So after posting my first chapter I realized it was a bit too long for my liking. This one is a little shorter, but I'm hoping it's still as good as the first. :)
As Seanna walked through the empty halls Prince trotted beside her. She found herself wondering what all was entitled in taking charge of the castle. Her parents had never put her in charge before, and she wasn't really sure what was expected of her. Hopefully, nothing eventful would happen within the next few weeks and when her father returned he'd come home to the same castle that he'd left behind. As she came upon Fergus's room she could hear Oren's excited shouts ringing through the stone halls. "Is there really gonna be a war, papa? Will you bring me back a sward?"
She chuckled as she walked through the door and one glance at Fergus told her that he was doing the same, having a good laugh at Oren's question. "That's 'sword', Oren. And I'll get you the mightiest one I can find, I promise. I'll be back before you know it." He had his hands on Oren's shoulders and the little boy looked at his father with admiration.
"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is… disquiet." Oriana was a kind woman. She was Orleasion, but when she and Fergus had met it had been love at first sight. It wasn't long before they married and she was moved into the castle. Oriana and Seanna had always gotten along pretty well, though they didn't agree on everything. Oriana felt that women were to be prettied up all the time and their main goal in life should be to snag a husband and raise a family. So naturally she and Eleanor got along right from the start. Seanna had a different opinion when it came to the goals woman should have for their life.
Her brother chuckled, "Don't frighten the boy, love. I speak the truth. And here's my little sister to see me off. Now dry your eyes, love, and wish me well." He had the same smile as their father. She always thought that when she looked at him. In a lot of ways, Fergus and Bryce were a lot alike.
The tears that were welling up in Oriana's eyes were obvious. Seanna felt a little saddened seeing Oriana upset. It made her realized just how much she too would miss Fergus's company. "Should I wait outside?" Her tone was polite, and she thought Fergus would probably want to spend as much time alone with his wife and son as he could before she gave him the news to march out tonight. "Stay. I'd like to say farewell." He reached out and gently held her hands in his. His eyes were smiling and she could tell that he wasn't worried about what he was going to be facing in the days to come.
"I wish I could go with you." Her head drooped in sadness. It was true; she wanted to go more than anything. Not only to use her skill in battle, but to watch over her father and Fergus as well. She would probably worry about them until they returned home. "I wish you could come!" His laugh was warm and it pulled her lips into a smile. "It'll be tiring, killing all those darkspawn myself." He was the jester of the family, he took most situations that others worried about and turned them into something hilarious. Seanna had always appreciated that about him, he had lifted her moods countless times through the years and she always felt like she could go to him with all her problems and he would quickly make them disappear.
"In Antiva, a woman fighting in battle would be… unthinkable." It was only times like this that Seanna did not appreciate having her sister-in-law's opinion.
"Is that so? I always heard Antivan women were quite dangerous." Fergus winked at his wife and his smile turned into a smirk. "With kindness and poison only, my husband." She was obviously starting to feel a little more at ease thanks to his carefree fashion. "This from the woman who serves me my tea." His smile was sweet and now the three of them were laughing together. The mood of the room had changed a great deal. "You'll be missed brother." Her laughter trailed off allowing her to catch her breath, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. He embraced her lovingly and she felt happier then she had all day long. "If it's any consolation, I'm sure I'll freeze in the southern rain and be completely jealous of you up here, warm and safe." She almost didn't want to let him go. Oriana was still in a lighter mood for the hint of laughter was still noticeable in her voice, "I'm positively thrilled that you will be so miserable, husband."
As Seanna let go of her brother, he put his arm around his wife's shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. Seanna sometimes envied them. Before they had met her and Fergus were always together, but once he'd started a family of his own she was left with more alone time then she was used to, which was probably what made her get so involved in her weapon training. There was no one around so she had simply done it as a way to keep herself busy in the beginning. Of course now she loved it. She was a horrible dancer, but when she was swinging daggers, she had more grace than anyone would have thought possible, for her anyways.
"I bring a message: Father wants you to leave without him." Fergus's face turned serious. "Then the Arl's men are delayed. You'd think his men were all walking backwards." He let out an irritated sigh. Seanna got the feeling that Fergus was about as found of the Arl as she was.
"Well, I'd better get underway. So many darkspawn to behead, so little time!" His sweet smile quickly returned to his face. "Off we go, then. I'll see you soon, my love." Giving Oriana one last kiss he turned to start for the door when he was stopped in his tracks by their parents.
"I would hope, dear boy, that you planned to wait for us before taking your leave?" Bryce's smile was as laid back as his son's, while Eleanor's face was now filled with worry and sadness like Oriana's. Seanna was sure Eleanor was going to start with the hysterics at any moment. "Be well, my son. I will pray for your safety every day you are gone." She gripped him in a bear hug and kept her hold of him for what seemed like many long moments to Seanna. "You could have delivered your message yourself father." Her tone was not rude, in fact it was playful. "And miss having both my children in one place before I leave? Not likely." He put his arm around her and squeezed.
"The Maker sustain and preserve us all. Watch over our sons, husbands, and fathers and bring them safely back to us." As Oriana said this Eleanor and Seanna both nodded their heads in agreement. Before anyone could get out another word of thanks Fergus cut in, once again with his witty charm, "And bring us some ale and wenches while you at it. Err… for the men, of course." Seanna smirked, he probably had not filtered what he had said before saying it. His mother's sad face turned to one of anger and Oriana's face went from soft to shocked and embarrassed. "Fergus! You would say this in front of your mother?" The incredulous tone Oriana spoke in made it even harder for Seanna to keep her giggling quiet. "What's a wench? Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?" After Oren spoke up neither Seanna, Fergus, or her father could stop themselves from laughing hysterically.
When he caught his breath Bryce answered the small boy, "A wench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern, Oren. Or a woman who drinks a lot of ale." This time it took everything she had for Seanna to keep her laughter to herself. She had been yelled at too many times today and with the icy glare her mother was shooting at Fergus and her father she was in no mood to put herself in the middle of another argument today. "Bryce! Maker's breath, it's like living with a pair of small boys. Thankfully, I have a daughter." Eleanor now gave her a proud smile and placed a loving hand on her cheek. Fergus chuckled as he spoke, "I'll miss you, Mother dear. You'll take care of her, Sister, wont you?"
"Mother can handle herself. Always has." She put a hand on her mother's shoulders and gave them a loving squeeze. "It's true. They should be sending her, not me. She would scold those darkspawn back into the Deep Roads." Of course he couldn't resist. He smiled from ear to ear, just waiting for his mother's reaction. "Well I'm glad you find this so funny." Her tone was sour and once again caused Seanna to hold in her giggles. Bryce was laughing again, and unlike his two children he was no longer trying to hide it. "Enough, enough. Pup, you'll want to get an early night. You've much to do tomorrow."
Of course, I'm twenty years old and I'm still getting sent to bed while Fergus gets sent to war. Gotta love the perks of being a woman…
She nodded and had her attention pulled downwards at the tugging on her gloves from little Oren. "Mama says you're going to be watching over us while papa is gone. Is that true, Auntie?" His eyes were wide with interest and this replaced the slight frown on her face with a sweet smile. "Yes, that's true, Oren." She ran her fingers through his soft hair. His eyes grew wider with curiosity. "What if the castle is attacked? Will there be dragons?" It was Oriana who answered his question this time. "Dragons are terrible creatures, Oren. They eat people."
"Yeah! I want to see one!" He was as excited as he'd ever been. Seanna remembered her youthful days when she had been the same way. Anything that was unseen to her was thought to be a marvelous sight indeed, as she had grown up however she had learned that this was definitely not so. "This is your influence, Fergus." Oriana put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "What? I didn't say anything." The confused look he gave his wife made Seanna chuckle. Of course he didn't think he'd done anything to peak Oren's interest on the topic. Not today at least. "Are you going to teach me to use a sword, Auntie? Then I can fight evil too!" He jumped into the middle of the room and started waving around an invisible sword and shield, stabbing at an invisible foe. "Take that, dire bunny! All darkspawn fear my sword of truthiness!" He continued to jump around no longer paying attention to the adults that surrounded him.
Seanna glanced over to Oriana. "Truthiness?" Oriana just shook her head and smiled. "We're teaching him about honesty." She laughed and her hands fell from her hips. "Don't worry, son. You'll get to see a sword up close real soon, I promise." Fergus snatched Oren up into his arms and spun him about the room. Oren's laugh was so sweet it was hard not to feel sad all over again about Fergus leaving. Seanna started to turn to the doorway when Fergus grabbed her arm and walked her halfway there. "Getting sent to bed early are we?" His tone was teasing and she could feel the grin dancing upon her lips.
"Have fun on the long march. In the cold." She stopped and gave him a smirk. "Hm. A warm bed doesn't sound so bad now, come to think of it." He hugged her one more time, kissed her forehead and she flashed him a smile. "Heh. At any rate, I'll miss you. Take care of everyone, and be here when I get back." With that he turned to finish talking to their parents and his family. She dreaded having to say good bye to her father as well, but at least she could wait until tomorrow to do that. It would be easier this way. So with that she walked through the door and across the hall to her room, Prince following her every foot step.
She opened the door and her chamber was cool. The bed had been made then turned down, ready for her to crawl into it. She was surprised by how tired she felt, not only physically but emotionally. As she removed her armor she heard laughter from across the hallway. She smiled and she was pleased that Fergus was leaving on such a good note. The candles on the table next to her bed were the only light in the room. Prince hopped onto the bed and dug himself under the covers and was still. Silly hound, I wonder what he would do if I had a man stay the night. Knowing him he'd probably chase the poor fool out of the bed! She laughed at the thought as she removed her light leather armor.
After she'd piled the armor on the top of the trunk beside her bed she realized that she was actually pretty tired. The long hours of training had definitely left her body tired and with Fergus leaving tonight and her father leaving tomorrow she was emotionally tired as well. She blew out the candles and slipped beneath the sheets on her bed. As she snuggled up against her hound his warm fur made her feel cozy and she could feel that it would not take long for sleep to come to her tonight. "Maker, watch over them as they ride into battle. Let everything turn out the way it's meant too." After she said her quiet prayer she quickly slipped into sleep, with Prince snoring lightly beside her.
Seanna pulled the pillow over her head. Prince had been barking nonstop for the past few minutes and despite her shushing he continued. "Considering all I'm supposed to do in the morning this was not really the best night to do this you know." She mumbled to her hound. But no matter what she said he remained at the door, angrily barking. Seanna sat up in bed and tried to focus her eyes on Prince. Maybe he needed to go out or something. She slowly sat up in bed and just before she stood up Prince stopped barking. He went into his defensive stance and a low warning growl escaped his throat.
The only time he ever acted like this was when he was training. She was still half out of it and wasn't really sure what he was so worked up about. "What's wrong, boy? Is someone out there?" She quietly went to the door and pressed her ear against it. The sound of iron boots and muffled shouting came from the other side. She was confused and she knew she needed to find out what was going on. She went over to the chest she'd laid her armor and equipment on. She began dressing as fast as her body would allow her and as she was slipping on her boots she heard a scream, and it sounded very close.
Suddenly the door to her room flew open. Prince jumped to her side, returning to his defensive war stance. A servant from the kitchen ran into her room. His skin was pale and there were beads of sweat dripping down his face. "My lady! Help me! The castle is under attack!" Before he could get another word out an arrow pierced his back, the tip slightly peeking out the front of his clothing. He slumped to the floor and didn't make another sound. Seanna quickly unsheathed her daggers and readied herself for what was to come.
Two soldiers ran into the room, weapons held at the ready. Prince gave them a warning bark as they inched themselves forward. Suddenly one of them was advancing on Seanna. She quickly dodged the attack and the moment he was past her she shoved her dagger into his back. The man hit the floor and squirmed about in pain. Prince immediately lunged on top of him and began biting and ripping at the man's flesh. The other soldier let out a loud war cry before he too began to advance on Seanna. Their weapons clanked as they met and both she and the soldier were grunting from the effort of battle. It lasted only a few moments, but the struggle between the two ended with Seanna the victor.
She quickly rushed out of her room and into the hall. There were two more soldiers blocking the door. Seanna and Prince made quick work of them as well and then the hall was quiet. Seanna was shaking. The adrenaline flowing through her body was like nothing she'd ever felt before. Her heartbeat was sounding in her ears. So this is what battle was like. She was pulled out of her state of shock when her mother flew out of her room. "Darling! I heard fighting outside and I feared the worst. Are you hurt?" She put a hand on Seanna's arm and the touch triggered Seanna to speak.
"I-I'm fine. What's going on?" Her voice was shaking and she was confused. She had always been taught how to fight, of course, but she had never really had to use it in serious situations like that. She had already killed four men.
"A scream woke me up. There were men in the hall, so I bared the door. Did you see their shields? Those are Howe's men! Why would they attack us?" Her mother was speaking quickly and her voice was thick with worry. Seanna still didn't know what was going on and was still shaken from the whole situation.
"I don't know, Mother, but we need to get out of here."