Tali didn't like standing around waiting for something to attack her. She fidgeted with her shotgun. With Shepard, they were always the one making the attack, not defending against a potential one. This was definitely new for her. A part of her wished Thane could be with her. He had a very calming presence. Both he and Garrus were stationed with the archers so they could snipe the enemy. She sighed and forced herself to calm down.
"You okay, Tali?"
The quarian turned. It was Jacob. "Oh, hello, Jacob. I really don't like this waiting. It's getting to me."
"Don't worry, Tali. We've got superior technology and we've got the Kodiak. If things get too hot, we can pull out."
"Isn't that abandoning these poor people?"
Jacob didn't answer.
Shepard waited for the battle to begin before starting to lead her group across the bridge. They had only taken a few steps when a flaming rock smashed into the side of the bridge, casting debris at them. Shepard raised her arm instinctively and watched her barriers flicker briefly as the rocks made impact. She turned. "Everyone all right?"
"Yeah, but I think we need to move our butts to the other side quickly," Kasumi shouted over the sounds of battle.
"Thanks for the update, Kasumi, now let's move!"
They made it to the other side without too much trouble and as they approached the gates to the grounds of the tower, a soldier and a mage ran out.
"Ma'am, the Tower of Ishal is lost! The darkspawn overwhelmed us!"
"How? How did they get into the Tower? All the darkspawn should be facing the main force," Alistair questioned.
"They're coming out of the ground! We're the only ones left…"
Shepard stepped forward and put her hand on the quivering man's shoulder. "Look at me, soldier." After a few tries, he managed to look into Shepard's purple-blue eyes. "You're going to be fine. I need you to come with me." She caught the mage's eye. "You too. I need you to show me where the darkspawn are coming from and to lead us through the tower." Shepard knew the tower's layout would probably be fairly simple, but from the information she just learned, it seemed she would need more firepower.
The mage looked pale but determined. "We will help you."
The soldier saw his comrade's courage and drew himself up. "All right then, we haven't a moment to lose. Follow me."
They barely entered the tower's grounds when Samara noticed a darkspawn launching a fireball at them. "Shepard!" she called.
"Everyone get down!" Shepard threw herself to the ground as the fireball sailed over them. As she got up, she gave Kasumi a meaningful look and jerked her head in the direction of the darkspawn.
Kasumi nodded. "Going dark!"
Alistair stared at where Kasumi had been. "Andraste's flaming sword, how did she do that?"
"Worry about that later, Alistair!" Shepard yelled as she pulled out her shotgun and charged one of the taller looking darkspawn. She smashed into him and before he could react, she shot him in the chest. Risking a glance, Shepard managed to catch Kasumi de-cloak and shadow strike the darkspawn who had thrown the fireball.
Turning again, to face the other darkspawn, she saw Samara throw a darkspawn into Alistair's sword. When the immediate threat was over, Shepard pulled Alistair aside. "What was that darkspawn that threw the fireball?"
"That's a darkspawn emissary. They're the mages of the group. If you see any darkspawn sporting helmets with horns, those are the alphas. Best to take those out first if you see them." He watched Shepard nod and turn to Kasumi to tell her something. "I answered your question, now answer mine. How did Kasumi do what she did to that emissary?"
"It's a type of magic I specialize in. Allows me to blend completely into my surroundings. As to what I did to the emissary, I just stabbed him in the back of the neck. Severed the spine," Kasumi explained, glossing over the technicalities.
Alistair gave her a look, but then he sighed. "I don't fully believe you, but we need your help and you seem willing to give it. Let's just get to the tower."
They fought their way into the tower only to encounter another emissary and slicks of oil all over the floor. Shepard watched Kasumi cloak, knowing she would never reach him in time. Trusting her aim, Shepard quickly leveled her pistol and took the shot. The bullet hit the emissary in the stomach and managed to distract him from his casting long enough for Kasumi to shadow strike him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shepard saw one of the taller, stockier darkspawn. It was almost upon her and she had no choice but to raise her arm to block the blade. She hoped her armor could take the stress as she shot the monster several times in the chest. Reloading, she helped the others clear the room.