Chapter 19 - Deep Roads
*****
Brosca and I were joined by Leliana and Solona the next morning, Solona lying next to me, Leliana next to Brosca. We were still asleep when they did so, feeling Solona kiss my cheek, Leliana leaning across to kiss me too. Brosca laughed when she woke up, looking at me and immediately telling me I looked smug. She probably wasn't wrong.
"So, three so far, Ragnar. Do you have your eyes on any more?" Solona wondered.
"I think Sereda is interested," Leliana said.
"And I guess he's going to need an elven lover. I mean, two humans, possibly two dwarves. Can't leave the elves out of it," Solona suggested.
"Wonder if Sereda would be interesting in a proper human-dwarven threesome?" Brosca wondered.
"Are you three seriously organising my love life?"
"And you're complaining because...?" Leliana wondered. I didn't really have an answer. "That's what I thought. So, anyway, did you have a good night last night, Brosca?"
"It was wonderful. He listens. He cares. He makes me feel safe."
"He does all that and more too."
"The fact he has that big cock of his, but actually knows how to use it, is a definite bonus."
"Definitely," Solona whispered. Leliana just gave me the eyes of someone who wouldn't mind enjoying my company again very soon.
"Well, as we're leaving for the Deep Roads today, I think all of this might have to go hiatus unless you want be fucking around down there." I looked at all of them. None them appeared keen on the idea. "That's what I thought. Come on, we should grab breakfast and get ready to go."
After breakfast, we finished up packing whatever gear we required, aiming to leave Orzammar around lunchtime. We probably left earlier than that, earning plenty of looks and even one or two questions from inquisitive dwarves, wondering where we were going. Rumour had already spread that we would be searching for Branka and the Anvil. Rumour enough that a lone dwarf was waiting for us at the exit.
"I know him," Alistair whispered, "He was in Tapsters a day or two ago. He's probably heard of our expedition."
Approaching the dwarf, he walked towards me in return. "You the Dragonborn?"
"I am."
"Name's Ohgren. Branka was... No, I don't think she'd dead, so she is my wife. I've been wanting someone, anyone, to head into the Deep Roads since the day she disappeared. Looks like I've finally got my wish. Thing is, I know the Deep Roads, probably better than anyone in your group. You want to find Branka, you're going to need my help."
"You want to be a Warden?"
"No. I want to find Branka. And if we can find the Anvil at the same time, then maybe I can restore a bit of my reputation." He probably noticed the raised eyebrows. "It's a long story. But anyone in Orzammar can tell you I'm a warrior."
"You're also a drunk," Alistair added, "I've heard enough rumours about you."
"Aye, I can be, and I'll be honest, my reputation is in tatters. But you can trust me out in the Deep Roads. That's all I've wanted. You let me accompany you right now, I don't touch a drop until we're back in Orzammar, with or without Branka."
I knew it would be my choice in the end, but I still cast an eye over most of my colleagues. No-one shook their head, but there were not many emphatic nods either. Most simply shrugged their shoulders, leaving the decision to me. I looked Ohgren up and down. The enormous axe he carried would probably do some damage. He looked well-built and strong. I'd heard stories about his battle prowess, but Alistair wasn't lying either, nor had Ohgren. His reputation wasn't great.
But I finally nodded. "Very well. We have enough supplies already, so if you're ready to go now..."
"I'm ready."
Having Ohgren was a good idea from the point of view that he could certainly tell us a lot about the Deep Roads, certainly more than Brosca or Sereda. The road leading out of Orzammar was constantly patrolled, well-lit and clear of darkspawn, Ohgren mentioning that darkspawn never came too close to Orzammar, and as there was a Blight, pressure would lessen on the city for a time.
It took a couple of days to reach Caridin's Cross. I set us up to simply keep marching until we were exhausted, where we'd make camp, sleep, then do the same thing again until exhaustion took us. We didn't run into any darkspawn patrols until reaching Caridin's Cross, Ohgren taking time to explain who Caridin was. It was there that we finally ran into our first darkspawn, having infested the entire crossroads, so we took extra time, ensuring the entire place was clear of darkspawn before moving on. I didn't particularly want to fight them on the way back.