It would happen that way. Markov didn't really have any other way of explaining it other than a twisted fate pulled by the Maker. Markov was okay with that. He was fine with it.
But did they have to destroy his family in the process?
***
The oak doors swung open to the chamber, but it didn't distract his father from what he was saying. In front of his father, the man his father was speaking to, was Arl Howe.
A traitor.
A rodent.
A fucking rat.
Honestly, his father should have known, once a traitor, always a traitor. He looked like a fucking rat to begin with. He would act like one too.
There was a man standing beside his father, and Markov didn't recognize him. But there were rumours running around...
He joined his father and the rat. He was embraced and called pup.
Tears still run down his face. A slight grin, a broken grin, grows at the memory.
His father was leaving tomorrow, his older brother tonight, and he was leaving with the Howe's men. They were late.
Not late. They stayed behind. A plan. It was all part of the plan.
While his father was away he would be in control of Highever. Markov wanted to go battle with Father.
It was stupid. HE was stupid. His Father always babied him. He was just trying to keep his youngest son safe.
Marriage was brought up. Howe's daughter took after her Mother, thank the Maker, but that wasn't the Howe Markov was after. Nathaniel however...
How could he look Nathaniel in the face again? He took after his Father. Markov would only be able to see a traitor ever again.
The strange man was introduced. The rumours were right. Duncan. A grey warden. Looking for recruits. A chance to join something greater than just nobility.
Never mind. His father just went father wolf again.
It's funny. Looking back it. They say that Mothers are the ones that are protective of their children. His father looked like he wanted to take Duncan's head between his hands and remove it.
Markov was chased out, told to go help the solider get his hound from the kitchen, while his Father and the rat and the grey warden discussed war.
***
Furgus had chased the two elven kitchen servants out of the pantry. The poor things were so scared.
The poor things. Markov had slept with both of them. They were always scared of Furgus. The Maker had made it so clear to him. He just ignored the warnings.
The Cool was threatening to quit again. She always was. Markov and Fergus, his older brother, had always caused her trouble. Their Mother always managed to keep the cook on. She was a fierce woman.
Right up until she died in the blaze with the elves. Fighters until the end. All of them.
Markov went to grab his dog. There were rats in the cellar. Furgus had sniffed them out.
It was all so clear now. Right up to Furgus smelling rats.
The rats were dealt with. Furgus ate the carcasses. Chase out again by the cook, Markov went hunting for his Mother.
***
His Mother was talking to Bann Lorren's wife – Lady Landra – along with her lady in waiting, an elf, and her son Dairren, Father's squire. He was to ride out tomorrow.
Not all of them were rats.
His Mother brought up marriage too. Why were they trying to marry him off all the time? Both he and the Arl's daughter weren't interested in each other that way.
They pushed to have Markov say good bye to his brother before he left for war.
As if Markov wouldn't say good bye to his brother before he left.
He loves his brother.
His brother is still alive.
His brother was wishing his wife fair well when Markov found him. He may have been distracted by the elven lady in waiting and the scribe by inviting them to join him later in his chambers.
His brother told him to look after his wife and child while he was gone.
Markov promised to keep them safe. He promised not to let anything happen to them.
Oh Maker. He failed. He failed them all.
***
Furgus started barking and growling at the door. Both the elven lady and the scribe were trying to calm him down.
Markov left the bed and pulled Furgus away from the door. As soon as he did the door had burst open, arrows flying free from bows and piercing his two temporary lovers.
Furgus had pounced on one of the soldiers, his Mother, dressed in armor donning a bow and quiver.
Such brave fighters.
They checked on his sister-in-law and his nephew.
The poor things. Dragged out of bed and murdered.
He failed. He failed and his brother hasn't even been gone for a day.
Their home was burning around them.
They had to find his Father. They had to get him out.
Duncan had joined them.
They found his Father. He was bleeding. He was dying. He wouldn't make it out.
He told them to get out. His Mother refused to leave. She forced them to go.
***
He was on the horse beside Duncan, Furgus standing beside him. Duncan had ridden the horse he was on next to him.
"We will bring Arl Howe to justice Markov. I will see to it personally."
Markov nodded, not really paying attention to what the Grey Warden was saying.
"What do we do now?"
"We head to Denerim. We still have time before we head to Ostagar."
Duncan watched Markov for a few moments more before spurring the horse forward.
Markov watched his home burn.