Chapter Three
I was not able to see the Arl of Denerim the next day, which turned out to be a blessing. I helped Shianni organize a volunteer militia to guard the Alienage at night. It was just a few archers and spearmen, but it was enough to make us feel safer. I was able to sleep that night, my body finally adjusting to life in the Alienage.
With Howe dead, the title of Arl of Denerim had been an issue of contention during the Civil War. Arl Williem Urien had been killed during the Blight and his son Vaughan…well I had killed him myself.
Once Zevran told me of the pleasure of killing another, of knowing their life was in your hands as you sunk your blade into them. There were only two deaths I ever took solace from: the Tevinter slaver who I killed before I even knew his name, and the man who raped and murdered my elven sisters. I knew in meeting with this new Arl, I could not even pretend I regretted killing off the previous heir to the title.
Yet when I approached the estate, I was greeted at the door by two servants who took me up into the study of the Arl. The place had been redecorated since I had been there, but here was still the place of so much suffering. I touched Nelaros' wedding ring on my finger. The Archdemon's blood had stained it somewhat, but still I rarely took it off my hand.
I waited in the study for a moment until the Arl walked in and offered his hand to shake. He was not a young man, perhaps in his early forties, with silver creeping in to his black hair. He had a warm smile and for a moment, I was at ease. He offered me a place to sit by the fire while he took the seat by the window.
"My wife will be joining us shortly, if that is all right. She is very interested in the state of the Alienage."
"Of course," I nodded.
"I know you wish to know who I am," he smiled, "I'd want to know my potential enemy as well. My name is Brilian Urien. I am Williem's younger brother…disgraced younger brother as you will probably hear. I was previously Bann of a small city in the Frostback Mountains, which now my eldest son is Bann of. My younger children, my wife, and I are new to the city. We have only been settled in now for a few days in truth."
"I am Warden-Commander Tabris," I returned the smile, "I appreciate you meeting me on such short notice, especially now that I see how busy you and your family are."
"Williem was not a kind man and I had no love for my nephew," Brilian assured, leaning forward in his chair, "I promised to rule Denerim as fairly as I can. This must be a safer place for our children…both human and elven."
There was a knock at the door and Williem smiled as he stood to open it. He greeted the woman with a kiss on the cheek. As he turned to bring her into the room, her face was revealed to me and a sly smile crossed my lips.
"This is my wife Avela," he introduced, holding the hand of the beautiful tattooed elf as they walked to the sette by the window together, "Darling, this is Warden-Commander Tabris."
Avela held her slender hand out to me, "It is good to see one of my sisters as head of the Grey Wardens. We are blessed indeed."
"Thank you for welcoming me into your home," I said kindly, still somewhat in shock, "I…I should not ask…I don't mean to pry…"
"No," Avela said, resting her hand on her husband's knee, "We have common goals together. And perhaps our stories are not so dissimilar, yes? I asked my husband to accept this audience with you. I have heard so many terrible stories of the Alienages, but I knew so little of city life before we were married. We had no Alienage in the North, it has been…a shock. I am Dalish, as you must have guessed by the markings, though they have faded so over the years."
"I met her in the forests outside Denerim while I was hunting," Brilian said, smiling at his wife as he placed his hand over hers, "It was love at first sight. Twenty-two years ago. Our eyes met. I felt like I couldn't breathe."
"You couldn't," she laughed, "You passed out."
"Aye, that I did," he smiled, "And when I came to, there you were. Making fun of the rich shem in the woods who could not even face a little Dalish woman. By the end of the evening, I knew I would spend my life with her."
"I left my clan," she said softly, "It was the hardest thing I ever did. But they have been kind to me, despite marrying a human. My keeper said Brilian had the soul of our people; the Creators had been cruel in putting him into a human body."
"My family was not so kind," he replied, "But I did not care. We married in secret and we moved up north to live with my uncle. When he died, I inherited his castle and arms. But even after our father's death, my brother refused to speak to me. He felt that I had…soiled our bloodline."
"That seems to be a popular opinion among the nobility," I said.
"And that is a problem," Brilian said, "My children are half elf. Some can pass more than others, but I want them to be able to live their lives proud of who they are. I want them to be able to inherit land and titles without question. I am not an elf, but I have seen what my wife has gone through. I see what her people go through. I want to help you. We both do."
"Thank you for telling me," I replied, "It is good to know there are allies in the city. Bann Shianni will need your help. I will need your help."
Avela looked to her husband briefly and then said to me quietly, "There are four Banns in the immediate area, mainly in the settlements just to the south and east. The Bann of East Meadows recently put a motion forward for a tax for those living in Alienages. I heard he is calling for those who cannot pay to be put into indentured servitude. Your cousin of course has been the primary force against such an act. And while the King is unlikely to agree immediately to such a proposal, his regent can make that decision for him if the King gives him permission to do so."
"How is this being received in the Landsmeet?"
"Sadly," Brilian replied, "There is already some support. Many believe the Alienages are beyond repair and it would be a good way to decrease crime in the cities. You are a model citizen, but you are being used as the exception that proves the rule. And even you are the killer of my nephew. That has not escaped public notice."
"So what should I do?"
"Protect Shianni," Avela said, "If she has evidence to document what happened under our predecessor's rule, we can call instead for reparations for those living in the Alienages and try to divert some of that tax money there. There's only so much we can do, since we are still unwelcomed at court. But I have heard much of you, Warden-Commander. I have faith in you. May the Creators watch over you."
I stood and bowed my head. I turned to leave when I heard her say, "A word, if you please."
Avela stood and motioned for her husband to leave the room. When we were alone, she took her hands into my own.
"I must ask you a question," she said quietly, "Woman to woman, sister to sister. You were with the King before his coronation, were you not?"
I nodded.
"Are you carrying his child?"
"It is nearly impossible for Grey Wardens to have a child," I replied, "Never mind together. Is this some political tactic?"
She frowned and replied, "I merely wished to offer support. When I carried my first, I was…terrified. It is not an easy world to bring a child into. I know what it means to be with a human man, particularly a noble one. I wish you no unwanted children. I just merely wanted to help."
"I'm sorry, sister," I replied, "I am not used to being…cared about by nobility…my moon cycle ended just after the Landsmeet. I carry no child by him."
She sighed, "I am glad to hear that. You must want to get back to your family. Please, be safe. Keep my sister Bann alive tonight."
I held her hand for a moment and walked through the door. I was escorted down the stairs and upon reaching the entrance, there was a messenger banging on the door. A servant let him in and he ran to my side, gasping for air as he leaned beside me. I held him as I helped him to the floor. A little elf boy, no more than ten years old.
He rasped into my ear as he slipped out my hands, "The Alienage is on fire."