"Detra...Detra, wake up."

I was slowly awakened by a hand on my face and my eyes fluttered open to meet the morning light.

"Detra."

Morrigan smiled at me as I froze in place, her hand still on my cheek. She was lying next to me on the bed and I could see her bare shoulders but the sheet covered the rest of her.

"Good morning."

I barely whispered my reply.

"Morrigan?"

Morrigan giggled.

"Who else would it be, silly?"

Morrigan slid her other hand over my arm and began to rub my shoulder, still smiling down at me.

"I...I thought you were gone! You left me!"

Morrigan never stopped smiling at me.

"'Tis nonsense, Detra. I would never leave you."

To give weight to her words, Morrigan pulled me into her arms and held me tightly. I could not utter another word, lost in her embrace.

There was a noise in the distance and I asked Morrigan what it was.

"Never mind that noise, my love. I have all that you need right here. I always have."

I smiled and burrowed back against Morrigan. She was so warm and I felt so safe with her. Everything else that had happened felt like a dream.

"Detra! Are you awake?"

I could still hear the noise and I looked to Morrigan to tell me it was okay again and she was...

Gone.

I was in my bedroom at Eamon's estate and I clutched my pillow to my chest as if it were something of great importance. The tears spilled out the corners of my eyes as I realized it was nothing more than a dream and I was here alone.

The discord I'd heard earlier still continued and I realized it was someone knocking on my door.

"Yes."

Alistair came bursting into the room, excitement on his face.

"Detra, I have some...What's wrong?"

Alistair noticed my disheveled emotional state and rushed over to the bed.

I didn't care if Alistair saw me cry, I was beyond that now. It was too late anyhow, he was already next to me.

Alistair didn't ask any stupid questions and he didn't make foolish comments. What he did do is pull me into his arms and give me a big hug, which I dissolved into almost immediately, more tears following their predecessors.

"Hey, it's all right. It's okay."

Alistair rubbed my back while I tried hard not to fall apart on the spot, struggling to choke back most of my sobs.

I actually felt more awake now than I had in days and if memory served me, I owed it all to Wynne and the potion that she'd given me the night before. It felt like everything hitting me full force now that I was awake.

I put my hand on Alistair's chest to separate us and he looked at me, concerned.

"Just what is going on with you, Detra? Are you ever going to talk to me?"

I gathered my emotions and nodded quietly. It was time to be honest with Alistair. If he was the friend he professed to be, he would not judge me or my actions.

"I owe you an explanation, Alistair. But you may not like some of what you hear."

Alistair shook his head.

"Enough excuses already."

I sighed deeply and then took a deep breath, repeating the same. I was not going to go into all of the details, just what was relevant right now. Alistair needn't know every single thing.

"Something happened at the Peak, Alistair. Before we left for Denerim."

Alistair nodded, waiting for more.

"Okay."

"Something happened with Morrigan at the Peak."

Alistair nodded again.

"Okay, and... Wait, did you two have an argument? Did you tell her off or something so that's why she left?"

I shook my head, rubbing my forehead.

"No, that's not it."

Somehow I was hoping that Alistair might guess what had happened and I wouldn't have to actually say it but his confused expression proved otherwise.

"Alistair... I...I slept with Morrigan at the Peak,"

Slowly Alistair's expression turned into a horrified glare and I could do nothing but stare back at him. The truth had been told.

"You... you... with Morrigan?"

"Yes, Alistair and I would appreciate some support instead of you staring at me like I'm some wild beast to be put down."

It took a moment but Alistair's glare changed from horrified to surprised, which was only a slight improvement.

"Why would you do that? I thought... you and Leliana were..."

I shrugged.

"Me and Leliana what? We weren't exclusive or anything, Alistair. We were...Well, I don't even know what we were."

My thoughts returned to the night at the Peak and the ensuing aftermath that Morrigan had left behind her. I thought time would heal my wounds but they just kept reopening with every thought.

"So why did she leave, Detra?"

I shrugged again.

"I would guess it was because she couldn't handle what had happened between us."

"That's all? She left because you slept with her? That doesn't make sense, Detra. What did she say to you?"

I hung my head, the memory clear as day in my head.

"It wasn't what she said to me. It was what I said to her."

"What did you say?"

I closed my eyes and felt the words leave my mouth again.

"I told her I loved her."

I was afraid of another outburst from Alistair but he remained quiet and I finally looked up at him and he was looking at me seriously.

"Do you love her, Detra?"

I bit my fingernail and wasn't sure exactly how to answer.

"I felt it when I said it but... now... I just don't know, Alistair. She left..."

More silence.

"Well, I can tell you one thing, she is an idiot for leaving. If you ever told me you loved me, I would be happier than... Well, you know, if I was a girl."

I managed a slight laugh but it was more than enough to elevate my mood and I wrapped my arms around Alistair, squeezing him.

"Thank you, Alistair. Thank you for not judging me."

I took a deep breath, one backed by a few hours of solid sleep and I felt a great weight had been lifted from me. Just the fact that I was no longer the only one with knowledge of what happened between Morrigan and I was enough to make me want to get out of bed and face the day.

Morrigan had left me, but I was not alone. Perhaps that was what she had wanted to happen, to see me fall apart in misery... or maybe not. I'd never know the truth now.

But all of this paled in comparison with what was happening in Denerim. Morrigan made her choice and for what it was worth, she would have to live with it. I could have no regrets, try as I might. I had wanted it to happen and I sensed it had been building for some time since she joined our party. None of that mattered now though. She was gone and it was her intent to never return, if I'd heard her correctly.

"Detra?"

Alistair's smiling face pulled me from my thoughts and I felt really good now.

"Alistair, you came to tell me something? Is there any news of Loghain or the Landsmeet?"

Alistair frowned a bit.

"Yes, there was. Eamon woke us up early this morning. Seems he had visitors at the crack of dawn."

"That early? Who were they?"

"Loghain and Arl Howe."

A rage began building inside of me and my words dripped with anger. I had not thought of those two in a while.

"Those sodding bastards...they have some gall showing their faces again. I'm going to bury them alive."

Alistair stood and suggested I get ready and meet him in Eamon's study as he hadn't heard any more than that so far.

"I will be in there soon. I just want to grab a quick bath."

The realization that I had no head ache today was long gone and only thoughts of revenge filled my head as I prepared for the battle I knew would come soon.

"Okay I'm here. What is the situation?" I said, striding into the midst of the group.

"Ahh, you're all here now." Eamon said, gesturing me further inside the room.

I saw Wynne in the room and I offered her a smile and a nod which she returned, understanding I was grateful for the sleep she'd granted me.

"All right, now just what did those two fools have to say this morning?" I asked.

"The time has come for action, Detra. Loghain and Howe have made it clear that bloodshed will not stop their plans so we need to take the fight to them. Preferably Howe's estate."

"What of the meeting with the nobles tonight? Will they still be there?" I asked.

"I have heard nothing different as of yet, but if word of how far Loghain is willing to take this gets out, I think that we will have trouble locating them after that."

Alistair and I nodded, sensing the severity of Eamon's words.

"That is why we cannot allow Rendon Howe to draw another breath and to assure that Loghain has one less accomplice under his thumb."

"Take solace in the fact that tonight will be Howe's last night, Eamon. That is a promise." I said.

Eamon rested a hand on my shoulder, his expression downcast.

"I know what he did to your family, Detra. To all of the Couslands. I am so sorry for that but rest assured he will not get away with it. Justice does not always take place in court."

Eamon nodded to me and I nodded back, fully understanding.

"So what now, Eamon? Do you have a plan to get us in there?" I asked.

"Actually there are two alternatives to get into Howe's estate. One requires disguises and one requires climbing through a window. It's entirely up to your group as to which one you choose."

I turned to the rest of my troops to confer with them about which approach they thought best.

"Erlina has provided some guard disguises for us, but there are only four of them." Eamon continued.

"Who is this?" Alistair questioned, looking at the elven woman who we had not even noticed sitting in the corner.

Eamon looked grim.

"I'm afraid there is another issue at hand along with Howe. It is something of utmost importance to us and the Landsmeet."

"What is it?" I questioned, eager to get started.

"It seems that Arl Howe has taken Queen Anora captive in his estate."

Suddenly Erlina came alive next to Eamon, standing and giving voice to her concern for the safety of the Queen in her thick Orlesian accent.

"I have heard Arl Howe say that Anora would be a greater ally dead than alive. Especially if her death could be blamed on Arl Eamon."

I thought about the connection and I just couldn't make it fit.

"How exactly would they be able to blame Eamon for her death? It doesn't make any sense."

"These people, they have their methods! Some of the things I have seen Rendon Howe do... I fear for my Queen! You must save her!"

I was still skeptical.

"I do not believe for one second that Loghain would take the life of his only child. Eamon. This is a trap."

"That it may be, Detra. But we cannot afford to take that risk, not now."

"The elf is lying." Leliana chimed in.

"No, no! You must save my Queen! Her life hangs in the balance as we speak! Howe will..." Erlina advocated strongly but now on at least two sets of deaf ears.

"That is enough." I said gruffly, looking back at Leliana.

"Shall we find out the truth now?"

Leliana nodded to me and each of us grabbed one of Erlina's arms, dragging her backwards towards the doorway leading to Eamon's study as she struggled to free herself.

"What are you doing?" Eamon called out frantically, moving towards us only to be stopped by Alistair.

"Give us just a few moments, Eamon. We'll get you the truth." I said.

Leliana roughly threw Erlina into a chair as I shut the door behind us.

"Care to tell the truth now or are you not convinced yet that we are not here to fool around?"

Erlina glared at us.

"Think what you want but I will never go against my Queen."

"Ah, so what you're saying is that she put you up to this then?" I said.

"No, that is not what I said. I was barely able to escape myself when Howe took her prisoner."

Leliana walked slowly around Erlina just enough to intimidate her.

"So you're telling us that Howe took Anora prisoner but just let her handmaiden go free? The only other woman privy to the Queen's secrets and she is allowed to escape?" Leliana asked.

"If I know Howe at all, that bastard would have had you and your entire family arrested and killed just for talking with the Queen, let alone being her trusted servant."

I moved closer to Erlina who was starting to look nervous.

"Would you care to revise your statement, Erlina? I tire of this game you're playing."

"It is not a game to me! My Queen is in danger and all you can do is hurl accusations at me! I have done nothing wrong!"

I was tired of waiting for the truth to come out. I was going to take it.

I drew my dagger and shot forward towards Erlina, the dagger against her throat in seconds.

"Now listen to me, you Orlesian wench! I will find and I will kill Rendon Howe for taking the lives of my parents and he is a well known figure in this city. What qualms do you think I have about taking your miserable life right here and now unless you tell us what Anora is planning?"

I tightened the dagger against her throat.

"Tell me now!"

After a moment of trembling, Erlina held her hands up in surrender.

"Do not hurt me...I will tell you."

I moved only a bit away from Erlina, my face now in front of hers.

"What is the Queen's plan?" I asked, nice and slowly.

Erlina sobbed a couple of times, acknowledging her defeat and I slapped her across the face.

"I do not have time for your whimpering! The plan- now!"

Erlina sniffed and wiped tears from her eyes and now she was truly afraid, which is what I needed.

"I... I... I was to bring you to the servant's entrance in the guards' disguise and then...as soon as you reached my Queen, you would be ambushed by Howe's men. Taken prisoner and then put to death."

I moved away from Erlina, having sufficiently scared her enough to get the truth.

"Why would the Queen do something like this? Does she have such blind faith in Loghain that she cannot see his true agenda?" I pondered.

"He is...her father." Erlina offered, still sniffing back tears.

I nodded, knowing Erlina was correct. Anora would blindly follow her father to the depths of Hell if he commanded it as I would have done with my own father, had he not been murdered.

"All right, that's all we needed." I said, hoisting Erlina off the chair.

"So what of me now? Will you have me put to death?" Erlina sniffled.

"Contrary to what you believe, we are not murderers, Erlina. Your fate I will leave up to your Queen and her father."

Leliana walked in front of me and opened the door and we joined the others once again.

"It's good to have you back, Detra."

I wasn't sure how else I could respond other than a smile; hopefully that would do.

"What went on in there, Detra? I can't have you putting the life of Anora's handmaiden at risk for..."

"It's a trap, Eamon. As we said it was." I interjected.

"Exactly how do you know that?"

"Erlina was kind enough to let us know. The disguises were meant to single us out. She was to bring us to the servants' entrance, then to Anora and then we would all be captured, thus leaving you and your estate defenseless." I said.

Eamon looked to Erlina for some type of argument but the look of shame on her face told him everything he needed to know.

"I ... cannot believe that I almost fell for that!" Eamon grumbled loudly.

"The important thing is that you didn't." Leliana offered.

"I suggest you keep Erlina in a cell until we figure out what to do with her." I said.

Eamon called one of his guards into the room but I stopped him.

"I would prefer we handle this ourselves, Eamon. Gods only know who else might be working against us right in our midst."

Eamon nodded, now understanding that we needed extreme caution from here on out.

"Sten, would you mind escorting Erlina to one of the cells in the basement? And make sure no one has the key but you."

Sten moved forward, nodding and took the frightened and broken elf by the arm, leading her from the room.

"Now that is taken care of...We need to figure out the other way to get into Howe's estate. And quickly." I said.

"Right," Eamon answered, unfolding a map of what looked like Howe's estate as we gathered around him.

"This window here," Eamon pointed to a section of the house. "This window will lead you to the second floor and you should find Howe... Well, I'm not entirely sure where he'll be, but I would guess the first floor at this time of day."

Now it was time to figure out who was going and who was staying and I stepped forward.

"This may or may not be such an easy task. I am guessing that Howe has dozens of hired soldiers at his disposal and we may run into some considerable opposition. I will leave this as a volunteer mission and I will take no more than three others with me."

"Well I'm going," Alistair said, stepping forward immediately.

"Count me in." Leliana said.

"I am ready." Wynne said.

"Alistair, I would prefer not to put the future King at risk so..."

"Oh forget all of that, Detra. I will always be in danger no matter where I am. I'm going and that's it."

I held my arms up in defeat. There was no upside to arguing with Alistair.

"All right, so do we all know the plan?" I asked the group.

"Get in, kill Howe and anyone else that stands in our way." Leliana said and the others nodded.

"Excellent. Let's prepare then."