Chapter 79

"Not going to partake in the celebrations?" Alistair asked as he flicked his thumb over his shoulder. "They've got dancing dwarves."

Perched on the wall, Aedan looked out at the darkness like a hawk. The man had never attended celebrations of any kind in all the time Alistair had known him. He always worked. Now, even when he didn't have that, he didn't allow himself a distraction.

"Dancing dwarves hold no fascination for me," Aedan replied as Alistair came to stand beside him. "Besides, too many people. Too much noise. Isn't that why you escaped?"

"No. I escaped because they were asking for a pillow fight rematch."

"You mean the one with Cullen? The one you los-"

"It was a draw!" Alistair insisted. Why was that so hard to grasp?! "And we don't talk about that."

"It'd make for a great main event."

"Drop it."

Aedan chuckled. "By your orders, Commander."

Frowning, Alistair decided to change the topic with firmness.

"What're you even doing out here? Improving your night vision? They say it gets better if you eat carrots."

"It doesn't. And I'm scanning."

"For what? Threats?"

Aedan nodded, his gaze fixed on the mountain. Alistair followed it, but saw nothing.

"See anything?"

"Not yet."

"But you expect to."

"Yeap."

In Peace, Vigilance. Alistair smiled. "Boy, are you paranoid."

"True. I'm also alive."

"Touché. So what's the logic here?"

"What was the Inquisition's main objective, Alistair? Sealing the Breach, right?" Alistair nodded. "And they've done that, yes? Worked hard to do so?" Again, Alistair nodded. "People are at their most complacent and vulnerable right at the moment when they achieve something they set out to do. The harder they work for it, the greater their distraction, making it the easiest time to strike."

"Maker, that's dark. And ruthless."

"But also efficient and effective." Aedan paused and straightened. "And in this case, right on the money."

"Wait, what?"

Aedan pointed. "Follow my finger. See the torches?"

Alistair squinted, but the light of many torches coming over the mountain was there to see for anybody who was looking.

"Bloody hell."

"Run," Aedan told him, not looking away from the mountain. "Go get Cullen. Now."

Alistair didn't need telling twice. He sprinted down the streets of the village, wending his way through revellers with dexterity that would put a cat to shame.

Who would want to attack us here? Haven is no fortress, true, but who... unless it's the Asshole. But why? Wanton destruction? Sending a message? Wholesale slaughter?

He didn't know. Thinking about such things without enough information wouldn't solve anything. So when he found Cullen sitting by himself with a flagon of beer, he latched onto his arm and pulled him to his feet.

"Come with me. Now."

Cullen gave him a bewildered look. "Why, what's the matter?"

"Guys, we're having the re-match!" Varric cheered. Cullen rolled his eyes.

"If that's what this is about-"

"Haven is under siege," Alistair whispered urgently. That sobered Cullen up. "Come. Now."

They raced back up to the wall, where Aedan was still standing watch.

"You have a big ass force coming right at you," he said as Alistair and Cullen reached him. "The bulk is still coming over the mountain, but the really energetic ones will be at the gates in ten minutes."

"I don't see a banner," Cullen observed, peering into the darkness.

"There isn't one," Aedan replied. "I'd see about ringing the town bell if I were you, Commander."

Cullen said nothing, but tore down the hill immediately, calling his men to arms. Alistair watched him go, issuing orders about ringing the bell as he went.

"What do you think?" Aedan asked. "Feel anything yet?"

"No. Nothing. They're too far away."

"Won't be for long."

"I know." Alistair paused and strained his ears. "You hear that?"

"What?"

"Thumping. Someone's thumping on the bloody gates."

They exchanged a look before jumping down from the palisades and running to the gate. Someone was thumping at the gate and Cullen reached them right then, the Herald in tow.

"What's that?" he asked but before Alistair could answer, a voice came from the other side.

"I can't come in unless you open!"

It was distressed. Urgent. No indication of malice. Cullen had his sword unsheathed and kept it that way. Alistair pulled out his blade as well. The dragonbone longsword, which had belonged to Maric and then Cailan, had been recovered at Ostagar by them, along with Cailan's armour. All items had been returned to the castle but the sword had been a gift from Anora. The runes inscribed in it glowed blue, providing light. It was a fine specimen of dwarven craftsmanship and was mighty effective against darkspawn.

I really hope it isn't darkspawn out there.

With both him and Cullen ready for combat, Aedan and the Herald pushed the gates open... and found a young boy standing there. He looked frail and small, though that could have been because of the giant hat he wore. He didn't look like he'd seen more than sixteen winters.

"I'm Cole," said the boy to the Herald. "I came to warn you! To help! People are coming to hurt you!" He paused. "You probably already-"

"What is this?" Ellana demanded firmly. "What's going on?"

"The templars come to kill you."

"Templars?!" Cullen barked, causing Cole to jump back. "Is this the Order's response to our talks with the mages? Attacking blindly?"

"The Red Templars went to the Elder One." Alistair's stomach flipped. "You know him?" Cole looked at Ellana. "He knows you." Then he looked at Aedan. "Both of you."

Alistair caught Aedan grinning maliciously to himself. Ellana only looked confused. "What-"

"You took his mages," Cole said. "The Elder One, he's very angry you took his mages."

"Good," Aedan muttered. Alistair said nothing.

Ellana turned to Cullen.

"Commander, give me a plan. Any plan."

"Haven is no fortress. If we are to withstand this assault, we have to control the battle." Cullen eyed the trebuchets. "Hit them with everything we can."

"Look," Cole said, pointing at the mountain. "Here they come."

There was a man leading the army of templars and though Alistair could see him, he didn't recognise him. Cullen, however, did.

"That's Samson," he said immediately. "He will not make it easy." He glanced at Ellana, jaw set. "You wanted a plan, Herald? I've got three."

"I'm all ears."

"Sanction the mages to use every force. Engage all defences. Evacuate the townsfolk to the Chantry." He pointed at Aedan. "And get this man a sword."