The Dalish Commander (The Daughters of Thedas Book 2)

36: The Mother

Soundtrack:

Reign of the Dark ~ Adrian von Zieglar (Drake's Fall/The Mother)

We'd somehow found our horses, although the Messenger insisted on walking. It took us several days to reach the Dragonbone Wastes.

"This is as far as I go, Commander of the Grey," The Messenger said. "I am wishing you luck as you face the Mother."

"What will you do now?" I asked.

"Rise above who I am. The Commander of the Grey, she has shown me that I can be more."

"Stay out of trouble, Messenger. I would hate to be the one who has to hunt you down."

"The feeling is mutual. May your gods protect you, Commander of the Grey." He started to turn away and then stopped. "If you can, find a way to stop another Blight from beginning. The Old Gods, they call to us. Our touch corrupts their beauty. Keep us from awakening Razikale and Lusacan. Keep the Architect from awakening them. Or at least find a way to kill them. Many of the Commanders of the Grey, they know the locations of their prisons." Razikale and Lusacan were the two remaining Old Gods, destined to become Archdemons and lead the sixth and seventh Blights. While I didn't know the locations of their prisons, I'm sure other Commanders and the First Warden himself did.

"I can make no promises, Messenger."

"The Commander of the Grey, she is a bright one. I believe you will bring an end to the cycle."

"Your faith in me is astounding."

He gave me a toothy smile. "I have faith in the Warden who keeps her word." He gave me a bow and turned away.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to let him go?" Nathaniel asked.

"I'm not sure, but I did give him my word. And I always keep my promises."

We turned and stepped into the Wastes.

~~~

Moonlight shone down on the Wastes and I could see where the place got its name. Scattered around our general area were the biggest bones I had ever seen.

"Wow," Anders said. "I wonder how many dragons are here."

I led the way forward. "Centuries worth, by the looks of it."

We hadn't gone very far when the first of the Mother's Darkspawn attacked us. It wasn't long before we defeated them and the Children that attacked with them.

"I'm really starting to hate these Children," Oghren growled. We went several paces without incident.

"Allow me to say, Ser Dwarf, that you are a frightening force on the battlefield," Nathaniel said. I had to agree.

"Is this a joke? I only let loose that one time because I was surprised..."

"No, it... it was a compliment."

"I don't get many of those."

"I don't see why."

I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

"You're skills are —"

Oghren interrupted him with a belch. Nathaniel paused a moment. Oghren didn't know how to take a compliment without some bodily noise attached to it.