Azalea Cousland paced the stone floor of her bedroom. Arl Howe was talking to her father downstairs, she had just left them. That asp of a man had the nerve to bring up his son, Thomas, yet again. Of course he did, she thought, everyone's had betrothal on their minds since I've come of age. Her own mother had warned her just the other day that she was running out of time. She would have to marry; otherwise she'd simply be stuck in this castle as the little sister of Bryce Cousland's heir. If she did that, then her entire future would rest on the shoulders of her elder brother, Fergus. There was no way she would inherit the position herself, her brother already had a son, Oren would be her brother's successor, and then she would be dependent on her nephew for support. She would spend her whole life either hoping that her brother outlives her or hoping that her nephew doesn't mind having her around. That was no way to live. No, she needed to secure a husband with a title in his own right if she was to have any kind of independence. The irony of this situation, she thought to herself amusedly, to secure a future independent of my brother I must give myself up to a man.
Now, who is my best option? Thomas Howe was out of the question. First, he was too young for her taste. Second, he was disgustingly similar to his father, whom she had absolutely no respect for. Third, there was no way Thomas Howe would let her have a hand in ruling the Arling of Amarathine, should he reign. Thomas Howe seemed to be in agreement with his father on the subject of women…that they should be focused on being beautiful and silent. What about Thomas's older brother, Nathaniel? Well, he was nice enough. And nothing like his father…which was always a plus. But, Arl Howe was naming Thomas as his successor, everyone knew Nathaniel didn't get along with his father. She needed someone next in line for power, if she was to have any herself. Also, his being in the Free Marches didn't help.
Then there was the Arl of Denerim's son, Vaughan. But there were whispers of his treatment of the elven women who worked in the palace, as well as those living in the Denerim alienage. She could not give herself to such a despicable man. No, it was completely out of the question. Even her mother, who had been pushing her to marry, would not suggest her daughter marry a rapist.
That left the Banns. Now, being married to a Bann wouldn't grant her as much power as an Arl, but it was better than nothing. Let's see…well, Bann Teagan is still unmarried, she thought, and he is a good man. Then again, he had next to no land of his own, he pretty much just assisted Arl Eamon with ruling Redcliffe. Also…there was no way she would be able to take being around Isolde, Arl Eamon's Orlesian-born wife. That woman was a complete and utter bitch.
Who else, she racked her brain, who else is an option? She remembered Lady Landra's drunken ramblings at the last party they were at together. The woman had spent half the evening leaning on her and asking her, repeatedly, if she would marry her son, Dairren. Come to think of it, Dairren is a pretty good option for me. He's well-read, and kind. And he's next in line to rule his father's lands, even if he is just a squire right now. He was a man who would listen to his wife's advice in ruling his lands, unlike a lot of the other nobles who had chauvinistic leanings. Plus he's had a crush on me since we were kids, it's not as if he would be difficult to secure as a match. There was only one problem. Dairren's father, Bann Loren, though he had quite a bit of land, was still a Bann. And although her mother was quite close with the family-Eleanor Cousland and Lady Landra were best friends-their status prevented them from making the first move. If an arrangement was going to be made, it would have to come from her family's end. If she wanted it to go her way, it was going to have to come from her. Azalea hated formalities, and if she asked her mother to offer her hand to Dairren, as tradition dictated, it would just make both families uncomfortable, especially after his mother's drunken behavior as of late.
Azalea sighed deeply and looked at herself in the mirror. I can't believe I'm doing this. Just like that, I'm handing over my life, she thought. She would have to approach Dairren herself. Lady Landra and Dairren were staying with them tonight; she could take advantage of their visit to propose to him. If she did it right, he would accept readily and they could bring the matter to their parents forthwith. I might even get some fun out of this. I could use some excitement.
She took a deep breath and started to head downstairs to the library. That's where Dairren would most likely be, he was an avid reader. As she walked through the hallway, she was met by her faithful Mabari wardog. He was barking and bouncing up and down excitedly. No doubt he was hoping she was heading out for a hunting excursion. "Sorry boy," She said with a smile, "You can't come with me on this hunting trip. This particular quarry is not what you're used to."