Chapter 51: Saviors of the Village (Neria)
The Wardens and their allies have gathered outside Ser Jory's house. The deserter had asked them to wait for him, as he wanted to see his wife and newborn daughter before his punishment. Returning from home, the knight approached the squad. Enraged, Kallian grabbed him by the armor and pushed him against the wall.
- Now speak! How come you're alive and pretending to be one of us? - she asked.
- I... I hid in the Wilds, - Jory said. - I couldn't drink the solution after Mhairi… died. I ran as fast as I could to Redcliffe, and the news of the defeat at Ostagar reached me. And I thought that since there were no more Grey Wardens, then I could return home without shame, and Helena could be proud of me. I didn't think of anything else but to pretend to be a Grey Warden, no one would have revealed the truth anyway. And here you are.
- You would have been useful to us in Ostagar! You could have saved Duncan! - Alistair shouted.
- Is Duncan dead? And everyone else too?
- Most of them died, - Neria replied to the knight. - Graham did something stupid and was killed after you ran away. Theron and everyone else from our Joining survived.
- Speaking of Theron, - Daylen recalled. - When you ran, he aimed his bow at you and was ready to shoot. But he didn't. For some reason, he believed that you would still be useful. And so do I.
- You shouldn't be so merciful, - Morrigan said. - He betrayed you and is not worthy of living.
- Morrigan, there are too few people in the village, and even fewer who are able to defend it. It would be foolish now to kill those who can use weapons.
- It's reasonable. I'm taking my words back.
- Now back to you, deserter. While you were at home, we conferred. Some of us wanted to punish you severely, but Neria and I insisted otherwise. We will not expose you and we'll say that you are one of us. But with one condition. If you survive this night, then after the Blight you will go through the Joining. If you refuse or run away again, you will die. But Duncan recruited you for some reason, so you'll survive, I'm sure of it.
- It's… it's very kind, - Jory exclaimed. - Thank you!
- Lucky you, - Kallian said. - If it was only my decision, you would no longer be alive. Tell us how we can help you.
- There is one warrior here, a dwarf named Dwyn. He refused to fight and barricaded in his house.
- How did you say? Dwyn? - Sten asked. - He stole my sword. I'll talk him.
- Sten, I'll go with you, - Daylen said. - I don't want Dwyn to die or be severely crippled by you, he still has to defend the village. But he will have to wash his wet pants after he sees the huge Qunari and the mage.
- Ask Ser Perth, he leads the local knights. Maybe they need help.
- I'll take care of that, - Kallian said. - Morrigan, come with me. You never know when magical help is needed.
The two groups left on their assignments, leaving only Neria, Alistair and Liam with Jory.
- And there is one more thing, it could be a waste of time.
- I think I know what you mean, - Liam said. - Are you talking about the golem?
- Yes, sure. Let's find a way to revive this thing, and the dead will be in trouble!
- We are not locals. Could you tell us more? - Neria asked.
- Once upon a time there lived Wilhelm, the court mage of King Maric. He had a personal golem. Wilhelm died a long time ago, and for some reason his wife turned the golem into a statue. Maybe Matthias, Wilhelm's son, knows how to bring this golem back to life. But he hasn't left the house in days. Liam will show you the way to his house. I have never been there myself, but they say that inside it is bigger than outside.
- Well, and what are you going to do now? - Alistair asked.
- I'll train the militia.
- Fine. In the evening we will meet and discuss the results.
Neria and Alistair followed Liam to Matthias' house. But suddenly Liam stopped.
- This is the forge. I'll go and see how my brother is.
The elf and the human were left alone at the forge.
- You wanted to talk, didn't you? - Alistair asked.
- Yes. What you said on the way to the village. It changes everything.
- What changes? I'm still the same Alistair, the same fool who was lucky enough to survive and meet you.
- You are the only living son of the king. If we succeed in dethroning Loghain and his daughter, someone will have to take the throne. And who do you think it will be?
- Eamon will become the king. Who else?
- Eamon has nothing to do with Maric. He would rather give the throne to you.
- To me? I'll refuse, and that's all.
- You still think you'll have a choice. How nice.
- I do not understand what the problem is.
- I liked you when we were equal, when we were just two Grey Wardens. But now you are a contender for the throne of Ferelden, and I am an elf, who also happens to be a mage. If you become king, then I will never be your queen. And I don't want to be a mistress in the shadows.
- I will relinquish the throne.
- Nobody will accept your refusal. All in all, it's better for us to be friends. I'm sorry.
Liam stepped out of the forge.
- Brhadan is fine. Let's go to Matthias.
The trio made their way to the lake. Alistair hung his head and followed Liam without even looking at Neria. But she still knew that she had done the right thing. She cannot be in a relationship with someone to whom she is not equal in status.