Inquisition Agents

Chapter 4: Vintiver

- You don't need to be afraid anymore of those wolves, milady. I, Oerik from Redcliff, will watch your back.

The agents were on their way back to Lothering, and the dwarf stayed close to Gaia while Keaton and Malan leaded the way.

- You said before you were a hero. Is that true? - the woman asked with genuine interest.

- That's correct. I fought to defend Redcliff against hundreds of thousands of undead that came from the Arl's castle. I was there, risking my life to save others, side by side with the hero of Ferelden. And the king itself, of course!

- Everyone knows what happened there during the last Blight, dwarf. There's no need to explain it to every person we cross by. - the elf said.

Malan didn't even turn back to talk to Oerik, he just seemed to be complaining out laud. The dwarf knitted his brow in disapproval, and lit his dark wooden pipe. He seemed upset with the elf's words, and he shut up. Gaia looked at the dwarf, waiting for the story to go on. She finally asked.

- Did you really get to known such important people, our did you just fight at their side?

Oerik looked at her and let out a smile.

- Aye, the hero of Ferelden shook my hand in gratitude for my help.

- You must have fought with truly valour if he did that. Tell me, how was he?

- The hero? As opposed to the popular stories, the hero is a woman. She was a fierce warrior back there, always in the front line smiting foes with righteous fury. It was inspiring fighting side by side with such a blade on the battlefield.

- I see. - Gaia smiled, amused by the story.

Malan interrupted the conversation.

- Where are you from, Gaia? We barely know anything about you.

- I was born here, in Ferelden. I've been on a travel far north, but recently I came back following my magical investigations.

- North? You don't mean Tevinter, don't you? - the dwarf asked.

- No, Maker saves me paying a visit to the Imperium. I travelled through the Anderfels.

- The Anderfels? - both Malan and Oerik exclaimed all at once in surprise.

Keaton looked back to the group, startled. When the woman kept on talking calmly, the warrior shocked his head disapprovingly and continued walking at the front.

- Yes, the Anderfels. It's a place like any other, what's the matter?

- There's nothing there. - Oerik stated.

- Except for an old Grey Warden fortress. - Malan added suspiciously.

The woman let out a little laugh.

- Do I look like a Warden? Indeed there's a fortress there, but also a lot of remains of the taint from the firsts Blights. Moreover, lots of people are in need of help, and my healing magic did the difference in many places.

Malan didn't add any comments about the mage story, he just headed on with Keaton and left Oerik and Gaia having a nice chat behind.

When the sunlight was dying at the horizon, they finally reached Lothering. The group split in order to work faster. Malan went to inform the farm owners about the wolves. He also checked their horses and received the promised gold for the task. Keaton visited the town stores to get some supplies, and took a look to the blacksmith goods. However, he didn't find anything of his interest. Oerik and Gaia made their way to the tavern to order something for dinner, and book some rooms.