Chapter 15: The Thaig
The old dwarven settlement was worse than Carver had expected.
No sooner had they stepped off of the elevator, they were set upon by deep stalkers, an entire nest of the pale things.
Garrett met them with fire while Merrill summoned foul smelling roots pinning them in place.
The mages' attacks made it easy for Hawke and his companions to dispatch the foul creatures.
There had been some injuries of course. Both Lin and Merrill had been burned by the creatures' venom. Fortunately wardens encountered the beast all the time; they had perfected a serum to deal with the effects of it.
It was not long before the group was on its way again.
They went deeper into the settlement, and deeper into the darkness.
IOI
Isabela shivered, she had been in many nasty places in her time, the docks of Rialto, the back streets of Llomerryn. Even her home in Rivain had been a fairly cruel place, but the deep roads…
The deep roads were something else entirely.
There was…a sadness here, a sense of dread, bad things had happened here once. The people who lived here were slaughtered, down to the last child. The darkspawn took no prisoners.
The wardens' prison had done little to help the place, the magic that trapped things here had created an air of foulness that nothing could piece. The underground lake that had once supplied the people here had turned stagnant and poisonous; the shadows hid tainted spiders, and deep stalkers, and even here small broods of darkspawn hunted for prey.
The pirate queen glanced over at Hawke, had it been anyone but him, she would never have risked herself on this foul endeavor. If that…Larius was to be believed, there was a way out of here, but it meant facing this Corypheus…whatever foul thing he was.
Despite what they had seen so far, she found herself growing eager for that confrontation. Whatever this thing was, she was sick and tired of running from it. She wanted to plant her feet and face it, daggers in hand.
She was a duelist after all; she preferred to look her enemies in the eye, before they were slain.
She wanted out of this place, and that was through Corypheus.
So bring it on you bastard, she thought coldly.
Bring it on!
A nest of giant spiders descended on them from above, Isabela back flipped away from a venomous one, it spat her way, but she side-stepped avoiding the attack.
She sprang on the creature, burying backstabber and heartbreaker deep into the thing's head.
It squealed struggling to free itself, black ichor sprayed her in the face.
The thing finally collapsed, its legs went vertical as it final gave up its hold on life.
She went over and drew her blades from the creature, both dripping with goo.
She snorted wiping them the best she could on the dead beast.
"You take me to such wonderful places, Hawke," she grumbled, but realized that the apostate was not listening.
Rolling her eyes, she chased after the others.
IOI
The Thaig turned out to bear even more secrets than the tower above it.
As they made their way through it, they discovered evidence of a Legion of the Dead group who had been trapped down here, a group that had died trying to find the heir to the lost Garren clan of Orzammar. Varric seemed a bit troubled by this discovery. He had heard the name when he was young but could not place it.
Further investigation led to the discovery of the missing Garren heir, like them, like the Legion of the dead unit so long ago, he had become trapped here and killed by the darkspawn.
Varric finally was able to identify him, and why he knew the poor man's name.
His name had been Tethras…Tethras Garren.
Varric knew that story well; his mother had told it to him many times, well…when she was sober anyway.
"He was accused of murdering his brother," Varric said beginning his story, "The assembly banished him to the deep roads to die. When the real murderer was caught, his father spent years searching for him, looking to bring him home."
"A loving father," Garrett said dryly.
"More likely just a man trying to erase the stain on his family honor, Hawke," Varric said with disgust, "Anyway, they never found him, eventually some of his heirs took the name of Tethras in his honor, one of them became a paragon, and formed my clan."
"So…this man was an ancestor of yours," Carver said, "A relative?"
"Not directly Junior," Varric snorted, "But far too close to my family for me to be comfortable with."
Varric shook his head.
"Poor dead bastard," he sighed, "To die down here alone, in this rotted place."
Garrett stepped forward; they had found the old burial rite of the dwarves on one of the legionnaire corpses down here.
He stood over the fallen dwarven noble, and spoke the words, delivering the poor man's soul to the ancestors.
Varric nodded, he had not thought to do that himself, but he was grateful that Hawke had thought of it.
May the stone claim you Tethras, he thought, may you always find your ways in the dark.
"That was sweet Hawke," he sounded a little choked up, "Now let's get out of here before I start to cry.
Garrett led them forward.
IOI
Another unusual sight caught their eyes. Fenris recognized it first, he had seen old abandoned ones back in the capitol of Tevinter.
A temple to the old god Dumat had been built in the center of the Thaig.
This of course made no sense, the dwarves worshipped their ancestors, to Varric's knowledge, and none had ever worshipped the old gods?
Never the less it was here, Fenris advised they give the temple a wide birth. Tevinter temples were sanctuaries for great evil.
They had enough of that to deal with right now.
Merrill was curious; she wanted to explore the old ruin.
Her blood raced, the sense of power here was staggering.
Blessed be you Dumat, silent and strong, reverent and wise, accept this offering and share your strength!
Merrill felt like a fly caught in a web, she started walking unable to stop herself.
She started to walk towards the entrance.
Take me my lord; let me be your sacrifice.
Something inside the temple hungered…
It wanted her to be its next…
"Merrill?"
She felt like she had been woke from a dream. She felt winded; she realized that he must have dispelled the mana around her.
He…he might very well of saved her life!
Carver had stopped her; he had taken her by the hand. He led her away from the temple, the farther she got from the evil place, the more awake she felt.
"I…what…" she said dreamily, "What just happened?"
Carver frowned.
"Come along Merrill," he said staring nervously at the old structure, the dark magic here was strong.
Whatever was inside, the Dalish wanted no part of it.
She was not quite sure what was happening, but she gave him a grateful look.
"Mas Serranas, Carver," she whispered.
He gave her a warm nod.
She let Carver lead her away, but her eyes still wandered back to the old Tevinter structure, part of her…it still craved what was within that place.
She wanted such power for herself, so that she could give it to her people.
One day, when the Eluvian was finished, she hoped to have it
She smiled.
"Glorious," she purred.
IOI
More darkspawn tried to assault them as they left the protection of the thaig, these creatures had gone completely feral, the power of the song had robbed them of anything but savagery and a terrifying strength, savagery that the magic of this place amplified.
Carver, Arika, and Lin threw themselves at the creatures.
These darkspawn were different from the others, a strange green glow shown in their eyes. The Effect of being too close to Corypheus Carver supposed.
And still…the song grew louder in his head.
Carver whispered a prayer that Brother Nigel had taught him, he felt the song weaken, but it did not go away.
It likely would not, not as long as Corypheus still lived.
"Beloved?" Arika asked.
"I'm fine," he said shaking his head, "It…it is just this place."
"Yes," Arika said in a strange dreamy sounding voice, "It is wondrous."
"Wondrous?" Carver frowned, "Are…are you feeling alright Arika?"
"I'm fine," she said smiling, "I…I understand now."
Carver felt concern beginning to rise, what in Andraste's name was she talking about?
"What do you understand?"
Arika merely smiled at him.
"Carver get up here!" Garrett called out.
He ran to catch up with his brother.
Arika followed him with her eyes.
It was okay now; she and Lin would take care of everything.
Carver would be able to help too…
If he just stopped resisting.
All he had to do was let go…and let the song take him.
Then everything would be fine.
Lin came alongside her; she had the same faraway look on her face.
She understood as well.
"Carver is not with us?" she asked.
"No," Arika said sadly, "He is still fighting the song."
"That is too bad," Lin agreed," I did not want to hurt him."
The reaver nodded, she did not want to hurt Carver, he was her man, she loved him, but they had no choice.
Their god commanded that it be so.
"I hope he will understand one day," Arika said quietly.
"Yes," Lin agreed, "Praise Corypheus."
"Praise Corypheus," Arika repeated.
The two women followed after the others.
No one noticed the strange green glow in their eyes.
Nor would they…
Until it was too late.
IOI
Another seal fell, the pride demon that had held it collapsed, death ending its years of containment.
Garrett Hawke gathered the magic back into the key; it felt…it felt stronger than ever before.
Not far beyond where they stood, the bottom of level of the final tower stood.
The group made for that place, eager to reach the endgame.
Not all for the same reason, of course.
From out of nowhere Larius appeared again, he stood before Hawke and his companions.
The old warden seemed almost manic now.
"He stirs…he stirs," the old warden repeated, "He wakens the magic holding him grows lax."
Hawke frowned at him, "You know, this maybe a bad time to ask, but where do you go when you run off. It would help if we did not have to wait for you to pop in and out all the time.
"I go where I must," Larius replied, "I know the secret places of this place, travelled them before, walked with them with the other Hawke."
Isabela stepped forward.
"Other Hawke?" she asked, "Were you down here before with Hawke's old man?"
"Yes," Larius said, "Malcolm, so different from the other mages we brought here… a learned man, but…"
Larius paused, his head turned sharply.
His eyes widened with fear.
"No, no, no, no no," Larius repeated over and over again, "They are here, they are here!"
Garrett Hawke rolled his eyes.
Maker give me strength, he thought.
"Who is it this time," he asked dryly, "the random voices in your head, puddles the turtle, holy cheese wheel of Andraste?"
Larius's mouth split into a snarl.
"The wardens," he spat, "they are here, they have come to free him.
IOI
Arika's hand drifted to her blade.
Not yet, my servant, not yet.
Corypheus's words massaged her soul. His light and love filled her.
She had to fight back the tears of joy.
It was so much more than the dragons of her people, or the lowlander's Andraste.
Corypheus…her new god was not only love…he was truth.
He would reward them for their sacrifice.
Once he walked in the light.
Her hand fell away from her sword, it was not yet time.
But soon…
Soon.
IOI
It was a group of three wardens.
Hawke was surprised to see them, how had they made it past the barrier, they did not seem like they had seen any battle?
Their leader was a ferret-faced woman with bright eyes. A strange green glow seemed to seep from them, she was a mage true, Garrett could feel her magic.
That glow had nothing to do with her; Garrett would have felt it if that was the case.
She approached them, issuing orders to her sub ordinance.
"The defenses are breaking down; we must be prepared when they fall. We can…"
She finally noticed Hawke and the others.
"You…you have the key," she sounded genuinely surprised, but Garrett was used to reading people, his time working for Athenril taught him to recognize those who were being truthful, from the liars.
"Yes I do," he said dryly, "I don't suppose you are after my blood too?"
"Blood? I don't…wait, are you Hawke? Are you the child of Malcolm?"
Garrett nodded.
"Greeting Serah Hawke," she said with a slight bow, "I am senior warden Janeka; I lead these men on a mission of grave importance for the order."
"Is that so?" Carver said approaching.
"Brother," she nodded, noticing her fellow warden for the first time.
"Senior Warden," Carver said coldly, he recognized her, even if she did not recognize him. She had come to their camp trying to recruit him months ago. She had told Stroud that she needed him for a special mission.
Was this the mission she had meant?
"Why are you interested in our Father?" he asked her.
Janeka smiled.
"Your Father aided us greatly," she said grinning, "He helped us cage one of the most powerful darkspawn of all time. "
Garrett had guessed it was something like that, but the question was…why?
"What is hidden here, it could not be caged by a mage touched by…warden training," she informed them.
"You mean the taint," Garrett said crossly. Something in this woman's attitude was putting him on edge.
"Yes," Janeka confessed, "But we were wrong, Corypheus, he is not a threat, he is an opportunity, we can use him. He is not like his fellows. He can think. He can reason. I believe he can help us end the Blights for all time."
Larius, who had been hiding in the back, had heard enough.
"Fool girl," he snarled, "Corypheus cares nothing for Blights. He used you!"
An older graying warden in the back gasped.
"The warden commander?" he said reverently.
Janeka's eyes narrowed in distain.
"Do not listen to this creature, Hawke." She sneered, "He is more darkspawn than human now, he is trying to trick you."
"You are responsible for this aren't you?" Larius growled at Janeka, "You are why Hawke is here?"
Janeka smiled imperiously at the tainted warden.
Larius turned to Garrett.
"You asked how Corypheus brought you here boy, here is your answer," he growled, "She hired the Carta, she sent them after you."
Hawke's eyes narrowed, he looked at Janeka, the warden mage was grinning from ear to ear, triumphantly.
"Is this true?" he asked her.
She chuckled.
"Stroud would not let me have your brother," she admitted, "I needed some way to get you here. Hawke, I implore you to listen to me. I can control Corypheus; my spells will bind him to the order for all time. We can end the Blights. How many died in your homeland? How many loved ones did you lose there?"
Garrett felt his heart wrench, he found himself thinking of Bethany, poor, doomed Bethany, if that could be prevented?
"Do not listen to her Hawke," Larius cried, "She is under Corypheus's control, he will use her to free him, and then he will escape. He cares nothing for us, nothing for the Blights."
"You are a fool Larius," Janeka laughed, "all this power, and you thought the only way to get rid of it was to hide it!"
"You can't control him!" the tainted warden repeated, "He is using you!"
Garrett looked at his companions.
"If there is a chance Hawke," Varric said.
"look at her sweet thing," Isabela said shaking her head, "She is bonkin' mad. You want to put your faith in her?"
"We should consider this Hawke," Arika agreed, "To end the Blight, to save others from your sister's fate."
Garrett winced.
"Brother don't" Carver growled, "It is a warden's job to help the world endure Blights. They…they serve a purpose. I miss Bethany too, but she would not want us to release this evil on the world. Father did not want that, would you go against his wishes?"
"You must help us Hawke," Janeka purred, "You want to?"
Carver's magic sense twinged.
He glared at Janeka.
"Blood mage bitch!" he spat.
He cleansed her of mana.
Her mind domination spell faltered.
Garrett gasped, he felt his resolve return.
He glared at the senior warden.
"This is how you would gain my aid?" he growled.
Janeka snarled.
"You will do as I command, Hawke," she snarled, "Corypheus will walk free, and the Blights will end."
Janeka threw fire at them.
Garrett formed a shield, blocking her attack.
The senior warden and her fellows ran.
"We must stop them," Larius said, "stop them…if we hurry we can beat them to Corypheus!"
Garrett Hawke cursed, so it was going to be a fight, who freed the creature first.
Life was never easy.
IOI
Lin and Arika followed the others. They had wanted to side with Janeka.
Corypheus warned them not too.
The blood mage had served her purpose, now it was necessary for Hawke to reach Corypheus, then…and only then would the two warden women act, and deal with those that opposed their master.
Only then…would they be able to serve their god.