Abandoned Sanctuary
Chapter: Family
During the toughest of times we must band together!
When the bad weather hits us straight on,
we have to get through that rough storm.
Holding each other with a tight grip
so that each one of us do not slip.
For that rough weather will take us on,
trying to tear us apart one by one.
So family let's hold on to each other with all our might!
And when that bad weather hits us straight on,
we'll get through it still standing as a family, strong!
-Toughest Of Times
~ Kimberly Williams
The group took the North Road east from Soldier's Peak. They made good time and stopped to eat lunch at the River Dane. The companions set down their packs around a large rock stationed near the river with a large tree overhanging the embankment.
Alistair peered over and read the inscription etched in the rock. "In honor of the fallen of the battle of River Dane. This is the battle that turned the tides for the uprising wasn't it?"
"I see some of the Chantry teachings did stick with you, Alistair," Wynne chuckled taking a small bite of the dried deer meat.
"Actually that I read in a book from Arl Eamon's library."
"Father used to tell Fergus and I stories of the battles he and mother had during the Orlesian occupation. I remember when I'd fall asleep, I could practically hear the sound of clashing of steel," Laurena's tone was soft as was her smile.
"Did you ever meet him, Cailan, I mean before Ostagar?" Alistair said before taking a large bite of the dried bread they had picked up at the inn near Soldier's Peak. The bread made good trail food for when they didn't have time to stop and set up a fire to cook.
"He spent most of his time around my brother but yes I had met him before Ostagar." Her smile brightened, "Though I don't think he would have ever admit to being pushed in the mud by an eight year old girl, when he himself was thirteen. King Maric couldn't stop laughing."
"You've met Maric?"
"On occasion, he and my parents fought together during the Orlesian occupation. Our meetings were rather brief, more like hello Laurena or my you've grown before I would go running off after the boys demanding they let me be a part of whatever adventure they had planned. Fergus would complain the whole time about being made to bring me along," her face went somber. "I do hope he made it out."
"Did you speak often with Cailan, Alistair?" Wynne asked tactfully moving the subject away from Laurena's missing brother as she brushed the crumbs off her robe.
"You're asking me if I had a relationship with my brother, aren't you?" Alistair frowned.
"Yes. I wonder what he thought of you."
"I don't think he cared much about my existence. I didn't mean anything to him. Anyway, to answer your original question, no, we never spoke. Well, maybe once. Maric and Cailan had come to Redcliff to visit the Arl. I was very young then. We were introduced. I believe I said, Greetings, your Highness. He said, Ooh! Swords! and ran off to the armory. So, yes, that was the extent of our relationship. We drifted apart after that. Very sad."
Laurena held a hand in front of her face to muffle her laugh at Alistair's humor. Wynne scoffed at his brush off and stood, ready to continue their journey.
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The companions pushed onward, cutting through Bann Lorin's land in order to avoid walking into any of Loghain's men on the main road. At some point, Eric seemed to have acquired a stick and he was constantly bumping his head against the closest person to throw it for him Morrigan was baffled by this behavior. Never had she seen the feral animals of the Wilds want to "play fetch" as Laurena called it.
She pointedly protested, making sure everyone understood exactly how much of a waste of time she thought it was.
The witch threw it for him every time he brought it to her though.
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"If you have a question, ask it feline," Sten's voice rumbled deeply in his chest
"Huh?" Aslinn blinked.
"You were staring."
"Tá mé buartha,* Sten I didn't realize I was," Aslinn was slightly embarrassed she'd been caught. "You just reminded me of a tribe back home and was wondering if they were related,"
"It is possible qunari have gone to war with many lands," Sten didn't look down at the female as he talked he kept walking.
"The Highlanders, thats what they're called, are a lot taller and have bigger muscles than normal humans, " the rogue spoke rapidly. "I always thought that they had bred with the Roegadyn but now I'm now sure."
"This tribe," the warrior looked down at the much shorter feline rogue, "May have bred with my people, the language you speak is proof enough of that, it is very similar to what the Qun speak." This caused Aslinn to smile. Sten always thought it was odd that the humans would bear their teeth at someone they did not wish to fight but being so long in this land made him realize it was a gesture of happiness.
"I understand that there are elves in the qunari lands, Sten."
The qunari warrior tried not to grit his teeth when he heard the assassin's voice. "There are elves everywhere."
"Hm. Yes." Zevran looked thoughtful. "Well, I've heard that the qunari actually put the elves in charge? Over the humans? Is that true?"
"Some of them," he replied flatly oddly causing the feline to snicker softly.
"Only some? Which ones are they?"
"The ones who belong in charge. That is the way of the Qun." Sten almost sighed…almost, at the insistent elf that had more than once reminded the giant of a small bird native to his homeland that contently squawked at everything that moved.
"How does this Qun determine who belongs in charge?"
"Zevs," Aslinn said. "You might as well give it up. He's not going to phrase it how you want him to.'"
"You do not know that, my dear kitten. He may tell me everything I need to know," Zevran waltzed up and casually put an arm around her clothed shoulder. When the group stopped at the inn outside of Soldier's Peak, Aslinn had purchased a snug long sleeve shirt that she now wore under her leathers. The elf had been disappointed she had covered up her skin but had been quickly silenced with a hard slug to the shoulder. A shoulder that still aches, the elf added mentally.
"Or he may give you a shiner."
"The tamassrans evaluate everyone and place them where their talents merit," the giant answered disinterested.
"Ah ha, see my kitten," the elf wore a face that said victory. "But elves, in general, merit higher places than humans in qunari society?"
"Some of them."
The blond rogue groaned. "Back where we began. It's like talking to a water wheel."
"See, Zevs, I know what I'm talking about," the crimson-hair woman patted Zevran on the head sympathetically, then laughed playful at his pout. Aslinn grinned to herself, an evil plan to tease, already forming in her head. The feline let the hand that had been resting comfortably on the elf's hip slip downward as she maneuvered her head closer to his. In a swift movement she leaned up and nipped gently the sensitive tip of his pointed ear all the while sliding her hand down and squeezing Zevran's buttock and then withdrew herself from him completely just as quickly.
The former Crow's eyes widened when he felt Aslinn's mouth on his ear at the same time she gave his rear a squeeze. She had pulled back before he could react. She faced him now, walking backwards, a feral grin on her face. She was getting bolder with her flirting. Two can play at this, he mentally added lunging to try and catch the feline off guard.
Aslinn ducked between Wynne and Leliana, so Zevran wouldn't be able to catch her then weaved between the two Wardens.
Laurena laughed as Aslinn practically skipped ahead of the rest of the group using the excuse she was going to scout ahead to get away from Zevran, Eric barked and ran behind her, his stick forgotten for the moment.
Zevran fully intended on chasing the crimson-haired minx but stopped short when he heard a feminine giggle from the bard followed by an almost dreamily stated, "They're so cute."
The elf turned back towards Leliana "Cute, am I?" He glanced momentarily in the direction the feline and mabari had gone, he'd get revenge on her later, he had after all promised Aslinn a lesson in the finer points of being an assassin. Turning his attention back to the bard he put on a charming smile. "I'd prefer to be called roguishly handsome, cute…cute is something you call a puppy not a fine male specimen, such as myself. Speaking of which, Leliana, I humbly offer my services to you should you feel the need for…release as it were."
Leliana scoffed, "You were flirting with Aslinn not two seconds ago and now you're doing the same with me," the bard shook her head when Zevran just shrugged. "Thank you being concerned for my well being, Zevran. Should every man in Ferelden suddenly die, you may have your chance."
The elf chuckled, "Let it never be said that I'm not here to help when the call comes."
Alistair waited until the blond elf passed him, to take rear guard, before slowly walking towards Leliana. "So I'm wondering something," he waiting until she turned her head towards him. "What exactly does a woman see in a man like Zevran? "
She smiled, "Oh, he's handsome enough for some. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. It's just..." the Templar running his hand briefly through his hair. "Doesn't he seem to be a bit too much? The hair, the clothing... "
"I don't understand. A bit too much what? Do you have a problem with him?"
"Beyond the fact that he's an assassin who's tried to kill us more than once. No... no, not really." He glanced at Laurena as she was listened to Wynne, a small smile on the dark-haired woman's lips. "Do women go for that sort of thing?" He hoped Leliana didn't catch the look.
He hoped in vain as she had, indeed, caught the look and had made a mental note to tease Laurena later about it. "Where I come from they do, oh yes."
"Huh Really?"
The red-head laughed "Yes really, but not all women do, Alistair….she does care for you a great deal."
"Who?" he squeaked, fighting off the urge to look at the raven-haired warrior again.
Leliana simply laughed at her friend instead of answering his question.
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The noblewoman smiled as she finished her conversation with the elder mage and briefly looked around their group to get her bearings where everyone was positioned. We really are a band of misfits. Everyone with a different backgrounds coming together to form a family, not a normal one but still a family. The noble turn battle maiden couldn't help but look back on her actually family for a moment. When all this began I would have given anything to bring them all back but now… her eyes caught Alistair's for a moment and he gave her a lopsided smile. Now I wouldn't give up this family for anything, even getting back what I lost.
A series whistle cut through the sounds of the forest, it was Aslinn, she was warning them of danger ahead. Laurena could head Eric's large feet hit the ground as he raced back to his mistress, the Miqo'te not far behind. "Armored men up head, they were chasing a human but I think they caught up to him."
"Can you show me?" Laurena wanted to assess the situation, if possible, before having their large group move into position. The rogue nodded swiftly and headed back in the direction she came, the noblewoman motioned for Alistair to follow and whistled for Eric to follow as well.
Aslinn was crouched down low behind a bush when the Wardens caught up with her. She held a single digit over her mouth when they both crouched low beside her. Alistair laid his shield on the ground hoping not to catch any sunlight on it and give away their position before peering over the shrubbery at the men below. There was man surrounded by guards and they were speaking roughly to him. Laurena made a hissing noise to draw his attention, she then motioned to herself then to him then jerked a thumb in the direction of the men below. We'll charge on my signal. The noblewoman then turned to Aslinn and made a half circle with her finger. Sneak around back and flank from the rear. The noble didn't need to tell Eric his job he knew it, protect his mistress.
Alistair was convinced Laurena was the most brilliant strategists he'd had the pleasure of knowing. Most nobles wanted their daughters to be quiet and respectful and even though the blond warden had never met Teryn Bryce Cousland he respected the fact that the man insured his youngest was just as well trained as his soldiers.
"Be ready," the raven-haired warrior at his side whispered when the guards pushed at their captive. The ex-templar noticed the crimson-hair rogue body was tense and poised to pounce, she reminded him of the few stray cats he'd seen at the Chantry when they were on the hunt. The deceptively delicate-looking claws that extended from each of her fingertip was a reminder that Aslinn wasn't an elf as she seemed (he was constantly forgetting since she kept her ears covered) but a huntress and a deadly predator.
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"I tried to help, I'm sorry I wasn't fast enough," Laurena said as both she and Alistair bent over Elric, one of Cailan's honor guards at Ostagar. They group had attacked the guards that were surrounding Elric but they were not quick enough to stop the man from being stabbed. The female Warden was distraught that she couldn't save one of the few survivors of that horrible battle.
The man coughed. "I saw, thank you," he paused then widened his eyes as he seemingly recognized the two Wardens. "You were there at Ostagar, with the Grey Wardens; one of Duncan's new recruits. I was to guard the king, he was my friend understand?" Elric coughed and seemed to have trouble breathing. Laurena had sent Aslinn earlier to go fetch Wynne and the rest of the group. Eric whined and licked the dying man's hand. "The dog with a similar name as mine," he laughed lightly causing him to wince. "I'm glad you got out too, we lost a lot of hounds that day. All that time in Bann Loren's prison and I couldn't stop thinking about all they suffered that one dark night at Ostagar…"
Laurena took the dying man's hand in her own and held it, trying to sooth him. "Hush now, you have to know it's not your fault they died."
"If it's anyone's fault it's Loghain's," Alistair growled, feeling anger at the old war hero.
"I know, but even had Loghain's men not turned their back on us, the darkspawn were too many. Even Cailan, with all his bravo," the man stopped looking in pain. "He must have known that there would be no victory at Ostagar. The king, he entrusted me with the key to the royal chest. If anything were to happen to him, he said, it was vital to give it to the Wardens."
Laurena looked at Alistair, the dirty-blond haired man kept his gaze locked on the dying man on the ground. Had Cailan intended to give it to his brother? He must have known about Alistair, all signs point to it, but did he want him to be the next on the throne instead of Anora? She had to talk to Eamon soon, they needed to retrieve those documents. "Do you still have the key?" Laurena turned back to Elric.
The former honor guard had a strained smile cross his face. "The Maker has a sense of humor doesn't he? I suppose it's for the best, however—had I kept it, it would be in Bann Loren's hands by now."
"Why am I not surprised?" her fellow warden complained. "Is there someone else we should be bringing back from the brink of death instead?"
"Alistair," she admonished but Elric looked ashamed.
"I was afraid," the dying man said honestly. "I thought I would lose it on the battlefield so I stashed in the camp—it's probably still there. The key, I hid it behind a loose stone at the base of a statue in camp.
"There were several statues at Ostagar, it was an old ruin you know," the Templar snapped.
He was frustrated with the whole situation and Laurena knew it, it didn't help that mention of the old ruin had brought back memories of Duncan. Maybe they'd be able to find his body and give him a proper send off. Maker, just don't let me find my brother's body. "Can you sketch out about where so we have an idea where to look?"
"Yes, Warden of course."
Alistair helped Elric up as Laurena fumbled through her pack for some spare parchment and ink.
"It's vital that the King's documents don't fall into the wrong hands."
The Wardens shared a glance. Loghain, they both thought.
"As for Maric's sword… it's too powerful to be pawed at by those monsters. Same for the King's arms and armor," Elric took a deep breath, before continuing. He didn't have much time where was Wynne? "And…and if you should happen to find our… king's body,"
"We'll make sure he's given the proper rights, don't worry," Laurena patted the man's hand. "Just rest, our healer is on the way."
"Thank you, Warden, but…but… my time's near…just," the man exhaled loudly and stopped moving.
The noblewoman closed the honor guard's eyes and slipped her hands from his rabidly cooling ones. Alistair saw unshed tears in front of her determined eyes. "Change of course; we're heading to Redcliff then Ostagar."
A/N
* Tá mé buartha: I'm sorry in Gaelic