Duty's Journey – Chapter 37
The Decision
The Circle of Magi
Alistair stood on the top of the Tower itself, surveying what must be all of Ferelden before him. It was magnificent, and his responsibility to keep it so, for his people and for his children. But at that moment, something much more selfish occupied his mind.
He was about set to return to Denerim, get back to the work of repairing and running a nation. His entourage, a very small one consisting mostly of guards, was supplied and packed. All he had to do was get downstairs and give the order to head home.
Or to head to Orzammar.
He could do it. He could throw a little kingly weight around and head west, demand answers from Bhelen. He'd helped put that, as Oghren would say, sodding nug-humper on the throne. The king of the dwarves owed the king of Ferelden at least an explanation.
The western sky was still shadowed, still in darkness, as she was probably still underground, possibly hiding from her death. He could be there in just a few days, rescue her for once and they'd be together. Alistair looked to the east, the rising sun just cresting the horizon. That way lay duty, work and his children.
With a heavy sigh, the king left the Tower and headed back to Denerim. He had a job to do.
Orzammar
Elinora had spent a good amount of the last few months at the Provings, usually passing messages for the rebellion. She'd always sat in the second to the last row of the stands which allowed her contacts to sit behind her and didn't block anyone's view. Today she had a place of either honor or infamy in a box with Oghren and some of the other rebel commanders. They weren't being shy about their presence. Even little Endra was there, currently in Elinora's lap and chewing on one of her bracers. It was adorable.
Across the ring sat Bhelen's coterie, half dozen nobles, including Vartag, all just itching for Elinora's chestnut head. There was more than just the fate of Orzammar and the little one in her lap at stake. If Sereda fell, the chances of Elinora getting out of here alive were not good. Especially since she had sent the rest of her Wardens on to Amaranthine, despite much protesting. She was not going to put any more lives at stake for her choices. No one had stopped them; either too busy to deal with them or satisfied that she stayed. Finn was the only one who remained with her, which was as it should be.
Elinora's attention was pulled away from the baby and her own thoughts as the crowd roared. The Proving Master had taken his place on the balcony and Sereda and Bhelen had walked into the ring. Guards within the stands worked crowd control as some started to express their anger and frustration with insults and objects.
Neither combatant so much as glanced at the crowd, cold gazes locked on each other.
The Master raised his hands and the crowd slowly fell silent. "As it was long ago in darker days, today we bear witness to a Proving for the throne. It has not been done in centuries, but not in centuries has it been needed. Sereda, second child of the late king, accuses, Bhelen, her brother and king of Orzammar, of fratricide. She claims the throne for herself and her heirs, and has the military might to back up her claim. As the Assembly is deadlocked, they will settle this the very old fashioned way. Two claimants have entered the ring, and only one will walk out!"
The crowd, quickly becoming more of a mob, roared.
Again, the Master signaled for silence, and looked down to the fighters. "King Bhelen, are you ready?" Bhelen looked up to the masses with a charming smile and waved. "Princess Sereda," there were cheers and boos to her title, "are you ready?" Sereda nodded, never taking her eyes off of Bhelen.
"BEGIN!"