Chapter 155: When Tomorrow Comes
"Try Again."
Carver brought his great sword around, sweat dripped in his eyes as he circled his opponent. In contrast, Sten might have well been a statue, cool and unyielding, the huge Qunari held his sword at the ready, waiting for the other man's attack.
He did not need to wait long.
He flung himself at his opponent, trying to rain down blows that could breach the Qunari's guard. Again and again his attacks were turned back, Sten gave ground, but only enough to reinforce his guard, never did he retreat, and again Carver was forced to back off to reevaluate his attack.
The Qunari sighed and shook his head.
"Predictable," he said flatly, "Try again."
As the sun finally set, Redcliffe Castle began to settle in for the night, in the morning the army would be on the march again, but for now, their time was theirs. The wardens had all been called away to meet with Riordan, which meant that their allies had the evening to themselves. Carver had come upon Fergus, Sten and Oghren sparing in the training yard. He had asked to join them, eager to prove his mettle. After a short exchange between him and the dwarf, Fergus retired for the evening leaving the younger man to test himself against Oghren and the Qunari.
It was a test that was not going very well.
He circled around and came at him with an over-hand chop, switching quickly; he brought his blade in low, trying to keep the other man off balance.
Sten parried the attack and shoved him back roughly.
He managed to stay upright; only just resisting his opponents attempt to knock him over…
…just barely.
"A strategy expected of a mere beginner," The Qunari said with a frown.
"Try again."
Carver glared daggers at the man as Oghren burst out laughing from his place atop an old water barrel.
The dwarf grinned widely.
"Good try kid," he chuckled, "I'm sure you got ole' Sten right where you want him."
Carver snorted angrily, but did manage to hold his tongue. When he had come upon the rest of the warriors in their party sparring in the castle courtyard, he had been hoping to show them just what kind of a fighter he had become. The Ferelden army was not a place for weaklings after all.
He had expected an easy victory, or at least to hold his own. Sten's defense showed him that he was not as good as he had thought he was…
It was humbling to say the least.
The Qunari regarded him coolly as he once again assumed the ready position; the large man's eyes seemed to be evaluating his very being.
"You are angry," Sten said flatly, not a question, but a statement.
"I'm getting ready to knock you on your ass," Carver spat back at him, his words prompted another fresh bray of laughter from Oghren. Carver tried to ignore him.
First he would deal with the Qunari, that it would be the dwarf's turn.
"Passion can save your life if it is properly applied. Yet it can be a distraction as well."
Carver glared at him.
"I'm not dis…"
The Qunari attacked.
Carver suddenly found himself on the defensive. Sten was far faster than a man his size had a right to be. All thought of attack faded as his training took over. It was all he could do to hold the Qunari warrior back. Each attack struck with a crispness that Carver would not have expected after sparing so long.
When the Qunari fell back, it was all he could do to remain upright. If Sten attacked again, he would be overwhelmed, he did not doubt that.
The larger man nodded a slight smile of approval on his face.
"Better," he exclaimed, "You have skill, but you will never reach your full potential until you learn to keep your emotions in check."
Carver nodded. Once he might have spat back some snide comment, but a year of service in the army had taught him more than a bit about self-control. The Qunari had not insulted him; he needed to remember that; it was praise, though not the most warming of praise.
Accept it and move on, his conscience chided, you're here to train, not have sunshine blown up your arse.
Sten was not type to sugar coat his opinion. If he had something positive to say, it was well earned.
Carver Hawke accepted that.
He once again resumed his ready stance.
"It is a shame that the Teyrn left us," he said conversationally while he and Sten circled, "I would have preferred that he see just what I am capable of."
The dwarf snorted at his comment.
"Trying to get a place among the lord's army boy?" he asked.
"I'll have to do something when this is all over," he shrugged, "I can think of worst fates than serving the Teyrn."
"You must survive the coming days first," Sten reminded him, "nothing is certain in war."
"True, but that does not mean I should just accept that I'm going to die in the next few days. What are we fighting for if not for a chance to have a life after all this?"
The Qunari paused, considering what he had said, perhaps, finally the larger man nodded.
"Fair enough," he said, "I intend to return to my people when all this is done, to make my report to the Arishok."
Sten's expression turned thoughtful then.
"It will be…good to see home again."
"Not me," Oghren called out, "Orzammar can go fall down a shaft for all I care. They treated me like nug-droppings there. I'm never going back."
"So what will you do when this is all over?" Carver asked as he parried a quick strike from Sten.
The dwarf chuckled.
"Spend some time with Felsi," he said, "Been a while since ole' Oghren greased the bronto, after that, who knows, maybe I'll try the soldier's life myself, be better than sitting around at tapsters every night that is for sure."
Carver had heard that the dwarf had a girl waiting at a tavern outside the circle tower, he had not gotten a chance to meet her, but had heard a few things from Alim, who had helped the two dwarves get reacquainted again.
"So you would settle down with a woman?" Carver said, "I don't know if I could do that just yet."
At his back, Oghren chuckled.
"All it takes is the right woman kid," he said, "I spent two sodding years trying to find the wrong one, after that…I'm not about to let the right one get away again."
The dwarf smirked.
Maybe one day you will get lucky and find some girl to make it all seem worthwhile, worth fighting for, Ancestors know, stranger things have happened. Take Fergus for example, He could have stayed down here with us but instead decide to go up and wrestle between the sheets with Kally, can't say that I really blame him there. She is a bit too skinny for my tastes, but hey, whatever supports your shaft, right?"
Carver considered that. Even with her injuries, Kally was still a very attractive woman.
No, he could not blame Fergus either.
He charged Sten once again; before he went to bed tonight he was determined to knock the old Qunari down. This would likely be the last time that he would ever get the chance to test himself against a Qunari warrior.
He did not intend to waste it.
IOI
Wynne watched them as they continued to spar. She had climbed the castle walls to watch the sunset over Redcliffe, now with twilight upon them she turned her gaze upon those she called friends and allies.
The old mage smiled.
Despite the darkness they had faced these last few months, she had grown fond of her travelling companions. She would miss them when all this was done. Perhaps that was why she was watching them now, she wanted to hold onto the memories she had made of those who were her companions.
If this was to be her final journey, she wanted to remember it as clearly as possible.
"Greetings, elder mage."
She smiled ruefully.
"Hello Shayle."
The golem made its way down the walkway to her. Despite her size and heaviness, Shayle moved with surprising speed and silence.
It was an impressive feet for such a large being made of stone.
The golem stood beside her, the crystals in its skin flickering in the fading light. Glowing eyes regarded thoughtfully.
"Why does the elder mage stand here?" she asked.
"Just enjoying a brief moment of peace, my friend," Wynne replied, "We shall be at war again soon. I wished to make the best of the quiet, while I can."
"Hm," the golem replied, glancing down into the courtyard where the warriors were sparring.
"I was listening to the drunken dwarf," Shayle said conversationally, "Apparently the drunken dwarf wished to continue fighting when the Blight is done."
"Oghren is a warrior," Wynne shrugged, "What else would a warrior do?"
"What does the elder mage intend to do once the Blight is finished?"
The mage gave her an arched look.
To be honest, she realized, she had not given it much thought. Part of her assumed that she would run out of time before all was said and done, but if she did not…
If…
"I do not think that I will return to the tower," she said, "I have been granted a gift that not many have received, a chance to continue on beyond what I would have normally."
The mage smiled slightly.
"Perhaps I will travel. I have always wanted to see the libraries of Tevinter. To walk their halls and see what secrets might be hidden there."
"Do they know of golems there?" Shayle inquired.
"I suppose so. Tevinter had long traded with the dwarven kingdoms; no doubt they have much knowledge that was lost in the fall, why do you ask?"
Shayle sighed.
"I have been considering Caradin's words, about finding an ending to eternity; he chose his own end, after so very long. Mortal beings are…so short lived. I should be grateful not to be among them…but…"
"But?" Wynne asked.
The golem's eyes narrowed.
"I have seen what it and its companions have accomplished. Perhaps in…being mortal, there is a strength that I have not considered. Shayle of House Kadash made a sacrifice to see me created, yet I can no longer remember it. When all this is done, I would like to seek out a way to…find her again. To regain what she gave up…to protect her home."
Shayle chuckled to herself.
"I have done all I can as a golem, perhaps it is time I tried becoming mortal again.
"It would be…an adventure."
Wynne smiled.
"If I go to Tevinter, you are welcome to come with me Shayle. You may not find the answers you seek but if those answers are there. I will help you find them my friend."
Shayle stood a little straighter, the golem seemed…pleased by her answer.
What an odd pair they would make. Wynne living on borrowed time and Shayle with far too much. Maybe together they could find peace in both their situations.
"You have my thanks," the golem said, "Wise one."
IOI
Seri sat in the main hall as the various soldiers and officers made their way around her. The preparations for the march tomorrow were well underway. The allies that had joined them were now being integrated into the main battle plan, while any problems that might arise from such were dealt with.
The former princess of Orzammar frowned.
She had tried speaking with several members of the dwarven army that had come to stand with them. The casteless that had come were willing to talk, but it was clear that the members of the warrior caste still looked at her as less than nothing, not that she could blame them...
A kinslayer would always be a kinslayer in their eyes.
That would never change.
She spotted Zev moving towards her with to large tankard of ale. Despite her dark thought she could not help but smile.
Her lover had that effect on her, despite his many…complications.
Once upon a time she would never have thought of taking such a man to her bed. He was handsome in the way that most elven men were, and his courage and ruthlessness in battle had intrigued her from the start, still there was more to him than that, likely even more than he realized. He had told her about the girl he had loved before he had left the crows, another assassin who he had slain while trying to protect himself. That loss had left him in a state where he had wanted to die, even to the point of seeking out a contract that could have led to his death.
He assured her that that was no longer the case. Facing his old friend in Denerim had made him realize just what he had gained. Zev had grown beyond just being some hired knife being directed by some faceless organization. He had shown true courage, a sense of heroism that few among even the bravest in Orzammar could inspire to.
Yet, to many he would be considered an outcast, because of his history; he had no place in the society into which he was born, just like her.
Her expression turned warm.
It was nice to know she was not alone.
"So many brave souls," he said as he offered her a tankard.
"Surely with such a host, and the wardens at our side, we will not fail in the battle to come."
"It is a grand alliance to be sure," she agreed, "If Orzammar had ever managed to raise such a force, and perhaps so much of our empire would not have been lost.
Zevran gave her an appraising look, her words had come out far more bitter than she had intended.
He had picked right up on that.
"Feeling a little homesick?"
"A little," she said pursing her lips, "Being around dwarven warriors again doesn't help, if anything it reminds me of everything that I lost."
He put a hand on her shoulder.
"It has not been all bad has it? You have had some gains as well?"
She gave him a warm smile.
"I can't say that it hasn't been fun," she said, "and the company up here is a definite improvement than what I had in the deep roads."
The assassin laughed.
"I can't say that is entirely true, I mean we have met some people who are almost as bad as the darkspawn. Still…I can see the appeal."
He gave her a saucy grin.
"And what of me?" he inquired, "Have I not pleased Milady?"
The teasing comment she had been about to make died on her lips. The two of them had shared much on this journey. She had come to depend on him in a way that she had never had before, not even with Gorim back in Orzammar…
If they survived the coming days she was not sure what would happen. Part of her hoped that she and Zev would continue on with what they had here. Perhaps they would even go travelling now that his former masters believed him dead.
Would he want me along though, she wondered, or was this just some kind of distraction, a way to pass the time in the darkest of nights?
She had no answer.
When this was over, they would need to talk more, she realized, come up with a plan for what was next. They would need to make up their minds.
Did she truly want him in her life, and more importantly did he want her in his.
His elven ears rose slightly, she had paused too long as she had considered her response.
"Seri?" he asked.
She smiled, and seized him by his chest plate pulling him in for a long and passionate kiss.
When they broke apart, they were both panting, the simple act had awoken a fire in them both.
She grinned savagely.
"Let's go upstairs," she purred lustfully.
"And we see just how well you please me."
IOI
Night settled over the castle, and with it the day's activities slowed, while the preparations for the coming march continued.
Fergus' role in that march was not what he might have expected it to be. Most would have expected him to be rallying the northerners in the army, bringing them under the Banner of Highever and House Cousland.
That was not what had happened.
Though they stood with Ferelden, like the rest of the army, the structure that Loghain had put in place remained intact. Both Fergus and Arl Eamon agreed now was not the time to throw the army into chaos and disorganization, once the Blight had been defeated it would then fall to the Teyrn to arrange his lands as he saw fit, which meant that he had time to himself before taking up the position of his fore-fathers.
As it turned out, he would need such time.
After leaving his fellows in the courtyard he had gone back to the room he shared with Kally, she had already been there when he entered and had come to his arms. One thing had led to another, and the two had found themselves intertwined once again.
After love, Kally had risen from the bed. Fergus had reached for her, but she had pulled away, forcing him to rise and go to her.
In the darkness with nothing between them, she had told him something, something that shook his still unstable world to its core.
He blinked, almost speechless.
He….he…
Unbelievable!
"Are you sure," he murmured.
The elf laughed nervously against his chest.
"Pretty sure yeah," she answered.
Fergus shook his head in amazement.
Incredible.
Perhaps he should not have been surprised; they had been laying together quite often these last few weeks still…still.
He smiled as he gently stroked her cheek.
She looked up at him, her large emerald colored eyes shining in the darkness, the scar over the left one did nothing to take away her beauty, in fact, he had come to love it as part of this extraordinary girl, this woman who had brought him back from the brink. She…
She frowned deeply at him.
"Stop smiling," she said.
"Why?' he asked.
"You know why," she hissed, "This is serious!"
"I know it is, it…it…"
He pulled her close, she didn't resist, but he felt the tension in her shoulders, the resistance.
Yet, he could not stop smiling, not after this…not after everything.
"What am I going to do?" he heard her say, her voice thick with fear.
Fergus kissed her forehead, if…if only he could make her understand make her see.
She had nothing to be afraid of; he would make sure of that.
"You will be kept safe," he murmured.
"You should stay here when we march."
She pushed away from him, tears in her eyes, tears and anger.
"Don't take this away from me," she said.
"Kally," he said with a frown.
"Don't," she repeated, "I've come this far I will see this through."
Now he frowned.
"Everything has changed," he reminded her.
"Nothing has changed."
"Yes it has," he repeated.
He felt his anger rising, how could she not see?
"I can still fight."
"That I don't doubt."
"It is my life to risk, I…"
He ran his hand down her body; gently it came to rest on her belly, to cup it protectively.
Fergus shuddered, he could feel nothing yet in the flat plain of muscle, but it was there none the less. Kally said she was certain. She…
He almost whimpered.
"It is not just you anymore," he reminded her.
Tears welled in her eyes, her elven ears lowered as he mouth trembled. He pulled her close to him again, warming her against his body, shielding her from the gathering darkness.
He would do everything he could for her, for them.
He would shield them forever, this amazing young woman, and…his child inside of her.
"Don't leave me," she whimpered, "Please don't."
"Never," he mouthed, his hands moving over her, soothing her.
"Never."
He stroked her cheek as she rested her head against him, he felt her sobbing weakly, as much from fear as from anger. He did not want to put her in danger, but at the same time, she had to be who she was, this was something he could not simply demand of her.
This was not something that he expected or planned. It changed their lives.
It changed everything.
He was no fool, he knew what this meant. An elf blooded child to the Teyrn of Highever. He had not considered that, not once during their journey their time together.
What came next would not be easy, but after everything else.
After Oren…he…he could not let go, he would not.
Whatever happened.
Tomorrow would come.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, lot of holiday stuff was going on, and wanted to spend a chapter getting caught up with what the others were doing while the wardens met with Riordan, next chapter, Alim has to make a decision, and face a little surprise himself, until next time dear readers.
DG