Chapter 81
The path leading out was familiar. Though it had been close to eleven years since he'd walked it last, every corner and turn reminded him of dragonlings and cultists. It had been a bad time.
The distant screeching of a dragon gave him pause and Alistair looked back at the tunnel, illuminated with lanterns and torches held by the Inquisition's soldiers. He wondered how long the procession was, but he didn't stop for very long.
Holding out his glowing sword before him, he pressed forward, Leliana walking silently beside him.
"How do you feel?" she asked him quietly. She hadn't spoken since they'd entered the dungeons. The place held unsavoury memories, despite its newfound status as a pilgrim's path.
Alistair shrugged. "The distance helps. The headache's gone now. Just a knot in my stomach."
"Do you really think it's an archdemon?"
"It felt like one. I know that for sure."
"No reports of darkspawn from anywhere?"
Alistair shook his head. "None. There was no indication of a Blight at all. I'll have to check with the Vigil soon. See if that's changed."
"We've seen no darkspawn here. Not according to my reports."
"I don't want to have to deal with two Blights in my lifetime."
"I know. But this might have something to do with the Orlesian Wardens going silent."
"Hmm?"
"Aedan said that Warden-Commander Clarel had asked him to join her in archdemon hunting."
"You're saying she knew about this?" Alistair shook his head. "Maybe the Calling was true. I don't know what to think anymore."
The Wardens were a secretive order, it was true, but if there was knowledge about an archdemon or a possible Blight, that information was shared. Just because Weisshaupt had cut itself off didn't mean the national branches had to be like that.
"I hope not," Leliana said and held his hand. "But we'll know for certain soon enough."
Aedan would know for certain. He'd be getting to see it up close. The rumbling of the mountain had reached them even from the distance. Haven, the village they'd discovered and brought to the public eye, was probably buried in snow.
With a sigh, Alistair squeezed Leliana's hand. "Feels like old times, doesn't it?"
"Hmm?"
"Dungeon crawling, political intrigue, life-risk, possible world ending threat, us in the middle of it." He chuckled. "Just brings back memories, is all."
"Do you remember the last time we were here?"
"I still maintain I didn't try to look at you during the Guardian's trial."
Leliana snorted. "I know, Alistair. I remember I wanted you to."
"Wait, really?"
She nodded. "It made me feel good to know you wanted me."
Alistair raised her knuckles to his lips. "I still do. That won't ever change."
She gave him a look that he couldn't quite decipher, and he realised that he didn't want to. The fact that there were still surprises and unknowns eleven years down the line... it was special.
He felt a gust of wind as he rounded the next bend and found the exit. The night air was chilly. Up in the mountains, they would have to make camp fast or risk freezing to death. The Frostbacks didn't return tribute.
"We're nearly out," he called back. "Spread the word to the very back! Make ready for camp!"
A cheer went down along the chain of people as Alistair sheathed his glowing sword and walked out into the open, breathing in the clean mountain air. It had always tasted like cheese to him. That night, it tasted metallic.
He turned towards Haven immediately, but there was nothing to see. Nothing but snow. The village was gone. Leliana took in a shuddering breath and he squeezed her hand again. There was nothing at all for him to do.
The soldiers, the villagers and the core Inquisition members all stood in the ruins of the Temple, looking down at what they'd lost and left behind. Nobody said a word. Nobody needed to. A hole had formed in their hearts to replace the one in the sky. No words existed which could do that feeling justice.
At long last, Alistair said, "We have to keep moving or we'll freeze."
Cullen nodded, and gave his men the order. Loads were picked up again, and the procession moved anew. Leliana didn't move. Neither did Alistair.
Haven was an important part of their past. Andraste's final resting though it may have been, to them it was the place where they were made aware of each others' deepest secrets, and had to face their own demons. If something like that could be snuffed out, then what chance did feeble human lives have?
"We'll be okay," Alistair said quietly.
"I know." Leliana jerked her chin towards where Haven had once been. "But will they?"
Alistair had no response.
A/N: Next chapter will be from Aedan's POV.