When Sereda woke all her fear from the previous night had transformed in a grim determination.
How dare Bhelen betray her - his Paragon! She had defeated the Bight and survived so this should be no different!
While the King ruled Orzammar, the Paragon had its heart. Several times in history a Paragon had overthrown the King, and while she didn't like having to do it, that would be her course of action.
She had come to a decision. As her little brother was playing dirty, she would play ten times dirtier.
As Bhelen had the most of Noble Caste wrapped round his finger, a veritable army, it was only fair that she had her own forces.
A grim smile appeared on her face.
Oghren had become the most influential dwarf in the Warrior Caste after he had helped destroy the Blight, and he was indebted to Sereda for recruiting him into her party.
Sereda knew this and she would use him to her advantage.
Leaving the Palace early, she headed to the place where the Warrior's were camped.
Some of the soldiers looked up as she passed, several others were wounded, and just groaned. Healers scurried from soldier to soldier, trying to no avail to extract the Taint from the wounded.
A modestly big red tent was pitched near the centre of the army's camp. Oghrens tent.
Sereda pushed the tent flap open. Oghren was inside, with a small bottle of Redcliffes Finest 8:78 Blessed.
Belching and obviously drunk, he said "Oh, it's you! I like you…"
Oghren soon sobered up when Sereda had stuck his head into the communal well.
After he had dried off he asked Sereda what was her business with him.
"As you know there is a meeting before the Assembly this afternoon," Sereda said. "And Bhelen has turned back into his old, treacherous self."
"Nonsense!" Oghren exclaimed. "You'd have a death wish to betray a Paragon."
Sereda looked him in the eye.
"Oh…" Oghren realised. "You want me to… erm… kill him?"
"I wouldn't put it so bluntly, Oghren," Sereda said dryly. "But yes. When Bhelens pet nobles outvote me, I want you and as many warriors as you can muster to advance into the Assembly Chamber."
"Let me think, please."
"Remember that I can strip your caste from you if need be," Sereda said, sounding horribly like the voice she had heard the night before. "Your choice."
"Oh, alright!" Oghren agreed.
"Good."
The Chamber of the Assembly was bustling with nobles. Every house had had representatives present, except Vollney, which had been wiped out in the initial attack.
When everyone was seated Bhelen rose to address the nobles.
"People of Orzammar!" Bhelen shouted. "We are here today to address the matter of the darkspawn invasion. I am as in the dark as all of you to the reason of this attack.
"But shall we run like mice from a cat? Or shall we fight for our homes? Our families? Our lives?
"Men and Women of the Assembly, I beg you: take up arms, fight this threat… Do not give in!
"Now, there are some who would have us run, first and foremost of them is my sister - your Paragon! And although I have nothing but respect for her views, we must defend our homes.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, do what you believe is best."
Bhelen concluded.
Now it was Sereda's turn to address the Assembly.
urgent: the Darkspawn attack!
"Nobles of Orzammar!" Sereda shouted. "Today I speak to you of a matter most urgent: the Darkspawn attack!
"My brother himself told me that no less than one hundred thousand darkspawn are besieging the Diamond Quarter, which is more than were seen during the last Blight - the Blight I defeated!
"Then we barely scraped a victory, and only then with the combined forces of Redcliffe, Orzammar, the Dalish and the Mage Circle. How shall we defeat this attack alone? I will tell you how: Run, flee, scarper!"
She paused for dramatic effect.
"The people of Ferelden owe me for saving them, as do the Dalish Elves and the Circle of Magi.
"With their aid we shall march on Orzammar and beat back this threat. Only then can we reclaim our homes and begin to rebuild.
"Some people, my brother amongst them, believe that we can take back Orzammar alone. I say that it is impossible! Listen to your Paragon!"
Sereda had finished.
The Shaper, who had taken over the post of Assembly Steward after the last one was ambushed by Shrieks, stood.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly, vote now." said the Shaper.
Bhelen stood. "House Aeducan votes to fight."
Anwer Bemot stood. "House Bemot votes to flee."
It was even, but there were still eight houses left, and it could change quickly.
Lady Jadia Dace stood. "House Dace votes to fight."
Shocked muttering began amongst the Deshyrs. House Dace was known as a slightly cowardly House and had been expected to side with Sereda.
Lord Gavorn stood. "House Gavorn votes to fight."
Sereda glared at Gavorn. He had been betrothed to her before she was recruited to the Wardens. She had expected him to side with her.
Lord Ivo stood. "House Ivo votes to flee."
Lord Pyral Harrowmont stood. Sereda winked at him, hoping he would side with her. "House Harrowmont votes to flee."
Yes! Now things were even!
Lord Denek Helmi stood. "House Helmi votes to fight."
Lady Ortan stood. "House Ortan votes to flee."
Lord Voldin stood. "House Voldin votes to fight."
Orzammars future now rested with one House: House Sereda!
Sereda stood. "House Sereda votes to flee."
The Assembly was deadlocked. Now things would have to end quickly or turn violent.
Bhelen stood swiftly.
"Men and Women!" Bhelen cried. "Surely you can see that it is folly to flee when we can fight! Remember where your loyalties lie: with your King! End this business now!"
Sereda jumped up equally fast.
"We do not have the men nor the resources to reclaim Orzammar! That is fools talk! I am your Paragon!" Sereda argued. "I am sorry to have to tell you this, but the King is a traitor. He has betrayed me, your Paragon! Last night I heard him offering to sell me to an -"
The Assembly doors crashed open.
Sereda whirled around and immediately knew who Bhelen had made the deal with last night.
The Architect stood on the threshold and behind him were at least a dozen Disciples.
"Capture the women to be made into brood mothers, kill the rest." The Architect spoke.
His voice was different now, harsh and cold.
Sereda recognised his tone, it was one of despair. Was there a hint of fear there as well?
The chamber erupted into chaos. The disciples obediently carried out there orders while the nobles instinctively formed a protective ring around Sereda.
Aiming her bow, Sereda knew she had seconds. The moment the Architect lifted his staff she would be incapacitated by magic. But that wouldn't stop her.
Sereda's arrows killed half the Disciples before the Architect stopped her.
Suddenly Sereda found herself in the centre of a nimbus of light. She couldn't move but that didn't mean anything to her.
Sereda knew she should be terrified, but she just felt… blissful.
She had just enough time to see Oghrens soldiers burst into the chamber before she unconsciousness consumed her.