There and Back Again Ch. 002

"Alright..." I looked at this woman, and remembered coming back to Ostagar, after the battle, in the downloadable content in the game. I knew she was going to die, along with anyone else left behind. "Listen to me. I'm a Grey Warden. I want you to...talk to the other people remaining here in camp. Anyone who will listen. I want you to tell them to grab as much food as they can carry, and leave. Now. Head north, but avoid Redcliffe and Denerim. Don't stop until you're well north of Lothering. Leave as soon as you can, and don't look back. Anyone who stays here will die. Do you understand? You must take what you can, and go." Her eyes got larger and larger as I spoke, panic appearing on her face. I put my hands on her shoulders, trying to look reassuring. I wished I'd taken drama in school.

"You've got a bit of time." I hope. "But don't wait too long. Tell whomever you can, then go. Promise me." She finally met my eyes full on, examining my expression as though trying to see right through me. I knew I was sincere; I hoped she saw it as well. She finally nodded. I patted her shoulder, then took my leave in the direction that she indicated the army had travelled.

I hurried through the rest of the ruins as fast as I could, frantically thinking. Did I go after Alistair, or the rest of the army? If the battle was already underway, a field of darkspawn was perhaps not the place for me to be. But if I went to the tower of Ishal, there were no guarantees that Flemeth would save me along with Alistair and whoever the new recruit was. Thinking about Flemeth decided me. Alistair would be safe; I'd take my chances trying to catch Duncan and Cailan. Maybe I could change the outcome of the battle. Maybe...it wasn't too late.

Please, let it not be too late.