The disguised Wardens followed Erlina towards the servant's entrance. Two guards stood outside, watching the door that led inside. "These men will know you are not new guards, so I will have to draw them away from the door," Erlina said. "Once they follow me, get inside as quickly as possible."

Erlina grabbed a heavy sack that was piled nearby and struggled towards the door. She fell under the weight of the sack and the guards went to help her up after exchanging a laugh at her misfortune. She said something to them, motioning that she had other sacks to bring inside. They seemed loath to help her, but followed her to pile of goods on the other side of the wall.

The Wardens quickly slipped inside, not knowing where to go next. The back rooms of the estate were crowded with goods, so they hesitantly moved forward blindly and found their way into the small barracks. "Let's sit down and act casual," Temene said quietly, sitting down at an empty table.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Leliana asked, peeking out from behind her heavy helmet.

"I don't know. Erlina didn't tell us what room Anora was in," Temene replied, trying to glance around the room furtively.

They sat for a moment longer, pretending to talk about the shift they had just finished. Erlina slipped into the barracks with another sack and looked in their direction. Despite their uniforms, they looked like an odd band of guards with a lumbering Qunari and two petite women. "Let's go," Temene looked around, pretending to stretch. "I am ready to hit the bed roll," she said, loud enough to be heard.

They left the barracks through the door Erlina had passed through and found her waiting in the hallway. "The Queen is being held down here," Erlina whispered. She led them to the heavy wooden door that led into Anora's room. It was held shut with a magical ward.

"You mentioned nothing about magic," Temene whispered angrily.

"Lady Anora, the Grey Wardens are here," Erlina spoke towards the door.

"Hello," a voice called from behind the door. "I thank you for helping me."

"We may not be able to," Temene replied. "I do not believe I can dispel this ward."

"You can try, can't you?" Erlina asked. "The mage employed by Arl Howe stays at his side."

"We do not have a choice," Temene shook her head and pulled Spellweaver from her back. She charged the sword and stuck the ward but it had no effect and caused her to stumble backwards.
"Only the mage's own staff will dispel this," Temene added.

"I doubt the mage will be willing to hand it over," Sten grumbled.

"There is no other choice then," Anora said from beyond the door. "You must find the mage and get me out of here. I don't know what Howe will do next if I remain here."

Temene sighed and sheathed her sword. "Where will the mage be?" Temene asked Erlina.

"The Arl has been spending a lot of time in the dungeons below the estate," Erlina answered. "The mage will be with him."

"So much for sneaking out of here," Temene frowned. "The dungeon guards will likely know we do not belong."

"I will remain here then," Erlina replied. "The dungeons are down the hall, past the small chapel."

Temene was concerned that they were locked in a hostile environment but hoped all the newly recruited guards wouldn't put up much of a fight. They made their way towards the dungeons, trying to look inconspicuous. Most of the guards they passed took no notice but as they entered the dungeons, one of the guards questioned them. "Who are you? You don't belong here," the guard asked, before an arm quickly pulled him towards a nearby cell and snapped his neck.

The mysterious prisoner grabbed the sword from the guard's belt and disappeared to the back of his cell. "I hope you are friends," the prisoner said, brandishing the sword.

"Yes, we are friends," Leliana replied, trying to pick the lock of the cell.

"Another Orlesian?" the man replied, looking down at Leliana. "Alistair, is that you?"

"Wait, I remember you," Alistair said, squinting into the cell. "I do not recall your name. You were with Duncan when he came to the Chantry."

"He is another Grey Warden?" Temene asked. "How did you escape Ostagar?"

"I am Riordan. I was not at Ostagar. I was one of the few Wardens not sent with the King's army. I was sent to investigate matters here in Denerim when the Arl captured me. I have been in this cell for months."

Leliana managed to pick the lock and released the door. "I have only heard of the horrors that have befallen the land. And I have had the nightmares that signify the Blight. Tell me, has the archdemon appeared yet?" Riordan asked.

"We saw the dragon while in Orzamar. It has not yet been seen on the surface, but it cannot be long," Temene replied.
"You are another Warden?" Riordan asked.

"The last recruit of Duncan," Temene nodded.

"May the Maker guide his soul," Riordan closed his eyes for a moment.

"You look very weak," Leliana observed.

"Take this guard's armor and escape. Go to the Arl of Redcliffe's estate near the market. We will return there once we have rescued the queen," Alistair said.

They helped Riordan into the armor, which didn't fit his starved frame, but would work to get him out safely. They continued through the dungeon where they were immediately questioned again by more guards. It was no use trying to fool them, so the Wardens were forced to fight. The guards were fortunately under skilled and fell without much effort. The Wardens heard cries of pain and followed the sounds, finding the Arl in the midst of torturing a young female prisoner.

"Who are you? What are you doing down here?" Howe looked at them suspiciously. "Wait, I know you. The bastard son of Maric. You do look a lot like your half brother," he sneered.

"We are here for your mage's staff," Temene replied.

"And you must be the other Warden Loghain told me about. The elf that can't keep her mouth shut," Howe smiled slightly. "I at least envy the Qunari for having enough sense to cut their mage's tongues out."

Sten muttered something in Qunari and took a step towards Howe. "Do you really think you will make it out of here alive?" Howe asked.

"One way or another, I will be taking that staff," Temene replied, looking at the mage who stood at Howe's side. He was attempted to cast a spell silently, but a quick shock from her hands stopped him. The fighting erupted quickly as the other guards in the room rushed towards them, with Howe yelling behind them.

The room was full of dangerous torture devices which were hard to avoid, but the guards were overmatched. Sten knocked several down with one blow as more came rushing in after hearing the noise. Temene tried to grab the staff from the mage who had been playing possum. He burnt her arm with a fist of fire but she quickly thrust Spellweaver into his side. She held her hand over the wound, trying to heal it, but it had burnt her deeply through the armor. "Are you alright?" Alistair asked, seeing her pained face. He rushed to her side and held her from fainting.

"Let's get out of here," she replied with a wince.

The pain in her arm doubled her over but she held onto the mage's staff for balance. The tortured prisoner had been killed but the Wardens managed to free many others who had been held in the dungeons. They returned carefully to Anora's door and Temene was easily able to dispel the ward with the mage's staff. "You are injured," Anora said with a look on concern. She cast a glance at Alistair and went immediately pale. "By the Maker, you do look like Cailan," she added with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"We should get out of here quickly," Alistair insisted, looking concerned at Temene's condition.

"I am ready to leave," Anora announced.

They headed towards the exit of the estate but found the way blocked. Cauthrien, the woman who had come with Loghain to the Eamon's estate, stood in their way. "Stop right there," Cauthrien ordered. "You've murdered the Arl of Denerim and countless guards. Lay down your arms and surrender or die."

"The Arl was holding the Queen prisoner. We were here to protect her from Howe," Temene replied.

"They were trying to kidnap me!" Anora lied. "Get them away from me!"

"You bitch!" Temene swore as one of Cauthrien's men grabbed her by her injured arm. She cried out in pain loudly and struck him in the face with her other hand. The man struggled with her as the other men tried to detain the others. Temene felt only a sharp blow to the back of her head before she blacked out.