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Blood Song	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 1631 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 5
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- 7
Knotwood Hills

“Arawin, please stop.”
“Why? This stuff is delicious!”
Arawin and Zelda sat out in the gardens, trays of breakfast foods lined out before them with Arawin sampling from every one. She had stopped at the tart tray and was downing them in two bites, enjoying every single mouthful.
“Are you sure you need to eat so much?”
“It's what's to be expected.”
“Yeah, like last night, when you were throwing up all night?”
“That's to be expected as well.”
“I'm sure.” Zelda shook her head. “Alright, but I hope you'll defend me when Lisha finds out what you've been doing. I did say I would keep you from doing stupid things.”
“Who said she needs to find out?” Arawin sat down next to her. It was a beautiful morning, warm and sunny. The garden was in full bloom, colors of all shades spread throughout. The chirping of birds and the fluttering of their wings could be heard as they went about their business of gathering food for their newly hatched young. Rupee and Kunjo laid asleep at their feet. The two large mabari snuggling together as their three puppies played in the distance. Zelda enjoyed spending her time out in the garden on days she could relax and forget about the trials of being queen. These times were rare.
“Greetings, your Majesty, Commander.”
“Lily!” Zelda said as she saw the light-redheaded woman walk through the garden. “What brings you out here today?”
“It's my turn to water the garden,” she stated.
“Well come and sit with us for awhile. Would you like something to eat? That is of course if Arawin lets you have anything.”
“She can have whatever she wants,” said Arawin. “Just make sure I don't want it first.”
“That's okay, I've already eaten.” Lily sat down next to Zelda. “But thank you.”
“So how've you been, Lily?” Arawin asked.
“Oh, I've been fine. It's nice being here, and I am happy. I'm really grateful for what you did, Zelda. For both me and Jowan. Course, there is something that has been bothering me. I know that how you saved Jowan is controversial and all, but what about me? How were you able to get me out of Aeonar?”
“I've been wondering that myself,” said Arawin as she licked her fingers clean.
“Well... if you both really want to know,” said Zelda. “Let's just say that the power of persuasion has done many things to right injustices.”
“Yeah, okay,” Arawin laughed.
“Is that really all you did?” said Lily.
“There may have been other things involved, but nothing you need to worry about, Lily. No one has questioned your pardon, just Jowan's, so don't worry about it.”
“Alright,” she sighed. “I do worry, sometimes, especially about Jowan. He's been having bad dreams lately. He says they're about the templars coming and taking him away again to be made tranquil. Or they're about me being taken away back to Aeonar. I wish I could do something to help him.”
“Just keep loving him, Lily,” Zelda smiled. “And speaking of which...”
Jowan walked to them through the garden. Lily jumped up from her seat and ran to him, giving him a huge hug and kiss halfway.
“Well... I didn't expect this,” he said holding her.
“You should always expect it.”
“Right,” he chuckled giving her another kiss on the lips. Together they moved over to where Zelda and Arawin sat. The mage's presence made Rupee stir from under Zelda's feet, but once she saw who it was, she closed her eyes again.
“Jowan,” said Zelda. “I hope you're here to greet your wife and nothing more.”
“Greeting my wife was a wonderful bonus, but I'm afraid I really am here to guard you, or at least look like it.”
“Jowan...”
“This time I have a real reason for it, though. I've come to guard and warn you.”
“About what?”
“Lady Dina is on her way to see you.”
Zelda moaned and placed her face in the palms of her hands. “You can't be serious? She's really coming?”
“Yes, and with two guards of her own last I heard. With both you and Arawin here, I thought it best if I stood to your side. Would you like for me to go get the others?”
“No, no. We don't need to start that whole intimidation thing again. Besides, she's not going to try anything. Even with her two guards she would never make it out of the palace alive. How long do you think before she'll be here?”
“I'd say in about--”
“Your Majesty!” A man standing on the other side of the garden shouted out, causing everyone to jump. “May I present to you, Lady Dina of Gwaren.” He bowed low and moved aside for a woman in lavish white and blue silk and two male guards behind her to move forward. Zelda stood from her seat but Arawin stayed put.
“I think I should go,” whispered Lily. “These plants aren't going to water themselves.”
“Best if you were away,” Jowan whispered back to her. “Lady Dina isn't known for her kindness to servants.”
“I'll see you tonight, love.” Lily then slipped away, keeping her head low. She knew exactly what Jowan meant about Lady Dina. She had had a run in with her before, making her fetch things and do other such servant duties without really considering who she was. When Lily was released from Aeonar, she wasn't able to go back to the Chantry, but Zelda had given her a place amongst the staff in the palace, but Lily didn't feel like a servant, or at least not to Zelda.
After Lily left, Jowan took his place behind Zelda's chair, keeping his eyes on the two guards following Lady Dina down the path.
“Lady Dina,” said Zelda. “It's... an honor to have you grace me with your presence.”
“I'm so sure,” Dina said once she reached the queen. “I know that it's normally the queen who greets her guests when they arrive, but when I heard you had company, I thought I'd save you the trouble.” She smiled over at Arawin, her sparkling yellow eyes nearly making Arawin want to puke.
“Yes, well aren't you a little early for the Landsmeet?” Zelda asked. “It's normally custom for the participates to be here only a few days early.”
“Perhaps, but I figured a few extra days in Denerim wouldn't hurt. Are you going to offer me anything?”
“Whatever you like.” Zelda gestured to the trays as well as an extra seat opposite of her. Rupee had opened her eyes again and seeing Lady Dina began to growl, her red hair standing on its hackles. This woke Kunjo and he began to growl as well but a quick snap from Zelda's fingers got them both to stop.
Lady Dina stared at the two dogs before moving over to the seat. “What beautiful beasts you have, your Majesty. And may I say how lovely you look today, Commander.”
Is she really going to talk to me? Arawin didn't feel much in the mood for talk, especially with her.
Just be civil, Arawin. I promise she won't be here for long.
“Thanks,” Arawin said with mock appreciation.
“So, Commander, how long are you planning on staying here? I do hope you'll be here for the Landsmeet.”
“Why?”
“It would be nice to have your support.”
Arawin scuffed. “If I was at that Landsmeet, you would not get my support. It would be to Zelda.”
“I'm sure, but you would be supporting me as well.”
Arawin clinched her teeth, wanting desperately to jump out of that chair and rip out her throat, but even if she was physically able too, those two guards standing behind Lady Dina made her feel strange.
They're mages, said Zelda.
They're what? Why would she have mages for guards?
Because I have a mage for a guard. She didn't get those two until after she found out about Jowan. Dina's always trying to out due me.
Out due you? Can she really out due the queen?
She can try.
“Whatever you may be thinking,” Arawin continued. “I'm afraid I won't be here for the Landsmeet. I'll have to be heading to Amaranthine here soon.”
“Yes, of course,” said Lady Dina. “You are the warden-commander, aren't you? But if you're here, then who is taking charge in Amaranthine right now?”
“Another Grey Warden,” Zelda answered. “A friend of ours who is only taking the position temporally until Arawin is fit.”
“Right.” Lady Dina eyed Arawin again, looking her over from top to bottom. Arawin desperately wanted her to look away and to stop studying her.
“Is there a reason you wanted to know?” said Zelda.
“Oh, no big reason. Just curious. But if there is no pressing issue you would like to discuss, or if you don't have any interesting conversations, then perhaps I'll go ahead and take my leave.”
“Yes, please do,” said Arawin. Zelda eyed her and gave her a nudge through their bond before standing with Lady Dina.
“You know you're welcome anytime, Lady Dina.”
“Thank you, your Majesty. I shall see you later. Commander.” She nodded her head before departing. Zelda didn't sit back down until she was fully out of the garden.
“Dear Maker, how rude was that!” Arawin blurted. “You're the sodding queen and that's how she speaks to you!”
“That's how she speaks to everyone, even Alistair.”
“She's lucky I'm like this otherwise I would've kicked her ass.”
“And I have no doubt you would've done it too,” Zelda chuckled. “But she does show up like that on occasion. Sometimes I don't even have warning, so thank you Jowan for that.”
Jowan relaxed his posture which he had been keeping straight the entire time. “Don't think I was going to let you go through that again alone, not like last time.”
Zelda's smile to him was sincere. “I know you didn't mean it.”
“Of course, but now that the drama is over with, do you think I could--”
“Do you really need to ask, Jowan? Go on.”
“I swear, I don't know what I'm being paid for, Zelda.”
“Well when Denerim is under attack and the palace becomes over run, then you'll know.”
“Right. Good day to the two of you.”
Feeling his massive body smash into her legs again, Arawin reached down and scratched behind Kunjo's ears. “Yeah, you're still a good boy,” she said. “Still my man, protecting me and always will be at my side even with your girlfriend over there.”
“So have you really not heard anything at all from Zevran?” Zelda asked sensing Arawin's mood.
“Nothing for the last three months.” Arawin settled back into her chair as Kunjo laid down on her feet. “And I don't understand why, either.”
“Maybe he's unable to... uh, not that he's in trouble or anything.”
“He's not in trouble,” Arawin said after glaring at her. “He just ran out on me.”
“Now Arawin, you know that's not true.”
“Is it? How do you know? Zevran's not the type to settle down, course nether am I, but I have no choice now. He left me to still go out adventuring, and the reason why he hasn't sent any word back is because he's not coming back!” She folded her arms, hugging herself and looked down at her swollen belly, emotions starting to run wild.
“That's not true,” Zelda said trying to calm her down, but having a hard time at it. Arawin's emotions were a lot more wild than they usually were. “He loves you. I've seen it in his eyes. There's no reason why he would run out on you. Besides, Dayno's with him, right? Dayno wouldn't let him do that.”
“Not unless he killed him.”
“Now that I really don't believe. Zevran's an assassin, not a killer. And even if he did kill Dayno, he would have to deal with Lisha, and I believe she's the one person he's actually afraid of besides you.”
Arawin covered her face, sighing heavily into her hands. “I know you're probably right, it's just this whole pregnancy emotional crap. It's making me think of all sorts of horrible worst case scenario bullshit, and my thoughts can change just like that! In the same minute I love him dearly and wish he were here, then I start to hate him for not being here and wish he would never come back! Then I feel bad for thinking it and start to miss him again. It's a vicious cycle!”
“I can understand. I'm used to feeling you switch from happy to angry in a second, but this is just too much some times. I hope I don't get like that.”
“You never know. Maybe you will.”
“Then I feel sorry for Alistair.” Zelda leaned back in her chair, fully stretching out her limbs and sitting unlady-like. “But it has to happen first.”
“Uh, please don't start that again.”
“I'll stop if you stop thinking about Zevran for a time. Especially at night.”
“Hey, what happens at night when I'm alone in bed is between me and my--”
“Please don't finish that sentence.”
The two women turned around in their chairs to find a new guest standing behind them.
“Hello, love.” Alistair made his way around as Zelda popped up and greeted him. They kissed and he took her hands in his, rubbing them with his thumb.
“You're home early,” she said.
“We got done faster than originally thought. Your brother really knows what he's doing.”
“Fergus was trained by my father, what do you expect? But still, what are you doing here? I thought you had to deal with something in the Bannorn?”
“And Amaranthine,” Arawin added.
“Arawin! Look at you! It's great to see ya!” Alistair went over to take her hand and kiss it, but Arawin shook his instead.
“I'd stand, but you know.”
“I do, but it is good to see you. You look wonderful.”
“I feel like shit, but it's good to see you too, Alis.” Arawin's grin stretched across her face as Alistair frowned. The last time she had called him that, he had spent several hours trying to get it erased from the records that he didn't want to be called King Alis.
Alistair soon shot her a mischievous smile back. “It's always nice to have you here, Ary. Or is it Commander Ary?”
“You really shouldn't make a pregnant woman angry.”
“Actually, you're right about that, especially when we're talking about you.” Alistair took a step back from her even though he knew she couldn't do anything to him. He still wanted to be cautious. “As for why I'm here, love,” he said addressing Zelda. “Is because I got word from Eamon. He's going to deal with the things in the Bannorn so I can be here to support you for the Landsmeet.”
“He is?” Zelda said puzzled. “Is he not going to be here for the Landsmeet, then? I need him. I need Redcliffe!”
“Don't worry, love.” Alistair went back to her and clapped his hands around hers. “He's sending Isolde to represent Redcliffe. You will have their support.”
Zelda closed her eyes, looking relieved. “That's good.”
“What about Amaranthine?” Arawin asked again.
“Oh right. I went to Vigil's Keep before coming here and got there right after Lisha did, but apparently there's something going on.”
“What?” both women asked at the same time.
“I'm not quite sure, but from what she told me the keep was attacked by darkspawn, and one of them talked.”
“What? A talking darkspawn?” Zelda said suspicious. “That's not possible.”
“And why would the darkspawn attack the keep?” Arawin asked. “Shouldn't they be going underground now?”
“That's what they're suppose to be doing, yes,” said Alistair. “But they did attack the keep, I saw the bodies. Lisha got there just in time to save the seneschal and many others. Unfortunately, they aren't sure if any of the Orlesian Grey Wardens survived.”
Both Zelda and Arawin gasped at the same time, not believing what they were hearing.
Damien.
“Varel did say some might have been captured, though,” Alistair added after seeing their faces. He knew who they were thinking about. Damien was a close friend to him as well.
“This is not good,” said Zelda. “Poor Lisha. She's all alone now, isn't she? Maybe I should go and--”
“No, Zelda,” Alistair interrupted. “You need to stay here for this Landsmeet. If you leave, for any reason, Lady Dina wins, and you know I won't have that! Besides, she's not alone. Lisha already had some recruits, Oghren being one of them. Hopefully they survived.”
“Dear Maker, if Oghren's a Grey Warden now then we're all doomed,” said Arawin.
“Yeah, but at least he'd be help to Lisha for now. Oh, and she also wants to make sure you're staying out of trouble, Ary. Are you?”
“What do you think, Alis?”
“I think it would be best if you stayed here until Lisha can get things handled in Amaranthine. You were planning on going there at some point, right? Well with the darkspawn not going back into the Deep Roads and with some talking, it might be best for you to stay here.”
“I would have to agree,” said Zelda. “And I believe Lisha would say the same thing.”
“If Lisha wanted me to stay, then she would have sent me a message,” said Arawin. “I'll stay here for a few more days, but I'm not planning on being here up until I go into labor. Lisha is my midwife. I'm not doing this without her.”
“If that's what you want, Arawin, then we can't stop you. But until then, maybe it would be best to go back on that diet she had you on?”
“What, no! You can't take red meat away from me!”
“Yes I can, and I'm going to starting now. Now what else aren't you allowed to eat?”
“Why would I tell you?”
“I could always have Jowan scry Vigil's Keep and I'll ask Lisha myself.”
“Fine, I'll start eating right again.” Arawin sat back in her chair and crossed her arms the best she could with her belly. “But this is torture, so when you go through with it, I'll make sure to take away your favorite things.”
***
It was early afternoon by the time the four Grey Wardens reached the Knotwood Hills. Nathaniel had led the way, knowing the arling better than any of them. The Hills were somewhat different than the rest of the area around them. Lisha noticed they were more brown and gray with less trees around, and those trees were bare of leaves despite it being summer.
Lisha stepped up on a rock to get a better view of the area, seeing mostly rocks as they rolled up and down, shaping the landscape. Down the hill she could see what looked to be a large hole in the ground. A rickety wooden bridge crossed over the gap. Lisha wasn't quite sure if it was what they were looking for. She would have to get closer to know.
“Let's keep moving,” she said coming down from the rock. “We need to get a closer look.”
“Oh, don't you think we might be able to stop and rest for a moment?” Anders moaned. “We woke way before dawn, and if you want me to be good at spell casting, I need some rest.”
“Are you tired, Anders?” Lisha asked sympathetic. He nodded with an over exaggerated frown. “If that's the case, then here... chew on this.” Reaching in her pack she pulled out several brown roots that had been dried and handed him a few. Anders inspected one of the roots, smelling it before snapping it in half and putting it in his mouth.
“Hey, this is ginseng! I thought that's what it was.”
“Yes, just chew on a few of those and they should give you the energy you need. Would the rest of you like some?”
“What is this? Some weird Dalish thing?” Oghren asked as he took a root and sniffed it. “Smells like some weird Dalish thing.”
“It's an herd,” said Anders. “A very useful one. It's used a lot to make several potions for energy, stamina, and it's also a very good aphrodisiac.” The mage wiggled his eyebrows in Lisha's direction. “Are you trying to say something, Commander?”
Lisha turned around, walking backwards to stare at him. “If I was trying to say anything, Anders... you would be the first to know.”
“Ooh, then maybe my dreams of having a scandalous affair with the warden-commander could come true!” The mage rubbed his hands together at the thought. “What do ya say?”
“I'd say you're full of it.” Lisha turned back around. “Keep dreaming, Anders, because that's the only time you'll ever have me.”
“Well at least I still get to do that.”
Lisha chuckled slightly before it was interrupted when her foot hit the wood of the bridge. It creaked and felt unsafe, making her stop, not wanting to continue on. She was able to now see the chasm below. It was deep, a lot deeper than she thought, and long. It was lined with carved stone, pillars stretching across the floor, broken at their tops where they used to hold up a roof. The floor slopped down, going past the lip of the gorge on the other side and continuing underground.
“So it is an entrance to the Deep Roads,” said Oghren. “I thought I smelled it on Colbert. This must have been a part that was built too close to the surface which was why it caved in.”
“Yes.” Lisha looked across the rickety and unstable bridge to the other side of the chasm where stairs leading down were built. “Was someone trying to build over it or something?”
“Not sure,” Oghren answered. “Colbert wasn't sure either, but it does look like someone tried too.”
Everyone looked to Nathaniel.
“I really hope this doesn't become habit,” he said glaring at everyone. “I have been gone for eight years, so I have no idea if it was my father or not.”
“Are you so sure?” said Anders. “You would know your father better than most.”
“Actually, I wouldn't.”
“Enough. Leave him alone, Anders,” said Lisha. “We don't need anything to be started. We're about ready to go into the Deep Roads, so I need all of you focused.”
“Right, I'm already and focused!” Anders placed his two index fingers on his temples. “Lead the way, Commander!”
Lisha frowned as she stared back at the wooden bridge. She could see it was old and unkept. A few planks were missing and others were cracked, ready to fall into the deep gorge below. She glanced down before bringing her eyes quickly back up. These were situations she tried to avoid. Heights added with unstable bridges did not do well for her.
“Lisha? Are you all right?” She glanced back to see Nathaniel had noticed her hesitation. She wasn't sure, but he looked concerned.
“I'm fine. This bridge just doesn't look that safe to cross. We're going to need to go one at a time and slowly.” Lisha breathed in deeply through her nose as she glanced back at the bridge. She needed to not show her fear, especially to the three men behind her who were depending on her leadership. Taking another deep breath, she went forward, her feet going slowly across the planks and hands gripping onto the frayed railing. She didn't look down into the chasm, just at her feet and where she would step next, careful to not put too much weight on the already split wood. When she finally reached the other side, she was glad the others couldn't see how pale she was. She then gestured for them to come forward.
It didn't take long for the rest of them to get across. Anders walked over the bridge just fine, making it to the other side with no trouble. Nathaniel, however made it half way across the bridge before Oghren began walking across. His heavy footing made the bridge creak and sway, nearly causing Nathaniel to fall over from the sudden movements.
“What? I got tired of waitin',” Oghren said once they both reached the other side safely. “The bridge looked safe enough.”
“It might have been,” Nathaniel glared. “But after that stunt it might not be any more. When we come back, you're going across first so if it does collapse, you're the one that falls, dwarf.”
Lisha nearly panicked from his words, not realizing she would have to go across the bridge again. She didn't want to think about it, and quickly pushed it out of her mind and gathered herself before taking the small group to the stairs.
The stairs leading down into the gorge looked just as unstable as the bridge did. Lisha was able to make it down them better than the bridge, however, allowing her momentum to take her. Once they were at the bottom of the gorge, they stood on the smooth floor, having to steady themselves to keep from sliding down the slope. It was a steep slope and gave them trouble as they made their way down into the depths carefully.
Lisha could already feel the ilk of the taint as it crept out of the long tunnel. Below she could see a flattened area with the unmistakable black growth as it covered the floor and walls all around. Something then sparked in her head, the chill crawling up her spine. There was the sound of struggling and something being dragged across the floor. Around the corner several darkspawn emerged, a dwarf being pulled behind them. Lisha could tell she was female, even though the armor she wore was bulky.
The dwarf struggled with her captures, finally being able to kick herself free from the darkspawn holding her. She rolled away, leaping up at the same moment she grabbed her daggers and charged at the group of darkspawn.
“Come on!” Lisha said as she grabbed her bow. All fear of falling and heights left her as she let her feet slid on the slope, down to where the darkspawn and dwarf were. The others followed after her, Anders already having sent an ice blast down, freezing some of the darkspawn in place. Oghren slid into one, shattering it to pieces before taking out his axe and cutting into others who dared to attack him.
The female dwarf was busy fighting a hurlock that towered over her, but her quick movements kept her away from the darkspawn's own sword. Lisha aimed and shot the hurlock in the arm, disabling it's use. The hurlock dropped it's shield, and the female dwarf was able to roll behind it, stabbing her daggers in it's back and bringing it down before running to another one.
Nathaniel stood next to Lisha, firing arrows at a much faster speed. They each hit a darkspawn, causing them to be distracted or disabled in one way or another so either Oghren or the female dwarf could dispatch them. It wasn't long before all the darkspawn were taken out.
“Well... that was... close,” the female dwarf breathed. “For a moment there I thought I really was about to join the Legend of the Dead.”
“Not today.” Lisha replaced her bow and stood over the dwarf. “So what's a lone dwarf doing in a place like this?”
“I wasn't always alone. I came here with the Legion of the Dead. It's what I'm apart of. This leads to the dwarven thaig of Kal'Hirol. The Legion learned darkspawn were breeding here, so we thought we'd go in and eradicate them. We thought it would be easy, an in and out job, but... we were wrong. The darkspawn, they've... grown smart. They used the thaigs own defenses against us. It was a massacre. I watched as all my friends fell, and when I saw they were taking females away, I panicked and ran. I wasn't going to allow that to happen to me. I wasn't going to become a broodmother.”
“You did what you needed to. You're alive now and can live to fight another day.”
“Which is why I need to go back and finish what the Legion started.” The dwarf turned to what looked to be once a doorway, now crumbled and missing the door.
“Alone?” said Lisha. “No, you're not going alone. We'll go with you.”
The dwarf seemed confused. “Why would all of you be interested in killing darkspawn?”
“We're Grey Wardens,” Lisha said standing tall. “My name is Lisha, Commander of the Grey. These are my fellows, Anders, Nathaniel, and Oghren.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady,” said Anders.
“Really? You're Grey Wardens?” the female dwarf asked shocked. “That's convenient. And... did you say Oghren? Are you Paragon Branka's husband?”
“Was her husband, but not anymore,” Oghren scuffed. “Which means, of course, I'm available!”
“Uh, I've heard things about you. Not good things either. So... yeah, no thanks.”
“Oghren, leave her alone,” said Lisha. “The woman said no, and besides, you have another wife. Don't forget about her.”
“Ah, Commander, ruin all my fun.”
“Anyway,” the female dwarf continued. “My name is Sigrun, and if you do plan on going to Kal'Hirol with me, then we better get moving. The darkspawn won't kill themselves, you know, and when left to their own devices, get into all sorts of trouble.”
“Lead the way, then, Sigrun. We're right behind you.”
***
Lisha had never been in the Deep Roads before. In fact the only time she had ever been underground was when she and her best friend Tamlen had gone into the temple they found in the forest long ago. For some reason she thought the Deep Roads would be similar to the temple, but when she got a first good look at Kal'Hirol, she knew she was wrong.
The cavern they entered was open wide, stretching far out, even past eye sight. An underground river ran through the center with buildings lining the banks. All of which were covered by corruption and years worth of dust. She was amazed at the sight of it and couldn't believe what had been right under their feet the entire time.
“I don't know much about Kal'Hirol, except what the others from the Legion told me,” Sigrun said as they reached the edge of a cliff and looked out at the view of the thaig. “It used to be important, a center of learning for the smith caste. When the fortress was lost, a lot of what the smiths had learned was lost with it. They've never built anything quite like Kal'Hirol since.”
“It's beautiful.”
“Yeah, and... is that...?” Sigrun peered down from the cliff at something laying on the shore below. “Jukka!” She began running down the hill, startling everyone a little.
“Sigrun, wait!”
“It's Jukka, he's hurt. Bad!”
As they went down the hill and got closer, they noticed a body lying on the shore. It was another dwarf. He laid flat on his stomach, but stirred when he heard Sigrun's voice. “S-Sigrun...?” he said weak.
“Yes, it's me,” she said once she got to him. “Be still and try not to talk.”
Jukka shook his head, trying to look up at her but he was barely able to move. “No, Sigrun... you need to...”
“Is he from the Legion as well?” Lisha asked.
“Yeah, a friend,” Sigrun answered.
“Is there anything we can do for him?” Lisha turned to Anders. The mage stepped forward to examine the dwarf, but the dwarf shook his head again.
“No... I feel my death upon me. And it is a sweet release...”
“No,” Sigrun cried. “Let Anders help you. Let us do something, Jukka.”
“You must listen,” Jukka moaned. “The... the broodmothers. They're breeding. I saw an... an army. You... you must... you must stop them. But... but beware the Children. They are abominations, even among darkspawn...”
“What... what children? Who's children?”
Jukka moaned and grabbed his chest, gasping. “Forgive me...” He soon laid completely still.
Sigrun lowered her head. “Ancestors look kindly on your brother.” She closed Jukka's eyes before standing and facing Lisha and the others. “We have to finish what the Legion started. Those broodmothers need to be destroyed.”
“I agree,” said Lisha. “A group of broodmothers breeding an army is never good, but I want to know about these Children he warned us about. What was he talking about?”
“I don't know. I didn't see anything unusual when we were attacked. Well... maybe, but I was too busy fighting and running to notice darkspawn abominations.”
“Huh, that's kinda interesting,” Anders mused. “Can darkspawn become abominations? Or are they already abominations?”
“That's not what they're talking about,” said Nathaniel. “But whatever they are, I think the only way we're going to find out is to move forward.”
Lisha nodded. “Go ahead, Sigrun. You know how to get there.”
Sigrun took them down the path next to the buildings that lined the river. Up ahead they could see the massive entrance to a fortress which Sigrun pointed out to be their destination. As they got closer, Lisha began to feel something odd. She looked to the others, but they seemed to not be feeling the same thing. As new Grey Wardens, it would be some time before they could start feeling the darkspawn as she could, or anything else that was within the taint.
“This is it,” Sigrun said as they stopped in front of the door. A long set of narrow steps was leading to it. “The fortress of Kal'Hirol, but we shouldn't go through the front door, that's where the darkspawn ambushed us. We need to learn from the Legion's mistake and find another way in.”
“Wait a sec,” said Oghren seeming mystified. “Are you saying the darkspawn used the defenses designed to work against them, against the Legion?”
“That's exactly it. I told you, they're smarter now.”
“Great...”
“So is there another way in?” Lisha asked.
“All fortresses were always made with a hidden entrance somewhere next to the real one,” said Oghren. “It would be used for quick escapes or to try and enter the fortress without anyone knowing. If we look around the walls, we should hopefully find something.”
They separated, searching the walls for anything that was out of place. Lisha felt along, still feeling that new sensation, the same sensation she had felt at Vigil's Keep. Something was with them and it was moving closer. She stopped when it ran up her spin, freezing her along the wall. It moved quick in the shadows, too fast even for her to react. Something crawled out, jumped and brought her to the ground.
“Commander!”
“Lisha!”
The creature screeched, pinchers protruded from either side of it's mouth, trying to clamp down on her throat. Lisha grabbed them, fought to keep it's mouth, round and filled with rows of sharp, rotating teeth, from latching on. It's eyes were black, insect like, as they spun above her, looking all around. She felt many legs trying to hold her down. Sharp claws trying to break the enchantment on her armor to piece her flesh.
“Get off her!”
There was a lot of commotion going on around her. Lisha saw an ice spell hit the creature's side, freezing it, then followed by an arrow that shattered the hard shell that was covering the creature's back. A large axe swung above her head, hitting the creature and finally knocking it off her and onto it's back. The creature's many legs wiggled in the air as it squirmed to right itself. Oghren came round and brought his axe down, splitting it in half, yet it didn't seem dead. It's head still squirmed, pinchers snapping as a gooey mesh of black and green fell out it's broken end. Sigrun came to it's front, cutting her daggers across, splitting it once more down the center of it's face, finally killing it.
Lisha got on her feet with Nathaniel's aid but was unable to recuperate as more of the grub-like creature's scuttled out of the shadows. Ignoring the pain in her body, Lisha grabbed her own bow and began firing arrows, learning soon why Anders had to freeze the hard shell before Nathaniel could shatter it. Her arrows bounced off the creature's armor. Sigrun and Oghren were even having trouble cutting into it. Anders was the only one able to do any damage as he released ice spell after ice spell to allow everyone the chance to get to the softer part of the creatures. Becoming frustrated and tired, he soon summoned a storm with freezing winds that froze the creatures all around to the floor. Oghren and Sigrun made easy work shattering and destroying the things afterwards. It left everyone breathless and shocked.
“Commander, are you all right?” said Anders. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I'll be fine, Anders. You rest first, get your strength up. We may need you to do that again.”
Anders moaned as he sat himself down on a broken statue next to the wall. “I really hope not. That's only the second time I've ever done that spell. It's very draining and very hard to control. I hope none of you are too hurt from it.”
“You don't need to worry much about me,” Sigrun said as she cleaned off her daggers. “I'm a dwarf, so I'm pretty hardy.”
“If you're anything like Oghren, then I won't.”
“I would like to know what those things were,” said Nathaniel as he examined one of the more intact ones. “Are these the Children Jukka warned us about? Have you ever seen anything like them, Lisha?”
“No, and I've never felt anything like them either. It's weird... that was the first time since I could remember that something was able to sneak up on me like that.” Lisha went over to the grub Nathaniel was examining and crouched next to it. The taint was evident in it, and the strange feeling she had felt had been coming from the creatures. What they were, she couldn't say, nor did she know where they came from.
“Well whatever they are, we need to still deal with them,” said Sigrun.
“Yes, we do.” Lisha walked away from the dead grub and looked around the area once more. “So did none of you find the hidden entrance yet?”
“No, we were too busy watching you almost get ripped to shreds,” said Anders as he leaned back on the wall.
“Well, let's get back to the search. Anders, you go ahead and rest so you can build back up your mana. We're going to definitely need you if there are more grub-like darkspawn in Kal'Hirol. And something tells me there will be.”
“Hey, why does sparkle-fingers get to lounge around?” Oghren moaned.
“Because I'm a mage and I'm important.” Anders learned forward and smirked at Oghren's glower. “Besides, I'm sure that entrance is somewhere—Ah!” As he went to lean back against the wall, he found no wall to be there anymore, falling off the statue and into a dark hovel. “Found it!”
“Well what do you know,” Oghren mused. “I guess he's good for somethin' after all.”
Lisha peered into the entrance seeing how dark and narrow it was. “Alright, people. Form a line and stick close. It looks like humans may be able to fit through, but I can't be for sure.”
“Wait, shouldn't Anders heal you first?” Nathaniel said.
“If he's up to it, but I can keep going. I've had worse injuries, and it doesn't feel like anything is broken.”
“How? From what it looked like, that grub thing should've torn your flesh off, especially in that armor.”
Lisha looked down at her two piece armor and smiled. It wasn't the first time she had been questioned about it by a human. It was leather armor, inscribed and the traditional Dalish style for its elite female hunters. It was in two sections, just a skirt and breastplate that left her midsection exposed all around.
“There's an enchantment on it. Old Dalish magic that keeps anything from piercing my flesh. It fails on occasion, but only to very powerful creatures. There's no need to worry about me, Nathaniel. I'm fine and can take care of myself. I'm older than all of you and have faced many dangerous things. By myself even.”
Nathaniel looked her up and down, still seeming concerned. “Okay, but I still think--”
“She's fine,” Anders interrupted. “Now come on, let's get going. I'm eager to see what these broodmothers look like. Is it true they have rows of boobies?”
“Do you even know how a broodmother is created?” Sigrun asked.
“No, how?”
“Don't tell him, Sigrun,” said Lisha. “Let him have his fantasy then when he finally sees a real one and you see his face, then you can tell him.”
“Right.”
“Wait, I'm confused now,” said Anders. “What does that mean?”
“You'll see, mage.” Oghren pushed Anders forward in the line that was forming with Lisha in front followed by Nathaniel and Sigrun. Carefully they made their way into the dark tunnel and into the fortress of Kal'Hirol.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins: Awakening
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