The Aeducan Thaig was silent, except for the crackling campfire on one of the crossroads. Four dwarves sat around it, reprising about what happened earlier. One, however, was deep in his thoughts. While stroking his red beard, Wulfstan Aeducan pondered what just happened. Earlier, a band of mercenaries attacked him in one of the thaig's many chambers. The chamber he was attacked however was supposed to be locked tight and cannot be opened unless one was wearing the signet ring of House Aeducan. When the scout accompanying him found the signet ring that belonged to his brother Trian, all seemed clear. However, Wulfstan was not convinced. He saw blood on the ring. Trian did not give this ring, he was robbed of it. And with this in mind, Wulfstan keep pondering about his brother's fate. "Well?" a voice broke his train of thought.
It was from Gorim, his second in command. "Your highness, how are we to finish this matter?" Wulfstan did not answer. Instead, he picked up his shield, and in a split second, threw it hurling towards the scout. No matter how nimble dwarven scouts are, he could not dodge the shield and was hit on his forehead. The scout crashed head first on the marble floor. But before he could get up, Wulfstan jumped on him and grabbed his throat, lifting a mace over his head.
"The halls of Orzammar runs deep" the prince said with a deep, experienced voice. "But the blood runs deeper. Who are you working for?" The scout was speechless. He had not expected his master's plan to fail this easily. Wulfstan swung his mace, hitting the marble floor and cracking it. The scout went pale, and Wulfstan continued "You just happen to find the Signet Ring on the Mercenary's pouch. Do you expect me to believe that? Now tell me, who are you working for? Bhelen or Trian?" the scout, fearing for his life, finally spoke "prince Bhelen hired me to kill prince Trian and accompany you. Both Frandlin Ivo and I were to testify against you when you came across prince Trian's body on the crossroads". At this statement, Gorim exploded with anger "this was all a setup?! Sabotage!!" and leaped towards Frandlin Ivo. But Wulfstan raised his hand, signaling Gorim to stop. He said with an abnormally calm voice "so, Bhelen thinks he could outplay me, does he? Well, I suppose I should teach him a thing or two about dwarven politics." He then turned towards the scout. "I suppose a castless like you only work for the money, right?" the scout vehemently nodded his head. Prince Wulfstan grinned, and said "then I suppose I could spare your life, perhaps grant you some sovereign while I'm at it. I just need you to do one thing."
The next day, Prince Bhelen led a band of nobles along with his father to a crossroad in the Aeducan Thaig. He was content, because the night before, the scout he had sent to spy on his brother Wulfstan had reported to him. He said that everything had gone as planned, and Prince Wulfstan is heading towards the crossroads where Prince Trian's body is. He also asked for his pay, but Bhelen did not gave it to him before his brother is in the deep roads, topside, or executed.
When Bhelen reached the crossroads, his smile becomes even wider. There, Wulfstan and his party was kneeling before Trian's body, with Wulfstan paying his respects at the front. Pay your respects as long as you like brother, by the time I am done with you, I will be king and you will be exiled, Bhelen thought. As planned, King Endrin was outraged at this scene and roared "WHO KILLED TRIAN?!?" Bhelen immediately answered "it was clearly Wulfstan, father! He murdered Trian during the struggle to take the throne!" Wulfstan stood up and said with a very deep voice, "Keep your voice down, brother I am paying my respect!" regardless, king Endrin asked, "Is this true, Wulfstan?"
Very calmly, Wulfstan said "before we went into accusations, we have to check the facts. For example," he pointed to Trian's hand. "Trian lost his Signet ring, because the perpetrator stole it to enter the Thaig and steal the Shield. I suggest father check all the packs here for the ring." Looking confused, Bhelen stared at his brother as King Endrin checked all the packs. However, he was more confused when King Endrin found Trian's bloodstained ring in his pack. Everyone was speechless and staring at Bhelen, but Wulfstan looked calm. He was even cracking a smile. Bhelen said incoherently "I-I-I did not kill him! I swear! Let me return to the stone if I killed him!" unnerved, Wulfstan continued,
"Second, the Shield of house Aeducan is no simple Shield. It gives an aura of power to the one that possesses it. To prove our innocence, I propose Bhelen and I lay down our shields and the witnesses here are to decide who is innocent and who is guilty." The King pondered for a moment and commanded "let it be so." Both Bhelen and Wulfstan lay down their shields. Bhelen's shield was steel and round while Wulfstan's was wooden and kite-shaped. King Endrin observed the shields, and he sensed something different from the round shield. He took out his handkerchief, polished Bhelen's Shield and saw the royal Aeducan Symbol. With disbelief, king Endrin ordered his guards to lock up Bhelen in the Prison. Bhelen was furious, trying to take down Wulfstan, but the king's guards tackled him down and dragged him away. While being dragged, Bhelen saw Wulfstan grinning a sinister grin, as if saying "you cannot outplay me, brother" with his expression.
On the way back to the castle, King Endrin kept apologizing to Wulfstan, but Wulfstan said "do not worry father, I have forgiven you". Secretly, he passed 10 sovereigns to the scout's hand and whispered, "Here you go, buy something nice". The scout thanked the Prince, and stormed off. King Endrin saw this, and said "That was generous of you, son" but Wulfstan dismisses that praise by saying "he earned that, father". Back in the Palace, a messenger was waiting there with a letter from the Grey Warden Duncan, saying he wished to recruit one of the dwarves to his ranks. Wulfstan immediately responded by taking the letter and saying to his father, "This is a chance to show the might of the dwarves, father. My wit is sharp, and you know well that in the proving grounds, my blows are even sharper." Although reluctant, King Endrin could see that his son is adamant. He may be his favored son, but the king knows that the is the strongest and most cunning dwarf in all of Orzammar. Although he was reluctant to release him to the surface, he sent his son to Ostagar, where Duncan of the Grey Wardens will be waiting. Who knows, maybe his skill as a warrior and a diplomat could well be useful in the name of the Dwarves.