2. The Tavern

Duncan stepped into the tavern. He was less than a day's journey to Highever castle and could make it by dusk if he pushed though but he had friends here and wanted to get some information before continuing on. As his eyes adjusted to the relative darkness, he heard the voice of the tavern keeper. "Duncan! Maker bless me! Come in! Come in, my friend. Bessie! Look who's come!"

The tavern keeper was a man in his early fifties. His younger brother had been one of Duncan's first recruits, a brawler and drunk who had accidentally killed a man in a fight. Duncan had conscripted him on the day he was to be hung. The man had survived the joining and found purpose in the Grey Wardens. He had sworn off drink saying with a smile that after the Joining nothing else could compare. He had become a model Grey Warden leading rescue missions into the deep roads and village defense against darkspawn raids. When he went to his Calling, he took Duncan's hand and thanked him. "I can stand before the Maker without shame now." He had said.

His brother had always treated Duncan like family and this small tavern was one of the few places outside of the Grey Warden compound itself that he felt at home. As an additional benefit, he was a man who liked to talk and knew everyone and everything about everyone.

"Why, bless me." said the woman who emerged from the back kitchen. "So good to see you! I bet that husband of mine hasn't even offered you a seat yet. Get this man an ale, dear. Now, first things first... are you just passing through or you staying?"

"I'm going to stay tonight and continue on to Highever castle in the morning." Duncan replied.

"Wonderful! I have a lamb shank just ready for the roast. You sit down there and we'll take care of you. And you know your coin is no good here." She pointed her finger and looked stern to prove she meant it. Then smiled a warm smile and disappeared back into the kitchen. Her husband placed a dark ale in front of Duncan. He poured another for himself and said. "Well, you heard the woman. Now let's take a seat over there. Come." They made there way to a booth. "What brings you to out this way? Recruiting?"

"As always." Duncan said.

"Found any good ones lately?" The keeper asked.

"One, who has a lot of potential. He just passed his joining a few months ago. But he needs work." Duncan said thoughtful.

"Let me guess, a raw boy barely knows the pommel of a sword from the pointy end, reckless and full of himself with fire in his eyes and an nasty disposition." His friend said.

"No," Duncan smiled. "Just the opposite in fact. He was trained as a templar and they try their best to beat any fire out of you. The fact that he still has as much will as he does, speaks well of him and his spirit. He is good man, good heart in him. His skills and talent as a warrior are impressive. Brave but not reckless at all. He seems to have a natural ability to lead but he lacks any confidence in himself at all. He has never been allowed to make a decision in his life and truly doesn't know how. He is clever with a tongue as sharp as his sword but he doesn't know when to use it and when not to. And I've seen flashes of a temper that might prove terrible if unleashed. But all that is easily corrected with time. He has shown much improvement since his recruitment. I think he is capable of much." Duncan nodded slightly.

"You almost sound fond of the boy." The keeper said suspiciously and with a smile.

Duncan smiled. "You know I'm not supposed to be partial." and took a drink of his ale, then said. "I've been invited to Highever to look at a potential recruit..."

"Ah... so you come here to get the read on them. What you want to know?" The keeper asked.

"First, what can you tell me about the Teyrn?" Duncan asked.

"Much. Most you know but you know the hawk's view I'll give you the mouse's view. He is a good man and a good teyrn. Most here in Highever would follow him off a cliff even more so than..."

"...the king." Duncan said.

"Yes. In fact, there was talk when Maric disappeared to make him king instead, but nothing came of it. All about here were glad too. The Teyrn is loyal to crown. He fought in the war, you know. He looks good for age, must be all those toasts to his health. Shrewd, kind, generous, but can be fierce if his family or people are threatened, carries himself with quiet confidence and the calm of one who has seen things. You'll like him." His friend said.

The keeper took a drink of ale and then continued. "The Teyrnia is a good woman, a lady not only by birth but by man ner and actions. You question her virtue in any tavern in Highever and you'll likely get a face-full of fist for your words. She is sharp too, not one to back down from a fight or need one to stand up for her. She is devoted to her husband, children and grandchild."

Duncan looked thoughtful and then asked about the heir. The keeper replied. "Fergus? He is good sort, bright, kind to have a ale with and give you his last silver. He has an Antivan wife and one boy, Oren. So, the succession is secured. Most agree that he'll be a fine Teyrn one day, although not in any hurry. The entire family is very loving and devoted, makes the castle a pleasant place to be." Duncan finished off his ale and before he could set the glass down a young woman appeared with another. "You remember my girl, don't you?"

"Yes, hello. You have grown, nearly a woman now." Duncan said. She smiled.

"Hello, ser." She said a bit shyly.

"Just nearly. Don't tell her I know but she has her eye on that bard that plays here." He said in confidence and with a wink.

"Father!" the girl exclaimed and ran off to hide in the kitchen. Duncan had to smile.

"The lad's been getting up his courage up to ask me. He's a good man, solid even if a bard. She could to worse and he seemed devoted. Can't ask for more than that." He raised his ale and took a drink. "So, who's the candidate?"

"A Ser Gilmore. The Teyrn suggested him as a possible recruit."

The keeper looked at Duncan curiously and with a bit of surprise thrown in. He considered for a moment and then said. "Ser Gilmore, he'd be a good choice and definitely worth your time. Let's see... father a minor lord in Bannorn, been a squire since age of about ten, basically raised with Teyrn's children, nearly part of the family. Good, solid man, highly skilled, youngest knight to serve Highever, brave and true type. He has a quiet demeanor but don't mistake that for reserve or any lack of courage or confidence." He took another drink and considered. "But I find it odd that the Teyrn would suggest him to you as a recruit. As I say he is basically part of the family and to put all that effort into education and training... what's going on, Duncan?"

Duncan put the glass down on the low table and leaned in. Duncan knew that while the keeper was a man who knew things and liked to talk, he also knew when to hold his tongue and he trusted him. "A blight has begun."

"No." He said quietly. "Maker preserve us. When? Where?"

"We have sensed it for a while now and have been waiting for the hoard to show itself. A few weeks ago, it did... in the wilds. We informed the king and he took us at our word and began to mobilize. All the banns are being called to Ostagar to set up a defense." Duncan said.

"Yes," the keeper said nodding. "We noticed that the Teyrn had collected the army, upgraded equipment, all that. Arl Howe just arrived too. We thought perhaps a threat of war... Orlais... but this... not this." He sat back and shook his head. "Maker bless and keep you, Duncan."

Several moments passed as the men were occupied with their ale and their own thoughts. Then the keeper said "Well, I see why the Teyrn would be willing to give up his best knight and I have no doubt that he'll make a fine Grey Warden... but..."

"But, what?" Duncan said.

"But... well, if I was the Warden Commander of Ferelden facing a blight at my very door, there is someone else at Highever castle that I'd take a look at." His friend said.

"Who? Not Fergus, I can't deprive Highever of its heir, even if I do have the power. It wouldn't be worth the political instability or the ire of the nobility." Duncan said.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean him at all... I mean the Teyrn's second child... the daughter, Kathryn."

Duncan sat back surprised. "The daughter."

"Yes, she is something. Most around here wouldn't mind a bit if she became Teyrn instead of her brother despite being second child and a woman, and that is no cut against him, mind you, but praise of her. She is exceptional, has been since a child. A skilled and talented rogue, fierce, cunning, brave, sensible, wise beyond years with a sharp tongue that she knows how and when to use. Strong willed nearly to point of stubbornness or at least was when a girl, but also kind and generous. If facing a darkspawn horde you could do worse than have her at your back."

Duncan considered and then said "Given the family's name, I'm surprised she hasn't been married off by now..." Leaving unsaid the question of what was wrong with her.

"So is the Teyrnia, but not her fault, for certain. The Teyrnia has been trying to make a match for her for years but the girl has so far resisted all such attempts. She was raised to be Teyrn, to think for herself. She is strong in mind, body and heart and most men can't handle it, feel too threatened. They want a proper wife, which she is not capable of. She would make a wonderful wife to the right man, someone who could appreciate her, someone who is as strong as she is, just in a different way. So far she hasn't found one. And while she would marry if the Teyrn insisted, so far he hasn't. But she is wasting away up there. There is no place for her anymore. She wants to do something more with her life than just be some noble's wife and bear his children. Something like, oh... I do not know... saving the world from a bight."

Duncan considered. "What would make you think that the Teyrn would be willing to allow his daughter to be recruited?"

"I don't and he won't." The keeper said sure. "But he isn't the one you need to convince. If she wants it, she will find a way. Perhaps not today, for she will not defy her father but she will find a way." He leaned forward as in confidence. "If I were you, put a word in her ear as soon as possible, even in front of the Teyrn. He will object, of course, but see if she bites and if she does, back off and bide your time."

"I see. Thank you. I will." Duncan said.

"But there is one thing I must warn you about her. That might cause you trouble, a lot of trouble with with the other wardens." The keeper said.

"Yes." Duncan said concerned.

"She is beautiful."