What Varel Knew

Wisteria and Varel worked all morning on issues facing the Arling. Where best to send their limited supply of soldiers, how to get more soldiers and help from the Banns. Food supply issues. Wisteria found it to be tedious but she knew she had to spare some thought for this. She was happy when Varel suggested they break for lunch.

Since there were so few servants at the Keep, they just went downstairs and ate in the kitchen. A cook had a newly roasted chicken ready and it smelled wonderful. Wisteria indulged in a little wine with her meal, as did Varel.

"Varel, I've been wondering," Wisteria wiped away chicken grease from her lips. "I know after Arl Howe's death...", Wisteria trailed off not exactly sure how to talk about the man she herself had killed. Death seemed an appropriately vague term, execution was probably more fitting but a little too official and she hadn't really had the authority to do it, other than the moral authority of one seeking vengeance for the death of one's family. Murder? She thought. Three words all meaning essentially the same thing yet so vastly different. She cleared her throat and tried again. "How did you end up in his dungeon?"

After Howe's death his dungeons, both in Amaranthine and Denerim, had been cleared out and there amidst all the various prisoners had been found Varel, his former Seneschal, the man most responsible for the Arl's wealth. He had clearly been badly treated and was starved and nearly dying of thirst. Queen Anora had asked him to look after the keep. When the Orlesian Grey Wardens came, they wanted him to stay on. He was happy to continue with his former position.

Varel smiled grimly, recollecting the many months he'd spent in the dungeon awaiting Howe's determination. "I had been watching Rendon Howe's political ambitions for awhile and got wind of some unsavory things he was involved in. I spoke to him frankly and he didn't like my advice." Varel grimaced. "So I was demoted. Several times in fact, although strangely, many of my tasks for him remained the same. He was quite fond of my ability to make money from his Arling."

Wisteria nodded. "You're quite good at that. Mistress Woolsey told me the Warden's in Weisshaupt recognized that in you."

Varel fidgeted uncomfortably, "Commander..." he paused, "this may be difficult to hear."

Wisteria's forehead creased. "Go on," she prompted.

"I got wind that the Arl was plotting something against your family. I went to Captain Lowan, who had been a good friend, and discussed this. Lowan assured me it was all untrue, just rumors started by jealous Banns." Varel looked unhappily at Wisteria. "I believed him." He sighed. "I've never really forgiven myself for not coming forward then, even if I had no proof, I might have been able to save your family if I could have warned them. It wasn't long after that it happened." Varel looked depressed at the thought. "I am truly sorry I didn't act on this."

Wisteria was stunned and didn't really know what to think, but Varel's self-torment was unnecessary. That much she knew. She went around the table to sit on the bench next to him, she put a hand on his forearm, hoping it helped.

"I confronted Captain Lowan after that and left. I was headed to Denerim to inform Queen Anora what had happened. But Lowan caught up to me and they dragged me back to the Vigil and locked me up in the dungeon. I was there for nearly a year and a half. Howe was too busy dealing with you and Alistair to remember to deal with me. I think he may have hoped to eventually break me, get me compliant again so I'd go back to making money for him." He sighed.

Wisteria sighed heavily. "Don't torment yourself over it, Varel. The man was a monster. He destroyed so many lives for his ambitions. Even his family suffered." She remembered suddenly, a couple of letters she had found. One from Lowan and another in response from Howe. She thought they were probably discussing Varel, although no names were named. Just the admonition from Howe to "do whatever is necessary".

"Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your kindness. I can't imagine it is easy to have one of Howe's men working for you."

"First of all, call me Wisteria. I do consider you a friend and I don't think we need to stand on formality when we're talking privately. How could I hold any animosity toward you? You tried to bring him to justice. Nothing that happened is your fault. Please don't hold yourself responsible." She gave him a friendly hug and a warm smile. Something of the sourness she had been feeling over the last few weeks went away as she considered someone elses pain.

Varel cheered at the hug. "Your parents would have been so proud of you, Wisteria."

"Bah!", she scoffed. "Mother would be angry I still wasn't married and was still playing at being a soldier. Blight or no blight that woman wanted me to produce grandchildren." Wisteria sighed at the memory of her strong, outspoken Mother. "And that's not exactly likely any longer".

Varel looked at her, "Do you regret it?"

Wisteria chewed on her lip and thought. "I don't know. It just never seriously crossed my mind, about being a mother myself. Then once I was Joined and learned what happens, I didn't dwell on it."

She smiled brightly, for once not forced. "Come on then, I don't think there's any more meat to pick off this bird." She gestured to the poultry carcass on the table, "Lets get back to business".