With the exit to the Gateway gleaming ahead, Jayden's hand moved to the hilt of his sword. They had to exit the Gateway for it to be re-opened from this side and his anxiety had increased the nearer they had come to it. He glanced at Alistair who had moved to his side handing him one of the runestones.

"Let's get this done." Alistair stated with forced confidence. As soon as everyone was through and the Gateway closed, he reactivated it before unsheathing his sword, the others following suit with their own weapons.

Moving to the door Rathnal kept his voice low. "I sense Darkspawn, but they feel at a distance. Even so, we should be cautious."

Taking a calming breath, Jayden silently prayed to Andraste before he pressed the twin runestone into the slot and the stone slid silently back. The company tensed for a fight, relaxing slightly as they were alone, but the ancient barrier doors were twisted and buckled, though not completely destroyed. Jayden nodded to Alistair who removed the runestone from the Gateway, the shimmering light vanishing giving themselves a moment to adjust to the dimmer light granted by the staffs of the mages. Signalling everyone to move quietly, Jayden cautiously lead the way up the stairs. It could have been night as he stepped through the ruins, the breeze tugging at his coat, no stars or sunlight penetrated the thick black clouds that rolled above them, flashes of purple lightning shimmering in their depths the only light source. There was no sound other than the footfalls of his own companions, no indication that there was anything and then he stopped, horror clenching his gut as lightning lit up the area. The magnificent Wilds he had known, that had for a time been home was gone, in its place was a sickened, twisted version of itself. The poison of the blight had seeped into the land and once magnificent trees were rotting carcasses. He heard Morrigan's pained cry, the only sound she made before cloaking herself in cold fury. Nothing moved as far as they could see, there was not a single animal, blighted or otherwise in a place that had once teemed with life. Stepping out of the ruins the once grassy bank was decaying matter that squelched under their boots. They slipped and slid their way down the bank, Jayden glancing anxiously to Airyl who kept emanating a low whine alternated with fierce growls. She had taken the preventative, all but the Wardens had, yet still they moved cautiously, careful not to touch any of the twisted trees whose dead branches seemed to reach out as though wanting them to share their fate.

Moving to Jayden's side, Morrigan could not hide her anxiety. "T'is intolerable! I must find out how far this has spread."

"Be careful, meet us at the tower."

Nodding Morrigan moved a short distance away, a fallen column concealing her from Teagan and his soldiers before she transformed.

Forcing his concern for her being alone to the back of his mind, Jayden turned back to the company. "There may not be any sign of life at the moment, but that does not mean we can afford to be complacent, be on your guard. Move out."

xXx

Stretching slowly, an almost purr like noise rumbled in the throat of the Archdemon. After Ostagar's success he had sent raiding parties across southern Ferelden delighting in the terror and horror it inspired. Many had fled the clutches of his Darkspawn, but more than enough had been caught. The new Brood Mothers had already birthed enough spawn to cover the losses at Ostagar, yet while the numbers swelled, he was disappointed by the lack of Alphas, these he coveted above all others.

Stretching out into the hive mind he felt the stronger force of the Alphas under his command, but his prize was the Alpha Hurlock, the strongest most vicious creature of its kind with the added bonus of being an Emissary. It was the creature whose spell was burrowing into the Ferelden King and as such it was kept protected at all times. Through the Emissary he could travel this magically created bond and had spent many months as the King slept, searching through his memories, those locked away and those current. It was how he knew of the events of Haven and that the King was once more travelling to Ostagar. Better still, the Wardens accompanied him along with the human who held the memories of Andraste and the elf who had taken his eye. He regretted only that he would not be there to deal with them personally, but with his connection to the hive mind he would relish their deaths as though he was there himself, all except the King of course, he alone would survive and when he departed Ostagar he would be nothing but an empty vessel he would puppet.

Having seen his victory in Denerim through the King's memories, he was already feeling triumphant, but it needed to be such a victory that all of Thedas would be paralysed with fear, then his army would strike. Already the numbers of darkspawn swelled within the deep roads beneath Orlais, the Free Marches, Rivain and Antiva. The Anderfels he had little interest in and by the time the others were his the Wardens would be crushed. Then Tevinter would rise into glory under the command of a true God. He took flight, moving through the caverns soaking in the heat, soon he would rise to the surface and lead his army, but for now there was time for vengeance and he planned to reap it in full.

xXx

Morrigan moved swiftly not caring the direction, all that mattered was discovering the extent of the corruption. Two places remained untouched, the waterfall and the area surrounding Anders home that she had protected long ago. There was no sign of any Chasind, the first village she came to, their huts built on stilts had been consumed with fire, old blood still visible on the scattered rocks. She shuddered, the body of the shaman had been hung on a stake, arms spread wide. She imagined some of the villagers had managed to flee, possibly most, but for those who had perhaps given the others time to escape, their fate would have been terrible. Knowing it was foolish, she nevertheless approached her own home, relieved to see that the protection spells were keeping back the blight, though who knew for how long. Her heart leapt as the door opened and her mother stepped out. Changing course she kept low in the form of a wolf, moving as fast as she was able in the direction of the Tower of Ishal, praying her mother had not become aware of her presence.

Flemeth scanned the sky and ground frowning slightly. "So, you have returned." She sighed deeply, that could mean only one thing, but she had planned for Morrigan's lack of understanding and foresight and her inevitable treachery because of it. Her amulet was out of Ferelden and safe. She stared out over the destroyed Wilds feeling heart sick. "If only they had listened to the boy sooner, perhaps the Architect could have been stopped before he reached Urthemiel." Shaking her head she moved back inside, there was no point in dwelling on the past. The Wardens would come soon enough and she had work to do before they arrived. Reaching for her grimoire and taking a deep breath she settled onto a chair, she would ensure the Wardens and Morrigan had what they needed and should her planning prevail, she would not lose her life to do it.

xXx

Cautiously approaching the Tower of Ishal the group slowed down as they caught sight of the bridge. There had been a great deal of damage to it during the fighting, but that was not what chilled them to their core. Jayden signalled to the soldiers to form a perimeter while he, Teagan and Cailan followed the Wardens onto the bridge.

Rathnal stared up at the bodies of the fallen Wardens, Duncan and Yantra in the centre, the two commanders reduced to this horrific end, hung up like some barbaric trophy. Some spell must have been cast on them for they did not appear to be decomposing. They had all accepted the sacrifice of their lives, but this was sickening. Anger surged beneath the surface and he wanted to reach it, surround himself in it, but instead he felt a sense of failure so heavy he felt sure his knees would buckle. He heard Serris's choked sob seeing Yantra and then Percy at the far end of the row. His only consolation was he knew they had been dead before the Darkspawn had done this to them. He felt the fury and grief of his fellow wardens and those with them as keenly as he felt his own. He took a step forward to begin the process of getting them down, hesitating as he heard movement. Glancing across the bridge he saw a group of Hurlocks. Something snapped within him, those Wardens who had given their lives at Ostagar did not deserve to be defiled. Anger ripped through the barrier of failure he was being crushed by; a white-hot rage that would only be sated by those creature's deaths. Engaging the Darkspawn was not why they were here, in fact all discussions had been about avoiding a fight unless it was in getting to the Emissary, but this could not be allowed to pass unchallenged.

The Wardens turned as one, a seething mass of rage and grief that flooded across the bridge and drove down against the Darkspawn with all the pain that was tearing at their hearts. The darkspawn numbers were double their own, but their rage carried them on regardless. The earth trembled as Ayanna, Stephan and Serris manifested earth magic, the Darkspawn struggling against the vice-like grip of rock against their legs. Several were killed instantly by supporting arrows from Jayden, Theron and Leliana who had moved to help.

With a roar of fury Rathnal leapt at the nearest, the runes of the blade his father had once carried into battle igniting as he beheaded the vile creature. He heard the brutal clash as his Wardens raced past, tearing into the Darkspawn with all the hate and rage seeing the defiled Wardens had created.

Cailan unsheathed his sword, searching desperately for the Emissary, horrified by the certainty that if he had fallen that day he too would have been part of the macabre display. He turned as Teagan gripped his arm.

"The Wardens can take care of that group; our focus has to be on finding the Emissary."

Spinning as a Hurlock stumbled towards him freed from the rock, Rathnal drove his sword through its chest before pulling the blade out and sweeping it down as the Hurlock collapsed to its knees, its head hitting the ground, the body following. He needed another target, but his Wardens had been lethally efficient.

Turning back towards the fighting, Teagan unmoved by his protests, Cailan was shocked to realise it was already over, the Wardens moving through the Darkspawn beheading them. He hurried to join them, but to his frustration none of the Darkspawn had wielded any magic. "We have to find it!" He gasped desperately, turning to Rathnal. "You can sense the Darkspawn; can you tell where the Emissary is?"

"We can't distinguish between specific Darkspawn, but when these were killed several of us sensed a group to the east and one in the southwest."

"Then we have to find them."

"Agreed, but there is no point in us tangling with both groups and something simply doesn't feel right about this. Besides which, we only want the Emissary, Maker knows how many Darkspawn are truly here and I need my Wardens alive, or you will have no choice but to let Orlais into the country. I am sending two scouting parties to find out what is going on."

Hissing in frustration Cailan forced himself to nod. He watched as Rinna and Zevran headed east, Serris and Faren heading south west, he turned away when they could no longer be distinguished from the shadows. "So what do we do now? I cannot just do nothing!"

"I have no idea what you are going to do, your Majesty, but we are going to take down our dead."

Cailan remained silent as the remaining Wardens moved past him. He was desperate to get to the Emissary, but the Commander was right, he could chase after one group while the spawn he sought was in the other and he desperately wanted to kill it himself.

xXx

The Wardens moved swiftly to retrieve their displayed dead. The pyres for them would not be lit however until the Emissary was found and killed and only when they were ready to leave fearing it would attract the Darkspawn to them.

Meanwhile, Teagan's soldiers guarded the perimeter and Jayden assigned Kinnard, Terrance, Lawrence and Tess to ensure the safety of the King and Teagan. He, Gabriel, Theron, Leliana, Sten and Airyl then headed towards the Tavern, hoping to secure it rather than have to set up tents. It appeared relatively unscathed, though as they approached, he signalled the others to be still, having spied a cart and having heard horses in the adjoining stable. Moving up to the door sword in hand he eased it open his eyes widening. Standing by the middle fire pit, he found himself staring at two familiar dwarves. "Master Bodahn, Sandal!" Seeing Bodahn look at his weapons and Airyl uneasily, he signalled all was well before moving over to the pair, offering what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "You won't remember me. I was much younger when we met, but it is good to see you again."

"Enchantment!" Sandal stated with a huge grin.

"Well, he remembers you well enough, sorry my memory isn't as good. We took refuge here, took the wrong road I'm afraid, but it seemed quiet enough."

"This is a very dangerous place." Jayden stated firmly.

"Enchantment." Sandal nodded seriously.

Bodahn glanced at the others entering the tavern. "Well, I certainly feel safer with you lot around."

Gabriel, Theron and Leliana checked out the rest of the Tavern, securing it. Sten remained like a statue watching the dwarves, in particular Sandal. He had nodded at the captain's reassurances about the young dwarf, but Sten continued to observe him closely, he sensed a volatility about him that he could not quite understand.

The King and Teagan arrived shortly after, Leliana having given them the all clear, both men disappearing into one of the rooms upstairs.

Jayden kept glancing up, even here he could hear the King pacing and though the door muffled some of the sound, he could hear Cailan raising his voice and Teagan doing his best to soothe him. He was not entirely surprised when they were informed that the Wardens had secured the Tower of Ishal and were choosing to stay there, the dead placed carefully in the Chapel to await the pyre. He checked the perimeter and then returned to the tavern, choosing a corner slightly away from the others and set about checking and sharpening his weapons. It was a meditation of sorts for him, allowing him to still his mind to think calmly and clearly. He glanced up as the door opened feeling a rush of relief as Morrigan entered, putting down the dagger he was working on as she strode towards him, seeing her agitation.

Pulling over a chair Morrigan sat down clenching her hands trying to calm herself. "They have tainted everything that was not protected and t'is uncertain how long the wards will last, the land is poisoned." She met Jayden's compassionate gaze as he gently reached for and took her hand. "Trees that have stood for centuries are twisted and dying. Corruption is everywhere. Even the Chasind are gone." She gazed at his hand before pulling away despite not wanting to. "T'is disturbing what was done to the fallen Wardens; I overheard the soldiers talking about it. The same was done to the shamans in the Chasined villages I passed over. Such a thing has purpose."

"I would imagine it was meant as a warning to anyone who came here."

"T'is likely a way for the Archdemon to show its dominance." Morrigan suddenly stood. "I shall intrude upon your time no further. If Lady Delilah were here, I am sure she would be most displeased."

"And I'm sure if she was here, you would find that most gratifying."

"T'is true, but nevertheless I will take my leave."

"Morrigan, it is not weakness to feel grief over what has happened to the Wilds."

"What I feel will not change what has been done. Many places are destroyed, t'is the way of things."

Standing, Jayden moved closer wanting to reach out to her, but feeling her resistance. "That may be true, but my heart aches for the loss of the Wilds and I lived here for only a short time. This is your home and you are entitled to feel anger, grief or anything else. All I am saying is that I am here for you, in whatever way you need."

Feeling close to tears and unable to handle his compassion, Morrigan turned and strode out without a word.

Sighing, Jayden returned to his weapons, hating all the Blight had so far taken from them. He glanced up as Lawrence approached.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course, sit down."

Taking the seat Morrigan had vacated, Lawrence shifted uncomfortably. "I thought the Darkspawn were mindless, but they hung those Wardens up like … like bloody sacrifices. I … why would they do that?"

"Because some of them are very intelligent and they know how to unnerve us."

"I … it … There are no signs of the other bodies. So many fell here and yet there is no sign, only the Wardens somehow preserved. Magic, I suppose."

"You know enough about the Darkspawn to know what happened to the others." Jayden stated gently.

Shivering Lawrence nodded. "I … we … the Wilds, they were Morrigan's home, weren't they?" He sighed at Jayden's nod. "Must be hard for her to be here and see it like this, knowing that Blighted land stays that way."

"Well maybe we can do something about that. We have a cure for people, maybe when all this is done, we can see if it will work on the land too."

Grinning Lawrence shook his head. "Determined to save the whole bloody world aren't you. Umm … we thought maybe a game of Wicked Grace. You know, take our minds off being here. If you get a chance, you should join us."

"I will if I can." As Lawrence went back to the others at one of the long tables, Jayden crossed the room to the far corner.

Sandal smiled as he approached before turning his attention back to a small pack, the contents of which Jayden was curious about, but didn't pry.

"May I join you?"

"Of course." Bodahn took a drink from a flask.

Jayden glanced at them thoughtfully. "Do you have a particular destination?"

"No, but heading north would seem to be the most sensible direction."

"I have a proposition; we could really use communication crystals and I believe Sandal has experience with that."

"You speak truly, but they are expensive and the materials can be hard to procure."

Jayden leaned forward slightly. "And these materials, would you have any of them?"

Bodahn glanced at the number of soldiers shifting uneasily, they could take whatever they wanted and force Sandal to work for them.

Realising his discomfort Jayden rushed to soothe the dwarf. "There is coin to pay you, I was simply trying to find out if you have some of the materials to make a start."

"I would have to check, but it is possible." Bodahn stated cautiously.

Jayden smiled broadly knowing the dwarf knew every part of his inventory at all times. "As well as coin we can offer a relatively safe base for Sandal to work without you having to worry about Darkspawn, as well as a place to stay and food."

Bodahn leaned back slightly. "You can really offer all that?"

"Communication is important and I am not just talking about now, but after the blight. I want every watchtower to have this form of communication and preferably every Arling and Bann."

Bodahn whistled softly. "You would need a small fortune."

Thinking of the treasure he had brought back from Haven, Jayden smiled slightly. "I am sure we can work out a fair price."

Sandal watched Jayden intently as he explained what he needed in the short and long term, occasionally nodding and murmuring 'enchantment'.

Bodahn scratched his chin as he worked out costs in his head. This would be very lucrative if the captain could actually produce the coin.

They spoke for several hours, long after the first watch ended and the soldiers came in to get warm, eat and get some sleep. After the dwarves also retired, Jayden moved to Teagan who had come down for food, Cailan having finally agreed to try and sleep, explaining that Sandal could make the communication crystals they needed and to use the coin in the vault.

While alarmed by the price Teagan realised such things were never going to be cheap. "If Sandal can do as his father says then the coin, food and protection will be well worth it. Perhaps things are beginning to go our way after all. Now if only the scouts would return soon with good news before Cailan wears a hole in the floor."

"I will head over to the Tower; they will go there first." Shivering as he stepped outside, Jayden fastened his coat and headed out Airyl at his side, glancing up as a drop of rain splashed on his cheek. By the time he got to the tower he was running, the sudden wind repeatedly pulled the hood from his face so his hair was plastered to his head. Hurrying inside Jayden was struck by how quiet it was. The Darkspawn had clearly been in here, the place was wrecked. Swallowing uneasily, he moved to the chapel, Rathnal was sitting on a bench with his head in his hands, the bodies of the Wardens lying down one side of the room. It was strange to see, as though their deaths had only just happened and it made his heart ache to see them.

Sensing someone near Rathnal glanced up, Jayden's eyes were on the bodies, but he knew his thoughts were at the battle. He remained silent until he saw Jayden come back to himself. "I really didn't know anything about Darkspawn." Rathnal muttered. "I had no idea they could do the spells they do. I had no idea they were so cruel and malicious. Mindless, that's what people say, driven by the Archdemon."

"I suppose each Archdemon is different." Jayden stated softly. "I wish I could have found a way to make them believe me sooner, maybe we could have stopped this."

"I do too, but we will drive ourselves mad thinking like that."

"I know." His gaze drifted to the dead Wardens. "But I still wish it." They glanced up at the sound of the main door opening and shutting quickly. Heading out of the Chapel they saw Rinna and Zevran shaking off their cloaks.

"What did you find?" Rathnal asked, moving swiftly towards them.

"A group of Hurlocks and Genlocks, twenty in total. They were moving around some ruins, a small section of wall and fallen columns. We have no idea what they are looking for."

"But no Emissary."

"Not that we saw and they didn't move from that small area, as we left, they had made a fire."

"Then let's hope the others had more success."

A little over an hour later Serris and Faren returned with much the same news, a small group of Hurlocks and Genlocks, only twelve, again poking around some ruins before heading into a cave as the rain began.

"Then where in the Void is the damn Emissary?" Cailan snarled, joining the Wardens to work out what to do next. He threw up his hands in frustration and turned to Jayden. "The Guardian said it would be here!" He began to pace furiously, turning and glaring at Rathnal. "You need to find it!"

"We are aware of that, Your Majesty." Rathnal stated coldly.

Sensing the tension escalating in both men Jayden quickly stepped in between them. "Getting angry at each other is not going to get this done, we need to work together."

Sighing, Cailan slumped onto a seat, his head in his hands before he suddenly looked up at Jayden. "What about underground?"

"You are talking about going into the Deep roads!" Rathnal stated shaking his head. "We don't have enough of us to even attempt that and I can't risk my Wardens."

"No." Jayden stated thoughtfully. "Not the Deep Roads, but there are caves and passageways in this area, they were all scouted when we first arrived and most were blocked up, but the Darkspawn have had time to unblock them. I don't presume to know the mind of the Archdemon, but if it was me, I would keep the Emissary below ground where it would feel most … comfortable. I would make sure it had protection, so while the Guardian said there will only be a small number of Darkspawn here, I suspect we are looking at possibly an Ogre and even Shriek's and I wouldn't expect this to be a standard Emissary, they are dangerous enough. We need to assume this Emissary has offensive spells that far outrank the others of its kind."

Rathnal rubbed his forehead. "I agree, though I hope you are wrong."

"Then we need to start searching!" Cailan demanded. "Maker knows what time I have left."

Spreading a map of Ostagar on the table Jayden quickly sectioned the map to make it easier to scout. While a perimeter guard was kept and half of the Wardens were staying behind in case the worst happened, those remaining were split into three scouting groups. Rathnal, Jayden and Aedan each took charge of a group leaving for their sectors swiftly.

Ayanna, Rory, Serris, Perin, Stephan, Daniel and Faren were agitated to discover they were to remain at the Tower in case anything went wrong. Ayanna cursed silently and swore that after this Rathnal was going to stay behind while she went off on the missions, she had no desire to become Commander.

xXx

Hunter growled fiercely, stilling as he felt Aedan's hand on his back.

"Easy." Aedan murmured. They had all memorised their sections of the map, each group tasked with checking out the passageways that had been blocked. He signalled to the others as they cautiously approached the cave, the only one they had found that was no longer blocked. The stone used to block the entrance had been broken up and was scattered around the entrance in large chunks. It looked as though it had exploded out from within the cave and he had the horrible suspicion it had been courtesy of an ogre. He nodded to Enchanters Robert and Reece who provided a dim light with their staffs.

"I can't sense anything." Peter whispered.

"What are the chances Darkspawn can make it so you can't sense them?" Lawrence asked, staring into the cave apprehensively.

Swallowing against the lump in his throat Aedan glanced back. "If they can, then we are all in big trouble."

"Great." Lawrence muttered. "As if we weren't in trouble anyway wandering into underground places where there could be hundreds, maybe thousands of them." He yelped as Gabriel punched his arm.

"Stop making a bad situation worse."

"Sorry." Lawrence muttered, glancing at Terrace who was pale. "We've made it through worse." He reassured.

Terrance nodded slightly, but fear gripped his gut.

"We better get moving." Aedan's grip unconsciously tightened on the hilt of his sword. "Be ready for anything."

xXx

Moving through a section of sickened trees Zevran hesitated, his sharp eyes picking out shapes in the gloom. Their section was nearest to the Tower because Jayden had checked out the passageways himself and knew them well enough to travel, all had still been blocked, but there appeared to be an opening ahead in a face of rock where there should not have been. He glanced to his left as the captain silently joined him. "I think perhaps they have been making alternate travel routes."

"So it would seem." Jayden murmured. "Alright." He turned to the others who gathered tightly. "If this connects to the other passageways this will take us under the tower and the surrounding area. We are here to scout, not engage unless we see the Emissary and we think we can take it."

Rinna smiled as she coated her blades in poison glancing at her companions. "Oh, I think we can take it."

"Arrogance will get us killed." Jayden cautioned.

"Confidence is not arrogance." Rinna purred, smiling at him.

Shaking his head but smiling Jayden took the lead, lighting his runestone only when they entered the cave enough to let them see a short way hoping to avoid attracting attention.

Moving to his side Rinna shook her head, she felt nothing. "I should be able to sense something unless they are deep underground."

"You have managed to shield from them." Leliana stated uneasily. "Is it possible they can conceal themselves from you?"

Rinna paled slightly. "Are you suggesting the groups on the surface were distractions while they prepared for us?"

"I have learned to consider the worst options." Leliana stated softly. "It is far better to be prepared for that, no."

"T'would be sensible to err on the side of caution." Morrigan mused, the wisp at her side dulling slightly. "Either way t'would behove us to find out swiftly. I have no desire to be underground longer than necessary."

"The Arishok will be interested to learn of their cunning." Sten muttered, grateful he was carrying Asala.

"Be ready for a trap then." Jayden murmured as he led on.

xXx

Cailan glared at another blocked passage, time was passing too swiftly and he realised he was spending more time looking at the amulet the Guardian had given him than watching where he was going. His heartbeat seemed to increase with each step to the point he felt as though it was going to rip from his chest. Fear gripped him that this was part of the spell, trying desperately to master both his fear and his own body. Teagan and Alistair's presence reassured him, both moved on either side of him. The Warden Commander had taken the lead, Ser Matthew and Enchanter Dylan just behind the Commander, Kinnard and Tess covering the rear. They had covered most of their sector and found no sign of any other entrance to the passageways. Frustrated and anxious, Cailan wondered if the others had had more luck. He turned sharply as Tess signalled them, seeing what appeared to be part of a ruined wall and beyond it a hole in the ground.

"Well, doesn't that look inviting." Alistair murmured.

Glancing at him, Teagan moved a little closer. "Do you sense anything?"

"Nothing." Glancing to Rathnal, Alistair realised it was the same for him.

Matthew looked into the hole. "Let's hope they don't have broaches like you do."

Swallowing nervously Alistair shuddered. "Isn't that a cheery thought!"

Letting out a huff of breath Rathnal moved to the hole, the wisp of light Enchanter Dylan had sent down there was casting shadows, but at least he could see the bottom and it was a short drop. "Let's go find this damn Emissary!"

xXx

Author note: Thank you for reading, always appreciated.