Chapter 27) The Bargain
Nuada POV
"So, you, Uncle Rendon, and Uncle Leonas were able to survive because you and Uncle Leonas knew how to swim?" I asked Father softly. I probably should've kept quiet, but it was rare Father would talk about the Battle of White River. No one blamed him. Only fifty rebels survived that battle. "But how did you evade the guards?"
"Taking advantage of Leonas's mother being Orlesian," Father answered absently, staring out the window. I'd have bet anything that if he was really seeing the scenery, he was thinking on how strange it was to be a Fereldan in Orlais for diplomacy. "He had the looks, and accent. That's how we saved quite a few people, actually." He shook his head, looked at me, and unexpectedly tugged me in a tight hug.
I was scared to feel him shaking, but I decided to ignore it. I was good at that. "Do you wish things had gone differently?"
"I would give almost anything to save those soldiers, even now."
"Almost?"
"Well, yes." He pulled back slightly and kissed my forehead. "I wouldn't give my family for anything. The idea of not marrying Eleanor, and raising three wonderful children with her… now that is absolutely unbearable. I can bear their deaths. Most days."
"Oh. Okay, then." I couldn't think of anything else to say, so I just buried my face in Father's warm shoulder and hugged him back. I'd tell Elspeth what I'd learn today later. Today… today, I just wanted to hug my daddy.
I grimaced, casually knocking back a darkspawn sword and decapitating its wielder. At this point, everything was muscle memory and sheer stubbornness. Though we'd turned the ogre's body into a makeshift barricade, via burning to make sure it was really dead, it had long since turned to ash, stinking and coating the air. The darkspawn just kept coming as well. I wasn't sure why, really. What was the importance of getting this Tower? Was the Archdemon obsessed with reclaiming a piece of the old Imperium? Were they simply attracted by three Wardens? Neither really made sense. The Archdemons of old had never shown that obsession, and if it were Wardens, there were far more down below.
"I have the glyph," Layla whispered behind me. In unison, Alistair and I jumped back and she cast her Glyph of Repulsion, sending the darkspawn scattering for a short while. She had been combining it with the Glyph of Paralysis earlier, buying us a lot of time, but she was too weary to cast the two quickly. "Okay, now, you two are going to let me heal you."
Alistair and I shared a worried look as we noticed her teetering, face grey with exhaustion. There was no way she was going to hold up much longer. "Layla, Nuada and I are fine," Alistair whispered. She tried to glare up at him, but the effect was lost with her stumbling and the way her hair stuck to her sweaty face. "Seriously, we're not even bleeding!" That was a lie, especially on his part, but our armor hid a lot of the wounds. "Sit down for a minute. You're going to kill yourself."
"But…!" She sighed heavily. "Please, at least let me cast Regeneration on you two."
"Do you even have the mana for that? Regeneration is a lot more powerful than healing. I remember that from my studies." She pouted and Alistair grinned. "You can't trick a former templar that easily. You should really switch to Paralysis instead of Repulsion, though. Less mana." Oh, I didn't know that.
"Then, let me put on a Glyph of Warding to protect you two." That was a thing? "We have to hold out until…" By this point, I thought it was obvious that help wasn't going to come. But, of course, I didn't say that.
Instead, I glanced at our enemies, to see how fast they were recovering, and got a nasty shock. "EMISSARY!" I yelled. Layla looked confused, but Alistair paled. "Get down, both of you!" I followed my own order and crouched down behind my shield just in time for the emissary to launch a humongous lightning bolt. It hit right in front of Alistair, scattering large pieces of debris. A few got past my armor and dug deep into my skin, but everything froze when I heard the sound of tearing flesh behind me, followed by a very light, very high gasp.
I turned slowly and paled as I saw Layla collapsing, a large piece of stone wedged in her stomach. She glanced at me very briefly, eyes filled with terror and pain, and then she passed out, blood pooling around the stone as she hit the ground. I immediately sat her up, and checked her pulse. It was faint, but still there. Unfortunately, I had no idea for how long that would be. There was no time, really, to try and bandage her. I wasn't even sure I could with the rudimentary poultices I had.
"Nuada!" I turned back and saw Alistair standing tall, and couldn't help but stare a bit. "I know I'm an idiot and all, Nuada, but the Chantry doesn't let templars take their vows until they learn how to at least neutralize magic attacks for a short area."
"I'm admiring your dashing figure," I deadpanned. He laughed, and it hid the worry and pain in the lines of his face. I looked past him and saw archers preparing to shoot. Maker, you really hate us, huh? "Well, Alistair?"
"Yeah?"
I stood up and angled myself a bit in front of Layla, changing my stance slightly for better defense, just as Uncle Loghain taught me. "If we get through this, remind me to buy you a drink and a night at the Pearl."
"The Pearl?" He shifted his stance too, also in front of Layla.
"It's a brothel."
"Do they sell broth? Why would I want to spend a night eating broth?" I gave him a look and he shrugged. "What?"
The archers had the strings drawn back. "It's a place for prostitutes, Alistair."
"Oh? OH!" He colored and I couldn't help but laugh. "N-no thanks! I'll just take a second drink!"
"Okay." And the arrows flew.
A couple got past my shield. One sliced my cheek. Another went over my eye. But I got off better than Alistair. One managed to slam him in the collar bone, jerking him back and out from behind his shields. More arrows struck him, taking advantage of the cracks in his armor caused by the ogre. He stumbled back and knelt down, leaning his shield up. When the arrows stopped flying and I had a chance to check on him, I found him passed out next to Layla. He'd used the last of his energy to get the shield up to protect them both.
I sighed, rolled my shoulders to relieve the tension and settled myself in front of them as the darkspawn slowly crept closer. We were all probably about to die. I knew this. But I wasn't going to let them take us without a fight, at the very least, and-
"Well, well. What do we have here?" The words were accompanied with a wave of magic that send the darkspawn crashing into the walls, and turning into bloody pulps. "Three Grey Wardens, separated from their comrades? My, my."
"Your timing is impeccable, my lady Flemeth," I breathed, shifting slowly so that I could still keep myself between her and my comrades. Unlike before, she didn't pretend to be the doddering old woman. She'd turned herself into a warrior-queen of old, with maroon armor and a headdress like dragon horns, to impress and intimidate.
Her smile reminded me of Antiva and Orlais, bitter poison hiding in the promise. "Hmm, hmm…" she chuckled, walking towards me slowly. "Oh, how I love your eyes when you've dropped the mask. You look like Sarim. All fierce and strong, willing to face impossible odds if that's what it takes to do what you feel in your duty."
Yeah, I only didn't have my 'mask' on because it was really stupid to play games with her. Even I knew that. "Might I ask what brings you here, my lady?" The only 'jab' I'd allow myself was the way I addressed her. It was a reference to her most famous story, and how my ancestors acquired Highever. Thankfully, she seemed mostly amused by it. "This is quite the distance to travel."
"Not so much when you can fly." She shrugged, stopping just out of my sword's reach. I tightened my grip on the hilt anyway. "I can save them still." Hmm? "They're not quite dead yet."
"You don't do anything without a price."
"Of course not. I've seen far too much to rely on simple charity." She leaned back on one leg and crossed her arms. "So?"
I glanced back at the unconscious Alistair and Layla and set my jaw. This wasn't like with Cleon. There wasn't another option. "Am I the only one who will pay?"
"I will split the price between you and your order." She smiled again. I fought the urge to snarl. "So?"
"We have an agreement." I sheathed my sword, hooked my shield on my back, and turned to the others. "Will you heal them here?"
"I will hold them here." Two spheres of light flew over my shoulder and wrapped around the two. "But we will have to return to the hut for the actual healing. Grab them and come to the window here."
I chose not to answer her as I went to work. I wrangled Alistair's sword and shield into their proper places on him and shifted him awkwardly onto my shoulder. I thought about removing the arrows, but decided against it. So long at the arrows were there, they plugged up the wounds and kept him from bleeding out so quickly. For that same reason, I left the stone in Layla's stomach as I managed to pick her up. I was startled by how light she was. No wonder she wasn't able to handle wearing simple leather armor.
Struggling under their weight, I turned and stared for a brief moment at what was waiting for me. I'd only seen the creature on insignias and in books, but there was nothing in the world that looked like a griffon. "Of all the things you shapeshift into, you choose the dead thing," I muttered to myself, walking over anyway. Then again, griffons were very good at carrying people. So, shaking my head, I got Layla onto her back, and propped Alistair behind her. He groaned and I jumped at the noise. "Alistair?" There was another incoherent noise. "Alistair, it's Nuada. I swear, by all that's holy, focus on me and don't go anywhere near the light. If you don't, I'll… I'll hurt you." Ah, my voice was thick. Damn, this was pathetic.
Flemeth seemed to agree as she gave a sharp cry to hurry up. Rolling my eyes, I slid between Alistair and Layla, supporting them both as best as I could. I absently checked their pulses as I settled in. Alistair's was faint but strong. Layla's… was weak and fluttering. They needed help fast…!
As if she sensed my sudden panic, Flemeth lunged forward and I got to experience something that no one had in ages, flying on a griffon. The wind roared past my ears as we raced through the air, rain pelting us like rocks due to the sheer speed. When I looked down, I thought I saw soldiers staring up, Wardens pointing and shouting at the sight. But I also saw many dead, and being swallowed up by the shadowy darkspawn. Had the beacon come too late?
While I thought that, I became aware of a strange melody twirling through my head. It would've been impossible to hear a sound, but this song seemed to be from within, like I was singing it, or remembering someone who had. It was… breathtakingly beautiful, though. It made my mind and heart ache and made me desperate to recall the memory of where I'd heard this ethereal song.
But I knew very well that I had never heard this before.
I slammed my fist into my leg, right on a bruise or scrape I'd suffered before, and the pain my vision white, but the song was out of my head and that was all that mattered. My mouth was dry as I tried to process what else was going on. We were close to the Wilds. Layla, in front of me, was even paler than before, but absolutely still. Alistair was mumbling and groaning behind me, and… and not directly behind me. I twisted in time to see Alistair sliding off, half reaching for the sound. I snatched his arm in time, only just barely not tumbling off after him. Gritting my teeth, I checked to make sure Layla was secure and glanced around to make sure no one was trying to attack us. It would be just my luck for an ogre to be down there, ready to throw a rock at us and… and…
Only long years of training kept my grip on Alistair firm as I looked up and saw a dragon descend from the storm clouds above. Jagged spikes burst from is scales, forming a secondary armor that just burned with the taint. Maker, no wonder the darkspawn had been so numerous or crafty.
"Drop him here." I glanced down and saw Morrigan from earlier in the branches of a tree, hands reaching. "Though I would've let the idiot fall," she continued lightly. Her shaking hands and wide eyes betrayed her fear. "Hurry up."
"You have my thanks," I rasped, swinging Alistair to her. She caught him easily, and set him up against the trunk of the tree. Then she reached for me again, and I handed her Layla. Flemeth flew a little higher to drop me off on a neighboring branch before shifting back into her human form, face grim as she studied the battlefield. "I take it this was unexpected?"
"Oh, yes," she agreed quite easily. I winced as a violet light suddenly split the sky, whirling into a storm that took soldiers and darkspawn alike to their deaths. "Morrigan, take over holding the two. I will make Urthemiel retreat." Oh, the thing had a name? That was lovely to know! Now I knew what to address the tea invitation too. "Go, quickly." She jumped into the air and quickly shifted into the form of a High Dragon, screeching in fury as she crashed into the Archdemon, sending it tumbling into the trees.
"Well, of all the things I thought were going to happen today, this was definitely not on the list," I muttered as I watched them tear into each other. "Is she going to be all right?"
"Do you truly think that something can kill my mother?" Morrigan retorted easily, smiling smugly. It almost hid the fear in her eyes.
"If there is anything that can, I'd probably put my money on the Taint." Fire sparked in the air above, and I wondered how it could burn with all the rain.
"Come, we must hurry." With those words, Morrigan tore her eyes from the dragon fight and glanced between Layla and Alistair. "I can shift and-"
"I can carry Alistair if you can get Layla down," I interrupted. She nodded and gathered Layla up before easily hopping down from branch to branch. When I had Alistair situated on my shoulder, I slid down a little more clumsily and carefully.
"Follow me." I resisted the urge to retort about how obvious that comment was. "Quickly." That also didn't need to be said.
Still, I couldn't help but spare one glance to the battlefield and wondered what had happened to everyone. But then I turned away and followed after Morrigan. I couldn't do anything for them here. I had to focus on Alistair and Layla.
What was the point of remembering and worrying about the things you couldn't do a damn thing about?
I leaned against the rough wall, biting back pants and groans. Bloody flames, I wasn't expecting that to be my prince. I didn't even know you could do that!
"Hmm… a shame you aren't a mage," Flemeth commented lightly as she leaned over me. She'd come out of her fight with no visible wounds. I wished we could just sic her on it. "You'd make a fine toy if you were."
"As fun as that sounds, my lady, I am quite busy," I wheezed, forcing a smile to hide my unease. "Will they live?"
"Since I gave you their wounds? Yes." I was still really confused by how that worked. "Though, I'm certain you will bear scars from it, to go with the ones you've already gained." She gently tapped the scabbing over my eye and cheek. "You've paid admirably. You didn't scream once." I bloodied the inside of my mouth to keep it that way. "Tch, now where is that girl?" Flemeth straightened and walked to the door of the hut, glaring outside. "It doesn't take that long to study a battlefield."
"Might I ask about the other half of the price?" I carefully pushed myself up and shifted my feet sharply to keep from falling as pain ricochet through me. The worst wound I'd taken was the stomach wound from Layla. No wonder she'd been so terrified back then. "You mentioned it was for my order?" I stumbled over to the masses of blankets and pillows set up for Layla and Alistair and checked their pulses. Both were steady and strong, simply asleep from their treatment.
"Oh, yes." Flemeth turned to face me, smiling again. "But it isn't bad, I assure you. I just need you to stop the Blight." Oh, you mean her price was what we were going to do anyway? That was merciful. "After all, I could kill the archdemon many times, but it wouldn't stick." Huh? "Ah, there's Morrigan. Perfect timing." Yeah, now I couldn't ask her what she was talking about. I knew Wardens were necessary, but if I could figure out why that would've been better. Elspeth and I had never thought to ask.
"Is the business concluded?" Those were the first words out of Morrigan's mouth when she walked inside the hut. She saw me and frowned. "I still think you an idiot for agreeing to take the price all for yourself."
"I'm so startled you didn't change your mind in the hour you've been away," I deadpanned. "Now how will I win your heart, oh beauteous goddess of the woods?" I could tell she had no idea whether she wanted to laugh or kill me. "Oh, woe is me!"
Flemeth, for her part, chuckled before nodding at her daughter. "Tell me of the battle, child," she ordered, leaning against the doorframe. She casually changed her form to look more like the harmless old woman from earlier. I tried not to show my unease at it. "Well?"
"It was a total loss," Morrigan stated bluntly. I wasn't sure if I wanted to wince or sigh, but I certainly wasn't surprised. With the Archdemon showing up so suddenly, I somehow already knew the outcome. "The general they were all depending on quit the field." …Wha…? "Their king is dead." I… "As if their Warden-Commander…" Even…? "There were no surviving Wardens." No…
"Any missing?"
"Those two elves from earlier." Oh. "I could find neither hide nor hair of them in the field or in the camp." That… "The soldiers that were with the general also survived." So, was Elspeth okay then? …No, she probably ran down into the field to get Cailan. I knew her. "I didn't find those two you asked me to look for either. The noble lordling who was close to the king and the archer girl with the braid." Wha…? "Not that I understand why you wanted me to keep an eye for them too."
"Sentimentality." Flemeth shrugged. "I have a soft spot for the family." She glanced at me and I suddenly wondered if the price had been lightened because it was me paying. No, that was a ridiculous thought. "But isn't that some good news?" I stared as she gave me a small, small smile. "A bit of hope for you."
I made myself smile at her. "I suppose so," I murmured politely. "But I think I will rest now, if you'll excuse me." Without waiting for them to reply, I laid down on some blankets next to Alistair and pretended to fall asleep.
No, don't give me that. Don't give me hope. I didn't need it. Hope just burned and I was already in more than enough pain.
Author's Note: All right! I suppose we could call this the 'official' end of the Battle of Ostagar, huh? LOTS of things I added, simply because I chose to have Nuada conscious. (One of these days, I might just sit down and write out what skills/talents each character has.) All of it was just for fun to add to the wonderful mystery that is Flemeth. And showcasing how going into battle with limited or damaged armor will probably kill you. And I decided that, because of his templar training, Alistair has a lot of knowledge about magic. Archdemon shows up… because? Wardens hearing the song of the archdemon, and how it sounds to them, comes DIRECTLY from the Last Flight novel.
Also, it's only recently (as in while I was doing research for this) that I learned Arl Bryland's first name. I likely used Uncle Bryland in the past, thinking THAT was his first name, and that is an error. I'll… try to remember to correct that.
Not sure how much I can update during November as my focus is going to be on my NaNo project, so I hope you all have been enjoying the influx of chapters? Eheh? Oh, and Happy Halloweeen everyone!
Next Chapter – On the Run with Cleon
