The Trouble With Wardens
When I returned to my quarters I found a note from Varric on my desk, I petted Hector and gave him some of the fresh carrots I brought from the kitchens. Varric's note, it said that he had someone that would want to see and that parading around might cause a fuss, so it was better for us to meet privately on the battlements. If it was who I thought it was, I might have to separate Cassandra and him for quite some time. The burdens of leadership, I let out a breath as I waited for hector to finish his small meal. I placed a small note in a message tube for us to meet that night. I petted my friend and launched him out the window.
It was past midnight most of the guards should be changing soon.
I made sure that my bed was filled with a few lumpy pillows in case I was checked on. After I confirmed that everything was as it should be, I grabbed my kit and cloak. It had been so long since I needed these, I missed it. I put my soft black cloak on and grabbed my new and improved grappler. I had been talking with this rogue, Three-eyes. He and I have been talking about the construction and making of new devices. So far our talks were paying off with the improvements I had been able to install in the device. Longer cables with more weight resistance, thanks to some enchanting from our new arcanist; Dagna. I even developed a step to bring others with me. I hooked it to the side of the overlook outside my quarters. I swooped myself onto one of the many towers littering the battlements. I slowly made my way to the far corner through all of the patrols and many of Cullen's favorite spots to kiss me, they were quiet and when we were not busy. Which was not often, he and I would go out there for some time to ourselves. Since the garden, while he is committed, he rather our relationship stays between us. Not that it stopped the gossip through the barracks.
I reached the meeting spot, Varric was already waiting for me with an entire crate of wine from the cellar. "Does Josie know you procured some of her latest shipment for our entertainment?" I asked him making my way down to the tower landing. I stepped next to him.
"Ruffles? She will not mind as soon as she sees who the company is." It was then I heard the soft movement of armor. I turned toward the stairs, and there she was. Black Short cropped hair, crisp Deep Blue eyes, a blood swipe across her fair skinned nose, and the signature clawed gloves. Yep, It's Her, just as I remembered, "Well if it isn't The Champion of Kirkwall," smirking , Another friend now in this mess with me.
"Though I don't use that title very much anymore." she said looking towards me, She started down the stairs.
"I'm sure, Hawke," shaking her hand, Varric coughed grabbing our attention, "Hawke, I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. You and I did fight him after all."
Varric stepped away taking one of the many bottles of wine, popping the cork and drank. I looked back at Hawke, she was leaning forward on the parapet overlooking the courtyard "Honestly Lark, You've already dropped half a mountain on the bastard, I am sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison." she said with her usual humor, happy to see she had not lost it while being on the run with Anders. I kept my eyes on her, "Oh, I don't know, you did save Kirkwall from a horde of Raging Qunari." She smirked" I don't know how that really applies… or is there a horde of rampaging Qunari I don't know about?" Ha, if only that was our issue, then it would be easy, "There's A Qunari, he almost qualifies as a horde all by himself. Fortunately, He's on our side." I smiled right back. "So then what can I tell you?" We turned to each other as we got to business, " So, Varric says you've fought Corypheus before?" her eyes met mine then, "Yeah, Fought and killed. The gray wardens were holding him, and he somehow used his connection to the dark spawn to influence them," Hawke was concerned, not that i blamed her as i heard Varric chimed in popping open another bottle. "Corypheus Got into their heads. Messed with their minds. Turned them against each other..."
She finished his sentence "and if the wardens have disappeared, they could be under his control, again." Varric was right to bring the wine, with this news... I was going to need a drink. "So Corypheus has the Venatori, the red Templars and now possibly the wardens as well?... Wonderful." Just what we needed more tainted peacekeepers.
"I didn't come this far just to give you bad news. I've got a friend in the wardens," she told me grabbing one of the bottles for herself before Varric went through them all. " He was investigating something related for me. His name is Stroud. The last time we spoke, he was worried about corruption in the warden ranks. Since then, nothing." She used one of the points of her glove to uncork the wine.
Varric asked" Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption in the ranks. Did your friend disappear with them?" He had finished another. At this point, I was going to have to take both him and Hawke to their quarters.
"No, He told me he would be hiding in an old smuggler's cave near Crestwood." she took a drink and passed the bottle to me. "If you didn't know about Corypheus, what were you doing with the wardens?" I asked her taking a drink myself. She looked at me as I passed her the bottle. "As you know the templars in Kirkwall were using a strange form of lyrium, it was red. I hoped the wardens could tell me more about it."
I nodded "Yeah, We have been encountering red lyrium. Corypheus is using it to corrupt templars, turn them into his slaves, and then set them loose under his Commander, Sampson."
She looked at me as I grabbed my own bottle of the spiced wine now. "Well, Hopefully, my friend in the wardens should know more," she said and downed the last of her bottle.
"I just hope we will not be too late to save them." I looked over the courtyard now taking a light swig of the wine. Sweet and bitter, Josephine has good taste.
"I understand but I'll do whatever is necessary to stop him. Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I'd killed him before this time I'll make sure of it." She told me sitting next to the ledge I leaned on.
"I assume Varric's been feeding you information about the inquisition? What did he say about me?"I smiled and drank.
"Only good things I promise" she sipped. And looked at me for a moment. "I was a little surprised, actually. Varric isn't one for religion in general, but he thinks highly of the Inquisition." Varric walked over to sit next to the stairs with the bottle he was nursing. "I think his exact phrase was 'has a good shot at fixing Blondie's mess." she smiled and handed me a new bottle.
"I don't know about that, I have never been any good at fixing things," I took out a throwing knife and uncorked the bottle. I looked over everything the inquisition had built so far. Just a week and Skyhold was better than what Haven ever was.
"Yes still find it bit amusing they put you in charge of all of this." she smirked.
"Believe me if Cassandra had found you. This would be your tourney." I smiled and pointed to the main hall.
"Ha, not if I can help it. One city is enough for me." we drank.
"I guess the spoils go to the one who got the prize." I held up my glowing hand for her to see, "Your very own rift closing magical mark." I smiled thinking of home, "I still miss those quiet days in Kirkwall where I was just a good-hearted merc named Lark, with some not so legal Nighttime hobbies." we drank shaking my head with disbelief that I was in charge of all of this, "I remember listening to Varric's tales in The Hanged Man thinking you had it good. Now, look at us in a bigger mess than Kirkwall ever was." I turned and slumped against the parapet next to her with my bottle of wine, time passed as we drank, lazily watching over skyhold, "Ever wish we could just go back? I miss those days where avoiding Meredith and your friend Aveline were my only issues."
She elbowed me in the side almost making me lose my wine. "You forgot a certain knight-captain that I heard is chasing you in a different fashion now?"
I swallowed tried to be shocked "I don't know what you happen to be referring to," I then smiled "but yes him too."
"Sometimes," Hawke sighed, finishing her bottle, Varric had finally passed out against the stairs.
"And your beau, Anders. He didn't want to help you with this?" Why wasn't Anders here? I could certainly give him a pardon in the fashion of him working for the inquisition. She sighed "He's on the run, I couldn't bear it if he was caught."
Still didn't explain why he was not by her side. usually, they were inseparable, "so what is he like now? "
She glanced at me for a moment "Complicated. it's not like the minstrels make it out to be. he's not just a monster or a hero. Or maybe he's both. He was trying to change the world, he knew it couldn't happen peacefully."
I nodded "Still, Must be tough being on the run, are your family and friends safe?"
"Yeah, When the wardens began acting strangely, I had Aveline take my brother as far away from Orlais as possible." She got up and tossed the bottle against the tower wall, she paused, "I'm still never really happy leaving Anders alone, But once I realized wardens were acting strangely, I had no choice. I've seen Corypheus affect his mind before. If he was involved... I couldn't risk it happening, Again."
I nodded copying her way of disposal, "You just let me know if I can help, I still have most of my connections, And lets face it," i sighed tossing my bottle at the wall, "You were my friend. When I didn't have many, not that I ever thought to find one amongst smugglers all those years ago." she smiled, "Stop or I might just blush, Lark." We laughed, talking about better times as we disposed of all of the evidence. We moved over to pick up Varric. I assisted her getting him up on her back. "So Where Do I get to stay, it's not like I am expected," she asked dealing with the weight of her armor and the bulky dwarf.
I nodded and led her from where I came, "Follow me I'll sneak you into one of the guest suites." I turned to grin at my friend, "Oh, how are you with heights?" Hawke laughed as we walked back to the main castle. As I aided Varric and her into their respective rooms.
I could only hope Cassandra did not find out anytime soon.
We were making our way to the rendezvous with Hawke in Crestwood. Vivienne was with me today cause I needed some mature company seeing as Varric and Cassandra were shooting each other looks and remarks every chance they got back at camp. "Vivienne, I still don't know how they cannot put things behind them like you and me." I said pulling my boot out of one of the mud pits made by the constant heavy rainfall generated by the rift in the lake."Some people are just not as emotionally mature as we are darling. Just let them butt heads. Eventually they will get it out of them." she told me as we trekked our way to the meeting location. "I just hope they get it out, before the ball at the winter palace," I said.
"Oh speaking of that, I must get you to my seamstress we cannot have you attending the ball looking less than your best."
"Sure, so long as Dorian comes two opinions are always better than one no?" I sped up, the cave where Hawke was waiting for us was just ahead.
Hopefully a nice dry cave, I was starting to feel the damp seeping through my leathers.
We came up to Hawke. "Glad you made it" she greeted us " My contact with the wardens should be at the back of the cave." and gestured toward the back.
No, it's a cold wet cave. Can this day get any better?
"Alright, you should know, there was a group of wardens protecting a villager from corpses out near Crestwood. They said they were searching for one of their own, on order of a woman named Clarel," wringing out the ends of my coat. "but they didn't seem happy about doing so."
This rain will be the death of me.
"They were likely hunting my friend. I am glad they didn't come looking for people to help in here."
She crossed her arms "they might well be good men but they've been given bad orders," we slowly made our way to the back of the cave. Everyone was grouped together tightly around the torch as we moved through the dark damp tunnel.
I reached the back where there was a rickety door, large painted skull was next to it warn people to keep out. I ignored it and opened the door, walking in I saw the interior was just as damp as the rain outside. I examined my surroundings, the warden was definitely camped out here but where was he?
It was only then I heard the sound of metal scraping against a casing that I turned to find the Grey Warden. he was holding his blade directly at my chest.
Hawke stepped in "It's just us, I brought the inquisitor."
"My Apologies." He sheathed his sword. "My name is Stroud, and I am at your service Inquisitor," He spoke with a heavy Orlisian accent.
A lovely greeting he didn't even offer me a drink first.
I started to put it all together, all of this way too coincidental for my tastes.
"Alright, First, Most of you Wardens disappear, then I run into a darkspawn magister named Corypheus. Do you think the one might have something to do with the other?" I asked him trying to appear calm.
"I fear it is so. When my friend Hawke slew him, Weisshaupt was happy to put the matter to rest. However an archdemon can survive wounds that seem fatal, and I feared Corypheus might possess the same power. My investigation uncovered clues but no proof. Then, not long after, every Warden in Orlais began to hear the calling." He answered.
"I recall that being a bad thing, but I don't recall you telling me about all this" Hawke remarked.
Stroud's Moustache twitched. I had to wonder if it was a thing with wardens to have big thick facial hair?
"It was a Grey Warden matter, I was bound by an oath of secrecy." He replied.
"You think Corypheus is using this Calling to control the wardens? Is that possible?" I asked I was worried that Blackwall could be feeling the same effects. I glanced briefly back at him.
"Not precisely, your worship. The calling warns a Warden that his time in this world grows short."
"And every Grey Warden in Orlais is hearing that right now? They think they are dying?" Hawke asked
"Yes, likely because of Corypheus. If the Wardens fall, who will stand against the next blight? It is our greatest fear." Stroud paced.
"Then they do something desperate, which is of course what he wants," Hawke added, a frown forming on her lips.
"Is the calling they are hearing real, or is corypheus mimicking it somehow?"
This is not good
"I know not, even as a senior warden, I had heard only the vaguest whispers of corypheus. The wardens believe that this calling is real, and they will act accordingly. that is all we know for certain." he said frowning
"Wait, you said all the wardens are hearing the calling. does that include you?" I asked stroud before turning to Blackwall behind me. "and also you, Blackwall?" I was concerned.
If he was. Why had he not told us?
"Sadly, yes. It lurks like a wolf in shadows around a campfire. The creature that makes this music has never known the love of the maker but... at times, I can almost understand it." Stroud said; he sounded haunted.
He stepped towards me and continued "we must uncover what corypheus has done and end it. This cannot stand."
I looked to Blackwall, he had remained stoic in all of this. Was he feeling the same fear as Stroud?
Blackwall met strouds eyes as he said, "I do not fear the calling, and worrying about it only gives it power." He shook his head slightly "Anything Corypheus does will only strengthen my resolve."
I was proud Blackwall should be an example for all these wardens. Strong and stoic even in the face of the calling, the blight. He was like all the tales I had heard of as a little girl about the gray wardens.
" So how can Corypheus make all these wardens hear the calling?" I hoped they would know more than myself.
"I cannot say, we know little about him, save that he is dangerous. He is a magister as well as a darkspawn and speaks with the voice of the blight." Stroud replied worried " That lets him effect the minds of wardens since we are tied to the blight ourselves. It must be how he created this false Calling."
"So, the Wardens think they are dying and have stopped thinking clearly? That will not go well" I looked between them.
"We are the only ones who can slay Archdemons. Without us, the next blight will consume the world. Warden-Commander Clarel spoke of a blood magic ritual to prevent future blights before we all perished."
It was always blood magic, I thought back to Kirkwall and the fall of the Circle. All the people dying in the streets, being used. I could not save them that day.
"When I protested the plan as madness, my own comrades turned on me. Grey Wardens are gathering here." He pointed to a spot on his map of Thedas "In the Western approach. It is an ancient Tevinter ritual tower. Meet me there, and we will find answers." He nodded at us both and made his way out of the back of the cave.
"I need to finish what I started here. Then I can meet you and Stroud after I've dealt with the rift endangering the village," I said to Hawke
"Alright, but be safe and take care of yourselves." Hawke agreed, then made her way out and to the west.
It took us nearly half the day to help.
What we found, however, was a gruesome discovery. Men, women, and children had drowned in the caves that were flooded by the dam closing, and when we sought out the mayor, he was gone leaving only a confession of their deaths being his doing. I was appalled, and on our way out of Crestwood asked Scout Harding to send a missive to Cullen telling him to send some men to find Mayor Dedrick.
We packed camp, we need to ride straight for the Western Approach, Time is of the essence.
It took a week for us to reach the Western Approach.
Dorian and I both groaned as we found ourselves in the middle of a desert wasteland, I was already building up a sweat from the heat. we both need a long rest after this, of course, Iron Bull and Blackwall took to the desert easier than the rest of us.
Must have been all of that travel.
We, of course, ran into a few obstacles, but we also ran into more resources. A stone reserve and a logging camp meant more rebuilding Skyhold, which I will need to sign off on when I Returned.
I hate paperwork.
We closed two Rifts, killed 3 quillbacks, took out 4 venatori camps and captured a fort. It was only after that did we find the tower. I as we moved closer I saw Hawke and stroud waiting for us, Stroud started to close the distance, the grimace on his face told me that this was not good.
"I'm glad you made it Inquisitor. I fear they've already started the ritual." He said.
"Blood magic, I'd wager. You can smell it.. or see the corpses." Hawke sneered. "You take point, I'll guard your backs."
I nodded and started our way into the tower entrance. There were figures in the distance, one of them fell and a rage demon rose in its place.
As we got closer, I saw a dark haired man dressed in white robes. He was calling out to those gathered in front of him. "Bind it, just as I showed you!" He ordered the warden near the demon before turning his gaze on us, the new arrivals. "Inquisitor, what an unexpected pleasure. Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium, at your service." He bowed deeply, a bit overly dramatic about it.
"You are no warden," Stroud growled in disgust.
"But you are. The one Clarel let slip, and you found the Inquisitor and came to stop me. Shall we see how that goes?" He taunted the man.
"Wardens!" I called out to them. "This man is lying to you. He serves an ancient Tevinter Magister who wants to unleash a blight! Do not be fooled, turn away from this path before it's too late!"
"Ooh. That's a very serious accusation. Let's see what the Wardens think."
He gestured to the wardens" Wardens. Hands up!" He ordered, and as he raised his hand, all the wardens around him lifted their hands.
"Hands down!" of course their hands went down.
Shit.
"Corypheus has taken their minds," Stroud muttered. Really, Like I cannot tell.
"They did this to themselves. You see, the calling had them terrified, they looked everywhere for help, including Tevinter. Since it was my master who put the calling into their little heads, we in the Venatori were prepared. I went to Clarel full of sympathy, and together we came up with a plan. Raise a demon army, march into the deep roads, kill the old gods before they wake." He stroked his beard, grinning
"Ah. I was wondering when the demon army would come into play." I said calmly.
"You… knew about it did you?" He seemed surprised, though tried to cover it up. "Well, then here you are. Sadly for the wardens, the binding ritual I taught their mages has a side effect. They are now my master's slaves. This was a test. Once the rest of the wardens complete the ritual, the army will conquer Thedas."
"Release the wardens and surrender. I will not ask twice." I warned him.
"No. You won't." His hand jerked forward, a deep red glow emitted from his palm. In an instant I was on my knees, My mark was burning like it had touched the sun. Everyone else drew their weapons and readied to strike.
Despite my pain.
Good.
Erimond sneered "The elder one showed me how to deal with you in the event you were foolish enough to interfere again. That mark you bear? The anchor that lets you pass safely through the veil? You stole it from my master. He's been forced to seek other ways to access the fade. When I bring him your hand, his gratitude will be-"
I had an idea. I pushed myself to my feet. I pointed my mark towards the Venatori.
I imagined letting out a force if thinking tear made a mini-rift and close worked to close one, why can I not push with one.
I moved my hand forward,
Push
and like that, an invisible force to knocked him back, head over heels. He cried out in surprise, scrambling to his feet and cried out "Kill them!" before fled like the coward that he was.
I didn't want it to come to this, but these mages are lost and we have to stop them. Together with my companions, both demon and wardens alike fell to our numbers, and this time we stood without a scratch thanks to the four front line fighters around us.
Once the fighting was done, Hawke paced, livid at the situation
"It seems you were correct Hawke. Through their ritual, the mages are slaves to Corypheus." Stroud stated the obvious has he turned to us.
"And the Warden warriors?" Hawke lowered her head a moment. "Oh, of course. It's not real blood magic until someone gets sacrificed."
"Erimond lied to the wardens, they were trying to prevent future blights." I reminded them.
Hopefully, I could forgive them. They were supposed to be heroes, but even heroes are human and there will always be mistakes.
"With blood magic and human sacrifice?" She looked up irritably.
"The Wardens were wrong, Hawke, but they had their reasons," Stroud added.
"All blood mages do!" She threw her hands in the air.
"Everyone has a story they tell themselves to justify bad decisions, and it never matters. In the end, you are always alone with your actions." She shook her head, a sorrow overtaking her features.
I knew she was thinking this was Kirkwall, but we couldn't make the judgment. Not now.
"I believe I know where the Wardens are, your Worship. Erimond fled in that direction." Stroud pointed back towards the east. "There's an abandoned Warden fortress that way. Adamant."
"The Warden and I will scout out Adamant and confirm that the other wardens are there. We'll meet you back at Skyhold." Hawke added. "We can handle this, you are needed back home and until we have what we need, we can't move forward."
"Ah, Skyhold. What a wonderful idea." Dorian chimed in, leaning against one of the pillars. "I miss my books, and my chair, and fine wine.." he sighed wistfully.
Of course, Dorian wants wine, and I could do with some myself right now. Everyone was in agreement, Skyhold it was.
I needed to get to the war room, prepare our assault.
I thought of Cullen when he hears of this he is not going to like it either. I just hoped he would take it better than Hawke.
We were Supplied and ready to move out, the entire Inquisition made a trek across the lands to Adamant. We were sitting on the precipice of our attack against the gray wardens. One of our many allies among the nobility had let us some of her forces and siege Engines. Cullen was readying the men. The team and I were to be the forward squad with Hawke and stroud.
The catapults started firing on Cullen's signal. They were easily tearing up the walls of the ancient fortress, the siege ladders rose. The wardens were unprepared to defend the fortress. Our army seized the walls. the wardens in their desperate attempt at a defense tried to throw rocks at our men below but To no avail.
Good, let's knock.
We moved the battering ram into position and with three good hard knocks we were in and the initial enemies were dispatched, the others started to press forward, Cullen grabbed my arm lightly. I looked at him, There was that hint of worry in his eyes."We have given you your opening inquisitor best you use it. We shall distract the main force as your squad goes for clarel."
"Alright commander, but don't take risks." I stepped close to him for a moment "We will do what we have to…." he said, I kissed him. " I promise to return." and I ran after my companions.
It's Worse Than I thought.
They have a massive Army of demons and one large one ready to take the world. Was all I could think as The false archdemon swooped down upon us.
We dove but the warden commander; Clarel, was picked up by the mouth of the beast.
She is not going to make it.
The beast landed on the nearby tower and spat Clarel out like she was nothing, it came down to the main landing for the rest of us. She crawled towards the demon. Using the warden motto as some kind of mantra. The Archdemon Lept Just as she fired a strike at it, wounding the beast, sending it screeching over the edge. Suddenly under us, the ground began to crumble and soon we were all falling into the giant canyon below.
No it cannot end like this I promised Cullen I would be back.
I forced my palms out in front of myself.
I have to try for him, for all of us.
I then closed my eyes and thought with all my might.
Tear.
