Chapter 1

A Miracle amidst the Despair

It had been three weeks since Miranda's arrival in Orzammar and she had

settled in the old Carta headquarters that King Bhelen graciously allotted to her

for being the Hero of Ferelden. Miranda still didn't fully trust Bhelen but she

respected the fact he wanted to give the casteless greater rights as well as improve

ties to the surface world. The fact that he respected her privacy also helped her

view of him as well. Except for her journeys to the Deep Roads to assist the

dwarves into securing previously lost thaigs, Miranda would spend most of her

time in the Carta Headquarters with her dog. Once in awhile when getting

supplies, she would visit Zerlinda, the young dwarven woman that she helped

reunite with her family. Zerlinda's son was walking now, and it was one of the

few occasions where Miranda would smile as she loved to play with him.

Tomorrow she would be heading back to the Deep Roads to meet with

the Legion of Dead. There was another brood mother discovered. It was going

to take everything they have to defeat it.

Zevran hid in the shadows as he watched two of Alistair's guards carry

him back to his private chambers. It was the second time he collapsed in a week

and by seeing the lack of true concern on Anora's face, Zevran realized Miranda

was right for being concerned and silently figured a way to access Anora's secured

quarters.

Eamon paced back and forth as Teagan looked on. They were waiting

for the physician to come out of Alistair's room.

"Teagan this is the second time in a week." Eamon said. "If word gets

out it could cause serious problems."

"For all we know it could be stress brother." Teagan told him. "Lets

not jump to conclusions until we hear something."

The door opened and a grim faced physician appeared.

"What is it?" Eamon asked. "What is wrong with him?"

"I honestly do not know." The man said. "He's sitting up in bed and

drinking water now. The king is also requesting venison."

"I don't understand ." Teagan said. "If he is requesting food, that

should mean he is getting better."

"His Majesty requests that it be prepared rare. When a person craves rare meet, it could mean his blood is weakening."

"Could it be the taint in his blood?" Eamon asked.

"I honestly do not know." The physician said. "We need to

wait and see."

Eamom rushed in the room and the physician followed while Teagan

waited outside.

Zevran emerged from the shadows.

"Andraste's Blood!" Teagan exclaimed. "Where did you come from?"

"Teagan my good man." Zevran said in the most pleasant tone he

could muster. "Would it be possible for us to chat?"

"Can it wait?" Teagan asked. "If you are not already aware, we are

dealing with a very delicate situation."

"Of that I have no doubt." Zevran said. "But have you asked yourself

where is the Queen when all of this…happening?"

"What are you trying say?" Teagan demanded.

Zevran sighed and remembered the promise he made to Miranda.

"Well Zevran." He said to himself. "At least you can say you

managed to keep a promise for nearly a month. That alone is a record for you."

He looked at Teagan. "May we converse somewhere more private?

There are certain things you are obviously not aware of."

Alistair heard people come in his room and pretended to be asleep.

"He's resting now My Lord." The physician said.

"Alistair?" Eamon said as he nudged him.

When Alistair did not respond, the two men left the room. Alistair

opened his eyes.

Getting up, he went over to the chair and sat down.

"Maker." He pleaded. "Why do you keep torturing me with dreams

of her?"

Alistair closed his eyes and remembered the Landsmeet. She told

him that a Gray Warden uses any means necessary and that was why she

made the choice in letting Loghain live. He also reluctantly accepted that

it would be good for Ferelden if he ruled jointly with Anora.

Alistair refused to be in her final party for the battle. Wynne was

also just as angry but agreed to be in the party for duty's sake.

It was no consolation to learn that Loghain dealt the final blow. He

felt that Loghain did not deserve the honor and it made him angrier at

her betrayal.

After Alistair made Miranda's brother the rightful Teryn of Highever,

he took her aside and said that she was dead to him and that he never wanted

to see her again. She had just stared at him blankly and left the room, adding

confusion to the pain he was already feeling.

Miranda still haunted his dreams every night however, and he was

was beginning to realize he would never get over her.

Teagan paced around the room as Zevran watched him. He not only

revealed Miranda's secret but told Teagan of the conversation the Arl had with

her the night before the Landsmeet.

"That certainly explains a great about her decision at the Landsmeet."

Teagan said. "I'm not surprised that my brother would do this however, and it

shames me to know he did this, but we must first deal the matter at hand. Do you

know the ramifications of this if your accusation proves true? "

"Teagan, this sort of thing happens in Antiva all the time." Zevran said

"I'm not surprised one bit. We need more proof before we can reveal these

accusations however."

"And just what do you propose?"

"If it's the poison I think they are using, there is an antidote. The thing

is since we don't have the truth uncovered it will raised suspicions if he is

miraculously cured. I propose this, that we administer half doses so it slows the

progression and allows us time to get the proof. Once we get it, he will get the

full amount and we tell him what we uncovered."

"Do you know what you are saying Zevran?" Teagan asked. "You

are asking to risk the life of the king to uncover proof that may not even exist."

"Of course we can just ignore it and hope it goes away." Zevran told

him. "Are you willing to take that risk?"

"Alright." Tegan relented. "Just what do you want me to do?"

"Just watch Anora for now and note everything she does." Zevran

said. "And if she brings Alistair anything do not let him have it. I will come

back later with the antidote."

Teagan watched Zevran as he climbed out the window, leaving

him alone to struggle with these disturbing revelations.

Miranda limped past the remains of the broodmother to where

Legionnaire Kardol was standing. It had been a difficult battle. The

broodmother was nearly double the size of the first one she had encountered.

Ten of Kardol's men were lost in the process but he was still jubilant at their

victory.

"Tonight we celebrate." He proclaimed. "And ale will be drunk

for every one of those men we lost as we savior the victory."

Miranda's stomach churned at the thought of drinking. Her whole

body ached and she could tell at least one of her toes was broken.

She looked at Kardol and rubbed her eyes when she was seeing

two of him.

Everything was blurring around her then and she heard Kardol

call out her name when she collapsed to the ground.

As the blackness engulfed her, she heard Kardol instruct two

soldiers to run ahead to send word to Bhelen as she felt herself being picked

up and moved.

Miranda opened her eyes and found herself in unfamiliar surroundings

.

"Its alright."

She turned to see a gray haired dwarf looking at you.

"My name is Dagmar, Warden." He said. "I'm one of the King's

"So how long have I got?" She managed to joke.

"I'm not too familiar with human physiology." He explained. "Six to

seven months, give or take."

Miranda gasped. "Are you saying…I'm dying?"

"Warden?" He asked. "Do you remember when you had your last

cycle by chance? You are not dying. You are with child."

.