Kate swung her feet over the side of the table and hopped down. She swayed, then shook her head and rolled her shoulders.
"Let's go. I want to get out of here." said Kate.
"What? You shouldn't be up, yet." said Dagna
"Eh, that's what everyone says. I'm fine." said Kate. She ignored the looks of her companions and strode out the front of the shop.
Alistair caught up to her. "Hey, would you like a sandwich?" he asked, holding out the other half.
"Yes! Maker, I'm hungry. Nothing like nearly dying to awaken the appetite, huh?" said Kate.
"I do believe your appetite never sleeps." said Morrigan, watching Kate fit nearly the whole sandwich into her mouth.
Kate shrugged, and tried to say something, spraying crumbs all over the witch's face.
"Argh! I'm sure whatever it is you want to say can wait until you've swallowed your food!" said Morrigan sharply.
Kate chewed quickly, then swallowed in an exaggerated manner.
"I was trying to say that we should probably go collect Shale and Meat." said Kate. "They've been waiting a long time."
"Oh, Maker. I forgot all about them." said Wynne.
Shale was not pleased when they appeared.
"Your beast has urinated on every piece of furniture in this place." said Shale. "And I've been waiting a very long time for your return."
"This coming from someone who was a statue for thirty years?" asked Alistair. "Sorry, but we ran into a little lyrium dust, and it made us very sick."
"Hmph." said Shale, crossing her massive arms.
"You were worried we'd forgotten about you?" asked Kate. "Never. Also, look, I got you a present."
"A present?" asked Shale, brightening.
Kate pulled a large, glowing blue crystal from her pack. "I thought you might like to change out crystals once in a while."
"Oh, yes." said Shale, and took the crystal. "I suppose It is forgiven."
"When did you buy that?" asked Alistair, frowning.
"I didn't. I stole it from Jarvia." said Kate. "Here, feel how heavy my pack is."
Alistair lifted it from her hands, and grimaced. "No wonder you were so heavy! You were literally filling your pack with rocks."
"Yep." said Kate. "Take a look at this one." She rummaged through it, and held up a shiny green stone.
"Is that an emerald?" asked Zevran, looking over her shoulder. "It is flawless, but it does not compare."
"Compare to what?" asked Leiliana excitedly, admiring the stone.
"Well, to your beauty, of course." said Zevran smoothly. Leiliana laughed lightly. "And also this."
He fiddled with his belt pouch and withdrew a ruby the size of a quail's egg. "It seems the dear, departed Jarvia was an accomplished jewel thief."
Kate whistled. "We shouldn't try to sell these in Orzammar. She probably took them from the king, himself. That's the only place I've ever seen stones like this. I've seen this size plenty, but never this quality."
"You're not going to return them?" asked Wynne. She was answered with four pairs of rolling eyes. She sighed.
"I suppose it's too late to wake up Harrowmont." said Kate.
"Did you see the man? He needs all the beauty sleep he can get." said Alistair.
"You're right. Well, back to Tapster's." said Kate.
The next morning, Kate led the others to Harrowmont's estate. They stopped on the way at Ragnor's shop. Kate traded the sword Zevran had pulled off Jarvia for some of the lyrium-poisoning salved. She also had a look through his armor, though she currently could not afford any of it.
They reached Harrowmont's home, and were met at the door by Harrowmont's aide.
"I'm afraid he can't see you today." said the aide. "He is busy."
"What?" asked Kate. "I killed Jarvia, as I'm sure you've heard."
"I have, indeed, and Harrowmont is very pleased." said the aide, pulling on his beard nervously.
"Then what's the problem? He doesn't want to pay?" asked Kate, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh! It's not that." said the aide. He dropped a leather pouch of coins into Kate's hand. Kate looked inside.
"This is more than we agreed upon." said Kate. She felt Zevran's sharp elbow jab into her ribs.
"Harrowmont wishes to express his gratitude for taking care of the issue so swiftly and efficiently. He did not expect results so soon." said the aide.
"I see." said Kate. "He wished to send us on a merry goose chase, did he?"
"A fool's errand, I believe is the term." said Morrigan icily.
"Let me see him." said Kate.
"No. He is busy." said the aide.
"Either step aside or I'll have my golem mash you into a pulp." said Kate.
"Er, when you put it that way...go on through." said the aide.
"Thank you." said Kate, bowing slightly.
She threw the door open to Harrowmont's office. He jumped, looking up from a large breakfast.
"You were busy?" asked Kate acidly.
"Warden! I was not expecting you." said Harrowmont, glaring at his aide, who stood quivering behind Shale.
"You should have been. I told you I'd be back after I cleaned up the cartel. I happened to look around a bit. You dwarves ought to be ashamed of the way your poor live." said Kate. "Dust-town is a shithole."
Harrowmont winced at her coarse language. "They are casteless. They do not have the ambition or the ability to improve..."
Kate snorted. "Don't give me any of that crap. Anyhow, I'm not here to uplift Dust Town. I'm here to collect on this treaty."
"About that..." trailed Harrowmont.
Zevran watched Kate's hand drop to her dagger. He licked his lips in anticipation. After killing so many bandits and assorted nobodies, the prospect of Harrowmont's death was very appealing. A true assassination!
Alistair also saw her hand drop and began calculating how many dwarves they would have to fight to escape Orzammar. The odds weren't good, but perhaps, if he shut the door and they kept the war-cries to a minimum, they could leave before anyone discovered Harrowmont's body....
"Jarvia's death will certainly help my case in the Assembly, but Bhelen has been busy, as well. It is still a deadlock. The only thing that could break the tie now is if one of us were to receive the blessing of a Paragon." said Harrowmont.
"Hmm, those are your gods? How do you plan on doing that? I've never known gods to be responsive." said Kate.
"Oh, Paragons are not like your gods. They are dwarves, who by advancing in one field or another, achieve the Ancestor's favor." said Harrowmont.
"But they're all dead, right? I saw the statues coming in." said Kate.
"Right now, there is only one living Paragon. Branka, of the Smith Caste." said Harrowmont.
"Where is she? I can be pretty persuasive." said Kate.
"She's been missing for five years. She and her entire house disappeared into the Deep Roads." said Harrowmont. "I'm hoping you could find her, and convince her to return."
"She's dead. Five years in the Deep Roads? No one could survive that." said Kate bluntly.
"She's a Paragon! She lives, I am sure of it." said Harrowmont.
"Then you go look for her. I'm certainly not going to." said Kate.
"But you need your army, don't you?" wheedled Harrowmont.
"I'd be wasting precious time down there, time I could be spending raising allies among those who are honorable enough to honor their oaths." said Kate. "Good day, you slimeball. Fucking politicians."
She turned sharply, and her companions followed her out the door, ignoring Harrowmont's pleas.
"We need to go pay Janar, and then we can leave this place." said Kate.
They reached Janar, whose mood was much improved. It seemed that the new hole in his wall had attracted many curious eyes, and with that, many new customers. He insisted on inviting Kate and her companions to dinner. Kate refused politely, but he would not be dissuaded. She finally agreed.
Janar's family was large, loud, and boisterous. It amused Kate that the usually dour, somber Janar had sired seven of the most cheerful people she had ever met. Kate fielded what seemed like thousands of questions from Dagna and her brothers. Most of the questions were about the surface. They thought the concept of trees the funniest thing they had ever heard, until Alistair told them about squirrels. It was soon agreed that Orzammar would be a better place if squirrels were involved, and Dagna conspired with her brothers to send one back, once she reached the surface.
The hours passed very quickly. Even Morrigan seemed to be enjoying herself. Two of Dagna's brothers were very interested in the witch, and showed their interest by waiting on her hand and foot.
The other men turned their attention to Leiliana, coaxing her into singing.
Kate leaned back in her chair, her hand on her very-full stomach. Alistair noticed her discomfort and laughed.
"Eat too much? Me, too." he said.
Kate finally stood, and Leiliana made her way over to her.
"I was wondering, if we could perhaps stay one more night?" asked Leiliana.
"Why?" asked Kate. She saw Leiliana's eyes flick over to the most handsome of Dagna's brothers, Geslar.
"Fine." said Kate. "Just one night, though."
"Thank you!" said Leiliana.
Late that night, Kate heard a knock at her door. She opened it, and saw Geslar standing there.
"Hi, Geslar. Looking for Leiliana?" she asked.
"I'm Thonar, actually. Geslar's my twin, and I believe found her..." said the redheaded man, grinning. "I'm looking for Morrigan."
Kate heard Alistair snicker behind her. "One door down. Good luck."
Kate shut the door, and then burst into laughter. "It seems our friends are very popular with dwarves."
"You, too." said Alistair. "My eyes are tired from all the glares I had to give to keep Janar's progeny from crawling into your lap."
Kate rolled her eyes. "You're imaging things. Have you seen me, recently?"
"I have." said Alistair, cocking an eyebrow. "And what I see is lovely."
Kate snorted, and held out an arm. "Take a good look at this."
Alistair inspected it, then looked up at her face. "Am I looking for something in particular?"
"Don't you see how hideous it is? It's covered in scars and burns." said Kate, grimacing. "Just like my other arm, and my legs."
"It just shows that you've fought in many battles, and won. I have them, too." said Alistair, then stretched out his hands, inspecting his own arms. "Why? Do you think mine are ugly?"
"No. On you, it's manly." said Kate.
Alistair laughed, and grabbed her hand. He kissed up her arm. "If you are worried about being manly, my dear, you needn't. For one thing, your arse is far too big."
Kate laughed, and put her arms around him. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Kate reached up and pulled Alistair's head down to hers. He met her mouth eagerly, running his hands down her sides. She was clad only in a shift, and he felt the heat of her body blaze against his bare chest.
Another knock at the door.
Kate groaned, and went to pull the door open. Alistair cleared his throat, and she looked at him.
"You might want to, uh." he said, staring at her chest.
Kate looked down, and saw her nipples straining against the thin fabric. She put an arm across them, and pulled open the door.
"What?" she asked rudely.
"Harrowmont sent you this, asking you to reconsider his offer." said the innkeeper, holding out a bottle of wine.
Kate glared down at him. "No." she said, and began to shut the door.
"Take it anyway! He's grateful for all you've done." said the man.
Kate looked at the bottle, then at the man. She took it, and closed the door in his face.
"Would you look at this? It's wine from Highever!" she said excitedly. "I don't know how it got here. Would you like to drink it with me?"
"Of course." said Alistair.
Kate uncorked the bottle, and then took a long swallow. She passed it to Alistair.
"This is much better than the ale they serve here." said Alistair.
"Duh." said Kate. "Highever has the best vineyards in Thedas." she said proudly.
Her head swam, and she saw Alistair look at her, startled.
"I feel very, very odd." he said.
Kate struggled to stand up, and then she collapsed to the ground.
Kate awakened to her face scraping against stone. She looked up, and saw massive doors closing in front of her.
"Don't bother trying to leave. You're not coming out until you come back with Branka!" shouted Baizyl.
"Baizyl? Is that you? Where am I?" asked Kate, getting shakily to her feet. She saw the unconscious forms of her companions.
"The Deep Roads." shouted Baizyl. Two men appeared next to him, and tossed six bags of gear forward. They bounced to a stop in front of Kate. Kate stumbled forward, but the massive doors swung shut. She pounded her fists against them, screaming.
"No! Let me out of here! You can't do this! I'm a Grey Warden, damn it!"
She heard Zevran groan. "Quit the racket, Kate."
"Zevran! They've sealed us down here!" said Kate, crouching next to him.
"What?" he asked, and then looked around. "Oh, shit."
"Shit, indeed." said Alistair groggily. "This is where Grey Wardens go to die."
Kate felt panic bubble up into her throat. "We have to get out of here. What did they give us, for gear?"
Kate discovered their packs were untouched, except for the gemstones, which were missing. Another pack, with food in it, laid next to the others. Kate looked at it grimly.
"There's only enough food here for a week." she said. "And they stole the gemstones."
"They didn't steal them." said Sten from the shadows. "I have them, Kadan."
"What?" asked Kate.
"I sewed them into one of the pouches on my belt." said Sten. "I did not want them to fall from your pack."
"Or you thought I was stupid enough to leave them lying on top of all of my other stuff, in my pack." said Kate wryly.
"The thought had occurred." said Sten.
Kate laughed, a note of hysteria in her voice. "Well, thank the Maker we have some pretty rocks! There sure isn't enough stone down here!"
"Kate, calm down. I'm sure we can think our way out of this." said Wynne, sitting up.
"How did this even happen?" asked Leiliana. "The last thing I remember is the innkeeper showing up with a bottle of Orlesian liquor."
"The cake was a lie." said Sten quietly.
"It was Antivan wine, for me." said Zevran. "How could I be so stupid? I am a disgrace to assassins everywhere."
"Thonar took a drink of the cordial, and then we kissed. Ugh." said Morrigan's voice.
"Where's Meat?" asked Kate, looking around frantically. She felt a warm tongue lick her hand.
"What about Shale?" asked Alistair.
"I am here." said the golem. "Though they did not trick me with food or drink. They simply told me you were waiting for me down here. I came, and sure enough, there you all were, sleeping. It is a very strange human, and so, I was content to accept their explanation."
"Fuck. So Harrowmont finally grew some balls." said Kate. "He had us drugged, and thrown in here. Even if we don't find Branka, it's good news for him. He won't have to deal with my demands any longer. I recognized the man that threw us in. Baizyl, who is Harrowmont's man. Damn it!"
"We got complacent." said Alistair. "It was so easy for them to drug us. The mystical Grey Wardens, champions of the Proving, felled by a bottle of wine."
"They must have watched us since we arrived." said Leiliana. "They perfectly tailored what they offered each of us."
"Well, I guess we have a Paragon to find." said Kate.
The rest of her group didn't speak as they headed into the tunnels. The tunnels were lit with torches, and Kate wondered who had put them up.
Zevran heard the noise before the rest of them.
"Stop." he said. They stopped. "Do you hear that? Something's coming."
They pressed themselves against the rock, looking down the tunnel. The sound of creaking armor reached them, and then...
A loud belch.
"Do darkspawn do that?" asked Kate to Alistair.
"Not any that I've seen." said Alistair, relief in his voice.
A dwarf in dented metal armor appeared, a waraxe as long as his body slung across his back.
"Never knew the Grey Wardens frightened so easy." he said.
"Who are you?" asked Kate.
"Name's Oghren." said the dwarf.
"How did you get in here?" asked Leiliana suddenly. "Is there a way out?"
"There was, until they sealed it behind me." said Oghren, and cackled. "They were happy to let me down here. I heard you were going to find Branka, and I had to come along."
"Would they let you back out?" asked Kate hopefully.
Oghren let out a booming laugh. "Hell, no! They've been looking for a way to get rid of me. I don't want to leave, anyhow. I gotta find Branka."
"Why? Did Harrowmont send you?" asked Kate.
"That nug-licking bowl of jelly? No. Janar's little redheaded girl came to find me this morning, said that men had come and taken the Grey Wardens, thrown 'em into the Deep Roads. I figured it would be my best chance to find Branka, coming along." said Oghren.
"Dagna must have come to find her brothers." said Kate. "And seen them carry us out."
"We have short enough provisions as is." said Morrigan, appearing next to Kate. "We cannot let him accompany us."
"She's right." said Kate. "They only gave us enough food for a week."
"Good thing I thought o'that.' said Oghren. "I have enough food here to last us two more weeks. Plus, you'll need someone to lead you through these tunnels. Humans have no stone-sense, and you'll just go in circles."
"Us?" asked Alistair. "Nothing's been decided."
Kate grinned, thrusting out a hand. "Welcome aboard, Oghren."
Oghren shook her hand, and she tried not to wince at how sticky his hand was.