Chapter 62: The Return to Shore

The ride back across Lake Calenhad was far more comfortable than the ride across. Kester, the ferryman, had reclaimed is position from the Templars and was more than happy to bring Alim and his allies back to their camp.

The winter cold still battered them, but everyone seemed a little more upbeat since they were leaving the tower. Even Morrigan seemed a bit more cheery, lost in pages of her Mother's Grimoire.

Alim glanced over at Leliana; the bard was silent, which was a change for the normally chatty young woman. Wynne's warnings about possible short term memory loss proved true. She had no real memory of what happened after they had escaped the fade.

Something that Alim was extremely grateful for. He did not want Leliana to live with the memory of attacking him and not being able to stop herself. It was better that she just forget.

Slowly the Spoiled Princess came into view. Shale waited on the docks for their arrival.

Wynne's eyes widened at the sight.

"Is…is that a golem?" she asked.

"Indeed it is," Alim grinned, "I would advise not mentioning birds around her. She is a little touchy on the subject."

Wynne gave him an odd look. The old woman quirked her eyebrow, she must have trying to decide if he was having her on or not.

"Birds…I…I don't understand, wait a minute…did you say she?"

The elf chuckled. Wynne was going to find many strange things about the wardens and their companions.

IOI

Leliana shifted uncomfortably in her seat, things still seemed a little…unreal to her. The healers had warned her that it would take a few days to recover from her injuries. Her head still felt a little muzzy truth be told. Only two days had passed since they last went to the tower.

For her…it seemed far longer.

The tower…everything that happened felt like a dream. She pinched herself several times part of her feared that she was trapped in the fade again. That all this was unreal, and that her companions would turn into demons and try to drag her away.

The very thought made her shudder.

Only Alim seemed real to her. She wanted to be at his side, to stay at his side.

Only with Alim did she now feel safe.

The intensity of what she was feeling both terrified and excited her. She knew the risks of letting her guard down.

She prayed that she had the strength to endure.

IOI

"Are we spending another night here Alim?" Leliana asked.

The elf frowned when he looked over at the bard. He did not like the distant look in her eyes, they seemed… glassier then he remembered.

The healers had allowed her to leave, but told her to take it easy for a few days.

He did not want to push her. She had hit her head pretty hard, and then there had been everything else they had faced in the tower.

That alone was enough to give someone pause.

He was worried, but he knew not to coddle her.

He decided to let her decide.

"Do you think your fit to travel?" he asked.

The bard sat up a little straighter.

"If you need me to be, then yes," she replied.

A hint of a smile played over the elf's lips.

That's my girl, he thought.

Wynne gave them both a stern look.

"It would be better if she rested another night Warden," the elder mage said, "She is still recovering after all."

Morrigan looked up from her reading, a scowl upon her face.

"The Blight will not wait for us old woman," the witch said, "Tis important that we move on as soon as possible."

"Morrigan's right," Alistair said, "Between Orzammar and here, we have taken too long. We need to get back to confronting the Blight directly."

Alim gave the former Templar a look, both he and Morrigan looked away, both realizing what had just happened.

Alim suppressed a laugh, he never thought he would live to see Alistair actually supporting Morrigan, but there it was.

Things must have been going very well between them, either that or the witch must have been very good in bed to convince Alistair to side with her.

Of course they did have a point.

The elf knew that they were right, between the civil war and the Blight, who knew how much damage had been done to Ferelden? They would need to seek out Arl Eamon soon.

So far the wardens had separated themselves from Ferelden, gathering strength and allies.

Now it was time to jump back into the fight.

He did not want to rush Leliana's recovery, but they needed to move on quickly.

It was time to get down to business.

IOI

"And so, it returns," the golem said as Kester brought the ferry into dock. "And all of its companions as well, everyone is all right, how nice."

"Hello Shale," Alim smirked. It was hard to tell when the golem was being nice or sarcastic, but that was her nature.

It was simply Shale being Shale.

The golem's eyes fell on Wynne. "It has even added another companion as well…another mage this time, and an old one at that…charming."

"Um…hello," Wynne said.

Alim smirked. Shale's snarkiness could put people off.

"Wynne this is Shale," he said, "Shale…Wynne."

"Greetings elder mage," the golem said.

"You may refer to me as Wynne, Shale." The old woman said.

"As the elder mage wishes," the golem replied.

Alim was trying very hard not to laugh.

The look on Wynne's face was priceless.

"Everything all right Shale?" Alim asked.

The golem grinned.

"I killed three pigeons today," she said, "The winged vermin shall never threaten the world again. Also the Qunari has disappeared, beyond that; we should be ready to…"

The elf's ears lowered slightly.

"What?" he said.

"I said we should be able to…"

"Not that," Alim interrupted her, "What is this about Sten disappearing."

The golem huffed.

"It is very rude to interrupt when someone is speaking."

Alim was about to respond with a snarky comment of his own but held back.

He had no desire to alienate one of their strongest allies.

"My apologies Shale," he said bowing his head.

That seemed to take the golem by surprise. She must have expected the elf to yell or order her around like Wilhelm used to…

"Apology accepted," the golem said.

Alim nodded, pleased that he had surprised her. Once upon a time, he would have spat some snarky response.

Perhaps it was like Irving had always taught him.

You catch more flies with honey.

"Now," the elf said, "What is this about Sten leaving?"

Shale told him what had happened. The Qunari had struck out on his own shortly after Gus had journeyed to the tower. The golem has seen a fire farther on down the shore not far from their camp.

Oghren had been too drunk to pursue, and Shale did not care enough about the Qunari to go after him herself.

Alim cursed.

They just couldn't leave Sten. The Qunari was a great fighter, and more important he was a friend.

The elf did not intend to leave any friends behind.

He directed Alistair and Theron to lead the others back to camp. He took Bandit and headed off after the missing Qunari.

Whatever happened, Sten owed him an explanation, whether he wanted to give it or not.

The Qunari had a lot of explaining to do.

IOI

Months had passed, and yet still the memory remained.

Sten stood among the ruins of the Qunari camp, the bodies still lay where they fell, the cold had done much to kill the smell, but it was clear that the animals, the elements, and other scavengers had continued with the ruination of his former allies.

He did not fret overmuch, these bodies were no longer his friends. They passed on, and their bodies needed no special treatment.

That…was the way of the Qun.

It was not for them that he had returned. He had another purpose tonight.

Asala.

The opportunity to regain his sword was not something he could pass up. If there was even a chance he…

The sound of movement drew his attention, with speed that few would expect, he darted forward.

The Qunari seized his prey.

"Hey…leggo!"

It was a bas. A small dirty little scavenger of a man, usually he would be beyond Sten's notice…

…but not tonight.

"I haven't done anything!" the man wailed. "Let me go!"

"Where is it!" the Qunari hissed, "Where is my sword?!"

"I don't know what you…"

The Qunari lifted the man into the air. He whimpered in fear.

"I will ask again basra," Sten's voice was cold and merciless.

"Where is my sword?"

"Sten."

Alim's voice was a whip crack. The large warrior lowered his prey, but did not release him.

"This does not concern you warden," he said.

The elf leaned casually against his staff.

"You abandoned your post and your duty," the elf reminded him, "This is definitely my concern."

Sten flinched, the accusation hurt.

Souless.

Deserter.

That is what he was until he retrieved Asala.

The warden glanced around at the dead. The Qunari bodies stripped of their weapons and armor, and the bodies of at least twenty darkspawn as well.

"I take it you knew these men?" the elf asked.

Sten sighed.

"I came here seeking what was lost," the Qunari said in a tired voice.

The elf sauntered over to where he stood, the dog as always at his side.

"My friend seems most agitated," the warden told the bas. "It would be wise to tell him what he wants to know."

"I don't know anything," the man whined, " I bought this spot from that squirrelly little bastard Feron. He said he found giants and all sorts of crazy valuables."

The elf's ears twitched.

"Where is this Feron," he asked.

"Orzammar," the man replied, "He said he was going to Orzammar."

Sten dropped the man and began to march off. The scavenger scuttled away quickly.

The Qunari knew where he needed to be now.

He was going back to Orzammar.

IOI

"Sten wait up!"

Alim rolled his eyes. The giant Qunari was far quicker than anyone gave him credit for. He could cover more ground that the small elf could.

Sten was beyond reason, he was not even listening to the elf's questions or pleas.

The wardens sighed, there was only one thing left to do.

"Sten stop!"

He stopped, the Qunari was still a soldier after all, he might not listen to friend's questions or pleas, but he did know an order when he heard one.

"You will explain yourself Sten," the elf said in his most authorative voice, "NOW."

The large man stood at attention.

"I journeyed to Ferelden to answer a question," the large man said, "I did not travel alone. The Arishok demanded to know 'what was the Blight?' My brothers and I travelled far."

The elf crossed his arms over his chest.

"So you were a scouting group?" he asked.

Sten nodded.

"The night we camped here we learned the truth about the Blight," the Qunari continued. "They were everywhere the shadows, the trees, even the ground beneath are feet harbored the darkspawn. I saw the last of the beasts cut down too late. I…I fell."

The Qunari pursed his lips. The memory of his failure here still ate at him.

"I do not know how long I lay on the battlefield among the dead," he continued, "I do not know how the farmers found me. All I know is that when I awoke I was not among my brothers, and…"

The Qunari winced painfully.

"And…my sword was gone from my hand."

Alim nodded, so far he followed what he was being told.

"I asked my rescuers what became of it, but they did not know. They said they found me with nothing."

"They probably left it when they got you out of here," Alim suggested.

Again the Qunari nodded.

"When I discovered that it was lost. That Asala was no longer at my side. I…panicked."

"What do you mean panicked?"

Sten hung his head.

"My rescuers…I…I killed them. I killed them all."

Alim's ears lowered in anger.

"You killed that family…over a lost sword?"

Sten's eyes turned cold.

"That sword was cast for my hand alone. I have carried since I was first sent into the Beresaad. I was to die wielding it for my people. Even if I was to cross Ferelden and Tevinter unarmed and alone to give my report to the Arishok, I would be slain on sight. A soldier without a sword is soulless…a deserter, no Qunari would abandon his weapon while he drew breath."

The elf considered this, it sounded ridiculous to him, all this fear and panic over a lost sword, but then again…he was not a Qunari.

He needed to be respectful, he had no desire to alienate Sten.

"So you will just march off to Orzammar? Abandoning your duty to us and the promise to find your attonement?"

It was a low blow, he recognized that, but Sten needed to understand.

By the way the big man flinched, Alim guessed he had succeeded.

"It may not be possible to recover the blade," the Qunari admitted, "but I must try."

Alim sighed. Sten had been the most vocal against taking on any side missions besides the Blight, and yet here he was asking to do just that, to accept a delay.

Alim frowned, they had only just left Orzammar, he had no desire to run right back there, but at the same time…

Sten had earned his respect, the warrior had fought bravely in the deep roads. Alim might not agree with him all the time, but he respected the large man's skills.

He did not want to lose him.

The elf sighed.

It seemed that they needed to back track a bit.

"I'm willing to help you with this," he promised Sten, "But we may not be able to find what you are looking for."

The Qunari nodded.

"I understand warden," he said flatly.

The three of them returned to the warden camp, Bandit panting happily at Alim's side. The elf looked up at the stone faced Qunari. He frowned slightly.

"What will happen if you can't find your sword?"

Sten sighed weakly, it was barely noticeable, but it was there.

"I shall be denied Par Vollen," he answered, "I will be left to wander the world alone, unable to return home."

Alim felt a twinge of guilt for the large man. He sounded so tired…so alone.

"You would not be alone Sten," he promised, "You would be welcome to stay here with us."

The Qunari glanced down at the elf, his reddish brown eyes seemed puzzled, but then turned cold again.

"Thank you," the big man whispered.

Alim nodded.

"You're welcome."

IOI

They returned to find the others going about the business of the camp. It was too late to get started tonight, so everyone settled in for another night in camp.

Sten went over to Shale, eager to start his first watch. Alim thought he saw Theron blending into the tree line watching the road. Zevran and Wynne worked on preparing dinner while Alistair tended to his weapons, a sullen look on his face.

"We decided to skip Alistair's cooking tonight," Sereda told the elf as she passed by.

Alim chuckled.

That might be for the best, no point in risking indigestion after the last few days they had had.

The elf looked for Leliana. Zev mentioned that he had returned to her tent. Wynne's orders, she had used her angry Mom voice and everything.

The elf smiled. Wynne had a way of getting what she wanted. She was a tough old woman.

Morrigan sat outside her tent reading. Alim suspected that Alistair would seek her out tonight, provided he could pry the witch away from her book. She seemed intent on…

"Rider," the Dalish called out, "rider approaching!"

Theron's warning put the camp on alert. Everyone ran for their weapons and prepared to meet this stranger.

So far they had been lucky, they had avoided getting tangled up in the civil war. Loghain had to know that the wardens were still alive by now. Perhaps the rider was a scout, sent to see if Uldred had delivered the Circle or not."

Alim's face turned grim.

If that was the case, the man would find the answer to that question.

He would not like it.

A lone horseman came into view, his clothing did not suggest military. The cloak and tunic he wore suggested merchant if anything else. The only weapon the elf could see was a dagger on the man's belt.

He went out to meet the new arrival, staff in hand and sword at the ready.

Sereda and Alistair were at his side, weapons drawn but not raised.

Let the man see that they were armed but not threatening him.

The man glanced up, he smiled when he saw the white griffon on Alistair and Alim's armors.

"Your hard people to find wardens," the man said jovially.

Sereda glared at the man.

"And who might you be?" the dwarf asked.

"A friend," the man replied.

Alim snorted, that remained to be seen.

"We have to be hard to find," the elf said dryly, "When people think you murdered the king. They often want to take your head for it."

The rider chuckled.

"Only fools would think you murdered the king," the man said, "With this blight going on, we should be throwing virgins at your feet and begging you to save us."

"I do not think you will find any virgins here my friend," Zevran emerged from the shadows behind the man, "It would be nice, and we might gain more allies if we had any, but I fear there is only hardened warriors here."

Alim blushed slightly.

Zev's comment was not entirely accurate.

He tried to ignore it and push on.

"State your business friend," he said.

"To the point then," the man said hopping off his horse, "I shall not keep you long, since you still have a Blight to stop, but where are my manners, allow me to introduce myself."

The man bowed deeply to the warden and his companions.

"The name is Dryden," the man said, "Levi Dryden…at your service."