I am so sorry for the MESS of last posting. For some reason the only people who could read chapter 17 were those on mobile devices. Thank you for the suggestion to reach out to . They never responded but Chapter 17 is accessible from the PC now. Judy thanks for commenting.

I ran. Twice more Darkspawn waylaid me. By the time, I got to the field I could just make out the Kings golden armor. And was grateful for the pretentiousness of it. Maybe there was a point to having the most important man on the field wearing the beacon that said 'come get me'. Neither friend nor foe would miss him.

I heard the Ogre before I saw him. Then I saw him. I tried to run even faster. But I was out of air. We were both moving toward the king. The massive Darkspawn would be on top of him before I arrived.

I was fifteen feet away from him when horrified, I watched the Ogre pick him up and roar in his face. For that moment I thought he was going to eat the king alive and I panicked, screamed the word 'no' and thought stop.

Several things happened at once. I heard the cracking of bones, everything within twenty feet of me stopped moving as if they were frozen in place. I dropped to my hands and knees; I depleted my mana reserves. And soldiers unaffected by the spell came rushing forward to help.

"We have to get him down from there. I don't know how long it will hold." I could tell we didn't have much time as felt the magic dissipating. Before I could get a back on my feet, more attacked again us.

I tried a fireball, but the first one fizzled in my palms. I succeed with the second one. Much smaller than any I normally could make.

I lobed at the advancing Darkspawn. I could hear the Hurlock laughing at me as the fireball glanced harmlessly off him, maybe singing his armor slightly.

Two of the guard was able to cut off the Ogre's hand at the wrist before the giant could move. Cailan dropped limply to the ground.

The Ogre broke out of the paralysis, throwing back his head and roaring in rage and pain. In that moment I watched Duncan as the Grey Warden practically jumped on to the beast's chest and walked up the front of the giant, driving his daggers into its chest with each step. We should have done that instead of cutting off the hand.

He rode the Ogre down to the ground as it died. He wiped his face with the back of his arm and looked toward the tower. The flame was visible. The Teyrn would join us soon. He moved to stand up and almost collapsed under the open wound to the stomach.

I swallowed a blue vial of the lyrium potion and felt suddenly stronger. I wouldn't be able to paralyze anything anytime soon, but I could make a decent fireball.

I saw Duncan holding his stomach and his arm bright red. I pushed my way over to him and shoved a vial of the purple liquid under his nose with the command to drink.

He would need more of the potion, but this would begin the healing and make sure the Commander didn't die. I pushed another vial in his hand and stumbled my way back to the unconscious king. I opened the third injury potion and poured the contents down Cailan's throat.

I had no idea how badly hurt he was I just knew that we couldn't stay here. Soldiers had made a perimeter around us, but they were falling. We just had to hold out for the Teyrn. He would see the beacon and come to our rescue.

The perimeter broke for a moment allow a solider wearing the Kings colors entry into our circle. He spoke quietly to Duncan. The Grey Warden looked up at the tower once more and frowned. He nodded his agreement. The solider walked over to us taking off his helmet and undoing his chest mail.

"Milady. Give me his armor. The Teyrn has routed the troops. He is pulling back all the forces and abandoning us. Get the King off the field and get him to safety. I will create a diversion."

"You can't. You'll die," I said in denial.

"It is my duty to die for my king. If he lives, then my sacrifice will not be in vain. Now please do it for me." He said continuing to remove pieces of his armor.

Duncan could see I was having accepting the death of one man over the other. "Rhiannon, he has made his decision. To talk him out of it would undermine his honor."

"By the Black city how is a man's honor more important than his life. Do you have a family? Something to live for?"

"Yes. But He is right. I must do this. I am comparable in looks and build to the king. I was for several occasions the king's political body double. We need a diversion, and I can do that. The more we argue about it. The less time we have, to see that he survives. Now please help me." He was completely without armor at this moment imploring me to see what needed to be done.

Through my tears, I begin stripping the king of his armor. In truth, I have no idea how and my fingers fumble with the strapping. My slowness is frustrating others, and they push me out of the way. I wring my hands not knowing what to do.

The solder finished putting Cailan's armor on and pulled his sword. "Most of the Darkspawn should follow me. I have confidence in you, that the Grey Wardens can protect the king and punish that traitor who left us to die. Make sure they suffer my lady."

"What is your name? I will make sure it gets honored." I cry out.

"It's Morien, I hale from the storm coast. Honor all the men who stand with the King and I will die happy."

I watched him yell a battle cry and ten of our eighteen soldiers went with him drawing away many of the Darkspawn as his plan worked.

Overhead a red dragon roared it displeasure at the battle below as it flew toward the Tower of Ishal. I looked at the lit beacon one last time and though of Alistair and Aedan for the first time. I wondered how they were dealing with the boredom and if they knew what the traitor did.

"Rhiannon come. We must get King Cailan to safety before their sacrifice means nothing."

I glowered at Duncan. Angry at how easy it was for him to dismiss life before following him across a battlefield strewn with dead and dying alike. And I could do nothing for them.