It had been several years since the recapture of Kal'Hirol and many things have changed since then. By order of Bhelen, Sereda had been put in charge of Kal'Hirol and they managed to repair quite a lot of the damage caused by the darkspawn.
Also thanks to the aid of Ferelden and having casteless in the army they were able to retake more thaigs that were close to Orzammar. In truth they had managed push the darkspawn back, but Sereda cann't help but notice that they hadn't retreated a bit ever since Faren slayed the Architect.
There were many nobles who were not too happy about casteless in the army, but since one of their Paragons was a casteless there wasn't much they could do. Faren had inspired the casteless and became living proof of that they are more than they seem.
Also crime had gone down in Orzammar since the casteless had joined the army. With new options for the casteless now open they did not have to spend their time as thugs for hire or criminals.
Sereda was at Orzammar as they got new word from the surface and heard sudden interesting news from Krikwall.
"You're saying that a new form of lyrium has been discovered," said Bhelen.
"Yes, you're Majesty," said a mine caste dwarf. "A surface dwarf by the name of Varric Tethras has been enquiring about this certain type of lyrium."
"Tethras?" Sereda frowned. "I swear I've heard that name before."
"They were a noble house about thirty years ago," said Lord Ivo. "Lord Andvar Tethras was found to be fixing Provings and for his affront he was exiled to the surface along with the rest of his house."
"Right," said Sereda.
"So what does he want to know about this new lyrium?" Bhelen asked.
"Apparently his brother has been exposed to it," said the mine caste dwarf. "It is appeared to have addled his brain…"
"Doesn't lyrium already do this?" Sereda asked.
"Yes, my lady, but only when it's broken and entered into our bloodstream. He seemed to be infected when the lyrium was whole and it was red."
Bhelen leaned in forwards. "Red you say?"
"Yes, your Majesty," the mine caste dwarf said.
"Keep me informed of any new developments, especially if they revolve around this Red Lyrium," said Bhelen.
"Of course, you're Majesty," said the mine caste dwarf left.
Bhelen then looked to his sister. "What do you make of this?"
"Troubling," said Sereda plainly. "If this lyrium was able to do that to a dwarf can you imagine what it would do to a human or an elf?"
Bhelen nodded. "Let us hope that there isn't anymore of this strange new lyrium."
"Should we try and mine it?" Lord Vollney asked.
"We don't know enough about this stuff except that it's dangerous," said Sereda. "What you're suggesting sounds like what the Architect tried to offer Paragon Faren."
"I agree," said Bhelen. "We have enough problems with darkspawn as it is. I do not want our people to go mad from this new lyrium. I want all the mine caste to keep their ears to the ground and inform us if any of this Red Lyrium appears."
Sereda soon return to Kal'Hirol and was glad to see that the repairs were coming on nicely. Already there were shops open for merchants and they got most of the defences' backup. Of course it was still a long way to go before the thaig was fully operational.
In the past few years both Sereda and Faren had seen each other along with other dwarfs. Neither one of them resented the other for this since it was part of dwarven culture to have concubines. Also they were the founders of their own houses and they couldn't let them die out.
Faren already had some family apart from his mother and sister, but not much and they were clearly loving been treated as noble caste. The main problem with creating their houses were the fact that they were in fact Grey Wardens and it was rare for a Grey Warden to have any children.
This however did not stop them from trying and eventually, Sereda had a daughter, who she named Fegna and Faren had a son, who he named Vokas. Apart from their children they had also adopted several casteless orphans.
Sereda kept on wondering Kal'Hiroland and found Gorim with his son Varik. Thanks to Bhelen opening the doors to the surface it allowed easy access for his family to visit him in Kal'Hirol as he helped her maintain order.
"My lady, I see you have returned from Orzammar," said Gorim.
"Yes, and quite the interesting meeting it was," said Sereda.
"What happened?" Gorim asked.
"Apparently there's a new form of lyrium deep within the Deep Roads and it is quite different from the normal kind," said Sereda.
"How different?" Gorim asked.
"Apparently it can affect dwarfs, making them crazy without even it falling into our bloodstream. Also apparently it's red," said Sereda.
"Red Lyrium?" Faren frowned. "I've never heard of such a thing."
"Apparently was discovered during an excavation about three years ago," said Sereda. "It was run by two dwarf brothers and a human, apparently they discovered an idle made of pure lyrium. Then the older brother locked his younger brother and the human in the chamber and leaving them to die."
"What happened to them?"
"They managed to escape, but the human's younger brother got caught by the blight, fortunately they discover a group of Grey Wardens and they took in. They eventually made it to the surface and the younger brother began searching for his brother."
"To kill him no doubt," said Gorim.
"Apparently the situations are more complicated than they even imagined," said Sereda. "Apparently the older brother got mad from the exposure of the lyrium idol, meeting do crazy things like force-feeding it to his servants and cutting pieces off of them. He also claimed to be hearing a strange song."
"You mean that this lyrium can even can even dwarfs crazy by just been exposed to it," said Gorim looking quite horrified.
"That appears to be the case, but I imagine they have to be exposed to it for quite some time to really have an effect on them," said Sereda. "Bhelen has ordered the mine caste to keep a lookout on this new lyrium."
"Just when you thought darkspawn weren't enough, now we discover that there is a deadly form of lyrium deep within the Deep Roads," said Gorim.
"Let us hope this is just an isolated incident," said Sereda, though she had a feeling that trouble was on the horizon.
A few months later and Kal'Hirol they managed to get the forges operational. Members of the most famous smith caste came and improving on the forges, for advancement had been made since the fall of Kal'Hirol.
Kal'Hirol had once been the centre of learning for the smith caste, with a bit of work it could be that again. From the top of her command centre she could see that about a third of the thaig was repaired and operational.
It would take a few more years before the entire thaig would be operational along with the other thaig they managed to recapture. However, this gave the dwarfs the opportunity to get back on their feet. They had already suffered a lot by the hands of the darkspawn that it was a miracle that they managed to regain a great thaig.
"I see everything coming along nicely," said a voice behind her.
She smiled as she turned and saw Faren standing behind. Sereda have forgotten about the sink hole that opened up allowing those from the surface to venture into Kal'Hirol. It was however a great opportunity, making it easier for them to get supplies and safer than travelling through the Deep Roads.
"With any luck this will be the first of many recaptured thaigs," said Sereda.
"What of Kal-Sharok?" Faren asked.
"They're still not opening for negotiations," said Sereda. "Bhelen is doing his best, but they do not respect our ways and nor do they recognise him as king."
"Knowing Bhelen, I'm sure he's planning to conquer them," said Faren crossing his arms.
"I imagine that his plan, but I think my father probably would have done the same," said Sereda.
"I can only imagine his face if he saw what has transpired now," said Faren chuckling.
"We might have gained much, but he was not too happy about Bhelen taking the throne, he was a bit traditionalist," said Sereda.
"He's much better than Trian," Faren pointed out.
Sereda nodded. "True, Trian wasn't what you call a leader more like a royal thug."
"Personally removing the rigid caste system can only improve Orzammar," said Faren. "I mean with the casteless now in the army we've recaptured many thaigs that surround Orzammar, including the one that belonged to your family."
"Let us hope it's enough for our people to regain their roots," said Sereda.