COMRADES
-Alistair-
"I still don't see why we're making such an effort carrying that useless trash around," Morrigan stated off hand as we neared the chantry, pointing to the sack on mine and Will's backs "We should simply sell them and be done with it".
The building itself was unmistakable, being the largest in the settlement, with the Andraste's symbol displayed proudly, or at least it should have been. The building had clearly suffered through all of the chaos, with signs of disrepair and lack of proper care evident everywhere, though I supposed the Templars had bigger things to worry about with the horde on the way than maintaining flower gardens and patching up holes.
"We're doing it because it's the right thing to do, these people were robbed and need any help they can, plus we need whatever help and information they are willing to provide." I shot back, damn witch, little over one day with her and I already was tired of her company.
If I'd wanted to have my intelligence or my resolve and basically every other quality I possessed insulted every second of my life I would have stayed in the Chantry and probably have ended up like one of these Templars. Looking over at the blonde one who was watching the buildings entrance, back straight, eyes focused on us in an icy stare watching for any sign of wrongdoing, and that's one without the stuffy conical great helm, I shuddered. You know what Morrigan might be a bitch but at least I had the freedom to let her know it without praying for the Maker's forgiveness.
"I don't see why you're Morrigan, you don't have to carry one of these things" I grunted hefting the heavy pack higher on my shoulder,
"I did not see any reason why I should strain myself to return useless trinkets back to those who were too weak or too stupid to keep them in the first place." She responded indifferently.
"Come on you too we're being allowed inside" Will interjected, pointing to the now opening door, "We're supposed to talk to Ser Bryant, apparently he's in charge of most of the day to day administration now that the Bann's left to join up with Lohgain."
As we entered the chantry interior however I sighed, if the outside was looking haggard, the inside was a disaster with shouting crowds of refugees lining up, milling about, or praying desperately. Crates and boxes dominated the space as chantry priests tried to distribute food and alms. Children ran throughout the chaos between the legs of their elders. Hearing a loud crash I turned to see a large man towering over a small quivering initiate shouting about the lack of food. I made to go break up the situation but Will held me back, shaking his head. Soon enough the man was grabbed and hauled out of the room by some Templars who seemed to appear from out of nowhere.
"Maker I had no idea things were this bad." Will muttered looking off in the direction the Templars had dragged the man.
I just nodded and motioned for us to continue forward through the throng of people. "Yes, and they'll get worse before this is over, if we fail to stop the horde all of Fereldan will look like this, if there's even a Fereldan left at that point."
Soon enough we managed to reach a small office space where a dark skinned man stood behind a desk littered in scrolls and notices talking to a group of Templars milling about the room. "and I've heard of darkspawn stragglers breaking off from the rest of the horde, with the banns forces gone we Templars are the only hope of protection this village has now and I will not abandon it, that is all, may the Maker have mercy on us" As the knights left the room the man seemed to crumple in his chair hand on his forehead. When he saw us however he shook himself aware and got up to greet us offering a hand which I took, "Ah, you must be the group that dealt with the bandits, I am Ser Bryant, commander of the Templars stationed here in Lothering. A squire informed me you were coming, thank you, the bandits were a nuisance but we just couldn't seem to spare the manpower to deal with them."
"Yes, that's actually why we're here in fact, we have some of the possessions that the bandits had taken from refugees" Me and Will hefted the packs off and placed them against the wall of the room, "The rest is still on the hill be watched by guard dogs, they will respond to our presence so make sure to take one of us along if you wish to retrieve them."
The man nodded approvingly at us and sized up the sacks, "Yes, thank you, it's good to see some charity in these trying times." I shot a smile at Morrigan who just grunted, "We will make every effort to return what possessions we can, but as you can see, things are quite hectic at the moment." A tired look of concern crossed his face as he spoke. "Forgive me but I must ask were you survivors of the battle, you don't seem like the other refugees that have passed through here, I'd say you were one of Arl Eamon's knights but somehow the presence of two mages seems to discount that idea."
Will gave an audible groan while Morrigan bared her teeth eyes flashing. Will stepped forward, "How do you know we're mages ser?"
Ser Bryant shrugged, "I'd be a poor Templar if I couldn't detect the presence of two mages who got this close to me, plus," he motioned to the staff slung across Will's shoulder, "If you want to fool anyone into believing that's a walking stick you should at least cover the runes."
I moved fast to diffuse the situation. "You're correct ser, my companions and I are Grey Wardens seeking supplies and information, anything you can provide will be welcome."
The man leaned forward, eyes never leaving Morrigan or Will, "Both of them are Grey Wardens?"
Morrigan made to say otherwise but I headed her off, "Yes, ser both are Wardens and thus outside of Chantry jurisdiction."
The man simply held up his arms "That's good to hear, don't worry I don't want to tangle with the wardens, plus it's not like I'd be able to hold you. I'm more concerned with the fact that you are Grey Wardens, Teyrn Lohgain has declared any surviving Grey Wardens traitors, responsible for King Cailan's death, you know this I hope?"
"The Grey Wardens did no such thing, the Teyrn is lying." I said with maybe more force then I'd intended, it was one thing to betray the entire army and get Duncan and the rest of the Wardens killed, but to place the blame upon them, to know that Duncan's memory and sacrifice was being vilified, Lohgain would pay for this.
"I don't believe the Grey Wardens would be as careless or malicious as the Teyrn claims, but either way there it is, it's best you don't linger though."
"Thank you for understanding at least Ser Bryant, we will endeavor not to cause you too much trouble and will be on our way when our supplies are replenished." I stated respectfully, I then remembered the locket hanging from my belt and looked up, "Also, is there a Sir Henric here? He's one of Arl Eamon's knights and an old friend; I have something here for him."
"Yes there is a man by that name exploring our library at the moment, seeking information about the urn of sacred ashes, something about it curing the Arl, men can help you find him as well as arrange some supplies, it's the least we can do but given the current state of things here it'll have to be enough."
"Thank you Ser, you've helped us a great deal more than we had any right to expect" I shook the man's hand one more time before leaving the room, chances are I'd never see him alive again
-William Amell-
"Is that man always such a fool when it comes to wasting time?" Morrigan asked from her perch on the bench. It had been several minutes since Alistair had gone off to talk with whoever this Sir Henric was and deal with the new supplies, leaving me with Morrigan to watch the chaos from a wooden bench near the altar. In the time we'd been talking, I'd already learned three things about our new traveling companion, she had never spent any extended time out of the wilds where she'd grown up much like my time in the tower, she strongly disliked Alistair and from what I could see the feeling was definitely mutual, and she had serious mother issues.
"He's not so bad, for a Templar he's actually quite decent, his jokes need work and he's a little obsessed with cheese but hey nobody's perfect." I said shrugging.
She just looked at me and sighed heavily, shaking her head, I continued on. "He probably saved your life back there you know, when the Templar said he'd known what we are, if he hadn't talked him down we'd be goners."
"Doubtful, we would be able to escape certainly, the Templars here would not have been able to keep the two of us contained, I didn't need your blonde oaf making up stories on my behalf, tis not a shame to be proud of your freedom." She countered glaring at me,
"Someone's never been hit by a smite before I see, let me fill you in then, Templars talk big because they can back it up, if we made trouble and he took away our magic we'd be practically defenseless against their swords, plus being a warden is immunity. If you're an apostate, any Templar would be well within his rights to attempt to arrest you at any time, as a warden you're untouchable, well to an extent at least," I stood up and walked in front of her arms outstretched, "Imagine walking down a street without the Templars dogging you're steps, it's like being normal."
As I turned around and looked at her face I noticed, a new emotion crossing her eyes, pity? "Do you truly hate your gift that much William?" she stated frankly.
I looked down and pulled out a small golden locket with a crest adorning its face from beneath my shirt, I would have kept it in a pocket but I felt it wasn't worth the risk that I might lose it, pockets, it felt great to be out of those robes. I held up the locket and opened it to show a portrait of a smiling woman.
"A pretty woman, judging by her looks I guess she's related to you?" the witch asked turning the locket in her hands.
"This is my mother Revka Amell, she was a noble born in the city of Kirkwall, who married a rich man, and together they had me along with my baby brother. One day a short while after I'd just turned seven years old, I found out I can do things, light candles when I wanted to stay up late, bring things towards me without touching them. Of course I showed my mother who was horrified; turns out she'd been afraid of this since magic had run deep in her line. She tried to get me to hide it, but I was young and foolish and soon my father found out what I was."
Morrigan nodded signaling that I could continue.
"My father wasn't a kind man, he wasn't happy finding out his eldest son could use magic, he wanted me gone so I wouldn't end up shaming the household name. That bastard had me tied up, gagged, and then shoved me into a small, dark chest for the 2 days it took to get the Templars to come collect me." I shuddered at the memory still vivid after all these years, the dark. "My mother was forbidden to see me; the last memory of my little brother is him shouting that I was a monster when the Templars dragged me away."
"Rather cruel, to shove so young a boy in a box and turn his family against him." Morrigan remarked, I just nodded darkly.
"My little brother was always an impressionable one; his hate was just a reflection of my father's, jokes on that bastard though. Turns out my brother was found to be a mage as well when he got older, I also apparently have two sisters as well with the gift, never met them though. Father must have been so furious." There had been a period a few years back when I had tried to get into contact with my siblings, they'd still be apprentices, however no one would tell me which circle they had been sent too, family ties weren't very well encouraged in the circle. "The only reason I'm here in Fereldan to be honest is that when I said my father wanted me gone, he meant gone, as in across an ocean never to be heard from again."
"Then where did you come by this?" Morrigan asked passing the small trinket back to me, I stared down and smiled before returning it to its place around my neck.
"She got one of the Templars escorting me to pass it on; I think she knew my father wouldn't be content with me in the Kirkwall circle."
"One of those overzealous mage hunters gave it to you; I would have thought their order forbade giving mementos to mage children." Morrigan asked giving me a quizzical look.
"Apparently this one was one of the good ones, or she bribed him; anyway you asked me if I hated my magic, I don't think I do. I can do amazing things with it that no one else can, things most people can only dream of doing." I could almost hear Mouse cackling in the back of my head at how boastful that statement sounded, well it was the truth, "Magic is a part of who I am, I'm skilled in its use and it now serves me in what I must accomplish."
"But you fear it?" the witch asked quizzically "You fear the abilities fate has granted you, abilities that set you above most men; I saw it in your eyes after our battle with the darkspawn?"
"I don't fear it, not really, I suppose I respect that magic is a powerful and dangerous force, I'm not saying I agree with the Templars about me needing to be in a circle, but if you saw the way people looked at me when we were traveling to the tower, a small, ragged looking boy surrounded by Templars, they knew what I was and they feared me." I remembered the last weeks of my freedom moving from village to village in a strange cold land, how the townspeople looked when they saw me, how children threw rocks at me as we passed by.
"Weak people fearing a power that they refuse to even attempt to understand despite it existing all around them, religious zealots who preach the words of a mad woman long since dead, why must I be caged like an animal, shut away from the world's wonders, to satisfy wretches such as them." She stated an air of defiance and a shine in her strange yellow eyes which disturbingly reminded me of Rayya, oh yeah, If we had to go to the tower to recruit the mages I'd have to see her again. I sighed, cross that bridge when you come to it Will. I held up a hand to stop her tirade.
"I agree with you, the system needs work, I just know that if I wanted too, I could burn this room right now, that option exists even though I choose not to take it, sadly that's the assumption people make of me when they learn what I am, believe me I'd change it if I could." I stated casually before moving to sit down beside her again. We spent the next uncomfortable few minutes in silence before Morrigan spoke up suddenly.
"Thank you for sharing your tale with me, for what it is worth I am sorry you suffered so, it sounds unpleasent."
I just looked back at her and smiled "Thanks, I haven't told a lot of people that story, only two other people know that, well one now I suppose," I pushed down my sadness, I would grieve for Wynne in time, but later, not now. "So how about your childhood, growing up in a hut with a legendary mad swamp witch, not many people can say that." Morrigan gave a short laugh.
"My time in the wilds was…"
-Gareth Cousland-
By the Maker, this woman would not stop talking. I'd tried to convince her to stay in Lothering and help the people here, but the red haired priest seemed convinced that Maker had shown her a sign, and she was meant to help defeat the blight. We weren't able to give a reason for not taking her, she offered us rooms in the chantry, citing that the other inns were full, the Dane's Refuge would be taking no more customers in for a while after what had happened within. Whoever that man had been, he hadn't been kind to the other men inside, most were covered in vicious slash marks, while others sported twisted or broken limbs.
The woman in question, Leliana, was currently walking ahead of us on our way back to the chantry, pointing out different landmarks and talking up a storm about her experiences as a lay sister in the city. Nessa was walking next to me watching the woman closely with a suspicious look on her face.
"Is this okay Gareth? I'm not certain she's stable" Nessa whispered when the women was out of earshot talking to an elderly woman.
"I really don't know, she appears alright and the townspeople seem to know her well so I doubt she's dangerous, plus we need the help." I responded watching her hold up a small child that had been hiding behind the woman, a smile on her face.
The elf scowled at me, "I didn't think we were desperate enough to recruit someone who has visions of her god talking to her."
"We don't exactly have the luxury of turning down help, not now anyway; if she can handle herself then she's welcome. It's not as if she'll be the most interesting stray we've picked up, just the most talkative.
"I'm just worried, she said she had visions."
"Do the Dalish not have spiritual prophets or visions to communicate with their gods?" I asked, I had heard that the Dalish praised a group of gods known as the Creators, growing up around elves did not mean I knew all of their culture however.
"We see signs of our gods in the world around us but they do not interact with us in our mortal form" Nessa traced her hand along the edge of her facial tattoo. "We honor our gods through our markings and remember them, however I was under the impression your Maker had turned from the world, am I wrong?"
"No your correct I believe, the chantry teaches that the Maker's turned from the world, twice in fact. Though I suppose she doesn't believe that's the case." I pointed at the priests back. I thought back to the lessons Mallol had tried to give me after chantry services and holidays, "If you want specifics talk to Alistair, I'm not particularly religious, despite my mother's best efforts."
"You don't believe in your god?" she asked quizzically
"No, the Maker just doesn't have any real meaning to me at the moment, prayer never appealed to me, and I never put much stock in faith."
Suddenly Leliana stopped in the middle of the road looking off to the side of the street. We turned to see a large wrought iron cage rising out of a small patch of earth, inside was a figure hunched down, chanting in a strange language I couldn't understand.
"What's wrong?" I asked walking up to her.
"I'm sorry, it's just that its rather sad, I don't like the thought of anyone being left to the darkspawn, even a qunari murderer."
"Qunari?" Nessa looked at the figure more carefully, right, she'd spent the majority of her life with her clan, who likely had little interaction with the horned men, wait, horns?
"The Qunari represent the Qun, one of the most widely feared movements in the world. They appeared from somewhere across the ocean hundreds of years ago and took an island called Par Vollen, highly militaristic, they spread and conquered a good deal of land before the Llomerryn accord was signed to push them back." I examined the creature more closely. "I was under the impression that they had horns however, are you sure he's qunari?"
Leliana nodded "That's what he told the Templars when they captured him; he murdered an entire family at one of the outlying farms, even the children." I strode up to the cage, the qunari had pale grey skin and white hair styled in braided dreadlocks, he looked up at my approach with violet colored eyes.
"You are not one of my captors; I will not amuse you or any of the other humans leave me in peace." The creature stated in a deep monotone voice.
"Pardon, but I'm told you are one of the Qunari, I haven't seen many of your kind before, only the occasional hired bodyguard or bandit." I replied calmly, this was a stupid plan, but if it worked out.
The crouched figure stood up causing me to step back a little, by the maker he must be nearly 7 feet tall and bursting with muscle. I wasn't used to talking up to someone, usually people did that to me. "You have never met any qunari before today if those are your examples, I am Sten of the Berasaad, vanguard of the Qunari peoples." The creature, sten stated, slightly more forcefully then before.
"I am Gareth Cousland of Highever, greetings" I said respectfully bowing my head. Nessa and Leliana looked to each other before bowing their heads as well.
The qunari looked at me in surprise, "You mock me, or you show manners I've not come to expect in your lands, though it matters little now, I will die soon enough, I suggest you leave me to my fate."
"I have an offer Sten, I find myself in need of skilled help." This was the important part.
"No doubt, what sort of help do you seek?" The creature shot back, arms folded.
"I am sworn protect this land from the blight and the darkspawn horde, the one approaching this very town."
"The Blight? Are you a grey warden then?" Sten asked now fully focused on me.
"Yes I am as is my comrade here" I said pointing out Nessa, she still seemed shocked by his size.
"Hmm… My people have heard legends of the Grey Wardens strength and skill, although I suppose not every legend is true." I grit my teeth at the remark but took a deep breath and continued on.
"I am offering you a chance to join us in saving the land from the blight, I grew up hearing stories about the Qunari's skill in battle. You'll be a boon to our cause if even half of what I've heard is true." Nessa looked at me questioningly and Leliana seemed nervous. I turned to face the sister.
"Leliana is there a way I can get Sten free, who can I talk to?" the sister shot the giant a glance and nodded her head.
"I suppose you can go to the revered mother and explain the situation to her, I doubt she'll turn you down if you tell her who you are and it is a special circumstance." I nodded and turned back to the giant.
"Would that be agreeable, Sten, if I can get the key to your cage, you will fight alongside us against the horde?" The giant nodded solemnly. I bowed my head back and turned to walk away, Nessa ran up next to me an annoyed look on her face.
"So we are literally taking anyone remotely useful along with us now are we? Even murderers, what if he attacks us after we set him free, he's gigantic, much bigger then you?" she asked trying to get in front of me, I just kept walking on pushing past her.
"He seems trustworthy and we do need the help, I don't know about this murder business but Duncan was saying the Grey Wardens have taken worse. Either way if we get him free he'll be my responsibility, if a problem comes up I'll deal with it." I said as the chantry came into view. She just grunted in response and walked hung back talking to Leliana, I sighed, well Alistair wanted you in charge and you were making a command decision, we needed more people. I was unsure about Leliana, but Sten certainly would be a horror if he worked out. He had a dangerous air of contained violence about him that I'd learned to feel during my time in tourney melees, the feel of a veteran fighter who has fought on multiple occasions.
Leliana ran up ahead to talk to a Templar on our behalf and he soon led us into the main hall, I saw Will off to the side talking to Morrigan her, he seemed disturbed by whatever the witch was saying, his face pale.
I caught the sister by the arm as we made our way over, "Leliana, where is the revered mother? I want to deal with this qunari issue as soon as possible."
"If she is not preaching to the people she is likely in her study, down the hall and to the right."
I released her arm and began walking down the hall through the crowds of people. I might as well get this over with quickly.
-Nessa Mahariel-
"Idiotic shem" I found myself muttering, watching Gareth retreat into the crowd. I found myself uncomfortable in this building, too many people in such a small space, I noticed a few ragged looking elves staring at me, the flat ears from the city often.
We approached the two mages working our way past a bread line, Will walked up to greet me while staring quizzically at the red haired sister.
"Hey Nessa, I thought I saw you all come in, hello miss," he turned bowing to Leliana, who was looking at him with a hint of fear in her eyes which Will picked up on, he backed up with his hands held to the side, "Oh umm… sorry did I do something to offend."
"Oh no no, forgive me it's just…" She shook her head and placed a hand to her chest, curtsying gracefully, "I am Leliana, I am a lay sister for the chantry here, I was told I could accompany you on your quest to defeat the blight, I met Nessa and Gareth at the inn and offered my services, I've also set up rooms here for you all to use.."
"Oh excellent, another companion, and a sister at that, oh joy." Morrigan stated from the bench eyes flashing.
"Don't mind her, hello Leliana, I am William Amell but friends just call me Will, glad to have you with us." The mage said energetically before turning to me and pointing in the direction Gareth walked, "Where is Gareth off too, he seemed preoccupied?"
I shrugged and sat myself down on the bench, "He's off trying to negotiate the freedom of our other companion, a murdering giant named Sten who killed a whole family,"
"Wait what?" He said dumbstruck, Leliana went to lean against the wall.
"He was captured about a week ago before all of the troubles with the darkspawn; farmers sent word they found a large man in the woods, Ser Bryant sent his Templars to the house and they found this Sten standing in the middle of a massacre, just standing there, he surrendered without a fight. The Revered Mother didn't want to execute him in case it causes trouble with the Qunari so she placed him in a cage, and refused him meals."
Morrigan shook her head and placed a hand over her face, "And he is actively trying to recruit this monster to travel with us? Is he touched in the head?"
I took out a piece of the rough meet and began chewing, it was rough and tasteless but it allowed me to focus on something. "I don't know, he believes that he'll be able to help at least. He might even want to recruit that strange man from the inn."
"What man, there was someone at the inn?" Will asked looking from me to Leliana.
Leliana's face paled and she began scratching at her arm, "Yes, some of Teyrn Lohgain's men were making trouble at the inn, searching for Grey Wardens and throwing their weight around, then this man walked up to them alone and began taunting them, I tried to intervene but the Teyrn's men just grouped me together with him and attacked me, then suddenly the man was just taking them apart, all he had was a knife, they couldn't touch him and he was laughing, just laughing." She shook slightly, I saw the aftermath of what had happened and it chilled me, to have actually seen what happened.
"He actually looked a lot like you Will, we managed to stop him from doing any more damage, and he left soon after with his brother."
"Wait he looked like me, did you get a name or anything like that?"
Leliana nodded, "Yes the townspeople seemed to know him or at least of him, his name is Jon, I recognized his brother Carver Hawke from some of the prayer services and holidays when he did some jobs for the Chanter's board, they are a nice family, but I was under the impression it was just Carver, his sister Bethany, and their mother Leandra. That someone like that could be related to them…"
Will's eyes shot up at the mention of the name and he walked up to the sister, "Hawke, it was definitely Hawke?" Leliana nodded and he stepped back hand on his chin thinking, "I think I might know them, before the circle took me in, I had an Aunt Leandra, she eloped with an Apostate and their child a few years before I was born, big scandal in my family. She and my mother were very close, they live here?"
"Yes, near the edge of town, I can take you to them after I pick up my supplies, but we should really be careful, that man wasn't stable, he's dangerous." She then wandered up the stairs with Morrigan close behind, who was muttering something about needing bath; did they even have baths in the wilds?
"Nessa, Will!" A shout rang out over the chaos from the direction of the main staircase, Alistair came jogging up a serious look on his face, "Good thing I found you, I was talking with Sir Henric one of Arl Eamon's knights, turns out there may be some problems with asking for his help, he looked around suddenly, "Wait where's Morrigan, wasn't she here with you?"
"We'll explain on the way Alistair, we have some news as well for you to digest, Morrigan is in our new rooms taking a bath, Leliana, a sister we found who wants to join us should be back soon to lead us to someone who may be Will's insane cousin, and Gareth is currently negotiating over the release of a Qunari murderer with the revered mother." I stated calmly.
Alistair just stared at me and laughed.
-END
A/N: All right everyone we've reached the 10 chapters mark, we almost have everything wrapped up in Lothering, I am still debating where to go first but I'm glad everything seems to be going so smoothly. Thank you all for reading this far and for your comments, it is very much appreciated.