Chapter 103: The Promise
"So, it wishes us to kill yet another giant scaly bird?"
Alim frowned at Shayle, of their entire merry band of misfits; he had expected the least resistance from her.
"That is correct," he said crisply, "Do you have a problem with that Mistress Golem?"
Shayle chuckled, or at least he thought she did, with her it was hard to say, it also sounded like she might have sniffled a little.
"No problem at all," she sniffled again, "Have I ever told it…it is my hero."
Alim rolled his eyes.
He had the regard of a squish-happy golem, wasn't that nice?
The elf almost chuckled.
The golem warmed at the strangest things. He was grateful she was on their side.
He turned to Oghren, since he had started all this with his remark to Father Kolgrim, it made sense that he should stand at the vanguard in this assault.
"You are going to get your wish, master dwarf. It seems like we are going to have to go through the cultists' pet dragon."
Oghren chuckled.
"Good on ya, elf," he said grinning broadly, "This place has been fun so far, but hunting another dragon…Ha…the people back in Tapsters will never believe it!"
Morrigan snorted from her place near Alistair.
"Especially considering that they treated you like you were nothing, dwarf," she reminded him with an acidic smile.
If Oghren was insulted he did not show it.
"Yeah…well let 'em talk when they see what I bring back to Orzammar. Not that I'm that interested in going back, hmph."
The ginger haired dwarf shook his head.
"Screw them all, that is what I say."
The group met in the central chamber of the temple, where they had initially entered. Leliana had scouted out the mountain peak. Had any of them hoped that the dragon the cultists worshipped was some weak sickly drake, the hopes were quickly dashed.
Leliana had been understandably shaken by what she had seen.
The upper part of the temple seemed in better shape than where they stood here, the entrance sat beneath a shelf of stone and ice.
It was there that the dragon had made its nest, a massive high dragon, clearly in the prime of its life.
The bard had seen it swoop low over the entrance, likely seeking food offerings from the cultists, seeing none, the creature settled into its nest, curling up like a gigantic feline.
The sight had been enough to even make the usually unflappable Leliana pause.
As she delivered her report to her lover, Alim found himself thinking how best to attack this problem. If they truly wished to reach the ashes, he did not want to leave the high dragon in a place that it could bedevil them when they left Haven.
They had seen no more cultists since dealing with Kolgrim, hopefully they had all been dealt with, but if they hadn't they might find a way to use the dragon to strike back at the wardens when they tried to leave the temple.
Alim did not like that thought.
Besides, these cultists worshipped this beast, if it was dead, they would have no more reason to remain here, it was clear that they no longer possessed any reverence for the ashes.
Slay their idol, and the cultist would break, they might even flee the ones responsible for destroying their god.
That would be the best possible outcome as far as the elf was concerned.
He turned to Brother Genitivi, the old scholar had been busy while they had been fighting, he had made many tracings of the carvings here in the main hall, not to mentions several sketches of the place itself.
Alim turned to him.
There is an old library down that corridor, brother," he said, "I think we have gotten all the cultists here, but just the same, I would like you to wait there until we come back. This fight we have coming…"
The elf shook his head.
"It will not be easy."
The old man sighed.
"I cannot deny that I would be curious to witness such a fight warden," he said, "I've always been a bit too curious for my own good, but I know my limitations. I'm no fighter, even before my leg…"
He rubbed absently at his damaged limb.
"I will do as you say. It seems it was not my destiny to reach the urn, but to guide you brave people to it, with Andraste's favor I am sure, you have all clearly been marked by her, I'm…I'm honored to share your company."
Morrigan rolled her eyes at the man's faith, but stayed silent for Alistair's sake if nothing else.
Alim almost chuckled.
There was a time not so long ago that he would have agreed with the witch, but his stance on the Chantry had softened in the last few months.
Likely because he now shared a bedroll with a good and devoted woman, ah the things a person did for those they loved.
Yet, he had no regrets.
Once the brother had been safely secured, he led the others up the path to the mountain's summit. Leliana had found a side path that allowed them to go around the warrens used by the cultist, and jump straight to where the dragon laired. A useful discovery to be certain, if they ran into any trouble with the dragon, they would not have to drag their injured back through all those cramped tunnels where they had fought the cultists.
That was a good thing.
Leliana said little since she had returned. He gave her a questioning look. She gave him a wan smile and pushed on. She did not seem surprised by what they were about to face.
Then he remembered her visions, she had been dreaming about dragons lately. He thought that she had been referring to the Archdemon, but it appeared that they had a dragon to kill in their more immediate future too.
The elf sighed.
The things he did to keep this sad world of theirs spinning.
If he survived this Blight, he intended that everyone know just what they had had to do to make sure the job got done. It had not been providence, or simple skill and bravery; those were part of it true…but just a small part.
It was also a major pain in his ass.
He looked over at his many allies as they made their way up the path. A hint of a smile played across his lips.
What an interesting party he now found himself in.
Warden, Templar, bard, mage, witch, noble, city elf, Dalish, dwarven noble, dwarven drunk, assassin, Qunari, golem…they were a motley crew to be sure, pariahs and misfits all, but…when this was over…provided they were still alive.
He…he would come to miss these people.
He would trust any of them with his life.
They had all started out as strangers, drawn here by personal interest or the desire to do what was right, but somewhere in the last few months, that had all changed.
On some weird level…they had become a family of sorts.
The elf shook his head, it was such a screwed up idea, he almost did not want to believe it but there it was.
"Is something wrong, dear?"
He turned to see Wynne at his side.
"Just thinking about the twists and turns of fate, old woman," he replied.
The elder mage chuckled.
"Something that will become more amusing as you grow older, dear boy," she smirked, "Provided we survive the next few minutes."
His ears twitched at her response.
"Worried?"
For myself, goodness no," Wynne chuckled, "I don't think I have much to worry about, I'm old, tough and stringy, no dragon is going to want me for its supper."
She gave Alim an amused smile.
"You on the other hand…"
The elf snorted.
"Thanks Wynne."
"Any time child."
He rolled his eyes.
Once again he found his eyes drawn to Theron; the Dalish hunter had been extremely quiet since this whole mission had begun. He did not seem like himself at all.
It was like he was wrestling with something.
Alim could almost sense it, through the taint the two of them shared. Theron was definitely troubled, and it seemed far more than simple pre-fight jitters.
He sided up next to his fellow warden, a concerned look on his face.
"Problems Ronnie?" he inquired.
The Dalish gave him a sick look, his ears lowered slightly.
"Please do not call me that Lethallin."
"Sorry," Alim shrugged.
The Dalish shook his head.
"It…it is okay Alim," he said meekly, his silver eyes downcast, "Just…all this…it has got me thinking."
"Dangerous territory," Alim smirked, "Care to share?"
The hunter blinked.
"I…I do not worship the shemlen Maker," he said grimly, "Their prophet freed the elven slaves, but then once she was gone…her chantry stole everything away from us, but…"
The elf's ears twitched nervously.
Alim quirked his lip, he needed Theron at his best if they were to succeed against the dragon.
They did not have time for whatever was eating the Dalish warden up inside.
"Come on lethallin," Alim said using the elvhen word, "Spit it out already."
Theron sighed.
"These…ashes…the remains of the shemlen prophet, they…they can heal any ailment?"
"So legend says," Alim shrugged.
The Dalish swallowed hard.
"Do you believe that includes the taint?"
Alim blinked.
"Is that what this is about?"
The hunter winced.
"Aye."
"You want to return to your clan when this is all over?"
"I…I want to return to my mate," he said, "Merrill…I…I miss her. Why should I not try if there is a chance?"
Alim sighed.
"We need the ashes for the Arl, Theron."
"I know, but…"
The Dalish gave a shuddering sigh.
"As long as I'm a warden, I' m lost to my clan, Merrill is lost to me."
"You can't go back; the taint within you will draw the darkspawn to them."
"This is why I need the ashes," he said hotly, "If they can do everything the shems say they can…"
"Theron," Alim said coldly.
The hunter fell silent.
"You have been thinking about taking the ashes for yourself after we acquire them?"
The Dalish shuddered.
"I…I hate myself for admitting it, but yes," he hissed, "It goes against my very honor, but…for chance to be with my clan, to be with Merrill again."
Theron's eyes flashed with determination.
"If it was Leliana, would you let anything stand between you and her?"
Alim winced at that.
If he had to choose between his duty to the order or his feelings for her…what…how far would he go?
He did not like thinking like that.
Alim glared at the Dalish.
Damn it, Theron!
He knew his duty. He knew what was expected of him, but…did that give him the right to deny Theron his shot at happiness?
The warden mage sighed.
"We will see when we reach the ashes Theron," he promised, "They may not even work on the taint; it is not exactly a normal disease after all."
"I'm willing to take that risk." The Dalish replied.
"We will see."
"Alim?"
"I said we would see."
Theron fell silent; Alim could feel the emotions roiling around in him like a storm.
Finally, the Dalish sighed.
"Ma nuvenin, Commander," the Dalish said sullenly.
Alim sighed.
…So much for perfect trust among their little group.
He did not think that Theron would act on his musings about stealing the ashes for himself, even if it meant he would be able to go back to his clan.
The hunter had too much honor for that, but still…he could see where the temptation came from.
Theron had brought up a really good point.
Could the ashes free them from the taint?
He did not know.
Alim sighed.
Of course, this was not just about the taint. He had made a vow to Duncan and the order. The wardens had saved his life; he should have been dead or tranquil right now.
Theron had made the same pledge; the fact that he was sick at the time did not take away from that promise….
The wardens had save him, now he owed them his life, his life in exchange for service that was not a commitment easily broken, even if they were not tainted.
Alim understood how honor and personal desire could clash.
They broke through into the sunlight; Alim stared in disbelief at the distant temple. Clearly it was more than just another part of the ruin, even with all the ice, it looked almost brand new.
He could also see the dragon's scaly back glistening in the mountain sun, the great beast curled up, likely asleep.
Alim's ears lowered slight with determination.
The cultists thought this monster was Andraste reborn. If they were right, Alim was likely going to piss the Maker off in a big way, but somehow he did not think they were correct.
He did not think Andraste, who had always preached compassion would want to be turned into a giant fire breathing lizard. If the beast gave them a chance to pass, they might, but if it attacked, they would deal with it.
It was all they could do.
Alim sighed, mustering is courage.
He drew spellbinder, light began to crackle at the tip of his staff, overhead thunder rumbled.
Alim smiled grimly.
Showtime.