Disclaimer: Do I still need to put this up here? We all know the truth.
Author's Note: It's been forever. For that I am truly sorry. Things happened and I wasn't in a good place to write, but now things are looking up so here's to hoping life chills out for a bit.
Chapter Ten
The Fade
"We're now to their entrapment in the fade, yes?" Cassandra was leaning against the wall, needing to stretch her legs, watching the dwarf intently.
"That we are, Seeker. I could skip that bit if you want." Varric commented, pouring himself another ale.
She shook her head. "No. Continue…I was simply surprised you reached as far without lying."
"Heh," the dwarf grinned. "As far as you know." The Seeker's jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed. She kicked off the wall and menacingly approached him. He raised his hands in defense. "I'm kidding, Seeker." He watched Cassandra slow her stride and instead return to her seat. Her eyes boring into him.
"Continue." She commanded harshly.
Alessia leaned against the balustrade. Wind blew gently through her fire-kissed hair as birds chirped lightly overhead. Glancing down, she watched as Alistair wrestled with Carver. Marian, Leliana, and Bethany cheered them both on. She giggled softly before gazing back out to the horizon. The sky was a beautiful blu-
A flash of green and a large black island floating in the distance before all returned to normal. She blinked rapidly and rubbed her eyes.
"Ah, there you are." A voice chimed from behind her. She turned, her eyes falling upon her Warden mentor, Duncan. "I'm not disturbing you am I?"
"N-no…I…" she glanced down, her brow furrowing. "I can't quite remember what I was doing."
He walked closer and stood before her, crossing his arms and chuckled softly. "I'm sure you were simply in deep thought." The teen looked up at him, feeling strange. "You've been at Weisshaupt for some time now, and I have just now realized that I haven't asked if you like it here."
"I..." she rubbed her brow as flashes of an ogre and hurlock bombarded her. "What about the darkspawn?"
"The darkspawn are gone, remember?" He peered down at her. "You were there in the last great battle." The Warden Commander smiled. "It was a triumph for all of us, bringing down the Archdemon and setting the underground lairs ablaze."
Gone? Her brow furrowed for a brief moment before a gentle smile graced her lips. It's over…
She glanced up at him, her eyes met his but they seemed foreign to her. Her smile began to falter as a sudden urge to touch his skin took over; it was gnawing at her, pleading for her to listen. Annoyed by the ceaseless beseeching, Alessia reached out and caressed his cheek. It held a warmth that felt wrong. He seemed surprised by her actions but readily accepted them. His hand moved over hers and he stood closer to her, his other arm wrapping around her waist drawing her closer to his body. "Alessia…" His voice was dark and husky.
A blush painted her cheeks as bells went off in her head telling her this wasn't right. That her Duncan wouldn't misinterpret her actions. The blue sky slowly bled into green again and the teen realized where she was. Her memories returned: the Sloth demon, the Circle, Redcliffe…Ostagar. All of this was a beautiful lie that her heart wanted to be true. Marian and Carver alive, Duncan alive, the Blight over and done with. But the Sloth demon made a mistake…for nowhere in her heart had she vied for Duncan's intimate affections.
A tear slipped down and the gauntleted hand that was over hers wiped it away leaning closer. Taking a cue from her roguish sister the teen placed a hand on his armor, pressing herself closer to him, as the other reached behind her to the small dagger she carried. His lips nearly upon hers she stared into his eyes, praying that her mentor couldn't see this.
"I'm sorry, Duncan." She whispered as she drove the blade deep into his side twisting it. The imposter staggered back and looked at her shocked before anger grew in his eyes. Her hand lifted and she froze him. With her staff, she struck the ice statue hard shattering him. She stumbled back, he may have been an imposter but it was still hard to dispose of him like that.
Others quickly ran over to her, they bore Grey Warden armor but possessed no faces just smooth bare skin. The spell over her was broken entirely and she cried out, Mind Blasting them away before conjuring a blizzard. In her sorrow and rage she smashed and shattered them until none were left.
A pedestal appeared in front of her, but all she could do was stare at it. She could feel the hot tears running down her cheeks but didn't know if she was crying because of the sorrow that consumed her or from the shame she felt for believing the lie. Shaking the thoughts away and wiping her cheeks on her sleeve, she grit her teeth determined to save her friends and destroy the Sloth demon.
Touching the pedestal she felt herself being whisked away.
~.~.~
The teen encountered Niall and he granted her the ability to shapeshift into a mouse. In that form she could navigate her way through the fade to find her friends.
Slowly Alessia made her way through the mazes of rocky formations. After a great deal of effort the teen found her first companion.
Before her, Morrigan stood arguing with a monstrous version of her mother. She didn't know if the ghoulish Flemeth, with rotted sharp teeth and eyes as black as night, was what the demon truly looked like or if she was seeing Morrigan's perception of her mother.
"Away! Away with you!" The witch cried out waving away the creature, a sneer on her features. "I shall have no more of your pestering!"
"I am your mother…do you not love me?" The faux Flemeth questioned peering at Morrigan.
"You are as much my mother as my little finger, right here," she held up her pinky, the sneer lingering, "is the queen of Ferelden. I know you, Fade spirit, you cannot fool me."
"Are you more clever than your own dear mother?" The false Flemeth practically snarled at the witch. "Surely such pride must be punished!" Raising her hand she smacked Morrigan smartly across her cheek, Alessia winced watching. "There! That is for not showing respect!"
The witch briefly touched her cheek with a smirk before placing her hands on her hips. "That is more like it, but it is too little too late, spirit."
Clearing her throat, the teen interrupted. "I'd hate to intrude, but if you know she's not real can we get out of here?"
"'Tis you at last!" Morrigan almost smiled, relieved. "Yes, but first rid me of this vexatious spirit! I weary of being prodded!" Nodding, the teen agreed. The enraged spirit lashed out at the two mages. A moment or two later the creature, and its aid, was dealt with. "'Tis about time! That was most-" an energy began to envelope the Wilds witch and she grimaced. "What is this? No, not this again! I refuse!" And in the blink of an eye she was gone.
Alessia slumped over and rubbed her temples. Flames! I finally found one just to lose them…hopefully that means she woke up… Sighing, she turned back to the portal and dashed through it. There were still two more to save.
~.~.~
Several, rather interesting, transformations later the teen managed to reach another companion's dream. Appearing on another small island she glanced around spotting her Qunari. He was standing, staring at two of his kin. She glanced over seeing only hulky frames, horns, and featureless faces. Cautiously, she approached Sten.
"Sten…"
He turned his attention to her and went down on one knee bowing his head. "Shanedan."
I'll have to ask him to teach me his language, if only so I don't look like even more of a fool to him… Before she could say anything one of the faceless creatures spoke.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Don't bother the sten. Isn't it your turn to cook?" The other chimed.
"Cook what? There's no food in this miserable, frozen country."
"Parshaara!" Sten grumbled. "We have a guest. Make room at the fire."
Her eyes saddened as she peered down at him. These two must have been his brethren he had told her of once before, the ones lost to darkspawn. Part of her didn't want to intrude, but none of this was real…and to her, to let it be would be far crueler. "These are…your brethren? The Beresaad?"
He gave a single nod of his head gazing up at her, he could see the sadness in her eyes as she gazed from his brothers to him.
"Who is that little thing you are speaking to? Has it seen darkspawn?"
"Don't interrupt the sten, karashok."
The one referred to as Karashok grimaced. "We've been days in this place. There's no sign of any threat. The arishok's report was wrong. Can we not go home?"
"No." Sten stated causing the other Qunari to sigh.
"We need to go, Sten; there's a demon waiting for us." Alessia said softly, trying to ease him out of his dream as gently as possible.
"Let it wait." His violet eyes bored into her peridot ones.
"Feed it the karashok's cooking. That should end it."
The Karashok looked over to the other Qunari. "Better yet, feed it the ashaad. That would take care of it and do us a favor."
Sten watched the teen's muscles tense and the sorrow in her eyes grow before sighing softly and standing. "I know this is a dream. I'm not a fool, Warden. I remember seeing the karashok there have his head torn off." The teen blinked and looked at him, the sorrow did not leave her eyes, in fact his statement only seemed to further the sadness there.
"Well, at least it's not a great loss." The Ashaad commented.
Glowering, the Karashok rolled his eyes. "You are so entertaining, kadan, you should perform in the square with the other trained monkeys. We could throw you peanuts."
Listening to those two reminded her of Carver and Marian and the thought struck her deeply.
"It is a dream. But it is a good dream."
She looked up at him beseechingly. "But that's all it would ever be, Sten…"
"And that would be a bad thing?" He gazed down at her questioningly.
"Would this be what they would want? For you to waste away in a dream?" She countered softly, looking down.
"Do not proceed to assume what they would want, Warden." Sten stated dangerously.
"So you intend to be a beast for slaughter?" She looked up at him, her words firm but still soft.
"I intend nothing!" He growled and grabbed her shoulders slamming her against a nearby boulder. "There is nothing left to fight for! All I have brought is death, dishonor, and exile!"
The wind knocked from her small frame, the teen winced and gasped. Glaring up at him, she could feel a bruise beginning to form between her shoulder blades. Alessia gritted her teeth biting back a shout and grabbed at one of his wrists, her nails digging into his skin. "If you stay here, then they died for nothing." Her tongue was sharp and commanding, her glare still boring into him.
He was silent a moment letting her words sink in as his gaze shifted to his wrist. Her nails were painted with his blood and, while he barely felt it, he found himself impressed she could pierce his flesh at all. Looking back into her eyes, he released her. "For once, you are right, Warden. I owe them a victory." As expected, the false Qunari attacked the two and after several minutes they had been dispatched. He sheathed his sword and looked at her. "This gives me no peace. I wish to leave this place-" the same energy that had consumed the witch now covered Sten. "No! More trickery? What is happening?"
He too was gone.
A sigh escaped her lips and she pinched the bridge of her nose. Immediately she set off again, now only Wynne was left to recover.
~.~.~
After disposing of the last of demon keepers, the teen took the portal and appeared in another isolated dream area. Alessia spotted Wynne standing amongst faceless corpses, the agony quite apparent on the old woman's face. Slowly, the teen approached her
"Maker forgive me. I failed them all. They died and I did not stop it." The elder mage was too enraptured in her own sorrow to pay her any mind.
"Wynne, this…this isn't real. They're not dead yet."
Wynne gave the girl a sharp look. "How can you say that when you are faced with this?" She peered around her. "Death. Can you not see it? It's all around us."
"All I see, Wynne, are faceless demons trying to garner your sympathies." Alessia stated softly keeping her eyes on her.
The elder woman seemed to ignore her words. "Why was I spared, if not to help them? What use is my life now that I have failed in the task I was given?" The teen understood such sorrow, such questions, as she had asked herself the same things many times since the battle at Ostagar. She looked down and the older mage peered at her. "Leave me to my grief. I shall bury their bones, scatter their ashes to the four winds, and mourn their passing till I too am dead."
"This isn't real, Wynne. These are just demons trying to keep you in the Fade. We can still save the real Circle." The teen implored.
Wynne's eyes narrowed. "Your blatant disregard for the souls of the dead strikes me as being utterly inappropriate."
"Think about it. Think about what you were doing before."
"I do not know what you are trying to tell me. Why must you make this more painful?" She glanced down before glaring at Alessia. "And where were you when this happened? I trusted you as an ally and you were nowhere to be found."
Sighing, the teen rubbed her brow then looked at the elder mage solemnly. "I'm the only thing that's real. You need to ignore everything else."
Wynne looked skeptical and scoffed. "I do not know what this will accomplish, but I will do this, if it will satisfy you." The older mage began to think but quickly found her focus drained. Placing a hand on her forehead she tried to concentrate. "It is…difficult…to focus. It feels as though something is…stopping me from concentrating. I have never had so much trouble…" she shook her head unable to banish the fogginess laced throughout her thoughts. "Perhaps some time away from this place will help me think clearly."
"That's…a good idea." The teen tried to smile.
One of the corpses rose from the ground and began to plead with Wynne to stay, but this was exactly what she needed to see to realize where she was. Alessia wanted to say that she told her so, but refrained and instead froze the speaking creature as the others awakened and attacked them. Once they finished with the corpses, Wynne looked to the teen grateful to be free from the spell.
"Thank the Maker for you. Wait…" again the energy returned, shrouding the elder woman. "What's happening? Where are you going?"
And with that she too disappeared.
"Don't tell me I'm going to have to fight off the Sloth demon on my own." Alessia shuddered at the thought. "But I suppose that would be my luck…"
Turning back to the pedestal, the teen set off for the innermost area of this faded nightmare.
As she materialized upon the small island, she found the Sloth demon staring at her intently as though having been expecting her.
"What do we have here? A rebellious minion? An escaped slave?" It chuckled menacingly as he saw her take a battle stance. "My, my…but you do have some gall." The demon seemed amused. "But playtime is over. You all have to go back now."
Hearing his words, the teen looked around for the others and was relieved to see them appear before her eyes.
"You made a dangerous enemy, demon, by toying with my mind." Morrigan stated as she walked to stand beside the teenager.
Sten stood behind Alessia. "I am here. And it is time to finish this. I have had enough of cages."
"You will not hold us, demon." Wynne asserted as she stood on the other side of the teen. "We found each other in this place and you cannot stand against us."
The demon looked at them all then focused on Alessia. "If you go back quietly, I'll do better this time. I'll make you much happier."
Alessia sneered, her eyes dark. "There's nothing you can do now, demon. You're power over me is broken, there's no illusion or apparition that you could give me that I wouldn't see through."
"Can't you think about someone other than yourself? I'm hurt, so very, very hurt."
"The whole reason I'm in this mess is because I'm thinking of other people. I'm sorry your demonic ass isn't on the top of my priority list." The teen spat before conjuring a blizzard over them.
The others, following her lead, began their assault on the shapeshifting creature.
Five transformations and ten minutes later, the group finally slew the Sloth demon. The teen looked to her companions. Sten was standing stoic but his shoulders and chest were heaving heavily. Wynn was bent over panting deeply. Alessia and Morrigan exchanged glances. They had both consciously traversed the fade so many times that they could remain within it for quite some time. However, they knew the others had been in the fade for far too long.
"Alright, let's leave thi-"
A mouse scurried over to them before transforming into Niall.
"You defeated the demon. I never thought…I never expected you to free yourself, to free us both." He looked at the teen appreciatively before a faint sorrow filled his eyes. "When you return…take the Litany of Adralla from my…body. It will protect you from the worse of the blood magic."
Alessia returned the sad look. She knew there would be no return for him.
"I will. Thank you Niall…for all your help."
He gave a small chuckle. "I…I didn't do much. I'm not…a hero. Perhaps trying to be one was foolish."
"That's not true. You did a lot to help the Circle. You'd be amazed at the things people can do when they have to."
"Dark times, greater acts of heroism, eh?" He gave another chuckle. "You might be right. Before I was taken to the Circle, my mother said I was meant for greatness, that I would be more than my ancestors could have ever dreamed." Again sorrow graced his features. "I hope I haven't disappointed her."
The teen knew the feeling. Her father predicted greatness for all his children, and every day since then she wondered if she would disappoint him. Shaking her head she gave the man a reassuring smile.
"You didn't Niall. I'm sure she's very proud of you."
He nodded to her, thankful for her kindness, and looked beyond her to the others. Noting their discomfort, he returned his gaze back to her. "It is time for us both to be on our way. Remember the Litany of Adralla. The Circle is all that matters now." He bowed to her, she returned the gesture. "Thank you and goodbye…friend."
The group watched as Niall's spirit faded away and with it they awoke. Morrigan grimaced as she wiped blood from her arms. Sten forced himself to stand, barely teetering, and surveyed their surroundings. Wynne stirred and sat up holding her head. Alessia winced as she stood and made her way over to Niall's body. Kneeling she took the Litany from his hands. After checking to make sure the others were okay, the teen ordered the group to continue onward.
"Varric…" her tone was low, threatening almost.
"Yes, Seeker?"
"I have never heard of such things in the Warden's tales. There is mention of their entrapment in the fade, but no one knows what happened within…"
He chuckled, adding another tick mark. "As I said before, I know because Hawke told me."
"Why would she?" Her eyes narrowed. "All you said before was you knew her when she wasn't the Champion. But that doesn't explain why she would divulge this to you. A dwarven rogue with a tendency to lie and tell anyone who listens stories of his companions lives…"
"You wound me, Seeker." He chuckled, but this seemed to only infuriate her. She stood swiftly and menacingly approached him.
"I can certainly do just that, dwarf!" Her hand went to the hilt of her blade. "Tell me why Hawke would tell you things she's obviously kept close to heart!?"
Varric put his hands up in defense his eyes staring straight into Cassandra's. "Because, Seeker, I asked."
"You…what?" The Seeker gave him an incredulous look.
"I sat her down, just me and her and asked her if she would tell me her whole story. She did. Every detail. Every regretful, embarrassing, joyful, pain-ridden moment. Told me it all. Simply because I asked."
She thought on this removing her hand, placing it on her hip. "Surely others asked before."
"I'm sure they did. But by the time I asked, Hawke was about the only person I trusted completely." He looked off to the side; at the book that rest open on the table beside his chair. "I guess she felt the same way." Cassandra watched him a moment. For a second he seemed almost vulnerable. "Then again we were both pretty drunk so she probably thought neither of us would remember." He laughed and looked at her with a smirk.
She grimaced, reprimanding herself for thinking he could ever have a moment of vulnerability, and sat back down. "Just continue, dwarf."
Not sure how much time was wasted in the Fade, Alessia pushed the group to rush. Running them right into a library filled with dragonlings.
"Void! Why are there dragonlings in the Circle?" The teen hollered as she sent out a Cone of Cold.
"Because this prison believes it can control what should be free!" Morrigan responded before shifting into a giant spider.
Once all the beasts had been dealt with, Alessia collected what she could from the corpses and then took off running again. Only to rush forward into a hall filled with abominations. Quickly casting a blizzard overhead, the teen ran past the frozen monsters to the other end of the hall. Stopping at the door and turning, ready to cast another one if need be. Sten shattered a few with his sword, and Wynne used Stone fist on the others. Morrigan picked up any items left behind and the group hurried into the next room where they were ambushed by shades.
After disposing of the creatures Alessia opened the door and was nearly blinded by a column of light. Blinking several times she cautiously approached it seeing a Templar within.
"This trick again? I know what you are. It won't work. I will stay strong…" He got down on his knee, kneeling for strength.
"A-are you alright?" The teen looked him over.
"The boy is exhausted. And this cage…I've never seen anything like it. Rest easy…help is here." Wynne said softly approaching the column.
"Enough visions. If anything in you is human…kill me now and stop this game." He pleaded lowering his head, hand clenched tightly. "You broke the others, but I will stay strong, for my sake…for theirs." He kept his head bowed but his tone grew to one of hatred causing the teen to wince. "Filthy blood mages…getting in my head…I will not break…I'd rather die."
Alessia looked at him sadly, but in this cage she knew there was nothing she could really do for him. "Where are the other survivors?"
"What others?" The Templar stood immediately. "What are you talking about?"
"Irving and the other mages who fought Uldred. Where are they?" Wynne questioned gently.
He looked to his side, up the stairs. Fear filling his eyes. "They're in the Harrowing Chamber. The sounds coming out from there…oh, Maker…"
Wynne's hand went to the teen's arm, her eyes earnest. "We must hurry. They are in danger, I'm sure of it."
This seemed to agitate the Templar. "You can't save them! You don't know what they've become."
Alessia looked to the starved Templar. "We can't just kill them all."
"They've been surrounded b-by blood mages whose wicked fingers snake into your mind and corrupt your thoughts." He looked beseechingly at the teen. "You have to end it, now, before it's too late."
She shook her head. "I'm going to save everyone that I am able."
"Are you really saving anyone by taking this risk?" The Templar countered. "To ensure this horror is ended…to guarantee that no abominations or blood mages live, you must kill everyone up there."
The teen thought on this and looked to the stairs. "I have faith there are still some innocents up there." Oh Maker, there better be… "But I will not decide anything before seeing what's going on."
Conceding, the Templar sighed. "That is your choice to make, but I beg you to consider what I have to say. You cannot tell a maleficarum by sight-"
"I know the dangers of blood mages and what they're capable of." She said shortly looking at the ground. "Be strong, we will deal with Uldred and save whom we can, you included." The Templar watched her closely then returned to sitting with a nod.
The teen motioned for the group to head up the stairs. The four rushed through the door only to skid to a stop upon seeing two abominations and the one she assumed to be Uldred surrounding a mage. It looked as though they were torturing him into submitting to their will. Watching the scene unfold Alessia understood why so many accepted Uldred's "gift". She didn't agree with it but she understood nonetheless.
"Ah," a voice drew her eyes from the newly created abomination to Uldred. "Look what we have here. An intruder." He bowed to her with a twisted smile. "I bid you welcome." He straightened, the smile still there. "Care to join in our...revels?"
Alessia looked to Wynne and pointed to the demented man. "I take it he's Uldred..."
"Oh, very observant." Uldred sneered locking eyes with the teen once more. "I'm quite impressed you're still alive. Unfortunately, that must mean you killed my servants." Before she could respond, he continued. "Ah, well, they're probably better off dying in the service of their betters than living with the terrible responsibility of independence."
The teen blinked. Her face blank. "You're a bundle of joy, huh." Her eyes gazed to the mages that were tied up, resting on the eldest one. That must be Irving... She grit her teeth, rubbing her brow. "I don't have time for this. I think I'll just get rid of you now, if that's alright with you."
He gave her a smirking sneer. "Fight, if you must. It will make my victory all the sweeter."
The elder woman placed a hand on the teen's shoulder and whispered. "Don't forget the Litany. It will thwart Uldred's attempts to control the mages and win this fight for us."
Alessia nodded and she conjured up a blizzard. Freezing Uldred, and his abominations, mid-transformation. She ran over to the mages and pulled out the Litany, activating it. Sten did his best to shatter the smaller abominations as Wynne assisted with Stone Fist. Morrigan set them ablaze when the teen's ice spell faded. Uldred, now nothing more than a pride abomination, focused on Alessia. Sten charged Uldred, causing the monstrous pride to turn its attention to him. Alessia used a Cone of Cold on it, watching the mages from the corner of her eyes. After several minutes the group finally killed Uldred.
The witch collected the spoils with Sten standing immobile, waiting patiently. Wynne rushed over to Irving. The teen sighed and followed her, she watched the two converse for a moment before she cleared her throat. The two elder Circle mages looked to her.
"Still have to deal with the Templars." Alessia said softly.
Irving nodded and the group rushed back to the entrance, picking up all survivors along the way.
~.~.~
"Irving?" Greagoir was stunned to see the First Enchanter. "Maker's breath, I did not expect to see you alive."
"It is over Greagoir. Uldred...is dead." Irving stated wearily.
Cullen walked over, there was a sense of paranoia in his eyes. "Uldred tortured these mages, hoping to break their wills and turn them into abominations. We don't know how many of them have turned."
"What?" The First Enchanter gave the starved Templar a horrified look. "Don't be ridiculous!"
"Of course he'll say that! He might be a blood mage! Don't you know what they did? I won't let this happen again!" Cullen pleaded with the Templar Commander.
"I am the Knight-Commander here, not you." Greagoir gave him a stern stare.
The teen cleared her throat again. "For what it's worth, we killed every abomination we came across." She rested against her staff. "I think order has been restored to the Circle."
Irving looked appreciatively at the teen, nodding a thank you.
The Knight-Commander peered to her as well. "We have won back the tower. I will accept Irving's assurance that all is well."
"But they may have demons within them, lying dormant..." he grit his teeth, eyes filled with apprehension. "Lying in wait!"
"Enough!" Greagoir glared at Cullen. "I have already made my decision." He returned his attention to the teen. "Thank you." He bowed his head. "You have proven yourself a friend of both the Circle, and the Templars."
Alessia blinked, shocked. She never expected anyone to say she was a friends of Templars. Silently she watched Greagoir and Irving converse. She could see the mutual respect they had for one another. A small smile etched its way onto her lips. However, it quickly faded when she remembered Connor...and the darkspawn.
"I don't mean to interrupt." The two men looked to the teen. "But I still things that needs to be done. First and foremost there is a possessed child in Redcliffe Castle. I need the aid of the mages to help save him." Irving looked about to respond but she held up her hand. "I also require aid for the darkspawn."
This was when the First Enchanter took notice of her armor. "Grey Warden." The teen nodded. "I see. You have done the Circle a great service. The Templars with assuredly be busy watching over us." The Knight-Commander agreed with this. "So the mages will aid you. In your coming battle with the darkspawn, and also with this child. I will collect what is needed and meet you at Redcliffe."
She nodded to this and turned to leave. Wynne stepped forward and requested that she remain with the teen and her group. Alessia gave them some time to speak alone and waited by the door for the outcome. Leliana had retrieved Alistair and Mal. both ran in to make sure the teen was uninjured. She chuckled softly and waved away any concern before kneeling an patting the war hound's head. The teen felt a hand between her shoulder blades. Glancing over her shoulder, she stared up at Wynne. The elder woman smiled down at her and motioned that they could leave. Morrigan wasn't too pleased with newest companion but knew Alessia was not going to refuse any aid given to her for the Blight.
Alistair and Sten prepped the boat as the teen stared in the direction of Redcliffe.
We did it, Duncan. We have the mages' aid.