9:31 Wintermarch 30th
We're halfway to Denerim or at least all the major players are. Everyone was given a mount to ride on, good horses that can go long distances without tiring. They were supplied by the horse master Dennet. Yes, that horse master. I was surprised as well when I met him.
We nearly reached the Brecilian Forest on just one day's travel. The soldiers will meet us at the estate that Eamon has at Denerim.
Eamon called on the soldiers early morning to make sure they were all ready to head out to Denerim. The rest of us were getting ready as well. I was being shown by Eren how to properly mount a horse. Out of all the years that I've been here, I have never rode on horseback.
"You take your leg and place it here and grab onto the saddle. Take a good jump, your leg should go over on the other side. Don't worry about riding her, she'll be attached to my own horse. These horses are made for long distance riding." Eren said.
"I'm already getting nervous about all of this. I mean, we did it, we actually did it! We got our allies! Now if only the rest of the country would follow…"
"That's why we're going to Denerim. Once we have everyone following behind us, we'll be ready for the Darkspawn."
"And then our marvelous journey will be done." Morrigan said, coming up to Eren.
"Oh I don't think I'll be done with you yet Morrigan."
"Ahem, I'm still here you know?"
"Then look away."
"Sure, I'll go gagged out my breakfast while I'm at it too." Morrigan laughed as Eren grabbed her by the waist. I shook my head and went to the others. Jowan, Talen, Wynne, Derek, and Oghren are going to be making the trip by the wagon at the end of everyone. Eamon doesn't even want to look at Jowan.
"Yo guys, ready to set off?" I asked.
"Ready as we'll ever be missy." Derek said, making sure Lily was ready. I saw Wynne's look of disapproval at Eren and Morrigan's obvious display of PDA.
"I'm guessing you don't like what you're seeing?"
"Morrigan is dangerous, young, and cunning. Eren has been swayed by her beauty. Pity he did not choose you over her."
"Wynne I'm-"
"I understand but I'd rather deal with you two than with them too. I understand that Morrigan has some underlying intent to all of this, I am sure of it."
"I think we all know that Wynne. But then what about Leliana and Talen? You haven't said anything about them."
"It is because I see them better themselves. Leliana has accepted parts of herself she didn't want to and she keeps Talen calm through his rage. She's a side of maturity that Talen desperately needs. I'll admit that Talen was a very difficult apprentice in the Circle."
"Really? No wait, I can believe that considering how he is now." Wynne chuckled.
"When he first came in the Circle, he was a small child, the youngest we've ever found. He was five years old. Templars said that they found him wandering the forest, setting fires as he would go and laughing at them. He was always an unruly child but he enjoyed attention. When he found that he got attention by doing his studies, he studied even more. He was a gifted apprentice when it came to the Primal tree, as we all see now. But I could always tell that Talen had a compassionate side that he didn't know about. Maybe that is why he grew attached to Jowan and wanted to learn beside him. He was surprised to learn that Creation came easily to him."
"Fire doesn't always destroy."
"No, fire can also make and preserve life. Where would we be if not the fire that is stoke during the long and wintery nights? I knew that Talen would make something greater of himself. Becoming a Grey Warden was the best thing for him I believe and having Leliana around makes him greater as well."
"So that's why you don't say anything to him?"
"Oh I have said something. I told him what if he had to choose between the sacrifice and her. He told me that he would find a middle ground, that there is always a third option. Talen always grabs that as his rule. He is a blood mage that has found a use for it for mastery of healing. He drank the potion in Soldier's Peak, not to make him stronger, but to protect others. Talen might be brash but he is an honest person."
"Yeah, who would have thought huh? Anyway, make sure that you guys stay safe ok?"
"And you as well."
"Wynne did you get everything?" Talen asked, putting his pack in the wagon.
"Yes I have."
"Wynne you almost forgot this!" Leliana said, carrying a bag that I recognized that Wynne used it for her potions.
"Oh my bag of components! Thank you my dear."
"I saw that you left it near the main hall door."
"Oh thank you for picking up after this old lady."
"Come on we're burning daylight!" Oghren shouted.
"I'd better get back to Eren." I said.
"Of course. We shall be right behind you Nia." I went over to the horse that was chosen for me and I saw Zevran on his own coming up behind me.
"Ah you are ready mi niña?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." I got up on the saddle before Eren came and got on his own horse. There was a raven on his shoulder. Morrigan squawked at me.
"Yeah, I know. I could only be envious at you since you can fly." Morrigan let out a series of squawks that I knew were laughter.
"You can understand her while she is in that form?" Zevran asked.
"More or less." Eren clacked his tongue and we rode out of the castle. Eamon was already waiting for us at the main gates.
"We shall continue to Denerim, my soldiers on our heel. I have already sent world for my estate to be cleaned for our arrival."
"Oh? An estate? Much more better than the flea bitten tents that we have."
"Didn't stop you and Tomas from going crazy in them."
"Nor did it stop me and Jowan from it as well last night."
"Zevran you didn't!?" Zevran laughed and I saw Sten riding up next to us.
"To Denerim then." Eamon said. It was a jarring and painful experience to ride a horse for that amount of time. I never rode a horse that long before. We got off once it started to get dark. Everything was killing me.
"Ow! How can you ride these things?" I groaned in pain, sitting down near my tent.
"I find it hard to believe you've never rode a horse in all your life." Alistair said, sitting down next to me.
"I didn't ride horses in my world. We had something different."
"Really? What was that mi niña?"
"They were called cars. They were big metal objects ran with gas that had the power of over 50 horses."
"Now that I find hard to believe." Eren said.
"So…we're nearing Denerim huh?" I said.
"We will be there shortly." Sten said.
"It was easier fighting things and abominations, now we've got to fight people." I mumbled.
"It's a civil war Nia. We will try not to but you know who are enemies are."
"Loghain."
"And Howe." Alistair's and Eren's faces both grow dark.
"Hey I know you two want to kill them but our priorities are getting everyone to side together." I said.
"It is true though should you need them to have an…accident, I will place myself under your orders." Zevran said.
"Well for once we can use your talents." Alistair said. Zevran laughed.
"Let's get some rest. Eamon would have us wake up early to make the rest of the way there." Eren said.
I'm getting anxious the closer we get to Denerim. It has stopped snowing for a while. The ground was still frozen but the snow was starting to recede. Derek was right. This was going to be a short winter and then the cold won't be able to stop the Darkspawn. They'll start to ravage the entire country like a black plague. I hope we'll be able to band together before all of that happens.
9:31 Guardian 1st
The rest of the ride to Denerim was uneventful. We got here nighttime. The estate is huge! The ride was silent as we kept on riding. I couldn't do anything because my butt hurt so much. It hurt even more because I had to keep on riding. Eamon was dead set on getting there as quickly as possible to not give Loghain time to launch something against us. No doubt his recovery has already spread throughout the nobles during our time in the Brecilian Forest.
Morrigan was lucky that she didn't have to suffer like I did. I noticed that her and Eren were getting together more frequently than usual. No doubt she wants him to be in love with her once the ritual happens so that he would choose it. I would as well considering we'll have a chance for everyone to survive. If not, someone will have to die. Talen, Derek, Alistair, or Eren. Riordan won't be able to since he'll die before the time comes. I couldn't imagine any of them dying but I know they would to save the country.
At this time I can't predict nothing. I know where everything will go if someone dies and if someone doesn't die. I have too much variables now but there is one advantage I do have; I know what to say to the nobles in order to have the most approval amongst them all. It'll be good to also have Anora's support but that can only happen if we make sure she'll have the throne. Either we'll lie to her or Alistair or Eren marries her.
There are so many things that can go wrong now. I'll have to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I might have been able to do much of anything up to this point, but I will make sure that this time I'll do my best to save everyone I can. I won't lie down while all of this is going on. I know I'll be going home eventually but, until then, I'll do all in my power to secure this nation. Either way it's late, I got my own bed, time to sleep.
9:31 Guardian 2nd
Can I say that I hate Loghain and Howe? We have met. Everyone got up early in the morning and were at their respective places. I decided to join the four GWs out in the main hall with Eamon. The soldiers have all started to march into the estate. I have to say they are fast marchers or our group apparently liked to take our time when traveling.
"It is good that you are all here. Alistair, Eren, Talen, and Derek. It is best that we have Denerim at our side. This city is the soul and heart of Ferelden. The birthplace of Andraste and the city that the great King Maric fought for from the Orlesians. It is known for its stubbornness which is good when dealing with some of the people who live here. If we defeat Loghain here, the rest of the country will soon follow. Since I have called the Landsmeet, I have laid the first blow against Loghain. The advantage is our for now and he will have no choice but to show himself and oppose us. He will strike at us that is for certain. The only question remains is how long will he take to do so. Be ready Grey Wardens."
"My lord, Arl Redon How and Lord Loghan Mac Tir are at the gates." A servant came to warn us.
"Then let him in." The servant went and left. "It seems that we did not have to wait long for him to make his appearance."
"Loghain is probably going to check himself to see if you live or not." Derek said. Alistair had a scowl on his face and was glaring at the main gates.
"Alistair, calm down. You too Eren."
"I am calm." They both said. I gave them a flat look before the door opened. Loghain came in. He was a big man, tall, imposing, especially with all that heavy plate armor on. He had a frown on his face but his stride suggested that he was confident in meeting with us. Next to him was his lieutenant, Ser Cauthrien. She was as tall as Loghain, which was saying something. Then there was Arl Rendon How, the betrayer next to them. When his eyes caught Eren's, they glared.
"Loghain…It is an honor for the Regent to find time to greet me personally for coming into the city." Loghain smirked. This was a man forged by battle, you could see it in his face.
"How could I not greet the man that would call upon ever single lord for a Landsmeet while our very country is being raked by a blight?" My rage was burning and boiling inside me. He wasn't even trying to fight the blight!
"The Blight is the reason I am here Loghain. Ferelden must have a king on the throne to lead it against the darkspawn."
"Ferelden already has a strong leader! Or have you forgotten your Queen Anora? I am leading her armies as we speak against the menace that would tear down our walls."
"If Queen Anora still rules why isn't she here to speak for herself?" Eren said. Loghain's focus on Eamon left and he looked at Eren.
"Pft, and who is this stray that you picked up Eamon? Here I thought the only dogs you took care of were royal bastards."
"Well at least you noticed the royal part." Alistair mumbled.
"My name is Eren Cousland, the one of the last of my family and Grey Warden."
"Eren Cousland?" Loghain gave Howe a sidelong glance. "Warden, pity that your order vanished at Ostagar and then chose to turn again Ferelden." I saw Eren giving him a dark look before I tapped on his hand.
"Enough of these hidden words that we are all not saying, when is the Landsmeet?" Eren said.
"Do not interrupt when your betters are talking, churl." Cauthrien said.
"Depends if those betters are traitors and backstabbers." I said.
"How dare you-!"
"Enough Ser Cauthrien. This is not the time nor the place. I had hope that you would stand down from your actions Eamon. Our king is dead, the country is frightened, and our land under siege. We must unite against the Blight or lest this crisis ruin the very country your sister, Queen Rowan, restored. Would you destroy the work she created? Your own selfish intentions to gain power at the throne will weaken our efforts to combat the blight!"
"If you really want to save this nation, then stand with us." Eren said. Alistair looked at him wide eyed as well as I did.
"Do you really believe me a fool? I will not put my faith in untried foreign hands! Your King Cailan believed in the prowess and stories of the Grey Wardens against the darkspawn and look where that ended. No more tall tales, let us only speak of reality."
"No more of your lies Loghain. The Maker might forgive you but not I, not for what you have done. The people deserve a king of the Theirin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory against the Blight."
"Oh so I have to lead all our allies and the people of Ferelden against the blight? No pressure…" Loghain got up real close to Eamon.
"The emperor of Orlais also underestimated my ability to tear down his armies. I will show you no mercy just as I did him. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my homeland." Loghain said, turning and made his way out the gate.
"Nice to you see again Eren, and your little whore." Rendon Howe whispered before leaving with Loghain. I clenched my fists as they walked out of the main hall. As soon as the door closed, I growled.
"Oh! I am going to punch Howe in the face, just you watch!"
"Nia…"
"That was…unexpected. I didn't expect Loghain to come to us so soon."
"So what do we do now?" Derek asked.
"Calling the Landsmeet was only the first of what we must do. We must rally the nobles against Loghain and that won't be an easy feat to do. We need to scour the city of his misdeeds. Loghain has been here for months and his schemes must begin here. The sooner we find what he has been doing, the better we can use what we find against him."
"Politics…" Talen groaned.
"Get used to them kid." Derek said.
"Go look into the city and see what will turn up. Even better, go and find the nobles that have arrived in the Landsmeet. Test the waters, see how many will support us. Eren, Alistair, when you are both ready with a strategy, come upstairs to my sitting room. We can put together a plan for the Landsmeet. Good hunting Wardens." Eamon said, going up to his room. Eren put his hands to his temples.
"What now Eren?" Eren get out a breath.
"Get everyone together and meet at the dining hall. We will need everyone's cooperation on this." Eren said. We nodded and I went to look for the others. Wynne walked into the main hall when I told her to go to the dining hall.
"We have much work to do." Wynne said.
"Yeah no kidding. Oghren is already in there. Do you know where the others could be?"
"I believe I saw Leliana and Zevran in the library."
"Good, I'll pick them up." I went to the library and I saw both of them going through what Eamon had.
"Find anything interesting?"
"There is one book here that details the relationship of a maid and her lord." Zevran said, winking at me.
"And you Nia? How are you?"
"I'm good. Eren called up a meeting in the dining hall. We should get ourselves there."
"Good, I have been waiting to see what we can do about this situation with Ferelden."
"Oh man Leliana, you have no idea how bad this country has it." All three of us when into the dining hall. Everyone was there minus Eren.
"Where's Eren?" I asked.
"It seems that he got caught up in something with Eamon." Derek said, sitting down. I heard a loud belch come from the tankard. Oghren was swaying slightly.
"Oh was that me?" Morrigan's nose turned up in disgust.
"Ugh, must you do that around me?"
"Hehe, don't knock it until you try it witch." Eren came into the room along Alistair.
"Good you are all here. As you've heard, Loghain came as soon as we got settled. He has already made his position very clear and that position is that he is against us."
"No surprise there." Talen said.
"What do you propose we do mi amigo?"
"I will go and find the nobles that have come and try to persuade them into our side." Eren said. "Morrigan, Sten, and Alfred will be joining me. Talen, take Leliana, Zevran, and Nia into the city to find out about any unusual unrest. Derek, Oghren, Alistair, Jowan, and Wynne do the same. Find anything that relates to Loghain. We'll meet back here once the sun is high in the sky. Be safe everyone. We're on Loghain's territory now. We don't know what he has planned for us."
"I do not see why we do not march right into his castle and kill him there."
"Yes and the fact that he has a whole army to command is lost on you."
"Why must we go about this in a roundabout way?"
"Because that's now this works Morrigan. I don't like it either."
"Well, we're not going to get anything done while standing here and talking about how unfair everything is. Let's get going." I said. Talen, Leliana, Zevran, and I went out the doors and into the city. It was cold out with a few clouds but none that looked like rain or snow.
"Alright Leliana and Zevran, time to use your information abilities and see what's out there." I said. Leliana giggled.
"There is not much to be found in this city mi niña but there is always one place where gossip and rumors abound."
"A place where all sorts of people gather." All three us looked at each other.
"The market place." We all said at the same time.
"It's eerie how all of you got to that conclusion so quickly." Talen said.
"We all have great minds that think alike, don't we mi niña?"
"Yep. So let's go and see what the people are talking about right?" We go into the city. The marketplace was a step away from Eamon's estate. People were hustling here and there, trying to sell off their goods. Leliana and I acted the interested patrons and went to look through the goods.
"Have you heard that they closed off the alienage?"
"Good, all the rioting there was starting to drive me mad."
"No, no, it was something else! Apparently there was a plague running rampant. They closed the gates in order to keep it in."
"Better for the elves than for the rest of us then." I glared at the man that said that before Leliana, tapped on my shoulder. I looked away. I hated that they were sold into slavery. We had to do something about that as quickly as possible. We moved over to another stall.
"I heard that my sister's nephew got caught in the back alleys by some thugs. Robbed him blind!"
"What are these soldiers doing with their time? I came to Denerim to escape bandits, not to be killed in a back alley."
"It's because Howe keeps on sending them incompetent noble men bastard sons."
"I swear why can't those nobles keep it in their breeches?" I heard Leliana snort at that. If we can get the soldier's to like us, it'd be a good thing.
"And they say there hasn't been a word from her?"
"Shh!...No, he has her all locked in her room, what do I do?"
"Keep your mouth shut that's what."
"But she's the qu-"
"I said shut it!" Leliana and I shared a glance again. I knew what this was. Queen Anora has been taken captive by Howe. There was no doubt in that but when would her servant come? That I wasn't sure of.
"Ah two beautiful ladies, may I ask your intentions in this marketplace are? It seems that you are merely browsing." I looked at the heavy accent and recognized the man as Master Ignacio. He had a shaven head and many wrinkles but his eyes were sharp.
"I haven't found anything that really peaks my fancy." I said. I knew this guy from the game was a Crow. I looked for Zevran but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"We have much to offer señorita, or should I say señora?"
"An Antivan then?" I said.
"Of course although Cesar handles the stock, I handle other affairs. Business meetings and deals." I remembered a certain quest to save a noble's son. If I was able to do that then we would have another noble at our side.
"Do you need any help?" I said. Ignacio laughed.
"Not from you señora."
"Hey have you found anything?" Talen said, coming up behind us. Ignacio's eyes twitched for a second.
"A few things, how about we go over there so we can tell you?" I said, pushing Talen away from the stalls. Zevran came up next to us and took a glance to Ignacio.
"Someone you recognize?" I asked.
"Someone that is better left alone for now." We all leaned against some of the housing near the alienage. I kept on looking at those closed gates. We needed to get in there somehow.
"So what have you found?" Talen asked.
"Elven riots and they have closed them in. I suspect that there is an underlying cause to this however." Leliana said.
"Some of the guards aren't doing their jobs out in the back alleys. If we can get the guards to like the wardens, I think that might be added support." I said.
"There was also an interesting piece of information concerning the queen." Zevran said.
"Queen Anora?" Talen asked.
"It sounds that she is being held captive by one Rendon Howe." Zevran said.
"Andraste's breath, that is not good."
"But we can also use this to our advantage. If the Queen really is being held captive and the wardens rescue her, she may be drawn to our side." Leliana said.
"If things would be that simple then the world would be easier to live in…" I said.
"I think I know what to do for now. Nia is right about the guards. If we can get them on our side and stop people from talking badly about the Wardens, then we'll have less work to do for our reputation."
"Then we have our first mission then."
I know I said I'd be updating on the 17th but I got done editing early. Can you believe we only have 10 more chapters!? Crazy!
Shout out to AmmoKan, Exzellima, and ThelonewolfNT for favoriting/following this story!
Hypermuffins: Thank you :3 I saw the one you're writing about but I'm keeping away from DAI stories to avoid spoilers. I have tons of info to look up to make sure everything is accurate. I have all the books, the bestiary, and I constantly look up info on the Wiki. Thank you, I try to write in a way that is easy to imagine :3
Shattered Soul 2021: I love the traveling chapters too, gives a break from the story. I know, sentiment right? But nothing that extreme is going to happen, well extreme things will happen but not that. And yes this one will have a happy ending :3
Dforce76: I know right! 50 chapters! I couldn't have done it without support from you guys! :D the landsmeet is one of the favorite chapters, you'll see. It's gonna be awesome!
EG: Yes I liked the song and thank you for your suggestion :3 I don't get many.
PetalsOfSin: Thank you. I haven't gotten a lot of feedback from the changes I got in the earlier chapters and thank you for your offer, but there isn't anyone that can edit perfectly in 3 days with the way I upload everything lol
Thank you ZA for your review and I corrected the mistake Ariel Wild. Please review!
