Brady walked the rebel camp. If he didn't know better, he would have mistaken the area for an outpost rather than a makeshift base.
"Pardon me, Inquisitor." A familiar voice swam through his ear and tapped him on the shoulder. "Long time, no see."
Brady turned and greeted the voice with a short smile, "Hawke. Always a pleasure."
Hawke gestured to continuing walking, and Brady complied, walking at her side. "There's a few people who have been eager to meet you since the whole 'Herald of Andraste' bit." She led him towards a rather large group of people, all their attention turned down to a map on a table.
Before Hawke could gather their attention, Brady noticed Varric and called out to him
Varric turned and held a smile, "Inquisitor. It's about time you came to help us out." The rest of the company around Varric looked to Brady. Their eyes were both in awe with a slight curiosity filling their gazes. "I assume Hawke wanted to introduce you to the supporting characters."
"Supporting? There's a whole chapter of how I came back with the relic." Isabela called out. She crossed her arms- causing the jewelry on her neck to chime- and tipped out her hip to the side.
"Rivaini, please. Not in front of my new friend." Varric chuckled, grasping Brady's forearm and leading him towards the table.
Hawke stood at Brady's side and directed her eyes around the table. "This is Isabela."
"Admiral Isabela, Hawke." Isabela corrected, and then hitched a wicked smirk on her face. "So, you're the inquisitor?" She leaned forward on the table, "I don't suppose there's a Mrs. Herald of Andraste, right?"
Brady opened his mouth to answer, only to be cut off by another introduction. "And this is my brother, Carver."
Carver held out his hand to Brady, "It's great to meet you, Your worship. Though, I do wish it were under better circumstances."
Brady shook his hand, "A pleasure, Carver." He glanced his eyes to Carver's armor and then brought them back up to his eyes, "You're a Grey Warden?"
Carver's hand dropped to his side as he nodded, "Warden Stroud saved my life during an expedition to the deep roads." His voice began to droop, "It's a shame what happened to him. Good man."
"I assure you, Carver," Brady let a stern look graze his face, "Warden Stroud died a hero."
"Hawke had told me what happened," He glanced over to his sister, "And I hate to be happy about this, but I'm glad you managed to save my sister, Inquisitor."
Brady looked over to Hawke and pulled on a grin, "And now we're staging a rebellion."
"Admit it," Hawke pursed her lips, "You've been dying to hang out with my friends for a change."
Brady squinted his eyes at her, "Debatable."
The sound of heavy feet hit against the ground as the accompanying voice called out to Hawke. Hawke began to walk over to a tall man with shoulder length blonde hair that was walking towards them.
"Inquisitor," Varric mumbled to Brady, "Whatever you do, just don't hit Blondie in the face when you see him."
"What are you talking about?" Brady furrowed his brows down at Varric, who pointed for him to redirect his attention.
The man and Hawke walked together with familiarity. His hand was at her hip, and Brady clenched his fists when it had clicked in his mind.
"Inquisitor," Hawke's voice shook in the slightest, "I'd like you to also meet Anders."
Anders smiled weakly and held out his hand, "Inquisitor, I have only heard amazing things of you."
Brady didn't meet his hand. His eyes studied Anders, "I wish I could say the same."
Everyone grew silent as an awkward air filled around the area around them. Anders retracted his hand and sighed, "That reaction is expected."
Hawke stood still for a moment, then swung her head around. Her eyes scanned the area. "Where's Merrill?"
"Zevran whisked her away to teach her how to use a knife, last time I checked." Varric crossed his arms.
"Maker's breath, that could mean two things with Zevran." Hawke placed her hand over her forehead and tilted back with a sigh.
Isabela let out a breath, "I'll go get her before something happens." She tapped on the table and walked towards the cluster of well put together tents.
Brady kept his eyes on Anders, and Hawke took notice. She took a step in front of Anders and placed herself between them. "Inquisitor," Her voice rang like a song. She managed to grab Brady's attention and watched him as his shoulders relaxed. "This isn't going to be a problem-"
Anders placed a hand on Hawke's shoulder and slid it down her arm with a warm reassurance in his touch, "Let me, love." Anders took a step towards Brady and kept an even tone, "I- can't imagine what you truly think of me, Inquisitor. But I assure you, I won't cause any trouble."
"I can promise your tent won't spontaneously explode while you're here, Inquisitor." Hawke chimed in.
Anders groaned and flung his head around to Hawke with a murmur, "Not. Helping." Hawke shrugged, and allowed Anders to continue. "You have to believe me when I say I'm here for both Hawke and to help my friend... nothing more."
Brady stood up straight. His frame overshadowed both Hawke and Anders. His voice swelled with natural authority, "I was in Ostwick when you blew up Kirkwall's Chantry. You'd be surprised how quick the rebellion came to us." Both Hawke and Anders' eyes were attentive on Brady's words. "I had family on both sides. You cannot imagine the grief it put us all through." Brady shook his head as his chin slouched down. "I believe strongly that the mages deserve their freedom from the Circle, but I will always believe there could have been a more peaceful way to do it." He raised his head and brought his eyes to Anders, "Without the violence of the rebellion, there would have been no conclave, and Justinia would still be breathing."
Anders dropped his head, "I understand your reasons to dislike me, Inquisitor."
"My personal feelings towards you mean nothing, Anders. I'm here to bring down the First Warden and if you're an ally to that cause- that is all that matters."
"I am." He answered.
"Well, now that that is settled..." Hawke tapped on Anders' chest and motioned for the Inquisitor to look down at the wooden table, "It's time to find away to get the Warden out of that cell."
"I believe I can help with that." Briala walked up, that light patter of her feet joining them at the table.
"Back already?" Brady replied, "Where are the Ferelden soldiers?"
"Behind me." Leliana's voice chimed a few paces away.
He looked over her, and saw the horde of soldiers joining the rest of the camp. When his eyes connected with hers, an uninvited grin came across his face. She smiled like a secret, and gestured her eyes at Briala. He nodded and cleared his throat, "I'm sure the trip went well?"
"Of course," Briala dipped her head forward with a grin, "Though, the Ferelden soldiers did complain a lot less."
Leliana took a place at his side and stood close to him. It took every ounce of will in him not to beam a smile at her presense, and tried to maintain his composure as much as possible. She looked up at him with warm eyes, then redirected her attention to the company around them. She took notice of the familiar blonde haired man beside her and narrowed her eyes, her fiery brows almost meeting in the middle, "Maker's breath, what are you doing here?"
Hawke looked to Leliana with a slight nervousness rushing through her body. "Ah, right. Introductions are always interesting."
"Sister Leliana," Anders steadied his hands in front of him, "I'm only here to help."
"Help?" She scoffed, "I've seen what your 'help' to the mage rebellion did."
"I promise you, as I said to the Inquisitor," He kept his voice soft. "My friend is rotting in a cell right now, and regardless of your opinion, Sister, I'm going to do what I can to get him out."
Leliana opened her mouth to retort a barb, but was stopped by a sharp look from Brady.
"You said something of a plan, Briala?" Hawke chimed in, directing every one else's attention to a different problem as quickly as she could.
"The Empress gave me layouts of the fortress," She walked towards the table and pulled out a large piece of parchment. "They may be a bit dated."
"I doubt the place has changed much," Hawke looked over the layout, "When I was there, it still looked ancient."
Brady peered over Hawke's shoulder along with Leliana. She placed a finger against the parchment, "That is where the dungeon is."
His eyes scanned the layout, "And that looks like an alternate entrance."
"Most likely used as an escape route against an overwhelming attack." Briala added.
"We could send a small group to infiltrate and extract the Warden." Hawke suggested.
"With support not too far away in case things get dicey," Cullen walked up alongside Morrigan. "I wasn't listening, I sware."
"Cullen, you lead the troops." Brady turned to him, "And Morrigan-"
"I am coming with you, Inquisitor." Morrigan walked to him with her back straight.
Leliana's brows pushed together, "Is that wise?"
Morrigan tipped her head, "I do not see why not." Her eyes connected with the Inquisitor's, "Do you?"
Leliana brought her eyes to Brady, her nose scrunching up in the slightest. He saw her expression an cocked an eyebrow, "Alright," He opened his stance, "Leliana, Morrigan, Briala, and I will get the Warden from Weisshaupt at nightfall. Cullen and Hawke will be with the troops."
Morrigan grinned with satisfaction, "Thank you, Inquisitor."
"Inquisitor, I have a better idea." Briala intertwined her fingers in front of her and tipped her head to the side. He looked to her and gave her a sign to continue. "Your ambassador and I got in touch with the First Warden... and a few nobles from the Anderfels. Don't ask how, but much credit goes to your ambassador. We could easily have you and Hawke meet with him and distract him while we extract the Hero of Ferelden."
"I already met the man," Hawke replied, pointing out her hip, "He's conservative, to say the least."
"So, politics, then?" Brady sighed and pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "This should be fun."
Hawke turned to him with a chuckle, "I bet he misses me."
"Just keep him busy, Inquisitor." Leliana brought her eyes to him with a calm in her stare. "We can handle the rest."
Brady softened against her eyes and bowed his head, "Very well. We'll play nice while you infiltrate the fortress." He stopped for a moment, "Just remember this place is a fortress. Like, Wardens everywhere." He turned to Briala, "Traps, maybe."
"Spiders." Hawke added, "Huge spiders."
Leliana laughed, "I've snuck into worse places, believe me."
Brady cocked his eyebrow with a grin. She held her smile for a moment, then reared back to a straight expression.
Morrigan exhaled, "I assume I will have to inform the dwarf, just in case."
"Varric?" Brady questioned.
She shook her head with a small grin. "No, Oghren."
He tipped his head up and watched everyone disperse away from the table in different directions. Hawke and Leliana stayed near.
Hawke looked up to Brady with a slight smirk, "You know this is going to end terribly for us."
"Of course it is," He grinned brightly.
With a short chuckle to his comment, she followed Anders away. He watched them walk into the distance for a moment, then looked down to Leliana at his side. Her mind seemed miles away, but despite that fact, the air around him felt a little warmer with her around.
"He doesn't look as monsterous as they all portray him to be." Brady let out a thought.
Leliana zoned in her attention and replied, "That's what makes him dangerous, Inquisitor." She brought her eyes to him with a stern look that caused him to feel a shiver down his spine.
"For what it's worth," He turned his body to her with a smirk, "You look pretty good for just getting out of the crossroads."
Her face lightened at the sound of his soft tone, then scrunched up, "I feel disgusting. We past through so many crypts, I must reek of ancient elven corpses." She turned and began to walk away.
He cocked an eyebrow, "Where are you going?"
She stopped her stride and threw him a look over her shoulder, "There's a basin not too far from here. I'd like to freshen up." Her accent cast a sultry sound to her words, "Grab my soaps and bathe. Maybe relax before we have to go to Weisshaupt."
"Good idea." He nodded, and began to turn away.
Before he could, she placed a michevious grin on her lips, "You're coming with me." Her coy eyes were almost unsatiably desirable when accompanied by her smile. He watched her sway her hips with obvious intent in every strut.
He blinked, then pulled at a sly smile, "Better idea."
"You're quiet." Oghren looked to Damon. He was slumped against the damp dungeon wall. Damon twisted the golden ring on his finger. His dark grey eyes matched the gloom that harbored in the cell.
Damon brought his head up to see Oghren- who was casually sitting in a chair facing his cell. He held a open bottle in one hand and rested the other against the chair. "There's not much to say anymore."
Oghren's eyes drooped at the sound of Damon's defeated voice. He leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper. "The witch asked me to pass you a message."
Damon couldn't help but grin. "What was it?"
"Warden, you and your lady really need to communicate better. I can't remember all of the nugwash that she passes to me."
"Oghren, can we not forget that I'm in a cage?"
Oghren began to speak, but stopped himself, making his mouth fall agape. Damon rolled his eyes and slouched back up against the wall. He pulled at his longer than usual brown locks with a groan. With a slug from his bottle, Oghren spoke up, "Something of The Inquisition... inquisitor. Ah, forget it. It's gone."
"What would I do without you?" Damon let out. He closed his eyes and saw Morrigan, but the memory of what she looked like was becoming fuzzy in his mind. When he was on the road, he praised his strength and how he was able to make due without her and Kieran for so long. In this cell, however, his threshold faltered. He missed them both now more than ever, and hung onto every cryptic and possibly incorrect message Oghren was able to relay.
"Dead, probably." Oghren said with a straight tone. "These sodding fools really think I'm on their side, though... No need to thank me."
"You didn't have to punch me in front of Adler to prove that, Oghren."
"You know, Warden? This little predicament you got yourself in is ruining my home life." Oghren pointed, then belched.
Damon managed a laugh, "Does Felsi not approve of your late nights with me?"
"No, she doesn't." Oghren said straight. He leaned back into his chair and rocked slowly.
"Well," Damon stood up and walked over to the bars of the cell. He leaned on them, balling the bars in his palm. "When you're alive to watch your child become something. tell her I said, 'you're welcome.'"
"Oh, don't give me that." Oghren threw his hand and waved him away, "You'll be there to hear all the 'thank you's'. Maybe a few wenches might take interest." He bellowed his signature laugh that resembled small grunts in his chest.
The cloudy sky caused an ominous view of the fortress. Brady and Hawke approached it with their mounts. It was a magnificent sight- the fortress omitted an ancient tone, while looking well enough to endure an assault without an issue.
They met the gate and Brady brought his stallion to a halt. Hawke followed by pulling her white mare to stop in it's tracks.
"Briala said they would be expecting us." Brady said, staring at the iron gate.
"I expected a welcoming party, honestly." Hawke smirked.
The gate began to raise as a single warden came through. "You must be the inquisitor." He said, keeping his stance tall.
"I am." Brady replied. "And you are?"
"Warden Adler." Adler crossed his arms, causing his armor to rattle. "Dismount, and follow me."
They did as they were told, tying up there horses promptly and following him through the gate. With a nod, he led them through the courtyard. It was cluttered with unclaimed weapons and beaten practice dummies. A few wardens stood in the courtyard, watching Brady and Hawke with every footstep they made.
Brady kept his hand on the hilt of his blade that rested in it's sheath on his belt. He studied every warden with narrowed eyes, taking in what he could see of the fortress and keeping a mental note in case anything went awry, in which he could almost gaurentee from his past experiences everywhere.
There was a towering door that looked indomintable. Adler placed three knocks on it, causing the sound to echo through the entire courtyard. It opened almost instanly, exposing a wide enterance full of wardens standing at gaurd against the decorated walls. Tall paintings cluttered the walls with plaques underneath, indicating what each portrait represented.
"The First Warden has been expecting you for some time." Adler's tone was unsettling, sounding like sour notes on a flute. Hawke looked to Brady, who nodded at her gaze to stay alert at all costs.
After winding corridors and staircases, Adler opened the door to show an office, and the First Warden sat at a grand mahogony desk, flanked by two large wardens standing at attention.
The First Warden looked up from his desk, "Inquisitor, I finally get to meet you." His voice was grizzled and uneasy on the the ears. His accent was rough, and unlike anything Brady has ever heard before. "And you brought Serah Hawke. What excellent company you keep."
"First Warden Larson," Hawke spoke up, "I knew you would miss me."
Larson ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair and pulled on his beard. With a look from his black eyes, he smiled. "You could say that." He stood up from his plush chair and walked over to them. His wardens followed behind him, continuing to gaurd both of his sides. He took a stand in front of them. Larson came up to Brady's eye level, but had height over Hawke.
"I'd like to personally thank you for allowing my wardens to stay in Orlais." He put his hands behind his back, "The Corypheus mess was a black mark on our history. I'm glad you took care of it."
"You're welcome, First Warden." Brady replied, bowing his head.
"Well," Larson clapped his hands together, "I'm sure we could talk over a tour, no?"
"Weisshaupt is wonderful," Brady said, "But I'm not here for a tour, ser."
"Then, why are you here?" Larson questioned, furrowing his thick brow, showing the wrinkles of age on his forehead and at the sides of his eyes.
"To- Discuss an alliance, of course." He smiled at himself. Hawke shot him a cocked brow and with a smirk, he continued. "The Grey Wardens are Thedas' most prized warriors. A formal alignment with the First Warden would be valuable to my Inquisition."
"What an offer, Inquisitor." Larson slipped between Hawke and Brady and went through the door. "Perhaps I could test your loyalty to the Wardens promptly."
The two wardens at his side wrapped their hands around Hawke's arms. She struggled against them, wriggling and pulling away with desperation.
Brady drew his sword and held it in front of him, taking a defensive position in front of the First Warden. "What are you doing?"
"Hawke is... an issue." Larson said with a straight tone. "She knows too much, Inquisitor."
"Are you mad?" Hawke spat, gritting her teeth at him.
"Quite the contrary, Hawke." Larson brought his black eyes to her with a sinister smile. "The wardens pride themselves on accepting recruits from around the spectrum. Especially templars and mages, who may know a thing or two about the Rite of Tranquility."
Fear grew in Hawke's eyes, "No."
"What do you say, Inquisitor?" Larson grinned at him, "Our loyalty for Hawke?"
Hawke looked at Brady, and he stared back, a gut wrenching feeling in his stomach at the sight of her frieghtened eyes.
Other wardens began to flood the room, surrounding them with every intent to kill them both. Brady gathered he was outnumbered ten to one, but he has had worse odds in the past.
The First Warden walked to the door and began to exit, "I'm going to take your answer to be a 'no'." He threw a smile at Brady and directed his words to his wardens, "Try not to make a mess."
He shut the door, and every warden in the room drew their blades. "Any ideas?" Brady shouted to Hawke, keeping his eyes on his potential attackers.
"Well, just the one." She let out, and fire began to ignite her fingers. She shot her captors both in the face with a weak ball of fire, causing them to stumble back grasping at their faces. Hawke drew her staff from her back and casted a cone of cold on a great deal of the wardens.
They began to attack them both. Brady deflected shots from two wardens while Hawke continued to shoot fire from her staff at them.
Brady cut his sword clean through a warden's neck. He collapsed in front of him gripping at his neck. The other warden tried to strike against Brady's shoulder, but with a quick block, he staggered back and attempted to regain his footing.
"Your back!" Hawke shouted, still keeping her attention on the attackers.
Brady took a second too long to turn, and found two daggers from a rogue warden into his back. His armor kept most of the blade away from his skin, but he could feel the tips leaving bloody indents into his back. He cringed, but then turned with haste, opening the wounds but also giving him the oppertunity to punch the rogue in the face and digging his silverite blade into the Warden's torso.
Hawke cast blizzard and placed a protective barrier for Brady and herself. He took a deep breath and watched the rest of the wardens freeze and shatter.
"Are you alright?" Brady asked between exhausted breaths.
Hawke saw the blood from his back start to drip from his armor. "Are you?"
He looked behind and let out a sigh, "I don't suppose you know any healing spells?"
