Chapter 29: Death in the Family
Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls Series or the Dragon Age Series.
Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware
Co-author - zack32
A/N: Thanks for the wait. Anyway, don't expect another chapter this month as I'll be working on my Witcher crossover for a bit. Also, gonna release another map soon. Leave your thoughts and comments.
Looking out through the cave's vines, Evelyn could still catch glimpses of fires far in the distance despite the heavy rainstorm. They dotted all across the meadow tops and hills, though not burning as brightly as they usually did. A couple of dragons soared over them, their deafening shouts she could feel vibrate despite their distance.
"Damn dragons," she muttered, letting out a long sigh as she regressed back into the cave. It frustrated Evelyn to no end of the destruction the dragons caused. No matter the position they attacked from, no matter the time of day, the dragons would simply not go down. Even with masses of ballistas, at best they could stun them and the dragons would simply retreat.
"Brooding again, boss? We're not going to kill Imperials that way." Bull asked, his voice echoing further in the cave. He, the Chargers, and Rainier all sat around a fire; some with bottles in hand, Grim sleeping off to the side and the rest looked towards Evelyn.
"Come sit with us, Inquisitor. Skinner's got a story that'll take your mind off," Krem called.
Grim grunted, drudging himself eliciting surprises from the rest.
"No, not you Grim. The day you tell a story is the day Dalish admits she's a mage," Rocky said.
"For the thousandth time, I'm a ma- archer, dammit," Dalish retorted, shoving down a giggling Rocky as the rest followed along in laughter.
Evelyn let out a slight chuckle, shaking her head as she sat down with her party. "You guys are a bunch of idiots."
"That's true but they're my idiots. Isn't that right, Krem?" Bull asked.
"It's because of all your bullshit, chief," Krem said, twirling his fingers at his head. Everyone laughed in agreement even Bull, chuckling out heaves of breaths. Then it became quiet, the laughs dying and they all stared at each other, awkward in silence.
Evelyn broke the silence, letting out a large sigh that echoed through the cave. "Thanks, guys. Really," she said, staring deeply at the fire. "Still though… it just… not enough for me to forget that we're still in a war and that we're losing… badly."
"I know that, boss. We all know that that's why we're here. But being gloomy all the time isn't going to help us kill any Imperials," Bull said.
"You have to be something that the other soldiers can look up to Evelyn. For their sake and ours," Rainier added. "It doesn't have to be every single waking hour of the day but you still can't show yourself being in this state all the time either."
"Guys, I know okay. I know," Evelyn said, her volume increasing. She covered her face, dragging her hands over. "It's just… stressful alright. Here we are, ambushing Imperials in the Dales hardly doing enough while Orlesian nobles in the north think it's the perfect time to scheme. We have Tevinter and Par Vollen fighting a stupid war when they should be fighting with us. And now we have an all-powerful Dragonborn, whatever that is, wanting to utterly destroy us all."
"So you're-"
"Yes!" Evelyn exclaimed, grabbing a bottle out a soldier's hands and chugging its contents. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to lie down."
Gone now deeper into the cave, the remaining members resumed back their glances of silence to each other. Scratching their noses and whistling a tune, Bull stood amongst them. He made a gesture to the Chargers, scattering the members to other parts of the cave and finding himself alone with Rainier.
Bull sighed, plopping down and taking a quick swig of a canteen. "We really are fucked, Rainier."
"Stating the obvious," Rainier stated.
"Yeah but it's a different type of fucked. With Corypheus, even at our lowest we still managed to find something to turn us around. And we didn't know it was going to come. But now it's…"
"We'll find something Bull," Rainier said, "We always do. As Evelyn said, it's just Orlais, Nevarra, and the Free Marches fighting the Empire. If we can get Tevinter and the Qunari to help us, then we might stand a chance however slim it is."
"It's not going to happen, Furrows. Tevinter won't fight a two-front war and the Qunari are never going to agree to a truce or an armistice for that matter."
"How are you certain? Clearly, they should know that the Empire is no pushover."
"Oh, I'm sure they know but that's not the reason why they're not joining us," Bull replied, turning to Rainier. "They're not going to help us because they overestimate their power. See the one hundred or so thousand isn't the real amount of soldiers they have."
"What do you mean not the real amount? Don't tell me they have a million soldiers too?" Rainier asked, sweating a tear down his forehead.
"Oh, no, definitely not. Not even if the Qun took over all of Thedas. But it is a lot though, 200,000 in total from what I hear," Bull answered as Rainier was taking a swig.
Rainier spit over the fire, replying with a cough. "That many! That's… the same number as Thedas. It's-" he paused, a thought popping. "Wait a minute… you said heard. So it's not true then?"
"Yes and no," Bull said, "Only the Arishok knows the true number of soldiers but seeing as how he's not coming to help us now-"
"The Qunari are assuming they can outlast everyone then," Rainier said with Bull shrugging.
"That or they know how badly we're losing so they're hoping to use their navy to stop any Imperials from landing in Par Vollen and launch a counterattack against a weak Thedas," Bull replied.
"That's foolish."
"I know but you know how the Qun is pretty determined about their goals," Bull shrugged. "So determined that they're blind to the fact the Empire will crush them alone. And seeing as how they seem to hold a grudge against Tevinter and the Qun, they'll use their full might in one go."
"So they're going easy on us now, huh?" Rainier said, slouching towards the fire. "Then… if we want those reinforcements, we'll either have to prove to them that we can win and hope the Hero of Ferelden can convince the Arishok. Might as well collect those shards again."
"Hey, you said we'd never talk about that again," Bull said, pointing a finger close to Rainier.
Rainier raised his hands up, surrendering the words back when a figure in scout armor approached.
"Ser Rainier and the Iron Bull," the scout curtly bowed. "I have a message for the Inquisitor from Commander Cullen. Only for her."
"I'll wake her," Rainier said, walking off to retrieve the asleep Inquisitor.
"Yawn," Evelyn let out, rubbing her eyes. "What is it, scout? Are the Imperials on the move again?"
"I don't know your Grace. I was simply instructed to deliver this to you from Commander Cullen," the scout replied, handing over the sealed document.
Evelyn scoured over the contents as she intensely focused. She nodded, saying thanks to scout and dismissing him.
"What's it say, boss?" Bull asked with Rainier.
"More on the movements on the Imperial troops," Evelyn recounted, gesturing the two towards a table with a map of Thedas. Figurines representing troops from different sides were scattered all over. "Right now, half of the southern Imperial forces are moving towards Lydes and they'll arrive within a week. The rest are splitting up all over the Dales though. Most of them are in the Emprise du Lion and have taken control of the quarries and mines but there is a small force moving towards the Emerald Graves."
"How many are heading there?" Rainier asked.
"35,000 or so. Mostly light infantry and elven archers. However, the message also says that part of that force is splitting off towards the Arbor Wilds. About 5,000 or so," Evelyn said, moving around the small figurines.
"Our targets then," Bull said, receiving a slight nod from Evelyn. "Anything more about this force?"
"They're not Imperial soldiers from the looks of it," she said, her fingers circling over an area. "They're wearing assorted armor, weapons, huge wagons with them."
"Mercenaries," Rainier deduced. "Are they Fereldan?"
"No but they have Khajiits and Dunmer among them," Evelyn said.
"That's strange. Why would the Empire use mercenaries for when their own soldiers suffice? Hmm… If my experience with mercenaries has taught me anything, they're usually hired for some shady deal," Bull recounted.
"Even if they're not, we should still investigate what they are up to and defeat them," Evelyn replied.
"How though? We only have 1000 thousand soldiers and we can't beat them in a field battle," Rainier pointed.
Before Evelyn or Bull could utter another word, another messenger came by and tapped Evelyn's shoulders.
"Excuse me, your Grace. Dreadfully sorry for interrupting but I have urgent news for you," the messenger said.
Evelyn sighed. "Again, I thought you already le-... Oh, sorry," she said as she laid her eyes over the woman. "I thought you were a different messenger. Who sent you?"
"Thane Sun-Hair, your Grace," the messenger replied, handing a parchment.
Reading it over, Evelyn's eyes lit alight and she walked over to the map to place several more figurines.
"I think our problems might be solved for now," Evelyn said, holding up the parchment. "Svarah Sun-Hair has agreed to help us in recognition of our alliance. She says her tribe can provide up to 3,000 soldiers and Storvacker."
"I love that bear," Bull announced, staring off into the distance as Rainier and Evelyn glanced between each other. Bull quickly noticed, straightening himself out. "Anyway, that does help us but we still can't attack out in the fields. We don't know if any of the Empire's dragons could show up out of nowhere."
Peering over the map, the three vigorously poured over the map. Trying to find a place to attack was no easy task especially if it came to commanding two different forces. Evelyn called over for a soldier to bring her more maps with detailed depictions of the forests. Hours it seemed to pass for them before eventually, Bull made a loud thud.
"Right here," he tapped with his finger. "Heavily forested with a gravel road and with a lake for rehydrating right by. And it'll be far away for any other reinforcements."
"Yeah… that's good," Evelyn nodded. "Corporal Ida," she waved over.
The corporal ran, planting feet first in front of Evelyn and bowing. "Yes, your Grace?"
"Send a messenger to Thane Sun-Hair to have her troops meet us by the Cradle of Sulevin by next week."
"At once, your Grace," she bowed before running off.
"Now let's get some rest you guys," Evelyn said, cracking her neck. "We move out tomorrow night."
24th of Bloomingtide, 9:45 Dragon/ 24th of Second Seed, 305 4E
Days of circling around patrols and dragon flight paths ended as Evelyn's host made camp at an old Inquisition camp. The ruined walls and overgrown vines helped to conceal their position. For a while, they sat quietly waiting for their Avaar reinforcements when a bird whistled into their ears.
Evelyn strode out to meet a long line of Avaar warriors stretching along the stair path to her camp. Many dressed in their traditional warrior fur outfits save for one that stood out among them. The Avaar unraveled her hood, giving sight to a hair Evelyn still remembered.
"Thane Sun-Hair, I'm glad you could make it," Evelyn said, holding out her arm.
"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way," Sun-Hair replied, obliging to take a strong grip of Evelyn's arm. "You've long proven your friendship to Stone Bear Hold and the gods think it a worthy endeavor."
"I am surprised though that you were able to bring this many warriors with you. I recall that your hold wasn't that big," Evelyn replied.
"Much has changed since you victory over Hakkon Wintersbreath. Many from the Jaws of Hakkon have joined our hold along with others from the lowlands around. They like us refused to answer the demands of this Empire and now pledge to fight with you."
"And for that, I am ever grateful. The warriors must be eager for battle but in the meantime, stay in our camp. We're still waiting for confirmation on the enemy's location," Evelyn said, guiding the warriors in. "You remember Iron Bull and Rainier?"
"I do yes. Excellent warriors as I recall," Sun-Hair answered, shaking both of the men's hands.
"Pleasure to be working with you again, Thane," Rainier said.
"Same here. And uh… Storvacker wouldn't happen to be here now too? Asking of course… for Krem," Bull said, slightly looking away and inviting sighs from Evelyn.
"Over there," a soldier called out.
The four looked to where the voice called out to three Inquisition scouts descending down the ruin's stairs. One was holding hostage of man, bound and bagged over his head. The other two were worse for wear, blood seeping down one's face and another with burn marks over an exposed chest. Soldiers rushed forward as the scouts collapsed, thudding on the stone.
"Get the medics, quick!" Evelyn called before approaching the third scout. "Soldier, are you alright?"
"I'll be fine your Grace but this bastard was tougher than I expected," he replied, pushing his prisoner down to the ground. The scout's breath heaved in for gasps, plopping onto one of the stair steps and pointed to the prisoner. "We were scouting out the enemy force when he popped out of nowhere, he was so fast I could barely keep up. My guys took a lot of the blows meant for me but I managed. But now he won't talk to me, says he'll only speak with you."
"Is that so?" Evelyn questioned. "Take him to my tent for interrogation," she commanded.
Inside the prisoner continued his silence, firmly planted into a chair as soldiers chained him. Evelyn, Bull, Rainier, and Sun-Hair approached the bagged man for Evelyn to pull off the mask for the reveal. His skin easily recognized the Inquisition members that the man was a Dunmer, his red beady eyes putting off Sun-Hair.
"What is that?" Sun-Hair asked.
"Fuck you, n'wah!" the Dunmer shot back.
"That is an elf, a Dunmer or Dark Elf from Tamriel," Evelyn said, crossing her arms. "The Empire is home to different types of elves and they're quite a bit different from our elves."
"I read from the reports that they're apparently proficient in fire magic so that might explain one of the scout's burn marks," Rainier said.
"But the other scout was bleeding from cuts meaning he excels in close combat too," Bull added.
The Dunmer looked away with a huff then turning into a small chuckle under his breath.
"This isn't funny. You almost killed my soldiers," Evelyn replied. "Now tell me who you are and what your mercenary band is doing out here."
"I said I'd only talk to your leader," the Dunmer replied.
Evelyn stuck her arm out to Dunmer, her spirit blade pummeled out against his neck. "I am whom to you are speaking of. My name is Inquisitor Trevelyan, leader of the Inquisition. Now answer the question."
"Ah… I think I heard something about you," the Dunmer said, holding his head up. "Some upstart mage that saved the world from some crazy magic bullshit. Well then… I guess I should start too. Name's Alaso."
"And your plans?" Evelyn asked, pressing her blade.
"I don't know. My band and I were hired to come here," Alaso replied.
"Stop playing the ignorant mercenary. I've heard it before," Evelyn said.
Rainier quickly stepped in, pulling Evelyn back. She gritted her teeth, adamant to continue her interrogation but was shortlived. His demeanor calmed her down and she relented as she backed off.
"There must be something you can tell us that would help us know more about the Empire's plans," Rainier said, "You know, as a mercenary, you must be taking a low pay especially if you're dividing your pay among the other 4,999 of you. What say we sweeten the deal for you?"
"No amount of money you give me is going to reveal anymore from me," Alaso said, shaking his head. "The Empire's going to win and if they find out I took a bribe during a war, then I'll be hanged. Or worse like being fed to a dragon."
"This is a waste of time, Inquisitor. This is an elf without honor that we shouldn't trust anyway," Sun-Hair said, "We should attack their forces now."
"We have to know what these mercenaries are doing for the Empire. If we attack, then we'll lose that knowledge," Evelyn replied.
"Let me handle this boss," Bull interjected, wading in front of Alaso. He paused to lower his head and look back with his eye. "You all might want to leave."
"Bull, don't-"
"Don't worry, boss. I'm not torturing him or using gamek just... you really don't want to see this," Bull said.
The soldiers looked at each other in worry, scurrying out of the tent as fast as they could. Sun-Hair left scratching her head, perplexed to what Bull meant as did Rainier with hints over his face.
"Wha- what he is talking about?" Alaso questioned, moving his head from Bull to Evelyn in quick succession and he began to fidget. "What are you gonna do?"
"Yeah… it's best you don't panic," Bull replied, cracking his knuckles.
Evelyn shuddered, not even trying to imagine what Bull and she just as quickly left.
All was quiet within the tent, the lack of any noise prevented from Evelyn or Rainier to pass the time with other objectives. It racked their heads, waiting forever it seemed for Bull to finish whatever it was he was doing. Finally, they resolved themselves to look back to the tent as Bull emerged out.
"Bull!" Evelyn exclaimed as she and Rainier ran up. "What happened?"
"As I said, you don't want to know," Bull said, holding his hands out to stop them. "Anyway, it turns out the Empire hired the mercenaries to put out supplies along the gravel roads in the forests. That way their troops can move along much faster."
"Any information where they'll head next?" Rainier asked.
"About southwest of our camp is where they'll be and he also revealed where their scouts will be set up at," Bull said, smiling.
"But they'll know their scout here is missing though, won't they?" Rainier asked.
"We'll send him back. I made sure that he won't remember what happened today," Bull said, still smiling away.
Evelyn pursed her face and looked away. "Okay, now I'm definitely not going to ask what you did and possibly have nightmares," she said, shaking herself out. "So then we can survey with impunity and layout our ambush then. How far is it?"
"About a day's march and he said their forces would arrive the day after in the morning," Bull replied.
"Then we have no time to waste then," Evelyn said, gesturing for her friends to follow. "Captain Domin, Thane Sun-Hair, we've got them and if we want to catch them, we need to move out now. Captain, get the troops moving."
"Yes, Inquisitor," the captain saluted and began running off to bark orders.
"Thane Sun-Hair, can you gather some scouts and join the vanguard with me?" Evelyn asked.
"My warriors and I would be honored," Sun-Hair said, punching her fist.
"Good. Once we arrive, your scouts, Bull, and the Chargers will get rid of all the enemy scouts so that they don't alert the main host. Your forces Thane will then engage in a frontal assault while my soldiers and I will attack from the flanks."
"You're getting better at tactics, Evelyn," Rainier said, crossing his arms as he smiled.
"I have you guys to thank for that. Now let's go," Evelyn replied, descending with her party to prepare for the march.
It was an excellent place for an ambush Evelyn thought. Surveying out over the small hills, she could peek as she the mercenaries below. Many were working away, digging holes and contraptions to set boxes in. The rest looked on in content, resting on the ground, eating and chatting. Yet all were oblivious to above.
Quietly Inquisition soldiers shuffled single file, crouching through bushes with the Chargers behind to help them through. Evelyn was surprised at Alaso's information, exactly detailing where the mercenaries placed their sentries. Even more so as she spotted him napping below on a rock.
"Our soldiers are almost in position" Rainier whispered, crawling next to Evelyn. "We'll block off the roads too so that they can't escape for reinforcements."
"We should rout them quickly then," Evelyn said, turning to her right. "Thane Sun-Hair, are your troops in position?"
"We are," Sun-Hair whispered back.
Evelyn pointed over to a ridge across. "I'll give a thumbs up from over there and that'll be the signal for you to attack. Got it?" she asked, affirmed by a nod from the thane.
Crawling out, Evelyn and Rainier positioned up with Bull, the Qunari winking with his eye that they were prepared. Evelyn raised her hand out and a thundering yell belled back to her.
"Charge!"
Avvar warriors thundered out of their positions, descending on the unarmed mercenaries. They could not react in time as Avvar cut down their front ranks. The mercenaries still armed counter charged back, their archers retreating back for a height advantage.
"Now!" Evelyn yelled out, bursting out of bushes with Rainier at her side.
Bull and the Chargers led in the initial attack. Bull's massive axe easily felled down the archers and his body charging to topple them over. Then a wall of Inquisition soldiers swept them away, pushing them close to the center.
Evelyn found herself in the center, battling away with her spirit blade and Rainier by her side. The two worked in tandem, Rainier blocking with his shield as Evelyn countered with her blade.
Barrages of fire and frost pummeled them down. Evelyn gritted her teeth, unleashing out her barrier. Rainier striding forward with his shield and bashing down the mages.
"Get down!" she said, parrying away a halberdiers thrust.
Rainier thrust with his sword, stabbing into the enemy's hand. In the midst of it all, the man had the sense to look around him and seeing his comrades quickly fall. He looked back to Rainier, who still had his sword raised, and backed away while raising his hands.
"Stop! Stop, alright!" the man yelled. "I'm the captain, we surrender! Stand down, everyone! Stand down!"
Evelyn raised her hands, a stream of flames burst high over the fighting. Heads looked up in awe and one by one the mercenaries began to back away. The cries of their captain reached them, dropping their weapons down and raising their hands in defeat.
"Hold, everyone! Hold!" Rainier yelled, blocking off the soldiers before the message passed around and the fighting subsided.
Out of the defeated mercenaries, the man who yelled to surrender stepped forward with his arms still raised.
"Thank you for directing your soldiers to stand down; most would have continued on," he said, "I am Captain Contubo of the Colovian Band and I ask that you treat us with respect per your prisoners."
Before he could take another step forward, Evelyn extended out her blade and stopping him in his tracks. "Don't get any ideas. Drop off your belt or I'll have my soldiers search you," she said.\
Contubo complied, throwing off all his accessories down to just plain armor. "Better?" he asked.
"Take them all prisoner!" Evelyn called out. "And you Captain, over here," she pointed to a lone rock by the cliff.
"If that is what you wish,' Contube replied, plopping down onto the rock. He winced, clutching his arm as it began to seep with more blood. "You wouldn't mind getting me a health potion from one of my packs, would you?"
"We'll bandage it for you for now," Evelyn said, gesturing for a soldier to come. "And if you answer my questions, then I'll give it to you? Sound fair?"
"No but I'm not in a position to negotiate so go ahead," he replied, holding out his arm for the bandage.
"Why did the Empire hire you to put out these supplies?"
"How did you- ah… so that's why Alaso was acting so funny? Someone's out of a band then," Contubo grumbled. "Look I can only guess as to why they're having us do this. All I know is that some bureaucrat contacted me to do the job for 90,000 septims."
"I assume that's a lot for such a simple job then," Evelyn said, crossing her arms.
"It was easy money and since the Empire is going to win, it wouldn't have hurt to get a head start for more contracts once this war is done. Honest… this is all we did."
"What kind of supplies did you bring?"
"Standard Legion supplies; rations, clothing, weapons. My pack has the map, tells us where we were supposed to stash them," Contubo said.
"And just like that, you're just giving us the supplies? What' the catch?" Evelyn asked.
"No catch at all. We failed our contract so no pay for us. We'll just say we were ambushed and the Ministry of War is usually forgiving for failing the first time. Especially with my band's reputation and record," Contubo said, leaning back.
Evelyn grumbled, calling over for the soldier to bring over Contubo's pack and tossing out a red potion to him.
"Thank you very much," Contubo said, downing the contents. "Oh and one more thing, there's a rod with a button in their too. Might want to press it before you open any of the supplies or you'll alert the Legions."
"As if I would do that," Evelyn replied.
"Fine but don't be surprised if Legion comes," he said, chuckling as soldiers pulled him away.
A soldier marched up to Evelyn. "Your Grace," he bowed as he walked alongside. "We have begun a count on the prisoners. Estimate about 3,000 or so."
"And how many did we lose?" Evelyn asked.
"About ten on our side and the Avvar might have lost from somewhere to twenty to thirty of theirs."
"Let's not hold the prisoners for long. Get the mercenaries' horses ready. We'll pick up their supplies and release the prisoners afterward," Evelyn said.
"At once, your Grace," he bowed out.
Evelyn took notice of Bull and the Chargers beginning their ritualistic drinking, pouring out kegs from the mercenaries' wagons.
"Boss! You got to try this drink! It's pretty good," Bull exclaimed, holding a large mug to her face.
Evelyn complied, tasting and smacking her mouth as the drink went down her throat. "It's a sweet drink. Why are you so impressed with some juice?"
"No, it's actually alcohol. Check out Dalish over there," Bull said, pointing over to the collapsed elf. "She just passed out over two mugs of this stuff. Of course, it still doesn't give that burning pain in your throat. I guess you could say it's like the beginner's course."
"Why would they bring this with them? Celebrating early perhaps," Evelyn said, setting down the mug. "So how did the Chargers?"
"Pretty good this time now that we don't have to worry about a dragon bursting out asses on fire," Krem interrupted, setting a large open box in front of the two. "And we found some nice souvenirs."
"Krem, we're not looting their corpses," Evelyn said, crossing her arms.
"Well I killed one of those Khajiit people for this," Kream said, holding up an ebony dagger. "And the Chief said we could have them."
Evelyn shot a glare back to Bull and the Qunari grinned in response. "We asked them if it was okay to take it. We even paid for some of it," he shrugged.
"Like this necklace we bought," Krem added, holding it to Evelyn's face. "We bought it off one of the mages. She said it increases your stamina quite a bit. Or how about these boots that let you carry more stuff."
"Ah… if only the Empire came over peacefully," Evelyn lamented, examining over the boot. "There was a lot that we could have exchanged."
"So what did the captain say?" Bull asked.
"You were right Bull, it was a supply drop system the mercenaries were setting up," Evelyn replied, waving over to a soldier. "Now we're going to take them to help supply our soldiers and give away the excess supplies to the civilians."
"How much are we talking?"
"Let's see," Evelyn said, grabbing the Contubo's pack from a soldier. Unfurrlowing, she spilled its contents over the ground. Assortments of potions, books, water, and other random pieces before she laid eyes on a rolled-up parchment. "Here. Hmm… They mostly seem situated along this road, off to the side. Probably buried by a tree or hidden in a bush."
"What's this?" Bull asked.
Evelyn turned her head to a small bronze box Bull held out. She shrugged as to what it could be, prompting Bull to pry open. The top half of the box popped off to reveal a tiny blinking button.
"Umm… why is that blinking?" Evelyn asked.
"Shh," Bull said.
"Wh-"
"Shhh!" Bull held out his hand. "Hear that," he pointed.
Evelyn tuned out her senses, trying to narrow her hearing. She and Bull leaned away towards the road, distinct popping sounds in the distance came into their hearing. The sound became louder, attracting the whole army's attention as a sizzle added to the sound.
White light flashed out of nowhere alongside a boom so loud Evelyn could feel her ears popped. Intense heat washed over her, forcing her down as her ears screamed of white noise. All Evelyn could do was to feel an intense shaking over her body and for her dilated eyes to look upon in horror.
"The forest… everything is on fire…"
"Boss! Boss!" Bull yelled and his words shaking Evelyn out of her stupor. "Boss, get up!"
"What- what just happened!" Evelyn asked, swiveling her head around furiously.
"Forest fire! You can here our soldiers screaming!" Bull pointed down the road to Avvar wailing around with their arms. "Chargers, go help our soldiers! Dalish, Rocky, block up the road and stop the fire from spreading!"
"On it!" they yelled in unison.
"Come on, Boss," Bull said, lifting Evelyn up. "We've got to get out of here."
"No! We have to put out the fire!" she said, throwing his arm off her. "It'll spread all over the forest if we don't stop it!"
"We can't do that and watch over the prisoners!" Bull said as the wails of the fires drowned out his voice.
"Inquisitor," a voice yelled out from a soldier. "The- the prisoners they- they're escaping and-"
The soldier collapsed into Evelyn's arms. She carried him up to see what the soldiers described. The mercenaries breaking out, descending upon her forces.
"Bull, get him out of here. Get Inquisition forces to my position and get everyone out of here," Evelyn said, plopping the soldier onto Bull.
The light of the fire covered her vision as she printed towards the large mass of soldiers fighting up ahead. Through its haze, Evelyn found Thane Sun-Hair wailing on a mercenary with stunning ferocity.
"Sun-Hair!"
"Inquisitor...rrgh," Sun-Hair spit, kicking away a mercenary. "Come to join the fight against these honorless... foes?"
"We have to leave now! The Inquisition will hold off the mercenaries while your warriors retreat," Evelyn said.
"We don't flee from a fight,"
"You will if you want to fight another day," Evelyn shot back. "See!"
Evelyn's finger pointed over, the tide of mercenaries piled through the Avvar line, toppling and trampling over them.
"Inquisitor!" a soldier called, followed by a line of infantry. "We've come to-"
"Shieldwall!" Evelyn interrupted, slamming down her staff and conjuring a shield over her soldiers.
Their shields raised, ready to meet the enemy head-on. That is what Evelyn thought they'd be doing… that is when the mercenaries ran past and jumped into the fire down the road.
Evelyn stared wide-eyed, she and her soldiers lowered their guard as they watched the mercenaries. Soldiers looked around perplexed and even Sun-Hair scratched in dumbfoundedness as her warriors simply stood off to the side.
"Soldiers! Stand down," Evelyn commanded, raising her staff high. "Let them retreat. Thane Sun-Hair, have your warriors back down and let's go."
Ice shards suddenly barreled between everyone, knocking them away. A sharp cut ran across Evelyn's, the stinging of the ice burning into her back as she collapsed forward. Behind her, jagged points and sticks of ice pointed out from a wall of ice that stretched all around her.
"What a surprise, Inquisitor!" a voice called out.
Evelyn's head stretched up to see three figures, their bodies muddled by the fire's smoke and icy mist. Once closer to her, she could make out it was Contubo himself accompanied by five other men.
"What the-" Evelyn said, trying to stand up before collapsing on one knee. "Fuck... what are you doing, Contubo? Can't you see there's a fire!"
"Of course I can and it wouldn't have happened if you didn't attack my band," Contubo replied, stretching out his arms. "Sylonis, Arcmek, keep up that ice barrier!"
"Explain yourself, you piece of shit!" Evelyn demanded as she struggled back up and held out her staff. "And why are your soldiers killing themselves?"
"They're wearing fire-resistant armor if you must know," Contubo replied, pointing his spear out. "You ruined our payday but we're not leaving empty-handed. I'm sure the Emperor will pay us double for the Inquisitor's head. Attack!"
A huge Orc and Nord, wielding a great hammer and great sword respectively rushed Evelyn. She slammed her staff down, planting arrays of lightning mines. Just as quickly they reacted, dodging and jumping over the mines.
Their weapons swung at such speed, she could barely block. Gritting through it all, mana expelled out from her body, immolating the men and flinging them away. Smoke plumed in her face and the spear of Contubo thrust forward. This was it she thought when a blur sidestepped her view.
Her eyes shielded away and looked to see Rainier standing tall with his shield. He shot a glance back to Evelyn. "Evelyn," he nodded.
"Great timing, Rainier," Evelyn said, lifting up upon his shoulder. "Please tell me the rest are coming."
"They're still trying to break through but the fires spreading faster. I only got in jumping off from one of the cliffs."
"Then we got to break through to those mages. Ready?" Evelyn asked, twirling her staff.
"Always," Rainier replied, raising his sword to thrust.
The three mercenaries rushed forward as a center and two flanks. Evelyn raised her staff, conjuring a shield over them. The Nord bounced back as Contubo and the Orc thrust their weapons. Rainier and Evelyn steeled themselves, exerting breaths from the blows.
They parried them away, Evelyn repulsing back the Orc. Rainier went in for the thrust yet his blade nicked off Contubo's neck. He and Evelyn reeled back, looking on in surprise as Contubo's skin turned gray. The same happened to the Nord and the Orc, lifting themselves up to launch forward another attack.
"Move!" Evelyn yelled out, grabbing Rainier and moving through the mercenaries with a Fade Step.
A bolt of ice pierced then into Evelyn's back. Rainier quickly stepped in, blocking off more barrages of the ice. With a glance, Evelyn could see another mercenary joined in, charging another ice spike.
"Shit!" Evelyn cursed. She looked back to see the three mercenaries charging in again.
Time slowed within her mind, racing through the options. Surrounded on both sides and she couldn't recall much until it hit her. The training with Solas fell back into her head. Closing her eyes, she let out a deep breath. An image of the battle played out, the mercenaries and Rainier moving slowly.
They needed to leave so she gazed upon the mages. She needed to get rid of their mana, lightning she would need. Lightning, pure unbridled energy of the Maker.
Her eyes opened to one filled with lightning. Bolts of the energy struck with fury, jolting the mercenary mages. The one that attacked Evelyn instantly dropped dead, the other two to their knees.
"Boss!" Evelyn could hear, looking over to a section of the ice wall breaking open. She focused to see who but during that felt a piercing pain. In all but a few seconds, while she shocked the mages, Contubo launched his spear into her chest.
"Evelyn!" Rainier rushed down, pulling her up. With a few glances, he could see their options of escaping dwindling. A tree suddenly toppled, shattering away the ice as it vigorously burned. The mercenaries still rushing forward. Bull trying to break through the ice but he noticed the mages beginning to recover.
Gritting his teeth, Rainier hoisted up Evelyn over his shoulder. His mighty shield became a battering ram, toppling through the mercenaries. He ran as fast as he could to Bull, releasing his sword for weight.
As Bull cracked through, Rainier's muscles called upon all its energy and tossed Evelyn towards him. The ice wall began to reform again, cutting over Bull's chest. Rainier did his best, smashing away the ice with his shield. Yet the more he broke, the more would take their place.
"Go! Go!" Rainier yelled, furiously smashing the ice.
Evelyn stretched out her arm. "No, we can-"
"Tree! Get back!" a soldier yelled to Bull.
Tens of soldiers yanked Bull out of the crevice, leaving Evelyn to extend her hand out. "Rainier!" she yelled in vain as she was hoisted away before a large flaming tree shattered over the ice wall.
"Stop! We have to go back and save-" Evelyn said before coughing up blood.
"No, we have to leave now!" Bull replied, compressing down on Evelyn's wound. "The fires spreading too fast and we can't stop it!"
Evelyn struggled, flailing her arms and leg in every direction she could. "Noo… we… have-"
A fist walloped into Evelyn's face, knocking her out cold. Bull swaddled her in his arms, nodding to the soldiers to follow. "I'm sorry, Rainier," he said as he and soldiers retreated back further into the forest.
Back within the ice wall, Rainier could only simply stare the burning hunk of the tree as more and more pieces of burning wood collapsed all around. He glanced back towards the mercenaries, their weapons still held at the ready.
"It's over now! We have to get out!" Rainier said, equipping back his shield and longsword.
"I don't think so," Contubo replied, tightly gripping his spear. "If we can't have the Inquisitor, we'll have your head instead."
Rainier sighed, raising up his shield. "So be it."
Rainier charged forward, his shield held high. He would not go down so easy. The Nord and the Orc swung their weapons, shuddering against Rainier's shield. Rainier held his ground. They battered him back towards the fire, his neck sweating from the heat.
In a gamble, he blocked against the Orc and allowed the Nord to strike him. The weight of the massive sword pummeled onto him but his armor still held true. Rainier thrust back, stabbing into the Nord's eye.
"Sylonis!" Contubo called out, jumping over and stabbing down towards Rainer. As quickly Rainier reacted, pushing forward with his shield against the Orc. Contubo narrowly missed, Rainier still pushed back against the Orc.
A sharp pain suddenly filled in Rainier's chest and Orc gained a free hit. He tumbled away, face planted into the dirt. His breaths labored, stirring himself up with just his shield. With just a glance, he noticed a shard of ice implanted deeply into his chest.
Rainier looked back to where the mages were, one of them now charging up another spell. "Shit," he cursed, trickles of blood rushing out his mouth.
The Orc and Contubo rushed forward. Rainier let out his dagger, struggling through the pain to lift his shield. As the Orc battered his shield, Rainier tried to cut around to his arms. Yet to no avail it did as the Orc's skin turned gray again.
Contubo stabbed his spear into Rainier's ankle. Rainier screamed, his body tumbling under the Orc's axe as Contubo pulled his spear out, tearing off Rainier's flesh. But he still stood back, he couldn't let them win. His dagger swiped over Contubo's face and he shield bashed the Orc.
Adrenaline kicked in, Rainier's fists wailing on the Orc's face. Again ice flew past Rainier, shredding over his armor and piercing his shoulder. He reeled away, just in time to see the Nord swing his sword into his face.
Rainier collapsed face first. The pain of the bleeding and cuts were too much, and he couldn't move. He could only see nothing but a blur of dirt and blood covering over his eyes as a hand lifted his body up.
Contubo walked slowly over to him, blood streaking over his cheek. "Not so tough without your friends huh," he said, picking up Rainier's longsword.
Rainier puckered his mouth, blood trying to pour out through the cracks on his lips. His breath swallowed, faster with each cycle as Contubo wound up the sword. His nose took in one breath, the largest he's ever taken as he closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry."