Chapter 21
~Family~

Alistair

It wasn't the sun that woke me that morning. No, it was the city. And the sun was just starting to show! I, for one, did not want to wake. So, I laid there for a moment and thought, since I didn't have to get ready just yet. We were now in Denerim. I hadn't been here in so long. Well, I'm not technically 'here' in Denerim. We're still outside the city. I wonder how much it's changed.

I turned my thoughts to something specific. Something I had to tell Morriana. I had found information while I was with Duncan that I had a sister, Goldana. I want to see her, warn her about the Blight. But most importantly I want to know, have that feeling that there's finally someone I can consider family. I smiled at the thought. I wonder what she'll be like. I wonder what she looks like. Would she look like me? Or perhaps more of her father rather than mine.

As I daydreamed the sun finally rose some more and I decided to get my things ready. I threw on my clothes and cleaned my armor the best I could and got it on, buckling it in place. I crawled out of my tent and saw Morrigan talking with Morrigan with Orrick lying at her side, and Morrigan's face was red . . . like she had been laughing . . . I thought she wasn't happy unless she was turning people into toads and then setting them on fire.

I stood and they looked at me, finally noticing I was up.

"Am I missing something?" I asked. Morriana smiled at me, something I would give anything to see again.

"No," she replied. Morrigan looked away as she tried to calm herself and let the flush leave her. She suddenly stood, saying she needed to pack her things. Morriana let out a small giggle. That's new.

"We head out to the city in an hour. Are you packed?" Morriana asks while standing and brushing the dirt and leaves from her pants. I nodded. She let out a shiver and hugged her arms. "Blast, why must it be cold?" I laughed.

"Because it's winter," came my smart reply.

"I never would have guessed. While we're here we should get warmer clothes." I could tell she was excited, also something new. She was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Listen, Morriana, when we get into the city there's someone I'd like to look up." I said to her as she began to destroy the fire.

"Loghain will get what's coming to him, Alistair," she replied without looking at me. I shifted uncomfortably.

"No, I know that. But that's not it. The thing is, I have a sister." Once I said that she stopped and looked at me.

"And you want to see her?" I nod.

"I haven't known about her long, I just discovered when I was recruited. So I figured, maybe, we could find her." She nodded.

"We can try. We still have to find brother Genitive, but I think we need to hurry our time her, lest the arl gets worse." I throat clenched as she said that, and I think she saw. "But I'm sure he'll be fine. No worries, Alistair, we will save him." She walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. "I promise. I know with the Blight and everything that this is all hard. But I am going to save all I can either way." I smiled at her and my body decided to act on its own. My arms wrapped around her and I held her close. Though it was cold out here, the feeling of her against me made warmth flood through me.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Am I interrupting?!" he quickly let go of each other like we were shocked as we see Leliana outside her tent.

"Eh, no." Replies Morriana. "At any rate, pack up and wake everyone up. We need to get moving." She nods and heads into her tent to pack.

###

About an hour later we were fed, packed, and ready to go. As we walked through the gates and into the city I was hit with a strong burst of perfume, spice, and the smell that simply said "city". I walked at Morriana's side as she led us to the market, her smile and happiness growing with each step. It was only now I realized it: she's from Denerim and hasn't been here in . . . I don't even know how long anymore! She's bursting with joy and eagerness to get home. I had wondered what her family would be like and I know she couldn't wait to see them.

We followed her into the market. The smell of perfume and spice got even more enhanced as we entered. As I looked around the market I noticed that there were a lot of people. But then again, what else would you expect from a city.

"Alright," Morriana said, turning towards everyone. "Bodahn, you and your son are free to go trade with the merchants. Zevran, Leliana, I have a job for you both. I want you two to find where Genitive is and find out any important information on him." They nodded. "We meet at the Gnawed Nobel tavern and dusk. Am I clear?" They nodded. "Very well, Orrick and Alistair, come with me. Morrigan, you can turn into a wolf and follow Bodahn, if you wish. I know that you're not used to the city and such." Morrigan gave a sigh before creating a bright green and yellow glow and shifted into a wolf. I noticed her clothes were nowhere to be found. Where they went was beyond me.

"Zevran and Leliana, you can find us once you have information on Genitive. Now, let's go." We all then went our separate ways. Sten decided to tag along, since he'd rather not be with Bodahn and the witch. As Morriana and I walked up front and Sten and Orrick behind us Morriana sighed.

"It has been a long time since I walked through the crowed of the market." I smiled.

"Same here. I came here when I was very young with arl Eamon. He even bought me a toy golem." I suddenly realized what I said and was about to make up some excuse, I heard her chuckle.

"I've always wanted one of those. But I could never have one." I looked at her confused.

"Why?" she sighed, this time more sadly.

"The Alienage is the poorest part of the entire city. There were many luxuries I wasn't able to afford. Toys being one of them. Shianni and I made our own. They weren't… the best, to say at least, but when you live in such a poor community you have to be as resourceful as you can. I only ever had three toy of my own my whole life." I nearly stopped dead in my tracks but kept walking. Even as unwanted as the arl had made me felt when I was young I still had toys. I never had as much as his son had, but I still had more than three.

"I . . . I'm sorry." I said to her, not knowing what else to say. I had no idea the Alienage was like that. Sure I knew that it wasn't wealthy as much as the rest of Denerim, but I never knew it was so deprived of so much.

"It's not your fault. It's just the way things are. It's like the Blight. It happens, we can't really do much about it, and it sucks." My arm, moving on its own, went around her shoulders. She jumped, unexpected it, but did not protest. "I don't want you feeling pity for me." she mumbled. I chuckled this time.

"I know." She huffed a laugh.

I looked around, seeing how much Denerim chanced since my youth. But I suddenly came to a brute stopped, which nearly caused Morriana to fall over.

"Alistair, wha-"

"That's my sister's house," I claimed. "Could. . . could we see if she's home?" I asked, hesitantly. Morriana huffed.

"I already told you yes this morning, Alistair." I gave a nervous laugh.

"My sister. Huh, that sounds a bit strange. Sister. Sssssiiiiissssttteeeerrr!" She laughed as I explored the word. When I realized I was just making a fool of myself I felt my cheeks getting warm. "Uh, let's. L-lets just go." She nodded, trying desperately, by unsuccessfully, not to laugh at me.

"Sten and Orrick, please remain out here." She said to them. Sten nodded. And Orrick gave an argumental bark since he couldn't come, but sat next to Sten anyway. Taking a deep breath I reached for the door handle and walked in.

The house was very simply. The kitched laid to our right and stair were in front of us. A fire place burned on our left finning the air with the smell of whatever was making. Toys and other items littered the floor, so it was easy to say I had a few nieces and nephews. I cleared my throat.

"Eh, hello?" I called out. There were some thuds as someone walked down the stairs. When they reached the bottom there was a woman in front of us. I could see a slight resemblance between us in facial features. Her hair was long and my color hair, only a bit darker and a slight tint of more red. Her eyes, though, were a darker green than my hazel. She was no doubt older than I, perhaps a bit more than a decade.

"Yes? Are you here for cleaning? I charge three bit a bundle and you won't find better. Anyone else who says different is foreign and will probably robe you blind." She said, folding her arms.

"Um, no, I'm not here for that." I said.

"Oh? Then why are you then?"

"Well, are you Goldana?" I asked. I didn't want to tell someone else by mistake I was their brother.

"Yes I am. Why?" She unfolded her arms and rested her hands on her hips.

"Well . . . my name is Alistair. I . . . I'm your brother." I came out with it and she looked shocked for a moment. We stayed quiet for a while until she spoke.

"Alright, what kind of foolery are you two up with?"

"He's telling the truth, please, just listen." Morriana begged. Goldana ignored her and focused on me.

"Our mother worked as a servant girl in Redcliff castle. Did you know that? She—" whatever I was about to say was cut off by her.

"You! I knew it! They told me you were dead along with mother but I knew it wasn't true!"

"Wait, what? Who? Who told you I was dead?"

"The people at the castle. I told them the babe was the kings and they said he was dead. I knew it!"

"I . . I'm sorry. The babe didn't die. I'm him. I'm your brother." I said calmly, even though I wasn't anywhere near.

"For all the good it does me." she snapped with a scoff. "You killed mother you did and I've had to scrap by all this time! Your royal father forced himself on my mother and what do I got to show for it? Nothing!" I jumped when she yelled at me.

"That's hardly Alistair's fault." Morriana muttered to her. "It's not like Alistair just went 'oh hey, this will be hilarious killing my own mother. You know, for shit and giggles, just so I can ruin the sister I-never-knew's life.'" This time Goldana scoffed at her.

"And who in the Maker's name are you?" she snapped. "Some elven whore following after his riches?" Morriana scoffed back before I could say anything.

"Riches? Alistair doesn't even have a home. He grew up in the chantry. You this just because the king slept with her and made him would make him a bona-fide price? He—"

"I don't care what he is, and neither you. Now get out of my house, the both of you!" I said nothing else. I turned on my heel and opened the door, ignoring how bright the sun was in a darkened house. Once Morriana was outside Goldanna slammed the door behind us.

"This is the family I've been wondering about all my life?" I muttered as I leaned against the wall of the next building. I saw Orrick and Sten a distance off. Maybe they got the hint to leave us alone for a moment.

"I'm so sorry Alistair." Morriana said coming up in front of me. I laughed coldly without even knowing it.

"I can't believe that unbelievable shrew is my sister. The only family I have."

"That's not true." I looked up.

"It's not? Because I have who? Eamon? Tegan? Certainly not Isolde." She stayed quiet for a moment then spoke.

"Well, you don't need her. You have others who care for you." I scoffed.

"Who? Duncan was the only one who ever cared for me and he's gone." Before she could say much else I pushed off the wall and began walking off. I heard a murmur behind me from Morriana. And even though it was quiet I heard it.

"I care about you."

I stopped. I looked over my shoulder to her. Orrick was now standing beside her and Sten only a few feet away. I opened my mouth to say something, but ended up closing it.