Fantasy The Blight [In need of Alistair]

[DearestEnemy]

Elissa





Elissa stepped up over the last hill of the Kokari Wilds and could see the gates of the village, below. It was pretty; all green hills and fields of wheat and grain. Farming was popular here because of the rich and fertile land, being so close to the Wilds. It was a relief to see people again. The trip from Morrigan's home to Lothering had mostly been quiet. Elissa had asked Morrigan a few questions about the Wilds as they walked. The area was so dark and ominous and she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that had settled over her. Filling the heavy silence had helped to keep her mind of it and the thought of the almost impossible task ahead.


And then, the bickering had started. Elissa left her two companions to argue, hurrying ahead with her Mabari. She scratched behind Hunter's ears as he trotted alongside her and took in the sight of the village.


Lothering was packed to bursting with refugees from Ostagar. Everyone was fleeing from the Blight and Lothering was the closest village to it. Many escapees had set up tents just outside of the village gates. The guards, who looked like they'd rather be doing anything else, were urging everyone to move on before the darkspawn invaded and warning those entering the gates that both the Chantry and the Tavern were incredibly full as it was. Perhaps they wouldn't get a meal, after all. Regardless, Elissa stopped a farmer and asked him to show them the direction of the tavern. Even if they couldn't get anything to eat, they might be able to pick up some supplies.


"You know," the man grumbled, impatiently. "I'm not here just to give directions to every refugee that passes by." He crossed his tan arms over his chest and made a point of not offering any more information. Elissa resisted the urge to roll her eyes.


"We're not refugees," she assured him, inclining her head in the direction of Alistair. "We're Grey Wardens." She didn't know what I'd been expecting, really. Recognition. Respect, perhaps. The Grey Wardens had always been regarded highly. Instead, the farmer looked disgusted.


"Then you best clear out," he spat, straightening up. "We're loyal to the King here and word from the North is that the Wardens betrayed King Cailan. Teyrn Loghain has a bounty on any who survived."


"What?!" Elissa didn't know why she was so surprised. Loghain had left the king to die. Of course he would have some excuse to save his skin when people began asking questions. All of the Wardens were supposed to be on the battlefield. He must imagine there would be none left to contest his lies. If not for Flemeth, she and Alistair wouldn't have survived, either.

 

[GinjaGen]

"Ah, the camaraderie of humanity. It warms the heart, does it not?" Morrigan said, smiling sarcastically. It felt as though each time she found herself among "normal" men, they always showed her their "best." At least none of them appeared to be trying to kill her yet, though she was keeping an eye on the Templar. He might have an alliance with the Warden woman, but he was still a Templar, and Morrigan was not stupid.


While she waited apathetically for her companions, Morrigan looked around with disdain at the town they were traveling through. It was run down, though she suspected that the reason for this wasn't only because of the refugees. The place might have been beautiful, with the level of fertility in the land. The settlement ruined the majesty of the area, at least in Morrigan's mind, and she felt almost like there was a film of filth hanging in the air, sticking to her skin.


And the smells. Ugh. Morrigan didn't understand why the people insisted on all living so close to each other. She missed the wilds already. The openness, the solitude. With all of these droning voices and horrid smells she felt like she couldn't even think clearly. And that whiny warden dolt was just making things worse. She almost wished she could have stayed home with her mother. Almost.

 

[Vudukudu]

Alistair maintained his composure in the face of the farmer's accusation. It wouldn't help their case for him to seem upset, although he quite plainly was. This sort of conniving garbage was precisely the reason he didn't like the politicking part of being a Grey Warden. People simply could not be expected to tell the truth, unfortunately.


He sighed and glanced at Elissa, noting her apparent outrage. "In that case, I think it'd be best we stay low, Elissa. Don't want to get too much attention where we're not wanted." Alistair said, looking around the town. There was a notable Chantry presence, and it was likely that any one of them might send for Loghain's men, or perhaps gather a few bounty hunters to come looking for them.


"Not to mention our little apostate friend is liable to garner even more bad attention." He added, muttering mostly to himself to avoid antagonizing Morrigan any more than necessary.

 

[DearestEnemy]

Elissa


Elissa frowned. She knew Alistair was right and that they should keep to themselves but it was easier said than done. She was proud and she didn't like to be accused of something that she didn't do. She wanted nothing more than to defend herself and Alistair and clear the Warden's name, but she reluctantly nodded and stepped away with a sigh. She wasn't quite sure how Alistair was taking the news and glanced at him curiously. He had known more Warden's than she had, and for longer too. He didn't look very happy but he was quiet. She should do the same.


"You're right," she agreed. "It's probably best that we continue on, then. Let's stop for supplies and find somewhere to camp for the night." They wouldn't be able to spend the night in Lothering itself. Even if the inn wasn't so full, it probably wouldn't be safe considering what the farmer had told them.


They avoided the Chantry and made their way through the crowds of people. "Dane's Refuge," Elissa read from the plaque on the heavy wooden door as they reached the tavern. She was eager to get inside now. She was suddenly so hungry she was sure she would pass out if she didn't get some sort of sustenance inside her.


The door was lighter than it appeared, and swung smoothly open at Elissa's touch - most likely a result from it's constant use. The stench of ale and body odor was strong as they walked inside. The tavern was packed with people, but more spacious than she had been expecting. The three humans and war hound we were able to stand freely just inside the door without bumping into any drunks.


"Well, look what we have here, men." The voice came from one of the men crowded round a small little table to he left of them. He stood up, his hand on his blade, as he walked around the tables to meet them. The crest on his armor was familiar - he was one of Loghain's men. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a man and a woman by this very description?" he asked the rest of his group as they got to their feet.


"Uh oh," Elissa breathed, and Hunter pressed himself against her leg - unsure if he should attack or retreat.

 

[GinjaGen]

"Wishing me not here does not change the fact that I am here, Templar." Morrigan said, irritated with Alistair, yet again. She understood why people without magic would be afraid of those with it, however she didn't understand why the common mages would allow themselves to be controlled as they were. They should be proud, and an important part of society, not caged birds. And those who refused to be treated like birds should not be treated like rabid dogs needing to be put down. "If you don't wish for my help, I shall leave, but I don't believe you are in the place to reject assistance." How she would come to regret those words in a few minutes' time.


As they walked towards the brewery and past the Chantry, she again took in the state of things. People on the streets, obviously in need. Then she looked at the tavern they were approaching. It was brimming with people. That was an oddity she could not understand, yet she found she also cared very little. They were not important to her. She had other things on her mind.


When they walked into the tavern, Morrigan's face further crinkled in disgust. The smell was almost worse than it had been outside, being in the throngs of people made Morrigan increasingly irritated. She pulled away from the men around her, not out of fear as their smug drunken smiles suggested, but out of complete contempt. She would like nothing more than to get out of the building, or to possibly stop the drunken smiles in the most violent way possible. She felt her opportunity approach when a man walked up to them, his hand on his blade.

 

[DearestEnemy]

Elissa





Elissa's hand moved subtly to the dagger at her waist as the guardsman drew closer. Hunter lowered his head and growled lowly. She probably should have left him outside but if a fight was going to ensue, she wanted him with her. To her surprise a woman stepped forward. She was dressed in Chantry robes and Elissa realized she was a lay sister. It was a little odd for her to be in the tavern, but since the Chantry was full, perhaps she had come out to see if she could offer aid to the people, here.


"Gentlemen," She spoke with an accent that suggested that she was from Orlais. "Surely there is no need for trouble." The first guardsman drew his sword and motioned with his fingers for the others to join him. "I have orders from Teyrn Loghain to take the Grey Wardens into custody. Stand aside Sister or we'll be forced to make you." A hush had fallen over the tavern and it's patrons were watching the scene intently. The sister remained firmly where she was standing and Elissa had to admit that she was surprised. Especially considering the accusations.


"Fine. Defend those who betrayed our King. Let's make this quick." He drew his blade above his head and brought it down in an arc. Elissa barely dropped back in time - stumbling mostly into Morrigan - as his sword sliced through the air in front of her. She pulled her dagger free while Hunter lunged forward, biting down on his wrist. The rest of the guards came forward, flanking the group and moving in on all sides with their weapons at the ready.

 

[Vudukudu]

Alistair followed Elissa's lead on managing the situation. The Chantry sister seemed to be attempting to manage the situation, but there was no telling if she'd be successful, valiant as her efforts were. He said nothing, although he slowly let his hands drift towards the hilt of the blade and the shield strapped to his back. The moment the soldier mentioned the word betrayal, Alistair lunged into action.


He'd needed something to vent his rage and shame on. He couldn't save the other Wardens, but he certainly could avenge them, and he'd start with these men. His sword scraped loudly against it's sheath as he drew it, and then he leaped towards the nearest guard. The man managed to parry the first blow, but there was little he could have done about the shield that promptly smashed into the side of his face.


Alistair could hardly hear the sound of a neck snapping over the pounding of his heart. This felt good. He'd needed this release ever since Ostagar.


He batted away a mace with his shield, leaving the attacker's chest wide open as he recovered. A spray of gore coated a nearby wall as Alistair's blade erupted through the guard's back, then withdrew. He stepped backwards, flourishing his blade as he stood at Elissa's side to defend her.

 

[GinjaGen]

Morrigan knew she needn't control herself anymore as the men attacked them. She prepared herself, and began casting when Elissa rammed into her forcefully. Morrigan recovered smoothly, in time to see the first man fall. She grinned in excitement. It was finally time to fight.


She pulled her arms in close to her body, then flung them out to the side, her eyes glowing a light purple. From her arms came almost a shock wave, though it didn't do any physical damage to their surroundings, or even her companions. However, it created a zone of effectiveness for which her spell to work. The men who that thought it smart to flank the group were now trapped in her power zone.


She grinned in satisfaction, and then glanced around, taking stock of who was an enemy and who wasn't. For a moment she considered including Alistair in the group, but at the last moment decided against it. She opened her hand, and a pulse, this time felt by all of those within the zone, washed through the sphere of energy. while it was felt by everyone, it only effected the people she had decided were enemies. The men were attacked both mentally and physically by her mind blast, and for a moment they were caught off guard, clutching their heads.

 

[DearestEnemy]

Elissa





Hunter was snarling ferociously and wrestling with the wrist of the guard who had been the first to attack her. He was crying out, trying to shake the mabari off and she took the opportunity to steady herself, sinking her dagger into his side. He cried out once more, dropping his sword as Hunter wrestled him to the floor.


Elissa hurriedly pulled her bow from her back and an arrow from her quiver. She notched it and lifted her arm - despite the protesting ache in her shoulder - and pulled back firmly on the bowstring. She scanned the group around them, being careful about where she took aim. It wasn't all that hard; most of the patrons had scrambled back out of the way to avoid being caught in the crossfire. With Alistair at her side and Morrigan behind her, she was able to focus on the guard ahead of her. She couldn't see the sister anymore and she hoped that she wasn't hurt. She let go, the arrow soaring through the air and into the target's shoulder. A second one followed and he went down.


Elissa was just pulling out another arrow when the first guard, who had somehow managed to get a hold of his sword, smashed the hilt of it against Hunter's shoulder, causing him to retreat back beside her. She lifted her bow again, aiming the notched arrow at his chest just as his blade came to rest on her shoulder; next to her throat.


Elissa froze, knowing that he could take her out quiet easily with a simple movement of his wrist. Her fingers ached to release the arrow she held poised but she waited, holding her breath. Energy washed over her and she watched as the guard dropped his sword once again, to clutch his head, stunned thanks to Morrigan's spell. Elissa wasted no time. She caught his blade and kicked him onto his back, her boot pressing into his chest.


Killing all of these men meant more trouble than it was worth, but if they didn't they most likely wouldn't get out of here alive. She didn't take any enjoyment in ending a life but if she planned to help save Ferelden, she needed to stay alive. If she didn't kill him now, he would kill her. The rogue hooked her bow over her arm and held the blade in both of her hands, rising it above his chest.


"Alright!" he roared, just as she began to bring it down. "You've won! We surrender."


Elissa lifted her gaze to the remainder of Loghain's men and they paused in their fighting as they considered their commander. She lifted the sword off of his chest and stepped back, allowing him to stand after a quick glance to Morrigan and Alistair. Hunter growled, disapprovingly.


"The Grey Warden's didn't betray King Cailan. Loghain did," She said, raising her voice for the benefit of the other patrons but keeping a steady gaze with the guard in front of her. His expression hardened and he glanced at his weapon in her hands before clenching his own.


"I was there!" he objected. "The Teyrn pulled us out of a trap."


"The Teyrn left the King to die," She shot back. The people in the tavern had started to whisper among one another and she couldn't decide if they were taking sides for or against the Grey Wardens. Elissa glanced behind her again at her companions, eager for their opinions. She could see the sister now. Her robes were stained with blood but she seemed unhurt.


Killing the men would be easier in one sense. It would ensure that they didn't return to Loghain. On the other hand, allowing them to leave would send a better message. The tavern was full of witnesses. Better they see the Warden's mercy and spread news of that rather than how they slaughtered a group of the Teyrn's guardsmen. They would need all the support they could get and she hoped her companions would feel the same.

 

[Amityvillager]

Cateline had been gazing upon a board that rested beside the tavern door looking for jobs when a group of people walked in. One was obviously a Templar, and another a mage. She was a bit perplexed as to why the apostate wasn't being oppressed, but she was glad for her freedom. The other woman was a pretty rogue who also seemed to be the leader. Cateline paid no mind to them after that for the time being, seeing as though many passed through the town of refugees. That is, until a man came up to pick a fight.


The bard's hand immediately went to the hilt of her favorite blade, Bard's Opportunity. The blade slid out of its sheath quickly and cleaned without trouble, the leather on the hilt was soft and sturdy, and it was perfectly balanced in her petite but nimble hands. But instead of drawing her weapon of choice, she dropped her hand to cross her arms. She waited to see how the whole thing played out. Even a sister in the Chantry went up to the group. It took her a moment to realized it was none other than Sister Leliana! Cateline had left the Chantry a couple years ago, so she hadn't seen her in a while. So she was very surprised when said sister joined in the fray. Well if a sister of the Chantry was spilling some blood, then by the Maker so was she!


And so Cateline drew both daggers from their hilts and snuck behind a particularly clumsy archer and dispatched him with an easy slit to the throat. After snagging a small pouch of coins from his belt as he fell to the ground unceremoniously. After that she mostly tried to stay out of the others' ways, but helped a bit by humming a tune that spoke of ancient heroes and acts of valor. The battle ended more quickly than the bard would have liked, but it did end in drama.


The rogue who was said to be a Warden claimed that Loghain abandoned King Cailan; a mighty dangerous claim, Cateline thought. But for some reason, the bard believed the Warden. She seemed honest enough. While the Warden was busy being merciful, Cateline cleaned her blade, which took less than five seconds. After checking the coin purse she had snatched from the guardsman's dead body--stones, seriously?--and being disappointed by the lack of actual coins, Cateline walked closer to the group with the small intent of speaking to them.

 

[GinjaGen]

"Ah, we're allowing people who just tried to kill us to live now? 'Tis not wise." Morrigan said, placing her staff in its place on her back, and positively enjoying the stares and glares she was now getting from the Tavern patrons. She was proud to be a Mage, and didn't care if the people didn't approve. In fact, she quite enjoyed their fear. It made her feel more powerful.


She turned her attention back to the problem at hand. If she had been in charge, the guard would have been dead. That would have been the message she would have sent to this Logain man who had betrayed his people. To hell with mercy. It would create fear, which, if controlled, could be even more powerful than respect. But, much to her chagrin, she knew she was not in charge. Somehow she was being led by this woman, that Morrigan arguably knew very little about, who was going to... what? Save Ferelden? Morrigan scoffed in her head. What were the chances this woman would actually be able to stop the blight, and become a 'hero of Ferelden.' Very unlikely.