Chapter 8

They'd crossed the bridge with no trouble, however, the screams of the dying soldiers would haunt Emma for a long time to come. As in the game, two soldiers had run down to tell them that the darkspawn were attacking the tower. Without hesitation, they ran into battle and managed to save the soldiers who were attempting to fight off the unexpected attack. Revek had joined up with his master, taking down any darkspawn he came across, either with his sharp teeth or piercing howl. Now they stood at the entrance to the Tower of Ishal; their packs a little heavier from the loot, their weapons and armour a lot bloodier from the fight.

They worked methodically through the tower, Emma doing her best to remember where the traps were laid, and what awaited them in each room. As they progressed, she found her spell control improving, and magic damage increasing along with her stamina. The only reasonable explanation to occur to her was that perhaps she'd experienced a form of levelling up.

They cleared the third floor with the help of the freed mabari, and then they were at the door to the last floor. Emma felt a trickle of sweat roll down her back at the thought of facing the ogre inside, but more than that, she knew that once the fire was lit, she and her fellow Grey Wardens would be shot down. Shit! This was going to hurt. She really hoped Flemeth would be able to carry an extra person or she was going to die a painful death alone in a tower overrun with darkspawn.

She filled in Alistair and Aedan regarding the ogre, and they soon came up with a plan of attack; she threw in some tips, specifically, not to stand still for too long. When she'd first played Dragon Age: Origins, she'd had a hell of a time taking down the massive, horned darkspawn. Her death coming in the form of being picked up by one large clawed hand and punched repeatedly. That had made her wince while sitting at home and watching it happen on a monitor; she didn't even want to imagine how bad this could be in reality.

Emma renewed the spells on their weapons, then the door was pushed open and she froze. This thing was bloody huge! It turned towards the group and roared, the vibrations rattled her bones and scared the shit out of her, but it was enough to jolt her into action. She cast Shockwave and the men charged, their blades cutting deep. As the spell started to wear off she covered it in a thick layer of ice, tossing in a bolt of lightning just for good measure.

Eventually, the beast started to stagger backwards, and she knew it was going down. Aedan sprinted towards the creature and leapt high; his daggers pierced the creature's thick skin and it fell to the floor. Aedan yanked the blades free and stabbed down again, twisting for more effective damage. Emma's jaw dropped as she watched Aedan perform the deathblow move. It was something she'd always enjoyed during the game when either Alistair or Zevran carried it out, but seeing it happen right in front of her was so much better and bloody sexy. Her only regret was that it hadn't happened in slow motion; all those gorgeous muscles flexing... damn, she had the urge to do a flying leap herself - right onto Aedan.

Alistair ran to a huge fireplace. "The beacon is over here, we've surely missed the signal. Let's light it quickly before it's too late."
And just like that, her urge to tackle Aedan had disappeared in a thick fog of fear. Her breath quickened and her body tensed as she waited for the attack. Aedan walked over and lit the bonfire. Emma spared a thought for Duncan, knowing he would soon be overrun, then with barely a chance to turn, arrows pierced her body. Emma opened her mouth to scream as excruciating pain coursed through her, but already she was falling towards the floor. The impact was hard enough to knock the breath out of her, and as she lay gasping, she watched Aedan fall, blood staining his armour. With her consciousness seeping away, she could have sworn she heard an earth-shattering roar before darkness claimed her.

xx-xx

Emma awoke to a faint feeling of nausea and a slight twinge of pain in her side. She struggled into an upright position as a familiar voice spoke. "Ah, your eyes finally open. Mother should be pleased."
It was on the tip of Emma's tongue to say how thankful she was that Flemeth had been able to carry her before realising that piece of information hadn't yet been revealed. "The others?" She winced at the sound of her cracked voice and cleared her throat.
"You mean the suspicious dimwitted one who was with you before? He is fine."
Her heart began to beat triple time. "And Aedan?" She waited, her breath caught in her throat.
"Ah, the slightly less dimwitted one? He has only recently recovered and is outside with mother."
"Thank you for your help, Morrigan."
The apostate shrugged, unsure of what to do with the kind words. "You seem to lack the desire to question; unlike the other two, who wouldn't shut up."
Emma chuckled. "Give me a minute, I'm sure I can think of a few if you would prefer?"
A twitch of Morrigan's lips was the only indication that she was amused. "No, thank you. I have offered enough answers for one day." She gave Emma an appraising stare. "Mother said you were an odd one, and I see she is right in her assessment. To be fair, she is rarely wrong." Morrigan moved towards a chest and recovered Emma's clothing. "Your stave is by the door."

Once dressed, Emma stepped outside and found Aedan and Alistair in conversation with Flemeth. They turned at the sound of the door opening.
"See, here is your fellow Grey Warden."
Aedan closed the distance, his eyes checking everywhere. "Are you all right?"
Emma smiled at his concern. "I am, thank you. And you?"
"Alive and kicking, thanks to Morrigan's mother." And so the usual conversation started.

Pain and sorrow were written clearly across Alistair's face and she felt a pang of guilt for not telling him about Duncan's approaching death but quickly pushed it aside. If he had known what would happen, he would have made his way to the battlefield and died along with everyone else. That outcome was just not acceptable; Alistair was an integral part of the story, and she couldn't bear to think of him dying.

Eventually, their plan of action was laid out, and Morrigan became a reluctant member of the party. As they started walking, Flemeth caught Emma's arm. "Wait a moment, we need to speak."
She eyed Emma with innate curiosity. "I was surprised to see you at the top of the tower. Your future is unclear, there is so much about you I can't see. However, I have a feeling you will need this." She held up a small vial that glittered in the setting sun. "When you have made your decision, drink this. It must be done before the killing blow."
Emma glanced at Flemeth, wondering if she meant the Archdemon. Flemeth's eyes crinkled at the corners as a semblance of a smile pulled at her lips. "You understand perfectly, girl. Now go and join your friends."