They exited the chamber immediately approached Vartag Gavorn, who was keeping a close eye on all the deshyrs and then he noticed them approach them.
"Warden, welcome," he said. "It's always a blessing for Orzammar to host your order. I am Vartag Gavorn, top adviser to our good Prince Bhelen. What news do you bring?"
"I need aid against the Blight," said Hiccup.
"Yes, the treaty," Vartag nodded. "I've seen it in the shapers' libraries. Now, the difficulty is that the treaty only compels our king, and we are sadly lacking one of those right now."
Hiccup nodded. "Yes, I have heard, and it sounds as if I need to help someone to become king. I don't suppose that Prince Bhelen could do with our help?"
"Oh, I think you can do with your aid against the usurper Harrowmont."
"Then I don't suppose you mind us to have an audience with your Prince?" Hiccup asked. "Or perhaps I should turn towards Harrowmont instead?"
"You must understand that Bhelen cannot trust the word of a stranger, and I can assure you that Harrowmont will feel the same way."
"Afraid that I might be a spy?" Hiccup asked.
"We have heard rumours from above that it was the Grey Wardens that killed King Cailan."
"And you believe these rumours?"
"Of course not, the very thought that the Grey Wardens killing a monarch is laughable. Though why so many surfaces believe these lies is beyond me. I suppose that's what you get from living in the sky for so long."
"Drago just has everyone scared, and when people are scared, they believe in anything. Now as much as I enjoy this conversation, I still like to know whether I can have an audience with Prince Bhelen."
Vartag rubbed his chin. "Normally I would have you prove to me of your support, but you seem like a trustworthy young man. I will escort you to Prince Bhelen."
Vartag escorted them to the Palace, and they met face-to-face with Bhelen in his chambers. He was rather young and was possibly about the same age as Hiccup though it was hard to tell.
"Hiccup, it has indeed been a long time I believe that we met each other briefly the last time you visited Orzammar," said Bhelen.
Hiccup nodded. "Yes, I was about your height environment correctly."
"Indeed, but it seems as if you had a growth spurt in the last few years," Bhelen chuckled. "And now you come back as a Grey Warden, not what I expected."
"These are unusual times," said Hiccup. "And since what all be honest here, let me tell you right here, and if I had another choice, I would not have supported you."
"I appreciate your honesty, honesty is in short supply around here," said Bhelen. "I won't deny that I wanted the throne, you can't possibly understand how it feels to be the third son living in the shadows of your elder brothers."
"So you killed one hand framed the other for the deed," Astrid growled.
"Your companion is rather fiery, isn't she?" said Bhelen looking at Hiccup.
"That's why I like having her around."
"Train was an extremely poor heir, he was brash and disrespectful to everyone around him even his own family," said Bhelen. "He both treated my older brother and me like dirt, I did what I had to in order to protect Orzammar."
"Drago believes he is doing the exact same thing and things aren't going well for him," said Hiccup folding his arms.
"Unlike Drago Bludvist, I do not ignore the common threat," said Bhelen.
"Why did you train your other brother?" Hiccup asked.
"Duran believe as I did that are caste system endangers all, but he wouldn't do what was necessary. I do regret what I did, but I did so in order to protect my people, and I won't apologise for that."
"There are rumours suggesting that you poisoned your father," said Speedfist.
"I did no such thing!" Bhelen roared. "My father was in constant guard when he fell ill, and Harrowmont hardly left aside."
"Do you think that Harrowmont killed him?"
"No, I don't. I believe my father died of a broken heart after the loss of my brothers," said Bhelen and generally remorseful. "I won't deny that my doings killed my father, but I would never have poisoned him."
Hiccup sighed. "Very well, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't get involved. However, I came here seeking aid to the Blight and to do that I need someone on the throne."
"Then we have a common goal," said Bhelen. "We may not like each other, but the Blight is our first priority. We need absolute unity to fight the fulcrum of such evil."
"Then you'll know your agreement with the Wardens?" Hiccup asked.
"Absolutely," Bhelen nodded. "And sworn on the mail, my ancestors… as soon as Orzammar is united under my rule. Unfortunately, while this debate rages, I have no power to send the troops you need. You seem yourself; the city is a slaughterhouse. Criminals run lawless. I could never hold the throne if I allowed such chaos."
Hiccup got the idea. "Then maybe I can sort this problem out…"
"I like the way you think," Bhelen smiled. "Have you ever heard of a woman named Jarvia, and the cartra of criminal she runs?"
"What's the Cartra?" Snotlout frowned.
"They're a gang of criminals, mostly casteless, led by a repulsive slug of a woman named Jarvia. They're paid off numerous guardsmen to build their power. They know that Orzammar is divided now and has no time for them. It's made them bold. If I can show the city, I can eliminate such a threat… Well, let's just say my position would be stronger."
Hiccup folded his arms. "And you want us to take them out?"
"You can eliminate them, I promise as king, I was in as many troops as you need to fight the darkspawn," Bhelen promised. "Unfortunately, I have little information on Jarvia. Her base of power is in Dust Town, the lowest part of the city, and my men have few sources there. Maybe the casteless will talk more freely with a stranger."
"I'll see what I can do," said Hiccup.
"And I await eagerly for your return," said Bhelen.
They were just about to leave, but just as they exited Bhelen's chambers a beautiful dwarven women approach them. She had beautiful red hair that was tied in a bun, but the thing that caught Hiccup's eye was the markings on her face. He remembered that the marking indicated that see was casteless, but she would never be allowed to set foot in the Palace if that was true.
He then remembered that it was common practice for dwarven nobles to have concubines to produce as many children as possible. Judging from her beautiful silk dress, she had to be one of Bhelen's concubines.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to bother you, but are you the Grey Wardens are here to help Bhelen?" she asked.
"I am, but who are you?" Hiccup asked.
"Sorry, where my manners," she said. "My name is Rica, and I'm Prince Bhelen's concubine."
"Concubine?" Snotlout frowned.
"For someone who has more has dwarven blood in his veins you know very little about dwarfs," said Speedfist. "Since there are very few dwarfs and says they have low fertility rates, it is common practice for them to have concubines in order to add blades to their house."
Astrid shook her head in disgust. "Sounds disgusting."
"Actually it's probably a good thing because it gives the casteless the chance to join a noble house if they produce a child," said Hiccup.
"Exactly, because I gave birth to Bhelen's son, I was immediately rose to nobility along with the rest of my family," Rica explained.
"And casteless are?" Snotlout asked.
"Those born without a caste," said Hiccup shaking his head. "The casteless are descended from criminals, you see when a member of a proud warming family commits a crime that member along with their family, are cast out and forgotten. A dwarf can also become casteless when they choose to go to the surface, turning their back on the ancestors."
"I'm starting to understand why Bhelen did what he did," said Astrid.
"If Bhelen becomes kingdom the casteless might have a chance to earn greatness, some could even become warrior caste," said Rica. "But let us get back to why I came to you, I understand that you're going to confront Jarvia?"
"We are," said Hiccup. "You know her?"
"We never met, but my little sister was a member of the Carta, and she was the right hand of Beraht."
"Past tense," Astrid noted.
"Jarvia was his lover, but she played him like a fiddle. When she finally got him alone she killed him in cold blood, then she went to the surface and mess with Beraht's family pretending to be his wife and then she killed them. Ever since then, she has expanded the Carta's influence throughout Orzammar."
"As if she wasn't dangerous enough," said Heather.
Hiccup looked at her. "Your sister was part of the Carta, can she help us to track down?"
"Actually she needs your help," said Rica looking worried. "Beraht tried to rig a Proving for a noble place a large bet on a competitor, such things are illegal as you can imagine. My sister and her friend were sent to rig the match, but the competitor they were to help got drunk."
"Ah, can't exactly rig a match when the competitor rigged himself," said Ragnar.
"Actually my sister attended to be, and she won the Proving."
"Something went wrong didn't it," Astrid assumed.
Rica nodded. "The drunken competitor made his way into the arena."
"Let me guess when they discovered that the winner of the Proving turned out to be casteless, everyone was furious," Hiccup assumed.
"Yes, they imprisoned my sister, but no sooner had she been apprehended that Beraht bribed the guards guarding and kidnapped her. I haven't seen her for over a year now."
"I hate to burst your bubble, but more than likely she's dead," said Hiccup.
"My sister is a survivor, but that is most likely true," Rica admitted. "But since you be infiltrating the catra you might keep an eye out for her."
"We'll try, but you know I can't promise whether she'll be alive not."
"I know, and thank you."
Hiccup had left Snotlout, Fishlegs, Sten and Shale at the palace as this mission requires stealth something which neither of them excelled at.
They eventually made their way into Dust Town, which was filled with condemned houses. There were certainly plenty of beggars out on the streets of them wearing rags and covered in dirt.
"This place is worse than any alienage and believe me I seen some pretty terrible alienages," said Eret.
"Any idea where to start?" Ragnar asked.
"We can start by asking these beggars," said Hiccup.
"Why them?" Astrid asked.
"Because beggars watch everything and no one ever notices them," said Heather looking quite impressed. "And I imagine that they will be more than happy to give us information for the right price."
They then began asking that beggars if they had seen Jarvia or any of her men, most of them were clearly lying trying to get some extra coin. It wasn't until they came across a dwarven woman with a pair of broken legs that the investigation started to bear fruit.
"Well, look at that," he said, looking at all of them. "It's not often of Nadezda sees a fine-dressed stranger here in Dust Town. Help a poor cripple?"
"I might have some money if you have some information?" said Hiccup.
"What are you looking for?"
"Know anything about the catra?"
"Know it? I lived it, my friend, and let me tell you, it's worse now than in my day. Jarvia took over the catra more than a year ago, and already she's got every duster with both legs bearing swords for her."
"Does the carta have a base anyway?"
"They do, but it's not easy to find. Jarvia's gotten really paranoid. She's got catra members all carrying these finger-bone tokens. She scratches some mark into them, so she'll know they came from her. There's doors to her base all over the city, but only one is ever open at the time, and if you show up without a token, you'd never know it was there."
"So where can I find one of these tokens?"
"Can't help you there, salroka. The carta members keep them real tight. Now, how about that coin you promised?"
"Here's five silver for the road," said Hiccup tossing her five silver coins.
She smiled at him. "I'll think of you when I go to bed with a full stomach."
They did a little bit more digging, and many of the beggars mentioned that the carta members seem to be pouring out of a single small house. Ironically this house once belonged to Rica and her family, and now Jarvia had the purpose it.
When they make their way into the house, they weren't surprised to discover that inside was a welcoming committee. Hiccup suspected that Jarvia knew they were looking for her, it was exactly conspicuous no doubt some of the beggars tipped her off for some extra coin.
"Well, look what we have here…"
"Jarvia said you were looking for trouble. Congratulations, you found it."
"At least we know in the right place," said Hiccup and quickly looked the others. "To arms!"
The immediately engaged the carta thugs, both Valka and Speedfist were at a bit of a disadvantage since dwarfs were resistant to magic. Of course, they were up against a bunch of thugs, not well-trained soldiers, so everything was pretty much even.
Of course, there wasn't much room to find, and they were fighting against opponents half their size. Fortunately, Eret seemed to know how to handle battling against the dwarf, no doubt he was trying to fight against all different kinds of opponents.
The twins fought back to back against a couple of these thugs, and they then flustered their blades towards, and they quickly jumped out of the way causing the thugs to kill themselves. Astrid was overpowering a thug with her battleaxe and managed to slices head of with a single swing. Heather were fighting close quarters, but they were far swifter than their opponents and caught them completely off guard.
Continue to do battle with the leader of the thugs there believes clashed, but the thug was battling rather clumsily. It didn't take much to figure out that he hand expected them to fight this well, and in a moment of weakness, Hiccup managed to disarm him.
"D-don't kill me!" he pleaded as Hiccup rested his blade beneath his chin. "Sorting ancestors, what do they teach you on the surface? You fight like a bleedin' archdemon!" He then noticed that the rest of his men have been killed. "Sweet bloody Stone, look at them all!"
"Tell me where I can find Jarvia, or you join them!" Hiccup threatened.
"The base is below the city," he said quickly. "Y-you can get through the wall of the third house on this row. Put this token through the slot, and it'll open." He then handed Hiccup a finger bone with a carving scratched on it. "Will… will you let me go now?"
"Yes. And you won't want to be Jarvia when I get there," said Hiccup lowering his blade.
"R-really?" he said, looking relieved. "You're a… a good person. How do they say it? The ancestors have shown you that their favour. Bless you!"
He then walked away rather quickly.
"I think he wet himself," Astrid smiled.
"At least we managed to get one of these tokens now we know where to put it," said Hiccup.
Following the dwarf's instructions, they exited the house and made their way to the actual house hiding the catra base. The door was made of solid stone, but there was a small slot for the finger bone token and Hiccup inserted into the slot.
The door then opened in they made their way inside.
When they stepped through the door, they found themselves in a tunnel and judging from its size, it probably went across the entire city.
"These tunnels must go through the entire city," said Ragnar.
"Explain how they would get around without detection," said Hiccup.
"Well, once worked through with them no one will have to worry about the carta in Orzammar any more," said Astrid.
They began making their way through the tunnels, and it was quite the labyrinth and many carta thugs blocking their path. However, they fought no different than the one thing counted on the in Dust Town, so they were easily dispatched.
"There's just so many casteless among them," said Heather noting the markings on their faces.
"Casteless don't exactly have many job prospects, no one will hire them because their ancestors were criminals," said Hiccup.
"But I don't understand why they stay here, why don't they go to the surface?" Astrid asked. "Sure be a rough life, but as far as I know, the dwarfs on the surface look out for one another."
"Would you want to leave your home?" Eret asked.
Speedfist nodded. "Exactly the are many mages in the Circle of Magi they do not want to leave the circle because it's home."
Astrid sighed. "I suppose you have a point."
"We should see we can't find any clue about Rica's sister while we're here," said Heather.
"Let's just hope that we have good news for her," said Ragnar.
They kept on pushing through until they came across what appeared to be a jail, and after dispatching the jailers, they found a dwarven woman with red hair sitting in one of the cells. It looked as if she had only been given enough food and water to keep herself alive as she was practically skin and bone.
"Humans and elves, here?" she said, looking at them curiously. "And judging how you dispatched my jailers, I am assuming that you no friend of the carta."
"We're here to kill their boss actually," said Hiccup. "And we were asked by a woman by the name of Rica to look for her her little sister."
"Rica, sent you?" she said as she rose to her feet. "Well, you found in the name is Natia."
"I'm kind of surprised that you're still alive," said Ragnar.
"If it wasn't for the fact that my sister became a concubine to Prince Bhelen I would have. Jarvia was planning on ransoming need to House Aeducan, but then came this battle for the throne."
"So you know what's going on out there?" said Astrid.
"You're surprised how loose-lipped these carta thugs," she smiled. "Though I suspect that you deem came here to rescue me."
Hiccup nodded. "We actually came here to kill Jarvia."
Natia smiled. "I was hoping you are going to say that, in that case, let me help you."
"In the state, you're in your in no condition to fight," Astrid pointed out.
"Maybe, but I know this base I can help you reach Jarvia, just promise me that you let me do the final blow."
"Okay, but try not to get yourself killed," said Hiccup as he grabbed the jailers keys and began to unlock the cell.
Natia's help proved to be quite valuable as she was able to guide them through the tunnels until they finally reached the centre of the carta's base. Waiting for them was a dwarven woman with dark eyes who could only be Jarvia.
"So, Bhelen finally realised that his throne means nothing if he can't hold it, yet still he can't be bothered to send his own men," said Jarvia. "Well, you picked the wrong side, stranger. It doesn't matter who's king, as long as there's a queen!"
"You're awfully cocky for someone whose entire carta is dead," said Natia.
Jarvia glared at her. "I see they let you out of your cell, I knew I should killed you when we first grabbed you." She then looked at her men. "Kill them! But leave the mouthy one alive! I have plans for him."
Then suddenly appearing out of the shadows were dwarven assassins. Clearly, the entire carta was made of just thugs. Eret, however, saw them coming and quickly spun around and slashed the throat of one of them and Astrid sliced off another's head. Valka then transformed into a bear and crushed one of the assassins beneath her paw.
Dwarven archers then appeared and began firing arrows towards them, but Speedfist quickly created a barrier protecting them. Ragnar and Heather then both to their bows and fired their arrows hitting one them both in the chest with a heart would be.
Hiccup then quickly engaged Jarvia, she was clearly a better fighter than her thugs and Hiccup was more used to fighting foes his size. A thug tried to attack him while his back was turned, but Toothless pounced on top of him plunging his fangs into his side.
The twins quickly backed him up and began engaging the other thugs leaving Hiccup's full attention on Jarvia. She swung one of her blades only for it to be blocked by his shield and when she swung her other blade Hiccup course with his sword and disarmed her. He then spun his blade beneath her feet, knocking her to the ground.
"Well, aren't you going to finish me?" she asked.
"No, I made a deal," said Hiccup.
Natia then stepped forward, and Hiccup handed her his blade. She then plunged into Jarvia's chest and looked up at Hiccup.
"Thanks, that felt good," she said.
"Guess we should make our way back to the palace now," said Astrid.
"Assuming we can find our way back?" said Heather.
"That shouldn't be too hard just follow me," said Natia handing Hiccup back his sword.
At Aresgan, the King's Council had been summoned to discuss the situation of the realm.
"It would seem as if the fighting between us and the rebels has died down significantly," said Viggo. "It would seem as if Stoick's plan seems to be working."
"I say we should use this opportunity to crush the rebels," said Krogan.
"And turn the entire kingdom against us, not wise," said Tyrell. "I'm actually a bit more concerned about the Treasury, we seem to be scraping from the bottom."
Johann narrowed his eyes. "I assure you that I have a plan in place in order to recover losses."
"Things wouldn't be so bad if you happen hired those assassins," said Tyrell.
"They may have been the first attempt, but they have plenty more opportunities."
"Not as many as you might think considering that one of these assassins has now joined up with Hiccup's band," said Viggo with a small smile. "Apparently he is now considered good as dead to be Wolves and see's Hiccup is the best means to survive. With his assistants, there will be able to avoid all the traps that the Wolves have set."
"Not as if they have an opportunity to attack him now that he's underground," said Tyrell.
"Enough!" Drago roared slamming his fist on the table. "Stoick threatens to divide us when unity is crucial, the darkspawn are far more numerous than we believed. I will not allow it to this nation to exist so long as I live."
"Forgetting the fact that you are the one who started this division," Viggo muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Drago growled.
"I'm just saying that it is not fair to blame Stoick for the Civil War, he was in a coma at the time it began," Viggo pointed out. "I would be a bit more concerned with the rights that are appearing in Berserker Fields and Cold Claw."
"Clearly the common people aren't too happy with this council," said Tyrell.
Drago clenched his fist. "Ingrates, this is the thanks I get for liberating them from the Asgardians? Put down the rebellion's and eliminate the leaders by any means necessary!"
Tyrell looked at him. "Father, I would advise that—"
"Do not question me!" Drago growled.
"It will be done my Lord," said Krogan.
Viggo and Tyrell looked at one another, and both of them silently agreed that things were starting to get out of hand.