Chapter 49: Waking Sea (Elissa)
The last few hours had been very difficult for Elissa. She and Roderick were lucky to stumble upon a squad of scouts from the Waking Sea, who helped bring the wounded Daveth to the castle, where he was immediately treated by local healers.
Now Roger runs around the garden and plays with Elissa's nephew and niece: Oren and the half-elf Amethyne. Roderick decided to talk to the local guards. And Elissa sat in the throne room of the castle, waiting for her mother and Alfstanna. She hoped that they had come here for a reason and that Alfstanna would help the Couslands reclaim Highever.
The doors opened, and Eleanor and Alfstanna entered the hall, accompanied by two guards. The mother immediately hugged her daughter.
- Elissa! I'm so glad you're alive!
- Greetings, mom. Greetings, Lady Alfstanna. Have you seen Roderick yet? He also survived.
- Yes, sure. The Maker saved him from death.
- Eleanor said that shortly before Howe attacked, your brother Aedan returned from exile, - Alfstanna said. - Why isn't he with you?
- He went to Denerim, - Elissa replied. - He said he wanted to recruit mercenaries for the siege of Highever.
- How did you even survive? - Eleanor asked. - Loghain returned from Ostagar and began to claim that the Grey Wardens had killed the king. But what really happened out there?
- We were lucky. And whatever Loghain says, he's lying. I was with the Grey Wardens who were supposed to light the signal on the tower of Ishal. Everything did not go according to the plan, there were darkspawn in the tower. We were late, but we lit the signal. But Loghain retreated. Cailan, Duncan, most of the army, and almost all of the Grey Wardens died in the battle. We've barely managed to escape.
- And Fergus? What about him?
- Aedan asked everyone in Ostagar who might know something. And unfortunately, Fergus... he didn't make it.
Eleanor sat down on a chair and wept.
- I hoped that Fergus would survive. But it looks like the Maker saved only the two of you. I don't know how to tell Oren about this.
- Mom, don't tell him yet. How is he?
- He hardly ever speaks. But he became more active after Amethyne and her grandmother arrived. Aedan told them to come here, didn't he?
- Yes, before Ostagar we went to the Denerim alienage, and Aedan found them there.
- Do you think that the girl is really of our blood? What if Iona just decided to deceive Aedan?
- Mom, I believe my brother. If he believes that Amethyne is his daughter, then she is his daughter. Just accept it.
- Who will be the Teyrn now? I can't be one because I'm not related to Bryce by blood. Fergus is dead, Aedan was in exile, so it's you.
- I doubt that. Duncan said something about the fact that the Grey Wardens cannot take part in politics and have titles. The next Teyrn is Oren. And you will be his regent until he grows up.
- Speaking of which, - Alfstanna entered into the conversation. - I can't openly support you. I keep even your family here in secret, because I do not want Loghain to know about it. Forgive me, but the only thing I can offer you now is volunteers without my banners and a ship that will take us to Highever. The crew of the ship will not fight on your side and will sail home as soon as they drop you off.
- I understand, Lady Alfstanna. At least thanks for that. My brother in the order was wounded, and he was taken to the healers. Can I visit him?
- Of course, Elissa. My people will guide you.
Elissa quickly found the room where Daveth was placed. He was lying on the bed unconscious and with poultices on the wound, the girl sat down beside him and took his hand.
- I have come to thank you. I know you won't hear me, at least you won't say this annoying "m'lady." So I think I can speak freely. You saved my life back then and I am grateful to you. But it reminded me of something. I didn't tell anyone exactly how my boyfriend, Dairren, died. The two of us were praying in the chapel when Howe's archers attacked us. Dairren, unlike me, was not a warrior, and those scoundrels therefore decided to kill me first. But Dairren shielded me with his body, and all the arrows hit him. And he's not the first. Everyone I had a relationship with eventually died. I do not know how to explain it. Maybe I'm cursed. Maybe I'm doomed to be alone. Please don't try to save me again.
After saying those words, Elissa left the room.