Chapter 14

"I see the mage! She's up there behind Cullen! Kill her, Cullen!" Sarine screamed as they advanced towards them until Jowan galloped on his horse and blocked their path.

"What are you doing, Jowan? Get out of the way!" Leliana jumped high and pushed him off his horse.

"No! No! Stop! I know her! Don't hurt her!" Cullen grabbed the mage by her hand and pulled her behind him while he brought his shield up.

Everyone came to a stop at Cullen's confession. Maia gently laid Alistair's head on the ground and marched up to Cullen. She snatched Leliana's dagger from her hand as she went by and screamed, "Get the hell out of the way Cullen. I'm going to kill her and I swear I will kill you as well if you don't move!"

Cullen was so shocked at Maia's outburst that he loosened his grip on the shield and she easily threw it to one side. Everyone stood dumbfounded at Maia's anger and strength as she pushed Cullen out of her way. She snatched the mage's staff and kicked her in the abdomen which sent her flying. She had positioned herself over the mage and readied to stab the quivering mage when Sten grabbed her by her waist and dragged her away.

Cullen struggled to his feet and pulled the mage behind him once more but this time Jowan joined him. Maia was still thrashing in Sten's big arms as she tried to free herself when Sarine went up to Jowan and Cullen and gave each of them a hard slap across the face.

"You told me that all the assassins were dead, you betrayed us! And for what?! Her?! Alistair is the only Grey Warden who knew about the blight and now he's dead, thanks to you!" Sarine screamed. "Wynne! Could you revive him?" She shouted while maintaining eye contact with Jowan and Cullen.

Wynne knelt down beside Alistair and hover her hands over his chest but shook her head. "He's moved on."

"Noo!" Maia screamed as Sten finally released her and she ran towards Alistair. She carefully cradled his head on her lap and hugged him close. "You cannot leave me. I need you. Wake up! Wake up…Alistair! Please…wake up…I love you…" tears poured down on his face but he remained motionless.

Leliana began to cry but stopped herself and turned towards the two traitors, "Well? We're waiting. Why is she still alive? Who is she?"

"Ah, I believe I can provide some answers. She is Arianna, a runaway mage." Zevran pointed at Jowan. "Hmm…No wonder you look familiar. You were with her that day in Denerim," he looked closely at him. "They had escaped from the Circle and were looking for means to support themselves. She had heard about me and the Antivan Crows and asked if she could join and I said yes. Him, he got angry and stormed off somewhere." Zevran thumbed at Jowan as he remembered, pacing around the trio.

"And how did you know all this?" Jowan asked.

"I had my ways and she was willing," Zevran leered.

"What did you say?!" Cullen grabbed Zevran by his collar and lifted him off the ground.

"Let him go, Cullen!" the mage insisted and he grudgingly put him down.

Zevran cleared his throat and faced the mage, "What were you thinking attacking the Warden when you know that your comrades are lying dead from their hands?"

"But…we had a mission to accomplish. You said either we die trying or get killed for not." She answered meekly.

"You could have pretended that you were dead and continued living. But now, I cannot help you," Zevran walked away.

"You're right, Zevran. You cannot help her. No one can. She killed one of our own and now she has to pay." Sarine pulled on Arianna's hands and pushed her to the ground.

"Stop! Don't! She is harmless. I assure you." Jowan blocked Sarine.

"Harmless?! Bullshit! If you don't kill her, Sarine, I will!" Maia shouted.

"Please. She's the closest thing I have to a family; she is like a little sister to me. He! He's the one who corrupted her. You should kill him!" Jowan pointed to Zevran.

"No."

"Arianna, what are you saying?" Jowan whispered.

"He didn't corrupt me. It was my decision to join the Crows and my choice to strike the warden with my lightning spell. You have protected me all my life, Jowan. Let me be responsible for my own actions now. My life is forfeited. Do what you wish to it," Arianna went down on both her knees in front of Sarine.

"Your courage is admirable and I respect that. One should always take ownership of their actions however, Alistair still lay dead. I shall make this quick and painless." Sarine said calmly.

"My dear, if I may, maybe you should take some time to ponder about her loyalty. She is obviously very skillful and took her orders seriously. Furthermore, she was honest and responsible. She would make a fine addition to our group," Wynne suggested.

Maia glared at Wynne, "Wynne? You? How could you even suggest such an absurd thing?"

"Alistair's death is unfortunate but in a war, it is inevitable. We need to look at the big picture. We need to defeat this Blight or Alistair's death would have been in vain. We need not only strength and numbers but good quality ones. I can see that Arianna is a good person. We only need to give her a chance." Wynne calmly explained and she patted Maia's shoulder.

"The old mage makes sense. I second her suggestion." Sten added.

"Me too!" Jowan and Cullen said in unison.

"You forfeited your right to vote when you betrayed us. I shall take this into consideration. I require some time to contemplate but in the meantime, Leliana, make sure Arianna doesn't run away or poison our food. Sten, keep an eye on Jowan and Cullen. Scavenge for valuables and make camp nearby." Sarine ordered and then whispered to Wynne, "Will you follow me to gather wood to make a pyre for Alistair?"

Wynne nodded and they set off into the forest.