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The Halla Reborn
Chapter 49
The weather held, and they managed to find their way through the Wilds with little obstacles, making good time and even traveling as far into the night as they could, eager as they were to put distance between them and the Blighted wilder lands. Once beyond the borders of the Wilds and well on their way into the Frostback Mountains, they still encountered their share of bandits and bounty hunters, yet surprisingly few darkspawn.
At night, Adela and Alistair would devote much of their time to deciphering the encrypted papers found in Duncan's chest. Fortunately, Duncan had the foresight to have begun tutoring Alistair in the Wardens' encryption codes, and it was a simply matter for the young man to teach the same to his very literate wife. Many of the papers were letters, exchanges between Duncan and the First Warden at Weisshaupt, and some of the more personal kind. Many were to and from a woman stationed at Weisshaupt by the name of Fiona. These letters, personal in nature that they were, were set aside. Both young wardens felt it an unnecessary intrusion upon their former commander's privacy.
Fergus Cousland had settled into the routine of the group easily enough. Several days journey from the Wilds found the group reunited with Bodahn Feddic and his rather eccentric son, Sandal and they had managed to outfit the young noble from his stores. After Roland made introductions of the dwarven merchant with Adela and Alistair, it was decided that the merchant, who just so happened was heading to Orzammar himself, would travel along with the group. Elated at having such skilled warriors help to defend his wagon, the dwarf offered his goods at a greatly reduced discount, even offering to carry the larger, heavier supplies that the Sten, Roland and Alistair always seemed stuck with carrying. The two humans breathed a sigh of relief as they packed the tents and spare equipment into the roomy confines of the wagon. Whether the Sten was relieved it was difficult to say.
It was the night prior to their arrival to Orzammar's front gates that the piece of information that both wardens had been desperate to find finally lay in Adela's hands. Her eyes wide, she read and re-read the heavily encrypted vellum, then, without a word, handed it off to Alistair for him to read.
His eyes widened as hers had, and then a wide grin split his face.
"The joining," he very nearly shouted as he waved the paper. Roland, who was nearby sparring with Fergus, lifted his head, his eyes turning to search out where Artemis stood, helping Morrigan with poultices and potions.
Both Warden Recruits knew the significance of the find. And, with a nod to each other and a silent word to the ones they were currently engaged with, the two stepped to where their senior wardens now stood, re-reading the vellum.
"We will be able to perform a joining ceremony?" Roland asked as he stepped to Adela's side. The elf's eyes were, yet again, skimming over the information. This was something - the most important thing - that she and Alistair had been hoping to recover since the fall at Ostagar. To be able to put recruits through the joining…to rebuild the warden numbers to fight against this Blight. Now, they could. If they could find the ingredients necessary.
"This may be difficult to come across," she said as she pointed out the list of ingredients required for the joining. Roland and Artemis bent their heads to the paper, but were unable to read the encryption. Alistair's face scrunched up in a frown. The lyrium and darkspawn blood would be easy to acquire. The Archdemon blood?
"Where will we find Archdemon blood?" Alistair quietly asked, aware that the others in their camp were watching the four wardens.
Adela stepped away, her eyes fixed upon the paper, biting at her lower lip in thought. "Maybe we missed something at the warehouse," she said as she turned toward the three men. "Or maybe we need to find a way into the Denerim compound."
"Easier said than done," Alistair quipped, frowning.
All Adela could do was shrug her shoulders as she stepped back to the three men. "At least now we know how to perform the joining. And Wynne had created the concoction before, so we have the advantage of an experienced mage."
With a sigh, she rolled the vellum up, putting it into her side pouch. "At least we now know how to perform the ritual," she stated as she lifted her head, forcing a smile upon her face. "That is one step closer than we were this morning."
Nodding, the others agreed as they turned back to the tasks they were engaged in prior to the revelation. Adela looked up into Alistair's face, noting that it was wrinkled in thought. A slight frown formed between her brows, and she stepped nearer.
"What is it, Alistair?" she asked as she set a small hand upon his arm.
Shrugging, Alistair replied, "I'm just trying to remember something Duncan had told me when I first joined." He turned around, facing westerly, the direction of Orzammar. "I may be mistaken, but I think that the Wardens have a compound in Orzammar."
"You're just remembering this now?" a blond brow twitched, not with irritation but amusement.
Chuckling in his usual self-deprecating way, Alistair shrugged. "Yeah, well, had a lot of things on my mind. And, Duncan didn't so much as tell me as mentioned it to another warden, and I just so happened to be in the vicinity."
"You were eavesdropping," the elf countered with a chuckle.
"What can I say?" The human warden asked as he tugged his wife against his chest, smiling into her hair. "I wanted to learn as much about the wardens as I could, and Duncan was being rather close lipped about it."
With a sigh, she snuggled deeper against him, enjoying the warmth that always seemed to emanate from him. "Well, with luck, there is a compound, a fully stocked compound."
"And then we'll have doubled our ranks," Alistair finished, the kissed the top of her blond head.
DA:O
Adela was surprised to note that, camped outside the vast stone doors that allowed entry into the fabled dwarven city, were several dwarven merchants, all hawking their wares or, in the case of many, simply sitting, balefully glaring at those impressive great doors.
Bodahn and Sandal went off to find their spot outside the door, carefully weaving their wagon through the throng. The others separated for a time, each seeking out the goods the various vendors offered.
Her eyes swept over the scene, settling upon the lone human merchant. Her eyes settled upon what appeared to be Qunari made weapons and arms and, recalling the Sten's description of his first encounter with darkspawn, just at Lake Calenhad, the elf stepped to the stall, curious as to how he had found these items.
It did not take long or very much coercion for the merchant to relate how he had come upon a battle site and the corpses of several bronze skinned giants. Adela questioned him about a large, two handed sword and the merchant blithely admitted to selling it in Redcliffe.
To the dwarven merchant Dwyn.
Certain that she was on the track to recovering the Sten's sword, she handed the merchant a sovereign, thanking him for his time, and then turned to rejoin her group.
Together once more, having made their purchases ( Adela noticed that the Sten was happily munching cookies), the group made their way to the heavily guarded double doors that led into the grand dwarven city.
The Captain of the Guard stood there, glaring at the human who stood before him, berating, scowling and threatening the dwarven man to allow him entry. With exaggerated patience, the guard advised the man that none were allowed within Orzammar.
Adela paused, her eyes shifting to the doors and back to the guard. The dwarf, obviously irritated and no longer wishing to give the man before him any more of his time, turned to the elven woman.
"Atrast vala, stranger," he greeted, his tone even as he fought against his irritation with the human. "Orzammar's gates are closed off to all but her own."
Adela nodded, pulling free from her pouch the treaty for the dwarves. Handing this over, she said, "I am Warden Commander Adela Tabris. These treaties," she waved a hand to the ancient vellum the guard now held and was reading with interest. "Obligate the dwarves to assist the Wardens during a Blight."
"A Blight?" the guard asked as he continued to ignore the man, who was now glaring at Adela and her group. The dwarf raised his eyes to stare into Adela's, who merely nodded as he handed the paperwork back.
"These are traitors to the throne and Fereldan!" the man beside them seethed, his hand twitching over the hilt of his still sheathed sword. "I demand that you execute this…this stain upon the earth!"
Mouth twitching, the dwarf turned back to the human. "You dare speak so to a Grey Warden?" he took a step closer, and the two guards at his back pulled their blades half way from their sheathes in a show of force and support for the Wardens.
Taken aback by the dwarves enmity, the man stumbled back, bumping into the mage who stood behind him. "I am the personal messenger of King Loghain!" he screeched. "I shall not be treated in such a manner!"
"I'll treat ye to the bottom of me boot, ye lickspittle," the Captain growled at the human. "Be gone from the front of the gates. Else I'll set upon ye the guards."
Glowering at the dwarves, and then at Adela and her crew, the 'personal messenger' had little choice but to obey.
A wide grin upon his face, the Captain turned back to Adela. "Been awaiting an excuse to do that for some time now. Be welcome, Grey Wardens, into the halls of Orzammar. I am uncertain what aid will be for ye, but you and yours are always welcome."
With a bow of her head, Adela thanked the guard and led the group through the huge doors and into the entry level of Orzammar.
DA:O
The first thing about entering deeper into Orzammar that struck Adela was the oppressive atmosphere of the place. The deeper under ground they went, the more she felt the very weight of the earth and stone around them.
The second thing she noticed was how very well lit the entirety of the place was. Rune encrusted torch sconces lined the great stone walls; tall lampposts stood at each avenue; each doorway was lit brightly by the magical lamps.
Apparently, the dwarva did not like the darkness better than any surface race.
There was a confrontation almost as soon as the group stepped into the commons of Orzammar: two dwarven nobles. The companions glanced uneasily at one another as they watched one of the commons' guards get struck down by one of the nobles' bodyguards.
"It would seem that the dwarves are lawless," the Sten intoned as they watched the blood pool under the body of the guard.
"So it would seem," MOrrigan replied coolly, her yellow eyes scanning over the area.
One guard, after ordering the body's removal, turned, spotting the group of strangers in their midst. Scowling fiercely at the companions, he stalked over, anger heavy in each step.
"Veata," he narrowed his small eyes at the group, coming up to stand directly in front of Adela. "I had heard that Grey Wardens had been allowed beyond the borders. While I do not approve of allowing strangers to witness our disarray, I cannot prevent your entry."
"What is happening?" Adela asked quietly and with great respect in her voice.
The guard seemed somewhat appeased by her graciousness. "King Endrin returned to the stone not three weeks ago. Distraught over the death of his elder son, and betrayal of his daughter." The guard stepped nearer. "You can find more news at the local taverns, inns and on any street corner."
Nodding, her eyes skimmed over the area. "Could you perhaps give us directions?" The dwarf studied her a moment as her eyes settled back upon his craggy face, and he nodded for her to continue. "I understand we have a compound within your city…"
The dwarf chuckled, nodding his head. "Indeed, Warden, you do. You shall find it located in the Diamond Quarter, the nobles' district." He swept a heavily muscled arm to the westerly end of the commons, where a great door stood, well guarded. "You would also do well to introduce yourselves at the Assembly Hall, again, in the Diamond Quarters, before your presence become too widely known."
Thanking him, Adela led the others in search of the Assembly Hall and then, later, their compound.
DA:O
Adela could not believe her ears. Not only would the Assembly not hear her, but the two nobles within Orzammar who may be able to offer her assistance were adamant that she prove her loyalties before they would even deign to speak with her! It was outrageous, and the elf found herself more than a little insulted.
She now stood before Dulin Forender, Lord Pyral Harrowmont's proclaimed second, astonished when he had suggested that she enter the dwarven Provings in order to, well, prove her loyalty to Lord Harrowmont.
Adela glared at the dwarven warrior who stood before her. "I am a Grey Warden," she said between clenched teeth. "We have no loyalties to offer. We fight the darkspawn, wherever they may crop up."
She took a step closer to Harrowmont's second, and he took that step back, glaring straight into the elf's eyes. "In the Deep Roads, upon the surface. Our sole purpose is to battle the darkspawn and either prevent or end Blights."
A finger raised, pointing into his face, and then the surrounding area. By this time, a respectable crowd had formed, and the elf was fully aware that the second of Bhelan had stepped from the Assembly chambers and was now watching. She turned to include him in her glare. "You are a race dying. Yet you kill each other in the streets, and cannot even gather the courage to meet each other face to face in your own Assembly to select a king! These treaties," she pulled them free from their pouch, raising them above her head. She now circled, taking the crowd in, addressing her words for all to hear. "These treaties obligate the dwarven race - not just your king - to aid the Grey Wardens in their continued battle against Blights! Once a Blight decimates the surface, its poison will come to you!" She pointed to a pair of women standing off to the side, and they visibly flinched. "Your kingdom is sandwiched between the ever present darkspawn and their taint from the Deep Roads and a Blight riddled surface." her blue eyes settled upon Dulin Forender and then Vartag Gavorn, Prince Bhelan Aeducan's second - an unsavory man she had the displeasure of speaking with earlier in the Hall - who both flinched at their intensity. "Just how long do you think your race has once a Blight has fully erupted upon the surface? I would think that the threat of death of your entire race would be worthy to overlook the petty bickering of who gets to set his ass upon your throne for a mere few months while all the world crumbles under a Blight!"
The two dwarven men were now sheepishly glaring at the Warden Commander, astounded at her audacity. The crowd that surrounded them slowly and carefully erupted into cheers and clapping, shouts for the Assembly to finally end their foolish filibustering and get to the business of leading them. Behind her, Alistair stared at his wife in open amazement, while the others nodded their approval, some grinning, others watching the crowd carefully. Fergus settled back on his heels, his arms crossed, a hand to his chin, as he studied the tiny elven woman in their center.
A dwarven warrior stepped forward, his green eyes glaring at the surrounding nobles who had now exited the assembly to witness the spectacle of a tiny elven woman rallying their people to end the Blight.
A grin of utter approval split his craggy face, and he offered up a rude gesture to the man who was Harrowmont's second.
Steward Bandelor stepped to Adela's side, and she could see he was trying hard to keep the smirk that threatened from his features. With a glance to the assembled nobles, who, after a mere moments pause, nodded to the Steward, he turned back to the main candidates' seconds.
"Tell your masters," he said in his deep, calm voice, "That the Assembly calls for a vote. There is a Blight that must be stopped, and we can no longer afford this political wrangling." His hard gaze swept from one face to another. The seconds glared at each other for a moment, and then offered the Steward a quick, curt nod before stomping off to collect their Lords.
Turning to Adela, Bandelor quietly said, "I appreciate your assistance in this, Commander," he said respectfully with a bow. The nobles had turned and re-entered the Assembly. "I do have a proposal for you, however."
Quirking an eyebrow, Adela waved her hand for the man to continue. Clearing his throat, he started, "While your words and the truth of a Blight have moved many to action, I have no doubt that we will still be days, if not weeks, away from any form of settlement." He noted Adela's frustrated sigh, and hurried on. "Bhelan is the logical, hereditary choice, however, it is well accepted that King Endrin had wanted Harrowmont upon the throne. It all falls down to whomever the Assembly votes for. We need someone of higher position, perhaps on par to a King, to make the final decision."
Oghren, the red haired warrior, made no effort to hide the face he was eavesdropping and so choose to butt in. "You need a Paragon, Warden. And I just happen to know where there is one."
Bandelor sighed, but nodded his gray and white head. "Oghren has the truth of it." He looked Adela straight in the eye. "Many believe that Branka yet lives, even after all of this time in the Deep Roads. If you could find her, bring her back, and offer to back one of our candidates…"
A great sigh escaped Adela. She truly had no desire to go into the Deep Roads, despite her earlier words. The very idea of going deeper into the earth terrified her. She had found Orzammar, even the higher tiered nobles' quarters, stressful. She longed for the sunlight and fresh air, to get away from the oppressive stone of the underground city. However, as much as she wanted to just tell the dwarves they and their unnatural city could crumble and burn, she knew the Steward was correct. And who better to fight against a Blight than the dwarves, whose very existence depended upon keeping the darkspawn at bay?
"Very well, Steward," she conceded. "Oghren here says he knows where she is. I'll need a map of the Deep Roads…"
"I believe I can assist you there, Commander," a cultured, quiet male voice rumbled behind her. She turned to spy a dwarven male of elder years, his white hair pulled back in a tight braid, his clothing marking him as a noble. He had a kind, wise face, and piercing blue eyes. She noted the Dulin Forender stood behind the man, and she correctly guessed that this was Lord Harrowmont.
Bowing respectfully, she said, "Lord Harrowmont. It is an honor. Now, how can you assist us?"
"First," he stepped forward, offering his hand. "I must apologize for even the thought that you would not be trustworthy. Every dwarf worth his stone knows that a Grey Warden's first and ultimate duty is to end Blights. We," he waved his hand to include himself, his second and the city itself. "momentarily forgot that Grey Wardens, of all who dwell upon the surface, understand all too well the dangers of the darkspawn."
A blond brow quirked every so slightly. She could hear the sincerity in his words, but was certain this was merely more political wrangling. Regardless, the man had said he could help. "This assistance you have offered?" she prompted.
With a small smile, the dwarf reached into his surcoat, pulling forth a rolled parchment. "This," he said as he unrolled it, holding it between his hands and moving to show the elf the map. "is a map to Caridin's Cross. This is where we believe Branka may have started her search."
"Search?" the elf asked, glancing back at Oghren, whose eyes were fixed upon the map.
"Caridin's Cross! By my Ancestors' tits! I never thought I'd live to see the day!"
"Oghren…"
"Yeah, yeah. Keep yer britches on, girlie." He grinned at Adela, showing he meant no offense. "Branka went off in search of the Anvil of the Void."
"And while a worthy quest, one that cost our city it's sole living Paragon," Harrowmont gently admonished. Oghren snorted his agreement.
Glancing down at the proffered map, Adela then looked back at Oghren. "Okay, then. I guess that we're off to the Deep Roads to find ourselves a missing Paragon."
Bandelor and Harrowmont exchanged looks, and then the Steward stepped forward. "May the stone guide you, Commander. It seems as though as much as you need our help, we need your assistance even more."
DA:O
Adela had asked that Oghren report to them the next morning at the gates to the Grey Warden compound. They had searched through the storerooms at the compound, and, much to the relief of the Wardens, found all of the required ingredients for a joining.
That evening they would see to the joining of Roland and Artemis.
Nervousness assailed her as Adela recalled her own joining. Wynne was off, preparing the concoction that Roland and Artemis would ingest, and that left her and Alistair to wait in the great, circular chamber that served as the joining room. Everyone else had been assigned rooms and were enjoying the comforts afforded therein, included personal baths and comfortable beds.
Niall stepped into the room, his dark eyes searching Adela out. The elf felt her heart nearly stop as the mage calmly walked toward her.
"I wish to join," the mage said quietly, a small smile upon his wide mouth.
Alistair stopped his pacing, staring at the mage. Niall's magic was potent, and he had mastered many spells in various schools. His quick mind had proven an asset to their group time and again, and his easy, shy manner made him friends with everyone. He would be an asset to the Grey Wardens, but Adela had a moment of doubt regarding his survival.
However, he had asked, and they had an obligation to rebuild the Warden ranks. She hated the pragmatic part of being the Commander of the Grey in Fereldan, but knew it was necessary at times.
"Does Zev know?" the elven woman asked, watching as Niall nodded his dark head, that smile still in place.
"He may not be…exceptionally happy about the prospect. But, he knows and he supports my decision."
Taking a deep breath, Adela glanced over at her husband. Alistair stood, staring at the mage for many moments, then turned his attention to his wife. Giving her a nod, he let her know he supported the idea.
"Very well, Niall," Adela rubbed a hand along his upper arm. "Alistair will advise Wynne…"
"Wynne already knows," the mage said sheepishly, trying to appear contrite at the widening of Adela's eyes.
Shaking her head slowly at the mage, she smiled. "Remember the chain of command, Niall," she gently scolded the mage. Smirking, the former Circle Mage nodded, and then left the chamber.