The War Room within Vigil's Keep.
As the first rays of light touched on the castle, Deedo was already awake and making preparations to leave in search of Kristoff. Unable to be in two places at once, she would have to send out her companions to search to bring trade into, as per Mistress Woosley's instruction. An hour after, she heard the stirrings around from the others. Mumbled mornings as the Castle came alive.
Seeing the Commander dressed and hunched over the large map table, Varel questioned whether the woman had sufficient rest, especially from the day before.
"Worry not about me. Could you gather the others we need to make preparations for today."
Varel sent out messengers to do what was asked of him some hours ago. Another half an hour passed Deedo was still looking over the map. There were definitely several things that needed her attention outside of the walls. Varel had confirmed he sent letters out for a hold of a few extra days for the nobles to swear upon their new Arlessa.
Oghren first arrived. He and Deedo spoke briefly of concerns while they waited for the others to arrive.
"Have you found where the Warden was heading?"
"There had been no word yet. I still hope everything is well with the search. The twins have contacted me, saying they will go outside of the city for an expedition of some kind."
Oghren grumbled but understood. "I have few friends still in Orzammar. If needed, I will have word sent for help."
"Thank you." They changed subjects for what it was the man can do to help with starting training of men and women who can aid. The Elven lady thought it best for him to be close and not field work. He was a mighty warrior, and she had seen that with her eyes first hand. Many details about Olett's friends were in the journal Deedo read.
Soon the others came trickling in and then the issues ordered for the day's finite.
"I want you to head here, question the villagers, find out what has happened in the woods with the caravans. Also see if anyone recently took the same road. Take some men with you, in case of darkspawn." Deedo was certain. Going over the most recent maps of the surrounding areas in and near the Arling.
"What about you Commander?" Mahiri asked.
"I need to go to the city, to find what happened to our missing Warden."
"You are not coming with us?" The girl questioned.
Deedo stopped, turning to the young warrior. Her arms crossed over her chest. "I am supposed to come with you after I gave my order? There is too much to do. Nothing will get done if that were the case, correct?"
"I guess. You are correct."
"Good, then you and Anders head to the village. Oghren. You can help train for now."
"Yes, Commander." They all agreed, saluting before marching off out of the doors.
"My lady?"
"Yes, Seneschal?"
"The matter of the Joining."
Deedo closed her eyes. It was what her daughter underwent. "Could we discuss it when I return?" All Deedo knew was that it involved horrible nightmares. Dreams felt like reality. She read that her daughter felt as the Archdemon held a lengthy gaze when they entered the Deep Roads, seeing the Hoard amassed below. She did not wish those horrors upon anyone.
Varel cut her thoughts off with a few sure words. "Holding off does not stop the inevitable."
"Right. Walk with me." They walked Varel had spoken in whispers of what was to take place. "It is a blood ritual, then?"
"Of kith and kin." Varel answered honestly.
"Do you have everything needed?"
"Yes." He could see that she weighed the outcome. Lives would be in her hands if the recruits did parish. Varel could see the Commander was about to speak. "The list of the deceased, and missing, has been prepared for you as requested on your desk." He cleared his throat. "Another thing I had forgotten. I made some inquiries, the Wardens who were here prior to us, led by Lieutenant Gable. He held the command until your arrival. He will be here when the other nobles arrive."
She sighed. "Very well. Please, I will return and we shall go over them."
"Yes, Your Grace." Varel bowed, heading to manage other tasks.
Courtyard of The Vigil.
A young woman approached, staring at Deedo. Deedo raised an eyebrow. "Commander." the young woman managed out.
"Yes?" Deedo was confused; she looked around as if it were a prank.
"Beauty… Err. I have a few letters for you." The woman had heard rumors but thought the others exaggerate the Commander of the Grey.
Deedo chuckled. "Thank you. You must be my messenger?"
The woman bowed slightly, then turned to leave, taking glances back. Deedo could hear them whispering about her. The Elven lady chuckled once more, heading for the gates.
"Commander?"
Then she stopped again. Would she not get to her destination? Must they bring everything to her attention all at once? "Yes? You are?" Now she was near exasperation with just the very thought.
"Sargent Maverlies, Ma'am."
"What is it? My dinner for this evening? I must address that as well?"
Not knowing what to say, the woman who stopped the Commander shrank in size, feeling she interrupted. "No, I believe it is the cause of the attacks. There may linger darkspawn in the Vigil still."
"Impossible. I set defenses up just the night before." The High Elf recalled what she did before she could rest her head just some hours before.
The Sargent agreed, they informed her that the lady along with an unknown man were setting up outside of the Castle walls. "We thank you for that. We slept peacefully for once. Though this is not all. The mad dwarf had been setting off bombs that aided in defeating whatever darkspawn. It shook our foundations."
The High elf nodded, "That is cause for concern. They did how much damage from it?"
"Below here are deep cellars. We checked just after you had arrived. There were several cave-ins. We barricaded what we could. I fear that there are still pockets the darkspawn, trapped in themselves. They could still dig through." The information she shared was nothing frivolous or trivial.
This was immediate. Deedo nodded. "Damn." She never knew that the connecting caverns and caves were this extensive. Olett's journal spoke of the horrors that took place. Still, nothing mentioned talking darkspawn. Yet the thought of the men and women that now are on her watch are still missing. Dragged off for who knew what. Only her prayers to Tunare could save them until she found them, bringing them back into the light. Spotting a young guard summoned him. "You. Your name" Catching the attention of the passion guard.
"Henley, Commander." He saluted her.
"Fetch the Seneschal for me, then meet with me below the Keep. Maverlies. Show me." they descended the lower levels of the Keep.
Cellars of The Vigil.
Maverlies spoke of the storage that was Vigil's cellars. "They run deep, and have been failing for centuries, in serious need of repair, I will not lie and say I am surprised that the Keep has yet not swallowed whole."
"My dear, I believe you may be exaggerating." Deedo chuckled.
"No Ma'am, she isn't" A gruff voice with the sound of several footsteps came from behind them.
"So this is human construction." The dwarf commented as he inspected.
"Explain, sir?" Deedo was curious about what this newcomer had to say.
"My brother. He said you needed a stonemason, he knew not the half of it." Pulling his beard, he knocked on several of the large bricks that made up the walls where they stood. "I am surprised that half of the ' buildings' in Ferelden haven't fallen over by a stiff breeze."
Deedo could do no more than agree. Seeing how the dwarven kingdom of Kaladim held for centuries, she knew dwarves' stoneworks were the pride of any dwarf worth his weight in stone.
"As I was noticing, the darkspawn did not help. I admit they did a number on the Keep. I am sure that the foundation was crumbling well before I arrived to see it for myself."
"That is what I was telling the Commander. It has been in disrepair, light patchwork when needed." The Sergeant said.
A gruff grunt announced the dwarf was right in his minor assessment. "The Senechal here gave me some rhetoric about men and monies to fix the Keep. It was a paltry sum."
"I only offer what I can in our treasury. It is up to the Arlessa to hire you on." Varel spoke up.
"HA! The work is indeed needed, and I can have it done in… two months' time or more. I have men gathering stone. It will take longer without help."
Deedo was thinking they had little men to spare as it was. She would have to take Oghren up on his offer, at least to keep the foundation sturdy. As they had not ventured further down in the cellars, Deedo gestured for them to continue down. She needed to see the cave-ins for herself.
"Sir dwarf, how do you see us solving this situation?" Deedo asked as they made their way further.
"With what they offered, it will suffice by human standards." He tugged his beard as he knocked on the cut stones again. The sediment shifted as dust fell. Deedo could see this was definitely where the majority of monies would be funneled.
"I am unsure about the character of stone around these parts, but I know it will take proper manpower, not some sodding dusters fresh off the tit."
"Agreed. I want the work up to dwarven standard. I want it to rival that of the Halls of Kaladim."
"Whatever you say, Ma'am. This will boil down to stone and cost." The dwarf looked up at her. He was serious about working on the Keep.
"What had we offered before?" Deedo met his eye.
"Twenty Sovereigns."
"That is paltry."
"My Lady!" Varel gasped.
Deedo shrugged. It was, it was not nearly enough for the amount of stone that was needed for patchwork. The whole of the walls needed an extra inner layer of brick and mortar to even think about keeping darkspawn at bay.
"I mean no offense, friend. I have seen masterwork. My trust lays with his word. Sir, you will have more than that. I will gain your stone as well. I will have you speak to someone who is working on rebuilding in Denerim and Lothering."
"Thank you. Voldrik Glavonak You will have quality work in no time."
"Make your assessments. I will head to the city. I am stationing what Wardens we have."
"Commander!" Maverlies nodded, leading the dwarf to the first cave-in for clearing.
The Port City Amaranthine.
The appointed Commander of the Grey entered the city with purpose, to seek the most popular tavern for a drink. After the morning she had, she was well within her rights for a cool mead. A guard stopped her just as she entered the gates.
"Hold, let me check your person for any smuggled goods."
Deedo held her arms open wide. She held nothing visible on her person other than her cloak. The constable approached, seeing a small silver crest on her breast. "My boy, I believe this is the woman we were expecting."
Deedo looked to the guard for the clear. "No, please, continue your inspection. I am none offended."
"Ma'am, no, it would be improper to inspect the Commander." the guard then lowered his head in apology, taking a step back.
"You are just doing your duty. It is true, I am the Warden Commander. You are?"
"Constable Aidon. We were told of your arrival from your subordinate." The man nodded his head, leading her through the gates.
"I see. I apologize for my delay. There is a situation in the city that I have heard of. Is there anything that I can do to help while I am staying here for the time being?"
Deedo conveniently left a shard of crystal with Varel. She asked him to send a few guards to the city for the search of smugglers. "I am also looking for a merchant named Mervis. Also, a place for a cool drink."
"The Crown and Lion would be the best here. All others water down. Or swill." He leaned in to whisper the last part. "As for the Merchant. I say check the market district. There was a man who was in distress over some shipment." Pointing in the direction he suggested before excusing himself.
' I needed to ask about the two people who found the chasm.' The Elder shrugged as she made her way to "shop" She may find more out from gossiping merchants amongst the humans, about the humans she assumed she needed to find.
As Deedo strolled through the market, many stalls were open, though she noticed that there were few items set out on the stalls of humans. The Dwarves were not lacking in stock. In her perusing there were talks of the caravans and of the happenings in the woods she sent her charges to. Wanting to know more, she continued to listen to an interesting conversation just a few feet from her, as she browsed wares at a stall of a dwarven merchant.
"The poor man has been seeking help for a week or more."
"They say the woods are haunted."
"Had thems Wardens not cleared them out?"
"Nah, the woods are haunted. How else explains the missing Wardens too?"
"Bah."
"It's true. How come none of 'ems returned?"
As Deedo paid for her wares, she wondered had Mhairi and Anders gone further after questioning the village she pointed out.
Her question was answered just shortly after how the village she sent them to everyone went missing no survivors. It seemed as if the gossipers were correct.
'That many dead over the years would tear the veil. The wood could very well be haunted.' Deedo thought to herself. She needed not to worry much about the others.
The moment she lost herself, to thought a man who the others pitied had walked off. Taking this opportunity, she followed behind.
Maybe she could find the man Mistress Woolsey spoke of by questioning this merchant. The man, she noticed, had not stopped; he headed right for a tavern. Just her luck. It happened to be the one the Constable spoke of.
The Crown and Lion Tavern.
As soon as the man entered, "Hey, any luck today." A friendly barmaid asked.
With a shake of his head, the man took a seat at an open table.
"What can I get ya, Love?" The same barmaid asked the Elven lady.
"Who is that man?" Deedo inquired of the server.
"His name is Mervis. Poor sod has been looking for help to recover his lost caravan."
"Thank you. Oh. Would you know about a Warden named Kristoff?"
"Ask the keep Love." She left to greet other patrons.
Deedo took a seat with Marvis. "Sir, I have had word you needed someone to trudge the woods for your missing wares?"
Deedo waited for his response patiently. When he looked up, she smiled softly. "I have a few of my troops looking for them now."
"Aye. Bless you, girl!" His eyes held a light that may have been long gone. "The woods are haunted if ya haven't heard. I had heard of some Darkspawn in the area. I fear my business has run to ruin." He felt almost embarrassed to admit his livelihood has failed.
Deedo thought for a moment. She concluded that whatever it was he lost, she would be sure to compensate for his losses. Providing he does business with her solely as for the Wardens. When he agreed to it with a shake of hands. Deedo handed him a few coins. As well as her word to find the cause of attacks on the traveling merchants.
Saying her farewell, The High Elf then turned her attention to seeking the whereabouts of her missing Warden Kristoff.
Room of Warden Kristoff.
Acquiring the man has in fact been here, from the barkeep. Was informed he had not been for some time. The barkeep handed her the key to his room. Noting the room neatly kept, a layer of dust had settled. No one had been in here for a time. Deedo could see he had not been back to the city. Thinking back, she pulled her journal.
"The attack on the keep, a month, let me see…" she looked about the room for any clues. Now it was how long Kristoff had been gone. Not just had he been on what trail.
He had marked a large map on the wall to her left. A storage chest against the wall. The room was like a small home. Kristoff must have frequented, just not recently, with the coating of dust she would say more than a week. She looked over the table. Lists of people, most with names crossed off. Deedo went over to the map. It was in the surrounding area. Small circles led to a large circle over the area of Blackmarsh. Jotting down what she needed, Deedo then opened a chest, seeing several more stacks of parchments, a worn journal amongst the writings, with other things, that marked he was a fighter. Things he would surely need. It could have been possible to acquire more items. Deedo shrugged it off as she continued to shift through his belongings. Taking the journal, she read.
Gable had sent Kristoff to find missing men and women who sought passage into the city. 'Was this a Wardens task, to search for missing people?'
There were still several things for Deedo to study about the Grey Wardens, Alistair could not speak on it. Even the way Varel spoke of the ritual involved spoken in hushed tones, or not spoken of at all. From those who were not of the Order. The secrecy of their Order grew more ominous.
Deedo read on. What he found was none of those people arrived. A lone survivor survived the most recent attack. He had the name of the man who led them. His last destination was to be Blackmarsh, where his investigation led him. Deedo took notes of what she could. She needed to get back to the castle soon.
Pocketing the key, she locked up, leaving for the night. It was possible the man who survived was still at the Chantry, being with no place else to go.
Deedo walked briskly towards her destination. She could see the steeple of the Chantry over the tops of stacked apartments. Her steps slowed when a small gathered crowd was just before the Chantry steps. She came across who Garevel spoke of. They were near the principal thoroughfare of the markets amongst some other people, telling of the incident they had informed her of.
"I tell ya there was Darkspawn everywhere! Those monsters nearly saw Micah. Had I not dragged him out. Tell him." Nudging the smaller elf next to him.
Micah grunted his frustrations. Colbert went on with his tale of how they had chased a huge buck that led to Micah slipping fast. Micah kept stealing glances at Deedo, who watched them both with interest.
'Micah is the other who was there. Both look unharmed.' Deedo thought to herself.
"Excuse me, gentlemen." Deedo interrupted politely.
"Yeah, what is it, wanna have a go?" The crowd that gathered went on about their business.
"No. I wanted to ask if you know where the chasm you spoke of is." Deedo prodded.
"Oh yeah, is a ways out near Knotwood Hills. You can't miss it, terrifying and beautiful. The ground split open like a cracked egg." He remembered vividly.
Deedo interrupted his thoughts. "Would you be kind as to come to The Vigil to lead me there on the morrow?"
Colbert shook his head. "Poor Micah here won't budge from this spot. Lost something important to him."
"Lucky Halla's foot." The young hunter chimed in.
"Ah. I see, well thank you for the information. Good evening."
"Uh. Miss, how much would the information be? Heh. I'm just asking is all. Cause with that amount of darkspawn, I'm certain thems Orlesians would pay well." Colbert nudged Micah, who looked at Deedo, who seemed unimpressed for being haggled with.
"Colbert, I don't think it's a good plan." He whispered.
"Oh, shut it." Colbert harshly whispered back.
Deedo snorted in amusement. "Although your friend is correct. This once I will compensate. How about ten sovereigns?" Deedo handed five to each man.
"Thank you, Ma'am!" Colbert said, biting the golden coin.
Micha bowed his head. "Thank you." he whispered.
"That will be Warden Commander. Good evening." With a slight bow of her head, she made way to the Chantry. Both men stood, mouths agape as she left them.
The Chantry of Our Lady Redeemer.
The largest Chantry within the city sat atop a hill. Deedo climbed the steps to the doors. She entered, seeing there were several people within, heads bowed in prayer. Soft murmurs of their chant filled the otherwise quiet hall. Thurible filled the room with herbal warding scents. Deedo removed her hood. A few hushed gasps heard. A bowl of fire she raised her hand to, washing the flame over her head.
Tossing a few coins in the offering box, the clinking sound of metal on metal disrupted more than the prayerful, she stepped further in to the Chantry.
"Pardon, I have come looking for a man brought in a while ago. Survivor of darkspawn attack?" The elder whispers behind the Chantry Sister.
The woman turned towards the one speaking to her. A gracefully tall elf was looking at her expectantly, stunned, nodded, directing her to their care room. "He has been slow with recovery, but on the mend. Be brief, he has not been well."
"Thank you." Deedo nodded.
Deedo approached, stopping halfway, watching the elf who had looked out of the window by a small bed. "Sir. My name is Deedolit, Warden Commander. I need to ask you a few questions, if I may?"
His sad eyes turned to the delicate voice that broke him from his sorrowed musings. A slow nod from him Deedo stood next to him. "I hear they deceived you? Losing someone precious to you?" She wove a minor spell of Calm as she spoke. She did not wish the man further troubled thoughts.
"Aye. My son. A Warden came here months ago. I asked him to find my boy. The man who left us to die has died, I heard."
"Are you well enough to travel? I will bring you with me. For work to start over. I am missing people as well. Maybe… just hopefully where they are your boy is with them, safe." She held the spell no longer as the man looked from the window to her. With a nod, he stood.
The elder nodded in return. Handed the man fresh clothes and a warm cloak. Left the room until he was ready for departure.
The Pilgrim's Path to Vigil's Keep.
The sun was setting for the evening. Deedo received several communication chimes in her ear on her way back to the Keep.
Alistair to check on her, more so to see if there was anything else needed, Deedo had one request. Guards. Also, seeing if Xellexes was still in Ferelden, or had he left for more supplies. Seeing he was still overseeing the projects left in his care.
Deedo contacted her cousin. He agreed to send Dwarven workers and samples of stone to the Keep.
A few from her children across the ocean, mostly the twins teasing their little brother on the fondness Lineatus has for him. Though still no word of Olett, save a few misled sightings of a few ladies that did not favor. The girls overheard a maid of a wealthy man, her Master, spoke of a woman of Olett's description. She has been missing for some months. Her Master will pay for her to be brought back to him.
"We will see her again. Our prayers, it is not our Olett who the man is searching for." The elder reassured her children.
Lili'Enyel finally had a spare moment. They had been clearing the area, moving debris, and requested aid from some hamlets and villages in the surrounding area. They found the Urn, and she alone was heading to her mother, announcing she will be there in a week's, or more, time. Most joyous news indeed. It elated Deedo upon the news.
Her laughter could be heard as she and her new companion rode a supply cart to the Keep. Nathaniel was in the surrounding wood as he was checking his traps for game he laid earlier that day. He admittedly thought to leave the simple cart alone. While he lived like an animal, on his father's stolen land, others rode freely as they pleased.
He questioned why, just the night before, his release. He would strike back at the woman who claims she did nothing to his father. She was one of them, a Warden from Orlais that sat in his home.
Filled with frustration, he snuck to pinch a purse or two, or even jewelry, if he was lucky, titled thief , from the Orlesian bastards that tread gleefully on his father's land.
He loosed an arrow in the dusk before the horses' hooves; they reared as their mistress tugged the reins.
"Who dares to hinder the Warden Commander!" Deedo shouted out from the direction the arrow came. She heard it whistle, stopping short just in time. Her companion cowered. Deedo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ride on, no one will see you till you reach the gates. Take my cloak, let them know you are with me. I'll catch up soon."
She spirited herself when she climbed down from the cart. Running toward the attacker, her eyes caught sight of a dark cloaked figure with bow in hand.
"You shot at me! Are you mad?" she pulled her dagger from her hip, lunging at the stranger.
He parried with his bladed bow, with a dagger of his own. "You Orlesian whores need to stay off my father's land!" He swung at her. "Even if I have to make an example out of you!" He growled.
'So he had tried.' Deedo inwardly sighed. She pulled another dagger from her hip belt. "My Godson to my side!" she threw the dagger to the ground. The spirit image of Cailan appeared to defend.
"Yes, Godmother!" He deflected an incoming attack.
The son of Howe stepped back, shocked beyond words. He did not know what to make of it. Before him was King Cailan, speaking to his godmother. He heard the stories, but she could not be the same person. He swung again.
Dancing around the large spirit. Deedo cast several spells, especially one of haste to her spirit fighter.
When Howe turned to attack her once more, narrowly dodging the blade aimed at her stomach. She took a step back and, with a squeak of surprise, found herself caught in a netted trap hanging from a tree. The spirit of Cailan stopped for a moment, taking a swing at Howe once more.
Deedo took a breath. She could just listen to the clanking of metal below her, or she could find what agitated the boy so inherently set on killing her.
"Oh, for the sake of Tunare. I cooked for you, stubborn boy!" she chastised from her position.
"Cailan, return to me." He stopped mid-swing and lowered his blade, dissipated into the dagger that then floated to her extended hand.
The son of Howe panted. Not expecting a spirit warrior to put up a fight such as it had, grimaced when he looked up to the trap. His eyes followed the shimmer of magic in the darkening forest as the dagger floated quickly to the outstretched hand above him. He then smiled. It seemed the Maker must be on his side. "The Maker has looked upon me. Now I admit, I did not lay this trap for you. But it will work all the same." He laughed.
Deedo rolled her eyes. "What good would it serve you to hold me? Money? A passage from here? What?"
"I want you all off my father's land."
"The only way for that to happen is you speaking to the King." Deedo shifted to a slightly more comfortable position. "That would be a feat, with the roads going to Denerim hindered." The sound of creaking ropes as she swayed broke the silence between them.
The son said no more. He may weigh her words. Deedo sighed once again. "Do you know the reason your family lost title and lands?" Deedo shrank in size. It was dark enough for the human to not see what she was doing. She slipped through the ropes and buzzed behind him.
"Because he murdered families, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters… children."
The son of Howe swung behind him. He heard her behind him, how he was unsure she was above him just then. He narrowed his eyes. "In times of war, casualties are expected." He grounded out, reaching for his dagger.
"Put it away and listen to me. One family lost just before the Couslands arrived at Ostagar. The troops sent away at the time left the castle defenseless." Deedo gaged his reaction. She saw a fallen tree behind her, she took a seat upon it. "I spoke to Fergus Cousland. He told me and King Alistair. When he returned home, there was no one to greet him. His mother, father, baby sister. Wife, beloved son gone, and an unborn child he expected to welcome in the spring. Would have reached the second year of life, this year."
She could see her words were getting through. "My daughter, who suffered on your father's order, heard what his men spoke about. My daughter listened as they laughed, speaking of hearing the wife scream as they… did unimaginable things to his wife and child."
Howe looked away at the ground. His father would do no such travesty, never order such disgusting acts on anyone. He refused to believe that.
"She also overheard how they, on your father's order and behalf, ambushed and murdered my son. Wrote it in her traveling journal. You should see the tear stains smudging the ink."
He looked up to the area the woman sat. He could scarcely make out her silhouette in the scant light. "Who?"
Deedo could hear the skepticism in his voice. She will oblige him. "Ser Ikal'antúlien Gareth Aehswin Swiftleaf. My daughter, Grey Warden Lady Deedolett, the true Warden Commander of these lands, is the slayer of monsters. Can your father's murder be justified now?"