Chapter 42: Nightmares and Legends (Neria)
Neria woke up screaming in the middle of the camp set up by the detachment.
- A bad dream, huh? - Alistair asked, throwing wood into the fire.
- Yes, - the elf replied. - I have never seen such big dragons.
- It was the archdemon. We Grey Wardens see the archdemon in our dreams during the Blight. I'm sorry, there's nothing you can do about it.
- Thanks for telling me that, Alistair, it's reassuring.
Neria looked around. By the fire with them sat Leliana, Sereda, Elissa and Roderick. Aedan guarded the camp in the distance, Sten sat with the dogs and guarded the camp on the other side, the merchants settled down with their tent near the stream and talked animatedly about something with Daveth. Kallian and Faren were nowhere to be seen. Tamlen slept in a special tent separate from everyone else. Morrigan was chatting with Daylen at one of the tents. In the center of the camp, Theron and Adela were arguing. Neria decided to listen.
- How many times do I have to say that this is not your boyfriend, but a ghoul? - Adela asked. - Ghouls are cursed forever!
- How do you know that? Have you tried to save at least one ghoul? - Theron asked back. - Tamlen is everything to me, and I will save him. But you must help me!
- You must know for sure that the Blight corruption can only be cured by becoming a Grey Warden. But I will not allow a ghoul to join our order!
- Show some sympathy, Orlesian. You heard him talking about the singing in his head. He hears the archdemon! Hears just like us!
The dwarf sighed heavily.
- OK. It is useless to carry out the Joining while he is… while he is in such a state. First we need to treat his outward symptoms. I know one hermit, he lives somewhere close to the border with Orlais. He owes me a favor, I helped him out once, so he'll help us. In the meantime, talk to Tamlen, find out more about what he saw behind that mirror.
Theron left, and Adela went to the fire, joining the others. Neria decided to break the awkward silence and change the subject.
- So, Adela, why did you take such a risk and cross the Frostback Mountains? Since Loghain closed the borders, it would be wiser to leave Ferelden to be torn apart by the darkspawn and prepare to defend Orlais.
- How can you say that? Ferelden needs to be protected, - Roderick protested.
- Calm down, I'm speaking from the point of view of the Orlesian Grey Wardens.
- One of us has managed to legally cross the border. His name is Riordan and he is a good friend of mine. He was about to come to your king's aid and led a group of Grey Wardens and chevaliers to the border. He comes from Ferelden, so only he was allowed to go through the border. Everyone else was banned from entering.
- That makes sense, - Elissa said. - Loghain considers the Orlesians to be his enemies.
- Tell me about Loghain. We hate him, but he is considered a hero in your country. Why did he become your enemy?
- Our enemy is not him, but the darkspawn. Unfortunately, Loghain does not understand this.
- How can we find Riordan? - Sereda asked. - Another experienced Grey Warden can be useful.
- Not worth it. If he's alive, we'll see him again, I'm sure. He is a very skilled warrior, so I think he is doing well.
- You never once mentioned your fallen comrades in your story, - Neria said.
- Their names were Tristan and Odette, and I didn't save them. Anything else?
- Please accept my condolences, - Leliana said.
- I don't need your condolences. I'll deal with this loss somehow. What is your plan?
- We have the treaties, - Sereda replied. - Thanks to the treaties, we will receive the support of the mages, the Dalish and the dwarves. And also in Redcliffe lives some local big lord who does not serve Loghain. We will also visit him. We'll discuss everything in detail in the morning.
Kallian and Faren stepped out of the forest, the latter trying to fasten his belt on the armor.
- You know how to deal with tension, my friend, - said the dwarf.
- That was the first and last time, - Kallian answered curtly.
They came and sat down by the fire with the others. Daylen and Morrigan soon arrived. The young mage sat down next to Neria.
- I've made a deal with Morrigan, - he whispered. - She will teach me how to shapeshift. Do you want to learn too?
Neria immediately imagined how she would turn into an animal and be left without clothes in front of everyone.
- No, thanks.
- Morrigan, I heard that your mother is the same Flemeth from the Wilds, - Leliana told the witch.
- And I heard that you had washed your feet in the winter and caught a cold in your brain, but we all know that this is a lie. But sometimes rumors are true.
- Will someone tell me why the name Flemeth is so often said? - Sereda asked.
- I'd rather tell you all myself. It is how Flemeth told this legend to me, - said Morrigan. - You decide for yourselves whether this is true or not.
The witch coughed and began the story.
- Flemeth was lovely and young once. And in the barbarian land, beauty evoked desire in every man. We know about this from the songs of bards. And it was many years ago. When this land did not have the name of Ferelden. Legends say that Flemeth fell in love with the bard Osen. And she left her husband Conobar, running away from the castle. A terrible man swore revenge on her for her infidelity. But my mother, on the contrary, claims that Osen was her husband, and Conobar jealously watched their family. Lord Conobar was willing to give a lot for Osen's beautiful wife. He promised power and wealth to Osen, and he agreed. Bards are usually poor. And hunger usually kills love. And Flemeth also agreed. But the vile Conobar did not want to part with the money. Osen was killed. The spirits told Flemeth about this. And she swore revenge. The spirits tore Konobar apart. His friends, however, found out who was behind it. And she hid in the Wilds. And there the demon gave her power. And it is not known whether she is now a demon or a human.
- According to legend, Flemeth has many daughters, where are they? - Adela asked.
- Are you asking if I have sisters? I was also interested. Legend says that there are many witches in the Wilds. These stories had appeared long before I was born. Flemeth does not want to talk about the daughters of others. But I can't be the firstborn, I know that.
- So Flemeth is an abomination? Don't abominations usually look like sheer horror? - Daylen asked.
- How often does your "usually" occur? Always? And if not always, then when is it "unusual"? I don't get it, and you probably don't either. What Flemeth has become is a mystery, even to Flemeth herself.
- Interesting story. Thank you.
- May I ask about your mothers? There are hardly any legends about them, but I'm curious.
- My mother was killed by shem bastards three years ago, - Kallian began. - I miss her.
- Mine preferred a keg of ale to raising her children, - Faren said. - And no, I don't miss her.
- I have told about my mother before, - Daylen added. - Let's cut this conversation short. Let those whose mothers are alive raise their hands.
Of all the people around the fire, only Elissa raised her hand.
- You're a lucky one, - said Sereda to the young Teyrna.
- You wouldn't say so if you knew me well enough, - Elissa answered.
- Neria, shall we discuss something in private? - Alistair suggested.
The elf went into the forest with the former templar.
- Finally, we are alone. What you did at the Joining. That was... unexpected.
- I'm sorry, Alistair, - Neria said, looking away. - The situation was terrible and I thought I was going to die. Well, you… yes, I think I like you.
- I just want you to know. It was the first kiss in my life. This has never happened to me. And if you want, we'll do it again.
- Everything happens for the first time. If you interest me, Alistair, there will be another time, I promise you.
- Well, I'll try, - Alistair said with a smile and went towards the camp. Neria, not wanting to be left alone in the forest, left with him.