Chapter 1: Stolen Lives

Chapter Text

"No!" Camber screamed. "I'm not leaving them!"

"Pup—" her father stopped short, and coughed into his wife's lap. When Bryce lifted his head, Camber saw that blood was on his lips and in his teeth. He was dying.

"You—you must go, now!"

"I won't!" Tears streamed down her face to the corners of her lips, and she involuntarily licked the moisture. It was a mistake, she realized, because she tasted not only salt, but oil and blood and dirt, as well. She heard her mabari whine, but she paid him no heed. "You can't make me! I'll die here with you, if I must!"

Eleanor turned her gaze toward her daughter. Her eyes narrowed and darkened: a sign of anger, as Camber knew all too well. "Camber, never say something like that again," she hissed. After a pause, her features softened. "I love you too much to hear you say that."

Bryce coughed again. Fluid was in his lungs, and he knew he did not have much longer. His vision swam, and he tried to focus on his daughter's blurred face. "A Cousland… always does her duty first. Defeat the darkspawn, aye?… and then see to it that Rendon pays for his treachery."

Camber's lips quivered as she struggled to breathe evenly. "Father," she murmured, and kissed his cheek. She threw her arms around her mother. "Mother—"

"—You don't need to say anything, Dear."

"Mother, I love you."

Eleanor withdrew her hand from Bryce's side, and hugged her daughter tightly. "And I love you. Now go!"

For their part, neither Duncan nor Lyra had made no sound during the emotional exchange. When Camber stood and turned to face them, neither of their faces betrayed emotion. It stung, to think that neither of them felt her grief. Well, fine. She didn't need their pity. Camber waited for a moment, expecting Duncan to lead his two Warden-recruits. She then realized that they were waiting for her.

"The exit is this way," Camber stated flatly. She glanced back at her parents for the last time, knowing she would not see them again. "Come, Judex," she said to her dog. She led Duncan and Lyra to the kitchens, and she snatched a burlap sack and began filling it with dried meat and produce, knowing full well that Judex would eat most of the meat. Camber voiced that was at least ten days on horseback to Ostagar, and they likely wouldn't stop for a long time – perhaps until Kinloch Hold, or Redcliffe. Duncan nodded, and grabbed a sack; Lyra only followed suit after Duncan. She preferred to sneer at everything, it seemed. Camber then led them to the servant's exit. Not bothering with the latch, she kicked the door open and stepped into the cool, night air.

That the Warden had been here had been a… complication. Rendon hadn't intended on making enemies of the Wardens; but Duncan had shown up uninvited, so he would pay the price of his discourtesy.

"Captain Kerin," Rendon barked. "Where are they?"

Kerin saluted his Arl. "Arl Howe, ser. The Teyrns Cousland were found in the larder. The Teyrn is gravely wounded, and his wife has been captured."

Rendon grimaced. "Bryce… was not… to be harmed." Each word came out slowly, through gritted teeth. Rendon's anger was on the verge of boiling over.

Kerin noticed it immediately, and he knew better than to let Rendon's wrath manifest. "Rendon—my lord—the man who injured Teyrn Cousland has been dealt with already."

"Good." Rendon breathed deeply before speaking. "And what of the girl?"

Kerin's breath caught. "Camber Cousland… is nowhere to be found."

"WHAT?!" Rendon reached for the nearest breakable object – in this case, a vase – and smashed it upon the ground. Kerin maintained a straight face. "How?!" Rendon seethed. "Nevermind that. Find her."

Kerin waited for his lord's posture to resume normalcy. "I have already sent scouts, my lord. I have instructed them to report to me as soon as she has been captured."

Rendon sighed. "What of the Warden?"

"Unaccounted for as well, my lord."

"Thank you, Captain. Take me to Bryce."

"At once, my lord." Kerin motioned for Rendon to follow, and he led the Arl through Highever Castle to the larder. Teyrn Bryce had been administered poultices to staunch the bleeding, but it wouldn't be long before he died – not unless a mage were nearby, or the Maker himself intervened. Teyrna Eleanor had put up a fight and killed four of his men before she was overwhelmed. Her hands were bound, and she had been gagged – she had torn the flesh from one of his men's arms with her teeth. She was spirited, Kerin gave her that.

When Rendon entered, he saw beads of sweat on Bryce's deathly pale skin, and his breaths were shallow and uneven. Eleanor had given up on fighting, it seemed. Whether her will was sapped, or her strength had failed, no one could tell; but Rendon knew better than to assume either of those things were true.

"Leave us," Rendon ordered. He knew his men wouldn't give him complete privacy, but he could hope they wouldn't overhear this exchange.

When Rendon had spoken, Bryce's eyes had slowly opened. He looked at his old friend, and coughed before he spoke. "Rendon, why?"

Two words—two words were all it took to nearly break him. "Because," Rendon whispered, and turned his gaze to Eleanor, "you took everything from me."