Chapter 31
~The Golem in Honnleath~

Alistair

My eyes opened slowly open as sunlight pours into the room. I was lying on my back, one arm over my stomach, the other outstretched. And on my outstretched arm laid Morriana, curled up next to me, still asleep. The covers only laid at our hips, so her torso was exposed to me. Even though I got a good look at her last night, I still didn't mind now. She lay in a deep sleep, with some strands of hair still over her face. Slowly and gently, I moved my hand to brush away the strands. Morriana suddenly woke and slapped my hand away, but she was still half asleep to notice it was merely me.

"Mori?" I said quietly. It was already time to wake, even though I didn't want to, but we did have to. Else everyone would know what happened.

"Something touched my cheek." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes. When she finally looked at me I waved my hand in front of her.

"I know. Me." She huffed a laugh.

"I'm sorry." She took my hand and rested it on her cheek. After a silent moment I moved closer, brushing my lips with hers.

"You know, according to all the sisters in the monastery, I should have been struck by lightning by now." She giggled.

"Is that so?" I smiled.

"Yep! Lightning first, then the end of civilization as we know it." I chuckled.

"Maker, you bad man." We both laughed and I pulled her closer, letting out bodies touch.

"You do realize the rest of our little party is going to talk, right? They do that."

"Well, the first smart comment I hear, I feed to the darkspawn."

"See." I kissed her cheek, then lips. "This is why I love you." I kissed her again, and she moved while pulling my so that she was now on her back I was lying over her. I continued to kiss her, then moving back down to her neck. I came closer to her breasts, but she put her hands on my head to make me look at her.

"Alistair . . . where do we even go from here?" She asks, concern in her eyes as we move onto a serious question. I think a moment. To be honest, I don't even know how to answer.

"I don't know. Eamon wants to make me king, but there's also the Blight to battle. And we're both Grey Wardens, so we'll always have duties with them. And this is even if we survive." She flinches at the last idea. "But I don't plan on dying, Mori. And if I can make sure you don't either then I will. And, there's the possibility I may not even win the throne. I mean, Anora can keep it. Its Loghain we want." Morriana pushes herself up to kiss me.

"And it's not like I plan on giving you away, anyway." She replies.

"Good. I was afraid you were getting tired of me." She kiss me gain.

"I could never. We just need to let the others know that."

"Oh, they will in time." She laid back down, and I didn't give her a chance to speak before my lips were back on hers.

###

After a few more days, and a few more passionate nights with Morriana, in Redcliff we finally set out to gather our next allies: the dwarves of Orzammar. It was more of a last minute decision, since we figured we'd get to the elves first. But after a while of debate and other ideas this one stuck. So, here we were, walking down the path to Orzammar.

Of course, it wasn't so bad. Morriana and I walked hand in hand as we traveled. The night in Redcliff . . . I could barely describe how I felt. As we had gone on, memories of Morriana's . . ."past" resurfaced. We'd almost didn't do it, but she forced down her anger and we made love.

Even though as much of a chantry boy I was and how much Morriana was affected by what happened to her, I had to say: I didn't know Morriana could be so dominate. Although, I hadn't realized this the first time, because that was all me. But, I still hadn't known, leader of the group or not.

Anyway, some of Morriana's fear is gone, thank the Maker. So now we must travel north, blast the cold. I mean, it's cold in the north, its cold in the south . . . damn Ferelden weather. Always choosing the worst weather at the worst time.

It was about noon when we saw someone at a small camp sight. Curios, Morriana let go of my hand and walked up to him. After I realized that everyone decided now would be a good time for a break, I walked a bit closer to where Mori was talking to the man who must have set up the camp. I watched them closely, cautious to if he'd hurt her. I then saw him hand her something, but I wasn't in good view to know what it was, so I finally went over there.

"And what do you want for it?" Mori said as I came closer then realized what exactly she had: a control rod. Often used on golems.

"Nothing," the man replied, shaking his head. "I just want to get rid of it." Morriana nodded. "Now I need to go find my . . . uh," he glanced at Morriana's ears, completely visible with her hair pulled back. "Servants." Morriana caught his meaning of "servants" and her eyes narrowed. But she said nothing of it. She thanked him for his time and then we parted ways as he left to find his servants and his lost mule.

"So what was that about and why do you have a control rod?" I asked when we reached everybody.

"Apparently this control rod can control a golem in this village called Honnleath." She quickly jogged over to Bodahn's wagon and took out her map. By now everyone was sitting and eating a snack while they waited on Mori. "And from what he told me," she continued looking over the map as I stood beside her. "Honnleath should be here." She pointed to a spot on the map, just west of Lake Calenhad." She took out her quill and ink and marked the spot on the map, then rolled it up. "It'll take us a day at most, and three more to reach Orzammar.

"That seems okay, I suppose." So we're getting a golem now? What next? Will we have an ogre on our side? . . . Actually, that would be pretty cool.

"Yeah. Come on, rest." She sat down on the side of the rode, in the grass waving by the wind. I smiled and sat down next to her, taking off my pack and fishing out my water and two apples for us.

###

Morriana

As we approached the village of Honnleath I noticed an increase in the smell of smoke, more than a village should have. Since I have recently been able to scene the darkspwn, I felt the taint's pull, plus, Orrick's growling made it plainly obvious that enemies were near. Bodahn stayed far onto the side of the road, away from the village and I convinced Wynne to stay with them for protection.

We followed along the path leading into the village and jumped into our battle stances when movement approached. When we noticed it was only villagers we relaxed but then pulled out our weapons out of our sheathes when we saw two darkspwn at their heels. As one tried to take a swing at a woman trying to get away I threw my dagger at its throat and Morrigan froze at the last.

Walking cautiously up to the village, we split up when we saw darkspawn all over the place, most likely being here for some time. Taking down any darkspawn that lay in my wake, my vision became red with adrenaline and blood. Their blood splattered onto my armor as I cut into them. I danced around one that tried to come behind me and my blades dug into its back. After more moments of fighting, all the darkspawn were dead and we were all stood in the village center. That was where the golem stood.

It was still, its arms and face reaching up to the sky. I walked slowly up to it, but the others remained away. It was a gleaming grey color with beautiful crystals covering it. No weathering seemed to have damaged it. It looks as though it could have been there for years, and yet it looked new as ever. But one thing was sure: I could feel the pulse of magic rushing off it.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out the rod and held it toward the golem.

"Dulif gar!" I shouted. I felt no wave of energy and noticed the golem still remaining in its spot, unchanged. I said it again, and nothing happened.

"Maybe it's broken?" I jumped as Zevran appeared at me side with his suggestion. I shook my head, but looked it over anyway.

"It doesn't seem so." Alistair finally stepped forward.

"Perhaps if we find someone here who knows well of this golem then maybe they can get it to work." I nodded and turned to everyone.

"Split up," I told them. "See if you can find any survivors or anything useful." They nodded and went their separate ways.

As I looked around I found a key on a dead body, and my curiosity demanded, and threatened to kill me if I didn't, to look around to see where it went. Eventually I found it and it unlocked a chest near a house. I pulled out a nice looking dagger and slid it into my belt, making a mental note to have it enchanted later, as I had done with everyone's blades, or bows in Leliana's case. I made sure everyone had at least one enchanted blade on them, including Wynne and Morrigan, before we left Redcliff. Eamon had been very sincere about it. Bit since I had been busy with that I had not have time to get one of my own, so this was perfect.

I was about to keep looking around, but then I heard someone call my name.

"Morriana! We found something!" I placed the voice as Leliana's and ran back to where I had last seen everyone. I found her and the others at a door to the right of where the golem was.

"What is it? I asked. Zevran appeared out of nowhere next to Leliana, who jumped back in fright.

"Well," she started, giving an angry glace at Zevran, who simply smiled innocently. "There is a passage down here. I had heard some sounds of the darkspawn but also of some people talking." I nodded.

"Then let's go." I went first with Orrick at my side and the rest following. It was quiet fir some time until we ran into more darkspawn around some sort of library. They were not hard to fell, and the further we went on the more darkspawn we came across. I also found some crystals along the way, realizing they must belong to the golem, so I snatched them and stuffed them into my pack.

Eventually, we came across a room with a barrier with people on one side, and darkspawn trying to break through to the people. The darkspawn were much too focused on trying to break through so they didn't notice us. It seemed like the perfect time for a sneak attack. That is, until a woman saw us and gasped, causing the gunlock emissary to turn and see us, which in turn made the rest see us. So much for a sneak attack . . . So, I threw my dagger at the emissary's throat before it could cast anymore spells, Morrigan was visibly irritated by all the darkspawn and sent a wave of flames at all the darkspawn before the rest could manage to get their weapons out. Morrigan fell to a knee and I laid a hand on her shoulder, giving her a thankful smile. Wynne came to help her, but Morrigan waved her away and stood, unsteady at first.

"Show-off." I japed at her. I saw her lips turn and she let out s huff of laughter. She then went over to lead against a wall as we went off to speak to the people behind the barrier.

"By the Maker, we're saved!" A woman cried. A man stepped forward, clearly in charge. His hair was a blond color, (and I'm just going on an assumption here, due to the fact the barrier is a glowing purple color) his shoulder broad, and a stern, but thankful and relived, look to his face.

"You wouldn't happen to be the Arl's men, would you? He looked us over, then I think decided not. "Who sent you?"

"Nobody," I shook my head. "I bought a control rod from a merchant. He told me about this place—"

"Control rod?" he interrupted, at first contused, then understood and his facial featured turn to angry. "Oh. You're here for Shale." He took a step back and help up his palm towards the barrier. His hands began to glow and then the barrier turned to a light golden color. Whatever was left of the villagers ran out passed us but he remained, gesturing me to follow him. I was cautious about approaching the barrier, but once I was certain that I would knock into it, I went through, with the others following.

The man, Matthias, explained to us about how the golem had been his father's for years until one day it suddenly killed him and froze in that same position it is now. His mother sold the rod in hopes of it never being used again. At the moment, we were apparently in Matthias's father's cellar.

"If you give me the correct phase to the golem, he'd leave this village, but I also need him. We are in the middle of a Blight and its strength would be useful." I explained. He stayed silent for a moment then is features turned to fear and worry.

"I'll give you the correct phase if you do something for me. My daughter, Amalia, ran deeper into the cellar when the darkspawn appeared down here. I don't know how she got past my father's defenses, but I tried sending someone to get her, but I haven't hear anything from him. I think he must have died from whatever's down there. Please, you must help her." I put a hand to his shoulder and smiled.

"I would even if I didn't need a reason to. I will find your daughter and bring her back safely." Matthias almost cried in relief, but I quieted him. "Zevran, Wynne and Alistair, with me. Everyone else, please go help the villagers." The nodded and we split up.

The tunnels were dark, though not enough to need light. In in some places I found more of those crystals and packed them away. It wasn't until we were further in that we suddenly hear a screech that sent my heart beating so fast I thought I might give out.

"Maker's breath, what was that?!" I shouted.

"It sounded like a shade, like some of the ones we fought in the Tower." I nodded. Now that I knew what we were against, I calmed a bit. A few more feet in and two shade leapt up from the ground. They were not hard to fell, but Alistair did receive a bad wound on his sword are, but it was nothing Wynne couldn't fix with a little magic, though she said it would be best to check it again later in case I reopens.

When we finally walked into some sort of room three more shades appeared along with a greater shade. The three lesser ones were easy to kill, but this greater shade . . . Well, it took some time and left Wynne drained of magic.

But luckily we didn't need it now.

We walked into another room were we found a young girl, most likely Amalia, talking with a small cat.

"Amalia?" I called out. The girl looked up and stood with a smile.

"Oh look. More people." Amalia said, happily while standing. "Have you come to play? We're playing a guessing game."

"We?" Wynne asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"Yes. Me and kitty."

"Kitty?" I shook my head and looked at the cat, then back to her.

"If you're not going to play, you should go. Kitty finds you distracting." I shake my head. Right. The cat finds me distracting.

"Come on, Amalia, your father is waiting for you."

"But I can't leave. Kitty says she can't come and I'm not leaving her. She'll be lonely."

"You're so kind, Amalia." I jumped back when I realized the cat spoke, and its eyes gleamed a demonic purple color. "I would miss you dearly if you left."

"Amalia, step away from the cat Amalia! Now!" Alistair shouted.

"No! Leave me alone!" Amalia shouts back.

"Nothing you say will convince Amalia to go with you. She loves only me now. I am her friend while you are just a stranger." "Kitty" added. I took a step forward.

"We're not leaving without the girl?"

"And I am not giving up the girl. I've been bound to this chamber for decades, cut off from all contact. It has been maddening. Release me mortal, and let me have the girl. Let us return to her father and leave this place forever."

"You mean possess her?" Alistair inquires.

"That's such a crude way of putting it." Crude but true. "I do not wish to harm Amalia. I merely want to see your world through her eyes. Is that so wrong?" I thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Very well, I'll free you, and you may have the girl."

"Thank you! You are very gracious." Kitty then explains to me what must be done, and I listen closely. Once I understand what must be done, I begin to walk towards the tiles that have flames on them, only to be pulled back by Alistair.

"Are you insane?!" Alistair snapped. I look at him. "You can't free a demon."

"I can and I will." I reply.

"Ah, making deals with demons." Zevran chimes. "So fun." I chuckle.

"No, I won't let you do this."

"Very well." I put my hands to my hips. "Zevran, if he tries to stop me, hold him back."

"With rope, I assume?" Zevran gives me a wicked smile and I shrug.

Many moving tiles and burn marks on my hands and arms later, I finally completed the puzzle. Maker did bless me with that skill. The barrier in the doorway faded to a light gleam and I walked back the "Kitty". She groaned and stretched.

"The energy! I can feel it fading! Oh, I have forgotten what it feels like. I can't wait to see what it is like outside."

"To bad you won't get the chance." Kitty suddenly freezes and looks at me.

"What?"

"I said I'd free you. But I never said I'd let you live." I smirk. Kitty hisses at me and arches her back.

"Trickery! How dare you! No, the girl is mine." Amalia seemed to have come off from whatever spell Kitty put on her or something and stands, backing away.

"No, Kitty! I won't let you inside me! I won't!" Amalia runs to me and I hide her behind me, burying her face into my back. Kitty then turns into a familiar demon I say in the Tower, and sends four undead creatures on us, then suddenly disappearing. Wynne quickly drank a lyrium potion and froze the first; Zevran danced around another and stabbed from behind; Alistair bashed his shield into a third and then stabbed its chest when it was on the ground. I threw my dagger at the last, letting it fall quickly.

Amalia looked out from behind me, tears running down her face. I turn to her and whip them away.

"It's okay, Amalia, you're safe." Of course, that is until I was thrown back by some unseen force. I could hear Amalia's scream as my back his the ground, knocking the wind out of me. The demon appeared in front of me and reached down then grabs my throat. With inhuman strength, the demon lifted me in the air by my throat. I struggled to make her let go of me, but my air way was failing fast. My vision was blurring and darkening every second.

"You dare trick a demon. You mortals think yourselves so smart. Too bad your trickery will be the death of you—" Suddenly a sword pierces through the demon. She gages and finally releases me. I fall to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Arms suddenly encircle around me and hold me.

"Alistair—" I gasp out. Alistair merely shushes me, telling me to just breathe. I hear tell the others something, but I was more focused on getting my breathing back to normal. After a few minutes, my breathing is normal again. I look around and noticed nobody else is here.

"You sent everyone away?" I asked Alistair. He nods.

"Their taking Amalia back to her father." I nod and straiten, but he refuses to let go. "Mori . . ." Alistair looks down in shame. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I thought . . . you were really going to free the demon and let it have the girl. I'm so sorry—" I break him off with a forceful kiss, which he returns. Breaking the kiss, I smile.

"I don't know," I tease. "You may still have my acceptance of your apology." He smiles.

"Then I'll work hard to earn it." We kiss again before he helps me up, giving a sad look to the red marks on my neck, then we make our way back to everyone. Matthias was waiting for us when we got there, but our companions were nowhere to be seen.

"Thank you for rescuing her. I was so scared. But you found her. Matthias wraps his arms around his daughter, making me smile.

"I'm sorry I ran away daddy," Amalia looks down. Matthias brushes her hair.

"It's alright, butterfly. You're safe, that's all that matters." He then looks up at me. "The correct phrase is 'Dulen Harn'. With luck, the golem will help you on your journey." I bow my head.

"Thank you, Matthias." We find the others in the village center, with the golem. "Alright," I start walking up to the golem, pulling out the rod. "Let's try this again. 'Dulen Harn'!" The second the words left my mouth, a fog begins around the golem and it begins moving. It moves one arm, then the other, then straitens, looking right at me. I put a hand to my blades, just in case it's still on kill-everyone-mood.

"I knew it wouldn't be long before someone found my control rod. And not even a mage this time." The golem scoffs. "Probably stumbled upon it by accident. Typical." I'm taken aback by this. I didn't know golems could speak, that's for sure.

"How do you know I'm not a mage?" I ask.

"It thinks these crystals are just for show? No, they have magic abilities to them."

"And you know I didn't just 'stumble' upon it."

"So it knew what it was doing?" Is this thing going to keep calling me "it"? "Shocking. I stood here in this stop and watched the reached little villagers scurry around me for . . . oh I have no idea how long. Many, many years."

"And the villagers had no idea they were being watched?" Alistair asked. "Creepy." The golem sighed.

"And I was just getting used to the quiet too. Tell me, are all the villagers dead?"

"No, but I take it that wouldn't concern you?" I crossed my arms.

"Familiarity breeds contempt, as they say, and after thirty years a captive audience, I was as familiar with the villagers as one could possibly be. Not that I wish their fate on them, no, but it did make for a delightful change of pace."

"So you watched the attack, then?"

"Not as much as it would think. There was running and screaming and after days and days of watching the spawn prowl around. I would have never thought there could be less interesting then the villagers, but there it was." After a pause, the golem continued. "Well? Go on then. What is its command?"

"I hadn't really thought about it." I shrugged. This was actually true. I may have slightly fantasied about it killing things, and being a bit taller, but I hadn't thought about the commands I'd give.

"It does have the control rod, doesn't it? I'm awake so . . . it must."

"Is something wrong?"

"There is something odd here. Go on. Order me to do something." I looked around, then my eyes fell to Zevran and a smile grew on my face.

"Give Zevran a hug." I commanded, which in turn forced Zevran to take some seeming unnoticed steps back.

"And . . . nothing. I feel nothing. I feel no compulsion to carry out its command. I suppose this means the rod is . . . broken?" I shrugged and looked at the rod.

"Can it be fixed?"

"I don't know. I thought the rod simply was. It certainly worked well to reanimate me." Shale hummed. "I suppose if I can't be commanded this means . . . I have free will, yes? It is, simply, what should I do? I have no memories besides watching this village for so long. I have no purpose. I find myself at a bit of a loss. What about it? It must have awaken me for some reason, no? What did it intend to do with me?"

"I did have some intensions for a golem."

"May I ask what sort of things it gets up to, for which I could potentially useful?"

"I am a Grey Warden, in need of aid against a Blight." I bluntly told him.

"The darkspawn are an evil that must be destroyed, it's true, though not as evil as the birds. Damnable feathered fiends. I suppose I have two options, do I not? Go with it or . . . go elsewhere. I . . . do not ever know what lies beyond this village."

"It's your choice. What do you want to do?"

"I watched this village for so long, unable to move or act. My memories of anything before are . . . vague at best. So I have no idea what I want to do. I'm glad to be mobile, is that not enough."

"You are welcome to come with me." Alistair stepped forward and grabbed my arm.

"Are you certain you want to bring that thing with us? It could be dangerous." I looked to him then Shale.

"I have a good idea of this. If you don't trust the golem, trust me." He stood there a moment then finally nodded and let go.

"I will follow it about then. For now. I am called Shale, by the way." I nodded once.

"I and Morriana." After formally introducing him to everyone, Shale sighed.

"This should be interesting." I laughed.

"Come one. We have a few day travel to get to Orzammar." I begin to walk off with everyone and we make our way out of the village. We all stop, suddenly, when we heard a smashing noise. I turn, eyebrow raised to see Shale standing next to a pool of blood and the remnants of a chicken. Or, at least, I think it was. I turned back, shaking my head, but a smile made its way to my face.