Natia was guiding them through the tunnels perfectly, Hiccup was quite impressed with dwarven stone sense. He had heard that dwarfs use it in order to navigate underground even if it's pitch dark.
Natia managed to locate a weak spot within the wall, and with the magical assistance of Valka and Speedfist, they were able to blast right through. It turned out they ended up in a store, and the owner was not quite pleased, he was even less pleased when he discovered that the tunnels actually led to the catra hideout.
They then make their way back to the palace, and Bhelen was waiting for them.
"Well, you simply outdone yourself," he said, looking pleased. "They're talking over the city about someone finally went through Dust Town and slaughtered the carta like genlocks. Not only that, but you were able to rescue my long lost sister."
"She helped us navigate through the carta base," said Hiccup.
"Then it would seem as if I extend my thanks to you little sister," Bhelen smiled. "My Rica will be so relieved to see that you're alive and well."
"And I hear that I'm an aunt as well," said Natia. "Does that mean my nephew is going to be your heir?"
"I haven't decided upon an heir yet," Bhelen admitted. "Though are any children she bears have the same rights as any from my wife's body, and of course it all depends on whether my son is as clever and courageous as his aunt."
"I'm sorry to break up this family reunion, but I do need your troops," said Hiccup.
Bhelen nodded. "I'm afraid things are not that simple. While killing Jarvia brought me great favour, I need something larger in order to displace Harrowmont. We'll need something dramatic to end this debate forever. Tell me what you know about Paragon Branka?"
"If I remember correctly she was a smith and inventor, and she created a special kind of powder that increase the output of the smiths and cut the death rate from the black-lung," said Hiccup.
Bhelen nodded. "Two years ago she heard of something the ancients left behind in Caridin's Cross. It inspired her to leave everything behind and venture into the Deep Roads. She is the only Paragon in for generations, and she turned her back on her responsibilities. A paragon is like an ancestor born in this time if she returned her vote would outweigh the entire Assembly. Anyone with her support could take the throne unchallenged."
"What makes you think that Branka is still alive?" Astrid asked.
"She had an entire house with her, dedicated to her protection. With the number of ruined still intact, they could last for a long time, and Harrowmont is looking as well. It's too risky to assume that she's dead only for him to take credit for finding her."
"Where's Caridan's Cross?" Hiccup asked.
"You must enter the Deep Roads through the mines, to protect a city that's the only path open. Caridan's Cross lies many miles deep into the tunnels. It was once a main thoroughfare, but before Branka, no one had stepped there in generations."
"And what if she doesn't support you?"
"I was hoping that you could use your chance to convince her to support the rightful king, the however if the Deep Roads addled her wits then it may be best that she not return before the kingship is decided."
"Then we'll head out right now and find her," said Hiccup.
Bhelen nodded. "You have my thanks, but I would ask another favour you. If you do run into my brother bring him home."
Speedfist looked at him, stunned. "I'm surprised that you want us to search for your brother, the same one you helped get exiled."
"I already explained myself," said Bhelen. ". If you do find him tell him that he can come home with full honours."
"We'll try, but the chances of him being alive are slim," said Hiccup.
"My brother was one of the best warriors in his generation, if anyone can survive alone against the darkspawn for over a year, it's him."
As they were making their way through the Diamond Quarter, they spotted a heated argument between two dwarven warriors. That said only one of them was wielding weapons while the other smelled as if he had spent all his life in a tavern.
"It'll be two years tomorrow!" said the unarmed dwarf angrily. "By all the holy sodding ancestors, how can you people just ignore that!"
"Branka didn't go alone, Wartihog. She took the whole house. Everyone that you. So just get over to the Tapsters and drown yourself already. You know as well as I do that how this always ends."
Wartihog clenched his fist and glared at him. "You think I'm afraid of some club warrior who's barely off his teat? I'll—"
"You lift a weapon or attack a single civilian in Orzammar, and you're stripped of your caste and exiled. Even you can't have forgotten that. Get out of here before I call the guardsmen."
Wartihog looked furious and did almost seem as if he was going to attack the guard, but then he just walked off back towards the Commons.
The guard shook his head and looked at Hiccup as his party approached him. "Can you believe it? Wartihog's barely even Warrior Caste anymore, and he just clomps in here like he's entitled!"
"Who is this Wartihog?" Hiccup asked.
"Wartihog's a drunken wretch. He comes here two, three times a week, hounding people to lead some suicide rescue mission after Branka. Get quite violent about it. I'd be scared if they hadn't practically gelded him after he killed young Lord Meino."
"What you mean by 'gelded'?" Ragnar asked.
"Well, he killed Lord Meino's youngest son in a duel to first blood. It was a huge scandal. Wartihog should've been executed, but he'd won honours in the Deep Roads. Instead, they stripped of all his weapons and obeyed him from engaging in fights within city limits. If he breaks that decree, he'll be exiled."
"Why does Wartihog care so much about Branka?" Fishlegs frowned.
He sighed. "She's still his wife, isn't she? Even if you took her took their entire house into the Deep Roads and abandoned him."
Astrid stared at him dumbfounded. "Branka was married to that drunk?"
"Well, before she was a Paragon, she was just a smith, and Wartihog was one of the best warriors in his generation."
"So what were you two arguing about?" Hiccup asked.
"It's been two years since Branka left. No one has ever even stayed in the Deep Roads that long and survive. The search teams who went out found nothing, but Wartihog wants to keep risking lives searching."
"Well, we better leave before you start complaining about us," said Hiccup.
"If you see any guardsmen, tell them Wartihog was at it again."
As he left the guard, Ragnar looked at Hiccup curiously. "You're thinking of tracking down Wartihog."
Astrid stared at Hiccup. "You can't be considering bringing that drunk with us?"
Hiccup looked at her. "Astrid, none of us have ever been down in the Deep Roads he has. Besides I think you stay so brave were looking for his long lost wife, he might be able to help us track her down."
"That's assuming he's sober enough to listen to what we say," said Valka and then side. "If we must I suggest that we go to the Tapsters, apparently that when he spends most of his days according to the guard."
Following the absence of logically made their way to the Tapsters and sure enough, they found Wartihog sitting on a table with a tankard of ale in his hand.
"What do you want?" said Wartihog as they approached him. Apparently, he was sober enough to recognise the Grey Warden symbol on Hiccup and Ragnar's armour. "Hey, I've heard of you. Grey Wardens, coming from the surface, great crisis in the world. People are saying that you've thrown yourself in with Bhelen. I figured you'd be the ones that would help me find Branka. But I guess you're just like all the rest."
"'All the rest' of whom?" said Hiccup as he sat down opposite Wartihog.
"Power-hungry deep lords. The only real concern they have is whose ass gets the throne. You don't have to play dumb, Warden. Their lackeys only come to me when they want something. Well, if you want secrets of a Paragon, do the work and find her."
"It might surprise you, but I generally want to help," said Hiccup.
Wartihog wipes the froth from his mouth. "Too little, too late, but it's a nice gesture. If you think that I would fall for that, then you really must be from the surface. I know that both Bhelen and Harrowmont have been asking about her. Two years without a peep, and suddenly now they want to start looking. If you find out what they know, it might put me a step closer to finding her. Or sit and have a drink. It's all the bleeding same to me. Barkeep!"
Hiccup decided they weren't getting anywhere rose to his feet and left Wartihog to drink himself to death.
"So much asking for his help," said Astrid.
"You don't sound disappointed."
"A drunken warrior on the battlefield is just asking for trouble."
"She's not wrong," said Fishlegs. "I mean it will be dangerous without him hacking at us."
Hiccup wasn't going to argue. "Let's just go down into the Deep Roads."
"Any idea how long we'll be down there?" Heather asked.
"Probably a week at most," said Ragnar. "Fortunately for us during a Blight the Deep Roads are rather vacant, most of the horde will be on the surface."
"Which means this is a good opportunity for us to locate Branka and get out alive," said Hiccup.
"And with you and Ragnar we won't be caught by surprise by darkspawn," Fishlegs added.
With that agree they made their way towards the entrance into the Deep Roads, but not before buying some extra supplies, especially food and water. However, when they got there, they were somewhat surprised to find Wartihog waiting for them.
"So," he said, looking at them. "You were serious before about wanting to help Branka, huh? The name is Wartihog. I don't know if you remember. People seem to forget me these days. Or ignore. I forget which."
"How did you know that I was looking for Branka, I never told you my intense," Hiccup asked curiously.
"Not everyone hates me, you know," Wartihog smiled, folding his arms. "There's enough people who know I'm interested, they make sure I hear if anyone's looking for her. They say that Bhelen's teams finally learn something and he's sending you to follow it. But they haven't found Branka herself, and that means whatever they've got, it's not enough if you don't know what she's was looking for. If we pool our knowledge, we stand a chance of finding Branka. Otherwise, good sodding luck."
"Don't we have enough armed lunatics with us already?" Astrid asked.
"What's one more," Hiccup shrugged.
"I'm starting to like it," Wartihog smiled. "Branka was a brilliant girl, but half the time she'd add two and two and make fifty. You want to find her, you need someone who knows how she thinks."
"And what makes you think you can trust us?" Snotlout asked.
"Ach!" Wartihog growled furiously. "I'm not some sodding elf maiden who sits around and wait for a passing hero to solve my problems. I'm a bloody warrior! I mean to get her back, and you wouldn't be down here if you weren't trying for the same thing. Branka was looking for something called the Anvil of the Void. Might have been the most important invention in Orzammar's history. The smith Caridin built it, and with it, Orzammar had 100 years of peace, while it was protected by golems for forged on the Anvil. As far as anyone knows, the Anvil was built in the old Ortan Thaig. Branka planned to start looking there if she could ever find it. All she knew was that it was part of Caridin's Cross. No one's seen that thiag for 500 years."
"Looks like we're going to your birthplace, Shale," said Astrid smiling at the golem.
"I'm ecstatic," said Shale dryly.
"Bhelen gave me this map," said Hiccup holding up the map. "I can get us to Caridin's Cross."
Wartihog nodded. "If we're going, let's get moving. Branka's not going to sodding find herself."
They made their way to the entrance, which was heavily guarded by some guardsmen.
"What's this? A human?" the captain stared. "Did we make these tunnels tall enough for humans?" The other guard merely shrugged, and then he looked back at them. "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow you to pass the front lines without a deahy's permission."
"Open your eyes, man!" Wartihog yelled impatiently and then immediately gestured to Hiccup and Ragnar. "These two are Grey Wardens are on a quest to find your Paragon! Do I have to take your stinking head off!"
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "What Wartihog is trying to say is that we have permission to pass."
"Wartihog could have been a deshyr for House Branka," said the captain stroking his beard. "I suppose he's the next best thing, in both skill and arrogance. You may pass. I'd offer more assistance, but my command post it here. All Orzammar relies on us to hold this line."
"We can manage," said Hiccup.
"Best of luck."
With that, these made their way into the Deep Roads.
Using the map that Bhelen had given in the starting to make their way through until they reached Caridin's Cross.
"Caridin's Cross!" said Wartihog in awe. "I can't believe that Bhelen actually tracked this place down. This used to be one of the biggest crossroads in the old empire. You could get anywhere from here. Including Ortan Thaig."
"See any signs of Branka?" Hiccup asked.
"Not a one, but trust me, we will once we're on the path to Ortan Thaig. She was going to Caridin's home."
"What's so important about Ortan Thaig?" Snotlout asked.
"It's the home of Caridin, the Paragon who made the Anvil. He was an Ortan before he founded his own house, even then, he spent most of his time in their thaig. Branka figured it was the best guess were where the Anvil was located."
"Do you know anything else about the anvil?" Fishlegs asked eagerly.
Wartihog shook his head. "No one but Caridin ever really knew more than that it had some kind of Stone-blessed power. Every golem whoever ranged across the empire was hammered on the steel of the Anvil, but no one ever knew exactly how they were made. But Branka was sure that she could find out."
"So I take it you were to go from here?" Hiccup asked.
"Aye, Branka dug up some maps of the old empire," said Wartihog as he pulled out some old maps. "It's a little tough to tell with so many of it collapsed now, but as near as I can figure we're on the right path to Ortan Thaig."
"Just remember the deeper we go, the more likely will run into darkspawn," Ragnar reminded them.
"And on that cheery note let's get going," said Hiccup.
Wartihog smiled. "I've been waiting for someone to say that the two sodding years."
They began making their way down the road, but as Wartihog had warned them the path ahead of them had collapsed. Fortunately, there was a side opening within the walls which would allow them to go around, but of course, they were then encountered by darkspawn.
Wartihog was certainly proving himself to be quite the warrior as he was chopping his way through darkspawn with his two-handed battleaxe. He was in a kind of rage and was swinging left and right without a break and despite the number of hits he took, he didn't show an ounce of pain.
When the battle was over, Hiccup looked at Astrid.
Astrid sighed "Okay, I admit it, he's a very skilled warrior even when he's drunk."
"Hate to see him fight against an enemy when he's sober," Ragnar joked.
"You might get your chance," said Sten.
They kept on making their way through fighting against darkspawn, even encountering a few trolls. Eventually, they made their way into what appeared to be the ruins of a once-great city had only been Ortan Thaig.
"By the ancestors, Ortan Thaig," Wartihog stared. "I never thought I'd see this place in the flesh. I can see Branka all over this place. She always took chips from the walls at regular intervals when she was in a new tunnel—check their composition. If she were still here, though, she'd have sentries out by now."
"Anything you can tell us about these wounds?" Fishlegs asked as he examined the walls.
"This was Caridin's home thaig. Even after becoming a Paragon, he stayed here when he could have had his own house. I get it in one of his people to Bowammar."
"What's Bowammar?" Astrid asked.
"The city of the dead. Caridin built in honour of the Legion of the Dead, but it was more like a sodding mausoleum then anything. Of course, that was all before he built the Anvil. After that, he was the city's pet genius until he angered the king and fell into disfavour."
"And the Legion of the Dead are?" Snotlout asked.
"An independent dwarven company," said Ragnar. "Duncan told me about them, they're basically the dwarven equivalent of the Grey Wardens they accept all as they hold the lines against the darkspawn. The moment someone joins they are considered dead, they even have a funeral the moment they join."
"A bit pessimistic, aren't they?" said Heather.
"So would you if you fight against darkspawn day after day."
"My father told me that my uncle actually managed to get a portion of the Legion to help in the rebellion," said Hiccup.
Wartihog looked at him, surprised. "Your uncle must be no real piece of work, the Legion doesn't often go to the surface."
"Where would Branka have gone if not here?" Hiccup asked.
"I don't know," said Wartihog honestly. "This was always her goal. She figured if the Anvil wasn't here, they would at least be some clue to point to her where it is."
"So there was a city here once?" said Fishlegs.
"No, no, there was a thaig here, the Ortan Thaig," said Wartihog. "Bowammar is north-west from here, but that's not important. Or at least, I hope it isn't. The City of the Dead is known as the Dead Trenches since the darkspawn conquer it. Most of the Legion was destroyed when the fortress fell."
"And you have no idea where the Anvil is?" Ragnar asked.
"No one does. At the time, Ortan Thaig was on was part of the main city. No one bothered to mark where the Anvil was stored. Now it's impossible to know if it had been moved or even destroyed. But trust me. If we find it, we find Branka."
"Then let's get going," said Hiccup.
"Couldn't have said it better than myself."
With that they began to explore the ruined city and no sooner had he entered the Plaza than they were attacked by giant spiders. They had caught them completely by surprise and had already webbed up Snotlout and the twins.
"How did they get the drop on us?" said Astrid as she sliced through spider with her axe.
"We were expecting an attack from in front of us, not above us," said Hiccup.
Valka and Speedfist use their magic to create a stream of fire roasting many of the spiders, but then one of them jumped into the air and landed on top of Valka. A probably would have plunged its fangs into if someone hadn't plunged their sword into it.
Valka looked her saviour discovered that it was another dwarf wielding a sword and shield. He was a little bit older then Eret and had a thick red beard. He was wearing old dwarven armour that appeared to be falling apart in places.
"Don't get boxed in!" he yelled as he shoved a spider side with his shield. "You can't let them surround you!"
Under the new arrivals instructions, they were able to fight back against the spiders until the surviving ones scurried away.
"Is everyone all right?" he asked.
"Thanks to you," said Valka as she rose to her feet.
Hiccup looked at him and saw that he bore a resemblance to Bhelen. "You're Bhelen's brother Duran, aren't you?"
His expression immediately changed upon hearing Bhelen's name. "So you know my treacherous brother. Tell me was exiling me not enough, he had to send thugs to kill me?"
"We're Grey Wardens actually," said Ragnar.
"My apologies then, but tell me, why are you here?"
They then began to explain to Duran everything that happened ever since he was exiled. Hearing his father's death was quite a shock to him along with the fact that Bhelen wanted him to return home.
"Let me get this straight, you're Grey Wardens who were sent out here to locate a lost Paragon, who is searching for an ancient relic. My brother and Lord Harrowmont are fighting for the throne, there is a Blight on the surface and a civil war, have I missed anything out?"
"No, that about sums it up," said Astrid.
"And you're telling me that my brother wishes for me to return as if all will be forgiven? How do I know it's not a ruse him to publicly execute me in front of everyone as a traitor?"
"Because that would only harm his candidacy," said Hiccup. "I don't like him either, especially after what he did to you, but surely you understand that I have to support him."
"Why don't you support Harrowmont?" Duran asked.
"Because crowning a new king would have a massive in on the well-being of the dwarfs of Orzammar. Harrowmont would isolate your people form the rest of the surface and would keep the strict caste traditions. I know that you are against the strict caste traditions that have been placed on the casteless."
Duran sighed. "It is true that our traditions and pride have endangered my people. Plus I must admit that Bhelen proved himself more crafty than I gave him credit for, I never knew he had it in him."
"You don't sound resentful," Heather frowned. "I've only recently discovered that my parents were betrayed and killed."
"Oh, I haven't forgiven him, but I can respect his cunning," said Duran. "Plus if he is sincere about restoring my honours I'll be able to keep him in check."
"So you'll help us?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm sick and tired of scavenging for food and water, so I'll bend the knee just to get out of this cesspit," said Duran.
"It is surprising that you managed to survive this long on your own," said Sten looking somewhat impressed.
"There's a reason why my father's favourite son," Duran smiled.
Ragnar then looked at Wartihog. "Any sign of Branka?"
"It looks like Branka went on from here," said Wartihog. "From the looks of it, she didn't stay more than a few days. And I doubt you found any sign of the Anvil then we have."
"Well, can you follow her trail?" Hiccup asked.
"A bit. Onwards and downward's the best I can make out. If I had to guess, I'd say she probably tried the Dead Trenches next. Bownammar was Caridin's other great achievement. Before the darkspawn took it, anyway. The Anvil's is likely to be there as anywhere."
They then began looking around the ruined city and then came across an abandoned campsite.
Hiccup then noticed the journal among the abandoned belongings, the cover was battered and torn, but still very much intact. Hiccup looked through it and then saw something that caught his eye.
"This belonged to Branka," said Hiccup.
"What does it say?" Heather asked.
Hiccup then began to read out loud to everyone could hear. "'We found evidence today that the Anvil of the Void was not built in the Ortan Thaig. We will go south, to the Dead Trenches. The Anvil is somewhere beyond. My soldiers tell me I am mad, that the Dead Trenches are crawling with darkspawn, that we will surely die before we finally Anvil… If we find it. I'll leave this here in case they're right. If I die in the Trenches, perhaps someone can yet walk past my corpse and retrieve the Anvil. For if it remains lost, so do we all. If I have not returned and Wartihog yet lives, tell him… No, what I have to say should be in his ears alone.'"
Warthiog's eyes lit up. "Branka was thinking about me? I knew she still cared! The softy. Looks like the Dead Trenches are our next stop then. They say the darkspawn nest there, whole herds of them. But that's where Branka went that where I'm going."
"We aren't going to a place with the name 'Dead' in it?" Fishlegs asked.
"Unless you have a Paragon of your sleeve we are," said Hiccup.
"We will be heading to the front lines, we'll be encountering more darkspawn then you can imagine," said Duran.
"Is anyone else concerned that she seems a bit excited about this anvil?" Snotlout asked.
"An Anvil that is able to create golems," Astrid pointed out. "You've seen how well Shale fights, imagine an entire legion of it."
"Snotlout does have a fair point, I mean it seems if she doesn't care entire house dies so long as she gets the Anvil," Speedfist pointed out.
Hiccup looked down the tunnel he could hear whispers, far too many to count.
"I sense them too," said Ragnar.
"I haven't since this many of them since Ostagar," said Hiccup.
Astrid looked at them concerned. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, just a whole lot of darkspawn ahead of us in the thousands," said Hiccup.
"Oh, wonderful," Snotlout moaned
They made their way south deep into the tunnels towards the Dead Trenches.