Thank you to all those who have viewed and read the first chapter - Rosie
Bioware owns Dragon Age and all that is affiliated with it.
Duncan was sitting by the fire drinking from a steaming cup when Alistair found him later. In the six months that Alistair had been a warden, he had come to greatly respect Duncan and looked up to him as the father he never had. For the first time in his life he felt as he belonged somewhere. Yes, they had to fight and kill Darkspawn and yes, his blood was now tainted which meant he only had about thirty years to live, but Alistair didn't care; he had finally found his family.
"Duncan," Alistair called as he neared the campfire.
"Alistair, how are you, please join me. Would you like a mug of tea? It's just freshly brewed."
Alistair nodded and Duncan went in search for another mug to pour his tea in. Handing Alistair his own steaming mug, Duncan sat back down and took a long sip; savouring the feel as the hot tea warmed his body and relaxed his muscles. There just wasn't anything better than a good cup of tea.
"What can I do for you Alistair?"
Alistair shifted uncomfortably, not knowing how to start this conversation. He had not once questioned the Commander of the Grey about his decisions so far, but this time he had to question the reasoning behind recruiting Darcy.
"The new recruit is –"
"Darcy, is she alright? Has something happened?" Duncan looked worried and a deep frown pulled his dark eyebrows together.
Alistair was surprised at Duncan's reaction. Clearly there was more going on here than he thought.
"Darcy is fine, albeit a little on the quiet side."
Duncan seemed to relax visibly, "Good, that is good. So what seems to be the problem?"
Alistair took a deep breath before answering.
"Are you sure about her, Duncan? I mean she is so tiny and small and like a little girl lost. Do you truly believe that she would even pass the Joining ceremony?"
Duncan gave a half-smile, but did not answer straight away; instead taking another sip from his mug.
"Do not let her looks deceive you, Alistair. She is not as innocent as she seems; her prowess with the bow and blades are quite well known. As for looking like a little girl lost, well, that is not my story to tell. Just know that she has been through a deeply traumatising event and it will take her some time to work through it, if she ever does."
Alistair frowned. He knew that most of the Grey wardens had dark pasts and quite a few of them were conscripted into the Grey Wardens just as they made their way to the gallows to hang for their crimes, but he could not bring himself to think that Darcy was a convicted criminal. Duncan could see the young man was conflicted, so he patted him on the back and gave him some advice.
"Look, Darcy has nowhere else to go. The Grey Wardens are her home now, just as much as they are yours. She could use a friend."
Alistair nodded; he still felt unsettled about thinking of Darcy having to face a Darkspawn, but there was nothing for it and into the Kocari Wilds they must go, so Alistair bid Duncan goodnight and went to find his pallet.
"Hey, did you guys see the newest recruit Duncan brought back from his travels?" Daveth gave a lewd grin towards said recruit's tent.
He was sitting around the fire with Jory, another recruit from Redcliffe and a few other Grey Wardens. He had hoped see her tonight, but she had retired to her tent before he had the chance.
"Oi, Daveth, give the rest of us a chance. You've only been here a month and already your escapades among the women in the camp are legendary."
"Yeah, you're putting the rest of us to shame, and you're only a Grey Warden recruit!"
Daveth laughed and continued to sharpen his dagger on the whetstone he held on his lap.
"Well, Mugs, I'm sure it has nothing to do with your ugly mug."
The Grey Warden named Mugney grinned and chucked the chicken bone he had been sucking on at Daveth's head. Daveth moved his head slightly to the left and the chicken bone sailed over his shoulder to land harmlessly in the dirt behind him.
"Your mug's no less ugly than mine, you bastard."
"Tut, tut, Mugs, I'm an orphan not a bastard, there's a difference. And as to my mug, it's far more handsome than yours. Besides, you have the charm of an ogre, women like to be flattered and have sweet nothings whispered into their ears." He waggled his eyebrows for suggestive effect.
"I bet I can get her out of those tight leathers before you can," Skynner said; eyes glinting at the thought.
"Alright, challenge accepted. How much do you want to bet?" Daveth said accepting the challenge.
Skynner dug in his pack and pulled out a handful of silvers, "Ten silvers, says I'll get to her first."
Mugney gave a snort and dismissed Skynner with a wave of his hand. "That's not even a real bet, you fool. I bet you thirty silver that I'll get her in the sack with me before either of you."
Jory laughed silently at the men, the idiots had no idea what they were talking about. He must have laughed louder than he thought, because he suddenly found himself at the centre of attention, all eyes turned on him.
"You think you can do better, Jory?" Daveth asked.
Jory shook his head and scowled, "I don't need to try, I have a wife with a baby on the way at home."
The other men laughed.
"That means nothing, we're soldiers at war, what the missus at home doesn't know won't hurt her." Mugney winked at Jory and they all laughed again. Jory remained silent.
"So, why were you laughing then?" Daveth asked, curious now to find out why Jory had looked at them like they were all simpletons.
"I know that none of you stand a chance with her that is all."
"Oh, and how do you know this?" Skynner joined in.
Jory looked at the three men, taking his time to answer their question.
"I know who she is."
A moment's silence stretched before them before Mugney's curiosity got the better of him.
"Come on then, tell us who she is and stop keeping us in suspense."
"You really don't know who she is, do you?" Jory said grinning.
"Maker's hairy ball-sack, just tell us already."
"Have you ever heard of Highever's Jewel?"
Daveth frowned. He had overheard someone say something about a Highever jewel before.
"Yeah, I've heard of the Highever jewel, but I've always thought it was an actual jewel. In fact, I've entertained thoughts of going to Highever to see if I could steal it."
Jory smirked and shook his head, "Should have known that you would think it an actual jewel, thief."
Skynner laughed out loud, "Daveth, you crack me up. Seriously Jory, there is no way that that is Highever's Jewel. You think that Teyrn Cousland would give up his only daughter to become a Grey Warden?"
"Yeah, Jory, there's no way that Teyrn Cousland would give up his daughter," Mugney retorted indignantly.
"I can assure you that the new recruit is indeed Darcy Cousland. I have met her before and my wife was the head seamstress for the Cousland family before we were wed. I know what she looks like." Jory said sagely.
"I still can't quite believe it. Why would the Teyrn give up his only daughter to the Grey Wardens? She would be a handsome prize for any noble." Mugney shook his head in disbelief.
Jory nodded his agreement, "Indeed, but it is my understanding that she refused any offers made for her hand in marriage. The Couslands have a long history of duty to Ferelden, so perhaps she sees it as her duty."
If Daveth's grin could be any wider than it already was, then it was at this moment. "This is brilliant; it makes the challenge so much more fun." He rubbed his hands together in glee.
"I would be careful if I were you," Jory warned, "she is also known as Cousland's Little Spitfire. Don't think she will make it easy on you."
"Oh really?" Daveth quirked a black eyebrow at Jory.
Jory allowed himself to grin knowingly at Daveth. This was going to be fun. He had every notion that Daveth was about to meet his comeuppance in Darcy Cousland. The cocksure lout needed to learn a good lesson or two.
"Really. Those swords she carries on her back are not toys and I've seen her yield them against many of her father's soldiers on the practice field. And her archery skills would put even the King's Royal Archers to shame."
Daveth just grinned and rubbed his hands together, "Oh this is going to be so much fun!"