CHAPTER THREE
PRESENT TIME
ONE MONTH AFTER THE BATTLE OF DENERIM
ROYAL PALACE, FERELDAN
The dreams were like waking nightmares. Never had the dreams of darkspawn been this intense this … real. Tomas Cousland, Hero of Fereldan felt like he was walking amongst the darkspawn in his dreams. Thankfully, with each passing day the dreams became less like nightmares and more like a forgotten dream, being buried deep within his memories.
Tomas awoke to the pleasant sights of his room in the royal palace filled with expensive clothes, armours, weapons and shields. Alistair showered Tomas with gifts from the Banns and Arls, all thankful that he stopped the Blight and saved their land and their freeholders. It was a nice—but unnecessary—he did his duty as a Grey Warden. The common folk named him the Hero of Fereldan, which stuck during sessions of court. The nobles called him that every time they met him, Tomas had a lot of influence with the nobles and the freeholders, for the time until the Grey Wardens arrived in Amaranthine in five months Tomas decided to stay in the capital to help Alistair settle into his duties as king.
As Tomas got changed from his white hosen pants and white wool shirt into his newly made Grey Warden uniform. The uniform was made for personal use outside of battle, it was blue with the heraldic banner of the Grey Wardens it had two griffons adorned, wings elevated, maintaining a branch fesswise.
He wore it sometimes underneath his plate armour that too was made to look like the typical Grey Warden armour. Tomas had never worn the official armour of a Grey Warden during the Blight. He made do with plate armour bought from travelling traders and merchants. Loghain the Grey Warden armoury in Denerim raided and all arms and armour was either sold the armour for profit or melted it down and re-forged into new arms and armour.
A pity. He thought looking into a clouded mirror on the desk next to his bed. He had grown a short but bushy beard, it was dark brown the same colour as his hair. He hadn't shaved in a month in fact he only managed to trim his beard during the Fifth Blight. Time of a clean shave.
Walking the halls of the royal palace felt like walking the halls of Castle Cousland. The stone work looked the same—though that could be said about all the castles in Fereldan.
Many of the servants were elven, there was one human but he quickly disappeared. Afraid to be seen with elves. Even after the land united against the Blight many humans held to their prejudices against elves. Tomas fought at the side of elf. Zevran Arainai, elven assassin from the Antivan Crows. A bit of an oddity for Tomas, Zev took the company of both men and women and flirted endless with all of Tomas' companions. Even Wynne, a woman twice his age.
The clans of the Dalish Elves assisted in retaking Denerim from the darkspawn. Their archers killed many of the vile beasts. And saved many human lives.
Ignorant people.
It made no matter Tomas remembered that there would be a meeting today on the state of Amaranthine. After Alistair's coronation, Fergus Cousland, Tomas' brother, was given the Arling of Amaranthine as well as restoring the Couslands lands back to them. Fergus did something that Tomas never thought would happen, Fergus gave the Arling of Amaranthine to the Grey Wardens.
That caused quite a stir in the Arling. The common folk were outraged, there outrage was exacerbate by Arl Rendon Howe's Vassals—the ones that joined in on his plans. Denerim was losing trade from Amaranthine and Amaranthine was losing trade with Denerim.
The situation was a grim one to say the least. Tomas had heard whispers from lower banns that King Alistair was unfit to rule if he can't keep peace in Amaranthine. Just a day in the life of a monarch.
The large wooden doors leading to the throne room opened and a female elven servant emerged. She smiled wide happy to see the Hero of Fereldan. "The King is expecting you, Hero." She said bowing low. "Thank you." Tomas said walking past the elf, though into the throne. The throne room was a large room that could fit many people, during a Landsmeet. A mount ago, Tomas convinced the Landsmeet to turn against Loghain and Anora, restoring the throne back to the Theirin bloodline.
At the over end of the room, Tomas saw Alistair and Eamon on the dais. Alistair was sitting on the throne and next to him pacing quite fast was Arl Eamon. The Arl stayed behind in the capital to teach Alistair how to rule and advise him where necessary. He was scrambling ever since the news from Amaranthine reached the capital a few days before.
"This threat needs to be dealt with your majesty!" Eamon's voice echoed throughout the room. Eamon was normally calm during these matters, but recent events have taxed him and Alistair.
Tomas spotted Ser Cauthrien standing to the left of the throne she had her great-sword—The Summer Sword—in its leather scabbard on her back. She wore her new chainmail armour made by Master Wade. He had outdone himself this time using the remains of the dragonscale Tomas had gotten him he forged a two armour sets; one for Ser Cauthrien to wear during her new duty as captain of the Kings Guard, the other was sold to a surface dwarf, who is rumoured to have sold it to one of the smith caste In Orzammar.
"Fereldan was united, now Amaranthine is in chaos and Gwaren is without a Teryn. Its people speak of rebelling unless Anora is made Queen." Eamon continued his rant.
Tomas was half way to the dais when Cauthrien spotted him, she was quite distracted but who could blame her, she whispered his arrival to Alistair who stood up to great his friend. "My friend, come to save me from the demons of politics?" He said with a grin, happy to have some distraction from the hardships of the day.
"Don't sound so happy my friend. You will find me quite the demon in a few minutes nagging you with solutions and asking silly questions over and over again, even though I asked them before." Tomas couldn't help but chuckle. Some of Alistair personality had rubbed off on him during their travels to stop the Blight he occasionally joked with Alistair, he blamed Alistair for the habit. A bad habit to pick up he jested at times. "Aww…Oh well then, better get in to position then." Alistair said sitting back down on the throne. Eamon looked vexed. It was not like him and Tomas did not like it one bit.
"So, Gwaren is in trouble and Amaranthine has stopped trade. Anything else to add to our troubles?" Tomas asked Eamon, trying to sound reasonable so the Arl could keep his sanity.
"Thank the Maker that those are only troubles. Anymore and I think we should have let the Blight consume this land." Eamon said, letting out a heavy sigh. Back when Fereldan was in a state of civil war he was the voice of reason but now his political abilities were strained. The rebuilding of Denerim and Redcliffe consumed his every waking moment since the end of the Blight, he barely saw his son Connor or his wife Isolde when he did it was not for long.
"The Mayor of Gwaren is calling for the release of Anora so that she can be the Teyrna. But many of Gwaren's people want her to be Queen and Alistair to step down. They believe that the Therin bloodline is dead and that the Mac Tir line should rule Fereldan now." Eamon said, rubbing his top of his nose.
Alistair looked at Tomas and gave him a curious look. "Anora still hasn't relinquish her claim to the throne and is still imprisoned in Fort Drakon to this day. Maybe I should have allowed her to be executed that day." He said with a half-a-smile.
"It would have been simpler to have. But that would have caused more trouble with Gwaren's people if she was dead. Since she is still alive there may be a chance we can resolve this situation before it escalates." Tomas said, sounding as calm as ever in any situation. In weeks past, Tomas has defused many situations threating Alistair's rule. Many of Loghain's supporters began organizing, their main goal was to free Anora from Fort Drakon and kill Alistair so that Anora would inherit the throne, which Tomas personally thwarted by killing the assassin and arresting Loghain's supporters. Even in death Loghain still had influence. In the aftermath of the Blight many who hole heartily supported him began to voice their dissatisfaction with the new King, Loghain was a hero to the people, but his actions during the war left the people with a bitter taste in their mouths. Though many thought that he did what he did due to the pressures of war, the truth sobered them up, he was mad with fear of Orlais and that fear drove him to betray his King.
Aside from putting down threats to the realm, he also negotiated a trade deal with King Bhelen to see the shipping of more dwarven goods to the surface. This boosted the weakened economy to its height before the Blight. Both sides profited from the deal and showed the banns that Alistair had Fereldan's best interests at heart. Arl Eamon was right, Tomas had influence many sought to deal with him to push matters to the crown. He had thought that this would mean that he'd get no peace, bust as the weeks rolled by, Tomas felt lost managing the courts and dealing with the nobility didn't leave as much of an impact.
He wanted adventure writing wrongs along the way the threat of danger the thrill of battle. He missed all of that but his work was important so he set aside those feelings. Though he knew that his position in court was temporary, he felt like he'd be stuck in court forever.
Today was no different, he felt the strong urge to put his armour and leave the capital to search for adventure. He had already figured out a solution to the Gwaren problem the night before now it was time to put his plan into to action. Amaranthine would have to come later.
Tomas moved to the left side of the throne, standing tall next to Cauthrien. "I want to meet with Anora, I have a proposition for her. One that will a benefit to her and you." He said.
Eamon looked dubious and began to voice his concern. "Anora will not be easily persuaded. She is as stubborn as her father and even more manipulative. She is still well loved by the people but they know that she wants nothing but power. If she were to rule she can produce no heir, she is infertile Calian knew this to be true. Her reign would be short and with no one to succeed her Fereldan will be plunged into civil war without end."
"I know but trust me I can persuade her. If not then we will need to put forward a new Teyrn for Gwaren." Tomas said. Anora would jump at any chance to have power, but she was smart about it. She would only jump if the offer was in her best interest, and Tomas knew her well his offer would be one that she couldn't refuse.
"Okay. I trust you my friend you can see Anora whenever you wish, but please make it fast. The situation is worsening with each passing day. The army isn't strong enough to face another war so soon, and the land is recovering from the taint from the Blight." Alistair said, sounding so regal, it was so unlike him.
Tomas nodded. He looked at Eamon who had now calmed down and regained much of his calmer demeanour. This was good, Eamon needed to be at his best. He had a meeting with an ambassador from Kirkwall later on to discuss raider activity off the Amaranthine Coast and the Fereldan refugee problem the city was experiencing.
"I believe I can help with the problem in Amaranthine," An elderly woman voice said, echoing in the near empty throne room. "I apologize for my tardiness. I was busy discussing some mage business with the Grand Cleric."
Tomas knew who the voice belonged to. Wynne, senior enchanter from the Circle of Magi and a royal advisor to Alistair. It was Alistair who asked for Wynne to be his advisor and she accepted. Though the Chantry were up in arms about it they accepted her appointment nonetheless. Her wisdom helped Tomas through tough times on their journey to defeat the Blight. She was like a second mother to him, she was kind a caring but stern when she needed to be and gave advice when it was needed. Her magic also helped when the time called for it. But she was living off borrowed time. She had found herself bound to a spirit from the Fade it was keeping her alive, during the Abomination incident at the Tower she died but the spirit reached out and saved her from dying. A mage from Tevinter gave her the good news—partly—the spirit could keep her alive for ten to eleven years, if she didn't draw on its power. To her this was good news, she had time to set her affairs in order before she died. First Enchanter Irving had actually order her to not use any magic, to keep her alive as long as possible.
Irving and several other mages began looking into a way to save Wynne, despite her best efforts to reassure them.
"Oh good. Do tell." Alistair said, standing up as if to give her the throne.
Wynne bowed before Alistair. Alistair pulled a face and gestured her to rise. "Please Wynne don't do that. After all we did spill a lot of darkspawn blood together. No need to hurt your knee and back. I know how you old people get." Alistair joked, the joke was not lost on Wynne she let out a soft laugh.
She stood as quickly as any young woman would, she took her place at Arl Eamon side. She and the Arl were on good terms, Tomas suggested she would be the mage to save Eamon's son, Connor, from the Pride Demon that had possessed him. She gave him regular updates on his son's progress in the Circle Tower.
"As I said I have a solution to the Amaranthine situation. Though it may be temporary. We should give Seneschal Varel control of Amaranthine until the Grey Wardens arrive from Orlais. He is a native and well loved by the citizens of the city. "
"Varel? Yes, yes I see that will go down well with the people. He can keep Bann Esmerelle and her lot in line until Tomas takes over with the rest of the Warden's from Orlais." Relief rolled down Eamon's face as he talked. Strange he did not think of that himself. But then again he was stressed out but a moment ago so he can be forgiven.
"I shall take my leave now. I must go speak with Anora." Tomas said, making his way down the dais. "I shall update you Eamon, if she changes her mind.
FORT DRAKON, FERELDAN
As Tomas approached the Fort he began to remember the Battle of Denerim. He lead Wynne, Alistair and Sten to the Fort doors, then a small horde of darkspawn poured out of the Fort, Wynne used her magic to rain down fireballs while he, Sten and Alistair cut down the survivors. Before they could rest another wave approached, thankfully Dalish archers arrived and sent a volley of arrows raining down on the darkspawn. He had not been to the Fort since the battle, the place reminded him of the both the battle and his incarceration there, where he was tortured by the overzealous guards who had grown complacent and depraved since Loghain's rule. Thank the Maker that now the Fort acts as the prison and fort it was meant to. No torture.
Tomas entered the main lobby and past yet more, large wooden doors which led into the main hall. It was here a month ago he died and just as quickly recovered. The new captain of the fort, a female by the name of Ser Blanchette. She was armoured up in Silverite chainmail, she was barking orders at the men. Regular training. She noticed him and waved her men away.
"So I take it you're here to speak with the 'bitch' queen?" She said with such hatred. Since her incarceration after the Landsmeet, Anora's name was dragged through the mud. Many in the army spread the rumours of her colluding with her father to kill King Callan so that Anora would inherit the throne. The rumour all but destroyed her worth to eyes of the army. Tomas too had heard a terrible rumour of Anora being mistreated, rape and abuse amongst them. It did not paint a good picture.
"I'm here to speak with Anora, yes. Can you bring her to me?" Tomas asked, looking at the men behind her.
Ser Blanchette looked around, considering. "Sure I'll bring her. But not in the comfortable conference room. Oh, no that bitch doesn't deserve the comfort of that room. So you'll have to talk to her in the interrogation room." She said after careful thinking.
The interrogation room was underneath the fort next to the former torture chamber. "Great. Take me to the room. I will speak to her." Tomas didn't have much of a choice. Blanchette was not the one to be denied she may be new but she commanded her men well, none of them would question her orders and Tomas didn't want to start and incident with the army.
The interrogation room was dimly lit room, the candle lights were growing dim with each passing minute. The room was in disrepair, bricks were loose and the wooden ceiling was rotten and falling apart. It felt like it could fall down at any moment. The wooden desk was new at least, but the room smelled of shit and piss. Great. A room where prisoner pissed themselves in fear. That will send a 'great' message to Anora. He thought.
Soon enough a guard opened the door and shoved Anora in, she feel face first into the floor. The guard picked her up by the breasts and placed her on the chair. Her face full of muck said it all.
"The fuck man. Is that how you treat all of your guests!" Tomas shouted as he tried to unshackle Anora.
"S-s-s-orry, hero." The guard stuttered he knew who he was dealing with the Hero of Fereldan. Poor bugger didn't know that the Hero of Fereldan was the one who wanted to talk with Anora. He left the key behind and ran from the room.
Tomas looked at Anora, ripped cloth clothing with dirt marks, cleavage exposed clearly, short hosen pants the pants left side exposed her bare leg. Her blonde hair now a dirty blonde colour from the dirt. It was not a good sight, she should have been treated with respect. She was skinner than the last time they had spoken, the guards must not have been feeding her properly. Since no one reported her condition to the King, which was a bad sign. A sign of corruption in the ranks of the fort. Tomas was sickened by this. He yelled down the hall to nearest guards to fetch food, water and a cloth.
"I don't need your pity. I'm paying the price of my failure." Anora said, through a suppressed cry.
"Failure to secure the crown? Or failure to let go of the throne?" Tomas responded.
"To let go," She said, a tear rolled down her right cheek. "I should have. But my stubbornness…I won't apologise I did what I thought was best for Fereldan. But being here. I just wish—"
"You could change the past?" Tomas finished her sentence, he wiped away her tear gently with his finger. "Did any of the men here—" Tomas let the sentence trail for a bit, he did not want to finish it, asking such a question to a lady.
"No…they didn't. They say I'm infertile. Not worth the sex. They've treated me like a common criminal. Is it true Alistair told them to treat me this way?" She asked, her eyes burned with anger she wanted to hate Alistair, but somewhere deep within her she knew Alistair was not behind her mistreatment.
"No. He did not. But I know who did. Ser Blanchette." Tomas was guessing but his feelings told him that he was right. Anora looked at him, the anger in her eyes died down. Replace with the eyes of an innocent little girl. Tomas didn't know either to feel sorry for her or be wary of her just in case.
"So why are you here? Not to check up on me." Anora asked. "No. I want you to renounce your claim to the throne." He responded quickly. "If you do I'll see that you'll be the made Teyrna of Gwaren."
Anora looked around the room clearly considering her options. "If I don't?" She asked, softly as if a whisper.
"You will be hanged. Fereldan can't have you raising up any rebellion for the throne. Would you really weaken the country you helped rule? The country your father spent most of his life fighting to free from the Orlesians?"
She looked at Tomas in the eyes, her eyes seemed to look deep into his soul. "There is more isn't their?"
Damn she was good, of course there was more. She read him like a book, she was good.
"Yes, you will have to marry my brother Fergus Cousland to make sure that your honour your renunciation of the throne." He said, still looking at her. Not backing down an inch.
Something in Anora changed. She averted her eyes and looked to the floor, she had been spoiled as a child everyone doing what she wanted the way she wanted. Even Callan, but now she could not get her way. Now her only way out of the hell hole of her prison cell was to accept Tomas deal.
"Alright then. I-I accept." She whispered. Defeated.
"Okay then. I'll have the guard take you to Eamon's estate. There you will write down the renunciation and publicly announce it to. Fergus will meet you in Gwaren for the wedding in a months' time." He said. Happy with the result.
"You—would have made a great king yourself. You know that." Anora said, holding his hand. Looking at him longingly. He quickly moved his hand away. "Don't push your luck Anora."
Outside the Fort, Tomas sighed heavily. He saw Anora being escorted by loyal guardsmen to Eamon's estate. She was much cleaner than before, she still wore the rags from the prison but she was beautiful again. She would look like a noblewoman again with the right outfit.
As Tomas began to walk away from the Fort a child ran in front of him and stopped shy of crashing into him. The boy was panting clearly he was sent here. "A message for you Hero!" The boy announced, handing Tomas an envelope. As quickly as he arrived, the boy left.
Tomas opened the letter and began to read it.
"Dear most beloved saviour. I'm in a bit of a pickle and in need of your Grey Warden abilities to get me out of the problem. Meet me in the Pearl and I'll explain in greater detail. ~ Zev."
This can't be good.
