Howe Estate
"Please, Father, don't make me marry him!"
Delilah's incessant wimpering was grating on Rendons' nerves. "Stop that at once! You are a HOWE! Carry yourself as such!"
"He'll beat me! You know it! He's an evil, twisted man!"
Rendon considered that. It's true Vaughan was rough with women. Rumors weren't necessarily falsehoods, after all. They came from something. If Vaughan were to get too physical with Delilah, it might ruin the chances of any grandchildren. And there would go his chances at taking Denerim.
Delilah sensed that her words bought some purchase "Please, Father."
Rendon sighed, looking at his daughter "I will consider what you have said. But in the future, I expect that you perform what I ask of you. And if not, you will explain why with the same discipline I expect from your brothers. Now begone!"
"Yes, Father."
Delilah felt relieved, and bowed curteously as she left.
Well, Denerim would have to be handled another way.
Varel entered the room immediately afterwards "My Lord. Your son, Nathaniel has finally arrived."
Perfect.
"Very good. Show him in."
Rendon kept to writing letters until a familiar voice filled the room.
"Father."
Rendon finished the letter, and rised from his desk to take a look at his son. In his combat leathers? Well, it was proper, considering all the time he was in the Free Marches. Rendon felt a sense of pride looking at him. The boy had grown up. He could tell that the squiring had hardened him, prepared him for the work that he might need to do.
"It is very good to see you again, my son."
Rendon smiled, and Nathaniel felt his heart soar a little, but he dared not show it.
"You've come at an inconvenient time, however." Rendon shook his head "Not your fault, really. No one could have expected this latest treachery."
"Treachery?"
"The Couslands." The last name felt bitter to say, but this time, Rendon did not need to hide it. He delighted in this small victory. It would be one of many. "I've obtained proof that our lord Teyrn is attempting to assassinate the Queen, on behalf of the Orlesians."
"It...can't be!" Nathaniel gasped.
"Of course it can!" Rendon ground his teeth "Don't let Bryce fool you like so many others, boy. You're too smart for that!"
"I...Yes Father. I understand."
Rendon nodded "Good. There's more. I suspect, and Teyrn Loghain has confirmed it, that Bryce wanted to arrange a marriage between the King and his daughter, Elissa Cousland."
"It would be a bold move." Nathaniel considered.
"Indeed. I believe this is why Bryce has been hesitant to speak any more of a marriage between Thomas and Elissa."
"Father..." Nathaniel shook his head "I can't speak for Elissa. It's been far too long. And I don't know what Bryce Cousland has been up to in the last few years. But did he not turn down the Crown? Why turn now?"
Well, that was a reasonable question. "I honestly do not know. Perhaps he had not turned by then, and regrets it now. It does not matter. The man will seize any opportunity now. He cannot be trusted."
Something was off about him, Nathaniel noticed. He couldn't quite place it.
"But enough. Nathaniel, I want you to keep your hands clean of this. Roam about the Market if you wish, but stay clear of the Couslands. Stay clear of the Kendells, for that matter. And the Guerrins."
Nathaniel wanted to ask what was wrong with the Kendells and Guerrins, but he was growing tired of this conversation. "Father?"
"Yes?"
"I...it's good to finally see you again."
Rendon felt awkward with...conversations like this. "Quite. Same to you. Now, off with you, and mind what I have said."
Nathaniel bowed, and left, wondering where Delilah and Thomas had dissapeared to.
Denerim Market
Loghain hadn't found any other leads on Bryces treachery, even in the Highever Estate. It was most infuriating. He was starting to believe that Anora was right: someone was setting up Bryce to divert attention away from the real traitors.
Cauthrien was approaching him with a letter. Perhaps this would bear some fruit.
"Go ahead, Cauthrien."
"Nothing to report on the Couslands, sir." Cauthrien handed him a letter "But it seems you were right about the Guerrins son, Connor. He is a mage. The scout in Redcliffe confirms it."
That was something. He had long known that pathetic excuse of Rowans brother to be a danger to Ferelden. He was likely in on the conspiracy. This was why he was in the Market District, after all. The leads on Bryce were proving impossible to find. Eamons estate was right there.
He should have poisoned Eamon earlier, like he had planned. Too late to send in a mage tutor to do that now. There was the option of blackmail. Eamon could be publically disgraced if his son was discovered to be a mage. But this was a bit underwhelming in the face of taking all of Ferelden. There was also the chance he didn't actually care about his son.
Besides, Loghain thought the idea of the Circle to be highly inconvenient. Unnecessary. Mages were damn useful. If the Chantry was so bent on keeping them locked up, then the least they could do is get off their useless asses and let their Templars assist Ferelden for a change, instead of hunting down 'dangerous maleficarum.' What a joke.
Putting Connor in that? It didn't sit well with him. No, it wasn't an option. Let someone else point out hes a mage.
"There's something else." Cauthrien finally interrupted his train of thought "The Queen wishes to speak with you immediately. She says its a matter of life and death."
Loghain lifted up his head. More news about the assassins? She'd better not be exaggerating on behalf of the Couslands.
"Very well, Cauthrien. And good work. Continue your efforts, and keep me informed."
Cauthrien bowed "As you wish, sir."
Before reaching the gate to the rest of Denerim, he saw that two figures were walking in his direction...
That Cousland girl. And Alistair.
Elissa bowed politely "Teyrn Loghain. An honor to see you again. I never actually thanked you for helping to save my life."
Loghain raised his brow "Oh? When was this?"
"Many years ago, when I was young."
"You helped rescue us when we were young." Alistair added "I never thanked you either so...thanks? Yes! Thanks!"
Ahh. Now he remembered.
"I see. You are welcome. I'm afraid, however, that pressing matters take me elsewhere. If you'll excuse me."
Loghain wanted to talk more to the pair. Hopefully Cauthrien would keep an eye on them, but if Bryce WAS involved with the Orlesians, or getting rid of Anora, he still had a feeling that his daughter wasn't involved.
"Well, that went better than I expected." Elissa breathed out.
"I know, right!" Alistair grinned "I was GOING to say 'Oh, by the way Loghain. We know about the whole Orlesian conspiracy thing. We're still fine, though, right? By the way, Elissa over here is in LOVE with Cailan. Just thought you'd like to know that.'"
Elissa raised an eyebrow "And they say I'M crazy."
As she was going to head to the center of the Market to Eamons Estate, something to her left exploded in a shower of wood. Something...no, someone had smashed through one of the doors. The figured rolled in the ground, and Elissa could see that whoever it was needed assistance with something.
She drew her sword, and ran toward the red haired figure. Someone else was coming out of the building, and Elissa felt the strange sensation of magic.
"No one, no one must know!"
Elissa prepared to Smite, but Alistair was even faster. The magic dispelled in the mans hands, and Elissa hit him with the flat of her sword, causing him to crumble in pain. Elissa turned around, and saw that the other figure had a bow drawn, ready to shoot.
"By the Maker, thank you!" an orlesian voice replied. "I did not expect that!"
Elissa turned her attention back to the mage, but he had drawn something. She immediately shielded herself, but instead of the dagger piercing her, it was drawn across his own throat. He was dead within seconds.
"What the..." Elissa scowled at the woman "What in the VOID was that all about? Who are you?!"
The woman offered a sheepish smile "I...I suppose I have to explain, don't I? My name is Leliana. I...I'm here on behalf of the Chantry."
A crowd was starting to form.
"The Chantry?"
"Yes." Leliana smiled pleasantly "I was sent here by the Divine to find a lost holy relic. The Sacred Ashes of Andraste herself! But, may I ask who you are?"
"I'm Alistair! I was raised by a group of devout Andrastian mabaris. They taught me how to fight dragons with my bare hands you see. That's how I make my living."
Leliana frowned "I...what?"
"He's saying he doesn't believe you." Elissa crossed her arms "I don't either. Though I have to say, that's a pretty good tall tale you spin. Ashes of Andraste?"
Leliana shook her head in disbelief "But..but it's true! The Divine sent me here! Brother Genetivi sent a letter to the Divine saying he had found evidence of the Ashes existence, right here in Ferelden!"
Elissa looked to the very dead body on the ground. "Seems his social skills have waned since then."
"That's not Brother Genetivi." Leliana approached it "He introduced himself as a servant of Genetivi, but I knew he was lying. That's why he attacked me."
Well, there WAS something about her armor to add to her story. It was adorned with symbols of the Chantry. Still, that Orlesian accent?
Elissa looked up, and saw that Cauthrien was coming right for them, with a contingent of the guard. "Guess you'll have to explain it to them. Good luck with your quest, I guess. And one last thing."
"What?"
"I don't know if you're telling the truth or not. If you are, then good. If you aren't, you better not be involved in what I think you are. Or you'll regret it."
"What do you think I'm involved in?" Leliana was completely confused at this point.
"You'll find out soon enough. Let's go, Alistair."
Elissa thought she heard another thanks, but it was out of her mind once Cauthrien drew near
"What in Andrastes name is going on this time?" Cauthriens' eyes were darting over the scene. She immediately ordered a few guards to ask questions.
"I'll...let you talk to that woman about it. Cauthrien, there's too much to explain right now. I know that you and Loghain are investigating something about my Father. You should check out if this woman is involved"
Cauthrien was taken about "How do you know about that!?"
"We can't talk about it here." Elissa looked around at the crowd "But trust me when I say I know he's innocent. I'm here to help."
Cauthrien shook her head, walking away from the crowd "I'm afraid I cannot allow that. I trust the reasons are obvious."
"Yet here you are, in the Market." Elissa reasoned "There hasn't been much evidence, has there? So you and Loghain decided to switch targets and looked at the next lead, because Anora also believes my Father is innocent."
"It's true, there hasn't been any evidence found yet." Cauthrien admitted "And I personally believe he is."
"Why did Loghain leave the Market?"
"He was called away by the Queen."
"That should only prove my point." Elissa smiled "I talked to her, and convinced her that I'm on your side."
Cauthrien sighed "Look, lets say that I'm willing to go with this. What then?"
"Well, we need answers from Eamon, of course."
Alistair stepped up "Yeah! If he sees you coming to talk to him, he might get suspicious, because he knows you're with Loghain. He might burn away all the evidence."
"And if you approach him?"
Elissa put a finger to her chin "I think Eamon is aware I don't like him at this point. But he doesn't know that I know about my father yet. I could provide a distraction, at the very least, while someone else infiltrates the Estate."
Cauthrien considered it, but a voice broke her concentration.
"Elissa?"
Delilah, Thomas, and Nathaniel all noticed Elissa and Alistair out of the large scene.
"Thomas! Delilah!"
Elissa rushed up to hug them, but noticed that they were not as enthusiastic.
"What's wrong?"
The two youngest looked to eachother, then to their eldest, who motioned them toward the Gnawed Noble.
Gnawed Noble Tavern
"And you believe it?" Alistair crossed his arms "Don't be ridiculous."
Nathaniel said nothing.
"Listen to him, brother!" Thomas spoke out. "Father has been acting very strange lately!"
"He wants me to marry Vaughan." Delilah drank from her cup deeply.
"What?!" Elissa leaned back "No one deserves that. I'd rather be fed to darkspawn."
"I admit something is off about him." Nathaniel continued "Father, that is. I haven't met Vaughan yet. And it doesn't make sense that the Teyrn would betray us like that, considering he had the chance to take the Crown himself 4 years ago."
"Thank you." Elissa offered.
"So what now?" Nathaniel looked at the table, frowning.
"Well, actually, I need your help with something." Elissa leaned forward.
"You've been training in the Free Marches for a long time, right?" Alistair looked at the daggers and bow on his back "I don't suppose you learned how to sneak into places?"
Denerim Market
Just as they were about to head to the Estate, Cauthrien approached them
"Well, I must admit, I didn't expect a story like THAT." Cauthrien was shaking her head in disbelief. "But it does seem to check out. Genetivis house is filled with information about the Ashes of Andraste, along with other things. And I don't have the power to arrest her. Apparently she's with the Chantry."
"What?" Elissa looked behind her, and indeed, Leliana was flanked by two Templars. Well. Interesting. She was heading her way, but the Templars were departing now.
"I wanted to thank you again for saving my life." Leliana bounced in her step "I overheard that you and Ser Cauthrien are in the middle of some sort investigation."
"We are." Cauthrien answered.
"Well, since I'm in your debt, perhaps I could be of assistance?"
Elissa and Cauthrien looked at eachother. They were thinking the exact same thing. It was too much of a coincidence. But then again, Cauthrien knew she was telling the truth.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Leliana tilted her head.
"Umm, Leliana, right?" Alistair stepped forward "Well, I don't wanna spoil everything, but this investigation might or might not involve Orlesians. And, well, you kinda sound-"
"Oh."
Elissa held back a sigh. The hurt feeling in Lelianas eyes was hard to ignore. "Look, we appreciate the offer, but-"
"I love Ferelden too!" Leliana interrupted "My mother was Ferelden!" She stepped forward "What is this investigation about, anyway?"
A silence, and Elissa answered "There's a lot involved with it, but I'm trying to prove my Fathers innocence. He's been framed as a traitor."
Lelianas eyes were full of empathy "I see. I understand. Let me help you, I beg you."
Against her better judgement, Elissa caved in "Alright. If we need your help, you can."
"Wonderful!" Leliana clasped her hands together "This sounds exciting!"
Alistair smirked "At least you two have something in common! In love with danger."
A smack on the upper arm, and Alistair laughed.
"Alright." Elissa motioned for everyone to lean in "Here's the plan."
Since there's no Blight, and our heroes aren't scrambling away from Ostagar, it makes sense for some of them not to trust Leliana. The Orlesians, after all, are bad news for Ferelden.
