Chapter Twenty

Demon Peak

"Good morning, Levi! Ready to head up the peak?" I asked. He smiled at me and nodded eagerly. Sten growled, "I do not fully understand why this stop is necessary."

I leveled him a look, "I'm sorry Sten – I thought you hated the idea of demons running free." He stiffened and gave a curt nod before saying, "That would be troublesome if they got out… lead on."

It took us 6 hours of navigating the tunnel system with me using a flame ball for light. At my request, Sten nailed signs I had made into the tunnel walls – my excuse being that we would need them to find our way back out.

"And… here it is; Soldiers' Peak." Levi announced as we exited the last of the tunnels. I stretched. "That's bigger than I expected. 6 floors for the main building – not counting the basement where storage, the dungeon and Deep Roads entrance are held – and each of those three towers are 9 floors. We'll need to clear our way through the main keep to the Commanders office – from there we will need to find the entrance to a tower that is warded against entry… that will actually change when we kill the… head demon, so to speak. From there, we will be able to seal the hole in the veil. Any questions?"

"How do you know all this?" Levi asked. I smirked, "I'm special, kid."

"So it seems," he muttered before flushing, "I believe I'm older than you, though."

"Are you more than 10,000 years old?"

"Er… no?"

"Children these days, no respect for their elders." I tsk-ed. Wynne laughed.

"What is the grouping plan?" Sten asked. He assumed we were splitting up… not a bad idea, actually.

"Sten, you take Wynne, Aedan, Leliana and Hero; Daylen, Zevran, Sereda and Shana; Morrigan, Lyna, Alistair and I will take Shanna. Sten, your job is the west tower. Sereda, your group moves to the east tower. Mine will take out the main building. Levi, you are to come with my group if you wish for answers. Thank the stars that the Deep Roads entrance is sealed against Darkspawn."

We got to the top of the hill and the vision began. "Fall back; Fall back, already!" a man in full armor shouted. He was ghostly – it was obvious these were the memories in the fade that bled into this place… just like in Inquisition.

"Taking the peak will not be easy, milord." A scout replied. The soldier looked at him – I could sense the mocking disdain in his voice when he sneered, "I gave the Wardens one chance to die with Honor. Instead they hole up like cowards. We follow the kings' advice, then – starve them out."

"But… the Peak has months of supplies!" the scout cried.

"Then we wait. When they are too weak to lift their weapons, we will send them to their final judgement." The vision faded.

Everyone looked at me; Levi looked sick as he asked, "Wh-what was that? I felt a bit woozy there…"

"Kadan… have you suddenly gained the ability to share your visions?" Sten asked. I snorted, "No… I've always had the ability. This wasn't me, however. The veil is thin here – the fade bleeds into this place, showing us memories of what happened. What we saw was only a memory, preserved in the fade – it will not be the only one we see."

Leliana spoke softly, "I've heard an Orlesian Ballad about something like this. A beauty trapped in a dream…" she didn't say the last part since I had already said my piece.

I saw the skeletons begin to stir and shot each one with moonfire. I guess I was way over-leveled, because moonfire killed each one instantly.

"How did… milady…?" Levi asked. Aedan snorted. I grinned, "It's a druidic ability from my homeland. Don't worry about that."

Leliana let out a giggle and we were all pulled into a second vision – just inside the door.

The first one to speak was the specter of Avernus, a very young Avernus. He was actually… kinda boyish, compared to the game. Avernus stood around 5'10 with blonde hair that reached his shoulders; he didn't keep it tied back either. His eyes were a determined blue and his skin was sickly pale. "The mens' morale is low – my spells are of no use in this matter, Commander."

Sophia had black hair, though hers was tied back in a military bun. Her eyes were green and her skin darker than the mages'. She wore the armor that denoted her rank as a warrior commander and spoke just as softly as Avernus but with a firm edge to it.

"There is more to leading men than sorcery, Avernus. I will remind them that we're Wardens." She walked a small ways and addressed a group of 20 men and women, "Men, I won't lie to you – the situation is grim. Our forces are outnumbered, our bellies are empty and our hearts are sagging… but we are Wardens – Darkspawn flee when they hear our horns; Archdemons die when they taste our blades – so are we to bend knee to a mere human despot? No! I, for one, will never give up – I, for one, will never surrender just to dance on Arlands' Gallows. So I propose here and now, in these hallowed halls where generations of our brethren stood vigil against Darkspawn and Evil, that we send a message to that fat bastard! In this sacred place, proud men – strong men – stood defiant and would rather die than submit to tyranny!" a cheer rose up.

Everyone looked at Levi as he stepped forward and said, "So brave…even when starving. And my great-great-grandmother stood with them."

Aedan asked me, "King Arland was… a tyrant?"

I snorted and looked at Alistair, "Did you know that Arlessa Sophia Dryden was Arland Theirins cousin? They both had a strong claim to the throne, actually. Arland was only chosen because he was young and thought by the Arls and Teyrns to be easily manipulated… at least, according to my knowledge. He was swift to become ruthless and immoral – he imprisoned Sophia for contesting his succession. The only reason he didn't kill her outright was because of pressure from her supporters – so he banished her to the Wardens in return for her life. Eventually, some of the Banns approached Sophia for help against Arlands tyranny… as we will later discover the journal of Sophia Dryden… well, the minute Arland learned Sophia was using the Wardens to oppose him, he besieged the peak. Arland killed many Couslands who had almost joined the rebellion – the only reason none of this is public knowledge is because of the War that lasted a decade after he died wiped away almost all the records of it."

"Wait… that means Levi is part of my family, then?" he asked brightly. I giggled, "That's what you got from all that?"

"It's why you said it first, isn't it?" that cheeky grin appeared. Levi looked confused, "Family?"

"Oh, where are my manners? Levi Dryden, May I formally introduce King Marics son, Alistair Theirin; Heir to the throne of Ferelden?" I smirked as Levi fell over himself to bow. "Oh, don't do that; we're cousins!" Alistair cried.

Levi looked awed. Aedan sighed, "Arland killed my family?"

"Almost wiped you off the map like he did to Arl Ruahn and his family… honestly, I stand by Sophia in that – Arland was a tyrant. Most think the Wardens are supposed to cut all political ties but the First Warden is actually the voice behind the throne of the Anderfels so it isn't such a stretch that Wardens could have titles and such."

"So… whatever we see that could be seen as bad… you agree with it?"

I snorted at Aedans words, "Fuck no! There is no excuse for allowing that blood mage to use people as test subjects for his discoveries… though when we find him, I will spare his life so long as he agrees to use ethical research from now on…"

"Find… isn't he dead?" Leliana asked. I shook my head and motioned to Morrigan, who thought for a moment, "In theory, blood magic could keep someone alive for a longer period of time… but 200 years?"

"The taint. Blood Magic comes from Demons first and foremost – but Avernus mastered his taint, discovered untapped powers that could stem from it – including, but not limited to, longer life, mana regeneration, speed boosts, attack speed increases and immunity to mundane blood magic. In fact, there are many reasons to keep that dumbass alive – so I will."

Sten growled lightly, "Immunity to regular blood magic?"

"Not sure how when Darkspawn are actually week to blood magic, but… yeah. Avernus' corrupted magic would work wonders, as strange as it sounds. You would think darkspawn would be immune to the taint magics, but they're not immune to it at all."

"I will… not prevent this mage living, then." Sten nodded. Just before they each took their groups to begin his task of clearing the towers, I handed each one a crystal earing like the one I gave Greagoir – meaning we could contact each other… it was going to be a long 12 hours. We started in the basement.

When my group came upon the library, the third vision started. "The door won't hold, Archivist." A young woman cried. The man she addressed was old and wizened as he bent over a book, writing hurriedly. "Just… almost… done… the truth must be told." He stammered.

"What does it matter? We're dead!" the woman wailed.

"Our grand rebellion, so close… and to die here, a stillbirth."

"We never should have done it; Wardens' aren't supposed to oppose Kings and Princes."

"Should we stand idle while…" before he could finish, the sound of a door bursting ended the vision.

Levi looked the book over, "If only it weren't burned…"

Alistair sighed in frustration, "Will there be any proof?"

"No, love – there won't. Arlands men burned anything incriminating 2 centuries ago."

Levi looked crushed.

It had already been 4 hours – and we still had approximately 8 more of fighting before we could even close the veil – I was a bit annoyed.

I decided to use sunfire for the A.O.E damage. When we reached the Commanders office – on the fucking 6th floor – it was near the Veil Tear. The vision began and Sophia – looking harried and starving but determined – shouted, "Make them pay for every inch, men!"

She rushed an enemy and engaged him in combat. Once he was dead she called out, "Hold the Flank! Avernus – we need you!"

The mage in question, standing off to the side, nodded and began casting a spell after slitting his hand open. A rage demon came from a portal on the floor. One of Arlands soldiers shouted, "Andrastes blood! Wh-what?"

Sophia seized the soldiers' distraction and cut him down. She snarled, "More, Avernus – whatever it takes!"

He summoned a shade next causing Sophia to shout, "Press them! Press them, now!"

The rage demon turned on its master and attacked a warden mage as the shade went after a warden warrior.

Avernus shouted, "No! I command you here! Fight the kings' men!"

What startled everyone else was that the shade turned to the mage and spoke, "Fool; so much death, suffering and… oh yes, blood. The veil is torn now – your soul is mine."

"Acolytes – retreat! The battle is lost!" Avernus shouted and all the remaining mage wardens rushed toward the north tower door. The specter of Sophia shouted for him before her face twisted in rage and she returned to fighting vigorously.

That was when the vision ended and we had to fight a massive rage demon… it looked at me and froze, "I cannot sense you… what… are… you?"

"Death." I grinned and shot the damn thing with ice lance.

Levi looked at me, "They… summoned demons. Sophia… she knew. I thought we were better than that…"

"The Wardens don't actually forbid that, you know – and she was fighting for her life. She was almost dead of starvation anyway. She'd been giving her rations to the men."

He looked stunned, but it was Alistair who sighed and spoke up, "Personally, I don't agree with blood magic, and I know you don't either Tara – so why are you defending Sophia?"

"Because, my love – I understand her position here. She was dying – she knew she would never get the chance to avenge herself and wanted to take as many of the bad guys down with her as she could. You remember my story – while I didn't use blood magic to escape that compound, I did something almost as bad to escape. When Inas rescued me from that… I did horrible things on the way out to my captors. The blood elf who fathered my sons was left mutilated. Do you think worse of me?"

"No – it's not the same! He… he did things to you and…"

"Arland had Sophia tortured and raped while she was in his prison. How is her situation different from mine?"

Vision really sucked, sometimes. Alistair flinched, "He… he did that?"

"Yes." I said shortly. Levi looked horrified, but Alistair sighed and relented, "I… I guess you're right." I nodded.

I shrugged and checked on the others using my earring. "Sereda; status report?" I asked.

"The towers are tall, but they have small floor area – with our number we've managed to get more than half way through the tower."

"Leliana; report."

"Our tower is mostly bedrooms and bathing areas. As Sereda said, the floor areas are small, so we too are also half done."

I smiled, "Thanks for that – back to work."

We entered the office and the dog and Cinder began growling and barking at the possessed ghoul of Sophia Dryden.

The ghoul turned and glared at the dog, saying, "Get this annoyance away from me; this one would speak with you."

"Oh, really?" I asked, amused. "Speak if you must, Demon – the words will be your last."

"Fool!" the ghoul shouted and attacked, summoning 4 skeletons and 2 shades to the fight.

She… fell rather quickly and I decided to search around the office. There was chest in the corner with better Warden Commander Armor – a set not tainted by the ghoul. I squealed in glee and collected it along with the leather and cloth versions. There was also a sword, shield, dagger and mage staff so I grabbed them – they could be useful later.

Alistair looked amused, "Find something good, my love?"

"The 3 versions of the Warden Commander Armor – like what that ghoul is wearing – but they're in perfect condition. Also an amazing sword, dagger and mage staff as well as a shield – I'd offer it to you, but I think you'd want Duncans more."

His head snapped up, "Repeat that."

"Duncans shield. I asked him about it – it's in the Denerim Warden cache. Do you… not…?" before I could finish the nervous question he was holding me tightly. "I love you, you know."

I beamed, "Yeah – I know. You tell me often enough." We moved out of the room and toward the tower door. There were 8 skeletons on the 6th floor of the tower, but they died with a single arrow. And killing the demons on the towers' 7th was easy enough. From the 8th floor up, there were no enemies, since the entrance to that floor had once held a barrier.

We entered the 'lab' on the ninth floor. Avernus looked at us from his raised platform. "I hear you… do not disrupt my concentration."

We all began heading closer to the platform and waited for him to finish… whatever he was doing. He looked at me since everyone stayed just behind – making it obvious I was the leader.

"Even now the demons work to replenish their numbers – are you to thank for this welcome but temporary reprieve?"

I smirked, "You could say that, Avernus."

His eyes sharpened and he asked, "Why are you here, what is your intent?"

"You do know that you're to blame here, yes? Summoning so many demons and tearing the veil… such a pity, since your research could have been… marvelous."

He jerked in surprise, "You… are interested in my research?"

"Of course I am, Avernus – so many practical applications. Your work could save so many wardens. Tell you what; help us seal the tear in the Veil and I will allow you to continue your research – ethically, of course."

"I… I see you have a warden with you…"

"Alistair and Lyna. Lyna is my Constable – I am acting Commander of the Grey while this blight rears. You may not like Alistair though."

"And why not?"

"He's a Theirin who abhors blood magic." I shrugged.

Avernus looked highly amused, "An honorable Theirin? How irregular."

"Actually the last two kings have been honorable Theirins – Maric, who was Alistairs' father, and Cailan who was his half-brother. Now let's go… you do agree to the terms, don't you?"

"How could I not? They are fair enough, at any rate."

We all moved back through the tower and I contacted the others, startling Avernus as he studied my earring.

"Sereda, Leliana, we have the mage and are on our way to close the veil. Report your status."

Leliana spoke first, "On the final floor now, commander."

Sereda was next, "Same, Commander."

"Any injuries or…?"

"No problems have arisen actually. You paired each group quite well it seems."

Avernus was studying me now. I smirked and winked at him before saying, "Carry on then."

He sorted and cut the communication. Avernus asked, "You are not a Warden… so why do you lead them?"

"Secret, I'm afraid – even the other Wardens don't get to know the reason. Let's just say I have some unique skill and magics." I shrugged. Avernus looked as though he was burning with curiosity, but kept the questions to himself.

When we reached the Veil Tear, Avernus looked to me and said, "Here we are… I will begin unraveling the summoning Circles I created long ago; waves of spirits and demons may come through. You will need to dispatch them." He started at one of the Circles.

The first wave brought 3 lesser rage demons and I used only my daggers since I knew Avernus would eventually be in contact with the First Warden.

The second wave brought 4 shades and 3 more rage demons.

Wave 3 brought 2 greater Ash Wraiths and 2 greater shades.

Wave 4 held only a desire demon… one that blanched when she saw me grinning at her. This distraction was more than enough for Alistair to take her head as he stood beside her.

Avernus was panting and covered in sweat as he said, "It… is done. The veil… is stronger now… with what time I have left, I will do as you asked – research ethically." He stumbled off to his tower and I contacted Aedan again, "Veil repaired – report."

Sereda and Leliana both reported that they were joined and working on the north tower. They only had 2 floors left by the time I had asked, too.

Levi looked to me and said, "You've done it; the keep is safe again. That old man… well, the choice was made. Maybe he'll turn up something good, eh? You got a whole fortress now… maybe it's time for me to start plying my trade again."

"Plan to stick around here, then?" I asked cheekily. He laughed, "Well, you've seen I'm no good in a fight! But I am a fair trader, if I do say so myself. My other cousins and I have been looking for a place to store goods – the peak will do nicely."

I had dinner almost ready by the time the others caught up to us and I grinned at Aedan, "So, did you have fun?"

"Where's Avernus?"

"Oh he was exhausted from closing the Veil – I expect he's already abed. I made noodle soup – it's called Pho where I'm from. It's made from broth, rice noodles, herbs, and beef. The broth is the reason I was keeping those beef bones from before… I added onion, ginger, green onion, some basil and lime… it smells good, right?" I asked.

Alistair kissed my cheek, "It smells very good." I beamed. Aedan noticed it and snorted, "Let me guess – the main reason you're going to so much effort is for him, right?"

I shrugged and said, "I like making sure my partner is taken care of – what's so wrong with that?"

Alistair sniffed and lit up, "I smell cheese." I giggled and said, "Stuffed cheesy bread in the oven!"

Aedan snorted, "You are really setting the bar, aren't you?"

I smirked, "I could teach you a few recipes if you wish?"

"I was told I can burn water when I try to cook…" I laughed and began serving the dish while Leliana retrieved the bread from the Oven. I did wonder why Leliana had always taken Aedans turn to cook.

When we all finished eating, and Levi had gone off to find a bedroom, Sten asked, "What is the plan now, Kadan?"

"We will be here for two more days – Sten will be going through the dungeon to look for salvageable things, Wynne will be looking through the mages' library on the third floor to see if there is any lost spells that could be of use – the regular library is on the second floor if anyone is interested. Zev, the potions room on the first floor had some unique poisons I want you to identify. Leliana, you'll be making more arrows – the smithy is in the west courtyard. Lyna, as Commander I want you to talk with Avernus and see if there's anything for him to report – if not, maybe give him some research ideas before going through the Commanders office to see if there's anything you'll need. Everyone else can pick a group or sit on their thumbs for all I care. I plan to clean the storage shed for the Drydens."

Alistair said he'd help me. Sereda chose to help Leli; Daylen and Morrigan wanted to discuss magic with Avernus; Aedan chose to help Lyna.