The Grey Wardens' Leader

1.1 - Royal

Paralyzed by NF
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   The small group walked up the stairs of Redcliffe Castle and into the Arl's room. Avril rubbed her elbow nervously and watched as the mage waved his hand over the man's body. Eamon grunted and looked over at Teagan,"Wh-Where am I?"

"Be calm brother, you have been deathly ill for a very long time. Do you remember nothing?"

   The Arl slowly sat up and narrowed his eyes at his brother,"Teagan? What are you doing here? And where is Isolde?"

"She...She has passed away, Eamon, I'm so sorry..."

   The man teared up, looking around wildly,"And Connor? Where is he? Where is my boy?!"

"He lives, though many others are dead. There is much to tell you, brother...Much has happened since you fell ill, and some of it...won't be easy for you to hear."

"Tell me, I wish to hear it all."

   Teagan spills out the horrific details for his now recovered brother, the Grey Wardens and their friends pitching in minor details when it was needed.

   Eamon stared into the embers burning bright in his fireplace,"This is most troubling. There is much to be done, that is true, but I should first be thankful to those who have done so much. Grey Warden, you have not only saved my life, but kept my son safe as well. I am in your debt...Will you permit me to offer you a reward for your service?"

"If you insist, then I won't be able to refuse.", Avril smiled softly.

"Then allow me to declare you and those traveling with you champions of Redcliffe. You will always be a welcome guest within these halls."

"Thank you, your grace."

   Teagan swallowed what felt like glass before hurting in,"We should speak of Loghain, brother. There is no telling what he will do once he learns of your recovery."

"Loghain instigates a civil war even though there are darkspawn on our very doorstep. Long I have known him. He is a sensible man; one who never desired power."

The Arl's brother crossed his arms,"I was there when he announced he was taking the throne, Eamon. He's gone mad with ambition, I tell you!"

"Mad indeed. Mad enough to kill Cailan, to attempt to kill myself and destroy my lands. Whatever happened to him, Loghain must be stopped. What's more, we can scarce afford to fight this war to its bitter end."

Avril furrowed her eyebrows together in concern,"But you can unite the nobility against him, can't you?"

"I could unite those opposing Loghain, yes, but not all oppose him. He has some very powerful allies. We have no time to wage a campaign against him. Someone must surrender if Ferelden has any chance of fighting against the darkspawn."

"But once everyone has learned of what he has done...", the young Dalish elf whined.

Eamon shook his head and gestured a solid 'no' with his hands,"I will spread word of Loghain's treachery, both here and against the king, but it will be a claim made without proof. Those claims will give his allies pause, but we must combine it with a challenge Loghain cannot ignore. We need someone with a stronger claim to the throne than his daughter, the queen."

"Are you referring to Alistair, brother? Are you certain?"

Avril looked up at the former Templar with uncertain eyes, a gesture he recognized by putting his palm at the small of her back.

"I would not propose such a thing if there were an alternative, but the unthinkable has occurred."

The elven girl shook her head and balled up her hands into fists,"Alistair would make a terrible king!"