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This was the second time he had ended up in a prison in a year.

Odin looked around rather groggily. On the plus side the cell was better than the Carta, more space, had a bed and didn't smell of shit. On the other hand the Dwarf could see (and hear the effects of) the prison's rather extensive collection of torture devices. The Carta always kept it simple with fists and knives, Ferelden jailers appeared to favour more sophisticated methods of loosening tongues.

The day had started so well. After the useless (but still somewhat satisfying) confrontation with Loghain he entered the Arl's study to find none other than Queen Anora's handmaiden, an elf named Erlina, begging for help. She claimed that Arl Howe had placed the Queen under house arrest. Erlina was unsure whether this was done with Loghain's consent but remained adamant that her mistress was in grave danger. Both Eamon and himself were suspicious of a trap but also agreed that they would have to spring it regardless. So with Leliana, Zevran and Morrigan Odin sneaked into Howe's recently 'acquired' Estate.

Despite his own misgivings about disguises (the last time he tried it he had ended up being imprisoned, funny that) they got in with no problems. Unfortunately that did not last; Anora was easy enough to find but the door had been sealed by a mage in Howe's personnel guard, as long as the mage lived the barrier wasn't going anywhere. Howe and his guards were in the dungeons. The dungeons that were placed right next to Howe's bedchamber, never a good sign, especially in a powerful noble.

Sure enough they found quite a few prisoners in various states of health. One was an Orleasian Grey Warden named Riordan, who had entered Ferelden to scout and negotiate only to end up captured. Several were relatives of high ranking nobles, one of whom was a templar who had apprehended Jowan before Loghain's men intervened; his testimony alone would prove the assassination attempt on Eamon. The rest promised support from their families in the Landsmeet. This was a massive advantage but getting everyone out would be all the more difficult.

Once they found Howe he was as well guarded as you'd expect and did his best to sneer and be condescending, unfortunately for him it didn't work. Odin privately admitted that Howe was a far tougher opponent than he would have guessed but a sharp blade though the stomach put an end to the fight soon enough. With Howe dead they found yet more prisoners, a few elves that had plenty to say about Howe and the previous Arl, Vaughan Kendells, that Howe had usurped. The same Arl was in another cell and very kindly gave them the location and key to a sealed strongbox full of gold. Very sadly this particular noble fell over repeatedly on to Zevran's poisoned daggers, tragic really.

All seemed to be going well, too well. Sure enough no sooner had they broken out Anora than the group stumbled into Loghain's chief lieutenant, Ser Cautherin and a full company of guards. Apparently they hadn't been as stealthy as they thought. That was when Odin came up with his brilliant plan.

"Run for it!"

Looking back Odin wondered if he'd been hanging around Rincewind too long.

As it turned out the plan was almost completely successful. Their retreat through to the estate's kitchen, despite the large number of people who were suffering torture-related injuries, was fairly swift. Of course throwing various bombs behind them also helped their exit. Odin was acting as the rear guard and it was just as he was about to race through the final doorway that Cautherin caught him. That woman had a formidable right hook; he had been down for at least six hours.

Odin looked around thinking; his lock picks had been taken. No money for bribes and the guards looked too well trained to fall for any fake illnesses or tricks. He could of course wait and hope that his friends would bust him out but how in the name of the stone would they…

CRASH!

Odin spun round the stone wall at the back of his cell had a rather large bulge in it. He was still a little dazed but the dwarf was fairly certain that it wasn't there a moment ago.

CRASH!

Now that giant gaping hole was defiantly new.

As the dust settled he saw his rescuers.

"Well, well what have we here?"

"Ah Morrigan, you're breaking me out of prison? I knew you cared."

The witch scowled, "Spare me your foolish sentimentality. I was able to track you with the ring I gave you and the Luggage provided an entrance. Now we must hurry."

"Wait!" protested Odin "I'm getting my swords and armour back before we leave."

Morrigan looked exasperated; the Luggage was more helpful and coughed up a lock pick, literally.

With the door open the warden, still dressed in his underclothes, tackled the nearby guard to the ground. His hand quickly clamped down on the sentries' mouth.

"I have got much time so I'll get straight to the point," Said Odin in an amicable tone. "Tell me where my gear is and I'll leave in peace. Fail to do so and the wooden chest over there will start biting pieces off."

The luggage snapped its' teeth at the hapless guard, whose eyes widened noticeably.

Odin smiled grimly, "so, do we have an agreement?"

The guard nodded.

"Excellent," Odin removed his hand from guard's mouth.

"Your arms and armour are in that chest over there."

Odin looked sceptical. Morrigan sauntered over and opened the box before looking back.

"He speaks truly."

Odin looked confused before exclaiming, "Really? Just as I was starting to think this was a strong fortress. The damn thing isn't even locked!" then he shrugged and turned back to the guard.

"Oh well, thanks for the help. I'm afraid I'll still have to knock you out, nothing personal but I'd like a good head start."

The guard panicked for a split second before a solid punch sent him into unconsciousness.

"Time to go," said Morrigan with a smile that made Odin slightly nervous. "And I believe the Luggage may help."

"How exactly…" Odin began before being scooped up by the Luggage and, for a moment, swallowed whole. The Dwarf's head then reappeared as the Luggage turned round and bolted off towards the custom made exit. A raven followed, cackling as only a shape shifting sorceress could.

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Queen Anora paced the Arl's study, thinking hard.

Her plan to get out of her house arrest had worked but the preservation of her throne was hanging in the balance. Eamon was an ally of convenience at best and it was clear to her at least that he wanted her removed so his chosen puppet could rule. Her impression of this Alistair as a follower rather than a leader had not changed and it seemed the only other person that could challenge Eamon's influence was the other Grey Warden, who was now languishing in prison. She hoped to make her case to him, a risky gambit but with her father's… actions she had little choice.

The motley collection of followers the Wardens had acquired seemed strangely calm about their leader's incarceration. They sent the apostate girl to rescue him (it appeared the rumours about her and the Warden were accurate after all) and something called 'the Luggage', which no one seemed ready to explain. She had heard some ridiculous reports of course…

Her musings were interrupted by a large wooden chest that stormed into the room and promptly spat other a very dishevelled looking Warden. Eamon and all the others rushed forward.

The Warden himself didn't say a word but instead stared up at the ceiling. After a few moments he opened his mouth.

"I need a sodding drink!"

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