BioWare owns all but my character's and her dog's names. : )

Okay so the idea for Anora dressing Alistair up like his brother to substitute him for Cailan (at least symbolically) and cement the minds of the people that Anora should have been queen all along and that what her father did never happened, came out of left field as I was typing. I hope you like that plot addition, please let me know whether you love it or hate it. I am making Anora far more nasty than the game ever did, but it seems right and it is fun to do. You have to have someone to hate right? So, on with the show!

Blessings!

Anora's eyes shot daggers at Kai, but they were quickly shuttered again. My, my but the little viper does learn fast Kai thought. Kai stood sweating in her light tunic and leggings, this many bodies pressed in together made things very hot indeed. Only Zev did not seem to be overly warm, in fact for the first time since Kai had met him he actually seemed comfortable. Then again, Antiva is a warmer clime then Ferelden, poor Zev. His blood never had thickened up like hers to withstand the balmy Ferelden weather.

Kai had to stifle a giggle, which she was very afraid would turn into laughter. What was wrong with her? Her emotions seemed to be running amok. First she is going to collapse and now she was trying not to laugh hysterically, Andraste's holy knickers, she must be going mad. But could you go mad if you knew enough to ask if you were going mad? Kai had to stifle another giggle that threatened to find its way past her lips again.

"Ah, Anora is giving that speech full of manure, just like we thought little sister." Fergus voice whispered in her ear. His comments weren't helping her state of mind. She felt like someone who has dodged certain death and finds themselves disbelieving and giddy to have done so.

A flash of insight hit Kai like an arrow hitting a target. Zev had been gone all morning. He wouldn't have anything to do with thwarting Anora's little plot to dress Alistair as Cailan would he? Kai made a mental note to ask him later. Now, was neither the time nor place, as Anora or one of her supporters might over hear. Kai preferred to keep Zev a secret weapon. Assassins worked best if people didn't see them coming, or at least she assumed that was the case, they hadn't had a need for a lot of secrecy in the Deep Roads. And in Antiva, The Crows were the best kept secret everybody knew about.

Finally, thank the Maker, Anora's lengthy speech was over and it was time for those who wanted to see the body and pay their respects to do so. 'Everyone,' to Anora, meant only those closest to Alistair, since she wanted to speed things up and get back to Ferelden to get her crown. It would have been impolitic to set the body ablaze without giving those who were considered his family time though. Anora was greedy to rule, but not stupid.

Anora had cut off any possible anger by the people, simply telling them that the body wouldn't last much longer, which was a lie. And that it was because he had to be laid to rest at Highever, which was Kai's fault, they couldn't allow the usual parade for so distinguished a personage.

Before Anora could do the honors, and despite being closest to the bier, Kai stepped in front of the crowd effectively cutting Anora off. Anora would not be the first to touch him, to say good bye. So Kai had forced herself forward without even realizing she had done so. Anora shot more daggers at her, and again Kai smiled so only the little viper could see it. Two could play this game.

She walked up and saw he looked like he did when he was sleeping. How many times had she looked at that face while he slept? "You know that is kind of creepy right? To watch while someone sleeps?" His voice sounded in her ear with mirth.

"Oh, yeah, like I never caught you doing that to me, especially the first time we-"

Kai got interrupted in her own head. "Licked a lamppost in winter?" Alistair's voice sounded with with familiar humor at the old joke they shared.

"Oh how I wish I knew what to make of this internal exchange. I don't know if I miss it more when it isn't there or if it kills me more on the inside when I do." The voice, his voice, was silent on this.

They had left his helmet off, and to the side as was the sword, Starfang, that she had had made for him from a meteorite she had found. She found herself leaning forward and kissing his forehead, and his lips. They were cool but not cold like she expected. It was like a building and no one was there. Kai could hear Anora impatiently tapping her foot into the dirt wanting her to hurry up. Kai reached up, and untied the rose he had given her. She placed it between his armor covered hands. "Zev was right, I needed to do this." She whispered. And then she was stepping back into the crowd. She couldn't bear to look at their faces as they had watched her exchange.

It did surprise her to see Zev go next, but she gave it a passing curiosity as her thoughts were turned inward, on keeping control, presenting a neutral mask. She was determined to give Anora no quarter and no satisfaction. She had no idea what Zev said, he only came back and took her hand in his again.

Eamon, Teagan, all of their party took their turns. Wynne strode up from the back of the crowd, brushed her hand across his forehead like a mother would a feverish child and then strode back the way she had come. Even Isolde went forward on her own and bent down to say something, which surprised Kai.. Kai even caught a glimpse of a little white mutt with yellow eyes. To anyone else it would have been just a stray, curious at what the humans were doing, maybe hoping for food. Kai knew in her bones it was Morrigain. But she lost sight of the little dog and she was not in a position to chase Morrigan down had Morrigan been of a mind to let her.

Then it was Anora's turn, last but not least Kai thought. Boy she must be getting pissed, her plans had not gone the way she wanted them to, of that Kai was sure. Kai found she was having almost as much fun thwarting Anora at every turn as she had Howe and Loghain. "Nothing like making someone powerful soil their drawers to get you going, eh my love?" Alistair's voice had laughter in it, making her want to laugh herself.

Really Kai, you need to get a hold of yourself! Maker's Breath girl! You smack Lady Isolde around, you taunt the soon to be Queen of Ferelden, on her second go around. What you miss danger and putting your life on the line so much this is what you do? She felt another hand grab her free left hand and squeeze, effectively breaking off her own chastising internal monologue. Teagan looked at her with a reassuring smile briefly before turning back to what was going on.

A lit torch was being handed to Anora, to light the bier. Instead of setting the wood under Alistair's body ablaze, she walked across the crowd and handed it to Kai.

Ah, little viper! Anora no doubt meant it as a slight. Hand the torch to his lover, the woman who had bedded him without a wedding ring. In the Chantry's eyes a sinner. The woman who made him king and then let him die, the other Gray Warden, the other 'Hero of Ferelden.' yes, Anora, very clever, and oh so transparent. You might just have stepped over a line you shouldn't have crossed and allowed your inner bitch out for all of Ferelden to see. Kai simply let that small smile play along her lips and gave Anora her sardonic raised eyebrow meant for Anora's eyes only. Where everyone else could see it, Kai gave a slight bow. And Kai could hear the gasps at Anora's little social slip start in the crowd, along with some hushed whispers. Anora's eyes got wide for a moment and then glistened with hatred. As she walked by Anora she couldn't resist.

"Oops."

Kai stepped behind the bier, facing the crowd. "Today, we honor the last of the Theirin line, Maric's son, the man who saved us all from the Blight. He proved his bloodline over and over, with his humor, his bravery, his strength, and his unholy love of fine cheeses!" Kai's finally allowed her eyes to shed the tears she had been holding back, while she and the gathered crowd laughed at her joke. His love of cheese did seem to come from Maric, as they both had an addiction to the foodstuff, and the nobles who knew Maric responded with a great cheer.

Kai looked at Anora who could no longer keep her composure, and her hatred showed plainly and openly for all who may have missed it earlier. Kai smiled wider and raised the torch high and brought it down to touch the oiled wood of the bier. She made a clockwise motion until the whole bier was aflame. She tossed the torch on top and walked back to the group waiting for her.