They walked over to where the wedding party was gathering on the platform. Soris walked up the stairs first, glancing back once to make sure Jerath was actually following. Valora smiled. "Ooh! Soris! There you are. I was afraid you'd run off."

"No, I'm here, fellow groom in tow!"

Nesiara smiled as Jerath moved to stand next to her. "Good. I'm so pleased to finally do this!"

Soris exhaled. "It looks like everyone's ready."

"Good luck, Soris," Jerath said, winking at Valora.

"Perhaps it won't be so tragic, after all," Soris said.

Jerath saw Valora and Nesiara exchange an eyeroll. Nesiara caught him looking, and smiled shyly. She touched his hand lightly, and he curled his fingers around hers as Valendrian started to speak. "Friends and family, today we celebrate not only this joining, but also our bonds of kin and kind. We are a free people, but that was not always so. Andraste, the Maker's prophet, freed us from the bonds of slavery. As our community grows, remember that our strength lies in commitment to tradition and to each other." He stepped down.

Mother Boann took her place. "Thank you, Valendrian. Now, let us begin. In the name of the Maker, who brought us into this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light, I-" She was interrupted as armed men began to walk to the platform. "Milord? This is... an unexpected surprise."

Vaughan stepped out from behind his guards. "Sorry to interrupt, Mother, but I'm having a party and we're dreadfully short of female guests." He laughed.

"Milord, this is a wedding!" Boann protested.

"Ha! If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties, that's your business. But don't pretend this is a proper wedding. Now, we're here for a good time, aren't we boys?"

His two companions joined him in laughing. "Just a good time with the ladies, that's all."

Vaughan began to point to women. "Let's take those two, the one in the tight dress, and... where's the bitch that bottled me?"

"Over here, Lord Vaughan!" He grabbed Shianni.

"Let me go, you stuffed-shirt son of a -"

"Oh, I'll enjoy taming her. And see the pretty bride..." Vaughan stepped forward.

"What do we do?" Soris whispered.

"Soris, they're taking the women!" Jerath stepped between Vaughan and Nesiara.

Vaughan sneered down at him. "Ah yes... the uppity runt that thinks he's worthy of speaking to me. Don't worry. I'll return whatever's left in time for the 'honeymoon'."

Jerath felt the rage beating at him, and forced it down. Not here. He focused his eyes on Vaughan as he fought to keep it from escaping. He heard Nesiara gasp just before something struck him from behind.

#

He woke to find Soris standing over him. "Can you hear me, Cousin? Are you all right?"

Jerath looked around. He stood quickly enough to feel a moment of dizziness. "The women... are they all right?"

Soris shook his head. "Vaughan took Shianni, Nesiara, Valora, and the rest of the women in the wedding party back to the palace. The elder is talking to Duncan, that Grey Warden. Everyone is getting upset."

"We should see how we can help."

"That sounds dangerous. Let's see what they're talking about."

#

Valendrian held up his hands in a calming gesture. "Please, all of you, listen. I know you are upset, and with good reason... but there is nothing we can do right now."

Elva's querulous voice rose over the rest of the crowd. "He's right. Running after them will just make matters worse."

"So we do nothing? They took my sister!"

Jerath pushed his way through the crowd. "Where are the women now?"

Valendrian gave him a sympathetic look. "They were taken to the arl's palace, I suspect. Normally, I'd counsel patience. Unfortunately, stories about the arl's son and his appetites are... most disturbing."

Jerath shook his head. He knew the stories. "Then we need to do something. Now."

"But what can we do?" another elf asked. "We're talking about the arl's palace. Even with the arl and his knights gone, it'll be guarded."

Another voice spoke up. "Elder, may I offer a suggestion? I work inside the palace. I could sneak one, perhaps two others in through the servant's entrance. Nobody would notice an extra pair of elves looking around."

Jerath spoke quickly, before Valendrian could offer an objection. "We could be in and out before anyone knows the difference."

Behind him, Soris spoke. "I'm with you, of course- but if we run into trouble, we won't be able to talk our way out."

He saw the Gray Warden give him a considering look, then the man nodded. "For that, you will need weapons. Allow me to offer you my own longsword and bow. A man should be able to defend his loved ones properly."

"Thank you, Duncan."

Valendrian closed his eyes for a moment, then his shoulders slumped in resignation. "Then your path is set. I pray the Maker looks on it with favor."

"You're all insane! The guards will burn our homes down around us!" Elva said.

"Enough, Elva." Valendrian's voice became firm. "You've had your say. They shall try, for their own honor and the honor of the women. We must trust in the Maker."

The servant moved over to where Jerath and Soris were standing. He gave Jerath a quick nod. "I'll make sure the way is clear. When you're ready, meet me at the Alienage gate."

#

Duncan removed his scabbard and offered it to the boy. "Are you prepared for what you're about to do?"

Jerath took the scabbard, and belted it around his waist. Duncan noted that he positioned it correctly, hilt forward for an easy draw. "I think so, but I have questions."

"Anything I can answer, I shall," Duncan said. The crossbow he offered to the other elf. He caught the man's rather intimidated look, and quickly began to demonstrate the loading mechanism.

"Do you know anything about Vaughan?"

Duncan frowned. "His father is a decent enough man but no friend to the Grey Wardens. Rumors say Vaughan is far too wild, and a poor heir."

"How is he in a fight?"

A good question, Duncan thought to himself. He considered a moment. "I have seen the lad in tournaments and he does know his way with a blade. I have never seen him in real combat, however."

"Will you tell me now why you came here?"

Duncan looked at him, then nodded. "To find recruits." Perhaps honesty was best. "I had hoped to speak to you, but your elder outmaneuvered me. I suspect this is why your wedding was moved forward: in hopes that I might let you remain. Valendrian did the same thing when I came to recruit your mother."

The boy blinked. "My mother was that skilled?"

"She was indeed. And it appears she has passed her skills on to you. See to the task at hand. We can speak of your future later." Duncan watched the boy walk away. He shook his head slightly. It was likely the two young men were going to get themselves killed. For a heartbeat, he considered telling them to wait while he fetched the others from the inn. Then he shook his head again. Such an intervention would cause more problems than it solved.

He heard the boy ask Valendrian about moving the wedding forward. Valendrian confirmed his suspicions. The boy nodded, then assured Valendrian that he understood before walking towards the alienage gate, followed by his older companion. Valendrian watched them go, then walked to where Duncan was standing.

"They don't stand a chance, do they?" Valendrian asked him.

"Could you have stopped him?" Duncan asked.

Valendrian sighed, then shook his head. "Soris, maybe. I need to tell Cyrion." He wrung his hands. "Maker watch over them."

Silently, Duncan echoed the prayer.

#

Jerath handed Soris the crossbow, and gave him a concerned look. "Are you going to be alright?"

Soris swallowed. "Think I'll let you go in first."

"Just stay behind me, take what shots you can."

Soris nodded. "Okay. I'm with you, cousin."

"I know."

Jerath gave the servant a nod. He handed Jerath the key, then vanished back into the gardens. Jerath unlocked the door, then stepped cautiously inside. A chair held a slumbering guard. He gestured for Soris to stay back, then drew the dagger from his sleeve before catching the guard's hair and yanking his head back. He pressed the dagger against the guard's throat.

"Mmph... mmwa? What's going on?" The guard swallowed as he became aware of the knife at his throat. His eyes widened as his gaze went to Jerath's ears.

Inside, Jerath could feel the rage starting to build. For the first time in a year, he let a bit of it out. "I have questions," he said.

The guard started to open his mouth, then he met Jerath's eyes. Fear flooded his face as he caught a glimpse of what lay behind them. "Uh... understood"

"Vaughan brought some elf maidens here. Where are they?"

"I, uh, think they're in a holding room, just west of here."

"Tell me about the castle's layout."

"Well, this is the, uh, guard's corner. The kennel and trophy room are southeast and Vaughan's chambers are northeast."

"Thanks for the help. Now it's time to shut you up."

" I cooperated! Don't kill me!"

Rage beat against the walls inside. Jerath nodded. There was a price. There was always a price. His voice was soft. "I never promised anything."

"Please, wait!" The guard's plea was silence by Jerath's knife slicing halfway through his neck. He slid to the floor, mouth working silently as blood pumped from the wound. He was still a few moments later.

Behind him, Jerath heard frank admiration in Soris's voice. "That was cold, Cousin."

The rage beat slower now. He set a hand on the borrowed longsword, and opened the door.

#

They entered a kitchen. Jerath started to just walk through, but the cook looked up. "You, there! Who are you? Speak quick, worms, before I call the guards and they clip your nasty ears!"

Jerath pulled the rage back. The cook was unarmed. "Just passing through. Don't mind us."

"Don't talk to me like that, scum, or I'll have the life beaten out of you! You understand? Wait, why are you dressed like that? You're bandits! Rebels! Outlaws! The guards will make quick work of...unnnnggggghhh" The man slid to the floor as the kitchen servant clocked him on the back of the head.

"You have no idea how long that shem's had it coming." The servant gave them an easy smile.

Jerath gave a respectful nod. "I'm Jerath. This is Soris."

"Well met. I'm Adwen, the cook's assistant. A friend of a friend said you'd be coming. They took the women you're looking for to Lord Vaughan's quarters. You should hurry. He is not known for his... kindness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting out of here before the storm hits."

#

Jerath grabbed a small bottle off the table, then walked to the tray that contained a pitcher. He looked at the label on the bottle, then poured it into the pitcher. Soris raised an eyebrow, then smiled as Jerath picked up the tray before walking into the next room.

Several guards were playing cards. One looked up. "You there, elf! I need another drink. Anyone else?" A few other voices spoke up, and the guard looked at Jerath. "What are you waiting for? Get us those drinks! I'll blacken your eye if you don't move your arse."

"I have your drinks right here."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"Would you prefer I pour, or answer?" Jerath set the tray down, and picked up the pitcher.

"Don't give me your back-talk, knife-ear! Pour and get out."

Jerath kept his face an expressionless mask as he filled the mugs. The guards began drinking almost before he was done pouring.

"Ungh - That's a nasty kick there. Drink up boys; it'll put hair on your chest."

One of the guards began to cough. "Nasty kick, indeed. I feel like -"

Another looked at the blood he'd just coughed onto the back of his hand. "What's in here, you little... rat-" He almost made it to his feet as Jerath set the pitched down.

"Nice work! Now, let's go before anyone comes." Soris followed Jerath out of the room as the guards lay, twitching and dying on the stone floor.

#

Their luck didn't hold. A guard saw them and drew his sword before they'd made it more than a few steps down the hall. Behind him, Jerath heard Soris gulp. He drew the blade Duncan had loaned him, and let the rage rise. He parried the guard's blow easily, then lifted the swords up enough to enable him to plunge the dagger up under the guard's ribs. Blood gushed as he pulled the dagger back out, and the guard crumbled. He saw Soris's eyes widen as he bent down and helped himself to the guard's sword. Doors began to open, and he found himself smiling as he moved forward, a blade in each hand.

He had to turn away from the room that held only a cowering servant. Soris's attention was still on the room with the caged dogs. He didn't see the way Jerath had started to raise his blade on the unarmed woman. Jerath let out the breath, forcing part of the rage back down. He couldn't lose control. Not here. Not yet. He jerked his head at Soris, and they moved on.

He could hear voices ahead, and felt the rage start to beat again when they got close enough to hear the words. "Well, that's one less elf breeder in the world."

"A shame, though. Nice body on that one."

"She's still warm. How picky are you, anyway?"

He glanced back to see Soris had gone pale. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened the door. Two guards, and a man in better armor stood over the body of Nola. Blood was spreading from beneath her head.

"Shut it, you two. We've got company. You just walked into the wrong room. You know how this works, boys. No witnesses."

His heart was beating in time with the rage now. He blocked the blow from the first guard, and saw surprise on the larger man's face. The second blade came up, slicing through the leather and into the flesh. The guard collapsed as thick, slimy ropes began to spill from his midsection. The second guard hesitated. It was a fatal mistake. Jerath flicked the offhand blade, and when the guard swung to block it, he sent the other sword across the man's neck. He felt only a slight resistance from the man's spine. Easy. The guard's head tumbled from his shoulders. Too easy. He felt a moment's relief that his companion knew little of combat.

He stepped around Nola's body as the captain raised a shield. Jerath feinted left, then came around as the guard moved. He drew the blade across the back of the man's thighs, biting deep into muscle, flesh, and tendon. The guard pitched forward, and Jerath let him fall before stepping forward to drive the sword through the man's back, piercing his heart.

The crossbow twanged as Soris put the disemboweled man out of his misery. "They... they killed her! I can't believe this!" His voice rose slightly in pitch, and Jerath could see his hands were starting to shake.

"We need to save the others!"

Soris nodded, then looked down at his hands. He swallowed, then reloaded the crossbow with steadier hands. "Then we should hurry. A few moments could make the difference!"

#

Jerath had to force himself to look away from the praying servant woman. He strode instead to the door, then pulled it open. Shianni was on the ground, her clothing torn. Rage.

"My, my. What have we here?" Vaughan said.

His companion smirked. "Don't worry; we'll make short work of these two."

"Quiet, you idiot! They're covered with enough blood to fill a tub. What do you think that means?" Vaughan put a hand on his blade.

Jerath's voice was cold. "You're going to pay for what you've done!"

"All right, let's not be too hasty here." The shem was still talking. Shianni was laying on the ground, her clothing torn, tears staining her face. And the shem kept talking. "Surely we can talk this over..."

"No, I really don't think we can." Was that his voice?

"Bah! I always regret talking to knife-ears! Now I'll just gut your ignorant carcasses, instead!" Vaughan went for his sword, the others a step behind.

Jerath didn't bother with a parry. He kicked the side of Vaughan's knee, and the offhand blade swung in an arc as Vaughan fell. The body twitched and jerked as the head rolled across the room. One. The borrowed longsword impaled the lord's chest before the lord's own sword had cleared the scabbard. Two. He ripped the blade out, sending a spray of blood into the face of the third man. The last lord started to hold up his hands. Jerath severed one as he flicked the blade across the man's throat. Three.

The crossbow twanged again, sending an unnecessary bolt into the man's stomach. Soris's face was almost green as he panted. "He... he's dead. Tell me we did the right thing, Cousin."

Rage simmered, sated. "Of course."

Soris nodded. "I hope you're right.. I... I'll check the back room for the others. Shianni needs you."

#

Jerath set the blades down as he knelt next to Shianni. He searched for words, but none came. She grabbed his arm. "Don't leave me alone... please... please, take me home." Her voice trailed off into sobs.

He started to lay a hand on her shoulder, then stopped himself. "Can you walk?"

She looked at his hand, then took it and let him pull her to her feet. "I... I think so... You killed them, didn't you? You killed them all."

"Not just them." He met her eyes. "All the humans who hurt you."

Her smile was vicious. "Good. Good..."

Valora was the first to emerge from the other room. "Is... she going to be all right?"

Jerath saw the tiny shake of Shianni's head. He understood, and forced his voice to be calm. "She's all right." He looked back at the door. "Where is Nesiara?"

Her voice answered as she came in. "I'm fine. Your friend..." She took in Shianni's appearance, and grabbed a cloak from a hook on the wall as she came towards them. "...got the worst of it. They said they were saving us for later." She looked at him, eyes wide. A trembling smile came to her face. "I can't believe you came for me."

He touched the side of her face. "I couldn't just let them hurt you."

"Thank you." Her eyes were full of emotion, and he felt a pang. It wasn't over yet.

Soris spoke up. "Er... we should go. Soon. As in now."

Jerath tore his eyes away from Nesiara's face. "Good thought."

Soris reloaded the crossbow. "I'll take the rear guard. I can't wait to leave this place."