Chapter 131: A New Start
Leliana made her way through the quiet Denerim streets. The Orlesian silk merchant, always an early riser, had sent word to her last night. Her package, a gift for Alim, would be ready for pick up…just after daybreak.
The bard had been more than happy to retrieve it. After everything that had happened the last few days. Alim could use a bit of cheering up.
It was still a little early so only a few of the market stalls had been open. She carried her parcel close to her chest, ever watchful for any of the Teyrn's men.
Her brow furrowed slightly. It had been three days since their escape from Fort Drakon. So far, the Regent had not even tried to strike back after such an audacious deed…
No guards had shown up at Eamon's estate? Neither Ser Cauthrien nor Elissa Cousland had made one peep since they had taken Alim out of that terrible place. As far as they knew, no one was even looking for their new friend Carver, surprising considering what he had done. Breaking a prisoner out of the lower dungeons of Fort Drakon was likely a hanging offense. Yet still, Loghain remained silent, not even a scathing letter to the Arl. He had done nothing to release his wrath.
The bard could not help but wonder. What would he do…when he finally did?
As for their little…adventure into the Arl of Denerim's Palace, few in the city had made much of it. There had been little shock in the noble community when it came to the death of Rendon Howe. For the most part, Howe went to the flames unmourned, his actions in the last few months had earned him few friends in Denerim or abroad. Few nobles attended his burning; even his family had not been able to make the journey from Amaranthine. His eldest son was currently occupied in putting down a riot in Highever so he had not had time to claim his new land and titles, or even attend the funeral. In the young man's absence, Elissa Cousland had taken control, but unlike Howe, Loghain seemed to be keeping the girl on a very tight leash.
Personally, Leliana was most grateful for that, with both Alim and Fergus living in the Arl's estate, she had feared that the Cousland girl might rally her troops and try to storm Eamon's holdings here in the city.
Of course, with the Landsmeet so close now, and the Queen no longer under his thumb, the Regent had to proceed very, very carefully, any false step on his part at this point could turn the nobles against him and that would be his end here in Denerim.
The bard in her almost prayed that Loghain would be that foolish, it would have made their lives so much easier, but the fallout from such events would further weaken the Ferelden military, which was the one thing the wardens did not want, not with the darkspawn continuing their slow advance north through the country.
Leliana made her way up to the entrance of the estate. Shayle and Sten stood guard just inside the perimeter. No one had told either of them to take up this watch, but they had done so for the last three days.
Sten had not taken a meal since beginning this vigil, but considering the Qunari constitution that was not much of a surprise. She made a mental note to have some food sent down for him, to help him keep his strength up. She would make sure to include some cookies.
She smiled slightly.
She had heard from Alim that the Qunari had developed a fondness for cookies.
Shayle sighed heavily as she looked out of the marketplace.
"Ah," the golem said in her usual tinny sarcastic voice, "the sister returns."
Leliana's smile widened.
"Good morning Shayle," she said with a slight bow, "Sten."
The Qunari grunted and nodded the most she could expect when he was 'on duty.'
The golem was not so, no pun intended, hardened.
"Still they do not try to come for it," she said with a shake of her stone head, "Surely someone must suspect that the warden is here by now."
Leliana gave her companion a quizzical look.
"You would welcome an attack by the Teyrn's men?"
The golem snorted.
"I have not squished anything in weeks," she complained, "I fear I am getting out of practice."
Again Shayle shook her head.
"If I had wished to just stand around like a glorified statue, I could have remained in Honnleath."
Leliana smiled slightly.
"I'm sure you will get to 'squish' something soon Shayle," she said, "Alim is on the mend, so we should be neck deep in trouble soon."
The golem stood a little straighter.
"I would welcome a bit of trouble at this point," she complained, "anything is better than simply standing around and…ugh…watching the birds."
It was at that moment that a small sparrow landed on a water trough not far from where Shayle was standing. The Golem moved with incredible speed, reaching for the tiny bird.
The sparrow took flight, barely avoiding Shayle's crushing embrace.
"Come that close again, winged vermin!" the golem dared the bird, "You will be nothing but a feathered stain on my hands."
The sparrow alighted on one of the market stalls and sang a few gentle notes.
The golem snorted with frustration.
Leliana slipped past their two guards, she was eager to check in on Alim.
Her smile faded slightly, worry ate away at some of her amusement at Shayle's antics.
She hoped that her love would be feeling better this morning.
IOI
They made it back to the Arl's estate with little incident.
Both Alistair and the Arl had been furious at them for undertaking such a rescue on their own. Morrigan had been dismissive about the event. In fact, the witch almost seemed to be basking in Alistair's anger.
Perhaps she enjoyed the fact that she still had enough of a hold over him that he worried about her. Perhaps she looked at that worry as a means of proving her own worth.
Alim had collapsed as he had just passed through the doors. Theron had called for Wynne, while Arl Eamon had called for servants to help the injured warden to his room.
Carver had stayed behind, close to her, not surprising since she was the only person who could really vouch for his character. Alistair and Theron had not been sure what to make of their newest arrival, but the fact that he had aided them in Alim's escape did much to improve their opinions of him.
Morrigan had retreated almost immediately to her room. She had not even given Alistair a chance to ask if she was okay. She wanted to get to work on some healing salves, she had said, and she had to consult her mother's grimoire, to see if she could find a way to free Carver from her mother's spell.
The mention of the fact that Carver had been bewitched, caused almost an immediate response from Alistair, as a former Templar, people being cursed by mages was something he was trained to deal with. He had tried several Templar tricks to free their new friend from his bondage, alas, none of them worked. Whatever Flemeth had done to Carver went far beyond mere circle magic, the bond remained strong, even after Alistair's attempt to cleanse the poor boy.
Carver had dismissed any further attempts. If there was a way to free him, it would not be by any normal means. Perhaps Morrigan would find the answer in her mother's book…
They would simply have to wait and see.
Wynne got to work on Alim almost immediately. Jowan, having had circle healing training himself did what he could to aid her. He had offered to use some of his life energy to aid in the healing, but Wynne had rejected that idea.
She was more than skilled to treat their leader without turning to blood magic, thank you.
The elder mage had a long history of caring for the wounded, even one who had been subjected to the…treatment that was common in Fort Drakon.
Several of Alim's fingers had been broken, as had several of his ribs. Wynne suggested that he might have punctured a lung. Magic helped with those injuries, but the worst was his ear.
The old mage had shaken her head.
"The things people do to others," she had muttered under her breath, "Abhorrent."
The wound had quickly become infected, plunging Alim into a feverish state. Wynne did what she could, treating the elf with both magic, and healing herbs. The salve Morrigan created did do its work of leeching the infection from elf's wound. After bringing the medicine to Wynne, she had retreated back to her room. Leliana had gone to her, to try and thank her.
The witch had merely looked up from her mother's book and scowled, she gestured with her right hand, making the door slam in the bard's face.
Leliana sighed.
She would have to accept that response as the witch's version of 'Your welcome.'
As for the rest of their party, they had not been exactly idle while she had been gone. Theron had sent raven's to their allies, asking them to begin assembling, to begin to prepare marching for war.
The Dalish had an understanding of what it took to get people motivated, in preparing them to fight. As the son of a keeper, his own keeper had made sure that he knew at least a little bit about leading people into battle.
Alistair had remained close to the Arl. If Loghain tried anything to hurt the old man, he would be there to prevent it. Plus, the Arl had used this time to introduce the former Templar to several of his noble allies, as well a few on the fence when it came to who they thought should lead Ferelden against the Blight.
Queen Anora had been there as well, of course. She had made no direct proclamation declaring that she supported Eamon and the warden, yet for now, she accepted their protection.
Leliana's eyes narrowed.
A couple of times she had caught the queen trying to speak privately with Alim. Her love with in no shape to match wits with the queen, the bard did her best to try and protect him. The woman had no right to making offers to the warden while he was fighting back a fevered delirium.
To that end, she had enlisted the aid of Seri, Zevran, and Oghren; all three of the trio had had at least some experience in dealing with the nobles of Thedas.
When Leliana could not be there, she made sure either the crow or the dwarves were. Seri had tried several barbs with the queen. Zevran had chased her away with barely disguised innuendo. Oghren was…
Leliana was not sure what was going on with Oghren.
The berserker had…gone through some changes since the flight from Howe's Palace. He seemed more…reflective than he had before. He was not even drinking as much as he once had.
In a way, it reminded her of what had happened to Theron on the way back from the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The Dalish remained quiet about that, but at least he was moving forward, or trying to by taking up a greater role as a grey warden.
Oghren, she was not sure what was going on with Oghren.
In time, she hoped the matter would resolve itself, or at least reveal itself so that the dwarf's friends could help…
…Which, of course, left only Kally and Fergus, last perhaps, but certainly not least.
Howe's death should have freed Fergus from his pain, but it had not. No sooner had Alim been taken than the nobleman started working the Gnawed Noble Tavern, trying to rally any of House Cousland's old allies. He had had the most luck with the Bann's of Waking Seas and Dragon's Peak. Both nobles had had family members suffer beneath the tender mercies of Arl Howe. Though they had not openly joined the warden cause, they were at the very least not coming to the defense of Elissa Cousland, and Loghain MacTir, that was a victory in itself.
Kally did what she could to care for her injured cousin. Soris, as he was called, had spent months in Howe's dungeon that was not something that someone could recover from quickly.
Kally had seemed so down both yesterday and the day before that. No doubt the elf was feeling that she had reached her cousin far too late.
Leliana was not sure what to do about that, but in the end, it had not been she who had acted.
It had been Fergus.
She had tried not to intrude, hiding in the shadows as the noble had confronted the elven warrior. Not wishing to disturb what he was trying to do.
She did not hear but passed between them, but after only a few words they had both been in tears, holding onto each other for dear life, grasping for life itself.
Fergus had kissed her then, gently at first, then with far more passion. Kally had wrapped her arms around his neck, then…her legs around his waist.
Fergus had carried into his room and shut the door. There was nothing she could do for either of them, she realized. They had taken charge of their own healing.
Now…all that was needed…was time.
IOI
Leliana made her way to Alim's room; she had taken one of the guest rooms as her own while he was healing. Bandit made sure that everyone kept their distance from their wounded leader. The Mabari would growl at any who got too close, even Wynne. AT least until one of the mage's scathing looks made the poor warhound back down with a low whine.
The bard slowly opened the door; Bandit looked up from where he was laying at the foot of his master's bed.
The warhound growled.
"It is only I, Bandit," she called out.
The growl faded, but the dog remained watchful.
She set down the parcel, and approached the Mabari.
He stood up a little straighter, a guard on duty.
She held out her hand to him, he sniffed it and licked it lightly. His stubby tail wagged slightly. She wiped her hand on the side of leggings.
The dog tilted his head and gave her a questioning look.
She tried to give him her most reassuring smile.
"He is getting better," she said, "We just have to be patient."
"I fear we might not have the time."
Leliana nearly jumped.
Alim was awake, watching her, his injured ear wrapped in bandages and smeared with a sweet smelling poultice.
The warden mage groaned and sat up.
"Damn it," he growled trying to take a deep breath, not easy with his ribs heavily wrapped.
Leliana smiled.
"Good morning dearest," she cooed.
He managed a weak smile.
"Tell that to the Archdemon," he said sullenly, "The damn thing won't let me get a good night's sleep."
He shook his head.
"I'm going to see it answer for that," he growled, "Every sleepless night."
Leliana smiled.
"I'm sure I could exhaust you, dearest," she said with a sexy smile.
He grinned.
"I'm not quite up to the challenge of pleasing you, love, at least not yet…"
Leliana smiled.
Not yet, she thought.
But soon, she hoped.
The elf leaned back with a heavy sigh.
"How are things?" he asked.
"Progressing," she said, "Fergus and Eamon are working on the nobles, but we will likely need more than a few noble allies."
Alim nodded his expression grim.
"We knew this wouldn't be easy."
"When has it ever been," Leliana asked with a shrug.
"True," he agreed, trying to rise from bed, he stumbled and almost ended up face first on the stone floor.
Leliana was there, quick as lightning.
She caught her lover in her arms.
"Damn it," Alim hissed, "Damn it straight to the void."
Leliana kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Give it time dearest," she cooed.
"Give it time."
He groaned and let her help him back into bed.
The warden mage sighed.
"There is so much to do," he said, "Even when I get my strength back."
Leliana smiled.
"It will come," she promised.
Again he nodded.
"I'm also going to have to find some new armor and weapons," he said with a frown, "Loghain's men snapped my staff, and Maker knows where Spellbinder is right now."
The elf shook his head.
"I'll miss that blade," he said, "I just got used to it."
Leliana's eyes narrowed in thought.
"I'm sure we can find a new staff for you and the Wonders of Thedas," she offered.
He snorted at that idea.
"Maybe," he agreed when he saw her frown.
"As for the sword," she said, "That will be a bit harder to replace."
"Yeah," Alim agreed, "Not many ancient elven smiths working these days, I suspect. The art of making a Stormbreaker's blade is probably lost to time."
She nodded.
How many things had been lost when the Elven Empire fell? How much did Tevinter destroy when they enslaved Alim's people so long ago?
Who could say?
She smiled slightly.
She could do nothing about his lost weapons, but she could give him a little something to lift his spirits.
She went over and picked up the parcel.
Alim's good ear twitched.
"What is that?" he asked.
She smiled and sat the parcel down in front of him.
"Open it," she said with an eager smile.
He shrugged, and did as she asked. He paused as he realized what he was staring at.
He looked up at her.
His good ear rose in surprise.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"The silk merchant in the market place," she said, "I first placed the order when we first got to Denerim, I almost forgot about it until she sent word to me last night."
The warden smiled.
He pulled out the first item, a flat round item, wider than his shoulders, with a gentle tap, the point extended.
The elf smiled as he sat it on top of his head. The hat, so similar to the one lost in a burned tent months ago, was almost identical to the old one, with only one difference.
That hat, and its matching coat had been blue, this new one was pearl white, white with silver silk trim, trim interwoven with silverite, with griffons stitched onto the lapels.
It was the perfect garb for a warden mage.
Alim smiled with pleasure.
"What do you think?" he asked.
She smiled.
"You look a bit like you did the day we met," she said, "Only not as hostile."
The elf chuckled.
"Only just," he agreed.
"Only just."
Her smile grew at his amusement.
He pulled out the coat, inspecting the fabric.
"You will likely need some armor," she said, "But I think you always looked best when you were wearing your hat and coat."
She smiled.
"You were so handsome."
He blushed slightly.
"It's the mage robes," he said dryly, "The ladies go crazy over it."
She chuckled slightly.
"Though not all at once," she said.
"Of course not," he agreed, "We wouldn't want to make things too easy."
Alim handed her back the coat and hat. He seemed greatly cheered by her gift. For so long, he had made do with whatever armor or cloaks he could find.
Now…he had something that was his.
She understood how good that could make you feel.
He lay back in bed.
"Thank you, Leli," he purred.
"I'm glad you like it," she said.
"Not just for the gift," he said, "For being you, for coming to save me, for coming with us in the first place, for…for everything."
She was blushing now, she could not help it.
He smiled.
"Soon I will be able to thank you properly, but first I must finish healing, then we start over."
She gave him a quizzical look.
"Start?" she inquired.
He let out a tired sigh.
"We start fighting back," he said, "No more running. No more hiding from Loghain, his sycophants, or the Archdemon."
The elf's brown eyes narrowed, in the distance thunder rumbled.
"We have taken their best shot," he purred cruelly.
"Now…it's our turn."