Chapter Twelve

Shields of Light

I stopped by a crying woman before we were out the door. She was 5'5 with soft brown colored hair and chocolate eyes to match. She saw our group and sniffled, trying to contain herself and said, "I… I'm sorry – am I bothering you?"

I shook my head, "What's the matter, kitten?"

She blinked in shock, "It's… my brother Bevin. Those… those things drug mother away last night; I don't know what happened to her, but we all hear the screams coming from the castle and… and at night while the men are fighting."

Leliana flinched, "How terrible! You poor thing, I wish there was something I could say…"

I shook my head, "But what about your brother – where is he?"

"I don't know! I'm terrified they got him – he's only 9; I was supposed to look after him now that… but he ran off."

I patted her arm, "I'll look out for him while we prepare the village, kitten. If he's there, I will bring him back to you. Perhaps I should check your home – which one is it?"

She described the location and told me her name, "If… if you find him, I'd be so grateful."

I smiled at her, "Then it would be worth it."

We exited the Chantry and I looked at the group the moment we were alone.

"Okay, group up."

Anduin moved to grab Alistair, and Sten – having taken one look at the situation – moved to place himself in that group.

Jaina gained Wynne, Leliana and Sereda. My two sons took Morrigan, Daylen and Aedan.

"Inas, you and I are going to Join Anduins' group… because Sten is in it. Now – Jaina, I want you to take your group and locate the Market. There should be plenty of lamp oil that can be used in the fight on the hill – you see that Windmill up there? That's where it needs to go. Aedan, your group will be gathering herbs – if it can be used to heal, collect it. While you're at it, I need traps set along the perimeter. My group will locate Bevin and Stens' blade – trust me; that is going to be a task all on its own."

Jaina glanced at the Qunari who nodded to me and said, "Thank you, Kadan."

We broke off and headed for Dwyns' house first. I heard Alistair and Anduin talking, but ignored it for the moment. "Inas – how is my weapon set coming along?"

"The Dwarves were honored you chose them to make the set so they waved forging fees. Nessa is overseeing it personally. Once they're forged, I'll be the one to do the enchanting, but in the meantime, I have a good friend of mine collecting the necessary items for those enchantments. Can I ask why you're having them made now when you know damn well you'll win that bet?"

Alistair laughed, "Cullen gets the prize regardless of if he wins the bet or not. It's essentially a trade, actually. She said the only reason for the time limit is an excuse to work her people harder."

Anduin and Inas both flinched. Anduin spoke, "I… pity you that."

Inas groaned, "You're a task-master, sister. I doubt my father would survive having you as his commander."

I smirked, "Oh, I would have had a special set of assignments for him… but why focus on what-if's? We are in the here-and-now."

Sten nodded, "I agree."

I looked over the lock on Dwyns house. "Inas – break the door."

"I could just… pick the lock…" he said.

"Oh – then do that. Did Nessa teach you?"

"Yeah – she says she tried to teach you once."

"Didn't work – I just couldn't get the hang of it…" I flushed.

"It's nice to know you're not all powerful." Alistair commented.

I grinned as Inas set to work.

"Wonderful – intruders… I hope you have a good…" Dwyn stopped talking the moment he laid eyes on Inas and Sten.

I chuckled, "Come now, Dwyn – is that how you greet a King and a Prince?" I pointed to the two in question.

He just sighed, "Why are you here?"

"That Qunari sword you bought from Faryn? Well, the Qunari wants it back." Sten stepped forward.

"He didn't mention he got one of them off a live one…"

"How many did you buy?"

"4 – It was all he had in stock."

I looked at Sten who had grown more menacing hearing that. "Okay, Dwyn – I'll buy them all off you at 6 Sovereigns a piece. That makes 24 gold for that. I will then pay you another 6 gold to hire you in defending the village tonight."

He blinked, "Why do you want the other 3 blades so bad?"

"The Qun… you can do what you want to the dead bodies – those are simply shells – but the Qun views their weapons as their souls. You having them is kind of sacrilegious and my man here would like to take those Swords back to Par Vollen."

Dwyn motioned to one of his men and I dug through the pouch at my side – I always kept 50 gold in a pouch under my arm. I pulled out 30 and handed the coins to him. He nodded, "Pleasure doing buissness – but I better see you all out there. I won't fight for a lost cause."

"If it helps – the purple one can turn into a bear, the maker is with that blond and I lead a group of Wardens."

"That does help, actually." He smirked. I nodded my head as the man came back and handed Sten the 4 blades, and said, "See you out there, Salroka."

He smirked, "Yeah – I guess you will."

We left the small house and Sten said, "Kadan – for this…"

I shook my head, "No thanks needed, Kadan."

"I could deliver a much better report to the Arishok if I see the blight to the end…"

"You're welcome to follow, of course." I smirked. He nodded, "Then, lead on."

Next stop was Kaitlyn's house.

I walked right up to the armoire he was hiding in and called out, "Bevin? Are you in there?"

"How do… how do you know my name?"

"I overheard your sister crying in the Chantry – she's really worried about you. She's worried you might have gotten taken by the monsters or fallen into the lake."

The boy came out of the armoire looking horrified.

"Why were you hiding here, Bevin? It's not very safe." I asked as I knelt to be level with the youth. He had black hair and green eyes. He looked up at Inas in stunned awe.

"I… I know, but I don't want to be in the Chantry. Everybody's scared yet they tell me I shouldn't be. They tell me not to be upset that mother died… I just want to be brave – to help fight them off."

"From in a cupboard?" asked Sten. Bevin flushed and shook his head, "No… I heard you all coming and… not very brave of me is it?"

I smiled, "Bravery is… I heard something long ago that has to do with bravery. Do you wish to hear it?"

The boy nodded so I said, "Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt in the face and say move aside, you are in the way. Another thing I heard is that it is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death. It's perfectly acceptable to be terrified, because true bravery – true courage – is the ability to move forward and function even when all you want to do is curl into a ball and cry."

Alistair nodded, "I'm a Grey Warden, if that helps you to picture how okay it is to be scared witless and still do what needs to be done…"

"You… you're scared?"

"Of course I am – everyone gets scared of something."

Inas snorted, "Not Tara."

I sighed, "Actually, I do get scared. I fear losing my family."

He flinched, "Okay – there's that."

Sten said, "You tried to assist even knowing that you may not win – that is the heart of a Warrior. That is worthy of respect among the Qun."

"I'll go back to the chantry then… if you think it's best, My Lady."

I smiled at him, "What were you doing here, though?"

"Oh… I shouldn't say…" he looked away and I tilted my head to the side before saying, "Are you quite sure? I might be able to help."

"You have helped… well, I… Father said I could have his sword when I grew up – it was grandfathers, you see, and Grandfather was a dragon slayer. I just thought… if I was brave enough, I could use his sword and kill the bad people that took mother."

I gave him a thoughtful look and said, "How about this – I will use this sword of yours in battle against the demons and monsters that threaten us and I will even pay your sister for it. This is a good sword if it was used to combat dragons after all."

Anduin coughed, "You are a dragon, Lady Stormlight."

I shrugged, "What's your point? I'm a dragon-slayer too."

Bevin gasped, "A… a dragon-slayer…"

I smiled at him, "What do you say, Bevin?"

"Well… Kaitlyn did say that if we had money, everything would be alright – even now that…" Bevin dug into his pocket and handed me the key. "Make those monsters pay, miss. The Green Blade is in the chest in mothers' room upstairs."

"Call me Tara, okay? Alistair, retrieve the Sword and meet us back at the chantry, will you? I'm going to take Bevin back to his sister."

We headed back to the Chantry just in time to see everyone else gathering there too. I smiled and they all followed me in.

I approached Kaitlyn. When she saw Bevin, her tears stopped as he ran to her. She looked at me in wonder, "You… you found him! I can't possibly repay you…"

"Actually, I think I should pay you. Bevin sold us the Green Blade for the battle. I plan to return it after – every brave young man should have a proper weapon – but a sword than can bring down dragons is quite the piece." I handed her a pouch of coins; 5 golden ones.

Her eyes widened, "If… if you plan to return it after, this is…"

Alistair walked in with the blade and I saw Sten evaluating it with a keen eye. I smiled at the woman, "I insist."

Teagan came walking up just then. "Ah, Lady Stormlight! Your companions have done quite the work, though I understand you've yet to talk to Murdock?"

I chuckled at the stunned silence of the two siblings next to me. "I heard mention of a veteran fighter named Dwyn who was locked up in his house and found the oil when I stumbled into the store instead of Dwyns house so I sent someone to Perth about it. Then, before I left the Chantry earlier, I heard Kaitlyn here crying about her missing brother and… truth be told, I've got a soft spot for children. But Bevin here is actually quite the brave young man."

Jaina smiled, "She also had her sons gather healing herbs and set traps."

Asthan said, "We laced them with a special poison that only works against the undead."

Alstus grinned, "Asthan came up with it himself off one of moms recipes."

I smiled softly; I was so… glad, proud, honored… that they would call me mom so soon after meeting me.

Asthan sent me a wink. I spoke again, "I need to go speak with the blacksmith, and then I'll talk to Murdock. The smithy is cold, so how are the men getting their armor or weapons repaired? Teagan… would you look after Kaitlyn and Bevin tonight?"

"Er… of course, My Lady…" he flushed when he glanced at the woman. Bevin looked at me with an amused smile so I shot him a wink. We headed over to the Smithy. I noticed a man watching us – he was 5'10 with black hair, a mustache, and tan skin. His eyes were green and he watched us with a calculating look. I saw Dwyn and smirked as he eyed our group in approval.

I knocked heavily at the door and was rewarded with, "Go away! Haven't you people…?"

I cut him off, "You want someone to rescue your daughter or not, Owen?"

The door was hit from the other side – he must have rushed over and stumbled in his haste to unlock it. The door swung open ad I made a hand motion so only Inas and Lyna followed me in.

The smith was 6'0, bald and heavily drunk.

"I let you in – are you going to explain?"

"Your daughter – her name is Valena, right?" I asked. He nodded, "Tha's right. What do you know?"

"She's alive. I need to fight back the monsters tonight, but I plan to storm the Castle in the morning. I will personally find her and save her, but I need the village to survive the night. Will you re-open your smithy?"

He looked stunned, "You swear to me that you'll find her?"

"On my honor, Owen – I will save her."

He nodded, "Aye – I'll get to work then. It'll do me the world of good knowing someone with your group is looking for her… thank you."

I nodded firmly, "I will let Murdock know that you're back to work."

We left and Inas asked, "Will he be able to work like that?"

"He's a tall dwarf – Drunk is a fine state for him." I shrugged. Inas laughed, "Good to know."

We approached Murdock, the man who had watched us go to the Smithy, and he said, "So… you're the Grey Wardens are you?"

I grinned, "Would you believe that they are and I'm just the ring-leader of the circus?"

My sons were laughing; attracting the looks of many people… they were good-looking men, after all.

He looked me over, noting my bow and armor before shrugging and saying, "I heard the Wardens all died with the King."

"Yeah, we're ghosts, it seems." I smirked.

Murdock gave a snort, "If it takes a seemingly friendly ghost or two to kill a horde of undead monsters, I'll damn well take it. But you look plenty alive to me."

I heard Anduin and several others cough to hide their laugh since technically, I was a ghost. I winked and said, "Well alive or not, I'm here to help."

"I'm not going to turn away anyone who wants to help. My name's Murdock, mayor of what's left of this village… providing we aren't all killed and hauled off to the castle tonight."

I chuckled, "We'll be fine!"

Anduin said, "I'd stake my whole kingdom on that – she's never made a bad call about battle before."

"Kingdom?" Murdock asked, wide-eyed as he finally realized how fancy my sons, Anduin, Jaina, Inas and I were all dressed. Anduin chuckled but I said, "This is his majesty, King Anduin from Azeroth. We also have Cailans heir, Prince Alistair. Knowing I have 2 royals, do you really think I'd be so confident about survival if we didn't stand a chance?"

"You know what? I'm glad for your certainty. Well, I heard from the Bann that you're to be in charge tonight. And from what you've done so far, I can't be all that upset. You got Owen working the forge again – he was refusing to talk to me just this morning, but now his doors open and he's working. Even drunk he makes it look easy. Then Dwyn came out saying that you convinced him to fight with us – that boosted morale quite a bit. I saw some of yours collecting oil that no one seemed to realize was in the store. And I heard some of yours were giving herbs over to the Mother in the Chantry and that the same group set up traps… I think… I think we might actually be ready for this."

Anduin snorted, but it was Jaina who said, "She's led men through sieges, wars and even city take-overs. If we lost tonight, I would be quite surprised."

I shrugged, "Honestly, I didn't need to call on Azeroth for Aid – but I want no casualties. I want this to go off without a hitch… well, I could think of a single man in this village whom we could benefit from dying but I'm not a total bitch so…"

I heard Zevran laugh, "You were an assassin, why not kill him before the battle?"

"If he meets my expectations on the slime-ball scale, I might just let you have him." I said seriously. "Wow – who gained your ire?" Asthan asked.

"A Tavern-owner named Lloyd – from what I hear, he gropes his server, bella, and pays her almost nothing. He is refusing to supply morale-boosting drinks to the militia, and even jacked up the price. He also keeps saying the Arl is dead when there is zero proof of that."

Jaina blinked, "I think I might have words for him for that first part…"

"Nope – I called dibs." I said. Murdock looked at me and said, "I don't think anyone likes Lloyd, actually. He holds up in the bar cellar at night since the evil forces keep targeting the Chantry, but won't allow anyone else to go there. And… sad to say he's just as bad as you described."

I glanced at Zev, "Maybe I should make him fight tonight… half of us out-rank Teagan so we can force the issue."

Anduin said, "And if he happens to die… well, no one would miss him, it seems."

I sighed, "It's a tempting thought – but I can't allow anyone to die in battle on purpose. It's not my style."

Murdock had a slight smile on his face, "Bella is a favorite among many men – if she actually complained about what Lloyd does, most of them would have had him gutted by now."

"Still – I don't allow the enemies to kill people on purpose. If he died because the enemy was better, I could see it – but the enemy isn't better; we are."

We walked away after a bit more conversation, heading to the Tavern.

The first thing I did was approach the only red-head in the place. She had green eyes and lovely curves. I could see why she was a favorite.

She looked at me – as the obvious leader of the group – and said, "If you came for a drink, you'll have to talk to Lloyd. He's got a vice grip on the spigots. I'm just here to keep the boys from starting a mutiny."

I chuckled, "I'd actually like information, hun. What do you know about that elf over there?"

She glanced at the elf – he had blonde hair and a bow with a full quiver on his back – and sighed. "Not much, actually. He says his name's Berwick and that he's here to meet his brother, but he's a bit… creepy."

"Well, okay then… how has buissness been?"

She actually snorted, "What buissness? Without the castle soldiers, we only have the locals – and they're all in the militia with no money to spend. The few that do have money are over there, but it's not enough to justify working… especially seeing he upped the prices to try and cheat the militia. Lloyd is a greasy pig – if I didn't need this job so badly…"

"Tell me, what does he do?"

"He… he gropes me and pays me next to nothing. It could be worse, I suppose – not like I have many options."

I growled, "Nothing makes harassment acceptable. I'll talk to him."

"Oh, no… that would just make things worse."

"No beautiful woman should be stuck in such a terrible situation." I pouted.

She actually giggled, "Oh… you think I'm pretty, do you?" huh. That option was usually reserved for males… was she actually Bi?

"Pretty enough that I'm willing to help you leave this place." I winked. She blushed and I heard Alistair cough… so did Anduin and Jaina.

"You mean… after the fighting's over? I think I'd like that. What would… what would I need to do?"

I smiled, "Not a thing. I hate men who think it's okay to take advantage of a beautiful woman."

My sons both said, "Agreed." She looked them over with a blush. I grinned, "I get that look. It's distracting being around so many beautiful people, isn't it?"

She nodded. "Well, sweetie – the two you're eyeing are Asthan and Alstus."

My sons chuckled, "Mom – are you trying to set us up?"

I shrugged, "Do you want to be set up?"

Bella looked at me in confusion – a common look for people around me, it seemed – and said, "They're…? You don't look old enough to be…"

"I'm an Elf – we're long-lived."

Alstus said, "I'd gladly take her away from this place."

Asthan chuckled, "Me too."

Bella giggled, "That's mighty sweet of you to say."

I smirked, "Want to live in a city that floats in the sky?"

"Wouldn't that be nice?" she laughed. Alstus said, "That's where we live – of course, you could always come home if you didn't like it… we'd never force such a thing."

She thought for a minute, "You know… sure. If you can take me to floating city, I'll give it a try."

My sons high-fived, and I laughed, "They're all yours, and good luck with them." I winked. She flushed.

I headed over to Berwick. "Berwick is it?"

He looked up, startled, "How do you know my name… does she have Vallaslin?"

I looked at him startled, "You're no Dalish. I know your name because I asked around about the elf with a bow."

"I… well, yes that's my name. And my mother was Dalish." he looked away and I saw slight fear in his eyes.

"From what clan?" Lyna asked. Berwick snapped to look at her, "Fadrick…"

Lyna nodded, "I thought you looked familiar – Adannas' boy, right?"

He nodded slowly and she said, "Then you don't have a brother – at least, not one old enough to be meeting you on his own at this point…"

He paled, "Er… it's really just a friend that I'm meeting – but we're very close, so I… I call him my brother."

"I'm going to stop you there – you're a horrible liar." I injected.

He gave me a small glare and said, "Look, you're very pretty and all, but I was told to… erm… just leave me alone."

"Not happening. Tell me the truth or I feed you to my pet assassin."

Zev smirked, "With what the crows taught me, he will not last long."

"C-Crows?! I mean… please don't hurt me – I'll tell you."

Zev gave a pout as I held a hand up to stop his advance. "Talk then."

"Someone – I'm not entirely sure who he was – paid me to watch the castle and send word about any changes. They never said anything about monsters and that means I haven't actually been able to make any reports. I'm stuck – same as you – I swear."

I shook my head, "You will find a way to get to the roof of the chantry – that's your post tonight. And I want your orders if you have them."

He nodded swiftly and handed me the paper before standing and walking to the door. I sighed in frustration as I growled and handed it to Alistair who's eyes darkened, "This is Loghains hand writing – I know it from maps and battle plans at Ostagar."

I nodded and forced myself to relax as I approached the militia.

One spoke to another, "I can't believe that Lloyd won't give us free ale; a time like this and he's think of his profit?"

The second of the three men spoke, "Did you really expect any different? The bastard has always been cheaper than an Antivan whore."

Zev choked out a laugh, "That is surely cheap indeed!"

The men looked up at us in shock. I giggled as the men tried to apologize for the foul language and waved them off.

"It is kind of outrageous that he expects people who will be fighting to pay. Tell you what, men – you swear to me that it won't make you shit fighters tonight and I'll talk to him."

"You kidding, M'lady? We all spar drunk half the time anyway." The one who had yet to speak put in his 2 cents.

I smiled and nodded before heading over to Lloyd. The greasy bastard really smelled terrible and I was suddenly glad that my party only camped near water so we could stay clean.

"Hello there, friend. Can't say I've seen you around before – new to the village?"

I nodded but before I could say anything he plundered on, "Haven't met many travelers lately. All this nonsense is bad for buissness – bet you regret coming."

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Not at all, friend."

He gave a mocking laugh, "Evil creatures, impending doom, civil war and the Arl dead in his castle – makes you thirsty doesn't it?"

"I came over here intending to behave myself but you've crossed a line. Bella! You're in charge of the tavern now; Lloyd will be with Murdock since he's fighting tonight. Here's a sovereign – keep the Militias cups full. If I owe more later, let me know."

"But the bann said."

"Oh, Lloyd, you really stepped in it. Allow me to introduce King Anduin, Prince Alistair, Lord-Admiral Jaina and I, myself, am a Duchess – we all out-rank Teagan, so he will gladly defer to us. In fact – he put me in charge for tonight. If you had acted decently you would get to stay in here – safe and as vile as you please otherwise."

The stupid man almost fainted.

Bella looked ready to laugh and cry. "Do you plan to fight tonight, m'lady?"

"Me? Of course."

She smiled, "Then I think we might just have a chance."

She nodded. She bit her lip and suddenly kissed me on the cheek. I looked at her in shock and she said, "Thank you – for everything."

I chuckled, "Well, if the reward is a kiss from a lovely lady, I'll have to do this more often."

My sons pouted, "Mom – we called dibs!"

Bella flushed and said, "Well, I can't reach your cheeks…"

They promptly leaned down and she kissed them each… much to the shock of the militia.

As we left, Anduin asked, "So I hear this Arl Eamon… raised you?"

Alistair looked at me with a smirk and said, "Did I say that? I meant that dogs raised me. Giant, slobbering dogs from the Anderfels. A whole pack of them, in fact."

The group that was with us from the last time this conversation took place laughed. Jaina looked him over and said, "That sounds like it was difficult… for the dogs."

He laughed, "Well they were flying dogs you see – and devout Andrastian to boot."

Inas coughed, hiding a grin and played along, "But what about the smell?"

Before Alistair could say anything I said, "Are you sure that all happened, dear?"

"Maybe it was a dream then – do you ever get odd dreams like that?"

Perfect! He walked into this one, "Only ones where we're making mad love in my tent."

The whole group froze. Alistair flushed, "Oh… I… seem to have completely lost my train of thought…" I winked at him and he continued, "Er – oh, there it is… yes, the Arl raised me. I'm the bastard child of King Maric and Eamon was the Kings brother-in-law. As I told the others, I was raised here until I was 10 when I was sent to the Chantry – because Eamon married an Orlesian noble-woman and she really didn't like the rumors that I was Eamons bastard child."

Anduin blinked, "Wait – she didn't know the truth?"

"She might have – but more than anything, I think she feared the rumors were true. What would that have meant for her son, after all?" Alistair sighed.

Jaina spoke up, "Well… tell me she was at least civil?"

I answered. "No, she made him sleep in the barn and eat scraps."

Alistair flinched, "How did you know that?"

Inas growled, "That's not right – no child deserves that!"

We got to the Chantry and I said, "Okay – Q&A is over."