"We should be at Redcliffe in time for lunch," Alistair said as they broke camp.

"Good," Brosca said. "Could do with a pint or four."

"Save some for the rest of us," Lenore said as she slung her pack over her shoulder.

Saitada looked around. "Arl Eamon should be an ally, but we still don't know what kind of reception we are going to get in Redcliffe." She considered a moment. "Brehan and Leliana, you take point."

#

"What do you know of this place?" Brehan asked as they walked ahead of the others.

"Redcliffe?" Leliana considered a moment. "I know little of it, except that it is the domain of the arl of Redcliffe." She shrugged. "Redcliffe... I wonder how the name came to be. Is the clay here red? There are places in this world where the clay is a bright, strange red, and often, in the legends of such places, it is the red of blood. The blood of a thousand men slaughtered in battle, or that of an innocent unjustly slain; it stains the land that it may never be forgotten. Perhaps Redcliffe has one such tale... but I do not know it."

"At the base of the Frostbacks, where they meet the Wilds, there is a place where the trees leaf in red. It is where the witch, Ikarya, tricked the brothers Jikar and Atlayan into fighting each other. Atlayan feared his brother had fallen under her spell. Jikar saw only her beauty, and was too proud to believe that he had been deceived. Enraged, he attacked his brother, and dealt a mortal blow. It was only when he heard Ikarya's laughter that he realized what he had done."

Leliana raised an eyebrow. "I would like to hear this story."

"There are several versions of the song. Most versions have Jikar giving in to his rage, and chasing the pride demon Ikarya across the sky."

She smiled at him. "Have you ever seen this place?"

"From a distance only. Our keeper did not allow us to venture near. The veil is thin there, she said." He glanced back over his shoulder. He could not see the others, but he could still sense their presence behind him. If he concentrated, he could tell which of them was which. It felt odd sometimes. He turned back to Leliana. "This vision of yours..."

"I knew this would come up sooner or later." She sighed. "I don't know how to explain, but I had a dream... In it there was an impenetrable darkness... it was so dense, so real. And there was a noise, a terrible, ungodly noise..." Her eyes grew distant with memory. "I stood on a peak and watched as the darkness consumed everything... and when the storm swallowed the last of the sun's light, I..." She shivered slightly. "I fell, and the darkness drew me in..."

"You dreamed of the Blight?"

"I suppose I did. That was what the darkness was, no?" She rubbed her arms as if warding off a chill. "When I woke, I went to the chantry's gardens, as I always do. But that day, the rosebush in the corner had flowered..." Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. "Everyone knew that bush was dead. It was grey and twisted and gnarled - the ugliest thing you ever saw, but there it was - a single, beautiful rose." She smiled. "It was as though the Maker stretched out His hand to say: 'Even in the midst of this darkness, there is hope and beauty. Have faith'."

He found himself drawn in by the sincere emotion in her voice, and smiled. "And this made you want to help us?"

"In my dream, I fell, or... or maybe I jumped... I'd do anything to stop the Blight. I know that we can do it." She spread her hands. "There are so many good things in the Maker's world. How can I sit by while the Blight devours... everything?"

"I suppose I couldn't sit by either."

She touched his shoulder lightly. "That is why you are a Grey Warden."

He blinked, then looked up at the sky. Then he smiled. Maybe she was right.

#

Saitada nodded as Leliana returned to say that Brehan had sighted a settlement ahead. The chantry sister gave her report, and then lengthened her stride to rejoin Brehan. Saitada hitched her pack slightly on her shoulder.

Behind her, Alistair spoke up. "Look, can we talk for a moment?" She turned to look at him. He shuffled his feet, and looked embarrassed. "I need to tell you something I, ah, probably should have told you earlier."

Saitada raised an eyebrow, and then frowned. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

He sighed, and looked from her to Cathiel and then back again. "I don't know. I doubt it. I've never liked it, that's for sure." He ran a hand through his hair. "I told you before how Arl Eamon raised me, right? That my mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took me in?" Saitada felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Alistair continued, "the reason he did that was because..." He looked away, twisted his foot, and his expression became pained. "Well, because my father was King Maric. Which made Cailan my... half-brother, I suppose."

Saitada put a hand to her face. Cathiel just stared at him. "So... you're not just a bastard," Cathiel said, "but a royal bastard?"

Alistair let out a small laugh. "Yes, I guess it does at that. I should use that line more often."

"Why did you wait to tell me this?" Saitada asked.

Alistair shifted uncomfortably under her glare. "I would have told you, but... it never really meant anything to me. I was inconvenient, a possible threat to Cailan's rule and so they kept me secret. I've never talked about it to anyone." He wasn't quite able to meet her eyes. "Everyone who knew either resented me for it or they coddled me... even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I didn't want you to know, as long as possible." He swallowed. "I'm sorry."

Saitada considered a moment. "Does Loghain know?"

"Why wouldn't he? He was King Maric's best friend. I don't know if that means anything, though... I certainly never considered the idea that it might ever be important."

She stared at him. For a moment, she gave serious consideration to calling Jerath or Sten to hold Alistair so that she could attempt to beat sense into him. Then she sighed. "I think I understand."

He sighed. "Good. I'm glad. It's not like I got special treatment for it, anyhow." Saitada nearly gave in to the idea of smacking him again. He'd been sent from the fight with six warden bodyguards, and still didn't think he got special treatment. At least Cailan's actions made some sense to her now. He continued speaking. "At any rate, that's it. That's what I had to tell you. I thought you should know about it."

"Are you sure?" Cathiel asked. "You're not hiding anything else?"

"Besides my unholy love of fine cheeses and a minor obsession with my hair, no. That's it. Just the prince thing."

"You're a prince. Somehow I find that very... thrilling," Cathiel said in a teasing voice.

"Oh! Did I just find the one damn decent thing about my birthright? I think I did."

Saitada decided she was going to just start hitting both of them. Then what Cathiel had said earlier came back to mind. "You're heir to the throne, then?" Saitada asked.

Actual panic showed on Alistair's face. "Let's hope not. I'm the son of a commoner, and a Grey Warden to boot. It was made very clear to me early on that there was no room for me raising any rebellions or such nonsense. And that's fine by me. No, if there's an heir to be found, it's Arl Eamon himself. He's not of royal blood, but he is Cailan's uncle... and more importantly, very popular with the people." He frowned. "Though... if he's really as sick as we've heard... no, I don't want to think about that. I really don't." He shuffled his feet again. "So there you have it. Now can we move on, and I'll just pretend you still think I'm some... nobody who was too lucky to die with the rest of the Grey Wardens."

"And what does that make us?" Saitada asked wryly. Inwardly, she was a bit relieved. At least now she had the makings of a backup plan if Arl Eamon was unable to help them.

Alistair smiled. "The reason I think we have a chance of setting things right."

#

They caught up with Brehan a couple minutes later. He pointed. "City ahead." He glanced back at Saitada. "Something's off."

"Darkspawn?"

"No. Just..." He shrugged. "Maybe it's just me not liking cities."

She looked at him for a moment, then glanced back at the others. "Everyone be on your guard." She considered. "Jerath, Morrigan, you two stay back a bit. I'll signal if there is trouble. Brosca, Brehan, eyes open. Lenore, keep your eyes and whatever you mages use to sniff out magic open. Sten, look scary. Let's go."

A man came across the bridge to meet them. Rather than be intimidated by the party approaching him, he actually looked relieved. "I thought I saw travelers coming down the road, though I scarcely believed it." His voice was incredulous. "Have you come to help us?"

Saitada glanced over her shoulder at Alistair. Alistair only shrugged in response. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Is there a problem?"

He blinked. "So you... don't know? Has nobody out there heard?"

"I've heard Arl Eamon is sick, if that's what you mean."

"He could be dead, for all we know. Nobody's heard from the castle in days." He wrung his hands. "We're under attack. Monsters come out of the castle every night and attack us until dawn. Everyone's been fighting... and dying." He shook his head. "We've no army to defend us, no arl and no king to send us help. So many are dead, and those left are terrified they're next."

Alistair spoke up. "Hold on. What is this evil that's attacking you?"

"I... I don't rightly know; I'm sorry. Nobody does." He looked back over his shoulder. "I should take you to Bann Teagan. He's all that's holding us together. He'll want to see you. He's just over there in the chantry. Please, come..."

Saitada glanced at the others, then signaled for Jerath and Morrigan to join them. "We're coming."

#

The man, Tomas, led them into the chantry. Wounded people were everywhere, and children huddled together under the watchful eyes of bedraggled parents. Their small party garnered stares, and Saitada found herself a little intimidated by the hope she could see starting to dawn on some of the faces.

A man in slightly finer clothes than the others looked up as they entered. "It's... Tomas, yes? And who are these people with you?" He looked them over. "They're obviously not simple travelers."

"No my lord," Tomas said. "They just arrived, and I thought you would want to see them."

"Well done, Tomas." He gave them an appraising look, then met Saitada's eyes. "Greetings, friends. My name is Teagan, Bann of Rainesfere, brother to the arl."

"I remember you, Bann Teagan," Alistair said. "Though the last time we met I was a lot younger and..." His voice became slightly embarrassed. "...covered in mud."

"Covered in mud?" Recognition dawned on Teagan's face, and he smiled widely. "Alistair? Is is you, isn't it? You're alive! This is wonderful news."

"Still alive, yes, though not for long if Teryn Loghain has anything to say about it."

"Indeed." Teagan's voice was grim. "Loghain would have us believe all Grey Wardens died along with my nephew, amongst other things."

Saitada smiled. "You don't believe Loghain's lies?"

Teagan actually snorted. "What, that he pulled his men in order to save them? That Cailan risked everything in the name of glory? Hardly." His voice was bitter. "Loghain calls the Grey Wardens traitors, murderers of the king. I don't believe it. It is an act of a desperate man. So... you are a Grey Warden as well? A pleasure you meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances."

Alistair quickly stepped in to make introductions. Saitada smiled. She found herself rather liking this Teagan. He reminded her a bit of Gorim. Teagan gave them all a slight bow. "You're here to see my brother? Unfortunately, that might be a problem. Eamon is gravely ill." He sighed. "No one has heard from the castle in days. No guards patrol the walls, and no one has responded to my shouts. The attacks started a few nights ago. Evil... things... surged from the castle. We drove them back, but many perished during the assault."

"What evil things are you talking about?" Saitada asked.

"Some call them the walking dead; decomposing corpses returning to life with a hunger for human flesh... They hit again the next night. Each night they come, with greater numbers." He shook his head grimly. "With Cailan dead and Loghain starting a war over the throne, no one responds to my urgent calls for help. I have a feeling tonight's assault will be the worst yet." His eyes went to Alistair. "Alistair, I hate to ask, but I desperately need the help of you and your friends."

"It isn't just up to me." Alistair looked at Saitada, his own face desperate. "Though the Grey Wardens don't stand much chance against Loghain without Arl Eamon."

Saitada gave him a reassuring nod. "Of course we'll help." She heard Morrigan mutter something that sounded disapproving.

Sten's voice she could actually make out. "There are no darkspawn here, and nothing to gain. It is a fool's errand."

Saitada channeled twenty five years of growing up in the royal palace into her voice as she turned to look at him. "If there's a chance to rescue the arl, we have to try." If there was a chance to salvage the reputation of the Grey Wardens and turn the surviving people into an army, they had to try.

"Perhaps," Sten said. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but went silent instead.

"Thank you!" Teagan said, hope finally entering his face. "Thank you, this... means more to me than you can guess." He looked around. "Now, then. There is much to do before night falls. I've put two men in charge of the defense outside. Murdock, the village mayor, is outside the chantry. Ser Perth, one of Eamon's knights, is just up the cliff at the windmill, watching the castle. You may discuss with them the preparations for the coming battle."

Saitada nodded then turned to her companions. "Lenore, see what you can do about tending to the wounded. Get as many people on their feet as you can. Morrigan, help her. The rest of you, with me."

#

After talking with Murdock, Saitada began giving directions to the rest of the wardens. She sent Brehan to check along the path the dead used, and to possibly set up some of Brosca's traps. Leliana accompanied him. Jerath, Sten, and Brosca she sent to round up any more potential defenders. Flanked by Alistair and Cathiel, she went to go speak with the blacksmith.

#

Brosca followed Jerath into the first house. The qunari stayed at the back, watching the door.

"That dresser appears to be breathing," Brosca observed dryly.

From inside the dresser, a voice yelled, "go away! This isn't your home!"

Sten folded his arms. "A small human. I say burn it out."

Brosca grinned back at him before reaching for the dresser door. The boy was already tumbling out. "Ahh! What are you doing? All right, I'll come out!" Brosca tried to keep a straight face. The poor child actually looked terrified. "Please don't hurt me! I'll go back to the chantry if you want! I didn't mean any harm!"

"Your sister is looking for you, you know," Jerath said. Brosca shot him a questioning look. Jerath twitched a shoulder.

"I just... didn't want to be at the chantry anymore. Everyone's scared, and I want to be brave."

Brosca raised an eyebrow at the boy. "How is hiding in a dresser being brave?"

"I wasn't always in here! I hid when I heard you coming. I was..." He cut himself off. "Well, I shouldn't tell you. It's a secret."

"Are you sure? Maybe I could help you," Brosca said.

"You... could? All right... I guess." He shrugged. "I just... Father said I could have his sword when I grew up. It was Grandfather's, and Grandfather was a great dragon-slayer." He sighed. "I thought... if I was brave like Grandfather, I could use his sword and..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "Kill the bad people who killed Mother."

Brosca felt a trace of panic as the kid started to cry. "You had the right idea," Jerath said calmly. "You are indeed very brave."

"Thank you, ser," the boy said, his voice hitching from crying. "But the sword is too heavy for me. I... guess I'm not as strong as someone like you."

"Where is the sword now?" Brosca asked.

"In the chest in Mother's room. Father gave me a key, but I'm not supposed to give it to anyone."

"Perhaps I could help you and your sister in return?" Jerath offered.

The boy's eyes widened hopefully. "You could? Maybe you could... give my sister money? She said if we had money we'd be all right, even if Mother is dead."

"I'll talk to your sister about it. I promise," Jerath said.

"All right. Here is the key. I hope you use it to kill a lot of those bad people."

"He will," Brosca told the boy. "It's what he does."

"I should... go back to the chantry. Good luck." The boy ran off.

"Let's see this dragon-slaying sword then," Brosca said. He let out a low whistle when Jerath recovered the blade. "Fair sight better than that dull thing you took of a bandit. Hang on to it."

#

"Heh. This door is locked." Brosca fiddled with the lock. "And now it's not." He gestured for Sten to keep an eye out, and Jerath followed him into to the house.

A dwarf, flanked by two tattooed humans, stood in the room. He glared at Brosca. "Wonderful. Intruders. I hope you've a good reason for breaking and entering into my home."

Brosca put a smile on his face and spread his hands. "Is that how you greet a fellow dwarf?"

"Up here on the surface you'll find we're all the same. And that means unwelcome, even a fellow lowborn like yourself." He gave an annoyed shrug. "The name's Dwyn. Pleased to meet you. Now, kindly tell me why you're here."

"Murdock needs people for the militia."

Dwyn spat. "So? Murdock's sending a dwarf to do his begging for him? Hoping I'll get all misty-eyed with thoughts of home?" He folded his arms. "Look, I'll tell you the same thing I told him: I'm not risking my neck for this town."

"Can't I change your mind?" Brosca asked, smile still painted on his face.

"I'll put in a good word for you with Bann Teagan or the arl."

"And what good would that do me? The arl's probably dead and I couldn't care less what Teagan thinks of me. What else you got?"

Brosca was trying to think of something when behind him, Jerath's voice came, low and soft. "Either die out there, or here and now."

Brosca blinked. Dwyn looked over Brosca's shoulder at the kid, and then, to Brosca's surprise, Dwyn actually paled a bit. "So that's what it comes down to, huh? Fine. I'll go, if you want me out there so badly."

"Thank you," Brosca said.

"Don't thank me. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this because of you." He spat again. "Go tell Murdock he won. And I better see you out in the square when those creatures come." He walked out the door, flanked by his thugs.

Brosca raised an eyebrow at Jerath. Jerath just shrugged, and walked out of the room. "Huh," Brosca said. He glanced at Sten. "Junior is a little scary sometimes." He shrugged. "Let's round up whoever is in the tavern, and head back."

#

Brosca took a bit of pleasure in gouging Lloyd out of free drinks for the militia before sending him off to fight. He looked over his shoulder to see Jerath talking to another elf, and headed in that direction.

"Look, just because you're an elf doesn't mean we should... be friends. I was just told to... I mean... just leave me alone."

Brosca narrowed his eyes, then looked at Jerath. Jerath flicked his eyes to Brosca, then back at the elf. Brosca nodded, and sidled up behind the other elf. "What do you mean?" Brosca asked. "What were you told to do?"

The elf jumped slightly. "Nothing. Nobody told me to do anything. Just because you're a Grey Warden doesn't mean you an go around threatening people!"

"And how do you know we are Grey Wardens?" Jerath asked, his voice calm.

"I just... overheard it. That's all. If you'll excuse me... I want to get to the chantry before the sun goes down."

"Mind explaining this letter I found?" Jerath held up a piece of parchment.

"What? How did you...? You stole that right out of my pocket!" Brosca grinned widely as the frightened elf babbled at Jerath. So, Junior was a pickpocket. "This is more than I bargained for. Look, they just paid me to watch the castle and send word if anything should change." He shook his head desperately. "But they never said anything about monsters! I haven't even been able to report anything since this started! I'm stuck, same as you, I swear!"

"Who are 'they'?" Brosca asked. "Who hired you to do this?"

"A tall fellow. I forget his name." The elf ran a hand through his hair as he looked back and forth between Jerath, Brosca, and Sten. "He, uh, said he was working for Howe. Arl Rendon Howe. He's an important man, Teryn Loghain's right hand. So I didn't do anything wrong!"

"What are you supposed to watch the castle for?" Brosca asked.

"Just to report any changes, honest! All I could send word about was the arl getting sick. After that, monsters started coming from the castle."

"So you know how this happened? Tell me now." Brosca fingered his mace.

"I don't know anything about these creatures! When the arl got sick, I got scared that people would think I was involved. But I swear I don't know anything about it! They sent me to watch. Maybe they knew the arl would get sick. I don't know."

"How do I know you are telling the truth?"

"I just thought I was serving the king and making a bit of coin on the side. You have to believe me!"

Brosca nodded. "I think you should help defend Redcliffe tonight."

"Fitting," Sten said.

"All... all right." He sent Jerath a terrified look before turning to Brosca. "I'll do it. Thank you for your mercy, I won't forget it." He scrambled from his seat and practically flew out of the door.

"What tipped you off?" Brosca asked Jerath.

"An elf. Armed."

"You're an armed elf." Brosca considered a moment. "Which I guess proves your point. Let's get this to Saitada." He grinned. "Good fingers. I didn't even see you make the dip."

Jerath offered him a purse. Brosca took it, and raised an eyebrow. "He did say he'd been paid," Jerath said.

Brosca laughed.

#

She had to agree to rescue a maiden from the castle, but the smith started readying weapons. Ser Perth wanted magical amulets for his guards. A symbol was a symbol. The mother at the chantry was reluctant at first, but between Saitada's urging and Lenore's healing everyone in sight, she eventually relented and agreed to provide the knights with charms.

The letter Brosca gave her just confirmed her earlier suspicions. Cathiel paced angrily. "Howe. It comes back to Howe. Teryn Loghain's right hand man?" She fingered her bowstring.

"Disturbing news indeed," Teagan said. He looked at Saitada. "Both Murdock and Ser Perth are ready for nightfall."

"We'll take up a position near the path. Brehan, how'd you do with those traps?"

"Found some oil," Brehan said. "That should do some of them in."

"Good work."