Chapter 29 -- The Rescue Goes Wrong
*****
I think Solona had forgotten my promise, because when I invited her to my room for later that night, she practically skipped around the castle the rest of the day. It was incredibly cute, and the four other girls knew exactly why, with plenty of gentle teasing, though nothing could wipe the smile off her face. Much like Natia the night before, I'd happily cuddle with her the entire time, or we could enjoy some physical intimacy. It would be up to her.
But that was for later. If I wasn't being given jobs to do, as Leliana and Zevran were once again sent out into the city to obtain information, I wasn't going to laze around the estate. My fellow warriors might be getting bored themselves, so I offered Sten and Ohgren the chance to spar, Cerys and Alistair also joining in too.
After a good workout with Sten, surprised that we didn't leave each other bruised and battered by the end, though ensuring we shared a handshake once we finished, Ohgren then offered to spar with me next. As we traded blows, he mentioned, "That Brosca sure is a fireband, isn't she?"
I wasn't sure where he was heading, remembering my girls suggesting they didn't like him, so was cautious in my response. "She's a lovely young woman."
"Reminds me of Branka when we were first married."
I didn't mind that avenue of conversation. In fact, I didn't know much about their relationship, so thought I'd ask, "How was it?"
He stopped mid-swing, and he did that thing we all do, looking away as he accessed that part of his brain that held memories. "Our first couple of years were wedded bliss, Ragnar. I mean, she was pure sex. The insane bitch you saw in the Deep Roads? A mere shell of who she once was. But those first couple of years, I remember fondly. I guess you know enough by now that dwarven women know how to and definitely love to fuck."
I couldn't help but agree with that assessment. He continued on. "Then again, what you see in front of you now? I know I'm a pathetic drunk, who is barely good enough to fight anymore. Don't say anything, I know I'm right. But I used to be able to throw words around like honour and nobility, and know they meant something. I used to
be
someone in Orzammar, Ragnar. Sereda could tell you about Ohgren and his battle prowess. And in addition to battle, I had prowess in other areas. On that reason alone, Branka was a perfect match.
But..." He trailed off for a moment and sighed, "I'll admit it. I grew jealous of her success. I was an honourable warrior, proven in battle, and while I didn't expect a subservient wife, I didn't expect what happened. It's a long story, but basically it became her House and I grew resentful. And as her obsession with finding the Anvil grew, I turned to drink to handle it. And that only got worse when I started to hear the rumours."
"About Hespith?"
He nodded. "In a marriage, I thought I was the only one supposed to like pussy!" I'll admit, that line caused both of us to crack up in laughter. "Don't get me wrong, even I could see why she liked Hespith. What we found in the Deep Roads wasn't her."
"Ever have a three-way?"
He chuckled, albeit ruefully. "It was asked more than once. By that time, I think Branka found me repulsive as I probably verged on full-blown alcoholic by that stage. Hespith might have been interested, and she was only a distant cousin, but I wasn't going to fuck her without Branka present. That'd just be weird. But I have no doubt it was her that filled Branka's head with all that Anvil nonsense. I never agreed with doing it, considering it a fool's errand. And I still think I was right, considering she sacrificed her entire House to obtain it. As far as I'm concerned, she's a Paragon in name only."
"I'm not surprised you sound a little bitter."
"Honestly, Ragnar, if you had chosen to back Caridin, part of me would have taken delight in driving my axe into her head. I won't say she ruined me. No, I did that to myself. But I regret marrying her. I should have married Felsi."
"Ah, I've heard mention of her."
"I was with Felsi before Branka. I loved her then. I love her still." He trailed off again, another sigh. "She was the one, Ragnar. You ever have that? 'The one'?"
"In my situation, I think I have four or five."
"But you have one you love more than the others?" I couldn't deny it, even the girls knew, so I nodded. "That's what it was like with Felsi. Even while married to Branka, I thought of her. But I ruined things with her too. She's on the surface, lives in a village south of the Circle tower. I have a mind to visit her once the Blight is over, see if I can patch things up."
"I take it you can't return to Orzammar?"
"I don't want to. Too many bad memories, and I think most of them would have been happy to see the back of me. No, I'll make a life for myself on the surface somehow."
I could only wish him well in that regard.
After taking a rather long lunch, topped off with a couple of tankards, I was relaxing in the sitting room with my most of my girls, Morrigan and Wynne also joining us, when a servant entered, asking me to join Eamon in his study. Wondering what he might want, as the Landsmeet was still a few days away, and I wasn't really expected to do anything until the day itself, I still happily agreed to meet him.
He wasn't alone as I strode in. The elven woman by his side appeared to know me though, stepping forward with hand outstretched. "Ragnar Dragonborn," she stated, though I still nodded. "My name is Erlina. I am Anora's handmaiden."
"Delighted to meet you. Um... Why are you here?"
She stepped back next to Eamon and the pair quickly explained the situation. Anora had not only been cast aside by her father. She was now the effective prisoner of Rendon Howe, and Erlina worried not only for her safety, but her very life. Why was she visiting us though? Because she knew Howe and Loghain would try and somehow pin her death on us. I didn't see how, but knowing what both men were like, I knew we had to help.
That didn't mean I trusted Erlina or Anora, and I shared my opinion bluntly, wanting assurances that Anora would discuss future arrangements once we had her safe. Erlina readily agreed, pledging that Anora would assist bring down her father at the Landsmeet, though she wouldn't say what position Anora would want by the end of the Landsmeet. That was a discussion for Anora, Eamon and Alistair to have, though she knew I would have an opinion, and she also knew of Cerys. It looks like secrets were difficult to keep in Denerim.