The first rays of sunlight pieced the long window of the bed chamber, gently rousing the young woman from her rest. She opened her eyes and stretched her muscles, feeling refreshed. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her feet recoiled at the touch of the flagstones, yet she forced herself to stand. She walked quickly over to her vanity and began brushing her long scarlet hair, before trying it up into a loose ponytail. Looking at herself in the mirror she sighed, today her father and brother were taking up House Cousland's banner, riding to Ostagar to aid the King against the darkspawn threat. She wanted to ride with them, prove her prowess as a warrior in battle , she may have only been eighteen but she was just as good, if not better than her father's best men. Yet she was going to be left behind in the gilded cage that was Castle Cousland. As the only daughter of Eleanor and Bryce Cousland, Lorelai was the most eligible woman in Fereldon, a fact she could never escape from no matter how hard she tried. It seemed there was no end of suitors and she'd rejected them all. Deep down she knew that no one wanted her for who and what she was, they had no interest in her other than her title, but she couldn't go on refusing suitors forever, eventually she would have to settle down and become the good wife, the Lady of another gilded cage. The very thought made her angry her emerald eyes sparkling with rage, and she began pacing the room before spying her leather armour. She knew it was early but it never hurt to get some practice in. She slipped into the armour, although it was a warrior's armour it still showed off her curves. Whenever she bested one of her father's man she wanted them to know it had been at the hands of a woman, it always brought a satisfying grin to her delicate features. Once she was satisfied that her armour was secured, she sheathed her blades; a longsword and a dagger. Two bladed fighting was her preference, though her mother had insisted she learn archery as well to ensure she could defend herself from range. Lorelai's technique left a lot to be desired, but it was sufficient.
She walked through the halls and corridors of Castle Cousland, the servants bustled past her, bowing respectfully. As she stepped out into the courtyard, she turned her face to the sunlight, enjoying the warmth that it offered her. She continued through the maze of the grounds of Castle Cousland, until she reached the training area. She scanned the area there were few of her father's men around, most were probably still asleep or making sure their equipment was ready to face the darkspawn.
"Looking for someone?"
Lorelai spun round and met Ser Gilmore's gaze "Just looking for a sparring partner, what with everyone leaving for maker's know how long, who knows how long it's going to be before I'll be able to practice again."
"And we wouldn't want you to get rusty now would we?" Ser Gilmore replied with mirth in his voice. He'd known Lorelai since she was ten and they grew up together, he was her best friend, though his fondness for her was deeper than he cared to admit. She never saw him that way, deep down he knew she never would so he settled for friendship.
"Well I suppose a lack of practice would make it fairer on father's men, it might actually give them a chance for a change."
"You really think you're that good?"
The corners of her mouth twitched into a smirk "You know I am."
"Well I look forward to proving you wrong Lady Cousland."
"Poor Rory, thinking he can take on the mightiest Cousland."
"Ha, you wait until I tell your brother that! And while I do you will still be picking up what remains of your pride."
"Those are fighting words, shall we?" Lorelai said unsheathing her blades
"Very well." Rory sighed, unhooking his shield and unsheathing his blade.
The two warriors adopted their battle stances and began their match.