Dragon Age I FanFic
Sara Cousland sat at her painted vanity table as her elven maid, Nahli brushed out her long raven hair. Always gentle and talkative, Nahli came from a Denerim alienage after her parents succumbed to one of the many plagues that struck the city elves within their humble village. Her pointed ears just peeking out from under curly blonde hair. Sara listened to her hum an elvish folk song, seeming stuck inside her own thoughts until the smaller elf girl looked up and saw Sara watching her through the oval shaped mirror.
"Sorry Miss," Nahli apologized with a slight bow of her head, never breaking the calming rhythm of her brushstrokes. "Just been a really fine morning hasn't it?"
"Don't apologize Nahli," Sara countered offering the blushing elf a smile, "what were you humming?"
"Can't remember the name," Nahli answered, "just some lullaby I can sometimes recall."
"What has you in such a good mood?" Sara asked looking out her bedroom window and seeing the dreary clouds covering the sky. "It is not that fine a day."
Sara knew why her maid was in such high spirits, who was now attempting to hide the blush taking over her normally milky soft complexion. Nahli had caught the eye of one of the kitchen servants, another young elf. Sara couldn't remember his name, but she didn't push Nahli to explain herself further, with little privacy the elves received here at the castle it was her way of respecting her.
"Your mum's friend arrived this mornin' miss," Nahli said, coming back up for air after hiding behind her hair until her blush subsided.
"More talks of arranged marriage then," Sara sighed as Nahli began to part and braid her hair. When she was younger Sara was allowed to let her hair fly away in the breeze. Her dark hair, she inherited from her mother. Now there were expectations put on her, more so it seemed, than her brothers received as they came of age. Most of her expectations though centered around appearance and manners.
"Dairren has finally filled out a bit," Nahli countered, "maybe you'll finally approve."
"You can put a boy in a man's body, Nahli," argued Sara, "but you can't put a man's mind between his ears."
"He can't be that bad," the elf commented stifling a laugh as she finished the braid and tied a lace ribbon to hold the braid.
"He doesn't say much, but what he does say isn't any invention of his own, it would be like marrying his pushy drunk mother," Sara said as she stood and held her arms up for the corset that Nahli already retrieved from the bed. Sara finally glanced behind her to see the formal lavender colored dressing gown set out for the day. Nahli never would have picked it out, she knew Sara hated it. She knew that outfit was picked out by her mother, Eleanor Cousland.
The Cousland family were nobles in Highever and the family had controlled the fortress castle since the Black Age. Nestled in the north of Ferelden, and had a history full of battles for power and independence. The Cousland family are one of two Teyrnirs left and held influence over the land second only by the crown and King Cailan.
"Ser Gilmore and Aedan are in archery training if you wish to avoid Lady Eleanor," Nahli whispered after the corset was tightened and laced. The feeling of confinement used to bother Sara, but she was used to it now, being eighteen years of age, she had been dressed in such fashions since her thirteenth birthday. It was when her father, Bryce took a step back, always yielding to her mother when it came to important matters surrounding Sara, the only daughter of the family.
"I wish I could take my archery lessons when they did, but I have to endure Mother's teachings in private," Sara groaned as she stepped into the soft lavender gown.
"Most ladies don't take archery lessons," Nahli pointed out smiling as she deftly buttoned the gown.
"I wish I didn't, not really, but Mother insists I learn all that on top of my reading and music lessons," Sara countered and Nahli nodded her head absently. It was a discussion that she and her mistress had more than once over the years. "And it's only because she was trained because of that war."
"Miss, just try to smile nicely when you meet Dairren," Nahli said, changing the subject, "pinch your cheeks a little to bring a bit of color."
"You are my conscience," Sara said smiling as she gently pinched her cheeks along her cheekbone to turn her skin a lasting soft shade of pink. Thankful for the change of subject, the one Nahli picked also bothered Sara. Her only two female friends growing up, Anora, who really was a rival she rarely ever saw, and Nan, the head of the kitchen now that her charges were all grown were both doing what was expected of them. Anora was now Queen, standing beside Cailan. The families had never been close, a few formal invitations and talks during a landsmeet. None of which came after Cailan was summoned to quell the Darkspawn outbreaks in the far south near the ruins of Ostagar nestled within the Korcari wilderness. She only worried about it, because her father, Bryce, her eldest brother Fergus, and their men were due to send aid and join the battle in the coming days. Nan had never married and had no title or children of her own, after Sara was old enough to look after herself, Nan was delegated to kitchen duty, where she became cold and distant from Sara, never allowing her to stay around the kitchen, saying it wasn't right for an upstanding lady.
"Better get on with it then," Nahli ordered breaking Sara out of her daze. Sara smiled as she left Nahli to make up the bed and gather the washing.
Sara knew she couldn't avoid her mother, so instead of searching out her brother she started walking towards the main hall where her father and mother would greet visitors. Nahli probably would have told her where to meet her, usually, but whatever brought on the humming probably caused most of the morning instructions her mother gave her to leave her mind. Sara walked down the sloping cobblestone walkway and found her mother sitting in a usually sunlit atrium listening to Lady Landra talking about the trip.
"Good Morning, Sara," Eleanor greeted putting her elegant golden fan away. Sara could tell Eleanor was bored of Lady Landra's story, finally having an excuse to politely interrupt. "Landra, you do remember Sara, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Landra said, "I may have been a bit tipsy last we met, but I do, you were just a tiny stick back then. Hasn't she grown up nicely, Dairren?"
"Y-yes, I dare say she has," Dairren added offering Sara an embarrassed smile. "Although I don't see how you remember much of anything that visit."
"Oh please," Landra countered playfully smacking Dairren on the elbow then she turned to the smaller woman who slightly bowed when Sara's eyes fell on her. "And of course my maid, Iona made the trip with me."
"To keep her out of trouble this time," Dairren said, earning another playful swat from his mother.
"Shall we call up Nan for some tea?" Eleanor asked as she sat back down on the smoothed stone bench, the small area smelling of wildflowers that were planted around the benches on either side of the walkway.
"I'll do it, Ladyship," Iona answered before mother could summon one of the castle's servants, "I believe I remember the way."
"So, last time we visited you swore off men with a right loud tantrum," Landra said glancing over at Eleanor before turning her full attention back to Sara.
"I'll not throw a tantrum this time," Sara said then added her own fake laughter to the room as the others laughed. These playful jabs were always a part of gatherings and parties, although Eleanor's rank kept most of the venom out of Landra's voice, it wasn't difficult to see that Sara's indifference to Dairren had bothered her. It also wasn't lost on Sara that Landra and her mother sat quickly down on the bench and left no choice for Dairren, but to sit next to her. She noticed as well that Dairren was still standing, which made her look down at her lap and blush, thinking that maybe Dairren also remembered the tantrum, it ended with his ankle getting kicked after all.
"So Eleanor will Aedan be joining Bryce and Fergus when they go to send aid to King Cailan?" Landra asked motioning for Dairren to sit down.
"No Aedan is to stay here, although, he's been a bit unruly about going as well," Eleanor answered, Sara noticing a worried look cross her Mother's face as she glanced down the path that led to the main hall, where Sara knew, if she were to go look, it would be where Bryce would be discussing travel plans. The date of their departure had slowly marched closer, now that it was near the tension in the castle could be felt throughout it. As Sara passed guards stationed, they would be talking about the journey and wondering how bad it was or just how grotesque the darkspawn actually were. Sara had only seen pictures drawn by artists depicting ancient battles between darkspawn and Grey Wardens, but all that seemed fairytale until the latest uprising. It was all Aedan and Ser Gilmore talked about, but neither of them were going with Father and Fergus, Bryce had always treated Ser Gilmore like another son and since he was the same age as Aedan he didn't select him to join the men that would be leaving.
"Lady Eleanor," an old guardsman said as he stepped around the corner into the tiny atrium.
"Yes?" Eleanor said as he bowed his head and removed his helmet.
"Arl Rendon Howe has just arrived early and insists that Teyrn Loghain and King Cailan can no longer wait for Arl Eamon and Bryce's aid."
"Has something happened?" Eleanor asked standing up. Sara's heart leapt, there was to be a formal dinner before their morning send off.
"Just wanting a strong final push my Lady," he answered bowing again, "he asks that you send for Fergus since he will be leading them."
"Fergus is with Oriana and Oren," Eleanor said glancing around the atrium for a maid servant. "Sara will see to Fergus, won't you Sara?"
"Yes Mother," Sara answered, "when will Fergus need to leave?"
"This evening Miss, Bryce is to wait for word on Eamon, he's been late in correspondence," the guardsmen said, then gave another quick bow and left the atrium to return to the main hall.
"Dairren go with her," Landra ordered, "and where is that girl with the tea?"
"I can find Fergus' room," Sara countered and she turned and hurried back up the sloping cobblestone floor in the direction of the tower where Fergus' family slept.
Fergus had been comforting Oriana ever since the decision was made to send aid to King Cailan weeks ago. Oren, their son, had started to catch on that this journey was larger than what had taken Fergus away from them in the past. He was still easier to convince than Oriana. Oriana was the daughter of rich Antivan traders, their relationship started out as an arranged marriage, but Sara had always liked her, she was a warm hearted mother and Fergus was crazy about her.
When Sara arrived at the room she overheard Fergus telling Oriana the news, that he would be leaving ahead of Bryce and Arl Eamon's men, leading the Cousland army early. Sara rolled her eyes, breathing heavier and more deeply than the corset allowed, she knew better than to go rushing off, that even in a castle fortress this size news traveled fast. Finally knocking, Sara entered the room. Oriana wiped tears away with her lace trimmed handkerchief before placing it back into her pocket. Oren was playing with Fergus' hunting dagger, sitting on the floor trying to cut through leather reins on a toy horse and knight.
"Well 'lo there little sister," Fergus greeted beckoning Sara to enter the room.
"Stop that Oren," Oriana said, "Fergus, I told you not to let him play with your knives."
"You worry too much," Fergus countered offering Oriana a smile, but she kneeled down and carefully removed the dagger from Oren's grip, with only a small fight.
"I was to tell you that you were leaving this evening," Sara said trying to force her breathing back to normal, "but apparently someone beat me to it."
"I overheard the conversation and came up here to tell Oriana," Fergus said, "I had just arrived not long before you."
"Do you think something is wrong?" Sara asked, trying to keep Oren out of the conversation, the three adults moved closer together.
"No, we all know Loghain hates taking orders from his younger son-in-law King," Fergus countered patting Oriana on the shoulder. "Wants more old men like Father and Eamon down there so he can talk strategy to men that will listen to it."
"You shouldn't say that about the King," Oriana whispered smiling. Fergus was the same age as King Cailan, he was also in line to take over Teyrnship after Bryce, who was planning to step aside in the next few years, already allowing Fergus to lead and command the men. Most people did share Fergus' thoughts on the King though, that he was too young when he took the crown. That he lived for grandeur instead of real tactical leadership. Over the years, Teyrn Loghain had been more of a presence at the king's side.
"Fergus," Eleanor said as she entered, her eye make-up was streaking down her face. Out of the presence of Lady Landra, she allowed her emotions to wash over her.
"I still wish I could join you Fergus," Aedan said as he shuffled past his mother, he slammed his hand hard against Fergus' shoulder causing him to grunt. Aedan was the most imposing physically standing a head taller than Fergus with a wider muscular frame.
"Someone has to take care of Sara and Mother," Fergus said, "and of course my lovely wife and son."
"Oh you know they can get on without us, better really," Aedan countered, "when they're not all crying over you, Mother at least pretend he isn't your favorite."
"Stop hassling your mother, Aedan," Bryce ordered as he too entered the bedroom, making it seem smaller than it actually was. Sara reached up and felt that her own cheeks were wet and streaked with tears, she hadn't really realized she was crying. This wasn't the first time that Fergus and her father were rushing off to lend aid, being Teyrns, it was expected of them to aid the King first and then lower ranking noble families when needed.
"I'll be fine," Fergus said, "the way Cailan's reports write there is hardly anything to do."
"We'll drive those darkspawn back into their underground holes and be back before too long," Bryce added, but his smile was tighter as he held Eleanor in one arm and patted Fergus' arm with his free hand. "Now come along everyone, let Fergus finish saying goodbye to his wife, I have something to discuss with the rest of you."
After having to gently pry Eleanor off of Fergus, Bryce led the other Couslands out of the room and into the hall. Aedan and Sara's bedrooms were also in this tower.
"Eleanor see to Oren, remember Oriana worried herself into an illness the last time Fergus had to leave," Bryce whispered and Eleanor nodded. "Sara, with me and Fergus away Eleanor will have to take care of important business, so you keep Nan and the elves in line."
"Father I want to go," Aedan interrupted when Bryce's gaze fell on him. "Ser Gilmore and I were talking earlier and we're just as skilled as Fergus, men younger than us…"
"I'll not hear this again," Bryce counter, but offered Aedan a small smile, "you and Ser Gilmore are to keep the remaining guard in line, some of them will try to take advantage of my absence. There is also a Grey Warden by the name of Duncan, just arrived looking for reinforcements, do not let him convince you of joining, I already told him no."
"I'm old enough to make some decisions for myself, father," Aedan countered crossing his arms. "I'm only two years younger than Fergus."
"A Grey Warden's life isn't a life for people like us," Bryce argued, "their lone mission is to rid the world of Darkspawn. You have expectations to uphold, you all do."
"To be in Fergus' shadow," Aedan grunted frowning when Eleanor gasped.
"Now let's stop this bickering, our time with Fergus is a lot shorter than we expected," Eleanor said, her voice quivering, "and so I want all this to stop, no more, you hear me?"
"Yes Mother," Aedan said a blush creeping across his face.
"Now I need to go tell Nan to prepare for a lighter supper," Eleanor said and she stepped around everyone else in the hallway and disappeared around the corner.
"Arl Howe and I need to discuss some things, then I'll need to see him off," Bryce said, in a tone that was final when Aedan began to speak. "Go find Duncan, show him to a guest lodging and no talk of joining his Wardens it will break your mother's heart."
"Of course Father," Aedan said to the back of Bryce's retreating figure and he too disappeared down the corridor to the main parts of the castle.
"Want to go meet this Duncan?" Aedan asked glancing at Sara.
"Better than being married off to Dairren now that my guard is down," Sara answered causing Aedan to laugh.
"I doubt anyone would have you," Aedan joked elbowing Sara, which knocked her into the stone wall. "Every man by now has heard you're a little ankle breaker."
"I didn't break his ankle," Sara countered, "didn't even leave a bruise, I don't think."
"The boy limped the rest of the time they visited, Sara," Aedan countered, "you could have been the boy's ruining."
"Yes well, if Dairren is all there is out there for me," Sara said, then let out a sigh, "maybe that's all there is."
"Neither one of us looking forward to those glory days," Aedan said, "at least you're not going to be Fergus' errand boy."
"You know Fergus wouldn't do that, he'll honor you somehow," Sara said, "but me, if Mother doesn't marry me off I'll be Nan!"
"You are starting to act like the grumpy old toad," Aedan said, "of course some of that had to rub off on you, she did take care of you more than she did Fergus and I."
"That's because you and Fergus were allowed to follow Father around when you weren't in your lessons all I had after was Nan, to practice sewing, reading, harp playing..."
"And of course Mother taught you how to fight," Aedan whispered as they began to search the castle for Duncan, Bryce hadn't told them exactly where he was.
"Where is this Duncan anyway?" Sara asked changing the subject. She didn't like that people knew about her training, of course her brothers would, and Nahli, because she would be the one getting her ready for the night time instruction. Aedan shrugged as they turned the corner, but he soon stopped with Sara taking a few strides more before she did as well. Duncan was talking to Ser Gilmore at his guard station just outside the weapons' room. When Ser Gilmore saw them, Duncan stopped talking and looked towards them as well.
"Sorry to interrupt Ser Gilmore and you must be Duncan," Aedan said recovering before Sara and stepped around her to shake his hand. Duncan tipped his head as he shook Aedan's hand then let it drop.
"And you must be Bryce's son Aedan," Duncan said seemingly measuring Aedan as he took in his muscular frame.
"I was just telling Duncan about you," Ser Gilmore said smiling his eyes scanning the hall fell on Sara, "and hello Sara."
"Hello Ser Gilmore," Sara greeted then Duncan looked at her with the same measuring look he gave Aedan, which made Sara feel awkward and wondered if Duncan had made Aedan feel that way too.
"Teyrn Bryce gave me permission to scout the guardsmen for possible recruits, he pointed out Ser Gilmore specifically," Duncan said and Sara turned to see Aedan's expression darken.
"I was just telling Duncan that I may join him later, but I'd rather stand by here until Fergus and your father return," Ser Gilmore said, "just to write when he was in need of me."
"Although loyal as you are Ser Gilmore," Duncan said turning back to him, "I must insist you leave with me tomorrow if you are wanting to join. I'm due to return to Ostagar."
"Gilmore, I've been left in charge of the guardsmen," Aedan countered, "if Father recommended you, go. It was done in high praise."
"It just doesn't feel right leaving my post, seems my place to stay here since I wasn't selected to join Fergus' men," Ser Gilmore countered, but Sara watched as Ser Gilmore seemed to battle with the two ideas. Ser Gilmore was young, but handsome, truly loyal. Part of Sara had always been fond of him, he was the kinder and gentler of the inseparable duo. He also never bowed, called her miss, or ask Bryce for permission to begin courtship, as far as she knew. That same part had her thinking that maybe she would have been fine if he had. He was just a knight though, although higher ranked than most his age. He had been stationed at Cousland Castle through his apprenticeship and had grown up with the Cousland children, although at a respectable distance from her.
"Gilmore, don't pass this up, you're not tied down to family," Aedan said, "do it now when you have freedom enough to make that choice."
"Alright, it's settled then," Ser Gilmore said setting his shoulders, "Duncan, I accept your offer."
"Good, I'll leave you to gather your belongings," Duncan said and Ser Gilmore left his post in front of the weapons room to go to the barracks where he stayed.
"Thank you, Aedan," Duncan said turning to Aedan. Sara had back tracked the few steps that separated them and stood next to her brother. She came up to his shoulder. "Although your father never would have allowed it, I was actually hoping to recruit you as well."
"I had the feeling," Aedan said not hiding his displeasure of having to listen to his father and turn down the opportunity to escape Fergus' shadow. Leave the Castle behind, at least, for a short time and do something exciting with his life before he too would be expected to settle down with a wife and children.
"Duncan," Sara said after a silence fell around them, looking at Aedan knowing that his mind was on battles and glory instead of what their Father told him to do. "We're to show you to the guest quarters, if you'll come with us."
"Thank you," Duncan said giving Sara a warm smile.
They walked in silence down stone hallways to one of the many guest lodging areas the castle provided. Knowing Landra, Dairren, and Iona were somewhere around here as well Sara hoped Eleanore hadn't put them into the best rooms, thinking Duncan, although battleworn and a bit dirty from his traveling seemed more worthy for the finer rooms. But not to her surprise Duncan turned down the finer rooms, wanting more privacy, and to be out of the way. He chose a small room that Sara hoped had at least been cleaned recently.
"I'll send Nahli to fetch you for supper," Sara said and she elbowed Aedan as she turned to leave, knowing her brother wanted to stay there and talk to Duncan, but he didn't seem like the sort that liked talking about wild tales of the Grey Wardens. They were a small order and most of what was known about them were told to them by their tutor. Aedan left her side when they walked out of the guest quarters, mumbling something to her as he rushed past her. She sighed, but was thankful that her father had forced him to stay.
The rest of the evening Sara's mind would race away with her. Thinking of Fergus leaving shortly after supper started, after he quickly ate. Oriana followed him out of the room with Oren crying, clutching her dress tail. She watched as Bryce took hold of Eleanor's hand when she too made to stand and leave the room. Sara also had to ignore Landra's half-drunken jabs about marriage and fears of becoming a lonely old spinster hag.
She was relieved to be alone in her bedroom. That seemed to be when her mind slowed down and let her catch up enough to cry over Fergus' departure, knowing she'll be saying goodbye to Father in the coming days as well, once Arl Eamon's men arrived. She had just began to fall asleep when a muffled crash and a scream issued from the room next door.
"Nahli?" Sara whispered, but her room was empty. She sat up when another crash was heard outside of her bedroom door.
"Open the door Sara, quickly!" Eleanore ordered and Sara's heart began to hammer as she walked around her four poster bed, the cold stone floor causing her to wince as she made for the door and pulled it open. Eleanore rushed in, knocking Sara aside and closed the door behind her.
"What's the matter?" Sara asked rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes, when she examined her mother more closely she saw that she was wearing a light armor, the armor she trained Sara to fight in at night.
"The Castle is under attack!" Eleanore answered, "Now get your armor on, your weapons, quickly!"
"Who is attacking the castle?" Sara asked as she opened her trunk and pulled out her own light armor. She only looked at it not really knowing how to put it on, it was always Nahli that helped her and she never really cared enough to learn how to do it herself. Noticing Sara's hesitation Eleanore dropped her bow onto Sara's bed and grabbed the armor from her and started shoving it over Sara's head and pulling the leather armored trousers on over her night dress.
"Your bow and your war axes," Eleanor instructed as she grabbed her own bow.
"Mother please," Sara started, but Eleanor whirled back around to face her.
"Do not hesitate out there, as soon as you see that they aren't our guards you take the shot," Eleanor said, "to kill."
Sara had trouble swallowing, her hands clammy and her mouth dry. She saw the fear mingling with the determination in Eleanor's eyes and only nodded. Then she suddenly thought of everyone else, why hadn't they come with her?
"Where's Father, Aedan, Oriana.."
"I don't know!" Eleanor interrupted, "we'll check on Oriana and Oren, they're right next door, I sent Aedan to look for Bryce."
"You've not seen him?" Sara asked as Eleanor opened the bedroom door, arrow strung in the bow ready to shoot. When the hallway was clear and quiet they stepped into it and Sara looked around to see crumpled bodies on the floor. She walked over to a younger looking man, her heart nearly stopping until she saw that it wasn't anyone that she recognized. What she did see though, made her gasp. "Howe's men, look."
"Howe's men?" Eleanor said and she knelt beside another dead soldier on the floor.
"Why would his men attack the castle?" Sara asked, but Eleanor was already sprinting towards Fergus' bedroom. The door was cracked open with the faint light from the nighttime fire coming through. Sara caught up to her just as Eleanore pushed the door open. Eleanor's knees buckled when she saw the crumpled figures on the floor.
"They've killed Oren," Eleanor whispered looking at the small boy's body. Sara couldn't bring herself to look again. "They're going to kill us all."
"We have to go," Sara said, her own eyes clouded with tears, she blinked letting them free to streak down her face.
It was then she heard heavily armored men running up the corridor towards them. Eleanor stood and drew her bow. When they turned the corner and the distinctive crest of Arl Howe's men became visible Eleanor shot an arrow, it struck the first man just between chestplate and helm, striking his neck he staggered to one knee, then fell to the floor.
"Sara!" Eleanor yelled, as she let another arrow loose, Sara had frozen and had nearly been killed by one of Howe's archers now standing at the edge of the corridor. Sara ducked another arrow then bent low as she rushed the two men left standing. When she was within a few yards she stood and let one of her waraxes fly through the air. She had never thrown one at another living thing, only at wooden targets set up by the kitchen elves after they had finished cleaning from the nights' suppers. Eleanor put an arrow through the chest of the archer as Sara watched as her hatchet buried itself into the armor of the soldier. He grunted, but only stumbled, blood streaming out of the cut, he made to turn away and retreat, but Sara felt her anger propel her after the man and he never saw her coming as she raised the other hatchet and sliced through the back of his neck. The man let out a short gurgling scream before he fell forward. Sara didn't look at the man's face as she rolled him over and retrieved the hatchet she had thrown.
"Miss Sara!" Nahli screamed from the bottom of a corridor as she raced up to meet them. Iona and a young male elf were with her. "The castle has gone mad, Howe's men!"
"We know," Eleanor said, "can you make it to the kitchen?"
"We just come from the library My Lady," Nahli said and they all looked around when a crash came from somewhere deeper into the castle.
"Make your way to the kitchen, you must know of the secret passage through the larder?" Eleanor said as she reached for an arrow, a second crashing noise echoed off the castle walls, this one closer.
"Yes, My Lady," Nahli said, "I can't leave you…"
"Do it," Sara interrupted, "you have to, you can't fight, you've not been properly trained!"
"You're out numbered, they've taken the castle!" Nahli screamed, "They've killed Dairren and Lady Landra, we were in the library playing cards when the attacks started."
"Go through the passageway in the larder," Eleanor said, "that's an order, we need someone to, to get through it, please."
"My Lady, Miss, be careful," Nahli said relenting and the three elves turned back into the shadows.
"I hope they make it," Eleanor whispered as she led the way down the corridor and straight towards the Main Hall. "The Main Hall is where Bryce and Aedan would be."
When they arrived they found Ser Gilmore and a few guardsmen barricading the main entrance, but the large doors were already cracking and splintering and neither Bryce nor Aedan were in the room. Sara looked around for her tutor, and for the Chantry mother, or Nan, no one had made it to the Main Hall entrance.
"Ser Gilmore!" Sara yelled, causing Ser Gilmore to turn and leave the barricade.
"What are you doing here!" Ser Gilmore yelled over the booming noise on the other side of the large wooden doors. "I've just sent Aedan to find you."
"Have you seen Bryce?" Eleanor asked and Ser Gilmore looked down, shaking his head.
"He stayed up late with Arl Howe," Ser Gilmore answered and Eleanor gasped.
"Come with us," Sara said, "leave the door, we can fight our way through."
"They've surrounded us Sara," Ser Gilmore argued, "all the known passages are blocked, we're completely out numbered. You have to find another way."
"The larder passage," Eleanor repeated, "if Bryce couldn't find me, that's where he'd know to go."
"Please Gilmore," Sara pleaded her voice barely over a whisper, but he looked at her for a few moments before he bowed and returned to the barricade as another attack on the doors caused a large splintering chunk to fall to the ground. Sara could see lights from burning torches through the cracks. The doors wouldn't hold much longer. He didn't turn to watch as the two women left the Main Hall towards the kitchen a few corridors away, but it was quiet, most of the fighting was now above them.
In the kitchen another horror awaited them as they saw Nan surrounded by a few of the elven servants, but none of them were Iona, Nahli, or the one Sara couldn't name. It seemed that none of them even had time to grab knives still laying out on the tables. They had all died where they sat, probably polishing what was left of the silver.
When they stepped through the larder they saw Aedan knelt down blocking their view. Eleanor and Sara rushed to his side, where they found Bryce, his head supported by Aedan's hand. He looked at them, smiling briefly.
"Where's Oriana and little Oren?" Bryce asked, but Eleanor couldn't answer him, as she opened her mouth only sobs escaped.
"They didn't make it out of their bedroom," Sara answered blinking away another wave of tears.
"Mother, Father won't stand he says he can't, if anyone can make him it's you," Aedan said looking over his shoulder to glance at Eleanore.
"You have to Bryce, it's not much farther and we're free," Eleanor said, "we'll help you, we'll make it out."
"I won't," Bryce said, his voice raspy and a small amount of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Seeing that, Aedan looked away, burying his head into his shoulder, still supporting his father's head in his hands. "I don't think I can survive the standing."
"Don't be silly," Eleanor countered reaching out and grabbing Bryce, she made to force him to his feet, but Bryce grimaced, his eyes going vacant with pain.
"I won't make it," Bryce whispered, "but you three go, tell Fergus, give him my love. They have us surrounded this is the only passage through."
"The Teryn is right," a voice sounded from behind them, causing them all to whirl. Duncan stood there covered in blood breathing heavily. "The Main Hall entrance has been breached, we have to move now."
"Go on, leave me here," Bryce pleaded looking at each of us, he seemed to be weakening more quickly now as more blood began to drip from the corner of his mouth. "Duncan see that they stay safe."
"I will, but I must ask something in return," Duncan said and Bryce nodded seeming to understand what that would be.
"Go with Duncan, Aedan, Sara," Eleanor said, "I'll stay with Bryce, hold them off when they find the larder, they'll find the passageway."
"Mother, no," Sara said, but Eleanor had already turned her back on them, preparing to fire her bow at the next person that entered the larder. The next thing Sara knew, a pair of strong arms grabbed and dragged her through the darkened passageway and didn't let go until they were breathing fresh air. The passageway exited right beside the stables. There was no sign of the elves, but she noticed two of the horses were missing as Duncan and Aedan readied the other horses.
"She'll ride with me," Aedan said when Duncan began to ready a third horse, "she's never really ridden."
"I'm deathly afraid of horses," Sara said through her shock as Aedan mounted his sturdy black stallion then offered his hand to Sara, they both struggled until she was sitting behind him with her arms wrapped tightly around him. Duncan and Aedan jammed their heels into the sides of the horses and they sped off into the night, leaving the burning Cousland Castle behind them.