It had been snowing for several days now, continuously. Small white flakes gliding effortlessly down, slowly turning the once muddy brown ground, into a pure blanket of bright white. Faye's lashes fluttered as the cool flakes would fall upon her eyelashes, making it hard to see. She could see the city only a few more miles ahead. The men had begun to freeze, so she ordered them to make camp and begin a massive fire. Tanis had not wanted her to go alone, but she insisted. Saying she would be fine with Brutus along with her. Tanis finally relented to the unwavering gaze she cast upon him. Nervously he let her go, when two men had approached him offering to follow their lady. Tanis had gratefully agreed and the two men silently followed behind.
Blowing on her hands she smiled as Brutus began pouncing in the snow. Her laughter broke the silence when Brutus pounced straight into a snowdrift disappearing; only to jump right out covered in snow. "Come here you silly boy."Faye called and Brutus rushed over to her wagging his short tail. Brushing the rest of the snow off his thick winter fur she gave him a quick hug."I wish I had a fur coat like yours I would be much warmer." He barked a few times and immediately went back to jumping in the snow.
Faye shook her head and laughed. "You two can come out now." she said glancing behind her. Footsteps crunched in the snow and she turned around to see Tyler and Davin.
"My Lady..." Davin sputtered nervously looking over at Tyler the two elves shifted their feet in the snow.
"Thank you for coming...I'm sure it gave Tanis comfort despite my telling him I was fine." her lip was curled slightly.
They looked slightly surprised "Your welcome my lady, we would not let you fare this trip alone." Davin said and blushed when she smiled at him.
"It has been a rather quiet and boring trip...well except for Brutus he seems rather entertained." she pointed over her shoulder and the two elves watched as the massive white dog disappeared into another snow drift jumped out barking and running in circles. They both laughed.
"I guess he likes the snow." Tyler said still laughing.
Faye continued walking "Oh you have no idea when he was little Fergus and I took him out in the snow for the first time he was unlike any mabari we'd ever known. He ran straight for the first snow drift and leapt in. He went so far down Fergus had to actually unbury him." she laughed in remembrance of that time. But it was short-lived, as were all her moments of bliss.
"So tell me Tyler, Davin where do you two hail from?" she asked while forming a snowball.
"We both come from the Denerim Alienage my lady." Davin said watching her toss the snowball far ahead and Brutus running wildly after it. Desperately searching in the snow. He glanced up to see her grin for a moment and then frown sadly.
"I am sure it is not pleasant there, I don't believe any alienage would be. My hope is to see them torn down and the areas rebuilt to merge into the cities...so many hopes to have and I can't even feed my men...forgive I, I am sorry." she glanced at them nervously.
"My Lady you may speak to us in confidence you have our word." Tyler said and they both bowed. Looking them over she smiled, they were both handsome. Tyler was tall for an elf; she believed she had overheard him say his grandfather was human. He had light blonde hair forest green eyes. His pointed ears high above his head. Several rings were in them, as well as a tattoo along the side of his face. He had a slightly feral look, they both did. But not because of them being elves. They were assassins loyal to her family. Davin was dark haired with blazing blue eyes and a goatee that would bring men to shame it was so well kempt; just like his hair. The two were lovers and never went anywhere without each other. Tanis knew them since they were young boys and he trusted them. So did she.
"Thank you both, I suppose we should hurry along before Tanis sends the rest of the army to come for me no?" They all laughed and picked up their pace towards the city.
Ransford was a quiet town, not many people. This was just what Faye wanted. Several houses and shops circled around a statue of a man in armor. It was her grandfather she realized, her eyes misted slightly. Snow covered the rooftops giving the rather shabby little town its own ethereal beauty. Stopping first at the supply shop she dug into her bag for coin. What little she had barely bought enough to feed all her men, especially if she wanted to reach Bann Avery. Tyler and Davin were leaning on the walls near the entrance. The two were watching the storekeeper for any sign of cheating.
She smiled slightly "Will you two stay here and watch our goods, I will be right back." The men nodded never leaving their gaze off the shop keeper who glanced around nervously.
Tyler pushed the door open and she laughed "I can get my own door Tyler." he flashed a smiled down to her; he found it rather amusing that a human was just slightly shorter than he was. "Anything for my Lady Cousland."
"Ohh you have too much charm for your own good." she patted his face and took off down the road a ways.
Faye found the armory and took off her coat.
"What can I do for you my lady?" the burly man wore a charred and stained apron across an ever growing belly. Burn scars ran up and down his arms from time spent at the forge. His face covered in soot and lined with age he smiled. He has kind eyes she thought. Walking to the worn wood counter she placed her hands down and asked. "What will you give me for this armor?" he was stunned.
"This is dragon bone is it not...of highest quality and isn't that...maker are you Lady Cousland?" Faye nodded and the man bowed "My lady Cousland I could not take such a prize possession of yours..."
Desperate she leaned on the counter "Please...I need to feed my men and get them blankets they are freezing in this weather, whatever you can give me I will take."
He was stunned here stood a noble woman giving up her family's armor to feed her men. "All, all right I will give you twenty sovereigns." Faye was speechless that was a great amount especially for a man who worked in such a small town.
"Are, are you sure I do not wish to put you or your family in any distress." she looked up at him fretful.
"Do not worry my lady, I just had a big trade with some other travelers please allow me to aid you this way, we have heard of the horrible things Arl Howe did to your family allow me to help you, keep the armor...'
She shook her head "No...You can use this armor I will not see you be put out due to me." She didn't wait, placing her helm on the counter she quickly added the rest of her armor. All she had left were her swords, tunic, breeches and boots. He mused she probably would have given them up to if they would have been worth anything.
"Well you can't go fighting in no armor!" he groused.
She laughed "Do not worry there will be enough spare pieces in camp to get by. Thank you..." she paused. "Alex." he said handing her the bag of gold.
Bowing to him she smiled "Thank you Alex, I will remember you and you will be rewarded." Faye said. The cold stung even more without her armor. Putting on her coat she headed back to the supply store. The reed thin man with the sallow skin and dead fish eyes was sweating nervously. "I will need several more blankets, jerky, bread and flour." She handed him fifteen sovereigns his eyes widened and he happily agreed.
"Maker where did you get the money?" Davin asked and she didn't turn around.
"I sold my armor." was all she said as the man returned making several trips to the back. Faye began loading up the satchels she had brought and setting them on Brutus. Davin and Tyler quickly grabbed the other bags and blankets as did Faye. Loaded with as much as they could carry they started their long march back. Brutus did not play understanding the importance of what he carried; he walked next to Faye who shivered in the cold.
Tanis paced the camp, he knew the two men he sent were excellent guardians but he still feared for her safety, he hated not being next to her. If anything were to happen, maker he would never forgive himself. "Sir I think I see them!" A man called from the trees and Tanis headed over to the edge of the camp in a restrained walk. Brutus arrived first happy to see him. "Maker boy what all are you carrying?" He motioned for the men to come and take the overstuffed satchels off of Brutus. He then saw the other three arrive and they were barely holding on to what they were carrying.
Faye smiled at him "There is enough food here to reach Bann Avery as well more blankets for the men. " she said putting her stuff down over at the cooks station.
Tanis was stunned "How did you get all this we barely had any money." she bit her lip when Tyler walked over and told on her.
"She sold her armor." the news spread through the camp like wildfire.
"You sold your armor how, what possessed you?" Tanis asked staring at her as if maybe she was possessed.
"The men needed food and warm blankets it's as simple as that. I'm quite sure I can live without my armor Tanis but the men can't live without food and warmth." The firmness in her voice told him it was settled.
"Well let me see what I can dig up, you can't fight without armor." he walked away grumbling. Tanis shook his head the girl was to soft he growled always seeing to others before herself it was going to get herself hurt or worse killed. Stopping by the makeshift armory he dug through and found a Dalish women's old leather armor. "Where in the Maker did we get this?" he wondered.
It was bare around the midriff but with the way she moved it might even be better for her. They were black with Dalish silver scroll work and patterns. I t was very beautiful and rare despite it being old. Stopping at her tent he placed the armor inside and headed back to the fire to warm up. He listened to the murmurs of the camp. What she had done for them had affected them deeply. Grunting he shook his head, though it was not her intention; this move ensured a deep loyalty to her. Something every true leader needed from his...her men he corrected himself.
Faye watched happily as her men ate till they were full and were given an extra blanket for warmth. The smiles and jokes returned and the camp seemed content. Tanis walked up to her with both Tyler and Davin. "My Lady these two men have a request, something I agree to but it is your final decision."
Faye stood up and smiled "What is it?"
Tyler looked at Davin who looked back at Tyler. "Fine, I'll say it, my lady as your power grows it will spread to both supporters and non supporters. It is our wish that you appoint us as your personal bodyguards." his voice was firm and serious.
Faye blushed a pink. "Oh...are you sure you wish to, there probably more interesting things to do than follow me around..."
Tyler smiled at her "Yes my lady, Davin and I only wish to see to your safety." Davin nodded in agreement. "Tanis came and got us from the alienage and brought us to your home. Your father never questioned accepting us as readily as he did any other man under his regime. He was good to us when many had not been. It would be our honor to protect his daughter." Davin said causing Tyler to smile at him approvingly making him blush.
"Well I am honored that you wish to do so and I accept your offer." The two men sighed in relief.
"Ah yes my lady I found some armor that might be suitable for you, I put it in your tent." Tanis said and Faye nodded.
"Good I'm starting to get cold." she walked off and Tanis sighed.
"What is it?" Tyler asked.
"It's women's Dalish armor; she might end up colder than she was before."
The three laughed when they heard a shout from Faye.
"Holy Maker what do I do with this?"
There laughter echoed through the camp.
When the morning came the camp began to rouse itself to its feet. Faye put on the armor and attached her blue and silver cloak to the back. Stepping out she cringed at the cold burst. "Maker's breath." she gasped.
Tyler and Davin were posted near her tent and they turned to look at her. "I wasn't sure if the Dalish armor would even fit elven women are..." Davin's voice faded.
Her eyes twinkled slightly "Davin are you saying I'm too fat for this armor?"
His eyes couldn't have gotten any bigger "Holy Maker NO! I just meant that elven women are smaller..."
"Stop while your ahead love." Tyler said laughing. Davin groaned as Faye laughed.
"I understood what you meant Davin, it's a bit snug ..." she jerked the top a bit horrified at the giggle of her cleavage and tried pulling the leather bottom since almost skimmed the mid thigh "...and a bit short but I'll make due." The two men shook their heads as she walked away.
"Maker the men have no idea what's about to walk their way. Well let's go follow and head off any unwanted stares." Tyler put his arm around Davin.
The two men followed behind laughing as men ran into things, dropped thing as they watched Lady Cousland make her way to Tanis.
"Are we ready to go?" Faye asked when Tanis turned around and his eyes widened "Holy Maker we need to get you out of that." He grabbed her cloak and wrapped it around her tying it closed.
"What are you doing Tanis?" her voice holding back laughter as she looked down at herself.
"If you walk around the men like that they are going to have a heart attack." he groused. Giving glares to several men who he caught staring.
"It was you who picked this out." she said reminding him.
"Yes well it was all we have...damn It." he rubbed his face. "Keep your cloak closed." he said firmly.
"Fine, fine let's get the rest of our gear together and get going it's still going to be a few days before we reach Bann Avery's" Faye said smiling back at her two shadows. The two men smiled back at her.
She turned and put her arms into their arms "I don't know about you two but I'm ready for some wine and a soft bed to sleep in." Tyler nodded and Davin winked at Tyler "I have better things to do in a bed than sleep...oh I'm sorry my lady." He flushed crimson only to hear Faye howl in laughter. Soon the three of them were laughing, pushing and then in an all out snowball fight quickly interrupted by Tanis.
"Maker's breath, two assassins and a lady fighting in the snow what will everyone think." he growled when a snowball from Faye landed on his neck. He glared over at her to see a glint that had been lost and a smile he thought he'd never see again. "Well then if that's how it is."
The whole camp broke out into a mock battle walls were build ammunition stockpiled they spent the next hour battling when finally Tanis called a halt. A truce was claimed and everyone gathered their things and began marching out.
"People will never believe this happened." Tanis said shaking his head and Faye laughed. "Does it matter? It was fun...we needed a bit of fun." he voice quieted and Tanis smiled at her.
"Indeed we did, now onward to Bann Avery's"