Duty's Choice: Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 30

Leaving on a Horse Cart

Highever – Spring 2, 21st day

"Sten, you can stop following me around now," Elinora said as she stepped into the solar. This morning's walk around the gardens had been good, but exhausting.

The Qunari crossed his arms and stared down at her. "It is what a bodyguard does. I have my orders."

Elinora chuckled. "I bet you never thought your orders would include 'follow the pregnant girl around, make sure she doesn't fall over herself.' Come give me a hand."

Sten grunted in something that could have been agreement, disagreement or laughter. He moved to her side as she walked into the room. Helping delicate women into comfy chairs and taking off their muddy boots was, indeed, not in his usual job description. He studied her as she tipped her head back and groaned a bit. "Commander," he started, "I do not understand how you could allow yourself to get into such a weakened condition."

One eye opened as a wry grin spread across her face. "Because sometimes you don't fight the war with weapons."

He grunted again as Rainer, Fergus and Petra entered the solar and an alert clip. Sten stepped out of the room and took up a post outside the door.

"I have news," the First began, but was interrupted by raised voices in the corridor.

"She is not to be disturbed." Sten's low rumble was threatening.

"Do you think I would dare if it was not of the utmost importance?"

Elinora knew that voice. "Zevran, get in here!"

The elf entered and with his usual lithe grace and crossed the room to kneel at Elinora's side, the one not occupied by Rainer. Zevran kissed her hand and proclaimed, "The glow of motherhood suits you, my lady."

Rainer smiled with agreement as Fergus rolled his eyes and Elinora groaned. "Glow of motherhood, Andraste's ass. I hope you brought a magic do-dad to speed this all up."

Zevran's smile faltered. "Would it were so, but no. The Grand Cleric has order fifty Templars to Highever. They are to take you into custody."

Elinora cried out in disbelief. "They can't do that! They have no right!"

Petra shook her head. "It's muddy territory, legally speaking."

Elinora shot her a dark look. "How soon?"

"I would guess eight days, six if they kill their horses. They are gathering at the Tower of Magi. Denerim has emptied of her Templars; no more than twenty says Leliana. The rest they expect to get from the Tower."

"They'll never get that many," Petra said with a headshake, "not unless they empty the Tower of Templars as well, which I don't think they will."

Fergus's eyes narrowed. "Even if they do, they'll have to get passed the Ferelden army first. And the Highever guards."

Elinora's expression matched her brother's "And the Wardens. And me."

Zevran rose. "And I am sure a great many others before that, myself included."

Fergus grinned down at his little sister. "We could lock you in the tower."

Elinora gave him an exasperated look. "Who do think you are? Father?"

Rainer paced away from them, thinking. At the great windows he paused, gripping the casement as a small wave of dizziness hit, as it had often this last few months. He thought he saw a flash from outside, but there was nothing. He dismissed it. "We need to get you out of here."

"What?" Elinora grunted as the baby moved.

He turned to face her. "If we make a stand here, it will cause massive political problems for Alistair. The Chantry could call an Exalted March on Ferelden and the Orlesian army would back it up." Fergus nodded his agreement with Rainer's assessment. "Would you countenance war in Ferelden for your child."

Elinora set her jaw. "No, but Alistair would."

"Where would you take her?" Fergus asked, his voice strained.

"Amaranthine," Rainer announced decisively. "Its still Ferelden territory, but under Warden control. It's defensible and will give Alistair political cover."

"And its in the opposite direction as the Templars," Elinora muttered. Her hand rested on her belly, feeling the subtitle movements of the baby within.

"You can't be serious?" Petra's eyes grew with horror. "No, she can't travel, not this far along."

"I can speak for myself," Elinora snapped. "Petra has to come with us. She'll know what to do if things go badly." She looked up to Fergus. "Try to keep Cailin here."

Her brother nodded. "That shouldn't be hard."

She barked a dark laugh. "Five silvers says he stows away."

Rainer looked at the Cousland siblings with great confusion. "How can you two joke at a time like this?"

Fergus said "Practice" as Elinora said "Easily."

Zevran looked to the First Warden. "I do not understand it either."

Elinora's commanding gaze met the assassin's. "Zev, I need you to head back to Denerim, tell Alistair the plan."

Zevran again flourished a bow to her. "For you, I shall be a lowly messenger boy."

Petra rolled her eyes. "If you are quite done, we have preparations to make, most importantly how were are going to get an eight-month pregnant woman to Amaranthine."

By dawn the next morning, they were outfitted and provisioned to Elinora, Rainer and Petra's satisfaction. A feather mattress had been put into the back of a covered wagon, along with all the supplies Petra insisted they needed. They'd even found a set of mounting steps to help get Elinora in and out of her traveling bed.

And thus it was that Elinora Cousland fled from Highever Castle a second time.

The Circle Tower

First Enchanter Irving took the message from the royal courier with a nod. The young man bowed and departed. The Templar who had escorted him up followed with a dark glare at them both. The Templars had been irritable of late and Gregoir would be up here demanding answers soon enough.

Then again, the Templars had received their own messenger that morning. And Gregoir had not seen fit to share that information.

Making sure he was alone, Irving opened up his message

The Maker's dogs are called on High. It maybe time soon. Do what you can. –D

D indeed, Irving chuckled to himself. King Alistair had chosen an interesting nom de guerre, Duncan. A little predictable perhaps, but interesting. He like Ferelden's young king.

And Irving knew exactly how he was going to aid him.