Well look who managed to write a chapter in just a couple days!? : D It’s a bit shorter, and filled with more fun stuff like banters and Lizzev fluff. : ) The fight scenes were hard, though. Some parts didn’t come out quite the way I imagined they would, and some bits are forced because I’ve been ignoring Leliana and others for a while now, but I need everything to make some sense even if it’s last minute sense. Besides, everyone plays this game differently.

Aural writing fuel: the jazzy Japanese version of John Williams.

For the Highever/cuddles part, the second SnK soundtrack, Eyewater.

I had to do research on Zevran’s innuendo, because apparently for all my dirty sense of humour I can’t be inappropriately witty on command… and you know what, there are some really weird innuendos out there. :/

(word count: 110,000)

 

Previous chapter: Orzammar; next chapter: Haven

 

Soldier’s Peak

 

Shale joined them the next day, as she had said, now decked out with multicoloured crystals on her shoulders and wrists. She was a littler quieter than usual, and did not seem inclined to talk about whatever she had experienced in Cadash Thaig. Elizabeth decided to give her time; it was a long hike back to the surface, and up-hill now. But at least they would be able to go downhill once they were outside again.

Outside! How she had missed it. The realm of the dwarves and the Deep Roads was very interesting, but she missed the wind, the trees, the grass and the sun and moon – and yes, even Ferelden’s rain and mud. She knew she wasn’t the only one, either. Every single one of them brightened as they exited the great doors in the mountainside – except maybe Oghren, who had never been on the surface before, and looked a little askance at what sky was visible through the moutains. Morrigan practically bounced down the stairs, and she could hear Huan snuffling deeply at her side. It was freezing and snowing, and winter had definitely set in while they were underground, but she didn’t care.

They collected Bodhan and Sandal Feddic, and were hailed by a young-ish man who had been talking to them. “You’re Grey Wardens, right? You’re hard to find!”

“And if we are?” Alistair said suspiciously.

“My name’s Levi, Levi Dryden. Did Duncan ever mention me? Levi of the Coins, Levi the trader?”

Alistair and Elizabeth glanced at each other. “I can’t recall that he did,” Alistair said. “Did you know him well?”

“Odd… I did know him quite well – as well as anyone, you might say. I’ve been searching you out because last year he promised to look into something important for the Wardens. And for me. And, well… now he’s gone, Maker rest his soul.”

“So you’ve come to us as his disciples,” Elizabeth said. “I seem to vaguely recall the Dryden name…”

“Yes, well, my family’s name is mud in noble circles right now, for related reasons. My great-great-grandmother is Sophia Dryden, the last Warden-Commander of Ferelden.”

Elizabeth straightened in recognition. “Yes, now I remember. King Arland was being a bit of a tyrant and she joined with a Teyrn Cousland and several of my ancestors in rebellion. Teyrn Cousland was executed, and King Arland drove the Wardens out of Ferelden.”

“You are a Cousland?” Levi exclaimed and bowed. “I beg your pardon, my lady!”

“I am a Cousland no more,” she said. “I am a Warden only.”

Levi straightened and coughed. “Hm, yes, well. You understand where I am coming from, then. House Dryden was stripped of their lands and titles, and then after King Arland died, there was a terrible civil war, and we were forced to keep on the move. But we rebuilt ourselves as merchants, and we never lost our pride.”

“I see,” Elizabeth said. “And what did Duncan promise you?”

“The truth,” Levi answered. “I’ve been hoping to go to Soldier’s Peak, the old Warden fortress, for a long time. I’m hoping to find evidence to clear Sophia’s name! It won’t restore our lands or our titles, but it’ll restore our honour. The only problem’s been that Soldier’s Peak is ridiculously hard to get to – up in the mountains between Highever and Amaranthine, where all paths get twisty and it’s ten to one that you’ll end up where you started.” His eyes gleamed. “But I found a way through! It took me years to find. So I went to Duncan and asked if he’d like the old fortress back, rather than the little headquarters in Denerim.”

“One question,” Alistair said. “It’s winter right now. How hard is it going to be to head up the mountains like that?”

“Well… it’s possible? I’ll help you outfit yourselves, of course. If you agree to go.”

“And why did you need Duncan’s help, specifically?”

“No one’s been up there for decades. It’s said to be haunted, and I’m sure it’s dangerous in other ways. I’m a merchant, not a warrior. I’d be too afraid to enter that place alone, and I don’t want to hire just any old mercenary to bring along.”

“I understand,” Elizabeth said. “We will help you. We need to go to Denerim next, anyway, and that’s in the same direction.”

“Oh, thank you,” Levi said. “A thousand blessings upon you both!”

First they traveled back through Gherlen’s Pass to Redcliffe, where only Arlessa Isolde greeted them. Teagan, she explained, had gone to Denerim to take care of business – both his own, and for Redcliffe. “I’m worried he will say something rash and anger Loghain,” she said. “He is only a Bann, and with Eamon still ill, there is no one to protect him.”

“Arl Eamon is still ill?” Elizabeth asked. Alistair was off playing with Connor, who had recovered and had not yet been taken to the Circle Tower.

“Indeed he is,” Isolde said sadly. “He lies in his coma like one who is dead. My doctor ensures that he eats and drinks even as he sleeps, but he has not shown any sign of waking.” She turned to Elizabeth. “You are going to Denerim soon, are you not? Would you help him?”

“I don’t understand,” Elizabeth said. Was she asking her to help Teagan?

“I am certain that the Ashes of Andraste will heal my husband,” Isolde said earnestly. “The man who is the foremost expert on such things is Brother Genitivi, and he usually lives in Denerim when he is not traveling and doing research… but he has not been seen there for months. My knights have not found any trace of him either, and many have been murdered on their quest.”

“I will do what I can,” Elizabeth said. “I don’t know if it will be much. It’s not exactly my area of expertise.”

“Yes, but you have a Circle mage with you, Madam Wynne, and you have many people of various walks of life in your group. Surely you’ll find something.”

“I will do what I can,” Elizabeth said again. “I will send you word if I find anything at all.”

“Thank you,” Isolde said. “And after everything, that horrid mage who poisoned Eamon escaped.”

Elizabeth blinked. “He did? How?”

“I do not know,” Isolde said. “He vanished without a trace one morning. No one saw him leaving the castle; in fact, no one saw anyone leaving the castle. Will you keep an eye out for him too?”

Personally, Elizabeth felt that if Jowan had found his freedom, he could have it; she sympathized with the arlessa, but Jowan had been a man between a rock and a hard place, and she trusted he would behave from now on. But she reassured Isolde politely.

She went with Sten down to the village to call on Dwyn, but the dwarf was gone for the week, said the mercenary who answered the door. He would not let Sten look at Dwyn’s weapon collection to see if his sword was there, or even let them inside, even with Sten’s threats of violence.

Sten growled to himself as they left the house, but turned it into a sigh. “When we come this way next, it will be mine.”

It was eleven days to Soldier’s Peak, and they were surprisingly busy days. There were more darkspawn on the highway, although there were more soldiers as well, busily patrolling the lands of the Bannorn. They still had to fight a bit, and they had just passed Lake Calenhad when they were ambushed by bandits.

“Oh dear, not again,” Zevran said, nipping behind Shale as arrows came whistling out of the undergrowth towards them.

“What do you mean, not again!?” Alistair demanded, raising his shield. “This situation was your fault last time we were in it!”

Zevran chuckled as he ran off to cover Elizabeth’s flank. “Somehow I don’t think this lot will be as desperate as I was.”

Elizabeth was confronting a Qunari mercenary, and was afraid she would get the worst of it until Huan jumped onto the warrior’s arm, giving her an opening. Then she heard Leliana give a cry that frightened her badly. “Wynne’s been hit!”

“No!”

“Wait,” Leliana called. “She… she’s not hurt. She fainted.”

“Worry about it later,” Sten told her. “Fight now.”

“Aye, ser!”

The bandits were unusually good and numerous, and it was a fierce skirmish, but Elizabeth’s group was better, even with the loss of Wynne, and Alistair knocked down the last bandit and raised his sword.

Leliana came running. “Don’t kill him! Let’s speak to him first!”

“Why?” Alistair said bluntly.

“He is no common bandit,” Leliana said. “None of them were. Their weapons and armour are good, and they’ve been trained. Surely you noticed?”

“I did, but I just figured they were uncommon bandits.”

Leliana turned to the cowering man. “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Who are you? Who sent you? Was it Loghain?”

The man coughed, nursing his side. “I’m someone who regrets taking you on. Was told this would be an easy job… kill the red-haired girl, kill the others if we liked…”

“So it was me this time…” Leliana said. “Who sent you?”

“It don’t pay to ask why someone wants someone else dead. I just find out what to do and where to get my money. I didn’t even know who hired us. But… you’ve wiped us out, the whole band. Will you spare me, at least, if I tell you where I was to go to get paid?”

“Very well,” Leliana said.

The man fumbled inside his coat and brought out a piece of paper. “It’s directions to a house in Denerim. It’s the best I can do…”

“Then you may go,” Leliana said. “Elizabeth, I…”

Elizabeth was already returning at a run to Wynne, who was just waking up under Shale’s watchful eye. “Wynne! Are you all right?”

“I suppose I owe you an explanation,” said the elderly mage. “I hope I didn’t make you worry too much.”

“What do you mean? Is something wrong?”

“I believe I died in the Circle Tower, before ever you got there,” Wynne began. “But my spirit lingered in the Fade, and I felt a presence draw near me… It was a gentle, comforting presence, and before I knew it, I was waking up on the cold, hard floor.” She smiled ruefully. “I suppose I am a sort of abomination, now, since it is bound to me, sustaining my life. For what purpose, I do not know. But have no fear; I am still myself and it has no interest in taking me over.”

“Should you be on this journey?” Elizabeth asked worriedly.

“I am living on borrowed time, it’s true, and I do not know how much. But I should be fine to continue. It’s one reason why I wanted to leave the Circle Tower and travel again. It’s only… the spirit is growing weak. I believe that is why I passed out today. But I will help you for as long as I can.”

“Thank you for being here,” Elizabeth said, and helped her to her feet.

“This spirit bond… what is it like?” Zevran asked innocently.

“Well… let me see. It is hard to describe. It is comforting… I… I feel safe, loved… It is like being held close, cradled… the bond is so complete that I am unable to extricate myself, nor do I wish to. And there is a constant warmth, that spreads outwards from the very center of my being, infusing my body with…”

Zevran moaned, and Wynne shot him a glare full of daggers as she stalked away offended.

Leliana was at her elbow. “Elizabeth, I need to talk to you…”

“You want to find the person who sent the mercenaries after you,” Elizabeth said. “I understand.”

“You don’t understand all of it… I believe it’s Marjoleine who sent them. She’s… When I lived in Orlais, I wasn’t just a minstrel.”

“I’m not surprised,” Elizabeth said, smiling. “You have so many skills, so much experience I was sure you had to have had something else in your life. So were you a spy? Orlesian spies are famous for their skills.”

Leliana blinked at her eagerness. “You would just accept me?”

“You’re no more extraordinary than anyone else in this group,” Elizabeth said. “You have not betrayed us, and I trust you. We’re friends, right?” Though she had to wonder if Leliana would have told her about this part of her life if it had not come up.

Leliana smiled in relief. “Yes, we’re friends. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought you might not like it, but… this is a weight off my mind. Well, Marjoleine was my teacher, my mentor, my everything. I’ll tell you the whole story later, but she framed me as a traitor, and I narrowly escaped execution by running to Ferelden. I went to the Chantry in Lothering to… to forget. To start a new chapter of my life, a better chapter. Then there was my vision, and I joined you, and now I suppose Marjoleine is after me again since I know the truth about her.”

“So you want her to stop bothering you,” Elizabeth said. “Will we have to kill her?”

Leliana’s forehead wrinkled as she made an upset face. “I hope not. I have no wish to kill her, just for her to leave me alone. It may be naive of me, but I want to try to talk to her and make her see that. So, when we go to Denerim…”

“We’ll stop by,” Elizabeth promised. “And you’ll have me for back-up.”

“Thank you so much,” Leliana said. “And thank you for understanding. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

“You had a vision, Leliana?” Zevran asked, ever Elizabeth’s shadow.

“Or maybe I won’t,” Leliana muttered in resignation. “I’m not certain I wish to discuss my vision with you. You’ll make fun of me.”

“Noooo, why would I do ever do such a thing?”

“See? There you go. No, I am not speaking to you of it.”

Zevran grinned. “Hmm. Yes, I suppose the Maker would not want you to spread His words. Very well, I’ll accept your reproach.”

“Why do you even wish to know?” asked Leliana in exasperation.

Zevran grinned wider. “Why, to make fun of you, of course.”

Leliana looked up to the sky and sighed violently. “You, ser, are utterly impossible.”

“On the contrary, I am often told how very easy I am, my dear.”

He did tend to tease, Elizabeth mused, but no one except Wynne was really bothered by it. Perhaps she should tell him to be nicer to Wynne.

 

They had camped for the night and were eating dinner. Oghren finished his bowl of stew in what seemed like a single mouthful and belched. “Elf!”

Zevran turned to look at him, smiling pleasantly. “Oghren!”

“I have something to say to you!” Oghren announced.

Zevran raised an expectant eyebrow. “I am all ears, as we elves like to say.”

Oghren hesitated. “I… Well, now I forgot.”

“Alas.”

Oghren shook a finger at him. “But just know I had something.”

“You’ve had several somethings, I suspect,” Zevran said, miming drinking. “It’s part of your charm.”

“Don’t lay it on too thick, there,” Oghren said, giving Zevran a distrustful look. “I don’t wanna end up in your tent like everyone else here.” As Zevran laughed, the dwarf shot a look at Alistair and Elizabeth. “Well, maybe not everyone else here… Someone needs to find a partner with no pants involved.”

Alistair choked. “H-how do you know I haven’t!?”

“I can smell purity a mile away,” Oghren said. “It’s a talent.”

“That must prove useful for any number of things,” Morrigan said sarcastically – it was her night to cook, and so she had joined them for once.

“Not that often, it turns out,” Oghren said. “Be much better if I could smell cheese.”

“Or anything at all,” Sten muttered.

“Anyway, is it a thing that Grey Wardens have to be virgins?” Oghren asked, loudly, and Elizabeth could feel a flush spreading up from her neck. Zevran caught her eye and raised his eyebrows suggestively, and she turned her face away, turning crimson.

“No, it isn’t,” Alistair said faintly.

“Maybe they should get it out of their system together!” Oghren said, giggling. “Both young, attractive virgin human Wardens – would be good for both of you!”

Alistair sputtered some kind of denial. “We’re not – she’s my – she has-”

“No,” Elizabeth said, much too loudly.

“Why don’t you get it on with the elf, then? He’s been moonin’ after you every sodding day since we left Orzammar, and you ain’t been sayin’ no to having him around! I caught ya sucking face the other day, even. What are you waiting for?”

Elizabeth’s face was stormy as she finished her dinner, studiously ignoring Oghren’s continuing loud innuendos, and went back to her tent quickly.

“Thanks, Oghren,” she heard Zevran say sarcastically.

“Anytime, pal.”

 

The coastal mountains between Ferelden and Highever were not particularly high, but like Levi had said, they were confusing to travel through at the best of times, and no one lived there. It was not the best of times now; the snow lay in drifts four feet tall, almost as tall as Oghren. The pine trees, warped from the strong winds, were hardly to be seen. They had to leave Bodhan and Sandal behind at the foot of the mountains in the last village, as their cart would not be able to make it up.

One particular mountain top seemed unusually pointy, and as they wound their way closer, Elizabeth began to see that it was actually a castle built at the very top of a mountain. She wondered how that had been accomplished.

“Maker’s breath, look at the size of her,” Levi commented, puffing as he struggled through the snow beside her. “What a fortress. Well, here we are! I got you here all right, so now I’ll follow you, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s fine,” Elizabeth said. “Stay safe, first of all.”

“Looks like it’s seen better days… or rather centuries,” Alistair commented.

“Once the Wardens flourished, their ranks full, their calibre certain. Now they even accept people like you, Alistair,” Morrigan teased.

“Hey!” Alistair said, but was it only her imagination, but had their exchange had less heat than usual?

It was a good thing that she went first. They passed under the gate and into the courtyard, where the snow was less deep and they were sheltered from the wind by high walls, and she heard a shuffling sound. Her hand went to her sword.

“Skeletons!” Leliana cried, and Elizabeth drew her sword and set herself ready to guard against the attacks of the skeletons dragging themselves up from under the snow. They wore the liveries of both royal Theirin and Warden forces, but they all attacked.

“Well that’s disturbing,” Alistair said. “Guess this place really is haunted.”

“The Veil must be thin here,” Wynne said. “I sense… there are more dangerous trials to come, here.”

And then Elizabeth saw ghosts, spirits that ignored them but talked among themselves as if the companions were not even there. “Taking the Peak will not be easy, my lord.”

“Bah, I give the Wardens a chance to surrender with honour, and they hole up here like cowards. We’ll do as the king advises. Starve them out. We’ll wait until they’re too weak to lift their weapons, and then send them to their final judgement.”

“Am I seeing things?” Alistair said, as the last skeleton fell to Shale. “These guys aren’t real, right? They’re not attacking us… but I sure would like to attack them!”

“I’m not going mad, right?” Levi said.

“I saw it too,” Leliana said. “This very place wants us to know its history.”

“Perhaps there will actually be something fun to fight here,” Morrigan commented. “I had almost lost hope.”

“Spread out,” Elizabeth ordered. “Clear the courtyard before we press inwards.”

When they were sure that no more undead waited to assail them, they turned to the door of the keep. It lay splintered in the archway, and the battering ram that had done the damage lay nearby. Elizabeth picked her way carefully over the remnants of the door and inside.

The interior of the fortress was dark and cold. Snow and dirt driven in from the outside covered the floor, and thick cobwebs hung from every corner and piece of smashed furniture. Elizabeth wondered, with a wrench to her heart, how Highever Castle fared after its own invasion. Everything was incredibly still, and the scuffling noises they made as they entered seemed too loud, as if they would attract any number of monsters from the inner reaches of the castle to drive them out.

They explored the lower levels of the castle first, and were indeed attacked several times by undead… and lesser demons. “Not a good sign,” Wynne said.

But they didn’t find much until they pushed open the door to the great hall on the second level, and straight into a scene of controlled chaos. The ghost of a beautiful dark-haired woman in heavy armour was striding towards them, her sword in hand. “Make them pay for every inch, men!” she commanded, and the ghosts around her in Warden uniforms cheered. “Just a little longer! How is it, Avernus?”

Elizabeth saw there was a Warden mage farther back in the hall, with several magic circles glowing at his feet. The other Wardens kept clear of his area, and he was chanting something in a loud voice. A mirror at the back of the room was glowing, pulsing in time with his words.

Behind them, soldiers in Theirin livery pressed their way into the room, hacking at the defenders. The mage finished his chant with a great shout, and something boiled and erupted from the mirror. The attackers paused in fear, and then everyone screamed as a host of demons poured from the mirror. But over it all roared the voice of Sophia Dryden: “Press them back! Press them, now!”

The mage seemed to be having an argument with the demons. “I command you! Attack the king’s men!”

“Fool,” Morrigan muttered. “I wonder how that turned out?”

“Ahhhh,” sighed the largest demon in contentment. “So much suffering, death, and… yes… blood. The Veil is torn now, Avernus, and your soul is mine!”

The mage gasped, flailing backwards. “Acolytes! Retreat! Flee!”

“Avernus!” cried Dryden, and the vision blinked out, as if a shutter had been slammed.

They stood in the empty, lifeless hall, where skeletons of soldiers on both sides sprawled, rotting, on the floor. The mirror at the back of the hall shone with a violet light, and occasionally sparks and small lightning flashes crackled from it.

“Well,” Alistair said. “That was… interesting.”

And then demons attacked them.

“How do we close the tear in the Veil?” Elizabeth shouted as she slammed one with her shield.

“I’m not sure,” Morrigan said. “Let’s defeat these little demons first and we’ll have some time to have a look at it.”

“The Wardens… She allowed… They summoned demons!” Levi stammered. “Was the cause that desperate?”

When the battle had died down and there were no demons in evidence, Elizabeth left Morrigan and Wynne examining the mirror-portal and bickering on its solution. She also left Sten, who would surely keep peace between the two mages, if not civility, and went with the others to continue clearing the floor.

One of the rooms immediately ajoining the hall was a study that looked suitable for a Warden-Commander. It was filled with books, candlesticks, a large desk and a few chairs, and cobwebs. Weapon racks hung from the walls, and a few swords and spears and shields hung there still. A large painting of Sophia, dressed as an arlessa, hung from the wall over the empty fireplace.

Elizabeth did not even see the person at the back of the room until she spoke. “Come no further. This one would speak with you.” The person rose to greet them, and Elizabeth almost screamed, for this was no ghost, but the animated corpse of Sophia Dryden herself, still in her armour. Her face was blotched in a way that reminded Elizabeth of Hespith in the Deep Roads. Huan growled and crouched as if to spring.

“Who are you?” Elizabeth asked warily. Sophia’s eyes were milky white and sightless, yet they were fixed on her face in an unnerving way.

“This one is Dryden, Commander, Sophia. And this Peak is mine.”

“G-grandmother…?” Levi gasped.

“You have slain many of the demon ilk to get here,” the corpse said. “You are strong. Good. This one would propose a deal.”

“Uh, Levi, I think your great-great-grandmother is possessed by a demon,” Alistair said.

“That, or she’s really let herself go,” Levi said, trying weakly to joke. “My great-great-grandmother is dead. I don’t know what that is.”

The corpse shrugged. “This one has tasted her memories, seen her thoughts and secrets. But it is true what the boy says. She is food for this one, no more and no less.”

Shale stirred. “It seems odd that this Warden-Commander would consort with demons. From my former master I often heard that they were evil – though that did not stop him trying to study them.”

“The humans are capable of far greater evil than this one or its kind, golem,” said the corpse. “But there is still a deal to speak of. This one is trapped at the Peak, but the Dryden’s memories are so full of tantalizing places. This one would experience them for herself. All you must do is go into the old mage tower and destroy what you find there. In return, this one will seal the tear in the Veil for you. No more demons, no more enemies, the Peak to do with as you please… and in return, you let this one go into the world to live life in freedom.”

“You must be joking,” Elizabeth said, although it was clear the demon was not. “I do not know Sophia Dryden’s reasons for summoning demons, but I do not make deals with them.”

“Sounds good!” Alistair said with a smile.

“Then you are a fool!” the demon snarled, and drew her sword. More Warden skeletons rose to join her and suddenly Elizabeth’s group found itself surrounded. The door slammed shut, and a barrier prevented them from breaking it down.

The demon was advancing on them with sword and shield, and as she drew close to Oghren, she suddenly moved, slamming into him with inhuman strength. Oghren had no time to block and was flung back into the wall; several of the weapon racks there fell to the floor, scattering swords and spears over the floor. Alistair yelled as he found a skeleton in front of him and behind him; a blow from Shale’s fist smashed the one behind him. Levi cowered in the corner, his hands over his head.

Huan barked and attacked the demon, and was flung aside by her shield. She was incredibly strong, and her movements… she moved as Elizabeth wanted to move someday, as a true warrior. Elizabeth stepped around a knocked-over chair and challenged her; behind her, Zevran brought down another skeleton.

Oghren was recovering, and raised his axe to attack the demon from behind as Elizabeth engaged her from the front, but quick as a snake, the demon stabbed Oghren in the hip and turned back to Elizabeth. It was a lucky shot, and Oghren fell to one knee. With one hand, he swung his axe again, but the demon had already pushed Elizabeth back, out of his range. Zevran darted in to attack the demon in the back, but either he missed or the demon could feel no pain.

Elizabeth was on the defensive now, but the demon was too fast, too strong for her. The demon’s sword tore Elizabeth’s sword from her hand, and its shield smashed into Elizabeth’s face, and if it hadn’t been for her helmet, she would have suffered a broken nose or worse. As it was, she was knocked flat on her back, without her sword, and the demon stepped on her shield arm and prepared to stab Elizabeth in the face. Elizabeth twisted and reached desperately, seeking her sword, but all she found was another sword that had fallen from the weapon racks. She swung it upwards frantically, seeking to counter the blade aimed at her eye.

There was a small crack and a flash of blue lightning, and the demon staggered back into Zevran’s tackle. Elizabeth got a leg underneath herself and launched herself up, swinging the borrowed sword at the creature’s throat.

There was another crack, and the demon fell, headless, and with blue lightning sizzling around its body. Elizabeth drew back a pace, and found Huan at her side, her own sword in his jaws.

She looked down at the sword in her hand. It was slightly longer than her usual sword, and ornate tracings of lyrium ran down the blade, glowing faintly blue. The hilt was of silver with a grey leather grip, and rounded hand guard. “What is this blade?” She laid it down on the desk and took her own back.

“I don’t know, but it’s a beauty,” Alistair said. “If I didn’t have Duncan’s sword, I might be tempted to nab this for myself. You should take it!”

She hesitated. She did have her father’s sword, but it did not have the enchanted power that this sword clearly had.

“Oh, look,” Leliana said. “There was a plaque on its rack. It’s called Starfang, and it was forged from starmetal? Ooh, that’s so romantic! I agree with Alistair. Take it!” She held out the sheath that had fallen from the sword when the rack fell on the floor.

“I have no objection to you taking it,” Levi said, crawling out of his corner. “This whole castle belongs to you, anyway.”

“I can’t use it,” Oghren said. “Not my style.”

“Nor mine,” Zevran said. “And you look very dashing with it.”

“Very well,” Elizabeth said, sheathing the sword and buckling it on next to her other one. It felt awkward, but she would put the Cousland sword somewhere safe soon.

“Can we keep going?” Levi asked. “That… thing said something about the mage tower, and I have the feeling we’re not done here.”

They went back outside to see Wynne and Morrigan. Wynne hurried to them, having heard the fighting and ready to heal their injuries. When that was done, she gestured to the mirror.

“I’m afraid I’m not sure how to shut this down,” she said. “It’s been here so long… There are elements of the ritual remaining that could perhaps be used to close it, but I don’t know…”

“Apparently there is something in the tower that might help us,” Elizabeth said. “Let’s leave this for now and see if that is true.”

“Very well,” Morrigan said, sweeping towards the doorway. Suddenly her gaze sharpened as it fell on Alistair. “Have a care where your eyes linger, Alistair.”

Alistair snorted. “Don’t worry, it’s not what you think.”

Morrigan raised an eyebrow. “Is it, then.”

“I was looking at your nose.”

“And what is it about my nose that captivates you so?”

Alistair smirked. “I was just thinking that it looks exactly like your mother’s.”

Morrigan bared her teeth at him. “I hate you so much.”

“Come on,” Shale rumbled. “Save your disgusting courtship rituals for later.” As both Alistair and Morrigan fumed, the golem stomped towards the door that led to the outer walls.

The mage tower was a separate construction, positioned on its own outcropping on the mountain, and was connected to the rest of the castle with a long narrow bridge. The wind whistled beneath them as they crossed slowly. The bridge seemed sound, but Shale certainly didn’t want to take chances.

The tower seemed to be free of monsters, and even the first room they entered seemed to be part of a laboratory. A laboratory with hanging cages…

Morrigan didn’t give the cages a second glance, going over to the desk covered in papers. “Doesn’t look like there’s anything on demon portals here… This mage was researching Grey Warden taint, blah blah blah, unlocking the power in the blood, running out of test subjects, blah blah, untoward effects, poisoning, blah blah… Hm. Seems this potion here was the sum of his research.”

“Blood magic?” Wynne demanded.

“Sort of,” Morrigan said. “Calm down, old bat. Perhaps you’d like to give this a go, Alistair? Supposedly it will open the potential of your Grey Warden-ness. You could certainly do with more understanding in general.”

“Uh, no thanks,” Alistair said, backing away from the vial she proffered. “That’s been sitting there for how long? Decades? Ew.”

“Elizabeth?”

She was serious? “No, thank you,” Elizabeth said. “I feel I have been toyed with enough, becoming a Grey Warden. I have no wish to compound the problem with experimental research.”

Morrigan rolled her eyes. “Hope that works out for you.”

“Let’s keep searching,” Elizabeth said. “Surely this is not the only room in this tower with information.”

“Information I think you will find,” Leliana called. “Someone lives on the next floor.”

Elizabeth followed her up the stairs and pushed open the door.

“I hear you,” called the person in the next room. “Don’t break my concentration.” Elizabeth walked forward a few quiet paces into the room and watched the man in mage robes scurry from one side of the room to the other, doing things she didn’t understand. He looked incredibly old, his skin sagging on his face and hands, but his eyes were still bright. “Even now the demons seek to replenish their numbers. I trust you are responsible for this temporary imbalance?”

“We are,” Elizabeth said. “Who are you and how do you live here?”

The mage snorted. “Useless questions… My name is Avernus and I live here. What more do you need to know? What brings you here?”

“Avernus… You’re still alive? We saw visions…”

“Only just alive… I don’t have much longer. Yes, you would get visions of strong memories where the Veil has been torn, wouldn’t you?”

“How are you still alive?” Elizabeth demanded. “Are you another blood mage?”

Avernus shook his head impatiently. “The Chantry foolishly forbids blood magic when there is so much reasonably safe research to be gained from it. I’ve used it to extend my life and fight the Wardens’ taint, but that only goes so far. Now I think I’ve earned some answers of my own, hmm? What brings you here, where no one has come in decades?”

“Uhh… Master mage, ser,” Levi began haltingly. “My family name has been worth less than dirt for over a century. Is… is there anything I could bring back to prove that Sophia Dryden was a hero?”

Avernus’s mouth crinkled. “You are a Dryden? The cosmos has a sense of humour, it seems. Your ancestor was the best of us. Brave, charismatic, fiery, utterly devoted to the fight.” Elizabeth felt Zevran nudge her. “But we still lost. Though we fought against a tyrant… We were so full of vigour then, you know? So blind to consequence.”

“I’d agree with that part,” Sten muttered.

“But proof? I can offer you none.”

“Oh,” Levi said, and drooped a little. “Well, thanks anyway, ser.”

“And now her corpse walks and talks, but she herself is no more.”

“Actually, I think we killed the demon in her body,” Leliana piped up.

“Good, good… at least she is now spared that indignity. She deserved that much.”

“Why did you summon demons?” Elizabeth asked. “Was it that desperate?”

“It seems the years have erased our failure,” the old mage said. “Back then, yes, it seemed the best choice. I researched the summoning circles for months. But the kingdom lives on, and little worse for wear, I assume. My only regret is that I never had the chance to make Arland himself pay.”

“Well, it is under a Blight again,” Alistair said.

“That is why you have come, then. The Wardens will need their home back. Very good.” He nodded. “With your help, I will be able to seal the rift in the Veil.”

“Why couldn’t you do it before?” Alistair asked.

“And how did you know we are Wardens?” Elizabeth asked.

“You ask the most trivial questions… I could not do it before because it takes a great deal of concentration, and I cannot concentrate while fighting off twenty demons at the same time. You’ll take care of them, won’t you? As for the second question, I am a Warden myself.”

“Absolutely we’ll kill demons for you,” Alistair said. “Can’t say I like working with a blood mage, but this needs to be finished.”

“Stay your vengeful hand long enough that we can have some peace and quiet,” Avernus said drily, and led the way down to the great hall where the portal was.

The room was as silent as they had left it, and Avernus paused in the doorway, listening. “They have not yet returned, but they will rush through in force once they realize what we are doing. I must undo each of the four magic circles in turn, and they will be able to enter until every last one is unraveled. Just keep them away from me.”

He strode to the closest circle, raised his hands, and an unearthly shriek rose from the mirror.

Elizabeth fell in love with her new sword during that battle. The lyrium veins blazed as she stabbed and sliced, and it spat lightning at anything it touched. The lesser demons faded before it, and she felt almost invincible.

At least until the ash wraiths, the rage demons, and the desire demon showed up. Then she had to use her wits again, and rely on her friends, or else she would have been caught out and destroyed by sharp claws and terrible magic. She urged Avernus to hurry as the pressure against them became greater, although she knew he was doing all that he could. Leliana was beside him, shadowing him and shooting anything that looked like it would come near.

The demons fought viciously, trying to keep their hold on the world, and the companions had to close in around Avernus to keep them from touching him, standing shoulder to shoulder against them all. At last, the glowing lines of the last magic circle faded under Avernus’s fingers, and the demons wailed and vanished.

Avernus sighed. “It’s over. The Veil is strong again. Stronger, at least. It never was very strong on this mountaintop.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, taking her helmet off and wiping her brow with her handkerchief. “We would not have been able to do it on our own.”

“Nor I. And what of me now? Will you give me leave to experiment in peace?”

“I heard the gist of what was in your notes,” Elizabeth said. “No more test subjects. Whatever you come up with cannot hurt anyone in its development.”

“N-no test subjects!? But… without tests, my work will be crippled!” He sighed. “Very well. I will do what I can. I am sure you will hear of it if I disobey you.” He shuffled back towards his tower.

“I think that geezer deserves the gallows, but I suppose folk will do queer things to survive,” Levi said when he had gone. “Maybe if he does proper research, without all the blood magic and such, he’ll redeem himself with something useful.”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t find anything to help you,” Elizabeth said. “But the past clearly won’t offer redemption, so… look to the future. You’re a good man, Levi Dryden, and you make your family proud.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Levi said, smiling. “And you have a castle to operate from.”

“It’s a bit remote,” Alistair said. “We’ve got a lot of traveling to do before the Blight is over.”

“Would you like the castle?” Elizabeth asked. “At least for the time being. It will be a safe place for you until the end of the Blight, and then if necessary we can surely work out a deal.”

“This place is big enough for the entire Dryden clan twice over,” Levi said. “I’m sure we can also work out a deal.” He looked around at the hall. “We can tidy this place up. I’ll have to ensure the kids don’t go anywhere near the tower…”

“Have a care with that,” Leliana said, smiling. “A forbidden tower with a sinister wizard inside? That’s how many fairytales start – and how some of them finish.”

Levi nodded. “Point taken. I’ll really have to ensure the kids understand not to go near the tower under any circumstances even one time. Or… invite the geezer to dinner so he thinks of us as not for experimenting on?” He shivered. “I think I’ll stick with the first choice.” He bowed to them. “Thank you again. You have done amazing things on my behalf, and I’ll never be able to thank you properly. Oh, but you can have your pick of my wares at half-off discount! Look up my brother Mikhail in Denerim. He’s a blacksmith. He’ll serve you well.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “I shall do so.”

 

As they descended the mountain, Morrigan actually came forward to talk to Alistair. “You… do not truly think I look as my mother does, do you?”

Alistair blinked at her. “Have you really been thinking about that all this time?”

“I am simply curious,” Morrigan said coldly.

“And not insecure in the slightest, I’m sure,” Alistair teased.

“I look nothing like her,” Morrigan said.

“I don’t know,” Alistair rejoined. “Give it a few hundred years and it’ll be a spot-on match.”

“I said that I look nothing like her!” Morrigan shouted, and Alistair flinched.

“All right. Got it. Totally different. I see that now.”

“Good,” said Morrigan imperiously, and dropped to the back again.

Leliana was walking with Elizabeth. “May I tell you a story?”

“Please do,” Elizabeth said. “I love your stories.”

“I was thinking, you remind me a bit of Aveline, the knight of Orlais, from my favourite story. A long time ago, a girl-child was born to a farmer. The farmer had hoped for a son, not a daughter, so he told his wife to abandon the child in the woods.”

“Spot on so far,” Oghren teased.

“Before the cold could claim her,” Leliana went on, ignoring Oghren, “the baby was found by a tribe of Dalish elves, who took pity on the poor mewling thing and raised her as their own. Aveline, for that is what they called her, grew strong and quick and clever under the guidance of the elves. She learned to wield a sword as well as any man, could kill a deer with the bow, and was as graceful on the back of a horse as she was on foot.”

“The first two might actually be accurate,” Alistair said. “Last one, probably not.”

“Shush,” Leliana said. “It’s rude to interrupt someone telling a story!”

“Sorry.”

“Aveline’s Dalish guardians saw that she could easily best any Orlesian chevalier in battle, and wanted the cruel humans the child they had left to die. They bestowed upon her a fine horse and armour, and sent her to prove herself to her people in the Grand Tourney. Now, in those days, no woman was allowed to take up arms, let alone compete in the Grand Tourney, but Aveline kept her helmet on and was not discovered. She won many events, and gained the approval of the adoring crowd. Eventually, she came face-to-face with the knight Kaleva in the Grand Melee. Aveline had already bested him in the joust, and Kaleva was determined not to lose a second time. Out of desperation to regain his honour, Kaleva tripped Aveline and tossed her to the ground, ripping off her helmet as he did so. Silence fell upon the arena as Aveline was revealed. Kaleva declared the previous competitions invalid: a woman had taken part, and this was not allowed. But the crowd cheered for Aveline all the more. Kaleva was furious: he had lost to a woman, and was now being shamed. Blinded by his rage, he forced Aveline to her knees. “Know your place, woman,” cried he, and slit her throat.”

Elizabeth swallowed. “And… I remind you of this person? I… was hoping for a happy ending, personally.”

“That’s what she said,” Zevran mumbled.

“It’s not all a sad ending,” Leliana said. “Prince Freyan, the son of the king, was present. He recognized Aveline’s skill and bravery, and began to see the injustice done to woman in his land. When he became king, he rewrote the laws so that women could also become chevalier. He honoured Aveline and knighted her, even after her death. And to this day, any female who is knighted revers Aveline the Brave, for she is the patron of all women chevalier.”

“It’s an interesting story, but I’m hoping not to die in the next year,” Elizabeth said. “Honours or not.”

“Of course,” Leliana said cheerfully. “But you are as brave and as strong as she is, and you fight injustice as she did. You will bring Ferelden hope and glory, just as Aveline did for Orlais.”

“Hm,” Elizabeth said. She had much to think about with that one.

 

They had to make their way past Highever Castle the next day to return to the highway to Denerim. Elizabeth threw an extra cloak over her shield and hoped they were not attacked or questioned by anyone. But the real problem was that she was not prepared to see her home again. It had only been a few months.

They came around a hill and saw the great grey edifice, snow blown against it, and on every one of the banners flew the bear of Amaranthine, not the Cousland laurels. There were still burn marks from the attack around the gate. Everything was motionless in the grip of winter; the flags didn’t flutter, and even the guards on the wall seemed not to breathe.

She felt like her soul had been frozen as she saw it, and everything became unreal. She followed the others for the rest of the day, numbly, keeping her head down as they sought an inn on the edge of Highever Town for food and sleep. Levi left them there, to attend to his own affairs with his family. Alistair payed, she knew that much. Leliana and Zevran traded some words before Zevran took her hand, and she followed him as if in a dream.

He was helping her remove her armour, taking off her boots, when she suddenly unthawed. “Wait-”

He stopped. “I’m not trying to seduce you. Right now. You have been distant, all day.”

“I know,” she whispered, and covered her face with her hands. He finished with her left boot, leaving her in tunic and pants.

“It was your home,” he said gently, now wrapping her in his arms and pulling her to lie beside him in the narrow bed. “That, at least, I can understand somewhat. Relax, Liz. Nothing will happen to you that you don’t wish to happen.”

She tried, but the fact was she was afraid to move, and afraid to relax. She had never been in this situation before. But at least now she was thinking about him and not about her poor occupied castle. He was… warm, very warm, and she appreciated it. She still felt cold, and he pulled the wool blankets tighter around her as she shivered. Now she was in a little cocoon, of blankets and Zevran, and his breath and body warmed her. Slowly, she let herself relax, and he kissed her forehead briefly before reaching over her to pinch out the candle, leaving the room in darkness.

There was a scratching at the door, and a moment later Alistair opened it, revealing Huan’s panting face in the light of Alistair’s candle. “Sorry to interrupt, but he really wanted to get in here.” He let Huan in and closed the door again.

“But-” Zevran began, and was interrupted by the mabari jumping on the bed. “Oof!”

Elizabeth sat up. “Huan! Down. There isn’t room for three.” Her dog gave her sad eyes and a whine. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I know you’re sad about Highever too.” She reached over and scratched his head behind his ears and under his chin.

Zevran was pouting. “I’m trying to make you feel better in the least risqué fashion I can think of, and now you’re ignoring me.” She felt his hands on her waist, and stiffened as his unexpected touch tickled, before he dragged her back down into the depths of the bed and covered her face with kisses. Huan lay down beside the bed, apparently content with being in the same room as his mistress.

“Are you going to be all right?” Zevran asked.

She nodded, her head now cushioned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Good.” He paused, and then asked with a laugh in his voice. “Are you sure you’re not interested in… doing a horizontal tango?”

“Ehhhh!?”

“Sheathing the meat dagger? Riding the flag pole? Hiding the zucchini? Ah, you don’t have zucchini in Ferelden…”

She punched him, not gently, in the chest. “Shut up or I’m leaving.”

He chuckled and she felt it roll through her. “Yes, ma’am.”

 

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