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]

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?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"A few. They didn't give us too much trouble."

[aestrix]

"Good, I'm glad. The passageway we want is unfortunately crawling with them." Ivo points it out. "No alternative path around."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well, let's get to it, then. I'll take point."

The crawly feeling definitely intensifies as he proceeds in the indicated direction. Could there be something to that...? Well, he'll have time to figure it out later. For now, he just focuses on the mission.

[aestrix]

Oh look! More darkspawn!

They also die. How lovely.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Killing darkspawn is surprisingly fun," Stalas says cheerfully after they've taken out this batch. "Onward!"

[aestrix]

Onward!

They reach the second rendezvous point, and the second scout.

He looks a bit more panicked than the last. "There are a lot of darkspawn ahead," he says.

[thisvorlunatic]

"All right," says Stalas. "Be on your guard, and follow me."

He's beginning to think he really can sense them, somehow. But for the moment he's more interested in killing them than in finding out why. (Not that he doesn't have a theory or two.)

[aestrix]

There are more darkspawn, and then there are not. (Because they die, not because they realize they have a tea party they're late for and really must be at.)

Eventually, there is a door that looks reasonably secret.

Except, it's also open.

[thisvorlunatic]

Stalas regards it, and the darkspawn corpse across the threshold.

"That can't possibly be a good sign," he murmurs. "As heartening as it is to come across a darkspawn somebody has already killed for me. Proceed quietly and with caution, everyone."

Taking his own advice, he steps carefully over the dead darkspawn.

[aestrix]

There are lots of dead darkspawn ahead, too. It's sort of convenient, but also, not.

There are a band of what look to be mercenaries, ahead.

"Took you long enough to get here," says their leader.

[thisvorlunatic]

"And who might you be?" he asks, showing no sign of surprise or dismay.

[aestrix]

"The guy who's having a bit of a problem. Y'see, I can't seem to get to the shield. I was sort of hoping you'd help with that."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I'm certainly going to retrieve the shield," he says. "And as an honourable, upstanding citizen, I'm sure you will be glad to escort me back through the tunnels so I can present it to my father."

[aestrix]

"Sure," agrees the mercenary lightly. "And as an honorable, upstanding nobleman, I'm sure you'll be happy to pay us handsomely for it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Darkspawn not being known for their mercantile tendencies, I'm afraid I left my purse at home. But perhaps we can work something out. I'm a reasonable man."

[aestrix]

"As am I. What sort of plan of 'work something out' do you have in mind?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well, for example, one option is that you leave here along the paths we just cleared of darkspawn, and consider that easy journey your reward for clearing out this chamber for me. Or you could tell me how you got in here, for which information I would be happy to reward you after I return my ancestor's shield to Father."

[aestrix]

"Well, we came in through the door."

[thisvorlunatic]

He laughs. "I don't doubt it. And was it open when you got here?"

[aestrix]

"Nope. Bitch to find, actually, it's easy to find when it's open, but when it was closed, oh Stone no."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't doubt that either. So how did you find it?"

[aestrix]

"Stubbornness and six pairs of eyes."

[thisvorlunatic]

"If only you'd waited for me. And how did you open it?"

[aestrix]

"Trade secret. You understand."