Hey guys. I love the holidays, so much free time. Been being lazy for the longest time and as a College student I love it
But I'm back with another chapter
Not as long as the others but I enjoyed writing it
What do you think of my take on Marric's bastard son?
Alistair
How in Thedas are we going to do this? The Grey Wardens… all two of us need to stop the Blight and take down Loghain.
At least we have the treaties.
Duncan should have been the one to survive… not me. Duncan would have known what to do from the start. Duncan wouldn't be letting Agron led the group.
Maker! Agron was made a Warden yesterday. Plus he's so good at it already. I don't understand how he handles it so well. It took me weeks to get used to the Darkspawn. We all have trouble with our first Darkspawn, even Agron did, but he still held his ground. The way he reacted. Agron's been in a fight before and won.
Plus he never really talks too much and Morrigan just glares at me all the time. If it wasn't for that Mabari we picked up we'd all be traveling in silence Alistair mused as the group finished resupplying what they could with what little coin they still had… which wasn't much.
Lothering was a small village and the refugees from Ostagar made it easier for the group to blend in even with their weapons.
"We can't stay here too long. Those Knights back at that Inn said Loghain's put out a reward for our heads. Alistair I think we should leave before nightfall" Agron said turning to face the senior Grey Warden of the two left in Ferelden.
"Hmm oh… yeah that sounds good" Alistair answered. "Where do we go?" Agron asked as Morrigan glared at a group of farmers that were staring at her, without seeing her face.
"Anywhere away from here would be preferable" Morrigan said speaking up in the first time for a few hours. "Uh where do you think we should go" Alistair said uneasily.
Agron tilted his head slightly. "I guess the Circle or the Brecilian Forest would be good. Maybe Redcliffe but the Knight in the Chantry said Eamon was sick" Agron answered looking thoughtful.
"Sounds good. Lead the way" Alistair said nodding. "Alistair where should we go" Agron said somewhat irritably. "Oh I don't know. I'll just do what you do" Alistair said avoiding the leadership role Agron had tried to hand him.
Morrigan smiled coldly as she looked at the two remaining Grey Wardens in Ferelden. If only Flemeth could see us now… the mighty Grey Wardens unable to even pick a destination.
"We leave for the Circle then. Alistair you said you had some Templar training maybe they'll listen to you more than us" Agron said gesturing at himself and Morrigan.
"Listen to me? What?" Alistair said remembering all the times he'd gotten in trouble in the Chantry as he trained to be a Templar before Duncan saved him from a life in the Order.
Agron looked at him blankly.
"You're the Senior Warden" Agron answered slowly. "Not by much. I was only made a Warden a few weeks ago and you hold your own just as much as me" Alistair said simply.
"You wish the junior Warden to lead?" Morrigan asked bemused.
"What do you want to hear? That I don't like to lead, I don't. I prefer to follow" Alistair sighed at Morrigan as Agron frowned.
"I… fair enough" Agron said stiffening up as he assumed the role of leader. "We head for the Circle. I still think you might be able to get on the Templars good side" Agron said looking at Alistair sternly.
"Not sure about that but it's worth a try" Alistair answered. "What do we do about her though?" Alistair said gesturing at Morrigan. "We go into the Circle with her and the Templars won't just let her walk out again" Alistair said as Morrigan frowned.
"Much as I hate to admit this… he has a point" Morrigan said scowling.
Agron looked Morrigan up and down saying "simple. We say she's a Grey Warden. The Chantry doesn't have any authority over the Wardens right? Duncan told me."
"Either way the Templars aren't gonna like that" Alistair said slowly. "Then they'll deal with it. Even Flemeth said the Blight was too big to ignore even for the Chantry" Agron said firmly.
"At least one amongst you is sensible" Morrigan grinned. "Yeah, yeah I'm a fool and whatever else your mother said we but need to leave already" Alistair said dryly.
"You're not a fool Alistair. Come on it's getting late" Agron said taking point once again as that Mabari dog that stumbled upon followed after him. Morrigan chuckled coldly as she fell in behind Agron as Alistair followed.
Agron stood up for me… seems we're even. I stood up for him at Ostagar Alistiar thought as followed.
Before they could leave Lothering they forced to stop as a group of farmers wielding pitchforks and other tools blocked them. Alistair looked at Agron whom met his eyes. "Any ideas?" Agron asked. "Maybe they need our help?" Alistair said hopefully. "We have a fight on our hands, look at their faces" Morrigan said.
Stopping in front of an overweight middle-aged man whom appeared to be the leader Agron said "we don't want any trouble"
"We know you don't. I don't know if the Grey Wardens killed King Cailan and Maker help me I don't care but Loghain's reward money could help a lot of families here" the man said.
"We don't have to do this. Let us leave and we won't come back" Agron said as he backed away placing a hand on one of the two Longswords sheathed on his back.
Please don't force this Alistair thought as he backed up Agron and unsheathed his Shield while Morrigan held her staff threateningly.
"I'm sorry" the leader of the farmers said raising his pitchfork. "Morrigan don't!" Agron suddenly shouted seeing Morrigan raising her staff. "Be discrete" Agron answered quickly as the farmers charged.
Scowling Morrigan followed Agron's advice and cast horror at two of the farmers causing the men to stop charging and look around panicking.
Agron raised one of his Longswords blocking the pitchfork as his blade stopped the farming tool just as it almost stabbed him. Unsheathing his second Longsword in a flash Agron placed the blade at farmer's throat. "Back off" Agron said sternly as he pulled his other Longsword free, the farmer dropping his pitchfork.
The farmer made to grab his pitchfork again only for that Mabari they stumbled upon to leap atop it growling at the farmer. Alistair dodged a swing from another farmer's pitchfork and slammed his Shield into the man sending him back three feet and onto the ground.
Raising his Shield in front of him and hovering his Longsword above his Shield, Alistair met the farmers' eyes daring one of them attack. One stupid farmer raised his axe and charged at Agron. "Morrigan no" Agron said stopping the Witch from using magic on the poor man. Agron used both his Longswords and blocked the axe as it swung down for his head.
Pushing forward Agron slammed the hilt of a Longsword into his attackers face; the poor man fell on his ass running a bloody nose… his axe falling to the ground.
Seeing a few of the farmers stepping towards him Agron raised both his Longswords as Alistair moved to back him up. Four farmers charged the two Grey Wardens. Moving quickly Agron used both his Longswords blocking and parrying while Alistair batted them away with his Shield.
Forcing the farmers back Agron and Alistair stood beside each other as the Mabari barked and Morrigan shifted impenitently.
"Enough! Let us end this!" Morrigan called raising her staff as Agron shouted "Morrigan don't" while three farmers charged again. Suddenly an arrow tore through the air landing in the ground stopping the farmers as the arrow narrowly missed a man's foot.
"Those people are our guest. They got rid of the bandits and helped the common folk get supplies. Please we're all afraid but we can't turn on each other. Just go home" a red haired woman wearing Chantry robes exclaimed holding a bow and arrow.
"Is that the woman from the Inn?" Alistair asked as the farmers slowly nodded and awkwardly made to return to their homes. "Yeah it's her again. Only Chantry Priest I've seen that could use a bow and arrow" Agron said looking at Alistair.
"The madwoman again" Morrigan muttered watching the farmers leave.
Once the group of farmers had gone the red haired Chantry woman looked them over before walking over to them.
"Hello again my friends. Thank you for not killing those farmers. They're scared and desperate" the red haired Chantry woman said in greeting. "It was the right thing to do. What's your name? You're not like any Chantry Priest I've ever seen" Agron said sheathing his Longswords as Alistair did the same.
"My name is Leliana and I'm not a Chantry Priest. I never took my vows but I accepted the Maker into my heart and I help those I can" Leliana answered politely.
"Let me come with you. I can help" Leliana said stepping forward. "Still believe the Maker sent you to help us do you? Madwoman" Morrigan said bemused as she lowered her staff.
"Yes the Maker sent me a vision but regardless I can help you" Leliana said scowling at Morrigan before turning back to Agron and Alistair.
"What do you think?" Agron asked Alistair as he kept his eyes on Leliana. "… She might be helpful and you're the one said we should take as much help as we can get" Alistair said shrugging.
"True, however she is…" Agron said as Alistair continued "yeah a bit odd but she can use a bow. She was good enough to warn the farmers without hitting. Shot right next to their feet so they'd stop."
"Since I'm charge apparently then I say yeah we can use as much help as we can" Agron said nodding at Leliana as the red head smiled warmly. "Thank you" Leliana said.
"That bump to your head must have done more damage than mother thought" Morrigan said crossing her arms.
Agron turned to Morrigan and giving her an unblinking stare he said "Morrigan, enough. We need to work together like your mother said. It's the only way we'll succeed."
Well that's new Alistair thought watching Agron. Morrigan sighed but nodded nonetheless ust as the Mabari from earlier moved to sit next to Agron's leg and wag his tail.
"You should have killed them. They will come back for you in greater number or die when Lothering his taken" a deep gravelly voice said suddenly.
"Oh so you can talk" Alistair said looking at the Qunari prisoner. They'd come across him earlier but he never spoke to them until now. "We'll be gone before the farmers try anything again and if they know what's good for them they'll leave Lothering as well" Agron countered.
"It matters not in the end. They are all ill trained and will likely die when the Blight reaches them" the Qunari prisoner said simply.
"What are you?" Agron asked genuinely curious.
"He's a Qunari. A proud being that deserves more than his fate at the hands of the Darkspawn. He should be set free for mercy's sake alone if for nothing else" Morrigan said surprising all of them. "Wow. Never expected you'd be one for mercy. Or is that only for big lumbering Qunari" Alistair said laughing.
Why does she care though? She was willing to kill those farmers without hesitating at all… only Agron stopped her Alistair thought.
"Perhaps Alistair could take his place in the cage" Morrigan said glaring back at Alistair. "Now that's what I would have expected from you" Alistair said smirking as he ignored yet another glare from Morrigan.
"He's a prisoner" Leliana answered as the four of them and the Mabari moved to stand in front of the caged Qunari. "What'd he do?" Agron asked."They say he killed a farmer" Leliana said slowly as she looked the Qunari up and down.
Turning to looked the Qunari in the eye Agron asked "did you?" "Yes" was the Qunari's solemn answer. Agron walked forward stopping at the bars of the cage as he leaded in getting a better look at the Qunari prisoner. "Do you feel remorse?" Agron asked.
"Yes. I allowed myself to be brought in without a fight" the Qunari prisoner said looking at Agron curiously. "You are Grey Wardens are you not? The farmers claimed so and you did not deny it" the Qunari prisoner said in his deep gravelly voice.
"And?" Agron asked. It's like their playing a game or something. Ask me a question and you ask me a question, an answer for an answer Alistair thought humorously as he watched.
"You are an Elf. Not a human" the Qunari prisoner answered. "Last time I checked I was" Agron replied. "You are an Elf and yet you lead your group" the Qunari prisoner said simply.
"You know he has a point. Not a lot of Elves are in leadership positions like that. But Duncan said the Wardens don't care about race or class. They take every one of value" Alistair said speaking up.
"My father has a leadership position" Agron said stiffly as he looked back at Alistair. "He owns a caravan business" Agron continued.
"Unusual for Ferelden. You people treat each other horribly, especially non-humans" the Qunari prisoner said speaking up. "You've seen a lot of Ferelden then?" Leliana asked frowning.
"Being stuck in a cage there's little else to do but watch" the Qunari prisoner said simply.
"He should be freed" Morrigan said walking over to Agron. "Do we really want to free a prisoner? He admitted that he'd killed a farmer" Alistair said uneasily as he watched Agron.
"If we cannot free him then let us put him out of his misery" Morrigan said. Seeing the looks on Alistair and Leliana's faces Morrigan continued "better to end it now than for him to meet his end at the hands of the Darkspawn."
"Caged like this to die… no one deserves that fate. Not even him" Leliana said knowing that when the Darkspawn forced their way through Lothering the Qunari prisoner wouldn't stand a chance.
"You should leave me to my fate" the Qunari prisoner said solemnly as he shifted in his cage.
"Who are you?" Agron asked.
"I am Sten of the Beresaad. Vanguard of the Qunari" Sten answered proudly even as he most likely faced his death one way or another. "You said you are guilty. Do you seek atonement?" Agron asked curiously. "Death will be my atonement" Sten answered.
Agron turned to look at Alistair and shared a look. "Uh you sure about this Agron?" Alistair asked knowing what Agron was thinking. "I have feeling. I'm sure" Agron answered as he looked back at Sten.
"If we freed you, would you come with us? Help the Wardens" Agron said. "… help the Wardens against the Blight. That will be my atonement if you free me" Sten answered in a firm voice.
"Agreed. We can find some use for him" Morrigan said. "Are you sure about this?" Leliana asked looking uneasy as Alistair moved to join Agron. "The Wardens have always taken allies were they find them" Alistair said standing beside Agron as they looked over Sten.
"But?" Agron asked his eyebrows arched.
"I don't know if the Chantry will just let us take him" Alistair said. "Then we will break the lock and leave. We weren't planning to come back" Morrigan said gesturing her staff at the cage.
"No. If he leaves to join the Wardens it should be with the Chantry's permission" Leliana said not letting Morrigan break the cage. Agron turned to Leliana saying "the Chantry believes in giving people second chances. Anyone as long they seek atonement. Right?"
"I… yes." Leliana said slowly.
"Go and tell the Mother at the Chantry. Tell her the Wardens will allow him to work off his sins" Agron said. "That might work. Wait for me" Leliana said nodding as she left heading for the Chantry.
"Spent much time in the Chantry did you?" Morrigan asked as they waited for Leliana to return. She has a point. I didn't think Agron was very religious Alistair thought.
"There was Sister than went into the Alienage at Denerim. She was the only one to ever visit and hold prayer for the Elves. I used to go with my father. I picked up a few things" Agron said shrugging.
"I used to always fall asleep in prayer" Alistair said remembering all the times he was sent to scrub the kitchens for sleeping when he wasn't supposed to like during mandatory prayer.
"Anyway what should we call that Mabari we picked up? We can't just keep calling him dog he needs a name" Alistair glancing at the beast.
"Why not? Dog is nice. Simply and clean" Agron said grinning. "Oh so now you have a sense of humor" Alistair said as Morrigan rolled her eyes at them and Sten watched silently.
"It comes and it goes" Agron said shrugging. "My people have heard Legends of the Grey Wardens. Strong and fierce people worthy of respect… I suppose not every legend is true" Sten said suddenly.
"In my experience most legends are wrong. But every now and again one will surprise you... legends are supposed to be unlikely that's why they're legends" Agron said simply.
"Call the mutt what you will just keep him away from me" Morrigan said crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at the Mabari as he looked at her with sad round eyes.
"How about Sir Fang. Mabari have big teeth" Alistair grinned looking over the Mabari as Agron reached a hand down and scratched the dog's ear.
"Argos" Agron said as the Mabari looked up at him and barked.
"I've heard that name before. Is it from a story" Morrigan said curiously. "It's from a story my mother told me when I very little. About a loyal dog that protected his master and even waited twenty years for his master to come home" Agron answered.
"What happened at the end?" Alistair asked. "The dog died" Agron answered. "Wow that was depressing! Thanks a lot Agron you really know how to kill the mood" Alistair said.
"You're missing the point Alistair. The dog should have died from old age but waited twenty years just to see his master one last time before he passed away. The bond between them was enough for the dog to live those extra ten years. Argos was a loyal dog" Agron answered.
Before Alistair could respond to that Leliana appeared holding a key and some supplies she had picked up for them. "The Mother agreed to release him to the Wardens" Leliana said giving Agron the key.
"Thanks" Agron said turning to Sten's cage and unlocking it.
"I am free… this barely seems real" Sten said as he stepped outside the cage stretching. "You're with us now my friend. Come on we should have left Lothering hours ago" Agron said clamping Sten's shoulder before taking point once again.
A madwoman, an Apostate, and a Qunari all recruited to help the Wardens, what's next a Golem? Alistair thought humorously as the group reached the road.
As the last two Grey Wardens in Ferelden walked in front of the others Alistair noticed something… a cold feeling crawling up his spine. "We'll find you some armor when we can Sten. I'm sorry but we don't have the coin right now" Agron said as they followed the road. Alistair raised a hand placing it on the hilt of his Longsword as he heard the low whispers that he knew only he and Agron could hear.
Agron stopped as well looking confused.
"Are you alright?" Leliana said placing a hand on Agron's shoulder only for the Elf to shrug her off.
Argos moved to sit by Agron's leg looking up at his master curiously. "Do you hear that?" Agron said in a low voice arching his brows. "Hear what?" Leliana asked as Morrigan strained… listening for something but hearing only the wind.
"I hear nothing" Sten said before turning to Alistair saying "but he hears what you hear." "You hear that" Agron said turning to Alistair seeing him holding the hilt of his Longsword.
"I hear it too. The whispers. I'm sorry we didn't have time to explain earlier I uh kinda forgot. You're a Grey Warden now Agron. You can sense the Darkspawn… took a little while for it to kick in eh" Alistair said nodding at his friend.
"Yeah I didn't feel anything at Ostagar. But I do now" Agron said slowly before continuing "how far are they? How many?" Alistair took a deep breath saying "more than five. Somewhere up the road. That's all I can tell." "Alright we can get the jump on them" Agron said.
"Interesting" Morrigan said watching the two Grey Wardens curiously as Leliana simply stared at Agron and Alistair with wide eyes. Sten began stretching his arms ready for a fight only for Agron to unsheathe one of his Longswords and hand it to the former prisoner.
"It will do for now" Sten said nodding.
As the six of them, Alistair, Agron, Leliana, Morrigan, Sten, and Argos, followed the road warily they noticed a Dwarven merchant of some kind trying to fight a small group of Darkspawn.
"We need to help them" Agron said quickly rushing forward, Alistair beside him, as the group charged.
Apparently the Dwarven merchant was not alone as just as the Wardens reached them they noticed an assistant of some kind using a small hammer protecting his boss. Using his Shield, Alistair batted away the Darkspawn that was attacking the Dwarven merchant then slashed the Darkspawn's throat open with his Longsword.
Agron rushed forward and dodging an axe before he stabbed the Darkspawn he was fighting. An arrow tore through the air hitting a Darkspawn in the left eye killing the beast.
As Leliana loaded another arrow Morrigan raised her staff shooting a burst of red flame magic that hit two Darkspawn burning them alive.
Sten appeared beside Alistair moving faster than a man his size should be able to and with a single swing of his Longsword beheaded a Darkspawn that had charged Alistair.
Agron pulled free his Longsword as the Darkspawn he stabbed slumped to the floor still trying to fight only for Agron to finish it off with a hurried slash to the throat.
Alistair raised his Shield blocking a charging Darkspawn's stab before slamming the Darkspawn back and stabbing it in the throat, the Darkspawn's vile black blood dripping down from the blow.
Leliana fired two more arrows that pierced the chest of a charging Darkspawn while the one behind it saw her and raised his spear. Before Leliana could load another arrow Argos appeared leaping atop the Darkspawn.
Remembering his training from Ostagar, Argos clawed at the Darkspawn's throat killing it without getting any blood near his mouth.
"Look out!" Alistair called as he saw the last two Darkspawn charging Agron. Before Alistair or Sten reached Agron and before Leliana or Morrigan could get a clear shot the Darkspawn were on Agron.
Then Agron did something surprising… he held his own against both Darkspawn. Instead of trying to take on both at the same time Agron stabbed one Darkspawn then moving quickly he reached over and grabbed him.
Seeing the other Darkspawn raising his axe Agron quickly shoved the Darkspawn he'd stabbed then grabbed forward using the Darkspawn as a living shield against the other one.
Agron's living shield took the axe directly in its head killing it. Before the last Darkspawn could pull free his axe Leliana fired an arrow striking the Darkspawn's throat.
Roaring in pain the Darkspawn stumbled back still alive as Agron pulled free his Longsword shoving aside the corpse of his living Shield. Reaching the last Darkspawn Agron slashed the Darkspawn's throat open, finishing what Leliana's arrow started and killing the last of the Darkspawn.
"Not bad for a new Warden. Where'd you learn that" Alistair said appearing beside Agron and clamping the Elf on the back. Only Agron didn't seem to be listening as he looked at his Longsword confused.
"I… I don't… I just reacted. Saw both of them coming and took out one then blocked with what I had... I didn't plan it or anything" Agron said looking up at Alistair.
"Unusual. But impressive" Sten said speaking up.
"Eh just keep 'reacting' then and you'll be fine" Alistair said shrugging as the Dwarven merchants got their attention. "Ancestors that was close! Thank you good sirs. Which way are you lot traveling? Maybe we could share the road" the Dwarf in charge said.
"We're heading northeast" Leliana began only for Agron to speak up saying "you might not want to share the road with us. We're Grey Wardens."
"Oh! Uh yes it might not wise for us to travel with you. Still allow me and boy to repay you. We collect and sell all kinds of goods. Have something, no charge" the Dwarf said gesturing around at the various supplies littered around the road.
"You run this Caravan with only two people?" Alistair asked looking over the two Dwarfs. "We do what we can. I'm Bodahn and this is my boy Sandal" Bodahn answered.
The Darkspawn tried to rob these Dwarfs for supplies… Duncan was right they're using smarter tactics because of the Blight Alistair thought darkly.
Glancing back at Sten before looking at Leliana, Agron turned back to Bodahn saying "do you have any armor? We could use some."
"As matter of fact I do" Bodahn said as he and Sandal started looking through their supplies and organizing it with a little help from Agron and the group.
Bodahn found a light set of leather armor for Leliana and even managed to find an extra set of Splintmail armor for Sten that barely fit him. "Thank you" Leliana said taking her armor.
"It will do" Sten said taking his Splintmail armor. "Do you have any swords you could part with? A Greatsword perhaps?" Sten asked suddenly as looked around Bodahn's supplies.
"Heavy" Sandal said gesturing at old Greatsword lying inside a fallen crate. Sten picked up the Greatsword as easily as he had Agron's Longsword saying "old but useable."
"Glad we could help. We found that Greatsword a while ago and we hadn't had the time to clean but it's yours now eh my rather large friend" Bodahn said smiling.
"Here take some coin" Agron said pulling free a few coin that they could spare. "It's no trouble you saved our lives and the Caravan" Bodahn said shaking his head.
"Two armors and a Greatsword is too much to giveaway take the money" Agron said not letting Bodahn refuse and handing the coin to Sandal. "Hehe Nice man" Sandal said stupidly as he took the coin. "You are too kind" Bodahn said smiling once again.
"You should travel more carefully" Alistair said as they gathered their new supplies up. "Oh we will" Bodahn said as Sandal spoke up saying "I'll hit em in the knees again. Fun." Bodahn laughed good naturedly as he patted Sandal's head
There is something weird about that Dwarf... he didn't seem afraid Alistair thought as he and Agron took point as the group and Bodahn's Caravan got ready to part ways.
As they walked Sten caught up to Agron and handed him back his second Longsword. "Too small for me but it seemed to serve you well" Sten said in thanks. "You needed a weapon. Thanks for giving it back" Agron said sheathing his second Longsword.
Why are Qunari so stiff or is it just him Alistair thought as they walked.
Hours later the group had made camp in a clearing near a river. They'd traveled a good distance already and according to the map Leliana had brought they'd reach the Circle in four days.
Now Alistair had finished cooking the only stew he knew how to make, grateful that Agron had managed to get a campfire going. "Here you go" Alistair said handing Leliana and Sten a bowl of stew as Agron handed Morrigan one before getting one for himself.
"It… um seems good" Leliana said trying to be nice. "It taste better than it looks" Alistair said shrugging as he started eating. "This is the blandest stew I've ever eaten. It appears I will have to get my own supper" Morrigan said after taking a single sip of Alistair's stew.
Before any of them could say anything Morrigan had left her stew on the ground and moved back to her isolated corner of the camp and started her fire for cooking.
"Now that's just rude. It's not that bad… right" Alistair said looking around at Sten and Leliana as Argos appeared beside Agron and began eating Morrigan unfinished stew.
"It is sustenance. It doesn't matter how good it is" Sten said in his deep gravelly voice as he ate away not caring either way. "I've had worse" Leliana said politely as she ate.
"Thanks Leliana" Alistair said sighing.
Agron turned to Alistair, having just eaten half of his stew, saying "next time Morrigan or I should cook." They ate in silence after that until Alistair started cleaning up with a little help from Leliana whom said she didn't mind and wanted to make herself useful.
"Alistair can we talk for a minute" Agron said suddenly as Argos slumped to the ground near the camp fire and fell asleep.
"Sure" Alistair said as he finished cleaning up and followed Agron to the edge of their camp where Sten was currently on watch. "We'll take over. Get some rest Sten" Agron said in greeting.
After Sten had nodded respectfully and left Agron spoke up saying "you didn't want to lead. I get that Alistair, I do but I can't do this alone I'm still a new Warden. I need your help."
Yeah I know I should be leading… but it's better this way. Bad things tend to happen when I take charge… my Joining. I was in charge and I let someone die Alistair thought somberly as he said "I got your back."
"Thanks for that. We really don't know what we're doing do we?" Agron said crossing his arms looking thoughtful as he and Alistair took watch at the edge of camp.
"Nope not a clue in the world but we work with what we have" Alistair said shrugging as they both keep their eyes on the path leading to their camp, just in case bandits tried something.
"I'm still learning how to do this Alistair. You were with Duncan and the others longer than me; you'll need to teach me about sensing Darkspawn and how the Wardens trained" Agron said shifting slightly.
"I'll show you what I know but the Wardens didn't exactly have a manual; they did their own things and worked together as an elite group using the skills of everyone in their squads" Alistair said rubbing his chin as he remembered the Grey Wardens at Ostagar.
Wait… Agron doesn't know about the Calling does he? No I don't think Duncan had a chance to tell him. It's not something you just blurt out. "Hey by the way once you're a Warden you got thirty years before you die! Welcome to the club!" Alistair thought keeping it to himself.
Agron shouldn't know right now. We might die before this is all over and that knowledge just makes it worse. Once you know about the Calling you can never unknow and that's the worse part. Better to let Agron live without that knowledge for now. He's handling a lot already I don't need to make things worse Alistair thought darkly.
"What do you think Duncan would have done?" Agron asked with a far off look in his eye. "I don't know… probably the same thing we're doing" Alistair said lowering his head slightly.
"Bet he'd had a better plan than us. Duncan would have known where to get allies and which to go first without even thinking about it. He was our leader and he always had a plan for everything" Alistair said with a sad smile.
Duncan was the only one who ever cared what I wanted… he thought I could be more than what I aspired to be. More than just a bastard locked away in the Chantry Alistair thought remembering his recruitment.
"You miss him don't you? You haven't been the same since Ostagar but then again I haven't been the same either" Agron said getting Alistair's attention again. "… yeah Duncan was a great man. He saved me from a life in the Templars" Alistair answered.
"Duncan saved both our lives by sending us to that tower. You know that right" Agron said glancing back at Alistair.
"I know. I keep thinking about that. If only he had… if we had traded places. Duncan would have been a much better Warden to deal with the Blight" Alistair said somberly as he looked away rubbing his eyes.
"They were a lot of people who should been the ones to survive. Who could have handled this better than we can" Agron said slowly with a far off look before continuing "but their gone Alistair and we can't bring them back. All we can do is finish what they started. We're the only ones left in Ferelden and it's our job to end the Blight.
"Yeah I know Agron. It's just hard at times. Duncan was a good man" Alistair said getting himself back together as he and Agron stood watch.
"You know when this is all over and if were still alive I liked to bury him if I can… I don't think he had even family to speak of" Alistair said. "… I don't think there'd be anything left of his body" Agron said darkly.
"I think he came from Highever. Maybe I'll go up there and see about putting up something in his honor. I don't know something, anything… he'd deserved more than what he got" Alistair said before turning to Agron saying "have you lost anyone… not that I mean to pry. I just…"
Agron slowly nodded not looking at Alistair as he answered "I lost my mother a few years ago." "How did you deal with it" Alistair asked. Agron shrugged saying "time I guess. I was sad at first then angry. Angry for a long time."
"Angry at what?" Alistair asked genuinely curious.
"Angry at the Alienage, angry at our lives, even angry at some of my family for no real reason… but my cousin helped me. Time heals all wounds or so the older folk say" Agron answered sounding more mature than a man his age should.
"Maybe" Alistair said slowly.
"If we survive the Blight I think I'd like to join you at Highever. I didn't know Duncan as long as you did but he was kind to me. He treated me as an equal. He saved my life twice and the least I can do is help you honor him" Agron said softly.
Alistair nodded then frowned slowly saying "what. Duncan saved your life twice? As in two different times? What do you mean did he help you before sending us to the tower?"
"Duncan stopped the Denerim Guards from arresting me… probably saved me from being executed come to think of it" Agron said simply as if it was just an average day. "What!" Alistair said gaping as he looked at Agron whom shrugged.
"You were in prison when Duncan recruited you? Marker! What happened?" Alistair asked.
"It's a long story" Agron answered. "I bet" Alistair responded.
"Anyway I can take this watch alone. You should get some rest before we head out in the morning" Alistair said moving to take a seat on the ground. "You sure?" Agron asked.
"It's fine" Alistair answered. "I'll come back in four hours to take over." Agron said nodding as he went back into camp to get some sleep. Alistair watched his fellow Grey Warden go before turning back to his watch unsheathing his Longsword and keeping close by just in case.
We have a hard life ahead of us Agron. Even if we somehow survive and hold against the Blight things won't be easy. A Warden's life is never easy that's what Duncan used to say.
But I think we'll be okay for now. We already found some allies and like Duncan used to say every army begins with a small group
Kind of short but I thought it was fitting end for this chapter
If anyone can get the reference to the Marbari's name than I solute you
One thing I always wondered was why it was barely mentioned that Alistair is letting the Player Character lead when he is the senior Warden and I know Morrigan brings it up in her banter but I wanted to expand on that.
Who leads the group will be an issue further down the road
Hope you enjoyed the holidays and thank for Reading and please Review.