Solavellan

Crestwood

Lavellan's P.O.V

Water was everywhere. You could barely go a few steps without finding a new puddle to splash in. The rain was never ending, and the lake was overflowing. At the very centre of the lake was a Fade rift. We had to find our way out to it. Heading for new Crestwood, we came across a few undead. Unsurprising, Harding had told us when we arrived they were rising from the lake. Just like in The Fallow Mire, the dead rose from the water, and the water was almost completely unavoidable. Cole slipped into the shadows and crept up on the archer, attacking it at the same time as Solas electrocuted the bunch. Gracefully, I skimmed past, my sword slicing each of the undead in my way. The Iron Bull was attacking a few at the edge. A ferocious cry escaped his scarred lips as his axe swung in wide arcs, leaving their deadly mark. Two Grey Wardens came running and helped us finish the undead off.

"Thanks," I said "is there any chance you could stay and help protect Crestwood?"

"No, our orders are very strict. Find the Warden Stroud and bring him back to Weisshaupt, and if we cannot find him we are to return immediately." The shorter Warden replied.

"Are you sure we can't stay?" The tall one asked.

"Yes, Warden Clarel was very strict with our orders, we cannot step out of line."

"Sorry, we can't stay to help." They both said

"Farewell." I lead us back to the corpses.

We returned our weapons to their respective places and looted the finally dead for anything of value. A few coins, a bow, and a few arrows. I'll donate the bow and arrows to Sera when we return. New Crestwood wasn't far now. I turned to look behind, the ground stained purple-black from the previous battle, corpses lay in pieces. I'm sure that'll keep passing merchants interested with Crestwood, making then feel safe and like they'll get a good profit. The closer we got, we lowered our guard little by little. The small town is so dull and depressing, dark colours everywhere you look, sullen expressions everywhere you turn. There was nothing pleasing about this town. Hushed whispers and the metallic clank of armour followed us through the town. Some voices carried well enough I could make out parts of conversations. A lot of the undead, something to do with the flood ten years ago during the last Blight, and a few about a dragon making a near-by ruin it's home. Something The Inquisition should definitely look into. The only person who had different emotions showing on their face was still not pleased. He was worried.

"Have you seen Judith? She lives up in the woods, I asked her to come stay with me while the undead are here, but she refused." He was wringing his hands.

"I'll check on her for you." I sympathised with him

"Thank you." A small smile appeared on his face for a brief moment.

A short while later we found Mayor Dedrick's house. Mayor Dedrick, of everyone here, should be able to help us cross the lake.

"Ah! Inquisitor, I was not expecting you." He smiled warmly in greetings,

But it did not reach his eyes. Instead, they were full of something else. Pain. Guilt. Unable to escape, and nervousness. He does not hide this well.

"Mayor Dedrick, is there a way across the lake?" I asked him, taking a step forwards. His smile fell.

"No.... but-"He toyed with loose threads on his shirt's sleeve.

"I saw a damn, could we drain the lake?" I was beginning to get curious as to why he's so nervous about the lake, so far they've done well to fend off the undead.

"Yes, but the controls were damaged years ago by the Darkspawn, they flooded the caves. They are in Caer Bronach, which the bandits claimed after they killed the gamekeeper." He said as his voice broke on 'by the Darkspawn'.