The Warden's Tale
"And so is the Golden City blackened
With each step you take in my Hall.
Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting.
You have brought Sin to Heaven
And doom upon all the world."
~Canticle of Threnodies 8:13
"The Chantry teaches us that it is the hubris of men which brought the darkspawn into our world. The mages had sought to usurp Heaven, but instead they destroyed it. They were cast out, twisted and cursed by their own corruption. They returned as monsters, the first of the darkspawn. They became a Blight upon the lands, unstoppable and relentless.
The Dwarven kingdoms were the first to fall, and from the Deep Roads the darkspawn drove at us, again and again, until we neared annihilation.
Until the Grey Wardens came. Men and women from every race, mages and warriors, barbarians and kings… the Grey Wardens sacrificed everything to stem the tide of darkness, and prevailed…
It has been four centuries since that victory, and we have kept our vigil. We have watched and waited for the darkspawn to return. But those who had once called us heroes… have forgotten. We are few now, and our warnings have been ignored for too long. It may even be too late, for I have seen with my own eyes what lies on the horizon. Maker help us all."
I sigh to myself as I walk into the entrance hall to my castle. My father and Arl Howe were talking strategy against the darkspawn. I was typically up for a good battle, but strategy was not my thing, I seriously sucked at it.
"Ah, there you are Rayne!" My father says as he catches sight of me.
"Hello father." I greet, nodding my head before turning my gaze to Arl Howe. He was older than my father with short graying hair brushed neatly back. He was dressed in red and purple noble's finery and he was looking at me intently. Quite frankly he gave me the creeps.
"I trust you remember my daughter Rayne?" My father inquires of Arl Howe.
"I see she's become a lovely young woman. Pleased to see you again, my dear." Arl Howe nods his head at me.
I shiver inwardly before giving him a polite nod back. "And you, Arl Howe."
"My son Thomas asked after you. Perhaps I should bring him next time."
Thomas was ok, but I was repulsed by the man in front of me. Oh how I longed to say that I had no interest in Thomas, I didn't want Arl Howe as a father-in-law, but manners had been drilled into me since I was young. "I'd like that." I force the words out with a polite smile, and I wish I could take them back.
"Good! My son saw you at a Denerim fair. He'll be pleased that you remember him." Arl Howe says, smiling at me. I smother the urge to glare at the old man.
"At any rate Rayne, I summoned you for a reason." My father says, jumping in. I sigh in relief. I didn't want to talk to Arl Howe and longer than I needed to. "While your brother and I are both away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."
I beam at my father. "I'll do my best!"
"Now that's what I like to hear! I'm only leaving behind a token force, and I know you're more than capable of commanding them. Now there's someone I want you to meet. Bring in Duncan." My father nods to a guard who leaves and comes back moments later with another man. He was decked out in silver armor with a sword strapped to his back. He was slightly dark skinned with black hair pulled into a pony tail. He also had a thick black beard and mustache that was closely cropped to his face.
"This is Duncan, of the Grey Wardens." My father introduces.
"A Grey Warden!" Arl Howe exclaims, a dirty look crossing his face fleetingly. "Why is there a Grey Warden here?"
"He showed up today unannounced. I trust that there's no problem?" My father looks questioningly at Arl Howe, who quickly back pedals.
"No, it's just been so long since I've seen one."
"We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true. Rayne, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope?"
"They're an order of great warriors." I answer my father's question while I examine the Warden in question out of the corner of my eye.
"They are heroes of Legend that defeated the Blight years ago. Duncan is here recruiting. He has an eye on one of my warriors in fact."
"If I may be so bold, your daughter would make an excellent candidate as well." Duncan says, giving me a warm smile.
"Honor though that might be, this is my daughter we're talking about." My father says, stepping in front of me possessively. He scowls at Duncan, who ignores it to look at me intently.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't join them?" I ask my father.
"You did just say the Warden's are heroes, old friend." Arl Howe cuts in.
"This is my only daughter, and I will not see her in the throes of battle against darkspawn. Unless you plan on conscripting her?" My father glares at Duncan, who smiles.
"No, I wouldn't conscript your only daughter. We may need more people to fill in the ranks, but I wouldn't force the matter." Duncan says good naturedly.
My father seems mollified with this and turns to me. "Rayne, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?"
"Of course." I reply, looking at the Grey Warden across from me.
"In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me." Father says, speaking of my brother with affection in his voice.
"Where is Fergus?" I inquire.
"Upstairs in his chambers no doubt, spending a last moment with his wife and my grandson. Be a good girl and do this for me. I'll talk to you again soon." My father turns away, clearly dismissing me, and I walk out of the hall in search of my brother.
As I walk down the outside hall, Ser Gilmore stops me. "There you are! Your mother told me the teyrn had summoned you, so I didn't want to interrupt."
"Hello to you too, Ser Gilmore." I smile up at the man.
"My apologies at my abruptness my Lady. Your hound is causing an uproar in the kitchens again. Nan is threatening to leave."
"She was my nanny before she was the cook. Nan won't leave." I chuckle.
"Your mother disagrees. She'd like you to go get the hound, and quickly. You know these mabari hounds. He'll listen to his mistress, but anyone else risks having an arm bitten off."
"Then I guess I should go collect him." Mother could really be an old troll if I didn't get to what she wanted quickly.
"That would be wise, before Nan tears down the walls. Mabari are wise enough not to talk, as my father would always say. At any rate, your mother would have me accompany you until the matter is settled. Shall we?"
"Off to the kitchens then."
"Just follow the yelling. When Nan is unhappy, she makes sure everyone knows it."
I sigh and start wending my way through the halls to the kitchen. I soon come across Mother and a few friends talking.
"Ah here comes my daughter and Ser Gilmore. Tell me, has Rayne collared that dog of hers yet?"
"Not yet, we were just on our way to do that." Ser Gilmore says, eyeing me with a look.
"Darling, do take care of that. That malodorous hound of yours is an excellent protector, but he drives Nan to distraction."
"Father has sent me to talk with Fergus." I say.
"I'm not asking you to go to the moon, I just want you to get it done. Ser Gilmore, see that she gets the dog."
"Yes ma'am."
I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes as my mother introduces me to an available man. She just wants to marry me off. I eye the man my mother says is Dairren. He is quite handsome, but I don't want an arranged marriage, thank you very much.
"Hello your Ladyship." Dairren says with a small bow.
"Go soak your head." I say, rather rudely.
"Uh… excuse me?"
"You'd be surprise by her negotiating skills." My mother says, giving me a 'you're out of line' look.
My mother's friends look at each other before quietly excusing themselves. I make a run for it before mother can ream into me about being rude. I make my way to the kitchens where Nan's shrieks are earsplitting. My dog is barking furiously behind the closed door of the larder.
"I want you to get that dog out of my larder!" She says to two of our elven servants.
"But the dog won't let us near…" The girl elf says, looking at her feet.
"You are the two most useless elves!"
"Hi Nan." I say, smiling at her. I'm rewarded with a scowl.
"You! Your bloody mongrel keeps getting into my larder! The beast should be put down!"
"He's not a mongrel! He's a pureblood mabari!" I say. I like to antagonize people, did I mention that?
"A Blight wolf is what he is! How am I supposed to cook like this?"
"Mistress, please calm down." The woman elf says.
"We'll get him out, don't worry Nan." Ser Gilmore says, giving me another look.
"I've got a full house of warriors to feed, and I can't do it with your bloody dog in my larder."
I smile at Nan, and open the door to the larder. Thor is sniffing at the ground, before he stops in front of a few flour sacks. He woofs quietly before running to me. He leaps around me barking his fool head off. "What is it Thor? Did you want to tell me something?" I ask. The big tan hound runs in circles and barks louder.
"It does seem like he's trying to tell you something." Ser Gilmore says, looking around the larder. He cocks his head as he listens intently. Just over the din of the barking I can hear it too, a scrabbling. "Did you hear that?" He asks me.
Giant rats suddenly come pouring out from around the sacks of flour. Thor immediately jumps into action, grabbing the first one he can find in his powerful jaws, shaking his head side to side as he breaks the rat's spine. I whip out my two daggers, and stab the first one I come in contact with. Behind me I can hear Ser Gilmore also dispatching the rats.
One rat leaps up to bite me on my unprotected thigh. Thor leaps through the air and snatches the rat up before it can hurt me. I hear a crunch and see the rat tumble to the ground, Thor's muzzle drenched in blood. "Good boy!" I shout over the din of squeaking rats. Thor wags his tail before he leaps into the fray again.
I slice at another rat as it comes by, while I stab another with my second blade. The fighting only lasts for a minute, and when it's over I gaze around the larder. Nan is not going to be happy with this mess.
"He must have followed those rats in here. He was trying to tell Nan, not destroy the larder." Ser Gilmore says, looking at Thor affectionately. Thor barks happily.
"It certainly looks that way." I say, patting Thor's bloodied head.
"Those rats are from the Korcari wilds by the looks of them. Best not tell Nan, she'll freak out. And seeing as how you've got your hound now, I'll be on my way. Goodbye my Lady." Ser Gilmore bows politely before exiting the room.
I check around the room, restoring as much order as I can, and getting rid of as many rat bodies as possible. Thor helps in the only way he can, by eating a few. I'm slightly disgusted by this, but hey, dogs will be dogs. I take a last glance around the larder before heading out to talk to Nan with Thor right behind me.
"There he is, as brazen as you please, licking his chops after helping himself to the roast, no doubt." Nan says, scowling at Thor.
"He's not so bad Nan. Just a dog being a dog." I say, keeping the rat part to myself.
"Mistress! There are rats in the larder! Big ones!" The girl elf says.
"Looks like the dog killed them too!" The boy elf says.
Thor whines and wags his tail.
"Probably led them in there to begin with." Nan sighs. "Oh don't go giving me those eyes!"
Thor whines and cocks his head to the side.
Nan sighs again. "Oh take these pork bits, and don't say Nan never fed you anything."
Thor gobbles up the pork happily, letting out a woof as he swallows the last morsel. I smile at my dog before heading out to find Fergus. "Now you stay with me." I tell Thor, who barks happily and licks my hand.
I go from room to room, looking for Fergus. In the process I stumble across a couple of guards slacking off. "Oh! My lady, we were just… ah…" One of the guards says, standing up from his seat at a table.
"Ignoring your duties?" I supply, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow.
"Well… the treasury's safe… I'm not even sure why the teyrn stationed us here…"
"Do you always question your duties?" I ask.
"No my Lady. Of course not."
"Then perhaps you'd better get back to work." I say.
"Yes my Lady, thank you my Lady!" The guards say as they run from the room. I shake my head. I'll have to remember to mention this to father.
I finally find Fergus, in his rooms, like father said. I walk into the room in time to hear my nephew ask "Will you bring me back a sward?"
"That's sword, and I'll bring you back the biggest one I can find."
"I wish you didn't have to go. My heart is… disquiet." My sister-in-law says.
"It will be alright love. And, here's my little sister to see me off. No dry your eyes love and wish me well." Fergus says.
"Should I wait outside?" I ask.
"Stay. I'd like to say farewell."
"I wish I could come with you."
"I wish you could come too. Fighting darkspawn will be quite tiring."
"You know in Antiva, a woman fighting is… unthinkable." My sister-in-law says. I suppress a glare.
"I thought all women from Antiva were good." Fergus says.
"In poison and kindness Fergus."
"This from the woman who serves me my tea!" Fergus laughs. I try not to roll my eyes at them.
"I have a message for you Fergus. Father wants you to leave without him." I say, wanting to get out of their hair.
"Then the Arl's men are delayed. I swear it's like they're walking backwards." I giggle at that as mother and father come in.
"I hope you weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye." Father says, embracing Fergus for a man hug.
"Be well, my son. I will pray for your safety every day you are gone." Mother says.
"Fergus will be fine." I say, smiling and giving my brother a big hug.
"You'll take care of mother won't you sister?"
"Oh just go already." I say, laughing.
"Enough, enough." Father says, chuckling. "Rayne you'll want to go to bed early, you've got a big day tomorrow."
I roll my eyes at father, and with a last hug for Fergus, I retire to my room.
Sometime in the night I'm awakened by growling and barking. I sit up in bed to see Thor growling at the door, the fur on his neck standing on end. "Thor?" I question. He looks at me and whines before staring at the door, another low growl escaping. "What's wrong? Is someone out there?" I ask, as I hurriedly pull on my armor and strap my two daggers to my back. Thor growls and barks angrily at the door again before it slams open.
"My lady, help me!" A servant cries as he runs through the door. "The castle is under—" An arrow flashes out of his chest as he falls to the ground, dead.
"Shit. Let's go Thor, defend our home!" Thor and I leap into action. My blade meets the flesh of the first person I find, an archer. He cries out in pain as blood splatters the wall from my strike to his arm. It now hangs limply at his side. I make quick work of him, stabbing him once more deep in the neck before he goes down. I glance behind me to see Thor on top of another enemy, a chunk of flesh in his jaws. Blood spurts from the gaping hole in the enemy's throat.
"Good boy!" I shout as I meet another enemy blade with my own. The harsh clang of metal is music to my ears, making my blood boil in anticipation of a fight. I parry each of his blows before I go on the offensive. I slice and make a deep cut on the man's leg, before I give a mighty swing and lop his head off. I look at my work in satisfaction. Thor trots over to me, his jaws bloodied. I quickly check him but find no wounds. Clearly he enjoyed to enemy's blood.
The sound of running footsteps grabs my attention. I turn, ready to attack, but sheath my weapons as mother runs to me. "Oh Rayne! I heard fighting outside and I feared the worst! Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. Do you know what's happened?" I ask.
"A scream woke me up and I heard fighting so I barred the door. Those are Howe's men by the looks of their shields. Why would they attack us?"
"I have a feeling he's betrayed father. He's using the opportunity to attack while our troops are gone!"
"Were his troops delayed on purpose then? That lying bastard! I'm going to slit his throat myself! You father never came to bed, have you seen him?"
"No, I was in my room."
"We have to find him then!"
"We need to check on Oriana and Oren first. They could be in trouble!"
"Andraste's Mercy! We must check on them, then we'll look for your father downstairs!"
I nod in agreement, then loot all the bodies. Any supplies we can find are going to be valuable at this stage. I whistle to Thor and we all three make out way to my brother's chambers. I throw open the door and my face falls at what I see. Oren and his mother are sprawled across the floor, deep sword wounds telling of how they met their fate. I see red as I become enraged.
"No! What manner of fiend slaughters innocents?" Mother exclaims as she goes to them. I let her have a moment of silence as she cradles little Oren's head in her lap.
"Don't worry mother, I'll make them pay!" I snarl.
"They're not taking hostages. They mean to kill all of us!"
"Let's go mother, we need to find father."
"Yes, you're right." Mother says, standing up and gently laying Oren's head on the floor. Her eyes fill with determination. "Let's go. We need to get to the servant's entrance. It's the only place your father would go to wait for us."
I nod to mother and take off down the hall. As each of Howe's men falls to my blades a coldness grips my heart. Worry for father and sadness over my nephew have made me bitter. I viciously cut through the men that try to block our path, Thor and mother fighting just as valiantly. As we near the treasury mother stops me.
"Here's the key to the treasury. The Cousland family sword is kept there. Howe's men must not get it! It needs to be the sword that takes Howe's head!"
I take the key and raid what I can, making sure to strap the Cousland blade to my back. The weight of the sword feels right, and I smile evilly. Howe's men will fall before this blade. The Cousland blade will bring their deaths. I meet up with mother to see her engaging more of Howe's men in battle. I let out a battle cry as I throw myself into the fray, my shoulder length blonde hair soon died red with the blood of my enemies. I wipe my brow as the last foe falls, and mother brings me a health poultice.
"Here Rayne, you need this to regain energy."
"Thanks." I pant as I down the health poultice in a few gulps. I toss the empty glass behind me, and it shatters on the cobblestones. "Let's go." I say, murder in my eyes as I march off towards the kitchen.
Between the bouts of fighting mother and I look in every room we can. All the occupants are dead, unless they are Howe's men. If we open a door to find the enemy, the leap at us with blades held high. They aren't allowed to live for long as each man we come across is slayed.
We finally make it to the kitchens, and father is there, on the floor. He holds his side amidst a puddle of blood.
"Bryce!" Mother calls, rushing to father's side.
"Howe's men… found me first. Almost… did me in right there." Father fights to catch his breath.
"I'll kill Howe for what he's done!" I growl out.
"He can't… get away with this! The king will—" Father is cut off as he coughs up blood.
"Bryce! We'll get out you out of here!" Mother says, her voice laced with anxiety.
"I… I won't survive standing, I think." Father says.
"Then we'll simply have to drag you out." I say.
"Only… If you want to leave pieces behind Rayne."
"Bryce! This is no time for jokes!"
"Someone… must reach Fergus… tell him what has happened." Father gets out, breathing heavily.
"And take vengeance." I growl out, glaring towards the door and at the bodies of the men we had felled.
"Yes… vengeance."
"Bryce, the exit is right here!" Mother says.
"I will not make it… the castle is surrounded."
"The teyrn is right." I glance behind me to see Duncan come through the door. He kneels between mother and I. "The castle is surrounded but Howe's men have not discovered this entrance yet. The teyrn and I tried to reach you sooner."
"My daughter helped me get here." Mother says, giving me a loving look.
"I am not surprised." Duncan says, giving me another intent stare.
"Are you going to help us?" I ask Duncan, meeting his stare with one of my own.
"Duncan… will you… help my wife and daughter escape?"
"I will but I'm afraid I must ask something in return."
"Anything!" Father says desperation in his voice.
"I came here looking for a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands I leave with one." Duncan says, eyeing me again.
"I understand." My father says, looking defeated.
"Are you talking about me?" I ask, knowing full well what the answer will be.
"You battled Howe's men to get to your father. I think it is the Maker's will." Duncan says.
"As long as revenge is served to Howe… then I agree." Father says.
"Then I offer you a place in the Grey Wardens, Rayne. Fight with us." Duncan again stares at me intently, waiting for my answer.
"Then I will go with you." I say determinedly.
"We must leave quickly then."
"Are you sure darling?" Mother asks.
"I'm sure."
"Then you go with Duncan, Rayne. I will stay with you father."
"Elenora…"
"Hush Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time. But I won't abandon you." Mother says, looking at father lovingly, but her eyes were also full of determination. There would be no swaying her from this choice.
"I love you both, so much." I whisper, tears springing unbidden to my eyes.
A loud crash echoes around us. "They have broken through the gates. We must leave, now."
"Goodbye darling." Mother says as Duncan takes my hand and leads me away.
"We are traveling South through the hinterlands to the ruin of Ostagar, on the edges of the Korcari Wilds. The Tevinter Imperium built Ostagar long ago to prevent the Wilder's from invading the northern lowlands. It's fitting we make our stand here, even though we face a different foe within that forest. The King's forces have clashed with the darkspawn several times, but here is where the bulk of the horde will show itself. There are only a few Grey Wardens within Ferelden at the moment, but all of us are here. This Blight must be stopped here and now. If it spreads to the north… Ferelden will fall."
AN: So, what do you think? I know, first chapter is pretty boring, and I know it follows the Human Noble story line, but bear with me. Next chapter will be much more interesting. Because that's where some new character are introduced from the Naruto world. And you have to wait and see who it is. And on another note, I don't own DA: Origins or Naruto. I did however create Rayne. Reviews would be lovely!
