Hey everyone. Thanks for the reviews and the pms. This next chapter I was looking foward to writing mainly because it is a little unique and different from the game. I hope you all like it. Thanks to my beta for your help and catching my stupid mistakes, and big thanks to my wife for putting up with me discussing the fic with you. You both are awesome. I look forward to hearing what you all think of this chapter. It always brightens my day. Enjoy!
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The troop reached Denerim three days after leaving Lothering. The trip had exhausted most of their food supplies as well as caused quite a bit of wear and tear on the wagon. The hills surrounding the massive city appeared to dance as the wind rustled the trees and carried their leaves up into the sky.
Seeing the city from above brought back some memories. It must have been three or four years since he had been back to the city. Though he had made quite a bit of money being a pickpocket in the marketplace. He even made a few donations to some of the elves in the Alienage and the Chantry. He even managed to make a few friends among the elves. In fact, one such friend was why they were there.
"So, Damien, how are we going to get past the guards at the gate?" Alyssa asked pointing to a large company of troops at the front gate.
"The front gate isn't the only entrance to the city. There's a couple dozen small entrances that are never very well guarded. Lyna, Sten, and myself will go to a different entrance and collect the recruit I'm here for, but I want the rest of you to go to the marketplace and resupply. Be ready for a hike. We need to head for the Circle Tower after this. If we need help in the magic department, having their knowledge on our side would help us greatly," Damien said lifting his scarf over his nose and pulling his hood down. He had snuck into the city before in almost the same way several years earlier.
"Alright, where do you want to meet up?" Morrigan asked.
"In the marketplace, out in front of Wade's Smithy," Damien answered waving for Sten and Lyna to follow him down a small narrow path to the left of the main road.
"Why would you want me along when the objective is stealth?" Sten asked as he stomped along the path. Damien chuckled as he looked back at the large qunari.
"Honestly buddy, I was worried that you'd attract too much attention at the main gate. That's all," Damien said slipping down a slope toward the walls of the city.
The narrow deer path had not been walked in some time, but Damien remembered the view of the city and used that as his guide along the path. Even through the brush and trees, the city walls were still easily visible with its cold, gray stone against the dark leaves and limbs.
Damien tilted his head back and smelled the scent of the forest on the air. There was something nostalgic about the aroma of the leaves and trees that rode the gentle breezes.
He could see the side entrance to the city and lucky for them, there was only one guard. The man looked so bored sitting there alone. Maybe they could use that.
"Let's try just asking to get in first, and we'll go from there," Damien suggested leading his two companions out of the trees and toward the small doorway and guard.
"Should we not simply knock him unconscious and enter?" Sten asked.
"As stylish and easy as that sounds, I think we'll see if we can barter our way in," Damien said patting the small purse of coins on his belt.
"Are all humans greedy?" Lyna asked keeping close to Damien's side.
"Most of them, but maybe there could be another way too. Let's just see what happens," Damien responded.
The guard turned to face the trio as they approached him. Damien smiled seeing the man lazily raising his weapon.
"Are you three more of Arl Howe's mercenaries?" the guard asked.
So, that's why he is being lazy at his job. Howe must be moving allies into the city. Could he be in league with Loghain? And if he is, that means the attack on Highever and the betrayal at Ostagar are somehow connected. What other plans did they have in the works?
"What gives you the right to ask?" Damien snapped, taking hold of the grip of his dagger. He hoped his reaction to the question would scare the man into letting them pass without having to give him a copper.
"Well, I just… you three looked like… oh never mind. Just go in," the guard stammered. Damien smirked and released his hold on his dagger. He passed the guard and pushed the door open revealing the narrow streets of the city.
Damien lead Lyna and Sten down the main road toward the Alienage. The streets remained still, like they were in mourning for the death of their king. The youth hated seeing the city like this. He remembered these very streets being so full of life and people, bustling and happy with plenty of coin in their pockets. He never took from the people who looked like they needed it. Only from the wealthy nobles that could obviously afford to 'lose' some coin.
"Damien, where is your friend and who is he?" Lyna asked keeping close to his side.
"His name is Soris and he lives in the Alienage," Damien answered.
"Alienage?" Lyna asked. Damien sighed and looked around. Lyna had only just been introduced to human society. How was he going to explain the brutality and depravity of humans?
"It's a slum that the elves are forced to live in," Damien answered without looking back at his friend.
"So, it's true. Humans hate elves," Lyna said lowering her head.
"Not all of us," Damien replied with a quick glance back. The young elf looked like she had just had her heart ripped from her chest. Damien wanted to take his description back and convince her humans weren't all bad.
Damien could see several patrols roaming the streets. The silver armor gave the troops away as if they were holding up banners saying 'avoid us.' It did not matter whether they were loyal to Loghain or not. As far as anyone in Denerim knew, Wardens were the enemy. He doubted anyone in the capital denied what Loghain told them. From what he heard in Lothering, Damien knew that if anyone found out he or anyone with him was a Warden, their entire group would be as good as dead.
"Down the alley, quick," Damien said pulling Lyna between the buildings with Sten right behind them.
"Why are we hiding?" Sten asked.
"Because in this situation, stealth is a better strategy than brute force," Damien replied. "Besides, I would rather not kill guards if we don't have to."
"What is your plan? To allow your enemies to live?" Sten snapped.
"How about you go meet the others in the marketplace. I doubt you would be very good trying to run across rooftops," Damien said running up the wall and grabbing hold of a window sill. "Ready Lyna?"
"I'm with you," the elf said starting to clamber up the side of the building. Damien heard Sten grunt as he turned to walk away. As good of a fighter as the qunari was, his attitude toward the way Damien operated made the young commander wish he had left the man in that cage sometimes. Although, if they got into a big fight, Sten would be beyond helpful.
As Damien and Lyna clambered across the rooftops, Damien made sure to keep his hood low. Even if the guards weren't looking for him and his companions, discovery was still a possibility. He had no doubt his description had been circulated to the guards.
"Hey, are you okay?" Damien asked as they leapt to the next roof.
"I… I just… Pol told us about the elves in human cities, but to hear you call where they live a slum… I guess it hit a little too close to home," Lyna answered.
"I'm sorry. I know it probably doesn't mean much, but I think the way elves in general are treated is barbaric," Damien said as he ground his teeth. "But I doubt any of us can change that."
"Shemlen are so… stubborn," Lyna responded.
Damien nodded. She was right. The elves had a lot of skills to offer. Crafts that put many human and dwarven craftsmen to shame. On top of that, the elves were a kind and giving people, if no one provoked them.
"The Alienage is up ahead. Just over that wall," Damien said taking a running jump and catching the ledge of the battlements. He turned and reached out catching Lyna's hand as she jumped the gap. He used the momentum of her jump to swing her up onto the walkway before flipping himself up after her.
"What's that smell?" Lyna asked waving her hand in front of her nose.
Damien didn't give an answer. He knew that smell and if they didn't hurry, they might be too late to do anything about it. He took off at a dead sprint along the walkway and leapt a small gap that he knew would be no problem for Lyna to make. She would just have to follow his path. He couldn't afford to lose even a second.
As the youth dropped to the ground in the middle of the main square, Damien's eyes watered as he looked around. Guards were dragging people out of their homes and anyone that resisted was cut down or tortured.
"Back off!" Damien roared as a guard descended on a young child. His dagger flashed forward blocking the guard's strike followed quickly by the youth's knee slamming into the man's groin. True, most would find that tactic cowardly or cheap, but in a fight where protecting someone's life was the goal, anything went.
He sheathed his dagger and tackled another guard who was about to set fire to a house, sending the torch the man was using into a puddle.
"How dare you interrupt a purge you, knife-eared bastard!" the guard shouted scrambling to his feet. Keeping his scarf up over his nose and mouth, Damien threw back his hood revealing his ears.
"I'm human, you racist prick!" Damien roared drawing his dagger again and slamming the flat of the blade against the man's head. "Leave or you'll answer to me and my men." He couldn't believe what he had just said. If this guy asked who he was, what was he going to say? Saying he was the Warden Commander would only invite more torture for the elves.
Think, damn it, think. There must be someone these guys fear that I can pretend to be. Damien raked his brain. It had been too long since he had been in the city. Only a few people knew of him back then… although… That might work.
"You and what army?" the guard spouted as nearly an entire company joined him.
"I'm sure you men have heard of the Dark Wolf," Damien said drawing both his daggers. He could feel Lyna approaching. Perfect timing. The elf landing right next to him with her bow leveled and an arrow notched.
"Dark Wolf? But no one has seen him in years," a guard said taking a step back.
"That's because I was busy elsewhere. Denerim was just the start for me. Now, be good little dogs and run back to your masters with your tails between your legs," Damien roared, taking a threatening step forward.
The guards hesitated but one shot from Lyna, burying the arrow in the ground right between the captain's legs cemented the idea of retreat in their heads. Damien nodded to Lyna before replacing the hood on his head.
"So this is why you left me back there. Just had to be the hero, huh?" Lyna said strolling over to collect her arrow.
"Come on, Lyna. If I hadn't gotten here when I did, there would have been more casualties," Damien responded.
"And if I hadn't gotten here when I did, one of them might have been you," Lyna retorted. "I know you are new to the job, but you are our commander."
Damien nodded and sheathed his daggers. He could feel eyes on him from almost every direction. The whole Alienage must have been looking at them. They might have demonstrated their willingness to protect the residents, but that did not mean they had won their trust. Out of the corner of his eye, Damien spotted an elder approaching him. Even though he had only met the old elf once before, there was no mistaking the community's elder.
"Valendrian, are you alright?" Damien asked turning to face the elder.
"I am fine, but, if I may, who are you?" Valendrian asked. Damien chuckled to himself and nodded. He had not expected to be remembered by anyone but his old friend, at least not here in the Alienage. He had only met a few of the residents once and that was a long time ago.
"Forgive me," Damien answered pulling the scarf away from his face. "I'm Damien, an old friend of Soris."
The elder's eyes turned sad at the mention of Damien's old friend. Could something have happened to him? If so, then what? And what was he going to do now?
"Soris was arrested a few days ago and taken to Fort Drakkon," Valendrian stated.
"Arrested? For what? They don't take petty thieves to Fort Drakkon without a good reason," Damien argued. He could still hear the chains of that horrific dungeon and the echoing screams of the torture victims.
"It wasn't theft. Soris left that life behind when he got engaged," Valendrian responded. Damien lowered his eyes. Soris really gave it up. Must have been some girl.
"How did you know my fiancé?" a young woman asked from the crowd. Damien turned to face the voice and spotted her with tears in her eyes. She was rather plain but there was sincere worry in her voice for Soris. She must have loved him dearly.
"When I first came to this city a long time ago, he showed me around and taught me a few tricks to surviving here. He was one of the best men I've ever known and a good and loyal friend," Damien answered.
"Then couldn't you rescue him?" the woman begged.
"Valora, calm yourself. It's not your fault," Valendrian said comfortingly.
"What do you mean, it's not her fault? What happened to get him arrested?" Damien asked.
"The arl's son burst in on his and Nelaros' wedding. They took the brides and bride's maids hostage and back to the Arl's palace. Soris and Nelaros went to save them, and killed the Arl's son in the process. Nelaros was killed too and when the guards came looking for the one responsible, Soris gave himself up," Valendrain explained.
"So, that's why the guards were here. This was punishment. Ass holes," Damien said spitting at the footprints left behind by the guards. "Damn it. I was hoping Soris was still around to help me out with something, but if he's gone…" Damien turned to leave but Lyna grabbed his arm.
"There has to be someone else who's just as talented as Soris was right? Someone he sparred with or who had the same teacher," Lyna said looking up at him. Damien rubbed his forehead. And turned back to the elder.
"What about the Tabris family? Cyrion's wife was Soris' teacher right? Didn't they have a child too?" Damien asked.
"And who are you to ask for our children?" an elf shouted. Damien looked over at the man. His face was kind and care-worn. The redness around the man's eyes told Damien that the man had not gotten much sleep and had been crying.
Damien reached inside his tunic and retrieved his Grey Warden pendant. He slipped it over his head and showed it to Valendrian. He did not want to invoke the Right of Conscription to try and build his ranks but he did need people.
"I see. How is Duncan these days?" Valendrian asked.
Lyna and Damien both lowered their heads. Yet another person who knew Duncan they had to give the bad news to. Damien could feel the lump lodging in his throat as he looped the pendant back around his neck.
"Commander Duncan died at Ostagar fighting beside the king." Damien debated with himself on whether or not to tell the old elf that he was the new commander, but one thing was for certain, he could not reveal that any other warden besides him had survived the battle. It gave their group a distinct advantage, especially if Loghain sent assassins or bounty hunters after them. "I'm the new Commander of the Grey."
"Are you intending to invoke the Right of Conscription? We might be the only community in Fereldan that will honor that agreement now that Wardens have been declared outlaws once more," Valendrian stated.
Damien shook his head causing the crowd to quiet down slightly. "I came here because I was looking for skilled warriors that I could trust. Men and women who care about Fereldan and all of Thedas enough to fight with me against the Blight. The Wardens may have been nearly wiped out, but as long as one Warden yet lives, the Blight will always have someone to fight against it. That is why I came to you. Soris was a good friend to me. I trust him completely and he could match me in any knife fight. That was why I wanted him and why I asked about the Tabris family," Damien said causing the rest of the crowd to fall silent.
"If you're looking for a Tabris, you found her," a young elven woman said as the crowd parted revealing an obviously injured girl being helped toward them by another.
"Kallian, what are you doing out of bed? You must get your rest!" an older man scolded trying to take her other arm, but she yanked it away.
"Kallian Tabris, I remember you. Soris introduced us a few years ago," Damien said turning to face her head on. She had matured quite a bit since they last met. Her hair had gone from a platinum blonde to a darker gold color. Even through all the bandages, Damien could see that her muscles were well defined, much like his. She must have had a talent for running like he did.
"I remember. Well, I remember the scarf at least," Kallian responded standing on her own and nodding to her friend who took a small step back. "So, you're needing someone who can fight?"
"Absolutely," Damein answered crossing his arms. "Interested?"
Lyna quickly grabbed his arm and pulled Damien aside. "Are you insane? She's too injured to escape the Alienage, let alone hold her own in a fight," Lyna protested.
"I know, but once she's healed, she could be a great asset to the group. Trust me," Damien said smiling. He knew she had her doubts. He could see it in her eyes. Of course, he had his own doubts himself, but if this girl was half as good as Soris was, she would be worth the risk. Turning back to Kallian, he started to advance toward her. "Let me ask you something."
"What?" Kallian answered placing her hands on her hips. Damien smirked and continued forward.
"You spared with Soris, right? Well, knowing him, you two must have kept score. So, what's the current tally?" Damien asked.
"48 wins, 45 losses, and 23 draws."
"In whose favor?"
The girl smiled with a rather giddy look on her face as she giggled. "Mine."