A/N: We're drawing closer to the end of this story. We have more than five, but less than ten chapters remaining. Some chapters will be written with multiple perspectives to help bring it to a close. Thanks to all those for sticking with this story. I appreciate those who took the time to review. It means a lot to me.
War of the Laurels
By Spectre4hire
Kylon
"Gone?"
"Yes," Slim confirmed, "They're gone."
"Where?" Kylon asked "Why?" He couldn't believe it. He had barely walked into Slim's usual room in the Gnawed Noble Tavern when his friend gave him this unexpected news: The Word of Kaden-Fe were gone.
"That, I don't know," Slim's face scrunched when he chewed his food as if the taste soured in his mouth, but it wasn't his meal that was bothering him. It was not knowing where those qunari mercenaries had gone.
He took a seat still trying to think this through. "They never left his side," Kylon had grown used to seeing the qunari sellswords. They were an intimidating sight that caused many to pale or glance away at their approach. "Could this be a trick?" He suggested, "A trap?" He wouldn't put it past Howe.
"No," Slim shook his head, "They've left the city, and have not been sighted on any of the roads that could take them back to the capital." Slim sipped some of his ale before continuing, "I might not know where they're going, but I have eyes and ears at every entrance into this city." It wasn't a boast by Slim, he said it as if reciting a boring fact. "If they try to return I'll hear of it before they ever reach Howe."
Kylon nodded. He wasn't going to argue with him. That would be a foolish endeavor. "Wherever they went it must've been important," He mused aloud, Arl Howe was not one to share so wherever it was he sent them it had to be to serve him and him alone.
"That's what I'm trying to discover," Slim said curtly, but his face softened quickly. "Forgive me, I don't wish to take out my frustration on you." He dropped his hands into his lap and sighed. "These are trying times for us all."
"They are," Kylon had seen enough of that during his patrols. The people were restless. Loghain's death had sent the city spiraling into bloody, violent unrest. Howe only tightened his control of Denerim on his return, and that had only made tensions grow. The rumors of darkspawn coming north and of Cousland's army had only fanned the flames. He feared the city may soon implode.
"We shouldn't let their disappearance distract us from the opportunity that now presents itself."
Kylon hid his frown by bringing his hand to cover his mouth. He knew very well what opportunity his friend was speaking of. It was a proposal he had brought up more than a week ago, but it still seemed as far-fetched now as it did back then. "You wish to go through with your plan?"
"I do."
"He's the most powerful man in the city, Slim."
"And Teyrn Loghain was before him," Slim observed darkly, "but that didn't save him."
He didn't point out that Loghain's demise had gone against Slim's own plans and had been carried out without his knowledge or permission. "He still has that remaining blood mage."
"Does he?" Slim's smile was enigmatic. The hard glint in his eyes showed a small glimpse of the man who had made his fair share of hard choices.
Kylon understood his friend's meaning, and was impressed if the mage truly had been dealt with, but he still wasn't convinced. "How do you propose to do this?"
"I have the means to lure Howe out of his palace."
"What means is that?"
"I have his son."
"What?" Kylon asked incredulously.
"Howe's lover, Lady Sophie went into hiding months ago," Slim answered simply. "She was pregnant. She's since delivered a healthy boy."
Repulsed, he was quick to ask. "You would use this mother and babe as bait?"
Slim narrowed his eyes back at him. "Their names not their actual selves."
"Sorry," Kylon apologized, relieved, but a little embarrassed by his hasty judgment. Thankfully, Slim looked placated by it. "He wouldn't come alone."
"Neither will we."
Kylon knew his friend had forces but he assumed those ranks were filled with spies and informants not soldiers. He waited for Slim to expand on his answer, but the silence that followed showed that he didn't intend to. "What of the city after Howe's taken?" The last thing he wanted was Denerim to fall once more into anarchy.
"The Queen's seneschal wisely went underground when Howe took the city," Slim didn't need to say he had a part in that, because it was obvious, "He should be able to hold the city together until King Edmund and Queen Anora arrive to the capital." Slim drummed his fingers against the table. "Besides few will know of Howe being deposed. Only those who have benefited from his rule will learn of his fate since they'll be sharing it."
"This is so," Kylon tried to find the right word to describe how neatly arranged this all was and how little he actually had to do. "convenient."
"That's what my friendship brings," Slim chuckled and then shrugged, "Convenience."
"Clearly," Kylon laughed. "You can count me in."
The dark alleys in Denerim were places where Robert Kylon always told his new recruits never to tread alone. He only put patrols on those paths when they went in large numbers. These were the routes of thieves and thugs.
Was there a greater thug than Howe? Kylon wondered to himself from where he was waiting. He was standing on a high wooden platform that gave him a complete view of the alley. Looking out, it was incredible to see how well they blended into the shadows since the alley looked completely deserted. It was anything but.
He had been surprised when Slim told him he had forces to use in this arrest. Loyal and skilled, Slim later said about his men. They're definitely skilled in stealth, he observed wryly while he continued to wait. The waiting was the hardest part. It was boring work. It was nothing like how those crime serials would portray them where there were elaborate disguises and tricky or tense hiding places. He bit back a sigh trying to stave off the boredom. That was when he heard a noise coming from behind him, but he didn't turn because he knew who it was. Instead, he finished his scan across the alley before greeting the new arrival. "They coming?"
"They are," The Dark Wolf was sitting atop the railing. A lazy smile played on her lips before turning her attention away from him and onto one of the daggers she was holding.
"Good," That meant the waiting was nearly at an end. "How many did he bring?"
"Quite a few," She didn't sound concerned. "But he's too arrogant to see this as anymore than a shake-down. He thinks he already has the city and the crown in hand. He won't be expecting the ambush. He sees himself the predator," she was still eyeing her weapon, "But he's the lamb to be slaughtered."
"You remember our instructions," Kylon hated how much his disdain for Howe was warping his discipline. An arrest was the lawful choice, but he'd be lying if he hadn't thought of a different ending for the Arl of Denerim. After everything he's done to this city.
She shrugged, looking disinterested at responding before she finally muttered, "I do." The Dark Wolf kept her thoughts well hidden. Her scarred face was a difficult veneer to crack.
He didn't think it was a sight someone should grow used to. The casual cruelty of them and their unsaid, but horrible origins were a reminder of the horrors that continued through this city especially to its elven population. The failures of the city guard. My failures. Where were we when this happened?
She caught him staring. An angry look flickered across her expression, but her eyes showed something else. Both slipped away when she started to speak. "This belonged to a shem," she tossed the dagger lightly in the air, deftly catching it before presenting the weapon to him.
He took it carefully from her. Examining the pommel, he noticed it had an image etched into it, but it was marred by a riddling of cuts. It was as if someone took another blade to scratch at it. An angry series of marks that turned it into an indecipherable mess.
"There used to be a ruby."
"It must've been a nobleman's weapon," Kylon saw where the ruby would've been encrusted into it. He had seen all sorts of these pretty weapons by the Ferelden nobility. So many hilts bedazzled with gems, swords that were more ornamental than practical. He lost track over the years of how many weapons various banns, knights, and lords had stolen after they had shown them off one too many times.
Those were some of the worst assignments. He hated seeing the guard putting their efforts and wasting their time trying to find some spoiled knight's overpriced sword when they should be helping the people.
"It was," she confirmed, "He was a friend of Vaughn Kendalls."
A name came to him. "Lord Jonaley?" Kylon remembered he had gone missing before Ostagar. He was notorious and a familiar name that came up constantly in reports and complaints along with Lords Braden and Vaughan. The investigation hadn't gotten far since Howe arrived in the capital and made himself the new Arl of Denerim. Jonaley just became one of many who ended up disappearing in Denerim. Vaughan had been another. They weren't missed.
"Yeah, that was him," She answered, "He made me kiss the blade."
Kylon's face betrayed his disgust. He felt his stomach clench at the image that conjured, but he didn't reply. She'd prefer my silence over my sympathy.
"That's how I got this," She tapped the gash on her upper lip. "He didn't like my smile." She reached out and snatched the dagger back, "but I smiled when I stuck this in his belly." She mimicked the deadly stab, puncturing the air between them before slipping it back into its sheath with impressive dexterity.
"He won't be missed."
She snorted, but there was a short pause before she replied. "I reckon Slim may not have been a fool to make you a friend."
He nearly chuckled. That was deafening praise coming from her. He took it with a simple nod knowing she'd not appreciate further attention being drawn to her compliment. "I heard you handled Howe's blood mage."
"I did," She answered blandly, "And Howe's none the wiser."
There's a story there, but he knew he wouldn't get it. It was one of many he found himself not privy to. He lost count with Slim making so many deals to help bring this all together. He didn't mind not being in the know for it all. It just makes it all the more simple for me. He trusted Slim so he didn't worry over those details, but instead making sure he did his part.
Her ear twitched and her expression shifted at whatever she heard.
Howe's approaching. He heard their chattering before Howe and his men came into view. He counted more than twenty. They were outnumbered, but they had the element of surprise. The Dark Wolf was gone, prowling in the shadows with the rest of their forces moving into their final positions. He dispelled a breath before speaking knowing it was time for his part. "Up here," Kylon shouted.
"What's the meaning of this?" Howe demanded while trying to spot his former lover and son. Oblivious to the real threats that remained concealed. "Where's that bastard and that bitch of a mother?"
"They're not here." Kylon moved his way down the stairs carefully. Knowing that a moment's notice he may need to dodge or jump to avoid an arrow, but Howe gave no such command. A few had bows out, but no arrows were nocked. He was nearly at the bottom of the stairs when he spoke again. "You're under arrest, Howe."
"Arrest?" Howe repeated while his men guffawed. He looked more amused then concerned.
Good, he thought. "You've committed countless crimes against the citizens of Denerim including murder and torture," Kylon didn't bother listing them all, We'd be here all day.
Howe was unphased by Kylon's condemnation. "I know you, you're that guardsman that Harkin's constantly complaining about," He shook his head, "Looks like the drunk was right for a change when he told me that I should've had you dealt with." The deserted surroundings made him draw his own conclusions. "Harkin didn't say anything about you being smart, just stubborn." He let out a rasping sound that could've been a laugh. "I know the guard doesn't stand with you, sergeant." He gestured to his men to advance on him.
He played into the act. Taking a step back and letting a look of worry dance across his face. They seemed fooled. He didn't resist when they roughly grabbed him by the arms. He didn't see the punch coming, hitting him in the stomach. He wheezed in pain while it felt as if the air was pulled from his lungs.
"You should know that people follow power not principles." Howe snapped his fingers and the men yanked Kylon's arms, forcing him to look up in an awkward and uncomfortable stance. "What did you think was going to happen?"
Kylon met Howe's eyes when he answered. "Justice."
What followed was a swift and deadly fight where Kylon watched Howe's men get cut down as Slim's forces revealed themselves. He felt their grip loosen on his arms before spotting the arrows protruding from their chests. Their bodies slumped forward hitting the ground.
It was chaotic slaughter as Howe's men had been lulled into thinking they were alone. They were thugs who were used to shakedowns and fighting those who wouldn't fight back. Now, they were being cut down by daggers or arrows.
Surprised, but enraged, Howe was soon the last one standing. His men's bodies were scattered all around him, a few lying and moaning. Two of Slim's men were walking amongst them, and slicing the throats of those who had survived this long. Howe tried to move forward, but Kallian suddenly appeared, and she sent the Arl of Denerim stumbling onto the wet ground. He was quickly disarmed and then dragged up to show that most of his face was coated in mud. He looked down at his equally muddy armor only to start laughing.
There were looks of confusion exchanged between some of them. They weren't expecting this sort of a reaction from Howe after he had been duped and defeated.
"Mind letting us in on the joke, shem?" Kallian demanded.
Howe spat out some mud that had gotten into his mouth, but more remained across his cheeks and dribbling down his lips and chin. "I'm alive because of Cousland," He answered between his laughter, "but the joke's on all of you, especially the Cousland brat," His eyes glittered with malice, "Because I gave no such order to my men."
"Get him out of here," Kylon ordered, refusing to let the deposed Arl see his words had struck.
Howe only laughed when they took him away. "This isn't over." He called back to them. "You'll see."
"Even as a prisoner shems remain arrogant pricks," Kallian watched him leave in disgust. Her fingers resting on the hilt of one of her sheathed daggers. "He's bluffing." Her tone made it difficult to decide if she was asking a question or making a statement. "Slim would've told us."
Kylon tried to believe it, wanting to believe, but there was something in Howe's eyes and tone that made his confidence feel hollow. "Yeah," was all he could say and despite their success against Howe, he found himself feeling anything, but triumphant. Even in defeat did Howe manage to beat us?
The following day Kylon went about his routine patrol as if nothing had changed.
The Arl of Denerim was deposed, but Denerim was bustling. Her denizens were oblivious to his toppling. What would they say if they knew that Rendon Howe once one of the most powerful men in Ferelden was now in a dungeon cell? Here we are, he thought, with the city still standing.
He had wondered about the need of nobility many times especially during Howe's bloody reign. He looked out at everyone going about their day the best they could despite the struggles of civil war and darkspawn. One was directly caused by the nobility while the other worsened because of them.
It was a seneschal who was now presiding over this city. A nobleman, but just barely. He had been lifted up to one. Perhaps, that's why I've always liked him. One of the few, he'd admit he may have been too harsh on Cousland even recently with some of his words and judgment, but he's been around enough nobility to know it was smarter to be more wary than welcoming.
He remembered some of the nice things he heard being said about Cousland, some of which by Slim, but often it had been echoed by what other Fereldan nobles had said. That didn't endear Kylon to him because how they would define a good man wasn't necessarily something he considered a ringing endorsement. After all, how many said the same about men like Vaughan? He knew at once that was an unfair comparison so he dropped it.
"Good afternoon, Sgt Kylon."
He turned at the sound of his name, recognizing the familiar voice to see Wade and Herren were outside their shop. It had been Wade who had called out to him. Kylon returned the greeting. They were good people. Wade was a mite odd and Herren a tad greedy, but he was still quick to respond to any complaint that came from the Emporium.
"You're still wearing such drab armor," Wade bemoaned, "Look at the joints," He could so quickly and effortlessly spot the weaknesses in any gear or weapon he happened to come across.
"It's reliable," This was not their first time Wade's critical eye fell on Kylon.
"You represent our city and yet you wear such," He trailed off as if he couldn't finish the thought, "Give me the right supplies and time and I'll make your city guard the envy of all of Thedas."
Herren entered the conversation with a nervous chuckle. "For a reasonable fee, of course."
He knew what that price was. "It'll take me a few years to collect that many sovereigns."
Herren's smile dipped at the loss of a sale. "Come along, Wade." He turned to his partner, ushering him inside before the talented smith could make any further commentary.
Kylon watched them go with a smile. It was no secret that Wade was the best smith in the city which easily made him the most expensive smith in the capital. They were remarkable. He had seen their wares inside their shop the few times he went in. They were fitting for princes not guardsmen.
He was walking around their shop when a voice called out to him. "I've always enjoyed your predictability, Robert."
Kylon turned to see Slim standing in the shadow, leaning against the wall of a boarded up building. He moved over to greet his friend. It wasn't the first time Slim had waited for him in the market district and he doubted it would be the last. "I try to make it easy for you."
Slim's smile was short lived before gesturing for him to follow him. Kylon did.
They were not moving towards Slim's usual places, The Gnawed Noble Tavern or by the alleyways behind Wade's Emporium or near the city's chantry. He knew the way but not the reason for it. They were going to where the noble estates were tucked away. There the estates were neatly arranged, large and obnoxious in their appearance with their perfect gardens. It was all about appearances and trying to outdo their neighbors.
They were walking a cobble path that had neatly trimmed lawns and finely pruned flowers on each side of them. It reminded him of the complaints the guard would get from nobles about children trespassing on their gardens acting as if they were witnessing murder instead of children playing. It was even worse after he got the children to leave which he did with a few kind words and a reassuring smile. Leaving him stuck and forced to listen to some rigid lord or spoiled lady go on about their trampled roses or crushed tulips that they had gotten from Orlais or Cumberland or wherever it was you had to spend a small fortune to acquire a few flowers.
Kylon's curiosity steered him back. "Have you learned anything?"
"We did," A shadow passed over Slim's face, "Many horrors were discovered at the Arl's estate."
He wasn't surprised by that information, but nor did he wish to hear further details about them. What could they find to give Howe such confidence? That he didn't understand. There was no way Cousland or his nephew could've been found there. If they had been captured, Howe would've paraded them through the streets before announcing his victory at the top of Fort Drakon's tallest tower. So what was it?
"There were very few," Slim looked haunted at what he was recalling, "who were able to help us." He didn't expand on that or his troubled expression. They came along one of the stone benches that were placed along the pathway so the nobility could have a place to rest after such taxing strolls. His friend sat down with a heavy sigh. "It was a mage who helped us since the prisoner was still recovering."
"A mage?" Kylon thought the only mage Howe had in his employ was that blood mage and he had already been dealt with.
"An apprentice who was hired out from the Wonders of Thedas shop," Slim answered, "He was quick to denounce Howe and to offer any help he could."
"Did you believe him?"
Slim nodded, "It was plain to see on his face. He was also only responsible for one prisoner."
"Who?"
"Lord Sighard's son and heir, Oswyn."
"Of the Dragon's Peak Bannorn?" He got a nod and a flickering look of surprise by Slim at him knowing them, but it was hard not to know them even for him. Their land was close to the city so they'd visit more often than other lords and ladies. He knew little about them, but they were some of the few he'd be able to recognize on sight or by sigil. They didn't last long in his thoughts because it still didn't answer anything. "But what does that have to do with Howe?"
"We discovered that Howe was in contact with the Bann," Slim revealed grimly, "Edmund Cousland has no idea that his trusted ally has turned against him. In order to save his son, Sighard must kill his king."
A/N:
Slim taking in a pregnant Lady Sophie was mentioned all the way back in chapter 26. So there are some little lines scattered here and there that aren't exactly throw aways. Is it perfect? No, but it is what it is. I'm trying my best.
I always planned on Kylon being the one to arrest Howe. His entire arc has been about doing what he can to protect Denerim so who better to take down the city's greatest threat than him. Besides it doesn't replace the potential Cousland and Howe confrontation. It just changes the set up. That being said I'm sorry if it felt too anticlimactic. I struggle with a lot of stuff when it comes to writing/plotting so I hope you can just forgive/overlook my discrepancies and hopefully despite my shortcomings can still come to enjoy this story. If you can't suspend your disbelief that much that's fine and perfectly understandable and I'm sorry I couldn't deliver for you.
Regrettably, I need to turn off my messages for a while so I'll be unable to respond to any future reviews. So I just wanted to take this time to thank you all once more for staying and supporting this story. I really wanted to finish it this year, but 2020 threw me a few unexpected curveballs.
This story getting nearly a 1,000 reviews speaks more of your support for taking a chance on this very different AU idea than any skill I possess. Your positive reviews and encouragement keep me going towards the finish line even if I have to drag the muse along with me. So to all those who've left behind kind words. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
I hope you and yours are all safe and well.
Until next time,
-Spectre4hire
