The night was a total loss and I got no sleep to speak of.

Most of the hours were spent retching into the bucket I'd had some lucky servant deliver to me and the other hours were spent sweating out all of the wine that I'd had during dinner.

If there was ever a moment in my life when I wanted it to end, it was right now.

Another hour in this bed and I could not take it any longer. I called to my servants and requested a bath and they set off to get the hot water as I struggled to remain upright on my bed.

Another servant came to replace my bucket with an empty one and I did not envy his job and I apologized to him. He looked confused but then told me that it was no trouble and asked if I needed anything else.

"No thank you."

My bath water arrived as I was tipping over on the bed and it was distraction enough for me to snap out of it and get on my feet.

All three servants left the room after pouring my bath water into the stone tub and closed the door behind them after I let them know I needed nothing more.

Removing my clothing was painfully slow but I tried to concentrate on my pending bath to get through it and I finally did. I slid down into the tub and my body shut down for the next hour or so. I don't remember anything until a knock came at the door.

"Detra! Are you in here?"

It was Alistair outside my door and I braced myself for his presence then invited him in.

"What are you doing in..."

Alistair's question trailed off as he saw I was in the tub, most likely naked, and he blushed immediately.

I splashed more water on my face and it felt good, better than anything I could remember up to this point. I just could not bring myself to care that Alistair was embarrassed. He would have to get over it.

"What is it, Alistair?"

My question seemed to bring Alistair back from wherever he'd gone and he actually answered me with a full sentence.

"We've already started the meeting for today and Eamon is wondering where you've been."

I groaned, picturing having to sit through more endless discussions of the same thing over and over.

"Oh Alistair... Can't you just bring me your notes when it's all over? I am in no shape to be seen in public."

Alistair moved closer to me.

"You are sick, aren't you? What's going on, Detra? Talk to me!"

I just laid my head back against the tub and sighed. I wasn't ready to divulge anything just yet and I felt I would need my bucket again if I did.

Water running down my face snapped me out of my muse and Alistair was now kneeling beside the tub, holding a cloth against my forehead.

"Why don't you talk to me, Detra? That's what friends are for. What could be so horrible?"

Alistair's voice was soothing me and he continued to stroke my face with the wet facecloth and I didn't answer him, instead I concentrated on not feeling sick for one minute. Alistair didn't stop and I didn't want him to as I greedily accepted the attention he was giving me.

"I'm going to go back with the others now, Detra." Alistair said quietly. "I'll tell them you're ill and cannot make it to the meeting but I'll check on you later."

Alistair stood and then smiled.

"Unless you'd like me to have Leliana check on you instead."

The need for my bucket drew near and I grabbed Alistair's hand.

"Dear Gods, no. Don't tell Leliana anything. Please."

Alistair nodded and was sure now that my problem stemmed from Leliana and that we must be having romantic trouble.

"All right, but you've got to tell me what's going on sooner or later, Detra. Holding it in will just have you... Well, ending up like this."

I nodded, anything to get out of talking for right now and Alistair left the room, again promising to check on me later.

I settled back into the tub, praying that I never saw another bottle of wine or a woman again.

"Where is Detra, Alistair?"

Alistair took his seat at the table again and answered Eamon.

"She's not feeling well at all, Eamon, so I will let her know what comes of our meeting later on."

Eamon nodded.

"Oh, I hadn't heard she was ill. That's fine then. Does she have everything she needs, Alistair?"

"She has everything she needs right now."

Alistair's gaze fell on Leliana as he wanted to know what she thought of me being sick and he caught her eye for a moment until she looked away, a bit stunned.

Why is Alistair looking at me when he talks about Detra?

Did she say something to him?

While Leliana's mind veered off in a different direction, the others who were present joined Eamon in discussing continued fortification of the city against the Darkspawn attack.

"We may just have to forgo the Landsmeet if the Darkspawn get here sooner. As it is, the nobles are not scheduled to be here until tomorrow. I have heard that there will be a low profile meeting at the Gnawed Noble Tavern not long after they are to arrive. This is where we will need to sway votes and find out what the general consensus is."

"What are we going to say to these nobles that they'll believe? Loghain has probably filled their heads with lies already." Alistair said.

"That's the point, Alistair. To get them hearing other points of view besides Loghain's and his accomplices."

"Do we have to get dressed up for this?" Alistair groaned.

Eamon shook his head.

"Well, yes, Alistair. You will be meeting with nobles and we need to make the best impression that is possible."

"May I suggest that we get there early and try to get each noble alone so that they do not feel pressured by the other as to what opinion is acceptable." Wynne said.

Eamon was pleased.

"That is a splendid idea, Wynne. The earlier, the better in my opinion. I will, however, have to sit this one out as I cannot be sure what plan Loghain has up his sleeve."

Alistair nodded.

"Yes, in the interest of your safety, Eamon, I insist you stay behind. I'm sure we can handle this little assignment."

"So since this will be at night, I would advise caution. Loghain's agents may be out and about and darkness provides cover for his agenda."

"So we use the darkness to our advantage then." Leliana said.

"Yes, and it's not as if there will be no guards around. We will be fine." Alistair said.

"Do you think Detra will be well enough to join you at the tavern?" Eamon asked.

"As it's not until tomorrow, I don't see why not. She should be feeling better soon." Alistair answered.

"Excellent. Then we have our first plan in place." Eamon said with a smile.

The servants began bringing wine, fruit and bread into the room as the group discussion continued on about the upcoming events.

Leliana stood at my door, unsure why she had even come.

Am I dreaming? She won't want to see me.

"Leliana! Is Detra awake yet?"

Leliana jumped at the sound of Alistair's voice behind her and turned to face him.

"Um, I have no idea. I think I have the wrong room." Leliana squeaked.

Leliana then took off down the hall as Alistair just watched after her.

"She is a strange girl." Alistair said to himself.

Just then a small figure ran past Alistair, screaming and giggling and Alistair laughed and gave chase after Cyrocco.

I was just pulling on the last bit of clothing in my room when I heard Alistair outside and then the yelling. My head pounded a bit at this but I felt much better now than I had just hours ago. Though I still had gotten little to no sleep, most of the alcohol had worked its way out of my system and that was immensely helpful.

Now it was time to hear what the big plans were.

Truth be told, I needed to get out of my room. The memories hung in the air like stale smoke and I needed to be around others for a change, to escape them and myself.

I opened my door and saw a small boy charge past my doorway, followed by Alistair who stopped running when he saw me.

"You're up! How are you feeling now?" Alistair said with a smile.

"Much better than earlier but much less than wonderful." I managed.

"Well, at least you do feel better so that's something."

I nodded, closing my door behind me and joining Alistair as he walked towards a woman who resembled Goldanna. As we drew closer, I found that it was Goldanna.

"The kids are here? And Goldanna?" I asked.

"Yes! I had Eamon get them right in here as soon as we arrived. They've been here since yesterday."

"Ah, well it's good that they're safe. How have they been doing?"

"They've been doing great since we were last here. Goldanna has paid off all of her old debts, which really wasn't much, and then paid off the house as well. But I'm certainly not going to let them stay there, especially once I'm King."

We had almost reached Goldanna and Alistair tapered the conversation off.

"Goldanna, you remember Detra, right?"

Goldanna nodded her head at me in greeting and I did the same, grateful she was a woman of few words. She looked much healthier this time and she actually had color in her cheeks as well as meat on her bones. Her clothes were not full of holes either and she even stood taller than I'd thought she was.

"Boys! Come say hi to Detra!" Alistair yelled down the hall.

Cyrocco and Drachen scampered up the hallway, giggling and poking at each other and waved to me.

"Hi!" both boys said in unison and then they took off running down the hall again, laughing louder than ever.

The boys looked great as well. Their clothes were brand new and they now resembled what boys their age should look like, instead of happy little skeletons with holes in their shoes.

"So what did Eamon have to say, Alistair? No time like the present to hear about it."

"Basically all he ended up saying is that we are setting up traps around the city for the Darkspawn and that we are supposed to speak with some nobles the day after tomorrow. Something about swaying their Landsmeet votes."

"Is this an official meeting or one that he's not supposed to know about?"

"Unofficial. It's at some tavern in town... Gnawed Noble."

"That's a strangely appropriate name considering we'll be gnawing at their ears with our words."

Alistair giggled at my joke and I was even surprised by it myself.

"Maybe we should call it the Nagged Noble instead." Alistair laughed.

I giggled along with him but then my head throbbed again, reminding me that I shouldn't be having any fun.

"Still not feeling great?"

"Just an aching head still. But it's my own fault with all that wine."

I rolled my eyes at the mention of wine and promised to never touch it again.

"Well listen, Eamon said dinner would be served within the hour so we can all head into the dining room if you'd like." Alistair said.

I nodded, hoping there would be water to drink. I was pretty dehydrated now.

Alistair herded the kids into the dining room and by the time he had them seated, Eamon had arrived as well.

"Detra, are you feeling well now?" Eamon asked.

Thankfully I was able to respond to him like a normal human being this time.

"Yes, Eamon. Thank you."

"Has Alistair filled you in about what we discussed earlier?"

"Actually yes. He told me of the nobles you wish us to speak with. The ones who will basically decide for or against us at the Landsmeet."

Eamon nodded.

"Indeed. They have much power over this city but now I know that at least two of the five hold the same opinion we do of Loghain and his plans."

"Two out of five are good odds to start with." I said.

"Yes," Eamon rubbed his chin. "But I would rather we garner all of the support that we can though. Having full control of the Landsmeet will greatly improve our odds against Loghain."

I nodded, not knowing what else to add and Eamon was still thoughtful.

"Then there is also the matter of the people, who are many, and could easily turn the tide of the Landsmeet."

Eamon clapped a hand on my shoulder.

"But enough of that for now, come! Let us eat and speak of happier times."

Eamon pulled me into the room with him, his hand now across my shoulder and I politely followed until I'd found my seat.

My seat was next to Alistair and he had his hands full helping Drachen cut up his meat while Goldanna had charge of Cyrocco's plate on the other side of him.

"Hey! How about some duck?" Alistair smiled, waving a plate in front of me.

My stomach was still uncomfortable with the idea of food but it was nothing like before. I shook my head and opted for a tall glass of water instead, gulping it down like a fiend.

My thirst sated, I watched as the rest of our group funneled into the room and took their seats. Sten actually took a seat far from the others and piled some food onto his plate. I guess even he was not brave enough to segregate himself from the group as he normally did in camp. That, or he was getting a little too used to our ways and might actually be accepting of them now.

How cute and odd at the same time.

Wynne entered the room and then Leliana was right behind her followed by a belching Oghren, who actually excused himself upon seeing that the Arl was present in the room.

Wynne took a seat and Leliana took the one right next to her and I saw them share some quiet words.

Well at least she's talking to someone.

I perused the goods on the table and actually picked up some grapes and some cheese, finding them thankfully suitable to eat in my state.

Slowly but surely, the group exchanged ideas about which was better-the duck or the chicken. That was about the extent of the thinking for the night. I can only imagine how much talk had happened earlier when I'd been lucky enough to excuse myself due to my hangover. I was glad I'd only gotten the short version from Alistair.

Something running across the table caught my eye and I jumped up, pointing.

"What was... Did you see that?"

Alistair was looking at me in the strangest way and he put his fork down, leaning over to me.

"Are you all right, Detra? I don't see anything."

I slowly sank back into my chair and shook my head. I knew that I had seen something run across the table but there was nothing there now.

I could feel several pairs of eyes on me then and I looked at all of them.

"What? What are you all looking at? Do you think me crazy? I tell you, I saw something!"

A hush fell over the room and I felt horribly out of place. Not even Alistair beside me could remedy that.

I opened my mouth but I had no words, I had no idea what to say to any of them. I had no idea what I was even doing right now but I knew I wanted to leave.

Shaking my head, embarrassed as ever, I moved around the table and left the room, hoping everyone would just forget what they'd witnessed.

Alistair watched Leliana stand from her seat and look after me but Wynne pulled her back into her seat by the arm, whispering something to her.

Why is Wynne stopping her? Maybe that's just what Detra needs.

Leliana and Wynne shared some more words and then Wynne excused herself from the table and left the room, leaving behind a confused Leliana.

What is going on around here? It seems everyone has secrets.

Detra has to tell me what's going on, and soon.

The knocking on my door only continued and finally I gave in, knowing it wouldn't go away.

"What is it?"

I did not even look up to see who it was as I was off in my own thoughts, mostly ones pertaining to anything but my behavior.

Wynne sat down on the bed beside me and handed me a small vial.

"This will help, Detra."

I sat up, indignant with the fact that Wynne had accused me of having a problem that needed help.

"Help with what, Wynne? What is this?"

I shook the vial and observed its contents.

"The lack of sleep you've been getting. You haven't slept for three days I'd wager and that's why you're hallucinating."

I waved her concern away. I just wanted to be left alone, embarrassed after my outburst at dinner and I did not need her reminders.

"Hallucinating? What? That's just silly. I'm fine, Wynne."

"Do you really believe that, Detra? Or do you know that you're endangering your mission with your actions and you'd like to just forget about them?"

I avoided Wynne's eyes now and felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I realized she was right.

I had no words.

"Don't answer, Detra, just take this. It will help you sleep and you should be well rested for tomorrow. As you'll need to be."

Still avoiding her gaze, I put the vial to my lips.

"I'll try it, Wynne but I don't think that it's going to..."

Wynne smiled as I passed out against my pillow and she drew a blanket over my still form and then quietly left my room.