Redcliffe Castle

Ciara stared hard at Narascha's back. The wound had turned into a scar already. Narascha had shrugged at her and said she had taken bad hits before back in Orzammar during campaigns against the darkspawn and that those wounds had already healed quickly too.

Ciara had to admit that she was a little jealous. Her shoulder had throbbed with pain for hours, leaving her in agony. She had managed to sleep a little. Drifting in and out while the Chantry priests tried their best to tend to the wounded. Shale had probably gotten away with the least wounds, which considering Shale was a giant walking piles of boulders seemed reasonable enough.

She slipped on some spare clothes from her backpack and headed out the Chantry. Her armour was being repaired by Owen now, who if she recalled correctly had yelled at the priestesses to give him Ciara's armour. That she needed the best protection to get into the castle to save his daughter. She smiled faintly at the thought.

Ciara could hear Torph, who was surrounded by a cluster of children, telling them about last night, mostly about his explosives. He yelled 'boom' and clapped his hands, and the children laughed in delight.

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Ciara!" Alistair called out.

She spotted him coming from a pit of fire with two bowls of stew. The smell made her stomach rumble, and she couldn't help but smile when he handed her a bowl.

"Here, some freshly made stew," Alistair said, smiling warmly. "I'm glad you're up. I take it that means you're okay?"

"Better now, my arm is still stiff but the pain has eased," Ciara admitted. "How about you?"

"A little rough, but my armour took most of the damage thankfully," Alistair said. "If that Revenant had gotten me it might have been a different story, but thanks to you and Narascha I was safe from it."

"It's a relief it never emerged from the sea," Ciara said.

"I guess if we hear of a Revenant terrifying people near the lake then we'll know its back." Alistair grimaced. "Hopefully its gone though."

"I guess once our armour is sorted we can go into the castle next." Ciara sat down on the steps carefully, Alistair copied her, sitting right by her side. "At this rate Lawrien will arrive before we can even speak to the Arl."

"Yeah, Epona will be furious. It'll be something like 'lazy shemlens!' and she'll probably growl at us too," Alistair laughed. "We can set her on the castle gates and watch them crumble too."

Ciara chuckled. "That does sound like a good plan."

"Um, Grey Wardens?"

They blinked at Bodhan who hesitantly approached, wringing his hands.

"What's wrong, Bodhan?" Alistair asked.

"So my son likes to apply his enchantments to things, and while Owen was looking away Sandal started applying enchantments to yours and Narascha's armour, my lady." He smiled sheepishly at Ciara.

"Oh yes, he gave Narascha an enchantment if I recall correctly. She's had no idea what to do with it though as she couldn't recognise its design," Ciara admitted.

"It might now be in her axe," Bohdan said. "The rune he gave her was a Paragon Silverite Rune."

Ciara paused thoughtfully. "Silverite is a material that works well against darkspawn. I believe Duncan's sword was made of it."

Alistair growled. "And now its been taken by those bastards in Ostagar."

"We'll get it back one day," Ciara reassured. "But first we must do what the Grey Wardens who sacrificed their lives at Ostagar charged us to do. We end the Blight."

"Wardens," Sten greeted as he walked up. "The human leader who hid all night is up by the windmill."

"He has a name." Alistair scowled.

Ciara wolfed down her stew and waved to Torph. Torph quickly finished his story with the kids and walked over, ignoring the disappointed cries. He stuck his tongue out at them instead and cackled when they all protested.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Have you seen Narascha or Shale?"

"They both went into Owen's to try on her new armour. Shale was very curious about it." Torph shrugged. "But then I think I saw them go up towards the castle where Sten's favourite 'hiding human leader' is now."

"He has a name!" Alistair groaned.

Torph cackled. "I know. Your reactions are hilarious though. Look, I tried explaining to Sten how humans and dwarves value noble bloodlines because most of them date back several thousand years, but Sten doesn't get it."

"It's odd," Sten admitted.

"Yeah, well so far everything we do is odd to you," Alistair huffed.

"I think the only thing he likes is cookies," Torph said.

Alistair and Ciara paused. Cookies? They shared a look at that.

"They are delicious," Sten said firmly. "Now let's go see Narascha and Shale. They might be working on a plan."

Torph snorted. "The plan is 'breaking and entering'."

"Let's go pay them a visit," Ciara said. "Hopefully by then my armour will be mended."

"Yeah, just gonna grab some bowls for the trip up," Torph said. "Sten, big buddy of mine, mind carrying some?"

Sten sighed. "You Wardens keep eating far too much."

"I was never this bad before," Torph insisted. "Must be all the walking."

Ciara flinched and shared a horrified look with Alistair as Torph and Sten left. They hadn't told any of the new recruits about the taint and what becoming a Grey Warden would do to them.

"We've got to talk to them," Alistair said weakly.

"I don't think now is the time, but we do need to sit down soon," Ciara sighed. "Let's handle this situation first, alright?"

"Alright, and yeah, maybe we should wait for Epona's group too. We can explain everything at once. I doubt Lawrien's remembered to tell them either."

They met up with Torph and Sten carrying multiple bowls, which Alistair kindly took a couple off of Torph to carry for him. They made their way up the cliff side slowly, taking their time until they spotted Narascha and Shale staring up at the gate walls with scowls. Teagan stood by the windmill, staring at the castle with a pained look.

They went to their companions first.

"Yo." Torph shoved a bowl into Narascha's hand and began slurping down his own stew.

"Hey, salroka," Narascha greeted, starting on her stew. "We were just plotting."

"I want to punch open the gates," Shale said.

"I wanted to break them with my axe."

"I thought you were getting fitted with your new armour?" Alistair asked, searching over her.

Narascha must have borrowed some of Dwyn's clothes, they were a little baggy on her, but not as bad as giving her a fully grown human's clothes.

Narascha grimaced. "Gotta wait a little longer, then ours both should be ready, Ciara."

"That's not too long then," Ciara said. "He certainly works fast, even after he repaired all of the militia's armour and weapons last night before the battle."

"Owen's really good at his job, even when drunk." Narascha grinned.

"A shame Morrigan wasn't here," Torph said. "She could be a bird, fly over and open the gates for us."

"Does it even matter?" Alistair raised a brow. "Bann Teagan said there was a secret passage."

"It's all about dramatic effect. It would look awesome if Morrigan did that," Torph said. "Or if Shale busted down the gates with their fists!"

"That would be awesome," Shale cheered.

Ciara smiled, but couldn't help but frown when she glanced over at Bann Teagan. She walked over while the others chatted away.

"I've never seen the castle so quiet," Teagan said mournfully. "You would think all was peaceful there considering the silence."

"It shouldn't be too long until we head inside," Ciara said. "Normally I'd suggest you stay back and safe, but..."

"I wouldn't listen to you." Teagan smiled fondly. "I doubt Alistair would do the same."

"No, he wouldn't," Ciara agreed. "Alistair is-"

"Maker's Breath!" Teagan gasped Ciara whirled round, daggers at the ready.

She paused at a human lady in a beautiful dress rushing their way. The woman had a haunted look on her face, pale, with shaky hand, but her hair was oddly clean and neatly presented. Her dress clean and carefully pressed. Ciara narrowed her eyes. She looked far too clean to be someone's prisoner, unless they were treating her kindly because she was a noble, but why would a mage bother? It was a mage up there right?

There was a guard with her, but there was a glazed look in his eyes, as if he wasn't truly present.

Ciara had a horrible feeling this wasn't just a mage anymore. That this leaned more towards a demon. That wasn't good. Things were about to get seriously complicated.

Narascha was frowning their way, and she gestured for everyone to make their way over.

"Teagan! Thank the Maker you yet live!" The woman had an accent like Leliana's but hers was much thicker.

"Isolde, you're alive!" Teagan cried out, looking relieved. "How did you... What has happened?"

"I do not have much time to explain. I slipped away as soon as I saw that the battle was over and I must return quickly." She looked so nervous, not even looking Teagan in the eyes. "And I... I need you to return with me... Alone."

Ciara stared at Isolde, completely and utterly baffled.

.::.

Narascha couldn't help it. She laughed. Bloody laughed of all things.

"That's quite the lacklustre explanation," Narascha cackled.

"Fucking hell, anybody thinking the word 'trap' right now, or is it just me?" Torph snorted. "Oh by the way, your villagers are safe. You can thank us now since we protected it. Not you."

"Yes, my dwarven friends are correct, we would like some more information," Ciara said.

"Wha- Who is this woman Teagan?"

Why did Isolde sound so jealous? Narascha had thought she was Arl Eamon's wife from what Alistair had said, but had she misunderstood? Or did these two have something going on between them? If so that was quite dramatic for humans wasn't it? They didn't usually share their partners like the dwarven males did with noble hunters.

"We have some spicy drama," Torph muttered to her, grinning wickedly.

Narascha sniggered.

"She is Lady Ciara Trevelyan of the Grey Wardens," Alistair said grimly as he approached, shoulders already slumped. "You remember me I'm sure, Lady Isolde?"

The look of disgust flashed in her eyes. "Alistair? Of all the... Why are you here?"

Narascha glowered. "Excuse me?"

"What is it, dwarf?" Isolde scowled.

"We Grey Wardens just saved your village," Narascha said coldly. "So you will watch your tone with us otherwise I will show you what we do back at home with those who disrespect the Grey Wardens-"

"Narascha!" Alistair cried.

"So first you will bow your head in respect," Narascha ordered.

"Ooooh, this is interesting," Shale laughed. "Yes, squishy human, bow your head, or it won't be the female dwarf you have to worry about."

"Wait, I'm sorry about this. This is just a misunderstanding. Isolde is just stressed-" Teagan began.

"Did I stutter?" Narascha glowered. "Bow your head and offer Alistair an apology."

"What are you doing?" Alistair hissed.

Isolde shakily bowed her head when Shale cracked their fists.

"And the apology?" Narascha insisted.

"I think that's quite enough-" Teagan cried.

"I-I am sorry, Alistair..." Isolde said, with clear reluctance.

"Fuck, people can learn," Torph snorted.

Alistair stammered, as did Teagan, but Ciara cut in swiftly.

"What is happening up in the castle, Lady Isolde?"

"I-I don't have much time-"

"You have time to be rude to us and ignore your villagers, so you have a second to tell us what is happening," Ciara said firmly. "As a former Templar I can sense there is a lot of magic lingering around you."

Isolde paled rapidly.

"Please, Lady Isolde, we had no idea anyone was still even alive up there in the castle," Alistair pleaded, casting Narascha a dirty look as he did so. "We must have answers."

"I... I do not know what is safe to tell..." She immediately approached Teagan, silently begging for help who was thankfully quiet at the moment. "Teagan, please... There is a terrible evil within the castle. The dead waken and hunt the living and we caught the mage responsible for it but it still continues. I-I think Connor is going mad... He has seen so much death but he won't flee the castle!"

"So some random mage sneaked into your castle. Decided to summon what sounds like a demon and kill a lot of people," Ciara summarised, sounding bemused.

"Well this guy's a bit of a prick ain't he?" Torph chuckled.

Isolde ignored them, clasping Teagan's hands instead. "Please, Teagan! You are his uncle! You could reason with him!"

"And what about Arl Eamon?" Ciara tilted her head. "You haven't mentioned him yet."

"He is." Lady Isolde's brow furrowed. "He is being kept alive so far, thank the Maker."

Teagan looked puzzled. "Kept alive? By what?"

"The demon the mage unleashed. So far it lets myself, Connor and Eamon live."

"And that dazed looking guard behind you?" Ciara asked. "Unless he is either Eamon or Connor?"

"He... The demon did something to him... He keeps an eye on me..." Isolde offered quietly. "The others were not so fortunate. It killed so many and then they just got up, once everyone was gone they got up and marched towards the village. It wants us to live and I do not know why. I begged it to let me come for you, to get help for Connor!"

Narascha eyed Ciara. She knew more about demons than Narascha did. Ciara was frowning, though it turned into a reassuring smile whenever Teagan or Isolde happened to look her way. She seemed to lean closer to Alistair, murmuring something and Alistair nodded, though looked uncomfortable about it.

"Connor is just a boy. He doesn't deserve any of this," Alistair added in, his face a grimace. "And if Arl Eamon's still alive it might be that Bann Teagan could see him. Check up on him."

"Agreed. My nephew, the King, is dead and we need my brother now more than ever," Teagan said firmly. "I will return to the castle with you, Isolde."

"Oh thank the Maker! Bless you, Teagan! Bless you!" Isolde wept, looking so relieved.

"Just give me a moment to speak with the Grey Wardens would you?" Teagan asked and Isolde nodded, heading to the castle path, the guard following after her. "While I don't really appreciate you making Isolde bow her head like that she could have afforded some respect to you all."

Narascha grinned at Alistair's glower again.

"Come on, it must have felt nice having her bow her head at you," Torph said, smirking.

"It didn't," Alistair huffed, crossing his arms.

Torph and Narascha threw each other smug looks. Alistair clearly did, even if he didn't want to show it, there was a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth after all.

Teagan threw them all a bemused look, then returned his attention to Ciara. The reasonable one. "I have no illusion of dealing with this threat alone. I can be the distraction and you and your companions can sneak through the underground tunnel." He handed Ciara a ring. "My ring will open the secret passage door in the windmill. Whatever you do, Eamon is the priority here. If you have to just get him out."

"We'll save Redcliffe," Alistair said firmly, much to Teagan's surprise, who looked taken aback. "I promise."

"Thank you, Alistair." Teagan smiled warmly, then laughed. "Maker, it doesn't feel so long ago that you were covered in mud, yet you've grown up so much since those days."

Alistair smiled fondly. "I do miss those days for sure. They were far easier than all of this."

Teagan softened. "I miss them too. Tell you what, Alistair, if we all get out of this alive I'll buy you a drink. I owe you one after all this."

"Me too I hope," Torph grumbled.

Narascha elbowed him, earning a yelp.

"Farewell, Grey Wardens, and good luck." Teagan bowed his head and rushed up the hill.

"Let's go get our armour, Narascha," Ciara said, turning to her.

Narascha grinned wolfishly. "Hell yeah!"

.::.

Torph tapped his foot outside the armoury while Alistair paced. Sten sat on a stack of crates while Shale muttered, something about colours? Yeah that was weird. The girls had been in there for a while now, probably long enough for Teagan to get eaten by more undead or whatever, but meh, it didn't really matter to him that much. Alistair might cry though.

The door opened up, causing them all to perk up. Ciara stepped out first, in her Grey Warden armour she used to wear before all the bounty bullshit.

"My armour isn't repaired just yet," Ciara said, adjusting her gloves. "So it is back to my risky armour for now. Let's just hope nobody here wants our bounty."

Torph snorted. "After we murdered a whole ass bunch of undead? Think we're good."

"Oi, has Narascha got her armour yet?" Dwyn asked as he approached. "She still owes me for that fight last night-"

They all paused when the door opened again and Narascha finally stepped out. Torph opened his mouth to tease her, but then froze when he saw the armour. Black and gold. It looked like King Cailan's. Fucking hell.

It had the Orzammar symbol stamped right at the centre of the breastplate too.

"Holy shit, I knew I was right!" Dwyn cursed. "I did know you from somewhere, but I didn't think you were the fucking Princess of Orzammar!"

Torph paused, baffled, but then his eyes caught a glimpse of her wrists. The armour there had tiny Aeducan crests stamped upon them too.

"Bodahn's idea," Narascha sighed. "He thought it was disrespectful if I couldn't wear my family crest. I told him, but he insisted and made sure Owen did it when my back was turned."

"It looks very good." Shale nodded. "Nice colour too."

"Thanks." Narascha grinned. "And Dwyn, shut your mouth, you'll start catching flies."

"A fucking princess..."

"Why does every dwarf sound in awe whenever they realise who you are?" Alistair blinked.

"Because she's Narascha Aeducan! She's been fighting darkspawn since she was fourteen and Endrin Aeducan's only daughter. She should be the Commander of Orzammars armies right now," Dwyn insisted. "But you joined the Grey Wardens, which is just as amazing, my lady!"

"Well this is awkward," Narascha admitted. "I didn't expect you to suddenly be in awe, Dwyn, but thank you. Now, we have business to attend to."

"Yeah." Alistair nodded. "Let's go."

"Nice armour," Torph said, smirking. "You look like a royal again."

"It's amazing, but what I love the most about it is that it fits me," Narascha sighed happily. "It's total bliss. No more scratching in awkward places."

Torph laughed. "Well at least you go your priorities straight."