Chapter Text
“Do you feel that?”
“That’s a lot of activity.”
“It’s too organized and out of the way for it to be Darkspawn.”
“But what would so many Grey Wardens be doing here?”
“I… don’t know.”
“Go wake up the Commander.”
“I’d rather deal with that green thing that was spewing out demons again than wake up Sira.”
“But…”
There was a long silent pause before Sira heard cloth being moved aside and felt the warmth of the sunlight pouring in.
“Hey Commander…” Oghren’s gruff voice called out. Sira felt a slight pressure on her arm, to what she assumes to be Oghren’s attempt to try to carefully wake her. She had gained a reputation of being… grumpy when woken up; other’s preferred to call her an absolute terror but to each their own.
“I feel them Oghren. Wasn’t really asleep anyways.” She yawned, sitting up and stretching. Taking a glance at the chests in the canopied wagon she was resting in, she sighed. It had taken a year to gather the small amount of information, codes, and clues her small group did in the hunt for a cure from the calling. A long two years away from her husband Alistair, and they still had no concrete answer; only clues that led to more questions that lead to tiny tidbits of information that just ended up leaving even more questions than answers.
Sighing inwardly, she grabbed her daggers and hopped out of the wagon, shielding her eyes from the evening sun and took in their surroundings. There was a lot of… activity around them, which was confusing. Why would there be such a large number of Grey Wardens in this part of Thedas? Sure they were on the Imperial Highway, but there wouldn’t be anything of interest near Cumberland. If there were, they would know. Maker knows they’ve been scavenging for any news regarding warden history, and there wasn’t anything of significance on this stretch of
Thedas. Maybe they knew something they didn’t, or maybe they could even explain the lack of contact between her and the Vigil in Amaranthine, or even between the main Warden keep in Orlais. She had been so focused on her mission to find a cure, with the calling constantly there reminding her of everyone’s premature end, she didn’t exactly try to keep updated in current events.
“Well on the bright side, we might be able to get some answers from them.” Bethany said, hopping off the front seat of the wagon to stretch.
“With our luck, it’ll probably just lead to more questions.” Nathaniel snorted.
Sira made a non-committal sound while trying to identify how many exactly they were dealing with. “I say we go ask questions anyways, Sira.” Bethany said grabbing the staff from her seat. “I’m curious about the lack of response from… anybody.”
“I agree with Sunshine, Commander. Been hearing some real strange things recently. They might be able to tell us if Thedas has gone to shit again while you were away.” Oghren inputted.
“After running around in circles for a year, I’m ready to finally get some answers.” she agreed. “Besides, it would be nice to find out some news about those rumors we’ve been hearing about.” The rest of them agreed. “Nate, I’m going to grab one of the horses and head into the forest toward their direction. You and Oghren stay with the wagon and try to find an easier way through.” They both nodded, and Oghren made his way onto the bench beside Nate. Sira walked to her favorite Ferelden Forder, Archdemon, and began to untie the leather straps from the cart. “Bethany you ride with me. Better to greet them with two pretty faces than just one.”
“Oh I don’t know, I think Oghren’s face is rather pretty, Commander.” Bethany smiled.
Sira chuckled, and climbed onto Archdemon. “But not pretty enough. Sorry Oghren.” She shot him a sympathetic look.
“No offense taken, princess.” He shrugged.
“I think these might be Orlesian wardens, and I want information, not scare them off. Well not right away at least.” Sira said while Bethany hopped onto the horse, situating herself behind her. “You ready?”
After some more wiggling into place, Bethany grabbed Sira’s waist to hold onto with one hand and her staff in the other. “All ready.”
“Alright. We’ll meet up again in a bit, boys.” She said before riding off the beaten path to head towards the group of wardens.
“Halt!” yelled out the further most Warden from what they assumed to be the warden’s campsite for the night. “Explain yourself. Why were you separated from the rest of us? Are you from the Inquisitor’s group? Has something else happened?” he asked, Orlesian accent thick.
“Inquisitor’s group?” Bethany repeated. “Why would the Inquisition have a group of Grey Wardens?”
“And why are there so many wardens travelling this stretch of the Imperial Highway?” Sira inquired after Bethany.
“What do you mean why? Wait, I don’t recognize either of you.” The Orlesian said reaching to unsheathe his sword.
“We’re from Ferelden. Of course you wouldn’t recognize us.” Sira stated as she felt Bethany’s arm tense around her waist. She looked from the man’s face and saw a crowd gathering, probably to see what was causing the commotion.
“Bethany?” came a voice from the crowd.
“Sister?” Bethany asked breathlessly. Sira quickly looked behind her to look at Bethany’s face, then towards the direction of her eyes. It was a woman, with a stunning likeness to Bethany. Their hairstyles were down in a similar fashion, and both have the same beautiful raven hair, but their eyes were a different color, Bethany’s was a warm brown to the other woman’s icy blue. However their faces were much the same and there was no confusing the resemblance.
“What are you doing here?” they both asked at the same time.
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here? I’m the Grey Warden here!” Bethany exclaimed, hopping off the horse. Before the sister, the Champion of Kirkwall apparently, had time to answer, Bethany threw herself into her in a tight hug, which was just as eagerly returned.
“Andraste’s flaming knickers, I’m so glad you stayed out of this mess.” Her sister said while pulling back to see Bethany’s face. She then looked towards Sira, the smile on her face diminishing a little. “Then you must be…” she trailed off, waiting for affirmation.
Sira nodded reassuringly to her. “Yes. I am Warden-Commander Cousland.” She announced looking at the crowd of wardens that gathered, murmuring at her reveal, and noticed that there were some familiar faces mixed in. “What are some of my Warden’s doing here? And, what is the Champion of Kirkwall doing travelling with such a large group of Grey Warden’s?” she asked looking back down to her.
“Ah… yes, that. You seem to be quite out of loop, Warden-Commander.” The Champion said, as Sira slid off her horse.
“What do you mean? What’s happened and really what are you doing here Ellie?” Bethany asked her.
“Oh you know me. I love getting involved in matters that have nearly nothing to do with me and then saving everyone’s ass.” Hawke laughed, and Sira snorted.
“That’s something we have in common.” Sira said giving Hawke a wry smile. “Now, I’d really appreciate if you could provide us with some answers about what’s been going on in my absence.”
“Yes. Right. You might actually want to come with me and find a place to sit down. This one’s a doozy.” Hawke said, hooking her arms with Bethany’s and leading the way towards a tent.
Sira felt a headache coming on, and moved her hand to rub her forehead. “Because of course the world would absolutely try to tear itself apart when I left.” She thought.
Hawke just finished explaining everything that happened: the breach in the sky, the brand new Inquisition, the ancient magister Darkspawn and his pet Archdemon, and the utter stupidity that was the Warden’s reactions to the mass Calling. She felt herself scowling again, and the more it sunk in, the more infuriated she felt. Why would her reaction be the only relatively normal one? “Mass amount’s of Warden getting their Calling? I should find the cure! Meanwhile Clarel absolutely loses her fucking mind and starts creating a demon army through blood sacrifices from other idiot wardens, and binding the mages to demons. What in Makers breath were they thinking?” she thought to herself.
“So now we’re headed to Weisshaupt to see what they are doing to handle it.” Ellie Hawke stated. “I came to help see this through, and the Wardens needed someone to follow. With Stroud sacrificing himself at the end, they had no one proper to look to for leadership.” She continued then paused, allowing for another moment for the information to digest.
“Maker’s breath.” Bethany said looking at nothing in particular.
“Yeah no kidding. But, look, now you’re here! The great Hero of Ferelden, conqueror of the fifth Blight and all that. Between the both of us we should be able to piece this mess back together.” Hawke offered. Sira stared at her and Hawke wavered. “Not to mention that you are actually the Commander here.” She continued.
“No.” Sira finally said. She then put her hand on her forehead and slowly moving it down her face in frustration and sighed. “No, you’re going to continue to take these warden’s to Weisshaupt, as you were. The old traditionalist bastards won’t take kindly to you, but you won’t take any of their shit, and these warden’s seem to be fine with following your lead. Not to mention you know everything that has happened, personally. You’d be far more useful there then I would be.” She said finally looking at Hawke.
“Then what are you going to do?” she asked.
Sira paused to think. “I’m going to go handle the Warden’s under the Inquisitor’s care. I’m going to ask if they can be released to me, and offer to do what I can to help put an end to this madness. After that… I don’t know. Probably join you at Weisshaupt depending on what happens.”
“Alright, sounds like a plan.” Hawke agreed after considering what Sira proposed. She then stood up and stretched. “I’ll get some people to empty out a tent for your other two in your group to give you guys some space to sleep for the night. I’m pretty sure dinner should be done, seeing as how you people eat like it’s your last meal.” She gave them both a tired smile, as they stood up as well.
“Thank you.” Sira said putting her hand reassuringly on Hawke’s shoulder. “The world would literally end without us it seems.”
Hawke laughed “At least this time we’ve some experience in how to save Thedas from itself.”
Sira smiled then turned to exit the tent as Bethany started asking Hawke questions about their companions from Kirkwall. The night was in full swing and the smell of roasting meat was in the air when she stepped out of the tent. “So Thedas did actually fall apart while we were gone.” Nate said walking up to her, his arms crossed over his chest, and a smirk on his face.
“Things can just never be peaceful can it?” she groaned.
“Why would this ever be easy?” he chuckled.
“Where’s Oghren?” Sira asked.
“On a hunt for ale.”
“How in character of him.”
“So what now?” he asked.
“We go to the Inquisition, and we help. There’s a magister Darkspawn with a pet Archdemon running amok, and I can’t just stand aside and let them handle it themselves.”
“What about the Wardens here?”
“They’re headed to Weisshaupt with Hawke. We leave for Skyhold at first light.” She answers, Nate making a sound of affirmation. “But first I am absolutely going to rip these Warden’s apart.”