Traitor's Unveiling
The trip went fairly swiftly. En route, Elle pried Carver away from Matin and the others for a few moments. She walked up to him sitting by the fire, putting a whet stone to the edges of his new two-handed sword. One of Maric's Shield had an extra and gave it to him.
Matin told Elle that Carver was quite good with the sword almost as long as she was tall; however, he was also balanced and quiet. Matin was thinking about finding him some reinforced leather armor and taking him along on some scouting missions. A heavy fighter who could be quiet would be very helpful to keeping scouting parties alive. "So, do they have you all excited to become a warrior, Carver?" she asked.
He laughed. "If anything, the stories they've told me seem to try to convince me of the opposite."
"They just want to make certain you are positive about your decision, Carver." Elle handed him one of the cookies she swiped from the cook when he wasn't looking.
"Thanks!" After taking a bite, he asked, "They say that you know the Warden-Commander pretty well. Do you think you could put in a good word for me to join the Grey Wardens?"
Elle pursed her lips. "I could, but I'd like you to speak with Anders first. He will give you the unvarnished truth. It's a very necessary and noble role to undertake, make no mistake. But, there are quite a few sacrifices to be made. Do not misunderstand. I wholeheartedly support such a decision, if that's for you. I just want you to have all the facts first."
He looked around and spotted Anders joking around with Matin. "I'll go talk to him right now. Thanks!"
Not too many minutes later, Carver told her that he'd changed his mind and wanted to continue on with the soldiers. In quite a few ways, Elle was relieved. She only just met the Hawke family and would not look forward to telling them if the Joining went bad for Mistress Hawke's only son!
The next day was rushed to make it to Ostagar ... but they didn't make it all the way.
A half-day out, Loghain, Cauthrien, Alistair, Teagan and twenty or so soldiers met Elle's caravan en route. No one missed the wagon with a barred cell on it. Eamon looked horrified. He knew it was for him.
That was when Ser Perth and the other Redcliffe knights made their presence known. Matin had alerted everyone, so it wasn't a surprise. However, they only stood to the side and still gave no indication of their intentions.
Elle sent a serious look to Eamon. "One of Isolde's servants handed over your note to Isolde that told her to leave Ferelden. You've made too many wrong choices, Eamon, beginning with marrying a spy from Orlais. Isolde passed that note to Rosala. Isolde is a traitor to Ferelden and to you."
Eamon's veneer of aloof superiority reasserted itself. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Loghain walked up and Elle gave him the original note from Isolde. She also passed him the note from Deseria. "This is from a mistreated servant of Isolde's."
Loghain read it aloud: "My Lady … terrible things are happening here. A letter from the Arl arrived shortly before the Arlessa went screaming through the castle for everyone to stop what they were doing and attend to her. She had to leave for Val Royeaux immediately. It was made to look like the Arl didn't know. But, HE sent the message. No one saw what happened to that note. Then, just as the Arl got home, a fancy Orlesian messenger gave him an official letter from Orlais. No one could read it before he burned it. But, the Arl looked worse after."
Loghain held up Deseria's note so Eamon could read it … without destroying it.
"That's from a Cousland spy, Loghain. A disgruntled servant. You know that won't hold up at a Landsmeet." Eamon was starting to look nervous. He ran his fingers through his now wind-mussed hair.
Then, Loghain held up the letter from Rosala. Eamon shook his head firmly. "That is not my note!"
"Then you admit to writing one," Loghain countered.
"I admit nothing of the sort!" Eamon noticed Teagan standing among the soldiers just shaking his head. "Tell them, Teagan! It's not my handwriting."
Teagan took one look at it and frowned. "That's Isolde's handwriting, Eamon, and you know it. She's sold you out. Your foolishness has caught up to you at last."
"I would like to know what was in the missive from Orlais that you received shortly before catching up to Elethea's group." Loghain folded his arms. His emotions were hidden … as always.
"I have no idea what that spy is referring to, Loghain." Eamon sent a rather hateful glare to Elle.
Loghain took a deep breath and looked over at Ser Perth, one of Eamon's knights. "Ser Perth, are you here to rescue your lord or do his bidding?"
"We are here to see that right is done for the Arling, Your Lordship." He had taken off his helmet, as the other two Redcliffe knights had done. "I witnessed an Orlesian messenger enter the castle, but was not privy to who received the message or what it said."
Elle found that rather brave.
"It was likely a message to Cousland's spy. The Couslands are the family to be looked into, Loghain." Eamon smirked toward Elle, who had her own blank look going.
"I think that ship has sailed, Eamon Guerrin. Rendon Howe attempted that lie already. Tell the truth and be treated fairly or keep up this attempt at subterfuge and be executed." Elle looked toward Loghain. "My apologies, Your Lordship, for interrupting."
"Apology accepted, Lady Cousland." Then, Loghain turned back to Eamon. "Since you refuse to answer my previous question, did you or did you not know about Isolde's connection to Briala?" Loghain asked.
"I knew she corresponded with a servant of her family in Val Royeaux … for some fashion nonsense. I never knew she was a spy for the Empress." Eamon quickly turned on Elle. "Do you see what your spies have done?! How long have you been planning …?"
Midnight stepped between Elle and Eamon and bared his teeth with a nasty growl.
Eamon drew his sword. "Call off your beast!"
Elle gave Midnight a hand signal to halt, but stay ready. "Sheathe your blade before this gets out of hand, Eamon."
Loghain remained emotionless. He folded up both notes and handed them to Cauthrien. "What was your plan when you got here, Eamon?"
"Did you use blood magic to send Loghain your lies?! She must be a blood mage and has Loghain enthralled!" Eamon was becoming a little unhinged. Even Midnight's menacing barks and growls couldn't stop him.
Teagan walked up to his older brother and put a hand on his arm. "Eamon, stop."
Elle turned to Loghain. "Eamon told me that he had some irrefutable information that would make you willingly leave Ostagar and head back to Denerim." She turned to Eamon. "Now is the time to bring that to light, Eamon."
Loghain raised an eyebrow and waited.
Eamon reached into his Redcliffe tabard and drew out a book of some kind. "It's all here Loghain … how you soiled my sister." He spoke louder. "In the Deep Roads, of all places! Before she could bear Maric the son and heir he needed. What will Cailan think of that?!"
To everyone's surprise, Loghain only laughed. "Do you really think that is some sort of secret? I told Celia before we wed and Anora when she was old enough to understand. Since it was before they married and Maric had been having an affair with an Orlesian spy during that same time, both my wife and my daughter understood. As for Cailan, Maric told him shortly before his wedding to Anora. The Prince only laughed and told his father that he never knew I had it in me." Loghain glanced at Varric. "From what I've heard about the dwarf, he's probably told it in a tavern somewhere."
"Not yet," Varric mumbled. At Loghain's raised eyebrow, he added, "Maybe not for a while."
The color drained from Eamon's face.
Loghain stepped closer to Eamon. "Luckily for you this issue is not mine to decide. Cauthrien and a detachment of Maric's Shield will take you to Denerim for questioning. You will be housed in Fort Drakon until such time that a Landsmeet can be called to decide your fate. Maker save your soul."
Teagan stood next to Eamon and nodded toward the wagon. "Surely, he doesn't need to be taken in that, Loghain," he whispered.
Loghain looked to Cauthrien and she nodded. "Eamon, you will surrender all your weapons and armor. You may travel in the wagon or shackled on horseback. Your choice."
Eamon removed his weapons and handed them to Cauthrien. She managed to find four more that he 'forgot about'. While all that was being handled, Elle noticed Alistair. He looked angry. She wondered where that anger was directed until he turned a glare her way.
Elle handed Cauthrien a sealed letter. "Here are my thoughts for the Crown, for whatever they are worth. Would you please see that they are received?"
"Of course, my lady." Cauthrien was Elle's age with a presence that would give the hardest criminal pause.
"Please take care en route to Denerim, Ser Cauthrien. If the plan was to send Teyrn Loghain there, you may be riding into ambush," Elle added.
"We shall be vigilant and take side roads, my lady," she replied with a harsh look toward Eamon.
In quick time, Eamon was on his way toward Lothering with Cauthrien and her contingent of Maric's Shield. Teagan and Alistair stepped up to Elle. Teagan took a deep breath. "I am so sorry you had to get in the middle of all this, Lady Cousland." He frowned. "I'm sorry I didn't have the backbone to investigate it all myself, but I wasn't around Redcliffe castle all that much … and, to be honest, I guess I just didn't want to know."
Alistair looked surprised. "You believe all these allegations, Bann Teagan?"
Teagan sighed and turned to Alistair. "Your treatment was the worst of all, Alistair … and to find out it was at the hands of an Orlesian spy."
"I … I … excuse me," was all Alistair said as he stepped away.
"I told Alistair and Teagan last night, Elethea. Teagan made no attempt to deny anything while Alistair tried to question everything. Later, he admitted to feeling guilty about his own treatment of Eamon after Isolde sent Alistair away." Loghain pulled his gauntlets back on. "Give him time." He turned toward Teagan. "I think Redcliffe castle and village will need you to take over the Arling in the interim, Teagan … pending the result of the crown's investigation and the judgement of the Landsmeet." He motioned to Ser Perth. "Once Teagan has settled Redcliffe leadership at Ostagar, please escort Interim Arl Teagan to Redcliffe to inform the villagers and the castle staff."
"I've already prepared the Redcliffe soldiers with what to do, Loghain." Teagan turned to Ser Perth. "Let's get back to Redcliffe with all haste."
Then, the Redcliffe contingent turned, got on their horses and headed west.
Elle gave a slight nod to Matin and he motioned for one of his scouts to also make haste to Redcliffe castle to let her contacts know what was coming, an action that they had planned earlier that morning. Then, she stepped close to Loghain. "Your Lordship, I feel conflicted as to what … exactly … Eamon deserves and I put that in my letter to the Crown. He was a pawn in love. I believe that. His actions over the past few days were done at the behest of Orlais to 'save' his wife. I sincerely doubt she needs saving." She huffed. "I wish I'd known earlier so my father could have stopped her."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Elethea, but your father holds no sway in Jader." Loghain smiled.
She smiled back. "If Isolde put Jader in that note, then I would wager she went through Highever. I notified Father a few days ago, nonetheless."
Loghain's smile turned to a look of concern. "You have become more visible, Elethea. I now believe it was Orlais and not Eamon who tried to kill you once that maid was uncovered. Now, you've brought their coerced agent to light before he could kill me in the heat of battle or send me into probable ambush. You must be on your guard." He sighed. "It is something I have lived with since the Rebellion. Welcome to the club."
Elle looked around. Varric had Bianca out, ready to lift and fire immediately. Gorim was looking around. Even Anders was carefully gauging the people nearby. "I think I have that covered, Your Lordship," she said quietly.
Until a large eagle drew everyone's attention.
"Maker's Breath! Look out, Loghain!" Elle yelled as she pulled her bow.
Loghain put his hand on her hand reaching for an arrow. "Stand down! That is a new apostate working with the Wardens."
Surely enough, the large eagle swooped down and reformed into a beautiful and scantily dressed woman with dark hair and amber eyes. "I really need to take care of the company you keep, Teyrn Loghain."
Elle's smile went from ear to ear. "We have a way to fight a flying Archdemon now?! Amazing!"
The woman smirked at Elle. "Yes, 'tis. However, the Circle warden mages are a little more difficult to train … since I have to untrain all their Chantry nonsense first. Warden Leorah is quite adept, however." Her smirk turned into a smile. "I am Morrigan."
"I'm Elethea Cousland, Morrigan, and I suppose thanking the Maker would fall upon deaf ears … so I shall just thank whoever trained you in the art! By the way, call me Elle."
"Cousland," Morrigan mused. "I think my mother would like to meet you sometime. And, it was my mother who trained me." She turned to Loghain. "Duncan asked that I ascertain if you could be persuaded to return as swiftly as possible. He said to bring Alistair as well."
Loghain turned to one of the nearby soldiers. "Get ready to head back." Then, he turned to Elle. "Are you going to head to Ostagar also, Elethea, or were you only coming this way to deliver Eamon?"
"No, no, we are heading to Ostagar." She grinned at Anders. "I promised Duncan I'd get Anders back as soon as I could."
"Very well, be ready to ride shortly." Loghain then strode off to speak to his men and do that very thing.
"He doesn't know what to think, Elle," a familiar voice said as the pretty dwarven head nodded toward Alistair.
"Odonna! It's good to see you again!" Elle also noticed the flushed look to Gorim's face. They must have had a brief reunion during all the ruckus.
Odonna smiled at Gorim. "Thank you for taking care of him for me. I just wanted to let you know that I insisted he stay with you for now. I overheard what Loghain said about danger to you from Orlais. Gorim's one of the best at covering your back."
"He is … and thank you. I can appreciate what it means to you, but ultimately, the decision is his to make. I shan't hold him to my service." Elle slipped her bow into her shoulder-sheath.
"Yeah, she's a pain in the ass like that." Varric laughed. "Told me once that if I needed to do my own thing, I was always free to do so … like I'd walk away from the best story-generator in Thedas."
Alistair took that moment to walk up. The anger was mostly missing from his face … and he took a cube of cheese from his pouch and tossed it to Midnight. "Lady Cousland, might I ride with you back to Ostagar?"
"Of course, Prince Alistair." Elle was amused that he actually got her teasing him for calling her Lady Cousland.
However, he wasn't going to take that one. "No, Elle … wardens give up title and heirship. Just Alistair." He grinned. "Or, Warden Alistair, if you just want to tease me."
He walked her over to Rebel and helped her mount. He paused and then said, "I'm worried about you, too. You've thwarted Orlais, as Loghain said ... twice. And, if everything we just heard is true, don't think Eamon is without powerful allies."
Elle sighed. "Actually, if Eamon has me killed, he's likely killed his best chance at exile over execution …" She noticed Loghain mount up. "Go get your horse and we can talk about it."
Alistair smiled. "Yes, my lady." Then his look turned serious. "Hopefully we can find some time to talk privately when we get there." He leaned closer. "I found out who my mother is."
Elle's smile turned to curiosity. "Of course."
Once the group was mounted, they rode south for Ostagar … well, Morrigan flew south as a raven. Amazing magic to have on our side … for now, Elle thought to herself. She wondered how long the Chantry would tolerate it after the Blight was defeated. However, Elle doubted Morrigan … or Morrigan's mother … would give the Chantry an opportunity to catch her.
Alistair rode up next to Elle. "So, why are you Eamon's best chance for exile over execution?"
Elle looked around and found that everyone had given them a bit of space. "You know Varric has ears like a bat." Varric's guffaw confirmed it.
"Well, you trust them, so I'm not worried." He paused … no doubt awaiting her answer.
She took a deep breath. "Because I understand what it's like to love someone more than sense would call for."
"I thought Nathaniel was cleared because of the blood mages." Alistair looked concerned.
She smiled at him. "I found comfort in that for a time. Then, I came to the realization that it was only one of many possibilities. Just because they found a vial with his name on it doesn't mean that they were using it when he did what he did." She sighed and looked up at the sky for a moment. "And, Rendon had sent Nathaniel those forged documents while Nathaniel was still in Ostwick. He believed his father then … as he always had. It all called into question if Nathaniel's exile was his father's idea or was it Nathaniel's idea all along."
Alistair smiled. "I'd hug you right now, but I'd fall in the dirt."
That made her laugh. "Thank you for not falling. Midnight and Rebel would laugh at you. Anyway, I was mistaken, but in love. I truly think the same of Eamon. He's never to be trusted in Ferelden again, but should he die because of all these things? I'm not so certain. I sent a letter with Cauthrien outlining my thoughts. It will, of course, be up to Cailan, Anora and the Landsmeet to decide. Alistair, the good of the country may demand his execution."
Alistair rode quietly for a few moments. "I think executing his mother's little brother would affect Cailan … and not in a good way. So, I agree with you for a different reason."
Elle turned her body toward Alistair and cocked her head. "Worried about your brother?"
"Half brother." He smiled.
"If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about Cailan?" Elle asked as she turned back to looking around for sneaky Orlesian assassins while talking to him.
"He's never been anything but kind to me … in the two or three times we've ever spoken … so, yeah, I guess I wouldn't like to see him hurt or depressed." Alistair shrugged. "Maybe that's silly on my part."
"Not at all." Elle chuckled. "Actually, I suspect he's glad to have family … and a younger brother is just a bonus! Easier to torment you! Trust me … that's what older brothers do … when they're not being overly protective." She smiled as she spotted a familiar horse and armor swiftly riding toward them. "Like now."
As Fergus rode up, he turned his horse to go in the same direction and then asked, "Are you all right? Did Eamon try anything?"
"Hello to you, too, Fergus," Elle winked at Alistair.
That made Fergus frown. "Do I need to have a conversation with you about my sister, warden?"
Alistair's shocked look just made Elle laugh. "Sorry, Alistair, but I did mention overly protective. Fergus is harmless." She narrowed her eyes at her brother. "Because he knows about consequences."
"That's the Maker's Truth," Fergus mumbled. "I'm sorry. I've just been beside myself with worry ever since Loghain told us about Eamon's threat … and then, Loghain made me stay behind because he didn't want me to just execute Eamon summarily."
"I don't know, Elle. I think I'd kind of like having someone worry over me like that," Alistair said with a smile to Fergus.
It worked. Fergus smiled back at him. "Maybe the warden's not so bad, Pup." Then, he sighed. "Duncan is talking about sending the nobles away."
"What?! Why?" That caused Elle to sit straighter in her saddle.
"First Warden Rodrigo showed up with a couple hundred or so wardens from all over, believe it or not … even from Orlais. Said there's more coming." Fergus laughed. "I thought Loghain was going to blow up, but Duncan and Rodrigo talked him down. They've been working with the dwarves that Alistair got and the Dalish that arrived. The warden mages have been learning shapeshifting into giant eagles. I think there are about a dozen or more mages that Morrigan has deemed competent." He scanned the southern horizon. "Look. You can already see the tents and new buildings."
"So, he wants to make it a warden show, eh?" Elle frowned.
Alistair humphed. "Not all wardens. He's sending me and some others to Denerim and putting Ramara in charge of Soldier's Peak." He looked around and spotted Anders in the rank behind. "Anders, you'll be going back to the Peak as well. Apparently, Niall needs some hand-holding."
At first, Anders didn't reply. Then, he pointed to the southern sky, filled with sickly yellowish purplish swirling clouds. "Is that a storm coming?"
"No," Alistair said quietly. "That's the Blight. Maker help us keep it down there."
Gorim turned in his saddle. "Odonna, are you going with Alistair?"
Elle turned in time to catch the brief smile Odonna sent Gorim's way. "No, Gorim, I'm coordinating with Kardol and the Legion. Don't worry. Duncan's got a good plan and Loghain's got the backbone to let Duncan run the show. Although, I somehow doubt he'll get Loghain to leave with Fergus and the other nobility." She nodded her head to the west. "Come with me, Gorim. I'll show you the dwarves who are here and the plan."
As the two dwarves peeled off, Elle looked to Alistair. "I know you wanted to be here, Alistair. But, Denerim is important, too."
"You don't know the worst part, Elle," Alistair said quietly. "He and the First Warden have made me the Warden-Commander if the worst happens to Duncan."
Elle knew not to be overly effusive, but Fergus blurted out how he felt about it. "Seems like more senior wardens would take exception to that."
"It does, doesn't it?" Alistair obviously agreed.
Varric laughed. "Think about it, Alistair. They don't want the job any more than you do. Besides, you were the hero who marched a bunch of stone-headed dwarves here to help."
Elle smiled. "Varric has a point. Just do your best and I'm certain that, if the worst should befall him, Duncan will look down at you from the Maker's Side in appreciation."
"Thank you." Alistair smiled at her in gratitude, but even that couldn't hide his small shudder at the thought of being in charge. Elle was dying to find out about his mother, but kept her curiosity in check until they could find some private time later.
In short order, they made it to Ostagar and witnessed, first-hand, the tremendous changes to the small ruined outpost Elle had seen here mere months ago. The dwarves and elves were on the west and east side, respectively … separated by a bursting encampment of human volunteer soldiers and professional soldiers from the Bannorn.
"My, my, what a difference a few months make!" Elle laughed as she dismounted and handed off Rebel's reins to a Highever groom whom she recognized. "Thank you, Randley. Take care of my girl. She's had a steady ride for quite a long time."
Randley smiled and bowed slightly. "Of course, only the best for Rebel! I hear you may be leaving with the dawn tomorrow." He frowned. "The Warden-Commander is sending off all of us remaining support civilians tomorrow, too. 'sfar as Lothering, anyway. I've heard that the time is near for the big attack from reports of the size of the horde in the Wilds."
She patted his arm. "It's the wardens' show. Maker help them contain it all here."
"As you say, my lady." He led Rebel to the new stables.
"'Twould be a pity if all these improvements are destroyed by the darkspawn." Morrigan walked up to Elle.
Elle turned toward the talented apostate. "It would. As a countryman of many of those here, thank you so much for training the mages in the ancient magics of shapeshifting." She looked around and leaned closer. "I hope you have a prudent escape plan after the Archdemon is dead."
That made Morrigan laugh … and then smile appreciatively. "I do, Elle … and you are most welcome. Mother and I live here, too. 'Twould also be a pity to lose our home to the darkspawn." Then, she motioned to a large tent by a huge bonfire. "That is Duncan's and the First Warden's tent. They wish to speak to you before they shove you on your way." Morrigan raised her eyebrow. "Do not stay, Elle. Wardens would die keeping you alive."
Elle chuckled. She was liking this mage more and more. "I do not intend to stay … for that reason and that I think I'll be more useful elsewhere."
"I suspected you were an intelligent one," Morrigan said as she changed into a raven and flew away.
"Amazing," Elle whispered.
"We are fortunate she volunteered to help." Duncan was standing behind Elle. When Elle spun around, he added, "May I have a few minutes?"
She gave him a large smile. "Of course, Duncan! Out here or in your tent?"
He glanced at the tent which had a number of nobles entering it. "Out here for the moment … are you here to join the Grey Wardens?"
She didn't pause or blush. "I am not here to become a full-fledged Grey Warden, Duncan. I am here to swear to you that anything I'm capable of … or can be taught to be capable of is completely at your disposal."
"I must admit to a fleeting moment of disappointment; however, I am mostly relieved. I do have another request of you … and it is one better fulfilled in your current roles." Duncan looked around and leaned closer. "I would like you to lend Alistair any assistance you can. I have been granted the honor of making the killing blow on the Archdemon … should I survive that long in the battle to come. Rodrigo … the First Warden … and I have made Alistair the Warden-Commander after me. I know he is capable. That became clear with the result of his command to Orzammar and the continued respect he receives from the dwarves as well as other wardens here."
Elle couldn't stop the tears that filled her eyes. "Of course, I'll do whatever I can, Duncan." She took a deep breath and took his hand. "I just want you to know that you are among the short list of people that I hold in the highest regard. I respect your sacrifice, but it still makes me sad that this might be the last time I'll see you."
He squeezed her hand and released it. "Thank you, Elle. That does mean a lot."
"So! Do we have a Cousland warden or no?" The distinctly Antivan accent heralded the entrance of the Grey Wardens' First Warden.
"No, Rodrigo, but she will be an invaluable asset to Alistair. Of that, I'm certain." Duncan smiled.
Rodrigo was tall, swarthy and extremely handsome with his dark, curly short-cropped hair and light green eyes. The rather large sword hilt peeking over his right shoulder was likely the reason for his well-developed physique. "Ah, such a shame. But! Glad I am that young Alistair will have some good support."
"I swear to you both that I shall do my best in that regard." She motioned to the wardens' tent. "A meeting?"
Duncan sighed. "Yes."
Rodrigo smiled and answered first. "I commanded a rather large contingent of wardens to arrive with me after much yelling and threats of decades-long Deep Roads assignments. Along with the army of dwarves that Alistair secured for us and the Dalish archers and mages, we have a sizable army even without any humans of Ferelden."
"However, chasing all the humans away would not be taken well by anyone, so we are proposing that some stay and some fall back to Lothering as a second line of defense." Duncan frowned. "I doubt I'll be able to convince Loghain to fall back, but I have convinced most others of the nobility, including your brother."
"If you'd like, I could speak with Loghain." Elle raised her hand to forestall an interruption."I give absolutely no guarantees that he'll listen to me, but I'm willing to brave the fury if you'd like me to try."
Duncan chuckled. "Perhaps after our meeting. Please join us."
Rodrigo leaned closed. "Feel free to speak up as you wish, Elle."
She laughed. "You've obviously never been to a Ferelden Landsmeet." Then, she gathered them into a conspiratorial whisper. "Allow them to talk and talk and wear themselves out. Give your reasoned request for them to form the necessary second line to preserve the Bannorn. I doubt I'll need to say a word." She shrugged. "Might even convince Loghain with that one."
And, that was how it went! Duncan and Rodrigo laid out a well-planned structure for a second line in Lothering. Alistair was placed in command of this contingent. Elle was pleased to see that he didn't flinch or moan. Most likely Duncan had already briefed and rehearsed how Alistair should respond.
Elle didn't need to say a word; however, she was quite busy giving encouraging looks to the nobles in attendance. By now, they all knew of her network. They knew from experience that it was just easier to stop arguing in some cases like this one ... where they really didn't want to be in Ostagar anyway. Oswyn Sighard was a good friend of hers and he also sent her some looks that could only mean that he and his father had already convinced and threatened the nobles to fall in line. Oswyn and Wulff's daughter were going to make a formidable pair after their wedding — Maker willing— before next planting.
The meeting ended with the second line personnel anxious to get underway the next morning to set up in Lothering. After the nobles filed out, Loghain walked over to Elle. "I suppose you're going to try to convince me to go with you in the morning."
She only shrugged. "Nothing I could say would change your mind, Loghain … Duncan said it all. It's the wardens' job to stop the Archdemon here. It's our job to stop the Archdemon if he fails." She smiled at the Hero of the River Dane. "Simple, yes?"
Loghain rolled his eyes. "We ride out with the dawn," was all he said as he walked out of the tent.
She waited until Duncan and Rodrigo finished their consultation with Alistair before she walked up to him. The older men walked out of the tent and they were left mostly alone. She bumped his shoulder. "You sounded very Warden-Commander-like, Alistair."
He gave a reluctant smile. "You think so?"
"Yes, I do." She cocked her head. "You're ready for whatever happens." She winked. "You know I'm always correct about such things."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it briefly. His eyes never left hers. "I do, my lady." Sadly, they then heard his name called from outside. He sighed and frowned. "Maybe I should have sounded less Warden-Commander-like."
She turned him and gave him a slight push out the tent flap. "See you in the morning, Alistair. It's going to be a slow ride with such a large group."
He stopped at the entrance and turned. "My mother is Grand Enchanter Fiona. She used to be a warden. And, yes, she was one of the wardens who took Maric with them to the Deep Roads. Long story about that for after we get underway." Before Elle had a chance to recover from her stunned silence, Alistair smiled, bowed, and left.
Then, she smiled. Elle had heard that the Grand Enchanter was somewhat of a rebel. She had "some things in motion" regarding Tranquility, Irving had said … and she was Alistair's mother? Fascinating!
The rest of the evening was spent in last-minute details for the expected attack. Elle went around the camp making contact with as many people as she could. The elf who had been so helpful last time about the Redcliffe contingent was already gone. All kitchen staff and those charged with the "niceties" of noble living had left weeks ago. The food prepared by the army cooks was still tasty, but the nobles had to make their own cots, use the army latrine, and draw their own bathwater ... or not bathe at all. There were surprisingly fewer grumbles than Elle would have expected about all that.
The scouts had their own communications tent, somewhat-organized with ready pages to run information to anyone in the camp. Elle made a few suggestions that they initially took offense at, but ultimately realized it might make things a few seconds faster. The man in charge was brusque, but his people just went around him if they felt a different way worked better.
It was long after dark when Elle made her final contact with the Royal Kennel Master. "Master Evar … so, the time is soon to be upon us," she said as she walked up.
"Indeed it is, my lady," he replied. He reached into a chest and pulled out a small sack and handed it to her. "I kept this aside just in case you came by here. It's the last of the seeds for the flower to make the darkspawn wound ointment … which has proven quite efficacious."
"That's wonderful news!" Elle said as she took the sack, put it in her pack and skritched Midnight's ear. "I handed the first sack of seeds to Marna Dryden up at Soldier's Peak. She and her family are probably going to handle the maintenance for the Grey Wardens up there."
He beamed. "That's the perfect place! I should have thought of that, although we only just heard of the Peak's reclamation." Then, he frowned and sighed. "Hopefully, we can keep this going through those seeds. I doubt any of the flower remains in the Korcari."
"I'm sure Marna will do her best. I'll alert her to send you some ointment at the Royal Kennels if you request it," she replied.
"That assumes any of us will survive the battle to come." Evar just shook his head.
Elle patted the man's arm. "We've been victorious against the Blight four times before. The mages have given us a tremendous gift. The loss of the griffons should have spelled the end of us, but now we have giant eagles to attack and bring down the flying monster!"
Evar laughed and pointed as one of those birds was swooping directly for them. "Did you plan that dramatic entrance, my lady?"
Elle turned and smiled at the eagle that landed right in front of her. It reformed into Morrigan who said, "I'm afraid I gave you poor advice, Elle. You cannot leave. The darkspawn have completely encircled Ostagar."
Elle's smile faded.
...
AN: Well, there's some of that sideways again! ;) A sincere thank you to everyone who's reading! Yes, I know. I stopped on a cliffhanger ... but it was such a good one! ;)
Judy, thanks so much! :)
The Invisible Pretender, Isolde just always seemed to me to be an Orlesian spy; however, Eamon is an idiot as you now know from his meeting with Elle before his capture. Elle has a soft heart when it comes to love. She knows he's an idiot ... but then, there's a good chance she was, as well. Yeah, DA2 ... dunno if I'm even gonna include DA2 beyond the characters that I like. :)
