Chapter 22
~Imposter~

Morriana

As I watched Alistair walk away tears brimmed in my eyes. I stood there a moment, unable to do anything. But then, I nearly fell over when Orrick butted his head against my legs and gave a pitiful whine, sensing my emotions. I bent down and petted him before following after Alistair. A slient hung over us that was both uneasy and wanted. As we walked around I finally noticed the gate to the Alienage. Losing all of my hurt from Alistair, I trotted over to it, eager to see the faces of my family and friends. Only, as I neared, more slowly now, I noticed the gate was closed. It was hardly ever closed.

"I'm sorry, but you cant go in there." A guard standing next to it said.

"W-why?" I asked, hesitantly.

"There's been a plague going around in there, and we don't need it spreading." I gasped loudly, and covered my mouth, all happiness drained from me and the hurt and sorrow returned to take its place. How? How could this have happened?! I know the Alienage was never the healthiest, but there's never been a plague. Oh, father! Shianni! Soris! Please be okay.

I turned and walked away. I couldn't bear to be right there anymore. I wasn't sure how long I was walking until arms wrapped around me. Arms I knew to be Alistair's. He turned me around and hugged me, something I thought he wouldn't do right now. Not since after Goldana.

"It's okay," he whispered to me. "I'm sure they're okay. They'll be fine and you'll see them again. They will be so happy to see you." He kept whispering words like this to me. It was only a few seconds later I realized I was crying.I clung to Alistair as more tears fell. I just couldn't afford to lose them! Not now!

"Um, excuse me, wardens." Both Alistair and I jump as we see Leliana and Zevran standing near us. I never even noticed them arrive. "We've got the information you asked for." I nodded and whipped my eyes dry.

"Whacha got?" I asked, pretending as is I was never crying. Sten came and stood with as and Orrick laid at my feet.

"Genitive lives across from the Gnawed Nobel." Zevran started.

"From what we've found out he found some information on the ashes, and left a while back, but we don't know where. However we could ask his assistant, Weylon, as to his position." Leliana continued. I nodded.

"We're not supposed to meet until dusk. Let's go ahead and see what he knows." Leliana nodded and Zevran gave a small bow. I led them to where I knew the tavern was and then to the house across from it. Strange. I wonder why someone, especially a scholar, would choose to have a house right in front of a tavern.

I knocked on the door and waited. When no one answered I knocked again. This time I heard footsteps and the door creaked open a little.

"Yes?" someone inside asked. "Who is it?"

"My name is Morriana. I was sent here by the arlessa of Redcliff to find Brother Genitive," I replied, trying to be as formal as I could.

"He's not here at the moment." He replied.

"I know. We're trying to find him. We were wondering if you knew where he went." He simply stood there a moment then opened the door. Before me was a man, only maybe a few years older than Alistair, with deep black hair and brown eyes.

"Very well, come in." I smiled as best I could, despite my crying not too long ago. I still felt the pain, but I ignored it. as we walked in we saw books and papers cluttered everywhere. A long table stood in the middle of the dining room and there was a doorway that led to a study, where there were more books.

"Thank you for letting us in, Weylon." I thanked.

"I don't know why you're looking for the ashes." Weylon shook his head. "These ashes are a curse."

"What do you mean?" Alistair asked.

"Genitive left and I've gotten no word from him. When I told the Redcliff knights where he went they didn't come back, nor did they let me know if he was found or not."

"I know. That's why we need to find him. We should make sure he's okay, along with the knights."

"You are walking to your own death." Weylon sighed, rubbing his head. "'Course, Weylon did say to not argue with fools, for it would only be a waste of breath." What? Was he trying to prove something to us?

"So tell us," I said as I began walking around. "Where is he?"

"He mentioned he'd be staying at an inn near Lake Calenhad. That's where I told the knights to go, but I don't—hey what do you think you're doing?!" he yelled as soon as he saw I had reached the door on the far side of the room. I put my hand on the handle.

"I was just going to look around." Looking over his shoulder, I saw Alistair, Sten, and Leliana bring out their weapons. Zevran, however, seemed to have disappeared.

"No! You can't go in there. Genitive has…papers in there that shouldn't be disturbed."

"Then I wont mess anything up," I answered smartly. I could see him getting angry

"No, don't touch that door!" He hands suddenly began glowing and he sent a crashing spell onto me, tossing me aside. The others sprang into action. Leliana shot an arrow at him that lodged in his shoulder and Alistair bashed him with his shield. Sten literally walked up and stuck him with his blade, ending him.

I coughed as I tried to sit up, trying to refill my lungs. Maker, that… whatever it was took the breath out of me. Alistair dropped his sword and shield and rushed to me, helping me up.

"It's okay, it's okay, just breath slowly." He told me. I did what he said, and I was finally breathing normal again.

"Maker's breath." I swore.

"Are you alright?" Leliana asked as she kneeled down next to me.

"Yes," I nodded, "the bastard just knocked the wind out of me, s'all." He nodded, though still looked conserned.

"Warden!" Zevran called, stepping out of the room "Weylon" didn't want us going into. "You may want to see this. I nodded and Alistair helped me up. I walked into the room and found what Zevran meant. There was a body on the ground that looked at least a few days old.

"Is this Genitive?" I asked to no one unparticular. Alistair knelt by the body, obviously trying to ignor the smell.

"No. This must have been his actual assistant. But I wonder why he was attacked."

"Over here!" Leliana chimed. I looked over to see she had some documents in her hands. "This mentions a place called Haven, south of the Frostback mountains. That must be where he went!"

"Then let's get everyone together. I don't want us staying here, in Denerim tonight. Too dangerous," I added when I saw Alistair's questioning look. "Let's go by some supplies and then wait until we need to meet up." They all nodded and we went back out into the sunshine.

We had then gone to a sergeant of the Denerim guard and told him of the body and a quick explanation as to what was going on. He told us that he would take care of the body and sent us on our way. As we walked around Denerim I felt the memory of what I was told rearising and tears prickled my eyes, although none fell. I would save that for tonight, when no one was around. Alistair noticed my uneasiness and put an arm around me.

Despite how awful I felt, which usually lead to the cuts on my wrist, I began thinking: Maybe… maybe there are better things I could do than these self-inflictions. Maybe, with Alistair's help, I could stop and face this, rather than pretending it's not there and I don't have to do anything about it and blaming myself.