Krieger sat in his throne, temporarily stunned by what the messenger had told him, for a society that lived remarkably so close to the dark spawn there was little support from the grey wardens. Krieger's best friend King Alistair had promised to send Fereldan support to the Dwarves once the Blight's damage to the nation was repaired, but thus far support had been lax and ineffective. Krieger admitted that the damage from a Blight took decades, sometimes centuries to repair, and so a large demand would be unreasonable, but nonetheless he would have to speak with Alistair about his support soon.

'Uh... your highness sir' a timid voice spoke up "this message was meant for your eyes only"

Krieger recovered and thanked the messenger the message was a strange one, it read

Commander Auducan

We have been reciving reports from many nations of darkspawn raids of an unusual nature, at first we thought them to be merely stragglers from the Blight, but further evidence has raised much questions. These attacks seem to be for a specific purpose, usually to capture some supplies of weapons, they were also very well planned, usually survivor reports indicate that they were lulled into almost perfect traps and were then sprung upon with lethal efficiency. There were few survivor reports, a testament to the brutality of the spawn. We conclude that such attacks were the result of an intelligent organiser, and these are growing more frequent. I spend much of my time pouring over the details you gave me of the one you know as the Architect.

I conclude that since the Mother is deceased; praise the Maker, that the Architect is the one responsible for this as he is the only intelligent darkspawn we have known, other than the other Archdeamons of course. I command you to use whatever means necessary to make sure these attacks do not happen again and gain as much information on the Architect as possible. I expect a full report in no less than three months.

Sincerely The First Warden

Krieger handed back the scroll and told the messenger 'tell the First Warden I shall do as he asks', the messenger bowed and then left swiftly. Krieger poured himself another drink and was left with his thoughts. More attacks, by an intelligent organiser, this certainly presented an interesting prospect, Krieger did not agree that the Architect was responsible for these attacks. He had met him personally and he had the well intentioned goal of freeing the darkspawn from the call of the old gods. But there was some chance, the Architect has kidnapped some wardens upon Krieger's trip to Vigils Keep, when he had pursued he too was taken. It was entirely possible that these attacks could have been more of the Architects "experiments", but what of the Mother? While she was deceased it was possible some of her warlords were alive and continuing the fight in her name, Krieger resolved he would take an expedition to find answers as soon as possible. His opportunity came sooner then he realised.

A finely armoured dwarf came into the room with a formal march and saluted Krieger 'Paragon Audcean the King has requested your presence at a ball he is hosting'

'Must we go; I have business to attend to?'

'Sir, this is a gathering of the most powerful nobles in Orzammar, this would be good for the reputation of your house as well as sorting out trade businesses'.

Krieger gave a sigh, 'so be it, send for my finest outfit, we shall leave at once'

'Of course Paragon'.

The Royal Palace of Orzammar

There was an atmosphere of excitement in the main hall of the Palace, as it was every time the king held a ball. Lavish decorations had been plastered all about the room, there was Orlesian jewelled chandeliers, Antivan musicians playing exotic melodies and of course, Dwarven statues of Paragons and art depicting grand moments in Dawarven history. Krieger did not like these sorts of events, firstly because he was not a social creature, except with a few of his friends and secondly was that because these events usually were a front for business dealings and counter espionage. Krieger had no patience for the cloak and dagger state of affairs that was Dwarven politics, but he had to play along if he wanted his house to remain strong. His escort stood directly behind him with his polished armour gleaming and the symbol of House Adeucan standing proudly on his chest. He was called Gorim and had been a second so Krieger for as long as he could remember, Gorim has also been exiled from Orzammar when Krieger has been framed for his brother's death, but he had found happiness and family as a merchant in the capital of Denerim, because of this Krieger did not recruit him to join his cause as he travelled the country searching for ways to fight the darkspawn. But after the Blight had been stopped and Krieger ascended to newfound honour as a paragon, Gorim had asked to be his second again in return for himself and his family returning to Orzammar, Krieger had made it so and now Gorim served him more loyally than ever before, now he stood, confronting anyone who approached Krieger and demanded that they state their business, he did so to one unpleasant looking dwarf.

'State your business sir' he asked, the Dwarf walked past him, he moved between him and Krieger 'state your business sir'. The Dwarf looked annoyed and raised a hand to dismiss him 'back away peasant!' he ordered, his second rushed to remove Gorim but he was knocked to the ground by his shield. 'You'll pay for that!' the second roared and pulled out a dagger, the spectators looked fearful, this was going to get messy soon.

'Enough!' Krieger barked, everybody stopped 'what do you want Kylar?"

Kylar Hashut's eyes narrowed, House Hashut was formerly a prestigious house in Orzammar with many investments in the surface trade. It could afford to make its warriors finely armoured, their weapons well enchanted. Many dwarves spoke highly of House Hashut because it employed many members of other castes to do its bidding, as was to be expected from the second wealthiest house in Orzammar. But recently it had fallen on hard times due to its support for prince Bhelen, since he had attempted a failed coup against the desheyrs of the dwarven council any supports of the prince had met a relentless tide of interrogation and scandal, many of Bhelen's supporters had now faded into obscurity, House Hashut among them. This had been a particularly severe blow for them as they had quite a reputation for believing in the superiority of the noble caste over all other castes, and Kylar was chief among them.

'You really should teach your servants some manners Krieger; they get all kinds of ideas if you let them get away with things'

Krieger did not rise to his bait 'I ask again, what do you want?'

'So uncivilised as ever, I have heard several reports of merchant caravans being attacked along trading routes to Orzammar, I needn't tell you what this will mean for the city'

'I've heard the reports; so far we believe it to be renegade darkspawn'

'A fair assumption, but I do not agree, I rather believe it is a bunch of casteless degenerates who wish to harm Orzammar. They obviously cannot accept that they are inferior and so must spite their superiors with such acts, a waste of time in my opinion'

'I did not ask for it, what evidence do you have to support this claim?'

'Why simple deduction of course, what other reason would there be to damage Orzammar other then blind hatred'

Krieger growled 'there are a thousand reasons! It could be darkspawn raiders or simply bandit greed; they might also not wish to harm Orzammar, just some trading outpost along the way!'

Kylar was taken aback, but soon recovered his composure, 'nonetheless, I believe you should check out these problems and rectify them, good day' and with that he strolled off, his irritated guard behind him. Krieger pondered calling after him but thought better of it, House Hashut and their kind were not worth the trouble, and instead he left to speak with King Harrowmount.

King Harrowmount was the very picture of royal nobility his pure white beard and wrinkled; leathery skin gave him the picture of a kind, grandfatherly figure. He always wore the finest jewellery and the most expensive robes, making sure he gave off an aura of authority, to emphasize this he wore one of the finest crowns in all of Thedas. Made with the skilled hand of Paragon Branka and blessed with jewels and enchantments that shone like a thousand stars. As Krieger approached he bowed down on one knee and lowered his head, he formally greeted the king with 'your majesty'.

The king smiled 'arise Lord Auducean'

Krieger rose politely 'your majesty i have something i wish to talk with you about'

'Speak then'

'I have received numerous reports of raids against trading caravans, some say this is the work of bandits, but my order believes darkspawn to be the culprits, either way it is harmful to Orzammar. Regarding the darkspawn, they seem to have grown more organised and intelligent, just yesterday we received a near fatal ambush, just as we were springing our own. I believe that some factor is responsible for this and would request permission to investigate, as this would only impediment our progress in future'.

The king stroked his beard 'grave problems, I assume as always you have a solution to them'.

'I do, I believe I can accomplish both tasks with one swift action, allow me to travel to Ferelden to speak with King Alistair, and we can organise raids to ensure this problem does not occur again'.

The King smiled and looked Krieger directly in the eye, 'that look in your eye, I remember it well, your farther used to give me that look every time he had an idea he was absolutely certain of. It was also the same look you had when you swore to me that you were innocent of your brother's death. I knew then, and still know now that you would have the strength to make Orzammar great and powerful again.'

Krieger could not speak, King Harrowmount had such a powerful, noble voice that even when the slightest compliment was given it awed and left the receiver speechless. 'You have my permission to use whatever means necessary, go forth and eradicate this darkspawn menace'. Krieger bowed and then left the King's side; he returned to Gorim and told him everything of what had transpired.

'Paragon, if you are returning to the surface world you shall need a guard, I consider it my honour and my duty to accompany you'

Krieger was touched by his friends words, 'very well Gorim, but be sure to say goodbye to your family, and we need to go to dust town, to ensure the Brands will know what to do'.

Dust town

Krieger strode swiftly through the streets of Dust Town, although what was formerly a slum had now been gentrified to improve the lot of the casteless, the name still remained, the occupants did not mind. Krieger arrived towards a massively fortified structure, which was home to Orzammar's only all casteless regiment, known proudly as the Brands, what had formerly been a racial slur had now been turned into a name of pride. Standing on the armoured door was carved the symbol of the Brands, that symbol was also carved on the shields of two armoured statues standing sentinel over the door. One of the statues had resembled the deceased King Endrin, at Krieger's insistence; the other statue also resembled Krieger, at the Brands insistence, as a way of thanks for giving them these rights. At the top of the building stood numerous banners of blue silk, Krieger's favourite colour, he also smiled as he saw what they choose as their symbol. It was the very symbol that Orzammar law dictated be branded on their cheeks, now painted on their standards in pure white. Rat saw them enter and quickly roused the other regiment leaders; soon they had all stood in a circle looking to their famed leader. Krieger told them of all that had transpired that day, minus the details of needing to fight the darkspawn, and made a quick announcement.

'Until I order otherwise, the Brands shall simply guard routes between our outposts and the city; attacks against the darkspawn are to be launched only when necessary for defence. I leave the fate of the Brands in the hands of you, my commands, elect one amongst you to serve as temporary leader'

'Why can't we travel with you?' questioned Rat, there were mummers of agreement from all the warriors, Krieger smiled at their loyalty.

'This should only be a diplomatic mission, I doubt I will require a large escort, Gorim is an adequate enough bodyguard, and I can fight for fifty darkspawn!' Krieger chuckled. 'Anyway, good luck my warriors, keep Orzammar safe. And remind those noble's why the Brands are the toughest regiment in all of Orzammar!'

There was mass cheering and much patting on the back as Krieger was lead out from Dust Town, when he was alone in his estate he gathered up all the supplies he could in a backpack and sheathed his great sword, it was a magnificent weapon, made of metal that had fallen from space, christened Starfang by its maker, Krieger also had it heavily enchanted to make it as deadly as possible. His amour too was made of dragonbone plate personally carved by Master Wade and enchanted so not even the most vicious darkspawn blade could leave a scratch on it. Gorim also checked a backpack, his armour and weapons were fine too, they had been made and enchanted by the best that Orzammar coin could by, of particular note was the shield he carried. It bore the symbol of House Aduecan and had belonged to Krieger's farther. Gorim had considered it the deepest honour and had it enchanted to withstand any attack. Suddenly the door burst open and someone rushed in, it was Rat.

'Paragon, I've decided to accompany you'

'No, I do not approve, the Brands would suffer without their best scout, and what of your mother'

'The Brands are just guarding, they won't need scouts, and I've already convinced my mother. Paragon, you couldn't fool me with that speech, I know you're going to fight darkspawn'

'I wasn't made a Paragon for nothing lad'

'I know, but you once saved me from death, I think it's only fair that I return the favour'

Krieger exchanged a glance with Gorim; he made a quick nod to show that he approved of this decision. 'So be it lad, pack your things, we leave tomorrow morning, and I'll see to it that your mother is taken care of'.

'Thank you sir'

The next morning Krieger felt solemn, he hadn't eaten or drank much, and he felt sick at the feeling of leaving his beloved home. The doors to the city slowly opened, he felt the burning gaze of the statues of former paragons searing into him. He turned to his comrades, 'do you feel what I feel?'

'If you mean a sense of dread and light-headedness's, then yes' Rat moaned, he had never been topside before.

'No, not that, more of a sense of foreboding, a fear of what is to come, I feel as though when we return to Orzammar we will be different people' Krieger explained.

'I feel that way as well, but I know we are doing it for the good of Orzammar, so I'll happily make any sacrifice I have to' declared Gorim bravely.

Krieger smiled and cleared his throat 'well then, this is the last chance to leave, I'm not asking either of you to accompany me, and know that we'll probably face danger and there is a high risk of us never coming back'

'We know paragon, but we refuse to leave your side, for your good as well as the cities' Rat declared, Krieger smiled proudly.

'Well then, take one last look at the city lads; we may never see her again'.

The three took one last look at their home, and then marched off into the blinding light of the surface world.