Well ain't this a long chapter, hope you're having a good day


Rhiannon was having an odd day, for starters she found Alistair sleeping outside her tent. Apparently he preferred that to sharing a tent with her, he had given a good reason for it but she couldn't help but feel a little insulted by the behaviour. Then the dwarfs from the previous day joined their camp, they were a good addition Rhiannon had gotten her shield enchanted by Sandal. The Cousland crest glittered in the sun, Digby and Reginald had been passing the time by chasing the reflected light. Though now Digby was lying by her feet ears twitching against her leg.

"I know, I'm bored too" Rhiannon was beginning to regret not going with Sigurd and the others, she wasn't like the other noble women who were content to just sit play music read or talk all day. She spent most of her free time sparing with Fergus or helping the castle staff when she had injured herself. The letter Atarah had found in the Wilds was still in Rhiannon's pocket, Fergus had said all was well except for a boring scouting mission. She had asked Morrigan if the witch had seen any sign of Fergus, she hadn't. Rhiannon shook herself out of her train of thought, there was no use in worrying over things she couldn't change. Across the fire she saw Mahalath talking with Dinah, Mahalath had been telling the younger elf stories of her camp for a while now but Dinah still looked completely enthralled. Leliana, who was sitting nearby, appeared to be more interested in Mahalath who had been ignoring the Orleasian entirely. Rhiannon wasn't sure what to make of the lay sister, she certainly questioned the woman's sanity yet it was intriguing to meet someone with such blind faith. Since the attack on her home Rhiannon couldn't quite make herself believe in the Maker, though she'd never admit that out loud.

"Rhiannon." Alistair said grabbing her attention, "You were getting a strange look"

"Thanks I'll take that as a compliment" She said sarcastically. "How're you holding up?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry about how pathetic I was being these past few days." Alistair suddenly became very interested in the ground "It's just been difficult getting my head around everything" his voice was hoarse, Rhiannon placed her hand on his knee.

"I understand Alistair. I know how you feel, take all the time you need. And if you need to talk I'm here for you." Rhiannon smiled reassuringly, Alistair returned it if a bit wearily. She was about to say something else when she spotted a man enter the camp. He was lanky with long dark hair and a long face, he realised Rhiannon had noticed him and stood still clearly waiting for her to come over. Lazy, Rhiannon thought as she approached him.

"Can we help you?" She asked him

"Well yes actually, you lot were hard to find. Name's Levi, Levi Dryden did Duncan ever mention me?" Strange how quickly people had heard of the travelling warden survivors, must be the eyes. It would have been greatly appreciated if Alistair had warned them about the eyes he had told them about the dreams the awareness of nearby darkspawn and the increase in appetite but no nothing about the glowing eyes.

"No he didn't, but I know the name Dryden" in some of the few parties she had attended the Dryden name was spoken on the opposite end of highly. "Heard your family became merchants after King Arland took all lands and titles."

"Yep that's us. Even after all we've been through we never lost our pride. Strange Duncan never mentioned me, we've known each other for years."

"Well we didn't get much of a chance to talk I'm afraid. Is there something you need?"

"Yes that I do, see my great-great-grandmother Sophia Dryden was the last warden commander in Arlands days when the wardens were considered freeloaders. She and her forces went up into Soldiers Peak when the armies came for her, I went to Duncan asking for help. As I saw it I could find evidence clearing Sophia's name and the wardens can reclaim an old base some history the like." Rhiannon could see where this was going and she had to admit she was tempted, this sounded like a place where they could find some unique weaponry.

"Alistair could you come over here for a moment?" Alistair jogged over armour clinking the whole way "This is Levi Dryden, he and Duncan had an arrangement to go investigate Soldiers Peak." She looked at Alistair questioningly

"Duncan wouldn't want any outstanding business" Alistair said

"It's settled, we'll help you clear your grandmothers name"

"Oh thank you so much, I know the where the tunnels that lead to the peak I'll mark them on your map. I'll meet you there" Levi ran off excitedly. Rhiannon and Alistair returned to the campfire by this point Mahalath had finished her stories her and the others were watching the pair with interests.

"Hey Digby guess what? We're going on a little trip" Digby stood up his whole body shaking with excitement "Who wants to tag along?" Alistair and Leliana both grabbed their travel gear, Leliana had a bow Rhiannon never would have guessed (sarcasm). The elves remained seated, Reginald was sitting on Dinah's head despite being a toy he looked tired.

"Atarah's not going to be happy if she comes back and everyone has gone off for a wander" Mahalath warned

"Ooh I'm so scared" Rhiannon said with mock horror

"You should be. Regardless don't get killed, you're tolerable" Rhiannon felt her mood lift at the compliment

"Have fun" Dinah said with a toothy grin and a wave. Seemed she was having a lot of fun just listening to stories, Rhiannon made a note to ask Cadfael how old the girl was she just seemed very young too young in Rhiannon's opinion. And so leaving Mahalath and Dinah in charge of the camp Rhiannon and the other started making their way towards Soldiers Peak.


Honnleath was disappointing. So far every village Cadfael had been to were very dull, freedom from the circle almost didn't seem worth joining the grey wardens. Though Irving seemed particularly eager to get him enlisted. He launched a cyclone of cold at the darkspawn charging out of the village while Sigurd smashed them to pieces with his axe. Since Ostagar Cadfael had abandoned his sword, it wasn't designed to hold magic and had become heavily damaged, leaving Cadfael to rely on his magic not much of a loss but a bit of a nuisance.

"Geez, where is everyone?" Sigurd asked pulling his axe out of a darkspawns head

"I don't know maybe it has something to do with the darkspawn" Morrigan pointed out sounding as though it was such an obvious reason that she was confused as to why the dwarf needed an explanation. Cadfael walked into the centre of the village, the golem stood arms raised as though it was prepared for battle. He placed the control rod against the golems chest.

"Dulath gar" he said, nothing happened. "And now we go and kill the man who sold this to us"

"Hey hey I love bringing the hurt to guys gives a botched deal but maybe he was given the wrong activation command. Killing him is a bit excessive."

"And what do you suggest we do dwarf?" Cadfael asked

"Perchance there are survivors of whom we can enquire about the golem?" Morrigan suggested. With a lack of a better idea Cadfael closed his eyes and muttered a spell, he hadn't had an opportunity to use this spell but according to Dinah it was meant to detect nearby sources of life.

"There are people hiding in the basement of that house" He announced after a minute, no one questioned it as he entered the house. The building appeared to be some sort of laboratory there were strange crystals darted around the place, Sigurd picked them up claiming they held some value and money was always appreciated. Eventually they reached a large room, in one corner was a strange purple barrier shielding half a dozen people from the darkspawn filling the rest of the room. Sten charged three of them while Cadfael exploded the other four with lightning, Morrigan started glaring at him when darkspawn remnants splattered across her face.

"Oh thank the Maker we're saved" the only women behind the barrier cried out in relief, the other survivors all visibly relaxed as the realisation hit.

"Who are you? Did the Bann send you to help us?" one of the men asked

"No. We're grey warden's coincidence lead us here" Cadfael said

"Well bless our luck, but not to look a gift horse in the mouth why are you here?"

"Recognise this?" Cadfael said showing the man the control rod, from the way the man instantly tensed up it was obvious he knew why they were here. The man lifted his hand, deactivating the barrier the people with him quickly ran out of the basement and the man gestured for Cadfael to approach. Neither Sigurd or Sten seemed willing to touch the barrier, perhaps they had never seen that sort of magic?

"I get it, you're here for Shale aren't you?" he asked in an angry tone

"We are. And I would advise you not taking that tone with me."

"I'll take whatever tone I wish, that thing has been nothing but a curse on my family. I'm Matthias my father was Wilhelm and that thing killed him."

"You're starting to annoy me and that is something you don't want to do" Cadfael stood to full height to add to the effect, as of yet only Sten was taller than him and not by much it made it much easier to intimidate people when they had no choice but to look up at you. "We saved you're lots hide now you owe us a favour, what is the activation command for Shale" Cadfael demanded

"Yes I know we owe you a debt, but I must ask another. My daughter Amalia, she got scared and ran into my father's laboratory before I could stop her. I don't know how she got past my father's traps the man I sent in after her got killed by one of them, I'm not even sure if she's still alive. But if you go and find her I'll give you the activation command for that blasted Golem."

"I hope it won't become a trend that we have to do favours for people to get what we need" Morrigan said

"Deal." Cadfael said leaving through the door leading further into the laboratory. The place smelled damp, like it hadn't been used in a while. Oddly though the place was lacking the for mentioned traps not that he minded. Not far ahead of them Cadfael spotted a young girl playing with a cat, it sounded like they were playing The Guessing Game. Rules were simple you thought if a person or object and everyone asks you yes or no questions in order to guess what they are thinking of. Why did Cadfael know that?

"Oh hello, have you come to play with us? It's more fun with more people" the girl said

"We're here to take you back to your father."

"I can't do that, Kitty would be lonely" Amalia said stroking the cats head

"Yes that would be a tragedy wouldn't it. However your father wants you back, also it's a cat they're solitary creatures I doubt it would get lonely."

"If you're not going to play then leave, Kitty finds you distracting"

"Indeed, you should go nothing you say will make her leave me. She loves me too much." Kitty said in a demonic voice. Cadfael knew enough of demons to know this was one, obviously it was trapped here he could feel the magic binding it to this place.

"Let the girl go and we'll let you go." Cadfael said, demons can't resist making deals though Cadfael had no doubt that the demon would try to take the girl regardless

"Unfortunately I can't do that. You see the man who summoned me surrounded this place with wards I cannot leave. However if you disable them and let me have the girl I will cause you no trouble."

"I will only free you if you promise not to possess this girl"

"Are you sure you know what you're doing there big guy?" Sigurd asked Cadfael, at least he sounding unsure about Cadfael's plan than Cadfael himself.

"But I like this one, but alright if it means escaping this prison then I'll agree to your terms. Behind me is a platform it is the key to disabling the barriers though how it works I do not know, perhaps you'll succeed where the girl failed" the cat said

"This is exciting Kitty's going to be free" Amalia said cheerily. Cadfael walked past the girl and demon looking over the floor panel, slide puzzle simple enough. Direct the flames from one corner to the other, it took five minutes to get the panels in the right place though there were a few awkward moments when the flames went in an unexpected direction and burnt Cadfael. His travel mates weren't willing to help, though maybe that was for the best they would have gotten in the way.

"Oh how I forgot how it feels not to be caged. This is a good day for both of us" Kitty said looking towards Amalia

"Hey you said you would leave her alone" Sigurd said hand on his axe

"I've changed my mind, I like this girl and I don't think I'll find another one like her"

"So I get to go with you after all Kitty" Amalia exclaimed happily

"In that case" When Dinah made Reginald it involved transferring the soul of an animal and binding it to the doll she had taught Cadfael the spell, the cat briefly turned into its true form effectively scaring Amalia who fell to the floor in shock. After the moment was over Kitty turned back into a cat.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Kitty screeched

"Amalia your father is waiting for you, go." Cadfael ordered the girl, she ran off. "Since you would not keep your end of the deal I have bound you essence to this form, you will not be able to take possession of another or return to the fade unless I take the spell off. Until such time you will work for me in whatever way I see fit do you understand?"

"Perfectly" Kitty spat out through gritted teeth.

"Follow me then" Cadfael and the others made their way out of the inner sanctum of the laboratory with a grumpy kitten pattering between their legs

"Seems there is more to you then I initially thought" Morrigan said approvingly. They found Amalia and her father waiting for them, Amalia hid behind her father the second she spotted Kitty.

"Thank you so much for bringing her back safely"

"I'm sorry for scaring you daddy" Amalia said hugging her dad

"You're welcome. Now the activation command"

"Fine, its dulan harn. Let us get out of here Amalia, we've got a village to rebuild" the two climbed out of a ladder in the corner of the room, Cadfael picked up Kitty setting her on Sigurd's shoulder.

"Hey what you putting the demon cat on my shoulder?" the dwarf asked

"Because cats can't climb ladders" Cadfael said climbing the ladder which lead back to the village centre. Cadfael walked up to the golem, he could feel the stares of the villagers as he held the control rod to the golem's chest and said the activation command. The golem started to rumble and move, suddenly its arms and legs jerked with a loud crack. It looked at Cadfael with a certain distain, much like most of the Templars started giving him when he launched one through a window accidentally of course. Don't worry it was a low window and the Templar had provoked him…

"I always knew there would come a day that someone would find the control rod. And of course it is another mage yes it is that is exactly what it is." Shale said in a low gravelly voice, Cadfael imagined this is what golems would sound like if they talked.

"Greetings to you as well." Cadfael said

"I've been stuck here with nothing to do except watch these humans go about their lives for who knows how long" Kitty at this point leapt onto Cadfael's shoulder

"I can understand how boring that can be" Kitty said

"One would think you'd be grateful to the one who has allowed you to stretch your legs" Morrigan said twisting with her sleeves

"Oh look another mage, this must be my lucky day. I was just getting used to the quiet, I see that some of the villagers survived" said survivors quickly dispersed when Shale looked at them

"Call it a hunch, I get those sometimes, that you don't care much for these humans" Sigurd remarked

"Familiarity breeds contempt or so the saying goes and I'm as familiar with the humans here as I could be" (I liked that line, joint fav along with the definition of insanity is blah blah) "Now it does have the control rod doesn't it? I'm awake so it must" Shale while being very monotone seemed confused.

"It does have the control rod see" Cadfael held up the rod

"Order me to do something" Oh how Cadfael wished that moron Alistair was here so he could order Shale to attack him

"Walk over there" he settled for though he could guess what Shale's response would be

"I feel no compulsion to obey. Does this mean the rod is broken?"

"It would seem. Congratulations you have free will, hopefully you'll use it more wisely then others"

"But I have no purpose I remember nothing of my life before this village I am at a bit of a loss. What about it? It must have woken me for some reason?"

"We are to stop the blight. A golem would have been a valuable asset in that regard. If you wished you could still join our cause until such time you find a new purpose for yourself, you could also consider it repayment for waking you up"

"Very well. I shall follow it then. My name is Shale by the way"

"I was told. Let us return to camp then, Atarah may be there when we get back" Cadfael told the group

"Ah yes and we can tell her how we ran off and got ourselves a demon cat and a golem" Sigurd said as they left the village.


So yeah, I wanted a demon cat cause they're cool. next chapter warden's keep, should I kill avernus? I didn't in my game but...