Hello everyone. Here is a new chapter that i took the time to fix the problems with my other chapters. Enjoy.
Chapter 16
Trekking through the road leading towards Redcliffe Castle, Harry and company wondered what Aedan and the others had been up to since their separation from them a month ago. Harry and the others assumed that they had managed to secure the help from Arl Eamon and were now helping Levi with his family history, or at the very least done with him. Unfortunately the sight that greeted them was not the sound of soldiers doing their drills and preparing for battle against the Darkspawn, but rather a large gate that was shut.
Scanning the area, Harry noticed several dead and decaying bodies that had attracted a swarm of flies. Casting a fireball in his hand and sending it to the pile, watching as it turned to ash, Harry wondered why the villagers would cast aside bodies just outside the gates. Closing his eyes, Harry sent out a pulse of magic that washed throughout the village and into Redcliffe Castle, and what he found disturbed him greatly.
The presence of a Desire Demon was sitting within the halls of the castle. He sense that the demon was in possession of a young boy, probably no more than six to seven years of age. He was probably an untrained mage that was hidden by his family. The question was why the boy would be possessed by a Desire Demon and not something else.
"Who goes there?!" a voice shouted from the ramparts.
"We are friends of the Grey Warden Aedan Cousland!" Harry shouted back. "We must speak with him with all haste!"
There was silence for a few moments before the sound of the door opening could be heard. As the gates opened, Harry and the others saw Aedan standing alongside Leliana, Wynne, Morrigan and Shale. For the humans, they seemed to be dishevelled and tired. Aedan looked the worse as he had bags under his eyes and his stubble had grown into a full beard. His hair was a mess and his armour had several dents and scratches along it. Leliana, Morrigan and Wynne seemed slightly better, but they too also had bags under their eyes and from the way Wynne was swaying slightly and leaning on her staff for support she seemed to be exhausted. Shale, he noticed was completely fine.
"You look like crap. What happened here?" Harry asked as he and the others walked inside.
Aedan simply shook his head and walked beside Harry and began to lead them towards the Chantry. As the group walked through the village, they noticed that the people were subdued and afraid. But by what he did not know. He could hear the blacksmith banging his hammer as he seemed to be working on his equipment while several soldiers were drilling themselves with their weapons. He also noted several barricades of wooden spikes jutting out of the ground and facing where the group had come from.
"What happened to this place Aedan, it looks like a battle has been taking place here!" Alistair cried out in alarm.
Aedan did not answer and neither did the others as he continued to lead them towards the Chantry. Upon reaching the Chantry, Harry and the others noted that it lacked the many rows of benches that would line the hall and were instead filled with bedrolls and sleeping men and women. They saw the Revered Mother speak to a couple of children as they were huddled together, clearly frightened. They saw weeping men and women as they kneeled next to a empty bedrolls and holding on to some trinket or other. Aedan led them into where the Revered Mother's chambers would be and they found a man sitting at the desk, hand upon his forehead, in deep thought.
"Teagan, I brought some people who can help." Aedan said softly.
Clearly the man was in such in deep though that he had jumped at Aedan's voice. "I'm sorry Aedan. Did you say something?" he asked.
"I said that I have brought some much needed help." Aedan repeated.
The man, Teagan nodded and turned to face Harry and the others. The man had dark blonde hair as well as a goatee with blue eyes. The man was dressed in noble clothing while also having some amount of armour with the leather greaves, gauntlets and chest piece. Carrying a sword and kite shied upon his back, this man clearly knew how to wield a weapon. The then stood up and outstretched his hand.
"Greeting, I am Bann Teagan and I lead the villagers during this unfortunate crisis." He introduced himself.
Grasping the hand tightly and giving him a firm handshake, Harry introduced himself. "Greetings to you as well. My name is Harry Potter and with me is my wife Luna Potter, Sten of the Berasaad, Zevran Ariani, Oghren of House Kondrat and Alistair, also a Grey Warden." Harry introduced as he indicated to each of his companions. "Now please, tell us what is going on?"
However instead of explaining the situation, Teagan looked at Alistair for a few moments before his eyes brightened and he had a smile on his face as he spoke to Alistair. "Alistair, is that really you. I haven't seen you since you were covered in mud all those years ago!"
Alistair smiled as he remembered his encounter. "Yes, that was a long time." he said before shaking his head and his smile was replaced with a frown. "Now tell us what happened her Teagan."
Teagan sighed as he sat back down on to his chair and waved for them to do so as well. Once seated he began his explanation. "It started about a month ago. After my brother fell ill, the village began to be attacked by hordes of decayed flesh ridden bodies. They seemed to be without a mind of their own and simply rushed towards the village. We lost many that day, but we managed to drive them back. After that I stayed with the village and every night a horde of these creatures would rush into the villages, while myself and whatever few knights I could call upon would hold out until morning when they would retreat." Teagan explained before giving a shudder. "It was not until Aedan and his friends arrived that we managed to push the creatures even further back and now they have a harder time reaching the village."
"Necromancy and the undead." Harry stated, confusing everyone but Wynne and Morrigan.
"I'm sorry?" Teagan asked in confusion.
"What those creatures you just described were the dead brought to life by powerful magic. Something that no ordinary mage could conjure. It would take an immense amount of power or the backing of a demon to do so." Harry explained. "Tell me, where do these undead come from?"
"The castle." Teagan answered.
Harry nodded and got up without a word. "Well then, it seems our best shot is to infiltrate the castle and deal with whatever is causing this."
"Are you sure? The castle would be heavily guarded and we don't know how many of these undead there are." Teagan stated.
"It's the only way to save the people of this village from a worse fate." Harry answered.
"At least help in the defence of the village for the night. And if we survive, i will help you enter the castle." Teagan sounded out.
Harry did not answer immediately as he weighed his options. On one hand, helping in the defence of the village would make things easier and would coincidently make things easier for him to enter the castle without too much resistance. But on the other hand if he rushed into the castle blindly, he would be overrun by the undead. Sighing Harry nodded and left the room and Chantry altogether. He did not take two steps outside when a young woman ran up to him and grabbed hold of his arm.
"Please sir, Help me! Help me find my brother!" The woman cried out hysterically.
Placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, Harry held onto her as the woman swayed and steadied herself. "Please miss, calm yourself and explain to me the situation." he spoke softly, so as to not startle the clearly distraught woman.
The woman took a deep breath before going on to explain to him what had happened. Apparently the woman's name was Kaitlyn and that her brother had gone missing earlier in the morning and she could find him anywhere. She said she had looked throughout the village and even her home and noticed that their grandfather's sword was missing. Telling the woman that he would find her brother, he asked where her house was and made his way there.
Entering the home, Harry sent out a quick pulse of magic and found a small boy hiding inside one of the cupboards in one of the rooms. Making his way into the room, Harry stood in front of the cupboard and simply waited as he knew the boy knew he was there.
"Who's there? Get out! This is not your home!" The boy shouted.
"You know if you wanted to threaten someone, its best if the person can see you and not hiding inside the cupboard." Harry quipped, crossing his arms in front of him.
"I'm not hiding! I'm just keeping my house safe." The boy cried out indignantly.
"Yes, by hiding inside a cupboard." Harry drawled. "Now why don't you come out of the cupboard and tell me why you're in here in the first place."
"Ok." The boy sighed.
The cupboard door opened and out stepped a boy of no more than ten dragging a sword wrapped in cloth behind him. The boy stood in front of him and stared at him meekly, shuffling his feet but also keeping the sword away from him.
"Now then, do you mind telling me what your name is, young man?" Harry asked, kneeling in front of the boy.
"Bevin. My name is Bevin." The boy answered.
"Well then Bevin, can you tell me why you were in here in the first place? Your sister has been trying to find you since this morning." Harry asked.
"I didn't want her to worry. But I knew that if I got my grandfather I could be brave like him." Bevin said in clear admiration for his grandfather.
"And I'm sure he would be proud." Harry smiled as he placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder. "But I think it would be best to return to be with your sister, and as for the sword. If you would allow it, I will wield it in your name and your grandfather's."
"You will! Really!" Bevin asked.
Harry chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes indeed Bevin. And when I am done with it, I will return it to you."
"Thank you kind sir! Here you go." Bevin said as he struggled to give the sword to Harry. But as soon as he did he ran off to the door, but not before turning back and smiling at Harry. "I'll be with my sister." He said before running out the door.
Harry smiled to himself before turning back to the sword that was lying on the floor, still wrapped up. Untying the string that held the sword and uncovering the cloth revealing the sword, Harry grabbed the hilt and held it up. Inspecting the blade, Harry noted that it had the appearance of the elven longsword, Dar'Misaan and the only thing that made it special was both the colour of the blade which was green and the inscription etched along the blade. Harry turned the blade and read the inscription.
The Blade that pierced the Green Dragon
Harry did not know what that meant, but Bevin must have used this blade to kill a dragon. Knowing he did not have a place for him to carry the blade, he simply wrapped the sword back up and held on to it and left the house.
"It is certainly a finely crafted blade." Ignotus stated.
"True although I wonder who created the blade for it to have the appearance of an elven longsword?" Harry asked.
"Perhaps an elf, or perhaps a human. We may never know." Ignotus replied.
Harry would later find the others helping to set up the defences of the town. Aedan and Alistair would help drill the soldiers and would spar with them to sharpen their reflexes. Morrigan and Wynne were helping to create some poultices and lyrium potions for the upcoming fight. Leliana and Zevran were setting up traps and checking their gear. They both now carried a set of longbows with a quiver of arrows and two short swords strapped on their belt. Oghren and Sten were both talking to a dwarf about the benefits of being a Berserker. Something that Harry noted was that Sten seemed to wielding a new sword. Luna was speaking to Shale, probably talking about Caradin and where she had come from.
With nothing to do until the fight, Harry simply walked around the village, speaking to some of the local townsfolk to hear what they knew of this whole crisis and the story all came back the same. He also found himself inside the local tavern, ordering a quick drink and finding a table near the back, Harry watched as everyone was trying to drink their sorrows away and also to steel themselves for the fight ahead. One thing he did notice was a shifty looking elf that seemed to be darting his eyes all over the taverns in panic. He did not have any drink in front of him, nor did he seem to be panicking about the fight.
Stopping the young barmaid, who he learned was named Bella as she served him his drink. "Excuse me, but can you tell me about that elf over there." He asked, indicating to the elf.
"Oh! His name's Berwick and he says he's waiting for his brother to arrive." Bella answered.
"And how long has he been here?" Harry asked, wanting to confirm his suspicions on the elf.
"Well let me think." The young barmaid said as she thought about it. "I think he's been here since before Arl Eamon got sick." She answered.
"And was he always seemingly nervous?" Harry asked, nodding his head on the information.
"No, I don't thinks so. He seemed fine up until the first attack by those creatures." Bella answered.
"Thank you for the information. Here, a little something for yourself." Harry said as he handed her a few gold Sovereigns.
"Thank you sir." Bella said as she continued to serve her customers.
Narrowing his eyes at the shifty elf, Harry now had confirmation that Berwick was indeed a spy. But for who, that was the question. While it almost seemed easy to blame Loghain, Harry had a suspicion that it was someone else, someone close enough to Loghain that the blame would be placed on Loghain and not himself.
Getting up from his chair, Harry made his way to Berwick. Reaching his table, Harry immediately sat down next to him and eyed him, something that did not go unnoticed by the elf.
"Can I help you with anything?" The elf said tersely.
"I hear you've been waiting for your brother for about a month now, correct?" Harry asked.
"Who?" Berwick asked, before his eyes widened and he began to nod vigorously. "Oh yes, my brother. I've been waiting for him." He sputtered out.
"Strange." Harry said, leaning against the back of his chair.
"What?" Berwick asked nervously.
"You not a very convincing liar if you can't even remember your own lie. So tell me, who are you? Really?" Harry asked.
Look, just because you're someone special, doesn't mean I have to tell you anything." Berwick replies, getting even more nervous.
"And how exactly did you know I am someone special, considering that I've only been here for the past few hours." Harry asked.
"I heard it from the other villagers." Berwick replied.
"Again strange, considering that I've been talking to them, and they have said nothing about me being special." Harry stated.
"Look I don't want any trouble. I was just told to…" Here Berwick stopped before shaking his head and flared at him. "Just leave me alone!"
Berwick tried to get up from his chair and leave but was immediately pulled back down harshly by Harry, who was now glaring at him with half of his face showing Ignotus. Something that frightened the poor elf.
"What were you told to do?" Harry asked, his voice blending with Ignotus to create a terrible otherworldly voice.
"I-I-I was t-told t-t-to send word if anything ch-changed! I was paid by a tall man. Th-that's all I know I swear!" Berwick stuttered out.
"Who sent you?" Harry asked.
"I-I don't know! Said he worked for Teryn Howe! Loghain's right hand man!" Berwick answered.
Harry narrowed his eyes, searching for any deceit from the elf. Finding none, Harry nodded. "Do you have proof of this?" he asked.
Berwick immediately placed his hand in his pouch and pulled up a folded piece of paper and handed it over to him. "Here! Here is everything that I was told by Howe, with his own seal stamped within."
Taking the letter from the elf, Harry unfolded the letter and read its content. From them, it seemed that Berwick was paid a sum of gold to spy on the castle and its residents for anything suspicious. At the bottom of the letter was indeed the seal of Teryn Howe as well as his signature.
"Look you got what you wanted. Now, please don't kill me." The elf begged.
Harry stared at Berwick for a full minute, unnerving the poor elf as Harry's glowing face seemed to shine brighter. "No. I have found a far better use for you."
They'll come at from these two points. One from the castle bridge that connects the village to the castle. And from the shore where the docks are. We have placed barrels of oil, that when lit will burn the corpses before they even reach us. Unfortunately due to their increasing numbers, we can't get them all. That's why we have archers stationed near the back while we have pike man and shield at the front to deal with the first wave." Aedan explained to the group as h pointed at different points of the map.
"What about Morrigan and Wynne? Where to they stand." Harry asked.
"Wynne is near the docks, where we defend the Chantry. Wynne mostly helps by creating glyphs around the battlefield so that or archers can deal with them while Morrigan is at the bridge, helping to deal with as many corpses as she can." Aedan explained.
Looking at the map, Harry scrutinised at it to see if there was any hole in their defences and was satisfied that there were none. "I assume that Leliana helps to lead the defender with their archery?" he asked.
"Correct." Aedan nodded in affirmation. "She stands at the second defence line while Shale deals with the bridge."
"Why don't you take Shale, Morrigan and Sten with you to hold the second line, what with you guys having more openings in your defence? I, Alistair, Zevran, Oghren and Luna will deal with the first line" Harry suggested as he pointed to the two different points of the map.
"Are you sure about this? They may be coming from just the bridge, but their numbers make it difficult to contain them to just there." Aedan pointed out.
"Maybe, but if the second line fails, we will be hit from both sides, something that even I will have a hard time dealing with without levelling half the village down. Besides, if the first line breaks, then the second will have a harder time breaking." Harry reassured.
"Alright, I trust you know what you're doing." Aedan stated, not liking the fact that they had to split up their group again even if it was just for the defences.
"I know Aedan, but if it makes you feel any better, I will leave the rest of the planning and decision making to you." Harry said.
Aedan sighed as he looked down at the floor. "It's just that when we first started, everyone in the group looked to me as their leader, but as soon as you came, you easily helped us shorten our quest and managed to recruit allies faster than if I had to lead them to each and every single one of them." Aedan explained.
"I understand how you feel Aedan, I really do. But no matter how it may seem, YOU are still the leader of this company." Harry spoke as he placed a hand on Aedan's shoulder. "You will lead us out of this Blight and I will be there beside you when you kill the Archdemon."
"Thank you Harry." Aedan thanked.
"No thanks is needed between friends." Harry replied before leaving the room.
Cutting off another undead head off of their body, Harry continued to hack and slash at the seemingly unending waves of the undead as they streamed from the castle bridge. Despite Luna and Berwick along with a few archers firing off another volley of arrows to deal with another approaching group of undead that did not seem to deter them from forcing their way forward.
Gripping the Green Blade's hilt tighter, Harry quickly brought his other hand up and sent an arc of lightning towards the undead paralyzing the incoming wave before using Shadow Strike to quickly deal with the group as he went from one undead to another.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Alistair shouted out as he kicked an undead back before stabbing another in the chest.
"Stop your complaining Alistair. Have some fun." Oghren shouted as he chopped two undead in two with his axe. "HaHa! That's twenty for me Zevran!"
"I'm on twenty three!" Zevran replied as he stabbed one of the corpses in the head and cut off the head of another.
"What! I will not be beaten by some pointed ear, elvish prancing nug humper!" Oghren shouted, unhappy that he was losing the bet that he and Zevran had started.
"Focus on the task at hand you two!" Luna said as she fired off another shot from her bow.
Suddenly, every single corpse dropped to the ground, unmoving. Silence was met as everyone was left stunned and unsure of what had happened. When nothing happened for a full two minutes, everyone began to cheer as they believed that the siege was over.
Harry however did not believe that was so and sent out a pulse of magic to see what had happened to the corpse. Staring at one of the corpses, he saw the demonic tendrils that brought the corpse back to life leave a trail that led back to the castle. Looking at the other corpses, he also saw the same thing, a trail of demonic energy that led towards the castle.
Knowing that nothing good would come of this, Harry sheathed the sword he held and ran forwards, into the castle despite everyone calling back for him.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you liked the chapter please leave a review and remember to have an Awesome Day!
