AT LAST, they arrive in Denerim.

Lots of in game dialogue in this chapter; it certainly made it a lot easier for me to write.

But I have no reviews about what kind of ending you guys want. I really need your help, guys.

Alistair

"Denerim is the heart and soul of Ferelden. It was the city of King Calenhad, the birthplace of Andraste. As stubborn as a mabari, and as good to have on your side. If we defeat Loghain here, the rest of the nation will follow us.

"By calling the Landsmeet, I've stuck the first blow. The advantage, for the moment, is ours. He will have little choice but to show himself, to oppose us directly. He will strike back at us. The only question that remains, is how soon?"

Arl Eamon turns as the doors open, allowing Loghain, another noble, and a dark-haired guard inside.

"Loghain," Eamon greets evenly. "This is... an honor, that the regent would find time to greet me personally."

"How could I not welcome a man so important as to call every lord in Ferelden away from his estates while a Blight claws at our land?" Loghain asks, clear mockery in his voice.

Alistair tenses, and beside him, Daylen's eyes narrow.

Eamon squares his shoulders. "The Blight is why I'm here. With Cailan dead, Ferelden must have a king to lead it against the darkspawn."

"Ferelden has a strong leader: its queen. And I lead her armies," Loghain snaps.

Daylen scoffs; surprised, everyone turns towards him. "Funny," he comments. "I recall hearing your men claiming you were king. If the Queen is the leader of Ferelden, tell us, why does she not speak for herself?"

Avina steps toward Loghain, her icy gaze sharp. "The throne belongs to Maric's only living son."

Loghain looks the two mages over. "Ah, the Grey Warden recruits. I thought we might meet again. You have my sympathies on what happened to your order. It is unfortunate that they chose to turn against Ferelden."

Avina's eyes flash, her little hands curling into fists. "How dare you -"

Daylen puts a hand on her shoulder, silencing her. "We have come to reveal your crimes at Ostagar," he says evenly. But even Alistair can see the rage burning in his midnight gaze.

Loghain frowns, provoked. "You should curb your tongue. This is my city, and no safe place to speak treason. For anyone."

"It will not be safe for you, then," Avina spits.

Loghain ignores her. "There is talk that your illness left you feeble, Eamon. Some worry that you may no longer be fit to advise Ferelden."

"Illness?" Eamon asks innocently. "Why not call your poison by it's true name? Not everyone at the Landsmeet will cast aside their loyalties as easily as you and these... sycophants."

Alistair wants to cheer and slap him on the back.

"How long you've been gone from court, Eamon!" Loghain sneers. "Don't you recognize Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine, and Teyrn of Highever?"

This Rendon Howe is a beastly man, smaller of stature than most men but with a dangerous glint of greed in his eye. His hair is completely gray with age, and his nose is hooked and unattractive.

Howe smiles like a rat. "And current arl of Denerim, after Urien's unfortunate fate at Ostagar. Truly, it is an embarrassment of riches."

"Enjoy your moment," Daylen says darkly. "It will end soon enough."

The dark-haired woman guarding them snaps to attention. "You are either very bold or very stupid to threaten the teyrn before witnesses."

"Enough, Cauthrien," Loghain orders. "This is not the time or place." He turns back to Eamon, shaking his head. "I had hoped to talk you down from this rash course, Eamon. Our people are frightened; our king is dead. Our land is under siege. We must be united now, if we are to endure this crisis. Your own sister, Queen Rowan, fought tirelessly to see Ferelden restored. Would you see her work destroyed? You divide our nation and weaken our efforts against the Blight with your selfish ambitions to the throne."

"What efforts can there be against a Blight when you outlaw the Grey Wardens?" Avina demands.

"Cailan depended on the Grey Warden's prowess against the darkspawn, and look how well that ended. Let us speak of reality, rather than tall tales. Stories will not save us."

Eamon crosses his arms. "I cannot forgive what you've done, Loghain. Perhaps the Maker can, but not I. Our people deserve a king of the Theirin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory in this Blight."

Alistair raises his eyebrows. "Oh, is that all I have to do? No pressure..."

Avina's arm brushes his, and if he didn't know better, he'd think it was an accident. But she's telling him he doesn't have to do it alone.

"The emperor of Orlais also thought I could not bring him down," Loghain says. "Expect no more mercy than I showed him. There is nothing I would not do for my homeland."

And with that, the trio leave the estate.

Eamon sighs, slowly turning to face the others. "Well, that was... bracing. I didn't expect Loghain to show himself quite so soon."

"Now what should we do?" Daylen asks.

"We need eyes and ears in the city," Eamon tells them. "Loghain has been here for months. The roots of his schemes must begin here. The sooner we find them, the better we can turn them to our advantage. Go have a look around and see what you can turn up. Better yet, find the nobles who have arrived for the Landsmeet. Test the waters, see how many will support us. When you're ready to talk strategy, come upstairs to my sitting room. We can lay out our plans for the Landsmeet then."

Daylen

Daylen has a fondness of Denerim that he can say he's never had for the Circle.

It's beautiful. Full of life.

But the Landsmeet...

Daylen hates it with all his being.

Since he was a boy, he knew he would not have a title. He was stripped of everything when he came to the Circle.

But he had a few tricks up his sleeve... Dealing with the templars and senior enchanters was easy for him by the time he was ten.

That doesn't mean he likes using them.

Daylen learned from his time in Orzammar how much he hated politics. And now, he's right in the middle of the biggest, most important event to happen in Ferelden since the Orlesian occupation was ended.

The country's life depends on his ability to sway nobles to his side, to blackmail, sneak, and threaten information out of people.

And he hates it.

It's no small comfort to have Avina by his side now. Alistair too, is a great help. He knows he couldn't do this without them.

The companions, for the most part, seem to be enjoying themselves since the arrival at the estate.

Well, apart from Shale and Sten.

"Everything in here appears to be breakable," Shale comments. "It seems most impractical."

"It is not as defensible as I would like," Sten agrees, "but it will do."

And then he runs into Morrigan. "If one more servant asks if I would like a change of clothes, I will set the house on fire," she seethes.

Daylen laughs, making a mental note to remind the servants to leave her alone.

When at last he goes to see the arl, Avina and another elf woman are there already.

"Ah, Warden," Eamon greets. "I trust you've made yourself comfortable."

Daylen raises an eyebrow at the elf. "Who is this?"

"This is Erlina," Eamon introduces. "She's-"

"I am Queen Anora's handmaiden," she interrupts, her Orlesian accent thick. "She sent me here to ask for your help."

Eamon smiles slightly. "Or perhaps the young lady prefers to speak for herself."

Already, Daylen does not like this. He has a feeling this is not going to go well.

"And why would Anora want our help?" Daylen asks politely.

Erlina eagerly launches into her tale. "The queen, she is in a difficult position. She loved her husband, no? And trusted her father to protect him. When he returns with no king and only dark rumors, what is she to think? She worries, no? But when she tries to speak with him, he does not answer. He tells her 'not to trouble herself'."

This makes a bit of sense to Daylen. "So she's willing to side with us against her husband's murderer?"

Erlina bows her head. "My queen suspects she cannot trust her father. And Loghain, he is very subtle, no? But Rendon Howe, his is privy to all the secrets and... not so subtle. So she goes to Howe. A visit from the queen to the new arl of Denerim is only a matter of courtesy. And she demands answers."

"And what did he say?" Avina asks.

Erlina shakes her head. "Things no decent person would repeat. He calls her every sort of name, 'traitor' being the kindest, and locks her in the guest room."

This makes... less sense. "Loghain would allow that?" He says skeptically.

"King Cailan was like a son to him, and Loghain left him to die. Does he love Anora more? Who can say?" Erlina bites her lip. "I think... her life is in danger. I heard Howe say she would be a greater ally dead than alive. Especially if her death could be blamed on Arl Eamon."

"We cannot ignore this," Avina points out.

Daylen crosses his arms. "What do you propose we do, then? Storm his estate?"

"I have some uniforms," Erlina offers. "Arl Howe hires so many new guards every day, a few more will not cause much stir. I will show you to the servant's entrance. We must slip in and out with my queen before anyone is the wiser. I will go ahead to Howe's estate. Meet me there as soon as you can."

Tel'abelas.

Next chapter: The Landsmeet Part 2