Chapter 59
Aedan watched Emma walking ahead and chatting with Shale. She'd insisted she felt absolutely fine, and as there was no evidence to the contrary, he'd given in and agreed to continue their journey. That didn't mean he'd forgotten what had happened though - how she'd practically faded away before his eyes. Maker! He'd never been so scared in his life, not since Howe's attack on his home. He squeezed his fists together as a deep pain shot through his chest; just the thought of losing her was almost too much to bear. He guessed the only reason she'd insisted they keep going was to avoid talking about what had occurred, and he was willing to give her time to get her thoughts in order. But he deserved to know if her life was in danger, and he damn well intended to get some answers from her as soon as they'd left the Deep Roads.
-x-
Emma stopped at a coffin resting against the wall; leaning over it, she searched the casket and found the insignia. Then, straightening up, she looked at the corner ahead and wiped the sweat from her forehead as she remembered the number of times she'd had to replay this fight. That damn Broodmother and her tentacles! And let's not forget the numerous darkspawn attacking from the rear. Well, all the companions were here this time, so the fight should go much easier, or at least that's what she hoped. Hespith had continued to tell them of her story and as they reached the final stretch, she revealed the conclusive chapter.
"While she ate she grew. She swelled and turned grey and she smelt like them. They remade her in their image. Then she made more of them."
Abruptly the voice stopped, and everyone jumped at the ominous silence that filled the tunnel. Emma turned to the group, deciding that now would be a good time to talk about strategy. "Okay, I think it's safe to say that you're all going to be a little shocked when we turn the next corner." She nervously looked over her shoulder to where the Broodmother waited before turning back to the group. "The mages can take this creature down if we work together. I'll cast a Death Hex and Morrigan you cast Entropic cloud; Wynne you cast Flaming Weapons for the melee fighters, and then Inferno."
Emma turned her gaze to each person in the group. "When we enter the chamber, run to the very back and stay there while an area of effect spell is active. There will be attacks from darkspawn and… tentacles." She looked at the warriors and rogue. "Those will be your targets."
"What will your target be?" Alistair asked.
Emma chuckled. "Oh, we won't be able to miss the main target." Then she sobered. "This creature is best fought from range; please remember that and don't stand directly in front of it." She smiled at them. "Don't worry! You are all magnificent fighters and will easily best this beast!" A small cheer went up through the group and everyone grabbed their weapons, giving them one final check. As they approached the final corner, Hespith spoke once more; just one word. A tremor shook Emma's body.
"Broodmother."
They turned the corner, and even though she knew what to expect, she still couldn't hold back a gasp of horror at the sight of the Broodmother in the flesh. And, oh God, there was so much flesh! She looked huge in the game but seeing her this close was just horrific. And the smell – a mixture of dirt, faeces and rotting flesh. Seriously, the stench alone could fell most enemies. The companions were uttering many varied and inventive curse words. However, when the stink hit them, most decided to shut up to avoid unnecessary breathing.
"Ladies, let's do this!" Emma stepped forward, Morrigan and Wynne flanking her, their staffs raised and the air twisting with magic. Sensing the threat, the Broodmother made a gurgling, growling sound that belonged to nightmares, and Emma shouted, "Release your spells now!" The mages followed the agreed strategy, while the warriors and rogues kept the darkspawn and tentacles off them. Things were going well, until a shout of pain split through the sound of battle and Zevran sailed over Emma's head, landing with a sickening thud in front of the gruesome creature.
"Ah, shit!" Emma quickly cast a force field around the rogue as a thick, grey tentacle wrapped around him and lifted him off the ground, shaking his limp body back and forth. Leliana turned her arrows to the tentacle, while Wynne bombarded it with fireballs. "Morrigan, throw another force field around Zevran." The witch gave a nod and Emma saw the shield strengthen. With their combined attacks the Broodmother soon dropped the assassin to the ground, where he lay pale and unmoving.
Everyone redoubled their efforts in taking the Broodmother down as quickly as possible, with Emma repeating the force field spell to keep Zevran protected while the fight continued. As much as she wanted to run over and check his condition, she knew it would be too dangerous.
The Broodmother fought viciously against the many and varied attacks against her, but then Aedan shouted, "Wynne, give me Haste!" Emma's heart missed a beat when she saw Aedan sprint up one of the side ramps and leap onto the Broodmother. Oh, fuck! What was he thinking? Twin daggers plunged deep into the creature's skull and a terrifying shriek erupted from its wet slavering mouth as its hands flailed around, frantically trying to get rid of the annoyance. The companions threw everything at the grotesque beast, trying to keep its attention off Aedan, who was being bucked about like a bronco rider. He pulled one blade free and dark blood gushed out from the deep wound before he stabbed the dagger down again. With a choking, growling sound the Broodmother stilled, its head flopping forward onto its chest.
"That's where they come from. That's why they hate us… that's why they need us. That's why they take us… that's why they feed us." Everyone glanced towards the voice and saw Hespith standing on a high ledge overlooking the Broodmother. "But the true abomination is not that it occurred but that it was allowed. Branka… my love. The stone has punished me, dream friend. I am dying of something worse than death…" Her eyes filled with pain and regret as she whispered, "…betrayal." Without another word, the female dwarf turned and disappeared into the darkness.
With Hespith gone, attention turned to their injured comrade and they ran forward to check on Zevran; the elf's arm lay at an unnatural angle and a darkening bruise stood out on his forehead in stark contrast to his pale skin. Wynne knelt next to him and laid a gentle hand on his back as she assessed his injuries. She glanced up with sadness in her gaze and Emma flinched. "He's not…"
Wynne shook her head. "No, not yet. But, his injuries are severe, I don't know if I can save him, but I'm going to give it everything I have." She swallowed down a lyrium potion and placed both hands over Zevran's body. A shimmering glow enveloped Wynne before moving over the elf.
Emma watched in fascination as the sparkling light seemed to melt into Zevran. It felt like an hour passed while everyone waited for some sign of life, when in fact only a minute or two had gone by when he groaned and lifted his head, blinking and looking disorientated. "Oh, my aching head. I hope I at least got very drunk to earn such a headache."
Emma chuckled. "Not quite, Zev. The Broodmother got a bit too friendly with you and nearly hugged you to death."
He carefully pushed himself into a sitting position. "Ah, the women cannot resist my charms, though I do wish this particular female had tried to." Sten and Alistair helped the assassin to his feet, and he swayed precariously for a few moments until Leliana handed him a health potion. He gave her a grateful smile and quickly swallowed the liquid. Throwing the empty vial away, he smiled, looking more like his old self. "Ah, that hit the spot."
Aedan came up, wiping the Broodmother's blood from his face and armour with a towel. "Maker's breath, that went everywhere." He glanced around at his team, quickly assessing their state of mind and body. Although everyone was elated at the death of the Broodmother, there were definite signs of exhaustion. "Let's set up camp and get some rest."