The Dragon's Call
by Lady Dawson
Chapter One: Ruined Wedding
The Denerim Alienage was full of bustle and commotion in preparation for the double wedding that would be taking place later that day—and many of the elves had already partaken in celebrating a tad early, starting to drink even before the sun begun to rise. Not that that was unusual, in the Alienage; many of them starting drinking in the morn and didn't stop until long past sunset. But the entire Alienage was in high spirits, making sure everything was ready for the day ahead.
Except there was one person who was not happy that this day had come and it was one of those who should have been happy—but unfortunately for Kara Tabris, she had no say in her impending marriage, nor even about whom her husband would be. Just like every other elf woman outside of the Dalish clans, she was forced to marry whomever her father—or the elders—chose for her, no matter her own personal preference to the matter.
Sighing unhappily, Kara trudged away from her house, donned in her wedding clothes, feeling utterly upset about the whole thing.
It wasn't that she was opposed to marriage—though, really, she was—but not even being able to choose her own husband was beyond annoying. If nothing else, she should have the option of choosing someone she liked.
But it was more than that, she thought sourly. She would much rather leave and go live in the woods like the Dalish than spend her entire life here.
She knew what everyone else thought about the Dalish—called them savages and other names—but all the stories she'd ever heard about them sounded glorious! Kara loved the woods, feeling more at home those few adventures outside Denerim than she ever had here, but knew her father would never allow it. And despite how much she hated it here, bowing down to the whims of human lords, she loved her father.
Still, she wished he could understand how she felt; like her mother, she was a Rogue and felt more alive with a bow or daggers in her hands than she ever would cleaning up messes or any other job she could find in the Alienage or the castle.
Running a hand through her dark red hair—the traditional Tabris hair—Kara made her way through the Alienage to greet people as she sought her cousin Soris, finding him near the center of town, leaning against the tree in his wedding garments. He looked just as happy about the whole affair as she was.
"Well, if it isn't my lucky cousin," he drawled as she approached. From the look of him, she suspected he had been drinking already—not that it was unusual. Between Soris and his sister Shianni, it was a wonder there was any alcohol left in the Alienage. He offered the brandy he had. "Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?"
Kara smirked, taking a swig. "Is running away still an option?"
Soris frowned at her. "Are you insane? Where would you go? Into the woods to live with the Dalish elves?"
Shrugging, Kara replied lightly, "It could still happen . . ."
"Live in the woods with the savages, far from humans? Sounds like a dream," Soris said sarcastically. If there was another thing her cousin was known for besides drinking, it was his sarcastic wit. "Not that we would know where to find them; besides, why would you run? Apparently, your groom is a dream come true; mine sounds like a dying mouse."
"Maybe you'll get a cage for your wedding present."
Bursting out with laughter and causing several onlookers to look at him like he was crazy—but attributing it to prewedding jitters once they saw who it was—Soris exclaimed, "You're terrible! Come on, let's go introduce you to your dream betrothed before you say 'I do'," he said, heading where Kara presumed the other bride and her groom were.
Casting a longing look at the entrance to the Alienage, Kara debated running with nothing more than the clothes on her back and doing exactly what she'd dreamed of and find the Dalish, escaping here.
But she could never live with herself if she'd crushed her father so devastatingly, she thought unhappily as she followed her cousin, her spirits sinking with every step. Before they could sink down to her mother's boots—which her father had given her that morning as a wedding present—Kara heard commotion coming from ahead and pushed past Soris to see the humans that had gathered, presumably to start trouble, she thought savagely.
Her hands twitched and she instinctively reached for her daggers, only to remember that she hadn't brought them with her—her father's idea, trying to keep her martial training secret from his future son-in-law.
"Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!"
"Shianni . . ." Kara muttered, about to move forward to help her cousin when Soris grabbed her arm, eyes wide.
"I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved," he whispered urgently to her.
Kara shrugged him off. "I won't let these humans abuse us!"
Soris sighed, looking defeated. He knew that it was pointless to argue with his pigheaded cousin when it came to humans' treatment of their kind. "Fine, but let's try to be diplomatic, okay?"
"What's this?" The human in the extravagant clothing turned to face her as Kara approached, her shoulders thrown back and her head held high as though she were a queen. "Another lovely come to keep me company?" His smirk was cruel and callous, as was the rest of him. If Kara had to guess, from the way the others looked to him, he was undoubtedly the leader.
"Human scum," Kara snarled at him, completely ignoring her cousin's exasperated look. "You'll pay for what you've done here!"
The human scoffed as his friends looked amused. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Kara didn't—nor did she particularly care. All she knew was that this human was here to cause trouble for her people and while she wanted to get out of the Alienage, she wasn't going to just stand by and let them harm any of her people—not while she was still standing.
Before she could open her mouth and retort, though, Kara noticed Shianni behind the human and a smirk played across her lips. The human, noticing where she was looking, turned and that's when Shianni hit him with the brandy bottle. He collapsed as the glass shattered against his temple.
"Are you insane?!" One of his human friends looked scandalized. "This is Vaughn Urien, the Arl of Denerim's son!"
Almost at once, Shianni's triumphant look turned into one of complete and utter horror. "What? Oh, Maker . . ." she moaned.
"Take him home," Kara suggested without blinking. She wouldn't have cared if he was the King himself; she was proud of what Shianni had done, standing up for them. It was nice knowing she wasn't the only one who would. "We won't mention this if you won't."
Another human glared at her. "You've got a lot of nerve, knife-ears." Kara bristled at the insult. "This will go badly for you, just you watch."
But they did pack up and leave, carrying Vaughn between them on their way out of the Alienage, though Kara was pleased to note that several of them were glaring angrily at the cousins on their way out. Nothing like a morning brawl to start the day, she thought, almost forgetting about what was happening until she saw the two unfamiliar elves approaching.
"Oh, I really messed up this time," Shianni moaned, looking torn between anxiety in fear, biting her lip anxiously.
"It'll be all right," Soris assured his sister, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it comfortingly. "He won't tell anybody an elven woman took him down."
He was probably right about that, Kara considered; human nobles had a sense of pride about them and that a woman took him down would've bruised it enough, but an elven woman? He wouldn't dare tell anyone and risk his reputation.
"I hope so." Shianni looked down at her bridesmaid's gown, which was now rumpled and her hair was slightly mussed. She walked away from them. "I'd better go get cleaned up."
Kara watched her go before turning to the two unfamiliar elves that were approaching her and Soris, eyeing the elven male with a twinge of annoyance as she took him in. Light brown hair with a bored, almost uninteresting expression. Oh, yes, he looked like he was going to be loads of fun.
Not.
"Is everybody all right?" Soris asked, looking at the woman, who nodded earnestly.
"I think so, just a little shaken. What was that about?"
Soris laughed weakly. "Looks like the Arl's son started drinking a little early," he joked before clearing his throat at her disapproving look. "Uh . . . let's not let this ruin the day. This is Valora, my betrothed," he told Kara, who cast a glance at the man beside her.
"And who's the fellow with her?" she said impudently. "Not mine, I hope."
She actually felt a little pleased when she heard a few of the bridesmaids' gasps of shock—good, let them have him, she thought carelessly; they were all goggling him like he was a piece of meat—and even more pleased as Soris slapped his forehead at her impudent, looking appalled.
"By the Maker, I can't believe you sometimes," he hissed at her. "Yes, this is Nelaros, your betrothed."
Nelaros looked at her in confusion, almost like he were completely oblivious to her rudeness. "Do I really make such a poor first impression?"
"I've just got no interest in this," Kara said in a bored tone, folding her arms over her chest and fixating him with a cool stare.
This only made him look more confused—and as far as she was concerned, made his boring expression look even more uninteresting. "Are you saying you don't want to marry me?"
"Maker, he's a smart one," Kara said, clapping her hands together. "And no, I don't want to get married at all."
His eyebrows furrowed together and his back stiffened slightly—finally, some reaction, Kara thought—as he said, "I see. Well, I hope in time you can learn to—"
Perhaps because he sensed her seething or because he was trying to steer them into safer waters or because he was thinking that she might try to run off after all if Nelaros said too much, Soris said quickly, "Come on, cousin, we should let them get ready."
"That sounds like a good plan," Valora said with a nod. "We'll see you two in a bit; don't go disappearing on us."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Soris said reassuringly.
As his companion walked away, Nelaros turned to Kara. "It'll be fine, you'll see." And with that, he walked away.
Kara wrinkled her nose after him, but as his back was turned, he didn't see her. "Of all the elves in all of the Alienages in all of Ferelden, he had to pick that one?" she muttered, unable to believe this. By the Maker, why couldn't her father have picked someone that at least had a little life to him?
"You're unbelievable," Soris sighed with a shake of his head. "If your father had heard you just now . . ."
"I could've mentioned how Mother trained me as a Rogue," Kara retorted. "That would've gotten me out of this real quick."
"You're helpless," he groaned, before glancing over Kara's shoulder. "Don't look now, but we have another problem. Another human just walked in—could be one of Vaughn's or just a random troublemaker."
Smiling serenely, Kara suggested, "Let's just kill him."
Soris looked at her warily, as though trying to decide if she was serious or not. "You really scare me sometimes, you know that? Let's just try to handle this without everyone getting killed."
Making a face at him, Kara replied, "You're no fun. Fine, we can do it your way. Maybe," she added offhandedly as she walked towards the heavily armed human who was making his way aimlessly through the Alienage, but he looked up as soon as he saw the two redheaded cousins approach.
"Good day," he said, his dark gaze lingering on Kara momentarily before he acknowledged Soris, but unlike any other human she'd crossed paths with, there was no hunger in his eyes, only regarding her intuitively, almost evaluating her. "I understand congratulations are in order."
"Do you have business here, human?" Kara replied, ignoring his words.
"I do," he replied, though his dark eyes never once seemed to leave her, continuing to regard her with that evaluating gaze of his. "I believe, however, that I have already found what I am looking for." But he didn't say what it was he sought, Kara noticed, nor did he say that he was leaving.
"So you'll be leaving then, I assume?"
"I'm sorry," he said with a good-natured smile, "but I have no intention of leaving."
Okay, Soris, I tried it your way . . .
"Then let's start with your thrashing," she threatened.
"Surely it has not escaped your notice that I am both armed and armored," he told her with that same amused smile. "Any fight between us would be sorely one-sided, I'm afraid."
Soris was sending her pleading looks, trying to tell her to calm her temper, but Kara ignored him, tossing her braids off her shoulder.
"I am no stranger to battle," she declared. "Bring it on!"
"Try not to die!" Soris told her quickly, preparing to run. "I'll go get help!"
Just before he broke into a run, the human stopped him. "No need. I am not here to fight you. Still . . . I find such bravery most impressive . . . do you not agreed, Valendrian?" he inquired, turning to the Elder of the Denerim Alienage, who was approaching them with a disapproving look at Kara.
"I would say the world as far better use for those who know how to stay their blades," he replied. "It is good to see you, my old friend. It has been far too long."
"You know this human?" Kara demanded incredulously. It seemed unreal that any human would be on friendly with them, let alone their Elder.
"Kara, Soris," the Elder said with a nod to each of them, "may I present Duncan, head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden."
"He's a human," Kara said, using the word as though this were the lowest possible thing he could be. "He shouldn't be here."
Giving her a warning look, the Elder said, "The Grey Wardens are deserving of respect, no matter who wears their crest. But my question remains unanswered," he added, looking at the man in question. "Why are you here, Duncan?"
"The worst has happened," Duncan said gravely and Kara noticed all amusement had left him at those words. "A Blight has begun; King Cailan summons the Grey Wardens to Ostagar to fight the darkspawn horde alongside his armies."
Nodding, the Elder said, "Yes, I had heard the news. Still, this is an awkward time; there is to be a wedding—two, in fact."
"Not if I can help it," Kara muttered.
If any of the men heard her, they showed no sign of it. Duncan just nodded at the Elder in understanding.
"So I see. By all means, attend to your ceremonies. My concerns can wait for now."
The Elder glanced at Kara quickly and returned to Duncan with a wary look, almost like he understood something that Kara didn't. But he said nothing except, "Very well. Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for Maker's sake, take your places."
"Please, don't let me interrupt further," Duncan said kindly, looking at them. "We shall speak more later."
Something about the way he said it made Kara torn between uneasiness and excitement.
"Friends and family," the Elder spoke as the ceremony began. Kara, unfortunately, had been unable to make any escape with everyone watching her every move and now had no time to escape, forced to stand on the platform with her betrothed, looking just as uninteresting and dull as her first impression of him. "Today, we celebrate not only this joining, but our bonds of kin and kind. We are a free people, but that was not always so. Andraste, the Maker's prophet, freed us from the bonds of slavery. As our community grows, remember that our strength lies in commitment to tradition and to each other."
"Thank you, Valendrian," Mother Boann, the priest who was overseeing the ceremony, said as she stepped forward, "now let us begin. In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light, I—"
Kara fixed her stormy grey eyes ahead of the priest, a feeling of foreboding going through her as she noticed the men that were walking through the crowd. "Oh, wonderful," she muttered as Vaughn and his men climbed up onto the platform.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said with a sick, sadistic smirk, "but we're having a party and we're short a few female guests."
"Milord," Mother Boann protested, looking appalled, "this is a wedding!"
Vaughn just started laughing, walking towards her. "If you want to dress up your pets and have a tea party, that's your business, but don't pretend this is a proper wedding." He smirked again, turning to the frightened elves. "Now, we're just here for a good time, aren't we, boys?"
Laughing very unmanly, one of his men said jovially, "Just a good time with the ladies, that's all!"
"Let's see . . . let's take these two, the one in the tight dress and . . ." Vaughn looked over the crowd, eyes narrowing and Kara felt a chill at the vengeful look in them. "Where's the bitch that bottled me?"
"Over here, Lord Vaughn!" his other man called and Kara hissed as Shianni screamed, "Let me go, you stuffed-shirt son of a—"
"Oh, I'll enjoy breaking you," Vaughn said coldly. Kara could see her cousin trembling from where she stood, the noble's hands gripping her so tightly that she couldn't possibly break free. So concerned was she about her cousin she didn't see Vaughn moving towards her until he was standing above her. "And see the pretty bride . . ."
For all his boringness, Kara was slightly impressed as Nelaros declared, "Don't worry, I won't let them take you!" But it would have been more impressive if he hadn't been shaking as he said it.
"I can handle myself," she snapped at him, preparing herself for battle. "We have to fight."
"Ah, yes, such a . . . well-formed little thing," Vaughn said softly and if there was a picture of evil, then it would be him in that moment, Kara thought. "I'm sure we all want to avoid further . . . unpleasantness."
Kara glared at him, daggers in her eyes. "Don't you dare touch me or I'll kill you!" she threatened him.
But all he did was laugh. "This one has spirit!" he explained. "Oh, this is going to be lots of fun . . ."
What happened next, Kara didn't know, because—before she even saw it coming—his fist came flying out of nowhere and collided with her temple before she had a chance to blink. Flung backwards onto the platform, Kara felt her head hit something hard and everything went black.
AN: Okay, so I started a new story . . . obviously. Anyway, this is a multi-Warden story, but apart from the origin stories, the story will mostly be from Amell's POV. Not sure about the other pairings at this point, but the main one will be Amell/Alistair. I'm addicted. LOL. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the first chapter and please review!
Lady Dawson