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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 16
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- 18
Lothering

It was midday when the village of Lothering came into their view. They were now traveling on the Imperial Highway, and Lothering was a trading post for both southern and northern travelers and merchants. It’s position also allowed for trade between South Reach and Redcliffe, which made it difficult to determine which arling Lothering belonged to.
The group decided before they went into the village to first rest and discuss their situation. Since they had little money, they wanted to know what they were planing on doing so they could gather what supplies they needed the most.
They stood under a tree. Arawin reached up and grabbed a branch. She stretched her arms before hoisting herself up and wrapping her knees around the branch. There she hung, allowing her arms to dangle. She closed her eyes and swung with the wind.
“What are you doing?” Zelda asked coming beside to her.
“Resting,” she said. “I need to get off my feet, and this feels really nice.”
“That does sound good.” Zelda sat down under the tree and took off her boots. She massaged her feet, not realizing how much walking they had been doing. Alistair sat down across from her and did the same thing. Morrigan leaned next to the tree and stared out at the village.
“So what are we doing?” Arawin asked without opening her eyes.
“I think we should do exactly as Flemeth suggested and go and use the treaties,” said Alistair. “You do still have them, don’t you, Ary?”
Arawin smiled while grinding her teeth. She couldn’t stand being called Ary, not after Soris had called her that as a way to tease her when they were five years old. Her mother had just taught her how to use a kick to immobilize someone, and when she used that move on Soris, he never dared to call her that again. Now, with Alistair using it, she would just have to grin and bear it, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to have fun with him. Teasing was a two way street. “Of course I do, Alis,” she said. “Duncan did give them back to me and they are safe in my pack right now.”
“Good, we'll need them. Now, there are 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.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” said Zelda. “Redcliffe isn’t far from here and neither is the Brecilian Forest where we can find the Dalish elves.”
At the mention of the Dalish, Arawin opened her eyes. She reached up and pulled herself onto the branch and sat on it, looking down at them. “We’re close to the Brecilian Forest?”
“Yeah, it’s to the east of here.”
“Sweet. I can’t wait to go and see the Dalish. It’s always been a dream of mine to find one of their clans.”
“It will be hard to find one, though,” said Alistair. “The Dalish can be tricky to find. Hopefully we can hear word of one of the clans that wanders the area and that they'll still be there.”
“So then are we settled?” asked Zelda. “Are we agreeing to go and use these treaties to build an army against the Blight?”
“But what about Loghian?” Arawin put in. “This isn’t going to be easy with him still out there. I mean, what do you think he’s doing?”
“If anything, Loghain isn’t going to do much, hopefully,” answered Zelda. “But I don’t know what he’s doing, or planing on doing. All I know is that we need to plan on getting the Blight taken care of, then we can deal with him.”
“What do you think Morrigan?” said Arawin. “You’ve been awful quiet and you’re apart of this group now, too.”
“I think you should go after your enemy directly,” she said without turning. “Find this man, Loghain, and kill him. The rest of this business with the treaties can then be done in safety.”
“Yes, he certainly wouldn’t see that coming!” Alistair said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “And it’s not like he has the advantage of an army and experience and--”
Morrigan took her gaze from the village and turned on him. Her glare icy. “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.”
“And I don’t even think Loghain knows about us yet,” added Arawin.
“He may not,” said Zelda. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to prepare for something turning up from Ostagar. I’m sure there are other survivors besides us. Anyone who was there and survived could be a threat to him.” Zelda placed her head against the tree and tried to think. “I just wish I knew what his motive was. Maybe when we go in Lothering we can find out what he’s been up to. Gossip travels really fast in Ferelden. Too fast in some cases.”
“Well, whatever it is you two decide to do, I will follow,” said Alistair.
“Huh? Why are you leaving it up to us?” Arawin asked.
“Because I don’t know what to do. I’ll do whatever you decide.”
“Now that is unsurprising,” said Morrigan.
“But you are the senior Grey Warden here!” cried Arawin. “What makes you think Zelda and I can decide what to do if we’ve only been Grey Wardens for a couple of days?”
“It’s fine,” said Zelda. “If Alistair doesn’t want to lead, then he doesn’t have to. As for what we're doing, we're going to use these treaties and deal with the Blight. All we need to do now is go into Lothering and gather supplies. I say we get a whole lot of rations because I don’t know how long it’s going to take.”
“What about the other Grey Wardens?” Arawin asked. “Is there anyway of contacting them?”
“Short of leaving Ferelden to seek them out,” Alistair answered. “The only place to send word to would be Weisshaupt Fortress, and that’s thousands of miles away.”
“Well that won’t work. So that leaves us with only one choice, then?”
“No,” said Morrigan. “You do have another choice. You could run and forget about it all. Let the darkspawn do as they wish until the Grey Wardens come. If they come.”
“That’s what you call a choice?” Alistair said raising an eyebrow.
“It may not be a good choice, but it’s a choice nevertheless. We all choose our path, even when it seems there is only one direction we should go.”
“How enlightening. At any rate, I’ll stay with whatever you two decide.” Alistair put back on his boots and stood. Zelda followed him and Arawin jumped down from the branch.
“Then are we ready?” asked Zelda.
“As ready as we have to be, I guess,” said Arawin. “Let’s get going.”
***
“Well there it is. Lothering. Pretty as a painting,” said Alistair as they entered the village. Arawin hoped he was joking because Lothering was anything but. The village was dull and plain. It was also over crowded. Tents were set up throughout the entire village with many people huddled about.
“Who are all these people?” Zelda asked as they walked through the forest of tents. “Are they... are they survivors of Ostagar?”
“I don’t think so,” said Arawin. “These look more like farmers and simple townspeople. If anything, they might just be refugees from the areas around Ostagar. People fleeing from the darkspawn.”
As they finally made their way to the center of Lothereing, where there was far less tents, the group came across a man dressed in silver heavy plated armor. He was a templar, standing guard in the middle of the road. He appeared to be the only authority in the village as there were no soldiers around.
“Excuse me,” he said as they walked past him. “You don’t look like the regular refugees that have been coming through here. Might I ask what your purpose in Lothering is?” They all stopped and looked at him. It was true, they did not look like refugees at all. They had been getting stares from everyone when they entered the village. Their armor and weapons the things giving them away.
Zelda walked up to him first with Arawin close beside her. “We are only passing through,” she said. “Could you please direct us to a place where we might be able to trade supplies? Once we're done, then we’ll leave if that is what you wish.”
“It would be nice,” said the templar. “Although, I guess if you don’t cause any trouble then you can stay. We could use a good set of hands when it comes to defending Lothering. All that is here are the templars of the Chantry. As for supplies, well, there is a tavern beyond the chantry, but I don’t think you’ll find much there. With all these refugees, we don’t have much to go around.”
“I see,” said Arawin. “So are all these people from around Ostagar, then?”
“Most of them are from the lower wastelands. They’re here, fleeing the darkspawn horde that wasn’t stopped at Ostagar.” The templar shuttered. “Horrible what happened there.”
“What are the rumors?” asked Zelda. “What do people know?”
“Huh? You mean you haven’t heard?” the templar said shocked.
“We’ve been on the road for a long time.”
“Well, Teryn Loghain just called a Landsmeet in Denerim to give the details. That’s why the bann isn’t here, and neither are any of his soldiers. Apparently, Loghain pulled his men out of the fight just in time as he saw that the Grey Wardens had betrayed the king.”
“What?” all three of them proclaimed.
“Yes,” continued the templar. “The Grey Wardens killed the king, along with themselves. It was a massacre at Ostagar. So many lives lost. Then, after he was done explaining Ostagar, the teyrn declared himself regent. Now there’s a big uproar in the bannorn. The banns don’t like the idea very much.”
Zelda’s mouth hung wide open as she listened to what the templar had just told them. She shut it quick once she realized what she was doing. “Is that it?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“That’s all we’ve learned so far. It’s very evident that Loghain’s actions, at both Ostagar and in the Landsmeet didn’t sit well with the nobles. There is rumor that a civil war is brewing. I’d be careful traveling through the bannorn if I were you.”
“We’ll be sure to watch ourselves.” Zelda bit her lip, she didn’t like the sound of it either. “Thank you for all the information. We’ll get what we can then head on out. We have a big task set before us.”
“We really wouldn’t mind having you here for awhile, but if you can’t then it’s understandable. Good luck, and may the Maker watch over you.”
Zelda pulled them into a corner, far from the templar and any curious ears. “This is bad, very, very bad,” she stated.
“How is this bad?” Arawin asked. “What is a regent?”
“The regent is a person who takes care of the throne until a new king can be appointed. Basically, it means Loghain is king right now, and it will more than likely stay that way until the Landsmeet either finds someone to replace him or appoints him as king.” Zelda leaned against the house they were next to. She sighed deeply. “This is not good at all.”
“But I thought Queen Anora was the ruler,” said Alistair. “Why would Loghain need to become the regent if she still lives?”
“It’s because Anora isn’t really queen right now,” Zelda explained. “She was given her queendom by marriage. If she was queen by birth, then it would be different. She basically lost her power the moment Cailan died.”
“How do you know all this stuff?” Arawin asked.
“Because I’m a noble, and I’ve been to plenty of Landsmeets to know how they work. Politics in Ferelden are complicated, but if you know how they work, then you can basically do whatever you wish. I’m sure this is why Loghain was able to do all this.”
“Not only that, but he also blamed the Grey Wardens for Ostagar!” Alistair said through his teeth. “How dare he!”
“Hush, Alistair. I know it’s bad, but we need to keep our voices down. I don’t want to draw attention. Who knows what might happen if they find out we’re Grey Wardens. I’m sure Loghain has some type of bounty out for us. There’s no reason for him not to.”
“But aren’t you all suppose to be dead?” said Morrigan.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean much. Loghain probably thinks all the Grey Wardens are gone, but it would be best for him to be over cautious than not.”
“So why is there a civil war?” said Alistair. “I’m not that great when it comes to politics to understand.”
“There’s a civil war because the bannorn doesn’t approve of Loghain’s actions. The bannorn is basically the life blood of Ferelden. If you don’t have the bannorn at your back then you won’t gain anything. But maybe...” Zelda placed her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s not as bad as I think it is. With Loghain as regent that at least means there’s someone on the throne. With no one on the throne then that leaves Ferelden wide open for either another invasion or for a full blown civil war that might not end for years. And with the darkspawn at our doorstep, a civil war is not a good thing to be going through right now.”
“So then what do we do now?”
“We still go through what we planned,” Zelda continued. “We don’t really have a choice. If we can get Arl Eamon on our side, then he can help us with Loghain, but until then, our priority is the Blight.”
“Then let’s not waste anymore time,” Arawin said. “Let’s split up and look around for anything that we need. It will probably be easier that way, and we won’t look so suspicious three on three then the whole six of us.”
“That sounds good. Alistair, you and I will go to the tavern and see what we can get there. Arawin, you and Morrigan can look around out here. I’m not sure what you’ll find though.”
Arawin cocked her eyebrows at Zelda, wondering why she was giving the orders.
“Don’t look at me like that,” said Zelda. “You’re the one that suggested we split up. I just went ahead and separated us. Is that fair?”
Arawin rolled her eyes. “Fine, but if you ever do that again--”
“Or what? Look, Arawin, I’m tired of having to deal with you. I’m done being nice.”
“Is that suppose to scare me?” The two women were starting to edge up to each other again. Alistair jumped in between them.
“Come on, no scenes, remember? Let’s go right now, shall we?”
“Alright,” said Zelda as she still glared at Arawin. “But when do we want to meet back up?”
“How about nightfall, at the other end of the village,” said Arawin. “If we can’t find anything today, then there’s no use staying, and with all these refugees, I doubt there’s a place to stay anyway.”
They both agreed, then set off in opposite directions.
“That was fairly settled,” said Morrigan as she and Arawin, Kunjo at Arawin’s heels, headed to the eastern part of the village.
“I just can’t stand how she thinks she can just start giving orders like she’s the commander or something,” said Arawin. “I’m not some servant to be ordered around.”
“Is that what you think? That Zelda believes you to be a servant?” Morrigan laughed. “I haven’t met many elves, but you are anything but. I cannot see you ever as a servant.”
“Good,” Arawin said with a smile. “Because that is one thing I will never be, and I guess as a Grey Warden, then I won’t have to worry about that anymore.”
It was easy for Arawin to talk to Morrigan, and she wasn’t sure why. Morrigan was human, but yet she didn’t have the hate for her like she usually did for most humans. It was somewhat the same thing with Alistair. She more liked to tease him than anything. It was like he had suddenly become her brother. It was then Arawin realized something. Had she put Alistair and Morrigan in Soris and Shianni’s place? How could that be? She hadn’t known Morrigan for a very long time, but there was something about her personality that Arawin liked. And she did tease Alistair in almost the same way she teased Soris. The only thing was why she didn’t feel the same way towards Zelda. Why did she hate her so much? Arawin had said to herself that she would try and get along with Zelda, and she would still try and do that, but only if Zelda didn’t do things like giving orders.
Arawin and Morrigan had gone from tent to tent, asking everyone if they had anything to sell. Most did, but not much of it was worth buying. They only had a few silvers between them and one sovereign. Throughout their search, they were only able to get a few rations, but not enough to last a day, especially with the six of them.
“It would be easier if I were to just go into the woods and take what we need from there,” said Morrigan. “I’m sure these imbeciles don’t even know what they could be getting if they only traveled in the forest.”
“They don’t have your wisdom of the Wilds, I fear,” said Arawin. “Besides, I think that might be best. I also think the reason why we aren’t getting anything is because of our appearance. I mean, I’m an elf, and you’re a women in barely any clothing.” She looked at Morrigan’s attire. It was the same robe that she had been wearing when they first met her. “You have 'apostate' written all over you.”
This made Morrigan smile. “You are perhaps right, but it makes no difference. If you wish to come, then I can show you the many things in the woods that you wouldn’t think were edible, but they are.”
They headed toward the woods that surrounded the eastern part of Lothering, but Arawin stopped when she noticed a crowd. The crowd was surrounding a cage. In the cage was the strangest man Arawin had ever seen. He was large, very large, she could tell, even though he was sitting. His hair was white and braided. The braids were then pulled into a ponytail. His skin was dark, almost gray in color. Arawin watched as the crowd around him booed and threw stones into the cage. The stones hit the man but he did nothing. Instead he sat, chanting something in an odd language that Arawin didn’t understand. Morrigan had joined next to her, staring at the strange man as well.
“A Qunari,” she spoke softly. “A proud and powerful creature trapped and tortured.”
Arawin made her way over to the crowd. “Alright, break it up!” she shouted at them. “Stop throwing stones at this man. What did he do to you?”
Most of the crowd began booing at her, but then started to disperse. A few lingered, however, and stared Arawin down. “Who are you to tell us what to do, knife-ear?” said a young boy who looked no older than fifteen.
“Watch your language, boy, or I’ll cut out your tongue,” Arawin threatened.
“As if you could,” said a second boy, who looked about the same age. “If we want to be here and throw stones at him, then we can. He killed people and no one cares what happens to him.”
“You should not talk to your superiors like that,” said Morrigan as she stood in front of the two boys and crossed her arms. “Do you know what I like to do with bad little boys?”
“You don’t scare us, lady,” said the first. “If you do anything then we’ll call the templars and they’ll come and get you.”
Morrigan smiled wickedly. “They can certainly try, but I don’t think they would be able to recognize you as toads.”
“Toads?” they both said gulping.
“Yes, and once you are toads, then I will put you in my pot and cook you up. It will be a glorious stew. I can just smell it now.”
“I does sound yummy,” added Arawin.
“She’s bluffing,” said the second boy. “She can’t really turn us into toads.”
“Oh, no?” Morrigan grabbed her staff, but before she could pull it out, the boys went flying in the opposite direction.
“Don’t you think you should have turned them into toads?” said Arawin. “I mean, they may tell the templars that they were threatened by an apostate.”
“I doubt the templars care,” Morrigan said as she replaced her staff. “If they did then that one templar we talked to would have done something by now. I think they have better things to deal with than me.”
“You’re probably right.” Arawin and Morrigan then turned to the man in the cage. They found he was looking right at them. His eyes piercing as they stared unblinking. “Um, hello,” said Arawin as she walked up to the cage.
“You aren’t one of my captors,” said the man. “I have nothing to say that would amuse you, elf. Leave me in peace.”
“But I just wanted to talk. To know why you were put in here and why you didn’t try to get those people to leave you alone.”
“I’ve been placed here by the Chantry,” he said. “And I deserve what those fools throw at me.”
“Why? I heard those two boys say you killed people. Is that it? Please, could you tell me who you are. I can go first. My name is Arawin, and this is Morrigan, and my dog Kunjo.”
The Qunari looked at her a bit puzzled. He then relented. “I am Sten of the Beresaad—the vanguard—of the Qunari peoples. Now leave me be.” He turned away from them.
“I say we free him,” said Morrigan, catching Arawin off guard.
“Why?”
“Because he does not deserve this. Look, he was placed in here to be tortured and kept until he either dies of hunger or is taken by the darkspawn. You can see no tray, so obviously ‘tis so.”
The Qunari did look big and strong. He could prove very useful against the darkspawn. “You are right, Morrigan. And maybe it’ll keep Alistair from complaining too much about how he’s the only guy. I mean, besides Kunjo here,” she said scratching behind the dog’s ears.
“I thought maybe we could replace Alistair instead,” chuckled Morrigan. “This, Sten, seems more interesting anyway... and less whiny.”
“I do not wish to go with you,” said Sten as he turned back to them. “Please, I only wish to stay here and die in whatever way the fates have planned for me. It is more than I deserve.”
“Maybe fate brought me here to free you,” said Arawin. “Maybe you were suppose to be here so I could find you and so you could help me with the Blight.”
Sten cocked his bushy eyebrows at her. “The Blight? Are you a Grey Warden, then?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Surprising.” Arawin noticed how his face and tone of voice did not change when he talked. “My people have heard legends of the Grey Wardens’ strength and skill... though I suppose not every legend is true.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“It means that I have not yet been impressed by you. I see only an elf with two swords. I have not yet seen you deal with darkspawn or any other matters.”
“Well, if you help me, then you’ll get to see, now won’t you?” Arawin began examining the lock on the cage. It was fairly old and weathered. She knew she would have no trouble picking it.
“What are you doing?” he asked, again in the same monotone.
“What do you think? I’m trying to get you out of here.”
“The revered mother in the chantry has the key. Perhaps you should ask her to let me go before attempting to break me out first.”
“We don’t have time for that,” said Arawin as she began to mess with the lock. She used the two pieces of wire she carried around with her to pick the lock. It worked, and the lock clicked open without much fuss. Arawin swung the cage door open. Sten stood, towering over her at least a foot at the most. She couldn’t believe how tall he was. Even taller than Morrigan. He sighed as he stepped out of the cage.
“I guess now I must. You have defiled my cage, and now there is nothing keeping me in. I will follow you into battle. In doing so I shall find my atonement.”
“Good, I just hope I can help you find your atonement.”
“If not, then I will find it elsewhere. Now, may we get moving. I do wish to no longer be here.”
“Fair enough.” Arawin turned to Morrigan. “We were just about to go in the woods, correct?”
Morrigan nodded, and they all followed her into the forest.
***
“Do you think Arawin and I will ever get along?” Zelda asked Alistair as they walked to the tavern.
Alistair looked at her with concern. “I think you will,” he said. “It’ll just take time. You two are so different from each other.”
“How so?”
“Well...” He had to think for a moment. “Considering how you both grew up, it’s not surprising. You seem to have more compassion than she does, and more patience. I think that annoys her. You also tend to have better leadership skills. You take the initiative, like when you split us up. Arawin is just the type of person that doesn’t like to be ordered around.”
“I’ve noticed that,” said Zelda. “But I don’t think I’m a very good leader. I hate the idea of it. When my father told me I was to take charge of the castle when he left... I was terrified.”
“I can understand what you mean. I don’t like the thought of leading myself. That’s sort of why I’m letting you and Arawin make all the decisions. And secretly hoping it will make you two come together.”
“I knew there was an alternative to your motives,” Zelda laughed. “Oh well, I guess it doesn’t matter does it, because if anything is going to bring Arawin and I together, or separate us forever, it's going to be this blood bond.”
“Yes... that.” Alistair’s voice became more grave. “I still don’t understand it. Why didn’t Duncan say anything if he knew? Don’t you think this would have been something important to know?”
“He was probably hoping it didn’t occur. Maybe there was a chance the both of us would have been fine. Obviously it’s not something well known, even amongst the Wardens, and I doubt they’ve been drinking from different chalices all the years the Wardens have been here.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
When they entered the tavern, they found it just as crowded as the outskirts of the village. Many people were inside, mostly just sitting and resting. A lot were standing, as there wasn’t enough chairs or places to sit. Zelda and Alistair made their way up to the bar. The barkeep was busy as many people were talking to him at once. They were trying to see if there were any rooms left, or if there was anything the man had for sell and trade.
“There are no rooms, and I am all out of supplies!” he shouted out into the crowd. “So please, stop asking and tell everyone else out there that I have nothing left!”
“Well, this isn’t good,” said Alistair. “What are we suppose to do now?”
Zelda eyed the barkeep. “He’s lying,” she said. “He’s only saying that so he doesn’t get swamped. There’s no way he can be out of things with this many people coming through here. Lothering might be small, but it does have a strong trade system.” Zelda edged her way up to the bar and flagged him down. The barkeep went over to her briskly, seeing the weapons on her back, but his expression showed determination. He was not going to let anyone harass him.
“Look,” he said to her. “I have nothing, okay. I’m sorry, but if you’re going to come in here with your fancy weapons and threaten me, then you can forget it.”
“I don’t mean to threaten you, good ser,” Zelda said politely. “We did not come here for trouble, just to restock and then be on our way. Now, we have good coin, so if you would just--”
“I told you I don’t have anything!”
Zelda eyed him, digging her gaze into his. “I know you’re lying, ser. Do not deny it.”
“I... uh... look,” he tried to say, at a loss for words. “I can’t--” But he was interrupted by the door slamming open, and in came several guards. They pushed their way to the bar and the commanding office shouted at him to come forward. Reluctantly he did, seeming not to want to leave Zelda as she at least didn’t seem to want to cause trouble. The soldiers, on the other hand, were already harassing the people in the tavern.
“Ah, ser,” said the commander as the barkeep came up to him. “I am the commander of the remaining troops left here by Teyrn Loghain. I require that you give up your supplies to us so that we may be on our way.”
“My apologizes, ser,” said the barkeep. “But just as I’ve said a hundred times, I do not have anything to give.” But the commander wasn’t buying it either.
“Look man, I will have my men raid your tavern, and if we find anything then you will be hauled away for not aiding in the support of the teryn. Or should I say regent now?”
“Look, I don’t want any trouble. These people here are just trying to find shelter, something to eat. Don’t make their lives any worse than it already is.”
“Then you better give me what I want and they won’t have to!”
Zelda couldn’t take it anymore. It didn’t matter if they were Loghain’s men or not, they did not have the right to demand supplies from him. “Leave this man alone,” she said coming up right behind the commander.
The commander slowly turned around and stared at her. He could see she was no ordinary refugee as he gazed at the sword and shield on her back. Rupee was beside her. The dog growling and showing her teeth.
“And what gives you the right to say such things?” he said. “Don’t mess around in things you don’t understand, woman. This is none of your concern.”
“You are making it my concern if you're threatening these people.”
His eyes scanned every inch of her, but Zelda held her ground. She was not going to let him intimidate her. She could also feel Alistair behind her, ready to do anything if he needed to.
The commander began laughing softly. “I thought you looked familiar,” he said. “You’re a Grey Warden.” This made Zelda’s eyes widen and he saw it. “You’re Duncan’s new recruit. But wasn’t there another one? An elf? Where’s she, and how did you survive?”
“The elf is still alive, and somewhere around Lothering. As for how we survived, wouldn’t you like to know.”
“You do realize there’s a bounty on your heads,” he said fully facing her. He spoke out loud to make sure the whole tavern could hear him. He didn’t really need to. By this time, the entire place was quiet and watching them. “The teryn gave us specific instructions to take care of any one who survived Ostagar and spread lies.”
“What lies have I spread?” Zelda asked, crossing her arms.
“Don’t try and play stupid, I know what really happened at Ostagar. I was there! I saw how the Grey Wardens betrayed the king, killing him and everyone else in the process. Loghain pulled us out just in time to save our own skins.”
“That’s a lie!” Zelda shouted, her fists clenching. “Loghain’s the one who betrayed the king!”
“How dare you slander his good name, you harpy! I saw the tower light up. That was the signal Loghain used to know that something was amiss. That his suspicions about the Grey Wardens were correct.”
“What? But that’s not what the tower meant!”
“Yes it was! Loghain sent troops up there to light the beacon on the tower if they had found out the Grey Wardens real plan, and since it lit up, then I can only assume he was right. As the case is, he was, and the carnage at Ostagar right now proves it!”
Zelda stood still, not sure what to do. There was no getting through to this man.
“Excuse me, but perhaps this is a discussion that could take place outside?” Both Zelda and the commander turned to see a young woman standing next to them. She was dressed in the orange robes of the Chantry. The blazing sun of Andaste sat upon her chest, with it’s rays flowing down the front.
“Stay out of this, Sister,” said the commander. “This does not concern you.”
“I’m just saying that with all these people in here, it would be foolish to start a fight. Do you really want to hurt anyone?”
Zelda detected an Orlesian accent from the sister. It was not as pronounced as she had heard before, saying that the woman had been in Ferelden for some time. She also had light red hair which somewhat looked orange, matching the color of her robes in some places.
“I'm taking this Warden into custody, along with anyone else who tries to stop me, so I suggest you move along, Sister, or else you’ll be joining her.”
“You’re not taking me anywhere,” said Zelda.
“We’ll just see about that,” said the commander as he pulled out his blade. He swung at her, and Zelda thought him to be mad. Was he really going to fight her with all these people in here? There was barely any room.
Zelda quickly ducked his swing, taking out her weapons and blocking his next attack. He was fast but not fast enough. With the sound of the fighting, the people in the tavern moved as quickly as they could away from them, giving them a circle within the tavern. The commander’s men also pulled out their weapons and went to attack Zelda but Rupee leaped between them and her and growled viciously, showing her teeth and snapping at any soldier who dared get too close.
Zelda knew that she had to take the commander down as fast as she could. She did not want anyone to get hurt, and once he was down, then his men would stop. She could feel Alistair at her back, fighting the others. Some of the soldiers had been able to move around Rupee to her other side, but Alistair had stopped them there. But Zelda also noticed in the corner of her eye the sister. She was fighting a soldier with a dagger Zelda had not noticed her carrying.
But she couldn’t concentrate on that, she needed to take down the commander before it was too late. She fought with him. His shield was bigger than hers so it was harder for her to hit him, but the shield also made him more off balance. When she saw her opportunity, Zelda pushed all her weight into her shield, and knocked him to the ground. She then straddled him with her sword pointing at his throat. As soon as they saw he was down, his men did exactly as Zelda had predicted. The fighting stopped and the commander looked up at her horrified.
“Alright, you’ve won! We surrender!” he cried.
“Good,” said Zelda, though she stayed where she was. “I will let you live if you leave immediately and take a message to Loghain.”
“Yes, of course. W-what do you want to tell him?”
“The Grey Wardens still live and we know the truth. He’ll pay for what he’s done, and we’re coming for him.”
The commander nodded quickly. Zelda let him up and he started running for the door, pushing people aside harshly as he did so. His men following him as they fled out the tavern and out of Lothering.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond