Dragon Age: Of Noble Birth

Castle Cousland, Highever

Day 1

"My lord!"

Aedan stopped walking and turned.

"Ser Gilmore." He nodded to the man as he caught up.

"My lord, it seems your hound is at it in the larder again. The Teyrna requests you retrieve him."

Aedan sighed. "Fantastic." His thoughts briefly lapsed to a time not too long ago when he was going at it in the larder. That was many, many weeks ago though. He turned back to Gilmore. "Okay, I'll get him."

Aedan set off towards the kitchens. Gilmore set in step beside him. Aedan looked over, eyebrow raised. "Are you to follow me to assure I do my task Ser Gilmore?"

The knight explained. "Well..your lordship, the Teyrna, she..."

Aedan chuckled a little, understanding immediately. "Fine. Fine. I understand that. My mother can be...Well, let's just go get him."

Ser Gilmore nodded. "I have a question my lord, if I may?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Word travels that a Grey Warden is present."

"It's true. There is one here. Duncan is his name. He's come to test you actually."

"Maker's breath! Really!"

Aedan looked over at him, surprised by his reaction. Gilmore looked ready to apologize but Aedan waved it off as the knight misunderstood his gaze.

Gilmore continued. "I can scarcely believe it. I'm truly honored."

Aedan looked at the man as they rounded a corner to the kitchens. "What do you know of their tests by the way?"

"Not much my lord. Much of the warden lore is secret. Of course most are aware of their exploits during Blights and such, from the tales, but few seem to know anything about how wardens are chosen."

Aedan nodded in thought. "Strange after so long. It's been what...well over a thousand years now."

"True. I never thought of it that way to be honest." Gilmore looked pensive for a second. "Still, quite an honor. He is not going to test you my lord? I would have thought for certain you were his target."

Aedan frowned a bit. "It seems he may have intended that but...my father has objections. Not to mention my mother..."

Gilmore nodded his understanding. "Would you choose to become a warden my lord?"

Aedan thought for a second. His initial answer would have been absolutely, but the more he thought on it, the more questions he wanted to ask first. Still, he found the concept appealing.

"I believe I would Ser Gilmore. Though I've as many questions as you it seems."

They both pushed through the door into the kitchen.

His old nanny, Nan as she was still called, was screaming at two elves. The male Aedan could not place, the female was named Seryna. She smiled shyly at Aedan as he approached. Aedan smiled back and flicked his eyes towards the larder, winking at her.

The girl blushed bright red.

Nan caught on and turned to him swiftly. "You! Your bleeding dog is running rampant in here again. He should be put down!"

Aedan, normally impassive, especially towards Nan, did not like that at all but held his tongue.

Nan continued. "I'm cooking for hundreds before they leave and I can't even get into me own larder. Get your fool dog!"

Aedan nodded and smiled to her. "As you wish." He turned to the larder and pushed open the door.

His Mabari war hound, Tiberius, was sniffing the ground, with intent. He did not even pay attention to Aedan when he entered, aside from barking a few times.

Aedan immediately drew his sword. Gilmore looked shocked.

"What is it?"

"He's agitated. Something's here."

Gilmore, not doubting the bond between master and Mabari, did the same.

Not two seconds after, a whole horde of large rats came scurrying from every corner of the room.

The hound launched into them, biting and clawing at will, while Gilmore and Aedan calmly dispatched the others.

"Maker's breath! They must be fleeing all the way up here from the Wilds. Big ones aren't they?"

Aedan nodded and knelt, petting Tiberius. The dog was now happy to see him. Aedan pushed his head away as he tried to lick him. He was covered in rat guts and blood. Aedan grabbed a few loose towels and cleaned him off quickly.

Gilmore continued. "It's like the beginning of some bad adventure novel." He cleaned off his sword and sheathed it. He turned to Aedan. "Shall I inform the Teyrna?"

Aedan shook his head no. "I will. Go get ready for the warden. I'll see you later."

The knight nodded his thanks and departed.

Aedan rubbed Tiberius behind his ears. "Good boy."

He looked around the room. It was rather odd to see rats like that so far north. He shook his head and walked out of the larder into the kitchen. The hound followed obediently.

Nan looked expectant. "Well?"

Aedan lowered his voice so as not to alarm the servants. "Rats. Really big ones."

Nan's eyes opened wider for just a split second then she snarled at the dog. "Very well. Damn dog probably let those rats into the larder in the first place." Tiberius whined in protest.

The elves heard. "Rats!"

Aedan spoke up. "They're all dead." They both calmed down at hearing the problem was solved.

Nan grunted. "I expect he'll be wanting a damned reward now?"

Tiberius barked loudly and Aedan smiled. The dog was smart as a whip. Aedan even thought it possible he did let the rats into the larder, just to corral and kill them.

Nan set a bowl of livers on the ground and the Mabari tore into them. She turned to Aedan.

"You best be staying out of trouble." It was more of a question really, coming from her.

Aedan smirked. "Of course." Seryna entered his sight and his eyes followed her through sheer reflex.

Nan caught on as she followed his gaze. "And you'd best stop diddling the servants boy!" She spoke quietly but the other two clearly heard her.

The male elf dropped a bowl of something in shock while Seryna blushed bright red in horror.

Aedan smiled to Nan while watching Seryna. "I've no idea what you're talking about Nan."

"Mmph. Go on. I've got food to cook."

Aedan smiled at his old nanny again, nodded, and walked towards the door. Seryna eyed him as he left. He shifted his gait and moved up near her to say hello.

She spoke before he did, looking up at him shyly. "We will serve you while the Teyrn is away." Her eyes were alight with mischief after uttering what Aedan had to guess was fast becoming an inside joke to the elven girls in the castle.

Aedan laughed and smiled at her, touching the small of her back gently in hello. He turned and walked out of the kitchens shaking his head. He had only been with her that one time, and that had been very unexpected. He remembered her from before he had left, but she had been very shy back then. Almost fearful. He remembered being concerned for her at one time.

Late one afternoon, a week or so after he had returned, while the others were eating and entertaining in the main hall during some function, he had ducked into the larder for a bottle of wine. She had smiled to him, watched him, then followed him inside the larder, boldly. She had locked the door behind her, and had begun to take off her clothes as she walked towards him.

Aedan had been completely stunned by her aggressiveness. Especially since she was easily the shyest elven girl in the castle. She had walked up to him, nearly naked, and jumped into his arms, and kissed him passionately. Cute as she was, Aedan had naturally reciprocated.

He smiled to himself as he walked up the stairs. She was not so shy that day.