Chapter 3 Setting the Stage & Finding Sanctuary

Zevran carefully snuck out of the bed of Anora's maid and put his armor

back on. It was so easy. All it took was a few wistful glances, tracing the outline of her face with his fingers and a few nibbles behind her ear and she instantly led him to her

room and to her bed. It was obvious by her frenzied response to him, that she had not

been with a man in quite some time so Zevran made it a point of ravishing her to the

point of exhaustion. She was asleep now and would be for quite some time enabling him

to get her key.

As Zevran crept through the halls, he was amazed by the lack of security

the palace had. Except for the occasional patrolling guard, it was desolate. In Antiva, there would not only be patrols, but a guard posted at every other door. Security

was so heavy, there would be passwords to get to the main password. When he reached

Anora's wing, there wasn't even guard posted. Zevran looked around and quickly unlocked the door and went inside. The wing was a maze of rooms that Zevran navigated

through the shadows. Hearing a door creak open, he crouched low against the wall and watched Anora walk down the hallway and unlock a door before heading inside. Zevran

hurried to the room next door and went inside. He climbed out of the window and carefully traversed the ledge and peered through the partially opened window. Zevran

surmised that the room was Anora's private study for she was sitting at a very large

desk which made her appear as small as a dwarf. He watched her write something down

then get up. Getting on her knees; Anora pulled the rug and removed one of the floor

boards where she reached inside and pulled out a vial. She set the board back and moved the rug over it, got up and left the room.

Zevran pulled the window open and went inside, jubilant at the ease of how this

was coming together.


Miranda pulled her sword out of the bandit's chest and watched as Sam mauled the other one. The battle pushed her beyond the brink of exhaustion and all she wanted to

do was sleep. She recalled Orianna being more tired than usual when she was expecting Oren, and figured that was the case for her. Sam came up to her and wagged his tail, obviously proud that he protected his mistress.

"Good boy." She told him. "Now go wash up in the creek." Marissa pointed to

small creek that was in the distance and watched him trot off in its direction.

Later on that night, Sam stood watch over Miranda as she slept.


"So it is true." Teagan paced around the room. "Anora is trying to kill Alistair.

What in the blazes does she think this will gain for her?"

"The answer is quite simple my friend." Zevran told him. "Sympathy. He

helped unite Ferelden despite his refusal to join in the final battle. And not to mention

the fact he is the last living connection to King Maric. For Alistair to die of some

mystery illness would garner her great sympathy by the people."

"There is something else I discovered." Zevran continued. "Queen Anora has

been aware for quite some time that she is barren. She even paid off one of the physicians

and sent him away in order to keep him quiet."

"It just keeps getting worse and worse." Teagan sighed and shook his head. "What are we gong to do?"

"I diluted the vials." Zevran told him. "And I added a harmless ingredient that

will not harm Alistair, but will leave a stain on the fingertips of anyone who handles

them. This will help when we confront her."

"Zevran, Anora needs to be exposed for her treachery and soon."

"And she will be exposed." Zevran promised. "But two more pieces of the

puzzle need to be found. We need to find who is purchasing the poison and we need

to find that doctor. Once we get sworn statements from them, you can inform Alistair

before confronting Anora."

"What about the Arl?" Teagan inquired. "He will have to know of this."

"The Arl will know the same moment Anora will be confronted. As I said before

you need to think of this as a performance. We all have roles to play, even the Arl."

"Do you need anything else?" Teagan asked. "Some help perhaps?"

"As a matter of fact I do." Zevran said. "I know you have been the acting Arl

while Eamon helps Alistair. I was wondering if you can provide me with some men.

I have a feeling if we find this doctor, we may need to put him in protective custody and

perhaps the accomplice who purchases the poison as well. These men need to be trustworthy."

"I will send word to Ser Perth and Ser Donall." Teagan said. "You will be able

to trust them."

"Thank you." Zevran said. "Now I must be off. We shall speak soon."

"Zevran wait!" Teagan said. "I was wondering if you know where Miranda was."

"The last time we spoke, she told me she was going to Orzammar."

"Orzammar? Why there of all places?" Teagan asked.

"Think about it Teagan. Why would a Gray Warden go to Orzammar?"

"Maker's Breath!" Teagan grabbed the bottle of wine and drank from it.

"I shudder to think about Alistair's reaction when he finds out what Eamon

did."

"Yes." Zevran agreed. "There will be quite a bit of fireworks that night."


Zevran sat silently at the tavern and drank his ale, remembering the return from

the final battle. He had read Alistair's lips and knew what he said to her. He also saw

everyone turn their backs on her and walk away. It was at that moment he realized that at

least the Crow's method of punishing their own was more merciful. He watched Miranda

stand there and take every cruel word they uttered to her without so much of a blink and it only made him love her more.

Zevran was hoping when Miranda had summoned him, that she was going to ask him to go away with her and leave Ferelden behind but alas it was not meant to be. He did appreciate and relish the fact that she trusted him with that request to watch Alistair and vowed from the moment she left that he would be her champion.


Miranda was exhausted as she climbed the hill that led to Haven and as she

reached the village, she was amazed at how different it looked. All the buildings

were painted white and a big vegetable garden was sitting in the middle of the square.

She walked over to small dock looked and saw her reflection in the crystal clear

water.

"Warden Miranda? Is that you?"

She turned to see a templar standing several feet away from her. It took a

few minutes before she realized she was looking at Ser Bryant.

"I remember you." She said. "From Lothering. It's good to see you."

"The honor is mine my lady." He smiled. "Brother Genitivi has regaled us

with your deed of discovering the urn as well as what you did to unite Ferelden. I can

guarantee that you will be welcome here with open arms."

"That's good to hear." Miranda said. "Because I am seeking safe harbor."

Ser Bryant looked taken aback by her revelation.

"Can I speak with Brother Genitivi?"

"Certainly." Ser Bryant said. "He's in the Chantry."

"No he's not."

They turned to see Brother Genitivi smiling. He rushed over to her and gave her a hug.

"It's so good to see you. Now what is this about seeking safe harbor?"

"You were always one who wanted to get to the point weren't you?" Miranda laughed.

"I just don't understand why someone of your stature would need to seek sanctuary." He said.

"It's a fairly simple reason." Miranda said. "I am expecting a baby. And you of

all people are well aware of the Gray Warden history regarding this. I need peace

and quiet. I want to be under the Maker's gaze, and I want to feel the comfort of Andraste's presence when it is time to give birth."

"Well, the Reverend Mother has delivered babies before." Genitivi said. "When are you due?"

"Six or seven months." Miranda said. "Give or take."

"What about your friends?" Genitivi asked. "And what about…King Alistair? "

"I lost those friendships when I was forced to make a choice that Gray Wardens

are sometimes forced to make."

Ser Bryant could see the sorrow in her eyes when she that.

"I'm sorry." Genitivi said. "I'm well aware of the sacrifices Gray Wardens have

made. But considering King Alistair is a Warden, I am surprised he did not understand."

"What's done is done." Miranda said. "And before you ask, yes King Alistair is

indeed the father of this baby and considering how he feels about me now, its best he not

know."

"But that baby could one day be heir to the throne." Ser Bryant said

"Ser Bryant." Genitivi said. "It's very rare for a Warden to conceive due

to a ritual they do. Miranda is facing incredible odds. I can understand why she would

not want the king to know. We must honor her wishes."

Genitivi turned to Miranda. "You are more than welcome to stay here. And

I promise I will do everything in my power to help you have a healthy baby."

"We all will." Ser Bryant promised.

"Thank you." Miranda started to cry. "You can't begin to know how much

this means to me. "

Later on after Miranda met the Reverend Mother, they helped her settle

in the house that was close to the lake. It was small and only had two rooms but the

bedroom had a bed and that was all that mattered. As Miranda lay in bed, the quiet serenity of the night filled her with peace and she felt safe as she drifted off to what

would be the best sleep she has had in ages.


NOTE: Thanks for the support and I am happy you are enjoying it. Sorry for the crazy format too, still have not figured what I am doing wrong.