Dragon Age Abomination's Origins
Chapter 7: The Battle for Ostagar
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Last Update: 9/12/2014
Scene I
Within the old temple in Ostagar, four fully ordained Grey Wardens looked over the two recruits that had died before their time. It was a somber atmosphere broken by the jokester of group, who was not as jolly as he used to be.
"Two more deaths," Alistair stated sadly, as he look upon the dead bodies of Ser Jory and Daveth. "In my Joining, only one of us died. But it was horrible. I am glad the two of you made it through."
"How do you two feel?" Duncan asked the two girls.
"We're fine," Aveline stated with a straight face as she began to stretch her body.
"I'm not," Shianni admitted while looking over Jory's body, "I can't believe you killed Ser Jory."
"Jory was warned about what was required, as were we all. When he went for his blade, I had no choice. It brought me no pleasure to end his life." Duncan defended himself before he continued his explanation. "The Blight demands sacrifice from all of us. Thankfully you stand here as proof they are not all made in vain."
"Did you have dreams?" Alistair asked the two girls. "I had terrible dreams after my Joining."
"Such dreams come when we sense the darkspawn, as do we all," Duncan explained. "That and many more things will be explained in the months to come."
"Before I forget, there is one last part to the Joining," Alistair stated as he held up two Grey Warden pendants with a blood red center. "We take some of that blood and put it in a pendant for each survivor. Something to remind us… of those who didn't make it this far."
The two girls put on their pendants as Duncan decided to change the subject, "Take your time. When you're ready, I would like you two to accompany me to a meeting with the king."
"What kind of meeting?" Aveline asked in confusion.
"It is a war meeting to discuss future strategy for the upcoming battle," Duncan explained. "I am not sure why you two were requested," Duncan admitted before he gave out directions to the meeting. "The meeting is close by, straight through the archway at the temple. Come when you are ready."
Duncan left the two girls alone as they silently stood there until Aveline moved to strip Ser Jory and Daveth's corpse, putting them into her magical storage seals. Shianni noticed the woman's action and asked, "What are you doing?"
"We believe what we are doing is obvious," Aveline stated as she did not leave the armor behind. The bodies were striped to their under garments.
"You have no respect for the dead?" Shianni asked with horror.
"They're dead, why should they care?" Aveline answered with a question.
"Wouldn't you?" Shianni asked and Aveline gave to her a shocking answer.
"Considering we believe our body would be burned on the stake, mutilated by templars or dissected to find out what made us tick, we really did not care what happens to this body." Aveline then became quiet before she added, "The dead, will always be dead. Why should we care about the mortal coil when it only matters what they were when they were alive? The body may tell secrets after its gone, but it hard for us to care once they are dead."
Shianni was shifting, unsure what to say accept, "You're not what I expected you to be."
"We get that a lot," Aveline stated as she packed up her belongings to take the short walk towards the war council, followed closely by Shianni. The two new Wardens arrived just in time to see Loghain and Cailan arguing over a large map spread out on a table while generals like Eleanor, the Grand Cleric, Mages and the Grey Wardens stood around them, listening with concern at the two outbursts.
"Loghain, my decision is final!" Calian shouted to Loghain. "I will stand by the Grey Wardens in this assault."
"You risk too much, Calian. The darkspawn horde is too dangerous to be playing hero out in the frontlines," Loghain pleaded.
"If that is the case, perhaps we should wait for the Orlesian forces to join us after all," Calian pointed out, much to Loghain's anger.
"I must protest the fool's notion that we need the Orlesians to defend ourselves," Loghain snarled at the Orlesians.
"It is not a fool's notion," Calian argued. "Our conflict with the Orlesians is a thing of the past and you should remember who is king."
Loghain sneered with a frustrated sigh, "How very fortunate that Maric isn't here to see his son ready to hand over his kingdom to those who have enslaved us for a century."
"Then our current forces will have to sacrificed," Calian had stated before turning to Duncan. "Duncan, are your men ready?"
"They are your majesty," Duncan answered Calian.
Calian then turned to the two newly minted Grey Wardens. "And you are the two recruits I met earlier on the road? I understand congratulations are in order."
"I don't feel special," Shianni admitted while Aveline put her hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Oh but you are," Calian told Shianni. "Every Grey Warden is needed now more than ever."
"Your fascinations with legends and glory will be your undoing," Loghain advised Calian. "We need to practical."
"Fine, speak your stagey," Calian exclaimed.
"You will take your forces into the valley to bottle neck the darkspawn while my forces wait above the valley for the beacon," Teyrn Loghain said with a stern tongue. "Once the beacon is in the tower is lit my men will…"
Calian finished Loghain's plan, "Flank the darkspawn and crush them from behind. Yes I remember."
"If we may interject," Aveline started as she stepped in the front light. "If Calian's forces attack in four phases, they could last longer." Aveline then explained her plan, "First phase, archers send a barrage of arrows at very long range and continue to attack the front of the darkspawn, while catapults and ballistaes aim for the middle to inflict the maximum damage and weaken their forces," Aveline explained while generals like Eleanor nodded, signaling they could handle it. "You wait for when the horde are close enough to initiate the second phase in which mages use area spells to soften them up for archers. They should be able to kill mass numbers once they are within range." A bald senior mage named Uldred, nodded with Valon, and Wynne in agreement.
"Once they pass the area spells, initiate the third phase by using hounds attacking up front to hopefully add confusion and slow down the horde further. Meanwhile, archers will change their tactics and start picking off emissaries, alpha darkspawn and the heavy hitters of creatures like ogres for the army. It can also help add to the confusion by laying out traps that the dogs can avoid but the darkspawn will note. This will lead to a final phase where the soldiers draw the darkspawn into the valley while the mages assume a support role as healers for their troops. Hopefully with these phases, it could buy Calian's forces a couple of minutes while definitely doing a considerable amount of damage before Loghain flanks the darkspawn," Aveline explained and many of the generals and mages nodded in agreement. They really liked the idea, and so did Loghain and Calian.
"Excellent idea!" Calian exclaimed at the good plan. "Now then, who will light the beacon at the Tower of Ishal to signal you to charge, Loghain?"
"I have a few men stationed there," Loghain explained. "It is not a dangerous task, but it is vital."
However, Calian had other plans. "If that is the case, we should send our best. Send Alistair and the two new Grey Wardens."
"Why send us and Alistair?" Aveline asked. "Shianni or we would be enough."
"No, it's best if all three of you go," Calian told the Grey Wardens.
"You demand and rely too much on the Grey Wardens," Loghain declared to Calian. "Not one group, even an order so important to the war effort, can handle the amount of strain you put on them."
"Enough of your concerns Loghain, the Grey Wardens can handle this as well as defeat the Blight. Isn't that right Duncan?" Calian asked with enthusiasm.
"Your majesty, I don't think this battle can be won as easily as you think. Especially since the Archdemon may show itself," Duncan explained.
"We haven't seen any dragons in the wilds, but it could still be under ground," Loghain reported.
"Isn't that what your men are for?" Calian asked.
"I… yes your majesty," Duncan answered regretfully.
"Your majesty, the beacon in the Tower of Ishal is not necessary," Uldred explained. "With the circle of Magi-"
However, before Uldred could explain his plan any further, the Grand Cleric interjected, "We won't trust any of our lives to your spells. Save them for the darkspawn."
"Why should we listen to a religious zealous bitch like you? Especially, since you won't listen to any advice that could help save lives through the use of magic. We guess the Chantry does not care about lives needlessly sacrificed," Aveline suggested with a straight face that infuriated the clergywoman.
"How dare you-" The Grand Cleric had started to say; but was interjected by Loghain.
"Enough, the plan will suffice. The Grey Wardens will light the beacon."
"Thank you Loghain," Calian thanked his father-in-law. "I can't wait for that glorious moment. The Grey Wardens battle beside the King of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil."
"Yes Calian, a glorious moment for us all," Loghain said softly to himself before the Council dispersed, with everyone going their spate ways.
Everyone but Duncan, Shianni and Aveline who wanted to talk with her adopted mother. "Mother, has Fergus come back yet?" Aveline asked.
"No," Eleanor admitted. "However, I have received word that his patrol met a snag. They will be in the Wilds for awhile and won't be able to return to us soon."
"Hopefully he will be," Aveline told her mother.
"Don't you mean likely?" Shianni asked, as she was getting a bit bolder.
Aveline mussed it over before she added, "Possibly. He is still as stubborn as a mabari."
Eleanor chuckled for a moment, remembering the girl Aveline use to be. She smiled thinking more of what was once a small girl until she noticed something else was amidst. Aveline wanted to ask something else and so she obliged, "Is there something else you wish to ask?"
"Yes," Aveline admitted. "Is Calian ill?"
"Not that I know. Why do ask? He doesn't seem sick to me," Eleanor pointed out with concern for her forces.
"It is his demeanor. He is acting like a man dying and wishes to go out with a bang," Aveline explained how Calian was always talking about a 'glorious battle. "We've also sensed something is amiss. It's as though his body is rejecting itself. Slowly killing him and we can't help but feel he is dying."
"I see. Actually, it is a well known fact that he and his wife Anora, Loghain's daughter, haven't been able to produce a child and the two have grown somewhat distant as of late," Eleanor admitted with a thoughtful pause. "However, it was assumed that it was Anora that couldn't produce a child. You think it is Calian instead and he's dying?"
"We can't say for sure, but his attitude and what we sense about him is setting off warning bells," Aveline stated before she blurted out her thoughts.
"So he is using the Grey Wardens to increase his fame before he dies." Shianni huffed before she turned white as everyone turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. She then stammered out a "Sorry," as she buried her face within her hands.
"Think nothing of it. You may be right in assuming that and it helps when you see why he wants to keep Alistair out of the front lines. They do look similar," Aveline explained cryptically, and only Duncan picked it up and wanted the subject change.
"Be that as it may, we have to follow along with it, even if we all disagree with it," Duncan said with a stern face as he returned to the Grey Warden's tent. They did not notice that Loghain was carefully listening in on their conversation with a calculating look. A plan formed in Loghain's mind as he moved to prep his forces for battle.
Scene II
For the three Grey Wardens that were at the war meeting, it did not take long to find Alistair, who was setting outside Duncan's tent at the time. Once they regrouped, Duncan had all four Grey Wardens enter his tent to explain the plan of attack, "You heard the plan. You two and Alistair will go to the Tower of Ishal to make sure the beacon is lit."
"What? I won't be in the battle," Alistair complained.
"This is the king's personal request," Duncan told Alistair. "If the beacon is not lit, Teyrn's men won't know when to charge."
"So he needs three Grey Wardens standing up there holding the torch. Just in case right?" Alistair asked sarcastically.
"I think we should fight with the Grey Wardens," Aveline told Duncan. "We could be more helpful at the frontlines."
"This is not your choice. If the King wishes the Grey Wardens to ensure the beacon is lit, then Grey Wardens will be there," Duncan explained.
"I understand, but it is Aveline that designed part of the plan, and Alistair has been a Grey Warden longer than me. Those two should at least fight in the battle," Shianni explained as she put her two fellow Grey Wardens on pedestals.
"That may be so, but this is by the King's request and we can't afford to lose our biggest ally," Duncan explained. "Besides, we Grey Wardens will never see an end to the darkspawn."
"We're ready, you just tell us what to do," Aveline nodded to Duncan.
"Good. The tower is on the other side of the gorge from the king's camp, the way we came when we arrived," Duncan explained. "From the top, you'll be able to see the entire valley."
"When will we light the beacon?" Shianni asked.
"We will signal you when the time is right. Alistair will know what to look for," Duncan explained.
"What if the Archdemon decides to show up?" Aveline asked while she strangely showed real fear.
It was brief, but Shianni was able to pick it up and she starred at Aveline with concern. Since day one, she had never known Aveline to be afraid, but now she caught a glimpse, it made nervously nibble her lip. It did not help when Alistair cracked a joke to state, "We soil our drawers. That's what."
"If the Archdemon does show, leave it to us. I want no heroics from the three of you," Duncan ordered the three Wardens, which they took to heart.
"How much time do we have?" Aveline asked Duncan.
"The battle is about to begin. Once I leave, move into place quickly," Duncan explained. "You will have less than an hour to reach the tower."
"Can we join you in the battle after we light the beacon?" Aveline asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Stay with Teyrn's men and watch over the tower," Duncan ordered the group. "If you are needed, we will send word."
"Will this be very dangerous?" Shianni asked, since she was quite inexperienced when it comes to major battles.
"Of course," Duncan answered. "Even the best-laid plans go awry, so do what you must. I trust you three."
"Just not enough to fight with the rest of the Wardens," Alistair whined.
Duncan chuckled, "There will be plenty of battles Alistair. Be patient."
"We're ready," Aveline told Duncan.
"Then I must join the others," Duncan told the group. "From here, you three will be on your own. Remember, you three are Grey Wardens, and I expect you to be worthy of that title."
"Duncan, may the Maker watch over you," Alistair blessed Duncan.
"May he watch over us all," Duncan answered before leaving.
Just in time as he did not hear Aveline comment, "Like the bastard ever interfered in mortal affairs."
The two looked at her quizzically, wondering what set her off but wisely did not question. They put it aside as they prepped for battle as the soldiers left the camp leaving it empty except for the three. The two had brandished their weapons while Aveline walked with a powerful step as magic whirled around her, making her seem to fade with multiple spells at work. They were ready to face the darkspawn as the three moved towards the bridge just as the battle was about to begin
Scene III
On the ground below, soldiers watched as the forest lit up. The air was full of anxiety as it seemed to settle over the waiting soldiers who twitched with battle excitement as a thunderstorm moved in. Lightning flashed across the skies as they opened up to drench the soldiers below. Dogs were barking widely as the rain drowned out the clanking sounds of the impatient warriors. Only the voices of the priests giving one last prayer could be heard over the din of the atmospheric storm. An atmosphere that had set the mood as two figures walked up to a stand that overlooked the battle. It was King Calian with Duncan at his side.
"The plan will work your majesty," Duncan reassured the King.
"Of course it will. The Blight ends here," Calian said with conviction, but he would soon regret those words.
From out of the forest and across the future battlefield the darkspawn walked only to stop when they saw the army. Soldier's eyes widen to see the number of hurlocks, genlocks and now giant, horned, grey skin monsters known as ogres come out as a large army, a darkspawn horde. A horde that walked out into the field to give out terrible howls that sent a chill down the soldiers' back. Walking past the rest of the horde was a tall hurlock alpha, with its long sword and shield pulled out. The men wanted to run, but could not as they had a homeland to protect with every dying breath. A breath that could be their last as King Calian finally realized what he was facing. He was facing an army of monsters.
Monsters that waited until their leader had raised its sword and brought it down to give the order to charge. An order that the entire horde obeyed as it surged forward onto the field, covering the entire field with waves of the grey and green-skinned monsters. King Cailan quickly shook off his stupor and ordered the attack to begin, "Archers."
Eleanor on the bridge and the colonels on the ground acknowledge his call to action by ordering their men to 'fire.' The sky darkened with arrows and flaming rocks that hit the darkspawn's front and middle lines, killing many darkspawn. But many more kept on charging and even cut a few of their own down, to continue. Realizing they were getting closer without slowing down, King Cailan ordered the next attack, "Mages."
The seven Senior Mages got their staffs out and let lose many Area spells. The spells were Inferno (a fiery storm), Tornado, Tempest (Lightening storm), Toxic Field, Spirit Meteor and Whirlpool. Spells that hurt and killed many of the horde, slowing down them briefly as they renewed their numbers as the darkspawn used catapults to fire upon the fortress, taking out one of the small towers. King Cailan was slowly panicking when he ordered his next unit, "Hounds."
With the order given, the colonel sent more than a hundred Mabari into battle, passing the many traps that soldiers laid out before as the hounds attacked the darkspawn head on. They successfully slowed the horde down with the attacking dogs, shrapnel and huge bear traps while the archers pick their targeted, focusing on heavy hitters. However, it did not stop the darkspawn, and they picked up speed again after killing most of the hounds.
Seeing the hounds lost Calian rallied the frontlines, "For Ferelden!"
In response, soldiers got out their spears and their shields to wait for the darkspawn. The horde charged to their deaths by ramming themselves on the extended spears. The King's army finally stopped the darkspawn advance as the fighting turned into a massive melee of horde and soldiers. This was the all seen by the young Grey Wardens as they crossed the bridge.
Scene IV: A Few Minutes Earlier
As the archers and mages were on the attack, the three new Grey Wardens took the sight in as they watched the battle with great concern that seemed to freeze them in place, concern broken by Alistair as he gave some sound advice.
"Let's cross the bridge, and get to the Tower of Ishal," Alistair advised the girls who complied as Calian went to phase three.
The fighting was getting intense as they ran across the bridge and the darkspawn took aim at the bridge and sent a number of huge flaming rocks hurling towards the bridge. One of which would have hit Eleanor but Aveline just reacted. She used the Push spell to send the rock back at the catapult in the forest, saving Eleanor and several archers in the process.
Eleanor sighed in relief as she had moved to cover herself. Seeing her savior, Eleanor smiled for a brief smile as pulled herself up, "Thank you, my girl."
"No problem. Just don't make it a habit for we won't be there all the time," Aveline stated, before running on while Eleanor continued her attack.
As the three Wardens continued to run, Aveline used a Push Spell two more times too send rocks back at the attacking horde, saving lives in the process, while the soldiers below engaged in melee combat. The battle was descending into chaos as they continued to run across the battlefield to the gates leading to the Tower of Ishal.
They were shocked to find two soldiers running out of the gates in fear as one of them yelled out, "Help us! They're everywhere."
The three stopped in front of the soldier, who turned towards them to ask, "You three are Grey Wardens? If so, you need to know the tower, it's been taken."
"What do you mean man? Taken how?" Alistair asked with a scold.
"The darkspawn came out of the lower chambers. Most of our men are dead," the soldier reported.
"Alright, we need to report this to the King and Loghain," Aveline stated. "You two spilt up. One will tell Loghain the other the King. Also, the one telling the King, inform the archers on the bridge to watch out for darkspawn as we will go light the beacon ourselves."
The two nodded and followed their orders as the Grey Wardens moved past the gates to see soldiers fighting darkspawn in a fight to the death. The Grey Wardens moved to join the fray, killing darkspawn starting when Aveline used the Chain of Lightening to go through all the darkspawn. The shock of electricity that was magnified by the rain fried many of the darkspawn, who slumped to the ground. She took out large darkspawn near the entrance; saving the few remaining soldiers as Shianni and Alistair ran ahead.
They moved fast across the battlefield, and only slowed down in the courtyard to deal with an alpha hurlock that appeared out of the tower. It ran out to attack Shianni who avoided the battleaxe before she used her knives to drive the hurlock in front of Alistair. The warrior helped Shianni by impaling the creature with his swords. The creature slumped to the ground, dead. They would soon be joined by Aveline finishing off any stragglers before they headed into the tower, knowing they had to fight their way through.
Scene V
While the Grey Wardens were blazing through the Tower, Loghain had received a report about the situation at the tower. Without further thought, he barked orders to his right hand woman, "Ser Cauthrien, take a contingent of men, go to the tower, and drag the three Grey Wardens here. They are too valuable to risk needlessly. Send a few of our men to the top of the tower to light the beacon but you come home with the Grey Wardens."
"As you wish my Lord," a dark haired, tan woman in heavy green armor replied as she followed orders.
Ser Cauthrien quickly gathered all the men they could spare and went to the Tower of Ishal. Her golden Claymore, the Summer Sword, held out for battle as Loghain studied the tower. He was pondering the difficult choices that he faced. A choice he felt would be easier if he had a folk hero with him, as well as the other two Grey Wardens. He knew the Grey Wardens would be needed to fight the war with their ability to sense darkspawn. He may need their help to win, even if he is not sure this is a true Blight.
Scene VI
On the third floor of the tower, a difficult fight was ending. A fight in front of large dog cages, as the mabari hounds helped the Grey Wardens finish off the last of the darkspawn. Leading this darkspawn batch was an alpha genlock, an immensely heavy armored genlock similar to an alpha hurlock without the horns. A darkspawn that had given the Grey Wardens trouble until Shianni snuck up behind the beast to cuts its throat. Once it was dead, the battle became easy as the hounds finished off the last of the horde.
Once the darkspawn in the immediate area were dead, Aveline pulled out a staff from which she issued a Spirit Meteor to clear out the weak darkspawn ahead of them. The meteor from the fade went right into the hallway with four rooms filled with weak darkspawn according to Alistair's sense. Rooms they had to pass through to reach the room with stairs to the final floor. The Spirit Meteor did its job and wiped out the last group of darkspawn in an instant, giving them a clear line and the first break they had in a while.
"Maker's breathe. What are these darkspawn doing ahead of the Horde? There wasn't supposed to be any resistance!" Alistair complained.
"Weren't you complaining about not getting to fight?" Shianni asked.
Alistair chuckled, "Hey, you're right. I guess there is a silver lining here if you think about it. At any rate, we need to get to light the beacon soon. Let us just hope the alpha and emissary genlock were our hardest opponents."
The group nodded as they briefly remembered the genlock with a bone helmet shaped like a raising sun, surrounded by regular darkspawn and the trap laid out for them on the first floor. A battle that could have gone bad, but turned out to be quick as the darkspawn was weakened by the soldiers' last stand. Aveline used a Mana Clash to kill the genlock while Alistair covered her from darkspawn attack as Shianni disarmed the grease trap. Alistair gave a silent prayer to the soldiers for their help before the group sprinted up to the tower as quickly as possible to light the beacon, hopefully, before it was too late.
Now they were finally here, at the forth floor, after passing a slew of mutilated bodies. They rushed up the stairs to find something was waiting for them on the final floor. Something even Aveline did not expected to see. It was a grey-skinned ogre that had somehow gotten into the room through a small door and began to devour what were once soldiers. Shianni gasped in horror as the monster turned its massive head and horn to see what the commotion was. It snorted when it saw them and got up after picking up a stone club axe. It assumed an attack posture as it gave a deep, terrible roar spitting out blood in the process before it charged at them.
Aveline with her dual swords out sent Typhoon Wind at hurricane wind speeds towards the ogre. The ogre took the blunt of it, slowing down briefly as it continued to charge them, its club raised high. It swung, hopping to crush the three Grey Wardens, but the three companions easily evaded the downward strike. Alistair then struck the ogre's hand as it dropped its club. This left the ogre with only its two massive hands as it swatted Alistair away into the opposite wall. It took awhile before Alistair regained his bearing, while Shianni grabbed the ogre's attention by sending a couple of knives deep into the ogre's bulky body.
The ogre charged Shianni as she darted away as Aveline got its attention by using a Spirit Arrow to smash in to its head. The ogre saw Aveline and before she got away, grabbed her faded legs. It then lifted her up and had her dangling within its powerful grip. It was about to take a big chunk out of her, but she used Cone of Cold, freezing the ogre's mouth in place. With it partially frozen, Aveline used one of her swords and stabbed the ogre's mouth. The ogre roared in pain letting her go while Aveline held on tight. She then brought forth a wind spell that sent her flying up as her second sword was pushed into its forehead. She pulled out her swords and thrust her sword again and again into the ogre's brain until it finally fell to the ground, dead.
Relief spread among the trio as Aveline pulled her blades out and rolled to her feet.
She held her head back to rest while the other two slowly approached her. Aveline got to her feet as Shianni looked over the ogre to ask, "What was that thing?"
"That was an ogre," Alistair explained. "Massive creatures and as you've seen, they are often the heavy hitters. They are normally very rare, only appearing a few centuries ago, but seem to be more common during a Blight. We will need to burn the body to make sure it is dead."
Aveline nodded and used a Flame Blast and Flame Waves to destroy the body under a torrent of fire. With the corpse burning into ash, Aveline stare before she barked out some orders, "Shianni lock the door to prevent any more darkspawn from coming up."
Shianni nodded as she moved to lock the door as Alistair approached the beacon. "I will light the beacon. We surly missed the signal."
Aveline nodded as the Grey Wardens rushed to their jobs while Aveline continued to use flame spells to burn the ogre. She did not want to fight the ogre again. Once was enough.
Scene VII
With Loghain's forces, Ser Cauthrien returned to report with two thirds of her men, "Sir, I am unable to get to the Grey Wardens with the men we have. The tower is overwhelmed by darkspawn. We will need more men just to take one floor; I would be surprised if they are still alive."
Loghain nodded in acknowledge when he saw the Tower light up. They are alive and the beacon was lit. However, he did not have the time to save them if he wanted to follow the whole plan. So, he made a hard choice and hoped he did not doom Ferelden because of it. So he made a choice that many scholars would question for centuries to come.
"Sound the retreat," Loghain ordered, much to the shock of his second.
"But what about the king?" Cauthrien asked. "Shouldn't we …"
Loghain had enough and grabbed Cauthrien's hand to spill out his orders, "Do as I command!"
Cauthrien's brown eyes look into Loghain's hazel eyes and saw something she thought she would not see since the war with Orlais. It was regret in his eyes, regret. It showed to her that while he did not like, they had no choice but to leave the King and the Grey Wardens to die. For what reason, Ser Cauthrien did not need to know as she acknowledged Loghain's command as he let go of her hand.
Cauthrien then walked up to the men to give the order, "Pull out! All of you, let's move!"
The men grunted as they marched away as Loghain looked up sadly to the Tower before he marched away with his men back to Ferelden.
Scene VIII
On the bridge, Eleanor saw that Loghain has betrayed them and left them to die. Seeing this, she had no choice but yell out, "Loghain has betrayed us! Retreat! Loghain has betrayed us! Retreat!"
A voice that carried to the ground and few heard as a large number of soldiers lay dying across the field as the darkspawn overwhelmed them and began to slaughter the soldiers while, the Grey Wardens, several knights, mages and Calian were trying to hold the line. Down in the field, King Calian and Duncan heard Eleanor yell out about Loghain's betraying them but could not do anything about it. They had their own problems as a massive ogre came out nowhere.
It swatted away Duncan and grabbed King Calian. It raised Calian up to its face, Calian showing his fear as the monster let out a roar to the scared king before it crushed him, killing him instantly. The ogre was then about to throw Calian across the field but an archer at the bride had different ideas. It was hit by four arrows from Eleanor's bow right into its eyes. It fell down, dead with Calian lying at its side. Eleanor would have had patted herself on her back if she did not need her squad and ran away as the darkspawn poured out of the tower.
Duncan did not pay attention as he slowly got up and stood over the King's body. He stared as his fellow Grey Wardens turned up at his side, he was unsure what to do as things just got worst. Duncan was brought out of his funk when a soldier interrupted their thoughts by asking, "Sir, what should we do?"
Duncan looked down sadly, before he gave his final orders, "All soldiers retreat! The Grey Wardens and any volunteers will hold them off. Now"
The soldier looked at Duncan with questioning eyes, before he nodded his head and obeyed his orders. He ran away, yelling out Duncan orders as the soldiers fought for their lives. They took it to heart as they retreated in droves while a few remained behind to hold them off. The Grey Wardens nodded and took charge of the battle as they held the line. They fought to last as they killed as many darkspawn as they could while the survivors ran. It was a losing, bloody campaign as their men were slowly being killed off. It started with Grey Warden mage, then the non Grey Wardens and followed by the Grey Wardens one by one until only Duncan himself remained.
Duncan stabbed an alpha hurlock in the head when he heard a shriek. He looked up to see an alpha shriek slicing out of the shadows to attack. The thin body, elven darkspawn raised its long head as it screeched while coming down on Duncan. Its bladed shin was raised guard high before the blade bored down onto the last Grey Warden on the battlefield. Duncan had no chance to defend himself and with one final strike. He did not even scream as the last Grey Warden in the Valley of Ostagar drew his last, bloody breath.
Scene IX
In the tower, a wave of magic pulsed out towards Aveline. She sent the wave through Fade as she mediated, keeping track of the battle. What she saw was the battle falling apart as she blurted out with wide eyes, "The Grey Wardens."
"Aveline? What's wrong?" Shianni asked.
"The other Grey Wardens, they're dead," Aveline explained.
"No, you're wrong. Loghain is probably reinforcing them," Alistair stated in denial.
"No, he's not," Shianni had pointed to the window to show that Loghain was retreating.
"What is he doing?" Alistair asked but not one had time to answer or shoot theories as the darkspawn broke through the door and rushed in to the room.
The hordes with bows took aim at one of the Grey Wardens. "Shianni!" Aveline yelled as she pushed Shianni out of the way, only to receive the dozen arrows that broke through her Fade form, her spell shields and crumbled away her Rock Armor.
Aveline flew into the ground was bleeding out on the floor in pain, her fade form gone and her summoned spells dispersed. She was quickly losing consciousness and she could have sworn she saw a giant bird swooping down before her. The last she could remember was the bird picking her up before she passed out.
Please review to tell me what you think and convince me to update more.
Author Note
A) I am replaying the game, so I changed the fifth and sixth chapters to be more like the video game while keeping the new elements. Also added in what Aveline prepared before going to battle.
1) Loghain is now painting a different picture for the battle. Hope you like the spin off.
2) One thing that bugged me was Calian insisting on being in the front lines instead of leading the battle, almost as if he wanted to die in battle, so I decided to give his choice a reason.
3) In the game, ogre doesn't have a weapon for the player would die too quickly. In real life, if there are such things are darkspawn, I don't think they would play by such rules and neither would Aveline.
4) This Loghain's thoughts were different about the Wardens. I believe they are valuable to understanding his motives. You will see even more changes in the chapters to come.
5) Ending very Dragon Age Origins.
