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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age universe. I am making no money off of this fan fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 34
The Urn of Sacred Ashes
After another moment passed of Bridget and the others still standing in the hall where they had met Bryce, Bridget decided it was time to move forward. She led the others into the next room and looked around. The room was empty, and apparently there was no barrier as Bridget could see on the opposite side of the room a set of stairs leading up to the next level. Thinking it a bit odd that the room was vacant, Bridget cautiously led the others forward. It wasn't until they reached the middle of the room that the torches lit on the sides of the walls were blown out. They stood in an eerie darkness, and Bridget felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up uneasily.
"This can't be good…" Alistair stated as he drew his blade.
Bridget did the same. Suddenly, a great gust of air filled the room. Bridget covered her eyes with her arm to keep the dust from seeping into her eyes. After the wind stopped, she slowly dropped her arm and raised her eyebrows. The flames were restored to the torches. This was not what surprised Bridget, however. Standing about three feet ahead of her and her friends were replicas of themselves. These 'shadow' beings though carried no pupils and only stared back at them with the whites of their eyes. Each of them stood in a fighting stance with a confident sneer on their face. Bridget looked at the others and ran forward, ready to take on her shadow self. The ensuing battle was fairly difficult. No matter how many times Bridget swung her sword; the shadow was able to block it. This was equally true for when the shadow attacked, as Bridget knew when to block. Bridget looked at the others and noticed that they appeared to be having this difficulty as well. As Bridget dodged another attack from her shadow self, she realized that she would have to exploit her own weaknesses in order to take down her shadow. She grinned as she eyed her shadow's ankles. The cursed things had always been her weakness! As she dodged another blow, she swept her foot underneath the feet of her shadow, throwing it off balance and making it fall back. Bridget took that opportunity to run her blade through the shadow. It's ghostly white eyes widened and then it vanished on the other end of her sword. Bridget smirked and looked at the others. They too had apparently had the same realization as Bridget had as each of them now held the upper hand in the fight. Alistair finished his shadow as did Leliana, Zevran being last. Once he finished he took a deep breath and wiped his arm across his forehead.
"Damn…I'm pretty tough to kill!" he exclaimed.
He then furrowed his brow and looked at Bridget.
"How is it you got me so easily then?" he asked.
Bridget chuckled and patted him on his back.
"Maybe I'm just that skilled." She stated.
Zevran threw his head back and laughed loudly.
"That is quite true." He replied.
The party made their way towards the staircase off in the distance and climbed the stairs slowly. Upon reaching the top, they saw a very large chasm separating them from the other side of the room. Bridget walked up to it and placed her hands on her hips.
"Hmm…anybody have any rope?" she asked.
Zevran shook his head.
"I'm afraid I left all I had in Leliana's tent…" he stated.
Alistair furrowed his brow.
"What would you need rope for in her tent?"
Zevran grinned sheepishly and slapped Alistair on the back.
"Oh my dear friend, no longer a virgin but still so very innocent."
Leliana chuckled.
"It seems like you have been far too easy on your little templar." She whispered to Bridget.
Bridget chuckled under her breath as she and Leliana began looking around the room.
"How does that even work!" Alistair exclaimed.
Leliana looked up from the floor and shook her head.
"Zev, leave Alistair alone and come and help me." She stated.
The elf quickly did as Leliana asked of him, leaving behind a still confused and blushing Alistair who went to join Bridget on the other side of the room. Bridget happen to look up as he was walking towards her and, although she thought her eyes could have played a trick on her, she thought she saw a little bit of a bridge suddenly appear, and then vanish as Alistair walked past that spot.
"Ugh the things people come up with…can you believe they actually use rope to,"
Bridget cut him off by saying,
"Take a step back for a second."
Alistair drew his brows together in confusion, but did as Bridget asked. Once he stepped back, a little shaded bridge appeared! Although it wasn't solid, Bridget guessed that there were other hidden pressure plates just like the one Alistair stood on. She ran her hands over the dust and dirt that lay in front of her and grinned as she uncovered another pressure plate!
"This room's filled with pressure plates! That's how we get to the other side!" Bridget exclaimed.
Now the hard part…determining the correct combinations that would form the bridge. It appeared to Bridget that this part of the gauntlet would test the teamwork and trust she had developed with her friends. It took quite some time before they completed the first set of the bridge, and it only seemed to take longer while they tried to form the second set, but towards the end everyone seemed to get the hang of things and Bridget was able to get to the other side. Once made it across safely, her friends followed her. The group walked down a short hallway before entering the next room of the Gauntlet. Upon entering the room Bridget felt a wave of heat wash over her body. She looked around and noticed that a large wall of fire erupted around them, blocking their path ahead. A lone stone alter stood before Bridget. She bent down and rubbed her hand over the stone to remove the dust. Once she did so, there was a message inscribed into the stone. It read:
Cast off the trappings of worldly life and cloak yourself in the goodness of spirit. King and slave, lord and beggar; be born again in the Maker's sight.
Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"I think we have to take off our armor."
Zevran grinned.
"Finally!"
Bridget removed her armor and stood in her small clothes and took a deep breath.
"Now what?" Leliana asked.
Bridget looked over her shoulder at her.
"I think we have to walk through the flames."
Alistair gaped at her.
"That's madness!" he exclaimed.
Bridget turned back around to face the intimidating fire that stood before her. For some reason, she was not afraid of the flames. In fact, she was rather drawn to their flickering beauty. Bridget slowly stepped forward and let the flame envelop her. Surprisingly, she felt no pain, but instead the flames relaxed her and soothed her aching body. Before she knew it, she had made it across the barrier. Bridget opened her eyes and stared at the Guardian who now appeared in front of her. He smiled warmly.
"You have completed the trials of Andraste and have walked her path. You have proven yourself very worthy, pilgrim. You may now approach the ashes." With that, the Guardian disappeared.
As the others made their way through the flames, Bridget redressed into her armor and waited for the others to do so. Once everyone was dressed Bridget turned and stared at the staircase that sat before her. She trailed her eyes up the stairs and they landed on the Urn. The Urn itself was made of pure gold that shined in the light of the flames and that of the sun spilling in through the cracked ceiling. Standing above the Urn was a large statue of Andraste, holding her hands in front of herself in prayer and looking upwards towards the sky…towards the Maker. Bridget slowly ascended the stair case with her friends close behind her and looked down at the Urn. Inscribed in the Urn were beautiful swirls and symbols. The air was very peaceful. Leliana breathed in deeply.
"I never dreamed I would lay eyes on the Urn of Sacred Ashes…I have no words to express how I feel…other than that I am deeply, deeply honored."
Alistair nodded.
"I didn't think anyone was capable of finding Andraste's Ashes and yet here…here she is…"
Zevran raised his eyebrows.
"Nice vase…it would look nice in my home." He said un-amused.
Bridget, with slightly shaky hands lifted the lid of the Urn and gently set it aside. She slowly dipped her hand into the Ashes and took a deep breath. They were cool to the touch, but just by touching them every bruise on Bridget's skin seemed to shrink and vanish. She slowly removed the small pinch of the Ashes and placed them in the small velvet pouch that Alistair held open for her. After placing the Ashes in the pouch, Bridget replaced the lid to the Urn and looked at the others.
"Let's head back." She said softly.
Bridget and the others descended the steps and exited the room through the side door…only to come across the dead carcass of 'Andraste'.
"Maker's breath who did this?" Bridget asked in surprise.
Zeus's head poked out from behind the dragon's body and he bounded towards Bridget through the thick snow.
"How'd you get here boy?" Bridget asked as she scratched his ears.
Alistair gaped at the mabari hound.
"More importantly…how did you do that?"
They each heard a scoff and more footsteps as Morrigan and Wynne appeared from behind the dragon as well.
"Honestly…do you really think a lone mabari hound would be capable of this?"
Bridget looked at them.
"What are you three doing here?" she asked.
Wynne looked at her.
"I was growing worried…you four have been gone for quite some time."
Bridget and the others looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" Alistair asked slowly.
Morrigan raised her eyebrows.
"You four have been gone for the past three days." She replied.
Bridget's eyes widened.
"What?"
Zevran shook his head.
"That's not possible…"
Bridget shrugged.
"Perhaps time becomes in enigma while going through the Gauntlet." She suggested.
Alistair looked at Wynne.
"Is the Brother,"
Wynne nodded.
"Yes he is fine; he remains still at the front of the temple. In fact, he told us of a shortcut so that we would not have to travel through the entire temple and it's connecting caverns."
Bridget sighed in relief. At least this meant a shorter journey back!
"We have the Ashes so if you could lead us." She said.
Wynne nodded.
The entire party followed Wynne and Morrigan and made their way through the shortcut back to the Ruined Temple. Brother Genitivi remained at the front, unharmed and beaming at them. He approached Bridget and smiled.
"Did you find the Urn?" he asked softly.
Bridget nodded.
"Would you like to see the Ashes I took?"
Genitivi shook his head.
"Oh my dear girl no, I am not worthy to look upon them…"
Bridget smiled and nodded understandingly.
"Where will you go now?" she asked.
Genitivi placed all the scrolls he filled up into his pack as he looked up at her.
"Back to my home, I must write all my findings and maybe even start pilgrimages here! Many people would love to see the Urn…it would bring so much hope…"
Bridget grinned.
"I think that's a wonderful idea, Genitivi!" she exclaimed.
He stood and swung his pack over his shoulder.
"If you ever find yourself back in Denerim, do pay me a visit. I will take my leave now."
"Are you sure you don't wish to camp with us tonight?" Bridget offered.
Genitivi shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must return home as quickly as possible. My leg is much better now thanks to your friend," he nodded towards Wynne. "I must really be off."
With that, he thanked Bridget once more before turning and leaving the temple. Bridget and the others followed him out and walked through the now deserted village of Haven. Upon exiting the empty village, Bridget decided to set up camp in the secluded forest towards the north. While the others set up camp, Bridget found the nearest stream she could so she could wash off all the caked on blood that was around the now healed wound in her side. She took her time, wanting to be apart from her friends for a while so she could think things over. Bridget still couldn't get over the fact that her father had appeared, but knew that she was a stronger person now because he had. When she returned to camp she found herself too tired to even eat anything and climbed into her tent. Alistair was already inside, grimacing as he chewed on what looked like a dried up twig. Bridget crinkled her nose.
"What is that?" she asked.
Alistair swallowed hard and shook his head.
"Something of Zevran's…" he said before he chucked it out of the little open side of the tent.
Bridget chuckled and yawned as she laid down on her bedroll, pulling up the wool blanket to her chin. Alistair laid next to her and brushed her hair away from her face. He smiled.
"So…you're father approves of me."
Bridget grinned.
"Just so you know, that's saying a lot. Papa was always very hard to impress."
Alistair raised his eyebrows.
"So I wasn't the first to vie for your affections?"
Bridget laughed. Before she could continue though, she heard Zevran's voice outside her tent say,
"See! I told you those roots would help!"
Alistair blushed and scrambled up to a sitting position quickly and stuck his head out the flap.
"Oh go on somewhere!" he shouted.
Bridget giggled as Alistair turned back around and settled back down next to her, the tips of his ears shining in red.
"As I was saying, no you weren't. I was the eye candy for the majority of young noblemen throughout Highever. But no one seemed to be able to pass Papa's standards, thankfully for me. The last thing I wanted was to get married to some pompous noble who thought I was my best at home."
Alistair smiled.
"It's a good thing I'm not some pompous noble then." He stated.
Bridget snuggled up closer to him and kissed him lightly.
"That it is!" she replied, her eyes shining in laughter.
They were quiet a few minutes before Bridget said,
"You know…we're near the Frost Back Mountains…do you think we should go to Orzammar first before going all the way back to Redcliffe?"
Alistair looked at her and thought for a moment.
"We are closer to the dwarves….I suppose it's safe enough for us to go on to them. Hey who knows, maybe they'll be willing to help us right when we get there!"
Bridget chuckled.
"That's wishful thinking, you know." She replied.
Alistair shrugged.
"What can I say, I'm an optimist!"
Bridget hugged him tightly and rested her head against his chest.
"That you are." She whispered.
Bridget fell into a deep sleep, this time for once one that was not plagued by images of Howe or even the Arch Demon. She fell asleep hoping that once they made it to Orzammar, the dwarves would be ready, and willing to help them…
But once again…that was wishful thinking.
A/N: Boy I really would have loved it if my companions that remained at camp DID take down the dragon so I wouldn't have to. Oh well! Next up our group is heading for Orzammar! Stay tuned, I've got some great dialogue lined up for the chapters ahead! :)
Once again, thanks for reading!
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The Last of the Couslands