It's Oleta Sodding Aeducan

Prison

 I paced back and forth around my dusty cell, overwhelmed with desperation and confusion and hopelessness.

I heard the muttering of a guard, and then Gorim's voice.

And then I saw his face, behind those rusted bars.

"My lady," he said. It hurt to hear how sad he sounded.

I rushed to the bars. "Gorim," I said.

"I... I would have come sooner if they allowed it. How are you?" he said, concern in his small brown eyes.

"I've been better," I smiled sadly. "Why has the Assembly not sent for me yet?"

"The Assembly isn't going to call for you," he told me grimly. "Bhelen has taken Trian's place in the Assembly. He introduced a notion to condemn you immediately, it easily passed. He... He had half the Assembly ready to vote on something completely against tradition and justice. He must have been making deals and alliances for months, if not years."

I put my head against the bars, going over it all in my head with disbelief. Bhelen wasn't always the kindest, but this seemed below even him. Murdering his brother and pinning it on his sister... Sodding bastard.

I sighed and looked back at Gorim. "So what happens now?" I asked, fearful of the answer.

"The Assembly has already sentenced both of us,"

"What's going to happen to you?" I prayed that Gorim wouldn't suffer overmuch merely for being loyal to me.

"My knighthood will be stripped, my name torn from my family records. But I will be allowed to attempt some sort of life on the surface. Lord Harrowmont moved for a similar exile for you, but Bhelen's supporters overwhelmed him," his tone turned even gloomier when he said, "You're to be sealed in the Deep Roads to fight darkspawn until you are overwhelmed and killed."

"So I'm doomed," I said hopelessly.

"There is a chance, my lady, but it is not a big one. Lord Harrowmont gave me access so I could tell you this. Duncan and the Grey Wardens are still in the Deep Roads, in tunnels connected to those you are to be left in. If you survive long enough to find the Grey Wardens, you may be able to escape with Duncan."

"The Grey Wardens would take an exile, a murderer?"

"The Grey Wardens don't care about a person's past. They recruit for daring, intelligence, and martial power. If you can find them, I'm sure you can join them and escape the Deep Roads."

"I'll find them, then."

"I begged to go with you and fight at your side, but Bhelen's pet nobles wouldn't hear of it."

"It'll be all right," I attempted a reassurance, for him and me both.

"I know you will, but still," he said sadly. "Our time is up. May the Paragons guide your sword and the Stone hold you up."

I reached through the bars, cupping his face. He bowed his head and I softly kissed his forehead.

"The same to you, my friend," I said sorrowfully.

"I will always be your man, my Lady Aeducan," he said mournfully, and he left.

I wiped my eyes as a guard jammed a key in the lock and opened my creaky cell door.

"They are ready for you now," he said.

I took a deep breath, and I promised to face whatever comes next with dignity and honour.