Chapter 41: Stone
Aeden decided to lead his party south, to the village of Honnleath. A merchant had given him a control rod for a golem, and he felt it would be a very useful device to use against the darkspawn. As they neared the village, residents were running away. The pounding in his head told him there were darkspawn near, and since the people were running away from the town, he deduced the monsters were overrunning the village itself.
He had the party dismount outside of the town and left the horses in the care of Trent, Leliana and Morrigan. Alistair, Aeden, Zevran and Sten ran into the village and immediately began to kill the darkspawn that were surging through the streets. Delia stayed at Wynne's side. Any creature that made its way past the men were quickly dispatched by her blade before it could reach the healer.
Once the darkspawn were eradicated, the group walked into the town's main square. In the center of the square stood the golem, looking as though it reached toward the sky in an attempt to shatter the heavens themselves. Aeden tried using the control rod, using the words the merchant told him would activate the golem, but it remained inanimate. He motioned for Alistair, Zevran and Wynne to follow him as he went inside one of the buildings to look for more information.
Delia and Sten were left outside to keep watch. Looking at the golem, Delia was bothered by the large number of pigeons that seemed to flock on the stone. It seemed that the town's residents encouraged the birds to sit on the statue by keeping a large amount of birdseed at the golem's base. Of course, birds sitting on a statue have to relieve themselves, and the golem was a mess. She looked around and found a well nearby with a bucket. A scrub brush and soap were found in an abandoned house. She filled the bucket and took the water to the golem and then began to clean the stone.
Sten watched her, disbelieving. "What are you doing, kadan?"
Delia was amazed at the transformation the Qunari man displayed since Aeden had recovered his sword. When Sten had first joined their group, he would speak only when spoken to, and would answer in as few words as he possibly could. Now, the giant man seemed to search out their companionship.
"I thought I would clean the golem. The birds have left their… dirt all over the shoulders and head. It just looks awful." She scrubbed diligently, but couldn't reach the top of the head or the outstretched arms. "Um… would you consider helping me? I'm simply not tall enough to reach up there, and I don't see anything I could bring over to stand on."
He shrugged his shoulders. "As you wish." He took the brush from her and scrubbed the excrement off the stone, then rinsed it off.
The golem's gems sparkled after the cleaning. Delia stepped back and smiled as she admired the glittering crystals. It made Delia feel better now that the golem was clean.
"No statue should be used as a pigeon collector. I'll return the bucket and brush while I remove this birdseed." She picked up the items and returned them to their proper places and then dumped the seed behind the houses.
As she walked back to the golem, the rest of their party emerged from a different house from where they had entered. Delia gave them a confused shrug of her shoulders and walked toward them. Aeden conveyed the experiences they had in Wilhelm's cellar. The darkspawn had infiltrated the cellar, trying to attack a group of villagers who were protected by a magic shield created by a mage named Wilhelm, who had been a hero in the war against Orlais. Once the warden's group defeated the creatures, the villagers all left, except for one, a man named Matthias.
Matthias was Wilhelm's son. Wilhelm had discovered the golem, Shale, when he was in the Deep Roads. The golem had served him for many years, but finally something had gone terribly wrong and the creature killed the mage. Matthias was not happy that Aeden was looking for the golem, but promised the correct activation phrase if the group would save his daughter from deeper in Wilhelm's dungeons.
They trekked deeper into the dungeons and battled demons, finally finding the girl under the enchantment of a desire demon. The demon was trapped in a cat's body and would not release the girl from its spell until the wardens removed the restraints from the demon, causing them to solve an ancient puzzle. Once the demon was released, they battled it to save the girl, handily defeating the fiend. Matthias was more than grateful to have his daughter returned safely, and Aeden was given the correct activation phrase – Dulen harn.
They walked to the golem and stood in a semi- circle in front of the stone creature. As Aeden spoke the magic words, the golem slowly came to life. The group watched as the golem lowered its arms and head as their hearts all beat quickly in their chests. It gazed on them and seemed to be trying to determine who or what they were.
"Not even a mage this time. Probably stumbled across the rod by accident, I suppose. Typical." The golem stretched its back as it continued to look down upon the party.
Aeden raised his eyebrow as he looked at the golem. "And how do you know I'm not a mage?"
The golem snorted. "It thinks these crystals are simply for show, I see." The golem moved its head and seemed to focus on Delia. "This one saw fit to clean me. May I ask it why? There has been no other human that ever cleaned me from the filth of the birds before."
Delia cleared her throat which seemed to have closed shut from her nervousness. "It seemed to me that you would look lovely once you were clean. Your crystals sparkle so wonderfully in the sunlight."
If a golem could smile, Delia would swear this one did at that moment. "Oh, I do so love my crystals. I cannot tell it how pleased I am that they are clean once again. I thank it. It was most helpful."
"I am glad to have assisted you. My name is Delia; may I ask you your name?"
"I may have forgotten after all the years of being called 'golem'." The golem complained at length about how Wilhelm had forced her to perform the most tedious tasks, including actually carrying the man when he was too tired to walk for himself. After continuing on of how wearisome her life had been, a realization came to her.
"Is something wrong?" Aeden asked the suddenly silent creature.
"It… does have the control rod, doesn't it? I am awake, so it… must… I see the control rod, yet I feel… Go on, order me to do something."
Aeden smiled mischievously before he said anything. "Fine. Attack Alistair."
Alistair jumped. "He-ey!"
"And… nothing? I feel nothing. I feel no compulsion to carry out its command. I suppose that means the rod is… broken?"
"So… what now? You go on a killing rampage?"
"Don't be ridiculous," snorted the golem. "Well, I wouldn't mind killing those birds… those evil birds and their foul droppings! I could crush them all!" The golem seemed to think for a moment. "It is simply… what should I do? I have no purpose… I find myself at a bit of a loss."
Aeden cleared his throat. "I am a Grey Warden, in need of aid against the Blight."
"It refers to the darkspawn, the very creatures that destroyed this village. The darkspawn are an evil that must be destroyed, it's true. Though not as evil as the birds, damnable feathered fiends!"
"You're welcome to come with me."
Alistair winced. "Are… you certain you want to bring that thing with us? It could be dangerous. And large."
"Think of it as a portable battering ram." Aeden laughed.
"Good point. Better it than me anyhow," Alistair said with a smile.
The golem nodded its head. "I will follow it about then… for now. I am called Shale, by the way."
"I am Aeden, and this is Alistair. We are both Grey Wardens and Delia is a recruit. We will introduce you to our traveling companions as we continue down the road, if you don't mind. I think we should get back onto the road. It's quite a way to the Brecilian Forest and I'd like to get there as soon as possible. It may take some time to find a Dalish camp once we're even there."
They walked back along the town's main road until they met with the rest of their party. Aeden asked Shale if she felt she could keep pace with the horses which earned him another snort of disgust.
"The mage made me run ahead of the horses. I can set the pace if you would like, unless you would prefer I run behind. Your animals are not used to creatures such as I, and I would prefer to prevent you from being squished under their hooves."
"Good point. Perhaps it would be wise for you to protect the rear of the party then."
"As you wish, human."
The party mounted the horses and began their travel to the east. As they traveled closer to The Hinterlands, Delia noticed that Alistair was becoming almost sullen. She rode over to Aeden and suggested they might find a place to camp for the night. Even though it was a bit early, Aeden agreed and started to search for a clearing large enough for their party. Within an hour he found a place alongside a river which was level and easily defended. The companions again fell into their easy routine of readying the camp and collecting the stones and wood for the fire pit.
Once the tents were raised and the fire was on its way, Aeden asked Alistair and Delia to fish with him at the river. The wardens set off along with Dusty and were happy to find some large boulders alongside the wide section of the river that were convenient for sitting upon while they fished. Aeden noticed Alistair's change in temperament and asked him what was troubling him."
"I can't help but think about Ostagar. We'll be passing almost right past it, and we need to find Cailan's chest. I'd also like to try to locate any… remains. Both Cailan and Duncan deserve a proper sendoff, don't you think?" He looked at Aeden expectantly. The anguish was clearly visible in his eyes as he thought again of his mentor and the brother he never really knew.
Aeden ran his hand through his hair in the nervous gesture he had picked up from his brother-in-arms. "Yes, I think you're right. The documents inside the chest might be of great importance and we can't allow them to fall into the wrong hands. And both Cailan and Duncan deserve proper pyres. We need to prepare ourselves, though. The darkspawn will be swarming all over the ruins. We'll need to leave the horses a good distance away."
Delia moved to Alistair and put her arms around his waist. She put her head on his shoulder before she spoke. "I know how difficult this is for you, my heart. You must be strong. We'll be here at your back to support you."
He turned his head toward her and kissed the top of her head. "I know, my love. It won't be easy for any of us. I appreciate both of you supporting me in this. Cailan didn't deserve to be deserted by Logain. He trusted him implicitly. And Duncan…" His eyes filled with tears.
"I know, love. We'll destroy as many darkspawn as possible in vengeance."
Aeden nodded. "Remember that Wynne and Sten have been adversely affected by the darkspawn too. They will both want to take their revenge as well. We'll let them know over dinner what our plans are."
Alistair looked down and nodded. Trying to get his mind off his sadness, Delia pushed a fishing rod into his hands.
"Alright, my prince, it's time to get to work, or else we won't have a decent dinner tonight."
He grunted in response to her but cast the fishing fly into the river. Aeden followed suit and it wasn't long before they started to catch some plump trout. Dusty became excited and started to run along the bank, barking his head off. Although they all found the mabari to be amusing, they didn't want him to scare the fish away. Delia decided to take the dog back to the main camp. As she walked away, Aeden turned to Alistair.
"It seems as though something has… deepened between the two of you."
Alistair blushed. "Yes… well… we sort of… talked. I… we…"
Aeden laughed. "You told her you love her, is that what you're trying so eloquently to say?"
Alistair punched him in the arm. "Yes, thank you that is precisely what I'm trying to say."
"Good for you! It's about sodding time! You are good for each other. She's certainly a good influence on you." Aeden grinned teasingly.
"Oh? How so?"
"You've been more decisive. You've seemed… happy. And she's seemed happy too. I really think the two of you belong together. Have you thought about what you want for the future?"
Alistair ran his hand through his hair. "Only all the time. But what kind of life could I give her? I'm… nothing."
Aeden scowled. "You, my friend are not nothing, not by any stretch of the imagination. You are a Grey Warden, but even more impressive is you are the rightful King of Ferelden! To be honest, my friend, you will need someone like her at your side. She's educated, understands politics far better than you, and with her gift you will know who you can trust and who you cannot. There isn't a woman in all of Thedas who would be a better match for you. And," he winked at his fellow warden, "she's pretty. Doesn't hurt that she's completely in love with you either."
"How can you tell that, though? I mean, I know how I feel when I'm with her, but how can I know how she feels? I don't want to push myself on her."
"I've known Delia all of my life, and believe me when I tell you that she has never looked at anyone the way she looks at you. She's devoted to you, Alistair. Think about your future. You love her, and she would be an asset to you and your throne. You both deserve some happiness in these dark times." He slapped Alistair on his shoulder. "Let's get these fish back to camp. I don't know about you, but I am so hungry I could eat a dire boar!"
Alistair laughed as he stood. The two walked back to the campfire with a string full of fish. As soon as they got there, Delia and Leliana happily took the fish to prepare them for dinner and Alistair sat near his tent to sharpen his blade.
"I do love her, with all my heart and soul. Maybe Aeden is right – maybe we do deserve to be happy together. I suppose I'll have to find the right time, the right place, to say something. Would she even want me? Would she agree to follow the path that seems to be lain out for me? Oh, Maker, send me a sign. Let me know if this is the path I'm supposed to take."
Alistair sighed and put his sword back into its scabbard. He walked back to the fire as he noticed the others being served, and as he sat next to Delia her smile lifted his spirits. "I am truly a lucky man," he thought to himself as he smiled back at her.