Haven Of Crazy Cultists

After three days of climbing into the Frostbacks, they knew they were getting near to Haven. Why? Because they already had to dispatch three ambushes. The last one was the worst and they were still catching their breath. So, the going was fairly slow. With all the Chantry folk in the group, they stopped and performed pyres after each ambush … hence why the going was even slower.

It turned out that having Leliana along was a good thing. She joined Matin and the other scouts who identified the attacks before they even got started. The fighting was fierce, but the cultists' tactics were elementary. Fortunately, Elle had a prisoner to speak with this time.

Elle took a deep breath and stepped up to the young man being held up by two burly soldiers. The boy couldn't have been much older than fifteen or so, thin, greasy and matted hair, barely trained and frightened. "Now, young sir, I would like to have some …"

She was interrupted by one of the scouts yelling, "Ho! Dragon above!"

Everyone looked to the sky as a magnificent reddish-green dragon flew over them.

Without even looking up, the boy cried, "Andraste has come to save me! You will all pay the price for killing her worshippers!" In the tension of spying a dragon, the boy managed to wrench his arm away from one of the soldiers holding him. At the same time, he pulled the man's sword, slicing the soldier's arm in the process. In addition to the previous descriptors of the boy, Elle was forced to admit that he was also quick and wiry. The other soldier really had no choice but to stop the boy's attack before he killed someone. So much for having a prisoner to speak with … but, what he did say meant volumes.

Elle and Leliana made brief, knowing eye contact.

"I'm sorry, Lady Cousland," the soldier said as he threw the boy over a shoulder and headed for the pyre.

Brother Genitivi and Aggilana walked up. "Brother Florian wrote a book about dragon cults a couple years ago. I have the book in Denerim, but had no idea that I might need it here."

"Did he mention any cults worshipping the risen Andraste?" Leliana asked.

"No, he didn't. I only mention it as a possibility of what we're walking into." Genitivi looked around nervously ... as did everyone else.

Elle narrowed her eyes and Varric laughed. "Blondie calls that her 'thinking' face."

She smiled at Varric. "My predictability aside, it would stand to reason that a clever dragon might coerce a misguided group … say one who had been apart from the rest of the world for centuries … to care for her young in return for her protection. In which case, we may be in for practice in killing a dragon. Likely handy against the Archdemon later."

The soldier who was getting the laceration in his arm healed said, "Not sure that's something I'd like to be an expert in, my lady, since it would likely be posthumously." He sighed. "I can't seem to even keep a boy under wraps," he mumbled to himself.

"I underestimated another one in Kinloch, if you recall, good soldier. Do not worry about anything but getting healed right now." Elle turned to Leliana and started to say something when she was interrupted by screams and roars in the distance … coming from up the road where they expected Haven to be. "Some of those sound like children!" She looked down at the soldier. "I'm sorry, but you may be getting that practice right now. Anders, can he fight?"

Anders frowned. "Yeah." He grabbed his staff.

Those who could fight made their way as quickly as they could toward the sound of the conflict. Sadly, the screams stopped before they could get there. Everyone ducked under tree cover as the dragon's shadow crossed over them. She flew overhead, turned and headed into the mountains above Haven.

Leliana said, "It seems Andraste doesn't like them anymore."

Elle closed her eyes a moment and said a brief prayer to the Maker for their souls. Then, she waved everyone forward.

They slowly walked around a bend in the road to a scene of horror. Bodies were everywhere in what must have been the village commons. All the buildings were ablaze. Dead mothers were holding their dead children. "Why didn't they run? They just knelt there and let the dragon kill them." Elle said quietly. She looked around wildly. "Why didn't they let their children run away?!" She pointed around the open area. "It's like they were holding the children down to be killed!" After several horrifying minutes, Elle looked up a steep hill and saw a stone building that was still standing. She turned to the stricken expedition. "Let's put these fires out before they spread to the rest of the forest! Anders, check for survivors, please."

Varric tried to hand Elle a wineskin but she just pushed it away. He wisely didn't say anything as he put it away and ran to help with the bucket brigade from the lake.

The horror seemed to continue as distant screams were heard up the mountain. Through the trees, Elle could see what looked like the stone walls of a fort — or temple? — further up the mountain. The screams were coming from there. Before all the screams were silent, louder screeches and roars were heard. That last group must have decided to fight the beast rather than die to its flames!

Anders went from body to body and only shook his head as he found none alive. It was late-afternoon by the time they finished with the pyres. Leliana put her arm around Elle's shoulder. "There is a path behind the Chantry building, Elle. Brother Genitivi thinks it may go up to the Temple."

Elle was still upset at the ignorance of these cultists. A hardness had crept into Elle's usually pleasant countenance. "I am going to find it difficult to grant any kind of forgiveness or understanding to any other cultists we may find, Leliana."

"I think everyone feels the same way, Elle." The bard gave Elle's shoulder a squeeze and let go. "I know I do."

"What did you find in the Chantry building?" Elle asked as she reached down to pet Midnight. It had been a frequent motion since they finished putting out the fires.

"It's an old Chantry. Brother Genitivi and Aggilana have been sorting through artifacts there … to research when we get back." Leliana motioned up the steep hill to the Chantry. "Come, drop off any excess things inside the Chantry and we can move on."

Elle looked around and saw that they were starting to set up a camp down by the lake on the edge of the village. "Hopefully, that dragon won't think we're part of her crazy followers." However, she followed Leliana up into the Chantry. Surprisingly, it was a rather sturdy building that the dragon didn't touch. Perhaps because it was made of stone … or perhaps because none of the deplorable cultists had any children to sacrifice there.

The trek up the mountain was steep, but well-traveled. And, just as they spotted an ornate worked stone structure entrance … one that might signal the entrance to the Temple of Sacred Ashes … they came upon another group of dead cultists. This group was running toward the entrance, but didn't make it.

Leliana went from body to body before releasing them to the camp clerics to burn. She walked back with an amulet of a flower. She pointed to the corpse nearest the door. "He looked like a leader of some kind. He was wearing this. I thought it odd," she said while demonstrating how the petals bent.

Elle only nodded, stepped past the devastation and walked up a flight of stairs to a door. Leliana was right behind her.

Genitivi was already there, standing with his hands on his hips. "The door is quite solidly locked and I see no keyhole."

Elle looked at the door and then asked Leliana for the amulet. "Look, these indentations are rounded like the edge of the petals." She folded the petals of the amulet in several patterns until one finally opened the huge double door. She smiled back at her companions. "Let's see what's inside, shall we?"

Surprisingly, once unlocked, the ancient door easily swung open … to a sight of magnificence and ancient glory, now long gone. No one had any words. The hall was huge and even in its decline, everyone could tell it must have been magnificent once. Now, one side was caved in due to a mountain avalanche. And, it was cold inside with all the cracked walls and windows. At least the mountain winds were stopped somewhat. The group slowly moved forward, weapons at the ready. Genitivi and Aggilana were looking over some of the etchings near the door when Elle and Leliana spotted movement at the top of a grand stairway. Elle motioned to the soldiers to move forward with shields up and they would follow.

The battle was bad. The cultists also had magic at their disposal with no regulation on its usage. Anders was incapacitated several times. Fortunately, Leliana brought several Templars with her. Along with Aggilana's non-trivial martial abilities, the cultist mages were soon taken out of action.

"Those mages were exceedingly strong, but I didn't notice any blood magic," Elle said to Aggilana.

The spent Templar nodded. "No, they were just very powerful with their magic. Are you all right?"

Elle looked around to find Anders. "I'm fine. Let's check on Anders." She found him sitting in the back next to the door. One of the clerics was tending to a wound on his forearm.

"I'm totally depleted. This wonderful fellow is a champion with some elfroot and bandages." Anders smiled at the man who blushed. The man then fled to aid another ... probably afraid Anders would conscript him into the Wardens!

"There are some side passages that I think we should clear out before we move on through the rest of the Temple." Leliana walked up and smiled at Anders. "Thanks for the stamina boost back there, Anders."

"You should have brought a mage or two along with the Templars, Leliana. I hope we don't run into too many more groups with that much magic in future." Elle stretched her back. "Rest up, Anders. I fear we'll be needing you."

"Just give me a few minutes," he said as he leaned back and closed his eyes.

"There are … complications … to bringing mages lately." Leliana frowned.

Without opening his eyes, Anders said, "Grand Enchanter Fiona giving you Seekers trouble?"

"Yes." Leliana huffed. "Ferelden's Circle is the only one being reasonable, but I didn't have the time to stop there."

That made Elle chuckle as she decided to file away the comment from Anders. "That's us. Reasonable Fereldens." She patted Leliana's shoulder. "Upon further thought, Greagoir and Irving would have thrown a fit, no doubt. So, it would have been a pointless trip."

Leliana allowed an affronted look to slip onto her face for a second or two. Elle could tell she wanted to say something in response, but instead, said, "Meet us at the side passage whenever you're ready, Anders." Then, she moved forward to speak to the Templars she brought with her.

Varric leaned in and whispered. "I think you hurt her pride … or sense of authority. Was she like this before?"

Elle looked around and noticed one or two of the clerics listening to their conversation. "Of course, Varric, Leliana's always been very professional," Elle said with a slight shake to her head. He got that she meant the opposite.

In short order, Anders was up and the side passages were cleared. One of the passageways ended in what must have been the most magnificent library in Thedas at one time. Genitivi and Aggilana both knew that Curator Justine would be spending time there. Genitivi carefully stowed several delicate scrolls in cases to use as enticement for Justine.

The rest of the Temple was mostly empty with pockets of resistance. There were a few mages, but none were as powerful as the ones up front. None of them surrendered. They found a rough-hewn passage to what everyone began to call the dragon caves. Not only were there a few cultists there, there were dragonlings everywhere … along with several drakes. Difficult, but manageable with the size of the group Elle had with her.

At long last they reached the end of the caves which opened up to the outside. What they found there was horrible. There was one man who looked like he was crawling toward the caves when he collapsed. He was barely breathing. "Anders!" Elle cried out to get the healer's attention. However, the man reached up with a shaky, bloodied hand and grabbed the front of her armor.

"Andraste will have her revenge!" he told her, his voice rough with pain. Then, the man's hand fell lifeless and Anders pronounced him dead.

Elle shook her head. "Rest at the Maker's Side and find out the truth, good sir," she whispered. "He's more armored than the first man we ran across, but it's better than everyone else. He must have been some kind of leader."

One of the soldiers picked up the man's greataxe. "Maker! This thing is heavy! He must have been very strong." He peered at the axe and added, "Either the axe's name is Kolgrim or that's his name."

Gorim chuckled. "Kolgrim would be good for either one. This guy's decked out as a military leader, all right. The other guy looked to be religious leader or something."

Once they made it all the way outside, the gruesome scene that greeted them looked as though the dragon drew out some of the cultists and killed them; however, this must have been a powerful group because the dragon lay dead as well, its blood pouring down the side of the mountain like a small stream of red. Elle did notice some scorch streaks down the sides of the dragon and took a moment to scan the sky.

Varric walked up. "Yeah, I had the same thought. I think a different dragon got this fight started. This one is more bluish-purple than the dragon we saw earlier."

"Now, that's a frightening thought," Elle said softly, not finding any other large winged creatures in the sky. "No matter, she's gone now." But, Elle did pass the word to the Highever soldiers to be on the alert to something coming at them from the sky.

Elle pointed to a building across the open area. It must have been part of the Temple at one point, but it was destroyed ... some time ago from the looks of it. Likely, the dragon didn't like something inside it?

Elle and her group helped the clerics prepare a pyre. As she had done in the caves with the dragonlings and drakes, Elle instructed some of the camp workers in how to skin the dragon. No doubt that Wade would be able to make wondrous things with dragonscale and bones to help with the battle against the Blight.

"I'm glad the Seeker is allowing us to take all this," Varric said. He pointed his chin subtly to the destroyed building. He leaned close to Elle. "I think she went in there."

"Maker." Elle whispered. "That must be the real Temple and she knew it!" She walked up to Genitivi. "Do you know what that building is, Brother Genitivi?"

He narrowed his eyes. He wasn't happy. "That is probably where the Guardian watched over the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Justine and I translated a passage in some of the documents we found in the other Haven. It said that the Temple was for the pilgrims to pray and prepare to enter the Guardian's Keep." He nodded toward the smaller, destroyed building. "Maybe that was the Guardian's Keep. Dorothea must have shared that fact with Leliana."

Aggilana stepped up. "Seeker Leliana forbade us to follow her as she wanted to 'make certain it was safe' first."

After noticing that no one was near to overhear her, Elle said quietly. "I fear if anyone wishes to venerate the Urn, they will have to go to one of the vaults of the Chantry in Val Royeaux … but only after a hefty donation to the Grand Cathedral."

Genitivi chuckled. "That might be true, but I shall write about it, nonetheless."

As if on cue, Leliana and her Templars walked around the side of the destroyed building … holding a very tarnished and dented metal vessel. She held it up and everyone knew exactly what it was. The Urn of Sacred Ashes. Everyone knelt in reverence with murmurs of prayers to the Maker.

Leliana had tears in her eye as she opened the Urn and it was empty. The Urn was real. Elle could actually feel it. Leliana announced, "It was all destroyed. Had been destroyed a long time ago. Maybe by their heretical dragon Andraste." She looked at Genitivi. "The Guardian was not there. All we found was the Urn turned on its side. The Templars are bringing around some more documents and artifacts for you and Curator Justine to look over, Brother Genitivi. The stiff winds must have sent our Lady's Ashes onto the mountain air at some time."

"Or, perhaps the Guardian took the Ashes in a different Urn to a safer place without the threat of these dragon-worshipping cultists," Aggilana offered.

Reverently, Genitivi held out his hands and Leliana handed him the Urn. "This artifact still held our Lady's Ashes," Genitivi said. "We must get it to Val Royeaux right away."

Leliana smiled. "I think we shall take it to Denerim, first, Brother. We can arrange for a return expedition and then take the Urn to the Grand Cathedral from there." She looked at Elle. "Thank you for your help, Elle. We couldn't have done this without your support. Will you be heading out in the morning?"

Elle knew she was being dismissed but, truth be told this was not her expedition to control ... nor did she want to. It wasn't Leliana's either, but that was for Brother Genitivi to argue. There was a Blight in Ferelden. "I think that's a good plan, Leliana." Elle looked around and up at the sky nearing dusk. "I think we'll stay in the camp tonight and head out to Ostagar via Lothering tomorrow." She sincerely smiled at her friend and confidant. "Maker keep you safe on your journey, my friend."

Before they parted, Leliana added, "You were right, Elle. No one should keep this from the faithful."

That did make Elle feel a little better about Leliana's involvement and, yet to be determined, reason for being there.

By the time they got back to the encampment in Haven and ate a small dinner, it was time to get some sleep for the next part of their journey. However, she was surprised when Leliana came over and sat next to her.

"I'm sorry I did not tell you about my association with the Seekers, Elle," she said.

"So, you were assigned to Lothering?" Elle asked.

"No, that was real … for a while. I needed the peace of the Chantry for several months. I know I told you I was a bard, but my teacher betrayed me. I ended up taking the fall for one of her plays here in Ferelden. I was thrown into a cell and that was where I met Dorothea and she helped me to realize I could save myself." Leliana petted Midnight. "May Marjolaine end up in the Void," she added quietly.

"Marjolaine?!" Elle said too loudly. She had to smile at the heads turned her direction. "Apologies for the interruption! Carry on."

Leliana lowered her eyebrows. "You know of Marjolaine?"

Elle had to take a few moments to collect herself. "She was responsible for the forged documents that painted my father as a traitor to Ferelden. Her vanity mark was on them."

"So, she is still in Ferelden? Who paid her? She never did anything without payment, Elle," Leliana said while leaning closer.

"We'll never really know, I guess. Rendon Howe was executed, Urien Kendells died down at Ostagar somehow … probably patricide, Vaughan Kendells died under horses' hooves after I snapped their reins …." Elle paused a moment. "Hmm, I thought telling that would bother me. It doesn't." She took a deep breath as Leliana smiled sadly at her. "And, Nathaniel was drawn in and believed it all because of those forged documents." She did get sad at that statement and the next caused her to tear up. "He committed suicide after I pointed out Marjolaine's mark that proved they were forged."

Leliana hugged Elle. "Dear Andraste, Elle! I didn't know!" She pulled back and, with an earnest look, declared, "If I ever see Marjolaine again, I swear to you and the Maker that she will not live to hurt anyone else."

"I wouldn't mind helping with that," Elle said quietly. "But, only if the whims of consequence align for it. I have to see that Ferelden survives the Blight first. To change the subject, will you be in Val Royeaux now?"

"I don't know, really. I've sent a bird to Dorothea and told her to contact me in Denerim. I suspect I will but I don't know for how long." She frowned. "It seems wrong to leave you at this time."

Elle smiled. "I have my priorities and you have yours, my dear friend. Send a message or letter to Highever House in Denerim if you can." She sighed. "I have a feeling I'll be there more than Highever."

Leliana promised to do that and then was called off to speak with Genitivi, so Elle was left with her thoughts. She didn't miss that Gorim was standing nearby. He raised his eyebrows in question and Elle answered by mouthing the words, "I'm fine."

After cleaning up her eating dishes and stretching out in her bedroll next to Midnight, Elle wondered if she should stop at Redcliffe. It would be the politic thing to do … but, perhaps, not the wise thing. Elle was truly interested to know if Isolde was still Arlessa … but, that would be a conversation for the next night's camp.

...

AN: An interesting development with Eamon next time. ;) Sorry about the delay in posting last week, but this website decided to hold my submission for some reason. Likely just a glitch or blurp of some kind. Hopefully, this one will go up without a hitch! (of course, this is written before I'll know)

Judy, your Excellent word was a welcome indication that the chapter finally went up! Thanks! :)