Chapter 30: King's Orders (Elissa)

Teyrn's daughter woke up and saw her brother and Daveth in front of the starry sky.

- Well, that's it, and she is also doing well, - said the thief and went behind the column.

Aedan helped Elissa up and escorted her to Duncan, who gave her the Warden scout armor.

- Welcome to the Grey Wardens, - said the Warden-Commander. - How do you feel?

- It... it was terrible! - Elissa was angry. - I wasn't ready for this!

- Now you know what it's like to be a Grey Warden.

- Did you have visions? - asked Theron, standing next to him. - I had such scary visions with this ugly dragon.

- No, I don't remember anything like that, - the girl replied.

- These visions will come as soon as you start to feel the darkspawn. You and the others will have a lot to understand in the coming days, - Duncan told her.

Alistair and Neria, who was the last to wake up, approached the speakers with the uniform of the Warden mage in her hands.

- Welcome, lethallan, - Theron said to the elf.

- Thank you. I'm glad I'm alive, - answered Neria.

- Elissa, there's some urgent business, - Duncan said. - The king is waiting for you and me at the meeting about the upcoming battle. Get dressed, I'm waiting for you.

Everyone dispersed in different directions. Elissa went far enough into the woods that no one could see her, and donned her blue and silver armor, leaving the old armor by one of the trees. Then she returned to Duncan and followed him to the wide table, which was the place of the meeting.

- Why does his majesty need me? - Elissa asked confused. - Eight recruits have survived the Joining, the king could summon anyone.

- Out of the eight of you, you and Aedan have the most famous name, - said the Warden-Commander. - I don't know what exactly happened between Cailan and Aedan, but it's better for them not to see each other again, so you will represent your squad.

- And I thought all of Thedas had heard about how and why my brother was exiled. I'll tell you then. Aedan dated Anora Mac Tir five years ago. Everything was serious between them, and he was even about to marry her. But Loghain suddenly came up with the idea to marry his daughter to the then-single King Cailan. Anora had to obey her father. My brother was furious and didn't just calm down. He challenged Cailan to a duel and overpowered him, humiliating him in front of a crowd of Denerim citizens. For the crime against the king and his honor, Aedan could have been executed, but my parents have managed to persuade Cailan, Loghain and Eamon to have mercy and send him into exile for five years.

- I took Aedan into the order because I heard of his adventures in the Free Marches. He participated in a huge number of battles as part of a mercenary group. Thanks for the story, Elissa.

- By the way, I never thought about it before, but Alistair is very similar to the king. Couldn't he be...

- It is unlikely. Not every two similar people have the same blood.

Finally, they arrived at the meeting place. In addition to the two Wardens, there were the king, Loghain, a representative of the Circle of Magi named Uldred, a revered mother unknown to Elissa, and several other commanders. It looks like there is a heated argument between Cailan and Loghain.

- My decision is final, Loghain. I will march into battle with the Grey Wardens! - the king said.

- Don't risk your life for nothing, Cailan! - shouted the Teyrn of Gwaren. - The darkspawn horde is dangerous. This is not the time to play the hero at the forefront of the attack!

- If that's all it is, then perhaps we should wait for the Orlesians?

- I have to object to this stupid idea. We can manage without them. We don't need these invaders here!

- Our rivalry with Orlais is a thing of the past. And you should remember who's king here!

- How fortunate that Maric did not live to see the day when his son almost handed Ferelden over to those who had held it in slavery for more than a century!

- Then let's make do with what we have. Duncan, are your people ready to fight?

- Yes, your majesty, - the Warden-Commander replied.

- And with you, I see, is Elissa. I take it you can be congratulated?

- I don't really feel that special, the girl replied.

- You should. Now every Grey Warden is extremely useful.

- Cailan, your love of legends will destroy us all. Get your head out of the clouds! - Loghain shouted angrily.

- Let's get to the plan then. The Grey Wardens and I will lure the darkspawn into attack, and then?

Everyone approached the map on the table. Loghain went on to describe the plan.

- You will give a signal to light the lighthouse on the tower, and on this signal, my people will attack from behind.

- It's the tower of Ishal, isn't it? Who will light the lighthouse?

- I left a dozen of soldiers there. The task is simple, but extremely important.

- Then the best will do it. Have Alistair and three of the new Wardens of his choice go there.

- All right, your majesty, - Duncan agreed.

- Is it wise to rely on the Grey Wardens like that? - Loghain asked.

- The Grey Wardens are the best at fighting the Blight. It doesn't matter where they come from, - the king replied.

- Your majesty, it's worth considering the possibility of the archdemon appearing, - Duncan said.

- Nonsense! Our scouts didn't see dragons in the Korcari Wilds, - Loghain protested.

- Duncan, since you're here, can you handle it? - Cailan asked.

- I understand, your majesty.

Suddenly, the previously silent Uldred spoke up.

- Your majesty, the lighthouse and the tower are not needed. The mages can...

- We will not trust our lives to the spells of mages, - retorted the Reverend Mother. - Save them for the darkspawn!

- Enough! - Loghain interrupted her. - The plan is good. Four Wardens will light the beacon.

- Thank you, - the king added. - I can't wait for this great moment! The Grey Wardens and the King of Ferelden will stand together to stop the Blight!

Elissa rolled her eyes. And how did this close-minded fan of battles and books of legends become king? Perhaps Aedan is right to hate him.