Night came quick and so did the monsters. They came barreling down the hill towards the first line. Ezra, Sten, and Alistair were part of the first line while Morrigan, Leliana, and Alador were down in the village as a second line of defense. The walking corpses went down easy enough but there were so many.
As soon as it seemed they had the monsters under control one of Ser Perth's men informed them the monsters were also attacking from the lake. Ezra and his party ran down the hill to provide extra defense in the village. The knights stayed atop the hill to keep the path into the village safe.
Archers were standing behind the barricade firing their arrows into as many of the corpses as they could. Leliana and Alador were taking care of any creatures that got past the rain of arrows and too close to the barricade. Morrigan was providing extra ranged support with her magic feezing the creatures and zapping them with bolt of lightning.
Ezra, and Alistair took up fighting with Leliana on the front lines. Sten was providing cover for the archers with Alador. The creatures kept coming and coming and Ezra began to fear they couldn't hold them off. They fought through the night until the creatures were no more. The village and the party had lived to see dawn.
"Dawn arrives, and we survived the night. We are Victorious!" Bann Teagan spoke and the village cheered. "And though this victory can at great cost, we must remember none of us would be here were it not for the heroism of these great folk beside me. I thank you, good ser," he said turning to face Ezra. "Truly, the Maker smiled on us when he sent you here in our darkest hour."
"I was honored to help defend this village with you all," Ezra said to the crowd. The Revered mother then said a prayer in honor of those who lost their lived defending their home.
"With the Maker's favor, the blow we delivered today is enough for me to enter the castle and seek out your arl," Teagan said. "Be wary and watch for signs of renewed attack. We shall return with news as soon as we are able."
After the crowd had dispersed Ezra found Kaitlyn and Bevin.
"You Grandfather's sword was great help during the battle. Thank you for allowing me to use it." Ezra bowed his head and present the sword back to its rightful owners. "Now stay out of trouble, no hero should be causing any unnecessary trouble," he said ruffling Bevin's hair.
"That was nice of you," Alistair said after they had left the chantry.
"I had no reason to keep it, besides it wasn't fair to take from those who had lost so much," Ezra said brushing some of his long hair out of his eyes. Alistair smiled at this.
"Still it was a very noble thing of you to do."
At the mill Bann Teagan was waiting for the party. He said they could discuss entering the castle there. In the midst of their talk they heard running coming from behind them. They turned to see a well dressed woman running toward them. She looked scared.
"Teagan! Thank the Maker you yet live!" she exclaimed relieved.
"Isolde. You're alive! How did you...? What has happened!"
"I do not have much time to explain!" The woman, Isolde said. "I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw the battle was over, and I must return quickly." She paused and her eyes darted around. "And I... need you to return with me, Teagan. Alone."
"I think we're all going to need more of an explanation than that," Ezra interjected before Teagan could speak.
"What? I...who is this man, Teagan?" she said glaring at Ezra with disgust. Alistair sighed then spoke.
"You remember me, Lady Isolde, don't you?" he said.
"Alistair? Of all the... why are you here?" she scoffed.
"They are Grey Wardens, Isolde. I owe them my life," Teagan explained.
"Pardon me, I... I would exchange pleasantries, but...considering the circumstances," she said her tone softening.
"Please, Lady Isolde... we had no idea anyone was even alive within the castle. We must have some answers!" Alistair said. It was clear he was still very worried about the arl.
"I know you need more of an explanation, but I... don't know what is safe to tell. Teagan, there is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead waken and hunt the living. The mage responsible was caught, but it still continues. And I think... Connor is going mad. We have survived but he won't flee the castle. He has seen so much death!" She cried.
"You must help him, Teagan! You are his uncle. You could reason with him. I do not know what else to do!"
"Tell us about this mage you mentioned," Morrigan said. It seemed even she got a bad feeling about this.
"He is an... infiltrator, I think- one of the castle staff. We discovered he was poisoning my husband. That is why Eamon fell ill," Isolde reexplained.
"Eamon was poisoned?!"
"He claims an agent of Teyrn Loghain's hired him. He may be lying, however, I cannot say."
"What about Arl Eamon? Is he still alive?" Alistair asked worry lacing his words.
"He is. He is being kept alive so far, thank the Maker." Ezra could hear Alistair breath a sight of relief.
"Kept alive? Kept alive by what?" Teagan asked.
"Something the mage unleashed. So far it allows Eamon, Connor, and myself to live. The others...were not so fortunate. It's killed so many, and turned their bodies into walking nightmares! Once it was done with the castle, it struck the village!" That explains the walking corpse Ezra thought.
"It wants us to live, but I do not know why. It allowed me to come for you, Teagan, because I begged, because I said Connor needed help."
"Enough questions. We need to decide what to do," Ezra said. "Every moment we spend talking who knows what that creature inside the castle is planning."
"The king is dead, and we need my brother now more than ever. I will return to the castle with you, Isolde," Teagan said.
"Oh, thank the Maker! Bless you, Teagan! Bless you!" For once Isolde seemed happy.
"It seems you have little choice, be careful," Ezra said to Teagan.
"I have no illusions of dealing with this evil alone. You, on the other hand, have proven quite formidable. Isolde can you excuse us for a moment? We must confer in private before I return to the castle with you."
"Please do not take too long! I will be by the bridge." Isolde then walked to the bridge to wait for Teagan. Teagan turned to Ezra and his party.
"Here's what I propose; I go in with Isolde and you enter the castle using the secret passage. My signet ring unlocks the door. Perhaps I will... distract whatever evil is inside and increase your chances of getting in unnoticed. What do you say?"
"It is the best and only plan we have," said Morrigan. Ezra nodded in agreement.
"Then it's for the best. I would prefer to go inside with you, but I have no choice in the matter." Teagan then gave Ezra his ring. Before he left he did tell Ezra to prioritize Eamon, that everyone else was expendable. Ezra was not one to trade one's life for another and promised to get them all out alive. Teagan then left to go enter the castle with Isolde.
Hopefully the party's luck would continue and they would be able to get everyone, including, themselves out alive.