Dragon Age Abomination's Origins

Chapter 4: Family in Peril

I don't own Dragon Age; if I did, I would be rich. In addition, I had Beta Reader fix it up for those who wonder why this is back.

Beta Readers: animefanbren, Albert & Killa1934

Last Update: 6/30/2014

Scene I

It had been two days since Aveline joined the group and it already started to feel like she has always been there for them. Especially to Shianni as with Duncan's help taught her the skills of a duelist, a master of close quarter combat so that no enemy could lay a hand on her. Shianni had to be able to avoid Duncan's strikes and get under his guard, giving a solid punch before she was kicked way.

Duncan's was a very though man and a harsh master as he pushed her through the reins. At the moment, Shianni's training played off, as she was a mastered being a duelist before they arrived at Cousland's Castle one midafternoon. The three stood outside the gatehouse of family castle, watching Highever's forces amassed in front of the castle before they marched off to Southern Fort of Ferelden, Ostagar.

Shianni was about to enter but Aveline walked up beside Shianni and stopped her to inform her of some ground rules about the castle, "Alright, now listen to us Shianni. The Cousland family is known to treat their elves well and pay them well. However, it does not mean that their knights or soldiers follow the same code. Therefore, we ask you under no circumstance that you should leave Duncan side or ours. Unless you want to be treated as a servant, instead of being treated as a Grey Warden should."

Shianni flinched as she asked, "Is it really that bad?"

"We have seen an elf beaten badly by a knight for not serving the ale just right. Though the knight did pay for but not as badly as the elf was left as," Aveline told Shianni. Shianni shivered in fear when she realized that while her station is higher, it did not mean people would respect her, especially since she was still an elf.

"Don't worry, we will make sure no one harms you," Duncan reassured Shianni, who just nodded in acceptance.

Shianni then turned to Aveline to asked, "What is it like coming back?"

Aveline let a devious smirk developed on her face, "We think this is going to be interesting."

Scene II

Within the castle's main building lay a huge concrete hall with a massive, vaulted roof supported by beautifully carved wooden beams and walls covered with portraits. The only light was high windows and few candles around the room. A tall young man with long wavy brown hair and skillfully crafted massive thick armor that would help protect him from the harshest of weapons stood to one side of the great hall. He was Fergus Cousland, the commander of the Highever's forces that would head to Ostagar before his father. A man that was in thick, fancy armored designed for battle, even if he was not prepared to fight at the moment. For in his hand was not his gold claymore, but a handkerchief, used to wipe the smug off the face of his little boy.

"Now come on Oren, we need to look good for the visiting Grey Wardens before I leave to Ostagar," Fergus told the boy.

"Okay Papa," Oren answered his father.

"This is strange," his beautiful, oriental wife stated in a strangely Mediterranean accent. "Getting this spiffy for the Grey Wardens is unusual."

"Why my little Oriana, doesn't Antiva have Grey Wardens?" Fergus asked his wife.

"Of course we do, the Grey Wardens are strong enough that the Crow won't even bother them. It is just Antivan's Grey Wardens are very secretive and never leave their forts," Oriana explained.

"Huh, that is weird. I wonder why they are so secretive." Fergus asked himself aloud.

"They are so secretive because they need to remain neutral in any ensuring conflicts. Especially in a political hot zone like Antiva," a knight explained.

"Hmm, that makes sense, thanks Ser Roland Gilmore," Fergus commented as he finished cleaning his son wardrobe, making him look presentable to their guest.

Meanwhile, a lovely brown-head wife was doing the same to her handsome, grey- haired husband, "Thank you dear. I really wanted to look nice for our guest," Teyrn Bryce Cousland told his wife Teyrna Eleanor Cousland.

"It was no problem dear," Eleanor replied as she smiled to her husband.

"I still don't understand why you are getting all this tighty up for the Grey Warden," the opposite of Bryce and friend, Arl Rendon Howe pointed out.

Both men are strong friends despite being so different that they might as well be considered opposites. Bryce has the firm jaw with a small breed while Howe had smooth skin and a weak, thin jaw. Where Bryce had tanned skin and firm, bulging muscles, Howe was a skinny man with a pale complexion. Howe wore light leather armor all the time, while Bryce wore heavy armor in battle and fancy clothes outside of conflict. Even their combat styles and love life are different as Bryce married for love, and was a warrior that had mastered both the sword and shield, while Howe had married to increase his ranking and was a rogue with a master over a blade and a war axe.

The only thing they had in common was that both fought in the war against a powerful country called Orlais, known for their fashions, painting their faces and their occupation of several countries including Ferelden. Bryce fought in the frontlines from the beginning with his wife and Howe handled espionage later in the war. The two families were even enemies as the Cousland took some of Howe's family land during the rebellion against Orlais. Yet, despite all the differences between the two, no one could deny their friendship. However, the strength of friendship lay mostly with Bryce instead of Howe.

"Howe, the Grey Wardens are fearless warriors that protect us from the greatest of all evil. It is a great honor to welcome them into our homes and even greater if asked to join them. And I for one would like to see the ones that will lead us to victory against the Blight," Bryce Cousland told Howe who nodded in acceptance.

"I guess I can understand your thinking," Howe exclaimed as two guards walked in.

They knelled before announcing, "My lord and lady, Duncan of the Grey Warden and his two recruits are here to see you."

"Oh yes, send them in," Bryce ordered as the guards got up, complying with their lord's wishes.

Walking in was Duncan leading two girls, one was an elf in leather armor and the other was a woman wearing a white and black robe. "Hello, I am Duncan of the Grey Wardens. And I must say it is an honor to be allowed within your castle."

"No. It is the Grey Wardens that do us great honor for staying with us," Eleanor then answered Duncan before bowing.

"I believe you have two recruits, you mind introducing them to us?" Bryce asked the wardens.

Duncan nodded as the elf girl with her red hair tied in many knots stepped forward. "I am Shianni, elf from Denerim's Elven Alienage. I was recruited due to my skill with knives and for standing up for my family," Shianni said respectfully to the Cousland family.

Then came the woman in cloak and said, "It has been a long time father. How have you been?"

Bryce in response blinked before it transition to shock as woman removed her hood to reveal a face that they have not seen in a long time. The entire family was in a stupor, staring at the woman as she stood perfectly still. She was prepared to run, prepared to be yelled at for being a monster. She was not expected for Bryce to run up to her yelling, "Pup!" with Eleanor closely behind.

Aveline gave a squeak of surprise as he raised her high in the air, laughing. He then let Aveline down as Eleanor came up close to her. Aveline bluntly said, "Hello mother," before she was brought into a bone crunching, wet hug.

"My little angle, we thought you were dead," Eleanor said while crying. "The Chantry said you were dead."

"I suppose they would, seeing as we became something different," Aveline stated as she looked at a distinctive young woman. A woman dressed in colorful robes of yellow with brown and having a gold insignia with the sun and sunrays. "We suspect at the time telling you the truth would cause more pain then saying we died."

"What does she mean Mother Mallol?" A scared mother asked the priest as she stared at the adopted mage before she looked away.

"I am sorry, but I didn't the Chantry has strict policy about mages that left the Circle and become an abomination in the eyes of the Maker," Mallol said with her head lowered. "You nearly lost it when I told you she died. I did not want to tell you sending your daughter away made her into something that is no longer human."

"What do you mean?" Bryce asked as Howe raised an eyebrow.

"She means that our soul fussed with a demon and we were worried how you would take it," Aveline answered for Mallol.

"What?!" Eleanor and Bryce asked at the same time, while Howe, Bryce's son, sister-in-law and grandchild watched with great interest as he took an internal step in fear.

They were not sure if they should be prepare to fight as those armed fingered their weapons as Eleanor grabbed a hold of her child to ask some serious question with tears in her eyes. "What happen to my baby girl? How can you be an abomination? What did they do to you to make a deal with a demon?"

"We believe our title, Aveline the White Wolf explains it all," Aveline explained and her two parents' eye widened. They both heard the stories and read news clips, but did not think their Aveline was the Aveline that became a folk hero. It was a major shock to them, though not to her adopted brother as he started to laugh in the background.

"Well what you know, my little sister became a folk hero," Fergus chuckled, fear leaving his body as he walked up to sister.

"Hello brother. How are you doing?" Aveline asked her stepbrother.

"I am doing fine. I am about to march the majority of our forces to Ostagar," Fergus said while he moved to show his wife and child. "Staying here with my mother is my wife Oriana and my son, your cousin Oren."

"So we are an aunty?" Aveline asked as she moved down to face the boy. "We are not expecting that."

"Are you really my aunt and THE Aveline the White Wolf?" the young boy Oren looked up in wonder as Aveline nodded yes. "Wow, I have a cool aunt. My friends will be so jealous."

"I wouldn't say that child," Aveline said as moved down to the child's eye level.

"Why?" Oren asked, confused by Aveline's tone.

Aveline smiled softly as she stated, "Let's say those stories are more fiction then fact and not all of them would be morally right even if they are the right thing to do." Aveline ruffled his hair, "Though you're a bit too young to know the difference. Just think of us as a common folk hero even if we are not."

"Well, Bryce, I believe you are an important folk hero and will play an important later," Howe smirked; his mind was calculating multiple possibilities at having Aveline marry his son. "I think my second son, Thomas would be happy to hear you survived."

"We did not think your son cared much especially since we were revealed to be a mage," Aveline stated as the she remembered the incident.

It was during a tournament's junior division in Orlais as her brother Fergus had defeated his opponent that turned out to be an Antivan Crow hired by a rival noble family. One that was not going to give up his mission as the assassin tried to kill Fergus while his back was turned. Luckily, Fergus was saved by Aveline as she froze the assassin with an ice spell. The assassin died a few hours later due to hypothermia, but that would be the least of the Cousland family's worry. The incident had created a major controversy that the family had adopted a mage and there was only one thing they could do, even if they did not like it. They had to give Aveline to the Circle, even if made them sick. Especially with the rumors of how Chantry treated those with magical powers. A decision they came to regret until now and one Howe was trying to take advantage of.

"My son is a wiser man and regrets what he said to you. More so when he thought you died," Howe explained but Aveline did not believe him.

"Thank you Howe, we may talk to him after the war against the Archdemon is dealt with. At least that is who we think we are dealing with," Aveline stated which got Duncan and Howe to raise an eyebrow.

"Archdemon? So you believe that most though as well. That after four hundred years, this is a new Blight?" Howe asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The sign are all there. There is a large number of darkspawn forming into an army down south, instead of dozens of clans fighting each other for scraps. Not to mention those with a strong connection to the Fade or have the taint like the Grey Wardens would see a sick dragon that we swear looks like Urthemiel, the Old Dragon of Beauty." Aveline explained and Duncan nodded in agreement and hoped her words would credit his. He also wonders how much more Aveline knows; not realizing you cannot keep secrets from your own mind.

"Are you serious?" Bryce asked with deep concern.

"We can't be sure, but we can't take the risk that we're wrong," Aveline told her father.

It was then that Howe commented on the situation, "Well, unfortunately Cailan is king, and we have to depend on him during the Blight."

"You don't have a lot of respect for the man?" Shianni asked in shock as Howe stared at the girl, questioning if he should answers the elf question or not.

"He is lacking in brain power and is a disgrace to Maric's legacy," Howe said with distaste.

"Howe, please be careful where you say that, he is our King despite his lacking," Bryce pleaded as Howe just nodded his head. "Well, pup, you need to tell us stories while we tell you embarrassing ones of Fergus," Bryce stated as the Cousland family got together to talk. Shianni wanted to join in so she does not feel alone but she was stopped by Duncan.

Duncan and Shianni left as Duncan explain to girl, "Let them have their family time while they can. She may not have chance again."

Shianni agreed and walked away with Duncan as he looked over the knights like Sir Ronald, who wished to become Grey Wardens. He found them all lacking in what he needs at the time being so he left many disappointed faces. It would be hours later that a quiet Aveline, unsure what to do as her brother gave her one final goodbye with the rest of his before he left to Ostagar, leaving them behind to deal with the trouble of night.

Scene III

It was late in the evening and the two Grey Warden recruits and company parted way to get some sleep for tomorrow run. Living arrangements were quickly put together as the two recruits went to sleep Aveline's old room, unchanged after all these years. Aveline let in a small smile as the two recruits made themselves home after an extra bed was brought in for Shianni. It was the softest thing the two had slept on in years as the two were soon sawing logs while Duncan, Bryce, and Howe shared a glass of wine as conversed well into the evening about the war and for Bryce, his concerns about Aveline.

"It was good to see my pup again though I worry about her," Bryce said as he poured a glass of wine.

"About what my old friend?" Howe asked with mild amusement. "If you're worried about her being in danger, I doubt you have to worry. The girl screams power."

"It's not that," Bryce admitted. "It's just she's different from the girl I knew. She's cold, darker then she was. Like she could walk room filled with children and not bat an eyelash."

"Well, given her nature with a demon, I think that was a given," Duncan admitted to Bryce. "However, I've also seen her with a strong sense of righteousness the first time I meet her was her saving a whole company of people from the Arl of Denerim."

"I heard reports and was surprise to hear Aveline did it for a bunch of… elves," Howe hesitantly stated before he continued on. "Combined with the news we've gotten about the White Wolf, it sounds like she is still playing hero."

"Well, at least my pup is living her dream," Bryce said with a small smile before it lost in a frown as he turned to face Duncan. "Will she be fine in the Grey Wardens?"

"I won't lie, it will be dangerous. However, I think Aveline will survive and become an important part of the Grey Wardens," Duncan stated as he took a sip.

"I hope so, for I don't want to lose her again after missing fourteen years of her old life," Bryce stated sadly.

Howe was about to comment when a guard walked into the room and bowed before Bryce, "My lord, a large force has arrived. How should we proceed?"

"Oh, that must be my men, they must have finally arrived. I'll am sorry for the inconvenience and timing. I go talk to them to see what took them so long," Howe said as he got up to the entrance. "I'll be just a short time.

"It is no problem. Why don't I come with you and offer my castle to sleep in? We have room and it will do them good to have a nice bed before marching to Ostagar," Bryce stated as he and Duncan walked to the gates with Howe, missing the man's smirk as they walk.

After a short distance, the three men had reached the gates as Highever soldiers began to unlock the gates to allow fifty men, armed with medium or light leather armor walk in. Bryce was expecting an honor guard for Howe, but that was not so. Instead, he brought in men disguised as foreigners as they wore armor bearing the black hawk surrounded in white. It was the sign of Black Hawks a mercenary group from Orlais.

"Howe, what is an Orlesian mercenaries group doing here instead of your own army?" Bryce asked as Howe took on a devilish grin

"They are here to make sure no one will trace the death of your family to me," Howe said as he took one of his axes equipped from his back, and threw it into Bryce stomach while the mercenaries around them pulled out there weapons to strike down his guard.

Bryce staggered onto his knees from the blow of Howe's attack as blood dripped on the ground as Howe walked up to him. Bryce then cried out in great pain as Howe pulled out his axe and began to walk away, only to stop when the head Cousland asked, "Why?"

"You think I am going to allow you to continue to hold my families land? I was just waiting for the right moment to take your life along with your land," Howe said as an evil smirk appeared. "I was originally planning to wipe out your family completely, down to the last child. But then your powerful daughter reappeared, I began to think. Think all about the power I would have of not a very powerful mage, but also a demon as well. A chance of all that power that I could not ignore, so I'm going to take it."

Bryce looked crossed at a man he called friend as Howe bent down to his eye level, "Don't worry my friend, I promise your daughter and what remains of your family will be treated well, under my banner." Howe then looked at Duncan, the Grey Warden that had pulled out long and short black swords that looked like spines. "Too bad you have to die as well Gray Warden. I can't have anyone report what they saw here today."

The soldiers did not need any more encouragement as they charged at Duncan. A move that proved fatal as Duncan moved like a master with a flash and flurry of his blades. Every soldier that came close now lay in a pile of body parts and pools of blood that litter the floor. The soldiers could not keep up with the old man as he zipped around them until Duncan charged at Howe himself.

Duncan raised high for a power strike that Howe barely blocked in time. He was barely holding on when he was forced to his knees by Duncan by a kick from his legs. Howe grunted as his arms almost gave way but he was saved by his men that moved up to Duncan. They forced the man back as the soldiers formed a protective circle around their lord. Backing away from the soldiers, Duncan decided to retreat as he bent down and heaved Bryce up onto his shoulders. The two would disappear into the shadows, leaving Howe alone with his men to scowl. He changed his tone when the captain of his 'mercenaries' walked up with a hundred more men.

"Your orders my lord?" The captain bowed.

"Drug and capture Aveline Wolf Oracle, the elven Grey Warden recruit and any of the Cousland family that you can capture. Do with the others as you wish but I want them all silenced. Make them disappear using any means necessary," Howe ordered as the guards left. Howe left the area to make it seem like he barely escaped and only returned when he had reinforcements, thinking he had the last laugh when it comes to claim this land as his own.

Scene IV

It was the dead of night, when Aveline woke up. Her eyes glowed as she got up to put on her robes on and armed herself. She then turned to her fellow companion. "Shianni, wake up."

"What is it?" Shianni asked as with her eyes fluttering.

"Something is wrong with the castle. We smell death and her fight. We think we are under attack," Aveline explained as Shianni jumped-up.

"Are you sure?" Shianni asked as she began to hear sword fighting as well.

"Better safe than sorry," Aveline pointed up and two quickly got up to get dress as the fighting was getting louder.

Shianni was busy putting on the last strap of her armor on; when the door to their room was broken open by a mercenary rushing in. A mercenary that saw an elf tiring to pull out a weapon as he moved to kill with his sword raised high. He did not get one-step closer when Aveline dressed in her robes fired the spell Cone of Ice to freeze him in his track. She later killed him with the Crushing Prison spell, shattering the icy prison with telekinesis, leaving only frozen chunks behind. Chunks that lay before a second mercenary that was outside of the door, shaking.

Aveline stare at the man, who took aim with a bow and arrow. He did not get a chance to fire as Aveline hit him in the head with a Water Whip, shattering bone and gave a fatal brain hemorrhage. The area was secured and Aveline took the opportunity to pick up her staff and swords while Shianni, fully equipped, ran out to scout the area. All she found were three more mercenaries at the end of the hall, oblivious she was there until she took out her of knives and threw them with a quick rapid strike. They were dead and they never saw who did it as Aveline walked out to see Shianni's results.

The two then became tensed, prepare for battle when the door opened down the hallway until they say it was Eleanor in heavy armor. "Thank the Maker you two are safe. We are under attack by an unknown enemy."

"We don't think it is so unknown," Aveline stated as she examined a shield from a fallen mercenary. A shield that had a powerful order that smelled like fresh, canvas paint. With a hand on top of the wooden shield, she washed the fresh paint using a light power water spell to reveal Howe's family symbol.

"Howe? Why?" Eleanor asked as she packed up the shield.

"Why does anyone attack anyone? Power? Revenge? We don't know and we're not sure we care at the moment," Aveline replied in a calm voice that lacked the panic her companions were having. "What matters is survival and we need to save all we can." Aveline stated as Shianni noticed a door partial open to the side.

The elf pushed it open to reveal the room that held Fergus family to find on the ground two mercenaries dead, along with Oriana and Oren. Eleanor gasped as Aveline said with dispassion, "Though apparently we are too late in the in saving anyone but ourselves."

"No!" The mother cried out in despair while Shianni stared at the dead.

"Why did they kill them?" Shianni asked as Aveline examined the two corpses.

"It looks like Oriana killed the two mercenaries that were going to capture them and they retaliated," Aveline explain. "We did not know Oriana was a retired assassin, possibly Crow. Such an ashamed she and her child did not make it."

Aveline comments made Shianni cringed at how cold Aveline is at her nephew's death while Eleanor was beside herself. "Why are you feeling so casual about their death?" Eleanor asked Aveline in distraught.

"We have always been this way when we fused together. The human part was a young girl while the demon was older than all the human lives put together. The demon had seen death at levels that would have wiped out entire species. And watching people die that we wished upon or not, unable to stop it or help move it along caused us to be unaffected by death," Aveline explained, as the two could not believe their ears at what Aveline was saying. "We only feel a little sad if a life is wasted and only Oren fit the bill but it's gone now. So please forgive us if we're not going to cry as now is not the time as we have too much to do and little time to do it. So let's go."

The other two reluctantly agree and the three women were silent towards Courtyard of the Cousland Castle, with the two women no longer feeling so hot.

Scene V

Throughout the castle, death was all-around as the three woman moved forward, saving the few guards and servants they could. All the while killing as many of Howe's men they could with Aveline's spells, Shianni's knives and Eleanor's family bow, sword and shield, some of the finest craftsman that human could have commissioned. They fought their way through half of the castle until they finally reached the castle's courtyard to find it was occupied.

In the center of the courtyard was elven blood mage leading two dozen mercenaries, fighting against Sir Ronald and a dozen Highever soldiers. The fight was not going well for the heavily armored knights but Aveline planned to change that.

"Eleanor, kill the blood mage and give us cover as Shianni and us get in close," Aveline ordered as Eleanor nodded her head.

Eleanor pulled an arrow back and with precession, hit her target with dead accuracy. The elven mage crumbled down to the ground, dead, while the mercenaries were rushed by the two Grey Warden recruits. Shianni weaved right and left, getting under the mercenaries defenses, slitting their throats or stabbing through their armor from the front or behind the mercenaries' back. Meanwhile, Aveline was taking out a section of mercenaries while appearing like a ghost, using a fade form as she attacked up close.

She fired off a water spell before she hit them with a Chain of Lightening spell to electrocute them, taking down large numbers at once. The soldiers neared their roasting comrades screamed as they moved in close to attack. Aveline avoided the strikes as though they went right through her as she used a spell called Ice Spike to summon a dozen spikes to go through the soldiers. She then continued to use ice spells to freeze the guards and they shattered under Eleanor and Shianni's critical strikes. Within a minute, all of them were dead and the Cousland family did not lose another knight or soldier since they joined the fight, one that Ser Ronald was thankful for as he rushed to them.

"Thank the Maker you came and you all are alright," Ser Ronald said as he put his great sword up while his men barricaded the door. "We were afraid everyone but us where dead. Nevertheless, if you're alive, then there is hope there are others. Where are Oriana and Oren?"

"They are dead. Killed by Howe's men," Eleanor explained and Ser Ronald looked down.

"Howe is attacking us?" Ser Ronald asked in shock and got a nod for an answer. "I will kill him."

"Revenge later, survival should be our concern for now," Aveline stated as she got everyone's attention.

"Where is my husband?" Eleanor asked.

"He was on the other side of the castle, severally injured. Duncan was helping him to the emergency escape tunnel," Ser Ronald answered Eleanor.

"So there is a way to escape?" Shianni asked with some hope.

"No. The castle is surrounded with the majority of their forces are at the front gate," Ser Ronald answered Shianni.

"Then the front gate will be your way to escape," Aveline explained blue mist of Spell of Might surrounded her to increase her power. "Let us clear the way."

Aveline did not wait for her mother to talk as she climbed up a ladder attached to the wall. As she climbed, the mage was followed by Eleanor and Shianni. Once they got to the top, they looked out to see a hundred men at the gates with no help in sight of Eleanor's scope. Eleanor thought it would take a miracle to escape, but Aveline did not think so as she gathered magic within her hands. Magic that would give hope in the dark of night as well as display her power.

"Watch the power of a mage not seen since Andraste," Aveline stated as she started to dance with some powerful spell combos with her staff.

First on the right side of the mercenaries, she summoned Storm of the Century. A two-part spell that combined the Blizzard and Lightening spells to create an icy electrical storm. On the left side, she used the spell combo Hurricane by using the Whirlpool and Tornado spells to herd them into a tight area. An area that was a death center as Aveline used a Grease spell and a Quake spell to cause the soldiers to tumble on the ground before she set the floor ablaze with a Flaming Tornado.

The night was aligned with screams as the hundreds of soldiers were being obliterated before their eyes. Shianni and Eleanor had never seen so much death and destruction lay before them. At first, they were horrified at so much death, but after the last enemy soldier's chard body feel and the spells dispersed, they felt relief, as they were able to escape. Eleanor and Shianni were about to celebrate, when they heard a thunk. They turned to see Aveline dropping her staff and painting heavily as she took a slug of a potent lyrium potion.

"Are you all right?" Eleanor asked with concern.

"Were… tsk, fine. It was… (pant) just using several powerful spells at once and at a distance took a lot out of us," Aveline answered as she used a Bloom Spell and Regeneration to replenish her weaken mana stores. "We'll be fine in a minute."

The two nodded as Shianni offered to help her down, though Aveline refused as she went to the latter and climb down. Her pace slowly picked up while Eleanor and Shianni followed her down to the ground, where Ser Ronald was waiting for news. Eleanor did not waste a moment to order Ser Ronald to escape with the few servants and men they have left. Ser Ronald would not take that as answer.

"We won't leave you m'lady," Ser Ronald said with conviction.

"Ser Ronald, your death will mean nothing if you make this your last stand. Please live to fight another day," Eleanor pleaded. "We need you out there, defending Highever to keep Howe from conquer our land."

"A castle can be rebuilt. A life cannot return, even by necromancers," Aveline pointed out.

"What about you three?" Ser Ronald asked with great concern that surprisingly Shianni put.

"Well, there is the secret passage Lord Cousland and Duncan went towards. If there is any way escape, it's through there," Shianni explained, with a pace that slowly grew confidence.

"As you order m'lady," Ser Ronald reluctantly agreed as he gathered all his men and the survivors to run out of the castle while the three girls made a dash to the other side of the castle.

Scene VI

Meeting only brief, small resistance in the other side of the Castle, the mage, rogue and warrior were running across what remains of the castle. Eleanor had tears as ran pass servants and soldiers laid dead on the ground due to Howe's attack. She could not believe the treachery of the attack and was on autopilot until Aveline and Shianni stopped in front of her, just behind the corner.

On the other side of the corner stood a small force of four men and one elite captain, trying to break down a door Eleanor pointed the room they were breaking in, the cellar was a part of their escape route. Seeing they needed to be dealt with Aveline nodded to Shianni, who took it as a definition to disappear into the shadows. Out of sight and out of mind, Shianni moved within those shadows, only to reappear behind the surprised captain as she slit his throat.

Shocked at the sudden kill of their captain, the guards did not know what to do. They soon began to panic as a hoard of insects attacked the group summoned by Aveline. They try to swat the bugs away but all they did was exhaust themselves as the swarm, enhanced by hexes on the ground, stung and bit into the mercenaries' throat, causing them to rapidly swelling shut. They begged for air when Shianni finished them off by slitting their throats.

The small group left the bodies to rot as they made their way into the cellar that held the secret passage. Eleanor gripped the handle of the door and slowly opened it to reveal Bryce on the ground, bleeding over the bandages applied to his wounds. "Bryce!" Eleanor screamed out in anguish as she ran to his side.

"Eleanor," Bryce said lovely. "I am glad you are still alive."

"My dear husband. What happen to you?" Eleanor asked in tears.

"Howe," Bryce said in anger as blood dripped from his mouth. "He attacked me from behind. I would have died in the main hall if Duncan didn't drag me out."

"And where is Duncan?" Shianni asked if weary and was relieved when she was answered by a familiar voice.

"I was making sure the other side was cleared," Duncan said as he cleaned his blade of blood. "Looks like the rest of Howe's men here are running to the gates and will be here within a few minutes."

"Is it me or do I think we need to get out of here?" Shianni asked the group.

"I won't be able to leave with you," Bryce admitted. "I am dying."

"No, we can still save you!" Eleanor yelled in disbelief. "We'll heal you with magic."

"We believe that won't be enough," Aveline added. "Howe's blade must have had a powerful poison on it. He is dying and bleeding in greater amounts then he should. We think he has an hour to live. Two tops."

"Duncan, please lead them to safety," Bryce begged.

"I will, don't you worry," Duncan promised Bryce.

"I am not leaving my husband. I am not-" Eleanor never finished as Aveline hit her in the back of head. She crumbled to the ground, knocked out.

"Shianni, take our mother. We don't believe in wasting life in a foolish effort," Aveline explained to the small elf. Shianni nodded in silence as she picked up Eleanor bridal style despite being smaller then Eleanor.

Meanwhile, Aveline opened one of her sealed pockets to pull out two rare, makeshift grenades in vials larger than her hands, "Here, father. Smash these vials of chemicals together as soon as oxygen hits them you will have an explosion to remember. Use this as a last defiance against Howe by taking out all his men who dared to attack this castle."

Bryce cried as he took the explosives, "You were always a good pup. Take care of your mother."

"We will," Aveline said as the three Gray Wardens made their escape out the Castle, leaving Bryce to his fate.

Scene VII

It was a long silence as Bryce lay against some barrels. He could have sworn he heard an elven funereal song as Howe's disguised troops moved through the gates without resistance. They marched through the hallways without fear towards their target. They never realized they marched to their death as they reached the cellar, finding Bryce alone. The head of the 'mercenaries' smirked as he approached Bryce, with his sword drawn.

"Lord Howe will be glad you are dead," the head soldiers smiled as he readied his blade to strike.

"I bet he would be. Too bad you will die with me," Bryce stated before he had smashed the two vials together; creating an explosion that took out the entire east side of castle, killing anyone within that section of the castle.

From the east, the three Grey Wardens and surviving noble looked at the explosion with sadness in there. Shianni looked, allowing feeling small as Duncan moved to her side, proving comfort for the young elf. The girl relaxed in his arms as he looked to Eleanor, bawling at the death of her husband and no one to comfort her. Not even her daughter, Aveline as she just stood there display of any sadness. All she dead was stared at death, accepting it, as she knew this was only the beginning as a blood red sun raised from the horizon.

Please review to point out mistakes and assure me that I should continue this story. The next chapter will begin with them reaching Ostagar to meet Cailan and a cretin templar. Keep in tune to see more.

Author Notes

1) I do not know for sure, if Antiva does or does not have Grey Wardens within the city. Well, they do in this story and they keep to themselves to keep their neutrality.

2) The fresher the paint, the easier to wipe away while keeping the original intact and the paint is barely a few hours old and not left out to dry.

3) The age of demons in the Fade is speculative and they never been inside the Black City, or the real Golden City. So demons similar to Oracle remain unnoticed.

4) It seems that in Dragon Age that their technology was is similar to the Renaissance and not the Dark Ages. In fact, it was stated they are going through the Renaissance right now, Orlaisians and the qunari are using cannons.

5) The explosives are borrowed from Jade Empire.

6) Why I kept Eleanor alive, well Aveline does not believe in wasting a life and felt to let Eleanor to die with her husband would be foolish, plus she'll play a role later.

Poll Results

1. Duelist: 6

2. Bard: 4

3. Ranger: 4

4. Legionnaire Scout: 3

5. New one you suggested: 0

Character Stats

Name: Shianni

Added School: Duelist (poll results)

Nest

Name: Eleanor Cousland

Race: Human

Type: Warrior

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Willpower 2, Magic 1, Cunning 2, & Constitution 2

Specialization Schools: Champion, Guardian & Vanguard

Skills: Poison Making & Survival

Talents: Warrior: Standard, Archer: Master, & Sword and Shield: Master