Gore and Glory (Dragon Age: Origins)

Chapter 5: Lothering

~In Denerim~

“And I expect each of you to supply these men. We must rebuild what was lost at Ostagar, and quickly.” Loghain was addressing the Landsmeet, a meeting of all the nobles across Ferelden in the capital city of Denerim. “There are those who would talk advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat this darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly, and without hesitation.”

“Your lordship, if I might speak.” Bann Teagan Guerrin, Arl Eamon Guerrin’s brother, spoke up. You have declared yourself Queen Anora’s regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good…but what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdraw was most…fortuitous.” There was a brief outcry of people murmuring in agreement and awe and disagreement. It seemed no one could make of their minds about this situation.

Everything I have done has been to secure Ferelden’s independence. I have no shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!” Loghain spat back.

“The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!” Teagan shot back, just as impassioned.

“Understand this: I will brook no threat to this nation…from you or anyone!” Loghain pointed out at everyone in the crowd, his eyes narrowing, and the lines in his face darkening threateningly. He gave the crowd one last look before storming off.

“Bann Teagan, please!” Anora called out, trying to settle this dispute even if her father had left.

“Your majesty, your father risks civil war. If Eamon were here…”

“Bann Teagan my father is doing what is best.” She said.

“Did he also do what was best for your husband, your majesty?” Teagan didn’t wait to see her reaction to his sharp words, but instead turned on his heel and left the palace hall.

Unrest was taking a strong hold over the nobles of Ferelden, and nothing was going to be resolved easily now that their leader was gone.

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The road to Lothering, the small farming town Morrigan suggested would be a good place to start your journey, was a long and boring walk, you thought. You missed being able to ride on a horse, but considering what happened at Ostagar, it was lucky you were able to walk at all. At the beginning, Morrigan was silent and still untrusting of the two of you, and Alistair was still stewing in his own melancholy about everything that had happened in the last few days, so you were stuck trying to find ways to entertain yourself as you walked along.

You made a fun game of spotting plants and animals that you recognized from your books back in the tower, enjoying seeing them all for the first time in person. But things quickly became more entertaining once Morrigan and Alistair began to argue, mostly about how dumb she thought he was. You silently listened to them go on, not wanting them to realize how much you were having eavesdropping

“Why do you always go on about how stupid you think I am? I’m not stupid. Am I?” Alistair asked.

“If you need to ask the question…”

“Because it hurts my manly feelings…all one of them.”

“Then I’ll be sure to write you an apology once all this is over.” She said mockingly.

‘I was educated by the Chantry. I studied history. They don’t make stupid Templars.”

“Then I must have been mistaken. I’m verrrrry impressed.”

“No you’re not. You’re not even listening to me.” He huffed.