Chapter 74

Haven's pub was named The Divine Pint. Whether or not the spirits lived up to the claim, Leliana did not know, but she found the name rather fetching. She'd learnt from Aedan that Alistair had taken to frequenting the pub ever since his return from Redcliffe. She'd seen neither hide nor hair of the man in two days and it was more than enough to worry her.

She found him easily enough upon entering the establishment. Many of the soldiers saluted her, but she motioned for them all to sit. It was a popular place for the forces to rest and chat. Seeing the Inquisition's Spymaster there would have interrupted that, but she really didn't care.

There at a corner, occupying a small table, sat Alistair, a half empty bottle of Fereldan whisky keeping him company. He didn't look up when she sat down across from him.

He wasn't injured. Not according to reports and not as far as she could see.

"The others told me that you spoke to Anora, made it easier for Grand-Enchanter Fiona to accept the alliance." He grunted, but said nothing. "Our open support for the mages will likely earn us enemies. Our agents will monitor the situation."

Alistair started to refill his glass.

"Neither Cullen nor Cassandra fully accept this decision, but they support it," Leliana continued. "But I am glad we made this choice; that you helped with it."

He remained silent. Filled the glass halfway. Mixed it with water.

"If the most opposed can be identified, we can still turn the situation to our advantage." Leliana paused. "They also told me of the strange future you saw. We know what the next move of our opponents might be: to assassinate Empress Cel-"

"I watched you die, Leliana."

She fell silent.

"You suffered a year's worth of torture and torment," Alistair said, still not looking up from the table. "You didn't break. You were malnourished, maltreated. I don't even know what else. The Grand-Enchanter had fucking lyrium growing out of her." He gripped the glass hard. "I saw the demons drag the bodies of Varric and Cassandra. And then you died so we could come back."

He emptied the glass and slammed it back down, shaking his head. Leliana covered his hand with hers.

"Alistair, what you saw wasn't-"

"Real?" He chuckled darkly. "Perhaps not to us here. But it was real for everyone in that timeline. It was real for you... for the you that was..." He covered his eyes with his free hand and took a shuddering breath. "I saw it. They strung you up. Did Maker knows what. For a whole year. You didn't even talk to me, and honestly, I didn't blame you."

"Alistair-"

"No. It was horrible. Horrible." He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. "I just can't forget it."

"Did it surprise you that I would?" she asked kindly. "Alistair, I love you. Of course I did. I was already dying, from what I'm told. But one life in exchange for a chance at rewriting history?" She chuckled. "I always loved a bargain."

At that, Alistair snorted. "So that's what it's like when I joke during serious moments."

Leliana smiled and squeezed his hand. "It is. But know that I would do it again."

"I know you would, and it's not the principle I'm arguing against. The needs of the many outweigh the few. Believe me, I know that by now. It's just... seeing for myself what can happen... I just..."

"What?"

"Whoever or whatever this Elder One is, he's going to raise an army of demons. You went to fight them. He was coming. He became a god or something. I felt him. Aedan was right. I got archdemon vibes. Definitely darkspawn. Probably a magister, same as the Architect." He looked up at her. "So I'll promise you right now, I'll do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening." He gnashed his teeth. "Whatever. It. Takes."

With that, he got up and walked away, slightly wobbly. He paid the waitress on the way out and didn't look back.

Leliana watched him go and sighed when he was out. Doing whatever it took was the Warden credo, but it was never Alistair's. She herself had always dabbled with darkness so her conscience could endure. Alistair was a good man. And good men, when they fell, were destined to scare the darkness out of evil itself.

I'll talk to Aedan about this, she thought as she reached for the bottle and poured herself a drink.

It didn't taste good at all.

A/N: The next chapter will be from Aedan's POV.