Redcliffe at Last

They came upon the sturdy little house overlooking Redcliffe village. Alistair tortured himself with a brief vision of children playing in the yard while he fixed the roof and Jannasilane did something in the garden before Blake's elbow nudged him. "Sorry, memories. I wonder where the family is who lived here, the place looks abandoned."

Jannasilane was poking around and trying to see inside. "It has not been empty for long, Alistair. It is a nice house and obviously well-maintained. From what I can see there is not enough dust for them to have left a long time ago." She then wandered over to the wall and looked down, "I like the view of the village. You can see almost everything from here and are close without being too close. Something is not right," she frowned thoughtfully.

The Wardens and Leliana joined her and studied the picturesque scene in front of them. "Where are the children? Is it usually so quiet, Alistair?" the redhead softly inquired.

"You're right; there should be a lot more activity this time of day. I remember that the yard in front of the Chantry was always busy with kids running around while men and women stopped to talk. See how a lot of the houses face the yard? There should be people going about their business but instead it looks all closed up. We need to find out what's happening," Alistair concluded.

Blake nodded towards the little bridge they'd have to cross, "I daresay that man will tell us." They moved in that direction.

The man on sentry duty was more than a little nervous, "Have you come to help us with our troubles?" he asked with a hint of desperation. Blake's answer that they'd heard the Arl was sick was met with a nervous outburst, "He could be dead for all we know! Nobody's been able to get into the castle for days and at night we're attacked."

"Well that's just typical, isn't it?" Zevran remarked sardonically.

"What's attacking you?" Alistair was blunt. The man, Tomas, took them to Bann Teagan for answers.

Bann Teagan was a comfortably attractive man with reddish hair and blue eyes. Jannasilane thought he must normally smile judging by the crinkles at his eyes and lines around his mouth. Right now he looked tired and harassed but was still polite to the strangers coming his way even as he demanded to know who they were. Before Blake could answer Alistair spoke up, "You remember me, Bann Teagan? Though the last time we saw each other I think I was covered in mud."

The smile that lit up Teagan's face made more than one of the women in the party take notice. Jannasilane was happy to see a friend of Alistair's. "Alistair! You're alive, this is good news. I thought all the Grey Wardens died at Ostagar along with my nephew." He turned to Blake then, "You look familiar, ser, but I don't believe we've met. I am Bann Teagan, Arl Eamon's brother and Cailan's uncle." He held out his hand and Blake grasped it in a quick, firm handshake.

"You probably knew my father, Teyrn Cousland," he replied with a smile. It was getting easier for him to say his father's name without cringing inwardly or outwardly. "What seems to be happening here, Bann Teagan?"

Teagan then described Eamon's illness which was eventually followed by nightly attacks on the village. They didn't know what was causing them, only that the dead seemed to rise and each night there were more attackers than the previous one.

"Demon," Jannasilane sighed.

"The toy is most likely correct," Morrigan reluctantly agreed.

Wynne shook her head, "I'm afraid that is the most likely explanation."

Bann Teagan looked from one woman to the other before settling his attention on Jannasilane. "I don't understand how this could have happened but I daresay your experience is greater than mine. This is the first time I've faced such an unnatural situation."

"Ha, it seems to be an amazingly common occurrence for us. When this Blight is over we could probably go into the demon busting business if all else fails," Blake said drily. He questioned Teagan more closely and made some decisions. "Package, you stay here and talk to Teagan and the others in the Chantry. Maybe you can get some more details from people. I also want you to see if there's any way to shore up the defenses in here. We'll do our best, of course, to make sure none of the monsters get through but just in case . . ." He motioned the rest of them to leave the Chantry. Alistair looked back and scowled to see Jannasilane and Teagan with their heads close together. Blake elbowed him to get his attention, "She appears to be in very good hands, Alistair, and so does he. You don't have any claim on her, remember?" Alistair flushed at the uncomfortable truth in that statement.

"Bann Teagan," Teagan looked down at the young woman speaking to him, "has you or anybody else tried leaving to get help?"

"I cannot leave the villagers, my lady, there are precious few fighters left to defend them and we are trying to train the remaining villagers to defend themselves but it is no easy task. I suppose they will have to consider this practice for the battles which lie ahead with the darkspawn, if one can truly be prepared for them. Some did try to leave during the day, but we found out they were attacked as well. It's as if someone; something wants this village and every one in it dead. I will continue to stay here in the Chantry as a last defense for the women and children. Ser Perth and Murdock can reach me at any time and I have complete confidence in their abilities. Ser Perth has been a knight in Eamon's service for several years; recently he returned from his quest for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Do you know of this?"

"I have heard something of the quest," Jannasilane replied cautiously. "We met one of your knights in Lothering before it fell."

"Yes . . . I don't know if it was a wise decision but Isolde was growing desperate and she's a pious woman. She hired another tutor for Connor, their nine year old son, some months ago. Eamon fell ill well before the loss at Ostagar and I do not look forward to telling him of that or what has happened. The attacks by the walking dead began just a few nights ago. Are you a Grey Warden as well, my lady? Is that how you met Alistair?" He thought she looked rather young to be travelling without her family, much less a Grey Warden but he wasn't sure. He was sure only that she was charming and attractive in a rather exotic fashion. He was fascinated by her hair which seemed almost a living creature the way it flowed around her.

"No, I'm no Warden, though my father was. I met Blake and Alistair between Ostagar and Lothering while having a mild disagreement with some rather annoying darkspawn. I have traveled with them since. Do you have a family of your own, other than Eamon?" she couldn't help asking. She liked being around the older man, not because he was attractive but because even though he was obviously in a difficult situation he still exuded an aura of good nature.

Teagan was a bit startled and a bit flattered by the question, "Oh, you mean am I married . . . well, no though I would consider myself fortunate indeed to have found someone as lovely and charming as yourself." He was pleased with the blush he caused and continued, "Dare I ask what of you, my lady, surely there is someone awaiting your return?"

Jannasilane hesitated as she thought how to answer and if Teagan hadn't been looking so closely he would have missed the sorrow or regret which briefly flashed in the back of her eyes. "No, I suppose you could say I am bound to helping the Grey Wardens but that is all."

"I find that difficult to believe, but please forgive my boldness, my lady," he gave her a shallow bow.

"There is nothing to forgive, Bann Teagan, and please just call me Jannasilane. I'm no lady of noble birth," she added, flattered by his attentions.

"You are a lady in every way that matters and I will only call you Jannasilane if you dispense with the title and simply call me Teagan. I can't think what else I can tell you of these attacks. There seem to be more of them with each onslaught and I fear tonight will be the worse yet. Have you truly had much experience with demons? I find it difficult to believe that one so young could be so battle-hardened. Could it possibly be something else at the root of this evil?"

"It, I can only say it feels like a demon instead of a necromancer or blood mage or anything else. I'll know better tonight when the attack comes," she shrugged with a nonchalance earned only by someone who was indeed very experienced in the area. Teagan was impressed and intrigued.

Blake, Alistair and Zevran approached Murdock. The others were busy seeing what else was available to help in defense of the village. They would meet in front of the windmill where Ser Perth stood watch before returning to the Chantry. After speaking to the rather taciturn mayor they opted to approach the dwarf he spoke of and try to enlist his help. Zevran decided it was time to stir the waters, "What do you know of this Bann Teagan, Alistair? Is he a good man?"

"Ye-e-es," Alistair replied slowly, "When I was little and living in Redcliffe he always had a kind word and would sneak me treats when Isolde was being particularly unfriendly. Why do you want to know? He's not going to be interested in you, you know. You are definitely not his type," he added snidely.

"Oh, I was not thinking of myself," the elf was cheerful. "I merely wondered if he was good enough for the pocket goddess. It looked to me as if he was well on the way to being quite taken with her abundant charms." When Alistair glowered at him he feigned astonishment, "Do you not think so? Well, perhaps I am wrong. It would be a good match in Antiva."

Blake decided to help stir the pot, "Have to agree with Zevran on this one. Teagan is well-respected as much for his affability as his basic common sense and I never saw him lacking for female companionship. Elissa had a crush on him, heck, so did I at one point. Thankfully he never knew about either of us. One of the joys of being awkward is that social ineptitude can cover a variety of sins as long as it isn't too obvious and doesn't go on for too long," he gave a pointed stare at Alistair.

"Humph," Alistair grunted but said nothing that would give either of them an excuse to make fun of him anymore.

"Eloquent as always my stalwart friend," Zevran rolled his eyes and turned his attention to their leader. "So, you like older men, do you? I cannot envision you being awkward, Warden. On the other hand I can see how you might be taken by a likeable and mature man, such as your Bann Teagan."

"My tastes have changed since I was a growing boy," Blake let his eyes linger over the Antivan for a moment, his meaning quite clear. Then he grinned, "Don't worry, Alistair, we're not going to a wedding any time soon. Even Teagan doesn't work that fast." Blake didn't miss the flush of anger staining the other man's cheeks and mentally smiled to himself. There was more than one way to kick some sense into that stubborn head. He wasn't going to let Alistair keep hurting Package with his indecisiveness. He knocked on Dwyn's door, effectively ending the conversation.

By the time they met back in the Chantry all had been done that could be done. Blake charmed some amulets from Mother Hannah for Ser Perth and his knights; Ser Perth was setting up the oil in order to set the creatures aflame; Dwyn and Lloyd were both convinced to fight and Owen was busy at his forge once again. Teagan and Jannasilane were chattering like old friends, which thrilled Morrigan and irritated Alistair. As far as the witch was concerned Teagan was as good as Riordan for her purposes. "Bann Teagan, we're as set for tonight as we can be. Now we just need to decide how best we can deploy our services," Blake said.

"Teagan told me that the attacks have mostly been coming from near the bridge where we met Tomas. I do not know if that is because they lack the numbers to divide their efforts or the intelligence to do so. It might also be that the farther from the demon they are the less control it has over its victims," Jannasilane concluded.

"Teagan, is it? They certainly got friendly fast," Alistair thought but didn't say anything.

Teagan looked at the young woman he knew he could become very fond of, "Why do you call them victims?"

Jannasilane was surprised, "Are they not? They were men and women who served your brother and died in that service. Now their bodies, instead of being treated with respect are being used to hurt their friends, neighbors, even family members. Surely this would not be their wish. I know we need to stop them but when all is over should we not remember this?"

Blake brushed his hand over her hair but it was Alistair who spoke, "You're right, Janna, they've been victimized twice." Alistair's gaze was warm when it rested on her. She flushed at the expression in his eyes and then turned away, confused.

"Oh-ho, so that's the way of it. What did Alistair do to make her think there was nothing there? Idiot," he thought with more fondness than Morrigan had when she thought of Alistair as such. Then Teagan sighed, he liked Jannasilane and had hoped to convince her to stay in Redcliffe awhile. Before he fell ill Eamon had been hinting that it was past time he found a wife and had children of his own. He never told his brother that he found Isolde the best argument against marriage. These thoughts flashed through his brain quickly and never showed in his expression. "I look forward to discussing this with you in more detail after the battle, Jannasilane," he smiled warmly at his new friend and then turned to Blake. "Do you have any ideas, Warden?"

Blake's eyes were dancing with suppressed mirth even as he answered soberly, "Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana and I will wait with Ser Perth. Sten, you'll station yourself on that end of the defenders here and Zevran over here at this end. General Lee will be in the middle at the front. The archers will have no trouble shooting over him. Wynne, I want you to stay back and keep everybody healthy. Package, I want you on the porch. If any get this far you're quick enough to take care of them before they can get inside. And if you get surrounded your voice will still them long enough for help to get to you."

Teagan took offense at that, "Warden, I don't think insults are necessary. The Lady Jannasilane is a lovely young woman and it is ill-mannered of you to suggest that her voice is some sort of horror."

The others looked at him in surprise and then some started chuckling, which simply confused the Bann. Even Jannasilane was smiling. She took his hand and her smile increased in warmth, "Thank you, Teagan, for defending me, but in this case no insult was intended. Blake was not speaking of my normal voice," at this she sniffed and raised an eyebrow at the still smirking rogue, "at least he better not mean that." Blake tilted his head at her and she turned her gaze back to the Bann whose hand she was still holding, "I have this ability, a particular kind of shout, which can have a paralyzing or stunning ability on those close to me. Alistair calls it a directed shriek. You would not appreciate a demonstration."

Teagan bowed and kissed the back of her hand, "if you say no insult was meant then I take back my rebuke. I admit it is hard for me to fathom such an unattractive sound as you describe coming from such a lovely throat."

Alistair was trying very hard not to grit his teeth, but it was hard when he wanted to grab her away from the older man and declare that she was his. He was definitely ready when Blake signaled it was time for them to join the knights at the windmill but Leliana and Morrigan didn't improve his mood when they both started sighing over Teagan. "It was so romantic, how quickly Bann Teagan came to her defense when he thought she was being insulted. So many men look and sound foolish when they say something like that."

"For once I agree," Morrigan's participation surprised the others. "I think perhaps it was because of the sincerity behind his remarks. I daresay he is not one to indulge in idle flattery and he certainly seems taken by the toy."

"Ser Perth!" Blake called before Alistair could explode. He knew it was probably wrong to take such amusement from his friend's predicament, but he would be the first to admit he wasn't perfect. "We'll be here with you." The knight was glad to see them and they settled down to wait for the next siege. They didn't have long to wait.

In the middle of the village the others waited. When evening came the villagers not fighting entered the Chantry. Jannasilane verified with Bann Teagan that all were accounted for and slipped back outside to resume her position the porch so she could better search the growing shadows. Lloyd moved to stand next to Jannasilane; he hadn't met her before and was curious. She was curvy like Bella and since she wasn't wearing armor like the redhead he decided she was probably some strumpet following the Grey Wardens who happened to be handy with a blade. In Lloyd's world strumpets were good for a squeeze and a quick tumble in the back room or alley, nothing more. "So, you travel with the Grey Wardens, must be kind of exciting," he said without looking at her. "Guess it's handy for them to have a girl like you around, nice and friendly." He glanced down at her to see her looking perplexed. "Silly tart, thinks she can pull the innocent act on me," he continued to look at her, "You are friends right, good friends? Maybe if we survive I could show you a few things at the tavern, stuff I keep in the back unless someone comes in who travels around like you do," he added with grin that was halfway to a leer. Fortunately for him it was too dark for her to see him that well.

Jannasilane didn't care for him and thought he had an unusual way of talking but answered politely, "Yes, we are good friends. If there is time perhaps I will look at your stock." She didn't say anything else but did breathe more easily when he moved away. "That was odd, I wonder if I missed something. Perhaps I should talk to Leliana or Blake." She shrugged and forgot all about it when they heard the sounds of battle at the top of the hill. Everybody was quickly too busy to think of anything but fighting the corpses coming their way.