Dragon 9:24, 4th Bloomingtide

'Andraste's flaming ass! You're hell of an imbecile!' wild shouts startled Teyrn Bryce Cousland and Arl Rendon Howe while they were inspecting stables. 'One more time and I'll cut your balls and feed them to Sahra, mark my words!' They rushed to gate only to see company of Teyrn men entering castle ground. They reached soldiers when pair of youngsters came by gate arguing about something. That was daughter of Teyrn Bryce, an heir to the Highever Teyrnir, Mahria, and eldest son of Arl Rendon, heir to the Arling of Amaranthine.

'They're at it again…' Arl stated with stern look.

'Ugh… and you were talking about them getting married. They would kill each other before wedding night, I wager.' Teyrn look at youngsters disheartened. 'I tell you, Rendon, they need to grow up. We have to wait.'

'That may be so.' Arl exhaled heavily.

'Mahria! Nathaniel!' Teyrn Bryce yelled. 'Come here right now!' He got out of the stables and send furious glare at both of young ones. That was like bucket of cold water on those two hot-heads. They shut and looked at themselves terrified. They didn't noticed their fathers due to fuss, but that was over. Both heirs lowered their heads and approached upset fathers. 'What's going on again? It's fourth time you argue. Not to mention that Arl Rendon and Nathaniel are here for three days.' Mahria stepped to her father, feeling shame on here.

'I'm sorry Pa, but Nate's interfering in my duties. He came with me for a patrol only to make me furious I bet. I spotted those bandits I told you earlier… and wanted to chase them… but noooo! Nate had to make a heroic stand by stopping me and they got away.' Mahria clenched her fists in anger.

'Didn't I told you to not engage in battles with those bandits? What if something would happened to you? You mother would kill me instantly.' Teyrn crossed his arms and looked angrily on his child. 'I thank you Nathaniel. You took one problem off my back.'

'No pro-' Nathaniel started but Mahria just put her hand on his face and pushed him.

'Shut it, … Pa, don't start over again. With our soldiers I successfully caught several groups of smugglers and bandits. I need to use my skills on someone not only dummies.' She frown at her father and continued 'I don't care what you say, if I am to inherit Highever some day I need to protect it from the start.'

'Mahria, you shouldn't endanger yourself… it would it better if Nathaniel took those patrols.' Arl Rendon backed up both Bryce and his son. It was his greatest hope to marry his son to Mahrie. Not only his family would be elevated in noble hierarchy, but his son would get finest woman in Ferelden.

'Arl Howe, please, I'm not suited to layabout and knit… I'm far better with sword, shield and bow than needle… beside I won't be caged… and I'm not fragile!' Mahria made final glance at men, turned on her heel and make her way to the castle with angry growl. She went straight to her room. Took her armor off and proceeded to bath. After she washed herself, she dressed in her casual dress. Her thought were circulating on her anger. "I can't understand why father is like that… nor Nathaniel… nor Arl… they see me only as a meek woman… when I could just score all of them… Andrastes flaming ass…' As she walked down the halls, brooding, she didn't noticed that Nathaniel had been walking behind her for a minute calling her.

'Mahria!' he started to yell. That was when she realised he was behind. 'Can we talk or you are really that offended that you won't talk to me for next century?'

'Oh, Nate… what are you doing here?' Mahria noticed him at last. 'I was caught in thoughts… didn't hear you… but maybe that's better… better than hearing your idiocies.' He gave her his 'stop-this-nonsense'look and sighed.

'Look, I'm sorry. I know you're far better warrior than me, no? I know I shouldn't be such an arse…" he paused for a moment, ashamed. 'I just wanted you to look at me. That's all.' And he looked in her eyes with this expectations again. 'He's at it again… why I had slept with him… Makers balls…' she thought to herself.

'Here, Nate… there's a thing… we're friends… rivals and friends to be accurate… but few night we spend together… it was wrong… I shouldn't… it was just… I dunno… a mistake, Nate.' She gave him sincere look. 'I don't want nothing more… not right now… maybe never. But I love you in a way… like a friend. Don't spoil it.' She bring her closer to Nathaniel to kiss him in a cheek.

'Eh… I understand. You told me this so many times… I just... never mind. Anyway.' He chased away all signs of bitterness. 'The thing is that your father is calling you to dining hall. Let's go' They turned and went to dining hall. But when they approached door to the hall, Mahria overheard her parents argue over her so she stopped and hold Nathaniel as well.

'Wait, Nate… I want to hear it.'

'I told you many times, Eleonora… she was born that way! What can I do? She was born a warrior… not a lady… It's in her blood. Both in your and my lineage you can find the best woman warriors of Ferelden… or maybe even Thedas.' Teryn stopped for a second to catch an air. 'Should I remind you of other branch of your family… Guerrins… Queen Rowan?'

'Oh, don't bring her up again…' Teyrna Eleonora sighed. ' I know. I know that. As I know that for two years King Maric always state to you how Mahria is similar to Rowan.' Mahria blushed at the statement. She overheard once, as king said so. She saw her twice, but it was long ago, when she was six or seven, so she doesn't remember her well. And in 9:8 Dragon Queen died from an illnes so Mahria hadn't seen here anymore. But according to her paintings in Denerim, they were really similar, indeed. Only one thing they wasn't sharing - eyes. While Rowan's eyes were gray, Mahria's were white and glowing, like snow in sunny winter day.

'And you as well, my dear, you were battle maiden. As I recall you were fierce one.' Teyrn chuckled. 'Let our Pup be. Or we can use our dungeon and shackles if you want.'

'Stop jesting, Husband.' Teyrna growled. 'Eh, I'm losing this war… aren't I?'

'Yes, utterly.' Teyrn stated and ended their argument. Mahria heard what she wanted to, with smirk of victory she looked at Nathaniel.

'Now I show you, cocks of Ferelden, just you see.' She mumbled quietly. Shocked Nathaniel gasped in dismay after hearing that. 'No time to waste, Nate. Open the damned door for a Lady.' Mahria added with a smirk. 'Mother, Father, Nate said that you called for me.' Nate and Mahria entered the dining hall and approached Teyrns and Arl Rendon.

'Pup, I have announcement.' Teyrn Bryce turned to her daughter. 'In a week we will have guests… royal guests. So try to behave.'

'I always behave, father, I won't disappoint you. Or I'll try to if Nate won't try to make me nervous.' She pat Nate on the arm with a smirk. 'Sorry, I jest, really I'll be a lady as my beloved mother want me to be.' She walked toward her mother and gave her hug and kissed her cheek.

'Eh. My beloved daughter. Don't try to flatter or fool me. I know you too well. I don't even hope you'll wear a proper dress.' Teyrna brushed Mahria hair and smiled to her. 'Anyway King Maric is coming to our castle, as well as Prince Cailan. Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir and Anora will come as well.'

'I'm so happy to see Anora. We haven't speak for six month now. We only exchanged letters.' Woman smiled. 'May I see them on the road?'

'No, Pup. I'll go with Arl. There's no need you to go and show off.' Teyrn shook his head. 'Now you can go, we have preparations to be done. Off you go.'