Chapter 17 : And I would have gotten away with it too…
Gildre stared out at the dark waters. He thought he could see a faint light on the distant horizon that might be Denerim. They had briefly thought about traveling straight to Amaranthine, since they were unsure of what awaited them in Denerim. But Lyssa was concerned the fleet could launch at any time. As they got closer, Gildre thought traveling to Amaranthine was worth the risk. They were after all, in a Q'unari vessel. It was possible Denerim would shoot them out of the water before they got close enough to call out.
"If they ever leave that cabin, I'll tell them about it," Gildre said smiling and shaking his head.
"What are you muttering about over there," Connor asked, biting into a carrot as he approached Gildre.
"Oh nothing. Just thinking it would probably be the best idea to go ahead and travel to Amaranthine. It will only take an hour's ride to get from Amaranthine to Denerim. But if we get sunk out here trying to save that hour, well... it'll be a very soggy hour, won't it?"
"I agree. I was going to tell Lyssa as much. I can pretty much assure that this nice little sailing vessel can catch up to any of the boats in the fleet, particularly if I'm helping it along. But they haven't left that cabin for more than three hours now," Connor said grinning.
"Three hours? Is that all?" Gildre sighed, "It'll still be a bit."
Connor laughed.
"Hey, Gildre, I've been meaning to ask you something," Connor said reluctantly.
"No, there is nothing going on between the King and I. I realize it may look like we're having a torrid affair but the only thing torrid going on is happening right now in the captain's cabin... and maybe a little something in my mind. But that's the extent of it," Gildre said a little exasperated.
Connor chuckled. "Anyone who knows you at all doesn't believe that rumor. But thanks for the clarification. I wanted to know if... you saw that mage friend of mine who's been coming round the castle lately."
"Mage friend? You mean the short fellow. Dark hair, spectacles? Jasper, right?" Gildre asked as he grabbed the carrot Connor was eating and took a bite out of it.
"Uh, yes," Connor said as Gildre handed the carrot back to him. He looked at the carrot, shrugged, then took another bite. "He isn't that short. He's almost as tall as you."
"Pretty short for a human, you must admit," Gildre said. He turned around and leaned on the ship's railing so he could look into Connor's face.
"Oh... I see. Well never mind then," Connor said handing the carrot to Gildre who took another bite.
"Why do you ask?" Gildre asked.
"Oh, no reason really. He uh... thinks you're funny," Connor said pulling another carrot out of his robe.
Gildre coughed a little, "He does?"
"Yeah," Connor said, pulling out another carrot and handing it to Gildre. "Said he wanted me to see if you were... interested. I think he thought you were flirting a little. I'll just tell him you're seeing someone else. No need to hurt his feelings."
"What? I never... just because a man is short, Connor... I'm an elf. I'd never meet anyone if that were everyone's standard," Gildre said hastily.
"Oh... Oh! Then you were flirting! Thank the Maker. Jasper will be pleased. He was afraid you wouldn't like him, because he's a mage. I told him you weren't like that," Connor said.
"No, I'm not. Thank you, Connor. You made my day, and look, it's barely just begun," Gildre said slapping Connor on the back and pointing at the lightening eastern sky.
"You liked him then?" Connor said.
"Oh yes... but, I had a bad experience with... rejection recently. I was a little afraid to give it a go," Gildre said.
"Tell me about it," Connor said sullenly.
"Women troubles then?" Gildre asked in good spirits.
"Who's having women troubles? I can help with that!" Alistair said coming up the stairs from the captain's cabin.
Gildre turned, smiling at Alistair then, immediately turned away again, blushing.
"Alistair, must you inflict your good mood on all of us?" Gildre said laughing and turning Connor away from Alistair as well.
"Hmmm, oh.. Oh! Sorry about that. These are those trousers Lyssa was wearing. A bit tight on me I'm afraid. Here, I've got the tunic on now, covers it right up," Alistair said jovially.
"What a fan-tas-tic morning," Alistair said as he slapped Gildre and Connor on the back.
"Actually, it is at that," Gildre said smiling.
"Yeah?" Alistair said raising his eyebrows at Gildre, "You'll have to tell me about that later. Right now I have to tell Sten to keep going to Amaranthine. Change of plans. It isn't worth risking our lives to get to Denerim one hour, two at best, sooner. Connor can speed up the boat now that it's light out and we should be in Amaranthine in about an hour."
Connor and Gildre watched as Alistair bounded up the stairs toward Sten whistling as he went.
Gildre shook his head, "Do you know how lucky we are?"
"Lucky? We just spent the last few days trying to avert a war that might have destroyed all of Ferelden," Connor said.
"Yes but," Gildre looked down at the captain's cabin as Lyssa came out. She was dressed in a simple cotton tunic and some trousers that she managed to dig up. Her soft golden hair blew around her face and she looked very serene. "We got to do it with them."
"Yeah. There is that," Connor said smiling. "I have to go whip up some wind."
Connor walked off, leaving Gildre alone with Lyssa. She smiled at him and touched his arm.
"Feeling better?" Gildre asked smiling.
"Yes," Lyssa said.
They both turned toward the sea. The wind blew harder and the boat picked up speed.
"I hope our word is enough to convince them," Lyssa said.
"The council of Nobles? Don't you think your appearance will be enough?" Gildre asked.
"I don't know. I would hope so. But... we are going to be accusing the Grand Cleric of treason. Very likely General Bativa as well. People will resist the idea that the Chantry has done anything wrong. And the Grand Cleric... if she decides to fight it," Lyssa said.
"If anyone can convince them, it will be you. And... we have that other surprise, if we need it," Gildre said.
"He's been through enough. I do not wish to put him through more if it can be avoided. I will be glad when this is all over with," Lyssa said.
"Ah yes, the long holiday," Gildre smiled.
"Yes... ," Lyssa said staring at the sea.
"What are you two gossiping about over here?" Alistair asked as he came up behind Lyssa and wrapped his arms around her.
"We were just talking about how attractive you look in those trousers," Lyssa said joking.
"Yes, I've been told," Alistair said resting his chin on Lyssa's shoulder. "This is it, isn't it? It will be back to normal soon. Long meetings with nobles. Tournaments and politics. You know, I think after this I'm going to let Teagan do most of the work. He seems to like it better than me in any case. Maybe we'll just move to Amaranthine, and only come into the city for the Landsmeet."
"Now there's an idea!" Lyssa said cheerily.
"I thought you'd like that," Alistair said kissing her on her cheek.
They all stood there silently, watching the coastline as they veered away from the Denerim harbor at a good clip, the boat turning to the West to travel onto Amaranthine. Lyssa squinted and frowned.
"Do those boats look like... they are sinking?" Lyssa asked.
Alistair let go of Lyssa and leaned out over the railing.
"Huh," he said leaning back and crossing his arms. "So that's why they haven't left yet. I wonder who did that."
"Whoever it is, they should get a pile of gold," Lyssa said.
**
Twenty minutes after they had passed by Denerim, Sten's ship was docking in Amaranthine. Alistair was directing all the Grey Wardens to saddle up for the return to Denerim. Lyssa was greeted with a huge embrace by both Teagan and Adley. Adley immediately apologized for his lack of decorum afterward, which Lyssa waved off. Teagan updated them on the events of the last two days. He was not entirely shocked to hear of the Grand Cleric's involvement in the plot.
"She was pretty instrumental in setting up General Bativa as the regent. My understanding is that many of the nobles objected, but she had apparently convinced enough of them to vote in favor of the decision. I wonder if Bativa knew he was going to be heading into certain death as he led his forces into Seheron." Teagan mused.
"I find it hard to believe that Bativa would have agreed to have me killed," Lyssa said. "But... I would also not have pegged the Grand Cleric as a murderer either. I guess we'll have to wait and see."
"So your plan is just to march into Denerim? Aren't you worried about the templars?" Teagan asked.
"We'll have the Grey Wardens with us. And my guess is the templars weren't filled in on all the details. The Chantry may not select based on their recruits moral fiber, but they don't scrape from the bottom of the barrel either. I think the Templars will treat us with respect. The people know our faces. If we come into town through the marketplace, it will be difficult for the Holy Mother to get rid of us again," Lyssa said.
"Shall we put on our finery then?" Alistair asked.
"Yes, let's put on a show," Lyssa said.
**
Lyssa and Alistair rode at the head of the small force of Grey Wardens toward Ferelden. People who were traveling on the road stopped and stared in wonder. Many called out the Maker's name in thanks for returning the King and Queen to them.
"I'm a little concerned people might think we are the reincarnation of Andraste and the Maker. You know, the whole being burnt thing...," Alistair said nervously as a few more citizens fell to their knees in prayer.
"For now ignore it. It will work in our advantage," Lyssa said prodding her horse.
"If you say so. But it would be really bad if they start believing we're deities. Alistair's Flaming Sword sounds more like a venereal disease than an expletive," Alistair said. Lyssa stifled a laugh.
The group wound their way up to the gates near the market district. The crowds grew even thicker as people saw the king and queen they had so recently been mourning traveling through the city at the head of a fierce looking band of Grey Wardens. People cried out in joy and hope. The Grey Wardens shouted out that all who wished to understand this turn of events should gather outside the nobles' council, and that all would be explained soon.
When the procession reached the castle gates the templars looked up at the King and Queen surprised. Alistair looked down at them, his face set sternly.
"Are the Grand Cleric and General Bativa within?" he asked.
"Yes... your majesty. What is happening? Is this some kind of blood magic?" the templar said resting his hand on his sword.
The crowd around the king and queen became antsy at this suggestion.
Lyssa looked down at the templars sharply, "You are templars of the Chantry. Are you telling me you cannot tell the difference between magic and reality? You, whose job it is to discover such things?"
The queen's voice left no room for interpretation. She was challenging the templars to make a move, daring them to question her authority. The templar backed down under her glare, releasing the hilt of his sword and quickly bowing. All the other templars at the gate followed suit.
Lyssa raised her head high and turned to Alistair.
"There is a traitor in Denerim. I command you to bring forth the Grand Cleric. She is to be judged for her crimes before the council of nobles. We will also determine the extent to which General Bativa was involved. If you cannot or will not carry out these orders, than I ask you to stand aside. I have men who will," Alistair said in a deadly serious tone.
The soldiers of the disabled Ferelden fleet who had been waiting at the harbor began arriving. Rumors of the king and queen's return had begun to reach them. The knights were some of the first to arrive.
"Your majesties!" Ser Willem called out when he was close enough to see it was truly them.
The knights all gasped. Some cried out in joy. They all began bowing. The templars looked at each other and then back out at the huge crowd forming at the gate to the castle.
"I think... it may be best if your men handle this, your highness. I would not want you to think I was involved in any such plot against the King should the Grand Cleric somehow escape. My men will let you through," said the Knight Commander who was standing at the gate.
Alistair motioned for the Grey Wardens to go inside. Twenty Grey Wardens left the procession and entered the castle. Lyssa took Alistair's hand and smiled at him.
"What of Eamon, your majesty? Is he also a traitor?" Ser Willem called up looking at Lyssa.
"No. Does anyone know where he is being held?" Alistair called out to his men.
"He is being held in the lowest dungeons of Fort Drakon your majesty," the Knight Commander spoke again.
"Can I ask you to retrieve him and bring him to the council chambers, or will you refuse that as well?" Alistair asked testily.
"I will not refuse, your majesty. Eamon will be delivered to the chambers as you request."
With that, the templars at the gate moved away from the castle. Alistair watched them go and leaned forward on his horse. He tapped his thumbs against the saddle impatiently. Finally the Grey Wardens came out. The Grand Cleric and General Bativa were in the center of the Wardens. Their expressions were dour.
As they came closer, General Bativa cried out when he saw Lyssa.
"Your majesty! You live! But I saw your body?"
The Grand Cleric looked surprised, but not happily so. Lyssa stared down at the old woman with an icy glare.
"So..." she said looking up.
"We are going to take you both to the noble's council. I have sent them word. They will already be in chambers when we get there. It is fortunate that there has been this crisis. All the nobles are still in Denerim," Alistair said.
"Let's be off then," Lyssa said turning her horse toward the council chambers. The knights automatically began to form a protective barrier between the royal couple and the people around. They didn't push people away, but they did watch the crowd for signs of trouble.
When they reached the council chambers Alistair turned around to face the growing crowd.
"I do not want you to feel left out of these proceedings, but there simply is not room for all of you. My knights will choose fifty of you to enter the chambers. It will be up to those fifty to spread word of the proceedings. I will also address you all, when this is over. Have patience. You will know soon enough what is going on," Alistair said.
Lyssa got down off her horse as the knights dispersed into the crowd, choosing the citizens who would enter. She walked up to the Grand Cleric and grabbed her by the arm, moving her into the chambers.
"You are making a mistake," the old woman hissed.
"We shall see," Lyssa said bringing the Grand Cleric into the large room. It was packed with nobles. Upon Lyssa's entrance, the whole room took a collective gasp. Lyssa held up her hand to silence them as they all began to murmur questions loudly when Alistair entered. The room quieted at her gesture. She deposited the Grand Cleric in the center of the room and backed away.
"I know this is a shock to you all. I will try to explain from the beginning. This may take some time, so settle in," Alistair said.
It took twenty minutes for Alistair to explain how the Grand Cleric set her plan into motion. During the time, Eamon was escorted into the chambers. He did not look beaten, but he did look very tired. There were several points where nobles shouted out questions. Alistair or Lyssa answered as best they could. When everything was finished, Alistair turned to the Grand Cleric.
"We have a tradition here in Denerim. You may speak on your behalf, before the council judges you," Alistair said.
The Grand Cleric stood up straight as she spoke, "You have no proof of any of this. You have been lied to by the Q'unari. We cannot trust anything you say. I am truly sorry this has happened to you your majesty, but you are clearly still troubled by the horrible events of the last few days. I forgive you. You cannot be expected to be of sound mind in such a situation," the Grand Cleric said.
Lyssa sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "This would have been easier on you had you admitted your wrong-doing. Bring him in."
The people at the back of the room parted to let two Grey Wardens escort someone forward. The red-headed man was in full templar armor. He walked forward, his head hanging low.
"I did not want to do this Grand Cleric. You give me no choice. This man has suffered enough already because of his part in all this. Are you sure you won't rethink what you have said?" Lyssa asked as the templar was brought forward. The Grand Cleric raised her eyebrows and looked at Lyssa.
A smile spread across her face, "The templars cannot be broken."
Lyssa shook her head. She walked forward and put her hand on Cullen's shoulder. Alistair looked away. Lyssa had told him what she had done. He knew she had no choice, but it didn't mean he had to like it.
"This is ser Cullen of the templars. Many of you know him or have heard of him. He is one of the Chantry's most loyal templars. He has fought tirelessly against the blood mages that threaten our people. Speak Cullen, so that the council may hear you," Lyssa said standing back.
The Grand Cleric bored holes into Cullen with her eyes. Cullen looked from the Grand Cleric to Lyssa, who nodded.
"I was asked by the Grand Cleric to act as a messenger to the Arishok of the Qun. I traveled by boat to Seheron, and waited for the birds to arrive with instructions. I passed the instructions on to the Arishok. The Grand Cleric promised the Arishok lands in Rivain for kidnapping and killing the queen. She then promised that no templars would land on the shores of Seheron. The templars were to remain in Denerim. I was to stay in Seheron, and fight to the death," Cullen said.
"What have you done to my templar? You have corrupted him!" the Grand Cleric screeched.
Lyssa looked down at the ground. "He was tortured to get this information. The council should know this. I am not proud of this action. But I thought of the people of Ferelden, and I decided that this one man who had information that I needed, that his dignity was not worth the lives of thousands."
The council murmured to each other. One of the nobles leaned forward.
"Ser Cullen, why are you here now? Are you still being tortured?"
Cullen looked up at the noble who spoke and shook his head. "I was asked to come by the queen. She convinced me to redeem myself in the eyes of the Maker. I have... forgiven her for her actions."
"How has this harlot convinced you Cullen? You are no templar of the Chantry! One touch by the queen and you..." the Grand Cleric began shrilly.
"Still your tongue woman," Alistair said pulling his sword and approaching the Grand Cleric, "That is the Queen of Ferelden and my wife you slander."
Lyssa walked forward and touched Alistair on the shoulder. He turned his head at her touch and slowly put his blade away. Lyssa turned back to the council and spoke.
"You have heard the evidence. If you've no further questions, I suggest you begin the vote."
The members of the Landsmeet turned to each other quietly. No one seemed willing to begin.
"I have known the King and Queen for many years. Ever have their actions been for Ferelden. I do not think the Queen would make such dire accusations unless she was absolutely sure. The Queen has seen Ferelden on the brink of disaster before, and she has always kept her head. I believe the Grand Cleric is guilty of the crime," Arl Wulffe said.
"I did not like the way Eamon was handled when he was accused of treachery," Bann Alfstanna bellowed. "The Grand Cleric did not give him the courtesy the King and Queen give her. He was taken away and hidden from us, unable to speak on his behalf. The Grand Cleric has been leading this council toward war with the Q'unari since the Queen's abduction, all while filling the city with her templars. The evidence is too strong against her to be ignored. I also believe the Grand Cleric is guilty. Maker help us all."
"You are fools! All of you!" the Grand Cleric shouted out before any more votes could be cast. "The King leads us down the road to ruin! He allows the mages to go about without any oversight! He flaunts his indiscretions with his wife! He does not raise his child to believe in the Chantry. He allows elves to follow their backward myths. He has forsaken the church and everything it stands for. I was saving you from his sins. I was helping you! He would have taken a new wife, a pious woman, I chose for him. She would have bore many heirs for us to choose from. I had him under my thumb. You would not have had to make these ridiculous deals to preserve the Theirin line. Yet you throw it all away. The Maker will punish you all for this."
"I'd call that a confession," Alistair said leaning close to Lyssa.
Lyssa looked up around at the nobles. They were talking amongst themselves. Arl Wulffe stepped forward.
"I would like to officially reinstate your power as King, your majesty. I do not think anyone here will argue against this. I would also suggest we dismiss any further voting. It is clear the Grand Cleric admits what she has done. As king, it is your choice what her fate should be," Arl Wulffe said.
There were no voices of dissent from among the nobles. Alistair looked over at Lyssa and moved in close to her.
"Well," he said. "What shall we do with her? Throw her in a well and see if she's a witch?"
Lyssa turned to the Knight Commander who had been at the castle gates. He was standing in the back of the room watching the proceedings. Lyssa motioned for him to come forward.
"Knight Commander, is there a punishment for templars of the Chantry who shame themselves in the eyes of the Maker?" Lyssa asked.
The Knight Commander looked at the Grand Cleric impassively, "Yes."
"Do you think such a punishment would befit the Grand Cleric?" Lyssa asked.
"She is Grand Cleric no longer. We will ask the Divine to send us another to take her place. But yes, the punishment will be fitting," the Knight Commander said.
"Then I suggest we hand the Grand Cleric over to the templars. I trust the Chantry can handle the discipline of their own," Lyssa said.
"Are you sure about this? You trust the templars to carry this out?" Alistair asked quietly.
"You yourself once told me that templars are chosen for their unfaltering adherence to the rules of their faith, not for their allegiance to any person. Did the Knight Commander look like he had any compassion for the Grand Cleric?" Lyssa asked quietly.
"No. He looked like he had as many feelings as a turnip. Probably why he's Knight Commander. Alright. You know that punishment... it is kind of... brutal," Alistair said.
"She has likely carried out the punishment herself, correct?" Lyssa asked.
"Oh sure, many times. Once I was present for one... they were trying to scare me straight you see," Alistair said.
"The she must approve of the punishment. We'd probably just put her in a dungeon. I don't know. I think this might go towards healing some of the wounds we've inflicted on the Chantry. They will appreciate being able to punish their own. Who knows, maybe they won't send us another one for fear of what we'll do to her," Lyssa said.
Alistair smiled, "Now there's a happy thought."
Lyssa looked back up at Arl Wulffe and nodded to indicate she and Alistair had discussed the matter.
"Knight Commander Seymour, the Grand Cleric is now your responsibility. Be aware that if we find she has been released without punishment, the templars may find themselves no longer welcome in Ferelden," Arl Wulffe said.
The Knight Commander nodded and motioned for his men to take the Grand Cleric.
"I suspect you two would like to rest. We will adjourn this Landsmeet and deal with Bativa later. His case merits more investigation. But first, I am curious. If you are both alive, does that mean the young prince still lives as well?" Arl Wulffe asked.
"He is safe," Connor said simply.
"Good. Then we look forward to welcoming you all home. I am sure your people are eager to hear of these proceedings. Peace be with you my friends. It is good to have you back," Arl Wulffe said smiling. The whole chamber erupted in applause.
Lyssa smiled and turned to Alistair.
"Let's go. The people will want to hear you speak," Lyssa said.