Chapter 28: Making Do and Solutions
"Brasca!" Zevran exclaimed when Sibedina handed over the dart she had found. He had taken a sample of the tip and analyzed it. The results had him ready to jump up and murder the bastard who dared to use it.
Sibedina was startled by the outburst and asked, "What is it?"
Zevran growled as he made his way towards Alistair and demanded he show his hands. Sibedina followed and heard the elf demand Alistair to tell him if he touched the poisoned tip at all. "Alistair, quit assuming that I am trying to woo you though the thought has crossed my mind but tell me when you pulled the dart out, did you touch the poisoned tip?"
Sibedina watched as Alistair grew red and it was replaced by sheepishness, "When I gave it to Sibedina, I may have nicked myself on it."
Zevran gave a sigh. Sibedina asked, "What is going on?"
The elf looked at the newest member of the group and replied, "Well my beautiful goddess, the poison that was on the tip of this dart was meant to take down a Grey Warden or someone with unusually high stamina. It is not fatal but certainly weakening. Obviously the famous stamina was taken into account. It's a poison that supposedly has origins with the Dalish."
"A Dalish poison? Is there an antidote?" Alistair asked more out of concern for Alriana who had the full dosage. He glanced over to where Wynne was casting a rejuvenation spell to bring up her stamina but she still was unconscious.
Zevran nodded, "Indeed but the ingredients I need are special and rare. I do know one that can slow the effects until I get them all."
Sibedina felt guilty. She went with the Wardens to stay safe and now she may have just gotten them killed, not to mention Ardeth who was still out there. She had to ask, "Is it fatal?"
Alistair saw the flicker of guilt flash in the young woman's eyes as she asked her question. He had learned not to feel sorry for people and heck Alriana practically beat that out of him. Yet she seemed… he could not place a word for it. He looked at Zevran expectantly.
"Well it is a weakening poison. For someone that is not a Grey Warden, it would kill them. It is like administering a large amount of sedatives. Such a thing though can be debilitating. For you Alistair, it might be like having a really nasty cold that you can't seem to get rid of." Zevran shuffled uncomfortably. He then said, "For the other, it might be the same, possibly worse."
Alistair heard the words. At first he thought the Maker was playing a cruel joke on them. First the incident to Redcliffe and now this and he was stuck in the leadership position now. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. They had to move now since word would surely get out and they needed to get what Zevran needed. The bloody ashes could wait a bit longer. He then said, "Well, we'll make do. We have to pull out now though. How would travel be?"
"Alistair, you're not serious are you?" Wynne joined in the conversation.
"If Bodahn is willing, Alri can ride in the wagon. We have to move Wynne. More likely they'll send soldiers outside the city to look for us," Alistair replied suddenly feeling tired. "Besides Lady Cousland here killed the bastard with the poison so there's another reason to look for us." He indicated towards Sibedina who tried to look inconspicuous at the moment.
"Alright, I'll tell everyone to pack up, but what about Ardeth?"
"He'll find us," Sibedina offered. "He would probably lead them in circles to chase their tails and then will follow us. He used to do that to throw off the guards when he came to Highever."
"It was a game for him," Wynne nodded in agreement. She then turned and went to give the news to the camp.
Alistair looked at the Zevran and Sibedina and nodded before going to speak to Bodahn, leaving the two there. Once he was gone, Sibedina asked, "How bad is it really?"
Zevran shook his head, "It's a slow killer. What I said was true, that it will be as if they had a bad cold and it won't go away. For people like you and me, we would be dead. The potion that I can make with the help of Wynne will slow it down long enough for me to get what I need."
"What do you need me to do?"
"You?" The elf looked surprised.
"Yes. I can help. I know a fair piece about herbology and I have nursed my nephew through a few colds," Sibedina offered, trying to make herself useful.
"My dear lady…"
"Sibby. Call me Sibby."
"Sibby," Zevran started again, "If you would be so kind as to keep an eye on Alistair. He was nicked by the dart and it is possible that some of it may have gotten into his system. The symptoms will be slower to arise but when they do, let me know. I'll try to have him drink a potion every so often."
"I can do that," Sibedina replied, glad to be of some use. "I can also help with the other one, Alriana. I get the feeling that Alistair will be…"
Zevran gave a laugh, "Indeed my dear Sibby. The beautiful Warden has captured the interest of our little templar just as he has captured hers."
"I thought so." Sibedina watched as Alistair trudged away from the dwarven merchant with a slightly pleased look on his face and head towards the elderly woman called Wynne. She watched as he helped pack everything and arranged everything in the wagon before gently lifting the elf and placing her on the wagon. Maybe there were other ways to achieve purpose.
The archdemon circled above roaring while she stood there in the clearing. She felt naked without her armor standing there in a white dress. She then scoffed. When had she ever been in a dress? The archdemon roared again and she looked up and watched as it landed on top of a tower. It looked at her and roared.
She stood there looking up defiantly at it. "You can't take me."
The archdemon roared as it took off and landed in front of her. It had something in its claws. It tossed it at her and she watched as it skidded to a halt at her feet. She swore she could hear the archdemon laughing but it sounded like…Flemeth?
She brushed it aside as she knelt by the fen that had been tossed there. She ran her hands over the bloody matted fur with an urgency, begging the gods to let him be all right. The fen then opened its eyes, and the warm brown pupils focused on her. She nearly cried from the pain they showed but they were apologetic and she heard a sound come from it. The fen said, "I'm sorry Alri."
Sibedina looked at the elf as she tossed and turned on her bedroll in the wagon. She placed the cool wet rag on the elf's forehead and whispered the same soothing words she had used on Oren. The elf seemed to respond to them and calm down allowing Sibedina to rub cool water down the neck to the collar bone and the back of the neck. Her fingers brushed up against something and she pulled it out from underneath the shirt.
She had never seen anything like the pendants she was holding. One was obviously the Warden pendant since she recognized the griffon on it. She looked at more and saw that it was rather ornate with the wire weaving around the crystal vial. Maybe different styles to distinguish different groups. Sibedina then picked up the other pendant. It was a smooth white stone but tilting it, she caught a glimpse of a star forming at the center and she felt something pulsing through it. She had seen stones like this before but this was something else. She placed the pendants back and was tucking them back in the shirt when she heard, "How is she?"
Sibedina turned to see Alistair standing there resting a forearm on the side of the wagon. She made a quick inventory of his face to see if anything was unusual. She did note that he looked rather tired but that was because they had been pushing steadily for the last three days along the southern Imperial Highway. Zevran the elf had pointed out that the Brecilian Forest would have what they needed so Alistair ordered them to head south.
No one had complained really. In fact from what Sibedina gathered from Zevran, it was Alriana who dictated where to go and the trip would be spent with the witch Morrigan heckling Alistair about his intelligence and lack of leadership. Sibedina did not see any lack but she did see something. She could almost swear that Alistair looked familiar to someone else she had met but she could not place it. Now she sat there taking her watch over the sick elf thinking about it, lost in thought. Realizing that he was waiting for an answer, she replied, "Another dream but it stopped. Still feverish. She did say something but it was Elvish."
That had been the same thing she said every night when she took the night watch over the elf. She knew that it was not what Alistair wanted to hear but she had learned quickly that he appreciated the truth even if it was painful. She watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose and nodded. He turned to go when she said, "Don't you want to know what she said?"
Alistair looked at the girl looking at him before looking at Alriana. She was so still, that she looked like she was… No he could not think that way right now. Zevran said they were close. One more day and she would be awake. Right now he had to stay strong even though he was starting to feel unusually warm and feverish. He had been told he was not cut out to lead but Alriana implied otherwise. He was not going to let her down. He was curious though. "What did she say?"
Sibedina took a moment to remember her pronunciation from what the elven servants at Highever taught her. She then said, "Well… she said almost in a wail emma fen. It means 'my wolf'." She then shrugged her shoulders since she could not really make much out of that.
Alistair frowned in puzzlement before looking back at the camp. He then said, "Probably something from her clan. Thank you for staying with her."
Sibedina gave a smile and said, "We all have to make do but I think, no I know this will get better."
Alistair said nothing but gave a small smile. He turned to walk back to camp when Sibedina said, "Do you want to sit with her a little?"
Alistair stopped and looked back. Sibedina thought she saw a faint blush but it faded. Alistair replied, "I…"
"I need to get more water and I need to stretch." It was not true but Sibedina had an idea. She saw the hesitancy on Alistair's face and she said, "When she has the dreams, I talk to her and she responds but she doesn't know me well enough. If she were to hear say your voice, there might be more of a response."
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Alistair replied, "I can get the water for you and I have to get Zevran and Sten on their watch." He picked up the bucket and was ready to leave.
Sibedina was already out of the wagon and she snatched the bucket out of his hands. She then said, "Stay with her for a little while. Sometimes being a person closest to them helps. Don't worry, she won't bite." Sibedina then gave a playful pat on Alistair's cheek like she would have Oren. It was a cover since she wanted to be vigilant for Zevran. She felt the warmth on his cheek but her expression did not change. "I'll get them on their watch." She then headed towards the tents and roused the ones who were to be on watch leaving Alistair with an unconscious Alriana.
Alistair looked at Sibedina's retreating figure and then back to Alriana. He briefly heard the rustling of a tent and then some snores, probably from Bodahn. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. It was not like they had not been in each other's company before. It was then he noticed that Alriana started shivering and tossing and turning. Not hesitating, he climbed in and tried to calm her down, talking to her.
"Well this had certainly been profitable." Morrigan dusted herself off after scrounging for a particular herb that they were on low supply of.
"Indeed my mage sex goddess. Just what I needed," Zevran replied as he plucked one from Morrigan's grasp and added it to the mixture that Sibedina was concocting. Zevran then sat beside the girl and asked, "My dear Sibby have you noticed much?"
Sibedina looked around to make sure no one was in earshot and then whispered, "Looking a little pale and felt a bit warm."
Zevran muttered a bit to himself before getting up to take care of a few more things. He rummaged through his pack. He only had a couple more vials left to slow it down. If he did not find the last component soon… He did not want to think about it now. He pocketed the vials thinking. He would have to split them in half. He glanced over at the other members of the camp as they were doing their various assignments. He spotted one he needed to see and headed over.
Wynne looked up as Zevran approached and said, "I trust that you have something to say that does not pertain to my bosom."
"Don't worry Wynne, I was coming to see how well the other part of the antidote is coming along," Zevran replied at his soberest.
Wynne turned to the concoction that she had been working on that required a lyrium base. She replied, "I am just waiting on the part from Sibedina but from my understanding is that there is one part still missing."
"Yes unfortunately I am not sure how to go about getting it since to kill one would be sacrilegious and I think it would be counterproductive when we look for the Dalish." Zevran looked around the camp before returning his gaze back to Wynne, "So I am at a loss at what to do."
She was walking through the forest looking for berries. She found a cluster of the most perfect berries and started picking them. She was in the middle of picking when she heard her name. She looked and Tamlen was standing there, looking at her. She waved for him to come over but he did not move. She frowned and called for him but he started fading. She screamed for him but he continued to fade as he smiled at her.
Suddenly the fen appeared looking at her. It approached and looked at her with its warm brown eyes. She reached out to touch it when it was seized by something large. She backed up and saw the fen in the jaws of a dragon. Suddenly the dragon flung the fen where it landed at her feet. She knelt by the beast to check him over. The fen whimpered in pain as it looked at her. She then saw it… speak? "I'm sorry, Alri." It then dropped its head and its breathing became still. Not again!
Alriana's eyes shot open and found that she was in an unfamiliar place. Her first instinct was to spring up and fight, yet her body felt heavy and sluggish. She looked up and recognized the face above hers. "What happened?"
Alistair had taken his turn with Alriana as he had for the last couple of nights. Most of the time he talked to her about what happened during the day or some story he happened to remember. Other times he said things he would not consider saying if she were conscious. She responded the most when she started to toss and turn from dreams. As soon as he spoke, she started to calm down and she would grab him and hold on and say the same thing over and over again. He was startled to actually hear her voice and nearly fell out of the wagon. He looked at her and replied, "Alri?"
Alriana moaned putting a hand to her head. She said, "I feel like I've been hit over the head or something." She then remembered and said, "That shem bastard. I'll kill him." She then tried to get up only to be restrained by Alistair.
"Alri don't bother. He's dead. Sibedina killed him." When Alriana stopped struggling, Alistair continued, "He used a poisoned dart on you. Zevran says that it may be Dalish in origin. He's working on the antidote." He continued to tell her all of what Zevran had told him about the poison.
Alriana listened while her mind reverted to a memory. She remembered during her training with her mentor. She remembered and said in a croaky voice, "I know this one."
Alistair grabbed the water skin and held it for Alriana to drink. "It doesn't surprise me considering all the other things you know." He gave a slight grin.
"And I am assuming he is using the common version of the antidote," Alriana replied after taking a drink. Her head felt less woolly but she felt very weak in the limbs. She did not know why but she knew that she had to get this out and not waste time on jokes. "The thing with the mage part was leaked to throw people off the trail. You need just the first part and one other thing. A sliver of the antler of our most sacred creature and it can only be gathered if the halla considers your request to be true of the heart."
Alistair listened to Alriana and wondered if she was babbling but she was very coherent. He asked, "Are you sure Alri? You know this for sure?"
Alriana felt her eyes getting heavy and started to drift off. It was Alistair's voice that kept her awake. He's doubting me now? She sighed and said, "He created it. My mentor trained as an assassin." She then dropped off.
Alistair was stunned at that revelation but somehow it was not surprising considering Alriana's skills. He gave a slight chuckle recalling her reaction to Zevran when he tried to kill them. He glanced at her sleeping form. Whether or not it was fever induced, he had to discuss this with Zevran. He gave a kiss to her forehead before climbing out of the wagon and went to find Zevran.
"That would make much sense but to get what we need is a request? I am not certain…" The assassin shrugged his shoulders in confusion.
"I think it makes sense," Leliana said as she handed out cups of tea. "I think it is not uncommon for people living in the forest to actually be in touch with their surroundings."
"I'm not sure if we should follow this piece of advice. How do you know it's not something she made up due to her fever?" Wynne asked the question not because of doubt but it just seemed convenient.
It was Sten who answered, "The kadan does not say what she doesn't mean."
"It's all we have to go on," Alistair added. As much as he could say that it was fever induced, he knew that he could not doubt her. She never said anything that was not true. "We'll do it."
"That's the most intelligent thing I've heard you say," Morrigan added, a light hint of approval in her voice. Perhaps this event had been a good thing for the clod. The past week had him taking the lead and making the decisions that needed to be made while they were searching for what they needed. Granted she was not pleased to be taking orders but the clod did remind her that she said she was at their disposal. Whoever thought he actually paid attention?
"Then let us get rest or on our watch," Wynne said and turned towards her tent. She still was not sure but the choice was made.
"Zevran, you already gave Alriana her dose, right?"
"Yes my dear Sibby. Why do you ask?"
Sibedina held out the two half-filled vials she had found beside her when she woke up in the wagon and began a check on the elf. She found it unusual and sought out Zevran first thing after her inspection. It was the last one they had until the next batch was finished.
Zevran took a look and then quickly looked across the camp before swearing in Antivan. He then marched off to check one tent in particular and finding it empty, he cursed some more and headed towards the edge of camp. He was cut off by Taryn who growled at him. Zevran was not in the mood and tried to go around only to be halted by Sten who merely said, "It was his choice and we will follow."
Sibedina watched while the huge Qunari stopped the limber elf from achieving his objective in following after Alistair. She noticed that the pup was missing too. She looked at Wynne and Leliana who were wondering at the commotion. He certainly left a mess behind. Her eyes then drifted towards her tent and noticed one of her jars was missing. She said, "He's gone to get what we need."
"Stupid shem."
All eyes turned towards the wagon where Alriana sat up. Around her neck dangled an amulet with Andraste's symbol. She looked pale and her tattoo showed up more vividly. She was rubbing her hand across her forehead as she slid to try to stand up. Leliana was there quickest to keep the elf from falling to the ground. Alriana repeated, "Stupid shem."
Sibedina used the distraction to grab her blades and slip away. She was hesitant about passing Taryn but he gave her a look. She put a finger to her lips and continued walking slowly. The hound let her pass giving a slight whine. She said, "Don't worry."
"I am stupid," Alistair muttered to himself as he sat on a log. He rubbed his forehead trying to ignore the headache and fever. He had gotten good at hiding the cough and now used the privacy to let it out.
Aedan paced looking at Alistair with a worried look. He gave a slight whine and nudged the human hand. When no response came, he nudged the hand again and this time rubbed his wet nose on it.
Alistair felt the wetness and looked down at Aedan. He rubbed the pup on the head. "Don't worry boy. Just wondering how in the name of the Maker I am going to find this halla. I don't even know what it looks like." He then pulled the little wooden animal for no reason. He removed it before leaving his mother's amulet with Alri deciding that he would need a bit of luck. He studied the animal, fingering the details. Suddenly he heard a noise and he stood up to look around. He glanced at Aedan who looked at him curiously and then made a movement as if to roll his eyes before walking forward down a path.
Feeling foolish, Alistair followed the pup. Suddenly Aedan picked up the pace and started to run. Alistair adjusted his pace to follow even though he was feeling sluggish. He lost sight of the pup and ended up in a clearing. He could not even hear the pup's yipping as he leaned against a tree to catch his breath. He shut his eyes again wondering why he was out there. "What in the name of the Maker am I looking for?"
"You know the answer to that boy," a familiar voice sounded.
Alistair opened his eyes and saw one of his least favorite people. He replied, "Now I know the poison's getting to me. You're here Vilmaris."
Vilmaris laughed at him and replied, "Are you so certain boy? You seemed certain she wouldn't accept you if you told her about your father. Maybe I am a fever induced vision; then again maybe I'm not. After all you are required to do nothing, least of all believe."
"Now I know I'm going crazy. You're quoting Morrigan's mother."
"Who is quoting whom?"
"Andraste's flaming arse! What do you want?" Alistair glared at Vilmaris in frustration while leaning against the tree.
"You are the one asking for help boy. I am here merely to provide help," Vilmaris shrugged her shoulders. She smiled and added, "Unless of course you wish to be more like your father."
Alistair grumbled. Why could he not be tormented by someone he actually liked? Then as if in response to his thoughts, Vilmaris replied, "Sometimes the adversary is the best guide."
"Quit that," Alistair growled, "I get enough of that from Ardeth."
"Alright so what do you need boy?"
Sibedina had been tracking Alistair for a while and managed to find where he had stopped to rest. She felt that she was getting close and continued to follow. She was walking through when she heard a yip. Out of the brush came Aedan barking, happy to see her. She kneeled, "There you are boy. Where's your master?"
Aedan barked at Sibedina. He then bounced in a circle and barked again. When she did not move, she bounced off down a path she had not seen before. He stopped and turned and barked again.
Sibedina looked down the path and the way she had come. She knew the general direction of camp but she could not help but wonder if she was going in the right direction. Yet Aedan was Alistair's dog and the pup was not one to play jokes if it was urgent. She sighed and said, "Alright boy. Show me the way."
Aedan barked and trotted down the path.
"Seems to me boy that you have seen what you seek multiple times. Are you telling me that you don't know by now what it is?"
"Sorry I just don't discuss details with Alri unless it pertains to the archdemon." Alistair was frustrated and felt at a disadvantage sitting on the ground against the tree. His legs felt weak so he sat to relieve it for a while. He let out a grunt and pulled out the little wooden animal.
Stupid shem. You've had the answer in front of you all the time.
Alistair thought he really was going crazy. First Vilmaris, an elf he knew he disliked and now he was hearing Alri's voice in his head. He felt feverish and let out a cough. He looked at the little wooden animal again. Is this really what it looks like? Well he had little else to go on. He stood up looking resolute.
"I take it you figured it out," Vilmaris said.
Alistair held up the wooden animal. "This is all I got to go on so…" He started off again wandering down a path.
"And how do you propose to look for it?"
"The old fashioned way: wander around until I'm stranded out in the middle of nowhere," Alistair replied. "Either way I'm finding it before I head back."
Vilmaris gave a look of approval. She then said, "You might want to keep an eye out for grassy knolls."
"Just as long as you don't come with me," Alistair muttered and continued forward unaware that Sibedina had caught up and was watching him with a perturbed expression.
Sibedina looked at the retreating man talking to no one then she looked at the pup and said, "I think the fever's getting worse."
Aedan gave a slight whine and started to follow his master. Sibedina had no choice but to follow. She could only hope that Alistair would not do something foolish. Unfortunately she lost sight of the man and turned to the pup to get him to find the trail.
Alistair had no idea where he was going but he was determined to find the animal. He finally heard a noise and rounding a corner, he saw a whole herd of the animal. They were grazing peacefully, not paying him any mind as he approached. One looked up and saw him and stared at him and he stopped. It made a sound and continued to look at him. One thing he noticed was that the creature, compared to the others, had green eyes, much like Alriana's and like his dreams. He wondered if he really was going crazy and they were already filled up.
It can only be gathered if the halla considers your request to be true of the heart.
Alistair gave one last look at the wooden animal in his hand before putting it in his pouch. Well I trust you with my life Alri. I'll trust you with this. He then took a tentative step forward and started talking to the halla. I hope this works.
A/N: Well here's another chapter. I blindsided you by adding the last Cousland to the mix and now Alistair takes the lead! Well I can say for certain that he is not going to get them lost and stranded in the middle of nowhere without any pants. As always, enjoy and review.
