Hello! Do to the flood of PM's I got regarding this story, it WILL continue. However, it is no longer my priority, and I am mainly working on my other fan fiction (LOTR fans should check it out ^_^). This chapter is dedicated to my reviewer, RubyNorman. Get well my friend!
FYI, the gummy bear song makes it difficult to focus on writing. I was tempted to make my Wardens sing it while beheading things, but something told me it wouldn't quite fit.
Disclaimer: I was playing in EA's sandbox and borrowed some things. I don't own them :)
"I'm hungry."
"You already said that Kal."
"Is there any cheese left?"
"No, Alistair ate it."
"Aeden why'd you tell her?"
"Well you DID!"
Zevran listened to the three wardens argue with interest. They seemed to have already forgotten that he had been hired to kill them. They had no clue he would attempt again. Pulling bread out of his bag he moved up next to Kallian.
"Here, my dear, you can have this for now." She glared at him but didn't take it. Instead, she sneered at the bread.
"Ha! I'm not taking anything from YOU, assassin." Alright, so maybe Kallian hadn't forgotten. Shrugging the elf put the bread pack into his pack and dropped back a little further. The four were almost to Redcliffe, having separated from the others three days ago. They figured it would be best to take a small group in, it was less intimidating. And Kallian had said there was NO WAY Zevran was being left alone. So, three rogues and a warrior went to Redcliffe. Ugh, it sounded like the beginning of a bad joke. They turned down a dirt road, and when they got to a bridge they stopped. Alistair looked back at the group.
"Look, before we go into Redcliffe there's something you should know. I, um, probably should have told you this earlier." Kallian gave the warrior a funny look and Aeden looked wary.
"Whats on your mind?"
"I told you two about Arl Eamon and about my mother being a serving girl in the castle and how he took me in. The reason he did that is because, well, because my father was King Maric. Making Cailan my - Half brother I suppose." It went deadly silent, and Zevran watched with rapt attention. This was getting good! Suddenly, though not surprisingly, Kallian lauched herself at the warrior, hands around his neck, banging his head on the ground.
"YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD HAVE TOLD US BEFORE? MAKER HELP ME I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Aeden rushed forward and pulled the small elf off Alistair with some difficulty. Zevran was now sitting on the ground laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. This was priceless! Kallian struggled against Aedens hold, and snarled at Alistair.
"You idiot this makes a world of difference! What if Loghain knows?" Alistair slowly stood up, rubbing his head and neck where the tiny elf attacked him.
"Listen I would have told you but it never meant anything to me! I was inconvenient, a threat to Cailan's rule. So I was kept a secret. I have never told anyone." Kallian struggled a bit more before giving up. Her head snapped up to Aeden, who didn't look fazed at all.
"How are you not shocked by this?" Aeden shrugged, carefully letting her go.
"He looks like Maric, and Cailan too. They have the same nose. And hair." Kallian glared once more, and straightened her pack.
"Fine, as long as no one knows it doesn't matter," she said, obviously in a huff. "Anything else you're hiding?"
"Other than my unholy love of fine cheeses and an obsession with my hair? No, just the prince thing." That made Kallian smile a little bit. Her smile turned into a smirk and they looked worried.
"So should I call you Prince Alistair now?"
"Maker no. I have never had any illusions about my status. I am a commoner, and now a Grey Warden and in NO way in line for the throne." Kallian just smirked and started walking down the hill.
"Whatever you say... Your Highness." Aeden laughed, but Alistair just groaned. True, she was taking it better than he thought, but she wasn't going to let this go for a while. Walking to the bridge they saw a civilian standing there. Alistair hung back with Zevran and let Kallian and Aeden handle this. After a moment of speaking with the man they flagged the elf and warrior over.
"We're going into the village. We need to see Bann Teagan." Alistair frowned at Aeden.
"But we're here to see Eamon. We should go to the castle." Kallian shook her head.
"No, the village. Something is happening, and they are being attacked at night. The attackers are coming from the castle. Aeden will explain on the way down." She turned and trotted after the young man who had been on the bridge, going down to the village. On the way down Aeden told Alistair about what was going on. It sounded bad, and like Eamon was in trouble. The young man, Tomas his name was, took them to the Chantry in the village. Kallian stopped in front of Bann Teagan, looking shy all the sudden. Aeden laughed at her as she stared wide eyed at the Bann. He just looked at their guide.
"It's... Tomas yes? And who are these people with you? They are obviously not simple travelers." Aeden came up from behind Kallian.
"Oh come on Bann Teagan, don't tell me you forgot who I am, I'll be crushed." Seeing Aeden his eyes went wide.
"Aeden? Aeden Cousland?" He asked, his eyes roamed the group and saw Alistair. "And Alistair? This is wonderful news! I thought you were both dead!" Teagan embraced Aeden. His eyes scanned the rest of the group and narrowed at the two elves.
"Who are your traveling companions?" Kallian kicked at an invisible rock, and Zevran gave a handsome smile. Aeden realized Kallian was not going to introduce herself and took over.
"This lovely lady is Kallian, a fellow Grey Warden, and the other is Zevran a... Well, his name is Zevran." Alistair stifled a laugh behind him.
"Welcome to Redcliffe. I am so glad to see some of you are still alive."
"Alive for now, though not for long if Loghain has anything to say about it." Alistair said with a bitter look. Teagan nodded, his face going sour.
"Indeed. Loghain would have us all believe that the Grey Wardens all died along side my nephew, as well as other things." Kallian's head snapped up and looked at the young Bann.
"You don't believe Loghains lies, do you?"
"What? That he pulled his men just in time to save them? That Cailan risked everything for glory? Hardly. Loghain calls the wardens traitors. Murderers of the king. I don't believe it, it is the act of a desperate man." Kallian smiled at him. Finally, they had an ally. He looked over at Kallian and smiled back.
"So my lady, you are a Grey Warden as well? Is it possible we have met? You seem familiar." Kallian turned red and looked at Aeden, wide eyed. The other two wardens looked like they were trying not to laugh, and Zevran and Teagan looked confused. Aeden came to her rescue.
"No, you've never met. Forgive Kallian, she is shy unless she has some alcohol in her." Kallian punched his arm, completely mortified at this point, and Teagan nodded slowly, obviously not buying it. To try and make the conversation move away from dangerous waters, Kallian turned to the Bann.
"We need to see Arl Eamon, is he here?" Teagan frowned.
"No. That will be a problem. Eamon is gravely ill. No one has heard from the castle in days. No one patrols the walls, and no one responds to my shouts. The attacks started a few nights ago. Evil.. things... surged from the castle. Many have perished in the attacks, though we did push them back." Kallian looked at Aeden, who returned her gaze with an almost pleading look of his own. She sighed, and nodded to him. Turning back to the Bann she looked him in the eye.
"We can help you drive them back." He just stared at her for a moment before responding.
"Thank you. Thank you! This means more to me than you can know. Tomas, go tell Murdock what has transpired, then return to your post." Tomas nodded and went off. "Now then, there is much to do before night falls, I have put two men in charge of the defenses outside, Murdock, the village mayor, is outside the chantry; Ser Perth, one of Eamon's knights is at the top of the hill by the windmill, watching the castle. You may discuss with them the preparations of the coming battle." Kallian nodded, and turned to Aeden.
"I think one of us should stay in here for now, help make sure the chantry is as safe as possible, the other three go outside and deal with the defenses." Aeden got a wicked grin and Kallian gulped.
"Of course Kal, you can stay and help Bann Teagan. Come on Al, Zev. Let's go find Murdock." He turned and led the other two out, laughing all the way. Leaving a glaring Kallian behind. this was NOT what she had in mind.
"My lady does my presence make you uncomfortable?" It took all Kallians strength not to groan. Instead she pasted a smile on her face and turned to face the Bann.
"Of course not my lord, I simply dislike being stuck inside." He nodded, once again not buying it. She sighed and looked around at the window that weren't covered.
"I need a hammer, nails; wood, and a ladder." He nodded and led her to a stock room, helping her grab the items. She was bent over the tools in the stock room, looking for a hammer when he spoke.
"We HAVE met before haven't we?" Her blush returned and he grinned, knowing they had.
"We have, but we didn't really speak," she mumbled, "You saved me from being flogged once." He frowned, and then the memory hit him.
"You were the elf in the fountain!" Kallian groaned, and stood, hammer in hand.
"I was, and thank you for not letting your brother flog me. I am going to go over there now, and hide. Faaar away from any fountains." She rushed off to the other side of the chantry and started moving furniture around, towards the doors as a barricade. Teagan found some nails, and grabbed a ladder. He took them to a window and flagged her over. She was still red, and he faught laughter.
"We dont have any spare wood, so what do you propose?" She frowned, looking around. When she looked back at him she looked sheepish.
"Maker forgive me for defiling his chantry," was all she said before she took her hammer and, walking over to one of the benches, swung at the back board and took it off. Seeing what she was doing he joined in. He gave her a smile as they took apart the benches.
"Now why didn't I think of this? Such a simple solution." She just grunted and pulled at a board that still had nails in the bench. Eventually they took apart enough benches that they could board up the windows, and set to work. It took them a while, and when they were putting up the last board, the doors of the chantry burst open. Kallian was on the ladder, and when the huge doors burst open she jumped a bit, almost falling off. A hand pressed into her back before she did and she looked down, seeing Bann Teagan smiling up at her.
"You should be careful, it would be tragic to lose a lovely lady such as yourself." She stared at him, looking frightened, and froze. Her reaction was not what he was expecting and he frowned.
"Forgive me, I was to bold." She swallowed and nodded, climbing off the ladder and running to Aeden who had just come in. she halted in front of him, a questioning look on her face.
"Well? Is everything outside ready?"
"Yes, we found some oil in the general store that we're going to light. What was that about with Teagan?" Kallian frowned. She had hoped he hadn't seen that.
"Aeden I still don't trust shems. You and Alistair? Yes. Leliana? Yes. Morrigan... Well, I don't think anyone trusts her, but I know she won't rape me in my sleep. The rest of these shems I know nothing of, and I don't trust them. He got a bit.. Flirtatious. I was reminded of Vaughn. It scared me." Aeden frowned at her.
"I understand. Go outside and have Alistair take you up to the windmill. I'll finish up in here, it's almost dark." She gave him a tight lipped smile and went outside. Aeden walked up to Teagan who looked concerned.
"I didn't upset her did I? I have a terrible habit of flirting with beautiful woman." Aeden shook his head.
"Just... Watch it with her. She's been through a rough time, and she has a tough time trusting humans. Try not to flirt with her, it frightens her." Teagan frowned but agreed, making Aeden smile. The warden walked up to the windows and looked around.
"You did good work. Are those the benches on the windows?" Teagan laughed.
"Yes, Lady Kallian's idea. She seemed to enjoy tearing them to pieces." Now it was Aedens turn to laugh. It sounded like Kal. She WOULD enjoy tearing apart a chantry. Turning to Teagan he put a hand on the tired mans shoulder.
"Don't worry Teagan. We scrounged up a couple more fighters, and we won't let anything happen to the village. Now I have to go, make sure to barricade the door." Aeden strode out the door. Now to defend a village from things that are already dead...
"CHOP OFF THE HEADS!" Kallian shouted, as she herself decapitated one of the living dead that were attacking the village. People scrambled around, chopping heads off and making sure the creatures didn't get back up. Aeden was at Kallians back, they were making sure nothing snuck up on the other.
"You know Aeden, I think this is by far the worst night of my life."
"I don't know- DIE SCUM! - this is pretty fun, you know -OK that's IT! -I enjoy chopping heads off of zombies." So far the village had only had one death, and the night was more than half over.
"Not funny Aeden! DUCK!" the two ducked down and a sword whistled over their heads. Kallian chopped the creatures leg off, making it crumple to the ground before she, once again, chopped its head off. Looking over to the chantry she saw one of the creatures hacking at the door.
"Aeden! the chantry! Cover me!" She darted off through the bodies, Aeden following her to make sure nothing hacked her head off as she ran. She reached the chantry door and saw the stupid thing was already making a hole in the door.
"HEY! UGLY!" the zombie turned and Kallian chopped its head off, getting old blood all over her.
"Ugh, that was a fresher body, still had blood." Aeden laughed, while chopping the arm off another of the creatures. Kallian and Aeden quickly launched themselves back into the fray. The fight was long, and they were tired. slowly the beasts lessened, and the sky started to lighten. Eventually they beasts stopped attacking, and the sun crept over the horizon. Aeden walked over to Kallian, and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I take back what I said earlier. You're right. Worst night of my life." Kallian grinned and looked him up and down.
"I must say, you look disgusting."
"Same to you." Zevran trudged up to them and they grinned at him.
"Hey look! Zevran looks disgusting too, lets start a club!" Kallian laughed and shoved Aedens shoulder. Zevran glared at them both.
"I never want to do that again," the Antivan said. Kallian grinned but Aeden beat her to the inevitable smart assed remark.
"Oh come on, you didn't enjoy that? It was like a party! With dead things! And swords, swords are fun." Kallian laughed and slapped his arm.
"Shut up, I am gonna go tell the villagers it's safe to come out." Aeden grinned one last time before going off to help with the piles of headless bodies. Kallian dragged her tired feet up to the chantry doors and banged on them.
"Bann Teagan! The village is safe, we have won!" Kallian heard things shifting on the other side of the doors and after a moment Bann Teagan opened the door, letting her in. She slipped in the door and pulled him aside.
"Bann Teagan, the village is safe but the scene outside.. Well anyone with a weak stomach should stay in here." He looked her up and down and nodded. She realized she was covered in gore and cringed, maybe she should have washed off before coming in.
"Thank you, you don't know what this means to me." Kallian nodded and went to go back outside but the Bann caught her arm. She turned back to him, and glared but he just smiled.
"I mean it, I am truly grateful." She stared for a moment before responding.
"You are welcome." She once again turned, and went to head out the door, and this time Teagan swore he heard her mumble, "Crazy shem and his odd smiling..." The door closed behind her and he laughed.
"With the Makers favor the blow we delivered today is enough for me to enter the castle and seek out your arl!" The village for the most part had been cleaned up and the people gathered outside to listen to Bann Teagan
"Be watchful and look for signs of renewed attack. We will return with news as soon as we are able." The people went off to their homes and Bann Teagan turned to the wardens.
"Now, we have no time to waste. Meet me at the mill, I will explain everything there." The Bann ran off, leaving them to follow at their own pace. Kallian sighed and turned to Aeden who shrugged. The four companions who, for the record, were still disgusting, set off to the windmill. Kallian had never been so tired in her whole life. Hours of fighting, no sleep; no food, and no healer. Ugh, She was going to sleep for a week when this was over. They got to the top of the hill, and Aeden walked up to Teagan. They started to formulate some plan, but Kallian's tired mind wandered. Her eyes strayed to Zevran. The elf had faught well all night, but was looking fatigued just like her. She honestly had expected him to sneak off in the confusion of battle last night, but he hadn't. In fact, he had saved her life once. Huh, maybe he was seeing the light. Bann Teagans shout pulled her from her thoughts.
"Makers breath!" He pointed to the hill behind the wardens; they turned to see a middle aged woman running down it. She spoke in a horrid accent that made Kallian wish there were undead around instead of this woman.
"Teagan!" The woman shouted, except to Kallian it sounded more like 'TEEGAHN!' ugh.
"Thank the maker you yet live!" The woman with the horrid accent said. Looking at Bann Teagan she could tell this woman showing up was a good thing however.
"Isolde! You're alive! How did you... What has happened?" The Bann finished lamely.
"I do not have much time, I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw the battle was over and I must return quickly. And I... Need you to return with me Teagan. Alone." Kallian watched the woman, she was hiding something, and Aeden seemed to notice it too. Kallian, however, beat him to the punch.
"Why don't we ALL go to the castle?" The annoying woman, Isolde, turned to Kallian and glared, which Kallian wholeheartedly returned.
"I, what? Who is this woman Teagan?" Ugh, this woman got more annoying by the second. Alistair jumped in.
"You remember ME Lady Isolde, don't you?" The banshee looked at him in disgust.
"Alistair? Of all the.. What are YOU doing here?" Bann Teagan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"They are Grey Wardens, Isolde. I own them my life." Suddenly the woman's whole demeanor changed.
"Pardon me, I would exchange pleasantries but considering the circumstances..." And in came Alistair to save the day.
"Please, Lady Isolde we had no idea anyone in the castle was alive. You MUST have some answers." The woman sighed.
"Please, I know you need more of an explanation but I don not know what is safe to tell." She took a large step towards Teagan and got inches away from his face. Hasn't this woman ever heard of personal space?
"Teagan there is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead wake and haunt the living! The mage responsible was caught but still it continues. And I think... I think Connor is going mad. We have survived but he won't flee the castle. He has seen so much death! You must help him Teagan, you are his uncle! You could reason with him! I do not know what else to do!" Kallian glared, this was a trap, it had to be. Aeden seemed to think along the same lines, but stayed on safe ground.
"What about Arl Eamon? Is he still alive?" He asked. Isolde nodded.
"He is. He is being kept alive so far, thank the Maker." Kallians eyes widened. That in no way sounded good.
"Kept alive?" Bann Teagan asked, worry etched into his voice. "Kept alive by what?"
"Something the mage unleashed. So far it allows Eamon, Connor and Myself to live. The others are not so fortunate, it has killed so many and turned their bodies into walking nightmares! Once it was done with the castle, it struck the village. It wants us to live but I do not know why! It allowed me to come for you Teagan because I begged, because Connor needed help!" Kallian looked at Aeden who looked thoughtful.
"Could this evil you mentioned be a demon perhaps?" Isolde went white at Aeden's question, as did Bann Teagan.
"I do not know! Oh Makers mercy, could it truly be a demon?" She now started to get hysterical. "I can't let it hurt my Connor! You must come back with me Teagan! Please!" The woman broke into sobs and they all stood there, trying to figure out what to do.
"So... Why must Teagan go alone?" Kallian carefully asked.
"For Connors sake! I promised I would I would return quickly and only with Teagan!" She turned to Teagan. "Teagan I know you could order your men to follow me up to the castle but I beg you not to, for Connors sake." Kallian started to get really angry at this point. This kid Connor better be made out of solid gold or can fly, because this was getting ridiculous.
"Enough talking, we need to decide what to do. Now," the irritated elf snapped. She could tell by the look on Zevrans face he was glad she ended it. Teagan thought about it for a moment before answering.
"The king is dead, and we need my brother now more then ever, I will return to the castle with you Isolde."
"Oh thank the Maker! Bless you Teagan! Bless you!" Kallian ground her teeth; Aeden kicked her before she could say anything.
"It seems you have little choice." Teagan nodded at him.
" I have no illusions about dealing with this evil alone, you all, on the other hand, have proven quite formidable. Isolde, can you excuse us for a moment? I must confer in private before I return with you."
"Please do not take to long, I will be by the bridge." When she left, Teagan turned to them.
"Here is what I propose. I go in with Isolde, and you get in to the castle through the secret passage, my signet ring unlocks the door. Perhaps I will distract whatever evil is inside and increase your chances of getting in unnoticed. What do you say?" Kallian was furious. No, not because it was a bad plan. But it was risky. Looking at Aeden she could tell that while he didn't like the plan, he knew the same thing she did. It was their only chance. Sighing, she looked up at Teagan.
"What exactly are we supposed to do in there?"
"I wish I knew. I do not know more about this evil force than Isolde seems to. Ser Perth and his men can watch for trouble at the castle entrance, if you can open the gates they can move in and help you. I don't think theres anyone else who can help you. If you choose not to go, then its up to me to do what I can. Here is my signet ring, it will open the lock on the door in the mill.
"Whatever you do, EAMON is the priority here. If you have to, just get him out of there. Isolde, me and the others, we are expendable." Kallian frowned at the signet ring.
"I don't believe that, I will rescue you all; I promise." Bann Teagan smiled at her.
"You are brave as well as beautiful it seems. The maker smiled on me indeed when he sent you to Redcliffe. If only this had been..." He trailed off and Kallian turned red, Aeden smirked at them.
"I can delay no longer. Good luck to you all." Teagan gave Kallian one last look, and ran off to meet Isolde. Alistair grabbed the female elf's arm, and dragged her to the windmill.
"Come on, we need to get in there."
"Ouch, Al you're hurting me." Alistair glared but released her. He stomped off to the windmill and went inside. Kallian turned to Zevran and Aeden, surprise written on her face.
"What in the name of Andrastes holy undergarments was that about?" Zevran snickered at her and Aeden faught laughter.
"He, uh, must be worried about Eamon, you know?" Kallian nodded, but narrowed her eyes. That was the worst lie Aeden ever told. Whatever, They didn't have time for this. Kallian marched into the windmill, finding Alistair just inside the door. She glared at him and marched to the little trap door in the straw. using the signet ring she opened it, revealing a secret passage with no ladder, and a seemingly long drop. Looking in, Zevran frowned.
"This isn't a passage, it is a hole! Who is going to test it?" The three wardens looked at him and he wished he hadn't said anything. Sighing he made sure all his things were secure. He turned to Kallian before he jumped.
"If I die I'm going to haunt you for- AHHH!" Before he finished Kallian shoved him into the hole, making Aeden and Alistair snicker. Zevran's voice filtered up from the hole, echoing a bit.
"I hate you so much right now." Kallian burst out laughing.
"Just tell us how far it is!" They heard him sigh.
"Twenty, maybe thirty feet. Enough to hurt at the bottom." Kallian grinned and made sure her things were secure.
"Alright, I'm coming down." Kallian jumped down the hole, and landed on something squishy.
"It didn't hurt that bad!" A groan made her realize why.
"That is because you landed on me. Not that I mind having beautiful women on top, but would you kindly get off?" Giggling she stood, pulling him with her. She heard Aeden and Alistair laughing up top.
"Come on down you two! We moved out of the way." The laughter quieted and some shuffling was heard before someone landed in the hole.
"Ow, Kal you are so lucky you landed on Zevran." Ah, it was Aeden.
"Al! Before you drop down send us a torch, its to dark to see." more scuffling was heard, and a lit torch plummeted down the hole. Aeden picked it up and gave it to Kallian.
"Ok, come on down Al." Alistair dropped into their line of vision, landing in a heap on the ground. Kallian grinned at him.
"Come on Alistair, stop laying around! We have a castle of evil to storm!" She took off down the tunnel, leaving the others to follow. The tunnel wasn't very long, and soon they came to a door. Kallian carefully pushed it open, sticking her head out. She quickly pulled her head back in. Looking at the three men with he she frowned.
"Guess what, our friends are back. More walking corpses." Zevran groaned, something echoed by the other two. The group pulled out their weapons, and Kallian opened the door for them. The group launched themselves at the three ugly zombies, and killed them. That was when they heard the whiniest voice ever.
"You... You saved me!"
A/N: Poor Alistair, having to watch Bann Teagan flirt with Kallian. Looks like the party with dead things and swords isn't over! PLEASE REVIEW!