When our party arrived at the bottom of the tower, it had gathered an impressive force behind it. Dozens of townsfolk, elves, dwarves, mages, soldiers and the like were with us and making their way out of the rubble.
"Eamon! Over here!"
Alistair moved towards the distant figure he recognized and soon Eamon was halfway towards us as well.
'Alistair!"
Eamon rushed towards us then his face changed when he saw Sten and Alistair's cargo held in their arms.
"Maker…what has happened?"
Alistair could not bring himself to put the tale into words just yet.
"Later, Eamon. Let us get to safety first."
Eamon nodded, resting his hand on Alistair's shoulder.
"Let us go. We've cut a pretty wide swath through the Darkspawn and most have retreated anyhow. Only the stubborn stragglers remain and they are weak without the Archdemon."
The group made it to Eamon's estate without further incident and truth be told, the estate looked no worse for wear, considering how much destruction lay to each side of it.
We had saved the majority of the city with our quick actions. Had we not moved as we had, more of the city would lie in ruins.
Our party slipped through the doors and they were locked tight again behind us after some other loose Denerim folk joined us inside. We needn't worry about further attacks, we now needed to tend to our wounded and seek shelter away from the many fires that burned around us while the remaining guards and others put them out.
Leliana stayed right at Alistair's side as he walked me to one of the closest open bedrooms he could find and I was laid on the bed, Leliana immediately at my side.
"I will need medical supplies, please! Bandages and everything you can find!"
Alistair nodded and went back into the hallway, heading for the nearest house elf not busy with other things.
Meanwhile, Sten approached Eamon as he was directing his house help, with Morrigan still in his arms.
"She has moved on." Sten stated simply, though some emotion was evident in his voice.
Eamon sighed wearily and looked upon Morrigan for a moment.
"Would you kindly take her down to the mausoleum, Sten? We shall prepare a hero's service for her as soon as we are able."
Sten moved off without a word while an elf led him to his destination. Eamon saw Alistair returning to the bedroom where I lay and he followed him.
"Alistair, will Detra recover? Was she seriously wounded?"
The duo arrived at the door and Leliana was still at my side. Soft whispers could be heard and her hands were clasped together over my midsection and both Eamon and Alistair felt as if they were intruding.
Leliana heard their approach and finished her sentence, ushering them forward with her hands.
"I need those bandages, please."
Alistair moved forward and handed them over, knowing Leliana knew what to do.
Wynne walked into the room as well and immediately her hands glowed with healing magic. One look at me told her she might need some Lyrium as well as there were many stab points in my body as far as she could see. Leliana has been trying to remove my armor without causing further harm but it was a process. Wynne moved to the opposite side of the bed and helped Leliana with my armor, touching her hand.
"She will be all right, Leliana. Detra is as strong and as stubborn as a Mabari."
Wynne's reference to Mabari only made Leliana wince at the memory of losing Mabs in the battle and she sighed, knowing she must go and retrieve the body for burial.
Wynne went to work and soon the others trickled from the room and then soon only Leliana remained.
The sun came up a few hours later and the people of Denerim were able to look upon their broken city.
But it had been saved and the city still belonged to them, no matter how much debris lay about.
Things had calmed down quite a bit at the Arl's estate now that most of the people who were able to be saved or needed helped had been tended to.
Alistair felt he had just laid down moments ago when his eyes snapped open. He sat up in the bed and gathered himself a bit then strode out into the hall, looking around for anyone needing help. He saw that the house help looked more at ease now so he felt able to come and see how I was doing.
Leliana still sat in the chair next to me, holding my hand and watching over me carefully.
Her eyes burned from lack of sleep but she would not close them.
A knock at the door roused her from her thoughts and she mumbled that whoever it was may enter.
"Leliana! Have you gotten any sleep at all? How is she doing?"
It was Alistair and he was carrying some fruit. He sat down on the bed and rolled an apple across to Leliana.
"You should eat something. You've been holed up in here since the battle ended last night."
"No, thank you and she's doing okay I think, Alistair. Wynne healed all of the stab sites, and now I'm just waiting for her to open her eyes."
Alistair bit into an apple and chewed a bit.
"I can take over now, Leliana. You need to get some rest."
Leliana just ignored Alistair's offer, staring intently at me.
"I am serious, Leliana. It's not good for you to be like this."
Leliana felt aggravated.
"I am fine. I will not leave her."
"Detra will be fine, Leliana. She just needs rest and…"
Leliana took a deep breath and spouted in rage.
"I will NOT leave Detra! I am NOT leaving her side for her to get hurt again! Do you HEAR me? Do you HEAR ME?!"
Alistair stared at Leliana for a moment as their eyes met across the bed. Leliana immediately felt shame for her display of rage and looked away, feeling tears coming.
Alistair joined Leliana on her side and knelt in front of her, trying to hold her hand but Leliana pulled away, embarrassed and feeling a mix of emotions she could not describe.
"It wasn't your fault, Leliana. You were the one who found Detra, you saved her. That's what matters."
Leliana appeased Alistair and returned his hug and she wondered if she really had saved me at all.