First, I'm grateful for reviews, favorite and alert. You guy really made my day. /me dance
Second, I want to explain something. /me back to serious mode
The Buddhists believes in Karma. To explain it in easy way; the concept of Karma is about action and consequence. Anything you have done will come back to you and people around you, one way or another. So, I thought some face from the past have to show up in order of harden our exotic Warden.
Issara's good Karma doesn't just reward her, but also changed the story's line. This story becomes something different from the original game more than I expected. However, I'll try to keep the ending as the same. I mean: I wroth the ending in my head which absolutely not the same ending in the game. And I'll try to not change it… too much.
Stayin' alive
Even with Issara's decrease-distance spell, the Grey Warden's party had to walk for almost five days to found the nearest human's village that name Honnleath. At first, the leader had no interest to associate with any human's society unless it's necessary. But when she used telescope spied the village and saw a gallows, she changed her mind.
"Alistair, Wynne, Lea and Rabbit, come with me. We are going to take some walk." Issara commanded. "For the rest, stay here and wait for my signal… well, I mean; go to that village if you see anything suspicious."
"Why go to that village if you know you will found the problem?" Sten asked. "And why we don't go together?"
The exotic Warden scratched her head. "Hum, how can I explain this? I'm suspecting if there's something bad happened there. I want to go to investigate but also don't want to attract any attention, so I want you to stay here until I know it save for you to show up. Don't get me wrong, for me, you all are my friends. Sadly, not every human in Thedas think like that. We ought to be careful."
Lynx seemed to appreciate her decision. "I agree. Meeting shem isn't my favorite activity."
"Wait a minute. Why am I supposed to be here? I am human too." Morrigan protested.
Issara glazed at the witch's ragged cloth. "Should I explain it?"
Groaned, the wild witch surrendered. "All right, I got it."
"Well, consider it done. Anyway, before we go, could I have a word with you Zev?" With too sweet smile, Issara asked the assassin nicely.
He was leering at the Dalish, so it took some time before he realized what the leader said. "Oh, this ought to be good. Go ahead, dear Warden."
But she pointed her hand to another direction. "In private, please,"
Something within her voice gave him a creep. However, Zevran followed her lead to the Feddic's cart. There, Issara asked the merchant nicely for borrowed their cart for awhile. When they started the conversation behind the cart, the exotic Warden's expression turned to deadly serious.
"How is your feeling toward Lynx?"
Shocked, the assassin had no idea that sharpest-tongue woman he ever had known would be so blunt. He stunned for awhile before tried to deflect that question. "My, my… You don't jealous, do you?"
Issara narrowed her eyes.
Last time she made a face like that, she broke the bandit's neck. If he didn't want to share the same fate, he should cooperate quickly. "She is beautiful and, you know, wilds and quite dangerous. I always love challenge."
The Warden sighed. She never wanted to do this to her friend, but he gave her no choice. "I can take your sincere answer by force, you know?"
"How? Are you going to ravish me or something?"
This man reminded her of a young man who once tried to flirt with her. He stopped trying that and left her alone after she broke his jaws which made him stayed in the hospital for almost two months. "Don't you remember what I did with Lynx's bedroll when we investigated her camp? I could scan the memory from the object, animal or even people. In another words, I could read your mind."
"I… oh," Now he was serious. "I thought it's just a trick."
"Sorry for disappoint you, but that certainly not a trick. So, can you give me real answer now?"
The guy was so stubborn like a mule. He stepped away from her, breaking every contact. "I have nothing to tell you, dear Warden."
"Alright," She sighed. Suddenly, she punched the assassin. It's a real punch, which broke his nose completely. When Zevran stared at her in surprise, she pointed his face and pronounced firmly. "Listen, I promised to Lanaya that I'll look after Lynx like she is my sis, which means she is under my protection now. If you flirt with her because you sincerely like her, I have no problem with that. But… if you ever break her heart, I'll cut your precious body's part and feed it to wild animal or anything that could bear it. Is that clear?"
"Wow, did you punch every men who tried to flirt with your sis? I wonder how she could found her fiancé."
"You're the second person I punched because of this reason. At any rate, the third might come around soon." She gave him her hand. "Let me see you nose."
The elf really didn't know how to react. The exotic Warden just punched him a minute ago, but now she offered him her help.
"They said siblings are like the limbs same as friends are. I never wanted to mad at you if that doesn't involve with someone I like as my sis. And just like I said, I have no any problem if you be honest with Lynx. Well, as long as you are a good guy, you still be my friend. Do you mind?"
Finally, Zevran chuckled. "You're ridiculous awesome woman, dear Warden, and I glad to follow you. However, I promise to not lure our beautiful Dalish to my tent if she doesn't want to."
"That is a wise decision. Now, let me heal you."
…
Like the villagers never aware about the Blight in the south, they were still continuing did everyday chores in peacefully village, unnoticed about the armed and armored visitors.
However, the Grey Wardens knew that was the illusion. When they explored the place by walking on the street, they meet a group of men whom wore banner of Teyrn Loghain were walking in the village like it were theirs.
To avoid attention, Issara pulled her companions hid behind a large stone statue that stood alone in village's center.
"We all know these men never do any good, thus must be something wrong around here. I want to investigate but if any of you disagree, you're free to speak you mind." The leader announced.
The three exchanged their glare, before Wynne talked for them. "We agree. I hate to leave this village under control of Loghain's men. Obviously, those poor people fear of them but can't do anything."
"Alright, now we have to gather information from…" Someone grabbed her shoulder. Issara spun around and cast her elbow. It stopped just a few centimeters from that person's ear.
"It's me! I'm Swiftrunner." That man cried frightened.
Remembered the scar on his face, Issara downed her elbow. "What are you doing here?"
Now in peasant's cloth, the ex-breast looked similar with ordinary human. "I found this village just two days ago. A kind villager gave me cloth and job in his farmhouse. However, I saw you walking into this village, so I came to ask if you need any help."
Anything you did will repay you someday. The Grey Warden was glad to found the unexpected help in unexpected place. "Could you tell me about those men? I wonder what they're doing here. They're…our opposite."
"I heard they're patrolling in this area to find 'the enemies of Ferelden'. They captured a man who came to this village yesterday because he is some Teyrn's man or something."
There's only two Teyrn in Ferelden. Surely they wouldn't capture Loghain's men, so this man must be…
"Where is that man?" Issara grabbed Swiftrunner's collar in excite.
"They will hang them at noon. He must be somewhere near the gallows."
The exotic Warden scanned the area. "How many of them are in this village? I saw twelve."
"Their commander always stays in the tavern with two guards." Swiftrunner reported. "All of them well arms and armors. If you want to beat them, you must be careful."
She was thinking when Alistair asked. "What do you intend to do?"
"That man must be Teyrn Cousland's man. Maybe he knew about Fergus. I can't let him die." Issara declared.
"But there're fifty of them. We must call for all of our company if we will help him."
Her brown eyes brighten. "Eureka! I knew what we shall do. First, we need some attraction, which also call our friends to here. Well, could I ask you a favor, Swiftrunner?"
He seemed confuse but answered firmly. "I owe you my life. You could ask me anything."
"Good," The Asian woman smiled ruthlessly. "Let's start with Zhuge Liang's1 favorite strategy. This is going to be hot."
…
Mercilessly, the prisoner was pushed to the gallows even he was wounded. The villagers glared at him in sympathy but no one dare to challenge the chancellor's men. They were standing and gossiping about what were going to happen in a few minutes later.
The leader of Loghain's men walked to the gallows. He was going to speak something while dark smoke spouted from one of the abandon house.
"Fire, fire!" someone shouted.
That's all. The village went to chaos. People ran for bucket of water or just to save their possessions. The captain soldiers stood still confusing until a bolt thrust into his eye. His men hurried draw their weapon even still didn't know where was that bolt came from. Two of full armed men fell under sharpen bolt before they found the crossbow woman on the roof of nearby house.
"I'm here, you assholes." Issara taunted.
An archer tried to shoot her, but Leliana stabbed him from the back. Other archers took down by an old mage's freezing spell and Mabari's fangs. One tried to attack Wynne but stopped and fell to his knee because of an arrow at his neck.
"How could you fight without me, my dear mage?" Zevran appeared from behind the brush, followed by the rest of the company.
"You all came so quickly." The bard exclaimed.
"We waited behind that brushes for awhile." Lynx replied. "The swarm witch concerned about our leader's safety, so we decide to move closer to this village."
Morrigan hissed. "No, I am not. I just said Issara will run to the trouble for save someone's head again. And now we see I was right."
"Oh…" Even Sten exclaimed in disbelieve, which made the sorceress rolled her eyes.
"Hey, have you all finished talking? I'm going to need some help here!" Their leader shouted from the roof. However, she winked.
Fell for simple trick, the soldiers climbed to the roof, intended to kill the smart-mouth who probably alone. So bad, the first man who arrived was bashed by Heavy Shield. Alistair hid on the roof, ready for surprise attack.
"Thank you, my knight." Issara kissed his cheek. "Are you sure you can handle them alone?"
"I'm more capable than you know, my sweet-less leader. Besides, the other will come to me, you can go now." He grinned and kissed back.
She faked a frown. "You're going to be punished because your mouth later, then."
Laughed, the ex-templar hurled to the soldiers who climbed to their post. Beneath them, the rest of party was fighting with grounded men.
There's an executioner stood near the prisoner. He was hesitating if he ought to run or fight. However, he began to run for his live while the exotic Warden jumped from the roof and transformed to golden beast. Issara in king of the tropical forest's form roared out loud, all soldiers were frightened and ran away.
When they're all saved, Issara turned back to human. She cut the ropes that were bounding the prisoner's limbs and healed him with her magic.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, not yet full recovery but alive. "Water… please,"
"Take this, but don't hurry." The exotic Warden gave him her flask of water, which him drank it thirsty like had starved it for years.
When he had enough, the poor man poured the water on his head to sweep the grime away. "Thank you so much, milady… Lady Lillian! I never had thought I will see your face again."
"Basil, I remember you went to Ostagar with Fergus!"
"Yes, milady, and I was with him until I came here to buy some medical supply. Most of our unit survives from the dark spawn's attack in Korcari Wilds but badly wounded. When Loghain's men took me, those bastards tortured me for their hiding but I said nothing."
Tear flowed from her eyes, "Thank you… thank you." She repeated it again and again.
Her companion walked to them. Alistair opened his mouth to ask if there's something wrong, but Issara hurled to his chest happily. "Fergus is alive!"
"That is the good news. But where is he now?"
They glazed at the die-hard man who now could stand on his own feet.
"I'll lead you to him. Milord must be glad to see his sister again. But…how can you be here and who are these people?"
Something lodged in Issara's throat, she couldn't say anything. Alistair helped her by commanded the Cousland's soldier. "She will explain it to your lord. Lead us to him."
The soldier familiar with receive the command. He followed the ex-templar's order without more word.
…
Just a few hours, they're back to the wilds. Issara saw unnatural marks on the tree bark which must be the direction sign. Not far from the last one, she sensed something was moving behind the brushes. Basil seemed to know that too. He whistled some strange song and then the hiding man appeared to their eyes.
"Basil, I thought you were dead!" The scout exclaimed, and exclaimed louder when saw another visitor. "By the Maker, it's you, Lady Lillian! How this is possible?"
Real Lillian never speaks or even looks their face, but Issara used to practice with them for a long while. No doubt, with her attitudes, she could become friend with them easily. However, she had no time for speak with them.
"Good to see you again, Claude. But I want to see my brother. Is he alright?"
"Your lordship is all right. He is in the cave up ahead, taking care of our wounded men." Claude replied.
Issara fought back her tear. "I'll go to him. Oh, these people are my friends. Wynne is the great healer, and we also bring some medical supply. Your comrades will recover in no time."
"I remember this man. He is the templar who…oops!" Basil plugged his mouth.
"Our cave is that way, milady. I'll greet your friends. Don't worry." The middle age man said.
The forge lady arched her eyebrows. She was suspecting they're hiding something. Alas, this wasn't the right time. Then she walked to the cave they showed her without more question.
In the cave, the campfire gave enough light to reveal the faces inside. Issara very happy to met the Teyrn Cousland's son but hesitated to go to him. Who know how him would react if he know what happened to his family. He might blame her for unable to save them or he might…
Fergus took his eyes out of his men and found familiar figure was standing near the entrance. Too happy to confuse, the Cousland held his sister tight. "Maker's blood, I really glad to see you again!"
Felt like was suffocated, Issara couldn't breathe. "I am too, really glad to see you alive and well."
Her look reminded him something. "How can you be here? You're supposed to stay in Highever. Don't tell me father sent you to find me. I'll on my way to home as soon as my men able to travel."
That's all. The dam in her eyes broke. Issara couldn't stop crying. "I'm so sorry Fergus, I'm sorry." And then, she told him everything.
As stoic as he able, new Teyrn Cousland wiped the tear off his adopt sister's face tenderly. "That isn't your fault. Exactly, I should thank you for carrying our honor. I really mean that when I said I'm glad to have you as my sister."
"But…"
Fergus smiled and showed her his sword. "Do you remember this? It saved my life when I and my men were ambushed by dark spawn. If you didn't sharpen and enchanted it, I must be already dead. Because of your care, we aren't all lost. I can't thank you enough."
That was reassuring. Issara felt better. "You're too kind. I'm sorry for kept my secret from you."
He petted her head. "I might do the same if I were you. A lonely girl was forced to leave her live and suddenly found herself among the strangers. It's not bad idea to keep her true identity from them. Your choice is understandable."
Thai people believed head is most important part of body, so they don't like when someone touches it. Anyway, that rule doesn't apply on family's member or anyone they trust. Issara smiled with tearful eyes in her brethren's embrace.
However, she remembered her duty. "Before I left Highever, Lady Eleanor told me to carry your family's treasure. Alistair… my friend is keeping it for me. I'll get it back."
"No need," Fergus stopped her. "You can keep it. Father must be proud if the Cousland's sword and shield could help the Grey Wardens in saving the world from the Blight."
"I appreciate that but…I can't take it. These things belong to the Couslands, but I am…"
"You weren't born as the Couslands. But I can say for all of us that we love you. Don't think about us as anything but family." The noble man replied.
Smile wider, Issara paid respect to him by raised her hands together as Thai's manner. "Thank you, Fergus. No matter what happen, you will always be my brother."
Fergus patted her back. None of them said anything until Lady Grey Warden asked.
"What are you going to do now? At this rate, you can't just go to Highever and take it back from Howe."
"Our duty must come first. I want to help you fight the Blight."
That wasn't good idea. "I don't want the army until the battle come. Perhaps you and your men have to find somewhere to prepare yourself… yes, I think I know a good place. There's a fortress in the north. You could stay there and wait for my message."
"What if I go to Redcliffe? Bann Teagan is my old friend, I can stay with him."
"No," Issara refused firmly. "I caught two Loghain's agents when I was there. With his power and money, that Asshole could send more of them to that village and every regions of Ferelden. I don't want him to know about your safety. Soldier's peak used to abandon, people forget it for so long. This fortress will be great place for hiding."
"Now-now, you speak like a true commander. Father must be proud." Fergus smiled happily. "But I wonder; why do we have to keep me secret?"
"It's just my assumption. But I'm rather sure that Loghain have something to do with the Highhever's massacre. Despite his madness, he isn't an idiot. He must know Teyrn Cousland was a loyalist. If he still alive, he would take the betrayer of the throne down. Besides, the Couslands could be the next in line to the throne. That is why Howe killed everyone even… I'm sorry."
Talking about the past hurt his heart. The Teyrn tried to put himself together. "So, if he knows me still alive, he might try to kill me."
"Yes," Issara nodded. "You are the last Cousland. You have to be saved."
He opened his mouth to argue, but the grime in her eyes stopped him. This woman before him wasn't Lillian and no one know his sister's true fate. He couldn't hope either of them will survive this chaos. The Cousland's line depended on him.
"Fine, I understand. I'll go to soldier's peak as soon as I able. Just don't forget to send the message when you need me. I want to be there with you when we cut Howe's throat."
"No matter how much I love you, dear brother, I can't promise you that. Howe had only one neck and I want to cut it myself. The blood from his head will be the offering to everyone who lost at Highever that night." Issara smiled ruthlessly.
"I can just sit and enjoy the show. I do trust you will give him what he deserves."
"You bet." They shook their hands in promising.
…
That night, the Grey Wardens and company had to stay with Highever's men because Wynne wanted to make sure they all be fine. Issara used this time to ease herself among people she familiar with. No one noticed she poured Dalish's wine into Claude's mug while they're talking about the month they separate.
Alistair wanted to join their conversation, but Fergus called him first.
"Can I have a word?" The big brother asked.
Dejavu..?He knew that look. Once in many years ago, Fergus confronted him for his sister's honor. Although he was only a fourteen aged boy, he tried to stop the stable-boy from following Lillian around. In that time, Alistair was nine and still too innocence to understand the concept of courting, so the argument never go anywhere. At last, Lillian just batted her eyelash and dragged her pet away.
"Um, anything you wish, your lordship."
Fergus growled. "Don't call me that, your majesty."
The younger man groaned in return. Fergus used to mock him with that title several times before, but this time he looked so serious.
"What do you want?" The bastard prince asked annoying.
"Come with me." The older man commanded. "I want to talk with you in private."
There's no choice, Alistair followed his old friend out of the camp area. The Teyrn told his man who was watching the perimeter to go somewhere else. So they had privacy far from any nosy ears.
"Well, can we talk now?" Younger man asked, even he knew what was coming.
Fergus crossed his arms above his chest. He was really serious. "Before we go, I must tell you I knew the way you looked at Issara. And that really bother me."
Alistair didn't surprise that his friend knew the truth of his little freak. Issara told him the Cousland knew about her true identity. However, he didn't understand what Fergus was going to say. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't get coy, brother. I, myself once a man who fall in love with woman, I'd known your feeling toward my brethren. I can't blame you or her for fall for each other. She is charming creature and you are good lad, after all. But I can't help worrying about Lillian. Issara told me she would go back to her world when the Blight had ended. Lillian might comeback after she gone…"
He knew exactly what was going to happen, but that truth still bite every time he thought about it. "I knew I couldn't be with her. But how could I suppose to stop myself from loving a kind, smart and beautiful woman like her? I tried that, more than once, but never success."
His sincerely answer stunned Fergus. The Cousland was speechless for awhile.
"I… well, I understand. Anyhow, I still worry about… you know, Issara is in Lillian's body. If you sleep with her…"
Alistair's cheeks turned completely red. "What the… that isn't going to happen!"
"How could you be so sure? You just said you love her and we both know what will happen if man and woman love each other… You don't lack on that part of yours, yes?"
He never had thought it would be possible, but he felt like all of his blood rushed to his head. The ex-templar shouted heatedly. "There's nothing wrong about my body. I can't believe you just asked me that, dirty dog!"
Unofficial Teyrn Cousland grinned devilishly. "We're talking about my sister's virginity. Don't you think I have every reason in the world to worry?"
It's unpleasant, but understandable. No matter how cruel Lillian was, Fergus was her brother and only remain family. He had the right to protect her.
"Point taken," Alistair agreed. "But you don't have to. Issara and I know our line, we won't do that. I you don't trust me, trust her."
The older man sighed in surrender. "Perhaps I shouldn't say anything in the first place. No matter how I concern, I can do nothing. Just keep this in mind: if you take Issara, you take Lillian too. And if that happen, you have to marry her or I'll hunt you down, king or no."
Several emotions ran through the bastard prince's mind. He knew that fact already but it kept slip from his mind every time he saw Issara's smile. Once, Wynne banter him that he was enraptured by exotic Warden. He tried to defend himself, but it's obviously that she was right.
1 Zhuge Liang was Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognized as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era.
