I thought that "The Darkness Before the Dawn" was a better unique title than "A Warden's Tale." I also apologize for my grammer but I hope you enjoy the story. I'm keeping as close to the storyline of the game Dragon Age: Origins but with some twists and turns of my own. This is my first fan-fiction I've ever tried to write. So if you got any suggestions or comments, please share.


Chapter One

Skylar sighed bitterly as she watched from her bedroom window all the men of age, whether he was a knight or commoner of Highever gather in the middle of the castle's courtyard below. The men, who weren't in military formation or being inspected by the field commanders, were helping the quarter masters collect the last of the supplies they would need for their days journey they were about to set upon.

For the last several days the men had been training doubly hard for battle along with her older brother Fergus and herself heeding to King Cailan's call to arms. Instead of defending Ferelden from invaders from another land that wished to conquer them, the enemy was an ancient powerful dark foe known as the darkspawn.

Small raiding parties of darkspawn weren't that uncommon and easily dealt with. But when word had spread throughout Ferelden that large hordes of thousands of darkspawn were converging near the southern borders, that was when King Cailan called for action. The last time it was known of such an eruption of this magnitude of darkspawn that damn near wiped out all of mankind was four hundred years ago, which was referred to as The Fourth Blight.

Skylar had never seen a darkspawn before except only in remnants such as their armor and weapons but heard they looked like fearsome demon like creatures with a hunger for flesh and destruction from those who had encountered them. It was also said the darkspawn had lairs deep beneath the ground far from the Maker's grace where they would drag their victims down to later feed on for years on end, which Skylar thought was a fate worse than death.

Again she sighed when a quiet knock sounded at her door. She didn't bother to turn around when she heard the squeak of the hinges, alerting her that someone was coming in.

"Pardon me, Lady Skylar," an elfin servant girl said timidly in the doorway, "Your father Teyrn Cousland wishes you to meet with him in the Great Hall."

"Did he say why?" she asked as she continued to stare out the window. She knew it was a foolish question to ask. For one her father would never discuss his business with a servant and two she already had a suspicion what he wanted to see her about.

"No, my lady," the servant girl answered.

Skylar slowly turned away from the window and looked directly at the girl, "Do you know if Arl Howe's men have arrived yet?"

The servant girl shook her head and answered apologetically, "Not that I know of but I'm only a servant with little knowledge of such information." Then she asked, "Do you wish me to tell Teyrn Cousland you will be down shortly, my lady?"

"No," Skylar stated, "I'll go now to see what he wants," and walked pass the servant girl, ignoring the strange look she received as she headed out the door toward the Great Hall.

Protocol demanded she dressed in something more appropriate like a formal dress for a lady of her status instead of the battle gear she wore and the daggers strapped to her back to meet with her father. But in the mood she was in, protocol be damned. She had a point to prove.

It was no coincidence she was up in her room and not in the courtyard. The lead commander, who was second to Fergus on the battlefield hierarchy, had dismissed her and was no longer willing to go over the battle plans with her. She also had learned from the commander the small band of scouts and warriors that was under her command was given to someone else. It was then she knew, even though the commander never came straight out and said it, she wasn't leaving Highever Castle.

Skylar went directly to the Great Hall after leaving the courtyard knowing her father would be there. The guards wouldn't allow her entry saying her father didn't want to be disturbed. At first, she was furious and demanded to see him which the guards never budged, causing her to storm straight to her bedroom.

Now thinking back about it, she was thankful she couldn't see her father right away for her temper and impulsiveness would be her undoing. If she went in there with her temper fully raging, her father would have never listened to her. This way it gave her time to cool down enough where she could come up with persuasive arguments to convince him to allow her to go with Fergus and him and regain her command over her small band that she worked so hard to earn.

As she approached the guards again, she noticed one of the guards eying her with some distain, obviously not forgetting their last go-round which her behavior was nothing short of lady like but more of a spoil brat. Not like she cared. She was angry and in her opinion had a right to be. He was unfortunately dumb enough to get in her way and paid the price. Without so much of a word between them; she walked past the guards and entered the Great Hall.

Just before she announced her presence, she overheard a man's voice she instantly recognized as Arl Howe saying, "I'm sorry for the delay of my men. The fault is mine, my lord."

"Nonsense," Teyrn Cousland answered waving him off. "With news of the uprising of the darkspawn in the south has everyone scrabbling to face it. It was only several days ago when I received word myself from King Cailan about his plans in stopping them at Ostagar."

"Well my men should arrive later this evening," Arl Howe replied confidently.

"I will send Fergus out with my men toward Ostagar as soon as possible. There's no sense in keeping them here when they're ready to go. Then I can ride out with you and your men tomorrow. It will be like old times."

Arl Howe answered with a nod, "True but we had less gray in our hair back then and we fought Orlesians, not these monsters."

Teyrn Cousland chuckled, "Well the smell should be the same never the less."

He then noticed from the corner of eye Skylar standing quietly in the background and called out, "Pup, I didn't see you there." He turned to Arl Howe as he waved her over to them, "Rendon, you remember my daughter, Skylar, don't you?"

"Ah yes," Arl Howe commented as he looked her up and down appreciatively, "She has grown up to be quite a lovely young woman."

She felt her skin crawl underneath his gaze, and her first instinct was to cover herself up while resisting the urge to gouge his eyes out with her fingernails. Instead she gave him one of her fake smiles she had perfected over the years to hide her disdain and loathing and lied gracefully, "It's nice to see you again, Arl Howe."

He continued to stare at her, making her want to pull one of the daggers from her back and slice his throat open when he finally replied, "My son Thomas asked about you."

"I'll bet," Skylar thought to herself remembering the last time she and Thomas had seen each other. It was anything but cordial. In fact, she accidently purposely broke his nose. Trying to be tactful and not remind them about the incident, she asked covertly, "Isn't he several years younger than I?"

"My dear, sooner or later, you will realize age doesn't matter," Arl Howe laughed, "Maybe the next time I come to Highever, I should bring him with me."

"I'm not looking for an arrange marriage," Skylar stated bluntly, knowing exactly where Arl Howe was going and needed to put an end to as quickly as she could.

"See what I have to contend with," Teyrn Cousland replied with a slight chuckled. "There's no way of telling my fierce girl anything. She has a strong mind and will of her own, Maker bless her heart."

Arl Howe commented smoothly. "One quite talented, I'm sure, and to watch for."

Skylar didn't miss the subtle glare from Arl Howe but knew better to call him on it. Her father wouldn't tolerate any disrespect shown to his honor guest and fellow nobleman especially from his children. Not that she had any respect for Arl Howe in the first place but she wouldn't embarrass her father by causing a scene. Instead she turned to her father and commented dryly, "I heard the small band I was given command over was handed to someone else."

Teyrn Cousland had dreaded having this conversation with her especially in front of his old friend. He knew the moment she learned of the change, she would be furious about it. It was the reason why he told his personal guards not to allow her to see him until he summoned her. He silently hoped the time would cool her temper down enough for her to see reason. Knowing the best way to handle his strong willed daughter was to be straight forward with her, for she was like him and had no tolerance for games.

Taking a deep breath, he answered, "Yes indeed, Pup, for I need you to take charge over the castle and keep the peace in the region while Fergus and I are away. You know what they say about the mice when the cat's away?"

"But if what they say is true is happening in the south," she quickly argued, "You'll need every great warrior and fighter to fight against this Blight. And you know I can fight just as well as any man."

It was true. A fact he couldn't deny her and often took silent pride that his daughter could fight and defend herself quite well especially with duel blades in her hands. It wasn't uncommon for human, elfin, or dwarfin women to fight in the battlefield and had been doing it for centuries but with a noblewoman, it was unimaginable and unacceptable at least these days even though Skylar would highly disagree with that notion.

Still she was his darling baby girl, and the thought of her in battle chilled him to the bone especially facing darkspawn. It was bad enough that he had to send his son off to war but at least he took comfort that he would be by his side to watch over him.

He shook his head, "You're mother is already tied up in knots over Fergus and me going. If I sent you off, she would kill me."

"I could talk to her, convince her I should go," Skylar stated.

"I seriously doubt that, Pup, even with your silver tongue." Before she could push further, Teyrn Cousland shook his head cutting her off, "No more of this talk about you going into battle. Besides there will be plenty here to keep you occupied."

He turned to one of his personal guard and commanded, "You can show Duncan in now."

"Who's Duncan?" Skylar asked while a sick feeling hit the pit of her stomach of the possibility this man could be another suitor trying to win her hand. If that was the case, she would make a mad dash to one of the supply wagons and hide. She would rather face the darkest of all evils with no chance of surviving the outcome than dealing with another nobleman who looked at her as a prize breeding mare and to increase his holdings as well as his station.

When the man known as Duncan entered the room, she was taken aback by his commanding presence. He appeared to be in his early forties with his rich brown hair laced with gray pulled back into a ponytail. The gold loop earring he wore in his right earlobe made him look more like a pirate than a noble. Even though she found him pleasingly to look at, she was still leery of him and was ready to bolt at the first mention of marriage.

It wasn't until she heard Arl Howe gasped in surprise and muttered, "A Grey Warden," that finally put her at ease.

Teyrn Cousland turned to Arl Howe, "I know it's been a long time since we last seen one. Is there a problem?"

"Of course not," Arl Howe started nervously, "But with the Grey Wardens, there are certain protocols to attend to for one of such great honor and status. I feel like I'm at a…" then he paused, "disadvantage."

"I came in late last night unannounced," Duncan quickly reassured.

Skylar discreetly studied Duncan trying to place where she had seen him before because he seemed so familiar to her. Then it hit her. She had seen him in Highever over the years but never really paid that close attention to him, assuming he was some merchant traveling through. She had no idea he was one of the infamous Grey Wardens.

Her father turned to her and replied, "Pup, I hope you remembered your studies of the Grey Wardens from Brother Aldous."

She paused for a moment trying to recall all she had heard about the legendary Grey Wardens. It was one of her favorite subjects. Even her grandfather and father applied their code of honor of protecting mankind, serving the people, and rising to the call of duty in their philosophy in ruling as Teyrns.

There was so much information she knew, she focused on the main one that made the Grey Warden so famous and respected in the first place. Taking a deep breath, she answered, "The Grey Wardens were the ones who sacrificed themselves in order to protect all of us in the First Blight."

Teyrn Cousland smiled, pleased by his daughter's answer but quickly added, "There's more to them than that. They also do what is needed and what is right when called upon. It's a great honor to have a Grey Warden staying with you and to be chosen as a recruit. Duncan here is looking at our Sir Gilmore as a possible recruit."

"If I may be so bold," Duncan injected, "Your daughter Skylar is my first choice for recruitment."

The first thought that went through Skylar's mind was – wow! But before she could accept or deny the honorable request, Teyrn Cousland quickly stepped in blocking her view of Duncan and replied, "We're greatly honored by your request but I must decline."

"But why?" she exclaimed. "I think I would make a great Grey Warden."

It seemed even Arl Howe couldn't leave his opinion out of the conversation, "You said it yourself, Bryce, what a great honor it is to becoming a Grey Warden."

Teyrn Cousland chuckled nervously, "I don't have so many children to send off to battle. Besides, her mother would never forgive me sending Skylar to the Grey Wardens." Then he turned to Duncan with a grave voice, "Unless you invoke the Right of Conscription."

Duncan shook his head, "I have no intention in pushing the issue."

Teyrn Cousland couldn't miss the slight disappointment in Skylar's eyes before she covered it up with a blank expression on her face but nor could he deny himself the feeling of relief. If Duncan had pursued the matter further, he would have no choice but to allow Skylar to join. King Maric, King Cailan's father, had brought back the Grey Wardens from exile while giving them the power to recruit anyone with the Right of Conscription especially during the Blight. No one not even a king or someone in a high station of power could refuse the Right of Conscription even if they agreed or disagreed with the recruitment.

He turned to Skylar once again and reiterated; "Now while I'm gone, I need you to extend every hospitality to Duncan and see that his needs are met."

It was all she could do to not roll her eyes at her father's ridiculous order as if she was some kind of idiot who had no clue doing the simplest of tasks. Really, how hard could it be taking care of this Duncan's needs? Now if he expected to be pampered like a spoil noble who snaps his fingers, demanding everyone to jump including her, Grey Warden or not, she would let him have it. Her tolerance of such non-sense arrogance would be short lived, not to mention her temper would usually get the better of her forcing her to speak her mind.

It suddenly made her wonder if he would be that sort of person and decided to take even a much closer look at him. He didn't look like an overstuffed pampas ass but she had learned long ago looks can be deceiving especially with people who were taken in high regard for what they are instead of who they are. People of the noble class and the Chantry in high ranking positions were especially good in falling into this trap or god complex as she would call it.

It was as if Duncan had read her mind when he smiled and commented, "I assure you, Lady Skylar, I will be no trouble at all."

She nodded but said nothing. She would wait and see if his actions made his words rang true after her father and brother left the castle. Still a part of her was actually looking forward to visiting with the Grey Warden. She was more than a little curious to see if the legends were true about them or embellished to make them appear more important than they really are. Either way, it should be interesting and a nice distraction for her where otherwise she would be going crazy being left behind.

"Skylar," her father called out, breaking into her thoughts, "Another reason why I summoned you here is I need you to tell Fergus to go ahead to Ostagar and Arl Howe and I will be joining up with him later."

Her eyes narrowed accusingly at him while commenting dryly, "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Duncan, Arl Howe, and I have much to discuss since the Arl's men are delayed and have to go over the final plans when we reach Ostagar," Teyrn Cousland answered.

"But," Skylar whined, "I was hoping to talk more with Duncan about the Grey Wardens."

"You'll have plenty of time to do that when I'm gone," Teyrn Cousland replied sternly, "Now be good lass, and do what you're told."

Feeling completely chastised, she bowed her head slightly toward her father and left the Great Hall. She quickly turned down an abandoned corridor and started jumping up and down while screaming out in frustration. She knew she was being childish for throwing a temper tantrum but after she was done, she felt much better. Besides no one saw her therefore no harm was done, and she didn't have to kill anyone.

"There you are," Sir Gilmore replied behind her, causing her to jump out of her skin.

Skylar turned quickly to face him and glared, "By Maker's sake, don't sneak up on me like that!"

"I called out to you but you weren't paying attention," Sir Gilmore defended himself, "And from all the screeching and hollering I heard coming from here, I take it you heard the news."

She frowned while commenting sourly, "About me not going with Fergus and Father to Ostagar as well as my command being taken away from me? Then yes, I've heard."

"Maybe it's…" Sir Gilmore started.

"Gilmore, I don't care how long we've been the best of friends," Skylar warned, "But I swear to the Maker, if you say it's for the best or it's for my own good about not going to Ostagar, I'll wallop you."

He quickly rose his hands up in surrender as he chuckled, "Okay dear friend, I won't say it but…"

"Gilmore!" She snarled.

"Skylar, you're going to have to face it sooner or later. You're a daughter of a Teyrn which makes you a lady of high status especially born to one of the most powerful noble families in Ferelden," he pointed out. "You're not supposed to go to war."

"Too bad, I wasn't born a man," she muttered bitterly. "Then it wouldn't matter. I could watch my brother's and father's back, and make sure they come home."

She sighed in frustration while continuing on her rant, "By the Maker's sense of humor or lack of it, I was born female and looked upon as a prize breeding mare to be had so I can help increase the holdings and status of some stuck-up nobleman. Forget me finding love as in true love like Fergus has with his wife Oriana or what my mother and father share. If I get forcefully matched to someone like my mother has been threatening to do as of late, I'll be lucky enough to experience quiet distain behind closed doors while thinking of ways I could kill my husband that would make it look like an accident."

Sir Gilmore shook his head in disgust and quietly said, "That's not true, you're just too blind to see the truth. Not everyone who looks at you sees a prize breeding mare, but a beautiful spirited good-hearted woman when she allows them near her."

Skylar suddenly found herself struck dumb and hoped she wasn't reading too much into Sir Gilmore's statement. But she saw a small flicker of the truth flashed in his eyes causing dread to pierce her heart. Maker save her, he was in love with her. The friendship she treasured so much was at a dangerous crossroads and she had no clue in what to do or how to react.

He was her best friend in the whole world, second to Fergus, and someone she could confide in since they were children. As much as she cared and adored him, she wasn't in love with him at least not romantically.

Echoes of high pitch distressing wails accompanied with a dog's barking broke the awkward silence that hung between her and Sir Gilmore. Skylar breathed a sigh of relief as she jumped on it like a lifeline and quickly asked, "Is that Nan squawking again?"

Sir Gilmore sighed, "Your dog has gotten into the larder again and Nan is threatening to quit."

Skylar laughed, "Nan would never quit. She had been Fergus's and my nanny before becoming the cook and head house servant. She's most likely to die here in her bed before ever leaving."

"That may be so," he replied, "But your mother is not convinced Nan will make good on her threat this time. She sent me to retrieve you so you can get your dog."

"Why didn't you get Craver?" Skylar asked.

He shook his head, "I know better. The last time I tried to get him out of the larder, he almost took my hand off. Your Mabari War Hound will only listen to you."

She shrugged and started heading toward the kitchen area, "Very well, let's rescue Nan from Craver. Hasn't she figured out yet he would never hurt her?"

"I believe she knows that," Sir Gilmore replied following after her, "But you know how Nan is."

"Yes I do," Skylar giggled, "If she's not making a big deal out of something, she's not happy." Then she stopped for a moment and looked at him, "Out of curiosity, how long has Craver been in the larder?"

"I believe just before you entered the Great Hall to speak with your father," he answered. "I didn't want to interrupt you two."

She sighed again, "I wished you had especially with the company he was keeping."

"I heard Arl Howe was here," he replied coldly, "And strangely without his men but only his personal guard. What do you make of that?"

Again Skylar shrugged, "Who knows. I was sent out to give a message to Fergus to start heading toward Ostagar before any explanation had been made for Howe's men being delayed. Not like they would tell me anything anyway."

As they continued on toward the kitchen area where the sounds of chaos were getting louder, Sir Gilmore started nervously, "If I may be so bold…"

Skylar stopped once again in her tracks while trying not to stiffen up and held her breath. She turned to face him and waited apprehensively for him to continue while hoping he wasn't about to declare his undying love for her.

She watched him quickly looking around them as if he was making sure they were still alone. When it was obviously that they were, he leaned closer to her and whispered quietly, "I heard there's a Grey Warden here. Do you know if the rumors are true?"

Relief flooded her like a tidal wave as hysterical laughter erupted deep inside her. The strange looks he gave her caused her to laugh even harder until he snapped, "What's so funny? Did you orchestrate a practical joke on me to make me look like a fool again?"

"No, that's not it at all. I swear it," she quickly said between gasps, "I thought you were going to…" then she shook her head, "Never mind. So what was your question again?"

He glared at her while crossing his arms in front of his chest, "I was asking about the Grey Warden."

"Oh that's right," she replied while nodding, "I've met him. His name is Duncan."

Sir Gilmore's face lit up like the sun, "So it is true. Was I mentioned?"

For the first time since she had left her bedroom, she felt light-hearted and playful. It was one of the things she cherished about Sir Gilmore in how he could take the worst of her foul moods and turn it around. Trying to keep a straight face, she answered coyly, "Maybe. I wasn't paying that close attention."

"Skylar," he growled, "Don't keep me in the dark here. I know you know something."

She smiled and answered, "I heard Duncan is looking at you for possible recruitment for the Grey Wardens."

This time it was Sir Gilmore who started walking toward the kitchen area and Skylar had to rush to keep up while saying the whole time excitedly, "Wow, me a Grey Warden. Can you imagine it?"

His reaction was the same as hers when she heard she was Duncan's first choice of becoming a Grey Warden - full of enthusiasm and wonder. Not that she would ever tell Sir Gilmore that. Even though she was happy for him, she couldn't help feeling a ping of jealousy toward him because he could accept the offer where as her father took away her decision to.

Not meaning to let the green-eyed monster get the better of her, she spouted out without censoring herself, "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself, Gilmore? It's not like they ask you to be a Grey Warden and then poof you're a Grey Warden. Remember there's a test or ritual of some kind to prove you're worthy of becoming one."

"I know," he replied, his voice losing some of his luster, "But I always wanted to be a Grey Warden since the day Brother Aldous started teaching us about them."

Feeling like a complete ass, she quickly reassured him, "I bet you'll pass the test with flying colors, and Brother Aldous will be teaching the next generation on how the great Sir Gilmore became one of the legendary Grey Wardens."

Sir Gilmore said nothing more and remained silent as they both finally reached the entrance of the kitchen area. Hating the fact she had upset him with her callousness, she reached for his arm just as he was about to enter and said, "I'm sorry."

He gave her a questioning looked and asked, "For what?"

Skylar answered sheepishly, "For bringing up the test and sounding so insensitive about it."

Sir Gilmore smiled, "Don't worry about it Skylar, I knew you meant well." Then his smile faltered some, as he stared into her eyes, "I was just thinking. If I do become a Grey Warden, will I be allowed to pursue relationships and possibly marriage one day?"

"Maker save me!" her mind screamed out.

She was at a complete lost in what to do next. Either way she looked at it, she was going to hurt him and their friendship would be damned. She could lie to him and say she felt the same about him as he did her but sooner or later the truth would come out and frankly she couldn't lie to him. If she told him that she didn't love in that way, then their friendship would change and not in a good way. It was all she could do to not scream at him for all the stupid things he could have done - falling in love with her was the top of the list.

"There you two are!" Nan shouted the moment she opened the door and saw them standing there, startling both of them. She glared directly at Skylar while waggling her finger at her, "Your mongrel dog is in my larder again."

"He's not a mongrel, he's a purebred Mabari War Hound," Skylar said defensively.

"He's a bloody blight wolf, that's what he is," Nan retorted back, "Nothing but trouble and should be put down."

"Did you lock up the larder?" Skylar asked impatiently.

"What difference does that make now when he's already in there?" Nan squawked. "That's it! Tell Teyrna Eleanor that I quit. I quit!"

"Calm down, good woman," Sir Gilmore commented gently, "We'll get the hound out."

Her eyes narrowed at Sir Gilmore and barked, "You better. There's no telling what he's doing in there. I bet you anything he's helping himself to the roast no doubt. The one I worked so hard preparing yesterday for tonight's supper."

Skylar shook her head as she walked past Nan thinking it was more her fault than Craver's for him being in the larder. He didn't have the capabilities to open a door to allow himself in there, therefore it had to be either Nan or one of her staff who left it open. Despite how smart he was, he was still a dog after all who was led by his nose and thought with his stomach. Why should he take all the blame for this mischief?

As she continued further into the kitchen area, she saw two elfin servants, a man and a woman staring helplessly at the blocked doorway with only Craver's high courters showing. She found it somewhat humorous the great distance the servants placed themselves away from him obviously afraid of him.

The man turned to her and replied nervously, "My lady, he won't let us get near the larder. Every time we do, he growls threateningly and acts like he's about to attack us."

She shook her head again thinking he wouldn't truly hurt anyone of them other than maybe nipping at them as a warning if they got too close to his food or they became a threat to her.

"My lady," the woman servant commented, "If I may be so bold and say your war hound is acting very strangely. In times past when we caught him in the larder, he never barked at least not this much but whined when he knew he was in trouble. We had no problem shooing him out especially if Nan was the one doing it."

Skylar turned her attention toward Craver noting where he was standing at. If he was going after the food that was stored in the larder, he would be more inside than blocking the doorway and wouldn't be barking while he filled his stomach. Like the elfin woman had said, he was indeed acting strange.

Knowing he rarely disobeyed her commands, she called out in an authoritative voice, "Craver, come!"

Craver stopped his barking and turned his head toward her and whined. Just as quickly he turned back to face inside the larder again and continued his barking. It was then she realized he was trying to tell her that something was wrong.

"See he's not listening. So why are you just standing there, Skylar?" Nan snapped angrily, "Get your dog out!"

Skylar sent a silent message to Sir Gilmore with a look telling him to follow her. He gave her a slight nod letting her know he understood and turned to Nan, "We're getting him out now."

"Well hurry up about it," Nan ordered, "I haven't got all day when there is breakfast that needs to be prepared."

Skylar rolled her eyes thinking with Nan's snap to it attitude, she could teach a thing or two to the military commanders or at least give them a run for their money. It was no wonder why the other servants referred to her as the slave driver behind her back.

The moment she got close to Craver, he entered further into the larder, changing his barking to intense angry growls while constantly sniffing the floor. She took a quick look around, noting nothing was disturbed and everything was in one piece. If Craver did come in here to have a bite to eat, the sacks and crates filled with food would be shredded and remnants would be scattered among the floor. It confirmed what she suspected that something was actually wrong. The problem was she couldn't see it but learned long ago to trust and rely on Craver's instincts which were better than her own.

She looked down at him and asked, "What are you trying to tell me, boy? What is it you sense that I cannot see?"

Sir Gilmore walked up beside her and commented, "He is acting like he's trying to tell you something but what, I have no clue."

As they continued to look around the larder, large oversize rats started emerging from the walls and charging at them. She heard the door close behind her, knowing it was Sir Gilmore's doing without having to tell him to do that. When it came down to fighting in a battle situation, like Craver, she and Sir Gilmore always seemed to be in sync with each other making them a formidable team.

She was thankful she still had her daggers with her as she drew them out to slash at the vermin, killing them with one or two swipes of her blades. Unprepared and unarmed, these rats could inflect serious damage if not death to their victims in small groups.

As the rats continued coming in waves, Craver, Sir Gilmore, and she fought valiantly leaving bloody corpses in their wake. She started worrying how many more rats would come when she knew she was tiring and it was only a matter of time before they would overpower her. From the looks of Sir Gilmore, he too was suffering her fate for his strikes of his sword weren't as quick as they were in the beginning. The only one who seemed to be faring well was Craver, and he was acting like he was having the time of his life.

When it appeared the last of the rats were slain and no more were coming, both Skylar and Sir Gilmore looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief as they harnessed their swords and daggers back onto their backs. Craver jumped and bounced around happily with his tail wagging madly as if he knew he had done well.

Skylar laughed as she gave him well deserved loving and said, "Yes, we all know what a big hero you are, Craver, protecting the larder from those nasty rats," then she added as she looked at all the bloody corpses that littered the floor, "But Nan won't be too pleased with the mess we have made."

When Craver gave a distressing whine, she gave him one last loving pat on the head and replied, "Don't worry, Craver, she'll get over it. Now that we can get you out of the larder, we can tell her the real reason why you were being such a stinker about letting no one in."

Craver responded with one happy bark and went back to his joyful prancing around.

"I wonder how they gotten in here," Sir Gilmore stated as he nudged one of the dead rats with his foot. "It's strange, don't you think?"

"Why would you say that?" she asked him.

"Slaying giant rats. It's like the beginning of a bad adventure tale my grandfather use to tell me. I just wonder if it's a sign or something that's all," he replied.

Skylar shook her head and laughed; "Now you're just sounding hokey."

"Am I really?" he challenged, "Then explain to me why Arl Howe's men have been delayed when they should have been here by now. What possibly gotten in their way? I mean Amaranthine is what a day or two of travel from here possibly three on the lamest horse or walking with injured or ill people. These are trained men with trained well-fit animals for the journey, there should be no excuses."

"Like I had said I was never given an explanation why Arl Howe's men haven't arrived yet," she answered defensively, "Remember I was kicked out of the Great Hall before they went over their battle plans."

"I'm sorry, my lady," Sir Gilmore replied shamefully, "I spoke out of turn."

She hated when he went all formal on her like that. Hearing him call her my lady especially when they were alone was a slap to her face because of the close friendship they shared. The only times she could barely tolerate him referring to her as my lady was when they were both in the presences of her parents and Fergus and Oriana but that was because of protocol.

"Well now that the matter is solved with Craver and the larder," Sir Gilmore replied, "I'm going back to the courtyard to see if they need my help for anything."

"You aren't going to Ostagar, are you?" Skylar asked in a panic.

"No," he answered with a chuckle, "Your father asked me to stay behind. I think he figures I can keep you out of trouble while your brother and he are away unless I get recruited by the Grey Wardens."

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much," she huffed while crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Sure you can," he chuckled once again and winked at her as he headed out of the larder, leaving her and Craver behind.

Skylar gave a quick look toward Craver and replied irritably, "And that's the reason why you're the love of my life, Craver. A man is too much of a pain in the ass to deal with even one such as Gilmore who still sees me as woman who needs to be kept on a pedestal as a so called noblewoman should be. Ugh!" Then she sighed, "Come on boy, let's get out of here before Nan calls the guards on us."

The moment she and Craver stepped out of the larder, she wasn't a bit surprise to find Nan waiting there with her hands on hips and tapping her foot impatiently. "Well it's about time you two emerged out of there. What was the idea of closing the door and is there any food left? Don't you know I have a castle with hungry soldiers and people to feed?" she complained.

Skylar straightened her shoulders back and snapped back, "For your information, Nan, Craver wasn't in there eating the food. He was defending the larder from rats."

"RATS!" the elfin man squawked fearfully.

"Not those big feral rats that comes from the Wilds?" the elf woman quickly added in a panic, "They can shred elves and children alike."

Nan looked accusingly at Skylar while waving her hand toward the elves, "Now look what you did, you got the servants all scared now. How am I supposed to work under these conditions? Between your good for nothing hound and those two who afraid of a little vermin, I'll be lucky to have breakfast done before the soldiers and your brother and father leave today."

Skylar rolled her eyes once again in an annoyance and turned her attention toward the servants, "Don't worry, Sir Gilmore, Craver, and I took care of them." She then gave Nan a sheepish look and replied hesitantly, "But we kind of left a mess though."

Nan shouted at the elves, "You heard Lady Skylar, go in there and clean it up. And be quick about it or I skin both of you alive!"

"The old biddy is such a slave driver," the man muttered to his fellow servant foolishly loud enough for Nan and her to overhear.

"Old biddy am I?" Nan challenged while her voice became dark and threatening, "If you both don't do what you're told, then I'll show you how much of an old biddy and a slave driver I can be."

When the servants disappeared inside the larder, Skylar whispered to Nan, "Have you tried asking them nicely to do things?"

"And make them think that Old Nan has gone soft?" she scoffed, "What sort of fool do you take me as?"

Skylar shrugged and looked down at Craver who was sitting right next to her leg and muttered, "It was just a thought."

"Well it didn't work on you," she retorted back.

"Because mother and you were trying to make a lady out of me," Skylar answered half jokingly.

"And look how well that turned out," Nan retorted as she stared disapprovingly at the battle gear Skylar was wearing. "You should be in one of the nice pretty dresses hanging in your closet and not in this beat up leather armor, pretending to be a soldier or something. You're a lady." Then she sighed and shook her head, "I have to remember you're too old for a nanny and I'm just a cook now and cannot lecture you no more."

Skylar couldn't help laughing as she hugged Nan while saying, "Good old Nan, still knows how to play a good con."

Nan gave her a quick wink and stated proudly, "At least your mother and I succeeded in teaching you how to use your wits and cunning. Now off with you and take your mischievous hound with you."

As she was starting to push Skylar out of the kitchen area, Craver started to whimper and whine. She turned and glared at the war hound, "Now what's your problem?"

Skylar quickly interjected while batting her big blue eyes at Nan, "Don't Craver and I deserve a reward for killing all those rats? It was hard work, you know."

"It's most likely it had been your fool dog who led them in there in the first place," she retorted back. But after a minute or two of listening to Craver's whimpering and seeing Skylar's pouting face, she caved in while muttering, "Now who's conning who here?"

Sighing, she walked over to the fire place and grabbed a small bowl where she filled it with some beef cutlets. In her other hand, she reached for an oatmeal cookie she knew was Skylar's favorite and headed straight toward them. She placed the bowl in front of Craver and handed the cookie to Skylar while saying to both of them, "Don't say old Nan never gave you anything."

Skylar gave her a sweet innocent smile as she spoke in a child-like voice, "Thank you, Nan-ny."

Nan rolled her eyes and waved her hands at them, "Get out of here the both of you before I call the guards," and playfully swatted Skylar's butt.

Skylar giggled as she patted her leg, signaling Craver to follow right beside her and both of them took their leave out of the kitchen area.

As she and Craver strolled past one of the doors that led to the Great Hall, she was hastily reminded of the tasking her father had given her. It was then a chill ran down her spine as if someone poured a bucket of ice water down her back and Sir Gilmore's words came hauntingly back into her mind.

She wasn't a superstitious woman by any means believing in signs and omens like the priests or mages claim too. The bout with the rats wasn't a rare occurrence, for she and Craver, on many occasions, had to kill them throughout the castle walls. Still add the questionable delay of Arl Howe's men and Fergus taking most of the army with him leaving only a handful of knights behind to defend the castle, she couldn't stop the bad feeling that seemed to be nipping at her heels.

The problem was she couldn't determine if her anxiety was directed to her father and brother facing a formidable foe which no one had dealt within four hundred years at least in this grand scale or was it directed to the fact the castle was vulnerable to attack from the token forces that remained.

The Cousland Family was well loved and respected by the people of Ferelden as well as among the noble houses. There was even a time long ago where the Couslands were considered as a possible bloodline for the Ferelden Throne which she thanked the Maker her ancestors had enough common sense to decline. Still she was no fool to believe they didn't have enemies out there who would love an opportunity to take everything away from them. If any should decide to come out of the darkness to make their play, this would be the perfect time to strike.

Skylar's instincts automatically zeroed in on Arl Howe as a possible enemy lurking in the shadows, and just as quickly wiped the idea from her mind. Despite her misgivings and personal distain for the man, he and her father had been friends for a very long time and fought side by side on the battlefield. From what she had heard from the veteran soldiers, bonds forged in war had unbending loyalty and brotherhood unlike any other and couldn't be broken not even by death.

Whatever caused her unease didn't change the circumstances though; therefore what was the point for her to continue to dwell on it. It wasn't like she had the power to rectify the problem. As a noblewoman, she wasn't taken seriously in her opinions unless she married a man who valued her mind and respected her for it especially in the presence of others. That is one of the big reasons why she took more of the role of the rogue than a warrior to rebel against a system she felt cheated by. Not that she would ever lead on to her parents that she had those skills. She also found it easier to do things in a quiet stealthier manner to get the results she was looking for even if it meant walking a very fine line in doing so.

Deciding the best course of action now was to finish the task her father given her and find Fergus. The first place she went to was back to the courtyard and began scanning the sea of faces. Instead of finding Fergus, she spotted Sir Gilmore and decided to hightail it out of there before he saw her. She didn't want to deal with another awkward moment between them to the point it may cause him to say something she would regret hearing.

Knowing the best person who would know where Fergus could be would most likely be Oriana, and she and her nephew Oren were in the family quarters in the castle. Now fully armed with a plan of attack, she and Craver started their way toward that direction.

The moment she and Craver reached the entrance of the family quarters, she was suddenly stopped in her tracks and swore under breath to the point even Craver whined a little. She turned to him and whispered, "What? It's not like you haven't heard me say those words before."

It wasn't her mother Teyrna Eleanor who stopped her for continuing further, it was her companions that her mother was speaking with in front of the entrance. She had forgotten her mother was entertaining Lady Landra and her son Dairren while her husband Bann Loren was away at Ostagar.

As noble sons went in Skylar's opinion, Dairren was actually one of the few decent ones. He didn't have the normal high-brow arrogance like the normal nobles who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth and thought the world served them. He appeared to be the opposite like her and had a fascination with all types of people which he taught her that everyone had a story to tell. In another life, he would have made a perfect minstrel with his gift of song and mind of a scholar. But like her, the Maker's sense of humor cursed him with the fate of one day of inheriting his family lands and becoming the next Bann. In truth, she didn't mind seeing Dairren again; it was his mother she dreaded.

The last time she had seen Lady Landra was last winter at a winter gala her parents were hosting at Highever Castle. She had managed to corner Skylar and kept her a prisoner throughout most of it with her drunken state of wine. Several people had tried to come to Skylar's aid including Sir Gilmore, giving her small reprieves but the woman was relentless. It was obvious she was on a mission, one she held in great importance, and that was trying to convince Skylar to marry Dairren. What made matters worse was when Dairren tried to come to her rescue which only encouraged his mother more.

Just as Skylar was about to sneak away to safety, Teyrna Eleanor spotted her and called out, "Skylar!"

She took a deep breath and thought to herself, "At least dealing with Lady Landra is a hell of a lot better than dealing with Arl Howe… granted not by much though," and started walking over to them.

Teyrna Eleanor was the first to greet Skylar by saying, "Seeing Craver by your side and from the peaceful silence, the matter in the larder has been resolved I presume."

"Yes Mother. Craver ate the servants while Nan's head exploded," Skylar joked.

Without missing a beat, Teyrna Eleanor bantered back, "At least I know someone had a good meal. I wonder if there's anything left I can serve my guests."

"Don't worry, Nan's back to terrorizing the servants again while making one of her famous feasts. She'll make sure all of us especially the men are well fed before they head out on their journey," Skylar answered confidently. "Speaking about journeys, I was meaning to…"

Teyrna Eleanor knew where her daughter was about to go with the conversation and wasn't prepared to deal with the matter as if any time was good. She quickly interjected, cutting off Skylar in mid-sentence while waving her hand toward Lady Landra, "You remember Lady Landra, don't you darling?"

Skylar had to restrain herself from stomping her foot childishly and screaming again from the top of her lungs. Instead, she plastered another one of her fake smiles and answered smoothly with her generic response, "It's nice to see you again, Lady Landra."

Lady Landra gave her a wide smile and pointed to Dairren, "And you remember my son Dairren?"

Before Skylar could respond, Dairren jumped in impatiently, "Of course she does, Mother. At the winter gala, you hounded her mercilessly about marrying me, and did a very bad job at it I might add."

As Lady Landra's face started becoming different shades of red, she rushed to defend herself, "I was feeling a bit under the weather at that time and may have taken a little too much wine to cure the ailment."

It was a well known dark secret throughout Ferelden that Lady Landra had a serious drinking problem. Her excuse for her outlandish drinking was she had a unique illness that no healing magic could alleviate and wine was the only remedy that seemed to treat it. In truth, no one was fooled by her claims accept maybe her husband Bann Loren.

Dairren turned toward Skylar and replied charmingly with a clever smile and an appreciative inviting gleam in his eye, "Each time I see you, Lady Skylar, you have gotten lovelier every time. I'm looking forward visiting with you and continuing our card game."

Skylar cocked an eyebrow at him with a questioning look on her face wondering if she misread another situation where a man was concerned. At the gala, she distinctly remembered him saying to her that he had no interest in marrying her or anybody else for that matter especially if his mother pushed so hard for it. She thought they had developed some sort of kinship of feeling trapped in their station in life and what was expected of them and who they should be with. She truly believed she would be safe with him but the inviting gleam which she recognized time and time again from men who wished to get to know her in the flesh, set off warning bells in her head.

Knowing firsthand how well of a card player he was and how charismatic he could be, she questioned if the embarrassed son act was just that an act or ploy to worm his way past her defenses. Either way, Dairren had her full attention and started to discreetly observe him. Sooner or later he would show his true intention which she had no doubt she would catch now that she knew what to look for. One thing she knew for sure people, in the noble class, were predictable even though they believed they were being sly, secretive, and smart about it.

"You would think it would be easy to find a suitable match for Skylar," Teyrna Eleanor spoke irritably to Lady Landra, breaking into Skylar's thoughts. "But to no avail she remains unwed."

"I can handle my own affairs, Mother," Skylar muttered displeasingly.

Teyrna Eleanor glared at her daughter and retorted, "And look how well that has worked out for you. Every suitor that has come to call on you, you either hid from or ran them off."

"Or broken their noses," Skylar added silently to herself but was wise enough not to point that out loud.

Her mother as well as her father still hadn't completely forgiven her for that little confrontation with Thomas Howe despite the fact the little maggot deserved it. The only two who supported her in her action and wished they could have done it themselves were Fergus and Sir Gilmore.

The only other time she gotten into a worse altercation with a noble's son other than Thomas was with Sedgwick Aimsley, and Craver did most of the damage to him than her. It was all anybody could do to keep Fergus, Sir Gilmore, and her parents from killing him.

Instead her parents sought out justice and went to King Cailan. For his punishment, Sedgwick was stripped of all his titles and wealth and was even supposed to be publicly flogged in the middle of the open market area in Denerim. Before the flogging could be carried out, Sedgwick managed to mysteriously disappear which in turn caused a big stir in the Highever Castle.

Until recently, Teyrn Cousland had Skylar under constant guard in fear of Sedgwick possibly trying to retaliate against her. She hated having bodyguards constantly at her heels and having what little freedom to do as she please being taken away from her. The only positive thing she could say about the Blight, at least it pulled away the attention from her and she no longer had to deal with the escort.

Again her mother's words brought her back to the conversation that was before her. "I swear, Landra," Teyrna Eleanor said in dismay, "I would like to have another grandchild before I die." Then she shook her head, "I just fear that Skylar guards herself a little too much to the point she wouldn't see a good man even if the Maker himself placed him before her."

"Teyrna Eleanor, you should be proud your daughter has a mind of her own as well as the spirit to back it up," Dairren defended. Then he turned and gave the look Skylar had been waiting for where he no longer saw her as a friend but a prize he thought he had won and said, "Any man would be proud to have her by his side especially one so beautiful and brilliant as she is."

Skylar was about to tell Dairren to go soak his head when she spotted a pretty petite blond woman standing back from the rest of group. She didn't miss the daggers shooting out of the woman's eyes that were directed at her or the angry glances she was giving Dairren. Playing on a hunch, Skylar nodded in the woman's general direction and asked casually, "Who's the woman standing over there?"

Lady Landra was the first to answer while waving the woman over to join them, "This is my lady-in-waiting Iona. Come on over here, dear. Don't be shy and say hello to Teyrna Eleanor and her daughter Lady Skylar."

When Iona approached them, Skylar had to bite back the laughter that threatened to burst out into the open. Dairren's whole stance had changed immediately from trying to be a suave man who thought he had her eating out of his hand to a little boy who was staring at his shoes because he was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The hunch she had hit right on the nose because she had no doubt Dairren had something going on with Iona in the personal nature. The question remained was will Iona be foolish enough to allow him to continue to plow her fields especially when he made a play towards hers?

"Well Eleanor," Lady Landra replied while rubbing her forehead, "I think I should retire to my room before breakfast. I'm starting to feel a little under the weather."

"Do you wish me to accompany you, my lady," Iona asked Lady Landra.

"No dear," she quickly said dismissing her, "You should look around the castle."

Dairren's face shot up and answered, "Ah yes, that's not a bad idea. The Couslands have a wonderful study filled with books and lore. I can show you where it is, Iona."

If looks could kill, the one Iona gave Dairren at that moment would have had him lying on the ground withering in pain. Still she answered in a cool and refined voice, "Thank you, Lord Dairren, I would like that."

When Dairren and Iona headed toward the study and Lady Landra disappeared behind the door to the guest quarters, Skylar finally let go of the laughter she was holding in while her mother stood glaring at her.

"What's so funny?" Teyrna Eleanor demanded.

"Watching Dairren squirm like that especially when Iona joined us," Skylar answered between gasps of air while wiping the tears away from her eyes.

"Skylar, really?" she huffed irritably and quickly added, "I saw nothing of the sort."

"Of course you didn't, Mother, not with eyes of a hawk such as yours," Skylar commented dryly calling her mother's bluff.

Teyrna Eleanor sighed, "I was just hoping after the time you two spent at the gala…"

"For what?" she challenged, "That Dairren and I would fall madly in love and get married?" She shook her head and remarked sourly, "Maybe you should have added the handsome dowry Father and you set aside for me as more of an incentive for him to try harder to lie his way into my heart. Not like it's a big secret among the single noblemen who wants to increase their wealth."

She glared at her daughter and threw an empty threat, "I have a good mind to speak with your father and take your dowry away."

Skylar's face lit up, "Promise? That would make my life so much easier. Then I won't have to, as you say, hide from the suitors or scare them off."

Teyrna Eleanor couldn't help chuckling and threatened teasingly, "Maybe we should double your dowry just for spite because you're such an ungrateful child."

"Ouch," Skylar playfully groaned, "If you do that, I will have a king knocking at the castle gates begging me to marry him. Dear Maker, perish the thought."

Teyrna Eleanor's face suddenly became serious and etched with concern. She placed both of her hands lovingly on each side of Skylar's face and said, "Darling, I just want you to be happy like your father and I and Fergus and Oriana. You know that don't you?"

Skylar nodded and answered solemnly, "I do know that, Mother, but unfortunately I'm not going to find it here not within these walls. I need to be free to travel and be something other than Lady Skylar Cousland. I need to be just Skylar. It worked for Fergus when he found Oriana. Why won't you let me have the same opportunity?"

Teyrna Eleanor pulled back and sighed, "Even though you're a noblewoman, you're still a woman. It's not the same for you as it is for your brother."

"I can take care of myself pretty well, and I have Craver watching my back," Skylar said heatedly. "Speaking of watching people's backs, I should be going with Father and Fergus to Ostagar."

Here it was the dreaded argument Teyrna Eleanor knew was coming especially once Skylar emerged from the Great Hall after talking with Bryce. Knowing she was on shaky ground because if she didn't handle this right, Skylar would storm off and try to do something crazy like runaway to Ostagar by herself. She needed to keep a level head and try to reason with her daughter.

"Your duty is here," she said gently, "While your father and brother are away defending Ferelden, it is our duty to make sure to keep the region of Highever safe until their return."

"But Mother, I have a bad feeling about this battle in Ostagar," Skylar pleaded.

"I do too," Teyrna Eleanor admitted, "But that doesn't change what we are needed for. Your father is counting on you to keep order in Highever and your brother is counting on you to keep Oriana and Oren safe."

Skylar sighed, "With a small handful of knights?"

Teyrna Eleanor gave her a sly smile, "I've seen you do a lot more with a lot less especially when you use your cunning mind and wit to solve problems."

She could see her daughter determination of going to battle waning against the duty she brought forth to her attention. Bringing up one last point she hoped would not come true, she stated, "I know you long for adventure, my darling girl, but right now it's not the time. With this Blight happening in the south and all the focus going there, there are still some people out there who would try to take advantage of it. We need a strong mind such as yours to lead us if a situation like that should arise."

Skylar sighed, "I understand, Mother."

"You know that I love you, don't you?" her mother asked gently.

Skylar smiled, "Of course I do." Then she sighed again, "It's just so frustrating that's all. Part of me wishes I was born a man."

She understood exactly Skylar's frustration more than Skylar would have believed, for she had felt the same at Skylar's age. She thought because of her arranged marriage to Bryce Cousland at a very young age; she would never know love or would be seen more than just a woman as a status symbol like her friend Landra. Bryce not only won her heart and gave his freely to her; he made sure she was seen as his equal as they ruled Highever together and made every decision jointly.

She wanted that for both of her children and that was the reason why she and Bryce never agreed to any arranged marriages for Fergus or Skylar. They both wanted to give them the opportunity to find their own mates but unfortunately Skylar was proving to being difficult at best in finding hers.

"You know about the Grey Warden being here?" Skylar asked, changing the subject.

Teyrna Eleanor nodded, "Your father had mentioned it and said he's a very nice and honorable man." She paused for a moment and her eyes quickly narrowed on Skylar accusingly, "You're not thinking of trying to join the Grey Wardens, are you?"

"No, Father put a stop to that," Skylar answered sourly. Then she quickly added before her mother could go into another lecture, "Actually I believe he's looking at recruiting Sir Gilmore."

"Really? Well Sir Gilmore will make a fine Grey Warden," she replied, "But it's a pity though."

"Why?" Skylar asked. Then she noticed the starry-eyed look in her mother's eyes and quickly stated, "Maker's breath! The idea of marrying Sir Gilmore is like me marrying Fergus. Ugh!"

"I think Sir Gilmore fancies you," she pointed out.

Skylar violently shook her head and stated, "Don't go there, Mother. I beg you!"

"Has he said anything to you about how he feels?" Teyrna Eleanor asked gently noticing the sudden distress in her daughter's eyes.

Skylar shook her head again and sighed sadly, "No he hasn't come right out and said it but truth be told, I don't want him to."

"Why in the Maker's name not?" Teyrna Eleanor questioned.

"Because, Mother, I don't feel the same about him. I wished I did because it would make things easier but…" Skylar replied miserably.

Her mother nodded in understanding, "But he doesn't make your heart race."

"Exactly," she answered feeling some of the weight being lifted off her shoulders. Then she added in a quiet whisper voicing her own fears, "Maybe I am incapable of falling in love."

Her mother pulled her into arms and gave her a loving squeeze, "Nonsense, Skylar. You have a very generous giving heart one even the Maker would be proud of creating and that's why you guard it so much. You'll find a man worthy of such a treasure because if he tarnishes your love, he will answer to me."

"I love you, Mother," Skylar said and gave her another big hug. "Now that all this sappiness is over, do you know where Fergus is?"

"If he's not with his men in the courtyard then it's more than likely he's with Oriana and Oren in the family quarters," her mother answered. "It might be wise for you to say goodbye to him before he leaves."

Skylar nodded, "I was planning to but I also have a message for him from Father."

"Well I've kept you long enough then," Teyrna Eleanor replied. "Go do what your father asks and we'll talk soon."

Skylar once again patted her leg to signal Craver to follow her as she made her way through the entrance to the family quarters. She found it ironic she was right back where she started from since the moment her father summoned her to the Great Hall.

The door to her brother's quarters was opened enough where she could see him holding Oriana in a loving embrace. Little Oren was running around them swinging a wooden sword, Skylar had specially made for his fifth birthday two weeks earlier. It seemed he was chasing after some monsters he could only see and cutting them down to size. The sight of seeing Fergus so happy and so content always warmed Skylar's heart even though she felt a bit envious of what he had.

When she watched Oriana finally step away from Fergus, Skylar thought it was the best time to make her presence known even though she hated intruding on their private moment. "Should I take Oren with me and leave you two alone to continue your mushiness without having to make Oren and I nauseous watching it?" she teased.

Fergus turned to her and laughed, "Just you wait. One day, baby sister, you'll find a man who can handle you and therefore you won't be bothered by all this mushiness."

Skylar rolled her eyes and answered defiantly, "I prefer my freedom, dear Brother."

Oriana giggled, "That's probably what he said too I'm betting before he met me."

"You're right my love, until you saved me from my wicked self," Fergus answered and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Really should I leave you two alone?" Skylar asked again but this time being serious about it while feeling more like some interloper instead of being family.

"Nonsense," Oriana answered, "He's your brother before he became my husband. You should spend time with him before he is off on his way."

"Why would I want to do that? Don't you know I like you better, Oriana," Skylar teased and winked at Fergus.

Fergus laughed whole heartedly, "Well it's a good thing that she's staying then."

"I wish I was going with you and Father," Skylar stated sincerely.

Fergus wrapped his free arm around Skylar's shoulders while his other arm continued to hold Oriana near him. Here were two of the three women he adored most in this world; each held a special place in his heart. He turned to Skylar and replied honestly and proudly, "I wish you were going too, Skylar. We would make a formidable force to be reckoned with and send those darkspawn back to the darkest pits where they belong."

Oriana laughed which caused the hackles on the back of Skylar's neck to rise as she replied, "In Antiva, a woman fighting in battle is unheard of."

Fergus felt Skylar stiffen beside him, knowing the comment Oriana had made irked her even though Oriana meant no harm by it. Even after six years of marriage to him and living in Highever Castle with his family, Oriana never truly understood Skylar's fascination of wearing leather armor, carrying weapons, and fighting along trained soldiers. She was raised with the belief that a woman's place was in the home raising the children and keeping order in the household. As a noblewoman, she felt her duties were also taking care of the people of Highever with a soft spot for the orphans and elderly making sure they were well looked after.

Knowing how to unruffled Skylar's feathers, he said teasingly to his wife, "From what I heard Antivian woman are quite dangerous."

"Only with poison and kindness, dear husband," she bantered back with a wink.

Fergus turned to Skylar and chuckled, "This is from the woman who serves me my tea."

"Papa, will you bring me back a real sward?" Oren asked, looking hopeful at him.

"That's sword, Oren," Fergus corrected as he kneeled in front of his son. "And I'll bring you back one of the finest swords from the battlefield."

"Is it true you're going to battle monsters and not bad people?" Oren asked.

"My heart stops in fear of what you may be facing," Oriana said solemnly as her voice started to quiver.

"Hush, love, you'll frighten the boy," Fergus commented gently as he stood up. "As I told you from what I've heard that the battles in the south are going good. This might not even be a real Blight just a large darkspawn raid."

"Well this war couldn't end fast enough for my taste," Oriana commented bitterly. "I wish it was over yesterday."

Fergus smiled and answered confidently, "Don't you worry, love, I'll be back before you know it."

Skylar remained quiet despite the fact she had heard differently about the battles in the south. Yes, King Cailan's army had won some but the horde still kept coming with more darkspawn replacing those who had fallen. It made her wonder if Fergus knew something that she didn't or was he saying that just to calm the fears of both his wife and son.

"Did you know there's a Grey Warden here?" Skylar replied thinking it might be something better to talk about.

"Did he fly here on his griffon?" Oren asked in awe. "I always wanted to see a griffon."

Oriana looked down at Oren and scolded lightly, "Oren, you know there are no longer any griffons around."

Completely ignoring his mother, Oren replied more to himself than to those who stood around him, "I would also like to see a dragon."

"Oren!" Oriana exclaimed, "Dragons eat people."

"I know," Oren answered, "But I could slay them with my sword of truthiness."

Skylar bit back the smile from her lips as Oriana turned accusingly at her husband and replied dryly, "He's definitely your son."

Fergus cleared his throat uncomfortable and looked at Skylar, "You said something about a Grey Warden?"

Following his lead, Skylar smiled, "Yes, his name is Duncan. He's looking at recruiting Sir Gilmore."

"If I was him," Fergus stated proudly, "I would have my eye on you, baby sister, not that Mother would allow it."

"It was Father who was the one who killed the idea of me joining this time, not Mother," Skylar said bitterly, "But you're right, she wouldn't allow it anymore than Father would and just remind me once again where my duties lie." As if it was an afterthought, Skylar commented, "Speaking about duties, Father wanted me to tell you to go ahead and ride out with the troops to Ostagar, and he and Arl Howe will join you tomorrow."

Fergus's playfulness was quickly replaced with anger, "The Arl's men still haven't arrived yet? You would think they're going backwards or something." Then he sighed, "Well in any case, I need to round up all the men and get going then. It's going to be tiresome killing all those darkspawn on my own."

"Well I hope you weren't planning of leaving before you said farewell to your mother and I," Teyrn Cousland replied as he entered Fergus's and Oriana's room with Teyrna Eleanor by his side.

Skylar shook her head and replied, "Father, if you were planning of seeing Fergus before he left, you could have delivered your message to him personally."

Teyrn Cousland laughed, "And miss seeing both my children together before I leave, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Oriana started to pray out loud, "Maker, watch over us all and protect our husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons who are about to engage in battle."

"And make sure there's plenty of wenches and ale for everyone," Fergus spouted out with a chuckle and quickly amended that when he saw the teasing glare shooting out of his wife's eyes, "For the men, of course."

"Fergus!" Oriana squawked while shaking her head in disbelief, "I can't believe you just said that in front of your mother."

"What's a wench? Is that what you use to pull the bucket out of the well?" Oren asked innocently.

Skylar was about to answer yes to Oren's question, when her father decided to step in, "A wench is a woman who serves ale or drinks a lot of it herself."

This time it was Teyrna Eleanor who sounded horrified, "Bryce!" and shook her head and laughed while looking at Oriana, "There are times I feel like I live with three little boys instead of one. I'm just thankful that I have two daughters to help keep me sane."

Fergus pulled his mother into his arms and squeeze her tight, "I'm going to miss you, Mother dear." Again he turned to Skylar, "Make sure you watch out for them and keep them safe."

"It's you who's going to need watching out for," Skylar remarked teasingly.

"She's right," Oriana agreed, "So Fergus, if you get yourself hurt, I'll never forgive you."

Fergus gave Oriana a quick kiss on the lips and answered, "Now there's an incentive for keeping safe."

Teyrn Cousland looked sadly at his son, "I hate to break up this long farewell but it's time for you to go, son."

Fergus nodded and gave his wife one last lingering kiss and embraced her hard within his arms. He then turned to his son and kneeled once again in front of him. He pulled the boy to him and hugged him close while kissing the top of his head.

Not willing to part from Fergus, Oriana and Oren walked on either side of him, escorting him down the stairs and out to the courtyard with their parents and Skylar followed behind.

The moment the Couslands entered the courtyard presenting a unified front, everyone stood at attention. Teyrn Cousland stood out on a small makeshift balcony addressing his people with inspiring words as Teyrna Eleanor and Fergus stood on either side of him.

Skylar, who hated being in front of big crowds and the center of attention, stood in the background trying to blend in until her father told the people that she would be in charge in his absence. It was then she found herself being shoved to the forefront by her mother and Oriana. She wanted to bolt but instead she stood firmly by her father's side wishing he would hurry up while presenting the strong and fearless leader façade.

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Duncan stood off to the side and watched silently as everyone were saying the last of their farewells to one another before the soldiers headed out toward Ostagar. His eyes were automatically drawn to Skylar and found her talking with a small group of men. From what he had heard about her from discreet inquiries he made, he was pleased to know she still had the same admirable character and courage when she was a teenage girl that impressed him so much to notice her.

Even though Sir Gilmore had proven to be an honorable man worthy of the Grey Warden title, Duncan's instincts demanded he needed Skylar. He could have pushed for the Right of Conscription ordering Skylar to join the Grey Wardens but he had the feeling it would cause more harm than good. He didn't want to alienate the Couslands, for they were one of the great supporters of the Grey Wardens, next to the king. With the Blight coming, he needed all the allies he could get. In truth, he wasn't completely sure if Skylar was the one of the two he was supposed to find.

Unlike finding the first one as if the Maker himself pointed him out to Duncan, the second one appeared to be trickier to locate. The only way he would know for sure if Skylar was the one he sought after, he had to have her do the Joining Ritual. To his dread, it seemed highly unlikely it would happen.

He could feel deep down in his bones that time was running out. For what, he didn't know exactly but it plagued him like the horrid dreams he was experiencing once again. He knew he had to act quickly and make no mistakes for the consequences wouldn't be his to face. There was no question in his mind he wouldn't be around and those he recruited would be the ones dealing with the outcome.

He hated feeling so helpless and having his hands tied in such a way forcing him to make decisions he would rather not have to. But as a Grey Warden, he understood the dire need of doing whatever it takes to defeat the Blight even if it means making enemies for the greater good. If something didn't change in the next couple of days while he stayed at Highever Castle, he would approach Skylar and try to recruit her directly. He had to have her at Ostagar in five nights before King Cailan's great battle as a newly joined Grey Warden.