Chapter 10

When Alistair had described an Ogre to them, Kali really had not been prepared for just how big it actually was. And it was armoured. They ran up the stairs and it was bent over something burning. Then it realised they were there and turned round glaring at them, its humongous horns shining in the fire light. Kali shuddered, how in the name of the Maker had Alistair taken one of these down the first time he had encountered the Darkspawn.

The creature growled loudly hitting its chest a couple of times for good measure. Then it stood up to full height.

"Kali stay out of its way and lay down anything you can," Alistair yelled. "You two we need to try push it into a corner or attack from all sides. Try to keep low, if it makes a grab for you it try rip you in half."

Kali suddenly had an idea. "Put your swords up," she yelled. "I want to try something."

"Not a good time," Alistair stated as the Ogre was starting to make a run towards them. The three dogs took off in its direction.

"Trust me," she yelled back at the Blond and other two men. She concentrated fire energy on their swords. "They burn . . . so use the fire," she said smiling as all three weapons suddenly set alight.

It took a bit out of her but she was able to melt back to the side of the tower top as the men charged the monster. She found and inhaled some Lithium dust they had managed to plunder from the dead Darkspawn they had left below and continued firing bolts at it trying not to hit the men or dogs.

It looked like they were getting the upper hand but then the Ogre managed to grab Alistair by the arm and swung him up and round like a rag doll her father had given her once.

She changed tact and threw a winters gasp at it's hand. The Ogre dropped Alistair in shock from the sudden cloud. The other warden landed in a loud clunk and didn't move.

"Go for it's hands," she yelled at the dogs which started jumping up on their hind legs trying to snap at the monster. They kept it busy allowing the other two guards to start hacking away at its back and legs but it was slow going to make a dent in its chainmail.

"Come on Alistair," Kali said worried. She tried the heal again from her position using her staff. She actually managed to conjure some creation energy and it flew in the downed wardens direction but he still didn't move. Kali swallowed. She couldn't do anything further for him. She didn't even know if he was alive.

"New plan perhaps," yelled one of the guards as the creature threw one of the dogs against a wall. It landed the other side of Alistair.

"We need to get it on its back," she yelled. She could feel in the taint it was weakening. "Go for the head." It was the only part of the ogre with nothing covering it.

Remembering blasting that first door open to get into the tower, Kali started conjuring a fire ball as the creature smashed another guard to the side. If she could get enough force as before it might go down. No she chided herself, it was going down. There was no option.

"Keep back," she yelled not wanting to hit them her fire ball really swirling with energy now. The dogs responded to her order but the guard wasn't quick enough. This time the creature had him in both hands and raised him to eye level.

The guard looked at her terrified as the Ogre growled loudly spitting all over him. "Do it. Hit the bastard."

She hesitated. There had to be a way to get him free, perhaps another winters grasp.

"Now," he bellowed at her before the Ogre in one horrific move, tore his torso apart before her eyes. Blood spurted everywhere. Then the monster locked eyes on her and threw both parts of what had been the guard down.

No hesitation this time Kali hit the creature with everything she had. And it went down. The two dogs ran forward and started trying to bite its face as Kali fell backwards. Her mana depleted. She started desperately going through her pockets for any more Lithium. She had to find something in case it got to its feet again, or she would be meeting with the Maker.

One of the dogs flew violently past her smashing on the ground. The blood splattered down her. The Ogre pushed at the other one and started to sit up.

Then in what looked like slow motion, Alistair was on his feet again and ran at the creature, straight up the creature in fact. His weight on its chest pushed it down once more and the other warden slammed his broadsword in its heart. She could see the Ogre raise its hand once more. It was going to make grab for Alistair but he was faster this time slamming the sword right between its eyes.

It shuddered and its huge head lolled to one side. Alistair all but rolled off it before the light left the monsters eyes. "The becon," Alistair yelled his voice all gravelly. "Light it now."

She nodded and hauled herself on her feet, pure adrenaline powering her. Grabbing a torch from the side of the tower she lit it and then ran to Alistair slinging his arm round her shoulder and trying to pull him to his feet. He was pale and there was so much blood.

"Help me with this, there's . . . there's more coming," he indicated his sword trying to pull it out of the Ogres chest again.

She could feel it too. Darkspawn were suddenly coming up the stairs at them for all sides. And they had arrows. Lots of arrows. That was Kali's last thought before it all went black.

"Ahh so you are stirring then."

Kali groaned as she rolled to her side. She was dead. She had to be. The last thing she remembered was her and Alistair being hit by dozens of arrows. Her hand ran up to feel her chest eyes fluttered open in confusion. There was nothing there and where was she.

"Your eyes finally open. Mother shall be pleased."

Either she wasn't dead then or the Maker had one horrible sense of humour she reasoned as understanding of who the person was dawned on her.

Kali sat up and realised she was in just her underwear. The other women tossed her something. She looked down and recognised Alistair's tunic.

"I remember you," Kali said as she pulled it over her. "You are the girl from the Wilds."

"I am Morrigan, lest you have forgotten," she smirked at her. "And we are in the Wilds, where I am bandaging your wounds. You are welcome by the way."

Kali looked at her stunned. How was this possible?

"How does your memory fare?" Morrigan asked. "Do you remember Mother's rescue?"

"I remember being overwhelmed by Darkspawn," Kali answered still trying to rationalise all this in her head.

"Mother managed to save you and your friend, though t'was a close call," Morrigan informed her. "What is important is that you both live."

"The man that was to respond to your signal quit the field," she carried on. "The Darkspawn won your battle. Those he abandoned were massacred. Your friend . . . . he is not taking it well."

"My friend," Kali asked trying to take all of this in. "You mean Alistair." A flush of relief and excitement flooded over her. Though it was gone as quickly as her brain reasoned what Morrigan had said.

Everyone was dead. They were all dead because Loghain had not done his part of the plan. After everything the two of them had faced in that tower. Two men dead, dogs thrown around, having to fight through masses of Darkspawn and it had all been for nothing.

"The suspicious, dim witted one that was with you before, yes," Morrigan said snarkily. Then her face softened ever so slightly at Kali's angry stare at her words. Had she no idea what they had just gone through at all. How dare she insult Alistair like that. It took all her self control not to lose herself in the anger she felt right now. Loghain had abandoned Calian, the mages, Chantry, Templar's. Everyone and for what?

"He is outside by the fire. Mother asked to see you when you awoke,"

"Why does your mother want to see me?" Kali asked.

"I do not know. She rarely tells me her plans,"

"Were my injuries severe?" Kali asked as she felt at her upper body again. There had been arrows right in her.

"Yes," Morrigan answered. "But I expect you will be fine. The Darkspawn did nothing that Mother could not heal."

"What about Alistair? Is he alright?"

Morrigan looked slightly irritated. "He is ... as you are. I suppose it would be unkind to say he is being childish."

Kali breathed hard but decided not to snap back. The women and her mother had somehow saved them after all and Alistair was alive. Thank the Maker for that.

"Thank you for your kindness Morrigan," she said softly.

She looked surprised. "I . . . you are welcome. Though Mother did of the work. I am no healer."

Kali nodded. She was a mage alright but definitely not with Creation talents. She was absolutely certain now Morrigan was a blood mage.

"I have some questions if you don't mind?" Kali asked.

"I don't mind. Take your time," Morrigan answered.

"Are we safe here? Where are the Darkspawn?"

"We are safe for the moment. Mother's magic keeps the Darkspawn away," she told her. "Once you leave, tis uncertain what will happen. The horde has moved on so you might avoid it."

"Why did your mother save us?" Kali queried.

"I wonder at that myself," Morrigan looked thoughtful. "But she tells me nothing. Perhaps you were the only ones she could reach. I would have rescued your King. A King would be worth a much higher ransom than you."

"Thanks a lot," Kali muttered. She was disgusted. So they were prisoners then for a couple of apostates to get some coin.

"How did she managed to rescue us?" Kali asked suddenly. Her mother was old and there had been so many Darkspawn. If Morrigan was telling the truth, perhaps there truly was a Witch of the Wilds.

Morrigan looked at her seriously. "She turned into a giant bird and plucked the two of you from the top of the tower. One in each talon."

Kali looked at her, not sure what to make of that.

"Fine, if you do not believe that tale, then I suggest you ask Mother yourself. She may even tell you the tale," the brunette finished.

"Are there any survivors besides us?" Kali asked decidedly. She wanted off the topic of a crazy old women turning into a bird. Morrigan could not possibly be serious.

"Only stragglers that are long gone," she answered smiling. Clearly she had wanted to see what reaction Kali had to her claims. "You would not want to see what was happening in the valley now."

"Why what's happening?" Kali asked.

"Are you sure you want me to describe it?" asked Morrigan.

Kali swallowed and then nodded slowly. "Yes . . . please."

"I got a good view of the battlefield. Tis a grisly scene. There are bodies everywhere, and Darkspawn swarm them . . . feeding I think," Morrigan didn't bat an eyelid. Kali meanwhile just felt sick.

"They also look for survivors," Morrigan continued. "And drag them down beneath the ground. I cannot say why."

"Why did Teyrn Loghain abandon the King?" Kali demanded changing the subject. Her blood felt hot at the mention of that man.

"I do not know who this Loghain even is," Morrigan said. "Perhaps ask Mother of it."

Kali nodded. "I think I have asked enough questions."

"I agree. Tis time you speak with mother, then be on your way," Morrigan chirped. She then left the room.

At least she wasn't serious about ransoming them Kali mused as she stood up and looked round. Her robes were at the foot of the bed. She secured them round her but looked sadly at the tiny holes. So there had been arrows. She definitely hadn't dreamed that.

Kali went through the door that Morrigan had just left and came outside the hut. Alistair had his back to her and was looking out into the water. Long reeds were down the side. Morrigans mother was to his left.

"See. Here's your fellow Grey Warden. You worry too much young man," she told him.

Alistair looked pale. She could tell he was not the same man he had been. Not after what had just happened. She was not the same either now. Both were fundamentally changed.

"You ... your alive," he said after a long moment as if weighing up if she was really there in front of him. "I thought you were dead for sure." To her surprise he pulled her into a tight hug but then released her just as fast, as if worried he would break her.

"I'm fine," she told him. "I appreciate your concern Alistair." She smiled weakly at him.

Alistair was definitely struggling. "Oh this doesn't seem real. If it wasn't for Morrigans mother we would be dead on top of that tower."

"Do not talk of me as if I am not present lad," the older lady stated.

Alistair broke his gaze from Kali turning to her. "I didn't mean . . . . but what do we call you? You never told us your name."

The women told them,"Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."

Kali's ears pricked. Stories her father used to tell her as a child came flooding back. Alistair looked like he was having the same reaction.

"The Flemeth? From the legends? Daveth was . . . he was right . . . your the Witch of the Wilds aren't you?" Alistair blurted.

"And what does that mean?" Flemeth asked. "I know a bit of magic and its served you both well, has it not?"

"So why did you save us?" Kali asked.

"Well, we cannot have all the Grey Wardens dying at once can we? Someone has to deal with these Darkspawn," she answered. "It has always been the Grey Wardens duty to unite the lands against the Blight. Or did that change when I wasn't looking?"

"Of course not!" Kali answered.

"But we were fighting the Darkspawn," Alistair exclaimed. "The King . . . Calian . . . he had almost defeated them. Why would Loghain do this?"

"Now that is a good question," Flemeth told him. "Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature. Perhaps he believed the Blight is an army he can outmanoeuvre? Perhaps he does not see the evil behind it is the true threat."

Kali looked at Alistair confused but then he said two words that put everything back into perspective again. "The Archdemon."

"What is this Archdemon exactly?" she asked him. Both Duncan and Alistair had not been that forthcoming about it.

"It is said that long ago, the Maker sent the old gods of the ancient Tervinter Inperuim to slumber in prisons deep within the surface," Flemeth said. "An Archdemon is an old god awakened and tainted by Darkspawn. Believe that or not, history says it is a fearsome and immortal thing. And only fools ignore history."

"We should contact the rest of the Grey Wardens," Kali said to Alistair.

"Calian already summoned them. They will come if they can but I suspect Loghain will have already taken steps to stop them," he said sadly. "We must assume that they won't arrive in time."

"What could the Teyrn expect to gain by betraying the King?" Kali wondered.

"The throne?" Alistair suggested. "He is the Queens father. Still, I can't see how he will get away with murder."

"You speak as if he is the first king to gain his throne that way. Wake up boy," Flemeth snapped.

"If Arl Eamon knew what he did, he would never stand for it," Alistair retorted. Kali had no idea who Arl Eamon was. "The Landsmeet would never stand for it. There would be civil war."

She wasn't sure what a Landsmeet was either.

"Arl Eamon?" she asked him.

"The Arl of Redcliffe,"

"I suppose ... the Arl wasn't at Ostagar," Alistair said thinking. "He still has all his men. And he was Calians uncle. I know him. He is a good man, respected in the Landsmeet. Of course. We could go to Redcliffe and appeal to him for help."

"That sounds like an excellent idea," Kali nodded.

"Such determination," Flemeth said. "How intriguing."

"I still don't know if Arl Eamons help would be enough," Alistair mused. "He can't defeat the Darkspawn horde by himself."

"Surely there are other allies we can call on," Kali asked. He had to know more than her. She had been a Grey Warden a day at the most.

"Of course, the treaties," Alistair's face brightened slightly. "Grey Wardens can demand aid from Dwarves, Elves, Mages and other places! They are obligated to help us during a Blight."

Flemeth crossed her arms. "I may be old, but Dwarves, Elves, Mages . . this Arl Eamon, and who knows what else . . . it sounds like an army to me."

Alistair looked at Kali. His eyes sparkled, the old Alistair shining through. "Ready to do this?"

She nodded. "Let's build an army."