Chapter 60) Golem of Honnleath

Cleon POV


"This is your fault, Tamlen!" I snapped as we raced through the trees. "I told you to not go near there and what did you do?!"

"Less scolding, more running!" Tamlen replied, voice high with fear. "How was I supposed to know bears were around?!"

"I TOLD YOU THERE WERE!"

"Hey, that was my ear!"

"Save it! You're the one that led to us getting ambushed by bears!" A roar caught our ears and we glanced back to see the bears still on us. "And really pissed them off. They don't normally chase this far."

"Oh. Great. The Keeper is going to kill me."

"If the bear doesn't. Or your damned curiosity!"

"Less yelling, more running!"


The day started so well; it wasn't even a surprise that we had run straight into a darkspawn ambush. After all, Fen'harel just really hated us and liked pulling thousands of pranks.

'This way!' I signed, repeating it until I was certain Zevran had seen before moving on. I looked for paths, paying attention to how the shadows fell to find those hidden in the silence. Zevran paid more attention to sound, our own and warning signs I could no longer catch, as he followed. The rest of our group fell behind us, shaking the branches of trees as we tried to just get to a safer location.

I glanced back, counting numbers, and saw Aiden whirl, shouting something at Sten. I didn't know what, he didn't sign, but the frustration in Aiden's eyes and the tenseness in his shoulders screamed loud enough for me to guess. Sten wanted to know why we didn't fight; Aiden was telling him to shut up and move.

Unfortunately, though, it slowed us enough for the darkspawn to catch up, and the emissary none of us wanted to fight threw a spell of dark fire, knocking us all clear to the ground. I grit my teeth at the pain, curling my fist in the dirt as I fought against tears. I felt like my skin was being flayed off!

I shakily pushed myself up, arms burning with the effort, and I saw Wynne, of all people, was still standing. Standing alone as the rest of us struggled to stand. We survived so much. None of us were going to die here, to an ambush of random darkspawn. Though, we were probably going to have some permanent injuries.

Wynne glanced at me. She smiled. And then there was light.

I flinched as the forest lit up, like sunlight glittering on a lake, saw a gentle blue light fog up from around Wynne. Saw something flit around her, hugging her shoulders from behind, pressing its cheek to hers affectionately.

And the pain disappeared. The light faded and the darkspawn stumbled back, disoriented. Morrigan wasted no time, conjuring up a blizzard to mask our escape as we continued to run. Or tried too, at least. Wynne collapsed before managing two steps. Without prompting, Sten picked up Wynne, settling her on his back. It should've been comical almost, because of how small she was compared to him, but it just made her seem all the frail.

Leliana waved to catch our attention, before pointing down a well-worn path, half-hidden by foilage. 'There must be a village this way,' she signed. I winced as the blizzard whipped a piece of ice at my cheek. 'Maybe we can rest there.' And hope this was a lot that didn't want to after that bounty because of all the good deeds we were doing. 'Here, I'll lead. Give Cleon and Zevran a break.' Part of me bristled at the need, but my body reminded that part of the pain I was in. Rest would be nice. This could not be the only fight we had to deal with today. Things were never that simple for us.

Cautious yet quick, we followed Leliana, noting the worn fences along the path. Eventually, we came to a fork with signs pointing the way, letters worn away to faint, barely readable lines. In fact, I couldn't really read the letters at all, but I knew the one starting with an 'h' was the one with the lower number on it. So, we went in that direction, everyone casting worried glances at Wynne. She was pale, sweaty, and I could tell her breathing was labored. I gestured to Morrigan and pointed to her, silently asking for her to help. Morrigan scowled, but fell back to Sten's side, magic running over Wynne's form. Sten, for once, didn't bat an eye or even scowl at the magic being used so close to him.

My feet were just starting to hurt when we came to the village, but I grimaced at the sight. Dying fires, broken houses, corpses thrown about like rag dolls or hanging like ornaments… clearly, this village had been overrun. The similarities to the corpses in the Korcari Wilds made me think darkspawn. Had Lothering suffered like this?

Without a word or sign, we separated, hunting for supplies and the possibility of survivors. As I walked, I picked up corpses, set them to the side for easy burning later, when we left. It was only right, since we were going to be using their husk of a village for shelter. But I noticed something odd about the corpses. They were mostly the elderly. No children. No young adults. Had they escaped? Surely, though, there had to be some of them dead.

A glitter caught my eye and I turned to see it, worried it might be the gleam of a weapon. But no, it was a statue. A large statue in the middle of town, with a no corpses around, not even a spec of blood on the birdseed in the basket nearby. And what a strange statue it was. Looking as if in the middle of a scream of pain, or a roar of anger, with strange crystals embedded into it. I ran my fingers over the stone, noting how choppy it felt, and feeling my teeth buzz at the feeling of magic. Raw magic, turned to purpose. What was this? Who would make such a thing and then just… leave it in a village?

The flowers around me rustled, tickling my legs, and I turned to see Morrigan walk up with a coy little smile. 'Hello, my dear,' she signed, pressing herself into my side. 'Zevran found an open door. We're heading inside.' Of course we were. 'Wynne has recovered enough to walk. She has not yet explained what that spell was.' Of course.

I nodded and let her take my hand, dragging me after her. But I kept glancing back at the strange statue as we walked, so certain it would start moving at any moment.

Creators sealed, what was that thing?


Inside the house, we found more darkspawn. Bashing their brains out, what little they had, on a magic barrier with no sign of a mage. Though it was clearly made by a master. It even repelled blood. And it kept the villagers, those that remained, safe. Easy to see why it was only the elderly who were dead.

'I don't suppose you were sent by the Bann, were you?' I had no idea who the person talking was, but he seemed to be the leader of the group. Certainly, the survivors looked at him for permission before even shifting in their seat. 'To save us?'

'Sadly, no,' Aiden replied, hands flying with signs. I noticed the others looked put-off by the gestures and grit my teeth. Excuse me for not being able to hear a damn thing. 'We are Wardens, who were looking for a place to rest.'

'Well, you won't find it here, sadly.' That much was obvious. 'Ah, hang on a moment.' He gestured, and the shield dissipated. I blinked slowly. Was this man a mage? Why was he not in the Circle, if that was the case? Or did he just know how to activate and deactivate a magical artifact? 'Come this way.' We followed him slowly, careful to not bother any of the other villagers. My nose wrinkled at the smell of stale sweat and dried blood assaulted me, septic wounds on some of them making my stomach turn.

Movement caught my eye, and I turned to see Wynne had knelt down to tend to the wounded. Zevran and Leliana crouched next to her, ready to provide assistance.

'I apologize for having to request your help.' Aiden tapped my shoulder to catch my attention before signing the man's words. Did I have a name yet? 'Especially after you just saved us, but my daughter is inside my father's old laboratory,' he continued, gesturing to a small door.

'Father?' Aiden asked, tilting his head curiously.

'Yes, ah, where are my manners?' He paused before saying something Aiden did not sign. The glances at me hinted what it was anyway. 'Am I speaking well enough for him, then?' I nodded, pointing to Aiden's hands. 'My father was a mage, a hero of the war with Orlais. He was granted leave to live outside the Circle for his efforts.' That explained that. 'This is the old house, before that damn shale killed my father.' …Did he just say shale? I gave Aiden a confused look and he shrugged. Oh… kay… then…? 'My daughter ran too far inside before I could stop her. Someone went after her, but they were killed by something.' Ah.

'You want us to save your daughter.'

'Please?' He gave us a tentative, sad look. 'She is my world.' Ah… damn our bleeding hearts.

'Cleon and I will head down.' Ma serranas for volunteering me, Aiden. Truly, I am grateful. 'The rest of our group will remain above to help out.' Aiden paused glancing at Sten and Morrigan. 'They look scarier than they are.' Mostly.

'Thank you.' The man smiled, bowing a little, before stepping away to talk to the others.

Wynne, however, came to us. 'Let me go down with you,' she requested. Aiden and I exchanged dubious looks before pointing to the wounded almost at the same time. 'I have treated the worst already. Morrigan and Leliana can tend to them.' She shrugged. 'It will be a good chance for Morrigan to get along with others not named Cleon, Elspeth, or Layla.' Well… 'And besides, I tend to be good with scared children.' That I could believe easily.

So… 'Then let's get this over with,' I signed, feeling tired suddenly. It had been a long day already. 'Not that I'm not glad we're helping a father find his daughter, or that we saved the villagers, but this was not what we planned when we got up this morning.'

'Does anything ever go to plan?'

'Highever.'

'Then know that things will go to plan when you have your armies, since it worked out then.' Wynne's smile was serene even as I gave her a dirty look. 'You must be wary when everything goes to plan. Life likes it's little tricks.'

'Yes, yes, Fen'harel hates us. Now into the caverns. Or something.' Please don't let it actually be a cavern? We would get enough of that in Orzammar and I wasn't looking forward to it.


The laboratory was filled with thousands of strange, glowing crystals and winding paths that seemed to spiral out in all directions. Clearly, the owner hadn't been one for straight lines, and the scattered notes constant mentions of 'golems' and 'Deep Roads' made me wonder just how insane he might've been.

That said, the little girl we were supposed to find? Talking to a cat by a strange fire.

'Oh, look! Someone's come to play!' She seemed cheerful, smiling brightly as she looked at us. Shouldn't she have been cowering in terror or something? 'We're playing a guessing game!' She bounced on her toes, excited, and I glanced around hunting for someone else. But it was just her and the cat. Uh… 'It's way more fun with more people.'

'Child, your father is worried,' Wynne said, crouching down slightly to look the girl in the eye. Aiden signed for me, making the signs gentle to convey her tone. 'Come, let's go back.'

'Oh, but I can't!' The girl picked up the cat, cuddling it to her chest. 'Kitty says she can't leave, and I won't leave her behind.' Kitty… said…?

"You are so kind, Amalia." I froze. The cat's eyes turned a strange maroon color and I heard it talk. Heard it. Well… no, not quite heard as in through my non-working ears. The voice was in my head. Spirit. Demon. And my skin crawled as my instincts screamed. "I would miss you dearly if you left." This just got ten times creepier than it should've! "Now, let me shut of her hearing for a bit." The cat looked directly at us, somehow smirking. "Nothing you say will convince Amalia to come with you. She desired comfort and sanctuary, and I gave it. She loves only me now."

'Of all the places I expected a demon, this was not one of them,' Aiden deadpanned. I could tell by his narrowed eyes, the air of just being so damn done with this. I couldn't blame him. 'What do we do to let the girl go? Already telling you that you are not having the girl.'

"Then perhaps one of you?" What. "I cannot take the elderly mage, sadly. She already has a spirit inside." OH, WAIT, WHAT?! "Oh, you didn't know? My mistake." I glanced at Wynne, wide-eyed, and Wynne's tired, sad smile promised explanations later. "What about your marked friend here?" Me? "Yes, you. You have the gift of magic bubbling inside you, quiet enough to manifest only in sharp instincts. It is intriguing. Do you desire more power?" I desired to get stronger, yes, but by my own hands. "What of restoring your hearing?" I was doing just fine adapting.

Movement caught my eye, and I glanced over to see Aiden sign, 'keep her busy. Wynne is saving the girl.' Right…

"Come now, there must be something you desire." The cat leapt from the girl's arms to my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek. I was reminded of Morrigan, except Morrigan didn't try to kill me with anything but sexual frustration. "Freedom from the Taint? Returning to that fiancé you still love so dearly." Out. Of. My. Head. "Oh, yes, don't you want your old life back?" Not at the expense of myself. "A life where you aren't-" Look, demon, this would've worked maybe a few weeks ago, but now I'd gone through so much that I wanted to finish things to just spite everything trying to stop us. "Bah, a Warden racing for death and not even knowing it." Hmm? "Don't you know? In war, victory. In peace, vigilance. In death, sacrifice. And oh, the sacrifices of the Wardens. Ignored, shunned, looked down upon, and fated to die when the Archdemon roars." Uh… okay, demon. Here's a thing. I don't really care. "…You… you don't?" Nope. "Are you not scared?!" I have my friends. I would be willing to die for them. I'm even more willing to live for them. I will not be shaken. "You…!" The cat swatted at me, claws raking over my neck, strangely deep and far too painful for cat's claws. "I will take you by force!"

Something nudged my in the knee and I dropped down fast, knocking the cat off my shoulder. A blade flashed and the cat was easily bisected, blood splattering all over. I blinked slowly and glanced at the greatsword, noticing it flickering with a strange crimson-black flame. I glanced at Aiden, question in my eyes.

'Holy Smite,' he signed, answering the question as he swung his greatsword up and rested in against his shoulder. 'Templar ability. You know Alistair has been teaching Lord Nuada and me.' Yeah, but still. 'Not sure why it's that color. Lord Nuada theorized it has something to do with the Taint in us.' Okay? 'Regardless, are you okay?' I nodded slowly and stood, pressing a hand to my neck. It was bleeding too much. 'How in flames did that happen?'

Gentle light wrapped around my neck, closing up the wound under my palm, uneven texture hinting to a scar. I glanced over to see Wynne smiling softly. 'The demon transfigured its claws back to the normal state for a split second,' she explained, signs gentle. The girl was pressed against her side, shivering. 'She is well, though traumatized.' Of course she was. Who wasn't? 'Shall we return?' Aiden and I nodded, and I sighed, pushing the hair out of my face.

The demons words echoed eerily in my head. I wasn't getting a good night's rest for a while, it seemed.


The girl immediately bolted for her father as soon as we got outside, tears streaming down her face as she clung to him for reassurance, shaking all the while. After watching him comfort her, I looked around the village. It was much livelier than earlier, but I could see the people collapsed, weeping, heaving with sobs, over broken corpses. I highly doubted anyone would live here again.

'I suppose now is the time for explanations.' Wynne's signs were small, even as her smile and demeanor was poised. Aiden and I turned to face her. 'You know about the Tower. I don't need to explain it.' No, we got that full story. 'I… did not exactly survive the fall.' …Um… er… what. What.

'This is definitely a case of death taking a long while to kick in,' I signed, narrowing my eyes and rocking back on my heels slightly to give a deadpanned tone to the signs. 'A long, long while.' I glanced at Aiden, but he looked just as startled. I guess I was doing the signing here, then.

'I suppose so.' Her smile was wry. 'I engaged a power demon to protect the mages in the tower, and it sapped me of all my energy and will. Everything I had. I won, but I did not even have the strength to keep my heart beating.' Wait, could Spirit Healers typically do that? Or was she being melodramatically poetic? 'I remember everything ebbing away. Sound, light… nothing but a gentle darkness enveloping me.'

'Nice to know death is peaceful.'

'Oh, I'll spare you all my regretful thoughts and fears.' Ah. 'But right before everything disappeared, a gentle presence cradled me, whispering quietly…' She shrugged, throwing her hands up briefly in a 'I cannot describe it' manner. 'Slowly, but surely, all sensation returned. Including the discomfort of my poor old hip on the cold stone flower of the tower.' Ha! 'Thus, I came back to life.'

'So, a Spirit, then?' Movement caught my eye and I turned briefly to check. It was just Sten, waving to let us know things were wrapping up. We could leave soon.

Wynne waited for me to look back at her before continuing. 'Yes, a benevolent one.' I did not understand why shemlen differentiated. 'It is not unusual for a Spirit Healer to attract Spirits. We gain our powers through bonds.' This made them different from blood mages… how? Exactly? Besides the whole 'healing' thing. Making deals with Spirits was just stupid and dangerous. 'Layla, in fact, made a bargain with a powerful Hope spirit to receive her healing abilities.' Hope, huh? Yeah, that fit her. Even if I still thought them both a tad crazy for it. Still, those healing abilities have saved us. Often.

'How did that happen?'

'Do you mean how did Layla make the bargain?' At my nod, Wynne become a little thoughtful. 'Well, she earned its trust. That's how all become Spirit Healers. Through trials, through charisma, through deeds. It all simply depends. I befriended the Spirit of Faith I bargained with, after noticing it watching me from afar. For Layla, Hope came to her and offered the power.' So, Wynne had gained it through friendship, and Layla had… apparently gotten it because she was Layla. Huh. 'It was quite a surprising thing, since Spirits of Hope rarely appear to mortals. There is little in the waking world that attracts them.' That… said a lot about the people of Thedas. 'Spirits of Faith and Hope are the most powerful of the benevolent spirits, though. That is why my healing abilities are so strong, and why Layla's will become even more powerful than mine, in time.' …I had the sudden mental image of Layla healing an entire army in one spell and damn if I didn't like it. But chances of me seeing that anytime soon were nonexistent. 'Ah, I have gotten off track. I can give you a proper lesson later.'

'I look forward to it.' Still… 'The demons said…'

'Yes, the Spirit is with me even now.' Ah. Okay. Traveling with a high-functioning abomination. 'I suppose I should also warn you as well. I am on borrowed time.' Huh?! 'The Spirit is weakening, gradually. I do not know how long I have.'

'Was… this the real reason why you left the Tower?' I glanced at Aiden, but his shock had faded for a stoicness that rivaled Sten. Joy.

'I will not lie and say it did not play a part, but I did not lie. Irving and Greagoir know me too well for me to lie.' Her smile was fond. 'But that is the long and short of things. 'I don't think I will suddenly drop dead on you. I can feel when the Spirit weakens.' But it might happen while we were fighting. 'But let us not dwell on it. There is still time yet.' She smiled softly, gently patting our shoulders before walking off, tending to a bawling, sobbing child.

'So, what do you think?' Aiden signed, shoulders dropping from exhaustion. He looked out over the broken, smoking village, eyes sad. 'About that.'

'I am thinking it might be a bit hypocritical for her to be critical of blood magic when she herself is an abomination,' I signed back easily. Aiden nodded, head dropping this time, though he made sure to keep sight of my hands. 'I am also…' Word. I needed a word. I also needed a sign, but I needed a word first.

'Synonym?'

'Surprise. Confusion. Unable to react.'

'Nonplussed.'

'Ma serranas.' We exchanged a smile. 'So, I am also nonplussed that even with this knowledge, she is still probably one of the most normal of the group.' Aiden froze for a split second before roaring with laughter, throwing his head back before doubling over, clutching his stomach as a grin split his face. His feet shifted to get balance as he laughed and laughed, and I honestly couldn't think of another time where he'd laughed like this. It was all too easy to see he wasn't so old, right now. Even if he was the eldest of us Wardens. …Oh, Creators, we all were really young, too young for all of this. But, that's what happened. I pray Mythal continues to keep us safe.

Movement caught my eye, a swish of cloth, and I turned to see a village woman approach. She had blond hair in a braid and brown eyes, and her smile was warm and kind. She spoke something, eyes narrowing as her smile grew. Aiden signed for me. 'Thank you so much for saving us. My name is…' Aiden took my hand to spell it out. M-i-a. Mia. R-u-t-h-e-r-f-o-r-d. Rutherford. Mia Rutherford. 'I am relieved I don't have to bury my siblings. Your healer saved my little sister.'

'We are glad to hear that.' Aiden's signs were soft and gentle, matching his reassuring smile. 'Will you need any more assistance?'

'No, I will be fine.' I noticed she spoke slower this time, and wondered if she was trying to make it easier for me to read her lips. It didn't really work. I still had a lot to learn on that skill, and it just made her words all wobbling. 'My siblings and I will either head for the Tower or South Reach.' Tower?

'Why the Tower?' Aiden glanced at me and I shrugged.

'Oh, not to stay, just for a brief visit. Cullen, my brother, is a templar there.' I shifted awkwardly and Aiden's smile turned strained. Clearly, the Tower's fate hadn't spread here. At least we were aware that 'Cullen' survived. Based on what I'd heard, though, I wasn't sure if he was better for it. 'Ah, but I have taken too much of your time. Thank you again.' She bobbed a little curtsey before racing off, chatting happily with two people who looked just enough like her that I figured they were her family.

As she left, Aiden and I exchanged a look. I had no idea when she'd learn about the Tower, but it was going to be painful, whenever it was.

Another wave caught our attention and I turned to see it was the father. Who I still didn't know the name of. He waited for Aiden to bring his hands up before talking. 'Here, take this,' he said, holding a strange looking rod. 'I would not normally give this. I hate the bloody thing it controls.' He pressed the rod into my hand. 'But perhaps it will help you. It's all I can think of.' A rod was going to help us? What? 'Forgive me, though, I must pack what I can. We're all escaping while the way is clear.' Smart move. 'Go to the statue.' The… statue? 'And I wish you the best.' He said something else, something Aiden could not sign based on the frown, and left without letting us protect. Of course.

I frowned as I studied the rod, holding it up in the light. Magic. Traces of it, but still there. Used to spark, I wanted to say. I passed it to Aiden, shrugging at his confused look before pointing at the statue. It had to be that one. Magic to spark magic.

Aiden nodded and headed over to it. I followed close behind and, as we walked, the rest of the group fell in slowly, so that by the time we were in front of the statue, we were all gathered together. Aiden glanced at the rod dubiously before pointing the rod at the statue and said something that the others could not sign. Immediately, the magic in the air spiked and burned. The sound of stone grinding against stone rumbled ominously. And slowly, very slowly, the statue moved. It groaned and stumbled, getting its bearings. I couldn't breath.

There were stories of moving statues like this. The durgen'len once used them to protect themselves. The powerful golems of legend. I was looking at one.

It said something. I knew it did because I could see the mouth move, glowing blue-white light inside showing the magic within. I couldn't understand it, of course. And the others looked far too shocked to sign for me.

I stood in silence, watching the conversation, trying to get my thoughts steady in my head. It said something. Leliana cooed something sympathetic, covering her mouth. It said something again. Morrigan snickered while Wynne scowled. It rambled about something. Zevran laughed.

I tried watching it, to get some sense of emotions, but I think we found the one thing in the world more stoic than Sten. A living statue. This was actually getting aggravating.

The ground shook and I blinked slowly as I tried to process what happened. A bird landed on its shoulder. It immediately threw and stomped it. Clearly, the golem didn't like birds. Okay then. Nice to get one thing about it! I noticed its eyes narrowed at the blood splatter before it shrugged innocently. Okay, maybe I could figure out how to gauge expressions on it after all.

It pointed to me, said something, and all eyes widened as everyone whirled. Even Sten looked sheepish.

'I am so, so sorry!' 'How did we forget?!' 'This is unforgiveable! We'll have to make it up!' There was more, but it was a jumbled mess of signs that I couldn't read, and I glared to remind them that multiple threads did not help me understand what was going on!

Everyone got the hint, letting Aiden sign. 'This is Shale.' He used the sign for 'shale' and added 'important' with it. 'It's a golem.' The Circle actually had a sign for it. I didn't think we'd ever actually use it. 'And will be traveling with us on the account of acquiring free will and not knowing what to do.' …Wait, what? 'So, let's get going to Orzammar.' AIDEN, YOU COULDN'T JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT!

I sighed, shaking my head, and smiled wryly at Shale, who stared back. I think it's safe to say we just gained the strangest companion ever. Fen'harel, you do enjoy your pranks!


Author's Notes: And here's Shale! Inquisition reveals Cullen's family, and that he was born in Honnleath. While his three siblings survived the Blight, and made it to South Reach, his parents did not. Yes, the templar that's like 18/19 years old, has been tortured, had to watch his companions die, etc also has to deal with the knowledge that while this was going on, his parents were killed by darkspawn. Clearly, this wasn't a good year for Cullen. Anyway, this is why I had Mia cameo (she is his elder sister). Details on how Spirit Healers win Spirits over comes from the codex.

Next Chapter – Layla in Denerim