Chapter 17: Dinner With the Devil

The first few months after returning to Orzammar were primarily resting, and recovering from the daily stress of preparing for battle. I brought Bhelen back into my home so I could catch up with him and check on his studies. He was so happy to have me back and we made sure to spend as much time as possible together. Father had grown thin and sick with worry for Trian and I, so I also made sure that I was at the palace for at least two meals a day to encourage him to eat and relieve him of his worry. He regained much of his vigor over time.

There were a few things that had to be handled, however. There were three years worth of dowry payments from House Ivo and their smaller allied Houses to deal with. I met with Wojech a few times to discuss the matter since he had become the head of House Ivo after Frandlin's death. Morcha had asked, only once, if Wojech and I would consider marrying but Wojech wouldn't consider the option because he saw it as dishonoring Frandlin's memory, and I considered Wojech to be more like a brother. In the end, we had decided to arrange a marriage between Bhelen and oWojech's young cousin Bheret.

The dowry they had paid already would be more than appropriate, and the remainder was divided evenly as gifts of thanks to the families of those who died at Ostagar. Wojech and I accompanied Bhelen and Bheret as they delivered each portion to the family's as thanks for their loved one's sacrifice. This went over very well, as it showed that there was a young generation of nobility coming along that understood and were grateful for the efforts of the lower castes. It also helped that they got a visit from one of their Paragons in the process.

I had taken some time to go to the Shaperate to champion one of Frandlin's causes; which was to have much of Orzammar's history available to the public outside of the Shaperate. Mind you, I wasn't interested in all of the boring detailing or monies owed, or who was removed from which House. I wanted the history of Orzammar and its people readily available. I worked with the Shaperate to discuss what should and shouldn't qualify as pertinent history, then worked with the Deshyrs to get each noble family to contribute money to the project.

The Deshyrs also declared the victory of Ostagar a dwarven holiday and announced that day would be used to commemorate those who died by holding a tournament where the descendents of the Paragons would battle in the name of their House's founding Paragon. That might have been my suggestion since it was one of Frandlin's desires.

The Legion of the Dead gained a new purpose now that darkspawn weren't as much of a threat. A small contingent of Legionnaires were dedicated to guarding the Ostagar Mausoleum. There was one Legionnaire to each casket as well as guards at the entrance. Over time, the Legionnaires would establish the tradition of memorizing the deeds and the journal entries I'd made concerning the interred dwarf they were guarding. This way you could have a detailed history spoken to you in the mausoleum. However, there was also a practical reason for the guards; the mausoleum was filled with refined lyrium as part of the plaques and decorations and it made a tempting situation for thieves.

One pleasant surprise for me was that Aelfric had sent a few of his best chefs to House Orodum while we were in Orzammar. They had taught my servants all the recipes I loved. I was now able to enjoy all of my favorite foods from my first life while in Orzammar. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how I could possibly thank him for that.

There was a problem I needed to solve, however. The Carta was still a nuisance in many markets outside of Orzammar. While the dwarves were making massive inroads with the other races with the Surface Caste, the criminal organization that was the Carta was diminishing that reputation with its activities. So I did what any pragmatist would do to solve this problem; I put out word that I invited their leaders to dinner (it's not like it was a secret who they were, just where they could be found). I promised that no one would be captured or arrested. I simply wanted to talk.

I had my servants prepare all of my favorite foods as well as many dwarven staples. I instructed the servants to treat them like any guest ought to be treated in my home, and ensured that no guards in the city would harass them for the evening so long as they didn't do anything illegal. I half expected to dine alone. To my surprise, however, a knock came to my door at the appointed hour.

Beraht and Jarvia arrived at the exact time I'd asked. Half the nobles couldn't manage that small feat. My servants led them into the dining hall where I was waiting. To their credit, they'd dressed formally and groomed themselves appropriately.

"Mister and misses Formon, My Lady," the servant announced.

I offered them both a curtsy, "Thank you both for accepting my invitation. It is a pleasure to have you in my home."

Beraht stepped forward and offered a bow, "My Lady, how could we refuse such a request?"

Jarvia offered her best curtsy, "It's an honor to have been invited."

"Won't you both please have a seat?" I offered.

"Before we sit," Beraht said, "we would like to present you with a gift."

"There was no need for gifts," I smiled.

Jarvia looked back and nodded, then one of my servants approached with a wooden crate, "My Lady, we were surprised and curious as to why you would want to meet with us. The fact that you used your influence to ensure our safety as we moved through the city inspired us. We only wish to thank you for the favor and the honor of meeting with you."

The servant placed the crate down and I looked at it curiously, then looked back at the Carta leaders.

"Please," Beraht insisted, "open it. We hope you will like it."

The crate wasn't sealed. It had a hinged lid which I lifted to peek inside. What I saw elicited an adoring squeal from me. I reached inside and pulled out a mabari puppy. I hugged the little creature close and smiled brightly at the pair, "A mabari war hound? I've wanted one since I was little."

Beraht and Jarvia both chuckled.

"We thought it appropriate," Jarvia insisted. "Only a mabari could hope to match the diligence and fierce loyalty you've shown the dwarven people."

Faren, who was off to the side as my guard, hummed in disagreement. I knew for a fact he would love this puppy, though.

However, Jarvia's choice of words caught me and I looked at the pair, "Curious, then, that the Carta should still be in business the way it is if the dwarves have someone like me looking out for them."

Beraht just grinned and nodded, waggling a finger at me, "I knew you had business with us somehow. It's what I've always admired about you, Princess."

I grinned right back and took a seat, keeping the puppy snuggled in my arms, "Well, then, let's make ourselves comfortable because we do, indeed, have business together. But before that, please enjoy some of the dinner my servants prepared for you. Some of these have become my favorite foods since my time in Ostagar."

"I'd heard there were new delicacies being created by the elves," Jarvia said as she took her seat. "Did you bring some of them along to cook for you, My Lady?"

I chuckled and shook my head, "Not at all. Bann Aelfric actually sent some of his best chefs here to teach my cooks the recipes."

"Your dinners are sure to become the envy of Orzammar, then," Beraht mused as he looked over the offerings. "It is an honor to be among the first to experience them."

We enjoyed a fine dinner, making small talk for about an hour. Beraht and Jarvia marveled over the different foods and flavors that were on offer. They seemed to love it almost as much as I did. Before long I set the puppy down on a cushion I'd had a servant bring in for it. It curled up and began to sleep.

Satisfied that the puppy wouldn't be moving any time soon, I motioned for Faren to join us at the table.

"Now, I'm sure you're familiar with Ser Faren, my personal bodyguard," I began politely.

"We are," Beraht bowed his head to Faren. "His prowess is spoken of in high regard. Trained by Ser Oghren Branka and considered to be among the elite warriors in all of Orzammar and the thaigs."

"You didn't invite us here so you could have him kill us, did you?" Jarvia smirked.

"I think you know if I wanted you both dead I could just whip the entire city into a frenzy till they found you," I laughed as I shook my head. "No. Faren has given me an idea and I've taken some time to consider it. I think you should as well."

The two Carta members shared a look with each other, then back to me.

"We're listening," Jarvia encouraged me to continue.

"I want the Carta to go legitimate," I said and noticed the sharply cut off laughter from my guests. "I could understand the need for the Carta in a world without the Surface Cast, in a world without the possibility of upward momentum. But we don't live in that world anymore."

"Thanks to you, Princess," Beraht bowed his head. "However, upward momentum isn't the only thing the Carta strives for."

"It was never the reason it existed in the first place," I retorted in a tone that told them I wasn't stupid enough to ever think that. "We're not here to blow smoke. We're here to discuss terms. I know the Carta takes its business very seriously, and so do I."

"By all means," Beraht grinned. He seemed to appreciate me more when I showed my business side. "We'll at least hear your terms even if we won't agree to them."

Faren huffed, "I would agree no matter the terms. Paragon Orodum could kill you from her seat without standing, but she'd likely just have the guards in the city do it for her."

"Kill us, and someone will just take our place," Jarvia countered.

"Now, now," I interrupted chipperly. "I would hate to think you would believe that I would invite you here for something like this without an offer that would make it worth it."

Beraht gave Jarvia a look that told her to hold her tongue, then smiled back at me, "Princess, if I believed anyone could have come up with an idea to convince us to make the Carta go legitimate, it would be you. Now, please, let's hear what you have to say."

I sat up straight and snapped my fingers. A servant came in quickly and cleared my plates while Kalah entered with several thick tomes and placed them before me. I thanked them both as they took their leave.

I opened up one of the tomes and began flipping through it, mostly for show, "I'm sure you understand that I have a reputation for bookkeeping. It's primarily how I was able to accomplish my goal of creating the Surface Caste. I went through all the memories in the Shaperate and found everyone's debts. And do you know what else I found?"

"Enlighten us," Beraht responded, an expression of intrigue written on his features.

"I found discrepancies," I replied chipperly, offering up my most positive and innocent expression. "I never pointed them out in my reports, though. It wouldn't do to antagonize the people I needed votes from, after all. But... they were there." I tapped the page I was on for emphasis.

"Discrepancies that, what, pointed to Carta activities?" Jarvia asked, almost amused.

"Oh, not directly," I set the book aside and opened another one, turning to a marked page. "But when a family suddenly loses money on a deal, or the Carta steals some property, then a member of that family is whisked away from the city before a trial, or they happen to get a shipment of lyrium that wasn't supposed to arrive for a few months… Well, it's not difficult to connect the dots, but it is enough to cast aspersions on your benefactors."

"I doubt that old dealings with the Carta would be of note after so long," Jarvia countered.

"No," Beraht disagreed. "They gave up on centuries old debts because the Surface Caste would bring back a great deal more money. They'd be more than happy to use that information as leverage against other Houses."

"And what lengths do you think those Houses would go to in order to get rid of that leverage?" I asked, my expression turning sharp, letting the implication hover in the air.

"Death threats aren't exactly an offer to stop our business, Princess," Beraht said coldly.

"I'm offering the opposite, actually," I smiled again. "I'd like to ask you a question before we continue, if you don't mind."

"Please do," Jarvia responded after looking at Beraht for a moment.

"Who do you think the Assembly will vote to become the next ruler of Orzammar?"

The two looked at each other. The question seemed to take them off their guard. I could see the wheels turning in their heads as they tried to figure out if I were trying to play some kind of game with them, or if there was some kind of trick to the patently obvious answer.

After a minute, Beraht cleared his throat, "I don't think there's a dwarf alive that believes it will be anyone other than you, Princess."

I gave a small bow of my head, "I'm humbled you think so. I tend to agree with you, and if I'm being honest… I'm a bit nervous. While I doubt there's anyone in Orzammar willing to plot against me, I've had experiences outside of Orzammar that show that there are others who will."

"When the news about what the Chantry attempted reached Orzammar, you're father nearly gathered every able body and marched to Ostagar," Jarvia grinned. "Would have been interesting."

"I tend to agree," I chuckled. "I'm glad he didn't, though. I had everything handled."

"Oh, we heard," Jarvia smirked.

"I'm sure you did," I quickly moved to my next point, "but I also had to hear from folks like Arl Eamon, and King Maric who mentioned that the Surface Caste was an excellent addition to their markets, but the Carta's presence that inevitably followed it was not. I'm sure you can understand that I don't particularly appreciate one of my greatest successes being associated with one of Orzammar's worst aspects."

"I can appreciate that, Princess," Beraht nodded, "but we go where we can do business. It's just logical."

"It's insulting to the Paragon's efforts, is what it is," Faren growled.

I leaned over and placed a hand on Faren's shoulder to calm him down, "You being where business is going on is the entire point. But you're focusing on the wrong business."

That seemed to pique their interest.

"Here is my proposal," I said as I closed the book and stacked them all neatly, pushing them slightly to the side. "I would like to reorganize the Carta into an arm of Orzammar's military. Direct conflict would not be what we want from you. Instead, the Carta would become our spies; the eyes and ears of Orzammar. You would keep a look out for threats from within and without Orzammar."

"Spies?" Beraht asked, a hint of intrigue in his voice.

I nodded as I continued, "The Carta would, of course, have to cease all illegal activity, and would be pardoned for past indiscretions. You would report on any other organizations trying to fill the void the Carta leaves behind, have members in the courts of other kingdoms to listen out for any threats or opportunities that affect Orzammar, and if the need rises, you'll be asked to eliminate threats."

The pair stared at me as if they were trying to discern my true motives.

"I'm trying to figure out if you're being serious or not, Princess…" Jarvia hummed.

"Indeed," Beraht agreed with her. "You have a reputation for carefully thought out plans, a positive outlook on life, and an extreme preference for peaceful and beneficial resolutions. This proposal seems to be… unlike you."

I smiled softly, "I think the two of you can appreciate that people are more than their public persona. When the public sees me, they see a symbol of hope, of positivity, prosperity, and forward momentum. They see Paragon Orodum, an historical figure living among them and offering them hope for a better world."

"What they don't see is the detail oriented pragmatist who weighs every decision carefully, and makes that decision decisively," Faren added. "Princess Merida does genuinely wish the best for her people, but where they see her as a kindly benefactor, she is actually a mother bear. She will do whatever it takes to see the dwarves safe and thriving. She would burn the world down if it meant the dwarves thrived in the act."

Beraht looked at me and shook his head, chuckling, "I knew it was impossible for someone to be that good."

"I am that good," I said decisively. "But being good doesn't mean I'm incapable of doing terrible things to uphold that good. Dwarves have not needed an official group for espionage because we haven't been as active on the surface as we have till now. It also means we will be experiencing new, more subtle threats to our way of life and commerce. We don't have time to train warriors in the art of spycraft. We need experienced individuals ready, and in place, before these threats make themselves known."

"People will grow suspicious if the Carta just suddenly vanishes," Beraht doubted.

"It won't," I explained. "I'm about to start cracking down on the Carta. They've become a nuisance to too many people in too many markets now, and the pressure is going to start coming from various leaders for something to be done."

"So you'll use the campaign of fighting the Carta to establish your spy network?" Jarvia guessed with a grin.

I gave a nod, "Precisely. When I announce that I'm going to be hunting the Carta, I'll also announce an amnesty period. Any members willing to submit themselves to justice will be given lighter sentences. I want the two of you to suggest that there is more to gain by submitting to me, than there is continuing to run the Carta. Anyone who stays loyal to you will be considered for the network."

"What about those who continue performing Carta work?" Beraht asked.

"We'll hunt them down and kill them," Faren said without hesitation. "Or rather, you will hunt them down and bring them to us for execution. That will be your first mission under the Paragon's command."

Beraht sat back looking both shocked and impressed, "You'll use us to hunt down our own by using our knowledge of the resources, hideouts, and contacts."

"And after they have been brought back to Orzammar for justice.." Jarvia began to put all the pieces together. "You'll have us use those same resources, hideouts, and contacts to begin our new duties… if we agree."

"Using former Carta members to get rid of the Carta holdouts, and setting us up to be able to take down other criminal organizations because they won't know that we're no longer Carta members," Beraht chuckled, shook his head and clapped. "Absolutely brilliant."

Beraht shook his shoulders and shivered, saying soberly, "Honestly… It's frightening how you've decided to go about this. I can see why you invited us first. But I have to ask; since we do what we do for the money, why do you think we would give it up?"

"Because you can't spend money if you're dead," I replied, the promise quite clear in my tone and expression. "Understand, if you say no, you won't leave the city alive. If you say yes, then you will be helping me secure our people from more subtle threats."

"When you put it like that," Jarvia said carefully, "it doesn't sound like you're giving us much of a choice."

"Not all choices come with a benefit," Faren smirked.

"But luckily for you, this one does," I smiled brightly. "You see, once the disloyal members are dead, and you take up the guise of the 'Carta' once again, you can continue conducting your business as usual. There would be a few differences, though."

"Such as?" they asked in unison.

"I would have thought they'd be obvious to such astute and cunning individuals such as yourselves," I motioned for Kalah to come to me. When she approached, I instructed her to have dessert brought in. I turned my attention back to the Carta pair, "First, no killing anyone unless sanctioned by the King, the Assembly, or myself."

"I noticed you included yourself as equal to the King and the Assembly," Beraht mused

"I'm a Paragon," I responded with a smile. "By all rights, I outrank them both, at least as far as my opinions are concerned. But I was referring to myself in the sense that I'll likely be named Queen."

"Fair enough. What are the other stipulations?"

"All criminal activities which result in a profit will have those profits reported to the Assembly so that we can return them to their respective rulers at the end of each year," I continued. "This will help us keep up the guise that we are constantly cracking down on Carta and Carta-like activity."

"We don't even get to keep a percentage?" Jarvia frowned.

"The percentage will come at the end of each year," I clarified. "We'll be using some of what you manage to get from other criminals to add to your funding."

"Incentivizing us to do a better job in finding more criminals every year," Beraht nodded in appreciation.

"Precisely!" I chirped. "The other kingdoms won't know how much we took in, and I'm sure they would thank us by letting us keep some of the gold."

"Lastly, there will be no more smuggling of lyrium," I stated firmly. "Our primary export cannot be allowed to be sold by anyone other than through the contracts made by the Assembly. You can promise lyrium, but you cannot deliver it. Is that clear?"

"That will be a hard sell," Beraht said. "I can see the wisdom in it, but a lot of members make a lot of gold off the stuff."

"Then those members will be hunted down and killed," Faren said for me. "Occasionally, when the King, the Assembly, or the Paragon believes it is necessary, you might be given some to help an operation along, but otherwise none will be smuggled."

"To discourage the smuggling of lyrium, I will be pushing for the Assembly to increase the punishment of smuggling it to a death sentence," I explained carefully. "No matter the amount. No matter the reason. Lyrium is a treasure that dwarves alone can safely mine. We alone control it as a resource. Those that would steal that resource from their people deserve nothing less, as the act spits in the faces of our ancestors, our Paragons, and those living."

"The more we talk, the more I think you would make for a formidable enemy," Beraht smirked. "I'm glad we're speaking now and not after your announcement to crack down on the Carta."

"I prefer to foster talent into a positive direction," I bowed my head. "Now, there's one more stipulation I'll have to add before I let you decide on what you want to do."

"What is that?" Jarvia asked, clearly interested.

"You don't tell a single Carta member about what's coming, what's going to happen, and how they'll benefit from shutting down the Carta," I sat back, putting on an ominous air. "I want those willing to stop their criminal activity to be rewarded, and those who don't want to stop dead. No warnings, no head's up, nothing. Just a simple announcement that you're done and that anyone who wants to continue working together can do so with your legitimate Surface Caste family."

Jarvia's eyes went wide, "You know about our Surface Caste family?"

I couldn't help but laugh and tapped the books, "I told you, I'm meticulous."

"Beyond measure," Beraht sighed. "If you know about our caste family then that means you likely have enough evidence to have us all taken in."

I squealed with delight as the servants brought in a fruit cobbler, setting a plate before each of us. I thanked them before taking a bite and savoring it, "Oh, this is delicious. Please, try some! You'll love it!"

There was no reason to affirm Beraht's assumptions. I simply let him understand what it would mean for those in his family if he refused my offer. I was a mother bear, after all, and his family and business threatened those in my care if left to their own devices.

"However, I don't want you to think that there's no upside to this beyond simply being allowed to live," I smiled between bites of cobbler. "If things go how I've asked, I have a special perk for you."

Beraht, who had taken one bite of the cobbler then gobbled it down with enthusiasm raised a brow, "What might that be?"

"I will have House Orodum become your family's patron."

"That's…" Beraht gasped as he looked to Jarvia.

"My Lady, that's far too magnanimous and not worth us simply quitting the Carta," Jarvia said in surprise.

"Then you'll both agree that My Lady is being more than generous," Faren said as he ignored the fact that I was stealing his plate of cobbler since he hadn't touched it yet. "I recommend that you agree to her proposal. As generous as she's trying to be, she'll be equally as ruthless if you refuse."

"Faren," I scolded him as I began to eat his share of the cobbler, "you don't need to threaten them. I'm trying to encourage good decision making, not discourage poor decisions."

"Apologies, My Lady," Faren bowed his head. "I would insist you have my dessert to make amends but you already seem to be enjoying it."

I smiled at him and hummed happily as I took another big bite. I looked at Beraht and Jarvia, "So, now that all of our cards are on the table, I have to ask; what is your decision?"

In the end, Beraht and Jarvia agreed to my terms. We talked details for the next hour or so before they left. My command to allow them to leave the city freely was still in effect, so they weren't harassed.

"You didn't offer them the weapon," Faren observed as we went to the study to read our books.

"I don't want to introduce firearms to Thedas if I can help it," I responded.

"The qunari have cannons, though," he retorted as he took a seat. At the end of every evening we sat and read books together as a way to unwind.

"Using gaatlok and only on their ships as far as I recall," I shook my head.

"But aren't others slowly developing ways to make bombs?" he asked as he thumbed through his book.

"The key word is slowly," I emphasised. "Eventually someone will think to condense it and turn it into a more portable weapon, but I would rather that not be because of me. I have considered it, though."

"You've done more than consider it, My Lady," Faren reminded me pointedly. "How many designs did it take Dagna to perfect the model you settled on?"

"We went through several dozen designs, but in the end we settled on a few different designs."

"And you're sure you don't want to give them to the dwarves? We'd be a power to be feared," Faren suggested.

I shook my head, "Not unless it's absolutely necessary. Advancing too quickly would have some extremely negative consequences. Now, no more talk about them. Let's just enjoy the rest of the evening."

"As you wish, My Lady," Faren yielded.

A month after that evening I met with the Assembly and made my announcement that we should be cracking down on the Carta, and that we should be treating lyrium as a natural treasure. I suggested the death penalty for anyone who would steal that treasure from the dwarves. I also insisted on the death penalty for all Carta members who were still operating after the amnesty period. Anyone who would jeopardize the Surface Caste and relations with our allies by continuing in such activities put their livelihood over that of the dwarves, and thus did not deserve a livelihood.

Both topics were controversial. No one wanted the Carta around… officially, but some noble families worked very closely with them. The Deshyrs of those families were the primary hold-outs. In the end, both motions passed the Assembly vote. The world would change wit the dwarves treating lyrium as a cultural treasure, but I was determined to see that change work for the better in the long run.