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That's all you Bioware. :)
The weather this evening was nice. The warmth of the sun on her face relaxed her and there was a soft breeze in the air. There was still about an hour left of day light and Seanna intended to enjoy as much of it as she could. She couldn't remember the last time she'd sat outside and just relaxed, enjoying the weather and view of the castle gates. After the long hours of practicing she had decided to take a few moments to herself and head towards the entrance of the castle. She had received word that her father was expecting her to make an appearance with the guest that would be staying at the castle for the night. Before heading into the main hall she had noticed the bench sitting just off to the side of the gate was empty and after making sure no one was around she had allowed herself to sprawl out and close her eyes for a few moments. It had been a long day and it felt like there was still so much for her to do, but stealing these few moments to herself would make the coming events all that much easier to endure.
The castle was quite busy today. Her mother's friend Landra was stopping by to visit for a week or so. Thinking back to the last time Seanna had seen her made her smile. Out of all the older women she knew Landra was the only one who drank more ale then she could hold. Maybe it was her husband's influence, maybe she just wasn't paying attention and had too much, or maybe it was that she simply enjoyed getting drunk. Either way it had entertained Seanna for hours and she was actually quite excited to be seeing the noble woman again. Her father's old friend Arl Howe would also be staying at the castle for the night. He would be leaving in the morning, along with her father and brother, at the king's request, to take part in a battle against the darkspawn. She had heard her mother talking about it to Nan a few nights ago and though she did not seem completely at ease with their soon-to-be absence, she wasn't running around like a mad woman yet so Seanna had taken that as a sign the battle wasn't something that she needed to worry herself with.
She actually found herself a bit jealous of her brother. She had asked her mother why she would not be heading into battle with him, stating that she could hold her own and would be able to help Fergus and her father. Her mother almost threw the chair she'd been sitting in out the window. After what seemed like an eternity of arguing Seanna had left feeling quite upset and defeated. But, as always, her weapon lessons allowed her to take out her frustration and she had almost forgotten about her desire to tag along. Almost.
The sound of footsteps and murmuring voices pulled her out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes and quickly stood up. If her mother happened to find her sprawled out on the bench when she had other duties that needed to be attended to she would surely have her head. As two of the castle guards came into view she let out a sigh of relief and gave them a warm smile.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
"Good evening my lady." They said it almost in unison and they both returned her smile. She had always been well liked by the guards in the castle. Since she had started her weapon training she would talk to them for hours about tactics or weapons. Some of them would even be as kind as to give her pointers in her training exercises. She nodded to them as they walked past. She knew she should go to her mother first but she just wasn't ready to see her yet. Even though she had worked out most of her frustration, there was still a little bit she just couldn't get rid of. So she decided that since she was already by the main hall she would see to her father's guest first. She adjusted her light leather armor and made sure her weapons were safely seethed at her back before she started up the stairs to the double doors that led into the main hall. Upon her approach the guards started to open the massive doors and nodded to her as she passed through them.
She heard her father laughing, "At least the smell will be the same." He gave a friendly smile to Arl Howe. She quickly straightened her posture and put on her sweetest smile. Her footsteps echoed off the walls and the two men looked her way, both giving her a wide smile. "Ah, I'm sorry pup, I didn't see you there. You remember my youngest daughter Howe." Her father put his arm around her as she walked up beside him.
"I see she's become a lovely young woman. Pleased to see you again my dear." He held out his hand for her to take, and he lightly kissed the top of her hand in greetings.
"And you, Arl Howe."
His smile widened a little before he spoke again. "My son Thomas asked after you. Perhaps I should bring him with me next time." His eyebrows raised and it took every ounce of restraint she had not to roll her eyes. Last time that drooling twit came to the castle he spent all his time following me around trying to get me to lay with him, and I'm definitely not interested in any arranged marriages. Her mother had been after her for months to start considering some of the noble's sons who'd tried courting her many times. She wasn't ready for marriage and that was one thing she would not let her mother shove her into doing.
"Thomas is a few years younger than I am." Her smile was polite and her words were sweet. She was relieved when the Arl smiled and his features turned to a look of amusement.
"As you get older, those years make less difference. A lesson often hard won."
It was then that her father spoke up, and she couldn't have been happier with his reply. "I doubt she'll be receptive, Howe. My fierce girl has her own mind these days, Maker bless her heart." He was the only one who never tried to convince her that marrying at her age would be the right thing to do. She had always appreciated him giving her a choice in the matter, for if it were up to her mother she'd have been married off early last year.
"Quite talented, I'm sure. One to watch." As he spoke his smile lessoned a bit which made Seanna feel a little…odd. The way he had said it just made her feel uncomfortable. She had never really spent much time with the Arl, him and her father had been friends for years but he always visited the castle alone and he only came every few years. Even though he would only be here for a night's time, she got the feeling that she wouldn't be spending any more time with him then was necessary.
Her father's voice brought her out of her uneasy thoughts. "At any rate pup, as you're mother has told you, while your brother and I are both away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle." Her mother had told her this earlier and honestly she had not been very excited. But like always, a long argument followed by a long lecture had led her to accept her duty of the next few weeks and she had promised that she wouldn't make any more trouble about it. "I'll do my best, Father." She gave him a weak smile. She would do her best, she just wasn't happy about it.
"Now that's what I like to hear." His smile made her feel a little better about taking care of things while he was away. She was happy to help her father in any way she could. "Only a token force is remaining here, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes?"
She smiled and a small chuckle escaped her lips, "They always come out to play." He winked at her and nodded. "There's also someone you must meet. Please… show Duncan in." Seanna's expression quickly turned serious. She had not been told about the apparent third guest that was going to be within the castle halls tonight.
After only a few moments, a tall dark skinned man with dark hair and even darker eyes stepped in to join the small conversation circle that was formed. He was very handsome for his age, and Seanna thought he had made a very long journey, for the circles under his eyes were very dark and when he spoke exhaustion was clearly audible in his voice. "It is an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland."
"Your Lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present." Arl Howe seemed shocked, and Seanna thought, a little irritated. She found that the more time she spent in the Arl's company the less she liked him. "Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced. Is there a problem?" Her father sounded just as confused as she was. "Of course not, but a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am… at a disadvantage." Why does it matter? He will be leaving in less than twelve hours and he will be sleeping most of that time anyways, he won't have to spend much time in Duncan's company.
Her father's smile had returned to his face, "We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true. Pup, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope?"
Oh course he had! "They're an order of great warriors." She smiled up at Duncan, who gave her a smile of his own.
"They are the heroes of legend, who ended the Blights and saved us all." It was obvious by the tone in his voice that her father held much respect for the Wardens. She thought it strange really that they had never talked much about them before. "Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow Wardens in the south. I believe he's got his eye on Ser Gilmore."
"If I might be so bold, I would suggest that your daughter is also an excellent candidate." When Seanna heard his comment, she was surprised. She guessed her face must have looked it for the weak smile Duncan had given her before turned to one that she could tell was holding back a laugh. Before she could even get a word in her father spoke up, his voice had a defensive tone to it, but he was still putting on his polite manner. "Honor though that might be, this is my daughter we're talking about."
Now she couldn't help but laugh a bit, her father had always supported her training, he had even suggested it, and she found it a bit ironic that he was shooting the opportunity down for her to actually use her skills. "Is there a reason I shouldn't join them?" She couldn't hide her amusement.
"You did just finish saying that Grey Wardens are heroes, old friend." It seemed Arl Howe found it as ironic as she did. Though, that did not make her like him anymore.
"I've not so many children that I'll gladly see them all off to battle. Unless you intend to invoke the right of conscription…"
"Have no fear," Duncan chuckled. "While we need as many good recruits as we can find, I've no intention of forcing the issue."
She could hear the relieved breath her father let out as he turned to her, his expression all business now. "Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?"
She nodded her head. "Of course."
"In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me."
"Where is Fergus?" She hadn't seen him all morning now that she thought about it. "Upstairs in his chambers, no doubt, spending some last moments with his wife and my grandson. Be a good lass and do as I've asked. We'll talk soon."
She nodded and said her good-byes to all the men. She actually couldn't wait until her father left now. She wanted a chance to be able to talk to Duncan about the Grey Wardens. She really knew very little of them. She never paid much attention to Brother Aldous when she was younger. Actually, she didn't do too much of that now either. She laughed to herself and continued walking along the castle halls. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice as she almost walked into Ser Gilmore. "There you are! Your mother told me the Teyrn had been looking for you, so I didn't want to interrupt." He sounded breathless, as if he'd been running all over the castle.
Seanna smiled at his rushed greeting and gave him a friendly smile, "Hello to you, too, Ser Gilmore."
A nervous laugh escaped his lips "Pardon my abruptness, my lady. It's simply that I've been looking everywhere for you." He put his hand behind his neck and Seanna could tell that she had embarrassed him. It had not been her intention, but Ser Gilmore was one of the shyer knights on guard. He'd always turned down her request to spar, politely of course, but none the less turned them down. She thought it was probably because he felt it wrong to actually put any effort in trying to best a woman.
"I fear your hound has the kitchens in uproar once again. Nan is threatening to leave."
"Did the dog get into the larder again?"
Ser Gilmore sighed. "No matter how the maids try to keep him out, he always finds a way in. You know these Mabari hounds. He'll listen to his mistress, but anyone else risks having an arm bitten off."
Seanna chuckled and playfully swat Ser Gilmore's arm. "He knows better than to hurt anyone!" she laughed and Ser Gilmore couldn't hold back his smile. "I'm not willing to test that. You're quite lucky to have your own Mabari war hound, you know. Smart enough not to talk my father used to say. Of course that means he's easily bored. Nan swears he confounds her just to amuse himself." They both laughed at this, for it was probably true. "At any rate, your mother would have me accompany you until the matter is settled. Shall we?" He held his arm out towards the kitchen waiting for her to lead the way.
She sighed, she could already hear Nan's scolding in her head. "To the kitchen then."
"Just follow the yelling, when Nan's unhappy she makes sure everyone knows it."
As they walked to the larder they chatted about the weather and how unfortunate it was that they didn't have the spare time to enjoy it more often. Seanna enjoyed talking to Ser Gilmore. He was shy but on the occasion that she got to have a conversation with him he always had stories or interesting topics for them to discuss. He was a very pleasant person to be around and she found herself feeling happy that he was going to get a chance to be a part of one of the greatest orders in all of Thedas, but also a bit sad knowing that he'd no longer be part of the castle's guard order.
As they walked into the kitchen Seanna saw just how upset Nan was. The screaming she had prepared herself for was nothing compared to this. "Get that bloody mutt out of the larder!" Nan was hovering over two of the elvin servants and they were cowering under her. Nan was not a very big woman, actually she was quite small, not even a full foot taller than the elves she was screaming at. But Seanna couldn't blame the servants for being scared of her. Nan was her nanny before she was the cook, and she had many memories of Nan backing her into the exact same stance. The female elf spoke up first, "But, mistress! It won't let us near!"
"If I can't get into that larder, I'll skin both of you useless elves, I swear it!" Nan was shoving her finger into the elven lass's face and Ser Gilmore spoke up to save the poor elf some shouting. "Err… calm down, good woman. We've come to help-" Nan cut him off before he could even finish his sentence. "You!" She screamed, "And you! Your bloody mongrel keeps getting into my larder! That beast should be put down!" Now it was Seanna's turn to get the finger wagging.
"I'm sorry he's bothering you, Nan." Seanna didn't have to attempt to look apologetic, she was sorry she'd come down here in the first place.
"Just get him gone! I've enough to worry about with a castle full of hungry soldiers! You two!" She sneered at the elves still hovering by the door, "Stop standing there like idiots! Get out of the way!" The two elves moved as she'd instructed them too. Nan huffed as she stormed behind them. Seanna glanced at Ser Gilmore and took a deep breath. Hopefully he didn't mess things up too bad this time. Today is already crazy enough as it is and if that's the case it'll be a wonder if Nan doesn't have a heart attack.
She grabbed the large iron handle and gently pushed it open. The loud barking noises became even louder and Seanna found Prince with his nose to the ground sniffing like a mad dog. She heard Ser Gilmore sigh and she could tell he was irritated. "Look at this mess. How did he even get in here?" He was right, the bags that were on the shelves looked as if they were dangerously close to falling off while the bags that were already on the ground either had huge bite marks all over them or were empty with their contents sprawled all over the floor. Prince looked up at her wagging his tail in delight and barking excitedly at her. Even though she felt terrible whenever she had to scold him this was the third time that it had happened in the past few weeks and she was tired of having to help Nan pick up. "Sit right there! I'm not putting up with this." She crossed her arms and tried her best to give him a stern look. Prince let out a sad whine and hung his head. "Wait, do you hear that?" Ser Gilmore stood perfectly still and listened for whatever noise he had heard before. All of a sudden Seanna saw something in the corner poking its head out of a crate filled with bread loafs. It was a rat. Not just a regular little rodent, this rat was huge! Its whole body alone was about as big as her dogs head, and considering he was purebred Mabari hound, that was pretty big. "Maker's breath!" she gasped as her hand found its way to her daggers. Apparently Ser Gilmore had the same idea, for his hand immediately grasped the pommel of his sword and had it drawn within seconds.
Prince went into his defensive stance and let out a low, threatening growl. Apparently there was a whole pack of rats for the number of heads that popped up in the crate started to grow. It took about a half hours time for them to corner all the rats and kill them. Thankfully they had not been completely covered in the rats' blood. Seanna still had much to do before her day would be over and she was sure that having to go change her clothes would only give her less time to take care of everything else. "Giant rats? It's like the start of every bad adventure tale my grandfather used to tell. Your hound must have chased them in through their holes. Looks like he wasn't raiding the larder after all."
Prince jumped around barking in excitement. Seanna laughed and patted the large hound on the head. "It certainly looks that way." She had been matched with the pup for her eighteenth birthday and ever since then they had been almost inseparable. He slept with her, played with her, and practice with her every day. "Those were rats from the Korcari Wilds. Best not to tell Nan, she's upset enough as it is." Ser Gilmore interrupted her thoughts "But seeing as you've got your Mabari well in hand, I'll be on my way. I'm to prepare for the arrival of more of the Arl's men." With that he waved to her and went on his way. She decided that her hound had done a good deed and ultimately deserved some kind of reward. She took a piece of jerky out of the crate on one of the top shelves and tossed it to him. He swallowed it after one chew and jumped up onto her shoulders and proceeded to lick her face. She giggled and shoved him back onto the ground. He jumped around playfully, tail beating through the air. "Well then, I guess it's time for us to go, we'll have to face Nan eventually." This quickly changed the hound's mood. His tail stopped and drooped down. She chuckled and started for the door into the kitchen.
There was a short table to her right as she stepped through the doorway and she noticed a damp rag lying across it. She grabbed it and began to clean the lower half of her armor, seeing as that was where the blood was spattered, and ran it over her daggers a few times. Nan wasted no time as she flew over to Prince and towered over him in an angry stance. "There he is, as brazen as you please, licking his chops after helping himself to the roast, no doubt!" Ser Gilmore's warning ran through her head, but she had an ultra soft spot for her dog, and she wasn't going to stand by and let Nan scold him for taking care of the rodents in the castle. "Actually, he was defending your larder from rats. Big ones." She spoke in an even tone for she knew better then to raise her voice at Nan, but her facial expression let Nan know she didn't appreciate the way she was carrying on.
"W-what? Rats? Not the large grey ones?" The female servant's eyes went wide in shock. "See? Now you've gone and scared the servants! I expect those filthy things are dead." Now it was Nan who gave the unappreciative glare. Seanna smiled sweetly at her hound as she spoke. "My faithful war hound made sure it's safe." She gave him a light pat on the head and he sat beside her, tail wagging once more.
"Hmph. I bet that dog led those rats into there to begin with." Nan was still upset, but Seanna knew she was starting to calm down now that the crisis had been taken care of.
Prince glanced up at his mistress and whined. She just shrugged her shoulders at him. Apparently there would be no redemption for them today. "Oh don't even start with the sad eyes! I'm immune to your so-called charms." Nan turned her head to the side and didn't look at the dog as he let out another low, sad whine.
Nan's arms uncrossed and she shrugged. "Here then." She grabbed a small bowl off the counter "Take these pork bits and don't say that Nan never gives you anything! Bloody dog." Or maybe there would be. A small smile came to her lips, and she looked to Seanna. "Thank you, my lady. Now we can get to work. That's right, you two, quit standing about!" She went back to hovering over the servants and screaming orders at them. Seanna couldn't help but smile as she led her hound out the doorway. Nan was very strict and very old, but she knew that the woman had a heart of gold, when she allowed it to be shown anyways.
As she walked through the halls she found herself day dreaming again. Despite the day's events she was certain she would get some free time tonight to do as she pleased, and that thought put her in a much better mood.
"And my dear Bryce brought this back from Orlais last year. The marquis who gave it to him was drunk, I understand, and mistook Bryce for the king." There was her mother, and the squeals of laughter that followed her story let Seanna know that Lady Landra was probably with her too. The other voices she heard made her curious however. She didn't know anyone was accompanying Landra or if there were other guests that she had no knowledge of. Considering that they were on the way to her room where she should have changed her armor before greeting Landra, it seemed she'd have to do so in her leathers. Not that she minded really, it was more so her mother who didn't approve of it.
She turned the corner and just as she expected her mother and Landra were laughing and smiling. There was a small elf standing next to Landra and a tall man standing next to her. He was young and he was very handsome. She recognized him as being Landra's son. He had changed over the years since she'd last seen him, but he still had the same smile that she remembered.
"Ah, here is my lovely daughter. I take it by the presence of that troublesome hound of yours that the situation in the kitchen is handled?" The annoyance with Prince was clear in her mother's face as she went from glaring at the hound to looking quizzically at Seanna. Once again her first instinct was to defend her hound, but since there were guest present she thought better of the idea. "Yes, mother. Nan is back to work as we speak." For the first time today, she did not flash a warm smile. Her features were cold towards her mother and she looked everywhere other then into her eyes.
"You've always had a way with her. Darling, you remember Lady Landra? Bann Loren's wife?" She could tell by the tone her mother carried that she had gone to the stage where she pretended nothing had happened between them. I hate when she acts like nothing has happened, I'm still upset with her and if she thinks I'm going to go along with this performance, she's madder than I thought.
"I think we last met at your mother's spring salon." Lady Landra drew her attention to her. She had a sweet smile and it actually softened Seanna's expression a great deal, much to her displeasure. The memories of the salon that flooded her mind didn't help to stop the smile either. "Of course. It is good to see you again, my lady."
"You're too kind, dear girl. Didn't I spend half the salon trying to convince you to marry my son?" Landra smirked and glanced at the tall man. Seanna smiled for she did remember, Landra had remarked on how cute her son was when he was a youngster. Seanna had heard story after story of things the boy had done to either get in trouble or get out of it. She had just about laughed herself to death at the stories Landra had shared. "And made a very poor case for it, I might add." The young man spoke up. "You remember my son, Dairren? He's not married yet, either." Landra put a loving hand on her son's shoulders.
"Don't listen to her. It's good to see you again, my lady. You're looking as beautiful as ever." He greeted her with a peck on her hand, his voice was very polite and if he was at all embarrassed by his mother's antics, Seanna thought he did a decent job at hiding it. She found it hard to imagine him a trouble-making boy. She gave him a shy smile, "Thank you." She could feel herself going red. Oh Andraste's flaming sword! Way to go you fool, let your marriage-crazy mother see you blushing in front of her best friends son. Seanna's quiet scolding in her head made her even redder in the cheeks. She would surely hear about this later tonight.
"And this is my lady-in-waiting, Iona. Do say something, dear." Landra sounded terribly annoyed at her Elvin maid. Seanna was very grateful for the small woman though, anything to turn the attention away from her reddened cheeks. The elf's voice sounded shaky, she was nervous. "It is a great pleasure, my lady. You are as pretty as your mother describes." The elf gave her a timid smile and Seanna was about to say thank you, but her mother was faster than her. "You would think that would make it easier to make a match for her, not more difficult." Then you'd think you would give it a rest already. She thought to herself as she stared daggers at her mother.
"Perhaps your daughter simply has a mind of her own, your Ladyship. You should be proud." His tone was sweet and respectful and Seanna thought he'd probably like for someone to say the same thing to his mother once in a while. After all Landra and Eleanor were best friends and they were very much alike. "Proud doesn't get me any more grandchildren." Her mother and Landra laughed for a moment and Seanna was glad, for it gave her time to filter what she was about to say. Her anger got the best of her at times but she would not let her mother's ridiculous antics make her look like a fool in the presence of guest. "I can handle my own affairs, thank you." She looked over to Dairren and rolled her eyes. He chuckled under his breath and she decided that she liked him. She thought they might have a lot in common when it came to their insane mother's.
"All evidence to the contrary." Once again, her mother's annoying laugh rang through her ears. She was sure she'd go crazy if she didn't get away from her soon. "I think perhaps I shall rest now, my dear. Dairren, I will see you and Iona at supper." Landra gave him a quick peck on the cheek and waved as she walked upstairs to her room.
"Perhaps we'll retire to the study for now." He nodded to Seanna and gave her a warm smile. As he started to walk away Iona followed him. "Good evening, you're Ladyship." As they all left her alone with her mother Seanna could feel the anger her mother had riled up settling in her facial features. Once they were all out of sight her mother spoke. "You should say goodbye to Fergus while you have the chance." She sounded tired now, and a hint of worry was weaving in her voice.
"You're right. I should go." Hearing the tiredness and worry in her mother's words made some of the anger she was feeling disappear. "I love you, my darling girl. You know that, don't you?" Her mother gave her a loving look, her eyes seemed tired and worry flickered in them. Now it felt as though all her anger had seeped right out of her, much to her annoyance. She never really could stay mad at her mother. She may be a mad woman most of the time, but she had her good moments too. "I love you, too." She gave her mother a smile to let her know the fights they'd had earlier were forgotten. Eleanor returned the warm gesture and gave her daughter a quick hug, "Go do what you must, then. I will see you soon." and with that she walked off towards the main hall.
She sighed and began her journey, once again, up to Fergus's room.