Chapter 1 Fall of Highever
The plumes of smoke made it difficult for her to breathe as she ran through the halls of her home. Howe that treacherous bastard had betrayed her father and now she fought alongside her mother to reach his side. A small group of soldiers left behind, followed Faye's commands as they battled their way through. The bodies of men, women and children she knew lie strewn across the cold pavement like trash. Their bodies' torn open exposing bone and flesh. This was a massacre and the men involved enjoyed it.
"We must get to your father Faye!" Teyrna Cousland called out amidst the battle.
"Ser Gilmore said he was in the kitchen let's head that way." Faye marched her men around the corner only to find Howe's lieutenant.
"Well if it isn't pretty little Faye Cousland, it will be a pleasure removing your head my lady."
"Not before I remove yours!" she snarled, gripping her family blade in one hand and her trusty dagger in the other. The lieutenant could not out maneuver her as she spun around him. Her blade sinking deep into the back of his neck. He gargled blood and spat covering some of his men with his blood. When she jerked her blade out and swung her other sword beheading him.
"Maker spit on you, you bastard." she snarled as her soldiers killed the other men.
"Let us go we must move quickly." Teyrna Cousland and Faye rushed into the kitchen to see poor Nan dead on the floor. Her heart ached at seeing her childhood nanny so. Vowing again, as she had so many times before, that Howe would pay and pay dearly. She opened the door to the larder to see her father mortally wounded.
"Maker's blood your bleeding" Elanore rushed to her husband's side.
"There you both are." he said his voice saturated in pain. He forced a smile, happy to see his wife and daughter one last time.
"Pup you must take your men and go, warn Fergus of Howe's treachery." he gasped his time was drawing close and he had so much he still wished to say. His blood had pooled around him and he felt so very cold. Faye knelt down tears flowing down her blood stained cheeks.
"NO I will get you out of here, the men can help..."Faye's brave front faltered. How could she leave her father behind, to end dying like this?
"Do as your father says I will stay behind and ensure you have enough time to escape." Her mother said firmly to her and Faye shook her head unable to speak.
"Elanore!" Bryce looked up at his wife in fear and love.
"Hush my love, I swore to defend you to the end do you remember my oath?" he nodded to tired to speak.
"Good do as I say my daughter, live and bring vengeance upon Howe and his family!" She stood up and hugged her daughter.
"I love you both so much..." Faye's voice faltered.
"We love you dear now go, I can hear the front gates breaking, run my girl!"
With a forceful shove she pushed Faye through the secret tunnel. The men followed but first saying their goodbyes to their beloved leaders as they left.
"Take care of our daughter Tanis." Bryce said looking at the older elf that nodded and placed his fist to his chest.
"You have my word."
Tanis quickly rushed the men through the tunnels, not wanting to waste any time. As they emerged he found Faye staring, her eyes empty watching her home be overtaken. He walked over to her and placed a gentle hand on her arm.
"We will take her back my lady." She blinked and looked down at him "Aye we will and it will be there blood that runs rivers on our stone."
"We should keep moving my lady the further we get the better."Tanis said looking around, judging the best path to take.
"Understood, lets gather the men we head to Ostagar I must warn Fergus." turning to leave they heard something rushing through the tunnels.
"Maker I didn't think they would get here so quick, Men arm yourselves!" Tanis shouted. When bursting from the tunnels a white Mabari.
"Brutus!" Faye shouted rushing to embrace her beloved war dog. "I thought they had gotten you boy." his whole body wagged happy to see his mistress again.
"That was close, come on men let's get moving." Tanis motioned and the men quickly gathered what supplies they grabbed along the way and began to move out.
Faye picked up the bag that she had packed several days ago. It had been in hopes of convincing her father to let her go with him to Ostagar. She had never gotten around to unpacking it, at least there was that. The stars lay brightly across the dark sky, the air was crisp and cool a perfect autumn night...or it would have been. Running a weary hand through her tangled dark hair, her golden green eyes burned to release the tears that hovered at the rim. She refused them, she would not cry not now. Brutus moved closer to her and she ran her fingertips over his soft fur. "Let's go boy."
They walked straight through the first two days. Even Tanis began to wear down from their breakneck pace. They stopped at a clearing and Tanis looked around. "This is a good place to set camp." The men grateful began unpacking. Tanis set orders as to who was to get the fire going and who would go hunting. He then turned his attention to Bryce Cousland's youngest; he remembered the day Bryce took him aside. "Look after my youngest Tanis, teach her to be strong, how to protect herself. How to lead." She had been seven then, a tomboy who enjoyed a good fight one minute and was running around screaming about pretty dresses the next. He smiled at his memories and looked over to her. He adored the heart shaped face and big green eyes that had followed him around for years, she became a daughter that he never had. The Teyrn may have fallen but he would see to it that she reclaimed what was rightfully hers.
"My Lady how are you faring." he asked as she walked towards him.
"I will be all right. I wish to check on the men." she said. He nodded, she had always believed in the importance of caring for those under her command. Even though she looked as if she might collapse any minute, he let her go knowing it would help her. He kept his eye on her though, watching as she stopped by the men, thanking them for fighting with her. Any who were wounded she would dig in her pack looking for potions or herbs to help them. This is why these men adore her and fight for her.
It didn't take long for a fire to be lit and the men to come back with wild goats on their shoulders. Faye had returned to her bedroll and laid down her arms around Brutus. Her gaze fell on the crackling fire, allowing it to hypnotize her and lull her into a dreamless sleep.
When the food had finished, one of the men asked Tanis if they should wake her and he shook his "No let her rest, she will need it."
Dawn broke and Tanis was looking over the map when he felt a familiar presence behind him. "Did you sleep well my lady?"
She sighed "As well as one can sleep on the cold ground I suppose, how far are we Tanis?" his fingers pointed to a spot.
"We are currently right about here and Ostagar..." he ran his fingers a ways "...is right here. I would say two to three days at the most."
"Good, the shorter the better, this whole affair with Howe makes me uneasy. There is more to this treachery I can feel it." her jaw was clenched as she looked about and then her stomach cried out angrily.
"I see you are need of some food we have some left over goat if you like." she shook her head.
"No I think I will just have some bread, thank you Tanis." he bowed.
"As you wish my lady."
Standing in front of the table where food had been laid out, Faye grabbed a few slices of bread with cheese. Then she took an already worked over leg and tossed it over to Brutus. He happily began gnawing at it.
"All right let's pull up camp!" she heard Tanis call and she smiled over at him. He always seemed to know what she was thinking and what she wanted sometimes before she even did.
Two and a half days, Tanis had been right. Walking with him towards the ancient site she saw a glint of golden armor then she caught sight of a Grey Warden and what looked like an elf.
"Maker what am I walking into." Faye mumbled.
The three men turned to look at her in surprise. Cailin his light blonde hair fell around his shoulders gentle blue eyes looked at her with curiosity. Next to him was a tall well built man around Tanis's age, a dark beard and hair tied back. A blue hoop earring hung in his ear. Then a young elf, short spiky black hair and piercing blue eyes were watching her with mild curiosity. He was handsome she thought for a second.
"Ho there are you not Bryce Cousland's youngest, Faye correct?" Cailin said in slight surprise. Faye quickly knelt "Yes your majesty I bring grave news...forgive me warden for the interruption." she glanced up at the man who smiled warmly at her.
"It is all right go ahead child."
"Howe has proven himself a traitor; he has slaughtered my people, my family and overtaken Highever Castle." Her voice quivered between sorrow and rage as she spoke.
Standing up Cailin saw the weariness and the pain in the young woman's face.
"He will not get away such treachery Lady Faye, once this is over I will send my armies north and deal with this myself." relief washed over her.
"Thank you my King." she bowed. "I am honored to know you will extend justice yourself. My commander Tanis and I are at your disposal. I have but a few men with me but they are the best. I was wondering my King...about my brother." a small hint of hope as she asked.
Cailin shifted uncomfortably hating to deliver bad news especially to a young woman who seemed desperate for something good. "I apologize my lady he is currently out scouting but I am sure you will see him after the battle. Please head inside you can station your men next to the greywardens and my tent."
It was considered a place of honor and Faye was surprised. "Thank you again My King." she bowed deeply.
As she walked into the huge encampment she glanced around. The fortress was old and well built a good place for a battle. Reaching the grey warden encampment she told her men to settle themselves a bit outside. They quickly began setting up camp. She took out her tent and began setting it up as well next to her men. They seemed surprised slightly, but then resumed what they were doing. When she finished she noticed that the warden had returned and next to him was a young man. He had short blonde hair, medium build with a wry smile on his face. She saw the older warden smile and shake his head.
Lost in thought, she never noticed Brutus digging in her pack until it was too late.
He pulled out a small figurine "Brutus don't you dare." she said and he jumped around playing.
"I'm warning you..." he took off and she shook her head."Maker that dog."
Chasing him around camp was getting tiring, when he finally ended up at the greywardens. Dropping his prize at the feet of a junior grey warden he panted happily at him.
"What is this?' he said looking down at the ground. Brutus nudged it over to him and sat down. He bent down and picked it up and smiled. "It's a miniature golem doll."
"Brutus!" he heard a young woman's voice as she finally caught up to her hound. "Damn you Brutus give him back."
"You mean this?" she looked up to see the young man smiling down at her holding her golem in his hand. "It's fine craftsmanship such attention to detail." he was turning it over in his hand.
"Thank you." Faye said unsure of what else to say.
"You made this?" he said in surprise.
"Yes, it's a hobby of mine I make miniature figurines and such..." she said realizing how incredibly pathetic that sounds.
"Fascinating so you have more of these?" he said sounding excited.
"I do...I did they are probably all destroyed now..." her voice choked up, she hadn't meant it to.
A look of concern crossed his face "What do you mean what happened..." he shifted his body causing her to look up at him.
"Arl Howe betrayed my father, Bryce Cousland...he took over the castle while most of our men were away he...he killed my parents and my family... I, I am sorry my burdens are not yours warden, forgive me." she tilted her head down forcing herself to stay calm.
"No, no it's all right and the name is Alistair." he said smiling softly at her.
"It is a pleasure Alistair my name is Faye." she held her hand out and he shook it firmly. "I better get back to my men they might start rushing around camp looking for me."
"Don't forget this." he said holding it out.
"Keep it, a thank you for not laughing at the fact that I create miniature dolls in my spare time." she said laughing slightly as she walked away.
Alistair's smile widened as he looked down at the doll and then back at her. She was nice...different than many of the nobles he had met and he had met plenty.
A messenger arrived "The Revered Mother wishes to see you."
"Maker what does the old bat want now." he growled.