Dragon Age: King in Exile

Part Twenty-Two

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King Cailan has written Alistair into the succession and is ready to recognize him publicly. Loghain will do almost anything to keep that from happening. The darkspawn give him the perfect opportunity. Alistair/Cousland, featuring F!Tabris.

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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize from Dragon Age belongs to me.

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In the morning, Kallian and the others parted ways with the former werewolves and headed back to the Dalish camp. With some guidance from those better acquainted with the forest, they were able to make the trip in under a day.

Less easy was explaining to the Dalish that their keeper had died to end the curse. They hailed him as a hero, and no one was quite willing to break the illusion. Kallian didn't care one way or the other what they thought of him, only what they would do.

"Zathrian promised me an army," she said to Lanaya.

The new keeper nodded. "I'll keep his promise, Warden. Now that our people are healing, I can spare runners to alert other clans. I will let them know to amass near Redcliffe. Though I can't promise that all will be willing to come." They were both aware of the danger that could come to elves going so deep into human lands.

"If you meet any trouble, let them know a Grey Warden requested your aid against the blight. It might help," Kallian said with a shrug. It might not, but it was all she could offer.

Lanaya smiled. "We will do so. Please, you are welcome to stay with the clan as long as you need. We would like to request you remain for the ceremonies as we grant our blessings to Zathrian's spirit."

A day or two couldn't hurt, she figured, and the group would probably appreciate a bit of rest. Their adventure in the ruins could be described as harrowing by some, though Kallian thought she was starting to get used to risking her life on a daily basis.

The next day was taken up with preparations for Zathrian's ceremony. Through the evening the Dalish recited poems and sang songs, drinking to Zathrian and his sacrifice. In the morning, the funeral rites were completed with the planting of a new tree.

After that, the clan dispersed to their own everyday tasks that had fallen to the wayside during the funeral preparations. Kallian turned to her own preparations, packing up and supplying their group for their next trip.

Alistair and Elissa had cornered her the day before, asked her to take a detour back to Ostagar.

She hadn't wanted to go at first—it wasn't as if she had fond memories of the place. It was where she'd watched two men die before being handed a cup of poison, where she'd seen darkspawn for the first time and nearly been killed by them. She'd been in such turmoil then, wondering how her family was doing and if she'd made the right decisions. It wasn't a place of good memories.

Eamon needed Cailan's Writ of Succession, they'd told her, to present at the Landsmeet and make sure that Alistair's ascension would go smoothly. There was that flash of fear in his eyes again, Kallian noted, at the mere mention of becoming king. She couldn't quite understand why Alistair was working so hard towards something he clearly didn't want to do.

Elissa had started in on arguments as to why Kallian should agree to make the stop, and Kallian quickly raised a hand to silence her. Elissa frowned as she fell quiet, visibly itching to speak.

"You don't have to persuade me," Kallian said. "I know getting your boy on the throne is the best chance to end this stupid war before it takes over my entire life. And I wouldn't mind sticking it in that asshole Loghain's craw either."

Elissa blinked. Alistair laughed. "Great," he said. "Thank you, Kallian."

She waved him off. "Whatever."

She couldn't help feeling just a little insulted by their surprise. Why did all her companions think she was completely illogical?

…

When they were nearly prepared to leave, Morrigan pulled Kallian aside, into the shade of one of the aravels, a large book clutched tightly in her hand.

"I understand you intend to make for Ostagar. But before we leave for our next destination, I have a… request to make." The witch was clearly uncomfortable.

"What do you need?" Kallian asked shortly. Her patience was thinning for errands.

"Leliana brought me something a few weeks ago, something she found in the circle tower," Morrigan began to explain. She glanced down at the book in her arms, Kallian's eyes following. She recognized the book as one she'd seen Morrigan reading occasionally by the fire at night. She'd never asked about it, because, well… she just didn't care. Kallian preferred not to get into anyone's business unless they forced it on her.

"My mother's grimoire was stolen years ago by templar mage hunters. I was pleased to see it returned, but when I began to read it was… not what I expected." Her brow creased, and she glanced downward for a moment. "I had hoped for a collection of her spells, a map of the power she commands…"

"But?" Kallian prompted. They were wasting daylight; she'd hoped to be getting on the road by now.

"Within the book, in great detail, Flemeth explains the means by which she has extended her life far beyond the normal human lifespan. I always knew I was not the first of her daughters," she said. "Chasind legend speaks of many witches of the wilds. But I did not know what had become of my sisters."

She met Kallian's gaze, a disturbed look in her eye. "Now I know. They are all Flemeth. When her body becomes old and wizened, she raises a daughter. And when the time is right, she takes that daughter's body for her own!"

Finally, the point. "And you're next, I take it," said Kallian. She shrugged. "What do you want to do about it? It's not like you have to go home if you don't want to."

"There is only one possible response to this," Morrigan replied, warming to the topic. "Flemeth needs to die. I will not sit about like an empty sack waiting to be filled. She has power. I believe she could find me anywhere, should she so choose. I must take the initiative to end this before she does." She nodded firmly. "Flemeth must be slain, and I need your help to do it."

Kallian's eyes widened. That sounded like a lot of risk on her part, and for what reward? "You want me to risk my life for this. You know she's powerful."

"Once she's dead, you can take anything you wish from her cabin," Morrigan said. "I doubt you will find any riches, but perhaps her real grimoire is there. With that, I could become quite powerful myself."

Kallian eyed Morrigan. She was more desperate, more passionate, than she'd seen Morrigan on any topic. This meant everything to her. Then it came to Kallian. The real reward here wasn't something that would be found inside Flemeth's cabin. It was Morrigan's loyalty. After this… Morrigan would owe her. She could use this for a long, long time.

"What exactly do I need to do?" Kallian asked.

"Take whoever you need and tell them whatever story you wish," Morrigan said. "I cannot be present, I fear she will attempt to take my body through force should I be there when she is slain. Kill Flemeth, take whatever you wish from her home. And then I shall be free."

"You're aware that you'll owe me for this," Kallian warned her. "I won't be shy asking for repayment."

"I am aware," Morrigan said, calm and collected. "It is an adequate price for my life."

Kallian nodded. "I'll do it."

"Thank you," Morrigan said with a touch of warmth, more than she had shown to anyone so far in their travels.

There were worse things than having an apostate mage in her debt. After all, how much trouble could one old woman be?

Even if she was a witch.

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Flemeth's hut was a little closer than Ostagar, so Kallian decided to stop there first. Though "closer" didn't mean much—it was still a long, arduous trek through seemingly uncharted wilderness.

On the journey, she considered who might like to take part in killing the old woman… and who would be least likely to object to it. Flemeth was a witch, that was true, but she could look like a harmless old woman if she wished.

Sten might like the violence, she thought. Zevran was an assassin and was unlikely to object to killing an old woman. Leliana, she thought, seemed to have taken an interest in Morrigan and would want to help her even if this kind of killing wasn't normally up her alley.

Alistair was probably a no, not unless she could get Elissa to convince him. And while Elissa seemed a little less likely to object, maybe it would be better to leave the royal pair behind. She snorted. Maybe Elissa's dog could keep Morrigan company while the rest of them went after Flemeth.

The biggest conundrum was Wynne. Kallian didn't want to go without a mage, and a healer would be especially useful. But Wynne was the most uptight and righteous of the whole crew. What could she say to the old woman to convince her to kill? Maybe she would have something against apostates?

Kallian's thoughts were on this as they trudged through miles of underbrush. She needed Wynne. She'd have to find some way to convince the old mage that Flemeth was evil and dangerous.

It took her hours before she realized the truth would probably do.

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Leliana had seen Morrigan acting strangely for a couple of days, spending more time than ever examining the book that she'd brought the witch from Kinloch Hold. Even as the rest of the party had joined the Dalish revels, Morrigan had hidden away, studying her book. It made her wonder if she shouldn't have taken it in the first place. She was trying to be nice to Morrigan, to reach out to her. She hadn't intended to give Morrigan a reason to withdraw from the group even further.

Leliana couldn't help but watch. Morrigan was such a curious person. So full of confidence and insecurity. Disdainful of them all, yet sometimes Leliana could swear she was jealous of their camaraderie. So aware of her beauty and yet so withdrawn from admiration and affection.

She wanted to unravel Morrigan's mysteries. She couldn't stop watching.

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From within a circle of firelight, Elissa watched with a frown as Kallian took yet another of their traveling companions aside to have an intense, whispered conversation. Kallian usually avoided Wynne as much as possible, but not tonight.

Alistair was oblivious, happily stirring the rabbit stew that was to become their dinner. Leliana had been teaching him how to cook lately, and he was proud of how tasty his efforts had become. But Elissa wasn't so easily sidetracked. Something was going on.

When Kallian and Wynne finished their discussion and went their separate ways, Elissa saw Kallian catch Morrigan's eye, giving her a nod. Elissa's frown deepened. There was nothing normal about this.

It was Kallian's turn for first watch tonight. After dinner was done and everyone was heading towards their beds, Elissa gave Alistair a kiss and asked him to wait for her.

"I just want to talk to Kallian for a moment," she reassured him.

"Don't take too long," he said, voice low, as he squeezed her hip and smiled.

She bit her lip as he disappeared into the tent. Tempting, but he would have to wait.

She approached Kallian sitting alone by the fire, her eyes trained on the dark edge of the forest around them. The elf briefly glanced over and raised a brow as Elissa sat down beside her but made no comment, probably hoping the silence would continue.

"What's been going on tonight?" Elissa asked. "You've been talking to people, most of the party. But not to me. Or Alistair either."

"Well if I haven't talked to you about it, that must mean it's none of your business," Kallian said acidly, without looking over.

"It's something to do with Morrigan," Elissa continued, undeterred. "You kept sharing looks with her after talking to everyone. What could possibly be the business of Sten, Leliana, Wynne, and Zevran? Most of them don't even like each other."

"Don't like you very much right now," Kallian grumbled, then sighed in irritation. "It's Morrigan's business. She asked for a favor. Not everyone is needed and it's not my place to tell you what it is. Don't ask, princess. You'll just piss her off."

Elissa frowned slightly. "We care about Morrigan too."

Kallian let out an annoyed huff. "It's not about care, it's about need. Go to bed and stop disrupting my watch. Lucky you, you'll get a day off tomorrow."

Elissa shook her head as she stood. "Have it your way. Let's just hope you don't need us then."

Still feeling ruffled, she headed back towards her tent. Maybe Alistair could soothe her emotions and calm her enough to go to sleep.

Then again… a calm activity wasn't exactly what she had in mind.

Elissa quickened her pace for the last few steps and ducked under the tent flap to meet her waiting husband.

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