"When you have a woman in your life, you'll understand little brother."
"No fewer than three if you please."
"Bold words brother! I mean a real women, not a turn in the straw."
"Do you like to play in the stables too uncle? I liked to hide in the hay."
- A conversation that took place between Lord Cousland and his elder brother and nephew. Lord Cousland seemed genial in his recounting of the tale, though it took place the night before Highever was raped by Rendon Howe.
Castle Cousland, The Events before Ostagar
For generations, the Couslands have stewarded the lands of Highever, dating back to before Ferelden's first king was ever crowned. They have persevered through time largely due to their reputation for justice and temperance, and notoriety for leading their men into battle. When Ferelden was occupied by the Orlesian Empire, Teryn Ardal Cousland, and later followed by his only heir Teryn Bryce Cousland, personally served the embattled king of Maric Theirin in his bout for sovereignty. By the Age of 9:30 Dragon, with the rise of the Darkspawn horde in the south, it thus falls to the Teyrn of Highever to send out the call once again, duty demanding that an army be sent to join King Cailan's host at Ostagar.
Teryn Cousland planned to march with his eldest son and heir to Highever, Fergus Cousland, to Ostagar with their forces. In their absence, Aedan Cousland, the youngest of Teryn Bryce Cousland's two sons, was tasked with watching over their terynir. Their march to Ostagar was belayed with a request from the Arl of Amaranthine, Rendon Howe, who was a close friend and ally of the teryn from the time of the Orlesian revolt. Suggesting their two hosts march together, Teryn Cousland decided to acquiesce, and withheld his forces until Arl Howe's arrived. During this period, a Grey Warden by the name of Blackwall arrived unannounced to Highever, in a search for new recruits. Only days later, Arl Howe himself arrived, telling the teryn of how his forces had been mired by the bad weather. This news caused for the Teryn to change his plans yet again, and decreed that his son Fergus would march ahead with most of Highever's might, the Teryn would follow him to Ostagar once Howe's host arrived. Aedan Cousland met with these three men, Teryn, Arl, and Warden, as these plans were being laid and was tasked with relaying this development to his brother. That very night, Fergus Cousland said his farewells to his family, and left with the majority of the terynir's army. Aedan would soon come to learn that very night would be the last he saw of his family.
It's told he was awakened in the night by his mabari war hound, and upon hearing strange noises from the hall outside his room, opened his bedroom door to find Howe men sacking his castle, the treachery of the Arl now revealed. Rendon Howe had lied about his men's tardiness, having them purposefully wait outside Teryn Cousland's holdings until Highever's host had departed, and then attacked the stronghold in the middle of the night. The motives of why are still hotly contested. Rendon Howe was an arl with domain over arguably the wealthiest arling and ports in Ferelden, already possessing more power than most. Why he sought the need to besiege Highever, betraying one of his most trusted friends and allies, perplexes even those sickest of mind. Rumors from being possessed by a Demon of Greed or Envy to being blackmailed into doing so by Teryn Loghain Mac Tir are popular among those of Amaranthine, though the most prudent explanation was that the man was simply enthralled by his own wanton desires and lust for power, caring not about the dead bodies he climbed upon to satisfy them.
During the Massacre at Highever, Aedan Cousland proved his skills as a warrior, fighting alongside his mother and the Teryna Eleanor Cousland against overwhelming numbers of Howe soldiers. In the great hall of Highever, Sir Gilmore held the main doors closed, preventing the rest of Howe's host from entering, informing the Teryna and her son that the Grey Warden Blackwall was last seen with the Teryn himself. Fighting through the chaos, they eventually reached the duo in the Kitchen of the Keep, hoping to escape through the servant's entrance. By that time, the Teryn had already succumbed to his wounds, unable to move. To Aedan's horror, the Teryna refused to leave the Teryn's side, urging the young lord to go with Blackwall to Ostagar, and tell the King and Fergus what had transpired. With no other choice, Blackwall carried the young Lord out against his will, leaving the two lords to their fate.
The following morning, Aedan came to terms with what had occurred, and swore vengeance in his family's name upon the snake Howe. The two then preceded on their way to join the King's forces at Ostagar, to fulfill the Teryna's wishes. On their journey there, they encountered Solona Amell, who had recently left the Circle Tower under harrowing circumstances like themselves. When the three arrived near the outskirts of Ostagar, the Grey Warden Blackwall gave them a note of conscription, telling them to give it to the Commander of the Grey once they entered the camp. Claiming he was required elsewhere, the Grey Warden disappeared back the way they came.
Aedan Cousland, The Young Lord of Highever
Lord Cousland has been described by many as a man of extreme convictions. His vows as strong as steel, his beliefs are as fervent as fire, his deliverance of justice upon others always righteous. Others that have actually traveled with Aedan describe him as droll, womanizing, and even a complete buffoon. Both opinions seem to hold some degree of weight.
Upon meeting Lord Cousland during the Fifth Blight, I felt like I had known the young man for years. I had first expected him to be a harsh and solemn individual, angry at the Maker for the cards he had dealt him. To my pleasant surprise, I instead found the young lord to be surprisingly amicable, and enjoyed his company greatly. His quick wit and charm were refreshing in contrast to those I usually pursue for their personal accounts. We talked throughout the night about a wide variety of topics, ranging from his experience with the darkspawn to breeding ferelden forders. His demeanor sharply contrasted with how well he performed during a fight. As it became dusk outside the small tavern we were in, several unsavory individuals stumbled in drunkenly, demanding for Lord Cousland to come out and face them. Immediately getting up from our table and taking an evocative stance, he announced his presence. Before the ruffians had even drawn their blades, Lord Cousland had already leapt across the room into the middle of their group. With the skill of an Orlesian chevalier and the ferocity of an Ash warrior, he quickly dispatched the men that had sought to harm them. Even when five more men entered the tavern to join the fray, he seemed undaunted. You must imagine my shock when his Mabari war hound darted out from under our table to attack the new intruders. He had been so quiet I had entirely forgotten the hound had been there. The two working in unison was truly a sight I had never seen before.
I could tell why many of the rumors that the Terynir of Highever would pass to him instead of his brother stayed in circulation. He was a man that evoked a sense of kinship inside you, like you had been good friends since childhood. However jocular he became, his presence still exuded respect, led you to holding whatever left his lips in high esteem. And from what little I saw, I could tell he was a born warrior, cutting through the bar rats like they were butter. And though I have never used a weapon in my life, I get the strongest notion that I would still follow him into battle if he asked me.
Yes, the man seemed to show little restraint when addressing the fairer sex, as shown by his lewd comments to the bar maid serving us. And yes, at times his tendencies and mannerisms mimicked those of a court jester. But a creeping suspicion crept through the crevasses of my mind that these were only facades of a more complex being, one that wished to conceal their true character. His relationship with the other Wardens during the Fifth Blight and the dynamic actions he took will be described in further detail once I finish the rest of my compendium.
