The Viper on the Hearth

CONTENT:
Rating: Teen
Flavor: Drama
Language: no
Violence: a bit
Nudity: no
Sex: no
Other: none

Author's Notes:

Didn't expect THIS to happen...! Hey, you remember that chapter from long, long ago, when you all got sympathetic towards Howe? Yeah, me neither. :X

The Viper on the Hearth

==#==

"This is untenable!" Loghain roared. "How could you be so stupid as to sign a contract with these slavers?" He paced the carpeted length of his study, while Rendon Howe sat at ease, cradling a snifter of brandy. "Half our allies are calling for your head!"

The arl had arrived at the castle at dusk, escorted by a handful of his men, and accompanied by an exotic robed woman. The Grey Wardens and their upstart kingling had raised quite a ruckus.

"Calm down," Howe said, too calmly. "You are not implicated in this so-called contract. There's no proof it is anything but a forgery by Eamon and his pet Wardens."

"That's thin."

"Really? What proof is there? Where are these supposed Tevinter slavers? Conveniently all dead. Whose word do we have? A bunch of elves, claiming slavers stole them away, not plague." He frowned sourly into his glass. "A bit more of the sickness springs up in the Alienage, no one will want anything to do with them. Another quarantine. Another Purge, perhaps a burning fire to cleanse the area."

Loghain wrinkled his lips in disgust. "They could be useful in the war."

"Elves? They are a burden on society. A burden on the army. Too lazy and requiring too much manpower to oversee them. Oh." He raised a brow. "You weren't thinking about arming your elves, like they have in Redcliffe?" He snorted in superior disdain. "And if you do that, how are you going to pry all those weapons out of their greedy thieving fingers once this is all over?"

Loghain was spared having to answer as Anora stormed into the room. "Father! What is he doing here?"

Howe rose from his seat, and gave a bow, careful not to spill is drink. "Your majesty."

"Don't 'majesty' me!" Anora snapped at him. Then to her father, "Why is he not in chains, at Fort Drakon, right now? Consorting with slavers! It's unpardonable!"

Loghain pinched the bridge of his nose. "You don't understand."

Howe said, "These rumors are just that, Highness. All lies, I assure you."

Anora's eyes turned to the Tevinter woman lurking behind Howe's chair. "Oh, yes. I can see that." She turned to Loghain. "Father, I value your expertise as general of the Ferelden armies, but in matters of ruling, it is high time I took the throne to administrate-"

Before Loghain could argue once more about the perils of an untried ruler at the head of a besieged country, Howe barked out, "Take her!"

The woman stepped forward, raised one hand and a whip of red lightning snaked out to strike Anora. The queen collapsed with a cry, and Howe's guards rushed in to seize her.

"Anora!" Loghain drew his sword.

Howe stepped directly in front of him. "Temper, temper."

"Guards!"

For a moment, he looked to the doorway, expecting his men to come to his aid. They didn't. Howe only slowly shook his head.

Anora, looking pale, struggled to stand on her own, recovering from the magical attack. "This is treason!" she snapped. "Unhand me!"

Howe turned to her. "I'm afraid, your majesty, that it's too dangerous for you here in Denerim, with the seditious Wardens. You need to be moved somewhere safe."

Her eyes flashed. "Father! You're not going to put up with this?"

Loghain's fist tightened on the hilt of his sword. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't part your head from your shoulders right now."

"Amarantine. Highever. Denerim." Howe lidded his eyes, like a snake. "I command over three-quarters of Ferelden's armies. You have what? Gwaren. Maybe a few squabbling banns who haven't gone over to Eamon. I could depose you by force, but I'd much prefer to fight the darkspawn. Wouldn't you?"

"I hardly think the troops of Highever hold any true allegiance to you."

"The men follow the one who pays them. Do I need to mention I control both of Ferelden's major seaports, and... why, yes, all of the main trade routes."

Loghain looked away, feeling as if he were chewing on something bitter, indeed. "I should have listened to Bryce," he muttered.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. You killed him."

Anora looked back and forth between both men. "You can't be serious."

"It's for the good of your country, Highness," Howe said solicitously.

"Go with him," Loghain said, sheathing his sword with heavy hand.

Anora seethed a moment. Then she drew her spine straight. "Fine." She yanked at the hands holding her wrists. Howe's guards didn't let go. "Do you intend to drag me through the streets, in chains perhaps? Or could I at least pack my things and be accompanied by my ladies in waiting?"

"Propriety is always appreciated," Howe said. He waved his hand, and the guards carefully released Anora. "Tyrea will go help you prepare. But pack lightly. Your enemies are closing in."

The guards stepped back, enough to let Anora and the mage pass through the doorway. Two of them followed the women.

Loghain growled at the snake in his den. "What is it you want, Howe?"

"I want what's coming to me. A teyrnship which is long overdue. Perhaps a royal betrothal."

"If you harm my daughter-!"

"Of course I wouldn't," Howe snapped. "You deal with the Grey Wardens, Eamon and his bastard puppet king, and the rest of the dissenters, while I keep Anora safely out of harm's way." He set his glass down on the side table. "Tomorrow, you will renounce these unfounded rumors about slavers, and confirm my teyrnship.

"Once this Landsmeet is settled..." He spread his hands. "we can put this unpleasantness behind us. For the sake of our friendship, I hope we can remain allies. Not become enemies."

Loghain felt the strength go out of his shoulders. He leaned heavily on the table, his eyes roving over the map of Ferelden thereon. They came to rest on Highever, and memories of Bryce Cousland flooded his mind. He closed his eyes. "Very well."

"This is why I like working with you, Loghain. You always think of the bigger picture."

==X==