Chapter 11: Idols and Wardens
"Are you all right Your Worship?"
Ana winced, she swallowed hard, trying to keep her breakfast down. Yet, she still did not look away, she wouldn't look away. She understood the value of taking responsibility for her own actions.
She would not hide from that.
Once again she found herself in the Hinterlands; once again her armor and blades were colored with blood. She had led her allies and a group of Inquisition soldiers against the apostate mages hiding in Witchwood.
Those mages were all dead now.
One of the scouts had had an idea, once they were done purging the apostate mages and rogue Templars they thought it best to hang up some of the bodies as a warning, if any of the combatants' fellows escaped, they would see what had been done to their allies and perhaps think twice about continuing their little war here.
It was a little disturbing, and it was not the most decent thing she had ever seen, but she understood its value.
Examples sometimes needed to be made her Mother had said once, of course she was referring to business, not war.
Of course, given the stakes, examples had their place in war too.
She glanced over at Ritts, the elven scout who had been speaking to her. Ana had saved the girl several months ago; she had been caught by a group of rogue Templars and almost killed. Ritts had been sporting with a young mage girl, who had been a part of this group…
The girl had been killed by the Templars, but not before she revealed her friends' secrets to her new lover, secrets that Ritts then shared with Inquisition. It had not given them the location of this little hideout, but it had pointed them in the right direction. It also allowed the elf to move up from the ranks of the scouts to being a full agent for the council; she had an easy charm that most people identified with.
It was extremely useful in her work.
Ritts' elven ears twitched, as she regarded her Herald.
"Your Worship?" she repeated.
Ana shook her head.
Right, response, it would not be good for morale of the Herald of Andraste fell apart after a battle she had volunteered for…
It would not be good at all.
Ana took a deep breath, not wanting to alarm the scout. She turned away from the…example the Inquisition was leaving behind.
"I'm…uh…yes…I'm fine Ritts," she said, putting on a small smile, "How are our people doing?"
"Our side suffered few scrapes and burns, but no casualties. I don't think the mages expected anyone to come after them here. They were too confident, they paid for that now."
When they came upon the group here, a small battle was already going on between a group of rogue Templars and the mages here. The Inquisition had attacked of course; Ana's plan to purge both sides had been ratified by the whole council, so the soldiers did not hold back.
Ana had led the charge herself, Sera and Vivienne remained in the back while Cassandra, the Herald and the rest of the soldiers struck hard at their enemies.
She did not hesitate this time.
Memories of the boy in the blue robes still haunted her, but she was able to keep her emotions under control. She did what Cassandra had suggested, she did not focus on the lives she was ending. She was focused entirely on the ones she was saving. The refugees and merchants that these people had been preying on deserved a chance to live without fear.
The Inquisition intended to give them that chance. Their herald intended to give them that chance.
These people had had their chance; they chose to continue down this course, despite the Inquisition's best efforts. Now they had to pay for that decision.
She struck fiercely, and without mercy.
It was done quickly, none were spared.
While they had been talking, one of the soldiers put a wooden sign over the dead, Ana read it, it made sense she supposed given why they had done this, and if she was a mage or a Templar she would understand the reason why.
The sign read: They refused to accept the Inquisition's peace, so we gave it to them! Enemies of order beware!
The herald pursed her lips. The message was simple and to the point. She hoped that it would be heeded in the future.
She turned back to Ritts; the scout was still waiting for her orders.
"What do you need?" Ana asked.
"We found some supplies inside, ser," the scout answered, "Food, weapons, blankets, warm clothes, some coin too…"
Ana nodded.
Here at least she could do something she knew to be right.
"Have the lads take what they need to resupply. The rest needs to go to the refugees out on the crossroads. The blankets, food, and clothes go first, it got very cold again last night and those people likely could use it."
"Of course," The scout said with a quick bow, "Shall we sell it to the merchants there, or just give it as needed?"
"Distribute it," she answered, "It is the Inquisition's gift to them. Any news or skills that they can offer us in return would be appreciated, but it is not necessary."
Ana smiled, despite the grisly sight before her, these mages had died to protect these people, now their supplies were going back to their victims.
It made sense to her.
"Good will buys a lot more than coin, Ritts, sometimes."
The scout smiled.
"It will be done, Milady," she said nodding and placing her hand over her heart.
Ana returned the gesture. The scout paused, likely waiting for further orders.
"See that it is done," Ana said.
""Yes, Your Worship."
The elf hurried off, the herald sighed and shook her head.
She was not sure who had started the whole…'Your Worship' thing, probably began in the scouts, Hardings' people had more contact with her than most of the soldiers.
She did not completely approve of it. She played the role of the Herald of Andraste because it furthered their cause, the soldiers did not need to go around idolizing her like that.
It was damn hero worship again. The people needed hope, but that did not mean that she was Andraste reborn.
Such belief would only further antagonize the chantry and Maker save her if she started believing all this.
She had no desire to be worshipped, she just wanted to close the breach, find out what had happened at the Conclave and restore order.
Once that was done, she wanted to go home, provided the chantry and her family would allow her back.
Behind her came a sarcastic giggle. Sera stood there, idly flipping an arrow between her fingers. The Friend of Red Jenny had done her part, but that did not mean that she approved of the scout's attitude towards her superior officer, Ana might not have held any official rank, but her place on the council did gain some respect.
"Oh Your Worship, Your Worship," Sera sang mockingly, "You like that kind of shite Herald, that kind of talk could cost a person their breeches."
Ana sighed.
"I don't encourage that kind of talk Sera. As for liking it, well, I don't, I'm not the Maker or his Prophet."
The elf pursed her lips; the herald could almost imagine the wheels turning in the girl's head.
"It is kind of poncey though, yeah," she agreed, "I know you're all glowy and all that, but that kind of shite, it is not what the people people would hear."
The herald nodded, she agreed fully with the elf. She did not want to be an idol or a sacrifice.
She needed to keep her feet on the ground, having a few doubters in the group would help.
"That is why you are here, Sera," she said, "If I start believing all…this…well as you called it shite. I will need someone to knock me back down."
The elf giggled.
"Right, Herald, keep you from getting to big of a head. Let some of the air out once and a while. That will keep you down here with the rest of us."
It was at that moment that Cassandra and Vivienne joined them. The Seeker seemed pleased with how the battle had gone. The First Enchanter rolled her eyes at Sera.
"Ignore the girl, Herald," she advised, "The common soldier needs to see you as more than just a woman, there is nothing wrong with a little idolization from your lessers."
Sera glared at her. The elf and the mage did not get along. Sera seemed to have…issues with magic, almost as bad as she had with nobles. Vivienne seemed to enjoying aggravating the elf on both points.
Ana frowned.
If Vivienne was not careful, she would wake up one morning with lizards in her bedroll. Solas had already suffered that fate. Sera had not admitted that it was her, but she had giggled hysterically when it happened.
Ana turned to Cassandra. The Seeker pulled her aside.
The younger woman's brow furrowed.
"Have we found something?"
The warrior woman nodded.
"Our people have established a camp near Lake Luthias," she informed her, "One of the scouts spotted a small group of armed men near a cabin there, men being led by a man in full combat armor.
"That is not surprising," the Herald shrugged, "Probably another bandit group, we have seen enough of them out here."
"I thought the same, but the scout got closer, he said the man leading them is wearing heraldry, the sigil of the white griffon."
Ana smiled, she knew of only one group in Thedas who had taken the white griffon as their sigil.
It seemed that Leliana's spies had been proven right again.
"The warden we are looking for?"
Cassandra nodded.
Ana nodded, she turned away from the death scene behind her, Vivienne and Sera falling into step behind them.
They needed to get to the camp on Lake Luthias.
They needed to have words with a Grey Warden.
IOI
"Keep those shields up! You're holding, not hiding!"
The harsh voice boomed out over the waters of Lake Luthias. Ana and her allies made their way around the edge of Lake Luthias. The cabin quickly came into view, right where the scout said it was. She counted at least ten armed men and women, wielding swords and axes. They did not look like mercenaries, their clothes suggested farmers or servants.
Their leader had organized them into a skirmish line. He was stout and broad shouldered. He reminded her a bit of Ser Geoffrey, the man who taught her the sword back in Ostwick. His arms and armor looked worn, but well-serviced; this was clearly a man who had seen a lot of combat. She could also see a short black beard peeking out from the visor of his helmet.
His breastplate bore the mark of the white griffon, just like the scout had said.
Ana took a deep breath.
It seemed that they had found Warden Blackwall.
When she had mentioned this mission to Varric, he had looked a little worried.
Watch your ass out there kiddo. Wardens can be trouble, if this guy is on a mission for the order, he might not take kindly to you interrupting that.
Ana had nodded. She had seen wardens occasionally back in Ostwick. They had an enclave up in Ansburg, so occasionally they sent people into the neighboring cities to recruit.
The nobles gave them a very wide birth. Wardens were both respected, and feared.
The herald mustered her courage. The Inquisition had questions.
It was up to her to get the answers.
She emerged from the trees and made straight for the warden and his men.
"BLACKWALL!" she called out.
The man spun his sword and shield at the ready.
Ana raised her hands; she kept them well away from her weapons. She approached slowly, and carefully.
The man did not attack, but he still looked like a coiled spring, a lion ready to spring.
She paused before him.
"Warden Blackwall," she repeated.
The man snorted.
"How do you know my name girl?" he demanded, "Who are you?"
"My name is Ana," she informed him, "I'm an agent of the Inquisition, we have..."
Blackwall sprang.
Ana gasped, she tried to backpedal, her hand going for her sword. Blackwall brought up his shield and…
It took the arrow that had been heading right for her face.
The herald swallowed hard.
That…that…oh my!
That one likely had my name on it!
"Get to fighting or get away," the warden growled.
He turned to the armed men and women in front of him.
"Hold conscripts," he snarled, "We didn't start this fight, but we damn well will finish it!"
From the other side of the tree line came a group of bandits. Ana recognized them as members of the group that had been preying the refugees.
The Herald's eyes narrowed.
She could have died here, if not for the warden she…
Anger flashed in her blue eyes.
She drew her sword.
"SERA," she called out, "STICK AN ARROW IN THEIR GOBS!"
The elf leapt from cover, laughing manically. She fired two shafts at once.
Both found their targets.
Vivienne and Cassandra also emerged from cover. The First Enchanter's staff spat fire while the Seeker took up next to the warden's conscripts.
The bandits snarled curses at Blackwall, but the warden was unperturbed.
He wading into the bandits like a machine. No move was wasted. Every strike hit with maximum effect.
Ana had never seen a warden fight before; it was an impressive sight to see…
…Quite impressive indeed.
The fight was over quickly.
IOI
Later after the dead had been cleared and the wounded tended to, Ana and Blackwall spoke off to the side of the cabin.
The warden did not seem interested in socializing with his conscripts beyond simple combat. In fact, he was not interested in them at all, now.
He released them all after the battle was over.
The Warden removed his helmet. It revealed a face aged before its time, he was likely only in his thirties, but he appeared far older, something in his eyes.
The people he had conscripted had been refugees and farmers, the warden treaties with Ferelden still allowed such a thing, even if the Archdemon was ten years dead. These people, they had been prey for the mages, Templars and bandits for many weeks now.
Blackwall had conscripted them all. He had armed and trained them, using the very weapons that these people had been bedeviled with.
The next time someone threatened these people, they would not find a flock of sheep waiting to be sheared.
Next time, they would not need him.
IOI
Ana swallowed hard, trying to muster her courage. She had seen just how tough this man was.
She had no desire to insult him, but she still had questions.
The Inquisition needed to know what was going on with the wardens.
"Your people have vanished," she began, "Apparently this happened right before the Conclave, right before the Divine was murdered."
Blackwall snorted.
"Maker's balls girl, you think that we are responsible!"
She stood straighter, trying not to be intimidated.
Not an easy thing when dealing with a Grey Warden.
"We're not accusing anyone," she said, "We're merely investigating."
The warden shook his head.
"The order is not political girl," he sighed, "Perhaps they were called back to Weisshaupt, or some directive came down from there. We are not answerable to kings or queens. If we have gone silent there must be a reason."
"We were hoping that you might know that reason…um…Warden Blackwall…um…ser."
The warrior shook his head.
"I haven't seen another warden in months. I travel alone, recruiting. I…we…"
He shook his head.
"Wardens can inspire girl, we make people better. We show them exactly what they can do if they have the strength and courage. We…we wouldn't do what you are suggesting. We would not."
Ana frowned.
This man did not strike her as the type to lie. He was a warrior, a man of honor, or at least he was now.
She had heard the stories about the wardens of course. Before the last Blight they were often known to recruit criminals into their ranks.
Had that been the case here, with Warden Blackwall, she could not say for certain.
Besides it was none of her business.
This man said he knew nothing, she believed him.
This meant she had hit a dead end, she sighed.
"Thank you for your time Warden," she said placing her hand over her heart, "I will not take up any more of your time."
She turned to leave. She did not get far.
"Inquisition?"
She paused and turned. Blackwall was looking straight at her.
"Agent, the wardens…our disappearance, not being present for this is almost as bad as people thinking that we were involved."
"I suppose it is," she agreed, "A lot of people thought I played a part in the Divine's death. I survived the Conclave. I could not just leave after that. I needed to show that I wasn't."
The warden nodded.
"And now the Divine is dead, the sky is torn and everything is falling apart," Blackwall shook his head, "I might not be used to fighting demons, but find me someone who truly is."
The warden stood at attention.
"If you would have me, I would aid you if I can."
Ana's eyes widened.
"You want to join?"
"You could use the help, I suspect."
"Sure, but your just one warden what can you do on your own."
The man chuckled.
"Save the fucking world if I'm pressed, look agent you have seen my skills, plus, the treaties that I carry, promises of support, your people might have a use for such thing, yes?"
Ana nodded, she knew about the right of conscription, but beyond that. After the last Blight, a lot of people felt they owed the wardens. The fifth Blight had been the shortest in memory, less than a year.
People might help if they thought the Inquisition had warden support.
Ana offered her hand.
"Warden Blackwall," she smiled, "We would be honored if you stand with us."
Again the man laughed.
"Good to hear," he grinned, "Let the bastards that killed the Divine beware…
"This warden marches with the Inquisition."