Chapter 29) Aftermath
Layla POV
There were… so many herbs. My eyes glazed over as I looked at all the names. Beside me, Anders was doodling, already accepting total distraction.
"I definitely lost you two. Neither of you reacted to my story of how when I was a child, we got all the templars drunk." Irving smiled mischievously as Anders and I exchanged sheepish looks. "Come, we still have an hour left of the lesson," he told us. We both groaned. "I knew you'd love it."
"Why do we have to learn this?" Anders asked petulantly. "We have magic."
"Not all wounds can be healed with magic. Magic is not as all powerful as people like to think." His eyes were sad. "I want you two prepared. I just have a feeling you'll need it."
"And if we don't?"
"Well, Anders, considering how often you like to run away, I dare say you will." Irving's smile softened the rebuke. "Come on. Let's begin again."
I woke to a strange ceiling and the smell of elfroot and lavender. Fur-lined blankets covered me, and a soft pillow supported my cotton filled head. I tried to remember everything that had happened, still half lost in a dream about lessons. Slowly, though, I put the pieces together and, when I did, I gasped and struggled to push myself up. I was alive? How was I alive? Where were the others?
"I see the sleeping beauty is awake at last." I slowly turned to see Nuada smiling down on me. He had two new scars on his face, but he seemed well. "You were out a day longer than Alistair," he told me before straightening and smirking at someone. "Morrigan, you were wrong!"
"Hush, or I'll turn you into a newt." I could only stare and blink as I saw Morrigan from the Wilds scowl as she came up beside Nuada. What was she doing here? "Tis rude to boast," she grumbled. Nuada laughed outright. "You are infuriating."
"I get that a lot." He gently touched my shoulder. "I'll head outside to tell Alistair. Morrigan will help you change clothes. You still have some injuries." I nodded and watched him exit the… house? I looked around and saw it only had one floor. A roaring fire provided heat, and a pot simmered over it. In the corner were books stacked haphazardly into shelves, while pillows and blankets were scattered all over the floor. Where was I?
"Mother shall be so pleased to see your eyes finally open." I returned my attention back to Morrigan, and she was carefully pulling out my robes from a pile of clothes close by. They had been washed, and repaired. "As Nuada said, you were out for some time."
"Where am I?" I finally asked, voice raspy. My throat throbbed in protest and I coughed a little. A cup of water appeared in front of my face and I took it to sip slowly. It was wonderfully cold.
"You are in the Wilds, again." This made sense. "I am Morrigan, lest you've forgotten, and I only just rebandaged your wounds. Had I known you would wake, I would have waited."
"Thank you." She seemed startled. "Truly, I thank you."
"Tis… little trouble." Perhaps in embarrassment, she tugged me up. I glanced down and studied the bandages wrapped around me. I frowned as I noticed some inconsistencies with the wounds I remembered getting. The one in my stomach should still be there. "Hold your arms above your head." I did as she ordered and she tugged my robes on in a single jerk. "How does your memory fare? Do you remember Mother's rescue?"
"She rescued us?"
"I shall take that as a 'no'. A shame only Nuada was conscious for it. It was glorious." Was it? "Twas a close call for you and Alistair. Yet, you faired better than the others."
"What do you mean?" I asked as I shifted, tugging the robes to fit properly. She ignored me for a moment to pick up my armor. "Please, tell me. What happened?"
"The man who was to respond to your signal quit the field instead. The darkspawn won your battle." …Wha…? "Those who were abandoned were massacred. Nuada takes the news with grace. Alistair… well, he is another matter."
"Then the other Wardens… and the soldiers…?" I could not finish the sentence, even as she slipped the leather chest guard over my head. "They are…?"
"All dead," she responded bluntly, slowly buckling me into the armor. "Alistair wavers between denial and grief ever since Mother confirmed Nuada's words."
"There are truly no survivors?" What about…?
"All stragglers. Mother, however, seems delighted by the fact the elves called Cleon and Aiden were not found anywhere near the field." H-huh? "Neither was this woman named Elspeth." Then they could be alive? I could not decide if not knowing was a good thing or a bad. "There are, however, bodies everywhere in that valley. Darkspawn swam them, feeding, I think." They fed on the dead? "They also hunt for the few still breathing and drag them back down beneath the ground. I cannot say why, though I note the majority of them seem to be female." That made little sense. "You are frowning. Pray tell, why?"
"I…" What should I say? "I am startled by how little scarring I have." I still wondered where some of my wounds went. I knew the limitations of healing magic. "Is there a spell you two know or an herbal concoction? I would love to learn."
"Tis because Nuada is an idiot." Huh? "Not as bad as Alistair. Nuada, at least, is tolerable in it." Uh… "There are too many buckles on this contraption!"
"I agree…" I mumbled. My hand brushed over it, though, and I felt the marks where it had protected me from worse wounds. I would… if I were to survive, I would have to wear better armor. I wasn't… I wasn't in the Tower, anymore. Commander Duncan was dead. Everyone was… Nuada and Alistair were all that was left. I wanted to hope on others, I truly did, but… but I was so afraid. Why? Why couldn't I be in the Tower? I wanted to be home with Irving and… oh, Wynne was probably dead too. Everyone else was!
I wanted to cry, but I was too weak. That hurt most of all.
When I was finally dressed, Morrigan shooed me outside. Hesitantly, I stepped out, blinking rapidly at the harsh sunlight and clinging to the amulet Irving gave me as if it were a lifeline. As my vision cleared, I saw Alistair and Nuada chatting by the lake nearby. Though both had their weapons on hand, only Nuada wore armor. I wondered if Alistair's had been too badly damaged to fix.
"Layla!" Alistair breathed, instantly breaking off his conversation to snatch me in a crushing hug. After a moment of hesitating, I returned it, clinging to his back. It was just so reassuring to be held. "You're alive. I was worried."
"You were worried, and here I am having to be the one to watch you both just sleep," Nuada teased, smiling as he joined us. "I swear Morrigan had me doing the chores she hated."
"Yeah, well, none of this seems real quite yet. By all rights, we should be dead." I was glad to know I was not the only one confused about everything. "And I have way less wounds than I know I took." That happened to me too! "Still confused about that."
"A witch did it." Despite Nuada's humor, his expression turned serious as he looked at me. "Did Morrigan tell you what happened?"
"…Yes, she did…" I whispered, hiding a bit more behind Alistair as sorrow washed through me. "Everyone is dead, huh?"
"Well, Cleon and Aiden might not be, along with some others," Alistar commented with false cheer. I wanted to ask if he really believed it or not. "I want to know why Teyrn Loghain would… I mean…"
"A lot of things could've happened," Nuada noted absently. He studied the sky, avoiding the glares we leveled at him. "The beacon could've been lit too late. The plan could've gone wrong. We weren't there. What do we know about what happened? He never was one to believe the tales of the Wardens. He probably assumes the Blight is simply another army he can maneuver, so the people there were just more good soldiers left to die for 'the good of the kingdom'."
"You can't be justifying-!" Alistair began with a low, angry growl and burning eyes. He let go of me to step towards Nuada. "You simply can't be-!"
Nuada, however, cut him off neatly. "Justifications don't make things right. You can be justified in something, and still be wrong." He brought his gaze down to Alistair, and smiled. "As a Warden, Alistair, you should know better than anyone about how things are rarely black and white. If not, learn quickly. I'd hate for such a wonderful fellow to go completely insane."
"Well, what do you think?" I demanded as Alistair flinched and looked away. "Instead of lecturing and giving possibilities, why not give an opinion?"
"I don't think it matters." The words were light, cheerful even, and I had a nearly overwhelming urge to slap him, if only to see if he would stop smiling. "I'm not the one being rude." I felt my expression blank in confusion and he pointed to the old woman standing off to the side, watching us with a small smile. Just as before, deep set fear dripped down my spine. "Layla Amell, meet my lady, Flemeth," he introduced, his smile growing as I stared. Flemeth… I knew that name. It was a tale. Yet… Yet…! "You have just as good of a reaction as Alistair."
"Maker, I can't tell if you like or hate me," Alistair muttered. I was feeling the same. "Really, I can't."
"If I hated you, you would not be breathing." …I should be grateful he didn't say that with a smile, I suppose. "Does that help?"
"I… moving on."
"So, are you willing to speak to me as if I am actually here?" Flemeth laughed, smiling. I shuddered at it, and the calculative gleam in her eyes. "But must you have given them that name, my little lordling?" I was so confused.
"I could have said Asha'bellanar or an old hag who talks to much," Nuada deadpanned. I nearly gasped at how rude he was, but Flemeth only laughed. "I thought the name would have a fun reaction."
"Too true. I certainly enjoyed it." She crossed her arms and studied us three. "Before you ask, I saved you because you were the three Wardens I could reach." Why not the others? Why us three? "And other reasons I will not divulge." What? Why? "Regardless, it has always been the duty of Wardens to unite the lands against the Blight, or did that change while I wasn't looking?"
"I fail to see how we can do that," I mumbled, unable to keep the thought in check. "What can we do? We…" We could even light a beacon properly, apparently.
"I see a warrior well versed in politics, a mage with more power than she knows, and a warrior who sees more than he thinks. Garahel was simply a skilled and charismatic elf." I… "Your task is simply different, with people thinking they know more than you do about the darkspawn. Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature. I know this too well."
"We still have to deal with the fact there are only three of us," Alistair pointed out glumly. "No Warden has ever defeated an Archdemon without half a dozen nations backing them up, and we don't even have the treaties."
"About that…" What? Did she magically steal the treaties? "I went to hunt for them, only to find them gone," she explained. "The last trace I could find went to a chest hidden in what I assumed was little Cailan's tent, spelled to keep interlopers out. They were removed."
"Then the treaties must be with someone who could open it?" Alistair sounded hesitant. "But who…?"
"If it's the chest I'm thinking, then that thing could only be opened by Cailan, Anora, Fergus, myself, and Elspeth," Nuada answered. His face was carefully blank behind the smile. "I'm here, Cailan is dead, and Anora is in Denerim."
"So, one of your siblings has it!" Alistair beamed suddenly, but Nuada simply shrugged. "You're allowed to be happy." Nuada snorted like Alistair had said something funny. "What?"
"I dare say it also increases your chances that another Warden is with her, seeing as she would have no way to use such treaties without them," Flemeth whispered with a small smile. "Perhaps that is where your Cleon and Aiden went." I… hoped that was the case. It was easier to pick it up, now. "So, who else can you think of?"
"Um…" Alistair glanced briefly at Nuada and me before continuing, "Well, I know the Wardens of Orlais had been called…"
"They won't be here," Nuada immediately shot down. Alistair gave him a wounded look and Nuada grimaced. "Knowing Uncle Loghain, he's got the border completely shut down to 'prevent an invasion' or something."
"Maker, what did Orlais do to him?" I mumbled, not really expecting anything. I knew of the Rebellion, mostly from what Aiden said, but…
"They invaded his home, taxed the citizens to the point they had to choose between paying and starving, raped his mother in front of him when his father chose to eat, kidnapped and killed his mabari, among the other war crimes he witnessed during the Rebellion." I… was going to be sick. "Again, even though something is justifiable and understandable doesn't make it right. Regardless, unless the Wardens storm the border, they aren't going to come."
"So, there's Arl Eamon," Alistair gasped, gesturing wildly. "He should still have his knights!" I remembered that. "There's no way he'd stand with Loghain after this!"
"You have a point there." Alistair seemed a little startled by the praise. "We just have to convince him that siding with us is in the best interest of Fereldan, instead of being neutral."
"That won't be hard, though, right?"
"It shouldn't be. If it becomes so, I'll just blackmail him."
"…Blackmail?"
"I know it's terribly Orlesian of me, but if it gets the job done… oh, don't make that face!" Alistair looked as if he were scowling and pouting at once. "It's not the first or even tenth option!"
"It sounds like you're all set," Flemeth chuckled. Her smile had a slightly softer edge to it now, and I was not sure it was reassuring or terrifying. "Track down your missing friends, recruit the armies?"
"It seems so," I whispered. I did not feel ready at all. At this point, I truly would be happy with just staying alive. "Would you, perhaps, have anything else that could help us?" I would welcome the spell she used to save us.
Her smile, however, widened and I felt like a rabbit caught in a trap. "As a matter of fact, I do believe I have one thing I can offer."
"Mother, dear, the stew is bubbling." I squeaked and ducked behind Alistair as Morrigan suddenly walked up. I had forgotten about her! "Shall we have three guests for the eve or none?" The look she gave us implied she hoped it would be the latter.
"The Wardens are leaving shortly, girl," Flemeth informed her. Morrigan smirked slightly. "And you will be joining them."
"Such a shaaa… what?!" Morrigan's reaction mirrored all three of ours. Even Nuada had dropped his smile for it.
"You heard me, girl!" Flemeth laughed, and I exchanged awkward looks with the two boys. None of us knew what to make of this.
"Have I no say in this?!" Did we?
"You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Here is your chance." Uh… "I suppose the Wardens can consider this repayment for saving their lives."
"You cannot change the terms of the contract afterwards, my lady," Nuada told her. His smile was back in place. "Your price has already been paid." Huh?
"Mmm, true," Flemeth agreed. I tugged Alistair's sleeve in question, but his shrug told me he had no answers. "Still, it can't hurt to have more immediate allies."
"Are you sure?" Alistair asked slowly. At Flemeth's droll look, he quickly added, "not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but outside of the Wilds, she's an apostate. Apostates tend to be hunted."
"By incompetent fools, yes." Flemeth's smile grew. "Still, if you did not wisht he help from illegal mages, young man, perhaps I should have left you in the Tower?"
"You… have a point." That still did not address his concern, though!
"We'll just say she's a Warden if someone asks," Nuada sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, before fixing his long ponytail. "It's not like anyone can tell at a glance except darkspawn and another Warden."
"But this isn't how I wanted to leave!" Morrigan protested, still staring at her mother. "I'm not even ready!"
"You must be ready," Flemeth told her softly. "They must unite Fereldan against the darkspawn." I had a feeling there was something else going on, but I could not place my finger on what. "They need you. Otherwise, they will perish in the Blight." That was comforting.
"I…" Morrigan sighed. "I understand." She sounded so thrilled.
"Good." Flemeth turned her attention to us. "And as for you, I hope you understand. I give you that which I value above all in this world, because you must succeed." Well, when she put it like that, how could we refuse?
"We are so being set up for something," Alistair muttered. I was confused by the statement. "But we are boxed in. Great."
"We'll do our best to keep her safe, my lady," Nuada told Flemeth. He smiled a little. "We can make no promises otherwise."
"Just… let me get my things," Morrigan requested, sounding a little put out. "You should all get your wounds checked one more time as well." That was likely a good idea. "Inside for all of us, then. Come on." She was… quite bossy. That was a tactful way to put it.
After Flemeth changed our bandages, each in separate areas for privacy, and giving us careful instructions of how to tend to the lingering injuries, we found ourselves outside again. Morrigan was waiting for us with a small pack, looking a little uncomfortable about all of this.
"I am at your disposal, Wardens," she mumbled, ducking her head slightly. "I suggest a village north of the Wilds as our first destination. Tis not far, and you will find much you need there."
"You're talking about Lothering, aren't you?" Nuada asked. She nodded and he smiled. "That's a good choice. We have a wealth of options to go from there."
"Plus, we're more likely to find them in a crossroads town," Alistair agreed. I wondered if he deliberately kept the them vague. "That works."
"Then I trust you shall not want be to be your silent guide?" Morrigan dryly commented. "How marvelous."
"I have a sneaky suspicion you'll say what's on your mind anyway."
"Very true!" Flemeth laughed, stepping out to see us off. "She has a sharp tongue."
"It can't be worse than Elspeth," Nuada commented. I felt my expression go blank as I tried to imagine Elspeth being biting. It was quite difficult. "So, please, we welcome the speaking of minds."
"Wonderful," Morrigan deadpanned before turning to her mother. "Dear, sweet mother, you are so kind to simply cast me out like this. How fondly I shall remember this moment." Ahah… ha… this was going to be horribly awkward for a long while, wasn't it?
"Well, if you want something done, do it yourself or hear about it for a decade or two afterwards," Flemeth replied. I wondered why she was not coming with us, in that case.
"Yes, yes." Morrigan was still glowering. "Farewell, Mother. Do not forget the stew on the fire. I would hate to return to a burned-down hut." That would be tragic.
Flemeth scoffed at the notion, however. "Tis far more likely you will return to see the entire area, including this hut, swallowed up by the Blight."
"I…" Morrigan was instantly contrite. "All I meant was…" Wait, was she trying to tell her Mother to take care of herself? That was such a roundabout way to go about it!
Still, Flemeth seemed to understand as her face and voice softened. "Yes, I know. Do try to have fun, dear." She turned to the rest of us. "And good luck to you. I shall hope for your success." For some reason, those words held more weight than I thought they should. "Farewell."
Alistair and Nuada bowed to her. I curtseyed. However, as I tried to walk past, she suddenly grabbed me by the arm. "What is it?" I asked, subtly trying to escape. It did not work. Her grip was like a vice.
"What is it that you see, when you look at me?" she whispered to me. I merely stared at her, uncertain as to what she was saying. "You're an Amell. Eagle's power. Tell me what your magic screams when you look at me."
I… "How do I do this?" Perhaps if I made her explain, I could get away? "I do not know a spell that does it."
"You're too trapped in Circle ways, when your magic is so much more." She smiled and I found no comfort in it. "Close your eyes and open your senses. What does it say?" I hesitated, but disobeying her might not be good. So, I closed my eyes and felt for the magic. I opened my mouth to speak words to call to it, but snapped it shut when I heard her 'tch'. "No incantations. You're no longer a child. Goodness, do all Circle mages teach incantations? No wonder their spells take too long to cast. Make it obey you through sheer force of will. Ask it silently and accept no refusal. What do you sense?"
Fear motivated me to do exactly what she said, as best as I could. It was startling easy, and unease pooled in my stomach. "There are… wisps, clinging to your spirit. I know not what. I have not seen anything like them before?" It reminded me of the moon, a gentle glow that none could ignore. "There is… justice? I think it is justice, but perhaps it is vengeance instead. Regardless, it does not care what is destroyed, so long as what is lost is restored or replaced?" I opened my eyes and stared at her. For a second, I saw an young noblewoman with tears streaming down her face, but when I blinked, Flemeth was the same as before. "I…"
"That's the elf blood pulsing through you, to see so much." …Wha…? "Hmm? Taken before you could learn that? My, my. Maybe you should think of why your father was so willing to kill you, when none of your siblings inspired such wrath." Uh… "Oh, look, they're waiting for you. Go on, Layla. Forget the teachings of the Circle. They're good for guiding, but you let it chain instead." I wanted to go home. "Have fun." She pushed me to the others, and I hurried to catch up. Alistair instantly wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders as we followed Nuada and Morrigan into the Wilds.
We had to walk through the woods again? Maker, I hated you.
Author's Note: Whoo! Morrigan joins! (God, I squealed when she showed up in Inquisition) So… Inquisition players might know what I'm referring to here. To those that don't, play the game. As for the elf blooded stuff… I'll talk more about that later, probably. It's just something I thought would be fun. (I'm going to try and get into the swing of writing again, now that I've done my first playthrough. Still be slow going as I'm still playing to get ideas for the Inquisition novelization)
Next Chapter – On the run with Aiden
