Chapter 38: The Survivor (Aedan)
- So, it was you who drove the bandits away from the entrance to the village? - Ser Bryant, the leader of the local templars, asked in the Chantry.
- More like not drove away, but pointed their energy in the right direction, - Daveth answered. - Before the horde reaches the village, these nice guys will get in their way. I don't envy them, to be honest.
The dark-skinned templar took out a handful of silver and handed it to the thief.
- Here. That is all I have. Thank you, - he said.
- For a larger amount, we can become your village's personal guards, - Daveth slyly suggested.
- Stop it! - Aedan exclaimed. - Forgive my friend, ser templar. We understand that your bann left you, and you don't have much money anyway. You'd better help us in a different way.
He handed Bryant a bundle with a letter.
- Please send this letter to Bann Alfstanna of the Waking Sea. And ask no questions.
- It will be done, good ser. Thank you!
The templar took the letter and went about his business.
- Listen, Aedan. I have a question, - Daveth said. - You know your sister best of all. Do you think there can be something between me and her?
- I don't get into my sister's personal life. But I can say that if you are not actually noble, like Daylen, it will be very difficult for you. Father and Fergus are dead, and Elissa and I are twins, but she was born a little earlier. And even if I were older, I was exiled. Elissa is Highever's new Teyrna, and you can't marry her. Are you ready to be her secret lover all your life, to be in the shadows?
- I am a thief. I've been in the shadows all my life.
- Then look. Know that if you hurt my sister, and my sword will turn one Daveth into two halves of Daveth.
Elissa approached the young men, and with her was an unfamiliar knight in heavy armor.
- Aedan, Daveth, this is Ser Donal of Radcliffe, - Elissa said. - He has something to share with us.
- Greetings, Grey Wardens! - the knight exclaimed. - Lady Cousland told me you were going to Radcliffe. I must inform you that Arl Eamon is ill.
- How serious is this disease? - Aedan asked.
- Neither healers, nor even mages could cure him. They even say that the Arl was poisoned. Bann Tegan went to the castle to help his brother, but there is no news from him. Before that, Arlessa Isolde had summoned all the knights and sent them for the Urn of Sacred Ashes.
- The Urn is just a myth. It can't be found.
- The scholars think it's not. We're looking for the Urn all over Ferelden. I'm sorry, I have to pray.
- Thanks for the news, Ser Donal. May the Maker watch over you.
The three Wardens left the church and took Roger, who was waiting for them. They drew attention to the Chasind, who had shouted and gathered around him a crowd of onlookers.
- Legions of evil are at your doorstep! They will eat your hearts! - shouted the barbarian. - There's nowhere to run! Evil will cover the whole world!
- Please stop! You're scaring the kids! - one of the locals said.
- Better to slit their throats now than condemn them to torment in the clutches of the darkspawn!
The Wardens wanted to pass by, but suddenly the Chasind pointed his finger at Aedan.
- Minions of darkness are already among us! This man is carrying their disgusting stench! Why doesn't anyone see this?
Aedan stopped to think. But the barbarian is right to some extent. All the Wardens drank the blood of the darkspawn, which means that they have something from the Blight. And perhaps Aedan attracted the attention of the Chasind due to the fact that he accepted the Blight, having survived and not lost consciousness. The Teyrn's son drew his sword.
- Think about who you're blaming, idiot! - he shouted.
Suddenly the Chasind changed anger to fear.
- M-my family! They were all killed by these creatures! I ran away, but I can't escape here either!
Aedan couldn't resist. The behavior of this Chasind reminded him of Rahta and what he had to do.
- Enough! - he shouted. - You are pathetic. I know dogs that have more courage than you!
Roger barked as if he was approving.
- I... I... I need to move away, sit down.
The Chasind ran away. The crowd surrounded Aedan.
- He was right, wasn't he? Is there no hope? - asked a local.
- Don't listen to him, - Aedan said. - We Fereldans have been victorious even when the enemy has occupied our country. Everyone who can leave, pack your things and run away from the village! To Denerim, to Redcliffe, anywhere, but run! You will survive and help stop the Blight!
- Right, you're making sense! We can't just sit down and die!
Everyone from the crowd fled to their homes, and only one person remained near the Wardens - a red-haired young man in worn armor. Aedan couldn't believe his eyes.
- Roderick? It's you? - Elissa asked.
Ser Gilmore smiled.
- Milady, Aedan, I'm so glad I found you!
Elissa immediately hugged the knight. Aedan shook his hand.
- What are you doing here?
- Howe's people took me prisoner. But I escaped and rushed south. Thought I'd find you in Ostagar. But here they began to say that the battle was lost and the king and the Grey Wardens were dead. I had no hope.
- Thank you for your loyalty to our family, Ser Gilmore, - Elissa said.
- Please, call me Roderick.
- This guy with us is Davet. And three more groups of Wardens walk around the village. Roderick, will you come with us? We will definitely recapture the castle and punish Howe!
- Of course, that's what I came for.
The Wardens, Roderick and Roger moved on. Aedan was glad to see the head of the castle guard again. He's and Elissa, the rest of the Wardens, Gilmore, Mom, Alfstanna and her people, maybe someone else. This is enough to take Highever back from the traitors.