Denerim. Finally. It had taken Lorelai longer than she had hoped to reach the capital and it had taken her toll on her. Her face was covered in dust from the road and her armour was dirty. She knew that the guards at the Palace would take one look at her and turn her away. There was only one thing for it, she'd have to find somewhere to freshen up. The only place she could think of was the Gnawed Noble Tavern, the chances of her being recognised was a possibility but it had been years since she'd been to the capital, besides it could be no riskier than trying one of the back alley taverns. Casually she walked through the city and made her way to Gnawed Noble. She was pleased to find that the Tavern was fairly empty. She strolled toward the bar and ordered a cup of wine.

"What brings you here stranger?" The barkeep asked

"Just travelling through."

"You ask me your best off staying here as long as possible with the way things are."

"What do you mean?" Lorelai asked confused.

"You mean you haven't heard?"

"Heard what?" Lorelai felt her stomach twist, she knew that she wasn't going to like what the barkeep had to say.

"The battle at Ostagar was lost'"

"The King?" Lorelai asked, her pulse was racing

"Dead. They say the Grey Wardens betrayed him and got him killed. Teryn Loghain has declared the Grey Wardens traitors."

Lorelai felt like she'd been punched, Calian dead, just like everyone else. She tried to keep her face expressionless and her tone calm and even "Teryn Loghain survived?"

"Aye. Pulled his men out before the darkspawn and the wardens could cut'm all down. The Teryn's declared himself Regent, what with the King dead and all. Some of the nobility aren't too happy bout that, what with him from being common stock and all, but I guess him and his daughter are the only ones who can sit on the throne."

No, they aren't and not without the approval of the Landsmeet. "Tell me." Lorelai swallowed hard, attempting to absorb the information, "How much for a room?"

"Sorry love, all the rooms are booked up. The new Arl of Denerim is havin a little get together tonight celebrating his new title."

"Vaghan?" A vulgar man but one who might be willing to help her in exchange for certain favours.

"No." The barkeep shook his head "Some other noble. Howe. Rendon Howe from Armantherine. Teryn Loghain's made him his right hand man, he must be doing a good job to ave been given a new title already."

Lorelai clenched her fist and felt sick to her stomach. She would find no help here, she still had the parchment from Calian but without the Landsmeet it would just be a piece of paper. With Howe being the Arl of Denerim she'd not get through the city alive.

"Thanks for the drink." She managed to say, whilst her eyes burned with fury, she slid some coins onto the counter and spun on her heels. She had to get out of Denerim and quickly.