Chapter 37: Hunters and Prey (Kallian)
- So guys, let's get to work. Here comes a group of our clients. Led by a dwarf, of all things.
As they approached Lothering, the Wardens, the dogs and Morrigan were surrounded by a dozen of armed men, half of whom wore common clothing instead of any armor.
- Bandits. They want to rob us, - Alistair said.
- I suggest teaching them a lesson, - Morrigan continued. - We shouldn't keep them alive.
- Maybe we'll skip them, boss? They don't really look like ordinary refugees, - said one of the bandits.
The leader did not listen to him.
- What kind of nonsense is this? Hi, travelers! How many of you there are! We're taking the toll from everyone who passes by. Ten silver coins from each of you, and the mabari also count. Thus, it's one hundred and thirty coins. Give it to us, and the way will be free.
- Do us a favor and listen to your friend, - Sereda said. - Are refugees armed to the teeth?
- Is it really that important? – said the leader of the robbers. - Refugees or not, you must pay. It's called a toll, not a refugee tax.
This shem seemed too stubborn to Kallian, and she decided to intervene.
- Wait, friends, - she said. - Please forgive my dwarven friend for being straightforward. To be honest, we're a little broke right now. But we know where you can collect enough toll.
- Where? Surprise me and maybe we'll let you through.
The elf looked the leader of the robbers in the eyes and confidently said:
- In Ostagar.
- Do not make me laugh. The battle ended two days ago. The darkspawn are roaming there.
- Not anymore. We've just passed through the fortress, and there is not a single living soul out there, the whole horde has left. But there are a lot of goods left, and the spawn don't care about the riches. You, my friends, will get enough for the toll.
The leader with one wave of his hand ordered his men to put away their weapons.
- For some reason, I believe you, elf, you speak very convincingly. Thanks for the advice! Guys, let's go!
The bandits gathered their belongings and left in the direction of Ostagar.
- You've thought it up cleverly, - Faren praised the elf. - At first I didn't even understand.
- Isn't it too cruel? - Theron asked. - Ostagar is swarming with the horde. These guys will be torn to pieces!
- Well, they don't need to know that, - Kallian replied. - Perhaps they will be of some use. They will kill a couple of dozen genlocks before they die.
After the group descended from the road, the whole village appeared before their eyes.
- Here it is, Lothering, as in the picture, - Alistair exclaimed.
- Yes, a big village, - Faren continued. - Even Dust Town is smaller.
- I suggest we split up for the time being, - said Sereda. - That way we can deal with things faster. I'll help Daylen find his family.
- I will accompany you two, - Morrigan supported her. - I am very interested in how our kind lives here.
- My sister and I have some family business, - said Aedan. - We're going to Chantry.
- Can I come with you? - Daveth asked.
- Have you heard the word "family"?
- No need to be angry, brother, let him come with us, we can use his gift of eloquence, - Elissa intervened.
- I knew that m'lady would stand for me, - the thief said with a satisfied grin.
- There, at the other exit from the village, I see some very large cage, - Theron said, peering into the distance. - I want to see who or what is there. Who is with me?
Neria and Alistair raised their hands.
Everyone dispersed, leaving Kallian and Faren alone.
- Again, no one needs the two of us, - said the dwarf. - Well, let's go to the tavern, have a drink?
- Good idea. Lead on.
The elf and the dwarf walked past a templar who was arguing with a couple of local residents and a hysterically screaming Chasind, reaching the tavern. Inside, they struggled to find a table and each took a mug of ale.
- Gee, - Kallian muttered. - The Joining, the slaughter in the valley, witches, and now bandits. If I had known it would be like this, I would never have gone with Duncan. Don't get me wrong, my friend. He saved my life in Denerim, but I was not ready for all this.
- I think you're doing well, - Faren assured her. - I was ready to cut off a couple of human heads, and you took and sent these scoundrels to be eaten by the darkspawn. Killed two birds with one stone. You acted like a true Grey Warden.
Suddenly, four armored warriors came up to their table. One of them grabbed Kallian by the shoulder.
- Let go, shem, - she said. - The last shem that tried to harm me was left lying in a pool of his own blood.
- I heard everything. You are the Grey Wardens! - exclaimed the leader of the warriors. - Traitors! You killed the king!
- Is that what Loghain told you, you idiot? - Faren asked.
- I was there! Loghain gave the order to retreat and saved us! Too bad he couldn't get our King Cailan out of there.
- Suddenly, a Chantry sister came up to them and intervened in the conversation. Kallian noticed her short red hair and sad eyes.
- Gentlemen, let's not quarrel, - she said. - These two are clearly ordinary refugees.
- They are not refugees, sister, - said the warrior. - Now step aside if you don't want to get killed!
Faren nodded to Kallian, and they both began to fight - the elf pierced the hand of a nearby warrior with a dagger. The second one was stunned with an empty mug by Faren. The sister suddenly decided to help the guests and beat the remaining two with quick blows.
- Get out of here. And help the wounded one, - Kallian said.
- F-Fine, - said the leader of the warriors, and helped the others to their feet. All four ran out of the tavern.
- I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't get past the people in need, - said the sister.
- Do they teach everyone in the Chantry to fight like that? - Faren asked.
- I have not been a sister of the Chantry all my life. Let me introduce myself. My name is Leliana and I am a former sister of the Chantry of Lothering.
- My name is Faren, and this is Kallian. We are glad to meet you.
- I heard that you are the Grey Wardens. I thought only humans were taken there. But maybe elves and dwarves want to stop the Blight just as much as humans do.
- Do you need something specific or are you here to insult us? - Kallian asked irritably.
- I know that after Ostagar you need help. And I want to go with you and help you stop the Blight.
- What do you have to do with it?
- The Maker told me to help you.
Kallian and Faren looked at each other.
- You say the Maker commanded you? Then come with us, - the elf said with a great deal of sarcasm.
- So you believe me? - Leliana asked. – I knew that the Maker had sent me a prophetic dream! He told me that I would fulfill His holy plan if I joined you! I'll go get my bow. Wait for me here!
The satisfied sister ran away from the tavern.
- So, is she crazy? - Faren asked.
- Yeah, definitely crazy, - Kallian replied. - But she knows how to fight. Besides, no one can compare with Flemeth in craziness.
Faren laughed and went to the bar. Kallian wondered how many more madmen they would meet along the way, and whether she really needed to stay with the Warden squad.