Disclaimer: If I owned this game... ALOT would be changed. But that is not the case so I must live my fantasies out with words. Don't be afraid to live a note :)
Rusk barked as he was chanced by the youngest prince of the house. The young boy laughed and followed the dog around the castle away from the chambers. Nat pulled her eyes away from the hall and shut her door again. Looking back at the Bard that was counting the gold that was in the bag she had given her as a first payment. It should be enough to convince her to be of help. Looking down at the armor clad feet that she wore. It was of the finest armor in all of the land, her father had made sure that she was well protected.
"So. Why or who would want you dead." The bard asked finally putting the bag in her pocket for safe keeping.
Nat laid her sword down on its stand and pulled her gauntlets off moving her stiff fingers, "Arl Howe has had his eye on my family's land for years. I figure that with his hate of the Orlesians that he would not think to look to you for help. I have heard that you are talented and I need that of you."
Leliana smirked and teased, "And what stops me from coming in your room at night and slitting your throat?"
Nat smiled darkly listening to the faint barking of Rusk down the hall, "I wouldn't not stop you from coming in my room at night, but I would only hope that it would be for different reasons dear bard. But if you decided to kill me, then so be it. It would seem that one way or another I will meet that fate."
The red head looked passed the long dark hair in front of her. This noble had so openly invited her into her bed that it was… odd. Normally the ones she meet would hide these feelings, but to be so open it was something she wished she could be. Her mistress would not allow it of her. She was to keep her feelings hidden, she said they were not natural, but her mistress pulled her into bed for her own use without second thought.
Maybe it be best if she just ignored what she said. With a small smile she simply slipped out of the room and left Nat to her thoughts. Leliana walked the streets of Loathering and found the chantry. They would house her in her time of need. She would just pose as someone that had lost their way. That would get her into the home and let her have a place away from her mistress. They seemed to be growing apart lately and it was starting to pull at her heart.
Back at her home Nat left to see her sister-in-law. They were close and that was part of why the Arl hated her family so much. They had brought this woman from a land of war into their home. To top it off Fergus, her older brother had married her and laid her. The Howes hadn't been the same since the wedding. Now Nat was the last to bring more power into the family line.
If she was to be married to the right person then she could bring them closer to the king. If she was to marry anyone from the power line it would be the queen of Ferelden. They were childhood friends and they had a love that was sweet. When she had to go and marry for her father's wishes Nat promised herself not to fall to that same fate. They may not have been able to marry, but she wanted to be with her friend at the time.
Now that she had a few years to think on it she knew it wouldn't happen. They were too different. Nat wanted peace and was willing to defy her father to get it. The queen on the other hand held her father highly and with the closeness of Logain and Howe it was just a matter of time before she too would be against her once childhood-love.
"Oriana?" the young noble called out into her brother's room.
"Nat come in. What is wrong? Is Oren and Fergus ok?" her accent thick with motherly worry.
"They are fine Oriana." The black haired warrior sat down, "I am here on a personal matter."
"Oh…" she tailed off and sat down next to the younger girl, "What worries you my dear friend?"
Nat rubbed the back of hands looking at marks from battles with her brother and father. They were healing and in no time they should fall to be nothing but scars. Never had she ever felt like she would die once when she was in their battles, but now that she had met the Bard, she came to realize that she could die. It was not that, that had forced her to come to her friend.
"I met someone today. She scared and excited me at the same time." Nat's breathe shaky.
Oriana blinked. She knew that Nat favored girls and it was hard on the young noble. No one seemed understand that she was not the way of others. Nat did not want to be married to just someone for the sake of title. As it was Fergus was to take over the house of Cousland. What did it matter if Nat never married? Her bloodline would never take the throne as long as Fergus and Oren lived.
"Maybe you should go and try with her. Nat I know your father would not approve, but Eleanor might. I wish that I could set you free of all the pain that you have to keep going thought my dear friend."
Nat closed her eyes for a second, "I need a favor from you my sister."
"Of course, anything my friend."
"I can't tell you why, but I need you to pretend that she is your friend. Who she is can't not be revelived you understand Oriana?"
Oriana nodded, "How will I know who she is? Lots of women pass through the castle every day."
Nat finally opened her eyes with a smile, "She is Orlesian."
