Chapter Twenty-Four

Family Moments

Genitivi went his separate way after passing through the now abandoned village of Haven. Roselle was writing draft after raft of her letter to the Divine – burning each one that didn't make the cut. I had finished all the bracelets, the extra collar for Grey – Hawkes Mabari – and had enough left over to make myself a ring. The ivory color of the dragon bone sat on the same finger as the ring Andrastes' shade had given me – my right middle finger.

I had learned a few things about that gold ring. First being that it acted as a shield against the elements – like… actual elements not spells. I hadn't needed that. Another thing was that I couldn't take it off. Then there was the little fact that it was helping me to hone my visions. They were clearer now, and I had an easier time blocking or calling them.

The trip from Haven to Redcliff was quick, actually – only a week and a half of walking at night. When we got there, Isolde looked relieved to see us and Teagan looked amused that I was being affectionate with Alistair.

I took the ash to Eamons room myself and Roselle actively blocked any attempts to take the ash from me so that someone else could cure Eamon. Cinder looked at the man in the bed from my hood – the bird had been maturing these last few months in a way I hadn't thought possible. His feathers were shinier and his cooing deeper.

I uncorked the vial while people watched from the doorway. The ash floated out of the vial and swirled around me. I held out my hand so that the ash gathered in my palm. Walking up to Eamon, I tilted my hand to put the ash on his forehead while casting a healing spell.

Eamon drew a ragged, gasping breath and looked around, wild-eyed. Arl Eamon was only 5'8, his hair was silver and hug just past his ears from his time being bed-ridden, his eyes were blue like Connors and I would swear this man was older than my human grandfather on earth… maybe it was just that he'd been ill.

Teagan shot into the room and whispered with him while I turned and left.

Alistair smiled, "I think we made the right choice. I want to thank you… you went so far out of your way to save him…"

"For you – and only you. Eamon… I don't like him much."

He blinked in shock, "What? Why?"

I pulled him into a guest room, "When you take the throne – since Goldanna will make that fuss about being your sister – if Goldanna dies, he will hide her children in an Orlesian orphanage to keep them from you and the throne. He knows what family means to you, love. And he let you sleep in the blasted Kennels, eating scraps… not to mention; he wants to be to you what Loghain is to Anora – the regent puppet-master behind the throne."

Alistair looked sick, "You're sure…? What am I saying – of course you're sure! So what do I do?"

"Let him think he'll win. Make him your regent, I guess, but don't give him the power he seeks. Make your own choices – listen to your gut instinct. That kind of thing."

He nodded, "I… I need a moment."

"As you wish, my prince." I said in a slightly raised voice. He gave me a confused look, but smoothed his face as I opened the door. Isolde was there, looking sour.

I nodded, "Lady Isolde."

"Lady… Stormlight…" I could tell it killed her to address me as a Lady now that she had what she wanted.

I walked past her and down to the library where my pack was gathered. "I hear the Arl will make a full recovery…" Wynne said.

"Good for him. Now, on to buissness. I'll fill the Prince in our plans in bit. From here, we've done everything that needs doing… except recruiting the Dwarves. Orzammar is a 4 and half week walk from Redcliff, so I need someone to procure rations… I leave that to Wynne and Daylen. Lyna – we've had delegates from the Circle, the Dalish and Mayor Murdock all converge here; the Dalish need herbs like Elfroot or Deep Mushroom, and the Circle needs Runes – I've set aside the needed items, I want you get them where they need to go. Sten – I want you to make sure our pack is ready – we leave day after tomorrow. If anyone needs anything specific, report to Sten and he will report it to me. You have until dawn tomorrow to get me a list or live without it."

I noticed Alistair in the doorway – Eamon and Teagan behind him, though I don't think he knew.

"We need to make this as smooth as possible so… Sereda, take this Red Lion pelt and have ceremonial robes made in Bhelens size. Aedan, I have a box of mid-tier gems set aside that I've been collecting as we went – find a spot to set them for the Dwarven delegate when they arrive. Morrigan… just don't hurt anyone; please. Zev, I want poisons – the more agonizing and non-lethal, the better. I'm feeling the need to get back in touch with my… dark side. Alistair, I want you to make sure the wolf pack made it here safely while we were gone – and see if they need anything."

Heads whipped around to look at the man. He flushed and nodded. "Good – you all have your assignments and less than 48 hours to do it. Get to work!" I barked.

Eamon stepped fully into the room and said, "If I may…?"

I looked at Alistair, "I suppose that is up to you, my prince?"

He shot me a look, "Go ahead, Arl Eamon."

The Arl looked at me; I could see disgust in his eyes though he tried to hide it. "There is much to be done; that is true. But first, I should express my thanks to the ones who have done so much. I hear you are the acting commander of the Grey, a duchess and under direct protection of the Chantry – and that it was you who saved my life, my Arling, my son and people." Wow – way to put it in priority order there, Eamon.

I nodded firmly so he continued, "I am… in your debt. Would you allow me to offer a reward for your service?"

"Not that it's needed, since I did it for Alistair, not you… but sure."

He flinched at the chill in my voice, "I understand – but regardless of your motivations, I feel you are… worthy of a reward. I would like to honor your efforts; that's all. Allow me to name you and those traveling with you Champions of Redcliff. You will always be welcome guests within these halls. And for you, personally, I've a shield of the same make given to our finest knights."

The minute he handed it to me, I tossed it carelessly into my void storage. The atmosphere was obviously awkward. Teagan looked so lost as he glanced between his brother and I.

The Bann decided to interfere, "We should speak of Loghain, brother. There is no telling what he will do once he learns of your recovery."

I snorted so Alistair said, "Oh, Lovely… what will he do, Tara?"

"Claim that Eamons… illness left him unfit." Groans went out and Eamon shot me a dirty look.

"Loghain instigates Civil War even though the Darkspawn are on our doorstep. Long I have known him… he is a sensible man; one who never desired power."

"Excuse you? The minute he learned Cailan was putting Anora aside for Celine – at your suggestion, I might add – his ambitions changed." I snapped, shoving the two letters from the empress into Eamons hands. He looked them over, pale faced, "I never intended him to choose her."

Teagan stepped in again, "I was there when he announced he was taking control of the throne, Eamon. He is mad with ambition, I tell you."

"Mad indeed – mad enough to kill Cailan, attempt to kill me and destroy our lands. Whatever happened to him, Loghain must be stopped. What's more, we can scarce afford to fight this war to its bitter end."

"Nooo…really? I thought we'd just ask him to stand aside." My voice dripped sarcasm. Teagan coughed, "My Lady, are you well? I've noticed you seem…"

I smiled at him, "I am well, Teagan – don't worry… I just don't like Eamon."

Half my group snorted, while the other half coughed laughs. Alistair snipped playfully at me, "Really; we couldn't tell, love. Make it a bit more obvious will you?"

"Love?" Eamon asked, his eyes shooting to me in horror. "Seem you found out why I dislike you, boy. Don't worry, if I had plans on the throne, I'd have married Anduin – my king – since I was his betrothed and all. Alistair and I will be going our separate ways after the blight."

"That's… not what I… I mean…"

"Save it for someone who will believe it, Eamon. Now, to make Loghain surrender, we need a Landsmeet to put Alistair on the Throne as Cailans' named heir."

Teagan and Eamon looked at me in stunned silence, "Named?"

I handed the paper to Teagan who cried, "This is signed by Loghain! That traitorous bastard!"

"Yup – how you feeling Alistair?" I grinned at him.

"Ready to take the traitors head, at least." He shrugged.

Eamon nodded, "Then I will call a Landsmeet, there, Fereldens nobility can decide who will rule – one way or another."

"Good. When we return from Orzammar with the Dwarven treaty secured… then we can begin the march to Denerim for the Landsmeet. Roselle – have you sent your letter or have you finally come to the conclusion that going in person is best?"

She flushed, "I will be going in person, Your… Grace." She had almost outed me! She was about to call me 'your worship'…

I nodded firmly, "Let Eamon know if you need anything. The trip to the Grand Cathedral will be long – even with your horse."

She nodded, "Again, my lady, it was an honor being chosen to see the Temple. I will remember it always."

I waved a hand, "It kept you out of the fighting, so it was worth it. I need dinner. What do you think is being made?"

My question was idle, but it was Teagan who answered, "You seemed to like the Steak, so I sent to the kitchen for that to be made for dinner."

"Ooh, yum. A man after my own heart – shame I'm taken… twice over at this point. Besides, you belong to Kaitlyn." He flushed and Alistair looked amused. Eamon furrowed his brow, "Who is Katlyn?"

"Apparently, my future wife." Teagan muttered and shot me a grin.

I shot him a wink and looked to my group, "Alright, as I said – you have your assignments. Get to work."

At once they all moved – except Alistair who came over to me, "My Lady, would you like to come with me?"

I chuckled as he half bowed while holding out his arm, "And they say chivalry is dead, my lord."

He and Teagan looked horrified, "Who would say such a thing?"

"Well, it's true where I was born."

"I'll have you know my Templar training included all manner of chivalrous activities – after all… we were raised by the mothers and sister of the Chantry."

We walked from the room. "Is that so? Well, I think it's sweet."

The next day, Alistair and I headed down to the Village. People greeted me when they saw me – that was new enough that I didn't quite know how to react to it. When we got to the Inn, we found the Wolf Pack training outside. There were 24 of them – only 3 were women, but they trained too.

"Alpha Swiftrunner!" I called out. The whole pack turned to me. Swiftrunner looked good as a human – 6'1 with shaggy brown-blonde hair, green-grey eyes and darkly tanned skin. I'd have estimated his age to be about mid-30s'. He bowed his head, "Alpha Stormlight. It's good to see you again."

Alistair gave a cheeky grin, "We came to see if your group needed anything I particular. The Dalish asked for Herbs, the circle wanted runes, the humans were given gold, gems were set aside for the dwarves… but your group has asked only for some cloth to make clothes and some weapons, according to Teagan."

Swiftrunner nodded, "That's correct. We help with the hunting to pay for our share; it's only right to pull our weight around here."

I grinned, "Commendable. But is there anything else you need? Supplies, more cloth, training in alchemy or such…"

Swiftrunner looked to his pack – most of whom shook their heads – but one female came forward. She was 5'8 with blue-black hair, chocolate eyes and dark skin. "We've been keeping the skins of our huts to make tents, blankets and extra clothes. We hunt extra so we are kept with food. Most of us had training for things like Alchemy or Smithing before we were turned. We are a fairly self-sufficient pack, Alpha Stormlight. The only things we could ask for would be wants, not needs."

Swiftrunner nodded, "Silverclaw is right. The only ones who survived the curse were those who had the ability to adapt… at least… the ones who survived with minds in-tact. We've overcome worse than a lack of clothes or weapons and so… here we are."

I nodded, "When this is over, I know there is a small village in the Teyrnir Gwaren that's abandoned. Gwaren will be awarded to Aedan after the blight. You could make that village your packs home."

Alistair bobbed his head, "That's a wonderful idea – I also plan to award land to the Dalish for Lynas' involvement, Daylen has asked the circle be more… self-run, and Sereda has asked that Orzammar get aid in battling Darkspawn. They're all reasonable requests – Aedan only ask that Howes' family be made to pay for what he did. You haven't made any requests though."

I shrugged, "I have no need of anything."

"Really? I was thinking a title and lands…"

I gave a sort, "I'm an elf. No one will like that."

"You're also protected by the Chantry – and, in fact, have a pretty letter with stamps of approval saying just that."

I shrugged, "I'll make you a deal – get the Landsmeet to agree to that, and I'll accept. But don't hold your breath about it, love."

Swiftrunner looked amused, "He is your mate?"

"Not really – more of a passing fancy. My mate hasn't had a chance to get to know me yet."

"Understood. Thank you for checking up on us – if we do find we need anything, we will be sure to let Bann Teagan know… I am curious of one thing. When we passed the Dalish camp, many who heard my name offered condolences on a son…"

I flushed, "I had to get it through Zathrians skull that none of you deserved the curse and… I only knew your name, so I said you went to the forest to find a lost son who you found ripped to shreds before being attacked yourself. I said that if losing a son wasn't bad enough, you suffered while you turned."

He nodded, "It was a daughter, actually; but close enough."

Alistair barked a laugh, "You pulled a story out of your ass and it was mostly true? Only you, Tara…"

I chuckled, "So it seems. I am sorry for the loss of your daughter, however."

He shrugged, "It was a long time ago – it was the ferals that killed her. And if her death helped end that blasted curse… well, I think she'd be at peace with that."

Alistair asked, "Do you plan to take your old names again or are you going to keep with the pack names?"

Swiftrunner snorted, "We've been called by the pack for so long, there's no point in going to old names. Half of us have no family left anyway, and those that do have already been grieved and their families moved on."

I nodded, "I'd do the same. I've had many names and have had to adapt to them over the years. It gets easier to answer to the new one than it is to answer to the old."

He chuckled, "That it does. We'll get back to training – we've got our pack split in 4 groups for hunting; 6 to a group. Silverclaw is my Beta and Barktooth is placed just past her in pecking order, then Jagedfang. We each lead a group of the pack, so if you need anything from us, find one of us and we will make it happen."

Barktooth was 5'11 with dark skin, black hair and green eyes – he shared a heavy familial resemblance with Silverclaw. Jagedfang was 6'1 with red hair, lightly tanned skin and blue eyes. I nodded as the three bared their necks to me – a wolf sign of submission that I would later have to explain to Alistair. "Good to know. And of course the reverse is true – though I trust the Bann more than the Arl so seek Teagan out if possible."

Swiftrunner looked thoughtful, "I may go make myself known to the Arl – just so I know who to keep an eye on. If you don't like him, there must be something…"

"It's personal – he was placed as Alistair guardian in the past and allowed him to be raised in the Kennels with scraps despite his bloodline."

I heard growls from the wolves. Silverclaw appraised Alistair with a cheeky smirk, "So he's one of us, then?"

Alistair laughed, "You know, I tell everyone I was raised by flying dogs from the Anderfels – werewolves wouldn't be much of a difference, would it?"

I giggled, "He is part of my pack; any that are mine wear one of these shackles."

Alistair snorted, "You called them friendship bracelets."

I gave him a look, "You believed that? They are essentially shackles – they mark you as my pack and can't come off."

Swiftrunner coughed, "Sounds about right, then."

"He's my beta… for now. You know as well as I do that a beta is the second, yes? If I take a mate, then the mate gains the status of beta."

"Oh, so I should bow to Cullen next time I see him?" Alistair asked.

I snorted, "Only if I tell you to. But as a king, you really should just bare your neck subtly like the pack did to me. It shows they see me as dominate to them."

"So, I would bare my neck to Swiftrunner as a pack Alpha, but not Silverclaw since we're the same rank, so to speak?"

"Good boy – you're learning." I smirked. Silverclaw chuckled, "I'm glad he seems willing to embrace pack customs. Many not cursed to it wouldn't."

"He's a special pet. He likes to please." I winked. Half the group began laughing and Alistair looked confused, "What's funny about that?"

I shook my head, "It was a dirty joke, dearest. You love to please me… in bed."

"Well… I can't see… how that's any of their… buissness, but of course I do."

I reached up and cupped his cheek, "You are so innocent."

"But really… how is it their…"

"Animals have no modesty, Beta Alistair. Animals don't wear clothes – so how could nudity be an issue? We are a crude bunch, but we make it work."

"Oh… fair enough… I suppose." He flushed at what Jagedfang said. "We will take our leave. You should name your pack, Swiftrunner – you can rename your new village after it, too."

He looked startled but nodded, "That is a fair point. What did you name yours?"

"Dovah-Sos – Dragon Blood. Often shortened to just Dovah, though."

Cinder poked out and cooed to Alistair. He chuckled and reached over to pet the fire bird while others watched.

"Is that… a bird… on fire?" Barktooth asked. I explained about Sin and soon enough we were on our way back to the castle.