Chapter Four: Letters

Previously: Fall

 

5th of Justinian, 9:30 Dragon

 

My dearest brother,

 

I arrived in Ostagar after our castle fell to Arl Howe and his men. Duncan and I looked for you at once, but they said you were lost on a scouting mission. I wept for you, as I did for Mother, Father, Oren, and Oriana.

 

With the demon hordes drawing close, my Warden training began. Duncan entrusted me to a junior Warden named Alistair. He took me and two other recruits out into the wilds to hunt darkspawn as part of our initiation.

 

I don't know if you've ever seen darkspawn, but I can say they are indeed nightmare made flesh. They stank of blood and rot, and the unholy noises they made chilled my bones.

 

I  personally slew three of them. 

 

When we returned, we began the Joining. I can't give you the details, of course. I can only say that one recruit tried to flee and was killed. The second complied and still died. I alone survived.

 

King Cailin himself congratulated me, but there was no celebration beyond that. Side note, brother... I can see what people meant about Anora being the true ruler of Ferelden. A wise and patient leader? Cailin was most certainly not. All he ever talked about was glory and battle. It gave me pause to think of all the men I slaughtered at our castle. Despite their treachery, I couldn't stop from thinking of how they too were husbands, fathers, and sons who would never go home to their families.

 

It made me vomit heavily. Everyone else thought I was either nervous or feeling sick from the Joining.

 

After my stomach settled, I prepared for battle.

 

They came in the night, brother. Waves of darkness rolling over the snow-covered hills. Our flaming arrows did not halt them, nor the war hounds we unleashed. They cut through our soldiers without missing a step. Only the Wardens held ground, but we were too few. Treachery seems to be all the rage in Ferelden, for when Teyrn Loghain could've brought his men in to save us, the traitor turned and fled instead.

 

The King was slain. Duncan was slain.

 

Alistair, the few remaining Wardens, and I retreated deep into the wilds, where we found shelter with witches, of all people. They healed our wounds and kept us hidden, then sent us north to Lothering.

 

In the refugee camps, I met some Chasind who knew you. That's when I learned they saved you in wilds and escorted you to Redcliffe... where you no doubt learned the horrid news.

 

My brother, I am so sorry. I am so very, very sorry. I never even got the chance to save them.

 

I know I am no great consolation, but please remember in your darkest hours that you are not alone. I am alive. I am not well, but I am alive. Your sister is alive, and you are not alone.

 

***

 

20th of Solace, 9:30 Dragon

 

My dearest brother,

 

The stupidity of the Ferelden nobles never fails to astound me.

 

We are in the Brecilian Forest, meeting with the Daelish. The Grey Warden treaties allows us to call upon Elves, Dwarves, and Mages, but the Elves won't even hear of it until we resolve their werewolf problem. So into the woods I go.

 

In the meantime, I must suffer the most appalling news that Loghain is telling everyone we Wardens betrayed the King, and now he's trying to seize the throne. They all know he's lying, but apparently, they can't resist the stench of opportunity. Can you believe that?

 

Oh, wait... you can. 

 

***

 

12th of August, 9:30 Dragon

 

My dearest brother,

 

I'm sorry I couldn't visit Redcliffe. Technically, Alistair shouldn't even be there. He's supposed to be bound for Orzammar with the rest of us, but Arl Eamon summoned him for some reason. Either way, he promised he'd get you this letter. And whatever he tells you about me... it's all true.

 

Growing up, I sought out every story I could about the Wardens. It's interesting how those stories didn't tell, well, the whole story. They don't talk about the long walking, the biting cold, the gnawing hunger, or going days without a proper bath. I've slept on grass, hard rock, and when lucky, tents with holes.

 

If it weren't for Alistair's wildly inappropriate sense of humor, I would have gone mad. 

 

Alistair's a good man and a great warrior, if not the sharpest sword. We've kept each other strong in these dark times. Losing Duncan really hurt him, just losing our family hurt us.

 

***

 

3rd of Kingsway, 9:30 Dragon

 

Brother, remind me to never come back to Orzammar. How these people survive living strictly underground, I'll never know.

 

The Dwarves agreed to abide by the treaties, but only after I helped resolve their succession crisis. Their king died, and even though he had a son, the prince was never formally declared the heir. I know... politics.

 

I ended up siding him regardless, even though I know for a fact he killed the old man. The Wardens say we must win by any means necessary, and King Bhelen is the type to do exactly that.

 

It's odd being a leader, brother. It's like all you have are these terrible options, each one worse than the last. 

 

I miss Alistair, but it was probably best he wasn't here for this. He never would have approved of my decision. And as the senior Warden, he would've likely made an even more terrible one.

 

***

 

23rd of Kingsway, 9:30 Dragon

 

My dearest brother,

 

You know how some people don't like to say, "I told you so"? Not I. I told you so. These Templars have gone absolutely wild and... I told you so.

 

Or rather, I told Alistair so. He and I have this ongoing debate about the Chantry, the Circle of the Magi, the ethics of blood magic, and so on. He has a deep prejudice and fear of untrained mages, and I think the Chantry has a tendency to overstep. And here the Templars are, right on time to prove me right. A few mages went rogue and became abominations, and the Templars wanted use that as an excuse to burn the whole place down!

 

I managed to calm tensions, kill the lead blood mage, and got the First Enchanter to honor the treaties. But if Alistair is still in Redcliffe, please tell him I said, "I told you so".

***

 

10th of Harvestmere, 9:30 Dragon

 

Dearest sister,

 

I hope this finds you well. Arl Eamon received word that your party is currently stationed at Soldier's Peak after battling the undead and resolving a haunting. Is that true???

 

Be careful, Elissa. Soldier's Peak isn't far from Highever, which the Howes have overrun. Should Rendon find out you are near, he may send men to finish the job.

 

I couldn't bear to lose you. Not after everything. 

 

Your letters have given me comfort, despite your wild, incredible tales. You truly have become a hero like in the stories Father used to tell us.

 

Despite Loghain's propaganda, support for the Grey Wardens is growing. Recruits from all across Ferelden are making their way to Redcliffe. A few even survived the Joining.

 

A senior Warden by the name of Riordan has been overseeing the initiations. He has become a new mentor to Alistair, whom I have befriended. He's a good man, sister, and he speaks of you so fondly. He tells of your adventures together and claims you're better with a sword than even he. I think he might be falling in love with you.

 

As the head of our family, I give my blessing should you wish to marry him.

 

It's good to finally be able to write you for the next few months, though I doubt wintering at Soldier's Peak will be pleasant. But for now, you can stop walking, and enjoy the cozy warmth of a proper hearth.

 

Love,

 

Fergus

 

Next: Secrets of Redcliffe