Thanks to Seika for all her help and support. You rock, lady. :D
Prisoner
He woke up with a terrible hangover, and for a moment he couldn't remember where he was, or how he got there. Andraste's tits, whatever it was that he was drinking the night before, it had to have been very strong, and probably tasted like shit. And he had obviously drank on an empty stomach, because he was starved like never before.
"Are you finally awake? Good. I was starting to think you'd sleep for a hundred years, and that only a kiss would wake you up. In which case it would have to be done by Oghren, you understand."
What? Who? Where? He sat up on the bed, and squinted at the figure sitting on the windowsill next to his bed. It was a cute young elf, very pale, with purple hair and the cutest pair of ears ever. Why did that sound familiar? Did they have a tumble, last night? Ouch. It would be so much easier to think, to remember, if his head didn't hurt so much.
"I bet you have a terrible headache," the young elf said with a smug smirk. "And you're starving, right? Well, as you're a healer, you can deal with the first thing yourself. As for the second, you know where the dining hall is. But you had better hurry; the cook is already exhausted by trying to feed Oghren. I guess we will have to hire at least four or five of them, if we want to recruit more people."
Anders noticed a washbasin in the opposite corner of the room, and walked over to it. There was a large jug of clean, fresh water. Ignoring the amused look of the young elf, he grabbed the jug with both hands and poured it unceremoniously over his head. Then he took one of the potions from the pouch on his belt – his own recipe, a miracle against hangovers – and swallowed it in one gulp.
"Ahhh. Much better. Now I finally remember who you are."
The Commander – for as unbelievable as it sounded, this cutie was the Commander of the Grey – quirked his brow. "So happy to hear that. Go and get something to eat; meet me in my office in half an hour, and bring Oghren with you."
His stomach loudly agreed with the Commander's words, so he quickly obeyed. Half an hour would be over quickly, and the last thing he wanted was to make the kid Commander angry with him. His plans were quite opposite, in fact.
oOo
Half an hour later, he walked into the Commander's office, with a slightly drunken Oghren in tow. They had barely enough time to sit down, when Seneschal Varel entered the office. The Commander threw him surprised and annoyed look.
"I'm sorry, Varel," he said a bit impatiently. "As you can see, I'm busy right now. I'll call you when we finish here."
"As you wish, Commander. I just wanted to ask what should we do with the prisoner," Varel said, turning to leave.
The Commander frowned. "Wait. What prisoner?"
"We caught a thief, a few days ago. He tried to break into the Keep. He put up quite a resistance; it took six guards to capture him. He's been in the dungeon since."
"Oh. I see," the Commander said sweetly. "And you didn't inform me about it immediately, why exactly?"
"I did not think it was necessary to disturb you with such trivialities while there were much more important things to do," Varel replied smugly.
"Then next time, don't think," the Commander snapped angrily. "In the future, I want to be informed about any break-ins into the Keep, failed or successful, the moment it happens. Now, I want the full report about this case. And please, don't omit any unnecessary details."
Anders was impressed. He knew already that the Commander was quite skilled in a battle, but he didn't really expect him to possess any leadership abilities; he thought the kid would be only too happy to leave it all to Varel.
"I'm afraid there's not much more to say, Commander," Varel muttered defensively. "The prisoner refuses to tell us his name or reasons."
Oghren belched. "The sodding nug-licker is no use. Give me five minutes with that prisoner, and I promise he'll sing more than the bard."
The Commander nodded. "Yes, let's go have a talk with him. Take us to the dungeon, Varel."
oOo
The man in the cell didn't look especially dangerous or tough. But maybe it was just because of the old dirty rags he was wearing, and the hungry look in his eyes.
"Unlock the cell, Varel."
"Surely you don't want to – "
"Varel. I said, unlock the cell. I will not repeat it again."
The Seneschal bit his lip and nodded to one of the guards, who quickly unlocked the cell. The Commander nodded. "Thank you. Now please, everybody except for the Wardens, leave."
It was clear that the Seneschal was not at all happy with this; he opened his mouth to say something, but then thought better of it. He etched a simple bow and quickly walked out, followed by confused guards. The Commander waited until they were all out, and then opened the door at the cell. The prisoner was carefully following everything, but he didn't say anything.
"I've heard you were caught trying to break in into the Keep," the Commander said calmly. "I want to know –"
"Look, I've already told that other guy; I won't talk to anyone but the Hero of Ferelden," the man said in a bored voice. "Kill me or torture me, I don't really care, but I won't say anything until I see that bastard."
"You can start talking, then. That would be me; Airam Surana, the Hero of Ferelden and the Commander of Grey, at your service,"
The prisoner ran his eyes over the Commander, from his purple hair down to his boots. "You're the Warden Commander? What, do they have a Junior section?"
Anders couldn't help but chuckle a bit, but luckily, neither the Commander nor the prisoner were paying any attention to him.
"I assure you, that I am the Hero of Ferelden. Unfortunately," the Commander sighed. "So, what do you want from me?"
"I thought my father's murderer would be more impressive," the prisoner said bitterly, and stepped closer to the Commander. Oghren drew his big axe, so Anders decided to ready his lightning spell as well, just in case. But the Commander waved his hand, to stop them.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Nathaniel Howe. The son of Rendon Howe, the one you murdered in his own mansion, and whose name you slackened to get to his lands."
Howe...Howe...now that sounded familiar. Where did he hear that before? Anders furrowed his brows, trying to remember. He was quite certain he heard the name quite recently, a few days ago, Varel mentioned it, now what was it...
Oghren cursed loudly, but the Commander remained calm. "So you came to avenge him?"
"At first I thought so, yes. I wanted to lay trap for you, and kill you. But then I changed my mind. I only wanted to get back some of my family's things. It's all I have left."
"What property?"
"It doesn't matter now, does it? Hurry up and kill me, as you killed my father."
The Commander watched the man for some time, and then sighed. "During the Blight, where were you? I've never heard of another Howe son."
"In the Free Marches. I only returned a month ago."
"I see. How long did you live there?"
"Almost eight years. My sudden return has made a scratch in your plans, hasn't it?"
"No, not at all." The Commander shrugged. "It just explains why you act like an idiot."
Howe tensed and made another step forward. Oghren took the fighting stance, but the Commander stopped him again.
"How much do you know about what your father did during the Blight?"
Howe folded his arms. "You don't expect me to believe those slanders, do you? My father was an ambitious man, I admit, and strict to his subordinates. But he was not a traitor! He served the Hero of the River Dane, and his country. He did not deserve such an end, especially from a –"
"From a knife-ear? A Maker-cursed mage?" The Commander laughed derisively. "Let me tell you how I killed your father, then. I did not go to his mansion with the intention to kill him, you know. I went there to free the ruling Queen of Ferelden, the daughter of the said Hero of the River Dane. Your father had imprisoned her in one of her rooms."
"Lies!"
"You don't have to believe me. There are others who witnessed the pleasant character of your father, first hand. Ask Oswyn, the son of Bann Sighard. I found him in the dungeons, tied to a rack, just because he survived Ostagar. He's crippled for life – by the time he got to the healer, it was too late to fix some of the injuries. Or ask the survivors of the Highever massacre. Incredible as it sounds, a few servants managed to escape."
Howe looked unsure as to what to say to that, so he stayed quiet. For a moment, they just glared at each other. Then, the Commander sighed again. "It would probably be most reasonable to kill you."
"It probably would," Howe agreed. "Because if I ever get out of this prison, I will come back. And you might not be able to catch me that time."
"I see." The Commander grinned. "Anders, go get Varel. I've decided what to do with the prisoner."
He didn't have to go far – the Seneschal was waiting impatiently right behind the door, and when he heard the message, quickly went to the Commander, without one word.
"Varel, I decided to set him free. Please give him back all his belongings. And some food; I don't want him to attempt a robbery again because of hunger. Nathaniel Howe, you're free to go wherever you want, but if I ever see you on the territory of the Keep, I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?"
"You're letting me go?"
"Commander, you should really reconsider –"
"Burp. Crazy as always, eh?"
The Commander didn't say anything, and after a moment everybody realized he really meant it, and would not change his mind. The Seneschal nodded towards a chest standing near the guard's desk. "Your things are over there. Take them and get out of here."
"All right, then." The Commander smiled, ignoring the Seneschal's angry looks. "It seems we're done here. Let's go back to the really important business."
Anders couldn't stop grinning, as he followed the Commander back to the office. One thing was sure: no matter how hard the life of a Warden was, with Commander like this, at least it would be fun.