Chapter 1:
"No!" Her eyes snapped open as she shot up from a small makeshift bed, her hand clasping the golden ring that hung from an iron chain around her neck. Pale morning light trickled through the small openings of the tent's thick red fabric as the cool morning air ghosted over her bare flesh. Naomi shivered, feeling goosebumps form across her heated skin as it cooled.
"A dream..." she sighed, looking down at the thick simple golden band that lay cool in her palm. Naomi pulled the blanket off her body and stood from the bed in one fluid motion.
"I pray I time will come when I must not dream of death and blights." she muttered to herself as she dressed, covering her body with white and brown leather armor embellished with golden studs. She grabbed a blood red cloak from a nearby chair, wrapping it around her shoulders and pinning it in place with a golden broach in the shape of a griffon.
Her hands found her messy hair, still in the bun she had put it in the night before. She undid the tie, letting her long silvery blond hair fall over her shoulders and down her back in a gentle waterfall.
She turned toward the entrance of the tent, the flaps moving gently with the wind that blew from the outside. She grabbed the two swords and bow that lay near the entrance, strapping to her back and side as she exited the tent.
Men and elves were moving about the dilapidated fortress of Ostagar. They had set up camp here at the edge of the Kocari Wilds to face the darkspawn threat that grew to the south of Ferelden.
She moved through the camp, nodding the Grey Wardens she passed by and dodging past servant elves who were rushing to complete their chores. Warriors sparred each other, testing the each others strength and skill and teasing that of the younger soldiers.
"Lady Naomi!" A young blonde man, adorned in golden armor called as he approached her, followed by a older man.
"King Cailan, Loghain." She bowed, showing her respects to them both. Her eyes looked toward the older man, Loghain, his expression showing a slight detest for her presence.
"I trust you slept well." Cailan smiled. She remembered a mage by the name of Wynne describing him as a puppy. Naomi couldn't help but smile at the king, the image of a waggling tail and flopping ears popping into her head.
"...When I am not plagued by memories of the past, I see visions of a blight." She chuckled lightly.
"So you do believe that a blight is upon us?" Cailan asked, his eyes brightening excitedly.
Naomi looked to Loghain, her eyes connecting with his darkened ones. The man was a hero in these lands, yet she felt something odd, something not right whenever she saw him. The man seemed shifty, but she felt she should trust him, after all, he is the Tyern of Gwaren and the Father-in-Law of the king. She shook off her suspicions, "I fear I do, your majesty." She looked back toward Cailan. "I have not yet seen dreams of it, but I have a feeling."
"We cannot call a blight on feeling alone, Warden." Loghain's voice was cold and harsh.
"I apologize, but I cannot give more of an answer than that. It is best to be cautious and wrong, than to be careless and right." She frowned, looking toward the Tyern.
"Loghain." Cailan coughed as he attempted to break the tight tension between them.
"You put to much faith in her and the Grey Wardens, Cailan." He muttered, looking away as a young archer approached them
"Your Majesty, Duncan is approaching camp." The soldier bowed lowly.
"I see, I will greet him when he arrives." Cailan nodded, dismissing the archer with a wave of his hand.
"Calian, we will talk strategy in your tent later." Loghain muttered quietly to Cailan before walking to his own tent. Naomi watched him intently as he walked away.
"Naomi," the king called her name, pulling her from her distraction, "will you accompany me?"
"Of course, Cailan."
"Ho there, Duncan." Cailan greeted as Duncan approached camp. Naomi stood as Cailan's side, her eyes focused on the younger man that followed him with a large mabari hound at his right.
"King Cailan, I didn't expect-" the Riviani man said in surprise as he and Cailan shook hands. Naomi looked toward them, smiling at the familiar face of the Grey Warden. Duncan was a very close friend of hers ever since they met in the Royal Palace many years ago. He had aged since then, the small traces of wrinkles and gray hairs becoming apparent in his face and beard. But he was still as good a warrior as he ever was.
"A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you would miss all the fun." Cailan joked. Duncan looked toward Naomi, bowing his head politely.
"Duncan." She nodded in return. She had much to tell the man, but it could wait until a later time.
"Not if I could help it, your majesty." Duncan replied, his voice full of wisdom and expirience.
"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all! Glorious!" Cailan smiled, turning to Naomi.
"We've been told that you've found a promising recruit." Naomi looked back to the other man. He was dressed in expensive armor, a large broadsword strapped to his back. He held a regal air about him, he was of a noble blood. His brown hair hung loosely around his handsome face, his bangs hanging over his left eye. He seemed familiar, the image of a young boy playing with a small wooden sword popping into her head. "I take it this is he?"
"Allow me to introduce you, thi-"
"No need," Cailan interrupted, moving closer to the young man, "You are Bryce's youngest, are you not?"
Naomi smirked, just as she thought.
"I don't believe we've ever actually met." He continued.
"Yes, your majesty. My name is Radyn." He nodded in respect. His voice was smooth and suave, a bit of arrogance hanging off his tongue.
"Your brother has already arrived with Highever's men, but we are still awaiting your father." Cailan smiled, the name familiar to him.
Radyn's expression darkened, sadness spreading through his eyes. "He's not coming. He died... when the castle was taken."
Naomi's eyes widened, "Dead?" She was well acquainted with the Tyern and his wife, they had housed her for several months while she was attending to business in Highever. They were kind folk and the thought that someone would attack them was shocking.
"What do you mean?" The king said, shocked, "Duncan, do you know anything about this?" He looked to Duncan.
"Tyern Cousland and his wife are dead. Arl Howe has shown himself a traitor and overtaken Highever castle." Duncan said with a sad undertone. Cailan walked past Naomi, contemplating the words coming from Duncan's mouth. "Had we not escaped, he would have killed us-"
"And told us any story he wished..." Naomi finished. Arl Howe. She had met the man once during her stay at Highever castle, he was a good friend of the Tyern's. She remembered nothing remarkable about the man other than the fact that she didn't trust him. Now she knew why. "What a coward." she spat, muttering the words softly under her breath. Duncan nodded, appearing to have heard her silent words.
"I... can scarcely believe it!" Cailan sighed, "How could he think he could get away with such treachery!"
"The minds of some men are greedy and unthinking, yet... unpredictable. " Naomi said, looking toward to king as he turned around, "One's best friend, could be their worst enemy."
Cailan seemed to acknowledge her words, chewing his lower lip before continuing on, "As soon as we are done here, I will turn my army north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word." He said walking back to Radyn.
"Thank you, your majesty." Radyn bowed, happy with the promise.
"No doubt you wish to see your brother. Unfortunately, he and his men are scouting in the Wilds." Cailan explained.
"When will he return?" Radyn asked.
"Not until the battle is over, I fear. Until then, we cannot even send word." Cailan sighed as he frowned. He was a sensitive man, especially toward others. Some loved him for it, while others thought it made him weak. "I apologize, but there is nothing more I can do. All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being."
Radyn seemed to contemplate his next words, "Thank you, your majesty." He finally said.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain eagerly waits to bore me with his strategies." Cailan rolled his eyes.
"Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week." Duncan intervened.
"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow should be no different." Cailan scoffed. Naomi cleared her throat, drawing the attention of Radyn.
"You sound very confident of that." Radyn said, not taking his emerald gaze from Naomi.
"Over confident some would say." Naomi joked.
Cailan laughed looking toward Duncan as the man shifted.
"Your majesty, I'm not so certain the Blight can be ended as..." he paused, looking to Naomi then back to the king, "quickly as you might wish."
"I'm not even certain this is a real Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field and Naomi, you said you were certain, but alas, we've seen no sign of an archdemon." Cailan turned from them, moving past the guards that stood behind him.
"Your majesty, it is very rare for the archdemon to show itself in the beginning. But of course their strategies may very well change from time." Naomi said, "They... learn from the mistakes of their predecessors."
"Disappointed, your Majesty?" Duncan added, looking to Naomi quickly, questions arising on his face at her statement.
"I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens agianst a tainted god!" Cailan smiled, the child within him coming out. "But I suppose this will have to do." He shook his head, "I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens!" He nodded, walking back toward the camp that lay across a large stone bridge.
Naomi sighed once Cailan was out of earshot. "What the king said is true. We have won several battles against the darkspawn here." She looked away, worry plaguing her eyes.
"..He didn't seem to take the darkspawn very seriously." Radyn said, catching the worry in her eyes.
"True." Duncan cut in. He motioned for them to begin walking toward camp. "Despite the victories so far, the darkspawn horde grows larger with each passing day. By now, they look to outnumber us."
"I am confident there is an archdemon behind this." Naomi said as they walked, Radyn looked at her intently, "But, I cannot tell if the King believes me or not."
"Then maybe we should move quickly." Radyn nodded.
"Yes." Duncan said, "We should proceed with the ritual."
"What do you mean? What ritual?" Radyn's eyebrows furrowed nervously.
"Every recruit must go through a secret ritual we call the Joining in order to become a Grey Warden." Naomi smiled reassuringly. It seemed to ease the tension for Radyn's face. "The ritual itself is brief, but there are... preparations needed to carry it out."
"Am I the only recruit you have?" Radyn asked.
"No, there are two other recruits in camp already. They have been awaiting your arrival." Naomi answered.
Radyn nodded, sighing before continuing, "What do you need me to do?"
"Feel free to explore the camp as you wish. All I ask is that you do not leave it for the time being." Duncan answered, walking toward the bridge that Cailan had crossed moments ago. "There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out and tell him it's time to summon the other recruits." He continued as they stopped just before the bridge.
"Your hound may stay with me while I attend to some buisness." Naomi smiled, looking toward the large mabari, who barked happily in response.
"The Grey Warden tent is on the other side of the bridge. You will find us there, should you need to." Duncan said, nodding his head to Naomi before walking towards the camp.
"Well, I have some work I need to attend to." Naomi nodded to Radyn as she began walking across the bridge, whistling for the dog to follow.
"Wait!" Radyn called, running to catch her. "I don't believe I caught your name." He smiled, talking as he walked beside her.
"My name is Naomi."
"The name sounds familiar..." He pondered, "Do you have a last name?"
"No." She said plainly, "Last names are unnecessary once you join the Grey Wardens. But, it probably sounds familiar because I spent time at your castle a while ago; you were but a boy at the time."
"You still must have a last name though. I mean... everyone does." Radyn smiled, "Like my last name is Cousland. It shows my connection to my family. Or perhaps you don't want to think of your family."
"You know, you talk a lot." Naomi frowned. She looked toward the man, an annoyed look growing across her face. "I just don't have a last name, okay. I was an orphan; my parents were killed by darkspawn when I was only a baby. My nurse, who was suffering a severe wound at the time, had managed rescue me from meeting the same fate; managing to deliver me to a Dalish elf clan before she died."
"Oh..." Radyn became quiet, "I di-"
Naomi shushed him, "I don't want to hear it. It was a long time ago and I really don't care any more." She said as they stopped at the end of the bridge, turning to face one another. Her hand grabbed the ring around her neck. "The past is the past."
"..." Radyn was silent, his green eyes saddened by the look in her own.
They stood there for several moments, holding each others gaze as if all time had stopped until the dog barked loudly, startling them from their daze.
"Fenrir." Radyn looked toward the dog, who barked happily and as he wagged his short tail.
Naomi smiled, shaking her head, "I should get to my work." She said leaving, the dog following behind.
"Naomi!" Radyn's call caused her to freeze, he sounded just like... "Where do I find Alistair."
"Um..." she cleared her throat. "He usually hangs around in the building to the north of camp. You should check there." She pointed toward the direction of the building, the corpse of the once proud architecture visible through the various stone arches and tents.
"Alright, thank you." Radyn waved, watching Naomi walk away, something deep within him urging him to follow.