Chapter 38: The Sacred Ashes pt3

The Temple of Sacred Ashes

The party made it out of the cavern and found themselves at the summit. There they spotted a bridge and the final complex of the temple. It bordered sulfur pits that choked the party's lungs and stung their eyes, those who seek the ashes before must have died from the poisonous fumes if they were lucky enough to get past the temple's traps. Luckily the mountain winds were blowing the fumes away from the mountains giving the party safe passage if they walked quickly. Before they walked, they could hear the sound of growling and air rushing above them.

Up the sky was a high dragon, fully mature adult female dragons, the rarest of all dragonkin. At the end of the Blessed Age, many in Thedas believed that all the dragons had vanished during the Steel Age until one went on a rampage in the Frostbacks and Orkney Mountains. The dragons devastate the countrysides in Orlais and Nevarra, and all attempts to slay them ended in disaster. Despite the devastation, some see the return of dragons to Thedas as a glorious sign – Chantry scholars, however, claim that this is the worst of omens. Divine Faustine II soon declared the next age to be the Dragon Age, predicting that it would be an age of violence and upheaval.

The dragon landed on the ledge while the party hid among the rubble, so she would not see them it would be unfortunate if they got into a battle with her now. High dragons hollowed out massive lairs for themselves, for the space needed to house their harem of drakes as well as their eggs and the dragonlings. Although high dragons live for more than a thousand years, they are seldom seen as they spend most of their time sleeping and mating, living off the prey their drakes bring back. They are extremely territorial and will typically attack almost anything that trespasses near its lair. Even creatures as large and powerful as giants and even other high dragons must be cautious when a high dragon's lair is nearby. The dragon laid on the perch and with a roar, went to sleep.

"I'm guessing that's 'Andraste'…Maker's breath we have some luck, don't we?" Alistair said with a sigh.

"They say music soothes the savage beast, but I'm not going to test that theory" Leliana said.

"Let's get to the temple, quietly…" Jenra said. They moved among the rubble careful to not wake the dragon up. Above the tip of the dragon's tail swung lazily as it slept…so far so good and they were close to the temple. Jenra took another up and the dragon was gone, she flew up and was soon in front of them with a roar she breathed out a stream of flame. The party took out their weapons, a hollow gesture of bravery…this was a fight they did not expect to win but it would be better to go out fighting at least.

"Great Andraste! I pray You: stay Your wrath! I bring before You Your champions, who will fall upon Your enemies as a cleansing flame, paving the way for you glory!" The dragon stopped its flames as Kolgrim came in front of the dragon. He came to his knees and the dragon's head came close…

"Is he mad?! He'll be devoured!" Wynne said shocked.

"Well…should be a good show before it's our turn, at least" Zevran said nervously. The dragon roared, flames poured out like the wrath of an angry god. The rage was palpable as it struck their hearts…this would not end well for them.

"O, beloved Andraste! O, holy Andraste! We praise Your Name!" Kolgrim said. Appeasement wouldn't work, dragons couldn't be reasoned with…all they saw was trespassers in its territory. But then something happened, the dragon's roar quieted down and she jumped from wall to wall until the dragon landed on a ledge and walked way leaving the party shocked at just what happened. Kolgrim turned to them. "I have spoken to the beloved Andraste, she will let you pass" he said. "I await your triumphant return" He walked away.

"Yeah…" Jenra said still in shock.

"W-What just happened?" Morrigan asked shaken.

Alistair rubbed his forehead. "It's been a long day…let's just roll with it" The party went inside the temple. Some members of the group found themselves in awe of the temple; there was this feeling of divinity in the air. It was stronger here than in the rest of the temple. While Morrigan wouldn't admit it to be the Maker's prescience…there was a power in the air, but for all they know it could just be that the Veil was thin here.

"We…we must be close, this holy ground I feel it" As they entered, the party found that only four could enter the temple. Others were pushed out by some mysterious force, leaving the others on the outside. "What happened? Why can't the others enter?"

"'Tis likely wards to keep bandits from looting its tombs" Morrigan said.

"Can you do something about it, Morrigan?" Jenra asked. "I don't like the idea of being down this many men"

"No, this magic is far beyond my capabilities...only someone of my mother's abilities could break such a ward"

"Jenra, go on ahead…we'll wait for you on the other side" Alistair said. Jenra and the others went forward and a lone figure appeared in the room. A man in very ancient armor, with a banner that have been lost to time…he opens his eyes and gazes at the party. His stares unnerve the party; it was like he was gazing into their souls.

"I bid you welcome, pilgrim" he said. "I am the Guardian of the Ashes; I have waited years for this"

"What do you mean?" Jenra asked.

"It has been my duty, my life, to protect the Urn and prepare the way for the faithful who come to revere Andraste" The Guardian said. "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"

"The Imperium is not as powerful as it once was"

The Guardian looked surprised. "Ah…is it not? Then perhaps this is the beginning of the end…"

"Hmm, a faith spirit…a rare one indeed" Morrigan said. "The true Guardian of the temple has long since been dead but his faith in Andraste was so strong, the spirit took on his form and purpose"

"But he doesn't look like a spirit…he looks solid like us" Leliana said.

"Yes…it is a convincing illusion, isn't it? I would venture a guess that its as convincing to the spirit" the witch said. "The emotions of mortals have such an effect on spirit and demon alike"

"Kolgrim and his followers do not regard you well" Jenra said.

"Hmph…pretenders that have warped our name and purpose, they chose to follow a creature of death and destruction rather than a woman who loved and was loved in return" the spirit said. "A true believer would not require audacious displays of power"

"I thought as much…" Leliana said.

"Let's not waste any time, how do I get to the Urn?" Jenra asked. "The Arl of Redcliffe needs it"

"You have come to honor Andraste and you shall, if you prove yourself worthy" The Guardian said. "It is not my place to judge but to guard, the Gauntlet will decide you worthiness"

"If you are found worthy, you will see the urn and be allowed to take a pinch of the Ashes for yourself. If not…"

"I see…let us get this over with"

"Before you go, there is something I must ask. I see that the path that led you here was not easy" the spirit said. "There is suffering in your past…your suffering and the suffering of others"

"You abandoned your father and mother, leaving them in the hands of Rendon Howe, knowing he would not show mercy" Jenra looked back and his eyes were wide, how did he know such a thing? He never told the spirit anything about his past. Why open such wounds, was the Guardian being cruel or was this some test? "Do you think you failed your parents?"

"Duncan…you are under no obligation to me, but I beg you…take my wife and son to safety" Bryce pleaded.

"I will, your Lordship….your eldest and the king will know what happened"

"So long as justice comes to Howe…"

"Darling, are you…sure?" Eleanor asked.

"I will not allow the most important thing in my life die to Howe's treachery" Bryce looked at his son, who was close to breaking down. "Pup, I was able to grab this before I came here…" He held up a black greatsword with silver and red accents, Jenra's eyes went wide…it was the family sword, Night-fang it was passed down from generation to generation from one head to another.

"Father…I-I can't…that sword is Fergus' birthright, not mine"

"Take it mine, my son…should the worst happen and Fergus' is discovered to fall by Howe's treachery, you must take up the family legacy" he said. "Live my son, make your make on the world"

Eleanor placed her hand on Jenra's shoulder. "Darling, go with the Warden" She said. "You have a better chance to escape without me"

"Mother, no…" Jenra said with tears in his eyes.

"Eleanor…"

"Hush, Bryce…I'll kill every bastard that comes through the door but I won't abandon you" Eleanor said softly.

"No, I won't let you sacrifice yourself like this!"

"My place is with your father, at his side, to death and beyond" she said wiping away her son's tears. "Bryce is right; you have so much to live for"

"Go pup, warn your brother and know that we love you, you do us proud…." Bryce said. They could hear yelling, much louder than before.

"We must go, they've broken through the gates" Duncan said. He saw Jenra on the ground crying. "Honor their sacrifice, young lord…you are not meant to die here" Jenra gripped Night-fang and left with Duncan to the servants' exit. He took one last look at his home, at his family…

"Goodbye, darling…"

Jenra was silent and lowered his head in shame. "Yes, I did fail them…I should have defended them to the death" he said. "I am a Cousland, my duty was to my family and the people of Highever…but I was a useless quivering child! I hate Rendon Howe but the truth is…there's no one I hate more than myself…"

"Thank you that is all I wished to know"

Morrigan frowned. "Is there any religion that does not thrive upon guilt like a glutton at his lunch?" She snorted in disgust. "No…I thought not"

Leliana placed her hand his shoulder. "You could not have known what would happen, you did your best"

Sten crossed his arms. "The past is the past"

The Guardian looked at Leliana. "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…"

"In Orlais, you were someone. In Lothering, you feared you would lose yourself, become a drab sister and disappear" he said. "When your brothers and sisters of the cloister criticized you for what you professed, you were hurt but you reveled in it"

"It made you special; you enjoyed the attention, even if it was negative"

Leliana frowned. "You're saying I made it up, for…for attention? I did not! I know what I believe!"

"Demand whatever answers you want, spirit" Sten said.

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

"I have never denied that I failed"

"And you, Morrigan, Flemeth's daughter…what will be your destiny? That of your mother's plans or your own?"

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

"Hmm, I suppose we will have to see" The Guardian said. "The way is open. Good luck and may you find what you seek" A flash of light blinded the party and the door was opened. They followed the way to the Urn.

The Gauntlet begins! Next Time! Review and Comment!