Yay! Another chapter! I had a very bad cold this week so I had time to write a good bit,and now your reaping the benefits. So we return to Recliffe!
"Bann Teagan" the blonde haired man came to stand spoke up at he reached the small group.
Teagan stopped and took in the man's appearance, squinting as he looked carefully at his face. "Alistair? Is- is that really you?" the man, Alistair, smiled and gave a slight nod, "O Maker, it is you! Your alive, this is wonderful news!" Alistair's eyes doubled in size as Teagan stepped forward to pull him in to a hug.
"Loghain told us all the Grey Wardens had died at Ostagar."
"He wishes." the white-haired elf said.
Teagan looked past Alistair to the other women, "Forgive me, I am Teagan Bann of Rainesfere, brother to the Arl, I'm assuming you're here to see him, I am sorry to say that, that won't be possible right now."
"I am Neria Surana, and this is Lyna Mahariel" Neria sad introducing the other Elf.
"Teagan what's happening here?" Alistair asked.
"I'm just finding out myself, creatures coming from the castle attacked the village last night. The castle has also been sealed off, there are no guards posted and no one to open the gates."
"What kind of creatures?" Neria asked taking a step forward.
"They look like half rotted corpses, when you eventually killed them they turn into dust." Kallian said after a slight pause. A flash of recognition flashed across Neria's eyes as she began to think deeply, lightly chewing on her bottom lip.
"Do you know what they are?" Elissa asked.
"I may, though I won't know for sure until I see one."
"You said the gates were sealed, is there no other way in to the castle?" Alistair asked Teagan.
"Yes, there is. There is a tunnel that runs underneath the lake from the dungeons in the castle to the basement of the mill in the village." Teagan took off an ornamented ring that sat on his right middle finger, holding it out to show them the engraved crest of the Guerrin family. "This signet ring is the key to opening it."
"We have prepared in case they attack again tonight, that Elf friend of yours, Shianni was able to get Owen to restart the fire at the blacksmith." Murdock said with a note of surprised respect.
"I am not surprised." Killian said with a smile, she could imagine Shianni berating the man and at the same time offering comfort.
"We've done much of what we could, a lot of people were injured last night after the surprised attack, so we've less men even with the return of Ser Perth and his Knights, we were hoping more would return before nightfall." Murdock said, looking over the beds that lined the Chantry walls filled with the injured villagers.
"It would help us greatly Alistair if you and your fellow wardens could assist us." Teagan said with a pleading look.
Alistair looked over to the two Elvish women, as if to raise the question, Neria soon followed his gaze towards the Dalish Elf. Lyna looked between them as they both stared at her. "What?" She raised her eyebrow in confusion before realising they were looking at her seeking her agreement, her eye widen is disbelief. "Elgar'nan! Do you think I would disagree!?"
The two had the decency to looks sheepish as they gave her apologetic smiles. Lyna rolled her eyes at them before she looked back at Teagan, "We will what we can to help the village, and you said you had a way in to the castle?"
"Yes, through the dungeons."
"Why hasn't anyone used it to get out of the castle?" Neria asked.
"I do not know"
"You said you might know what these creatures are?" Ruari said as he came to stand beside Kallian.
Neria looked around the busy Chantry, biting her lip. "Yes, though it is something I think would be better discussed in private."
Ser Perth nodded "Follow me," he said leading them to the a door way at the right had side of the Chantry, "this is the Mothers of the Chantry's room, we should be able to speak here without interruption."
The door was shut firmly when they had all entered the room. "Where there any Templars stationed at this Chantry?" Neria asked.
"There was, but nearly all of them were called to the Tower, most of the Templars at the tower were sent to Ostagar with the Mages, they were short-staffed so a few of the nearby Chantry's sent their Templars to help." Murdock said with a bit of confusion, "Why?"
"I think it might be a Mage." Neria said as she continued to worry her lip.
"A mage? But why would a mage be in Redcliffe?" Teagan asked.
"That I don't know, but from what you've told me this sounds like a mage, and not an ordinary mage, a blood mage." Everyone in the room stiffen at the announcement.
"Raising the dead requires powerful magic, blood magic. The reason why there are no guards on the walls, I suspect, is because they've been killed and are being used to attack the village." Neria watched as everyone's face paled at the idea.
"How can you be so sure?" Ser Perth asked.
"I would be a very bad Mage if I didn't know how to spot blood magic."
"You're a mage?" Ser Perth stiffened where he stood as his jaw clenched.
"No I just play one for all the perks it carries." Neria scowled at the man, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"She is a warden who is here to help, that is all you need to worry about." Lyna spoke before anything more could be said on the topic, throwing them all a look daring them to disagree with her.
"What is it you suggest we do?" Elissa spoke ignoring the tension in the room.
"Well, if we can get in to the castle and stop the Mage who's raising the dead then the village will be safe."
"We should probably secure the village first before we storm the castle. If we can make it to the courtyard we can open the main gates for Ser Perth and his knights." Alistair said as he scratched at his jaw.
"It sounds like a good plan but who's going to go into the Castle?" Ruari asked.
"Alistair and I will at least need to go, Alistair's been trained as a Templar and will be able to help take down the Mage, and I have the knowledge of magic to take down any defences they might have put in place."
"I'll also be going." Lyna spoke leaving no room for disagreement, "we have a few others travelling with us that might offer to come with us, if anyone wants to join-"
"I'll go," Elissa said as she stood from where she had sat.
"My lady Cousland I don't think that is such a good idea." Teagan said looking at her with his mouth agape.
A flash of recognition flashed over Alistair and Neria face as the both looked over the human woman.
"I am going Teagan, if I don't find Arl Eamon then coming here was for naught." Elissa looked at the man, her jaw set stubbornly.
"Elissa perhaps-" Murdock attempted to join in the protest but interrupted.
"I am going." Elissa's tone left no room for argument as she turned and left the small room. The others watch her go silently.
"The Templars that where here, did they leave any stock of lyrium?" Neria asked breaking the silence.
"Yes, some I think." Murdock answered, "Why?"
"Because you mentioned there were some injuries, I am a healer, though it uses up a lot of mana, I would like to heal as many people as I can before the fighting starts tonight." Nodding the man gestured for Neria to follow as they left to gather the Lyrium.
"Come, we'll tell the other what's happening." Lyna tapped Alistair shoulder before she made her way out of the Chantry.
I love sassy Neria, :D hope you enjoyed! I've finally introduced Dylan Amell in chapter 30, but I haven't decided on what he looks like, so I'm offering the chance to state you preferences! :P what do you want Dylan to look like?