Naruto: Knight of Highever

Chapter 2

Written by KitBeast

Beta'd by Vixen's Shadow (Once again Greatly appreciated)


Disclaimer:- In no way do I own the franchise's of Naruto and Dragon Age. They are the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Bioware. No profits are made by this story.


Sunlight seemed to creep though the window and towards the occupant of the room, determined in it's mission to disturb the sleep of the boy. A mission which it easily achieved.

Waking to the shining sun in his eye's Naruto was understandably preoccupied trying to force himself to become more aware than his body wished to be. After all it would be much better to simply go back to sleep. Shifting so his legs were dangling over the side of the bed, he pushed himself up, and discovered something that woke him instantly.

"What the?" he exclaimed suddenly not understanding what was happening. He knew that something strange had happened when the chakra of his and Sasuke's attacks collided. And he could vaguely remember a seemingly endless field of grass. But he didn't remember anyone finding him.

It was easy for him to deduce that he wasn't in Konoha, because if he were, he'd be in the observation ward of Konoha General Hospital, but that had wooden floors. In fact, Naruto couldn't think of a building in all of Konoha that had stone floors. Which led to the next question for Naruto to answer. Where was he?

Looking around the room, careful to take in all of it's features, Naruto noticed that all that was left of his clothing was his orange trousers, which he immediately put on. The only times he liked being naked was when he was bathing. After searching for a couple of minutes he found that all his other clothes and equipment wasn't there. Which meant that Naruto was either very lucky that he was found by someone who helped him, or very unlucky and now he's been captured by some unknown enemy. But if that was true, wouldn't he be in a cell, not what appeared to be a guestroom? But then again they could be trying to lull him into a false sense of security, waiting to strike when he lowered his guard.

Groaning at the sudden headache, Naruto shook his head, trying to clear all the frantic thoughts out of his head. This is why he preferred simple things; otherwise he tended to over think things, which always made it 10 times worse then it really was. So that meant he was left with basically 2 choices. First, he could stay here over thinking things, and never find out what is going on, or secondly he could try to find someone and get some information.

Deciding that the second choice was the best one, Naruto carefully opened the door and peered into the hallway, searching everywhere for any possible attackers. It was never wise to let your guard down, when presented with an unknown situation. Something that had been cemented in his head, with all the surprises he faced on his recent missions.

With the coast clear, he made his way into the hallway, surprised by the shear size of it. While he had been in impressive buildings before, the Hokage's tower to name just one, none of them was anything like this. While most buildings that he had seen were plain and built just to do a job, this one seemed to be the exact opposite. Why would anyone need such a high ceiling, not to mention all the extravagant artwork that covered the walls.

Making his way down the hallways, which was just too long in his opinion, Naruto passed several large wooden doors, and as tempted as he was, he couldn't bring himself to open them. After all there was always the chance he would walk into the middle of the guard's room. And with nothing but a pair of pants and his own skill, he didn't feel like fighting any unnecessary battles.

However no matter how much he wanted to avoid battles, Naruto knew sooner or later he would have to risk it if he was to get any information as to where he was. He mentally decided that the next room he came to, would be the room he started his search.

Sooner than he would have liked he found himself at the next door, although this one was different, it had ornate golden carvings worked into the wood, so clearly whatever was behind this door, was important.

Taking a calming breathe Naruto placed his hand on the handle and slowly pushed the door open, he only hoped this didn't backfire like most of his recent plans did.


Today had been a tiring day. So Eleanor had retreated to her bedroom, hoping to relax slightly. She knew Bryce would have his hands full organizing the search for what ever had been responsible for this, so she had volunteered to supervise the boy's healing. Only she had no idea how stressful that choice would turn out to be.

While healing of the boy itself was rather straight forward and quick, the events that had followed afterwards had been draining.

Harrison had shared his knowledge on the boy, and when he had mentioned the boy's strange magic, the spiritual healers had been speechless. However it had manifested itself when some of the boys more serious injuries had began to heal by themselves. And even Eleanor could feel the taint of blood magic in the air. Something that could only happen when large amounts of blood magic were being used. While she was a fully trained battle maiden, she was not a templar, so anything to do with magic was outside of her area of expertise.

But when Harrison had mentioned that while he had sensed the boy had magic, none of it had been blood magic. This again raised more questions, since it was common knowledge that when a mage dabbled in blood magic all their magic would become tainted as it where. And they will always give off the aura of that taint. So how could the boy have two different magics?

It seemed the more time that passed the more questions that were raised. Questions that would only be able to be answered when the boy awoke.

She was soon broken from her thoughts however, when she heard measured footsteps outside her room. They where quiet, slow, and more importantly hesitant. No one in the castle would behave like that, well actually there was one person who might act like that, but that was impossible. The healers had said it would take days for him to wake.

Putting her book down on the bedside table she made her way over to her door.


Taking yet another breathe to calm his nerves Naruto pushed the door open, to reveal a empty room. Naruto didn't know whether to be grateful or annoyed that he had come across what appeared to be a bedroom. There was a large, very comfortable looking bed against one wall. A couple of desks with papers scattered across the surfaces, but most importantly to Naruto, there was a bookcase. A very large bookcase. He was sure he could find some information here, even if it was just basic stuff.

Picking a random book he began to read, however he was frustrated when he didn't find anything of use. The only thing the book had mentioned was something called Darkspawn. He had no idea what Darkspawn were, and to be quite honest with himself, he didn't particularly care about finding out.

Moving back to the door, he gave one quick glance over the room, making sure everything was back how he found it. It wouldn't do if people noticed what he had been doing after all.

With the door shut he sighed, and turned to begin his search elsewhere. Fate, it seems, had other ideas, as he walked right into a middle aged woman who was stood with her arms folded, and assessing him with her eyes.

Naruto tried to move backwards to put distance between them, however he found his endeavours hampered by the door he had just closed.

"Who are you?" He demanded trying to sound as intimidating as he could.

"I believe I should be asking you that question, child. Since you did just come out of my son's room," she remarked. "But I suppose there is no harm in telling you my name. I'm the Teyrna of Highever, Eleanor Cousland. And before you ask you are in Castle Cousland."

"Highever?" Naruto asked confused. Seeing her nod, he continued, "I have never heard of a place called Highever"

"Well then child, since it seems this is going to take awhile before this is settled perhaps we should go somewhere more comfortable? Like the room you are suppose to be resting in?" However seeing his defiant look Eleanor quickly added "Don't worry child I will answer all of your questions. Well at least those which I know the answer to."

Seeing that this is the best he could possibly hope for, Naruto decided to play along for a while, at least until he got enough information to form some sort of plan, even if it was just a vague one.

After a couple of minutes of following Eleanor as she wove her way through the elaborate hallways Naruto soon found himself in front of the room where his little escapade began. Naruto noticed that Eleanor was holding the door open, clearly wanting Naruto to enter first. Multiple reasons for why she would do this flew through his head. But she deserved the benefit of the doubt, since she hadn't done anything suspicious yet. It was probably the adrenaline of the fight, and the series injuries he had just recovered from, that was making him just to conclusions; that should pass in a day or two as his nerves settled.

Sitting on the bed, Naruto looked pointedly at Eleanor, as if demanding she answer questions before he'd even asked them.

Chuckling at the boy's behaviour, Eleanor elegantly made her way to one of the seats in the room, since she expected that this would become a rather long conversation.

"I can not answer a question I have not been asked, child." she said snapping Naruto out of his stare

"Eh, sorry. I guess that I'm just a little overwhelmed at the moment."

"Understandable. Especially with what you've been through. It must have been a terrible thing, what ever gave you the wounds you had when my husband found you."

"It was." Naruto said, looking down at his hands. "You look like a nice enough lady, but I don't really trust you yet. So please try to understand if I don't answer every question you ask."

"Perfectly reasonable child. I expect you to extend the same courtesy to me." she replied.

"But perhaps I should start since you seem to be unsure of what to ask." At Naruto's nod she continued, "Those wounds, what caused them?" Seeing Naruto's reluctance she decided to try a different approach. "I don't need to know the exact circumstances behind what happened. Just enough to make sure that it doesn't happen to anybody else. So maybe you'd answer something a little less detailed. Was it an animal that did it?"

"No."

"Bandits perhaps."

Heaving a heavy sigh, Naruto responded, "You don't have to worry about what happened to me. I seriously doubt he's anywhere near here. How could he harm anyone when he's not here?"

"What do you mean that he's nowhere near Highever. We found you not seven miles from the castle. And who is this he exactly?"

"Who he is, is not important. And it is something I would like to forget. As for why he would be nowhere near, Highever was it? Well that's quite simple. Have you ever heard of a place called The Land of Fire? In the Elemental Nations?"

"Never."

"Well, that is where I am from. And since the Elemental Nations are not know here, then there shouldn't be anyway for him to get here, so your people should be safe."

"There shouldn't have been anyway for you to get here child, but yet here you are." Seeing Naruto's frustration building Eleanor quickly decided to change the subject. "Alas child, I believe we have much more to discuss. First I should introduce myself. My name is Eleanor Cousland, and my husband, Bryce Cousland, is the Teyrn of Highever."

"What's a Teyrn?"

"A Teyrn is the lord of the land. The Nation, which is called Ferelden, is split into several provinces. These provinces are ruled by a Teyrn, however over years the Teyrns have been lessened in number and their land have been split back amongst the lesser noble families. Highever is one of the two remaining Teyrns that survives to this day."

"So if Ferelden is split into these provinces, who decides what is going to happen? I mean is there some sort of Council?"

"No child. The Teyrns and lesser lords all answer to the king. He's called King Cailan. A kind and generous King, if a little inexperienced. But that is to be expected from one so young, and someone who's ruled for such a short period of time. But I believe we are getting off subject, I have introduced myself, it would be only polite if you were to introduce yourself."

"I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki, and as I have already said I'm from The Land of Fire. A village called Konoha actually."

"Well then, it is very nice to meet you Naruto Uzumaki."

After this brief exchange, a uncomfortable silence descended upon the room, as both Naruto and Eleanor knew not what to say.

Desperate to break the silence, Naruto asked the first thing that came to mind, "So. While I was in your son's room, I read something about the Darkspawn. What exactly are they? I've never heard of them."

"You truly have never heard of the Darkspawn?" Eleanor asked, clearly surprised by this piece of information. "Your homeland was very fortunate indeed to be free from such a monstrosity as a Blight."

"Blight? What has that got to do with the Darkspawn?" Naruto asked, confused as how they could be related.

"The Darkspawn are a very dark and monstrous race. They destroy everything in their path and kill everyone. Men, women, even children are slaughtered. You see the Chant of Light says that the original Darkspawn were once men, who tried to conquer heaven but instead they only succeeded in tarnishing it. As a punishment for their acts, they were cast down to earth and their outward appearances were twisted to show the evil in their hearts."

"That doesn't really answer the question. What does the Darkspawn have to do with the Blight?"

"When the Darkspawn come to a new land, they do two things immediately. One, they build a den. This is where captured women are subject to one of the worst fates known. They become Broodmothers. The Broodmothers give birth to thousands of Darkspawn, which then begin searching for something called an Archdemon." Eleanor paused to settle her breathing as she had become clearly unsettled during the explanation "The Archdemon was originally an Old God that became corrupted when heaven was destroyed. Once the Darkspawn awaken an Archdemon the Blight begins. You see only the Archdemon can control the Darkspawn, and without that control they would be just mindless animals that would be content to remain underground killing each other, and the few unlucky people to come across them. But with the Archdemons, they become organized and venture to the surface, massacring all in their path. When this happens it is called a Blight. In all of history there has only ever been four Blights. And every time there is a new blight, thousands of innocent people die. So as you can see, we have a very good reason for why we were so concerned about what caused your wounds."

"I think I understand."

"I think that's enough talk about the past, don't you child? Why don't we talk about the future?"

"The future? What do you mean?"

"Well you've said that you are from a place far away, and have no way of returning there. So we must figure out something for you to do, to make a living. Tell me child, is there anything that you've been trained in, or wished to be trained in?"

"Of course there is. I am an fully fledged Genin, you know." Naruto declared, with pride showing in his voice

"A Genin?" Eleanor said, confused as this is something she'd never heard of before.

"A Genin, is the lowest ranked shinobi." Seeing the Eleanor was still confused, Naruto continued, "In the Elemental Nations, each Nation has what is called a Hidden Village. The Hidden Village is the military powerhouse of that particular nation and is usually named after the area it's built in. For instance Konoha is build in the middle of a dense forest, hence the name Konoha, The Hidden Leaf Village. The Land of Wind's shinobi village is build in the middle of a desert so it's called Suna, The Hidden Sand Village."

"I think I have a vague idea, but you still haven't described the fighting style of these Shinobi."

"Well, Shinobi are all trained as fighters, and while they can fight in large battles between armies, they specialise in assassination and espionage."

"Ah, that sounds similar to a Rouge. Here the military is a little more diverse. There is three main groups that a soldier would fall under. The first would be the Rouges, like the shinobi they specialise in assassination, quick hits, and run attacks with light weapons and armour. Secondly, there are the mages; they use magic to perform powerful combat spells, healing, and using elemental attacks. And finally there are the Warriors; they are the people who specialize in heavy, close quarter combat. They use Heavy armour and weaponry."

"That sound cool. Is there anyway I could get trained in these arts? After all it seems like a good way to make a living."

"Why yes child, it is a excellent way to make a living. The pursuit of safeguarding the helpless is always worth while. I believe I could get my husband to agree to make you a Knight of Highever."

"You'd really do that for me? Even though we've only just met?" Naruto asked in awe which made Eleanor chuckle.

"Ah child, while I would gladly help anyone I could, I do expect something in return. My son, Fergus, is currently in training, but both mine and my husband's duties prevent us from being able to teach him. And while he is a bright boy, he has no way of gaining real experience since there is no one to spar with. Which is where you come in. As payment to me and my family, you are to aid in Fergus' training, and swear to defend this castle and all within her walls with your life. Is that acceptable?"

Now Naruto was in a bind. On one hand he was a loyal shinobi of Konoha, but on the other, he really did owe Eleanor a great deal for everything she'd done for him. Although considering the fact that he isn't in the Elemental Nations and that he has no way to return meant that the chances that he would be forced to choose between the two oaths were practically zero. But then again anything is possible, after all he was sat on a bed in a so called alternate dimension.

"I accept your offer Eleanor, however I refuse to reveal any secrets I possess about Konoha." Naruto stated after several minutes of being lost in thought.

"If you had offered to tell the secrets of your village, then I would not accept you into my house. After all, the most important trait for anybody to possess is loyalty." Eleanor said as she made her way towards the door, "Now I want you to rest for the next couple of days, because once the arrangements are made, your training will begin."

"How long will that take? Because I don't want to be trapped this room for a long time"

"Trapped? You're not trapped child. You can leave the room whenever you wish, although there are restrictions as to where you can go. Any locked room will be off limit, which means no more forcing your way in like you did with my son's room, and of course, the treasury is off limits to everyone but me and my husband. Other than that all I ask is that you try to gather as much energy as you can."


Having just got the latest reports back from the scouts, Bryce was beginning to get worried, as nothing could be found to explain what had happened. Although he hoped his wife would be able to give him some details since she had sent word that the boy had woke, and she had spoke with him.

"There you are Bryce." Eleanor said while shutting the door to their room

"Where else would I be my love?"

"Well, you have been working with the patrols a lot, as of late."

"Can you blame me, with what has happened?"

"I understand perfectly Bryce, in fact that is why I am here. The boy told me what happened, and I can tell you straight away that the patrols are no longer needed."

"How can they be no longer needed? We've still to find what did this."

"You will never find it Bryce. Like I said, the boy told me what happened. The simplest way to say would be that he isn't from these lands. It's possible that he is not even from Thedas."

"Eleanor, my love, you are not making any sense. You know as well as I do that countless expeditions have been launched to explore what is beyond these lands, and yet nothing has been found. So how can the boy be from a land that does not exist?"

"Just because we cannot see it does not mean it doesn't exist. After all people like you and I cannot see the Fade, and yet we have come to accept it's existence. We know that magic is capable of great things. And we also know that the boy possesses a great deal of it. So there is the possibility that the boy's magic reacted to a situation and it took the boy away from the danger. The danger was most likely something that would find him no matter where he was within his land."

"I suppose I could accept that he may be from some distant land. But how do we know he wasn't sent here as a form of spy?"

"We cannot know for sure unless we find a way to observe the child, luckily however I have already found one." Eleanor said with a small smirk tugging at her lips

"Oh, pray tell, just what way is it?"

"The child seems to believe that he won't be able to return to his land, so I've offered him a position here as a trainee knight. A sparing partner for Fergus to be more precise."

"You wish to put a possible spy in such a high position?"

"Now come Bryce, do you really think me so naive? We both know that our son's training is observed a great deal by the trainers as well as the knights. If the child acts suspicious then one of them will witness it. And as a trainee knight he will be required to stay where he can be observed without it been seen as if were imprisoning him. And if it turns out that the child isn't a spy, well Highever would have gained another Knight, our son will have someone to practice with and the child will have an occupation to support himself with."


Now just so you all are aware, there will be no strict updating schedule. The only two people who will be able to decide when a chapter is ready is Me and my Beta. I would rarther release a good chapter and take a while doing so, than release a chapter every week and it being no good.

Oh and another thing, unlike some Authors I have no Chapter Word count target. I write differently. I write a chapter with a certain set events within them. If i can get the event written well within 1000 words then the chapter will be only 1000 words long, however if it take 20,000 words then the chapter will be 20,000 words long. I'm not going to say that I refuse to publish a chapter because it hasn't reached 3,000 words.

Thanks for reading.

KitBeast