Dragon Age: King in Exile

Part Eighteen

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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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The march through the Brecilian forest was unsettling.

The area, long known to be the domicile of the Dalish elves, had not been much charted or mapped by Fereldans. No, humans knew to stay away.

Alistair had never felt uncomfortable before for simply being human. But following this ancient trail through the trees, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Were his footsteps always this loud? The sound of clanking metal and crunching leaves filled the air. Birdsong could be heard in the distance, but close to them a hush fell over the forest. Nearby creatures seemed to be watching and listening.

Alistair imagined Dalish eyes peering through the trees. They could be observed by much more than the creatures of the forest. What if the Dalish decided to attack first rather than talk? How many of them would be hurt before they could fight back?

He was ripped out of his thoughts by Kallian going dead still in front of him. When he looked up, three Dalish stood before their group, bows lowered but arrows nocked.

"Stop where you are," one elf said, her voice low and melodic. The elf's hair was pulled back, revealing a face adorned with a large, scrolling tattoo.

"This forest is the province of the Dalish," she continued. "I suggest you go elsewhere, and quickly."

"I'm right where I want to be," Kallian said sharply. "I'm looking for the Dalish. Your people signed an ancient treaty with the grey wardens to promise aid during a blight. I'm here to collect."

"The ancient treaties," murmured one of the elves behind the leader.

The first elf was silent for a moment. "I am Mithra," she said at last, her voice grudgingly civil. "I must take you to our keeper. Only he can treat with you."

Mithra turned, motioning for them to follow her. "Come. I will take you to the camp. Be respectful. If you are not, you will regret it."

Alistair shuddered at the leashed threat in her voice, but followed the rest of his party further into the forest. He hoped this would go smoothly, but with their track record he doubted it.

They heard the camp before they saw it, the sounds of life coming through the trees. Just past a bend in the path, the forest opened up to a large clearing, edged by ornately carved and decorated wagons, the legendary landships the Dalish were known to use as they traveled.

"How do they move these things through the forest?" Alistair whispered to Elissa. "Do the trees just move out of their way or what?"

His wife only shook her head and shrugged.

As they passed the perimeter and stepped inside the camp, a bustling community was revealed to them. Elves were tending animals, cooking, crafting. Some were simply lounging by the fire. Most wore the rather skimpy leather armor the Dalish were known for, and each facial tattoo was more ornate than the last. What caught their attention most, however, was what seemed to be a large, outdoor infirmary where much of the action was taking place. Had the Dalish faced darkspawn? It seemed unlikely—they had come across no sign of them in the forest.

One elf stood tall and serene amongst the chaos, bald head shining under the sun. With a carved staff on his back, it was apparent the elf was a mage. His aura of authority made it clear he was a leader.

"I see we have guests," he said as they approached. "Who have you brought to me, Mithra, and why? I have precious little time for outsiders today." There was a warning in his voice that Mithra seemed to ignore.

She motioned to Kallian. "This one claims to be a grey warden, and has come to discuss the ancient treaties we made with their order."

The keeper looked Kallian over, his eyes lingering on her knives and then on her bare, un-inked cheeks. She crossed her arms in irritation at his assessing gaze.

He turned back to the elves who had brought them in. "Ma serannas, Mithra. You may return to your post."

"Ma nuvenin, Keeper." With a nod, Mithra left, disappearing silently back into the forest.

The keeper returned his attention to Kallian. "I am Zathrian, the keeper of this clan. I guide the clan and preserve our ancient lore. And you are?"

"Kallian, grey warden," she said shortly. "These are my companions. I'm here because of the blight."

"I have already sensed the corruption spreading in the south," Zathrian said in reply. "The blight is not news to me."

"Then you must have expected my coming," Kallian countered. "Your people seem aware of the treaty. Have you been preparing for war?"

"Unfortunately, my clan is in no state to fight the blight, nor even to travel out of its path," Zathrian stated, his tone calm and even. "Please," he added, motioning to them. "Follow me."

He led them to the infirmary, walking between two rows of makeshift cots upon which a dozen elves lay in the throes of illness and injury. "When my clan entered this part of the forest a month ago, we expected the usual dangers. However, we did not expect werewolves to be lying in wait for us."

"They ambushed us," he said. "We drove the beasts back, but many of our warriors are dying as we speak." He motioned to the suffering elves around them. "We have tried to cure them, but it seems we will be forced to slay our own brethren to avoid them becoming beasts." He gazed over his dying people before turning back to Kallian. "The blight's evil must be stopped, but we are unable to help as we are."

"Are there other clans we can call upon?" she asked immediately. "You must keep in contact with some of them. There must be some way to spread the word."

"There are," Zathrian said, giving Kallian a considering gaze. "I have a deal for you."

He lead them away from the infirmary, away from any crowds. Kallian's impatience was mounting.

"This curse on my people is an infection that runs rampant in their blood. The only thing that could help them must come from the source of the curse itself. There is a great wolf in the forest that we call Witherfang. It is within him that the curse originated and through him it was spread. If he is killed and his heart brought to me, I believe I could lift the curse. Should you complete this task, whether or not this cure is successful, I will spread the word of your need to the other clans. If my people are cured, we will join them and you to battle the darkspawn."

"Of course you need something," Kallian huffed. "It's not enough that I give my life away to fight the blight. Everyone has their demands." She turned away towards the forest. Her frustration was palpable, but what choice did they have?

"I'll do it," she said eventually. "Just know that I don't take kindly to betrayal."

Zathrian gave her a thin smile. "Neither do I."

He motioned back towards the camp. "You must remain here for the night. We shall provide you with what information we can on the forest and you can begin your task in the morning. My first, Lanaya, can help get you settled. If you excuse me, there are many things that require a keeper's attention."

A young woman with a warm smile stepped forward. "Andaran atish'an, warden and friends. I am Lanaya, Zathrian's first… what you might call an apprentice. I will show you where you can place your tents. Do not worry about your evening meal. We will share what we have with those who have promised to help us."

She led them through the camp, showing them where things were and introducing them to a few important people, such as Varathorn, their master craftsman. She introduced them to a few hunters as well, those who had faced the werewolves and survived.

They were encouraged to sit by the fire with Sarel, the clan storyteller. A few children stayed nearby, sneaking looks at the outsiders. As they settled in, seating themselves upon rough-hewn benches, the storyteller addressed them.

"We few wanderers greet you, shemlen. We understand you are venturing into the haunted forest to save our brethren."

"Haunted?" Alistair asked, alarmed. He looked odd, out of place in the middle of the Dalish camp. His fine plate armor was a deep contrast to the homespun goods that surrounded them.

Sarel nodded at his question. "The Brecilian Forest has a history of carnage. Where there is so much death, the veil between our world and the beyond becomes thin. The legends say that one great spirit possessed the wolf that became Witherfang, who passed its curse of rage onto men and created werewolves. But you will find more than werewolves in the forest."

Elissa shuddered. After the circle tower, she had no desire to spent more time in a place where the veil was thin. She'd had enough of spirits. She would much rather stay in camp, learning about a culture she had only read of before. Her eyes had gone every direction during their quick walking tour, taking everything in. It seemed an entirely different world from her once-sheltered life within Highever Castle.

"Should we expect demons?" Kallian asked.

"Perhaps," Sarel answered. "Our hunters have come back with stories of strangeness. Living trees, the dead walking, voices on the air. Attacks from creatures we have no names for." He shook his head. "I cannot say what you will meet beyond the trees. The forest is like a thing alive. It changes as it wills, closing paths and opening them on a whim. Were I you, I would tread carefully. I caution you not to make an enemy of the forest."

Kallian looked unsatisfied with that answer, but asked no more.

"Stay," he said, "while I spin a tale for our children. We will have supper soon, and perhaps you might share some tales of your own?"

He drew out the shy children by requesting their aid as he told the story of the fall of the Dales. Most of the party listened intently, hearing a tale of history they had never known. Wynne frowned slightly at the mention of Shartan, the elf said to fight at the side of Andraste as she freed the elves who had been enslaved by the Tevinter Imperium. Leliana seemed to be memorizing every word, another tale to add to her collection.

When the story had finished—and not without a barb or two directed at the human outsiders—Leliana wove a story of her own.

Elissa smiled at the way her friend lit up, enthralling those around her with her story. The children seemed unafraid now. Some had even come to make friends with her dog.

A stew was served shortly after, no less delicious for the flavors being unusual, and the group broke apart into various different conversations. Leliana seemed in deep discussion with Sarel and later, a young hunter who gestured emphatically. Kallian appeared to be cornered by a few of the hunters, irritation showing in her eyes as she answered a barrage of questions. Zevran had managed to avoid his own inquisition and stood nearby, watching carefully. Sten, Wynne, and Morrigan each seemed to deliberately stand apart, though Morrigan couldn't quite hide her curiosity. Elissa and Alistair stuck together, but found themselves in conversation again with Lanaya, who was very curious about life outside the Dalish.

Shortly after dinner, Leliana grabbed Elissa and pulled her aside, whispering in her ear about a young apprentice hunter, Cammen, and his love troubles. Apparently a young elf named Gheyna wouldn't marry him until he became a full hunter, impossible while the werewolves roamed and he was restricted from going into the forest alone.

"We must reunite him with his beloved," Leliana insisted with a giggle. "We must convince her to accept him! It is so romantic."

The night was late and drink was flowing, so Elissa, against her better judgment, agreed to go talk to Gheyna with Leliana.

"Andaran atish'an, outsider," the young woman said kindly. Her red hair shone in the firelight. She was extremely pretty, and Elissa could see why Cammen was so infatuated.

"You are Gheyna, are you not?" Leliana said as she sat down beside her. "Cammen mentioned you." The insinuation in her voice was light, but not too light for Elissa to miss as she sat down on Gheyna's other side.

"He mentioned me?" Gheyna said artlessly, hesitant and eager all at once. "What did he say?"

"He said you were the most intelligent and beautiful woman here," Leliana intimated, leaning in close as if to share a secret. "He's in the depths of despair over it, the poor dear."

"He is?" Gheyna asked, worried. "I can't expect an outsider to understand our ways, but… I just can't bond with Cammen." She looked miserable.

"He's been a hunter apprentice for over two years now and he's yet to slay a proper beast," she continued. "Each time he's tried, something has gone wrong. Perhaps the Creators do not wish for us to bond. I cannot bond with an apprentice."

"Do you love him?" Elissa asked.

"I do, but what if he never becomes a proper hunter? What will become of our family if he cannot provide for us?" Tears sparkled in her eyes as she looked from one woman to the other.

"Let me tell you a secret," Leliana said in a hushed voice. "Men often need the confidence of a good woman. If you show you believe in him, you can help him succeed. If you don't…" Her voice trailed off artfully. "Perhaps he will never become a hunter."

Gheyna looked as if this was a revelation. "Oh, Cammen must be miserable! Thinking I don't trust in him to be a provider… no wonder he cannot complete his hunt!" She stood suddenly. "I must go to him now. Thank you!"

Leliana and Elissa grinned at each other as they watched Gheyna run over to where Cammen stood, the young elf shocked as Gheyna threw her arms around him.

"A good day's work, no?" Leliana asked in her lilting voice.

"That was quite the performance you put on," Elissa said wryly. "Are you certain your calling isn't the theater?"

Leliana scoffed. "That is for show. This is the real game. Would you not rather change lives than simply entertain them?"

Elissa smiled at her friend. "There's more to you than meets the eye, Leliana."

"I certainly hope so!" the redhead said with another light laugh. "I should not like to be thought so shallow… though I do hope to pick up a pair of those Dalish boots while we are here. So darling!" She nudged Elissa with her shoulder and both giggled.

Alistair came over soon after and Leliana excused herself, smiling at the young lovers. With the warmth of the fire on her face and her husband's arm around her, Elissa was content. They whiled away the last few hours of the evening with kisses and whispered sweet nothings until it was time to retire to their tent, Kitty standing guard outside it.

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