Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age or any of its related characters. This is just for my own enjoyment and the potential enjoyment of other fans like me, and no monetary gain was expected or received.

Rating: T+

Spoilers: May contain spoilers for Origins, Awakening, Origins DL content, and Dragon Age II as well as the novels The Stolen Throne and The Calling.


Chapter Forty-Six: Shale

"It talks," Leliana said, surprised.

"And so does it," the golem replied, with what could only be called a curled lip. "Isn't that just too bad? I should prefer it if it remained silent."

"Another demon, do you think?" Elilia asked.

"That or perhaps a modification Wilhelm made. Or maybe it could always talk, and simply did not," Loghain said. "I certainly don't remember ever hearing it speak previously."

"We've met, have we?" the golem said. "I can't say that I recall its face, but all creatures of squishy flesh look alike to me. I wish that I could say I am pleased to make its re-acquaintance, but, alas…"

The golem shifted back and forth on its feet restlessly. "How odd this feels. Perhaps it is because it has simply been so very long since I have been active, but even though it has not bidden me to speak or to move I am able to do so. It holds the control rod? Yes, I can see it there in its hand. Could it be…broken? Quickly, order me to do something."

"I'd appreciate it if you could carry Ser Wesley for us," Loghain said. "He's very sick and in need of the Grey Wardens, who are currently at West Hills some miles distant."

"That is not an order, that is a request. You do know how to give orders, I hope?" Shale said.

Elilia and Alistair both chuckled. Kireani Hawke turned hers into a polite cough. Loghain himself smiled slightly.

"Yes, I am known to give orders on occasion. Very well, then, since you insist: Pick up Ser Wesley and carry him."

"And…nothing. I feel no compulsion whatsoever to obey. How very odd. Could this mean that I have…free will?"

"Congratulations. If you'll pardon us, we really don't have time to stand around and chat," Loghain said, and gathered the Blight-sick templar into his arms and picked him up.

"Hold a moment - I have never been free to follow my own mind before. I have no purpose, no direction. Tell me, please; what did it plan to do with me? It must have had something in mind, to activate me."

"Ferelden is under attack by darkspawn," Loghain said. "I thought that if you did half as well against them as you did against the Orlesians it was a worthwhile endeavor."

"You…want me to fight darkspawn?" the golem said. "They are dreadful creatures and should be eradicated, this is true. Perhaps…perhaps I will come with it, and help it out? Just until I figure out what to do with myself, that is."

"Your aid would be welcome," Loghain said. "Do you have a name?"

"Perhaps. I may have forgotten it after so many years of simply being called 'golem,'" the golem said, and the sneer was back in its voice. "'Golem, do this. Golem, do that. Golem, squish that bandit. Carry me, golem, for I tire of walking.'"

"Matthias called you 'Shale,'" Elilia said.

"It did, did it? How odd. I should have guessed it did not know my name. That is I, regardless. Shale."

"Nice to meet you. If you're coming, come along, but we really do have to be moving on," Loghain said. He turned and began to walk out of the village, carrying Ser Wesley.

"Oh, give it here," Shale said. "It will only tire in a mile or so, and it did ask nicely at first. I will carry the burden, if it insists upon bringing it along."

"My husband is not a burden," Aveline said.

"Oh? It seems very much like a burden to me," Shale said, as it hoisted the templar in its stone arms. "A worthless bundle of sickly flesh that serves no purpose whatsoever. But as it pleases."

"Are we really leaving now, before these people have escaped?" Hawke asked. "The darkspawn may return."

"Perhaps they shall, but we've given these folks the opportunity to escape, at least. Half of them have gone already, and I don't think the rest will tarry. In all honesty, the lack of darkspawn in these places disturbs me. By rights we ought to be swarmed. It makes me fear for West Hills, and I'd like to get there quickly, if we can. For Ser Wesley, that is an imperative," Loghain said.