Here we go. Thanks to everyone for your reviews and comments. I really do appreciate hearing from all of you. It always brightens my day. Looking forward to hearing what y'all think of this next chapter. Please enjoy!
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The Wilds seemed darker than the first time. There was no real path to follow and the small group found themselves having to wade through waist high water, ankle deep mud, and grass that was taller than any of them by at least two feet. Damien stayed in the lead using his magic to keep him moving constantly toward the immense magical power he felt, hoping that it was the two apostates and safety.
As they reached the edge of a large pool, Damien could see a small column of smoke rising from the trees ahead. If the water was not too deep, they could be there in less than an hour.
"Thank the Creators," Lyna breathed slapping at the mosquitoes buzzing around them.
"Group vote. Cross here which should be faster, or go around," Damien asked.
No one waited to vote and simply moved past Damien and into the water. Damien laughed and followed them in with Brax still at his side. The water made it up to their chests (Lyna's chin) as they reached the middle. Damien watched Brax dog paddle on ahead until he reached shallow enough water to stand a few dozen yards ahead of them where he turned around and waited for the rest of the group.
"This water smells like the back end of an ogre," Damien complained letting out a small cough. The motion sent a twinge of pain through his skull.
"As the only one that has ever been close enough to that end of an ogre, only you would know," Lillian teased holding her blades above her head.
"Ha ha, very funny," Damien chided.
"I thought it was," she replied mockingly.
The group climbed up the opposite embankment and pushed through a wall of swamp grass revealing the hut and smoking fire beyond. Damien lagged behind slightly trying to steel himself against the pressure that being in the women's presence brought. It was odd that he was not feeling the intense pressure yet being so close.
As he came through the grass, he stood beside his comrades, tired and dirty looking at the small hut. He took a slow breath and took a step forward. His head ached so much he could not ignore it. He had been for most of the day as the group had hiked but now that they were at their destination, Damien's knees buckled beneath him and he collapsed next to the fire. Brax and Lyna immediately leapt to his side as his vision blurred in and out in rhythm with the throbbing in his head. The fatigue of the journey and his wounds simply overpowered his will to stay awake and he slipped into darkness.
He saw the dragon again, just like every night before, in a massive cavern breathing purple fire and roaring. The whispers called out to him like a summoning, but Damien kept himself from speaking, doing his best to remain hidden from the beast's gaze.
The dream faded and wooden rafters replaced the cavern ceiling. A warm blanket covered him while a soft pillow lay under his head. He didn't quite understand where he was until he sat up and found Morrigan stoking a fire. He reached up and touched his forehead. The pain was nearly completely gone replaced with a cotton bandage.
"So your eyes finally open. Mother should be pleased," Morrigan said turning to look at him.
"Thank you Morrigan. I don't know what else to say except thank you," Damien said looking down at himself. He realized very quickly that at least his upper body was completely without covering and nothing but the blanket covered his lower extremities.
"You must not thank me, it was mother's doing. I am not as gifted with healing magic as she is," Morrigan replied pulling his britches down from a drying line and handing them to him.
"But without yours and your mother's help, I don't know how long we would have survived. Where are the others that were with me?" Damien asked.
"Outside with your fellow Wardens," Morrigan responded. Damien paused and looked back over at the girl.
"Wardens? As in more than one?" Damien asked. He waited for the answer nearly paralyzed with the hope that others might have survived hand happened upon Morrigan and her mother.
"Yes, two of the others who were with you before. Mother rescued from for the tower," Morrigan answered looking at him curiously.
Damien threw caution and decency to the wind and threw off the blanket revealing himself entirely as he slipped on his britches and rushed out the door. He tied the draw strings around his waist as he looked around the group outside the hut.
Alistair and Alyssa leapt to their feet as Damien charged them. He embraced them both as they caught him. The youth was unsure whether to laugh, cry, scream, or howl. He simply could not believe the two least likely wardens to survive the battle were there with them.
"Maker, we thought you were dead," Damien said refusing to let go of the two of them.
"Look who's talking, Morrigan's mother told us that everyone else was dead. We were about to leave when you and the others showed up," Alistair said patting Damien on the back.
"How are you feeling?" Alyssa asked stepping back and looking him over.
"Better. Whatever Morrigan and her mother did for me, it worked really well," Damien said rubbing his forehead.
"Glad to hear it. We weren't sure you were going to wake up again," Lyna added standing up as well.
"How did you two get out of the tower?" Damien asked releasing his comrades and taking a few steps back.
"I think before we get into the story telling, you might want to put on some clothes," Alistair said nodding toward Damien's half naked body.
"Right," Damien stated with a nod. He smirked and jogged over to Carver, stealing his helmet from beside him and placing it on his head. "Okay, so how?"
Damien did his best to keep a straight face as the group burst into fits of laughter, but he couldn't hold it. He smiled broadly before tossing the helmet back to his companion and heading back for the door of the hut. He dressed quickly in his tunic and boots, laying his armor over his arm, and heading back out the door.
The rest of the group had settled down some as he joined them around the fire. Lyna apparently had been explaining Damien's role in the battle. Damien thought it sounded a little extravagant.
"Actually, that's not completely true," Damien said as Lyna finished her story. "Except for the part about Brax hauling me away on his back; that was completely accurate."
"I don't know, I was with you for most of the battle and I think she nailed it," Lillian added. Carver nodded his agreement looking up respectfully at Damien. It was strange to have people talking about him like he was some kind of war hero when he had lost nearly everyone he had fought with.
"Embellished or not, I'd say it was impressive," Morrigan's mother stated approaching the group.
"Madam, we really can't thank you enough for not only aiding us now, but also for saving my fellow wardens," Damien said bowing deeply and folding his hands in gratitude.
"Not at all, we cannot have all the Grey Wardens dying at once after all," the woman said. Perhaps she had meant it more as a joke, but the words hit Damien square in the heart. Could Alistiar, Alyssa, Lyna, and him be all that was left of the order in Fereldan. Surely there were others still out recruiting. What about the man who recruited Lyna, Blackwall?
"Still, your hospitality is appreciated," Alyssa added.
"I'm sorry if this is forward, but could you tell us your name?" Alistair asked.
"Names are pretty but useless. Though the chasin'd folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."
The woman's words nearly knocked Damien off his feet. Anyone born or raised in Fereldan knew the legend and myth of Flemeth. She was the Witch of the Wilds. A powerful witch capable of living for centuries who would snatch disobedient children from their mothers and devour their souls. Damien figured out a few years before that the devouring souls and stealing children was likely just a bedtime story to keep children well behaved. However it did explain the immense power he had felt, but Damien quickly realized he was not feeling anywhere near the pressure he had when they first arrived.
"The Flemeth from the Legend?" Alistair said in awe. "Daveth was right, you're the Witch of the Wilds."
"And what does that mean? I know a bit of magic and it has served you all well," the woman responded.
"He didn't mean anything by it. I think we are just all in shock, but that explains the power I felt. Though, not why I don't feel much now," Damien said stepping closer to her.
"Your senses come from the magic that has sunk into your muscles and bones from your use of it to run and fight. However, your wound and accessing your power to keep moving to find us exhausted your power," Flemeth answered chuckling to herself. "It will return in time."
"Great, but how can I control it? I mean, if I run into a powerful mage, I don't know how I could fight with that kind of pressure weighing me down," Damien asked.
"That, you will have to figure out on your own," Flemeth responded.
The group grew quiet and looked around at each other. Damien could tell they were all looking for the same thing he was; a plan. Something for them to head toward.
"So, anyone have any idea what we're supposed to do now?" Alistair asked. He might have been a little goofy and clueless sometimes, but Damien had to admit, the templar was growing on him. Perhaps it was the taint in their blood, but he felt closer to all his fellow wardens than anyone else in the world. They were his family now. He had to protect them.
"It has always been the Grey Wardens' duty to unite the lands against the Blight, or did that change when I wasn't looking?" Flemeth asked.
"I'm not sure how we are supposed to unite anyone. Loghain betrayed King Cailan and left the entire order to die," Alyssa said sullenly.
"It doesn't make any sense. The teyrn is a war hero. Why would he do this?" Alistair replied. Damien rubbed his chin and took a seat near the fire. He tried to think of any reason why Loghain would want the darkspawn to win, but nothing made sense.
"That is a good question. Men's hearts hold shadows far darker than any tainted creature," Flemeth responded. Damien looked up at her still thinking. He had to figure this out. If they could understand why Loghain betrayed the king, then maybe they could prove his treason to the other lords. Maker only knew what Loghain had said to explain the defeat at Ostagar. "Perhaps he thinks the Blight is an army he can outmaneuver. Perhaps he does not see that the evil behind it is the true threat."
Damien's blood ran cold as the images of the purple and black dragon breathing fire and roaring down at him filled his thoughts. Slaying a dragon was the work of heroes, but slaying an archdemon seemed nearly impossible. His eyes raised and he could see his own fears mirrored in the eyes of his warden comrades.
"What evil?" Lillian asked.
"The archdemon," Lyna answered softly as if mentioning the beast's name too loudly might draw the monster to them.
"We have to kill the thing to end the Blight right? So we need to find it," Alyssa suggested.
"By ourselves? No Grey Warden has ever defeated a Blight without a sizable army behind them. No to mention, I don't know how we would even do it," Alistair stated in shock. Damien listened but remained seated and quiet. He wanted hear what everyone was thinking while he tried to figure out what needed to be done.
"How to kill the archdemon, or build an army? It seems to me, those are two different questions. Have the Wardens no allies?" Flemeth asked. Damien smirked. Flemeth knew the answer. She had given them the treaties. It seemed like she was trying to build their confidence in their abilities by letting them figure it out on their own.
"I… I don't know. Duncan said the Wardens in Orlais had been called, and Arl Eamon would never stand for something like this," Alistair stammered. Damien looked up. He recognized that name. Arl Eamon, the Arl of Redcliffe and uncle to the late king. By all accounts, a good and well respected man.
"Why would the Arl take our word over whatever Teyrn Loghain has said?" Alyssa asked.
"I know him. He's a good man and respected in the Landsmeet. We could go to Redcliffe, ask him for help," Alistair answered looking over at the lady. Damien watched the group. They seemed to be formulating a plan, but there was still the issue of an army. Redcliffe's forces would not be anywhere near enough. They needed the treaties from Ostagar if they were going to have a chance at forming an army large enough to defeat the Blight. Damien stood slowly as all eyes turned to him.
"The Arl may have all his men since he wasn't at Ostagar, but he can't face the blight alone. We need the treaties from the King's camp at Ostagar. Those need to be a priority for us," Damien stated.
"Of course, the treaties. They give the Wardens the authority to enlist help from elves, mages, dwarves, and many others," Alistair added.
"I may be old, but mages, elves, dwarves, and this Arl Eamon, that sounds like the makings of an army to me," Flemeth stated with a knowing smile.
"So, do you think we could do it? Go to Redcliffe and these other places and build an army?" Alyssa asked looking over at Damien.
"We're Grey Wardens. It's what we do," Damien answered. "But first, we need to find somewhere to resupply. I feel naked without my daggers. After that, we can head to Ostagar and retrieve the treaties from the king's chest."
"Sounds good. I left a few darkspawn there that deserve a sword through the middle," Alsitair snarled clenching his fist.
"So you are ready then? Ready to become Grey Wardens?" Flemeth asked.
"Ready has nothing to do with it," Damien responded. "We have to do this or watch the world burn."
Flemeth smiled and nodded. "How true, there is one more thing I can do for you to help you on your journey," Flemeth stated.
As she finished talking Morrigan stepped to her side holding a large wooden spoon. Likely for whatever meal she was preparing for them.
"The stew is bubbling, mother. Shall we have six guests for the eve, or none?" Morrigan asked looking around the group.
"The Wardens are leaving shortly, girl. And you will be joining them," Flemeth said calmly. Damien raised an eyebrow. True, the young witch would be useful, if her magic was as powerful as he had originally assumed, but was she even willing to join them?
"Such a shame…what?" Morrigan exclaimed looking back at her mother. Damien nearly burst out laughing from the sudden exclamation.
"You heard me, girl. Last time I looked, you had ears," Flemeth stated chuckling to herself.
"Her magic would certainly be useful, but if she doesn't want to come…" Damien started.
"Consider this as payment for saving yours and your comrades' lives," Flemeth interrupted. Damien sighed and nodded.
"Have I no say in this?" Morrigan protested.
"You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Now here is your chance," Flemeth answered. Damien rubbed the back of his neck and looked around the group. No one really seem to have anything to say, but he could see Alistair was uncomfortable with the arrangement.
"Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but outside the Wilds, she's an apostate," Alistair stated.
"So am I," Damien responded quickly.
"And if you did not want help from us illegal mages, perhaps I would have left you on that tower," Flemeth stated, crossing her arms.
"Point taken," Alistair said, lowering his gaze in shame.
"Mother, this is not how I wanted this… I'm not even ready," Morrigan protested again. Damien could see the girl was scared though she was trying to hide it. He had to admit, if thrust into her circumstances, he would have been too.
"You must be ready. Alone, these few must unite Fereldan against the darkspawn. They need you Morrigan. Without you, they will surely fail, and all will perish under the Blight, even I," the old woman retorted. Her statement sound more remorseful than Damien had expected. Would Flemeth miss her daughter or was she fearful that they might fail even with Morrigan, resulting in all of their deaths? Damien didn't like thinking such things.
"I…" Morrigan sighed in defeat. "I understand."
"And you Wardens? Do you understand? I give you that which I value above all in this world. I do this because you must succeed," Flemeth stated looking straight at Damien. The youth wanted to look away from the intense gaze of the old witch, but he knew he needed to show strength.
"Don't worry. While with us, she will not come to harm," Damien stated. That was a promise he could keep. Morrigan could stay back from the frontline of any fight, and if necessary, he would defend her with his own life, just as he would for anyone else in their group.
"Allow me to get my things if you please," Morrigan said before turning back to the hut and heading inside.
"Damien, about what you said," Alyssa said as he returned to his seat around the fire.
"Yes?"
"The treaties still being at Ostagar. How are we supposed to get to them? I'm sure the darkspawn are still there," Alyssa said.
"It doesn't matter. If I have to sneak into the camp alone to get those treaties then I will, but we'll see what the situation is after we resupply and rearm ourselves. No offense, but that sword of yours looks like it took a beating in the tower," Damien said motioning to the blade on her hip. He could clearly see a bend in the blade and a piece of the hilt had been broken clean off.
"That's what happens when an ogre steps on your blade," Alyssa said looking down at the sword mournfully. Damien sighed remembering the night in the castle and how Alyssa and her mother had gone to their vault to save their family sword.
"That's the Cousland family sword, isn't it?" Damien asked looking up at the former noble.
"Yes, but I'm afraid it is little good in a fight now," Alyssa confessed.
"It's more useful than my blade," Damien admitted pulling the small knife from his boot and twirling it between his fingers.
"I suppose it is," Alyssa responded smiling.
Damien smiled back. As much as everyone wanted to worry about what happened at Ostagar, he needed to keep them focused on staying alive and keeping up the fight. Perhaps humor was less tactful given their situation, but something needed to work to cheer everyone up.
A smirk appeared across his face as he picked a reed from the swamp bank and snuck behind Alistair as the man sharpened his sword. Lyna spotted him almost immediately and watched, obviously curious about what he was up to. Lillian and Carver saw him next as he brushed the edge of the reed against Alistair's ear. The templar shook his head without stopping what he was doing. Damien made a goofy face causing his three observers to snicker, drawing the attention of Alyssa who immediately covered her mouth trying not to laugh as Damien continued to brush the reed against Alistair's ear.
"I swear the mosquitoes are going to drive me mad," Alistair said using his hand with his whet stone to wave the non-existent bugs away.
"Alistair, I don't see any bugs around you. I think you're already going mad," Lyna stated. Damien caught her gaze and smirked, drawing a smile to the elf's lips.
"What are you talking about? I can feel them on my ear," Alistair responded as Damien repeated the motion.
Damien decided the prank had gone on for long enough and smacked Alistair in the side of the head with the reed, causing the cattail on the end to explode releasing a small cloud of white fuzz all over him.
The templar fell over, dropping his sword and swatting at the white balls of fuzz that encircled him. The reaction caused an explosion of laughter from the rest of the group, even Flemeth. Brax started prancing about trying to catch some of the pale orbs in his mouth resulting in him stepping on Alistair a few times. This increased the laughter from the group causing Carver to fall over as his face turned red.
"What was that for?" Alistair protested looking up at Damien as the youth was doubled over laughing.
"Oh Maker, that was funny!" Damien exclaimed tossing the reed aside. "That, my friend, was for fun."
"If only we could all enjoy such things," Morrigan stated approaching. She must have finished packing and come back while Damien was performing the prank.
"What? You didn't enjoy that? You of all people?" Damien asked crossing his arms.
"To make a buffoon look more foolish is a talent. I simply wish to have been the one performing the prank," Morrigan said smiling down at Alistair.
The group gathered up everything they could and stowed some food for the journey. Morrigan stated that she would lead them around the horde and out of the Wilds to Lothering so they could resupply. Damien believed it to be the best idea. He had a feeling that the horde was still at Ostagar, doing whatever it was that darkspawn did to celebrate a victory. An equally strong feeling told him that whatever those activities were, he did not want to know or see them.