Those who had sought to claim

Heaven by violence destroyed it. What

Was

Golden and pure turned black.

Those who had once been mage-lords,

The brightest of their age,

Were no longer men, but monsters.

-Threnodies 12:1

Chapter 1: The Couslands of Highever

My name is Aveline Cousland, and this is my story. I grew up as the youngest daughter to Teyrn Bryce Cousland. I have an elder brother, Fergus, who was my friend and equal growing up, although he is a decade older than me. My father ruled over the plains and grasslands of Highever justly and he was loved by all, or so we were led to believe.

My life was perfect. I had loving parents, a dutiful brother, a beautiful nephew, a kind sister-in-law, and numerous suitors. However, one day all that changed and my life began to spiral out of control. It all began when a stranger arrived unannounced; when I first heard of the audience I had thought to myself: "Who has the audacity to demand an audience with the Lord of Highever while there were Darkspawn crawling through the towns and roads of Ferelden?"

I threw open the doors to the study and walked calmly, but firmly, to where my father and his guest were having tea.

"Ah Aveline," he said taking a sip out of his cup. "I'd like you to bring a message to your brother if you don't mind."

Anger and curiosity flashed through my body; however, I recalled that I was a lady of Highever, and that I needed to keep my composure.

"You called for me, so that I could bring Fergus a message? Surely I had thought that there was another suitor at the door wanting my hand," I laughed the laugh that my handlers and personal servants had taught me over the years.

My father laughed as he rose from his armchair. He was an older man, long past his days of youth, with a scruffy white beard, and a gentle, albeit weathered face. I had always liked his personal study. The shelves were lined with books, not as large as the library, but it was a respectable collection, although they were mostly books regarding politics and the past rulers and Teyrns. In the winter there was always a fire in the fireplace, I recalled many winters reading by the hearth as my father tended to his duties.

"Sorry pup, but I knew I could trust that you would arrive promptly and that you could be trusted."

"Besides," the guest's velvety voice roused my attention. I had nearly forgotten about the other man in the room, he too, rose from his armchair, and placed his tea cup down on the saucer with feline grace. "I think I'm a little too old for you," he said with a gentle smile. He was a good looking man, tall, darkly tanned, with pitch black hair pulled into a pony tail. He wore a suit of grey mail with a knife and sword sheathed to his belt.

"Nonsense," I said, returning to reality. I could feel the blood swell in my cheeks as he looked at me. "I've had men twice the age of my father come seeking my hand before," I returned his smile with a lavish one of my own.

"Yes, yes, my Aveline has caught the eye of many a man, anyway this man here is Ser Duncan of the Grey," my father said.

"The Grey? As in the Grey Wardens?" I inquired. I have heard tales of Grey Wardens, supposedly they were critical for stopping a Blight, and sending the Darkspawn back to the hell that they crawled out of.

"The one and only," Duncan said taking my hand and placing it to his lips.

"Why is a Grey Warden in Highever when there are Darkspawn to be found elsewhere? Surely you're here for more than just tea and biscuits," I said keeping my tone pleasant, friendly, and above all innocent.

Despite me practically insulting him, Duncan simply laughed. "Bryce your daughter has much wit about her, and from what I have heard she is fairly capable with a sword as well."

"I am one of the best fencers in the castle Ser Duncan," I retorted.

"Forget it Duncan, you are not taking my daughter. When I leave with my troops she'll need to stay here and rule in my stead. I think you should look to Ser Gilmore for a fighter, he's one of my best men."

Wait. What did he just say?

"Excuse me father? " I asked, normally I'm able to keep my composure, but I was not expecting him to leave Highever. I had assumed he would stay.

"I am leaving with the troops, the Darkspawn are crawling closer with everyday, and they must be stopped. I do not wish to risk your safety. Now please and tell your brother that he is leading his troops South."

"Fergus isn't going with you either? What happens if you die, or if he dies? Then what will mother and I do? If you both fall then Highever will become our tomb," I said. I didn't want either of them to go.

"Aveline," my father began putting on his "stern face," which meant that even I couldn't use my silver tongue to talk him out of something, "I have raised you as a woman that obeys her father, now please go deliver that message to your brother, please."

I could feel that there was no changing him in his ways, so I bowed to both Duncan, and my father, and then I left, passing a middle aged man in battle armor on my way out. I think he might have been the Teyrn of Amaranthine.

I left the study and walked through the open courtyard, finally settling down on a bench under a tree. I knew the situation was dire, the Darkspawn were moving fast, but I didn't realize it would mean both Fergus and father leaving at once. Then there was the presence of the Grey Warden, why did he decide to make himself known? Did he come to Highever looking for recruits for his wardens? Thinking about that made me angry. We need our soldiers here, not out fighting leagues away from our homeland, their homeland.

"Little grumpy today are we?" a cool voice said. I turned around to see the dashing Ser Gilmore wearing a suit of crimson chain mail, chewing an apple, leaning up against a tree, his armor matched his shaggy rusty hair.

"Oh Ser Gilmore, I didn't realize you were watching me," I said, quickly wiping my eyes. A few tears somehow found their way down my cheeks. They must have been lost.

"Uhuh," he smiled ruefully, and took another bite of apple.

"So have you seen the commander of the Grey Wardens?" I asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Yes, he came and introduced himself to the men when he arrived," Gilmore said, his eyes locked on me. I could almost see the gears turning in his head. "You don't plan on becoming a Warden, do you?" he asked.

I laughed. "Of course not. I don't want to be a soldier. Are you thinking of joining their ranks?"

"Of course, if they'd have me that is," he looked away for a moment, "they say becoming a Warden is incredibly difficult, and there is much sacrifice to be made on the person who wishes to join, but there is no higher honor."

Ser Gilmore and his honor that is what I liked the most about him. He was never arrogant, or brash. He grew up as a squire to my brother, for a while I harbored a small girl crush on him, but that passed with time. I thought about Ser Gilmore riding out, and potentially never coming back. It scared me.

"Anyway Ser Gilmore, I doubt my mental health was the reason you sought me out," I said rising off the bench to my feet, a gentle breeze whipped through my auburn hair sending a slight chill down my spine. My tunic was a little too light for the cool spring day.

"Sharp as a tack you are Aveline," he said discarding his apple core over his shoulder. He straightened his posture, no longer using the tree as a leaning post.

"Old Nan was complaining about some 'mutt' that meandered into her pantry, again," Ser Gilmore said with a smirk.

"Aha, so that's where he ran off to this morning," I said, feeling a smile cracking across my lips.

"Shall we go save him?" Ser Gilmore asked.

"I think we should otherwise Nan may finally drop dead from one of her fits."

"Nonsense, Nan is just as old as Highever, the only way she'll die is when the castle falls," Ser Gilmore responded as we walked away from the bench and up the cobbled walk way towards the kitchen.