The other three bid them farewell, saying something about looking for pearls. Brehan turned to Leliana. "She's gone. I don't know what to think. She said it wasn't over." She sighed. "No- she was lying. She won't come back."

He put an arm around her, and she leaned into him for a moment. "If she does, we'll just sic Jerath on her and watch."

Leliana laughed. "What does ma sa'lath mean?"

He kissed her. "My one love."

"Say it again?"

"Ma sa'lath." He kissed her. "Ma vhenan'ara." He kissed her again.

"I love you too." She kissed him. "My vhenan."

#

"So how do landships work exactly?" Lenore asked.

"Magic," Brehan said.

"I get that, but what kind of magic?"

"Keeper magic." He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not a mage." He offered another of the roots to Brosca. He took it gratefully, his face pale. Saitada seemed to be doing better, but not by a lot.

"What did it mean, what you said to the annoying woman?" Lenore asked. "I mean, I assume they were threats. What does..." She furrowed her brow in memory. "Ma halam mean?"

"You are finished."

"What's the one you use whenever anything stabs you? Fenedhis?"

He chuckled. "Wolf shit."

"Durgen'len?"

"Child of the stone."

"Oh, I like that one. Durgen'len. What about the thing you called Jerath that time? Elvhen'alas?"

Brehan sighed. "Dirt elf."

"Oh. That wasn't nice." She frowned. "What about the other thing you call him? Da'mi?"

"Little blade."

"See, there are so many ways one could take that," Zevran said.

Brehan sighed. "Da'assan and da'mi are generally used as affectionate terms for children learning to be warriors and hunters."

"What about..."

"Lenore?"

"Yes?"

"If I tell you a story, will you stop asking questions?"

Lenore considered a moment, and then shook her head. "I'm holding out for you singing again. You have a wonderful voice."

He considered a moment, then smiled and began to sing. Leliana snuggled into him as he did, sighing contentedly. Lenore listened with her eyes half closed. When the song died away, she brightened. "What's that about?"

He laughed. "It's called Suledin. Endure. It..." He shrugged. "Journeys are long when made alone, and you must leave when you are no longer welcome. But if you are certain, the path will take you home, and you will again find joy."

"Sing another?"

This time, he opted for a lullaby. It seemed to do the trick.

#

"Might I offer you a bit of advice, my good friend Alistair?"

"I like my hair the way it is, thank you."

Zevran gave him a dubious look. "Truly? As you wish... though my advice is regarding something else completely. It has to do with your recent... exertions with your fellow Grey Warden that I overheard."

"My...?" Alistair turned bright red. "Oh."

"It did seem as if you just got going when all grew quiet. You are... feeling all right, yes? Perhaps you are tired?"

"We aren't talking about this, are we? Did I hit my head?"

"I have some roots from home that you may chew if you need energy. As for volume, perhaps you ought to try arching your-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Awkward!"

"You Fereldens are so finicky. How will you ever learn how to pleasure each other unless you talk about it?"

"Not listening! La la la la la!"

Cathiel shook her head. "Lenore, will you please come get your elf before I shoot him?"

Lenore giggled. "Actually, if you really want to increase your..."

"Brosca! Make them stop!"

#

Jerath met them at the dock. Saitada grinned at him. "Find anything?"

"We retook the fortress, so we have an additional base of operations now. The Drydens are relighting the forges there, they claim its good dwarven engineering." He shrugged. "Found some books, notes, and other things. Not as much as I'd like, the library was in ruins."

"Any trouble?"

"Not really, just some ghosts and demons."

"Most people define that as trouble," Brehan observed, helping Brosca onto the dock.

Jerath shrugged. "No Joining materials."

Saitada sighed. "I suppose it was too much to hope. What kind of notes?"

"Might be best to talk about that in a place with more privacy."

She nodded. "Let Lenore take a look when we make camp." Her gaze went to the mountains. "We've still got some walking to do, people."

#

Leliana actually jumped slightly when he put a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, hello... is there something you wanted to talk about?"

Brehan shook his head. "No, I thought you looked like you wanted to talk, though."

"It's..." She sighed. "It's nothing. I'm fine. I'm just thinking."

"Do share?"

"I can't get what happened out of my head. I'd been in Lothering for years and she still thought I was plotting against her."

"Ma vhenan..."

"She didn't trust me. Maybe she never did. She loved me when she could use me and control me, and now that she can't, she wants me dead." She leaned into him. "It... it hurt to realize that I never really knew her."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You are already helping so much by listening to me." She sighed. "I knew she was ruthless, but I didn't know how far she could go." She shook her head. "She is self-serving, cruel... she uses people, then discards them, but that's how she survives in the life she leads." She pulled away, and then turned to look at him. "W-what if she's right? What if we're the same? I... I should have just stayed in the Chantry."

He caressed her cheek. "We would never have met, if you hadn't."

She shook her head. "You don't understand. I forgot my life as a bard while I was in the cloister. I felt safe. I didn't have to watch my back all the time." She ran a hand through her hair, and her voice became angry. "That's what made Marjolaine the person she is, don't you see? It ruined her; it will ruin me too. Even now, I feel some regret at not ending her life, in order to protect my own."

"There's nothing wrong with that."

"Isn't there? It's the first step down this dark path. First thought, then action..." She wrapped her arms around herself. "What we're doing... what we've done - hunted men down, killed them - part of me loves it. It invigorates me and this scares me. I... I feel myself slipping."

He pulled her to him. "You are a good person, ma vhenan. You always will be."

"How can you be so sure?"

He smiled at her. "Evil doesn't worry about not being good."

She laughed softly. "That... that is true." She kissed him. "I can always trust you to show me things from a different perspective." She drew away, but smiled. "I would like to be alone, for now. I have many things to consider. Thank you, for listening."

He nodded, and gave her a small bow. "You are never alone, ma vhenan." He walked back to camp.

#

Saitada blinked when Jerath sat down a few feet from her and gave her a level look. "This is the third night you've stood watch. Trouble sleeping?"

"We will be at the great gate tomorrow."

"My father once said that home is the place where they know you, and welcome you anyway." His eyes met hers. "You aren't going home, are you?"

She sighed. "No." She looked at him for a moment, and then sighed. "I suppose that's why you didn't mind missing the trip to Denerim?"

He shrugged. "Perhaps one day, Soldier's Peak will be home. It's a nice fort." He met her eyes. "You should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be hard enough for you."

"I'll be..."

"Saitada?"

"Yes?"

"Get some sleep. That's an order."

She laughed softly. "Is this a mutiny?"

"It will be if you don't get rid of those circles under your eyes." He nodded at the qunari watching them. "And I'm pretty sure Sten's going to take my side on the issue."

"Very likely," Sten said.

"Fine. You two have the watch?"

"In the off chance a problem arises we can't handle, we'll awake you with the sound of our girlish screams."

She tossed a dirt clod at him and headed for her tent.

#

"About time a Warden showed! Loghain sends his regards!"

Saitada sighed. Brosca grinned up at Jerath. "Got ten silver says I kill one before you do."

Before Jerath could respond, a fireball exploded in the midst of their attackers, followed by the earth beneath their feet exploding and sending them flying. Brosca turned to glare at Lenore, and then Morrigan. "You mind? I was trying to gamble."

Lenore sighed. "Fine, I have ten silver says the next thing we end up fighting stabs Brehan."

Brosca snorted. "Like I'd take that bet."

Saitada wasn't sure what the string of elvish meant, but she heard Wynne express a desire to wash a certain mouth out with soap.

#

The great gate was closed, and a troop of guards stood before it. A human man in fine clothes and a small entourage was arguing with the guard. Saitada sighed as she recognized the guard. This was not going to be fun.

"Veata!" The guard's voice rang out. "This land is held in trust for the sovereign dwarven kings. I cannot allow entry at this time."

The human man drew himself up self-righteously. "King Loghain demands the allegiance of the deshyr or lords or whatever you call them in your Assembly! I am his appointed messenger."

Brosca glanced back at Saitada and raised an amused eyebrow. Saitada shook her head and let out a small laugh. Well, at least she could be sure Loghain wasn't about to get cooperation from Orzammar, with this idiot acting as his diplomat. The guard glared. "I don't caer if you're the king's wiper, Orzammar will have none but it's own until our throne is settled."

Saitada strode forward. "I have important business in Orzammar."

The human gave her a haughty look. "None more important than mine."

The guard gave her an apologetic look. "Your business will wait. Orzammar must..." He looked at her again. "Wait, look at me. You're the exile. This begins with you. Sorrow finished what your kinslaying started. Your father is dead."

The human snickered. "Kinslayer? Oh, you're not getting in."

Saitada sighed. "My brother's death was a complicated matter."

Scorn filled the guard's voice. "Your conviction and guilt were entered into Assembly records. I suggest you leave and not compound this tragedy."

Out of the corner of her eye she say Jerath shift and raise an eyebrow at her. She gave a slight shake of her head. "I am a Grey Warden. This treaty obliges Orzammar to aid me."

Outrage filled the messenger's face. "The Wardens killed King Cailan and nearly doomed Ferelden! They're sworn enemies of King Loghain!"

That last bit, at least, he had right. Saitada offered the treaty to the guard. He looked it over carefully, his face a bit bemused. "Well, that is the royal seal. That means only the Assembly is authorized to address it. Grey Warden, you may pass."

"What!" The messenger started gesticulating wildly. "She's a traitor! And a kinslayer! You said it yourself." He spat and blustered. "In the name of King Loghain I demand that you execute this... stain on the honor of Ferelden."

Saitada rounded on him, and he stumbled backwards, nearly falling to the ground beneath her glare. "Run to your false king. The dwarves will not hear him today."

"You... you'll hear of this. King Loghain will see you quartered!"

The guard actually smirked as he watched the messenger run off. "You are free to enter Orzammar, Grey Warden, though I don't know what help you will find."

#

She saw the look of awe on Lenore's face as the mage walked through the Hall of Heroes. They were nearly to the door when a dwarf in the robes of a scholar stepped out from behind a statue. He blinked, and surprise filled his face. "My... Your Highness! You live! We heard what happened." He walked towards her. "It was an injustice! My master is writing another book about the Aeducans; he believes that Prince Bhelen set you up."

She nodded. "He did set me up."

The scholar drew himself up proudly. "My master has not forgotten how you defended him from Bruntin Vollney." He glanced at the door, and then gave her an encouraging smile. "May Orzammar be kinder to you than the last time you walked the roads." He crossed his wrists and gave her a formal bow before walking away.

Cathiel watching him go. She shook her head. "How many people here are going to recognize you?"

Brosca snorted. "Most of them. I don't think really comprehend who she was to Orzammar."

"There will be plenty who don't know me anymore," Saitada said.

Brosca gave her a considering look. "I suppose you are right. You ain't as soft as you were last time you walked these halls."

"Cathiel, shoot him," Saitada said as she walked to the door. She glanced over her shoulder. "Zevran, mind fetching Lenore?" She sighed. "And maybe remind her not to touch the lava?"

#

They watched the fight. Cathiel watched Saitada. She could tell their leader recognized the combatants. She could also tell that their leader was absolutely furious, and hiding it well. She glanced at Jerath, and the elf gave her a nod. He'd noted it too. Best be on guard. She wanted to offer some words of comfort. It couldn't have been easy on Saitada to learn this way that her father was dead.

A guardsman dispersed the combatants. He started to turn away, then he looked at them and his eyes widened. "Exile, you were not to show your face her again. I have enough crime to deal with, I shouldn't have to dump you back in the Deep Roads."

Cathiel watched Saitada stare him down calmly. Her voice was calm, polite, and very similar to how her father had sounded just before handing down a sentence. "I have a new house. The Grey Wardens."

The guard fidgeted slightly, then managed to find a bit of nerve. "That's right, you found pity topside. The Wardens should have better sense when choosing allies." He shook his head. "Surfacers and their cloud-addled heads. Fine, oh illustrious Grey Warden, what do you want?"

"The Blight is coming and I need Orzammar's assistance."

"Surface problems. Well, we have no king to hear you. You can join the shouting at the Assembly in the Diamond Quarter, if you want." He walked away muttering. "Bunch of deshyr lords bickering over sand. Bhelen, Harrowmont... is one so different? No Paragons here."

Saitada jerked her head, and they followed her.

#

They'd made it halfway down the steps when Brosca saw a woman run towards them. He pushed past the others and met her at the bottom of the steps, hugging her tightly.

Rica stepped back, looking him over. "I can't believe it! I heard Grey Wardens had come to Orzammar and I couldn't help but hope... Look at you! My little brother, the returning hero! And with quite the unusual entourage..."

He laughed. "Rica? Is that you under all those jewels?"

"Can you imagine? As of last month, I'm a royal concubine to House Aeducan. They've moved Mother and me into the palace. You could fit our whole neighborhood just in the bathing room! I wish you could meet little Endrin. But they don't let me bring him outside the royal nursery."

Brosca blinked. "A royal concubine? To who?"

"Prince Bhelen! Can you believe it? Now you see why I didn't tell you. It just seems so amazing. My son is an Aeducan. The future king of Orzammar spends his nights in my bed! Beraht was a toad, but I have to thank him for teaching me to read, dance, massage, and whatever else Bhelen sees in me."

Brosca felt a slight chill. "But... Bhelen poisoned his father and killed his brother."

Rica shook her head, and touched his shoulder reassuringly. "That's a horrible, vicious lie! Bhelen told me all about it. Lord Harrowmont always favored Bhelen's sister, the one who murdered Trian. Bhelen thinks Harrowmont set the whole thing up to frame him. Then he had the gall to whisper these things to the dying king. When the king sent him away... Bhelen cried for weeks. Tell me you don't believe these horrible rumors!"

Brosca glanced over at Saitada.

"You named your son Endrin?" Saitada asked quietly.

Rica nodded. "I wish the old king had lived long enough to see his grandson."

Saitada closed her eyes for a moment. "So do I."

Rica turned back to Brosca "Oh, brother, where are your manners? Introduce me to your friends."

Brosca swallowed and introduced the wardens, leaving Saitada for last. Saitada spoke before he could name her. "Does Bhelen treat you well?"

Rica smiled and gave a contented sigh. "He treats me like a queen. It's been a little scary, I have to confess. Some people are so angry with him... they'd come after us if they could. I had to sneak out to meet up with my brother. I'm sorry...I didn't catch your name..."

Saitada pretended not to hear the question. "Brosca's nephew, future king of Orzammar. Perhaps the dwarves will rise to glory again after all."

Brosca gave Saitada a startled glance as Rica started speaking again. "But this isnt' why you're here, is it? What's wrong? All the news from the surface says terrible things are happening. Darkspawn attacks and a civil war among the humans."

"A new Blight is beginning."

"Ancestors save us! I was afraid you'd say that. I hate this! Until there's a king, the Assembly would let the world collapse rather than bow to anyone's better judgement. But... I'm Bhelen's concubine now. I know his chief Lieutenant, Vartag Gavorn. He can help you if anyone can."

Brosca glanced at Saitada again, who nodded. "Great. Take us there."

Rica led them towards the Diamond Quarter. "He may be suspicious at first. Don't take it personally. It's been so hard to tell who's against us."

#

Vartag's eyes went wide as they entered. He stared at Saitada. "I heard you had returned to us, exile. What insult do you mean by coming here?"

Saitada merely shrugged. "I never got to congratulate my brother on his rise to power."

"It's difficult to believe that. After you left, many cruel accusations fell on Bhelen. He could only assume they came from you. Why should he trust you now?"

Saitada merely smiled. "It's part of the game. He won. I have a treaty compelling Orzammar to aid against a Blight."

"I have seen this treaty in the shapers' libraries. But it is only the king it compels, and your father has unfortunately passed. If you seek Bhelen's help, he can only give it from the throne. And only if no one stands in the way of his getting there."

"At least that would keep it in the family."

"If you wish to convince me of your good will, you'll have to show you've put the past behind you."

Saitada nodded. "If Bhelen promises me troops, I'll help him take the throne."

"So you really have thrown your lot in with the surface. Very well. As long as you understand that Orzammar is Bhelen's. I will allow you the chance to prove it."

"What must I do?"

"Harrowmont has been buying the votes of every deshyr he can turn, but he is running out of promises. Recently, he offered the same estate to both Lady Dace and young Lord Helmi. He hopes the vote will pass before he has to pay up. I have the promissory notes, but they know of my loyalties to Bhelen. If you, on the other hand, brought them this evidence... They know you have little love for your brother and will believe you. Prove your loyalty and perhaps you'll get the reunion you desire."

"I'll find Lady Dace and Lord Helmi right now."

"Lady Dace doesn't leave the quarter much. But Lord Helmi's adventurous, likes to spend his time at Tapsters... in the Commons. Remember, don't tell them you got these papers from me. You learned of them and drew your own conclusions."

#

Brosca bit his lip as Vartag walked away. Rica was still staring at Saitada. "I remember you now... at the palace... you looked different then..."

Saitada closed her eyes, and inhaled, going still for a long moment. She opened her eyes, and looked towards Brosca. "These papers are undoubtedly a forgery. Whatever else Harrowmont is, he is an honest man."

Brosca glanced at Rica... "So what do you intend to do?" Rica paled again.

"Talk to Harrowmont first. Then decide. Brosca... Rica, I'll to everything I can to keep little Endrin out of harm's way. But we must do what is best for Orzammar and Ferelden."

Rica nodded. "If...If you'll excuse me..." She ran out.

"Brosca, do you want to follow her?" Saitada asked.

Brosca shook his head. "Give her a moment to calm down, catch her breath. I think she may actually love Bhelen."

Saitada sighed. "Yeah. Love does have a way of complicating matters."

#

They walked out of the assembly to find another dwarven noble walking towards them. This one bowed. "Lord Harrowmont sends his greetings, exile. He was surprised to see you back here."

Saitada gave an annoyed sigh. "I have a treaty obliging Orzammar to aid against a Blight."

"That may be, and that is a terrible risk for the surface. But even if the world would end tomorrow, Lord Harrowmont cannot ignore Bhelen today. He cannot afford to trust anyone of unproven loyalties."

Saitada took a step towards him. "Stop playing games. This treaty compels you to help!"

He drew back from her. "You're asking the king of Orzammar to send armies to the surface, but Orzammar has no king and we have no army. Right now, the men who should be fighting darkspawn are brawling in the street. If this situation is not resolved, we face civil war! If you want Lord Harrowmont's time now, you'll have to prove you have no intention of turning against him later."

She shook her head. "So you would make the whole world wait?"

"If you wish to show you have no loyalty to Bhelen, then work against him in Harrowmont's name. Bhelen is hosting a Proving today, supposedly to honor his father's memory. The deshyrs take it very seriously. And unfortunately, Bhelen found some way to blackmail or intimidate House Harrowmont's best fighters into stepping down."

Saitada's narrowed her eyes, and then shook her head, her face almost amused. "Do you want me to find out why your fighters dropped out?"

"That would be... enlightening, though I hope you won't pry to deeply into things they don't wish revealed. If you wish to show your loyalty, enter the Proving as his lordship's champion. With your reputation, and your order's reputation, I've no doubt the ancestors would favor your arm."

Zevran chuckled. "And this is to be your king? One who cannot keep his own men from running like frightened children?"

Dulin sneered. "Lord Harrowmont does not use threats or intimidation to motivate his men. He leads by example."

"Ah, I see. So it's his example they follow as they cower from this Prince Bhelen?"

"How dare you slander Lord Harrowmont!" Dulin started to put a hand on his blade, and froze when Brosca stepped to Zevran's side.

"Why should we ally ourselves to someone too scared to even grant us an audience?" Zevran asked, glancing at Brosca.

"I see what you mean."

"Were I you, I would seek a stronger king than this Harrowmont."

Dulin stared at them, and then looked towards Saitada. "Surely you don't mean Bhelen."

Saitada watched him for a moment. Then her voice came, quiet but firm. "I'm sorry, but I cannot support you."

"Then you and I have nothing more to say."

#

Brosca stared at Saitada again. Jerath's voice broke the silence. "In a city of stone, I can't imagine reeds doing so well."

"No. They don't. Harrowmont is a good man. An honorable man. But not a strong man. Not a king." Saitada's smile was bitter. "If he were... no use reliving the past. For better or worse, Bhelen is the king Orzammar needs right now. Cousin Brosca, let's go find Lady Dace."

Cathiel shook her head. "Saitada?"

Saitada turned to look at her. "Yes?"

"Bhelen betrayed you. He..." She shook her head. "I don't understand."

Saitada sighed, and looked from her to Alistair. "Stone, but I hope you never do." She shook her head. "Cathiel, let's just say that Howe would find himself right at home in the assembly. Ferelden has honor. Orzammar has deshyrs. I spent half my life keeping assassins from killing my brother, and the only one I missed was my other brother. If Orzammar is to survive..." She sighed, and looked towards the royal palace. "Then it needs Bhelen."

"But..."

"Believe me Cathiel, I like this far less than you do. Harrowmont, for all I loved him as an uncle, will not be able to rally Orzammar in time to save Ferelden from the Blight. Bhelen can." She shrugged, and then glanced at Brosca. "If worse comes to worse, there is already an heir, and we can take care of the problem later."

Brosca raised an eyebrow. "You know, boss, you can be a little scary sometimes."

She shook her head, and then considered a moment. "Lord Dace will be at Tapsters. Take Lenore, Zevran, Alistair, and Cathiel with you." She looked her companions over. "Nobody wander by themselves. When it comes to assassins, Antiva has nothing on Orzammar. The rest of you, with me."

#

Brosca lay, looking up at the ceiling. Lenore's head was pillowed on his chest, and Zevran was curled up on his other side. He considered extracting himself and going to look for a drink, but looked down at the peacefully sleeping faces of his lovers and decided against it.

It had been good, seeing Rica. He was a little worried about her taking up with this Bhelen. He was, after all, the rat that had murdered his eldest brother and betrayed his sister. Still, Saitada had a point. This was Orzammar. Bhelen was a master of the game. And he made Rica happy.

Saitada was also right about there already being an heir. He glanced down at where Zevran lay. Asleep, his face at peace, the elf looked younger. If Bhelen did become a problem, they could take care of it, and manage to keep Rica and little Endrin safe. He could count on Saitada to want to protect her nephew, regardless of her feelings towards her brother.

He shifted slightly, and Lenore stirred. She looked up at him through sleepy eyes. "You are worrying again."

"A bit."

"They'll be back... that's not what you were worrying about, was it?"

Zevran opened his eyes. "You are afraid Saitada will change her mind, back Harrowmont?"

"I'm worried she wouldn't be wrong to do so."

Zevran shook his head. "Saitada knows the players of this game better than any of us, no?"

"Though it is a bit disturbing to see that side of her," Lenore said. "The dark side of the throne."

"Yeah, and my sister's all mixed up in it."

Lenore kissed him. "Everything is going to be all right."

"Or we will simply assassinate people until it is."

#

The others returned by the time the noon meal was being served. As they ate, Vartag came in. "Lady Dace just came through the quarter on a tear. She's telling everyone who'll listen what a leech and liar Harrowmont is. Good job." He gave Saitada a smirk. "It's touching to see how strong your love is for your brother. He's ready to see you now, if you wish."

"Of course. I've missed him so."

Vartag narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to assume that wasn't sarcasm." He folded his arms. "I warn you, be on your best behavior. And keep your weapons sheathed."