"Bryce!"
The Teyrn, shocked, but unafraid, walked toward his friend "What's wrong, Rendon?"
A cruel, malicious grin answered him. "'What's wrong', he says! As if I am to believe that you actually care about anything other than your Maker damned interests!"
Anora narrowed her eyes. Something was off, here "Rendon, we've discussed this at length! Teyrn Bryce has been proven innocent-"
"He's tricked you all!" Rendon shouted over her "Even Loghain! But I see you for what you are, Bryce! Traitor!"
Anora made ready to speak, but Bryce raised a hand "I would hear what he has to say, your Majesty. I can defend myself."
Rendon snorted contemptuously. "I'm rather dissapointed that you decided to let your child do your dirty work for you, Bryce. I thought you at least had a bit more dignity than that! But now you can't hide behind your little spitfire!"
"There's no telling my fierce daughter what to do, anymore." Bryce shrugged his shoulders "You know that as well as I do. But what you are suggesting is that my daughter interfered with the investigation?"
Rendon raised an eyebrow "Either her or someone else. That letter I found-"
"I never sent it." Bryce soothed "It was not mine. That was clearly Eamons doing. Rendon, I understand your caution, your passion in this. We've fought in the war together. We knew the true face of 'Orlesian enlightened rule'. Do you really believe that I would be willing to sunder our friendship, and subject my family to the horrors of imperial might, just to gain the kingdom?"
"Why not!?" Rendon barked "You never allowed anything to stop you in the war! I was merely your vassal, just as we Howes always will be!"
"Never." Bryce was growing increasingly shocked, and disparaged "Rendon, you are more than that to me! I consider you a friend. An equal!"
"Friend!?" Rendon gritted his teeth "FRIEND!? Anyone who murders my grandfather is no friend of mine!"
Anora was starting to understand SOME of what was transpiring here. Rendon was letting simmering resentments into the air. But the rest? It was illogical. Personal attacks on a man who did not deserve them. It was simply too far.
"Rendon..." Bryce looked very tired, and remorseful "I had no idea it still affects you so-"
"OF COURSE IT DOES!"
"I don't know what else to say! If we didn't take Harpers Ford, the Orlesians would have swept us out of the north! Ferelden would have been in their hands for another twenty years! I tried, pleaded, begged your grandfather to change sides!"
"And when he did not, however foolish that may have been," Rendon growled "You had him executed."
"Do you really think I wanted that, Rendon? Every day I still recall the faces of the dead all those years ago! Their souls will haunt me to my grave. I know this."
Bryce stepped closer to Howe. "I don't know if there is anything I can say or do to atone for what damage I have caused, but I offer my apologies, such as they are. I do not wish for there to be any ill will between us."
It served to dull Howes wrath for but a moment, but only just "It is too late. Far too late, Bryce. Maker knows I deserve so much more than that, and I shall take what is rightfully mine. There is only one way to end this, your treachery and crimes alike."
He pointed his sword forward "I challenge you to a duel."
The Landsmeet was already whispering at the unfolding drama, but now the whispering grew into a clamor.
"Rendon, don't do this."
"None shall deny me this!" Rendon looked to the Queen "That is my right! I have a right to settle my grievances by battle."
That was the law. Anora could only reluctantly respond "It is...your right. But I would highly consider against it, Arl Rendon Howe."
Nathaniel had entered the chamber, and had overheard most of the conversation.
"Father!"
Rendon, in the midst of preparing himself, nodded him over.
"Let me fight, Father, if you wish to pursue this." Nathaniel reasoned "I can best him, and there does not need to be any unnecessary bloodshed. Our honor-"
"Our honor can only be reclaimed when the Couslands suffer for their crimes." Rendon put a hand on his shoulder, and whispered "Have you interrogated the prisoner?"
"She confessed to serving Eamon under orders from the Empress, though not directly. She offered no proof on the Cousland-"
"Nevermind that. The Couslands will be dealt with." Rendon smiled "Very good, my boy! I knew I could count on you! You've proven yourself worthy of ruling the Arling. If I should fall here, it shall pass to you. Know, that whatever happens my son, I am proud of you. Walk with pride as a Howe, and do not let the Couslands slight you!"
Before Nathaniel could even get in another word, Rendon turned to Bryce "Shall we, 'old friend'? Let's see if you've kept up on your swordplay."
Bryce couldn't accept this was happening. It was all too fast. He had shown up in his armor, with the family sword and shield, but he was hoping against needing them today, least of all against an embittered friend.
Pulling the sword out of the scabbard, he moved toward the center of the room.
Loghain's Camp
They talked for the hours they had. Neither of them could sleep anyway.
"So...you really didn't want to marry anyone because of...of me?"
Elissa offered a sad smile "I'm afraid that's not entirely true. I didn't want to marry anyone because I didn't want to be a mere pawn. A breeding animal. I think that's bound to happen if I marry any of the nobles sons. But...yes, Alistair. You were a part of this decision. A large part."
She sighed "Mother and Father are going to kill me."
"I'm sorry for that. I wish I was someone else, Elissa."
"I don't. I wouldn't change you in any way."
Something about that moved him, and he leaned in, by instinct. It was a dangerous thing, to let someone you find very attractive into your tent. All it would take is a single slip, and nature would take its course.
The kiss came naturally, and it overpowered her senses. A gentle, but firm hand cupped her chin, and she responded with vigor. All she would have to do is give in and...
She broke away.
"Not here. Not now."
Rather than being put off, he nodded his head "Right. Can't go around making kissy faces with eachother when we have a fight on our hands."
She smiled for a brief moment, but it vanished "And...I can't promise anything, Alistair. I need you to know that."
"I know. If we got married, a lot of people would get really mad."
"I don't give a damn about that." Her head lowered slightly "But I'm a Cousland. I don't want to let my family down."
Before he could speak, she raised her head back up "We'll speak about this more when we get back to Denerim. Clear your thoughts. We have a battle to win."
"...Right."
And so she was alone with her thoughts, as the sun hinted of its arrival over the horizon outside.
The duel began.
Rendon was a flash of steel and pent up fury. Too many years of wasted ambition and resentment, along with his prowess from the war added to his attacks.
Nevertheless, Bryce, despite the disheartening confrontation beforehand, was very skilled with blocking attacks from all angles, and the Shield of Highever was not only sturdy, but it offered great coverage of the body.
Nathaniel noticed that Esmerelle was gone. In her place was one of Fathers...court wizards? He'd never had one before. This must have been a recent change. The man was wearing Tevinter robes...
He was concerned with the outcome of this battle. Moreover, Father was acting more brazen with each passing conversation. No good could come of this, he was certain. Nathaniel did not wish Father to die, not that the Teyrn was predisposed to killing him. But if Father killed the Teyrn, he'd make enemies of the Couslands and their other vassals.
His eyes landed back on the Tevinter mage, and he noticed something on his robes...
Is that...blood!?
Now he was truly suspicious. He inched over, pretending to get a better view of the fight.
Bryce was losing ground. Howe truly wanted him dead. If that was his wish...
No more holding back.
A shield bash landed a glancing blow, but pushed Howe back.
"A lucky hit." he growled.
His axe swung horizontally, and his sword went for a decapitation.
The sword was parried, but the axe tore the shield away.
Bryce circled Howe, trying to examine his options. His armor could probably withstand a glancing blow of Rendons sword, but the axe in his left hand looked like it could cut through. Rendon charged again, but this time Bryce dove in. With Bryces left hand, he caught his sword arm, and with his right, the axe was swept away, out of the duelling grounds.
Rendon grabbed his other wrist, and the two were locked in a battle of endurance, a battle of wills, to see who would drop their sword first.
"You'll die, Bryce!" Rendon snarled.
They broke away. Instead of answering him, Rendon continued his assault, scoring a blow into Bryces whitesteel armor. It drew blood, but it was shallow.
Bryce felt as if his lungs were on fire. But fortunately, Howe looked as if his age was catching up to him.
Howe tried to swing again, but his weapon was knocked away, and the Family Sword also scored a hit, but this one was slightly deeper.
Howe staggered in pain, dropping his sword.
"It's over, Rendon! Cease this!"
A dagger was drawn from his boot, and Rendon charged at Bryce, the dagger perilously close to Bryces throat.
"Rendon, stop this!"
The blade was turning away from Bryce, and toward Rendon, who found his strength failing.
"STOP!" A look of desperation on Bryces face. "Andrastes blood, don't make me do this!"
"Never, Bryce! I'll fight you to my last breath!"
Nathaniel saw it! A dagger, but this one was being used to draw the users own blood. A fierce hand seized Fathers court mage by his wrist, and another pulled out a dagger to his throat before the mage could touch his staff.
At the same time, Bryce tried to force the dagger out of his opponents hand, but Rendon fell backwards, taking Bryce with him.
To his immense horror, Bryce looked down, and saw that the duel had been ended in a most tragic way.
Rendon, now clear of the influence of blood magic, saw his old friend more clearly. The dagger had pierced his armor.
"B...Bryce..."
Bryce looked around "HELP ME! Someone!"
"W...what have I done?" Rendons' eyes went wide "Oh...oh Maker what have I done?"
The assembled nobles started to crowd around, unsure of what to do. A young squire offered his shirt to Bryce, who took it, removed the blade quickly, which earned a painful yell from Rendon, and tried his best to close the wound.
Nathaniel felt his heart sink into his stomach "Father...no!"
The mage had been apprehended by the guard, and a few templars present, but it was too late.
"Y-you...s-stop..must-"
"Don't talk!"
Rendon tried to form the words, but they simply couldn't come out. Everything was going so cold. All of his ambitions, the plans he had for Denerim, even his revenge, they weren't so all consuming now.
Not that he was a coward. He'd survived a war, after all.
No, they had made way for better memories. Fighting alongside Bryce, and even Bryland perhaps, when they were young men. Being awarded by King Maric. Inheriting the Arling. The birth of his first child, Nathaniel, who was trying to save him right now with some potions and trinkets. Thomas and his earnest efforts in the name of the Arling. Even Delilah and her singing.
There was much he wanted to do, but it was too late. Was this what it was like to die? He wanted...he wanted...
Bryce saw his old friend pass away before his eyes. How could it have come to this? They had fought together along with Bryland and a handful of others in that terrible battle at White River, saw death itself, and cheated it. The years since then, Bryce believed the bonds of war would be an unbreakable bond of friendship.
Yet today was proof, that it simply was not so.
Nathaniel turned his attention to his father, who was now dead, the Teyrn kneeling over him. Within a flash, his hand was around the mages throat, all of the discipline and self control formed in the Free Marches gone
"Talk. Now."
Rendon Howe, a villain much more refined than the Archdemon and Vaughan, but still hateworthy, of course. Here's some problems I have with the canon: the guy decides to sack a castle and wipe out a noble family. Let's consider this for a moment: Ferelden is based on feudal England, where the nobles have the power. In a normal situation, this would be tantamount to political suicide. The nobles would demand for Rendons head on a stick, out of self preservation and security if not for sympathy for the death of a high ranking family, and that's not even counting any of the Cousland vassals.
Before you say it, no, I don't buy the whole "Rendon knew Loghain was going to betray Cailan" theory. Yes, Loghain suspected Cailan of wanting to marry Celene. But Loghain, for his flaws, genuinely loves Cailan like a son. And while he has little respect for the nobility, he does, as a former rebel, have much more respect for his soldiers. Imagine that as he has to order a retreat :/Then we get to some of Loghains' actions in the Blight, which are just as absurd/horrifying, one of them is giving Howe two extra noble titles/districts. The man is in charge of Highever, Amaranthine, and Denerim. Even IF Loghain believed the Couslands were traitors, this simply flies in the face of responsibility and common sense. Giving a man whose actions are morally questionable (he openly suggested killing Anora to taking the throne) more power? Enslaving elves? Persecuting two of the last Grey Wardens who had absolutely no connection to Orlais? I read Stolen Throne, and I STILL have a hard time sparing Loghain for these things. If I sound like a heartless wretch, so be it.
So we have established that Loghain and Howe aren't exactly all there in DAO. Well, I've provided a reason for Howe: blood magic, as per theorized by Arsinoe (Thanks again!). Howe's actions in DAO are nonsensical, and they wouldn't have ended well. Here, while he's afflicted with blood magic, his actions make more sense in a crazy way.
Howe is now dead, but I would certainly hope that by now, readers, you recognize the struggles for the Couslands have not yet ended.