Struggles and Triuphs pt. 7
***
In Denerim:
Loghain stands before the Landsmeet to inform them of his decision to take over as Queen Anora's regent. He is trying to rebuild the armies of Fereldan. There is much stirring and murmuring from the crowd of nobles. Clearly they don't like what he is saying.
“...and I expect each of you to supply these men. We must rebuild what we lost at Ostagar, and quickly. There are those who would take advantage of our weakened stat if we let them. We must defeat the darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation.” Loghain said.
“Your lordship, if I might speak.” Said one noble stepping from the crowd.
Loghain waved his hand in permission. Bann Teagan. “You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim that we must unite under your banner for our own good. But what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most...fortuitous.”
This caused a small riot amongst the nobles present at the court. This man had said what they had all been thinking.
“Everything I have done has been to secure Fereldan's independence. I have not shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!” proclaimed Loghain.
“The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!” said Teagan.
“Understand this: I will brook no threat to this nation...from you or anyone!” said Loghain.
With that Loghain turned and retreated inside the royal palace. Bann Teagan turned to go as well.
“Bann Teagan please!” Queen Anora pleaded with the man.
“Your majesty, your father risks civil war. If Eamon were here...” Bann Teagan said.
“Bann Teagan my father is doing what is best.” said Anora.
“Did he also do what was best for your husband, your Majesty?” the Bann said as a parting shot.
***
They had made good time exiting the Wilds. With no darkspawn to stop their progress it had only taken them three days to arrive at the bridge that lead into Lothering. Something was just slightly off about this town. They had obviously started taking in the refugees fleeing the darkspawn attack. A sinking icy feeling crept through Elissa as she was painfully reminded of their failure at Ostagar. Perhaps if they had succeed this small community would not be so strained. Elissa wondered fleetingly about what had happened to her brother. All dead. That's what Morrigan had said. She would have to accept that she was the last of the Couslands at some point.
More heavy thoughts to be pushed aside. She would not allow herself to dwell upon her grief and torment. Not when others were counting on her to do what was necessary to save Fereldan and indeed possibly all of Theadas from the Blight. Being a Grey Warden vowed to stop the Blight at all costs meant that she did not have the luxury of indulging in her whims. That thought caused an involuntary glance to her right, where it seemed that Alistair had taken up position. No she certainly wouldn't be able to act on her whims.
As soon as they were half way across the bridge what Elissa had once assumed to be a group of weary and broken down travelers sprang to life. Their leader called out. “Wake up gentlemen! More travelers to attend to.”
“Uh...they don't look much like them others, you know. Uh...maybe we should let these ones pass...” said a slow witted flunky.
“Nonsense! Greetings travelers!” said their leader.
“Highwaymen preying on those fleeing the darkspawn, I suppose.” said Alistair disgusted evident in his voice.
“They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson.” Morrigan said.
“Now is that any way to greet someone? Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on.” said the leader of the highwaymen.
“You're toll collector's then?” She asked raising an eyebrow.
“Indeed! For the upkeep of the Imperial Highway! It's a bit of a mess isn't it?” The highwayman was keen on keeping up this charade it seemed.
“Perhaps you should charge more, then?” Elissa said flatly.
“You want to pay more? Well we'll happily accept donations.” said the highwayman not getting her threatening tone.
“I'm just saying it's rough business for such a pettience.” she said her hands twitching, almost reaching for her blades.
“I could be mistaken, but that sounded threatening.” said the highwayman.
“Sounded like a threat to me.” said his slow witted companion.
“Interesting, because you seem a bit out numbered.” said the highwayman confidently.
“Do you really want to fight a Grey Warden?” Elissa asked almost growling.
“We'll ah let the toll go. Just this once.” said the highwayman.
“You are too kind.” Elissa said.
“Yes well...move along. Do enjoy your stay at Lothering.” said the highwayman trying his best to get us to leave.
Elissa had no wish to fight this man. Pitiful though he was she had more important things to set her sights on. She passed by the men tempted one last time to teach them a lesson, but soon all thoughts of small justice fled her mind. Lothering was even more of a desolate place that she had first thought. The Blight had started to encroach on this town.
“Well there it is, Lothering. Pretty as a painting.” Alistair said somewhat sarcastically.
“Ah so you've finally decided to join us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed like too much trouble, I take it?” Morrigan asked.
“Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?” asked Alistair.
“Before or after I stopped laughing?” asked Morrigan.
“Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked.” Alistair said dryly.
Elissa saw this as an opportunity to draw Alistair out a bit more. “You have been very quiet Alistair.”
“Yes, I know. I was just...thinking.” Alistair said still a little bit lost in thought.
“No wonder it took me so long, then.” Morrigan taunted.
“Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend in your entire life.” said Alistair.
“I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas wishing one's self smarter does not make it so.” said Morrigan.
Great now the bickering starts. I suppose I will have to get used to more of this. Elissa thought with a sigh.
“Anyway...I thought we should talk her about where to go first.” said Alistair.
“We need to hear some news before we can decided.” Elissa said trying to formulate her thoughts.
“But we need to decide what our general plan is for afterwards, don't we? I think what Flemeth suggested is the best idea. These treaties...have you looked at them?” asked Alistair looking over at Morrigan with the emphasis on the word think.
“No I haven't.” said Elissa.
“There were three main groups that we have treaties for: the Dalish elves, the dwarves of Orzammar, and the Circle of Magi. I also still think that Arl Eamon is our best bet for help. We might even want to go to him first.” said Alistair.
Having heard Alistair out Elissa wanted to be fair and hear what Morrigan had to say. “What do you think we should do, Morrigan?”
“Go after your enemies directly. Find this man Loghain, and kill him. The rest of this business with the treaties can then be done in safety.” said Morrigan.
“Yes, he certainly wouldn't see that coming! It's not like he has the advantage of an army and experience and--” Alistair started.
“I was asked for my opinion and I gave it. If your wish is to come up with reasons why something cannot be done, we will stand here until the darkspawn are upon us.” interrupted Morrigan.
Elissa was surprised to find that Alistair wasn't going to take the lead on this. She had assumed, what with him being the senior Grey Warden of the two, that he would be making the decisions once he came around. It was odd that he seemed to be deferring to her on matters such as this.
“Why are you leaving this up to me?” Elissa asked.
“Well I don't know where we should go. I'll do whatever you decide.” said Alistair.
“Now that is unsurprising.” said Morrigan.
“Arl Eamon is a good man, but I don't know for sure he's where we should go. I'm not going to fight about it.” Said Alistair.
Elissa had to act quickly. Morrigan and Alistair would start tearing each other apart if she didn't decide something soon. Why did everything have rise and fall on her decisions now. She was ill used to people listening to her.
“Then we need to find these people.” Elissa said.
“I can give you directions if you like.” said Alistair.
Directions would be most helpful. Elissa had started to feel like she was five years old and lost amongst the corridors of her childhood home again. Only this time her father wouldn't be there to save her. She didn't know the first thing about being a Grey Warden and yet she was suddenly expected to lead them. Granted that just meant leading Alistair and Morrigan around for the moment, but it would be nice to have her senior speak up from time to time.
“Won't the Circle of Magi do what the Chantry says?” asked Elissa.
“Technically the Circle of Magi is independent. We don't know that the Chantry won't support us, of course.” said Alistair.
“You truly believe that?” asked Morrigan somewhat incredulously.
“If we speak to the First Enchanter, he should see that his responsibility to the Grey Wardens supersedes anything the Chantry-or even Teyrn Loghain-might have to say about it.” said Alistair.
“Where would Loghain be exactly?” asked Elissa more than a little bit worried about this man.
“If he isn't out in the field with his army, he's probably going to be in the palace at Denerim. We can go to Denerim, but somehow I suspect that they're no just going to let us walk around. Only a suspicion of course. ” said Alistair.
“Where do we find the Dalish elves?” asked Elissa.
“If we head eastward towards the Brecilian Forest, we should hear word of one of the clans that wanders the area. Hopefully they will still be there.”
“Where do we find Arl Eamon?” asked Elissa formulating a plan.
“He'll be at Castle Redcliffe, in the far western part of Fereldan next to the mountain passes. If he isn't there, someone will be able to tell us where he is.” said Alistair.