This chapter is somewhat short. I am on a business trip to Kirkwall, City of Chains (oops: Baltimore, aka Charm City. Yes. They really call it that.), and thought you would rather I updated timely with something than left you hanging with nothing. I always thought the Landsmeet would need more than one chapter anyway.
Victory at Ostagar
Chapter 82: The Game of Kings
The Landsmeet Chamber vibrated with tension. The stakes were high: lordships were in the offing, Landsmeet votes for the taking. Fates of entire families depended on the outcome today. Under their finery, nobles were sweating.
Anora stepped forward. She must begin the Landsmeet with a speech, the oration that laid out the issues and set the tone for the Landsmeet. Beautiful, grave, and no fool, she had the attention of everyone in the chamber.
"Lord and Ladies of the Landsmeet, we come together in a time of troubles. A Blight claws at our lands, foreign powers seek to stab us in the back, and we have been attacked where we thought safest. My husband, your King Cailan, is dead, killed in battle defending this country. We meet here by his will to choose who will succeed him. Who will lead this country through this crisis? We must all choose wisely, or the power of choice might be lost forever. Personal differences and petty greed must be set aside for the good of the kingdom. Ferelden needs strong leadership— leadership from top to bottom—never more than now. We must choose a ruler, my countrymen: a ruler able to defend this kingdom!"
Sage nods, and murmurs of approval. One man in the back shouted, "Let's vote for Loghain, and get it over with!" Anora put up her hand for silence.
"Nor is our king the only loss we have borne. Many friends and relations we saw last spring are now gone forever. Friend has turned against friend, misled by great evil or malign trickery. A teyrnir, three arlings, and ten bannorns have been deprived of a strong hand to protect and guide them. We must make good these losses, and work together to defend our people and uphold order throughout Ferelden!"
A great deal of applause. Everyone was in favor of getting a land and title for themselves or a near relative. Anora paused, and spoke bluntly.
"This is no time to hide the truth behind soft words. We are in danger. The Archdemon is a threat to all life on Thedas, but it is in Ferelden where the horde first erupted.
"And while we have been in engaged in fighting the Blight, our ancient enemy has taken advantage of the threat. Orlesian assassins were sent to kill my father, Teyrn Loghain, and the Warden-Commander. They were foiled by our allies and punished, but there is no doubt who sent them. I myself was poisoned by a trusted servant-an Orlesian-who planned to make my death appear to be from natural causes. Orlesians have even infiltrated the Chantry, for a pair of priests from Orlais held me prisoner in the Cathedral until I was rescued by Teyrn Fergus Cousland—"
A cheer, growing in volume. Eyes turned Fergus' way. He grinned, and made the Queen an elaborate bow, hand on heart. Anora smiled at him, and continued her speech.
"I must speak of the ghastly events of the 7th of Harvestmere, when Lady Habren Bryland's wedding was infiltrated by Orlesian agents who murdered Arl Urien and Banns Loren, Reginalda, and Ceorlic. Many were wounded and injured in the attack, and it is clear that the agents hoped to kill many more. Thanks are due to Arl Leonas Bryland for leading the defense that drove the assassins away."
Yet more applause. Leandra turned to look at her husband, sincere admiration shining in her eyes. He waved the applause away, trying to smile, remembering the panic and horror of that day.
Anora went on. "And yet, amidst all these vicious and cowardly attacks, we have not stood alone. Our allies, bound by ancient Grey Warden treaties, have supported us in battle: the dwarves of Orzammar and the Dalish elves. Mages from Ferelden's Circle have served bravely with the army, saving many lives. Above all, Ferelden's Grey Wardens have stood firm against the Blight, gathering all the races together against our ancient, common foe."
Bronwyn got her share of applause, but the rest was a little more problematic. Most Fereldan nobles had nothing against dwarves-especially Orzammar dwarves, conveniently out of sight. Many, however, did not care for elves, and definitely did not like Dalish elves traveling through their lands, poaching game and making trouble. Some others feared mages, and thought they should be locked away securely. This point of view was hotly contested by others, especially by nobles who had actually served in the south. Anora's clear voice carried over the gossip.
"We shall begin, as is customary, by recognizing new lordships, inheritances, marriages, and births; the strong foundation of family in which the nobility is rooted. Once the Landsmeet itself is complete, it will be our duty to choose who will lead this kingdom to victory against its enemies!"
The seneschal shouted, "Long life to Her Majesty!"
Prolonged applause for the Queen's Speech. Anora had decided to be brief, and not tease and infuriate the attendees with a long-winded peroration. People wanted to get down to business. So, for that matter, did she. She took her place on the throne, wondering if it would be the last time, while the seneschal recognized the premier noble of Ferelden-or rather his heir.
Fergus stood tall in the gallery. He would have to clarify what had happened to his family, or he would be bogged down by painful questions.
"Your Majesty... nobles of Ferelden...my friends, comrades, and countrymen! My father, Bryce Cousland, died last Cloudreach. He was not alone. My mother, my wife and son, and many of our loyal retainers died as well. A ruthless Orlesian agent and a band of foreign blood mages manipulated Arl Rendon Howe into attacking Highever. Arl Howe is dead now, having paid in blood for whatever share of the guilt was his. As my father's first-born child, and long recognized as his heir, I put myself forward to be confirmed as Teyrn of Highever."
Fergus had always been popular, The rumbles were favorable. Anora, as arbiter of the Landsmeet, said, "Is this the will of the Landsmeet? Can Fergus Cousland be accepted as Teyrn of Highever by acclamation? If not, let his opponent declare himself!"
Some mutters, mainly from people who were intrigued by the hints of scandal and conspiracy. No one, however, wanted to declare themselves in opposition, at least not now, with so many lordships to be had. Nor did anyone have the nerve to cry "Question!" Not so early in the day. Fergus' right to inherit Highever had long been recognized.
Anora smiled, "Then let us proclaim the Landsmeet's decision. Let those who recognize Teyrn Fergus Cousland say 'aye!'"
"Aye!" roared the Landsmeet.
Once recognized as teyrn, Fergus was free to transact a great deal of business. In fact, it was he who had the greatest number of lordships to fill. He had previously agreed with Nathaniel Howe that he would present the Highever banns for confirmation and Nathaniel, after his own confirmation, would present those for Amaranthine.
Fergus made clear that he was going to continue to hold the city of Highever himself; and his candidates for Darkencombe, Loren's old domain, and Greenleaf were quickly passed without comment. There had been enough preliminary talk in the month before the Landsmeet to make clear that there were no blood heirs surviving in those two bannorns. As customary, the two new banns did homage to Fergus in the sight of all, kneeling before him with their hands in his.
"I swear before the Maker and his Prophet that I will in the future be faithful to Fergus Cousland, my rightful lord, in matters of worldly honor."
Following usual precedence, Loghain spoke next, and submitted his recent marriage to Lady Bronwyn Cousland for recognition by the Landsmeet.
There was general good will toward the couple, but a call of "Question!" from Bann Babcock of White Hills.
"What is your question, my lord?" Anora asked coolly of the old man, Teagan Guerrin's vassal and relation by marriage.
"Well…damn it all… the girl's a Grey Warden. The Girl Warden! Isn't that what everyone calls her? Is it legal for a Grey Warden to marry?"
No one would have liked to have the expression on Loghain's face turned in his direction, but the old man bore it manfully enough.
"Warden-Commander," Anora called. "As the head of the order in Ferelden and the resident expert, what say you to Bann Babcock's question?"
"Your Majesty," Bronwyn said, looking down her nose , but speaking with deliberate sweetness, "there is nothing to prevent a Grey Warden marrying. We swear no oaths of celibacy or continence, as the Chantry does. In fact, I have heard of a number of Grey Wardens being wed…sometimes to one another. It is in no way proscribed."
Bryland and Wulffe exchanged discreet smirks.
"Does that answer your question, Bann Babcock?," asked Anora, with equal sweetness.
"It does, your Majesty." said the old man, and then muttered something in an undertone to his one of his sons.
Anora said, "Then may I hear the assent of this body to the marriage of Teyrn Loghain with Lady Bronwyn Cousland, that their union be legally binding and their children recognized as legitimate?"
That was done. Neither Bronwyn nor Loghain looked at Teagan, whom they suspected had arranged that little caltrop.
Next in precedence was the arling of Denerim, and here Kane Kendalls, carefully coached by Leonas Bryland, put himself forward for arl. A great many women-and even a few men-swooned at his good looks.
"…While I have no previous experience before this august body…"
Some questions were called by people trying to understand the family tree and the exact way that Kane Kendalls was related to Arl Urien. Kane had notes on the matter. Better yet, he had his father-in-law Bryland to support him and to deflect one annoying old lady's queries about the second son of Arl Paladoc.
"That line is extinct, Lady Gwynnyfar…"
There was a call for a recorded vote; so in order of precedence, each member of the Landsmeet had to declare his or her vote openly. It did not appear that many people wished to vote against Kane. Rather, they wanted to know where the great nobles stood on the subject, and once that was established, the rest of the Landsmeet fell into line. The recognition of Kane's marriage to Lady Habren was quickly accomplished by acclamation. Kane Kendalls was now the Arl of Denerim. Habren preened in triumph, clinging to his arm.
Nathaniel Howe was next, and there things got ugly. There was never any real danger that he would not be confirmed. However, there were plenty of questions, some directed at the Couslands, as to how they felt about this son of a traitor. There were even more pointed questions as to how they could think of leaving the murders of their parents unavenged. The last questioner was Lady Rosalyn, the widow of Bann Ceorlic. Fergus made clear that he thought such a question rude and tactless of her. Imprudent too, as he pointed out.
"No amount of blood could suffice to make me…" he sneered "...complacent about the deaths of my mother, my father, my wife, my son, and so many good friends. If blood could make it all not have happened, your question might have some validity. Arl Howe is dead, as are two of his innocent children. Lady Delilah above all was blameless in everything. Do you imagine that her death gave me any pleasure?" He grew angrier as he spoke. "Do you think me a monster?"
Lady Rosalyn reddened and stammered, and her sons closed around her, murmuring sympathetically.
Fergus had more to say. "Nathaniel is not his father, and had no part in the crimes against the Couslands. Why should I blame him, when sons of the men who murdered Queen Moira—" here he stared hard at Rosalyn and her children—"were permitted to inherit? Nathaniel and I were friends from youth. I trust him to be the arl that Amaranthine needs in this difficult time. Only days ago, he dared to defend the arling at the side of my sister, the Warden-Commander, when a party of renegade darkspawn were discovered lurking half a day from Denerim!"
A panicked babble, rising in volume. The seneschal had to call for order. Ultimately, Anora called Bronwyn to the speaker's gallery to give a quick report of the events in Amaranthine.
"…Thus, while the Architect could have been a serious threat to the kingdom as a whole, he was at the moment hiding from the Archdemon, and had not collected a large band of his own. He was most interested in capturing females for breeding purposes, but had not yet succeeded in this."
Bann Frandarel asked, "Darkspawn females?"
"No, my lord," Bronwyn replied. "Women of any race: human, elven, or dwarven. Qunari, too, for that matter. There are no darkspawn females. Soldiers in Denerim could tell you of the horror we discovered near Ostagar. As you have no doubt heard, darkspawn capture and violate women, who then grow huge and misshapen and give birth to more darkspawn."
She had thought that surely they all knew this by now… she really had… but apparently a great many noble lords and ladies had not been paying attention. A few women left the chamber, looking sick. There was quite a lot of discussion.
"Then why," Bann Frandarel challenged, "are we sending women into danger? Why do we expose women to these creatures? Why did you become a Warden, Your Grace, knowing what you do?"
Such ignorance was more than irritating. "First of all, my lord," Bronwyn said sharply. "I did not choose to be a Grey Warden. I was conscripted by Duncan, the prior commander. I was given no choice whatever. Furthermore, darkspawn must be faced and fought, and not run away from. Darkspawn don't care if women don't fight: it just makes it easy for them."
She had frightened them, she saw. More than a little. Really, how could they not have heard about this? Were they so completely occupied with hunting and dancing and gaming and wenching that they had not heard the news from the army in Ostagar? That was troubling in itself. She decided to give them an example.
"On a ride north from Ostagar, I stopped at a farmhold. The farm wife there was no warrior, and neither was her toddler daughter. That did not prevent the darkspawn from bursting from the ground in an attempt to seize them. Had I not been there, their fate would have been sealed. I admit at that time, however, that I did not know as much about the darkspawn as I do now. I had never seen or heard of a Broodmother until I was in the Dead Trenches in the Deep Roads east of Orzammar. I saw one there for the first time: pitiful, terrible, mindless. She was a dwarf woman taken prisoner by the darkspawn. People even knew the woman's name! That is the kind of monstrous enemy we must fight and defeat."
"Thank you, Your Grace," said Anora, "for your compelling words. I hope you find the answer sufficient, my lord. Let us return to the business at hand. Nathaniel Howe claims the arling of Amaranthine."
Another recorded vote, and some absentions: Teagan and a number of his banns among them. It was enough to register qualms, but not enough to prevent Nathaniel's confirmation. He was then recognized as Arl of Amaranthine, and immediately swore allegiance to Fergus in a strong and manly voice. He too had vacant bannorns.
"Amaranthine needs a number of new lords," he declared. "In consultation with my liege lord, Fergus Cousland, I hereby propose the following candidates…"
Adam Hawke's heart skipped a beat. Leandra clutched at Bryland's armor, hardly feeling the plate under her fingernails.
"For bann of the City of Amaranthine, in place of the disgraced and self-exiled Bann Esmerelle, I propose Ser Adam Hawke, whom many of you who served at Ostagar would know as the man who was knighted by our King Cailan for services on the battlefield."
Some applause, more murmurs, more talk, and an excited squeak forced from Bethany. Carver's jaw fell open. He swayed, feeling like he had been knocked silly by a bolt of lightning. Bronwyn caught his eye, wishing that Adam had prepared him for this. Perhaps she herself should have, but it had not been her secret.
Some of the young women who had admired Adam earlier took a second and even a third look at him. Others whispered behind their hands, and pointed at Bethany.
Before the vote could be taken, Anora pointed out that the current bann of the city was very much alive, though fled to the Free Marches.
"Bann Esmerelle," she said, "has proved herself a traitor to Ferelden and a criminal, selling free Fereldans for gold. I put it before you, lords and ladies: do you assent to the will of the Crown in stripping that unworthy woman of her title and lands?"
No one sought to defend her. Her allies in the Landsmeet were dead and their kin fled. The vote was passed by acclamation. The bannorn of the City of Amaranthine was declared vacant, and claimed by Ser Adam Hawke, as proposed by the Arl of Amaranthine.
Bann Oswald, an independent spirit from the Bannorn, asked baldly what many people only whispered. "Do we want the blood of mages in the Landsmeet?"
Bryland bridled, and glared at the man.
Fergus shot back, "I want a brave and capable man in the Landsmeet!"
Nathaniel, more calmly, said, "Ser Adam has been serving as castellan in the city, and has routed out a gang of smugglers that the previous bann could not. His brother Carver Hawe is also serving his nation as a Grey Warden."
Carver was luckily still too dazed to say anything of what he was feeling.
Bryland was about to burst out in the Hawkes' defence, but Bann Alfstanna forestalled him.
"Yes, His sister Bethany Hawke, is indeed a mage. A mage who came forward, risking personal danger, to save my life and the lives of many others. Yes, I do think we want someone with that blood in the Landsmeet!"
Lady Seria Mac Coo pinched her nephew until he too spoke up. "Boskydale supports the Hawkes, Your Majesty. We are grateful for Mistress Bethany's selfless act in saving my aunt."
Oswald was not to be put down so easily, and appealed to the Grand Cleric. "Your Grace, what do you think about this?"
Muirin, who was not enjoying herself particularly that day, said quietly. "I see no impediment to Ser Adam. There is no text that excludes relatives of mages from the business of ruling. That would set a precedent that I believe no one would want."
"But what if his children have magic? We wouldn't like anything else like that business in Redcliffe… secret mages going mad and murdering half the countryside! And everyone admits that girl there is an apostate!"
Teagan was red with anger and sick with the memory. He was ready to vote for Ser Adam, merely to shut up Bann Oswald.
"I can speak for myself," Adam declared in his rich and resonant voice, stepping out in front of them all. "I know, better than most, the perils and power of magic. I have lived with magic all my life, and I am proud that my sister is an exemplar of one whose magic serves that which is best in her, not that which is most base." He lifted his arms in a graceful, expansive gesture. "But I am not a mage. I must rely on good steel and the strength of a my sword arm, both of which I have offered gladly to king and country. If that is not enough for the nobles here present, I shall continue as I am, a soldier of Ferelden, who serves in whatever capacity he can."
He had won them. Anora called for a vote, and Fergus, looking about with more than a hint of challenge, moved that it be a vote of acclamation. No one demurred, and thus, Adam Hawke became a bann of Ferelden.
No one had a word to oppose to the other candidates for Amaranthine, and thus Blayne Varel, Daniell Seyton, Darron Bliss, and Conn Marfarythen joined the Landsmeet. The five men swore fealty, one of the largest number to do so at once time in recent Fereldan history. Bliss had been warned that Drake's Fall has lost some territory to the Wardens, based on ancient land grants. He accepted that calmly, having never expected a holding of his own, much less a bannorn. Besides, he had heard that the ancient Tevinters had collected dragonbone there. Perhaps they had missed a few bits, here and there: perhaps enough to make a go of the place.
This act of the drama completed, people began to shift and fidget and think about their midday meals. Anora was not about to release them., since that would be an outright affront to Teagan Guerrin, who was up next to claim the arling of Redcliffe.
He was the only possible claimant. Not even an unreasonable person could object to him, and Nathaniel Howe made a point of voting for him, which had the effect of making himself appear noble and above petty revenge—and made Teagan seem small in comparison. Teagan was exasperated, since he felt there were strong objections to Nathaniel Howe, and now wished he had gone ahead and raised questions about the young arl's activities in the Free Marches. However, due to precedence, he was unable to do so himself, and had been reluctant to use a proxy who might have suffered for his impertinence.
Nor could any reasonable person object to his new bride. Kaitlyn herself trembled, afraid that some great lord or lady would thunder disapproval of such an insignificant person. It all went by very quickly, though, and the vote passed by acclamation before Kaitlyn had quite grasped that it was happening. Teagan smiled fondly at her, and there was applause. Kaitlyn had no idea what to do, and turned very red. Her modesty did her no harm with the better-natured members of the Landsmeet.
She was so glad Bevin was playing at Bryland House. He would have started talking and asking questions, and it would have annoyed Teagan no end. She gave a great sigh to herself. She was really and truly an Arlessa! If only Mother were still here to see this! She hardly heard the next order of business... Arl Bryland's marriage to Lady Amell... until it took a loud an unpleasant turn.
Arl Bryland was shouting, "You forget yourself, my lady!" Murmurs, titters, astonished talk was rising. The old lady, Bann Fredegunda, was unembarrassed.
"Don't tell me what I forget and don't forget, my lord!" she growled back. She was stout and white-haired, with a bit of a white beard and moustache as well, and her voice was deep, like a husky bark. "I repeat my question. My lady Leandra, do you still have your courses? Are you still able to conceive children? Your tall lads there can scowl all they like, but this matters!"
Carver was distracted by the unspeakable horror that was Adam Hawke, Bann of the City of Amaranthine, by his mother's distress. Bethany wished she could disappear into the floor. Adam resigned himself to a duel, while Leandra was redder than Kaitlyn Guerrin.
"Yes, Bann Fredegunda. While I think it unlikely, I am still technically able to conceive."
Uneasy looks were exchanged. Leonas Bryland took a threatening step forward. "I have a grown daughter and two sons! I don't see that this matters. Even if we were to have a child, the odds of having a mage are simply not that high. It was Leandra's first husband who was the mage!"
Leandra's blush deepened. She had never told Leonas the story of the Amells and their own history of magic. Now and then an Amell was born that way. Such a birth had ruined her grandfather's prospects of being named Viscount of Kirkwall. Adam, Carver, Charade, and Bethany knew the truth, but were resolutely silent on the matter.
Bann Fredegunda, however, was satisfied. "Oh, the father, was it? Never mind, then."
Some deep breaths of relief, and a few sighs of diappointment. No Landsmeet was quite complete without a trial by combat. The marriage was recognized by acclamation.
Of the high nobles, only Arl Wulffe was left, and his only matter of succession-related business was to present Rothgar to the Landsmeet as his declared heir-apparent. This aroused no opposition and only a little interest. Charade felt a little self-conscious when Rothgar gave her a wink.
"With that, my lords and ladies," said Anora. "Let us adjourn for the middday meal. We shall convene again in two hours."
"Watch out!" shouted Corbus. "The axe is going to fall on your head!"
A crash of metal against of stone, followed by the delighted squeals of children and a puppy's loud barks.
Bryland House was alive with young Brylands, Kendalls, and a Merton at play. The tutor had retired to his room with a headache. The grownups had gone to the Landsmeet, and that had left five children with a large mansion to plunder.
Bevin had the idea of playing Landsmeet. Corbus had led them to a forgotten storage room he found out how to get into, and they pulled out some of Habren's old clothes and some of the arl's clothes and armor. Dressed in somewhat oversized splendor, Faline was Queen, and Jancey, Corbus, Lothar, and Bevin her Court.
"Don't step on my train, Lothar!" Jancey complained. "Look! You tore it! Habren will kill me!"
"No, she won't," Corbus assured her. "We won't let her. She forgot about that chest, anyway. It's not with the others she's taking with her. She's outgrown all those clothes. Aunt Werberga only kept it because she always kept everything of Habren's."
"Really?" Jancey admired the pink and green gown. It made her feel like a rose. It was wicked, but she wished she could keep this dress forever and ever. She told her sister so.
"Don't be greedy," Faline rebuked her. "Nobody likes greedy girls," she whispered, "like horrible, horrible Habren."
She and Jancey had beautiful new dresses for tonight, and were even allowed to choose the colors they liked. Hers was light purple, because purple was her favorite color. Arlessa Leandra said she was 'sweet as a bunch of lavender' in it. Jancey's was pale yellow, and was told she was 'pretty as a primrose.' Faline knew she would miss Bethany, Charade, and dear Arlessa Leandra when they went to live at the Arl of Denerim's estate.
Everyone was sure that Kane would be made an arl. That was a very great thing, and Faline was happy for him, but she wished he had not married Habren. Habren did not like her. She did not like Jancey, either. Kane said they had to be be nice to her, no matter what, but of course Habren never looked at Kane in the mean way she did at his sisters.
"Corbus can be Arl of South Reach. Who are you, Lothar?"
"I'm the Warden-Commander of Ferelden," declared that young hero.
"You're not a girl," Jancey pointed out. "How can you be Warden-Commander?"
"The Warden-Commander doesn't have to be a girl," Lothar said. "I heard of one that wasn't. I'm the Boy Warden."
"Well, I'm Ser Bevin the Bold," Bevin said, noisily dragging a longsword strapped over his shoulder. "I have adventures. The Queen's is going to knight me for killing all the Orlesians."
The other children thought this an admirable scheme.
"All right," said the agreeable Faline. "I'll knight you, but you must swear fealty to me forever and ever,"
"On my honor, I promise to be loyal to the Queen, or may I drop dead in my tracks, and ROT!" swore Bevin. The children found the oath very impressive.
"What are you, Jancey?" asked Lothar.
"I'm a mage like Bethany!" said the little girl, waving a broken chair leg found in storage.
Bevin, a little worried, said, "Mother Hannah says it's bad to be a mage."
"Huh!" scoffed Corbus. "That's all she knows. Who's going to heal us when we slay dragons and Orlesians, if we don't have a mage along?"
The meal shared by the great nobles of Ferelden with their Queen was not nearly so pleasant and carefree. One could even describe it as awkward, but it was something to get through. Bronwyn refused to let the tension affect her appetite, which was fairly prodigious after the events of the morning. And she did not have to sit by Habren, which was always a gain. With her husband to her right and Nathaniel to her left, she was happily situated. When he was not conversing with her, Nathaniel was attending with studious courtesy to young Arlessa Kaitlyn. Bronwyn smiled quietly throughout. Nathaniel had always had a talent for quietly needling people in a relentless, passive-aggressive way. Teagan's pleasant demeanour was looking a little strained.
The Grand Cleric and Knight-Commander Harrith were among them, and Anora was diligently keeping the topics of conversation general and innocuous. The cold weather, everyone's health, the delightful prospect of tonight's ball were gone over in considerable detail. Some knew Anora's game; some were oblivious. Bronwyn realized that she could not see where Habren's hands were, but that her father, on Habren's other side, was blushing and trying to catch his son-in-law's eye.
So Habren was utterly besotted. That could be a good thing. It would certainly keep her occupied. Kane Kendalls had said nothing about serving in the army, and indeed had never been trained for it. It was better, perhaps, for him to leave it to the professionals, while he learned something about managing the city of Denerim. He certainly looked very happy, and not at all abashed at Habren's public displays of …er… affection.
Loghain whispered, "Everything's taking longer than I anticipated. We may not get to the Crown today."
Bronwyn agreed, feeling rather glum about it. They had to get through the notoriously contentious Bannorn now, and who knew what they would want to bring up? Technically, new business was supposed to wait until the new monarch was seated, but banns often ignored that. Teagan had shown his hand a bit, wanting to bait them, wanting to display his independence, but she could see no real threat from any of that. It only meant that Anora would be Queen yet one more day.
Even after they rose from the table, they remained in the intimate dining parlor, lingering and talking, sipping wine. Bronwyn gave Kaitlyn an encouraging smile, not realizing that it took all the young woman's nerve to smile back at the tall and terrible Warden-Commander. Kaitlyn found Bronwyn nearly as frightening as Teyrn Loghain himself.
Bronwyn was actually quite unaware of this. "My congratulations on your official status, Arlessa Kaitlyn. And how is Bevin? Does he still love stories? I hope he will be at the ball tonight."
Kaitlyn, happy to speak of Bevin, realized only belatedly that she should have congratulated Bronwyn in her turn. She stammered, trying to backtrack, and then gave it up.
"Bevin is at Bryland House today. He's been making friends with the Arl's little boys. It's such fun for him. Master… I mean... Arl Kane's sisters are there, too, of course. They're such dear little girls. They're all coming to the ball tonight, and it will be nice for them to have each other."
Kane overheard someone speaking kindly of his sisters, and smiled in Arlessa Kaitlyn's direction. Habren, her eyes fixed on him, noticed it, and dug her fingers into his arm, Kane, not at all discomposed, turned his most charming smile on her. She bloomed like a rose, and pressed indiscreetly against him. Kane smiled even more brightly.
He was an arl now. He was Arl of Denerim, and no one could take it back now. Faline and Jancey would have everything they wanted, and would never go back to that rotten school Aron had sent them to, where the priests and sisters slapped and humiliated them. Kane had made clear to his sisters' new maid and the young governess that no one was going to lay a hand on his sisters. They were good girls, and if they gave trouble they could be sent to their rooms or be put in a corner; but no one was going to hurt them ever again.
The biggest problem, as he saw it, would be Habren. She was a spoiled bitch who hated his sisters on principle. He had seen it right away. She hated pretty much everyone but her father and Kane himself, as far as he could tell. He kept the smirk from his face. He had always heard that there were noble ladies who would do things that whores retched at, and it was certainly true of Habren. She would do anything-really, absolutely anything-that he wanted. It was good enough sport for now. As long as she kept her hands off Faline and Jancey, he would play his role of devoted young husband. If she didn't...well...he would teach her the same lesson he had taught his brother Aron. It never paid to get in Kane Kendalls' way. And no one was allowed to hurt his sisters.
The tumultuous business continued as the Landsmeet reconvened. There were other banns to be confirmed: Reginalda's daughter and Ceorlic's son. There was a great deal of trouble in the latter, because the younger brother had claims on a certain manor, and the elder brother said he did not, and it took a deal of sorting out, with neither of them satisfied at the end. Their mother, Lady Rosalyn, stood between them, anxiously looking at one and then the other,
And then the lady burst forth with business of her own. It was quite inappropriate and entirely out of order.
"I want to register a complaint," she huffed, "about the high-handed behavior of the Teyrna of Gwaren, who last Bloomingtide made off with all the horses in the stable of our manor in Lothering!"
Bronwyn felt herself blushing, not expecting to be attacked in such a place over a matter long settled. She stood forth, glaring at the bann's widow.
"Those horses," she said angrily, "were duly requisitioned in the course of an urgent mission necessary to the war against the darkspawn. They were paid for last Solace—and a handsome sum it was. Nor did I take all the horses, since I was especially begged not to take your daughter's pony. Furthermore," she continued, "I fail to see that the loss of the horses has discommoded you in any way, since I know for a fact that no member of your family has visited Lothering since the beginning of the Blight!"
"They were our horses!" Lady Rosalyn spat. "You had no right to them!"
"And yet you accepted the payment for them," Bronwyn replied coldly, "for I have the receipt for the payment. Shall I send to Wardens' Compound for it?"
Fergus, also displeased, spoke up. "I remember when you left Ostagar to enforce the treaties. We were short of horses, and you were hoping to recruit. We were requisitioning and levying all over the kingdom. No one was exempt."
There were some mutters about that. The requisitions were not popular, but no one wanted to see anyone else let off.
"Did Bann Ceorlic receive and accept the payment, Lady Rosalyn?" asked Anora.
Lady Rosalyn's face creased with resentment. "He did, You Majesty. But I know he didn't like it."
"If he wished to register a complaint and ask for a judgment, he should have done so at the time of payment or before," Anora said. "As he is not here, the point is moot."
The family was silenced, nursing their injuries, sulking amongst themselves.
There were a number of marriages and births, all of which required attention. Some property quarrels had to be arbitrated, including one that took over an hour, and had the rest of the Landsmeet yawning. Here and there, a lady or two began slipping away, wanting to have the time to make herself splendid for the night's feasting and dancing.
Another tiresome case of right-of-way dragged on and on. Some of the parties' close neighbors grew restive, demanding that they settle their differences, preferably by combat, so everyone could get on with the actually important business of choosing a king. The parties to the dispute, however, thought nothing as important as the path through the lower water meadow and the offending locked gate, and stood on their ancient rights as lords of Ferelden.
At last it was settled, and an electic thrill of anticipation shivered through the Landsmeet. With all the pieces in place on the chessboard, they could at last undertake the great matter of the royal succession. Bronwyn and Loghain exchanged quick, burning glances. Fergus grinned fiercely, and those of the Cousland-Mac Tir party unconsciously readied themselves for a battle of wills and words and whatever else was necessary for victory. Grand Cleric Muirin whispered a brief prayer, hoping that all might yet be well; hoping that there was anyone listening to her.
Anora was about to begin the proceedings, when a disturbance at the door of the Landsmeet Chamber drew everyone's attention. The seneschal hurried up, and with a quick bow, whispered in Anora's ear. She did not frown, but her face grew hard as marble. She nodded, and gave the man a brief command.
"My lords and ladies," she said, admirably composed. "It appears that we have a pair of notable guests."
Wondering, puzzling, speculating, noble voices rose like chattering magpies. Who was important enough to interrupt the Landsmeet? The great double doors were flung wide. The seneschal announced the visitors.
"Your Majesty, an ambassador from Orlais is here, and with him a Knight-Divine of the Grand Cathedral. They demand present audience before you and the Landsmeet!"
Thanks to my reviewers: Gene Dark, RakeeshJ4, Nemrut, KnightOfHolyLight, Trishata96, Oleander's One, Nightbrainzz, reality deviant, timunderwood9, anon, Girl-chama, darksky01, Anime-StarWars-fan-zach, EmbertoInferno, dragonblade3200, Robbie the Phoenix, Costin, Jyggilag, JackOfBladesX, butterflygrrl, Phygmalion, brrt, Guest, Notnahtanha, Rexiselic, Shakespira, Mike3207, Yamilian, Psyche Sinclair, mille libri, Have Socks. Will Travel, Josie Lange, Herebedragons66, karinfan123, and Tsu Doh Nimh.
Unpleasant as Habren is, I've always been puzzled as to why people are sorry for her prospective husbands. It's true that a nice fellow might find marriage to her very difficult. However, she has little real power of her own. If the Arl of Denerim is a clever man, he would hold all the cards in the relationship. Even more so now, because Habren is in love with Kane.
Chess, of course, is the game of kings. Grateful appreciation to Dorothy Dunnett, and her Lymond Chonicles.