Morrigan followed the woman called Lana to one of the bigger, fancier tents that designated she was someone of importance.
Demarin bowed at her approach, "My lady, the King requests your presence at a meeting at noon." he informed her calmly.
"Of course he does." Lana sighed, he'd gotten a much greater appreciation of her tactical mind in Orlais, they hadn't been back long enough to deal with what they'd discovered over there but she had saved his life several times and uncovered a filthy scheme to have Queen Anora replaced. They also had to be concerned with why Howe was so confident he wouldn't be executed for his actions. First things first though, she had to collect her armour from the smithy who'd been repairing it for her and a few other tasks to ensure she was ready for battle as there really was no way she could avoid fighting darkspawn now.
Morrigan continued tailing the woman, watching how she interacted with others, confidence, calm, friendly with most, a couple she was firm with as they obviously offended her with some lewd comment and they looked sufficiently cowed when she was done with them. She carried herself as one with authority and strength that was not merely given to her but born within her blood and honed through years of practice. Even when among the most powerful men of Ferelden she looked and acted as though she belonged among them, when she spoke they listened and didn't dismiss her offhand because of her femininity. For though she looked at peace among the men and wore a very nice set of leather armour she was indeed very feminine, the armour was sculpted to her form, her hair was braided neatly and elegantly though her mannerisms were somewhat casual and laid back in comparison to the uptight and anxious men around her. Yes this woman was indeed unique.
Lana's calm manner was hiding that she was incredibly anxious. Loghain had not spoken a word to her and though his glare was nasty at the best of times it damn near crossed nasty into almost overtly attempting to kill her with his eyes. Something had happened while she and Cailan had been in Orlais. Loghain was also more snarly than usual with Cailan. Granted he had good cause.
"Cailan the Kings place is not on the front lines, the front lines are fodder for the enemy, the first to fall." she insisted, echoing Loghain's much harsher words. She glanced at Duncan, "No offense meant."
Duncan nodded but didn't get the chance to reply.
Cailan huffed, "Not you to. Besides I'll be with the Wardens, they're hardly just fodder for darkspawn."
"You are no warden, Cailan. I can beat you in a duel especially in that heavy armour you insist on wearing, all glittery and golden. Think you can dazzle the darkspawn to death?" she teased him lightly.
A couple of the others present guffawed at her gall.
"Of course I will. My manly pride is far from injured losing to the best duellist this side of Thedas but the darkspawn are hardly of your calibre. I may not dazzle you, Lana, but I will inspire my men and women to fight with all they've got. My being on the front lines is not negotiable." Cailan asserted primly, shooting a glare at Loghain before turning his attention to the map before them. Lana was the only other woman he'd ever tried seducing, tried and failed. At first his manly pride had been injured, until he'd figured out that Lana was more interested in Anora. When he'd realized that the thoughts of both of them in bed had kept his imagination running wild until Lana had shot it down with the reason why she was so anti-men sexually. Though in Orlais she'd been Maker sent, diverting the attention of the bards sent to seduce him that he wouldn't have been able to resist given he was just a man. It seemed that in Orlais the bards were even more attracted to their own gender, or perhaps it was just that Lana was so incredibly sexy... especially in that amour... "Ow!" he started as a shot of pain shot through his forehead.
Lana crossed her arms, tapped her right toe and looked at him pointedly, "Do I really need to say it?"
"No ma'am." he refocused on the map, "So the Wardens and I make our stand here, drawing the darkspawn into the valley where once they're fully engaged Loghain's forces will flank them from either side." he gestured to the different positions on the map. "We'll need someone to light the signal beacon in the Tower of Ishal."
"I'll have some of my men handle it." Loghain asserted gruffly.
A mage stepped forward, a bald man who carried himself with an aura of arrogance, "Your Majesty, the signal fire is not necessary, magic can..."
The Revered mother stepped up, "Save your spells for the darkspawn mage." she spat vehemently. She was appalled at how many mages had been released from the tower for this but she also understood every advantage was needed over the darkspawn and it was better that darkspawn be on the receiving end of the spells than humans.
"Lana..." Cailan began but she cut him off.
"I'm with Highever, Cailan." she shook her head.
"Then we'll have two wardens see to it. Send Alistair and the mage elf... what was her name?" he frowned and scratched his cheek.
"Ashana." Lana informed him, actually relieved, the little elf was far too naive and innocent for the wardens let alone the front lines in her mind.
"That's the one. Alistair and Ashana." he nodded, mind made up.
"You rely too much on these Wardens, Cailan." Loghain snapped at him, "My men are more than capable." he growled.
"Enough of your conspiracy theories. Wardens fight darkspawn no matter where they're from." Cailan asserted firmly, glaring at him.
"That's your excuse for seeking aid of Orlais?" Loghain snarled at him, absolutely livid that Cailan had dared.
"I requested only wardens, Empress Celene offered the Chevaliers of which I declined." Cailan reminded him angrily.
"Oh I beg your pardon, Majesty, that makes it so much better." Loghain drawled arrogantly.
"That is enough Loghain! You will remember who is king!" Cailan's voice thundered, his hand cutting through the air like a sword as he pointed angrily at Loghain.
Loghain was momentarily impressed but it wasn't enough to sway him.
Cailan turned back to the map and nodded, "The King and the Wardens fighting side by side, it will be a glorious victory." he smiled eagerly in anticipation.
Loghain turned from him muttering under his breath as he left, "Glorious indeed."
Lana's stomach twisted in knots at Loghain's markedly changed behaviour. She waited as the other nobles left to marshal their troops. She was unaware that the Revered mother was hovering in the background also waiting to speak with Cailan. "Cailan what's wrong with Loghain? If looks could kill we'd both be dead."
Cailan sighed, "We had an argument last night... over you."
"Me? Whatever for?" she frowned, thoroughly confused.
"He seemed to be under the impression that you and I are intimately involved." Cailan growled dryly, it might have been amusing but Loghain refused to believe that nothing had happened.
"What! That's absurd! Where would he get such a foolish notion?" Lana was outright offended and her appalled expression declared it loud and clear.
"Ha. Well you are a beautiful woman and we did spend the last month in Orlais together. I think the rumour mills have been having a marvellous time." He chuckled half heartedly.
Lana scowled, "Makers breath, don't they have anything better to do?" then her face fell, "Anora wouldn't believe them would she? I mean she should know we'd never..." only now did she blush.
Cailan sighed, he hadn't wanted to tell her this, especially after what had happened with her family, "She knows about the rumours, took me to task on them but I don't think she believed me either."
"Shit." she cursed, starting to pace anxiously.
"I'd almost try to talk you around, seeing as everyone believes we've had sex already. But alas I know my chances of that are zero." he smirked.
"This isn't funny Cailan." Lana snapped at him.
"In Orlais you didn't seem to care about the rumours but now that Anora believes them it has you all worked up, it's rather adorable." He copped another rock to the face, "OW! Will you stop that!"
"Bloody men, of course it doesn't bother you does it." she grumbled.
Cailan softened, "Yes it bothers me. It bothers me that after everything you've given for Anora, for me that people slander your name like this. But you and I know the truth, you have always been a sister to me. All we can do is continue to assure Anora and Loghain that these rumours are just born of idle gossipers who've nothing better to do with their time." he took her by the shoulders gently.
"And not supply them with more ammunition. Were you able to talk with Anora about what we discovered in Orlais?" she sighed, knowing there was really nothing more they could do, to overtly address them would scream guilty.
"No. She was too angry to listen." he released her and walked over to his wine goblet.
"Damn it Cailan, the longer this goes on the more in danger she is!" Lana groaned, this was a nightmare and it was only getting worse.
"What was I supposed to do? You know what she's like when she gets mad. Look we'll be done here soon enough, we'll deal with Howe then clean up this bloody Orlais mess. I'll not lose my Queen to their scheming." he looked to her firmly, "Nor will I lose you. I owe you my life and Anora's several times over."
"Then you'd better make sure you don't die out there Cailan. I might be able to sweet talk bards and sneak up on assassins but darkspawn are another matter entirely and I don't want all my hard work keeping your arse alive going to waste." she growled at him, albeit more jovially than before.
He grinned, "Indeed we wouldn't want that at all." he agreed wholeheartedly.
Lana just about ran into the Revered mother as she left, "Oh, my apologies mother." she quickly steadied the older woman.
The older woman smiled and bowed her head politely, "Not to worry my dear. Maker watch over you." she gestured the blessing over the young woman.
Lana politely bowed her head, there was absolutely no sane reason to offend the Revered Mother on the battlefield. Though she rolled her eyes as she walked away.
Cailan was startled as the Revered Mother approached.
"It gladdens my heart to hear that you and Lady Kaylana have been faithful to your vows." she smiled in a motherly fashion and bowed her head in acknowledgement.
"Eavesdropping huh? Well at least you believe us." Cailan sighed, "To be completely honest I doubt I'd be a real man if I hadn't been tempted of course, Lana is even more beautiful than Anora after all. But Lana wouldn't have a bar of it." he grinned impishly, "Kicked my arse many times, damn that Cousland honour." he clicked his fingers ruefully.
She arched her brow at him, "It is a blessed thing that she is so honourable."
He smiled at the look and responded with conviction, "Oh I know, I absolutely know. Lana makes me a better man, Anora makes me a better king. I am truly blessed by the Maker to have them both in my life."
She relaxed and was very pleased with the young man, "Then would you permit me to pray for you?"
"I'd welcome it." Cailan bowed his head.