Chapter 13: Hunted
After five days of journey on foot through a large region called The Hinterlands, the trio of Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan reached the outskirts of the village of Lothering. Normally it would have taken two days at most to travel from Ostagar to Lothering, much lesser for a group as small as this one. But the region around Ostagar had been swarming with darkspawn since the battle days ago, stray bands of darkspawn were roving the Hinterlands, making travel very unsafe. Avoiding the darkspawn had proven a tough challenge to the trio, but they had managed to do it. Now, finally they had reached their destination, the village of Lothering.
Lothering is a small village in the southernmost part of the Arling of South Reach. Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan walked on the Imperial Highway, they came across various groups of people. Some survivors from Ostagar, civilian refugees fleeing the darkspawn and what not. But now as they walked, they would encounter a much different group. Up ahead, they saw a band of men standing on the road, alongside them were two wagons. They noticed the men were armed and they seemed rather calm.
One of the men stood leaning his back on a wagon; on noticing the trio approaching, he stood up and stepped ahead, "Look here, boys, we got more customers. And I think that black hair is the leader," he said pointing at Alvar.
Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan stopped in front of him, "Good day, folks, you are going to Lothering are you?" the man greeted them.
"What about it?" demanded Alvar.
"You see ser, you must make a contribution if you are to use the highway. A toll for the highway! It goes to the upkeep," answered the man.
Alvar and his companions observed the men silently, they were armed and were twice as numerous. Their mannerism and appearance seemed odd for someone authorised by the state for the maintenance of the highway.
"Uh oh, this isn't good," uttered Alistair, "Highwaymen preying on those fleeing the darkspawn,"
"They dare get in our way and try to steal from us," added Morrigan, "I say we teach them a lesson."
"That we will," uttered Alvar.
"You leprous toads are charged with maintenance of the highway?!" Alvar demanded from the men ahead.
"Aye, now pay us the toll and we shall let you pass."
"And what if I say no?!"
"Then we shall have to take it from your corpse!" at that the remaining bandits drew their weapons and readied to fight.
"Try it!" bellowed Alvar, and the three of them drew out their own weapons. They lunged at the bandits, Alvar faced the leader while Alistair and Morrigan attacked the followers. The bandits were poorly trained and ill equipped, they were used to robbing unarmed civilians and often avoided soldiers. They were no match for Alvar and his companions, who made quick work of them. In a matter of minutes, the bandit leader was the only one alive. He lay on the floor, his swords were out of his reach and his leathers were torn from multiple wounds.
"No, stop, I give up!" he yelled. But Alvar did not listen, he raised his sword in the air and plunged it into the man's chest. Alvar twisted the sword as the man breathed his last with a grunt of pain.
"We could have questioned him, you know?" commented Alistair, sheathing his sword.
"For what?" demanded Alvar.
"To know where they kept all they stole," answered Alistair.
"Just search these wagons and their bodies, we might find something."
The three of them got to work searching the wagons, "hey Alvar," Alistair called out. He showed Alvar a scroll, "take a look at this,"
Alvar took the scroll from his outstretched hand and he reads it. His brows narrowed as he reached the end. "He talks about the urn of Andraste's ashes and he has signed it as a knight of Redcliffe. Where did you find this?"
"In the wagon, I also found a Chanty locket next to it," answered Alistair, "it has markings of the Redcliffe chantry."
"Keep it with you, there has to be more to this." Alvar ordered, "we might find something in Lothering."
Alistair nodded and after taking a few health poultices and some bandage cloth, the trio proceeded towards the village.
After walking for some more minutes, they got off the Imperial Highway and walked down the smaller road which connected to the village of Lothering. They now stood a few hundred metres outside the village gate. Alvar stood at front, Alistair and Morrigan stood beside him. They gazed at the village.
It is a small village with a wooden stockade around the village, the gate was also made of wood and it was closed. There were a couple of Templars at the door. Outside the walls, a sizeable group of people had set up tents. People looking haggard and gaunt, there was clear worry displaying on their faces. They were refugees from the region around Ostagar, they were Fereldan and Chasind alike, fleeing the rampaging darkspawn horde. The gate was closed making Alvar wonder whether the village was already full which would mean they may not get enough supplies here.
"Ah Lothering, pretty as a painting," declared Alistair, snapping Alvar from his thoughts.
"Oh, so you have finally decided to join us, Alistair," Morrigan said with a mocking smile, "Was falling on your blade in grief too much for you then?"
"Is my being upset so hard to understand?" snapped Alistair, "What would you do if your mother died?"
"Before or after I stopped laughing?" she answered with a feigned contemplation.
"Right, very creepy, I forgot you are a forest witch. Anyways," Alistair looked at Alvar, "Alvar, you have been silent for some time, what have you been thinking?"
"I have too many things in my mind," he muttered, "So much has happened in the past few days, the memories are still fresh in my head. So many good men and women have died…"
"I know," Alistair nodded sadly, "I still cannot believe they are all dead."
"Ser Alan, Ser Robert, Ser Percy and all those brave men and women from Highever," muttered Alvar, "so many good men and women, gone! Just like that!"
"Even Duncan and all the Grey Wardens are gone, I..."
"Maker, Duncan and Cailan are dead, right?" Alvar's face brightened, scaring Alistair, "Now that is the first good thing I have heard since the last few weeks!"
"What?! How could you say that?" Alistair was appalled.
"What else do you expect?" retorted Alvar, "I must grieve for that wretch who made me drink tainted blood? That knave who killed Ser Jory for not wanting to drink poison?!
"Duncan deserved what he got!"
"Alvar, I know that he forced you into the Grey Wardens and I understand you are upset," explained Alistair, "I believe he had his reasons. I don't expect sympathy but you could at least be civil about it. They died for us, you could…."
"Don't tell me to be civil, churl!" Alvar retorted angrily, before Alistair could finish, "I do not care what twisted reasons he may have! And how exactly did they die for us?!"
Alistair thought for a moment, "Well, they sent us to the tower, away from the frontlines." He uttered doubtfully.
"Yes," Alvar smiled sardonically, "The same tower where we were surrounded by darkspawn and would be dead by now if not for Flemeth!"
Alvar sighed, "the Grey Wardens brought me nothing but woes! The only ones who I mourn are the soldiers from my fyrd who are all dead and Arl Bryland! If he has not made it alive!"
"By Andraste, I will make Loghain pay!" he snarled.
"I agree with that!" Alistair said with determination. "But we need a plan for that. I do have some ideas if you will listen."
"You have ideas?" Morrigan mocked him, "You surprise me, Alistair,"
"Shut up, I do not see you offering any ideas," retorted Alistair, as he turned to face Morrigan.
Alvar also turned to face Morrigan, "Yes, what do you think?" he asked.
"I say we go to Loghain and face him head on," answered Morrigan, "Then we can deal with the Blight."
Alistair snorted, "Yes, what a brilliant idea!" he mocked, "It is not like he is in the capital and has an army."
"I just gave my opinion," protested Morrigan.
"If my Highever fyrd was still intact, we could have considered it, but unfortunately we cannot." Alvar added. Morrigan smiled smugly at Alistair.
"Yes, I think it is best to do what Flemeth said," Alistair said earnestly, "I also think we can go to Arl Eamon as well."
"Why Arl Eamon?" demanded Alvar.
"He is King Cailan's uncle," answered Alistair, "If we tell him what has happened, I am sure he will believe us and he will help us,"
"I know who is Arl Eamon. But no! we are not going to ask him for help," declared Alvar.
"Why not?" asked a surprised Alistair, "He is an honourable man, I know him personally, he will help us!"
Alvar frowned, "How do you know Arl Eamon personally?" he asked skeptically.
"I, you know I said I was a Templar before Duncan recruited me?" answered Alistair, "well before joining the Chantry, I was raised by the Arl in Redcliffe."
Alvar was surprised to hear that, he wanted to ask as why did the Arl raise him, a commoner in the castle. 'Unless, he is no commoner,' thought Alvar, Alistair had told him he was a bastard child. Alvar remembered now how nobles treat illegitimate children, they would either be sent to Chantry or the army. Alvar had suspected Alistair to be a bastard of some nobleman, but now he felt sure of it. 'So, he is Eamon's bastard out of all the people. Hmm… it seems Teagan is not the only lothario in the family.' He pondered, slowly rubbing his stubbled chin, 'Mayhap the Eamon is where Teagan and Cailan get their lascivious tastes from,'
"Alright, but we are still not going to Redcliffe!" Alvar declared sternly.
"You still did not tell me why!" protested Alistair.
"Because I said so!" yelled Alvar, he was in no mood to explain the political rivalries among the noble families. Especially to someone who could be Eamon's own son.
"Fine, if not Eamon, whom do you wish to ask help from?" questioned Alistair, "I hope you really know some powerful nobles, and are not thinking what Morrigan suggested."
"Of course, I have allies! I am a Cousland!" retorted Alvar, "We shall go to Arl Leonas Bryland instead. He is a man of high standing; And he is the only nearest noble I can trust now."
"Where will we find him?" asked Alistair.
"He is the Arl of South Reach, we are already in his arling and his city is to the northern most part of this arling." Alvar answered him, "We can reach him soon…. If he is still there." Alvar uttered the last sentence under his breath. Even if they could not find Arl Bryland, they would at least meet his eldest son Lord Leander Bryland, who is a close friend of Alvar. Truthfully, this was one of the reasons why Alvar wanted to go to the city of South Reach.
"But he is no Eamon, he is not an uncle to the king," commented Alistair.
"We do not need a Guerrin when we have a Cousland!" Alvar declared confidently.
"Right, that has helped you a lot so far," Alistair uttered under his breath.
"You said something?" demanded Alvar.
"Oh, nothing," Alistair shook his head, "It's just that I don't like this…." He trailed, "Grey Wardens are do not interfere in politics, I…."
Rage filled Alvar as he heard that, he put a hand on Alistair's shoulder, "What did you just say?" he snarled, "Grey Wardens do not take part in politics?
"Oh, if that was so, then how do you explain Duncan's adamant demand that I join his order?! There are one and a half million people in Ferelden, yet he chooses me, a son of the highest noble family in the realm!" he lashed out at Alistair, "even when he was offered multiple knights in my stead, he refused. Maker, even after knowing that my brother is missing and I am the last descendant of my family, he did not budge! Only a Cousland would satisfy him!"
"Grey Wardens do not take part in politics!" Alvar threw his hands in air, "Now don't even get me started on Sophia Dryden and what that Orlesian bitch Genevieve did!"
Alistair was speechless, he stood silently. Neither did Morrigan have anything to say, but she looked unaffected. She did not care about anything they said. Alvar sighed and calmed down, "let us go to the village," he declared and proceeded towards the gate. Alistair and Morrigan followed after him.
The trio approached the entrance, they came towards the templars. "Halt, strangers," a Templar raised his hand, "If you are looking for shelter there is hardly any place left. I advise you to leave."
"Wait, you do not look like refugees," the Templar's eyes moved over Alvar and Alistair in Grey Warden armour.
"We are survivors from Ostagar," said Alvar, "We have elsewhere to be. We are here only temporarily."
"Well, good for you, but I still advise the same," said the Templar, "Our situation is not good. You will not find much here."
"What is happening here?" questioned Alvar, "Where are the soldiers, why are Templars standing guard?"
"Our Bann arrived a few days ago, he took all the soldiers and marched with Teyrn Loghain to Denerim. We are the only ones left to defend the village."
"Who is in charge here?"
"We Templars answer to Ser Bryant here, the Revered Mother heads the Chantry," answered the Templar.
"We just need some food and water, we will be on our way soon," proclaimed Alvar.
The Templar nodded and agreed to let the three of them into the village.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan walked through the streets, the Templar was right when he said the village had no place. Refugees had camped in every open space that could be found. They passed through a row of tents set up by the refugees. Men, women, children, elderly, all could be found, fleeing desperately for their lives from the darkspawn. Naturally, the people were terrified, fearful of what would come next. Templar guards were also a common sight, trying to control the crowd.
Alvar and his companions were subject to long stares from the people. Two men in Grey Warden armour and one woman in Chasind like robes, made a peculiar sight. Striding past the haggard refugees, the tall and confident Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan stood out like a sore thumb among the throng of refugees. The three of them however gave little notice to the stares. Alvar was in fact glancing from building to building, searching for something. After some time, they reached a small inn with a board saying "Dane's Refuge" hanging outside, near the door.
"Ah, we have reached an inn" said Alvar, the three of them stood outside the inn, "let us get us some breakfast and news."
The three of them entered the inn. The inn was quite crowded, filled with various kinds of people. Alvar and his companions scanned around and then walked towards the counter. As they walked, they were suddenly intercepted by five soldiers. They wore the Fereldan chainmail and surcoats. They carried Gwaren shields.
"Oy, look here!" bellowed one of them, "Didn't we spend all morning searching for these two fellows?"
Neither Alvar nor any of his companions responded. They stood still, intently watching the soldiers.
"Aye," another joined in, "Everyone said they had not seen them, seems we were lied to."
"Are you talking about us?" demanded Alvar.
"Aye, the traitorous Grey Wardens who fled after killing the king."
"What in the void?!" Alvar was astounded, "We killed the king? what bullshit are you yapping knave?!"
"The Teyrn told us everything," said the sergeant, "The Grey Wardens betrayed the king and caused his death. He has ordered us to capture any Warden who survived."
"Lies," snapped Alvar, "Loghain fled the field leaving the king and everyone else to die,"
"I was there when it happened," retorted the sergeant, raising his voice, "Teyrn Loghain led us out of the trap. A trap which you Wardens set up to kill King Cailan.
"So, in the name of Teyrn Loghain, you two are under arrest for treason!" the leader proclaimed loudly.
"Your charges are false!" Alvar said sternly, "We will not come with you!" he thundered.
"Then we will have to make do with just your heads," snarled the guard leader.
Before anyone could respond, a feminine voice joined in, "Gentlemen, let us talk it out, surely there is no need for such violence."
The guards and Alvar's trio turned towards the direction of the voice. A young woman dressed in Chantry robes approached them, she looked at them, her face was calm and soothing. She is beautiful to look at; her shoulder length ginger hair was tied up in a ponytail. She seemed to be around the same age as Alvar or maybe a couple of years older.
"Stand back, sister," ordered the guard leader, "We are dealing with traitors here. Do not meddle with our work."
"Traitors?" gasped the sister, "Surely these are just helpless folk fleeing looking for shelter." She said calmly, her voice had a clear Orlesian accent.
The leader snorted; his men also laughed. Even Alvar was amused, "Yes," the leader nodded sarcastically, "Their silver and blue Grey Warden armour, the swords at their belts, the griffon shields on them and the winged helmets they carry are exactly what helpless refugees carry!" he laughed.
"I will say again, stand back sister!" he demanded.
"We can handle these louts, sister," said Alvar, facing the sister, "Please, do not risk your life for me."
"I can protect myself," replied the sister.
"That's it!" the leader lost his patience, "We take the two Grey Wardens into custody, kill the sister and anyone who gets in the way!"
His soldiers drew out their weapons; Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan also followed suit. The onlooking people gasped, some of them got up and walked towards the door.
The guards lunged at Alvar, Alistair and Morrigan. The trio defended themselves and dished out their own attacks. Some people screamed in fear and rushed towards the exit and fled the tavern. The remaining people just stood away and watched the brawl. Some watched with keen interest while many stood cowering in fear. As Alvar fought back against the attackers, he glanced from a corner of his eye at the Chantry sister. To his surprise, she was fighting a guard, wielding a dagger. He understood then what she had meant when she said 'she can defend herself'.
In a matter of minutes, it was over. The soldiers were all dead except for the leader. "Stop! I surrender!" pleaded the leader.
"Put down your weapons!" demanded Alvar.
The leader nodded and put his sword and shield on the floor. He stood with his hands in the air. "I give up, please spare me!" he pleaded.
"Good, they have learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting, now" declared the sister.
"No, they will die now!" thundered Alvar.
"Don't!" pleaded the sister, "Please, he has surrendered. Show him mercy."
"They tried to kill us, woman!" snapped Alvar.
"But they have failed and now they realise the folly of their ways," the sister spoke calmly.
Alvar rolled his eyes, as much as he respected the Chantry priests; their kind, all forgiving nature did annoy him at times. "He will receive the same mercy they were going to offer me!" he declared.
The sister sighed, "Alright, at least let me say a prayer for him." And she readied to recite a prayer. But before she could even utter a word, Alvar's sword plunged through the man's gut. The man cried out, and with the blade still in his gut, Alvar twisted it further. The man gave out a louder painful cry and then he slumped on the floor, dead.
Alvar pulled out his sword and turned to the sister, "Loghain's lapdogs deserve no prayers! They shall rot in the darkest void!" he yelled. The sister sighed sadly. Alvar then cut a piece of cloth from the dead sergeant's tunic and turned towards the sister again. "You sister, have some explaining to do," he demanded as he cleaned his sword with the cloth.
"I know," she answered calmly, "I could not stand by and watch all this. I had to try to stop this."
"I meant your fighting skills," said Alvar, "you seem quite handy with the dagger. How does a Chantry sister know to fight like that?"
"We aren't all born in the Chantry," she answered, "Many of us had a more…. colourful lives before we joined the Chantry,"
"What were you before joining the Chantry, sister-?" asked Alvar.
"My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I," she said with a smile, "I am Leliana, lay sister at the Lothering Chantry."
"I am Lord Alvar Cousland of Highever," Alvar proclaimed proudly, "These are my companions Alistair and Morrigan," he said indicating to the two of them.
"A pleasure to meet you," Leliana smiled brightly, "But I heard the soldiers say that you are Grey Wardens," her eyes moved over Alvar and Alistair's armour.
"Yes, we unfortunately are," Alvar nodded slowly.
"I have heard of the disaster at Ostagar, after what has happened," said Leliana, "You will need help you can get,"
"That is why I am coming along," she declared.
Alvar and his companions were taken aback, "What?!" exclaimed Alvar, "I mean you are good, Sister Leliana, but joining us? We travel a very dangerous path."
"All the more reason for me to accompany you," she said brightly.
Alvar noticed the Chantry sister seemed quite excited to join him, this roused his curiosity, "Why do you want to accompany me?" he questioned.
"Because the Maker told me to," she answered.
"What?" Alvar was bewildered, as were Alistair and Morrigan.
"I know it sounds insane, but it is true," she said earnestly, "Let me explain, I had a dream a few days ago, a vision. Here is what happened in my dream, there was an impenetrable darkness…. It was so dense, so real." She explained, "There was a noise, a terrible ungodly noise.
"I stood on a peak and watched as the darkness consumed everything… and when the storm swallowed the last of the sun's light, I…." she hesitated, Alvar was listening intently, his face showed interest, "I fell, and the darkness drew me in."
"Hmm… it sounds similar to how the blight is described," said Alvar, "Mayhap you have dreamed of the blight,"
"I suppose I did," nodded Leliana, "That is what the darkness was, no?
"When I woke, I went to the Chantry's gardens, as I always do. But that day, the rosebush in a corner had flowered. The bush was dead for a long time, it was grey and twisted and gnarled, it was ugly beyond comprehension. But there it was, a single beautiful rose!"
"One single rose in a dead bush," Alvar said skeptically.
"Yes, it was as if the Maker stretched out his hand to say, 'even in the midst of this darkness, there is hope and beauty. We must have faith."
"That is a beautiful message," said Alvar hopefully, a tone Alistair and Morrigan had never seen in Alvar's voice, they were taken aback, "But how did you interpret that as the Maker telling you to join me?"
"In my dream I fell or I jumped…." answered Leliana, "I would do anything to stop the blight. This is why I want to join you. There are so many good things in the Maker's world. How can I just sit by and watch the blight devour everything?"
Alvar and his companions were not sure what to perceive of this. Alvar was did not understand how exactly her vision was compelling her to join him. But as a pious man he did consider her words with care. They stood gazing at Leliana, "Please, let me come, I promise I will help you," she pleaded to Alvar.
Alvar thought for a moment, "Hmm…. At least having a servant of the Maker along might bring us the Maker's favour," he said, "You shall come along then,"
"Thank you! Warden," Leliana exclaimed gratefully.
"Oh, one more thing," said Alvar, "Do not call me a Grey Warden or Warden!" he warned, his tone suddenly became cold.
"Uh, what shall I call you then?" Leliana asked hesitantly.
"I am Lord Alvar Cousland of Highever, the rightful Teyrn of Highever," Alvar proclaimed proudly, "So, you shall address me as it befits my station as in Your lordship or Lord Alvar.
"Or you just call me by my name," he demanded. Leliana nodded in agreement.
Alistair was speechless, he was still in thought as if trying to understand whether Alvar's decision to take Leliana was right or not. While Morrigan seemed to have made up her mind, "T'seems your skull was cracked more than mother had thought," she commented.
"I have left my things in the Chantry," said Leliana, "I shall go and fetch them."
"We shall go later," said Alvar, "First, we must have some breakfast," saying that the four of them walked towards the innkeeper's counter. Alvar stood with one hand on the counter and looked at the innkeeper. The innkeeper stood with crossed arms, his face was cold and impassive. Alvar then glanced at the floor and remembered the dead soldiers.
"Look, my apologies for this…. mess" he said, facing the innkeeper, "I wouldn't have done this if…"
The innkeeper waved his hand, "Bah, it was getting crowded here. You actually did me good." He said casually, "So, what can I get you?" he asked.
"Bring food and ale enough for four people," demanded Alvar.
"Aye," nodded the innkeeper, and he ordered his maidservants to ready some food and ale, "anything else?"
"Tell me what is happening in the village," said Alvar.
The man gave a cynical smile, "What is not happening? You may ask. The Bann has fled the village, taking all his soldiers with him. We are left to fend off for ourselves from the darkspawn. The people from southern villages in The Hinterlands are fleeing here thinking they will be safe, bah!"
"What of you men?" he asked, eying Alvar and Alistair, "Your armour shows who you are. They say you men killed the king."
Alvar glared at the man, he leaned his head closer, "they say many things," he said gravely, "Do you believe them?"
The man waved his hand, "Nay, I care not for who says what!" he said, "Now, anything else I can get you."
"Have you heard any strange rumours recently?" questioned Alvar.
"Aye, there is one," nodded the innkeeper, "Arl Urien Kendells never made it to Ostagar, he was assassinated by the crows on the way. Some say the crows were hired by his own son Vaughan.
"What do you think of that?"
Alvar pondered for a moment, he suddenly recalled now how he had not seen Arl Kendells in Ostagar. In not one of the noble councils, did he see the man. Instead, his second Lord Braden was standing for him. Alvar hadn't thought about it then but now his interest was piqued.
"Your food and ale are ready," said the innkeeper, snapping Alvar from his pondering. A couple of maidservants carried and placed the food and ale on a nearby table.
"My thanks, man" said Alvar and the four of them proceeded and sat around the table. The food consisted of bread, cheese and some fruits. It was no scrumptious mead like the ones Alvar was used to as a nobleman; but after what they had to improvise with during the last past weeks, the sight of plain bread and cheese delighted him.
Despite his ravenous hunger, Alvar ate daintily with the trained grace of a high-born nobleman. They ate silently with not a single word spoken among the four of them. Alvar ate more now than he would usually eat for breakfast, he even called for more bread, cheese and some porridge as well. Mayhap he was just hungry from the long travel, he thought. Alistair also seemed to have a big appetite. As for the women Morrigan and Leliana, their appetite was normal.
On finishing their breakfast, Alvar paid for the innkeeper for the food and ale. The four of them then left the tavern. As they went outside, they noticed that people staring at them had increased. Their rather peculiar group was catching more stares now. This time, some people had fear in their faces as they gazed on Alvar and his pack.
Alvar and his companions tried to ignore the stares as they walked towards the Chantry. But it was getting more and more uncomfortable. As a nobleman, Alvar was actually used to people staring at him, especially during banquets and noble balls. But then it was with admiration, at least on the outside, here it was with fear and uneasiness which made him quite uncomfortable.
"Maker, I do not like the way they stare at us," complained Alvar as they walked, "haven't they seen armed men before?!" he uttered.
"I know, it is rather strange," added Alistair, his eyes darting all around him. "Wait, I think I know the reason," he said.
"What is it?"
"Look there," said Alistair, pointing at a wall nearby. The wall had a couple of posters on it. The four of them approached the wall to read the posters. They were wanted posters, meant for bounty hunters.
"What in the Maker's name?!" Alvar was astounded on reading the name on one of the posters, "A bounty on my head?"
"And mine as well!" exclaimed Alistair.
The two of them read their respective posters again; the posters gave their full name, a detailed description of their appearances. Alvar was mentioned as nobleman and Grey Warden while Alistair was mentioned only as Grey Warden. And then came their crime, they were charged with high treason against the crown and the realm. The poster claimed they conspired with Orlesians to kill King Cailan and help them conquer the realm. They were blamed for the defeat of Ostagar as well.
They reached the reward section, "One hundred and fifty sovereigns for bringing me alive and a hundred sovereigns for my head?!" Alvar uttered in disbelief. It was a very high amount, and it would no doubt tempt many bounty hunters to try their luck.
"And fifteen sovereigns for Alistair, dead or alive, how surprising," chuckled Morrigan, "Seems even Loghain knows Alistair's worth,"
"Hey," snapped Alistair, annoyed at her remark. "Well, at least I have some worth. Do you know how much the Chantry would offer for bringing in a forest witch? Nothing!" Alistair beamed at his retort.
"Seems even the Chantry thinks you Templars are unworthy of their coin," retorted Morrigan, "And still fools like you will show up at mother's hut, ready to throw away their lives."
"Shut up!" responded Alistair.
"Maker, that bastard Loghain blames us for what he did," Alvar hissed angrily, "He dares to call us traitors and puts a bounty on my head?!" Alvar gritted his teeth, his fists clenched in rage.
"What do we do now?" asked Alistair, "from the way the villagers stare at us, it seems they already know we are the ones mentioned in the posters."
"Yes, now this will give us more trouble than we had thought," answered Alvar, "We must find some way to hide in plain sight. Mayhap we can get rid of this Grey Warden armour and shields. I need a new shield anyway," he said remembering his broken shield.
"Leliana," Alvar turned to face her, "Do you know any armourers in here?"
Leliana shook her head, "there are no armourers in Lothering,"
"Hmm…" Alvar pondered, "In that case, we shall just visit the Chantry and get some information. Then we shall leave this village as soon as we can, we shall have to find different equipment and supplies elsewhere,"
"Yes, I cannot wait to leave Lothering as well," added Alistair.
Having decided their next course of action; Alvar, Alistair, Morrigan and Leliana walked towards the village Chantry.
A/N: I have changed the layout of Lothering a little to suit my story. This is why the Dane's refuge tavern is foundearlier than the Chantry.
Katariah (guest) review: I thank you for reading my story and giving your review. I understand your point, but Loghain's regime had not yet started at the time of Cousland's recruitment, in fact it starts much later and neither is it considered legitimate by many of the nobles. So, by the time of the Highever attack, the Cousland PC was still the legitimate heir to Highever while Howe was the renegade. Besides, I do not think the Grey Wardens can offer safety to anyone hiding from the law. As we can see even in Awakening, where the Grey Wardens are reinstated and even revered as heroes due to the recent blight, does not stop people from conspiring against them.
I hope you all readers are enjoying the story, feel free to give your reviews.