Chapter #12: A King's Passing
Orion
Avernus had kept to his tower and everyone had taken part in cleaning the Peak in some manner. Levi had brought his brother to the Peak while his cousins came and went as they pleased, bringing in new items that the Dryden family would keep in the area of the fortress that Orion and Alistair had appointed them.
He and Alistair had decided upon a few things during their time at the Peak, where the sleeping quarters would be, how the kitchen would be set up and who was allocated which jobs. Orion had found himself hauling bodies, cleaning cobwebs, sweeping the floors and mending shelves and bed slats alike. During his off time he would be found with Leliana, bow in hand and arrows whizzing towards the old bedding. He was improving thanks to Leliana's experience and advice, correcting him on his form and encouraging him, while always laughing when he messed up bad enough and snapped arrows.
Alistair and Tarian taught him the sword when he wasn't practising archery. He didn't want to but it was needed. He wouldn't always be able to fight at a distance and his swordplay was terrible, everyone agreed upon that. But he made quick improvements and his two trainers even learned a thing or two off each other.
For nearly two weeks Orion continued to train and study before the others appeared in the courtyard of Soldier's Peak, every single one of them. While the time had passed and both parties had their challenges and surprises, the group that had reclaimed the Peak had put in many days of hard labour to have the place looking tidy for when their allies, friends, and siblings arrived.
Gorram and Nesinni walked through just behind Levi who had been waiting for them at the beginning of the tunnels. He had learned the path well, as had his cousins and a few members of the Wardens. Orion, too, had made the trip a couple of times, both to get some exercise and so that he would be able to make it through himself if needed.
Nimue and Josran walked in together, their heads turned upwards as they checked out their new stronghold, a place Orion hoped they would all call home for the duration of the blight. Even Sten looked satisfied from afar, and Nera was practically bouncing. Though the real surprise was Shale. The golem was much larger than the game had her, which was probably a good thing.
Valhen went to his sister and the two splintered off from the main group while the rest of them greeted their friends and even those they didn't truly get along with. Safe for Orion, he didn't go near Reimar or Thagrin, but was glad Nera, Aurelia, and Josran made their way over. He got a small bow from the mage, a firm and hand crushing handshake from Aurelia - to which he wasn't surprised - and a quick hug from Nera who stepped back and pointed to Aurelia.
"You should have seen her in battle," she said with excitement. "She moved so fast, even cracked a darkspawn's breastplate in a single strike."
"Well, she is a rather large woman. Muscular that is," Orion quickly corrected as Aurelia grinned.
"It was nothing, just saving the princess here after she had her arm broken." Aurelia said it so plainly that it took a moment for Oroin to realise it was real.
He looked to Nera who cast her gaze elsewhere. "What!? Nera, how is it?" He asked as he moved forwards, going for her arms, but the dwarf shoved him away with both.
"It's fine," she declared. "Nimue healed it up within moments. It just took a little while for it to feel like it was my arm again. Magic is weird."
Orion just shook his head in amazement, glad Nera had recovered and that magic was much like he had read about in the books. Though it would have been even better if it was like the games, insta healing. But it would do, Nera looked strong again, defiant even.
Tarian soon led them inside to a storage room where they could all drop off their bags. They were carrying considerably more than when they had parted ways and that was surely a good thing. Nesinni gave him a stern look while Gorram appeared to glare at him as they passed. Nimue actually stopped and looked at him.
"Just a warning, there are those among us who didn't appreciate the stunt you pulled."
"Stunt? I didn't pull…"
Nimue interrupted him with a raised hand. "The golem, you didn't tell anyone about the control rod. We had our weapons drawn and magic ready, poised to strike it down before it could harm us."
"I always found Shale to be good natured, if a bit snide, oh and don't forget superior," he smiled. "We are only beings made of flesh after all."
Even though Nimue had come to him with a warning and voicing her own displeasure of what he had done, a grin took her lips. "As it is so insistent in reminding us. You should have told us though, Gorram was - still is - furious."
"I'll handle him and Nesinni." Orion knew they'd have questions and complaints, there always would be.
"And the darkspawn," Nimue continued. "There were a lot more than you informed us there would be."
"So it was the same for you guys." Orion looked away from her as he began to consider why that might be. "It was the same for us here. The demons numbered mostly the same, but the skeletons and undead out front… they numbered considerably more, too." He stroked the thin beard that had been growing. He didn't shave it since it was colder at the Peak and he figured it might help keep him warm.
"Then you didn't mislead us." She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped towards him. "I have a theory as to why that might be." Intrigued at her thoughts on the matter, Orion told her to go and unload first and that he would wait upstairs in what he had temporarily claimed as his study.
It was where they had encountered Sohpia and ended the demon that possessed her body. The inside of the room had changed considerably in the weeks since they had reclaimed it from the demons. The fireplace roared making the room warmer than almost anywhere else in the keep, save for the kitchen. The chests had been moved to the sides and the desk now served another purpose. Since it was made from stone he'd decided to leave it where it was. Another desk had been brought up though, a simple wooden one that he used for writing and keeping notes.
The shelves had all been restored and had supports added, though a few shelves had needed new wood. The large and rotted rug had been burned on the fires along with the corpses that had needed to go, leaving the floor hard and cold. By the time Nimue did find her way to the room, Orion had settled into reading about potions. He looked up to find Nimue standing there, just watching him.
"What?" he asked.
"Didn't take you as one for potion making, herbology," the mage said as she came closer. Orion hadn't spent a lot of time with Nimue, with any of the Wardens in fact. He considered Nera a fast friend and Aurelia at the very least reliable. Valhen he knew enough about and Nesinni was neutral. He would still stick around Valhen over the likes of Reimar and Thagrin though.
"Well, I'm not much of a fighter, yet. Archery is coming along sure, and with no magic to speak of I decided to try my hand at this." He held up a thing vial with a failed attempt. "Pink is not the right colour," he quickly made some notes.
"No, it's not." Nimue laughed and went over, examining the stone table and shaking her head. "How long are you boiling the Elfroot?"
"Umm, I bring it to boil and remove it." Orion wondered if she would correct him.
"There it is," shaking her head, she grabbed some more Elfroot and put it in the pot that Orion used for his beginner herbology. "You need to wait for it to break down a little more. Just getting it to a boil is something all beginners do. Myself, too, in the past."
Orion blinked a few times as she explained. He went to the pot that was slowly heating up and smiled. So I should have just asked around, figures. Shaking his head, Orion went and gathered a couple of mugs. "Do you drink? Numerius found some wine, must be at least two centuries old, not that it matters." With Nimue giving him a nervous nod, he poured them both just a little.
Handing the elven mage her mug, Orion smiled. Time to see if this old crap tastes any good. "Cheers,' he toasted, gently knocking their mugs together and bringing it to his lips. The liquid was cold, a good thing from sure, but didn't have much of a taste, save for a gentle burning as it went down his throat.
"Not… as bad as I thought it would be," Nimue commented.
"They say aged whiskey is better, but it depends on the individual." Orion set his mug down as Nimue then began to explain to him her theory.
Much like himself, Nimue had come up with a similar theory. The darkspawn numbers had increased in response to the number of new Grey Wardens. It was the most plausible theory to Orion who almost completely agreed. Though he told her about the game's limitations in creating a more full and populate gameworld. The increase in darkspawn could potentially just be seen as the world being more accurately populated, they didn't know the true number of darkspawn after all.
Nimue remained with Orion, drinking wine and talking softly between one another as they tried to figure out just why there were so many more darkspawn and enemy creatures than Orion thought. Sure, the locations were all the same, just the quantities differed, but Orion brought up that it could mean strong opponents, more darkspawn mages and alphas.
She also showed him how to correctly make the potion he was after, having boiled the Elfroot properly. Orion watched in silence as Nimue went about her work, not just a mage it seemed but a learned herbalist. As the potion sat on the table alone, the flat bottom of the flask being used perfectly. He eventually saw the colour of the water changing. With more instruction and further demonstration, Orion held in his hands a completed potion.
"That looked so easy." He eyed the red liquid in the vial, smiling brightly. "I'll try to replicate this, have some ready for the next adventure." Nimue just smiled, just as she was about to speak there was knocking.
"Orion," came a gruff voice. "We need to talk."
They always need something. Orion finished his wine and looked to Nimue. "Guess they'll try to string me up now."
"Not entirely undeserved," she commented with Orion clutching at his heart with a look of faux betrayal.
It was Gorram outside of course, and he led them both down the stairs and into the great hall where the Veil had only weeks ago been letting demons through. Alistair had made the wise rule, there was to be no magic of any kind in the great hall, and if possible in the keep itself. It was well accepted, though Orion had heard Numerius and Leola complain as only tampering or trying to reach the Fade would do any harm. Still, Alistair didn't allow it.
Surprisingly, the entire group was there. All the Wardens, companions, Havoc, too. Some glanced his way while others didn't. What's going on here, I thought they'd roast me in private beforehand. Taking his spot next to the other leaders, Orion moved uncomfortably in his spot.
"Well done, all of you," Nesinni started. "We acquired, no, we recruited the golem, Shale, into our group. And also reclaimed this fortress." There was a little cheering and more congratulatory pats on the back, but Orion was just waiting for it.
"However, there is one person here, one man,"
Here we go.
"That withheld information from us, leaders and followers alike. This information could have smoothed things over, made activating Shale more…" Gorram struggled for the word, yet someone else found it.
"Enjoyable," Thagrin offered, to which Gorram nodded.
"You lied to use, and gave us false numbers of the enemies we'd face." Orion didn't glare at Gorram as the dwarf turned to face him, he just continued looking ahead, casting a look to Nimue who looked anxious. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Gorram asked. Orion looked around the room, the elven mages, Nesinni, Sten, Reimar and Helinda.
"First off, I didn't know the number of enemies had changed. You will recall personally, Gorram, that in the Tower of Ishal, the numbers were strangely correct." Now he met Gorram's displeased look. "But the location of the enemies, they were all correct weren't they?" A few of the others nodded in agreement. "Nimue and I have been discussing at length, the reason for the increase could be."
"And what would that be, shem?" Valhen hissed.
"Silence, brother," Nesinni snapped. "Please, continue."
Orion smiled, thankful for the interruption, not that he considered Valhen's insult very harsh. Centuries and generations of elves had grown to loath humans after all. "Nimue told me that she explained what she thought had happened, and I agree. Due to there being more of you, perhaps it has increased darkspawn numbers in certain areas." A mumble began and grew louder as the group began to debate amongst themselves. At least they're all using their heads. "However," he projected his voice, cutting through the chatter. "Perhaps the game lacked the ability to create a truer, more populated world. I had not considered this before, but ever since I got here there have been more people than in the game. This world is real, it changes, the games do not, the books do not. I can only offer this advice. Take my information and use it, but prepare yourself for larger conflicts now, our enemies seem to have swelled their ranks."
Silence, it was fleeting but Orion enjoyed it. No one cursing him, no one blaming him, hell, no one trying to outright knock his lights out. But then like a hum, the room began to fill with different voices until it was a buzz of confusion and reasoning. Alistair stepped to Orion's side and nodded at him. Always the most trusted companion. Though his eyes turned to Leliana who seemed to be listening in only.
"Enough!" Gorram roared, quieting the scabble between them all. It was still a much more peaceful meeting than the last one however. "And what of you not telling us anything?" This drew great attention, but Orion just chuckled.
"I did, Nera and Aurelia both knew what had happened to the former master, though even in the games it is never confirmed." He pointed out, waving a finger. They needed to consider that and decide what happened for themselves. "I asked them to watch and voice what they knew when the time was right, and from what Nimue tells me, they did." He gazed around and found Reimar's eyes narrowed and focused. "It was a test. I wanted to know how you would react to one another and to something not going the way I said it would."
"A test? I'll test your fucking face, boy." Reimar shouted. (LOLOL)
"Any more from you and you'll be demoted to pack mule," Nesinni growled.
Oh? Something happened with our dear friend Reimar? He had taken his chance to learn, figuring that it would be the safest option considering how Shale was always patient and never attacked during the games.
"Alistair?" Gorram eventually asked.
"Yes?" There was an uncertain pause.
"Do you have nothing to say about the man?" It was clear Gorram was trying to get the three leaders against Orion.
"Only that he intends to do well." Gorram growled while Orion smirked. "Some of us here hate him for little reason other than he knows too much. Or maybe some of us just dislike one another. But we are Grey Wardens, not all of us, but we all serve the same cause. Can you not put all differences aside, at least until the blight has ended?" There was a loud cheer from Josran, though his sister punched his arm.
"Alistair," Gorram said, his voice deep and stern, his eyes hard and unwavering. "You're on his side?"
"Side?" Alistair's voice showed his surprise, but his foot came down. "There is no side. We are Wardens, our life is given to defeat the darkspawn. You all knew that when you joined."
Orion closed his eyes, wishing that Alistiar wouldn't have to eat those words, though depending on the decisions, he wouldn't. "Orion has done nothing but lie. He'd lie to anyone to get his way. You know why he lied about the numbers at Honnleath?" Reimar said, standing tall, taller than all save for Sten and Shale. "He wanted us gone, dead."
There was silence, as though some were considering Reimar's words before a slap struck the room. Reimar stepped off balanced, staring down at his sister who must have looked furious, though Orion couldn't see her face.
"Incredible," Orion voiced tiredly. "Here I am, having to defend myself against everything I tell you, Reimar. I might lie, I might tell half truths, but I am doing so because I know what can happen when the bad paths are taken. Elves, dwarves, humans all suffer. And some of you in this very room will be dead by the end of the blight in some cases." The information left the group stunned.
"Then we must do what is best, and keep everyone here alive," Nesinni stated.
"Not an easy task," Orion said. "Especially with how much conflict there is within the group."
"Grey Wardens aren't forbidden of anything. We are here to do a few things only, kill the darkspawn, end blights, protect the people of Thedas." Alistair informed them as he began to walk the circle.
That's very unlike him… he is usually timid, hesitant. Orion observed, but was glad the man was already stepping up.
"We could go down these bad paths, as Orion called them. Some of us may die, we may do things we regret." He paused and looked right at Orion. "But you're telling us there is a better way, several, better ways?" He asked loudly.
"I am," Orion answered, pushing his shoulders back.
"Then I say we leave Thedas in the best state possible. That means trusting Orion's choices, even when some of you would rather see him gone." Orion knew that Alistair was trying to back him up, push his cause and decision, but to hear him state that he 'knew' people wanted him dead was no comfort, zero.
Nera stepped in and called out. "We should go to Orzammar next, my father will help us, I know he will." Thagrin seemed to like the idea as he flashed a look at his sister. But Orion, he looked to Valhen and Nesinni, both who already knew what awaited them in Orzammar.
"Thagrin, Neralinden," Nesinni said before a pause.
"Your father is dead," Valhen jumped in, slapping them both with the information Orion gave them just after he entered the world. Nesinni couldn't even speak to apologise, the look on Nera's face had her frozen as if struck by an icy spell. Orion, too, felt terrible.
Nera fell to her knees, her eyes turning to Orion who shuddered. He turned away unable to look her in the eyes, but this confirmed what Valhen had blurted out and what followed had him in tears of his own. Nera wailed at the news, her beloved father was dead and gone, and she was told in an uncaring manner by one of her fellow Wardens. Orion had gone to the nearest wall, one hand supporting himself while the other covered his mouth. Tears trickled down his cheeks but he knew what he felt was but a drop in the ocean compared to what Nera was experiencing at that moment.
Feeling a pat on his back, Alistair whispered it wasn't his fault. It was though… it was, I told them, fucking Valhen. He cursed, hearing the meeting break apart as everyone split off. He turned to find Nera being embraced by strong arms. Aurelia was there, holding the sobbing former dwarven princess. His head hurt and his throat felt tight, he couldn't say a word and it bothered him a great deal.
Leliana was quick to take his own arm and how her eyes sparkled and reflected his pitiful looking expression, he grit his teeth and closed his eyes. It wasn't that he was in pain or had suffered a loss, but hearing who he considered to be his best friend in Thedas grieving in such a way had him hurting.
"At least she now knows," came Morrigan's cool, calm voice, serving only to fan the flames of Nera's sorrow.
"Out, witch… before I kill you myself," Thagrin said, his hand already on his sword. Morrigan didn't speak another word, and excused herself from the great hall.
When there was no more shuffling, when all the others had left, there were but eight people left there, and not all were standing. Thagrin approached Orion, his eyes hard yet softened with a shine. He was fighting to hold back his own tears.
"She told the truth, then?" Orion nodded, noticing Thagrin flinch. "My, our father, he was a good man, a strong leader and kind king. He…" The pause was enough to let Orion's mind wander. He knew King Endrin wasn't as he seemed, poisoning his own elder brother so the next in line would be himself. It was the dwarven game, and the Aeducans were masters. "How did he die?" Even Nera quieted herself for this information, but Orion felt bad, he couldn't give them a definite answer.
"There isn't a clear answer. But," he waited, wondering if they would want to hear. Since there were no objections, he revealed what he knew. "There are only rumours and suspicion. Some say he died because of the loss of his two eldest children, though three children were lost when Bhelen pitted you against your oldest brother. Grief, for children he couldn't save. While others say it was poison that ended his life. Neither is confirmed, like other things in this world."
Thagrin just stared up at Orion as if contemplating something. "Were you going to tell her?" He pointed to his mess of a sister.
"Yes, but finding the time to tell either of you about such a thing was… difficult to find."
"And now it's all out in the open. Is there anything more you'd like to add?" Thagrin growled, though his anger seemed shallow.
"I do, though perhaps it's best only for you and I to speak about it." Thagrin studied him carefully, but it was Orion who knew he was in the most danger. The two didn't like one another, that was as clear as mud.
"Nera will be at my side. Whatever knowledge you have, she, too, will know." Orion nodded, and gestured for Thagrin to head to the stairs leading upwards.
"I have set up an… what I call an office, though it is also my study." He looked to Leliana who was still attached to his arm. Her warmth was comforting.
"I will leave you boys alone. I hope this news will make our dear friend feel better." For Leliana to say such a thing within earshot of Nera was a gift none save the dwarf herself and Aurelia knew about.
"I… I believe it will. A little good amongst the bad," he answered, smiling at Leliana as she left.
"Oroin," came Gorram's voice. "We need to talk, the leadership. Come find the three of us once you've finished."
"We need to plan our next move, and discuss something else," Nesinni added.
Thagrin led the way, but Nera wouldn't come without Aurelia being there with her. The amazon seemed to be the glue that was holding a very shaken dwarf together. Thagrin allowed it and the four of them went into the warmth of Orion's study.
He poured Thagrin a wine, extra pull since he figured he might want some. And he was quite right. All in one go? Bloody hell. As Thagrin held the mug out for more, Orion only gave him a half serving. He didn't want to use up all the wine they found, not so quickly anyway. Nera had the only seat in the room with Aurelia standing behind her, hands on the dwarves shoulders.
"So, what is this news?" Thagrin grumbled.
"It is personal, last chance before I say something that you might regret." Orion offered him a final chance to escape, but Thagrin shrugged it away. "So be it." He turned to face the fire in the corner, holding his hands out to warm them as he spoke. "During the festival, or something along those lines, did you find yourself talking with what you would call, Noble hunters?" The sudden change of expression was obvious and as Orion watched him side on, though he waited for Thagrin to confirm it.
"I did. Nothing wrong with expanding the Aeducan line." He defended his action though his voice spoke of his discomfort. His sister was in the room after all, and another Warden. Now he was trapped, Nera would pester him and assume the worst if he asked for them to leave.
"And did you… spend the evening with one of them?" Orion asked simply, turning his eyes towards the flickering flames.
"One? It was both, or did you think I wouldn't be able to handle myself." Thagrin sounded insulted, though it didn't matter to Orion. One or two, he knew the consequences.
He turned and looked to Nera who although still weeping silently, had her red eyes fixed on her brother. "Congratulations, Thagrin Aeducan. You have a son waiting for you in Orzammar." His smile wasn't one of mockery, but of genuine joy.
"You cannot be… certain." Thagrin sounded defensive though, so Orion helped him.
"In the game the male dwarven noble always had a son to Mardy, if you recall her name?" Thagrin nodded. "Then I am willing to bet several gold pieces on it still being the case. Although, given the changes in darkspawn numbers, it is possible that this could not have happened this time." He watched as if relief, disappointment, Orion couldn't place the expression on Thagrin's face, his large unkept beard made it more difficult.
"I… I'm an auntie?" came Nera's hoarse voice, the crying having taken its toll on the girl.
"It is highly probable, in my opinion." Thagrin didn't appreciate that, but Nera's eyes changed, they could both see it.
"Can we go there, home?" she squeaked.
"One of the treaties is for the dwarves, calling them to aid. To beat the blight, we must get their support." Nera looked on, hopeful. I can't deny her that, not after what Valhen did. "In the meeting, I'll suggest that we head to Orzammar first. Though I cannot guarantee that the others will be willing to… No, I think I have something that will take Gorram's interest." He beamed a smile at Nera.
"A child, by the Stone." Thagrin said, clearly he was in shock, the unknowing father of an unknown son. An Aeducan no less, yet his name had been struck from their history. "My son, will he be an Aeducan?" Their eyes met and for the first time, Thagrin looked as though he was pleading.
"He can be, so long as we play our cards right." Thagrin's shoulders slumped, this time Orion was able to see the relief in his eyes.
"Then this time, I will follow your lead, Orion." The dwarf held his hand out, yet Orion was hesitant to take it. But take it he did, giving Thagrin a firm handshake.
Thagrin left the room without saying another word and Aurelia wandered to the door and turned to face Orion. She had a smile on her face before leaving. The door closed behind her and Orion wondered why. Nera was waiting, standing in front of the chair and gazing right at him. Unease filled him, even though he was alone with a friend.
"Nera?" he said, approaching slowly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she sounded hurt, betrayed almost.
"I… didn't… I was…" Orion looked down, he didn't know what to tell her, his reasons wouldn't be enough and he knew it. "I was going to."
"When." Silence.
"When it was decided we'd go to Orzammar," He told her.
"I deserved to know." And she did, he knew she did.
"I didn't want to lose my greatest ally, my friend." Nera stepped closer while Orion turned his head to the side.
"Do you think that you have?" The question was sharp, calm, painful all at the same time. Orion found her eyes, red from the crying, the result of learning her father was also dead. Father and eldest sibling gone, herself and Thagrin banished and their names removed from the Memoires.
"I pray… I truly pray that my hesitation hasn't cost me your friendship, Nera."
"Kneel." She commanded in a tone that surprised Orion. She had never taken that tone, he had heard her being defiant, defensive, angry, but never commanding.
She was a princess, got to remember that. He told himself as he got down on one knee, looking up at her. The strike rattled him, his jaw and cheek stung and his vision blurred for just a moment. He raised his hand to cover his cheek but his wrist was firmly taken and held to the side.
"That was for not telling me sooner." Then she leaned in and kissed where she had just struck. Orion was confused, in pain, blushing from the kiss while Nera spoke again. "And that was for trying to cheer me up." His wrist was freed and he placed his palm against his jaw. With a narrow gaze he studied her and found this to be... exciting. "And don't worry, we're still friends. But you deserved the punch."
"I can't… ow." He frowned and moved his jaw about. "I can't deny that. But I won't apologise again."
Nera smiled at that. "Good. Because you're going to tell me how we get my nephew to become an Aeducan and how you're going to convince Gorram to take your side. He was pissed at you before, it was funny."
"Your sense of humour needs some work. I thought he might try to… it doesn't matter." He went to the side and sighed. "You know, going to Orzammar will be dangerous. Bhelen and Pyral Harrowmont are at each others throats. Both claim your father wanted them to be the next king."
"So, my family is there."
"As is Gorram and Helinda's." The smile that grew on his face had Nera looking at her curiously.
"Explain."
"They have a half-sister there, a woman named Rica Brosca. You've met her, or at least you might have met her before." Nera's blank stare told him no. "She is Bhelen's concubine, she gives Bhelen a son." Her eyes twitched and her chin raised.
"You're… saying I have to, we have to," her expression was one of disgust, heartbreak, betrayal of a most personal nature. "I don't want to. He pitted Trian against Thagrin and I, he… might have killed father." There were no waterworks this time, only anger, something burning. "I won't." She growled.
"Perfect, because Harrowmont is also an option." Orion paced slowly. "Thagrin will side with your brother, you will side with Harrowmont. Both of them are lying to and pitting the noble houses against one another. Together, all of us can discover all of what they are planning, every bit of information that we can use against whichever side we choose to side with." She still didn't seem to like the idea. "What I am going to tell you will hurt Nera." He knelt down again, hands resting at his side, giving her the biggest advantage he could. "Harrowmont makes for a shit king. In one ending… hell, there is a war between Orzammar and Ferelden. But Bhelen," his fists clenched at his side and his brow furrowed. "Bhelen is a bastard, cruel, merciless, but efficient, oh very efficient. You might hate him, but he is the better choice of the two."
Nera was angry and Orion expected to be struck, he wouldn't blame her for it either, though after learning how much of a better king Bhelen became, he had never chosen Harrowmont again.
"You want me to choose him?" Nera asked, seething as she did so.
"I don't want you to choose someone I say to. I want you to choose whichever of the two you believe will be better suited to lead Orzammar in the future." Her expression softened the slightest, before breaking down as she sat back in the chair.
"Why is it so hard? Why can't we choose someone who isn't a traitor or someone who doesn't hate the surface?" Nera asked with her face in her hands.
"So you've come to like the surface, huh?" he teased.
"It's not so bad, once you realise you aren't going to fall into the big blue." Nera said, still sounding a little unsure of the whole, not stone above her head situation. "I still prefer the indoors."
"And probably always will." He helped her up and gave her the potion Nimue made. "That's for you, use it wisely." He patted her back and urged her to the door. "Go and think about what we've discussed. You still have weeks, perhaps even months before we need to decide who wears the crown."
Nera went slowly, her steps like a childs because of her stature. Aurelia was waiting for them outside the door, leaning against the wall with her eyes shut. They opened as Nera spoke and the two walked off with Nera talking softly. Well, I hope she can decide what's best. Orion took a small break to gather his thoughts and arguments before making his way down.
Several of the Wardens and even Sten were in the kitchen, hot food in their hands as laughter filtered through the hall. Once he got directions from Shale, after she had insulted him and was her usual self, he found his fellow leaders standing on the wall to the right of the gate, looking out over the landscape. The snow crunching beneath his boots alerted the three who turned. Alistair smiling, Nesinni looking calm, Gorram looking angered.
"Shall we start?" He asked casually, perhaps too casually as Gorram decided to have it out with him. Nesinni chimed in from time to time, Alistair tried to defend him where he could, but Orion just let Gorram vent and work himself to a finish.
Eventually they discussed King Endrin's death and what it meant they would have to do. They had the treaties for the elves and the mages too, then there was Arl Eamon, Alistair brought him up and mentioned what rumours had arisen. Of course, Orion knew these rumours and confirmed that Eamon was ill, but his life would not pass. The village on the other hand was a separate matter, one which Orion had already sent someone to help with. He hoped his saving of Daveth would help to aid the village, only going there would they learn if this was the case.
"Orzammar. I say we go there." Orion said clearly, definitely.
"This is a vote Orion, not a one man rule." Nesinni scolded him.
"I agree, and Arl Eamon needs our help." Alistair said, his ties to the man making it seem like the most dire decision to him.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Orion groaned and shook his head. He needed to please everyone it seemed, and in the real world things could change. "Thagrin's son is at risk of being left casteless if we don't resolve things for the dwarves." Orion pressed again. "Hell, your own nephew is there too Gorram."
This shocked the leadership completely, Gorram stood flabbergasted while Nesinni looked at Orion in disbelief. Alistair only groaned, sensing that the decision to save Eamon would be taking the back seat. They had captured the Peak and recruited a golem, and now became a choice of family against family.
"Helinda is here," Gorram said carefully.
"So she is, luckily I was talking about Rica." That sealed it for Gorram, though angry as he was, he seemed to shrink.
"Family is a dear thing among the casteless, or at least for Helinda and I," he told the group. "I vote we make for Orzammar too."
Alistair swore and even kicked some snow. "Arl Eamon was like a father to me…"
"As was Duncan," Nesinni pointed out a little too harshly. The two stared at one another, anger bubbling.
"I hadn't told anyone this yet, but you all recall Daveth right?" Their nods were of great comfort. "I sent him to Redcliffe Village before we parted ways. I told him what would happen and hopefully he has been trying to get people ready."
Alistair, thankfully seemed to calm down a little. "Then maybe just send a few, to check up on him, the village." He was hopeful as he looked at Orion.
"The dwarves all need to go to Orzammar. They have their family issues to resolve and we need to crown a king so we can get their support. As for Redcliffe Village… I always like it, we should send a team there." Alistair grinned, Nesinni sighed while Gorram remained silent.
"We should speak about who should go where, we already have four going to Orzammar after all," Alistair pointed out.
"And two going to Redcliffe Village," Nesinni pointed out, clearly not overly happy with either choice.
It was a discussion that weighed up both pro and cons, relationships between the people in the groups and who would be best suited where. As the sun began to set and the cold really started to bite at them, it was decided that the group would rest for four days, giving those who had only arrived some time to recover and to settle into what they would each be doing during the next step to help stop the blight.
Another massive thanks to my Beta reader and the person I bounce many ideas off and get great ones from :)
Look for itzteegan on AO3 if you enjoy Dragon Age and/or Fallout
