkspawn retreated behind the city walls or what was left of them. The Archdemon flew overhead and let out a roar that drowned out every other sound and made the ground shake, then it went into the city. The Grey Wardens watched the Archdemon then followed the darkspawn into Denerim.
Brianna ran past the gates and stopped. She was shocked at the destruction and ruin in front of her. Parts of Denerim were ablaze; walls had fallen; the bodies of the dead and dying were everywhere. Her companions, as well as the army, scattered to slaughter any darkspawn they saw. It was chaos. She joined her fellow brethren and attacked any and all darkspawn in her path. She had been exhausted when they saw the city before them, but now pure adrenaline was pushing her forward, swinging her blade and using her shield for defense. She would cut down one genlock when three more would take its place. A hurlock swung at her, but missed. She used her shield to knock it to the ground and brought her blade down, cleanly putting the blade through the creature's throat. She looked up to see a Hurlock Alpha barring down upon her, his axe in full swing at her head. She raised her shield to block the blow, then pulled her blade from the dead hurlock and thrust it at the abdomen of her attacker. His forward momentum pushed him onto her sword. She yanked it out, hearing a sucking sound then swung the blade at its head, severing it. Brianna continued to fight every darkspawn that came her way and when there were no more, she went looking for them. The battle felt like hours, but it had only been several minutes. The darkspawn retreated from the gates to gather their forces for another assault. This gave her time to meet with Riordan and the others to finalize plans to attack and kill the Archdemon.
Brianna gazed around and saw her companions coming towards her. She was thankful to see that they had all survived the initial onslaught. Even her Mabari, Dante, was among the party. Behind her group she saw Riordan, Eamon and Teagan. They all had survived the first battle. The rest of the army had spread out and were catching their breath; waiting for the next attack. She went to join Riordan.
"The army has managed to fight its way to the gates. We're doing better than I hoped," Riordan said.
"That will change quickly," Sten remarked glumly.
"Bloody nug-runners! We're outnumbered three to one!" Oghren remarked.
"What are we to do? You have a plan, I assume?" Wynne asked.
"The army will not last long, so we'll need to move quickly to reach the Archdemon," Brianna observed.
Riordan nodded. "I suggest taking Alistair and no more than two others with you into the city. Everyone else can remain here to prevent more darkspawn from entering Denerim on our tails."
Brianna looked at Riordan, puzzled. "You're not coming with me?"
"No. I need to go in separately. If we are together the Archdemon will strike us before we're ready. We're going to need to reach a high point in the city. I'm thinking the top of Fort Drakon might work."
"The top of…?" Alistair began. "You want to draw the dragon's attention?"
Riordan looked at Alistair. "We have little choice, though I warn you that as soon as we engage the beast it will call all of its generals to aide it."
"How many generals are there? Do you know?" Brianna asked.
"I can sense two generals in Denerim. You may want to seek them out before heading towards Fort Drakon."
"I'm sure that if we did slay those generals, it would stop the darkspawn in the city from doing any further harm," Leliana remarked.
"It may also waste resources trying to find them," Riordan replied. He then turned his attention to Brianna. "But I leave that decision to you."
"And what will you be doing?" Brianna asked Riordan.
"I'll be clearing a path to the Archdemon. With any luck, I will find it before you do."
"There are several units of our allies within the city now," Eamon chimed in. "They may be able to come to your assistance, if you call them."
"True," Riordan agreed. "Now gather your party together for your assault."
Brianna turned to gaze at each companion, a look of determination on their faces. And she realized they were more than companions; they were friends. All of them had become very dear to her during the past months; some more dear than others. They had shared triumph and tragedy; blood, sweat and tears. She didn't want to place any of them in harm's way, but this was why they had joined her cause. This was why they had rallied to her banner; to end the Blight. They all may not believe in Ferelden, but they all believed in her.
Brianna put sentiment aside and studied each person for their skills and strengths. She needed a team that could support her fight against the Archdemon and not fall in battle. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Sten, Morrigan and Wynn, you're with me," she said in a commanding voice that would brook no opposition. Her eyes briefly crossed Alistair's face and saw his shock, disbelief and disappointment. She turned to face Riordan.
Riordan tried to hide his surprise at her choices, but thought he understood her decision. "Fair enough. Everyone else will need to remain here to assist in keeping more darkspawn from coming in the gates behind us. In your absence, who will lead them?"
"Alistair," she replied.
"I'd rather be going after the Archdemon…but alright," he replied.
"Good," Riordan said. He gazed at Brianna. "This will be your greatest challenge. You have never faced an enemy like this before. But remember that you are a Grey Warden. Killing the Archdemon and defeating the Blight; this is what you were meant to do."
"I understand," she replied.
Riordan smiled at her. It reminded her of her father. "May the Maker watch over you, my friend."
"May He watch over us all," she said. With that, Riordan left to enter the city.
Brianna watched him go. It was now her turn to say good-bye to her companions and undertake the monumental task in front of her.
Oghren, Shale, Leliana, Zevran, Wynn and Sten all said their heartfelt farewells. She gave them all a last few orders, then bid each of them good-bye. She then turned to her Mabari, who gave her a worried whine. She knelt down and rubbed him on the head.
"It will be okay, boy. Things will work out as they should. Stay by Alistair's side while I'm away, Dante. Protect him and in case I fall, be his Mabari." Dante gave her a confident bark and then walked to Alistair's side. Brianna rose and walked towards Morrigan.
"So, we head into the city together," Morrigan began, "as it should be. Once this is done, no matter the outcome, I will be gone. You are aware of this, yes?"
Brianna smiled. "The let me thank you now for all you've done, my dear friend."
Morrigan gave a small smile in return. "You are most welcome. It is, I think, the very least I could offer you." She paused, a slightly confused look on her face. Brianna knew that look to mean Morrigan was facing emotions that were unfamiliar. "Allow me to say only one thing before we go. I knew nothing of friendship before we met. And I will always consider you such. Live well, my friend. Live gloriously." Morrigan turned away before her emotions got the better of her.
Brianna then turned to Alistair. This would be the hardest good-bye.
He crossed his arms over his chest. "So, I'm not going with you, I see. Any particular reason?"
Brianna smiled at him. "You're going to be King. You belong out here with your men."
"Where I belong is there with you, as a Grey Warden."
"You need to be King, Alistair."
"Rub it in why don't you."
"Look, you'll be a distraction in there for me. I can't have that."
"Somehow that's a compliment, at least that's how I'll take it." He sighed, "There's no use in arguing about this is there?"
"No," she agreed.
"We don't have a lot of time and you are a stubborn, stubborn woman."
"That I am," she smiled.
He returned her smile. "At least you're honest about it. I guess this is the last chance we'll get…before this is finished, one way or another. Be careful in there," he said, taking her hands in his.
"I'll be back, Alistair. I don't plan on dying," she said, trying to reassure him. But they both knew she may not have a choice in the matter. Alistair put on a brave front.
"That's my girl. Just remember that the ritual won't prevent you from being squashed. Now go kill it and…come back safely or I'll be very cross with you."
"I love you, Alistair."
"And I love you, Brianna. Always." He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, passionately. They pulled apart. He gazed into her eyes, memorizing every detail of her face. He caressed her cheek, smiled sadly, then walked away.
Brianna watched him go. She needed to find a distraction before she broke down. She saw Eamon and Teagan and went to them.
"Eamon, I am still planning on calling on your knights for help when I meet with the Archdemon. Have your men standing near Fort Drakon."
Eamon bowed. "It shall be as you command, Grey Warden."
Brianna then turned to Teagan. "Take care of yourself, Teagan and…thank you."
Teagan witnessed the scene between Brianna and Alistair and was filled with conflicted emotion. He loved and hated them both. But when Brianna came to him to say good-bye, he was overcome with duty and honor. He placed his right hand over his heart and bowed to her.
"My Lady," was all he said.
Brianna wanted to caress his cheek; one last touch before she left, but she did not. Eamon saw her pause, but said nothing. Once Brianna walked away, he gave a quizzical look at his brother, but Teagan could not meet his gaze. Instead, he went to join Alistair. A few moments later, Eamon followed his mind back on the matters at hand.
The soldiers gathered knew she was about to head into Denerim to face the Archdemon. They formed two lines and cheered as Brianna and her party went into the city to face the enemy. At the entrance to the gates, Brianna turned and gave one final wave to the soldiers then disappeared. Everyone hoped it would not be the last they saw of her. Alistair and Teagan watched her go. They both stood silent for a moment, then Alistair began to rally his troops. Teagan watched him move about the field, then joined him at his side, swearing to fulfill his promise.
