Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

In good times and in bad	By : kruemel Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 14749 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Dragon Age and the characters of the game do not belong to me. This is a no profit fanfiction

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
To reach Haven, we follow a mountain path so steep and narrow, we have to leave the horses in the valley. It also takes us ages to find that passage. Rori is close to tearing that map Genitivi drew to tiny little pieces and stomp on it. Obviously she's not the only one who's rather frustrated because on nearing the village, Sten suddenly challenges her. "Interesting strategy. Tell me, you intend to keep going north until it becomes south and attack the archdemon from the rear?"
"It'll never see this coming," Rori replies cheerfully. The Qunari is his usual grumpy self. That's really nothing to worry about, right?
"Truly. It would surprise me if my enemy counterattacked by running away and climbing a mountain," Sten growls.
Rori stops in her tracks, turning slowly to face the warrior. She has to tilt her head to look him in the eye. He towers over her menacingly. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Zevran moving silently to stand behind Sten. The elf's stance gives away he expects trouble. From Sten? He wouldn't possibly hurt Rori, would he? Well, he did murder a whole family including children because of a sword. And he keeps complaining about Rori's leadership... Blast!
"We're not running away from anything," Rori says firmly, never breaking eye contact with Sten. She's going to have a very stiff neck if this argument lasts much longer. Her lighthearted cheerfulness is gone. This is earnest. I move to the other side when Zevran motions me to do so. Leliana frowns, watching us. Then she quietly nocks an arrow. Wynne retreats a few steps to get away from the Qunari. Morrigan just rolls her eyes. The golem - well, I am not really good at judging people. It's even worse with statues.
"The archdemon is our goal and we are heading away from it to find the charred remains of a dead woman," Sten barks, shifting his weight. Zevran's hands twitch. He's ready to grab his weapons if necessary. I stay as still as I can, not daring to draw Sten's attention in case we're facing a fight. "I will not follow in your shadow as you run from battle." One step closer and the Qunari glowers at her. Rori does not back away. She looks as if she is tempted to kick Sten's most private parts.
"I am not running from battle, Sten," Rori groans in exasperation. Her hackles are raised. I can easily tell by the way she hisses at the Qunari, her fists clenched at her sides. "I am gathering allies to build an army that can slay the archdemon and the hordes of darkspawn that will follow it. If that means that I have to climb mountains, then I will. If it means I have to go underground, then I will. Whatever is necessary to end the Blight, I will do it."
Sten doesn't seem convinced. His jaws are firmly set and his expression is merciless. Rori just looks furious. Bloody blasted furious. I wouldn't challenge her. But Qunari obviously are suicidal. Barkley has joined her. whining in confusion as he looks from Rori to Sten. The dog and the Qunari get along quite well. But in the end he's Rori's faithful warhound and growls at Sten. You cannot feed your way into a mabari's heart with cookies once he has chosen his mistress.
"And I know one thing for sure: we will never be able to defeat the darkspawn alone," Rori goes on. "Maybe in your opinion this is weak or stupid. I call it realistic. The ashes of Andraste can help us heal Arl Eamon - and Eamon will help us defeat Loghain. He has the influence and power to do so. Because - just in case you did not notice - Loghain wants us dead. He has started a civil war after murdering his king and all the other Grey Wardens. The last thing Ferelden needs during a Blight is a civil war. We need to unite and fight together because only together there can be victory for us. And that's the reason why we are here. We are not running from battle. We are preparing for the final battle that will be the downfall of the archdemon."
I think she makes sense. Really, I do. Sten, I don't know. I have trouble understanding the philosophy of the Qunari. Running straight after the archdemon in my opinion is stupid and suicidal. Sten seems to think differently - or we're just lost in translation. I just hope he won't do anything stupid because I swear he will not live to regret it if he as much as lays a finger on Rori. She is my woman. And I feel very protective over her.
Sten considers this for a moment. Then he slowly nods. I let out a breath I haven't noticed I was holding. Zevran relaxes at the same time and Leliana's arrow disappears as if she had never nocked it. Sten is completely oblivious to what happens around him. Or he doesn't let us know he knows we were ready to defend Rori just in case. Zevran for sure has earnt some big bonus points with me. But now I have to watch Sten. Blast!
We move on but there's an awkwardness to the silence that follows the argument. "Seriously!?" Rori huffs, keeping her voice low. She angrily kicks every stone small enough for kicking. "I don't get why they all think they can do it better. Or why everybody thinks they should lecture me about duty. Or about how a Grey Warden is supposed to act and what I am supposed to do." She is bristling with rage. "There's not enough pressure yet, please gimme more!" She forcefully kicks yet another stone.
I soothingly put an arm around her shoulders. "You're doing great, Rori. You've already done so much."
"Not enough it seems. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the last few Blights last for several years? But I am expected to end this one within a few months? Everybody keeps dropping shit on me. It's too much! It's suffocating!"
Oh boy, and here's the moment for me to feel awfully guilty. Blast, I'm so sorry. I should try and support her more since it was me to load the leadership on her so I could take the easy way out.
"I'm sorry."
"Nah, Alistair, you don't have to be sorry. You are the best support I can wish for." She rubs her face tiredly. "I'm frustrated, that's all. Don't listen to me."
Oh yes, she is frustrated. And I can understand why. It's not as if anybody has given her much credit for what she has achieved. I feel myself growing real furious when I watch her biting back tears of anger and frustration. "Excuse me, please," I mumble. And then - before I can think about what I am doing and before I can stop myself, I find myself face to face with Sten. Well, face to chest. He's so large even I have to tilt my head. That certainly doesn't make for the most intimidating impression.
"What was this about?" I snap. "Without Rori you'd still be sitting in that cage in Lothering."
"That was not the point."
"No?" I snarl. I feel tempted to shove him. I don't of course. I might be an idiot but I am not a suicidal idiot. "Well, the point is, she's doing a damn good job when everybody else just dropped everything at her feet. And you accuse her of running away? She is the bravest woman I have ever met and the last to back out of a fight like a coward. She has fought the darkspawn wherever she could and she will fight until the bitter end. You don't know nothing about what it is like to be a Grey Warden, yet you behave as if you know it all. Well, you don't."
That said I turn on my heel and march back to walk with Rori. I don't wait for his reply. I don't want to hear it. I want to be left alone with Rori. Now I am bristling with anger, too. Sten can kiss my royal butt. And, boy, am I glad I stole his cookies! Serves him damn right! I slip out of one of my gauntlets and take Rori's hand in mine. I need that contact now, I need to feel her. She looks up at me and smiles.
- 30
- 31
- 32
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

In good times and in bad