Dragons and Thrones: Final War – Doom Upon All The World
Chapter 3 of my crossover story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin, Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Varric
Watching as Hawke sat, a concerned expression on his face, Varric sighed.
"You did what you could Hawke, you have to admit, with the truth being revealed, no one questioning why." He remarked.
Hawke nodded. "I know Varric, I know, it's just...I feel I've been too lenient."
It was Fenris who snorted at that. "Lenient, you sent the man adrift Hawke, a man like that...death would have been too quick."
"Have to agree there, even I admit the sea's no fun when you've got no food, weapons or anything like that." Isabela chimed in.
Hawke nodded slowly, finally standing up. Varric looked around at them all, the people who had spoken and Merrill, all of them had been Hawke's companions for the longest time, all of knew knew Anders.
"So I guess we're all in agreement then?" Varric remarked at last. "This is the best sentence we could have passed on Sebastian, huh?"
They all nodded and then, whatever cheerfulness they had abated. Now it was time, they left the building, ready for Anders funeral. On the way Varric fell into pace beside Hawke and Merrill.
"I don't mean to worry you Hawke, but there might be some trouble brewing. Some of the soldiers who came to join us are from Orlais and they are acting strangely...upset about something." He muttered.
Hawke nodded. "I see, hopefully nothing, but can't take chances, we'll see to them later."
Varric agreed; but did not share his main concern, those Orlesians seemed to be most upset, whenever they saw Blackwall.
Standing by the pyre, Varric watched as Hawke stood, holding the torch. Surrounding them were the others present in Meereen, as well as their friends and allies. A Chantry priest who had stayed behind when Mother Giselle left with Daenerys stepped forward and began the prayer.
"Ashes we were, and ashes we become, Maker grant this man a place at your side. May we find comfort in the peace he has found in eternity." He intoned.
Varric looked out at Anders, laid out peaceful on the pyre. Despite everything the man had done, he certainly didn't deserve this. Hawke then lit the pyre and stood back.
A complete hush fell on the crowd as they all watched, reverently silent as the cremation commenced and by the time it was done, more than a few were shedding tears.
As people began to leave after the funeral ended, Varric found himself staying with Hawke and Merrill. Isabela and Fenris had remained longer than the others but soon they too left, as they had work to do in the cities they would be defending, especially since Leliana would be returning to aid them soon.
"It's strange, but one thing that stands out in my mind..." Merrill said softly. "Is all the times, Anders would talk about Ser Pounce-a-Lot."
Hawke smiled softly at that and Varric chuckled softly. "Ah yes, I remember...he really was fond of that cat."
They spent more time like that, remembering the past, the times they spent with Anders and the rest of their group in Kirkwall, before things changed, before everything collapsed.
Unfortunately, a day later, things had taken a drastic turn.
'Of course it would have to come to this.'
He was standing with Hawke, and the other assembled leaders of the coalition. Before them, in the middle of the room, stood the Orlesians on one side, and Blackwall on the other.
"I will tolerate fighting, especially amongst ourselves, we have a true enemy who will be here any day." Hawke was saying. "Now, what is the meaning of this!?"
The Orlesians stepped forwards at once, Blackwall; Varric noticed had the look of a man who found his past catching up with him.
"This man!" One Orlesian said, gesturing to Blackwall. "He is a criminal, he should be put to death!"
Hawke shook his head. "He is a Grey Warden...far more likely, whatever his past, he was recruited, or conscripted and therefore any criminal activity in Blackwall's past..."
"I am not...Blackwall." He suddenly said; drawing gasps. "They are right, and what's more...I knew this time would come...Anyone from Thedas here would know my name."
Even the Orlesians looked shocked, no doubt expecting him to deny things.
But no he told the truth and even Varric couldn't hide his shock when the truth was revealed.
Blackwall admitted his true identity. "I…am Thom Rainier."
Hawke froze, Varric could understand why. That was a well-known name, especially in Orlais, but also outside of it.
"So...You are the man who murdered Lord Vincent Callier, his wife and his children?"
Blackwall nodded. "Yes; we were told we were attacking an armed convoy, but no...it was just a man out with his family and it turned into a slaughter...After it I ran, like a damned coward I ran...leaving my men to their fates."
Silence fell after that, all of the people present too shocked to say anything.
He told the full story of the attack then. Varric had to admit, the pieces fit together; it had been arranged by a rival of Callier; Ser Robert Chapuis. The man had committed suicide after word of the massacre spread.
After fleeing and becoming a mercenary, Rainier came to the attention of a Grey Warden called Gordon Blackwall who took him under his wing and prepared to take him for the Joining.
"But it never happened." The man admitted at last.
"On our way to the Warden stronghold in Val Chevin, we stopped by a Deep Roads entrance on the Storm Coast and Blackwall sent me to retrieve Darkspawn blood for my joining. We were ambushed and Blackwall sacrificed himself to protect me from a fatal blow. I was inspired by Blackwall's nobility and belief in the Warden's cause, but I had no proof that I had been recruited and feared the Wardens would think I had murdered Blackwall. So I assumed his identity and used his status as a wandering Warden recruiter to try and do good in honour of the Warden's memory."
Silence fell after that; shocking everyone. Varric sighed and turned to Hawke.
All he could say was. "Well...shit."
It was clear some form of judgement was expected but it was a difficult choice, at least Varric could see Hawke thought so.
"Hawke, I may have an idea." He said at last and whispered to his friend.
Hawke nodded and straightened up. "Very well; Thom Rainier...since we cannot afford to lose anyone just now and since you have been keeping Blackwall's memory alive...You will continue to do so, until our war with Corypheus is over. After that, the Wardens shall have you...let them decide your fate."
"That is more than I deserve." Blackwall responded.
But in the end, despite the Orlesians being somewhat disgruntled at the fact he wasn't put to death, the decision was accepted.
Some days later, Varric stood, keeping a lookout. Things had finally calmed down following the Thom Rainier incident. Now they were ready and waiting. Leliana had arrived and the defences were all set.
In addition, to ensure that they could keep an eye on how their allies were doing; something which would surely help morale, they had set up magical communication devices, one at each of the three battlefields. All this passed through Varric's mind, just before he spotted it.
The approaching fleet of ships, all bearing the flags and unmistakable signs of being the Red Templar fleet. Varric quickly sounded the alarm, it was time for the battle to begin.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
Well, this is the last we'll see of Essos until Thedas and Westeros are set up for their battles, since all three battles happen at the same time. In fact, a large chunk of this story is devoted to battles, so, be prepared for that :)