Chapter 39: The Caged One (Theron)
- Well, have you helped everyone already? - Theron asked irritably.
Alistair and Neria nodded their heads in satisfaction. The former resolved a dispute between a merchant who had sharply increased prices and some locals who were angry with this fact. Alistair didn't find the right words and demonstrated the edge of the sword in front of the merchant, forcing him to return the previous prices. And the elf just gave away half of Daylen's poultices to the needy. Perhaps half of those in need did not come for poultices, but simply to chat with a provocatively dressed stranger, she clearly surprised a lot of men with a witch's revealing robe. Theron himself did not share the altruism of the couple. He was ready to selflessly help animals, but every sentient being is the master of their own life and can help themselves on their own. Of course, this did not apply to other Dalish and Grey Wardens, and Theron was always ready to help both of these.
Three Wardens and Fen left the village and stood near a huge cage, in which there was an unusual giant with bronze skin. He was left with only his pants, and his entire torso was covered with red patterns. He had long white dreadlocks and a pair of scars on his stern face. Seeing the three strangers and the mabari, the giant spoke:
- The three of you did not take me prisoner. I have nothing to amuse two elves and a human with. Leave me alone.
- Why are you in a cage? - Neria asked.
- The Chantry imprisoned me for a crime. I am Sten of the Beresaad, the vanguard of the Qunari people.
- Qunari? Never heard of you, - Alistair said.
- If you haven't heard about us, then this is only your loss. But it doesn't matter. I will die soon. I've been here for twenty days.
- What crime have you committed? - Theron asked.
- I killed eight people on the farm.
- Do you feel guilty?
- It doesn't matter. I did wrong and should be punished.
- We can't just leave him here, - said Neria. - First of all, it would be inhumane to leave anyone like that. Secondly, he seems to be a strong warrior.
- Lethallan is right, - Theron agreed. - Sten, would you like to atone for what you did?
- Death will be my redemption.
- It's not the only way. You can help us protect these lands from the Blight.
- From the Blight? - Sten asked. - So you are the Grey Wardens?
- Exactly.
- Even my people heard legends of the strength and courage of the Grey Wardens. But not every legend can be true. However, we have common goals. I agree.
- Well, let's go to the Revered Mother for the key, shall we? - Neria asked.
- I'm releasing him anyway. I don't care what this Revered Mother of yours thinks about this, - Theron replied, shaking his head.
The elf easily coped with the lock and opened the cage. The Qunari stepped outside, looking around. Alistair was unhappy.
- Theron, we don't do things like that here, - he said. - The Chantry is in charge here, we had to ask permission from the Revered Mother first.
- The Chantry has been constantly harassing my clan, trying to take our mages, - the Dalish objected. – If I had been born a mage, I would hate the Chantry even more. So I don't care what they think.
- Thank you for agreeing to join us, Sten, - Neria told the former prisoner. - I'm glad you're with us.
- I'd like some food and water, - the Qunari muttered.
- I'm afraid you and I can't go to the village, - Theron said. - You never know how many locals want to get even with you. Neria, will you go to the tavern and find the others? And the three of us will wander around the outskirts for now. Meet us in the field by the mill.
Neriah went to the village, and Theron, Alistair and Sten went to an abandoned mill. There they were surrounded by a group of villagers armed with swords and daggers.
- Hey! We have heard that you are Grey Wardens, - one of them said. - I don't know if you killed the king or not, but you let this murderous monster out of the cage! And Loghain will give a great deal of coins for you!
Suddenly, Sten stepped forward, grabbed the speaker's head with both hands and crushed his skull. The farmer's bloodied body fell to the ground.
- Parshaara! - the Qunari shouted menacingly. - Whatever you want to tell them, tell me first!
The rest of the villagers dropped their weapons and fled to the village. Stan took the largest of the abandoned swords for himself.
- That's…impressive, - Alistair commented.
The Wardens and Sten heard a scream. Behind the mill, two dwarves were fighting off genlocks and covering the carts with goods. The three warriors immediately rushed to the rescue. Most of the genlocks were killed by Alistair and Sten, while Theron finished off the rest with arrows. After defeating the darkspawn, Fen barked.
- Thank you for saving us, - said the older dwarf with the bushy mustache. - My name is Bodan Feddic, and this is my stepson Sandal. Son, say hello to them.
- Hello! - the blond-haired dwarven boy said happily.
- Greetings, honorable merchants! - Alistair said. "My name is Alistair and these are Theron, Sten and Fen.
- Doggy! - Sandal shouted.
- Can we keep you company? - Bodahn asked. – Times are hard now, it is dangerous to walk with goods without any protection.
- I have to warn you. We are the Grey Wardens, - Theron said. - But there are about a dozen of us, we can protect you and we will be glad to have your company.
- Great! What are the instructions, Grey Warden?
- Let's wait for the others here. We've divided into four groups, but everyone will come here sooner or later. May I leave for now?
- Of course, - Alistair replied. - Sten and I will guard the merchants. Neria and the others will come soon.
Theron went to the river and prayed to the Creators, hoping that they would help not even him, but first of all his clan, as well as Tamlen, if he is still alive.