Chapter 14

Parvuils 5

Redcliff

Dear Falon,

At last we made it to Redcliff yesterday. Rain had caught up to us a couple days ago again, but we were able to manage, even with what happened so far.

When we arrived in Redcliff we were not expecting the events that were taking place. A villager guarding the bridge into town told us Redcliff has been under attack. I'd have to agree on Morrigan's statement: 'twould seem everyone agrees that this is the best time to start killing each other. I allowed him to take us to bann Tegan, the Arl's brother. I remember him. My parents had suggested my hand for him. I was almost forced to marry him. But you know me, I never back down.

Alistair made himself known to him and I smiled when Tegan hugged him. Tegan then gave me a loving look. Yeah, even though the marriage was going to be forced, I knew he liked me. I never forgot the night when he visited me, professing his love. Of course, it was the middle of the night and I was sleepy and agitated. In all honesty, I almost messed up that "Pretty-boy" face of his.

Anyway, we were in the chantry and everyone just looked so scared. Tegan spoke of the dead rising and attacking the village. They come from the castle and each night the attacks got worse. I agreed to help, much to Morrigan and Sten's dismay. So I immediately began helping. I had Leliana helping the archers, Sten assisting in building the defenses, and had Morrigan, Alistair, and Chaka with me to talk to Murdock.

They apparently needed help getting armor and weapons, but the blacksmith, named Owen, barred himself in his shop. I went to the door of the blacksmith, knocking loudly on it. I listened carefully to hear him moving around and hoping he wasn't dead. I didn't hear anything, so I knocked again. This time, I heard shuffling.

"Go away! Curse you! Leave me in peace!" I looked to Alistair, signing to him what to say. "Is this Owen? The blacksmith. I want to talk to you." There was a bit of silence, then he spoke. "Eh? You're not Murdock. Who the hell are you?!" Alistair flinched at the yelling. Although the door muffled some of the noise, it was still pretty loud. "Perhaps talking through the door isn't the best way to communicate." "Hm, you might be right." I heard the door click and we were allowed inside. I told Morrigan to stay outside for fear she might intimidate him. She didn't care and simply leaned against the wall.

The second I walked in I was overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol. I gagged and covered my mouth and nose. It seemed to affect Alistair, though not as much as me. Probably because the most alcohol I've ever had was a glass of wine every now and then with my mother, so I have never been drunk before in my life.

Anyway, I found the reason he'd locked himself in here was because his daughter worked in the castle and he hadn't heard from her since the attacks started. I was saddened by the pain, and told him that perhaps I could search for her if we went into the castle, but he would have to help the militia with armor and weapons. He readily agreed, but made me say that I promised to find her. Since I can't actually speak, which Alistair had explained when we entered, I stuck my hand out and shook his hand in agreement.

He worked well, considering he was partially drunk. I told Murdock of the progress and he began to seem hopeful. I began wondering around, trying to see what else there was to do.

I eventually found my way to the abandoned general good store, where I found barrels of oil. I quickly made my way to where I knew sir Perth to be, dragging Alistair along, and told his about the oil and the possibility of using it as a trap. He seemed thrilled that they finally had an advantage and sent some of his soldiers to get them.

Sir Perth then admitted to me that the other soldiers would like some holy protection. So, I walked back down to the Chantry. As we came close to the Revered mother, Alistair put a hand to my shoulder and told me he could handle it. And so he did. He gave her some speech about how, even though the "holy protection" wouldn't truly help them, but it would give them moral, which would help them in the fight. She reluctantly agreed and gave us amulets for them. Sir Perth was quiet excited to receive them.

I later found the others.

While helping the archers, Leliana had found an elf by the name of Berwick who was sent to spy on Redcliff. She told me that he was working for Howe—bastard—and to note any changes, but was trapped here when the undead came along. She also found a dwarf named Dwyn with two of his human companions. She said it wasn't easy, but she convinced him to help. Same for Lloyd but he had no armor, so I asked if she could get him some.

When I came to Sten he had barriers around the front of the Chantry, save for one part so we could get inside

As we were leaving Tegan called out to me. I asked Alistair if he would tell ser Perth about the holy protection while I talked to Tegan. He glanced at Tegan but nodded and left. So I went back to Tegan and asked him what he wanted to talk about. He smiled at me and kissed my hand. "It's good to see you again, my lady," he said. I gave a small nod and my reply. He asked me how my family faired and how father let me be a Warden. Maker, but he didn't know. I explained the attack and how everything happened. When I finished I wanted to cry and he tried to pull me into his arms I quickly back off and said we needed to help prepare for tonight and left without another word.

I like Tegan, for he is a nice man, but I don't like him, like him. So noble-y. Anyways, I found my way to Perth and noticed them setting up the oil they would light for the fire to enflame the undead. The sun was going to set in a few hours so I made my team and the militia rest and eat. I got my companions together along with Tegan to discuss a plan. I had already though of one, of course. I would take Morrigan, Chaka, and Sten with me to wait at the top of the hill while Alistair and Leliana fought with the town below. Berwick, sir Perth and some of his men would fight with me, but stay on the sidelines and only fight stragglers while Dwyn and his two companions and Lloyd would fight with the militia. Tegan would stay in the chantry with three militia men to guard the people within.

They each agreed with the plan and I told them all to go and get some rest. I too rested but didn't sleep. I read a bit from the few books still left in the chantry library, though not many were to my liking. Leliana came to me later on and we chatted.

But then it was time to move. We got into our positions and readied ourselves. I took my spot at the top with Morrigan, Chaka, and Sten. The others went to their places. A green fog appeared and long after that was when the undead showed up. They were what the name implied: undead. Walked and stumbling corpses came to us. They slashed at us with what appeared to be claws or maces. One actually cut me but it was small. With Morrigan freezing them, Sten hacking at them, and Chaka tackling them, and the oil ablaze the others in the back barely got stragglers. It wasn't long until that battle was over and the men cheered.

But our victory was short long. A militia man came to us after a couple of minutes saying that the undead were attacking the town square and needed my help. Sten ordered the knights and others to stay and I followed him with my three companions following at my heels. There were much more of the undead than on the hill but we still fought our best. The battle did not last long either and the men cheered loudly at our victory when the sun rose. I looked to all of my companions; Leliana smiled at me as she helped a wounded man, Sten nodded and went off to move around a few bodies, Morrigan gave me nothing but a glance and leaned against the nearest wall that had no gore on it, Chaka barked happily at my and licked my face. When I turned to Alistair I noticed he was using his sword for balance. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with pain as he used his other hand to cover a wound at his side. I immediately ran to his side as he fell to his knees, breathing hard.

I was able to get his breastplate off to see the damage. His shirt was crimson with blood and a wound gushed from his side. I ordered Sten to carry him into the Chantry, once we moved the protections out of the way and carried him to a room in there. I had revered mother assist me in helping me with him while I had my companions help clean and organize the town. It took forever to stop the bleeding and, since we had no mage who could heal, we began to brew potions, boil water, and find clean bandages. He stayed awake for some time but eventually fell unconscious. We constantly changed the bandages and cleaned the wound, while forcing potions down his throat. Eventually the bleeding subsided and now he lies, still, unconscious. He lost a lot of blood but I assume he will be fine.

I hope.

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Now it is midafternoon. I allowed the revered mother to go and rest while I cleaned up and watched him. His eyes flicker under his lids and sometimes moans words I cannot understand, but other than that there seem to be no changes. Though, I am still worried. I had Morrigan brew more potions, incase needed, and got more water. I had food made for him, should he wake, but I assume that will not happen in some time. We've no healer in our group, which is quite dangerous, and so it appears we will have to be cautious about what happens to us and our wounds. I helped with other people who had wounds, though Alistair's scares me the most. Theirs were deep would on their arms or legs, or just cut that needed attention.

Tegan came by earlier to "check" on Alistair, but I know he was actually checking on me. He's done it before and he'll do it again. He pulled me aside ad talked to me in a hushed tone. He wishes for me to reconsider the marriage proposal from so long ago. He tells me it is what father would have wanted: for me to be safe, happy, and taken care of. He believes he can give me a good life; one in which he will take care of me and support me. He says he loves me, and I see in his eyes I know he does. But I don't. He says he can give me anything I desire. I can travel as far as the Anderfels, or the Dales, or Orlais, and further if I wished. But that is not what I want. I want to travel, yes, but I don't need this "proposal" to help me do so. I declined and told him he should help out with the people while I attended back to Alistair. But the truth was that I just wanted to be alone.

Nighttime has come around fast once again and everyone is tired. We were each giving rooms in the chantry and Owen offered to repair any armor that needs to be done so. I allowed him to take mine and wanted to stay in Alistair's room in case of changes. Some blood still seeps through the bandage but not as much as before. The bodies of the undead are burned and everyone has a smile on their faces. Even those who lost ones important to them. I can see this is the start to the village recovery. It makes me wonder what has caused all of this distress. I once read that blood mages were capable of bringing back those of the dead and commanded them to their will. Or even a demon. Maker that must be the case here. Why must things keep getting complicated?

Yours, Vercy.