The sun began and it wants a thick mist began to cover them and judging from the looks on everyone the attack was about to begin. Sereda looked and could see the undead forces marching straight towards them.
Sereda nodded to Sir Perth as they started taking positions. "Daylen, Morrigan, stay back. Focus on healing. Theron, Leliana, keep with the mages and use your arrows. Alistair, keep them off the casters and archers. Sten, you, Faren and I will form a wall. Sir Perth, you and yours form the second line. Elisa, Kallian, stay mobile and flank where you can. Let's go."
Satisfaction lit their faces and Faren smiled as his traps began to thin the numbers. The satisfaction dimmed somewhat as the things kept coming. Beside her, Sten and Faren set to work with their long blades. She stepped forward, blocking a corpse that attempted to get past Sten's sword and brought her own blade down. Now and then she saw Elissa and Kallian dart in and out of the fray. Kallian swung her blade slicing a corpse arm clear off, leaving the corpses easy targets for Perth's men or the fire. With a sword in each hand, Elissa resembled nothing so much as a whirlwind of blades, dancing here and there, as she cut down the dead.
The fire had burned out by the time the last wave had fallen. Daylen tended wounds quickly. Sir Perth started to offer congratulations, and then jerked his head as the alarm sounded from the village below. "More of them."
Sereda nodded. "Stay here," she told him. She looked to her companions. "Move."
The defenders stood in the rough palisade of spikes. Theron quickly grabbed more arrows, and tossed a full quiver to Leliana. She caught it and gave Theron a nod of thanks as they took their positions. Sereda called out instructions as the dead started to come, and the wardens took the front lines.
Theron kept up a steady stream of arrows. Beside her, Alistair used his shield and sword to take care of anything that got close to him and the mages. She smiled to herself. It was good having someone to watch her back. Barkspawn darted through the field, finishing off the few that still twitched and tried to drag themselves towards the villagers.
Her companions were doing the brunt of the work. Only a few of the villagers had even had to raise weapons. She nocked another arrow, and then searched for a target. After a moment, she let it down. "Is that all of…"
A corpse limped out from between two houses. Sten cut it in half with an almost casual swing of his greatsword. There was silence for several heartbeats. And then slowly, a cheer started to go up.
Sereda began to relay orders and they split into two groups. They began searching through the few corpses still lingering in the village. Theron and Leliana remained at the palisade, bows in hand, as they scanned for any remaining targets.
"Did we lose anyone?" Dayen asked.
"I don't think so," Theron replied.
"Thank the Maker," said Leliana. Her words were echoed by several of the villagers standing nearby.
Theron wasn't sure he'd seen anything as lovely as that sunrise. They'd manage a couple hours respite, waiting with bated breath for the dawn to come.
Teagan stood before the chantry. "Dawn arrives, my friends, and all of us remain." He held up his hands. "We are victorious!" A great cheer met his words. He gestured towards them. "And it is these good folk you see beside me that we have to thank for our lives today. Without their heroism, surely we would all have perished." He turned towards them. "I bow to you, noble sirs. The Maker smiled on us when he sent you here in our darkest hour."
"Thank you, Bann Teagan. We are honoured," said Sereda, giving him a small bow.
Theron looked around at the faces of all the people. Several met his eye and smiled warmly or waved. He never thought humans would congratulate him, it was entirely a new experience. Next to him, Leliana smiled. "This part of the story at least, has a happy ending."
"It does indeed," he said. He then looked over towards the castle. "Sadly when one tale begins another seems to follow."
A woman from the chantry stepped forward, and began to pray for those that had fallen on previous nights.
"Gods above ease their passing," said Theron quietly as she finished.
Teagan spoke again. "With the Maker's favour, the blow we delivered today is enough for me to enter the castle and seek out your arl. Be wary and watch for signs of renewed attack. We shall return with news as soon as we are able." He looked back to Sereda, and lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "Now, we've no time to waste. Meet me at the mill. We can talk further there."
"Odd how quiet the castle looks from here. You would think there was nobody inside at all," said Teagan as they arrived. He turned to them. "But I shouldn't delay thing further. I had a plan… to enter the castle after the village was secure." He fumbled with a ring on his finger. "There is a secret passage here, in the mill, accessible only to my family."
"That's convenient," said Faren.
"Perhaps I should have gone into the castle earlier… but I could not leave the villagers—" He looked up. "Maker's breath!"
Sereda turned in the direction he was facing. A woman was heading in their direction, followed by several guards. She saw some of her companions reach for weapons, and gestured for them to stand down.
"Teagan! Thank the Maker you yet live!" Relief filled the woman's face as she approached them.
"Isolde! You're alive! How did you…?" He blinked. "What has happened?"
Isolde spoke in a rush. "I do not have much time to explain! I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw the battle was over, and I must return quickly. And I…" She hesitated, and then her voice became firm. "Need you to return with me, Teagan. Alone."
Sereda couldn't believe her ears. "We will need more of an explanation than that."
Isolde gave her a confused look. "What? I…" She looked back at Teagan. "Who is this woman, Teagan?"
Alistair sighed. "You remember me, Lady Isolde, don't you?"
"Alistair?" Annoyance filled Isolde's face and voice. "Of all the… why are you here?"
Teagan stepped between them. "They are Grey Wardens, Isolde." His voice was patient as he tried to reassure her. "I owe them my life."
She nodded slowly. "Pardon me. I… I would exchange pleasantries, but…" She looked back at the castle. "Considering the circumstances…"
"Please, Isolde..." Teagan said. "We had no idea anyone was even alive within the castle. We must have some answers!"
Isolde wrung her hands. "I know you need more of an explanation, but I… don't know what is safe to tell. Teagan, there is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead waken and hunt the living. The mage responsible was caught, but still it continues." She sighed. "And I think… Conner is going mad. We have survived but he won't flee the castle." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "He has seen so much death! You must help him, Teagan! You are his uncle. You could reason with him. I do not know what else to do!"
"Do you think this 'evil' could be some kind of demon?" Daylen asked.
Isolde went pale. "I... I do not know. Oh, Maker's mercy! Could it truly be a demon?" She wrapped her arms around herself. "I can't let it hurt my Conner! You must come back with me, Teagan! Please!"
Sereda glanced at Daylen. The mage gave her a slight nod silently telling her that it was a demon at work. "Tell me about this mage you mentioned," said Sereda.
"He is an…" Isolde hesitated just slightly. "Infiltrator, I think—one of the castle staff. We discovered he was poisoning my husband. That is why Eamon fell ill."
Teagan blinked. "Eamon was poisoned?"
Isolde's voice was bitter. "He claims an agent of Teyrn Loghain's hired him. He may be lying, however, I cannot say."
"So why must Teagan go alone?" Sereda asked. It only took a split second to realise that Isolde wasn't telling them the whole truth.
Isolde was clearly growing desperate. "For Connor's sake, I promised I would return quickly and only with Teagan."
"Promised?" Teagan asked. "Whom did you promise?"
"Something the mage unleashed. So far it allowed Eamon, Connor, and myself to live." She shuddered. "The others… were not so fortunate. It's killed so many, and turned their bodies into walking nightmares! Once it was done with the castle, it struck the village! It wants us to live, but I do not know why. It allowed me to come for you, Teagan, because I begged, because I said Connor needed help."
Sereda looked back at Daylen. The mage's face was grim as he gripped her staff. He met Sereda's eyes, and gave her another nod. Sereda returned it. "Enough questions. We need to decide what to do." Sereda turned back to Teagan.
He met her eyes. "The king is dead, and we need my brother now more than ever. I will return to the castle with you, Isolde."
The woman nearly collapsed with relief. "Oh, thank the Maker! Bless you, Teagan! Bless you!"
"It seems you have little choice," Sereda said.
He nodded. "I have no illusions of dealing with this evil alone. You, on the other hand, have proven quite formidable." He looked at Isolde. "Isolde, can you excuse us for a moment? We must confer in private before I return to the castle with you."
"Please do not take too long! I will be by the bridge." She gave him one more desperate look.
Teagan ushered them to the windmill. "Here's what I propose: I go in with Isolde and you enter the castle using the secret passage." He yanked the ring off his finger and offered it to Sereda. "My signet ring unlocks the door." She took the ring from him. "Perhaps I will… distract whatever evil is inside and increase your chances of getting in unnoticed. What do you say?"
"I can't let you do this. It's insane."
"What choice do either of us have? If your business with Eamon is important, you're going to have to go inside to find him."
"He's right," said Alistair. "Without Arl Eamon, we'll never get the support we need."
"Sir Perth and his men can watch for danger at the castle entrance. If you can open the gates from within, they can move in and help you." He sighed. "I don't think there's anyone else who can help you. If you choose not to go, then it's up to me to do what I can." He sighed. "Whatever you do, Eamon is the priority here. If you have to, just get him out of there. Isolde, me, and anyone else… we're expendable."
There's no questioning about this man's coverage. "I understand. We'll do our best."
"You're a good woman. The Maker smiled on me indeed when He sent you to Redcliffe."
Leliana shook her head. "So we are just going to send him off with that woman? It seems so dangerous!"
"One fool plan on top of another," Sten said.
"I can delay no longer. Allow me to bid you farewell… and good luck."
Sereda watched him follow Isolde. "Let's move." As they went into the windmill, she held up a hand to slow Theron. "Protect Alistair," she whispered. "If we lose Eamon, we're going to need him."
He nodded. She was halfway down the corridor before it occurred to her he didn't ask why.
"Demons?"
"This mage could have summoned one," said Daylen. "Or thinned the veil enough that one could cross over and take the bodies of the dead."
"Oh. Wonderful." Sereda sighed. "How do we fix it?"
"The simplest and easiest course of action would be to kill the demon," said Daylen.
"Yes, killing the demon should stop these undead," said Morrigan.
"All right," said Sereda. "Looks like we're going to kill a demon."
They encountered the first corpses in what looked to be a storage room. After fighting so many above, these few were little challenge. The next door took them into what was clearly a dungeon. Daylen was looking around for signs of magic when she heard a familiar voice yell, "Get away from me!"
Ahead, several of the corpses were clawing at a door. Before the warriors could close, Daylen summoned fire and threw it into the midst of the dead. From the cell came the familiar voice again. "Hello? Is there someone out there? Who is it?" Daylen shoved past the others. "By all that's holy…" There Jowan was, staring at him. "You! I can't believe it…"
"Took the words right out of my mouth."
He leaned on the cell door. "Maker's breath! How did you get here? I never thought I'd see you again, of all people."
He looked at him. He was bruised and battered, and pale beneath the dirt and blood on his face. He narrowed his eyes. "I never expected to see you again."
"You didn't, did you?" said Jowan. He then looked ashamed of himself. "Of course, you might want to kill me now, considering what I did."I've done
"Done?" Daylen growled. "You mean besides betraying everything we were taught?"
Jowan blinked. "You don't know? I'm the one who poisoned Arl Eamon. For all I know, he's already dead."
"He's not dead—" Daylen the crossed his arms glaring at him. "At least not yet."
"He's not?" Jowan then took a massive sigh of relief. "That's a relief, I can't tell you how much."
"I take it the two of you know each other," said Elissa looking between the two men back and forth.
"This is Jowan," said Daylen, looking back at her. "He was my friend, until he betrayed my trust and nearly had me set to prison."
"So he's the mage Isolde mentioned?"
"Please," said Jowan. "I know how it seems. Poisoning the arl was… a terrible thing. But I'm not behind everything else happening here, I swear!" He shook his head, and looked back at Daylen. "Before I say anything else, I need to ask you a question. You can do whatever you feel you need to afterward, but I need to know…" He sighed. "What became of Lily? They didn't hurt her, did they? The thought that she might have paid for my crime…"
Daylen couldn't even look him in the eye. "The Chantry sent her away. I don't know where."
"Oh my poor Lily." His voice was devastated. "She must hate me now, if she even lives. What have I done?" He sighed. "So. Here we are again, the two of us. What happens now?"
"I just want to know how you end up here, involved in this."
"I… I know it looks suspicious, but I'm not responsible for the creatures and the killings in the castle. I was already imprisoned when all that began." He sighed. "At first, Lady Isolde came here with her men demanding I reverse what I'd done. I thought she meant me poisoning of the arl. That's the first I heard about the walking corpses. She thought I'd summoned a demon to torment her family and destroy Redcliffe." He leaned on the wall. "She… had me tortured. There was nothing I could do or say that would appease her. So they… left me to rot."
"Why did you poison Arl Eamon?" Sereda asked.
"I was instructed to by Teyrn Loghain." He looked at her. "I was told that Arl Eamon was a threat to Ferelden, that if I dealt with him Loghain would settle matters with the Circle." He gave Daylen a hopeless look. "All I wanted was to be able to return." He shook his head. "But he abandoned me here, didn't he? Everything's fallen apart. I never thought it would end like this! Maker, I've made so many mistakes. I disappointed so many people… I wish I could go back and fix it. I just want to make everything right again."
Daylen narrowed his eyes. "Oh, so now you grow a conscience."
"Well…" He looked at him nervously. "It's a start, maybe. I don't know if anything I do could ever make it right."
Sereda frowned. "So the Teyrn hired you to posion Arl Eamon."
"Connor had started to show… signs. Lady Isolde was terrified the Circle of Magi would take him away for training."
"Connor?" Alistair's face revealed his shock. "A mage? I can't believe it!"
Jowan nodded. "She sought an apostate, a mage outside the Circle, to teach her son in secret so he could learn to hide his talent. Her husband had no idea."
"Perhaps her son is responsible for what happened," said Daylen rubbing his beard.
"I thought that, too," said Jowan. "Connor has little knowledge of magic, but he may have done something to tear open the Veil." He frowned uncertainly. "With the Veil to the Fade torn, spirits and demons could infiltrate the castle. Powerful ones could kill and create those walking corpses."
"I see," said Sereda. "I think I understand."
Jowan hung his head again. "The arl's a decent man. I wondered how he could possibly be the threat Loghian said he was, but I did it anyway. I'm such a fool."
"So what you intend to do about it?" Daylen asked crossing his arms.
"I'm just sick of running away and hiding from what I've done. I'm going to try to fix it, any way I can." He looked at him. "We were friends once. I know I don't deserve to call you that, after what I did… if it ever meant anything, please… help me fix this."
Daylen narrowed his eyes. "I helped you once in the name of friendship."
Jowan nodded. "And I betrayed you. And Lily. I'm sorry, so sorry!" He then gave him a pleading look. "Please, I'm begging you! Won't you help me try and do one thing right in my life? Give me a chance, please!"
Normally Daylen would have left him to rot, but they needed all the help they can get. "I'll let you out of your cell. Don't try anything."
Sereda looked at him. "Daylen, are you sure?"
"He was my friend once and I want to trust him again," said Daylen. He looked back at Jowan as he opened his cell. "Don't make me regret this."
"I promise you won't," said Jowan.
"I hope you know what you're doing," said Alistair.
Kallian crept through the castle a bit ahead of the others. She heard something move behind a door, and signalled to the others. Sereda nodded. Carefully, Kallian opened the door.
"Ahhh!" The young serving woman squealed. "Please don't hurt me!"
"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you," said Kallian calmly.
"I… I'm sorry; I'm so frightened! These monsters are everywhere!" She shook with terror. "My… my name's Valena, the arlessa's maid. Is she… all right? What happened to everyone?"
"Valena?" Sereda asked. "The smith's daughter?"
She nodded desperately. "You know my father? I want to go back to the village! Is there a way out of here?"
"There is a tunnel leading out in the dungeon."
"B-but the monsters…"
"We've killed most of them. It's safe," Kallian assured her.
She backed away, then nodded. "I'll find my way. I can run fast and I know the castle. Thank you!" She fled.
Elissa glanced at her mabari. "Barkspawn, go protect her." The dog whuffed, then followed the woman out.
"Let's find a way to that gate, let the others in," said Sereda.
They made their way through the castle. The corpses of servant and soldier alike had risen, and were put back down by the blades of the wardens and their companions. It took some doing but they were able to open the main gates of the castle allowing Sir Perth and the other knights to enter and with their help they were able to clear the courtyard.
"You have opened the gates," said Sir Perth. "This is good. My men and I are eager to see our arl again. Shall we enter the main hall together? It must be held if we are to regain control of the castle."
"Yes, let's go together," said Sereda.
"Excellent. Let's go now, then, and see what awaits us there."
"I think I'll wait here," said Jowan. "I have a feeling that the arlessa won't be too pleased to see me."
"Yes," Sereda agreed. "I think that's probably wise."
The scene in the great hall was disturbing. Teagan danced and cavorted like a jester to the laughter and applause of a boy. He turned his gaze to them as they entered. "So these are our visitors? The ones you told me about, Mother?" His voice was deep, with a curious echo to it. Sereda saw Daylen stiffen.
"Yes, Connor," Isolde sounded as though she were trying to hold back terror.
"And these are the ones who defeated my soldiers? The ones I sent to reclaim my village?"
"Yes."
The boy's voice became a whine. "And now it's staring at me! What is it, Mother? I can't see it well enough."
"This is a dwarf, Connor. You… you've seen dwarves before. We've had them here at the castle…"
Connor laughed. "Had them? For dinner, maybe. Looks like a tough chew, maybe in a nice stew. Shall I send it to the kitchen, Mother?"
"Connor, I beg you, don't hurt anyone!"
The boy's voice became lost and frightened. "M-Mother? What… what's happening? Where am I?"
Isolde straightened. "Oh, thank the Maker! Connor! Connor, can you hear me?"
"Get away from me, fool woman! You are beginning to bore me."
"Maker's breath! What has happened here?" said Sir Perth.
"He's possessed," said Daylen. "An abomination."
"Grey Warden… please don't hurt my son! He's not responsible for what he does!"
"What did you do with Bann Teagan?" Theron asked.
"Here I am!" Teagan's voice was mocking, almost clownish. "Here am I." He laughed.
Connor chuckled. "I like him better this way. No more yelling; now he amuses me!"
Sereda gestured for the others to spread out a bit, and take positions. Isolde saw them move and started shaking her head desperately. "Connor didn't mean to do this! It was that mage, the one who poisoned Eamon—he started all this! He summoned this demon! Connor was just trying to help his father!"
"And made a deal with the demon to do so?" Morrigan shook her head. "Foolish child."
Connor actually looked indignant. "It was a fair deal! Father is alive, just as I wanted. Now it's my turn to sit on the throne and send out armies to conquer the world! Nobody tells me what to do anymore!"
"Nobody tells him what to do!" Teagan laughed. "Nobody! Ha-ha!"
"Quiet, uncle. I warned you what would happen if you kept shouting, didn't I? Yes I did." Connor folded his arms, his expression surly and belligerent. "But let's keep things civil." He focused his gaze on Sereda as she walked towards him slowly. "This woman will have the audience she seeks. Tell us, woman… what have you come here for?"
"I need to see Arl Eamon." Sereda watched the others move in carefully.
Connor raised an amused eyebrow. "So you're concerned well-wisher. Why did you say that in the first place? All this sneaking around in caring is so unnecessary!"
"He's one to talk," Faren muttered.
"But father is so very ill. We really shouldn't disturb them. Isn't that right, Mother?" said Conner his eyes narrowing.
Isolde looked at Sereda desperately. "I… I don't think…"
Connor rounded on her and snarled. "Of course you don't. Ever since you sent the knights away, you do nothing but deprive me of my fun. Frankly, it's getting dull." His voice rose to a shout. "I crave excitement! And action! This woman spoiled my sport by saving that stupid village, and now she'll repay me!"
The guards charged, and in no time at all they had a battle on their hands. Teagan came at Sereda, and Sten solved the matter by simply punching the man in the face before he could draw a sword, sending him flying to the ground in an unconscious heap. She struck a guard across the belly with the flat of her blade, and then slammed her shield into his face. Across the room, Kallian tumbled into the legs of the two men coming at him, tripping them both. Faren slammed the hilts of his weapons into their heads as they fell. Sir Perth and his knights assisted in the battle fending off the guards.
"Daylen?" Sereda asked.
"If its blood magic controlling them, I think I can help," he replied.
Sereda nodded. "Start with Teagan. Leliana, Faren, bind the others. Theron, Alistair, Sten, you and the knights guard the doors. Elissa, please see to Isolde. Kallian, Morrigan, see if you can figure out where Connor went."
"Don't hurt him!" Isolde said as Elissa guided her to a chair.
"They won't," Elissa assured her.
Daylen knelt next to Teagan, and closed his eyes in concentration. After a few moments, he stirred and sat up.
"Teagan! Teagan, are you all right?" Isolde tried to stand up, but Elissa stopped her from doing so.
"I am…" Teagan looked around as if slowly becoming aware of his surroundings. "Better now, I think. My mind is my own again."
"Blessed Andraste! I would never have forgiven myself had you died, not after I brought you here. What a fool I am." Isolde looked at Sereda, and then outright shoved Elissa out of the way to throw herself at the ground near where Seredawas kneeling. "Please! Connor's not responsible for this! There must be some way we can save him!"
Sereda narrowed her eyes. "You knew this all along."
"I…" Isolde looked at her feet ashamed. "Yes. I didn't tell you because I believed we could help him. I still do."
Jowan then appeared entering into the main hall. "I'm sorry, my lady, but Conner has become an abomination. He is no longer your son."
Isolde glared at him with hatred. "You! You did this to Connor!"
"I didn't! I didn't some any demon, I told you!" Jowan pleaded. "Please, if you'll let me help…"
"Help?!" Isolde shrieked. "You betrayed me? I brought you here to help my son and return you poison my husband!"
Teagan eyes narrowed at Jowan's presence. "This is the mage spoke of? Didn't you say he was in the dungeon?"
"He was. I assumed the creatures had killed him by now." Isolde hatred to Jowan was nothing like Sereda had ever experienced. "He must have been set free."
"I thought he'd be useful, seeing as he helped start this," said Daylen.
"Useful?" Isolde turned on him. "After everything he did, he should be executed! Without him, none of this would have happened!"
"Your secrecy made his actions possible, Isolde," Teagan pointed out.
"But I…"
"I know… what you must think of me, my lady," said Jowan giving her an apologetic look. "I took advantage of your fear. I am sorry. I… never knew it would come to this."
"Well, I shan't turn away his help," said Teagan. "Not yet. And if Conner is truly an abomination—"
"He is not always the demon you saw," said Isolde. "Connor is still inside him, and sometimes he breaks through. Please, I just want to protect him!"
"Isn't that what started all this?" Teagan shook his head reproachfully. "You hired the mage to teach Connor in secret… to protect him."
"If they discovered Connor had magic, then they'd take him away. I thought if he learned just enough to hide it, then…"
Sereda looked at Daylen and Jowan. "What are our options?"
Daylen rubbed his beard. "There is a connection between the demon and Connor. If we can get into the Fade, we could kill the demon, and thus free Connor."
"You can do this?" Isolde turned her eyes beseechingly towards the mage.
"Not easily," said Jowan. "It normally requires lyrium and several mages, but I have…" He hesitated. "Blood magic."
Daylen stared at him in horror. "Blood magic uses life force of others as raw mana. But for a ritual this powerful you would require a lot of life energy—all of it in fact…"
Teagan stared at them. "So… someone must die? Someone must be sacrificed?"
"Yes, and then we send another mage into the Fade. I can't enter because I'm doing the ritual. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. It's… not much of an option…"
"Agreed, our best bet is to head to the Circle of Magi and ask for their help," said Daylen. "It will take a day's journey there and back."
"But what will happen here? Conner will not remain passive forever!" said Isolde.
"I'll stay here as a precaution and keep an eye on Conner," said Jowan.
Sereda nodded. "Well, we were headed there next anyway."
They regrouped in the Chantry. Leliana helped Faren negotiate for supplies, trading away most of Daylen's elfroot potions for things like arrows. Theron began to gather herbs and other ingredients they would need for their journey.
He noted Kallian talking with a boy and a young woman. Kallian handed the boy the green hilted sword she'd been using earlier, then closed the woman's hand over something that looked like money. The boy held the sword to him proudly as he looked up at Kallian, eyes wide and almost worshipful.
An older woman looked at him and made a clucking sound. A moment later he found a heavy, well-made green cloak being draped over his shoulders. "There. That will do to keep the weather off you a bit better than the rag you were wearing earlier."
"Mas serannas." She looked at him blankly. "Thank you," he said.
"Don't you be thanking me," she admonished him. She pointed over to where a soldier was sitting with a toddler in his lap. "My grandson still has his daddy because of you and yours." She cocked her head at him. "Your accent, and those marks. You're Dalish?"
"Yes."
A little girl looked up at him. "Really?"
He knelt down to her level. "Really."
"But you're nice! You saved us."
"Most Dalish are nice. We just don't trust humans very much."
"Why not?"
Theron closed his eyes. "It's a long and complicated story."
A few minutes later, he found himself surrounded by half the children in the Chantry as he wove the tale of Hesiria and her silver horned halla.
Teagan walked with them towards the edge of the village. "Maker forgive us. Connor is but a young boy, and this is happening to him only because he wished to help his father."
Daylen smiled at him reassuringly. "Fear not I've defeated demons in the Fade before. We'll help him."
He nodded, then looked at Sereda. "The castle is under control for the moment, though I hear pockets of those creatures remain. For now, my main concern is ensuring that Eamon lives and Connor remains…" He sighed. "Where he is." He glanced towards Morrigan and Kallian. "I am not certain what keeps him there, but he will not stay there for long. Just do what you intend to do quickly."
Sereda nodded. "We'll would turn as soon as possible. Hopefully, Jowan will be able to keep the boy at bay until we return."
He turned to Alistair, and put a hand on the man's shoulder. "Maker go with you." He looked them over. "All of you." He turned, and walked back to the village.
