Chapter Ten
Arianna had slipped in quietly, unobserved, into the Keep's Throne Room through one of the side passageway doors. She stood in the shadows of a darkened corner of the room, inconspicuous, and silently surveyed the filled room. She noticed that the Throne Room was filled almost to capacity – many of Amaranthine's nobles and more than a few commoners had come to bear witness to the morning's proceedings. Nothing like the promise of an execution to bring the people running, Arianna thought to herself. But it wasn't everyday that a noble, even a lesser one, was put on trial for a major crime – especially under these circumstances when the noble in question had actually confessed to the crime. Arianna wondered why the man hadn't used his gold coin to buy his way out of this mess, like so many of the highborn often did, or at the very least, simply denied the accusation against him.
Varel, standing in front of the raised dais at the back of the room, turned his head and caught sight of the Commander. She shook her head and signaled him not to make her presence known; he nodded his head in acknowledgement of her silent request and then turned his head back away from her.
Arianna marveled once again, just how close Varel had come to losing his life during the siege of Vigil's Keep- she was still upset that she hadn't been informed of his close call until more than a month after she had returned from her battle with The Mother. The seneschal had actually been pronounced dead by a local healer, as his heart had stopped beating for more than a few moments, and it was only by accident that a seriously injured mage had stumbled across Varel and realizing that he was still alive, the mage had used his magical powers to heal the seneschal from the very worst of his injuries. However, the unselfish mage had used the last of his mana and strength to make sure that Varel lived, and sadly, the mage died shortly afterwards.
Just then the main door of the Throne Room was swung opened- the murmurings of those that had been waiting within the room grew louder as they realized that the man accused of murder was being led in, handcuffed, by two of the Keep's guards. The crowd of people watched as the accused noble was led past the large circular fire pit in the center of the large room, to a spot several feet away from where Seneschal Varel and Captain Garevel were standing.
The accused man looked calmly around, quickly observing his surroundings, and then stared straight ahead, with a passive expression on his face. He seemed remarkably calm for a man that was facing a death sentence, as if he had already accepted his fate-what ever it may be.
Arianna took a moment to study the man as he stood there. He was a tall man, about six feet in height, with broad shoulders and a well-toned body. Arianna could tell that the man was not afraid of hard work, for his muscles were well formed and defined beneath the form fitting dark red shirt and black leather breeches he wore. His hair was black in color, medium length and tied back into a short ponytail. Upon his face he wore a close trimmed goatee that was also black and gave him the look of a roguish pirate. Arianna wondered if his eyes were dark as well…she could not tell the color from where she was standing.
The main door opened once again to admit a middle-aged woman and three men of various ages, and based upon the expensive and well tailored clothing they wore, Arianna assumed them to be nobles. Also, by the angry looks that the two older men gave the accused, she assumed them to be the family members of the lord that had been killed. She did wonder, however, why the younger son and wife of the deceased did not appear as angry as the two older sons did- in fact they seemed to be more uneasy and ashamed then angry. Well…I wonder if there is more to the story then has been told? Arianna gave the woman and the younger son another thoughtful look.
Now that all interested parties had arrived, the crowd of people within the Throne Room started to get restless as they waited for the proceedings to begin. Arianna decided it was time to make her way over to where Varel and the Captain were standing and get things underway. When Arianna emerged from the shadows and walked into the lighted part of the room, all eyes were drawn to her, and more than a few people gasped in surprise when she seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere.
Arianna, dressed in the silver-plated Warden-Commander set of armor that she had obtained from Soldier's Peak, caused quite a number of the commoners and nobles to feel more than a bit intimidated as she strode confidently to the front of the room, a determined expression upon her lovely face. She continued walking until she reached Varel's side, and then she stopped and faced the gathered people. She glanced at Varel sideways and gave him a slight nod of her head. Varel raised his arms and within moments a hushed silence fell upon the room. Varel lowered his arms and looked at the Commander.
"The accused man's name is Ser Trenton Ravenwood. He has admitted to killing Lord Percival Wyndom," explained Varel. "Lady Elise Wyndom is here with her three sons; Bryden is the eldest and is now Lord Wyndom, Preston is the second son and the youngest son is named Drew," said Varel, nodding his head in the direction of each of the sons as he named them.
Arianna glanced at each of the Wyndom siblings as Varel gave their names. She remembered the last time she had met their father Lord Percival- she had disliked him on sight. He had been a large, soft man, a man that frequently indulged in excesses of food, drink and women. She seemed to remember his penchant for younger women…the man had even intimated that he was interested in 'sampling her charms'-at least that was how he had put it to her. She had shut him down cold and made it quite clear that he was lucky that he had left her presence with his head still firmly attached to his body.
"Thank you for the information, Varel." She smiled at the seneschal and said, "I can take it from here."
Arianna turned her eyes upon Ser Trenton, who returned her gaze after giving her a slight nod of his head, a ghost of a smile played upon his face. She had been right about the color of his eyes- they were dark- almost black. Arianna wrinkled her brow-she had the strangest feeling that she met the man before. Or perhaps he just reminded her of someone else she knew- or had known; the vague feeling only grew stronger when she studied him further. She gave a mental shrug and decided she had best get on with what she had been called here to do- decide the fate of the man standing before her.
"Ser Trenton Ravenwood- you have admitted to the murder of Lord Percival Wyndom," she stated in a loud, clear voice. Arianna, hearing angry murmurings from some of the people gathered there, turned her head towards the angry muttering and effectively silenced them with a single harsh look. She turned back to Ser Trenton and asked, "Have you anything to say on your behalf?"
Arianna studied the young noble's passive face, trying to determine his thoughts…or perhaps some type of motive he might have for killing Lord Percival.
"There is nothing he can bloody say! He murdered our father and deserves to hang!" yelled Lord Bryden Wyndom as he glared furiously at Ser Trenton.
"Hang the blighted bastard now!" exclaimed the middle son Preston. "He deserves no mercy, Warden-Commander!"
The angry murmurings grew louder in the Throne Room as even the common people began to voice their outrage against the still silent Ser Trenton. Arianna noticed again that Lady Elise and the youngest son, Drew, still did not express any anger, but remained silent. Arianna studied Drew for a moment; she then noticed that he kept glancing across the room at something. Arianna followed his gaze and saw that he was looking at a young woman… a rather lovely young woman who was staring worriedly at Ser Trenton.
The lovely young woman looked to be no more than eighteen or nineteen years of age. She had long, dark brown hair that fell in waves to the middle of her back, and her expressive eyes were the color of a bright blue sky. The young woman suddenly looked across the room and gazed at Drew, and the look that passed between them spoke volumes. Arianna raised a lovely shaped brow as a piece of the puzzle fell firmly into place.
"Ser Trenton, if you refuse to offer up any defense on your own behalf, you will leave me no choice but to pass sentence on you." Arianna heard the young lady as she gasped loudly and began to cry softly, but her eyes remained upon Ser Trenton. She saw him flinch when he heard the young woman's cry. Ser Trenton's eyes met the Commander's and she saw a quick flash of pain in the dark depths of his eyes before he masked his expression once again.
Arianna decided to act on a hunch she had. She looked directly at the crying young woman and demanded to know her name. Startled, the young lady stammered that her name was Cristina.
"Tell me the rest of your name, Cristina," Arianna requested her voice soft but firm.
Cristina looked beseechingly at Ser Trenton, as if she was seeking his guidance, but he was positioned in front of her, so he was unable to see her. Arianna looked into Ser Trenton's face and gave him a slight knowing smile- his passive expression quickly changed to anger when he realized what Arianna was up to.
"My name is…Ravenwood. Cristina Ravenwood, my lady," she replied. "Ser Trenton is my brother."
"Don't listen to a thing that bitch says!" yelled Lord Bryden as he pushed his way through the throng of people and strode angrily to the front of the room. "She is nothing but a lying whore!"
Ser Trenton turned towards Lord Bryden and snarled threateningly at him. He attempted to take a step in the lord's direction, but his progress was halted by the two guards that stood on either side of him.
"Lord Bryden- hold your tongue! I will decide who is lying and who is telling the truth." Arianna glared sternly at Lord Bryden. "Do not interrupt these proceedings again."
Lord Bryden bowed his head to the Commander. "Forgive me, my lady." But Lord Bryden looked far from apologetic.
Arianna looked at Lady Cristina and smiled gently at her. "Come here, Lady Cristina…I wish to ask you a few questions."
Cristina walked hesitantly to where the Warden-Commander was standing but stopped a few feet in front of her. She gave a small curtsey to the Commander, before raising her blue eyes to the Commander's green ones. Arianna could see fear and sadness within the young woman's eyes.
"Do you know why your brother killed Lord Percival?" Cristina glanced over to her brother before nodding her head in response to the Commander's question. "Why did he do it, Cristina?" Arianna asked the scared woman softly. "Tell me the truth."
Tears began to silently fall down Cristina's cheeks. She hung her head and spoke in a soft voice. "My brother killed Lord Percival because…because…" Cristina raised her head and looked steadily into Arianna's eyes. "…he forced himself upon me and took my maidenhead."
Shocked gasps and angry murmurs filled the Throne Room. Varel raised a hand to silence them.
"She lies!" exclaimed Lord Bryden. "My father did not force her- it was his right to take her – she lives on our land in a dwelling that is now owned by my family…all that she now has was given to her by my father! She owed my father everything!"
Arianna's green eyes flashed in anger as she listened in unbelief at the young lord's defense of his father's despicable actions. Arianna realized that such things happened in Ferelden, especially between the highborn and lowborn, but she would never condone such actions against any woman- no matter her status in life. Arianna's temper began to simmer as she looked upon the young lady's face and saw shame in her expression.
Arianna stepped closer to Lady Cristina and placed a hand upon her shoulder in a gesture of comfort and understanding. "You have done nothing to be ashamed of- Lord Percival was the one who has brought shame upon himself and his family when he raped you."
Ser Trenton looked at the Commander with a surprised but grateful look in his eyes.
Lord Bryden gasped in outrage when the Warden-Commander named his father's action for what it truly was. Arianna stepped away from Cristina and moved closer to the spot where the irate Lord Bryden stood. She walked up to the young lord and did not stop until she was less than a foot in front of him.
"It was not Lord Percival's right to take Lady Cristina, or any other woman, against her wishes." Arianna spoke the words clearly and firmly as she struggled to contain her anger. "She did not 'oweyour father everything' simply because he chose to provide some type of help to her when she was in need." She paused for a moment and slowly looked around at the nobles that were gathered there, before fixing her gaze upon Lord Bryden once more. "He was owed nothing more from her than gratefulness, respect, and perhaps future monetary payment when she was able to. Lord Percival had no right to rape this woman."
Lord Bryden's face grew red in anger and outrage – how dare she call his father a rapist! He glared furiously at the Warden-Commander and his hands clenched tightly into fists as his arms hung stiffly by his sides. Arianna gave him a hard look before turning away from him – but before she could walk away from the young lord, he grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her back towards him. He suddenly raised his other arm as if to strike her with the back of his hand.
Suddenly the sound of a multitude of swords being unsheathed, and bows with arrows being drawn, filled the shocked silence of the room. Lord Bryden slowly moved his head to the right and then to the left and saw that every guard within the room had their weapons drawn and ready, and pointed directly at him.
Lady Elise cried out to her eldest son in horror and fear. "Bryden! You are threatening our queen! They will kill you where you stand!"
Lord Bryden's eyes widened in fear and beads of sweat formed on his brow when he realized what he had done. He quickly released Arianna's arm from his grasp as he slowly lowered his other arm to his side. Arianna took a step backwards away from him as he fell to his knees upon the stone floor, with his head bowed in shame.
Captain Garevel signaled to a guard to apprehend the young lord, but Arianna raised her hand, palm out, to stop the guard. Arianna looked kindly at Lady Elise and told her to come and gather her eldest son. Lady Elise walked quickly to her son and helped him to his feet, but before she returned to her earlier spot, she gave a deep curtsey to Arianna and thanked her profusely for sparing her son's life. Arianna nodded to the tearful woman before she turned away and walked back to Varel's side in the front of the room.
Arianna gave a long look at Ser Trenton, before she addressed him once again. "Ser Trenton…although I now understand why you did what you did…I cannot condone it. You took the law into your own hands and you decided what punishment Lord Percival should receive- but that was not your job, nor your right to do so. As Warden-Commander and ruling noble of this Arling, I can not and will not allow such vigilante justice to take place." Arianna paused in her speaking and gazed around the room at everyone gathered there. "A life has been taken… a lord has been murdered- this offense is punishable by death."
Lady Cristina began to cry softly again, but Arianna hardened her heart against the woeful sound- she had to do her duty. Arianna looked sadly at Ser Trenton and wished for someone else to pass judgment on the man…but there was no one else, it fell to her.
Varel leaned over and spoke into the Commander's ear. "You can always seek a pardon from King Alistair, my lady." Varel could see that Arianna was having a difficult time coming to terms with what must be done. "I'm sure he would do it if the request came form you."
Arianna gave a fleeting smile to Varel. "No…I cannot burden Alistair with this. I will do what must be done. I am the Warden-Commander and I …"Arianna suddenly stopped speaking as she realized there was another way to handle this situation. Varel looked at her curiously.
"Ser Trenton. As Warden-Commander I have the power to conscript whomever I wish into the Grey Wardens." Arianna looked intently into the noble's dark eyes. "I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription- you will become a Grey Warden." If he survives, that is. "You will spend the rest of your life in service to the people of Ferelden…protecting them from the darkspawn and the threat of a Blight."
Ser Trenton looked at the Commander with a dazed expression-what in the blood and damnation did this all mean? He stared into Arianna's green eyes…the woman had surprised him yet again.
Before Arianna could have everyone dismissed, there was another matter that she wanted to settle. She looked out into the room and caught Drew Wyndom's eye. She beckoned to him to come to the front of the Throne Room. He looked at her in surprise and with some trepidation, but he hastened to do as she had requested, and strode to the front of the room.
Arianna smiled at the nervous young man in an attempt to ease his fear. Drew nervously ran a hand through his short light brown hair as he looked back at the Commander with eyes that were the color of the deep blue sea.
"I have a question for you, Ser Wyndom… what is your intention towards Lady Cristina?" Arianna stifled a chuckle at the young man's surprised expression. "Well?"
Drew looked over at Cristina, who looked as surprised as he did. He looked back at the Commander and replied, "I…I wish to marry her, my lady. I love her." Drew looked relieved that he was finally able to make his declaration of love for her known to all.
"And I assume that you wish to marry him in return?" Arianna inquired of Cristina.
"Oh yes, my lady…indeed I do!" Cristina exclaimed in her soft voice. It was all that she had ever wanted.
"Lady Elise," Arianna looked out into the large group of people that were gathered within the room.
"Yes, my lady?" she responded as she separated herself from the group.
"I trust that you have no issue with your youngest son's betrothal to Lady Cristina?"
Lady Elise shook her head and smiled lovingly at Drew. She only wanted her son happy and if this young woman made him happy, then she was well pleased. She smiled at Cristina, who shyly returned a smile of her own.
Arianna searched the back of the room for Lord Bryden. She spotted him leaning against one of the large wooden support poles, with a slight frown upon his face.
"Lord Bryden. I assume that as the new lord of Wyndom Manor that you would wish to congratulate your brother and his intended on their betrothal…?"
Lord Bryden, noticing that everyone's eyes were upon him, quickly plastered a smile upon his face and stood up straight. He was no fool- he was in no position to go against the wishes of the Warden-Commander…against the queen. But he was a patient man and could afford to bide his time.
"Of course, my lady. I wish all the best for my brother Drew and his…betrothed." Lord Bryden gave his brother and Cristina a thin smile before turning back to the Commander. He bowed at the waist to her and said, "I am but your humble servant."
Arianna watched thoughtfully as Lord Bryden's rose from his bow and then leaned back against the large pole. She had detected a mocking tone in his voice and his eyes had revealed to her that he was still angry. She would have to keep a close eye on Lord Bryden Wyndom- she feared that she had just made an enemy today…at least a political one.
Varel raised a questioning brow to the Commander, who nodded her head to him. Varel looked out over the gathered nobles and commoners and said, "Today's proceedings are now concluded. Thank you all for coming… you are all dismissed."
The noise level in the Throne Room rose considerably as everyone started talking at once. Arianna could hear bits and snippets of the various remarks and conversations of the people as they slowly filed out of the room. On the whole, everyone seemed to think that the verdict had been fair and just, but as always there were those few folks who thought that the letter of the law should be followed at all times, no matter what extenuating circumstances there may be. Varel folded his arms before him and shook his head as he caught some of the comments- people never seemed to be satisfied with any given outcome and they always thought they could have done a better job.
Captain Garevel looked over at Ser Trenton, who was still standing between the two guards with his hands in cuffs. Garevel caught the Commander's eye and motioned his head towards Ser Trenton.
"What do you want me to do with him, Commander?" he asked her.
"Unshackle him and keep him in the Throne Room for now. Make sure you post guards at all exits, though…I'm not sure if I trust him to stay."
Arianna watched Captain Garevel for a moment as he went to do as she had instructed. She turned to the seneschal and asked him to make the preparations for Ser Trenton's joining ritual. He bowed his head to her and left the Throne Room to see to his task.
Arianna turned around and walked up the stairs to the dais and seated herself on the large high-backed seat upon its center- the one that served as a throne. She put her arm on top of one of the chair's armrest and leaned her cheek upon her closed hand. Arianna closed her eyes and sighed deeply- her head was hurting and she needed a moment to gather her thoughts.
Trenton rubbed his now unshackled wrists and stood silently, studying the Commander as she sat upon the Keep's throne. He had been prepared to die today, but now he found himself alive…and he had the woman before him to thank for that- or maybe not. He wasn't altogether sure how he felt about being conscripted into the ranks of the Grey Wardens, for all he knew it could turn out to be a fate worse than death.
Trenton continued to observe the Commander, his dark eyes roved over her face and form as if he was trying to commit every inch of her to memory. He wanted to know everything there was to know about this strong and beautiful woman…this Warden-Commander …this Hero of Ferelden…this queen. He had never met someone with so many titles before- he was intrigued by her.
Arianna was still deep in thought when she suddenly sensed that someone was watching her. She slowly opened her eyes and lifted her head- Ser Trenton stood before her at the bottom of the dais, looking up at her as she sat there. She raised her green eyes to his black ones, and once again was struck with that strange, vague feeling that she somehow knew this man.
"Ser Trenton? Have we met before?" she asked him, her voice betraying her feelings of bewilderment.
"No, my lady…I'm positive that we haven't, for I know I would never forget meeting such a woman as you," he replied with a fleeting smile.
Arianna furrowed her brow. "You were not here at the Keep when all the nobles were called to swear their allegiance and fealty to me?"
"No, my lady…I have been away on business," he explained. "I shall be glad to swear my fealty to you now, my lady." He gave her another small smile.
Arianna was having a hard time reading this man before her. She had the distinct feeling that she somehow was amusing him. He also seemed rather smug to her. Or perhaps he was just a very self-assured and self-confident type of man. She sighed in irritation. The man was a bit…unnerving…and it irritated her that he caused her to feel that way.
"That is not necessary at this time," she finally replied. If he doesn't make it through his Joining, it won't matter one way or another.
Arianna felt a quick stab of guilt. She hated that she was not allowed to inform new Grey Warden recruits just what lay ahead for them until the moment of their Joining ritual- and by then there was no escape. She still remembered how she had felt when she had finally learned the truth…she just wished there was a better way to do things- but there wasn't. She gave another heavy sigh.
"You have about an hour before your…induction…into the Grey Wardens. If you are hungry, just inform one of the guards and you will be escorted to the Great Room for a meal." She smiled at Ser Trenton as she stood up to take her leave. "I will return when it is time for you to…join our ranks."
Trenton bowed his head to her as she stepped down from the dais and walked across the room to one of the side doors and exited the room. He wondered why her eyes had suddenly seemed…sad. He was also sure that he had seen guilt in the depths of her lovely eyes. Trenton walked up the steps to the dais and sat down heavily on the large chair that the Commander had just vacated. He heard one of the guards clear his throat loudly in disapproval.
"What? She's no longer using it, is she?" Trenton laughed softly to himself as the guard 'hurrumphed' his disapproval and glared at Trenton. Trenton made himself comfortable on the Keep's throne and thought about what was to come. He wondered again about what he had seen in the Commander's eyes. I guess I'll find out one way or another, in about one hour. Trenton closed his eyes and waited for what was to come.