A Ruse
Juliette found her rooms in the palace several hours later. She had spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening meeting with Alistair and Arl Eamon, working out the details of their plan. Now she needed to find her men and explain it all.
When she had left Alistair that evening he had asked her a few general questions about her life at Vigil's Keep, her life as the Warden Commander.
"It seems that things are going as well as I had hoped there then." Alistair said. They walked to the large double doors of his private office and he laid a hand on the ornate knob to open it for her, but paused.
"Juliette, I know Oghren of course and I remember the mage with you, but who was the very large man in your group?"
"That's Nathaniel Howe." Juliette answered. "He has proven an impressive addition to our ranks."
"I thought as much." Alistair seemed pensive. "You're sure of him? I mean he is a Howe."
"The Howe family name was one of the most honorable in this land before his father." Juliette defended.
"Yes, but the man who is covering your back was raised by Rendon Howe. HE certainly seemed admirable enough at one time, as well." he said. "Not to mention you are the person who killed his father. Does it really strike you as odd that I would ask?"
"I've known Nathaniel my entire life. He's nothing like his father was and never will be." Juliette was becoming annoyed.
"Don't get testy, it's not a crazy notion that he may turn on you. Surely Fergus has had something to say."
"Why don't you ask Fergus how this same conversation went between he and I, hmm?" she huffed. "Look, I am not a fool. I trust him, completely and totally."
"Alright, don't get angry with me." Alistair stepped toward her. "I wasn't accusing him of any treachery, I'm just asking because I care for you, greatly, and don't want to see you hurt." Alistair leaned slowly beyond her open the door. Standing a hairs breath from her he finished "Ever."
"Good night your majesty" and she turned on her heel and sailed through the door, not waiting for his response.
The servants in the wing had advised her of which rooms were whose. She went to Anders door and knocked, asking him to gather Nathaniel and Oghren and meet in her outer rooms in a few minutes.
Juliette's rooms were actually a small set of suites and she was very happy with them. There was a large outer chamber that had several large chairs and a fireplace. It was perfect for meeting together without raising eyebrows. There were two doors off either side of the chamber, one leading to a study well stocked for the work she would be doing and the other to a large bedroom.
The palace staff had already unpacked the items for her from the cart that Varel had sent ahead over a week ago. She found her gowns and silk wraps, her slippers and other accessories stowed in the wardrobe. Her nightclothes were carefully laid out for her across the bed and a favorite book of verses that had been her mother's waited at the bedside.
Juliette was suddenly aware of how very tired she was. Today had been quite long and the plotting and planning of politics were exhausting. She had never been so glad that Alistair had ended it, realizing that it would have become a part of her daily life.
"How horrible." she said to herself as she sank into a chair to unlace her boots.
Standing, she then reached behind her back to tug on the strings that laced her into the bodice of the armor. When it loosened she could not resist the urge to draw a large breath, feeling her back relax. She pulled the bodice off and then removed her bracers, tossing it all into the chair. She began pulling off the high leather boot on her right foot, trying to keep her balance she began to hop.
"Is this what you called me here for?"
Juliette turned mid hop to see Nathaniel standing in the doorway and lost her balance. She pitched forward and tumbled against the chair which returned the favor by not budging at all. She bounced back and finally fell to the floor, landing on her backside with a un-lady like curse.
Nathaniel was laughing as he arrived to offer her his hand. She scowled at him but took his hand and stood up.
"You startled me!"
"I could say the same thing, finding you in your under things hopping about." he said, tucking her hair back over her ear. "I was told to see you but I didn't realize how literal those instructions were."
He was teasing her.
Juliette smiled and laughed. She reached out and held his arm to balance herself as she pulled off her boots.
"Thank you." she said as she threw the boots into the chair."I'll be out in a moment." and followed him out, shutting the door.
A few minutes later she was dressed in a loose tunic and doeskin breeches and entered the outer area of the rooms. Nathaniel was standing by the fire and Oghren and Anders were lounging on the chairs.
"Well, Commander?" Anders asked.
Juliette walked over to the fireplace to be near its warmth. She stood with her back to the flames and began to explain what she had learned.
"So that man, the one that called you a liar is the one Alistair is dealing with?" asked Oghren.
"Yes. Apparently he is involved in most every business, both legitimate and not, in Denerim. He has ties to many lower noble families and Eamon believes that many owe him either favors or money."
"Which is what makes him such a threat?" Anders asked.
"If you had half of the nobles of Ferelden in your debt you could easily achieve almost anything." Nathaniel answered. "But what does he mean to accomplish? Obviously not being king."
"No, no matter what Reign accused he would never beat a Landsmeet. Eamon says he has no real hold over the voting nobles." Juliette said.
"And no claim through blood or privilege of victory." Nathaniel stated.
Juliette nodded. "That's the thing that Eamon is stuck on. What does he gain by stirring up worries about the Warden's?"
"So the King means to put on a front of investigating us?"Anders asked. "Why?"
Juliette shrugged her shoulders. "Simply put, it's easiest to call the bluff." she walked over and leaned on the back of one of the chairs, her elbows propped, facing them. "If Bann Reign's intent is to make people question Alistair's motivation for appointing me Warden Commander then Alistair gains credibility by calling me here for questioning." Juliette walked around the chair and sat. "It may be his intent is to make people suspect that Alistair is weak because he is also a warden."
"Thereby implying that he is subject to another's power." Nathaniel finished.
"What Alistair and Eamon do feel is that publically pursuing this is best. It lets them control some of what is being said and perceived rather than just reacting to a rumor or accusation."Juliette continued "It also opens the door for the people they trust to snoop about with greater cause."
"Great. So we came all the way here to put on a damn play?" Oghren complained. "We're going to let these fancy sissy eunuchs with ribbons on their shirts accuse us of Ancestor's know what AND we have to play nice while they do it?"
"Basically, yes. I hate it too Oghren." Juliette said.
"And what happens if this all backfires? We all end up with our reputations damaged or ruined for what?" Anders asked. "Why do this at all?"
Juliette began to answer, but Nathaniel stopped her with his.
"If any of what the king suspects is correct then doing this may avoid a civil war. If the king appears weak and beholden than others may attempt to take the crown." Nathaniel stepped towards them. "Or it could invite outsiders to think that Ferelden is ripe for the picking."
The four wardens sat together for a few minutes, thinking through everything they had discussed.
"What happens if Alistair doesn't discover why Bann Reign is doing this?" asked Oghren.
"I don't know." Juliette said simply.
Anders got to his feet. "Well, if we all know our parts then I will say good night. I want to sleep in that giant feather bed and maybe find a fair maid to share it."
Oghren stood up as well. "I just want to sleep without listening to that donkey wheeze all night."
"One more thought." Juliette stopped them "We need to all assume that whoever we meet, whether it's a servant or a member of the court, they could be sharing information about what we say to one another. Or what we do. Unless we four are here, behind closed doors, we need to continue playing at this charade."
Anders and Oghren nodded their understanding and left the room.
Juliette sat back heavily, sighing. She rubbed her eyes.
"Nathaniel how did we get into this mess?" she asked, opening her eyes.
"It seems the mess got us not the other way around." he replied wisely. "One thing I want you to know. I knew it was important when I recognized Reign, but now even more so." He stepped in front of her and squatted.
"I thought I saw your face change when he was introduced."
"Huh, you did, did you?" Nathaniel asked. "Well, you never did miss much."
"No, I just know you." Juliette said softly. Nathaniel looked at her for a long moment and smiled slightly.
"Fair enough." He stood back up. "What I want you to know is that my father feared Bann Reign. I can't recall the exact events but I do remember that man in our home as a boy and very clearly understanding that my father was scared."
Nathaniel let the significance of that settle into her mind. He wasn't disappointed.
"So we shall assume the worse of everything he does or says and make ready for whatever is coming."
He nodded.
"May I share that with the king and Eamon? Your memory?" she asked.
"Yes." Nathaniel approached the outer chambers door to the hall and paused. "So at least now, you understand the strangeness of the king's letter to you."
"What? Oh, I suppose your right." she said. She stood and stretched.
"Does that help?"he asked. Nathaniel waited with dread for the look of hope to spark in her eyes.
"With what?" and it occurred to her what he was asking. "Nathaniel, it is over between Alistair and me. There is no relationship" she paused. " He's not the man I want."
Juliette opened the hall door and he stepped out. They exchanged their good nights and she shut the door.
Nathaniel soon stood in front of his own fireplace thinking of the way she had answered his last question. He was thrilled to hear her say that it was over between she and the king with such resolve, he did not doubt her any longer.
But she had not said the king wasn't the KIND of man she wanted; just that HE wasn't the man she wanted. Did that mean she knew which one she did?
He thought about all that had been happening between them for the past several months, especially the last few weeks and the events their trip.
That night, when Nathaniel climbed into his bed, he did away with his "No Thinking" policy and did a lot of thinking.
He slept like a baby.