In the Royal Palace of Denerim, Loghain was addressing the Bannorn with his daughter, Anora, the Queen of Ferelden, standing by his side.
"…and I expect each of you to supply these men. We must rebuild what we lost at Ostagar, and quickly. There are those who would take advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat this darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation." Loghain said.
Bann Teagan, younger brother of Arl Eamon Guerrin, stepped forward. "Your lordship, if I might speak?" Loghain nodded and Teagan looked to the Bannorn and the Queen. "You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good." Loghain looked down at him with a fixed expression. "But what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most..." Teagan hesitated as if trying to find the right word. "Fortuitous."
Bannorn gasped with horror and Loghain looked furious. "Everything I have done has been to secure Ferelden's independence. I have not shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!"
Teagan glared up at Loghain. "The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!"
Loghain gritted his teeth and gazed down upon the Bannorn, pointing at all nobles. "Understand this: I will brook no threat to this nation… from you or anyone!"
The Bannorn muttered to themselves as Loghain walked off into a huff. Anora looked deeply troubled and looked down upon Teagan as he began to walk away.
"Bann Teagan, please!" She begged.
Teagan looked up at her with a firm expression. "Your Majesty. Your father risk civil war. If Eamon were here..."
Anora's expression was one of sadness. "Bann Teagan, my father is doing what is best."
"Did he also do what was best for your husband, your Majesty?" Teagan then walked up, leaving behind a grieving Anora.
Sereda led her party towards Lothering, but they were stopped by a group to armed men. "Wake up, gentlemen! More travelers to attend to." He cocked his head at her. "Led by a dwarf, oddly enough."
Another of the bandits looked them over, eyes narrowing as he looked nervous. "Err… they don't look much like them others, you know. Uh… maybe we should just let these ones pass..."
"Nonsense!" The first man shook his head before turning to the group. "Greetings, travelers!"
"Highwaymen." Alistair said, reaching for on his sword. "Preying on those fleeing the darkspawn, I suppose."
Morrigan looked amused as she was tightly holding her staff. "They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson."
"Now is that any way to greet someone?" The leader of the bandits drew himself up as though he were actually affronted. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on."
Kallian folded her arms, glaring. "You should listen to your friend. We're not refugees."
One of the bandits turned to the leader. "What did I tell you? No wagons, and they look armed."
The bandit leader shook his head. "The toll applies to everyone, Hanric. That's why it's a toll and not, say, a refugee tax."
"Oh, right." The other bandit suddenly remembered before turning his gaze to the group again. "Even if you're no refugee, you still gotta pay."
Elissa had enough of it as she glared. "Forget it. We're not paying."
The bandit leader sighed. "Well, I can't say I'm pleased to hear that. We have rules, you know."
The other bandit nodded. "Right. We get to ransack your corpse, then. Those are the rules."
"You can certainly try." Faren smirked, pulling out his daggers
The bandit leader smirked. "Well, this is going nowhere. Let's finish this, gents!"
The bandit leader drew his blade, and Kallian stepped in front of Sereda, parrying it before kicking the bandit in the stomach and sending him backwards. Alistair and Faren closed in side by as the rest of the bandits attacked. Morrigan pulled out her staff and blasted them back before the bandits got up, their faces fearful.
"All right! We surrender! We-we-we're just trying to get by, before the darkspawn get us all." The bandit leader held up his hands after Kallian almost casually disarmed him.
"Get by? You're a criminal!" Elissa shouted into his face as she grabbed him by the collar of his tunic.
The bandit leader nodded fearfully. "Yes, I'm a criminal; I admitted. I apologize."
"This shoddy operation is pathetic." Faren actually sounded insulted. "I could do better."
"Um… right. I guess so." The bandit leader gave Faren a begging look. "I'm sorry?" He asked hopefully.
Faren smirked at him in response. "Hand over everything you've stolen." Sereda turned to Faren and raised an eyebrow. He gave her a cheeky grin, and she just shook her head.
"Yes! Yes, of course. The coins we collected are right here… just over a hundred silvers. The rest is in the chests we brought! I swear!"
Sereda turned her gaze upon the bandit leader. "We are turning you in to the authorities."
"There aren't any! Just the templars, and they'll execute me!" The bandit leader protested.
"They'll do what they must. Come with us." Theron said.
"I'm not going down without a fight." The bandit leader went for his sword but the next thing he knew, he had a dagger in his heart as he looked into Kallian's eyes before she pulled away and he slumped back to the ground, bleeding out.
Suddenly, Faren laughed as everyone turned to him, puzzled.
"What's so funny?" Sereda asked.
"He went down without a fight." Faren snickered.
Sereda shook her head, Faren could see a small smile cross her face. Kallian cleaned the edge of his blade and shrugged. "Did you really just shake down the highway robbers?" Sereda asked.
"Figured we could use the coin." Faren shrugged. "Besides I think we can put into a lot better use than they would have." He nodded at the crates and barrels the bandits had been guarding.
They entered Lothering somewhat better equipped as they saw the small, filthy village full of refugee tents and they smelled the unwashed bodies and dogs. "Well there it is. Lothering. Pretty as a painting." Alistair noted.
"Ah. So you have finally decided to rejoin us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed like too much trouble, I take it?" Morrigan said sarcastically.
Alistair whirled on the witch, glaring. "Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?"
"Before or after I stopped laughing?" Morrigan drawled.
Alistair sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked."
Elissa looked at Alistair with concerned look. "You have been quiet, Alistair."
"Yes, I know. I was just..." He closed his eyes. "Thinking."
"No wonder it took so long, then." Morrigan wasn't even bothering hiding the rolling of her eyes.
Alistair laughed humorlessly. "Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend your entire life."
She gave him an angry scowl. "I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas, desiring to be more intelligent does not make it so."
As Theron and Daylen stepped up in between, Alistair and Morrigan took that as a cue to stop arguing.
"Anyway..." Alistair looked back over the village before turning to Elissa. "I thought we should talk about where we intend to go, first."
"I need to look for Fergus. He might still be alive." Elissa said.
"He was out scouting the Wilds, wasn't he?" Alistair asked. "That's what the king said."
Elissa nodded.
Morrigan shook her head. "Then attempting to look for him there would be foolish. He is either dead or he managed to flee to the north."
"Very sensitive." Alistair shot Morrigan a glare as Elissa paled slightly, looking worried.
Morrigan turned to Elissa "I am simply saying that it is foolish to mount a rescue when you have no notion where this man is and the Wilds are overrun with darkspawn. You will either find him somewhere outside the Wilds with other survivors, or..." She shrugged. "Not at all."
"That doesn't mean I shouldn't look for him!" Elissa snapped.
"That's exactly what it means." Morrigan said coldly. "You wish to do this brother of yours a service? Avenge him. The time to look for survivors will come later."
Alistair pulled Elissa away. "I think what Flemeth suggested is the best idea. These treaties… have you looked at them?"
"Yes, I have." Sereda nodded, touching the scroll case in her her belt pouch.
"There are three main groups that we have treaties for: the Dalish elves, the dwarves of Orzammar, and the Circle of Magi. I also still think that Arl Eamon is our best bet for help. We might even want to go to him first." Alistair suggested.
"Why are you leaving it up to her?" Kallian asked.
"Well, I don't know where we should go. I'll do whatever you decide." Alistair said, clearly unsure what to do.
"Now that is unsurprising." Morrigan said in sarcasm.
"Arl Eamon is a good man, but I don't know for sure he's where we should go. I'm not going to fight about it." Alistair shook his head.
Sereda thought a moment. "Is there a way to contact the Grey Wardens?"
"Short of leaving Ferelden to seek them out, the only place to send word to would be Weisshaupt Fortress, and that's thousands of miles away."
Sereda nodded. "I'll figure it out as we go."
Elissa blinked. "You'll figure it out? Who put you in charge?"
"Alistair just did." Faren said and raised his hand as Elissa was about to open her mouth. "Have you ever lead a group before?"
Elissa glared. "Of course I-"
"Have you ever fought darkspawn before?" Faren added and Elissa opened and closed her mouth several times but no sound came out. "Sereda has done both, she's experienced in leadership and fighting darkspawn. While you have lead men before, you've never actually led them against darkspawn, unlike her." He turned to Sereda and Elissa gave a resigned sigh, lowering her shoulders, realizing Faren had a point.
"We should buy some supplies before we decide where to go." Faren suggested.
Elissa sighed. "Fine. I guess you're the leader of the group." Her tone wasn't angry, more like… beaten.
"Look, don't kick yourself. That doesn't mean you're a bad leader. Who knows, you might pick something from her." Alistair assured, putting a hand on her shoulder as they both chuckled.
They began walking down the steps as Kallian leaned towards Faren and lowered her voice. "I'm surprised that you didn't volunteer to become a leader."
"I'm a former Carta thug. Not exactly a leader material. Maybe I could guide a partner but a whole group?" Faren countered, not keeping his eyes off Sereda.
Kallian smirked. "Someone has a crush…"
"What?" Faren blushed as he looked up at her before shaking his head. "No… Come on. A casteless thug and the dwarven princess? In Orzammar, I'm less than equal to her." He took a breath, reminiscing. "Asides from my family and friends in Carta, Duncan was the only one treating me like I was a person. Found out from him just how many strings Sereda pulled on to help me get into the Wardens. Even made sure a mace, one her own ancestor wielded. Since it can't be Duncan leading us no more, it's gonna be Sereda. Besides, she used to be a commander of the Orzammar's army.
"What about Elissa?" Kallian asked, as she saw her glower with folded arms.
"No offense to her, I think she would be fine leader, if we were defending a fort but we're talking about fighting the entire darkspawn horde and she ain't cut for it." Faren pointed out.
Kallian nodded, it made sense. "And Theron?"
"The elf is good but he strikes me more as a scout and not exactly a leadership material. And you saw Alistair, he ain't like he would want the job. And Daylen? He grew up locked up in a tower, and he's just learning how it goes out there in the world." Faren then gave Kallian an apologetic look. "And no offense to you but you have no experience with leading, not more than me."
"None taken." Kallian nodded. "When you put it like that, I suppose it makes sense."
Sereda watched Faren bicker with the rude merchant. Faren had apparently finished bargaining. The merchant looked very unhappy. Hopefully, that meant Faren had managed some sort of deal and once he was done, she walked up to him. "Thank you." She said quietly.
"For what?"
"Backing me up there."
"Well, I meant every single word on it."
Theron knew the men were going to be trouble the moment he set eyes on them. The man in fancy armor looked at them when they entered, and gave a slow, satisfied smile. A dozen men in armor arrayed around him. "Well, look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed."
"Uh-oh." Alistair nudged Sereda. "Loghain's men. This can't be good."
One of the soldiers looked around the inn, then back at Sereda. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a dwarf by this very description? And everybody said they hadn't seen one?"
The commander smirked. "It seems we were lied to."
Theron reached for his sword before a young woman in pink Chantry robes approached, speaking with an Orlesian accent. "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."
The commander glared at her. "They're more than that. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them." The commander gave her a threatening look.
Theron gestured for her to step back. "We don't need your help, miss. Please stand back."
"You don't need my protection." The woman said, turning to the group. "But these men will blindly follow their master's command even unto death."
"I am not the blind one!" The commander glared. "I served at Ostagar, where the Teyrn saved us from the Grey Wardens treachery! I serve him gladly! Enough talk. Take the wardens into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else that gets in your way."
"Right! Let's make this quick." The rest of the soldiers started to stand up, reaching for their weapons.
The wardens sighed. The next thing the commander knew, he gagged, falling on his knees, with a cut on his neck as Theron pulled out his sword before another soldier burst into flames as Daylen aimed his staff at him and it didn't take long for them to overpower the soldiers before the commander raised his hands. "All right, you've won! We surrender!"
"Good." The woman in the sunburst robes said, sheathing her weapons. "They've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting, now."
Sereda squared her shoulders. "The Grey Wardens didn't betray King Cailan. Loghain did."
"I was there! The Teyrn pulled us out of a trap!" The soldier protested.
"The Teyrn left the king to die!" Kallian growled.
"The Wardens led the king to his death! The Teyrn could do nothing!" The commander's voice cut off as Theron lifted his blade slightly.
"Should we kill them?" Faren asked.
"No." Sereda whirled on the soldier, grabbing him by his collar. "Take a message to Loghain."
"W-what do you want to tell him?"
"The Grey Wardens know what really happened."
"I'll tell him. Right away. Now. Thank you!" The soldier nodded before running off in fear.
The Wardens smirked in amusement as they saw the run out from the tavern. Theron sheathed his sword as the woman in chantry robes approached them. "I apologize for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help."
"I appreciate what you tried to do." Theron said..
"I am glad you found it in your heart to offer those men mercy." Her smile was bright and warm. "Let me introduce myself. I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or I was."
"Her accent… she's Orlesian." Elissa whispered.
Theron turned his attention upon Leliana with great curiosity. There was something about her that he had not experienced ever before, but what, he couldn't tell
"What does that mean?" Theron asked.
"I joined the Chantry to live a life of religious contemplation, but I am no priest, not even an initiate."
"I am Theron. A pleasure." He glanced around, uncertain if he should introduce the others. Faren was conversing with a merchant, apparently trying to buy some supplies. Elissa had wandered off to talking to an old acquaintance she had recognized, while Daylen and Morrigan were on guard at the door, apparently watching to make sure the soldiers did not return.
Sereda seemed inclined to let Theron talk, so he introduced her, Alistair, and Kallian.
"They said you were a Grey Warden. I'm surprised you're an elf, but elves must want the Blight defeated as much as humans, no? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get." Leliana said. "That's why I'm coming along."
Theron raised an eyebrow. "Why so eager to come with me?"
"The Maker told me to."
They could not help but stare at her as if she had fallen on her head. "Can you… elaborate?" Kallian asked hesitantly.
Leliana flushed, looking awkwardly. "I-I know that sounds… absolutely insane—" She turned back to Theron with an imploring look. "But it's true! I had a dream… a vision!"
"More crazy?" Alistair muttered. "I thought we were full up."
"Look at the people here." Leliana spread her arms around. "They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos... will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do, what you are meant to do, is the Maker's work. Let me help!"
"We need more than prayers, I'm afraid." Sereda pointed out.
Theron glanced at her. "We will not turn away help when it is offered."
"Perhaps your skull was cracked worse than Mother thought." Morrigan muttered, staring at Theron incredulously.
"Thank you!" Leliana nodded gratefully, smiling happily. "I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down."
Sereda was looking at Theron as if he had lost his mind as she looked at him half amused and half annoyed. Theron shrugged. "Elissa may know noblemen, but a commoner would know more about the people in general than a mage or noble, right? She could help."
Sereda folded her arms, glaring. "We don't know her. How can you be certain you can trust her?" She saw the look in his eyes, it was obvious he was starting to grow towards the woman. "Fine. But if we get into trouble because of her, it's on your head."
Sereda considered their options and money they currently had. Salvaging from bandits was not going to help them much and they needed more resources and equipment and gear.
The bounty on their heads limited their options even further. She had thought to turn to the local nobility for supplies, but with Loghain's accusations, that was going to be dangerous at best. Hopefully, Alistair was right about them being able to count on Arl Eamon. If he turned them away… She sighed to herself. If he turned them away, they might have little choice but to head for the border and find the Orlesian Wardens.
Daylen and Morrigan left the inn and were on their way towards the bridge as they saw the soldiers riding away. They would likely be back with reinforcements before too long, but it already looked as though staying in Lothering was not an option. The smarter refugees were already on the move, heading north or west. Those who managed to keep their goods or coin secure would undoubtedly be finding ships. Ostagar was going to cost Ferelden.
Daylen turned to Morrigan, who turned to him. "What do you want?" She asked.
"I'd like to ask you something." Daylen said.
"If you must." Morrigan shrugged.
Daylen considered a moment, and decided to start with a smaller question. "Did you grow up in the Korcari Wilds?"
Morrigan looked at him in annoyance. "Why do you ask me such questions? I do not probe you for pointless information, do I?"
"I'm curious. What's wrong with that?" Daylen shrugged. He wasn't really surprised that Morrigan wouldn't be so forthcoming.
She smirked. "Any number of cats could inform you of the answer to that question. But have it your way. What was it you asked? If I grew up in the Wilds? A curious question. Where else would you picture me? For many years it was simply Flemeth and I. The Wilds and its creatures were more real to me than Flemeth's tales of the world of man. In time, I grew curious. I left the Wilds to explore what lay beyond. Never for long. Brief forays into a civilized wilderness."
"But you kept going back to the Wilds?"
"Would you not do the same? Your world is unforgiving and cold place. The Wilds I hail from his home to me, and I am a natural denizen. For all that I had been taught, however, the truth of the civilized lands proved to be… overwhelming. I was unfamiliar with so much. So confident and bold was I, yet there was much that Flemeth could never have prepared me for."
"Very daring." He nodded to her. "That sounds like you."
The way she laughed was nothing what he expected. He expected it to be cold and cruel, but instead it was warm and joyful. "Equal parts daring and foolhardy, perhaps. Only once was I accused of being a Witch of the Wilds, and that by a Chasind who happened to be traveling with a merchant caravan. He pointed and gasped and began shouting in his strange language, and most assumed he was casting some curse upon me. I acted the terrified girl, and naturally he was arrested."
"That was quick thinking." Daylen noted, intrigued.
Morrigan chuckled. "Men are always willing to believe two things about a woman: one, that she is weak, and two, that she finds him attractive. I played the weakling and batted my eyelashes at the captain of the guard. Child's play. The point being that I was able to move through human lands fairly easily. Whatever humans think a Witch of the Wilds looks like, 'tis not I. Not that I did not have trouble. There are things about human society which have always puzzled me. Such as the touching—?" She looked at him. "Why all the touching for a simply greeting?"
"Touching? Like a handshake?" Daylen asked. It felt odd to him that she would question that.
Morrigan nodded. "To begin with, yes. What is the point of touching my hand? I find it an offensive intrusion. There were many nuances that Flemeth could never tell me of. When to look in another's eyes, how to eat at a table, how to bargain without offending… none of these things I knew. I still do not understand it all, truth be told. But, then, I gave up long ago any hope of doing so. When I returned to the Wilds last, I sword to Flemeth that I had no intention of leaving again."
"Well, I'm glad it worked out this way, at least."
"Yes? Let's ignore the entire darkspawn threat and the presence of a simpleton as Alistair as one of the few Grey Warden allies you have at your disposal, then. Not that I lack appreciation for the intent on your comment. Thank you. Well, let's get on with it before the ground opens up and swallows us, yes?"
He nodded, and they began to walk through the village.
Elissa and Alistair found their way to the chantry. Alistair gestured for Elissa to follow him as he walked towards a man in armor. The man looked up as they approached. "Who...? I beg your pardon. I did not see you approach."
"Ser Donall…?" Alistair asked. "Is that you?"
"Alistair?" The man smiled broadly, then clapped Alistair on the shoulders. "By the Maker, how are you? I was certain you were dead!"
"Not yet." Alistair shook his head, his tone bitter. "No thanks to Teyrn Loghain. May I introduce my fellow Grey Warden? We are the last in Ferelden, as far as I know."
"Terrible news, indeed." He gave Elissa a small bow. "Pleased to meet you, my lady. Might I know your name?"
"I am Elissa Cousland. It is a pleasure to meet you."
His eyes widened at her name, and he looked over his shoulder before lowering his voice. "I trust you are staying discreet? With the bounty placed on your heads?"
Alistair's face revealed his outrage, but he kept his voice low. "We've heard Loghain's accusations. But he's the one who betrayed the king."
Ser Donall shook his head and sighed. "If Arl Eamon were well, he'd set Loghain straight soon enough."
Worry flooded into Alistair's face. "If he were well? What do you mean?"
"The arl is stricken with an illness that threatens his life. We have found no cure, either natural or magical."
Elissa and Alistair exchanged looks. "When did this happen?" Alistair asked.
"Only a few weeks ago, but he has declined quickly. No one knows the nature of the illness, and even magic has done little to slow its progress." He sighed. "Our only hope now is a miracle. Every knight of Redcliffe has done in search of the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Andraste's ashes are said to cure any illness. But I fear we are chasing a fable. With each day, my hope dims."
Elissa then remembered the locket and letter they found on a knight that one of the bandits had killed. She reached into her belt pouch and gave him the items. "Your friend Ser Henric is dead. I have something of his."
"What?" Ser Donall looked horrified. "And you have his locket? And a note?" He sighed. "Maker's mercy. Thank you for giving me these. I would never have known otherwise."
"We dealt with the bandits that killed him." said Elissa, offering what small consolation she could.
"Thank you. I wonder how many of us have met similar fates on this mad quest." He sighed, and went back to his book.
Theron was heading towards the stream when a voice stopped him. An elvish family stood by the water. The father nodded to him. "Greetings to you, good sir. If it… isn't too much to ask, might you spare some bread? Or anything?"
Theron gave him a few coins. "Here."
The man's eyes widened in stunned gratitude. "Thank you, that's very kind."
"Bless you! I knew another elf would help us!" the woman beamed at him.
He started to walk away, then turned back around. The man caught his eye. "Thank you again for helping us. It's been difficult since we were robbed."
"You were robbed?"
The man sighed. "Wasn't everyone? Those bandits have jumped every wagon and caravan in sight of Lothering."
"I met those bandits." Theron said. He touched the hilt of his sword. "They're dead now."
"You..." The man's eyes nearly fell out of his head. "Killed them?"
"That's wonderful news! Perhaps our belongings are still there!"
"I can't thank you enough, friend." The man shook his head, his smile broad. "Even if we don't get everything back, it's good to know others will be safe." He took his daughter's hand, and began walking towards where the bandits had been.
The girl looked back at him as she followed her father. Her eyes were huge. She was looking at him as if he was some kind of hero. He felt a bit uncomfortable before he went to join the others in order to plan the next move.
