"That woman is full of horseshit," Marlana said as she crossed her arms while leaning against a wall of Eamon's study, cold blue eyes staring at the door the elven woman had just passed through. Alistair stifled a snicker as Eamon simply sighed. The Arl had learned that the young woman normally didn't use a lot of crude language, when she did it was to the point. He supposed he should be thankful she didn't pick up any of the interesting terms her dwarven companion used.
"As if I'm going to believe that even Loghain is going to allow something to happen to his daughter. He maybe power hungry, but he isn't going to allow her to be killed."
Eamon frowned, "Were she still in the palace or her father's estate here in Denerim, I'd agree. But she's under Howe's control and you know better than any of us what he's capable of doing."
If the Arl was hoping to get a rise out of Marlana, he failed as she simply shrugged and looked thoughtful while tapping the fingers of her right hand on her leather clad left arm. Unlike the rest of her companions, she still dressed as if on the road or ready for battle in her battered dark blue leathers and her silver hair bound up in a braid. That she didn't wear her swords while in the estate was a courtesy, yet it was generally assumed she had assorted daggers stashed upon her.
"So you're suggesting we go in there so we possibly won't get framed for a murder that might not even occur?"
Eamon winced at her phrasing. "Not just that, she could be a powerful ally."
"You honestly believe she'll turn on her father? Considering how quickly she hid behind daddy, I have my doubts." Lana's voice was dry.
"Really Eamon, do you think that Anora is going to help me take the throne away from her father?" Alistair sounded incredulous. "Or do you think she's too stupid to notice how we're really working against Loghain? If that's the case, I don't see how she'll be all that useful."
Marlana's objections he'd expected, but he hadn't expected Alistair to show such a grasp of politics. Hastily he smoothed his expression as a sardonic smirk formed on the young man's face and the way the female Warden's eyes glittered with cool amusement. It seemed the two were constantly turning over what he thought of them, especially Alistair. The year since Ostagar had changed the man greatly, he wasn't sure yet if it was a good thing or not. The Arl cleared his throat, "So what are the two of you going to do now?"
A deceptively boyish grin lit up Alistair's face, "Lunch."
Lana gave a slightly sheepish smile as she nodded her agreement. Eamon chuckled slightly, "Enjoy, just try to leave some for the rest of us."
Grinning, Lana lightly jabbed Alistair in the ribs with an elbow as the two left the study, "Remember that when we get down there, Alistair."
Eamon didn't hear Alistair's response, only Lana's silvery laughter and he smiled at the sound as the door closed behind them. He leaned back into his chair and stared down at the papers on his desk, troubled. He was worried about his own reactions to Alistair not turning to him for advice immediately. Even more so that he had started seeing Marlana as a threat and it shamed him to admit to himself that he saw her as a threat to his influence over the young man. The Arl had never considered himself the type that hungered for power, but he was starting to see that tendency now.
That he discovered that he was capable of that type of hunger terrified him.
Unaware of the soul searching they'd caused in the Arl, the young lovers heading down to the dining room. Agatha, the head cook, shook her head in bemusement as she watched the Wardens load up on enough food for twice their number. Having fed young warriors before, she wasn't terribly surprised at the amount Alistair could pack away, even though it was more than most. It was the amount that Marlana could eat that was astonishing. The cook was used to noblewomen having much more delicate appetites, even the more martial ones. As Agatha headed back to the kitchen she mused that some of the rumors about Wardens might actually be true.
Both Wardens were quiet as they sated the worst of their voracious appetites. After drinking some of the cider in his mug, Alistair spoke, "So I'm going to venture a guess that you think this is a trap."
"Of course it's a trap. The question is, am I going to spring it?"
His eyes narrowed, "I?"
"Alistair, now that the Landsmeet is approaching you can't be risked."
His jaw clenched as his expression darkened, "I'm not going to sacrifice you for this. The throne isn't worth it, this damn country isn't worth it."
"I don't have any plans of sacrificing myself, but I can't risk both of us."
His scowl deepened.
She sighed and reached across the table to touch his fist. "Of the two of us, I'm the one best suited to springing a trap and getting out of it. And I'm thinking we can't risk both of the only two Wardens that are in Ferelden."
Alistair shook his head angrily, "And what if the trap is setup specifically for you? This is Howe, he more than Loghain is out for your blood, particularly after you humiliated him in such a public manner. I know you've heard the rumors as well as I have when we've been at the Gnawed Noble to play politics. Not to mention there being a slight, but very notable, cooling between the two."
"I know and that's why I'm debating if I'm going to do this at all."
The steady look he gave said all he needed to. They both knew she'd do it, if only to strike another blow at Howe and Loghain. Directly this time, and not the shadowy work she'd done in their previous visits to Denerim. While the awful, metallic monstrosity of a crown was still undiscovered in the very dusty attic of the estate, the two still would giggle evilly over that small victory. But snatching Anora away from Howe would be an order of magnitude greater than stealing some silver bars or a crown.
She grimaced before digging back into her food. In between neat bites Lana spoke, "I need more information before we proceed. If possible scout out the estate so we have the lay of the land."
Returning to his own food, Alistair gave her an arch look, "You mean better than what happened with Franderel's estate?"
Flushing with embarrassment, Lana focused her attention on her food. That had been one of her less exemplary feats of shadow work. The Bann had thought to setup a trap for the near legendary "Dark Wolf" which both her contact and she had fallen for hook, line and sinker. Slim Couldry, her contact and one of the most rotund thieves she'd met, had gotten what he thought was information about the Bann's treasure vault. Instead it was a dusty basement room that set off an alarm the moment the door was opened. But Lana had proven how sneaky she could be as she snuck out of the estate while the guards searched the grounds for her with no luck.
While the trap hadn't been successful, the Bann still tried to play up how he almost caught the infamous thief. The spin backfired on him almost as badly as the trap, instead Denerim buzzed with admiration for the brazen rogue. Not even a generous sized chunk of fine aged cheddar had been enough to distract Alistair from his fury when she got back from the failed heist. His yelling had been enough to bring their companions, Eamon and all of the nearby guards to see what the commotion was about. Seeing that it was simply an argument, they were told irritably by numerous people to keep it down. Zev added with a grin, "And my friends, if you would be so kind as to keep down the sounds of your making up, the rest of us would appreciate that as well."
The elf returned to his room with a wicked laugh at the scarlet faces of the two humans.
As if her thoughts of the elf summoned him, Zev made a show of taking a seat to Lana's right after getting his own modest lunch. Leliana had entered the room with the elven assassin, got her food before sitting down next to Alistair, but in a much more sedate fashion. Seeing the half eaten meal before the two Wardens, Zev shook his head in bemusement, "How is it that you can eat so much, my dear Warden? I can understand Alistair needing that much to keep his hulk going, but you? And where do you put it all?" He mock leered at her.
Despite herself, the outrageous Antivan managed to get Lana to laugh, even Alistair chuckled as Leliana snickered at Lana's expense. But the other two rogues soon sobered and Leliana carefully spoke, "So…we could not help but notice the elven woman with an interesting accent leaving the study before the two of you came stomping down here."
"Oh, all the stomping was Alistair," was Marlana's bland response, though the amused sparkle in her big blue eyes betrayed her as she glanced at him at the corner of her eye. The look he gave her promised she'd pay for that comment later. Then she turned serious and after making sure there wasn't anyone nearby that could overhear, quietly murmured the situation the elven woman had brought to the Arl.
"Supposedly Anora is a prisoner of Howe's at the estate of the Arl of Denerim."
She didn't need to say anything further as bard and assassin both nodded their understanding. Of course they were both familiar with politics in their way, hadn't they helped her deal with the mess in Orzammar? Had Bhelen not been so insistent on getting a Paragon's approval, between the three of them they could have found the means to pressure the deshyrs into accepting the last living Aeducan as the king. But in the end it was just as well, for all that what they found in the Deep Roads was the stuff of nightmares, there'd been valuable knowledge gained.
But now, now Marlana was in a setting she was familiar with. She didn't like playing politics, but she had learned from her parents and brother. Not to mention all the tutors that her parents had inflicted her on. She'd grown up learning about these people, even knew some.
They'd all recognized her though, and saw the speculation in their eyes when the rumors proved true that there was still a Cousland alive.
Wulff had been the first to speak aloud who she was, even if he did accuse her of trying to gather assistance to retake Highever. As much as Marlana wanted to, her duty as a Grey Warden came first. He'd been justifiably bitter that West Hills had fallen and in the process lost his sons as well. Yet another piece of grief to add to all the others. She hoped she'd convinced him she meant what she said about ending the Blight being her priority. She didn't want to be dealing with this nonsense, not when the Archdemon was out there.
It still flew in her dreams, its carrion call an attractive poisoned bait.
Arl Leonas Bryland had been the one to truly announce who she was when he looked up Bann Alfstanna to see Marlana standing in the tavern with Alistair as she spoke with a minor noble. He'd blanched as if seeing a ghost, then smiled broadly with genuine delight. Heads turned as he exclaimed, "Marlana? Marlana Cousland? Thank the Maker, you are alive!"
Then she was swept up off her feet into a bear hug by one of her father's oldest friends. One that had remained true. Alistair had been no help, trying to hide his laughter as a coughing fit while his eyes danced with amusement. When Bryland finally set her back on her feet, he kept one arm around her shoulders to bring her over to talk with Bann Alfstanna. Alistair trailed along in the wake of the two nobles, still clearly amused. Once they were seated, drinks were pressed on the two Wardens and Alistair didn't need Marlana's warning look to be cautious about drinking too much, even thought his capacity for holding alcohol had gotten better. It had to if he wanted to survive Oghren and not deal with Lana's cure for hangovers.
The next hour or so was spent with Lana and Alistair taking turns telling of their "adventures", though they glossed over certain details. Things such as broodmothers and the Anvil, or the fact that Connor had been possessed by a demon. Alistair was particularly grim about the events at the Tower, "If they hadn't been caged like rats, I don't think Uldred's rebellion would have occurred. They were desperate people, I don't agree with their methods at all, but I can see why the mages reacted the way they did. If they'd been treated more as people…"
Alfstanna looked horrified, "You don't mean to just end the Circle, do you?"
"Maker's breath! No, I don't want that at all. But it can't hurt to allow them some privacy or to be allowed to keep in touch with their families is it?"
Bryland looked at Alistair questioningly. It was Lana who answered though, having no qualms about airing the Chantry's dirty secrets, even if Alistair wasn't sure what to say. Her voice was clipped, "They keep the apprentices in barracks, which isn't too bad, but they keep templars in there all the time. When they do get promoted to full mage status, they're given alcoves of their own, but they still have templars stationed those rooms. And that's after they're dragged to the Tower by templars when their powers first manifest. And they're no longer allowed contact with their birth families."
Her fellow nobles looked at the angry young woman in astonishment. The Couslands had always been unconventional about how they treated those they ruled, including the elves, but neither realized just how the youngest, and last living, scion of that House would react to how mages were treated. But then it was never immediately clear how the mages were treated in the Circle.
Alfstanna looked thoughtful, "I realize now why my brother would never discuss the mages with me. He always seemed troubled if the matter came up." The Bann sighed a little, "I hope he's well, normally when I'm in Denerim he makes arrangements to see me, or at least leaves a message, but I haven't heard from him since I've arrived."
Alistair gave her a sympathetic look full of his typical unconscious charm, "He may have been sent on Chantry business, I doubt he'd knowingly ignore you, my lady."
Lana hid her smile behind her tankard as Alistair's easy grace won over two more people and at the stunned expression in their eyes. It wasn't just that he had his father's stamp on his face and form, but also the legendary Theirin charm that was still uniquely Alistair. A charm that was purely unconscious for the most part, which made it all the harder to resist. She spared a moment's sympathy for the Arl and Bann, Alistair had managed to win her over despite her conscious desire to never be close to anyone again, they didn't stand a chance.
It was that meeting that started the speculative looks and whispers. Not just about the last living Cousland, but that there was still a Theirin, even if he was born on the wrong side of the sheets. That the last heirs of the most powerful bloodlines were so clearly together in more ways than one… Bryce's friends and allies who had been carefully quiet began to cautiously hope. The Theirin bastard wasn't a known quantity, but Marlana… They knew Bryce's young spitfire, remembered how the deceased Teyrn spoke of his children, including the pride in his eyes about his fierce girl. Yes, Alistair was an unknown, but he had Marlana with him and that was enough for some to consider the possibilities.
The possibilities of a Cousland behind a Theirin on the throne. While many considered the combination intriguing, it scared others even more so. And quite frankly Marlana wasn't sure which group worried her more.
One member of the group that clearly favored them, Arl Bryland, had taken Marlana to the side, "This maybe presumptuous, my dear, but I believe your father would've approved of your young man. And not just because of who his father was and that the two of you are aiming to put him on the throne. I don't know your Alistair yet, but I can see the light that shines in his eyes when he looks at you. And the way you smile back at him."
Marlana flushed, whether out of embarrassment or the fact that someone else who knew her father approved, she wasn't sure. "Thank you, my lord."
He mock glared at her, "Since when have I been "my lord" to you, Lana? Or should I start calling you Teyrna Marlana or my lady?"
She paled at the thought and the older man chuckled, "All right, Uncle Leonas, I'll be good."
Bryland patted her shoulder and beamed at her, "Good girl! Anyway, should things not go well for you at the Landsmeet, if you need a safe haven, let me know. Had I known you still lived, I would have sought you out before this."
Lana shook her head, "You may not have been able to find me, Uncle. We've been on the road for the most part."
"Surely not through the worst of the winter?"
"Oh, no, we had a place to winter, it was just very secluded."
He looked relieved, "Good, the thought of you being caught in some of those storms… Anyway, I hope you'll come see me again while you're still in Denerim, I have a feeling there's more to your tale than you've said."
"Thank you, I certainly hope I'll be able to do so."
"Make sure you bring your charming young man, I'd like to get to know our future king better."
Marlana gave him a sharp look at his comment, but he just smiled and wished her a pleasant day before going back to where Alfstanna waited for him. She also couldn't help but notice the number of nobles that started to drift over to talk with the two.
She shook herself from her mental wanderings, she needed to focus on the present.
Rubbing her forehead before drinking some water to wet her dry throat as the other three at the table waited patiently for her. "We need to scout the estate, see what we can find out about the situation before going in."
Zevran nodded, "I think it best if it were just Leliana and I to do the scouting. Not that you aren't quite capable, my dear Marlana, but your absence might be conspicuous, no?"
Seeing Leliana pale at the thought of going into the estate worried Marlana, but the bard shook her head at the questioning look from the younger woman. "Perhaps it might be best if you go in alone, Zev, and I'll have Morrigan get a bird's eye view. Away from Shale of course."
There were smiles at her quip.
Once the four were finished with their luncheon, Marlana took Leliana to the side. "What's wrong, Leli?"
The bard fidgeted for a moment, and couldn't look Lana in the eyes, "I'm afraid I…wasn't entirely honest about where Marjolaine betrayed me."
Silent, the Warden leaned against the wall and waited patiently, sapphire eyes giving no sign of what they're owner was thinking.
"It…was here. In Denerim, at the Arl of Denerim's estates that I found those papers… And my betrayal."
The pain in those words was all Lana needed to hear and wouldn't allow herself to feel anger at not being told everything. "Easy, my friend. I understand better and I won't make you relive that. But I do have one favor to ask if it's not too much."
"Oh, anything, I'd even go back there if I had to…"
Braided silver hair swung back and forth a bit as its owner shook her head, "No, I'm going to do that to you. But if there's anything you can remember of the layout…"
Leliana brightened, "Oh, I do remember it well enough. I don't know if my ways in and out are still usable, but I can sketch out what I can remember."
After Leliana sketched out what she remembered of the estate, Zev and Morrigan both studied the rough plans. Both seemed eager to be on their way and Lana realized they must have been feeling restless. Then the two were gone and the waiting began.
The type of waiting she wasn't good at, but had to learn. Though it was hard, incredibly hard, to send friends off to a potentially dangerous situation without being there for them.