A Dragon Age Fan-Fic

All Rights, characters and events reserved to Bioware.

This is story is entirely for entertainment purpose and is non-profit.

I do not claim ownership whatsoever.

Rated M

Chapter two: The Betrayal

There was the sound of greaves hitting the stone floor, and swords clashing in Alice's dream. A bowman shot a servant, his face obscured by his dark wooden helmet. Screams echoed throughout the castle as many people tried to run from his hostile force. They fell, one by one, either by arrows or swords. Braver souls turned and clashed with the men, fighting fiercely for their lives and for others, but the opposing force was too powerful. Most of the castle's soldiers have left, and this unknown force was ready to take down everyone inside, while it stands weakened. A single lone figure standing amidst the chaos laughed quietly and turned his large hooked nose towards the fighting…

Alice shook herself awake to the sound of Cerberus' barking and of someone frantically pounding at a door somewhere.

"What's wrong, boy?" Alice asked the dog. He continued to growl with his ears flat on his head.

Alice lit a candle with some nearby matches, placed on her leather boots and grabbed a small knife beside her armory. It wasn't a dream, Alice listened intently outside. Her eyes were still groggy, and she felt herself falter when she reached for the door. The pounding was getting louder, and almost had a rhythmic beat to it. Her eyes widened when she realized it was her door that they were rapping on and Cerberus grew more focused on it. His lips drew over his teeth and his hair stood.

"My lady! We're under attack!" It was a male voice that shouted. Alice recognized it as one of the elven servants in the kitchen. She hid the knife in her boot and opened the door.

The elf was covered in blood, and his clothing was torn. The blood did not seem to belong to him as he stood upright, but he nervously shifted from one foot to the other. "It's Howe's men! They're—"

Blood splattered Alice and stained her night-gown as an arrow whizzed by and shot the elf in the neck. She saw the life go out from his eyes right before her, and he fell limp to the ground. She cried out, and clutched his shoulders. Several men stepped into view—including the bowman who shot the servant. They all wore light breastplates and greaves, and their faces were shadowed by helmets. On their shields and plates was a picture of a brown bear—Howe's seal. Alice's arms shook as she could barely take the scene before her. Mother, father, Fergus! Betrayed! By Howe! I'll slit his throat-! Before she could attack, one of the men punched her in the face, and she almost blacked out. Two of them grabbed Alice's arms and pinned them behind her back, with her sitting on the floor.

"Oy, and 'ere's the 'lady'. Now men, wha' do you think we oughtta do with her? Kill her now or… afterwards?" He lingered on the last word and laughed with his thugs. "Pretty little lass, we've 'eard of you. Playin' warrior in the courtyard. You're just another little girl."

The knife, the knife… was all Alice could think of. She could feel it, pressed against her leg. She couldn't stab the guard holding her, it was too awkward in the position she was in, she'll miss or he'll counter her—no, she needed a distraction. If only she was given one chance… just one…

One of the men grabbed her hair with his bloody hand. "Such pretty long hair, as long as a waterfall. I bet you spend more time on your looks than your training, eh? What makes you all nobles 'pecial, anyways? Either way, you'll scream and squeal like any other bleedin' 'uman!" He gathered all of her hair to get a better grip then pulled it harshly, and when she yelled, he pushed her severely down to the floor. Alice's cheek hit the stone with so much force, it bled freely.

One distraction… Another man kicked her sides.

Another laughed and traced Alice's face with the tip of his sword. "You're no warrior, little rogue. Your family is dead, you have nothing—you are nothing." They pulled her upwards again. A risky idea formulated in Alice's mind. But she now had nothing to lose. A single tear escaped her, but she refused to weep in front of them.

One of Howe's men shouted in pain. "Get that bloody mutt!" He yelled. Cerberus was fighting fiercely somewhere. Alice's heart lifted to hear he hasn't been struck down. Her vision grew foggy, however, as she realized that sweat and blood was seeping into them and blurring her eyesight.

Many of the guards left to restrain Cerberus, and only one was holding Alice, his hand still tightly clamped on her hair and both of her wrists. One of his gritty calloused hands faltered, and she wasted no time in acting.

Now!

Alice quickly slipped a hand into her boot and retrieved the knife. She clenched her teeth and gripped the handle tightly and sliced off her own hair.

We must see to our duties first. You understand that don't you? Alice…?

Strands fell upon the floor and the thug stood distracted and stunned, his hand still clenching the lock of black hair. But it was all the diversion Alice needed. She quickly forced herself upwards and threw the knife at him. It speared the guard's neck, and he let go of the hair, and with his fingers, pressed around the wound hopelessly. He gurgled and fell to the ground. Alice ran to her armory and unsheathed her dual blades. They glimmered like diamonds in the candlelight.

When Howe's men noticed the dead man, they dispersed, some of them went after Alice and the rest continued to avoid Cerberus' attacks. He rammed into them, biting and tearing their armor, and at last pushed one down and ripped his throat. The bowman targeted the dog and tried to shoot, but he evaded him easily and tackled him down as well.

Alice attacked the men with as much ferocity as the Marbari. She parried with her duel blades, and twisted fiercely in a whirlwind motion, and lacerated several of the guards. In swift movements, she deflected their attacks, stepping backwards, and when she felt her back against the stone wall, she feinted, then finding their weak openings, sliced and stabbed with no hesitation. The men grew fearful, as the "little rogue" brought their numbers down. They could not even scratch her. Only three were left standing, and before Alice could run after them, several arrows pierced them and Cerberus wasted no time in finishing the job.

Alice looked at her rescuer and saw her mother, donned in a silverite light armor and a large oak longbow, with a sling full of black tipped feathery arrows. She had given up combating before Alice was born, but it was evident that she had not forgotten. Her silver hair was not in its usual buns, but to Alice in her fierce stance, she looked about ten years younger. Eleanor noticed her daughter and ran to her, hugging her close.

"Darling! I heard fighting outside and I feared the worst! Are you hurt? And your hair—" Eleanor touched Alice's short spiked hair. "You're bleeding!" She exclaimed, noticing Alice's cheek.

"I was going to ask you the same! I'm fine, but those guards!" Alice looked at the dead limp forms on the ground. The pools of blood were seeping everywhere.

"A scream woke me up. They were in the hallway, so I barred the door. I saw the symbols as well! Those were Howe's men! Why would they attack us?" Eleanor asked hysterically.

"Howe has betrayed us! He attacks while our troops are gone, mother!" They ran into Alice's room and she took of her nightdress and began pulling on her light chain armor.

Eleanor's face turned grim. "You don't think Howe's men were delayed… on purpose? That bastard! I'll cut his lying throat myself!" Eleanor gripped her palms together. "But… oh, Bryce! Have you seen your father? He never came to bed last night!"

"He must have stayed up with Howe," Alice said darkly as she placed on her breastplate.

"We must find him!" Eleanor looked nervously outside the room.

An ugly thought hit Alice. "We have to check on Oren and Oriana as well!"

"Andraste's mercy! What if they got into your brother's room first?" Eleanor covered her face with her hands, "Let's check on them quickly! Then we'll look for Bryce downstairs!"

They ran down the hallway, with Cerberus close behind. Their hearts sank when they saw the bloody door ajar, and when they entered, Eleanor screamed and Cerberus howled. Oren and his mother both lay on the ground, their wounds still fresh. Oriana was on top of her son, as if protecting him from the final blow that ended her life. Alice could not bring herself to look at their faces, tears fell from her eyes and her whole body shook in a sudden rage.

Eleanor ran to them, and crouched down next to Oren, softly stroking his hair while weeping. "My little Oren! What manner of fiend slaughters innocents?!" Her tears fell on her grandson, and washed away some of the dried blood on his forehead.

"I'll make them pay!" Alice yelled, hitting the wall with her fist. Little Oren… so bright, delightful… destined to take after his father. So much life… lost. Oriana, who has always been kind to Alice, a strong willed woman; flashes of her smiling, laughing, in a wedding dress passed through her mind. And Fergus, unaware, marching towards the Darkspawn… thinking of them lovingly.

"He's not even holding hostages!" Eleanor's voice trembled. "He means to kill all of us! Oh… poor Fergus! Let's go, I don't want to see this!"

They left the room, and Alice held her mother steady as she vomited. They cried together, holding each other, and Cerberus whined sadly. Alice could not tear away Howe's sneering face from her mind. She gritted her teeth and they continued on.

Alice, Eleanor, and Cerberus ran, passed the atrium. There were more screams and sounds of fighting as they neared the main hallway, leading to the foyer. Flames and smoke rose up from various places and many doors were broken in or ajar. Eleanor's guests were nowhere to be seen, Alice could only assume the worst.

"Howe's men must be everywhere!" Eleanor commented.

Alice brushed her hair away from her mother's face. "I don't want you in danger, mother."

"My only grandchild is a ravaged corpse. What do I care about danger?" Eleanor replied sadly. "The front gates must be where your father is, we should start there."

"Is there anything else we can do?" Alice asked, checking over her shoulder.

"I have my treasury key. We can go to the vault and take the Cousland sword from there. If anything is worth fighting for to keep it off Howe's hands, it's that sword. But it may be risky."

"Then we should go there first! What if Father is there?"

"If Howe's men are already inside, they must have full control of the castle," Eleanor said shakily and paced around. "We must use the servant's entry in the larder to escape, afterwards when we find Bryce. Do you hear me?"

Alice gripped her blades tightly until her knuckles turned white. "I want Howe dead!"

"Then survive and visit your vengeance upon him!" Eleanor readied her bow, and they continued down the hall.

A servant ran desperately past Alice and Eleanor, and they saw a small horde of Howe's men. There were too many for them to handle, and Alice held Cerberus' collar as soon as he saw them and grew angry. There was small area in the castle where the floor sloped downwards, and they walked briskly forward until they stood facing a door. Alice kicked opened the door, but luckily there were no soldiers in there, and unfortunately no Bryce or anyone else they knew too. Alice went inside and signaled her mother to do so too, and they ran to the treasury room, where Eleanor opened the heavy metal door with shaky hands. Inside there were many chests, armor and weapon stands, enough to befit a small army. Eleanor hastily ran to a chest, pulled out a leather pouch and filled it with as many sovereigns and silvers as she could.

Alice's attention drew to the center of the room; where, in a medium-sized glass case, laid a silverite sword on a pillow. It was smooth as stone with a blue and black handle, the edge was razor-sharp, ready to drip rubies. On the bottom hilt was a small painted crest of the Couslands, two seaweeds crossing each other. Alice ran a finger across the blade, and it made a small shimmering noise.

Alice carefully took it out of the case, and replaced it with one of her dual blades. The Cousland sword felt right in her grip—meant for her. She practiced swinging it, and they quickly ran out the treasury room again, where Eleanor once again locked it then slipped the key under the door, where it sounded like it traveled to the middle of the room. "I'd like to see them get through now. Come now, to the foyer." They left; Alice's blade shining under the torch lights.

The three reached the foyer where they immediately saw a small band of their own guards barricading the front entrance. Outside, there was a large pounding, and the men sweated as they tried to hold it behind their backs. Others stood their ground, swords and shields ready. There was no sign of Bryce anywhere, but Ser Gilmore was among the small throng.

"Keep those bastards out as long as you can!" He shouted. There were heavy circles around his eyes, and a small deep cut on his forehead. He was still in the bronze armor, but it was now coated in blood. He noticed Alice and Eleanor and his eyes widened as he rushed over to them. "My lady! Your ladyship!" He said hoarsely, "You're both alive! I was certain Howe's men have gotten through!"

"Some of them yes! That treacherous bastard!" Alice said bitterly.

"When I realized what was happening, it was all I could do to shut the gates. But they won't keep Howe's men out for long!" Ser Gilmore pointed to some laid out corpses of their own soldiers by the fireplace. Their faces were covered with the banners that hung around the foyer. "If you've another way out of the castle, use it quickly!"

"Have you seen my father anywhere?" Alice asked.

"When I last saw the teyrn, he'd been badly wounded. I urged him not to go, but he was determined to find you. He went towards the kitchen. I believe he thought to find you in the servant's exit in the larder," Ser Gilmore said, and lowered his head.

"Bless you, Ser Gilmore! Maker watch over you," Eleanor whispered. Alice embraced him, her heart pounding as loud as the door, and was unable to find the words she wanted to say when she pulled away.

Ser Gilmore unsheathed his sword, "Maker watch over us all." He ran towards the front door to help the rest of the men.

Alice, Eleanor and Cerberus ran outside to the hallway once again and then towards the kitchen. Arrows shot by their heads as two bowmen stood ready at the entrance of the kitchen. They took out their shortblades and Alice quickly sidestepped them. Their swords clinked harshly together when they met, and Eleanor shot at one. Cerberus attacked them as well, cutting through their armor with his sharp claws, and they quickly took them down.

Nan and one of the elven servants laid on the kitchen floor, their arms spread wide and their legs at an unnatural angle. Eleanor burst into tears again when she saw them, and Alice's knees buckled a bit. The larder door, where she had entered it seemed ages ago, had a bloody handprint on its handle. They ran towards it and pushed it opened.

Bryce Cousland was lying on the stone floor, panting heavily. He was completely covered in blood, and had specks on his grey hair as well. He shakily raised his head towards Eleanor and Alice, and then collapsed again. Tears ran down Alice's cheeks—to see this strong man, who fought at King Maric's side, so defeated—dying. They ran to his side, and Eleanor placed his head on her lap carefully and stroked his forehead.

"You're both here…" He whispered croakily. "I was… wondering when you would get here…"

"What's happening? You're bleeding, Bryce!" Eleanor said timidly.

"Howe's men… found me first. Almost did me in… right there," Bryce groaned, and held his side where Alice saw a large wide cut, made by sword.

"How did you get here, father? You can barely move!" Alice gripped her father's hand.

"Duncan… found me. Brought me… here." Alice hadn't thought of the Grey Warden until now. Where was he among this chaos?

Eleanor gasped. "And left you lying in your own blood? We must get you out of here!"

Bryce slowly shook his head. "I… won't survive the standing, I think."

"Then we will stay here and defend you!" Alice cried.

"No, you must… leave…" Bryce suddenly shouted in pain, and the wound bled more freely.

"Once Howe's men break through the gates, they'll find us! We must go!" Eleanor's tears fell on Bryce.

"Someone… must reach Fergus… tell him what has happened…" Bryce whispered.

Alice's brow furrowed darkly and she gripped her father's hand tightly. "And take vengeance."

"Yes… vengeance…" Bryce said looking at Alice.

"Bryce, no! The servant's passage is right here! We can flee together! Find you healing magic!" Eleanor sobbed.

"The castle is surrounded… I cannot make it." Bryce moaned in pain again.

"I'm afraid the teryn is correct," said a booming deep voice. Duncan stepped inside the larder, his light breastplate gleaming. His sword and hair was stained with blood, and his face was grim. "Howe's men have not yet discovered this exit, but they surround the castle now. Getting past will be difficult." He kneeled down next to Alice, looking sadly at Bryce.

Eleanor looked at him curiously, tears still streaming down form her eyes. "You are Duncan, then? The Grey Warden?"

"Yes, your ladyship. The teyrn and I tried to reach you sooner." Duncan bowed his head slightly.

"My daughter helped me get here, Maker be praised," Eleanor touched Alice's shoulder lightly.

"I am not surprised," Duncan looked at Alice curiously.

"Can't you help me do something about Howe?" Alice asked despairingly.

"Not here," he said brusquely, "There are too many men, and they seem as willing to kill me, as they all are of you. Flight is the only option. "

"Whatever is to be done, do it now! They are coming!" Eleanor yelled.

Bryce turned his head towards Duncan. "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." Duncan closed his eyes momentarily.

"Anything!" Bryce shouted.

"What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in the world," Duncan said, "I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The Darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one."

Bryce sighed shakily. "I… I understand…" He looked at Alice again.

Alice's heart pounded even louder, she was surprised they could not hear it. "What about Ser Gilmore?"

"Truthfully, you were always my first choice," Duncan admitted, "I will take the teyrna and your daughter to Ostagar, to tell Fergus and the King about what happened. Then, your daughter joins the Grey Wardens."

"So long as justice comes to Howe… I agree," Bryce muttered.

Duncan nodded at Alice. "Then I offer you a place in the Grey Wardens. Fight with us." He looked into her eyes, knowing very well the answer she was going to give.

"I accept your offer." Her words rang still in the air. She had gotten her deepest wish… but not in the matter she had intended.

"Howe thinks he'll use this chaos to… advance himself. Make him wrong, pup… See that justice is done!" Bryce stroked Alice's hand. "Our family… always does our duty first. The darkspawn must be defeated. You must go, for your own sake, and for Ferelden's."

"I will, Father. For you," Alice replied solemnly.

"We must leave quickly then," Duncan stood.

"Bryce… are you sure?" Asked Eleanor nervously.

"Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery! She will live, and make her mark on the world!" Bryce said fiercely.

Eleanor closed her eyes, feeling the full effect of her husband's words, and then she turned to Alice. "Darling, go with Duncan. You have a better chance of escaping without me."

"Eleanor…" Bryce began protesting.

"Hush, Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time," she took Bryce's face in her hands, "But I won't abandon you."

Alice took her mother's hand as well. "I love you both… so much…"

"Then live, darling. Become a Grey Warden… do what is right…" Eleanor stroked her daughter's face tenderly.

Bryce's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so… So sorry it has come to this, my love…"

"We had a good life… and did all we could. It's up to our children now…" Eleanor said softly.

There was a large crashing noise and they heard the men's battle cries all the way to the larder. Howe's men broke through the gates. Duncan looked warily at the door way and drew his sword.

"Go, pup! Warn your brother, and know that we love you both. You do us proud." Bryce kissed Alice's forehead as she leaned down.

Duncan pulled Alice's shoulder and she unwillingly got up and stepped away from her parents.

Eleanor gave Alice the bag of coins she had collected earlier and kissed her bloody cheek. "Goodbye… Alice." Eleanor said one final time.

Alice held back the tears and she, Duncan and Cerberus went through a small trapdoor through the larder and closed it tightly.

It is true what they say… Alice thought as they winded down a stone passageway and quietly and quickly as they could. Your old life is over once you join the Grey Wardens. When they reached the end of the tunnel, they sneaked out, watchful of any soldiers, continuing south, to Ostagar.