Chapter Five
Final Preparations
Upon returning to the Vigil, I gave Wade the materials for the Golem Shell Armor and the Iron or for Herren. I went around for days making sure everything was prepared for the final assault. Wade finished all his commissions and I placed the items into a void-bag, strapping it to my hip.
Alistair had finished in the Bannorn and got to the Vigil the same time we did; that was a nice surprise.
"Hello, love; I brought you a gift." Alistair hugged me the minute he saw me.
"Oh?" I grinned at him.
"Well, I told you I'd buy a house in Hightown for you to stay at while you're in Kirkwall. I brought you the Key and address. I just received it two days ago. It's across from the Amell estate and has a cellar that leads into that spot in Dark-town you told me about for the clinic. Also, I brought your hound back."
I pulled him down and kissed him. "You're too good for me."
"Nonsense! I love you. Unfortunately, I can only spend the one night. The Nobles in Denerim are calling for a celebratory ball or some such thing… not sure what for, but I'll let you know."
He pulled out a pouch. I opened it and saw a brass key, three letters and a sum of gold… 300 gold.
My eyes widened as I looked at him.
"The key is to our house, the gold is for traveling expenses and furnishings, and the letters are what you requested and one from me to your knight-captain. You asked for a permit signed by Irving and Greagoir for while you're in Kirkwall to keep Templars off your back so that's the one with the seal of a Templar Knight-Commander, and I signed it too. The second one is just official stationary for you to get Aedan to write out that conscription notice… and the third one is just in case Cullen needs proof that it's okay for you to be with him…"
I threw my arms around him and kissed him. "I doubt I'll need anywhere close to that much gold, but thank you. I'm going to have to expose my magic in Kirkwall so this permit is perfect!"
"Yes, well… The Knight-Commander was not pleased to learn you had magic, but Irving stood up for you and told him about Redcliff. I also informed him of what Avernus said; that you will never be able to do Blood Magic because it isn't your blood that holds your abilities but rather your very soul… that's in the permit, by the way. It was the only way Irving would sign it since he feared someone would try to say they saw you do it when you can't. I admit, when he said that I had the Scribe add it without another thought. I don't want to lose you; ever."
"Want me to make Pizza? You've more than earned it." His eyes lit up. I made enough for the whole Vigil, but made sure Alistair got a whole large one to himself. It was half 6-cheese and half everything… he devoured the cheese half first.
We spent that night together, and I saw him off at mid-day with a sack of cheeses; he lamented that he would miss Pizza almost as much as he'd miss me so I promised to make it whenever he visited Kirkwall… so long as those visits were at least a few months apart.
He had laughed and said it would most likely be only one week each year – if that.
Justice and Anders merged the night before the battle, much to my dismay – we would need ALL hands on deck.
I also made sure to get that stone tablet to Dworkin and Voldrik who swore Orzammar would get it.
We were all gathered in the 'throne' room with all the nobles when the time we had all been waiting for finally arrived.
"Commander, commander!" a young elven woman came running into the hall and tripped. Aedan caught her and asked, "Yes, my lady?"
"A darkspawn army is within sight of Amaranthine."
Varel and Garevel spoke their piece but I interrupted.
"Aedan, you will be taking Sigrun, Velanna, Oghren and Nathaniel. At all costs protect the city. Anders, Natia and I will stay and protect the Keep. No matter what, that city must be saved. We have men and a fort that would hold up to a 10 year siege. Go now."
The ones I had singled out all started for the door without question much to the amusement of those around me.
"Now that they are gone, Garevel, get the men ready! We will be attacked by a separate group within a few days. Get Dworkin on the Battlements; that's his new bedroom, dammit. I want archers and Ballista's ready for action. Anyone who is of the Warrior variety is to be prepared for assault. Gates lowered, captain! As of this moment, we are at War."
Everyone around us looked fearful, but Varel began barking orders to see that my plans were followed and Garevel rushed out the door to lower the Gates and get the men ready.
I was right. 3 days later, around the time Aedan would have arrived at the City, we were attacked.
"Commander, we're under attack!" yeah… in Aedans absence I was apparently next in command though I wasn't a Warden… I tried foisting them onto Natia, but unless I vanished it was impossible.
"We've been drilling for this for the past 3 days, recruit! We are more than ready."
Voldrik saluted me, "The walls are acceptable, Lady Commander. No surprise Ogre attacks will get though!"
"Master Wade has worked Day and Night, Ser. Your men are fully equipped." Herren looked so proud.
Dworkin was giddy as he said, "Darkspawn by the Scores and a handful of stone is all that separates us. Feels like home! I've got a catapult rigged with Explosives I have left; just holler if you want a whole mess of beasties to meet their Maker!"
Sergeant Maverlies saluted me, her black hair cropped quite short and green eyes more than determined, "I'm not a half-bad shot with a bow. I'll make my way to the tower, Ser. If you want me to harass any particular Darkspawn, just point them out." I smirked at her and gave her a cross bow and void bag of bolts. "You won't run out of bolts, Sergeant." She grabbed the items and hurried out.
"Positions! I want as few casualties on our side as possible. If the number is less than 10 dead, I will personally have alcohol on hand for a full day that anyone can partake from! Get moving."
People rushed to get into position.
As I came out of the Keep, I saw flaming Catapulted stone flying overhead. Thinking quickly, I raised my hand and shielded the keep from attacks from above. I would not allow them to kill us from afar.
"Front gate is down!" I heard the sergeant shout from above and watched as three Armored Ogres rushed forward… have I ever mentioned I really hate Ogres?
A squad of 23 Hurlocks and Genlocks followed; then came a rush of 'Children' and 4 Emissaries.
I groaned. "Dworkin! You see an Ogre and I want it in itty bitty pieces! Sergeant Maverlies, I want you to focus on the ugly grubs! Fen… give em hell, boy."
I heard a chorus of 'yes, ma'am!' before booooom! Went the Ogre group. Then a second boom when the first didn't kill them.
I watched fascinated as Children fell with shrieks. Sergeant Maverlies was hitting every single one in the eye sockets to guarantee a kill.
Anders channeled a healing aura and focused on anyone who was hit. Natia was giving hell with her sword and shield and I caught sight of Garevel swinging his blade in swift but precise motions.
I pulled the same stunts I did in Redcliff all those months ago. I was jumping and bending in ways that shouldn't have been possible with my weight, but thanks to magic and experience, were easily executed.
I was throwing my little star blades (and yes, I taught Wade how to make them when he showed interest), with great accuracy; each star perfectly embedded in the neck of its target.
"Commander, the East Wall!" I heard Garevel shout.
I spun on my heel and shot forward with Anders next to me as I called out, "Natia, you and Fen keep this area clear!"
She saluted before looking around and finding an enemy.
31 Children, 2 Hurlocks and 8 Genlocks. Anders was flinging Ice spells before we were fully in View of the gate there.
I smirked and used magic to paralyze anything that got near me with malicious intent; no one even questioned it in the heat of battle.
I longed to stretch my wings, but knew that if I did I wouldn't be able to go to Kirkwall after this.
The Children, as expected, were more damn trouble than anything. I had to behead one that had tackled Garevel before it could rip his throat out.
Just as we killed the last Childer… the Shrieks appeared in force. 46 of the bastards, each looking like ones from Inquisition; twisted elves.
I was knocked into by one of our men and it distracted me just long enough to earn a dagger to my right shoulder.
"Fuck me with a pole-arm!" I shouted before spinning and kicking out to knock the fucker over.
I healed myself as I straddled the fallen Hurlock decapitating him with one swift motion of my sword.
Apparently, that was the last enemy at the East Wall, because people were standing around giving me a look.
"A pole-arm?" Anders asked.
I growled. "If anyone mentions that again, I will fuck them with a pole-arm up the arse!"
Anders sniggered, but Garevel nodded and said, "The Children are dead, but I fear the Front Gates may need us once more."
I stood and headed that way, the others following me.
I threw a shield on Varel the second I saw him.
"Hold together men. Andraste's Blood, hold! For the Wardens, for Amaranthine!"
Varel turned away from the gate for one moment, and that was all it took for an Ogre to side swipe him. He was unconscious, but he'd live.
3 more Ogres joined the first to make it an even 4 along with more spawn.
I admit to being impressed when, as Dworkin blew up the newer 3, Garevel used his blade to climb the first one before embedding the sword deep into its neck.
When the fighting was over, I approached Varel as he awoke.
"Is it… over? Did we win?"
"Yeah… you missed the best fight, man. Good thing that Ogre just knocked you out though… could have been messy." I winked at him and I saw in his eyes that he knew it was my doing.
"Thought I was a dead man for sure, my lady."
"Call me that one more time, Varel, and I can arrange that."
The men around us burst into laughter. I had Garevel and Natia take Varel back to the keep just before the final wave arrived. 1 Armored Ogre and 58 other Spawn.
I didn't see it… I should have seen it… Fen rushed the Ogre when I was focused on a Shriek. I felt the Ogre pick him up and… I screamed.
A wave of magic burst from me as I felt my hounds life extinguish; it washed over the field, freezing the enemies solid and rejuvenating my allies. It was too late for Fen, unfortunately.
I fell to my knees, causing the frozen enemies to shatter. It hit me then… a life for a life. Varel had been destined to die here, but I had saved him. My loyal hound had paid the price. That's also when i realized... my baby had paid for Bethanys' life. i wouldn't change that even if i could however. my child would have had a terrible life if born then, so saving Bethany Hawke was more than worth it.
I clutched Fens fur and sobbed. I felt Anders at my back, rubbing soothingly as I cried. He didn't say anything, and I was glad for it. This death hit hard.
As a result of my magic wave, the Courtyard did not get overrun. In fact, any enemy for miles had died at the same moment as my Fen, including 'The Herald'.
"We've… won. We lost 7, My Lady, including… I'm so sorry."
"Captain! Lady Commander, I've news!"
"Sergeant, if you tell me you know where the Darkspawn came from it doesn't matter. I have a Sending Stone linked to Aedan… he's already after them."
I'd seen it in a vision that Aedan had finished the Amaranthine assault moments before we finished ours and had already headed out.
"Sen a runner to the City to update them on our survival… I'm going to go set up a keg of liquor for our survivors."
They saluted as I dragged myself to the keep with Anders help.
"After I set up this Keg, you and I are leaving. It's time for us to go to Kirkwall, Anders."
He looked startled.
"How did… never mind; stupid question."
I smirked. "The revelry will cover our retreat, and I'll let Aedan know after we board the boat that we're already gone."
True to my word, I set up the Keg in the main hall while Anders gathered his things. Before leaving I went to Herren and Wade.
"Wade… here." I handed him more Star metal. "Do what you like with it. There's enough there to make a full suite of Armor plus weapons. This is your personal payment for those commissions. For you Herren, I figured gold would be better; 50 Sovereigns."
Wade grinned and took the chest of metal, kissing me on the cheek once more as Herren harrumphed but smiled as he took the pouch of gold.
5 days we walked to get to Amaranthine… there, at the docks, we took ship to Kirkwall. In our shared cabin, I 'called' Aedan and let him know that I 'kidnapped' Anders and was already on my way to my new home. He wished me luck and expressed his condolences about Fen.
I cried when I told Alistair, who also cried at my loss and told me he'd see me soon. I tried to ask, but he wouldn't tell me what he meant and I was unable to force a vision in my grief.
I knew my adventures in Thedas had only just started however, and I was eager to get it started.
