Dragon Age, A retold story.

Disclaimer, I own nothing except for the characters I created, everything else is the exclusive property of Bioware.

Nolan Mac Tir sat below a large canopy that protected his map table from the rain that had been falling for the past day and showed no sign of stopping. He was leading a camp of soldiers about three miles south of the main camp at Ostagar. Nolan was a tall and well-built man who had recently passed his twenty fifth naming day only a month before.

He was queen Anora's younger brother by close to five winters. Their mother had died not long after he was born due to health complications after his birth, and a lack of a healer resulted on tragedy. His father had raised him and Anora himself with little help beside what he knew he couldn't provide. Five years ago his sister had married king Cailan and became queen of Ferelden. The marriage had yet to produce any heirs.

Nolan worried at the rumors being spread that the queen was barren as a punishment for putting a commoner on the throne.

"Captain Mac tir are you alright?" Nolan was quickly snapped out of his thoughts and looked to find the speaker. The one he found was one of his lieutenants, Marian Hawke. Hawke was tall by comparison to most Ferelden woman but still shorter then Nolan. She had black hair that was slightly longer in the front than back. Possibly the most defining parts of her looks were her emerald green eyes and the red mark that spread across her face that she had painted on herself to add a look of intimidation. This look worked well, as when combined with her fighting skill, the men often gave only the greatest respect.

"Hawke do you have anything to report?" Nolan asked, turning to face her. "One of the pickets said they saw movement to the south. It's more than likely darkspawn."

"Are they coming this way?"

"According to our scouts, there is a good chance they are."

Nolan turned back to the map table and began to think. "Send word to the men to prepare for a possible engagement with the darkspawn. Tell the officers to report here as soon as possible!"

"Yes Ser" Marian said with a salute. She then went to carry out her orders. Nolan continued to stare at the map of the wilds he had so far compiled. He then began to trace the possible routes the darkspawn could use to attack the camp. The camp was on a hill where the only smooth approach was to the north, leading to Ostagar. 'One of the main reasons I chose this spot was the fact that any attack from the south would be nothing short of suicide.' He picked up a quill and began to write a message on a blank piece of paper:

"Have engaged darkspawn three miles south of Ostagar. Recommend preparation for further attacks.

Captain Nolan Mac tir, commander of the camp Watchful Gaze." Nolan read this to himself twice, than wrote a copy of it, before calling over a messenger. "If we are attacked by the darkspawn, you are to take this to Ostagar as quickly as you can. Take this copy of the message and give the same directions to another courier understood?"

"Yes Ser!"

"Good!" Nolan stepped out of the tents protection and felt the rain land softly on his face which, despite the cold air, felt good in a way he was never able to describe. He then returned to the table and began to wait for the other officers to arrive. After about five minutes they had all arrived.

The oldest one of all of them was Donnellson, a tried and true veteran of the Ferelden revolution against Orlais. Donnellson had served with Nolan's father, but had declined an offer to take command of the camp, as he felt he served more successfully as a unit commander under someone else. Next to Donnellson, though roughly a foot shorter, Marian and her younger brother Carver, who had both proven to be effective commanders, but this would be Carver's first real battle as a unit commander, and Nolan could see the nervous excitement on his face.

And lastly was Trenton, who proved to be one of the greatest non-Dalish archers that Nolan or his father ever met. Nolan had placed him in charge of training the archers and he also commanded the bulk of them. Nolan was proud to have him and his soldiers, since much of the coming battle would likely be at range. Nolan began to address his officers.

"I'm glad you all came so quickly. Have you all heard the news of the approaching darkspawn?" They all responded with a silent nod, "then you know what must be done. Trenton, you will take your archers and spread out along the front line, with fifty men in reserve…" Trenton nodded "… Marian, you will be at the extreme left, and connect with Trenton and form into a hook along the crest of the hill." Marian looked at where Nolan was pointing with his fingers and nodded. Nolan then traced a similar hook shaped line on the opposite flank. "Carver, you will be in charge of defending the extreme right of the flank and form a mirror image of the left, I expect more darkspawn on your front so make sure you're ready." Carver nodded and the look of nervous excitement seemed to increase. "Donnellson, you will take the remaining men and make sure the camp is prepared for a retreat to Ostagar, as this may be the head of the hoard we are facing, we will need the wounded and the supplies ready to move quickly. Any men not dedicated to preparation for retreat will be in the reserve lines to give support to any of the front lines that require aid! That's three hundred men on the frontline from flank to flank, one hundred men in reserve, and one hundred for preparing the camp. Any questions?" No one said a thing. "Then move out! And may the Maker watch over us all."

The officers all nodded and went to carry out their orders. Nolan looked to the sky and saw that the rain was slowing down. 'Perhaps the Maker has not forsaken us after all' Nolan thought before going out to prepare for the battle himself.