Chapter 63: A Cold New Ferelden
Levi Dryden had come to the wardens with an interesting proposition.
Reclaim Soldier's Peak the great warden fortress abandoned centuries ago. Alim had never even heard of Soldier' Peak or its Commander Sophia Dryden. It had been said that the wardens had been cast out for becoming unpopular; there was even rumors that they had committed treason and aided several renegade Banns in trying to unseat the king. Whatever the reason, the wardens had been cast out from Ferelden, only returning because of the generosity of King Maric, and the support of several wealthy patrons.
Patrons like Levi Dryden.
Gus had whispered in Alim's ear that the man might not be trustworthy. He recognized the name he said, Dryden was the name of traitors, people who had betrayed the crown centuries ago.
Alim listened to his counsel, but chose to hear the man out, he was not about to judge anyone on whom their great-great grandparents were, and every man was entitled to be trusted on his own actions.
Gus acknowledged that and fell silent. Though he did slip to the back of the group, the Drydens were well known merchants, and even though House Cousland had had little to do with them. The knight had no desire to be recognized as Fergus Cousland, at least, not yet.
Zevran and Seri both advised caution as well, merchants rarely did anything that did not fill their pockets in some way; they both felt that the man was working some kind of angle.
Levi had confessed that they were not wrong, he had known Duncan and considered the man a friend, but he also hoped to redeem his family name. After the wardens had been ousted, a civil war had hit Ferelden and during the course of that war the Dryden family had been stripped of their lands and titles.
Finding the truth would not restore the Drydens to the noble stature they had once held, but…it would allow them to regain their honor. The family revered the name of Sophia Dryden, they wanted proof that she had been a hero, at least then they could hold their heads high once more.
Alistair thought that they should do it. Who knew what secrets might remain in Soldier's Peak; there might even be copies of how to perform the Joining Ritual there.
Alim nodded, those secrets were the wardens' legacy. They belonged to himself, Alistair, and Theron, and if they could find some means of defeating the Blight more quickly, like more treaties or perhaps some secret weapon…
The search would be worth right there.
Sten felt this yet another pointless delay. Alim promised him that they would return to Orzammar at the conclusion of this mission, and allow him to continue the search for his sword.
The large man nodded and fell silent, that was at least one problem diverted.
The wardens took the rest of the night to rest and would start out again in the morning. Wynne felt that Leliana would be ready to travel again by then.
For the time being the wardens welcomed Levi into their camp. Though Seri and Zev took it upon themselves to watch the merchant, both understood the dangers of a betrayal from within.
Neither the elf nor the dwarf would allow that to happen.
IOI
Levi informed them that the journey to soldier's Peak would take them at least a week. They travelled east along the path of the old north road, seeking to avoid any patrols that might be on the prowl for them.
The few homes they passed had been abandoned though it was winter; battles were still fought here as the nobles sought to oust Loghain from power. Bodahn had heard several horror stories about Loghain calling for parlay and then attacking once his enemies had been put at ease.
Such a tactic did not surprise the elf considering what had happened at Ostagar.
Alim shook his head; he had read about Teyrn Loghain back in the tower, the man was considered a hero, his name spoken with only love and respect.
How could someone who had done such good fall so far?
It was during this journey east that they saw another example of the Teyrn's new depravity.
It was here that they first saw the cages, and the grim reminders within.
IOI
Leliana shivered.
Every so many miles they saw one, newly built and clearly put to good use.
Tall oaken poles, with a cross bar bearing two heavy iron cages, and in each of these cages was a corpse of some man or woman. Crows circled overhead.
"AWAY WINGED VERMIN," Shale shouted, "OR COME DOWN HERE AND PREPARE TO BE CRUSHED!"
The birds paid the golem no mind. She clinched her fists in impotent rage.
Of course everyone else was more concerned with the contents of cages.
The bodies of elves and humans, people who clearly had been placed in these cages while they still drew breath, left here to die of starvation, dehydration or the elements, over the top of each cage hung a sign. These bore what crime that these prisoners had committed. Murder, theft, and treason were the only markers left for these poor unfortunate souls. Treason was by far the most popular with the civil war going on.
The smell was horrible as well, that and the sight of crows feasting on the dead.
Wynne, Gus, and Alistair were horrified, was this…THIS…what Loghain was turning Ferelden into?
Zevran, Seri, and Morrigan seemed more pragmatic. They accepted the evils of the world far better than most.
Oghren belched loudly and just kept walking.
Sten had seen far too much brutality in his life; such sights no longer troubled him.
The Feddics and Levi Dryden said nothing, as traders they had learned to not look too closely at such things when passing through a country.
Such opinions could be bad for business.
Theron and Leliana merely shook their heads. They said nothing to anyone, still in shock at the cruelties of men and women.
Alim growled angrily, this…this outrage…it was just another reason to see Loghain tossed out on his ass.
Perhaps one of these cages would remain when this was all over, let Loghain feel the tender mercy of his regime.
Leliana whispered a prayer as they made their way down the road; even criminals deserved a little decency. She tried not to think about her own time in the dungeons of Denerim, her treatment two years ago at the hands of Commander Raleigh.
It was good the man was dead, she thought, he would have done well under Loghain.
She had not seen such treatment of people since then. She hated the fact that such…barbarism was now commonplace in Ferelden.
It was sickening.
IOI
Theron continued to drift closer to the cages, especially when he saw the bodies of elves within.
The Dalish shuddered at the cruelty that he saw here.
And the shems call us barbarians.
One of the cages caught his eye, an elven woman, or a girl perhaps, lying curled up into a fetal ball. It was hard to guess her age under the blood and the dirt, her matted blonde hair blew in the winter breeze. The charge of murder was emblazoned on the top of her cell.
Theron grimaced.
Who could the girl have killed to deserve this fate?
The elven prisoner was dressed in white and pastel colored rags, a gown of some type perhaps. It was clear that she had been beaten badly, the mark of the lash was plain on her back a vertical slash ran down the left side for her face, a blade wound that probably had taken her eye.
A hungry crow cawed on top of the cage but did not approach the body.
Theron approached the cage, tears stung his face.
No daughter of the people should be treated this way; no one should be treated this way!
"Rest easy sister," he whispered, "Let the gods take you to their side."
He was just about to leave when he heard it.
"Kill… me."
The Dalish startled and spun around.
The girl was not dead; she was staring at him with her one good eye, a huge emerald colored almond- shaped eye.
The look on her face was of surrender and pure desperation.
"Kill…me," she whispered her voice weak with lack of food and water, "Please…don't…don't… let the birds..."
The girl shivered and coughed.
Theron's eyes widened in horror how could she even think?
The Dalish drew his ax.
The girl smiled weakly.
"Thank…thank you," she whispered. She leaned forward, offering him her neck.
It was then that their leader noticed him.
"Theron what are you doing?" Alim shouted.
The Dalish struck.
He cut away the lock holding the cell shut.
The girl fell out and into his arms.
"Wynne," the Dalish shouted, "WYNNE HELP! HELP HER PLEASE!"
The old mage ran up to see what was happening.
Theron lay the girl down at his feet.
Alim stomped up to his fellow warden.
"What in Andraste's name are you doing?" he demanded.
"She is still alive," the Dalish responded, "We…we can't leave her like that, not to die like that!"
Alim looked down at the wounded girl; it was likely she would still die from her injuries…
But…
His ears twitched nervously, he hated to admit it, but his heart went out to the poor girl.
He could not, and would not, deny Theron's act of mercy.
He leaned down himself, just as Wynne did, trying to guess what spell to use.
Morrigan sauntered up to them. She looked down at the girl, and up at the sign.
The witch sighed.
"So we are releasing murderers along the road now," the witch sniffed, "how lovely."
The warden mage glared at the witch.
"You did not complain about Sten?" Alim reminded her.
"Sten was a warrior. He had use," Morrigan sneered down at the battered elf, "What use is this one?"
Theron glared at her.
The wounded elf opened her good eye as the healing magic began to flow.
She looked up at Alim.
"You're…you're… not real," she sighed.
Alim snorted, not the Cullen shit again!
"You are safe my dear," Wynne said, where ever her magic touched the girl's wounds closed. Theron brought a water skin to the girl's cracked blue lips. She sipped and coughed, but otherwise remained silent.
Alim kneeled down beside her, he cast a spell to rejuvenate her body, food and rest would be better, but at least they would be able to find out more about their little…stray.
""I'm Alim," the mage said, "You are in the company of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden."
The girl chuckled.
"As….as… death dreams go, this one… isn't bad," she said weakly.
"You are not going to die sister," Theron growled, "Quit talking like that."
She looked at him.
"Are you…you Dalish? Maker, I did not realize I had such an active imagination."
A fit of coughs sent the girl into spasms.
Alim touched her fore head, the magic was helping, but she was burning with a fever. Between the infection in her wounds and the fever, she likely would not recognize help until she recovered.
"What is your name?" he asked.
The girl coughed, she looked at him with a little more clarity.
"Kally," she replied, "Kallian Tabris, Milord, at your service…you…you still aren't real."
Alim rolled his eyes. He rose while Wynne and Theron fretted over their newest stray.
The elven warden sighed.
"It seems we won't be going much farther today folks," he said addressing the others.
He looked down on the injured girl.
"Put Miss Tabris in the back of Bodahn's cart," he said, "We will decide what to do with her after she has recovered."
He turned to walk away, muttering that he hoped that this was all not one big mistake.
IOI
Leliana beamed at him, pleased with his compassion.
Morrigan snorted and turned away, though she did start to go through her bag, looking for herbs that would bring down a fever and help with infection.
She suspected that Alim would ask for them.
Oghren snorted.
"Another tree hugging elf," he said shaking his head, "Why couldn't we find a nice buxom dwarven woman?"
The others ignored him.
All but Seri, who shot him a dirty look as she passed by, the dwarven warrior, ignored her.
Oghren sighed.
He was used to those kinds of looks.
IOI
The group did not make it much farther. Theron and Zev were able to locate them a good campsite that will protect them from the elements, and at the same time shield them from passersby on the road.
Alim volunteered to take first watch.
The elven mage sat quietly against a tree watching the road for any sign of pursuit or followers. So far things remained quiet that was good considering the state of several of their companions.
Leliana was pretty much healed, the bard had offered her tent to the recovering Kallian, Wynne continued to work on the girl, trying to save her life. Theron had agreed to watch over her until she was strong enough to decide what she wanted to do next. Gus also volunteered to help, in case Theron could not act in the way the group needed.
Alim tried not to think about that, he had no desire to kill the girl, not after what she had been forced to endure.
It had started snowing again before sunset, but it had slowly tapered off leaving the world under a fresh blanket of white. The moon rose overhead making the ground glitter like diamonds.
Alim shifted against the old tree, trying to find a comfortable spot, but failing.
The elf sighed and abandoned him attempt.
"May I join you?"
He looked up to see Leliana standing there, her fur winter cloak wrapped tight around her body, the cold giving a rosy glow to her cheeks.
Alim's ears twitched nervously, it was hard to be alone around her now. The butterflies in his stomach were flapping up a hurricane right now.
Calm down, it is just Leliana…
But that was the problem.
"Of…of course," he said motioning for her to sit.
Fortunately she said nothing of his stutter, for which he was grateful.
She complied and sat close to him…
…very close.
He swallowed nervously.
Stop it! You're acting like a lovesick idiot!
This is of course what he was…
Damn it!
"It is a beautiful night, no?"
He nodded, afraid of what he would say if he opened his mouth.
Not as beautiful as you.
It pales in comparison to you.
Dozens of romantic overtures sprang to mind, he ignored them…he…he could not face it if he spoke his heart and she laughed at him.
He had nothing to offer her, why would she even want to be with him?
He shook his head; Leliana did not need him sniffing after her like a Mabari in heat.
They both still had a job to do.
She sat quietly watching the night sky, her blue's sparkling, her breath making light plumes in the air.
"Thank you," she murmured.
He startled, he had been lost in his staring at her.
Had she asked him something?
"For…for what?" he asked.
She gave him a warm smile.
"For taking pity on that poor girl," Leliana said, "No one deserves to die like that, not even a murderer."
Here at least he could function better, this Kally was still a wild card, and he hoped to have the mystery of her solved soon.
"I intend to ask her about that when she wakes up," he said, "Hopefully we have not released some new terror on the land. Between Loghain and the Blight, Ferelden is in enough trouble already."
Leliana nodded, that sounded fair.
He found his eyes drawn to her face, those lovely eyes, and those pouty lips.
There it was.
Alim smiled slightly.
Leliana had furrowed her brow, as she did when she was deep in thought. It was adorable. Part of him wanted to reach up and kiss the lines from her lovely forehead…
Then he would start on her to lips.
His body stirred.
Shit.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Fine," he squeaked, "I'm…everything is fine."
He shifted again, cursing his treacherous musings, his trousers suddenly felt too tight in certain places.
He tried to ignore it and focus on her.
She looked down on the snow, her face a mask of sadness.
"I lied to you, you know, about why I left Orlais."
Her admission surprised him, but pleased him as well.
He smiled slightly, he had waited long to hear her full story. He had waited for her to trust him enough to be honest with him.
He was grateful that they had now reached this point.
"You…you did not choose to leave the bardic life?" he began.
"I did, but not in the way that you might think," she said lowering her head in shame. "I came to the chantry because I was being hunted in Orlais. I…I cannot go home. I have likely been charged with treason."
The elf's ears twitched, his eyes widened.
"What happened?"
She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"I was framed," she said quickly, "By someone I trusted most in this world. Marjolaine, she was my mentor and friend."
IOI
Alim sat silently while Leliana told him her tale.
She was honest with him, but did not tell him the entire truth.
She was still loyal to Dorothea, and she hid the Revered Mother's involvement the affair. She let Alim think that the business with Marjolaine had taken place in Orlais and not Denerim.
She had no desire to see Dorothea, Silas, or Sketch suffer from her confession; this was all about her after all.
The bulk of the story she told remained true, about Marjolaine selling military secrets and about her confronting he mentor about it, and then…she told about the betrayal. How Marjolaine pinned the crime on her, and had had her tortured for it."
Alim's ears lowered in anger at that part. He motioned to her back, and she nodded, confirming it was there that she got her marks.
He asked her why she never sought her old master out.
She explained that she simply wanted to be rid of her old life. She had stayed been living in Ferelden for over two years now. Marjolaine seemed to have accepted that she was no longer a threat.
Alim was so attentive as she told him what happened, so…so sweet. Despite the winter cold, she felt warm and safe; it was nice to tell someone about this after all this time.
Despite all the rest she had taken lately she began to feel tired, her eyes heavy. She found herself leaning against his shoulder; he shifted slightly so that they could share his cloak.
Leliana sighed contentedly.
After everything that they had been through, after finally telling him the truth, he…he had still not judged her.
She was grateful for that.
She would always be grateful for that.
IOI
Alim hated to admit it, but he was enjoying this.
A beautiful girl dozing in his arms, sharing their warmth and company, the elf smiled.
He could think of far worse ways to spend an evening.
"Warm," she murmured happily, "You are so warm."
He thought of a way they could be warmer, but it wasn't actually appropriate while on watch.
"I'm here for you,' he whispered.
She smiled.
"I know Lim," she murmured, "I…I could not think of a better friend."
She drifted off to sleep, not seeing his reaction, the hurt in his eyes and the lowering of his ears.
A friend?
Was that all she wanted him to be, her friend?
He had heard women call him that before. It meant they wanted him in their lives…or had use for him…
…but they did not want him.
Alim sighed; he should have guessed this was how this would go. What would someone like Leli see in someone like him? He had been kidding himself for so long.
He did not disturb her, he simply let her sleep. Though the disappoint he felt was ripping at his heart.
He gave her a sad look.
"Thanks Leli," he whispered, "Thanks so much."