Chapter 14
~Redcliff~

Morriana

I walked next to Leliana as she told me of the fancy things they had in Orlais. I had no idea that a fighter like her would have been so obsessed with shoes. I jumped as I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned to see Alistair behind me, a nervous look on his face.

"Can we talk?" he asked. Leliana stopped so she could fall back to Wynne.

"Look, Alistair," I started. "I don't want to talk about what happened and…"

"No, I mean, if you don't want to talk about it I understand. But I have to talk to you about something." His voice suddenly became a bit lower, as if to keep what we were talking about quiet.

"Okay, what?" he bit his lip.

"Well, remember when I told you my mother worked in Redcliff castle and Arl Eamon took me in?" I nodded. "Well the reason he did that was because…king Maric was my father." I instantly stop and look at him, my eyes wide and the feeling of being slapped does not go unnoticed.

"King Maric? What?" He hushes me and grabs my arm, pulling me forward.

"Please just try to listen. I was kept away because I would've been a threat to Cailan's rule. And anyone who knew treated me differently. Even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I just… didn't want to tell you because…"

"Because you thought I'd treat you differently." He nodded. "But, doesn't that make you heir to the throne?"

"Maker's breath, no. If there's an heir it'd be Eamon. I have no place on the throne." I thought for a moment, taking in what he said. He seemed really tense so I shrugged.

"So you're not just a bastard, you're a royal bastard." I said. He laughed and let me go.

"Yeah, I guess so. I have to use that more often." I laughed along with him. After a moment I looked down at the road. Why I laughing? Why am I happy? I have no reason to be happy. I don't deserve it. My face fell as we walked along. I fell behind past Leliana and Wynne and followed next to Sten. At least I could appreciate his silence while we walked.

###

Redcliff finally came into view and I felt so relieved. I lead the group to the bridge that would have lead into the village when there was a man standing there.

"Thank the maker. Have you come to help us?" he asks the moment he notices us.

"Help you? Is something wrong?" I asked.

"You mean…? Has no one out there heard?"

"We heard the arl was ill, if that's what you mean." Alistair says, coming to my side.

"He could be dead for all we know! Redcliff has been under attack and we need help."

"T'would seem as though everyone agrees that it is the best time to start killing each other." Morrigan says, shaking her head. I second that.

"Okay, just tell us what's going on." Alistair said to me.

"We've been attacked by these-these creatures every night. Not many people are left." The man answered.

"Who's in charge here?" I asked.

"Bann Tegan." He answered.

"Bann Tegan? He's here?" Alistair asked.

"Yes, I'll take you to him." The man turned and began to walk. We followed him into the village. Barricades lay around for protection and people worked and trained, all with fearful expressions. The man led us into the Chantry where there were more people. He led us to a man at the very end, so I assumed he was this Tegan person.

"Bann Tegan, I have brought someone here that might be able to help us." Bann Tegan looked to the man with a smile.

"It's Thomas, yes?" The man, Thomas, nodded. "Thank you. You may return to your post." Thomas bowed and turned on his heel to leave. "Greetings," Tegan said. "I am Bann Tegan, Bann of Rainsfere and brother to the Arl." Alistair came up and stood in front of Tegan with a smile.

"I remember you, Tegan. Though the last time we met I was younger and covered in mud." Tegan give him a confused look.

"Covered in mud?" Suddenly his face lights up. "Alistair? By the Maker! You're alive!" And he was covered in mud because…?

"Still alive, yes. No thanks to Loghain."

"Yes I had heard his lies he would have us all believe that the Gray wardens killed the king. But I do not believe it."

"It's good that some of us survived." I stated.

"'Some of us'? you are a Gray Warden also?" I nodded. "That's wonderful."

"But for now, tell us what's been going on." Alistair stepped in.

"The attacks started a few nights ago. Evil… things come from the castle at night. I fear tonight's attack will be the worst. Alistair, I hate to ask this, but can you please help us?"

"Of course, Bann Tegan. We'll do all we can to help these people."

"Agreed." I said. Tegan gave a sigh of relief.

"Thank you. You can try to speak to Murdock and ser Perth to see what you can do." Both Alistair and I nodded. We walked out of the chantry and into the midmorning sunlight. Alistair sighed as if all this was overwhelming. Well, for him it probably was. I looked at him.

"I can talk to ser Perth if you talk to Murdock." I suggested. He nodded. I ordered Leliana and Sten to be with him so Morrigan, Wynne and Orrick went with me.

"Good day, my lady." Ser Perth said as I came to him. I was taken aback by this. No one has ever called me 'my lady'. Well, there was that one time when Soris and I were playing around… and then that other time… I pushed that memory away since it wasn't exactly… focused on what we were doing. "I am sorry, but I do not wish to offend you in any way. What do you wish me to call you?" I thought for moment. 'My lady' wouldn't be too bad, but maybe awkward. I mean, how often is it you see an elf being call that.

"Warden will do just fine." I replied. He bowed his head.

"Very well, Warden."

"What's our status?" I asked, sounding all professional-like.

"The knights are ready at your disposal, Warden. However, there is something I would like to ask."

"Name it." I said.

"Well, the knights would like some holy protection for tonight. Do you think you could ask the revered mother for some of her holy amulets?" I shrugged.

"I'll try." I turned and began walking back down the hill. Morrigan scoffed behind me.

"Pitty they choose to ask the protection from a false God." I chuckled.

"Hey, at least we're just getting amulets. Be glad we're not asked the Maker or Andrastae themselves to come down and help out." She laughed at my comment.

"I don't see how either would help." Wynne huffed at us.

"Enough you two." I lowered my head, trying to hide my small smile. But when I glance up at Morrigan I see that she, too, has a smile on her face.

"Moral, or that's what I think it's called. If we give them the amulets they'll think it'll help and they'll fight better and harder. I don't know how, but it works." I explain. She scoffed again as we entered the chantry.

Alistair

The three of us walked up to Murdock just as one of the militia men was walking away from talking to him.

"So you're the Gray Warden, are you?" Mayor Murdock asked when we came to him.

"Well, one of them." I replied with a shrug.

"Well, we aren't going to turn aside anyone wants to help, though. Don't take me for being an ingrate or nothing." I smiled.

"Well we do want to help however we can. You can trust us." He nodded.

"Names Murdock, mayor of what's left of the village—provided we aren't killed and hauled off to the castle tonight." I clapped his shoulder.

"Have faith, good man. We will defeat this evil together."

"I…I hope you're right. I've been trying to hold us together, but it isn't easy." And when is it ever? "Anyhow, you're here and they tell me you're in charge."

"Um actually, no." I felt a slight blush on my cheeks. "That's actually Morriana. She's the leader here."

"I see. The elven maiden?" I nodded. "To be honest I didn't think they made women Gray Wardens. Or elves." I sighed.

"I don't really think the darkspawn care who they're killed by." Murdock shrugged.

"True. These men are fighting for their homes, but they're frightened. It would help if we had decent equipment. There weren't enough swords in Owen's shop, and the men's armor is nearly falling off. I don't think we're in any shape to fight. But we'll do our best, of course, but… I still have my doubts. I just hope I'm alive tomorrow morning.

"What can I do to help?"

"Try talking to Owen, the village blacksmith, to try and make more swords and armor." I nodded and my group and I headed off to the blacksmith. When I tried to open the door it was locked.

"Go away!" a voice from the inside shouted. "Curse you. You've taken everything already. Can't you leave me alone?" I sighed.

"Owen." I called to him. "I haven't taken anything, but I want to talk to you."

"Eh? You ain't Murdock." Obviously. "Who are you?"

"I believe it would be helpful if we didn't talk through the door," Leliana says. Owen hums.

"Alright, alright. But make it quick." The door unlocks and I mouth a "thank you" to Leliana. As we walk in the smell of alcohol is so strong I try not to breath.

"Maker's breath," Leliana swears. "It smells like someone set a brewery on fire." She covers her nose to block out the smell. I chuckle.

"Somebody's been drinking." I sang. Leliana and Sten glared at me so I shut up.

"So I let you in. What do you want?" I look at Owen, his grey-oily hair falling in his face and drunkenness written in his eyes and in movements.

"Well, we came to help the village. But why have you closed the blacksmith?" A painful and depressed look covers his face.

"My girl, Valena, she's one of the arlessa's maids. She's trapped in the castle and I can't save her. It'd do me the world to know she's alive." I thought for a moment, and then smiled.

"I can rescue her."

"Murdock said he's do his best, but that's not good enough. I want a promise."

"Then I promise we will try to find her. You have my word."

"Is this a promise we will not keep?" Sten says from behind me.

"No, I intend to keep it." I tell him. He sighs.

"Thank you. I suppose then I should be getting back to work." Owen stumbles over and grabs him hammer to start working.

"Uh, you're working? Drunk?" he shrugs.

"Got any better idea's." I open my mouth, but close it when I realize he's right. I shake my head and we walk out. That worked out nicely. Once we are outside I see Morriana walking out of the chantry. I called out to her and she looks at me, but then quickly tells Wynne and Morrigan to do something. She then walks over to me with Orrick in tow.

"How'd it go?"

"Well, we got the blacksmith to start working again. Other than that, I promised to help him find his daughter, Valena, if he started working."

"His daughter?" Morriana lifts an eyebrow and I nod.

"Yes, she was in the castle and I think, if she's still there, we could try to find her." Morriana nodded.

"We'll see what we can do. Anyway, Leliana," she turned to Leliana. "When the others get back I want you, Morrigan and Sten to find people to help out." She nodded and went off to collect Morrigan, Sten following behind her. "Listen," she said to me, "you, Wynne, Orrick, and I are going to be helping the militia." I nodded. We waited until Wynne came back and so the four of us went around, helping the militia, Orrick later walked off and Morriana followed him, later coming back to tell me that she found oil in the general store. I went up and told ser Perth about it and he had men get the barrels.

Morrigan, Leliana and Sten managed to get a few people to help us. A dwarf named Dwyn, an elf, who we found out, was here to spy on Redcliff for Arl Howe and Loghain, named Berwick, and Lloyd, owner of the Redcliff inn. The men seemed more confident in fighting and winning, now that most had better weapons and armor, thanks to Owen.

The sun was beginning to set on the village and everyone found their places. I would be staying below with the militia, Lloyd, and Dwyn, along with Morrigan, Leliana, and Wynn. Sten, and Orrick would be up on the hill with Morriana, along with the knights and Berwick. I stood near the fire and the last signs of daylight were now fading. Suddenly I heard a gasp from the crowd and saw a green fog emerging from the castle.

"Get to your positions!" Murdock shouted. The men scattered around to their place. I took a deep breath and pulled out my sword and shield.

Let it begin.

YAY! Now we come to Redcliff! I always loved fighting the zombies, although they freaked me out the first time I played. THEY WANTED TO EAT MY BRAINS! Anyway, FOR REDCLIFF!