27. And Everything Settles Down
"Luka, Luka, Luka!" a familiar and eager voice yelled out. Luka tried to turn, but his limbs locked solid before he could. A bolt of fear rushed through him, but he could move again almost instantly. "I can cast!" Rabbit shouted as she rushed towards him with a brilliant smile.
When Luka recovered from his shock, he realized that Rabbit had momentarily immobilized him. He decided he did not enjoy it. He also decided not to rebuke Rabbit, however, as she leapt towards him and threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug.
"I missed the shit out of you!" Rabbit cried. "I love you dearly, and I'm so damn sorry for all the stupid things I said!"
"I forgive you," Luka said hastily as he awkwardly wrapped his arms around her. "I'm, um, sorry too. Especially since I didn't get to see you off to the Deep Roads."
"Hell yes you should be sorry!" Rabbit shouted, pushing him away with unexpected force. She pouted at him, her hands on her hips petulantly. "If I'd've died, you would've been drowning in guilt for all eternity!"
"True," Luka agreed with a small smile. "I'm sorry. I'm glad you're safe. And healed."
"Me too!" Rabbit beamed and flapped her hands wildly. "Morrigan healed me! Also, I can shoot lightning now!"
"Oh," Luka said, baffled and tentatively enthused. "That's… good, right?"
"Absolutely!"
"I'm glad," Luka replied warmly, and he stared at his friend for a few moments, simply grateful that she was alive and well. "Everyone's worried," he eventually told Rabbit's radiant smile. "Should we make the rounds?"
"Parade my healthy self about!" Rabbit cheered. "Oh," she gasped abruptly as she followed Luka down the street. "Do we have the dwarves' approval? Is everything settled? Can we get out of this damn place yet?"
"Bhelen's coronation is tomorrow," Luka acknowledged. He was more relieved than he could express that their experience and Orzammar was nearly over. "He's already promised troops. We should be able to leave as soon as the ceremony's over."
"Ugh, do we have to attend the coronation?" Rabbit grumbled, some of her eagerness deflating as her face transformed into a scowl. "Sounds boring and I want to leave."
"I agree," Luka said with a soft laugh, "but if something happens to Bhelen before he's coronated, then we'll lose his support, and all of this will be for nothing."
"I guess that's a good enough reason to attend," Rabbit agreed with a sigh.
"…Tell me about the Deep Roads," Luka said after a short silence.
"They were shitty," Rabbit stated, staring at the ground with a frown, "but we learned some interesting things." She scooted closer to Luka with a knowing smile, and their shoulders brushed. "I saw the Archdemon," she said conspiratorially.
"Really?" Luka balked, pausing to stare at her with unconcealed amazement. "You're… are you serious?"
Rabbit nodded, and her expression was uncharacteristically grave. "Giant scary-looking dragon," she explained, again waving her hands wildly as she did so, "that breathes purple-ish fire and screams bloody murder in your ears. It was really big."
"I…" Luka mulled over his feelings on the matter. After all he had seen, his disbelief in the Archdemon had become more of a halfhearted hope. "Dammit," he sighed, then continued moving forwards. "Then not only is this a real blight, we also need to kill a giant dragon that breathes purple fire."
"Purple-ish," Rabbit corrected as she skipped alongside him. "It was a bit black and red too."
"Because that is so important right now," Luka grumbled. He puffed out a soft breath and shook his head. "Well," he said, "that's a depressing start to the Deep Roads. What else?"
"Lots," Rabbit said, "and most of it's even more depressing…"
The story Rabbit told straddled the line between strange and unbelievable. Her descriptions of Hespith and Branka chilled him to the bone, so he was relieved when Rabbit explained Caridin and how they had sided with him rather than Branka. Shale's odd questions made sense now, and Luka wondered if he had helped the golem at all.
"And you?" Rabbit prompted once she finished her tale. "What'd you find out with Leliana? What happened here?"
"We found the surviving Couslands hiding with the Avvar," Luka said, "and we got their help to get some political allies."
"The Avvar?" Rabbit gasped. "Lucky son of a bitch. The Avvar are as badass as they come."
Luka smiled slightly and nodded.
Rabbit hummed appreciatively. "Also, good job getting the Couslands' support. They're one of the most popular noble families out there. Lots of people should still be loyal to them."
"So I've heard. Speaking of," Luka added, "I'm thinking we should go to Redcliffe next. Now that we have mages and dwarves, we should get Alistair's noble friends."
Rabbit made a sound of displeasure. "I leave you two alone for one minute…" she lamented. She nodded. "That's fine. Hopefully, we can get inside this time."
"If not, we can just have Shale break down the gates."
"That'll be fun," Rabbit agreed brightly. "I now hope that we can't get inside."
"We could break down the gates anyway," Luka offered with a smirk. "I've been missing out on the action lately."
"And that, Luka dear, is why you're my favorite person in the world."
"Ah, our two star crossed Wardens have been reunited," a familiar voice called out from nearby. Rabbit squealed joyfully and waved her hand, generating her ice claws and waving them about wildly. "And our little Warden can cast again!" Zevran cheered as he approached. "Are you fully healed, cari'?"
" 'S far as I can tell," Rabbit effused, bouncing up and down. She gazed thoughtfully at her ice claws and then chomped down on the thumb's icicle. "Morrigan did a badass job," she said with her mouth full of ice. She swallowed after chewing loudly. "I can't believe I never thought of this," she muttered. "Free clean water wherever I go." Zevran chuckled while Luka stared as Rabbit bit down on another of her icicles.
"Sten has been quite worried for you," Zevran added as he fell into step beside them. Both Luka and Rabbit gazed at him with surprise, and he smiled. "Yes, he was intent on returning you to Orzammar as quickly as possible," he told Rabbit. "He insisted on carrying you the entire way even though Shale volunteered. It took quite a lot of convincing for him to relinquish you to Wynne, and I had to ask him politely to leave the room because he would not stop growling at her."
Rabbit gaped at him while Luka tried to imagine Sten being truly worried about someone. Sten always seemed far too controlled to be affected by emotion and, based on Rabbit's suspicious gaze, she was thinking along similar lines.
"I'm a mage, though," Rabbit pointed out to Zevran, who smiled indulgently.
"I do believe Sten has grown rather fond of you," Zevran said, "and is willing to ignore that small detail."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Rabbit decided, and Luka privately agreed. "Let's go find him." Rabbit smiled and grabbed Luka's hand. She happily swung their linked arms back and forth as she trotted along according to Zevran's directions.
As always with her, Luka had no choice except to follow.
Their destination was again Orzammar's Royal Palace. According to Zevran, they had been invited to stay there when Bhelen heard he was to be named king. The moment they tracked down Sten, Rabbit dashed forwards and hugged the qunari around the waist. If Luka were not so surprised himself, he might have laughed at the utter shock on Sten's face.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sten growled dangerously as he easily pushed Rabbit away with one hand.
"I heard you carried me back here," Rabbit cried, "and I just needed to thank you, thank you, thank you! Not just for making sure I stayed safe, but also for teaching me how to dodge."
"You… are welcome, imekari," Sten said slowly, a baffled expression still in his eyes. "Have you healed?"
"Yes!" Rabbit laughed. "I can use magic again!"
"A shame," Sten murmured with sincere disappointment. "I was hoping you could be rid of that curse."
"Aw, you care!" Rabbit squealed. She flapped her arms, clearly trying to hug Sten again, but he easily kept her at arm's length. She obstinately strained against him, but Sten effortlessly thwarted her attempts.
"Enough," Sten barked, and Rabbit froze obediently. Sten released Rabbit after another moment, then looked to Luka. "Are we ready to discuss our next move?" he asked impatiently.
Luka nodded, and Rabbit bounded back to him and snatched his hand again. "Let's gather everyone together," Luka suggested, "and make sure we all have the same information."
Sten dipped his head in acknowledgement. "I shall be waiting here," he said.
xXxXxXx
Everything was back to normal.
The group had remained in Orzammar for another three weeks to make absolutely sure that Bhelen would provide proper support. During that time, Shale, Rabbit, Kitty, and Sten had descended back into the Deep Roads to go to Cadash Thaig and learn more of Shale's origins. Luka had wanted to follow, but Bhelen had insisted that the leader of the Wardens remain in Orzammar until his rule was solidified. Alistair had sent word ahead to Redcliffe, so the Arl should be expecting their arrival. Hopefully, this would be nothing but a quick stop.
Once everyone's business in Orzammar was finally completed, Luka led the way back down the mountains and towards Redcliffe Village. As always, he kept himself somewhat detached during travel, while Rabbit kept the personal dynamics running. She and Morrigan tormented Alistair incessantly, Kitty joyfully retrieved questionable items, Leliana effused about the Maker, Wynne gave advice to deaf ears, Zevran flirted with all, Shale gleefully smashed birds, and Sten sparred with everyone until they were exhausted enough to sleep.
Any differences were almost imperceptible, but they were there. The group that had delved into the Deep Roads had a sort of understanding, a bond, a strong trust with one another. Rabbit herself was clearly more mature—not that she made an effort to show it—and she was looked upon by her trio with subtle respect. It was slightly unsettling, these factions within the party, but everyone getting along was too much to ask for.
"And… the gate's still closed," Alistair pointed out the obvious as the group approached Redcliffe.
Luka gazed at the massive wooden gate for a moment, then turned to Alistair, who was looking worried. "You're sure these people are worth talking to?" he asked, and Alistair blinked dazedly.
"What? Oh, yes. Definitely," Alistair assured Luka. "Arl Eamon has the best claim to the throne and lots of allies. If we want to depose Loghain, we need his support."
Luka nodded, then glanced back at Shale. "Could you break down the gate?" he asked, and Shale grinned widely as Rabbit cheered.
"Oh, before we cause severe property damage to the town," Alistair interjected with even more nervousness than usual, "could I… talk to you and Bree for a sec?"
"Sounds ominous," Rabbit muttered as she and Luka traded a glance. With a shrug, Luka allowed Alistair to lead them away from the others, far enough that they would not be overheard. Alistair shuffled on his feet awkwardly for a few seconds until Rabbit sighed dramatically. "Get on with it, will ya?" she snapped. "I want to cause severe property damage to the town."
"Right, well, er, I might… should have… maybe told you guys this sooner," Alistair began, stumbling through his sentence as he avoided eye contact with both Luka and Rabbit. "Uh, it's a funny thing, really, but I just so happen to be the bastard son of King Maric. My mother was a maid in the castle and, you know, birds and bees and all. Arl Eamon took care of me when I was a kid and… uh… I just thought this whole thing might come up, and I didn't want you all to be blindsided." Alistair cleared his throat while Luka stared at him in shock. "So… yeah," Alistair finished awkwardly. He cleared his throat again and shuffled his feet in the proceeding stretch of silence.
"…What, you expecting us to bow?" Rabbit asked with a snort of laughter. "I give no shits about your family, and Luka doesn't bow to shem'len lords." Luka stifled a laugh, and Alistair's expression wavered between relief and contempt.
"Well, good. I guess," Alistair muttered, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"I can't wait to tell Morrigan," Rabbit added, and Alistair's head shot up so that he could glare at her.
"Seriously?" Alistair complained. "Do you have to?"
"Course not," Rabbit replied airily. "I will, though."
Luka gave the glum Alistair a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Toughen up, your majesty," he advised.
"Technically, it's 'your highness' or 'your grace,'" Rabbit quipped as Alistair muttered darkly under his breath and led the way back to the others. "'Majesty' is only for actual kings and queens. So, here's hoping we'll never hafta call him that."
"You and me both!" Alistair sputtered. "Ruling Ferelden is not one of my goals in life."
"You don't wanna be king?" Rabbit asked curiously, and Alistair grimaced.
"I don't think I would hate anything more," he confirmed.
"Mm, that's good," Rabbit said in satisfaction. "You're smarter than I gave you credit for."
"Thank… you…?" Alistair said suspiciously.
"You might not be given a choice," Luka interjected softly from where he was trailing behind the pair. "You are next in line."
"Arl Eamon is much more experienced and the uncle of the king—the previous king," Alistair shot back. "People like him too."
"Your Arl Eamon will look like a usurper if he tries to take the throne from the king's widow," Rabbit piped up.
"Wait…" Alistair halted in his tracks and looked fearfully between Rabbit and Luka. "Are you… Do you think I should leave the Wardens and… rule Ferelden?"
"No bloody way," Rabbit scoffed. "If you don't want to be king, we'll find another way. I'm just saying that you're technically the next heir, so we'd hafta get around that little problem with political finesse or faking your death or something."
"You mean you'll help me get out of being king?" Alistair asked, his eyes shining with unabashed hope.
Rabbit nodded furiously, though Luka felt troubled. "A king who doesn't wanna be king will be a shit king," Rabbit proclaimed, but Luka was thinking about what Leliana had said, that a person who was not seeking power made the best leader.
"I'd be a shit king even if I wanted it," Alistair laughed with clear relief.
"I feel like you're expecting me to disagree, but…" Rabbit trailed off and shrugged. Alistair offered her a half-hearted glare, but he could not conceal his gratitude.
"Right, well, then there's no need to mention this ever again," Alistair said, though Luka was not so certain.
"Except to Morrigan and everyone else," Rabbit chirped, and Alistair groaned.
When the trio returned to camp, Rabbit instantly rushed to Morrigan and effused about Alistair's revelation. Alistair was quickly ridiculed by Morrigan, then set upon by Wynne, who outlined Alistair's duty to the country, no matter his personal feelings. Zevran tossed some sexual quips Alistair's way, and Sten and Shale could not have cared less.
Luka allowed the pandemonium and chatter for a few moments, then sharply clapped his hands. He was slightly surprised when all noise halted, and every other person turned to him expectantly. Even after all these months, Luka was unused to his authority as the leader of this group. He shoved down the burst of discomfort and cleared his throat.
"Nothing's changed," Luka stated. "Everyone, leave Alistair alone. Shale, break down the gate."
Rabbit whooped excitedly, and Shale grinned. The golem smashed its fists together, dug one heel into the ground, and barreled towards the gate. Luka just barely managed to jump out of the way in time, and Rabbit had to throw up a barrier to protect everyone from the splinters that rained down in Shale's wake. Once the dust cleared, Rabbit dissolved the barrier, and a satisfied Shale gazed at the victoriously at the remains of the once-proud gate.
"That… was good fun," Shale rumbled. "Almost as fun as killing mortals of flesh. And birds." Shale looked towards the others. "Well, shall we?" It gestured towards the now open path, and Luka led the way forwards across the splintered mess.
The first few minutes of walking were normal enough—a worn path winding down a grassy slope—but the scenery began to change the closer they got to the village itself. The grass began to become withered, and the acrid smell of smoke permeated the air. It was eerily silent, no birdsong or even a hint of animal life. Luka drew one of his daggers as a pervasive unease spread through the group.
"This isn't right," Alistair said worriedly from Luka's side. "Something happened here."
"I'm starting to understand why the gate was closed," Luka replied in a murmur. It felt strange to break the oppressive silence in the air, almost as though he was interrupting a delicate ritual.
"I don't sense any darkspawn, though," Alistair noted as he looked around, "but it doesn't look like an army went through here either…"
"Oh, I think I found the problem," Rabbit called out. Alistair and Luka turned around and followed her gaze to the collapsed form of bleached bone half-hidden by the withered foliage just off the path. "We've got undead," Rabbit stated. "That means necromancy, blood magic, demons, or a combination of the three." She clicked her tongue nonchalantly and looked around as though surveying the area for a picnic spot.
"We have to hurry," Alistair breathed.
Alistair sped up his pace, almost jogging down the path, and Luka followed with a dagger in each hand. The clanging behind him indicated that the others were similarly arming themselves. The skeletal bodies began appearing more frequently, soon followed by human corpses. Based on the smell and rate of decomposition, many had been lying outside for days. Smoldering remains of buildings and makeshift barricades decorated the desolate landscape, and Alistair broke into an all-out sprint, slowing to a stop only when he reached the town center.
Alistair stared dazedly at the ruins of his hometown, his eyes pausing at the massive funeral pyre at the edge of the town. Luka paused at his side, but Alistair spared him not a glance. "We should've gotten here sooner," Alistair said in a hoarse whisper. "We could have saved them. I knew we should've come here first." Alistair's voice broke at the end, and he sounded close to crying. "First the Wardens, and now…" He swallowed thickly, unable to complete his sentence.
Luka remained silent, unsure how to offer comfort, but he was saved from his predicament by an exclamation from Rabbit.
"Look at the Chantry," she yelled, her startlingly loud voice echoing through the silent village. "Either the Maker is an asshole who destroyed everything but his Chantry, or there's some kind of ward around the place." As Rabbit had indicated, the Chantry was the only building that was completely untouched by the devastation. "I'll bet that people are hiding in there," Rabbit said. "Should we check?"
Alistair rushed forwards, shoving past Rabbit to tug at the closed doors of the Chantry. His movements were desperate and panicked, his breath coming out in short gasps.
"I guess so," Rabbit muttered.
"It's locked," Alistair said, terror and hope battling in his voice. "Hello?" he called out. He knocked on the door loudly. Luka allowed this but gave Rabbit a meaningful look. She understood, as she nocked an arrow aimed directly at the doors, ready to shoot anything that might burst out.
Very slowly, one of the doors creaked open just a crack, and a voice could be heard from inside. "Are you… alive?" it asked hesitantly.
"Yes, what happened here?" Alistair cried. The door opened fully, and a haggard man in once-fancy clothes revealed himself. "Teagan," Alistair said with clear relief, and the man's eyes widened. "Teagan, it's me. Maker, it's good to see you."
"…Alistair?" the man asked in shock. "Alistair, is that you?" Alistair nodded frantically, so Teagan stepped aside, hastily gesturing that he enter. Teagan cast a nervous glance at the rest of the party, but he allowed them through without comment. He cast his eyes searchingly across the smoldering city, then pulled the doors closed behind them all.