Leliana had spent the better part of the past week integrating herself into the small village of Lothering, doing everything she could to help her story seem more believable for when the Warden's arrived. She didn't want to seem the outcast, so the bard did everything in her power to become part of the tiny town, helping both the ailing, hungry soldiers and commoners that passed through the village in large clusters, to singing for the children when their parents came to pray at the chantry. Leliana did it all with ease, finding it surprisingly easy to meld into Lothering's small community.
Kneeling before the altar as she and the other Sister's often did after their lunch, the loud clatter of the door opening and heavy footsteps shook the bard from her prayers and she looked in the direction of the entrance, lips turning down into a frown as a pair of well armed figures strode in, blood lightly speckling the bright silver of their armor, and a woman in what seemed like little more than torn robes following closely behind.
Blue eyes flashed in curiosity as she fully took in the appearance of the newcomers and she quickly deducted those were her intended targets, if the Grey Warden insignia on their armor meant anything. The group marched up and began to speak with the templar, Bryant, who seemed rather interested in greeting the newcomers.
The blonde woman, obviously the leader of the group as she began introducing the bunch and immediately asking questions, was roughly as tall as Leliana and sported short hair, messy and sticking out in many directions, cowlicks causing the back to tuft up slightly as if she had become unaccustomed to a brush during her travels. It was almost laughable that a noble would allow themselves to been seen in such a bloodied and disheveled state and the bard had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep a grin from appearing as she looked on at the other two companions.
The dark haired woman to the Warden's right looked at everything with disdain, obviously not interested in what the group's leader had to say. In fact, she looked rather bored and more than ready to leave, shifting from foot to foot with an impatience she had only seen in children, yet underneath the casual exterior she tried to exude there was a nervousness behind those golden eyes.
Another blond stood to the group leader's left, looking just a tad too young to be a Grey Warden, and she would have thought him little more than a boy right on the cusp of manhood if it wasn't for the deep timbre of his voice when he finally spoke. The bard's eyes narrowed as she realized these two Warden's were merely children caught up in the Game she so often played in. It would be a quick mission so long as the other woman didn't interfere.
Straining her ears to hear over the soft roar of prayer and conversation, Leliana continued to recite her noontime prayers as she listened to the group, murmuring the Chant of Light softly under her breath, having memorized the scriptures several days prior and finding it easy to speak the words without really focusing.
"I am a Grey Warden," The ex-noble announced after being questioned once more about who she was, not even trying to hide the pride that seeped into her voice as she spoke. Brynn was proud of what she had become in the past few weeks, and while Loghain may have wanted her head, she wouldn't go down without a fight, not before she got her revenge.
"Teryn Loghain declared all Grey Wardens traitors, responsible for the king's death. You know this, I hope?" The commander furrowed his brows at the woman's bold statement, knowing no one would lay claim to such a title without truly meaning it.
"The Grey Warden's did no such thing." Brynn's eyes narrowed as she held her head high and jutted her chin forward in defiance, hoping the act would grant her a little intimidation. It seemed to do the trick as Bryant began to assure her that no harm would come to her or her companions while they were in the village.
"You shouldn't linger. Just… In case." The words were drawled out before the commander shook his head and offered a slight smile. "Anyway, I can't openly help you, but here— take this." Digging into a pouch hanging from the side of his armor, Bryant produced a key and held it out for the Warden. "There's a cabinet filled with supplies in the back. Please, take what you need, we have more than enough."
"Thank you, Ser Bryant," She murmured, a little flustered by the kindness that was given after her attempt to control their conversation. Taking the key she promised to stock up before she and her companions left the little village.
"Are we done here?" Morrigan questioned, an exasperated sigh escaping her as she crossed her arms across her chest looking around once more with narrowed eyes. She wasn't religious, finding the "Maker" as little more than a fable told to help assure people of their own existence after death, and the chantry prattle both bored her and set her one edge with their teachings. She wanted out. Wanted away from this sleepy little village to roam free once more. ""Twas a tavern here, last I checked, where we can get a warm meal. I, for one, am looking forward to eating more than charred rabbit."
"What? Can't handle a little 'fine dining'?" Alistair questioned, tone dripping with sarcasm as their previous night's dinner was mentioned. He never claimed to be much use with cooking, he jumped on the idea of Morrigan taking over his turns when it came to making meals, but his hopes were quickly dashed as Morrigan did all she could to avoid helping the group, managing to do little more than setting campfires each evening.
"I have had more than required of your poor attempt at cooking Alistair," The mage replied, quickening her steps until she was outside once more.
The soft yip of a dog greeted them, and the bulking form of a mabari bounded into view, stumpy tail wagging a mile a minute as he ran over towards the group, jumping up against the young Cousland as she let out a delighted laugh from the hound's playful manner.
"Sorry for taking so long, Daryl," Brynn apologized to the wriggling mabari, ruffling the short hairs around his muzzle as he licked at her fingers. "But you know you couldn't come into the chantry, boy."
The dog chuffed slightly, accepting her apology and giving his mistress one final greeting lick before resuming his place beside her, trotting alongside her happily. Daryl had been with her since she had to flee from her home, the ever-faithful hound never too far from her side unless commanded to stay, and she was glad that the mabari was with her. He was all that was left of her family now.
The shouts of a soldier filled the air as he preached about the upcoming Blight. He wore tattered and bloodied armor, eyes holding a haze of insanity Brynn had seen only in the most broken of men. Her heart went out to this poor man, begging for the people to listen as he told them in a deranged frenzy that this was all for naught and they should just kill the women and children now before they were forced to accept a grisly fate.
Brynn just snorted as the man turned his gaze upon her and began to spout about the Taint within her. Completely bypassing the obviously mad soldier, he pointed towards the group, shouting that the Warden's would be the harbingers of their demise, and she decided it easier to tune him out. While the Warden indeed pitied him, Brynn had more pressing matters to deal with than the ravings of a lunatic.
They never noticed the robed figure following close behind as they crossed the small bridge to the other side of the town, heading to the tavern to relax and get some food before setting out again.
"So, Morrigan, about your mother…" She heard Alistair mumble, causing the young Cousland to roll her eyes at the impending argument that would no doubt happen. Since she and Alistair were saddled with the mage, the two had done nothing more than bicker nearly every waking moment.
The Warden just quickened her step, wanting to remain out of earshot as the two argued over Morrigan's life as an apostate and Alistair's status as a failed templar.
Leliana had managed to walk in unnoticed behind the group after they entered the tavern, easily blending in with the drunken patrons as they huddled around tables and the fireplace in the corner, generously taking a cup of ale offered to her. This was what she was best at, hiding in plain sight and seeming to just belong.
Still, her biggest problem now was trying to figure out how to approach the Warden's, and while she giggled, a lilting, soft noise as she joined in with laughing at a joke told around a table, she kept an eye on the group, planning on how to go about with slipping into their fold without causing suspicion.
"Well, look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed." Thankfully, some local ruffians stepped up, looking to start a bar room brawl as they stopped in front of the Warden's.
Leliana smiled, rising from her seat to stand between the two groups, hands outstretched as she tried to play the role of a concerned Lay Sister. Her heavy chantry robes brushed against one of the many hidden blades along her body, the bard was more than ready for a fight if it indeed came down to it. She would not allow someone else to dispose of her targets.
Leliana smiled sweetly, allowing a slightly heavier Orlesian purr to slip into her voice as she batted her eyes. "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble…"