Interlude – Regent
"I bring new, Sire." He sighs, closing his eyes as the hateful voice floods his ears. He has to tolerate Howe. He rules the North. "There are demands from the Bannorn that you step down from regency." No doubt led by Teagan. The idiot. How dare he presume to know anything about the blood shed to protect Fereldan, when he'd spent most of his life in the Free Marches?! "They are gathering their forces, as are your allies." They were all idiots. Had he not saved Fereldan in the past? Why trust him then, if they didn't trust him now? He knows what's best. He always has. "And the reports about the Wardens are confirmed. Some reported them, recognizing them from the bounties." How had they, though? How had anyone survived that? He'd seen that battlefield. Logically, no one there should have survived. That's why he'd called the retreat. Why he'd tried to stop Elspeth. "Though, it seems they've earned the affections of the people, with their defense of Lothering." The town that fell anyway? Madness. "And have secured an alliance with the Circle… and some spies report they've allied with the Dalish too, though that remains unconfirmed." How did children do that? It makes no sense. "However, I've… arranged a solution, with your leave."
Dreading what he'll see, he turns around anyway. He sees a young elf standing in the room next to Howe, armor marking him as an Antivan. "The Crows send their regards," the elf murmured, nodding his head in greeting. Assassins… not an unreasonable tactic. Not his preferred, but he'd be a fool to reject a strategy just because his honor disagreed with it.
Still… "Assassins?" he asks slowly, taking his wine glass. He desperately needs a drink, though he wishes he had whiskey or ale or something that wasn't this too thick wine clogging his throat.
"Against the Wardens, we need the very best," Howe tells him. But he can see the sickening gleam in Howe's eyes. He hates that this man must be his ally, but for Fereldan's sake, he'd do anything.
He drains his glass, feeling conflicted over it all. For Fereldan… for Maric… for Rowan… "Just get it done." The elf hesitates a bit before nodding, stepping back to bow. "Leave Nuada and Elspeth alone." Howe's face pinches in anger, but he ignores it. He can convinces them that he knows what he's doing. They're rightfully angry, but they're reasonable. And he wants them where the true threat is. And he is not so prideful that he won't admit favoritism. He's lost so much over the years. He doesn't want to lose more. "The rest are fair game." The words burn his tongue, and he wishes he had something more to drink, just to get rid of it. Especially as he remembers Maric's other son, the one he'd had with that elven Warden, who he'd given up in an effort to protect… ah, he'll have the blood of both of his dearest friend's sons on his hands, huh? All the more reason to focus on Fereldan. If he lets the country go, then it will all be for naught.
The assassin nods again, bowing fully before leaving. Howe follows, whispering in the assassin's ear, and he knows Howe is telling him to ignore his order. But he is the employer, technically, so he's certain the assassin will listen to him over anyone.
"Father." He relaxes a little when he sees his daughter enter the room as they exit. "What is it that you plan on doing?" she asks him, looking so confused as she approaches. "Should we not be fighting the darkspawn?" Ah, the Wardens affected her with their paranoia too. "Not each other?"
"The nobility must be brought in line, and then we can take care of the darkspawn safely," he explains. "This isn't a true Blight, Anora. Cailan's vanity demanded it."
"Be that as it may, we're losing troops!" She sighs heavily and she can see her grind her teeth in frustration. "Oh, why can't Nuada be here? He can counter you with the tactics you like." Nuada is… alive, and angry. He wishes he had trust Elspeth then. But he had thought no one could survive, had thought Nuada dead in the Tower, and had confirmed Howe's rule of Highever for the sake of Fereldan's stability. A mistake, but it's too late to turn back. He'd make it work. It's just a different sort of tactics. "Cailan approached Orlais for-"
"NEVER!" The very name is enough to make him bristle. "Maric and I fought to throw those bastards out!" Both of them had sacrificed so, so much. Ah, he wishes Maric was here. Jealous as he could be of his best friend, things just made sense with him.
"We need help!" His anger boils. How?! How could she even think of letting them in?! "We cannot do this alone!"
"Fereldan will stand on its own, as it has always done." He stands and walks to his daughter, resting his hands on his shoulders. "Trust me."
"…Did you kill Cailan?" The question makes him freeze, and he tries to think of how to answer, especially as she stares up at him.
All he can think of, though, is that damn witch's warning to Maric, all those years ago. 'Betrayal after betrayal' or some nonsense… though, he has to admit. Leaving Cailan on the field that day probably was betraying Maric, and it hurts his heart. But the only other option had been to risk Fereldan, the country he and Maric had fought so hard to liberate. The country where Rowan was buried… Would it not have been a greater betrayal to lose Fereldan?
"Cailan's death was his own doing," he finally whispers, not able to look her in the face. After all, he'd played his part in it. But he had warned Cailan to not fight on the front. Why did that boy always fight him? He knew what was best.
She stares at him, before stepping away, head bowed. He watches her leave, shaking his head. Even after Cailan hurt her, she still loves him. He cannot blame her for feeling shaken.
He sighs and watches the fire burn in the fireplace. But not for long. He is Regent. He is the Hero of River Dane. He has a responsibility to protect Fereldan. Whether it wanted to be saved or not!
Author's note: Ah, this lovely cutscene. Or, rather, two cutscenes. I tied two of them together. Tried to go a bit into Loghain's thoughts here.
Next Chapter – The gang is back together again with Aiden
