Chapter 3) Strengthen

Nuada POV

He hates himself. He hates himself so much.

He wishes he could be with his friends, helping them through this new threat. Maybe all he could do was make them laugh, but he knows they'd appreciate it. He knows they'd appreciate it more than these nobles he's smiling at now.

He wishes he could be with them. The Wardens were the first, and only, family he had ever known. It kills him that he can't help them. It kills him that he can't be the Warden anymore, when being a Warden was the best thing that ever happened to him.

But he makes sure it doesn't show. He makes sure his smile is genuine, and that he is the perfect mix of approachable and regal. It's a work in progress, but he tries, and he knows it works because the nobles listen to him.

He is the King of Fereldan, no matter how much he wishes he was still just Warden Alistair. He made his choice for his country, his home, his friends, and he would see it through. He'll be damned before he lets himself falter.

Anders was primarily a healer, and though he had some combat magic, he really did need a bit more. He found it exceedingly difficult to cast Entropy spells, but he could cast elemental and primal with ease. Though, given that Layla was definitely a 'magic knight' sort of fighter, Anders could be more defensive. It wasn't like you couldn't weaponize shields; I proved that often.

Nathaniel was a bit more difficult to determine a training plan for. He loved archery more than anything, so he'd likely focus mostly on that. He was naturally rather quiet, and definitely had a more practical, pragmatic, mindset… I could have Cleon work with him to teach him assassin tricks? I didn't think Nathaniel would balk at it, but it would be good to have him train in other weapons too. His adaptability was always good…

Of course, Oghren was giving me some difficulties too. He felt 'out of practice' and wanted to train up. But the trying part was that he had been the teacher during the Blight, so coming up with a new training thing was odd. I might just throw him at Aiden, and have them spar. Oghren knew his abilities far better than I did and, more importantly, he knew his limits.

"So, you think it'll take eighty gold sovereigns to fix the walls, Master Voldrik?" I asked, making sure to not let any of my distracted thoughts appear on my face. I didn't want to accidentally insult him, after all, but these training plans did really need to be made, and made quickly. The darkspawn showed that they weren't going to wait on us. "I'm not sure if that's too much or too little, luckily for you."

"Hey, coin goes and comes, but dwarven walls don't fall," Voldrik answered with a shrug. I didn't know him well, but he had come highly recommended, so I was willing to trust him. "Though it would be better if we had good granite."

"Are we lacking?"

"I said 'good' granite. I can make due with what's been given with me, especially with the gold, but if you want something better than 'decent', you need better than decent granite." He gave me a look. "So?"

"Hmmm…" I closed my eyes and went through what I knew about the treasury. The original budget had been made to account for many, many more people, staying for a prolonged period of time. It hadn't been made for a handful and a bunch of funerals. "Yes, I think it can be afforded." I opened my eyes and jotted down the expense so that I didn't forget. "As for granite, I was once told that the Wending Woods has deposits. When things are a little less hectic, we can send a scouting party to confirm that."

"Excellent." He actually smiled slightly, which grew when I handed him a piece of paper authorizing him to take the money from the treasury. "Oh, Dworkin was wanting to talk to you too. He's insane, but he won't shut up either."

"I bet it's about the bombs." I was really curious about them, truthfully. They were far stronger than anything I'd ever seen, and if harnessed, they could give us quite the edge. "Tell him that I'll meet with him either later today or tomorrow. I have other things at the moment."

"Will do. Nice doing business with you." He paused, giving me a look. "So, how do you like being addressed anyway? Champion Cousland? Teyrn Cousland?"

"If you want a title, I'm here as a Warden, so 'Warden-Constable' is fine." There was too much going on. "But if things get weird or confusing, Nuada works. I'm not picky."

"Warden-Constable since we're doing business, but when that's done, I'll switch to Nuada." He rolled his shoulders, eyeing the gates dubiously. "To work for me."

"I won't keep you further." I gave him a little bow, smirking as he rolled his eyes, and left, scanning the bustling courtyard. Things were still being cleared, and everyone was busy doing something. Layla and Anders were in the infirmary, for instance. Nathaniel and Cleon were on patrol, with copious amounts of paper so Cleon could communicate with the others. Aiden and Oghren were moving debris, and dragging out the crushed, rotting bodies.

I was dealing with the more administrative things. Someone had to, and since the others had picked their duties first, I just went with it.

"Lord Nuada?" Herren called, catching my attention with a little wave. He smiled when I trotted over. "It's so good to see you again," he greeted, voice all honeyed innocence. I knew he was really glad about the massive pay he and Wade got for their relocating here. "Truly, we're honored to be here."

"I'm glad to hear that," I replied, tone matching his. I glanced over to Wade, who was muttering under his breath as he worked on something at the forge. "Are there issues?"

"Oh, Wade just isn't very fond of the cold." Herren spoke quickly, likely to shut down whatever complaints Wade had. They were always like this. "But there was a bit of an issue with materials?"

"Was there?"

"You know how Wade gets." He shrugged. "There's not enough 'proper' metal here to make armor for the soldiers, according to him."

"What is proper?"

"Silverite is preferred." He nodded at Wade, and I saw that Wade immediately perked up a bit at the mention. "Lesser metals will do, but he insists on silverite. And Wade is at his best when presented with a challenge, as you well know."

"Yes, I do." After all, I had commissioned all of our armor from Wade, with the promise of using dragon scales. He made Layla's rapier and Aiden's greatsword from dragon fangs. "We don't have silverite, for now, but I can look into it." There was an old silverite mine in the Wending Woods, from what I remembered. Maybe there were some old deposits that we could use, and thus not have to import raw silverite here. "Will that be acceptable?"

"Of course." Herren's eyes glittered in anticipation, and I thought I saw Wade smile before going back to his shivering. "That was the only issue, I assure you. Terribly sorry to bother."

"No, no, it's fine." I made sure to smile at them both. "Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your creations." I left then, mostly so that I didn't get dragged into something else. I really did need to check in with Varel on some things, triple-check the budget, check that no one had fallen from the ramparts again because of a loose stone, and-

"Warden-Constable!" The soldier's call stopped me in my tracks, and I made myself smile instead of groan as they ran up and saluted. "Guest at the gates!" they reported. "Teyrna Cousland." What was Anora doing here?

"Well, I had best greet my sister-by-marriage before I get a tongue lashing," I joked, mostly to hide my confusion. "Return to your post. All will be well." I hoped, at least. I really wasn't sure why Anora would be here, after all.

But she was, indeed, here. She was dressed in simpler clothes than I was used to, likely to better fit in at Highever. It was expected that the Teyrna look 'nice', but not overtly so. I wasn't sure if they fit her better or worse than the dresses she had worn as queen, but she at least seemed more relaxed than she had been when I last saw her.

"Nuada, it is good to see you," she greeted, coming over to actually give me a hug. It wasn't quite as warm as her hugs normally were, but it was a warmer one that I expected. That alone told me her cheer wasn't completely for show. "Fergus and I heard what happened. Have you…?"

"We're still gathering all the dead," I explained, pulling away. "But we've had funerals for the first batch. We also had a funeral for Mhairi, a Warden recruit who didn't make it."

"I see." She nodded, eyes thoughtful. "And how is Layla? Has she met with the nobles yet?"

"You're just in time for that."

"Excellent. I had hoped so." She smiled slightly. "Fergus and I worried for her, and I am well-versed in navigating politics that are all too eager to demand 'perfection' from a woman, while rewarding a man for being 'tolerable'."

"You're also here to show Highever's support for the new Arlessa, and the Wardens who have made the Keep their home." I knew the game. Her laugh told me she'd known I'd pick that up. "Well, I'm glad to see you. I'm not sure about the others, but these are better circumstances, and you did impress Cleon during the Siege."

"Did I?" She looked a little confused. "I shall endeavor to figure out how I did that, so I can do so again." She shook her head. "But, I will help Layla, as I am able. You have my word, Nuada. If nothing else, she is precious to my dear 'little brother'."

"And I am certain my sweet 'older sister' can give her far better advice than I can." But would Layla listen? I wasn't sure. "Regardless, let me escort you in. You must forgive the others for not greeting you. Layla is in the infirmary, Cleon is on patrol, and Aiden is helping with the rubble."

"As they should be." She took my arm and let me lead her into the Keep proper. "But come. Tell me of what you've been doing since we last saw each other? Have you proposed to Layla, by chance?"

"Anora!"

All investigations into the Fall of Highever indicated that Howe had done it all on his own. However, as the nobles of the Arling mingled and chatted, I couldn't help but watch them closely anyway. It was possible he had confederates, and I knew that while some bore Howe no love, others lost a lot with his demise, and even more with the declaration of 'Oathbreaker'. It made me nervy, and it was difficult to trust any of them.

So, I stayed in the shadows, though I gave another reasons for it. It wasn't even a lie. Layla ruled Amaranthine in her own right, and that needed to be known. She was alone when she received the oaths of fealty, and walked with Anora throughout the party.

To emphasize that he was Warden-Commander, Aiden stuck close to Cleon, and I could tell by their signs that they were snarking at everything. Nathaniel and Anders weren't here. Anders didn't want to leave the infirmary, and Nathaniel had volunteered to stand guard on the ramparts. I had no idea where Oghren was, but I could take a guess. There were casks here, after all.

I watched the guests, hunting for anything that seemed off. I doubted there would be anyone stupid enough to conspire against us, of course. We were heroes of the Blight, had slain thousands, and we had the favor of the king. It would be suicide, both socially and literally, to plot a rebellion. But there were other ways to subvert rulers, and I had little doubts they would try it.

Favors were always a way to do that. People would trick rulers into promises, and then jump on them when they were not fulfilled. Others focused on their own interests, phrased as something selfless.

Esmerelle was one of the latter. Though she was a known supporter of Howe, lack of evidence and her own status as the Bann of the City of Amaranthine made her untouchable. She knew it, too, and tried to get Layla to agree to keeping soldiers within the City of Amaranthine, in order to keep the bulk of military with her, while trying to phrase it as an important landmark.

Eddelbrek was a bit more ambiguous. Father had called him a friend, but he'd also called Howe his best friend, so I wasn't so certain on trusting his judgment on people. I wasn't certain on trusting my own judgment, despite having good memories of him. I did know him as the master of the Fereval Plains, and thus the biggest farmholder of the province. This was all the more important, considering it was one of the few farms untouched by the Blight, and thus a key source of food for Fereldan. As such, it was hard to say if he truly was being selfless when urging the soldiers to protect the farms, or if he was protecting his own interests. It was probably both.

Regardless, though, Layla chose the farms when the two of them confronted her. I knew it was because she was all too aware of how much the Blight had hurt, but she was… too blunt. I didn't hear her answer, but I knew by Anora's slightly narrowed eyes and quickly hidden wince. Eddelbrek would be a friend to her, but Esmerelle would not. Esmerelle had the money and power to cause further trouble. Still, I doubted it would be anything substantial for a while.

"You're thinking too much." The voice startled me from my thoughts, and I glanced down to see Oghren, surprisingly sober all things considered. "Girls like the brooding scowly look, but you're going overboard," he teased. "Way overboard."

"Alack, alay, oh woe is me," I deadpanned. It made him laugh. "I thought you'd be drinking your weight in alcohol."

"I did. Now I'm waiting before doing it again." He glanced around the room. "Bunch of fancy schmancy stuff, huh?"

"Welcome to nobility. It's even worse in other courts."

"Bah, its better than Orzammar." That was true. "But you're thinking too much. You're making all sorts of plans."

"I'm the tactician."

"Of course, but seriously, lad." He gave me a serious look. "You're doing okay with them visually being in command, but they need to lead. You've got enough on your plate without doing their jobs."

"I know, Oghren." I sighed. "But things are insane, so I need to-"

"You need to make sure they're making their own mistakes. Otherwise, they'll never really be leaders. I know you're trying, but most of the stuff in earlier really should've been handled by them, not you." He reached up as high as he could to pat my back. "Look, I won't stop you today. But you make sure to tell them what all you're doing, so that they're in the loop. And you leave the rest of those things to them."

"I…" I sighed again. "You're right."

"You just want to help them, Nuada. I get it." He shrugged. "But sometimes, you can only help a person by stepping back."

"Is that…?" No, that wasn't right to ask, especially now. "Never mind. I'll… try to do as you say."

"You're used to overworking."

"I'm a Cousland." Other people's 'overwork' was our normal. It wasn't healthy, but that was just… how we were. "So, I can only promise to try."

"Well, trying will make you stronger, spiritually." He shrugged. "Now, if you don't mind, there's a keg with my name on it."

"Please don't go scaring the guests about talking pants again." I grinned as he snickered. "Later, Oghren."

"Go get a drink, Nuada, and make eyes at your girl. Aiden and Cleon will worry if you don't." Times like this reminded me that Oghren was much smarter than he acted. "But now, to alcohol!"

"Yes, yes." It would be good to relax a bit, and there was that balcony that… "I'll do just that." Then I'd show Aiden and Layla what all I had done, finish some things up, and then I'd…

Author's Notes: Unless she is queen, Anora doesn't show up at all in the Awakening expansion. This is obviously being changed to give her a little more exposure, in a different situation to let the other three Wardens actually gain opinions on her. All the things mentioned in the courtyard are part of 'strengthening the keep', a very important task. Training schedules mentioned are a bit of a nod to the 'manuals of focus' that let you reset your chars and change skill allocations, and how Anders and Nathaniel will likely have a BUNCH of skill and level up points when you recruit them.

Next Chapter – It Comes from Beneath with Cleon