Update 1.1

Date: March 5th, 2016

Fixed spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

AN: Hello every one! I hope you enjoy the first official chapter of CHAMPIONS OF THE BLIGHT

PROLOGE PART 1

COUSLAND PART 1

Denerim, the capital city of Ferelden, Marcus loved coming here with his father. It had always been a chance to learn, to explore, to meet new people, spend time with his friends or go to court with his father. Yet, as much fun as all that was, there was always something that felt wrong here. Denerim was probably the same size as Highever, looked almost the same, yet there was one big difference, the people. It wasn't anything obvious; there were humans, elves, even the occasional dwarf, no, it was nothing like that. The problem was the quality of life. Highever wasn't perfect, he knew that, but anyone with eyes could see that the people there lived better lives then the people in the capitol. It was a sad truth, one that he had seen first-hand just a few hours ago.

Earlier in the day he had gone to visit the Alienage, hoping to explore or maybe make some new friends, something he had always been good at, yet the moment he had step foot inside the gated off section he could feel the elves glaring daggers at him. At first he had shrugged it off, he was used to the impoverished looking at him with anger and jealousy, but he couldn't shake the feeling this was different. He had decided to try and talk to some children that he had seen playing, these two girls and a smaller boy sitting by a large tree, instantly a decision he regretted.

One of the girls, about his age with short fiery hair, had started throwing rocks at him, calling him a "damn shemlen", telling him to leave them alone. The other girl stood and watched, looking at him with just as much anger, while the boy ran, calling for someone. That had been enough to shock him, he knew elves and humans didn't get along most of the times but you'd think from the way she was acting that he had personally insulted her mother. He was only thankful she couldn't throw for shit because she really was trying her hardest to hit him. Before anything else could happen the guard that his father had assigned to watch him and not let out of his sight (a task Marcus exceled at making difficult) finally caught up to him.

At learning that the human boy that they were looking at was the son of one of the most powerful men in Ferelden had removed any sign of hate from the faces of the gathering adults, at that moment they were too busy being terrified. Most had ran away while the rest looked like they about to pass out.

Almost as soon as his guard got there the Alienage elder and the parents of the children, including the father of the second girl (another red head, probably related to the one who had been throwing rocks by the looks of it) had come to apologize. Marcus really didn't care about it; in fact he was mostly just confused why they had done it in the first place. He looked at the second girl and he saw something in her face. Not fear like the adults, he saw hate, pure hate. He had never met this girl before, spoken five words to her at most and yet for some reason she looked like she wanted nothing more than to beat him to a bloody pulp. He must have been staring at her for too long because her father pulled her closer and with a voice barely above a whisper begged for Marcus to forgive her. Hearing the girls father Marcus looked at the man, in his face there was terror. He realized that this man wasn't just asking him to forgive her, he was asking him to spare her life.

He was speechless, the fear, the hate, what had these people gone thru to look at him this way? He had apologized to them all and left as fast as he could, feeling the girls cold stare the entire time. The walk back to the estate his family was staying in was a long one, the entire time he thought about what he had just witnessed. He thought about what those people must have gone through, what must have happened for them to look at him the way they did and soon he started to notice something. Along the way he could see elves on the street, some working, some asking for money, all of them ignored or harassed by the people who walked by. He was speechless, why, why did they do that!? How could they treat these people this way? How could the guards see it and do nothing? Worse, how could they join in? He hurried home, sick of what he had seen and quickly growing sick of Denerim.

Later that evening while Marcus was in his room reading one of the books his tutor Aldous had him studying when he heard a knock on his door before it opened. Already knowing who it was he turned around and gave the man in the door way a small smile.

"Hello father, how was your meeting with the King?"

Bryce Cousland smiled at his son before sitting down beside him.

"It went well pup, the King has agreed that we should begin to reopen trade talks with Orlais. It was difficult to convince the Arls and Arlessas, especially with Teyrn Loghain doing his best to oppose us, but thankfully the King saw reason."

Bryce had always been so proud of Marcus for taking an interest for politics at such a young age. Four years Fergus's younger yet already he was catching up to him in sword play, as well as showing the mind and patience for leadership that Fergus just didn't seem interested in. Whenever he traveled Bryce would make sure to bring Marcus with him, he thought it was important to introduce him to the Arls and Arlessas, even letting him listen in on the few times he had to go to court. At that thought Bryces face went serious, reminded of the reason he had come to his sons room now to begin with. Marcus hadn't gone to court with him, something Marcus always looked forward to, something had happened this morning to make him stay locked up in his room all day and he needed to know exactly what.

"Enough about me pup, I hear that you had a very interesting morning."

Marcus looked away, still troubled with todays events "Nothing happened."

"Marcus, those children were throwing stones at you. Obviously something happened. What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing!" He dropped his head. "I did nothing, but they hate me, they're afraid of me, because I'm me. A noble, a Human, I represent everyone that's wronged them in their lives."

Bryce sighed; his son was kind person in cruel world. the thought that Marcus had been the one who had started it never crossed his mined, he just assumed they had been stupid, cruel children. This was worse, for a moment he was worried if living in Highever, where conditions were much better for the elves, for most people in the kingdom, had left his son unprepared for the real world. He was going to say something but his son spoke up again.

"I know that back home thing are not perfect, but at least people don't have to be afraid of being beaten in the streets because of the shape of their ear. Or can at least trust that the guards will do something about it."

Bryce looked at his son, "Is that why you chose not to come with me today?"

"The King, the Arl, they know what happens but they don't do anything. I was afraid that if I had gone with you I might say something stupid." Marcus slumped his shoulders before sitting straight and looking at his father.

"What they're doing is wrong; a lord's duty is to protect the people who serve under him, all of them, not just his race. The King, the Arl, by doing nothing they are just as guilty as the people who actually commit these horrible crimes. If the day comes that I am ever a lord I will do everything in my power to help the elves, to help everyone, equally."

For a moment Bryce was speechless, never had he heard his son speak with such passion, certainty and sincerity. He smiled at his son and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"You would make a great lord, just and fair. Never lose your commitment pup, I believe that one day you will change the world."

Bryce had come to Denerim with an idea, something he had been toying with, now he was certain. When he got back to Highever he and Eleanor would have to have a long talk about their sons future, his future as Teyrn of Highever.

AN: Hey! Hope everyone enjoyed that

If you have any suggestions or complaints please leave a comment

With school I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post a new chapter but I'll do the best I can

See you then!