Do not own Dragon Age
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8 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, Redcliff
They arrive at Redcliff in the late morning, a man named Tomas greets them, and escorts the group to the Chantry, to Bann Teagan. Bodahn stops his cart just down the hill from the tavern. Solona asks him to wait to set up until after they finish talking to the Bann. Bodahn agrees, saying he'll be in the tap house if they need him.
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Inside the Chantry, they see a man directing people, trying to organize defenses. Tomas introduces the man as Bann Teagan, before returning to his post. After talking for a moment, Alistair steps forward, Bann Teagan recognizes him, the two embrace. The Bann pleads for the Wardens to help them fight off a horde of undead that have attacked the village every night for the past few months, the horde growing larger everyday. Alistair redirects to Solona, who readily agrees, the companions, nodding as well. Morrigan and Sten voice a concern, but Solona counters them with a needing of any and all allies for the fight against the darkspawn.
Bann Teagan is overjoyed to have the group help with the defense. He suggests that the party speak with the Mayor Murdock and with Sir Perth, both men are in need of assistance. Solona sets the group to their tasks. Leliana stays with Solona, the former wanting to receive a pray within the Chantry. Solona speaks with the Bann, want to learn a little more information about the attacks and about Arl Eamon's sickness.
Leliana returns to hear Bann Teagan flirting with Solona, she smiles at the diplomatic response from the mage. Leliana resolves to tell her friend about her time before they met in Lothering, not tonight, but soon. Zevran appears next to the red head, out of nowhere, smiling. Solona says her farewells to Bann Teagan, and the three begin walking to the exit.
There is a young lady crying in a corner, Solona changes direction to talk to the woman. She learns that the woman's brother is missing, hiding somewhere in the village, she has looked in their house, and around his usual haunts, but can't find him. Solona hushes the young lady, then tells her that the group will keep their eyes open for him. Getting a little more information, they pick up that the boys name is Bevin and he is 10 years old, with sandy blonde hair. Solona asks her to be strong and patient, they will find him. The woman, Kaitlyn agrees, thankful for the help.
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Meeting up with Alistair, Elissa, Oghren, Sten and Wynne, Solona relays about the boy, the others nod, knowing to keep a look out. Alistair relays what the Mayor needs, armor and weapons repaired, also a dwarf lives in one of the houses, he's a merchant by trade, but apparently he was a warrior in Orzammar. Murdock wanted to see if the companions could convince him to join in the defense of the village. Solona says she will take care of that, the others smile knowingly. Alistair, Elissa, Leliana, and Wynne will take the blacksmith, try to convince him to open shop. She asks Zevran to find Bodahn in the tavern, tell him to open his cart, just put out the basic stuff, and keep a tally, the Grey Wardens will cover the expense.
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Taking Oghren, Sten and her mabari, Solona finds the dwarf's home. Knocking produces no result, and not knowing how to pick a lock, she asks if one of the warriors with her would be ever so kind as to kick the door in. Oghren laughs out right, but Sten beats him to the task, the door splintering to pieces. Solona thanks him, before stepping inside.
"Sorry about the door, I just need to ask you a few questions, then I will be on my way." Solona states, nonchalantly.
"Fuck lady! You come into my home and start shit with me and you have the nerv..." he starts, then sees, first Sten, then Oghren, then a growling Loki.
"Are you Dwyn?" Solona inquires, smiling brightly, noticing the two Chasind flanking the dwarf.
"Yeah, what of it?" he replies, grumpily.
"Wonderful. Did you by any chance buy a Qunari Greatsword in recent months?" Solona questioned, smiling kindly.
"I did. The guy I bought it from didn't say it belonged to anyone." Dwyn returns.
"Oh, that's quite alright. Please, go retrieve it, I will pay you what you purchased the sword for plus 1 gold extra as a finders fee. No harm, no fowl." Solona orders sweetly, still smiling.
"Fine." Dwyn agrees, not happy.
He orders one of his employees to go get the sword from his chest in his office. The man nods, then goes into a back room. He returns a minute later, Greatsword in hand. Sten takes it from him, inspecting the blade, the barest of smiles touching his face.
"How much do I owe you?" Solona questions, smiling charmingly.
"Ah, 3 gold of the sword, so 4 altogether." Dwyn tell her.
"Oghren, if you please." Solona orders, a friendly smile still in place.
"Of course, my Lady." Oghren plays along, loving this game, handing over the money.
"Now if were done, I will kindly ask you to leave." Dwyn orders gruffly.
"Oh no, sir. I have a few questions more." Solona retorts, her smile devious now.
Dwyn sighs, "Ask away." he returns.
"Why are you in here? Why are you not helping with the defense of the town?" Solona inquires, her voice firm.
"Look, I ain't dying, putting my life on the line for..." Dwyn starts.
"Are you a fucking coward, moss licker?" Oghren interrupts, disgusted.
"No, I ain't, you Bronto humper, but I don't owe this village anything." Dwyn retorts.
"Really. I'll be sure to tell that to Bann Teagan, and Arl Eamon when I see them." Solona tells him, smiling sweetly.
"Fuck. Alright. I see your point. My associates and I will go check in with Murdock. You're fucking good lady." Dwyn says, before walking past the companions, out the entryway.
Solona and the others follow him outside, but stop to watch him head in the Mayor's direction. She turns to Sten, who looks at her.
"I...have no words, kadan. You must be an Ashkaari, to find a sword in all this chaos. It feels good to have it in my hands again." Sten informs her.
"Your welcome." Solona says, a gentle smile on her face.
Oghren interjects, pointing to the general store. Solona nods, wanting to check it out. They speak no more of the sword.
/
The other half of the party, Alim, Darrian, Faren, Lyna, Morrigan, Sereda and Shale locate Sir Perth, discovering he wants the Revered Mother to bless the other knights. Sereda says she'll see what they can do, before heading back down the hill. They see Bodahn and Sandal coming out of the tavern, going to the cart. They catch up to the merchant and help him get the cart down the hill and set up outside the Chantry. Bodahn suggests they go back up to the tap house, Zevran was eyeing a man in the establishment. Alistair stops by briefly to tell them about the boy missing.
They split up to take care of the tasks, Faren, Sereda, and Shale will go talk to the Revered Mother, the others will go to check out what Zevran is investigating in the tavern. The villagers defending the town have already started to come over to Bodahn's cart, who tell the customers that the goods are being provided by the Grey Wardens, free of charge.
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Inside the Chantry, Sereda takes the lead talking to the priestess. Convincing her to give the knight amulets worn by the priestess themselves, sometimes belief in a thing can give a soldier a boost in confidence, which can keep him alive.
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The tavern is gloomy inside, the patrons quiet, subdued. Zevran is drinking a glass of wine at the bar, wincing after a sip. The others meander about, Alim walks up, taking the glass from the assassin's hand, taking a sip himself.
"That is awful." Alim comments about the beverage, speaking in Antivan.
"It was either that, or a shittier ale." Zevran retorts smirking, also speaking in Antivan.
"Bodahn said you found something?" Alim inquires, handing the glass back to Zevran.
"Oh, indeed. That lovely barmaid over there, hinted at that elven fellow being a bit shady." Zevran informs, pointing out the individuals.
"And what do you think?" Alim asks, watching three men drink silently.
"He's up to something. His armor is in good shape, suggesting money and care, a mercenary, no doubt. But he is also a little jumpy, every time the door opens, he immediately looks to see who it is. He will lean into conversations, trying to hear what is being said." Zevran concludes, sipping the wine again.
"Shall I go make a new 'friend'?" Alim asks, grinning.
"Replacing me already?" Zevran teases.
"If he allows me to fuck him sideways to next Wintersend, maybe." Alim retorts cheekily.
Zevran laughs heartily, Alim is a welcomed change from the usual people he comes across.
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Darrian convinces the owner of the bar to volunteer for the defense tonight, leaving the barmaid in charge of the tavern. She immediately gives the patrons free ale, who cheer, the place becoming livelier by the minute.
Alim gets the information from the elf, who agrees to lend his bow to the fight tonight. Reading the scroll, outlining the mercenaries instructions. He sends the elf down to the Mayor, who will direct him what to do. After waiting for the other elf to leave, Zevran walks up and asks Alim if there is time for a quickie, causing the mage to laugh out right.
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The general store proves fruitful, there are barrels of oil inside, using them in strategic places, could minimize casualties, and even divert the corpses into a bottleneck, making it easier to destroy the creatures. They are walking back to the others, when Solona sees a sign on one of the homes, indicating it belongs to Kaitlyn and her family. Solona decides to give it a try, to see if the boy is in the house, despite his sisters search.
The house is clean and quiet, Oghren goes to check down a small hallway, Sten is half way up the stairs, Loki, is sniffing, going into a small store room, sniffing around an armoire.
"Come out, young man, right now." Solona orders firmly.
"Yes, ma'am." a voice says, muffled by the closet.
The doors open, a boy emerges.
"Are you Bevin?"Solona inquires, a gentle smile on her face.
"Yes, ma'am. My sister is Kaitlyn." Bevin replies.
"And what were you doing in there?" Solona questions.
"I was looking for my father's sword, but I heard the front door, I thought you were Kaitlyn again." Bevin tells them, sheepishly.
"Darling, your sister is worried sick. What is so important about this sword, to cause your sister such heartache?" Solona questions, mournfully.
"I want to help defend the town, to defend my sister. Our parents were killed during the first week. But the sword is too big for me, I can't lift it." Bevin explains, sadly.
"That is a commendable pursuit." Sten remarks.
"Thank you, sir." Bevin says, awed.
"One of my companions could use the sword, be your families champion. When the battle is over, give the sword back to you." Solona offers.
"Like, knights in my service?" Bevin queries.
"Exactly, Lord Bevin." Solona agrees, grinning.
"That...kind of sounds nice. Alright, here's the key to my father's lockbox. It's up stair in my parents old room. Please, excuse me, I must return to my sister." Bevin tells them, getting into the role, before leaving the house.
Solona is grinning madly at the boy, while Oghren goes up to the room to retrieve the blade. Sten finds the whole thing a bit silly.
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The groups reconvene in front of the blacksmith, briefing each other on their tasks and there completion. The smiths hammer is heard in the background, and some of the defenders are coming out of the shop, their gear repaired. Lyna goes to tell Sir Perth about the oil. Solona checks in with the Mayor, asking about anything else needed.
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Bodahn, Sandal, the cart and his oxen are taken into the Chantry. Bann Teagan will stay inside, a last line in case the undead make it through the defenders, Sir Perth insisting. Solona directs the barricades and oil distribution. Faren sets trip wire traps near choke points, leading to the Chantry. Leliana sets leg traps in front of openings in the barricade. Once everything is set and in place, the group waits for sunset.
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