Aedan found Alistar in the main hall at the palace. From afar, Alistar appeared nervous and was tapping his foot. Aedan hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear what Alistar had to say
" Alistar. You asked for me?" Aedan asked tentatively
Alistar looked up and his expression relaxed a bit.
" I have some good news. The Grey Warden commander from Orlais has finally arrived."
" Oh? 6 months after the blight and they arrive," Aedan said surprisingly, " I thought they were all dead or something."
"Not quite, the commander actually brought a dozen wardens with him. Not a bad thing since they can help rebuild the cities and keep the peace around here.." Alistar stated.
" Right but theres a problem isn't there?" Aedan asked Alistar
" Yes how did you know?" Alistar asked curiously
" I know you well enough know when you want to tell me about a problem."
Alistar laughed at the comment but quickly continued " Well it isn't exactly a problem but it might cause some trouble."
" Well what is it?"
Alistar let out a deep breath before continuing
"Oh in the name of the Maker. Don't you remember anything? One Grey Warden had to die when we killed the Archdemon. We obviously didn't die."
"Oh! That." Aedan replied, " Right, well can't we just lie to them?"
" Lie to him?! He's probably suspicious already. What if he finds the truth. We need to tell him about Morrigan" Alistar exclaimed
"No" Aedan yelled, " We don't tell him anything. He does not need to know anything. We'll just tell him we didn't know what happened."
" Why are you still protecting her?" Alistar protested, " We have no idea what she's planning with the baby. For all we know, she may use this Old God Baby for some evil deed."
" I love her" Aedan simply responded, " And I know she won't do anything bad with it."
Alistar sighed. He did not know what to say anymore. Finally giving in he said
" Fine my friend. We will do as you say."
" Thank you friend." Aedan quietly replied
Alistar shook his head. "You're my best friend Aedan but I really hope what you say about Morrigan is true. Anyhow, it is best not to keep our commander waiting. Let us go see him"
Aedan and Alistar found the Grey Warden Commander in the dining hall. Aedan was feeling anxious. What could the Grey Warden commander possibly want. He should have returned to Oralis when he heard the archdemon was defeated.
As they neared him, they saw the Commander was not alone, beside him sat 6 other Grey Wardens. 2 elves, 4 humans and 1 dwarf.
"Commander," Alistar called out
" Ah, King Alistar" the Commander replied, " You are here and please call me Heno. And here is the Hero of Ferelden. Aedan it is good to finally meet you."
"It is a pleasure Commander." Aedan quickly replied
"No need to be so formal, just call me by my name and please sit down. These are my comrades." The commander pointed out
"As you wish"
" Well its great you are finally here." Heno announced, "We have much to discuss."
"Are their good news? Or is most of it bad news" Alistar asked
Heno smiled and let out a deep breath, "I'm sure you both know the darkspawn did not retreat after the Archdemon's defeat. In fact, they have formed warbands across different areas, still terrorizing local villages and cities."
" Yes we have heard," Aedan said " This is indeed strange, I thought the darkspawn always retreated back to the deep roads when they have no leader."
" It is a problem indeed and one I do not have an answer for. These darkspawn warbands are hiding in remote parts of the region and we know you cannot afford to send any men to deal with them but we cannot leave them be or I fear they will grow in numbers and pose a threat to major cities." Heno said
" What do you suggest we do?" Alistar asked
" We need to replenish our numbers in Ferelden. Currently, there are only two. You and Aedan. And we know you, Alistar cannot leave the capital as you are now king so technically that leaves only one grey warden that can operate."
Alistar nodded, "Well we were planning to rebuild the wardens after we fixed up the cities."
" Waiting any more would not be wise." Heno replied, "We need to rebuild the wardens so we have a chance to defend the cities in the case of an attack."
" A few wardens in a city won't be able to defend against a darkspawn warband." Aedan said slowly,
" Yes, for sure they wont be able to defeat a whole warband but they can sense the darkspawn giving villagers more time to flee. Plus, you need as many men you can get. "
Aedan nodded his head agreeing with Heno's logic " So how do you propose we do this?"
" I heard Amaranthine was given to the Grey Warden's to rebuild, why not start there. Start building a fortress we can use as our base camp and recruiting any locals that are fit for the role." Heno said.
" Alight, sounds good." Alistar said slowly, "But who will do the rebuilding?"
" Aedan." Heno said "Are you up for the job? It is only fit that the hero of Ferelden lead the way."
" Me!" Aedan replied surprised
I can't do it he thought. I'm leaving in a day. I have to find Morrigan. Last I heard she was heading West not North. Going there won't get me any nearer to her. But he knew can't reject the commander, telling him he looking for an apostate who might have a child with the essence of an old god child would not be wise
"Aedan? Are you alright?" Heno asked curiously
Aedan looked towards Alistar hoping his friend could bail him out but he could see his friend did not know what to do
" I will do it." Aedan said in his most convincing tone
" Great. Then it is set. Aedan you will be the new Grey Warden commander in Ferelden. I need to return to Oralis to take care of some business so I will be leaving tomorrow. However before I leave I also need you to do something. Aedan I would like you to accept these two new recruits." Heno said, " These two just finished the joining before we departed, they are able fighters and one is a healer. Here is Jacen, a mage and the other is a warrior, Talicia. I'll leave you guys to get acquainted. But before I leave, Alistar I would like to discuss something with you in private."
Alistar looked at his friend and tried to cheer him up by giving him a small smile but Aedan was lost in his own thoughts oblivious to his surroundings. Alistar let out a deep breath and followed Heno into the other room.
Aedan couldn't believe this is happening. Everything was set before this Heno arrived. Damn Him. The longer he waits the slimmer the chance of ever finding Morrigan.
" Commander?" a feminine voice asked
Aedan looked up, he could see that everyone left the dining hall except for the 2 new recruits and him. He saw the new recruits for the first time. The man, was a young fellow with dark brown hair. He was also tall with a small frame and had a small scar across the right side of his cheek. He didn't look too comfortable being there. The girl on the other hand, Aedan was surprised, she was very beautiful. She had long blonde hair, an oval face and perfect skin. Her face was comfortable to look at but you could also see underneath that pretty face she is a determined person.
" Commander do you wish to speak with us or should we return to our chambers?" she asked again
" What is your name and tell me about yourself first?" Aedan asked pointing at the boy
The boy appeared nervous but he gathered himself and replied "My name is Jacen, I am from the Circle of Magi in Oralis."
Aedan nodded and turned to the girl " And you?"
" My name is Talicia, I come from one of the noble families in Oralis." She replied confidently
"So what can you do? Weapons of choice? Can either of you cook?" Aedan asked
"I'm a warrior commander. I specialize in shield and sword. I have been taught by some of the best instructors in Oralis."
" But you can't cook?"
Talicia hesitated before answering, "No sir. I do not know how to cook."
"That's too bad." Aedan said, "What about you Jacen? "
" I can cook sir. I also specialize in healing and primal skills." Jacen replied
Aedan chuckled remembering the conversation he and Morrigan had when they left Flemeth's hut and whispered to himself, "Looks like all magic users know how to cook."
"I'm sorry commander?" Talicia asked curiously, "What did you say?"
" Nothing , just some old memories. Okay I want you both to go get your things ready. We are leaving tomorrow as soon as there is first light. Don't be late and don't bring too many things. We want to move fast. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" both recruits replied
"Oh and one more thing, No need to be so formal, just call me Aedan."
Both recruits nodded
" Alright go ahead then return to your chambers or go gather whatever materials you need for your journey." Aedan said
With that, both recruits left the dining hall. Now Aedan was alone. He didn't know what to think right now. He was mad and frustrated. He's been delayed long enough. Why couldn't Commander Heno do it or one of his more senior ranking Grey Wardens do it. Aedan thought to himself. He let out a deep breath. He knew he wasn't going to like this journey.
The man woke up and saw the face of his beloved. He was a very happy man. He and his wife had a son a few months ago and his crops were growing fabulously. Maybe I can add another floor to the house he thought to himself. He got up and changed into his working clothes and silently walked out of the bedroom so as to not awake his child or his wife. He was walking to his farm shed when he heard screaming and metal clashing on metal. He turned around and looked at the western edges of the town.
The town was in flames and he could see a large number of people were running towards him.
"What is going on?" he asked a man
"The darkspawn are attacking." He replied and he coutinued running
"Darkspawn!" he said to himself
He quickly turned around and ran as quickly as he could to his home.
Even before he was at the door he was already yelling his wife's name.
" Lily! Lily! Wake up."
He saw his wife open the door
"Lily get the kid and pack his things we have to go."
The farmers wife was still groggy have woken up, " What is going on?"
" The darkspawn are attacking we have to get out of here." The farmer ran into the house grabbing some food, water and some money and placed it into a bag."
Hearing the word darkspawn the wife quickly ran back into the bedroom to get the baby.
The farmer looked around seeing if he missed anything. He turned and saw his families sword hung above the fireplace. He walked towards it and pulled it out of its casing. He knew he would probably need it for the upcoming journey.
His wife ran into the main living room, "I am ready."
The farmer nodded and ordered, " Go to the horses."
Both the farmer and his wife ran as fast as they could to their steeds but everytime the farmer looked behind him he could see the darkspawn were drawing nearer. He could make other citizens being slaughtered. He told his wife not to look back.
They finally arrived at the shed and he quickly opened up the door. He gasped. There was only one horse left all the other were gone.
" What is the matter?" His wife asked behind him
"Nothing," The farmer replied trying to keep his voice steady, " Stay out here while I bring the horse out."
There was no way all three of them could ride one horse, it would only slow them down and cost the life of his entire family. He certainly wasn't going to let his son die at the hands of Darkspawn.
He led the horse out of the shed and told his wife to get on.
"Where is your horse?" his wife asked
"There is none left" He simply replied
"What?" his wife said
The farmer looked at his wife and tried to hold back his tears but he could not as a single tear slowly slid down on the left side of his cheek
His wife was crying at a loss of words and his son was crying
He looked at his son one last time and smiled. He was a handsome fellow. It was too bad he would not see him grow up
"Goodbye son. Protect your mother."
He then looked at his wife
" Go to Vigil's Keep. You will be safe there."
His wife nodded
"We will see each other again Lily. Trust me" The farmer said
Then he slapped the horse's behind
The last time Lily saw his husband was when he raised his sword charging towards the burning city