Kale and Adryenn sat in the stable with Argo. His neighs echoed as they both sat on a hay bale reading a musty tome about Grey Wardens of old.
"I never knew your forebears had such adventures" exclaimed Kale turning to another page, fascinated by what he was reading.
"I often thought about what it would have been like knowing my predecessors," Renn began. "I often thought how things would have been different if Duncan had walked out of Ostegar victorious. I would have journeyed with him to Weissaupt, learning all that would have been to be a Grey Warden" She lowered her head, "but it was not to be so."
For once…in so long I feel almost a sense of peace. Being here with Kale and Argo…it is…strange. My life has always been written in blood…death. Oh Duncan…how I wish I could have your counsel now!
"Renn?...Are you alright?" Kale asked concerned.
Renn looked back to him, searching his face. "Kale…why did you stay? You could have returned to your life…surely you have family or friends who miss your presence?"
"I…I wanted to…it is not like I have much of a life to return to. My parents died when I was young and I signed up for service almost straight away. I was always looking for a place of belonging and as for friends well…most of those that can answer to the title died in the cave in."
"I am sorry!" Renn felt ashamed, she should not have raised such a subject.
"Then I saw you…" Renn turned to look at him once more.
"I thought I had wandered into a dream…a pale maiden, skin glowing like alabaster…eyes like the sea…I thought how can one shine so bright amidst this darkness?"
"How can something so beautiful exist somewhere with so much despair and ugliness?"
A flash of Alastair with the rose shot through Renn like lightning. She rushed to her feet and put her hand on the nearest wall breathing heavily.
"Renn..I am sorry, I hope I didn't…" Kale followed after her.
"No…it is fine…it…it is nothing.." She turned to face him again and smiled encouragingly.
Drums sounded in the distance. The beating had the two looking around and then at each other. Argo reared up in distress until Renn grabbed his reins to calm him.
"What is that?" exclaimed Kale grabbing his sword from the hay bale.
Renn suddenly heaved over her pain grabbing her head. The taint burned through her as a shot of red eyes pierced through her brain. Images of dark spawn running through corridors of the deep roads came in flashes; stronger and stronger until…
"Wrayth!" Renn said as the pain could feel him…and he was close.
"What?" Kale couldn't quite keep himself steady.
"Come we have to get to the main chamber…NOW!"
Renn mounted Argo and reached her hand down to Kale. Kale looked at her hand and without hesitation took it and mounted behind her.
She steered Argo out of the stable and into a gallop down the many corridors of the deep roads.
They stopped at the large wooden doors of the citadel's main chamber, Kale and Renn both dismounted.
Kale pushed opened the doors as Renn led Argo inside.
They looked around but everything was still. All three descended cautiously down the steps, Renn making sure Argo did not falter in his steps.
They reached the bottom stair and slowly crossed the room, each step producing an echo.
The fire was almost dying out, only embers clung to the remaining logs in the hearth.
There in front of the remains of the womb, hanging in shreds on the wall was The Architect. His body lay on the floor as still as stone and barely breathing.
Renn and Kale both approached and stood over the darkspawn.
"My child…you are…unharmed!" The Architect's every word heaved from his throat in a rasp.
"What happened here?" Renn began."You are…"
"Adryenn…listen carefully…please" The Architect struggled for every breath. "You must…must leave this place…Wrayth…he…he will be coming for you…you must…must return to the light."
Kale and Renn looked at eachother and back to her maker. Had the Architect just said…
"I was wrong…my child…so very wrong…..I will not ask…for your forgiveness…nor expect you to give it…but at least…I can give you your…" The Architect coughed and spluttered up black bile which coursed through him.
Renn came down on her knees to his side. "Wrayth did this…didn't he?"
"Adryenn…listen to me…Wrayth wants you…wants you to…he revealed his plans…whilst he was…" He coughed some more.
"TELL US darkspawn" Kale raged, "it is the least you owe her after all you have done!"
The Architect pushed himself up which helped his breathing slightly. If he was to die he would at least give his child a fighting chance.
"Adryenn…listen well…Wrayth does not just seek you…for his gain…he means you to bear a child."
Renn froze! She could not fathom what her maker was saying…a child?!
"It was an…adverse effect from your Rebirth…Wraith wants to create a legacy…in his own beautiful, repugnant image…you are no longer barren Adryenn…you could bear the young of Grey Warden…or darkspawn."
"Maker" Kale turned in disgust.
Renn sat on her knees, squeezed her eyes shut, tears rolling down her pale cheeks. This is what Wrayth wanted from her? And no matter what or how he had to…he would come.
"You must find a way my child…cut Wrayth down…he will never stop hunting you…" He turned to Kale. "Ser Kale…quickly…take Adryenn and escape this place…there is a path…behind the third bookcase …in my office…follow the halls back to the surface." The Architect lay back down and looked to Renn. He raised his hand weakly to her cheek.
"Go…my child…go! Wrayth is not far behind!"
"Renn! Come, now!" He dragged her up by the arm and she slowly pulled herself to her feet, keeping her eyes on The Architect. Kale grabbed Argo and then Renn's hand once more. "Now Renn!"
Renn snapped out of it and followed Kale, they ran through the adjoining doors to the study and disappeared from view.
The Architect lay there, staring at the hearth.
"Go my child…I pray you find your happiness once again…return to your king….uuuuugh!"
One last breath and The Architect was still forever. Perhaps he will find redemption on another plane. The drums were now sounding louder in the distance. Wraith and his faithless horde were drawing closer.