Chapter 49
And The Plot Thickens:

The journey to Denerim was largely uneventful. With a contingent of guards, we didn't have to fight many darkspawn ourselves. My companions and I were largely left alone, although Alistair spent most of his time with Arl Eamon.

As soon as we arrived in the city, we followed Arl Eamon to his estate. I gripped a hold of Alistair's arm as I recognised the man waiting at the gates – Loghain.

"Loghain," stammered Eamon. "This is… an honour, that the regent would find time to greet me personally."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought Anora was the Queen, why don't you let her speak for herself?"

Loghain sneered at me. "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 Orzammar's rejects."

"Well, you're admitting the 'royal' part," interjected Alistair. "That's a start."

Loghain ignored Alistair, keeping his attention on Eamon. "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."

I felt anger surge within me. "And whose fault is that?" I hissed.

He glared down at me. "I was not talking to you."

Teagan placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me from lurching forward. I could feel myself trembling in anger. How dare this man stand before us and act like he had done nothing wrong.

"I cannot forgive what you've done, Loghain," said Arl Eamon. "Perhaps the Maker can, but not I. Our people deserve a king of Theirin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory in this Blight."

"Oh, is that all I have to do?" muttered Alistair. "No pressure…"

I gripped his hand and gave him a half-hearted smile. I knew this plan wasn't exactly the first choice for either of us, but there was no other choice with Loghain. Between Alistair or Loghain… it had to be Alistair.

Loghain sneered at Eamon again. ""The emperor of Orlais also thought I could not bring him down," he growled. "Cauthrien, let's go." The female guard nodded, and they stormed away, leaving us standing alone."

I cleared my throat. "What now?" I asked.

Eamon sighed. "Calling the Landsmeet is only the start," he said. "Loghain has been here for months. The roots of all his schemes must begin here. The sooner we find them, the better we can turn them to our advantage. Go and get yourself settled. The maids will show you to your room. When you're ready to talk strategy, come upstairs to my sitting room. We can lay out our plans for the Landsmeet then."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as he walked away. Politics was the same no matter where you were. In a way, this was reminding me of Orzammar and the sodding arguments down there about who was to be King. Once again, I was being called to solve the drama. A lone dwarven Warden who never wanted any sodding responsibility.

Alistair placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "We'll get through this," he muttered quietly. "Somehow. Maker, somehow we will."

I nodded. "I know," I replied, glancing up at him. "It just sodding sucks dealing with politics when there's an Archdemon with a vendetta against us coming."

Alistair snorted. "That's one way to put it."

"We have better things to worry about and here we are playing games about who should or shouldn't be king."

Alistair squeezed my shoulder. "I know. But once this is sorted, we'll be able to gather the armies to stop the darkspawn. Let's go see Eamon and figure out our next move."

I sighed and took a few steps forward before stopping. I had no idea where his sitting room was. I didn't know where anything was here."

Alistair shuffled past me and smoothly grabbed my hand, leading me down the stone corridors of the castle. He stopped at a door down the end of the corridors and glanced back at me. "This is where you're staying," he said as he opened the door. "The door straight across the hallway is Eamon's sitting room."

I studied the room in front of me. It was fancy, with a large bed and dresser taking up a lot of space. I figured this was probably simple to these nobles, but sod it was nice to me.

"I'll let you put your stuff away," mumbled Alistair. "I'll get changed… I've been given my own room apparently."

I nodded and squeezed his hand before he walked away. He looked so lost here – I hated having to throw the King thing on his head. He really didn't want it.

I headed inside the room and unstrapped my weapons, setting them down on top of the dresser. I changed out of my amour and into some clothes that had been left on the bed – which surprisingly fit me really well. They must have been made for a dwarf.

As soon as I was dressed in ordinary clothes I headed straight to Eamon's sitting room. No point in waiting around, might as well get the show on the road and figure out our next move. I pushed the heavy door of his room open and wandered inside.

"Ah, Warden," greeted Arl Eamon as I entered the room. "I trust you've made yourself comfortable."

I nodded. "I have."

A small smile crossed his face. "Good. Because it's likely to be your last rest for a while," he said softly, motioning to the woman beside him. "This is Erlina. She's…"

The woman stepped forward, cutting off Eamon. "I am Queen Anora's handmaiden. She sent me here to ask for your help."

Eamon ran a hand through his hair. "Or perhaps the young lady prefers to speak for herself," he muttered.

"My help?" I repeated, my glance flicking briefly to Eamon before returning to the young woman. "Why does Queen Anora need my help?"

"The queen, she is in a difficult position. She loved her husband, no? And trusted her father to protect him. When he returns with no king and only dark rumours, what is she to think?" said Erlina. She was speaking so quickly she was practically tripping over her words. "She worries, no? But when she tries to speak with him, he does not answer. He tells her 'not to trouble herself'. My queen suspects she cannot trust her father. And Loghain, he is very subtle, no? But Rendon Howe, he is privy to all the secrets and… not so subtle. So, she goes to Howe. A visit from the queen to the new arl of Denerim is only a matter of courtesy. And so, she demands answers."

I sighed. "I'm guessing that didn't go over well."

Erlina shook her head, her hands gripping each other so tightly her knuckles were turning white. "He calls her every sort of name, 'traitor' being the kindest, and locks her in the guest room."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "So, what does this have to do with me?"

Erlina stepped forward and dropped to her knees, grasping my shoulders with her hands. "I think… her life is in danger. I heard Howe say she would be a greater ally dead than alive. Especially if her death could be blamed on Arl Eamon."

My mind went blank. Would Loghain really stoop to that level? The queen is his own daughter? Stone, would he really do that. "Do you really think Loghain would kill his own sodding daughter? Just to frame Eamon?" I glanced up at Eamon briefly and noted the uncertainty in his eyes.

"We may have no choice but to trust Anora," he said. "The queen is well-loved. If Loghain succeeded in pinning her death on me… I'm not sure that's a risk we can afford to take."

I sighed. "What do you propose we do to help?" I asked.

Erlina threw her arms around me for a brief moment. "Thank you," she said, before releasing me. "I have some uniforms. Arl Howe hires so many new guards every day, a few more will not cause much stir. I will show you to the servants' entrance. We must slip in and out with my queen before anyone is the wiser. I will go ahead to Howe's estate. Meet me there as soon as you can."

"I'm glad you decided to help," said Arl Eamon. "With Anora's knowledge, we have a far better chance against Loghain. If Anora speaks out against Loghain, hers would indeed be one of the most powerful voices at the Landsmeet."

I nodded. "You're right about that," I said. "The nobles would trust her opinion... I should get going and meet Erlina at Howe's estate."

"Can you do me a favour?" asked Eamon.

I tilted my head. "What is it?"

"Can you leave Alistair behind on this one?"

"Why?"

"Two reasons. I want to talk strategy with him and... I think Anora would be more comfortable being rescued without him being around. Especially considering the Landsmeet is looking to usurp her claim to the throne."

I shrugged. "You have a point there," I said. "I'll send him into you before I head out."

oOo

Alistair was not happy to be left behind. It was one of those times where his presence would be a hindrance to the overall mission, however, so he eventually agreed to stay behind and talk strategy with Eamon. I grabbed Zevran and Leliana and we headed off to Howe's estate. I figured it'd be easiest with people trained in being sneaky anyhow.

Leliana led the way to Howe's estate – I didn't want to question why she knew where it was, but she did. We deftly moved through the dark alleyways before she stopped suddenly. "I can see a trap ahead," she said softly.

I frowned. "Can we go back?"

She shook her head. "This is the way to the estate, no? We have never shied away from a battle before."

I heard Zev snicker behind me and shot him a quick glare before shrugging. "Fine," I muttered. "Lead us into the trap Leliana."

She giggled and darted forward, stopping as she reached the bottom of the stairs. A man walked out from the shadows, daggers in hand. He took took a few steps towards us, a grin stretching across his face. "And so here is the mighty Grey Warden at long last. The Crows send their greetings, once again."

"So, they sent you, Taliesen?" breathed Zevran beside me. "Or did you volunteer for the job?"

"I volunteered, of course!" exclaimed Taliesen. "When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it for myself."

"Is that so? Well here I am, in the flesh."

"You can return with me, Zevran. I know why you did this, and I don't blame you. It's not too late. Come back and we'll make up a story. Anyone can make a mistake."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'd need to be dead for you to do that though," I grumbled.

"And I'm not about to let that happen," said Zevran. "I'm sorry, my old friend. But the answer is no. I'm not coming back… and you should have stayed in Antiva."

It took only a second to realise that we were surrounded my thugs. Leliana darted to the left, taking on a few archers nearby. My eyes darted around, examining the field. I headed for the closest targets, quickly taking them out with my daggers. I knew Zevran would go straight for this Taliesan, so I made sure to keep all these thugs away from him. I figured Leliana was thinking the same thing as she drew arrow after arrow against enemies headed towards the stairs.

We took out several thugs before the last one finally fell, an arrow going straight through his chest. Leliana and I made eye contact before dashing to Zevran and his old friend. We reached the stairs to see Zev standing over Taliesan, who was laying pathetically in a pool of blood.

Zevran sighed as he knelt beside Taliesen's body. "And there it is," he said quietly. "Taliesen is dead, and I am free of the Crows."

"That easily?" I asked as I sheathed my daggers.

Zev nodded. "They will assume that I am dead along with Taliesen. So long as I do not make my presence known too them, they will not seek me out."

"That's good then."

"A very good thing. It is, in fact, what I had hoped for ever since you decided not to kill me."

I laughed. "Well I'm glad it's all worked out for you then."

He smirked and straightened up. "Lead on my dear Leliana. There is still much to be done, yes?"

"Stay close," said Leliana, directing her attention to me. "We're almost at the estate."

I wiped the splatters of blood off my cheek and followed her through the alleys once again. It grew brighter as we approached a large castle. I could see Erlina standing in some bushes nearby. She motioned for us as we drew closer. A large crowd had gathered at the gates – a pretty good distraction for us. We darted over to her.

"The servant's entrance is on the other side of the house. We must skip past this crowd to reach it. We will have to be very careful. Arl Howe is inside."

"Oh great," I grumbled. "Howe is here."

"Yes," whispered Erlina. "And wherever he goes, a great many guards go with him."

"Well. This is going to be a bit interesting then."

We silently followed Erlina around the back of the house, deftly avoiding the guards patrolling the area. I was immensely glad that I brought Zev and Leliana, they were quiet and skilled in hiding and that's what we really needed right now.

Erlina came to a stop as we approached the back door. Two guards were blocking the entrance. "I can distract the guards," whispered Erlina. "But you must move quickly. I will lure them into the courtyard and then meet you inside. Wait here until it's clear."

The three of us nodded, preparing ourselves to run to the door once the guards were gone. Erlina ran up to them, we couldn't make out what she was saying but she was waving her hands around frantically and they soon started running to the courtyard. We quickly headed to the door and snuck inside.

We kept to the shadows near the door, waiting until Erlina finally came through the door.

"Ah! It took me forever to be rid of those two" exclaimed Erlina as she barrelled into the kitchen. "Are you certain you won't need a disguse?"

Zevran, Leliana and I exchanged looks and shook our heads. "It'll slow us down," I said softly. "We can keep to the shadows and stay out of sight of the guards."

"Just keep walking and don't look around for us," whispered Leliana. "We will always be right behind you."

Erlina nodded. "Okay. I'll lead the way through the castle."

It was a relatively simple trip as we carefully followed Erlina. We kept to the shadows and moved silently, avoiding detection from the guards in the area. Soon, Erlina stopped at a door and ran up to it. She knocked loudly and motioned for us to come closer.. "The Grey Warden is here, my lady," she said.

"Thank the Maker!" exclaimed Anora from the other side of the door. "I would greet you properly, but I'm afraid we've had… a setback."

"What sort of setback?" I asked.

"My 'host' was not content with leaving me under heavy guard. He's sealed the door by magic."

I sighed. Of course, he had. "How do we open it then?"

"Find the mage who cast the spell. He'll most likely be at Howe's side."

I sighed again and pinched my nose between my eyes, trying to stave off the headache that was starting to form. Why was nothing ever simple? This was supposed to be a simple sneak in and out mission and now we had to go seek out this sodding Howe person. "Fine," I said after a few moments. "I'll be back once the spell is gone."

"Thank you, Warden. My prayers go with you."

"Teryn Howe will probably be in his rooms," said Erlina, motioning down the hallway. "They're down there, on the left. I will stay here, with my lady until you return."

I figured she wouldn't stay with us through the castle. I gripped my daggers and shuffled to where Leliana and Zevran were standing. "We need to get to Howe in his rooms. Erlina said they're down the hall to the left. Can't rescue Anora until we break the spell on her door."

Zev sighed. "It is never simple, no? Never a quick rescue. Always something more, yes?"

I shrugged. "Just another part of being dashing heroes I guess."

"Let us move on before we are spotted," muttered Leliana. "We will follow you Kaela, yes?"

I nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."

We continued to move through the castle. We remained silent and stealthy, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the guards. Thankfully there weren't many guards around to stop us. Leliana deftly picked the lock to Howe's room and we hurried inside, closing the door after us.

"No one is here," I said as I glanced around the room. "What the sod do we do now?"

"There is an exit here," said Zevran, nodding towards the stairs leading down. It looked like they were hidden before – perhaps Howe went down recently?

I drew my daggers and stepped towards the stairs. "I doubt anyone is going to think we belong down there. So be ready to fight."

Leliana and Zevran both drew their weapons and we deftly headed down the stairs. We were confronted with several guards as we reached the bottom. They didn't even ask what we were doing there

I was getting a bit over getting attacked at every corner. The second we hit the bottom of the stairs; guards attacked us. I saw a couple holding down a battered man, but he attacked them as soon as they were distracted. It didn't take too long for the guards to be dealt with – we were an efficient team by now.

"I thank you for creating such distraction, stranger," muttered the man as he rubbed his wrists. "I have been waiting weeks for this opportunity."

"No problem," I said. "Glad to be able to help. Any enemy of Arl Howe is an enemy of Loghain which is an enemy of mine."

"That made little sense," whispered Leliana.

The man frowned. "Loghain seems to have the ire of all now. What did he do to earn your hatred?"

"Oh, nothing major," I said dramatically. "Just abandoned the Grey Wardens and the King of Ferelden at Ostagar and left me and Alistair to stop the whole sodding blight alone."

Recognition sparked in the man's eyes. "Alistair survived? And you? You're one of the surviving Grey Wardens?" he breathed. "I'm Riordan, senior Warden of Jader, Orlais. But I was born and bred here, in Highever."

"You're a Grey Warden?"

"That I am. I was sent here when we lost contact with the Wardens in Ferelden and was swiftly captured with an offer of hospitality and a poisoned chalice. I was fool enough to think Loghain didn't yet know who I was."

"Well I'm glad we were able to save you then."

"As am I. It seems to me my first order of business will be to leave this place. It will do neither of us good to be caught at the site of a massacre."

"Alistair is at Arl Eamon's estate, that's where we're staying. If you want to go, there. We need to find Howe and get Queen Anora out of here."

He nodded. "I saw Howe go into the dungeon. He may still be there. Good luck… sister."

He hurriedly left the area and I let out a sigh. Always with the dungeons. We headed further into the dreary areas, keeping an eye out for guards and any possible tortured souls Howe kept down here. We came across an elf, as well as an ill Templar. The Templar refused to leave, but he asked me to find his sister and gave me a ring. Maybe I could convince the sister to get him out of here?

I walked up to the next cell door, recognising movement. The man inside glared at me as I approached. "You can't do this to me," he growled. "I'll have you all flayed! I'm the arl of Denerim!"

"We're not Howe's people," I said. "Who are you?

"I'm Vaughan Kendells, heir to the arling of Denerim! Too many of our troops were lost at Ostagar. When the riots started, Howe came with men to reinforce the garrison here. Or that's what he claimed. As soon as I let him into the palace, he threw me in here. Please, let me out of here! I'll do anything!"

I raised an eyebrow. "A landsmeet has been called against Loghain," I said. "I need your voice."

"Of course!" he exclaimed. "Anything! Just let me out!"

I shrugged and swiftly picked the lock on the cell and let Vaughan out. "I swear, you won't regret this!" he cried before he ran off.

Howe really had fun holding prisoners down here, that's for sure. We continued through the corridors, and I gasped as we rounded the next corner. A man was strapped to a table, limbs connected to each corner. "Ancestors tits," I cried out. "Howe is just nuts!"

"We should release him," said Leliana.

I nodded and ducked over to the man, swiftly cutting the ropes tying him to the table.

He snorted as he unsteadily drew to his feet, his brow knitted together. "Was this supposed to be a lesson? Did my father think it funny to leave me for so long before sending you?"

I blinked. "Who are you?"

"Then… my father didn't send you?" he asked. "I am Oswyn, son of Bann Sighard, of the Dragon's Peak Bannorn. If you aren't one of our soldiers, pray tell me who should I be thanking for my rescue?"

"I'm Kaela… of the Grey Wardens."

"Then I have no question about why you would come, Warden, for it is your men who have suffered the most here. You have my heartfelt gratitude and, I assume, the gratitude of Dragon's Peak Bannorn. If my father sent no one after me, I can only assume that he does not yet know the true colours of the snakes he has allied with. But I will talk with him, and I swear, if there is any forum to speak out against Loghain, my father will be there."

"Thank you," I said with a small smile. "Now get out of this place before you get captured again."

He nodded and dashed out of the dungeon.

"I sodding hope there's no more prisoners down here," I muttered. "This is ridiculous."

Leliana snorted. "There is always more, no? People like Howe enjoy torturing people."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I knew she was right, but sod I hated it. This whole place gave me the creeps and Howe was a psycho. We continued forward until we came to a barred door. It didn't take too much to pound our way through, and we were greeted with a group of men, one standing forward and leering at us.

"Well, well. The Grey Warden," snarled one of the men – I assumed this one was Howe. "I must say, I'm surprised Eamon would condone you invading my castle and murdering my men. Is he losing faith in the persuasive powers of his Landsmeet?"

I snorted. "More so he's losing faith that you won't murder the Queen."

He glared at me. "You should have left when you had the chance, Warden. Slunk off to the Anderfels to hide with the rest of your kind."

They swiftly attacked us. Sodding nughumpers. I swear people just didn't understand how deadly we were, no one really survived a confrontation with us. Leliana deftly rolled away from enemies, firing her arrows at them. Zev went straight for the mage, and I kept the guards off Leli. Leliana's arrows pierced through the guard's armor and they soon dropped to the ground. Howe took a little long for us to defeat, but once Leliana got an arrow through his chest I was able to thrust my daggers through him and he dropped like a stone.

"Sodding stone," I grumbled as I wiped the blood off on nearby cloth. "This is sodding ridiculous."

"That it is," agreed Zevran. "Shall we leave this dreary place? I am sure the Queen is waiting for us, yes?"

I nodded and sheathed my daggers. "Let's be quick about it."

oOo

We hurried back to where Anora was being kept. "The mage is dead now, Anora. The seal is broken," I said as we approached the door.

It swung open, revealing Anora in a guard's uniform. "My thanks," she said.

I tilted my head. "Why are you wearing that?"

"Because there are two sorts of people in this house: those loyal to Howe, and those loyal to me. If Howe's people find me, I'll be killed. And my people will insist on escorting me back to the palace… where my father may also have me killed."

"Well… that's cheery."

I gripped my dagger and led the group back towards the exit, stopping just as soon as we started. The next room was filled with guards, all holding their weapons towards us. A woman stepped forward, hand on her sword as she stared me down. It was the guard that was with Loghain at Eamon's estate, I think her name was Cauthrien.

"Warden!" She shouted. "In the name of the regent, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Rendon Howe and his men-at-arms. Surrender, and you may be shown mercy."

My eyes darted around the room and I let out a sigh before dropping my daggers. "Get Anora to safety," I whispered to Leliana. "And then come find me."

She nodded, concern flickering through her eyes. I shot Anora a grin and stepped towards Cauthrien. "I'm standing down. I don't want any more bloodshed."

I could see the confusion in Cauthrien's expression as she lowered her sword. "I'm surprised this ended peacefully," she said. "Bring the Warden. Loghain doesn't care about the rest."

I let out a sigh of relief. I was hoping it was only me they were after and not my companions. Now Zev and Leliana could get Anora to safety and figure out a way to rescue me. Two guards gripped my arms and escorting me out of the castle. I had no idea where I was headed, but I didn't think it was going to be good.