"Wherever you will go,
I will let you down,
But this lullaby goes on."
― Sarah Dessen , This Lullaby
The sun began to lower itself just as the last of the defenses were put in place. Thackery watched Leliana and the other archers place themselves on the rooftops. He looked to the growing fire where the training area had once been, Nennet was talking to Murdock and helping him to place the militia all around.
Thackery looked over the faces of the villagers, They were solemn, and it made a pit grow in Thackerys stomach. Nicolai went around trying to rouse morale, and the wardens being here had given them a considerable amount of hope. But there was no relief for the prospect of death.
Nightfall had come, and Thackery kept his eyes on the hill. He knew Melia was up there, and didn't like the idea of being separated so far away.
He noticed Nani walking over to him, her eyes starting to glow in the darkness the further she moved from the fire.
"Eshne is up there," She said pointedly, seemingly uncomfortable with the conversation, "I must ask you to be my ears."
Thackery nodded, "If you'll be my eyes."
Nani perked her head up at the request, but said nothing more. Instead she looked up at the mill, waiting.
A hush fell over the village.
Dissonant whispers settled in like a fog, and seeping from the castle was an eerie mist. Thackery judged from the reactions of the militia that this was the coming of their enemy.
Thackery's ears pricked up when he heard the chirping of a pine finch. He nudged Nani.
"Mel just gave the signal."
Nani grasped her staff in both hands, an unnatural calm washing over her face. She looked over at Nennet and nodded.
Nennet signaled for the men to ready their arms and for the archers to nock their arrows.
When the mist reached the top of the hill, a great blaze built up in the pass. All at once the clamoring of sword against armor was heard by way of the lake. Thackery heard the hard swish of arrows through the air. He tapped Nani on the arm again.
"They're by the water, ready your spells." He said, receiving a curt nod.
Nanis amber eyes frosted over, the ground under her feet cracked like ice. Thackery could see Nanis breath in the air, and began to back away.
Despite the efforts at the water's edge, a few of the undead creatures made their way past the defenses. Any that were seen Nani had immediately frozen, the bodies being broke by a slew of arrows and blades.
Thackery felt a glimmer of hope when the monsters had been taken down so easily.
He knew he shouldn't have trusted that feeling when he heard Nicolai calling for soldiers to move forward to the right side of the Chantry. Undead had been seeping in from the backside of the Chantry and the waterfront on the eastern side of the village.
The east militia had started to be overrun, Thackery threw himself into the fray to keep the monsters away from Nicolai enough to give him a chance to recover himself.
Thackery lunged at the monsters, striking each one with deadly precision. Argo wasn't too far behind, tearing apart one of the creatures Thackery hadn't seen in time.
Both Thackery and Nicolai along with a few villagers fought the undead, but the waves kept coming.
"Is there no end to their devilry?" One of the villagers cried.
Thackery looked back to see Nani and Nennet trying their best to fight the oncoming wave from the northern barricades. Sten and Morrigan were beaten back, only three of the villagers had crawled away from the onslaught.
He found Bann Teagan fighting not too far from them and called to him.
"Signal the retreat to the fire!" Thackery cried.
Teagan threw down the creature that had been impaled on his sword. He staggered backwards and blew on a cracked war horn.
Nicolai pulled Thackery away before one of the monsters thrust it's blade into his stomach.
Those who could made their way behind the last line of barricades surrounding the bonfire. Nani and Nennet stumbled in towards them. Nani was covered in sweat, her face pale with exhaustion.
"I don't know how much more I can muster for my spells," Nani said, "There's just too many."
"They've taken the northern side completely, we thought the brunt of the attack was going to be on the hill," Nennet cried over the sounds of battle, "I don't know how much more we can take."
"We can't let them take the Chantry!" Nicolai yelled, he pulled up a few of the militiamen off the ground, "You will defend this ground until you draw your last breath, and we shall stand with you." He poised his daggers.
The glint of the silver dagger in the firelight caught Thackery's eye. What he had once mistaken for rust was dried blood. A rush of panic fell over him.
Thackery knew what Nicolai was prepared to do. He reached out his hand to stop him, paying no heed to the monsters that neared.
As he did, a rush of wind whipped past them. Melia had thrown herself at the creature coming for Thackery, twisting the decomposing head from its body.
Reinforcements from the pass had made their way down the hill, and helped to fight back the next wave of undead.
Eshne ran down to be next to Nani, out of breath but still shooting fire from her staff to give her sister a reprieve.
The added morale gave the villagers to extra push they needed to take back the eastern part of the village.
Alistair joined his uncle and the rest of the swordsmen to beat back the northern wave. With recovered strength both Nani and Eshne joined the effort and cast whatever elements they could summon. The relief gave Nicolai and Melia time to pull away the wounded back towards the Chantry. The mist had finally begun to dissipate.
What had been hours of endless fighting had suddenly gone silent.
Melia and Nicolai came down slowly from the steps of the Chantry. Nicolai couldn't even hear his own breath. The whole village fell under a long spell of white noise.
Nicolai looked up at the pink skies, dawn had finally come.
Melia felt tears running down her face, her split lip throbbing in pain. She walked down to Thackery and wrapped him in a hug.
An uproar of victory suddenly swept through the village. Those left standing threw their arms up in triumph. Emotions were rampant, and the villagers had lived to see the sun rise.
The soft light of morning had just settled in when the wardens met Teagan atop the hill. They had just finished reading the rites of the dead, and commending those who lost their lives in the defense of the village.
Teagan seemed haggard and weary, dark circles under his eyes giving away his severe lack of sleep.
"Where is the rest of your quarry?" he asked the wardens as they approached.
"Aiding the village with the wounded and dead." Alistair answered, "We shouldn't waste any time."
"Yes," Teagan agreed, "We've made enough of an effort during the night to make an advancement to the castle…" He momentarily paused, trying not to have a noticeable reaction when he saw Eshne's bruised face, her right arm torn past the robes and bleeding.
He looked back at the castle, "It all seems so quiet now. As if nothing had even happened." He shook his head, "I mustn't delay further. I intended to enter the castle after the village was secure. You must know that through the mill there is a passage only accessible to my family. It leads right into the castle."
"You didn't think this to be pertinent information for us?" Nennet asked, the wound in her side threatening to split back open past the stitches.
"I could not leave those people to such a fate. I had to do something." Teagan said.
"One can hardly fault your actions, Bann Teagan." Melia told him, "But now we must do what we can to reach the Arl."
"Yes we-" Teagan paused, his face turning grey as he lifted his finger to point to the road leading to the castle, "Maker's breath."
The wardens turned to see a woman dressed in ragged finery racing towards them, escorted by one armed guard trailing behind her. Nennet touched the hilt of her rapier, standing at the front with Melia and Teagan.
"Isolde?" Teagan asked.
"Teagan! Thank the Maker you yet live." Isolde cried, her accent heavily Orlesian.
Melia felt her stomach turn when the woman spoke.
"I don't have much time," Isolde told Teagan, "I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw the battle was over. I really must return quickly." She looked down, "But I must ask you to return with me, Teagan. Alone."
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" Nennet asked, her hand grasping her rapier.
"How dare you-" Isolde began.
The guard noticed Nennet's hand and began to draw his sword. Melia had her dagger to his throat before he could fully unsheathe his blade.
Nicolai stepped in, "That's enough. Nennet, stay your weapon so that Lady Mahariel does not cleave off this mans head. Tensions are high, it's been a long night. We don't need anymore bloodshed."
Nennet scoffed, but did as Nicolai bade her. In turn Melia backed away, standing protectively in front of the others.
Isolde curled her lip, "Who are these people, Teagan? Violent kni-"
"I dare you to finish that sentence…" Nennet started.
"These Grey Wardens just saved your people, Isolde. A little respect is in order." Teagan quickly said.
Alistair stepped forward, "You remember me, Lady Isolde, don't you?"
"Alistair?" Isolde reeled back, "Of all-what are you doing here?" She said disgustedly.
Melia felt her temper rising. Thackery placed a hand on her shoulder to steel her emotions.
"We owe them a debt of gratitude, Isolde." Teagan explained, "In fact, I owe them my life."
Isolde changed her tune, "Pardon me for not exchanging pleasantries. I'm sure you understand that these are unusual circumstances."
"We had no idea anyone in the castle was left alive," Alistair said, "We must have some answers."
"I do not know what is safe to tell," Isolde came up to Teagan, "Please I do not have much time. There is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead awake at night and hunt the living." Then she added, "The mage responsible was apprehended, but still they persist. I think...I think Connor is going mad. We have survived much but he won't leave the castle. He has seen so much death." She began to weep, "You are his uncle. I need you to reason with him!"
"Then why must the Bann go alone?" Eshne asked, holding back any venomous words she wanted to throw at the Arlessa.
Isolde waved her off, "That's a rather impertinent question."
Nicolai cut off what Eshne was about to say.
"You mentioned a mage?"
Isolde nodded, "He was discovered poisoning my husband. That is why my poor Eamon fell ill."
"Eamon was poisoned?" Teagan asked, wide eyed.
"He claims an agent of Teryn Loghain sent him to spy on our family. He may be lying, but I cannot know for sure."
"Is the Arl still alive?" Alistair asked quickly.
"For now," Isolde held her hands up to her breasts, "I cannot say why but whatever the mage unleashed has allowed for Eamon, Connor, and I to live. The others were not so fortunate…after the took the castle they struck the village." She turned back to Teagan, "I beg of you please come with me."
Teagan sighed, "I will go with you. But first I must speak with the Wardens."
Isolde cried with relief, "I will wait for you by the bridge, but please hurry." She raced back up the hill with her guard.
"Are you sure this is wise, Bann Teagan?" Eshne asked.
"I have no illusions of going in alone." Teagan said, removing the ring from his finger and handing it to Nennet, "This will open the passage through the mill. You'll come up through the dungeons. I will stall for as long as I can, hopefully it will increase your chances of slipping in quietly. I will station Ser Perth and his men by the castle gates, once you reach the courtyard you will be able to let him in."
"We shouldn't waste any time then," Nennet said, motioning for the others to follow.
Eshne held back a little longer, lowering her voice when she spoke to Teagan.
"What of you?" She asked.
"My brother is the priority. " Teagan told her, "If you must, get him out of the castle as quick as you can. Everyone else is expendable."
"I don't believe that," Eshne said quickly, "Even if the others don't, I will save everyone I can. That includes you."
Teagan couldn't help but smile, "The Maker blessed me indeed when he sent you. You are as brave as you are beautiful." He lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss, "But I mustn't delay further, my Lady."
Eshne reluctantly pulled herself away. She told herself to say something comforting, but instead she just watched him walk away. Then she turned away and walked into the windmill.
Eshne and Nani lingered behind the group. Slowly the group moved through the tunnel leading to the castle dungeons. The only signs of life were the mice and insects crawling through the gaps of rock and stone.
Nani slowly helped stitch Eshne's arm when she felt strong enough to use her magic. None of the Wardens had slept since they had made camp in the Hinterlands, and they were all sore and weary.
"You get too attached, you know that?" Nani said quietly, "Barely know a man for a whole day and you're in love with him."
"I never said I was." Eshne frowned.
"You need to be more careful, Eshne." Nani said to her, "Especially now."
"What is that supposed to mean exactly?" Eshne asked bitterly.
Nani turned to her, "A lot of people want to string up any Warden they see. We're elf mages, Eshne. We look the wrong way and someone could kill us. Don't get yourself into something you can't get out of."
Before Eshne could think of a response, the Wardens heard cries for help further down in the dungeons.
Nennet was the first to see armed corpses trying to attack someone hiding in one of the dilapidated cells. She and Melia reached them first and fought them off long enough for Alistair to help finish them off.
"Hello?" A voice nervously called from the cell.
Nennet faced the prisoner, "Are you the mage the arlessa spoke of?"
The mage went to speak but was interrupted by a bloodcurdling screech.
"Jowan!"
Eshne raced to the bars, scratching at the locks in hysterics. The minute he saw Eshne, Jowan started confessing his crime of poisoning the Arl, but he swore that he never caused the rise of the dead.
"Oh Jowan, what did they do to you? You're covered in blood-why-" She fell into a sob, still trying to force the cell door open, "Someone help with this fucking thing!" She screamed.
"Eshne," Jowan said calmly, "You shouldn't."
"Don't tell me that." Eshne shook her head.
"You son of a bitch." Nani came in behind her, she turned to her sister, "Open this door and I'll kill him." When her hands touched the bars the metal began to frost over, she felt rage boiling within her.
"Nani, you wouldn't." Eshne begged, pulling her away from the cell.
"I would and more." Nani gritted her teeth, "The bastard took my hearing from me, Eshne!"
"I'm sorry-" Jowan started.
"Don't you fucking talk to me!" Nani hissed.
Eshne turned to Melia, falling to her knees, "Mel, you have to let him out he doesn't deserve this. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"He just confessed to poisoning Eamon." Alistair said pointedly, "We all heard it."
"That's all I did," Jowan spoke up, "I had nothing to do with everything else. I was already imprisoned when it started. Lady Isolde came with her guards to demand a reversal of what I had done. I thought she meant the poisoning," He sighed, "That was the first I heard about the walking corpses. She thought I had summoned a demon to get back at her family for putting me in this cell."
"She had me...tortured. But nothing I said would appease her. She had them throw me back in here and left me to rot." Jowan said.
Eshne threw herself between the others and the cell.
"She hurt you?" Fresh tears fell from her face.
"I'm sorry, Esh." Jowan shook his head, "I never meant for this. Loghain's men promised me they would forgive me for what I did at the Circle. He told me that Arl Eamon was a threat to Ferelden, I thought I was helping. The arlessa asked me to tutor her son." He then added, "I just wanted to go back home."
"Not that Greagoir would even let you in the tower," Nani snapped, "Redd was on the warpath and if he sees you he'll throw your body in the lake. Fucking blood magic, Jowan. How could you?"
Nicolai shifted uncomfortably, he felt Thackery and Nennet glance at him, but they said nothing.
"Everything's falling apart," Jowan backed away from the cell door, "They're not coming back for me." He wiped away his tears, "I have to make this right."
"The fuck you will!" Nani yelled.
"That's enough!" Melia silenced everyone, then pointed at Jowan, "Why did the arlessa ask you to tutor her son?"
Jowan hesitated, then let out a long sigh.
"Connor began to show signs of...well magical abilities," He admitted, "Lady Isolde asked me to help learn how to hide his abilities. Her fear was the Circle would find out and take him away."
"Connor?" Alistair was in disbelief, "A mage?"
"The Arl had no idea. I was to teach him in secret." Jowan said.
"How much does he know?" Eshne asked.
"Not nearly enough. He had very little knowledge of magic but it's still possible to tear the Veil. I suggested that Connor was the one that summoned the monsters, but...Lady Isolde just had me beat even more."
Every time Jowan mentioned Isolde having Jowan tortured, everyone could feel the room heating up.
Eshnes fists shook with rage, her eyes flashing with anger.
"She had no right." Eshne said shakily, trying to contain herself.
"Her husband was poisoned and her people were attacked." Alistair tried to reason with Eshne, but was met with fury.
"You have no idea what you're talking about-" She started her rant, but Melia quickly stopped her.
"Do not take your anger out on the wrong person, Eshne." Melia said to her, "Step aside."
"The Veil can release a number of atrocities, Melia," Eshne explained, "Jowan knows better and Isolde took advantage of the fact that he's a known mage. She just wanted to protect her sons precious titles. Even the son of an arl can't escape the Circle."
"Lady Isolde is an incredibly religious woman," Alistair said to Melia, "Having a mage son would be...humiliating."
"I see…" Melia said quietly.
"I never meant for this," Jowan pleaded, "I just want to help."
"Knowing you, you'd just run the second we let you out." Nani shot at him, shaking her head and walking away, "I can't believe this is happening."
"Not to mention you're a maleficar." Alistair added.
Eshne scoffed, "You can't be serious. The second the templars get a hold of him they'll make him tranquil. You can't let that happen, Melia, please." She begged, "He can't…"
Melia looked at Jowan, "You are truly trying to atone?"
"Yes." Jowan nodded.
"What will you do should I let you out?"
"Try and save anyone I can, do anything I can…" Jowans eyes glazed over, "I've hurt enough people."
"Jowan, they'll take you to the templars the first chance they get." Eshne said.
"I'm tired of running from the Circle, Eshne," Jowan said, "I have to atone for what I've done."
Eshne looked to Melia in an act of desperation, "Becoming Tranquil is worse than death. Jowan has made his mistakes, as have we all. That's why we're here in the first place."
Melia was silent for a moment, looking back and forth between Eshne and Jowan. She sighed and looked to Thackery, who was hiding in the back with Nicolai.
"Open the door, lethallin."
Thackery solemnly went over and picked the lock, the cell door creaking open.
"Everyone else, we've wasted enough time. Continue into the castle." Melia said quietly.
"You're letting him go?" Alistair asked.
"Who?" Melia asked.
"The blood mage." Alistair furrowed his brow.
Melia looked over at Eshne, who was crying and embracing Jowan.
"I didn't see anyone in that cell. Did you?" Melia asked him.
Alistair bit his inner cheek, but then shook his head.
"Can't say I did." Then he continued up the stony steps away from the dungeons.
Nani radiated a blistering cold as she passed Melia, mumbling about what a bastard she thought Jowan was. But Melia saw Eshne holding Jowans face in her hands.
"I'm so sorry, Jowan." Eshne whispered, "I should have protected you."
"Eshne, this is all my fault. I don't need protecting." He held her hand to his heart, "I love Lily, but I loved you first."
"I love you too, Jowan." Eshne started to cry again, kissing his cheek, "Now run."
Eshne watched him race away back towards the entrance to the mill. She wiped the tears away from the face and swallowed the lump in her throat. She looked up at Melia and gave her a grateful half smile.
"Thank you."
Melia just nodded, "Collect yourself, we're meeting the others upstairs."
Eshne readjusted her robes and fixed her hair quickly.
"Let's go."