A Change of the Script

Chapter 4

Alistair watched as Riordan fell from the Archdemon into the burning city below. Glancing towards Lyna he noticed the resolve forming on her beautiful face. His heart made his choice for him. Even though he had gone through the ritual he was not completely sure that it would work. He had pulled Morrigan aside at the City gates and she had finally admitted that she wasn't completely sure it would work herself. She wanted to go with them to make sure there was a greater chance of success but knew Lyna would start asking questions if she insisted. Alistair resolved to find a way to take the final blow himself.

Continuing to make their way through the city they were surprised at how many darkspawn they had to defeat.

"How many got into the city before we arrived" Zevran asked as he slit the throat of a Hurlock from behind then slipped back into the shadows.

"Who can say" Wynn answered as she cast a spell and froze three more Hurlocks in place. "They have been here for long enough to fortify positions. I'm glad we defeated their Generals or this would be much worse".

"Worse will be when we reach the top of the Fort." Lyna added somberly.

Alistair glanced at the group. They were all tired and needed a rest which they wouldn't be able to get. They still had a lot to do and a good way to go. "Why can't they just see that we're going to win and leave?" he said, trying to lighten the mood a little. "Then we could all go for a picnic. Maybe have some of those little Orlesian cakes"

The others looked at him slightly confused before Zevran spoke up. "Hmmm, perhaps. Though there is an Antivan wine which I must introduce to you." he said as he sliced a hurlocks knees from behind.

"There is a very nice cheese that we make at the Circle that goes very well with spiced wine. Perhaps I should check the stores when this is over. It keeps very well." Wynn said, smiling gently as she saw Alistair perk up.

"Cheese? Is it that blue one that you brought when we were at the Circle the first time?" Alistair asked, enjoying the idea that had initially just been something to cheer everyone up. Taking a swing at the now kneeling Hurlock he cleanly removed it's head.

"Yes Alistair," Wynn replied throwing a fireball at an approaching Genlock. "We also have one with herbs and spices which I believe you might like".

O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Listening to her friends make plans for a picnic in the middle of battle, Lyna couldn't help but smile. This is how she wanted to remember them, laughing and joking despite the situation. She remembered the last time that she had been in Fort Drakon. She and Alistair had been captured and tortured after trying to free Anora. Just when they thought they'd have to try and free themselves Ogren and Zevran turned up in the most outrageous outfits, bickering over who had blown their cover. From what she could gather afterward, the warrior and rogue had posed as entertainers to gain access to the Fort.

Watching her friends now she could only hope that they didn't change.

"I suppose we should bring some ale for Oghren" Wynn said, twirling her staff and smacking a Hurlock that got too close with a focused blast of ice.

"Why?" Zevran asked, dispatching the partially frozen Hurlock. "He always seems to have a personal supply. Also, I'm not sure if he would sober if he didn't drink. I am most confidant that his blood is fully ale by this point, no?" Giving a cheeky grin he slid once more into the shadows.

Slipping behind another Hurlock, Lyna quietly ran her blade over it's throat, ending it's tainted existence. "I could bring some of the wine from my clan." she said, feeling some of the light mood enter her. She had not told her friends of the final price of destroying the Archdemon and she realized that neither had Alistair. She did not want them to worry or worse, try to stop her. She wanted to remember them happy. "We have one made from the berries and grapes found deep in the Brecilian forest. It's rather sweet".