Loghain takes the stage...
Chapter 3 – The Hero of River Dane
'Maker's Breath! The boy is insufferable!'
Loghain's frustration was peaking unusually high as he tried in vain to rein in Cailan's enthusiasm so that they could get to the business at hand. The boy had been carrying on about his meeting with the newest Grey Warden recruit since he'd entered Loghain's tent. His patience was at its end.
"Enough Cailan!" Loghain barked. "I am more than aware of your fascination with the Wardens but we must determine our strategies for the battle. It serves no purpose for you to prattle on as you do."
"It is not prattling to inform the general of my armies about the arrival of new allies." Cailan shot him a menacing look that was greeted by the cold, icy stare of a man whose limits had been far exceeded.
"Fine, Loghain, I will speak no more about the Wardens. I do not, however, wish to continue listening to your prattle either! I tire of your endless talk of battle plans. You are the strategist here; pick your strategy and be done with it!" Cailan's exasperated tone only served to infuriate Loghain all the more.
"Prattle on! Me? You accuse me of prattling on about strategies!" Loghain spat out the words like venom. "Did you learn nothing from the lessons Maric and I taught you about leading an army? Apparently you deem it unnecessary to plan for any eventuality that may occur in battle. This prattle, this drivel, may actually save the lives of hundreds of men. Your life as well, as it is apparent that you refuse to listen to reason and dismiss your foolish notion of joining in the fight."
He could hear Maric's voice in his mind still, asking him to care for and protect Cailan should anything befall him. Maric had entrusted the boy to Loghain, and he cared for Cailan as though he were his own.
'You insolent child! You are Maric's son…do you not see that your life is too valuable to squander on your childish fantasies?'
"It is not a fool notion! I am the King of Ferelden and I will lead the assault against the invasion of my country, just as my father did."
"Maric was just as foolhardy about fighting alongside his men. You were raised on legends and fairytales, Cailan. Truth be told, Maric ended up on his arse and half dead most of the time. It was sheer dumb luck that he even survived the occupation. The man was unable to even stay on a horse!" Loghain inwardly chuckled as the memories of Maric landing in ditches and various prickly plants on their journeys through Ferelden.
Cailan grinned. "Yes, I know. He told me of his awkwardness in battle. He always said that he was never concerned since he had you at his side. As do I. I know you will see us all through this fight, just as you always have before."
Loghain sighed. Cailan had always felt the need to prove himself worthy of the Theirin name. Maric the Savior cast a large shadow over his son and he longed to make his mark on the world. Loghain respected Cailan's desire to be seen as his own man, but this was neither the time nor the place for such action.
"And what of Anora?" Loghain's voice grew quiet. The thought of informing his daughter that her husband had been slain made his heart ache.
"What of Anora?" Cailan's reply had a sharp, painful edge to it.
"Would you see her widowed? Do you believe the nobles would blindly accept her ruling solely as Queen? And if they did attempt to unseat her, do you think she would willingly give up her crown? There would be civil war." The thought of the country fighting amongst itself while the darkspawn threaten to destroy Ferelden was more than he could bear. He would rather die than see his beloved country fall to blind fools.
"Of course they would follow her. I am not blind, Loghain. I am aware that the nobles believe Anora is the true ruler of Ferelden. I am king in name only; a figurehead." Though he tried not to show it, Loghain saw the hurt look in Cailan's eyes.
'So…he feels threatened by Anora as well. There will be no dissuading him from his course then.' He felt his chest tighten as he knew there was no winning this argument. The more he pushed Cailan, the stronger his resolve; so much like Maric.
Resigned, Loghain grudgingly gave in to Cailan's wishes. "Very well, Cailan. I will continue my work on planning the battle. I will inform you of my chosen strategies at the war counsel tonight."
"Thank you Loghain. I look forward to our meeting." Cailan clapped Loghain on the back and walked triumphantly out of his tent.
'For the love of the Maker, what now?' Loghain paced furiously around his tent.
Even when faced with the truth, Cailan still held to the legends of how Maric miraculously outwitted death several times over. Oddly enough, he also believed the tales of Loghain's indestructibility and flair for swooping in at precisely the right moment to save the day. Even if those tales were true, he had been a young man then. He groaned softly; Cailan would be the death of him, he was certain.
"Beg your pardon, my lord, but there is a young lady that wishes to speak with you." The guard approached Loghain cautiously, unsure of the current state of his temperament.
He wondered who the guard was referring to. Surely it was not Cauthrien, as she would simply have entered his tent. No matter; whoever it was would prove a viable, if momentary, distraction from his current dilemma. He turned to follow the guard.
As he exited the tent, he immediately recognized the woman as the new recruit Cailan had endlessly talked about. She was young, perhaps 20, with smooth, pale skin and delicate features. The silky strands of her honey-colored hair fell to her shoulders. What drew Loghain's attention was her eyes; as rich and piercing a blue as a clear sky just after the dawn.
"Well met, my lady." He gave her a gentlemanly bow. "I am Loghain, Teyrn of Gwaren. You must be Duncan's newest recruit?"
The girl's eyes widened as if in shock. "Y...yes, your grace. I am…I mean, my name is P…Parean." She stumbled over her words as she curtseyed before him. Loghain suppressed a half smile at the girl's gesture. He gathered that she did not know that one curtseys for royalty, not a simple noble. Social etiquette was not a priority in the Circle.
"I am…surprised that you know of me." Her attempts to avoid his eyes did not go unnoticed.
"I've heard a great deal about you, young lady. Cailan could not stop talking about your meeting. The First Enchanter spoke highly of you as well. Your skills will be a welcome addition to our cause." Loghain was distrustful of mages, but had come to know that not all were abominations waiting to strike at any moment. Magic had aided The Rebellion a great deal, and to have a skilled healer in their midst would be a great advantage.
He looked at her strangely. She seemed awestruck by his words and her inability to reply seemed odd to him. Her shoes suddenly became the fixed point of her gaze and she repeatedly tried to re-tuck the hair that was already firmly behind her ear. Small beads of sweat were slowly forming on her upper lip and forehead and her pale skin flushed. Was she truly this nervous?
'Certainly it must be because she is outside of the Circle for the first time. What other reason?'
After a few moments of silence, his curiosity begged to be sated. "Are you alright? I suspect it is your first time out from under the gaze of the Templars. The vastness of the world can be overwhelming, I know."
"Y…yes, your grace. I have not been outside of the Tower since I was a child. Please forgive my awkwardness. I….it is not leaving the Circle that has me….out-of-sorts." Loghain was amused at her failed attempt to dry her palms unnoticed.
"Then what, if I may ask, is ailing you? We need all our allies in top condition." He was concerned that this mage was not as strong-willed as he had been led to believe. This did not bode well.
The mage swallowed hard. She suddenly whispered a few words that Loghain was unable to discern. He became weary of this mage. Was she calling forth a demon or placing a curse upon him? His hand reflexively reached for his blade.
"Tis you, my lord!" she suddenly blurted out. "Maker's sake, forgive me….I…I did not mean it as it sounds. I simply meant that I have read so much about you….it is…humbling…to actually meet you in person." She let out a long sigh. "Forgive me, your grace. I have spoken out-of-turn."
'Of course…another who believes the fairytales. Yet another hero-worshipper who sees me as more than I am.' His blade hand relaxed.
"No need to apologize, my lady, um…Parean, was it? Might I say that a pretty young lady, such as yourself, should not waste her time with the foolish legends written of an old man." Loghain always used his dry, sarcastic wit in an attempt to lighten the mood but it usually had the effect of making him appear stand-offish and unfeeling. Few were truly able to understand his quips; Maric was one of those who did. He sighed inwardly; how he missed his friend.
Parean blushed, then smiled suddenly and retorted, "Thank you for your concern, my lord. Learning to appreciate the heroism and bravery of a, if I might say, dashing man such as yourself is no waste of time."
Loghain was taken aback. This mage, Parean, has a quick wit about her. He couldn't suppress the slight smile that touched his lips at her compliment. 'It has been a long time since anyone has referred to me as dashing.' he mused. Perhaps there was hope for her yet.
"If you'll excuse me, I must get back to my task. I'm sure we will meet again." Loghain bowed graciously.
"Of course, your grace. I must return to my task as well." Parean bowed in return.
With that, Loghain turned and re-entered his tent….and Parean, a smile brightening her features, walked to a secluded area….
and fainted.
I would have fainted too...except, I would have done it the moment he walked out...lol...please review...I'd love you hear your thoughts on the story so far...