"For merely ten silvers, we'll let you pass."
Theron crossed his arms, and cocked an eyebrow at the bandit. "I could drop you with a punch, shem."
Alistair noticed that the elf no longer wore his sad expression that plagued him the night before. Now it seemed that he was back to hating everything in existence. The thing that surprised him the most, however, was that he was actually glad he had gone back to his hate. Anger, the warrior could deal with. He didn't know what to do with sadness.
The leader looked back at his underlings and led them in a laugh "You really think you'd last two seconds in a fight with me? I killed a whole garrison of guards to insure my freedom from Denerim!"
"Then one elf really shouldn't be a problem for you." Theron ridiculed
The bandit scoffed "You got a lot nerve, knife-ear."
"Almost as much as your bravado." Theron replied, as his anger made his fists tremble after the racial slur the bandit just spoke. "Here's the deal: You win, I'll give you all the money we're carrying and slink away quietly."
Smug, the bandit nodded "Sounds good to me."
"But if I win, you answer all our questions then leave this place."
"How do we know when it's over?" The thug asked, sporting a arrogant smile
"First on who lands on their ass?"
"Deal!" The thief laughed and drew his sword "Best start emptying your pockets now, elf-"
Theron had stopped the man with a quick punch, accompanied by a horrible cracking sound. The bandit fell onto his backside and grabbed his jaw, whimpering in pain.
"Oh look." Theron said plainly "You're on your ass."
Alistair smiled happily, and even Morrigan got enjoyment out of it. "Y-you cheated!" The bandit stuttered out
"How?" Alistair asked "You drew your blade, thus starting match."
The thug stared up at them in disbelief, then grumbled "Fine, what do you want to know?"
After Theron had questioned the bunch of idiots, he chased them off. And it wasn't until they were out of sight that he grimaced in pain and looked at his hand. "Son of a bitch!" He cried out as his looked at his two dislocated fingers.
Alistair grimaced along with him "That snapping sound was from you?!"
"Yeah…" Theron said calmly, as he mentally talked himself into cracking his fingers back into position. Making his thoughts a reality, Theron gripped the two fingers and snapped them back to their original sockets, with a low groan.
"Well, uh, since we're stopped, we should talk about where we're going." Alistair said
"Ah, so you do still possess your voice? Did falling on your blade in grief become boring?" Morrigan snipped
Alistair was about to mock back, but Theron quickly cut in "You have some thoughts on where we should go, Alistair?" The rogue was not in the mood to listen to their bickering at the moment. Or ever, really.
"Okay, well, we have Treaties for the Dalish Elves, The Circle of Magi and the Dwarves of Orzammar. But we can also go to Eamon- the Arl of Redcliff."
Theron nodded "My clan has already gone north, but Zathrian's clan is suppose to be in the Brecilian Forest around this time of year…" Theron thought aloud, knowing that this words weren't exactly true. Zathrian's clan should have started heading for Orlias already, but perhaps they could still find them if they hurried. "Redcliff is to the west, right? Or is that Denerim?"
"Redcliff- Denerim's to the east." Alistair explained, and pulled out his map, "Redcliff is about eight days trip from here, but the Brecilian Forest is only seven. We should probably head there first."
"Then we can grab the Treaty, swing back around, and head through Redcliff, up to Orzammar then to the Circle." Theron traced the route with the tip of his finger.
"What about Denerim?" Morrigan asked "We should go after Loghain directly, then this whole business with the Treaties can be done in safety."
"Right!" Alistair scoffed "Not like he has the advantage there with his army, experience, and-"
"That's enough, Alistair." Theron cut in "Morrigan, you heard that bandit talking, as far as anyone is concerned, Alistair and I are wanted criminals. There's no way the city guard is just going to let us walk around. It'll be more easy for us to avoid the law if we don't go waltzing into the capital."
"Humph, I suppose you are right." Morrigan replied
"Lovely, now that we all agree let's see what else we can find out from here." Theron said and began to lead the group down and into the town. First, he stumbled upon a few elves who he gladly gave some food too, second, a little boy who had lost his mother, third, found said boy's mother dead, fourth, released a Quanari into his custody with a few well placed threats, and finally, wandered into the tavern on Alistair word that they would be able to find information- where of course they was attack by a few of Loghain's lackeys.
A red headed woman came up and tried to defuse the situation to no avail. Theron was looking for a fight, and was happy to obliged. Of course the followers stood no chance against the raging elf and his campaions. Theron had them begging for mercy within three minutes.
The elf gripped the leader of Loghain's lackeys by the front of his breastplate, dragging him down to Theron's level- the human was a full head taller than the elf, after all. The rogue gave the minion a nasty scowl, along with a hash whisper saying "Tell Loghain: The Grey Wardens know what really happened at Ostagar… And if he wants to get rid of us, he's going to have to do a hell of a lot better than this."
The underling nodded quickly, his face full of fear. "Yes!" He squeaked "I'll tell him! Now!" and nearly ran from the inn.
Theron cracked his neck "Good idea Alistair," Theron said, with only a little sarcasm attached, he had enjoyed annihilating Loghain's followers.
Alistair smirked "Yes, Ser McAsshat, because I knew Loghain's lackeys would be in here."
The elf shot him a spiteful glare, "Sorry for interrupting…" The red headed woman said, with a warm smile.
Theron didn't look at her, just shrugged her off "You're not, we were just leaving." he said, walking to the door.
She lit right up "Great! Where are we going!?" she asked excitedly
Theron gave her a look that sent chills down her spine "We're not going anywhere." he spoke bluntly, as he gestured to himself and the red head "But I'm leaving."
"But I could come with you-" The red headed started
"No." Theron broke her off
"I can fight! I can do more than fight! I can-"
"No." Theron interrupted again
Her lips formed a small line, determined to get this stubborn elf to let her join. "I have too… The Maker told me to!"
Theron crossed his arms over his chest, and raised his eyebrows. "And I should give a damn what your God wants because…?"
Alistair looked at the elf, he was nothing like Duncan had described in the letter. Duncan had mentioned that Theron was completely understanding, and always willing to give chances and help people. Yet Theron was acting like a total chauvinist- but then again, he had sent that letter before Theron lost his best friend to the Darkspawn, and literally got dragged into the Wardens.
The woman bit her bottom lip, trying to come up with an argument. "H-he's not just my God!" She insisted "There are, uh, many people who believe in the Maker!"
Theron rolled his eyes, and started walking away, "Well, I am not counted among them, so I shan't be needing his support." he marched out of the tavern door, the red head following close behind.
She reached out to grab his shoulder, but Alistair shot his hand forward and grabbed her wrist. Questioning, she looked at him, and Alistair mouthed to her 'Don't touch him,' remembering his painful experience from when he had made contact with him at Ostagar.
She pulled her hand free just as Theron glanced back at her. Annoyed, he sighed "Look-" He snapped, turning to face her "I'm going to say this VE-RY slowly…." he said, dragging out his words "You." he pointed to her "Not coming." he shook his head, and swished his hands through the air in a motion that said "No."
Now Alistair stepped in "Theron- she just wants to help, you saw what she could do in that tavern."
He glanced at the warrior. It was amazing how the elf could send whole messages with only a momentary look. The message he sent was "Alistair, you can agree with me, or you can shut the fuck up."
"You said it yourself- we need all the help we can get." Alistair continued, ignoring the fear ebbing it's way into his stomach.
Theron shook his head, "I said no, and I meant it! End of discussion! " he nearly yelled
"Theron, please-" Alistair pleaded
"No!" he instantly snapped "Now we're done spokening- speakening- SPEAKING?!- Argh!- Talking about it!" Theron threw his hands in the air "Gods damn the fucking Fereldan tongue!" He shouted in Elvish, as he stomped his way towards the Imperial Highway.
He already hated this quest.