32-Elsewhere in Ferelden … Again

Elle ran back downstairs after putting one of her informants into a nice, warm bed. She ran into Nathaniel and Thomas entering the front door. "Excellent timing, Thom; however, I have news you won't like."

"Good to see you, too, Arlessa," Thomas replied with a smirk.

Elle ignored what he said. "The Archdemon has shown itself. It has been re-learning how to fly in the Korcari. Recently, it left the Korcari and flew to The Maker's Table, where it plans to perch to destroy Ferelden and direct its darkspawn. One of my informants in the Warden Compound kitchens overheard them speaking. The last thing he heard before he changed into his bird form to fly here was that there was an encounter south of Denerim. The Archdemon was going to attack Maric who was returning from Ostagar. Warden Ariannas was going down to check out the situation. Anyway, Elias was exhausted. I put him to bed. Poor man went to sleep immediately." She put her finger on Nathaniel's lips. "Maric and Mari made it back to Denerim with some dwarf merchants. My wager would be on the merchants being the Feddics."

"The Maker's Table," Nathaniel said as he quickly leaned to give a small kiss. "Just our luck to get an Archdemon with strategy and tactics skills."

"I'll need to return to Soldier's Peak, Nathaniel," Thomas said. "I am more disappointed than you know that we won't get to go fishing tomorrow."

"I'm sure I do know, as I'm also disappointed, but duty calls." Nathaniel looked toward the door. "It's already dark. Stay here this evening and rest up. Update the Wardens you brought with you to patrol this area."

"That's an excellent idea, my love. Thom, I'll go up and send a bird message to the Circle and Highever to be on guard," Elle said. "However, first, I'll just go alert Adria that we have more Wardens on the premises." As she walked away, she said over her shoulder, "She has a protocol to double all portions when you come home, Thom."

Thom and Nathaniel chuckled. Thom motioned toward the outside. "Those corner additions to the battlements that look like arrowheads are inspired, brother. You really can catch anyone trying to climb up the walls."

"The Glavonaks credit Mari with the idea," Nathaniel said. "She used to write fictional stories based in a world like ours so she researched things like defensive wall plans. One evening around the camp fire, she spoke of the unusual design evolution of battlements in her history. The Glavonaks got a crew started on a similar design in Ostagar and then came here, got the crew hired and set up before they had to leave to close up a tunnel directly into the Denerim Cathedral basement. They are in quite the demand." He smiled. "Once we defeat the Archdemon, I have a feeling other castles will follow our lead."

!¡!¡

Bryce was sitting at his desk, trying to catch up on the reports throughout the Teyrnir when Eleanor knocked. "Come in, Love. I was about to …"

She interrupted him by throwing a small message on his desk. "From Elle."

He immediately picked it up and read it: Archdemon claiming Maker's Table. Already tried to attack Maric en route to Denerim. Archdemon failed. Maric is quite alive. Be on alert. Message sent to Circle. —Elle.

When Bryce looked up, Eleanor said, "I've already alerted the squadron of Grey Wardens here and they are making plans. I suggested they put a rotating roster of Grey Wardens on the ramparts since they can sense the Archdemon."

Bryce chuckled. "You always were able to read my thoughts before I had them, Eleanor."

"Can you read mine?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.

"You want to go to the Vigil," he replied with a smile.

She just answered with her own smile. "I'll send a message to our girl first and ask if I would be welcome or in her way."

Bryce stood and took Eleanor into his arms. "Well, at least, things never get boring."

"No, they … Shit!" She pulled out of his arms. "I need to go update the Larens."

Fergus walked in at that moment. "I just did that, Mother." He looked at Bryce. "I ran into Mother on her way from the roost and read the note. I assumed they would want to know." Then, he indicated Gilsen and his assistant standing behind him.

Gilsen bowed and motioned to the assistant. "Your Lordship and Your Ladyship, this is Ancelan, my assistant."

Bryce smiled. "Of course I know Ancelan, Gilsen. I've often needed to have something or other done and he quite ably filled in for you."

Ancelan looked around and also bowed. "I have something to tell you and I'd prefer privacy, if that's possible."

Eleanor walked to Bryce's desk and took out a rune. "Fergus brought several of these back from Antiva. Apparently, it's the newest thing with the Trade Princes there." Then, she walked to the door, closed and locked it and put the rune on it. "Now, completely private."

Ancelan smiled and shook his head slightly. "Then, you may not be horrified to know that I am with the Mage Collective."

Bryce, Eleanor … and Gilsen … looked at each other and chuckled. Eleanor walked up to Ancelan. "My darling daughter knew you were with the Mage Collective by the time she was twelve. I'm afraid that there are absolutely no secrets for that girl."

Gilsen said, "I found out recently, Ancelan. You thought I didn't see you heal that burn when that inquisitive boy pushed you too close to the forge."

"The boy is the son of one of the guards and I didn't wish him to be afraid of the forge," Ancelan said. "So, while he was starting to get upset, I quickly healed myself and showed him all was fine."

"If it makes you feel any better, Ancelan, I did not know," Fergus said. "Elle was likely on to her next escapade by the time I was around for her to tell me."

Ancelan took a deep breath. "I also am here to tell you that the Mage Collective stands ready to assist Highever during this time of Blight. We cannot perform magic in the open, but many of us do have the shapeshifting skill. If an emergency arises, give me your messages and we can take care of getting them to the right place. We even have a non-mage contact at the Spoiled Princess who can get messages to the Circle. Lord Fergus just told us about the Archdemon on The Maker's Table. We can do regular scouting runs. We prefer to keep to those duties, but if the fight comes here … well, we'll do whatever needs to be done."

"Messages and scouting will definitely do for now," Bryce said. He turned to Fergus. "I'll put you in charge of coordinating with the Collective, my boy." Then, he turned back to Ancelan. "Do you have any forms other than birds?"

Ancelan smiled. "I have a pretty good mabari, Your Lordship."

"Good, when we have meetings you need to attend, you can be a stray mabari to listen in," Bryce said. "I promise to do anything I can to keep your participation a secret, Ancelan."

Ancelan sighed. "I find myself growing hopeful that the day will come when mages won't need to be locked up. For the present though, I appreciate your discretion, Your Lordship and Your Ladyship."

!¡!¡

"A rider came by the Inn, Knight-Commander and gave us this message." A young lad who Greagoir had seen doing errands for the Inn … and who had delivered other messages previously … stood bravely in front of his desk. The Templar who escorted him up stood in the doorway.

Greagoir took the message and read it: Archdemon commandeered Maker's Table. Attacked south of Denerim. Be on alert. — Arlessa Elethea Cousland Howe. When he noticed the lad trying to look at the message, he said, "Very bad news, I'm afraid." He handed the boy the message and received a grateful smile. However, the boy's terrified eyes after he read it made Greagoir feel a little guilty. "What's your name, lad?"

"I'm Timmons, Ser Greagoir," he replied while standing straight.

He handed Timmons a coin. "Thank you for your diligence in delivering it and thank Schmidt for allowing you the time."

Timmons looked uncertain for a moment and then said, "Innkeeper Schmidt read it, Ser."

That made Greagoir laugh. "Of that, I have no doubt."

Greagoir and the Templar escort saw the lad out. Then, Greagoir went to check on the almost complete remake of the first floor of the Circle. Bunks encircled the walls, only broken by occasional shelves. The Templars negotiated a fantastic price from Gilsen Laren in Highever for iron-strapped chests by each bunk. Of course, the master blacksmith had quality work … and loyalty to Ferelden … in his blood.

Next, Greagoir went upstairs to Irving's office. Irving had just finished with a special apprentice lesson about interacting with the refugees when or if they arrived. "Irving, have you a minute?"

Irving literally dropped into his desk's overstuffed chair. "Only if it is not earth-shattering, Greagoir."

"Sorry, old friend," Greagoir said as he handed Irving the note from Elle Cousland Howe.

Once Irving read it, he sat back in his chair. "So, it begins."

"Thank the Maker … and the Wardens … we'll be ready," Greagoir said. "If it stays on The Maker's Table, we might see refugees sooner rather than later."

"Have you heard back from Lambert?" Irving asked as he handed back the note.

"About a small class of trusted mage shapeshifters here? No, not yet." Greagoir sat in the visitor's very uncomfortable wooden chair. "He's still recovering from what Cassandra uncovered. Last gossip I heard from Chancellor Roderick in Val Royeaux was that Lambert and Divine Justinia are getting along quite well. She still has to battle the more traditional … and vocal … of the Chantry. Chancellor Roderick is probably being pushed to the maximum in the need for patience. We'll have to see." He held up the message. "It would certainly enhance our messaging. Too late for this crisis, I know."

"Maybe not," Irving said quietly. "Blights can last many years."

Greagoir frowned. "Right. I'll send another request in the next messenger pouch."

!¡!¡

Isolde didn't want to be in the meeting, but Eamon asked her nicely. So, here she sat, waiting for Eamon and the Grey Warden to come in. They had gotten a message that the Grey Wardens were sending a squad from Ostagar to aid in the protection of Redcliffe. Eamon wanted her to take Connor and go to her family in Val Royeaux. However, the travel was always fraught with danger when there wasn't a Blight, so she declined.

They were also told that the Grey Wardens coming here were from Orlais. While she loved her birth country, it wasn't her country any longer. It was bad enough that the Fereldans thought she was a spy. Eamon explained that these Wardens weren't in thrall to Celene or Gaspard. Isolde held her opinion until she met them. Over the years, she found herself more and more disappointed in the machinations of both the leaders of Orlais. They cared more for their petty games than they did their own people.

A young page ran up to the door and waited to be motioned in. Isolde's training of the servants was working. She smiled at the boy and waved him in.

He handed her a small note. "An urgent message from Warden Alistair in Denerim, Your Ladyship."

She took the note. "Thank you. You may go."

He bowed and left to go on his next errand, no doubt.

Isolde opened the note: Arl Eamon & Arlessa Isolde, Archdemon using The Maker's Table. Attacked south of Denerim. Be on alert. — Warden Alistair Laren.

She was amused at herself that her first thought was about that other Warden who carried a handkerchief with Alistair's name on it. The fact that the note was about the Archdemon then crashed her amusement as she prayed that the couple survive the Blight. Footsteps nearing the door brought her out of her thoughts of Mari and Alistair.

Eamon walked in first, followed by a woman. He cleared his throat. "Our apologies. I felt it important to show the Wardens around the castle before we had our meeting." He turned to the woman and motioned to Isolde who stood. "This is Arlessa Isolde, Clarel."

Clarel bowed and said, "An honor, Your Ladyship."

"Isolde, this is Warden Clarel, heading up the squadron of Grey Wardens here to help us against the darkspawn," Eamon said.

From the doorway, a young voice said, "May I attend, Father?" He always sounded so much more mature than his age of six years would indicate.

"We are going to be discussing many things that may be horrifying, Connor." Eamon turned to Clarel. "My son, Connor."

"My Lord," she replied with a bow.

Isolde was still so proud of his demeanor during all that mess with the Venatori. "Eamon, I think he should remain." She looked at her son. "Connor, if things become uncomfortable for you, you will tell us and we can excuse you. Yes?"

The boy smiled and nodded. "Yes. That would be fine."

Isolde motioned to the chair next to hers. Then, she gave Eamon the note. "This came while you were gone."

He read it and passed it to Clarel. "Maker's Mercy, so it has truly begun."

Isolde turned to Connor. "It said that the Archdemon is using The Maker's Table now. Do you remember where that is?"

"It's a kind of flat plateau in north central Ferelden." Connor looked at his father. "It is high ground. You once told me that high ground was good, Father. Like Redcliffe Castle." Then, he looked at Clarel. "How can the darkspawn get orders if their leader is so high, Warden?"

Clarel smiled at Connor. "That is an excellent question, My Lord. The darkspawn communicate in their minds. They call it The Song. Older Wardens can often hear this Song, as well. Most of us can sense nearby darkspawn." She looked at Eamon. "We saw the Archdemon fly north out of Ostagar, but no one has heard any orders … yet."

"You can hear the Archdemon talk to the darkspawn? Wow." Connor was obviously impressed. He looked up at his father. "Can the Wardens walk the battlements of the castle to hear if darkspawn are near?"

Eamon gave Connor such a look of pride it was almost impossible for Isolde not to jump up and hug her son. However, she managed somehow to maintain her composure.

Isolde almost missed Clarel's look of impressed surprise. "With His Lordship's and Her Ladyship's permission, I would like to be excused to put walking the ramparts on our rotation," Clarel said.

!¡!¡

Two hooded men walked into the canyon and what was left of the Venatori camp near Redcliffe. "They took all of the documents. Rumor had it that the First Warden and some of his research Wardens have come to Ferelden. No doubt they can read Tevene. The Venatori will need to abandon their plan for Ferelden," one of the men said.

The other man pulled his hood off. "Good work, Altus Dorian. Come. Magister Pavus will be pleased his son was so successful in Ferelden."

"Are you certain Ostagar was neutralized?" the hooded man ask.

The unhooded man laughed. "Marinius was a fool. Oscar was a fool. The Venatori are filled with fools." He quit laughing and pulled his hood back up. "But, it would be prudent to confirm it."

That evening, the pair camped off the road to Ostagar, more like a trail in this backward country. A ragged man stumbled into the firelight and was put into a block of stone. He coughed and said, "Release me, Alinius. I have news of Ostagar."

"Tell us the news first," Alinius said.

"The Archdemon must have become aware of the Venatori presence here," the man replied with a cough. "It became frightened of our might and destroyed the Venatori mages when the rest of us were away on patrol. Damn Wardens couldn't protect anyone."

"You're … Malik … yes?" the other man said while readying a spell.

In alarm, he replied, "You know me, Ganus! You know I was a scout in the Tevinter camp! Why are you doing this?"

Ganus smirked. "The Venatori despise failure, Malik. You insisted that you be the only Venatori spy we leave in Ostagar to keep an eye on the Tevinter Wardens and other non-Venatori … and now … you are the only Venatori to survive?"

Alinius looked to Ganus. When Ganus' spell was ready and he nodded, Alinius dropped the stone spell and Ganus trapped Malik in a lethal crushing prison. "Loose ends. I think we just got our confirmation."

Between the two powerful mages, the body was quickly made into ash and lost to the winds.

In the morning, the two men headed toward Lothering instead of Ostagar. "Now, we need to become Venatori fools and report our 'horrifying' findings to our contact in Lothering, before he has a heart issue and dies. So sad. Lothering will lose its Bann."

The last thing said was, "From what we've overheard, I don't think Ceorlic will be missed here," … just before both men secured their necklaces with the azure stone pendants inside their armor.

!¡!¡

Thomas had left with his brother a week ago and now he was already back at Soldier's Peak without Nate. He had news that no one wanted to hear, but they already knew. The Maker's Table was closer to Soldier's Peak than it was to Ostagar. And, it was becoming clear that's where the Archdemon had decided to make its base of operations.

Riordan had just returned from Orzammar a day before Thomas left with Nathaniel. Riordan led the Wardens on a quick sweep around the Deep Roads near Orzammar. There were a few darkspawn here and there … but, certainly not a horde.

The good news was that they came upon what was left of the Legion. Kardol and the others were very grateful of Lehan's magic to heal wounds that may have gotten deadly by the time they reached Orzammar. Four of the Legion were blight-sick. Riordan offered to make them Wardens. All agreed and all but one survived. No long, involved training was required for these hardy dwarves. They knew what they were up against. Riordan left them in Orzammar, along with two of the Wardens he brought with him from Soldier's Peak, to organize a Warden Compound in Harrowmont's old estate.

Kardol and the Wardens reported to King Endrin that they had finally closed the Deep Roads heading south. They watched over the Deep Trenches for a while and the darkspawn that remained headed directly north. Some darkspawn patrols harried the Legion back to Orzammar, but those darkspawn were all dead.

Sadly, Endrin wasn't looking very healthy. Lehan said that she could find no indication of poison and did what she could to ease the old king's aches and pains.

While the Wardens were there, Endrin gave up the crown and the Assembly chose Bhelen to be King. Riordan wondered what Dugan would think of that.

"The patrol just returned from the Table, Senior Warden," Thomas said as he joined Riordan on the ramparts looking south. "The Archdemon took flight from the west end of the Table and returned later that day. They left a small squad there to keep an eye on the monster … as best they could. Aksi and Marlis flew over and reported that it seemed the Archdemon was sleeping." Thomas smiled. "One thing confirmed: the wing damage from that attack south of Denerim remains. The Archdemon has a permanent hole in one of its wings. Apparently, it can still fly, but it is impaired."

"We just got word that Duncan and Loghain are returning to Denerim," Riordan said. "Seems like those bombs Dworkin left in Ostagar closed off access to darkspawn attacks on Ostagar." He indicated two pouches on his belt. "We now have instant communication with Orzammar, Denerim and Ostagar thanks to Weisshaupt's rogue companion, Zev. He found several in the old Arlathan forests." Riordan chuckled. "He said not to ever ask him to return to that ghost-ridden place."

Thomas laughed. "I know Warden Captain Leciah who's in charge down there. She grew up in Amaranthine and we used to get into trouble at the Chantry services when we were there. I'm sure she's glad to get Loghain and Duncan out of Ostagar. As for Arlathan Forest, I've never been there, but have heard stories of trees that have elf faces on them. Ghost-ridden sounds tame."

Riordan tapped Thomas' upper arm. "Let's hope we can end this soon and you can take up that well-deserved rest at the Vigil with your brother."

"Your hope to the Maker's Ear, Senior Warden," Thomas said quietly.

They watched Marlis return to the griffon roost. She must have been on a dinner run for her and the hatchlings. As he and Thomas turned to head down to the dining room for dinner, Riordan thought to himself, Hope we all survive to get a well-deserved rest.

!¡!¡

AN: Thanks to Brodiequinn for follows and favorites! They always make my day. :) This was a quick chapter with a quick looksee in some of the nooks and crannies of Ferelden. Next time … much to the Denerim nobility's relief, no doubt … Duncan and Loghain return to Denerim. Just in time! You'll need to check out the chapter to find out. ;)