Dragon Age Origins: Army of Zero

Migel and company were standing amongst the students as they waited for the arrival of Princess Henrietta. Anders, Allistair , Sten, and Zevran had a running bet on what she would be like. Anders believed she would be stuck up and spoiled. Allistair believed she would be ugly and vain. Zevran believed she would be a true beauty, but dense and stupid. Sten made the bet based on Siesta description of her being kind, smart, pretty, and respective of others. Migel suspected a bit of everything. They each had 10 Sovereigns riding on this and to the victor go the spoils.

The last few days had been a bit of strain. Explaining the last four years of his and the others lives' was a true test of patience and will considering how many times the eldest sister Elenore called him a liar or exaggerator. Morrigan nearly froze her ass. Cattelya, on the other hand, he liked. She was kind, sweet, and good with the two little ones that gave her the nickname Angel. The others were not so lucky. The Father was called Howe; Nathaniel was quite insulted, but knew of its origins. The Mother was called Flemeth; Morrigan was more pleased than upset. Elenore had the worst name, Broodmother. It had taken her entire family, Sten, and Oghren to hold her down before she committed child murder. Louise was known as Bitch or Harpy; and since they weren't her familiars, and for that matter royalty and a high class noble, she couldn't touch them. Siesta was just called Siesta or Newbie, since they pretty much welcomed her in their circle unofficially. Their cabin was still several days from completion so they remained in their little campsite and spent the nights drinking, cleaning their equipment as well as Louise's clothing, and retelling tales of the 'Glory days' to Siesta and Cattelya. At one point or another, Kirche and Tabitha joined in listening to the tales; even some of the servant staff would listen to the grand quests they committed. The current house favourite amongst the academy was the siege of Denerim, how the army retook the city from the evil Darkspawn, and the slaying of the fabled Archdemon.

Migel was brought back from his memories as he saw the approaching wagons. The wagons ironically stopped just parallel to Migel and the others. The doors opened and a servant woman exited first and then finally Princess Henrietta De Tristain. All the men present (except Sten) had to control their jaw muscles from going slack, and their eyes from bulging. She was beautiful. Her hair was dark violet, covered by a small tiara made of white gold that had several jewels in it. Her eyes were grey and her smile was a priceless work of art. She wore a beautiful light purple dress that complemented her hair and face.

Henrietta had a very similar reaction. There was currently a small army of warriors standing right in front of her. The one that caught her eye specifically was wearing golden plated armour (technically Red Steel, but they don't know that). He was a little tan in the skin, but Caucasian. He had short brown hair, brown eyes and a short fuzzy goatee. He seemed a very happy if not quirky person from what she could see from his face. He had the look of a leader, but a reluctant one. She could sense the trials and hardships he has experienced. She could also sense something else, was it longing? Loneliness? She could not tell which, only that it was there. She also noticed the leader of the group. She could feel an aura of authority, power, leadership, and experience from the man. He looked no older than 20, but she knew he was. This man had fought wars and slain beasts of great power. She could read it in his eyes. She could sense his pride, his anger, his resentment. She did not like it, but also understood why. She quickly looked away and began waving to the people that were present as if she never saw the warriors before her.

"My, my," Zevran said whilst he stroked his chin with curiosity. "It would seem we have discovered a rare jewel amongst a cavern of cold stones. The others agreed somewhat.

"Well regardless I already lost the bet so I'm going to head back to camp," Allistair said with a hint of annoyance. "Anyone care to join me? Surprisingly, everyone returned with him. They had other things to do anyway; like prepare for their demonstration tomorrow. Thankfully, Louise's father agreed to help by summoning some of his own valkyries and other minions for them to fight in a battle royal. The day continued somewhat uneventfully, until someone decided to sneak into the dorms that evening.

Henrietta was having a lot of trouble sneaking through the academy undetected. She always seemed to nearly run into one Louise's familiars; they were everywhere. Finally, she reached the entrance to the dorms and was about to enter when someone placed an armoured hand on her shoulder. She stiffened and feared her guards had caught her. She heard a light chuckle.

"Well it's good to know that whole 'sneaking at night thing' is used by other monarchs like me," said a male voice. Henrietta turned around and nearly had a heart attack since it was the man in golden armour from before. "I take it you're not out for a lovely stroll in the twin moonlight? She shook her head. No? Pity, I was hoping to get some tips from the current monarch on how to be a real king. That and whether or not being a Princess automatically makes you a bitch or if it's just Anora. Henrietta gave him a very confused look.

"You're a strange man," she giggled.

"I get that a lot. So tell me why are you scouring the night? You aren't a murderer looking for some easy prey are you?"

"NO! I just came to visit Louise."

"Wait your friends with that pink demon?"

"Yes, since we were very young."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Are all your friends like her or did you just take pity on the girl?"

"You don't care much for Louise, do you?"

"No of course not, She's a great person," sarcasm clear in his voice. "Aside from enslaving us, berating us, insulting us, threatening to take away the two infant boys, and treating us like the bile from a Broodmother; she's an absolute saint. Henrietta sweat dropped. She couldn't help but feel some remorse for them. It was technically slavery that was being committed, but tradition demanded that Louise keep her familiars. The man pushed her in front of him and began directing her towards the camp that they had set up. By now all the warriors had returned and were sitting by the fire eating some boar they had caught. Hey guys look what I found wandering the academy. They all turned to see the Princess, frightened like a newborn puppy. She shifted uneasily as she sat down on one of the logs they had stationed around the fire. She felt very awkward and uncomfortable. Finally the woman with revealing clothing spoke up.

"So your highness, what brings you out at this time of night and to our little band of slaves," the woman sneered at slave. Henrietta now felt even more unwelcome. She could feel all their eyes scanning her as if to read her very soul and character; it was truly unnerving. She was about to make a hasty retreat, when she saw two little boys run in front of her. They were attacking each other with wooden swords, and quite aggressively. Unfortunately, both boys let their guards down and ended up bashing each other, with great force, in the head with their swords. Both toppled over and sat there for a second and then began to cry. Both mothers weren't even able to get out of their seats before Henrietta began comforting the two boys. She held one in each arm and gently shushed them.

"There, there little ones, it's ok," Henrietta said. She gently stroked their heads and hummed a sweet tune to sooth them. Both boys stopped sobbing and looked up at the young Princess.

"Waby awe you Anbwaste," the boy, with snow hair and tattoos on his cheeks, asked?

"Who?"

"Andraste," Allistair explained. "To put it simply, she is a human turned god and the Maker's wife, or as you call him god. Henrietta stared at him and then turned to the boys with a smile.

"No, I'm just a girl who happens to be a princess," no sooner had she finished; the giant warrior, with white dreadlocked hair, held out his hand and received three coin purses from his companions. She ignored it and kissed both boys on the head and let them to walk back towards their mothers. Both mothers hugged their child and looked at Henrietta. They said nothing, but she could tell from their looks that they were thanking her. The boy with the short woman asked a question.

"Momma can be habe a stowy?"

"Anb one be haben't heawd," the other boy interjected. Morrigan looked to her husband. Migel sighed as he thought of one of his less frequent tales. Unfortunately there was only one the boys didn't know, and that was a tale he would rather not say in front of the Princess. He decided to wait till later; however, Siesta decided to inform their more frequent audience of their new tale. Within minutes the camp was surrounded by servants, students, teachers, and visiting nobles who had heard of the group and wished to hear one of their quests. Migel knew he was stuck and prayed he could avoid certain inquiries.

"Alright this is the Siege of Vigil's Keep," he said. Many of the Grey wardens shifted and knew what was coming. He exhaled and began telling them of the looming threat of the Darkspawn and the call for help they received from Amaranthine. He told them of the taint and destruction it had suffered in their absence. Then he finally told them of the talking Darkspawn, the army headed for Vigil's Keep, and the decision that was made.

"And so it was decided and ordered that Amaranthine would be set ablaze and destroyed with all who resided within," Migel said with sadness present in his voice. The girl Montmorency spoke.

"Who could order such a monstrous thing like that," she asked? The Wardens winced; they had feeling after tonight they would not be seen as heroes anymore, especially Migel.

"I did" Migel answered. The entire audience gasped. Many people started glaring at him with anger. "Ahem, Justice could you continue? I need a walk to clear my head. Justice nodded and continued the tale. As he left Gimli and Allistair accompanied him. Henrietta slipped from the group unnoticed and followed them. She saw them stop by the main entrance and they stood there talking.

"You still blame yourself, don't you," Gimli asked?

"I allowed Amaranthine to burn with its citizens, of course I do," he responded.

"It wasn't your fault, if the Keep had fallen the Darkspawn army would have assaulted Amaranthine anyway and the Grey Wardens would've disappeared from Ferelden again," Allistair told his friend. "Amaranthine was a necessary sacrifice, just like all things the Grey Wardens do to protect the world from the Darkspawn.

"But it was their sacrifice, not mine. I sacrificed those innocent people so that the Grey Wardens, Vigil's Keep, and my friends would survive and continue to fight. That was not sacrifice, it was selfishness."

"No it wasn't Migel, just like sending those RedCliff Knights against the Archdemon so that we could prepare an assault with the Mages and Dwarves. It was necessary, so that we could win the battle."

"You are a true leader Migel, and your decisions have always been correct and necessary. You have two kings that believe this of you, even Loghain believes that every decision you made is the correct one," Gimli comforted his friend.

"Not the decision to leave my family to die. What kind of man leaves his dying farther and broken mother for his bloodthirsty enemies so that he can escape and fight the Blight?"

"Migel don't let things that were beyond your control cloud your judgement as a leader and as a good man," Allistair told him. Henrietta wished she could say something, but she didn't know the whole story or him for that matter. Her words would be hollow and pointless so she remained hidden and silent. They continue to talk for a few more minutes until they began to return to the campsite. Allistair however, stopped after a few steps. "You guys go ahead I'll catch up. They nodded and continued without him. You know, it's not very Princess like to eavesdrop on people in the middle of the night. Henrietta squeaked as she tip toed from her spot. She blushed from embarrassment.

"What you said to your friend, it was very kind of you," she said.

"Only speaking the truth; he's suffered a lot and has had to make other...difficult decisions that many would question as 'human'."

"Has it truly been that bad?"

"Besides his parents you mean," he looked back at Henrietta and she nodded. "Well one such decision was to kill my little cousin Connor, who was only a young boy, because he was possessed by a demon. There have been other decisions not nearly as difficult, but still unhappy ones. Believe it or not he actually got me to become king. Granted he forced me to marry that demoness Anora, but in the end it was necessary; otherwise we could've have had a civil war again and killed one of our top generals, Loghain.

"Who's Anora?"

"Loghain's daughter, King Cailin's, my late half brother, widow, and 'officially' my wife. Unofficially though, she's tried to 'remove' me from the throne nearly a dozen times. The best part is we either can't find any proof or the assassins commit suicide. Zevran has saved my behind more times than I care to count. Having an ex-assassin as a bodyguard has its benefits."

"It sounds dreadful."

"Yeah, personally I prefer a woman whose kind, smart, and is open to an equal power relationship. Not a spoiled, bitchy, murdering, sadist. Thank the Maker she was already pregnant when we married or I may have had to sleep with her; but I do fear for my nephew. I wouldn't wish that kind of mother on any child; especially Cailin's."

"Perhaps it's for the best you ended up here."

"Yeah your right. Once the baby was born, the power between me and Anora shifted drastically since the baby is Cailin's son and King Maric's Grandson. I would probably have been executed within 10-15 years. Then again I wouldn't last much longer anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Grey Wardens have a special way of initiating recruits, it's fatal and sometimes all of them can die. Once you take the initiation, and live, you have 30 years to live; give or take. My intiation was about 5-6 years ago so I have at least 15-20 years left."

"Why is it so dangerous, and why must this be done. I have heard that you Grey Wardens are special, because you are the only ones that can end something known as the Blight."

"Correct, you see the Blight is very bad. The Grey Wardens represent the sacrifices that must be made to stop the Blight. If the Blight wins then all life in the world will eventually become tainted or destroyed. Migel, Gimli, and I fought in the last Blight; in fact Migel slew the Archdemon, the leader of the Blight."

Henrietta was in awe. She felt like a teen that was idolizing their favourite knight. She felt rather embarrassed by it actually. These people had accomplished what very few nobles even dreamed of accomplishing. She was doing everything she could not to ask for an autograph like all girls her age would. They both decided to return to camp and listen to rest of the story. When they returned nearly everyone from the crowd, except Siesta, Tabitha, Kirche, Monmorentcy, Guiche, Louise's family, Professor Colbert, and several soldiers, had left. Justice was just finishing the story.

"And so the mighty commander stabbed his blade into the beast's face. The creature shrieked as it slumped and died. The Commander then turned away and left the cave with myself, Anders, and Oghren, never once looking back at the dead Broodmother," Justice finalized the story with a hint of awe. The audience had nearly lost their lower jaws from the story. Justice had, at several points in the story, explained the Architect, the Disciples, and the Children to his dwindling audience. The descriptions of several caused many nobles and light stomached listeners to flee the area or risk emptying there recently filled stomachs. Others were not so fortunate.

Upon their return, Allistair noticed a furious Louise approaching him with a look that screamed "I'm gonna eat your heart and tear off your balls with my bare hands". Needless to say Allistair was almost intimidated; almost being the key word, since he had experienced that look for nearly four years from his so called wife, Anora. Allistair just looked at the little pink pain in the ass and awaited the flogging.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH HER HIGHNESS YOU LOWLY DOG," Louise screamed, causing nearly all to lose their hearing! "How dare you show your face in the presence of her majesty and force her to listen to your barbaric wives tales.

"Hey, they are not wives tales, and she willingly came to our little group," Allistair retorted. "I simply pushed her in the proper direction. I'm not lying so she can't get mad...right? He thought to himself.

Wrong!

"That does not excuse you for being alone with her highness with no supervision."

"LOUISE! Are you implying that I would do such a thing with such a handso-I mean total stranger," Henrietta caught herself and tried to hide her blush.

"No milady, I simply don't trust this-this..."

"Royal bastard," Louise's familiars answered?

"Lack of a better term, yes,"

"Oh pardon me Miss Louise for having an ADULT conversation with the princess. I simply figured you were too arrogant and immature to understand certain discussion topics that an enlightened monarch, such as me and Henrietta, would speak to one another about."

"So you talked about Anora and how much of a bitch she is," Zevran asked?

"Basically."

"Louise I'm fine and he didn't do anything to me," Henrietta assured her friend. "You should ease up on...what was that term Oghren used?

"Busting our balls," Oghren answered.

"Yes. By the way what does that actually mean?"

"Well-Ow," Oghren received a staff to the head!

"Don't even think about it," Wynne glared at the warrior dwarf!

"Very well your highness I will...try to be more respectful of my charges; since they are skilled warriors and nobles, and they are behaving rather well as of late," Louise resisted the urge to lash out at her familiars.

"I expect my plate of cookies soon," Sten interjected. Henrietta raised an eyebrow and looked at Allistair.

"He's addicted; under no circumstances should you ever attempt to steal one. Last poor bugger who did that ended getting Asla, his sword, to the head," Henrietta shuddered a little. These people truly were ruthless, that or just plain psychotic. Louise grabbed Henrietta by the arm and dragged her away from the group.

"I think the princess has been around you barbarians for long enough, goodnight."

"Night everyone; it was nice meeting you," Henrietta waved as Louise dragged her away from the group. The rest of the listeners, except Siesta, decided to leave as well and turn in for the night. Siesta looked at her new friends. She couldn't help but feel slightly unwelcome; not that she was, but she didn't feel like she was truly apart of the group. She felt like the odd man out.

"You guys really don't mind me being part of your little group," Siesta asked? The group looked at her and simply smiled.

"Of course not, you are similar to us; granted not a slave, but forced into servitude since you've no other choice," Zevran said.

"You're a kind, sweet, and helpful young lady that has aided us since we arrived," Wynne added with a pat to her shoulder.

"Besides, we need someone who actually knows how to cook," Logan stated as he bit into some boar.

"Hey, I'll have you know I make a mean boiled boar," Allistair defended himself. The group shivered in disgust.

"The fact that you boil boar instead of cook, frightens me all the more," Logan scowled. Siesta giggled.

"Grandma never told me Grey Wardens were so funny," she slapped her hand over her mouth. The entire group looked at the young maid. "I said that out loud, didn't I? The group nodded.

"You mean we're not the first," Migel asked, trying not to leap from his spot?

"No, my Grandfather was a brand new initiate when he arrived here during the eclipse. He had been fighting what he called a High Dragon, and had leaped on its back during the battle when it tried to flee. They both arrived here in Tristain and the dragon fell from its wounds and died. My grandfather was found by my grandmother, and she nursed him back to health. For a year they helped each other on our family farm. He learned our language and helped turn our home into one of the most famous farm and ranches in the country. He was fifteen when he came here and had my father when they were both seventeen. Eight years later there was a war with Germania and it was also during the next eclipse. When the battle was won, he stole an enemy dragon and flew into the eclipse and disappeared without a trace. A soldier gave my grandmother his goodbye as he had said: 'I must return to my home and take up my duty as a Grey Warden. I must fight the Darkspawn and defend my world from the Blight. I must prevent it from coming here and spreading its taint to my family's home. I love you both, and I will never forget you.' They've never seen him since. That was nearly forty years ago when he arrived."

The group looked stunned and absolutely shocked. Migel looked like he was about to keel over.

"Why didn't you tell us," Leiliana asked? Siesta lowered her head.

"Because I didn't think it was important at the time; other than the eclipse and I was being selfish."

"How so," Morrigan asked?

"Other than my cousin and uncle in the city, I don't have any friends and I felt welcome and like I belonged with you guys. I didn't want to be left all alone again and watch you all leave, even if the eclipse isn't for another year or two. I'm so sorry, I'm a horrible person," Siesta lightly sobbed in her hands. She felt horrible about herself and having deceived her only real friends just for a selfish reason. "They hate me now I know it. I'm such a fool. She could almost feel the glares that she was expecting and was waiting for Sten or Migel to chew her out for betraying them like that. She stopped when she felt someone hug her and another place their hand on her shoulder. She looked and saw Leiliana hugging her and Sten had a hand on her shoulder.

"There is nothing selfish about not wanting to be alone, you are always welcome within our little group," Leiliana comforted the girl.

"Although it was a little selfish, it only makes sense that you wish to become one of us since you are destined to follow and/or become a Grey Warden like your grandfather," Sten said with an encouraging pat on the shoulder. They looked at Migel who was thinking it over.

"Siesta this is a big choice you're making, take your time until the eclipse arrives, because once you act on your decision there is no turning back," Migel informed the girl quite sternly. "And if you're coming with us, you are going to need more than just skills in cooking. Our world is dangerous and recovering from a Blight, a tribal war, and civil war; it's going to be a nightmare in Ferelden and you'll need to be prepared. Siesta nodded before she ran over and hugged him.

"Thank you, you have no idea what this means to me Migel."

"You're welcome, but as I said you'll need more than skills as a maid; though I will admit you have all of us beat in that department."

"I say we take it. It may be squishy like the others, if not more so, but it has its uses; if only to cease my annoyance with the rubbery meat your moronic king serves to its fellow meat bags," Shale stated with minor annoyance.

"*sniff* your all so mean to me, and after all I've done for you," Allistair shed crocodile tears and moped. Siesta proceeded to hug and comfort him. "Oh, now she is a treat. Can we keep her for real Migel. You got to keep Morrigan, Leiliana, Sten, and Shale. All four said people glared at Allistair for being compared to pets. Morrigan, despite Allistair, smirked.

"I agree with the buffoon, for once; after all who's going to look after little Bryce and Trian while we slaughter Darkspawn," Morrigan insisted. Bryce proceeded to bounce up and down in excitement.

"Yay, yay! Newbie geps to come bith us," Bryce cheered and clapped his hands. Migel smiled at his son.

"Well we should all get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow and well all need our strength and sanity to deal with that little pink harpy," Migel stated. The group nodded and went to their respectable beds. Tomorrow would be an interesting turn of events, more so than even the Wardens realised.