This story covers some of the events happening in the background of Bioware's Dragon Age:Origins. In the game you hear hints of a civil war in the bannorn and of riots in the Alienage. Fergus disappears for most of the story then shows up saying he was with the Chasind. In Awakenings we hear that Howe's wife and son were killed in the war but we don't hear how. This is my attempt to answer some of those questions. There will be some main play-through plotline weaving in an out as well.
Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir sat uncomfortably, frowning at fools. Duncan had somehow convinced Cailan to call a council of all the nobles currently in Denerim to discuss the supposed Darkspawn threat he had "discovered" in the south. Arl Rendon Howe, he knew, would not fall for it. Arl Urien Kendall distrusted the Wardens and would likely be on the right side also. Teyrn Bryce Cousland was almost as enamored of the Grey Wardens as Cailan so would definitely fall on the other side. Bann Brunnoch Lorth was hard to judge but would likely listen to the facts and make the right decision. None of it really mattered if Cailan was swayed as he could order them all into action. Duncan was just finishing offering his "proof" of a Darkspawn problem to a mesmerized king, which didn't leave Loghain hopeful.
"A Blight? You cannot be serious," Arl Urien scoffed.
"I am deadly serious," said Duncan. "The signs are all there. The Darkspawn are withdrawing from Orzammar and appearing in the Kocari Wilds in significant numbers."
"That sounds like they are moving, not surging. Perhaps they have tired of the dwarven harassment and are seeking softer targets," Loghain commented. "If they have decided to attack the Chasind then I say let them, it might take the pressure off the southern Banns for a while."
"You honestly believe the Chasind are a greater threat than the Darkspawn?" Duncan asked incredulously.
"I believe the Chasind are a real, known threat and the Darkspawn are scattered reminders of a distant time, much like the Wardens themselves," Loghain sneered.
"That's enough, Loghain," ordered King Cailan, "Duncan is here at my invitation and you will treat him with respect."
"Pardon, Your Majesty, but it seems beyond coincidence that the Wardens would be claiming a Blight just when their numbers have been dwindling precipitously," Loghain accused.
"It seems beyond hypocrisy to mention our dwindling numbers when it is your own policies that have caused the decrease in Ferelden," Duncan countered angrily.
"What is this?" asked Cailan, "I am aware of no policies to disadvantage the Wardens."
"That's because there are none," Loghain said, contemptuously.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. I am embarrassed that I have allowed myself to be distracted from my message. The Blight is of much greater importance than any matters of tax policy," Duncan bowed humbly.
"Alleged Blight. We still have no proof," said Loghain.
"And we start again," complained Cailan. "Tell me, Duncan, what would this be if not a Blight?"
Duncan answered honestly, "It is possible it is merely a large incursion. If so, my advice is still to meet them in force before they reach the southern bannorn. Their numbers are significant and the Banns of the south will not be able to hold them on their own."
"And if it's a true Blight?" asked Cailan.
"Then the forces of Ferelden alone will not be enough. We should seek aid from throughout the rest of Thedas."
"And whose foreign soldiers would you prefer Ferelden kneel to?" snarled Loghain, "The chevaliers of Orlais or the footmen from Weisshaupt's shadow vassals in the Anderfels? Or perhaps you would allow them both in to divide the kingdom between them."
"Agreed," said Brunnoch, "We cannot accept outside forces on Ferelden soil."
"Under a Blight all of Thedas is in danger. The Darkspawn do not honor borders," Duncan warned.
"Alleged Blight," Loghain repeated.
"There is a middle ground," suggested Bryce. "We could notify the other kingdoms and ask them to prepare, but let them know that we are still trying to determine the truth of the issue. They can let us know what aid they can give and when, but we would not invite them within our borders unless it becomes clear that it is a true Blight."
"Bravo, Bryce! Always the moderator," crowed Cailan. "That sounds like an excellent idea."
"I cannot believe you would actually consider inviting Orlesian soldiers into Ferelden under any circumstances, Bryce," Howe commented, shaking his head.
"Only as a last resort, if Ferelden herself were threatened," defended Bryce.
"And what about the threat from Orlais?" challenged Howe.
"Orlais under the Empress is not the same as under her father," soothed Bryce. "Even so, the idea does not thrill me. I wouldn't wish it unless we have to."
"Which we don't," said Loghain, firmly. "For this is not a Blight. The very idea is absurd."
"We'll see," said King Cailan. "We'll do as Bryce suggests and draft letters to the leaders of Thedas and tell them of the situation. Bryce, you are the diplomat here, can you draft the letters and present them to me for approval? You can then select messengers to deliver the letters and I will give you whatever resources you need. I would like to have them sent by the end of the week."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bryce nodded.
"Loghain, I want you to prepare a defensive line at Ostagar. Even if it's not a Blight, we owe it to the kingdom to limit the Darkspawn to the Wilds. Even you cannot deny the reports that the Darkspawn numbers are increasing. Inform the nobility that I am imposing a military levy and expect all of them to send men to help."
"Your Majesty, I must..."
"You must obey my orders. I know you are doubtful but I am not and I will not lose the south due to lack of action."
Loghain bowed his head, though his teeth were clenched, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Urien, I will need food, tents, wagons and other goods for the march to Ostagar. I wish to move soon so will be leaning heavily on you to supply them. Can you do it?"
"I can, Your Majesty, but will need to buy wagons from the merchants which could be expensive."
"The safety of the kingdom serves them as well as everyone else. You might need to commandeer some items and compensate them later, make sure to keep an inventory. I will draft a letter giving you the authority."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Urien said, uneasily.
"Brunnoch, I know it is still a couple of months until harvest, but I would like you to sound out the Banns and find out what support they can offer. If this becomes an extended war we will need to pull larger than our normal royal share of both grain and meat."
Brunnoch nodded, "As you wish, Your Majesty."
"Duncan, my task for you is twofold. First, I would like you to notify the other Grey Wardens in Thedas and invite their aid, with my blessing."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have already informed them of my suspicions, I am sure they will be glad to hear of your invitation. What is the second task?"
"I have a small force of mages assigned to my command at all times, but it is not enough for a full war. I would like you to go to the mage's tower and request what aid you can. I understand you have a relationship with First Enchanter Irving?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. A wise idea."
"Mages and foreigners?" Brunnoch grimaced, "These are uncommon measures."
"This is an uncommon foe," Duncan noted. "Teyrn Cousland, if you are sending messages to all the kingdoms already, may I use your men to carry my own letters?"
"Absolutely, Warden. I will need to return to Highever to start the levy that the king has asked for and was going to have the replies sent there. I can then forward the messages to wherever is appropriate. Is that acceptable, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, of course. No need to duplicate efforts. I will be heading to Ostagar myself once my personal forces are ready, so receiving the messages at Highever makes perfect sense. Thank you."
"I could remain in Denerim to receive the messages and bring them straight to Your Majesty," suggested Howe.
"No, no need. Besides, you'll have levies of your own to raise," Cailan smiled, "Loghain, I will be writing to my Uncle Eamon personally so no need for you to contact him."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Loghain replied with a growl.
"Thank you all. With luck we will send these monsters scurrying back to their caves before the summer is out. And, if it is a Blight, then history will know us as men who were not afraid to stand and face the darkness. Maker watch over us."
"Maker watch over us," the others replied in chorus, rising and making their way out of the room.
"Duncan, please stay a few moments, Urien and Loghain too. I would like to discuss this tax issue you mentioned," requested Cailan.
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Duncan, ignoring Loghain's glare.
Once the others filed out and the door was closed, Cailan turned to Duncan, "Tell me what policies are causing you problems."
"There are tariffs on all supplies coming to the Wardens and unexplained damage to shipments passing through port, inspections of our compound with taxes levied on held property and limits on how many Wardens may travel together in the town," Duncan counted off the complaints on his hand.
Loghain waved his hand, "The tariffs are not exclusive to the Wardens and we have no control over how a bunch of clumsy deck hands deal with your shipments. As for the taxes, those are applied to all foreign steel in the kingdom."
"But the embassies are granted an exception to the taxes, an exception which is not extended to the Wardens. Few other organizations import goods so are not subject to tariffs," argued Duncan. "And none of that addresses the limits on Warden movements."
"We cannot very well let a foreign service move in numbers through our city," said Urien.
"We are not a foreign service, the majority of my Wardens are from here. We are bound to no nation but do protect Ferelden."
"Yet you rely on Weisshaupt for your armor, uniforms and weaponry. You could avoid the tariffs entirely by using local craftsmen," Loghain chided.
"Weisshaupt prefers a consistent presentation," Duncan grumbled. He had often complained about that choice - it was due more to Weisshaupt's desire to patronize their own mines in the Anderfels than on any issues of how the Warden's looked. Loghain had him on that point.
"Weisshaupt's preferences are not under my control," Loghain answered. "That is your own choice."
"None of these were issues under Maric," Duncan noted.
"Hear this, King Cailan, he accuses Your Majesty of crippling his order when he has been given extraordinary consideration," Urien gave a mock gasp.
Cailan sighed, "I have heard nothing of the kind, Arl Urien. What I have heard is a man saying his order is not supported as well under my rule as it was under my father. For that I apologize, Commander. I will speak to the queen to see how we can get this remedied. Thank you, you are all dismissed."
Howe was waiting for him when Loghain left Cailan's office, which wasn't a real surprise. They nodded to each other and proceeded to Loghain's apartments silently until they were safely behind closed doors.
"Do you think this is a ploy?" asked Howe, bluntly. "Is the Empress using the Wardens to be able to march into Ferelden?"
"I wouldn't put anything beyond the Orlesians, or their Wardens," Loghain cursed "Damn Duncan, did he find out what we were planning?"
"I don't see how, we barely have a plan as it is. I do have news by the way. The rumors that Redcliffe is seeking an apostate are confirmed by my agent. It appears the Arlessa believes her son may be a mage and wishes him tested by someone other than the Chantry."
"Is Eamon party to this?" asked Loghain, surprised.
"I don't believe so but that hardly matters, does it? All we need is to make sure they get the apostate they are looking for and then point him out. Eamon will be disgraced and his influence diminished. We may even be able to get him banned from Denerim as a threat to the king."
"I doubt that, not if Cailan is on his side. The king does not have the same suspicion of mages as you and I. Or most reasonable people," Loghain muttered.
"Still, placing an apostate in his court can only be good for us."
"You mean a blood mage, don't you? That is a dangerous idea."
"Did I say any such thing? No, he doesn't have to be a blood mage for people to suspect he is. Being an apostate is sufficient to condemn him and the people he has influence over," Howe smiled.
"And where would I find an apostate? They don't stand on street corners holding signs."
"The templars often bring captured apostates to the Chantry before taking them on to wherever they end up. You can ask Urien to, say, intercept one."
"I can, can I?"
"He won't do such a thing on my orders, alas. He doesn't trust me."
"I can't imagine why not," said Loghain, dryly.
"Please, you know my motivations. I am on your side."
"I suspect your motivations, I know nothing. Nevermind, I'll talk to Urien. It's distasteful, but you're right, this is the best chance to reduce Eamon's influence on Cailan that we have found. Have you figured out how to pry Bryce away from him?"
"I have an inkling of a plan, but nothing firm enough to share yet. I actually think this war effort may help things along. After all, it is Bryce that will be reaching out to the foreign governments of Thedas. It is his reputation at stake if any of those arrangements benefit him inordinately."
"That is why you offered to receive the replies? You planned to make some alterations?" Loghain chuckled, "Subtle."
"No, but that is an excellent idea. I merely felt it would be helpful to get a peek at the king's correspondence. He is asking for aid and they may request something in return. We don't want to be surprised by his arrangements like we were with Anora."
"No, we don't," Loghain grimaced, remembering the letter he'd seen on Cailan's desk nearly a year ago. Cailan had rejected Eamon's suggestion to put Anora aside, but Eamon would keep pushing. If only Anora would get herself pregnant then there would be no question, but she refused to discuss the subject with her father and Loghain was left unsure where the problem truly lie. He suspected it was Cailan, given the fool's unproductive dalliances, but could not prove anything without Anora's cooperation. Damn it, but she loved the boy. "Can you tell Urien I'd like to see him? He will trust you on that, I hope."
"I should be able to convince him, yes," replied Howe, without a trace of sarcasm. Howe knew what he was and wasn't ashamed, which made him extremely dangerous in Loghain's opinion. Loghain would like to say he was glad to have the man on his side, instead it made him slightly queasy.
"Is there anything else?" asked Loghain.
"Vanesse wanted me to ask you to dinner. I said you would likely be too busy after the council, but she insisted I try."
"Your Arlessa is a gracious woman. Tell her that I find the offer inviting, but am unable. Anora has already made plans for me."
"I will pass on your regrets. Good evening, Loghain." Howe bowed then left.
Loghain moved to the sideboard and pulled out a bottle. He wasn't sure he could eat dinner at all and hoped a drink could settle him.
Bryce and Eamon had been friends of his once, or at least allies - why they would now be cozying up to the Orlesians he could not imagine. The Empress had to be offering them something but Loghain had yet to find any proof. Without it Cailan was unwilling to listen to him, which was beyond frustrating. The king had become ever more rebellious as the years went on. He had once listened to Loghain on everything, now he was just as likely to rely on Bryce, Eamon, or even that snake Duncan. The kingdom was slipping away and, before long, would fall right into Empress Celene's lap unless he could stop it. If he could just get rid of those destructive influences he was sure he could make Cailan see the danger hiding in Orlais.
There was a knock at the door and he called, "Come in." Arl Urien walked in and bowed. "You arrived quickly. I thank you for that," said Loghain.
"I had stopped to talk to Brunnoch so had not yet left the palace." Urien explained.
"What does Brunnoch think of this whole mess?"
"He is uncomfortable with the idea of foreigners in Ferelden, but he is not as doubtful of Duncan's story as we are. I'm surprised you did not ask to speak with him as well."
"I will at some point, but this is about something else. I have a favor to ask you and you must never speak of it to anyone. For your own sake I cannot explain why I need it and, even if you refuse, I would need you to keep it secret. I can tell you it's for the good of Ferelden." Always for the good of Ferelden, for he truly had nothing else. Even Anora didn't seem to need him anymore.
"I...see," said Urien. "I owe you everything, Loghain. If not for you I would never have regained my father's lands. You have my word."
Loghain took a drink, then took a breath, "I need you to betray the Chantry."
Brunnoch Lorth pushed open the door to the dining room to find Cauthrien waiting for him. She was dressed for dinner in a pretty pink gown but had an ornamental dagger laid on a napkin in front of her and was carefully cleaning the gem encrusted handle. She looked up and smiled at him, "Good evening, Father. How was your meeting?"
"Frightening. There is talk of a Blight," he said bluntly, moving to his seat. The butler peaked in the door and nodded to him, then ducked back out.
"A Blight?"
"An organized incursion of Darkspawn led by an archdemon."
"I know what a Blight is, Father. I was questioning whether it is really happening."
"Yes, of course. Sorry cupcake, I'm just distracted." He looked at what she was working on, "Is that the dagger you found in the market?"
"Yes. It's clear the gems have been popped and replaced by paste, but the handiwork itself is exquisite. It might be worth something once I get it cleaned up, even without the gems." She wrapped the napkin around it and put it aside. "You are not going to distract me, however. What makes them think there is a Blight? I thought those were no more."
"That Warden, Duncan. He says the Blights are not over and that the Darkspawn are resurging. He says the recent raids in the south are part of a larger force hidden in the Kocari Wilds."
"Do you think he's right?"
"I hope not, but you know what I always say."
"Put hope in one hand and spit in the other and see which one gets full faster. Yes, I know. Do you think he's right?" she repeated.
"Yes," he sighed. "Duncan has never struck me as a fool or an agent, despite what Loghain says. If he believes this is a Blight, then it is likely a Blight, Maker help us. Either way the king believes him and is sending an army down there to hold them back."
"To Ostagar?"
"Good girl. Yes, to Ostagar. We have a map of that around here somewhere, don't we? It might be good for you to study it. Chances are you'll be heading down there with Teyrn Loghain when he marches."
"You're not, Father?"
"I might eventually. King Cailan has asked me to secure food for the armies. I'll likely be travelling the bannorn inspecting crops."
"A curse it is to be a good logistician," she teased, "You never get to see battle."
"I do not miss it, believe me. I fear you'll know what I mean soon enough. And, before I forget, let me tell you how proud I am of you. Loghain does not choose his captains to earn political favor. That you've achieved that rank in his service speaks well of you. I just wish it was a peaceful tenure."
"Thank you, Father. That. .. that means a great deal to me." She met his sad eyes, "Are you really so frightened?"
"Ah, but here comes the soup. Lets put the dark things off for another time. It may be a while before we have a chance at idle chatter again."
"Yes Father," she said, but her heart did not feel lightened. Her father had only been frightened once in his life, when her mother was ill with the disease that would eventually kill her. That he was worried now meant there was truly something to fear. She had a feeling he was right, that their time together would be coming to an end and it may be a long time before Ferelden saw peace again. She knew what a Blight was, and that she may very well not see the other side in her lifetime. She reached out and squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. "I'm ready Papa. You've made me so."
"No, my dear, I haven't. There is no way to do so. Not for battle, not for blood, not for what men do to one another when lives and power are at stake. And damn sure not for Darkspawn."
