It was the heat that gave the group initial pause after they passed through the Hall of Heroes, even Sereda and Faren had to take a moment to acclimatise. The guards beyond the hall had been as equally respectful as those on the surface and a runner had been sent to announce their presence to King Trian. A guard led the way giving them an escort to the Warden Compound within the Diamond Quarter, an indication in itself of how respected the Wardens were within Orzammar.

After being informed the messenger would let them know when there would be an audience, they were left to their own devices. The compound was well taken care of and showed signs of recent use, though all of those who had been stationed here had been called to Ostagar and none had survived.

Taking off her helmet Sereda untied and shook out her hair. "We may as well get comfortable; Trian may take his time in granting an audience."

"I made sure the messenger was informed of why we are here." Rathnal stated dumping his pack and rolling back his shoulders. "No matter how much he wants to posture surely he will see us swiftly."

Settling onto a seat putting his feet up Faren began to play with a dagger. "I wouldn't bet on it."

Rathnal glanced to Serris. "Well it looks like we have time to talk." He swallowed uneasily. "Shall we?" At her nod he led the way to the study closing the door behind him. "Serris I …"

"How did Commander Yantra die?" She asked softly.

"It was an ogre, we couldn't get to her; Duncan died trying."

Sinking onto a seat Serris stifled a sob. "And … and Percy?"

Sinking onto a seat beside her Rathnal met her tearful gaze. "He died protecting Gregior, who died giving Sereda, Faren and Rory time to escape and get to Duncan who was still alive at the time. It ... it was a bloody mess."

Steeling herself Serris bit her lip. "I would like to know as much of what happened as you are able to tell me."

Nodding Rathnal explained the events at Ostagar he knew and those pieced together during their escape, the escape itself and the nightmare at the Circle. After giving her a few moments to digest the information Rathnal nipped his lip anxiously. "I have written to the Warden bases asking for help. What is the situation with the Antivan Order?"

"There will be no help. When I arrived I discovered a new Commander in place on orders of the First Warden. Some of my fellows, my friends … those who had helped Yantra and myself with the broach had been taken to Weisshaupt. There was the suggestion that blood magic will be used on them, that it would have been used in my own interrogation. I did not wait to find out. They hunted me." She shuddered painfully. "My own brother and sister Wardens hunted me. Yavana a witch of the wilds gave me access to Ferelden through an Eluvian and I made my way to the Peak."

"Why would the First Warden give specific orders not to aid us?"

"The Order is supposed to be neutral, but he has fast ties to Orlais, the Empress in particular. I believe that has more to do with it than anything."

"There won't be anything left of Ferelden if we don't stop this." Rathnal muttered.

"They are fools, all of them."

"Indeed. Assuming we survive this you are welcome to stay with the Ferelden Order."

Smiling warmly Serris gently squeezed his hand. "Thank you and I may take you up on that, but should I survive there will need to be a reckoning with the First Warden." She smiled at Rathnal's look of surprise. "I suppose taking on Weisshaupt by myself is a little foolish."

"Well I wouldn't get in your way, but maybe take some back up."

"Are you volunteering?"

"They are leaving us to face a Blight alone because they know Ferelden would never let in Chevaliers and that is the only choice we have been given. Politics be damned, a Commander who would do that is not one I have any loyalty to. My loyalty was to Duncan and now Ferelden. Weisshaupt will never have the allegiance of the Ferelden Wardens while I am Commander."

"I think the First Warden will come to regret his decisions of late." Serris steeled herself. "I owe it to Yantra and myself to make sure of it."

xXx

Heading into a bedroom Sereda sank onto the bed and let out a shuddering breath. She had feared coming back in case it caused problems for Rathnal, but she had also feared how she would feel being back. She wiped at the tears shaking her head. "Foolish." She muttered.

"Hardly." Faren stated gently slipping into the room and sitting next to her. Gently taking her hand he squeezed.

"I was unsure how I would feel coming back." Sereda whispered. "But it is like reopening a wound that never fully healed. I cannot even walk the streets; if I am recognised Trian will likely demand my head." She clenched her fists in frustration. "I want to kill Trian for what he did to us."

"For giving us a life where we could be together?"

Sereda glanced to him startled. "No! For chaining you, having you beaten, having you paraded as some kind of criminal just because of who you were born to. I could have done so much in his place for our people."

"You can't keep torturing yourself with this. We are Warden's now and there is no changing that and I wouldn't even if I could. Despite the dangers this is better than my life used to be."

Sereda hung her head miserably.

"You miss the Palace and the servants and the fine clothing?" Faren muttered in disappointment.

Tears slipped down her cheeks and a painful sob left her lips. "I miss never having the chance to resolve things with my father before he died."

Closing his eyes Faren held her gently. "I'm sorry I know how much you loved you father."

"He just tossed me away!" Sereda gasped between gulped breaths, finally unable to hold onto the grief that she had been holding on to so tightly. She felt Faren tighten his hold and let herself sob in his arms.

xXx

It was two hours later when the messenger returned clearly embarrassed at having to tell them the King would not be able to see them until the following day.

Forcing himself to remain calm Rathnal thanked the messenger who promised to return once the time for the audience was given. "Right, well it looks like we are going to be here for the night, best get settled in."

Slipping from a seat Rinna stretched and sighed. "I will check out the kitchen, if there are no stores it might be advisable to go to the market and get food, save our supplies."

"Agreed." He handed Rinna some coin from the pouch Fergus had given him from the treasure at the Temple. "Take Ali with you." He glanced to Jayden who was looking through the books on a set of shelves, still astonished that he had handed it all over, only keeping the small chest of scrolls for himself which remained secure in the vault in Rainesfere.

Glancing at the books thoughtfully Jayden turned and smiled as Rathnal approached him. "Since we are here for the night I thought I would go and pay my respects to Shaper Selac and Shaper Anok if you have no objections."

"None, just be careful."

"I don't get into trouble everywhere I go Rath." He chuckled softly at his friends disbelieving look. "I promise I will be careful."

Morrigan smirked as Delilah stood. "Must you follow him as a puppy does?"

Flushing Delilah glared at her. "For your information I was going to look at the sleeping accommodation since we will be here tonight." Fury burned in her at Morrigan's smug expression knowing the witch didn't believe her. She glanced to Jayden who smiled at her before gesturing to Airyl who moved to his side. It was true she did want to go with him because she was curious about the Shaperate; he had spoken of it to her and it galled her that to accompany him now would make her seem weak to the witch and she hated that she cared about Morrigan's view of her.

"Come I shall join you." Leliana stated casting a look of distaste in Morrigan's direction.

Heading along the corridor to the bedrooms glad of the company, Delilah sighed deeply, one way or another she was going to have to deal with Morrigan.

Sereda caught Jayden as he reached the door. "Did I hear you say you are going to the Shaperate?"

"I was hoping to. Why do you think I should stay here?"

"No, in fact I hoped you would do me a favour."

"Of course."

Faren glanced at Sereda curiously before grabbing his helmet. "I figure I'd go see my family while I'm here Commander. Might be the only chance I get to see them again."

"Alright but be careful Faren, the last thing we need is an incident when we need Orzammar's help."

"No problem." Pulling the helmet on he grinned. "Even my own mother won't recognise me with this damn thing on."

xXx

Humming softly to himself as he made his way to the Shaperate, Jayden smiled warmly as he saw Shaper Selac looking through a large tome. "Shaper Selac, I don't know if you remember me, but …"

"William! Of course I remember you lad, you're not one to forget the way you brought Anok out of his shell a little. You should see him while you are here." He looked him over thoughtfully. "Not with Genitivi this time, but with Wardens, but you're not one of them I reckon and … is that a wolf?"

"Yes this is Airyl and I am just helping the Wardens, they are seeking help for the Blight. I just wanted to pay my respects while I was here."

"So another Blight then." He sighed softly. "Can't say I'm sorry that the Deep Roads are being less trouble for us, but the Darkspawn massing anywhere is trouble for us all in the end." He carefully closed the tome. "As I recall the last time you were here you spent a lot of time looking into the Darkspawn, feel free to look at anything you need to, but as before do not remove anything from the room and put whatever you look at back in its place."

"Of course Shaper Selac and thank you."

"My pleasure William and next time you see Genitivi you give him my best. Oh and you might want to tell him my son is recently married and a little one on the way already. My family is truly stone blessed."

"That's wonderful news."

"Aye that it is; well I will leave you to it."

"Shaper Salec I actually wondered if I could ask your advice on another matter."

"Of course." He raised an eyebrow as Jayden explained the need for swift and secure communication. "You are talking about Elven Stones the elves used for communication; very rare. I believe the Tevinter's created something of its like that they call Sending Crystals. Probably found an Elven Stone and figured out how it worked."

"Sandel was able to make my runestone work to communicate."

"I see. What you are asking for is complicated runecrafting William and very expensive."

"Do you know someone who would be willing to do it? I'm sure we can negotiate an appropriate fee."

"He hates humans, but perhaps Gifren's love of gold might make him think twice. I will speak to him on your behalf, but I wouldn't expect much. He has not done that kind of work in years and his apprentice was exiled to the Deep Roads for upsetting King Trian."

"How bad was the insult?"

"Not bad enough if you ask me, but I didn't say that."

"How long ago was he exiled to the Deep Roads?"

"A month ago now; he won't have lasted a day poor sod." He winced. "I'm going to need at least twenty gold coins to open negotiations." He stared startled as he was handed a heavy purse.

"Do you think that will be enough?"

Selac whistled softly and tucked it quickly into an inner pocket. "I'll make damn sure of it."

"Thank you Shaper Selac."

"My pleasure; later then."

Heading into the room with the information on Wardens and Darkspawn, Jayden looked over the shelves glancing through books and scrolls he hadn't had a chance to see the last time. He sighed regretfully, he would never be able to look over them all and there were things he needed to do. Glancing to the doorway to ensure he was alone, Airyl lying in the doorway to alert him if anyone tried to enter; he moved to the back of the room carefully pulling out several tomes and seeing the tiny mark in the stone behind it. He glanced back to Airyl before pressing it, the stone sliding smoothly and silently backwards revealing a space underneath. Heart pounding he carefully removed the thick wade of rolled parchment and slipped it into his inner coat pocket, pressing the rune again ensuring the stone slid back into place before returning the tomes to their original place. Spending a little more time looking at a particular parchment concerning Emissaries he headed out saying his goodbyes to Selac, almost breathing a sigh of relief when no-one chased after him. Focusing on calming his heart he walked leisurely towards the Shaperate of Golems.

xXx

Letting out a shuddering breath Faren stared at the door to his mother's house as he had been doing for the last two hours, unable to make himself go in. Kalah Brosca was no doubt drunk and slumped over the table, maybe Rica was inside having to care for her. "Stop being such a damn coward." He snarled to himself, clenching his trembling hands as he slowly opened the door, the smell of moss wine assaulting his nose the moment he stepped inside. Closing the door behind him he sighed softly seeing his mother in a drunken stupor slumped against the table, an empty bottle on the floor, a second tipped over near her hand on the table. Taking off his helmet he took the blanket from the chair, gently placing it over her shoulders, picking up the bottles and putting them in a crate near the door.

"Faren! What are you doing here? How are you here?"

Turning sharply Faren smiled as Rica moved from the kitchen hugging him tightly. "Sis." He murmured. "I'm a Warden now."

"I … I knew you would survive the Deep Roads somehow and a Warden!"

"Yes but please don't tell anyone I'm here, I doubt the King would be happy."

Rica shivered at the mention of Trian. "There is little the King is ever happy about." She suddenly slumped against her brother tears in her eyes.

"What is it Rica?"

"I was … I was with Bhelen, that's who Beraht hoped I would have a son with, why he invested so much in me, but King Trian found out and barred Prince Bhelen from seeing me." Tears slipped down her face. "Now Beraht is furious, mom is drinking more than ever and … and I will probably never see Bhelen again."

Hugging her gently Faren felt his heart sink, the situation couldn't be much worse and there was nothing he could do. "Rica I …"

"It's alright Faren, I'm just glad at least one of us is out of Dust Town." She pulled back hearing her mother stir. "You should go before she wakes, she is worse than ever and I won't have her pull you down." She glanced startled to the coin pouch he placed in her hand.

"I wish I had more. It isn't much, but it's yours. Keep it safe from mom and Beraht."

"Thank you." Rica whispered tears in her eyes.

Sighing Faren headed to the door stopping and glancing back. "I wish I could make things better for you Rica."

"I know and this coin will help, be safe little brother."

Smiling slightly at her affectionate tone Faren pulled back on the helmet and slipped outside, keeping himself out of sight as much as possible as he made his way back to the compound.

xXx

Pacing back and forth in the common room Sereda glared at the door. "What is taking him so long?"

"Faren or Will?" Rinna asked curiously.

"Both of them!"

Alistair grinned. "If either was in trouble I imagine we would know by now."

"Hey you been worried about me?" Faren asked with a grin that he knew Sereda saw through instantly.

Frowning Sereda nodded. "A little, do you want to talk?"

"Sure." Faren followed her into one of the bedrooms and lay down on the bed, putting his hands behind his head and staring at the ceiling, feeling the bed dip as Sereda lay next to him. "It's a damn mess."

"Rica?"

"She was apparently having an affair with Bhelen until Trian stopped them."

Sereda paled knowing Rica was a noble hunter. "Is she in danger from Beraht?"

"Well he's not happy."

"What about your mother?"

"She was drunk and unconscious so she didn't even know I was there."

"I am so sorry." Snuggling against his chest she sighed as his arms wrapped around her, wanting to comfort him.

"I just wish there was something I could do, but it's not like the surface would be any safer for her."

"We will think of something Faren."

Remaining silent he stared at the ceiling thinking that Trian's death would solve a lot of problems.

xXx

Finding the entrance to the Shaperate of Golems with ease this time, knowing what to look for, Jayden slipped through the door. "Shaper Anok?" He called out as the door closed behind him. "Shaper Anok it's William, I was an apprentice to Brother Genitivi when we met. I …" He hesitated, hearing the thumping of a walking stick before Anok was glaring up at him.

"Just think you can walk in here do you?"

"I …"

"Disturbing me when I'm busy."

"I didn't mean to; I could come back another time."

"Here now aren't you, might as well stay." Turning Anok limped back into the room grumbling to himself.

Smiling slightly Jayden glanced down to Airyl who whined softly. "His bark is worse than his bite. Come on."

Sitting in a seat Anok looked over his visitors. "Been a while."

"It has."

"Got yourself a friend I see. Not want a mabari like the rest of you humans?"

"I rescued Airyl as a pup, we have been together ever since."

"Aye, that can be the way of things right enough. My wife stone bless her did the same thing with a nug once. I would have eaten the bloody thing, but she loved it alright. So what are you doing here, didn't hear anything about Genitivi visiting?"

"I'm here with the Wardens."

Anok listened attentively as Jayden explained about the Blight. "Lucky to be alive then. Blights are a nasty business, though gives us an easier time, you won't find many of us unhappy about that. That said the bastards always come back nastier than before; like defeat makes them more determined to take what's below the surface. Only Orzammar is left and if they take this city we are finished." He sighed before pushing himself from his seat. "Come with me, I want to show you something."

Following him curiously Jayden watched as Anok unlocked a door concealed on the right at the end of the long corridor, leading the way down twenty steps before reaching another door he unlocked and gestured to him to enter. He stared in awe at the huge room, the walls engraved with dwarven runes carved in lyrium, the centre of the room taken up with huge bookshelves filled with scrolls and tomes of various sizes. "This is amazing!"

"Aye and if the King found out I showed a human he would have my head so don't go blabbing about it."

"I'm honoured, but why are you showing me?"

"You're actually interested, a bloody miracle in this day and age." He limped along the aisle glancing back smiling slightly to see him staring at the lyrium engravings on the wall. "They are the memories of each Blight. These ones haven't been erased or tampered with so you might find these recordings a little different to the Shaperate of Memories."

Shaking his head in disgust Jayden glanced to Anok. "History should be history, not changed to avoid upsetting someone in power. It is what it is, how are we supposed to learn from our mistakes if people change what happened?"

"Aye lad, but politics and power have always trumped history."

Jayden listened as Anok pointed out various section and accounts of the Blights, each one having a huge section of wall with tiny runes that he discovered were the names of all those lost, noble and commoner alike. "So many lost." He whispered.

"Aye and this gives no mention of anyone other than my people. The Blights take a toll beyond anything you can possibly imagine. Each blight has lasted less than the one before it thankfully, but each spanned years. We are just at the beginning lad and politics will play as big a role in its end as it always has. The Wardens need rulers on their side and our current King; well I don't reckon he will be much help."

"Why?"

"Well to put it bluntly our King is a damn bully, always has been. He might know how to command in the field, but well he comes up short as a King. Now Princess Sereda, she would have been a Queen to see."

"I've heard she wasn't exactly traditional in her thinking."

"No, she wanted change right enough and that's what got her exiled, but our people are dying. The golems are gone as are our Paragons and great leaders. We have a fool on the throne and each year the Darkspawn take more of us. No lad, my people are dying and this Blight might just be the end of us." He shook his head as though to clear his mind, sighing as he gazed up at the walls. "After me they will probably seal this place up."

"Surely you can train an apprentice."

"Like I said lad no-one is interested."

"I wish I could read the runes, they look slightly different with each Blight."

"You've a sharp eye, language develops, changes slightly over time. You survive this Blight come back and we will see if you have any aptitude for learning the language of the Stone."

"Really?"

"Well if I'm not dead by then of course." He chuckled darkly. "It's good to see you again William."

"And you Shaper Anok."

Clearing his throat Anok gestured it was time to leave. "Knee gives me more bother these days, time for a sit down I think." He raised an eyebrow as that led to various questions on symptoms and his experience of pain, to what he had used so far as they walked back to his own room. He watched various herbs and vials taken from the pouch belt, finding himself with a small jar of salve that smelled sweet and was cool to the touch, feeling the pain ease the moment he applied it. He sighed contentedly as he felt himself relax.

"Just a small amount each day, preferably in the morning should help."

"You mind and come back after the Blight."

Jayden smiled broadly. "I will."

xXx

By the time Jayden returned to the Compound he could smell food, smiling as his stomach rumbled; grinning at Airyl who was equally excited by the prospect of food.

"I wondered if you were ever coming back." Rathnal stated with a smile handing him a plate.

"You know what I'm like when I start reading."

"All this time! What did you find to read about?" Faren demanded.

"Everything! I could spend five lifetimes in the Shaperate and still not have read everything they have in there!"

"Enough about that." Sereda stated impatiently. "Did you get it?"

Grinning Jayden retrieved the parchment from his coat. "As requested."

Eyes lighting up Sereda took the parchment. "You are a gem William."

"What is that?" Alistair asked curiously.

"A back up plan in case Trian is the arse I anticipate he will be."

xXx

It was midday the following day before the messenger arrived at the Warden Compound to take Rathnal to his audience, only the Commander was to attend, which put his back up immediately. Forcing himself to remain calm he followed the messenger who kept murmuring apologies. The palace was stunning, but today he had no interest in dwarven architecture, decoration or art. Bowing as he approached the throne Rathnal gazed over the King. He already thought Trian was a pompous oaf from all he had heard, but if he wanted his support he needed to play nice. Sereda had coached him on what to say and how to say it, but how he wished she was with him. In fact he wished anyone but him was here, the responsibility of his recent position weighed heavily. He unfurled the treaty, hesitating as Trian held up his hand.

"I know the words of the treaty Commander. I am bound to give you forces; however the number of those forces is at my discretion. Dwarves do not shirk their duty, however we have been fighting the Darkspawn daily and the surface has not aided us. Tell me then why I should commit my warriors, surely the surface can deal with its own Darkspawn problem?"

"Your Majesty this is not just a Darkspawn problem, this is a Blight!"

"I will think on what support I can offer you, come back tomorrow."

"Your Majesty time is …"

"I said come back tomorrow Commander!"

Resisting the urge to beat the life out of the arrogant King, Rathnal bowed and left the room, bristling at Trian's self-satisfied smirk.

xXx

"You're back quick." Rinna stated glancing up as Rathnal entered the common room. "So are we done here then?"

"No. He is thinking about how much help to give us."

Alistair frowned. "But he knew why we were here; he had plenty of time to think about how many warriors he could spare!"

"And so his games begin." Faren muttered.

Rathnal rubbed his forehead. "I have an awful feeling the King is going to give us a handful of warriors and send us on our way."

"That is not unexpected." Sereda stated gently. "Which is why I have another proposal." She carefully laid various maps on the table. "These are what I had Will retrieve from the Shaperate yesterday. Paragon Branka and I planned an expedition into the Deep Roads to retrieve the Anvil of the Void. It was created by Paragon Caradin and with it he created a golem army. It took years of planning, years of research to find where we believe the Anvil to be. Before I was exiled Branka took her whole House into the Deep Roads to find it. These map the route she was to take. We could follow her."

Rubbing his neck Alistair winced. "Not wanting to dampen your spirits, but if they had found this Anvil wouldn't they have been back by now?"

"The Deep Roads are unforgiving, they would have had to fight to get there and who knows what devices Paragon Caradin put in place to protect it."

Serris looked over the maps intrigued. "Well with a golem army we would not need to deal with the King. How long do you think it will take us to get there?"

"With the majority of the Darkspawn heading to the surface the way will be clearer, but there will still be spawn. I would estimate several weeks at least. Trian will not give us what we need he proved that today. This is our best option."

Nodding Rathnal rolled back his aching shoulders. "We need to prepare, we don't have enough supplies for this kind of expedition. Sereda, Faren make a list of everything we need; Ali, Rinna and Serris will get whatever is needed from the market. Try to be discreet."

"T'would make sense to give us all specific items to purchase." Morrigan suggested. "If we go at different times during the day and do not get too much at a time then we would likely draw less attention."

"That's a good idea." Rathnal agreed. "Anything else?"

"I advise you not to mention it to my brother at your second audience with him."

"I agree, the less he knows about our plans the better."

Delilah worried at her lip. "Would it not be wise to at least wait until the King has made his decision before you decide on a trip into the Deep Roads?"

"I will of course see the King again, but given his attitude so far this trip may be necessary. I am not expecting you to join us; in fact I am not expecting any none Wardens to accompany us." He glanced to Jayden almost smiling at the determined look in his eyes.

"We should stick together." Jayden stated firmly.

"I agree." Sten stated leaning against a bookshelf. "Without numbers we will fail against this Archdemon and golems would be useful."

Delilah felt her heart sink, she had never imagined going into the Deep Roads, but perhaps Andraste had decided to give her a true test and she would not turn away because of fear.

"All will be well." Leliana stated softly gently resting her hand on Delilah's arm.

Glancing to Morrigan, Delilah saw her smug look and took a calming breath knowing her faith would give her the strength to face whatever tests Holy Andraste had in store for her, even arrogant witches.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.