Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 31: A New Companion

"Such a shame," came Morrigan's usual response to her mother's guests, until what she said sunk in. Her eyes widened and her head snapped towards her mother. "What?"

"You heard me, girl," Flemeth laughed. "Last time I looked, you had ears."

Solana saw the look of torment on Alistair's face as his eyes darted between the two mages. Solana wasn't too pleased about the arrangement herself, but Flemeth must have some purpose behind wanting to send Morrigan with them. To escape the Wilds, perhaps? She saw the stare of displeasure on the taller woman's face, and realized that even Morrigan found the idea less than appealing.

"Thank you," Solana cleared her throat. Was it hot out here? "But, if Morrigan doesn't wish to join us..."

"Her magic will be useful." Flemeth crossed her arms and lifted one hand as she spoke. "Even better, she knows the Wilds, and how to get past the horde."

"Have I no say in this?"

Morrigan face flushed with exasperation. She could not believe it! Of all the horrible, unspeakable things... She had not expected her own mother to go this far to be rid of her. Morrigan's jaw was set tight and her lips pulled to the side as she fumed.

"You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Here is your chance," Flemeth stated matter-of-factly. "As for you, Wardens," her yellow eyes coming to rest back on the duo in front of her, "consider this repayment for saving your lives."

Solana didn't understand the full reality of what was happening, but somehow she felt as if Felemth had planned the whole thing. Saving them only to send Morrigan with them later... Had she seen all of this happen before it did? If that was the case, Solana understood why Daveth had been so frightened of her. She looked over at Morrigan and back at Alistair. Her blue eyes finally resting on Flemeth's.

"Was this your idea all along?"

"Pardon me," Flemeth said with a slight sarcasm lingering on her voice, "but I had the impression that you two needed assistance, whatever the form."

Alistiar unclenched his fists and then clenched them again. His palms were sweaty at the thought of traveling with the woman he spent half the morning arguing with. "Not to... Look a gift horse in the mouth, but won't this add to our problems?"

He pointed to all of Morrigan, "Outside the Wilds, she's an apostate."

Flemeth gave an angry glare and Solana for a moment thought she saw the woman tense, as if holding herself back. It quickly fell away and a calmer sigh escaped the woman's lips. "If you do not wish help from us illegal mages, young man," she said with her chin raised to look down at Alistair who stood a few inches taller than her, "perhaps I should have left you on that tower and saved the other."

Solana's heart jumped at the thought of Alistair being left behind. Alistair looked defeated and mad at the comment. He lowered his head and mumbled, "Point taken."

"Mother," Morrigan pleaded one last time. She had to make her see reason to this foolishness. She should stay, not frolic around with Grey Wardens. Or had this something to do with what Felmeth had spoken to her last night about? Morrigan cautiously approached the subject with a shaky tone.

"This is not how I wanted this. I am not even ready—"

"You must be ready," Flemeth cut her daughter off. "Alone, these two must unite Ferelden against the darkspawn. They need you Morrigan. Without you, they will surely fail, and all will perish under the Blight. Even I."