9:30 Wintermarch 6th
We made it to Denerim. The ride there was filled with tears, emptiness, and overall despair. Oren talked quietly with a hoarse voice, nearly crying the whole time we traveled. Eren had empty eyes and bags underneath them from his nightmares. Poor Alfred was on high alert to try to comfort all of us and even he was getting tired. I cried where they couldn't hear or see me. There was no point in adding to their grief.
The carriage was taken away once we arrived at the stables. I pulled out some coins and asked for someone to deliver us to Lothering since it was the closest village to Ostagar. Nearly all of them denied me.
"No one is going to Lothering at this time. With the fear of darkspawn in the air, no one wants to even get near it." A rider explained to me.
"Please I need to get there. We need to get to Ostagar." I pleaded. The rider sighed.
"I'm very sorry but I can't." He left. I nearly cried out of frustration. Walking there would take too long. I kicked the ground and went out of the stables. Eren and Oren were sitting together with Alfred looking at the foot traffic, rigid as stone. I patted his head and Alfred woofed quietly.
"Sorry, I wasn't able to get a carriage to Lothering." I looked down at Eren. He looked up to me then stood up.
"We'll have to do it by foot then." Eren said, his voice almost detached and quiet.
"But we have Oren. He won't make the trip." I added. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to walk long distances with a child. "What if we get attacked?" I asked silently. "We won't be able to protect him."
"…" Eren stared at me with no emotion in his eyes. "We have to make the trip." He hung his head. He sounded so weak. It wasn't the Eren I was used to after all these years. I sighed. There was no reason to stay.
"Follow me. I know a good inn where we can rest before we start on our way to Lothering." I offered. Eren followed me with Alfred and Oren right behind. Oren came and grabbed my gloved hand. I eventually found the same inn I stayed at with Rael. I ordered a room for the night and got the same room as last time. Alfred went on the seat while Eren sat on the bed. Oren played with Alfred a little. I leaned against the wall and rubbed my face. I was in Denerim so what the hell.
"I'm going out." I said and got out of the room. It was hard to stay with Eren when he was like that. I decided to visit Rael and take a breather. I maneuvered through Denerim to the gate of the Alienage as fast as I could. I really needed to see his red hair and winning smile.
When I got there, it was pandemonium. It looked like there was a ceremony but with the crying elves, the drunks all gathered with Cyrion in the middle, it was chaos. I immediately went up to Rael's father.
"Cyrion." I said. Cyrion looked while the other elves started to circle in.
"Shemlen!"
"You're not welcome here!"
"Go back to your Denerim master!" One elf held a rock high before Cyrion grabbed his forearm.
"She is a friend of Rael's." Cyrion's voice boomed out. "Anyone who hurts her answers to me!" He shouted and the crowd dispersed.
"Ok, what in the hell is going on?" I demanded. Cyrion sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Today was supposed to be the wedding ceremony of Rael and his cousin Soris but…Vaughn Kendells, the son of the Arl, came here and abducted the women." Cyrion almost looked like he was going to cry. Even after the emptiness of the Highever massacre, I was completely enraged. I growled.
"Does anyone know how to get to the Denerim Estate?" I asked around. Many elves were starting to whisper.
"What are you going to do?" Cyrion asked.
"I'm going to save Rael and the others of course! Please, does anyone know-"
"I can guide you to the servant's entrance. Soris and Rael went through there already." One elf came. I nodded.
"Cyrion, where's the Alienage shop?" I asked.
"Right in the corner there, why?" Cyrion asked. I smirked.
"I'm about to give birth to a legend." I cackled. He led me to the store and the guy did a double take when I came in there. I took out my pouch and took out one gold coin.
"Give me two daggers, an elven hood, a dark shirt and some poofy pants if you have them." I slammed the sovereign on the desk. He gave wide eyes and nodded vigorously at seeing the money. I started to take off my armor and dump them in an empty sack. I put my pack carefully in there too. The guy returned with what I asked and I started to undress. Cyrion and the guy turned away bashfully. I put on the sleeveless shirt but left on my gloves. I put on the poofy black pants that resembled ninja pants. I took off my shin and knee guards into the sack too. I put the hood over my head and grabbed a black bandana to put over the lower half of my face.
"Cyrion, take this sack and hide it in your house please." I gave him the sack while strapping in my daggers. "I'll come back to get them." I explained, seeing a small empty flask on the ground. I took that too.
"Are you really going to save my son?" Cyrion asked. I stopped and nodded.
"Don't worry. I'll get him back." I said. We went out and that same elf was outside waiting for me. I bunched up the hood near my ears so it would look like an elf but took it off as well as my bandana to not look suspicious until I was able to get to the house.
"I just let them go at the door, we shouldn't be too late." The elf said. I nodded and we started to run out of the Alienage. The elf led me through various alleyways and tunnels that guards wouldn't normally patrol until we got to the Arl's palace. There were no guards stationed and he led me toward the servant's entrance. As we went I saw two guard corpses as well as four mabari's lying in their own blood. I pulled bandana on my lower face and pulled the hood over my head. I got my daggers ready in my hands as well.
My heart was pumping loudly in my heart as we neared the servant's entrance. This was a crazy idea and I wasn't even sure if I could pull it off. Rael was my friend though. I wouldn't let him die not after what he did for me.
"This is the servant's entrance. The guard is usually drunk or asleep. Take care and bring them back for us." The elf said before running back. I took a deep breath and opened the door. It led to a sort of storage. I opened the next door and I found Rael and Soris over a very dead guard. Rael looked up and had a sword in his hand.
"Whoa wait! It's me!" I harshly whispered. Rael's eyes grew wide.
"Nia!?" Rael wondered.
"What are you doing here?" Soris wondered. I pulled my hood down but kept the bandana.
"That doesn't matter. I wanted to visit you but all of a sudden there was chaos in the Alienage! Your father was hella worried about you so I came to make sure you didn't kill yourself." I explained.
"We'll be fine. It's Vaughn who won't." Rael growled. I nearly took a step back. My kind, thoughtful, slightly dorkish Rael was almost scary.
"Then I'll have your back. Go, open the door. I'll be right behind." I said. Soris and Rael looked at each other before nodded. They opened the door and I heard the cook talking them down before hearing a thud. I looked in the room and was passed by another running elf. Rael was about to go open the door before I shook my head. I went into the pantry and found an open bottle of brandy and another bottle that I recognized as rat poison. "Here, mix these two and give it to anyone that wants a drink."
"How is that going to help us?" Rael whispered.
"Will you shut up and trust me?" I glared. He huffed before taking the bottle. I did the same thing as before and waited as they went through first. Now that I realized it, I was very suspicious in my clothing. It had to be done for the last part. I heard the guards asking for something to drink. I smirked to myself as I heard them groan as the rat poison worked through their system. I went to follow them and Rael gave me a look of incredulity.
"How did you...?" He wondered.
"Guards are always around to drink. I work with them remember? Anyway, we should keep going and grab their weapons. You're going to need them." I mentioned. Rael and Soris quickly grabbed the swords and shields.
"Why aren't there anymore guards?" Soris wondered.
"Because there's a blight and the arl has sent all of his men to help the king." I explained.
"A blight!?" Soris gasped. I nodded.
"Come on, we're losing daylight." I urged. Rael was already getting ready for the next room. He opened the door and saw a guard. He saw the weapons and immediately went for the offensive. Rael was ready but I slipped past through him. I crouched and did a leg sweep. He fell to the ground. I hesitated before I heard Rael's sword coming out of the sheath. I did a prayer of forgiveness before I plunged the dagger in the guard's neck. He did a death gurgle. Another life, another sin.
I took a deep steadying breath and stood up. Soris looked on in horror but Real was a mixture of confusion, surprise, and horror. His normally tanned face looked pale. There was blood covering me. I shivered even though the warm blood coated me.
"Let's go. The longer we wait, the longer Vaughn has your cousin." I said.
"Nia, what are you doing?" Rael asked.
"Trust me. These guys will raze the Alienage if they find you. I'm the scapegoat in this situation." I said.
"But-"
"Rael!" I interrupted. "You have no choice. I'm not going to let you throw your life away!" I harshly whispered and glared at him. He looked hurt but I ignored it. "Let's go."
"Come on cousin." Soris said. They followed me as I skipped the armory and went through the hallway. I opened the next door and saw the guards over the body of an elf. Rael came in and his face was in a rage.
"You bastards!" Rael shouted. He went for the one on the right, I went for the left, and Soris was going for the one in the middle. He was lucky he had a shield. I evaded the blow of my own opponent and came to his back. I stabbed both of my daggers in his spine. Rael used his sword and his shield to overpower and kill the other one. Soris was still having trouble. I hit both of the pommels of my dagger on the captain's helmet. He groaned in pain before I took his head, tipped it back and slashed his throat open.
That nearly took me over the edge but I had to stay strong. If I wasn't careful, Rael and the others would be killed. I tried to justify in my head. I would deal with the consequences later. Soris was looking over the woman they killed.
"We have no time to waste." Rael growled. I nodded. I went to the next door and opened it a smidge. There was a guard patrolling but his back was to me. I sighed before I opened the door without a sound and sneaked toward him. I did the same pommel trick, then grabbed his neck and twisted. I grabbed his body before he fell and let him down gently. I heard barking but I'm sure no one heard this. I motioned Soris and Rael to follow me.
They did and we walked on. I passed all the doors in the hallway until I reached the end. When I opened and the three of us came through, the two guards that were protecting the door to the main hall came at us. Rael did a shield bash to the first one while I used my footwork to get behind the other one. Soris got through his stomach and I twisted his neck to be sure. Rael had slashed the other one's neck. I took off my bandana and tried to get rid of the blood from his clothing.
"What are you doing?" Rael asked.
"Remember, I'm the scapegoat. You're the innocent witness." I explained before putting that bandana back. I was used to the smell of blood from my guard work. I lead them through the next door to a hallway that had three doors. Soris found the good one and we followed it. I saw the dog statue at the end. "Shit! Hug the walls!" I warned. Just in time too. We triggered the enchantment and it shot off a fireball. Another guard came out of the room. But one against three? He was quickly overpowered and beaten.
We ran through the hallway. There was no other resistance. If any servant was hearing all of this, they weren't getting in our way. My heart couldn't stop pounding as I opened the door. Vaughn and his stooges were all armed with Shianni cowering on the ground. She had a disheveled appearance with her clothes torn in a few places. Rael growled before I stopped him.
"So the dashing knight comes in." Vaughn said sarcastically before giving me a look of hatred.
"We'll make quick work of these two." His stooge laughed.
"Quiet you idiot! Can't you see their friend here is washed with enough blood to fill a tub? Do you even know what that means?" Vaughn explained. He was ever the brat I saw in the game.
"How about I just ignore you and kill you?" Rael's voice rumbled in his throat.
"Now, now. Let's not be too hasty here. Surely, we can talk this out." Vaughn's voice dripped with poisoned sweetness.
"No! I'm going to wipe that smile off your face!" Rael shouted, taking out his sword.
"Bah! I knew working with you knife ears-" He never got to finish his sentence. I let Rael take the kill. He threw his sword and it went through Vaughn's chest. That's why you always wear armor.
"Holy Andraste's-!" The guy said. I came and slashed his throat before tackling the other one down and stabbing his throat. I knelt to the ground, the pain in my chest was almost as worse as the massacre. The emotional pain was catching up with me. I breathed and squeezed my wrists to distract me from my emotional pain. I saw Rael kneel down to Shianni and Soris mentioned looking for the others. I had to do this. I had to protect Rael. I wiped my brow and got up. The other women came out. Even Rael's betrothed. I got up and sighed.
"Is that everyone?" I wondered. Shianni looked at me.
"Nia?" She wondered. I put a finger to where my lips were.
"Don't mention that I'm here. I have a plan but we have to move quickly. Gather everyone. Let's go back." I nodded.
"Yes, please. I can't wait until all of this is over." Soris sighed. We quickly back tracked out from the servant's entrance. They all went the normal ways while I went through the other passages. I reached the other's at the Alienage. They were all talking amongst themselves about what should happen. I didn't see Duncan anywhere. I gave out a sigh of relief.
"The guards are coming!" One elf cried out. I noticed that Rael had a lot more blood on his shirt.
"Get a clear shirt, now." I demanded. Rael nodded and went to a clothesline. Soris and Rael were able to dress up in cleaner clothes until the guards came.
"I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage." The Captain came. Rael and Soris were fidgeting while I looked on and crossed my arms, trying to come off as cocky.
"I am here Captain. I'm sure you have come in response to today's disruption?" Valendrian smooth talked.
"You can't talk your way out of this elder. You will not prevent justice from being done. The Arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the whole palace. I need names and I need them now!" The captain demanded. I laughed as arrogantly as I could. The captain immediately looked at me.
"If you want names, then I guess you'll want me." I sauntered. Rael looked confused as did the rest. "I killed the Arl for taking my family and friends." I said seriously.
"And who are you?" The captain growled.
"I have many names and you will hear none." I said, taking my daggers.
"Hey!" Soris warned as the Captain and the four others got their weapons.
"Ah, ah, ah!" I did a no motion with my finger and held the flask.
"Get down!" The Captain shouted before I shattered it and sprinted out of there. "It's a dud!" I heard them say and I laughed out of there. I had a head start and used it to my advantage. I threw my bandana and my daggers into the river and sprinted. I ran through a few corners, shedding the hood, the shirt, and the pants. I stole a few other clothes and a very huge cloak. I wrapped it all around my body then found a muddy puddle. I washed the blood off my hands as much as I could. I did this all while the guards were screaming behind me. I jumped across a shack and landed somewhere. I rolled around in some dirt and messed my hair.
Ok, you can do this, I urged myself. I went undercover against a blood mage! I can do this! I psyched myself up and slowed my breathing down. I let out a breath and nodded to myself. Confidence! I walked straight out of the alley, going through the city toward the marketplace. Then a guard ran into me. I fell to the ground.
"Ow!" I moaned.
"Oh I am so sorry miss." The guard panted heavily. I got up and brushed the dirt off.
"What happened?" I wondered with an innocent look.
"Have you happened to see an elven woman with dark robes and daggers about?" He panted out. I nonchalantly pulled my hair behind my ear to make sure he knew I was a human.
"No I'm sorry but I did see someone run down that alley." I said, pointing at the opposite alley I came from.
"Much obliged." He said before running down there. Sucker. I walked back into the marketplace before sneaking to the Alienage. The guards were gone and everyone was together. Rael and Soris and the others all in the group. I came up to them.
"Yo." I said softly, letting my breath out. Rael looked and immediately ran to give me hug.
"Where were you?" He harshly whispered and then he noticed my very dirty appearance. "What happened to you?" I laughed.
"Long story. I rather go back to the house." I lightly chuckled. Rael nodded and brought Soris back with him. We went inside and a few women were with Shianni. Cyrion was sitting on the table and looked up as we came in.
"Rael." He looked at me and started laughing.
"Yeah, yeah I know I look like a mess." I pouted. I saw Nesiara comforting Shianni. Shianni looked at me and stood up. "Are you ok?" I asked. Shianni sighed and smiled.
"I'll be fine. I never got to thank you." Shianni said slowly.
"We all didn't get to thank you." Cyrion agreed. "Not only did you go and save my son, you saved Shianni and the rest."
"And we didn't get sent to jail!" Soris said before a knock came at the door.
"It's the Captain of the Guard." We heard. Soris gulped.
"I spoke too soon." Soris cowered. Shianni grabbed me and we went around the corner as the door opened. Nesiara joined us as well. I heard the guard questioning Cyrion about the elf with the black hood and I sat down on the lower bunk bed.
"So…I'm guessing you're Rael's betrothed." I cleared my throat. She chuckled.
"Yes. I never imagined he would come for me." She giggled. Shianni rolled her eyes.
"He came for all of us not just you. Also…about my attitude before…" Shianni fidgeted with her shirt.
"No worries." I shook my head. "After everything humans did, I'm surprised I didn't get lynched when I first came here." I chuckled.
"We're not that savage, only on our bad days." Shianni joked. We all laughed. Soris came by.
"They're gone." Soris breathed a sigh of relief. We all came out and Cyrion gave me a bear hug.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Cyrion said, leaning back and putting his hands on my shoulders. "This community owes you a great deal Nia." I felt my face flush before I got into a group hug with everyone minus Cyrion.
"Hey stay for dinner! We have plenty of leftover wedding food." Shianni laughed.
"We're still going to go through with it boys." Cyrion glared at both Soris and Rael. They cringed.
"No, I think it's best for me to go back to the inn. I don't want you guys getting in trouble because of me. Oh can I have my things?" I wondered.
"So you're going back?" Rael wondered.
"I have someone waiting for me." I sighed.
"But you can't look like that when you get back. Come on, we'll get you some water for you to wash up." Shianni took Nesiara outside. Rael huffed.
"I guess if it happens, it happens." Rael pouted. Soris chuckled.
"It has to happen cousin." Soris shrugged.
"Aren't you happy to get a good woman like her?" Cyrion asked.
"I'm surprised you're going to get married in the first place. I forgot to say my congratulations." I said. Rael stared at me before looking away.
"Thanks." He mumbled and then the girls were back. They ushered me back to the room with a cold bucket of water. I washed off the dirt and mud the best I could. I washed the blood from my boots too. It gave me a shiver when I remembered what I did. I had to…for Rael. I looked at the small mirror they had and I looked decent. I heard them all talking before I saw Rael come out from the corner.
"You know, I'm still surprised at everything that happened today. I never thought that you...I mean, it's like you were a different person at the palace." Rael mumbled.
"What do you mean?" I wondered. Rael bit the inside of his cheek before glaring at the ground.
"You killed so easily." Rael looked straight at me. My chest and my wrists hurt at the same time. I looked away in shame.
"Can we go somewhere more private? Come and walk me back to the inn." I offered. Rael nodded and waited for me to put on my armor. I said my goodbyes to everyone and we went out. It was already dark when we crossed the bridge from the alienage and back to the marketplace.
"Before you tell me anything, I want to thank you. All the things you did today…I never would have imagined you would have done for me." Rael said softly.
"You saved my life Rael. I paid you back but…that wasn't the only reason I had." I said. Rael looked at me confused. "You're my friend Rael. The first friend I've ever had. You're special to me. I trust you. Of course I would do anything to help you." I confessed. Rael's eyebrow furrowed. There was something on his mind.
"Anything huh? Like...killing all those people for me and nearly washing yourself in their blood." Rael said softly.
"You threw your sword at Vaughn." I replied.
"That was different and you know it. He took my family. I had to do it to protect Shianni but I'm only a friend. You've changed." Rael snapped. My chest kept on hurting and I gulped before letting out a shaky breath. I leaned against a building.
"There was a massacre at the Highever Castle." I whispered. Rael's eyes widened. "We barely made it. I saved Eren and his nephew but that was it. Everyone else…died." My voice broke. The lump in my throat was getting bigger but I let out soft breaths to control it. "We're going to Ostagar to try to find his older brother and let him know what happened. Eren is hoping to convince Cailan to send troops after Howe."
"Rendon Howe?" Rael wondered. I nodded. I looked up at him. There was something different when he looked at me but I had to prepare him.
"Rael, you trust me right?" I asked.
"Of course." Rael nodded. I grabbed his shoulders and forced him to sit down. I knelt down to his level.
"Don't ask me how because I can't explain it to you anyway. The King is going to fail at Ostagar. The Darkspawn are going to overrun the army and Loghain is going to quit the field. After that, Howe is going to become the new Arl. Then a plague is going to go through the Alienage. Howe is going to gather tevinter mages to cure you but don't let that fool you. They're going to hire slavers and try to get rid as many of you as they can." I explained quickly and quietly. Rael looked at me with wide eyes.
"But why?" Rael breathed out.
"A civil war is an expensive thing." I said somberly. "Not only that, what happened today is going to make ripples in your community. They'll want to riot Rael. I need you to stop that. You can stop them from doing something stupid." I said. Rael shook his head.
"They won't listen to me." Rael mumbled.
"Then make them listen. Stop the riots before they happen or else it's just going to get worse." I explained. Rael bit his lip.
"So I can't ask you how you know right?" Rael asked.
"I can't explain but please believe me." I hoped that he would accept my words.
"It's a lot to swallow but…I'll try. You haven't lied to me yet." Rael said. That sent a twinge of guilt but I nodded.
"It's late. I need to get going." I got up and Rael stood up. He mulled over things while walking me to the inn.
"Rael…I don't know when I'll be able to come back to Denerim after this. I'll be leaving for Ostagar and…" I sighed.
"You won't be back." Rael stated. "Truthfully I'm kinda glad. I mean, I understand your changes but..." Rael growled in frustration. "I like it better when it was the old days. Those were good days. This whole mess of me going and getting Shianni? I get it. I was mad, I wanted to save her and the others but seeing you...It made me rethink a few things and...I can't be seen with you anymore. More like...I'd rather not." Rael explained. I felt a sinking in my stomach.
"What do you mean?" I wondered.
"I can't be friends with you. You've changed too much. Everything you did, I'm grateful but I'd rather settle down and live a normal life than getting involved further. I'll try to stop the riots like you said but that's as far as I'll go." Rael said, looking down. We were at the inn and I felt my whole world shift. There was nothing left. I protected Rael and that should have been good enough but...I wish I had my friend back.
"Ok. I understand." I said mechanically. "Can I ask for one favor though?"
"I think I owe you that." Rael avoided my gaze. I took my pack and reached for my very tightly wrapped up phone. I gave it to him.
"I need you to take care of this for me. I'll be back for it. Don't look at it, please." I urged. He nodded. "Then, after that, I'm gone." He looked at the package and then straight at me. I could tell he was hurting too but I had enough of comforting others. "Be happy Rael, that's all I ask." I turned away and entered the inn. I shut the door and leaned against it for support. I gave myself a minute before heading back to the room. Instead of opening the door, I curled into a ball in front of it. I whimpered and clutched at the front of my armor. It hurt. My heart was breaking, the seams were ripping, and the bottle was bursting with marbles of pain. I lost my only friend but I protected him. In the end, it was all I could do.
After letting a few large globs of tears fall, I let the emptiness inside of me take hold. This was no time to break down. I still had to figure out how to get to Lothering with Oren on the way. I stood up and pressed my hand against the door. Once I open this, today never happened. I would go back to look for a wagon, a carriage, hell, even a cart to get us to Lothering. My promise to Eleanor stood; I will protect Eren and Oren. I opened the door. Oren was asleep on the bed with Alfred on the seat. Eren was staring at the fireplace before glaring at me.
"Where were you?" Eren huffed. I stood at the door and remembered the day's events.
"Saving a friend." I whispered before I sat on the desk. Eren didn't press for details and I decided not to give them. He had enough on his plate. Well, that was everything. Time to sleep.
Beta'd my FearaNightmare who rathered I kill Rael than kill the friendship lol
Geez, poor Nia is getting the brunt of it. First failing to save Eren's family and now Rael leaving her? Well It can't get much worse than this...OR CAN IT!?
Shout out to NekoCrisis and A Rough Ride for following! Thank you Chimera Spyke, Syutaku, and Guest for reviewing! PLEASE REVIEW :D