The Fade

Chapter 21 Frostback Mountain & Orzammar (Part 1)

Marilla's POV

After four hours of walking we arrived at the base of The Frostback Mountains. The mountains tower over all of Ferelden and from where we stand I see a path that leads up and through the mountains "please tell me we're not walking all the way up there?" Rose asked looking upset "no, we're looking to get the Dwarves help in this war, their city is located near the base of the mountains. Still a hike though so get ready" Sarina informed "uuugh i hate hiking" Rose complained but we had to get moving soon, so off we went to meet the Dwarves.

After a while of hiking we arrived at a clearing filled with stalls and people, humans and Dwarves, and I could see two large doors that tower over everything, even the smaller trees on the mountain, engraved with dwarven runes. As we make our way through the market towards the doors I saw lots of interesting things to buy from dwarven ornate jeweled pitchers and goblets, authentic dwarven armour and weapons, and food everywhere i looked. 

Once we made it through the market we ended at the base of the doors and we made our way up the stairs to see dwarves arguing with a group of humans "oh for makers sake! what is HE doing here?" Sarina asks out loud "who?" asks Vee "i'll tell you all in a moment first-" Sarina said before turning towards the dwarves and humans, I then overhear the end of the argument that was occurring

Dwarf-"VEATAL! This land is held in trust for the sovereign Dwarven kings. I cannot allow entry at this time"

Human-"King Loghain demands the allegiance of the Deshyr or Lords or whatever your kind calls them, in your Assembly! I am King Loghain's appointed messenger!"

Dwarf-"I don't care if you're your kings appointed wiper. Orzammar will have none but it's own until out throne is settled"

We approach the two groups and Sarina speaks up

Sarina-"Greetings Dwarf, we have important business within Orzammar"

Human-"Who doesn't. Your not the only one who...wait I know you! Your the Warden who killed good King Cailan!"

I see Sarina roll their eyes and says "Hello to you too Imrek. Still doing Loghains dirty work huh?" Sarina turns their attention to the Dwarf Guard "I have these old treaties that the Wardens of old created so the future Wardens may call upon the dwarves for aid against the blight" Sarina then hand over the treaties to the Dwarven guard who begins reading over the papers.

Human, I mean, Imrek- "That Warden killed King Cailan and doomed Fereldan! They're  sworn enemies of King Loghain! I DEMAND you remove this stain on the heart of Fereldan"

Dwarf- "Well that is the royal seal. That means only the assembly is authorized to address it. Grey Warden, you and your allies may pass"

Imrek- "WHAT?! You're letting in that traitor to Fereldan"

Sarina-"Shut up Imrek! Why dont you get out of here before you get hurt after all your too much of a coward to do anything but run your mouth"

Imrek-"this..this isn't over traitor! King Loghain WILL stop you" Imrek and his group turn and march out of here.

Dwarf- "Finally. You've done me a service Warden. That fool was trying to force his way in for weeks. Are all humans that touched?"

Sarina-"Some of them"

Dwarf-"Anyway, you are free to enter Orzammar, Grey Warden, though I dont know what help you will find but keep those weapons sheathed or else"

Sarina-"understood"

The guards then open the massive doors and we all enter to see a huge city within the mountain and I see so many people walking about and in the middle of the city is a large lava-fall , that leads to a pool of lava further south within the mountain,and near the pool of lava there was lots of blacksmith forges all going.

"So whats the plan?" Larrith asked but before any of us could answer two groups of Dwarves, one group clad in red armour, with a dwarf in front wearing a small crown, and the other clad in silver armour, with a Dwarf in front wearing fancy clothes, appear arguing with each other and the argument went-

Fancy clothed Dwarf-"It is the Assembly who makes a King, and a King who nominates his successor. None of it is carried in blood"

Dwarf with crown-"Or, as now, when someone tries using the Assembly to pull a coup. Who's to say what my father said in his final hours when the usurper Harrowmont was the only on by his side when he died"

Harrowmont-"I'll have you thrown in prison for speaking to me like the Bhelen Aeducan"

Bhelen-"You've bitten off more than you can chew old man!"

Harrowmont-"Guards! Remove these Deshyrs from my sight! I will not have Bhelen incite a riot"

As he said that his guards move forward and begin to unsheathe their weapons but before they can do anything

Bhelen's guard-"You shall not speak that way about the man who should be KING!"

The man then attacks and kills one of Harrowmont's men and after Harrowmont and his men run off and Bhelen and his men turn and walk away.

After all of that we all stand there shocked and suddenly two dwarves run up to the dead man and drag his body away and another walks up to use and says "apologies you all had to witness that but as you can see Orzammer is not exactly in its prime right now"

"What happened to your king?" Sarina asked "our king died of heartbreak a couple months ago and now the Assembly cant decide who should be king so now Prince Bhelen and Lord Harrowmont have been arguing, and as you can see, attacking each other,whenever they can." "well we request the aid of the dwarves in the fight against the blight" "unfortunately your timing is poor because until a king is chosen Orzammer cannot help you, but you are a Warden correct? perhaps if you speak with the Assembly they can attempt to help you" the dwarf the walks away and we are left on out own

"Hope that answers your question Larrith" Sarina said "well go speak with the Dwarven Assembly and let hope they can lend us a hand else we're screwed" 

We then walk off further into the city.