"Sometimes we must let go of our pride, and do what is requested of us"
It was midday when the party reached the outskirts of Redcliffe. Nennet stopped to wipe the sweat from her brow and to take a drink from her waterskin. Thackery and his wolf sat on a log not too far from them.
The two had been sent ahead to scout, and all Nennet could see was the windmill and a long man minding the bridge.
"It looks so quiet." Nennet said.
"It's like they don't even know what's happening around them." Thackery commented, he patted Argo on the rump and clicked twice.
The black wolf bolted back into the woods to find the rest of the group.
"I thought most human villages were always bustling with people?" Thackery inquired.
Nennet shrugged, "Most are. Especially this time of day. Something isn't right about this place. Do you think your cousin was wise to trust Alistair on coming here?"
"Melia knows what she's doing."
"Does she? I've seen her make doe eyes at the shem."
Thackery felt the vein in his neck pop out, "You don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm not trying to instigate your anger, just pointing out the obvious." Nennet eyed Thackery, "You're very protective of her."
"I have to be."
"I guess I get that."
Nennet noticed Thackery rubbing his hands together, eyeing the woods. Clearly he didn't want to talk, his eyes glazed over as he rapidly searched the trees. Nennet knew he wanted nothing to do with her and was just waiting for Melia. His cousin seemed to be the only thing keeping him in one piece.
As if the answer to a prayer, the rest of the group joined them.
Eshne sat on a nearby rock, emptying out pebbles from her boots. Thackery jumped up from the long, immediately standing with Melia and his wolf. Nennet watched him whisper a few things to Melia and she nodded in response.
"The man at your Chantry mentioned the Arl was sick. Perhaps this is why the village is so quiet." Melia said to Alistair.
"Perhaps." Alistair said.
"What's got you all uptight?" Eshne asked, shading herself from the noon sun with her hand, "You haven't said much since we packed camp."
"I have to talk to you." Alistair said to Melia, ignoring Eshne, "I suppose…I probably should have told you earlier..."
"I something wrong?" Melia asked, going over to check him for wounds, Thackery wasn't too far behind to watch what she was doing.
"No...well. Maybe?" Alistair laughed nervously, "Well. I mentioned before that Arl Eamon raised me. That my mother was a serving girl at the Castle and he took me in."
"No you didn't." Thackery said quickly.
"Well he told me." Melia said.
"Oh, of course he did." Nennet scoffed, handing Nicolai an orange from her pack.
Melia waved her off, "Go on, Alistair."
"Well," Alistair sighed, "The whole reason Eamon took me in...well…" He rubbed the back of his neck, "The reason he did that was because...my father was King Maric. Which made Cailan my half-brother. I suppose."
He waited for Melia to say something, ignoring Eshne's bewildered statements. She paced around with her arms waving around saying "Holy shit!" Nani hadn't heard what Alistair had said, so she stared at Eshne with wide eyes as her sister moved about crazily.
Thackery clicked his tongue, "So…" he began, "You're not just a bastard, but a royal bastard?"
Alistair gave a dry laugh, "Yes, I suppose I am. I should use that line more often."
They all ignored Eshne's flailing.
"Look," Alistair said to Melia, "I was going to tell you, I really was. I would have...it's just. The whole thing never really meant anything to me. My whole life I was an inconvenience, a threat to Cailan. So they kept me a secret. I've never really talked about it to anyone…" He sighed, "Everyone who knew either resented or coddled me...even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I just...I didn't want you to know as long as possible."
"Well you sure as shit picked a great time to tell us!" Nennet piped up, "You do understand that Loghain has even more motive to have us killed!"
"Nennet-" Nicolai began.
Melia interjected, "That is hardly his fault, he cannot exactly choose his father." she spat.
"Nennet has a point, old mum." Thackery said to her, "Don't project your anger."
"I'm sorry…" Alistair said to Melia.
Melia took a deep breath to calm herself, "It is-alright." She said, "I understand why you did not tell me."
"At least you do," Alistair said to Melia, "It's not like I got special treatment for it anyway." He clapped his hands once, "At any rate that's all I wanted to tell you let's just move on. Just so you know what you're walking into."
"Alistair," Melia started, "I am glad you told me-" She gave a reassuring smile,"Is there anything else?"
"Besides my unholy love for fine cheeses and slight obsession with my hair? No." Alistair smiled, "Just the prince thing."
Melia tried to hide her grin, "So should I be calling you Prince Alistair now?"
Alistair shuddered, "Maker no. Just the hearing it gives me a heart attack. Besides, it was made very clear to me when I was very young that in no way do I have a claim to the throne. I'm the son of a commoner." He quickly added, "Which is fine by me...but there you have it. Can we move on now? Pretend I'm some nobody who was too lucky to die with the rest of the Grey Wardens?"
Melia scoffed, "Then what would that make me?"
Alistair smirked, "The reason I say I was lucky." He turned to head towards the village.
Melia stood there for a moment, her arms crossed. Thackery just looked at her and shook his head.
"Unbelievable." He whispered to himself, walking on with the rest of the group.
Eshne and Nani came up behind Melia and took her arms, leading her behind Nennet and Nicolai.
"This is some nonsense." Nani said.
"Give him some credit, lethallan." Melia said, "You have to realize why he did not say anything before."
"I guess," Eshne pouted, "But Nennet isn't wrong about Loghain, you know that right? He has more reason to see us dead."
"Let him try." Melia said.
"Yeah, okay, you take on Loghain Mac Tir, one of the greatest Ferelden heroes." Nani rolled her eyes.
"A hero that betrayed his king and led hundreds of Grey Wardens to their deaths." Nicolai quietly pointed out.
"Melia!" Alistair called.
The group ran over to the bridge that led over the Redcliffe falls. They could see Alistair and Leliana talking to a red headed man, he looked gaunt and unkempt.
"This man here says that Redcliffe has been under siege." Alistair said, "The Arl and his family haven't been heard from in days."
"Under siege?" Melia asked she felt a sense of dread crawling into her stomach. Larka put her head under Melia's hand to bring comfort.
"Monsters have been coming out of the castle, attacking the village. It's always from sundown until dawn. People are dying." The man said.
Morrigan scoffed, coming in behind the others with Sten.
"Apparently everyone seems to think that a Blight is the perfect time to be killing each other." Morrigan said, her arms crossed.
"We don't have an army to defend us. All of the knights were sent out by the Arlessa to look for the Urn. Those who are left are terrified they'll be next." The man said.
"What exactly is attacking you?" Nennet asked.
"No one rightly knows." The man said, "I'm sorry. But I can take you to Bann Teagan."
"Bann Teagan is here?" Alistair asked.
"He's been helping the village, doing what he can. He's all that's holding us together." The man said.
Melia sighed, "Alright." She rubbed her temples, "We will go to see Bann Teagan. And we will help the village…"
"What?" Morrigan asked.
"This distracts from our mission to destroy the Blight." Sten added.
Melia rounded on them, "I will not be questioned about my intentions. Fenedhis...We are going into that village to save these people, and then we will go into the castle, kill whatever thing is inside, and we will help the Arl. That is final and if you do not like it, then stay here." She turned back to the man, "Now take us to see the Bann."
"Y-yes, my Lady." The man started back over the bridge, Melia followed behind, her muscles tensed up, aching to hit something.
"Morrigan got in trouble." Alistair started to tease.
"Shut up, fool." Morrigan glared.
"Is anyone else weirdly turned on?" Eshne asked, she looked up at Sten, who just scowled at her.
Once they got past the bridge, the group was led down past a large windmill. The path led down once more to another bridge that went over another part of the falls. On the other side, there was one hill that led up to a tavern, and one that went down into a valley where the largest part of the village was.
Walking through, Melia could see the people of Redcliffe. They were exhausted and scared. Mothers held their surviving children close to them, and those who didn't have their mothers just silently wept. They passed a line of bodies, their loved ones weeping over them.
Melia touched her forefinger and middle finger to her lips and then to her forehead. She extended her arm slightly forward so that her fingers pointed to the sky.
"Hamin ne in hanin." She said quietly, Thackery's face turned grey when she spoke the language of the People.
"You can say that again…" Eshne said.
They were then led to the Redcliffe Chantry. Thackery and Nicolai had the animals stay outside.
Inside, all of the pews had been pushed away so that the survivors could congregate. The wardens could feels the stares upon them, a hush falling over some of the villagers. They were taken to the center of the Chantry, where a man in veridium armor was delving out orders to a few of the villagers.
"Woah…" Eshne whispered.
"What is wrong?" Nani asked her, waiting for the man to finish speaking.
"He's...really…" Eshne stopped talking.
Nani looked at her, realizing Eshne was staring at the man in armor. He finished speaking with the others, turning to the man that led the wardens into the Chantry.
"It's Tomas, yes?" He asked.
"Yes, Bann Teagan. Thank you." Tomas said.
"And who are these people?" Bann Teagan looked over the group, "They are clearly no simple travellers." He glanced over at Eshne, who was still doe-eyed. Nani gave her a light nudge.
"No, my Lord," Tomas said, "They've only just arrived, and I thought you would want to see them."
"I thank you, Tomas," Teagan said, turning to the others, "Greetings, friends, I am Teagan, Bann of Rainesfere, brother to the Arl."
Alistair stepped to the front next to Melia, "I remember you, Bann Teagan. Though I think the last time we met I was a lot younger, and covered in mud…"
"Covered in…" Teagan thought, "Alistair?" He held out his arms, "You're alive! Oh, this is wonderful news!"
"Not for long if Teryn Loghain has anything to say about it." Alistair said.
"I'm inclined to agree, Loghain would have us all believe that the Grey Wardens died along with my nephew...among other things." Teagan said.
"Then you do not believe in what Loghain says?" Melia asked.
Teagan scoffed, "That he pulled his men in order to save them? That Cailan was foolish and did everything in the name of glory? Hardly." Teagan shook his head, "Loghain calls the Grey Wardens murderers and traitors. It is an act of a desperate man."
"Well it's good to see not everyone thinks we killed the king." Eshne said.
"You are Grey Wardens as well?" Teagan asked, his eyes searching over the others.
"At your service," Eshne said, "And not just for fighting. Unless that suits you." She gave a devilish smirk.
Melia sighed.
"Well," Teagan said, "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I wish it were under better circumstances." He sighed, "You are here to see my brother I imagine? Unfortunately, that is a problem, as Eamon is gravely ill. No one has heard from the castle in days. I haven't seen any guards posted on the walls, no one has responded to my shouts...the attacks themselves started a few nights ago. It is hard to say exactly what they are, but they are evil. They surged from the castle. We have tried to drive them back as best as we could, but I am afraid many have perished." He was clearly upset, Nani held Eshne back from trying to comfort him.
"What exactly are these creatures?" Melia asked..
Teagan shrugged, "Some have taken to calling them the walking dead. Decomposing corpses that hunger for flesh...they hit again the next night, their numbers even greater. With Cailan now dead, and Loghain starting a war, no one had answered my calls for help…"
"Then we will help." Melia said.
She could hear Morrigan scoff behind her.
"I thank you, thank you so much. This means more to me than you know." He sighed with relief, "Tomas, tell Murdock what has transpired, then return to your post."
"Yes, Bann Teagan." Tomas hurried away.
"There is much to do before nightfall," Teagan said, "I have put two men in charge of defense. Murdock is the village mayor, he should just be outside. And Ser Perth is up at the mill watching the castle."
"Very well," Melia said, she turned to her group, "This is what we will do. Thackery and Nicolai I need you to get a good look at the village. Coordinate with Leliana and Morrigan for vantage points and any spaces we can set up barricades. I need Leliana and Morrigan to go around the village looking for anything we can use for said barricades. Sten-"
"I see no use in this." Sten frowned.
"Yes, well I do not care," Melia said pointedly, "Sten, Nennet, and Nani, speak with anyone who is able to join the fight. I am sure the Mayor has a few people in mind. Esh-" Melia looked next to her, seeing that Eshne had gone. She turned around to see Eshne talking to Bann Teagan.
"Alright," Melia gritted her teeth, "Nennet, Nani, and Sten, go on ahead. Try not to scare any children to death."
"No promises." Nennet raised her brow, turning to leave.
"Oh she's good." Leliana said suddenly, looking at Eshne.
They all watched Eshne tuck her hair behind her ear, making Bann Teagan start to blush.
"The way she's pursing her lips, very seductive. And they say mages live like they're in a cloister." Leliana said, making Nani burst out in laughter.
"I hate this," Alistair said, "I really really hate this…"
Melia just sighed and watched Eshne, crossing her arms.
"No, no, I've never had the pleasure...though I would be lucky to find a woman as lovely as yourself." Teagan said.
Eshne gave a coy laugh, "Flatterer."
"She certainly has a talent for manipulation. I would know." Morrigan raised her brow, grinning when Alistair scrunched his nose and watched his uncle.
"If I may be so bold," Teagan began, "What of you, my Lady? Are you married?"
"Why no, no I am not. Mages don't typically marry." Eshne batted her eyes, her scarlet lips turning up into a coquettish smile.
"Surely that is a crime somewhere. And I am told that mages can in fact marry." Teagan said, raising his brow and smirking.
"They can...if a man is brave enough."
"I can think of many reasons why one would be willing to be so brave."
Alistair groaned, "Why can't she leave him alone?"
Melia sent the others away, Thackery seemed loathe to leave her but at Melia's insistence he went with Nicolai.
"But I am too bold, my Lady," Teagan said, "I forget myself. This is hardly the time for such...banter. Please accept my humble apology."
Eshne pushed her hair back again, "If I may say so, my Lord...you are not being bold enough."
"Then you are too kind...among other things."
"I'm going to vomit." Alistair said.
Melia cleared her throat, catching Eshne's attention.
"Right," Eshne pouted, "I look forward to speaking to you later, my Lord."
"As do I, my Lady."
Eshne walked towards the others, a large grin on her face.
"Eshne, that's my uncle." Alistair said as they walked to the Chantry entrance.
"Not by blood, my friend." Eshne said.
Once they were outside, Melia turned to Eshne and Alistair.
"Eshne, I was going to tell you to go ahead and join Nani but I think it's best if you stay with us for now." She turned away and walked towards the center of town.
"But I...wanted." Alistair frowned, he looked at Eshne, "This is your fault."
"My fault, my dear, whatever do you mean?" She put her hand to her chest.
"You started flirting with Bann Teagan." Alistair shuddered.
"I can flirt with whoever I want to," Eshne said, walking down the steps of the Chantry, "I'm my own woman."
Alistair sighed, "Yes you are. Just leave my Uncle out of it."
Eshne tsked, "You keep saying that like you're blood related...oh wait, you're not. Talking about a man you haven't seen in years…"
"It's still very strange." Alistair said.
They both walked past the village militia, training with dummies to prepare for the oncoming night.
"You know you can say that all you want," Eshne started, hitting Alistair's leg with the butt of her staff, "But you have this weird thing for Melia, and she's basically my sister."
"Not by blood…" Alistair said quickly.
"Ha!" Eshne stopped and pointed at him, "It's not so fun when it's turned onto you now is it?"
"Maker help me." Alistair groaned.
"But she is related to Thackery, I'd watch myself. He's a wily one. Could slide a dagger over your throat in the dead of night. No one would hear your screams."
Alistair paused, "You really think he would?"
Eshne just cackled, following behind Melia.
Sten loomed behind Nani and Nennet as they stood in front of Dwyns door. The dwarf hadn't answered Nennet's knocking and Nani was becoming impatient.
"We can't just stand around all day waiting for him to answer." Nani tapped her foot.
"It seems the little man is loathe to see visitors." Sten growled.
"We'll see about that." Nani huffed.
She moved Nennet away from the door, and with a swift kick broke the lock. The feeble door swung open, two armed men and a dwarf sat not too far from the entrance.
Nani barged in, "Stand up, you fuck."
Dwynn furrowed his brow, "I'll get you for trespassing, and you'll pay for my door."
Nennet sauntered in, "Good, ser, we're merely here on behalf of the Mayor-"
"I told that nug humper I ain't fighting for the damn village." Dwyn glared at them, his hand going to the hilt of his sword when he saw Sten.
"Surely you see the benefit in protecting your home?" Nennet said pointedly.
"That's what the door was for until your bitch kicked it down."
"I don't hear that well but I know when someone calls me bitch." Nani started to lunge forward, but Nennet held her back.
"What's it gonna take to have you join the fight?" Nennet asked, flipping her hair and running her finger between her breasts, "A little encouragement perhaps?"
"Batting your eyes won't work on me, elf." Dwyn soured.
Nennet immediately frowned, "Fine. I'll put in a good word with the Bann and you get to be made a perfect little hero."
"Little?"
"You heard what I said."
Dwyn thought for a moment, "The recommendation?"
"It'll glow brighter than a freshly shaved whores ass." Nennet glared at him.
Dwyn furrowed his brow and stared at Nennet a little longer. Finally he sighed.
"I better see all of you out there too." He told her.
"I'm glad we had this chat." Nennet smiled, then turned away.
Sten and Nani followed behind.
Thackery climbed down from the roof of the blacksmith. Nicolai and Henley watched him make his final jump with a slight grin that quickly disappeared.
"Villagers said they come from the water as well," Thackery said, "We should set up a defense past the walkway, then another just after the blacksmith."
"Given we have enough leftover from what Leliana suggested we put up by the mill." Nicolai said, "Now of course we have the oil that Morrigan found. Fire always helps."
Thackery pet Argo while deep in thought, "This is going to be near impossible."
"It can be done." Nicolai assured him, "The village still has able fighters."
Thackery raised his brow, "I'm curious to see your version of an abled fighter."
"You doubt my abilities?"
Thackery sighed, "Don't treat me like an idiot. The others might not see it, but I saw how you worked those daggers at Ostagar. You may be large and intimidating, but you fumble with your blades."
Nicolai was suddenly self conscious, looking down at the daggers sheathed at his side. He glanced back up at Thackery, who was absently petting his wolf. Thackery didn't look at Nicolai when he spoke.
"You're tall so it's natural that you aim too high. A dagger isn't a sword, you see Alistair aiming down, making up for his height. But you prefer daggers, it's best to glide forward. You need to work on the way you bend your legs if you want to keep using those rusty things." He explained.
Nicolai remained silent, looking on at the lake. He felt hot tears streaming down his face, and exhaled haggardly.
"All my life I've used my fists and my rage to keep my family from going hungry. Nennet doesn't know, but I met a blood mage hiding from the templars. He sought refuge in the alienage. Told me how I could harness my own life force to fight my enemies. My aunt was murdered not too long after, I hadn't picked up a blade since that day...at least until I…" He paused, biting his cheek out of self loathing, "I killed a lot of people."
He felt Thackery standing next to him, a gentle hand on his scarred arm.
"I've dealt with a man like you once," Thackery explained, "He hurt my family beyond comprehension. Melia is still not the same." He kept his anger at bay, "But I know you're a good person, Nicolai. What the demons want you to be is not who you truly are."
Nicolai looked down at Thackery, "Sometimes I wish they had just taken me that day."
"Let me help you."
Nicolai felt the air leave his body, "You'd do that?"
"Of course," Thackery said, "It's not easy growing up knowing you're different in some way. It's not easy being different in the first place." He stopped himself, "We can get a few hours in before sunset, yeah?" Then he added, "I won't say anything. Not even to Mel."
Nicolai gave a slow nod.
"Thank you." He said quietly.
Thackery didn't respond. Instead he patted Nicolai on the arm, and looked back out on the lake.
It was late in the evening before everyone met back up in the Chantry. Morrigan was looking particularly sour, especially at one of the Chantry mothers who tried to bless her.
Alistair and Melia were the last to arrive, meeting up with the others.
"I still can't believe you kicked down his door…" Nennet said to Nani.
"Wait, Nani did something really awesome and I missed it?" Eshne frowned, "I feel cheated."
"We were just going around the village, persuading a few people to help with the defenses is all," Nani said shortly.
"We're here to help, not frighten." Melia sighed, sitting down and rubbing her temples.
Nennet went over the defenses with Melia, "Morrigan found some barrels of oil, I think we can use them to light these fuckers and send them back to whatever fresh Hell they came from. And Eshne and I passed around some Chantry amulets to the soldiers for morale."
"Good," Melia said, "The blacksmith is repairing weapons now, so all we really need to do now is wait for nightfall."
"Nice speech, Mel." Eshne said, patting Melia's shoulder before scurrying off to find Bann Teagan.
"She's really…" Alistair started, "Oh, forget it. It's no use with her."
Melia just chuckled. She saw Henley playing with a few of the village children. Melia felt a lump in her throat. She walked over, a few of the children looked up at her with wide and curious eyes.
A little girl tugged at Melia's armor, signalling for Melia to lean in. She whispered in her ear.
"Your tattoos are pretty." The little girl said.
"Why thank you," Melia smiled, "The Dalish are very proud of them."
"Do the Dalish tell stories?" One young man asked.
"Yes, many." Melia answered.
Eshne popped up behind Melia, "Do tell us a story, oh elven goddess of beauty." She sat down with the kids, her legs crossed. She started to chant, "Stories, stories." The children followed suit.
Melia was flustered, "I am not a Hahren…" She looked to Leliana for help, but she was talking with a few of the mothers, "Fenedhis."
"Don't be such a fuddy duddy," Eshne started, making the kids laugh, "I think these sweet cherubs deserve a story."
Melia sighed, "Alright." She hated when Eshne made good points, "There is one I may know…"
"Speak up, darling." Nani said, coming in behind Eshne.
Melia sighed a little louder.
She sat down on a chair, the children crowding around her. They beamed with anticipation.
"When I was younger, and quite foolish, my mammae would always tell me this story. And it is the tale of the antlered hare.." Melia readied herself, "Once, there was a hare born with the antlers of a halla. He grew up extremely proud and full of himself. All of the other hares grew a distaste for his narcissism. And one day," Melia held up her finger, "A hissing snake was slithering by. She paused her slither to watch the hare speak so highly of himself and his beautiful antlers. Disgusted, she cried, 'Thossse pretty thingsss will be your undoing massster hare.'" Melia imitated the snake.
"The hare merely scoffed, ignoring the prophetic serpent," Melia said, then she lowered her voice to imitate the hare, "'Oh, but how, madame?" The hare spoke proudly, 'My antlers are my pride and joy and have done nothing but bring me absolute joy.'" Melia hunkered down and spoke lowly as she imitated the snake once more, "'Jusssst you sssee.'"
The children gasped, Eshne's eyes widened. Melia continued.
"The hare looked up at the snake, and she said," Melia lowered her voice and furrowed her brow, "'Is that so?'"
Whether out of the sheer enjoyment of seeing Melia's face contort, or the story itself, the children started to laugh.
Melia couldn't help but smile, not realizing the crowd she drew in.
"The snake slithered away, growing contempt for the prideful hare. Her friend the halla doe inquired as to the reason her dear serpent was so upset. Upon hearing of the hare, the doe became saddened. So she thought of a plan."
"Upon the next morning, the doe feigned an illness. Creatures had come upon her all day, until at last the antlered hare had passed her way. 'Dear, ser,' she said, 'Help a sick old doe.' But the hare just scoffed, 'And risk ruining my beautiful antlers, I think not.' His behavior had angered the doe greatly. The serpent, who was hiding in the shadows suddenly came out, laughing at the hare. Now the hare did not know this, but the doe had transformed herself into the beautiful goddess Ghilan'nain. The goddess looked upon the hare and said, 'Many creatures came upon my path today, and all of them were granted splendid wishes. But for you, ser hare, I have come to take your pride.'"
"And with that, the goddess plucked the antlers from his head, and bestowed them upon her most beloved halla. The hare, saddened and humiliated, crawled back to his burrow. And from that day on, the hare has always stopped upon the road, aiding any sickly creature that they can."
One of the Chantry mothers came over after Melia had finished her tale.
"Thank you for the moment of levity Warden." She said.
Melia gave a curt nod, "And now I'm afraid I have other matters to see to."
The children begged for her to stay, but Melia removed herself from the group. Alistair walked alongside her as they met with Bann Teagan.
"Warden Tabris has informed me that Ser Perth and his men brought the stores of oil up the hill. And Murdock tells me she managed to persuade Lloyd to join our cause." Teagan began, "She also tells me Loghain had a spy in our midst, thought no harm was done he will be fighting with us tonight."
"Is that truly wise?" Alistair asked.
"We need all the able bodies we can get." Teagan explained, pulling out a map of Redcliffe.
"Thackery and Nicolai are with the rest of the militia preparing for the battle. I have sent Sten and Morrigan to help with the defenses on the water." Melia told the Bann, "And your man Dwyn will be joining us in the center of town." She then pointed to the hill, "It would be best to keep Ser Perth and his soldiers up here, an archer can light the oil. For as long as it lasts it should be a good first defense."
"I will place one mage in the three different sections. Na'Nalia will be situated near the Chantry, she is an excellent healer and the villagers will need it more than us. Morrigan will stay by the water and keep back any that try and get past the small bridge. I will place Eshne with Ser Perth, her defensive spells are certainly unmatched."
"Lady Surana will deal with the brunt of the attack. Who else will be there?" Teagan questioned, his brow creasing slightly.
"I will be at the front, and should he like Alistair can join us." Melia suggested.
"I'll be wherever you need me." Alistair told her.
Melia cleared her throat, then pointed to the crudely drawn lines where the barricades in the center of town will be.
"I will place Nicolai on the furthest point with a few of your swordsmen. I would like the archers with Leliana towards the back, she is an excellent shot and the archers would be better served from a higher point. Should the needs arise Thackery and I can pick up a bow, but for now we will place them two per accessible roof. Thackery will be closer to the homes with Nennet and I will place Nani between them. That should give your militia the help they require should the need arise."
Teagan seemed impressed, "You've an eye for strategem, Lady Mahariel."
"Let us just hope this wins us the night." Melia rubbed the back of her neck, "There are not many of us, Bann Teagan, but we will do what we can."
"It is more than appreciated I can assure you." Teagan said.
The three of them moved away from the map.
Melia went over to explain the strategies with Nennet, who went back out into town to tell her cousin and Thackery.
Eshne and Nani pulled Melia aside.
"I know they'll be hitting the mill first, and I'll do what I can. But Nani is the only one who knows how to help my lungs should the need arise." Eshne warned Melia.
"It would be best to stay together." Nani said.
"We are stretched thin as it is, I need a mage at each vantage point." Melia explained.
Eshne and Nani exchanged looks, but said nothing.
"As you wish, Mel." Eshne said, turning to leave the Chantry.
"I will keep an eye on her. Both Alistair and I will be at the top of the hill." Melia told Nani.
"If this kills her," Nani said to Melia, "You're the one I'm coming after." Her lip curled up in a snarl.
Melia only sighed, looking at Nani with glassed over eyes.
"I know."