9:30 Guardian 21st
I woke up early in the morning to get to Redcliffe village as soon as I could. Derek and Alistair were up earlier than I, working to help the village get back on its feet. So far they have been clearing away fields in order to prepare for new homes of the ones that lost theirs near the lake. Derek was with Lily at the makeshift stables provided for work horses.
"Morning Derek." I said, watching how the sun was barely creeping over the village.
"Morning missy. About ready to head out?" Derek said as he cleaned Lily's hooves.
"Yeah. Everyone's packs were filled last night. Leliana asked me to come down and borrow a few of the Chantry clothing." I explained.
"Borrow?" Derek raised his eyebrow.
"Stealing doesn't sound good to use considering we are 'heroes.'" I emphasized. Derek gave out a long guffaw.
"Got it. Go and get ready then. Lily should be prepared by the time you all wake." Derek said and I went into the village. Most were resting from the attack. The time for grieving was now and some had decided to move to Denerim after the attack. Then there were those that were stubborn and refused to leave their birthplace. I sneaked into the Chantry, going near the door that would lead to the underground room. It's here that I found a few broken drawers with Chantry robes. I gathered what I could in my arms and booked it out of there.
I went to the wagon and placed our disguises in there. Alistair was wearing work clothes instead of his usual armor and it looked good on him. He was taking a breath from clearing another field on a stump. The sunrise hit his golden locks and they shined like wheat on a field. I noticed a glint coming from his neck and I went up to him.
"You're wearing it." I said.
"What? Oh my mother's amulet, yes. I thought it would be good you know? A bit of holy protective power to give me an extra oomph during fighting." Alistair chuckled.
"It's looks good on you. Do you know anything about your mother besides your amulet?" I wondered.
"Only that she was a star struck servant girl. No one has ever told me details and I was never given the opportunity to learn more. I do know that…well…" Alistair fidgeted with his fingers.
"Know what?" I wondered.
"I have a half-sister actually in Denerim. I've never met her and there was never really a right time to go and visit. I was hoping I'd be able to go with you all in order to meet her. It would be nice to have a family." Alistair explained sheepishly. My heart dropped with that. Fiona wasn't a good person all around. In fact she was one of the main reasons why the war in the future started with her whole 'Fuck the Divine,' comment spreading like wildfire. She did love Alistair though and I sorely wished that I could have told Alistair the truth about his birth though that would mean explaining the Architect and Duncan's brash behavior.
"From what I learned through my time is that blood doesn't always mean family. We had a saying back home, the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. Sometimes your family relations aren't that strong and the people who you shed blood with are actually closer to you than your family. I've found that sometimes that quote goes into play, especially here." I explained.
"You and your family didn't get along?" Alistair wondered.
"They're my family and I love them unconditionally but they got on my nerves, a lot. I had a mother complex for a long time, my brother was an unmotivated slob, and my dad had almost caused our family to be another broken family statistic. When I got older, I noticed that a few of my friends came through more for me than my family. Just remember Alistair, your sister doesn't know anything about you. Coming into her family all willy-nilly doesn't mean you're going to be accepted like that." I snapped my fingers. Alistair was really listening to me.
"But isn't that what family is supposed to do?" Alistair gave me those cute disappointed puppy eyes as if I told him that we weren't going on a walk after getting him hyped up for the park.
"Family that grew up together yeah but does she even know you exist? You're a bastard and to the king no less! Aren't you supposed to be a secret? Would they even let her know you were alive? The less people know about you, the less it harmed King Maric or Cailan. Your lineage was probably going to be stuffed into the closet until they could use you." I explained.
"That…doesn't really sound…all that good to be honest." Alistair pouted. "But I see your point. They would protect my father first." Alistair sighed. I patted his head.
"I'm not saying don't go see her but I am saying don't go in there expecting something that won't be there. People, to a point, are really distrusting especially during these times. Be careful Alistair. I don't want you getting hurt." I said.
"You always get worried over me, why is that?" Alistair wondered. I shrugged, taking my hand away from his head.
"You're kinda like a puppy that I feel a need to take care off." I laughed at the face he pulled.
"I am not a puppy! I am more like a mabari war hound, ready to pounce on my enemies!" He rose up and growled, with his hands up.
"Oh yeah, that's the total face of a mean killing machine." I rolled my eyes.
"You are starting to hurt my manly feelings." He feigned sadness.
"What are you two jesters talking about?" Talen yawned as he walked up to us.
"We're just joking around. Got everything ready?" I wondered. Talen looked back at the wagon where Leliana and Sten were talking and putting their packs away. I couldn't hear what they were talking about but Sten's face was stoic and Leliana's was slightly more joyful.
"Mostly everything. Did you get the disguises?" Talen asked.
"Yep." I gave him a thumbs up.
"Then let's get there as soon as we can. The sooner we get back, the sooner I won't have to be a girl." Talen stuck his tongue out.
"I am very sure that a pink blush would do wonders for your skin!" Alistair commented.
"Probably a fine eye shadow to go with your honey eyes maybe?" I added.
"A curl to your hair per chance?" Alistair chuckled.
"Tch, Void take both of you." Talen huffed before going to the wagon.
"Oh there is something that I have to do…Um can you do me a favor?" Alistair asked.
"Does this have anything to do with any dismemberment?" I asked.
"What!? Of course not!" Alistair shouted.
"I was joking Alistair." I deadpanned.
"Oh well…that aside, can you call Leliana over? I have something I want to give to her." Alistair's face got all red. I raised my eyebrow.
"So are you going to confess to her finally?" I wondered.
"I-wha, how did you, that is…" Alistair stumbled over his words and I giggled.
"Only because you are so adorable Alistair but now you owe me." I stuck my tongue out, going over to the wagon.
"I saw you play with the kitten!" Leliana giggled, following Sten as he helped Derek prepare the wagon to Lily.
"I was merely training it for the battle ahead." Sten gruffily answered.
"You are such a softie!" Leliana laughed and I tapped on her shoulder. "Yes?"
"The prince is expecting you." I giggled.
"Prince?" Leliana wondered before I pointed behind me. "Oh. Excuse me." Leliana went over to Alistair. Talen crept up next to me.
"What's going on between them?" Talen asked. I gave him a sympathetic smile.
"What do you think?" I asked. Talen stared at them and Alistair was really close to Leliana though her back was towards us. We weren't able to see anything specifically. Talen scowled.
"I guess it would be better for them to get together…" He mumbled, his brow furrowing.
"Jealous?" I wondered.
"Is that wrong?" Talen's face grew red.
"No but we'll see if Leliana is going to do anything with it. Remember, it takes two." I winked at Talen. Leliana came over to join us with a rose right behind her. Talen's scowl deepened before we all boarded, Leliana taking the reins of Lily.
"Now don't go too fast. She's an old sort." Derek patted Lily's rear.
"We won't. Tell the others we are off." Leliana said before urging Lily to go. I felt the wagon being pulled by the horse and we made our way out of Redcliffe. The sky was clear as we went ahead on our journey. Sten was being his quiet self, looking through the sword that was gifted to him by Teagan. Considering that he gave it a nod of approval, I'm sure he liked it. Talen was another story. He had a scowl while reading over his notes from Soldier's Peak. I could tell that he was mulling over the events from earlier with Alistair.
He hasn't turned a page for the last hour.
"Talen if you keep staring at the same page for hours, you're going to bore a hole through them." I chuckled. Talen huffed while closing it. He watched the scenery instead but he kept on fidgeting, looking toward Leliana on the seat, before doing the same thing over and over again. I wasn't too annoyed of it. I fidgeted when I got nervous too. We kept up a comfortable silence and decided to camp out towards a forest. I didn't recognize the road with all the snow still around. I wondered how long it was going to take us to get to Denerim. Sten and Talen would camp out in the wagon while Leliana and I got to camping outside. I had taken first watch.
It wasn't long before Talen woke up after everyone else had slept. He put in more wood to the fire and sat next to me in a dry spot in front. I knew that he wanted to talk to me. He would shift his mouth but nothing would come out.
"You've been in a mood since Redcliffe. Wanna talk about it?" I asked.
"I like Leliana." He blurted out so suddenly that I spat my water out. He laughed at my reaction but he got red saying it.
"That was sudden." I shook my head. Talen gave me a playful smile before staring into the fire.
"I think it was because, well, I'll admit she is really pretty but…I like the fact that she's positive. I hear her praying sometimes when she wakes up with a nightmare. She has all these nice songs and really good stories. I had her tell me a lot of them when we stayed in Soldier's Peak. She doesn't see me for my magic like everyone else just as me." Talen explained. "It happened naturally for me though I can see why she wouldn't like me."
"You're a good guy." I said. Talen shook his head.
"No I'm not. You're right. I learned blood magic. It doesn't matter on the how just the fact that I learned something so forbidden…It's not the best type of magic even if it is something to use to research the Blight. It's funny, Alistair is so against it but the Joining is a type of blood magic. We drink darkspawn blood and accept the taint into ourselves so we can fight against them. Someone had to think of the first Joining somehow right? Maybe I can use this blood magic responsibly. I'm sure she's also still angry about Redcliffe too." Talen sighed, running his hand through his hair. He took out the hair tie and let his braid unravel, scratching his scalp.
"Why did you agree with Eren anyway?" I wondered.
"I didn't agree to it. When you guys left, Eren semi forced me into it. In the end, I agreed though. I didn't want anyone to die but the way Isolde jumped into it with a smile…it haunts me." Talen drew his knees to his chest.
"What happened with Jowan?" I wondered.
"He was put in the cells once the ritual was done. Jowan went quietly and told me he was sorry for everything that happened. It sucks because I know him so good that this redemption thing he's trying for is real. He wants to make up for everything and I'm not sure what to feel about that. I was betrayed, left to die! He was my brother growing up. I thought that he thought the same way about me but the minute he was able to get power, he left me." Talen clenched his jaw and furrowed his brow.
"Being in a position like that is hard. I can't say much on the subject because I've never lived in a Circle and I can't ask you to forgive him just like that but what I can say is this: Do you want that relationship back and are willing to work with him to be that way again?" I said.
"It won't be the same as before." Talen mumbled.
"No it won't. When someone betrays you, it's difficult to gain that back but all relationships take work even friendships. If you want to be friends with Jowan again, no one is going to blame you Talen. The fact that you're agonizing over it means something right?" I said. Talen scowled and lightly shoved me.
"Why do you have to be right so many times?" Talen grumbled. I chuckled. "What should I do with these feelings with Leliana though? I can't tell her that I like her too. Alistair already made his move."
"Give it time. I'm sure Leliana doesn't want to up and get a relationship right now. We're in a Blight and a civil war. We can't think about being with someone right now but sometimes, because we're in such tough situations, it can be what we need. You need patience now but don't act differently around her. I'm sure she doesn't want to see that frown on your face all the time." I explained.
"I hate that you're right so much." Talen stuck his tongue out at me.
"Truthfully I'm almost never right so this is awesome to me." I laughed. Talen smiled and we settled into some silence.
"I'm sorry that Eren said mean things to you when you were arguing." Talen said.
"I said mean things too." I sighed. "It's the reason why they tell you to keep your mouth shut in high emotional situations. I couldn't help it though. I got so angry."
"I understand. I'll take over. You can go to sleep." Talen said. I yawned and agreed. I went over to my tent. "Hey Nia?" I looked back. "Thank you."
"You're welcome Talen." I said. I went into my tent and wrote all I could. I'm sure I gave Talen something to think about on this journey and I'm glad I was there for him.
9:30 Guardian 23rd
Nothing happened yesterday only that Sten and I had some meditation training. He would explain some of the Qun to me and I would listen diligently. He had another training method than Eren. It actually resembled Tai Chi more than any other form. It was about absolute perfection in stances. There was nothing to think about other than YOU are the weapon and in front of you was the enemy. It was very calming experience and helped me with my semi foul mood yesterday.
Today we had clouds rolling in but these were mostly ones that were white. Not the grey heavy ones in which you knew that snow or rain was coming. The only downside was that it got chilly with all the wind. I was able to see my breath as we were in the wagon. Leliana was using the blankets to cover herself as she was the one out in the weather while we had the comfort of the wagon.
Talen was going over two big tomes simultaneously. He explained to me that he got one from Levi and the other was filled with Avernus' research. He read and read then he would jump to the next tome while writing down theories and practical uses from it. He disliked how much his research went into the Grey Warden's own blood but he said he might be able to derive a better Joining slurry from it. It was all magical theory that I couldn't really understand and Sten didn't want to hear any of it.
A little after the afternoon, I was struck from my daydreaming and slight humming when the wagon came to a full stop. Leliana looked to us from her seat.
"It seems we have been followed for some time." Leliana explained. That put us all in the fighting mood. I had my daggers on the ready, Sten got his sword, and Talen grabbed his staff. Leliana led us from the main trail to another trail that would lead us into the forest. I kept on glancing out of the wagon to see a few figures using the snow and trees to disguise them.
"How long?" I asked.
"Since we left our camp." Leliana said tersely. I nodded. The wagon stopped. "They expected this." Leliana got out of her seat and we got out. From the front, where Leliana stood, was a qunari mercenary as well as an elven mage. We had two other figures following us with a wolf at their side. There was a frozen river along us and a cliff overlooking the trail. From the cliff, there was one single person who had shining armor.
Was this Leliana's quest? But I haven't even asked her anything concerning how she got to Ferelden! Or maybe it wasn't me. Was it someone else? I didn't have much time to think when the two warriors and wolf came toward us. Talen did a quick barrier before sending out a plumage of fire toward the first guy which was soon screaming in agony. Sten had rounded to go help Leliana. I jumped out of the way of the wolf but nearly lost my footing. I was close to the river. Talen used the snow to push the wolf into the ice.
I had to avoid another slash of a sword from the second guy. The good thing about snow was that there wasn't much friction to keep me from sliding all over the place to avoid him. Once I centered on his back, I pushed him into the frozen river. Talen controlled the ice toward his staff and solidified it. He grunted in exertion and used the tip of his staff as a sledgehammer. The ice cracked as the wolf and guy ran toward us. Talen roared and did it again, shattering the ice. The water took the guy and wolf.
We ran toward the front of the wagon where Leliana had hid behind a rock to avoid the mage while Sten had ran his sword through the other Qunari. Sten showed incredible agility when avoiding the mage's attacks. When the elven mage realized that she couldn't do much damage, she ran over a bridge leading up to the cliff.
"Careful Sten! They might have a trap hidden in the snow!" I explained, running up to him. Leliana came along with us as Sten nodded and stayed away. The mage seemed to be getting ready for a large attack before Talen came up and did a barrier. She threw a blizzard at us but we were protected. We had forgotten the guy on the cliff unfortunately who had a crossbow.
I saw him aim toward Leliana and he let loose an arrow. I wasn't able to get there in time but Talen had jumped in front and took the arrow to the shoulder. He cried out in pain before Leliana swiftly did a head shot at the mage and went running toward the cliff, jumping over the spot where the mage was avoiding. I went along with her and Sten stayed with Talen.
I've never seen Leliana so angry when she used her own kick to the guy's face. He recoiled before aiming his crossbow again, only to have Leliana's small dagger stab him on his forearm. He cried out, kneeling in pain and letting go of his crossbow. Leliana came up and kneed him in the face and knocked him out. I came up with my daggers but she stopped me.
"No, let him live. This ambush was planned for us and I want to know why." Leliana glared at the man. I nodded. I went down the cliff and threw the mage's body on top of the trap. It turned out to be a bear trap that bit into her dead body. Sten and Talen walked along the bridge. I stopped Talen, grabbed the arrow, and yanked it out.
"Ow! Give me a warning next time!" He said, healing himself.
"It was better without it." I said. We went up the cliff where Leliana had restrained the man's hands and dumped his crossbow over the edge.
"Talen, can you wake him?" Leliana asked. Talen gathered snow in his hands before melting it and dumping it on top of the man. He sputtered as the water made the blood run down his face. He looked up and groaned at our group.
"I'm guessing I got captured." He spat.
"Yes. Tell me who you are." Leliana started but he stayed quiet. "Nia." I went over and put my dagger to his throat.
"Alright, alright! Look, I was told it was supposed to be an easy job. Only one objective: Kill the red-haired girl and deal with the others as we please." He explained.
"Kill the-you were sent to kill me?" Leliana wondered.
"Who wants to kill her?" Talen demanded as I pressed my dagger against his throat.
"I didn't ask of course. There was coin provided for the job, there's no need for the details. Someone pays me to see another dead. I go, do my job, and get my money. I guess I should be lucky I'm spared now. I can tell you all I know." He offered.
"Speak quickly." Leliana said.
"I've no grudge against you. I was paid by someone who I know was already sent by another person but I do know how you can find the one who put the hit on you. I have directions for a house in Denerim in my pocket. If you want to deal with the person who hired me, you can deal with them yourselves." He said. I put my dagger away and searched through his pockets. I found a rolled up vellum with directions and a map.
"Found it." I said. Leliana nodded. She went behind him and cut off the rope.
"Go. I hope to never see you again." Leliana glared.
"I know where my head is. You'll never hear of me." He said, groaning and limping away. Leliana let out a long breath as we all stared at her expectantly. Well, me and Talen. Sten had gone off to get his sword from the Qunari's corpse.
"I can explain, preferably not here." Leliana gave us a small smile. Talen and I nodded. After looting the qunari and mage for any coin, we took Lily out of there and went back on the trail only to stop at an abandoned lodge. We put Lily out in a small stable while we entered and sat down on rickety chairs and shoddy worn stools. Sten didn't care enough and stayed out with Lily.
"I'm sure you have questions." Leliana sighed. She looked at Talen while I watched with a fake curiosity since I knew everything.
"Don't look at me. I didn't say anything to anyone." Talen waved his hands in innocence.
"So is anyone going to tell me anything?" I asked. Leliana bit her lip.
"I lied. When Talen asked how I came to Ferelden, I only said that a storm happened and I stayed. That wasn't the truth. I came to Ferelden because I was framed, betrayed by the person who I thought was a friend. A person who I loved, my mentor and friend Marjolaine. She taught me the way of the bardic arts, how to carry myself as a noble woman or disguise myself as a lowly servant. She showed me how to enchant with tales, words, and songs. I served her because she was my bard master and because I loved her. I also enjoyed playing the game." Leliana looked guilty. Talen and I looked at each other.
"You told me you were a bard before becoming a Chantry Initiate and also who trained you. What happened afterward?" Talen wondered.
"We were in Denerim. We had our fun and our mission to plant documents. When we infiltrated the Denerim estate, I saw what she was planting. Documents about the Orlesian military." She explained.
"You opened them didn't you?" I said.
"Yes." She nodded. "I had a feeling that I needed to know what was in those documents. Marjolaine…she had been selling information about Orlais to several countries." She furrowed her brow. "It was treason."
"And you thought it was wrong." Talen crossed his arms.
"I had asked her about it. I feared for her life. I tried convincing her that this was wrong and would lead to her death. She agreed with me and had me convinced that we would set what was wrong, right. As we went back to the estate, she had the guards come in, framing me for what she had done. The guards captured me and my friends. They had me…tortured before threatening to send me back to Orlais so they can have my head. A friendly Mother came and helped me. I tried saving my friends but I lost one and saved another." She explained. I was surprised that what I heard wasn't the usual confession but nodded anyway.
"After that?" I asked.
"Mother Dorothea allowed us sanctuary at the Chantry. Marjolaine had seduced her as Dorothea held the documents and stole it from her. It would have caused another war between Ferelden and Orlais. She was guilty for being caught by the game and came to save me and my compatriots. I wanted revenge and she helped me track down Marjolaine. She had told me that Marjolaine had fled to Amaranthine to catch a boat there along with the guard that had imprisoned me. We fought and I killed the guard that had captured me and my friends but she caught me at a moment of weakness." Leliana stopped to wipe her tears and I saw Talen clench his hands into fists.
"She had told me that she was only merely playing the game. I had something against her and so she acted first before I could. Her nature of a bard to secure her future. I was distraught. After all this time being with her, loving her, doing everything for her…and she sold me away the chance I could have done something to her. In the end, I couldn't kill her. I was troubled and found myself in the Chantry again. My compatriots had decided they had enough and left. I was alone but with the Chant, I had found peace. With that peace, I ventured to Lothering to stay in the Chantry." Leliana ended the story.
"It wasn't your fault." I said.
"I know but why after all this time has she come to look for me?" Leliana wondered. I got the directions in my hand and looked at it.
"Well we can ask that in person. I know where this is. I know we have to look for Brother Genitivi but this is also important. Say the word Leliana and we'll look for Marjolaine." I nodded. Talen nodded too. Leliana gave us a relieved smile.
"Thank you. I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders." She sighed and rested her hand over her heart.
"We're here for you, always." Talen said with conviction. She nodded and smiled.
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku
Sorry for the late update but my hormones made me go into a slight anxiety attack which took up three days to get over. Luckily it's over-over. Also, another girl is on the way! Poor Ace, he's going to be the only boy
Thank you Nely Winged for favorting/following! Thank you Chimera Spyke and Syutaku for reviewing! Please Review!