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Chapter 26: Oaths of Fealty

Malcolm looks around at his keep, everything that happened finally settled in. He rolls his neck and shoulders as he notices several carriages roll up before turning around and walks back into the keep proper. He enters the main hall as his Wardens walk up to him and he points at the three newer members. "You three get to training, keep your skills sharp." He looks at Halia. "Bring our newest member up to speed. And I'll go see what the seneschal and the others wanted to talk about." He walks over to the throne and hesitates before taking off his shield and sword and leans them against the throne then he sits down and adjusts himself. "This feels… weird."

Varel, Woolsey and Garevel approach the small set of steps in front of the throne and stop there as Varel goes up the steps to stand in front of Malcolm. "To business then?" Malcolm nods as he adjusts himself some more. "Orlais sent a dozen Wardens to the Vigil to await your arrival. Nearly all died in the attack-but Kristoff is still in the field. Warden-Commander Alisse Fontaine of Orlais wanted to send more, but there are political considerations."

"Let me guess… Loghain's actions? Halia told me that she and Alistair found a letter from Empress Celene to King Cailan that she was willing to give us her soldiers and Wardens."

Varel nods. "The Empress was not pleased when her Wardens were turned away during the Blight."

"Loghain's past with the Orlesians blinded him to the Blight. When it comes to Blights, borders should vanish… but that's not going to happen with most people…" Malcolm shakes his head before putting his hands together. "So this Kristoff you mentioned… why was Kristoff in the field?"

"The Orlesian Wardens were uneasy that the darkspawn weren't going to ground, with the Blight ended. Kristoff was sent to track down some leads. A fortnight ago, he left in a bustle. As best as we figure, he went to the city, Amaranthine."

"Did he reveal anything about what he found?"

"Not to me. The Wardens keep their own counsel. I do recommend asking around in taverns and inns, Commander."

Malcolm nods as a soldier walks up and whispers in Varel's ear. "Got it."

Varel nods as the soldier pulls back. "Thank you, sergeant. Dismissed." The soldier salutes to both Varel and Malcolm before walking away as Varel turns to Malcolm. "Commander, the lords of Amaranthine have come to swear fealty to you and the Grey Wardens. These were Rendon Howe's vassals. Now they will be yours."

Malcolm clenches a fist some but keeps his voice calm. "If any took part in the murder of my family… it may be a little over a year and a half ago, but it was still treason."

"Howe was enough of a bastard to do that all on his own. But it is possible he had confederates." Malcolm nods slowly. "Some of these lords bore Rendon no love, but others had their prospects ruined with his demise. Are you ready for the oaths of fealty?"

"It will feel weird because I'm supposed to be a Warden, not a lord. But I'm ready."

Varel nods. "Tread carefully, Commander." Woolsey and Garevel walk to their spots as Halia and the rest of the Wardens spread out along the walls and the nobles start entering the hall. After all the nobles file in, Varel walks in front of the steps to the throne. "Lords and ladies, I present Malcolm Cousland," Malcolm stands up and walks down the steps as some of the nobles bow. "Warden-Commander of Ferelden and Arl of Amaranthine." Varel looks at Malcolm and whispers to him. "I think you were supposed to stay up on the throne."

One of the older nobles kneel down. "Commander Cousland."

Malcolm looks at the noble. "Arise, our differences are many, but our cause is one: serving the people of Amaranthine."

The noble stands up. "As you say, my lord."

Malcolm looks at Varel and whispers. "I'm a Warden first, husband second, a lord last."

Varel nods before looking at a noble. "Bann Esmerelle of Amaranthine, as is old custom, you have the honor of beginning."

Bann Esmerelle walks over to Malcolm as the rest of the nobles line up behind her and bows. "I promise that I, Bann Esmerelle, will be faithful to the arl in matters of life, limb, and earthly honor. Never will I bear arms against him or his heirs. So I say in the sight of the Maker." Malcolm bows his head as he puts his arm across his chest but when they both look up and Malcolm looks into her eyes, he sees something he himself is very familiar with.

She walks off as the next noble, who was the one that kneeled down earlier, steps forward. "I promise that I, Lord Eddelbrek…"

Time passes as each noble says the same lines, changing only their names, and Malcolm waits patiently as he puts his arm across his chest and bows his head at each noble. And eventually, it is finally over with Varel saying, "… And so the ceremony is complete."

Lord Eddelbrek raises his hand as he says, "Long live Warden-Commander Cousland!" Some of the others cheer as well. Malcolm bows his head some more as the nobles disperse to talk among themselves while food and drink start being served. He walks around, greeting some of the nobles and getting a goblet of wine before walking up to Eddelbrek and another noble, who Malcolm recognizes as Ser Timothy. Eddelbrek turns to Malcolm and smiles as he bows his head. "Honored to meet you, Commander. You come to us during desperate times."

Timothy sneers at Eddelbrek as he shakes his head slowly. "Not more about your precious farms, Eddelbrek."

Eddelbrek shakes his head. "Some in our arling do not have the comfort of city walls. On the plains, the situation is dire!"

Malcolm swirls his drink a little as he puts his free hand on his hip. "I remember you; my father called you a friend, Eddelbrek. Speak your mind."

Eddelbrek smiles a bit. "So you remember me, young Malcolm? Although you're not so young anymore." He looks down for a second before looking back up at Malcolm and he looks into his eyes. "I swear to you and Andraste, I had no part in Howe's treachery. If I had any idea of what he was going to do, I would have tried to warn your father."

Malcolm looks into Eddelbrek's eyes before smiling a little. "I believe you." He takes a sip of his wine. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Oh, right. There was something I wanted to talk to you about. As we feast, the peasants on our lands are starving or worse."

The noble next to Eddelbrek grabs a goblet of wine from a passing servant and takes a drink from it before crossing his arms. "The city's defenses are more important, Eddelbrek."

Eddelbrek shakes his head. "There may be wheat in the silos now, but if the farmers die, where will you get your food?"

Malcolm looks off to the side a bit. "I'll take the matter under advisement and send soldiers where they are needed most." He looks at Eddelbrek. "I think I already know where to send them, but I will make sure of my decision first by conferring with my advisors."

"I pray to the Maker that your choices are wise."

"I see," Malcolm and Eddelbrek turn their heads at Bann Esmerelle walks over to join them, "that Lord Eddelbrek wastes no time in canvassing you for soldiers to defend his farms. Do not be deceived, Commander, his livelihood is all he cares about. Amaranthine is the jewel of the arling. And she must be protected."

Malcolm takes a sip. "Why protect the city over the country folk?"

"Pragmatism. A farming hovel can be rebuilt with straw and mud. Amaranthine was built over generations. If she falls, then this great arling will be diminished."

Eddelbrek crosses his arms. "Wealth is well and good. But what measure do you put to human life? The folk in the country outnumber your city dwellers many times over."

Esmerelle sneers a little. "I would not be so vulgar as to violate the decorum of this event." She looks at Malcolm with the same look as before. "Commander." She turns and walks away.

Malcolm shakes his head and sighs before bowing his head to Eddelbrek. "If you'll excuse me."

"Of course, young Cousland."

Malcolm sighs as he walks over to a wall and takes a sip of his wine while Halia walks over. "Never expected that as a Warden, I'll be in charge of arling."

Halia smiles as she takes a goblet that a servant hands to her. "I can tell you that they never expected to have a Warden for an arl either."

Malcolm chuckles as he looks at her. "I bet you never expected to be here. Being in a home of an arl to watch the oaths of fealty and the ceremony as a whole."

Halia chuckles as she leans against the wall next to him. "No, I didn't." Her smile goes dark a little. "The last time I was in a she-human dwelling before we met… was with my sister…" Malcolm reaches over and puts his hand on her shoulder before pulling her into a hug. "Thanks."

"It's tough… each day is hard when you know for a fact that she's gone and you're still here. And you feel like there could have been something you could have done. It's hard but you've got to accept what happened and move on without forgetting it. Trust me, I know. Each day I remember my parents, my sister-in-law and my nephew. I look back at the good times fondly and even though I occasionally go back to that night, it doesn't hurt as much because I know they would be proud of the man I became. It took me a long time to get to this point though…" He looks at her before kissing her forehead. "And I know you can do it."

She smiles. "Thank you." Malcolm smiles and nods as lightly pats her shoulder before they look up to the room as a woman walks towards them. Halia whispers to him, "Incoming."

Malcolm nods as he watches the woman walks towards them, who he recognizes as Ser Tamra. "Warden-Commander." She looks over at Halia for a second before back to Malcolm. "Is there someplace private we can talk?"

"Halia is my Warden-Constable, my right-hand woman and a close friend. Anything you can say to me you can also say to her."

"Right," She looks over at Halia, "I meant no disrespect."

Halia just waves it off. "None taken. He's the Hero of Ferelden, not me and I'm fine with that."

Ser Tamra nods before looking back to Malcolm. "We've all heard so much about you. So many good things, unbelievable things. But many of your deeds cost people here a chance at great advancement. So many fortunes were deeply intertwined with the old arl." She looks behind her to the nobles in the room before looking back at the two. "Some nobles here… they seek to end your dominion over them."

Malcolm stands up straight as he looks at the nobles then at her. "Are you certain? That's a serious accusation."

"I wish I was less certain, ser. I've had… occasion to intercept some of their missives. They are cryptic things. Any individual message is unintelligible. But together they form a pattern. They mean to end you before you can begin. A deadly coalition."

Malcolm looks at Halia before back to the woman. "I want to see these missives."

"Given a few days, I can retrieve the messages. I would've brought them tonight. But… I didn't know if warning you would be wise. I've much to lose and precious little to gain." She looks at the nobles again. "Farewell. We will meet again soon." She walks away and out of the hall.

Malcolm looks at Halia. "Keep your eyes open." He walks past her to Varel, greeting a few nobles before approaching Varel. "Seneschal."

Varel bows his head. "Let me know if you want the nobles cleared out. Er, if you want the ceremony to end, I mean."

Malcolm chuckles and shakes his head. "Don't worry about that." His face goes serious. "Eddelbrek said we're not defending the farmlands."

"Lord Eddelbrek speaks truly, ser. But things are dire. He and Bann Esmerelle both contest the deployment of soldiers. But we don't have enough men. It's a matter of what you want to protect. The city? The land? Trade?"

"We should try and protect everyone… but because Amaranthine has its walls, we should focus our soldiers on the farms."

"As you wish, ser."

Malcolm walks over to the half-wall that holds one of the braziers and leans against it as he motions for Varel to join him, who does with a confused look on his face. "I have heard of a conspiracy against me and possibly Halia."

"Do you know the conspirators? The right of high justice is yours, and treachery is a capital offense."

Malcolm shakes his head. "Ser Tamra doesn't know. She's bringing some evidence."

"She's a sly one, Ser Tamra. But knowledgeable about such things. Better to be a touch paranoid than turning up face down in a ditch. To proceed, we'd need strong proof. And that'll be hard to gather. There are some options. Some I would not recommend; they could turn the nobles fierce."

"Tell me about them, Varel."

"We could have some soldiers try to spy on the nobility. I suppose that might bear fruit. There are also rumors of someone called the 'Dark Wolf who finds information for a fee. Dangerous fellow, by all accounts."

"What are the soldiers' odds of success?"

"Not bleeding likely, in truth. Good men, lousy spies."

Malcolm nods a little. "Where can I find this 'Dark Wolf' character?"

"No idea, honestly. Somewhere in the foreign quarter of Amaranthine is all I know."

"Out of curiosity, what option would you not recommend?"

Varel sighs. "You could invite a member of each of the noble families to stay as prolonged 'guests'. And if anything untowards happens… well, you get the picture. It's a terribly Orlesian thing to do."

Malcolm nods as he looks off to the side. "Yeah, that's not something I'd recommend either." He looks at Varel. "I'll see if I can find this Dark Wolf."

Varel nods. "You need to head to the city, then. And chase down a ghost."

Malcolm nods. "Then that's what I'll do. Thank you." Malcolm gets up and walks around the hall talking with some other nobles.

Eventually, he makes his way to Nathaniel, who was standing in front of a portrait looking at it. Nathaniel turns his head as Malcolm gets closer before looking back at the portrait. "Funny. Considering all the things that have been taken, it figures this would still be here."

Malcolm looks up at it and can see similar features to Nathaniel. "Let me guess-it's your mother?"

Nathaniel nods. "Good guess. That's her." He sighs a little before sneering. "My father hated my mother." He turns to face Malcolm. "He only dragged this painting out when my grandmother visited… which was not often. I'd be paraded before her like a soldier on inspection, and she would pick over every flaw while Father awaited his turn."

Malcolm looks at him. "I'm sorry. Do you have any fond memories of your family?"

"That does qualify as a fond memory. I know, I know. It's strange." Malcolm nods as Nathaniel continues. "I was in the Free Marches for almost eight years. I don't have many memories of my family at all." He turns his head to look at the portrait. "Anyway, someone should take this down. I think it's staring at me…"

Malcolm nods. "I'll get someone to do that after the nobles leave. Did Halia tell you about what happened last night?"

"Yeah, the Wardens that imprisoned me are either dead or taken by the darkspawn, which were led by a talking one. I find that hard to believe."

"You're not the only one and I talked to it. Tell you the truth, I'm worried. It was bad enough during the Blight, but with the darkspawn as organized as they were during the Blight along with a talking darkspawn… this might be as bad or even worse." Malcolm finishes his goblet and looks at Nathaniel. "Listen… I am willing to bury the axe, but you should know that trust is a two-way road. If you show that you're willing to trust me, I'm willing to trust you. With the arling, and possibly Ferelden, at stake, we can't afford to not have each other's backs."

"I won't like it, but fine. But this doesn't mean I like you."

"You can hate me all you want, that's fine with me. I'm not surprised and I don't hold it against you. But all I ask is that you're willing to fight with me." Malcolm walks off and hands his empty goblet to a server with a nod of thanks. He makes his way back to the throne and looks over the hall. "Everyone." He waits until he has everyone's attention before continuing. "I appreciate you all to take time out of your day to come here. I hope to prove that I'm worthy of your trust and loyalty. But right now, I must ask you return to your homes, I have Warden business to attend to. The darkspawn are still a threat, and as a Grey Warden, my first duty is to put a stop to it to protect the people of Ferelden."

Varel nods as he takes a few steps forward. "You heard the commander. Clear the hall."

As the nobles leave the hall, Malcolm walks over to Mistress Woolsey. "I apologize for just now speaking with you. I meant to do it sooner but the oaths of fealty required my attention."

She nods. "The problem of nobility, so many things take precedence. It's a pleasure to meet you, regardless. I was sent by order of the First Warden at Weisshaupt." Malcolm's eyes widen a little. "I am to act as treasurer of the arling of Amaranthine. He believed that local men could not be trusted for this post."

Varel looks at her and puts his hands behind his back. "One of those 'local men' is right here, Mistress Woolsey."

She looks over at him. "I have every confidence in the Vigil's loyalty in matter of arms. But gold corrupts even the most resolute soul."

Malcolm puts his hands on his hips. "You're from Weisshaupt?"

"Not Weisshaupt itself. I am from many places. I go where the Wardens command." Malcolm nods a little. "Ser, the arling is on the brink of economic collapse. Trade must flow."

"What's going on?"

"I'm not quite sure, Commander. Merchant caravans are being systematically attacked somewhere along the Pilgrim's Path."

"I'm sorry but I'm still relatively new to the arling. Which road is the Pilgrim's Path?"

"It is the road here from Denerim. It is the only route that can reliably provision an army, feed a city, and maintain civilization. You can now see why it would be important."

Malcolm nods. "Yeah I can see that. What else do you know?"

"In the city of Amaranthine, there is a trader, Mervis, whose caravans have been hit particularly hard. He may know where along the road the darkspawn-or whatever they are-are striking."

Malcolm nods as Ser Garevel walks up. "Pardon me, Commander. But I have a matter to bring to your attention."

Malcolm nods. "Of course." He looks at Woosley and nods at her. "Thank you." She walks off as Malcolm turns towards Garevel. "I would like to know what you know about the attack on the Vigil."

"My predecessor, Captain Rullens, and much of the senior staff were inside the keep proper at the time. How they met their fates is unknown. All we know is darkspawn swarmed the keep."

"Do you know where the darkspawn came from?"

"I talked with the dwarf Voldrik earlier. It's his belief, and I concur, that they came from the keep itself."

"What do you mean?"

"The deep cellars go very deep indeed. Voldrik suspects the darkspawn found a hidden route into the keep."

"The only way that they were able to spring an effective ambush outside the Blight was because the darkspawn leader was able to talk."

Garevel's face easily shows his surprise. "That is… disturbing." Malcolm nods his agreement. "But all throughout the lands we've heard rumors. Tales of new darkspawn… terrifying ones, forged out of nightmare and shadow. Something grave is afoot."

Malcolm nods. "I'd say so. How many soldiers survived the attack on the vigil?"

Garevel sighs. "Barely any, truth be told. And none of the Wardens. But there are many soldiers still out patrolling the roads between here and Amaranthine. We can recover from this."

Malcolm nods. "Good. We are all that stands between the darkspawn and the innocent. Is there anything important that you needed to talk to me about?"

"Something potentially urgent. The Orlesians," Malcolm raises an eyebrow causing Garevel to stop for a moment before changing his words, "Wardens, I mean-began gathering information while they were here. The most promising lead they found was a wild tale a couple of hunters told, I don't know how much I would believe in their tale."

"Ever heard of the Urn of Sacred Ashes? Was once said to be a legend. The legends said that the tomb that held the Ashes sat on top of a peak. Brother Genitivi said that he found out which peak had the tomb and I had to place my faith on the legends being true. And by the Maker's grace, Genitivi was right. So what do these hunters say?"

He sighs. "These hunters, Colbert and… well, the other one… claim to have stumbled across an entrance to the Deep Roads. Darkspawn all over the place, they said. And this was before the fiends appeared throughout the whole arling. The Wardens were just about to send someone to track down Colbert."

Malcolm crosses his arms on his chest. "Those hunters may have found a darkspawn breeding ground. I need to know where they are."

"Colbert and his friend are in the city of Amaranthine. Probably amongst the refugees outside the city gate."

Malcolm nods. "Thank you, Captain. Tell, Varel that we will be outside, possibly out of the keep."

Garevel nods. "Commander."

Malcolm turns and looks at his Wardens. "Wardens, on me." He grabs his sword and shield and heads to the doors to go out.