Saitada sent Cathiel, Alistair, Lenore, and Zevran down the right corridor, and Jerath, Morrigan, Brehan, and Leliana down the left. These cultists, at least, were all armed soldiers. After the events of the town, she almost took a bit of pleasure from fighting these ones. What kind of madmen used children and farmers as the first line of defense?

They regrouped behind a door. It took Lenore a couple minutes to puzzle out how to open it.

"What the hell are those?" Brosca called out.

"Ash wraiths," Lenore replied. "It's a demon that made it's physical body out of ashes instead of..."

"Lenore, focus!" Saitada said.

"Oh, right." She sent a wave of ice at the oncoming creature. Jerath's sword shattered the thing.

"It's really quite fascinating," Lenore said. "Instead of inhabiting a corpse, it forms a quasi-material body out of what it finds. I once heard about one made entirely out of mold in..."

"Lenore..." Saitada sighed. "Can we expect more?"

"Um, yes. Probably."

"Can you tell us anything helpful?"

"They don't burn. At least, not the ones made of ashes, I don't know about the ones made out of mold. And they flow apart and re-materialize, get behind you."

"Watch your flanks, people."

#

Wynne and Lenore healed them before they moved on to the second level. Alistair was complaining about the scent of burned hair, and Cathiel was assuring him that nobody would even notice. Saitada looked from Lenore to Leliana. "Any ideas what else we can expect?"

"This is nothing like a true Chantry," Leliana said. "I do not know."

"There is magic here. A strangeness to the veil." Lenore shook her head. "It is likely what drew the wraiths."

Saitada started to nod, then caught a strange expression on the face of the swamp witch. "Morrigan, something you would like to add?"

"These cultists... I believe they are using a form of blood magic. It enhances warriors, makes them stronger, and nearly immune to pain. They will not be subdued."

"Yeah. Noticed that," Brehan said, wincing.

Saitada sighed, then nodded. "Might need to send an army back up here one day. Alright, let's keep moving."

#

"Ar tu na'lin emma mi," Brehan called out as he flung the dragonling off himself. "Ma halam!"

"I think they like you," Brosca said.

"Maybe Dalish are tasty," Lenore added.

"I hate you both," he said, accepting the hand up from Leliana. "Where did those things come from?"

"Well, when a mommy dragon and a daddy dragon love each other very much..." Jerath said.

Brehan stared at him in disbelief. Jerath gave him a shrug and an innocent look. Brehan shook his head. "Da'mi, emma shem'nan."

"I think he just threatened me," Jerath said. He looked at Morrigan. "Did he just threaten me?"

"I am not certain. Must one be a threat in order to threaten?"

"Stop having fun," Saitada said, her lips twitching. "And Brehan, stop playing with the... what are you doing now?"

"Skinning the drake."

"I... can you do that later? After we've dealt with the cultists trying to kill us?"

He nodded, and picked his sword back up.

#

"Stop! You will go no further." The man who led the group of cultists was large, and clearly thought of himself as intimidating.

After her company of the past few months, Cathiel was less than impressed. "Oh? Is that so?"

He sneered at her, and spoke in a voice he obviously intended to be commanding. "You have defiled our temple. You have spilled the blood of the faithful, and slaughtered our young." He gestured at the body of one of the dragonlings. "No more. You will tell me now, intruder, why you have done all this. Why have you come here?"

Cathiel glanced back over her shoulder. Saitada gave an eyeroll and a nod. Cathiel narrowed her eyes. "We've come to make sure you never hurt anyone again." She nocked an arrow to her bow.

He threw back his head as he shouted. "To arms, my brethren! Andraste will grant us victory!"

Again with the Andraste. These people were barking.

#

"What the hell..."

"Dragon eggs," Morrigan said as she examined the chamber.

"Heh. Omelets," Brosca said, elbowing Lenore.

"Morrigan?" Saitada asked.

"'Tis a hatchery."

Lenore looked around, and swallowed. "You realize that this means somewhere around here, there is a fully grown dragon, right?"

Saitada blinked, then sighed. "Let's... try to avoid coming to it's attention, shall we?"

#

Saitada growled. "Lenore, when I say things like 'let's not come to the attention of the dragon' and 'maybe summoning the demon isn't a good idea', does your brain even register the statements?"

"I... uh... am going to have to say no," Lenore said, her face pale as the dragon circled overhead.

"You just saw a gong on a mountainside and just had to ring it?"

"I was curious."

"Stone, here it comes. Get down."

The flaming breath of the dragon was mostly blocked by her shield. She had to get it off her arm as the metal heated and seared. "Run for... Jerath, what the hell..."

He ran atop some of the broken columns. As the dragon came around for another pass, he leaped from the tallest and came down on the dragon's back, driving his sword into it's neck and hanging on. Instead of searing them with another blast of flame, the dragon roared and landed, throwing it's head back as it snapped at the elf.

"Attack," Saitada said, adjusting her plan. She drew her sword and charged in. The dragon hissed and clawed at them. It's tail swept across the field, sending Sten and Brehan tumbling into a snowdrift. Alistair darted in, and the dragon knocked him over and pinned him with one foot. Cathiel fired an arrow into it's mouth as it bent to deliver a killing bite, and it leaped backwards. Brosca yanked Alistair out of the way.

Jerath climbed it's neck and held on as it swung it's head from side to side. It raked across the field again with it's claws, narrowly missing Saitada. And then Jerath drove his sword into it's head, just behind the eye. As the dragon began to thrash, he let go and tumbled lightly to the ground, then continued until he was out of range of it's stomping feet. It took a few moments, but then it went still, collapsing into a heap.

Wynne knelt next to Alistair as Lenore went to check on Sten and Brehan. The rest of them just stared. "You killed a dragon," Brosca said.

"It was trying to kill us," Jerath replied.

"Salroka, you jumped on the back of a dragon, climbed it's neck, and stabbed it in the brain."

"It seemed a good idea at the time."

Saitada just started to laugh. "Jerath?"

"Yes?"

"Would you please stop jumping on things big enough to swallow you whole?"

He considered a moment. "Probably not."

#

They came to another set of giant doors. Unlike the others, these appeared to have not been opened in some time. "Saitada?" Lenore called from where she was talking to Leliana.

"Yes?"

"Inside, we will likely be tested. I don't know what we will face, but it won't be easy."

"If it were easy," Jerath said, "someone else would do it."

"Exactly. So... it's probably more dangerous than the dragon cultists."

Saitada nodded, then looked over the others. "Sten, Zevran, Wynne and I will go first. Cathiel, you take Alistair, Brosca, and Lenore. Jerath, you head up the third team. Morrigan, Brehan, and Leliana." She strapped her shield back to her arm. "If these ashes exist, we only need a little. Cathiel, give us ten minutes, then follow us in."

Sten pushed open the doors with a small grunt of effort. Wynne's face was almost reverent as she used her magic to make the crystal on her staff glow with a soft white light. Zevran looked a bit reluctant to enter, but followed them in.

A man, his armor styled differently than any she'd seen thus far, stood before another door. His head came up as they approached. "I bid you welcome, pilgrim." His solemn voice had a curious undertone to it.

"Who are you?" Saitada asked.

"I am the Guardian, the protector of the Urn of Sacred Ashes. I have waited years for this."

"For someone to take the Ashes?"

"No one can take the Ashes. They belong here. It has been my duty, my life, to protect the Urn and prepare the way for the faithful who come to revere Andraste. For years beyond counting have I been here, and shall I remain until my task is done and the Imperium has crumbled into the sea."

"Will your task ever be done?" It must be some kind of spirit, or perhaps a golem of strange nature. She wondered if they were going to have to fight him. A part of her did not want to.

"I do not know, and I do not question."

She sighed. "Let's not waste time. How do I get to the Urn?"

"You have come to honor Andraste, and you shall, if you prove yourself worthy."

"I need the Ashes to cure a noble man."

"Still, you must prove yourself worthy. It is not my place to decide your worthiness. The Gauntlet does that. If you are found worthy, you will see the Urn and be allowed to take a small pinch of the Ashes for yourself. If not..."

"All right, let's get this over with then."

"Before you go, there is something I must ask. I see that the path that led you here was not easy. There is suffering in your past - your suffering, and the suffering of others. Bhelen's machinations led to Trian's death and your exile." Saitada felt a chill go down her spine as the guardian spoke. "You allowed this to happen. Do you think you failed Trian?"

She had, for a long time. That time had passed. "No. I could not have known that was what Bhelen had planned."

She thought she saw a gleam of understanding in the guardian's eyes as it replied. "Then you do not dwell on past mistakes- - neither yours, nor someone else's."

"Parshaara. Leave the past where it falls." Sten nodded to her.

The guardian turned his gaze on the qunari. "And what of those that follow you?"

"Demand whatever answers you want, spirit."

"You came to this land as an observer, but you killed a family in a blind rage. Have you failed your people, by allowing a qunari to be seen in that light?"

"I have never denied that I failed." Sten's voice was blunt and flat.

The guardian turned to look at Wynne. "Ask your question, Guardian." She gave him a respectful nod. "I am ready."

"You are ever the advisor, ready with a word of wisdom. Do you wonder if you spout only platitudes, burned into your mind in the distant past?" His voice held a small note of accusation. "Perhaps you are only a tool used to spread the word of the Circle and the Chantry. Does doubt ever chip away at your truths?"

Wynne's face remained calm. "You frame your statement in the form of a question, yet you already know our answers. There is no sense in hiding, is there? Yes. I do doubt at times. Only the fool is completely certain of himself."

"And the Antivan elf..."

"Is it my turn now?" Zevran shook his head, his expression showing a trace of annoyance. "Hurrah. I'm so excited."

"Many have died at your hand. But is there any you regret more than a woman by the name of-"

"How do you know about that?" Zevran's expression was startled, his eyes wide. Saitada made a mental note to mention this to Brosca.

"I know much; it is allowed to me. The question stands, however. Do you regret-"

"Yes. The answer is yes, if that's what you wish to know. I do." He shook his head flippantly. "Now move on."

"The way is open. Good luck, and may you find what you seek."

#

"You abandoned your father and mother, leaving them in the hands of Rendon Howe, knowing he would show no mercy. Do you think you failed your parents?"

Cathiel's voice shook. "Yes." She swallowed. "I should have defended them to the death."

"Thank you. That is all I wished to know."

Alistair put a hand on her shoulder. "You are too hard on yourself. No one's perfect."

The Guardian turned his gaze. "Alistair, knight and Warden... you wonder if things would have been different if you were with Duncan on the battlefield. You could have shielded him from the killing blow. You wonder, don't you, if you should have died, and not him?"

"I..." He sighed. "Yes. If Duncan had been saved, and not me, everything would be better. If I'd just had the chance, maybe..." Cathiel reached for his hand, and he closed his fingers around hers.

"You rose above your caste to become a Grey Warden, but you left behind your family who relied on you. Tell me, pilgrim, did you fail them?"

Brosca shook his head. "No. Even if I'd stayed, they would still be miserable."

"Jowan was discovered by the templars. You were helping him. Tell me, do you think you failed Jowan?"

"Yes." Lenore's voice was blunt. "There must have been something more I could have done."

"The way is open. Good luck, and may you find what you seek."

#

Brehan caught a glimpse of Cathiel's group going through the door. He took a step towards the man standing there, then looked at Jerath. Jerath gave him a nod as he bent to briefly examine one of the bodies that lay on the floor.

The guardian spoke when Brehan approached, telling him of the gauntlet. Leliana's face held a combination of nervousness and exhilaration. Brehan felt apprehensive. There was power here, he could feel it. But if this was a place of the Maker, then... The guardian's voice drew his attention back.

"Tamlen was one of your tribe - a blood brother. You left him in the ruins, left him to his fate. Tell me, pilgrim, did you fail Tamlen?"

Of course he'd failed Tamlen. "Yes. I could have pulled him away from that mirror."

"You could not have known what would happen," Leliana said to him. You did what you thought was best."

The Guardian looked at her. "And you... why do you say the Maker speaks to you, when all know that the Maker has left? He spoke only to Andraste. Do you believe yourself Her equal?"

"I never said that! I-" Her face was indignant.

"In Orlais, you were someone. In Lothering, you feared you would lose yourself, become a drab sister, and disappear. When your brothers and sisters of the cloister criticized you for what you professed, you were hurt, but you also reveled in it. It made you special. You enjoyed the attention, even if it was negative." Brehan narrowed his eyes at the guardian, and briefly considered punching it in the face as it kept speaking.

"You're saying I made it up, for... for the attention? I did not! I know what I believe!" She glared.

It turned to look at Jerath, and Brehan wondered if the young fighter would end up just killing the thing. "By the time you reached Shianni, she was broken, brutalized. You were too late. Tell me, pilgrim, did you fail Shianni?"

Jerath's face was calm, expressionless. "My answer is my own, Guardian." His voice was quiet, and yet, respectful.

"Very well. You know your own heart."

"I'm glad you declined," Morrigan said. "This question has nothing to do with our goal."

"And you, Morrigan, Flemeth's daughter... what -"

"Begone, spirit. I will not play your games."

"I will respect your wishes."

Brehan sighed. If he'd have known it would do that... He took Leliana's hand as they went through the door.

#

"Greetings, my exiled sister." Saitada felt tears well in her eyes, and blinked them away. Trian stood before her. His lips curled in that stupidly comforting sneer of his as he continued to speak. "I would lament your fate, but why should I? You have been cast out to walk the surface, whereas I... hmph..." His face relaxed into a smile. "But I am too hard on you. Bhelen made fools of us both. Were I a spectator, I would applaud him for his clever manipulations." He gave a regretful sigh. "However, I find it hard for me remain... unbiased in this regard."

"Bhelen betrayed us both."

"But the betrayals of Orzammar do not weigh down your steps. You have not faltered, and I am proud of you." He held out his hand, and something gleamed within it. "Take this, and use it well. I give you this... and my blessing." He smiled as she took the amulet from him. "Remember me."

She felt Sten's hand on her shoulder, and she took a breath as the image of her brother faded away. She slipped the amulet around her neck, and continued on.

It was perhaps for the best that the next room contained something to hit.

#

Cathiel gasped as she saw her father standing there. "My dearest child..."

"Father?"

Sadness filled his voice. "You know that I am gone, and all your prayers and wishes will not bring me back. No more must you grieve, my girl. Take the pain and the guilt, acknowledge it, and let go. It is time. You have such a long road ahead of you, and you must be prepared. And so I leave this in your hands..." He held out an amulet to her. "I know you will do great things with it."

She held the amulet as her father's form faded away. Alistair put his arm around her shoulders, and a moment later, she felt Brosca and Lenore hugging her as well. The four of them stood there, mutually embracing for several moments before moving on to the next room.

#

Leliana almost seemed to enjoy the riddles. She chatted about the various figures as they moved to the next room. After the guardian, Brehan hung back a pace, letting Jerath take the lead. He told himself it was because Saitada had put the other man in charge, but he knew he was lying.

They came through the door and an elf woman stood there. She looked at Jerath. "Hey."

Jerath sighed. "Here to ask me a riddle?"

She folded her arms and gave him a sardonic look. Her voice actually sounded hurt. "That's how you greet an old friend, huh?" Envy filled her face. "Life out there's been good to you, hasn't it? You're respected, even among humans. Do you remember us, where you came from, and what some of us still face every day?" Her voice grew accusing."

He shook his head. "Using guilt on me?"

"No, of course not." She tilted her head, and her voice grew hurt again. "When the Guardian asked, you wouldn't answer. Why? Some things are learned only when you find them for yourself. Still, you have come far." She held something out. After a moment, he took it from her. "Seeing you now..." Her face became warm. "Gives me hope... for all of us."

Jerath tucked whatever she'd given him into his belt pouch and walked away while her form was still fading. Brehan exchanged a look with Leliana. She shook her head. For a moment, Brehan found himself wishing he had stepped into the room first. It would have been nice, perhaps, to talk to Tamlen once more.

He and Leliana stepped into the next room to find Jerath stepping over corpses that... looked remarkably like the four of them. Morrigan watched Jerath walk towards the next door, a curious expression on her face. Then she followed. Brehan and Leliana exchanged another look, then followed as well. Brehan glanced at the corpse that looked like Jerath as it began to fade, then back at the living version. Sometimes, it was easy to forget Jerath was just a kid.

#

Saitada felt like punching Zevran as they all stripped to cross the fire. The elf wasn't even bothering to hide his leer. She was about to say something, when Wynne 'accidentally' dropped her staff onto his head. Zevran winced and grumbled.

The Guardian reminded her that they were permitted only a pinch as they redressed. She carefully put the ashes into a small paper envelope, and tucked that into a small silk pouch Wynne provided. She saw the expression on the woman's face, and suggested Wynne be the one to carry them. Wynne's smile nearly split her face in two.

They exited the temple to wait for the others.

#

Cathiel was not going to look down. Looking down would be foolish. She could trust her companions. Lenore was smart, she'd figure out the puzzle. Looking down would serve no purpose at all. She heard Lenore direct Alistair to stand on a different spot, and then the stone in front of her became solid. She stepped out onto it, and looked down. "Maker's breath."

"Don't look down," Alistair called to her.

"Focus!" Cathiel yelled back.

"Okay, Brosca, move to that one. It should get her all the way across."

"Should?" Cathiel shot the mage a glare. "What do you mean should? Could you be a little more certain?"

"No," Lenore called back. "Though since I don't see splattered qunari anywhere, I have to assume the others made it across." She stopped, then frowned. "Unless it really is a bottomless pit."

"You are not helping!"

Brosca stepped onto the tile, and sure enough, the next stone became solid. Cathiel ran across. As soon as her feet touched the other side, she breathed a sigh of relief and looked back. All the stones were solid now, and the others quickly joined her. Alistair threw his arms around her. Brosca and Lenore made cheering sounds, and Cathiel held out her hand in a rude gesture. Alistair blushed and let her go.

#

Jerath walked around the side, stepping on each of the tiles as he went. Brehan watched as the stones faded in and out. "So... who wants to walk across the bottomless chasm while the rest of us try to make a path?" Brehan asked.

Morrigan started to repeat Jerath's actions on the other side of the pit, and then suddenly cried out a protest. Brehan swung his head around to see Jerath leaping from the side to the platform. He landed in a crouch, then looked at the path. It was glowing now, solid.

Brehan tested the path gingerly, and then walked across, followed by the two ladies. Leliana glanced at him. "I'll hold him, you hit him," she said.

Jerath just raised an eyebrow that dared them to try. "I hate puzzles," he said as he opened the door.

Morrigan shook her head and laughed fondly. Brehan shook his head.

They walked into the next room to see a wall of fire. "Going to jump that too?" Brehan asked.

"Little high. Might need you to give me a leg up."

Leliana was examining an altar. "Cast off the trappings of worldly life and cloak yourself in the goodness of spirit. King and slave, lord and beggar, be born anew in the Maker's sight."

"So..."

"I believe we need to undress."

"Can't we just throw Jerath over the fire?"

Morrigan sighed, and began unfastening her skirt. Jerath began undoing the buckles on his armor. Brehan sighed and looked across at Leliana. She shrugged, and they began taking off their own gear.

"Anyone makes a remark about it being cold in here, I am going to shoot them," Leliana said.

Brehan chuckled. He gave Leliana a wink, and she blushed. He turned to glance at the others, and blinked. Long, thin silver scars were visible on Jerath's back. He narrowed his eyes when he caught Brehan looking, and Brehan tore his gaze away. They stepped through the fire.