Chapter 36: Road to the Village (Elissa)
The group got through the dangerous Wilds without any problems and bypassed the captured Ostagar to the territory that was called the Hinterlands. Finally, even the sun stopped emitting an eerie green tint. Then they had to go along the Imperial Highway - a large stone road built during the time of the Tevinter Imperium and connecting important points throughout Thedas. Unfortunately, the current state of the Imperial Highway leaves much to be desired, but the road is still considered a landmark and a relatively safe route for travelers.
Walking at the end of the column, Elissa spoke to her brother:
- We need to tell mom that you and I are alive, and Fergus... Fergus...
- Everything is fine. When we reach the village, I will send her a letter, - said Aedan. - And that means that without father and Fergus, and with a young Oren, the new Teyrna of Highever is you.
- I don't know if I can go back to the castle…
- You will, sister. At least to slit the throats of all the bastards from Amaranthine who have settled there. When you're ready to go there, you can count on me. The Blight is the Blight, but our house must be returned.
- All right, Aedan. We'll go to Denerim and to mother as soon as possible. We'll need help, and that's where we can find it.
Elissa sighed heavily. And indeed, now that Fergus could not be found, Highever could be hers until Oren grows up. If Elissa can take it back...
- Everyone, please stop! - Daylen suddenly said.
The group stopped and surrounded the mage. Behind him, Morrigan looked at everyone intrigued.
- I have something to confess, - he said. - None of you know this, not even Neria...
- I'm interested in this mystery. What secrets are you keeping? - the witch asked.
- Neria, you once said that you had seen my last name in some book. I also said it was a coincidence.
- Yes, I remember, - the elf agreed. - Why are you recalling this?
- I lied. Not all of you know, but my last name is Amell. House Amell is one of the most respected houses in Kirkwall, in the Free Marches.
- So you're also a noble? - Elissa asked in surprise. - For some reason I felt that.
- Pfft, one more noble, one less, - said Daveth. - There are three of you already here. Anyone else suddenly wants to admit that they have blue blood?
Elissa glanced at Sereda. The dwarf shook her head. Kallian laughed. Alistair folded his arms thoughtfully.
- May I continue? - Daylen asked.
Everyone nodded their heads.
- Thank you. I may be noble, but here's the problem. When you are a mage, whether you are even three times noble, even the son of the king or the viscount, everyone around you sees only a mage in you. My mother, Revka Amell, seemed to have some sort of curse on her. She gave birth to four children, and all four showed magical abilities. My father was a deeply religious man, and he gave his children one by one to the templars. It happened with my two brothers and sister, but I was the fourth born. Mother looked at me and swore that she would do everything to make sure the same thing never happens to me. She secretly corresponded with her sister, my aunt Leandra, who had previously fled Kirkwall with an apostate. Leandra and her husband Malcolm agreed to raise me instead of my parents. Mother made the long journey from Kirkwall to Ferelden, crossed the sea and walked hundreds of miles. When she reached the yard of my uncle and aunt's house, she collapsed and died immediately. Since then I lived with my relatives. When I was eight years old, I also got magical abilities as expected. Malcolm taught me what he knew. How to use your magical gift for good, and not for harm. How to be the best version of yourself. And how to hide your gift from others. Everything was fine until one bad day. Malcolm and Leandra have three children of their own. One of them, Bethany, is also a magician, but her gift manifested itself much later than usual. When Bethany and I were walking around the village, she accidentally set the barn on fire. I didn't think of anything else but to say that I've done that. The templars dragged me through the village before taking me to the Circle. So that's how I ended up there.
- So you sacrificed yourself to save your cousin? - Neria asked in surprise. - I've always known you were a hero!
- Why did you tell us this story? Theron asked.
- Morrigan said we were heading for the village of Lothering, - the mage said. - In Ostagar, I met Harold and Carver, my cousins. I don't even know if they survived the battle or not. But they said that now they live in this village. I... we... have to visit my relatives. Tell them what happened to the brothers. And warn them to flee the village as soon as possible.
- Of course, it's not a problem, - Alistair replied. - We will have plenty of time there.
Suddenly, everyone heard the clatter of four paws. Fen barked. Elissa looked to see a mud-stained beige mabari running towards the group, followed by a dozen of darkspawn. Theron immediately drew his bow and shot down the two hurlocks that ran first. Elissa and Kallian drew their swords and daggers and swept through the remaining Blighted monsters. After them, only the hurlock alpha remained on its feet, who was finished off with a well-aimed blow to the head by Faren. The rescued mabari knocked down Elissa and began licking her face.
- My boy! Are you alive! - she screamed. - I am so happy!
Having calmed down, Roger got off his owner, and Daveth helped her to her feet.
- Good news is useful, m'lady, - he said.
- Stop calling me that!
- Okay, we've lost some time, - said Sereda. - How long do we have to go to this village?
- An hour at the most, and we'll be there, - Morrigan replied. - Follow me quickly before the sun goes down.