Dragon Age
I slept soundly until Shianni's voice woke me "Cousin...Lendgan wake up". I rolled over and sat up "What is it?" She laughed slightly "Do you even know what today is?" I scratched my head "A wedding?" I knew what today was but I was not a morning person and Shianni's usual happy attitude was not helping "You're wedding" she cried exasperatedly. "Your father and I decided that you could use a little extra sleep but it's almost time for the ceremony" I nodded.
"I know I was just messing with you" she glared at me for a moment then shook her head "Fine be that way I will leave you to get ready". She walked away I shook my head Shianni was strong willed and headstrong sometimes it was a good thing other times it was a curse luckily it hadn't caused any harm yet. I sighed then stood and raked my fingers through my blood red hair pulling my hand away so I didn't pull on the braid that was in my hair. I went to the trunk that held what few things I had being an elf in the Alienage we didn't have much but we had each other and it always seemed to be enough. I quickly put on my wedding clothes they were beautiful to me but to a noble they probably would have looked like rags to a noble. I didn't care I had never much cared for what the humans thought of me which was good for them and myself I suppose I tend to be hot headed. I placed my other clothes back in the trunk then went into the living room my father was standing there with his hands behind his back. "Ah Lendgan I see you are awake" I nodded
"Thanks to Shianni I am" He chuckled
"Yes she does have that kind of personality... oh how I wish your mother was here to see you she would have been so proud" I was quiet for a moment as I remembered my mother's kind face.
"Yes she would have"
"Oh and that reminds me the uh skills your mother taught you the knife fighting and such best keep that from your betrothed we don't want to seem like troublemakers" I scowled.
"She'll find out sooner or later"
"Later defiantly later" I nodded
"Oh I have something for you" he pulled out a well made pair of boots "I noticed your old ones were looking rather worn and then I remembered your mother had these made for you for when you were older" I took the boots from him then pulled off my old ones which were very worn and pulled them on they fit my feet perfectly. "Thank you father"
"Think nothing of it now your cousin Soris was looking for you" I nodded
"I'll go find him" my father clapped me on the shoulder "Good boy" he went and sat down I stepped outside into the light and I cringed as I saw poverty all around it had been like this for as long as I could remember and even before my time the elves had been trod on by the humans once we had been immortal but we've lost even that. I shook my head then headed towards the edge of the Alienage Soris usually wandered as I passed through the center of the Alienage many people congratulated me I saw a family struggling with a cart I quickly stepped up and helped them the father quickly thanked me. "Thank you good sir and blessings on your day we hope to stay for the ceremony but we must leave soon" I scowled
"Where are you going?"
"To Ostagar with the army we desperately need money do we are going to work in the camps"
"Well I don't have much but I would be willing to help you" the mother and father both shook their heads "No thank you but no we don't want any charity" I nodded I respected their decision but I glanced at the daughter and I could tell she was not happy about it. "I understand Maker be with you" the father nodded "And with you" I started away but I'd only made it a few steps when I heard the daughter ask her father if she could leave for a minute I knew why she asked so I turned and waited for her. "Yes?" She looked slightly sheepish
"It's ok say what you want I can see it in your eyes" she fidgeted slightly then spoke "Well see the thing is I'm worried" I arched my brow "Worried about what?"
"Well we're going to work in the camps with the army full of human men who haven't seen a woman in months" I nodded as I fully understood her concern "If we could just get a little bit we could go to Highever or we could stay here" I nodded again
"I will see what I can do" she smiled
"Thank you so much"
"You're welcome" then her father called her back. I shook my head then headed on towards Soris I could see him leaning against the side of a house I started towards him when a elderly couple called me over the woman looked up at me "Oh how you've grown" the man playfully chastised her
"Dear he probably doesn't even know who we are" which he was right "Oh I'm sorry we're friends of your mother" I smiled
"Well then you are very welcome here" the woman smiled
"We have something for you we saved up a bit of money and we'd like you to have it" I was about to refuse when I thought of the family "Thank you I appreciate this very much" they both smiled "Well we've taken up enough of your time you must be very busy we'll talk later". I bid them farewell then went back to the family and waved the daughter over she excused herself again then came up to me "Did you get it?"
"How much would it take for you and your family to make it to Highever?"
"Five silvers" I nodded then handed her the coins
"I'm sure your parents will see this as a good compromise" the girl smiled then hugged me "Thank you, you may have very well just saved my life" then she ran back to her parents I smiled to see their happiness. I pocketed the ten silvers I had left I finally made it over to Soris he looked at me "So cousin you ready to kiss your bachelor's life good bye" I nodded
"Yes I suppose" Soris chuckled
"Well it's not like your losing much Nesiara is a dream come true and my bride sounds like dying mouse" I shrugged
"Maybe you'll get a cage for a wedding gift" Soris laughed
"Oh you are horrible come on let's go" I nodded then followed him we made it to the tree in the center of the Alienage when we spotted our brides Soris' was Valora a timid girl who was pretty enough and had brown hair but I could tell she had a spark that she was hiding and my bride to be was Nesiara who was stunning with her blonde hair framing her pale face but Soris' voice drew me back to reality. "Cousin I'd like you to meet Valora my betrothed" I bowed slightly "Nice to meet you" then I turned Nesiara "Which means this vision of beauty must be Nesiara" Nesiara gasped slightly
"Oh thank you I hope I am worthy of such devotion" I smiled then took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles she giggled slightly then Soris cleared his throat "Lendgan if you are all done we should probably let them go get ready" I kissed Nesiara's knuckles again then let go of her hand Valora kissed Soris' cheek "Now don't go running off you two" Nesiara laughed "Or we'll hunt you down" I took the joke in stride but it seemed to make Soris a bit nervous as he laughed so fakely we all looked at him the brides giggled then waved as they went away. I turned to Soris "You give Valora less credit then she deserves" Soris smiled sheepishly "Well the truth is I'm not sure I'm ready" I clapped him on the shoulder "You'll be fine" he nodded. Suddenly I heard a girl cry out I spun around and saw a human male grabbing at a girl he laughed as she shoved him away as did his three companions I growled in my throat I didn't mind when humans insulted me but when they did it to my people it angered me horridly I started towards the humans but Soris grabbed my shoulder "No don't let's try and solve this without any bloodshed" I sighed he was right if we harmed them there would be hell to play not only for me "Fine". We walked towards them Soris got the leaders attention "Sir please leave" the leader who was a tall blonde laughed then he stepped towards us I could smell the liquor wafting off of him "I always think it's funny when knife ears think they can tell me what to do" I saw Soris swallow nervously so I stepped in "Sir we're asking you nicely please leave" he glared at me
"And what will you do if I don't" I clenched my teeth to keep from saying what I wanted to say "Fine if you will not leave at least behave yourself" a look of rage came across his face "No bloody knife ear scolds me" he tried to back hand me but I caught his wrist I could tell by the startled look on his face he was not used to elves resisting but he quickly leveled me with a blow to the jaw with his other hand I fell to the ground with a thud and then pushed myself up and looked past the blonde man and saw Shianni with a bottle in hand I tried to tell her not to but I was too late she brought her arm back then slammed the bottled on to the back of the bastard's head I watched as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he slumped unceremoniously to the ground. I stood up as one of the man's companions said "Are you knife ears bloody insane? Do you know who this is?" I shook my head as I went to stand next to Shianni in case his companions decided to attack her "No should we?"
"This is Bann Vaughan the arl of Denerim's son" all of the color drained from Shianni's face I wrapped my arm around her then looked back at the nobles "Look no one needs to know about this if you won't say anything neither will we"
"Not likely there will be hell to pay for all of you". Then they picked Vaughan and carried him away as soon as they were out of sight Shianni covered her face with her hands "Oh what did I just do" I hugged her tight and Soris offered a few words of encouragement "Don't worry about it Vaughan's ego won't let him admit he got taken down by a she-elf" Shianni smiled slightly "I suppose your right anyways I should probably go get ready for the ceremony" I let go of her and she trudged off to get ready. Suddenly I heard Soris from behind me "Uh oh" I turned to see another human standing near the gate and this one was armed "Another?" Soris nodded "Apparently we should try to move him along as quickly as possible"
"Agreed" We quickly walked over to him he had a dark complexion his hair was also dark colored although he was starting to show grey around his temples he had a well trimmed beard and even though he looked well traveled he held himself with the same dignity that most nobles did he turned to us with a smile "Hello I understand congratulations are in order".
"Thank you sir you are most kind but I must ask you to leave" he shook his head "I am sorry but I have business here" I sighed
"Then please don't cause any trouble" he chuckled
"He keeps his head even when facing a armed and unknown adversary" suddenly Valendrian walked forward "That's good the world needs more people willing to stay their blade Lendgan I'd like you to meet Duncan a old friend and a Grey Warden" my eyes widened
"Oh I am sorry Warden any friend of the Elder is welcome here" Duncan laughed "So quick to change your tune?" I chuckled but Valendrian cut in "Come it is almost time for the ceremony you two need to get to your positions" I bowed slightly to both of them then Soris and I walked to the platform where the ceremony was to be held we took our positions. A few moments later Nesiara and Valora came and stood next to us both of them looking beautiful Valora smiled at Soris "So you did come" Soris nodded and laughed half heartedly
"Of course I'm here fellow groom in tow" I smiled at Nesiara causing her to blush then my attention was pulled away as Valendrian spoke for a few moments then the ceremony truly began but before the Sister could say a more than a few words. I saw Vaughan shoving his way through the crowd I clenched my fists as he climbed up the stairs to the platform the Sister turned and was slightly shocked "Bann Vaughan this err a surprise" a unpleasant one I thought to myself the smell of liquor was rolling off of him horrendously now he laughed "I have a problem you see we are having a party but we're dreadfully short of female guests" the Sister was appalled
"Sir please this is a wedding" Vaughan laughed harder.
"Sister you can dress your little pets up if you like but don't try and pass this off as a real wedding... now we'll be taking the brides, the bridesmaids, oh and where is the bitch that bottled me?" one of his friends grabbed Shianni "Over here Lord Vaughan" "Get your hands off of me you bastard" I started towards Shianni only to be blindsided by a punch that knocked to me to the ground I tried to push myself up but I slumped back down the last words I heard before I fell unconscious was Vaughan saying "Don't worry we'll return the girls" then he laughed. I was awoken by Soris tapping my face "Lendgan? Lendgan! Wake up" I sat bolt upright and grabbed him by the shirt I had my arm cocked back but when I realized it was Soris I let go and pressed my hand to my forehead trying to combat the splitting headache I had "The girls?" Soris was near hysterical
"Vaughan took them Nesiara, Valora, Shianni, and the rest of the girls in the bridal procession" I pushed myself up my world swayed for a minute but I steadied myself "Calm down has a plan been made yet?" Soris shook his head
"No Valendrian is talking to everyone now". He pointed to the crowd I quickly jumped off the platform and ran up everyone was bickering Valendrian was trying to get it under control I growled this wasn't helping anyone my anger boiled forward and I yelled "SHUT UP!". And the everyone quieted Valendrian nodded slightly in thanks "Now we must do something" One elf spoke "We could go to the garrison" but another elf cried out "No that would take to long I've heard much of Vaughan's... appetites by the time we got back the girls would be dead". Valendrian sighed "Does anyone have any other ideas?" I looked around at my people most were scared but I knew what had to be done "I could sneak in and take them back" a older woman cried out in outrage "Are you insane you'll bring the guard down on us" but a young man countered her
"Not necessarily I work in the castle I could sneak one or two people in no one will notice a couple of extra servants looking around". Duncan cut his way through the crowd
"If you do this you will need weapons allow me to offer my own long sword, dagger, and crossbow" he handed me the sword and dagger and Soris the crossbow and a quiver of bolts I tested the swords balance as Duncan showed Soris how to work the crossbow the blade was iron but other than a few dings and scratches it was well made and perfectly balanced as was the dagger once Duncan was done showing Soris how to work the crossbow. Valendrian spoke again "Then it is done Lendgan and Soris will rescue the girls may the Maker go with you" Soris and I bowed slightly then followed the servant towards the castle before we got there he gave us a change of clothes which we quickly changed into when we actually reached the castle there were luckily no guards patrolling the grounds but Soris had to shoot a few Mabari hounds once we reached the servant's entrance or guide stopped "This is as far as I go there's a guard inside but he usually drunk or asleep" I nodded
"Thank you you've been a great help" he bowed
"Good luck" then he ran back the way we came. I let out my breath slowly then tightened my grip on my weapons and eased open the door and sure enough the guard was asleep I signaled for Soris to stay back. I crept up the guard and carefully laid my sword blade on his shoulder the tapped him on the face with the flat of the blade he woke and looked at the blade on his shoulder then looked at me and whimpered "Oh please don't kill me"
"Cooperate and I won't" he nodded vigorously
"We're looking for some elven girls who were brought her by Vaughan"
"I don't know bout no elven girls but Vaughan's quarters are that way" he pointed to his right I nodded
"Thank you but I can't leave you here to sound the alarm once we've left" his voice raised a few octaves
"BUT YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T KILL ME! Please sir I swear I won't sound the alarm" I nodded
"I won't kill you were not barbarians despite what you humans think" then I slammed my sword hilt across his face knocking him out instantly. Soris chuckled nervously "Let's just hope we're gone before he wakes up or someone finds him" I looked at Soris "Calm down it will be ok" he hesitated then nodded I opened the next door and saw a few elves but no humans so I opened the door the rest of the way then walked into the room and cursed myself as I saw a human stand up from where he was kneeling he looked at us "What are you doing? Where did you get weapons? Forget it I don't wanna know I'm calling the guard" and just as he finished his last sentence I heard small thud then he fell to the ground with a larger one to reveal an elf standing behind him. "You have no idea how long that shem has had that coming if you're here for the girls I'd hurry Vaughan is not known for his... kindness now if you don't mind I'm going to get out of here before things get really ugly" he ran past me and out of the servants entrance. I opened the door that lead out of the kitchen and saw four guards they didn't have their armor but they were still armed I looked back at Soris and mouthed the words "Four guards no armor but still armed got to take them out fast" he nodded and loaded a bolt waved him forward and opened the door so I could show him which one I wanted him to attack I pointed at the one who had a crossbow sitting next to him and made a slashing motion across my throat Soris nodded again then. I held up my hand with three fingers raised I counted down and once I reached one I yanked the door open startling the guards Soris quickly caught the one in the throat with a bolt I tossed my dagger at one who was reaching for his shield then all that was left was one with a sword and shield and another dual wielding daggers I went for the man with the sword and shield it had been awhile since I had fought so it took me a moment to get back into my rhythm the man and I fought fiercely until he tried to slam me with his shield I dodged to the side then slashed him across the throat I turned and saw Soris dodging the others attacks I was about to finish it when Soris managed to get a bolt off into the man's chest killing him. I scooped up a mace and buckler and handed them to Soris "Maces are simple just hit them with it and I assume you know what to do with a shield" he nodded and strapped the crossbow to his back and the buckler to his arm and test swung the mace a few times then nodded. I went back and grabbed my dagger and cleaned it and my sword on the dead man's shirt then I slide the dagger between my belt and hip and grabbed the other long sword and spun them in my hands for some reason having a weapon in my hand just felt right. I took a deep breath then looked around there were to doors leading out one seemed to be a main door the other a side door so I went to the side door and opened it, I glanced down the corridor there was no one there so I stepped out and went to where it turned right and glanced down it there was a guard at the end who was coming back I leaned back and slid my swords through the back of my belt and drew my dagger and motioned for Soris to step back once the guard was within reach I clamped my hand over his mouth and slit his throat and stabbed him once he struggled for a second then bled out. I pulled back down the side corridor and stripped him of his chainmail and pulled it on then strapped my swords to my back and put my dagger in my boot I looked back down the main corridor there was no one there so I went to the door that was on my left I pressed my ear against it and I heard a thud then there was a pause and another I wasn't sure what it was but I drew my swords and kicked open and caught a guard in the middle of reloading his crossbow I quickly slashed him across the face and Soris finished him with another bolt to the throat we we're in the armory I looked around and grabbed a few things then I grabbed a suit of leather armor and threw it at Soris "Put this on" he nodded in thanks then quickly strapped it on once. He was done I headed down the main corridor again there was a door to my left I eased it part way open then I heard voices "Shame bout this one she was pretty"
"How picky are ya she's still warm" I quickly kicked open the door and gutted the two guards who were standing over the girls corpse there was only one left and by the looks of him he was the captain of the guard he drew his claymore and charged me I blocked his over head swing with both my swords then I brought his sword down then stomped on it so it fell out of his hands then I slammed him in the face with my sword he collapsed to the ground and I drove my other through his spine I kicked his corpse once before I noticed his belt I could tell it was enchanted so I grabbed it and replaced mine with it. Then I went to the elven girl and crouched next to her, her face was frozen in terror I shook my head and closed her eyes then leaned forward and kissed her forehead "Sleep in peace now" I'd have to remember to grab her on the way out. I stood and pulled my sword out of the captain then turned and saw Soris standing in the door way in shock "Soris? We need to move" he shook his head as if to clear it "Oh ya let's go" I went to the door that lead farther into the castle opened it slightly there was one guard walking away from us I signaled for Soris to kill him he nodded then loaded the crossbow and as soon as I opened the door he let it fly and it hit the guard in the back of the neck he was dead before he hit the ground. I nodded to Soris then moved down the hall once we got to the end there were two guards standing next to the front door I pointed to the one farther away and signaled for Soris to kill him then I charged the closer one a bolt zipped past my ear and killed one then I slit the other's throat before he could cry for help. I headed down the hall at the end of the entrance way I made it a few steps when I felt myself step on a pressure plate I instantly slammed Soris back against the wall as a fireball shot down the hall Soris nodded in thanks then we continued down the hall. I checked the door on the right but it was locked then I heard a battle cry from behind me and I dove to the side as a massive maul slammed into the door breaking it I went on the attack driving the guard back but he was better trained then the others and kept me at a distance but I kept his attention long enough for Soris to smash his head in the guard crumpled to the ground and died with a gurgle. I went back to the door he had broken and pushed it open there was a small bag of money and a amulet I grabbed both then turned and went into the room where the guard had been standing there was a door at the back of it I knew these were Vaughan's quarters from the guard. I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on my swords "This is it" I heard Soris load is crossbow "I'm with you Lendgan" I nodded then shouldered open the door and yelled "VAUGHAN!"
Vaughan spun around from terrorizing Shianni with a look of terror on his face but then he regained his noble smugness "Well if it isn't the elf who thought he could tell me what to do" I arched my brow and pointed one of my swords at him "It's not smart to insult me after what you've done". One of Vaughan's cronys spoke
"Come on Vaughan we can take him"
"Shut up you idiot their covered with enough blood to fill a tub" Vaughan snapped "But that brings the questions to my mind what do you want?"
"The girls and your life" he glared at me
"How about a deal?" I returned his glare with venom he could never muster "If you have something to say, say it now"
"If you leave now I will give you 40 sovereigns and you are free to go you will not be chased"
"What about the girls?" Vaughan cracked a vicious smile
"They stay with me and go home tomorrow a little for wear but unharmed". I paused for a moment then spit at Vaughan "You can take your deal and shove it" Vaughan and his cronys drew their weapons "This is why I always regret talking to knife ears" I charged Vaughan as Soris fired his crossbow hitting one in the face then he threw the crossbow at the other and drew his mace and buckler then my focus was entirely on Vaughan he was dual wielding a sword and dagger Vaughan and I were very closely matched he nearly killed me when he blocked my swing then kicked me back into the wall I ducked just as his sword was about to take my head then I stabbed him in the thigh and left my sword there he groaned and kicked me in the face with his other leg and slashed me across the face the cut wasn't deep but it hurt I sprung back to my feet and used my mobility to my advantage I side stepped a thrust from his dagger and slammed the flat side of my sword down on his wrist causing him to drop it then I spun around him and tore his other sword from his grasp and in the same movement stabbed behind myself running Vaughan through with both swords he uttered a wordless cry as he sunk to his knees I turned to face him "That was for Shianni" Then I kicked him in the face "That was for the elven girl laying dead in your castle". Vaughan groaned one last time then died I turned in time to see Soris relieve Vaughan's last companion of his brain I stood there for a moment then I remembered Shianni. I quickly went and knelt next to her "Are you ok?" She seemed to be in a horrified trance "There's so much blood I can't stand to look at it" I looked at my hands and realized they were coated in blood I looked around then wiped them off as best as I could on the rug that was next to me then I gently touched her face "It's ok Shianni no one is going to hurt you now you're safe now" she seemed to come out of the trance
"Did you kill them?" I nodded
"Everyone who hurt you is dead" she shivered
"Good" suddenly Soris came walking up with Valora and Nesiara
"Let's go" Soris nodded emphatically
"I can't wait to be rid of this place" I couldn't agree more. I scooped Shianni up in my arms and we headed out of the castle by the time we reached the Alienage Shianni could walk again Valendrian and Duncan were awaiting our arrival Valendrian's voice was laced with concern as he spoke "Shianni are you hurt?" Shianni shook her head but I knew she was lying
"I'm fine" Valendrian nodded then looked around
"Where is Nola? Talmi's daughter" Valora burst out
"Nola didn't make it she resisted and the killed her" my heart hurt I wasn't able to grab her because we had left with what was left of the castle guard on our tails
Valendrian's face was grim "Girls will you please take Shianni home" Nesiara gently grabbed Shianni's arm and led her away and Valora followed them. Just then an elf came running up "The guards are coming!" I sighed I knew this would happen and I knew what I was going to do I quickly turned to Soris "Soris give me your weapons and get as much of the blood off of you as you can don't question me just do it" he scowled at me but did as I told him he got most of the blood off of him just as the guard appeared. The captain spoke "Seek Valendrian elder of the Alienage" Valendrian cleared his throat
"Look no further I am here why are you here?"
"Don't play dumb with me Elder the Arl's son lies dead in a pool of blood that leads all through the castle I want names" he looked around expectantly I stepped forward "I did it" the captain turned his gaze on me "You want me to believe one man did that?" Valendrian's voice was cold as he spoke
"Not all of us are helpless" the captain grunted
"So it would seem you're a brave elf I don't envy your fate but admire your courage you saved a lot of lives". I nodded and started to pull of my weapons off when Duncan spoke "Captain if I may?" The captain looked at Duncan slightly irately
"What is it Warden as you can see we have the situation under control"
"I hereby evoke the Right of Conscription" the captain grumbled as my heart thudded against me chest I was to become a Gray Warden
"By Andraste's holy knickers fine Warden but I'd ask you one thing get this elf out of the city before night fall" Duncan nodded
"Of course" the guard captain grumbled once more
"Good now if you'll excuse me I have to get my men on the streets before this news hits" then he turned and left. I was still slightly dumbstruck at the thought of being a Grey Warden Valendrian sighed "Well I suppose this is for the best you're not going to be executed and Duncan you get your recruit" I finally came back to reality "There's a whole world out there" I said more to myself then anyone Valendrian spoke again "Yes but it saddens me that it took this for you to find it but if you will excuse me I must go and calm our people may the Maker go with you" I bowed to him
"Good bye Valendrian" he nodded then walked towards the square I turned towards Duncan "So what now?" He gestured towards Soris who was still standing near us "Take a moment to say your goodbyes then we must go". I nodded then went to Soris he smiled at me "Well cousin you've always been my hero I guess it's just official now" I chuckled slightly and went to hand him the mace and buckler but he shook his head " Keep them or sell them whatever I've seen all the bloodshed I care for" I nodded "So what will you do know?"
"Well for one thing I'm going to stop messing around and settle down with Valora she's a good woman and she's got ideas on how to make life better for everyone" I smiled
"I told you that you give her too little credit" he chuckled
"I suppose you're right... good luck cousin kill some Darkspawn for us and if you ever get the chance come back someday" I nodded "You know I will" he nodded then his face sobered "Will you go and see Shianni?" my stomached knotted
"I'm not sure I can"
"You have too it'll kill her if you don't" I sighed
"I suppose you're right" he jerked his thumb over his shoulder
"Go" I nodded then clapped him on the shoulder
"No matter what anyone says you're a brave man today proved that Soris and I want you to always remember that". Then I headed towards my house I got a mix of congratulations and glares as I crossed the square once I reached my house my father was standing outside it "So you're to become a Grey Warden?" I nodded he sighed
"I suppose it's for the best I just had dreams of grandchildren of family gatherings... oh don't listen to me this is a great honor your mother would be so proud" I smiled sadly
"Yes she would be" he tilted his head towards the door
"Shianni's inside" I nodded hugged him tight
"I will miss you father"
"And I you" he stepped back and clasped my face in his hands
"Your mother used say you would do great things now I can see she was right... now go before I'm forced to hold you here against Duncan's and I'm sure your will" I smiled then headed inside. I pushed open the door Valora was standing by the fire she looked up then shouted over her shoulder "Nesiara your betrothed is here" then she smiled
"Thank you for Soris for my life for everything" I nodded
"Just treat Soris good he may not be the best man ever but he is a good man" she nodded then Nesiara walked over Valora looked at us then started away "I'll give you guys some privacy"
Nesiara stared at me for a moment then she spoke "So you're becoming a Grey Warden?" I nodded
"I'm sorry Nesiara..." she cut me off
"Sorry? For what being incredibly brave for being chosen for one of the noblest callings ever... I guess we'll never know what could have been"
"What will you do?" She shrugged
"I'm not sure Valora and I might start a shop" then she gestured to the back of the house "Shianni is back there" I nodded then stepped forward and kissed her cheek "Good bye Nesiara" she didn't say anything but as I stepped past her I saw a single tear slide down her cheek but she quickly brushed it away. I found Shianni standing in the back of the house with her arms wrapped around her chest I gently touched her shoulder he turned towards me her eyes were red from crying pulled her against me "I'm sorry Shianni" I felt her shake her head against my chest "It's not your fault you did the best you could" and it wasn't good enough I thought to myself she stepped back "I'll be alright as far as everyone else knows Vaughan only roughed me up a bit I just don't want everyone treating me like some sort of fragile doll" I smiled and kissed the top of her head
"That's the Shianni I know" she smiled half-heartedly then she waved me away "Go I've kept you far too long you don't want Duncan to change his mind" I smiled and hugged her tight
"Good bye Shianni I think I will miss you most of all... well all of you except that razor sharp tongue you wield so well" she playfully shoved me "Whatever mister now go". I nodded then returned to Duncan who hadn't moved