I have just a few notes I wanted to mention before getting into the bulk of this story. This will be based on the original storyline of DA:O though the main character will not just be a singular person. I have decided to use seven characters from all of the potential origin stories present in the game. (Dalish elf, Human noble, Castless Dwarf are but a few). As such, I will not be going into great detail concerning the origin stories, so if you are confused or do not understand, please do not hesitate to message me or look up the information on the Dragon Age: Origins Wiki or a site comparable.
I do not, in any way, shape, or form, own Dragon Age: Origins. I use these characters for my own amusement, not for profit or expectation of monetary gain.
I would also like to thank Lilliwyn for being such an amazing friend, listener, and helper. I encourage everyone to visit her site and read her stories!
And, as always, reviews and messages are encouraged and appreciated!
The weight of the dual blades was a comfort as she helped Shianni to her feet, the other elf quite visibly shaken by the ordeal. "Let's get out of here," Shianni murmured, her shoulders quaking fearfully.
Verianna rested a hand comfortably on Shianni's waist, the gates of the alienage finally coming into view of the two female elves, Soris trailing behind them to make sure they weren't followed by the Denerim guard, as if that would do any good. "It is good to see you unharmed," Valendrian called to the trio as they entered, another elf and the Grey Warden she had met earlier standing there waiting. "Or, are you?" Valendrian then noticed Shianni, Verianna setting her lips into a thin line.
"The others will take Shianni to better rest for now," Valendrian spoke lightly, almost as if to a frightened animal.
"Hahren...," Verianna's voice trailed off, as Soris began speaking.
"She saved them, Valendrian!" Soris exclaimed, Verianna suppressing her embarrassment and giving Valendrian a sad smile.
"Saved them, to be sure. What of Vaughan?" Valendrian asked dutifully, Verianna taking a deep breath to reply.
The guardsman who appeared a moment later looked grim, Valendrian releasing a small sigh as he pieced together what had happened. "If I may be so bold, Captain," the Grey Warden intervened, Verianna bewildered though listening intently.
"All right. I can't revoke that, Grey Warden. Just get gone, and quickly," the Captain spoke exasperatedly, Duncan nodding once before the guards disappeared back towards the city.
"You... conscripted me," Verianna spoke quietly, the words rolling off her tongue. "I don't understand," she finally confessed, Duncan's reassuring smile doing little to stifle her blush.
"You fought to protect your family, you show promise and skills that would make for a good Grey Warden," Duncan explained, Verianna inclining her head once he was finished. "Now, go. Say your goodbyes. As the guards said, we must take our leave quickly," Duncan finished, Verianna nodding before turning to speak to Valendrian and Soris.
Verianna and Duncan had left in the middle of the day, the city elf rather quiet as they traversed away from the city. She was normally one for conversation, but the day's events had been vexing her ever since she had left the Arl of Denerim's estate. Surely Vaughan had other places to turn for entertainment? Did he feel the need to intrude on what should have been a special occasion and cause for celebration?
She felt her fingertips touch the cheek one of Vaughan's men had slapped, the fresh memory forcing a tremble down her spine. The fury at being treated like a thing, something that couldn't feel or think slowly began to permeate her thoughts, her fingers beginning to twitch as she remembered the feel of the blades in her hands. The power, the adrenaline, the knowledge that men's lives were at stake thrilled her, and a sick sort of satisfaction forced a strange smile onto her lips.
"Verianna?" Duncan's voice broke into her thoughts, the elf turning to look at him with a frazzled expression. "We continue our journey to Highever, where I informed the teyrn I would pay a visit before his venture south to Ostagar. After that, our journey will lead us to the Tower of the Circle of Magi, and further west to Orzammar. The King is still gathering his allies for a final assault on the darkspawn horde," Duncan explained, Verianna nodding sagely.
"Duncan, might I ask a...personal query?" Verianna asked moments later, the elder looking a bit startled before nodding his assent. "Why conscript me, of all things? Certainly I would have been jailed if not executed for what happened at Vaughan's estate, but I am unaccustomed to a human's...kindness," Verianna nearly cringed when she mentioned his race as a human, and noted only after she asked her question that it was not the one she originally wanted to ask.
"This is nothing of a personal kindness, Verianna," Duncan replied easily, Verianna still confused. "As Commander of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden, it is my duty to recruit and conscript where need be to create more Grey Wardens, especially since there are so few here in Ferelden," Duncan explained, Verianna nodding her understanding. "We should arrive at Highever Castle tomorrow afternoon," Duncan then stated, the two finally finding an adequate place to camp for the night.
"Would you like me to watch first, Duncan?" Verianna asked several hours later, the sky dark and the fire crackling pleasantly.
"If you wish," Duncan didn't seem overly concerned, Verianna comfortable in his presence. "Something is troubling you, is it not?" Duncan wondered aloud as he poked the fire with a rather long stick.
"I...I didn't intend to kill Vaughan," Verianna informed him, a hand propping up her chin. "When I saw Shianni, and what he'd done to everyone, my rage blinded me. I was unable to stop my arms, and all I could see was blood. That...that overwhelming desire to kill him scared me, and it still does," Verianna then visibly shuddered, Duncan's features set in a sympathetic gaze. "I suppose I'm afraid that one day...I will lose all control," Verianna finally allowed her head to drop, her arms crossed over her legs.
"Emotions are not to be toyed with, and you've had a trying day, Verianna," Duncan tried to reason, his attempt at consoling her a good one. "I don't doubt that this wasn't the first time Vaughan has tried something like this," Duncan then added, Verianna lifting her gaze with a watery smile.
"I apologize, Duncan. You must have enough to contend with without my adding to your burden," Verianna apologized with a short laugh. Duncan did not respond to her apology, though Verianna wasn't honestly expecting a reply. The rest of the evening was spent in silence, though companionable silence.
The ground was hard, and stones made it difficult for Verianna to fall asleep. And I'm to see a teyrn today. What a state I must be in, Verianna thought, careful fingertips brushing through her chestnut tresses and attempting to dislodge any debris and rid herself of tangles.
Duncan did not say anything concerning Verianna's grooming, though couldn't help but be somewhat amused at her antics. A while later the Castle finally came into view, Verianna nearly gasping at the beauty of the palace. "Who goes?" a guard in front of the gates looked intimidating, Duncan cleanly introducing himself and Verianna. "Ah, of course. Teyrn Cousland has mentioned your coming," the guard the signaled for the two to be let in, Verianna feeling more self-conscious than she ever remembered. She only hoped the Couslands were nothing like Vaughan or there would be problems. Unconsciously taking a step closer to Duncan's side, Verianna followed him into the main hall of the Castle, a few of the guards giving her strange glances.
"Ah, Duncan, it is good to see you again, old friend," the man Verianna assumed was Teyrn Cousland greeted the Commander of the Grey, Duncan giving the man a slight bow before responding.
"You'll forgive my delays, My Lord, I found myself in Denerim longer than intended," Duncan then indicated to Verianna, the elf bowing her head in respect. "She's my newest recruit," Duncan then added, the teyrn looking more approving as Duncan continued.
"You'll remember Arl Howe, Duncan?" Teyrn Cousland then indicated the man at his side, his large, hooked nose nearly causing Verianna to cringe.
"Of course, My Lord. A pleasure, Arl Howe," Duncan inclined his head at the hook-nosed man, Verianna's eyes wandering when another man entered the room.
"Ah, Pup. I didn't hear you come in. You remember Arl Howe," Teyrn Cousland indicated Arl Howe once again, the young man nodding his assent.
"A pleasure, Arl Howe. Where is your lovely Delilah? I haven't seen her for some time," the young man continued suavely, Arl Howe answering some nonsense about his daughter Verianna didn't care to hear.
"This is my second son, Duncan," Teyrn Cousland introduced them, Duncan shaking hands with the teyrn's son.
"A pleasure, Duncan. I am Iverrius," the man then noticed Verianna's presence, a dark eyebrow lifting casually before giving her a rather flirtatious smile. Verianna was hardly able to stifle the urge to roll her eyes at Iverrius' demeanor, her arms crossing over her rather ample chest.
"Ah, my younger brother here to see me off," Fergus greeted Iverrius, the younger of the two rolling his eyes.
"Just remember, Fergus. While you're riding off to glory in the freezing cold and the rain, I'll be here in Highever with warm blankets and a roaring fire," Iverrius teased with a smirk, Fergus laughing heartily. "Father did wish me to tell you that the Arl's men are delayed, and that you should take the armies south tonight. He will ride with Arl Howe in the morning," Iverrius then relayed the message, Fergus rolling his eyes.
"You'd think they'd all be walking backwards with how quick they're moving," Fergus griped not-so-subtly.
"Papa, you will bring me home a sword, right?" Oren then spoke up, all eyes moving to the child after a moment.
"Of course, Oren. I'll bring you home the best blade I can find," Fergus promised with a smile, his gloved hand ruffling his son's hair affectionately.
"Should I...give you some time alone?" Iverrius noticed the look Oriana was throwing in Fergus' direction, his older brother lifting an eyebrow before noticing himself.
"Ah, there are my two sons," Bryce Cousland entered the chamber, Eleanor only a pace or two behind him.
"Why did you ask me to deliver your message when you clearly could have done it yourself?" Iverrius mumbled under his breath, his parents exchanging conversation with Fergus regarding the circumstances. But regardless, what was he? A courier?
"Mama says you'll be watching over us while Papa is gone. Is that true, Uncle?" Oren interrupted Iverrius' internal irritation, his green eyes blinking a few times before he leveled his gaze to better view his nephew.
"Of course, Oren. I can't let my favorite nephew get devoured by darkspawn, now can I?" Iverrius answered, his quick fingers reaching out to tickle his nephew who subsequently giggled.
"You had best get to bed soon, Pup. You'll have an early day tomorrow," the teyrn finally noted, his gaze firmly on Iverrius.
"Of course, Father. Have fun, Fergus. I shall be sleeping in my warm and inviting bed," Iverrius teased one final time before kissing his mother on the cheek and hurrying across the hall to his bedroom. He fell into slumber easily, the poor sod blissfully dreaming while a traitorous arl plotted and schemed.
Tonight would be the night the Couslands fell from power.
"I don't like him, Duncan," Verianna found herself saying once they were situated in the room the Teyrn had prepared, the elf releasing the pins from her bun and allowing the soft brown tresses to fall past her shoulders.
"He's a capable warrior, Verianna. He may be loose in other matters, but the he is strong in those that matter for becoming a Grey Warden," Duncan explained wearily, the elder of the two taking a seat on the mattress.
"If that's so, why didn't you just conscript him?" Verianna asked pointedly, Duncan's lips twitching into a small smile.
"Teyrn Cousland is a friend of mine, and there is another here I can recruit," Duncan murmured, Verianna merely sighing her understanding.
"So...what are we to do about the sleeping arrangements?" Verianna found herself asking a few moments later, only one bed present in the chamber. She somehow kept the embarrassment from her voice, her face void of emotion as she turned to the Grey Warden.
Not much time remained before the sound of screams and clashes of metal reverberated into the room they shared, Verianna's wide eyes finding Duncan's before grabbing her swords and following him into the corridor. Soldiers with Howe's shield and pathetic leather armor barred their path, Duncan and Verianna quickly cutting them down before making haste towards the main hall. Ser Gilmore recognized them when they entered hastily, the redheaded man directing them to the larder in a rush, blood staining his fair skin before he too went to help keep the gates closed.
Verianna felt numb as she followed Duncan, her fingers tightening around the hilts of her weapons before they crossed the kitchen into the larder. One of her hands immediately went to her lips, a shriek never making it out of her mouth. How could...how could someone do this? The look Iverrius now wore was one of reluctance and repressed fury, Verianna standing by the door in case one of Howe's men wandered too close. She could hear the pain in the teyrn's voice as he spoke, Verianna feeling her heart clench when his wife insisted that her son leave her there.
"Let's go. Howe's men will break through the gates quickly," Duncan placed a hand on Verianna's shoulder briefly before she turned and the three of them headed for the exit.
Iverrius seemed far different than he had when Verianna had first met him; his arrogant demeanor had disappeared, and he had instead adopted a look of loss, his eyes far away and never once moving to look for a companion. Verianna couldn't say she didn't understand losing someone, but locking oneself away would never dissipate the pain. He needed to be crying, yelling, anything that wasn't sitting silently as though he were deaf and mute. "Iverrius," Verianna tried to speak to him, her voice hoarse.
His eyes found hers briefly, the deep green smothering all feeling until it had been neatly compartmentalized and put away to contemplate another day. "Please, eat something," Verianna insisted, a makeshift bowl full of a vegetable broth quickly thrust in his direction. He looked away a moment later, his hand still keeping a blanket around his form. She may not have liked him earlier in the day, but things were different now. They were both destined to be Grey Wardens, and they would be comrades.
"Verianna," Duncan reprimanded, the elf looking up at him with a forlorn expression. "Leave him be," Duncan spoke quietly, Verianna finally nodding before stepping into her tent. Tossing and turning, Verianna decided not long after attempting sleep that it simply would not come that night, not after witnessing what she had at Highever Castle.
Venturing out of her tent, Verianna was surprised to notice that Iverrius had taken up the vigil, Duncan's quiet snores sounding close to Verianna's tent. The bowl she had tried to give Iverrius earlier now lay on the ground at Iverrius' feet, its contents emptied. At least he ate something, Verianna noted, the elf making sure to be quiet enough to not wake Duncan but loud enough to alert Iverrius to her presence. Taking a seat on the wooden log at his side, Iverrius carefully turned his head to look at her,Verianna looking off into the distance. "I'm sorry for your loss, Iverrius," she finally murmured, the nobleman next to her visibly tensing at the memory.
"I...do not wish to speak of it," Iverrius finally mumbled, Verianna nodding and allowing silence to once again take hold of the night.
Oren. Oriana. Mother. Father. What has our family done to warrant such injustice? Surely Howe cannot truly think himself justified for taking over Highever Castle, Iverrius couldn't push the deaths of so many beloved people from his overtaxed mind, his mood constantly hovering between sheer rage and hopeless helplessness. What could he do against Howe? Howe had control of Amaranthine and Highever now, and was apparently Loghain's right-hand man.
Taking a deep albeit unsteady breath, Iverrius allowed his eyes to wander around the campsite; the elf had remained at his side like a loyal mabari, the poor thing shivering against the cool night breeze. Normally, when a girl would shiver at his side, it was from an entirely different cause. Now, though, Iverrius didn't particularly care for pleasure, for feeling at all, if he were honest.
Standing, Iverrius noted the shocked look on the elf's face before draping the blanket around her shoulders. His body felt numb to his senses, his feet carrying him to his own tent before veritably falling onto the roll laid out for him. Sleep wouldn't come, but at least he could be shielded from the chilly air and the elf's incessant company in the solitude of his tent.
At least Fergus escaped the slaughter, Iverrius consoled himself with the thought, the idea of informing his brother about Howe's treachery forcing his fists to clench painfully. He would make Howe pay, he would take vengeance for his father and the family who had died that night. The anger that had flared in his mind concerning the traitorous arl eventually dissipated, a heavy sleep slowly beginning to claim the youngest remaining Cousland. He heard one final, soft sigh as he nodded off, an unconscious smile tugging at his lips.