The companions followed the elf cautiously, hands close to their weapons. Azriæl knew that they could be walking into a trap, but it was only moments before they walked through a door. The stood next to a balcony that overlooked the large yet open room. A balded man turned, obviously annoyed at any intrusion.

"Devera? I hope you have a good explanation for this." He said, eyeing each of them.

"There is. This woman and the others slayed most of our men, but claims it wasn't to exact revenge."

"Of course not, you just brought the Gray Warden into our mists." Caladrious laughed at her surprise, "You even managed to have the royal bastard who would be king."

Alistair scoffed at the man, "A slaver calling me a bastard. That's almost funny."

"Well met, Warden. I have heard a great deal about you… and your friends."

"You've heard of me?" Azriæl asked, curious how a slaver of Tevinter would know anything about her personally. Yet, maybe it was just the Warden name.

"Yes, surprisingly… you've surpassed even 'gold' in popularity. One can hardly get a word out of Regent Loghain besides 'Warden' these days." Caladrious laughed.

"You're working for Loghain?" Alistair asked, stunned.

"One would expect you to be curious, yes? I have heard what you are trying to do, erode Loghain's support. Must be a difficult task, like washing away a mountain, unless you have some help." The slaver stated.

"But you have an agreement with Loghain." Azriæl shot back.

"It's more of an arrangement of convenience. One that disappears when a number of armed intruders storm into my abode. Truth is, once the Landsmeet is done, we become inconvenient. Even though we have paid for many of his troops, but let's make a deal, shall we? One hundred sovereign and you will get a sealed letter implication the Teyrn of Gwaren in all of this. We leave a few days early with all profits and slaves we have, unharmed."

"Maker I feel dirty. We're not actually considering this, are we?"

Azriæl gave Alistair a look for even thinking she would, "No deal, time to die slaver."

"My apologies, looks like we have to settle things the hard way." Caladrious sighed before signaling his men to attack.

Immediately, seven men ran towards the stairs at them. They were blocking the companions' way down to the Tevinter mage. Zevran hopped over the rail and began attacking the men from behind. Morrigan, protected by Azriæl, was casting spells of her own to deflect Caladrious. After a few moments, Alistair and Zevran were able to fight off most of the attackers, allowing Azriæl and Morrigan to at least get down the stairs.

More of the Slaver Mage's men were waiting and attacked as soon as they descended the stairs. The companions were able to spread themselves out, giving them an advantage and disposing of their enemies quickly. As they converged on the Slaver, just a few attacks between Morrigan and Zevran had the man on his knees and begging for his life.

"Enough! Enough, I surrender. It seems your reputation is an accurate one." Caladrious sighed in defeat. Azriæl started to wonder what to do with the man, but he beat her to the punch.

"Hear me out. Were I...to use the life force of these remaining slaves, I could augment your physical health a great deal. Let me leave this place alive and I will be happy to do this service for you."

"That little service means blood magic." Alistair gasped.

"I bet you would just love to do that service..." Morrigan added. Even though she never would be against it, blood magic was never something that interested her. If something didn't interest her, she didn't care about it.

"Don't think I would ever consider it." Azriæl stated.

"Then... I guess I couldn't convince you into just letting me go?" The slaver begged.

"No, you wouldn't convince me." Azriæl replied with a sneer.

"A shame, isn't it?" Caladrious sighed and readied an attack as fast as he could. A few men came to the mage's defense, but they were unprepared for the companions' attack. Caladrious, who was already weakened, could barely defend himself now. In less than a few minutes, all the men were dead. Azriæl sheathed her weapons before heading over to where the elves were in a cage.

The eldest of the prisoners looked them over, "You don't look like Tevinter, but that means little. Are you one of them, what happens now?"

After a second, Azriæl remembered, "Are you Valendrian? Shianni was looking for you."

"Praise the Maker! Did she send you here?" The elder smiled, "We will not trespass long on your good graces. Come, everyone… let's go home."

The elves hurried out of the hovel, but Azriæl and the other were behind to cover. They gave the elves plenty of space and watched as they all scattered once they were able to. The companions waited before regrouping themselves.

"So, what should we do?" Alistair asked.

"We go see Valendrian. He is the elder and he could tell us a lot more of what is going on. We know Loghain is behind this…" Azriæl stated.

The others agreed and followed their leader out into the center of the Alienage. It wasn't hard to find the elder's house and knocked briefly before entering. Valendrian was close to the door and actually seemed happy to see them.

"Welcome! Please, come in. Tell me, how is Duncan?"

Alistair and Azriæl exchanged worried glances, "You knew Duncan?"

"Yes, he's been a friend of mine for years. He came here now and them to look for new recruits. Perhaps that seems strange to you. Duncan was a man who knew that talent could emerge in the most unlikely of places." The elder replied.

"He died at Ostagar…" Azriæl supplied.

"I had heard the Wardens had suffered great losses, few escaped… I had hoped that Duncan had been one of them."

"What about the plague? What will you do?" Alistair asked.

"We have suffered worse than this. We will endure, but I doubt the Tevinter intervention would have helped anyway. Here, take this. Duncan gave this to me years ago." Valendrian replied, handing over a small dagger.

"We should go. The Landsmeet will start soon." Azriæl nodded her thanks and the group left the little home. They needed to get back to Arl Eamon as soon as they could, but they were hardly out of the Alienage when Zevran started it again…

"You know, Alistair, Antiva has a long tradition of royal bastards." Zevran stated simply, shrugging with a smile.

"You don't say?" Alistair replied, trying to ignore the elf.

"Oh, yes. They've led wars to claim the throne. Some of them have become kings. In fact, I'd say the current royal line in Antiva stems from bastard blood several times over." Zevran shot back, almost too giddy.

"Well aren't you just chock-full of useless trivia today." Alistair sighed.

"Sadly, whenever a royal bastard rears their head in public and declares themselves, it often goes poorly for them." Zevran added, ignoring Alistair's discomfort.

"Let me guess: they get assassinated?" He replied, with heavy sarcasm.

"Only the very popular ones."

"And the unpopular ones?"

"Well, they get by somehow, I'm sure." Zevran replied, "There was one fellow who did quite well working as a prostitute based on his uncanny resemblance to the king. Charged a fortune."

Alistair couldn't resist, "Couldn't afford him, I take it?" He smiled at the Antivan.

"That cynicism will serve you well, my friend. Hold onto it." Zevran smiled back.

They made it back to Eamon's estate with no further… useless trivia. They raced up to Eamon's private room, along with the others save for Sten and Shale. Eamon looked relived and almost annoyed when they entered his room.

"There you are, I was about to send out a search party." Eamon laughed, "I've been hearing of a great commotion in the alienage. What exactly has happened there?"

Azriæl looked to the others before taking a deep breath, "I have proof that Loghain was involved in slave trading."

Eamon stood shocked a moment before he found his voice, "Maker forgive me, I should be appalled that such a thing is in existent here…but I am overjoyed that you can implicate the person behind it. We must end this civil war quickly. What the Blight doesn't corrupt, politics surely will…"

Eamon looked to brace himself, but Azriæl realized he was preparing himself, "We cannot delay any long, the last of our allies arrived in the city. The Landsmeet will convene so bring Alistair and join me in the palace as soon as you are ready."

Eamon quickly strolled out leaving the companions alone. Azriæl faced each one of them. She would have to pick just two others to join them in the Landsmeet debate while the others would hide amongst the crowd. Azriæl had to think of whom she trusted the most with this, and one came to mind immediately… Zevran. The other was either Leliana or Morrigan. Hound had been sent with Sten and Shale, Oghren wasn't good for human affairs and Wynne… didn't understand.

"Morrigan, would you mind sitting this one out?" Azriæl asked.

"I would prefer it, actually. I do not particularly understand nor care to." Morrigan nodded, crossing her arms.

"Then it's settled. Zevran and Leliana will join myself and Alistair within the Landsmeet while you three hide amongst the crowd." Azriæl nodded, "We'd better get going."

Azriæl lead the way from Eamon's estate and through the busying streets of Denerim. They tried to ignore the citizens, knowing what they were doing was a just cause. As the companions neared the palace, Azriæl had Morrigan, Wynne and Oghren go ahead with the last of the crowd. She waited a few moments before entering the palace as well, but they were greeted immediately by Loghain's second, Cauthrien.

"Warden… I am not surprised it has come to this. Alistair, even if you were worthy to be called Maric's son, you would already be in the Landsmeet by now, wouldn't you?" She stated, but Azriæl could hear desperation, "You have torn Ferelden apart to oppose the very man that ensured you were born into freedom. You will not desecrate the Landsmeet as the nobles will confirm my lord as regent. We will finally put this to rest, once you are gone."

Azriæl didn't want to fight this woman, "Do you really not see what Loghain has become, Ser Cauthrien?"

Cauthrien stumbled a moment before answering, "I have had… so many doubts of late. He is a great man, but his hatred for Orlais has driven him to madness. I know he has done terrible thing, but I owe him… everything. I cannot betray him, do not ask me to."

"Then let us stop him. You know it's the only way." Alistair said.

Cauthrien looked down, almost ashamed, "I never thought duty would taste so bitter." She stepped aside, but refused to look at them, "Stop him from betraying everything he once loved, Warden. Please, show mercy. Without him, there would never be a Ferelden to defend."

She stood and walked past them and out of the palace. Azriæl nodded to Alistair and the others before heading towards the door that separated them from the Landsmeet. Alistair shoved the door open, scaring a few citizens, but Eamon's voice echoed throughout the hall, dispelling Loghain and speaking of crimes against Ferelden.

The time was now and Azriæl just hoped they would be victorious.