Wynne and Morrigan indeed didn't get along. In the two days it took them to get from the Circle Tower to Redcliffe, they spent it either in a hostile silence or bickering. Wynne thought Morrigan was a dangerous apostate who would eventually turn to blood magic. Morrigan thought Wynne was a prissy school teacher who had been brain washed by the Chantry. Olorin personally thought both probably had a point. On the night before they reached they Redcliffe, Olorin took action, much to the gratitude of the rest of the group. As Wynne and Morrigan both argued after the group had their dinner, Olorin snapped.
"Will you both shut the fuck up!?" He said, his voice raised as he got up to his feet, his anger so palpable a visible aura of magic, the pale blue of lyrium in colour surrounding him.
"You," Olorin said, pointing to Wynne "don't give Morrigan a fair chance. You see a non-circle trained mage using powers the Templars ban and presume she is dangerous and will turn to blood magic without first giving her a fair chance."
Morrigan looked smug at this, until Olorin's face turned to her, anger still in his eyes.
"And you see an old woman, brain washed by the Chantry and incapable of thinking for herself. You are being as close minded as Wynne is, just from the other side of the argument. You're both as bad as each other with your presumptions. Neither see that the other is a powerful mage and an asset to this group. But if I hear one more peek of an argument out of the two of you, you'll both return from where you came and we'll kill this bloody archdemon without your help!"
With that, Olorin stormed off to his tent, taking his herbal drink with him. He knew he would want to slip into the fade quickly tonight.
o-0-o
Olorin spent the first part of the night wondering the fade aimlessly. He talked to the spirits who approached him. He could sense the demons watching them but they watched from a distance, just as they had every night since he became a Grey Warden.
It was just after a particularly interesting conversation with a spirit of knowledge that Olorin's night changed. They were just discussing some of the magic the Tevinter Magisters were trying to develop when Olorin came across a scene he did not expect to see. Morrigan was stood outside what appeared to be a fade version of her mothers' hutch. Olorin's ability as a dreamer meant he quite often stumbled across his companions' dreams. Non-mages likely wouldn't remember any interaction they had with Olorin in this state so he was not careful when he passed through, though he never pried. However, he knew Morrigan as a mage would remember any interaction they had. He had been careful to avoid her dreams for this reason. He was about to move on when a spirit of compassion came into this part of the fade and communicated with him.
"Anger, I don't understand. How can he compare me to that old woman? I am better. Or am I?"
Olorin instantly knew the compassion spirit was reeling off what was going through Morrigan's' mind. He was about to leave again, not wanting to intrude when compassion spoke again.
"You can help her. Explain why the words were necessary."
"But will she listen when she's this angry? I am surprised rage demons aren't drawn to her."
"She is not angry. She is upset. You can help her."
Nodding, Olorin moved forward and made himself known to Morrigan.
"Hello Morrigan."
She whipped around and fell into a defensive posture immediately.
"Begone demon. I don't care what form you take. You will get no deals from me."
"Use your senses Morrigan. You'll see I am no demon or spirit."
Morrigan closed her eyes and Olorin felt her magic wash over him as she used it to determine what he was. When she opened her eyes, she was shocked.
"Olorin? But how are you here and talking to me?"
"I am a dreamer."
"You are somniari?" Morrigan said, using the old Tevine term. "Why did you never tell me?"
"It's not something I generally go around telling people. We're generally feared and aren't received well."
"'tis true. Mother told me about people like you. How you are easily susceptible to possession. But I sense no demons around you, only spirits."
"The demons have generally stayed away since my joining. Though they did reduce in number anyway once I expelled a desire demon from my mind in the circle."
"Impressive." Morrigan conceded. "Though I am surprised they didn't just make you Tranquil then and there."
"Some Templars wanted to. Irving stopped them and Greagoir sided with Irving."
"Would be just like the Templars to destroy a rare bit of magic they cannot understand."
Olorin then sensed a change in Morrigan. Her shock at finding a rare piece of magic was soon replaced again with anger at the situation.
"Do you spy on my dreams often?" she asked with a little venom in her voice.
"I have sensed your presence often. I avoid your dreams though, as I do all of our companions. They are private, not for my eyes. I would not have intruded here if a spirit of compassion had not urged me to."
"And pray tell, why would it do that?"
"You are hurt and angry. Of course a spirit of compassion would want to help."
Sensing if he had communed with a sprint, there would be no point lying, Morrigan forged ahead.
"Why did you defend that woman? Why do you defend the circle? Can you not see it is a prison?"
Olorin thought for a moment, trying to articulate his response.
"Let me answer your question with a question. What would have happened to you, if you were born to a mother who wasn't a mage and there were no circles."
Morrigan thought for a moment before answering.
"I would likely have become possessed by demons, or accidentally killed someone with my magic not knowing how to control it."
"Exactly. The circles offer education. Are they perfect? No. But every child born to magic, has a chance to learn their powers , with lessons taught by competent mages. Because scoff all you want Morrigan, the mages in the tower may not know some branches of magic you do, but they are extremely competent at the more traditional kinds of magic."
"I suppose I could at least stop arguing with her."
"That's all I ask, I never expected you to become friends. But our task is too important to be let ruined by arguing."
"I will hold my tongue if she holds hers."
"Thank you Morrigan." Olorin said as he felt himself fading from her dream. He knew that meant he would be waking up imminently so didn't fight the feeling.
o-0-o
"Wake up Olorin, its your turn for watch." William whispered, careful to try and not wake any of the others."
"I'm awake, I'm awake. What time is it?"
"Just after three. Alistair took first watch. We figured you could use the sleep."
"Because I snapped at Morrigan and Wynne? I was just fed up of their arguing. I can't have been the only one."
"You weren't. We were just surprised you snapped."
"Well hopefully its sorted now." Olorin said, getting up to make room for William in the tent. As one Grey Warden was always on watch due to their ability to sense Darkspawn so they always shared two tents between them. He stretched to get the cricks out his bones and settled down beside the fire, listening to Alistair snoring. The snoring was so loud he almost didn't hear Morrigan coming up behind him.
"It would appear you are more than you seem, Olorin."
"You mean my dreaming? Yeah, its pretty rare. Apparently there are a couple in Tevinter but even there it's not common."
"It must be wonderful to have such access to a rare magic. What do you use it for?"
"I talk with spirits mostly. While you could summon a wisp and talk to it, it could only understand your intentions and you wouldn't understand it at all. I can commune with any spirit. Or demon for that matter."
"Yes demons. Do they hunt you down?"
"They used to. They backed off a little when I defeated a desire demon who attempted to force a possession. Since I've become a Grey Warden they've stopped completely."
"I wonder if that's the taint you ingest into yourself."
Olorin whirled his head round sharply.
"You know about that?"
Morrigan smiled, happy at having surprised him.
"Yes my mother told me. She knows much about ancient magics. Truly I wonder if she is really human."
"What else could she be? Even if a demon was keeping her alive it would not stop her body decaying."
"I do not know It's just a feeling I get that she is somehow more than she seems." Morrigan said as she turned to leave.
"That's a mystery I would not be opposed to finding out the secret to." Olorin said mainly to himself as Morrigan returned to her tent.
o-0-o
It was quiet walking along the road to Redcliffe. Quiet that was until an Elvish woman came running around the corner.
"Help! Help! There's been a bandit attack!"
The group immediately moved into a formation more appropriate for a planned assault. The warriors moved to the front, Sten being just behind William and Alistair but close enough to be able to poke his sword between their shields. Olorin and Leliana were behind Sten on the flanks, with Wynne between them, as the most vulnerable to melee fighting. Morrigan hung back even further, with the intention of using her Entropy spells in a fight.
The group rounded the corner and immediately knew something was amiss. It looked less like a bandit attack and more like an ambush. The elven woman was stood next to a dark skinned, blonde haired elf who carried two daggers on his back. The dark skinned elf gave a signal and four archers along with two sword and shield warriors appeared. Finally, a tree was pushed down behind them, blocking their exit.
The fight was relatively short but vicious. The original woman tried to summon magical energy which led Alistair to immediately nullify her mana with his Templar abilities before hitting her with a Holy Smite. An arrow from Leliana finished the job, leaving Alistair to help Sten deal with the two warriors.
Olorin and Wynne each took of two archers. Wynne encased one in stone before hitting the other one with a bolt of lightning. Olorin sent a fireball flying towards the two he was dealing with. It landed between them, exploding and sending both of them flying. One quickly died screaming as he burned alive. The other was just knocked off his feet but still very much alive. That situation was remedied when Olorin used a cold spell to drop his body temperature to fatal levels.
The true fight was going on between William and the elf. It was a true masterclass of skill from both fighters. Just as one looked to be getting the upper hand, the other would come up a masterful counter attack and quickly claim the upper hand again. It could have been a fight for the ages, if the elf was not quickly encased in a sticky web like substance. Turning around, the group saw a giant spider, shifting back into the shape of Morrigan. Olorin made a private note to redouble his shapeshifting efforts. William was about to slit the throat of the would be assassin before Leliana stopped him.
"These clearly aren't common bandits. Why not keep him alive and interrogate him?" she reasoned. The elf's eyes were shifting around, as he was unable to move but could still hear the conversation around him.
"Morrigan, how long will this web last?" William asked.
"It can be a bit hard to judge. At least long enough to ask a few questions. And you should get enough warning of the web disappearing to kill him."
William turned back to the elf and was about to speak to him, but the elf beat him to it.
"It is to be questioning then? Let me save you some time. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am an Antivan Crow, brought here for the purpose of slaying any surviving Grey Wardens. Which I have sadly failed at."
"I can't say I'm too sad about it." Alistair muttered.
"Nor would I be in your shoes. But for me it sets a rather bad precedent. An assassin being captured by his targets is detrimental to his career."
"Yes I can't imagine its looked upon with any great reverence." Olorin said.
"Indeed not. In fact, even if I was to somehow magically succeed at escaping and killing you all, if the Antivan Crows found out about this they might just kill me on principle."
"He is right." Leliana said. "The Crows do not tolerate failure well. It would not surprise me if they killed him."
"Indeed. So I propose a trade."
"A trade? Let me guess. Your freedom for your guarantee you won't make another attempt?" William guessed.
"Not quite. I would understand your reluctance to let me go out into the world where I might try again. No. I propose my freedom from this sticky situation in return for entering your service until such time you decide I am no longer needed."
Everyone's eyes raised at that, surprised at that offer.
"Why would we trust you not to slit our throats in our sleep?"
"Like I said earlier, the Crows would likely kill me anyway, so why would I do it?"
"He has a point. And there are measures we could put in place to stop him doing anything as we sleep. I am more concerned about things like poison attempts." Olorin stated.
"Why should we trust an assassin at all?" Alistair asked.
"We do kind of need all the help we can get. We're a powerful, but small group." William pointed out.
"The web is starting to fade. I suggest you decide quickly." Morrigan declared, as Leliana aimed an arrow at Zevran just in case.
William looked at Olorin, who nodded. He then looked at Alistair, who also nodded, all be it more reluctantly. Then he turned around and spoke to Zevran.
"Join us, and you will be welcomed into this group like a brother. Betray us, and you'll wish you'd gone back to the Crows."
And just like that, the group of six became seven.
o-0-o
As the group reached Redcliffe they saw a man guarding the bridge from their vantage point. From his lack of reaction it seemed doubtful he had seen them. From his basic armour they summarised he was a militia member or a conscript rather than one of the Arl's professional soldiers.
"Can we wait a moment? I need to speak to both of you. In private?" Alistair asked the two other Wardens. William and Olorin acquiesced to his request and the three Wardens moved away from the others, who though curious, presumed it was Grey Warden business.
"Listen I have something to tell you. You know I said Arl Eamon raised me? It's because the person I was told was my father was a noble."
"Well I figured that much." William said. "Its not like an Arl would foster just anyone. And Eamon is not the type for infidelity from what my father has said so you're not his. In fact I remember when King Maric came to Highever when I was about five. You don't look too…" William was talking until he fell silent, his mouth agape like a surprised fish.
"Yes. King Maric was my father. Apparently he had a dalliance with a serving maid on a visit to Redcliffe."
"So… you're not just a bastard but a royal bastard?" Olorin interjected.
"Haha yeah I might use that in future. Look I know I should have told you, but I kind of liked you not knowing. Duncan knew, Eamon knew, the Revered Mother in the Chantry knew. I enjoyed just being Alistair, not Alistair the royal bastard."
"I guess that makes sense But still, you should have told us. Does Loghain know?"
"I'm not sure. Maric knew and he might have told him. Cailan definitely knew."
"You know what this means don't you?" William asked.
"That I'm an idiot?"
"No. You're next inline to the throne."
"What!? No I'm not. If there's an heir to the throne to be found its with Eamon, not with me."
William looked like he was going to object, but Olorin shot him down with a look. Now was not the time for an argument.
"Whatever you say. Your Majesty." Olorin said with a smirk.
"Oh Maker I'm going to regret this." Alistair said with a slight hint of humour and a lot of trepidation in his voice.
o-0-o
"I thought I saw travellers coming along the road, though I scarcely believed it." The militia man said as they approached. "Have you come to help us?"
"I'm afraid not, though if we get chance to help we certainly will." William spoke. "We need to speak to Arl Eamon."
"Arl Eamon? Then you don't know?" The man cried.
"The Arl? Then you haven't heard? Has anyone out there heard?"
"Well there is a civil war going on but we have heard that Arl Eamon is ill. We have a healer with us." William answered, gesturing to Wynne.
"That won't help us! We're under attack! Every night monsters come from the castle and attack us until dawn. We're barely holding together."
"Monsters? What kind of Monsters?" Olorin asked, fearing a demon could be at work.
"I don't rightly know. Nobody does."
"Well how many are there? That could give us a clue."
"Dozens of them. Every night without fail."
Olorin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It sounds like the root of the problem is a demon."
"But there's more than one of them!"
"I agree with Olorin." Morrigan supported. "It is likely a powerful demon that can command others."
"Exactly. These monsters will either be shades, which are lesser demons, or possessed corpses. Who is in charge here?"
"That would be Bann Teagan. He's been leading the defences."
"Bann Teagan? Arl Eamon's brother? He's here?" Alistair asked, clearly recognising the name.
At the militia mans acknowledgment the group moved down the hill heading towards the Chantry.
Redcliffe looked desperate. People were obviously scared, and looked at the new arrivals with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. In the village square, members of the militia were training. Some with swords, others with archery. The Chantry was obvious, being by far the biggest building in the village and they were led into it. At the head of Chantry, where the Revered Mother would stand when giving a service stood a man with light brown hair and a beard. William and Alistair immediately recognised him as Bann Teagan. Turning towards them, he addressed the man who had met them and led them to the Chantry.
"It's Thomas, yes? And who are these people with you? They don't look like simple travellers? My name is Teagan, Bann of Rainesfere, brother to the Arl"
"I remember you Bann Teagan, though last we met I was a lot younger, and covered in mud."
"Covered in mud… Alistair, is that you?"
"Yes it is Bann Teagan."
"You're alive, this is wonderful news!"
"Still alive yes, though not if Teryn Loghain has anything to do with it."
"Yes the Teryn. He would have us believe all the Grey Wardens died with my nephew at Ostagar, amongst other things."
"Yes, we heard he hand branded us all as traitors." William said.
"Are you another Grey Warden?" Bann Teagan asked.
"Yes, William Cousland, and my friend here," he gestured towards Olorin, "Olorin Amell, are both Grey Wardens. The others are helping the Wardens of Ferelden, and under our protection."
"William Cousland? As in the son of Bryce Cousland?"
William looked down, the loss evident in his eyes.
"I was sorry to hear of your loss, another crime Loghain must pay for."
William just nodded, as Alistair spoke up.
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
In short order Alistair was dispatched to liaise with Ser Perth, William with the Mayor Murdock while Oloirn would co-oridinate with the others.
In short order, Zevran and Leliana was out searching for traps they could lay for the undead, Wynne was seeing what healing she could provide, Sten was helping give pointers to the village militia while Morrigan transformed into a raven to scout the castle. Olorin desperately wanted to go with her, but his transformation skills were not yet good enough, nor was his flying. Instead he walked round the village, looking where magical defences could be placed before nightfall.
By evening a plan had been set out. Leliana and Zevran had found some oil which they laid on the main path to burn the monsters. Zevran and Leliana themselves would be up on a ridge, shooting at the monsters with bow and arrows, Alistair and William would join Ser Perth and the other knights in a shield wall beyond the flames, ready to take on any monsters that made it through the flames. Wynne would be behind them, casting creation magic onto the melee fighters with Sten as her protection should any monsters break through. Finally Olorin and Morrigan would be next to Zevran and Leliana, casting Primal Magic onto the monsters. Olorin had also used a charm he knew to create an alert should any of the monsters come through the lake, so they could rush down to provide protection to the village. The trap also had a rather nasty built in surprise for the monsters if it was set off.
Plan in place, everyone decided to wait for nightfall.