Chapter 41 = The Landsmeet – The Trial of Howe
Anora looked out at all of those assembled, and then looked to her Father, who stepped forward and knelt before his daughter. "Your Majesty, I would like and address the Landsmeet to explain and renounce my charge of regicide against of Grey Wardens."
Anora nodded. "You may address the Landsmeet."
Loghain turned to face the nobility of Ferelden standing tall, wearing his Teyrn's coronet. The armor he wore was not the Chevalier's plate armor. It was dark, almost black, with a breastplate embossed with a thin golden outline of the Gwaren Wyvern. He looked every inch the Teyrn of Gwaren that people recalled seeing shortly after King Maric's death. According to Anora, her mother had finally been able to convince her father not to wear his chevalier armor when attending a Landsmeet, telling him that he should wear armor that was Fereldan not Orlesian.
What was different was his haggard look, the bruising under the eyes that spoke of too much stress and grief, and too little sleep. His voice, however, was clear and strong. "I come before you to rescind my charge of Regicide against the Wardens and to explain why.
"As pointed out by Lady Trevelyan, I was with the flanking army. I was unaware of the size of the horde until the signal fire was lit, by which time I couldn't see the king or even the army that was with him. The entire valley was carpeted with Darkspawn.
"We were severely outnumbered, and I told Ser Cauthrien to sound the retreat. I decided to save what soldiers we had, and we went back to Denerim. I was furious at the wardens for under-estimating the size of the horde.
"As you all know, I've long believed the Ferelden wardens were working for Orlais. In my mind, they had intentionally underestimated the size of the Horde that resulted in the death of the King, which lead to my charge of regicide. Obviously, the fact that it had also meant the end of the Wardens themselves had failed to register.
Within days of being named the Queen's regent, I learned of two wardens who survived Ostagar, but not their names. Nonetheless, I arranged for an assassin to kill them. It was Her Majesty who pointed out the idiocy of my thinking the wardens sacrificed themselves to assassinate Cailan and convinced me that the Wardens are the only ones that can end a Blight. She and Cailan were more informed about the Grey Wardens than I.
"Once she convinced me, I rescinded the contract. Fortunately, the assassin was unsuccessful. Since then, I've talked at length with the two surviving Wardens, learned more about the darkspawn, and now I understand that it is possible that the Wardens truly didn't know the full size of the horde. Let it be known that the Grey Wardens did not intentionally underestimate the horde and were not responsible for Cailan's death. They should have our full support in fighting to end the Blight, and I am sorry for any delays my ill-advised accusations have caused."
The Chancellor addressed the Landsmeet. "Do any of you have questions for Teyrn Loghain?"
After waiting and seeing if any other questions were forthcoming, the Chancellor looked to the Queen for agreement and then spoke to Loghain. "Your Grace, you may take your place on the balcony."
Loghain nodded, bowing to the Landsmeet and his daughter, then made his way to his side of the balconies. The Teyrns of Gwaren and Highever occupied separate galleries. Redcliffe was on the Highever side.
Once Loghain was up in the balcony, the Chancellor called, "The trial of Arl Rendon Howe in the abduction and imprisonment of our Queen will now commence. Bring forth the prisoner."
Alistair watched Arl of Amaranthine walk into the chamber. Howe shuffled because his feet were cuffed, but he was clean and dressed in plain homespun clothes, the kind one might see on a farmer. He was relieved his suggestions had been followed.
"Aedan, Eamon, Howe needs to be fed, clean, and dressed in simple clothing before he goes before the Landsmeet. You cannot treat him like he's treated others."
"He is a butcher, Alistair! How can you ask us to do that?" Aedan was barely holding on to his temper.
"I have to agree with the Warden." Eamon scowled.
"Do you want to stoop to his level?" Alistair asked. "Is that how you want to be seen? No better than a traitor?"
Aedan and Eamon were called up short. Alistair pressed, "If he looks ill-treated and filthy, he may draw sympathy from our more…difficult Banns. Ceorlic, and Parth, the perpetually angry, Bann of Edgehall come to mind."
Aedan, who had heard his father rail against the petulant sycophantic Bann Ceorlic, nodded reluctantly. "You have a point."
Eamon also agreed…
Alistair looked around and his gaze settled on Ceorlic, who was closest to him. Ceorlic seemed surprised when he watched Howe enter the chamber, and now he looks at Howe with scorn. I was right. I think he expected Howe to look ill-treated.
A metal dock had been set up on the transept platform opposite to the balcony where the Teyrn and Teyrna of Highever would have been, that now stood vacant. The guards led Howe into the dock, and his handcuffs were attached to one of the several metal rings. Once the guards were satisfied that he was secured they closed the gate and stood next to him.
Queen looked away from Howe, and said to her Chancellor, "Please begin."
"Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine and Denerim, disputed Teyrn of Highever. You are charged with the abduction and imprisonment of our Queen. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty. I was protecting her."
The Queen looked at the Arl, but she needed to be as unbiased as possible, so she forbore snapping back at him.
Alistair stood up. "If I may address the Landsmeet, your Majesty?"
"Of course, Ser Alistair, you were the one to rescue me and many others from Howe's dungeon."
"When we found the Queen, magic had been used to seal the door to her room. We were able to find the mage, who was with the Arl. The mage was from Tevinter, working for Howe and he attacked my party. We dispatched him, and with his death the door was unsealed, leaving no doubt who had sealed the door and under whose direction the seal was cast."
He looked at Howe. "If you were protecting the Queen as you said, why tell Loghain to name you Teyrn of Highever, or else? Why threaten him into not calling a Landsmeet?
Howe said nothing. He stood with his hallmark arrogant sneer.
Alfstanna came to the balustrade to be recognized.
Anora nodded. The Chancellor stated, "The Crown recognizes the Bann of the Waking Sea."
Alfstana held up a scroll. "I have evidence to present that may help inform the proceedings."
"Please come forward and present your evidence, Bann Alfstana," the Chancellor said.
She bowed to the Queen, to the Chancellor, and the Landsmeet. "Members of the Landsmeet, Your Majesty. I bring testimony from my brother Ser Irminric Templar Knight of Denerim. Ser Alistair recently rescued my brother from the dungeons at the estate of the Arl of Denerim – at the time, Arl Howe.
"My brother had been held prisoner before Ostagar but had been at Vigil's Keep. When Howe became Arl of Denerim, he transferred my brother here. Irminric is ill and cannot be here in person. I have his written account of what happened; it is a sworn statement witnessed by the Grand Cleric."
Alfstana handed the scroll to the Chancellor.
The Chancellor opened the seal and cleared his throat before reading the scroll aloud.
I was one of the Templars transporting the apostate Jowan back to Kinloch Hold. Jowan was kidnapped from our camp just before dawn on the second of Guardian, the 30th year of the Dragon Age. None of my brother templars were injured in the kidnapping; it was clear harming us was not their intent. Before we could make our way back to Denerim for further orders, we were ambushed by a different group of men, and my brother templars were slaughtered. I was taken to Amaranthine, where Arl Howe personally ordered me to be tortured.
Emmalynn looked at Teagan and whispered, "Why would Howe attack the Templars?"
"To frame Loghain for their murder, I suspect."
"How can we take the word of a Lyrium-addled templar?" Howe said with disdain.
Alistair spoke again, "Your Majesty, when we found Ser Irminric in the dungeon, yes, he was being affected by withdrawal, but he was clear about where he was, who he was, and why he was there. He gave us his ring to give to his sister as proof."
"Arl Howe, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"Clearly if the Mage…Jowan? Yes, if Jowan had seen the templars killed it is unlikely the mage would have been so willing to do Loghain's dirty work. That templar was brought to me at Amaranthine, by Loghain's men. I didn't ask why. I am a loyal Ferelden and wasn't going to question our Regent. So, I imprisoned him."
"You are lying bastard. It was you who laid the ambush" Loghain yelled from the balcony.
"And how would I have known where to find them?"
"I believe we have enough to vote. Your Majesty?"
Anora nodded.
"Those who believe Arl Howe guilty of kidnapping our Queen, holding her hostage, as well as the imprisonment and torture of Ser Irminric, Templar Knight, please raise your hand."
Every Arl, Bann, and Knight raised their hand, including Loghain.
"Please note that that the vote is unanimous. Arl Rendon Howe, you have been found guilty of the abduction and imprisonment our Queen."
"Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine and Denerim, disputed Teyrn of Highever. You are also charged with the murders of
"Bryce Cousland, Teyrn of Highever
Eleanor Cousland, Teyrna of Highever
Oriana Cousland, wife of Fergus Cousland, Heir to the Teyrnir
Oren Cousland, son of Fergus Cousland
Lady Landra, wife of Bann Loren
Ser Darrian, son of Bann Loren
Mother Mallol, of the Chantry in Highever
Cousland Servants and Retainers
"How do you plead?"
"Not guilty!" Howe was resolute and confident.
The Chancellor took a lengthy looking scroll from a table near the throne and showed it to Howe. "Arl Howe, is this the report you sent to the Queen and then-Regent Loghain?"
"Yes, that is my report that proved the Teyrn and Teyrna were traitors."
"Are the others, whose deaths you are charged with, named in your report?"
"No, they are not. My soldiers encountered resistance and responded with the appropriate force."
"Are there any witnesses who can corroborate or challenge Arl Howe's claims?"
The door opposite to Howe's platform opened, and Aedan entered. "I would like to provide evidence against Howe's testimony."
"The Crown recognizes Aedan Cousland, Warden-Commander of Ferelden."
Howe paled.
Aedan stood where he was visible to both balconies. "Howe, was the rape and murder of my sister-in-law and the evisceration of my 8-year-old nephew a show of appropriate force?"
Gasps and whispers sounded throughout the Landsmeet chamber, both because of the hideousness of what had indeed befallen Oriana and Oren, and that Aedan was still alive.
The prisoner stayed silent, so Aedan went on, "Pray tell, Howe, what evidence made you decide to have your soldiers to arrive like thieves in the night to slaughter my family?
"You claimed to my Father and me, that your men were delayed. Did you try to arrest my father? No. You were surprised to see Warden-Commander Duncan, and when my father asked you about it, you claimed to be at a disadvantage because of 'protocols.' The reality was you wanted no witnesses. What was your evidence of treason?"
Anora held up Howe's report. "Yes, in your report, you provide a letter purportedly from Duke Gaspard du Chalons to Teyrn Cousland?"
"Yes, I was able to obtain this letter at great personal risk."
"We'll see." the Chancellor said. "The Crown recognizes Revered Mother Leanna from the Chantry of Our Lady Redeemer in Amaranthine."
Revered Mother Leanna came forward. She knelt facing the Grand Cleric's section of the balcony. "Your Grace, I swear upon the Holy Andraste that what I say is the truth."
Grand Cleric and closed her eyes as if praying, and then she opened them and said, "Your oath is acceptable to the Maker."
Bowing to the Queen, the Revered Mother turned to Arl Howe. "A young soul came to the chantry, dying from poison. Her name was Clara Ellis, and she'd come to chantry services regularly. My Chantry sisters and I had been helping her for some time to escape the dark forces in her life. I took her last confession the day she died. During her confession, she gave us the following letters." The Revered mother held a sheaf of papers aloft in her hand.
"Have you read them, Revered Mother?" Chancellor asked.
"Yes, she asked that I do so."
Howe, trying to seem disinterested, said aloud, "And how do we know Revered Mother Leanna speaks the truth?"
The Chancellor looked at Howe. "You will speak only when spoken to."
The Grand Cleric gave Howe a look boded ill for the Arl's soul. "How dare you question the word of a Revered Mother of the Chantry!"
"The letters are from Arl Howe to Clara Ellis asking her to 'use the enclosed sample to create the letter I have enclosed,'" the Revered mother read.
She handed everything to the Chancellor who read both letters, then showed them to the Queen.
"Any of the Landsmeet who want to inspect the report and the letters please come forward."
Eamon and Arl Bryland came forward and examined the evidence. Both men looked at the Chancellor and Queen, then Eamon spoke. "The documents appear genuine, and the letters match. We have no cause to challenge it."
"Do you have anything to say in your defense, Arl Howe?
Howe shook his head; he looked less arrogant but still unrepentant.
"Does anyone else have anything to say in Arl Howe's defense?"
Aedan crossed his arms and glanced at Leliana, who had been standing with the other chantry sister but had come to stand next to him. Yesterday, he and Leliana had discussed the possibility that Howe had probably been working with an Orlesian bard who gave him a sample of the Grand Duke's writing. That bard would have to be working for Gaspard, which could mean that Howe was unknowingly being manipulated by the Grand Duke. He and Leliana had also spoken about this to her Majesty and her handmaiden, the Orlesian bard Erlina.
Aedan raised his hand "May I?"
The Chancellor nodded. Aedan looked at the Arl.
"Arl Howe, perhaps it would be smart to reveal the name of the Orlesian bard who provided you with a sample of the Grand Duke's handwriting?"
Howe looked dumbstruck.
Aedan smiled. You hit that on the nose my lovely Leli.
The Chancellor looked at Howe. "Well?"
"If I tell you what I know, what will you do for me?"
The Chancellor looked to Aedan. "Warden-Commander?"
"Well Howe, were you working at the behest of someone?" Aedan asked.
"Her name was Melendra, she was an Orlesian bard, and as you suggested, she was…persuasive," Howe said calmly. I can tell you where to find her."
Arl Bryland was heading back to the balcony, he stopped, turned and walked quickly back to the nave. Leonas who was half Orlesian and knew more about the politics in Orlais than many of his fellow peers, said, "I have questions of Howe, if I may?"
The Queen nodded.
"Howe, was this bard masked?"
"No."
"Did she have brown hair or blond hair?"
"Brown."
"Were her eyes green or blue?"
"Blue."
"Would you say she had a husky voice or high-pitched?"
"Husky." Howe looked genuinely curious.
Bryland sighed. "The Bard's name is Melcendre, and she is the Spy Master for Grand Duke Gaspard, Cousin of the Empress."
Whispers of 'Traitor' quickly shot through those in the chamber.
How couldn't hide his surprise. She never told me that.
Finally, seeing no further questions arising, the Chancellor demanded,
"I believe we have enough to vote. Your Majesty?"
Anora nodded.
"In light of Arl Howe's testimony about the Grand Duke's spymaster, those who believe Arl Howe guilty of the murders of the Couslands and their retainers, and the attempted murder of Aedan Cousland, please raise your hand."
Every Arl, Bann, and Knight has raised their hand.
"Again, the vote against Howe is unanimous. Arl Rendon Howe, you have been found guilty as charged.
The Queen looked at Aedan. "I would like to speak briefly with Warden Commander Cousland."
"Warden Commander you may approach the throne."
Anora motioned him closer, her words only for his ears. "Do you want me to spare his life and exile him?"
"I trust your wisdom, Your Majesty. For me, visions of that night still haunt me. If it weren't for Alistair, I would have killed Howe on sight." Aedan bowed and walked back to his place beside Leliana.
"You Majesty are you ready to pronounce your sentence?"
Anora stood and addressed the Landsmeet. "I am aware some among you think that I will be biased in my judgment over this man because I was held captive by him. You choose to believe that as a woman I am somehow unable to separate my experience as Howe's captive from my duties as a Queen. I assure you that is not the case."
She turned to Howe; her voice rang with confidence and authority. "Arl Rendon Howe, you are stripped of your peerage. Your Arling, all of your holdings, and your wealth will revert to the Crown. Your sentence is death by beheading to be carried out today at sunset. I will make sure the executioner's blade is sharp. May the Maker have mercy on your soul, for I doubt you will find any here. Guards, please take him to Drakon."
Howe was led out the Landsmeet as the bells for Sext rang.
The Chancellor again tapped his staff of office on the ground. "The morning session of the Landsmeet is over. Please return at Nones for the afternoon session."
Leliana had pulled Aedan back out of view and into her arms. He held onto her like she was a lifeline. She felt the effort he was making to hold back his tears. She gently rubbed his back and whispered, "I'm here, I'm here. Just hold on to me. Je t'aime ma très chère, je t'aime."
Anora saw the couple and spoke briefly to her scribe, who handed the Chancellor a small square of parchment. The Chancellor discreetly passed the couple and placed the note in Leliana a hand.
Aedan pulled back as Leliana looked at the note
Leliana and Aedan,
Give this note to the Guard and he will take you to the guest suite. You are my guests for as many days as needed. I will have your things brought from the Arl's Estate.
Anora
"Come, ma Cherie."
Aedan nodded and together they left the Landsmeet Chamber and were taken to their suite.
Once the door was closed, Aedan pulled Leliana to him and kissed her. "I love you, Maker so much. Leli-love, let me take you to bed and make love to you until we forget about the world outside."
Leliana stood back and was about unclasp her dress, but Aedan took her hand away and began to undress her, reverently. "You are my treasure Leli."
Back in the Landsmeet chamber, Emmalynn asked urgently, "Ali, please introduce me to Bann Sighard. I'm worried, the Bann looks like a world of grief sits on his shoulders, and it is likely due to his son. If I can help, I want to see him as soon as possible."
"Alright, but you need to eat. Remember what Wynne said?"
"I know. I will before we come back for the afternoon session, I promise."
Alistair introduced Emmalynn to Sighard and Emma said, "My Lord Bann, is there any healing I can provide to your son? Ser Alistair told me he was badly injured."
Sighard signed. "I don't know if healing will help, but I welcome your attempt. He is practically bedridden. I couldn't leave him at the estate to come to the Landsmeet so her Majesty has kindly let us stay in the palace where someone can help Oswin if he needs to move from the bed."
The worried Bann led Emmalynn and Alistair to the rooms he shared with his son. Oswin was laying down, pain clear on his face.
"Son, I have brought the Queen's healer. She may be able to help."
"I doubt even the Maker could help."
Emmalynn approached the bed. "Well, the Maker really does his best work on other side of the veil," she quipped.
Oswin gave her a weak smile.
"Have you ever had magic healing?"
"Once. A lot of glowing was involved, as I recall." he chuckled softly
"Well, I don't tend to glow too much." Emma smiled and placed her hand on his forehead and the other on his hip. "Is this okay?"
He nodded.
Her aura flared. His spine, Maker, it is like a spring that was over-stretched. I need to pull his spine together and into alignment. He needs to sleep through this.
Emmalynn's aura faded, and she smiled. "I can heal you, but you cannot be awake while I do it. I need you to lie still. May I put you to sleep?"
"You can heal me?"
Emmalynn nodded. "I believe so."
"Then put me into whatever state you need."
Emma smiled. She placed both hands on his head and sent anesthetizing magic throughout his body. When she was sure he was asleep, she put one hand near his neck and the other at his hip. I need to realign his spine, bone by bone, now the disks between them…now to heal the stretched tendons and ligaments...recondition muscles… done. Time to wake up, Oswin.
She stood up, lightheaded, as Oswin opened his eyes. I do need to eat.
"How do you feel, my son?" His father was at his bedside next to Emmalynn.
Oswin's eyes were wide with shock. "Fine. A bit tired but nothing hurts." He grinned as he sat up and then stood up. His father pulled him into a hug.
As she saw tears in both men's eyes, Emma nodded to Alistair and turned to leave the room. Oswin pulled back from his father, who was too overcome to speak, but Oswin said, "We don't know how to thank you."
"No thanks needed. Make sure to eat and then you'll be less tired." Emmalynn smiled. She gently nudged Alistair, and they slipped out of the room.
"Speaking of lunch…" Alistair said looking at Emma. "You look a bit pale."
~oOOo~
When the afternoon session convened, Anora spoke. "In light of Ser Irminric's testimony, we need to question all who were involved in the poisoning of Arl Eamon–"
Before Anora could finish, the Captain of the Watch for the Landsmeet entered from a side door and presented a scroll to the Chancellor. They both went to the Queen, who read it.
Anora nodded, and the Captain and two lieutenants went to the main doors of the Landsmeet chamber and opened them. Soldiers in the livery of the Knights Divine entered.
The Chancellor spoke. "The Crown recognizes the Special Envoy from the Divine Beatrix III."
AN: Huge thanks to my Beta ElyssaCousland who makes this readable!