Elissa had ordered some guards to the mill to capture the mage, or at least see if he had escaped.
Alistair had been in a foul mood, much as she had expected. He was that way lately, though it likely had to do with mages. Mages it seemed, unnerved him quite a bit. Being a Templar would likely do that, though she too had a healthy respect for them.
She had simply dealt with it all as the problems came. Sending both Alistair and Lyra to the healer and returned back to the arlessa to continue their talk, happy to leave the rest to the captain of the guards.
Alistair had likely forgotten but she certainly hadn't, she had always had a strong sense for order and these were orders in the most direct form. Since the arl was not able then the arlessa would be in charge. She had not liked the idea at first but Elissa had refused to take it to bann Teagan to be settled. Brother or not the man was still far too insecure to take the responsibility that was needed at current. It was of cause the letter which they had been tasked to bring to arl Eamon.
There had been a separate envelope inside the letter addressed to Alistair, which she had handed to him later that day in the infirmary. He was not as wounded as she had expected and neither was Lyra by looks, though the healer asked to have her stay the night.
The letter had sent them to meet one of the Gray Warden suppliers located in Lothering, he would have further instructions. The general mission for them would be to gather what support they could while the seniors did the same outside Ferelden. Alistair had not been surprised by the letter though Elissa could say that she didn't like being kept in the dark as much as they were. Her father Bryce or her brother had always included her in their planning, such things always seemed more effective than keeping each other in the dark. Would that the seniors do the same.
The whole group had moved off already next morning, Tamlen was especially eager to be going.
Duran had been wise, getting new provisions as well as some tents and blankets. Exactly how he had paid for it all was something she had not bothered to ask, knowing she would most likely not approve of it either way.
Before they had gone Elissa had made sure that the arlessa had written a note telling the Circle of Magi what had happened with Conner. Elissa had added her own letter later just before the courier left to the Circle, explaining her own deal with the demon hoping that they could help Conner in some way. The world had been much brighter once the courier had taken off.
Sadly the mood around camp the next few days had not been as bright, Alistair had started out trying to explain, in the most minute detail, just how much was wrong with blood magic and the mages that use it to Lyra, who by looks was still sleeping poorly. To Elissa's surprise Lyra had simply listened to the full talk before voicing a small "oh" and continued like nothing had happened. Of cause what exactly had happened was still to debate, but if Lyra wanted to keep it to herself then that was final. Tamlen had taken offense to the talk though, refusing both he and Lyra's cooking skills that night in a petty revenge – though an effective one as Alistair had apologized the next day.
"So we will be there tomorrow then?" Alistair asked, Tamlen nodding pointing to a spot on the map. "We are here, Lothering lies" he pointed, "here. So about tomorrow at mid day if we start early."
"That is a blessing, another day like this and my back will walk out on my, I swear I can never find a place to lie down for the night without huge boulders stabbing me in the back."
"That is your own fault, besides, Duran doesn't complain and he shares the tent with you." Elissa added, glad that the mood was lightening a bit.
"Dwarves are used to sleep on rocks!"
"Its true" added Duran as he settled down at the campfire. "We do sleep on rocks"
"You can't be serious!"
"Well sure we got a decent layer of bed between us, but it is roughly the same" the dwarf grinned, taking a bite from an apple. "We wouldn't want the ladies to break their back when we have a little fun,"
Alistair snorted into his cup deeply enjoying the comment it seemed, while Elissa felt her temper flare for a moment before she let it go. It was not her favorite sort of jokes and the days travel had been hard. The pair of them had a certain charm that made even their horrible sense of humor appear less appalling though. Tamlen it seemed did not pay any of them any heed what so ever, keeping to the cooking.
"How was life in Orzammar, Duran?" Elissa asked, as the moment was over. She had been trying hard to imagine the huge caves which dwarves supposedly lived in.
Duran didn't respond quite away, stroking his beard a few times before answering.
"It was home, I guess. There was parties, orgies, politics. There was heat, comfort and respect. To my mind Orzammar had everything anyone could wish for."
"'Had'..."
"Indeed. I thought I was playen politics well, but I had not thought that me kid brother might be better." He shook her head taking another bite of the apple. "Naw, life in Orzammar was good."
"How come you left then?"
"Dinna I tell ye? I was cast out for killing me elder brother?"
"What?!"
"Oh yes! By luck I knew there was Gray Wardens in the tunnels. With a bit of luck and cunning – not to mention my faithful axe – I managed to find them before they had left the main tunnel near Orzammar."
"But, did you kill him?" Alistair asked, he too had been drawn in by the story.
"Naw, but ye can be damn sure me kid brother had a hand in it. I was framed for the murder and he was the only one left in the line of succession. He always was a clever one, weak but clever."
"You aren't angry that he got you kicked out?" Elissa asked, incredulous.
"Oh yes! And when I return I intend to plant me axe in his back!" The change had been so quick, at one point he was seemingly carefree but just then all merriment had been drained from him. "The ancestors knows I am right, and I shall gladly chop him up to prove it."
Elissa looked into the campfire, the cookingpot simmering just above it. "You know, Duncan told me something about being a Gray Warden..."
"Aye?"
She felt everyone looking at her, suddenly she regretted saying anything. "We... We can most likely not have children anymore."
To his credit Duran took it quite calm, Tamlen looked to be the only one really reacting at all.
"So?" Duran asked, pointedly ignoring Tamlen as the elf was about to speak.
"So, if you kill your brother your line will end, your house will come to an end." Elissa carefully studied his face, secretly hoping he would give her a clue to her own problems. If Fergus had died – which was quite likely – then her line would have ended, and all because of her, all because of Duncan and the Gray Wardens.
"It be not all Aeducan that will have disappeared, only the royal branch, but you are correct." He tossed the half-eaten apple into the trees. "Such is the world, I guess. Perhaps I may have gotten a child with one of the duster wenches though." Duran gave a crooked grin.
The dwarf was impossible.
Elissa had noticed Tamlen had been very quite, well more quite then usual that evening and had volunteered to take the first guard.
Lyra, who had been gone ever since the camp had been set, must have returned in the night as she had been present at the breakfast, only then had Elissa figured out what had happened. She must have gone to Lothering to get provisions, as the bread they were eating had been fresh. The mood had been high that morning, partly due to the freshness of the food. Alistair made odd comments here and there, even Tamlen seemed better off than the night before. Both he and Lyra looked like they could sleep while walking though – which might have been the case as the group had been doing just that almost immediately after food. They were intend to make good speed to Lothering and to meet this contact who would give more orders.
The town slowly came into view as they left the forests and came into the farmland surrounding it.
"Lets find an inn and then ask around for... what was his name again?"
"Yelings, Alistair. You only made jokes about him seven times on the way here." Elissa responded, sounding quite tired.
Alistair couldn't help his grin. "What a wonderful name, Yellings. Yell-ing-s. I wonder if he has any brothers... Like Screamings or Cryings"
"What 'bout Bellowings" added Duran, still in good spirits despite having trouble keeping the furious pace.
"Sorry to interrupt your merry little talk" came a voice from the fence, a bunch of highwaymen if judged by their clothing.
"It is fine my good man, I prefer the silence myself" commented Elissa, sending him a glare that would have silenced lesser men.
"Well spoken lass! I don't wish to keep you, you see, but lately with all the trouble here at the road, my friends and I have taken the heavy burden to ease travelers way."
"Is that so?" she asked giving Alistair a glance, she gave her sword a light pat though only for his eyes.
He gave a small nod. He would be ready if they started anything.
"Indeed, my lady, I know your group might not need protection from the forest, but I warn you, there are thieves and killers on the way to Lothering. Me and my mates here" They all patted their weapons in unison. "Try to make sure that doesn't happen, for a small fee of cause."
Their little show might have been impressive to most commoners but having seen Gray Wardens drill, their exercises, their training, this paled in comparison. Alistair remained unimpressed.
"And this, 'small fee' what would that be?" Elissa continued, she seem rather impressed either.
"Well, since you are all so finely dressed for the hardships of travel... 40 silver for the lot of you."
"Well 40 silver is reasonable, considering that you are working to improve safety here."
"Indeed my lady" The leader gave a toothy smile. To Alistair's surprise the man had all his teeth, either he was new to the job or very good - or like Alistair had connections to people with magic.
"But in the larger picture Gray Wardens will end up protecting your hide, from Darkspawn." Elissa continued, quite unaffected by the man.
"Gray Wardens my lady? That lot disappeared just after they killed the king. Thats hardly saving anything." The band gave a collective grin, their leading still leaning against a tree at the side of the road.
"We didn't kill the king." She said, flat. It was no excuse just cold fact.
"You are Gray Wardens, are you?" he gave a short laugh, though his band looked a little worried.
"Indeed we are, and we are going though you, one way or another." Elissa even gave him a wicked grin. She is enjoying this! Alistair had hardly believed it but the group seemed very worried about the turn of events and the leader had clearly noticed that his men were on the verge of running off.
"Well my lady, this changes things. As things are we are both servants of Ferelden are we not, I guess it evens it all out. Move along."
Both groups passed by the other, all very tense, everyone having a firm hold to their weapons.
When they were well clear of the group Alistair couldn't hold the smile from his voice.
"I can't believe you managed to pull that off, I bet you could even have convinced them to pay us at the end!"
Elissa shook her head though smiling.
"Actually they did pay" commented Tamlen handing Alistair a purse. It looked to be in disrepair, though quite full. "Lyra managed to sneak it off one of them."
"You know, I'd be worried, if it wasn't for the fact that you share the loot with us.
"What loot you know of, at least" she gave a weak smile, still tired it seemed.
"Anyone know this town?" Elissa asked looking at the first signpost. The streets were getting more crowded, people making their way one way or another.
"Only in the passing" Alistair rubbed the back of his head, trying to recall the layout. Lothering was not as huge as Denerim but large enough to get lost in. As a town outside the Bannor several people interested in living there. Now however the streets were filled with refugees from the south, areas closer to Ostagar.
"Right, well, the markets is that way according to the sign. We there is bound to be an inn around that place."
"It'll be more expensive if we stay near the center"
Elissa sighed. "I know Alistair, but chances are we that there won't be any rooms in any of the inns anyway, but just maybe they know where we should go look if we should have a chance."
"Alright then, maybe we can find 12 Miller Road while we are at it, it is where this contact should be living.
"14 Miller Road, Alistair."
"Really?"
"Yes. Anyway should just try to blend in I suppose, if the highwaymen were right then Gray Wardens are not exactly welcome."
There was a nod of assent. They moved into town, the streets were bristling with life, though many seemed to be refugees. A few times they were approached by beggars, at first Alistair had given in to his good nature, giving the poor some copper bits, though it proved to be a bad idea. Before long the group had gotten quite a crowd all trying to get some money. It was not before Tamlen had lost his temper that the crowd dispersed. No one was willing to loose a hand for a few copper bits.
The town square was packed. It seemed that all the refugees was gathering there everyone calling out for friends or family trying to push through or make way. It was chaos.
"Right, Alistair, Duran and Tamlen you three find this contact, try asking around. Lyra and I will find us an inn to stay in the mean time. We meet right here, that way we avoid most of the crowd. Try not to get lost alright?" With that Elissa took Lyra's arm and matched off into the throng. The look on Lyra's face was that of pure panic, something which Alistair could not help but find funny.
"Well you heard the boss, lets find this fellow. So, any suggestions?"
