The two mages stood in the basement, at the first door. "Were you able to get the code phrase, Amell?" The elven mage asked her, ready to cast magic into the door.
Amell nodded her head. "Yes, I was." She confirmed, pulling out a piece of paper to recite the quotation written on it. The door opens and they quickly make their way to the cells. Upon arriving, Amell turned to her male companion. "How are we going to undo the locks?" She asks him.
He looks at her in confusion. "You didn't get the key?"
"Greagoir has the keys." They turn to the female elf in the cell, curled up in the corner, seeming not to notice the pair. "Surana!" Amell calls.
Surana slowly turns her head to the direction from where the sound came. "Eadric, Amell." She mutters, barely above a whisper, her voice broken. "What are you guys doing here?" She lets her head fall back, to rest on the wall behind her.
"We're getting you out of here, and then we're all leaving." Amell said.
Surana stretches her arms out in front of her, placing them on the ground to push herself up. "Leaving?" She repeats, stumbling towards the cell door. Amell didn't reply, just stared at her, studying her. She looked emaciated, her bones being pronounced from underneath her robes and her eyes holding dark circles under them. She'd been in here for nearly three months without any hygienic equipment. She smelled of urine, feces, and vomit. Amell and Eadric resisted the urge to plug their nose at their friend.
"The tower is under attack by blood mages and demons." Eadric spoke. "Greagoir has locked us in along with any templars that were presumed to be either dead or possessed. It's likely he's sent for the Rite of Annulment."
"Which is why we have to hurry." Amell interjected. She quickly made a rock fist and hurled it at the lock over and over again.
"Magic won't work on these locks." Surana told them. "There's nothing we can do." She then turned to look at Eadric. "Destroy your phylactery before you go, that way it'll make it hard for them to look for you."
"We're not leaving you here." Amell said. She turned to male elf standing besides her. "There has to be something we can do."
"I can try to pick it." Eadric declared.
"You know how to pick locks?"
"Vaguely. I haven't done it since I came to the circle and frankly I'm not super skilled at it; however, this doesn't look to be a complicated or an advanced lock. So, I should be able to." Amell stepped back, letting Eadric step in front of the cell. She reached into her hair and pulled out a pin for him to use. After a couple of clicks, the cell door opened, and out stumbled Surana. Amell and Eadric went on either side of her and put each arm around their necks to help her stand. "Let's hurry to Phylactery Chamber so we can destroy my phylactery and get out of here." Eadric said.
Amell and Eadric sat Surana on the stairs of the basement while they quickly made their way to the Phylactery Chamber. Surana sat down, wheezing, voice hoarse, mouth dry, waiting. Her hands were scraggly, hanging loosely at her sides. She didn't need a mirror to know the physical state she was in. She had been in that cell for nearly three months without any food or water. The only kindness showed to her was a collection of books to keep her busy...no, to keep her sane. If Amell and Eadric hadn't come, how long would they have left her in there? All this for helping a friend? No, not for helping a friend, for helping a maleficarum. It was a mistake, she knows that now. She shouldn't of trusted Jowan, he always seemed distant. He didn't get along with any of the other apprentices, but her. He was teased constantly when they were younger for always messing up spells or not being able to cast any. Surana offered to practice with him, seeing he needed the extra help, and they've been friends ever since. To her his magical prowess were below average, but enough to pass the Harrowing.
Hearing footsteps, Surana looked up at the approaching pair, her eyes void of any emotion. They reappeared by either of her sides, helping her stand once more."Let's go." Amell ordered.
Once they made it out of the basement, Amell looked to the door where the barrier used to be. She looked to her fellow mage, Petra. "What happened to the barrier?" She questioned.
"Wynne removed it. She and a couple grey wardens are going to try to rid the circles of the demons and save the remaining mages." Petra answered.
Amell nodded and led the group towards the door. "What's the plan?" Eadric asked her.
"First, we're going to my room, I have a few things I need to get. Then, after the wardens clear everything out, we're going to the Harrowing Chambers. That's the only room with a window." Amell explained.
"We're going to jump out a window?" Eadric questioned.
"We won't be able to sneak out through the front. If we want to leave, we have no other option." Amell said. Eadric grumbled in reply, but didn't object. After arriving to Amell's room, they sat Surana on the bed. Amell went to a chest and pulled out a vial of lyrium, and a glass of health poultice. "I know it's not much", she stated, walking up to Surana, "but this is all I have." She put the vial to Surana's lips and tipped her head back to help her drink, picking up the health poultice next.
"Why are giving her that?" Eadric inquired.
Amell removed the top from the glass and put it to Surana's lips. "So, she can have something in her stomach. I know it doesn't replace water or food, but this should hold her down until we're outside to get some real food." Amell went back to her dresser, stuffing a pouch of coins in her robe, and looking to see if she had any spare robes she can give Surana.
Surana felt the cool, thick liquid pass her lips and drip down her throat. It didn't do anything, she wasn't hurt nor was her mana drained from her body. She was starving, feeling the two substance sit in her stomach as she licked her dry lips. She raised her eyes to meet Amell's when she seen her offer her new robes. Surana shook her head, returning her gaze back to the floor. She felt it unnecessary to change, seeing as they were going to be diving into a lake. The robes were going to get soaked, anyway, so why bother? She felt herself being picked up again, but shrugged off her friends, letting them know she was okay to walk on her own. Next they went to Eadric's room, so he can grab his pouch of coins along with a few other personal possessions; and last they went to Surana's room, so she could get her coin pouch, and other sentimental materials.
As the three walked through the tower they noticed the wardens and Wynne had slain every demon they must have come in contact with, seeing as they didn't meet any. Once they reached the last plight of stairs that lead to the Harrowing Chamber, Amell put her ear to the door. She hears voices, but she can't make out what they're saying. She turns to her friends. "Let's wait out in this room, until they all leave." She whispers, pointing to a room behind them. Eadric nods his head and the three enter the room and wait. It's not long before they hear voices followed by a group of people. Amell watches the group as they leave until they are out of sight, leading her friends into the Harrowing Chambers.
They approached the window and stand in front of it. "What do we do once we're down there?" Surana asked, softly. Assuming they'd actually land in the water and not on the ground. Surana wasn't sure if she would survive this jump. The other two had a chance, but she was weak, frail. She'd hit the water and die on impact, or break a leg, arm, sprain her ankle or back, making it impossible to swim resulting in her drowning.
"We swim." Amell answered, "and hopefully run into someone with a boat."
Eadric opened the window and stepped onto it. He turned around and held his hand out to Surana, helping her climb up. Amell came up on her other side, grabbing her other hand. The three looked at each other, taking a deep breath.
"One." Eadric started.
"Two." Surana whispered.
"Three!" Amell finished, and they jumped.
Surana hit the water with a hard smack against her body. Water rushed into mouth and her nose, suffocating her. She couldn't move, her body hurt too bad, she couldn't breath, she was drowning, she was going to die. Just as she was about to slip from consciousness she felt a hand on her back. Someone was pulling her up and above water. Surana emerged from the water, taking a big gasp of air. She was on Eadric's back, and he was holding on to a rift, Amell holding her hand out for him to take. Once they were all three on the rift, Amell and Eadric used their staffs to row the rift faster to shore. Surana looked across the lake to where she thought Kester must be. They were heading north of the tower to avoid the chance of running into templars. She leaned her head on Eadric's shoulders, tempted to drift off again, but didn't.
After a few hours, the rift finally reached the shore. Eadric carried Surana, bridal style, off of the rift. "Where do we go now?" He asked Amell as he sat Surana down.
"We're going to Denerim, but we need to lay low." Amell answered him.
"Why are we going to Denerim?" He questioned.
"The Phylactery Chamber in the tower only holds the apprentices' phylacteries. Ours are in Denerim." Surana said, her voice more audible. "For a time, they'll believe we died in the tower during the attack, but when they go to dispose of phylacteries..."
"They'll see we're not dead and come looking for us." Amell finished. "It most likely won't be until after the blight is over, but it's best to deal with it now."
Eadric nodded in understanding. "I have family that I have to make sure are safe." He then turned to Surana. "Are you gonna be okay?" Surana nodded her head, staring into his eyes. Eadric would always hold a special place in her heart. He was her first crush, first kiss, first love, and first time. He walked up to her and gave her a tight squeeze, hugging her. Surana mustered up whatever strength she had and hugged him back. He kissed her on the forehead before letting her go. "I want you to have this." He said, stuffing a ring full of gems in her hand he had planned to give her at one point.
"Thank you." She said, closing her hand around the ring. She reached up to her ear, pulling out her hoop earring. "I want you to have this, too." She told him, handing it to him. "To remember me by." Eadric took the earring, giving her a smile before turning and walking away. Surana walked up to Amell.
"You ready?" Amell asked her. Surana nodded her head and the two made their way towards Denerim.
Princess Aeducan stood at the entrance to the deep roads. After hearing Harrowmont was crowned king she decided to come home, but she was hesitant. Would she be accepted? Would anyone accept her, believe her? She couldn't stay in the deep roads. She'd die. She'd lose her mind first, then she'd die. Not an honorable death, meant for someone like her. Swallowing all pride, fear, and doubt, Princess Aeducan made her way to the city. The guards noticed her immediately and stopped her.
"Halt, kin-slayer!"
Princess Aeducan lifted her chin up and straightened her shoulders, putting on a look of authority. "Take me to the king." She demanded. "I wish an audience with him."
"You think just because Harrowmont was crowned king you can come-"
"Now." Princess Aeducan interrupted.
The guards looked between each other before addressing her again. "Wait here!" He growled at her.
Princess Aeducan watched as the guards walked away from her, leaving her to herself. She let out a breath and let her shoulders slump as she waited. It had been hard living in the deep roads. Her skill with her swords is what kept her alive for the most part, but lucky for her she was able to meet up with the Legion of the Dead and fight alongside them. There was more than what was reported last time, if she remembers correctly, but that was probably due to deserters of Branka's house not willing to throw their lives away chasing a lost cause. Eager to be out the deep roads, she went to the surface with the legionnaire's to help defend the surface against the blight, since that was the only time a dwarf can go to the surface and not suffer the consequence of being stripped of their caste. When the blight was over, she reluctantly returned, but decided she would not live out this sentence, since she was the one set up and falsely accused. That's why she's back now, to prove her innocence.
Princess Aeducan stood attentive, when she saw the guards return. "Harrowmont will see you." He snarled. Princess Aeducan nodded her head, once again lifting it as she made her way to the Diamond Quarters. She looked out of the corner of her eye, seeing the common-folk. They made faces, pointed and spit at her, said crude things about her. None of which were true, but it still hurt her nonetheless. She ignored it, pushing the pain back like she's always done since her mother died. 'Don't let them see your tears', she told herself. She made a swift left, ready to go up to what she thought was Harrowmont's estate. "King Harrowmont no longer resides here. He's moved to the Royal Estate." The guard told her. Of course, how can she be so stupid to think he would still stay there. They walked to the Royal Estate, heading straight to the study. "Aeducan, your majesty." He introduced and quickly left soon after, closing the door behind him.
"Princess!" Harrowmont said, coming around the table to welcome her into a hug.
Princess Aeducan returned the hug. "I am 'princess' no longer." She replied. Harrowmont gave her a sympathetic look. Aeducan diverted her eyes from his, not wanting to break under his gaze. 'Don't let them see your tears'. "I have a favor to ask of you." She told him, meeting his gaze once again. Harrowmont nodded his head, waiting for her to continue. "I would like you to overturn my exile and-"
"Done." Harrowmont interjected. "I will file the paperwork immediately-"
"Not just that." Harrowmont stopped and turned to young Aeducan. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, looking to him once again. "I want the opportunity to prove my innocence."
Harrowmont walked behind his desk and sat down. "How do you propose to do that?" He questioned her.
Aeducan took her seat across from him and clasped her hands together. "I want to conduct a top secret investigation with as few people as possible and only those we completely trust."
Harrowmont nodded. "Dulin has been keeping his ear to the streets. I believe he will have some information you would be interested in." He said, writing on a piece of paper. "I'm also going to give you this to help start you off with your investigation." Aeducan took the piece of paper from him, skimming it over. It was a list of names. She knew all of these names, and it made her stomach sick to think that it was a possibility these people had anything to do with her brother, Trian's, death. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but there is an urgent matter I must tend to." Harrowmont said, rising from his seat. "I assume you'd want the pardon to happen after you prove your innocence, but in the meantime, let me show you where you can stay." Aeducan nodded, stuffing the paper in her pocket. She noticed he led her down an all too familiar path to the ghost of her past. "Your old room." He looked back at her, observing her reaction.
Aeducan entered the room, taking in the view before her. It was exactly how she left it. Both her father and brother must not have had the heart to throw away her things. The thought brought tears to her eyes, and she blinked them back furiously. 'Don't let them see you cry'. She chanted in her head.
"Now, I really must go. Good day, Princess." He told her before leaving.
Once the door closed, she let out the tears she's been holding back; from when she came in the room, from when she returned to the city, from when she was exiled, from when Trian died. Her body shook tremendously, tears falling briskly from her eyes. She gritted her teeth to try to keep her sobs at bay, but they broke free, making her bite her lip in another attempt.
Amell and Surana had met a dwarven merchant on their way to Denerim. From him, Amell bought a change of clothes for them both and a pair of daggers for skinning. They had caught a fennec earlier and needed to skin it before they ate it. Surana had one end of fennec, skinning it from his neck, while Amell had the other end, skinning it from it's rear. Surana had no idea what she was doing and if she was doing it right. She looked over to Amell to see she wasn't doing any better than she was. Surana stabbed the dagger in the fennec's skull, getting up to go to the fire. Amell copied her actions, following behind her. "What's wrong?" She questioned, the elvhen woman.
"Can we go to an inn? So, we don't have to sleep on the floor or make our own food." Surana whined.
"I would love to go to an Inn, but we only have so much money that we're going to need long after the blight."
Surana nodded her head, already knowing the answer to her own question. She turned to face her best friend. "Do you know where the Phylactery Chamber is, and how we're going to get in without being noticed?"
"My contacts tell me the building is next to the chantry, same set up like the basement tower."
"That means there's a code phrase?" Surana questioned. Amell nodded her head at the question. "Do you know it?"
Amell shook her head. "Not yet, but my contacts are working on getting it."
Surana just stared at Amell, a curious expression on her face. "Who are your contacts?" She inquired.
"The Mages' Collective." She answered simply. "You didn't think that rift in the lake was by chance did you?"
Surana looked surprised. "You set that up?"
Amell just shrugged. "Before I came back from the battle." She stated. "I've been talking to them about how me and some friends were going to escape, but I didn't think it'd be now or that they'd have the rift ready to go."
"So, what's the plan?"
"We go in when everyone is evacuated and the soldiers are out fighting against the blight." Amell answered, taking a swig of water.
Surana nodded her head in agreement. "What do we do after."
"After, we join the battle." Amell offers Surana some water. "Then, if we survive that, we live. We still stay low, but still live our own lives. Get married, have babies, whatever we want." A small smile graced Surana's lips at the thought of starting her own family. "Now come on. Let's finish skinning this fennec."
Surana nodded following behind her. "Let's catch a ram next time." She says.
"Rams are harder to skin, and they take longer, too." Amell pointed out.
"Yes, but it's bigger and can fill us up." Surana argued.
Amell chuckled at her. "Fine, but you're skinning it on your own first, since it was your idea."
"Lady Aeducan." Harrowmont's second greeted her. "Dulin Forender at your service." He bowed respectfully at her name before continuing. "His majesty says you wish to investigate your late brother, Trian's, death."
Aeducan nodded her confirmation. "He gave me a couple leads, but it's not going to be easy for me to move around so freely without drawing attention. Do you have anyone who can assist me?"
Dulin nodded. "Baizyl's daughters will serve as your eyes and ears. Use them as you will during your investigation." He motioned behind him, moving so the girls can be seen. "Lord Harrowmont also has this paperwork retrieved from the carta base, ordering a hit on Trian from Prince Bhelen."
Aeducan greedily took the paper from him, examining the contract. "This is just what I need!" She beamed. "But it's not enough. What are the whereabouts of Frandlin Ivo and the scout that was with us that day."
One of the girls stepped forward. "I'm best friend's with his daughter. What do you need of me from him?"
"What's your name?" Aeducan asked her, feeling uneasy about her being friends with his daughter. It was convenient, but could she really be trusted?
"Shardea. Pleasure to meet you." She greeted. "And this is my sister Sade."
Aeducan shook their hands, glancing between their faces. "Are you guys twins?" She questioned, watching as they nodded their head simultaneously. The twins were beautiful. They had sun-kissed skin, red hair, and hazel eyes. "Well, as I said, Frandlin was apart of the group that day in the deep roads. He and that scout know Trian was already dead before we arrived. The scout, I figure was paid off by Bhelen, but I expected more from Frandlin. Is there a way you can get a confession from him, then I'll work on getting him to testify."
"Leave it to me!" Shardea beamed, scurrying out the room.
"Well, I see you have everything under control. Now, I must be going." Dulin interjected before exiting out of the room.
Aeducan turned to the other twin. "Do you want me to look for the scout?" She questioned.
"Yes, but before that," Aeducan pondered. "I need you to help me come up with a disguise so I can move freely without being noticed."
Sade clapped her hands, leading her to the mirror. "Leave it to me!" She beamed. She went in her backpack pulling out several different makeup products, and scissors. "Wait here. I'm going to go get a wig and a bag of commoner clothing."
Before Aeducan can object, the redhead had already sprinted out the room. Aeducan stared at the products in front of her. She had never worn makeup before, not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't know how to do it; but she always wondered how she would look with it on. Taking her attention away from the makeup, she refocused on the task at hand. If Harrowmont already had this paperwork proving Bhelen ordered the hit on Trian, then why did he give her a list of names? Are these people the ones who are oppressing him? Aeducan thought back to that day, she often did, how Bhelen was scamming from the beginning. Then it hit her. Where was Trian's team? And the trial, Gorim had said it went against everything that was tradition, to go in Bhelen's favor. That's what these names were for! If she can prove any of these people knew Bhelen was planning to rid his siblings in order to be king and they backed him, not only would her exile be overturned, but she'd also be in the people's good graces once again. Hope filled Aeducan's heart as a smile was plastered over her face.
She jumped when she heard the door open. "Sorry it took me so long, I decided to grab some jewelry as well and kept dropping everything on my way here." The red-head explained.
Aeducan beamed a smile at her. "It's alright! I actually wanted to see if you heard anyone talking about me being back."
Sade dropped the jewelry on the dresser, making Aeducan jump. "Yeah." She drawled out, walking over to the bed and throwing the clothes down on it. "Some people are upset that you're here, and others want you to take the thrown as King Endrin's last living child." She walked back over to Aeducan standing behind her, looking at her through the mirror.
Aeducan shook her head. "I only want to prove my innocence so I can stay home. I don't deserve to carry out a sentence I was falsely blamed for."
Sade looked down, running her hands through Aeducan's hair. "I know, but maybe after that you can marry my cousin?" Sade asked her nervously.
Aeducan turned around in her chair, staring Sade in the face. "Marry your cousin?" She questioned.
Sade let out a breath before meeting Aeducan's gaze. "You are King Endrin's only living child. After we prove your innocence, the people will want even more to put you on the throne."
"I can't do that to Harrowmont. He's doing a lot for me right now, and he was my father's second." Aeducan protested.
"He never wanted to be king. He only did because he claims King Endrin said to keep the throne from your brother."
Aeducan just stared at the girl in confusion. "Why would he say that?" She asked, softly.
"Because he believed you were innocent, he believed you when you claimed Prince Bhelen set you up." Aeducan got up from her chair, going to the crystal orb in her room. "The people are resisting King Harrowmont; not letting him pass any laws, starting riots."
Aeducan took a deep breath. "Explain to me how marrying your cousin is going to fix anything."
"You know how king's go. Harrowmont is old, has no heir, and word on the street is Prince Bhelen had a baby boy with some casteless woman." Aeducan remembers her. Pale skin with the mark on her cheek, Rica was her name. "However, after we prove your innocence, Bhelen will be shamed, along with all others who helped him."
"So, it's a compromise." Aeducan spoke up. "I marry whoever will be decided Harrowmont's heir so that the people can stop fighting among themselves." Sade nodded to her, gleefully. "Let's see how this goes." She stated, taking her seat at the dresser once again.
Amell and Surana hid behind the wall of the Denerim Chantry. They had waited too long to come to destroy their phylacteries. The chantry already had the Phylactery Chamber relocated. They stayed in Denerim while Amell did her best find out where the new phylactery chambers were. The blight was getting close, and they were doing everything to prepare for the battle. It was unexpected when the darkspawn came swarming the place, killing everyone in sight. They had took the people of Denerim by surprise, not giving them enough time to finish evacuating the area nor armor up. They were outnumbered. The best thing to do is stay hidden until help arrives. The girls were still in their commoner clothing, not suitable to fight in. They'd have to make their way to the Wonders of Thedas shop to grab a couple of magical robes, armor, and a staff for Surana. Amell took the lead, looking out first to make sure no darkspawn noticed them. They stayed along the walls, moving quietly until it was time to cross into the alley where the shop was. The darkspawn noticed them immediately, making their way towards them with a sprint of their legs. Surana cast a blizzard on them, causing them to freeze in place. Then, the pair ran to the shop, quickly shutting the door behind them. They quickly grabbed the robes and armored up.
"There's too many. We won't be able to beat them." Surana said, grabbing a staff.
Amell looked around her before looking back at the door. "No, but maybe we can slow them down. Quick, help me put this stuff in front of the door!" She instructed. They pushed the desks and bookcases in front of the door. As soon as they were done, they heard banging on the other side. "Get ready!" Lucky for them they were in a shop where there was an abundance of health poultices and lyrium. They stood ready at the back of the store. There was a loud boom, followed by flying wood from the desks and bookcases.
There were three genlocks, four hurlocks, an ogre, and a emissary. Surana quickly aimed her staff, letting out series of frost and ice, freezing the ogre and hurlocks in place. Immediately, afterwards she trapped the ogre in a crushing prison, dealing it great damage. Amell followed suit with her, hurling a stone fist at one of the genlocks. She can feel magical energy surround her, trying to weaken her, but she doesn't budge. She looks over to Surana and sees she trapped in a waking nightmare. With the cone of cold spell disabled, the hurlocks jump over the bookcases and desks, making their way to the two mages. The ogre falling behind, to get around the desks. Amell swiftly lets out an anti-burst of magic, freeing Surana of the emissary's spell. Before the emissary can cast his next spell, Surana puts a force field on it. Seeing the hurlocks and ogre coming up the stairs, Surana rapidly casts a glyph of repulsion on the ground in front of them, sending the hurlocks back. She took that chance to take out a bottle of lyrium, drinking it quickly. Amell was battling against the genlocks, getting shot with arrows left and right. She engulfed herself in rock armor, in an attempt to protect herself from future hits. She lifted up her arms, staff in hand, casting one of her biggest spells yet, inferno. It left her drained of any mana, but worth it, finishing the ogre off. Feeling Surana's healing magic surround her, Amell pulled out a big jar of lyrium, drinking it so she has enough energy to deal with the remaining darkspawn. She took her staff, hurling stone-fist at a hurlock. It was Surana's turn to cast one of her biggest spells, drinking an extra vial of lyrium to be sure she had enough mana. She was racing against time. She had to cast this spell dealing with the remaining hurlocks and genlocks before force field and glyph of repulsion can wear off. She lifted her arms gathering the magical energy and finishing off with a raise of her staff, casting Chain of lightning. Just in time, as her two previous spells wore off, the lightening went from the remaining four hurlocks, to the two remaining genlocks, and finally doing the most damage to the emissary. Thinking fast, Amell put a spell shield around herself and an anti-magic ward around Surana to protect them from the emissary's spells. While Surana recovered from her depleted mana, Amell finished off the last of the hurlocks and genlocks. She turned to the emissary, striking him with magic before throwing a stone-fist, sending the emissary flying. The two could only strike the emissary with basic magic. Since it was only one enemy, they didn't want to waste even one lyrium, saving the majority of it for when they face the horde. Amell flung one last stone-fist at it, finishing the emissary off.
Taking a breath, the two went over to the cases of health poultice and lyrium, grabbing one each to take with them. They quickly went to the market place, finding that the army had finally arrived. They set the two cases down, taking their staffs out to assist in fighting against the darkspawn. With melee soldiers here, the two didn't feel the need to take the offensive. Instead, Surana focusing on healing any soldiers, and Amell focusing on dispelling the emissaries magic. The two were a great addition to the army, saving many lives with their spells.
Cousland stood outside the doors to her old family home. All her memories came flashing in her mind, from when she was a child to the day Howe ambushed the castle. So much blood...and the bodies-Oren, Oriana, Ser Gilmore. Tears came to Cousland's eyes as she remembered the last moments she had with her mother and father. Even after hearing about Howe and the things he'd done, the questions still lingered in her head: How could he? Why would he do this? Was it really worth it? Cousland drew in a deep breath and wiped the tears from her eyes. She felt her Mabari rub her head up against her leg. Her right hand instictively shot out to rub the dog on its head. "It's not all bad. Fergus is still alive, Howe was brought to justice, and Fereldan has survived the blight. Things can only go up from here." She said, as she approached the double doors and pushed them open. The castle was just as she left it: a mess, bodies and blood everywhere. She strode across the room and made way to her brothers room. There didn't look to be any guards, but of course. They would of had to survive the incursion and the blight. "We'll probably have to hire new ones." Cousland spoke. She finally reached her brothers room, but it was silent on the other side. Confusion painted her face, as she looked down at her dog. She watched as the dog barked and began to wag his tail. Soon after she heard footsteps approach from the other side, then the door swung open. She stood frozen in place as she came face to face with her big brother, who did nothing, but stare back in return. Without knowing it, tears had came to her eyes and she was crying hysterically as Fergus embraced her into a loving hug.
"Sister." He said, sounding relieved. "It's been so long, I didn't know what became of you." Cousland returned the hug as she continued to sob into his chest. She didn't know what else to do, what to say, she could only cry. She felt Fergus pull away, and lead her to his desk as he sat her down, and offered her the rest of the coffee he was drinking. "You don't have to say anything. I'm just glad you're back, but I am curious to what happened that night. Where have you been?"
Cousland put the hot mug to her lips and sipped. She wanted to tell him, so he could comfort her. This whole time she pushed everything to the back, not allowing herself to mourn. She reached out to pet the companion that had been by her side throughout the whole thing. "That night they had attacked..." She told him, her voice cracking. Cousland closed her eyes as she recounted the night of the invasion, unable to stop her tears from falling and her voice from cracking. When she was done, she began to sob again, and Fergus once again wrapped her into a comforting hug.
"It's alright." He whispered. "It's over now."
Tabris and Sten arrived to The Spoiled Princess at dawn. Tabris sat Sten at a table as she approached the Innkeeper. "I need a room for the night." She told him.
"Welcome back." The Innkeeper greeted, as he made his way to behind the counter. He flipped open his guest book and picked up the left in its center. "I give you my thanks, once again, but for saving our country. I cannot thank you enough."
"It was an honor." Tabris replied, before giving their names to the Innkeeper.
The Innkeeper sat aside the book and ducked his hand under the counter to retrieve a small box full of keys. "Two rooms, or one with two beds?" He inquired.
"Ah, no just one room is fine with one bed." Tabris answered, taking a peek over her shoulder to check on Sten. The Innkeeper nodded, taking out a key, and recording its number in the guest book. He held the key out for her, as he finished recording her visit in the book. "How much?" Tabris asked, as she took the key from him.
"No charge, it's on the house." The Innkeeper told her. "It's not much, but my thanks for saving my family and the country."
Tabris nodded her thanks as she made her way back to Sten. "I got you a room for the night, so you can get some sleep before you leave tomorrow morning." Sten rose from his seat as she held out his room key to him. "I can show you to your room." She offered.
Sten nodded his head, as he took the key from her. He followed her through a side door, past a series of rooms before they came to a room with the same number on the door as the one on the key. Tabris stepped aside, allowing Sten to unlock the door. "Thank you, Kadan. I did not expect to find someone of your nature outside of the Qun, but you have...impressed me."
"Is it hard to impress the qunari?" Tabris questioned. She stared into Sten's eyes as he gazed affectionately back into hers.
"Perhaps impress is the wrong word." He stated, continuing to gaze into Tabris's eyes. He watched as she lowered her eyes, and took a step back.
"I should get going, so I'm not late getting back." She said, returning her gaze to Sten's. "I guess this is goodbye, for now." As she turned to leave, she felt her hand being grabbed. "Sten?" She asked, turning back to him.
"Don't go." He pleaded. "Stay with me."
Tabris reverted her gaze to the ground. "What's one more day out of court?" She replied and allowed Sten to pull her into the room and close the door behind them. "There's only one bed." She said, as they approached the medium-sized bed.
Sten released Tabris's hand before climbing into the bed. "It will do." He said, as he rolled around to the side of the bed. Tabris walked to the opposite side and turned her back to him, as he did the same. They began to remove their boots and armor, changing into their sleeping attire. Tabris laid in the bed first with her back still to Sten, but it was only a few moments before she felt the bed shift and Sten lay down, too. She closed her eyes as she felt Sten pull the covers onto them. Her breaths slowed as they became deeper, falling into a state of drowsiness. Tabris, try as she might, just couldn't fall asleep. She was too cold. The blanket was too thin and there was no fire, she was shivering. "Kadan." She heard Sten call out.
"Yes?" She shuddered. She turned around to look at him and seen he was staring back at her. She jumped as he suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his chest. Tabris eagerly cuddled into his chest. The moment similar to a moment they shared the night before the final battle.
Alistair, someone she thought she had loved and loved her in return, had just broken up with her a couple days before when he had been made king. Not only that, but to add salt to the wound, had to lay with Morrigan just so they could both survive. She didn't know if this ritual was real, but she knew Morrigan wouldn't lie about something like that just to have a baby. So, Tabris convinced Alistair, telling herself she was doing the right thing, but when she left the room and the door closed behind her, she couldn't pretend anymore. She ran back to her room in tears, slamming the door behind her as loud sobs followed after. Tabris pushed the armor on the desk on the floor, picked up her helmet and chucked it at the mirror, shattering it into pieces. Silencing herself of her sobs, she looked over and seen that a bath had been prepared for her. Tabris walked over to it and felt that the water was still warm, just shy of going cold. She hurriedly stripped herself of her attire and stepped into the tub, sinking into the water. She hurriedly scrubbed her body down and rinsed off, sitting in the water as tears, once again cascaded down her face. Tabris's shoulders shook as she cried silently in the tub. After a few minutes she heard a soft knock at the door. She quickly wiped the tears from her face and stood to get out of the tub. She rushed over to the bed to grab her robe when she seen the door opening. As Tabris finished donning her robe, she looked up and seen Sten, entering her room and closing the door behind him. He walked over and stood in front of her, staring at her. Tabris opened her mouth to speak, but before she can get anything out, Sten reached out his arms and pulled her into a hug, comforting her. She wrapped her arms around his waist in turn, allowing her tears to fall as she rested her head on his chest.
Wanting to relive that night, Tabris repeated her actions. Resting her hands on Sten's chest, Tabris leaned her head forward and kissed the middle of his chest. She felt Sten stiffen, like last time, but continued to kiss around his chest. As she found her way to his nipple, she let her hand slide down his abdomen in his search of his member. She nibbled and sucked on his nipple as she pumped him, before releasing him and trailing kisses down his torso. Sten laid himself flat on his back, allowing Tabris to settle herself in between his legs. She felt Sten grip the back of her head as she took his tip into her mouth and sucked on it gently. She heard Sten take in a sharp breath as he pushed her head down and pushed himself further into her mouth. Tabris felt his member go deep into her throat before she retracted her head and took him in again, bobbing her head up and down repeatedly. She glanced up to see Sten staring back at her and held his gaze. Like before, Sten didn't make sounds of pleasure, but she can tell by the way he pulled her hair and his ragged breathing, that he was enjoying it.
"Kadan." She heard him breath. She watched as he lifted himself up, still watching her and gripping the back of her head. Sten released the back of her head and she quickly undressed, lifting herself up to give him a passionate kiss. As she intertwined her tongue with Sten's, Tabris put his member at her entrance before she pressed herself down onto it. She let out a moan as she felt him stretch her walls a little more than she was used to.
Sten let out a groan as he felt himself being enveloped by Tabris's tight, dripping twat. He placed his hands around her as she began to bounce up and down.
Tabris let out a string of sensual moans as she felt her walls being penetrated. She placed her hands on his shoulders as she used her legs for support and rocked her hips back and forth. She felt Sten pull her closer by her rear, making him go in deeper, and let out another sensual moan. She increased her speed, matching the rock of her hips with his thrust.
Sten could feel Tabris's walls clench around him as she let out a pleasure filled shrill. He laid Tabris down, and quickly flipped her around. Tabris was facedown in the pillow, with her derrière in the air, and her knees weakly supporting her. Sten immediately started thrusting into her, making Tabris cry out in response. Her mind went hazy as he continued to thrust into her, holding her waist and keeping her in place. Sten let out a growl as he felt her walls tighten around him again. He grabbed her hair with one hand as he started pounding into her at a much faster rate. Tabris let out another pleasure filled cry as she reached her climax for the second time that night. Sten let out a deep growl and he fell forward. He bit into Tabris's shoulder as he released himself into her.
Tabris let her knees finally fall when she felt Sten lay next to her again. After she finally caught her breath, she climbed over, on top of Sten, and cuddled into his chest. Sten wrapped his arms around her and they drifted off into a deep sleep.
"Where do we go now, Amell?" Surana asked her best friend as she sat on the bed. They were gathering their stuff from the room they had rented the night after the battle.
"I still have to find where the phylactery chamber is hiding. We won't be able to do much if that doesn't get settled."
Surana wanted to insist that she help Amell since she was searching on behalf of them both, but she knew Amell would reject. She'd be able to do more on her own than with Surana holding her back. "After that?"
"I was thinking Kirkwall. I have family there and wanted to check up on them. What about you?" Amell asked, coming out of the bathroom. "Will you be seeing about the child?"
Surana shrugged her shoulders. This was a topic she wasn't ready to discuss. "I don't know if I have any family. I don't remember any of them." She replied, changing the topic.
Amell played along and sat on the bed next to her. "Do you remember where you're from?"
"Lothering." Surana nodded, "but it's long gone now."
Amell put her head down in thought. "The darkspawn most definitely destroyed everything," she said before looking up to Surana, "but you should go and check just to put the matter at rest."
"You think they were killed in the attack?" Surana asked solemnly.
Amell got up to put her the last of her things in her backpack. "Some had to have escaped, you just need to figure out where if they did happen to survive." Surana got up from the bed with her backpack slanged over her shoulder, and the two mages left the room. Amell returned the key to the innkeeper, and the two girls made their way out of the inn. "I guess this is where we part ways." She said to Surana as they came out of the inn.
"Will we see each other again?" The elf asked her human companion.
"Of course!" Amell smiled. "I'll be in Kirkwall for sometime, before I move on. I'm a member of the Mages' Collective, so if you need to contact me, just send the message through them and they'll get the message to me." Surana only nodded at her friend, not wanting to say goodbye. Amell sensing this gave her a big hug in reply. "Remember your training; and practice, but be discreet about it. Trust no one, and don't stay in one place for too long, okay?"
"Okay." Surana whispered, as Amell continued to embrace her.
Aeducan found herself in the streets of Dust Town, looking for a certain red headed dwarf. As she searched the faces of the casteless, she saw one particular dwarf who looked like an older version of the dwarf she was looking for. That has to be her mother. Aeducan made her way over to the dwarf, and stopped in front of her. The dwarf in response rose to her feet, but kept her head low, not making any eye contact.
"Lady Brosca," Aeducan started, cutting straight to the point, "where is your daughter, Rica."
Kalah made a grunting sound. "I haven't seen her since after that whole thing happened."
"The Blight?" Aeducan questioned, but she was ignored as the lady continued on her rant.
"We were staying with the prince, but after he was killed-" Oh, she means after they chose who would be king. "She was taken in somewhere else and I was dropped back off here."
"Do you know where she's staying now?" Aeducan inquired.
"With the Vartags." Kalah grumbled.
Aeducan remained silent as she thought of how to make sense of this new information. "She would leave you out here on your own for the Vartags?"
"For the baby! They threatened to take the baby from her and leave us both out here!"
Baby? So, the rumors were true. "Why would they care about the baby?" She needed confirmation.
"Because he's the prince's baby, the bastard." Kalah grumbled once again.
Aeducan stood lost in thought for a moment. She has a nephew, but how was she going to get him back? The same way she was going to get her throne back. "Lady Brosca, would you come with me back to the Royal Palace?"
As Surana travelled along the road of the Imperial Highway, she had an uneasy feeling that she was being followed. Without a second thought, she broke into a sprint and diverged from the road. She ran as fast as she could with her backpack and staff in hand. When she felt herself getting exhausted, she turned her head to see if there was actually anyone following her. She saw a group following behind her before she smacked into something hard, causing her to fall on the ground. Surana looked up in front of her and saw an elf towering over her. She noticed him from the battle at Denerim. She quickly scurried to her feet, and turned to face her pursuers.
"They're after me!" She cried, then snapped her head to the elf, when she heard him say the same thing, noticing he mimicked her action. "After you?" They questioned each other. Before Surana knew what was happening, the elf was fighting their pursuers off, killing them off one by one. When he was done fighting, the elf turned back to her. Surana watched as he made his way back to her, his body covered in flesh wounds.
"You were at the Battle of Denerim, no?" The elf asked her. Surana nodded her head, throwing her backpack to the ground, and got in her fighting stance. She didn't know this man, but if these men were actually after him, she wasn't going to trust that she was safe in his company. "I thank you and your friend with your assistance, especially considering our leader took both our battle and healing mage with her to fight."
"You're welcome." Surana replied, a little surprised.
"I am Zevran." He told her, stopping in front of her. "I'm guessing you thought these were templars, here to take you back to the Circle."
Surana nodded her head. He felt so much bigger than her, standing over her like that. She cowered in fear. "I'm Surana." She mumbled in reply. "Why were those guys after you?"
Zevran then, walked around her. "No need to concern yourself with that, but it is safe now for you to go. I don't know how long that'll last." He responded, walking towards the Brecilian forest.
"Wait!" Surana cried, running after him. She stopped abruptly when Zevran turned to face her, making them face to face with each other once again. "Um, let me heal your wounds before you go." Zevran shrugged his shoulders as he followed Surana to her backpack. He took off his shirt as Surana took out a healing ointment and some bandages from her pack. "Can you hold these for me?" She asked him, as she stood behind him and began healing him. Zevran felt the pain in his muscles ease. "Where were you going?" She asked him.
"No where in particular." He answered.
"Then why don't you travel with me?" Surana paused to gauge his reaction, when there was none, she kept going. "As you already know I'm greatly skilled in battle and I can heal your wounds after every fight."
"Where were you going?" Zevran asked, as she applied the ointment to his cuts.
"I was going to Lothering to look for traces of my family." Surana replied, as she bandaged him up. She bent down to return the ointment and bandages to her backpack.
"Why not?" She heard him reply, taking the pack from her hands to carry for her. Surana smiled to herself, as she followed after him. "So, long as we are both being hunted, right?"
Aeducan sat at her desk with the Kalah in front of her. "Lady Brosca, I would be honored if you stayed with me for the remainder of your days." She said, pausing as the mother gave her a shocked and quizzical look. "I just ask that you get in contact with your daughter and tell her I would like to speak with her."
"Oh, thank you!" Kalah exclaimed. "Right away, ma'am." She quickly got up, and made her way for the door.
"Tell her in the commons!" Aeducan called out, before she left.
Aeducan had remembered seeing Rica on the day of her feast. It seems she was more than just a fling, but the actual mother of her brother's child. If she can get Rica to trust her, she could gain valuable information that would help her in her investigation. Taking her mother in was a good start, but she would have to convince her she bears no ill will against her for her brother's actions. Everything was in motion. She had the papers, she was working on getting a confession from Frandlin, and, with Rica on her side, she could find out exactly how Bhelen pulled all of this off, and which houses enabled him.
This was going to be a lot. Aeducan picked up the papers retrieved from the carta base. Why would the carta have such paperwork? Thinking back on it now, she was not familiar with the scout. If he was a member of the carta, her trail on the him would run cold, considering the carta had been completely wiped out.
Aeducan let out an exasperated sigh, as she stood up from her desk. She made a beeline to her dresser mirror. She wore a wig and a servants uniform, making traveling through Orzammar unnoticed a cake walk.
Aeducan grabbed her coin pouch from the dresser and turned to leave to the marketplace. When she opened the door to her room, she was met with Baizyl's twin daughters. "Any news on Frandlin Ivo?" She asked, turning to let the twins into her room.
Back at her desk, she watched as Shardea took a seat in front of her. The twins were not difficult to discern, Shardea's complexion being copper, and Sade having a more bronze complexion. "Priyal-" Frandlin's daughter, "-is working on getting a confession from him." She told her.
That's not what I asked. Could she even trust his daughter? Should she even trust Shardea? Her intentions remain unclear, unlike her counterpart. Aeducan turned her attention to her sister. Already knowing the trail for the scout was a dead end, but anxious to hear about what she found.
"I have bad news." She spoke, solemnly. "The deshyrs are organizing themselves. They're planning a rebellion to overthrow King Harrowmont."
The time limit on this investigation just got shorter.
The next day Tabris helped Sten prepare for his journey. She packed his backpack for him, making sure he had all his stuff. He had his paintings, the qunari prayer book, food, water, his armor and weapon. He was ready to go. She gave Sten his pack to carry himself, then led him out of the inn. Once they were at the dock, Sten just stood there with her silently. Tabris turned to give him a quizzical look on why he hadn't boarded the ship yet. "Sten?" she questioned.
He pulled, what looked to be a handkerchief out of his helmet he was holding and placed the gift in her hands. "For you, kadan." he said, and watched as she opened the cloth to reveal a necklace. Tabris stared at the necklace in awe. She had seen when Sten had taken a tooth out of the archdemon's mouth, but she would've never guessed he had planned to give it to her as a parting gift. Tabris looked to Sten to thank him, but found he had already boarded the ship. It wasn't until then she noticed a similar necklace around his own neck.
Tabris didn't waste any time in making her way back home. She couldn't wait to get back to spend time with her family. They didn't really get a chance to catch up during the blight, but she hoped things would be better from now on.
Grr!
Tabris instantly drew her weapons at her wolf's growl. She hoped no one would be stupid enough to try and attack her. She was the great Tabris: slayer of dragons, archdemons, and ancient beings. "Show yourself!" She commanded the unknown being. Shifting her eyes from left to right, she surveyed the area. She watched as a blonde elf stepped out from behind a tree. "You?" She asked, surprised. Tabris recognized this elf. Their first time talking again when she was delivering him a message from the Blackstone Irregulars. She knew him from growing up in the alienage; seen him again at the Battle of Denerim, where he fought alongside her before she went after the archdemon.
"Nice to see you again, beautiful."
"Varel." Tabris greeted, putting her daggers away. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Both of our homes are in Denerim." Varel countered.
"I just escorted a friend to Lake Calenhad."
"And I just checked on some friends in Redcliffe. Mind if I join you?"
Tabris shook her head and continued walking. She seen her wolf stalk behind Varel as he walked by her side. She listened as she growled at him, but Varel either being oblivious to it or ignoring reached out and tried to grab her hand. Her wolf lunged at the contact, nipping his hand. Varel yelped in surprise and snatched his hand away. "Good, girl!" Tabris praised, and pet her wolf's head. Varel rolled his eyes, walking around to her other side, and throwing his arm around her. Her wolf began growling again, but she shushed her. "Give it a rest, Nymeria, he's not letting up." Varel took that opportunity to give her a peck on the cheek, and Tabris elbowed him in return. "Don't push your luck."
The walk home with Varel was quite pleasant. Tabris had such a fun time with him, in fact. His diplomatic-humor personality mixed well with her aggressive-humor one. "Let's share a tent tonight, and get some rest for the remainder of the walk." Varel suggested. Tabris nodded in agreement climbing into the tent after him. Her white wolf, acting as a barrier, laid in between them. "Seriously?"
She liked Varel. He was striking, funny, and good-natured, but she just got her heart broken by one of her first loves. She couldn't entertain a relationship with Varel. It wouldn't be fair to him. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you, unless you want to be attacked by an alpha wolf in your sleep." Although Tabris had to admit, she wouldn't mind having a little fun with him, and if she hadn't just slept with Sten before meeting him-not that she considered her and Sten to be a thing now, in fact she was one hundred percent positive she'll never see him again-she and Varel would tumbling all night.
"I don't mind waiting." He said. He gave her a kiss on her forehead before turning around and laying down.
Tabris smiled solfly at him. She laid down as well, using her wolf as a pillow.
Cousland pulled at her hair in frustration. So many had died during the blight, leaving lands like her own scarce with soldiers to protect. There had to be someone out there! At this point, she was considering hiring farmers, and training them to fight herself.
"I've sent a request to the king, but I wouldn't get my hopes up." She heard her brother say from behind.
She turned around to face him. "A lot of people are without homes, we should reach out to them."
"The common folk? They couldn't tell a sword from its hilt! We'd be better off hiring bandits."
"Then, we teach them! We have to do something! We don't have a lot of options right now." Cousland argued. She watched Fergus shake his head, as he moved passed her. "At least to clean up the place! One would think you would of done at least that."
"You think you were the only one in hiding? I couldn't show my face with Howe and Loghain on the throne! I'm just getting here, the same as you." Fergus said, now standing face to face with her.
Cousland lowered her head in shame. She hadn't thought of that. Here, Fergus had comforted her when she returned and she didn't think to do the same for him. "I'm sorry." She said and rose her head. "How was it for you? We lost the battle at Ostagar, but I'm glad to see you survived."
"I never made it to the battle. My party was ambushed leaving me in critical condition. I didn't recover fully until after the blight."
"Are you ok?" She asked again.
Fergus shook his head. "Hopefully one day."
"Just not anytime soon." She finished for him. I guess we've both been through a lot. She knew exactly how he was feeling. The guilt and pain for losing their home; but she was here, and he was here with her. They both would just have to support each other. "What if we put a request up on the chanter's board, and hired a mercenary group to train the recruits."
"That could work." Fergus relented. Cousland smiled at her brother, finally able to come to some sort of compromise.
The request had bore success. Cousland had promised pay even to those who needed to be taught, and room and board for those who needed it. Many of the recruits were elven and some were even, to her surprise, children.
"Thank you for coming." She shouted over the crowd. She was grateful that none of them went running for the hills after seeing the state of the castle. "I would like to ask you guys to form two groups. those looking to be soldiers in one and servants in another." She watched as five people separated themselves from group, hoping that they were the ones here to be servants.
Fergus came up beside Cousland to address the crowd next. "Soldiers, come with me and servants, stay with my sister." Relief swept over Cousland's face as she watched the bigger group follow Fergus to the main hall.
She focused her attention to the elves standing before her. "May I know your names?" She requested.
"My name is Nessa, and these are my parents." A ginger-haired girl said, and motioned to two gray haired elves behind her.
A blonde elf stepped up next, she recognized her immediately as her old servant. "Nesiara, my lady."
Cousland nodded her head, then turned her attention to the last elf. "Is this your daughter?" she asked, very surprised to see a child.
Nesiara shook her head, never having seen the child before. "My name is Amethyne." The child said.
Cousland nodded her head. She figured the child was either an orphan or the only one physically capable to provide for her family. She wasn't going to turn her away knowing there were worst paths for the child to walk. "Ok, Amethyne, you can be my special little helper." she whispered to the girl, giving her a wink. "As you can see this place is in pretty bad shape. You four will work together, then I will assign you, your individual jobs." She addressed the group. Cousland turned and started towards the main hall, Amethyne close behind her.
I'll have the elder lady cook, the elder man tend to the livestock...hm, maybe Nessa and Nesiara can clean and do the laundry. It was a good thing there was only a handful a soldiers. They weren't an army, but big enough to go up against bandits or to be considered a small, mercenary group. The livestock wasn't looking too good either, another thing she would have to invest in. They only had one druffalo.
Cousland turned to Amethyne. Maybe she can assist the cook, but right now...oh! She took a sharp turn, the main hall no longer being her destination. "Would you help me replant my garden?" That wasn't too bad right? They're just going to dig out the dead shrubs and plant new ones.
Amethyne nodded her head. She scanned the dead bodies as she walked through the castle, grateful that she was lucky enough to escape the ire of the darkspawn.
Aeducan sat on the steps of the newly, introduced chantry. She was waiting for Rica. With the news of a rebellion being plotted, she had to cover as much ground as possible. She sent Sade to investigate House Bemot and Meino, and Shardea to investigate House Ivo and Gavorn. All these were houses who supported her brother. She believed these houses were the reason she wasn't given a fair trial and, thus were partially to blame for her exile. While House Helmi, Dace, Ortan, and Vollney supported Harrowmont; thus she had no reason to suspect them of anything.
Aeducan stood from her position, recognizing a certain redheaded brand cautiously coming towards her. "Rica?" she questioned.
The redhead nodded her head. "How do you know me?" She sounded nervous.
Aeducan stepped down from the stairs, motioning Rica to follow her. "I'm a friend." She assured her. She led the casteless dwarf to Tapster's Tavern, and ordered them both a mug of mead. She led her to a table in the far back, sitting where she can be able to watch if anyone tries to come near. "How are you? Is your drink okay?"
Rica nodded her head as she sipped from her cup. "Why did you want to meet me?" She asked, in a hushed tone.
"I'm hoping we can help each other." She answered, looking around. She didn't know how to go about this, but she also didn't want it to take up too much of her time. "How do you like staying at the Gavorn's." By studying the brand, Aeducan can tell she was very nervous and scared. She had to think of something to put her at ease. "You can trust me."
"They're great, better than living in Dust Town." came Rica's short reply.
"And the baby?" Rica stood up immediately at the mention of her baby, ready to make a quick exit. Aeducan shot up with her, taking her wrist to keep her from fleeing. "I mean neither of you harm! I just want to help."
Rica looked to Aeducan, considering her words and searching her face for any signs of deception. When she was convinced the woman before her was genuine she retook her seat at the table. "Who are you?"
"I am Sereda of the servant's caste." It was a lie, but Aeducan couldn't trust her to not run back and report to the Gavorn's. "I'm investigating Trian's death on behalf of an Aeducan." She explained, honestly.
"Oh." Rica lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact with Aeducan. "I don't know anything. I can't help you."
Aeducan gave Rica a solemn expression. "Please?" She was at a loss for words. She couldn't think of anything to say to convince this brand she was in no danger of her. "The Gavorn's will not know you talked. If that is what you fear, you are welcome to join me at the royal palace." She hoped this was enough to convince Rica to confide in her.
Rica scanned the area around them. "I do know that days before the feast, Bhelen was meeting with quite a few people." She whispered.
"Do you know who exactly he was meeting?"
Rica shrugged, taking a sip of her mead. "Beraht" the crime boss, "someone from the warrior caste" no surprise there, "and a mercenary, from the surface, I believe."
Aeducan perked up at this. If someone from the surface was involved, it would most definitely complicate things. How does she expect to find a mercenary topside? She didn't have time to question every surfacer. The search would be endless. "Can you tell me who he met with in the warrior caste?" If anybody knew this topsider, it was the people he was meeting with. She'll just have to narrow it down.
"Bald, green eyes, brown-braided beard."
Aeducan let out an exasperated sigh. That didn't help anything. "Okay, how did you know Bhelen was meeting with these people?"
"I had a sibling who used to work for the crime boss." That's how she knew he was meeting with Beraht.
"What about the warrior?" She pressed.
"I was on my way to meet him. He was with his second when I seen them come in here, so I followed them." Rica told her.
"Here? They met in here?" Now Aeducan understood why Rica was so nervous. There weren't only spies in here, but one of the culprits could actually be in here as well. Aeducan quickly did a survey of the room, scrutinizing every visible face. None were outright looking their way, but she could tell many were straining themselves to get a ear in on their conversation. "Did you see or hear anything regarding the conversation being had?" Rica shook her head. That was as much as she knew. Nothing more, but it did help in her investigation, greatly. At first, she thought Ivo's betrayal was from fear of Bhelen, but he was plotting against her from the start. Had she known, she would have never let him have the reward of the proving, or have him accompany her, of course. "Thank you, Rica. You have been a great help."
Rica nodded her head and finished off her mead. She took a shaky breath as she looked to Aeducan. Her face looked terrified. Aeducan immediately straightened, alarmed, doing another survey of the area. Her eyes quickly landed on a dwarf with an ale in his hands staring at her, hard. "I have to go." She heard Rica say.
Aeducan nodded her head. "Some twins will meet with you to escort you." She told Rica, her voice barely above a whisper. "We talked about the baby, and nothing else."
Rica nodded her head, and scurried out of the tavern without a second thought. Aeducan grabbed her mug and gulped down the rest of her mead, her gaze never leaving the fully armored dwarf. She had a dagger in each of her boots, but wouldn't be able to hold against him in her servant's uniform. Preferring not to be confronted in the tavern, she quickly made a beeline for the exit.
Surana looked upon the land that used to be Lothering. She knew it had been destroyed some time ago, but couldn't resist the urge to come visit it. This is where she was born, and the only home she knew outside of the circle.
"How do you suppose to find anything amongst this rubble?" Her roguish companion asked.
Surana turned to Zevran. "You're right. This place is completely desolate. I just thought, maybe, by being here, it would jog a bit of my memory." Surana slumped her shoulders in defeated. The last thought she had of her mother was a dream she had a few years back. It was the same recurring dream being all she remembered, but nothing of what was said. "You think the people here were able to escape?"
"I would like to imagine, although, I wouldn't bet on it." Zevran offered to her. "So, what do you wish to do now?"
Surana shrugged. "This was a waste of time." She muttered.
"Come now." Zevran cooed as he rubbed Surana's shoulders. "We cannot stay in one place. Let us go north."
Surana nodded her head. She fell in step with Zevran as she followed him north. "I really like you're accent. Where are you from?"
Zevran smirked at her. "I hail from the great Antiva. Such a gem, she is. I would show you her someday, if you wish."
Surana smiled at Zevran. "That sounds like a great idea. It would be nice to travel the world."
"We do have that chance, seeing as we are both on the run." Speaking of which, Surana slowed down her steps. "What is wrong?" Zevran asked, when he noticed her slow down.
When Surana left the circle, she knew she would have to move around a lot, but it seems traveling with Zevran, she would have to stay on her toes. "Those men who attacked us weren't templars."
"So it seems, unless they were simply undercover." Zevran shrugged.
Surana squinted her eyes at him. "You said they were after you."
"As did you." Zevran countered. He turned on his heel, and continued walking along the dirt path.
Surana scampered after him. She wasn't about to let him off scotch free. "Stop dancing around the question. I'm traveling with you, so I deserve to know."
She watched as Zevran considered her. He has to know that she's right. If they're caught by the templars, only she would be dragged back to the circle and made tranquil, but if they come across whoever's hunting him, she could be caught in the crossfire. "I agreed to travel with you, but only for a time. If this is conditional, then you may go off on your own."
Surana slumped her shoulders, giving up for the time being. She looked west to where Redcliffe Village was directed. She expected Eadric to be there looking to visit his mom. "As long as we're going north, can we go to Highever?" Surana asked.
Zevran followed her gaze, and gave her a small nod before they started off in that direction.
Aeducan took a quick glance to her right before she went left and made her way towards Dust Town. Relief flooded through her body when she seen Sade had stayed behind to wait for her. As she expected, the warrior followed her out of the tavern. Aeducan strode across the dust plains to an empty alleyway where no one can intervene or watch the interaction. She quickly drew her daggers from her boots when she saw the warrior come into her view, Sade hot on his heels. A fight instantly broke out between the the three with Aeducan on the defense. She knew this couldn't go on too long without drawing any attention. She needed to figure out a way to knock him out without killing him. She cast her gaze to Sade who met it with a single nod. Sade had done considerable damage to the warrior, enough to draw his attention away from Aeducan. Aeducan took the opportunity to run off and find a huge rock to smash over the warrior's head. "Aeducan!" Sade called, trying to catch her breath.
"Help me tie him up." She ordered. After he was tied, the two ladies dragged him to an abandoned home, that use to belong to Rica and Kalah.
"Who is this man and why did he attack you?" Sade asked.
Aeducan pointed to the crest on his helmet. "Warrior caste." She answered. "Who's insignia is this?"
Sade observed the crest. "The warriors of Haver, that is their emblem."
Aeducan had a sneaky suspicion about this warrior. She removed his helmet from his head. "Bring Rica, she may know who he is. Then, I want his quarters searched. When he wakes up prepare him for questioning." Sade nodded her head, and turned to leave. "Wait", Aeducan called. "Tell me what news you have learned."
"Both houses were promised a boon if Lord Bemot and Lord Meino ruled against a fair trial for you. I have retrieved the papers." Aeducan put her hand out as Sade handed her the papers. She remembered them at her feast trying to persuade her father into trading contacts with Kal-Sharok, completely against tradition. It seems they had similar goals with Bhelen. She supposed she couldn't fault Lord Bemot and Lord Meino for Trian's death. It seems they weren't involved in his murder, just used the opportunity to get their wish.
"Very good, anything else?" She questioned, as she skimmed through the contract.
Sade nodded and took a huge gulp. "It seems Trian was accompanied to the deep roads by men from both houses of Ivo and Gavorn."
"Yet, he was found alone."
"The men were tasked to lead Trian to the intercross and jump him." They attacked him. "After Trian was killed they were to quickly return to Orzammar."
"No." Aeducan whispered, turning to Sade. "Bhelen wouldn't risk the guards seeing men return from the deep roads without the king's party. They were with him. They were his men."
"But, Aeducan, Bhelen may have planned it, but his men were with the king."
"And Trian's were with the wardens. Follow me, Sade." Aeducan needed her to keep up with what she was saying. "Bhelen's team was made up of men from House Ivo, Trian's team consists of the warriors" She looked down at the helmet in her hands, remembering the warriors back then had the same insignia on their helmets, "Haver." It wasn't a clear picture, but the pieces were slowly coming together. She just had to figure out where the carta fit into all of this. She didn't believe a group of casteless thugs could best Trian.
"There is one more thing. It seems a few members of the carta were spared. They may know the details of the contract between Beraht and Bhelen."
"Where do I find them?"
