Chapter Thirty-Nine

Busy Work

The next morning – too bright and too early, if you ask me – we all woke up. Alistair had at least found a way to make waking up far more… exciting.

I was still glowing in the post-sex haze when he muttered, "You still haven't bitten me, you know."

"You haven't asked – I wasn't sure you were ready. Remember, until you're my Familiar, I need permission each and every time."

He seemed to relax, "Ah – I forgot. But I'm ready when you are – I want to make sure that you're well fed when you carry a child, Iris… Maker; I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I'll be a father."

I smiled at him – oh, how little he knew. I curled into him, "Want to put that Warden Stamina to the test then?"

He swallowed hard, "I mean… yes."

I laughed and he pulled me to him with a growl.

So we got a bit of a later start that we normally would have today. I was sitting quite comfortably in Alistairs' lap.

Leliana had to speak, "So… commander… you look positively glowing today; did you get a good rest?"

I hummed, "Don't need sleep when I'm getting a lot of good sex, remember?"

Alistair buried his face in my hair. Aedan choked on his eggs.

Rulen shook his head, "At least now I know why my sister always seems to glow."

"Yeah – no… only Nightlord Vampires can feed on sex. Your sisters' husband is just very enthusiastic." I pointed my finger a him. He'd given me his sisters' phone number and I had talked with her on the comm link once or twice.

He snorted – Rulen and I had a game going now; who could embarrass the other person more. I was winning – but only by one point and he hadn't managed to embarrass me at all yet.

"Right – groups for today are the same as yesterday. Sereda…"

"I'm looking for him today… can't you just tell me…" she looked desperate.

"Oh, honey; I want to tell you – but… look, he has the Shield of Aeducan for you. Just… go meet with him. Slap him. Get angry. And when it's over, cry – but only once. He's not worth more than that."

She frowned, "You make it sound like… he betrayed me?"

"Not… exactly. Just be cautious, sweetie. Carver, Daylen, make sure she doesn't out us a Wardens when she is justifiably pissed off. Morrigan, don't offer to turn the man into a toad… offer to turn him into a sheep."

Morrigan smirked, "I do thank you for teaching me that spell – it will come in handy."

Alistair groaned, "I wish you hadn't…"

"It was the price I had to pay for something, Alistair – it was important to me."

I had needed to know if I was really carrying a child already; she promised to examine me in 3 weeks-time to be sure… because it happened last night.

I had asked her last night – and since I was a certified trainer for both Mages and Druids, I popped the spell directly to her. This wasn't counting that I was also able to train people in the way of the Voice the same way since becoming a Mage-Trainer… not that anyone knew that. Not even Inas knew that I could train people in the Voice so easily if I wanted.

I wouldn't do it for just anyone – because I was of a mind that the Voice had to be earned. But if Alistair asked, I would do it for him. He was Dovah; and could be considered Dovahkiin.

Actually…

I bit my lip, "Alistair, can we go somewhere private? I have a theory that I need to test relating to the Dovah blood in your veins."

"Oh – yeah, no problem. But… what did you need to pay Morrigan for?"

"Just a simple thing – but important to me. I'll let you know later on. We need a place that won't be bothersome if I mark it up a bit."

"Hmm…"

Carver spoke, "There's an old Warehouse over by the Wonders of Thedas – no one uses it; and no one actually knows who owns the building."

"Oh! That's the Grey Warden Cache. I need to go there anyway to collect Duncans' Shield for Alistair; it's perfect!"

Alistair stiffened, "His shield? He… wasn't wearing it at the battle. I didn't even notice…"

I turned and placed a light kiss on his cheek, "I can modify it to work for a Paladin if you want to use that and your fathers' sword more than what I gave you."

"No. I want to be able to put those two things on display in the Royal Chambers. I can't… I couldn't bare if those got damaged. Besides, the weapon set you gave me is enchanted to the Void and back to increase strength, stamina, and damage, right?"

"While in combat, at least, yes. If you press this button here on the shield, it will actually unleash a burst of light to stun nearby enemies. These two gems on the shield also have function. This Gold Diamond protects you from knockback attacks – like, oh, I don't know, Shield Bash. This jagged emerald grants magic resistance. Morrigan can't turn you into a sheep, at least. She doesn't have the juice to do so to you."

He gave me a smirk, "Ah – so you're protecting me from the witch?"

"Not at all – it only works in combat. So if she gets you while you're relaxed, she can do it." I hummed.

Morrigan smirked.

I stood and grabbed Alistairs' hand, "Come, my love – we have things to do and we're on a time-crunch."

"Are we though? If we get behind, we can just mount up and fly the distance we need to cover," Rulen pointed out. I sighed, "Sure – if we want a Beacon of Brilliance on our heads to tell Loghain where we are."

Rulen lifted a finger before it wilted and he frowned, "Hmm – good point. Mounts don't fly here; especially not the horses…"

I gave him a 'duh' look.

After getting to the Warehouse, I managed to get us into the Cache – using clairvoyance.

Rulen, Sten, Aedan, Alistair and I closed the hidden door behind us.

I looked around for a suitable spot to mark up. There was one wall that was stone, so I had us all work together to move things away from it.

Then, I did the Grey-Beard trick of engraving a shout into the stone – using Elemental Fury. If Alistair could use this shout, he could increase attack speed by 100% if he used all three words together; 50 for one and 75 for two. I held my had out toward the wall, using Thu'um while whispering, "Su-Grah-Dun." Air-Battle-Grace.

The tally-mark like words began to glow and they embedded themselves on the wall. When it stopped glowing, I motioned to Alistair, "Come here – try to read this."

He did – and I smirked when I could see him absorb the knowledge. He opened his mouth and said, "It's written in common, why wouldn't I e able to read it?"

"Alistair – this isn't Common; in time, you'll be able to see it as it's true self and still read it but as a Dovahkiin, your brain is rearranging the letters into something you can read. I was right. I knew you were Dragon Blooded – I just wasn't sure if you were Dragon Born or not. Some here – I'll share the essence of the words with you so that you can use the shout."

He looked confused but came closer. I took his hand and focused on transferring a bit of my knowledge to him. I found that it was easier to give him a bit of one of the absorbed souls rather a bit of my actual understanding since he was a Dragonborn.

His eyes widened, "Makers' Breath…"

I smiled, "It's a rush, isn't it?"

"This is what you feel when learning the Dragon Language?"

"Only after killing a Dragon, actually. I gifted you a bit of Dragon Soul – to give you understanding of the words you just learned. Try it."

He did – and like I had back in Skyrim, he understood how to shout at once. He looked awed, "What does this shout do?"

"Increases attack speed for 15 minutes – for you and anyone you view as an Ally within a 50-yard diameter – so 25 yards in any direction. Unfortunately, you'll need to wait 45 minutes between each time you use that specific shout. It won't work for that long for you. With two of us, that just means that we'll only have 15 minutes without coverage if we both use it. I can teach you more – if you like. I can train you in the Way of the Voice – you are Dovahkiin; as I am."

He looked awed, "I thought one had to have the soul of a Dragon to be Dovahkiin."

I gave him a secretive look, "Who said you didn't? Why do you think I tried this in the first place? You're my mate, Alistair – I can feel the Dragon Soul in you. To be honest, Cullen has one too, but he isn't ready to learn what he might view as magic."

"Yes – I'd like to learn. This isn't magic – it's shouting at people." He laughed.

I giggled, "That's right. Now – do you want to learn the easy way or the Hard way. Reading it off walls and such and having me transfer soul knowledge is the hard way."

"What's the other way?" he asked – I knew he was just curious, but I couldn't help it. I put one finger to his head and trained him the way Rulen had been training him in how to do paladin moves.

I granted him Unrelenting Force. He blinked, "Oh – but I still have train like that so honestly… I think you have it backwards. When I read it off the wall, I can visualize it easier. If we do it this way, then we also don't leave the markings behind to confuse people…"

"You're right – and you'll need to meditate for at least 20 minutes each day on the newest word. Hmm – I never realized that it might be harder to have the knowledge granted directly to you. I've never trained anyone in the Way of the Voice before, so this is new territory. So, hard way or easy way?"

"Hard – meditating and having the knowledge granted to me. We don't want to leave this behind and have others learn it by accident. Who knows how many Dragonborns there might be in Thedas?"

"A… good point – I was the last in Skyrim; but I've already met two here. It stands to reason that if I can meet two so close together then there might be more."

I extended dragon claws and began destroying the markings in the wall, "They'd still need to kill dragons to gain the ability to use the words, but still… we can't have too many people that can use the Thu'um here. Ulfric Stormcloak asked for an audience with the High King and the Court of Solitude once – after mastering the Thu'um to an extent. It wasn't pretty… people just thought that because Ulfric wanted independence, he would ask Torygg to declare independence from the Empire, right? Instead, the idiot challenged the High King to a traditional Nordic Duel… then he cheated. By Nord tradition, once such a challenge is issued in court, the High King has to accept or risk a Moot that will declare him unfit and replace him. Torygg died when Ulfric unleashed the Voice during the battle – literally shouting the King apart. Those duels are supposed to end in surrender not death. It started a Civil War – with me being the deciding factor. I joined the Empire – and with my foreknowledge and abilities, we won against the Stormcloak Rebellion. Point here is that… if some power-hungry dunce gains the Thu'um, he could do a lot of stupid."

"There is a shout that can rip people apart?" Rulen looked sick.

"No. Well, yes – but no. I could make a shout that can do that if I put the right words together, I suppose, but using any Unrelenting Force against someone with a weak mind and body can tear them apart. The king was sick – it wasn't life-threatening, but Ulfric waited until Torygg was down with a cold knowing that Unrelenting Force would kill him. According to Ulfric, he used the power of the Thu'um to shout Torygg to the ground and then finished him with his sword. Torygg knew he would die, at least – because he was not well, but honor-bound to accept the duel. His one regret was leaving his wife – the Jarl of Solitude – widowed. Vaaz-Nahl-Dilon might work as a tear-apart shout; it translates literally to 'Tear Living Dead' to kill someone by tearing apart. But I don't think we should test that."

"I wish to see it tested," Sten said.

"You would – but I've never made a shout before. I only know of one man-made shout – Dragonrend; it forces dragons to land and keeps them grounded for 10 minutes, unable to fly. It's a bastardization of the Dragon Language – and was made from necessity; to kill the world-eater Alduin."

"Well then… maybe we can test it on Urthemiel?" Alistair shrugged.

"Nope – he needs to die in one piece so that we can harvest his blood for the Grey Wardens. Speaking of… it looks like this place hasn't been found by Loghain yet; so he hasn't tossed it. We should take the Vial of Archdemon blood before he destroys it. It's needed in making more wardens and Loghain will know that after detaining Riordan. With what we've already done, they'll think someone tossed this place before they got here. Rulen, Sten, gather anything that looks valuable. Alistair – Duncans' shield is over there and you can put it in your Void-Ring for now, like Cailans' armor and Marics' sword. Aedan, make this place look ransacked. I'll gather the things from the 'Joining Chest'."

Everyone got to work. The place looked completely tossed… but then we heard someone out in the main area. Everyone froze as we listened. It was Loghain and Howe.

Loghain said, "You're sure the Warden Cache is here?"

"According to the documents I took from the Orlesian, yes."

I cursed softly and motioned to the others – thankfully, I'd had Alistair leave his crown in our room at the Rose – so I teleported us out.

"Talk about timing," Alistair said drily.

"No joke – at least we took the thing that they were there for. And with it looking ransacked like that, they'll think it was thieves rather than us." I sighed.

Aedan shook his head, "I can't tell if you were blessed by luck – or just incredible coincidence."

"Sheogorath – the Daedric Prince of Madness – has a bit of influence there. His boon to me was uncanny luck. Actually, Sheogorath is genderless – he just manifests as male and uses male pronouns most of the time. Sometimes – just to throw people off – he'll switch to female. To put a fine point on it… he's a sadistic Daedric Prince who finds entertainment by inflicting madness on helpless individuals and driving people to commit murder. No remorse for mortals – they're just playthings. He will freely renegade on a deal with them if he finds an alternative to be more beneficial to him. He will also discard a loyal follower should they fail to meet his expectations, usually by getting someone to kill them. I made sure not to disappoint and usually that meant causing a lot of madness myself. For now, he likes me. Though – I get the feeling that he only keeps his boon on me because I'm still causing madness where I go and that his boon is only about 5% of my overall luck." I shrugged.

"Did anyone else get a headache from that explanation? Just me?" Alistair asked.

I heard the mad god laugh in my head and repressed a shudder.

I flashed a pretty smile, "Come now Alistair – you know you love me."

"I do – it's just a bit creepy sleeping with a woman that looks like Morrigans' sister at the moment."

"In an alternate timeline, you would have to sleep with the witch to live." I hummed.

He gagged, "Ugh – just no. you're messing with me, aren't you?"

"Nope – you really would if Daylen wasn't with her. If Morrigan wasn't in a romance, you would have to sleep with her to prevent a death."

He shuddered, "Maker – I'll never be able to look the bitch in the face again."

I gave a slightly unhinged laugh – I loved the way his face looked right now. We headed back out and found Genitivis' house.

Alistair said, "Why did you have to tell me that? I would have been so happy just not knowing."

"Honey – I have to get my kicks somehow; and I stopped flirting with everyone else when I saw that I made you and the other two jealous so I'm not getting them that way anymore. Besides – you walked into it. Tell me you wouldn't have done something similar if I set you up for a joke."

He opened his mouth to argue – but couldn't, "Alright – you have a point. Still – I'll never be able to look Morrigan in the face again… not without some serious alcohol involved."

We got to Genitivis' – with Alistair pointing the way since it was a sort-of landmark in Denerim with ow famous the Brother had gotten. I knocked and 'Weylon' answered.

"Hi – I'm looking for… oh! It's you!" I smiled brilliantly. I had made the others stay behind, though I felt them watching me.

"Do I… do I know you?"

"I'm from… Haven." I lowered my voice. He ushered me inside at once. "I don't recognize you." I shook my head, "I know – I was found by Andraste… they named me Ebris after Andrastes' daughter because when they found me, she was nurturing me as though I was a dragonling."

The man gasped, "You're a chosen one?" I shrugged, "That's what Kolgrim tells me."

"Then it is an honor to meet you, Sister Ebris." He beamed. I doubt it crossed his mind that I was lying – how else would I know about Haven, dragon Andraste or Kolgrim?

"Speaking of Kolgrim… he sent me here for you. It's time to come home – Genitivi is no longer an issue and we received reports of the death of the one who sent him. Will you go?"

"What about you sister?" he asked, looking worried. Man this guy was gullible.

"I was sent for recon. I'm to infiltrate the Chantry and leak rumors that the Urn is actually in Orlais – that way people will stop looking for us in Ferelden."

Understanding lit his face, "That's actually… very clever. I don't know why no one has thought of that before."

"Well, brother – it is time for you to be on your way. I will stay in this place while I do my work so that I may send away any… strays. What is the story you've been using?"

"If someone pushes for information, I send them to the Spoiled Princess on the lake Calenhad Docks. They are told to ask the Innkeeper about him – he is being watched so anyone who asks will be killed. It's stemmed the tide so far."

I was really glad for the vision I'd had last night. This imposter would never reach as far as Lothering before he was killed by a Hurlock Emissary. A few minutes after the man was gone, there was a knock on the door. I opened it with a smirk seeing Alistair and Aedan giving me amused looks. "What did you tell him to get him to leave peacefully, love?"

"Those in Haven worship a High Dragon that they believe is Andraste reborn. I sprinkled a bunch of bullshit to get him to guess I was a Chosen One… and off he went."

"… You're joking?" Alistair asked. I giggled and shook my head. "Told him I was adopted by that dragon they worship." I grinned cheekily as we looked around for the map and journal in the one bedroom of the house. "Ah-ha! Look here, if we take the kings road to this point… but this map only shows how to get there by way of the road outside Honnleath in the Hinterlands. Actually, this is a good thing. I have a few stops to make so we can use the North Road on our way around."

"What stops?" Rulen asked.

"I promised Levi that we'd meet him at soldiers' peak – that's actually along the north road – and in Sulcher's Pass we'll find a merchant with a Golem Control rod that I need for when we go through Honnleath. The extra stops will add 2 months on our journey but Arl Eamon will be fine. That Demon completely stabilized his condition – as was the deal with Connor. Since the demon is dead, she can't go back on the deal. He could live 20 more years in that Coma with the proper upkeep." I was explaining for Alistair, of course. He seemed a bit more relaxed after my words.

"So to get this straight; we're going to go clear an old Warden base, find a man with a control rod and go through your Templars' hometown – adding two months to our plans – because it's more convenient?" Alistair asked amused.

"No… we're going to do it in that order because I had a vision that shows why we need the Golem in Honnleath and we'll need Soldiers Peak because it will be a base for Dryden Traders who will pay the Wardens a stipend for its use. Not to mention… Honnleath is soon to be besieged by Darkspawn and… I need to save Cullens' family – my family."

"Cullens'… then we have to; our course." Alistair said looking slightly troubled over it.

"Don't worry so much – I have it all timed out and planned perfectly."

Alistair flushed and nodded. I thought of something, "Speaking of… after we take care of Orzammar, we will be escorting someone to the Tower… she's important to the future, so I want to make damn sure she arrives."

Alistair chuckled, "Then we shall. Shall we go to the Market, love?"

I nodded and out we left the house heading past the Wonders of Thedas and finding the door that was mentioned for the Friends of Red Jenny quest. Handing over the box without a word, I was handed 3 golden coins before the door was shut. "Um… What just happened?" Alistair asked.

"Hmm? Oh that was for the Friends of Red Jenny," I replied. Aedan snorted, "When did you have time to become a Jenny?"

"I didn't – and I'm not; but I love helping the people… I guess, even if they never actually invite me, I could be called one… somewhat. But this quest was actually in that letter I pulled from one of Zevs' mercs during that ambush. I happened to grab the proper item from the tower while I was there so I turned it over. I like making Friends and it may help me if I ever meet the Jenny named Sera in the future."

We headed to the market square next.

I caught sight of Seredas' group talking to Gorim and approached. She was already crying. I put my arm around her and glanced at Gorim, "You have the shield of Aeducan for her?"

He nodded mutely and handed it to me. I nodded, "Thanks, Gorim."

I looked at Aedan who ushered her off.

I looked at Gorim, "She'll need some time…"

He nodded. "Yeah… I do still love her, but…"

"So… I'm going to tell you a Grey Warden secret… and I want you to make it… not a secret anymore, m-kay?" he nodded and I told him about Broodmothers – not in too much detail, just that each one used to be a living woman and what they looked like.

"That's… and you're willingly going into the Deep Roads? Knowing that?"

"I don't actually have a choice – despite my bravado about it, I will be needed there."

After that he looked thoughtful before digging around in a chest behind him. He pulled out… Red Lion Pelts. I gasped in awe. I knew the Red Lions of Thedas – one of the famed predators of the Frostbacks – were usually longer than ten feet and typically weigh well over 600 pounds. He had two or the pelts held out to me. I took them gently and looked them over – just one of these would make me a set of armor or three jackets.

"These two… I came across their bodies just after I was exiled. I had just been crippled by Bhelens men after being thrown out of Orzammar – I had hardly managed to escape, actually – they were still warm and I was able to skin them and bring the pelts with me… as I'm sure you know, Red Lion pelts are highly prized in Orzammar. Either you can make something with these to show high status or you could trade them on Orzammar for prestige – honestly I was wondering what to do with them; perhaps this is fate."

I saw the looks from my companions and I bit my lip, "Will you let me pay you for them, Gorim?" I asked. "No – just take them. You're trying to save the world and no one has wanted to buy them anyway."

"Thank you Gorim; Atrast nal tunsha – may you always find your way in the dark." He jerked in surprise, "I've never heard that variant before…"

"I know," I winked and we walked off with the pelts in my pack.

We went over to collect the missions for the Mages Collective, and I casually struck up a conversation with Master Ignacio. I bit my lip and dragged Alistair to Goldannas' house.

He sighed, "Will she… will she like me?"

I smiled, "I like you – does that count?"

He laughed and we headed into the house. He called out, "Er… Hello?"

"Eh? You have linens to wash? I charge three bits on the bundle, won't find better. Don't trust what that Natalia woman says, either – she's foreign and will rob you blind."

"Oh! Um… I'm not here to have… washing done. My name's Alistair. I'm… well I suppose this will sound a bit strange, actually. Are you Goldanna? If so, I suppose I'm your brother." Poor boy sounded so nervous – and he already knew somewhat how this would play out since I evaded the 'will she like me' question.

"My what? I am Goldanna, but how do you know my name? What kind of tomfoolery are you folks up to?"

I chuckled and shook my head, Alistair sighed and spoke again; though I could tell he was having trouble committing to the role, "Our… mother… was a serving girl at Redcliff castle a long time ago, before she died. Do you know about that? She…"

Goldanna cut him off, "I knew it! They told me you was dead! They told me the babe was dead along with mother, but I knew they was lying!"

Alistair jerked in surprise at her tone; she was pissed and bitter. "Who told you I was dead?"

"Them's at the Castle! I told them the babe was the Kings and they said he was dead. Gave me a coin to shut my mouth and sent me on my way… I knew it." She fumed.

"I'm… sorry. I didn't know that."

"For all the good that does me! You killed mother, you did; and I've had to scrape by all this…" I cut her off as I stepped forward. "Enough; I'll not have you belittling Alistair for something he didn't do. I will make you one offer – and only the one. I will give you 15 Sovereigns and you don't talk that way to him ever again. Not like you will ever see us again, so I would take the money were I you."

She reeled back in shock and Alistair glanced at me. Goldanna said, "And who in the Makers' name are you? Some tart following after his riches, I suppose?"

Alistair pulled me behind him and snarled, "You will watch your tone when speaking to High Queen Atarah Stormlight of Azeroth. She's my wife and current commander of the grey – and any riches that are to be found here are hers. I'm a bastard, as you well know. Maker…"

The woman blanched and I nodded, "Do you accept my offer? I don't like the thought of children suffering, so this is the last time I will offer."

She nodded mutely, so I counted out 15 gold coins. When she took the gold, she gave me an awkward bow, "Th… thank you, my lady." She muttered. I nodded and we left.

Alistair stopped me outside, "Well that was… not what I was expecting. There at the start, I thought she was mad I was kept from her… I mean… this is the family I wondered about my whole life? That gold-digging shrew was supposed to be my sister? I'd feel like an idiot if I hadn't known going in that she would be like that…"

I chuckled, "Think of it this way – she could have conned you into promising to support them – you'd really have been an idiot then!"

He gave a rough laugh, "Yeah; suppose I would. Thank you… for standing by me."

"Anytime, love." I winked.

Alistair chuckled under his breath, "She's going to blast that all over Denerim – that she was visited by the Azeroth Diplomat and that 'she was claiming to be High Queen and married to my brother' – you know that right?"

"I wish I could see Loghains' face when he hears that I was right under his nose. Goldanna won't even say that I look any different from the photos – no one will believe her if she does." I shrugged.

Aedan shook his head, "Can we go? I'm kind of hungry…"

Wardens.