Hearing shouting as they reached the Palace, Loghain and Cauthrien raced through the courtyard, swords drawn, halting abruptly as they saw the broken body on the ground, two guards staring down in shock. "Erlina!" Loghain gasped, sinking down beside her. He checked for signs of life, almost glad there were none, blood seeping out from her head where the impact had crushed the back of her skull.

"She just jumped." Jonas mumbled. "I … I … there was nothing we could do."

Loghain was aware he was ordering Cauthrien to put the guards on alert before he was racing through the palace to Anora's rooms, his heart pounding brutally fearing for his daughter's safety. He heard the commotion before he reached the top of the stairs, panicked guards and weeping servants falling silent at his approach. Zarina tried to speak to him, but he moved past, not yet willing to hear the words he felt certain the young woman had been about to speak. He swallowed painfully as he stood in the doorway, the scent of blood and perfume mingling in the air creating a sickening scent. As he forced himself to step into the room he glanced down at the crunching sound, realising he was stepping on the smashed perfume bottle, seeing broken crockery that had been hastily brushed to the side. He was shaking as he reached the bed, Anora lay still and staring up at the ceiling, blood staining the pale blue bodice of her dress, a dagger on the floor. Grief and regret were in her eyes, but there was no sign of a struggle from her, she had not attempted to fend off her attacker.

Cauthrien raced up the stairs horrified by what she saw turning to Zarina. "What happened here?" She demanded.

Clenching trembling hands Zarina stared at Anora; her failure too monumental to yet comprehend. "I … Erlina had asked me to get supper while she spoke to the Queen. That is nothing unusual, she often shares reports without me. I saw Erlina plunge the dagger into the Queen's chest. I dropped the tray and ran towards her, but she dropped the dagger and flung herself from the window. I … I never suspected her capable of this."

Loghain heard what was being said, but could barely take it in, staring at the body of his daughter feeling the last remnants of composure shatter. "Leave!" He snarled, easing on to the bed and gently cradling Anora's body in his arms. "My baby girl." He whispered, rocking gently.

Forcing herself not to give into the grief, Cauthrien ushered the distraught Crow out of the room, turning to the group of guards that had gathered, desperate for direction and devastated that they had not been able to save their Queen. "Brena and Callum, you will remain here in case the General requires you. Eric, please get Enchanter Tyris. Zarina you will go to your room, Gavin and Thom will escort you. They will remain with you until Enchanter Tyris and myself come to see you, do you understand?"

"I … of course Ser Cauthrien." She trembled as the knight's hand gently gripped her shoulder.

"This was not your fault Zarina."

Though she nodded, something in the Crow told her that was not quite the truth.

xXx

Hurrying along the corridors still fastening his robes, the ashen faced guard barely a step ahead of him, Tyris tried to ignore the tremble of his hands. Taking a calming breath he slipped into the room, swallowing at the reality that Anora was indeed dead. She had made mistakes, acted foolishly at times, but she had not deserved this fate. "I am so sorry." He whispered, finding himself pinned by Loghain's look.

"There must be something you can do, some magic …"

Hunkering down beside him Tyris shook his head. "I wish that there was, your Lordship. Truly I do, but the Queen is beyond any help any of us can offer." He felt the ache as Loghain turned away, tears slipping down his cheeks. "I can however give you something to help you sleep when you are ready." He sighed, not even sure his words had registered. He glanced up and stood as Arl Howe entered the room.

Having made sure he was in the palace to be one of the first to be at Loghain's side, to offer support should he return that evening, Rendon was irritated to see the court mage in attendance, paling as he caught sight of Anora. "Oh, my friend." He gasped, stumbling forward. For all this had been his plan, to see it made nausea rise.

"My baby girl is dead." Loghain whispered, never taking his eyes from Anora's face. "I was supposed to protect her. This is my fault."

"No!" Rendon stated sharply moving to the bed and gripping his shoulder. "Erlina played her dedication to the Queen well, but we must face facts that she was an agent of Orlais." He frowned as Loghain shook his head. "My friend, there was a witness to her treachery."

"This is my doing. I believed she would protect Anora. All these years and she was just waiting for the right moment." He buried his face in Anora's hair. "I am so sorry Anora; I am so sorry."

"Loghain I …" Rendon swallowed painfully as Loghain continued to whisper to his daughter. "I will see to your duties my friend." He stated softly. "You will need time." He hesitated as Loghain turned to him, his eyes dark with grief.

"It was all true, wasn't it? Bryce betrayed us. That witch spoke to me of my betrayal, but what of the betrayal of others to me!" He saw Rendon's confusion and turned away. "All I ever wanted was to protect my family, my country and I have paid for it at every turn." He bowed his head, tears burning his eyes. "Leave us."

Swallowing painfully Rendon nodded and left the room, glancing at the guards and servants in the corridor. "Attend to your duties!" He snapped. While the guilt was almost suffocating, events had played out more favourably than he had imagined. A new parchment of orders needed to be created that would place him at the seat of more power than he had anticipated for himself, he had no doubt Loghain would sign the document without the need for encouragement.

Tyris left the room behind him frowning deeply. The Arl had been far too quick to assume authority and while he had appeared in some shock, there was a lack of intensity to his reaction he would not have expected from a long-time family friend. He glanced up as Cauthrien arrived, her look one of barely suppressed grief, her face flushed from having run from wherever she had been.

"I can find no other evidence to suggest this was anything other than it was." Cauthrien slumped against the wall, her lip trembling as she fought the tears threatening to spill. She glanced at Tyris. "I cannot believe Erlina would do this, she was dedicated to the Queen."

"Ser Cauthrien, we need to speak in private."

At his anxious tone Cauthrien nodded and followed him to his room. "What is it Tyris?"

"I was bound to secrecy, but given the circumstances …" He swallowed painfully. "There was a time not so long ago when Erlina fell prey to blood magic to control her mind. I fear it may have happened again."

Cauthrien stared at him stunned. "Erlina should have been removed from her duties and kept under watch!"

"I removed the influence of blood magic from her myself and we took precautions. I procured them amulets to protect against blood magic, but I would believe Erlina a victim of blood magic controlling her before I would believe she would voluntarily betray the Queen."

"And what of the mage who was controlling her?"

"I am afraid I have no information on who that was. I was dismissed before Erlina could reveal it to the Queen."

"I see." Cauthrien shook her head and moved to the door.

"Ser Cauthrien, that was not the only matter I wished to bring to your attention."

"Tyris, I need to return to the General."

"You need to listen. Arl Howe intends to take over the duties of the Regency, I heard it myself. Of course, he termed it in the way of giving the General time to grieve." He shuddered. "That man should not have such power."

"Someone will need to until the General is in a fit state to resume his duties, but I agree it should not be the Arl. I will speak to him, but Maker knows if he will listen."

"Thank you, Ser Cauthrien."

"Once I have spoken to the General, I require your assistance with Zarina, she was there when it happened."

"Of course. I can attend to her immediately if you wish."

"Thank you, I will join you shortly." Returning to Anora's rooms, hesitating only for a moment Cauthrien forced herself to enter, her heart aching for Loghain, for all he had suffered in his life. She took a step forward, hissing as shards of a cup crunched beneath her boot, meeting Loghain's gaze as he turned to her.

"How could I have been so blind. Erlina tricked us so thoroughly."

Cauthrien knelt beside him resting her hand on his arm. "No-one could have foreseen this. Anora trusted Erlina without question …"

"And that was our greatest failing. Maker, how could we ever have trusted an Orlesian?"

"The potion …"

"And that was my mistake, believing something from that witch Flemeth. She has played me time and time again."

"Perhaps this is not all as it seems, Erlina swore to you that even if she was given alternative orders, she would protect Anora."

"Clearly." Loghain snarled bitterly, turning back to his daughter, a tear splashing onto her cheek. He closed his eyes, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "It is over Cauthrien. If Orlais wishes Ferelden so badly, let them wrestle it from the Darkspawn."

"You cannot mean that! Thousands will die if the Darkspawn are left unchallenged! If Orlais is allowed into the country they will never leave!"

"Death comes for us all, what does it matter if the hand that deals it is Orlesian or Darkspawn."

"This is not you. You never give up, no matter what, that is the strength you gave both of your children."

"And look where that strength got us!"

Frustration rising, Cauthrien sought for any means to bring him back to himself. "Arl Howe intends to take over the Regency."

"He is welcome to it."

"Loghain, his actions with the Couslands are still suspect. It is inappropriate for him to be Regent."

"I am done caring, Cauthrien. I have always done my duty for this country and I have always paid the price. I have nothing left."

"Ferelden can still be saved, our people can." As he shook his head Cauthrien leaned forward. "Your son needs you Loghain."

"Jayden." Loghain whispered before slowly shaking his head. "I sent him away, I abandoned him when he needed me most, Maker, I left him to die."

"He loves you and he will need you more than he ever has, once he finds out what has happened here tonight."

"I gave him up." Loghain whispered, turning back to Anora gently brushing his thumb against her cheek. "All is lost to me now."

"Loghain please, we need you."

Shaking his head, Loghain held Anora tight to his chest, weeping openly. "My baby girl." He whispered, staring at nothing as he whispered her name over and over.

Cauthrien turned sharply as a servant entered, her eyes bloodshot and cheeks flushed with crying.

"Forgive me, but we should attend to the Queen … to her body." Selena's hand fluttered to her mouth to stifle the sob.

"You will not take my daughter from me!" Loghain snarled. "Now get out!"

"Your Lordship …"

"Get out!" Loghain roared.

Trembling Selena stumbled out of the room, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Cauthrien stared at the General, he was truly broken and he was handing their country into the control of a man whose loyalty was in question and whose motivations were as yet unknown.

xXx

Jayden glanced at Gawain as they moved to the outskirts of the marketplace, having seen no sign of Harris they were almost ready to return to base. He hesitated, startled as bells from the palace began to ring out indicating major news, feeling anxiety clench his gut. He gestured to Gawain and they discreetly moved towards the Palace, their hoods drawn as they drifted into the gathering crowd, people drawn from their homes and the taverns by the noise, fearing the Darkspawn were upon them. The air was thick with tension and people began murmuring that something terrible had happened in the palace. Guards were calling for quiet and calm. Jayden frowned and drew himself to the side of the crowd, Gawain following as Arl Howe appeared.

Rendon held up his hands for silence. "Good people, it is my sad duty to inform you that Queen Anora has been murdered by her treacherous elven handmaiden." He gestured for silence as the shocked gasps became angry shouts to know where the traitor was. "The elf threw herself out of the window after the act to escape true justice."

Unable to process the words Jayden stared at the Arl uncomprehending, barely aware of the alarmed whispers, panic, raised voices and people beginning to cry. His sister was dead, it couldn't be real. Jayden felt as though he could barely breathe, feeling Gawain grip his arm. The guardsman was ashen and looked as unsteady as Jayden felt.

"General Loghain must have time to grieve and with his agreement I have taken over as Regent until he is able to resume his duties. I want to assure you that I will ensure no elf has the opportunity to attack anyone else in Denerim! Where there is one traitor there may be more. I will ensure that the Night Elves are disbanded, all weapons removed from the Alienage and anyone resisting will be severely punished. I ask that you allow us to deal with this and do not take matters into your own hands. Let us deal with this the right way in honour of our beloved Queen."

Feeling as though there was a buzzing in his head Jayden stumbled away from the crowd, staggering into an alleyway, only managing to stay on his feet because of Gawain. He couldn't focus, his breathing too quick and shallow, his chest burning and feeling as though a great weight was pressing against it. His sister was dead by Erlina's hand, one more person they had trusted who had betrayed them. He felt as though his heart was shattering, pressing tightly to the wall to stop himself from collapsing. Had it been a lie from the moment Erlina had arrived, just one more long game they had been blind to? He gulped a breath trying to calm, trying to think, but Anora was dead and he couldn't make sense of anything. He forced himself to move, stumbling through the alleyway, they had to get back to the safety of their base.

Gawain heard footsteps behind them, turning too late as pain exploded at his temple before he hit the ground unconscious.

Jayden realised someone had grabbed hold of him, but he was too slow to react, he felt pain, his knees buckling.

"You gave elves weapons." Harris snarled, shock and fury bringing out his more violent tendencies. "The Queen is dead because of you! And trust me, you are going to pay!" He kicked him brutally until he went limp, those with him having to pull him away.

"Vaughan will kill you, if you spoil his sport." Jerad hissed, glancing around anxiously.

For a moment Harris didn't care, but sense won and he grabbed an unconscious Jayden along with Jerad, the two carrying him along as though he was drunk, the others doing the same with Gawain. No one paid them any attention, all too shocked at the news that their Queen had been murdered.

xXx

Vaughan leaned back in the chair, his legs on the desk and sighed, he was impatient having hoped that Harris would have returned by now. He glanced at Rendon who had just returned from making his announcement and was outlining what he expected of him. "I know what I need to do, relax."

Rendon fixed him with a piercing gaze. "We are so close to getting everything we wanted, I will not tolerate any mistakes."

"There won't be any." He glanced up at the knock raising an eyebrow seeing Harris who looked flushed and angry. "Well, did you get him?"

Nodding Harris clenched his fists. "I might have been a bit rougher with him than you wanted." He returned Rendon's glare. "It's his fault elves had weapons! His fault the Queen is dead."

"I never took you as a supporter of the Queen." Vaughan stated in surprise, raising an eyebrow at Harris's glare.

Moving over to him Rendon grabbed his tunic by the throat and dragged him closer, his voice menacing. "You will not touch him again. I give you this leeway only once out of respect for the passing of our Queen, is that understood?"

"I understand." Harris snapped, pulling himself free.

Turning to Vaughan, Rendon fixed him with a gaze of steel. "I will speak to him first, let us see if he will answer my questions. Whether he does or not you know what to do and keep your dog on a leash."

Vaughan nodded as Rendon left the room. "Keep your damn mouth shut Harris, trust me that man is not someone you want to get on the wrong side of."

Harris glared after the Arl, but held his tongue, the pair moving swiftly to catch up to him.

xXx

Jayden was brutally returned to consciousness by ice water being thrown at him, groaning at the pain that seemed to flare throughout his body. Through the numbness of the shock of his sister's murder he realised he was chained to the wall of a cell, his arms stretched out to the sides, his ankles restrained, only in his small clothes. Torches burned on the wall illuminating the room enough for him to see the blood on the walls and floors. Even had it been in darkness he would have known its presence with the metallic smell; fleetingly wondering which poor wretch had met his end in the room before he had been brought in. Glancing to his right, he saw a bench, his blood running cold. Instruments of torture gleamed in the light of the torches, placed between them so they could be clearly seen. He almost wasn't surprised when he recognised the three men in the room.

Harris put the bucket on the floor before he leaned against the bench glaring at him.

"Leave us for a moment." Rendon commanded, remaining silent until Vaughan and Harris had left the room, closing the door behind them.

Jayden glared, after all the terrible things the Arl had done, he knew he shouldn't be surprised he would torture him. He wanted desperately to ask if Gawain had also been taken, but he didn't dare show any concern for him, too afraid they would hurt him to get whatever they wanted.

"Do not worry, you will be rescued very soon." Rendon gripped Jayden's shoulder ignoring his wince of pain, hiding the alarm at the swollen flesh and bruising from the beating Harris had given him. "We will stand together at the Landsmeet and you and I will do great things together. You need not suffer any more pain. Just give me the locations of the Wardens and Couslands. Tell me what you know of their plans. Tell me exactly what you did in the Alienage and what you know of Caladrius's whereabouts. That is not so much to ask, is it?"

"How could you sink so low?" Jayden croaked. "How could you call yourself a friend to our families? How can you do this when Anora was just murdered?" His voice broke as he stared at him searching for some hint the man had any compassion left.

"We all do what we must. I promise you, when this is done there will be peace between us and your marriage to Delilah will strengthen Ferelden, it will strengthen our families and you can grieve for your sister as is proper." He sighed softly. "It was never meant to be like this."

"What was it meant to be like?"

"Your sister prevented your return to me; this could have been avoided had she only seen sense."

Swallowing painfully, Jayden continued to watch the Arl. "You wanted to control me."

"Guide you. You will be a leader like your father."

"You slaughtered friends; sold people into slavery and have had people tortured. I will never be part of whatever you have planned!"

"Yes, you will. All of this was to strengthen Ferelden."

"Lie to yourself if you must; this is about your own power!"

"And why should I not be compensated! I only wanted what is due to me!"

"You're a monster!"

"I am Regent; if some see me as a monster so be it." He sighed deeply. "You should have trusted me boy."

"Andraste forgive me; there was a time when I did."

Paling slightly, Rendon nodded. "You will again, I promise. Now I ask you again, give me the information I want." He sighed as Jayden remained silent. "Then I am sorry for what comes next."

Jayden bit his lip close to tears, feeling as though his grief was drowning him.

Stepping out of the room Rendon gripped Vaughan's arm. "Get me the information, but if you go further than we have discussed you will find yourself in his place."

Nodding Vaughan waited until Rendon released his grip and gestured to Harris to join him.

"No." Rendon stated coldly. "I have other work for him."

"As you wish." He moved into the room forgetting about Harris as he looked over his prisoner. "You have no idea how long I have prayed for this day. How often I have begged Andraste to let me give you what you are due." He chuckled. "I have heard some say you are her Champion; well, it seems she has forsaken you. While you were promoted to Captain at Ostagar my father died, did you know that?"

Jayden didn't bother to answer, he was at Vaughan's mercy and they both knew he would show him none whatever he said.

"The upside to this of course is that I am now Arl of Denerim, which I am sure you were aware of." He moved a step closer as he rolled up his sleeves. "As such it delights me to inform you that you are stripped of your rank and you no longer have a position with the Denerim Guard." He let his fingers drift over the instruments of torture; picking up a dagger, the blade thin and serrated and turned to his prisoner. Hesitating he turned back and put down the dagger and picked up another instrument. "Let's start with the fingernails. Now just so you know I am not Rendon; I do not care about his questions. Right here and now is for my satisfaction and there is nothing that you can offer me that will make me stop." He leaned forward, a cruel smile on his face. "The only thing I want from you right now is to hear you scream." When there was no response Vaughan grabbed Jayden's jaw and forced up his head. "Do you understand me?" He took an uneasy step back, the prisoner's eyes told him he understood, he just didn't care.

xXx

Gabriel woke with a start, Airyl was twitching wildly in her sleep next to him. Cautiously he reached out placing a reassuring hand on her head. "Easy girl, it's just a dream." He pulled his hand sharply back as she shuddered, her eyes wild and furious, leaping to her feet and pacing in agitation, her ears drawn back, lips curled as she snarled. "Airyl?"

The others woke at the commotion, all watching the wolf in alarm.

Airyl paced back and forth the feeling of wrongness, the faint echo of pain teasing her senses, before she began howling in desperation, anguish and fury. She needed to get back to the forest of stone, but she needed her pack with her.

"What in the Void?" Lawrence gasped.

"Something has happened to Captain William." Grian, an older elven man, stated softly moving a step towards Airyl and speaking a few words soothingly in the elven tongue.

Airyl turned to him, whimpered, drawing her paw across her face before turning towards Denerim and howling again.

"She calls the pack to action. The Alpha needs them."

The soldiers looked at each other before Terrance shifted slightly. "How can Airyl know something about the captain when he's not even here?"

"I spent time with the Dalish in my youth and heard tales of the bond of a white wolf. It is rare, even among the elves, certainly these days and I have never heard of it with a human, before the captain of course. The bond grows over time, old elven magic from a time when we were immortal and had cities that floated in the sky." He shook his head. "Who can imagine such things, but the bonding is so deep in some cases, a part of the soul is entwined. Look in William's eyes sometime and you will see the wolf looking back and it is partly I suspect why Airyl tolerates the city as well as she does, the now human part of her soul understands it."

"You're serious." Tess whispered.

"If you don't believe that, consider the Ashmen and their bond with their mabari. I was at Ostagar working in the camp, I heard them talk, secretly listened to some of their tales. Some have a bond so deep they can feel the pain of the other as an echo of their own, some can be across the battlefield from each other out of the line of sight and know that the other has fallen. I would bet my freedom that the captain is in trouble, wherever he is."

Gabriel turned to Airyl who had fallen silent, but her stare remained fixed, her body tensed as though about to burst into a run. "Break camp." He ordered, moving to Airyl's side. "Don't worry Airyl, we will get to Denerim as quickly as we can, but we need to protect the elves, you know he would expect that of us." He swallowed painfully as she whimpered before pressing against his leg clearly seeking comfort. He knelt down beside her leaning back against her. "He always gets in bloody trouble without us." He grumbled.

xXx

Having been witness to Arl Howe's shocking proclamation, Master Ignatio had locked himself in his rooms, poured himself a large brandy and sat in his chair staring at nothing. Knowing what he knew, he did not believe for one moment that Erlina had turned on the Queen. This was Howe's doing, he would bet his life on it, but proving it, there was the rub. That he was grabbing for the power of the Regency was no surprise given the circumstances, a Landsmeet would need to be called and he imagined many in the nobility would demand him stripped of that role given the questions that hung over his own loyalty. Yet for him to have made such a bold move, meant he was ready for any objections and that was cause for deep concern.

Drumming his fingers on the desk he found the rhythm that seemed to focus him. First Zarina would need to be checked to see if she had been influenced by blood magic. He had expected her to return to him immediately, when she had not, he had sent a messenger to her. He had also sent a request for help from the Mages Collective. He intended to have proof of the true murderer by the time the Landsmeet was called.

xXx

Jayden gave a soft moan as he was thrown into a cell, he was being given a brief reprieve before Vaughan continued. He lay on the cold stone trying to ease the nausea burning his throat. His hands were tied behind his back, his fingers throbbing mercilessly, the blood now dried. He tried to move but the pain was relentless. He strained his ears as he lay on the stone floor; becoming painfully aware of the throbbing of his face and then that of the rest of his body. Taking a few deep breaths Jayden pressed his back to the wall and with a grunt of pain levered himself into a sitting position. He glanced around the small dank cell, three walls, the iron bar cell door and nothing else. Easing to the door he looked into the room beyond the cell, badly lit with a few torches, but enough to see other cells like his. Two were occupied, one with a man on his knees whimpering softly, punctuated by incoherent whispers and the other a younger man who was asleep, or perhaps he had been beaten unconscious, from the distance Jayden couldn't be sure, neither were Gawain and it gave him hope they had not taken him. Rescue for himself was unlikely, they would have no idea where he was and even if they did, it was too much to risk for one man. He closed his eyes, despite the pain and grief, his focus was drawn to the inescapable fact that yet again his family had been betrayed by someone they had called friend and ally; someone they had all trusted. He couldn't help wondering if their family was cursed and wished he could have died in her stead. Glancing around the cell, the cold reality of his plight closing in on him, he shuddered, given his situation he might well join her soon enough.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading, it is always appreciated.