Chapter 124: The Estate
"Zis way! Hurry!"
Alim watched from the bushes as Erlina led away the two guards watching the rear entrance to the Arl of Denerim's estate. Two hours had passed from when they decided to undertake this mission. Erlina had needed to prepare a few things before they could get started. The journey here had been fairly quiet, with so many nobles and their guards in Denerim for the Landsmeet; troublemaking was being kept to a minimum. Few citizens ventured out with so many blades out on the streets, especially when those blades had access to the Taverns.
So far everyone seemed to be behaving themselves, the city was pretty quiet. In fact the warden had only seen one real trouble spot. A place where, if the guards were not careful they might end up with a riot on their hands…
Fortunately for Alim and his friends, this was the place they needed to go. The chaos outside the Arl's estate would be the perfect distraction while they gained access to the Arl of Denerim's halls.
When they had first arrived, Erlina had led them to a shadowy courtyard just outside the estate. Crowds of angry laborers stood chanting outside the estate, Howe guards stood sentinel before the many doors blades at the ready.
Alim's eyes narrowed.
Howe might have been a ruthless bastard, but he was smart enough to order his men to restrain themselves. Fear of the Blight and anger about the Civil War could easily spark unrest in a city the size of Denerim, all it would take would be one incident, and that would be it.
The new Arl of Denerim did not seem willing to risk such a spark, all the better for them.
He smiled slightly.
This crowd would provide the perfect cover.
Fergus and Kally stood close to their leader, both had had experience with the estate and what it looked like before the Blight came to Ferelden.
Both were a bit surprised by the state of place now...
"Wow," Kally said, "This place has really gone to the void."
The elf shook her head.
"I know we did damage on our way out, but this…this is extreme even for me."
Fergus gave her a curious look.
"What kind of damage did you do?"
Kally's elven ears lowered slightly.
"We set fire to some of the tapestries, it must have spread quickly, I can see a bit of charring around the windows."
Alim snorted.
"But that was months ago, right," he asked, "I can't believe that Howe would not have repaired the damage by now?"
"It was Erlina that answered.
"The estate is…in poor repair. Arl Howe has not been quick to pay his workmen. He made many promises when he first took power here in the city. Most of the craftsmen jumped at the chance to put their mark somewhere in the estate.
"I'll show them how to mark this place," Kally growled.
Erlina ignored her.
Howe has made no attempt to fulfill his obligations. For two months now the estate has been at least livable, yet he has not offered his workmen a single coin. They have gotten tired of empty promises, they wish their pay now."
Alim sighed.
"Greedy son of a bitch isn't he?" the elven warden said.
Fergus shook his head.
"This might also be part of his plan. Perhaps Howe wants a riot, perhaps he plans for Anora to have an "accident" when those people break in."
The warrior sighed.
"Considering what we have seen from Howe…it is at least a possibility."
Alim's brow furrowed.
Shit, he thought, I hadn't considered that.
He shook his head.
They did not have much time.
IOI
Erlina led them round the estate the soldiers manning the courtyard paid them no mind. Fergus, Oghren, Morrigan, and Leliana all wore Howe colors and helms, with the Arl hiring so many mercenaries a few more were not noticed. Alim and Kally wore servant uniforms similar to Erlina's.
Neither the witch or the bard were happy wearing such heavy armor, fortunately, the suits were big enough that they were able to wear their own gear underneath.
Morrigan held up the tunic she was to wear for inspection, she noticed dark stains on the collar.
"Is this blood?" she asked the Queen's handmaiden.
Erlina shrugged.
"It is best you not ask too many questions of how I acquired these uniforms."
Morrigan glanced down at the tunic and up again at Erlina.
She smiled wickedly.
"I like your style, elf," she purred.
Alim rolled his eyes.
Morrigan would approve of such tactics.
He wished that he could say the same.
The warden had not been happy when she had shown him his disguise.
Given the situation in the Alienage," Erlina reminded him, "the Arl would never trust hiring any elven guards. An armed elf would be suspicious, but a servant will not be noticed."
Kally glared down at the outfit. She did not like the thought of dressing so either; she would not be able to wear her armor underneath the clothes. A fact that she reminded Erlina of.
The Queen's handmaiden smiled slyly.
"My Queen is not without allies," she said, "I have several contacts among the cooking staff. They have already prepared for our arrival, armor for you…"
She looked at Alim.
"As well as a few magical surprises for you warden," she promised.
Alim had nodded.
"I'm guessing these allies could not arrange your lady's escape?"
Erlina sighed.
"They are not fighters, warden," she said, "Be grateful they have supplied us as much as they have."
Alim's ears lowered slightly.
The girl's words made sense, but at the same time, this could still be a trap. He had had to surrender his sword and staff so that Erlina could smuggle them in.
He would be lying if he said he did not feel naked without his weapons.
Leliana stayed close to him, as a guard she had every right to carry her bow and daggers.
If it came to a physical fight he would need her protection. He hated to do that to her, but what choice did he have?
She gave him a reassuring smile. Then her helmet's visor slipped down, making her grumble.
He chuckled.
Few people could look cute in heavy armor; Leliana was pulling it off just fine.
They had needed to hide in the bushes as Erlina dealt with the two guards protecting the servant's entrance. These men knew who was allowed to enter the estate and who wasn't.
The handmaiden needed to deal with them first or this mission was done before it even began.
Alim watched as she ran up to the guards panicking, claiming that she had seen a darkspawn over by the fountain.
For a moment it looked like the men were not going to take the bait. They bickered with each other, but finally, the senior man insisted that they check it out. Alim let out a sigh of relief as they followed Erlina away from their post. Oghren started to emerge, but Alim stopped him.
"Not yet," he cautioned, "Give her a little more time."
The berserker snorted but obeyed.
Alim counted to ten, and led them forward. He glanced around nervously, just in case someone noticed that they did not belong here.
After everything else he had experienced on this journey he was prepared should things turn pear shaped.
This time, however, he was wrong.
They slipped inside the door without a single guard noticing.
Alim let out a breath he did not realize he was holding.
Well, we are inside, he thought.
Now comes the hard part, getting Anora out.
He glanced over at Leliana; the bard's battle senses were fully awake now. Kally was clinching and unclenching her fists, no doubt wishing that she had a weapon in hand. The female elf's manner had changed; she looked only barely in control, like she was going to jump out of her skin.
Fergus moved closer to her, murmuring encouraging words in her ear.
His presence calmed her, at least a little bit.
Alim thanked the Maker for small favors.
The group moved to the small closet where Erlina was supposed to rendezvous with them. Again Alim felt that flutter of trepidation.
What happened if the handmaiden did not return? What if this was all a trap?
A minute passed, and then another, then another…
The door opened. Alim tensed.
Erlina snorted as she entered.
"I thought I would never give those fools the slip," she murmured.
The warden glared at her.
"Where to now," he demanded.
"Zis way," she said motioning, "My lady's room is this way."
They made their way down the hall. Alim picked up a dinner tray and lid, if anyone saw, all they would see is an elven footman bringing a meal to one of the Arl's guests. Kally picked up on what he was doing, a picked up a basket half full of linens.
If anyone asked they were simply three servants going to attend to the queen, the guards were there in case she tried anything funny. That was the story they would tell if anyone challenged them, but luck seemed to be with them for once.
Not a single one of Howe's men tried to stop them.
Alim glanced over at Leliana. His lover seemed…distracted, yet, she moved down the hall with purpose.
He glanced her way.
"You know this place?" he said.
She nodded.
"As I said, I did a job here a few years ago."
"And you still remember this place?"
She frowned.
"It was the last job I did for Marjolaine," she said grimly.
"I remember everything."
Alim said nothing more.
Clearly Kally was not the only one who had demons to face in this place.
IOI
Leliana said nothing as Erlina led them into the estate's living quarters. Shadows of the past still haunted her, memories of friends lost, and enemies battled in these very halls.
She shuddered.
She still had nightmares about this place, about her treatment under the tender mercies of Commander Harwen Raleigh. Marjolaine had tossed her to the man like noble would toss a bone to his most ruthless cur.
She shook her head.
She thought of Dorothea. She thought of Silas and Sketch…
She thought of Tug, poor brave Tug, dead in this place's lower levels. She…she…
She took a deep breath, and narrowed her eyes.
This was not helping.
She was just worried about Alim, that was what was doing this. Her visions were making her jumpy. She had dealt with what happened here years ago.
Raleigh was dead. Dead. Silas had killed him. Marjolaine was gone now too. Neither of them could hurt her anymore.
She mustered her courage, her hand drifting to her dagger.
She would not let this place affect her. It had no hold on her, not anymore.
Erlina turned a corner.
They had reached the Arl's apartments. The elf stopped before a thick oak door.
She froze.
Even in the torchlight you could plainly see the shimmering wall of magic blocking the door.
Leliana almost swore.
There was always something, wasn't there?
IOI
Erlina glanced at Alim, Her Dearest one cursed under his breath, and raised his hand. The magic blocking the door sent a tiny bolt of energy into his hand. Alim yelped and jumped back.
"Shit," he spat, putting his burned hand in his mouth.
From behind the door a voice called out.
"Who's there?!" a commanding voice called out.
The handmaiden stepped forward.
"Erlina, Your Majesty," she said, "I've brought the Grey Warden, as you have requested."
There was a brief pause, and then…
"Thank the Maker," she said, "As you can see there have been some…complications."
Alim's eyes narrowed.
"No shit," he muttered.
"What?" the queen called out.
"Never mind," he said, "I don't suppose you know a way to disable this field?"
Howe has several apostates working for him," she said, "I saw one of them slice his hand, when he did, this…this barrier appeared."
Alim shook his head.
Blood magic…again.
He shouldn't have been surprised. Uldred had been in cahoots with Loghain; no doubt some of his followers had remained with the Teyrn when he left Ostagar.
The warden sighed.
"The chantry would not have taken kindly to that. Of course, nobles had been keeping personal mage's for years. Those men and women were supposed to obey chantry law, but that did not always happen.
He glared at the shield.
He guessed that he mage had bound his life force to the spell. As long as that mage lived no force in Thedas could remove this barrier…
…Which meant that their course was now clear.
They needed to find the mage that did this, and remove them.
"I don't suppose you know where Howe keeps his pet mages, Your Majesty," he called out.
Another pause.
"The mage has been acting as Howe's bodyguard, has been since the noble's started arriving for the Landsmeet."
The queen might have sighed then.
"He is never far from his master's side."
Alim cursed under his breath.
So much for getting the queen out of here undetected.
"We're going to find Howe," he said, "Don't go anywhere, Your Majesty."
He heard a sound that might have been a fake laugh.
"Very amusing, warden," she said coolly.
Alim shrugged.
If he didn't laugh he might just cry out in frustration.
Jokes were better. Alistair had taught him that.
He turned to Erlina.
"Which way to the Teyrn's quarter's Erlina," he asked.
She pointed down the hall.
Alim nodded.
"Kally and I are going to need our weapons."
She nodded.
"Zis way," she said, "Your weapons are in a small room across from the Arl's study.
Alim followed her again; he took a deep breath, settling himself, as he often did before going into battle.
And make no mistake, this would be a battle.
The warden's eyes narrowed.
Howe would not let Anora go without a fight.
Alim glanced over at Fergus and Kally; so far they had managed to control themselves. When they came face to face with the Arl…
That might be a different story.
He took another deep breath.
When they caught up with the Arl, they would have to be quick, no prisoners, and no mercy.
If any of Howe's men managed to raise the alarm, they were likely done.
Alim glanced over at Leliana again, his love was all business. He was grateful for that.
Yet, he had led her into this mess, if anything happened to her.
Thunder rumbled overhead.
He took a deep breath, pushing his fear back.
He knew what needed to be done.
Howe could not be allowed to escape, he thought.
Erlina opened the door across from the Arl's study, Kally's armor and weapons sat in one corner, spellbinder and his staff in the other.
Alim smiled grimly.
Here we go, he thought.
No prisoners.
No mercy.