Snippet #1379693

Ser Bruce Le-Guy

“Insolent, unthankful…” Bruce hissed at Severia, though he kept the volume low and inaudible for the people in the cave. Bruce was ready to step down if no strong leader was ready to take the lead of the party, however that never meant that he was open for insults and discrimination.

Is this how you treat the men of the Maker? Adraste’s champions of Light? I will not forget this easily, Bruce thought, sending Severia a scornful look before he turned and looked at Raelnor, and then it struck him, he had lost his helmet while he had battled the darkspawns. Bruce had no idea where it could have ended up nor did he think that they had time to go search for his helmet, it wouldn’t make the biggest difference to him, as long as he had his chainmail hood to protect him from further scars on his head.

Bruce turned his head to the two mages he had met at the campsite in the first place. They were sleeping, which he supposed was good. The less unlikely it was that they would do anything silly, the Maker knew how much he disliked the mages; mages and elves were something which Bruce held of high hopes for, he kept it to himself however though he had always shunned whatever elves that managed to become a Templar, They don’t deserve the honor of serving the Maker nor the Chantry of Andraste.

Bruce raised an eyebrow at Severia, “Well, that is one thing we can agree on. Demons and darkspawns working together isn’t something I’ve heard of. Either the Darkspawn leader has some powerful allies, or these demons have plans of their own.” Bruce agreed.

“Warden Serveria, do tell me…How do you plan on going about in Ferelden? I mean no offense, but with the rumor that the Grey Wardens were responsible for the death of the king, I could imagine that both bounty hunters and would-be patriots will hunt you down.” Bruce was curious for how the Grey Wardens had planned that they were to escape

“Allow me to make up for my…Incidental commanding earlier,” Bruce then said, “While certainly I am not the most beloved Templar amongst the…Mages of the Tower, I am certain that the common people of Ferelden is more likely to see my word of higher value. So, if you would allow it, Warden Severia, Ser Raelnor and I could function as a form of…Communicator with the people of higher rank, especially those within the Chantry.”

Bruce’s pride had been punched rather hard by Severia so Bruce wanted, at the very least, some form of position where he could represent then Templars, Chantry, and the group; he refused to be seen as a simple soldier, for he was nothing like the common soldier he was a Templar. There existed a difference.
Also, It was partly true, the Grey Wardens were accused for being the killer of the King and if Raelnor and Bruce could simply say that they were ‘escorting’ the group of mages along their quest of the Tower. Most people wouldn’t just question a Templar, they existed for a reason.

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Lisa Smith

Lisa opened her eyes. She was rather surprised that she wasn’t having a stiff neck after having slept on a stool against the wall, well maybe the quality of the wall was better than those in the Free Marches. One never knew.
Looking around in the inn she could see that there were more and more refugees that had flocked to the town in hope of protection, Don’t they know that there is a difference between being five miles and fifty miles away from an enemy? Obviously not, Lisa thought, honestly not really feeling the least bit of pity for the peasants. Why should she? She wasn’t a native of Ferelden so there was no reason to show any emotions for such people.

I’ve lingered here long enough, Lisa thought as she got up from the stool and left the inn. It was an hour before sun rise, well, so she guessed, and even at this hour Lothering was a busy city. Many people traveling through the city, either refugees, merchants on the run or rag-tag bandits that were trying to conceal their true profession amongst the commoners.

The local Templars were busy keeping order. They ensured that there was no thievery or fights between the people. They are like confused cattle, Lisa thought as she looked at the crowd.
The city wasn’t exactly the most hygienic place when there were so many people. The smell of sweat seemed to drown every other smell, which could be considered to be good for with this many people together after all…The stench of urine wouldn’t be in the air, along with other personal hygienic smells.

Lisa went straight to the Chantry of the town to see if they were open, and they were. Great, Lisa thought as she walked into the building, she went straight to the Knight-Commander of the Chantry, “Ser,” she said politely getting the attention of the Templar, “Yes?” he asked and looked down at Lisa a bit surprised at her way of dressing.

“I’ve heard that the battle at Ostagar didn’t go as believed, is that true?”
“I’m afraid so. The darkspawns has beaten the king’s army as well as the Grey Wardens have been responsible for the murder of the King. Why? You are not of Ferelden.”
“I was ordered by the governor of Ostwick in the Free Marches to serve as a strategist concerning the King’s scouts, however my shit was delayed and I’ve just arrived to hear these news. It is terrible news indeed.”
“Aye, but tell me…Why would the Free Marches send officers to aid the King?”
“Certain city states have the best interest for Ferleden, however I am afraid that their hopes are now for naught.”
“I see,” the Knight-Commander said, nodding, “I hope then that you will return back to the ”.

Lisa bowed slightly and then turned to speak with other members of the Chantry. “Revered Mother,” she said with respect and smiled, “I have come a long way from the Free Marches, please enlighten me with the knowledge of the current events. I’ve heard that the King’s army ahs been defeated at Ostagar, yet…How can an army consisting of veteran soldiers, large numbers of recruits and mages, if I am not mistaken.”
The Revered Mother looked at Lisa, estimating what rank she bore and how she could be concerned with the strategies of Ostagar. “I think you are more than a mere traveller from the Free Marches, aren’t you?”
Lisa smiled and leaned her head to the side, “And right you are.”
“There isn’t any any-”
“I’m not here to investigate your faith, I’m here to see why the Blight wasn’t stopped by Ferelden, and why the Chantry hasn’t reacted to the continuing existence of the Blight.”
“Is that so?”
“If I do encounter corruption within your Chantry, I’m also charged with rooting it out. The Chantry serves a purpose. A purpose for the people and its believers, no one can deny that and you know that well.”
“That I do. Now…The Chantry has had some…Political difficulties, which has hindered its ability to simply intervene.”
“What are these political difficulties?”
“General Teyrn Loghain is on the throne, there is political unrest, on the brink of civil war, and there hasn’t been many reports from the Tower of Mages. Things are being too quiet and too tense, and the last thing the Chantry here needs is a bold Knight-Commander who is responsible for the start of a civil war. The Tower of Mages is already being undermanned since a significant number of Templars were sent to aid at Ostagar. The Chantry is…in a tight spot”

Lisa considered the knowledge and then looked at the Revered Mother, “What is the Chantry’s standing for the Grey Wardens?”
“We are to remain indifferent towards the Grey Wardens, outside the politics of the Grey Wardens as well as the politics of Ferelden.”
“That goes even for the Templars?”
“In theory, yes, however many Templars have lost friends due to this Blight and will most likely hold grudges against them, but their training ought to keep them in line.”
“Thank you, Revered Mother,” Lisa said and nodded.

Lisa left the Chantry, stepping outside she took out her pipe, placed some tobacco into the pipe and lit it. Lisa smoked when she needed to think, and now she needed to think deeply. The Chantry was in a weaken position, unable to take action due to the political tension that was evolving between the petty nobles and the throne. The lack of Templars were limiting their ability to defend the cities as well as maintaining the mages in their Tower.
The possibility of a Mage Riot were high if they discovered that they could overpower the Templars, and likewise were they likely to be eradicated by the darkspawns if they didn’t act against them. These Grey Wardens were obviously the only ones trained to fight such monsters, and although they had killed a king, whether through political motivation or personal vendetta, it was over and Lisa needed to get these Wardens together (or whoever were left in these lands) and prepare to counter this Blight.
Lisa doubted that the Blight would simply stop after the destruction of Denerim, or whatever their target was. Which meant that the Free Marches was in danger, high danger if the Blight wasn’t stopped, But where do I start searching for Wardens that doesn’t wish to be found? I need to ask around, Lisa thought and then looked to see that there were thin rays of sun rising from the horizon.

The sun was rising, and so was a new quest with a much larger burden. Lisa was ready to take on possibly the greatest mission she had ever done.