Richard Cousland`s Story
Richard Cousland, youngest son and offspring of the Cousland family, left his older brother`s room with his older sister, Elissa, who bad him good night. Richard closed the door to his bedroom and changed into his night clothes. He tossed and turned for almost an hour worrying (he shouldn`t worry that much at fourteen, he heard his mother say) about his brother and father marching to Darkspawn hordes down south. He finally fell asleep when he heard a sound, a simple scream.
The sound made his weariness disappear like mist, his hand grabbing the bow under his bed, strapping the quiver of arrows to his back. Richard ran into the hall, bow unsheathed, ready to fire. He stopped suddenly when he saw the assailants, Arl Howe`s men. The enemy soldiers exited Fergus`s room when he saw them. Richard quickly nocked an arrow in his bow and fired, seeing the arrow hit it`s mark in the enemy`s neck.
"Bastards!" Richard yelled at the guards as he launched another arrow at the enemy. That is when he saw her, Elissa, coming out of her room sword ready. She quickly dispatched the other enemy guards, when Richard rushed over to her.
"Elis are you alright!" Richard said hugging her hard.
"I`m fine, so was that you with the bow?" Elissa asked brushing her blond hair out of her eyes.
"Yeah, why would these guard`s do this! Do you think Arl Howe knows of this?" Richard asked, fear creeping into his voice.
"The delay it was setup it-"
"Oh, thank the Maker you two are okay!" Eleanor said rushing over to hug them both.
"Mum, did you see father?" Elissa asked.
"No he didn`t come to bed, he was talking with the Grey Warden, Duncan," Eleanor answered.
"So it's true? There`s a Grey Warden here?" Richard asked trying not to look at the dead guards on the stone floor.
"We need to get moving! The enemy could be here any second!" Elissa ordered.
"You're right we need to check on Oriana, and Oren." Eleanor said.
Richard followed his mother and sister to Fergus`s room to find a harrowing sight. Oren and Oriana lay dead on the floor. Richard felt himself fall to his knees tears coming down his face.
"By the Maker, my little boy..." Eleanor said putting her hand on Richard`s shoulder.
"They will pay, all of them!" Elissa said.
"We need to find your father." Eleanor said.
"He…He might be in the main hall." Richard said rising to his feet.
They fought through different groups of Howe`s men, stopping at the treasury to pick the family sword and shield. When they entered the main hall they found Ser Gilmore and other guards holding back the gates.
"Thank the Maker your still alive!" Ser Gilmore said abandoning the formalities.
"Where is Bryce?" Eleanor asked.
"He went to the servant`s entrance in the larder!" Ser Gilmore proclaimed.
"Go, the guards and I will buy you some time." Ser Gilmore said quickly bowing then rushing to the doors. That is the last time Richard saw Ser Gilmore ever again
They found Bryce lying on the ground in a puddle of his own blood, in the larder.
"Father!" Richard said rushing over to his father`s side, followed by Elissa and Eleanor.
"Bryce, you're alright but, we need to get out of here!" Eleanor said checking Bryce`s wounds.
"He is in no place to move, your ladyship." An unfamiliar voice said behind them. Richard spun around to see a tall man standing in the doorway.
"Duncan, did you help Bryce get in here?" Eleanor asked not looking up from Bryce.
"We can still carry him!" Elissa protested.
"No…Duncan take my family and go. Please I`m begging you-" BOOOM! A loud noise was heard from the direction of the front gate.
"We don`t have much time!" Elissa said.
"I will help your family get out but, you must promise me something." Duncan said kneeling by Richard.
"Anything." Bryce said looking Duncan in the eye.
"I need to leave here with a recruit for the Grey Wardens and that would be Elissa." Duncan said.
"I accept." Elissa answered.
"Now we must leave now." Duncan said rising to his feet, followed by Richard and Elissa though Eleanor didn`t rise.
"Mother are you not coming?" Richard asked. Eleanor closed her eyes letting a tear run down her face.
"My place is by your father. Elissa please take care of Richard." Eleanor said.
"No! You…You must go." Bryce protested.
"I will stand by you dear." Eleanor answered.
"I love you both so much." Elissa said giving each her parents a hug, tears flowing down her face.
"What! No I can`t! Mother pleas come with us!" Richard yelled coming to his mother.
"I`m so sorry pup, but please go with Elissa." Bryce said putting his hand on his shoulder. Richard was pulled off his mother by Duncan and led to the tunnel. Elissa went first, Richard followed. He quickly look back to see guards rush into the room and Eleanor getting struck down.
"NOOOOOO!" Richard screamed trying to run to her but was stopped by Duncan who carried him deeper into the tunnel and into safety.