The Keening Blade
Chapter 12: Join Us in the Shadows Where We Steal the Silver
Being the Hero Who Slew the Archdemon and Saved Everything and Everyone just managed to cancel out the appalling things Loghain had done in the past year. And yet, cancel them out it had. Well, perhaps not with the nobility, but they had always hated him anyway. Now they were once again forced to shut up about it.
People were strange creatures. Now they were saying that they had always known that Teyrn Loghain would come through for them. What had gone wrong was conveniently being blamed on Rendon Howe—whom everyone knew had employed blood mages to twist peoples' minds.
Yes—all that bother—that was all that Arl Howe. The Young Warden did for him, and good riddance!
And Teyrn Loghain slew the Archdemon! No surprise there… Makes sense… I reckon only a Hero like Teyrn Loghain could have done it... I heard he let that girl talk him into becoming a Grey Warden on purpose just so he could save us all from the Blight…Hand in glove with the Young Warden, he is…Those two'll get rid of the rest of the darkspawn, mark my words!
And they found that son of Maric's to marry the Queen…Well, she had to marry somebody…They say he's a handsome chap, and the spit and image of King Maric himself!…If it's all right with Teyrn Loghain and the Young Warden, I say Maker bless!...
Loghain heard the gossip, of course, because it was everywhere. He suspected that Anora's agents were hard at work.
He heard it and Maude heard it, and generally together. Sometimes, passing through the ravaged streets, people picking through the rubble would voice their praise and opinions and ridiculous rumors at the top of their voices, and sometimes the girl would roll her eyes, and throw him a mocking smile. Sometimes she would glare. That nearly always made Loghain wish he were the sort of man who laughed aloud in public.
Today, like every day, there was much to do. The city was being swept for lurking darkspawn: street by street, house by house, cellar by cellar. They had uncovered a nest of the brutes in Bann Fandarel's city estate only yesterday. Loghain noticed that Maude seemed to know her way around the place all too well. He remembered Fandarel fuming about his estate being ransacked by a gang of incredibly bold thieves...
Securing the Arl of Denerim's estate had been an excellent move. The Dalish and dwarven forces that were active in the city had a decent roof over their heads. The rest were encamped outside the city, skirmishing with the last of the darkspawn. It appeared that a large force of the creatures had fled north, up the Pilgrim's Path, and had promptly vanished. Gone to ground, it seemed. If the foul beasts found their way back to the Deep Roads, then Good Riddance.
They had divided forces today, to work more quickly. Riordan would go to the South Docks and search there, accompanied, of course, by Leliana. With them would be Wynne, Oghren, Zevran and Sten.
The Couslands had been unselfish about their own property up to now, but today Loghain and Morrigan would go with Maude and Fergus to Highever House and see if anything untoward lurked there. They had heard that the building still stood largely undamaged, save for the empty, partially burned stables. It was not, however, certain that Fergus Cousland would move out of the Palace any time soon. Anora liked having him there, and last night had told her father in the strongest terms how much she valued him.
"He stayed, when the rest of nobles ran like cowards. He saved a thousand lives! He's worth all the rest of the Landsmeet put together, in my opinion. I only wish-" she broke off, and eyed her father with reproach and regret.
Loghain understood all too well. "I'm sure that if Maude had known her brother was alive, her arrangement with you would have been very different. We must all accept things as they are. At least Chantry Boy can fight."
"Don't call him that!" Anora raged. "I'll forget myself and call him that someday! Yes, he can fight. Whether or not he can do anything else remains to be seen."
That fellow Kylon that Maude thought so well of turned out to be the most senior surviving member of the City Guard, and Anora had appointed him Captain. Their search parties crossed paths on occasion, for the newly-made Captain Kylon did not seem disposed to hide behind a desk, despite his promotion.
Where was Maude now? She had wandered off somewhere, and Loghain looked about in exasperation. Everyone else was ready, and here was Fergus Cousland, quickly descending the stairs with a friendly wave.
Most fortunate that the new Teyrn Cousland was not angry with Loghain. He had not been present to see the results of Loghain's disastrous alliance with Rendon Howe, and so did not include Loghain in his furious hatred of Howe and his treachery. And with everyone blaming everything on Howe, Fergus Cousland was not aware of how complicit Loghain had been in all those misdeeds. Loghain would be perfectly happy to leave it at that.
Fergus had been astounded to hear that Teyrn Loghain had become a Grey warden. He was, naturally, even more astounded to find that his sister was one and not happy about it at all. Loghain did not find that very surprising. Fergus had taken Loghain aside yesterday to vent his opinion of Duncan. Loghain rather enjoyed bonding with the young man over the subject.
"Where's your sister?"
"Maude's up talking to the Queen in her sitting room," Fergus told him. "Some sort of thing she didn't feel she could put off. Oh-and Her Majesty wanted a word with you, too. The rest of us might as well have a second breakfast!"
Loghain frowned, and went immediately to see what those two young women were up to now. Probably no good, if his own experience was any criterion. He strode past the worshiping guards and paused on the threshold, amused and softened in spite of himself at the sight of the two lovely heads, one brown and the other golden, bent over their plotting and some scattered parchments.
"-so the oldest boy is ten or so. As soon as Fergus is settled back in Highever, I daresay he would be glad to foster the lad. Once Fergus sets the precedent, of course, the rest of the nobles will follow suit. It will give the children a decent start in life, and put paid to the worst of the gossip from the first.''
"Five children!" Anora groaned. "When she cannot even support one! Sometimes I truly wonder about the common folk. Is there any hope of making her presentable?"
"I think not-or not for some time. Probably the best thing is to get her out of Denerim, so she can't blab about it all. I warned her about talking while the city's so unsettled-mentioned the danger of someone kidnapping the King's niece or nephew, but that won't hold." Maude shrugged, with an odd little smile. "Ever since I found Fergus, I've been thinking about her. Someday she'll understand that there's nothing like having a brother."
Anora was considering the matter, head cocked to one side. "I shall send someone to see if Prickleweed Manor is habitable. It's small, but only twelve miles from Denerim. Surely a steward and a few maids could manage..."
"And a tutor for the children, I think. A Chantry sister or brother would do."
"Do you suppose," Anora began, faintly horrified. "I mean...they can read, can't they? The older ones at least?"
"It's entirely possible that they cannot," Maude told her. "I don't know that she can read."
"The illiterate 'Lady Goldanna Pommy!' One could laugh, were it not so pitiful." Anora looked up and saw Loghain. "Father! We were just discussing what in the world to do with Alistair's sister."
He studied the two young women quizzically. "And Alistair is to have no say in this?"
"I'll tell him about it later," Anora declared.
Maude agreed. "That's much the best thing. He didn't get the warm family reunion he was hoping for, and he pretty much lost interest even in warning her about the darkspawn. I was angry at the time myself, but I realize now that we might have seemed...perhaps a little condescending when we met. Not that we were, but she might have perceived us that way. She's still his sister, and she's had a rotten life."
"Worse than being raised in a stable?" Loghain asked, sitting down by the window. Ranger came over, nosing for attention. Loghain set about giving his ears a satisfactory rub.
Anora seemed surprised, and looked at Maude for confirmation. "In a stable?"
"Oh, yes," Maude said, "I don't mind telling you. It's something to consider when Arl Eamon is acting all concerned. Alistair was raised in the stables at Redcliffe and slept on straw. Arlessa Isolde disliked the gossip that made Alistair our to be the Arl's son, so Alistair lost his position as unpaid stable boy when he was ten and was fobbed off on the Chantry. At that, he learned to read and had a roof of sorts over his head. The sister couldn't have been more than ten herself when Alistair was born. She knew her mother was near her time, went up to the Castle, and was told her mother and the child were both dead. She was given a piece of silver and ordered to take herself off. As she was so young, I have not the least hesitation in guessing that she's had an extremely rotten life. We're fortunate that the future King's sister is a respectable laundress, and not earning her bread at the Pearl!"
"What I have decided, Father," Anora said, after a moment to digest all this, "is that Alistair's sister shall be styled a lady, and be given a pension and the use of a house outside of Denerim. The children will get a decent education, and be fostered out when they are old enough. Everyone knows Alistair is a bastard, anyway, and it will be better for his honor and reputation than doing nothing for his relatives."
"It's generous," Loghain remarked, "but I'm sure it will be a popular move. Surely you didn't want my advice, when you have settled it so sensibly?"
"There is another matter: one than concerns the Wardens," Anora said. "Alistair has taken it into his head that it would be a good idea to give your order the Arling of Amaranthine!"
"Obviously I agree that it's a terrible idea, Loghain," Maude whispered, making a face. "The Arling of Amaranthine is a vassalage of Highever. The Crown can't simply help itself to Highever property for the sake of the Wardens. I'll have to tell Fergus, as soon as I can get him alone. He'll probably find it very insulting."
No darkspawn, so far. No live ones, anyway. They were moving into the courtyard of HIghever House. Maude would have enjoyed picking the lock of the heavy iron gate, but Fergus had brought an immense ring of keys in order to thwart her.
"Where did you get those keys?" Maude demanded.
"I got them from the Grand Cleric at the Chantry, when I first arrived. We've always kept a set of keys there. The Grand Cleric was good friends with Mother, and recognized me right away."
"No one ever told me that!"
"You weren't old enough."
Morrigan laughed at her. "Would you have had us stay there when we visited?"
"No-no, of course not. We would have been attacked and the house would have been damaged. Anyway, we don't need keys. I can pick all the locks, so there!"
When they reached the outer gate, both lockpicking and keys proved useless, for the gate had been ripped off its hinges, probably by an ogre. No dead bodies were in sight.
Highever House was not as big as Arl Eamon's Denerim estate, but it was considerably taller: one of the taller buildings in Denerim, in fact. In addition to extensive cellars below ground level, the five stories rose high above the other structures in the vicinity.
"'Tis a fine house indeed," said Morrigan, visibly impressed.
"At the very top is a rooftop garden," Maude told her, smiling dreamily. "It's lovely-or it was. I daresay it's a frightful mess now. I haven't been here in years and years."
"Gardens can be replanted," Fergus shrugged. "The building looks sound. Maybe some of those clever dwarves can repair the gate and the stables. The place had placards all over it proclaiming it the property of 'Teyrn Rendon Howe' when I arrived. I tore them down and burned them." He muttered, just audibly. "Pissed on them, too."
To their surprise, the tall arched front door was intact. The darkspawn appeared to have been too busy elsewhere to invade the house. Most of the small, high windows at ground level were broken, but all the rest above were whole but one on the east side. Fergus kicked the door open gingerly, and inside they found only a large family of frightened squatters, camping out in the kitchen and servants' quarters. After the initial, terrified recognition, the sobs and screams died down (except for the howling baby). Fergus permitted them to stay and watch the place for him, even giving them a bit of money.
The upper floors were locked, but it was unhappily evident that Howe's men had been here, cleared out anything of value with the efficiency of a whore fleecing a customer, and locked it all back up again.
"I didn't see any of our things at the Denerim estate," Maude told Fergus. "Maybe he packed up the lot and sent it off to Vigil's Keep."
"Maybe he packed up the lot and sent it to Kirkwall to be sold," Fergus said sourly. Maude clearly did not enjoy the idea either.
The hiding place in the bookless study was clever. Both Couslands raced to it, and Fergus held his stuggling sister at arm's length, while he pressed a spot in the middle of one of the built-in bookcases lining the walls. It swung away, revealing a dark and dusty closet. Fergus gestured gallantly for Maude to precede him.
"Spoilsport," she muttered. He grinned at her.
Inside were shelves holding a number of small treasures and chests, a rack for weapons, and a big chest on the floor. One of the smaller chests had been battered open.
"Did you do that?" Maude asked her brother indignantly. "I could have opened it for you without destroying it. Oh, it's full of gold! How sensible of Father!"
"He showed all this to me once, so I knew where to find a bit of coin, once I got back to Denerim," Fergus confirmed. "I took Uncle Bangsley's old sword from here, too. It was silverite, and so hadn't rusted in storage. It was no end better than the one I was carrying! I didn't want to smash everything though, so I left the rest for later."
"Well," his sister said loftily, "I don't have to go about smashing things. Behold!" In a moment the big chest was open. Ranger whined and pressed forward, wanting to see, too. Loghain and Morrigan stood back, and exchanged amused, resigned looks.
"Oh! The silver!" Maude exclaimed. "How sensible to lock it all away. I love those cups. What's that you've got?" she asked, seeing her brother with a box of parchment.
"Property deeds to the three manors the family owns here in the Arling of Denerim. Some of these should be bringing it rent. I've got to find Howe's account books."
"Lanaya's staying in his old rooms. She won't mind if I search them."
"Lanaya? Oh, the Dalish chieftainess. Lovely woman."
"You own other property in Denerim?" asked Morrigan, rather waspishly. "Is not a mansion in the city and the whole teyrnir of Highever enough?"
"Of course!" Fergus answered absently, paging through the documents. "But one picks up odds and ends, here and there... Private property, not part of the teyrnir. We own land in West Hill and Amaranthine, too, and all through the Bannorn. Father won these particular manors off old Arl Urien in a game of cards. Don't own anything any further south, though." He looked up and gave them a lop-sided smile. "We have holdings in the Free Marches, too: in Ostwick and Kirkwall and Markham. Maker only knows what's been happening to them!"
Maude frowned at the treasures in the big chest, and ran her fingertips over an elaborate candlestick. "I didn't know we actually owned property there."
Fergus grinned again, and tapped her on the head with his documents. "That's because you were off playing with Ranger when you should have been listening!"
Ranger barked indignantly.
"We really should be moving on," Loghain suggested. He hoped Fergus' teasing would not set Maude off into one of her fits of murderous rage. He supposed it was unlikely, since she had grown up with Fergus and had not yet killed him.
"Sorry!" Fergus apologized, replacing the documents. "Maude, put that back! It will all be safe here. I'll take a bit more of the gold, since Maker knows I've been short of it." Maude looked sad and wistful, and Fergus eyed his sister with concern. "Here, you take a purse too. There's a hundred sovereigns in each. That should see you straight for a bit, pup."
Mollified, Maude grabbed up the purse, giving Fergus an innocently grateful smile. "You're the best brother ever, Fergus!"
Instantly alert, Loghain narrowed his eyes. Maude winked at him, and followed her brother as they went further up through the mansion.
The orders must have been to loot the house, but not to damage the house itself. It was too valuable a piece of real estate. Howe might have intended it for one of his children. Fergus glanced briefly in at what must have been his own room, and found it nearly empty, but for the bare bedstead and a open, looted wardrobe.
He turned away, looking depressed, and asked Maude, "So where is this hiding place in Father and Mother's room?" He made a great show of unlocking the door properly. Impatient, Maude pushed her way past him.
"There," she said briefly, going to a massive, looming wardrobe of carved black oak, built into an alcove. She opened it and stepped in. At her quick, sure touch, a panel in the back slid aside. "I brought a candle with me, if you would be so good, Morrigan."
The witch huffed, but magicked the candle alight. This space was even larger than the one in the study, and held three massive iron chests, an armor stand, and another rack of weapons. Maude set the candle into a wall bracket, and set about getting into the chests.
"These are some of Mother's things," she announced. "It smells like her-rose and blood lotus." She sniffed at a linen sachet and smiled. "I know we haven't time to go through all this today, but I'm glad it's here." She tucked the sachet inside her armor. and stood up.
"That's the Cousland ceremonial armor," Fergus said. "Father wore that to the Landsmeet when he wanted to make a certain kind of point."
"I remember," said Loghain. It was an old and very elaborate set of silverite plate, but handsome for all that. Bryce wore it the day he declined to pursue the kingship. Loghain had often wondered why. Perhaps he wished to make clear that he was capable of a kingly appearance and bearing: that he was perfectly capable of being king, had he wished to break his oaths to Maric and take the throne from his son. Loghain had occasionally imagined what the past six years would have been like, serving King Bryce and Queen Eleanor. Different, certainly. Better? Hard to say.
Though there were no darkspawn at Highever House, they did uncover a few isolated bands on their return. By the time they were back at the Warden compound, the sun was low in the sky and they were blood-stained and filthy. A servant informed them that they were all invited to join the Queen for dinner. Life in the Palace was slowing returning to normal-or at least, moving toward a new "normal."
"Fergus," Maude said urgently. "Come by my room just before dinner. I need to talk to you, but I need to get cleaned up first."
He frowned, seeing she was serious. He glanced at Loghain, full of questions. Morrigan raised her brows.
"Highever business," the girl whispered to her.
"Before dinner would be early enough," Loghain agreed.
The compound was pulsing with life: full of servants eager to take care of them. Loghain's valet had appeared, along with most of his personal clothing and belongings, now neatly arranged in his new room. A blessed bath was waiting. He thanked the man and was being stripped of the last of his armor when he heard the girl, next door, cry out sharply. He pushed the servant aside and strode out to the hall.
Riordan was there, looking distraught, and Maude's hand was over her mouth. She looked as horrified as Loghain had even seen her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Riordan looked away, muttering, "See for yourself..."
Maude was already running into the room he shared with Leliana. Loghain followed, and looked over the girl's head to the young woman sitting slumped by the fire.
"Leliana?" Maude asked softly.
"I feel so strange," the Orlesian murmured. Looking up at them, there was no mistaking the dark circles under her eyes, the greying skin. Maude ran to her, and kneeling by the chair, caught her friend by the hand.
"Oh, Leliana!"
"We must have a Joining immediately. It is the only hope of saving her." Riordan buried his face in his hands. "This is my fault. I shall never forgive myself!"
"Nonsense!" Maude cried. "Utter nonsense! We've all been practically bathing in darkspawn blood for a year! It's a miracle this never happened before. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for letting Leliana come with me."
Loghain hated these emotionally charged scenes. He said brusquely, "It seems to me that it's actually the darkspawn's fault. So we're to have a Joining? When?"
"As soon as possible," Maude said, squeezing Leliana's hand. "We could do it now."
"No." Leliana found her voice, and smiled bravely. "No. After dinner. The Queen has sent us a trunk of lovely gowns to choose from. I will have a bath, yes? And find something wonderful to wear. I have not dressed in a gown in over a year. We shall all have a wonderful time, and then I shall join you."
Maude hugged her tightly and kissed her on both cheeks. "I'll have a bath, too, and I hope the Queen sent something that will fit me!"
Loghain listened with half an ear to the goings and comings in the hall outside his room, while he bathed and shaved and dressed in clean linen and black and grey velvet. Maude must have sent a message to Morrigan, for she came down a little later. After the noise of choosing dresses, the two girls talked softly outside his door, whispering about Leliana.
"She is Tainted, is she not? You will attempt to save her by making her a Warden, I presume."
"Have the Grey Wardens no secrets at all?" Maude said, exasperated. "Yes, that's exactly what we'll do. I think she should be fine. It may not be what she planned to do after the Blight, but she seems to like being with Riordan well enough," She added, lightly, "Besides, she'll be the very First Childe of Urthemiel, so to speak, and that's rather distinguished."
A silence. "I see."
Another silence. "Morrigan…Are you jealous?"
"You are absurd. Jealous of nightmares, gluttonous appetite, infertility, and early death?"
"You are. You are absolutely jealous. If you want to be a Warden, say so! Then you can be the First Childe of Urthemiel. By the way, you look lovely in that dress."
"Since you insist I must wear one of these ridiculous garments, I may as well make the most of it."
"It was the Queen who insisted, more or less, and we'll be eating at her table, so we have to play by her rules. Anyway, you look gorgeous. I told you how it would be. Isn't this nicer than a hut in the Wilds? I'm going to divide up our money after dinner tonight, and with twenty or so sovereigns you can fix up your room exactly as you like. So what's it to be?"
A pause. "I shall tell you after we dine."
As soon as he heard Morrigan move upstairs, Loghain opened the door. "I suppose you heard all that," Maude remarked.
"I thought that was your intention." He paused to admire her. She looked extraordinarily pretty: bathed, hair washed and arranged, dressed in an old-fashioned gown of green velvet. Of course it was Rowan's. With her height and those swordswoman's shoulders, it was quite impossible that she could wear anything of Anora's.
He added, "I also thought you wanted Morrigan to join the Wardens. Leliana is simply a bonus."
"I did. I do. It's just…" She walked over to the window, and looked at the town, not facing him. "I didn't come to your Joining, remember, or at least, not until I knew you were going to make it."
He granted her a sour laugh. "I think that Riordan believed it would kill me outright."
"I didn't think it would kill you," the girl said loyally. "I thought you were much tougher than that. I was sure you'd pull through...but if you didn't, I didn't want to see it. It was cowardly of me, I know. My own Joining was horrible."
Now this was interesting. Loghain frowned. "Your Joining was horrible? How so? Other than the vile taste, of course."
"Well, surely you heard that I was not the only Warden recruit at Ostagar? The other two didn't make it."
Now that she mentioned it, he did recall something… "What happened to them?"
"Bad things. Daveth was a very fair archer and good with a pair of daggers. He thought he was the Maker's gift to the ladies, but he was essentially all right. He would have been very useful in a fight and very good company over the past year. Then there was Ser Jory. Solid skills with a greatsword. A bit of a fussbudget, and he had left a pregnant wife at home. I don't want to recruit anyone like that ever."
She sighed deeply. "…Anyway, Daveth went first. I could see Duncan tense a little after he drank the blood. Duncan took the the cup from him and watched him closely. I couldn't see Daveth's face, but he fell to his knees, clawing at his throat and choking. It was over pretty quickly. And Duncan said, "I am sorry, Daveth." I think those are ritual words."
She glanced back at him, and he nodded for her to go on. He moved closer, in case she needed serious comforting.
"…And then it was Ser Jory's turn. That went very bad very fast. He started protesting, saying he would never have wanted to join if he'd known—and that he had a wife—and a child on the way. Duncan told him there was no turning back. And then he drew his sword, and Duncan gutted him. Just like a pig. Just like that. And he said, 'I am sorry, Jory.' It sounds unbelievable, I know."
Loghain stared at her, perfectly ready to believe anything of that bastard Duncan, but somewhat astonished all the same.
And I thought I was a hard man...
Maude gave him a tremulous smile. "…And there I was standing there like an idiot with my mouth open, and I was sorry, too—sorrier than you can imagine. Duncan was telling me that the Joining was not yet complete, and that I was called to submit myself to the Taint for the Greater Good. I thought I was going to cry. I didn't want to die like that, but it was either the darkspawn blood or Duncan's dagger. I thought about my mother and father and Oren, and I thought that I'd be seeing them soon, and that wasn't really so bad. So I drank. And you know what happens next. I'm sorry I didn't come to your Joining at first, but I did as soon as I heard you were going to make it."
He took her by the shoulders, and made her look at him. "Your friends are dauntless adventurers, and tough as old boots. After a year in your company, I suspect that tonight's will not be the first darkspawn blood they have swallowed. Perhaps that will protect them."
"That's true," she considered, giving him a grateful kiss. "That's very true. And it is surprising that this didn't happen before. I wonder if anyone else would like to be a Warden? Perhaps I should ask tonight. Maybe Zevran…"
He burst out laughing. "Do you think the assassin would submit himself to the Taint for the Greater Good? I'd give quite a bit of money to see that."
"That's just mean of you. He might survive—yes, he might. He has a strong will and he's very brave—"
Loghain snorted, and did not dignify her remarks with more of a response.
"He has some first-class skills, and he could help with training…"
"Oh, invite your pet assassin if you like, you silly girl. Just don't be too hurt when he refuses."
Someone was knocking next door.
"Maude?" called Fergus. "Are you decent?"
Maude grinned impishly at Loghain. "What do you think? Am I?"
He scowled and jerked his head at the door. He did not need outraged brothers challenging him—especially when this one was such a help to Anora.
Maude made a face, but opened the door, and leaned out, saying, "Over here, Fergus. Loghain and I were talking over something that concerns you."
It was a very neat change of subject, Loghain granted. Maude told him about Alistair's curious notion. Fergus was definitely put out at the idea of handing over Amaranthine to the Wardens.
"Don't think I'm begrudging you a place of your own," he said anxiously to them both. "I'm very grateful to the Wardens, of course. But who knows who the Wardens will send to lead you? Imagine an Orlesian being appointed Commander and ruling over a Fereldan arling!" He considered it further. "And even if a Fereldan were given command, what if there was another Blight somewhere else? Would the Arl just leave his people to shift for himselves? Do we want to give so much power—and one of our most important cities- to someone who has to answer, not to our King, but to strangers in the Anderfels?"
Very pleased with the young man, Loghain said, "You put the case very justly and fairly, I think. I agree that the plan is unsound."
"On the other hand..." Maude murmured to herself. Loghain frowned at her, but she was lost in her own thoughts. Abruptly she asked, "Do you have a reliable map of Ferelden?"
Maude's little scheme was quite intriguing. It could use a bit of tweaking, but it might serve very well as a compromise. They would put it to Anora as soon as possible. Loghain entered the dining hall with Maude in a much-improved state of mind.
Eamon and Teagan saw him from across the room and were doing their best to put a good face on things. Apparently, Loghain the Savior of the People was beyond attack at the moment. Teagan, indeed, seemed more interested in admiring Maude in her green velvet, which was quite understandable, considering how well she looked.
Leliana came in with Riordan, dressed in blue, with absurd satin slippers on her feet. Loghain remembered her speaking of them as one of Maude's many gifts. The Orlesian girl had found some cosmetics from somewhere, and had covered up the signs of the Taint rather effectively. The rest of the companions trailed after, Morrigan the last of all, in a purple velvet that made her eyes blaze. Zevran was being ridiculously gallant, and would probably be cursed soon. Loghain kept track of that situation, hoping for the worst.
Anora and Chantry Boy entered and took their seats. Anora was her usual cool and collected self. Chantry Boy looked glum, but gave Maude a nod. She returned the nod with a bright and encouraging smile. That seemed to help. Loghain looked away to hide his distaste. The Grand Cleric herself was there to offer a blessing on the meal, and all seemed to be going very well, until Loghain noticed the silver spoons disappearing into Maude's lap. He caught her wrist in a fierce grip, glaring at her. Her face betrayed nothing but the sweetest good temper, not even flinching at the pain.
She whispered, smiling happily, "Let go. That really hurts."
He tightened his grip. "Stop stealing things! It's embarrassing."
"I like these spoons."
"I don't care. You can't take things from the Palace. Put those spoons back on the table. Right now."
She was still smiling. "Kings have the best stuff. Queens, too."
"You're stealing from Anora," he clarified. "I don't want you to steal from my daughter. Everything in the palace belongs to her. Leave it alone. After the Joining you can rifle the storerooms of the Warden's compound. You can take anything you like from there."
"But that's practically mine!" she complained. "That's no fun at all!"
"Consider it a treasure hunt," he told her, feeling very Stern-Fatherish. "Maybe there are some hidden doors my men didn't find."
"All right," she sighed. The spoons were lovingly laid out in the proper order. "So pretty," murmured Maude, stroking the little mabaris on the handles. "I'm sure the Wardens had silver. What did you do with it?"
"I melted it down to pay for the war."
"Did it have griffins on it?"
"Yes."
"Barbarian. I hate you." She seemed to enjoy her dinner all the same, and after two cups of wine began massaging his thigh with her left hand.
She told him, "I've decided to share out the coin left in our funds. No, not the money Fergus gave me today. That's family money, not rightful loot. Anyway, everyone will get a little over twenty sovereigns. If people don't want to join the Wardens, it will allow them to travel in comfort or make a start doing something else."
"You weren't going to give me a share, were you? Because that would be absurd."
"You earned a share. I seem to recall you killing the Archdemon."
"I won't accept it."
"But it's easier to divide one hundred eighty by nine! If you won't take a share, I'll just put your twenty in the Grey Warden fund, along with all the extra silver and copper. And the extra sovereign I can't figure out what to do with, too," she added.
Loghain smirked at her. Clearly, arithmetic was not her strong suit. "Nine? You're including Riordan? Or Alistair?"
"Neither!" she said indignantly. She ticked off names on her fingers. "Leliana, Morrigan, Wynne, Zevran, Sten, Oghren, you, Ranger, and me, of course."
"You're giving the dog a share?"
She scowled at him. "Of course I am. Ranger has fought as hard as anybody and he was with me from the first. Riordan hasn't been with us long enough. And no, I'm not giving a share to Alistair. He deserted us. Besides, I'll bet the allowance that Anora gives him is more than that a month."
"I'll bet it isn't." Loghain smirked. She narrowed her eyes, and removed her hand from his thigh. Instead, she turned away to talk to the assassin.
"Zevran! What would you say to becoming a Warden?"
To Loghain's relief, the elf shook his head. "Bellissima, I swore to be your man, but there are some bodily fluids that not even I will touch!"
"Join us, Sisters: join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant; join us in the duty that cannot be forsworn. Know that if you perish, your sacrifice shall not be forgotten, and that someday we shall join you."
"Morrigan, you are called to submit yourself to the Taint for the Greater Good. From this moment, you are a Grey Warden."
It was interesting, seeing the Joining from the sidelines. Ranger was next to him, sitting alertly at attention. Riordan said the ritual words. Maude insisted on presenting the cup to her friends, her anxiety well masked, only showing in a little tightness around her eyes.
The witch took the cup and swallowed the blood fearlessly: no one could ever accuse her of lack of courage. Her mouth twisted in disgust, and she even managed to express an opinion.
"How revoltin-" Her eyes rolled white, and she collapsed backward. Loghain caught her, and lowered her gently to the floor.
"She lives," Riordan said.
"Leliana, come forward. You are called to submit yourself to the Taint for the Greater Good. From this moment, you are a Grey Warden."
"Blessed Andraste, protect and sustain me." The red-haired bard took the cup and drank. Riordan looked as if he might actually burst into tears. Loghain could not bring himself to sneer too much. He would much prefer that the poor silly creature did not die. It would be distressing for Maude, and Leliana had been rather nice to him, after all...
She too, fell backwards, which was evidently a good thing. Riordan caught her himself, and sighed, "She lives." Without another word he carried her away, back to the bedchamber they shared.
Maude threw herself into Loghain's arms, sobbing with relief. "That's over! Thank the Maker! They're safe!"
"Until the next time we fight the darkspawn, I suppose. Should we leave her there, or put her somewhere less stony? It really does look rather cold and uncomfortable, not that that bastard Riordan cared during my Joining, by the way."
Ranger whined and gave Morrigan's face a friendly lick. Loghain smirked. "Give her another," he told the dog. "I'll never tell."
"Very funny. Let's put her on my bed," Maude said. "That's such a nice color on her. Do you suppose Anora would notice if she kept that gown? I wouldn't think so, because that shade of purple is not at all a good color for a blonde. I like that yellow underdress, too. Very striking."
"I'm sure Anora can be persuaded to consider it a Joining gift for a new Warden. First Childe of Urthemiel, indeed! Do Wardens really talk like that?"
"I don't know," Maude admitted, sliding another pillow under Morrigan's dark head. "I made it up. Sounds good though, doesn't it? And Morrigan fell for it."
Ranger stood guard by the bed, whining softly. Maude laughed at the dog. "Oh, she's fine, Ranger! But watch over her if you think she needs it!" She began digging through one of the many chests that the dwarven trader Feddic had transported for her. "There it is!"
It was a sword: a good-looking silverite sword with a slightly curved blade. Maude brought it over to him, grinning. "Go ahead! Take it!" she said, offering it hilt first.
Scowling suspiciously, Loghain drew the blade from its sheath and then hissed in discomfort. It was wrong: all wrong. His mind buzzed, turning back in on itself. His teeth ground, on edge. Angrily, he rammed the blade back home, letting go of the hilt and wiping his hand on his black velvet doublet "What was that?"
"That, my heart's darling, is Spellweaver. It's a blade designed for a mage, believe it or not. Don't be hurt: it hates me, too. I think it will be just the thing for Morrigan, once she learns some interesting new magic we picked up in the Brecilian Forest. The ancient elven art of the Arcane Warrior. As I understand it, the sword can actually be used to cast spells, as well as slice darkspawn into tiny morsels. Isn't it marvelous?"
An acid voice from the bed spoke up, groggy with sleep and evil dreams. "I do not need a sword to kill that filthy mongrel if he slobbers on me again..."
Thanks so much to all my readers and reviewers, especially Sarah1281, Lehni, ElainMcFG, wisecracknmama, icey cold, Amhran Comhrac, Prisoner 24601, Shakespira, Aoi24, JackOfBladesX, Gene Dark, mutive, mille libri, wayfaringpanda, Piceron, Windchime68, Evalyne, Reyavie, and Enaid Aderyn. Reviews are my favorite treat! More, please.
I promise that the next chapter will indeed be Bridezilla vs. The Wardens.