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Memoirs of Lady Cousland

Chapter 2

Fergus was were father has said. In his chambers, across the hall from mine. The door was open so I could hear the conversation that was going on inside.

"Is there really going to be a war Papa. Will you bring me back a swword."

"That's sword Oran, and I'll get you the mightiest one I can find, I promise. I'll be back before you know it."

"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is disquiet." Spoke a female voice, clearly Fergus' wife Oriana.

"Don't frighten the boy love I speak the truth, and here is my little sister to see me off." Fergus said as he turned to greet me. "Now dry your eyes love and wish me well." Sensing that maybe the moment wasn't quite right.

"Maybe this isn't the right time, I should go."

"Stay." Fergus grabbed my hand "I'd like to say farewell."

"I envy you Fergus." A laugh played across his face.

"If it's any consolation I'm sure I'll freeze in the southern region, and be completely jealous of you, up here warm and safe."

"I am positively thrilled that you will be so miserable husband." taking a seat on one of the sofas, I just had to find out what Fergus knew about Duncan.

"Did you here about the Grey Warden that's staying with us?"

"Really, was he riding a griffon?"

"Shh Oran griffons only exist in stories now." Oriana picked Oran up to quieten him so me and Fergus could talk.

"I heard that. Did he say why he's come?" Fergus asked.

"It was about recruiting Ser Gilmore."

"Good for him. I hope he makes it." Fergus turned and stared into the fire. "If I were a Grey Warden though." Fergus turned at me before continuing. "I'd have my eye on you. Not that father would ever allow it." I down cast my eyes not wanting to dwell on the subject anymore.

"Will the war be over quickly?" I asked.

"Word from the south is the battles have gone well. There is no evidence that this is true Blight. Just a large raid." This news seamed to give Oriana encouragement.

"Could that be true?"

"I'll see for myself soon enough. Pray for me love, and I'll be back within a month or two." I leaned back on the sofa.

"You know I wish I could go with you."

"I wish you could come, it would be tiring killing all those Darkspawn." I could tell that Fergus was trying to make me feel better.

"In Antiva a woman fighting in battle would be unthinkable."

"Is that so." Fergus moved, so he was now standing behind his wife "I've always heard Antivan women were quite dangerous."

"With kindness and poison only my husband." She concluded with a kiss on his cheek.

"This from the woman who serves my tea!"

"Anyway Fergus the real reason I'm here. Father wants you to lead the army ahead of him." concern crossed my brothers face.

"Then the Arls men are delayed. You'd think his men where waling backwards, Well I'd better get underway. So many Darkspawn to behead so little time."

"I would hope dear boy that you would plan to wait for us before taking your leave." Father called as he and mother entered the room.

"Be well my son. I will pray for your safe return everyday you are gone." Mother said as she embraced him.

"A good shield would be better." I chipped in, though Fergus was the only one who saw the funny side.

"Maker sustain us." Oriana spoke "and preserve us all. Watch over our sons, husbands and fathers. Bring them safely back to us." Fergus placed his arm round Oriana's waste.

"And bring us some ale and wrenches, while your at it." Glancing down at Oriana he quickly changed his tune. " For the men of course."

"Fergus you would say this in front of your mother?" Oriana said.

"What's a wrench?" Oran called "is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?" Father placed his hand on Oran's head.

"A wrench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern Oran, or a woman that drinks a lot of ale."

"Bryce." Mother called "It's like living with a pair of small boys." Mother placed her hand on my shoulder. "Thankfully I have a daughter."

"I'll miss you mother dear. You'll take care of her sister, won't you?" I placed my hand on top of mothers and patted it.

"You know mother can handle herself." Fergus began to laugh before saying.

"It's true. They should be sending her not me. She would scold though Darkspawn back into the deep roads."

"We'll I'm glad you find this so funny." Mother said as she rolled her eyes. Father chuckled to himself.

"Enough. Pup you'll want to get an early night. You've much to do." I stood to go bidding goodnight. Oran caught me before I made it out the door.

"Mum says you're going to be watching over us. While Papa is gone. Is that true Auntie." I knelt down so I could talk at his eye level.

"Yes Oran, that's correct."

"What if the castle is attacked will there be dragons?"

"Dragons are terrible creatures Oran, they eat people." Oriana said.

"Yeah, I want to see one."

"This is your influence Fergus." accused Oriana.

"I didn't say anything." Fergus tried to proclaim his innocents.

"Are you going to teach me to use a sword Auntie. Then I can fight evil to." Oran started to run around waving a pretend sword around. "Take that dire bunny, Darkspawn fear my sword of truthfulness." Smiling I grabbed Oran's arms.

"I tell you what. I will if you as your mother it's ok."

"The answers no Oran."

"Oh." Smiling I kissed Oran goodnight and retired to my room.

I was woken up by Ruffles baking at the door. Listening closely distant shouting could be heard. Sudden alarm filled my body, grabbing my armour. I pulled it on as fast as I could constantly ruffles was barking at the door. Grabbing me dagger and hitching it to my belt. I swung my sword onto my back. I bolted for the door and swung it open.

"My lady we're under atta…." the poor man never got to finish. An arrow hit the man right in the back. Penetrating his heart. I caught sight of the attacker. Reaching back I grabbed my sword, and rushed forward. The archer deflected my first attack with his bow. But failed to see me low sweep knocking him off balanced. Which brought me time to swing my sword round in an arc, connecting with the mans neck. Slicing deep. Blood sprayed from the wound. Clawing at his neck to try and stem the bleeding, to no avail. The man sun to his knees. The look of death in his eyes. I brought my sword stabbing down through his chest. The body slumped, I pushed the body back with my foot. While wrenching my sword free.

"Darling, thank the maker your all right." I turned round to find my mother running towards me, wearing her own armour.

"I'm fine, Ruffles alerted me."

"That hound come in use for something." Glancing across the hall I noticed Fergus chamber door.

"Oriana, Oran." I charged in, but it was already to late. Ruffles stood there whining over their bodies. I blocked the doorway.

"Mother don't look."

"Oriana, little Oran, NO. who could of done this."

"I don't know but we'll find out." Turning to leave I notice the crest on the dead man's tunic. That's Arl Howe's crest. Now it made sense, while the Arl's men were delayed. They were waiting till our troops had left. We were betrayed. Howe betrayed us. "We need to find father."

"Before I retired for the night he was in the great hall."

"Ready for this mother."

"Life in me yet." Nodding at her in reply. I advanced ahead, with Ruffles at my side. Sticking to the shadows, was the best way to go unnoticed. Reaching the bottom a voice could be heard, heading our way. The voices was not that of our men. I indicated to mother she readied her bow. As they reached the stairs I grabbed the nearest slicing his throat with my dagger. Mother shot an arrow clean through the neck of the other.

"Darling, we must move quickly." She paused then looked around. "Here take his key. It's to the treasury." I looked confused. "Take the family sword, they must not get it." Knowing that this was important to my mother. We made our way down the hall. The treasury was not far, plus it was on our way. We encountered a few more men. Which were easily dispatched clearly these men were scouts more than actual warriors. Reaching the treasury. I opened the door. Hanging on the opposite wall was my family sword. It belonged to my grandfather who fought with King Maric. The sword was the pride of the Cousland family. Now Howe threatened to destroy it. A cry can from behind, one of Howe's men had found us, and was charging. He only made a few steps before Ruffles had rushed the man knocking him off his feet. Before ripping his throat out, with a crunch. The body spasmed.

"Good boy," Ruffles barked with delight. The dash to the great hall was uninterrupted. Inside Ser Gilmore was inside rallying what token force we had left. Getting them to brace the main door. Keeping the main force of Howe's men out.

"Ser Gilmore, where's my father?"

"My lady I don't know, but you need to get out. I can't hold the main door for long."

"The servants exit in the kitchen." Mother said. "It's a secret passage, may be Bryce is waiting for us there."

"It's a chance my lady hurry." Placing my hand on Gilmore's Shoulder, as a quiet thank you. Before following my mother. The journey to the kitchen was easy going. Clearly Howe's forces hadn't got inside yet. Running into the kitchen. I was confronted with the site of my father lying in his own blood. Fortunately death hadn't claimed him yet.

"There you both are." my fathers voice was ragged and his breathing hard.

"Bryce"

"I was wondering when you'll get here."

"Maker's blood. What's happening your bleeding." Mother was now kneeling over my father.

"Howe's men found me first, Almost did me in right there."

"Howe must be killed." I claimed anger building up inside me.

"He can't get away with this." Father said as he clasped my hand.

"Bryce, we must get out of here."

"I won't survive the standing I think."

"Then we stay and fight." I growled, mothers voice was filled with concern.

"Once Howe's men break through the gate. They will find us, we must go." Father reached out to me.

"Someone must reach Fergus. Tell him what's happened."

"I'll warn him father, we'll have vengeance."

"Yes Vengeance."

"Bryce, NO. the servants passage is right here. We can flee together. Find you healing magic." Father's face was a mask of defeat.

"The castle is surrounded I can not make I." Ruffles growled as footsteps approached, seeing Duncan enter the kitchen, I signalled to Ruffles it was alright.

"I'm afraid the Teyrn is correct. Howe's men have yet not discovered this exit, But they surround the castle. Getting passed will be difficult."

"You are Duncan then, the Grey Warden?" Mother asked.

"Yes your ladyship. The Teyrn and I tried to reach you sooner."

"My daughter helped me get here. Maker be praised."

"I'm not surprised." Duncan said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to help us?" I asked.

"Whatever there is to be done, it must be done quick. They're coming." My mother said as she eyed the door,

"Duncan I beg you take my wife and daughter to safety."

"I will your lordship, but I fear I must ask for something in return."

"Anything." My father gasped.

"What is happening here, paled in comparison to the evil that now moves in this world. I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one."

"I understand." My father sighed.

"What about Ser Gilmore?" I asked.

"Truthfully you were always my first choice. I will take them to Ostragar. To tell Fergus and the King, what has happened. Then your daughter joins the Grey Wardens."

"So long as justice comes to Howe, I agree." said my father.

"Then I offer you a place within the Grey Wardens, fight with us." I was taken aback torn between my family and the Grey Wardens.

"I accept." I whispered, on the verge with tears in my eyes.

"We must leave then quickly." Duncan urged.

"Bryce are you sure?"

"Our daughter, will not die of Howe's treachery. She will live and make her mark on the world." Mother turned to me.

"Darling go with Duncan, you have a better chance to escape with out me."

"Elanor." My Father gasped.

"Hush Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door, to buy them time. I won't abandon you." it was then and there that I saw what real love was.

"We'll find another way." I pleaded.

"So we can all die." Mother hissed, "No your place is now with the Grey Wardens, mine is with your father."

"I'm so sorry it's come to this, my love." my father said to my mother.

"We've had a good life, and did all we could. It's up to our children now."

"Then go pup, warn your brother." a loud crash was heard as the front gates gave way. "Know that we love you both. You'll do us proud."

"They've broken through the gates, we must move now." Duncan called as he pulled me away. I called to Ruffles, and he followed us down the passage.

"Goodbye Darling." My Mother's voice echoed after us. While I was running the image of my mother, standing over my fathers body, bow drawn. Burned itself into my memory. Life was never going to be the same again.

Author's notes. In know I haven't wrote every battle that you have because I would never get round to the actual story. So I'm sticking to the main battles, and some side skirmishes. Anyway let me know what you think as all comments are welcome.

Hope you enjoyed Asuka_uk