Chapter 5: The Verdict (Faren)

Waiting for the trial was driving Faren crazy, but he was even more annoyed by the prison conditions. Faren's only clothes were his trousers, rats were running through the cell, and he was fed only early in the morning and late in the evening. Even the Carta prison wasn't as harsh as the city prison. There was no one to talk to Faren, since the noble snobs had no desire to put anyone in the cell with a casteless.

Suddenly, two guards entered the block.

- Duster, against the wall! - one of them shouted.

Faren leaned against the wall in the corner of the cell. While one of the guards was aiming at him with a crossbow, another dragged a female dwarf dressed in rags to another corner. Faren examined her. Shoulder-length blonde hair, a straight nose, a strong-willed look and no brand on the face. He had seen her somewhere before.

- Why are you looking at me? - the dwarf asked.

- It can't be. I know you!

- Everyone in the city knows me.

- You are this Lady Aeducan, one of the nobles! I didn't get killed in the arena just because of you!

- Well, I'm hardly a lady now.

- How should I call you then?

The former lady got up and walked over to Faren.

- Call me Sereda.

- Well, I'm Faren.

They shook hands.

- Courtesy from a noble to a duster? I've never seen anything like it in my whole life, - Faren said.

- I think our ways are wrong. We, the children of the Stone, are so few and so scattered, of all our thaigs only Orzammar and Kal'Sharok remain untainted. But instead of uniting and acting together against the darkspawn, we measure our bloodlines. We will destroy ourselves if this continues. And if there are more warriors like you in Dust Town, then together we could liberate at least one lost thaig.

- Thank you, those are very kind words. But what did you do to get into the cell of a casteless?

- My younger brother killed the older one and blamed me for everything. I tried to justify myself, but no one listened to me, not even my own father...

- I'm sorry you have such a brother. I know Rica would never do such a thing to me.

- Rica? Who is she?

- My older sister. When my father went to the surface, and my mother drank too much ale and died, Rica could leave me and also go to the surface. But she stayed with me. She always brought food from somewhere, found a mercenary who taught me to fight with a greatsword, in the evenings she told me legends about Paragons. Until the age of sixteen, I didn't even know where she got all the money for that. Then I found out. She had to do so many disgusting things. Sleep with all sorts of nobles, so that she could get knocked up by one of them and join his house.

- Did you pretend to be a warrior in the Proving for her sake?

- To a certain degree. My boss, Beraht, ordered to make sure Everd will win at any cost. And Everd got drunk for courage and slightly overdid. So it occurred to me to put on his armor and win for him.

- I guess Beraht was very angry.

- You can say that. He even ransomed me from the guards to deal with me personally. Beraht wanted to kill me, and give Rica to his thugs.

- And what did you do?

- Freed myself and sent Beraht and all those involved in the Stone.

- You've done more to fight crime in Orzammar in one day than the guards have done in the last ten years.

- The guards didn't think so. I got caught and here I am.

- Duster, you have a visitor! - the guard shouted.

A visitor? To him? Faren wondered who had come to see him. To his surprise, it was Rica. She was dressed in a luxurious red dress and behaved in accordance with this image, her caste was indicated only by a crimson brand on her cheek. Faren approached the cage.

- Rica? What are you doing here?

- I have to tell you. I am pregnant. My lover is ready to take me into his house and protect me from Jarvia.

- Is it true? I'm very happy for you! Who is he?

Rika thoughtfully looked at Sereda, who was sitting by the wall.

- Sorry, I can't tell you right now. He can't set you free, but he made it so I could see you... before the sentencing. Your case is being discussed right now.

- What's going on in Dust Town? How is Leske?

- Jarvia is furious, looking for all those involved. She would have killed Beraht herself, but she did not like you beating her to it. Leske is hiding in the Dust Town, may the Stone help him.

- Rica, I have only one request for you.

- Which one?

- Live happily. And don't think about what happened.

- Thank you, Faren. I will never forget what you did for me.

- Take care of yourself, Rica.

Rica left the block.

- She is beautiful, - Sereda said. - If she gives birth to a boy, then she will have a chance for a happy life.

An hour later another visitor came to Sereda. And it was the dwarf in veridium armor that Faren had seen beside Sereda during the Proving.

- Sereda!

- Gorim!

Sereda jumped up and ran to the cage. Faren continued to watch their conversation.

- I came to you as soon as I was allowed. How are you?

- Not good. And you?

- Same. I... I have bad news. Your trial took place without your participation. The Assembly did not invite you.

- What? But how is this possible? Faren's sister came here, she said that an hour ago there was a trial about his case.

- Your cases were heard together. Trian's spot in the Assembly is Bhelen's now. He bribed almost all the deshyrs, and they declared you are guilty. Damn him! He must have been planning this for years.

- We have to give Bhelen a credit, he is strong in palace intrigues.

- Lord Harrowmont is organizing opposition in the Assembly, but he can't help us in any way. The Assembly has already sentenced you, me and the brand.

- What awaits us?

- I have been stripped of my caste and title, but I will be allowed to go to the surface and live there. Lord Harrowmont wanted the same kind punishment for you, but Belen was adamant. You are exiled too, but you will be sent to the Deep Roads to fight the darkspawn until your death.

- Bhelen didn't have the courage to kill me on his own. And how is my father?

- King Endrin fell ill. He could not bear the loss of two children at once. Lord Harrowmont asked me to tell you that Duncan and his fellow Wardens are still in the Deep Roads. And they are very close to the underground exit. If you find them, they can help you get to the surface. I would have gone with you myself, but I was strictly forbidden. However, Bhelen for some reason agreed to my request to send the brand with you. Together you will have a chance to join the Grey Wardens.

- Duncan is a practical man, castes and backgrounds mean nothing to him. He will help us, I'm sure. It's a good plan, Gorim. I'm very grateful to you.

- I would give anything to be with you again.

- Kiss me, Gorim.

- What? But how...

- Perhaps this is the last time I see you. And I no longer care about decency.

Sereda and Gorim merged in a kiss through the cage. Faren decided to turn away so as not to embarrass the kissers.

- I love you, Gorim.

- And I love you.

- Never forget me.

- I will always be yours. I will travel to the city of Denerim, the capital of Ferelden. Whenever possible, find me there. I'll be waiting for you.

After these words, Gorim left.

- So, you and this warrior. Are you together? - Faren asked.

- Yes. And we had to hide it. Another injustice of the caste system. Bhelen can sleep with whichever girl he wants, a noble, a casteless, anyone. I cannot marry Gorim just because he is not from the noble caste.

- But there are no castes on the surface, Leske told me so. You can build your happiness there.

- If I survive. We obviously have no more than a day before the exile. I advise you to sleep and gain strength. In the Deep Roads, we will fight for survival.

Sereda lay down on the stone floor, hoping to sleep. Faren followed her advice and did the same.