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Chapter 3: Lothering

Malcolm slowly opened his eyes, and shot up quickly which caused pain in his lower abdomen. With a groan, he clutched at the area, and he felt bandages. He looked around, it looked to be a small hut, but one he has never been in before.

"Ah, your eyes finally open. Mother should be pleased."

Malcolm looked for the voice. It was that young woman from the Wilds. "Where am I? What happened?"

"We are in the Wilds, where I am nursing your wounds. Mother saved you and your friends last night. Do you not remember?"

Malcolm brought his hand to his head. "All I remember is, us getting overwhelmed by darkspawn." He tries to get up. "What happened in the battle?"

Morrigan helped him to the edge of the bed, while explaining, "Your signal fire lit, but the man who was to respond to it quit the field. The darkspawn won."

Malcolm looked at her. "Why? Why would Loghain do that?"

"The older man who was arguing as you approached the table? He probably thought that he could take the throne, if I heard the names correctly." He looks at her with confusion. "I was watching both the planning and the battle."

"Who else survived?"

"Only a few stragglers."

"What about Duncan and the king?"

"Dead. Both dead. The other man, he is not taking it well, and neither is the girl. But now that you're up and about, Mother wishes to speak to you outside by the fire."

"Thanks, Morrigan." He gets up on his feet, and walks to his armor. After a few minutes, he walks outside. He sees Morrigan's mother, Alistair watching a pond, and Halia and Goliath, sitting next to each other.

Morrigan's mother sees him and turns to Alistair. "See? Here is your fellow Grey Warden. You worry too much, young man."

Alistair turns around. "You… you're alive! I thought you were dead for sure."

Malcolm replies back with, "I'm not, thanks to Morrigan's mother."

"This doesn't seem real. If it weren't for Morrigan's mother, we'd be dead on top of that tower."

Then Morrigan's mother speaks up. "Do not talk about me as if I am not present, lad."

Alistair turns to her. "I didn't mean… but what do we call you? You never told us your name."

"Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."

"The Flemeth from the legends? Daveth was right—you're the Witch of the Wilds, aren't you?"

"And what does that mean? I know a bit of magic, and it has served all of you well, has it not?"

Halia speaks up. "We can't be safe here. Where are all the darkspawn?"

Flemeth answers her. "We are safe for now. My magic keeps them away for now. It has always been the Grey Warden's duty to unite the lands against the Blight. Or did that change when I wasn't looking?"

Malcolm answers with anger, "The land is hardly united, thanks to Loghain."

Alistair exclaims, "That doesn't make any sense! Why would he do it?"

Flemeth adds, "Now that is a good question. Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature. Perhaps he believes the Blight is an army he can outmaneuver. Perhaps he does not see that the evil behind it is the true threat."

"The archdemon."

Malcolm states, "We can't fight the Blight alone. To get to the archdemon, we need an army."

"We can try Arl Eamon, he wasn't at Ostagar, so he would still have all his men. However, I doubt that even with his help, we could defeat the Blight."

Flemeth then states, "You have more at your disposal than you think."

"Of course! The treaties! Grey Wardens can demand aid from dwarves, elves, mages, and other places! They're obligated to help us during a Blight! So can we do this? Go to Redcliffe and these other places and… build an army?"

Malcolm replies with, "Isn't that what Grey Wardens do?"

Flemeth then asks them, "So you are set, then? Ready to be Grey Wardens?"

Halia answers with, "We're going, old woman. Don't push us."

Malcolm says, "Sorry about her. But yes, as ready as we'll ever be."

Morrigan then walks up. "The stew is bubbling, Mother. Are we having guests for the eve or none?"

"The Grey Wardens are leaving shortly, girl. And you will be joining them."

"Such a shame—What?"

"You heard me, girl. The Wardens will need all the help they can get."

Halia speaks up. "What makes you think we want her?"

"Her magic is powerful and useful. Even better, she knows the way out of the Wilds."

Morrigan practically yells at her mother, "Have I no say in this?"

"You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Here is your chance." She turns to the Wardens. "As for you, Wardens, consider this repayment for your lives."

Halia and Alistair started to protest, but Malcolm said, "Very well, we'll take her."

Morrigan says to this, "Allow me to get my things, if you please." She walks towards the hut. After a few minutes, Morrigan walks out. "I am at your disposal, Grey Wardens. I suggest a village north of the Wilds as our destination. 'Tis not far and you will find much you need there. Or, if you prefer, I shall simply be your silent guide. The choice is yours."

Malcolm asks, "What skills do you have, exactly?"

"I know a few spells, though I am nowhere near as powerful as Mother."

Alistair asks, "Can you cook?"

"I… can cook, yes. I also know at least fifteen different poisons that grow right here in this marsh. Not that I would suggest 'tis at all related to cooking."

Malcolm says, "Lead us out, and take the quickest route to this village."

"Very well. Follow me."

The journey takes a few days but they finally reached the part of the Imperial Highway that leads into the village, Lothering as it is called, but not long after they get stopped by a group in leather armor. The leader of this group walks up as he says to his men, "Wake up, gentlemen! More travelers to attend to. I'd guess that fellow," he points at Malcolm, "is the leader."

One of the goons tells the leader, "Err… they don't look much like them others, you know? Uh… maybe we should just let these ones pass…"

"Nonsense!" He turns to Malcolm and group. "Greetings, travelers!"

Alistair whispers to Malcolm, "Highwaymen. Preying on those fleeing the darkspawn, I suppose."

Morrigan says, "They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson."

Halia adds, "I agree."

The leader says to that, "Now is that any way to greet someone? Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on."

Malcolm replies, "You should listen to your friend. We're not refugees."

The goon says, "What did I tell you? No wagons, and this one looks armed."

The leader replies with, "The toll applies to everyone, Hanric. That's why it's a toll and not, say, a refugee tax."

Then 'Hanric' says, "Oh, right. Even if you're no refugee, you still gotta pay."

Malcolm asks then, "You're toll collectors, then?"

The leader answers with, "Indeed! For the upkeep of the Imperial Highway! It's a bit of a mess, isn't it?"

'Hanric' adds, "It's not really a toll. We're just robbing you, see?"

The leader says to him, "Do shut up! Even a genlock would have understood that."

Malcolm then understands. "Good. Now I can get rid of some bandits." He draws his sword. Just as the bandit leader draws his axe, one of the goons has been set on fire and another one has an arrow through the heart. Malcolm parried two strikes, then went for a decapitation.

As the last of the bandits left because the leader fell, Alistair walked up to Malcolm. "That was a little extreme, wasn't it?"

Malcolm responds with, "I have little tolerance for people who prey on others for their own gain. Let's go."

"Alright, where to?"

"Why are you leaving this to me? You are the most experienced Warden here."

"But you have more leadership skill than I do."

Malcolm turns to Halia, "What do you think?"

Halia answers with, "I have to agree with Alistair. You have that natural leader feel."

"Alright then. First let's head to the local tavern, so we can discuss our plan over a drink." They head through the town and into the tavern. It's unusually crowded, but even more unusual is the group of armed soldiers.

The leader of which walks up to the group. "Well. Look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed."

Alistair says, "Uh-oh. Loghain's men. This can't be good."

Then the second-in-command asked his leader, "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a fellow by this very description? And everyone said they hadn't seen him?"

His leader replies, "It seems we were lied to."

Then a woman of the chantry walked up talking to the soldiers, "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."

He replies with anger, "They're more than that. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them."

Malcolm's fist clenches when he heard the word 'traitors'. Rage took control of him. Before he could think, he grabs the commander by his armor collar. Malcolm yelled in his face, "What?! Loghain's the one who betrayed the king! If it wasn't for his cowardice, Cailan and Duncan would still be alive!"

Malcolm had so much rage, that only now he notices that two soldiers had their swords pointed at him. Quickly, again without thinking, he uses his left elbow and knocks the sword up. He turns to the right, grabs the man's wrist and his back, then pushes the man into the guy behind Malcolm, killing him with his ally's sword. Then he pulls out his dagger and lefts an inch between the tip and the commander's throat.

"Drop the dagger." Malcolm turns his head. One of the soldiers is hold the Sister hostage with a knife at her throat. "Drop it, or the Sister gets a permanent smile." But before anyone could react, the Sister, with great speed, grabs the man's wrist holding the knife, slips underneath his arm, and ends up behind him with his arm twisted.

"Now," the Sister says, "lets everyone calm down."

But rage still turned within Malcolm. He turns his head back towards the commander. He flips the dagger and went for a kill. "No!" Then the Sister steps in-between them, Malcolm stops. He looked into her eyes. There was determination in them, but also pity, for who he neither knew or cared.

"Fine," he said harshly and put the dagger away. He looks at the commander. "But in exchange for your life, I want you to deliver a message to Loghain."

The commander asks, "W-What do you want me to tell him?"

"Tell him that the Grey Wardens live. Tell him that he will pay for Ostagar."

"I'll tell him. Right away. Thank you." He basically flew out of the tavern.

The Sister talks to Malcolm. "Thank you for letting him go."

"Where does a Sister learn those moves?"

"Not all of us were born in the chantry. Many of us had more colorful live before. Let me introduce myself. I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or I was."

"And what does that mean?"

"Those men said you're a Grey Warden. You will be battling the darkspawn, yes? That is what Grey Wardens do? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get. That's why I'm coming along."

"Why so eager to come with me?"

"Because, the Maker told me to."

Malcolm scoffs. "Where was the Maker during Ostagar? Huh? Where the hell was He when," his voice gets louder, "my family was betrayed and slaughtered like animals?! Huh?! You better wake up. Things are not going to happen just because you pray for it. So if you want to come with me, you better have more to offer than prayers. You know, I was a believer once, but you know what. I prayed to the Maker that the battle would be in our favor. But guess what. Loghain betrayed the king and now there are only three Grey Wardens left. I prayed and prayed to the Maker to keep my family safe, but now I'm the only one left. And now, the Maker has finally taken an interest in me? If you want to come with us, you better keep up and make yourself useful, or you'll get left behind." He turns around. "Let's get out of here."

Malcolm walks out the door only followed by Goliath and Morrigan. Alistair, Halia, and Leliana watched. Alistair turns to Leliana. "Sorry about Malcolm. I have never seen him like that. But what skills do you have?"

Leliana replies, "I have some fighting skills and I'm great with a bow."

"Good enough. You are going to have to buy some supplies."

"That's no problem I have a chest with some armor in the chantry. But I have an idea that I don't think Malcolm would like."

"Such as?"

"There is a qunari in a cage outside of town. Let me talk to the Revered Mother so I can see if we can recruit him."

Halia speaks up, "Ok go get your armor and talk to her. I'll talk to Malcolm." She leaves.

Outside, Halia sees Malcolm punching a tree. She walks up to him. "Malcolm?"

He stops. "What?"

"This Leliana, she is coming with us. She was some fighting skill and we could use her help."

"As long as her 'help' doesn't involve prayers, and she can keep up."

"Pardon me."

Both Malcolm and Halia turn around. There stands Leliana, in her armor with a backpack with cooking supplies on the sides, Alistair and a weird giant in armor, holding camping gear.

Malcolm put his hand on his sword but didn't pull it out. "Who or what is that?"

The giant response, "I am Sten of the Beresaad, a vanguard of the qunari people. This man," he points at Alistair, "is responsible for my release into your custody."

Alistair speaks up, "We need all of the help we can get."

Malcolm puts his hand down. "Fine. Keep up and if you fall behind you get left behind." He walks out to the northern fields. When they got on the highway they saved a dwarf called Bodahn Feddic and his son Sandal from darkspawn. They then went off the path and into a clearing. Malcolm looked around. "We make camp here. Halia go get some food. Sten, Alistair, firewood. The rest of us will take watch and build up camp."

Halia, Alistair, and Halia went to do their jobs. Morrigan grabbed one of the tents and went to the edge of the clearing. While Leliana was putting a tent up and Malcolm was making a place for the fire, when Leliana tripped backwards and Malcolm caught her. "Sorry about that," Leliana said. It was dark but Malcolm could swear she was blushing a bit. Leliana got back on her own two feet, and went to put up another tent.

Malcolm went to put up a third tent. "Sorry."

Behind him Leliana asks, "What?"

"Sorry about what happened, back in the tavern."

"What was that about?"

"I can't tell you."

After the tents where up, Sten walked up carrying logs, while Alistair was carrying sticks. A few minutes later, the fire was up and Halia came back with some meet and berries. A few more minutes, Leliana and Malcolm kept watch together, while the others slept. They spent the time with Leliana talking about her past and Malcolm listening. Alistair came up. "Hey, it's my turn to keep watch. You need to sleep, Malcolm." This was the third time Malcolm refused to sleep since they left Lothering.

"I can't. Each time I do…"

Leliana steps in, "I admire your endurance, but you do need some sleep."

Alistair adds, "When we got going, we'll need you at full strength. No one can go without sleep forever. You are one of the best warrior I know and we'll need that, if we get into a fight. Malcolm?"

Leliana looks at his face and turns to Alistair. "He fell asleep."

"Good. Now you go get some rest. Leliana?" He looks at her. She also fell asleep, with her head on Malcolm's shoulder.

Hey guys. I know I skipped over part of Lothering, but I feel that's it's a little slow, running to the tavern, running to the cage, running to the chantry, and running back to the cage. Plus, I don't think Malcolm could have freed Sten with the mood he was in. Please let me know, via the poll on my homepage, where to go next, even though I write the story, I like to have audience input.