Chapter 6! OH MY GOSH! I am so sorry this has taken so long. So much has happened since I last posted. I hate that it has taken me this long to get another chapter out for you guys, but at least it is here now. I hope to stay on more of a schedule. Good news is that the big issue was that my computer was broken so I did have some time to write. Along with this chapter I have chapters 7,8,9, and a good bit of 10 done. So I should have some more chapters up this month. Much love to everyone who has kept reading this. I have been having so much fun with this story.
Lyanna screamed as the archdemon stared down at her.
'No! You won't trick me again!' She screamed pulling out her daggers.
'You will not escape me! You will succumb to me soon!' It snarled breath fire down on her.
Lyanna shouted sitting up right in her tent dagger in hand. She sighed, coming to grips with the fact that it was just a dream. But it had felt so real, the fire had been so hot. She placed the dagger on the ground beside her bed role and grabbed her shirt, pulling over her head. I had been a long hot day and an even hotter night had hit them, so she had stripped out of everything as soo as she had entered her tent, and it was still to hot to even think about putting lots of extra clothes on. She did though reluctantly pull on her pants, just incase anyone was up. She grabbed the dagger again and stuck it in the waist of her pants and climbed out of the tent.
She saw Alistair sitting next to the fire and she could smell that oatmeal again, her stomach let out a loud gurgle and she walked over to the fire sitting down next to Alistair. "You're up early." She said, trying her best to sound happy, but she was still on edge from her nightmare.
"You are to... I head you I there. Are you alright? It looks like you just saw the archdemon face to face." Alistair said as he stirred the oatmeal.
"I think I did... I mean I saw it again. And you're going to think I'm crazy, but I don't think these are really dreams." She said staring into the fire.
"It takes a bit, but eventually you can block them out. The darkspawn talk to each other in a sense. That's what you're seeing, it's like we connect with them, and the connection is even stronger when we sleep because our mind isn't fighting it."
"It wasn't talking to the horde though Alistair. It was talking to me, just like after the Joining. It's like it really wants me dead." Lyanna said with a shiver. Suddenly she was very cold.
Alistair saw how scared she was, the nightmare must have really gotten to her. He placed a hand on her back and gently rubbed in circles. "I promise is was just a dream. You know it was scary for me at first too."
She looked at him with a sigh. "Thank you Alistair. I guess I'm not handling this every well."
"That's what I'm here for. I deliver unpleasant news and witty one-liners." He smiled.
"Hey I like your witty one-liners. They always make me feel better." Lyanna said.
"Well thank you. At least someone here appreciates them. Anyway, it's a bit until dawn, do you want some breakfast?"
"Yes please! I'm even more hungry than I was waking up after the Joining." Lyanna said eagerly.
Alistair chuckled picking up one of the bowls from the stack beside them. "Lucky we let Bodahn and Sandal travel with us. They have a whole crate of berries with them. He said adding blueberries, blackberries, and mulberries to the bowl and handed it along with a spoon over to Lyanna.
"Oh Maker this smells amazing! You are going to spoil me having this ready for breakfast every morning." She smiled taking a bite. She moaned, she couldn't help it, just like that morning after the Joining, it tasted so good.
Maker that moan. She is going to kill me, or do something worst. Alistair thought, shifting as the member in his pants gave a small twitch. "Well... you need to be able to eat as soon as you wake up, at least for a while. And I have no problem having it ready for you."
She looked at him with the most grateful expression. "Alistair... you are the most amazing man. You have no responsibility for taking care of me yet you still are. I hope to be able to repay you one day. I am truly grateful."
"Lyanna, you don't need to worry about repaying me. I... I care about you. You are a good person, and you have been a good friend to me. You are staying with me and we are working together to end the Blight. That's all the repayment I need." He said.
Lyanna opened her mouth to thank him again, but closed it focusing in on a gathering of bushes on the other side of the road from where they had set up camp. She could hear the low groans of a man coming from them.
"Lyanna, are you..."
"Shsh! Someone is over there." She whispered setting the bowl down and pulling out her dagger while darting over to the road. "Come out where I can see you." She commanded. "I know you're there. Run and I'll send my hound after you."
Alistair was not surprised to see Nymiria already running up to Lyanna, stopping beside her and sniffing the air. She let out a low growl, showing her fangs.
"See, she already has your sent." Lyanna said.
From the bushes a man a little older than Lyanna and Alistair came out with his hands raised. Alistair came jogging us, pulling his sword from it's sheath.
Lyanna stepped forward pointing her dagger at his throat. "What are you doing here? Why are you spying on us?" She demanded.
"I'm... not spying on you! I won't lie, I have been tracking you thought. I had only just caught up with you when I had to... er visit the gentlemens tree. Then I was hoping I could speak with you both." He stammered nervously, seeing where Lyanna's knife was pointed and Nymiria's barred teeth.
"Why are you tracking us? Who are you?" Lyanna demanded.
"My name is Levi, Levi Dryden. Maybe Duncan mentioned me. Levi of the Coin? Levi the Trader?" The man said hopefully.
Lyanna lowered her blade a bit hearing Duncan's name, seeing Alistair flinch out of the corer of her eye. "Duncan never mentioned you to me, but I am a new Warden. Alistair... did he ever make mention of this man to you?" She said looking over to Alistair.
Alistair shook his head. "I've never heard of him before." He looked to Levi with a frown. "Why would he have mentioned you anyway? Where the two of you friends?"
"I suppose you could say that. I was one of the ma people that helped get the Grey Wardens back into Ferelden. Once they were back I came to Duncan for help. He promised me that together we'd look into something important for the Wardens, and me. But then Ostagar happed, and Duncan... well he is not more. But I know he would want his work carried out. His pledge fulfilled." Levi said.
Lyanna could see Alistair going pale. He was completely caught off guard by all of this talk of Duncan by a stranger. "What promise did Duncan make to you? And why does that mean you would come to us now that he is gone? We are in the middle of trying to stop a Blight."
Lyanna saw Alistair becoming mad just looking at Levi. Maker I hope this man can prove he isn't lying. Or Alistair is going to try and run him through, and I just might let him. She thought sheathing her dagger.
"Actually, how do we know that when you asked for Duncan's help he even said yes? Maybe he said no, and now that he is gone you are using the name of a great man and respected Warden to get us to help you. Or maybe you didn't and you see a chance to lie so we will help you. You better be able to prove that Duncan made this promise or by the Maker I promise I will run you through." He snarled.
"Wow there... I would never use Duncan's name to get what I wanted. He was a great man and a very well respected Warden. Probably one of the best, but I figured you would not believe the words of a stranger who pops up out of no where and says that your friend promised to help him... So I brought the letter he wrote to me." He said, pulling a rolled up piece of parchment from the satchel hanging on his left shoulder and handing it to Lyanna.
She took the letter, unrolled it and scanned over it's contents, then she held the letter out to Alistair. "Alistair... was this written by Duncan?" She asked glancing over at Levi.
Alistair took the letter and looked it over then handed it back to Lyanna. "It's in his hand."
"I told you I would not lie about Duncan. Now please Warden's... I know there is a Blight going on, but will you please help me." He pleaded.
"Again I am wondering why we should help you. You are right... there is a Blight that needs our attention much more than a favor Duncan promised you we could help after the threat is over maybe." Lyanna said rolling up the letter.
"Did I mention it was important to the Wardens as well? My families name is mud around noble circles. My great-great grandmother, Sophia Dryden, was the last Warden-Commander of Ferelden, back when they were thought to be nothing but free loaders. So King Arland banished the Wardens and he took House Dryden's land and titles." Levi said a bit irritated.
Lyanna's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Well that's just a bit drastic. All because your great-great grandmother was a Warden?"
"That's right! After King Arland died, there was a civil war, loads worst than this one. And our family was on the run, hunted by enemies- with nary a friend in the world. But Drydens are tough. We rebuilt, became merchants. And we never lost our pride." Levi said proudly.
"It's surprising that you kept you name with everyone after you. Wouldn't that have been dangerous for your family?" Lyanna asked.
Levi frowned crossing his arms over his chest. "Our family's only crime was guarding the kingdom against the Blight. We're not ashamed of that."
"I meant on offence. So, tell me... what was this favor you asked Duncan? This thing that was also important to the Grey Wardens." Lyanna asked. She was becoming irritated with him not answering her questions. Especially since he was the one who needed this favor that was going to take them away from getting to Redcliffe to see what was wrong with Arl Eamon.
"I asked for the truth." He said.
"Come again?" Alistair chimed in.
"The truth... My family revers Sophia Dryden. We know she died at the old Grey Warden base, Soldiers Peak. We want evidence to clear her name. It won't restore our lands and titles, but it'll restore our honor." Levi said.
"And why do you need Duncan's or our help for this? Surely you can search an empty base on your own." Lyanna said.
"Well that's the thing see. I've spent years mapping the mazes and tunnels to the Peak. And finally, I found the way a few years back, but there is something there. Something I cannot face on my own. Something evil. So I went to Duncan, we agreed that the Wardens could clear out the old base ad restore it. In return he would help me restore my families honor. He promised that after the battle at Ostagar was over he would help me. Now that's he's gone though, I have come to ask you. The base would be all yours, all I want is the truth." Levi said.
Lyanna shrugged looking at Alistair. "Well what do you think Alistair? That base could be the first step in rebuilding the Wardens here in Ferelden."
"If Duncan thought reclaiming the Peak was important, than it surely was. We could check it out, but we have t get to Redcliffe quickly." He said wondering back off to the fire and sitting down, dropping his sword beside him.
"Then it sounds like you have our aid Levi Dryden. At sun up we will head to Soldiers Peak. Rest in our wagon until then if you like. I'm afraid we have no spare tents." Lyanna smiled at him.
"Thank you Grey Wardens! It won't take long to get there. With your horses it should only be half a days ride." He said excitedly making his way to the wagon. "I think I will sleep now." He said more to himself than to Lyanna.
Lyanna wasn't listening anyway she was headed toward Alistair who had began picking at his bowl of oatmeal. "Alistair..." She began sitting down next to him. "Do you want to talk?"
"Talk? To you? Now why would I want to do something like that?" He asked, trying his best to smile but it looked forced.
"Seriously, we have both been through a lot. I figure if you want to talk about the battle, Cailan, or... Duncan. I'm here for you, I'm a good listener as well as talker." She smiled picking up her own oatmeal and taking a bit. She was still starving and wasn't about to let that delicious tasting food go to waist.
Alistair shook his head. "I wouldn't ask you to sit and listen to me moan. I know you didn't know his as long as I did."
"You wouldn't be moaning. And just because I didn't know him long doesn't mean I don't mourn his death. He did save my life after all. He took care of me during our travels to Ostagar. When I was to numb to take care of myself." Lyanna said looking over at him.
Alistair stared into his bowl, mushing it around. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insinuate that you didn't care."
Lyanna placed a hand on his shoulder scooting a bit closer to him. "He was like a father to you wasn't he? I saw how pale you turned when Levi showed up and just started talking about him."
"I..." Alistair threw his bowl to the ground and placed his face in his hands. "I should have handled this better. You can't count on me if I'm falling apart constantly. Duncan warned me this could happen. Any of us could die in battle. I shouldn't have lost it, not when so much is riding on us, not with the Blight and... everything. I'm sorry."
Lyanna shook her head. "You don't have to be sorry Alistair. It's okay, you were upset... you still are upset. That's why we're talking now. So you can get it all out."
Alistair sighed looking over at Lyanna. "I'd like to have a proper funeral for him. Maybe once this is all done, if we're still alive. I don't think he had any family to speak of."
"He had you Alistair. You thought of him as a father, and I can tell that he thought of you as a son." She said.
He smiled at that. "I guess he did. It probably sounds stupid, but part of me wishes I was with him. In the battle. I feel like I abandoned him."
Lyanna's eyes widened and without thinking she twisted throwing her left leg over his and sitting on them, placing her hands on his shoulders and looking him straight in the eyes. "Alistair don't talk like that! You dying by his side would have done nothing. Plus I need you here with me. I can't do this on my own." She said her voice trembily. She was realizing now that she was basically sitting on his lap, and he was looking at her quiet shocked that she was doing it. Clearing her throat she slid off his legs and sat beside him again.
There was silence for a while. Both of them staring at the fire, stupefied by what had just occurred. Then Lyanna shook her head.
"You know... I get the funny feeling that he knew. He even seemed glade that Cailan was sending us to the tower to light that damn beacon."
"You think he knew? Why do you say that?" Alistair asked.
"One of the last things he said to us was 'From this point on, you're on your own now.' It's like he knew that something was doing to go wrong down there, and he was glad that at least two of the Wardens would be safe." She sighed staring at the fire.
Alistair shook his head, he didn't want to even think that Duncan knew he wasn't making it out of that battle. "I think he came from Highever, or so he said. Maybe I'll go up there sometime, see about putting up something in his honor. I don't know."
"I think that's a great idea Alistair. Once this whole mess with the Blight is over I'll even go with you. I'm sure Fergus would agree to a statue or something, once we take back Highever of course. We can put something very nice together in honor of the great man Duncan was." She said.
Alistair looked at her remembering everything that she had just so recently lost. And here he was groaning and moaning about the lose of a man that wasn't even true family to him. Just a good man that had saved him from the Chantry's grasp. "Oh by the Maker I'm such and idiot! I can't believe I'm over here whining and blubbering about Duncan to you of all people. After all you have lost I have no right to be pouring all of this on you. I'm... I'm sorry."
"Alistair don't be sorry. Everyone needs to mourn, and everyone needs to talk about it with someone. I'm glad you trust me enough to talk about this." She said.
She's amazing... hands down the most amazing woman I've ever met. I don't even deserve to be traveling with her. He thought looking into those deep grey/blue pools, beautiful and shinning in the moon light. "Thank you... I mean it Lyanna, thank you. It was good to talk bout it, at least a little." He paused, did he dare bring up her loses right now? "Have... have you talked to anyone yet? You know... about what happened at Highever? This is a two way thing you know, I'm here for you also... if you need me. I mean... that is if you trust me."
Lyanna looked away from him and back at the fire. "Alistair..." She sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you. I just... I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I need more time to... mourn on my own... I guess."
Seeing the pain in her face Alistair decided to do something very bold. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her, tugging her toward him. To his surprise she went with him, tucking herself into him and leaning her head just on his shoulder. He smiled at himself and rubbed her arm. "I understand... just know, I'm here if you need me."
Lyanna smiled, breathing in deep the smell of his skin making her body tingle all over. "I promise, when I am ready to talk... you will be the first one I come to."
"I'll be holding you to that." He smiled looking down at her. "Now, I know you are still hungry. How about another bowl of oatmeal?"
Lyanna leaned away from him a bit with a smile. "You sure know the way to a woman's heart."
"Really? I thought food was only the way to a mans heart." He chuckled letting her go and grabbing her bowl.
"Nah, women just won't admit it because you're supposed to think we don't eat. Like we survive off of air or something." She giggled, taking the now full bowl and digging in.
Alistair chuckled. "Well I'll have one more serving of air to then!" He said refilling his bowl.
As soon as the sun began peaking out Lyanna woke the others. As they all had breakfast, Lyanna and Alistair eating another three helpings of oatmeal, Lyanna told the others of Levi and that they were making a detour to secure the Warden base. There were no arguments, but as they finished breakfast and began packing up the camp site Lyanna could tell that Morrigan disagreed with the change in plans. Packed and on the road Lyanna asked Levi to sit with Sten on the wagon and give directions. As they road Lyanna spoke with Leliana, Sten, and Morrigan. From Leliana she didn't get very much only that she wasn't always a sister and that she had learned to fight in her life before the Chantry. She learned that the reason Sten killed those farmers was because of his missing sword. He woke up in their home and panicked, realizing he could never go home again without being executed in sight. And to her surprise Morrigan opened up to her ever so slightly... She told her the story of how once she had stolen a golden hand mirror from a woman's carriage, and how Flemeth had been furious at her and in turn smashed the mirror to bits. In the end they both however; agreed that it was not a smart thing for her to do, and in the end no matter how harsh they were they taught her the lessons she needed to know to survive in a world that hated apostates. Flemeth actually reminded Lyanna a bit of her own mother.
Finally she was ready to talk to Alistair about Arl Eamon. Or at least she was going to try and talk to him about him. Alistair had really seemed like he didn't want to talk about it at all back in Lothering, and was just saying that they would to appease her at that time. He was riding at the front of the group, scouting for any enemies that may have been lurking in front of them. She caught up and came to a slow trot.
"Well hello dear lady, care to join me down the trail on this beautiful morning?" He smiled.
"Well you certainly are feeling better."
"What can I say. I had a beautiful lady sit next to me last night and let me tell her all of my sorrows." He grinned.
"Oh really now? Should I knock from now on before coming into your tent?" She smiled.
"No, it's not that kind of relationship. Just a really amazing woman is all." He said looking at her.
Lyanna could feel her cheeks heat up and looked away from him up into the sky. "So back in the Chantry at Lothering. When you were talking to Ser Donall... it almost sounded like you lived in Redcliffe, but knowing one of the Arl's knights well enough for him to remember you... that would mean you spent a lot of time in the keep. You also seem to know Arl Eamon very well to defined him and care about his well being so strongly. Did he raise you?" She finally asked.
"Oh did I say that? I meant that dogs raised me. Giant, slobbering dogs from the Anderfels. A whole pack of them in fact." He said nervously. Damn should I tell her now?... No defiantly not, it would just change her feelings about me. I'm not about to have her treat me different because of the man that made me.
"Really?! That must have been tough on them... That would also explain the smell." She chuckled, figuring she'd play along with the joke for now. But she was going to get the answers she wanted. After all, how could he expect her to tell him about the things that happened in her life if he couldn't even tell her where he came from?
"Well it wasn't until I was eight that I discovered you didn't have to lick yourself clean. Old habits die hard, you know." He continued to joke.
"That would explain the breath to."
"Well they were flying dogs, you see. Surprisingly strict parents, too, and devout Andrastians, to boot."
"Uh huh... Raised by flying, devout dogs, I see."
"Or did I dream all that? Funny the dreams you'll have when you sleep on the cold, hard ground, isn't it?" Alistair tried smoothly to change the subject at this point. "Are you having strange dreams?"
Alright this has gone far enough, if he is going to give me the go around I'm going to have some fun while he does it. She looked over at him with a devilish smile. "Other than the one of the archdemon last night the only ones I've been have are of us making mad love in my tent."
Alistair went red in the blink of an eye. He felt dizzy and butterflies began to flutter around in his stomach. "I... oh. I think I... completely lost my train of thought..."
Lyanna raised an eyebrow at him. "You were talking about how you still licked yourself clean..."
"Yes old habits do die hard."
"I thought the Chantry would have beaten that out of you." She said.
"There you go listening to me again. You think you'd have gotten past that... Oh fine. I was raised in the Chantry. I wasn't born there. Let's see, how do I explain this? I'm a bastard, and before you make any smart assed comments I mean the 'fatherless kind'. My mother was a serving girl in Redcliffe Castle who died when I was very young. Arl Eamon wasn't my father, but he took me in anyhow and put a roof over my head. He was good to me, and he didn't have to be. I respect the man, and I don't blame him anymore for sending me off to the Chantry once I was old enough." Alistair said.
Lyanna looked at him. "But you blamed him then, I take it?"
Alistair sighed. "What child being forced to leave the only family he'd ever known wouldn't have? I was young and resentful and not every pious. Of course I blamed him. I remember screaming at him like a child... well, I was a child, so I doubt he was surprised."
"What changed that he suddenly decided to send you off to the Chantry?" Lyanna asked.
"Arl Eamon eventually married a young woman from Orlais, which caused all sort of problems between him and the king, because it was so soon after the war. But he loved her. Anyhow, the new Arlessa resented the rumors which pegged me as Eamon's bastard. They weren't true, but of course they existed. The Arl didn't care, but she did. So off I was packed to the nearest monastery at age ten." He sighed.
"That's horrible... I've never liked the woman. And I've heard some vile things about her from all the Lady's in the Landsmeet, but to send a boy from his own home for something he had no control over? She truly is an evil woman."
"It was just as well. The Arlessa made sure the castle wasn't a home to me by that point. She despised me." Alistair replied.
"That is still an awful way to treat a child who has no control over rumors or who their parents are." She said angrily. She was realizing that seeing that woman in Redcliffe and having to deal with her personally was going to be very interesting now.
"Maybe. She felt threatened by my presence. I can see that now. I can't say I blame her. She wondered if the rumors were true herself I bet. I don't even remember much of my boyhood there. I shut it up and locked it away." He said in an attempt to calm Lyanna down a bit. He could tell this conversation was really getting under her skin.
Lyanna sighed looking into those beautiful honey golden eyes. "That's sad to hear."
"I do remember I had an amulet with Andraste's holy symbol on it. The only thing I had of my mother's. I was so furious at being sent away I tore it off and threw it at the wall and it shattered. Stupid, stupid thing to do."
Lyanna laughed, making her horse jump a bit. She began stroking her mane. "I was known for throwing things when I was angry as well. I remember one time like it was yesterday. I was having quite a tantrum because Fergus was teasing me about my hair cut. I had been wiggling so much that it had to be cut super short to even it out. I looked like a boy, and surprise, surprise big brother Fergus was teasing me about it. I had a wooden training sword and I chucked it at him as hard as I could. He was expecting it though so he ducked just in time, and instead of hitting him it hit mothers favorite vase... it shattered to bits when it hit the floor. I think I hid in my kitchens cuboards for the next three hours before father found me. I really don't know why he didn't look ther efirst, that was the place I always hid. Maybe he knew I needed some time alone. Anyway he opened the cuboard and there I was trembling, tears running down my face. But he wasn't mad, he just pulled me out and hugged me. He made me promise I woundn't throw things anymore. Still crying I promised I'd never do it again. Later that night when mother found out about the vase... I was ready to tell mother and take the punishmet given to me, when father told her that he had gotten tripped up by Nymiria and bumped into it." Lyanna sighed trying not to cry. She hadn't meant to take ove the conversation. She didn't even know why she had go so far to explain the past event. She only meant to say that when she was young and mad she had thrown things to.
"I'm sorry... you were talking about something very important to you and I interrupted with a stupid story."
"It wasn't stupid... That was really nice of your father. He sounds like a great man."
"He was a great man... He deserved better than being murdered in his own home." Lyanna said gritting her teeth.
"Please continue Alistair." Lyanna said looking at him with a smile.
'Well, Eamon came to visit me in the monastery a few times to see how I was, but I was stubburn. I hated it there and blamed him for everything... eventually he just stopped coming." Alistair sighed staring in to the fire.
Lyanna knew he was going through the memories like they had just happened, she felt so sad for him. Abandoned by the only father figure he ever knew because of a woman. She wished she had known about him at the time, she would have had father rescue him, bring himm to their home where he would have been loved and cared for. She didn't voice this though, she only shook her head, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You were young. I'm sure he understood your anger."
"And don't forget raised by dogs. Or I may as well been, the way I acted. But maybe all young bastards act like that, I don't know. All I know is the Arl is a good man and well-loved by the people. He also was King Cailan's uncle, so he has personal motivation to see Loghain pay for what he's done. Anyway... that's really all there is to the story." He said.
"Well than you for sharing with me." Lyanna said.
After traveling for most of the day and going through mazes and tunnels Levi finally signaled them to stop. Lyanna jumped off her horse and tied to the wagon, then walked to the front a Levi was climbing down.
"Here we are." He smiled at her. He had a very charming smile. "Soldiers Peak, and Makers breath look at the size of her. What a fortress. I told you my map would get us through the tunnels."
Alistair walked up to them after tying his horse off to the wagon. He really didn't like this Levi Dryden fellow. Not only had he drug them away from their path to Redcliffe for a Peak, but he had been flirting with Lyanna most of the way there. Like he even had a chance, she was way to good for him.
You think she's to good for you to, but you're still trying. An annoying voice nagged at him as he stood next to her.
"She is impressive. How on earth did you ever make it through that maze?" Lyanna asked.
"It's teeming with history." Levi said as the rest of the group tied off their horses and Sten tied the wagon reins to a tree. "Can't you feel it?"
The group made their way up a small hill and stopped to stare at the huge tower. "It wasn't easy and it took a lot of time and patience. A lot of getting lot to. Always made sure to have a lot of food and water with me. So... I'll follow you? At a distance of course. This place has the stench of death. I expect there's trouble ahead."
Alistair caught Lyanna roll her eyes just before she stepped forward and froze. Every thing went slightly blurry and took on a bluish/white hue. They saw a group of armed men standing in front of them looking at the tower.
"Fall back. Fall back, already."
"Taking the Peak will not be easy m'lord."
"I gave the Wardens one chance to die with honor. Instead, they hole up like cowards. We follow the kings advice, then. Starve them out."
"But the Peak has months of supplies."
"Then we wait. When they are too weak to lift their weapons, we will send them to their final judgment."
The vision faded away and Lyanna steadied herself by grabbing hold of Alistair's shoulder. In response he wrapped an arm around her waist until she was steady on her feet again.
Levi rubbed his head. "Wh-what was that? I felt... feel dizzy. I'm not going mad am I? You saw it, too right?" He turned to Lyanna getting his confirmation as he watched her holding herself up on Alistair.
"I've heard on Orlesian ballad about something like this. A beauty trapped in a dream. In the song, Bellissa never wakes up." Leliana said looking a Lyanna and Alistair.
"How is this even possible? This place must truly be haunted." Levi whispered."
Placing a hand on Alistair's she smiled at him and steadied herself on her own two feet letting him go and stepping toward Levi. "You are not going mad, and be assured this world is full of mysteries."
At that moment several undead appeared. Some wearing the armor of the men who were just in the vision they had all shared, others wearing Warden armor.
"Well this is going to be fun." Lyanna said pulling out her bow and knocking an arrow.
Leliana took up arms to Lyanna's right with Morrigan already shooting her first lightning bolt at her left. Alistair, Nymiria, and Sten charged in picking their own target. Lyanna aimed carefully, picking off one of the two that Alistair was running toward. As Alistair dodged and jabbed at the skeleton in front of him, bolts were missing him by mere inches. Lyanna ran forward and to the right to see a skeleton dressed in Wardens armor firing a cross bow, ad two Warden skeletons with swords and shield guarding in front of it. Lyanna let out a high pitched whistle and Nymiria darted toward her.
"Nymiria on the stairs!" Lyanna shouted knelling and knocking another arrow.
Nymiria took off toward the stairs leaping at one of the skeletons and knocking it to the stairs. Lyanna quickly released her arrow and it sunk deep into the other guards head. Pulling out two more from the quiver she drew back the bow a released both of them sinking into the crossbow wielding skeleton. One in the empty eye socket and the other in the left cheek. It dropped with a thud, snow flying up around the once again dead corpse. Lyanna placed her bow back over her shoulder as Nymiria pranced up to her panting.
"Good girl." Lyanna smiled patting Nymiria on head and began walking to the stairs leading up to the entrance of the tower.
The others followed like nothing had happened except Levi who had begun to nervously look around for more skeletons every few moments.
"If you're going to keep looking over your shoulder every few minutes you should stay out here." Morrigan said walking past him.
"Morrigan is right Levi. If you're going to be jumping at every little thing now you'll only distract us. We can come get you when have cleared the place out." Lyanna said stopping in front of the large doors.
Levi looked at her quite offended. "No... no I'll be fine. I've just never seen... that is this is all very new to me."
Lyanna nodded. "Keep yourself together in here Levi Dryden great grandson of the Warden Commander Sophia Dryden. I'll not put my companions in danger because of your nerves."
Levi took a deep breath and nodded. Being called the Warden Commanders grandson had seemed to give him some back bone. Alistair grunted, It won't last long. He thought as Lyanna turned back to the doors and shoved them open and stepping through. Once everyone was inside the doors slammed shut and the room went blurry and blue again.
"The men's morale is low. My spells are of use in this matter Commander." A mage said to a woman who had to be Sophia Dryden.
"There is more to leading men than sorcery Avernus. I will remind them that they're Wardens." Sophia said stepping away from the mage and clearing her throat to get the small groups attention. "Men, I won't lie to you. The situation is grim. Or forces are out numbered. Our bellies empty. And our hearts are sagging. But we are Wardens. Darkspawn flee when they hear our horns. Archdemons die when they taste our blades. So are we to bend knee to a mere human despot? No! I, for one, will never give up. I, for one, will never surrender just to dance on Arland's gallows. So I propose here and now, in these hallowed halls where generations of our brethren stood vigil against darkspawn and evil.. that we send a message to that fat bastard. In this sacred place, proud men, strong men stood defiant. And would rather die than submit to tyranny!" She shouted looking around at her men.
Cheers and shouts of agreement rang through the hall. Gauntlets bashing against chest plates and shields. Then again just as before, the room went back to normal.
Levi stepped forward looking at the spot where his Great Grandmother had stood with a smile. "So brave even when starving. Ad my great-great grandmother stood with them."
Lyanna stepped forward next to him. "It sounds like there is greatness in your blood."
Levi looked to her in surprise. Moments ago she had basically told him to stop being a coward and now she was saying there was greatness in his blood? My she was an odd woman. "Oh... well. That's ind of you to say. Generations of Drydens have said that our stock were lions. Fierce, proud, and noble. But it means more coming form a Grey Warden such as yourself. But... I've gabbed enough. Lead on, my friend."
They continued through the tower, fighting a handful of undead Wardens along the way. Levi was holding himself together very well. Lyanna was proud of him, maybe the Dryden stock was from lions after all. In one room Lyanna found a book that was burnt, and the words faded with age.
"To bad we can't read it. To know what had happened here..." Alistair trailed off as he watched Lyanna kneel down and brush her fingers over one of the books ruined pages.
The room turned a blurred blue again, as another flashback began. There was a woman standing in front of a barricaded door and an older man standing in front of the book which was on a pedestal.
"The door won't hold long, archivist." The woman said.
"Almost done... The truth must be told." The Archivist said scribbling in the book quickly.
"What does it matter?" She shouted. "We're dead!"
"Our grand rebellion... so close... And to die here a still birth." The man grumbled angrily.
"We never should have done it. Wardens aren't supposed to oppose kings and princes." She said with a sob as whatever was on the other side of the door started to beat on it again.
"Should we stand idly by while-" He began, but was cut off as the vision ended just as the door was being broken down.
Alistair quickly stepped forward and held Lyanna steady as she stood up. "And another one... I wish those would stop, they're making me queasy."
Levi looked very unhappy at what had just been seen in the last vision. "Rebellion? What's this about a rebellion?" He looked down at the book with a sigh. "If only the book weren't burned."
"Rebellions happen all the time." Lyanna said looking to Alistair. "I can't be that much different when it comes to the Wardens, right?
Alistair shook his head. "Rebellion is against everything the Wardens stand for."
Lyanna looked around thinking for a moment, then cleared her throat. "Maybe there are other records. More information as to what went on here. Hopefully no more visions thought, that last one made me feel quite ill."
The group searched the room for a few moments, sadly finding nothing but more burned books. Finding nothing of use they entered the next room. There were four glowing circles that looked like portals on the floor and one against the wall. A slight smoky mist came from each one. Another blue mist fell over the room as yet another vision into the past played in front of them.
"Make them pay for every inch men! Hold the flank! Avernus, we need you!" Shouted Sophia.
Avernus stood in the middle of the misty portals and raised his hands, waving them slowly through the air. "Nelatep obresooth sythan net bekon!"
A fire demon rises up from the floor.
"Andraste's blood!" The Arl shouted taking a step back.
"More, Avernus- whatever it takes!" Sophie shouted to the mage.
"Kaelee ai benfotus victus!"
Several more demons rise from the floor with evil laughs.
"Press them, press them now!"
The demons laughter increases and they begin to attack everyone in the room, Wardens and Arl soldiers. Screams ring through that room as people fall to the ground, blood spurting all around.
"NO!" Avernus shouted taking a step toward one of the shadow demons. "I command you, fight the kings men!"
The shadow turns to Avernus a booming laugh irrupting from it. "FOOL!" It says sliding toward him. "So much death, suffering, and, oh yes... blood. The Veil is torn now. Your soul is mine, Avernus."
Avernus steps back trembling looking to the other mages. "Acolytes... Retreat now. The battle is lost." He shouted and turned running away.
"Avernus!" Sophia shouted after him, but it was no use.
Yet again the flashback ended and the blue tint went with it.
"What just... Oh, there are more of them!" Levi shouted running to one corner of the room. As a Rage demon and four Lesser Demons appeared on the four platforms.
"Take out the Lesser Demons first, they are healing the Rage Demon!" Morrigan shouted zapping one of the Lesser Demons with lightening.
Without a second thought the group dispersed and began attacking the four lesser demons. The Lesser Demons fell quickly and the group turned their attention to the Rage Demon. Theypelted it with everything they had, but it still kept coming. After a time it disappeared and appeared on it's starting portal, four more Lesser Demons appearing on the platforms surrounding the Rage Demon.
"You have got to be kidding me." Lyanna gasped shooting arrows in all directions as the Lesser Demons slithered toward them.
Four more Lesser Demons down and the group swarmed the Rage Demon again. This time no more Lesser Demons appeared and the Rage Demon went don't in a matter of moments. Lyanna hooked her bow to her side and leaned against the wall with a sigh on relief.
"The Wardens summoned demons!" Levi shouted starring at Alistair and Lyanna. "I can't believe that, my grandmother... she knew. She had the mage do it."
"The Wardens don't forbid blood magic, though it is only used as a last resort." Alistair said walking over to Lyanna and handed her a water skin.
"Thanks" Lyanna smiled taking a gulp.
Alistair turned back to Levi. "Duncan always told me that the Wardens do whatever it takes to win."
Levi sighed. "I just believed that my family was better than that."
Lyanna straightened. "Answers may lay ahead Levi, let us catch our breath and then we can continue."
On they went through the tower. A few Lesser Demons and Undead littered their path, but they were nothing the group couldn't handle. They came to a mall room that seemed like a study. And in the room a rotted corpse stood with it's back to them starring at a painting hanging on the wall. The door slammed behind them and the corpse turned to face them.
"That's the woman from the flashbacks we've been having." Morrigan whispered reaching for her staff.
"Sophia..." Lyanna whispered.
"Step no further Wardens. This one will speak with you." Sophia's corpse spoke stepping forward.
"And why should I speak to a demon possessing a corpse that has long needed to be buried?" Lyanna asked as she knocked her bow and pointed it as the demon.
"You have slain many to get here. This one would propose a deal."
Lyanna huffed. "A deal with a demon? Do I look that naive?"
Sophia laughed. "I only wish to propose a deal. For now you need only listen. The Soldiers' Peak traps me. This one sees so many tantalizing places in the Dryden's memories- this one would see the world herself. For me to be free, into the old mages tower you go and destroy. In return, this one seals the Veil. No more demons, no more enemies. Your Peak would be safe. Just let this one go into the world."
Sophia growled and reached for her sword, but never made it. A single arrow flew through the air and pierced the demon possessed corpse right between the eyes. With a garbled groan the body fell to the floor. Lyanna clipped she bow back to her hip and took a deep breath.
Lyanna turned to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Levi, that was not Sophia. That was a demon pretending to be her. She has been gone a long time."
"I know," Levi shook his head looking at the lifeless body only feet away."I just wasn't prepared for this. Please lets just keep moving."
Lyanna nodded holstering her bow and leaving the room with the others. They met many more demons and undead traveling through the halls of the Peak. The group took them out without breaking a sweat. Finally they came to a room with no monsters, just bookshelves and a desk with a book on it. The book was well kept, and had hand written words in it.
"Find anything that might be useful in here. I'm going to check out this book." Lyanna said walking over to it and beginning to read.
'Day 32: The subject is not responding to the stimuli. Testing the pain threshold has uncovered nothing. Only three subjects are left.'
'Day 82: If only I could reproduce last night's extraordinary success. Electricity is only a catalyst. The blood is the key.'
'Day: 97: Energy and blood. Repeated applications have duplicated the results. I conjecture that success can be induced alchemically. But there are no more subjects left. If only I had one more, or a dozen. The things I could do.'
Lyanna stepped back shaking her head as Alistair walked up to her.
"Everything alright?" He asked.
"He was testing something... and he was using live subjects. Live people." Lyanna said with disgust.
"What?! I know the Wardens do some extreme things, but not to this extreme."
"This man is a monster!" Leliana exclaimed with disgust.
"Come on, lets keep going." Lyanna said looking at the next door.
They entered what seemed like a dungeon and a torture room all mashed into one. Cages hung from the ceiling in one corner of the room and three cages in another. In the middle was a slab with with chains attached to it, sitting over a grate. Blood stained the table and the floor around it. At the far end of the room was a set of stairs leading up to a study. There were bookshelves, an alchemy table, and two desks covered in paper, books, vials, and other things. At one desk was an old bald man in mages robes hunched over a book and vials mixing up some kind of potion.
"I hear you... Don't disrupt my concentration." Avernus grumbled as he poured a vial of green liquid into a flask of pink liquid.
They approached wearily. Lyanna's hand hovering over her bow.
Avernus turned to them with a smug grin. "Even now the demons seek the replenish their numbers. Are you to thank fort his welcomed but temporary imbalance?"
"You... the old Warden mage, you're the one that started all of this, but how are you still alive?" Lyanna snarled.
Avernus laughed. "Only just. I have only a short time left."
Leliana stepped forward placing a hand on Lyanna's shoulder. "Be careful! He dabbles in things forbidden by the Maker. He may look frail, but don't trust him."
Avernus laughed again. "So the Maker told you that did he? Short sighted en have forbidden my research, not any god." He glared at Leliana. "Enough now! Why are you here? What is your intent?"
"We came looking to restore the Drydens name. But it is clear that this Peak must be rid of it's plague of demons as well. Demons which you summoned."
Avernus sneered at her but nodded. "Agreed. This must be the first priority. The only priority."
"I'm am also debating on whether or not to let you live after you help us. Your experiments are those of a feeling-less monster." Lyanna added.
Avernus gritted his teeth and crossed his arms. My experiments were necessary. Any tool, any iota of information that could defeat the fell demons was justified. As a Warden you should know that."
"He has a point. If I single spell could win the battle, I would not question it's source." Morrigan said.
"Of course you would agree with him." Alistair muttered shaking his head.
Avernus smiled looking at Morrigan. "Your charming companion is quite correct. You'd do well to heed her advice."
"How have you even survived all these years?" Lyanna asked.
Avernus grunted. "The Chantry foolishly forbids blood magic- but there are so many secrets to uncover. As my body decayed, I found ways to extend it. But that can only go so far."
"Did you ever think that blood magic is forbidden because it encourages demons to possess the mage using it?" Leliana snapped. "The demons all over this Peak are proof of that."
"A minor set back that, had more people survived to help fight them back, I could have fixed quickly, but everyone tucked tail and run once things began to go wrong." Avernus snapped.
"What was the purpose of your experiments?" Lyanna questioned.
"To stop the demonic tide." Avernus said standing up straight and squaring his shoulders. "To correct the miscalculations of the past. Blood magic comes from demons. They could counter every bit of lore I knew. But the darkspawn taint. That is alien to them. And it has power."
"What power?" Lyanna asked.
"The Wardens use it only to sense darkspawn. A triviality. My research has discovered so much more- hinted at even greater heights. This knowledge could not only save Soldiers Peak- with it, the Wardens could grow even more powerful." Avernus said excitedly.
"Wardens don't seek power!" Alistair spat angrily clinching his fists. "They are here to protect people from the darkspawn."
"Foolish boy!" Avernus said snarkily. "Wardens do whatever it take sot protect the people. And if that means seeking greater power then that is what we do. The sooner you realize that the better off you'll be."
"I've heard enough!" Lyanna sighed heavily feeling the exhaustion flood her body. "The demons must be stopped, once that is done we will go from there."
Avernus nodded. "Someone who knows what is most important. You will make a fine Grey Warden. We must go the the great hall." He said walking past them and down the steps. "There I will repair the damage I caused so many years ago. There will be peril. The demons will fight us every step of the way."
Lyanna turned to follow him through the door they had just come. "Then let us be done with it."
"We must act quickly. The demons are crawling on the gates. The Veil must be closed." Avernus said taking a stance across from the portal.
"We're ready." Lyanna nodded pulling out her bow and knocking an arrow.
"Right, I will now unravel the summoning circles I drew so many year ago." He said as a bluish purple mist began rising from his body and light forming between his hands as he waved them in the air. "Waves of demons and spirits may come through. Dispatch them." He grunted, the mist around him growing heavier and the light is his hands growing brighter. "I feel them... They are coming."
Four shade demons and a wraith appear out of a cloud of smoke. The group leapt into action. Morrigan struck the first down with a lightening bolt. Leliana and Lyanna pelted two shades until they dissolved into a cloud of smoke. Alistair and Nymiria took on the fourth shade. Once all four were dealt with they group all turned their attention to the wraith. It growled at them and charged toward Alistair and Nymiria as they were the closest. It only made it a few feet however, with Lyanna, Leliana, and Morrigan sending arrows and ice shards at it the wraith dissolved into a cloud of mist within moments.
Avernus collected himself as the group gathered in front of him."It is over. The Veil is strong now, or stronger at least." He said eyeing Lyanna. "So what of me. Will you leave me to experiment in peace?"
"No, you will do no more dark research. Find a humane way to help the Wardens." Lyanna said.
"What?! Without test subjects? Without other materials? You would cripple my research!" Avernus fumed.
Morrigan stepped forward clearing her throat. "I do not understand your choices Warden. If his research will add the Wardens, especially in this your dire time of need, should you not let him continue his experiments in whatever way he sees fit?"
"Yes and let him continue torturing and killing people. Maybe you could even be his first volunteer?" Alistair sneered crossing his arms over his chest.
"Better if you were the first volunteer I think." Morrigan snapped back.
"That's enough!" Lyanna shouted stepping between them. She glared at Morrigan. "Human sacrifice is not an option. It will never be an option. There is always another way to find the answers you need. It may take a bit longer, but the answers can be found."
Avernus huffed. "No matter, being alive and able to continue is exceptable. I will continue my work in a humane way Warden, you have my word. Mind you I have little hope in discovering anything useful, but if I do you will be the first to know."
Lyanna nodded at the Warden Mage. "Thank you Avernus, that will be most appreciated." She then turned to her companions with a sigh. "Since the Peak is clear how does everyone feel about resting up here tonight? We can have a warm meal, half way decent beds, and a roof over our heads, then head to Redcliff in the morning."
"I think that is a wonderful idea." Leliana smiled. "I can make a run with Sten and Nymiria for some game if you'd like?"
Lyanna smiled. "That would be great Leliana. Morrigan would you look around for and herbs so we can restock on potions. I can help you make them after we eat. Alistair and I can get a fire ready."
The group dispersed and began doing what was asked of them. While Lyanna and Alistair were outside gathering firewood Levi approached them.
"Well Wardens you've done it. Soldiers Peak is safe again. I still think that old geezer Avernus deserves the gallows, with all of those people he experimented on, but... people will do queer things to survive. I just hope he does proper research- without the sacrifices and blood magic and all- maybe he'll even turn up something good for you guys." With a pause he then sighed. "I just wish there had been some proof to redeem my family."
"I'm sorry Levi, but even if there had been some proof, Sophia's actions were damning. Other Wardens may have understood her actions, but not the people of Ferelden." Lyanna said.
Levi nodded. "You are right. For so long I've been focused on the past. On finding answers. But now I think I would have been better off had I stayed at home."
Lyanna places a hand on his arm and gently squeezed it. "Don't think like that Levi. Good came of your presistance. You made it possible for us to reclaim this base. You have made it possible for us to start rebuilding now. Once the Blight is over if... all goes well for us we can call this place a home."
Levi smiled at her. "You know Warden Lyanna, you seem to know all of the right things to say. Now what do you say about me giving you a hand? It's the least I can do after you helped me here."
Again so sorry guy that this chapter has taken so long to be posted. I hope there will no more hiccups and I can keep chapters coming out regularly. Love to all!