Chapter 47: The King's Son (Alistair)
The Redcliffe group had almost reached the village. Liam turned out to be a very good guide and showed them roads that no one had known about. Kallian, who had donned his mother's old armor with his permission, got on well with him. All this time Alistair was thinking. He hid from the rest a very important fact about his origin. When should he have told them? In Ostagar? Duncan would not approve. Near Flemeth's hut? The witches scared him. After Daylen's confession? It seemed to him that one shocking revelation for the group would be enough. But the village was close, and it was no longer possible to keep it a secret.
- Listen, can we talk for a moment? - Alistair asked the others, noticing the mill that marked the beginning of the village. - I… should have said it a long time ago.
- Of course, - Neria replied. – What is bothering you?
Everyone stopped and stood around Alistair. He tried not to look at Morrigan and Sten, who were obviously not happy with this stop.
- Let me guess. You wish to admit that you are an idiot? - Morrigan asked. - It's not a secret. Everyone already knows.
The witch, as always, tried to piss him off. Alistair had to put on the mask of a sarcastic fool again.
- Yes, that's right! - he replied. - This weight is off my shoulders, I'm so glad that you all now know this. But seriously though, I didn't tell you how I knew Eamon, did I?
- You said you had grown up in his court, - Kallian said. - So what, are you his son?
- Not exactly. I'm a bastard. My mother was a servant at Redcliffe Castle and died in childbirth. Arl Eamon raised me before sending me to the templars. He did it because my father is King Maric. Which means Cailan was my half-brother, if I'm not mistaken.
- Cool, - Liam said in surprise. - I saw the late king once from afar. And you probably look a little like him.
Neria dropped the flask of lyrium she was about to use.
- That explains everything, - Daylen said.
- What exactly?
- Duncan's behavior. He sent you on an "easy" task to the tower of Ishal, and even with scrolls, as he assumed the option of defeat at Ostagar and the death of the king. Maybe he even thought you'd be the next king.
- So, Alistair, you are not just a bastard, but a royal bastard? - Kallian asked.
- That's funny. I'll remember that.
- But... why didn't you tell us before? Why didn't you tell me? - Neria asked.
- How was I supposed to say it? "Oh, by the way, King Maric slept with a maid once, and I was born." I would say, but I could not find the right moment. Yes, and I was constantly concealed, as I was a threat to the Cailan's rule. Few people knew about me. And those who knew, they either avoided me, or vice versa, they treated me like a spoilt princess. As long as I could, I didn't want you to know. Sorry.
- Does Loghain know about you? - Daylen asked.
- Of course, he was Maric's best friend. And he probably thinks that I have more rights to the throne than Anora, and therefore wants me dead. But I don't want to be king.
- Why do you think Arl Eamon will help us?
- He is a good man, and Cailan was his nephew. He wants to get even with Loghain. Well, now you know everything. And now let's go ahead and pretend that I'm just an ordinary guy who was lucky to stay alive.
- It will be done, your highness, - Kallian said sarcastically.
- Oh Maker, I probably shouldn't have told you about it.
- Shouldn't have? Do you think you shouldn't have? - Neria asked angrily.
- Why do you care so much about my background? It does not change anything!
- Don't you get it? We'll talk later.
The group went on and went down through the gorge to the mill. An middle-aged long-haired templar stepped out of the mill.
- A squad? A whole squad? - he said in surprise.
- Hello, Ser Harrith, - Liam said to him. – Where is everyone? Where is Brhadan?
- Liam, you're just in time, and even with extra hands. Your brother is fine, but there's been a problem. Arl Eamon fell ill. Arlessa Isolde sent all the knights in search of the Urn of Sacred Ashes, hoping that Andraste's ashes would cure the Arl. Bann Tegan came from his estate to find out how he could help his brother, but he never returned from the castle. Soon, the living dead began to emerge from the castle. In the last three nights they have been coming here, killing everyone who did not have time to escape from them. During the day, the dead remain at the outskirts of the village and do not allow anyone to escape. About twenty residents have already died, including the mayor of the village, Murdock. I'm so glad you came here. Who are your companions, Liam? And I see mages among them. Are you sure they can be trusted?
- Ser templar, my name is Daylen, - said the young mage. - And these are Neria, Alistair, Kallian, Sten, Morrigan, Bodahn, and Sandal. We are the Grey Wardens and we need to speak to Arl Eamon urgently. But since this is impossible, we will help you repel the attacks of the dead.
- Grey Wardens? Praise the Maker, such luck! Yesterday one of the Grey Wardens arrived in the village, and he is now organizing the defense. Together you will defeat all the dead!
All four Wardens exchanged puzzled looks with each other. Alistair had a thought. Were they lucky that some other Warden managed to survive the battle of Ostagar? Does this Warden know where Weisshaupt is and will be able to go there for reinforcements? And can he at least create a Joining ritual solution and replenish their ranks with new recruits?
- We need to meet this Grey Warden as soon as possible, - Alistair said.
- Then follow me, - said Harrith.
The templar led the group across another bridge down the ravine and out to the main square of the village, in the center of which stood a statue of a golem, with archers practicing their skills at the side. Nearby sat four armored knights. Outside the Chantry, Alistair and the others overheard the conversation.
- Revered Mother, gather as many as possible of those who can... I mean, are able... to hold weapons. Both men and women, - said the man, who was completely covered by a Revered Mother.
- I'll try, Grey Warden, - the woman replied.
- Please don't call me that. I grew up here, everyone here knows me.
The priest bowed and went into the Chantry, and everyone saw the one who gave the order. Both the four Wardens, and their, as it seemed to them, brother in the order, were extremely shocked.
- Ser Jory? - Alistair asked.
Author note: Apart from nine main POVs, there will occasionally be a few one-off POVs. Alistair in this chapter is one of them.