Chapter Ten: One Hundred Stories

Winter was setting in, the air cold as a thin layer of snow dusted the packed dirt ground of the Denerim market. Adalia pulled her heavy cloak around her self, moving through the bustle of the market. She moved quickly down a back alley, towards the warehouse Riordan had directed her to. She glanced around before slipping through the door unnoticed, relieved to be out of the wind. She moved to the back of the room, sliding a bookcase to the side. Her back screamed in pain, her wounds still healing, but she pushed harder, revealing a hidden door. Sliding the key in, Adalia's eyes lit up at the sight before her. Grey Warden armour stood along the wall, gleaming in what little light poured through a small window on the eastern wall. Weapons will racks, some damaged and bloody, others looking as though they were just forged. But that wasn't why she was here. She moved around, opening crates and cabinets until she found the treasure she was looking for. She held it up, her eyes sparkling as she smiled. She quickly wrapped the prize up in a spare piece of linen she found in a crate, locking and hiding the room once again as she departed back into the market.

The Landsmeet loomed over them, all nobles gathering to hear what was to be said; to make a decision on the fate of Ferelden. Adalia and Alistair sat in the Gnawed Nobel, their companions chatting happily around them. Spirits were high, despite the chances of them losing in two days time. Adalia sat quietly, smiling slightly as her friends joked around, her mood not having improved much since the night Alistair and Zevran rescued her. She looked down at the cuts across her knuckles, a reminder of Howe's fate. When she looked up, a man was standing at the foot of the table, his eyes on her.

"Bann Sighard," she addressed him with a nod, her companions falling silent, "what can I do for you?"

"Poor Oswyn, he described what happened to him in great detail. He told me you lot saved him. I owe you for his life." the man said somberly, his eyes pained.

"I would leave no man to suffer at Howe's hands. I am only happy to help." Sighard shook his head, rubbing his face.

"When I saw my poor boys legs... How I only wish that Rendon Howe still lives, so that I might tear him apart myself." the man slammed a fist on the wooden table, ale sloshing from the heavy mugs. "I would bring troops against his son, but Oswyn tells me Thomas had no part in his fathers depravity. Is there anything you would as a reward for saving my dear son." Adalia glanced briefly towards Alistair, who merely nodded at her.

"All I, we, want is for you to speak out against Loghain at the Landsmeet." Sighard nodded, a smile on his face.

"Know that I will stand with you at the Landsmeet with all the support I can muster. In fact, I am taking my supper tonight with Bann Reginalda of the White River Bannorn. I will speak with her about this at once. Again, my thanks, and good luck to you all." with that the aging man was gone, Alistair clapping the smaller woman on the shoulder.

"There's one down. With your brother, and Bann Reginalda, we're getting a good start." he said brightly. How she admired his enthusiasm, how she wished she could be as confident.

"It's too late for a good start, my Lord." how he hated being called that. She pushed her way from the table, removing a ring from her pocket. "Let us see if we can get a few more on our side." she saw Bann Alfstanna sitting in the corner, and moved towards her. The Bann glanced up at the Warden as she lay the ring on the table.

"I was told to give this to you." Adalia said, the gold ring rolling in circles as the Bann grabbed it.

"This is Irminric's. Explain yourself! My brother would no more part with this ring than his head." the Bann was quickly on her feet, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"He needs your help. He-"

"He's alive then? Please, if you have any news of my brother, I would hear it!"

"He is in the dungeon of the Howe's estate. He was taken there." Adalia said, placing a calming hand on the older woman's shoulder. She remembered Alfstana from her childhood. She was a good woman, a reasonable one. Adalia knew she would be an ally tomorrow.

"A dungeon? No, I must go to him at once! Someone will answer for this at once!" the Bann made her way to the door of the tavern, then stopped, back tracking a few steps. "You are Bryce Couslands youngest, are you not? I thought I recognized you, though it looks as though your adventures have taken their toll on you, my friend. I wish for you to take this." she handed Adalia a dagger, it's beautiful onyx handle cool to the touch. "It's been in my family for generations. Let it be a sign of the friendship between Highever and the Waking sea. I will be there with you at the Landsmeet, and I will lend you some of my bowmen to help with this Blight." with that, the red haired woman was gone, Adalia left with a small smile on her face. She was getting there. Alistair appeared at her side, leaning down into her ear.

"We should be off to the Alienage. There is lots to be done there." Adalia nodded, taking the tankard of ale from Alistair's hand and drinking it in two large gulps.

"Let's go then." she said to the group, placing the now empty mug back on the table. Alistair's eyes followed her as she led, not sure if he should be impressed or embarrassed at her drinking skills. Adalia led the way to the Alienage entrance, stopping at the start across the long bridge.

"Uh, not to be a downer or anything, but we're not going to be mobbed, are we? That's not something elves do here? Mob people?" Adalia sighed, shaking her head.

"You were the one that told me the only thing you've ever gotten from Denerim was pick pocketed, and so far you seem to be doing alright." she tapped the purse hanging from Alistair's hip, which he promptly moved inside of his armour.

"Yes, well, we don't necessarily have the best luck, do we?"

Alistair threw himself down on his bed, his body aching and relieved to be in the warmth of his own room. He pulled off his armour, tossing it to the floor. His new set stood in the corner, the same brilliant gold as Cailans, but the griffin of the Wardens brightly emblazoned on the front. He heard the door to his room open, and Adalia huff as she kicked a piece of armour out of the way.

"The maids are going to talk if you keep just letting yourself in to my quarters." he joked, Adalia dropping herself onto the bed next to him.

"They already talk. Mostly about how handsome you are, and how I must of had a spell cast on you to make you love a mess of a woman like me." she said into the heavy blanket, her voice muffled. Alistair laughed, pulling the raven haired woman into his lap.

"Well, you have to remember, maid-impregnating runs in the family. Maybe they're just hopeful!" he flinched as Adalia punched him jokingly, laughing. He gestured to a chest sitting in the corner of the room, nudging her towards it.

"I got something for you. It isn't full of sapphires mind you, but I think you'll love it all the same." Adalia reluctantly stood, opening the chest. She lifted the metallic blue armour from the chest, turning to smile at Alistair.

"It's beautiful! Dragon scale?" the sandy haired man nodded, sliding his legs onto the bed.

"I had Wade make it for you. Light enough that you can move, but those scales will stop pretty much anything. I had to pay him extra just to have him put the Grey Warden symbol on it. Apparently he's not a fan of 'customizing,' though I did change to logo a little. It's a little more appropriate." Alistair waved his hands in the air, rolling his eyes. Adalia smiled at the armour, the Cousland laurel surrounding the Grey Warden emblem, putting it back in the chest.

"Thank you. I have something for you, as well." she said as she grabbed the paper wrapped package, sliding onto the bed next to him. Alistair pulled her into his chest.

"Ooh, I live for presents!" Alistair said happily, taking the package from her. He undid the twine holding it together, a smile crossing his face as he looked at the object in his lap. He picked up the stuffed golem doll, turning it around in his hand.

"Wow, you really do listen to everything I say. It's almost identical to the one I had when I was younger." Adalia smiled, watching as he admired it.

"Wonders of Thedas has lots of different ones, so you can start a collection!" Adalia chuckled.

"Later. With the Landsmeet tomorrow, all I want right now it this." Alistair said, putting the golem on the side table. Adalia smiled, sliding her hand up the back of Alistair's neck and into his hair, scratching gently. He groaned, moving into her hand. How he loved that. Adalia kissed below his ear, nipping at his jawline.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot. All you want are cuddles." she moved to pull away, but Alistair grabbed her, pulling her over so she was straddling his hips.

"Cuddles later. For now-" Adalia broke his words off with a kiss, her hands swiftly undoing the buttons of his tunic.

"Oh, you little minx." he growled as she leaned over and blew out the candles on the nightstand.

"You should probably sleep. You need to be well rested for tomorrow." she whispered in his ear, her tongue caressing his lobe. He chuckled, pushing her hips into his.

"I'm not quite tired yet. I can think of more important things to do before sleep." he flipped Adalia on to her back, his lips on her neck.

"Like your laundry? Or perhaps picking up the armour that is scattered everywhere? I also remember telling Eamon you were going to finish reading those books that he gave you, about Landsmeets and addressing nobles and all that." Alistair sighed into her neck, shaking his head.

"No. I'd rather have one last night with the woman I'm in love with, before all hell breaks loose." Adalia smiled at him, seemingly accepting his answer.

The fire in the hearth was long out by the time Alistair drifted to sleep, his future bride nestled in his arms, neither of them truly prepared for the day to come.