Chapter 78: Redcliffe
Desperation.
It was the one word that Alim thought best described the village of Redcliffe. The sig of battle were everywhere, burned carts, splashes of blood on the wall, and worst of all the smell of fear and death.
The people that they passed by looked up at them with a mixture of hope and terror, after what they experienced, they were likely praying that the newcomers would not make their situation worse.
Much of Alim's annoyance at being forced to help them faded in the face of these peoples' fear. He was not a cruel man by any estimation, and it was clear that whatever was ravaging this place had left it teetering on its last legs.
"REPENT!" a wild eyed man near the chantry shouted, "The dead RISE, and foul magics sweep across the land!"
A pair of knights chased him off, but not before Alim had heard him clearly.
The dead rise.
The elf shook his head. It seemed that they had found the source of Leli's visions.
He glanced around at the damaged village; it certainly looked like it had been through a war.
The defenses and the defenders both looked frazzled, it was unlikely they would survive another full on attack.
He looked at the beautiful bard. She gave him a concerned look. They both recognized now what it was that they had to face soon. What her vision had warned them of.
They had best start preparing themselves.
The scout led them up to the steps of the chantry. Morrigan stopped at the entrance refusing to go any further. Alim would have worried about the witch surrounded by so many desperate men, but Seri, Theron, Shayle and Zev joined her.
Alistair gave the witch a worried look, but all he got back was her icy stare of death, he lowered his eyes and followed the scout into the chantry.
Alim shook his head. Not only would they have to deal with the walking dead, but relationship problems within the group as well.
Wonderful.
IOI
Seri looked around at the people of Redcliffe; the blond dwarf wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"By the ancestors," she hissed, "Do all human settlements smell this bad?"
Theron chuckled.
"You should smell the Denerim," he commented, "It stinks even worse than this, so many unwashed shemlen in one place. It was…quite disturbing."
The dwarf sniffed the air again.
"And what is that?"
"What is what?"
"That?"
"The Dalish sniffed.
"It smells like dung."
"I know what shit smells like Theron," Seri growled, "What are the other things."
Zev took a deep breath.
"I suspect that what else you smell my dear Seri are fish, garlic, rum, oh and shit of course," the elf clarified, "Ah… the smells of the civilization!"
His fellows all glared at him, except for the golem anyway.
Shayle chuckled.
"I smell nothing," she said proudly, "Once again proof of golem superiority over the squishy people."
She smiled at her companions.
"You may all bow to me now."
Morrigan shook her head.
"Tis likely that Alim will expect us to help these fools, how thoughtful of us. Perhaps we should start plucking kittens out of trees now as well. At this rate we will never reach the Archdemon."
Zevran chuckled.
"You are missing the point my friends," the assassin said, "Desperation breeds opportunity, we help these people we gain even more allies, and as for the smell well…"
The Antivan elf took a deep breath and smiled.
"This…this is the smell of civilization, it reminds me of Antiva city in the summer, of course I grew up near the leather making district, and was used to the stench, even if the humans complained of it constantly."
Seri gave him an off look.
"Sometimes I wonder about you Zev," the dwarf sneered.
He gave her a curious smile.
"Do I often occupy your thoughts my dear Sereda? Do I often leap through your lovely mind wearing nothing but a smile, please be honest."
The dwarven woman chuckled.
"You truly do not give up do you?"
"Not when I see something I want no."
A hint of a smile came to Seri's lips.
"Well I admire your persistence at any rate."
The elf's grin widened.
"Is that all you admire about me my dear?"
Seri did not respond right away. In truth, Zevran had been on her mind a lot lately. He was no Ser Gorim, but that relationship had been more about availability than actual desire. Gorim had been her second, and handsome as well, but it was not something that would have been allowed at her father found out.
Zev was…different. He intrigued her, she could not deny that. He was quick deadly and ruthless, but at the same time he did have a funny side that she admired.
His cute little elven ass was not bad either, she thought to herself.
Not that she would admit such things, no; a woman of House Aeducan always remained in control.
So, she answered Zev's question politely and simply.
She said, "No."
Once again the Antivan elf's eyes shown with excitement, anticipating the joy to come, their dance continued.
IOI
The chantry was a mixture of sobs and pleas for mercy.
Leliana regarded the people here with a heavy heart. She felt sorry for what they had endured, but tried to take comfort in the Maker's plan.
These people were crying out for aid, to be delivered from this evil, perhaps the Maker had finally answered them.
He had sent them Alim after all.
The citizens all looked up at the strange group. She found herself surprised to see no Templars standing around. Surely the chantry would not have deserted these people in their time of need. Sisters still tended to the fearful and the wounded.
The scout led them up to a man with a reddish blond hair and a short goatee, his noble finery was a bit soiled, and the look in his eyes was troubled.
The sign of a good leader, she thought.
The man turned, he met the scout's eyes.
"It is Tomas isn't it?" he asked.
The scout nodded.
"And who are all these people? They are not simple travelers."
"I spotted them travelling down the road Milord," the scout informed him, "This one seemed eager to speak with you." he said motioning to Alim.
"I thought you would want to speak with them."
The nobleman nodded.
"Very well Tomas, please return to your post."
The scout nodded and left the chantry.
The noble tried to put on a brave smile.
"Greetings friends," he said with a slight bow, "I am Teagan, Bann of Rainesfere, and brother to the Arl."
It was Alistair who spoke up first. He stepped up from his place behind them all.
"I remember you Bann Teagan," he said, "Though the last we met I was a lot younger and covered in mud."
The Arl gave the warden an odd look.
"Covered in mud? I…" his eyes seemed to focus on Alistair for the first time. A smile bloomed on the nobles lips.
"Alistair? It…it is truly you! Thank the Maker you are still alive!"
Alistair gave him a grim look.
"Still alive yes, though not for long if Teyrn Loghain has anything to say about it."
Teagan snorted.
"Indeed," the man replied, "Loghain would have all believe that the wardens all died with my nephew. He would…"
Teagan froze mid-sentence; his eyes fell on another of their party.
Gus shifted under his gaze.
"Fergus?" he whispered.
Gus winced as Kally gave him a curious look.
"Fergus?" she asked with a twitch of her ears.
"Hello Teagan,' the knight said with a tired sigh.
The Bann almost laughed.
"Fergus, thank the Maker that you are alive! We had feared that you died in Ostagar with Urien and the rest of the royal advisors!"
Alim gave their travelling companion a cool look.
"Gus," he said with a grim look, "Is there something you would like to tell us?"
The knight sighed.
"I…um…I was not simply a soldier at Ostagar," he said morosely, "I led the forces of Highever against the spawn that had risen there. I…I stood in my father's stead when he fell when Highever Castle fell."
Gus shook his head.
"I am Fergus Cousland, heir to the Teynir of Highever."
The rest of their little group fell silent; everyone looked at Gus with new eyes.
Kally recovered first, she elbowed him in the rib…hard.
"Oww," Fergus gasped, "What was that for?!"
The elf glared at him.
"You're a bloody Teyrn," she spat, "You're a bloody noble!"
"Well he is a Cousland," Alistair said dryly.
"Shove it Alistair,' the little blond elf said angrily.
Alim chuckled.
"It is not really much of a surprise you know," the elven warden said, "Gus…I mean Fergus's marshal skill, plus that sword of yours is clearly not standard issue."
Alim crossed his arms.
"It was clear there was more to you than met the eye," he said, "Your secret was not as big as Alistair's was, but…"
Alim shook his head.
"So," he said looking at his companions, "anyone else here secretly have any noble blood? You may tell me now and avoid any unpleasantness."
He glanced at his companions. He knew Alistair and Gus had the royal thing going, but…
Kally started to raise her hand.
He glared at the girl.
She busted out laughing.
"Just kidding boss," she chuckled.
Oghren snorted.
"Good one lass," he said with a belch, "You even had me going there for…"
Alim silenced him with a cold glare.
The elf turned back to Teagan.
"Now that we have gotten all the noble introductions out of the way," the elf sighed, "Maybe you can tell us what has been attacking you here."
Bann Teagan winced and slowly began his tale.
It was not the prettiest of stories, and it had all started with the Arl getting sick…
…That and the arrival of a mage.
IOI
A short time later, Alim and the others emerged from the chantry.
Morrigan sighed.
It was about bloody time? What had taken the others so…
Leliana brushed past her, hissing with anger. Morrigan would have taken offense but the fury in the red head's eyes made her curious.
She gave Alim a curious look.
""I don't want to talk about it," the elf said coldly, trying very hard not to go chasing after his irate lover.
He went looking for the village mayor, hopefully by the time they were done talking Leliana would have calmed down.
Morrigan watched him go with a look of surprise on her face.
She managed to catch Kallian's eye.
"What has happened?" the witch asked her.
The elven girl sighed.
"Oh nothing much," she replied, "Apparently Redcliffe Castle has been overrun by an undead horde. Gus is apparently the second most powerful man in Ferelden, and oh yes, Alim just pissed of Leliana by flirting with some teenage girl, other than that, it was nothing."
Morrigan shook her head, her amber eyes widened.
What?
Alistair came up to her trying to speak with his lover for the first time since she had overheard his confession on the road.
He tried to reach out to her.
The witch glared at him.
"T'would be wise if you did not try to touch me King of Fools," she warned him, "You might lose a hand if you attempt it."
Alistair winced, and lowered his hand.
The witch turned back to Kallian.
"Start at the beginning girl," she said, "How did Alim anger his chantry twit?"
The elf warrior told the witch what she had both seen and heard. Apparently, the village of Redcliffe was under attack by an army of undead. It had begun shortly after the Arl had taken to bed from his strange illness. There had been rumors of an arrest before everything had went to the void, but it was still not clear what had happened. For the last several nights, the monsters had surged out of the castle, killing and dragging off any who opposed them, and then…the very next night those who had been lost joined the ranks of the attackers.
The village was on its last legs.
Alim had agreed to help reinforce the village's defenses. He apparently hoped to deal with the undead, and then force their way into the castle itself.
Morrigan glared at her.
"That does not explain the chantry twit's anger?" she said.
Kally smiled.
"I was getting to that," she added, "Alim started asking around the chantry, seeing if anyone needed any help. He found this pretty little blond girl crying near the entrance, Katherine, Katniss, Maker I can't remember her name."
"Kaitlyn," Gus said quietly.
The elf glared at him.
"I was not talking to you Your Lordship," she spat angrily.
The knight gave her a wounded look.
"Kallian…I…"
"I don't want to hear it," she growled, "We will talk later!"
Amusement colored Morrigan's features.
Such strife, such anger, the witch thought.
Maybe she should have followed Alim into the chantry.
It seemed that a lot of drama had taken place, and she had missed it.
How very sad.
The elf finished her story.
"Anyway, you know how Alim is around pretty girls, all polite, proper, and stuff. Well, Leliana did not take to that very well. She did not accuse Alim of anything just turned all cold and stormed off. All Alim joked about was what the girl would give him if he found her little brother? Leliana took that a bit personally."
Zevran laughed.
"Our fearless leader should know enough not to flirt with another woman while his current one is standing there, clearly our Alim is not all that experienced in the ways of the female heart. Oh well, live and learn I suppose."
Theron shook his head.
"You speak wisely Zev," the Dalish admitted, "My Merrill was not a jealous woman usually, but even she was…possessive of me. I learned quickly to respect that."
The witch rolled her eyes.
She did not particularly care about the Dalish and his little clan mate, and she doubted that anyone else around here did either.
It seemed that this place brought out strife in their little group, for all the couples that had formed. Normally she would have enjoyed watching the conflict; it broke up the monotony of their long days.
Sadly, they did not have the time.
Enough with all the bickering between the couples in our little group, she thought, they needed to see to whatever madness Alim had promised this pack of fools.
She doubted that they had much time left.
The witch looked up at the castle, all was silent for now, but if the people of Redcliffe were to be believed, that would change when the sun went down. They had maybe good five or six hours before it became dark again.
Before the monsters came again.
They had best make use of that.
Night was coming…
…and darkness was coming with it.