Opposites Road

A couple of cameos in this one and then off we go. I'm changing some of the dialogue because I kinda hate pasting in dialogue straight for the game.

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The army of Teryn Loghain was marching out of the South when she entered Lothering. One of the cavalry soldiers trotted over to her on his warhorse.

"Turn back girl! Ostagar is lost!" he cried to her. "The King is dead, betrayed by the Grey Wardens!"

The news knocked the breath out of her chest causing her mouth to drop open. "How can it be?" she asked.

"Teryn Loghain saved his army from slaughter but not without the mighty loss of the King." he replied sadly.

"Are there any surviving troops from Highever?" she pleaded.

"Nay lady they were lost before the battle."

The immense sadness that enveloped her made her shoulders drop and she felt tears sting her eyes. She took a deep breath and when she looked up again the officer was gone, leaving her to her thoughts and her grief. Fergus was surely dead and that made her the last of the Couslands. No troops to help her regain her home and no one to help her pain.

Outside of the gates of Lothering were the cages for prisoners waiting for sentencing. There was only one with a living being in it. He was a giant of a man, caramel skin and icy hair. He watched her with determined and strong eyes. She did not bother to ask him what he was in there for she would hear about it in the tavern.

Rabbit was left by the other horses to graze with Major to guard him. It would not due to have her faster mode of transportation stolen. There were a few soldiers that had left to go home from the main march and there was locals filling their mugs. She approached the bar and pulled back her hood.

"And what can I get for you lass?"

"Ale." she replied with a cracked voice.

"Lose somebody, lass?" the barkeep asked when he returned with her mug. "I can't believe the King is Dead and with the Blight upon us as well."

"Yes, its horrible."she said and took a large gulp of her ale. "The man in the cage outside-"

"The Qunari? He killed a family, he did." a man off to her left interrupted her question with the answer. "Slaughtered them."

The world was a cruel place to kill a young King, countless soldiers and an innocent family. May the man rot for his crimes like Howe will for his. She polished off her ale quickly started for the door.

"It ain't safe to be out at night here." the same man who answered her question said. "There are bandits and Darkspawn about."

Then you had best shutter your windows." she snapped back and left.

Major was staring at her intently when she came over to him. "Are you tired?" she asked and noticed that Rabbit's eyes were closed. He barked softly and yawned. "I will be in the Chantry."

The lay sisters were still about when she came into the sanctuary and took a seat on a pew. "Maker guide you, traveler." an Orlesian accented tongue told her softly and she looked up to see a lay sister with a bundle under her left arm. "You are dressed for battle. Have you come from Ostagar?"

"No, I was hoping to find my brother there." she answered softly, reverently

"I'm sorry," the sister replied softly and sat down next to her. "He did not make it out of the battle?"

"No, he did not and now I am the last of my family." she answered grimly. "Forgive me sister but all this grief is weary."

"Indeed. Revered Mother has opened the Chantry for refugees fleeing from the Darkspawn, come you shall sleep in my room, it is dark and you may grieve there." the sister woman said and stood, offering her hand to help her up.

She shook her head. "I do not wish to invade your sanctum, sister."

"Nonsense, plus I will be helping out here tonight so you will not be a bother." the sister pulled her to her feet and cupped her hands around Cousland's face. "Andraste and the Maker are watching over you."

The thought that this stranger in the Chantry was telling her that the maker and Andraste were watching over her in such a sincere manner made her start to cry again. "I can't cry anymore, sister. I've already cried once and now I'm crying again." she croaked. Was she convincing the sister or herself, she couldn't tell.

"Come you will make everyone else weep for your sadness is contagious." The sister pulled her down the back hallways to her room. She guided her to lay on the bed and undid her boots for her. "Sleep in the arms of Andraste."

The door closed behind the sister leaving her in darkness and her dreams.


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Her head was heavy and and limbs languid when she woke. At first she had no idea whose bed it was she was sleeping in her leather armor. The small statuette of Andraste sitting next to the bed sparked her dull memory, she reached into her backpack and pulled out the symbol of Andraste that she found and placed it next to the Statuette. Shaking off the languidness she pulled on her boots and made sure the armor and her body in the right places. It was hard not trying to make it look like she was sneaking out of a Lay Sister's room as if she had done something wrong.

The Revered Mother was sitting in her office next to where the Sister had found her and she looked up at the her when she approached the door. "Ah you must be the young lady that Leliana let sleep in her room last night."

Hastily she tried to smooth her hair and saw the Mother smile slightly. "Yes, Your Reverence she was the model of kindness." she stepped forward and place a stack of silvers onto the desk. "A Tithe to help with the influx of refugees."

The Mother flicked her gaze down at the silvers and then to the doorway."Thank you, child. Are you not staying?"

"No, Your Reverence I must head west to search for someone," she nodded solemnly in farewell. "Maker Bless you and this holy house, mother."

"Maker watch over you, young lady." the Mother replied as their guest left the office and out of the Chantry.

Major was waiting patiently next to Rabbit near the tavern. He wagged his stubby tail at the sight of her and she couldn't help but grin at him. Refugees and Templars were moving about in the tense atmosphere and did not notice her when she slipped out of the gates. Only the man in the cage watched her leave Major stopped in front of him and barked.

"Major," she snapped and the hound came trotting back. "Leave the man be. Now come."

Major whined and fell into a smart walk beside her. Occasionally he trotted off to sniff or darted ahead to scout for his Mistress. The wilderness around them was noisy with chirping and rustling. Occasionally she let Rabbit drop into a canter and then into a gallop that had Major bounding after them. The massive legs of the hound were meant for sprints and not long runs so for his sake she kept the gallops to a minimum.

At night she moved them off into the forest and made camp far enough away from the road to not catch attention. Major took his place next to her and shared a bit of her smoked goat. She slept against a tree and he kept his strong head lay on her lap.

In the morning she poured dirt over the fire and they set off. They came upon Redcliffe Village at midday the third day and the need for human contact was starting to hurt. There were a few men in the Tavern, and elf in leather armor and a few other men were sitting off to the side in an alcove. A red haired barmaid was doing some cleaning at various areas of the tavern's main room. Cousland made her way over to the large man behind the counter and smiled politely.

"Hello there, Friend. Can't say we've ever met before. Stranger to the village I take it?" he greeted and spoke again before she could answer. "Haven't had many travelers lately. All this nonsense is bad for business. Bet you regret coming, yes?

"I won't be staying for long." she replied

"Oh? Did you just come for a quick sip of ale before you go? So what will it be?"

"Ale will be fine." she thought for a moment. "A Chantry Scholar by the name of Genitivi hasn't come through lately, has there?"

"You ain't the only one lookin' for that man," the keeper replied. "The Arlessa has her Knights looking for the Urn of Sacred Ashes to save the Arl's life."

Her eyes widened. "The Arl is ill?"

"Oh yes deathly ill and nothing seems to be working." he leaned closer. "I think it's blood magic, truth be told." He saw her face pale and he shook his head. "Don't you fret I am probably wrong about that."

She put the half drunk mug down. "Let me see your supplies the quicker I find Genitivi the sooner the Arl will be well."

The man nodded. "This way."

She bought enough supplies to last her for a few weeks and left with saddle bags bulging. Major was waiting by Rabbit and jumped around playfully when he smelt the dried meat and sundries she had in her bags. Haven was maybe a two days ride from here and she could have the Arl healed within a week.

"Come on, Major." she ordered and trotted Rabbit out of the village.


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She had taken the wrong pass and found herself coming towards a lone man with a wagon. Major did not motion for coming trouble so she hoped off Rabbit and came towards him. "What ho good sir!"

The man spun around at her greeting and sighed in relief. "Er... you'll have to excuse me if I seem a bit nervous. Not many people traveling in this part of Ferelden. Of course that's my problem, isn't it? Mule got spooked by a Wisp and ran off into the woods. Now what do I do?"

"Do you need help finding it?" she asked.

"Oh! No, no, I sent the elf to do that. I wouldn't dream of asking a stranger to do it... Allow me to introduce myself. Felix de Grosbois, merchant and entrepreneur, at your service." he inclined his head in greeting.

"I am Ealisay. Pleased to meet you."

"I don't normally take this route, but with the war I was hoping for a bit of luck and good weather in the mountains. Sadly, I've had neither. This trip has been one miserable disaster after another. I don't suppose you'd consider helping a fellow out?"

Ealisay looked at him warily. "Help a fellow out... how?"

"Of all the other things that went wrong, the worst is this artifact I bought in Jader. It's a "control rod," I'm told. For a golem. No point in me keeping it, however, as I'll never get to use it... but maybe you could?"

Ealisay had heard stories from her father about the Mage's Golem that was used in the battles against Orlais. Maybe it would be better to have more protection on the road. "How much will it be?"

nothing. I just don't want to have to lug around something that be taken for a gemstone by some bandit. To be honest, I don't even know if it'll be useful to you. I paid too much to simply throw it away."

"How do I know this isn't some sort of scam?" she asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"The fellow I bought it from is a long standing contact. He didn't want to come to Ferelden, however, with all our...troubles. He said he got it from the man who owned the golem. But to be honest, I have no idea it it will work. Hence the low, low price." he chuckled. "What do you say?"

"Where is the golem?"

"In a village down south, waiting to be activated. The place has been overrun by darkspawn. That's not such an issue for adventurous types like yourself, surely."

"I'll find a use for it." she nodded and Felix gave her the rod.

"The village is called Honnleath. Just hold up the rod and say "Dulaf gar" That will wake the golem or I hope it does."

"Me too." she replied and place the rod inside her pack. "I'll let you get back to finding your mule and thank you."

"Good luck." called Felix as she rode away from him.

Honnleath was more than a days ride out of her way but hopefully that wouldn't hurt the Arl's and Genitivi's chances for living.


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The first sight of Honnleath was a group of villagers running in fear of armed creatures. Major growled menacingly by her side but did not attack. Rabbit reared a little and Ealisay had to calm him before her could dismount. She tied him to a fencepost and prayed that he would not get killed.

"Come on Major," she replied pulling her shield and longsword off her back.

They stalked into the village and and attacked the closest group of darkspawn. Major dashed off to take down the archers while she bashed her shield against one and beheaded another one next to her. It was exhausting to fight her way to the village center and the inert form of the golem. There were at least a dozen darkspawn, mostly archers and she was panting with over heating before they finished off the last archer.

She bent down and studied Major. "You didn't swallow any of their blood, did you?" Major tilted his head curiously and barked. "I hope not. Now lets see if the Golem will wake."

They walked down the stairs and leaped over the fence to get closer to the Golem. "Dulaf gar." she replied pointing the rod at the Golem. Nothing happened, it was a let down. "Well this isn't good. Maybe there is someone hiding in one of these houses."

They searched the houses one by one finding little more than broken furniture and ripped fabrics. It was only the fallen tower left over. Under it was a library that rivaled Castle Highever and it was rife with darkspawn. She was getting really tired and flung her shield to the ground to take on a rather large darkspawn with her longsword and dagger. She found the rest of the villagers in a large room surrounded by a magical barrier that kept the darkspawn away from there.

"Maker when will it stop!" she sighed went for the first darkspawn she saw.

By the end of this battle she slumped against the pillars that helped hold the barrier in place and took deep breathes.

"By the Maker! We're saved!" a woman cried as the barrier was deactivated. And all but one ran out of the room in fear.

He was a blond man who eyed her carefully. "You...weren't sent by the bann, were you? To save us?"

"No. " she sighed and stood back up. "I don't think anyone knew what was happening here."

"So we could have just starved down here? The bann gave up on us?" she nodded. "I suppose I should be grateful that someone came at all, then Thank you."

"Welcome." she replied and Major barked happily.

"If you weren't sent by someone than why are you here? If you don't mind me asking."

"I was given a control rod by a merchant."

"You came here looking for Shale." he frowned. "That damnable golem brought us nothing but trouble. My mother sold the rod years ago, after it killed my father, and good riddance."

"Killed you father?" Ealisay's mouth dropped open.

"My father was name was Wilhelm, mage to the arls of Redcliffe and hero in the war against Orlais. And what did her get? One day my mother found him outside the tower, with so many broken bones she could barely recognize him, and Shale standing over him just like it is now. My father deserved better than that. But if you really want to wake up Shale...well, it's yours now."

"Except the rod doesn't work." she replied tartly.

"Mother must have given the wrong command hoping that Shale wouldn't be reactivated."

Ealisay sighed in exasperation. "Great."

"I'll give you the correct command phrase but you've got to help me." he pointed to the open doorway behind him. "My little girl, Amalia, got scared during the attack and ran off into my father's laboratory. I don't know how she got passed all the traps-"

"Fine." she replied with a groan. "I'll get your daughter, lets go Major."

"Thank you, so much." he replied relieved.

There were a few angry wraiths and traps on the way, not as hard as the darkspawn and the laboratory was unusually large. Crazy mages and their bizarre habits. Int the last room was the man's daughter, with a cat.

"Look kitty," the girls replied happily. "Someone's come to play with us!"

Major growled at the cat. "Amalia, lets go back to your father."

"I can't. Not without kitty, she'll get lonely."the little girl replied.

"I would not suggest leaving with these people, Amalia. Look how they act."the cat's eyes glowed purple as it spoke.

"A talking cat."

"Talking is simple enough, once you now how." the cat replied. "nothing you say will convince Amalia to go with you. She loves only me now. I am her friend, while you are just a stranger."

"Well, I'm not leaving without her."

It seems we are at an impasse, so let me propose... compromise of sorts. Release me, mortal, and let me have the girl. Let us return to her father and leave this place forever."

"What do you have in mind?"

"The mage's wards hold me here and can only be approached by a mortal." the possessed cat trotted over to the flaming puzzle in the middle of the room.

"You want me to help you run rampant through the mortal world?" Ealisay asked impatiently. "By solving that puzzle?"

She shouldn't help this demon, not to possess a little girl. The Golem, Shale, was not worth that and she wouldn't let the demon live. With a reluctant sigh she stepped onto the puzzle and with a long spear she started moving pieces around. One piece made the fire go one way and and another made it go another way. It wasn't too terrible a puzzle to do but she tried to keep her body away from the flames as she did so. When the puzzle was completed the fire extinguished and she went over to the demon.

"I thank you human," the demon replied and it started to glow.

Ealisay smiled. "Welcome." she brought the spear tip down sharply on the cat's back and skewered the feline.

"You killed Kitty!" Amalia screamed and ran out of the room. "Major escort her out." she ordered and the hound did as he was told his strong body racing after the child.

Ealisay swung the spear with the dead cat and flung the carcass across the room. It thumped against the far wall and slid to the floor. She knew it looked sick but she needed to know if the demon was really gone. She the way back was met by minor resistance with a few wraiths but Major was waiting patiently for his master when she climbed the stairs to the room were Amalia's father and the little girl was waiting for her.

"She killed Kitty!" Amalia cried and hugged her father's waist harder.

"I'm sorry I frightened the girl but the cat was possessed by a demon and tried to make a deal with me." she replied regretfully.

"I see," the man replied looking down at his daughter sadly. For a moment the look made Ealisay think of her father. He had loved her too. "Thank you so much for saving her. The phrase is "Dulan harn"."

"My thanks," she nodded to the man and left the same way she came.

The villagers that had fled the room were no where to be seen so Ealisay hopped over the fence and approached the golem. She held up the rod. "Dulan harn."

Something inside Shale stirred and with the cracking of stone the golem broke free of his invisible bonds that held him. He looked down at Ealisay and sighed. "I knew the day would come when when someone would find the control rod. And not even a mage, this time. Probably stumbled across the rod by accident, I suppose. Typical."

"I'm sorry did you like being frozen in place?" she asked playfully.

"It thinks I should be grateful? Well, of course it does. Why would it not. I stood here in this spot and watched the wretched little villagers scurry around me for, oh, I have no idea how long. Many, many years." Shale replied snidely. The speech pattern reminded her of Nan for a moment. The speech of an old woman who didn't give a damn what other people thought of her. "I was just beginning to get used to the quiet, too. Tell me, are all the villagers dead?"

"No, not all of them."

"Some got away, then? How unfortunate."

"I'm sure watching them for as long as you did you wouldn't like them very much." she replied.

"I did not wish their fate on them but it did make for a delightful change of pace." Shale almost sounded cheerful.

"Your last owner's son called you Shale." she supplied.

"Indeed? I might have forgotten it after being called "Golem"." Shale replied. " "Golem fetch me that chair", "Golem squash that insipid bandit", "Golem pick me up. I tire of walking."" Shale studied her for a moment. "It...does have the control rod, doesn't it? I am awake, so it... must..." Ealisay waved the rod a bit. "I see the control rod, yet I feel...Go on order me to do something."

"Go over to the fence."she ordered lightly.

And... nothing? I feel nothing. I feel no compulsion to carry out its command. I suppose this means the rod is... broken?" The realization dawned in Shale's voice.

"It seems so." she answered

"Hmm. I suppose if I can't be commanded, this means...I have free will, yes" she nodded in agreement. "It is simply...what should I do? I have no memories, beyond watching this village for so long. I have no purpose... I find myself at a bit of a loss."

"You can come with me if you want." she supplied. "It will be nice to have a companion fight and converse with." Major barked at her and whined. "Some one I can fully understand, boy."

Shale's paused as if thinking. "Very well, I will follow you about... for now. I am Shale by the way."

"I am Ealisay, pleased to meet you." she replied with a smile.

"This shall be interesting."