To Denerim now
Soldier's Peak, 9:30, Haring 10th Morning
"I'll fetch my family and next time you visit Soldier's Peak it will be a much happier place, I hope."
Mikhail smiled to Levi's word. He was very pleased to have convinced the trader to open a trading post at the old castle. Surely he had to wait till the blight was defeated but then he hoped to erect a strongpoint of the warden's order at this place. Levi had agreed to care about the woman they freed from the bandits and Mikhail hoped that one day she would forget the terrible events.
The lovely voice of Iona forced him to look at the other freed prisoner. Jon, the twelve-year-old boy they rescued, had been very attached to Iona after the hours they spent together waiting for the companions to return from the main building. The elven maid had begun to teach him the lyre and some songs and her soothing voice had done much to appease him.
"Jon, this I Mikhail." The boy gave the warrior an anxious look. "He looks a bit sinister, but he is really nice. See …" Iona dragged Mikhail near to her face and kissed him. She had planned to make it a short kiss, but couldn't help to follow up with a second, longer one, studying his eyes intensely. Realizing that she had clutched him way to long, she harrumphed hastily and addressed Jon, saying very earnestly, laying her small hand above Mikhail's heart: "If you have any problems and I'm not around, go to him, doesn't matter what it is or what bad jokes you've done. He'll always help you and never hurt you. I trust him and you should, too."
Answering Iona's speech with a puzzled looked, softening by the moment; Mikhail had to work hard to turn his face to Jon: "Iona is right. You're secure now. And every one will help you. Err … maybe apart from Morrigan." Mikhail pointed to the witch and smiled. "She's a bit grumpy and likes her solitude. And never ever drink something Oghren gave you." Iona gave him a rabbit punch and Jon smiled, at least a bit.
Denerim Gates, 9:30, Haring 16th Evening
The days on the road had been relatively easy, the weather cold but dry, no bandits attacking them and no soldiers pestering. This would come to an end at the gates, Mikhail feared. He hoped that they could enter the city without being noticed but the group was perhaps too flashy with its mix of human, elves and a Qunari. Trying not to act too eye-catching they formed a line with many other refugees and traders in front of the gates. Waiting for the allowance to enter, Mikhail had more than enough time to inspect the guards. At least they seemed to be ordinary city guards, neither Loghain's nor Howe's men. Perhaps …
"Hey you over there." Hope dies last. Mikhail thought and sighed deeply as a group of guards let by a sergeant neared. The sergeant was an elder, grizzled one, the face showing marks of many years of service, the eyes open and with a hint of intelligence not usual for his rank. "Don't be so shy. Come here. And your bunch of scoundrels too." The sergeant pointed to the other companions and for a moment Mikhail thought about fleeing irrespective of the dozen guards accompanying the sergeant. It was just a feeling that convinced him to follow the order.
"Hey, Kylon, what's that? They have to …" A snarl from the sergeant stopped the blabber of the guard corporal who extracted money from all entering the town. Kylon? Mikhail remembered the name, but was unable to put it …
"Hands away from your weapons, stay quiet and follow me." With Kylon besides Mikhail and his men around the group they felt like prisoners. "What …" Alistair's whisper was interrupted by Mikhail's sharp head-shaking? The warrior noticed two men near the gate which watched the group intensely. One of them followed the group while the other rushed away. They entered the market place but instead of crossing it to reach the guard barracks, Kylon turned to the right and ushered them to the court of a large estate.
"That's Arl Eamon's estate," Alistair mentioned with a puzzled look. Kylon looked at him with a stern face. "Sure. I had order to bring you here safely. Enjoy your stay and if you have to start trouble, do it in another part of the town." With a wave of his hand his men gathered and left the companions behind. They had only a few moments to marvel about the events before Teagan entered the court smiling broadly. "There you are. We were anxiously awaiting you."
Alistair grinned. "So this escort was your work? Nice done." Teagan nodded. "I feared there could be problems with the guards. Since we entered the city the estate had been watched and the gates, too, I think. Please come in." Mikhail stopped the companions. "One moment, Teagan, we'll follow swiftly." Waiting for Teagan to depart the warrior addressed Iona, giving her his family ring. "You know the house my mother owns, yes? The own where she resides if she visits Lady Landra, not our large city estate. Go there with the others; show this ring to the servants. I think it would be best if only Alistair, Natasha and I dwell in Arl Eamon's estate. And Leliana. She'll be our messenger. All others go with Iona and follow her orders, understood?"
"I assume this is because you don't trust Eamon and Teagan?" Zevran asked. Mikhail shook his head. "Teagan I trust. He is a very straight man with no ambitions. But his brother … we're no friends, only political allies. Our decision to make me king and not Alistair had done much to cool off our relation. I hope he'll stay to his word but we can't afford to be careless." Alistair seemed to disagree but stayed quiet. "Be careful, Mikhail", whispered Iona as she kissed him goodbye.
