During a night of constant magic healing from Morrigan and Wynne, our prison escapees told us about what happened at Arl Howe's estate. In their disguises, they had successfully infiltrated the estate and reached the guest room where Anora was being held, but they couldn't free her right away because the door was sealed with magic, and would require its caster to unseal it. The mage in question was always by Howe's side, so they would probably have to confront him directly after all.
They'd asked around a bit, and learned he was headed to the dungeons, so that's where they went next. They found other people there too, before they found Howe; prisoners, some of which they were able to free. They'd found Riordan, who is a Grey Warden! Before Ostagar, King Cailan had sent word to the Orlesian Wardens to ask for help, and they were going to send people, but they didn't hear back from Cailan. Then, the Battle of Ostagar happened and they still didn't hear from Cailan, so Riordan was sent to investigate. He thought Loghain wouldn't know who he really was so when Loghain invited him to dinner, he accepted. Loghain poisoned him, and had kept him imprisoned in Arl Howe's dungeons ever since.
They also found a man who had fought at Ostagar. He had been poisoned by the Blight and was losing his mind, but he still managed to tell them that Arl Howe had imprisoned and tortured him. And in a nearby cell, they found an elven man. He didn't have much time to explain but he said he was captured trying to rescue his bride from the son of the former Arl of Denerim. Neria sent him on his way, and they kept going. They went on to free the son of a Bann directly from a torture rack, and a lyrium-addled templar who was the brother of another Bann.
When they found Arl Howe, he attacked them and they killed him and his men, including the mage who cast the spell on the door. With the mage dead, the spell would have dissipated, so they went back to free Queen Anora, who at first was very grateful for their help. They got as far as the entrance hall, then found Ser Cauthrien, waiting with a small army to ambush them. Neria tried to explain the situation, but then Anora claimed that Neria and the others were trying to kidnap her. They couldn't fight off so many guards at once, and that's how they got arrested.
After getting the whole story, Morrigan and Wynne insist on me going to bed, while they continue their healing. Thanks to their efforts, the next morning our rescued prisoners are more or less good to go and ready to reconvene in Arl Eamon's office once more.
"Maker's breath!" Eamon exclaims when we walk in with Neria in the lead. "It's good to see you in one piece, my friend. As well as your brave companions."
"Indeed," says Anora, strutting forward.
What is she doing here?
"After your rather alarming lack of subtlety, I feared the worst for you. I prayed for your safe return."
"You prayed for my safe return?" Neria says indignantly. "You betrayed us! You're the reason we needed praying for!"
"Well, what did you expect me to do?" Anora retorts. "You announced me to my father's most trusted lackey! I barely managed to slip away!"
"With my help," Zevran adds for her.
Anora huffs, crossing her arms. "I am hoping that, despite our unfortunate beginning, we can still work together. Will you hear me out?"
"All I want is information on how to defeat Loghain," Neria answers, crossing her own arms.
Anora nods, satisfied with this answer. "You have only just arrived in the city, so perhaps you are unaware of some… recent events," she begins. "Denerim has been in turmoil since Ostagar. Many people here are angry or grieving. Strangely, the unrest is worst in the alienage."
Maybe because it's been closed off from the rest of the city for months, dummy.
"Few elves accompanied the army," Anora continues, unaware of my glaring. "They would have little reason to be upset. Which means that Howe and my father must have given them reason. I don't know what is happening there, but I am certain my father has his hands in it."
"That is a useful lead, Anora," Arl Eamon concedes, "But… you could have sent this information with your maid."
"I know. I did fear for my safety as Howe's prisoner, but to tell you the truth I sent Erlina to you because I hoped we might join forces. You need evidence for the Landsmeet, but you also need a stronger candidate for the throne. You need me," she says decisively.
"We already have a candidate for the throne—" Arl Eamon begins, but Neria interrupts.
"It sounds more like you need us."
"I have no doubt Alistair is biddable enough," Anora says, nodding politely to Alistair, "and a decent man, but even with his blood he is no king. You think only I can see it? Not only that, Alistair is a Grey Warden. It will look like you are trying to put a Grey Warden on the throne, despite your claims. I am a neutral party- and I am already queen."
"Anora, you are indeed Cailan's widow, but—" Arl Eamon is interrupted again, this time by Anora.
"I am the daughter of Ferelden's greatest general. Who do you think truly ruled this nation for the last five years? Cailan? I am what this country needs, not an untrained king who does not even want the throne. I can help you stop my father." Anora pauses, breathing heavily. "Consider what I have said. I will give you a writ, granting you permission to enter the Alienage in my name. For now, I think I will retire to my room. Warden Neria, when you have a moment, I ask that you speak to me in private." With an angry swish of her dress, Anora departs the office. Everyone is speechless.
"Well, she's quite… spirited," Arl Eamon notes, breaking the silence. "I remember when Loghain first brought her to Denerim. Poor Cailan was a good boy, but Anora was always two steps ahead. Had him jumping when she snapped since the first time she batted her eyelashes. I cannot help thinking she may be trouble. But we should keep her close, all the same."
"I think she can't be trusted, for obvious reasons," Neria muses. "But why do you think she's trouble, exactly, your Grace?"
"This is an alliance of convenience—for the moment we are united against Loghain. But I do not for a moment think Anora would give up her power easily. Still, I would rather have her where we can watch her than actively working for Loghain."
"Aren't we planning to depose her?"
Arl Eamon considers. "Anora was a capable administrator for Cailan's lands, but she has not a drop of royal blood. We did not fight the Orlesians all those years to lose our royal line within a single generation. Not when there's a surviving son of the blood."
"Still, she was right about one thing; Alistair doesn't know the first thing about being king."
"No, I don't," Alistair says, his frustration obvious. "Which I've told both of you on many occasions. If Anora's turned against Loghain, I say let her keep the crown. Looks better on her, anyway."
"You're both wrong," Arl Eamon insists. "With a few months of experience, Alistair will make a fine king. He knows how to lead troops to defend his land. He knows how to stand and fight for justice. He knows how to show compassion for those less fortunate, and how to trust in the Maker's guidance to know right from wrong. And he knows who to turn to for aid, should that training fail him. He will be fine."
"But why is it so important to put Maric's son on the throne?" Neria asks, still missing something.
"Ferelden was first united by Calenhad, the Silver Knight. For four hundred years, his descendants have ruled Ferelden. That was the heritage we preserved from the Orlesians, and it is the heritage I will fight for as long as one of Calenhad's descendants still lives. Without that to unite us, we would eventually scatter back to warring terynirs."
"Look, can we continue this discussion later? We've still got plenty to do before the Landsmeet," Alistair says, effectively changing the subject.
"We certainly have a great deal to plan," Eamon agrees. "I don't know what he's doing to the alienage, but Maker knows what that man is capable of now. If I might make a suggestion, Warden Neria, do go and speak with Anora when you have the opportunity. She will either be a powerful ally or a powerful enemy, and the sooner we know which, the better."
The alienage. Finally.
