Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

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
- 24
- 25
- 26
The Unexpected

The morning was very bright. It was good to see, as the night before seemed very dark, as well as never ending. Zelda was standing on the shore of the lake, looking across it’s glistening waters. After she had taken a nice bath, and rested a little, she was beginning to feel a lot better. She figured why she felt horrible had to be the combination of both the fatigue from fighting and her first time using the pendant to communicate with Arawin. It had been an unpleasant experience.
Rupee ran around the shore, chasing some of the children as they played with her. Their happy laughter and smiles made Zelda feel good to know that she had succeeded in keeping all the villagers alive that night. A lot were injured, but they would live, and that’s all any of them cared about.
Bann Teagan had given a speech earlier that morning, after Zelda had rested, in order to honor her and her friends for saving their lives. She wished he hadn’t, for it was not just her who had helped to keep the village from being destroyed. Murdock had proved himself to be a fairly good swordsman, and Ser Perth and his knights had certainly shown their skills. In fact they had been fighting the corpses for many nights, while she had only fought them for one. She began to suspect that it might have had to do with more of Teagan’s affection towards her than anything else. Though, no one else seemed to complain. The village saw her, Alistair, and Leliana as heroes.
After the speech, Teagan had come up to Zelda alone, asking for her to meet him at the windmill in an hour. He had something urgent he wanted to speak to her about. He wouldn’t say anything more. Zelda told Alistair and Leliana, and they wondered what he was going to tell them.
Alistair was also on the shore. He was also playing with the children and Rupee. Chasing the large dog down and tackling her to the ground. It was fun for Zelda to watch. Any other time, it would seem weird to see a fully grown man playing around with a dog and children, but not now. They all needed some leisure time, and it was good to watch them have fun. Although Zelda couldn’t help but to wonder why Rupee got along with Alistair so well. She had always been wary of men, and the only man she got along with who wasn’t related to Zelda was Rory. Why Alistair was different, Zelda couldn’t quite see. She knew it had to do with something more than him giving her scraps.
“How are you feeling?” Leliana asked, coming beside her. She had been at the chantry, helping out where she could.
“Better,” Zelda answered. “It’s amazing what a bath can do for someone. I’m still pretty sore, but nothing that will hinder me or anything.”
“That’s good to hear, but I came to see you for another reason than to ask how you are, though.”
“Oh, what is it?” she asked turning to Leliana.
“I have someone I think you would like to meet.” Beside Leliana was a woman with soft blonde hair and she appeared to be very swollen with child. She stared at Zelda with a look of wonder.
“Hello,” Zelda said, being friendly. “And who might you be?”
“You are the Grey Warden that saved us, yes?” she asked coming closer to her.
“That is correct, but I’m not the only one. Alistair over there is a Grey Warden as well, and he helped defend the village, too.”
“Yes, I see,” the woman said. There was a sadness in her voice as she spoke. “I wanted to come see you. To ask you something about... Ostagar.” Zelda nodded her head. She wasn’t sure what this woman wanted to know, but she would tell her anything. “My name is Helena,” she continued. “And my husband... his name is Ser Jory.”
Zelda looked at her shocked. “You said... Ser Jory?”
“Yes, and I just wanted to know. I’ve been following the rumors of what happened there. I was kind of hoping he was amongst the survivors, that he might have been the one they are looking for, but it appears I was wrong.” She stared over at Alistair and it almost seemed as if she was going to cry. “So I just want to know,” she said in a shaky voice. “What became of him? Did he become a Grey Warden like he always dreamed?” Helena stared into Zelda’s eyes, her own soaking in tears.
The memories of what happened during the Joining came flooding into her mind. Zelda had hoped she would never have to relive those moments. She thought for a moment, knowing that Helena was waiting for an answer. Maybe she wouldn’t tell her everything. “He did,” she said. “Ser Jory became a Grey Warden.”
Helena smiled broadly and there was now hope in her eyes. “That is good to hear. But please, tell me of his fate. Did he perish at Ostagar? Did he die a hero?”
“Ser Jory was very brave,” said Zelda. “He volunteered to go on the front lines when the battle began.”
“That does sound like him,” Helena whispered. “Do you think... do you think he would have survived if it wasn’t for Loghain?”
“I... don’t know,” Zelda said timidly. “It’s hard to say. Ser Jory was a very formidable fighter, and maybe he would've had a better chance if Loghain had actually joined in the battle, but... like I said. It’s hard to say.”
Helena looked down at the ground. Zelda could see the tears running down her checks. She wanted to comfort her, but she stood where she was. Helena brought her head back up and stared at her. A more prideful expression on her face. “It doesn’t matter what Loghain says. What he did or didn’t do. I now know the truth. My husband was a Grey Warden, and died a hero. His child will know this and will be proud. Thank you. Thank you for giving me my hope back.”
“You’re welcome,” Zelda said bowing to her. “It was an honor to meet you. Ser Jory spoke very highly of you.”
“He always did.” Helena went to walk back to the chantry. Leliana offered to help her back, but she refused. She could do it on her own, and knew that her husband was watching over her.
“That was really heart wrenching,” Zelda said as she watched Helena make her way to the chantry. “I’m glad I did help her, though.”
“You lied to her, didn’t you?” Leliana asked.
“I told her what she needed to know, was all. Should it matter if I stretched the truth a bit?”
“I guess not. As long as she doesn’t learn the truth and it causes her more pain than what she was feeling before.”
Zelda looked out over the lake again. Her gaze slowly made it’s way to the castle, and she let out a small sigh. “I think it’s time. Shall we make our way back up the stairs and find Teagan?”
“After you.”
Zelda and Leliana shouted for Alistair and Rupee to come along. Together the four of them made their way back up the hill towards the windmill. Zelda hoped that whatever Teagan wanted to talk to them about was a plan of getting into the castle and finding out what was going on.
***
There was a twitch in Arawin’s face as she stared at the empty clearing in the forest. This was the area Zevran had said he’d seen the Dalish. Now it was completely empty with no sign that anyone had even been there. Arawin felt she might explode. She thought she had been so close.
“I told you, didn’t I?” Zevran made his way to her side but far enough away to keep her from hurting him. “I warned you they might not be here.”
Arawin narrowed her eyes at him. “You said you were going to take me to their camp. This doesn’t look like their camp at all!”
“I said I would take you to their camp, yes, but I didn’t say they would be here. The Dalish never stay in one spot for very long.”
Arawin stomped away, growling to herself. She wasn’t really mad at Zevran, just at the situation. She hated that she had the Dalish in her hands, yet they slipped away. It was making her dreary and a little sick. Finding a large rock, Arawin found herself sitting upon it. Her stomach was still doing flip flops from last night’s meal. Sten’s little concoctions didn’t seem to settle well with her.
Once Sten had deemed the organs done, he took them from the boiling water and cut and smashed them into mush. Taking the intestines he had cleaned, he turned them inside out and tied off one of the ends. He then went on to pour the organ mush into the intestines, every so often pinching off a piece, tying it off, and then placing the links on a rock. The fire engulfed the rock and the links in smoke. Once he found them to be done, Sten went on to hand everyone a link. He called them blutwurst.
“This is not how they are usually made, but it is good enough,” he said before sitting down to bite into his own link.
Arawin sniffed it. It didn’t smell too bad, but she had seen what had gone into the links: organs she had never thought to be edible. Even though she had lived in an alienage, never had they been so poor as to not eat regular meat.
She took a bite and chewed before sticking out her tongue, the mushy remnants clinging to it. It wasn’t so much the taste, but the texture, springy and rubbery. Some of the larger pieces had escaped being mashed.
“Mmm, it’s actually not that bad,” she heard Zevran say. Turning to him, she saw he was nearly done with his. Quickly she brought her tongue back in and swallowed. As soon as it hit her stomach, it began to protest, and it didn’t help that her stomach was already queasy from earlier. Despite the taste, texture, and queasiness, however, Arawin found she was extremely hungry and downed the remainder of her link. She even went on to eat two more, but she had to stop at the third one when she found it obtained a surprise for her.
As Arawin chewed down, she came across something hard. When she pulled it from her mouth she found the object to be round and somewhat clear looking. She could almost see through it. And even though it was hard, she found she could peel it like an onion with her fingers.
“The lens,” Sten said seeing her playing with the round object.
“The lens of what?” she asked.
“The eyeball.”
Arawin stared at him almost horrified. “You mean this hard thing was in the eye?”
“Yes.”
Arawin quickly throw the lens down on the ground. She found she was done eating for the night.
Now, as she sat on the rock, her stomach protested from both sickness and hunger. She hoped the sickness would pass soon. She didn’t know how much longer she could take it. Her weariness was beginning to get to her as well. The rock felt comfortable to sit on. She brought up her knees and placed her elbow on one while cupping her chin in her hand. Slowly she began to feel herself drift off as she closed her eyes and just listened to the sounds of the forest.
A loud bark and a thump suddenly brought Arawin back. She turned to see Kunjo crouched and growling. He had positioned himself in between her and Zevran. She eyed the fellow elf suspiciously. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said sounding innocent. “I was just making my way over here was all.”
“Uh huh.” Arawin turned herself fully around to stare at him. “Kunjo doesn’t just act like that because you just so happened to be walking over this way. He is my man, you know. He’s going to protect me if he thinks there’s someone trying to take me by surprise.”
“So he’s your man, huh? I didn’t realize you were already spoken for.”
“Of course,” Arawin said getting off the rock and kneeling down at Kunjo’s head. “He’s the perfect man; loyal, doesn’t speak, and no matter what I do, he will never disapprove. Isn’t that right, boy?” She scratched his ears and Kunjo licked her face making her laugh. “So obviously,” she said after standing and wiping off her face. “You were up to no good.”
“Yes, you caught me,” Zevran sighed. “But not up to no good. I just wanted to come and see if you were all right. You look very tired. Did you not get any sleep last night?”
“No, I had to wait for my fellow Warden to contact me. It took her forever, but eventually she came through. Anyway, you don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself. And shouldn’t you be looking around to see if there is anything that might tell you where the Dalish went? That would be nice.”
“Unfortunately, as much as I would love to do that for you... I can’t.”
Arawin’s eyes narrowed but she kept her calm. “Could you please explain?”
“Because they didn’t leave anything. That’s how they are,” he explained.
“It’s true,” said Sten as he came over to them. “I cannot find anything that would even suggest there was a camp here.”
“Then maybe someone wasn’t here,” Arawin said. She faced Zevran. “You’re not lying to us, are you?”
Zevran looked hurt but not in a serious way. “What, Ara? Do you still not trust me?”
Arawin considered him. She really wasn’t sure. She knew she had to on some level, or else why did she not kill him when she had the chance? More than anything, she really didn’t trust herself. “I... do,” she said slowly. “It’s just...”
“I think we should be heading further east,” said Morrigan as she stepped into the little group. Arawin was relieved to have her interruption.
“Why? Did you find anything?” she asked knowing that the witch might be her only hope.
“The Dalish were here,” she said. “I can feel their magic. It’s very faint, but it’s here.”
“So can you trace which way they went?”
“Not by magic. The magic here is not going in any direction. It’s stable. I only suggest we continue east because that’s the most likely direction the elves will be heading.”
“That’s good enough for me,” said Arawin. “Come on, let’s keep moving then.”
It didn’t take them long to get moving. Kunjo made sure to position himself in between his mistress and the assassin that seemed to be too interested in her. The mabari growled at him before taking his place at her side. He would make sure no one got past him to get her if he could help it.
***
The castle was very quiet as Zelda and her friends made their way to Bann Teagan. He was standing next to the windmill, watching the castle, not really paying attention to what was going on around him. Zelda stopped only several feet away from where he stood. She was not sure if she should disturb him.
“Odd how quiet the castle looks from here,” Teagan stated. “You would think there was nobody inside at all.” He turned around and look at the small group. “I am glad you came here. There is much we need to discuss. I think now, more than ever, is the perfect time to enter the castle.”
“How?” Zelda asked. “Isn’t the gate locked from the inside? There is no way to open it.”
“That is true, but there is another way in besides the bridge. Here, in the windmill is a secret passage known only by my family. A trap door opens to a long ladder which goes down to a tunnel that leads under the lake and into the dungeons.”
Zelda felt shocked. “There is? Why didn’t you tell us about it? Why haven’t you used the passage already?” She was beginning to get angry at him. He could have already done something about all this.
Teagan shook his head, obvious to her mood. “I did, but I had no idea what lurked in the castle. And I couldn’t just leave the village to fend for itself. But with you here now, I think it is possible. We can enter the castle together and deal with the matter.”
It was a thought that if anything was intricate. “This passage way, only your family knows about it?”
“Yes, in fact it was used by my father and sister when they were being chased out by the Orlesians. I have a signet ring that can be used to open the hatch on the trap door, and on the lock on the door in the dungeons. Only myself and Eamon have them, which might explain why neither Isolde or Connor have not used the passage way to get out.”
“Either that or they’re dead,” said Zelda.
“Or something else entirely is involved here.” Teagan shook his head, not really wanting to think about either situations. Zelda didn’t want to either. “Alright, this is what I think we should do,” Teagan continued. “I’ll--” He stopped, eyes became wide, and his mouth even dropped a little as he stared past Zelda and the others. His hand slowly came up and pointed at something behind them. “Maker’s breath!” he exclaimed.
Zelda turned to where Teagan was pointing and saw a sight she did not expect. At first she thought she was going to see more corpses come to life even during the daytime. But instead, she saw a woman running down the stairs with a single guard. She was holding up her dress, careful not to trip on it. Her clothing was that of nobility and her hair was pulled back in a tight bun high on the back of her head. Zelda heard Alistair gasp as she ran past them and straight to Teagan.
“Oh Teagan!” she breathed out. She had a very thick Orlesian accent. “Thank the Maker you yet live!”
“Isolde!” Teagan nearly shouted, astonished. “You’re alive! How did you...? What has happened?”
Isolde shook her head. “Teagan, please listen to me. I do not have much time. I slipped away from the castle as soon as I saw my opportunity, but I must return quickly. And I... need you to return with me, Teagan. Alone.”
Zelda came closer to her, staring in her face. “Lady Isolde,” she said. “I think we’re going to need more of an explanation than that. There is no way Teagan is going alone without us.”
Isolde turned to her with a look of utter disgust. “And who are you? Why do you think you can talk to me in such a way?”
“Because I am Zelda Cousland, Grey Warden, and the one who made sure this village didn’t get destroyed last night.”
Isolde’s eyes seemed to pop from their sockets. “Cousland...” she whispered. “I did not... I mean...” She was flustered. “Pardon me, I... I would exchange pleasantries, but... considering the circumstances...”
“Please, Lady Isolde...” Alistair said coming beside Zelda. “We had no idea anyone was even alive within the castle. We must have some answers.”
“Alistair? Is that you? What are you doing here?” Isolde seemed almost as if she didn’t know what to think or say.
“Enough,” Teagan said. “Isolde, please tell us what is going on. There are many things that need to be answered.”
“I know you need more of an explanation, but I... don’t know what is safe to tell,” Isolde said softly. She looked at Teagan with pleading eyes. “There is something in the castle. Something evil that has killed almost everyone and brings their corpses to life. I know the mage responsible was caught, but that hasn’t stop it. And... it has done something to Connor. He is going mad. He won’t leave the castle with me or anyone else. I don’t know what to do. That’s why I thought coming to get you would help. You are his uncle, you could talk to him, reason with him. Make him understand.”
“An evil?” asked Zelda. “What’s this mage you’re talking about? Does this have anything to do with Arl Eamon getting sick?”
Isolde reluctantly took her gaze from Teagan and looked at her. “Yes,” she said. “The mage, he is a part of the castle staff. We found out he poisoned Eamon, then after we locked him up, he let loose something in the castle.”
“Eamon was poisoned?” Teagan shouted.
“Y-yes,” Isolde said turning back to him. “But he is still alive, thank the Maker.”
“Well that’s good,” Alistair mumbled.
“So this evil,” Zelda stated. “It’s killed everyone but you, Connor, and Eamon, right?”
“There are still a few guards left,” said Isolde. “But not much. I do not know how long that will last, though. After every night since this started Connor seems to be getting worse and worse. Please, Teagan. Come with me! I know if you can talk to him he will listen. If we could get him out of the castle then he should be himself again.”
Zelda studied Isolde for a moment. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling us everything?”
Isolde looked at her horrified. Zelda could see the guilt in her eyes. “I... I beg your pardon? That’s a rather impertinent accusation!” she said trying to hide her horror.
“Not if it’s true,” Zelda said not buying it. She crossed her arms and gave the arlessa a deep gaze.
But Isolde didn’t let up. Her voice became angry and more forceful. “An evil I cannot fathom holds my son and husband hostage! I came for help! What more do you want from me? Teagan, I do not have much time! What if it thinks I am betraying it? It could kill Connor! Please come back with me... Must I beg?”
Teagan’s face was full of grief as he was torn. He finally relented with a sigh. “Alright, I will go with you, Isolde.”
The arlessa’s face lit as she heard what he said. “Oh, thank the Maker! Bless you, Teagan! Bless you!”
“Are you sure?” Zelda asked.
“I’m certain,” he answered. “Besides, I can’t just let Isolde go up there alone. I need to help. They are my family and I must do something in order to save them in anyway I can.”
Zelda felt a cold pang deep in her heart. Something about this situation was familiar.
“But I do have a plan,” Teagan continued. “Isolde, can you excuse us for a moment? We must confer in private before I return to the castle with you.”
Isolde nodded. “Please do not take too long. I will be by the bridge.” She then made her way back up the stairs with her guard.
Teagan made his way in front of Zelda. “This is what I think we should do. I will go with Isolde to the castle, while you and your friends use the secret passage to gain entrance. Once you are in the castle, find me. Hopefully what ever this evil is, I can try and do something to distract it so you can free everyone. I hate to put you in such danger again, but I don’t see what else to do.”
“It’s all right,” said Zelda. “I’m a Grey Warden. I am in danger all the time.”
“As you are,” he smiled. He handed her his ring. “Here is the signet ring. Whatever happens, you must make Eamon the priority. If you have to, just get him out of there. Isolde, me, and anyone else... we’re expendable.”
“No you are not,” Zelda said forcibly. “I will free all of you. If I could get the whole village through a night like that without a single death, then I can get all of you out as well.”
“You are brave as well as beautiful, it seems. The Maker smiled on me indeed when He sent you to Redcliffe. This isn’t necessarily the way your father wished for us to meet, but I suppose it’s better than never.”
Zelda wasn’t sure what to say to that. Why did her father want them to meet? Luckily Zelda didn’t have to say anything. It was Leliana who spoke up. “So is that it, then? We’re just going to send him with that woman? It seems so dangerous!”
“We have no choice,” said Zelda. She looked at Teagan. “We know what we need to do, so go before it’s too late.”
“Thank you, my lady,” he said bowing to her. “I hope to see you soon.” Teagan made his way to the stairs and followed them up to the gate that would lead to the bridge.
“Are we going, then?” Alistair asked once Teagan was out of sight.
“No, not yet,” said Zelda. “We need to let Teagan get in first, and I think we need something else...” Zelda began making her way down the hill toward the village. The others followed her, not sure what she had in mind. When she got to the chantry, Zelda found Ser Perth and his knights standing by the door talking. “Ser Perth,” she said getting his attention. He stopped his conversation and walked over to her, bowing low.
“My lady.”
“I need you to gather your knights and go stand guard at the castle gates.”
“What for?” he asked looking confused.
“Because when I open them, I may need your help.”
“What are you saying? Those gates can only be opened from the inside.”
“Exactly,” Zelda said with a smile. “I found a way to sneak into the castle, so while I do that, I need you to be waiting.”
“Perhaps it would be best if I went with you,” he said. “After what happened this morning, are you sure you are up to the task?”
“She’s up to it just fine,” Alistair muttered. “And she has us anyway.”
They both ignored him, even though Zelda was flattered by his statement. “It’s all right, Ser Perth, I'll be fine. Now just go ahead and get ready. We will be entering shortly.”
“As you wish, my lady.” Ser Perth went to take Zelda’s hand but she pulled it out of his reach before he could. She and her companions made their way up the hill toward the windmill again leaving Ser Perth wondering.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
- 24
- 25
- 26
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Blood Bond