Disclaimer:
I do not own Dragon Age or any related aspects, quite sadly.
Anyone want to give me some money for it?
Ten billion would be fine.
Warning:
Character death.
-WARDEN POV-
Mikael Cousland watched with disguised interest through his expressionless facade. The Warden ran a hand through his shaggy blonde hair, looking back at Alistair, who looked very peeved as Riordan interrupted their impromptu interrogation. The landsmeet was already well within their favor. But Alistair wouldn't let the god damn subject drop. From an unbiased point of view, Mikael, Loghain was a very powerful ally. Even if he had been severed from the aide of the Nobles. Mikael strongly considered the options.
If he had Loghain in his pocket as a warden, it would be another addition, despite the obvious irony of the situation. He realized something, just then. If he allowed Alistair to kill Loghain, Anora would be left without a father. He had already gotten a decent assessment of her personality. If her father was executed, she would hide her emotions behind a similar facade that he himself hid behind. He knew that if he had a chance, he would have gone back into the past and hauled his father's crippled ass out of the pantry, even if he himself died in the process. He sighed, and as he came back to his senses, noticed that Alistair had drawn his sword, and Loghain looked resigned. That wasn't good.
Mikael jumped forward, his curved blades blocking the strike. Their swords locked together, and Alistair had a stunned expression on his face. He glanced over his shoulder, and saw that Loghain was reacting similarly. Alistair spluttered, and Mikael lashed out with his foot, sending the Templar back a few steps and unlocking their swords.
"Stand down." Mikael spoke in his typical impassive tone - but everyone could sense that it allowed no argument.
"I will not let this murderer become a warden! I will not let him smear Duncan's memory!" Alistair shouted.
"I will not let you separate this family further."
Alistair flinched at the anger that seeped from his voice. He must be really pissed. All through their journey to this point, he had not seen the Warden react to anything. The death of Teryn Cousland had kept him an emotionless state. Alistair, being as thick as he was, remained ignorant of Mikael's reasoning for defending Loghain.
Even Morrigan, who typically remained as uncaring as she could, watched with eyes wide and eyebrows raised. Leliana looked scandalized.
"I will not stand down! Damn your orders!" Alistair yelled, charging forward to try and break Mikael's stance. Morrigan was close to gasping, and Leliana covered her eyes.
Mikael sighed internally, and caught the downwards strike with one of his blades. He shrank down and released his blade, the sudden lack of force causing Alistair to stumble forwards in surprise. Mikael spun and his other sword was dragged violently across Alistair's chest, a spurt of blood landing on his arm. His face remained impassive. He glanced around and sheathed his swords, after reclaiming his fallen one. He looked around the landsmeet once more, meeting the stunned eyes of his companions and then Loghain's.
"Thank you." The Teryn managed to splutter out, clearly surprised.
"I didn't do it for you. Rally the troops. I shall talk with Arl Eamon." He said, his voice deathly low. He turned, and none but Anora could see the anger and sadness in his eyes. Anger at himself for killing his friend, and sadness for the same. He kept his head down and proceeded to Arl Eamon's estate, where he was in for a tongue lashing.