Solona watched as her sister left the estate, heading off into the twilight of the market. They had spoken for hours, of everything and nothing, merely getting to know each other. It turned out Revka was an accomplished seamstress, having won several local competitions, and even having done some work on special robes for the sisters of the Denerim Chantry. She also liked music, and was very interested to hear Leliana play and sing. When she had asked what Solona enjoyed, Solona had been hard-pressed to answer. She liked sex and sparring, to be perfectly honest. She also liked venturing into the Fade more and more, now that her control was becoming so strong. She had yet to truly straddle the Veil, but venturing into and out of the Fade was done more easily every time, and the last time she had done so, the night before while still on the road, she could feel her body out in the waking world. She was very close to finding the secret to staying awake and alert, both in the Fade and out, to truly existing and drawing power from both worlds. As much as she hated sitting still and centering herself enough to do it, it was fascinating once she was there.

She didn't say all of that, however. She made up some excuse about not having time for leisure activities and changed the focus of the conversation back to Revka. It was certainly true, unless lovemaking counted as leisure. If that were the case, then there was very little that could happen in the world to keep her from engaging in at least that.

When she could at last no longer see her sister in the distance, Solona turned to go back inside the estate, whistling for Max as she went. The dog was under strict orders not to leave the grounds, as well, as the mabari was not a common breed. Certainly, no stray mabari existed in the streets, leaving him unable to wander the city on his own, either. This left him to take care of his business in one spot along the wall separating the grounds of the estate from the market. He was not pleased – his three joys in life were eating, sleeping, and marking vertical objects, with a possible fourth being impregnating the arl's hunting dogs – but he did as he was told regardless. At her whistle, he bounded toward her, obviously feeling playful.

"Max!" she shrieked, taken unawares as he hit her hard on the rump with his head. The mage went down, just managing to avoid cracking her jaw on the stone floor. She laughed as she rolled onto her back and his big head filled her vision. Within seconds she and the dog were in an all-out wrestling match in the entrance hall to the Arl of Redcliffe's estate. Not something she ever imagined she would be doing, but it was fun, and it reminded her that she was not the only one feeling useless being so idle. Mabari required much exercise and other stimulation, being as smart as they were.

A few minutes later, things calmed down, the dog rolling over onto his back for a belly rub as they both panted. Grinning, she leaned over him, careful to avoid his lower half as she scratched.

"I always loved watching my sister play with her mabari."

Solona looked up, seeing Fergus Cousland leaning against the doorway leading to the hallway that led to the kitchen. "Your sister had a mabari?"

He smiled, nodding. The smile was… tight. She supposed she couldn't blame him. While the girl's body had not been found when he returned home with less than half the men he had left with for Ostagar, she was still assumed dead. "Yes. Our father got her for my sister when she was a pup herself, only 11 summers under her belt. But she wanted one, and our father could never say no to her. So he did his research, found the best breeder nearby that he could, and somehow managed to finagle a puppy out of them."

Stroking Max's head, Solona regarded the Cousland heir. "They're good dogs. I know I trust my life to Max, and everyone else's, as well. He's incredibly smart, and sweet and kind." Smiling, she ruffed his face with both hands. "And he's sweet on Leliana, which always helps."

Fergus pushed himself off from the wall, coming to stand next to her before kneeling on his haunches to pet the dog. Max allowed it, as he knew Fergus was one of them, but he was incredibly standoffish, looking away. Fergus laughed, dropping his hands. "Yes, that's about how it works. I'm not part of your pack, am I, boy?" Max gave a small chuff of agreement. "That's all right. I appreciate you letting me stroke your fur nonetheless."

Standing, Fergus offered Solona a hand, which she took, being propelled to her feet. She was of a height with Fergus, probably a half-inch taller than he was, even. They were probably evenly matched in strength, given that he definitely had an advantage in muscle-mass. Getting an idea, she grinned, cocking her head to the side.

"Teyrn-"

He cut her off. "Call me by my title, and I'll call you by yours, Warden-Commander. Every time."

She snorted. "Fair enough. Fergus. Fancy a sparring session? I'm sure you're feeling just as useless and restless as I am, having to stay cooped up here."

His face split into a wide grin. "Sparring with the Warden-Commander of Ferelden? I would be a fool to turn you down!"

Laughing, she clapped him on the back before having him lead the way.

An hour later, they were sweaty and tired. Fergus was shirtless in the stuffy, windowless room, while Solona had stripped down to her breast-band and trousers. She had asked him if he minded, but it was so hot and close in that room, she almost didn't care if he did. The thing was secure enough to hold her breasts in place while wrestling and sparring out on the road – she didn't think it would suddenly fail now. Luckily, she was right.

However, it almost caused a scandal when a servant, Alistair's friend Ellia, ran in to fetch them.

"Warden-Commander, the arl-"

That was as far as the poor girl got, freezing in place and gaping like a fish.

"Yes?" Solona asked, slightly amused.

The girl recovered admirably, averting her eyes and stammering ahead. "I apologize, I did not mean to intrude…"

Solona grinned. "It's all right, Ellia. We were just sparring, and it got incredibly hot in here. I didn't mean to horrify you. Nothing untoward happening here."

"Aside from your lack of attire, you mean," Fergus teased.

She scowled in his direction. "So men can be shirtless to avoid the heat, but a fighting woman cannot do the same?"

He grinned. "I think you should take whatever advantage you can. Though I don't think the darkspawn would be nearly as distracted as your comrades by your nudity."

"If this is as naked as you think I can effectively fight, we should exchange some stories," she said with a snort.

"I'd love to hear them, over an ale. But perhaps we should let the poor, scandalized servant tell us why she came running in here looking for you first?"

Solona's face flushed a little. "Right… Ellia, what was it you needed?"

The elf just looked slightly amused, now that she knew she hadn't walked in on some strange lead up to lovemaking. "Yes, Warden-Commander. Arl Eamon needs your presence at once. Yours, as well, Teyrn Cousland."

"What about?" Solona asked, pulling her shirt over her head before re-securing Duncan's sword to her back and his dagger to her hip. She needed to get accustomed to them, and she couldn't channel magic right now anyway, so she had left her enchanted sword in her room.

Ellia shook her head. "I do not know, ser. He would not tell a servant that, I think."

"Fair point. Sorry. I'm not used to all this… rank."

Fergus clapped her on the shoulder before replacing his own shirt, tucking it in to his trousers somewhat haphazardly. "Get used to it, Solona. You are among the nobility now, not on the road with your troops."

"Well, perhaps you can give me some advice on that after we see what all this is about, since you're such an expert at it, Fergus."

Laughing, they followed Ellia to Eamon's study.

Only a small smile persisted upon her face when they finally crossed the threshold to the room. Sitting with Isolde and Eamon was a dark-haired elven woman, the tips of her ears standing out from the simple ponytail she wore. Her skin was very pale, the maroon and purples of her dress stunning against it. She turned her head as Solona and Fergus entered the room, her brows furrowed in a look of concern. Solona could not help noting how beautiful the small woman was, as different as she looked from the mage's own lover.

"Ah, Warden! Here you are again!" Eamon stood, crossing to her and Fergus. "This is-"

The elf shot up from her seat, cutting the arl off as she looked pleadingly into Solona's eyes. "I am Erlina, Queen Anora's handmaiden. Please, you must help me!" She had a strong Orlesian accent.

"… Or perhaps the young lady prefers to speak for herself," Eamon finished, a slight look of annoyance on his face.

"Please, Warden! My Lady is in trouble at Arl Howe's estate! I-"

"Slow down, please!" Solona interjected, taking light hold of the woman's arms to ground her. "What happened? What do you need my help with?"

The woman stared up at Solona for a moment before taking a deep breath and starting again. "The queen is in a difficult position. She loved her husband dearly, and when her father returned with no king and dark rumors, she was very concerned. But when she tries to speak with her father, he does not answer. He tells her 'not to trouble' herself. So she goes to Howe. A visit from the queen to the new Arl of Denerim is only a matter of courtesy, after all. At the meeting, she demands answers!"

Solona frowned, releasing the small woman and crossing her arms over her chest. She towered over the servant. "That didn't go well, I imagine."

She shook her head adamantly. "He calls her every sort of name, 'traitor' being the kindest, and locks her in a guest room! I was then called 'knife ear' and thrown out!"

Solona frowned. "I see… Why would he do that? How could he get away with it? Would Loghain let him do this?"

The woman hesitated before answering. "I think her life is in danger, Warden. I heard Howe say she would be a greater ally dead than alive. Especially if her death could be blamed upon Arl Eamon."

Solona raised a brow. "It is seriously working in our favor that people forget elves have such sharp hearing. And the intelligence to remember what they hear." She heard a faint snort from behind her, where Fergus remained. "But… Erlina, was it? Would Loghain kill his own daughter? Just to frame Arl Eamon?"

Eamon himself answered. "We may have no choice but to trust Anora. The queen is well-loved. If Loghain risked everything to pin her death on me? I'm not sure that's a risk we can afford to take."

"So you want me to, what… sneak in and break her out? What happened to the 'no leaving the estate' rule?"

Eamon raised a brow. "You will not do anything. Your fellow warden and your companions, however, will infiltrate the Arl of Denerim's estate in the uniform of the city guard. Loghain has been lending the city guard to Howe, and I happen to have a selection of their armor in my armory."

"So why are you asking for my help, then?"

"They are under your command, Warden-Commander. You must ask them to do this."

"They are under no one's command, Your Grace." Solona frowned as she continued. "They follow myself and Alistair of their own free will. The only person I command is Alistair, and then only nominally."

"Well, then see who would be willing to infiltrate in the guise of heavy armor. This is too important an opportunity. If the queen is at all sympathetic to our cause, it will strike a huge blow to Loghain.'s cause. Not to mention that if she does end up killed, it will be pinned upon me, which would be crippling to our cause."

Solona finally uncrossed her arms, sighing loudly. "All right. I will speak with them when everyone has returned."

"Erlina, is there anything else you can share with us?" the arl asked.

The elf hesitated again, looking up into Solona's eyes before answering. "I will show you to the servants' entrance once you are ready."

Nodding, Eamon gestured for Ellia, who had remained by the door. "Please get her something to eat and a place among the servants' quarters to rest until she is needed."

"Yes, Your Grace," the redheaded elf said with a curtsey, taking Erlina's hand and leading her from the room, a kind look upon her face.

"I will await the others in my rooms, Your Grace," Solona said before stalking off, Fergus only a step behind her.

"Warden, I wish to come," he said as soon as they were away from Eamon's door.

Stopping and turning, she frowned at him. "You have to stay here because you might lose your temper in the street. Why would it be wise to put you in Howe's very house?"

His gaze was hard, brooking no argument. "That bastard killed my parents and my sister. He killed my wife and child, but not before making them suffer. He slaughtered my people, Solona. All the people I had ever known since I was a boy, he had his men mangle and twist and murder. I will be part of this venture, and you will not tell Eamon of it."

Solona searched his eyes for a moment before nodding. "Fine. You can go. But do us all a favor and don't skewer the bastard until you can be assured a safe exit for all."

He smiled faintly, nodding. "I know I can manage that. Thank you, Solona. You are a true friend to Highever."

"I'm a friend to no city. But I think you and I can be good friends. And I know that if someone did to Leliana or my sister what Howe did your family, I wouldn't stop until I had reduced him to ash. I think you are capable of the control necessary to keep from getting anyone else hurt as you seek your vengeance."

"I can," he affirmed, following at her heel until they passed his room. He said his goodbyes and disappeared within, no doubt to ready himself for his coming confrontation with his family's murderer.


Alistair finished his meat pie from the street vendor with little enthusiasm. He was dressed in homespun tunic and trousers, with cheap boots and no weapons on his person. He also wore a plain cap to help hide his lack of hair, and to keep him warm in the chill air. All in all, he looked like a particularly hale laborer of some kind. He had wandered the markets, finally choosing a food vendor that was particularly crowded. He couldn't understand why, however, as the meat pie he had purchased was barely edible.

"I'm too spoiled by Wynne's cooking," he muttered to himself, eyeing the last bite warily before just swallowing it down. Washing the bland taste away with the mug of ale he had bought alongside the pie, he thought longingly of Wynne's spiced stews chock full of meat and vegetables, Leliana's perfectly seasoned venison steaks grilled over an open flame, or even the way Zevran managed to melt hard cheese on toast out in the woods. Shaking his head, he thought to himself, Who knew I'd come to prefer the food I eat on the road?

Unfortunately, he had overheard nothing useful all afternoon. As far as he could tell, the common people knew there was a Landsmeet, were aware of an elven uprising – and were very rude about it – and knew that the Arl of Redcliffe was now in town. Not much useful there, though perhaps they should at least investigate this things with the elves?. They'd been locked away from the rest of the city for months. How were they working? Eating? Were elven servants at the palace and various estates allowed in and out of the Alienage? It warranted investigation, if nothing else.

Leaving his dirtied mug and the wooden board on which his meal had come to be cleaned up by the food vendor, Alistair made his way to the agreed-upon place he would be meeting Zevran and Leliana. He still had roughly a half-hour until they agreed to meet, but already he could see Zevran, similarly dressed, cap and all, awaiting him. Leliana, however, seemed to be using every ounce of time she had.

Just as he neared Zevran, however, the man slipped away into a very narrow alleyway nearby. Frowning, Alistair followed. Why would he disappear just as Alistair got close? A hand snaked out of the gloom and grabbed his shirt as soon as he was within reacvh, and with a small cry of surprise, he was pulled in to the alleyway.

"Sorry, Alistair, but you completely lack subtlety." It was Leliana's voice.

Dusting himself off, Alistair peered into the gloom, seeing the plainly clothed figure of the bard and the assassin smirking back at him. "It's all right. I suppose the sight of a human towering over a woman and an elf aren't exactly common sights."

Zevran grinned. "Ah, but he can learn! You are at least as smart as a mabari, Alistair. Congratulations."

"Ha ha, very funny. Did either of you find anything?"

"Yes," Leliana answered, smiling right alongside Zevran, "though we should discuss it at the estate. Shall we head there now?"

He nodded. "Yes. I… might have forgotten where the servants' entrance is."

"Never mind, I take it back. Max is smarter than you are, my tall friend."

Alistair punched Zevran on the arm. "Why am I always the butt of the jokes about people being stupid?"

"Because you are so sweet that you take it, Alistair," Leliana said, her hand stealing to his face for a moment before she passed in front of him. "Now, follow me, and take this," she said, hauling something heavy into his arms. A bundle of who knew what, it served as their disguise – servants to the arl. Each of them carried something back from market, and Leliana led the way back into the market crowd, guiding leading them through the throng toward Eamon's estate.

Once on the grounds, they dumped their bundles. Looking inside, Alistairhe found he'd merely been carrying around wood wrapped in canvas. Leaving it where directed, he followed his two companions in through the servants' entrance at the side of the large stone household. Ten minutes later had him in his room, where he could change into his more comfortable – and expensive, hence why he couldn't wear them in the market – boots. Everything else he wore would serve for the time being.

He was only in his room for a moment before there was a knock on his door. He opened it to find Ellia, a smirk on her face. "You look very much like how I imagine you'd look if you'd remained a servant," she said, looking him up and down. There was a slight gleam in her eye he couldn't ignore.

"Well, it's certainly more comfortable than my armor," he quipped, grinning down at her. "Any particular reason you're knocking on my door? Or did you just want to visit?" He tried to make the question a little suggestive, given the look she was giving him. Morrigan was clearly a lost cause as far as further romantic entanglement, and he liked Ellia. And unlike Morrigan, she liked him. Perhaps it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to further explore their bond?

Her expression turned serious, banishing all thoughts of her nakedness away from his mind. "Something happened while you were gone, Alistair. You need to go speak with your fellow warden. Your friend Zevran is already headed to her room; someone already informed him and his lady."

"What is it?" he asked, though he headed out the door straight away.

"You should speak with Solona. It is not my place."

Frowning in frustration, Alistair hurried the rest of the way down the hall to Solona's room; his and hers were on opposite ends. Leaving Ellia to go back to her duties with a nod of thanks, he knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately, and he entered to find everyone but Morrigan present.

"Alistair, good. Come in, we have much to discuss," Solona said, and for the next quarter-hour she outlined how Anora's handmaiden had sought them out to save her mistress.

"So we're actually doing this? We're saving the queen from Howe and her own father?" Alistair was incredulous. Of course it was a trap… right?

"It's what Eamon wants us to do, Alistair," Solona responded, shrugging her shoulders. "And unfortunately I have to ask for volunteers, as I myself cannot go. Two or three people, no more than four, should go dressed in the armor of the Denerim City Guard."

"And they should be human," Zevran murmured. "Elves and dwarves do not join the guard." His eyes sliding over to Sten in the corner, he added, "Nor do qunari warriors, though they might want to start recruiting, given how formidable Sten is."

"That is a fair point, Zevran. I suppose I didn't need all of you here, but not including all of you in these kind of decisions doesn't feel right." Solona sighed. "Very well. Fergus Cousland is going, and I need another volunteer or two to go with him."

"Wait," Alistair said, not letting them go any further. "I thought he can't leave here?"

Solona regarded him a moment. "He asked. He wants the chance to take his revenge on Howe, and to sabotage Loghain's plans, whatever they are. He will be able to control himself, as long as he is allowed to take vengeance when the right opportunity presents itself. I… won't be telling Eamon."

Alistair held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "All right. I believe you're right, and I'd like to help him find his peace. I'll go, too. We'll both be mostly hidden behind helms, right? We look like guards – big, muscular… dumb." Zevran chuckled.

"I will go, as well," Leliana said, startling both wardens.

"You?" Alistair asked, smiling a little. Perhaps she was joking? "But you're so… small. You don't look like a guard."

"Actually," Solona interjected, "two of the guards at the gate to the city this morning were women, and not much bigger than Leliana. Eamon said he has armor in a variety of sizes." Addressing Leliana, she said, "I think you should go, if you can find the right fit."

Alistair counted on his fingers. "So me, Leliana, and Fergus… Three of the people who can't leave the estate. Solona? Is this wise?"

Solona shrugged again. "It's what Eamon wants, and he is the mastermind behind the Landsmeet. I'm just doing as he asked."

Nodding, Alistair looked around, then frowned. "Wait… where is Morrigan?"

"She… could not be found," Leliana supplied, her eyes and lips tightening almost imperceptibly. "I suspect she fled the city for a while, as she was unable to do so while traveling here with Eamon's soldiers. She can use magic and transform once she leaves the city."

Alistair nodded. "I suppose that makes sense. Well, I guess it's just you and me, Leliana. When should we do this?"

"Tonight," came the reply, and they all turned to see Fergus had just come through the door. Closing it behind him, he continued. "If the queen really is in danger, then we need to get to her as soon as possible. But I imagine going at night would be better for our disguise, both because it's dark, and because lazy guards are more willing to not double check things like our faces in the night's gloom."

Leliana smiled. "Yes, that is correct. And if this is a trap, then hitting as soon as possible will give us as much advantage as we can get, as they may not expect us yet. But you will both follow my lead – I am accustomed to shadows and its tricks. You are not."

Fergus looked taken aback for just a moment before smirking and looking up at Alistair. "Well," he said, before looking back down at Leliana, "you certainly speak your mind, don't you?"

Leliana crossed her arms over her chest. "My interest is to keep us all alive, My Lord."

Fergus laughed. "And I appreciate it, My Lady! I also insist on informality, at least for now. Think of me merely as another of your travel companions."

"It's going to be difficult to start calling you by your title when this is all over," Solona remarked with a smirk, before sobering. "But I trust you'll keep my friends safe? I'm trusting my family to you, Fergus."

Before he could answer with more than a nod, Oghren pushed past them all. "Well, if you ladies are done here, I have to go visit that place Zevran told me about down by the water. Catch you all later!"

Fergus stared after the dwarf. "Did he mean…?"

"The Pearl, yes," Alistair answered, clapping Fergus on the back. "He's not the most subtle of creatures."

"And that's saying something, indeed, coming from you, Warden," Zevran quipped, earning himself a laugh from the others.

"And there's the jokes again. I'm always the butt of your jokes, Zevran."

"It is only because you lie down and take them so well, Alistair."

"Yes, well, we'll see if you still manage to do so when I'm king, shall we?"

"I relish the challenge."

Shaking his head and smiling, he led Solona, Fergus, and Leliana to the armory to pick out their disguises.


Solona sat in the entrance hall, Max at her feet. Fergus, Leliana, and Alistair had been gone now for three hours, and she was starting to feel nervous. If everything had gone well, then they really should have been back by now – Howe's estate was not that far away. This infernal waiting was wearing on her, and it had not even been a whole day. Was she going to be able to stand it for the next week and a half until the Landsmeet?

Solona did not miss that Ellia waited nearby. Ostensibly it was because she had been assigned to Solona's party, to get them anything they might need. But Solona knew it was because she feared for Alistair. The girl had been there as she and Eamon discussed Erlina's news and what they would be doing about it. She would know by now that Alistair had volunteered, and likely would be worried. Solona wondered briefly if their one-time affair would turn into more? It seemed Alistair had given up altogether on Morrigan, and Solona really couldn't blame him, given what a harpy she'd decided to become toward him. Ellia was pretty, and they'd been friends for a very long time. And given he was about to be king, she was likely the only woman he knew for certain was interested in him for him and not his position, or potential position, as the case may be.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a flurry of activity outside. She started for the giant doors just as they opened, permitting several figures inside. A tall man in the uniform of the City Guard carried someone in his arms. Behind him stood a shorter, but still quite tall, feminine figure, dressed in the common clothing of a servant. The others were soldiers of Eamon's that Solona recognized.

As she got closer, she recognized the guard's form as Fergus. "Fergus!" she shouted, running the last few feet. Ellia came right up behind her, rushing to Fergus and helping him with the woman in his arms. Solona barely paid any attention.

"Did you get the queen? Where is Alistair? Leliana?"

By now several other people had trickled into the hall, though again Solona barely took notice. All she could see was Fergus refusing to meet her eyes. Instead, he crouched as he surrendered his burden to Ellia, other servants now rushing to help her. "Please, she is incredibly dear to me. And hurt very badly."

"Fergus," Solona tried again, trying to quell the fluttering of panic within her heart, her stomach.

Again, he refused to look her in the eye, looking to the form on the ground instead. Solona glanced at her, doing a double-take as she finally saw that he had brought in a very badly-injured woman. Her eyes were open and alert, but her body was all but broken, angry wounds showing underneath a cloak that refused to cover her completely. She wore only a sleeveless shift, and her hair, long and brown and probably luscious when combed out and clean, was wild about her head. But her eyes were what stole Solona's attention.

They were an exact match of Fergus's clear, brown eyes. It was almost like looking into his intense gaze.

Looking back up, she caught him finally looking at her. Her heart simultaneously seemed to stop and to beat faster than should be possible as she took in his words. "Solona. They… Alistair and Leliana are at Fort Drakon, in Loghain's custody. They gave themselves up so that I could get the queen and my sister back here safely."


A/N: Aaaaand now I finally get to reveal the beginning of another major change I'm making! Fergus Cousland's sister! How'd he find her? Where was she all this time? Why the fuck am I including her at all? All this and more I will answer in the next several chapters.

Sorry for the cliffhanger, and sorry for not yet letting you know how the journey through Howe's estate went. You'll know soon, I promise.

Lastly (this is from my nearly a year and a half after final publication of the last chapter), looking back on this chapter, I honestly have no idea why I titled it this, but Imma go ahead and leave it. *Shrug* Who knows?