The Blood Rose
A Dragon Age Origin Fiction by
4AMurderofCrows
What if there was a third choice for the human origin? Join the retelling of Dragon Age Origins from the perspective of our unlikely heroine, The Blood Rose. A Pirate Captain. **This story is NSFW**
The Tavern is filled with smoke and city folk, creating a thick atmosphere that suited the Blood Rose just fine. She sat with her back against the wall at her corner table, her hood remained drawn to obscure her striking features and her more recognizable characteristics. A reputation was good in some circumstances, in this case however, keeping a low profile was key.
She was grateful that the Arl took most of the guards and soldiers with him north to Highever, some war to the south or so she heard. Still, she did not wish to tempt fate. She did, after all have a size-able bounty on her lovely head. No thanks to Isabella.
She watched the crowd for her contact and trouble. He was late, considerably so in fact. She was about to pay the serving girl and take her leave when a man entered the tavern. He was tall, his face rugged, yet handsome, his dark hair pulled back into a pony tail and his beard trimmed short. A gold earring glinted in his ear and instantly, she knew who he was. At his side another hooded figure, slight enough to be an elf, solid enough to be a human. She tilted her head in thought, 'Ah,' she thought to herself, 'the Cousland girl. Daft man! What is he thinking?!'. She smiled within her hood and waited. It would only be a matter of time before Duncan of the Grey Wardens would find his way to her table. She leaned back in her chair and ordered a pitcher of Ale and two more mugs. She would have company soon enough.
Duncan scanned the busy tavern, she would be here. Somewhere. Though usually no one knew when and where she would port in Ferelden, Duncan kept tabs on the woman closely since their last encounter. She would not evade him forever. Amaranthine had the added advantage of a smugglers cove beneath the city.
He searched the crowd and found no sign of anyone matching her description, until his eyes flitted over a lone figure at a shadowed table in the corner. The barest outline of the person sat in a corner, the glint of candle light reflecting off an eye made him smile.
"Follow me, keep your head down and your hood up," he advised the figure at his side.
The girl at his side nodded and then followed him as he made his way through the crowded room. Once he reached their destination he turned to make sure his companion was still at his side. When he was assured that she was and that she still remained anonymous he turned back to the shadowed figure, "May we join you?"
The figure let out a husky feminine laugh, "Duncan, you know you never have to ask." The figure gestured to the two empty seats and watched intently as Duncan sat down.
"I am relieved to find you here, I hoped you would not have set sail yet," he poured himself an Ale and one for his companion, who took the cup tentatively from him.
The figure in the shadows sat forward and the face beneath the hood became visible, and even though it had been years, Duncan still felt the familiar flush of desire at the sight of her full red lips. "You should not have brought her here," the woman scolded.
Duncan took a long pull of Ale, "Aye, but I had little choice. I had to vacate her from her home rather quickly. She would be dead now, otherwise. I need her."
The woman quirked her lips, "For the Wardens?"
The warmth of her laugh mitigated the irritation he felt at her implication that he had saved the girl for himself. "A blight is here. I need you too."
"And if I asked you that question again, what would your answer be?" she asked with mischievous twist to her lips.
Duncan fought back the urge to growl and pull her into his lap, but only barely. The tension between the two was palpable enough that the young girl at his side switched her attention between the two in dawning realization that he wished she was not perceptive enough to figure out. Instead of continuing on this dance he reached across the table and grasped the woman's hand. "You know I need you. I cannot do this alone, nor would I want to do this without you at my side. I do not have much longer, Carina."
The smile on the woman's lips thinned to a frown and she squeezed his hand, "I hate it when you insist I have feelings above my belt."
He chuckled, "Indeed." He turned to his young companion, "I would introduce you, but, I am afraid that I cannot risk anyone overhearing either of your identities."
"At least you've thought that bit through," the woman replied with amusement. "I have some business to take care of. I shall meet you outside the city within the hour. This time, I expect you to be there."
A pained expression flitted over Duncan's face, "I will be."
The woman nodded and rose from her seat, she moved away from the table and then disappeared soundlessly into the crowd.
"Are you going to tell me who that woman was?" the girl at his side asked in bewilderment.
"An old friend," Duncan replied.
"Not... more than that?" the girl teased.
Duncan looked down at her with a stern expression, "I may be old but that does not mean that I have stopped living, young lady."
A giggle escaped his companion, "As you say, ser."
Two hours later Carina found Duncan and the Cousland girl waiting for her as she had requested. She favored Duncan with a smile as she lowered her hood. The girl predictably gasped at her face. She gave her a wide smile causing the girl to blush. Which, made Carina smile wider.
"Why, she's charming Duncan," Carina purred. "Have you told her yet who I am?"
Duncan turned to the Cousland girl and gestured to Carina, "This is the Blood Rose, Captain of the Widow's Lament."
Carina bowed to the young Cousland her eyes on the young woman and a jaunty smile on her lips. She was dressed in her normal attire having stowed her cloak for later use in her satchel. Her Leather long coat made a whisper of noise on the ground, as she straightened from her bow. Her red curls drifted into her face momentarily and she brushed it away in irritation before shifting her attention to Duncan. Her good eye sparkled like an emerald, a blaze of color in contrast with the black patch over her right eye socket. An eye she'd lost during her first year at sea over ten years ago. A scar peaked out from beneath the patch indicating how grave an injury it was, it blazed white against her golden skin.
"And while I know her family name, I would certainly like to hear what lovely name this beauty is called by," Carina smiled flirtatiously at the girl.
Duncan reddened in slight anger. "This is Elissa Cousland, daughter of Teryn Bryce and Teryna Eleanor Cousland. Both of whom are gone now," he said pointedly.
Carina's smile fell off her lips, "My apologies and my sympathies. I am pleased to meet you Lady Cousland," She said to the girl. Who had gone from being as red as a tomato to white as a sheet from Duncan's comment.
To her credit the girl took a deep breath and put on a determined expression, "I am pleased to meet you as well, Carina. I have heard stories of your...exploits. I am told that you are the deadliest woman on the high seas."
Carina threw her head back and laughed heartily, "No doubt what you've mostly heard is what the old poop has told you. Duncan is a good man and he tends to conveniently forget that I am not a nice person," she reached out and patted Duncan's cheek affectionately. "Still, he remains the most charming rogue in all of Thedas, so I can forgive him for trying to ruin my hard earned reputation."
Duncan scowled at her but was still gentle when he removed her hand from his face with his own, "Yes, well. Now that we have introductions out of the way. We are heading south to Ostagar. The Blight is here and that is where the Darkspawn Horde have gathered."
Carina let the seriousness of that statement carry the conversation forward, "Are you certain?"
He nodded, "The Archdemon has not yet shown itself, but, the horde gathers in the Korcari Wilds. King Cailan is leading the army against them. The Wardens are gathered at the Orlesian border and await my signal should we fail. Loghain has managed to convince the King that we do not need more than a handful of Wardens."
"Loghain!" Carina grumbled, "That sour bastard is still alive?"
Duncan chuckled and motioned for the women to follow him on the road. They could travel and talk at the same time. "Yes, and still the general of Ferelden's forces."
Carina shook her head as she toyed with the handle of the dagger on her hip, "That makes me uneasy. Before he left for Highever there were messengers in Amaranthine from Gwaren. No doubt that grumpy prick is in league with the oily son of a bitch somehow. Do you think there might be a chance that Loghain could make a move on Cailan during the battle?"
The hard set of Duncan's face said more than anything he could say. Carina shook her head. "Maker's breath!"
Elissa stared at the lady Pirate with wide-eyes, "You think that the Hero of Riverdane is going to commit treason? He was Maric's best friend! Why would he betray his friends only son?"
Carina glanced at the young woman and smiled patronizingly, "You are adorable."
The girl glared at her and her cheeks turned red against her pale skin. Duncan sighed, "Don't tease her Rose."
Carina chuckled, "Fine." She turned a more serious expression on the girl, her emerald eye glinting dangerously. "Loghain would do anything, including slicing Cailan's throat himself if it meant that Anora could keep her pert little arse on the throne. You don't ever let your guard down around that one, you hear me girl?"
Elissa nodded, not knowing what to say. Carina smiled again and let the silence fall on the three of them comfortably. It was after all a long way to Ostagar.
They made good time in traveling, not much was said on the first night they made camp. Carina did not expect Duncan to seek her out that first night. On the second, however, once Elissa had finished the first watch and woken Carina for the second watch, Duncan had joined her at the edge of camp.
"You pick a fine time to want to talk, love," she stated non-nonchalantly dragging the whetstone across her dagger. She gestured to a spot on the boulder beside her.
He settled next to her, his armor was gone, replaced with doeskin breaches and a white tunic open at the neck. She let the warmth of his body near her own seep into her, relishing his presence after what felt like eternity apart. "I know I left suddenly-" he began but was cut off by a dagger to his throat and her full lips scant inches from his own.
"You said you would leave with me!" she hissed.
"I know," he said evenly.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I had something to finish before I could commit to you fully," he replied. "I needed to take care of my duty and once it was done, then, I would have found you after."
She scowled at him and then removed the dagger from his throat. "And now, we have a blight. Duncan, your duty to the Warden's will never be done. I thought we talked about this, I was fine with putting into port whenever you needed. Why did you let this take you away from me?" she demanded.
Duncan reached out and caressed her cheek, his thumb slipping sensuously over her lower lip, "Rose, it was not the Wardens that took me from you. I found...Maric's other son."
She pulled away, "His what?!"
He grasped her upper arms with his large hands gently, holding her still for his revelation. "Fiona, had a boy. A boy that did not die in child birth. He resided with Eamon for a time, then the old fool gave him to the Chantry. I retrieved the lad, he is now in my care."
Carina's bewildered expression made Duncan sigh, "I had to take him, he was a week away from his first lyrium draught."
"Maker's breath!" Carina swore. "Eamon's idea? Addict him to Lyrium and throw him to the Chantry so that he can't threaten Cailan's rule?"
Duncan nodded and set his forehead against Carina's, "I owed Fiona and Maric so much more than that."
"Of course Loghain would allow it, his daughter on the throne, ruling at Cailan's side. If she didn't produce and heir and Cailan were to die, then it would fall to Maric's bastard. Better to make him a Lyrium addled twat who can't even find his sword let alone use it," she pulled back far enough so that she could see into Duncan's eyes. "What is the lads name?"
Duncan laughed, "Hardly a lad, he's older than Cailan by a few years. Nearly thirty, not much younger than you."
Carina snorted indelicately, "Duncan, age is but a number." She tugged his beard affectionately, "A fact of which you are quite skilled at reminding me of."
He smiled at her and pulled her to him, her breasts pressing against his chest. He took her lips with his own, tasting her for the first time in over two years. She tasted of salt and spiced liquor and a flavor distinctly her own. He deepened the kiss and felt her relax under the onslaught of his lips, opening for him.
When he pulled away she was smiling, "My charming rogue, I missed you." She stroked her hand down his chest and stomach then palmed his length. "It seems you also missed me?"
He rose from the boulder, taking her with him to a patch of soft grass, he laid her down and then laid down beside her. She gazed up at him, "Duncan, it has been too long. Do not ask me to wait again."
"Never," he declared and started removing her clothing, each patch of skin revealed was lavished with kisses. He savored her slowly, committing her every movement and sound to memory.
When she was divest of her clothing he made short work of his own and then knelt before her. He watched her face intensely as he parted her legs slowly. He traced the inside of her thigh with his fingers downward until he reached her center where he slipped a finger into her warmth, testing her. She bucked upwards and he twisted his hand and inserted another digit, rubbing upwards in her channel. She gasped at the feel of his rough fingers parting her as he worked them in and out. "Please," she begged.
He said nothing but removed his fingers and replaced them with the tip of his hardened length at her entrance. He looked to her face for permission. In answer she growled and kissed him fiercely, "Do it!" she ordered.
He chuckled darkly and tilted his pelvis forward, pushing into her fully in one stroke. They both moaned at the contact.
She wrapped her legs around his hips and used the leverage to move her hips in rhythm with his own, rising to meet him on his downward stroke. The friction was delicious and built until they were both teetering on the edge, then Duncan grabbed her up into his arms and flipped them so that she was astride him. He rose to meet her as he pulled her hips downward. The new angle driving him deeper and she came undone around him. Duncan's release was explosive inside her, he sheathed himself as deeply as he could, claiming her.
When it was done and they were both spent, she rolled off him into the grass at his side. They both gazed upwards at the star in silence. "You will not leave me again," she said matter-of-factually.
"No," he agreed.
"You swear?" she turned and rose up to her elbow to regard him with a brilliant emerald orb, which, suspiciously glistened with unshed tears.
"I swear that I will not leave your side until the Maker takes me," he swore.
She nodded, "The Maker can't have you. I have too many uses for you, yet."
He laughed, "Aye, my lovely Rose. That you do."
The trio made it to Ostagar the next day. Elissa being oblivious to the goings on the previous night, found herself being reminded of her Mother and Father. Duncan and Carina settled into the familiarity of a couple who have been together for many years. He carried the Pirates pack, she filled his water skin, wiping water droplets from the Senior Wardens beard after he finished drinking deeply from it. She watched them both with an ache in her heart that had her withdrawing into herself most of the way to the ruins.
Carina, not one to endure awkward silences, threw her arm around the girl and chatted away, making it impossible for the girl to brood. Duncan swelled with pride at the sight of his love taking the girl under her wing. For all her crudeness and her bluster, she was a good woman. He did not have much time left. A few years if he managed to survive this blight, but, if he did. He planned on spending it with her.
Duncan slowed to a stop when he saw a glint of gold up ahead on the stone highway. "That would be his Majesty now," Duncan pointed to the figure in the distance, waiting for their arrival at the entrance.
Carina snorted, "Idiot! Could he be persuaded not to wear the gold armor? Or is his goal to actually attract the darkspawn? He really is Maric's boy, isn't he?"
Duncan bit back a laugh, "That he is. Though I would thank you to just let me handle the talking where the King is concerned."
Carina rolled her eyes, "If you must, you always were far better at bullshit than I."
Elissa's jaw dropped, and Carina chuckled. She reached out and closed the girls mouth for her, "Try not to catch flies, love."
Duncan gestured for the women to follow him and soon after they met up with the King and his entourage on the road. "Ho, Duncan! There you are, I was worried you would miss all the fun!"
Duncan grimaced, "Not if I can help it, your Majesty."
Cailan grinned foolishly and then turned his attention to the women, "And these are your recruits from Highever?" he asked as he stepped in front of Elissa. "You are Bryce's youngest, are you not? I don't think we've ever officially met."
Elissa curtsied, "Yes, your majesty."
"No doubt you are anxious to see your brother, he and his men are off scouting in the wilds. We await your Father's forces, how much longer do you think he will be?" he asked her.
Elissa lifted her chin bravely, "He's dead, Sire"
"Dead?" Cailan repeated disbelievingly and then looked to Duncan for confirmation. "Duncan, do you know anything about this?"
Duncan went on to explain to Cailan about what had happened to Elissa's parents, the girl was shaking visibly. Carina moved closer to the girl, ready to offer comfort if need be. However, she managed to get through Cailan's childish rantings and suddenly they were left to themselves on the rode watching the glinting gold of his Majesty's ceremonial armor wander off to the Warden encampment.
"Cailan seems confident of the chances of success," Carina noted.
Duncan shook his head, "He is convinced that having us on the field will make him invincible. Honestly, if it weren't for Loghain I don't know that we would have fended off the horde as much as we have. I was hoping that Highever forces would provide a buffer and support the King should something happen. Sadly, we are left to our own devices at the moment."
Carina chuckled, "You mean, you want me to keep an eye on Loghain?"
Duncan nodded and then turned to Elissa, "Go find Alistair, he's the junior Warden here. Tell him to gather the other recruits. Carina and I will await you at the main fire. He'll know where that is."
Elissa took off towards the ruins and left Duncan and Carina to make their way to the camp, "So," she said, pulling her hood up. "I shall maintain a quiet presence in the camp. You will have a tent, yes?" she asked.
He nodded, "I will meet you there. Keep out of Loghain's sight. We can't afford for him to know you are here."
She rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek, "You worry too much."
He watched her move off silently into the camp, disappearing into some nearby brush and shook his head, "If only that were possible."
It was late afternoon before the recruits joined Duncan at the fire. Preparations for the joining ritual had already begun, all that was needed now was for the recruits to collect darkspawn blood and to retrieve the treaties from the ruins to the west. Alistair was given Duncan's only map of the area and the four of them set off. Once they were gone Carina seemed to melt into view from the shadows.
"What did you learn?" he asked her.
She looked at him gravely, "Not here, follow me."
He followed her to a secluded crumbling tower out of the way of camp, the area had not been disturbed for some time, indicating that they themselves would not be disturbed. When she finally came to a stop she lowered her hood, and the setting sun lit her hair ablaze with it's light. Had she not such a dire expression on her face he would have kissed her passionately just then.
"Duncan, Howe and Loghain are planning on abandoning Cailan on the field when the darkspawn flood in. Loghain has manipulated Cailan by mocking him to a point where the boy just wants to prove to the miserable bastard that he can win this battle. Loghain is letting Cailan lead the charge and he will act as though he intends to flank the darkspawn. However, just as the darkspawn flood the field he will signal his men to retreat."
Duncan's brows knitted together, "He plans on letting the darkspawn kill the King?"
Carina nodded, "I have a missive from Howe stating that he has removed Bryce Cousland from the equation and that an apostate is on his way to Redcliff to poison Arl Eamon. Once Loghain quits the field he will have no one to oppose him. He plans on taking Cailan off the throne and declaring himself Regent."
This startled Duncan, "He plans taking control over the throne from Anora?"
She shrugged, "Loghain is perceiving threats to Ferelden from the darkspawn, Orlais and the Wardens. He believes that his daughter needs him to usurp control to defend Ferelden from usurpers. He is quite mad, Duncan. I think Howe is using it to his advantage, providing Loghain with just enough information to make Loghain think Orlais will try to attack Ferelden in it's weakness. Meanwhile the sleazy son-of-a-whore takes Highever and declares himself Teryn."
Duncan shook his head, this country was tearing itself apart just as a blight clawed at the land. They could ill afford civil war at this time. "I do not know if I can convince Cailan that Loghain is a traitor. He's known the man since he was a boy, he married his daughter. Maker's breath..." Duncan leaned heavily on the stone wall. He looked at her with fear in his eyes, "I don't know how I am going to save him."
Carina reached into her pocket and retrieved her flask of rum, she took a swig and offered it to him. He saluted her with it and took a drink before giving it back to her. She drank again, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You are going to die on the field with him if you stay by his side," she replied bitterly.
"I cannot abandon him," Duncan replied.
"I know," she said and took another drink. "Why do you always get yourself knee deep in horse-shit?"
Duncan chuckled despite the situation, "If I didn't, you'd be deprived of the joy of pulling me out of it."
"Arse," she said affectionately. She put her flask away and looked up at the stars. "I feel lost without my ship. The Sea cares not for darkspawn or Kings. Even at her angriest I like her better than I like this."
"What do we do, Rose?" he asked her and pulled her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head.
"I could kill him," she replied. "Even the bloody Hero of Riverdane will fall to a knife in the gullet just like any other arsehole."
Duncan was quiet for awhile, "But, then we'd have Howe to contend with. He's managed to remove the Cousland's and by now Eamon is dead. If Cailan lives, how do we explain Loghain's death?"
"Can you talk to Cailan?" she asked. "Get him to change this plan so that we may have more time to gather more evidence against Loghain?"
"I can try," he said and dropped a kiss into her hair.
Later, after leaving Carina in his ten, Duncan found himself in Cailan's. "Your Majesty, if I might have a word alone with you?"
Cailan nodded and sent his guards outside, "See that we're not disturbed," he ordered.
The guards bowed and left the tent. Duncan regarded the young King with trepidation. He was about to tell him that his own father-in-law was plotting his death, he did not look forward to this conversation. "I have...dire news, Sire."
Cailan sighed and then sat down in a chair, then gestured for Duncan to sit opposite him. He poured himself a brandy and one for Duncan. "I can only imagine it must be quite serious with that dour look on your face."
"You know that the Cousland's were murdered by Arl Howe. However, I have just learned that he has also sent a mage to Redcliff to poison your Uncle, Arl Eamon," Duncan watched the King's expression become pained and then angry.
"That grasping little toad!" Cailan growled. "This country is falling to chaos around me, Duncan. I fear I shall not be around to deal with the aftermath."
Duncan narrowed his eyes at the King, "Then you must know that Loghain intends to quit the field and leave you to be overwhelmed by the darkspawn."
Cailan nodded sadly, "I've known for months. I have my own spies and sadly, I have few allies. Loghain planned this coup well."
Duncan stood and paced back and forth, stroking his bead in thought. "Cailan, you cannot go out onto the battlefield tonight."
Cailan shook his head, "I cannot change things now, Duncan. If I were to live Loghain would concentrate all his efforts on killing me and Howe on discrediting me. I would end up in a noose and the country will fall to the blight. We would be unprepared. At least, I go to my death striking a blow against our enemy. I need you to concentrate on gathering allies with these treaties of yours and come to Ferelden's aid while she wars upon herself. My people will suffer greatly if you do not. Swear to me Duncan!" The Kings impassioned speech caught Duncan off guard. Cailan was always a good man but never one to be serious.
Duncan nodded, there seemed to be little else that could be done. "Sire, I will go to battle at your side."
Cailan shook his head, "Someone needs to make sure that Alistair lives. He and the Cousland girl will be the best hope for this country. She is the only one that is a suitable match for him. You will need to make sure he ends up on the throne. Travel to Redcliff, gather proof that Eamon's death was part of Loghain's mad plan. Other evidence for his treachery will exist as well, I'm sure of it. Please, try to keep Anora out of it. I do not believe she is part of this."
"Cailan," Duncan knelt at his King's feet. "I swore to your Father that I would protect you and your brother with my life. I will fulfill my promise. I will make sure that Alistair is protected but I will not abandon you."
Cailan set his hand on Duncan's shoulder, "You are just as crazy as Father always said you were. Still, there is no one that I would rather have at my side, here at the end."
"No!" Carina replied angrily. "This is not acceptable, Duncan. This is suicide!"
Duncan spread his hands helplessly, "What would you have me do?"
"Come with me," she glared at him with her good eye. "We will sail from Amaranthine and travel the Waking Sea to Orlais and get the rest of the Wardens. The Widow's lament is big enough to transport thirty soldiers. We can have them in Ferelden within the month. I can get more if I send word to Isabella. The Siren's call can carry twice that number. How many times have you told me that one Warden equals five good soldiers on the battlefield?"
Duncan sighed and approached her slowly not wanting her to pull away from him. When she didn't move away from him he pulled her into his arms, "I cannot leave him to die, Rose."
"Then drag him from the field and we will bring him to Orlais, too," she replied.
"How would it look if Ferelden's King fled his country during the blight?" he reasoned.
"So the answer is for him to die and for you to sacrifice yourself? No! Do not try and talk your way out of this you bastard!" her voice cracked and she let out a strangled sob when Duncan held her tighter. "Please, there has to be some other way!"
"Rose," he soothed. "I am dying. If the blight doesn't kill me, I have only a handful of years left to me."
"The calling," she sniffled. "I know. I know!" she punched him in the arm. "I hate this!"
He stroked her hair and kissed her head, "I know, Rose. You have been the one thing in this world that has kept me going all these years. The time we've spent together has given me so much happiness. I hope you know that."
She cried harder and clutched at him. He let her. Once she was done she pulled away from him and looked up at him, her eye pleading, "Make love to me one last time."
He took her lips fiercely and laid her down on his bedroll. And once they were divest of clothing he entered her without preparation, and they both cried out at the friction. He left no part of her untouched by his lips, tongue and teeth. Her flesh seared itself into his memory, the scent of her hair, the feel of her around him, the weight of her breasts in his hand. The intensity in her gaze. He withheld his seed as long as he could, prolonging her pleasure for hours until he could no longer restrain himself and came with a roar inside of her. She clutched him to her, shaking and crying quietly.
"I love you," he whispered to her.
"I love you too," she said.
"I'm sorry, Rose," he offered.
"As am I," she buried her face into the hair on his chest and trembled. She feared for him, for them all.
After they dressed they made their way to the camp and waited for the recruits to come back.
.