Chapter 46: Life or Sword! (Daveth)
Elissa's party traversed one forest after another, heading north. Daveth and Elissa listened attentively to Roderick's story:
- Milady, we held the main gate to the last. But Howe's troops used a ram. The fight was merciless. I fought to the very end, until one of the archers shot me through the arm. I had to give up. Howe gathered all the prisoners in the square and began to haughtily read his speech, standing near the corpse of Teyrn Bryce. I… don't remember exactly what he said, I could only think of my injury. After that, we were all put in a dungeon.
- How did you manage to escape? - Elissa asked.
- Not all elf servants were scared. One of them managed to steal the keys and free me. I sneaked through a castle full of enemies and left through the back door. After that, I spent half a day in one of the farms, healing my wounds. When I heard about the battle of Ostagar, I rushed south to find out what happened there and if Lord Fergus, I mean, Teyrn Fergus, was still alive. And then I met you.
- We'll kill that bastard, Roderick. I promise you. And mom and Alfstanna will help us.
- Who is Howe? And why did he do this to you? - Daveth asked.
- Howe has owned the arling of Amaranthine, east of here, for the last thirty years. My father... my father and Arl Howe fought the Orlesians together and won a lot of battles. The Landsmeet even wanted to crown my father. But he refused, as he believed that the throne of Ferelden should belong to the Theirins, not the Couslands. However, he became a Teyrn, and Howe was only an Arl. Howe has always been in the shadow of my father, and it seems that he was jealous. So he took advantage of the situation and vilely attacked our castle, when most of the soldiers were heading to Ostagar. I don't know if mom, Oren and I would have survived if Duncan and Aedan hadn't been in the castle. And thank you as well, Roderick. We were saved thanks to your sacrifice.
- All for Highever, milady, - the knight replied.
- The more I listen to you two, the more I want to kill Howe, - Daveth said. - But you two and Aedan suffered because of him, so he's yours. I will help you. You can count on me.
The group decided to make a halt at the edge of the forest. Elissa and Roger ran to look for firewood, while Roderick tried to start a fire with what they had.
- Listen, Daveth. I have a question. How does one become a Grey Warden? - the knight asked.
- To do this, you need to drink some solution from the blood of the darkspawn.
- Ugh. Must be disgusting. And it's all?
- In general, yes. Except for the fact that the blood can kill you or you can catch an illness called sudden deserterism, for which they kill or doom you immediately. That's how it works
- So only the strongest survive. As always. I want to be a Grey Warden too. Do you know how to make this solution?
- No. None of us have been in the Wardens long enough. Maybe Adela knows, but as you can see, she's not with us right now. You know, I'm generally quite biased towards knights. We had one among the recruits, and he whined all the way and deserted at the end. But I see you are not one of those.
- The Gilmores have served the Fereldan nobles for a long time. I don't want to be the exception.
Six strangers quickly approached the fire. Four archers took aim at Roderick, and a young girl in armor and an old knight took out swords and surrounded Daveth.
- Are you sure this is the same thief who became a Grey Warden? - the knight asked.
- Yes, Landry, it's him, - the girl answered, turning to Daveth. - Now speak, you despicable one. Where. Is. My. Sword?
- Sorry, milady, you made a mistake, - the thief replied. - I don't know any of those Grand Wards or whatever, and I've never held a sword in my life.
The girl punched him in the face with all her might.
- Stop fooling around! My name is Nancine. You stole my sword and fled Denerim with the Grey Wardens. Tell me where my sword is and we'll deliver you and your friend to Loghain alive. If not, then your corpses will do.
- Why do you hate the Grey Wardens so much? - Roderick asked. - They protect Thedas from the Blight.
- You Grey Wardens have killed our king! - Landry said.
- Did Loghain tell you that? - Everyone heard a woman's voice.
Elissa stepped out of the woods with two swords at the ready, Roger snarling.
- Lady Cousland! - Landry exclaimed and removed his weapon. - You probably don't remember me, but we competed together in the Redcliffe tournament two years ago. Please accept my condolences on the death of Teyrn Bryce. Ser Landry of Denerim. Ser Nancine is with me. This thief robbed her in Denerim and escaped by joining the Grey Wardens. The latter killed King Cailan at the battle of Ostagar.
- Ser Landry, please think for a bit, - Elissa said. - The Grey Wardens don't have a very good reputation in Ferelden anyway because they tried to overthrow King Arland a couple of hundred years ago. Why would they break the law, and even help the darkspawn, destabilizing Ferelden? The king was killed by the darkspawn, and we will avenge him by stopping the Blight.
- That… that makes sense, - the knight said, getting down on one knee. - I hereby swear that should the Grey Wardens be found innocent of the death of the king, I will voluntarily enter the order of the Grey Wardens and will fight the darkspawn to my last breath.
- I accept your oath, - said Lady Cousland.
The archers immediately put their weapons down.
- Landry, but what about our agreement? Nancine asked. - That Gray Warden robbed me. I must restore justice!
- I had other goals, and I have accomplished them, - Landry replied. - Deal with the Wardens yourself. People, let's go home!
Landry and his archers turned and left, hiding in the woods. Elissa, Daveth and Roderick surrounded Nansin.
- It's three against one, - Elissa said. - You'd better leave.
- All right, - Nancine replied, and slowly walked in the direction Landry had gone before.
- To be honest, I'm even surprised that everything was solved without bloodshed, - Roderick said.
- I remember Ser Landry, he is a man of honor, - Elissa replied. - We just had to find a way to approach him.
Daveth heard a noise and turned around. Nancine, who had not gone away, took out her sword and ran straight at Elissa, who was standing opposite her. The thief reacted quickly and pushed the girl away, for which he himself got hit with the sword of the lady knight. Roderick did not give Nancine a second chance and cut her down with his sword.
- Daveth! No! - Elissa screamed.
But Daveth looked at the bloody wound in his stomach, fell to the ground and began to lose consciousness.
- Roderick, grab him! We must bring him to the healers, - he heard Elissa's words before closing his eyes. He had never been in such danger before.