Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 15: Prisoner

"So I have noticed," Solana said turning sharp after watching the large human leave. Alistair jumped in surprise, "that the Grey Wardens have the right to recruit anyone?"

"King Maric, Cailan's father, reaffirmed the power of the Grey Wardens given during the Blights. In practice we can't conscript too often without hurting our cause." Alistair shrugged with a playful grin. "We were exiled from Ferelden once... Best not to let that happen again."

"Where are all the Grey Wardens now?"

"The others are camped with the king's soldiers in the valley," Alistair said pointing to the many tents Solana could see ahead. "The king's given us a position of honor at the vanguard, despite our small numbers. I think Cailan is actually excited to ride into battle with us. Maybe he thinks that's what his father would've done?"

Satisfied with that answer, Solana began to walk towards Duncan's tent to the North when the priest standing nearby stops her. "Ah! I suspect you are one of the new Grey Wardens. Will you accept the Maker's blessing?"

"You administer blessings to elves, do you?" Now Solana had seen it all. She looked at the lady with suspicion, and she could tell Alistair was thinking of an excuse to leave. However, the priest seemed unfazed, even happy.

"I merely pass on the Maker's blessings. He looks kindly on all who will receive Him."

Solana didn't know what to say. She knew that her father would want her to accept the lady's blessing. "Very well," she said in a sigh, "I'll receive His blessing."

"Then I bless you, Grey Warden, in the name of Andraste and the Maker above. May the Chant of Light carry your name to the ears of our Lord."

As they began to walk away, Solana felt very confused. "What did I just do?" She kept mumbling to which Alistair would just politely nod his head as if he was listening. They were about to pass a few hanging cages when a lump in one caught Solana's attention. For a moment, her heart stopped as she imagined stumbling upon a dead body. She never wanted to see that again!

She approached and the man was gladly alive sitting in his cage. His green eyes lit up at the sight of the woman in armor approaching. "Heh," came his sad chuckle. "Someone finally comes and talks to the lone prisoner? I don't suppose you've come to sentence me."

Solana exchanged a look with Alistair before looking back over at the man. "No, I haven't."

The man was skin and bones, his only clothing was his modest loin cloth. Solana didn't know where to look so she chose the iron bars. His eyes were sad, and he appeared to be searching her face for some kind of sign. He came over, gripped the bars with one hand, and he gazed down at the two Wardens. He looked desperate.

"I... Don't suppose you have a bit of kindness in you? All I want is food and water. They haven't fed me since I was locked up, and I'm starving."

"That's horrible!" It would explain his sad condition. Something nipped at Solana, and she suddenly put herself in his situation. She could've been in Denerim's prison right now in the same condition. She looked to the ground, at her mother's scuffed boots. Poor Soris would never have lasted in such a cruel place.

"Why haven't they fed you," she asked looking up now.

The man blinked back tears that were coming on. He hated to be in this situation. Begging at the hands of another person. "I expect nobody thought of it," he laughed. "With all the battles and such now."

"I'm gonna help him," Solana whispered over at Alistair. His lips displayed a grin. "How are you gonna do that?"

"Don't worry... I didn't catch your name," Solana began as she ignored Alistair.