Alistair
There ain't no rest for the wicked
Money don't grow on trees
I got bills to pay
I got mouths to feed
Ain't nothing in this world for free
No I can't slow down
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could
No there ain't no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good
Dawn hadn't even thought about breaking over Redcliffe when the travelers left the castle. Cogburn had lost the coin toss and thus had decided to leave after a hasty meal in the kitchens. The servants like the cook and scullery boy hadn't been present. Isolde had let it slip the night before that ever since the nights of undead many of the castle servants preferred to live in the village and walk to the castle every morning, leaving in the evening. That left the kitchen empty until the cook arrived; convenient if someone wanted a meal and had the ability to pick the locks to the pantry.
Maddie had lost that coin toss, so she had prepared a hearty meal of eggs, bacon and griddle cakes. Alistair had been deemed sufficiently inept that he wasn't allowed to help with the cooking so he busied himself washing the pots and pans as Maddie finished her work. The more accomplished before or during the meal the less time it would take to clean up and leave. It was surprisingly enjoyable Alistair found, helping Maddie while she cooked, like they were keeping house together or something.
Few words were spoken as everyone bolted their food down. Even Sten and Wynne who hadn't had much part in the plotting and planning of the last two days seemed to feel the pressure to remain quiet and eat quickly. Alistair had almost laughed as he'd started to take a plate from Zevran only to have the elf threaten him with a fork. The knight had bitten his lip to keep from chuckling and simply taken his own plate to the sink. Between Alistair and Maddie they managed to get most of the kitchen clean as the others ate. He and Maddie barely sat down for the meal, both of them standing to eat and cleaning in between bites.
Even Rooster had been quiet, gnawing on his leg of lamb in relative silence. They'd all finished eating and Alistair had just finished washing the next to last plate when Rooster's ears pricked up and the mabari tilted his head.
"Someone's awake." Zevran pointed upward as he murmured, his sharp ears catching the same noise as the mabari. Alistair took the opportunity to hand the elf his last griddle cake and took Zevran's plate.
"Everybody except Alistair and Maddie, out." Cogburn snapped the words out in a low calm voice. "Alistair, grab Maddie's pack and yours. Maddie, relock everything and join us in the lower level. We're going out the way we first came in."
Maddie nodded and began to lock up the pantry, banking the fires and letting the water in the sink drain. The one dish left unwashed was hurriedly wiped down and set next to the sink. She motioned with her hand for Alistair to go into the hall. The knight wondered if she really thought he'd leave her, and instead gave her the most foolish expression he could summon. Sighing in exasperation Maddie tugged him out of the kitchen and down the hall to the stairs leading to the lower levels. Alistair grinned as he followed her. Sooner or later she'd get used to the idea that he was never going to abandon her.
"Take off your boots." Maddie whispered to him. "At least until we get to the passageway to the windmill. You can't sneak around in splint mail boots."
Alistair nodded, setting the packs down, unbuckling the armor from his boots. Maddie slid her pack over her shoulders and carefully picked up the plate boots. Once he'd hoisted his own pack up on his back she led him down the stairs and into the dungeon level. Thankfully no one was occupying the cells at the moment, Jowan was being kept elsewhere. Waiting for the two of them at the door to the passage was Cogburn and the others.
The male Cousland looked at the boots Maddie held and rolled his eyes but gestured for Alistair to put them back on once everyone had entered the passage and closed the door behind them.
The walk under the lake was chilly and damp, and everyone walked quickly. The secret passage had held for years but no one wanted to consider the results if it chose to collapse today.
Finally in the pale light before dawn they reached the windmill. Alistair was amused to hear Cogburn's muttered curses as he picked the lock that would let them out of the tunnel. Teagan's ring had opened the tunnel to them, and the door automatically locked once it was closed. Sometimes Cogburn was too clever for their own good. Some judicious lock picking and several increasingly audible curses later they were finally out of the windmill and on the slopes of the hills surrounding Redcliffe village. The pale light of dawn's precursor gave the mountains and bridge an eerie air and Cogburn pulled Alistair and Maddie aside. "Take the rest of them to the road," He told his twin. "I'm going to leave a letter with the chantry and coin to pay for delivery."
"Telling Eamon thanks for his hospitality?" Alistair grinned.
"In a manner of speaking." Cogburn gave him an answering grin and moved down the hill into the village. Maddie gestured to Alistair to take the lead, walking beside him. The rest of the group followed, conversing in low voices until they reached the main road.
Alistair looked at Maddie curiously. "I think part of it is that your twin likes to sneak around." He said quietly. "But why did we leave without a word to anyone? And in such a way? The guards would have let us out the gate."
Maddie smiled. "Well he does like sneaking around." She admitted, shifting her pack slightly to get it more comfortably settled. "But I think he also had in mind that Eamon mentioned seeing us off in the morning."
Alistair groaned remembering how late the Arlessa had liked to sleep when he was young. The Arl had refused to start any occasion without her. If that habit had continued, they might not have gotten out of Redcliffe before noon. When he voiced that opinion to Maddie she grinned and nodded. "So why sneaking out the back way?" He wondered.
"I think that was to remind Eamon that we knew the passage was there, in case he ever...had a change of heart." Maddie tilted her head thoughtfully.
"So a way of making a threat without saying or really doing anything aggressive." Alistair sighed. "That's a little scary."
Maddie shook her head. "I think it'll help keep the Arl honest." She murmured. "And there's also the fact that we're leaving on our own terms. It reinforces the message that the Grey Wardens and the future king are a force to be reckoned with. We won't be manipulated; we have to be beyond politics."
Alistair grinned his appreciation of that. "Once I get my brain wrapped around it I might like all the ways to say something without actually saying anything."
"Wait until you see some of the courtship rituals." Maddie rolled her eyes. "Some of the Orlesian madness crept into Ferelden noble customs. People took to having conversations entirely with flowers and the meanings therein."
Alistair bent and kissed her forehead, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of her skin under his lips. "Perhaps you could teach me some of those meanings?" He asked quietly. "I'd like to send you messages with a bouquet of flowers."
"We could." Maddie smiled up at him, grey eyes glowing in the new dawn light. "I can talk to you about politics too, and the alliances of the different houses."
"Won't that be fun." Alistair rolled his eyes. Maddie smiled up at him and Alistair couldn't help but smile back, at once overcome with wonder that she actually loved him and believed in him. "It means a lot to me you know." He said quietly keeping an eye out for Cogburn.
"What does love?" Maddie tilted her head curiously.
"You believe that I won't be a complete disaster as a king." Alistair said simply. "I know I'm not...politically minded. And I don't consider myself a leader. But you seem to think I'm educable and that means a great deal."
"You're a good man. That you don't want to be king will probably make you the best king Ferelden could have." The girl told him. She bit her lip, considering and then offered, "My father said those who seek power are rarely the right ones to hold it. Those who avoid power, who wish to only do good with their own abilities, they are the ones who should hold power."
"Did your father know Cailan?" Alistair asked curiously. "I remember Teyrn Cousland fought alongside Maric and Loghain in the war."
"Father was a regular attendant at the Landsmeet so yes, he and Mother both knew Cailan and Anora." Maddie nodded wondering what Alistair was thinking. Was he wondering if his half brother was someone who shouldn't have been king?
"As I recall, neither Father or Mother had much good to say about Cailan," Cogburn remarked as he joined them finally. "Only that he was a nice boy. And of Anora they didn't say much but that she had Cailan wound round her little finger."
"Hmm..." Alistair nodded. "Like your sister has me wrapped around her dainty fingers?" He slanted a teasing grin at the girl in question.
"As if I'd want a man so easily manipulated." Maddie sniffed. "You're smarter than you give yourself credit for Alistair."
"I just hope I'm as smart as you give me credit for." Alistair returned.
Cogburn rolled his eyes. "Enough with the flirting." He ordered. "Maddie you take point. Lets see how far we can get before Eamon wakes up."
Alistair chuckled and gave Maddie a quick kiss before she darted off. "Yes oh fearless leader." He saluted Cogburn. His antics drew a laugh from Zevran and Wynne while Leliana folder her arms and rolled her eyes. Morrigan simply sighed and gestured for the others to begin walking. The knight simply grinned at her and followed Cogburn.
Maddie
our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain
Maddie sighed as she sat on her bedroll. It was a small camp tonight, one fire, one tent and the Feddic's wagon all squeezed into a flat bottomed ravine overshadowed by huge trees. The ground was exceptionally hard and cold, which made sense considering all the rock underfoot. Alistair and Cogburn had managed to get a tent set up through sheer stubbornness, pounding tent pegs into the ground for what seemed like hours. Wynne would use it for the night to rest and keep an eye on Leliana. The bard had been wounded in a skirmish with the encroaching darkspawn earlier that day and still hadn't completely recovered despite several poultices.
Alistair approached the fire, an armload of wood scavenged from the area around the camp in his arms. "I'm a bit concerned about rain." He told Cogburn and Maddie as he set his load down by the fire. "If we get a storm water is going to wash through this ravine and carry us all down to the Wilds."
Cogburn nodded looked up at the sky. "I agree, its something to keep in mind, but we hadn't seen a cloud all day and the sky is clear."
Sten's voice came rumbling from the shadows near the Feddic's wagon, where he was helping the merchants feed the cattle. "Something we should be aware of, when we are on watch tonight." He agreed. "With care, we will not be caught unawares."
Alistair nodded. "Its not that the rain would be so bad," he laid his bedroll side by side with Maddie's, "but being caught off guard by a flash flood would be disastrous."
"Whose turn is it to cook?" Zevran asked as he brought a bucket full of water from the stream by the road. "I ask only because I must know how much more to fetch."
"'Tis my night to prepare our meal." Morrigan set her book of spells aside and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders as she left the comfort of her quilts. Her eye brows rose as she looked inside the bucket the elf had brought. "Pour that in the cookpot, and fetch another bucket for washing, and that will be enough." The witch commanded as she fetched their supplies.
Maddie tilted her head watching the dark haired woman as she sorted through the herbs and grains they carried. "I picked up some wild carrots and onions as we walked today." She offered. "We have barley and dried venison and dried peas. Would you like me to throw a stew together? You don't look…well."
Cogburn had been scrutinizing Morrigan since she'd first spoken and now cast a look at his twin. "Maddie's right, it's been a hard day for everyone." He said quietly. "Why don't you keep warm, study a bit more, and make an early night of it."
Maddie nodded. "You nearly overspent yourself in the battle today." She took the herbs from Morrigan. "If you'll only look at the carrots and onion I found, to be certain I haven't picked up anything…inedible I'll take care of dinner. If you're feeling better tomorrow night you can take my turn at fixing the meal."
The witch looked oddly reluctant but nodded. "I am…quite tired…and chilled I fear." She agreed. "Thank you Maddie."
The female rogue chuckled as she watched Morrigan check over the wild vegetables and hand them back with a smile. "I recall a time or two I was wounded and you told me to lay my idiot head back down and rest when I tried to take my turn cooking." She reminded the witch.
Alistair had remained quietly beside her during the conversation; now out of the corner of her eye Maddie saw him jerk his chin at Cogburn and motion towards Morrigan's quilts. The witch had, according to her custom, placed her bedroll as far from the main fire as she could without withdrawing from the circle of light it cast. As Maddie watched, Cogburn peremptorily picked up Morrigan's satchel and her bedding, bringing it closer to the fire, then placing his right beside hers.
Maddie nearly giggled as she cut the greens off the wild carrots and snapped the roots in two before throwing them into the pot. Morrigan was clearly trying to argue quietly with Cogburn but she was too tired to give it much effort and her twin was winning. With a sigh of ill grace the witch sat down on her relocated bedding and opened her spell book again to study.
Humming to herself Maddie began work on the stew in earnest. Alistair looked up from the armor he was cleaning now and then, a smile on his face. Rooster whined a plea deep in his throat as she began to pull apart the pieces of dried venison and rolling his eyes Alistair stole a piece and gave it to the Mabari.
"What is the tune my dear?" Zevran inquired as he brought back the other bucket of water. "It is fair enchanting me with your lovely voice."
Maddie grinned. "An old song our nan used to sing," She cut up a few potatoes and threw them in the pot, seeding the stew liberally with barley. "It speaks of the way our lives build around small moments and the odd little twists of fate."
"I don't think I've heard it before." Alistair looked up from the armor. "Would you sing us a bit?"
Maddie felt herself blushing and hoped it wasn't too obvious. "I'm no bard or minstrel." She protested.
"No you just wanted to be when we were both little." Cogburn teased from across the fire.
"Well I can't remember how it begins." Maddie shook her head. "I don't think I even know all the words, just the tune."
Cogburn grinned. "Excuses," He challenged.
Zevran took a seat and began to sharpen his dagger, watching Sten fed another log to the fire before sitting himself. "Another tune then," He shrugged, "I am not picky."
Maddie slanted a glance at him. "Why the sudden fascination with my voice?"
"It has been an odd day no?" Zevran grinned at her, a saucy twinkle in his eyes. "And I am not shy about asking for what I want."
"You can say that again." Alistair rolled his eyes, watching as Maddie dropped flour salt and water into a bowl and began to make oddly wet dough.
"And then you will drop this?" Maddie asked, raising her eyes from her work.
"I swear I shall ask no more of you this evening." Zevran raised his hand in a solemn gesture belied by his sparkling eyes.
"Very well," Maddie considered for a moment. "The elves who worked for us would sing this sometimes. I always liked it because it was…defiant but sad too."
"I am fortunate indeed, to hear an elven song." The elf did look pleased Maddie thought as she met his gaze.
"As you will then." The girl set the bowl of dough down for a moment and considered. Taking a deep breath she began to sing, her voice smoky and sweet, untrained, but still a pleasure to hear.
"The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.
"Land of song!" said the warrior-bard,
"Though all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! - but the foeman's chain
Could not bring his proud soul under;
The harp he loved ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said, 'No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery.'"
Alistair whistled in appreciation, a low amazed sound and Zevran nodded his agreement. "Indeed my friend," he looked at Maddie. "Best not let Leliana hear you, she'll grow jealous."
Maddie rolled her eyes at him and began scooping the dough up into balls and dropping them on top of the stew. "I've heard Leliana sing. She has nothing to fear from me." Finished with the meal preparations she the bowl aside and moved the cookpot closer to the fire, using her feet to embed the pot in the coals. She relaxed back onto her bedroll with a sigh. "About an hour for it to cook maybe…probably less."
Alistair stroked her check with the back of his finger. "Thank you." He gave her a smile and Maddie felt her heart thump in her chest. "Since you made dumplings to go in the stew, perhaps everyone would like to wet their appetites with some bread and cheese?" He dug out an oblong loaf of waybread and a round of cheese from his pack and passed it to Zevran.
Maddie grinned, Alistair's love of cheese was entirely predictable, and began to remove her armor, groaning a little as she did so. It felt as if her entire back was one big bruise.
"All right?" Alistair's glance at her was concerned and he left off cleaning his armor to take the drakescale from her.
"I'll be fine." The girl assured him, "I'm just sore, as I'm sure we all are." Her mind flew to the events of the day and she finally asked the question she'd been considering since that morning. "So what does everyone think? Should we head south to Honnleath before we head east towards the forest?"
"As today has shown more brute force would be handy in battle." Cogburn opened the debate. "So a golem would be very helpful, assuming the control rod works."
"And if we make the trip for nothing?" Morrigan asked. "We'll be heading towards the Darkspawn army. Not something to take lightly considering the cost of our battle today."
"Morrigan makes a good point." Maddie said grimly. "It won't be easy and if we run into the bulk of the horde we could have a lot of trouble."
"But right now, we're a company with four rogues, two mages and two warriors." Cogburn argued. "We're all capable in battle but really Sten and Alistair are the only ones specifically trained for it. We need more warriors."
Alistair had been considering the question quietly, listening to the twins argue back and forth. "I vote that we go to Honnleath." He said firmly. "If we get a golem out of it, that's great. Even if we don't, there might be survivors who could follow us north, out of the darkspawn territory. We have to at least see if those people need help." He looked at Maddie and Cogburn seriously. "And, if nothing else, it will give you two more practice at sensing where the Darkspawn are. I sensed where they were today, and was able to warn you in time, but the two of you need to pay more attention to the taint within you."
Maddie nodded. "I know that we've both felt it when the darkspawn are near, but I've never been completely certain." She said quietly. "So I've been depending on you to…confirm my instincts are right."
"And normally that would be fine, but there are a lot more darkspawn that usual out there and we all three of us need to be paying attention." Alistair said firmly.
Cogburn nodded his agreement, his expression grim and talk turned to what they might find on their journey to Honnleath until the stew was ready. Wynne emerged from the tent to collect her meal.
"How is she?" Maddie asked the older mage. "Do you need one of us to sit with her while you rest?"
Wynne shook her head as she ladled out a bowl of stew, "She's resting now. I'll do a bit more healing on her arm before I sleep and as long as I'm nearby I'll be able to tell if she grows worse."
"Has she regained her senses yet?" Cogburn inquired. "We've all taken a knock on the head a time or two but she was almost maddened in her ramblings."
"She's quieter and seems more lucid when she speaks but…" Wynne hesitated before she continued. "I think she still isn't sure where she is. I should be able to do more in the morning. Sometimes all that is needed is rest."
Maddie slanted a look at Cogburn and then looked up at Wynne. "If she isn't recovered by tomorrow, we'll camp here another day, unless it looks like rain. We can't afford to lose people and Leliana's skill with a bow is superior to any of ours."
"Agreed." Cogburn nodded and after a moment Alistair nodded as well, looking thoughtful.
"What is it love?" Maddie regarded the knight curiously.
"If it does start to look like rain, we might want to think about improvising a litter. Perhaps something Rooster can drag which will leave us free for combat." The young knight blushed as everyone stared at him. "What? I can have an idea…even if it's a bad one."
"If 'twere a bad idea no one would stare fool." Morrigan's voice was slightly less acidic than normal and Maddie concealed a smile behind her hand. It seemed to her than Morrigan's taunts towards Alistair were more for forms sake than out of real irritation.
"I can rig something." Zevran gestured towards the tent. "A few saplings stripped to poles and tent canvas, some leather scraps and rope. Leliana is light enough that the Mabari should be able to pull her without discomfort."
"Then that's settled." Wynne seemed satisfied as she returned to the tent.
Later, after they'd all eaten and the bowls and spoons were cleaned, consensus was an early night was best.. They made a rather amusing sight, Sten standing guard at the mouth of the ravine, Bodhan and Sandal sheltering under the wagon, everyone else bundled up around the fire in odd lumps of quilts. Cogburn and Morrigan were asleep together under their combined quilts. Zevran was close to the fire and Rooster had curled up behind the elf. Maddie smiled and snuggled back against Alistair, feeling supremely content with his arms around her, their bodies spooned together.
"Stop wiggling you madwoman." He muttered in her ear. "Or you'll end up getting taken right in front of your brother and the rest."
"You wouldn't." Maddie murmured more than half hoping he would.
"You're right, I'd pick you and the quilts up and go further down the ravine." Alistair chuckled low in his throat. "But from the state of your back and hip I think rest is a better idea."
Maddie groaned slightly but agreed. "I wish we could camp like this every night." She murmured, feeling exhaustion creep over her. "I love how you hold me." Alistair cuddled her closer in response and she felt him succumb to sleep finally. Maddie struggled to stay awake a bit longer savoring his embrace but followed him into dreams a few minutes later.
TBC
