9:30 Guardian ?
We waited outside until Talen came out. He looked drained and refused to look me in the eye. Leliana exhaled sharply while getting up.
"The ritual is complete. When Teagan went upstairs, Connor was asleep. I killed the demon and saved Connor." Talen explained.
"By way of sacrifice." Leliana stated. Talen tensed up at that.
"Yeah…Teagan and Eren are going to announce that the attacks will stop to the village right now." Talen mumbled out. "He said that all our group is offered a place in his castle to rest." I got up and looked at Talen but he kept his gaze at the ground. I sighed, my anger at Eren ebbing away. I hugged Talen who was shaking.
"It was Eren's decision and I know why you went through with it too so stop blaming yourself ok?" I patted his head.
"S-Sorry." Talen's ears drooped as he returned the hug.
"You know he's not a little kid. He doesn't need any hugs or pats on the head." Alistair chuckled as the tension seemed to diffuse. He got up and patted Talen's head. I broke the hug as Leliana stood up as well. She glared at Talen first before lightly smacking him on the face. He groaned as he held his cheek.
"Don't do that again." Leliana stated.
"I won't, I swear by Andraste's sword." Talen said.
"Good." Leliana smiled.
"Is it me or do I feel extra tired now after all of this forgiving?" I yawned.
"Yeah. I'll show you to your rooms." Talen said. We went back in the castle, avoiding the main hall. I wasn't sure how to go about looking at Eren or talking to him again. I thought that he could change into someone more heroic but I guess that was reaching for too much. Talen passed by the studies into the guest rooms. Only one was cleaned and it had two beds in it.
"Share?" I looked to Leliana.
"Of course." She laughed.
"No worries. I'll just clean a room for myself. I wouldn't want to let you two get stuffed in a bed because I was being selfish." Alistair explained.
"Ever the gentleman." I rolled my eyes.
"Thank you Alistair." Leliana said and Alistair seemed to beam while leaving the room. I gave Leliana a sly smile. "What?"
"Oh nothing." I hummed, making my bed and taking off my armor. The good thing about undead? No blood! I did feel sticky from the sweat though and I had dirt on still from the battle with the Revenant. Oh well. Leliana and I got settled into our bed though I couldn't sleep no matter how much I tossed and turned. Leliana was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow. I got up and went to explore the study instead.
I snuck out of the room, following the main hallway. The windows were darkened and someone lit the torches. It was getting dark outside, perfect for sneaking around. I followed the hallway away from the main hall and opened the door to the study. There were corpses in here as well, looks like they haven't cleaned this part of the castle yet. I hid my disgust while tiptoeing to the desk. I had to rummage slightly since I only had the light of the door helping me.
Eventually I found something twinkling in a drawer with some rolled vellums. I held it up to the light. It was a cracked crystal but shoddily repaired with the sunburst in metal, holding it together. I had found Alistair's amulet. I fist pumped in victory while leaving the room. When I got back to my bed, I noticed my pack was put there. With the low light, I managed to write everything down. Now I felt sleepy. Good night.
9:30 Guardian 20th
It took us all day yesterday to clean up the village. Isolde's sacrifice had already been gossiped to everyone in the village. Everyone was there at her vigil besides me and a few others. After that was done, the cleaning began. I helped make the pyres, setting aside the boats for the bodies, as well as writing out the names of all those that were lost.
We didn't have enough firewood for most and the homes that were left with no people to occupy them were taken down and used. There were only very few homes left on the water. Murdock already announced that they would be moving more inland and building homes in the surrounding forest. They already had plans for a new dock. As we were getting everything prepared, those that lived in the Hinterlands finally came through.
Most were hesitant to get near the village after hearing the rumors of those that left. After realizing that the danger has passed, they came and also helped. I understood their fear and why they didn't want to help. As I was getting another pyre ready, I heard someone clearing their throat behind me. I looked back and did a double take. It was a very freckled dwarf girl, young, but those eyes and hair reminded me of Harding.
"Um my parents came to deliver wood for the pyres. We have a wagon near the gates." She said, her voice sounding extremely young.
"Oh thank you. My name is Nia, you?" I asked.
"Lace Harding." She answered before her mother called her over. It felt odd watching this young girl knowing that she was going to be an important part in Inquisition. After making more pyres, I took a rest by the Lake, sitting at the bank, watching as boat after boat took off. The last remnants of those that have been gathered. I was lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear someone walk behind me.
"You weren't there for Isolde's funeral." Alistair said, sitting next to me.
"I didn't want to be there." I said.
"I understand." Alistair let out a deep sigh. "Maker's breath, what am I going to tell Eamon once he wakes up?" Alistair's voice trembled and he hid his face. "He raised me despite the rumors and I always looked up to him. I couldn't even protect his family."
"We both failed Alistair." I wiped my eyes slightly. The pain of failure has grown dull and my emotions were delving inward. Alistair cried silently and I grabbed his hand so he could be comforted. "I'm sorry."
"I know that you're still reeling from what everything has happened but I found this in Eamon's study." I saw his crying face light up in surprise. He took the amulet gingerly, letting out a soft exhale and smiling widely. He opened his mouth before he cleared his throat.
"This is my mother's amulet, but where did you find it and why do you have it?" Alistair wondered.
"I sneaked into the Arl's study because I couldn't sleep last night. I remembered that you mentioned it and wondered if it really meant that much to you, then maybe it meant something to Eamon." I explained.
"Wow, you remembered something I said? Usually whenever I'm speaking it seems to go over people's heads. This is…thank you." Alistair sighed and held up the amulet to his head.
"I listen to everyone even if I want to ignore them." I laughed. Alistair had a soft smile as he ran his hands through the crystal.
"I broke it entirely though and yet here it is, fixed but who could have done it?" Alistair wondered.
"That you'll have to ask after Eamon wakes up and it's when not if." I said. Alistair nodded before wiping his eyes.
"Don't tell anyone that I cried ok? A man has a reputation you know." Alistair chuckled.
"What reputation? A wanted criminal traveling with several misfits to save Ferelden? Not much a reputation." I laughed before he got me in a choke hold and started messing with my hair.
"I was wondering where you two have gone. It seems we have a dinner planned at the Castle." Zevran chuckled. The tension came back to both of us and Zevran noticed.
"I'd rather not go if Eren is there." Alistair pouted. I nodded too.
"I really don't want to see Eren." My mood quickly went down the drain.
"What exactly happened? I mean, Leliana told me that you both got into a dispute but nothing further than that." Zevran wondered.
"I put down an offer that he obviously refused. I asked him if someone could go to the mage circle to gather mages and lyrium instead of using blood magic to help Connor. He said no and allowed Isolde to sacrifice herself." I explained.
"We had the chance to do go and get help. In any case, I'd rather take something from the kitchens than go to the dinner." Alistair suggested.
"That's actually a good idea." I nodded getting up and patting down the dirt that had stuck to me. Alistair got up and gave me a quick hug before leaving. Zevran gave me a raised eyebrow.
"Is there something going on between you two?" Zevran wondered.
"Don't worry about it and don't get jealous. Alistair looks pretty but he's Leliana's problem not mine." I said, about to walk away before he grabbed my arm.
"Your eyes are red again. Have you been crying?" Zevran asked with worry laced in his words. He would notice, wouldn't he?
"It's…" I sighed. "It's about Eren again and what we fought about at the castle." I took my arm back. "He asked me whether or not I was prepared to accept the consequences if we went to the Circle. I told him, we are a strong group! We could have defended this village for two more nights if Connor came out of his room again. He said that it wasn't possible and why should we even try if more villagers die just to save Isolde? I had hoped…" I kicked a rock into the lake, the feeling I kept inside suddenly spilling out. "I should have forced it on Eren, went to the Circle myself, did something. All I did was just angrily accept it. Damn it…Damn it!" There were no tears but the anger was still there. I clenched my teeth. "I feel so…useless." And I hated myself for that. Zevran grabbed my face and forced me to look at him. There was something unreadable in his eyes.
"You are not useless. I see the pragmatism in Eren's decision but I also see yours. Undead are nothing compared to darkspawn or even high tiered demons. If we had rallied the soldiers to protect the family of their Arl, I am sure they would have fought as hard as they could to save them." Zevran assured me. "There was a chance and Eren chose not to follow through. Regardless, the burden now falls to him not you. You did not push him to choose blood magic. You found another way and he disregarded it. Be angry at him, not at yourself." Zevran's voice calmed me down as well as him agreeing with me.
"I'm so sick of being angry though. I got angry then and said a few things I regretted too. I don't want to be angry at him either. Worse was that I agreed with him in the end. It makes me feel like I was lying to myself in wanting to save everyone." I said. Was it wrong to be the hero? It made sense. We ended it right then and there, no more people dying besides Isolde who went willingly.
"You were being true to yourself and you don't have to apologize to anyone about that. You were willing to save someone dashing like me. I can't condone you for wanting to save more." Zevran smiled. I let out a long exhale and nodded.
"Thank you." I said before my stomach growled in hunger. I hugged my stomach in embarrassment.
"Well now, that almost sounded like the mating call of those elven halla." Zevran chuckled.
"Ha. Ha. So are you going to the dinner or not?" I asked.
"If you would prefer a romantic night along the shore of Lake Calenhad, with yours truly, I would be happy to oblige." Zevran took my hand and bowed. I rolled my eyes though my heart did skip a beat at the prospect. I was a hopeless romantic after all.
"So funny. I might as well go. If something important was going to be discussed, I'd rather be there." I took my hand away.
"Then let us be off. Being around so many pyres makes me feel uncomfortable." Zevran shivered. I shook my head. We went on the trail that lead toward the castle. Zevran told me a few differences between his home and Ferelden. Wide plains as far as the eye could see and, with the golden wheat fields out in the farms, it was as if you were walking on gold. The rain wasn't as cold as Ferelden and, when the monsoon season was over, everywhere was covered in wildflowers.
"Didn't you grow up in Antiva city though? How do you know so much about the plains?" I asked.
"For a time, I lived with the Dalish. It was a very short time however as I was still bound to the crows. It wasn't as pretty as the stories the elves told me from before. I moved on and, through chances, have found myself here." Zevran shrugged.
"I have a feeling there is more to the story." I crossed my arms and gave him a disbelieving look.
"Maybe one day I will tell you, for now, let us enjoy our meal." He said. We walked through the main gate and followed the stairs to the main door. The guards let us in and the castle was a myriad of activities. They had cleared out all the corpses but now came the real cleaning of blood, wood, papers, and other miscellaneous things.
I saw Morrigan lounging in one of the more finer seats, watching others run around and clean with a glass of red wine in her hand. She saw the both of us and smirked.
"Well, I had wondered if we would have more guests for our dinner." Morrigan took a small sip.
"I'm guessing this is the life you were looking for?" I asked.
"Not at all. I am merely enjoying the fruit of your labors. Tis would be silly not to." Morrigan chuckled. Eren came down the hallway and Morrigan had that predatory look on her face when she watched him.
"The dinner has been prepared. Have any of you seen Alistair?" Eren asked, avoiding my gaze.
"He had other plans so he's not coming." I said.
"I see. Teagan is looking for him anyway and I doubt he would decline his offer. Come, we have much to discuss." Eren walked and motioned us. We followed him into the dining area. Everyone was already there and waiting. Even Alfred was in his own fancy corner surrounded by empty plates of food. His belly was full to bursting and he was smiling as his tongue was lolling out in happiness. Zevran and I took seats near Leliana. Talen was across from me and Sten looked extremely uncomfortable a few seats down.
Eren sat down and eventually Teagan came in with Alistair in tow, looking like his father had scolded him. Wynne and Derek were the last ones that came in and took the last seats. Teagan got up.
"Thank you Grey Wardens and your group for saving Redcliffe. I'm sure many of you are wondering why I gathered all of you here but there are things that we must go over before we continue on." Teagan started as servants started to come in with tasty treats. I couldn't even remember even eating something as lavish as the fish and meats that came out.
"Eamon is still gravely ill and we must look for a cure before death claims him." Teagan said.
"I remember Ser Donall mentioning a few knights and Templars searching for the Urn of Sacred Ashes." Alistair mentioned.
"Yes. When Eamon would not wake after all the healers and potions, Isolde gathered the knights and sent them to search for the relic. At first I thought it merely something to ease her as we tried to heal Eamon. Now, it seems that relic might be our only chance of reviving Eamon. The sacred ashes are said to cure any ailment. At this point it is the only thing I can rely on but it isn't something I can do alone." Teagan explained.
"Wynne and I have done everything we can to try to heal him but nothing works but finding the sacred ashes is like finding a needle in a haystack! Where do we even begin?" Talen wondered.
"There was a researcher who focused exclusively on the ashes in Denerim. Unfortunately, all the knights we have sent to Brother Genitivi have gone missing or came back with nothing. I'm sure your group can do much more. For now, please relax and enjoy your food." Teagan said. The Grey Wardens went right into feasting, their metabolism going through the joining coming into play.
"The villagers aren't without food so you don't have to worry about eating." Leliana mentioned. That was the go ahead I needed to go. I had mashed potatoes, a fish pie that was absolutely delicious, smoked meat along with some cheeses that I taste tested first so they weren't that strong. All in all, it was amazing! I even had a fruity type of wine! After we had our fill, the servants took away the food which was mostly scraps at this point.
"Alright, so what's the game plan? We're heading over to Denerim or what?" Derek belched. Morrigan scoffed in disgust.
"We won't be able to because we have outstanding warrants." Eren sighed.
"True, your posters have been sent to nearly all of Ferelden. It won't be an easy task for the Wardens." Teagan rubbed his face.
"Then we'll need others to go into Denerim. Someone that's good at sneaking around and can disguise themselves." I pointed out. "They have warrants for the Wardens but I'm pretty sure Loghain doesn't know all of us." I motioned to the rest of us.
"That is an excellent point. I volunteer Nia." Alistair nodded.
"Say what now?" I wondered.
"Nia did live in Denerim at one point and I'm sure you know your way around the city as well. It's not a bad choice but she can't go alone." Eren mentioned.
"Hey wait a second." I tried to butt in.
"I will accompany her. I have past experience of this before I turned to the cloister." Leliana pitched in.
"Two ladies alone? That cannot happen." Zevran chuckled.
"But Loghain hired you. I'm sure that he would recognize you as well." Alistair glared at him.
"He what?" Teagan wondered.
"Long story." Alistair shook his head.
"Can I say-"
"Sten. You will accompany them. They need someone to protect them on their journey." Eren decided.
"If I must." Sten grumbled.
"Darkspawn are still out on the roads. You really feel comfortable sending them out without one of us?" Talen wondered.
"That is a good point elf." Derek rubbed his beard. "You'd pass for a girl with a little make-up." He guffawed.
"What!?" Talen squeaked.
"Disguises, not a bad plan." Alistair chuckled. Talen grumbled.
"Nia, you will lead Leliana, Sten, and Talen to Denerim and find any leads concerning Brother Genitivi." Eren decided.
"And here I am with no say in the matter." I mumbled. "Ok, ok. When do we leave?"
"As soon as possible if you can." Teagan said.
"We'll need to get some disguises ready in case they have us on the warrants." Leliana rubbed her face.
"A girl…" Talen pouted.
"Thank you for this Grey Wardens. The sooner you get back, the sooner we can wake Eamon." Teagan said. With that, dinner was ended and I was with Sten, Leliana, and Talen in another room.
"We'll have to take Lily and the wagon with us if we want to get there in a good time. Denerim is a bit of a walk considering where we are. It will take us at least three days to get there if the weather is good." I described.
"Wynne will do her best in keeping Eamon alive until then." Talen nodded.
"Why must we save this man when we should be out there hunting the Archdemon?" Sten wondered.
"No Archdemon was ever taken down by a few people. It takes an army to get there and we'll have better support if Eamon was with us. It's all strategy Sten. We can't just point a sword at the Archdemon and be done with it. Besides, we don't even know where the Archdemon is anyway. Why go searching for it when we can better our numbers?" I explained. Sten grumbled but nodded.
"In the meantime, I will go and ask the Chantry for a few robes. No one will suspect us if we go as a Chantry group." Leliana had that mischievous glint in her eye.
"Do I really have to go as a girl?" Talen wondered.
"Do you have any other way to get in there besides cutting your hair?" I asked. Talen grabbed his braid protectively.
"No…" He mumbled.
"Then girl it is. Get some rest guys. We're going to have a long journey ahead of us." I sighed.
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku!
Sorry for the late update guys. I got set with some anxiety attacks thanks to the pregnancy but everything is well now!
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