TW: mention of sexual assault and suicidal ideation

Alyssa

The gates of Denerim cast a long shadow over the Grey Wardens and their companions as they walked up the path to the city. This time they felt much more menacing. Behind those fortifications, every leader in Fereldan gathered for the Landsmeet to decide who should be the ruler of the land - Queen Anora or the lost prince, Alistair.

In the main hall of Arl Eamon's estate, he briefed the team on what they could expect, leading up to the Landsmeet. "Admittedly, what happens when we are all called to the court is still unknown. I have some pull with the local lords and ladies, but it would help if you two could meet with some of them to convince them to come to our side. Loghain's reach is long, and Queen Anora has the favor of her subjects, especially here in Denerim."

"I saw three wanted posters on the way here alone," Alistair said. "How are we supposed to convince anyone of anything?"

Alyssa shrugged, "How many of them are you willing to get naked for?"

"What?!" Alistair yelped.

"Actually, that's not a terrible idea," Zevran said. "Bedding royalty happens to be a popular pastime in Antiva."

Alistair crossed his arms. "There can not be a point to this."

"There was this one fellow who did quite well working as a prostitute based on his uncanny resemblance to the king. Charged a fortune."

"Couldn't afford him, I take it," Alistair grinned and nudged Zevran with his elbow.

Zevran narrowed his eyes, "That cynicism will serve you well, my friend. Hold on to it."

Wynne said, "If you're all done being ridiculous, we need an actual plan."

"Sorry, Wynne," Alyssa said, "Kidding aside we—"

Footsteps approaching heralded the arrival of Loghain donned in full plate mail and flanked by Ser Cauthrian and Arl Howe. A hush fell on the team, watching the Commander of Denerim's army address Arl Eamon.

"Loghain." Arl Eamon greeted him. "This is…and honor that the regent would find time to greet me personally."

Alyssa had forgotten how heavy Loghain's voice was. Rough and deep, with an underlying tone of disdain. "How could I not welcome a man so important as to call every lord in Fereldan away from his estates while a Blight claws at our land?"

Alyssa muttered to Alistair, "Oh, 'now' it's a Blight. Didn't we tell him that months ago?"

Alistair's jaw was clenched so tight, she was sure his teeth would crack.

Arl Eamon continued, "The Blight is why I'm here. With Cailan dead, Fereldan must have a king to lead it against the darkspawn."

"Fereldan has a strong leader," Loghain replied, "Its Queen. And I lead her armies."

"And what a good job you did at Ostagar," Alyssa said. "Alistair only had one concussion from your sterling leadership."

Loghain's cold glare snapped to Alyssa. Her head barely came up to his chest. "And who is this, Eamon? Some new stray you picked up on the road? And here I thought it was only royal bastards you play the nursemaid to, not little girls with sticks."

"Admitting the royal part is a good first step," she said." Maybe you can work up to confessing what you did to the Grey Wardens and King Cailan."

If Loghain felt anything, it didn't show on his face. "You have my sympathies on what happened to your order. It is unfortunate that they chose to turn against Fereldan."

"Now that's bollocks for you."

Ser Cauthrian stepped forward, "Don't interrupt, curl. You betters are talking."

Alyssa's hackles went up faster than the flames on her robe, "No one fucking asked you!" She was pushed back by Arl Eamon's outflung arm.

"Enough, Cauthrian," Loghain said, ignoring Alyssa, "This is not the time or place." He turned back to Eamon, who was struggling to hold back the Warden Mage. "I had hoped to talk you down from this rash course, Eamon. Our people are frightened. Our king is dead. Our land is under siege. We must be united now if we are to endure this crisis. Your own sister Queen Rowan, fought tirelessly to see Fereldan restored. Would you see her work destroyed?" Eamon flinched as Loghain continued his tirade, "You divide our nation and weaken our efforts against the Blight with your selfish ambition to the throne."

Eamon seemed a bit struck by what Loghain had said. Taking shots at his family was a low blow, even for him. Alyssa spoke up in his stead, "Is your plan' talk as long as possible so they'll get tired and go home? Because it sucks."

Ser Cauthrian stepped toward Alyssa once more, but before the two women could come to blows, Eamon found his voice again. He drew himself up to full height, the ruler of Redcliffe finally healed from Loghain's treachery and met him eye to eye. "I cannot forgive what you've done, to me, my family, and my people. Maybe the maker can, but not I. Our people deserve a king of the Theirin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory in this Blight."

Alyssa wondered if Alistair felt the same. At the moment, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the Arl as a united front. Maybe he changed his mind. Maybe he wanted to worry Loghain. Either way, it was commanding.

Loghain's parting shot was a declaration of defending his homeland at any cost. He and Ser Cauthrian saw themselves out, but Howe lingered, his gaze sizing up the Warden Mage. "I remember you."

"Bully for you," Alyssa said.

Howe smiled, "You're Lord Bennett's wife."

The pit of her stomach dropped like a stone, and the blood left her face. "Like hell I am." It came out as a strained whisper, not the defiant scream she planned it to be.

"Oh, I remember you," he continued. He watched Alyssa with half-closed eyes and white teeth gleaming in the ambient light. "Stunning in that billowing white gown, even after you jumped. He was so looking forward to the wedding night."

Her body shook, imperceivable at first but building in force, "I never made it to the alter. I never consented."

"It didn't matter, my dear. Lord Bennett had all of the paperwork in order. In Gwaren, the consent of the bride isn't needed if she is incapacitated."

"No… no that…no…" Alyssa's voice sounded like air escaping even though her mind was screaming itself sick. Just before she felt her knees buckle under her, a thought occurred. "It doesn't matter…. I was conscripted. Your laws don't apply to the Grey Wardens, because we're outside your jurisdiction."

Instead of faltering, Howe smiled more broadly, "Well, we shall see what his lordship makes of that. His reach is far and powerful."

Before losing what little control she had, Alyssa felt Zevran's arm around her waist and the warms of his body beside her. Just as in the Tower of Magi, his presence gave her strength. He kissed her cheek before turning to Howe. "You know who I am, yes?"

A puzzled look crossed Howe's face. "Should I?"

Zevran grinned, "I was one of the Crows you hired to kill the Grey Wardens."

"Ah, yes. I thought you looked…..familiar," Howe said.

"Well, I just wanted to report that I failed my mission," Zevran lifted Alyssa's hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Rather spectacularly, might I add."

Whatever Howe thought it was hidden behind an excellent poker face. However the way his back stiffened at this news told a tale of irritation at the least, "You don't say…."

"I'm terribly broken up over it," Zevran said, pulling Alyssa closer. The two of them stared down the Arl as he scowled and left the estate. When the door banged loudly behind him, Zevran turned to Alyssa, easing his grip on her, somewhat reluctantly. "You have but to say the word, my dear Warden."

Alyssa shook her head, "Let him go. I have a feeling we'll deal with him later." Her legs couldn't hold her any longer, and she sank into Zevran's arms. "I need to sit or something."

"This way," Alistair said, "the bedrooms are on the second floor. I think you both have earned some free time." He smiled at both of them as he guided them upstairs.

Bennett was here after all… His wife? Howe could have been lying, but why bother, especially since she could see the lord signing away her freedom as quickly as he had her chained and beaten. Once settled in a small but beautifully decorated room, she pulled Zevran as close as she could and curled into him on the bed. They said nothing to each other for the next few hours while he held her until the tremors finally stopped.