Chapter 60: Battle for the Village (Liam)
All the reserves were near the closed doors of the Chantry. Alistair and Neria stood in front of everyone along with Shale. Some of the militia were clearly nervous. Liam spoke to his younger brother:
- You can still go to the Chantry. Papa and mama taught you how to fight, but this is not your fight.
- Liam, it's been decided, - said young Brhadan. - I have been living in this village for a year, so this is my village.
- Admit it, it's about some young maiden, right?
The younger brother blushed.
- Yes, there is one here. Valena, the smith's daughter. Her father, Owen, said he wouldn't mind our relationship as long as I protected the village.
- Yeah, the things young men do for women, - Liam said.
- What, haven't you met anyone interesting?
- I don't need to "meet" anyone. I'm fine without women.
- So you're one of those guys, Liam? Did mama and papa know?
- No, Brhadan. It's hard for me to explain. But… I don't need anyone at all. All my thoughts are about protecting the village, and now also about protecting all of Thedas.
- Look! - Alistair shouted.
All the defenders saw two swarms of bees quickly flying from the side of the lake, fleeing from the crowd of the dead.
- I hate bees! - Shale was outraged. - Those buzzing creatures. Can I slap them?
- Don't do anything to them! - Neria said. - If I understand correctly, these are our bees.
- To arms! Let's cover them! - Alistair shouted.
Shale ran first, smashing the heads and breaking the limbs of the dead. The rest of the defenders followed the golem. Two swarms of bees flew behind the cover and hid there. Liam wanted to join the fight, but he saw how Brhadan began to stare at Morrigan, who, along with Daylen, returned to her human form.
- Brhadan! - he said to his brother. - Stop staring!
The younger brother did not listen to the elder one - he continued to look at the naked witch. Liam patted his brother on the shoulder.
- Wake up! I'm not an expert in this, but if you want to build a relationship with someone, then you should not stare at unfamiliar naked women!
- I'm sorry, brother.
Brhadan drew his sword and attacked the nearest undead. Liam took cover next to the naked Daylen and Morrigan.
- Why are you naked? - he asked.
- A side effect of ancient magic, - Daylen replied.
- What happened at the lake?
- Everyone who was with us died, - Morrigan said. - The horde of the dead was huge. Daylen and I still live. And by the way, Daylen, I'm glad that you were able to turn into a swarm of bees.
- This only proves that you are an excellent teacher, - the mage replied. - Liam, we need to get dressed. We want to fight without distracting others with our nakedness.
- Run to the Chantry, - Liam said. - Harrith will open the doors. Get dressed and come back to us.
The scout moved away from the mages and joined the battle.
"Aim for the head." So said mama, who was a skillful archer. "Cut the legs." So said the papa, who had killed many Orlesian invaders with his two-handed sword during the war. Although Liam did not become an archer or a warrior with a greatsword, he always remembered the words of his parents. He swept through the group of dead in a whirlwind, depriving everyone of a leg or head. This encouraged Brhadan and several other militiamen who decided to cover him. One of the undead attacked Liam and knocked him down. Brhadan hurried to help, but twisted his leg and fell.
- Anyone! Help! Save my brother! - Liam screamed.
Neria and a militia girl attacked the dead, allowing Liam to get back on his feet. He immediately picked up his brother and helped him to the door of the Chantry. Morrigan and Daylen were just emerging from there, dressed in the first clothes they could find. Suddenly, Matthias came out with them, armed with one short dagger.
- You are sure? - Liam asked him as he handed his brother over to Harrith.
- Yes, - Wilhelm's son answered. - There is no other way.
When Liam and Matthias entered the fray, things went from bad to worse for the village's defenders. The group that had fought at the mill returned, and Ser Jory and one of Dwyn's mercenaries were not among them. Eight militiamen were killed. Even Shale was in trouble.
- Everyone back to the door! - Daylen shouted. - Liam, knights, get back! Take the survivors with you! Wardens, cover them! Neria, Morrigan, get ready! We've discussed it before!
The mage waved his hands and created a magical shield behind the trenches where Liam, Perth and the others retreated. The shield was too weak. Morrigan and Neria joined Daylen and strengthened his shield. All the defenders hid behind the field, except for Dwyn, who did not have time to reach the others and was killed by the undead.
- That's it? - Liam asked the three mages. - Can you attack them?
- If there is no fourth mage out here, then this is impossible, - Neria replied, looking around.
- There is a fourth mage, - everyone heard a voice.
Matthias took a step forward and summoned a storm that knocked all the dead off their feet.
- So you're a mage? - Perth asked in surprise. - Why didn't you tell Harrith?
Wilhelm's son didn't answer him and summoned another storm that swept away even more enemies.
One hour later, all the defenders were completely safe, and the dead slowly began to retreat. One more hour later, the sun finally rose. None of the living corpses were already in the village. But everywhere lay many undead and fallen defenders.
- Dawn arrives, and we are alive. We are victorious! - Perth exclaimed.
Daylen and Morrigan went to the lake to get their clothes.
- I should probably talk to Jory's wife, - Kallian said. - He died so Sten and I could live.
She went to one of the houses. Liam looked up at the sun and went to the Chantry to fetch his brother. If mama and papa were alive, they would be proud of their sons.