Chapter 15
For Redcliff
Morriana
I watched as the fog came closer to me and the group I was with. I pulled out my sword and my mother's dagger, Sten followed. Orrick stood at my side, growling at the fog, waiting for whatever was to come.
"Here they come!" Ser Perth yells behind me. I saw figures emerging from the fog and the undead came charging at us.
"Now, Berwick." I called. Berwick launched a fire arrow onto the oil. It blazed up just as the undead were on it and I almost smiled as I heard their screams. The three of us, along with the soldiers, ran around the fire to attack the walking corpses. They growled at us as we came to them. I dodged as one tried to hit me, but a sword across its neck sent it to the ground. Sten hacked at any who came his way and Orrick tackled one to the ground. The soldiers seemed to be doing well in the fight, using their shields as defense. Berwick stayed behind and fired from a distance.
I stabbed one that came to attack me, then spun around to slice open another that came behind me. It felt like forever until the fighting stopped. I looked at all of the once-again-dead carcasses and saw that none were the soldiers or my companions. I smiled at our victory. Though it didn't last long. I lost it when I saw a militia man running up to us.
"The monsters are attacking the village!" he shouted at me. Yes, as if I cannot hear you. "We need help."
"Knights, hold your position." I ordered and followed the militia man. The corpses were attacking when we got there. The rest of my companions were fighting so we joined in. Leliana stood at a distance and shot arrows at the undead, never missing a target. Morrigan froze any that came too close to her or the soldiers. Wynne healed any wounds from us or the men. Orrick tore apart any he could reach and Sten swung his great sword, cutting apart these horrid creatures. I danced around the monsters, attacking most from behind. One fell at my feet, and before I could react, another ended up too close and caught my arm. I jumped back, but my adrenalin rush caused me to ignore the pain of it. I threw my dagger at it, causing it to lodge in its head. I quickly retrieved it and went back to fighting.
The last walking corps finally met the ground as the sun began above the lake. After that no more came. Everyone began cheering. I quickly looked to all of my companions and saw none had been hurt, and all of the militia had lived. I started laughing and Orrick tackled me in joy. He licked my face then jumped off, barking happily. I shook my head then looked around.
Not half bad.
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Alistair
We set all the corpses into a pile away from the village so the people would not have to be around them much longer. We had been working all day, cleaning the village, repairing what needed to be, and helping the people. I was glad to see the attitude in all the people brighten. I looked at Sten as he tossed down a corpse that had been over his shoulder onto the pile.
"That appears to be the last." He says to me. I nod and whip sweat from my head.
"It's about time. I was getting worried there'd be more." He doesn't reply. Sten walks off muttering that we should be getting back to the other Warden, meaning Morriana. I sigh and follow him to the village. Everyone has gathered around the center, and I mean everyone who's left, for Tegan's speech. I walk over to stand next to Morriana. She nods in acknowledgement to me and we remain silent as Tegan begins.
"Dawn arrives, and we survive the night! We are victorious!" Tegan calls happily over the cheering villagers. Morriana stands next to him, along with me and our companions, save Morrigan. She turned into a bird and flew off before this started so she wouldn't be around all these people. I swear I will never understand her. "Although it came at a great loss, we must remember that were it not for these Gray Wardens." Tegan turns to Morriana, a huge smile on his face. "I thank you, my lady. The maker surely smiled on us when he sent you here in our darkest hour." Morriana bows her head to him.
"There is still much to do, Bann Tegan." She replies.
"Surely these people deserve some celebration, don't you think? There is time yet." I chuckle and Tegan flashes his smile at me before turning as Mother Hannah begins a prayer for those who died. I stay silent. "With the Makers favor," Tegan continues, "the blow we delivered today has given me enough chance to enter the castle and seek out our Arl. Be wary, and watch for signs of a renew attack. We shall return with news as soon as we are able." Tegan then turns to Morriana and I. "Now with time to waste, follow me to the mill. I wish to speak to you." We both nodded and Morriana, our companions, and I followed him.
Once we are at the top Tegan looks off to the castle with a sigh.
"Odd how quiet the castle looks from here. You'd think there wouldn't be anyone in there." He shakes his head then turns to us. "But I shouldn't delay any longer. I had a plan to enter the castle once the village was secure. There is a secret passageway in the mill, accessible only to my family.
"What?" Morriana says. "Why didn't we know about this earlier?"
"I knew you would chose the passageway and I needed help with the village. I'm sorry if I—Maker's breath!" I turn to see Lady Isolde, Eamon's Orlesian wife. I sigh and my shoulders slump. She runs to Tegan, a guard in tow.
"Tegan! Oh thank the Maker you yet live!" She said.
"Isolde! You're alive! How did you…? What has happened?"
"I do not have much time to explain! I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw the battle was over, and I must return quickly. And I…need you to return with me, Tegan. Alone."
"I think we need more of an explanation." Morriana interrupts.
"What? I…who is this elf, Tegan." Morriana's eyes narrow as Isolde turn to her, giving her a dirty look. I take a step forward before much else can happen.
"You remember me, Lady Isolde, don't you?" Isolde then gives me her look.
"Alistair? Of all the… Why are you here?"
"They are Gray Wardens, Isolde. I owe them my life." Tegan explains.
"Pardon me I… I would exchange pleasantries, but… considering the circumstances…" I can see out of the corner of my eye that Morriana has a confused look on her face, but I'm not sure what from.
"Please, Lady Isolde, we had no idea anyone was even alive within the castle. We must have some answers." Isolde sighs and turns to Tegan.
"I know you need more of an explanation, but I… don't know what is safe to tell. Tegan, there is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead waken and hunt the living." Yeah. We noticed. "The mage responsible was caught, but it still continues. And I think… Connor is going mad. We have survived but he won't flee the castle. He has seen so much death!" Why do I get the feeling she isn't telling us everything? I look at Morriana and she seems to think the same. I look back and listen to Isolde. "You must help him, Tegan. You are his uncle. You could reason with him. I do not know what else to do."
"Then let's decided quickly on what to do." Morriana says, turning to Tegan. Tegan nods.
"The king is dead and we need my brother now more than ever. I will return to the castle with you, Isolde." Isolde lets out a breath of relief.
"Oh, thank the Maker. Bless you Tegan! Bless you."
"It seems we have little choice." I mumble.
"I have no illusions of dealing with this evil alone. You, on the other hand, have proven quiet formidable." There was a small pause, then Tegan looks to Isolde. "Isolde, would you excuse us for a moment? We must confer in private before I return with you." She nods.
"Please do not take too long. I will be by the bridge." Once she was out of sight Tegan walked in front of us.
"Here's what I propose: I do into the castle with Isolde and you enter the castle using the secret passage. My signet ring unlocks the door." Tegan pulls a ring off his fingers and hands it to Morriana. "Perhaps I can distract whatever evil is inside and increase your chances of getting in unnoticed. What do you say?"
"Tegan, you'll get yourself killed!" I shout at him.
"It is a risk I am willing to take. Isolde, Connor and I are expendable. Eamon is the priority here." I shake my head.
"No, we'll save all of you."
"Agreed." Morriana says. Tegan looks at Alistair with a smile.
"You have grown into a good man, Alistair. Thank you both. The Maker indeed smiled on me when he sent you here."
"So we're just going to send him with that woman? It's too dangerous." Leliana says from behind.
"It's his choice." Morriana says back.
"But I can delay no longer. Allow me to bid you farewell… and good luck." With that Tegan then walks up the hill to the bridge. I only pray to the Maker he will still be alive when we find him. Morrigan found us just as we left so Morriana then sent Leliana, Orrick and Morrigan to Ser Perth, who was waiting at the gate to the castle Sten, Wynne and I came with Morriana.
Yeah, I meant to upload yesterday but I'm in Color guard for my high school and so I had band camp… worst four days in my life! I wanted to die… but anyway I got through long enough to upload my next chap!
BTW, a little late on that review, hu, HikariYagami22? You're usually reviewing the same day the chap comes up, what happened? JK, JK, I loe the fishing part too, tho. And CommanderHawke667, I did that once and when I saw what happen to Redcliff I actually laughed at both with how Tegan was the only one that lived out of EVERYONE and was at first mad at me then was all cool with me. ;)
Thank you to all who read and review and….stuff! PURE AWSOMENESS!