Stopping to allow Sereda to study the map, Rathnal and Faren joining her, the rest of the group took a moment to sit down or adjust their packs to make them more comfortable. Leliana immediately began checking on the nug who had taken to curling in a tunic and peeking out the top of her pack.

Alistair sighed softly as Sereda snapped at Faren gaining a snarled retort, Rathnal moving away and leaving them to it a weary look on his face. "Not again."

"What is wrong with those too?" Jayden murmured glancing to Alistair. "I have never known them to fight, let alone like this?"

"I thought at first it was them being home and knowing, well they couldn't actually go home, but I've spoken to them both and it isn't that. I feel it too, though maybe not as much as the others because I've been a Warden for less time."

"Feel what?"

"It's like an itch under my skin, a shadow I can't escape and it gets the worse the further we go. I feel … I have thoughts, such terrible thoughts."

"Talk to me Ali."

"I fear that we will fail, but it is more than that, it is as though there is a voice reaching into my dreams, at times it feels as though I hear it in my waking moments telling me how helpless our quest is, that the horde is too vast to defeat. I think Rath and Serris are feeling it worse than all of us." He swallowed uneasily. "I … you know all about the Joining right?" At Jayden's nod he worried at his lip. "When I passed out after taking that vile concoction I saw it, the Archdemon I mean. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I think that thing is getting into our heads."

"It would make sense." Jayden stated softly. "Duncan said he heard the Archdemon speak to him in his mind when we were hunting for him. It was part of why the General was so against him, he thought he was making it up, but I saw the look on Duncan's face, whatever he was experiencing was real. Theron also said while under the influence of the Blight he felt paranoid, agitated and at times violent."

"If this is the Archdemon wouldn't that mean it's close?"

"Maybe, but the Archdemon was an Old God before it was tainted and Urthemiel which is who the Architect tried his form of the Joining on was said to be very proficient at walking the minds of man. Just because he's tainted there is no reason to suspect he still doesn't have that ability."

"I was happier just thinking of the Archdemon as some kind of rabid beast." Alistair muttered.

"Well just think, if we get what we are here for we will be a lot better matched."

Forcing a smile Alistair nodded, trying not to notice the sudden angry words between Serris and Rathnal. "Let's hope we find them quickly so we can get out of here. I am not sure how much more we can take before we turn on each other."

xXx

Glancing around the Thaig, Theron recognised it as somewhere he had stayed before, moving over to Jayden. "Giant spiders sometimes live here."

"Wonderful. We better do a full sweep if Rath intends us to set up camp here."

Having found nothing to suggest the giant spiders were currently inhabiting the Thaig they set up camp, Sereda and Faren making sure they were as far from each other as they could get.

Sighing Rathnal decided to ignore them tired of trying to play mediator and frankly too agitated himself to be much use to either of them. He glanced over to the opposite side of the camp feeling the same discomfort he had felt every time Serris sought out Jayden to continue his lessons in Antivan. Logically he knew it was a way to pass the time; but to his ears Jayden sounded as though he had a good command of the language and he was finding it increasingly unsettling that he had no idea what they were saying to each other. He knew that was part of why he had snapped at her and why he had taken to asking Rinna to translate. At first she had laughed thinking him teasing, then realising he was serious she had hesitantly agreed. He knew she thought him paranoid, but the more he thought about it the more Serris's story of being hunted by her fellow Wardens seemed bizarre and he had begun to suspect her allegiance was with the First Warden and she was here for some nefarious reason on his behalf. He flinched as Serris laughed at something Jayden had said. "What are they saying?" He snapped.

Sighing Rinna relayed their conversation so far.

"Why would she laugh at that?"

"It was the way he said it." Rinna sighed at his scepticism. "Rath there is no reason to distrust either of them."

"Maybe." Sighing he shook his head; Darkspawn he could fight, but the insidious whispering in his mind he could not banish. It tickled the edge of his consciousness, prodded and harassed him in every moment. He glanced across the camp to Alistair and the other Wardens. They doubted his leadership, wished him out of the way, or at least that's what the whispers would have him believe. "It's this place Rinna, the longer we are here the darker my thoughts."

"I know Rath, we are all feeling it, that is why is so important for us to stick together, to trust each other." She smiled as he took her hand and squeezed gently.

"I'm sorry." He murmured.

"You need sleep, come."

Smiling slightly Rathnal allowed himself to be led to their small part of the camp, sinking into her arms and her kiss, trying to blot out the darkness growing within him. He woke a few hours later to startled screams grabbing his sword and trying to see beyond the firelight. "What in the Maker's world is going on?"

"Spiders!" Rinna gasped, pointing to where Alistair, Faren and Sten were hacking at a dark shape. The chamber lit up with lightening, the smell of burning flesh and the scream of the spiders caught in the magic made her shudder. "Come on."

Spinning her staff to drive a giant spider back Serris channelled ice, shattering the spider caught in the spell the webbing cracking and shattering as ice raced over the threads.

Yelling a warning Sereda joined Leliana and Delilah who were fending off two spiders, Sereda driving her sword into the eyes of a third, ducking the thrashing legs as she pulled free the blade and decapitated it. Delilah grabbed Leliana pulling her back as venom hit the ground, wincing at the flare of magic, the two spiders incinerated. Delilah saw Morrigan's smug expression knowing she was a second from some snarky comment. She darted forward pushing her out of the way bringing her sword down into the head of the spider and twisting, her heart pounding as the creature stopped thrashing, meeting Morrigan's startled gaze as the mage turned. "You're welcome." She stated coldly, pulling out the sword and stalking away.

"What does this remind you of?" Rathnal gasped as he reached Jayden's side, noting Theron using Jayden's bow, every arrow finding its target.

"I'm trying very hard not to think of that thanks." Jayden muttered driving his sword into the soft underbelly of the spider leaping down on them. "And I really don't want to meet another of their Queens!"

Rathnal screamed in pain and panic as spider venom hit his eyes. He felt something slam into him, struggling as he was held down, thrashing as liquid was poured into his eyes, the burning sensation increasing.

"Hold still Rath, I know it hurts, but …" Jayden groaned in pain as Rathnal twisted violently, feeling the sickening pain as his knee moved sharply catching him between the legs.

Screaming as he was pinned down again, Rathnal was suddenly aware the pain was easing and he calmed as he recognised Alistair's voice.

Jayden managed to get to his knees still feeling sick from the blow, letting Theron help him to his feet.

"Deep breaths." Theron stated.

"Not sure … I can." Jayden wheezed, turning to Rathnal who was being checked out by Serris, the last spiders either dead or having retreated.

"You're going to be fine Rathnal." Serris stated softly. "That was quick thinking to wash out his eyes with a solution of the antivenom, initially painful I would imagine, but makes my job a lot easier."

"Just something I picked up from Anders." Jayden muttered.

"Well I'm glad you did. And you?"

"I'll be fine ... in a bit."

Smiling slightly Serris turned her attention back to Rathnal, the red swelling around his eyes already significantly reduced. "Right, this will tingle a little."

Relaxing as the magic continued to soothe him Rathnal allowed Serris and Rinna to fuss over him, for once the dark thoughts not clouding him, coming to the alarming conclusion that the pain might be keeping it at bay.

xXx

Once the commotion had died down they moved to a more defensible section of the Thaig, Rathnal finally consenting to taking a sleeping potion after Serris snapped at him that he would damage his eyes to the point she wouldn't be able to heal them if he kept rubbing them. Rinna remained at his side protecting him as he slept.

Making his way across their new camp Theron approached Jayden handing him back his bow. "I hid my bow and Tamlen's here when I … when I no longer was myself." He stated softly, feeling strangely whole holding his own bow in his hand.

Nodding in understanding Jayden bit his lip. "I'm sorry Tamlen didn't make it."

"Me too."

As Theron moved away Serris settled next to Jayden, speaking softly in Antivan. "Leliana and Delilah were telling me a little of your adventure at Haven."

"Oh."

"To take their minds off the spiders I suspect. I do find one thing curious if you will indulge me."

"Just one?"

"You returned the last egg to the dragon."

Jayden shifted uncomfortably. "It was not a request I felt able to refuse given the circumstances."

"But it was not Holy Andraste who told you of the egg, you made that decision."

"I could think of nothing else that would fulfil the criteria I was given."

"Do you know where the dragon was going when she left?"

"Only to the Dragon Queen to be healed, but where she is I have no clue."

"Antiva." She smiled at his startled expression. "In my own travels I was aided by Yavanna a Witch of the Antivan Wilds. She bears a rather remarkable resemblance to Morrigan in point of fact. The Dragon Queen is most certainly real and I believe I met the dragon you faced, recently arrived there and deeply traumatised. Yavanna was helping to heal her. The young one is well you might want to know, but I suspect you know the egg hatched, in fact I suspect you were there when it happened."

Jayden swallowed nervously.

Serris smiled as he remained silent. "I will take that as a yes. You were given a great honour. She is beautiful and few are born with gold scales on their snout. She will be a powerful High Dragon when grown. Few know this but dragons are in fact essential to the survival of Thedas, my grandmother drilled that into me when I was just a child. When they were fought almost to extinction, the Queen hid herself away with the remaining Great dragons and their precious eggs. In time Thedas will once again flourish with dragon kind, perhaps we can find a way to co-exist when that time comes, but I admit I never thought to see them myself, though most still remain in their magical slumber."

"You said Yavana is helping the High Dragon heal, how is she able to get close enough to do those spells?"

"She understands them, can speak to them in their version of the common tongue I suppose; as can I." She smiled at his surprise. "It is a language few know these days and not lightly passed on, but in the circumstances I think it wise you at least understand the rudiments, should fate have cause to have you meet up with the dragon you aided."

"You would do that?"

"You seem to have a flare for languages; I suggest we see how we get on."

"Thank you Serris."

"My pleasure; well let us begin."

xXx

Stirring from his sleep Rathnal glanced to Rinna smiling as he recognised the protective position she sat in wondering what he had done to deserve her. He glanced across the camp relieved to see Faren and Sereda at least talking to each other. "If I knew it would only take a spider attack to get those two to stop glaring at each other I would have force marched us here days ago."

Chuckling softly Rinna turned to him. "They have called a truce, at least for now. How are you feeling?"

"Better, my eyes feel gritty and as though I have scratched them, but it was nothing to the pain when that venom initially hit. I should thank Will, if he hadn't done what he did with the antivenom …"

"But he did." Rinna soothed clasping his hand.

Glancing over the camp to locate him he saw him with Serris, seeing his face in an expression of deep concentration as he formed words Rathnal had never heard before. "What in the Makers world is he saying?"

Shrugging Rinna wrinkled her nose. "I have no idea what language they are speaking."

Rathnal narrowed his eyes, suddenly alarmed that they might have discovered he was having Rinna translate and if they had what were they talking about that needed such secrecy they had changed language? He bit back his suspicious comments not wanting to upset Rinna, but the reignited flare of mistrust towards them would not leave. His tension and paranoia played out in his dreams when he finally managed to go back to sleep and when he woke again his mood was dark.

xXx

Halting Rathnal signalled for everyone to stop as the tunnel opened out into a massive cave. He had pushed them hard all day trying to outrun the dark voices in his mind, but the further they went the worse it became and he felt as though his head was going to burst. Forcing himself to focus he gestured for them to move cautiously as they eased over to the edge of what appeared to be a chasm. Looking down expecting to see lava, they instead saw the flames of torches lighting thousands of Darkspawn, the sound of their marching and snarling echoing up to them. They flung themselves backwards as a dragon who could only be the Archdemon shot up from the chasm and landed on the bridge ahead of them, a terrible roar echoing around them and what appeared to be violet flame spewing from its mouth. The dragon was terrifyingly huge, its wings powerful despite looking tattered. A line of spikes snaked down its back and tail. Even from where they stood its stench reached them, the smell of death and rot, but it was beyond that, it was corruption at its most vile. Rathnal stared at the dragon in fear and awe, it was truly monstrous and yet despite it's terrifying appearance it was still a creature, it could be killed, it could be stopped and if they could finish it here the Darkspawn would no longer be compelled to rise to the surface, but he could feel the corruption reaching out to him; the song, an elusive whisper he couldn't understand that was driving him slowly towards madness.

Sten growled in fury. "We must destroy it now."

Rathnal strained to move but the darkness that had steadily been building within him seemed to take over. He felt frozen as Duncan's death played out in his mind, but it wasn't his memory, it was from the view of the ogre that had killed him. Horror gripped him when he realised the truth, that the Archdemon could collect such memories from the Darkspawn, that it clearly had more access and control over the hive mind than he had ever realised. He closed his eyes trying to block out the images, but they intensified. He felt a choked sob leave his lips as he saw Duncan's broken body cast aside, but the Archdemon wasn't finished. Barely seconds passed as Warden after Warden were killed in the images forcing themselves into his mind, each from the view of the Darkspawn who had murdered them. He heard Serris's cry of grief as he saw Yantra and then Percy fall realising his fellow Wardens at least were likely seeing the same thing. He tried to fight the images, but what could he do against the power of an Archdemon.

Serris felt her throat constrict, this creature had been a shadow in her dreams, taking on more substance as she had reached Ferelden, but now, to see it in the flesh she felt sick to her stomach, pinned to the spot by an inescapable knowledge that they would fail, that nothing they could try would make the slightest difference. Sickened by the images that assaulted her mind that she seemed unable to block, grief overwhelmed her and she couldn't imagine how any Warden had ever stood against this.

Jayden paled at the pain evident in each Warden's expression. "Sten, Delilah, Airyl try to distract them, Morrigan see if you can shield their minds." He turned to Theron and Leliana. "We need to hurt that thing. I dread to think what it is doing to them."

"Showing them terrible things." Theron whispered, his voice trembling.

"Well we need to make it stop." Jayden opened his pack grabbing a vial of the cure and one of a thickening agent carefully mixing the two. "Coat your arrows in this, with luck it might at least irritate the damn thing and distract it enough to stop whatever its doing to the Wardens. Go for its eyes or mouth if you can. The arrows are more likely to pierce soft tissue; they won't stand a chance against scales."

"How are we supposed to do that?" Leliana whispered.

"I'll attract its attention." Jayden muttered ignoring the fear building in his gut. "Just fire and keep firing until you hit something."

Delilah had moved to Rinna first and then Rathnal shaking them, seeing Airyl jump up at Alistair, but none seemed aware of them. She felt panic sweep through her as she turned feeling as though the Archdemon was looking into her soul. She shrank against the wall, her body shaking violently, her eyes wide with fear. How could any army hope to defeat such a monster?

Sten growled in frustration, not even picking up the dwarves had broken whatever held them and the mage Warden was as lost as the others. He glanced to Morrigan seeing a purple glow at her fingers, turning feeling as though the Archdemons gaze was fixed upon him. He felt the strain of his muscles as they fought against the compulsion to run. This was corruption at work and he would not succumb.

Morrigan had never been more grateful for her magic, feeling its comforting rush and formed a shield, extending it to those nearest her, her jaw clenched against the strain. The Archdemon was far more powerful than she, but she only needed a moment to break the connection.

Racing to the ridge that would give them the best shot, Jayden clung to his last shreds of courage. "For Ferelden!" He roared his guts twisting as the Archdemon turned its head in their direction. Jayden felt rooted to the spot staring at the terrifying creature. He raged at himself to move, but the evil he had experienced when testing the preventative was a drop in the ocean to the evil that emanated from this being. His limbs felt like lead, weighted down with fatigue and fear. He thought of all the Wardens dead because of his glimpse of the Blight and the friends he had lost at Ostagar. Falling back on his training, shaping his grief and fear into something he could use, he mechanically took aim. Held in the gaze of the Archdemon everything else fell away and he was staring into a void that had no end, an evil that would sweep across Ferelden and swallow the world. He saw the cunning and malicious nature of the Old God now Archdemon, his body growing cold as he felt the power of this being, realising that whatever this creature had been it was now pure evil and it was thriving on it. He felt the terrible mind of the being before him slam against his own with a force that the magic within him could no longer stand against under such focus, the barriers shattering beneath the Archdemon's superior power. He felt the mind of the Old God invade him with fury and hate. Perspiration slipped down his face and back, his body straining, the arrow ready for flight, but this Old God had walked the minds of man so easily before and now he was far more powerful. Jayden tried to move, but it was the giant all over again, except this time was far worse. He tried to defend his mind, but it was laid bare. Heart pounding, gasping for air that felt as corrupted as the creature tearing into his mind Jayden strained to maintain control of his body. All thought of firing the arrow gone in the battle simply to retain his mind and not lose himself to the creature.

Leliana felt as though she was drowning in darkness, firing in panic, the arrow missing wildly, Tug's body so vivid in her mind she collapsed to her knees in tears, clutching her head as he stared accusingly with unseeing eyes. She screamed in pain and rage trying to push away the images, shuddering as Sketch stood before her, feeling his rage assault her as deeply as any weapon. Weeping painfully Leliana began whispering the Chant of Light as she tried to protect herself, her bow forgotten in the memories assaulting her; all of her failures laid bare before her.

Theron struggled as images of his last moment with Tamlen played out in his mind, but he had seen this many times courtesy of the Archdemon and while the pain was no less real, he remained in control, firing, hissing impatiently as the arrow bounced off the scales of its snout. He turned to Jayden who was frozen, his arms straining, arrow ready for flight. He had no idea what the Archdemon was forcing him to see, but from his expression it was terrible. Grabbing another arrow Theron forced himself to fire again and again.

Shuddering in pain, realising he was on his knees Rathnal took a gasping breath as the murders of the Wardens mercifully ended, only for him to see the battle of Ostagar on a wider scale realising it was through Duncan's eyes, seeing a younger Jayden pale and trembling in the chair as the memory was extracted from his mind by the mage whose life he had eventually taken. Pain and fear were evident in his expression. He felt his body shake uncontrollably; it had known what would happen because Duncan had known. He felt the smugness of the Archdemon, realising Ostagar had been lost before it had even been fought. Rage burned within him, all the Wardens who had lost their lives, all the soldiers who had bled the ground red and it need never have happened. He wanted to rage at Duncan, that his secrecy had doomed them all, but Duncan was gone.

Sereda and Faren took gulping breaths as the magic shield washed over them cocooning them in a barrier the Archdemon did not appear to penetrate, shuddering at the horrors they had seen. They glanced to Alistair who looked equally horrified and relieved as the magic surrounded him, a little colour flowing back to his cheeks.

Realising Morrigan's magic was helping to shield the Wardens, Airyl darted over to Jayden sensing his fear and distress. Fury burned through her and she let out a challenging howl.

Hearing Airyl, Jayden stopped trying to block out the menacing presence and instead called up his memory of Andraste, the flames that had surrounded him and his experience of Her memory of being in the Makers presence. He was vaguely aware of the Archdemons roar of fury as it lost its grip before he was staggering back, collapsing to his knees.

Theron grabbed his last arrow, turned back to the Archdemon and fired. There was a moment of terror as he saw the void in the creature's eyes, feeling himself swallowed by darkness, before the arrow hit home and sank into the creature's right eye.

The Archdemon roared in pain and fury, clawing at its face, trying to dislodge the arrow.

Heart pounding Theron found himself unable to look away, the Archdemon's own claws leaving deep gouges as the arrow coating buried deep.

The Archdemon shrieked in fury, twisting and writhing before finally ripping out its own eye. A burst of corrosive fire tore from its mouth as it rose into the air and flew from sight still roaring its fury.

Finally able to move Rathnal felt the rage and paranoia that had been building in him as they travelled the Deep Roads reach a pinnacle and he turned his focus on Jayden, it was his fault that the Archdemon had access to the future through Duncan and grief burned in his heart turning to hate. Standing he stormed over to Jayden dragging his still dazed friend to his feet and slamming him against the wall. "This is your fault!" He roared his face mottled red with grief and fury.

Jayden stared at him in horror.

Airyl gave a low growl of warning, confused as to why Rathnal was acting the way he was, not sure Jayden would want her to attack him.

"Rath stop!" Alistair yelled. "Airyl stand down please." He winced at her whine of confusion.

"The Archdemon saw the battle of Ostagar through the vision you showed Duncan." Rathnal snarled ignoring them. "It might never have happened if not for you! You messed with magic! You wanted to see something for your own gain and because of your selfishness Ferelden is going to be destroyed and we are all going to die! I bet you never even considered the consequences of that type of magic; you wanted to know something and you just did it. All of the Wardens who have died, that's on you!"

"Rathnal enough!" Alistair demanded moving to pull them apart.

"Don't defend him!" Rathnal snarled shrugging him away. "He's always been the same, just rushed into things because he wants to, never caring who might get hurt in the process."

"Leave him alone!" Delilah cried out in panic, turning to Rinna who gripped her arm.

"Let me." She murmured easing towards her lover. "Rath stop please." She coaxed terrified by the rage in his expression. "You do not mean that. Will is your friend; this is just the Archdemon's poison."

Rathnal shook his head. "You all saw it I know you did! If he hadn't shown Duncan that glimpse of the future the Archdemon would never have seen it."

"I didn't make the Archdemon." Jayden snarled his shocked silence swept away in a rush of rage. "You can thank the Architect for that and it wasn't my idea to show them the vision that was your damn First Warden! I was trying to help!"

"You should never have asked for that magic in the first place! Your mother is dead and there is no changing that! You have killed us all because of your need to find out who was behind her murder. She would be ashamed that you have destroyed Ferelden because of your own selfish gains. The truth is the Archdemon might never have attacked Ferelden; it might have been years before it made its move, but it saw victory. You brought all this death down upon us! I should kill you myself."

Fists clenching Jayden wrenched himself free. "Don't just stand there! You want to kill me then do it!" He snarled. "But you draw your sword you better mean to use it!" He sucked in a sharp breath as Delilah got between them, her hand moving to prevent him from drawing his own sword.

"Stop please." She let out a shuddering breath, pressing a hand lightly against his chest. "Remember what you said to Morrigan and I, the fight is out there, we cannot afford to fight amongst ourselves."

Jayden glanced to Rathnal who was pale, Rinna whispering to him urgently, Alistair ready to hold him back if needed. He closed his eyes forcing himself to unclench his fists. They turned as they heard yelling seeing Darkspawn swarm across the bridge.

"That is the fight we need to attend to." Delilah stated firmly.

Rage burning within him Jayden simply nodded and unsheathing his swords ran towards the next fight.

Airyl ran at his side, this fight at least was something she understood.

xXx

Urthemiel had felt a strange sense of relief at entering the minds of the humans, elves and dwarves of the small group. It had seemed so long since he had experienced anything other than the hive mind and he couldn't resist the opportunity to play. Having felt their presence in the Deep Roads he had amused himself with provoking tension and conflict within the group. He could have sent Darkspawn after them, but had chosen not to; he had wanted them to see him, to understand his true glory and that all they would find would be failure. Coming face to face with them and inflicting such pain and inner torment had been a delightful diversion, especially tormenting the new Warden Commander. He had felt amused at their pathetic attempts to keep their minds from him, especially the human who had some form of magic protecting him. It had felt elven and from blood, a strange combination in a human, even so he had swept it aside with only a little effort. Then his memories were flame and a presence he knew and despised and he had been cast out of the human's mind, rage distracting him and moments later the arrow had pierced his eye. It caused pain unlike anything he had ever felt, even after he had clawed out the eye the pain buried deep and left him feeling weak. He had retreated to his chamber ordering the ogres to protect him as he recovered. All the while he imprinted each member of the group to his memory. They had just had a taste of his power, before he killed them they would know the true extent of the pain he could inflict.

xXx

Staring at the bodies of the Darkspawn that were knee deep in places along the bridge, Commander Kardol of the Legion of the Dead made his way towards the Warden Commander having heard one of the group identify him as such. He didn't know what was driving them but rage had been part of it; the Darkspawn had fallen before them at a rate he had never seen, it had been terrifying and glorious to behold. "Atrast Vala Grey Warden, I've never seen one of your kind in the Deep Roads. What do you want here?"

"We are looking for Paragon Branka, hoping she can help us." Rathnal stated wiping the gore off his blade.

"With the Blight I assume; it's plain to see there is one with the damn Archdemon flying around. Don't think she'll be much help to you; probably dead now anyway."

"Doubtful." Sereda stated removing her helmet. "Branka had Oghren and her whole House. If anyone could make it, it would be her."

"Princess Sereda! By the stone what are you doing here?"

"That's Warden Sereda."

Kardol pursed his lips. "I see, I would have bet my last coin for you as Queen."

"Well you would have lost your coin, but that's another story. We need to keep moving."

"Now the bridge has been retaken why don't you rest a while with us; won't let it be said I just let you go on without any hospitality."

Glancing to Rathnal and seeing his nod Sereda turned back to Kardol. "That would be much appreciated. How fare your men?"

"We have one man struck down with the blight sickness poor sod."

"We have a cure." She glanced to Jayden ignoring Kardol's startled expression. "Might as well make sure it works on my people too."

Nodding Jayden sheathed his swords. "Doesn't sound like he has anything to lose."

xXx

Ornic glared at his arm wishing that chopping it off would stop the corruption that had taken root within him. It had been ten years since he had celebrated his death and taken his place in the Legion. He had outlasted everyone in the company he served in and he supposed he had become complacent, felt himself invincible. The network of black trails on his skin served as a reminder that he was not. He had heard the fighting, but felt so damn weak he couldn't lift his sword, perhaps if he had of been able to he would have taken his own life, save himself the agonising days that lay ahead of him, but he had never been one to quit and maybe this death was what he deserved for his life before the Legion. He hadn't thought about his family in a long time, but now they were constantly in his thoughts. He glanced up as Commander Kardol approached him. "Heard fighting."

"We have retaken the bridge."

"How?"

"Warden help."

"Damn. You'll be moving to the other side then."

"We will. Listen Ornic the Wardens reckon they have a cure for the Blight sickness."

"There is no cure."

"Well apparently it worked on an elf with them."

Ornic almost held his breath, could it be true that he could continue to serve with his brothers and sisters.

"They want to try it on you; I figured you would be willing. Lad who has it will be over shortly, he's human but don't give him any of your nonsense you hear?"

"I hear." He grumbled, time seemed to slow as he waited, straining to hear footsteps, startled when a young man suddenly appeared in the section of cave they had made into an infirmary. "You reckon you have a cure then?"

"Well it worked on Theron." Jayden knelt beside him opening the pack and taking out the vial of shimmering blue liquid. "Theron experienced some unpleasant side effects so he was put under a sleep spell. I don't know how you will react to it."

"I can handle it."

"I need to look you over see how far it's spread and then stay with you to monitor you."

"Not afraid of getting the blight sickness?"

"I've taken the preventative I'll be fine."

"Suit yourself."

"So how far has it spread?"

Ornic rolled up his sleeve. "See not so bad yet."

"And the rest of you?"

Sighing Ornic pulled back the blanket staring at his traitorous legs, the skin grey and covered in black blotches.

"You haven't told your comrades how advanced it is have you?"

Ornic shook his head. "Foolish really; if I ignored it figured I might wake up one day and it would be gone."

"Well, let's see if today is that day." Jayden handed over the vial. "Drink it all."

Sniffing the liquid Ornic frowned. "This has lyrium in it!"

"A form of lyrium."

Ornic stared at it suspiciously. "Ah I'm dead anyway." Grinning he drank the contents of the vial grimacing. "You couldn't make it taste any better?"

"I'll take that into consideration for the next batch. Try to relax and just let me know if you feel anything."

xXx

Helping the Legion rebuild the barricades gave Rathnal some time to think about what he was going to do. The Archdemon had so easily infiltrated their minds and had turned him against his friend with astonishing ease. Serris had been a Warden longer, but she had been handling the Archdemons influence better than he, perhaps she should be Commander, he had shown he wasn't fit to be. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder, forcing himself to calm when he realized it was Alistair.

"Camp is set up for the night and all injuries attended to. Will is seeing if the cure works for the dwarf."

Nodding Rathnal turned back to the barricade.

"We can't turn against each other Rath."

Feeling sick to his stomach Rathnal nodded. "I have no right to be Commander." He whispered. "I'm not strong enough."

"Yes you are." Alistair stated firmly. "None of us could stand against it. Besides, that was the first time we have faced the Archdemon, next time we will be better prepared."

"I had no idea it could do that."

"None of us did, not even Serris and she has been a Warden far longer than the rest of us. I knew the Order was secretive, but to keep this information from their own, it's madness."

"How are we supposed to face it again knowing what it can do?"

"Morrigan managed to shield us for a brief time, but it cost her all her mana and she is recovering slowly, but I think she and Serris are working on a spell to enchant the broaches."

"Then I pray they succeed or we really are lost."

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.