Notes: Sorry for the delay in posting. Thursday last week my son was sick, then my daughter got it Friday. Then my husband, now me. Nothing serious, just a really bad head cold. Sleep was everyone's best friend. I didn't have a lot of time to edit over the last couple of days. Thank you for understanding.

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Do not own Dragon Age

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12 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Soldier's Peak

Checking in with Zerlinda, Solona walks the Peak. The dwarves are doing some training exercises, Sereda is briefed on their status. The circle sent a couple tranquil mages to help bolster the dwarves, enchanting runes stones, augmenting weapons and armor. Zerlinda is especially grateful for the mage that is helping with the paperwork. His assistance has been a blessing by the Ancestors. Solona swings by the office, she smirks when she sees who Irving sent, teasing him a little. He tells her to suck a trolls dick, before wishing her luck. Solona says that she will leave the dick sucking to Alim, but that the mage in front of her can go fuck a bronto's ass, but she thanks him, wishing him luck as well.

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15 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Lake Calenhad

The companions stop at the Spoiled Princess, camping out next to the inn. A group of cultist, left over from the imposter assistant of Brother Genitivi are confronted and killed. The innkeeper is grateful, his family was being threatened if he didn't cooperate.

Oghren see a familiar face, working as a waitress at the inn. The two seem to be insulting each other, but later that night Oghren escorts the dwarven woman home, he returns to camp in the morning, his steps lighter.

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16 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Redcliff

The ship is closing in on Redcliff village, but the party is armed, the fires and smoke from the buildings warn the group that there is trouble ahead. The boat docks, but is not moored off, Leliana and Lyna keep a lookout, while the companions disembark, the horses left on the ship. Solona tells the boat to sail out, staying out of arrow range, before rushing after the others.

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Darkspawn crawl all over the town, the party is cutting through them, clearing the village house by house, street by street. An Ogre emerges from behind the Chantry, Oghren has fun taking it down. The companions take an hour going through the village, ensuring there are no stragglers left anywhere.

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They find a survivor, running from the direction of the castle, he tells the group that the darkspawn are there too, but have not breached the gates yet, the whole village is inside the compound. A Dalish clan arrived just before the horde, warning them in time. The elves are currently up on the battlements, firing arrows into the creatures. Solona tells him to go hide somewhere, they are going to help the castle.

There is at least a battalion of darkspawn in the castles outer courtyard. Alim and Solona look at each other and smile. Solona sends a grease spell, the darkspawn are alerted to there presents. As the creatures hit the grease, Alim sends a fireball. The explosion sends a large swath of the enemy back. Solona casts inferno into the horde, the screams are animalistic, but they do not move the party.

Wynne and Alim send two more grease spells, landing them next to each other, the fires ignite the oil, the darkspawn are being decimated just from a few well placed and timed spells. An Ogre grabs Sereda from behind, Faren throws a dagger at the hand that holds the warrior, causing it to open, dropping the female dwarf. Sereda stands up and begins attacking, pissed.

The darkspawn left are being picked off by Dalish arrows, the Ogre is dead from a sword to it's face, Sereda kicking it for good measure. As the last darkspawn falls, a soldier from the castle opens the main door, walking out. The group runs up the steps to meet him. He says that Riordan arrived just as the darkspawn swarmed to the castle, following the villagers. Everyone is inside and safe thanks to the Dalish warning them and the Wardens defeating the creatures. The guard takes the group inside, the door is barred as a precaution.

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Arl Eamon, Bann Teagan, Irving, Lanaya, and Riordan are conversing as the party is led into the hall. Alistair and Solona dismiss the others, but Alim stays. Solona raises an eyebrow but lets her brother do as he will. The horde is heading for Denerim, Riordan informs them, it will reach the city in two days. Eamon tells them that it will take at least three with a forced march to reach the capital from Redcliff. Riordan also says that he saw a group of wilder folks moving in the same direction, heading for Denerim as well, but could not ascertain their purpose.

The decision is made to send the army to Denerim in the morning, letting the soldiers get a good night's rest before marching. Riordan asks to speak with the Wardens only in his chambers, he needs to impart some information that is for Warden ears alone. Alim whispers something to Lanaya, before leaving with Riordan.

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Faren closes and locks Riordans door. Riordan asks if any of the group know why a Grey warden must slay the Archdemon. Faren guesses at something to do with the taint. Riordan confirms that it is only part of it. If the Archdemon is killed by anyone other than a Grey Warden. It's essence will jumped to the nearest darkspawn creature and be reborn. If a Grey Warden does it, then the essence of the old god will clash with the Wardens, killing them both. A darkspawn is an empty soulless vessel, a Grey Warden is not.

"You mean one of us has to die. To kill the Archdemon and end the Blight." Alistair clarifies, shocked.

"Yes. That is what I'm saying." Riordan confirms, solemnly.

The couples in the group hold each other. Solona sighs, then nods.

"I am the oldest and my Calling is coming to me soon. I will make the killing blow. If I don't make it to the Archdemon though, it will fall to one of you to make the sacrifice. I'm sorry. I truly wish there was another way." Riordan offers in comfort.

"Everyone go get some rest. Enjoy this time together." Solona states, giving a signal to Alistair.

Alistair and Elissa both see it. Faren unlocks the door, the couples going to their rooms. Alim goes back downstairs. Solona goes to her room, finding Morrigan waiting inside.

"Morrigan, is everything alright?" Solona asks, concerned.

"Yes, my friend, everything is just fine." Morrigan replies, hopeful.

Morrigan explains about a ritual she knows that can save the Wardens from dying upon slaying the Archdemon. That if performed tonight, will produce a child with the soul of the old god, but free of the taint. It will be just like any other child, growing and learning as any child does, but with an old gods soul. But Morrigan will only do this with one of the male Wardens, tonight. Riordan is too old, it must be one of the others.

Solona questions about the child, what it will be, what does she gain from this, what if the male wishes to meet them. Morrigan is elusive with her answers. Solona eventually tells her that she will not ask and that it's cruel of her to even suggest that she offer such a thing when the group is vulnerable. Morrigan lashes out verbally, and makes to leave. Solona asks her to stay and help them.

"My mother sent me with you for this purpose only. If I can not achieve it, then I have no more need of you." Morrigan states, savagely.

"I won't stop you Morrigan. I just thought we were friends,...that all of us were friends?" Solona queries.

"You are and were. But I can not stay. Do not look for me." Morrigan departs, shapeshifting into a dog.

Solona follows, finding a window, she watches, catching sight of the dog running from the castle, disappearing into the night. The mage walks to Alistair and Elissa rooms, knocking on the door. Alistair opens it, both are ready for bed. Solona enters and shuts the door behind her. Solona doesn't give a lot of details, but she offers a spell to save everyone, and produce the next heir to the throne. Elissa's eyes go wide. Alistair is cautious, but after a few moments the two agree. Solona has them stand next to each other and begins the spell.

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19 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Denerim

Dawn is only an hour behind them, when the city of Denerim is in sight. Fire and smoke is seen rising beyond the gate. The army is taking a few moments break, to recharge, before they are sent in to deal with the darkspawn horde. Alistair jumps up onto a rock outcropping, wanting the soldiers to see him. He gives the troops a moving speech, boosting their morale and praising Solona for banding them together. He asks that they throw aside mistrust and prejudice, to see the men and women next to them as their brothers and sisters, a friend in trying times. That together, they can beat back this evil and begin a new chapter, one filled with hope and goodness. That they fight not just for Ferelden but for their families, their friends, and for a better future.

The speech is met with cheers, the soldiers encouraged. The order to attack is given, the army rushes forward, charging through a darkspawn blockade, decimating the creatures trying to stop the advance. Inside the walls, the soldiers scatter, heading in every direction from the gate. The darkspawn attempt to fit back, but they are being slaughtered by the overwhelming forces. The companions are each fighting separately, although they keep each other in their sights. It takes the army forty five minutes to clear the area just beyond the gate.

Riordan asks Solona to head into the city with a small force, he can feel two darkspawn generals, taking them out will confuse the darkspawn in the area, allowing the army to advance into those parts of the city. Giving the civilians a chance to escape or to help them defeat the remaining creatures nearby.

Sereda will stay at the gates, to warn the army of any darkspawn still approaching from beyond the city. Sten will lead the troops, directing those stationed here. Mithra steps forward, she and a handful of Dalish hunters will remain, under Sten's command. Wynne will stay and liaison a couple mages from the circle. The other companions will go with Solona, a small group will be left in the areas with the generals, to direct and give warning. Riordan will go on ahead, sneaking to a taller building. He will find a way to draw the Archdemons attention to him. He stops at Leliana, pulling her into him, kissing her softly. He tells her 'for luck', before departing. Solona and Sten merely nod to one another, they do not need words to communicate their admiration and respect for each other. Faren is being berated by Sereda, that he better not die, she will kill him. Faren chuckles, then kisses her sweetly, he tells her he has way too much fun with her, to not come back.

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