Crestwood – Growing Influence

Samantha POV


Crestwood is a small village of Fereldan, one that had been destroyed and rebuilt during the Blight, or so I understand. A quiet village that few barely pay attention to certainly makes for a good hiding place for a Warden and a Champion.

The place apparently has a vast amount of caves and cave systems. Apparently, the darkspawn emerged from there, but a timely flood saved the people, even if it also destroyed the old Crestwood. Now, though, undead walk and rule, victims of the Blight come back to haunt again.

It sounds like those stories Jakob loved…


"Good to see you safe, Grand Inquisitor," Harding greeted as I walked up to her. She had been looking out over the horizon, but she turned to face me, with a kind smile and polite salute. "We've got trouble ahead."

"Don't we always?" I sighed, unable to help it. I glanced around the camp, noting Sera laughing with some of the younger soldiers, and Cassandra making sure we were fully stocked on potions. "What is it this time?"

"Come see." She gestured for me to follow her, and we went to a cobbled stone wall, blocking off a drop that landed right in a very dark, very misty lake. But I saw green light flickering on the horizon, and had to fight off the urge to groan. "Crestwood was the site of a flood ten years ago, during the Blight."

"Yes, I heard about that." My eyes narrowed. How would we reach it? Could we take a boat? The waves looked choppy. "So, is it the only one?"

"No, but after it appeared, corpses started walking out of the lake." Ah. Yes, I heard people died during that flood. "Based on the other scouts, you're going to have to head through them no matter what. The cave where Lady Hawke and her Warden friend are hiding is far to the south of us."

"I don't suppose either are willing to help?"

"By my understanding, they're currently fighting a dragon that wants to fly over." …There was a dragon here? "A high dragon, at that. We're kind of letting them do their thing."

"I see." I sighed, turning away from the rift to look at her. "So, where are the dead heading?"

"The village." Of course. "But maybe someone there can help you figure out how to get to that rift? I'd suggest boats, but undead don't take kindly to noise." That… was true, if I remembered Lucina's ramblings on the subject. "Of course, I'm not sure there are intact boats." Of course there weren't. "Good luck, Grand Inquisitor. Please, keep safe."

"You as well, Harding." I smiled as she saluted again, and then turned to catch Cassandra and Sera's attention. "Guys, come on! We're moving!"

Even with catching their attention, it still took a small while for them to extract themselves and come with me. The sky rumbled overhead as we walked, and I could only think of how dreary it looked. It set the mood nicely, but it was still horribly unnerving. I honestly wondered if this storm was 'natural' or if it was something induced by the Fade Rift.

"Sera," Cassandra began slowly. She was a bit ahead, clearly intending to serve as a front line defense if, and when, we got into a fight. "I was speaking with Dagna recently."

"Oh, yeah?" Sera replied. She jumped on some nearby rocks, looking out ahead with a little frown. "What about it?"

"Did you take some of her tools?"

"Did I? Oh, yeah, I did!" Sera's cheer almost made me laugh. It did make me stumble and trip on a loose rock. "Just the thing that removes screwy bits."

"Screwdriver."

"Yeah, that." Sera shook her head and jumped down from the rocks, half-skipping towards us. "I thought I put it back. I'll put it back when we're back."

"Why did you have it in the first place?"

"Needed it for the hinges."

"Hinges?"

"Like on a door?"

Cassandra looked so exasperated. "Is this for another prank?"

"Yeah, but don't worry!" Sera grinned. "It's not for you."

"How comforting." The words were so dry that I couldn't help but laugh. "Who was the target?"

"Cullen." Sera grinned at me. "Thought some laughs might be good for the soldiers, and I don't know, maybe give Lucina something to fuss over." She cackled when I groaned. "Not liking that there's something?"

"I don't like that Lucina doesn't talk to me about it!" I grumbled. She really wouldn't. She'd spend hours talking to him in his study, but did she ever do more than smile at me when I asked? No! "I'm her big sister!" But did she come to me about potential relationships? Nope! "Its also driving Michalis up the wall, and we wrote Derrick, who might be demanding background information, and-" A arrow suddenly flew, nicking my cheek. "I think that's the dead saying that I'm being too whiny."

"Maybe!" Sera cackled. She was having too much fun. "Time to make the dead deader?"

"You're doing remarkably well, since you're afraid of magic."

"…Right, corpses are…" She shuddered. "This isn't fun anymore." Ha! "I'm going to fill them with arrows now."

She did just that, covering Cassandra and I as we charged. I focused on the techniques Bull taught me, focused on turning my pain into strength, turning my foes into nothing but bloody messes. It was a brutal fighting style, but I loved it, truly. I loved the rush, the glee at landing a good hit. I loved how, when I fought, I finally felt no pain.

It was such a strange thing, to not be in pain. It made me giddy and bouncy. Unfortunately, though, the battle didn't last long. Not only were there just a handful here, but we actually had help for once. Others had been fighting, soldiers not wearing Inquisition armor.

"Everyone okay?" I asked them, trying to get the blood off my hands as I approached. It was coagulated and… icky. "Any injuries?"

"No, we're fine," one replied. I noticed with a start that their armor had a griffon emblazed on it. Wardens. These were Wardens. "You might want to get to the village, though. These roads aren't safe."

"Are any?" I was still a little floored by the fact that Wardens were here. "What are you all doing here?"

"A Warden named Stroud is wanted for questioning." They shrugged, and I realized uncomfortably that… well… that meant they were looking for the same people I was. "We heard he passed through here, but the villagers knew nothing. They have trouble enough." Yeah… yeah, they did. This was awkward.

"So, tell me about this rogue Warden?" I kept my voice light. "So that I can keep an eye out." Actually, it was more 'so that I have an idea of how much you know'.

But, as can be expected from secretive Wardens, I got an answer that gave no insight. "Warden-Commander Clarel ordered his capture, and I can say no more than that." Yes, I should have expected that. Wardens were notorious for their secrets. "I simply hope Ser Stroud comes with us peacefully. I trained under him for a time. He's a good man. I'm sure of that."

"I see." What was going on? "Can you stay here and help?"

"My orders forbid it." …Why? "But if you need supplies to help them, I will gladly give what I can. The villagers have already lost too many."

"Aren't Wardens supposed to help people?"

"Yes, but we protect them from the threats they never see. Darkspawn don't just go to sleep with a Blight ends." I suppose the Fifth Blight proved that one neatly. "Corpses and demons aren't normally on the list. Though, I think Warden-Commander Tabris fought a bunch during the Blight, but that was a special case."

"You sure you can't help them now?"

"Grand Inquisitor, I know the words are harsh, but sometimes, you have to swallow your heart to do your duty." Their words were firm. "I would love to help them, but if I do so, I could get my men killed. If we lose even one Warden, that increases the chances of a Darkspawn raid actually making it to the surface. Entire villages could be wiped out." …I hated that he had logic. "Wardens are not the only ones who can fight the darkspawn, but we are the best at it. We do what we can to stop them, stop the Blights, and protect the world, as a whole." He shook his head. "Someone must look to the bigger picture, just as others must look to the smaller. That is how the world keeps itself safe."

"You're rather talkative."

"You have a very large organization, Grand Inquisitor. Be careful that you do not gain so many 'arms' that it loses its way." I… had no idea how to reply to that. "Good day."

"Farewell." Yes, time to leave and hope things weren't going to go weird. …Well, I suppose 'weirder' would be more appropriate.


The gates of Crestwood had been besieged when we arrived. We quickly did what we could to break through and protect the militia. They actually broke down in tears because they were so relieved help had come. They broke down again when they realized none of them died 'this' time.

Maker, have mercy on these poor people.

As we wandered through the ruined village, Sera automatically started pulling pranks. I wasn't sure if it was to cheer people up, or to just cheer herself up and the others laughing was a happy coincidence. But she pulled them left and right, small and harmless little things.

Cassandra volunteered her strength to moving rubble and reinforcing the gates. By 'volunteered', I mean she just started doing it, over protests, and kept at it as the rest decided it was probably a good idea to not stop a one-woman storm who was very certain she wanted to help.

I spent my time cheering up people. Even a simple smile did wonders for their morale. I think it was because they felt that if the 'Herald of Andraste' was smiling at them, then Andraste was too. They took hope from it. The smiles just made my face hurt, but I was used to pain. I could handle a bit more, if it meant they weren't crying so much.

Soon, though, I ended up on a house on the hill. A little sign beside the door declared it to be the mayor's residence, so I knocked on the door and stepped inside when I heard the polite welcome.

The mayor was an older man, tired and worn. I thought I saw bags under his eyes, and wondered when last he slept. Still, his smile was kind as he turned to greet me. "Are you the Grand Inquisitor?" he asked softly.

I nodded in return. "Yes, I am Grand Inquisitor Samantha Trevelyan, Herald of Andraste," I replied. The sentence felt clunky in my mouth. I still wasn't used to this. "Are you the mayor?"

"Yes, Mayor Dedrick of Crestwood Village." He actually bowed. "At your service, despite everything."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." I crossed my arms, shifting my weight slightly. "But let us go ahead and talk of serious matters. I don't think your village will survive pleasantries."

"No, I don't think so either." He sighed, glancing towards the fire. "Your Worship, is there any way to stop the dead from rising?"

"They rise because demons are slipping through the Veil and possess the corpses." At least, I believed that's what Lucina said. "So, I need to get to the rift at the lake, and seal it."

"It's not actually on the lake, actually." Oh, well, that definitely threw out the possibilities of sailing. "It's coming from the caves below Old Crestwood."

"I understand there was a flood?"

"Darkspawn flooded it ten years ago, wiping out the village and killing the refugees we took in." Oh, Maker… drowning was such a… please, let their souls rest easy.

"Well, then I need to reach those caves." I needed to focus on what I could do. "We need to drain that lake or something."

"Drain the-!" He looked startled. "There must be some other way!"

"Can the village survive my hunting one down?" He had no answer. "What's wrong with it anyway?"

"You'd have to evict the bandits in the old fort to use the dam." He shook his head. "I can't ask you to risk your life."

"…Sir, with all due respect, but I've been risking my life ever since the Conclave." The mark on my hand pulsed, almost as if it was laughing at me. Yes, I risked my life every day, just by having this damn thing. "I have fought way worse than bandits and the undead."

"Then…" He sighed heavily. "Oh, very well." He tugged something out of his pocket and handed it to me. "This key unlocks the gate to the dam controls past the fort." It was an old, worn key, clearly having been used a lot in the past. I suppose to check on things? "But I would not linger there."

"Of course." Well, time to capture a keep, with three people.

Was it sad that this was not the most ridiculous thing I ever had to do?


We broke down the door, turning it into sad little splinters. We got away with it because they didn't fortify the gate, and there were no patrols. It was risky, but we could get away with rushing, and that gave us a distinct advantage of ambush.

When you had only three people, you took every advantage you got.

"Sera! Focus on the archers!" I yelled, even as I continued charging. Thanks to my distraction, though, I had my foot pulled out from under me, due to a grappling chain they threw. They tried to drag me towards them, but I jerked back, twisting and using a pillar as leverage to rip the chain from their hands.

I rolled out of the way of another attack and jumped up, smashing my greatsword into their shield. The metal cracked and shattered under the force, the splinters flying up, digging at my face and neck. Their eyes widened in fear. I smirked in victory as I claimed their head.

Noticing people trying to surround me, I whirled, cutting down any and all enemies with the misfortune to be within range. A survivor tried to strike me down as I settled my feet and tried to make the world right itself. I blocked their strike and slashed, going for another full circle to take out more.

I crippled those I did not kill. I hamstringed those I attacked from behind. I ended those stunned and knocked down. Where they tired, I soared.

I was a master of the battlefield, a Reaver. Let them feel my pain.

I honestly wasn't sure how long it took to fight and kill all the bandits. It simultaneously felt like nothing and forever. But by the time we were done, I was absolutely drenched in both blood and sweat, and I was bouncing on my toes. No pain, no pain~ I loved it. I really loved it. It was just so nice to not be in pain.

Thunder broke through my glee, and I tilted my head up just in time to catch a face full of rain. The threatened storm had come, washing away all the blood and muck we kicked up. I closed my eyes and let it pound me. It was cool, refreshing, and maybe it could help keep me numb a little longer.

"Sammy!" I held up a hand to acknowledge Sera's call, but I didn't move. I just let the rain come down. "You trying to be a dramatic protagonist in a story or something? Because that's always boring." Ha! "Hello, Thedas to Sammy."

"I'm just enjoying the rain, Sera," I finally replied, shifting and opening my eyes to focus on her. The rain plastered her hair to her skull, and streaked it grey for some reason. "Were you covered in soot?"

"Flask of fire makes things ashy." Her flasks still confused me. I had no idea how they worked. Lucina always summed it up as 'alchemy'. "Anyway, Cassandra found the gate we need to get to the dam."

"Of course she did." I sighed, shaking my head. The rain was soothing, but the pain was returning. I supposed it was back to 'normal', then. "So, anything I should know?"

"Just that we have walking to do." Of course the controls wouldn't be in the fort. Why would they be? …I still didn't know why Crestwood never petitioned the crown to free up the fort, and the dam controls. What would they have done if the bandits had decided to… oh, wait, he said the controls were damaged. We might have to damage them further to break things, then. "Are you ignoring me?"

"It's not on purpose." My mind was definitely scattered. "Lead on. I don't know where to go."

Sera shrugged and easily led me to the door Cassandra was waiting by. It took me a second to recognize her, since suddenly she had long hair. But then I realized that the braid she always had coiled around her head had been knocked loose by either the fighting or the rain. It looked really good on her and… and I needed to focus.

Shaking my head, I led the way through the door, and down the overgrown path. It took me a second to realize the dam controls were, apparently, in a rundown tavern of all places. What would they have done if a drunkard…? Oh, nothing about this made sense.

Still, it was nice to get out of the rain for a time, and we carefully hunted through the dust for the control mechanism. I found it first, and I found something… surprising.

"The mayor said darkspawn destroyed these controls ten years ago," I murmured, walking around the crank slowly. There were… absolutely no signs of damage. "Who repaired them?" It was logical that they had been repaired, but the way the mayor told me about it implied… well, perhaps I made a mistaken assumption. It wasn't like it would've been the first.

"Something stinks here." I looked up to see Sera had joined me. "Something really stinks here," she declared, eyes narrows. "Something besides fish and… fish." Sera, I love you. "Whatever. Payday, yeah? Can't we make this place into a new house or something?" Actually…

"You're right. I think we can." That was… going to be a thing. We… had another base, then. The Inquisition grew more and more each day, huh? That Warden's warnings just kept echoing in my head. I'd have to think more on them later. "But first, to getting this open."

I could worry later. Though, I did think I should send a messenger to King Alistair first, asking if we could. I mean… I didn't want to just steal an abandoned fortress!


Author's Note: And we have our first keep! And we're starting Crestwood, which moves the main plot along, but of course, sidequests!

Next Chapter – Exalted Plains with Lucina