The journey of Warden Drako Amell thus far, (the list of links to previous posts about this character is getting a bit long. Putting it behind a spoiler for space)
The tale continues,
With the Landsmeet settled, we left Denirum at dawn headed for Redcliff. Along the way we came across a man being chased by one of the local Bann's men. I recognized him. He was one of Cailan's guards from Ostagar. We tried to save him, but we weren't fast enough. The soldier ran him through. We dispatched quickly. The wound was a mortal one. Even even Wynne could not heal him. Before he died, he gave me a key to a chest back at the King's camp at Ostagar. Supposedly Maric's sword is there. That blade is a vital symbol of this nation. And we have friends there that should not be left to Darkspawn... We're going back. Back to the begining of all this...
...We arrived at Ostagar to find a landscape that was barely recognizable. Bodies litter the ground. The Darkspawn roam the area freely. Cailan's armor was worn by some as trophies. Even Loghain was enraged at the sight of this. We left none alive. We found Cailan's body strung up and left to rot. We cut him down and gave him a King's pyor. We spent several hours doing the same for the rest of the men... Duncan. He was... he was ripped apart. For the first time, I am thankful Alistair is not here. I took Duncan's sword. If I get the chance, I will drive this blade into the Archdemon itself. We found Marics sword and some correspondence betwen Cailan and the Empress or Orlais. Seems they were a bit more friendly than most knew. *sigh* Enough... We have a war to plan. Back to Redcliff...
...We are a day behind the rest of the forces in reaching the castle. Things are progressing well all this considered. As our strategy meeting is coming to a close, Riordan shows up with grave news. The Darkspawn are to march on Denirum with the Archdemon at the front. My first instinct is to leave immediately, but as I look around, the men are visibly exhuasted. If we started a forced march now we would arrive with an army that would barely be able to lift their weapons. We have little choice. The men will be left ignorant of this news until the morning. Let them get one final night of rest.
Another question loms however. How exactly are we suppose to kill this beast. It is said that only a Grey Warden can truly kill the beast, but how? Upon voicing this concern, Riordan asks Loghain and myself to meet him in his quarters. The taint.. I knew it was for more than simply sensing the darkspawn. When the Archdemon is slain, it travels along the taint to the nearest Darkspawn to be reborn and continue the blight anew. The rebirth can only be prevented if it is a Grey Warden that strikes the killing blow. The Warden would take the Old God's soul into himself and the two would perish. There are only three Warden in all of Ferelden. One of us must die to end this Blight. The speech from the Joining makes a lot more sense now...
...I go to my room to try and process this information. I find Morrigan waiiting for me. From her stance and tone of voice I can tell that the secret she has been keeping from the day we met in the wilds is about to come out. She already knew about the method in which Wardens kill the Archdemon. I was surprised, though I should have expected as much. She presented an alternative method of ending this Blight which will not require the death of a Warden. A method of which will be left out of this entry as I have agreed to it and do not wish this information to fall into the wrong hands and endanger someone who will be precious to me. This method will also put something of great power into Morrigan's hands. I know not what she intends to do with it, but I have come to trust her over the past few months. She says she will leave after the battle. I expect it is to protect herself from her mother more than anything else. Her mind is made up and we don't have enough time to argue about it. At least not now... if we surive, I will tend to this matter then. Many will die tomorrow. I will not be one of them! I will stand over the Archdemons corpse and carve Duncan's name into it...
...Three days we have marched. We finally reach Denirum. The city is burning and the grounds are covered in blood. The Archdemon flies over head and the horde stands ready to meet us. After a speech to rally the troops from the Queen, we charged. Humans, elves, dwarves, warriors, rouges, and mages launch an assault as one force. The Darkspawn at the gate are cut down with few loses on our side. The bulk of the army remains behind to prevent Darkspawn reenforcements from pursuing the strike teams that enter the city. I leave Sten, Shale, and Oghren at the gates to direct the forces there. Zevran, Wynne, and Bojack are sent to search for survivors. The rest of us will make our way through the city and kill as many Darkspawn as we can. There are generals spread through out the city that are coordinating the Blight. We have to take them out first. Then we will focus on the Archdemon. With any luck, Riordan and his men will be able to take it down, but if not then it falls to us. One way or another, this monster dies today!
We charge through the market place and slay as many of these beasts as we can find. We leave behind a number of Arl Eamon's men to hold the area with Teagan to organize them. We hit the alienage next. The elves there have been forgotten by the rest of the city it seems. They have been able to hold off the Darkspawn, but only just. I call on the Dalish to help defend this area. Wave after wave of Darkspawn fall to arrow, spell, and sword. The dalish stay behind to secure the area and organize an evacuation of the elves. As we approac Fort Drakon, I see Riordan make a desperate attempt to ground the Archdemon. He manages to rip one of it's wings, but it costs him his life. No time to mourn him. The Beast is down. We have to move quickly. We race to the top of the fortress carving our way through countless Darkspawn. Just as we reach the top... Sandal? He is surrounded by a pile of Darkspawn corpses...When I ask how this happened, he just handed me a small ruin and said "Enchantment". then walked off... I have seen many shocking things over the last year and half, but this... I still don't know how to react to this... Archdemon... right...
The final battle is here. The mages and Branka's Golems are all I have left. They will have to be enough. Waves of Darkspawn keep coming as we try to bring down the Archdemon. Wade's Dragon scale armor proves to be invaluable. Well worth the extra coin I threw into it. The combination of the Golems and mages are insanely effective. The mages protective wards shield the Golems from what little could actually harm them. This will come in handy after the Blight is over. A duo of mage and golem marching through the Deep Roads could help reclaim much of what was lost over the ages. Inbetween waves, we all focus fire on the Archdemon. It takes all we have, but it finally falls... I stand over the dying beast and draw Duncan's sword and drive it into the dragon's skull. A maelstrom mof some strange power is released. I was knocked aside and to my surprise.. I'm not dead. Guess Morrigan was right after all...I look around to thank her, but... she is gone. I can still feel her though. The ring still binds us. I will find you one day...
A few days later there is to be a grand celebration. Much of the city is runble, and countless have died, but Blight is ended and Archdemon is dead. Alistair is still sulking about Loghain, but he proved himself atop Fort Drakon. Irving has asked me if I would be interested in taking over as First Enchanter at the Circle. An honor though it was, I turned him down. I can still feel the Darkspawn under ground. They are still a threat. I cannot rest. The wardens have been given the Arling of Amarathine. I will head to this "Vigil's Keep" soon. There we will rebuild the order in Ferelden. I cannot go after Morrigan yet. Duty still calls. I can't imagine where she might be now, but through the ring she gave me, I can feel her presence as if she were standing next to me. One day, Morrigan... One day...
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