Feast

[aestrix]

It is a special day, in the city of Orzammar. For one man, especially. It is a day of celebration for the second son of King Endrin Aeducan. Despite his physical... issues, he's been made Orzammar's newest commander. Tomorrow, there will be quite a lot of bloodshed. But tonight is for Stalas Aeducan. Not only is there a feast in his honor, but Provings, as well. It's his day, one of honor, but also his formal presentation to the heads of houses.

The merchants have even been allowed into the Diamond Quarter, a rare treat they only see on special occasions. They're probably regretting it, by now, after trying to talk to some of the dwarven nobles and tackle their very particular brand of pride, but it's a chance to win over the highest class, instead of hoping they deign to notice the Merchant Caste.

Regardless, today is certainly a day to remember. Possibly for the wrong reasons.

Comments

[aestrix]

Bhelen does not know how to handle this.

He's lying. He has to be lying. There is absolutely no one, ever, that would rather be a prince than a king. What do princes do? Nothing, they fight and kill each other and scheme and fail to have any real power. A king, though? A king changes things. Stalas must be lying to him, playing to his ego, pretending to be the good brother. Just like Bhelen's doing with him.

(But what if he's telling the truth? asks a voice in his head. Well, it's too late to call off the mercenaries, isn't it, and Trian's a walking dead man anyway, there isn't anyone else to pin it on...)

"I'm - surprised, at you, brother. But thank you. I'm honored by your faith in me."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I'll have it inscribed on a plaque. 'Bhelen Aeducan would make a better king than a drunken nug'," he jokes, with a sweeping gesture to indicate the prospective size of this plaque. "You could hang it up in your rooms as a reminder that at least one of your brothers appreciates you."

[aestrix]

Bhelen laughs, a little, in spite of himself.

"Trian might take offense, to that, I think."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Alas, you're probably right. And an offended Trian is the last thing anyone needs. All right, I'll hold off on the plaque."

[aestrix]

"Thanks. And - I - should tell you," he says. "I think Trian's moving against you."

He doesn't know what to do. He's not good at - thinking on his feet. So he sticks to the plan.

[thisvorlunatic]

"...What do you mean?" he asks, the smile dropping off his face.

Stalas is good at thinking on his feet. But unfortunately, it would be a bit tricky to consult him on how to safely back out at the last minute from a plan to cruelly betray him.

[aestrix]

Just a bit, yeah.

"He might be moving against both of us," says Bhelen consideringly. "But it's - you haven't heard some of the things he's called you behind your back. I think he thinks Aeducan would be ah - I'm sorry, his words, not mine - better off without you."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I've heard some of the things he's called me behind my back. He's reasonably blatant about his opinion that Orzammar would benefit greatly if I fell in the lava pit. I just didn't think he'd go so far as to push me, on however metaphorical a level. ...How metaphorical is it? What have you heard? Or is this just a hunch based on long exposure?"

[aestrix]

"Hunch based on long exposure. Things like - very disturbingly foreshadowing sentences. 'We won't have to worry about him any longer, little brother' or 'I've got it all taken care of.' It's actually pretty annoying, I don't think he knows any subtlety. All he needs to do to add to the effect is throw in an evil laugh."

[thisvorlunatic]

"This is disturbingly easy to picture," Stalas mutters. "Well... thanks, Bhelen. I'll be on my guard."

[aestrix]

"You're welcome. Be careful," he says, earnestly. He - isn't sure about betraying his brother, but he's pretty sure he doesn't want this one to die.

[thisvorlunatic]

"I will."

All right, off he goes to get the fuck out of this ceremonial armour and go to sleep. Hopefully he won't be too stiff tomorrow.

[aestrix]

Bhelen... goes back to his room and tries to figure out what the hell to do.

After a sleepless night, he's still not sure.

And then it's the day of the campaign.

"Trian and his men," explains Lord Harrowmont, "will clear the way to the mines for the king. Fall back once you've reached the entrance to the mines, the king and his men will back you up. Bhelen, you and your men will second the king, you will be holding the area that Trian and his men take and relieving them when they fall back."

Trian nods, and heads off to do that.

"Stalas," says the king, turning to Stalas and lowering his voice. "I have a special mission for you."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yes?" he says alertly.

[aestrix]

"The Aeducan Thaig was lost, but with the lesser numbers of the darkspawn lately, it seems like it would be possible to reach. I've spoken to several scholars, and they're quite sure - it has the shield of the Paragon Aeducan in it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"An impressive prize, symbolically speaking," he says. "You want me to retrieve the shield? Where will I find it?"

[aestrix]

The king gives directions to it. "We've sent two scouts, ahead of you. They'll know how to navigate some of the more twisty passages. But the passage to the place with the shield itself needs you - it's impossible to enter without an Aeducan signet ring."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Understood," he says. "Enter the thaig, follow the scouts, open the secret door, retrieve the shield. Simple enough, but easier said than done, I'm sure."

[aestrix]

"Only a little," agrees the king with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. "Strength of the Stone be with you, my son."

"Brother, I-" begins Bhelen. Then he stops. "... Stone catch you if you fall," he finishes lamely.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Same to you, brother."

And off he goes, grinning. Sure, he could've wished for his first campaign as a commander to involve a little more command, but secret doors and ancient treasures are still plenty of fun.

[aestrix]

He has Gorim with him, too, so that's nice.

What about darkspawn, are darkspawn fun? (There are darkspawn.)

[thisvorlunatic]

"I've got the weirdest feeling," he mutters to Gorim as they approach a crossroads in the tunnels. "Keep alert." He can't even begin to explain the sensation. It's like his blood is tingling. Maybe it's nothing, but maybe it's a warning he should heed.

When they reach the crossroads: darkspawn. Stalas attacks on sight.

[aestrix]

Gorim helps! The darkspawn die.

"... Weirdest feeling was pretty accurate," observes Gorim.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yeah. Thank the Stone for it, whatever it was. C'mon, let's get going."

To the first rendezvous point!

[aestrix]

One of the scouts is waiting for them. It's, surprisingly enough, Frandlin Ivo.

"Lord Aeducan," he says, bowing. "Did you encounter any darkspawn on the way here?"