Sorry for the late update. I actually went all out in this. Whew! Anyway, I would like to address somebody who finally decided to be a part of this story.
May I welcome, BrotherCaptainSheperd!
BrotherCaptainSheperd: Thank you for joining. You're the third one to do so! Now, where and when would you like to show up in Thedas? PM me when you want to tell me. Also, I love Juan! Let's discuss this on the PM though. Other than that, welcome to Thedas.
Now, on with the show!
Bob's POV
9:30 Dragon Age
Fereldan: Denerim's Alienage
Ugh, I am starting to regret coming here in the first place. Ever since that argument at the tavern, the guys were still adamant on helping these two origin characters, so I was in a bad mood lately. Although I was against the idea of messing with the timeline, here I am getting dragged through the streets of this foul place.
The alienage. No offense to this place, but I hate it for its constant reminder of how low the elves were being treated. Yet the community was bustling with livelihood as they made preparation of some sort.
I was right behind the others - Julius, Sam, and Lil' Will - as they just trudged into the place. All of us adorn traveling cloaks, with our weapons hidden in their folds, but our hoods were thrown back so we didn't look suspicious.
Again, the activity in this place was bustling with energy. I saw groups of she-elves tittering among each other as they carried bundles of cloth which I assumed were dresses. At the table they set up, I could see the feast they prepared. It wasn't much, but it might still fill the belly with happy thoughts for those attending this event.
Clearly, this must be for the wedding that Tabris was supposed to have until Vaughan interrupted the whole thing. Well, not yet anyway. I wonder if Tabris is a male or female?
"Hey, Bob." The voice of Sam interrupted my speculation as I glanced at him. "Ten o'clock." he gestured to the group of elves that were stomping their way towards us. Their expression were not so friendly.
"Hey, Shem!" one of the elves called. Behind him, he was flanked by other elves as they approached us. "What do you think you're doing here?"
He must be the head honcho since all of the others were just two feet behind him, him standing tall at about 6'1 with broad shoulders; he had dirty brown hair, with dark eyes that seemed to be more menacing as he glared at us.
"I said, what are you shems doing here?!" he repeated his questions
Simple question, really. But I am not supposed to answer that. Oh, no, this is all on the guys since they wanted to come here.
And they could see that was my choice when I glared them as they silently ask for help of some sort. I ain't giving any. This is your problem.
"Well?" The elf continued to demand, prompting the the horde of elves behind him to draw makeshift weapons from either their pockets, ground, or in their hands that they had all along. Like that spoon the young elf is carrying. "Did Vaughan send you?! Not man enough to show his face after he got his head smashed from my cousin!?"
This got the rest of the elves to chuckle. I, for once, snorted at thought of lord Vaughan getting his ass thrown to ground by Tabris' cousin-
. . . Wait. "Are you by chance Tabris?" I asked, stepping in or the others who weren't able to speak thanks to the amount of thugs that are glaring at us. Who can blame 'em, but curiosity enabled me to speak.
The elf in charge glared at me, crossing his arms as he stood in a confident pose. "So what if I am?"
Hmm, it's gotta be him. Now, what's a good lie?. . . Oh! " We're grey wardens." William just spared me a glance before he took on a stoic expression (Which is weird due to him being always cheerful). "We came on Duncan's order to ask for some recruit."
"Well, you'll find none here. As you can see there's going to be a wedding, and I would appreciate it if you all don't cause any trouble here." he said, although it sounded more like a warning than a request.
"Of course, we won't cause any troubles." Julius said. "If you don't mind, we like to stick around for the party."
"Now, why would you want to be here, shem?!" Tabris glared at us suspiciously.
"We have yet to be invited to any sort of celebration. We promise we won't cause any harm nor stir up any trouble. We just want to see the festivities before we head out to Ostagar." I said as sincere (which was fake) as I can. "Can you grant us soldier something to remember?"
Tabris looked at us, hard. I guess he was about to deny but one of the elves stepped in and grabbed his shoulder. "Darrian, there's no harm inviting them in, is there?" the elf said. "Let's just invite them in, hmm? If it helps to avoid any trouble."
"But Soris-" Tabris was about retort but was cut off from the raised hand of Soris.
"Enough. We'll talk later." he turned to us as he smiled. "Greetings, human. Forgive my cousin for his harsh ways. Please, come and join the festivities. The ceremony is about to start soon, please make yourself comfortable. I'll get someone to fetch you four some refreshments."
"Don't mind if we do." Sam said, walking in with a cheerful smile. We followed after him, passing by Darrian as he glared at us.
Oh, goody. Someone hates us. Actually, everyone in the alienage hates us. All because we humans invited ourselves into their ceremony.
We walked in and many of the guest were sparing us stare. Probably wondering why four humans are attending their elvan ceremony. In fact, why do we even bother? Sam continued walking further among the crowd as we pushed along with him. Then they began to ignore us. . . Some of them are.
We arrived at a certain spot where we began to converse among one another. "Well, shit, we're in trouble." I stated, glancing at the nearby elves who were glaring at us.
"Why would you say that?" William asked.
"Duncan hasn't arrive yet. It means that he is busy dealing with the Couslands, or he is on his way. Hopefully, it's the former." I said, resisting the urge to look about. For some reason, the eyes of every elf that are glaring at us began to unnerve me.
"So what now? You managed to lie to them about the grey warden thing, how would we look when the real grey warden comes?" William said, panicking. This caused the others to start fidgeting, probably trying to resist the urge to grip onto their weapons. I could say the same for me.
"Ugh, the ceremony hasn't start yet, but when it does, keep an eye out for Duncan or Vaughan."
"Vaughan is the grey warden guy, or is he the guy fucks things up?!" Sam said confused.
"The guy who fucks things up." Julius corrected for him. "Guys, stay calm. Okay? We just came here to do our job then book it."
He glanced about, acting curious, his eyes focusing on every detail of the area. I wanted to look where he is looking, but I am afraid that two people glancing about would cause suspicion. Not much but wait for what he is up to.
"Okay, I have plan." he said finally. "For all the info you provided," he gestured at me. "You said that Vaughan came in with his men, right? So, all we have to do is prepare for him when he comes."
". . . So that's the plan?" I whispering harshly at Julius. "Seriously, why did I bother coming if that's what you can come up with."
"What's your problem, man?" Julius frowned at me. "You've been uptight since we even came here."
"Well, who can blame me? Here I am, on a mission to find our friends and drag them to safety, all of a sudden I'm playing hero." I growled lowly, careful to make sure I wasn't heard by the crowd of elves passing us. "Listen, the reason I am so stressed out by this, it's because there are so many things here that can go wrong. And I don't know what are we gonna do if we mess up how the it plays out from the original. Just one fuck up, and this whole kingdom can be destroyed."
"I thought I told you not to worry about that?" Sam interjected. "Man, we're already here. Deal with it. We are gonna need every last one of us to focus if we're gonna do this - and WE ARE GONNA DO THIS."
"Fine, I will. Just please tell me your plan has to be more than just wait for Vaughan to arrive."
"Okay, let me go into further details. William, get to higher grounds. Try not to draw attention as you head for the roofs. Sam, you're on watch - make sure to keep tabs on that elf." he gestured to Tabris talking among the crowd. "Don't let him out of your sight. "Bob, you're with me."
I tilted my head at him in confusion. "Why?" he didn't say as he walked off. The others began to split, so I was forced to follow Julius.
We walked at a secluded corner as Julius trained his eyes into the crowd, probably observing for either Vaughan or Duncan. Either one can spell the beginning of trouble for the both of us. What am I saying? I am actually agreeing to this?
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, whispering to Julius.
He sighed in frustration, before turning to me. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, this elf is the future hero of Fereldan. What we do now can affect his decision, or worse his state of being that hero that this kingdom need."
"Is there something wrong with not being a hero? You're the one who wants that deal of life, don't you?" he said in a scolding tone. "What's wrong if some elf, who lives a simple life, stays at his home being a husband?"
"Julius, do you see all of this?" I pointed towards the happy crowds, the alienage, the city of Denerim. "All of this, will disappear when the blight hits. And when that happens, there's nothing you and I and the others can do to stop it."
He took his gaze away from the crowd and focused on me with a solemn look. "Bob, how did it feel when you got married?"
What kind of question is that?
"Explain to me, in clear details as you can." he said, determined that I do as he says.
". . . It was. . . Well, I can't really explain it in words, really. But what does this have to do with-"
"Just answer the damn question."
"Like I said, I can't explain it in words. No. Words can't really explain it - only feelings."
"So. . . how did it feel?"
"I felt. . . I felt like I had found a missing part of me. It's like - this is gonna sound cheesy - I felt complete. But at the same time, that part that completes me actually has a weight, a responsibility. Maybe it's just my take on how it feels, but I actually felt like I can take on the whole world."
I began to remember the time when I took my wife's hand as she came down the aisle. I still remember the whole oath we took in the name of Andraste and the Maker - which I had problem since I wasn't and Andrastian. Boy, was I tempted to smack the priest and say, "In the name of God the Father, the Son, Holy Spirit - I take Breya as my wife!"
I was actually that zealous in my Christian beliefs, but I managed to hold it in, and go through the whole "Andrastian" ceremony ordeal.
I look up from my thoughts and memories, and saw Julius smiling at me. He took me by the shoulder and pointed at Tabris who was standing beside his fiance, their joining in name, spirit, and body was about to begin.
"That guy deserves that kind of feeling." he said, still pointing at him. "This man deserves that life that you had, not the one you think he should have. . . If this place is about to be destroyed by some demon dragon-thingy, know that he is not the only one for the job. His job is with his wife, not fighting demons."
. . . Heh, you know what, Julius? You might actually be right. But I ain't about to admit it out loud, so I resorted to just shrugging my shoulder and a silent sigh of defeat. If they are adamant of saving Tabris and Cousland, might as well join along with my pride intact.
"As soon as we're done with Tabris and Cousland, we head for Flemeth." was all I said in attempts to sound like I haven't lost to his point. It didn't convince him.
"Whatever you say, Bob." he said with a smile. Then the smile dropped into a frown, which made me follow its trajectory only to see a band of men armed to the teeth barging into the ceremony. Amongst them were Vaughan and his two stooges. "I don't know what makes me happier. The fact that Vaughan arrives first before Duncan, or that I get to kill me some noble bastard."
We didn't get a chance to move in when Darrian made his choice to fight back against the lord. That was unprecedented, I'll admit, when he tried to slugged Vaughan in the face. Even where we are, we could hear the lord bark out the order to round up all the women in the area.
"Okay, if we're gonna do this, make sure to keep Tabris alive!" I shouted as we bolted into the fray to assist the elves who were resisting the armed guards. I drew my blunt sword and parried a swing from a guard's attack on an elderly elf.
I didn't give him a chance to react when I withdrew and struck at his midsection to stun him, before pommeling his face and he was out cold. I turned to the elderly and shooed him away.
Julius came up beside me as he blocked another guard's attack on me. "Watch your back!" he shouted at me as he redirected his rapier to slash at the man's leg, causing him to fall on his back in pain. "What now?!"
"Where's Sam-" I spotted him fighting amongst the guards in the panicking throngs of all the elves, beside Darrian and Sorris, defending the newlyweds as he was instructed. "-SAMMY!"
He turned to me, straining against a deadlock with a guard. "SAMMY! Hang on!" We charged at where he was to assist him as he was overwhelmed by three other guards. We took our fight to one of them, but the third was put down when a bolt was embedded into his leg.
I looked to the roof and saw Lil' Will stringing his crossbow, acting as our new support from up there. I nodded as a thanks to him, then turn my attention back to the guard. He fought valiantly, heck, his fighting styles attest on how much he trained regularly. But I used his own brute strength against him when he struck but I redirected his attack, leaving his defense open as I struck him on the back of the head.
Finished with my charge, I turned to Julius' fight and saw him dancing around his opponent's attacks. When he made an opening, Julius rushed and kneed his guts before he pommeled his throat. The man made gagging noise as he clawed at his throat to breathe, but was knocked out when Julius threw a left hook. I couldn't tell if that was just overkill, but I do know that man is not gonna feel well when he gets up.
"Agh!" I heard the cry of Darrian - who was knocked out by one of the guards. Sam came along and pushed aside the man responsible of attack, then hefted the poor elf over his shoulders. The wife, and Soris with his, circled Sam as to protect him with the load he was shouldering.
"Julius! Get to Sam!" we made our way towards our friend as we ward off the attacking men. Seeing their numbers now, it's safe to say: we weren't fully prepared for this. "Shit! . . . Let's get out of here! Take Tabris!"
"Never mind them! Take all the women!" We heard Vaughan shouted, as the guards left us alone.
We booked it as soon as the men laid their eyes upon the women accompanying us. Yeah, we tried to run, but the pursuing men who were given orders to take the women was hot on our tails.
"Julius!" I called, as I slowed down and turn to face the incoming men. He did the same, standing beside me with his weapon flourished. "We gotta buy them some time"
"Got it!" he growled, taking his stance for combat.
"I'll fight with you!" said Soris as he appeared beside us. He was brandishing a sword which he might picked up from one of the guards we knocked out.
"What?! No, get with your wife! We can handle this!" I said, as reassuring as I can. He didn't turn to back, determination sets upon his face.
"I am not leaving." he said sternly. "I cannot let you two handle this alone."
It was too late to try convince him when five men stopped in front us, their weapons drawn and at the ready. Three against five. . . Is this where the cliche for the main heroes comes out unscathed despite being outnumbered? Nah, no way. Not with these odds-
Thunk! "AAAAAGH!" screams one of the man who had a bolt skewered through his legs.
I look to the roof where William was restringing his crossbow, then smiled at him for the sudden rescue. Then, turning my attention to guards - minusing the wounded one, and charged out with a swing.
The fight was intense between me and my opponent. All I can say is that this man knows his fights, managing to keep up the defensive while acting picky on where he strikes.
Ha! Smart. Let's have some fun!
As he prodded his blade at me, I swung my blade to parry but he withdraw instantly and changed his target. I was ready for it. I twisted mid swung, dashing behind his line of reach, then elbowed his face in.
The man's head must have been made of metal cause he wasn't going down with that. Hah, here! I swung again while rushing towards him, pushing all the weight of the strike with run. The man manage to meet the attack head-on, but didn't predict my foot kicking his leg from under him.
He fell to the floor on his back, the weight of his armor weighing him down from getting up immediately. With that in mind, I pressed my foot in his sword arm as I raised the other to stomp the man out of consciousness.
Whew. With that out of the way, I turned to the others and found them cleaning their blades off. Julius's two opponent was wounded at the knee and arm, but it wasn't anything life-threatening. But the one Soris fought was wounded. . . fatally. . . Oh, God, no!
I rushed to the bleeding man and put pressure upon his wounds which was a stab wound to the midsection. Hopefully, nothing important has been punctured. I can see the surprise in the former enemy's eyes as he looked at me, but that didn't matter for now.
"Bob? What are you-?"
"Julius, get some help." I said calmly. In my mind, total panic. "You-" I pointed to Soris. "-tend the guy with the arrow in his legs."
He only gawked at me, unsure and probably afraid of what was going on. Then he shook his head as he rushed to aid the wounded man. I return my attention to my charge and whispered reassuringly to him. "Hey, it's gonna be alright. Just wait, help will come."
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. There wasn't supposed to be unnecessary deaths.
The man coughed violently, earning my full earnest to apply more pressure to the wound. Thankfully, Julius returned. In his hands, he carried a vial which was all too familiar.
"Elfroot." Julius said as he gave it to me. "I took it from a nearby elf."
"Hmm, that'll do." I took the vial and apply it to the wound. The wounded man before me who was frowning in pain, began to relax and rest his head properly on the ground. It was relief! I tore off some strips of my cloak and wrapped it around him as a makeshift bandage to keep the elfroot on the still-healing wound. "Thank, God. The elfroot would make his wound numb, at the same time heal him. Here." I handed the vial to Julius. "Do the same for the others."
He looked at me in a way, before he nodded and move to help Soris with others. William came down from his perch, walking up to us as he announced, "Hey, Vaughan took some elves with him." he said with worry and anger in his voice. Then he whispered to me and Julius, "And they took Shianni."
"Ack! Things are not going as plan." I commented, looking at Julius as I spoke, "What now?! The bastard manage to get his hands on the she-elves. Luckliy, not the brides of these guys."
". . . Is Tabris safe?" Julius asked.
"I saw Sammy hid in one of the buildings with the other women." William said, then glanced at the wounded, now healing, guards. "These guys were the only ones pursuing us, others will come for them?"
"Well, we can't show their conditions like this. The humans would probably assume that elves attack them, and they don't need that kind of flak right now." I said, sounding even more worried at the thought. "Heck, I bet they are gonna be blaming this on the elves for four mysterious figure who attempt at "assassinating" the young lord."
"Pathetic. Even the assassins at the Crows wouldn't bother touching that bastards. Too easy. Ack, what are we gonna do?" Julius growled. He took on a thinking stance as he was coming up his next brilliant plan. Then one of the guard groaned, earning Julius glance whom began to smile. "Strip them."
William and I gave Julius the same look of confusion. Before we can question him, he began to strip the armor of the nearby guard. With that happening, William and I did the same to the others, albeit begrudgingly.
After we did, we laid out the armors out as William went to lead Soris to his wife and cousin, also to pick up Sam. When they came back, Julius finally spilled the beans on the big idea of stripping these men - who were just wearing their underclothes in the cold, open street.
"Okay, here's the plan: We put on these armors, disguise ourselves as these guard, then walk in as we take back the elves. Whaddya think?" He said excitedly, eyes gleaming with that confident - or madness, I can't tell - with that crooked grin.
". . . That's your big plan!" I shouted.
"Hmm, uh, yep. That's all."
We. . . are so dead. ". . . I think I need a drink after this." I groaned, palming my face with exasperation.
"I thought you promise not to drink?" William said, frowning disappointedly at me. "Like, at all."
"It's not too late to start." I retorted, putting on the armor piece by piece.
"It would be better off if we had killed that asshole." Sam grumbled, observing the armor in disdain since it was proving to be a tight fit for him.
"No. We don't kill anybody." I said sternly. "Whoever dies here, is in the hands of the people of this world. We don't know the effects of the aftermath if we did it. So just leave it to the thedas people. Hey, Sam, how's Tabris doing?"
"He came about from unconsciousness a few minutes ago. Boy, that guy can punch." he chuckled as rub a his chest. Must have received a reaction when he awoke only to see Sammy.
"I delivered the bad news that his sexy, hot cousin-" He wiggled his brow as he said this, "-was captured and we were gonna rescue her. So he had nothing to worry about."
"Uh, Bob?" William called, looking worriedly at-
"What are you shems think you're doing?!" said the angry looking Darrian Tabris. "I demand an explanation!"
"Whoa! Scared the living shit out of me, dude!" Sam exclaimed, finally noticing the young elf who was marched up behind him. It was a relief that he is okay, but his appearance and demands present another problem.
"Uh, listen, I know you have every right not to trust us-"
"Ya think?!" The elf glared at us. "Four shemlans appeared out of blighted nowhere, claimed themselves as grey wardens, invited themselves to my wedding, then rescued me and my wife-to-be, along with my cousin and his wife-to-be, from a lord who is horny than a brontos in mating season!"
". . . . Okay, yeah, you have every right to distrust us. And I don't blame you for it." he looked at me confused. "Humans haven't been that kind to you elves, and we tend to do that. I don't know if you will, but please let us go alone and save your cousin. Think it is another way of redeeming the humans in your eyes."
He gave me a solemn stare, his eyes observing as he contemplate at my odd request. "I would allow you to prove your worth, shem." Oh, thank god- "But I am coming with you, whether you like it or not."
. . . Ack! I am having a huge-ass aneurysm, right now!I need a really, really strong drink after this! Maybe a dwarven-brewed ale would help me out. I am so gonna get drunk after this. I am sorry, ma, I am going to break that promise.
We all decked out in the armor, all five of us fully disguised and ready to go. "Come." Said Darrian as he carried his helmet. "Let's go see if we can find a way into the castle."
Despite the fact that we were disguised, we still feel the need to smuggle ourselves in. Darrian talked to elf slave who works in the castle, and we managed to come up our insight man to get us in. Now that I think about it, it's starting to sound like an heist in those movies. Meh, I just hope it doesn't end up in a worse way.
Bob's POV
Fereldan: Denerim: Outside of the Arl of Denerim estate.
9:30 Dragon age.
Dusk has fallen on the city, and the streets were being abandoned. And us five castle invaders, all stood at the back entrance in our armored-disguise. Sure, in the game, Tabris came here in the guise of an elf servant. The weirder twist is that he's here, along with us, in guards' armor.
"All right, open the door. The elf said he would leave it open." Julius said, casting his wary eyes about for any nearby onlookers.
William pushed upon the door, and it did opened. We all entered in a single file manner, trying to act inconspicuously as we did. We came upon three men who were busy playing cards, and tried to walk pass them without being noticed-
"Oi!" called one of the men who were sitting about a table, glaring at us as they ignored their game of card to focus on us. "Where have you lots been? All of you sods bolted after them rogues and didn't come back!"
"Yeah, eh? We thought they done kill you and bury yer bodies in a ditch. And what's with the helmet on? Pretty face all smashed up?" laughed another, causing the other two to laugh as well.
"Uh, we'd been hunting those. . . rogues?" William said, glancing at us at the nickname we'd been dubbed. "We managed to give chase to them across alienages. And yeah, they gave our face a good thrashing."
"Sheesh! Don't bloody show me yer faces then. I wonder if them rogues is still in the alienage?"
"Huh, I bet them bloody knife-ears hid them." growled one of the men. "I bet the elf hired them assassins. Like me mum said, 'Never trust a knife-ear.'"
I saw Darrian shifted angrily in the armor, thankfully the helmet obscured his scowl. But what he said next made my heart stopped beating, "Maybe your mother has trust issue, no thanks for the man that made her bore you."
Silence of the lamb. Seriously, I think I heard someone's heart beat, and the silent mewl of the wind that said, "Beware! . . . Beware!" God? Is that you? If it is, please help me.
Sarcasm aside, which I don't want to put aside, the three men were facing us with intense stared and the one Darrian offended was casting an angry look.
"What did you say, greenboot?!" he growled at Darrian. He stood from the table and came face to face with Tabris. "What did you fuckin' say about me mother?"
"Ya heard what I said."
God? Why is this happening?
"Okaaaaay!" I said stepping in between. "Listen, here, we had a hard day, today. We spent the whole day chasing rogues, and trekking through the muds and stone. So," I took out the bag of money Morbin gave me and gave it to the man. "Here, sorry for my friends unneeded frustration, and buy yourself something nice."
. . . . . . God? A little help would be nice.
". . . Better watch your back there, boy." The man growled before he head back to the table along with his friends.
"Good. Say, is there anyone in the barracks at the moment?" I asked, shouting Hallelujah in my mind.
"Pfft, it's just the new greenboots. Don't know what he be doing in there. Get him out if ya can, he's making us look bad." The one of them said.
"Will do." Julius responded, tugging on the arm of Tabris towards the where we hoped is the barrack.
We finally reached the barracks, despite taking dozens of wrong turns. Inside, the new guards was trying out his new stances and possibly to improve his ability to fight. It was a sight to see, due to his stances being clumsy, his sword arm position was off like a mile away from what it was supposed to be.
"Ah! . ." He screamed in surprise. " I-I'm sorry." the kid stuttered. "I was. . . I- uh?"
"No problem. I gotta say, your stance is way off, not to mention the way you handled the sword is terrible." I came over and taught him the proper way of handling the blade by adjusting his body movement. "See. Better." he nodded in thanks at me with a smile. "Say, why don't you get the day off?" I suggested, smiling friendly at him.
"Uh, I am on duty."
"Don't worry, we be handling it. Right guys!" Sam exclaimed cheerfully, patting on the newbie's shoulder. We supported his suggestion with a brisk nod. "See! Now, run along. We'll handle it, okay, kid? Check out the taverns. Here." he handed the kid some money. "Buy yourself a treat, if you get what I mean."
The boy enthusiastically ran out of the barrack with glee. Maybe the amount of money Sam stacks in his pockets must have been convincing. It is either that, or the prospect of buying this treat Sam suggested to him.
"That's one less problem to deal with." Said William in relief.
"I thought we came here to save my cousin, not make friends." Darrian grumbled, eyeing the exit the kid left.
"How about we try to save your cousin by trying to stay alive?" Julius suggested, clapping Darrian's shoulder. "Hmm? Have ya thought of that?"
"And what better way to do that than weaving our way in without causing trouble for ourselves." I shared my cut, glaring at Darrian for the close call he nearly put us in. "Now, pack up what ya can find here. Take anything useful the guards might use when all hell break lose."
We began ransacking the barracks, save for Darrian who was guarding the entrance, and took what might be useful in our endeavor to rescue the elves. Suffice to say, we came out of the barracks armed to the teeth. I know it was too much to be hefting, but it doesn't hurt to commit overkill. Except for Vaughan. He is an exception for this.
We went down the hallway, basically dragging the armory on us. We all had shields strapped to our back, But each of us carried different weapons. Sammy boy wields dual maces in his hands; William had two crossbow - though I believe he has plans for those since he was grinning excitedly; Julius wielded two blades one each hands, and a pocket filled with daggers with his rapier to in its sheathe - I still don't know where he found those daggers; Darrian decided to bring a long-sword with his claymore strapped to his belt; I, on the other hand, just took an axe to accompany my blunt sword.
We made our way towards the prison room first, only to come across a sleeping guard. Darrian made his move and began to interrogate him as we went to the cells and found the elves. But Shianni was not among them.
We opened the cell doors and freed them all. Then I glanced at the spot where Tabris's fiance was supposed to die, but since that isn't happening, I hope no bad repercussions in the future will affect us or Thedas.
"Hey! Your cousin's not here." Julius informed Tabris, who looked at the guard with extreme anger.
"Where is my cousin?!" Darrian roared.
"I- I-" The guard stuttered in fear.
"Say your words carefully. The man here is about to eat your throat out if you lie to him. No pressure." William said to guard in a joking manner.
"T-they took her." he blurted out.
"WHO?! WHO TOOK HER?!"
"Lord V-Vaughan. He took her t-to his private chamber. I swear! That's all I know!"
Darrian growled as he raised his hands with a knife in his grasp, but before he could land the killing blow, I stopped his hand, and just pommeled the guy in the face knocking him out. With that done, I glared even harder at Darrian. "We. Don't. Kill. The defenseless. Got it?"
A tense silence permeated the air, but it was broken by Darrian as he scoffed. He turned to the other elves and began to talk to them in Dalish tongue, I guess.
"All right, let's get this over with." I grumbled to the guys. We stormed up the stairs, down the hallway, until we finally came upon seven guards who were guarding said hallway. They watched us warily, especially since we were all decked out in all of our weaponry with the elf girls right behind us.
"What in the blooming blight do you think yer doin'?" One of the guards demanded.
"For Narnia!" William shouted out all of a sudden when he aimed one of his crossbows and fired. One guard was shot in the shoulders, hopefully not too fatal. He took out the other crossbow and fired it into another's leg.
Damn, William's that good in archery! Thanks to him, the previous seven was put down to five. It evens the odd.
Sam went in gun-blazing- Sorry, mace-blazing, and fought one of the guards. Julius followed after and began his little dance with him. Darrian went in, crying out his warcry as he began lay heavy blows into his opponent. William took it upon himself hide behind me to load up one of his crossbow as I dealt with my charge and William's.
Fuck! The fight broke out longer than it took. I managed to knock out one of the guys I was fighting, but the last one was laying it heavy on me. He knows, that I was tired from holding out for so long, and the scratched I have on.
Ack! The man I was fighting took on an offensive approach to a new level when he barreled into me, knocking the air out of me. Next, he sat over me, his sword raised to strike me down. Then a bolt went through his shoulders, causing him to fall off. When I stood up, I make it my absolute duty to stomp the fucking consciousness out of him.
"Thanks, Will." I said while breathing heavily. "Saved my skin. Whew! Boy, I'm out of shape."
"Old age coming up to you, old man?" William grinned at me.
"Oh, fuck you! I'm still in my thirties."
"Whaaaaat?" William said his trademark 'what' rang into my ears, causing me to smile.
We turned to others and saw them finishing up their fights. Darrian's guy was brutally wounded though, luckily Julius stopped him from going overboard.
"Ack! Why do you stop me!?"
"No unnecessary deaths. We can't afford to kill them. They are not to blame here, Vaughan is!" Julius scolded. "We came here to rescue your cousin, not murder the entire palace!"
"So!? These shems still have to pay for what they had done!" The girls behind us were murmuring in agreement to him which wasn't helpful. "They have kidnapped our women, and ruined my ceremony!"
"Like we said, save it for Vaughan." At that he frowned heavily at Sam.
"Oh, I will. When I get my hands on him, I will kill him to make sure this doesn't happen again." Then he stormed off towards where Vaughan's chamber might be. We followed, sharing a knowing look among each other.
"Julius, you said that he deserved a life of a husband, eh?"
"Yeah, I said that, Bob."
"Well, he is not going to live it if he is going down this path. Maybe. . ."
"Come on, say it." William spoke from behind me.
"Maybe it won't hurt if we make a little change in this world. After all, he is not the only future warden."
"Hah, he'd make a terrible one. With his temper, he'll get everyone killed." Sam chuckled beside me.
"He'd make a good husband and a father, though." At that, we all nodded in agreement. "So, who's gonna do it?"
"Sam." I voted, causing the others to join my choice, save for Sam. "Well? get to it, man."
"Oh, boy." Sam groaned, walking ever closer to Darrian.
We arrived by the door where the little lord stayed. Darrian was even more excited as he hefted his sword with anger. Oh, boy.
"Vaughan. You're time is up." He growled, about to push the door open.
"So is yours, pal."
"What do you mean by-" Crack! Thud! "-. . . ."
We both looked at the knocked out body of Darrian. He was still alive, thank god, but the elves behind us where looking at us with shock and anger.
"What have you done?!" One of them shrieked.
"Just take care of him. We'll be right back." Julius pushed through the door and we followed. What we saw was what usually happened in the game: Shianni on the ground, Vaughan standing over her in his smalls, and his lackeys some way off in the corner.
"You!?" Vaughan cried in surprise. What he did next nearly cracked me up: He tried to cover his briefs from our view like how you see a small child covering their private. "What are you doing here?!"
"To give what was coming for you!" William took up his crossbows and fired it to the two lackeys by the corner. They were wounded, again, brilliant shot by William Hadyk.
"Nice shot, bulls-eye."
"Thanks." he said smugly.
Then Julius walked over to the man, sword held menacingly as he approached.
"Wait! Wait, wait. I- I can pay 40 sovereigns if you just let me go!" He cried in fear.
Julius stopped a step away from the man, and lowered his blade. "Okay, show me the money." he said, smiling smugly at the man.
"What?!" Shianni cried in anger. "Wh-wha-"
Julius shushed her and urged the despicable man to hurry with the money. When he returned, he placed the money in Julius' hand, smiling as if he had done a hefty deal. "Now, are you gonna let me go?"
"Tsk. The money is not enough to do so." Julius said as if he was offended by the amount of money.
"What do you mean?! It's more than enough!"
"Not by how much I was paid to do this." Oh, I see. This is gotta the punchline where it takes the flak off of the elves. Smart. "Ya see, my client wanted your head on a pike. And, this doesn't cut close to the amount he paid."
Vaughan paled to the point where he is chalk-white. Ha! This man is pathetic. "I'll pay the double amount. Please. Just don't kill me!"
"Well, you paid enough not kill you at least." Vaughan sighed. "But I'm still here to send a message."
"What message?- " Crack! Thud! ". . . . Ugh."
"Ow! This guys head is thicker than stone, man!" Julius exclaimed in pain as he massaged his fist.
"Sheesh, I now I know you are wrestler, not a boxer." I commented, laughing at his expense.
"Oh, shut up and let's get the hell out of here. Hopefully, the idea of an assassin after this guy should be able to buy some time." he said, frowning at Vaughan. Then we took up Darrian's body and left the chamber, not without passing the elfroot towards the other two.
"Sorry," was all I said when I left after the others.
We actually made our escape, thanks to some help from Kitchen elf, who knocked out his boss when we came in there by accident. The going was rough, thanks to the weight of the passed out Tabris on our shoulders.
Yeah, Shianni was not happy about the whole knockout-her-cousin-thing. She merely glared at us when she got the chance throughout the whole escape. When we made it out, we actually took off into the dark night of Denerim.
When we arrived at the alienage, all the others dispersed to find their way home. Shianni accompanied us as we carried the still-unconscious Tabris.
"Why did you did this to my cousin?!" she demanded on the spot. "You came to our rescue, but you mistreated him this way. Why?!"
We glanced at each other until I took the initiative to explain. "Because, if Tabris took it upon himslef to slay Vaughan, he would condemn the elves to a worse faith."
"Why should you humans care?"
". . . Because we do. For me personally, I don't want the place and the people that reminds me of my home became a place of hell."
"Hell?! What is hell?!"
"Um, another word for blight." I fibbed, cursing myself for the slip. Finally we arrived the hut for Tabris. And this is where we part ways.
"Anywho, take your cousin." We passed him to her. "Take care of him. Tell him to curb his temper. I don't want anything bad happens to him because of it. Believe me, I know from experience."
She glanced at Darrian before she looked at us. "Despite what you have done to my cousin, thank you. If there is anything I can do to repay you?"
"How about be more inviting when we come back." If we come back.
"Yeah, been dying to try out you elves brew. I heard it's the best!" Sam exclaimed.
"Hmm, it's the best. For those who can stomach it." She said with pride.
"Ooh, I take that challenge. And, I gotta say, when I do come back, how about I treat you to a drink?" Sam said, causing her to blush and smiled at him.
"Oh, that is if I accept." she quipped, causing us to laugh Sam.
"When you do, I'll try to be there for it, eh?"
Oh, boy. "Sam, we gotta go." Before I can push him, the door swung open. In front of the door was. . .
"You have returned safely. Thank the Maker."
"Who are you, human?!" she said defensively.
Soris came out from behind the man. "Shianni! Thank Andraste you have returned! Oh, it's you four! Thank you!" he showered us with thanks, but that was lost to me as I stared at the man in fear and shock.
"Shianni, this here is Duncan." Soris pointed at the man. Then he gestured to a red head girl that peaked out of the door. "And his companion, Elanna Cousland."
"I heard what happens. It is just a shame that has befallen you."
"Why are you two humans here?"
"We came to recuit you cousin, but seems he is not with us at the moment. Is he okay?" Duncan asked in mild concern.
"Yeah. He is just down for a bit."
"I see."
"But he is about to marry, and I speak on his behalf when I say he isn't going anywhere." she said with a determined glare. "If it wasn't for this lots, things would have ended in a worse way. Thanks to them, they managed to rescue me and the others."
"So it seem. And who might you men be?" He asked us, directing his glare at us. Behind him, the girl - no, Elann Cousland was her name - sized us up while place her hand on the hilt of the blade.
"Nobody you need to know. We'll take our leave." I said with venomous intent, startling the the people addressing us, as I about-faced and walked out into the dark streets. And we head to the tavern we stayed before and took our supplies from there.
Then we took the horses we bought and prepared with Vaughan's money. We made it passed the city gates, all of us silent. In our mind, when we heard the word Cousland and Duncan, it only meant one thing.
"That girl. She can't be Cousland, is she?"
"Yeah." was all I said. The others donned a look of horror. William must have told the detail where her parents were killed along with her sister-in-law.
"So. . . that means."
"Yeah, we're too late! But that's not what we're here for! We came for our friend." I reminded them harshly, anger spilling from my throat. I wasn't angry at them, but the failure to safe the Cousland family was something that remind me my friend would suffer the same. "We risk our enough for one day for these people. It's time to get the people we came to save."
"But-"
"No buts! It's either you go, or I go without you!" I shouted, leading my horse away from them. "I am not gonna be hero! If the world had got us here for that, well, it has a fucked up way of doing that! Now, you comin' or what?!"
The others followed begrudgingly. "Sorry, guys. But I ain't gonna take anymore risk."
"It was too late." William whispered in guilt.
"We were always too late. The timeline in this world wasn't specific, but now we know."
"So, there was nothing we could do." Sam stated, bowing his head. "All I can say now is that, even though I haven't met the family of the Cousland, I am sorry. Sorry for not being able to make it."
"Same here." Julius said, passing me as he take the lead.
"Sorry." Will whimpered from behind me.
". . . Yeah," I turned to the starry sky. "Sorry."
With that said, we all rode silently, mourning for the loss of those people. The people we took the responsibility to come and rescue. Heh. Like I said, Murphy's Law. Fuck.
As we rode to our next destination, we took the moment to shed the armor we stole. Piece by piece, we finally made a trail of metal as we disappeared to the distance.
Now, time to save our friends.
For those who wanted to participate in this, here's a format for your OC/SI.
Name: (Of course, it is necessary.)
Last name: (Yeah, when my SI's angry, he uses last names... so give.)
Nickname: (This nickname would be for Thedas. Like, when you have begun popular or
something they use that. Example: "The Lionheart!" or "The Pious." but make sure it
coexist with your character.)
Race: (Hey, don't be triggered! There's a reason for this.)
Nationality: (Oh, say can you see~ I... do not know the rest of the lyric.)
Personality: (We're gonna need that.)
Likes: (helps to make your character a bit likable. Be very SPECIFIC.)
Dislikes: (Oooh, make sure some are funny!)
Skills: (Like, what are you experienced in? Are you good with sports? Lying? Flirting? Trolling people with words?)
Favorite Songs: (As many as possible!)
Choice of weapon: (What better way to defend yourself than with a BAZOOKA! Kidding, don't suggest that.)
Choice of armor: (Do you like it light, medium, or FRIGGIN' heavy. Sorry, fresh out of regular heavy. XD)
Favorite character in Dragon Age: (You can pick as many of them. Just get ready to despise them soon after.)
Not-favorite character in Dragon Age: (Pls, tell me you hate Cassandra, too. Just a suggestion.)
Bio/history: (not too specific, but helpful enough to help us out.)
Romance: (Choose anyone you like, but if you're gonna choose one of us be sure to ask because some of us are married in Thedas. Also, you can have children, adopted or genuine.
Boy or girl?)
Age: (Make sure it is consistent and convenient for your romance option.)
