We continued our search farther into the palace fighting several guards along the way. Soris growled in frustration as I cut down a mabari hound. "We have to be getting closer there are more guards in this area than the one before."
"We'll find them cousin," I promised opening yet another door my eyes opening wide. Inside was one of the palace armories. Shutting the door quickly behind us I quickly scanned the armor for suit I could wear. Far in the corner of the room what must have been practice or beginner armor for new recruits I found a set of matching leather. Stripping my wedding gown off I dressed quickly, thankful, to finally have some protection on. I turned around adjusting the final strap into place. Soris stood regal in a set of chainmail.
"Here," he said handing me a short bow. I hung it across my shoulders and back. I looped a sword and knife scabbard though my belt, strapping it across my waist. Finished I cocked my head at Soris giving a single nod in the direction of the door.
We exited the armory quietly moving down the hall through a set of large doors two guards were standing guard we took them down swiftly. Another door another hallway, my frustration growing, who knows what was happening to my friends. A single guard patrolled the hallway I snuck up behind him quietly pulling my blade from its sheath and placing it against the back of his neck.
"Tell me where Vaughan took the elven maids and I will spare your life," I promised. He pointed directly in front of him at a door with two human statues of guardians standing on either side of it.
"Thank you," I whispered cuffing him across the back of the head with the hilt of my weapon. Soris helped me carry him into a nearby room jamming the door handle from opening on the inside we left him.
We hurried down the hallway, our goal in sight. Vaughan's door loomed in front of me and I kicked it open. Shianni laid on the floor her dress in tatters. Vaughan lounged on the bed wearing only his breaches. Lord Jonaley and lord Braden were surrounding Shianni She was crying but not fighting them I could see fresh bruises coloring her arms and legs.
"My, my, what have we here?" Vaughan crooned drunkenly.
"Don't worry; we'll make short work of these two knife ears," lord Jonaley said stepping over Shianni and reached for his sword.
"Quiet you idiot," Vaughan shouted. "The pretty bride and her companion are covered in enough blood to fill a tub. What do you think that means?"
"It means every guard who stood in our way between here and the kitchens are now dead." I stated calmly, "and your next."
Vaughan raised his hands in mock surrender, "let's not be too hasty here. Surely we can talk this over…"
"Like I did at the alienage when I begged you not to do this?" I snorted. "How many are dead now because of your selfish actions?"
"Please," Shianni begged desperately from the floor my heart breaking at the sound of her voice. "Please just…get us out of here. I want to go home."
"You think you can talk your way out of this?" I demanded pulling my dagger from my waist.
Vaughan growled, "Think for a minute, damn it. Kill me and you will ruin more lives than just your own. By damn the city with run red with elven blood. You know how this ends."
"We'll tell the city what really happened," I said.
"You think people care about elven whores? You think my father will just ignore my death simply because I used some animals as they were meant to be used," he snarled cruelly.
"I am NOT a whore and my people are not animals!" I hissed fidgeting with my blade.
Vaughan calmed down backing away slightly, "a poor word choice, perhaps, but you understand. You'd risk everything on petty revenge?"
Soris whispered hoarsely beside me, "Cousin what if he's right? They'll purge the alienage again!"
"You think they won't as it is? After what we've already done here? If it comes to that I will deal with it." I promised.
"If you're sure, then I'm with you," he whispered back.
"How dare you threaten us," I scowled at Vaughan.
"Last chance," he snarled. "Kill me and you will end up destroying everything you care about. Or, you could hear me out and change your lives for the better."
"Speak then," I demanded.
Vaughan smirked, "here is our situation. You are skilled, obviously. If we fight here, perhaps you could even manage to kill us. However my father won't let that go your pigsty alienage will be burnt to the ground." He smoothed his hair away from his face his eyes glinting maliciously. "Or, you turn and walk away right now with 40 sovereigns in your pocket." Soris whistled sharply. "You take that money and leave Denerim tonight. No repercussions and you can go wherever your heart desires."
"What about the other women?" I asked quietly. "Will you let them go?"
Vaughan laughed crudely, "No. the women stay. They'll go home tomorrow slightly worse for wear and you'll be long gone."
Soris argued, "I don't know cousin, that's a lot of money."
I frowned turning towards him, "they were going to hurt me and what about you're betrothed. Its blood money and you know it!"
"Your right, you're absolutely right," he agreed.
"You can't buy me," I declared turning back to Vaughan, "I'm not leaving this room without those women.
"Bah! I always regret talking to knife-ears!" he growled, "kill them now!" He dove for his sword while Jonaley and Braden attacked. The fight was tougher than the ones before perhaps I was just tired but Braden was able to cut me on thigh. I stumbled midstride watching the blood poor down my leg. He laughed lunging forward his sword pointing at my heart. I danced away from his blade crossing behind him and cutting him along the spine with my dagger. He fell to the ground dead. Forgotten already I turned to Vaughan, all the anger I had building in me to this moment poured into my sword strikes, sparks flew as swords clashed together. I pushed him backwards away from me catching him across the chest with the end of my blade. He screamed in fury, charging forward I blocked his blade with mine using his momentum to knock it aside and plunge my dagger into his heart.
He fell to his knees his mouth moving soundless; I pulled my blade out, fingers clutching wildly at his chest. He raised his sword trying to stab me even in death. I swiped my sword across his throat detaching his head from his shoulders. I sidestepped as his body fell to the ground.
"Tell me we did the right thing cousin?" Soris asked shakily.
"He forced my hand," I murmured my lips suddenly numb. My stomach heaved threatening to expel all over the room.
"I'll check the back room here for the other girls. Shianni needs you right now." He said turning away from me.
I nodded crossing to her, I knelt, my leg screaming in pain, checking her for any wounds. Sheathing my blades, I took a healing potion from the pouch at my waist and poured some of it on my thigh as well as a deep cut on her arm.
"Please…please," she sobbed, "don't leave me alone. Take me home."
I held her in my arms comforting her. "I will cousin. Do you think you can walk?"
She calmed down slightly, "I... I think so." She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and tried to adjust her dress to cover herself. "They're all dead now right? You killed them all?"
I sighed sadly, "Yes, I did what had to be done to save us."
"Good, good," she mumbled slipping into unconsciousness.
"Is she going to be alright?" Valora asked entering the room with Soris and Brianna.
"She will in time," I stated firmly. "Are you well?"
Valora swallowed shivering, "they hadn't gotten to us yet." Brianna nodded in agreement. "I can't believe you came for us, thank you."
"Err," Soris interrupted. "We should go, soon. As in now."
"Fine with me," I agreed waking Shianni. Helping each other to our feet, we stumbled from the palace back to the alienage.