Chapter #14: Splinters

Orion

Arriving at Olver's Crossing, the large party of Wardens and their companions settled down in a field off the trail. Sandal and Bodahn had accompanied them, promising to both carry equipment they found and scavenge their own wares that they could sell.

Orion set up his small tent with Havoc sitting there, panting as he watched his master setting up for the night. He put his roll down and his thin blanket before going and helping gather firewood for one of the several fires that would be burning before long.

There were already those who were separating off into their own groups, or simply by themselves. Morrigan, just like in the game, had made her own spot away from everyone else and had a small fire to herself. Sten took to standing near what would be the central fire, but didn't offer much conversation or help.

The four former circle mages all talked together, the Dalish and city elves spoke with one another, learning more about how the others lived. The dwarves however, always seemed to be having some sort of small argument. I'll have to ask Nera about that later.

"I still can't believe you voted that Aurelia got the Warden Commander armour." Alistair complained as he came close, dropping wood in a pile. Orion did the same, then smiled at him.

"I told her I would try and convince everyone. And since there were only a few options of who fit it… I have some armour in mind for you too Alistair, but that is for another time." He couldn't tell him that the armour belonged to his half brother, or what they'd have to go through to retrieve it all.

"Fine, so long as it's better than hers." His sulking had gotten him nowhere, though Orion could understand why. It was in the name of the armour. Commander. But then again no one person had command over everyone.

"It's debatable, but it will serve you better than anyone else alive. Trust me." Orion said with a wink.

More time crawled by and the night began to fall. Rations were brought out and soups cooked and fish caught from the nearby stream were filleted by the dalish. Orion would have preferred fish, but the dried meat along with the bread and sub-par ale had to do. I wish Leliana had some of her wine with her. The thought of it had him salivating, it was better than most alcohol he'd tasted on his own world.

As the food started to disappear and people became restless or tired, the leaders all moved off to the side. Gorram still had some meat he was chewing through while Orion held a mug of ale. They discussed what would be happening so that none of them would object to what another said before Gorram called for their attention. The four leaders stood side by side at what was a half circle around the fireplace while the others waited to be briefed.

Gorram took a step forward. "Wardens, trusted companions. Tomorrow we split off into two groups again, destined for different places and different types of action. "Those who have been chosen for each mission have been chosen for a reason, because your skills best suit the task ahead of you."

Nesinni switched with Gorram and looked around the circle, listing out the groups this time. Accompanying the four dwarves to Orzammar would be Leola, Numerius, Aurelia, Nesinni, Tarian, and Valhen. Although more than needed, Orion stepped forward once Nesinni had finished up.

"Friends, people who hate me." He smiled and received a couple of chuckles in return. He knew there were those that hated him and he couldn't do much about that. "I've been made aware of tension amongst our group, so I want you all to take what I say and live by it." He made eye contact with each of the dwarves. "Brothers and sisters, nephews and a son. They might be family now but if the blight bests us, not even the dwarves of Orzammar will be safe. You're Wardens, you are bound by blood. You are family now, and it's your duty to protect the world from the darkspawn." Though he doubted that meant much to the dwarves with what they all had on the line. Family and personal grudges, revenge and biases, conflict both internal and external.

He didn't want to expose Nera and let everyone know that she had told him about her kin joining against her. "Therefore, Gorram and the rest of our leaders have agreed to this. Gorram, due to his personal ties of blood to his family in Orzammar, will not be leading this mission." Cursing rose immediately, notably from Thagrin who grew red. "His nephew has his future at stake, but he also knows the stakes of the world should he become blinded by his desire to see his nephew claim his birthright and become heir to the throne."

"Did you suggest he step down?" The speaker surprised Orion quite a lot. "Did you force him to forfeit his power as leader?" Tarian asked.

"Orion did no such thing." Gorram answered in his defence.

Thank you. Don't need more targets painted on me.

"I feel I would be a poor leader in this instance. So I have decided to follow the decisions of another during our time in Orzammar. Aurelia. Step forward." Gorram commanded, and the amazon did.

"You're to take charge in Gorram's stead. Think things through, decide what is best for the group. You're the one wearing the Warden Commander armour, after all." There was a hint of jealousy in his words, but Alistair had let everyone know.

"Three human leaders? This is a power move, why not put me in charge?" Valhen yelled from his spoke behind the fire.

"Because then it would be a brother and sister having half the leadership power." Saphielle said. "But why not Tarian? My brother is more than cable."

"Or send me to the dwarven city." Reimar yelled. "I'll lead, I'll set a great example."

"You're a human, did you miss that point all the way up there?" Josran taunted from his place of safety on the opposite side of the half circle.

"Big man, tall, for elven trash standing away from me." Reimar responded.

"Josran! Reimar!" To everyone's surprise, it was Aurelia. "Gorram decided to step back, and I take it all four of you agreed to having… me, of all choices, step into his shoes for a while?" The leadership all nodded.

That's a girl, I knew she was smart. Orion was grinning as Aurelia nailed it on the head. She would likely side with Nera, but considering that the other three dwarves were against her even Gorram had ceded on that front. He was going to support the best choice for his nephew.

Orion stepped forwards this time, laying out his plan. "Once you all reach the outskirts of Orzammar, you're going to split into two group again. Groups of five. Assuming I have you pegged for who you want to support, Thagrin, Helinda, and Gorram. You three will enter first and side with Bhelen. Leola, Nesinni, you two pay attention to this because you will be accompanying them." Once he was sure the two were listening, he continued. "You will need to reach the Assembly Chamber, once there you will meet a dwarf called Vartag. He is one of Bhelen's men, complete his request and then you'll be granted an audience with Bhelen."

This seemed to confuse the others, even Thagrin and Helinda who had looked happy when Orion had given them a clear way to meet with Bhelen. Sorry, but you guys aren't going to make the decision easily… though. He looked at Nera who was looking afraid, while Aurelia held an almost neutral face. She'll guide Nera through this.

"The other group will enter Orzammar no more than an hour after Nesinni's group. Nesinni's word is law for the first group, understand that now, or suffer when the king is crowned." He flashed a warning look at Thagrin who only hardened his glare. "Aurelia, your word is law for your group."

"What are you playing at, pitting us against one another?" Nimue asked.

Finally, someone who is thinking. "I'm glad you asked." Orion said. "I am not pitting us against one another, but exploiting the rivalry between Harrowmont and Bhelen to our benefit as a whole." He could see the confusion on many faces, even the leaders to a lesser extent. "Both sides are lying to the nobles who will decide the king. So I want to gather up all the information, to be poured over by the leadership once it is time to choose who we truly support. By that point we will have both leverage to help make the king, and to hold that king in line with the information we could spread about him."

As the others started to realise the plan, and the more politically minded tracked his plan to where it was going, he saw smiles. And with Cardin's crown, it will be a cakewalk.

"And who should we support?" Thagrin was surprisingly calm as he questioned Orion, using his mind properly for once.

"Bhelen or Harrowmont, obviously." Orion said, trying to bait Thagrin.

"Don't play stupid!" He yelled. "You already know who will make a better king, don't you?" There was a smile on his face, and for once Orion was impressed with the former dwarven prince.

"I do." Silence followed. "Oh, you want to know." He chuckled while Thagrin growled. Nera looked on anxiously as did the others. "Harrowmont makes for a weak king. Bhelen makes for a tyrant… yet I always chose Bhelen after learning how ineffective Harrowmont was."

Surprised gasps escaped a couple of people, unfortunately Leliana was among them and gave Orion a curious look. Nera looked hurt and betrayed while Thagrin seemed to grow in size, his chest puffed out and his head held high.

"All right! Orion, fix this, before Thagrin doubles in ego." The two male dwarves shared a look that Orion was thankful not to share in.

"The reason I want to have as much information as I can, is so that I don't need to choose either of them." This time, the surprise subdued everyone as Orion gave another twist in his plan. "Both of those kings are terrible choices, unworthy of sitting on Orzammar's throne… but how to topple both of them at the same time is something I still don't know how to do." Cardin's crown would play a part, but even then, would it be enough to just place it on a random dwarf lord, or would they just pass it off to whichever of the two that they supported. Orion was unsure about how to deal with the dwarven problem, it was the harder choice for him of the three allies they could get.

"Then who would you try to crown instead if not one of those two?" Alistair asked.

He thought about it for a moment, trying to bring up the names of other dwarven noble houses. But only two ever stood out to him, and one because of what they accomplished in the future. "House Dace or house Helmi… though out of those two I would side with Dace."

"Dace? That old fool deals with surface dwarves." Thagrin complained.

"You're a surface dwarf now, don't forget that." Helinda said with a smirk. "Casteless and nobles, we're all alike up here."

That's… fair. "All that matters for the moment, is that each group plays to one side of the court. Once we all reunite we can discuss things at length and with all the knowledge and dirt we have, decide upon which house will rule, and who to put on the throne from that house." Orion looked them over with Nera nodding.

"That's it for the decisions." Gorram said. "Thagrin will act as the leader for his group with Nesinni being the true leader behind it all. Nera will act as the leader of her group, but Aurelia will have the last say in things." There appeared further confusion amongst the group which is why Orion spoke out again.

"We need these two to lead. Former nobles, siblings to Bhelen, one fighting for and the other against their brother. What better way to show a clear divide between the wardens. Bhelen and Harrowmont would be foolish to turn either away." Or at least I hope. But he kept a confident expression on his face.

"Go, you're all free to do what you will." Nesinni told them and everyone began to disperse. Orion went over to his tent, patting Havoc's head and smiling at the dog. At least he was a loyal boy.

The camp began to fill with the smell of roasting meat that made both the owner and Mabari hunger. They moved to the nearest fire, the main fire. Leliana was cooking, a vast improvement from Alistair's cooking.

"That smells great Leliana." Alistair told the bard as he took a seat near Orion, but stayed away because of the mabari at his side.

Leliana just flashed him a smile before asking. "What was that… soup you made for supper last night?"

Oh god. Orion snickered at the question, Alistair's cooking was perhaps on par with his own yet he hadn't embarrassed himself with cooking for everyone, yet.

"Ooh, that? That's a traditional Fereldan lamb and pea stew. Did you like it?" Orion could see the disgust on Leliana's face and shook his head.

"Oh, so… it was lamb then? It had a certain… texture I don't normally associate with lamb." She answered.

Play nice. Orion thought, knowing that the few who had eaten his stew the previous night were all staying away.

"They didn't make lamb and pea stew for you in Lothering?" Alistair asked innocently.

"We ate simply there. Whole grains, made into biscuits or bread, and vegetables from the garden, cooked lightly. No heavy stews."

"Ah," his smile widened, "so the last lamb you had was probably cooked Orlesian style. Food shouldn't be frilly and pretentious like that. Now here in Ferelden, we do things right." Leliana and Orion both looked at one another, smiling sourly at his claim. "We take our ingredients, throw them into the largest pot we can find, and cook them for as long as possible, until everything is a uniform grey colour. As soon as it looks completely bland and unappetizing, that's when I know it's done."

"You're… having me on." Leliana claimed with Alistair just laughing.

"You need to eat in more Fereldan inns."

"Or, the next time you cook you shouldn't make us the same, renown slop that the inns feed people." Orion said.

"Slop? You're insulting my people." Alistair said defensively.

"Good, they could use a bit of insulting, maybe they'll learn to throw together a proper meal." Orion said as he moved to have a look at what Leliana was cooking.

"What's wrong, don't trust my cooking?" Leliana asked him.

Looking confused, Orion sat back down and put his hand on Havoc. "Of course not. Just curious as to what it is."

"It's a secret, you can guess after you've tried it." Leliana told him, and both men and the dog had to wait.

Orion would later guess chicken, Alistair would also miss but was far more off the mark. It was duck she had cooked into a stew with a few of her remaining herbs. It was far better than the meal Alistair made the night before, so good that even some of the others came to have a small bowl after their own food.

Leliana and Orion then went about archery practice, learning to hit targets at night and after being fatigued from walking all day was important. "Darkspawn won't wait for you to be feeling good. They could even attack us right now, or in the middle of a march." He understood what she meant, but he wasn't faring too well. "Deep breaths, this is a stationary target." It sounded a little like she was tired of him missing the bullseye, perhaps her own fatigue attributed to her demeanor. Thankfully he nailed the next two in the centre with the third just missing it before the fourth struck wide.

"You need an elf to teach you." Came a feminine voice, Saphielle.

"I don't think you understand how good Leliana is at archery." Orion answered quickly, though the elf just smirked, thinking herself better than a mere human.

"A likely claim, you humans are all… very similar after all." She unslung her bow, nocked an arrow and released it with next to no time aiming. Orion heard the thud and moved to inspect it.

Bullseye… well shit. Saphielle was certainly better than him, yet not as good as Tarian seemed to be. At least from experience. Orion had seen Tarian in action, killing darkspawn after all.

"Not bad." Leliana commented. "Orion, your bow please." She requested with a polite smile and Orion gave it up without hesitation.

This I've got to see. Leliana took an arrow from his quiver and like a well practiced marksman, struck her mark. Orion whistled and looked towards Saphielle with a suggestive expression that Leliana was still better.

"Lucky arrow. It won't happen again." The elf moved back a few steps and fired again, and Leliana followed, striking right beside the elf's arrow. This continued going on, a contest between the two growing more fearsome as the distance between them and their new targets grew.

Orion moved with them, doing nothing more than watch as the two archers challenged to see which of the two was better, which of the two would be better suited to train Orion. However, with Saphielle's past he doubted that even if she did win, she wouldn't be willing to train him, a human.

Others began to watch as the two women drew deeper into the camp, their arrows always finding the mark. Tarian cheered for his sister while Orion cheered for Leliana. No one else cheered for one in particular, but they did compliment on good shots.

This continued on until Saphielle finally went wide, that's when the group watching fell quiet and all the pressure shifted onto Leliana. Orion watched her closely, how she breathed, drew the bowstring back and how her thumb rested against her cheek. The posture she held for just a few moments, before the arrow skipped through the air. There was a thud in the distance with Josran going up to inspect it.

"It's good!" He called, a cheer coming from the group while Saphielle looked both surprised, and devastated.

Orion congratulated Leliana on what he said was an amazing display, before going over to Saphielle. "You did amazing. Maybe I could get tips from the two of you?" He suggested.

"Why? She's the better archer." Saphielle snapped.

"Cut that out." Tarian scolded. "He was complimenting you."

"I don't need to be complimented by a human."

Ah, she still doesn't trust me. Or humans in general then. What had happened to them, to her on the day of the origin wedding still haunted her.

"Then perhaps… I could offer you something in return?" Both of the elves looked up. "It won't help with your archery, but in sword play it will give you an edge." He hadn't seen her in action before though, but knew she carried blades. "Dual wielding or one at a time?"

"Same time, like me." Tarian answered for her, getting a hiss for his words.

"I'm better than my brother with the sword. He is more of a weakling archer." Orion frowned at that, he was an archer, as was Leliana. Saphielle was a great shot too from what he had just seen, so he couldn't understand why she was so upset.

"Ignore her insult, she is just frustrated because she lost." Tarian told him.

"I didn't lose."

"You lost fair and square, let's face it, when it comes to the bow, you're not on my, or Leliana's level." Tarian said, taunting his sister.

Saphielle pouted and continued to do so even after her brother convinced her to follow Orion, wanting to at least see what the human had offered his sister. He dipped into his tent, grabbing his pack carefully and looked through it. What he brought out made them both take a step back. It was the potion they found in Soldier's Peak, the one that had been created through the experiment on other wardens.

"You want to give my sister that?" Tarian had anger in his voice to which Orion quickly responded.

"It's beneficial, at least in the game. No drawback unless you use the powers that it gives you from drinking it."

"It's tainted with the blood of unwilling wardens." Saphielle snapped.

Orion felt himself going cold, but only because he knew that she was comparing it to the elves that were taken. Unwillingly taken, both against their will and forced to… He shook that thought from his mind. "You're right, they were unwilling subjects, long dead and their names forgotten." This didn't seem to help matters. "But," he stood and looked her right in the eyes. "To not use this would be a waste, their lives, the pain they suffered, all in vain." He could see the sudden shift in Saphielle and Tarian, though neither was too sure.

"So what does it do?" Tarian finally asked.

"It depends who drinks it. In the game, different classes get different abilities. I'd class you two as rogues, meaning if either of you drank it you'd gain…" Closing his eyes and groaning, he had to really dig deep to remember what skills rogues would get. "An increase to your agility, and if you choose to coat your blades with your own blood after drinking it, it can slowly cripple your opponents, better used on anything other than a darkspawn though."

The siblings looked to one another while Orion stood there waiting awkwardly. There weren't any words spoken between them, just a silent discussion that left him completely unaware of what they were thinking. When they finally turned and faced him, Saphielle took a step forward and extended her hand.

"I'll drink it." She said softly. "I can't let more innocent lives and suffering go wasted." Orion gave a small smile accompanied but a slightly bigger nod, and handed her the potion. Saphielle looked it over and frowned. "It looks like blood."

"It probably is." Orion told her with Tarian making a gagging noise.

"Oh, yeah, that really helps." Saphielle growled, swatting her brother on the back of his head.

"Why don't you drink it?" Tarian asked Orion.

"Because it contains the taint. I'm not a Warden and only they, you, can make the most of the power it gives you. For me, I'd be dead or turning into a ghoul within a week." It was a sobering thought, and an explanation that neither of them questioned.

"Alright then." Saphielle peeled the wax seal off and brought it to her mouth, or tried to. "Gods, that smells terrible." Tarian burst into laughter and backed away while Orion took a few steps back.

"Don't want to experience it. My gift to you." He said with a cheeky grin.

"Damn humans." Saphielle growled, steeling herself and bringing the old glass to her lips. Orion and Tarian fell silent, watching her down the concoction.

She took more than a few seconds to drink it all, her expression turning to one of revulsion as her eyes squeezed tighter together, but she finished it. Coughing and spluttering interrupted her first breath, a retch that threatened to bring up and waste what was, to at least Orion, a precious gift. Saphielle held strong though, forcing herself with sickened groans to hold it in her belly. The look she shot him as she straightened herself and leaned against her brother wasn't pleasant however.

"This had… better be worth it, human." She warned.

"Name's Orion, could always say thank you." He suggested before Saphielle spat on the ground in front of him. "Or, I could keep my mouth shut." He chuckled nervously as Tarian helped her away from Orion and back to their tent.

Well, she still hates me. He was happy with what he'd done though, given someone who thought themselves less after a friendly contest a bit of a boost, he just hoped the potion worked as like in the game, or better. As he settled in beside the fire however, his mind began to wonder about what could go wrong. What if she fell sick, the potion gave her some sort of disadvantage, or at the worst, killed her. Oh… fuck. Tarian would kill me. He groaned, trying to push the thoughts away.

He was left mostly in peace that night, save for Leliana returning his bow to him and giving him a few pointers that they would go over in the morning. He would be able to think them over before sleep, which wasn't long to end his day.

The morning saw the group slip for their journeys, with everyone saying their goodbyes. The leadership plus Aurelia this time, decided that they would all meet back at Soldier's Peak before the trip into the deep roads, which Orion was troubled about.

"Remember, help whoever you can. Recruiting the dwarves and ending the dispute there is the primary focus, but I know of several people you can help." Orion told Nera and Aurelia.

"I know, you keep going on about it." Nera complained with a laugh while Aurelia smirked.

"Relax, or if you are that worried then come along. We could switch." Aurelia suggested.

"Lia. You can't, you wouldn't leave me with Orion for protection would you?"

"You know, that should hurt… but I can't find a good argument against that." Orion responded, the trio laughing together. "But honestly, watch each others' back, and I'll see you both at the peak."

They shook hands and went their separate ways. The dwarven heavy group was going west, while the other started south. It was slow going by Orion's standards, the luxury of a vehicle was impossible so the only way was by foot. I should buy myself a horse. Then I could make trips more easily. Though that was another expense he figured the party couldn't handle at the moment.

With them travelling alongside Lake Calenhad, the Circle Tower became more prominent each day until they were practically in line with it. Sure, in the game it looked tall, massive even, but now that he was witnessing it first hand, his body physically in the world, the tower was even more magnificent.

How? He asked himself, how could anyone in this period make something so tall in the middle of a lake of all things. It had to have been done by magic. He told himself, unable to think of a way where it could have been constructed by normal means, not that he was an architect or had any building qualification.

Settling up camp for the night with the distant glow of the tower, the team talked amongst themselves and barred Alistair from cooking once again. This time Saphielle and Nimue took charge, with the mage more learning and following Saphielle's instructions .

Orion focused on other things, his archery for one, which Leliana made him do until his finger hurt and he fumbled his arrows. He was just glad he wore iron boots now, the tips of the arrows would have pierced through any of his sneakers. Then Alistair taught him swordsmanship, which he was still terrible at. But the warden insisted that he learn, and learn slowly and painfully he did, until Alistair figured he should just rest.

Feeling both glad with his progress yet frustrated at how long it was taking, he settled down next to his campfire and brought out a few items and began practising herbology once again. Nimue had been giving him tips and stopping by to watch and correct him, he still messed up a lot, but basic health potions were getting much easier, to the point he rarely ruined them. But his supply of Elfroot was growing low.

Having given a few to Nera to use and distribute to her team, Orion focused on making a few for their group headed to Redcliffe. He knew that they would be needing them, both for themselves and potentially anyone who was injured during the night battles. By the time he retired for the night, he had talked to only a few people while creating potions for them. Alistair, Leliana, Josran, but it was mostly Nimue as she came over and advised him for a good couple of hours. He had taken to writing down what she told him, earning him praise from the two mages and Leliana. Though it was something that most people from his world could do, unlike here, education was given to almost everyone.

As dawn broke on what was an overcast day, breakfast was done slowly as they all waited to see if the grey clouds would bless them and hold back the torrent of rain, or unleash it upon them and make their trek cold and dim.

"Orion." Alistair called as he made his way over, just as Orion finished stuffing his pack.

"What's up?" The question confused Alistair who looked up. Right, sorry. "I meant, what is it?"

"Oh, sometimes you say the weirdest things."

"I say them? Have you heard Morrigan and yourself?" Orion shot back.

"Fine fine, but I think you're the worst offender." Orion opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

Why can't I argue so well these days?

"Why don't we send a group to the Circle?" Alistair suggested. "Split our forces like the others are going to." Orion didn't like the sound of that, he knew Alistair would want to go to Redcliffe meaning that he'd be the one going to the tower, and possibly the Fade.

"What if the numbers are against us again?" That was his main concern, he had been scolded, harshly about the numbers that were at Honnleath and even the number of skeletons at Soldier's Peak. Now Alistair wanted to split their party up and head to two dangerous places again.

"You told us that there were usually only four in the party, for the game right?" Orion gave him the confirmation by nodding. "Well, what if I take six of us to Redcliffe, and you take the other five to the tower?"

"That would be fine, we pick up a talented mage at… hang on." Orion got to his feet and looked the group over. "You realise how dangerous this is right? If the numbers are too great someone could die."

"The others are taking that same risk." Alistair argued.

Why couldn't you just be a follower like usual. But he knew the answer, he had pushed Alistair to become a leader because of what the man's future held. A Warden experienced in combating a blight would be a leader amongst their ranks. Or, the king of a country. He needed to be able to lead for either eventuality.

"They're taking a lesser risk, mostly just taking and getting information with a little fighting. What you're talking about is considered a major questline in the game." Though, it is fairly easy compared to the other quests.

"I can defend Redcliffe until you're done at the tower and come to help sort things out. And you told us you already had that Daveth guy there, never really liked the look of that one."

Orion raised his eyebrows at this and shrugged. "Can't be as bad as me and Reimar not liking one another."

Alistair snorted at this and looked across to where the big man himself was preparing. "No, certainly not that bad." He turned back to face Orion with a determined hopeful look. "Please, we have enough to hit both locations at once and save some time."

Orion turned away from him and looked at their half of the group. They had the majority of the mages, a golem, Sten, he started sorting out who would go where and before he knew it he had agreed to Alistair's suggestion. Fuck, tricky bastard.

"Fine, but you need to know something." He rounded back on Alistair and looked him dead in the eyes. "You're only to go to the village, not to the castle, not anywhere near it. Understood?"

"But…"

"No! That is the condition. No buts, just swear to me that you won't go there." Alistair said nothing as he considered what he was being told to do, ultimately swearing he wouldn't go to the castle. "Good. Now then, the reason the undead corpses keep coming, is that there is a powerful demon in the castle." Orion knew from the look he received that Alistair was already thinking about going back on his word. "However, if you go there ill prepared and try to kill the demon, you will most likely end up sacrificing Isolde, or killing Connor, Eamon's…"

"I know who Connor is." Alistair snapped, walking a few steps away. Orion could see the man mulling it over, the decision, the promise he swore himself into before knowing. "And this demon, how is it connected? Is that what made Eamon ill?"

Orion shook his head. "The demon is not responsible for the Arl's health, though it is responsible for many deaths and constant night attacks. I want you to hold the village, day and night until my group arrives, then and only then, will we all proceed to the castle." Alistair gave a low groan and flicked his arm through the air as he turned.

"If anything happens to them…"

"It won't, so long as you don't go to the castle, even when Bann Teagan does." This surprised him.

"Bann Teagan? He's at the village?" Orion just nodded. "Then, then the village is already in good hands… and he must have already tried to get to the castle." The man's eyes were wide as he considered the possibilities.

"Alistair, we need to decide who is going, then you can head off."

"I'll take Reimar, at least you won't have him threatening you constantly." Alistair's offer was so great that Orion sighed in relief and received a chuckle from Alistair.

"I'll take Leliana, Shale, Nimue, and Havoc. Wynne, a Circle mage will join us as we enter the tower." Orion listed his picks quickly.

"Sounds good, how long behind my group do you think you'll be?" Alistair asked.

Orion looked to the tower and hummed. "I think we could make it to the tower within a day, small rest, clear the tower and then have another rest." He didn't know how long it would take to clear every floor as the game didn't really give a duration. "I think at maximum, three days. Think you can be patient enough to wait that long? If so and we still aren't there… then and only then, can you go to the castle. But never to Eamon's room. If you go there, the demon will force you to kill Connor."

Alistair paled at this and swallowed. "It's holding Connor? That filthy, vile… alright, I understand now. But how do you plan on getting rid of the demon? Knowing would set my mind at ease." His concern was apparent as his skin stretched across his brow.

"Mages, I will bring mages from the Circle and have one or two of our own enter the Fade. They will take care of the demon and then you can see Eamon, with both Isolde and Connor surviving." Orion told him with a smile. The two shook hands and smiled.

"Be safe my friend."

"I've got Shale with me, I'll be fine." Alistair just laughed before the two of them called for everyone's attention.

They announced their new plan and what the teams would be, what the risks there could be for either side, but that it was a calculated risk. Orion even had enough potions to give each member of Alistair's team one each and his own, three between them. However, with each team having two mages everyone seemed confident enough.

Another farewell was said between the wardens and their companions with only one pair of siblings being split up as Josran and Nimue needed to be with different teams for their greater healing abilities. Orion stood waiting, nodding to Saphielle who was looking concerned about things. Reimar looked indifferent, much like Morrigan, and Sten just looked unimpressed, though he was hard to read.

Once Alistair and his team continued down the old Imperial Highway, Orion and his team set off for the tower. Getting lost would have been impossible as the tower was always there, stretching for the sky and always getting closer. Why do I have to deal with the demons. Damn Alistair, could have used a templar's abilities there. Shale and Havoc would be a chaotic and aggressive pair at the front of clearing the tower, with two mages and two archers watching their backs constantly. Demon or no, if they were riddled with arrows, disintegrated by spells, or pulverised by giant stone hands, then no enemy would be able to stand before them, perhaps save one.

Its been a while... but I am back with this new chapter and am doing something a little different as you can tell. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and hopefully I can release at least a few more before Christmas.