Chapter 9: The Caged Qunari

Morrigan hurried down the path leading to Dane's Refuge, an amused smirk on her lips and a bit of spring in her step. Alim had charged her with finding supplies for the next leg of their journey.

The elven warden would not be disappointed.

The witch had traded a few of her spare poultices to some village shrew from some silver. Then she had chased off several Chantry twits who were harassing some poor merchant who was only trying to conduct a little business.

"May you get everything you deserve," the chantry wench spat angrily at her as she retreated.

Morrigan merely nodded, thanking the woman.

Yes…she would get everything she wanted, that…and far more.

The villagers ignored her for the most part; the fools had far more dire things on their mind then her. Still…every once and a while one would glance her way, glance and hold their stare, Morrigan's hand would go up to her face self-consciously, checking her nose for any imperfections.

She cursed herself for her weakness, and the Templar twit that made her feel this way.

Damn you to the darkest of pits Alistair!

She spotted several wounded soldiers fleeing the tavern; it seemed that the two wardens had been busy.

Morrigan smiled.

She had not been pleased that her Mother had cast her out with these two, but understood the necessity of it. The plan required that she get closer to the wardens and that is what she would do. Alim intrigued her she did not mind saying, far more than Alistair; his precious chantry had turned a man who had the potential to be a fearless warrior and turned him into a fool.

Had Alistair been born among the chasind, she might have considered taking him to her bed; he would likely have produced a strong daughter, the kind that would have made a fine apprentice to her one day.

Of course if such a union had occurred, Mother would have demanded that she kill the man after he had made her with child. After all, that was what Flemeth had always done.

Not that Morrigan agreed with everything her Mother did of course. She had taken a lover or two in the last two years, and they had survived. Of course those had just been trysts to slake her lust and feed her curiosity.

She had found no man yet worthy of getting her with child.

If only Alistair had not been such a dim-witted moron!

Sadly…all that potential had been wasted on Chantry dogma…such a pity.

She entered the tavern, finding it as dark, foul-smelling, and loud as she had expected such a place to be. Alim sat had a table with Alistair, having a heated conversation if the redness of the elf's face was any indication.

The witch grew curious. She made her way over to the two men, eager to hear what had happened.

IOI

"No."

Alistair gave the elf an incredulous look, "We could use her help Alim."

"I said no," the elf repeated, "We don't need some…some chantry sister following us around and telling us how what we are doing is not the Maker's will."

"It is the fact she said she had a vision isn't it?" Alistair asked.

The elf fidgeted.

"Partly," Alim agreed.

The sister had returned to her table while the two wardens discussed bringing her along on their journey.

Alistair had been the first person to suggest that the woman was crazy; he sincerely doubted that the Maker had appeared to this Leliana in a dream and told her to come with them. Still…he could not doubt her skills, the sister had disabled to fully armed soldiers in less than ten seconds. Such a person would be invaluable in their quest against the Blight, crazy or not.

Alim was not convinced; Alistair was not sure what it was with Alim and the Chantry. It was likely just an elf thing he supposed, he had met plenty of elves over the years that still blamed the humans for the destruction of their homeland in the Dales.

If that was the case then there was likely nothing that anyone could do to change his fellow warden's mind.

"For all we know this woman might be a spy left behind by Loghain," Alim hissed, "Chantry sisters don't fight like that, she may have been sitting here just waiting to pretend to take down those men to get into our good graces."

Alistair had not considered that, it was possible he supposed, but still…he did not want to turn away help if it was offered. They had accepted Morrigan after all…

Alistair looked up, speaking of a certain complete and utter bitch.

"What has happened," Morrigan asked sitting down beside them, "I saw some soldiers fleeing?"

"A chantry sister stopped them from arresting us," Alistair informed her, "she has asked to accompany us on our little journey.

Morrigan's eyes narrowed.

"You told her no I hope Alim?" she asked.

"She is not coming with us," Alim said flatly.

Alistair shook his head, how could the elf be so stubborn?"

"But Alim," he began, "She…"

"I SAID NO ALISTAIR!" the elf growled, "You decided to put me in charge and that is my decision. She is not coming with us and that is final!"

Alim rose from his chair and made for the door, Bandit padded quickly after him. Morrigan rose and gave Alistair an evil smirk.

He fought the urge to give the witch the finger.

Leliana looked after them like a puppy being left home alone, Alistair went to console her, he…he would try again to convince Alim to let her in before they left.

She very well might be crazy, but Alistair knew in his heart that she could help.

IOI

Alim cursed under his breath, he knew what Alistair had told him made sense, but he could not in good conscience let the sister in.

If she was some Loghain spy that would likely be the end of them all, he had to think of the larger picture here.

Chantry sisters understood nothing but the cold empty faith of their god.

Not one of them understood what it meant to love someone, to want to protect them.

He had made the right choice, he was sure of it.

Still…they would need help.

"Alim," Morrigan said coming up beside him.

"Yes," the elf said gruffly.

"There is something I think you will want to see," the witch said grinning, "I believe I may have found another warrior for our cause."

"Just tell me it is not another Chantry sister?" the elf said giving her a pained look.

"Oh no," Morrigan smirked, "I can assure you that… this…is definitely not a friend of the chantry."

Alim could deny it, his curiosity was peaked, he followed the witch out of the village, to the cages that held criminals waiting to be shipped off to Denerim.

What they found there was a surprise to be sure.

IOI

Leliana watched them go, watched as the wardens left to fulfill their mission, watched as they left her behind.

She felt…shocked…was it possible the vision had been wrong?

No, she could not accept that, she knew in her heart that what she had seen in her vision had been Maker sent. She was also sure that the elf…this…Alim was the stranger who had aided her on the peak, but then why did he not want her along? Why did he want them to leave without her?

Leliana had no answers.

Doubt gnawed at her resolve, perhaps this had been just one big mistake.

Part of her wondered if she should just return to the chantry. The Revered Mother would certainly accept her back, there was still much to do before they could evacuate, she could even…

Something stopped her cold; a shiver ran down her spine, almost as if she felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

In that moment…Leliana realized that she could not let the wardens leave without her.

She had to do something, convince them that she needed to come along.

She rose from her chair and began to follow after the two wardens and their companions.

There had to be something that she could do to convince the wardens of her sincerity.

She could not help but feel that this journey was meant for her, that the Maker had led her here for this one moment.

She could not turn her back on it…not now.

It was the Maker's will.

IOI

Alim could only stare at the cage before him, to say the sight that greeted him was unusual to say the least.

As unusual as the very large man locked inside it.

The man inside the cage was a giant, there was no other possible word for him. He was powerfully built with long grey dreadlocks falling from the back of his head. He kneeled inside the cage, lost in prayer, he spoke in a language Alim had never heard before.

What was he? Alim had no idea.

The large man looked up at him with reddish brown eyes, he rose to his feet showing neither fear nor weakness.

Alim could respect that.

"You are not one of my captors," the man said flatly, "I have nothing to say that will amuse you elf. Leave me in peace."

"I…I mean no respect ser," Alim nodded removing his hat, "Forgive me for asking, but what are you?"

The giant's eyes narrowed.

"A prisoner, I am in a cage am I not?"

Morrgan shot the man a pitying look.

"This…is a proud and powerful creature," she sighed, "Trapped as prey for the darkspawn. If I were you I would release him for mercy's sake alone."

Alistair gave the witch a surprised look.

"Mercy," the former Templar snorted, "that is not something I expect from you?"

The witch glared at him, " I also suggest that Alistair take his place in the cage," She said coldly.

"Now that is what I expected," the former Templar smirked.

The giant ignored them. This was not the first time that Bas had stopped here and contemplated his end.

"I suggest you leave me to my fate," the large man suggested.

Alim did not understand why such a man would want to stay here and die?

"Is what you did so horrible that you should die for it?" the elf asked.

It was at that moment that Leliana finally caught up with them.

"The Revered Mother said he slaughtered an entire family," she informed the wardens, "even…the children."

Alim was about to yell at the sister to leave them alone when the giant responded to her.

"It…it is as she says," the giant nodded, "I am Sten of the Beresaad, the vanguard of the Qunari peoples."

A Qunari, Alim could not help but be a little shocked, what in Andraste's name was a Qunari doing this far south? He had heard the name of course, the scourge of the north, an unending flood of heretical warriors that slaughtered or converted all in their path.

For a moment he imagined a thousand of such men sweeping towards him over a battlefield.

It made him shudder. Of course…Qunari were renowned as warriors….hmm…Morrigan was right, they needed him for the fight against the Blight, but first they needed to convince him to join them.

Alim decide to try respect first.

"I am Alim, Ser," the elf said with a bow, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

The Qunari quirked his eyebrows.

"You mock me," the Qunari said thoughtfully, "Or perhaps you merely show manners I'm unaccustomed to in your lands."

"So…um," Alim fidgeted, this was…awkward, "Did…you…did you do it? Are you guilty?"

"Are you asking if I feel guilt or am I responsible for the deed," the Qunari sighed, "No matter how I feel. No matter what I've done, death will be my atonement now."

"There are other ways you can find atonement…no?" Leliana chimed in.

Sten glared at her.

"And what do you feel would best make up for my crime?" he asked her.

Alim could not help but smile, the sister had set this up perfectly.

"You could help us defend our home against the Blight," Alim added.

"The Blight?" the Qunari's eyes widened, "Are…are you a Grey Warden then?"

"I am," Alim admitted,

"Surprising," the Qunari responded, Alim could not help but wonder if that was some kind of dig, "I…I have heard tales of the Grey Wardens strength and skills. It would indeed be better to meet my death in battle then meet it waiting here."

Alim turned to Leliana, even though he did not want her with them, she would know more about this matter than he would.

He hoped that she would answer honestly.

"Would the Revered Mother let him go?" he asked, "If the Grey Wardens asked her to?"

The sister frowned.

"I am not sure," she admitted, "The Revered Mother can be a stubborn woman," Leliana knew that to be a bit of an understatement, but here she saw an opportunity to put herself in the elf's graces. She would not let it pass by.

"I will speak to her for you, if you like?" she offered.

Alim suppressed a growl; he did not like it, asking the woman for help, but given the circumstances…

"I…thank you," he responded.

The red-haired sister beamed, she turned and led them back towards the chantry.

Morrigan rolled her eyes as she followed; she hoped that Alim would not change his mind. Alistair grinned; the sister seemed to have Alim's number on this one.

"She still isn't coming with us when we leave," Alim muttered.

Alistair shrugged.

They would see.

IOI

The Chantry was a busy place, not that it was surprising, people thought both religious comfort and protection from this Templars here in this dark time.

Sadly the chantry had little to offer.

Leliana led them past the panicked crowds and her fellow sisters that were attempting to tend to them. The scared villagers watched Alim with fear while the Templars stared at him with suspicion.

The elf rolled his eyes, they all had a little more to worry about now then the elven mage in their midst. He understood now why Morrigan had elected to wait outside.

There had been a terrified chasind in the chantry courtyard; the man had been spewing words of doom and gloom, frightening the poor people here.

Alim had nearly electrocuted the man, but it was Alistair and the sister who had stepped up, they had confronted the man about his fears, and sent him scampering off sobbing at his own weakness.

Alistair had surprised the elf out there; he had actually spoken without sarcasm for once, and had calmed the people who had been so close to rioting in fear, or so close to giving up hope.

Morrigan watched this with a curious eye; she shook her head, and left when Alistair realized that she was watching him.

And so the dance continues, Alim had thought.

They found the Revered Mother in her office; Alim hoped that she would be up for their idea.

IOI

"A Grey Warden…here…oh dear!" the Revered Mother said nervously, you put me in an awkward position. You do know that Teyrn Loghain has proclaimed all Grey Wardens to be outlaws, responsible for the King's death?"

"We did here that your Reverence yes," Alistair said with bow, Alim rolled his eyes; the old woman did not deserve any respect in his eyes. She had hit them up for a tithe as soon as they had entered, like her precious chantry would be surviving the next few days.

"But it is Teyrn Loghain who was responsible for the King's death," Alistair informed her.

"Teyrn Loghain?" the woman shook her head, "I find that as hard to believe as his condemnation of the wardens, lay low and I will say nothing of your presence here. Now…if there is nothing else?"

"WE need to talk about the Qunari you have locked up outside," Alim blurted out.

The Revered Mother sighed, "Perhaps it would have been better to execute him, but I have left his fate to the Maker."

To the darkspawn actually, Alim thought angrily.

"We would like him released Your Reverence," Alistair added, "The Grey Wardens may have use for him."

The woman looked shocked at the suggestion.

"Then his next victims may count us as their murderers," she spat.

"You could release him into our custody," Alim said through gritted teeth, he did not like being respectful to any chantry sister. Even back in the tower he had went out of his way to avoid them.

"I…no I am sorry," the woman said shaking her head, "I cannot take the risk to the people here. The beast will remain caged, it is the Makers will."

Alim was about to bite the woman's head off over that, how could she condemn the Qunari to be ripped apart by the darkspawn? He would likely die fighting anyway? Would it not be better that they just got him out of here?

Leliana stepped forward a sad look on her face.

"That is unfortunate your Reverence," she said, she embraced the woman in a tight hug, "We do thank you for your time however."

"It is not problem child," the woman said with a smile, "Go with our blessing sister Leliana, and May the Maker watch over you."

The red head smiled back," And over you." She replied

IOI

Alim grumbled like a storm cloud as they left the chantry. He was not giving up no matter what that miserable old bat said.

"This is not over," he whispered to Alistair, "we will leave for now, come back and get the Qunari after it is dark."

Alistair frowned; he did not like this idea.

"I'm not leaving someone that can help us behind," the elf snapped.

"There is no need to wait," Leliana offered.

Alim glared at her, why was she even still here?

She held out her hand.

Alim looked down.

The Key to the Qunari's cage was in her hand.

Alistair was shocked.

Alim looked up into the sister's eyes, she smiled slyly.

"I took it off her Reverence's belt when I hugged her," the sister informed them, "We need all the help we can to stop the Blight, no?" the sister shrugged, "We can free the Qunari just before we leave. I do not think that Ser Bryant will have time to pursue us over this."

Alistair could not believe that! She had stolen from a Revered Mother!

Alim could not help but chuckle; he turned mumbling something at the Leliana.

"I'm sorry," she said, "But I did not here that last part warden?"

Alim paused; Maker save him if this was a mistake.

"I said you can come along," he said through gritted teeth.

The sister smiled broadly.

"Thank you, thank you for giving me this chance," she gushed, "I will not let you down! I must hurry and grab my things from the chantry, I will not be long."

She hurried off then, leaving Alim shaking his head. He glared up at Alistair who was grinning victoriously.

"Not a word," the elf spat, stalking off.

Bandit fell in behind him panting happily. Morrigan glanced hatefully over her shoulder at the retreating Leliana.

She turned to Alim and shook her head.

"Perhaps your skull was cracked worse than Mother thought," she offered.

Alim paused.

Part of him couldn't help but agree.