9:30 Guardian ?
The undead hit hard in their first run. They were slow at first but then a few started to run toward the fire, their sockets empty, their jaws open wide. Their screeching filled the field and I felt afraid. There were so many of them but I held fast. The first one that came toward me was hit by a sucker punch. It went down as many others were punctured by arrows. The next I was about to grab around its stomach and impaled it on the barricade. Those were the ones without weapons, most likely the ones that were merely residing in the castle.
Then the ones with weapons came out. I saw a few in the shadows, with bows and arrows. Once the first wave were pushed back, the real danger came out. They wore leather that hung from their bodies with a mix of weapons. Swords, maces, shields, double handed swords. Some knew what they were doing, others only threw themselves with their weapon, not knowing how to deal the most damage.
I heard everyone's shouts as they began pushing us back, some being able to get through our choke points and starting to fight with the militia. Eventually we abandoned those choke points when Wynne conjured up some glyphs of ice over them. Instead, the fighting turned inward, surrounding the bonfire in front of the Chantry. I was taking my anger out on the undead, kicking, punching, stabbing, decapitating. I would get visions of something bigger in my vision, of pain on my chest, of a teary eyed face.
I blocked it all out. I grabbed another undead and shouted in anger. Why was I angry? I'm not sure but I really wanted to kill these things. They weren't human anymore. They were only demons wearing the skins of humans. They had to die. It tried going for my face.
"Not on the first date!" I yelled. I stuck my dagger through its chin and hurled it out, striking two more.
"Now you're getting into it girly! Push them back!" Derek hollered. The militia and our group roared. I felt a renewed vigor. I tripped undead into swords, swiveled on my heels to avoid their attacks, and allowed Wynne to attack with glyphs.
I had grabbed one in a chokehold in order to break its neck when two more jumped at my back. I struggled to regain my footing but I ended up falling down to the ground. I heard Alistair shout as my face was shoved into the dirt. Their demonic strength was making sure that I wouldn't get up. My chest felt hot as I denied them that chance! I growled and lifted them up, hearing an arrow shoot through the air and I felt one of the bodies grow limp. I saw Zevran come and take off another one. I got up and beat in the skull of the other.
Zevran gave me a worried glance but I shook my head. There were more undead to fight. I saw the militia were holding their own along with Leliana and Wynne protective them. Derek tackled a few and swung his hammer against five of them. Alistair went to finish them off. Zevran and I tag teamed to take down the undead, he would trip them and I would beat them or he'd stab them, pass them off to me, and I would kill them.
After fighting wave after wave of about 10-15 of a time, they began to slow down. I was sweating in my armor and feeling that small wave of sleepiness. We fought off three more until only the fog was present. All of us looked around, adrenaline pumping through our veins, granting us more time to fight off anything else that was coming near us.
"Search the homes!" Derek shouted. Zevran, Alistair, and I formed a small group. My hands were gripping the daggers so tight, my knuckles turned white.
"I can't see anything in this fog." Zevran complained.
"Alistair light up your rune." I whispered.
"It's a blade, not a torch." He whined.
"Alistair, do it or I'll-" I rounded a corner and a blade hit my chest plate. They growled at me but I shoulder tackled them away, with Alistair rounding the corner and stabbing his flaming sword deep. More came out of the homes and it seemed oddly reminiscent from all those zombie games. Yes, I said the 'z' word. We were surrounded. I was against a door and something pounded against it. I let out a shriek as a hand broke through and tried grabbing me.
That was the signal to the rest to attack our small group. The wood creaked underneath our feet as we swiveled and tried to hit them but avoid everyone else. It was harder than it looked. I kicked one off only to have two others trying to grab me. I ended up hitting the back of Zevran and he chuckled nervously.
"When I thought of death, I thought of fine perfume and a very seductive and dangerous woman give me a come hither look." Zevran gulped.
"Funny, I thought of shepard's pie and a nice nap under a tree." Alistair said.
"I don't plan on dying here." I stated. One more grabbed for me and I decapitated it. I grabbed its lifeless body and screamed, beating the other undead back. "When in doubt, beat a bastard with another!" I threw it down and knocked out a few, allowing us to get out of there. We ran through the corridors from more until we ended up at the sign that had 'No swimming' written on it.
"Dead end." Alistair said.
"No, we need to regroup with the others." I said after hearing more growls coming from behind us. "Alistair, get your shield out. We're ramming through here." I pointed toward the planks right behind the house and the light coming from the Chantry in the distance. "There, head toward that direction and run as fast as you can."
"Got it." Alistair got his shield out.
"Do you think we'll survive?" Zevran wondered.
"Ask me after we kill everything." I exhaled harshly. "Go!" Alistair started running on the planks with Zevran after him and I was pulling in last. They had caught up to us but we beat them by a few steps. I stopped and did a hammer kick on the planks one after the other. They couldn't follow us after that. We came away from the homes and saw the light of the Chantry. The undead followed us as we ran back.
"Archers! Can you do me a favor and fill these guys with arrows please!" I yelled. We went behind the barricades to protect ourselves from the volley of arrows that came, taking out a majority of the undead with a few left.
"This is better." Zevran chuckled darkly. I nodded and we went back to decapitating and crushing their skulls. I heard more sounds of battle from the homes and an entire house fell from the stilts into the water. Not as much as destruction as I expected. Once Derek's group came back, all the undead were gone. We had another group go into the homes to make sure but everyone ended up around the bonfire that was already dying down. I felt like a bruise.
"Oh God, that was so much moving." I panted and Leliana came up with a waterskin. I noticed that her fingers were bleeding.
"You got the brunt of it." She smiled. I took the water skin and gulped down the rest of the water she had in it.
"Ah, that hit the spot." I gave it back to her and she took some bandages out of her pack. She dipped it into the elfroot salve and wrapped it around the damaged fingers.
"Why not get Wynne to heal it?" I asked. Leliana's eyes wandered over to the militia men, who were all accounted for, being tended to by the person in question.
"She has other worries." Leliana said softly.
"Yeah." I nodded and laid down on the ground, my body shivering from the cool down of the fight. "I feel better."
"Is that so?" Leliana said.
"Yeah. I don't remember what happened in Soldier's Peak but I know that it had to do something with demons. This was cathartic in a sense. It was like I finally got to defeat the nightmare that's been plaguing me. It also felt good to help others. Any word from Morrigan?" I wondered.
"It seemed she joined Eren's group as soon as the fighting happened." Leliana gave me a knowing smirk.
"Oh my gosh, that one wants him so bad. I can feel it. The thing that's bothering me is that he listens to her here and there." I groaned, rubbing my face. Leliana giggled.
"Jealous?" Leliana wondered.
"It's better if you get that out of your head. There's only one person on my mind." I raised my hand to the sky, the small fire making the gold glint off my ring.
"Is that person suave, roguish, and sculpted out of something from your greatest desires?" Zevran ended up sitting next to us.
"Oh yeah, definitely, that's exactly who's on my mind." I rolled my eyes sarcastically.
"Of course that's the person that has caused her sleepless nights." Leliana kept the ball rolling.
"Please, there is enough Zevran to go around for both of you fine ladies." Zevran eyed both of us. Leliana and I stared at each other before falling into bouts of laughter.
"Did I miss something?" Alistair wondered, coming over to our group after securing the homes.
"Only a burning my friend." Zevran sighed wistfully. That made us laugh some more. Our team from the windmill came down giving us the all clear. Alfred barked all around us and went out to the homes. He came back with a bone.
"That is so wrong Alfred and you know that. Put it away." I ordered and he did so with ears hanging low.
"Any casualties?" Eren asked.
"None boss! Just some rattled men, bruises, and cuts. We've done it." Derek laughed.
"Good, then it's time to rest. Everyone gather in the Chantry. When we awake, we will discuss our plans further with Bann Teagan." Eren rubbed his face. I could see the exhaustion creeping up on all of us. We went into the Chantry with everyone still awake from fear. Leliana found us a smaller room when I heard some hollering and cheering.
"He must have told everyone that they have won." Leliana smiled warmly.
"The villagers won. We won't win until we stop this entirely." I said, taking my cot out.
"You don't think it's over?" Leliana wondered, putting her cot next to mine.
"Nope. Those undead had to come from somewhere and someone has to be pulling the strings. Undead only come out naturally when people were buried and the veil is weak or…someone is orchestrating all of this. We'll know more tomorrow. I get the feeling Teagan is keeping something from us." I fluffed up my pillow while slowly taking off my armor.
"You are very paranoid." Leliana chuckled and shook her head.
"You'll see what I'm talking about tomorrow." I winked at her and settled for bed. I felt her back against my own and it was very comforting to feel throughout the night. Every so often I would wake up but it was more about being in an unfamiliar place than nightmares. It was a step up and I really was feeling much better.
After a while, the sun filtered in from the boarded windows. The light woke me up and Leliana was gone. The grogginess of interrupted sleep and having slept late, hit me right then and there. I wish coffee existed in this world. There is no way I was going to drink tea in the morning. I yawned and Wynne came in.
"Ah you're awake, good, because if you at least want to wipe yourself down then now is the time to do it. Might I say that you have something on your face and it's dirt dear." Wynne said with a joyful mirth. I giggled before following her. The men were out but the kids and woman were at a room at the end of the Chantry. There was a well right behind the Chantry and we all had buckets with towels in them. Leliana was already wiping down her face. The kids were playing in the tubs and there was genuine joy in the room.
I didn't want to spoil the fun by reminding them that there was a lot more to do after this. I sat down on the stone floor and took off my shirt. I counted about 12 bruises in total some ranging from the size of a dime to those the size of my hand. I wiped down my arms, parts of my back, and my face. I wet my hair slightly with the towel and Leliana came over and touched my back.
"Oh cold!" I cried out.
"Sorry." Leliana giggled. "I just never realized you had birthmarks." Leliana's finger traces something on my shoulder.
"Well, whatever you're looking at, it's probably not a birthmark. I barely have any on my back. It's mostly on my arms and face."
"Really? Then this line is not a birthmark?" Leliana wondered.
"What line?" I asked when I reached back and traced that same thing that Leliana found. "Huh, weird. Probably an old training wound, don't worry about it. Ladies dig scars you know?" I chuckled. Leliana swatted my back playfully.
"Of course." She walked out of the room and I followed after, carrying the damp towel with me. In our small room, I cleaned the other private parts and changing out my clothes for some cleaner ones. After doing my business out in the forest, I got suited up as the GWs were talking to Teagan. Everyone else gathered and Teagan led us out of the Chantry. We had an audience of all the soldiers as well as the adults in the Chantry. The Mother nodded at all of us with pride.
"Rejoice everyone for we survived the night with all of us remaining. We are victorious!" Teagan shouted. Everyone cheered for us. It was…something else. We haven't got the thanks of anyone since we started. It was always we need to get here or there, hurry and hurry. Seeing these people back on their feet because of us was…enlightening almost.
"But let us not forget about the ones we have lost already." The Mother recited a prayer and everyone hung their heads besides certain of us that didn't believe in the Chant. I recited a prayer of my own in my head while everyone was silent.
"With the blow that we have dealt to our enemies, and with the Maker's favor, I will enter the castle and seek out my brother and our Arl. Do not let your guard down in the daylight and watch for signs of renewed conflict. We shall return with news as soon as we are able." Teagan described and everyone went off to do their own thing.
"Praise feels good." Talen chuckled, his cheeks getting red already.
"It is isn't it?" Alistair puffed out his chest.
"Careful now, it's best to be humble during times like these. Can't let your ego inflate, no?" Leliana gave both of them a side glance as she giggled. They both went red. I shook my head and face palmed.
"Men." I mumbled and Wynne laughed.
"We have no time to waste. Regroup and seek me out at the mill and we will talk further there." Teagan said, rushing through the mass of bodies to go up the trail.
"Why does he want to talk there?" Derek wondered.
"At a guess? Something that he couldn't tell us before." I crossed my arms.
"Everyone gather your things." Eren ordered. We went back into the Chantry where we set up our packs again. I saw Alistair look at the swords and tapped on his shoulder.
"Alistair, did Wynne tell you where we got the sword?" I asked.
"She said that you found it in a house, why?" Alistair wondered.
"It actually belongs to a pair of brother and sister that lost everything. I think it's only fair to give them back the sword of their grandfather don't you?" I said.
"But…fire!" Alistair whined. I gave him the 'don't you give me that' look. Alistair pouted and sighed dramatically. "Fine! Don't say I'm not nice though."
"Aww, you're such a sweet and kind young man." I patted his cheek and he grumbled and pouted some more. I went back to where the kids were with the Mother and saw Kaitlyn with Bevin.
"You're back! I can't believe that the monsters are all gone!" Kaitlyn's face was worn but she finally had a smile on her face.
"I know. About the sword…" I started.
"Bevin told me about grandfather's sword. Truthfully I knew that you would put it to good use." Kaitlyn said.
"It is a very good sword, of fine make and expensive." I said. "Something like this should stay with you though. It was your grandfather's and I'd rather you take it as a reminder of this victory." I gave her back the sword.
"Are you serious!? How many monsters did you take down?" Bevin awed.
"Don't ask me, ask my partner Alistair. He's the one with the light hair at the door." I said and Bevin ran over there.
"Thank you for this. Bevin will surely look forward to this." Kaitlyn sighed, running her hands down the sheathe of the sword.
"Here, for the trouble of allowing us to use that sword." I said, going into my pouch and taking out 5 sovs. It was a minor blow but I wanted them to stay together.
"Are you really giving me all of this?" Kaitlyn gasped. "This is so much!"
"The sword helped us a great deal and that is my thanks to you." I nodded. Kaitlyn hugged me tight which caught me off guard that I stumbled slightly. Her body shook and I patted her shoulder.
"Thank you, so much! With this, I could travel to Denerim with Bevin! I will never forget the Grey Wardens and what they did here. What is your name?" Kaitlyn wondered.
"My name is Nia and I'm glad you guys are going to be alright. It's time that we go and try to break through the castle. Stay safe." I said my farewell. I saw Bevin asking Alistair a storm of questions. Alistair merely looked at me in glee at the fact that he has such a young admirer. "Sorry Bevin, I have to take Ser Alistair out of here. Have to stay busy and rescue the Arl."
"Of course! Stay safe Wardens!" Bevin did a small salute and we got out of the Chantry. Alistair smiled coyly.
"That was amazing!" Alistair giggled, really giggled.
"You're too cute Alistair." I shook my head.
"I am not cute, I am handsome." Alistair huffed.
"You need a shave." I shook my head. Leliana, Wynne, Zevran, and Sten were waiting for us. We walked up the trail to the windmill. We were able to see the castle in the distance. Teagan stood with his back to us while the rest of our team was there. Morrigan was standing close to Eren and her eyes locked with mine. I have no idea where she got this idea that she was trying to steal him away from me but she only stood closer to him and smiled triumphantly. Everyone was there and Teagan gave out a long exhale. He turned to us with a ring playing in his hand.
"The castle looks so quiet and serene from here. It's as if no one was inside at all." Teagan said softly. "I'm sure you are wondering why I wanted to talk to you here."
"Is there something wrong Bann Teagan?" Alistair voiced his concerns first.
"No, nothing is wrong but this is the first victory we've had since all of this began and so comes to my next plan: A small group should infiltrate the castle. The signet right here that I have in my hand opens a secret passage into the castle from the windmill." He described.
"Wait, so we didn't have to stay?" Eren wondered and I glared at him.
"Eren, don't start. We stayed, we helped and that's what counts." Talen huffed.
"I was afraid of mentioning it earlier because I thought you would have taken this alternate path and left the village to its own devices. I'm sure that no one would have survived if you had not stayed." Teagan explained.
"Very true. What next Teagan?" Eren asked.
"Right my plan is…" Teagan walked past our group when two people were running on the trail. "Is that? No… but, Maker's breath!"
It wasn't that surprising for me since I've seen this scene so many times. Lady Isolde, dressed nicely with not much to show of her situation besides horrid bags under her eyes and a semi haunted look. She seemed to stare into the village with a hunger. I'm sure whatever Connor has done caused her innumerable nightmares.
"Lady Isolde." Alistair whispered as she grabbed onto Teagan's hands as she neared him.
"Teagan! Thank the Maker you are still alive." Her voice shook. She had a messy bun and her make up wasn't as well placed as she thought she had it. The guard that was with her was extremely jumpy and didn't look at our eyes.
"Isolde? You are alive but…how…what happened?" Teagan was at a loss for words.
"I cannot explain right now. I escaped from the castle as soon as I was able to. Once the battle was over, it allowed me to sneak out but I must return quickly." Isolde bit her lip and her eyes wandered from here to there before settling on Teagan again. "And…I need you to come with me Teagan, alone." She stated.
"In all honest causes such as these, I have to say this sounds exactly like a trap." Eren scoffed, full on distrust showing in his eyes. It seemed to dawn on Isolde that she had an audience and gave us that crazed glare, a scowl on her face. It was more than a little unnerving.
"Teagan, who is this man?" Isolde asked, looking ready to strike at first notice.
"You should remember me at least, right Isolde?" Alistair sighed, rubbing his face.
"Alistair?" Her body position seemed far rigid and it seemed stuffier than before, as if she saw him beneath her. "Why are you here?" She asked. My first though in my head? Bitch, but I had to remember she just witnessed her son become a demon so she had that.
"Isolde please. These people are heroes. I owe the Grey Wardens and their group my life and the lives of the villagers." Teagan said.
"Damn right." Talen whispered and Derek laughed.
"I am sorry…" Isolde said slowly. She didn't mean it, no way. "With the circumstances, I do not have time for pleasantries."
"I'm amazed you're still alive. I thought everyone was dead in the castle?" Talen wondered.
"I mean, there had to have been a lot of dead people in the castle considering that we went through a sizable group last night." Derek grumbled.
"Please Isolde, we need answers." Alistair pleaded.
"I…I do not know what is safe to tell." Isolde said sincerely. A prisoner by something you loved with all your heart…how sad.
"The veil isn't weak here but it is very strained." Wynne pursed her lips. "It is very similar to the situation at the Circle."
"It almost feels like when…" Talen shook his head. "Look it's not that hard to figure that a mage did everything. I'm sure that whoever built that castle, didn't build it with any runes that opened any rifts. So mage is the only thing coming up."
"Saarebas are the cause of most of our problems it seems." Sten grumbled. He wasn't that far off.
"The mage…he was caught and even then…the evil continues." Isolde began to sob. "And Connor! The death has taken such a toll on my poor boy. I fear he is going mad. We survived but I could not leave the Castle until now! My son fears leaving the Castle, you must help him Teagan." Isolde began pacing and throwing her hands up. "You are his Uncle! You can talk to him, reason with him to leave! I have no one else to turn to Teagan." Isolde put her face in her hands.
"Do not worry Isolde, I will go with you." Teagan decided. Isolde gasped.
"Bless you Teagan, thank you!" Isolde said and went to her guard. Teagan had a suspicious look in his face before turning to our group and shoving the ring into Eren's hands.
"This has trap written all over it." Derek mumbled.
"You should go Teagan. It's not safe." Alistair urged.
"I know but I can't abandon my family. Here, take the signet ring and open the trap door on the floor of the windmill. I will go and try to distract whatever evil lies in the castle. Whatever happens to me or anyone else, you must save my brother. Everyone else, including myself, are expendable." Teagan resigned to his fate.
"That's not true." Talen shook his head. Eren clenched his fist.
"We will save anyone we can Teagan." Eren said.
"I am glad you keep me in your thoughts but priorities come first. I will go now. We will meet later my friend, should the Maker will it." Teagan said, going to Isolde who nearly dragged him over to the guard and they made their way out of Redcliffe.
"It's a trap!" I shouted before being hushed by Wynne.
"Eren? Who's going?" Alistair wondered.
"We won't all be able to go my friend." Zevran nodded. Alfred whined.
"No we won't. Derek, you man the ones that will stay. Alistair, Talen, Leliana, and Nia will accompany me to the castle. If we are not back by nightfall, then protect the village." Eren decided, going over to the windmill.
"Be safe everyone." Wynne said.
"Count on me boss!" Derek fist pumped.
"I had hoped to test my blade on the one who conjured the dead." Sten gave a disappointed sigh.
"Please keep your lovely faces clear from any mauling please." Zevran chuckled. Alfred barked.
"At least we are getting something done." Morrigan scoffed.
Eren opened the door to the windmill. It was creaking as it was doing its job. Alistair sighed and rubbed his face. Talen and Leliana gave each other a look. Eren found a few bags covering a door on the ground.
"It's now or never guys." I said.
"Everyone keep your guards up. There is no telling what we will face in the castle." Eren said, taking the ring and opening the door.
"Spiders perchance?" Alistair looked at me and I glared at him.
"A blood mage." Talen stated.
"Statues coming to life?" Leliana wondered.
"A revenant." I stated. Everyone looked at me. "What? It could happen." So Eren opened the trap door fully and we descended into darkness.
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku!
Sorry for the wait guys, family time and work time kinda blended in but I made this long chapter to hopefully make things better! So Syutaku won the 200th review but he's my beta and knows absolutely everything to my story including up to Inquisition soooo...
CHIMERA SPYKE, the one who reviewed before he did, WINS THE 200TH REVIEW! Second time too! Congratulations!
Thank you Earless93 for following! Thank you Chimera Spyke and Syutaku for reviewing! Please Review!