Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 24 - Calling the Landsmeet

The late afternoon sun glinted off the jingling harness. Ajax pulled the cart down the twisting path into Redcliffe; Lothren, with Ayu astride him, trotting along beside. The villagers looked up from their daily activities, many waving or nodding as the party passed. The children ran up to the caravan, laughing with joy and reaching up to touch the horses and the companions. Lothren tossed his head, his tail flicking over his rump and back again, but Ayu kept the spirited animal in hand, keeping him from stomping on the children. They patted their open hands on Ayu's calves in greeting as the party made their way through the village streets.

The companions reached the castle, leaving the children running after them, giggling and waving until they could follow no more. Once the cart pulled into the castle grounds, before the long sweeping stone staircase leading inside, Ayu leapt sprightly from Lothren's bare back. The stable boy, the same one from their first visit, came running across the yard to gather the horses. Lothren whickered at the boy, mouthing his mop of thick hair. The boy pushed the black horse's muzzle away, and grasped Ajax's reins. He led the horses to the stable, un-harnessing the cart near the edge of the courtyard.

Ayu led her friends up the stairs to the door. A footman, standing guard, opened the door at their approach.

"Warden," he nodded, standing aside to let the party pass.

Ayu dropped her chin once and walked into the castle proper. The party moved along a hallway, passing under a series of arches before coming to a larger chamber. Ayu turned and made her way to the end, her companions tromping along behind her. A few cushy chairs were set about the room and a large fire was burning in the fireplace at the far end. Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan were standing in front of the fire, waiting for the Wardens. At the sound of their footsteps, the Arl turned to greet them.

"Ah, there you are. I had received your message Alistair, though your bird nearly took Teagan's finger off." Arl Eamon smirked as his brother lifted a heavily bandaged index finger.

"She only nipped me. My brother is making it sound worse than it actually is." Teagan looked at the Warden apologetically.

Ayu hid a smile behind her hand. "I am sorry, Roval doesn't usually bite."

"No, no it was all my fault. I do not blame the falcon."

Arl Eamon cleared his throat, bringing attention back to the issue at hand. "Now that you've collected all the treaties, we can call the Landsmeet, if you are ready. I have made the arrangements for us to travel together to Denerim. We will leave tomorrow morning. I would prefer not giving Loghain time to consider, but it is up to you. I do not wish to go to Denerim unless you are with me."

Ayu looked to her companions. Though most were road-weary, the elf knew the importance of surprise, and of how long it actually took to travel to the capital city. "Of course. We will be safer in numbers as Loghain has so lovingly sent a group of mercenaries to kill me-"

"And assassins," Zevran chimed in from Ayu's elbow, a huge grin on his face.

"And assassins," Ayu added with a smirk, "though they failed miserably in doing so. We managed to lose the last bunch after Orzammar, but I would be willing to bet that they will be patrolling the main roads watching for us. It will be far easier to me hide in a column of men."

"Excellent. I have rooms ready for you for the night, but do not bother to unpack. I will send a messenger in the morning to wake you. May the Maker watch over us." Arl Eamon summoned a serving girl to escort the party to the wing of the castle where they would be sleeping for the night.

Ayu and the others obediently followed, too tired from travel to argue. Arl Eamon had put them in a richly decorated wing; all the furniture was soft and plush, and the walls were draped in exquisite tapestries. Even the rugs beneath their feet were thick and soft. The girl opened each door, one for each companion and darted away bobbing her head quickly as she walked. The companions entered their rooms and enjoyed the luxurious surroundings while they could.