After over a day of conflict with the Darkspawn, the king's forces completely driven them out of the Korcari Wilds and force whatever is left of them into the Deep Roads. The Darkspawn incursion came to an end with the king declaring this fight is over. After leading his soldiers into the frontlines, Cailan returns to Ostagar, unscathed by the conflicts in the wild and taking a breather to get something to drink and work on polishing his armour again.
The four Grey Wardens of Ferelden came together inside Ostagar to discuss their next plan of action against the Darkspawn. Duncan left his armour behind in the tent and wore a leather shirt and pants. He also got back his two lost swords, thanks to Horus when he came back from his hunt for the Darkspawn and join Alistair on returning to bring the two swords back to Duncan.
"I am relief that you're all safe." Duncan said when looking at all three of the Grey Wardens in front of him "You've made the order proud in your work. And it seems we'll have a chance of leaving Ostagar, now that the Darkspawn are completely destroyed."
"It was still strange how the Darkspawn fought." Alistair said while thinking back at that moment when he heard a single Darkspawn say a word for the first time.
"And you're right, but with the commander dead, any chances of learning more about this Darkspawn has been lost." Duncan said to Alistair. He then turn his attention to Theron and changes the subject by asking "How are your injuries?"
Theron lifts his left arm to press his hand against his shoulder to still feel the pain from that arrow he took to the shoulder. He replies "I'll be fine."
"I'm relief that you're safe." Said Duncan "I kept you away from the battle to protect you and the treaties, but our enemies was more co-ordinated than we thought."
"I probably wouldn't have made it, if it wasn't for a shemlen." Said Theron
"Shemlen?" Horus stands beside him and looks confuse by the word
"It is an elven term for humans." Theron responds
"Duncan. Where do we go from here?" Alistair asks
"We go north. We'll go past Lothering and search for a man, named Levi Dryden. He can help us restore the order by recovering the lost fortress of Soldier's Peak."
"So we're leaving the Korcari Wilds then." Said Horus "Never thought I would actually leave this place."
"Right, because you're part of the Avvar Tribe." Said Alistair
"Not anymore. My tribe is gone. I guess my old life is pretty much gone."
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that."
"Take some time. When you're ready, we'll be leaving Ostagar today." Said Duncan.
Meanwhile, as the Grey Wardens prepare themselves for a long departure out of Ostagar, Teyrn Loghain and his forces arrive at Ostagar. Loghain and his forces left the king's army, after destroying the werewolves at the Brecilian Forest and travel west to Redcliffe. Cailan desire to join with the Grey Wardens on fighting Darkspawn, but also was concern about Eamon and his family ay Redcliffe, so he sent Loghain to handle that problem while he handles the Darkspawn. Loghain approaches the king to find him speaking to Duncan and the Grey Wardens. They say their farewell to the king and leave Ostagar.
Cailan turns to see Loghain and smiles happily "Loghain, you've arrived just in time to celebrate." He said when walking towards Loghain "We've finished mopping up the Darkspawn."
"And I see you've decided to lead the vanguard, despite my protests of telling you not to go charging off like that." Loghain said and sighs over this.
"Our people need to know that the king isn't going to stay behind and watch from afar. They wish to see a king who fights his own battles." Said Cailan
"Yes…. Wouldn't that be a sight."
"And what of Redcliffe? Have your troops discovered what happened? Have you located Eamon?" Cailan asks
Loghain sighs and takes a few steps past Cailan with frustrated look on his face when he is force to deliver the details. He looks back to Cailan to deliver the report "We've secured the castle and its lands, but the people living at Redcliffe are no more."
"And what of Eamon and his family?"
"I'm sorry to say that foul magic was behind the death of his family. Arl Eamon was found dead in his bedchambers, along with the rest of his family."
Cailan looks to Loghain with shock that he saw an honest look on Loghain's face, telling him that what he just said to him is true. He took a deep breath and left his heart beating much faster than before when feeling the realisation of the loss of his uncle. He finally exhales and lowers his head down to the floor and place his right hand over his face to hide his watery eyes. He then looks back to Loghain, continued sighing while trying to respond "I… I don't know what to say about that."
"Blood Magic was responsible for this." Said Loghain "But the culprit and the nightmares that hide inside Redcliffe is no more. The chaos spreading in Ferelden has finally been put down by the sword."
"I always had hope he'd still be alive. Guess it was a fool's hope. You and the men can rest here and enjoy the quiet time while we're here. Tomorrow, we'll return home." Cailan turns away and walks off somewhere else to his royal tent.
Loghain stays where he is and watches Cailan leave. He would suddenly have a smirk on his face when thinking back at what he accomplish behind the scenes. What nobody learns from this is that Loghain was responsible for hiring a mage to help with the problems at Redcliffe, only to find out things went differently and thought his plan was about to be exposed in front of everyone. Thankfully, he took care of loose ends by silencing the mage Jowan and put down the threat inside Redcliffe, while also removing Eamon and blaming it on his own son, who was possess by a demon.
His plans of a takeover and change in Ferelden is almost at completion. His only obstacle in the way is the king, and since he is still alive, his next plan was about to be much difficult than the rest.
While Cailan returns to his tent for something to drink from a bottle of wine, Loghain enters the tent and offers Cailan a bottle of wine he got from Redcliffe and offers it to Cailan to drink. Both use this as a remembrance of those who died in this war, but only Cailan was drinking the wine bottle from Loghain, while he drank from the other bottle. Cailan had no idea what inside his wine was a few drops from Darkspawn blood. The wine and taste of the drink was enough for Cailan to not realise the taint of Darkspawn now flows down his throat, which would eventually take a slow effect that would cause him to succumb to the taint. Cailan ends up getting another drink, which would seal the deal much easier and causing Loghain to smile when he turns his back on Cailan.
In time, the Grey Wardens arrive at Lothering to take a break from the fighting by going straight to the tavern for something to eat and drink. They cannot eat inside the tavern, thanks to so many people showing up and taking all the seats and tables. After they got what they came for, they went outside to eat and discuss their next plan.
"There is a man named Levi Dryden, and he wishes to use his family's resources and knowledge to help restore the order." Duncan explains "Long ago, the Orlesian Grey Wardens, persuaded with the previous king of Ferelden into restoring the Grey Wardens into Ferelden again. Thanks to the king, we were given a chance to return to Ferelden."
"Why do you need permission?" Horus asks while eating
"Centuries ago, the Grey Wardens were banished from Ferelden. Our order was involved in a rebellion, which caused our side to lose and lost our rights to operate in this country."
"I had no idea…." Alistair said while looking surprise at this story.
"Take some time to relax in Lothering, because we'll be staying here for a while. Try not to go too far."
And so the team splits in two. Theron chooses to stay with Duncan, as he knows nothing of this place and wishes not to cause trouble with the humans by himself, so he chooses to stay with Duncan. Horus chooses to explore, while Alistair went to the chantry building. Inside this place, he notices a familiar face, named Ser Donall.
"Alistair? Is that really you?"
"Yes."
"So you've survived the battles in the south. Thank the Maker, Eamon would've been proud of you if he were here."
"Here?" Alistair asks while looking puzzled by what he said. He asks "What are you talking about?"
Ser Donall's expression changes to sadness when he has to tell Alistair the bad news "I'm sorry to say this, but the Arl of Redcliffe is dead. He and his entire family have been killed by the monsters inside the castle."
"W-What!?" Alistair raise his voice. He shakes his head and takes a step back from him in disbelief. "H-How is that possible?"
"It was proof from Teyrn Loghain." Said Ser Donall "He and his men stormed the castle and found waves of monsters. The village outside the castle was destroyed, as well as Bann Teagan."
"Even Teagan…." Alistair mutters while lowering his eyes down at the floor. He grieves over the loss of those he knew when he was just a child. He looks to Donall and replies "I haven't seen them in a long time…. I thought I could see them again… Settle things between us."
"I'm sorry, Alistair. I wish I could've done something, but I was called to search for a cure to Arl Eamon's sickness. Before the castle fell, many knights left Redcliffe to search for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. But I guess we won't be needing that anymore…" Ser Donall sighs and shakes his head "I don't even know what to do anymore."
"Who's going to run Redcliffe?" Alistair asks
"Nobody, unfortunately. Teyrn Loghain left some of his forces behind to occupy the castle to prevent any problems in the region. Perhaps when the king returns from the frontlines, he'll elect a new leader to run Redcliffe. I will pledge my sword to the new lord of that castle."
"I see… Thank you for telling me the news."
"Take some time. That's what I've been doing."
Alistair nods and watches him walk away from him. Once he was gone, he sighs again and looks sadden at the news that he remains where he is for a while.
What Ser Donall said was true. The veil was torn open in Redcliffe and brought an army of demons and undead to flood the entire region. Bann Teagan and his people at the village was the last line of defence, but not even they could stop the overwhelming numbers. In the end, nobody survives. Loghain and his forces manage to arrive in the aftermath, discovered the entire village is completely abandon with no signs of any bodies or life anywhere. All those who died in the battle of the village, returned as a soldier in the undead army, and sent to defend the castle walls against Loghain. He saw no hope of survival inside the castle, so he orders his men to slaughter everything inside and eliminate a key feature that would pose a threat to his reign of overthrowing the king.
The only last remaining problem is Fergus Cousland, who just woke up and still feeling the injuries from that battle with the Darkspawn. As soon as he was fit enough to get out of bed, he makes his way outside to hear the news of the battle. But what surprises him is that he hears no word from his father, Bryce Cousland, who was sent to join the battle as soon as Rendon Howe is done assembling his forces. He search through the camps, learning nothing of his father or any signs of soldiers from Rendon Howe. This troubles him deeply and left confuse as to what is going on.
As Fergus was on his way to meet with the king, Loghain came out of the tent and notices him approaching. He raise his hand up to signal him to stop. "Hold, what business do you have with the king? Wait, you look familiar…"
"I am Fergus Cousland." He said and bows his head to Loghain "My father is Teyrn Bryce Cousland of Highever. I wish to speak to the king, regarding my father."
"Right. Your father promised to send troops to the south, along with Rendon Howe. No doubt you wish to search for your father? Well, your talk with the king is going to have to wait. We'll be leaving this fortress today, so your services to the king has been completed."
"That's it? You're just going to set us on our way back one after the battle is over?"
"Are you expecting a victory parade back at Denerim?" Loghain asks him "We've got some other pressing matters to attend to, so I suggest you focus on the task at hand."
"Y-Yes, Teyrn Loghain…" Fergus nods and turns around to start walking away from him.
Loghain watches him leave, then turns around to return to the tent and watches Cailan coughing while laying down on his bed. He was seeing the effects finally kicking in.
King Cailan eventually got out of the tent and tries to enjoy the sickness inside of him. He rallies his forces and prepare to leave the Korcari Wilds. As soon as they arrive at Lothering, Cailan rests again and allows Loghain to take control by ordering the other nobles to take their leave from the army and allow them to return home with the soldiers they brought. By the time all of this was happening, the Grey Wardens are already on their way to the north.
Fergus Cousland takes his leave with his army and travels to the west towards Lake Calenhad, where he plans to travel through the same road as before, hoping to learn anything of what happen to his father. He knows Bryce and Rendon would've taken their forces through this pathway towards Ostagar, and yet he found no traces or news of anyone marching through here with an army.
As they were getting closer to the Circle Tower of Magi, Fergus calls for his men to set up camp and rest during the night. They left the road and start getting to work lighting up a fire and setting up the tents for everyone to rest, as they still got a long journey to go before they reach Highever.
With most of the soldiers sleeping, and only a few men are keeping watch on the road, a tragedy was about to happen here. The soldiers standing on the road would notice a large group approaching them, but before they could identify them, arrows came flying out of the darkness and pierce through their armour to kill them. Next, a dozen more arrows came hurling down from above and start killing everyone in the camp. The screams and chaos was enough to wake up the others, and found themselves fighting for their lives against an unknown enemy.
Fergus woke up to hear the cries of his men in pain. He quickly pounces off his bed, draws his sword and quickly rushes outside without his armour. He watches as everyone around him was being hit by a barrage of arrows through the night, forcing him to retreat inside to take his shield and quickly equip whatever armour he could put on quickly to join the fight.
After a few dozen volleys of arrows later, the enemy drew their weapons and rush straight into the camp to attack whatever is left of the soldiers. They easily cleave through them, as they were caught off guard, unprepared to even do anything against them. The soldiers only wore leather clothing and no armour to protect themselves from serious damage, while the enemy has been preparing for this moment.
Fergus continues to stand and fight, while trying to get as many of his loyal soldiers to stand beside him and fight till the end. One by one, all of them fell in battle, and Fergus was next when he suddenly took a blow through the back by an enemy from behind. He collapses on both knees, weakened and helpless, he drops his sword on the floor and looks up to see his killer approaching him with a bloody sword and shield. The last thing he notice is the shield with a bear at the front of it, indicating this man in front of him is a member of the Howe family. That was the last thing he saw before he was run through, revealing that the enemy attacking him were once close friends with his family.
As the sun rises over the mountain, Rendon Howe arrives at the camp to find his soldiers have already finish clearing the entire camp. They line up the bodies for Rendon to check each one to see if he could find the body of Fergus Cousland. He stops the moment his eyes made contact with Fergus' body on the ground and smiles happily.
"Fergus Cousland. The last Cousland is dead." Rendon said while continue looking down at his body. He then looks to one of the soldiers and replies "Burn them all and leave no traces of us."
"Yes milord." The soldier bows first before turning away and getting to work dragging the bodies into a pile.