Chapter 22
Beth jumped back, avoiding the darkspawn's attack. The group had stumbled upon a nest of the immature grublike 'children' and were hacking through them. It didn't take long before the last of them were dead.
They left the small cave and squeezed through a narrow passage that opened into a large cavern. Stalactites and stalagmites surrounded a central clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a monstrously large broodmother. This creature resembled the other broodmothers in its insect-like appearance from the waist down, but from the waist up, the creature looked more human. Multiple tentacles waved from the creature while its form convulsed and the creature shrieked.
"How could you, Father?" it screamed in a loud, high pitched voice. "You've brought the enemy into my home and destroyed my beloved children!"
"I have told you many times, Mother, I am not 'the Father'. I am simply the Architect." The Architect walked up to the creature.
"You created me! You took that beautiful music from me and left me with nothing!" the creature's tentacles waved manacingly.
"It was a mistake to free you. It has left you with madness. I am truly sorry." The Architect turned away from the Mother and began to walk toward Beth.
"You side with them! Perhaps the Wardens would like to hear how it was the Father who began the Blight? You want the source of the archdemon, the one who brought all our kind to the surface? Here he is!" The Mother screamed at them.
Beth looked at the Architect in shock. He looked directly at her and said sadly, "I did find the old God Urethmiel. But I did not wish another Blight. That was a mistake."
"Too much talk...not enough pummeling!" Ohgren cried and raised his axe.
"Children! To me!" The Mother shrieked and the sounds of movement could be heard all around them.
Beth charged toward the Mother but was stopped by a tentacle. She slashed with her blades and severed the limb only to have another erupt from the ground, knocking her off her feet. As she stood, she saw swarms of the grublike children emerging from tunnels surrounding the Mother.
The group's efforts became focused on the children. They were not difficult to defeat, however, there were hordes of them.
The Architect was able to cast healing spells on the group which freed Anders to focus on his elemental spells. Beth had worried about the tactical effect of leaving Velanna back at the Keep, but she felt that Velanna's healing spells would be needed if the Keep was attacked while they were away. Now that she saw the Architect supporting them, she renewed her attack on the Mother with confidence.
Ohgren and Sigrun saw Beth's strategy and maneuvered closer to the front to distract the Mother, so Beth could get around the tentacles. Margaret and Justice used their formidable sword and shield skills to hack through the multitude of darkspawn. Anders and Nate used their long range attacks and stayed toward the back of the cavern with the Architect.
Beth shadowed against a stalagmite and was able to work her way around toward the Mother's back. Beth leapt onto the gelatinous body of the creature, stabbing and slashing. The Mother let out a horrendous scream, tentacles swatting at Beth as she dodged and stabbed.
Ohgren heaved his axe through another tentacle as Sigrun sliced darkspawn in two. Justice was killing several darkspawn at a time with swings from his sword. Margaret had worked her way around opposite Justice and the two were clearing a path through the middle of the swarm. The cavern became brighter as dead darkspawn bodies burned and Anders shot fireballs. Nate hacked and sliced with his short sword, keeping children away from Anders and the Architect who were supporting them with stamina spells and shield spells.
Beth stabbed into the middle of the Mother's back, severing her spinal cord. Convulsing, tentacles waving in fits, the Mother cried out to her children. The darkspawn swarmed toward her, surrounding Justice, Ohgren and Sigrun. Beth gathered herself to spring to the floor, when a convulsing tentacle wrapped itself around her and flung her across the room. She heard a terrible breaking sound and heard someone scream in pain as she blacked out.
Justice, Ohgren and Sigrun heard the Mother's dying cry and fought with renewed vigor. The darkspawn swarmed them, but with the Mother dead, the darkspawn began fleeing.
Anders rushed over to Sigrun who had been knocked down by the swarm.
"You okay?" he said, helping her to her feet.
"Amazingly enough, I'm still alive!" she said perkily.
Nate limped up to them, "Where's Beth?" he asked looking around at all the dead darkspawn. The light was dimming and it was getting harder to see.
Anders went over to Nate, "Hold up a minute. Let me fix your leg."
"No. We've got to find Beth!" Nate stubbornly insisted.
Ohgren pointed to the Architect. The darkspawn had knelt down next to a body that was in an impossible position. The group rushed over.
"By the stone!" Ohgren cried and knelt.
Beth was laying in a heap, not moving. The Architect was carefully straightening her limbs and her body was glowing blue with the strength of the healing spell. Nate was kneeling, holding her hand. Anders had added his healing powers, but knew that he could do nothing more to aid her.
"She is near the Fade." Justice said, sadly.
"No! I won't give up on her!" Nate cried out.
The Architect pulled a vial of dark liquid from his pocket and, opening Beth's mouth, forced it down her throat. She coughed and groaned, then grew quiet again. The Architect stood and looked at the saddened group, "She is a strong fighter, I have tried to give her a chance."
Nate gathered Beth into his arms. She moaned at the movement, but didn't wake. "We need to get her back to the Keep."
...
Margaret sat on a bench near the sparring ring. She watched as Garrett sparred with one of the better soldiers. He had continued the morning routine of training. It helped to make things seem normal, but Margaret knew that things weren't going to be normal until Beth woke up. It had been several days and she wasn't any better, but she wasn't any worse either and that was what kept her hoping.
Nate and Anders hadn't left Beth's side. It had fallen upon Margaret to send a report to the First Warden at Weisshaupt. She tried to be as objective as possible in her letter, but she wasn't sure how the information about their deal with the Architect would go over.
Garrett was taking off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked over at Margaret and saw how deep in thought she was. He walked over to her and kissed her on the head.
"In front of everyone?" Margaret said, surprised out of her reverie.
"Yep. Life is too short." He leaned down and kissed her passionately on the mouth. Several of the watching soldiers whistled.
Margaret pushed him away and stood up. Putting her helmet on, she said, "My turn."
Garrett laughed as he donned his own helm and turned back to enter the ring.
...
Varel couldn't sleep. Pacing in his study wasn't helping either. Ever since the Wardens came back from their last mission, he couldn't concentrate. He was worried about Beth. She was like a daughter to him and he couldn't stand the thought of losing her.
A knock at his door stopped his pacing. Frowning, he opened it to see a servant. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry, serah. There are Wardens from Weisshaupt waiting to see you in the main hall," the servant replied.
"At this hour?" Varel's frown deepened. "What in the name of Andraste do they want?"
"I don't know, serah. They insisted I get you, even if it meant waking you." The servant stood wringing his hands.
"Alright. I'm coming." Varel gathered his emotions and went to the main hall.
"I'm Senaschel Varel. What can I do for you at this late hour?" he asked, bowing.
"We have been sent by the First Warden to collect the injured Warden-Commander," one of the Wardens said.
"Why?" Varel asked, concerned.
"We have some of the greatest healers and she should be treated in Weisshaupt," he replied.
"She is under the care of some good healers now. Why risk her life by moving her?" Varel asked, worry creasing his brow.
The Warden drew his blade. "We are taking her. Please don't make us take her by force."
Varel held up his hands, "Alright. Alright. Don't draw your weapons." He sighed heavily, "Follow me."
Varel led them up the stairs to Beth's quarters. Nate, Anders and an elderly female mage stood up quickly when the door opened.
"What is the meaning of this?" the female mage demanded.
"Wynne, these are Wardens from Weisshaupt. They are taking Beth for healing." Varel said, trying to calm her down.
"I am a very capable healer," Wynne said, defiantly. "On whose authority do you risk her life?"
"The First Warden," the Warden who spoke earlier stated. "Now out of our way. The sooner we get moving, the less chance for trauma."
Nate and Anders got between the Wardens and Beth. "No. Let her stay here. She needs her friends around her."
The Warden looked at the two men with compassion, "We are her brothers and sisters too. The Hero of Ferelden deserves the best we can do to save her."
Anders looked at Nate, his resolve waivering. He and Wynne had earlier discussed the fact that they didn't know what else to do. Nate's eyes were misting and he looked at Anders. Seeing the surrender in his friend's eyes, he stepped out of the way. "Please, wait just one moment," he said and approached Beth. He leaned down, kissed her and whispered in her ear, "Come back to me, my love."
The Wardens stepped forward when Nate stepped back. They moved Beth from the bed to a travois and carried her down the stairs, out the main gate and onto a waiting wagon. The driver cracked the whip and the horses took off.
Varel put an arm around Wynne as she cried. "You did your best. Now it's up to the Wardens."
Nate and Anders walked slowly back into the main hall. Varel looked at them and said, "Go to bed and get a good night's sleep."
...
Delilah looked at Nate, worriedly. "You haven't been sleeping well, have you?"
"No and every time a courier comes to the Keep, I jump, hoping for some word about Beth." He ran his hand through his hair.
"Nate. It's only been a little over a week since she went to Weisshaupt. Give it some time." Delilah put a hand on his shoulder.
He nodded and Albert came to the front of the shop. "I loaded the repaired arms and armor in your cart and took the next load."
"Thanks, Albert." Nate said, standing and shaking Albert's hand. "You and Travis do good work."
"He's a good lad." Albert said, affectionately.
...
Nate's mind was wandering as he dropped off the repaired armor in the barracks. He aimlessly walked about the Keep and found himself in the infirmary. Anders was organizing supplies and looked up when he heard Nate come in.
"How'd your trip to Amaranthine go?" he asked.
"Alright." Nate said, noncommittally.
Margaret opened the door, "You two need to come to the main hall."
"Why?" Anders groaned.
"Now!" Margaret said and hurried away.
"What's up?" Anders asked.
"We won't know until we get there," Nate said and headed to the main hall.
Varel and Garrett stood at the front of the hall with a surly looking man in full battle armor. Nate looked around and only saw Grey Wardens in the hall.
Varel looked around and nodded. "Good. You are all here. This is Stroud. He has information to relay to us."
Stroud took a step forward and looked over the group appraisingly. Raising an eyebrow, he cleared his throat, held up a parchment and began reading;
"It is with a heavy heart that I must relay the news of the death of the Hero of Ferelden. She put up a good fight and lived longer than the healers expected, however, her injuries were too substantial and she lost her last battle."
Stroud paused as gasps were heard and several heads bowed. Varel wiped his eyes and motioned for him to continue.
"I am hearby appointing Stroud as your new Warden-Commander. I wish you all success in your futures as Grey Wardens. This is from the First Warden."
Stroud took a step back and waited for the murmuring to quiet down. "I am sorry to be the bearer of such sad news. I will make every effort to be worthy of the obvious respect you held for your former Commander. For now, it will be business as usual as I learn about you."
Stroud stood quietly watching as the realization of his words settled on the group. Garrett went to Margaret and held her close as she cried. Sigrun put an arm on Ohgren's shoulder as he stood with his head bowed. Velanna said a prayer out loud to the Creators. Justice stood stiffly off to one side, unable to understand the emotions coursing through the room. Nate stormed out of the hall, slamming the door behind him loudly. Anders hesitated, looked at Varel, then went after Nate.
He found him right outside the door, punching the wall. "Nate! Stop!" he cried, running up and grabbing Nate's bloody fists. "Look at yourself. She wouldn't want this!" Anders cast a healing spell to stop the bleeding.
"It's not right!" Nate exclaimed. "She was getting better!"
Anders hung his head, "No," he said quietly, "she wasn't."
Nate looked at Anders in surprise, "But you said..."
Anders looked up with tears in his eyes, "We did everything we could, but she wasn't getting better."
They stood there a moment struggling with the grief, finally Anders said, "Come let's go back in before we get in trouble."
Nate hung his head and allowed Anders to lead him back into the main hall. Stroud was walking among the Wardens meeting each of them and talking quietly. Nate went up to Varel. "We have to have a memorial."
"We will. Probably in Highever." Varel said, sadly. Stroud came up to them. "This is Nate...Nathanial and Anders." Varel introduced.
Stroud raised an eyebrow, "Nathanial? Howe? You are Arl Howe's son?"
"Yes." Nate answered. "I am but..."
"I do not want to rule the arling. This is fortuitous, I will appoint you Arl." Stroud said firmly.
Nate looked at him in shock, "I don't want to be Arl."
"You don't get a choice. I am not from Ferelden, so I should not be in charge of the politics of an Arling. Therefore you are the new Arl. If it helps, consider it an order," Stroud said and walked away before Nate could protest.
"Great, I already don't like him," Nate mumbled.
Anders sighed and looked at his friend. "I'm sure you'll do a good job," he said reassuringly.