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Griffin's Walk	By : Anesor Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 2489 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The Dragon Age world, plot, and their characters aren't mine but belong to Bioware. I get no money for writing this fiction.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
Denerim, Fort Drakon
- Queen Anora Therein
I looked out of one of the windows high in the tower of the ancient fort. My seat of power looked out over the city, where the streets were broader and less convoluted than when I became queen of a barbarian kingdom that was respected by few of our peers.
Even after the better part of a decade, I still missed Cailin. He may have been a foolish boy too easily swayed by those he trusted, but Cailin believed in doing the right thing for Ferelden more than power or his own safety.
It was years until I forgave him for corresponding with Orlais. He probably thought he was so clever, playing at intrigue before the Blight took that away. Then it took him before he had time to grow up.
My boy-king would be appalled by the infighting during this Landsmeet while unrest raged around us. He took his responsibility to his nobles very seriously. I would have to have spent many hours explaining why the Divine and Knight Vigilant held too much power in Orlais to be separate. Nevarra was surrounded and the Marches nibbled away on all sides and a large Templar force was forming in Antiva.
Eamon and the Grand Cleric wanted to ally with Orlais. Cousland preferred Nevarra or Starkhaven. The younger Cousland would prefer cautious support to the mages, due to their unstinting support during the Blight; she made no secret of that opinion. The presence of the ambassador from Tevinter made some of the Banns call for alliance with the Templars. The ambassadors subtly lobbied for and against their allies. The rest changed their opinions with the wind.
I would keep Ferelden safe at arm's length from another war.
None of these alliances wanted any more than drawing my people in as puppets for their battles. I would choose to go to war only if it benefited Ferelden. None of these wars did that.
The bells of the Great Chantry rang across the city and I looked at the invitation for the Grand Cleric Elspeth, undecided about sending it out.
My maid came into the room with a steaming pot for making tea. “Did you wish a calming brew, my Lady?”
I agreed with a wave, pleased at her small informality. “You know my concerns. Are you aware of any issues with the Grand Cleric and the Chantries she directs?”
Erlina carefully brewed the tea. “She has had no overt disagreements with those Templars stationed here, but the Knight-Commander may have lost his battle with lyrium. The Knight-Captain has not been to the Chantry of late. My contacts with certain dark scoundrels have hinted that she is taking a more overt hand in pressuring nobles. Her most recent Mother was sent from Orlais or Nevarra.”
I turned back to the window. The Chant was to guide men's souls to the Maker and this was not a call to Andraste's songs. “And the smaller Chantries?”
“The Mothers and Sisters in the other Chanties seem to be dancing to her tune for the most part...”
“And the juiciest gossip?” I knew Erlina always delighted in the corruptions she discovered for me.
Her smile was sly. “A Sister screamed in childbirth in Southreach a few days ago. She had served as the Arl's confessor and was a pretty daughter of a large and devout freeholder.”
Those scandals about secret bastards always assured me that marrying the Maker wasn't any more honest that any other political marriage. I was sure Eamon wanted me married and then supplanted by Cailin's half brother. But I could see that Erlina was still too smug for that to be her best news. “And?”
“Some of the Templar Swords and Shields have been discretely moved around to deal with the remains of a cult in the western mountains.”
“Another cult? Are you sure that is not a rumor to hide the addition of more troops within our border?” Cults should be the business of the Chantry and Templars. They were the reason for the founding of the Inquisition, that became the Templars.
“There is a rumor that it was outsiders who broke the back of the dragon cult, but the Knight-Captain has not explained the aftermath of events to the traders or pilgrims who visit.”
I could almost hear my father's dry comment that is was interesting that the Chantry was not pursuing cults if they harmed my subjects. Orlesian political aims were more important than cults. “Is there no information on the outsiders?”
“No, only that there was a group of them who left a dragon carcass. The cultists were proven to have included both heretic Sisters and a few Templars. The Knight-Captain barely admitted the problem existed beyond the new Templars brought in. This report came from a merchant who traded mostly in Orzammar.”
Another cult near the Orlesian border, and I wanted to know more. “Find the merchant. I want no excuse for a March in our direction.”
Erlina chuckled. “If it were not for the dragon, would these rumors be very different if a Seeker found a remote Chantry indulging in a masked orgy?”
As much as I was amused by her news, Erlina had not noted any loss of troop strength for the Templars here. I needed some event to remind them Ferelden was in danger from these wars. I would stall the sessions until they moved as I demanded for Fereldan, starting with Redcliffe, Highever, and Amaranthine.
- 15
- 16
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Griffin's Walk