Chapter 32
~Dwarves of Orzammar~

Alistair

Not much of Orzammar could be see above ground, but as we got closer to the entrance tents of merchants were scattered here and there. I had heard many stories of the dwarves of Orzammar, about their paragons and their constant battle with darkspawn, which now make me wonder why there aren't many dwarves among the Warden. They'd certainly come in handy when battle darkspawn.

Shale had become a welcome member of the group sooner than I expected. Mori certainly loved talking with it, and the others had from time to time. Shale seemed to have some kind of "nickname", so to speak, for everyone. Like Wynne was the "elder mage" and Zevran was the painted elf. For some reason it always seemed to be complied to call Morriana "it", not that she minded. She thought it was amusing.

And that was who she was talking to before the first signs or Orzammar arose before she came at my side.

"Do you think it will be easy to have the elves on our side?" She asked. I shrugged.

"Well, guessing our luck, if it was easy it'd be a miracle." She sighed, knowing I was right.

Bodahn departed from us to make his way with the merchants, saying that he might be able to sell goods out here and that he'd see us when we returned. This time, he did not let Morriana leave anyone with him, saying dwarves were normally quick to anger and as were darkspawn so we'd better have everyone with us. Morriana was a bit reluctant, but agreed, promising to return as soon as we could.

Walking to the gates we heard yelling and arguing. We saw a man with two others with him arguing with a black bearded dwarf that was no doubt a guard. Morriana stopped for a second to listen to the situation.

"Veata!" the dwarf shouted at the man. "This land is held in trust for the sovereign dwarven kings. I cannot allow entry at this time."

"King Loghain demands the allegiance of the deshyr or lords or whatever you call them in your assembly." The man said back. Oh. That explains a lot."I am his appointed messenger."

"I don't care if you're the king's wiper. Orzammar will have none but its own until our throne is settled." Now deciding to step forward, Mori moved up to the dwarven guard.

"I have important business in Orzammar." She said, keeping her voice at a reasonable level as to not commence anymore trouble.

"No more important than mine," the man scoffed.

"Your business will have to wait. Orzammar must limit outside influence until the throne is settled. No one gets in."

"But I have urgent need to talk to your king." She replied.

"Who doesn't? If I don't get in, no one should." Ass hole.

"Orzammar has no king," the dwarf explained. "King Endrian Aeducan returned to the Stone not three weeks ago, sick over the loss of his sons. The assembly has gone over a dozen votes without agreeing on a successor. If it is not settled soon, we risk civil war."

"I am a Grey Warden. The treaty obligates Orzammar to aid me. We need their traditional dwarven allies." Mori says, giving the dwarf the treaty. The man next to us suddenly became angrier.

"The Wardens killed king Cailan and nearly doomed Ferelden. Their sworn enemies of King Loghain."

"Well, that is the royal seal. That means only the assembly is authorized to address it. Grey Warden, you may pass." Mori smiled in accomplishment, but Loghain's servant became more furious.

"You're letting in a traitor?! And a foreigner? In the name of king Loghain I demand you execute this . . . stain on the honor of Ferelden." Morriana took a step toward him, and I placed my hand to the hilt of my blade, ready in case of attack.

"Go and run to your false king. The dwarfs will not hear from him today." She said in a low intimidating voice, nearly scaring me. The man took a step back.

"I will not stand for this. King Loghain will hear of this." He tuned on his heel and stomped off with his two companions following. Mori shook her head and turned back to the dwarven guard.

"You've done me a service. That fool Imrek was here barking for a week. Are all humans so touched?" Morriana shrugged, smiling in amusement. "You are free to enter Orzammar, Grey Warden, though I don't know what help you'll find." Hopefully the kind we're looking for. The gates opened and the guard moved out of the way, letting us pass.

###

Morriana

Never before had I seen a place so big. Orzammar was huge! At first I had thought the hall of Paragons was big, but this . . . Maker! Although, the big mood spoiler was when two groups of dwarves were shouting at each other, soon resolving one dwarf to kill another. Once again, I was reminded of Morrigan's comment in Redcliff: "T'would seem as though everyone agrees that it is the best time to start killing each other." How right she was.

Making our way to the nearest Tavern, I ordered rooms for all of us, Leliana, Morrigan, and Wynne in one, Sten, Shale, and Zevran in another, and Alistair, Orrick and I in the last. I was worried about Sten and Zevran being with Shale, considering he's (He's? She's? It's?) only been in the group for so long. But what else? Let Shale wonder free around Orzammar?

Taking Leliana, Orrick, and Zevran with me, we headed through again, this time asking for directions, and made our way to the Diamond quarter. On the way I noticed some merchants and made a mental note that we still need more supplies. It would be a good idea, since we don't really know how long we need to be here.

Walking through the Diamond Quarter was something else. At first, I was not all impressed when I saw a burnet dwarven guard arguing with a drunken red-headed soldier. Something about searching and two years? Finally the guard turned him away and he passed me, knocking into me too, if I might add, and continued on without a word of apology. Maker, small people, big attitudes . . .

Anyway, it was obvious that this was the richer part of Orzammar. I could easily tell my how much better the buildings looked and the dwarves dressed . . . and by their attitudes. I clearly wasn't going to ask one of them, given the looks they gave us, so I merely asked one of the guards to where the Assembly might be, being that that might be where we'd find someone to help us. He was a bit reluctant at helping "surfacers" at first but the slight mention of me being a Grey Warden made him help. Hmm. Maybe I'd look more intimidating with Alistair, Sten, and Orrick. Two Grey Wardens, a Qunari, and a Mabari hound would defiantly help.

Leading us through the rest of the Diamond Quarter, he finally stopped at a building where they would be holding the Assembly. With a grateful "thank you", as we knew we couldn't have found it ourselves since most of the writing is in dwarvish, we entered the building. Of course, there just happened to be an assembly going on now. Of course, hearing all the dwarves debating and arguing made me realize that nobody in the entire land of Ferelden has their head on straight. Even though there's a gigantic dragon leader a horde of darkspawn across it.

"Your mind has gone to dust if you think we would pass such a writ!" A Dwarven deshyer called out. "Half our houses would go broke without the surface trade."

"The proposal is only effective until we have a king to ensure we are respected by the surfacers." Another dwarf called out.

"Leaving you conveniently positioned to take over all contracts. I'll see your head on a pike first." The first replied.

"Deshyers, Lords and ladies of the Assembly," an older Dwarf called out. "I've already doubled the guard to prevent violence. Must I summon more?" He warned.

"Steward Bandelor, Bhelen's sympathies are tying our hands with trivialities'. They may as well open us to the sky." A dwarven woman raised her hand.

"I suggest we put the matter to a vote."

"And I suggest you have a taste of my families mace—" Before he could continue and reach for his sword, the older dwarf spoke.

"Enough! The Assembly is in recess until the members can regain control of their emotions." As he turned to walk up the steps where we stood, we moved back and away, merely looking harmless. The older dwarf, Steward Bandelor, if I heard right, walked up, mumbling about "sodding deshyers and politics" and wasn't paying much attention to us, which in turn almost caused him to run into me.

"Oh sorry." He quickly apologized. "The sodding deshyers and their constant arguing." He shook his head.

"Listen," I started. "There's a Blight and the dwarves signed the treaty to join us in this." He hummed.

"In all honesty, nothing can really be done unless he was a king on the throne."

"Maker's breath." I slapped my forehead. Why couldn't just one thing –One Thing!—be easy in Ferelden?

"Of course, you are a Grey Warden. If you support one on the members who are running it might go by faster." I sighed, removing my hand, knowing now there was a huge red mark on my head.

"Who's running, then?" I asked, though I don't really think there's a point in asking. I won't know these people.

"Prince Bhelen Aeducan, and Lord Pyral Harromont." I nodded.

"And who seems most likely to win?" he shrugs.

"Bhelen is the former king's son and the only one living of his three brothers. However, Horromont does stand a good chance, since he has much power and is up against him." I was about to ask him another question, but he turned to a guard that came up to him, whispering something to him. He nodded and turned back to me. "I apologize, again, but I must get back to the Assembly. Whoever you choose to assist, be sure you think it's the right choice." I don't think he knew I heard him mumble under his breath, "Like Orzammar needs more sodding turmoil." I turned on my heel, and proceeded out the door.

Harromont or Bhelen.

I couldn't help but chuckle at how a low-life elf like me is now playing politics.

"I think it would simply be easier to crush all their little bodies until they become so scared they simply pick one to end this." I scoff. Yeah, really.

###

After asking talking to some of the merchants as I traded a few things, I learned more of my candidates. Supposedly, Bhelen had his eldest brother killed and had the other blamed and exiled into the Deep Roads. Their father was sickened at the loss of his sons, though most think Bhelen poisoned him, that he eventually died. Apparently the king wanted Harromont to rule, but no other person was in the room of the time, so the appointment was not proven.

Maker I hate politics.

So, after hearing much, talking to both Harromont and Bhelen's seconds, it seems I favor Harromont more. So, after agreeing with Harromont's that I would fight in the Proving in Harromont's name, I went back to the tavern where we were staying. It has been a long day, and the proving doesn't start till the next day.

I walked in, shoulders slumped, and annoyed by the ruckus of drunken dwarves. As I was about to head to the rooms, I could help but notice the red-headed dwarf I'd seen in the Diamond Quarter. After I sent the others off to the rooms, I came over to him.

"What do you want?" he asks, gruffly.

"I saw you earlier, arguing with that guard." He lets out a huge belch, one I'm sure anybody would be proud of (But that's just me), and shrugs.

"Yeah, so?"

"Well . . . why?" he scoffs and folds his arms.

"Because I'm trying to find our lost Paragon, for ancestor's sake! She's been gone two years and I can't find her."

"Why do you care so much?" I ask, lifting a brow.

"Well, I was her damn husband, don't I have a right to?"

"Well, yes, but—" he waves his hand at me in a "Shooing" manner.

"Sod off, duster. I've had enough." Before anything else can be said he downs the rest of his mug of ale, and walks, away. I shake my head before heading to my room.

So Sorry for the long wait! I guess I'm just getting Lazy.
But, YAY Oghren makes an appearance! Man, I love that guy. Hopefuly the next chap will be up quicker than this.

Again, my apologies :)