Another Day, another chapter. Enjoy!


Chapter 9

Opening the doors to the Assembly Chamber, Harry and Alistair was treated to a shouting match that was occurring between two irate dwarves, that was slowly bringing in more arguments from the other dwarves.

"Your mind has gone to dust if you think for one instant that we would pass such a writ! Half our houses would go broke without the surface trade!" one of them shouted from across the chamber.

"The proposal is only effective until we have a king to ensure that we are respected be the surfacers!" The other dwarf argued.

"Leaving you conveniently positioned to take over all contracts! I'll see your head on a pike for this first!" one of the other dwarves shouted.

That was when a shouting match broke out between the two sides of the argument, each flinging curses and threats to each other. The steward of the Assembly was having a hard time keeping things in order, even with all the guard's stationed throughout the chamber. Harry turned to Alistair, who looked both horrified and confused by the situation.

"One thing you have to realise with politics, especially dwarven politics, is that they are a cut throat bunch. Willing to do what they can get away with ambition, cunning and ruthless aggression when they have the chance. It'll be something you're going to have to learn when you become king." Harry said, turning his head back to the shouting match at hand.

Alistair was absolutely shocked and stupefied at what Harry had just said. "What!? Me king! Why would you even think I'm kingly material, or for that matter have any right to the throne?" he asked.

"Alistair Theirin. Son of Maric Theirin. Bastard son." Harry said, not turning his head away. "I've met your father and know his story. He was like you, not wanting to have anything to do with the throne or the responsibilities of being royalty. However, he knew that someone had to lead Fereldan's army during the war, and with Loghain being from common background, he was the only natural choice, seeing as how the Orlesian's were razing Fereldan to the ground."

"Well seeing as you know I'm a bastard, you also know that I cannot claim the throne." Alistair said, crossing his arms.

"Under normal circumstances, the throne would pass onto the next living heir. But seeing as Anora has not produced one as of yet, and the ruler ship has been taken in all but name from Anora by her father. You are the only one that can challenge Loghain for the right of the crown." Harry explained.

"But I don't even want any of that!?" Alistair cried out in frustration.

"So did your father. But do you want to know what made him such a good ruler? It was not because he was wise, or smart, or the most powerful. It was because he was a good man. And good men can do extraordinary things when given the chance. And that is who you are Alistair. A good man. One that I know can do extraordinary feats." Harry said, turning to stare at Alistair, who was uncomfortable to the whole idea of being a king.

"Do you really think I could be a good king?" Alistair asked, doubt clearly shining in his eyes.

Harry simply gave a small smile, not answering him. But that smile was all that Alistair needed to begin thinking about being king.

"Deshyrs! Lords and Ladies of the Assembly, please! I have already doubled the guard to prevent violence. Must I summon more?" The steward of the Assembly asked.

"Steward Bendalor. Bhelen's sympathizers are tying our hands with trivialities! They may as well open us to the sky!" one of the dwarves shouted.

"I suggest we put it to a vote." One of the female dwarves said, raising her hand as she did so.

"And I suggest you have a taste of my family's mace!" one of the male dwarves shouted.

"Enough! The Assembly is in recess until the member can regain control of their emotions!" Steward Bendalor shouted, frustration clearly showing in his voice and posture.

Watching as the assembled Deshyrs were leaving, Harry and Alistair waited outside the hall waiting for the Steward to exit the chambers himself. When the door opened and the steward entered the hall, he looked around until he found them and made his way over to them. Placing his hand over his heart, he greeted them.

"Atrast Vala Grey Warden. One of the gate guards sent us a message of your arrival and your reason for being here. Unfortunately, as I'm sure the guards told you, we are currently without a king and therefore are not able to fulfil this treaty." The steward said, guilty that he could not help them.

Harry simply wave him off. "We understand, unfortunately since we have need of the dwarves, is there any way we can speed up the process?" He asked.

"Well you could speak to Prince Bhelen's lieutenant Vartag Gavorn, or to Lord Harrowmonts lieutenant, Dulin Foreneder to see if you can get an audience with them." Steward Bendalor said. "You can find Vartag just outside the Royal Palace, and Dulin in Harrowmonts Estate."

Nodding, Harry inclined his head in thanks. "Thank you for your help Steward."

"It was my pleasure. Stone keep you." The Steward said as he made his way back into the Assembly Chamber.

Heading out, Harry and Alistair was about to was about to gather everyone to learn what they had learned when Luna suddenly appeared next to Harry. If she noticed their startled expression, she either chose to ignore it or did not notice.

"What did you learn Luna?" Harry asked.

"Nothing much, other than what is already known to everyone. But I did learn of other things that had nothing to do with the current situation at hand." Luna said in a rather dreamy and airy voice, something he knew she would do only if she knew that she could help someone.

"Good. Why don't you tell me about it later." Harry said, nodding his head. "Let's gather the others and see what they have learned."


Once they had gathered Sten and Zevran from the tavern, they went back into the Diamond Quarters, just outside the Royal Palace. Leaning against a pillar in between the railing that stopped anyone from falling into the lava below them.

"So what have you learned?" Harry asked.

"Mostly rumours my friend, but rumours also have some shred of truth in them. From what I understand, Harrowmont scamming some of the lords and ladies in order to get votes." Zevran explained. "It would also seem that two of Harrowmonts champions have pulled out of the Provings. It seems that one of them is being blackmailed, while the other is ambivalent to his course. There is also the rumour that it was Bhelen who orchestrated the whole assassination with his brother Trian and his other brothers exile."

Harry nodded his head in acknowledgement before going through the information that he had gathered so far. While it did not seem like much, it showed just how desperate Lord Harrowmont is in trying to gain favour from the Assembly. Bhelen on the other hand was rather comfortable, seeing as how whenever Harrowmont tries to gain more favour, he is just spinning an even more complex web of lies that, when cut, would see him being unable to escape his own creation. Making up his mind, Harry made his way to the front door of the Royal Palace, and to one of the guards.

"I request to speak with Prince Bhelen." Harry told the guard, who sneered up at him.

"And who are you to request the presence of the rightful king of Orzammar?" the guard sneered.

Putting his hand in one of his many pouches, Harry pulled out a small brooch that while seeming innocent, was in fact a sign of trust between the royal family and outsiders. The brooch was simple in design, in that it was shaped in a diamond with the Aeducan heraldry engraved upon it with the written inscription in dwarfish that said. 'A symbol of friendship to this house and its loyalty.'

The guard was absolutely shocked that this topsider would something such as this in his position. Not only did he seem to know what it represented, but also it means to him personally. Nodding his head, he opened to doors and began leading him and his group deeper into the palace, until they stopped in front a set of doors. While walking through the palace, many of those within turned their heads to see the strange people that was walking its halls.

The guard opened the door and waited until everyone was inside before closing it behind him and stand a little ways off. Prince Bhelen, who turned when his door was opened, was shocked to see Harry standing there.

"Good evening Prince Bhelen. I am sorry for the loss of your father and brothers. May they return to the Stone and their ancestors keep them." Harry said, hand above his heart and inclining his body forward slightly.

"Thank you Harry. It is good to see you again, how are you?" Bhelen asked, giving a genuine smile as he did so.

"I am good my lord. However I did not come here for pleasantries, but rather with an urgent request." Harry said, conveying the urgency he stated into his very being and into the very words he spoke.

"Please Harry, call me Bhelen. Now what is the request?" Bhelen asked.

"I need an army. A Blight has been unleashed, and unless you wish to be caught in its destructive waste, then I need your support." Harry said.

Bhelen simply raised his eyebrow at the request before taking a sip from his drink. "What of the Grey Wardens and their human allies? Surely they have the number and means to slay the Archdemon?" he asked.

"The Grey Wardens were betrayed when one the king's generals fled the battle with his forces, leaving the king and every Grey Warden to be slaughtered. Now only two of their order survives, Alistair Theirin and Aedan Cousland." Harry explained.

Bhelen seemed to ponder the new information for a few minutes before nodding to himself. "I hope you realise that we alone cannot go up against the whole horde of Darkspawn ourselves?"

"No. We are gathering an army with the Grey Warden treatise, allowing us to gather the mages, elves and hopefully the dwarves to combat the Darkspawn." Harry answered.

"I wish I could help you my friend, but with this civil war brewing, I cannot send you the troops you so desire." Bhelen said.

"And what if I can help you become king. Will I then get my army?" Harry asked, to which Bhelen nodded.

"You will." He answered.

"What must I do?" Harry asked, crossing his arms.

"Currently the opinion of the Assembly is rather divided, a stalemate. And with the civil war, relations between trades has not been going well and therefore the Carta has been taking advantage of that fact. If you can take out the Carta leader, Jarvia, you could disband the whole Carta influence here in Orzammar." Bhelen explained.

"But that would not convince the Assembly that you can be king, only that it swings a few more votes to your side." Harry said, poking a hole in the plan.

Bhelen nodded and placed his drink on the table and sighed, rubbing his forehead as he did so. "Unfortunately that is true. To convince those fools in the Assembly, I would require the word of a Paragon, unfortunately there are none."

"What about Branka? Last I heard she was to be made a Paragon?" Harry asked, eyebrow raised.

"Paragon Branka went on a search with her whole house, barring her husband to find the fabled Anvil of the Void. A creation that was made by the Paragon Caridin when he was alive to create golems." Bhelen explained to the group. "How about you help me with the Carta, and I'll see if I can find on Branka."

Harry nodded and left to deal with Jarvia and the Carta.


Hope you enjoyed that chapter. If so leave a review. Also please tell me what you think of the story so far and have an awesome day.