Sorry for taking so long to update, I couldn't focus on writting.
I'd like to thank Walter Magnus for following, Willablack93 and eireanestower for following my first fanfic. It means the world for me.
As always, I'm open to criticism.
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The next three days of travel to Orzammar were quite uneventful but for the occasional crow that Elissa saw flying past the group towards the imposing Frostback Mountains. They met a few frustrated traders, humans, who complained about Orzammar gates being closed due to politics.
Zevran was accepted into the group, as much as a former assailant can be, that is. During camp he would tell stories about his earlier adventures, mostly tell tales in Elissa's opinion. In additional to that, she has found in him a new partner to spar, a specialist in fighting with daggers on top of that, she taught her a feel new tricks about how to maneuver, improving her footwork.
Morrigan continues studying Flemeth's old Grimoire, she's really absorbed into the task giving Alistair a well deserved peace. He apparently enjoys it by talking to Wynne.
Elissa has been having a recurring dream, she is atop the Tower of Ishal, immobile, watching attentively Korcari Woods. The world is grey, cold and soundless, save for some crackings coming from the ground, crows fly from the woods and fly past her then she awakens, cold sweating covers all of her face. She's becoming quite certain that she's losing her mind, she fights these thoughts for she has much to do yet, after every dream she would grab a paper and a charcoal from campfire then draw. She couldn't afford to forget the ones that are lost to her, so she would make sketches from her family members.
While drawing, she would secretly beg Andraste and her family for forgiveness for not trying to find Fergus, but if the Blight isn't stopped there will be no more Ferelden.
She tries to focus on the travel, they are making a good time, the weather is cold and dry, not hindering the march speed, in one of two days they reach Gherlen's Pass, then. None of their companions has ever been to Orzammar, she's curious to see a dwarven city first hand.
During the last night of travel Elissa has the same nightmare as before, although this time she hears shouts and battle cries, she tries to awaken but her conscious seems to be somewhere between reality and dream, she tries to focus, calming down, either it worked or it was just sheer luck but she finally awakens, gasping for air. It's almost dawn. She turns and see a dead man besides her, Bo is growling standing on guard at her feet,defending her again. She quickly stands up, grabs her bow and quickly accesses what is happening.
Their camp has become a battlefield, only Sten, Zevran and Leliana are wearing armor, leather armor is quick to equip and also isn't really uncomfortable to sleep on it. Wynne and Morrigan are using their magic to blast enemies from afar, conjuring lightning bolts, ice blasts or Wynne's rock spells, there are five corpses on the ground.
Sten steps back to dodge a heavy flail swing, he uses his body weight to knock him down and quickly thrusts his sword on his chest. Alistair is fighting defensively against two enemies, waiting for an opening, there's a dead man on the floor, close to him.
Elissa sees a sneaky human wearing leather approaching Leliana who is concentrated shooting at her opponents, Elissa fires her arrow, hitting the man on his shoulder, "Leliana! Behind you!"
She quickly turns aiming her bow, her assailant raises his hand, "I yield! It's over, fellas!" The two remaining bandits drop their weapons, they wear banded mails. Their weaponry consisted of two handed swords, long swords, shields a couple of bows and the flail.
Elissa, ashamed for being absent when they needed her, approaches him, "They're not common brigands," Leliana says.
"They had high quality weapons. They also were ready," Sten says grabbing the flail.
"What do you want with us?" Elissa says, her bow still on her hands.
"The red haired," he says, glancing at Leliana.
"Me!? Who sent you?"
"I don't know the name, just where to get my money. Let me live and I'll give you the directions," he says.
"Slowly," Elissa says, reading his bow. The bandit nods and gives Leliana a piece of paper.
"Now, may I go?" he asks.
"Yes, but never ever cross our path, understood," Leliana says.
The bandit leader looks at the rest of his men, "Yes, I swear."
"Leave, now!" Elissa shouts.
The man retreats without recovering their weapons, Leliana approaches the campfire to read the paper, Elissa stands a bit far away from awaiting for her. The red headed bard approaches Elissa, "It's her, Elissa. It's Marjolaine, she's in Denerim."
"But why now, Leliana?"
"I don't know, maybe someone saw me," she sighs. "First Zevran then this, we ought to be more careful about our identities from now on, Elissa."
"I know, Leliana. Rest assured that when we get to Redcliffe…"
"Thank you, Elissa," the redhead says.
Elissa look at her companions, Sten and Zevran are searching the bodies, Alistair is cleaning his sword, Morrigan went back to her tent and Wynne is looking at her. She whistles to Bo, pats him and slowly approaches Sten and Zevras, "Found anything on the brigands?" she asks.
"They were slightly better trained," Zevran says.
"We could get about 30 silver from them," Zevran says, throwing her a small leather pouch.
"What's that about?" Morrigan asks.
"That was-"
"A past that I'd rather left behind," Leliana says, interrupting Elissa. The bard gives her a slight nod.
"And you call this civilization," Morrigan says, giggling.
"Gear up, people. Let's hit the road," Elissa says. She goes back to her tent and starts packing.
"Hm, excuse me, Elissa," Wynne says. The Warden stops her affairs and turns to the old mage, her features highlighted by the campfire's light, "Please, go on I don't mean to interrupt your work."
Elissa shrugs, "Fair enough, Wynne. How may I be of assistance?"
"I couldn't avoid noticing that you have, how can I say, sleep problems," Wynne says.
"Sleep problems, huh?" she shrugs. "It's just bad dreams, don't worry, it's a Grey Warden thing," Elissa says, smiling at her.
Wynne nods, "Alistair told me but, you're... far too important now," she sighs.
Elissa stares at Wynne, Even more if Alistair is a Guerrin. Then a protected noble from a very important family now one of the last Grey Wardens who must be protected to end this Blight select group who can end a Blight. Story of my life. She feels her shoulders getting heavy, her mouth opens, "Wynne, I…"
She gently pats Elissa's shoulder, "I know dear…"
"Will you be there for me, when I need you?"
"Of course."
"Thanks, Wynne."
Wynne stands she looks Elissa pack for an instant, "You're very mature for your age," both women turn to Alistair he is in a staring contest with Bo, he barks, Bo starts barking in answer. They are mute, watching him, his innocence is quite charming. "Won't you stop him?"
Elissa blinks a few times, "Oh sure," she laughs half heartedly, "He can rip off your head, Alistair."
"Nonsense, he's a good pal," he is about to pat him when Bo barks. Alistair takes off his hand.
"He's telling you to pack your gear," Elissa says chuckling.
"Yes, ma'am," he sighs then he movies towards his tent.
They pack their stuff, Sten burns the corpses and they resume travelling. After one day, arrive at the gates of Orzammar on the morning. It's colder than Elissa expected, she will get a hood as soon as she finds a merchant. In order to get to the gates there's a narrow pass adorned by dwarven runes. As they leave the passage they find themselves in what seems like the bottom of a canyon, there are many traveler's stationed there, some carts. Many of them start trading good there. Despite the merchants, there are impressive ten feet tall stone statues of dwarven warriors wielding axes and hammers on the walls. If only their visit to Orzammar allowed time to see its beauties.
So it's closed. If things go on like this this will be a nest of prostitution, gambling and drinking.
They unmount and try to avoid the most crowded area, staying close to the walls. They see that it's next to the wall that there are a small number of stone habitations, the wooden signs next to them indicate that they should be the official traders here. As they look for a stable they see smiths, a long building that must act as an inn, some traders selling food, drinks, travel equipment.
"Look there, a stable. I'll get down Morrigan, slowly," Elissa says, unmounting, she offer her hand to the witch that sighs before taking it, "Good. Give me a moment I'll talk to them."
She approaches the stable there's a blond, clean shaven dwarf, with some streaks of grey in his hair, he is clean shaved, wears heavy leather boots, and simple clothes, he is sitting on a chair, looking at the market that's taking place outside Orzammar, "Morning, lady."
"Good morning, sir. I was in need of a place for my horses," Elissa turns back and points to her group, "four horses."
"Ye got no luck, lady. Only official business, sorry," he says.
Elissa approaches him, "Well I'm a noble, my house is very close to the King's," he mutters something, "I also happen to have official business in Orzammar."
"Look, I'll take your horses but if I talk to the gatekeeper and he doesn't know about ye, deal's off, right?"
"Right, sir. What's your name?"
"Kravolir," he cleans his hand in his clothes and offers it.
"Elissa, enchanted to make your acquaintance, sir," Maker, how I hate myself sometimes. He blinks a few times, Elissa was about to turn, "By the way do you know anyone called Faryn?"
"Yeah, he is a trader, a human that is near the front gates, right there, see?"
Elissa nods and waves to her companions to come to her, "Thank you, sir."
They do as asked and unmount as they get close to the dwarf, he takes their horses into the stone stable.
Elissa leads her friends towards a human behind a small counter, there are simple weapons exposed in the counter, behind him there are a tent and some crates. It's a man in his early thirties, "Welcome friends, what can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for a reliable trader who has quality goods on reasonable prices, I heard that Faryn is the man I'm look for. Is that you?" Elissa asks.
"Why yes, my lady," he says with a smug smile on his face.
"That's wonderful, I want a Qunari sword," Elissa says, her hands on her hips, a small grin on her face.
"I happen to have one," he goes to the tent and comes back with a big, chipped two handed sword, "say, fifteen sovereigns for you?" Faryn puts his hands together.
"What about you just give us the sword?"
"But why would I do that?" he frowns.
"Because it's mine!" Sten says approaching them.
Faryn swallows, "Eh? I-Is it yours, bloody scavengers, he told me… Bah! Take it and leave me!"
"Much obliged," Elissa says picking up the blade with both her hands, it's quite heavy. She politely hands it to Sten.
He grabs it from Elissa's petite hands, he stares at it, enamored by the blade despite the state of the blade. He closes his eyes and puts the blade on his back, "Finally, completion. You must be an ashkaari to find a lost blade in a country at war."
"Ashkaari?" Elissa asks.
"One who seeks or one who thinks, in your language."
"Thanks," Elissa feels her cheeks getting hot. "Does this mean that you mission is complete?" He nods in response. "I'm happy for you, Sten."
"I think that the arishok would be better answered if the Blight is ended, don't you agree?" he says with a smirk on his face.
It was the first time that Elissa saw Qunari smile, "I feel honored to have you Sten," she says. He slowly nods.
"Your qasan-kas, it looks as it has seem a great share of battles."
"As much as I. And there will be plenty more."
Indeed. I count on you, Sten. Elissa turns to the main gates of Orzammar, she agape, her eyes widen open due to the dwarven architectural skills, mountain and and gate are constructed in perfect harmony, like if the Frostback was a gentle mother protecting her newborn son. There are two lateral stone stairs to get to gate.
The group approaches the gate, Elissa raises her right hand, she points to her ear and to the group in front of the gate. It is a heavy armored dwarf, he has a battleaxe on his back and has a beard as black as coal. He is arguing with three men, two armored and one wearing traveling clothes.
"No, you can't enter. I have told you already," the dwarf says.
"Leliana, Zevran, let's get closer," Elissa says. They slowly and subtlety get right behind the place where the group is arguing, the gates not being on the ground provide a reasonable cover to eavesdrop.
"King Loghain will not tolerate any more delays, let us talk to your deshyrs, teyrns or whatever you call them," he says in a higher tone of voice.
"King? How does he dare?" Elissa mutters.
"Shhh!" Zevran lightly elbows her.
"I already told you, not until our political crisis is over. We also don't care about the whims of your human king, now begone!"
He sighs, "We've been through this for a week. How much longer will it take?"
"As much as it takes. Go in peace, do NOT try my patience!" the guards beside him draw their weapons. Zevran touches the girls' shoulders and motions his head towards the group, they follow him as quietly as possible.
"Let's mingle for a bit," Leliana says, taking Alistair by the arm and going to a nearby store. The other follow her.
"Eh... we need some travel cloaks, five, dark, please," Elissa says. The dwarf quickly fetches the items, there's a smile on his face.
All of them but Alistair and Sten grab a cloak, "Sorry, too much armor in you," Elissa says, shrugging, "But tell me what's this crisis about?"
"Oh, King Endrin Aeducan has passed away, they haven't chosen a king yet," he says, rubbing his long and dirty beard.
"Time to go!" Leliana says.
Eissa quickly throws some silver coins and immediately go to the gates. As she approaches the gatekeeper, he sighs, "What business you have here, human?"
"I'm a Grey Warden, I must confer with your leadership," Elissa shows him a treaty.
"Seems legit," he nods to the other guards, "Very well, since you treaties have precedence over local politics, you may enter."
"Thank you very much, gatekeeper. Please don't say anything to that other group," Elissa says.
"Very well," he says nodding.
And so they enter the ancient city of Orzammar.