Dragon Age: Origins #14 - Meeting the Land

[andraste]

Wulfric was happy to be able to deal with Loghain at long last, and almost pleased when Cauthrien showed up to fight him. (She really should have brought all of her archers with her again. Of course, Origins would likely end very differently for most people if she did.) Having beaten her, he finally had a chance to confront his real enemy. Well, the one that isn't a big dragon.

He brought Alistair with him as requested, although he had no intention of letting him have the throne. (Since Alistair was unhardened, everyone involved was happy with this situation. Except Arl Eamon, I guess, but oh well, you can't please everyone.) With Anora on side he won over the nobles easily, so it all came down to a duel.

Now, Wulfric isn't afraid of a scrap, but he's primarily an archer. Beating the hero of River Dane in a stand-up fight did not seem likely. He didn't know how the Landsmeet would react if he told Wynne to do it, or if she'd even agree. (Of course, on a metagame level I know that nobody objects if you have a mage freeze Loghain and then light him on fire, but this has never seemed fair or logical to me.) Frankly, he wasn't sure that Alistair could win this one either. Which left only one sensible choice. I love the irony of having Zevran fight Loghain, and it's an easy battle that way as long as you're carrying a few health potions and some Soldier's Bane. (Which also seems unfair, but apparently nobody at the Landsmeet has a rule about checking for poison any more than they have a rule about mages. Sort of makes you wonder why you can't just let the Mabari fight if anything else is allowed ...)

With Loghain defeated at last, Wulfric let Alistair take the final blow. He thought Riordan was crazy for suggesting recruiting him. I mean, Zevran also tried to kill him, but that was for money. Wulfric knows that people who want you dead for political reasons are way less trustworthy. He gave Anora the throne without argument.

After that, it was time to march for Redcliffe. The last night at camp. Zevran gave him an earring! Which was a lovely gesture even if he wouldn't straight-up admit what it was really about. Wynne even admitted that she'd been wrong about their relationship.

Of course, there was more trouble ahead when they got to Redcliffe and Riordan finally explained the truth about the Grey Wardens ...