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

[thisvorlunatic]

"Fine," he says. "But I've no doubt my brother has already bought half the Assembly. You'd never leave a thing like that to chance, would you, Bhelen?"

[aestrix]

Bhelen is silent.

"Bind Stalas and Gorim both," says Lord Harrowmont, gravely. "We are returning to Orzammar.



The first thing Stalas is introduced to is a cell. A nice one, as far as cells go, but a cell, nonetheless.

[thisvorlunatic]

He sits down and closes his eyes and leans against a wall. Fuck it all, if he'd just realized sooner that Bhelen was double-crossing him - of the two of them, Trian might have been likelier on the face of it to want Stalas eliminated, but Bhelen was likelier to actually pull it off... too late now. Regrets can't bring back the dead.

[aestrix]

No, they can't. Nor, it seems, can they help the living.

Both Stalas and Gorim are found guilty.

But they are kind enough to let Gorim visit him.

"My lord," he says. "I'm - I would have come sooner, had they allowed it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Tell me the bad news," he says, creaking to his feet and approaching the bars. He doesn't bother hiding his bruise-blackened palms.

[aestrix]

"Bhelen's taken Trian's place in the Assembly. I - don't think I need to expand on how that went. He must have been making deals and alliances for years."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I can picture it vividly," Stalas agrees. "Ugh. So what's it to be?"

[aestrix]

"Exile. For us both. My knighthood will be stripped, my name stricken from the family records - but I may live on the surface." He winces. "... Lord Harrowmont moves for a similar exile for you, but Bhelen's supporters overwhelmed him. You're to be sealed in the Deep Roads."

[thisvorlunatic]

He shudders. "There to be eaten by darkspawn, right. I'd almost prefer a nice clean assassination. Do I get a weapon, or are they afraid I'll sneak back up and stab him with it?"

[aestrix]

"Sword and shield. It would be a warrior's death, but - listen, it doesn't have to be."

[thisvorlunatic]

"...Go on."

[aestrix]

"Lord Harrowmont gave me access to see you so I could give you this."

He slips a tiny piece of paper to Stalas. "It's a map of the nearby deep roads. Not a perfect one, not finished, just a copy. I'd managed to persuade a servant to make a trip to the Shaperate for it, but he didn't have time for it all. But we all know the deep roads have other exits to the surface besides Orzammar's. If you can find those, you can get out, and then there's nothing the Assembly can do about it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"...That's a hell of a thin line to hang my hopes from," he says, closing his hand around the scrap of paper. "But - thank you, Gorim. You're a better man than I deserve."

[aestrix]

"Not half as much as you deserve, my lord. If anyone can climb out of the depths from a rope the width of spider silk, it's you."

[thisvorlunatic]

Stalas grins. "Hey, some of those spiders spin pretty thick webs," he says. "...Take care of yourself up there, all right?"

[aestrix]

Gorim laughs a little. "I will. You take care of yourself, too."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I admit I'm not skilled at the practice, but I guess I'll have to learn."

[aestrix]

"You'll do fine. There will be some times where you put your pants on backwards, but you learn fast enough."

[thisvorlunatic]

"And here I was hoping you'd forgotten that incident."

[aestrix]

"Never. It was too funny."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well," he says. "Here's hoping I live long enough to get drunk, pass out, and wake up in your lap at least once more."

[aestrix]

"Agreed," says Gorim, amused.

[thisvorlunatic]

"It's a deal," he says, reaching a hand through the bars.

[aestrix]

Gorim takes it and shakes.

"Good luck. You probably don't need it, but - have it all the same."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Considering where I'm headed, I'll take all the luck I can get." Against his own better judgment, he squeezes Gorim's hand before letting go.