"Please, Alistair, these people need your help. Those monsters will come for us again tonight, and we won't be ready for them."
They stood in Redcliffe's chantry, before Bann Tegan, speaking under the scrutiny of hundreds of frightened eyes and desperate years. The town's troubles had been recounted for them in detail, and not even Morrigan could doubt the sincerity of their pleas; the devastated state of the surrounding buildings, as well as the piles of burning dead were irrefutable evidence; however, she could, and did, doubt that any aid be given.
Alistair, though sympathetic to the plight of his "uncle," turned to Lyna; it was a move that surprised Tegan. Deferrance to an elf.
Even if she was dalish.
He told himself he was only nervous because he was doubtful that she would even consider risking her life for theirs.
Unbeknownst to him, both Leliana and Alistair held similar trepidation.
The elf sighed, dropping her gaze, muttering something about the sinister machinations of Fen'harel.
"Fine" Lyna finally spoke and six seconds for the rest of the group. "We'll save your people."
"Thank you." Tegan gasped, clasping one of her hands in his and shaking it vigorously. "Thank the Maker for you."
Though uncomfortable, she had the grace to let him continue for almost a minute, much the amusement of her compatriots.
"Right," she drawled, extracting her hand from Tegan's, "we'll prepare escort your people out of here. Have them gather up supplies and abandon the town?"
"Of course." Lyna shrugged smugly. "Not my fault if your houses can't travel with you; but hey, if that's the way you Shemlens prefer your homes..."
"We can't leave!" Tegan protested, a bit louder than necessary. "The walking dead attacks us every time we've tried!"
He froze after speaking; he had taken care to avoid giving them details of what his people faced, rightfully so, by the looks they were giving. Especially the dale.
"Walking dead?" Lyna growled. "You're sure?"
His throat suddenly dry, Tegan nodded.
"Change of plans, then." She declared darkly. "We stay here and destroy them all."
She stormed from the chantry. The others, after a brief pause, were hot on her heels.
Not for the first, or last, time that week, Tegan felt a powerful need for a drink.