Do not own Dragon Age
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7 Molioris 9:31 Dragon, Fort Drakon
The three ladies are force to remove everything, but their small clothes. The items are placed in a chest, then the women are marched inside the cell room. All three are placed into a cell together, the door locked behind them. They wait for the guard to leave, before talking.
"Well isn't this all kinds of shitty." Elissa comments, resigned.
"Agreed. But what are going to do about it?" Lyna returns, not giving up.
"If our friends are doing as I expect. Darrian is taking the ring to Alfstanna, and Sereda is in charge." Solona predicts.
"No, I mean, are we staying put or are we getting out of here?" Lyna clarifies.
Solona smirks, looking at Elissa. The rogue smiles back, pulling a lock pick out from her hair, tucked into her pony tail. Lyna and Solona keep a lookout, while Elissa goes to work. A few moments later the door unlocks, Elissa stands and gestures an 'after you'. Lyna waits for the guard to pass, then sneaks out of the cell, quiet as a leaf falling. She moves up behind the guard, she strikes quickly, knocking him out. Elissa holds the cell open, while Lyna and Solona drag the soldier into the cell, taking his key, they lock the door. Elissa creeps to the entryway to the cell room, listening for any noises on the other side. Solona opens it slowly, while Elissa disappears, employing her stealth ability. She returns a couple minutes later with their armor and robes.
Elissa warns that there are two mabari hounds and one guard in the room ahead. Solona tells Elissa and Lyna to stay behind her, before walking through the door, clear as day. The other two ladies look at each other, not sure what the mage is about to do. Solona puts her fingers to her lips, then whistles loudly, calling attention to herself. The dogs begin growling at her, then charge at her, the soldier is a few seconds behind. Solona times it perfectly, casting a cone of cold, freezing all three in place. Elissa walks forward and takes the sword out of the guards hand.
Moving fast, they get the dogs and guard into another cell in the holding room, Solona having had to recast it again. The three ladies hurry back out, Elissa melts away, scouting ahead. She comes back five minutes later, leading them to a store room. The rogue says the guards ahead are not the same ones from when they were brought in, there must have been a shift change afterwards. Lyna searches the room, finding soldier uniforms. The ladies don the outfits over their regular armor, with the helmet, no one will realize that Lyna's an elf.
/
Leliana and Wynne follow Alistair into the larder, he hands a note to Leliana, telling her to read it on the way. She nods, the two leaving afterwards. Wynne is able to keep up with the pace Leliana sets, they take a small break half way, just for a few minutes, Leliana reads the note, then burns it on a torch. It is just after dawn when they arrive at the Fort. The ladies act the part, saying 'blessings and Maker keep you's', to a few soldiers, as they reach the entrance.
Inside they go to the Chantry, off of the anteroom, waiting a few minutes, before moving back to the anteroom. A guard is stationed at another door, opening into a large room. It appears to be a place to muster. Leliana is about to speak, when she spots five guards heading for the entryway, three of which she recognizes from their gait. Leliana smiles sweetly, asking the patrol if they can escort her and her companion back to the Market District, to the Chantry. A male guard agrees, the five setting off, he does not see Solona wink at Leliana.
/
Losing the two other soldiers was easy enough, they were kind of stupid. Discarding the uniforms in a crate behind the Shire inn, the ladies return to the Market District, heading for Eamon's estate. Leliana briefs them on Anora's appearance, and of a rather handsome fellow who claims to be a Warden from Orlais. Solona smirks and raises an eyebrow, Leliana just tells her to shut up playfully.
Leliana does say cryptically, "A bell has a wonderful ring to it."
"I adore the chimes it makes afterward." Solona responds smiling.
Elissa, Lyna, and Wynne are confused, but they accept that those two speak a different language sometimes.
/
After returning to the estate and getting a few hours of sleep, Solona meets with Anora and Eamon, the three discussing their next moves. The Alienage is open now, the order from Howe rescinded. Eamon suggests investigating, there are rumors of plague and unrest. Anora asks that Solona speak with her privately, after she is done talking to Eamon, the Queen retreats to her room. Solona smiles and nods, watching the monarch leave.
"She's up to something." Eamon comments, suspicious.
"Plots within plots." Solona remarks, agreeing.
"Unfortunately, we still need her support. I don't envy you this task." Eamon offers some comfort.
"Don't worry. I have everything well in hand." Solona says, a knowing smile on her face.
Alistair is looking at a book in the study, he smirks at the comment.
/
Solona bids Eamon to excuse her, she walks to Leliana, who is chatting with Riordan. The two are talking of Orlais, he is telling her of Jader.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright?" Solona asks charmingly.
"With such a beautiful flower for company, a bumblebee can live a dream." Riordan replies, grinning.
"Just be certain that the flower is yours first, least you feel a sting." Solona returns, smirking.
"Ah, you are sweet music to my ears. I have not had the pleasure of the word game for many years. And Leliana has been a delight to indulge me as well. But I suspect you may have questions about Grey Warden business?" Riordan queries.
"A few, but they can wait. I was curious about the vault the documents mentioned." Solona leads.
"It is in a warehouse off the Market, by the Wonders of Thedas shop. There is a secret notch next to a bookshelf. Just press it and the bookshelf will slide aside." Riordan instructs.
"Thank you. And please, continue to enjoy the rare bloom you have found." Solona suggests, winking at Leliana.
"Oh, perhaps he is the bloom and I am the bumblebee? No?" Leliana quips, grinning.
"Exactly." Solona retorts, chuckling. Leliana and Riordan laughing as well.
/
Anora is sitting on a lounge, drinking tea, Erlina is waiting off to the side. Solona takes a seat gracefully in a chair across from the monarch. Erlina offers to pour, Solona passes, thanking her for the consideration.
"I suppose you want to know what I wish to discuss?" Anora begins, serious.
"I am at your service, my lady." Solona responds with a soft smile.
"My father must be stopped, but I hope that he can be spared. Yes, he was wrong, but considering his service to Ferelden, I would hope exile would be an agreeable solution." Anora suggests diplomatically.
"If he is willing to allow the Grey Wardens authority over the army until the Blight is ended, then I will agree to that." Solona offers.
"That...That is good. I had hoped we could find a peaceful resolution. Now to the matter of the throne. Ferelden is in turmoil, it needs the stability of a constant presents. I am Queen of Ferelden, and have been ruling this nation with Cailen for several years. I was the force behind the crown. I held my former husband dear, but Cailen was not fit to rule. He preferred to play at war, and spend time with brigands. Support me as Queen at the Landsmeet, and you will have my vote." Anora conveys, her tone sympathetic.
"And what of Alistair?" Solona inquires, concerned.
"I have no doubt that Alistair is a good, kind man and biddable enough. But he is a fine Grey Warden, and that is where he should stay." Anora encourages.
"Alistair is all of the things you mention, but he is still of Maric's blood. Something the people of Ferelden can rally around, he may need a guiding hand, but I think he would be a good figure for the nation." Solona leads.
"I did not wish to suggest it, but I would not be opposed to a joint venture. Alistair as King, the public figure, and me as Queen, the actual ruler." Anora proposes, not able to hide all her eagerness.
Solona leans back a little, a contemplative look on her face. After a minute pause, "I will talk to him about it. The concept has merit." Solona agrees.
"Return to me after you have discussed it with him." Anora orders, trying to be gentle.
Solona nods, and stands. She retreats to find Alistair, a small smile graces her face. Plots within plots indeed. She does not see Erlina follow behind her, but she doesn't need to, she knows the elven servant has.
/
Erlina watches the mage walk up to Alistair in the Arl's study. She moves closer, trying to listen in.
"...it may have merit. We get her support, and you…." she hears Solona explain.
"My, my. Just the little morsel I was looking for." Alim says, whispering in the elven woman's ear.
"What?" Erlina whispers, her attention turned to Alim, Zevran behind him, leaning against a wall.
"I wanted to propose a more intimate meeting between us." Alim eludes, his voice husky, "You see, Zevran and I have a, how do I put this,a mutual understanding." he continues, taking Erlina's hand, caressing it softly, "I find you alluring, dear, and wish to get to know you better, but I must share you with Zevran if that is something you are comfortable with." he nibbles at her ear as he whispers the image. "I promise, you will not be disappointed. I am a Grey Warden, our stamina is legendary. It will be hours before we are done with round one." he finishes, his hand now sending little pleasurable sparks up her arm. He grins seductively, hearing her gasps and breathless pant.
"I...I...don..." Erlina tries, rubbing her legs together.
"...ll her as long as she shows me what to do." Alistair says in the distance.
"If you are not interested, that is fine, but my offer stands." Alim states, walking away, Zevran waits a moment, eyeing Erlina, a sexy smile on his face, then follows Alim.
Erlina falls to the ground, sitting on her bottom. Solona walks toward her.
"Erlina, are you alright? Did you trip?" Solona questions, empathetic.
"I...Yes. I can be so clumsy sometimes." Erlina remarks, grinning.
"Well let me help you up. Did you need me for something, or where you heading for Eamon?" Solona queries, concerned.
"Ah, Eamon. I was heading to Arl Eamon." Erlina replies, getting her barrings.
"Please, be careful. If you need help, let me know." Solona offers sincerely.
"Of course, and thank you, my lady." Erlina states, completely captured.
Solona nods, bidding Erlina to excuse her. Erlina does not see the pleased twinkle in Solona's eyes.
/
Anora is putting her tea cup down as Solona returns to the room. She tells the monarch that Alistair agreed, on the conditions that his Queen help him learn the finer details of governing, and that she accepts that the marriage takes place as soon as the Blight has ended. Anora smiles, agreeing to both conditions. Solona nods and bids the monarch to excuse her, she has much to do yet.
/
The companions go to the Chantry first, Solona checks on the prisoners from Howe's dungeon. She informs the group that Oswyn has been taken to his father, a Bann Sighard. Soris returned to the Alienage, the other man is still at the Chantry, he just needs time and distance, hopefully.
Going to the Gnawed Noble Tavern, the party grabs a table, while Elissa, Lyna, and Solona talk to some of the nobles. Bann Sighard is there, he thanks the ladies for rescuing his son. The damage is bad, but he should make a full recovery. The Bann promises to support Eamon and the Wardens at the Landsmeet. Next they meet Arl Wulff, a gruff man, upon learning of his sons demise, the ladies offer their condolences, they ask if he could support them in stopping the Blight and perhaps to bring some peace to his sons spirits, knowing that they were avenged. Arl Wulff agrees.
Arl Bryland is sitting with Bann Alfstanna. Solona asks about the Bann's brother, who tells them thank you, for finding him and that they did indeed get him out and he is doing much better. He was able to explain what had happened to him, after the Chantry treated him. Both the Bann and the Arl offer their support to the Wardens.
/
Walking through the Market, Solona stops at the Shire inn, she asks the others to wait outside, she'll be but a few minutes. Ten minutes later she returns to the group, ushering them towards the Alienage. Everyone is use to the mage doing mysterious things, so no one asks what was going on.
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