He had been jumpy for most of the morning, keeping a sharp eye out for anyone that sent him suspicious looks. Aedan could not be more relieved to put Redcliffe to his back and head toward Denerim where there wasn't a detachment of Templars waiting to round up any straggling apostates. After spending the majority of the day with a blasphemous book under his bed and the knowledge that his own personal apostate was hiding not too far away under that kind of scrutiny, he was understandably relieved to get a move on. Once out in the open air with nary a bucket-head in sight, he had been calm enough to realize that the journal probably belonged to the Templar that had cornered him in the village. David? Darien? Dick? Whatever his name was, he was sure it started with a D.
The sacrilegious journal was hidden in his saddlebag, wrapped in an oiled paper and put in a bag that held other sensitive documents pertinent to their campaign, all bundled up locked in a box to which he held the only key. He wasn't chancing somebody accidentally running across the damned thing, and it was only after he'd packed his bags that he realized he was more worried about people finding out about the journal than he was about them finding about Solona, and had a little laugh at his own expense. The pages held a wealth of information on the training of Templars, even detailing the effects of lyrium dust and the stages of withdrawal, and he'd been silently horrified that the Chantry subjected its Templars to such a slow torture that always seemed to end in babbling madness. Looking back, he wondered if all of the Templars that he and Solona had put an end to in their quest for freedom had been the kinder death.
Still, there were valuable things within the journal that could be utilized without the need of lyrium. Many of the mind training exercises used to keep blood mages at bay seemed like they would be particularly helpful in the event of the unthinkable and did not require the use of the addictive 'dwarf dust'. Still, he planned on waiting to actually utilize the journal until he'd had a talk with Solona. After the events in the village, he didn't want to give her any reason to think that he was going back on his assurances that he trusted her. It simply wouldn't do after finally getting some of the walls between them to stand aside. It was slow progress, but progress all the same. What lay at the end of this progress, however, wasn't something he was exactly sure of. Any time he thought back to their conversation in Solona's room, Kallian's quiet warning to be careful nagged at the back of his mind.
Sitting alone waiting for the other two thirds of his party to show up (he had to count Keran, or else the mabari would become cross) had given him plenty of time to be introspective, and after spending the majority of that time wondering about all the possible ways that Solona could have been captured, killed, or similarly have met a gruesome end he realized he was unnaturally concerned about the mage's wellbeing. That revelation was followed quickly by a devious little voice in his brain that told him he had probably fallen in love with the mage, and that if he were already one foot in, why not just take the plunge? Kallian's warning about exactly what would happen to his manly parts if he screwed up their fragile relationship echoed in his ears, and he cursed when it occurred to him that the nosy elf had probably expected this all along. Damn women and their womanly intuition.
His horse was waiting, lipping at the reigns looped over what was left of a weather beaten fence post, giving a great sigh every once and a while, bored. The rest of the army was moving on toward Denerim following the old Highway, and Aedan quietly watched the rising dust cloud marking the combined forces and tried to push out the complicated nature of his thoughts involving a certain blue-eyed mage girl.
Before he could start to worry in earnest, Keran crested a small hill and with his tongue lolling out made a dash for Aedan, barking joyfully to be reunited with his master. Solona appeared soon after; a small smile on her face to see the big war hound nearly barreled Aedan over in his exuberance. Once Keran had covered the underside of Aedan's chin in drool he ran back and grabbed Solona's sash and dragged her over at a fast walk, eager to be all reunited again.
The mage laughed at the hound's antics, patting the mabari on his broad head. "He's been eager all morning, pacing by the door and whining when he though I'd taken too long packing." Keran made a grumbling noise at her, and she chuckled. "Yes, I'm happy to be here too, don't worry." To that he simply barked, wagging his stubby tail and went to inspect the horse.
"I'm glad that we'll be moving as a group again." Aedan reached out and took Solona's meager bag of personal belongings, roping it onto his horse's saddle along with all of the other supplies. "I missed you."
He was amused to see Solona's cheeks flush a delicate shade of pink, and she concentrated on the horizon instead of looking at Aedan. "Well, I'm sure that we'll be able to make up for lost time. It's going to be a long few days on the road."
"Indeed, but before we set off…" He touched Solona's arm briefly and she swung her gaze on him, biting her lip. "I got a message from that Templar." Immediately she became wary, gripping her staff tighter. "He wants to help us, I think. Me, specifically. When I got back to the castle, a journal had been left on my bed. Its pages could teach me how to be a Templar, with all of the abilities and a guideline for training." His news delivered, Aedan waited silently to see what Solona had to say on the subject.
Her nails dug into the wood shaft of her staff, fright passing over her features. She closed her eyes and let her head drop, seeming to think a moment over what this new development meant. "You can't become a Templar." She finally said, raising her head so that she could look at Aedan. "Not a proper one, at least. The young ones… they don't know what they're getting themselves into when they first swear their vows. By the time the effects of the lyrium start showing up, it's too late to turn back. You can't do that to yourself, Aedan."
"The journal told me what would eventually happen." Aedan replied, folding his arms casually across his chest. "If I were to do this, it would be for your peace of mind, not for me. I want you to understand that."
She looked a little like a deer caught in the hunter's sights, eyes large with the desire to run but unable to bring her legs to move for her. Eventually something seemed to give and her shoulders drooped. "I can't ask you to do it, not for me. The risks… outweigh the benefits so much. If there was no lyrium addiction and the consequences… then I would like to have someone to keep me in check nearby, I cannot lie. But giving up your mind for a small sense of security is not a price I can ask you to pay. Not to mention that acquiring lyrium dust outside of the Circle and the Chantry's reach is risky business at the best of times."
"Then I'll do my best without the lyrium." He gave Solona a small smile when she shot him a surprised look. "The journal is very thorough. There are plenty of mind strengthening exercises that don't require lyrium as an enhancer."
With a sad smile Solona shook her head, seeming more amused than anything. "You do too much for me, Aedan. Thank you."
He returned the smile with one of his own and gestured toward the horse. "Let's get on with this journey then. I'm sure that Kallian is missing us quite fiercely. Come on, let me give you a leg up."
•º•.•º•
The Redcliffe estate in Denerim was similar to the Highever estate, and nearly as big. Being the brother to the Rebel Queen had naturally allotted Eamon a suitable station once the dust of the revolution had settled, and unlike the Highever estate, it had not been abandoned for months on end with layers of dust as evidence of absence. After arriving in the city, the group of nobles had split up to arrange their affairs and word was sent to the Wardens to gather.
As it turned out, a large number of willing recruits had amassed at the Highever estate looking to help join the Couslands in ending the madness. Kallian had been up to her neck making sure that nobody was there as a spy and had demonstrated her fierceness as a warrior despite her status as an elf several times in order to pull the congregation of humans into line.
Rebecca was busier than normal and made sure to give Fergus an earful when he walked through the door, admonishing on his semi-starved state and insisted on feeding him before anything else could get done. Theron had been watching the madness unfold from a safe distance away, looming on the balconies as far away from the masses of humanity as he could get despite heckling from Kallian to try and get him to come down. The rest of the Warden's companions had scattered through the house, though Wynne was overcome by her nature as a healer and had been sticking close to Kallian's side to make sure that the red head didn't get in over her head with her brash form of leadership. Things became easier when the body of their trained force entered the courtyard and sobered up the recruitment candidates up quite nicely. After that it was just a matter of outfitting as many as they could and organizing the new ranks.
Once Rebecca was done sobbing over the return of the Cousland brothers and the house staff had thoroughly gawked at Fergus, Alistair and Theron had been rounded up and they all went back to the Redcliffe estate. Emon was waiting for them in the main hall and ready to launch into his speech about their strategy for the Landsmeet that the Wardens had missed out on. The Arl only managed a few sentences into the speech when the doors of the manor suddenly opened, the crier looking positively flabbergasted when he quickly ran up to the group and announced that the Regent Loghain was on his way.
Barely a heartbeat had passed when the doors opened again, this time admitting three individuals. First came the Teyrn himself, Loghain heading off the group in his polished sliver battle armor, a grim look on his face. Trailing close behind was a woman that none of them recognized, and the third face was despised instantly by both of the Cousland brothers. Rendon Howe had finally shown his face.
Howe recognized the boys immediately but seemed unconcerned with the glares that they shot him. Instead, he returned their murderous looks with a smirk of self-satisfaction and Fergus had to put a hand on Aedan's arm to keep him from rushing forward and opening combat.
Eamon was the first to react, though he was obviously just as startled as the rest of them that their enemy had come marching down the hall. "Loghain. This is… an honor, that the regent would find time to greet me personally."
The Regent spared the others gathered around Eamon only a cursory glance, but his issue was with the Arl, and he had no patience for dealing with others. "How could I not welcome a man so important as to call every lord in Ferelden away from his estates while a Blight claws at our land?" If it weren't already obvious that Loghain was no fan of Eamon being up and around again, his tone conveyed it very plainly.
"The Blight is why I'm here." Eamon had quickly recovered from his surprise and seemed ready to battle on par with Loghain. "With Cailan dead, Ferelden must have a king to lead it against the darkspawn."
"Ferelden has a strong leader, it's queen. And I lead her armies." Loghain growled in response, fairly bristling with anger.
"Considering Ostagar," Theron piped up, folding his arms across his chest, "then perhaps we should consider a new general. Wouldn't want a nasty repeat of that little incident."
Loghain paid attention to the elf for the first time, rounding his gaze on the smaller Warden. "Ah, the Grey Warden recruit. I though we might meet again. You have my sympathies on what happened to your order. It is unfortunate that they chose to turn against Ferelden."
Theron sneered at that, obviously tensing as if he were trying hard not to lash out at the Teyrn. "Save your condolences. On principle, I do not take sympathy from traitors, regicides, or cowards."
The comment seemed to strike home, and Loghain instantly went on the offensive, staring down Theron despite the elf's resolve not to flinch or shy away from the rather intimidating man. "You should curb your tongue. This is my city, and no safe place to speak treason. For anyone." He cast a meaningful look at Eamon, sizing the Arl up as his next target. "There is talk that your illness left you feeble, Eamon. Some worry that you may no longer be fit to advise Ferelden."
"Illness?" He scoffed in return. "Why not call your poison by its true name? Not everyone at the Landsmeet will cast aside their loyalties as easily as you and these… sycophants."
"How long you've been gone from court, Eamon! Don't you recognize Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine and Teyrn of Highever?" From his tone, it would be easy to think that Loghain was introducing a prized warhorse, rather than a fellow member of the nobility, as if Howe was some great personal achievement.
"And current Arl of Denerim, after Urien's unfortunate fate at Ostagar. Truly, it is an embarrassment of riches." Howe was quick to fill in the gap and didn't in the least sound as if he were embarrassed.
"I should demand blood rights, after what you've done." Fergus said in a low angry voice bordering on outrage, coming forward for the first time in the conversation, and Aedan was fast after him, standing at his brother's side ready to back him up. "You murdered my family!"
Howe seemed pleased that one of the Cousland brothers had decided to speak up, his self-satisfied smirk returning in full. Like a cat that had eaten the canary, the goldfish, and the pet rat and had successfully gotten away with all three acts. "You have no rights. Your family surrendered them when I revealed them to be traitors to the king."
"You think you can slander my family to my face?" Aedan stepped forward, reaching for his sword and it took Fergus to make sure that he didn't actually draw.
The woman who had been silent up to this point suddenly started for her weapon as well, moving forward slightly to take a better defensive position next to Loghain. "You are either very bold or very stupid to threaten a Teyrn before witnesses." She hissed, distain wrinkling her brow.
"Enough, Cauthrine." Loghain interrupted the fight before it could escalate, though kept a wary eye on the Couslands. "This is not the time or place. I had hoped to talk you down from this rash course, Eamon. Our people are frightened: Our king is dead. Our land is under siege. We must be united now, if we are to endure this crisis. Your own sister, Queen Rowan, fought tirelessly to see Ferelden restored. Would you see her work destroyed? You divide our nation and weaken our efforts against the Blight with your selfish ambitions to the throne." He was working himself up to a fervor, sounding as if he were already delivering the speech before the Landsmeet.
"Ferelden wouldn't have needed unifying if you weren't the one to break it apart in the first place." Theron spat venomously. "You've had a whole year to unite the kingdom, and all you've done is drive it further apart."
Loghain regarded the elf like he would a speck of dirt on his immaculate war armor. "I was not talking to you."
"I cannot forgive what you've done, Loghain…" Eamon interjected before the sword-happy Cauthrine could get to work on making sure that Theron never interrupted them again. "Perhaps the Maker can, but not I. Our people deserve a king of the Therin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory in this Blight."
Alistair leaned slightly toward Theron, a sarcastic smile on his face. "Oh, is that all I have to do? No pressure…" The quip did nothing to lighten the elf's mood.
Realizing that Eamon wasn't backing down quietly, Loghain stepped forward toward the Arl, dwarfing him. "The emperor of Orlais also thought I could not bring him down. Expect no more mercy than I showed him. There is nothing I would not do for my homeland." His point delivered, Loghain turned and left without a final word of goodbye, his guard and Howe following along as Eamon's doormen quickly scrambled to open the way and let the Regent out.
Once the door had closed, Eamon released a pent-up sigh and turned toward the others. "Well, that was… bracing. I didn't expect Loghain to show himself quite so soon."
"Or Howe." Fergus added, patting Aedan on the shoulder, looking not at all happy about the encounter. He was not the only one. Faces were grim all around the circle of allies.
"We can't let that snake get away with what he's done." Aedan's statement was met with a sympathetic nod from both his brother and Eamon, but there was a definite tension between the two.
"I agree, and the sooner his head is on a pike, the better off we all will be. But he'll be protected by Loghain. Attacking Howe directly before the Landsmeet will only bring more suspicion to our cause." Fergus shook his head, sounding just as bitter as he felt about the reality of the situation. "I never thought it would come to all this. I still can't believe it's real half the time. How could Loghain keep Rendon at his side after all that man has done? I thought they were honorable men once… Father thought they were honorable men."
"I can sympathize with that. It is a bitter does to taste. The Chantry speaks truly about the corruption of power if a man like Loghain could go and do this." Eamon added in a quiet tone, giving the two Cousland looks of honest sympathy. "I would never have believed he would do anything but what was best for Ferelden. We need eyes and ears in the city. Loghain has been here for months. The roots of all his schemes must be here. The sooner we find them, the better we can turn them to our advantage."
"That's where I come in." Aedan added once he'd had a moment to calm back down, straightening slightly and looking directly at Eamon. "I have been here as well, and I have a reliable network of information. We've already uncovered a system of Tevinter slave traders that have been working under Howe's protection with evidence to back up our claims."
"Good, good. That's a good start. However you're finding this information, keep doing it." The Arl turned to the Wardens. "You should probably see if you can't find the nobles that have arrived for the Landsmeet. Test the waters, see how many will support us."
"I'll be there to help." Fergus offered immediately when Theron looked distasteful at the thought of getting involved in even more politics. "Not all of the banns and arls have been fooled by Loghain. Many of them should still recognize me from past Landsmeets, and might be more open to talking with a familiar face."
"You'll get no argument from me on that front." Theron replied, seeming weary before the real work had even begun.
"Excellent. Then we should probably talk strategy. Come upstairs to my sitting room and we can lay out our plans for the Landsmeet." Eamon gestured up the hall and began walking, Theron and Alistair following in tow.
Fergus hesitated, looking first to Aedan. "Go on." He said with a forced smile that was vaguely cheery. "I'll catch up. I have to go tell Kallian what's happened here and have her people start working on ferreting out more information on Howe and Loghain." Fergus nodded and went after the Arl and the Wardens, Aedan heading in the opposite direction and leaving the same way that Loghain had. For a wild moment he considered hunting them down and attacking Howe before anyone could stop him, but the moment past and he put his feet in the direction of the Highever estate, convincing himself that justice would come in all due time.
He had barely left the market district when Kallian suddenly darted around a corner ahead of him, wild-eyed and running at full tilt, Solona was hot on her heels and looking just as perturbed. When they saw him they stopped in a scramble, trying not to fall over themselves.
"Aedan! Thank the Maker we found you in time." Solona gasped, trying to catch her breath.
"What happened?" He asked, the feeling of their panic quickly infecting him. "What's wrong?"
"Howe." Kallian replied, catching her breath back quicker than Solona. "He found out where we were. I saw his troops gatherin' an' I didn't think nothin' of it at first, but then they started marchin' for the estate, so I ran to come find you."
"She caught me along the way. I don't know what he's thinking, but it's going to happen. Your troops need you." Solona had recovered somewhat and seemed ready to run again.
It clicked into place for Aedan, and he suddenly realized why Howe had seemed so damned assured of himself. Without saying a word, he took off running for the Redcliffe estate, a confused Solona and Kallian lagging behind, surprised that he'd taken off so quickly.
"…I have some uniforms. Arl Howe hires so many new guards every day, a few more will not- EEK!"
The door slammed open, Aedan bursting through and not at all caring that he'd run right in the middle of what looked like a very important meeting. Arl Eamon and the Wardens were staring at him like he'd grown an extra head, a dark-haired elf woman in fancy clothes recovering from her shock with a flushed face. His brother was the only one to come forward, instantly wary. "What happened?"
"Howe knows." Aedan replied, breathless. "His men are marching on us, right now."
"Here?" Eamon came forward, instantly outraged. "How dare he-"
"No." Aedan interrupted, having no time for being dramatic. "Our place."
Fergus went white as a sheet and started for the door. "He'll take the manor and our men if they aren't prepared for battle right away. It may already be too late."
"We'll help." Theron volunteered, following up on Fergus. "Wardens are the best choice if you're going up against impossible odds."
"No." Eamon interrupted, stopping them in their tracks. "This sounds like a perfect opportunity to kill Anora without anyone else noticing. You have to go rescue the Queen, or if the worst comes to pass then it would be all too easy to blame her death on me, or you."
"Kill Anora? Who's killing Anora?" Aedan asked, feeling slightly like he'd just wandered into the Fade without realizing it.
"That rat-nosed bastard Howe has your queen." Theron made a disappointed noise. "Fine. We move into Howe's estate now."
"If you're sacking the estate." Kallian gasped, catching up with everyone finally. "Then you're taking me. I've been studyin' maps of the place for weeks."
"Aedan, you go with them." Fergus said, gripping his brother's shoulder. "I'll go back and lead the men. Make sure that Howe doesn't get away with this. You and your people know this city better than I do."
Aedan returned the gesture, gripping Fergus' armor. "Stay safe, brother."
"Tell Sten what we're up to." Theron shot quickly before Fergus could leave. "The others will follow him. They know better than to disagree with a Qunari."
"I'll send a detachment with you Fergus. Hopefully the presence of my men will confuse them enough to stall the attack. Erlina," Until now the elf had quietly been watching what was going on; looking slightly concerned but otherwise unsurprised. Obviously, she was used to politics. "If you have those guard uniforms, now would be the time to give them to us." She nodded and disappeared into the adjoining room.
"I ain't putting one on, and neither should he." Kallian piped up, nodding to Theron. "There might be new guards every day, but all of 'em have been human. Howe don't hire knife-ears. We'll go in a different way. I know a window or two that'll get us past the guards."
"Alistair, you go with Aedan, meet us inside and we'll take things from there." Theron gave the order quickly, moving to stand by Kallian. "We do this quickly and quietly, or we'll have a mess on our hands quicker than a hawk can snatch a sparrow."
"I'm coming with you." Solona had finally caught up, breathing hard from running across Denerim. "I promised that I would help you see this through. I intend to make good on that."
Aedan considered that for a split second before quietly nodding. "Alright then. You won't be able to take your staff. The guards only have swords." Solona nodded, too winded to reply.
"I need to go." Fergus said, looking briefly to Eamon. "Moments wasted here could mean the lives of my men. Good luck Aedan. May the Maker keep his eye on you."
Writing this chapter was like sliding down a hill for me. Once Kallian came with the news I felt like I had to rush through typing. I just got excited by all the excitement, I guess. I've been piecing together the next chapter, and let me forewarn you all; it's going to be absolutely massive. It might even take "A Celebration"'s spot as the longest chapter in my story. We'll see. I hope you're all looking forward to the next chapter as much as I am. It's going to be fun.