Chapter 1

The Bann of Ulstermont was making his way to breakfast when he was intercepted by a valet.

"A message for you, Ser!" The valet struggled to keep up with the Bann's stride. "Visitors for you, in the courtyard. Arrived just this morning."

The Bann was impassive as he heard the news. "Very well. Instruct the servants to prepare quarters for them suited to their station. I was not expecting anyone. Who are they? Deputies from the Queen? More displaced refugees from the Blight? Nobility?"

"The leader says he is the Commander of the Grey Wardens, Ser. There are over a score of others with him."

This gave the Bann some pause. He nodded to the valet and sent him off to begin preparations for the guests. As he continued to meet his wife in the dining room, he wondered why the Warden-Commander would pay his keep a visit. He had heard that the renegade Wardens had traveled to the far corners of Ferelden to gather support for defense against the Blight, but they had succeeded without finding his remote holding, and the Blight was over. Visitors made the Bann somewhat uneasy. It would be safe to say that Ulstermont did not … encourage…visitors, and the Bann liked it that way.

No matter their purpose, thought the Bann, it is politic to be gracious hosts. Especially as the Wardens were heroes, celebrated throughout the country by all. It was particularly important that he impress his guests, in light of the weight their decisions carried with Anora, the Queen. She, as well as all of the Bannorn, knew how the Wardens had 'allowed' her to rule. This put her in their debt, something many, including the Bann, had noticed.

He reached his destination, and sat down to breakfast still deep in thought. Elsewhere, the Warden-Commander's party was unsaddling horses, the keep's servants were hastily preparing bedrooms and barracks, and one young woman tied a ribbon around her neck and sighed as she steeled herself for another day.