Saitada stood up when she heard the sound of footsteps moving urgently towards them. Morrigan and Zevran flanked Erlina and a blond woman as they entered the study. This would be Anora, then.
"Eamon! We have a problem."
Morrigan gave the woman a distasteful look. "We have more than one, I think." From the way the witch was holding her staff, it was clear she was considering doing Anora some harm.
Zevran shook his head. "I suspect we are going to need a good plan, or a lot of knights, or perhaps both."
"Calm down." Eamon said, raising his hands. "What has happened?"
"The Wardens have been captured."
"What? How could this happen?" Eamon asked. From the looks Morrigan and Zevran sent Anora, Saitada had a fair idea.
"Never mind that." Anora waved a dismissive hand. "The question is how to free them."
"I know where they are. I can locate Jerath anywhere. Getting to him, however, is quite something else. They are in Fort Drakon.
Saitada frowned. "Eamon, what do you know about this fort?"
"For starters, it's impenetrable." Eamon sighed. "We may have to continue without them."
"Not an option." Saitada stated firmly. "Perhaps we could..."
#
Cathiel jumped up as Jerath started to stir. "Oh, you're awake. I was starting to worry."
He touched the side of his head. "I seem to spend way to much time in prisons lately."
"Join the Grey Wardens! See the sights from the floors of the best prisons in the land! It's not much of a recruitment slogan, is it? I've never seen a prison from this side before. Very scenic. Where are we?"
He looked around. "I'm not entirely sure. It's not the royal palace dungeon, I think. Too orderly. Fort Drakon, perhaps. That doesn't really bode well for us."
"It is possible you do spend way too much time in prisons. Or get hit in the head too often."
"Shall we get out of here, then?"
"I hope you have a plan."
"Maybe." He stood, then looked around again. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Feeling seductive?"
She glared at him. "Jerath, I'm naked in a dirty prison cell."
"I noticed. You make it look good. Call the guard over."
Cathiel shook her head. "Ass." She stood, and leaned against the bars of the cell. "Hey, you!"
"If you're not bleeding, I don't care."
She batted her eyes. "I was just lonely..."
He gave her a leering smile. "Well, I could keep you company..."
He opened the cell. As he stepped through, Jerath caught him and smashed his face into the door. As the guard stumbled, dazed, Jerath shoved him into the cell, pulling the key ring off the guard's belt as he did so.
"Coming?"
Cathiel laughed. "Right behind you."
"Why you grimy little..."
Jerath closed the cell door, smashing the guard in the face again. Cathiel laughed. She gestured at them. "Our situation has improved slightly. We are now merely naked in a dungeon."
Jerath narrowed his eyes. "I think the proper term for this would be 'torture chamber'."
"That doesn't make me more optimistic." She started walking towards where the guard had been. "Let's see if we can't find some..." The inhabitant of another cell caught her eye. No. No, no. Could it... "Rory?"
#
Jerath blinked in confusion as Cathiel grabbed the keys from him and ran across the room to another cell. He noticed a chest near the entrance of the room and opened it, out some gear before following Cathiel. Inside the other cell, Cathiel was trying to get a red-haired man on his feet. "Jerath, help me, it's Rory."
Jerath pulled a pair of trousers on and draped a cloak over Cathiel before rummaging through the guard's desk. He found a healing draught. The man was skin and bones, and seemed only vaguely aware of their presence. It took a few moments before something resembling coherence returned to the man's eyes. "M...my lady? Am I dead then?"
"No. No, you are in Fort Drakon. We are going to get you out of here." She turned. "Jerath, we've got to get him out of here."
"Get dressed. I'll find something." He picked up the guard's spare sword, and went into the next room. This should be fun.
#
She thought she heard the sound of combat and dogs, and hurried with freeing Rory. He was battered and bruised. She could see scars all over him, and felt hot tears. "Oh, Rory, if I'd... I thought you were dead." She was applying a second poultice when Jerath returned, carrying a large parcel wrapped in a cloak. "Can he stand?"
Ser Gilmore struggled to his feet as Cathiel handed him the last of the poultices. "I think so."
"Good." Jerath set the cloak on the ground, revealing what appeared to be three sets of guard armor and weapons.
"Where did you find those?"
"Two of them on a rack. The dented one on the guy guarding the rack."
With Cathiel's aid, Ser Gilmore was able to get into the armor and strap the sword to his back. "I'm not sure fighting our way out is going to work. Ser Gilmore is barely able to walk."
"Then I suggest we simply walk through like we've a perfect right to be here. With any luck, they'll just assume we are fellow guards."
"You think that will work?"
"If it doesn't, get him on the ground and then shoot everything but me that is still standing."
"Great plan." She glared at him. "Wouldn't I need a bow for that?"
"You aren't naked anymore. You should be more optimistic. Stay behind me."
"Right. Any idea where you are heading?"
Jerath looked around briefly. "That way."
She shook her head. "This won't be easy."
"If it were easy, someone else would do it."
#
A lone guard stood in the armory. He looked up at them hopefully. "Hey, are you relieving me? It's about time."
Why not? "Yes." Jerath said. He gave an apologetic shrug. "Sorry I'm late."
"Good. Mind the blighted chain mail. The commander will skin us both if he finds any rust."
"I'll get on it." He saw the disbelieving look on Cathiel's face as the guard simply walked away. "Found you a bow." He tossed her the weapon.
"As soon as Alistair takes the throne, I'm advising him to fire everyone who works here."
"Probably a good idea." He retrieved himself a better sword, and handed on to Ser Gilmore. "This doesn't appear to be the exit. Shall we try the next room?"
#
Cathiel just about swallowed her tongue when the next room was full of armed men.
"What's this? Ah! You must be the new recruits we were expecting. You're late. The rest of your patrol is in the storage room. Find them, and get yourselves ready for inspection."
Jerath saluted, then walked back out of the room, heading in the direction the man had indicated.
Cathiel hissed at him. "What are you doing?"
He smiled at her. She'd never wanted to punch him so much as she did right now. "Getting the rest of our patrol. You don't want to fail inspection, do you?"
"This is your plan?"
He rolled his eyes at her. "You aren't naked, and you have a bow."
"So everything is going swimmingly?"
"You could try walking out of here naked, it would make a great distraction."
"I think I hate you." She shook her head at him. "Stop having fun."
"Now you sound like Saitada."
#
"Did you need something?" The guard that had been polishing a boot looked up at him.
"I was told we should get ready for inspection."
"You're in our patrol? I never saw you before."
"I'm new." Cathiel was grateful she was wearing a helmet. It hid the disbelieving look that cross her face at Jerath's rather blatant lies. Brosca had been a terrible influence on their young friend.
"We've only been here two weeks ourselves."
"And we're already in hot water."
"So the assistant quartermaster... is a little miffed with us at present."
"I told you we should've put those potatoes in the cellar straight away."
"Some things went amiss. Mistakes were made. The quartermaster got chewed out by Teryn Loghain, and then he chewed out the assistant..."
"And now, to get back at us for landing him in trouble, the assistant quartermaster won't give us our blades. And you can't pass inspection without a regulation sword."
Maker. When Alistair fired these people, he needed to do it out of a trebuchet, into the sea. Or perhaps a volcano.
Jerath shrugged. "Let me handle him."
"He's down the hall. In the armory."
"Maker help us."
It couldn't be that easy, could it? She glanced at Rory, and saw his eyes were wide. They followed Jerath and the others back to the armory.
"Andraste's sacred girdle! He's gone!"
"Well, don't just stand there! Get your blade and let's report to the colonel before he gets back!"
Jerath casually handed both Ser Gilmore and Cathiel regulation blades and shields before grabbing a shield for himself.
#
The colonel glared down at them. It took all Cathiel's willpower not to just start giggling at the absurdity of it all. "So, you think you're ready to go on your first patrol mission, do you?"
"Yes, ser!" Jerath actually managed a proper salute.
The man smiled at him proudly. "That's what I like to hear! You there!"
"Yes, ser!" the guardsman said.
"Stand up straight! You're a soldier in the King's Army, and the King's own men don't slouch! And you!"
"Yes, ser!"
"Stop fidgeting. You can fidget on your own time."
"Yes ser! Thank you, ser!"
"Kiss-arse," the first guard muttered to the second.
The colonel looked at Rory. "You there, red!"
"Yes, ser?" Rory's voice was a bit hoarse.
"What's the one thing a soldier can't do without?"
"Discipline, ser!"
"Hmph. You're not as dumb as you look. See to it you all act like soldiers of Ferelden out there. I expect the lot of you back here by sunup. Now get out of here. And Maker watch over you."
#
"Password?"
"Ah... "Rabbit," I think?"
"Going on your first patrol, are you? Good luck."
As they walked out, Jerath held up a hand. "Wait here, need to grab something."
"Don't take too long," the guardsman said.
"Just following orders." Jerath shrugged.
"Right."
Jerath slipped quickly into a side room. He came out a moment later, carrying a parcel. Cathiel didn't quite manage to hide her grin as she recognized her bow sticking out. "Quartermaster asked me to drop these off during our patrol."
"Alright, let's get a move on," Cathiel said. Preferably before anyone noticed just how short Jerath was and decided to question that. Or question anything. It occurred to her that if they actually had planned any of this, it never would have worked.
They'd have to come up with a story. Nobody would ever believe the truth.
#
Saitada looked up as Jerath and Cathiel entered, followed by two rather confused looking human guards and a third man who looked exhausted. Cathiel looked at Saitada's startled face and chuckled. "Reporting for duty, Commander." She broke out in giggles.
Expressions of confusion began to turn to slowly dawning horror on the guards. One reached for his sword, and Jerath rather casually laid his sword against the guard's throat. Cathiel continued as if nothing happened. "You said keep the queen safe, so we decided to go along quietly and just break out later. No chance of her getting caught in the middle that way."
Jerath disarmed the guards. "As prisons go, it was actually fairly nice. We didn't even have to kill anyone on the way out."
Saitada sighed and shook her head. "Who are your new friends?"
"Prisoners?" Jerath shrugged and handed the swords over to Eamon. "Hostages? Emergency rations? I suppose that is up to you." The guards swallowed and edged away from Jerath.
Anora sighed. "You gentlemen can return to your, er... duties."
"Yes, your majesty," the taller guard said, his tone relieved. The other guard gave a squeak before fleeing. The third man, one who looked vaguely familiar, remained.
Saitada frowned. "They had absolutely no clue who you were until you came in here, did they?"
Cathiel was laughing so hard she had to hang onto Alistair to keep from falling over. "Before we came along, those two didn't even have swords."
Saitada just shook her head. "And this is...?"
Cathiel's face turned joyous. 'This is Ser Gilmore! From home."
"Wonderful news!" She recognized him now, the young man who had almost been one of them.
Cathiel turned back to Ser Gilmore, who was starting to appear unsteady on his feet. "Wynne?"
She placed a steadying hand on Ser Gilmore's arm. "Come with me, young man. We'll get you fixed up in no time."
#
Saitada sighed and turned her attention back to Eamon. "Does Anora being here affect our plans for the Landsmeet?
Anora shook her head. "I fear that my escape will make matters worse. Now that he cannot use me to support his claim on Maric's throne, he may resort to drastic measures to stay in power. I doubt he will say anything publically... at least until he has a better idea what to expect."
"How much time do we have to stop him?" Saitada asked. She already knew the answer, but she wanted a better idea of the angles Anora was going to play.
"Very little. We will need to work together, and quickly. My father has gone mad. I didn't believe it at first, but he is gripped by a paranoia so severe it prevents him from seeing sense. He saw me as a threat, yet even now I am certain he will be telling the nobles you are dangerous murderers that have kidnapped and mind-controlled me. He may even believe it."
"So we rescued you..." Cathiel folded her arms and glared at the woman. "To what end?"
"You will need ammunition come the Landsmeet, and I can help in that regard. You have only just arrived in the city, so perhaps you are unaware of some...recent events. Denerim has been in turmoil since Ostagar. Many people here are angry or grieving. Strangely, the unrest is worst in the alienage. Few elves accompanied the army. They should have little reason to be upset. Which means that Howe and my father must have given them reason. I don't know what is happening there, but I am certain my father has his hands in it."
"A useful lead, Anora, but... you could have sent this information with your maid," Eamon said.
"That is true. I feared for my safety as Howe's prisoner, but to tell the truth I sent Erlina to you because I hoped we might join forces. You need evidence for the Landsmeet, but you also need a stronger candidate for the throne. You need me."
"It sounds more like you need us." Saitada was content to let Cathiel do the talking. It freed her to watch Anora's face, and the anger in Cathiel's voice had Anora talking a bit more freely in an attempt to soothe the young woman's ruffled feathers.
"I have no doubt Alistair is biddable enough, and decent, but even with his blood he is no king. You think only I can see it? Not only that, Alistair is a Grey Warden. It will look like you are trying to put a Grey Warden on the throne, despite your claims. I am a neutral party - - and I am already queen."
Eamon shook his head. "Anora, you are indeed Cailan's widow, but..."
"I am the daughter of Ferelden's greatest general. Who do you think truly ruled this nation for the last five years? Cailan? I am what this country needs, not an untrained king who does not even want the throne. I can help you stop my father. Consider what I have said. For now, I think I will retire to my room. Commander, when you have a moment, I ask that you speak to me in private." She walked out of the room.
Eamon sighed. "Well, she's quite...spirited. I remember when Loghain first brought her to Denerim. Poor Cailan was a good boy, but Anora was always two steps ahead. Had him jumping when she snapped since the first time she batted her eyelashes. I cannot help thinking she may be trouble. But we should keep her close, all the same."
"Why do you think she's trouble?" Other than the obvious reasons, of course, Saitada thought to herself. But then, Eamon had his own hand in this particular game, even if he was a piece she controlled.
"This is an alliance of convenience-for the moment, we are united against Loghain. Be careful how much trust you place in her. I do not for a moment think Anora means to give up her power easily. Still, I would rather have her where we can watch her than actively working for Loghain."
"But aren't we planning to dispose her?" Cathiel asked.
"Anora was a capable administrator for Cailan's lands, but she has not a drop of royal blood. We did not fight the Orlesians all those years just to lose our royal line in a single generation. Not when there's a surviving son of the blood."
Saitada considered a moment. Alistair was still entirely too reluctant to take the throne. He was a warrior, and at times she could see the prince in him. He'd last ten minutes in Orzammar, but for Ferelden, he could be the stuff of legend. She knew her preferred solution. Perhaps it was time to give things a little push. "Maybe Alistair should marry Anora."
"Are you serious?" Alistair's jaw nearly unhinged. "No. Never mind. I-I don't' even want to hear the rest of this. Y-you two just keep talking about me. I'm going to stand over here, with my fingers in my ears."
Eamon actually looked like he was considering the idea. "That would certainly solve a lot of problems, and put forth the strongest argument before the Landsmeet to remove Loghain from power. With Theirin blood on the throne, and Anora's wisdom and popularity, Ferelden could present the most unified front against the Blight. Unfortunately, the marriage would never happen unless they both agreed to it." And they wouldn't, if she had her way. But then, that wasn't the point. "And I suspect that might take a lot of persuading to get past her pride and his humility."
#
Cathiel starred at Saitada. She waited until Eamon had left the room before the words burst out of her. "I cannot believe you just suggested that."
"Political marriages occur all the time." Saitada shrugged. "It's not like it would have to affect the two of you."
"This isn't Orzammar." Cathiel hissed. "I'm not going to be Alistair's concubine."
"No, I rather think you'd be better suited as his queen, but since the two of you seem content to merely carry on, I thought I'd examine other options." Saitada said.
Cathiel starred, dumbstruck, as Saitada continued. "Your parents did well by you, you are a capable administrator, a skilled warrior in your own right, and if I am beginning to understand Ferelden nobility, your blood is considerably closer to royal than Anora's. Highever and the Couslands are spoken of with respect, and after the deprivations of Arl Howe I can easily see Denerim rallying behind the last of the Couslands, returned to bring Howe to answer for his crimes."
Alistair interrupted, his voice low, "she makes a persuasive argument there."
Cathiel turned to face him. "Are you asking..."
"Marry me."
"Yes." Cathiel kissed him. "Yes."
She blinked as actual fireworks appeared in the air around them. With a sigh, she turned to look at Lenore. The mage was grinning quite unapologetically. She laughed, and then kissed Alistair again.
#
Saitada just shook her head. "Alright, I'll deal with Anora. Jerath..."
"I'm going to the Alienage."
"I need you to..."
"I'm going to the Alienage." Jerath stood up. Behind him, Morrigan rose quickly to follow.
Saitada sighed, and then nodded. "Very well. Take Sten and Zevran with you."
"I'm taking Alistair and Cathiel. They should see the alienage."
Saitada nodded. "Fine."
Jerath was already striding out of the room. Cathiel and Alistair scrambled quickly to follow.
