Chapter Twenty-Four

Fucking Crows

After showing Cullen how to use the Sending Stone, we left the basement and headed toward the Tower Entrance.

Cullen walked off for a moment while I talked to Greagoir, "I will have Jowan wrapped up like a Satanalia Day gift for you by the time I come to get you for the Redcliff thing. Thank you for trusting me with that, by the way – I know it wasn't an easy thing to do."

He sighed, "I hated every second of it. But you said it will help you later down the line, keep you alive and prevent all that… bad stuff."

I chuckled, "Indeed it will – and it will be a great help having him as a witness testimony for the Landsmeet – after that you can make him Tranquil or put him to death for his crimes against an Arl as a Maleficar. His fate was sealed the minute he picked up those books on blood magic. If you had listened and had those books removed before things may have been different – a different mage would have dealt with a demon or worse. Jowan only used the blood magic to escape and hasn't done anything since – but once a Maleficar, always a Maleficar."

"Right you are – ah, here is the rest of your party."

I looked up to see Sten carrying my packed bag – I had repacked it before the wedding so that things would fit better, though weight didn't matter and I hadn't needed to do it because I still had a lot of room… I was just ready for the wedding too soon.

I took the bag as he nodded to me.

Cullen arrived back too – also carrying a pack that looked to be bulging. I had given him the other enchanted 'void-bag' last night after our first round of making the wedding official. His wedding gift to me was actually really sweet – a set of diamond earrings. When I asked how he was able to get his hands on diamonds, he waved me off saying it had come from the storeroom on the mages floor… I had two piercings in each ear, so yes I was wearing them. Other than those and the ruby colored dangly sending stone, I also had a ruby stud.

He handed the pack to Sten and said, "I've taken the liberty of procuring the rations for your trip… Thatcher was more than willing to wave all fees when he heard what it was for, which was almost as odd as him jumping at the sound of your name and looking around muttering about Greagoirs' Orders."

I flushed, "I was more than willing to pay but Greagoir said no charge when I was resupplying to clear the tower."

Cullen chuckled, "Poor Thatcher – I have never seen him pack up a bag so fast. I'll talk to you tonight?"

"I'll call you to let you know when we make camp," I said – much to the amusement of my party. Alistair was sniggering.

I glared at him, "I didn't realize you wanted extra training, Alistair – Sten would you be a dear and take him for training tonight?"

Alistair paled but Sten nodded, "A good plan – he needs training if he is one day going to best me in combat with a pike. He will use a pike today."

I nodded with a smirk, "Good call, Sten."

Greagoir and Cullen looked amused at my antics. I pulled Cullen in for a kiss before we left.

In the boat, Alistair said, "That letter was… more diplomatic than anything I've ever read."

I smirked, "And it was – in essence – telling the Divine to fuck off. What's your point?"

"Oh nothing – just that I think you'd be a better Queen than I would be a King."

"Uh-huh; you're probably right – but I don't want it and can't have it. I'm needed elsewhere after the blight. I mean… if I hadn't married Cullen, I could have just married Anora and just left the ruling to her."

Morrigan snorted, "She is surely the better choice between the two."

Alistair placed one hand over his heart, "And here I thought we were getting on so well, Morrigan."

"Not like I'd ever have wanted to risk having to marry Alistair – too much like a brother for me." I shuddered. Elissa snorted. "Well, that and he's mine."

I grinned, "That too."

Alistair said, "Though to be honest, the Landsmeet would want her more than me – I'm a bastard, after all. At least she's legitimate. And that's not to mention that if I were to lead we'd all get lost, someone would die and we'd discover I had no pants at some point… this country is far better off with her on the throne… as was said before."

Morrigan smirked, "At least you know that much."

I rolled my eyes, "You forget who you speak to, Alistair – I know for a damned fact that the Landsmeet would accept you. I also know what a wonderful king you will make – with or without Elissa to help you. Now… be a dear and spill the Grey Warden secrets for our group, yes?"

Alistair looked horrified and I rolled my eyes and used my foot to nudge his leg.

"Fine… we carry the taint of the blight within us. Drink some of their blood in a really creepy ritual so that we can sense them… it's what gives us the dreams – we tap into their 'hive-mind' or whatever it is. We can hear them in that way. Some of the older wardens can understand them, even. According to Duncan, it's also the reason that only a grey warden can end the blight. It's… also a death sentence. We have around 30 years before we start to submit to the taint and go on what is called the calling – we go to Orzammar and fight darkspawn in the deep roads until they kill us or much worse happens. We also suffer lower fertility rates, though the trade-off is we have higher stamina for fighting. You have to understand that all of this is a secret of the Order – you can't tell anyone. If word got out, we'd have a harder time recruiting and all of Thedas would be hard-pressed to end future Blights with no Wardens."

Sten was staring at me, "You knew all of that, already."

I snorted, "Um – duh. Yes, I knew. I know more about the Wardens than anyone in this damn boat. I know why only a Warden can end the blight. I know how it happens in great detail. I know every rank, symbol, and dirty secret. Technically, since we know Alistair will defer to someone else in most matters, Solona has the rank of Field-Commander – and she could be full on Commander of the Grey when this shit is over because I don't want to keep the title. Before Ostagar but after the joining, you were just Warden-Ensigns. In the space of a day, you all gained 4 ranks and Alistair specifically rose 3 to be Constable of the Grey – the second in command of the Commander. Did you know that Wardens frequently train with weighted bundles of canes, sparring with one another and with pells to build physical strength? Or that training within the Order is somewhat class-blind, with melee and archer fighters training mages, for example, and mages training warriors and rogues in various areas as well. Likely there is something each class can learn from the others, regardless of natural abilities, and I could even name some ways it might be helpful."

"… Do you know the names of all the Wardens who ended blights?" Alistair asked.

"Um…shit, let me think. Dumat was the first Archdemon; slain at the Battle of White Plains in 203 Ancient, but I don't know who killed him; no one does because the damn things' very death throes killed at least 7 other Wardens. Corin was a Tevinter Warden who killed Zazikel for the second Blight in Starkhaven in 1:95 Divine. Loris was the Hero of the 3rd Blight, killing Toth at Hunters Fell in 3:10 Towers. Garahel was the Elven Warden who killed Andoral in the Battle of Ayesleigh, in 5:24 Exalted. We fight Urthemiel now – Old god of Beauty; which of course only leaves Razikale, the Dragon of Mystery, and Lusacan, the Dragon of Night. You know there might be an unknown eighth that was stricken from records?"

"So after this there will be at least two but potentially three more blights before it can end?"

"Um… sure," I looked away.

"What aren't you saying, Val?" Kallian asked.

"It will never get to that point, I don't think. I can't tell you what will happen, because at this point I don't actually know. But… what happens when all the old gods are dead? The Darkspawn will still exist and eventually the stronger ones will rank up to Alphas then to Emissaries'… you know Emissaries' are entirely capable of speech? Magic among the Spawn is 'earned'. What happens if the Wardens at that point don't go kill the spawn? Will the Emissaries become their own Archdemons? If left unchecked… I don't know; for now it's only a feeling."

"Wait. What else do you know about the darkspawn?" Wynne asked as we docked. I sent Leli to go tell Kester about its return and when she got back I held up a hand.

I exchanged glances with everyone that was there that day in the tower – the ones who heard my talk of Broodmothers.

I groaned, "Right, it's time we all had a nice chat about the things we fight… Sten will need this information for the Qun as part of his report anyway, but first…"

I smirked and motioned for Sten to back me up. He gave me a look but did as I asked.

"You there; what is your name?" I asked the scavenger near a pile of Qunari bodies. Sten stiffened.

"Back off! I was here first!" the white haired old man growled at me. I rolled my eyes, "Seriously? We're looking for a Qunari Blade, you oaf."

"Looking to buy one… what's a Qunari?"

I pointed to Sten, "That would be a Qunari, friend."

"Oh… honestly, I… don't have anything. This spot was picked clean when I got it." He sighed.

"Who sold you the spot?" I asked.

"His name was… Faryn, I think. He was a squirrelly little bastard, he was. Said he was heading to Orzammar but that was nearly 6 weeks ago. Either he sold whatever he got from here or he's already halfway to the Frostbacks."

"What did the man look like?" Aedan asked.

"Erm… black hair I think and he was human. All I can tell you, though – my memory isn't what it used to be."

I smiled, "Have a gold piece for your willingness to co-operate, friend." The man lit up and thanked me before heading to the Spoiled Princess for a bite to eat.

I looked at Sten, "Your sword is now in Redcliff. I knew it would be, but I wasn't sure when. Timing can get a bit sketchy."

Sten actually gave me a small smile, "You have my thanks, Kadan."

Duran spoke, "You didn't answer Wynnes question. What do you know about Darkspawn?"

"You… wait till we make camp. I don't want us stopping for people to throw up when that time can be better spent walking."

I saw how most of them began exchanging worried glances.

When we finally did make camp I was looking through the bag Cullen had given us and I chuckled.

"What's so funny in there?" Elissa asked. "Yes, Val, what did your husband pack you?" Leliana teased.

I held up a finger and activated the sending stone. When his voice came through, he said, "You've made camp, then?"

"Yeah… how did you get chocolate?" I asked with a smile. Leliana snatched the bag to look.

His chuckle came through, "You mentioned you liked sweet chocolate before – and Alim confirmed it was the first thing you asked him for when you met him… I bribed thatcher with that coffee you left in the room. I can't stand the darker stuff, but Thatcher loves it."

I laughed, "Fair enough – I'll leave regular coffee next time."

"I already miss you."

"I miss you, too – but I have to cut this short as I owe my team some answers about Darkspawn."

I could feel him pouting, "I'll talk to you tomorrow then." we cut the connection.

Everyone sat in a circle and I sat in front of Leli – she started messing with my hair and I smiled at her before I began talking.

I spoke, "As I said at the tower, the darkspawn have always existed; it was not the fault of the Tevinter Magisters… though they did fuck up on a massive scale. The chantry themselves knew it was not what they claim. They didn't attach what the Seven did to the blight until the third Blight. Regardless, the taint they carry can infect others, turning them into darkspawn as well. Black ichor flows in their bodies as blood flows in ours. Darkspawn do not need to eat as the taint sustains them, however they can eat for reasons other than dietary. Furthermore, the taint provides quick healing from wounds – also how the Wardens seem to be in great shape all the damn time. The darkspawn have good vision in the darkness but they're weaker in sunlight. As a species, the darkspawn are asexual and unable to reproduce – and that's also why Wardens have lowered fertility. As I told most of you before; the task of reproduction is left to a specific form of ghoul; the Broodmothers. Captured female prisoners are infected with the taint and are force-fed darkspawn tissue and vomit as well as the tainted flesh of fallen kin. Those that survive this process undergo a horrific transformation and become massively swollen creatures that exist to breed more darkspawn… A single broodmother is capable of giving birth to thousands of darkspawn during their lives, and each race produces a different type of darkspawn. It's horrible to think about, but worse to witness. Humans produce Hurlocks, dwarves produce Genlocks, elves produce shrieks, and Qunari produce ogres. I know this because I have lived through the creation of a broodmother in a vision. It's… painful and not pretty at all. I couldn't eat or sleep for days after that."

I saw the horror on all the faces of those around me.

I pressed on, "Darkspawn feature similar traits to the race their broodmother once was, such as Genlocks having magical resistance or Ogres having physical resistance. Mature darkspawn continue to disfavor each other and tend to group together with their own kind – that's why you rarely see Genlocks with Hurlocks or such in hunting bands – especially outside the blights. Darkspawn are thought to be stupid but… they really aren't. They have their own language and know how to work together for many things like Smithing and assaults. They worship the Old Gods and that kind of devotion isn't seen in things that can't think for themselves even a little bit."

"Why isn't that common knowledge? About the Broodmothers, I mean. No woman should face Darkspawn without knowing… do the Wardens just not…?" Theron looked a bit green.

I gave him a sad look. "The Wardens know. They keep it secret for their own reasons, but I plan to put that shit on blast. I want Sten telling the Ariqun, I want Leli telling the Chantry and I want to tell the damn Shaperate while we're in Orzammar. Every woman who risks that should know to find a way to get dead quick if it looks hopeless."

Sten stood swiftly, and I looked at him as he spoke, "I will be telling the Ariqun as you say. But, Kadan… why have you willingly been throwing yourself into these fights knowing all of this? Why do you allow other women into the group?"

"Leli is highly resistant to the taint, actually… I don't know why and I can't tell you how I know. As for Wynne, she will be in the back of the group, healing; Kallian, Elissa, Solona, Natia and I are all Wardens so we'll be okay." I shrugged and everyone looked a Leli in silence.

"Kadan; that does not answer…"

"Sten, Pashaara. Sataareth Kadan hass-toh issala ebasit," I said.

Leliana was staring at me wide eyed and Natia looked at me, "What did you just… say?"

"She told me enough. It is my purpose to do what I must for those I consider important. I don't know how you speak Qunlat so flawlessly, Kadan… but you are right. We all have our purpose and if that is truly yours then I will speak no more of it."

I nodded, "Ataash varin kata, Sten. Asit Tal-eb." Leliana looked horrified and gripped my shoulder, "You do not plan to… die do you?"

Elissa and Alistair both looked sick at the thought.

"One does not plan their death, Leli. In the end lies glory isn't always about death. Things will go as they should. I need sleep and someone else gets to cook in the morning. Besides – if I were to be tainted… I can purge the taint from myself – like I did at the Tower of Ishal. I don't know that it will work on others, so for that, I have the joining formula. Duncan passed it to me as the 'senior warden' before he died."

"He did?" Theron asked. I nodded, "In theory, we could conscript others, but I don't think it will be necessary at all. Now, is anyone hungry? Should we make food?"

Everyone exchanged glances – but the choice was obvious. Food was a must.

Thankfully, it was Wynnes' turn to cook tonight – as the new person in the team – and my turn wasn't until tomorrow – as I'd told Cullen.

Leliana hummed but it was Alim who said, "Will you sing for us, Val? I kinda miss your… what do you call them; concerts?"

I giggled, "Yeah – but you'll only get a mild performance tonight. A concert consists of more than 2 songs, ya know."

I sang Believer by Imagine Dragons. I used my elemental control to not only make the instruments needed, but to play them too. When I got to the quick spoken part, jaws went slack.

I smirked and saw the Sten was interested in this song. When the song ended, I smirked and said, "What?"

"That was… quite quick. I thought only people about to die would speak so fast," Kallian muttered.

I chuckled, "It was a good song, in my opinion. I am going to bed now – we have an ambush waiting for us sometime soon so, be sure to be on alert."

"Kadan," Sten called out. I figured it out at once – we hadn't sparred today.

"… Want me to hit you with a stick?" I offered. It worked for Iron Bull…

He nodded so I went looking for a branch, much to everyone elses confusion. I heard Theron whispering, "If anyone else said that, we'd be a puddle under his foot."

"He respects her. And the stick is a Qunari training method." Leliana giggled.

"Training for what?" Kallian asked as I began hitting Sten in the gut with a particularly sturdy stick… hard.

"It teaches them not to feel the pain – to have sharper reflexes. If a warrior feels they are slipping, they will have someone they trust do this for them. It would be better to fight a battle with enemies, but as there are none around, I will do this."

I chuckled and called out, "There is a lot more to it than that – it's a Qunari exercise too. I could explain it, but unless you know Qunlat you'd be in the dark… some things just don't translate well."

Sten nodded and grunted as I continued to hit him with the stick. After a while we called it quits and he nodded to me.

The ambush came halfway between the Circle Tower and Redcliff.

It came just before we were going to make camp and a woman rushed up to us on the road; she was 5'6 with cropped blond hair, grey eyes and pale skin. She wore tattered rags and looked to be out of breath, but I sensed her mana, and I knew at once what was happening.

"Oh; thank the Maker! Please, you must help us; they attacked the wagon!" she faked a frantic look. I smiled; "Take us to them, girl. We will take care of them."

I felt my companions shifting restlessly behind me – they likely realized what was going on.

We rushed after the woman as I pulled out my bow. The others all pulled their own weapons. I drew the string taunt and as soon as we got into the right spot. I glanced at the secondary mage who was about to fell the tree and used mind kill.

Silence reigned as Zevran stepped out from behind his wagon and looked at my bow.

Theron sputtered as she caught a good look at him. He shouted, "That's Zevran? He's cute…"

He was 5'5 and had caramel skin that would make the candy jealous. His hair was wheat blonde and longer than I expected as it rested at his mid-back. His eyes were a sea-blue and he looked… amused… until he heard his name.

"What do you know?" He snarled. I giggled, "Everything – Rina, Taliesin… want to surrender?"

"Ah… this is not quite how I thought this would go." He chuckled. "But no – I will not surrender unless you beat us."

"I want that one kept alive, but… kill the ones who don't surrender, otherwise." I grinned. My group got to work though I had managed to knock the elf out with little more than a wiggle of my fingers – a nice sturdy log hitting him in the head.

When the fighting was done, I turned to Zevran and doused him with water. He sputtered and groaned, "I rather thought I would wake up dead; or not at all as the case may be. I see you haven't killed me yet, however."

I smiled sweetly, "Oh I figured I wanted to torture you first!"

Theron flushed and Zev chuckled seductively, "So I am to be kept around for a bit of fun first? Allow me to save you some time. My name is Zevran – Zev, to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows, brought here for the sole purpose of killing any surviving Grey Wardens; which I have failed at, sadly."

Theron nudged me, "Crows?"

"Ah, I can answer that. They are an order of Assassins out of Antiva; Very powerful and renowned for always getting the job done, so to speak. Someone went to great expense to hire this man," Lelianna responded.

Zev nodded, "Quite right. I am surprised you have not heard much of the Crows out here; we're rather infamous where I come from."

"No one said that I hadn't heard of you, my dear. In fact, as a seer, I likely know more of you than anyone around you does."

"What?" he looked a bit pale.

"We're telling the assassin, now?" Alistair grumbled.

"So… he was sent to kill 9 people?" Elissa asked coldly asking only about the Wardens and me.

Zev looked surprised, "9, no. I was sent to kill 8 and capture one… the silver haired lady… whom I did not see until I woke… but…"

Right, I had placed a mud disguise on my hair before encountering him.

I shrugged, "I'm just that good. You were always meant to lose."

"But he came all the way from Antiva to kill us?" Natia scoffed.

"Not precisely, my friend! I happened to be in the neighborhood when the offer came across. The Crows get around, you see."

I snorted, "Liar. You took this gig when no one else would. Loghain hired you."

He flinched and sighed, "It appears you know more than I thought, indeed."

"Does that mean Loghain holds your loyalty?" Elissa snarled as Alistair glared.

"I have no idea what his issues are with you; but I imagine they are the usual – you threaten his power, yes? Beyond that, no, I am not loyal to him. I was contracted to perform a service – that is all."

"What now; now that you have failed to kill us?" Alistair asked.

"Well that is between Loghain and the Crows; between the Crows and me…"

I sighed, "The Crows will kill Zev for this failure; to them, he has become a liability and they don't like loose ends, so I doubt he has any loyalty left to them."

"Loyalty is quite the interesting concept; if you are quite done questioning me, we could discuss it further."

I chuckled, "Go ahead, I like listening to your voice – it's soothing." Leliana giggled and Zev smirked.

Theron shot me a look, "You told me…"

"All yours dearest – but I can flirt, right? Cullen knows I flirt – I just never act on it."

He looked amused, "Newly married and flirting with assassins – what will we do with you, commander?"

Zev cleared his throat, "Well, here's the thing. As she said, I failed to kill you so my life is forfeit; if you do not kill me, the Crows will. Thing is, I like living and you are the sort to give the crows pause… let me serve you, instead."

"Theron – it's your call… Val said he's yours after all and she hasn't been wrong so far." Duran said with a lazy look.

Zev looked confused, "I am… his?"

I nodded, "I like to play matchmaker; Elissa and Alistair, Morrigan and Alim, you and Theron and even Solona and Kallian. I know about your past with Taliesin and Rina… do you still want to join us, Zevran?"

"But what services does he… offer?" Solona asked.

"I am skilled at many things; from fighting to picking locks and stealth. I could warn you if the Crows attempt something more sophisticated now that my own attempt has failed. I also know a great many jokes, twelve massage techniques and six different card games. I would do wonderful at parties, no? And in return, being allowed to live would be nice… and would make me marginally more effective, and if… somewhere along the line… you decide you no longer have need of me, and then I will go on my way. Until then, I am yours; is that fair?" I suppose knowing he had someone on his side meant he spoke with a dash more confidence than in the games.

Theron nodded to me so I grinned and started to untie Zev while I said, "Welcome to team Misfit – here is you welcome gift; one bottle of Antivan Brandy."

He looked at me in stunned silence before hesitantly reaching out for it.

I rolled my eyes, uncorked it and took a sip. "Ooooh… now I regret not getting two of these… I'd ask you to share with me, but I don't drink often." I muttered as I re-corked it before looking for the body with the letter from 'Red Jenny'.

"I've never seen you drink!" Elissa exclaimed. I chuckled, "That's because I don't like the piss-weak shit that was floating around the castle. No, I made my own alcohol using my science driven brain and my secret lab. Some of those bottles you admired were moonshine, not potions."

Elissa began laughing, "Oh, I wish I'd known that!"

Zev began laughing. Alistair however just sighed, "Are we really taking the assassin with us now? Does that really… seem like a good idea?"

I gave him an amused look, "A witch of the wilds, an Orlesian bard, a Qunari, several displaced nobles, a noble killer, a Dalish elf, two exiled dwarves… how doesn't this fit?"

"Ah… okay, that's a fair point."

Leli and Theron couldn't stop laughing. "Makers' Breath, Val, you don't pull punches."

I chuckled.