#also hamal is such a grouch when they meet alistair has the experience of being bullied by a sibling which honestly? character building

[ghostwise]

excerpt

Seizing on one final moment of peace, Alistair turned to his friends and addressed them.

“We’re in the belly of the beast,” he said grimly, “but you all know that already. We’ve reached the tipping point of restraint. What I mean to say is we cannot afford to hold back; we have sick people that are counting on us, and we have been called to Redcliffe and the Landsmeet after that. We defeat Witherfang and bring its heart back today, or we fall to the werewolves today. No half-measures.”

“They’ve grown weaker,” Hamal added. “We’ve killed many of their number, and injured many more. They are not unlike any other mundane creature; those dead remain dead, those wounded remain wounded. We know also that they are tired and frightened. They’ve realized that they did not know the temple or the forest half as well as they believed. We, however, are more seasoned in battle.” He paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing.

“Wynne, if pressed, how long can you keep up a barrier against active physical attacks?”

“I can keep up a barrier for a long while. But if there is an attacking werewolf on the other side, trying to get through… the best I can do is five minutes.”

“Does that sound accurate, Mathuin? Jowan?”

“I can do five minutes,” Jowan agreed.

“As can I,” Mathuin said. “Mind you, it would be hard to focus on anything else. If such a barrier were being actively attacked, it would serve much more like a shield than a wall. You understand? I wouldn’t be able to do any healing.”

“Very well.” Hamal nodded. “If our number falls to less than half, I’ll need you three to use a barrier to help the others escape. Just get out, tell the clan what’s happened, and go.”

“But if Hamal or I fall, make the call in that moment.” Alistair looked evenly at everyone. “One of us must live through this to slay the Archdemon.”

Zevran glanced at Alistair, surprised at how much he’d changed in the time he’d know him. Part of him wished he was still as idealistic as when they’d first met.

“Come now. We will all live through this, Alistair,” he said. “This is no funeral yet.”

It was a gentle reminder, but it worked. Alistair smiled at his words.

“Ah, you’re right of course. Thank you, Zevran. You’re all the best and brightest people I’ve known. We’ll get through this just fine! Meet up for tea afterwards, yeah?”

Hamal laughed. The tension dispelled in an instant, with silent agreement and optimism among the gathered. Well played, Zevran thought, and he gave Alistair a wink of approval.

They left the chamber together. The dragon’s corpse stayed behind to petrify in the dark.

except from for suffering is such a part because @vlwv and I were talking about writing more Alistair fic and the differences between our world states ✌🏽 it's the boyyy