Chapter 54: Warden House
Aeden felt compelled to make up for lost time, so as soon as everyone was awake he pushed to get them underway. The weather was cooperating, at least for the time being, and he wanted to take advantage of it while it lasted. The sooner they made it to Orzammar, the better.
They traveled for several days uneventfully. The days were spent on horseback going as far as Aeden felt he could push without exhausting the animals. The nights were spent trying to stay warm. The group would amuse themselves with stories, songs, or good natured teasing allowing their bonds of friendship to deepen significantly. Aeden was very glad to see there was no animosity between any of them. They needed to trust each other when they never knew where the danger hid, and any bad feelings could easily translate to deaths.
Finally they reached the gates of Orzammar. There was a market outside the doors, and Leliana actually cooed in glee when she saw a stall of Orlesian silk fabrics. As Aeden tried to calm her excitement and tell her that she would, indeed, be able to visit the market later, he noticed several soldiers wearing the tabard of the King's Guard. They were arguing with the gatekeeper, who wouldn't allow them into the city.
One of the guards was furiously trying to get inside. "King Loghain demands the allegiance of the deshyr or lord or whatever you call them in your assembly! I am his appointed messenger."
Delia put her hand on Alistair's arm as he started to move forward. She knew that hearing Loghain referred to as the king more than upset him, but he couldn't act rashly.
As the dwarf continued to refuse entry to the soldiers, Aeden stepped up to the doors. He requested entrance to speak to the king, only to have the dwarf shake his head.
"Orzammar has no king. Endrin Aeducan returned to the stone not three weeks ago, sick over the loss of his sons. The Assembly has gone through a dozen votes without agreeing on a successor. If it is not settled soon, we risk a civil war."
Aeden nodded. "The Grey Wardens need their traditional dwarven allies."
Loghain's men were obviously revolted. "The Wardens killed King Cailan and nearly doomed Ferelden! They're sworn enemies of King Loghain!" As the dwarf looked at the documents Aeden presented to him and motioned for the wardens' group to enter, the warrior was shocked. "You're letting in a traitor? And a foreigner? In the name of King Loghain, I demand that you execute this… stain on the honor of Ferelden!"
Alistair stepped forward and blandly dismissed the soldiers. "Run to your false king. The dwarves will not hear him today."
As the soldier turned to leave, he spat on the ground. "You… you'll hear of this. King Loghain will see you quartered." They left in a huff, leaving the wardens chuckling.
"Wardens, you should go to the Warden House before you enter the city. There's a stable for your horses, and rooms available for your traveling companions."
"The Warden House?" Aeden's eyebrow rose questioningly. "What is that and where is it?"
"You'll find it just to the west of the market. It's just a house that's owned by the Grey Wardens and cared for by Weisshaupt itself. They keep it there as a base of operations. Best to keep that topside, especially when you humans like those horses. I can't imagine wanting to be on the back of one of those… things myself. Though, I guess you have the legs for it. Just saying..."
They walked westward past the market and found a small house that looked like a hunter's lodge. Aeden and Alistair went to the door and knocked. It was answered by a dwarven man who seemed to have a very cheerful disposition. They spoke for a minute, and then the man went back inside. He returned in a moment with a warm cloak and walked with the wardens to the rest of the group.
"The stables are around back. My name is Gorshep, and I am the keeper of the Warden House. You'll meet my wife inside. Her name is Deirdre, and our boy is Jessop. We're here to take care of anything you need while you are in Orzammar."
They led the horses to the stable. As they opened the door to the building, a dwarven boy ran out to help. The horses were quickly taken care of, and Gorshep led the wardens' party to the house as he left his son to feed and blanket the animals.
When they entered the house, Delia was surprised by the cheerful, homey feel of the house. They were greeted by Deirdre who seemed to be thrilled to have company in the house again.
"Please, come into the study. It's the warmest room, and I'm certain you'd all like some hot cider to warm your insides after traveling on a day like this, am I right?" She settled her guests into the room she called the study, which seemed to be more like a great room by anyone else's standards. The room was surprisingly cozy, even for its size. The fireplace was huge, and there were overstuffed chairs throughout the room. In the corner there was a blanket with a huge dog curled up. Delia walked over to the dog, intrigued by its appearance. It had long, gangly legs, and its fur was wiry and grey. The build was tall and lean, very different from the mabaris of Ferelden.
As she leaned down to the dog it raised its head and whined softly. Delia reached out and allowed the dog to sniff her hand. "Well, hello there! I've never met a dog like you before. You are very handsome."
Gorshep was suddenly in back of her, taking her by surprise. "I'd be a bit careful around Griffon there… he's a good enough dog, but ever since he lost his master he's been a bit off. Doesn't like being poked by people very much."
"His name is Griffon? What happened to his owner?" She scratched the dog behind his ears, earning a soft thud as the dog wagged his tail.
"He came to Orzammar for his Calling. Left the dog with us thinking my boy would get on with him, but Griffon has had nothing to do with him. We feed him and take care of him as well as we can, but these deer hounds tend to be one master kind of dogs… a lot like mabari that way."
"His owner went to his Calling? What is that?" Delia looked confused.
Aeden cleared his throat. "It's… a warden secret. Sorry, Delia, we can't give you any details, but I guess Griffon there is alone in the world. Deer hounds are from the Frostbacks, aren't they?"
Gorshep nodded. "Aye, they are mostly hunting dogs, but Griff here is trained as a warrior. Not as good for battling darkspawn as a mabari, but they are loyal, smart and pretty strong. I've never seen a dog run as fast as Griff here can. He's made himself as useful as he can, but he's not happy. He seems to like you though, Delia."
Delia looked at the dog's face. He almost looked as if he was smiling, and she smiled back at him. "You are a good dog, aren't you, Griffon? I hope the two of us can be friends."
The dog woofed softly in response, and then licked her hand gently.
"I've never seen him do that!" Deirdre said as she walked in with a tray of steaming mugs. "Looks like you have yourself a new friend there, Warden."
Delia chuckled as she stood and accepted a mug of cider from the woman. "I can always use more friends. He seems like a wonderful dog."
"The warden that left him here said he was. Griffon was the son of his favorite in his entire kennel. For some reason, Griffon wouldn't ever leave his side once he was whelped. We had to lock him up in a room when Konrad left for the Deep Roads. The poor dog wailed for days afterward. It was heartbreaking."
Delia looked sadly at Griffon. "So, my friend, you have lost the person who was most important to you, just like me. It seems like we have a lot in common." Griffon whined in reply and lay his head back down.
They all sat near the fireplace and enjoyed their cider as Aeden and Alistair made plans to enter the city. The two decided to take Wynne and Sten with them as they investigated what was actually going on now that the King was dead. They needed to find out who could authorize the assistance against the Blight Ferelden so desperately needed, and knowing that dwarven politics could be complicated it was decided they would try to keep as low a profile as possible. Delia was left in charge at the house, not that there would be much for her to do.
Since it was already late in the day, Aeden decided they would wait until the morning before they would enter the city. Deirdre assigned rooms to each of them, and Delia was delighted to learn they each would have their own room, even if they were somewhat small compared to the quarters she was used to from her previous life. The room she was given was decorated in warm green hues, with a colorful, flowery brocade spread on the bed. There were several paintings on the walls, each depicting colorful spring flowers. On the vanity there was a set of brushes as well as several types of soaps and fragrant oils. There was a window seat looking out over the mountains that looked like an inviting place to read a book. Deirdre explained that the room was set aside for the highest ranking woman warden of whatever group was staying with them, and she tried to make it as comfortable as possible.
Once she had settled her belongings in the room, Delia walked back downstairs to the study. It wasn't long before the entire party had rejoined her and Deirdre invited them all into the dining room. She had cooked roast pork for the group which was quite a treat after all the rabbit and partridge they had been eating! She served it with a medley of root vegetables and fresh baked bread with butter. There was plenty of wine available as well, for the wardens made certain to keep the favorite beverages of wardens from all over Thedas well supplied.
Sten was quite happy when after dinner she served them warm apple pie with slices of cheese. The Quinari warrior quite liked his sweets, and he showed a very uncharacteristic smile when he was given an entire pie all for himself! Alistair, on the other hand, was happy about the pie, but thrilled about the cheese! He teased Delia trying to steal her cheese as she would slap his hand away, both of them laughing uncontrollably.
After dinner, the group went back into the study to listen to more of Leliana's music and stories. Delia and Alistair took the opportunity to walk out to the stables to spend some time alone and were surprised when Griffon joined them. The presence of the dog was actually comforting to Delia, much like Dusty's presence always was, and she absentmindedly scratched Griffon behind his ears again.
"It looks like I'm going to have some competition for your affections, my love," Alistair teased.
"Competition? I'd be careful if I were you. Griffon has many advantages over you." She looked at him slyly."
"Oh? And what might those be?"
"He's cute and cuddly, and just look at his hair! Not a hair out of place, and it's quite a haircut if I do say so…"
Griffon looked at Alistair and barked happily, letting his tongue hang out the side of his mouth humorously.
"Look at that! He's sticking his tongue out at me!" Alistair laughed.
"That's because he knows he has the advantage!" Delia patted the dog, earning another soft woof.
Alistair looked at Griffon sternly. "Hey, not fair. I saw her first. She's already agreed to marry me. Did I mention that I'm also cute and cuddly and have great hair? And I can take care of my hair all by myself! Besides, she can't marry a dog…"
Delia put her arms around his neck. "No, I can't marry a dog, but you did tell me once you were raised by dogs, didn't you? Flying dogs, if I recall… Maybe Griffon here is a distant relative!"
Griffon took the opportunity to retch, as if the idea of Alistair being a relative made his stomach turn.
"Well, thanks a lot, Griffin. I see you and I will get along wonderfully." He reached down to pet the dog, who responded with an affectionate woof.
"I think he likes you, love. If nothing else, you can be happy that I will have yet another dashing warrior here to keep me safe while you are away tomorrow. This dashing warrior just dashes literally…"
Alistair laughed and kissed her. "I think you will be good for each other. I know it isn't easy when Aeden and I leave you behind. Griffin will be good company for you, and you seem to have affected him in a good way. From what Gorshep said, Griffon hasn't done very much since Konrad left." He looked down at the deer hound and scratched behind his ears as Delia had done. "Will you keep her safe for me, Griffon? I mean, she's not bad with her blades, but I know I'd feel much better with your nose on the job."
Griffon licked Alistair's hand and woofed softly. Delia felt a bond forming with the dog that was different than anything she had ever experienced before. Perhaps Griffon was meant to be her dog. She had never had any sort of pet before, and hoped that things would work out. It would be nice to have a furry companion of her own, and Griffon's presence helped her feel more secure. Again she was amazed at how coincidences seemed to work in her favor.
Delia and Alistair spent some more time simply holding each other before they decided they needed to get their sleep for the night. Alistair and Aeden needed to be well rested before they dealt with dwarven politics. They walked back into the Warden House hand in hand, with Griffon walking alongside Delia. Although she didn't look forward to being left behind again, Delia felt like she had her own job in front of her as she tried to earn Griffon's trust and give the war hound a new purpose in life.