Chapter 11: Redcliffe and the Royal Bastard
They had traveled another full day and this time had set up camp close enough to Redcliffe. The group could easily reach Redcliffe by about mid morning as long as they set off early enough. Dinner had been filling, since Roland and Alistair took Bryn hunting and had come back with a nicely sized doe, they'd be well fed, which was good since they had no idea what they'd come across in Redcliffe, considering Lothering had been just as eventful. Morrigan and Sten were up on night guard while the others slept, and he and the apostate talked, although not much, about what was to come.
"I just find it absurd that all three of them go at once." Morrigan answered when Sten had asked why the Wardens were going together, walking right into a potentially dangerous situation and not leaving at least one of them at camp in case something happened to the others.
"The Wardens seem...brave, if not foolish." Sten responded thoughtfully as he looked into the receding fire.
"They're pretty foolish." She commented, looking at the tents. Maybe they were foolish, but they seemed to know just what it took to get a job done, at the very least. And Morrigan took solace in knowing that she'd be around. Flemeth had sent her with the Wardens in order to assist in ending the Blight, and though she questioned harshly her mother's real motive for sending her away, she would do just that. She had no desire to die because of the Darkspawn.
"Tell me, creature," She started, looking back at Sten. "Do you really see this as atonement for the things you have done?" Sten's expression didn't change as he stared at the fire, but he seemed to have heard her.
"I am unsure." He said finally. "But even if I do not, it's a way to survive." He added, to which Morrigan shrugged. He was correct, and the only way to do that, was by making sure that the Wardens lived. She heard shuffling in one of the tents, followed by another shuffle in one of the others, but she didn't look back to see who it was.
It was dark and her body felt of fire. She could feel the taint searing against her bones, and though she thrashed, she couldn't move. She couldn't open her eyes. Shaylar could see her mother and father, Fergus. But they were not who they once were. Instead of the smiling, cheerful faces, they were a hideous mess, gnawing teeth and terrible fangs, dark, souless eyes. But she couldn't open her own eyes. She could hear a terrible roaring, and it wouldn't stop. It was commanding...so commanding.
He had only pushed up her tent flap a bit, to see if she was alright. She was thrashing, and Alistair kept his eyes on her. She was trying so desperately to open her eyes, but it didn't seem like she could. He reached out carefully, noticing out of the corner of his eye her faithful Mabari watching him, ears perked in curiosity. He wiped a film of tears that had gathered at the edges of her eyes, but she remained asleep.
Finally, the thrashing came to a stop, and slowly, Shaylar's eyes opened. Bryn chuffed carefully, crawling a little closer to rest his head in the lap of her nightgown. She seemed out of it for a moment, so he didn't speak. He finally did when she placed her hand on Bryn's head, scratching gently behind his ear.
"I'm sorry, I know it's unpleasant." She nearly jumped at his voice, searching wildly for the source but relaxing as she saw Alistair kneeling at the entrance of her tent. Her heart rate slowed just a bit, and finally she opened her mouth.
"Did you dream too? It was so real...I could feel everything." She asked, looking at him evenly now. He noticed the tint of fear in her blue eyes, and reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes. He shook his head.
"Not tonight, but I know what they're like. It feels like you're never going to wake up, doesn't it? It's the Archdemon. It 'talks' to the horde, and in turn talks to us as well." He asked, and she found herself scooting over enough for him to sit on her bedroll.
"It is...I don't always see my family in them...but today.." Alistair nodded silently. They were all plagued by these nightmares, a pain that all Grey Wardens shared. He bit his lip in thought for a moment, looking down at the ground.
"Is there anything else we go through? I deserve to know right? As Wardens...we all deserve to know, don't we?" Alistair hesitated, but finally nodded.
"Well...I once asked Duncan the same question you know? All he said was, "You'll see." It was pretty ominous really, but I learned later through other, older Wardens." Shaylar raised an eyebrow, still petting Bryn's head lightly.
"Just try that line on me." she challenged, to which he smiled slightly.
"Oh I have other lines for you. Trust me." She giggled but then seemed to turn serious again, expectant to get an actually answer. Alistair thought about it, resting his chin on his knees. The cloth of his shirt felt better than the armor he usually wore, and it was nice to take a break from it sometimes, especially when one was trying to sleep.
"Well...we have these types of dreams the rest of our lives, at least until our time comes." Shaylar looked at him curiously.
"Yes...eventually these dreams overtake all of our thoughts, and the call becomes too strong. The taint drives us mad. That's why when it comes time, we go to Orzammar, to the deep roads." Shaylar nodded thoughtfully.
"But why Orzammar?" She asked.
"It's where the Darkspawn live, further on in the Deep Roads. Eventually, we go out fighting. It's the life of every Warden. You...probably wondered why we didn't tell you about that." She thought about it for a moment, nodding slowly.
"Yes, that did sort of have me curious." She answered. "But I guess I could understand that it isn't exactly an appealing slogan." She mentioned with a slight smile.
"I suppose not." He laughed, stopping after a moment as another thought seemed to cross his mind.
"Duncan...told me he was having those dreams again. That it was almost time, he felt, for him to go to Orzammar too. I guess he got what he wanted after all..." Shaylar gently placed a hand on his arm, and he focused himself on her.
"He'll be missed, Alistair. We need to focus on the task ahead..." After a moment she frowned. "Ugh that sounds exactly like something Abbadon would say." He smiled. Indeed she and her brother were alike in many ways, but each had their own separate charms in the same respect.
"Well, it's almost time to get up anyway. Do you know Morrigan stayed up on night watch knowing she's supposed to come with us, isn't that absurd." She chuckled, her voice still quiet.
"Maybe she doesn't need as much sleep as we do. Either way, I'm sure Abbadon will be up soon so why don't we look for something for breakfast?" After all, after that dream, she was fairly sure she'd be unable to get back to sleep now.
"Remember that time Father visited the Alienage with us?"
"Yes. You and Fergus decided it would be funny to teach me all the wrong Elvish phrases." Her voice was not one of amusement as Shaylar, Abbadon, Morrigan, Bryn, and Alistair ventured the rest of the way to Redcliffe. They still had a bit of a walk to get there but Alistair assured them they'd be there soon.
"What was it we had you say?" Shaylar rolled her eyes.
"I believe I insulted their leader's mother. I remember asking mother why you and Fergus had to exist." Morrigan seemed only partially amused by the story, but Alistair was snickering, not even stalled by the glare Shaylar sent his way.
"So, you aren't so interested in visiting the Alienage anytime soon then?" Morrigan asked, Shaylar turning her gaze on her.
"Not particularly thrilled will I be if we end up there, I'm afraid." She answered with a shake of her head, slapping Abbadon on the shoulder for he was still smirking at her.
"You were so gullible." And as far as he was concerned, she still was. Though, soon his gaze shifted to Alistair. Something had seemed a little...off about him this morning, and he had confirmed it with himself that something was probably wrong when his laughing suddenly stopped, and he cast his gaze to the floor, as if deep in thought. He slowed to a stop, causing the others in the group to do so as well.
"Morrigan, can you scout out ahead for a moment?" He asked. "I feel like I'm sensing some Darkspawn farther ahead, but I want to be sure that I'm not imagining things." Morrigan raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you send me?"
"Because you're a lot stealthier than the three of us. Just don't engage them if you see them, and come back as quickly as you can." Morrigan didn't seem convinced, but all the same began walking ahead of the rest of the group.
"Alright Alistair," Abbadon started when Morrigan was far enough away. "Tell us what's going on? One minute you look happy, then the next you look like a Korcari Rat that's just been drowned." He said. Shaylar hadn't seemed to notice the swing in Alistair's expressions as much as Abbadon had, because she seemed confused as she looked between them.
"It's nothing I-" But Alistair seemed to think better of it, sighing loudly instead. "I thought it was weird you were suddenly sensing Darkspawn when I wasn't. Alright, I have something to tell you and I hoped it could wait a little longer, but I guess it can't." Abbadon and Shaylar stood silent, side by side as they waited for him to continue.
"You both know I was born to a servant girl at the palace...but I do know who my father was. He was...er...King Maric." Abbadon looked surprised for a moment, but the look stayed on Shaylar's face for a longer time. Abbadon cleared his throat.
"So you aren't just a bastard..."
"...But a Royal Bastard?" Shaylar finished for her brother, to which Alistair let out a laugh.
"I should definitely use that one more often. But look...I wanted to tell the two of you earlier, it just never seemed like the right time. When I should have told Shaylar after Ostagar, I didn't. I guess I just...liked it better that neither of you knew." Abbadon crossed his arms, deep in thought for a few moments.
"But didn't you think it was important that we knew? Why were you so nervous about telling us?" He asked, to which Alistair seemed to fish for an answer.
"I...people treat me differently when they find out, even Duncan was the only grey Warden who knew. I become the Bastard Prince to people and they either Coddle me or resent me for it. Duncan likely kept me from the fighting because of it."
"And?" Shaylar urged.
"I guess I just liked it better knowing that you liked me for who I was.."
"And not for your status?" Her tone became a bit snappy, and Abbadon knew better than to try and soothe her.
"I never said that I was anything above a commoner, they made that quite clear. I was a threat to Cailan's rule so they kept me quiet." Shaylar didn't seem satisfied though.
"And what? We'd only want you around because you were a Theirin? Get real Alistair!" Alistair seemed a bit crestfallen when she pushed her way past him, Bryn hot on her heels, but he didn't make a move to stop her, only watched after her as she went. It was then he felt Abbadon's hand touch his shoulder.
"Just give her some time. It's quite a bit of information to take in, and I think she's more angry about...other things?"
"What...other things?" Alistair asked, oblivious to what he had said.
"I should let her tell her herself. Give her a chance to calm down." Alistair frowned again as he watched her meet with Morrigan, who had come back to tell them no such Darkspawn in the first place. She gave Abbadon a knowing look, and he shrugged. They'd share the information with the others later, so long as Alistair wished it.
"You never did explain to me why she seems so angry with him." Morrigan stated to Abbadon as they walked towards the bridge that would lead them to the final path to Redcliffe. Abbadon let his eyes shift to Shaylar, who was stalking ahead of them with Bryn, then to Alistair who was a ways behind them.
"It's a long story I need to speak of later. Our main concern is to see Arl Eamon right now." He explained. Morrigan didn't seem satisfied with the answer, but she let the topic go as she realized Shaylar had stopped to talk to some man on the bridge ahead. Why was she wasting her time talking to the simple village peasants?
"Yes M'lady..." Abbadon heard the man say as they got closer, Alistair stopping at his side as his interest shifted to what this man had to say. "We're under attack every night...it is truly horrible...so many have fought, and so many have died. We don't know what to do anymore. and if this news hasn't even gotten to travel from Redcliffe yet..." He murmured. Alistair seemed to grow more concerned.
"What is attacking you?" The man looked over at Alistair, a desolate look in his eyes.
"That's just it, no one knows...but they come from the castle." Abbadon took over then, looking over the Bridge's edge, and down upon the town of Redcliffe. It indeed did look battered, from where he stood. Fighting had definitely gone on down there.
"Bann Teagan keeps telling us we'll fend them off each night...but they come back in larger numbers each night..." He murmured in concern. Abbadon frowned.
"Bann Teagan? He's here?" Alistair asked. The man nodded.
"Yes he's come to help since the Arl has been ill."
"Then take us to him, if you would." Shaylar finished, Abbadon nodding. Morrigan said nothing, but her tell-tale scowl remained. She wasn't really a person who liked helping others, so the group had come to realize since they had taken her along. But she didn't say anything for or against it as the man took them over the bridge to see Bann Teagan.
"Ah Tomas, was it?" An older man turned around upon hearing the Chantry doors swing open. He watched the group as they walked just behind the man he had called Thomas, the twins taking up the front.
"Yes, Bann Teagan...this group of travelers said they'd be willing to help us." Abbadon thought about it. He really wasn't sure what bringing up the words 'Grey Warden' wouldn't yield any ill feelings here. But Alistair seemed to take initiative.
"Bann Teagan...you may not remember me how I am but...perhaps a bit younger and covered in mud?" Or the mess of dirt from the stables, he wasn't honestly sure which.
"Covered in mu-Alistair! You're alive! That's grand news. I thought all the Grey Wardens were killed with the king." Abbadon cleared his throat.
"Not all of us, no." He answered quickly. Shaylar added with a bit of disgust.
"Though that's the story these days or so we hear." Teagan seemed confused for a moment.
"So all of you are Wardens?" Morrigan rolled her eyes.
"You may count everyone except myself and the Mongrel. And I mean the dog, not Alistair...for once." Alistair rolled his eyes at her as a response, but turned back to Teagan all the same. He was frowning as he seemed to think of something.
"I wish you had come during better Circumstances but..."
"We want to help. Tell us what to do." shaylar answered quickly, leaving Teagan looking confused.
"I said we'd help." She repeated when she caught his look. She turned to her companions briefly, though she only looked briefly at Alistair.
"Sure. We need to see the Arl, sick or not. But we can't do that if everyone's dead." Abbadon mentioned. Alistair only nodded slightly in response, and Morrigan crossed her arms.
"Sure. And what will we be doing next? Rescuing Kittens from trees, I suppose?" She asked, though she knew by now Shaylar was ignoring her.
"See? That's four-" Bryn barked argumentatively. "Five votes of confidence." Teagan still seemed confused, but finally smiled at her all the same.
"Then that's grand news. Why don't you go and find Murdock and Ser Perth, then? They'll tell you more about what to do. Murdock is our Mayor, he's got a really funny looking beard so, I doubt you'll miss him. I think Ser Perth is up by the Windmill."
They had split up in the afternoon hours, to better assist Murdock and Ser Perth before nightfall. Morrigan and Shaylar had gone to the Blacksmith Owen, who Murdock had told them locked himself up in the smithy and refused to help make weapons or repair broken armor. It had also been a struggle to get him to open the door (in fact, it had gotten so bad, Morrigan simply got tired of all the whining from behind the door and used a spell to melt the lock right off). It smelled like a brewery inside, and Owen wasn't too thrilled about his lock being magically picked.
But Shaylar had finally gotten him to calm down. He explained his daughter was missing. She was a servant at the castle and had not come home. He was unable to contact her and was worried about her, with the beasts wandering about the castle as it seemed, since it was where they came from. Again to Morrigan's dismay, Shaylar promised that they'd look for her daughter, that they'd bring her home. It wasn't a promise she was truly sure she would keep, whether it be her choice or not, but it seemed to for now be enough for the man, who promised to start making weapons again, in time for the nightfall.
Alistair and Abbadon had opted to help Ser Perth, who only asked for Morale and holy protection for the knights and militia. So first they had stopped off at the Tavern, where Alistair and Abbadon had coerced the bartender, Lloyd, into giving the soilders a break, allowing them some free Ale before the battle to ease their nerves, though they weren't too sure how far they were going to get with drunk soilders.
And then they had gone to the Chantry, in search of Items that Ser Perth was sure that Sister Hannah would possess. But she didn't. She told Abbadon and Alistair she refused to lie to the men when she didn't have the protection that they sought out. So they had gone back to Ser Perth and told him just that. He decided that they would need to rely on their own faith, and not their faith in the maker. Abbadon had assured him they'd try their best to help them beat back the forces that were attacking them.
And by the time that the group merged back together, nightfall was upon them. The four of them stood at the front lines with the Knights.
"Just be on your guard." Abbadon mentioned soothingly to his sister, who he noticed was holding her bow so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. She merely nodded quietly, looking to Morrigan who twirled her staff in a simple motion.
"T'will be easy so long as you keep your wits about you." She answered the silent question. She spared a look at Alistair, who glanced back at her. Even on the slightly bad terms she had left them on for the moment, he gave her a smile that relaxed her. Maybe she was overreacting to the whole thing. But it wasn't just him being a hidden prince. She didn't care about that much. It was what he had said after that. Bur not wanting to dwell on it long, she took her gaze off him, focusing on the green fog that seemed to be pouring from the entrance to Redcliffe. Shaylar pulled an arrow from her quiver and placed it into the waiting bow. There was almost no sound as they waited. Had it been like this every night? She truly began to feel her stomach flip for those that had been involved in all of this. It had to be horrifying. She let the arrow fly when she saw a figure shambling over the hill. It made a hideous noise before falling, which spurred the men into attack as more appeared and Shaylar pulled up another arrow, Morrigan's spells flying from her staff.
Abbadon felt his sword strike right through another body. They were cold, red eyes glowering, though it was almost as if they hadn't seen anything at all, not truly. Alistair was at his back, fending the creatures away. It was truly hard work, keeping these creatures at bay. He watched as one slid a knife across a knight's neck. He fell with barely a scream before Ser Perth thrusted his sword into the creature's back.
Shaylar could hardly tell who was who anymore. It was a mass of armor, people swinging swords, flinging daggers. But eventually, the creatures simply stopped coming through.
"Quickly, please! They've started attacking from the lake!" Someone called as he ran up the path. Abbadon and Alistair reappeared, covered in blood, Abbadon turning to Ser Perth.
"Knights, please stay here and guard the road. Take us." He commanded as Ser Perth nodded at him. The Militia man took them down further into Redcliffe, and Shaylar took notice that Abbadon was limping, though he said nothing about it. She silently spurred herself into the idea of getting keeping him safe. If she saw anything bad come near him, she'd strike it down.
They were flung right into the fight at the lake as it was already ongoing. Murdock was at the head of the militia group, shooting arrows yet quickly switching to his Dagger with a timed ferocity. Shaylar watched Abbadon and Alistair charge into the fray as she fired arrows at a quick pace, some which missed their target. The sun was so close to coming up...so close but so far. She shot at anything that came close to Abbadon. If she didn't hit the mark, the whirring sound of the arrow at least alerted her brother to the danger, and he turned his sword on whatever was approaching to remedy the situation.
A warning call from Morrigan and a terrible sound of rumbling chains caused her to turn, behind her three of the evil creatures. She wouldn't have time to draw another arrow before one stabbed her in the gut. When they raised their daggers she squeezed her eyes shut, but the impact never came. She heard the clattering of a sword and opened her eyes to see none other than Alistair standing in front of her. The creatures had been quickly downed.
"A-Alistair..." He coughed in response, staggering to the side. Her eyes widened and she dropped her own weapon. The final bits of the fighting went on around her, but she had Alistair cradled to her. His hand was covered in blood, his blood, fresh blood from where one of the creatures had stabbed him. It was close to what she thought may be an important artery in his neck.
"Shaylar what happened?!" Abbadon demanded when the fighting had concluded. Shaylar hadn't even felt the sticky tears that ebbed down her cheeks at the moment.
"H-He protected me and..." She placed her hand over Alistair's chest, his labored breathing only proving to worry her further. "H-He won't stop bleeding..." It was Morrigan who kelt down beside her, wordlessly placing a hand over Alistair's wound. Abbadon allowed her the space, stepping back to speak with Murdock, who had walked away although pretty banged up.
"Morrigan...you can heal?" She asked, blinking in surprise. The wound was magically mending itself.
"I know but a bit of healing. How the moron managed to get a wound this close to his artery, I don't know, but it only seemed to get it a bit. He will be fine if he rests the rest of the night." She claimed, taking her hand away and stood back up.
"Morrigan...thank you." She looked back at her momentarily, but the apostate said nothing more as she opted to join Abbadon.
Alistair could feel something warm enveloping one of his hands. It wasn't until he willed his eyes to open that he realized Shaylar was holding his hand. He wasn't in as much pain as he had been before. He offered her a flippant smile, but it was only returned by her action of pulling his hand with hers, pressing her forehead to it.
"You have to be more careful, please. You scared me." She murmured, to which he frowned.
"I'm sorry. I already had so many wounds...I guess that one just did me in. But I couldn't let you get attacked like that." He said, carefully sitting up though he didn't reclaim her hand from her.
"We're still here so I'll take it we won?" She nodded.
"Yes. Bann Teagan announced the victory this morning. Abbadon said he wanted to meet with us, once you were well enough." He nodded. He did feel a lot better, and it seemed like the wound he had taken to the crook of his neck was but a scar now. He felt the bed shift, readjusting as Shaylar added her weight. Before he could say anything, she buried her face into the crook of his neck, taking in the sweet natural smell he carried. Sandalwood. That was what it smelled like.
"Alistair...about before, your secret..." Alistair's frown returned, his face red as well.
"Oh right...that. Can we pretend I never said that?" He questioned, feeling her soft hum vibrate against his skin.
"No..but I don't care if you're a prince or a stable boy. I wanted you to know it doesn't matter to me." She lifted her head and gently kissed his cheek. "You...give me feelings that I'm not really sure what to do with, and they scare me."
"Scare you?" Alistair parroted, clearly confused.
"Yes I...need some time to sort them out. But please...just bare with me for a while, until I figure them out. But no matter what...just remember that I care about you because you're Alistair, not just some bastard prince." They were words he decided he had wanted to hear from the start, and she could feel his arms wrap around the small of her back. Things were going to be fine, bastard prince or not.
