The Couslands and the Kendalls had never been particularly close families, Athos and Vaughn disliked each other too intensely for a close alliance. So Athos had not visited the Arls Denerim estate for quite some time but even he could see that Arl Howe had been hard at work on the renovations. The Estate wall had been thickened and heightened and new towers dotted the wall. Arl Howe however had clearly not been treating his workers correctly as there was a large crowd of them gathered in front of the main entrance of the estate angrily demanding payment for work done from a tired and harried looking steward who was trying to placate them with empty promises. Once again Athos found himself grateful for the Arls petty tyrannies as all of the guards in the estate seemed to be focussed on the crowd and not Athos and his companions skulking about in the bushes. He had only brought a small team, Jowan, Lelianna and Sten. Jowan and Lelliana were human and should pass without comment, Lelianna was particularly adept in the art of infiltration. Sten was a risk but Qunari mercenaries were all the rage in Noble circles at the moment so hopefully no one would raise too many questions. He would have preferred Alistair, but it was too risky to have all of the potential heirs in one dangerous undertaking. The last and most important member of their infiltration team was of course Drakon. The faithful Mabari was an excellent distraction, any self-respecting Fereldan would naturally look at the dog first.
They were all dressed in the steel chainmail disguises that Erlina had provided, they clinked most loudly as Erlina led them through the grounds to the servant entrance. She then frantically motioned for them to crouch down out of sight as there were two guards at the entrance.
"I can distract the guards, but you must move quickly" Erlina instructed. Athos nodded to confirm his readiness and agreement to the plan. Athos and his companions crouched in the bushes and Erlina ran towards the guards.
"Oh! You must come! I saw something! By the Fountain! I think it was a darkspawn! Erlina pleaded breathlessly
"Darkspawn?" The guard asked incredulously looking to his fellow guard for support or some insight.
"They will drag us all underground to be eaten" Erlina cried, hands clasped in front of her, begging for aid.
"Should we get help?" The more gullible of the two guards asked his compatriot.
"Did you fall of a cart full of stupid? Call for help? So they can see us act like scared little girls because some knife eared wench?" the guard asked derisively pointing at Erlina.
"They will eat us all alive! Please! Get Help!" Erlina begged. She was certainly determined, Athos thought.
"If there is something out there and we don't sound the alarm, we'll look worse than scared" the other guard mumbled
"Andraste's Holy Knickers! Fine, we'll check the courtyard, if it will keep you from wetting yourself. But there's nothing there." the doubtful guard agreed reluctantly.
"Thank you. Oh it was over here. Quickly" Erlina called and led the guards away.
"All right, the way is clear. Remember if anyone asks you anything, you are a new guard and have been told to report to the Arl's Captain. Don't say anything more than that."
Everyone nodded their agreement. "And be careful, I'm still not sure if this a trap" Athos muttered. With that he and his companions crept out of the bushes and walked towards the servant entrance. As they were walking Athos made his way next to Jowan.
"Jowan, do you remember that conversation you and I had when we first recruited you?" Athos asked quietly.
"Y-Yes, That I was never to use Blood Magic ever again…"
"Unless specifically ordered to or to save our lives" Athos finished for him.
"If this is a trap Jowan, you are my ace in the hole" Athos continued.
Jowan swallowed nervously but nodded his agreement.
"Good Man" Athos said, gently clapping him on the shoulder.
With that decided, Athos and his companions crept through the servants entrance. It was deserted inside. It was some sort of larder, or pantry, a place for the kitchen to receive deliveries more quickly. They had barely had time to get their bearings before Erlina reappeared, panting somewhat.
"Ah, it took me forever to be rid of those two" Erlina exclaimed Turning directly towards Athos and continuing.
"You must be careful now. The servants, they will not look closely at anyone in uniform. All goods look alike to a cook, no? But you should not draw attention to yourself. Most of the guards are new. They will not know you for a stranger at a glance. It is best to keep your distance from all of them and try to blend in.
Athos nodded his understanding. "Where is the Queen?" he asked.
"She's in a guest room off the main hall. Andraste guide us"
With a final nod to Erlina, Athos led his companions through the door to the kitchen. The cooks gave them a quick disinterested glance and then returned to complaining about the state of the kitchen and wondering how the old Arl's servants managed. That was useful information, that meant Howe's household here was entirely new, no doubt he was too paranoid to keep any of Arl Urien's staff.
As they moved through the Estate, Athos could not help but be disturbed by the normalcy of life in the estate. Guards drinking, arguing and eating in their barracks, servants gossiping around corners and Kennel Master tending to the estate's Mabari. It was like being home, any moment now he expected to round a corner and see Fergus playing with Oren, whilst Orianna smiled indulgently. Or see his parents share one of their meaningful looks. But that was impossible, they were dead. Because of Howe, Howe who was in this building, not expecting it, Athos could strike him down now and avenge them. It was a tempting thought. Too tempting. He could not risk getting killed or captured now, especially by Howe, they needed Anora and more importantly, he could not risk Grey Wardens in what was a personal vendetta.
Reluctant decision made, Athos and his companions continued on through the estate and eventually arrived at the guest quarters and immediately paused. The door into the rooms was covered in a shimmering magical barrier.
Erlina approached the door and whispered; "The Grey Warden is here, my lady"
There was a pause and then a muffled voice responded; "Thank the maker! I would greet you properly, but I'm Afraid we've had a setback"
Restraining himself from rolling his eyes Athos approached the door; "What sort of setback your majesty?"
"My host was not content, leaving me under heavy guard. He's sealed the door by magic" Anora, her disdain for Howe evident in voice.
Athos turned to Jowan; "Why do you think? Can you dispel this barrier?"
"I don't think so. Not quickly at least. The Mage who cast it is still sustaining it. We'd be better going after him directly" Jowan explained
"He's almost certainly at Howe's side. So much for secrecy, " Almar muttered.
"Please Warden, we cannot leave the Queen here"
"Of COurse, Erlina, you stay here. We shall go and pay a call on the Arl" Athos declared.
—-
The path down to the dungeons was relatively easy. Athos was shocked they had not been challenged even once. They crept down into the dungeons, into small room of cells when a sudan shout stopped them;
"What? Who goes there?" A voice yelled before it was suddenly cut off with strangled wheeze. Athos and his companions stepped properly into the room to see the now dead guard, being dragged towards the cell. There was a jangle of keys and a man stepped into view. He was naked, except for some rags tied about his waist, his dirty black hair was pulled back from his face, revealing a handsome, if somewhat gaunt face. There was something else, the same warm tingle Athos had felt near when they had found Avernus. This man was a Grey Warden.
The Warden was crouched over the body of the guard and was in the process of looting him with practised efficiency. He looked up at them in puzzlement as Athos and his companions approached
"I thank you for creating such a distraction stranger. I had been waiting days for such an opportunity" the warden said, with a noticeable Orlesian accent.
"Your a Warden" Athos stated
"How did you…Ah of course, forgive me Brother, I am not quite myself. I am Riordan Senior Warden of Jader, but born and bred in Highever and glad to be home" Riordan introduced himself with a bow.
"I am Athos, acting Warden-Commander of Ferelden, also born and bred in Highever. What are you doing in Arl Howe's dungeons? If you don't mind my asking" Athos inquired
"For the most part, trying to hold my tongue" Riordan replied with a sardonic grin as he bent over and continued removing the guards' armor.
"I was sent when we received no word from King Calian as to the outcome of Ostagar. The King had invited all the Wardens of Orlais and their support troops to Join him, then… nothing." Riordan explained
"I see. If we had more time, I would gladly share information with you. I need to know where Howe is"
"I saw him go into the Dungeons. He may still be there" Riordan replied, now fully dressed in the looted armor from the dead guard.
"Thank you, if you are able to leave this place and make your way to the Arl of Denerim's estate, ask for Warden Alistair and he will help you. " Athos instructed.
"Thank you, When you return we will have much to discuss" Riordan said as he limped out of the dungeon and into the light leaving Athos and his companions in the Dark of the dungeons. All there was left to do was to face Howe.
They made their way through the rest of the dungeons fairly easily, there were a few bands of guards, but nothing they could not handle. It was difficult to fight without their usual weapons and armor, particular for Jowan, he had dropped the spear he had been carrying and was casting his spells without the focusing benefit of a staff. They had cleared out most of the most of the dungeon when they came across a door. Athos knew Howe had to be close by. He felt a roiling tension in his gut, a mixture of excitement, anger and fear. He wanted to Kill howe, and it should not frighten him at all. They had fought, dragons, ogre, and demons and triumphed. Howe was just a man, a skilled fighter but just a man. Perhaps it was because and the Couslands had been close, and despite Howe's betrayal Athos still had all those memories of pleasant time spent with Howe. It was like being told to kill a favorite Uncle Athos supposed. Still, it had to be done, no one else was going to do it for him, Athos reflected bitterly, that thought had basically been his mantra for the last year or so. At least he had people he could rely on with him.
They took a moment to catch their breath before their final confrontation with howe. Lelianna took the time to apply some poison to her arrows. Sten knelt on the ground to meditate. Jowan quickly drank a lyrium potion.
"Most likely Arl Howe is behind that door, he is a fierce and dangerous combatantant, and as you know he murdered my family. I ask now that if that battle allows, leave Howe to me. He must answer for his crimes" Athos declared
Lelianna looked up from her arrows; "You stood by me with Marjoliane, I am with you Athos" Lelianne promised, bright blue looking up earnestly at him.
"If you say this man must die, then I will follow you Kadan" Sten declared, rising from his kneeling position and redrawing Asala.
Jowan looked between them all nervously, swallowed then looked Athos in the eye;
"You and Claudia gave me a chance, when I didn't deserve it. After I did something terrible. I will never be able to pay you back, but I'll stand by you Athos, always" Jowan announced proudly.
Athos smiled, genuinely touched by the loyalty of his companions. It was good to be reminded of the trust and loyalty he had inspired in these people. Taking a deep breath, Athos drew his sword and charged through the door.
They came into a large open space in the dungeon, Arl Howe was standing center immediately infront of a rack and other implements of torture. Sure enough he was surrounded by guards and there was the mage they needed. Howe turned towards the noise, sneered at their arrival;
"Well, well Bryce Couslands little boy, all grown up. And still trying to fit into daddy's armor. I never thought you'd be foolish enough to turn up here. But then I never thought you'd live, either'' Howe declared, poison dripping in every syllable.
"You will die today. Howe, all schemes and treachery end now."
"Is this about your family? Still? But I have done so much more than wipe your name from Ferelden memory. Ands what's left? A husk of a son likely to end his days under a rock in the Deep Roads. Even the Wardens are gone. You're the last of nothing. This pointless, you've lost" Howe ranted, spit and contempt spewing out of his mouth in equal measure.
"A husk I may be, but more than your measure you old snake" Athos sneered
"There it is! Right there. That damned look in the eye that marked every Cousland Success that held me back. It would appear you have made something of yourself after all. Your father would be proud. Come young Cousland let us end this" Howe declared then charged at Athos.
Athos raised his shield in time to deflect the first Axe blow. Then parried the thrust of Howe's dagger with his sword. Athos barely had a moment to process before unleashed a flurry of attacks that drove him back towards the door. The rest of the battle seemed to fade away as Athos and Howe fought. He could hear the twang of Lelianna's bow string, the crackle of magic from Jowan's spells and Sten's Qunari war cry. Trusting in his companions to handle himself Athos refocused his attention to Howe. The Arl was trying to overwhelm him, keep Athos on the defensive. Athos needed to seize the initiative.
Howe brought his axe down for a savage overhead strike, instead of deflecting it Athos, raised his shield up to catch the rim of his shield in the curve of the axe blade. With Howe's main weapon trapped, Athos yanked the shield back. Howe clung to his axe with grim determination and in doing so was pulled forward. Athos lashed with a powerful kick to Howe's chest. The Older man let out an audible oof as the kick made contact. Howe staggered back but managed to snatch his free. Athos pressed the attack with a thrust directed at Howe's heart. Howe staggered back barely missing the point of Athos's blade. Athos did not let up, he charged forward bashing howe in the face with shield. There was a crack as the shield connected to Howe's mouth, breaking some teeth. Howe spat out blood and shards of his teeth on the ground with a snarl. Athos slashed again with his sword at Howe's unarmoured head. The Arl moved to block it, but it was a feint and Athos brought his shield down onto the Arl left arm with a savage blow. There was a loud snap as the Arl's lightly armoured arm snapped and his dagger clattered to the floor. Groaning with pain, Arl fell back.
"You will die soon! Then I will be King, A new dynasty of Couslands will rule Ferelden for Ages, whilst you will be forgotten as a traitor and madman" Athos taunted.
Howe glared at him, eyes filled with pain, rage and anger. He spat once more and raised his axe.
"The last thing your father ever saw was your mother kissing my boot" Howe snarled. He struck with his axe wildly and without finesses. Clearly the pain was getting to him. Athos waited, dodging and deflecting his strikes. Howe was getting tired, and sloppy. Sure enough a ragged and desperate blow, leaving Howe completely open. Athos deflected the blow with enough force to send Howe reeling. Athos stabbed right through Howe's unprotected chest, anger and determination driving his blade through Howes, until scraped against the bones of his ribcage. Athos twisted the blade and pulled it free. Howe looked up at him in astonishment and anger as the blood began spewing from the wound. He collapsed to the floor clutching his chest. Glaring at Athos.
"Maker, spit on you, I deserved… more" The Arl of Amaranthine said he lay dying in a puddle of his own blood, alone and despised.
Hi Everyone, I finally got this chapter done. Hope you all enjoy it. Would love your feedback on the final fight between Athos and Howe. Thanks for Reading.