Chapter 17: Lothering
The initiate smiled at Aeden and introduced herself as Leliana. As she explained why she intervened, Aeden became irritated. He wanted to know how a lay sister of the Chantry would know how to fight.
"I wasn't born in the Chantry, you know. Many of us had more… colorful lives before we joined," she answered, smiling at him. "Those men said you're a Grey Warden. You will be battling the darkspawn, yes? That is what Grey Wardens do. I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get. That's why I am coming along."
Aeden looked at her gravely. "Why so eager to come with me?"
"The Maker told me to." Leliana looked at him with a look of innocence and determination.
"Can you… elaborate?"
Her eyes teared. "I-I know that sounds… absolutely insane—but it's true! I had a dream… a vision!"
Alistair smirked at Delia and whispered in her ear, "More crazy? I thought we were all full up."
Delia looked at him and elbowed him in the side, earning her a chuckle from the warden.
As Leliana tried to convince Aeden, Delia walked up to him and put her hand on his arm.
"Aeden, I believe Leliana could be a valuable asset. Besides, we need all the help that we can get, how can we afford to turn away someone who very willingly wishes to assist us?"
Morrigan clucked her tongue. "Perhaps your skull was cracked more than Mother thought?"
Aeden glared at Morrigan, then looked at Delia with a soft sigh. "Very well, I will not turn away help when it is offered."
Leliana beamed at him. "Thank you! I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down."
"Well then, let's eat something quickly and see if we can find some work here in town before we move on. We need to buy supplies, and I suppose we need some armor for Leliana as well."
Delia spoke quickly. "Why don't you, Alistair, Morrigan and Dusty take some jobs from the Chanter's Board while Leliana and I buy supplies. I would guess that the two of us will be able to barter better prices than the rest of you, given our backgrounds."
Aeden nodded. "I agree. That will also make for a better use of our time. I would like to get out of Lothering as soon as possible. Seeing as there is no place to stay here anyway, let's meet at the bridge on the Chanter's Board side later. I would like to make camp outside of town before nightfall."
The group finished eating and then they all went to the Board together. On the way, Alistair pulled Delia aside.
"Are you certain you'll be alright being left here on your own with Leliana?" He had a worried look on his face.
"I'm sure, Alistair. We will be safe in town. I promise to stay out of any dark allies and will be cautious of any strange people. Remember, I am used to handling myself in a large city, and this town is nothing in comparison."
He put his hand gently on her cheek. "Just please be careful. I would rather have my eyes on you so that I can protect you myself."
"You are worrying too much. We'll be fine, you'll see. Have fun bashing things about and we'll have some fun shopping. It will be almost like a girls' day out." Delia chuckled as she smiled at him.
They caught up with the group as Aeden took notes about the jobs that existed. He looked up at Delia and Alistair and gave them a cold look, then quickly went back to his note taking.
"Alright, we have some bandits to take out and the bartender wanted some poisons. Delia, we'll bring you some toxins and ask you to make the poisons later. The two of you ladies be careful. We don't have any coppers to lose, and I don't want you to fall victim to a cutpurse or worse. Let's get moving."
The wardens and Morrigan headed to the outskirts of the town while Delia and Leliana began to search for supplies.
"Oh, I haven't had a chance to do any sort of shopping in months!," Delia nearly squirmed with glee.
"Not even for supplies?" Leliana asked. "I know that I've been cloistered but even I've been at the market when it was my turn to buy food."
"I've not been able to do anything for weeks. I had only recently arrived from Antiva when my world went topsy-turvy and I found myself a Grey Warden recruit. Our commander, Duncan, did all the purchasing while we were on the road, and once we joined the rest of the wardens at Ostagar the only thing I did that was remotely like shopping was talking to the quartermaster about armor and weapons."
"Ah, it seems like you and I have both traveled a bit, no? I look forward to hearing about your life. However, I suppose that right now we must focus on our task at hand."
The two walked around the village. There were very few people who had anything to sell, but they were able to find dried meat and fruit to get them through to Redcliffe as long as they supplemented it with the occasional small game. The merchant outside of the Chantry was unpleasant, but they found some basic leather armor for Leliana that would be suitable as well as a dagger.
As they walked, they chatted amiably about shopping. Leliana told Delia about how she was raised in Orlais. Her favorite thing to shop for in Orlais was shoes. For some reason that Delia couldn't fathom, Leliana seemed to have a near fetish for fashionable shoes! Delia had to admit that the descriptions of the shoes and how they matched the fancy dresses made her almost want to shop there with her new friend. Of course, in Antiva, shoes were made of leather, not the fancy silks described by Leliana. The ladies' shoe leather was always incredibly soft and the cobblers tooled delicate and ornate designs to the tops and sides. The two giggled and acted as friends who had known each other from childhood!
Their merriment was dampened when they came across a young boy calling for his mother. When he refused to leave the bridge with them to seek refuge, they bought him a sweet roll and found one of the Chantry sisters to help him. It wasn't long before they noticed the same sister adding a job posting to the Board, which assumed the child's mother dead, but asked an adventurer to find proof.
Across the bridge they found one of the Chantry's elders, trying her best to assist the many refugees that had traveled to Lothering since the Ostagar battle. Upon learning the sister's supply of healing poultices was running low, Delia used the elfroot collected along the road to brew more poultices and gave them to the sister. Leliana was impressed by the recruit's generosity.
At the edge of town there was a cage with a very large man inside. Delia recognized the man as a Qunari from the country of Seharan. The man noticed her staring at him and was not pleased.
"You aren't one of my captors. I will not amuse you any more than I have the other humans. Leave me in peace," he nearly growled in contempt."
Delia was concerned. " You're a prisoner? Who put you here?"
He gruffed back, "I am in a cage, am I not? I've been placed here by the Chantry."
"The revered mother said he slaughtered an entire family. Even the children." Leliana's eyes were downcast.
"It is as she says. I am Sten of the Beresaad—the vanguard—of the Qunari peoples."
"I am Delia. Pleased to meet you."
He was taken aback. "You mock me. Or you show manners I have not come to expect in your lands. Thought it matters little now. I will die soon enough. I suggest you leave me to my fate."
Delia was shocked. This man was clearly a calm, rational person, yet he had by his own admission killed an entire family. He seemed to be remorseful for his actions, but how could she do anything to assist him? He was, after all, guilty of murder. She noticed then that he had a nasty cut on his hand that had begun to fester.
"Let me see your hand. I will put a poultice on it—there is no sense in your suffering needlessly."
He huffed, but put his hand through the bars of the cage. The skin was hot and puffy to the touch. As she administered the poultice, the wound improved quickly. As she held his hand, she allowed her gift to work through the man.
"A child, growing up in a near commune of other children; strict military training, but great pride; a ship bringing a group of Qunari to Ferelden; darkspawn attacking and leaving his companions dead and him unconscious; nurtured back to health, but then a rage so out of control… he is bereft… he feels he has nothing to live for, but he is trustworthy where there is an honorable goal to be had…"
"I find myself in need of skilled help." Delia was almost afraid to say anything.
He sized her up. "No doubt. What kind of help do you need?"
"I am sworn to defend the lands against the Blight."
His eyes opened in excitement. "The Blight? Are you a Grey Warden then?"
"Why do you ask?"
"My people have heard tales of the Grey Wardens' strength and skill," his eyes narrowed suspiciously, "although I suppose not every legend is true."
Delia giggled. "Oh, I am merely a recruit, but I travel with Grey Wardens. Would the revered mother let you free?"
"Perhaps if you told her the Grey Wardens need my assistance. It seems likely to bring my death as waiting here."
"I'll leave you for now."
"Farewell then."
Delia nearly pulled Leliana all the way to the Chantry. "You must speak to the reverend mother on his behalf! You know her and perhaps she will listen to you. His skills mustn't be allowed to be wasted, not when we need so much help!"
They arrived in the Chantry and walked to the reverend mother's alcove. Delia graciously offered a tithe.
"Reverend mother, I want to talk about Sten, the Qunari you imprisoned."
She rose and walked across the room. "It might have been kinder to execute him, but I leave his fate to the Maker. Why does he interest you?"
"I want him freed. I might have a use for him."
"Then his next victims might count you and me as their murderers."
"I was thinking you might release him into my custody."
The mother looked at Leliana. "And what do you think of this, Leliana? You know your friend here better than I."
Leliana looked at the mother sadly. "These are… unusual times, your Reverence. With us, the Qunari might do some good. I am sure of it, in fact."
The mother sighed. "Were things not so desperate… very well, I trust you. Take these keys to his cage and Maker watch over you."
Leliana breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, your Reverence. Your trust is not misplaced."
They quickly left the Chantry and found that their companions were waiting for them on the bridge next to the Chanter's Board. As he noticed the two women coming towards them, Alistair stood and walked toward Delia.
"I was wondering where you were. I didn't think the two of you had that much to shop for in this tiny town." His eyes danced mischievously.
"We have been quite busy. I believe we've found another person to join our merry band," Delia replied happily.
Aeden's eyes darkened. "Oh? And what stray have you picked up now? A dwarf who fancies himself a mage?"
"No, Aeden, I have a member of the Beresaad; a Qunari warrior who wishes to fight against the Blight."
"Well, well… I want to see this Qunari. You don't see them running around Ferelden every day," he teased.
"Then let's go get him and then we can start on our way."
The group re-crossed the bridge and walked to the edge of town. As they approached the cage, Aeden and Alistair both had their eyes open wide in surprise. The Qunari seemed surprised to see the women returning.
"You wish something more of me?" he asked Delia.
"I have the key to open your cage."
"I confess I did not think the priestess would part with it."
"She agreed to release you into my custody."
"So be it. Set me free and I will follow you against the Blight."
"Very well, I'll let you out." Delia took the large key and opened the lock. She then removed the padlock from the cage and opened the door. The Sten stepped out, his height suddenly quite obvious. Delia gulped down her sudden fear of the murderous giant, reminding herself that she saw his trustworthiness.
He looked down at her. "And so it is done. I will follow you into battle. In doing so I will find my atonement."
She smiled up at him. "Thank you, Sten. Glad to have you with us."
He looked at the other members of the group. "May we proceed? I am anxious to be elsewhere."
Aeden started to lead the group toward the road to the Bannorn. He wasn't very happy that Delia had simply recruited the Qunari without speaking to him and Alistair first, but decided that it would be better to have a warden meeting once they made camp than to bring the matter up in town. As they neared the road, the sounds of battle assaulted their ears. Someone was fighting darkspawn, and so the group ran toward the clashing metal.
They found a merchant and his son being attacked by a small group of darkspawn. With the help of Sten, they dispatched the monsters very quickly. Aeden couldn't help but be impressed with the Qunari's skill and strength. "He may be frightening, but he can fight. He seems to want to kill these fiends as much as we do. I'll reserve judgment for now, but I think I will have Dusty keep an eye on Sten. At least until we feel we can trust him." As soon as the merchant was deemed to be safe, the party started to walk down the road, to their soon to be determined campsite for the night and eventually to Redcliffe.