Jerath arrived back in Denerim two days after they did. He wisely left Loghain behind when coming to give his report. After he'd handed everything to Eamon, Saitada fell into step with him as they went downstairs. "I don't owe you an apology," she said.

"I never believed you did."

"Why did you recruit Loghain?"

"I told you why."

"Now I want the rest of the reason."

He shook his head. "Because while it's Alistair's country,it's Loghain's army. Their general will fight alongside them, and so they will fight for Alistair. Because I believe you would have regretted manipulating Anora's execution for the rest of your life, all the more because you told yourself it was justice for Duncan. Because wardens do what they must, and that duty cannot be forsworn. Because enough have died in this stupid war. Because Alistair's reign should not begin in blood. Because I am Ferelden, and he is the Hero of the River Dane." He sighed. "Choose your reason, Saitada. I weighed them all."

She looked at him, and then shook her head slowly. "Are you sure you are only sixteen?"

"It's what my father tells me, anyway." He slung the pack off his shoulder, then removed the blades from inside. He handed them to her. "I thought he'd want you to have these."

"Thank you, Jerath."

#

Cathiel nearly snarled at him. "If I despise you, it's because you deserve it."

Loghain merely stared at her. "Ah, now there's the venom I expected. Well, is that it? Surely you've more to say to me than that. Go on. Try out all the curses and insults you know. I'll teach you some new ones if they don't suffice."

"You're awfully smug for a failure."

"Ah, now that actually struck a glancing blow! Good work. And now what? Am I to be some trophy of your victory? The defeated enemy you drag about on a leash wherever you go? Or have you some worse fate in mind for me?"

"Just stay out of my way."

"Or what? You'll kill me? Go ahead. The Joining was my death sentence anyway. It's hardly my fault it failed to produce the desired result, Warden."

"This is still your death sentence. Remember that."

"I assure you, it's foremost on my mind."

Saitada wanted to hit them both. "Perhaps you two could simply avoid each other?"

Loghain actually smirked at her. "I'd be delighted to. It is, however, a small camp. We could dig a moat down the middle of it, perhaps. It will create some difficulty finding a place to pitch tents, I'm afraid."

She wanted to reach for her blade. "Loghain, just do as you are told."

#

Loghain glared at Leliana. "So you are a Fereldan girl, who decided to live in Orlais."

She turned her nose up at him. "I did not decide to live in Orlais. My mother took me there with her. I know how you feel about the Orlesians, but I am not one of them."

"You may as well be. You grew up there. Your views and values are theirs. Loghain: I have heard you speaking with the others. You find Ferelden unsophisticated, barely civilized."

"No, this is not true."

"You're painted to look like you're a Fereldan, but scratch the surface and find nothing but Orlais underneath."

Brehan stepped between them, his eyes narrow. "Halam sahlin, es ar tu na'lin emma mi."

Loghain shook his head, and left them be.

#

Loghain saw Wynne looking at him again. "You can stop scowling at me, madam."

"Did I need your permission? I see."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. I confess: It was entirely my idea that Uldred consort with demons. I had a dastardly scheme in which the utter destruction of Ferelden's best weapon would benefit me, personally. Are you satisfied now?"

"Do you think your deal with Uldred was where you earned my contempt? I was at Ostagar. I witnessed Cailan's murder."

He smirked. "Such loyalty."

She folded her arms. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Did you try to save him, then? My apologies."

Wynne's hand tightened on her staff. "I was fortunate to escape with my life!"

"So you didn't rush to your king's rescue? I see. Then both of us left the boy to die."

"I was no general at the head of an army! I could never have reached him!"

"And I had no magic that could break those darkspawn ranks. But perhaps you think I ought to have tried, regardless. No doubt, the lives of mere soldiers are cheap in the eyes of the Circle."

"And what of all the soldiers who died with their king? Their lives were worth nothing to you."

That one actually struck. "You think so, do you? I knew their names, mage, and where they came from. I knew their families. I do not know how you mages determine the value of things, but they were my men. I know exactly how much I lost that day."

The young mage immediately came to the aid of the old one. "What are you playing at?"

"I beg your pardon?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

Lenore's eyes narrowed. "Don't think a few friendly words to Jerath will put him off his guard. He's no fool. None of us have forgotten what you've done."

"I have no idea what you are trying to suggest." If the mage thought he was actually manipulating that confounding young man...

Wynne shook her head. "Oh, there are so many things to accuse you of, Loghain Mac Tir, that I hardly know where to begin. But we can save that for another time. For the moment, know that we are watching you."

He wanted to throw up his hands. "If watching me amuses you, feel free. Now, if you don't mine, I have things to attend to."

#

"Redcliffe is under attack."

Shale made a sighing sound. "Is anybody surprise? Anyone?"

"Jerath, take Loghain, Morrigan, Shale, and Oghren and clear out the lower section. The rest of you, with me," Saitada ordered.

Jerath immediately nodded and gestured for them to follow him. "She's still angry at you," Morrigan told Jerath.

"Why do you say that?" Loghain asked her.

"She stuck him with Oghren."

"I heard that," Oghren said, and belched.

#

Riordan met them in the hall. "It is a relief to see you unharmed."

"What news?" Saitada asked.

"The darkspawn that attacked Redcliffe were relatively few in number, I'm afraid. It was assumed the horde was marching in this direction... but that is not true."

Eamon joined them, sparing a glare for Loghain. "Riordan tells us that the bulk of the horde is, in fact, heading towards Denerim. They will be at the capital within the week."

"Are you sure?"

Riordan glanced at Eamon, then nodded. "I ventured close enough to 'listen in,' as it were. I am quite certain."

Jerath frowned. "Why then did you say it was headed here?"

Riordan shook his head. "The darkspawn line is wide, and many of them roam away from the main horde. Until now most of them have been spotted here in the west."

Alistair pointedly did not look at Loghain. "Not to mention that we've been too busy killing each other to pay much attention to some silly old darkspawn horde."

Riordan inhaled. "There is, I'm afraid one other piece of news that is of even greater concern. The archdemon has shown itself. The dragon is at the head of the horde."

"Maker preserve us," Teagan swore softly.

"But we can't reach Denerim within a week, can we? It's too far," Alistair frowned.

"We must begin a forced march to the capital immediately, with what we have. Denerim must be defended at all costs."

"The archdemon is what's important," Jerath said.

Riordan nodded to him. "And only the Grey Wardens can defeat the archdemon. That is why we must go."

"Then we march," Alistair said. "And hope the army we've collected here give us the chance we need." He squared his shoulders. "Arl Eamon, how long before the army can set out?"

"By daybreak..."

Alistair nodded, and gave the order. "Then let's get them ready. I won't let all those people die without giving them a chance."

"I would like to speak with just the wardens, if I may," Riordan said. "There are a few things we need to discuss."

"We will be along shortly," Alistair told him.

#

Riordan gathered the wardens in his room. His face was grave. "You are all here. You are new to the Grey Wardens, and you may not have been told how an archdemon is slain. I need to know if that is so."

Alistair pointedly did not look at where Loghain was standing. "You mean there's more to it than just, say, chopping off its head?"

Riordan sighed. "So it is true. Duncan had not yet told you. I had simply assumed..." He shook his head. "Tell me, have you ever wondered why the Grey Wardens are needed to defeat the darkspawn?"

Lenore nodded. "It obviously has something to do with the taint within us."

"That is exactly what it involves. The archdemon may be slain as any other darkspawn, but should any other than a Grey Warden to the slaying, it will not be enough. The essence of the beast will pass through the taint to the nearest darkspawn and will be reborn anew in that body. The dragon is thus all but immortal. But if the archdemon is slain by a Grey Warden... its essence travels into the Grey Warden, instead."

Brehan asked the question for them. "And... what happens to the Grey Warden?"

"A darkspawn is an empty, soulless vessel, but a Grey Warden is not. The essence of the archdemon is destroyed... and so is the Grey Warden."

"Meaning... the Grey Warden who kills the archdemon..." Alistair looked at Cathiel, then back at Riordan. "Dies?"

"Yes. Without the archdemon, the Blight ends. It is the only way."

Saitada hooked her thumbs behind her weapons, and nodded. "So it's up to us to kill this thing."

"In Blights past, when the time came the eldest of the Grey Wardens would decide which amongst them would take that final blow. If possible, the final blow should be mine to make. I am the eldest, and the taint will not spare me much longer. But if I fail, the deed falls on you. The Blight must be stopped now or it will destroy all of Ferelden before the rest of the Grey Wardens can assemble. Remember that. But enough. There will be much to do tomorrow, and little enough time to rest before it. I will let you return to your rooms."

"I will see you once the army is ready to march, then." Alistair gave him a respectful nod. "I guess this ends soon, one way or another."

"That it does, my friend, that it does."

#

Saitada lingered in the hall, watching Alistair take Cathiel's hand as they walked. Brosca and Lenore also held hands. Brehan walked past his room, and she was sure he was off to seek Leliana.

"One life." She jumped at the sound of Loghain's voice. She hadn't realized he and Jerath were still behind her. "After all this trouble, it seems like such a small thing to give up to see this land safe, doesn't it?"

"It's hardly a small price."

Jerath twitched a shoulder. "Isn't it? Seems to be the currency these days. You pay it, and hope that the outcome is worthwhile."

"Are you willing to accept death if Riordan fails?"

Loghain gave her a look that suggested she was being ridiculous. "If it comes to that, yes. Gladly. If anyone should make this sacrifice, it ought to be me. Maker knows, I have enough to atone for."

"This was always meant to end in death," Jerath said. "Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand, vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and that one day, we shall join you."

"So who gets to decide who lives and dies?" Saitada asked.

"You're commanding the armies you've raised, aren't you?" Jerath raised an eyebrow at her. "Isn't that what you were born to do?"

She sighed. "I didn't think of it that way."

Loghain nodded at her reluctantly. "I can offer advice, if you want, but this is your battle."

"This army was built from nothing by you. They don't follow me."

"And if I make mistakes, what then?"

"You'll deal with the results just like everyone else," Loghain said.

"If Riordan can't, I'll be the one to make the sacrifice."

Jerath shook his head at her. "What makes you think that choice is yours to make?"

"As you pointed out, I'm the commander here."

"Yes. You are. The general leads. The pawns make the sacrifice. Do you think the need for a leader will die along with the archdemon?"

Saitada turned to face him, giving him a long, appraising look. His face was expressionless, but for the first time, she wondered how much of it was a mask. "You are saying I should sacrifice one of you?"

"Yes." His voice was blunt.

Her own voice became angry. "And what if I pick you?"

He shrugged. "Then I die a full year later than I would have had I never become a warden at all, and I go out a hero on top of everything. Maybe the dwarves will put my face up on one of those statues."

"You..." She frowned at him. "You are actually joking about this. You find death amusing?"

"Depends upon who is doing the dying. I think, all things considered, my dying to save this... human... kingdom would have the Maker laughing hard enough to fall out of his throne."

"Laughing at death...it's a city elf thing?"

"When one is visited by an old friend, jokes and laughter are often to be expected. We've spent too much time in the company of death to start pretending it is some fearsome stranger. I remain your sword, Saitada. Sleep well."

"Jerath..."

"Yes?"

"You aren't my sword. You are my friend. All of you. I don't want to see any of you die."

"Then close your eyes. There are plenty who could show you how."

#

He watched Saitada walk away. "It's not her."

"Then after Riordan, it falls to me," Loghain said.

"Or me. Either way, it's not her. Or any of the rest of them. The world has further need of their like."

"Indeed. This next part won't be easy."

"If it were easy, they wouldn't need us."

#

Saitada found Alistair and Cathiel in the common room. "I take it everyone else was smart enough to get some sleep?"

"You know, you'd think being king and queen would get us some respect around here," Alistair said, looking at Cathiel.

"I treat you with as much respect as I ever have any royalty."

Cathiel laughed. "Fair point." The laugh died, leaving the room feeling empty. The silence grew, becoming awkward.

"So..." Alistair said. "If Riordan fails..."

Cathiel shrugged. "Then we feed Loghain to the Archdemon and kill two birds with one stone."

Saitada sighed. "A suggestion he recently made himself, in fact."

"And if he refuses?" Alistair's voice was angry. "What then?"

"Then I suppose it falls to me." Saitada's voice was firm. "Or to the last of us standing, should it come to that."

"I wonder why Duncan didn't tell us this before." Alistair leaned back in his chair.

Cathiel set her hand on his. "Probably because he intended to take the blow himself, and didn't want you to argue with him."

"I suppose you are right." He closed his fingers around hers. "It will be over soon, one way or another."

"Get some sleep. That's an order, your majesties."

"You know, for a princess, you really don't seem to get how royalty works."

"Bed."

"Fine, fine, we are going, put down the sword."

"You did good today, Alistair," Saitada said.

He smiled at her.

#

She was standing by his fire when he entered the room. "Do not be alarmed. It is only I."

"Morrigan? Is everything all right?" There was something in her voice.

"I am well." She turned to face him. "'Tis you who are in danger. I have a plan, you see. A way out. The loop in your hole. I know what happens when the archdemon dies. I know a Grey Warden must be sacrificed, and that sacrifice could be you. I have come to tell you this does not need to be."

It was time, then. The pieces were arranged on the board, and it was time for the endgame. "And how do you know about this?"

"I know a great many things. How I know is not quite as important as what I am offering you, however. I offer a way out. A way out for all the Grey Wardens, that there need be no sacrifice. A ritual... performed on the eve of battle, in the dark of night."

He began removing his armor. "Nothing comes without a price."

"Perhaps. But that price need not be so unbearable, especially if there is much to be gained. All I ask is that you listen to what I have to offer, nothing more."

"Very well." She'd waited this long. "What is your plan?"

"What I propose is this: lay with me. Here, tonight. And from our joining, a child will be conceived. The child will bear the taint, and when the archdemon is slain, its essence will seek the child like a beacon. At this early stage, the child can absorb that essence and not perish. The archdemon is still destroyed, with no Grey Warden dying in the process?"

He was angry. Angrier than he'd been since the rage had filled him. His voice remained calm. "It all comes back to joining, doesn't it?" He turned to face her. "Are you insane? This is your plan?"

"Think about what I offer you: the chance to avoid death. Or better yet, the chance to slay the archdemon and live as a hero. No Grey Warden has ever done this."

He laughed at her. "If you want someone who cares about either of those things, I suggest you go knock on Brehan's door. Or Alistair's."

"I..."

"You want to..." He clenched his fists. "Have my child? Make it darkspawn."

"No. I conceive a child, one who will be born with the soul of an Old God. I seek the essence of the Old God that once was and not the dark forces that corrupted it. Some things are worth preserving in this world. Make of that what you will. After this is done, you allow me to walk away... and you do not follow. Ever. This child will be mine to raise as I wish."

He wasn't sure if that were better or worse. "What do you intend to do with this child?"

"I do not wish to tell you."

His voice held a blade. "I insist."

"The child will represent freedom for an ancient power, a chance to be reborn apart from the taint. Is that not reason enough to do it? I will raise the child apart from the rest of society, and teach it to respect that from which it came. Beyond that, you need know nothing else."

He needed to know so much more. "I see. Is this why you've been so... friendly to me?"

"Caring for you as I've come to... that was not part of the plan. But I cannot let what I feel interfere with what I must do. This is important to me. The fact that it may save your life makes me all the more determined to see it done. Please do not... cloud the issue. If you feel anything for me, then accept that it will make what we must do... that much easier."

"Will I ever see you again?" He wished the answer didn't matter to him so much.

"After the archdemon has been slain? No. No, you will never see me again. Refuse my offer, however, and I leave now. This is... simply how it must be."

He stood in silence for several minutes, staring at the wall. Finally, he turned to look at her. "One year."

"One year?"

"I give you one year. Then I start looking for you. You get what you want, the child. But as you pointed out, that means I may well live. And as long as I live, I will seek you. You, of all people, should know this."

"I..."

"Accept who I am, or go knock on another door."

"Very well."

He met her eyes. "All right. I agree."

"A wise decision. Come, my love. Put the thoughts of the ritual aside and let us make this last night together one to remember."

#

It started again when they made camp. Oghren stretched his legs to ensure there was no room on the log for Loghain to sit. He belched, and then looked up. "So what, now we're supposed to be best friends? Bosom buddies? Sit around the campfire and sing together?"

Loghain began to take his plate elsewhere. "Somehow, I have no desire to hear you sing, Dwarf."

Oghren spat. "Just don't start thinking that you belong here."

"Oh, I'm in no danger of that, I promise you."

"Good," Alistair muttered.

Jerath slammed the teacup he was drinking from down hard enough for the metal to break. "Enough! Bloody legends all. Daveth was a common pickpocket. Brosca was a hired thug. Riordan a thief. Duncan, Alistair, Duncan, was conscripted after committing theft and murder, murder of a Grey Warden, I might add. Criminals and malcontents, glory-seeking fools and those who wish only to die. Blood mages and rebels. Unrepentant murderers, paragons, kingslayers, and kings. We. Are. Wardens. Now would you people kindly shut the hell up? We've got a long day of killing Darkspawn and saving this blasted kingdom tomorrow." He glared around the camp, challenge written on his face.

Feet shuffled. For a moment, there was silence.

"You heard the man, everyone. Get some sleep."

Most scattered, leaving only Saitada, Loghain, and Jerath at the fire. Loghain was looking at Jerath with an expression she'd last seen on her own father's face – paternal pride. "Jerath, Loghain, I apologize to you both. I should not have allowed the bickering to go on as long as it did."

"I... also apologize." Loghain said. "I should not have tried to draw anyone into a fight."

Jerath raised an eyebrow as they both looked at him. "I apologize for calling Daveth common. The man deserved more respect than that."

Loghain gave him a confused look as Saitada merely laughed. "Sleep well. Both of you."

#

"Do you think Alistair will be a better king than Cailan?"

Jerath shrugged. "Admittedly, my expectations for human kings are fairly low." He leaned into her as she sat beside him. "I have something for you."

"What have you there? A mirror? It is..." Her voice softened. "Just the same as the mirror which Flemeth smashed on the ground, so long ago. It is incredible that you found one so like it. I am uncertain what to say. You must wish something in return, certainly."

"It's simply a present. For a beautiful woman."

"I have... never received a gift. Not one that did not also come with a price attached." For a moment, he thought she was actually going to cry. "But I would be a fool not to accept such a gesture with grace. Your gift is... most thoughtful. Thank you."