Do not own Dragon Age
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29 Eluviesta, 9:31 Dragon, Redcliff Castle
Alistair, Elissa, Lyna, Sereda, and Solona meet with Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan, the others are in the village relaxing. They brief him on the Dalish, and having him set a place aside for them to make camp when they arrive. He tells Teagan to see to it in his absence in Denerim, Teagan leaves to begin the preparations. The Arl asks if they are ready to go to Denerim for the Landsmeet. Solona says that she will meet the Arl at his estate. She wants to check in on Soldier's Peak on the way to Denerim. It will not take long, merely a day. The companions will take a boat across the lake, to cut down on the delayed travel time. Eamon agrees, he will leave in the morning. Teagan will remain in Redcliff and oversee the incoming soldiers.
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2 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Soldier's Peak
Zevran helps Kaitlyn and her brother Bevin dismount. The two hitching a ride with the companions. Solona asked her to look into restarting the mine nearby again, but maybe as a quarry. It would open the entrance to the Keep, allowing more trade stalls, thus more money flowing into the coffers.
Zerlinda greets them at the entrance, she is directing a group of men for placement of supply goods. She chides Solona jokingly, for keeping her so busy. But the couple of mages that the Circle sent are a big help with keeping the books in order. Baby Heimdall is in a walking support contraption, a gift from the Dryden's, next to his mother.
Alim sees a few of the humans who were once werewolves. He talks to them briefly, they are staying here, it is good work, the others have moved on though, but they are thankful for the help. He catches a glimpse of a familiar face, he'll have to send a message to Irving later.
Solona excuses herself from the group, wanting to check on Avernus. She rejoins the companions an hour later, a contented look on her face.
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6 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Denerim
Arriving in Denerim, the companions, stable the horses at the Arl's estate, which is located just off the Market District. The Arl greets them, having only got in last night. He praises the groups timing, but is interrupted by a messenger, telling him that Loghain is in the anteroom, asking for an audience. Solona raises an eyebrow and nods. Eamon says to let him in, the group stands in formation, waiting.
Loghain walks forward, Rendon Howe to his left, one of his generals, Sir Cauthrien, to his right.
"Loghain, it is an honor, that the Regent would make time to welcome me." Eamon states warmly.
"How could I not welcome the man, who would call a Landsmeet, in the middle of a Blight?" Loghain retorts, frustrated.
"So it is a Blight now?" Alim queries, smirking.
"Perhaps you hope to elevate your position, with a puppet on the throne." Howe remarks, patronizing.
"You remember Howe, don't you. He is the new Arl of Denerim." Loghain introduces, off-hand.
"And the new Teyrn of Highever." Howe adds, smirking.
"Oh, I don't remember giving it up. Let alone to a snake like Rendon Howe." Elissa interjects, not taking the bait.
"Silence, chur. Your betters are talking." Cauthrien intervenes.
"I can not condone what you have done. The Landsmeet will decide the best person to rule our nation." Eamon says, ignoring Alim and Cauthrien.
"Ferelden has a strong leader, It's Queen, and I am helping her through this difficult time." Loghain counters.
"A scorpion riding a frog across the river, will still sting the frog, and drown them both." Solona comments cryptically.
Lyna does her best to hide her giggle. As Loghain has a confused look on his face, but Howe's smirk disappears and is replaced with a look of pure malice.
"I must take my leave, there is much to be done to defend this great nation." Loghain states.
The group waits for the delegation to depart, before talking amongst themselves. Eamon turns to Solona.
"Well that was, bracing." Eamon says, "Although, I've never seen anyone put Howe in his place before, that was a delight." he finishes with a smile.
"I have dealt with worse than him." Solona comments smiling.
"Have a look around the city. When you are ready, come meet me in my study. We can go over our plans." Eamon suggests, before departing upstairs.
They watch him go, Solona waits a few moments, then sets everyone to their tasks.
Alim, Alistair, Elissa, Ishal, Sereda, and Thea, will finish the business with the vials and notes. Everyone else is going with Leliana to Marjolaine's hideout.
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Leliana is quiet when they leave the building. Solona gives her the time to process the events. Walking back to the estate, they pass Sergeant Kylon, who asks if they can look into a some of the back alley's. There have been strange reports, of people disappearing, or being addled. He gives the directions to the spots with the activity. Solona asks if Leliana needs to go back to the estate, she declines, and the group sets off.
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They meet up with Alim the two groups reuniting, then continue onward. Investigating, reveals a large company of Tevinter mages at a base in the city. It is a hard won battle. The group is heading back to the estate, when they are stopped by another band. Zevran recognizes the leader as Taliesen, who was his friend in the Crows.
"You can still come back, Zevran. We just have to kill the Wardens and you can return." Taliesen offers, trying to sound sweet.
"No, my old friend. I have found a purpose and a new life, one I very much want to keep enjoying. I will not be coming back. I'm sorry." Zevran returns, sorrowfully.
"Suit yourself. I don't take any pleasure in this Zevran, it's just business." Taliesen states, giving a signal.
"I know. Good-bye, old friend." Zevran says softly.
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Alim takes Zevran's hand as they walk back, just offering some support. The battle took a toll on the assassin, emotionally. Leliana is better, her steps lighter. Back in the Market District, Solona takes Alim, Faren, and Zevran to the Gnawed Noble Tavern, she sends everyone else to the estate to recharge. Some time later the small company returns to the residence. Alim and Zevran stay behind, Solona has everyone else come with her, they are going to a ransom exchange.
Returning to the Gnawed Noble Tavern afterwards, Solona learns that the exchange was a distraction, the boy was rescued, while the deal took place, the Crows just needed to pull as many of the kidnappers forces to a different location, to ensure the boys safety. The companions retreat to the Arl's estate, to eat and rest.
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The Arl's study is spacious, Alistair is perusing a bookshelf to the right. He and Elissa have distanced themselves while in Denerim and Eamon's presence, per Solona's request. Eamon is going over some papers, an elven woman is sitting in a chair, not far from him.
"Ah, please, come in." Eamon tells Solona, motioning her to sit.
"I hope I'm not disturbing?" Solona queries charmingly.
"No, dear. This is Erlina. She is a handmaid for Queen Anora. She has a request for your group." Eamon informs warmly.
"A pleasure to meet you, Erlina. How may we assist?" Solona asks cordially.
"My Queen has been imprisoned by Howe. She wants answers, but her father does not give them, so she goes to Howe. He calls her all sorts of names, traitor being the kindest. Now he has her under guard. I think he means to kill her and make it look as if the Grey Wardens or Eamon did it. Please, I ask that you take a small group and rescue her." Erlina explains, her Orlesian accent thick.
"That is very serious. Are you certain?" Solona inquires, her tone concerned.
"Yes. I can get you into Howe's estate, I have some guard uniforms. It's getting my lady out that is the problem." Erlina tells her.
"Alright. Let me pick my team, then we can leave." Solona says, resolute.
"I will go on ahead. It would look suspicious if we all showed up together." Erlina suggests.
"That's a good idea, thank you." Solona agrees, playing along.
Solona watches Erlina leave the study and waits to a count of 50, before turning back to Eamon.
"Could Loghain really kill his own daughter? Could Howe make it appear as if you or we had something to do with it?" Solona questions, serious.
"I don't know. Loghain loved Cailen like a son, so it's possible. As for Howe, who knows with him, he is a Viper in a bed of worms." Eamon offers solemnly.
"Well, let us go pay a visit to Rendon Howe." Solona states, excusing herself.
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