Dragon Age Origins

The Warden's Secret

My name is Auriella Cousland and you should know that I am not like most girls my age. While they grew up riding ponies and learning to be proper ladies, I grew up around swords and arrows, learning archery and the proper use of a sword and dagger. As a child, I saw the majesty in every weapon I held, wanting nothing more than to be the best fighter I could become. I knew that despite the fact that I live in Highever, a coastland bannorn, north of the capital of Denerim in the west, the Korcari Wilds in the south or the snow covered Frostback mountain's in the east, a day would come when I would need to know how to fight. My father, Bryce Cousland, was one of the two Teryn's in the Ferelden, and was one of the highest ranking nobility other than the King himself. Our home was the Keep overlooking the Waking Sea. The region of Highever was surrounded by smaller villages and bannorns that owed allegiance to my family as well as he owed his all allegiance to the King of Ferelden. So while other girls dreamed of meeting Prince Cailan, I had practiced archery and sword drills with my older brother Fergus and cousin Roderick.

I had picked up my first bow at the age of four and took it with me everywhere I went. My uncle, William Gilmore, the Lord Mayor of the village surrounding castle Cousland, thought it was amusing, much to the dismay of my mother. I was given blunt arrows to practice with and soon even the chickens learned to give me a wide berth. I stole a dagger from my brother Fergus when I was six with a secret desire to learn to wield it. My father then decided that I should learn how to properly fight with my brother and cousin with the castle's weapons master. They believed that once I was properly bloodied, I would give up my foolish desires to fight yet on my first sparing match with Roderick, I accidentally broke his nose. Fergus decided that I could keep the dagger I stole as my first proper weapon. In time I surpassed them in skill and now had a new training Master, one who taught me the ways of being a rogue, in which I excelled.

I was fourteen when I met the Grey Warden who was coming to see our father, to recruit someone new into their ranks. The Grey Wardens were an old, noble order picked from all walks of life, be they human, elf or dwarf; noble, farmer or even a thief, it mattered not. They had to right to bring anyone into their ranks, so long as the Warden feels they are worthy to join. They can be found wherever they are needed and called no man King. Once they called the Anderfels home and bowed before its' King but when he refused to help his people, they abandoned him and took up arms against the evil that was threatening to destroy their homeland. The Chantry says that the darkspawn were mages who tried to enter the sacred Golden City and were cursed for their arrogance. Whatever they started out as, they were tainted, corrupted creatures that spread plague and death wherever they are found. This group of warriors fought and defeated the first Archdemon and with their death, the Grey Warden order was established. It is written that only the Grey Wardens could defeat an Archdemon, an ancient, false dragon-god who the darkspawn search for and once tainted by them, can lead a full-scale invasion. Ferelden had not seen a Blight in over 300 years and the need for Wardens had not been as pressing as it once was.

The Grey Wardens were recently allowed back into Ferelden by King Maric, after being banished 200 years ago for crimes no one can remember, all traces of which were lost or destroyed. Their ranks here were a far cry from what they once were, when it is said they rode mighty griffons into battle. It is considered a great honor to become a Grey Warden.

As everyone in the castle was rushing about to prepare for our guest, Fergus, Roderick and I were able to sneak out an unused entrance when our absence would not be noted. We were supposed practice inside in the barracks with the other men but we liked to be away from the watchful eye of the Weapon's Master. We were well away from the castle, outside in the forest besides the cliffs, in a clearing we liked to use that was surrounded by thick trees and far enough from both the village and the coastal road that we could practice undisturbed. We were not supposed to be there unless we had our guards with us but we were not untrained children who could not defend themselves and these woods were as much a home to us as the castle we came from.

There were several fallen trees that we used to shoot our arrows into and the surrounding trees were close enough that we did not fear a stray arrow would go farther than intended. Roderick was leaning against a nearby tree, nursing his sore arm. It had been his turn to spar against the two of us using a heavier Knights shield as opposed to the lighter one he was used to and it had taken its toll. While I tried not to hit him as hard as Fergus, my attacks were more frequent and he needed to pivot to counter both of us.

I removed the cloak I was wearing and used a twig I broke off from a nearby tree to hold my long red hair back in a temporary bun. I was dressed in similar clothes as Fergus and Roderick, in a dark tunic shirt, leather trousers and boots and could easily be mistaken for a boy if one discounted my long hair. I had bound my chest and was wearing extra padding under my tunic as I always did when I practiced with my older brother. It was rare if he managed to catch me unawares but I found it was best to be prepared and protected. I had my bow in hand and was about to start practicing when Fergus decided to test my aim by throwing old rag dolls we had found in the air. It was an old game we used to improve ourselves, one that I excelled at since I was the better archer of the three of us. I took my usual stance, closing my eyes and focusing my thoughts on what I was about to do. I opened my eyes and nodded at Fergus who threw them up in the air and one by one, I began to shoot them down. Most were stuck to the trees before I noticed a strange man watching us. He had come upon us so quietly, using the cover the trees provide. I could not figure out how he had come to find the clearing we were in and they had yet to spot him. I had seen a hint of movement in the trees and caught a glimpse of grey armor, but he had made no move to draw his weapons, just stood back and watched us.

I kept him in my sights and was about to address the intruder when Fergus approached me then with his blunt practice sword, as I was distracted by the man I did not recognize. I only had time to swiftly re-sling my bow onto my back and take out my two preferred shorter practice swords, similar to daggers. I was surprised to see a look of concern in the man's eyes that a taller, heavier boy approached me with a sturdier weapon than the ones I had, but I was not. I countered every sword stroke that Fergus thrust at me and soon had him backing away from my own.

Silly Fergus, I thought as his one glancing blow to my head, only managed to free my hair. I was ducking away from his sword arm and his aim was lower than I had anticipated but it was the closest he had gotten so far. Roderick was laughing at Fergus for again trying to best me but was unable to. He backed off briefly but spun around and came back fiercer than before, angry that he had yet to land a blow. I had watched my teacher closely the last time we met and knew that now was the perfect time to try a new move I was taught. I could not afford for this fight to drag on and leave this stranger so close to us unchallenged. I blocked his sword with my left dagger, up and away from my body and spun around under his sword arm to avoid the shield bash I knew was to come, stepping behind him and bringing my other dagger around, stopping at his neck.

"Admit it. You're defeated, Fergus." I said.

Fergus was shocked at the point of my dagger so close to his throat and gulped loudly. "I yield," he whispered and dropped his sword. "Maker's breath! When did you learn to do that?" he asked as the man suddenly clapped and moved towards us. The whole time, I had not stopped watching him stand there hidden in the trees. He was far enough away that I was not overly concerned and he was just one man. Thought we were young, we could defend ourselves.

Fergus turned and started at the sound, while I already had taken out my bow once more and was notching an arrow. I heard, rather than saw Roderick struggle to his feet and knew that he was ready, sword in hand, as was Fergus. The stranger took a few steps towards us and held his hands up. I could see his daggers shining in his belt and watched to see that his hands not stray from where they were. Even though he had grey tunic and armor with the griffon symbol, only worn by the Grey Wardens, I was cautious and kept him in my sights should he try anything. Now that he was in the light, I took in his long dark hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes, as well as the sword he had strapped to his back.

"I've seen your aim so I know that I cannot reach my weapons in time," said the stranger. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Duncan of the Grey Wardens. I am here to see Teryn Cousland." He gave a slight bow.

"The Grey Warden! Auriella, lower your bow!" cried Fergus, sheathing his broad sword. Reluctantly, I allowed my arm to lower slightly.

"Are you really a Grey Warden?" I demanded, serious.

"Do many people go around pretending to be Wardens?" he asked, rubbing his bearded chin, his deep voice light and with a smile. He then slowly lowered his hands but noticed that I still held my bow ready.

"Why should I believe you are a Grey Warden?" I asked. "You are sneaking through these woods before announcing yourself at the castle."

It was then that my father appeared. I had not noticed that Roderick had disappeared back to the castle to find him and his father. I must have been so focused on this stranger because hearing my father's voice caused me to slightly start, not as visible for all to see but enough that the so-called Warden noted. I chided myself for letting him encompass all my attention that I did not notice the arrival of my father, or even that Roderick had left. No one had ever attracted my attention so much that I lost all sense of my surroundings. My master would be so disappointed, I told myself.

As my father came forward to greet the Warden, I quickly re-slung my bow before he saw me there, holding a weapon on the one man that everyone was so eager to meet. I gave a slight bow, turned and picked up my cloak before I walked back towards the castle. The guards gave me a reproachful look as we had slipped past them once again and were left unguarded. I only hoped that this visit would distract my father enough that he would not punish them for our leaving the barracks to practice in the clearing.

Fergus and Roderick stayed with father and uncle, asking Duncan question upon question about what a Grey Warden really was like silly boys instead of young men of 17 and 16. But Grey Wardens are heroes of legend and they could not pass up the opportunity to speak to one first hand. As curious as I was, I could not bring myself to stay and speak to the Warden. I knew that I would not be allowed to attend the Grey Wardens tests or even participate, since I was the only daughter of the Teryn, and he would surely refuse to fight me. The chance to go up against a fighter such as a Grey Warden was something I had waited my whole life for, a chance to prove myself.