Chapter Thirty-Five

Amaranthine and the Woods

I saw Colbert and his elven friend Micah standing close to the gates. The human male was 5'9 with tree bark brown hair, stubbly side-burns and green eyes, while the elf was 5'7 with blond hair, pale skin and grey eyes.

The man looked at me, then Lyna – he wasn't very smart, because he instantly started hitting on the elven woman. She glanced at me, I shrugged – a woman had to defend herself after all.

"You call me that one more time, I'll rivet you to the floor, Shem."

I chuckled, "Aren't you sleeping with a Crow, Lyna – just feed the trash to him."

"A good point – Zev is so jealous of me… he wouldn't mind breaking a hand or three."

The man flushed, "I didn't mean nothin' by it, Lady Stormlight – I swear."

"Not me you need to apologize to – and it's not why we're here, anyway. You have information we want. Deep Roads entrance – start talking." I flashed a wicked grin. He nodded.

"I can't take all the credit for findin' the rift, you know? Micah here fell in first. It's quite a ways out of town, you see. We were tracking a buck in that direction… before this whole darkspawn mess. We'd been on his tail for about a week at that point. I'd wager he thought it was great fun – leading us on a merry chase as he did."

"For the love of… the Chasm, Shem." Lyna growled.

"Right; it was really something to behold – a huge cleft, as though the maker himself had cracked the earth in two, like… an egg. It looked like someone had tried to build over it, but it must have been abandoned long ago. No one in town knew about it. Well, of course we had to investigate! That was when Micah fell in – a shriek like you wouldn't believe and he was gone."

Micah finally spoke, "Earth crumbled; not stable."

"Right – and as Micah lay there yelling about his knee or his head or what have you; the darkspawn appeared. More than a brood, but less than a horde is how I can describe it. They seemed… occupied; like they had someplace really important to be – didn't notice us at all, thank the maker."

Anders scoffed, "The darkspawn were so occupied as to overlook two screaming injured men? Boggles the mind."

I tried to stifle my grin, "Look, guys – we need our map marked with that location. Give me that map location, and I'll give you each a shiny gold piece."

Colbert handed Lyna his map and I gave over two gold coins while Colbert beamed, "If ever there was reason to fall into a darkspawn pit, here it is – maker bless you."

"Unfortunately, he did." I said drily, electing a startled laugh from Nate and a grin from Anders.

We approached the gates next, but we were stopped by a woman. "My pardon Sers, but I was paid a whole sovereign to give this to you. I told him, I did, there was easier ways of getting a message to the commander of the Grey."

I snorted, "Lyna, dear – you decided to look for the Dark Wolf?"

"Only because the asshole is trying to take Zevs' title!"

"Well, that's who sent this letter – and the title is passed on, sweetie. Everyone thinks the original Dark Wolf is dead and this one works it just fine."

She snorted and we continued on past the woman.

I handed over my pack before the man could ask, earning a relived smile from the dark skinned guard as the rest of the party began unloading their own packs.

"What are you doing man? That's the Warden-Commander and the Lady Chosen!"

Oh… was that my official title now? I chuckled.

"But… you said everyone."

"It's quite alright, Constable Aidan. This man was simply doing his job, and everyone does mean everyone after all. Besides, I have literally nothing to hide, so there is no trouble in letting him do his job." I smiled, and could practically feel the approval ratings going up around me.

"That's… thank you for being so understanding, My Lady," the Constable said, looking somewhat chastised. He was 5'9 with sandy hair and tired green eyes. If I were a betting woman, I'd say he was early 40s at least.

"I hear you have trouble with smugglers around here? We can help, if you'll let us," I nodded.

He looked so relieved as he bobbed his head, "Maker… I'd appreciate that, Lady Stormlight."

I wrinkled my nose, "I wonder how to spread the word that I prefer my given name… call me Tara, Constable."

"I'll do what I can about that, but I can't give any promises, my… I mean, Tara."

"That would be lovely, constable."

"Well, here's what I can tell you about the smugglers; with trade slowed to a crawl, they've moved in to sell their 'wares' at an exorbitant price. More than 6 times true market value. If we could shut down their operation and seize their supplies, we could distribute it to the needy."

"I know where they are, Constable; leave it to me."

We meandered through the market and I happened upon the smuggler who looked me over with my now-disguised hair, "Greetings, could I interest you in… wait a minute… she's…"

Lyna was the give-away? Ha! I killed the man before he could run. Then I saw the Dark Wolf watching us. Lyna looked steamed as we headed over to him.

"An honor to meet you, Lady Stormlight. Commander of the Grey… I hear you've been asking about me?"

I stepped in, "I want the information – who is trying to kill Lyna. You get that for us; I will pay you fifty sovereigns and let you keep the ill-gotten title. You see, Lyna is actually married to the real Dark Wolf."

"I thought he was imprisoned and killed!" he muttered in shock. "It's your choice, but Lyna is more than a little angry about this mess."

"You have a deal, Lady Chosen; 50 is what I would have asked anyway… just give me some time."

"You have 3 weeks, Ser Wolf." He nodded and walked off. Nate kept looking around, so I figured that was my next stop… until we ran into Namaya.

Anders saw the pretty tan woman and called out to her.

She snorted, "Of course I'm still here, Anders – I keep my promises. Here; turns out you were right. The cache is here in Amaranthine."

"You found it…?" he breathed.

"I did. What you do with that information is up to you. I, for one, am done dealing with mages."

Anders looked to us after she walked off and I smirked. "We can go take a look – I always wanted to kill Rylock."

He blanched, "What?"

"It's a damn trap – the warehouse is empty, but Rylock is there. I plan to kill her."

Lyna coughed, "Way to keep things close to the chest, Lethallan."

I shrugged, "You are all pack – I protect my pack, Lyna. Rylock really has a hard-on to kill Anders… meaning it my wettest dream to kill the bitch."

Nathaniel was bright red. "That is… strange talk…"

"You have no idea…" Lyna grinned.

I glanced around, catching sight of the market and a very familiar head of black hair. "Nate… hun, I think I see your sister!" Nathaniel immediately rounded to look in the direction I was pointing, his face lighting up. "Delilah!"

We all hurried along after the archer while Lyna sniggered at me. I stuck my tongue out at her. I giggled as Delilah looked up in bewilderment.

Delilah looked like a prettier female version of Nate. Her long black hair was left loose around her shoulders, sparkling golden eyes, and flawless pale skin.

"Nathaniel? Oh thank the Maker! I had feared the worst!" she exclaimed and rushed to embrace him.

"Times must have been…" I elbowed him. "Forgive your brothers poor manners! My name is Atarah – Tara for short. I hear congratulations are in order on your nuptials?"

She gaped at me, "I… thank you, your worship… Albert makes me so very happy… I was so glad to get away from fathers' evil… this life is so much better."

"Fathers evil? Isn't that overstating it a bit? He got caught up in politics…" Nate looked at me in a side-glance.

"You… weren't here, Nathaniel. You didn't see what he did. You want the culprit who destroyed our family; it was him, without question."

"I… had no idea." I hugged Nathaniel's arm in an attempt to comfort him… I think all I managed was to catch his sisters' attention.

"Of course you did… but you always worshiped father, right from when you were a little boy. Come; let's catch up, shall we?"

"Um… I'll just… wonder the market a bit. It is my first time here…" Delilah gave me a smile and led her brother off. I looked at the merchant beside me, "I have a list of things I need… could you tell me where to procure them?"

He grinned – he was 5'9 with tan skin, blue eyes and black hair. "Sure, your worship – saw what you did for my wife. She was really worried about her brother." Ah, so this was Albert then.

"Don't thank me – I had him conscripted to the Wardens. You see about collecting the things from that list for me, and I'll pay you for your trouble when I come to collect in a bit?"

"No troubles. I saw Nathaniel was wearing one of those famous bracelets – everyone says that you only give those to people you view as family. And if you view him as family, well… you're always welcome here. I should have most of this in a few hours."

I grinned, "I didn't realize my bracelets were so famous. Thank you Albert – and call me Tara. I only allow combat titles."

He laughed and nodded as we all made our way around Amaranthine. The Crown and the Lion was our first stop – the bar-keep didn't even question our interest in Kristoffs' room when he saw me; just handed over the key.

I made sure to collect what I could – lockbox, amulet… clothes. Then we collected missions from various places – the merchants' guild and such. And yes, I put money in the Blight Orfans 'Donashun Tin'.

We got back to the market place where I paid Albert just as Nate and Delilah reappeared.

I grinned, "No, Delilah – I'm not sleeping with your brother. I'm just a flirt for the ages, ya know?"

She giggled, "What a shame! I was hoping I could call you my sister-in-law!"

I grabbed nates hand and showed her the bracelet, "We're already family – no need to complicate it with sex. So when is the kiddo due?"

She laughed, "I'm 4 months along!"

Albert gave me a glance, "How did you know?"

"I just gave birth a month ago – makes it easy to see the signs. I could tell you the gender, if you wish, but that's up to you."

They looked at each other. Delilah nodded, "Please do."

"It will be a boy." They smiled happily as I said we had to get going.

We headed over to the Chantry, where I saw Wynne. I squealed and hugged her, "Hi, mom!"

She laughed, "Cheeky child – I'm not your mother."

I grinned, "But I don't have a mom of my own – can't I adopt you?"

I saw the look on her face, "I have my own child…"

"Speaking of that – your shackle will move to him when you… do what you need to. The shackles were designed to move to closest next of Kin. For you, that's Rhys. For me, it'd be Duncan. Yeah?"

She sighed, "Still – I'm not your mother…"

I gave her my best puppy eyes and a lip quiver, "My father is in a place I can never see him again and my mother is… dead… I like having family…"

Lyna sniggered, "Alistair did always call you grandmotherly, Wynne."

She shot me a small smile, "I suppose you win this one. I contemplated visiting you at the Vigil, but things got… busy. The Circle had to be rebuilt for one; and I hear you've both been quite busy too. How is the new prince?"

I grinned, "Sweet as a new kitten with a ready smile. Looks just like his daddy with his grandmothers' eyes and his mommy's ears. No magic at all, though he is Dragon-souled according to the Dragon Queen. A Green Dragon – guardians of Nature and Dreams. I have a picture if you want to see…"

Her eyes lit up and I was glad I had the S.E.L.F.I.E camera MK2. I had taken several pictures during the Blight, but pictures of Duncan… more than a few.

I handed her the few I had printed out, causing Nate, Anders, Lyna and even Oghren to crowd around the bench where Wynne now sat. "Oh… he's precious!" she breathed.

I beamed, "Just think – you're like his grandma now."

She shot me a playful look. "I'd go see him, but I'm afraid my presence is needed elsewhere."

"You need me to find that botanist for you? I believe the Collage of Magi is convening in Cumberland and you have to attend. Something is stirring in the fraternities' right?"

She nodded, "The Libertarians wish to pull away entirely from the circle; and if they get enough support…"

Anders scoffed, "Pull away entirely? That's madness – I hate the Chantry oversight as much as the next mage, but they can't just decide to leave. This is a recipe for disaster!"

"Well, it could turn out to be nothing – but keep your ear to the ground anyway. And yes, if you could find Ines for me in the Wending Wood that would be a great help."

I nodded, "She's after some Northern Prickleweed – I can help her and send her on to Nevarra with no trouble at all."

Wynne smiled, "Thank you child."

"Keep the pictures – I have more of them." I winked. She chuckled and put them in her pocket, "I'll let Rhys know he has a sister and nephew then when I see him."

I smiled happily, "Good – I fully expect to hear from them once or twice."

"Them?"

"Evangeline De Brassard – his future love and the current Knight-Captain of White Spire."

She shook her head, "Like mother, like son, hmm?"

"Elunes' Grace, I hope not! Duncan so doesn't need that on him – just let him be a normal royal prince or something!"

Anders looked confused. He was the only one who didn't get Wynnes' admittance that her son was a Templars' boy.

"I do hope I will see you again before all that, Tara – thank you."

When she was gone Anders asked, "The name Rhys sounds familiar…"

I told him the name of Rhys' book and he looked gob-smacked, "That man is Wynnes' son?"

"And my brother, apparently. Now, moving on, then."

We went and cleared out the rest of the smugglers next – now that they had a chance to group up in their hide-out to 'wait me out'.

When I skipped up to the constable later, Oghren was the covered in blood and I grinned, "The smugglers are all dead, Constable. Their hide out is over in that direction, with an exit in the Crown and the Lion – might want to collapse that completely. At the very least, keep it guarded."

He smiled at me, "The city of Amaranthine owes you a great debt, my… I mean Tara."

I winked and we headed off again – getting rooms at the inn for the night before we headed out the next day.

"Are we lost? I feel like we're lost, Lethallan." Lyna grumbled as we made our way to the Wending Wood. I giggled, "No, look – you see this track here? It was deliberately scuffled to cover the passage of a wagon. This is the right way. And even without the track, I can sense the restless earth – Sylvans, blight wolves and Darkspawn. There is a Dalish nearby."

She jerked. Velanna appeared shortly after.

The elven woman was 5'5 with blond hair tied into a bun and tan skin. Her eyes were a lovely shade of brown too.

She spoke, "Another scavenger here to prey on the misfortune of others? No… you are too well armed. Here for me then. You will not drive me from these forests; the Shems could not do it, the darkspawn could not do it, and you will fare no better."

I held up a hand and step forward, causing Lyna to snap her mouth shut, much to Velannas' confusion. "Aneth Ara, sister – we are Grey Wardens."

"Oh. You are here to battle the Darkspawn then. Fair enough. Should you encounter any merchant caravans, tell them to release my sister, or more of their men will die. Now go, deal with your Darkspawn and…"

"Velanna – I'm only here in part for the Darkspawn. You remember Lyna from the last Arlathvhen, yes? I am Atarah, a friend of the people. I know where Shianni is, if you are interested."

Her eyes became sharp, "You know… then tell me!"

"You can follow me, my path will cross hers soon enough."

"Who are you?"

"Come now, Sister – is my hair not enough of a give-away? I'm General Stormlight – seer, friend of the people, dragon, druid, mage… you name it."

"I will… follow you for now. But if we don't find Shianni by nightfall…"

"I will have to fight you, yes – I know. You will not like what we find, but you will see and talk with her, Velanna. And don't mind Nate – he can be a bit of an ass."

Nate pouted at me – which looked really cute on the 30 year old man. I winked at him. We wondered over to the 'Shem' camp where there was only one man left – he was mostly a ghoul by now, much to Velannas' shock.

"Don't look – don't look at me."

Lyna spoke to the man, "Who are you?"

"Olaf – my name… came with friends… to drive away… the elf. But the… darkspawn… too quick. We were… ripped apart. Biting claws and teeth… from the darkspawn. And then… I woke… flesh and bone and gristle under me… around me. Everyone dead – dead soft meat melting into the ground… I… I crawled away – came here. Can't stand to… see it."

Velanna looked a little sick, but I said, "Do you know anything about the elf's sister? I have to ask."

"Sister… I have a sister… do I? Elf-sister… no, we did not… take her. Probably eaten or… dead."

"So you didn't kill the elves?" Lyna asked.

"No; no. Darkspawn came first – slaughtered us, took our steel… brought it to the elven camp. Tricked us – tricked the elf… she thinks we are… to blame… hunts all in… her rage. They watch."

Anders groaned, "All these people died over a misunderstanding? Maker – that's horrible. Good thing you already stepped in Tara."

Olaf spoke again, "They curious… about your group – they watch you as well… can you feel them? End it… please…"

I stabbed a dagger right into his temple, killing him instantly. Then, the darkspawn attacked us.

When they were dispatched, Velanna glared at me, "You fell for that? Darkspawn are not that smart."

I snorted, "The darkspawn have to be responsible Velanna – they killed every human in these woods that you did not… other than a Botanist names Ines to the east, but she's resourceful. Darkspawn have always kidnapped women, Velanna – turning them into Broodmothers to birth more of their kind. Elves birth shrieks."

She looked ill, "Are you saying Seranni will become one of those… things? I will not allow it!"

"And I plan to help you as much as I can. You have my word. But I am not all knowing. Ask the dwarf."

"Eh – you see enough when you look for the future, commander. Say… what about Felsi and… the nugget?"

I snorted, "You get paid and it's not too late to be part of the nuggets life, Oghren. You see how my sons still let me into their lives after 4000 years of not being there."

Lyna shifted, "Well… that wasn't actually your fault, though, was it?"

"Off topic – I'll do what I can, Velanna."

"Why?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well, I plan to kill the Darkspawn anyway, dear – it's a stop along the way," I said drily.

Lyna laughed, "You never let an innocent suffer, commander."

"You're the commander, Lyna – not me."

"Fine – Alpha." She corrected. I rolled my eyes, "Cheeky brat."

"Great, once we deal with Ines, and collect the Granit, we'll head over to the Darkspawn lair and do… that."

Ines was easily dealt with though she didn't much care for us at all. And the Granit went into my void storage which Velanna had been curious about. I also made us change into cloth robes – all of us – and put our things into my Void Storage. Velanna was the only one who had hesitated. Even Oghren hadn't fought me, so Nate and Anders couldn't bring themselves to do so either. I had also made sure to collect the Ancient Heartwood for Wade.

Next was the abandoned mine – and even I was put to sleep.

When we woke up, I was pissy, "Seranni – now is the time to come out."

Velanna, from her own cell next to mine, looked at me stunned.

I'd had to detox – the Architect had infected me with the Blight… I'd woken up during that for a brief moment. He had been in awe of my hair and ears. Asshole.

Seranni was 5'4 with short sandy colored hair, white darkspawn ghoul eyes and patchy skin. She looked at her sister who said, "Oh Creators… what have they done to you?"

"They haven't done anything, Velanna. I… I'm fine. It's not me he wants. I have to get you out before something bad happens – when he learns this one is no longer tainted… well, I don't want anyone else hurt."

Velanna nodded, "Yes, alright – let me out and I'll take you home."

Seranni gave her a soft smile, "The Darkspawn have your things – what they could get. Your ring wouldn't come off, much to their displeasure. You can still get your things back if you're careful."

I grinned, "They can keep those crappy robes – they were left-overs." I summoned my void storage and began passing out everyones armor and weapons. Seranni gaped.

"What kind of magic…"

"Void Magic – my ring was something I suggested as an invention to the Void Traders. I still collect 3% royalties on them too. This is called a Void Storage and can hold quite a bit of things. I can cure you, you know – get rid of the blight in you."

She shook her head, "He needs me."

"He will die for what he has done, Seranni. He caused the fifth Blight. He corrupted his own former master, Urthemiel."

She looked horrified, "What do you mean?"

"Look, we don't have time – come with us…"

She shook her head again, before running off to distract the Darkspawn as Velanna cried out to her. "Damn it," I snipped once everyone was armed.

Velanna looked at me, "She… chose to stay…"

"Mostly to distract them. I hoped that telling her about a cure to the blight might help convince her to come with us – but no… fuck; now the Architect will know I can do that. Damn it! I'm going to be his new favorite target. More of a reason to kill him A.S.A.P."

We went through the lab where I found a bottle of my tainted blood and attempted to detox it – it worked so I put the blood back into my own veins – no way was I going to risk the fact that detoxed blood was somehow different from its original state; not after my last fuck up.

Lyna gave me a look, "That blood was tainted, Lethallan."

"Not in the point-two seconds before I stuck it back in my body, babe. It's my blood, and I needed to know if my detox would work on something not in ones' body – like a vial of blood. But no damn way am I risking this big bad Architect getting a hold of potentially O.P blood when he already knows I can cure… look, babe – if I left this blood here and it had properties like… making him more powerful, we'd be fucked 6 ways from Sunday and 8 ways from the Void. We cannot risk him getting more powerful."

She nodded, "A fair assessment, then."

I shot them all looks, "Anyone else wants their blood back? No? I'm destroying it then – he doesn't need it."

Once I was sure no one was going to speak up, I set the whole station on fire… that caught attention from more ghouls so we had a few fights.

I made sure to collect everything we needed as we made our way through the tunnels – the one mans' ring, the Dragon Egg, the big-guys' maul looked nice so I gave it to Oghren and we recruited the merchant – much to Lynas' amusement as I sat there doing buissness with him in the middle of an escape.

When we got to the big Dragon room – I glared the two dragons into submission before turning my gaze on the Architect.

"My greetings, Architect."

He looked me over. The 'man' was 6'3 with a large head, decaying purple flesh, that pretty golden mask which matched his golden rib ornaments, and a skirt. "You possess interesting powers… I would ask how."

"I'm not an Elf – I am a dragon. I hold magic the likes of which you will not have seen in all your years. Does Utha know you started the fifth blight? You – the Architect of the Works of Beauty; the very High Priest of Urthemiel… you corrupted your own former master, Magister Sidereal. But then… you don't even remember who you were, do you?" I mocked.

Anders and Nate both let out curses at the confirmation of the Chant of Light. The Magister shook his head, "I did find the Old God Urthemiel. But I did not wish another Blight. I attempted my own version of the Joining ritual. My hope was that this would free all darkspawn, unravel the curse from its source. Alas, I was unlucky – how is it you claim to know who I was when I do not know myself?"

"Because I'm a Maker-blessed seer, my man. And your project was always doomed to fail – because the Darkspawn cannot get close to the Old Gods without tainting them and you are most certainly a Darkspawn. A Grey Warden could inadvertently taint an Ol God too – no version of the Taint can get close to them because of this as they are too susceptible to the taint. Your mission was always a lost cause. What you want to do is admirable, but you know as well as I how freeing a broodmother has gone for you."

"And… the dragons?" he motioned to the two drakes who now lay at my side like loyal puppies.

"I could tame any dragon to ever live, Architect – Drake, High Dragon, Old God – they are all weaker than I am because I can absorb the souls, strength and knowledge of the ones I have killed. With more than 5,000 overall dragons under my belt through 3 worlds over 10,000 years – no mere dragon could stand against me. I am older than even you, Architect. You may as well surrender – hand over Seranni, at the very least. I know you are good to her, but she belongs to her sister, her family."

He looked to the elven woman beside him, "It is your choice, Seranni… will you go with them, or stay…?"

Velanna gave a strangled sob. Seranni gave her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, sister – but I really believe in his cause… I can't believe it's all for naught when it's so noble…" with that, the three of them, Seranni, Utha and the Architect, turned and left. I looked at the Drakes, "Two options – Death or flee."

There was a little laugh from Lyna as the two turned and fled. I sighed, "Join us, Velanna – Grey Wardens can sense Darkspawn so at the very least you'd be able to chase her down."

She nodded mutely before saying, "I… I will join you. I have to save her."

Nate looked me over, "What exactly is your role in this, Tara? Why do you care so much when this world isn't yours?"

Lyna decked him before I could stop her. "Lyna, stand the fuck down! He is pack – you did not make an official challenge." She glared at him but bared her neck to me, stunning Velanna. I looked at Nate, "For you – my role is that I'm in love with two men from this world who would be devastated to see it burn. My role is that my son belongs to the world. My role is that I have collected a family here. I was put on this world for a reason, Nate – to save it from itself. Your maker and two of the Elvhen Creators have placed their faith in me – I will not let them down."

"Two? I know you said Mythal was one, but who was the other?" Lyna asked. Velanna looked ill.

"Fen'Harel – Mythals' second in command."

"Not possible! Fen'Harel is a traitor – a trickster! He…" Velanna began but Lyna shook her head, "According to Tara, that isn't true. I believe her. I hear so many things about our people from Tara that we've lost, Velanna – Eluvians' as portals, vocabulary we've lost, and Asha'bellanar herself named Tara as a Friend – endorsed her words. If Tara were wrong, Flemeth wouldn't have given her that ring."

I held it up. Velanna looked at me in subdued horror, "But… for so long we've…"

"It is never too late to rectify a mistake – admitting ones' faults is the road to bettering oneself. Now, let us be off – we have a quick stop to make at the Vigil, then we will loop back for the Blackmarsh."

Lyna grinned at me, "So – will I ever meet Mythal?"

I chuckled, "You already have, dear. As for Fen'Harel, I can't wait to meet him – the man needs a reality check and slap before I help him out."

Anders sniggered, "Only you could talk about slapping a god."

Lyna snorted, "Because she is one too; the Goddess of Shadows."

I gave a mock bow, "More of a demi-goddess than a full one. My adopted mother is the moon, my adopted brother is the Nature Demi-God, patron of Druids… but he calls me his granddaughter. I have many powerful relations."

Anders pestered me on my background all the way back to the vigil.