Nolo, Nolle, Nolui : Chapter 16

[nithu]

Alistair took in the set of Fearghal's shoulders and the closed, hard look on his face and felt his heart sink. While not exactly the life and soul of the party, Fearghal had definitely been more relaxed and easier to live with when Bennet was around. Alistair was going to miss the big Highever man, and not just because his presence made Fearghal less moody; Bennet was easy to get along with and good company in his own right.

 

"What's the set up in there?" muttered Fearghal, jerking his head towards the tower.

Alistair was surprised by the question, realising that the tower was something he knew a lot about and Ferghal didn't.

"You'll need to speak to the Knight-Commander of the Templars and the First Enchanter, a mage called Irving."

Fearghal frowned. "Why do I need to speak to the Knight-Commander? The treaty is with the mages."

"The mages aren't going anywhere unless the Knight-Commander agrees," explained Alistair.

Fearghal huffed in frustration but said nothing further.

They reached the Inn by the lakeside and Fearghal turned to face the small band. "Sten, Leliana, you wait here. Morrigan and Alistair, come with me to the Tower."

Fearghal drew a couple of sovereigns from his purse and gave them to Leliana. "You can both wait in the Inn."

"Er... do you think it's wise, taking an apostate into the Tower?" asked Alistair.

"No," said Fearghal. "But I think it's even less wise leaving her out here in easy reach of dozens of Templars. If anyone queries who she is, we can say she's a Grey Warden."

"Fair enough," agreed Alistair.

"Let's get going. Leave your packs here, we shouldn't need them in the Tower." Fearghal turned and headed to the small jetty.

Alistair was surprised to see a Templar at the end of the jetty, instead of the boatman. "That's not usual," he muttered to Fearghal.

The Templar turned to them. "You! You're not looking to get across are you? I have strict orders not to let anyone pass!"

"I need to get to the Tower," stated Fearghal firmly.

The Templar shook his head. "No-one gets to the Tower. No-one! It's off-limits!"

Fearghal sighed, shaking his head, then charged into the Templar, sending him flying. As the Templar staggered backwards, Fearghal grasped his right arm and spun the man round, twisting his arm up his back. Ignoring the man's cries of pain, he man-handled him to the edge of the jetty.

"I'm not going to ask again," he growled. "Either you take us across or you go for a swim and I'll row myself across."

"Ow! You're breaking my arm! I-I'll take you!" the man shrieked.

Fearghal pulled the man back from the edge and let him go. The Templar stretched his arm carefully, then with a resentful look at Fearghal headed for the row boat. The Templar seated himself at the oars whilst Alistair and Fearghal got into the boat. Morrigan hesitated on the edge of the small dock with Bane until Fearghal grasped her round the waist and lifted her down easily, ignoring her indignant cry. He snapped his fingers at Bane who cowered on the edge of the dock, whining.

Fearghal eyed his dog sternly. "You either get in the boat or swim," he told him. Bane flinched backwards as Fearghal reached for him.

"Suit yourself." Fearghal turned to the Templar. "Start rowing."

The Templar started to row, making a big show of wincing as he used his twisted arm. On the dock, Bane started pacing back and forth, whining pathetically. Fearghal pointedly ignored his dog, but a small smile twisted his mouth at the big splash the dog made as he hit the water. At the far side of the lake he helped Morrigan out of the boat, then stood back as his hound shook himself vigorously.

"... and I want two men stationed within sight of the doors at all times. Do not open the doors without my express consent. Is that clear?" The grey-haired templar whirled as Fearghal and his companions entered the tower.

"The doors are barred. Are they keeping people out? Or in?" Alistair muttered.

"Who are you?" demanded the templar. "I explicitly told Carrol not to bring anyone across the lake. We're dealing with a very delicate situation. You must leave, for your own safety."

"We are Grey Wardens, ser. I am Fearghal, my companions are Alistair and Morrigan. You're the Knight-Commander?"

The templar eyed Morrigan suspiciously, then nodded at Alistair. "I'm Knight-Commander Greagoir. I say again, you must leave. The tower isn't safe."

"I can't do that, Knight-Commander. I bear a treaty that obliges the Circle to provide aid in the event of a Blight."

"You'll find no allies here, Wardens," Greagoir informed them. As Fearghal started to object, the Knight-Commander explained that there had been a rebellion and the tower was overrun by abominations. Unable to regain control, the templars had fled and locked the doors into the tower.

"You shut everyone in there? Including innocent mages?" Fearghal was appalled.

"Not just mages, but my templars also. I had no choice. The abominations must be contained at all costs." retorted Greagoir, defensively.

Fearghal 's face went flat, his voice cold. "So, the templars have failed to do the job and you have decided to abandon mages and templars alike?"

Greagoir flushed with anger. "We do not mean for the doors to stay closed forever. Everything in the tower must be eliminated. I have sent word to Denerim, calling for reinforcements and the Right of Annulment," he snarled.

"Denerim? It's going to take weeks for those reinforcements to get here!" shouted Fearghal angrily.

"The mages are probably already dead."

Greagoir pinched his nose, trying to control his temper. "If we enter the tower now, we will be massacred. I cannot order my men to their deaths. While the door holds, we wait."

Alistair groaned at the feral grin that spread across Fearghal's face. He remembered what Bennet had said to him. 'He's stubborn as a mule. The best way to get him to do something is to tell him he can't.'

Fearghal rubbed his hands together in mock glee. "Oh, how jolly! A massacre! I haven't survived one of those in almost a fortnight. Let's hope that third time isn't the charm, eh?"

Greagoir stared at Fearghal as if he was mad. Alistair couldn't blame him.

Fearghal's face became hard again. "If I help you deal with the Circle, will you lend us aid?"

"If you manage to destroy the abominations then, yes, the templars will join your army," promised Greagoir.

Fearghal snorted. "Then let us hope I find some mages alive. If your templars are as brave in the face of darkspawn as they are when confronted by abominations, they won't be much use to me."

Greagoir flushed at the insult. "A word of caution," he growled. "Once you cross that threshold, there is no turning back. The great doors must remain barred. I will open them for no one until I have proof that it's safe. I will only believe it is over if the first enchanter stands before me and tells me it is so. If Irving has fallen... then the Circle is lost and must be destroyed."

Fearghal nodded, then turned to Alistair and Morrigan. "Come on, let's get started."

Alistair looked doubtful. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"If you'd rather stay out here, like a templar, Alistair, then say so," scoffed Fearghal.

"What? I... no!" Alistair flushed. He lowered his voice, trying to keep his anger in check. "I'm just not sure you have any idea what you're getting us into."

Fearghal regarded Alistair carefully. "You have the skills of a templar still, yes?"

Alistair nodded.

"Between you and Morrigan we should be able to make some headway. I can't believe there are no survivors in there; we'll surely come across other templars and mages who can help. It'll be like the Tower of Ishal, we clear it out room by room, floor by floor."

Alistair sighed. "There'd better not be a bloody ogre at the top!" he muttered.

Fearghal laughed. "Well if there is, it's your turn to dance with it. I'll just lie down and take a nap."

In spite of his anxiety, Alistair couldn't help but smile.

Seeing him waver, Fearghal pressed his case. "We can do this! We can't just abandon those people left in there to starve to death while waiting for reinforcements from Denerim."

Alistair sighed, then nodded his assent. I'm not sure who's the bigger lunatic; him for thinking we can do this or me for agreeing.

Fearghal grinned, then glanced at Morrigan. "Ready?" he asked her.

Morrigan nodded and marched towards the great metal doors, casting a disdainful look at the templars on her way.

Alistair followed feeling slightly baffled. This side of Fearghal was one he hadn't expected, persuasive, full of enthusiasm and confidence, almost charming.

The huge metal doors closed behind them with an ominous, dull clang that seemed to resound off the stone walls. The first few rooms they checked were empty but all looked as if a tornado had swept through them. Desks and chairs were overturned, books and papers were strewn around. Fearghal led them cautiously up the corridor which suddenly opened out into a large hall where they found three mages, two women and a man.

"Stop right there! Take another step, and I swear I will strike you down where you stand!" declared one of the mages, an older woman with snow white hair.

Fearghal halted so abruptly that Alistair almost bumped into him. Fearghal held his hands up, trying to look as benign as possible. He looked around the hall and was astonished to see a group of young children huddled in a corner.

"Wait, there are children here?" he asked, almost unable to believe his eyes.

"I am Wynne, mage of the Circle, and these children are under my protection," the mage told him.

Fearghal bowed. "I am a Grey Warden, and I seek the help of the mages. What happened here?" asked Fearghal.

"There was a revolt, led by a mage, Uldred. He tried to take over the Circle. As you can see, it didn't work out as he had planned."

"He was at the War Council, with the King and Loghain!" Fearghal burst out. "Where is he now?"

Wynne shook her head. "I don't know what became of Uldred, but I am certain all this is his doing. I will not lose the Circle to one man's pride and stupidity."

"So what do you intend?"

Wynne gestured behind her. "I erected a barrier over the door leading to the rest of the tower, so nothing from inside could attack the children. You won't be able to enter the tower as long as the barrier holds, but I will dispel it if you join with me to save this Circle."

Fearghal grinned. "Madam, I like the way you think! Will the children be safe here?"

"Petra and Kinnon will watch them. If we slay all the fiends we encounter on our way, none will get by to threaten the children."

Fearghal nodded. "That was pretty much the plan."

"You want us to assist this preachy schoolmistress? To rescue these pathetic excuses for mages?" demanded Morrigan. "They allow themselves to be corralled like cattle. Now their masters have chosen death for them and I say let them have it."

"I've made my decision. We will help Wynne," snapped Fearghal.

"Have it your way," huffed Morrigan, sulkily.

Fearghal turned to Wynne. "If you are ready, let's go end this."

Wynne nodded and gestured at the barrier, her lips moving. Gradually it dissipated, leaving the way ahead clear. Fearghal led the way through the doorway into the interior of the tower, which was eerily silent.

Comments

[elysium_fic]

Fearghal rubbed his hands together in mock glee. "Oh, how jolly! A massacre! I haven't survived one of those in almost a fortnight. Let's hope that third time isn't the charm, eh?"

ROFL! Love it!

[nithu]

He's a sarcastic git sometimes, isn't he? :D I can't think where he gets it from *looks innocent*

[scarylady]

He's so changeable, it's no wonder Alistair thinks he's a headcase.

[nithu]

The number of people who say that is starting to worry me ^^ I'm never sure if they mean that he's volatile and changeable, but still plausible or if they mean WTF is he on?! (or WTF am I on?)

[scarylady]

I'm not sure I know which it is, yet. I'm kinda waiting to find out whether he's volatile and changeable, or whether all his mood swings are a symptom of his grief.

The possibility that he's merely fubar cannot be entirely ruled out, though.

[nithu]

He just needs someone to kiss him better ;)

[scarylady]

*waits with bated breath*

I'm all agog.

Leaving them in the same tent was a deus ex machina masterstroke btw. *approves*

[nithu]

Don't hold your breath, it's going to be a rocky road! *passes the oxygen*