DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

A SONG IN THE STILLNESS

Chapter 8: On the Defensive

9:31 Dragon, Haring === Soldiers' Peak

Tugging against Kieran's hold on his little finger, Liam grinned at his six-week-old son. "Is that a smile?" he queried, chuckling at his own high-pitched voice.

At first denying that she changed her tone when speaking to her son, Morrigan conceded that she, too, spoke differently. "T'is normal for a parent to speak in such a way," she argued, "as long as you use normal words."

"So, your mother spoke to you that way?"

Sniffing, she retorted that she did not remember how her mother spoke when she was an infant. "I never saw my mother with a babe in later years. I am quite sure she spoke to me as to an adult from the first, but as to her tone…" she shrugged.

He heard her muttering later that her mother would never speak in any special way to an infant and adding that it made it more important that she did. Realizing Liam had heard her, she elaborated, "I will consider how my mother would behave and behave differently, based on circumstances and his age," Morrigan said, as she cuddled Kieran against her. "I will love him," she added softly, then narrowed her eyes as she looked up at Liam, "which does not mean he will not learn hard lessons, but he will always know I…we are there helping him. I do not believe in coddling–"

At that Liam could not suppress a chuckle. He held up his hands. "-I don't believe in coddling either, but no one would ever suspect you of supporting it." He brushed his fingers over his son's sparse growth of dark hair and the raised it to caress Morrigan's cheek. "What I do believe is that you love and will keep him safe, mage or not. I just wonder–"

"–there is no way to know yet exactly how the Old God's soul will affect him. I have more studying to do, which I can do here, but within the year I…we must think about another place to keep us safe. Too many have begun to realize I am here. Wardens can be closed mouthed and the Dryden clan keeps to itself, but word will spread. I want to be gone before Mother regains her powers."

Liam nodded agreement. He had come to accept Morrigan belief in Flemeth's survival. "Let's not worry about it for now." He turned at a knock on the door and, opening it, found Sigrun outside. As Alistair had told him, she would become a good leader. Alistair had asked the woman who taught the Dryden children to teach Sigrun to read the Common Tongue and improve her arithmetic beyond the basics she had learned to function in the Carta. As important, she kept secrets and Morrigan liked her. Given how quickly Sigrun's learned to read, he suspected Morrigan had helped.

"A bird, Commander." She handed him a note and left.

"More trouble from your talking darkspawn?" Morrigan asked, speaking lightly despite the frown creasing her forehead.

"Much more. Attacks throughout Amaranthine, even on the City itself. Nate's returning early on a galley from Higheverport. He'll stop at the dock here on his way and take any of us who can leave."

"So soon!" Kieran whimpered as she squeezed him. She lifted him to her lips and kissed his forehead. Looking back at Liam she said, "I see. Nathaniel would not leave his family were it not urgent."

"No, he would not, love. I need to go, too. I'll leave Sigrun in charge here, but take a few of the more experienced wardens. Fulke and two others."

"A good choice. She tolerates Avernus and cares for Kieran."

He smiled. "And you tolerate her."

"I like her, Liam. She is sensible and capable. I will remain here while you fight these monsters."

He nodded, understanding that she had just promised not to leave without telling him, at least for the present.

9:31 Dragon, Haring === Higheverport

Nathaniel kissed his son one last time, before laying the swaddled infant in his cradle. Pippa insisted on leaving Thom unwrapped for a few waking hours each day, but believed he slept better when bundled securely in a soft cloth. Nate enjoyed the time Thom spent on his back, batting at a dangled ball of yarn, watching the light filtering through small glass prism hung above his head, or listening his mother read or sing to him. He found even his deep voice could garner a smile when he talked or sang to his son. His love for the little boy overwhelmed him sometimes and caused him to wonder how his own parents could have been so cold and cruel. He rubbed a finger across Thom's head and stood, already regretting his departure.

Pippa, her back to Nate and her son, stood in the Keep's window embrasure staring across the roofs of Higheverport to the harbor, where numerous masts rocked at anchor. One mast flew the banner of Amaranthine at its peak. Nate, stepping up behind her, put his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.

"I can't leave this to Delilah. You're safe here, but she and Albert–"

"–I know," Pippa whispered. "And she's with child. It just never seems to end. It wasn't like this when we were growing up."

"It was for our parents."

Pippa sighed and nodded, covering Nate's hands with her own. "I should be grateful so few darkspawn have attacked the Coastlands and that we missed the worst of the Blight. We'll keep watch, but our wardens have only sensed a few incursions. Even in the west, near our old Long's Reach camp, only a few groups of darkspawn appeared."

"Have you heard from Arlessa Alfstanna?" Nate asked, giving the former Bann her new title. The regents had decided, and the Landsmeet agreed, that Alfstanna's diplomatic responsibilities, requiring her to negotiate along the Orlesian border with Jader and across the Waking Sea, with Cumberland, warranted the greater title, Arlessa of Waking Sea.

"From her and from Felice, the cloth merchant we trade with in Jader. No unusual darkspawn appearances in either place." She turned, within his embrace, to face him. "I'm sorry all this fell on you and Delilah." She caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers. "We'll miss you. First you miss Satinalia and now this." She pressed two fingers against his lips to forestall the comment she expected. "I know, Delilah appreciated the support and I kept busy, seeing to the traditional celebrations here."

"And the elven refugees."

Pippa frowned. "You still think they came from the fortress you found east of the Vigil?"

"I do."

"I'll ask Hahren Cordelian to tell me if she learns anything, but I don't think we can–"

"–no, I don't expect you to have them questioned, but learn whatever you can learn from the Hahren. If Thomas did have a wife and she survived and has a child, I want to know, to help them. The human women we rescued said the elven men and women worked throughout the Keep."

"And they're invisible to the humans they serve," Pippa added, ending with pursed lips. "I'll explain and ask Myfanwy to help if you don't mind."

"I don't. The refugees will know more than the human women did," Nate said.

Pippa rose on her toes and pressed her lips to Nate's. The kiss deepened as their tongues explored and twined. Pippa's arms reached around Nathaniel's neck, as one of his hands cupped a breast, while the other pressed her hips against his. Pulling away, Pippa whispered he would never make the morning tide if they kept this up.

Breathing deeply to catch his breath, Nate lowered his forehead to rest on her hair. "I don't want to make the morning tide, but–"

"–you must."

"Liam will appreciate another day with Morrigan and the baby."

"Delilah won't."

"No." He dropped his arms and stepped back, a wry grin on his lips. "Your practicality can be–"

"–deflating?"

He chuckled. "I love you."

"And I you, Nathaniel Howe. Come back to us soon and safely."

Nate backed away, took one last look at Thomas, turned, and strode through the door.

9:32 Dragon, Wintermarch === Amaranthine City

Less than a week later, having passed First Day and the start of the year 9:32 Dragon at sea, the galley, its sail furled, rowed into Amaranthine harbor to signs of recent battle. Smoke rose from the settlement outside the great walls, but the city itself appeared untouched and the harbor, while filled with galleys and sailing ships, showed no signs of an evacuation. Liam and Nate disembarked and headed to the Guard quarters to get a report. They found Delilah sitting with Constable Aidan, the guard captain, and Voldrik Glavonak reviewing their defensive plan.

"Nate and Warden-Commander," Delilah said, standing to embrace her brother. "I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. Or did you leave before my message arrived, brother?"

"I got it and sent a bird the same day to Liam to ask that he join us. Our galley made good time. I've sent my lieutenant to secure rooms for the troops I brought and for Liam's wardens." He looked at Aidan. "I won't displace your Guard, Constable. We'll use the Chantry or stay in one of the inns. Now, Voldrik, have you had time to block the underground passages?"

"Barely, but with the supplies you left, some good stone by the way, we succeeded. Those monsters tried yesterday, but our stonework held. We can put in doors later, but for now, they can't come up through the ground inside the city."

"Never say can't about darkspawn," Liam cautioned, "but given your skills and knowledge, the City is as safe as possible. I'll set my wardens to keep watch. We'll sound the alarm should we sense any."

"And the battlements and walls?" Nate asked.

"Also strengthened and holding," Constable Aidan said. "Master Glavonak and his crew have saved us, I think. We placed small ballistas and trebuchets at key locations around the wall to slow their attacks and harm any ogres. Two of your wardens came to help, Warden-Commander, Wardens Daveth and Oghren." He saw Liam raise his eyebrows. "They're billeted at the main gatehouse."

"I should go see them, Nate. If you'll excuse me, I'll talk with Daveth and see if there's room for Anders, me and the three other wardens I brought." Liam looked at the Constable. "We brought our own rations and bedding, so we won't be a drain on your stores."

Liam swung back through the harbor, finding Anders and three Soldier's Peak wardens about to head into the City. He led them through to the gatehouse, where he found Daveth on the roof, observing the surrounding countryside. Smiling, Daveth offered an arm in greeting. Grasping the other's forearm, they shook and turned to look out over the settlement outside the walls. Smoke poured from most buildings.

"We couldn't hope to defeat the darkspawn outside the walls," Daveth said, "and we don't have near enough pills to give to the entire city, but we did give each guard one before we ran out. With Voldrik's work, we can hold the city from the horde we've seen so far and avoid facing too many 'spawn directly. Two ogres approached, but couldn't overwhelm the walls. We have some of Dworkin's explosives and green fire to use in the trebuchets and that's a help, against ogres, and the swarms of childers…the hatchling and adult versions anyway."

"Children! Is this an attack by the Mother, not the Architect?"

"It seems so. We've heard no talkin', no indication they'd kissed and made up," Daveth said. "We use the Guards' archers against the hurlocks and genlocks. Haven't seen any shrieks…yet. The soldiers hurl stones as the darkspawn approach the wall and try to climb or raise ladders."

He waved at the destroyed settlement. "Last time the settlement diverted them, even though all the folk had been brought inside, but next time…."

"They'll focus on the city walls."

"Just need to hope the new underground barriers hold." Daveth took a deep breath. "There's more Liam…er Ser."

"More?"

"The Vigil. Before the Mother's forces attacked, one of the Architect's talkers showed up here and asked for me. Calls himself the Messenger. His message, from the Architect, tells us that this is the Mother's force and that she has another force marching on the Vigil. Seems she thinks she can destroy it while we defend the City."

Liam rubbed his palms across his face and back through his hair. "How many remain at the Vigil? Who's in charge?"

"Taina leads the wardens, with Seneschal Varel in overall charge, and Captain Garavel leading Nate's troops. Voldrik finished his work there, so no underground or cliffside entrances remain and the walls will hold. Herrn and Wade completed refittin' all the armor. They have Dworkin's explosives, his green fire, and Dworkin, plus bigger trebuchets and ballistas on the roof and the battlements. The Vigil's prepared."

Daveth's speech projected confidence, but Liam saw the doubt flit across his face as he spoke Taina's name. Leaning on the battlements, he sorted through his options. I'll let Nate know what the Messenger said, but I should go to the Vigil. Varel will work with Taina and my wardens, but Garavel could be a problem for them. He knew that, not only did Garavel believe he reported directly to Nate and not to Varel, but he had family here in the City and might want to rush to the City's aid. And Nate. Losing the Vigil, not the building, but the people, will kill Nate, but so will losing Amaranthine City. He gazed out over the ruins of the once thriving village where ravens and seagulls swooped over the debris. Anders and I can fly to the Vigil. The others can stay here and fight. Straightening up, he told Daveth his plan.

"I'm not going to argue with Nate about this. He doesn't know about the shape shifting, so just tell him Anders and I already left, which will be true. We'll have a small boat drop us just west of the city and fly from there. I'll write a note for you to give to him, but not until after we leave. I want us long gone by the time he reads it." He saw Daveth's raised brows. "I know, coward's way out, but do you want explain that we shape-shifted?"

Daveth laughed. "No. I'll just carry the note." He hesitated, then cleared his throat. "How's Morrigan?"

"Enjoying motherhood," Liam said smiling. "His name's Kieran."

"Congratulations. Seems Nate's little one will have a playmate, then."

Nodding, Liam motioned for Daveth to follow him back inside where he introduced Daveth to the three new wardens from Soldiers' Peak and explained they already had experience fighting darkspawn in Kal'Hirol. Adeliza, a mage who could heal and wreak havoc as well as Morrigan, or so Liam said, would give them a huge advantage; Ulf and Warin would provide blades.

Daveth gave Liam and Anders time to get to the harbor before he set out for the Guard headquarters. He found Nate with Delilah, Albert, Voldrik, and Constable Aidan bent over a map of the city walls, reviewing the placement of troops, ballistas and trebuchets and ordering stones, bolts, and green fire bottles brought up from the storerooms and stockpiled near the machines. Albert, prior to becoming a merchant with House Haris, had spent time training with the Haris mercenary troop as an archer and artillery officer. The calculations required to place an arrow, a skill at which Albert had excelled since childhood, translated to the skills one need to calculate the arc of a ballista bolt, bottle of green fire, or trebuchet shot. Delilah, always good at calculations, helped with notes. Aidan identified where the attackers might find cover and where they could be destroyed with a well-placed shot. Voldrik confirmed whether the wall could support the engines. They all looked up when Daveth entered and cleared his throat.

"Can I speak with ye, Arl Howe?"

Frowning, Nate left the others at the table and joined Daveth. "The Warden-Commander asked me to deliver this to ya." The Denerim rogue handed him Liam's note and turned to leave.

"Not so fast, warden," Nate said, looking up from the note. "I may have orders for you. Or questions."

"Had to try, me lord."

Nate broke the seal and began to read.

Nate,

You're needed here, but we've had a message warning of an attack, by the Mother, on the Vigil. Anders and I will join Taina there. The Soldier's Peak wardens, Daveth, and Oghren, will remain in Amaranthine with you. Perhaps you could send a bird to Varel and Garavel? Let them know who will be in charge while you defend the City?

Nate snorted. Tactfully put. What you mean: Send a bird to tell Garavel to stay put and obey you and Varel. He continued reading.

With Voldrik's repairs and the new armor, the Vigil can hold. The message will ensure we're prepared. Oh, and the message came from the Architect. His Messenger is with my wardens. He wants to fight. I suggest you let him, but it's your choice. Just let Daveth know.

In War, Victory.

Liam

Nate did not quite glare at Daveth, but his eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "A talking darkspawn will fight with you?" he asked.

"Only if you agree, me lord. He's locked in a cell in the gatehouse for now."

Nate's shoulders relaxed, but his arms remained crossed. Daveth waited for him to work through the pros and cons, thinking it reminded of how Alistair thought things through. Nate asked the obvious question, wondering whether the Messenger would carry Blight sickness. Daveth admitted that he could, but not if he only fought with the wardens or troops who had taken the Blight pill.

"We'll keep him with us, me lord," Daveth said. "No wandering about the City."

"Then, yes, we can use all the fighters we can find."

9:32 Dragon Wintermarch === The Vigil

Anders and Liam walked across the beach and followed a path through the dunes until the grass topped mounds of sand hid them from the galley rowing away from the shore. Dropping their small packs, they stripped, stowed their clothing, and transformed. The two ravens grabbed the straps of the packs with their claws and took off to the south as the sun set. Liam felt safer flying at night, when he could see the fires of camps, but remain unseen by hunters or darkspawn.

The forty miles between Amaranthine City and the Vigil took one long or two easy days to cover by foot and one day by horse. The two ravens, weighed down by the packs they carried, still managed to arrive at the Vigil by dawn. Although they had sensed darkspawn as they flew, they saw no sign of any near the fortress. The two ravens dropped their packs at the edge of the forest just outside the Vigil's gate, landed, transformed, dressed, and shouldered their packs. Careful to enter the road out of sight of the sentries they rounded a bend and headed for the gate. As tired as he was, Liam hoped Nathaniel had sent the bird letting Garavel know the Arl's orders, and nipping any opposition in the bud. He and Varel needed the Vigil's troops here. Nate had enough troops in the City, given the reinforced walls and blocked tunnels. He did not care if Garavel himself decided to go to Amaranthine's relief, just that the troops he commanded remain here.

The guards recognized the Warden-Commander and opened the wicket gate to let Liam and Anders through. The two wardens exchanged a look when they heard the shouting. The guard quickly moved away, to avoid any questions, so the two men moved towards the sound. They found Garavel and Varel glaring at each other.

"'Trouble?" Liam asked. So much for Nate's note settling matters.

Garavel whirled around, transferring his glare to Liam. Raising a fist, he shook it, holding tightly to the small curl of paper held between his thumb and forefinger.

"I assume I have you to thank for this?"

"What is 'this'," Liam asked.

"The message you had Arl Howe send from Amaranthine," Garavel snarled.

"Arl Nathaniel does not take orders from me, or anyone but the Queen and her representatives."

Garavel snorted. "This tells me to remain here and fight, rather than go to the aid of the City. Amaranthine City will fall without our aid."

"The Vigil will fall without its troops, Captain Garavel," Seneschal Varel said, succeeding in keeping his voice even.

"Fall to whom?" Garavel growled. "There's no attack here."

"A large darkspawn force marches toward the Vigil as we argue," Liam said. "That's why Anders and I came from Amaranthine. Arl Nathaniel and his officers know what faces them in the City. Voldrik has reinforced the city walls and blocked any underground tunnels. I left a force of wardens with them under Daveth. They believe they can hold the city.

"If you leave now, you may be attacked by the second darkspawn army on the Pilgrim's Path before you can reach the City. That would leave both the City and the Vigil undefended."

"And where is this great darkspawn force-"

As he spoke a shout went up from the walls. "Darkspawn! They're coming from all directions."

Garavel, eyes widening for a moment, spun on his heel and strode off to marshal the defenders.

Liam looked up at the hill behind the Vigil, where Nate had found a cave leading to a cliff path from which he attacked the fortress from above. Following his gaze, Varel put a hand on his arm and assured him that Voldrik had blocked the cliffside entrances, just as he had the underground passages. Any darkspawn attack would have to cross the open farmlands in front of the outer wall, and breach the newly strengthened fortifications, where trebuchets and ballistas stood ready next to piles of stone, iron bolts, and bundles of dry straw. The open land provided a wide field of fire for the Vigil's archers, ballistas, and trebuchets.

In a hut with a tiled roof, built against the interior wall of the keep, cases of green liquid fire, Dworkin's more powerful version of Antivan fire, lay on wood pallets. As darkspawn approached the outer wall, the defenders would hurl the bottles onto the monsters, burning them as the viscous fluid spread. While it would not stop the darkspawn, it would slow them. As most of the Vigil's troops ran to take their positions on the walls at Garavel's order, a dozen hurried to the hut to carry several of the cases to positions along the battlements near small trebuchets, designed to hurl the bottles from the sling. They hoped the darkspawn would not have their own siege engines, but, with the advent of talking monsters, they could not be sure.

Sending Anders to the infirmary, which Warden Jowan had already set up in an out building near the inner gate, Liam headed to the rooftop ramparts where his casting could reach the entire outer courtyard and beyond. He focused on mass healing and rejuvenation spells, leaving fire to the glass bottles. Jowan and Anders would use their offensive spells where needed, while preserving their mana for healing individuals. Not for the first time, he wished for a mage with Morrigan's destructive skills, but he did not regret leaving Adeliza in the City with Nate. They had the bottles of fire, a warden, and the Vigil's troops under Garavel. That would have to do. He watched as the darkspawn withdrew to cheers from the battlements.

They're testing us. That's only an advance guard, but we didn't sense them as we flew in. There must be other tunnels in the mountains outside the fortress. The main force hasn't arrived yet. They may probe again, but an attack in force will come and we may not sense it. Liam chuckled, mirthlessly, to himself. Since when did I become such a strategist? Alistair taught me well. We'll have to watch for the Mother's Children to confirm this is her attack. The Architect claimed the attack comes from the Mother, but they both have sentient, talking leaders and the Architect has lied before.

"They're probing," a voice said, "and you're right, they have some sort of intelligence leading them." Garavel came to stand beside him, arms folded across his chest. "I would not have believed it, but those tall ones gave orders to the others."

"Hurlocks," Liam said, as he continued to look out over the ramparts at the retreating 'spawn. "They tend to lead during a Blight, too, but they get their orders from the Archdemon. These…these think for themselves to some degree." He looked at Garavel. "Good thing you didn't use the fire bottles. That will surprise them when they come again. And they will come again. We need to stay on alert. Anders and I did not sense them. There must be a tunnel through the mountains out there."

The man nodded. "I have family in Amaranthine."

"The Arl will hold the city, Garavel. He has family there too and I left five of my wardens, which comes close to the same thing for me. With the wardens, the Guard, and the former mercenaries who stayed with Nate, they can hold the City."

Garavel looked at Liam and nodded again. "Too late to leave now. We'd only be attacked, as you said. Best to win here and then relieve the City."

The two men returned to the main hall of the keep to meet with Colum, Varel, and Garavel's lieutenants. Patrols remained on the walls, watching for feints or a renewed attack. The leaders sent the rest to eat and sleep. Liam had paired each of Garavel's squads with a warden to alert them to darkspawn danger when they patrolled. Following an established rota, a squad and its warden patrolled the walls for four turns of the glass before being relieved. During each period, another squad patrolled the dungeons and a third took its turn on the roof. Liam, Varel and Garavel trusted Voldrik's repairs, but left nothing to chance, knowing the darkspawn's talent for digging or appearing from underground.

The dawn hour passed in silent darkness as the sky remained cloud covered and rain began to fall. Soldiers on the outer battlements peered through the downpour, unsure if they saw darkspawn or windblown bushes and trees. Garavel walked the wall behind his troops, stopping to peer out, asking a soldier what she saw, or patting an archer, his bow unstrung, on the shoulder in approval. No need to let bowstrings get wet until the monsters attacked and their green fire would work for them even in the rain.

x==========x

The darkspawn did not disappoint. The shadows Garavel struggled to see soon turned into swarming childer grubs followed by genlocks and hurlocks. Flaming arrows arced over the walls in an attempt to set fire to the few thatched roofs remaining on buildings in the outer bailey. The arrows falling on roof tiles failed to ignite, while the rain doused the smoldering wet thatch.

The Children, a mix of childer hatchlings and mature adult children, did not fare as well, in the open field around the Vigil's walls, when the green fire landed among them and spread, aided by the rain. A wall of flame rose, slowing the approach of the darkspawn behind. Some of the Children managed to reach the Vigil's outer wall and began to climb, but so few that the soldiers could stop them as they reached the battlements. Other flaming hatchlings headed toward the wooden gate as Liam watched from the roof. Does the Mother or her Disciples control the Children? Do they hope to fire the gate before they die? He heard shouting from the field, but could make out no words. Soon after, genlocks and hurlocks burst through the flames, some carrying burning wooden ladders. Others carried charred bows whose strings snapped or splintered when pulled. The archers on the wall, and on the roof around Liam, loosed round after round into the horde as it attempted to attack the gate, while the ballistas and trebuchets continued to rain bolts and stone shot.

Garavel, wielding his sword against the Children who reached the rampart, raised it with a shout as the swarm of chittering Children fell to him and the other soldiers. In the field, where only a pall of grey smoke remained to be dissipated by the rain, the genlocks and hurlocks pulled back on the shouted orders of a Disciple he could barely see, standing at the edge of the wood. He leaned over the battlement to view the gate, which stood, scarred by flames, but holding. Around him, the soldiers began to cheer.

From his perch on the rooftop battlements, Liam shouted in vain to stop the celebration. Anders, on the rampart with Garavel, sensed the danger and shot a bolt of ice along the outside of the wall to get the soldiers' attention.

"It's not over you fool!" he yelled. "There's more 'spawn in the woods. They're regrouping, not leaving." The other wardens on the rampart echoed his warning, sobering the soldiers.

Taina approached Garavel and pointed towards the woods where the darkspawn had reformed in a line.

"We wiped out the Children, we think, but there's still more 'spawn in that forest. Anders will help any injured back to the infirmary, but the rest of your troops should remain vigilant."

Garavel stared out over the field surrounding the Vigil and saw the genlocks lining up. A tall hurlock in armor waved his arms, clearly directing them. He yelled to the troops to resume their position. As he did, other soldiers delivered more cases of green fire, bolts, arrows, and stones. He looked back to the hut, where Varel stood directing the resupply. Using the lull to restring bows, clean swords, and steal a swig of water or something stronger, the guard, refreshed, stood ready.

Above them, Liam held a tube to his eye and Garavel wondered what it was. Taina explained it helped him see things far away more clearly and that it had been the Alistair's. Liam pointed as they watched him and they both turned to look.

"Bronto piss! It's a nug-humping armored ogre." Taina snarled.

Garavel's jaw dropped. "How do we fight that?"

Taina shouted to the troops on the outer wall. "We have green fire, ballista bolts, and trebuchet shot. Aim it all at that monster. Forget the others. We need to bring the ogre down before it reaches the wall."

"Cloud-gazer! You! Garavel!" she shouted at the Captain mesmerized by the scene before him.

The guard captain finally looked at her, swallowed, and nodded. "We'll get it before it gets to us, warden."

"I'll stay here, Taina," Anders said. "I think a few frost and paralysis spells will help. I can heal from here as well."

"Just watch your mana, Anders."

He patted the scrip on his belt. "Full of lyrium," he assured her.

"Just don't take too much," she said and hurried off to find Justice, Denis, and the newer wardens, Padar and Fulke, who had joined them Soldiers' Peak a few months before. Colum would remain on the roof with his two Nevarrans and Liam, while Jowan stayed with the injured. The troops on the battlements might weaken the ogre, but she was not leaving its death to chance. She gathered the four wardens and left the Vigil through the wicket gate, sending a message up to Liam to let him know what she had done. Better to apologize afterwards, than ask permission and be denied.

"We have one mission, cloudheads," she told the four wardens before they left the fortress, "kill the ogre. Then we retreat into the Vigil. With the ogre dead, we can take care of the others." She gave Justice, a spirit who had inhabited the body of a dead warden called Kristoff, a stern look. "One mission, Justice. Got it?"

"Kill the ogre, yes, but–"

"–one mission. It's not our job to die today. Don't get surrounded by the other 'spawn. The ogre will push ahead of the line of other darkspawn and we will attract it, kill it, and retreat to the Vigil. Only fight the other 'spawn to get back here."

"Do we have a plan beyond kill it?" Denis asked.

Taina grinned. "Yep. Draw it to you and away from the other darkspawn. I will get behind it and hamstring it. Once it collapses, one of you end it. Cut its throat."

"And then get back inside," Denis repeated.

"No dying today," Taina said. "Let Garavel's soldiers take care of the hurlocks and genlocks."

The four warrior wardens spread out in front of the wall to the right of the gate and moved forward. Taina moved silently through the field on the right side of the road, using what shadow and cover she could to stay hidden. Denis, Justice, Padar and Fulke unsheathed their swords, raised them and began yelling.

From the rooftop, Liam watched the five wardens leave the fortress. He quickly understood what Taina planned. If it works it's brilliant; if not, I'll kill her myself. He looked down at Garavel and soldiers on the outer wall, both surprised and pleased to see Anders there. I hope they don't rain down friendly fire - of any kind - on my wardens. As he watched, the archers and ballista operators sent arrows and bolts over the heads of the wardens toward the ogre that marched towards them.

The wardens outside the wall moved closer together, enticing the ogre to turn towards them and towards the Vigil's vulnerable wooden gate.

"If it has orders, it will understand the gate is its best target," Denis said to his fellow wardens. They stood their ground, letting the ogre come to them.

Taina crept from shadow to shade through the mist and drizzle, which was all that remained of the heavy downpour. Mizzle. That's what Lys always called this. She angled towards the road, never straying too far from the others. I don't want it to sense me separately from the others. She looked back at her companions standing with swords drawn fifty paces in front of the gate. She saw the ogre turn towards them, well ahead of the genlocks and hurlocks who advanced in a line behind him. So disciplined. We need to rid Thedas of the Disciples and their leaders. She took a deep breath. But first we need to win this battle.

As she watched, the ogre began to run towards the wardens. Denis and Justice held their ground, but the other two stepped back. She had to bite her tongue to not yell and give herself away. Denis did yell and the two wardens stepped forward again, bracing themselves against the coming attack. Suddenly, the ogre stopped. She saw Denis wave his arms as a boulder flew toward their position, but the four wardens had scattered to either side, taking no damage and frustrating the monster who moved forward.

The ogre had taken only a few huge steps before it stopped, frozen, opposite her own spot. Taina grinned. Thank you, Anders. She rushed across the road as her companions reached the immobile ogre and began slashing at its hands, arms and torso in the spaces between its ill-fitting plate. She slipped behind, and severed first his ankle tendons and then, with Justice helping on the right leg, the muscles behind the monster's knees.

"Move aside, Justice," she yelled as the creature began to topple."Stay clear of the arms."

Before the ogre recovered from the spell, Denis had jumped on its chest and slit its throat. Taina heard someone yell, 'kill the wardens' and looked up to see a swarm of genlocks and hurlocks converging on their position. Denis and the two wardens in front of the beast retreated, yelling at Justice and Taina to join them, but before they could, the first darkspawn attacked. Blocked by the body of the ogre, Taina had no way to retreat. She stood, her back to the ogre and began to fight, always trying to sidle along the ogre's body towards her companions as she killed another 'spawn, and each time finding another hurlock or genlock taking the dead one's place.

With a howl, Justice launched himself at the rear of the darkspawn surrounding Taina. One after another fell until he had cut a path for them both and they fled towards the gate, where Denis and the others waited. Once the defenders on the wall had clear targets, the archers sent flights of arrows into the pursuing darkspawn, stone shot and bolts tore through the attackers, and ice and paralysis slowed their progress. As the wardens reached the gate the wicket opened and the five wardens tumbled through.

Justice, with a gash in his thigh, and Fulke, an arrow sprouting from near her shoulder blade, collapsed just inside the gate.

"Get them to the infirmary," Taina ordered, as Anders hurried toward them.

"That body won't work for him much longer," Anders murmured, as two of the wardens carried Justice away. "I can't repair the limbs of a dead man."

"Do what you can, Anders. Maybe Liam has figured out how to get him back into the Fade. He was going to ask Morrigan and Avernus. Do you know if he did?"

Anders shook his head no. "Justice wasn't exactly on his mind. You know…baby."

Taina grinned. "I haven't had the chance to congratulate him. Only Daveth and I knew about Morrigan. Was it a boy?"

"A boy called Kieran. He and Morrigan are doing splendidly, if I do say so myself."

"I'm sure she would say 'twas her doing and not yours." Taina sobered, watching the bearers 'round the corner towards the hospice with Justice. Anders followed her gaze.

"Can he jump to another body?" Taina asked. "There may be an opportunity in the infirmary."

"We'll keep him in a separate space," Anders replied. "He won't have the chance."

Behind them a cheer went up and Taina turned away to climb to the battlements, while Anders hurried to help Jowan with the injured. Looking out over the battlefield, Taina saw dead or dying darkspawn, including the huge armored ogre and a tall, armored hurlock. The few 'spawn remaining retreated, rushing into the forest and back to their 'Mother'. The Vigil had held.

A/N: Thank you for reading and to those of you who reviewed, favorited or gave kudos. Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.