Borrowed Time, Ch 4 – This Little Nuggy Went to Market…

AN: Need to give poor Duncan another actual recruit. But whoever will it be?


Duncan, Shiva, and Loki walked through the Commons on the way to the Proving Grounds. They had spent the last three days in the Diamond Quarter, feasting with King Aeducan and his many guests. Shiva forgot how much she enjoyed roast nug with that deep mushroom cream sauce. Her attempts to remake the dish were becoming less and less of a failure and she had almost replicated it exactly the last time she tried. Duncan was considering taking her to the Deep Roads to encounter some darkspawn, but they had been engaged with dwarven ceremonies and banquets. She hadn't even had time to see if she could run into her old friend in Tapster's Tavern.

The whole time they were there, Duncan had been in a singular mood. He was quick to smile and his quirk about raising his eyebrows high when he spoke with a grin showed more frequently. "I must admit I'm rather fond of dwarves. They are a hardy race, and highly logical and inventive. It would not surprise me if their example led Ferelden into an age of advancing instruments."

They entered a grand lobby that Shiva had never been in before, even with all her previous trips there to smuggle furs, silks, and gold in exchange for lyrium. Spectators were gathered, gossiping about the Proving that would be held in honor of Duncan's arrival.

As Duncan finished speaking to the Proving Master, two dwarves approached him, both with brands on their faces. Shiva recognized them as casteless and was surprised they were allowed in. Dwarves could be complete assholes at times. Most of the time, except when they were happily drunk. Duncan noticed their approached and bowed to them.

"Stone-met and blessings upon your house. That was the proper greeting for an outsider last time I visited Orzammar. Has it changed? Or is there a reason you are looking at me so strangely."

It's probably because your beard is nicer than his.

"It was just… nicer than I expected. I'm not of any house, by the way. And yes, you can have me arrested for harassing you." The one that spoke had a green brand crossing his forehead and following his brow down to his cheekbone. Shiva never could tell how they thought of their designs.

"My friend, to a Grey Warden nothing short of a slavering darkspawn in your bedroll counts as harassment." He was cheerful enough to encourage Shiva to actually voice one of the lewd thoughts that crossed her mind.

"What about finding a slavering pirate?" Duncan laughed heartily.

"There is no need for flattery, dear girl. I'm already recruiting you."

The dwarf that had been silent stepped up. "Pirate? Don't tell me you're Captain Shiv – you beat that deshyr at a drinking contest in Tapsters! How in the Paragons of old did you do that?!"

"I have a strong stomach and an empty head to avoid drink's ill affects, my branded friend. I remember seeing you too. You were rooting for me." It was rare for Shiva to have to look down to meet someone's eyes, considering how petite she was.

"With an ass like yours, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't." Shiva laughed and spoke in an aside to Duncan.

"You're right. They are a courageous race." The two dwarves had an exchange, mentioning they should head on to take care of business for Beraht. "Oh, he's still around? I thought nug shit disappeared into the stone after a few weeks time." The casteless guffawed – not too pleased with their employer, she presumed.

"Spoken like someone who knows the nug-humping bastard."

"Yeah. He tried to get me to ship quite large quantities of lyrium for him for only a small cut. I told him he could shove the lyrium straight up the fat ass he had his head in." Her recount of their conversation was met with more snickering.

"Too bad we can't exactly get away with that." The dwarf that recognized her – the one with black braids pulled together into a ponytail and blue eyes – looked resigned about the fact.

Duncan bid farewell to the dwarves. "It sounds like someone you had best not displease. I hope you find all you seek." He headed to the balcony to take his place as their honored guest. Shiva parted from the dwarves as well to let them get back to their thug tasks. She went to sit in the stands with the rest of the audience to watch the Proving.

She could see Duncan from where she sat. He stood among them like a Paragon of Dignity.

Shiva had to admit, she was jealous of the fighters. Her spar with Duncan, Aedan, and Ser Gilmore several days before had been grand fun. Provings were more organized, but hardly different as far as the combat went. She was entertained though. After the second win of the warrior Everd, she started mentally betting on him. The Proving got more interesting when a drunken dwarf staggered into the arena.

Now this is more like it.

The stone around them caused all vocalizations to resonate, so everyone heard the drunk slurring, "Ey, dass my armurr." His large, unsteady feet could hardly keep him upright. His arms swung comically around his stout torso.

It was declared by the Proving Master that the drunk was Everd and the one in his armor was an impostor. The crowd roared at the unexpected turn of events. The impostor removed his helmet and was none other than one of Beraht's thugs that she and Duncan had spoken to earlier. He recognized the dwarf as well and when the crowd roared once more, he sat silently, assuming the same pondering position he did when he was about to recruit Shiva. He scratched at his beard idly when the Proving Master called the guards to arrest him. Hearing this, Duncan turned from the edge of the balcony to address his decision.

"This Proving is not solely for you, Grey Warden. There are traditions, laws! He is casteless. The ancestors do not favor him. His very footsteps pollute the stone! He has no place here." The Proving Master was pointing and gesturing wildly for emphasis. Duncan stood still and calm before him, as usual.

"Except as your champion." Duncan shrugged his arms when he made his final point. It had to be said, but he knew there was no changing the stubborn old dwarf's mind.

Shiva went to Tapster's after the Proving. Her drinking buddy was nowhere in sight, but she was watching two dwarves in a drinking contest, wondering which would pass out first. It was pretty much a tie. They leaned on the table in the back corner and would serve as entertainment while she waited for Duncan. Braiding their beards together was all the amusement she needed before she heard someone clear their throat behind her.

He was looking past her, struggling to conceal his amusement at her mischief. "Perhaps we should take a meal here. There will not be another feast at the Royal Palace until tomorrow evening." Food was always a good way to lure her away from her task. They ordered nug steaks and stayed at Tapsters for the next hour, commenting on this and that and listening to the drunken singers standing on the table on the far side of the room.

When they emerged from the tavern, they saw guards lining the commons. They were searching for the impersonator and his accomplice who never made it to the jails.

"There they are!" The Proving Master was on the streets with the guards. He had indeed found the two casteless dwarves. They were emerging from one of the shops. Duncan and Shiva approached with the throng of guards.

The braided dwarf held his hands up to make them slow before them. "Hey, don't arrest us. You should be thanking us! We just killed Beraht!"

"What?" The Proving Master didn't know whether to believe him or not. "Beraht had many enemies, but also powerful allies. I don't know what this means…"

Duncan stepped to the front of the line. "Once again you prove your worth. Grey Wardens travel far and wide in search of such daring individuals. It seems I have found some."

"Oh, sod it." The other dwarf spoke up. "You know they won't let us anywhere. Leske, we have to fight our way to the surface. It's the only way." The dwarf raised his daggers and charged at the guards to his right. Leske was in shock at his sudden, foolish move. Duncan dragged Leske away next to Shiva.

"Guard this one, I will try to stop-" He was interrupted by a cry of pain. The dwarf had been run through and was being bashed with the guard's shield. Duncan couldn't make it to save the dwarf before he was killed. "Enough!" The guards saw Leske made no move to attack and Duncan still did not have his weapons drawn. No one could strike at them and retain their precious honor. "I am leaving with this dwarf. He is my recruit and is under my authority now." Shiva had not seen him be so forceful, but knew he must have had it in him all along. "I must bid you all goodbye. I need to return to Ostagar with my recruits." Duncan led them to the Royal Palace to get the dog and pack their belongings. Leske had no belongings and was eager to enter the Diamond Quarter for the first time in his life.

"Sodding stone, what just happened?" Leske was whispering to Shiva as Duncan marched ahead.

"You're going to become a Grey Warden, as am I. It's a great opportunity and don't worry about it. Besides, you'll be fighting darkspawn. Familiar, right?"

Leske grunted. "I've never even seen a darkspawn!"

"Well, you will now. Tell me, what is there to stay for? Have you any family?" She realized she was walking fast as well, so she slowed to have the dwarf keep up with his short, thick legs.

"Nah, my buddy was all I had. I guess I'm not really leaving anything behind. Dust Town was nothing but a nug's asshole anyway." The dwarf was still at a loss. He would get the hang of it in time. Shiva had to wonder what his reaction to the surface would be.

His reaction to Loki was a sight all on its own. "Holy shit! Is that a Mabari? I've never seen one before. He could swallow a nug whole! Sod it, he could swallow me whole!" Loki bounded up to the dwarf and stood on his hind legs, paws on the dwarf's unique leather armor to lick his face. Shiva had little more than Leske did so she was ready within minutes.

Duncan announced his departure to King Aeducan. The recruits were present and Leske was squirming where he stood. King Endrin was surprised a duster was the recruit, but he was not cruel. "Represent our people well, son. During a Blight is the time a dwarf has the chance to prove his worth to surfacers." Leske's eyes were the size of boulders.

"I won't fail, your Majesty."


Ostagar was several days away. With their dwarven companion, it took only one more evening to drain the contents of the mead barrel.

She found the dwarf was easily spooked when he was drunk. "Do you still worry about being sucked up into the sky?"

He groaned and stayed silent so long that it made the pirate think he didn't intend to answer. "Every damn minute."

"There's nothing to fear. It thinks dwarves are too tough. If it swallows you up, it'll probably just spit you back out. Just pray to your ancestors that it spits you out over a body of water so you don't break all your bones in that long fall." Leske was paler than the stones he lived among all his life.

As an apology, Shiva gave the emptied barrel to Leske so he could store whatever he found while he traveled with them. Duncan donated to his stock by giving him the axe of a dwarven warden that had belonged to the Aeducan house. It was given to Duncan during their stay in Orzammar.

During their journey, Leske began to bug Duncan about women he knew, and women he knew. Duncan divulged no information on the matter, so Shiva distracted him by saying there were plenty of women wherever there was a sizable settlement. She talked as if they were all as promiscuous as the women that she had on her ship. He lustily tittered at her wild tales about the raunchy ladies.

Their travels brought them east through Gherlen's Pass, then south along The Imperial Highway to Ostagar.


"Ho there, Duncan!" Five armored men approached, four of which wore average, matching armor. The man walking at the head and center wore golden armor accented with black and burgundy.

"King Cailan! I didn't expect a-" The king took Cailan's outstretched hand and shook it firmly.

"A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun." He was friendly. The king's grin caused his eyes to squint nearly shut. His hair was long and blonde, like his father Maric's.

"Not if I could help it, your Majesty."

"Then I will have the mighty Duncan by my side after all. Glorious!"

Shiva couldn't blame the king for wanting to practically snuggle up to Duncan. She couldn't help but envy Duncan a little as well - the king was handsome. Better yet, being caught between them... oh Maker! "The other wardens said you found promising recruits. I take it they are here?" King Cailan turned to Shiva. "Ho there, friend. Might I know your name?"

"I doubt it, but anything is possible." From Duncan's shifting beside her, Shiva guessed he wished her to be more respectful. Thankfully he had a decent sense of humor since he responded to her retort with a hearty laugh.

"You've caught a lively one, Duncan." She opened her mouth to respond with something flirty, but remembered being in Denerim around the time of his wedding to Anora.

Oh well, the whole golden, cheery, Ser Sunshine type is the last kind of man I'd want anyway.

"And you, my stout friend?" Cailan stood before the dwarf with the same welcoming air.

"My name is Leske, your Majesty." He gave a formal bow. For a poor duster, he showed better manners than Shiva.

"I welcome you both. It is a great honor to join the Wardens. I trust both of you will achieve grand glory in the battle."

Duncan and Cailan continued speaking about armies and Blights and such. She found the king too openly giddy about the whole thing. Noting Duncan's concern, she started to get a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach. In the past, she contained her own excitement when a battle was coming, and even those events were on a much smaller scale since there wasn't an entire army on either side. Cailan reluctantly bade them farewell.

A stone bridge separated where they stood from the encampment. Duncan gave them instructions on what to do next. They were to find a Warden named Alistair and meet back with him to prepare for a ritual called the Joining.

Shiva was on her own for now. Duncan went ahead to the encampment with Loki and Leske followed to explore on his own. She slowly meandered across the bridge, looking out over the valley below her. Once across, a few templars stood before a group of mages that looked like they were kneading some floating blue essence. Nearby, there was an elderly mage leaning against a tree with her arms crossed.

"You are not making sparks fly with your fellow spitfires?"

The old woman turned to her then. "Greetings, young lady. No, they do not require my aid at this time."

Shiva leaned against the tree beside the senior mage. She hadn't spoken to one outside the tower in quite some time and found them more agreeable when they were free to enjoy the open air – the ones that were familiar enough with the world beyond their towers to not be so damn skittish, that is. "The chaperones seem a little tense."

"Templars are like that. They take their duty very seriously. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wynne." Duncan spoke of her before - the ale connoisseur. She didn't seem like a drunken old biddy. She was elderly but still had a youthful form and an elegance about her.

"The name's Shiva."

"Shiva, deity of destruction and the arts. As fair and majestic as an ice clad mountain." Shiva was trying to suppress her smile. She shrugged.

"I try to live up to it. But that's what I like about you mages. You all seem to know everything."

"Far from it, unfortunately, but thank you. I see you're just getting in. Are you Duncan's recruit?"

"I am."

"Surely he has something better for you to do than to stand here talking to me."

Shiva sighed and pushed herself off the tree. "Right you are. It was nice meeting you, Wynne."

"And you, dear."

Shiva couldn't recall the last time she had actually met a nice old person. Most she had experienced were either drooling parasites or hateful old bats, like her own grandmother.

There was a wide ramp ahead of her, which Shiva headed up. To her right there was another raised area with a man similar to Duncan's description. He was currently arguing with another mage, each response from him was more and more witty. It didn't take long for him to drive the mage off.

"You know, one good thing about a blight is how it brings people together." He sauntered toward Shiva, obviously feeling victorious. She didn't blame him.

"Is that so?" She responded with a smile.

"It's like a party! We can all stand in a circle and hold hands. That would give the darkspawn something to think about. Wait, we haven't met. I don't suppose you'd be another mage."

"The only spells I do are with letters, so no worries." Shiva realized how corny she must have sounded and hoped she wouldn't blush. She had not been around so many people in months, and her shy side was starting to resurface. It didn't help that she was far inland and therefore completely out of her element. It felt nice following orders again though. She was a follower at heart, but did not have trouble taking lead when there was no one else to do so.

"Less being yelled at for me then." If he noticed anything especially lame about her response, he didn't indicate it – much to Shiva's relief.

"Hah, not necessarily!"

"Oh great, we have a temperamental female in our midst. Though, it could be a nice change, there aren't many women that join."

"Aw, from that cute face of yours, I imagine women would be flocking this direction to be near you, even if it meant becoming a Grey Warden." He blushed and did what could only be described as a man's awkward giggle.

"Uh, heh heh. Wow, you're forwa-, a- anyway, as junior member of the order, I'll be accompanying you while you prepare for the Joining. If you have any questions let me know. Otherwise, go to Duncan and I'll round up the other recruits." With the goofy smile he had plastered to his face, he looked exactly like the king. Shiva let it go though, she didn't want to bring anymore attention to his appearance, considering the scarlet shade his cheeks turned at her last comment. She nodded and went towards where Duncan was standing by the fire.

A stocky man at the foot of the ramp beckoned her over. "Have you seen an elf running around here? Red hair, carrying a suit of chain."

"Can't say that I have. You are the quartermaster, correct?" She purchased a dagger so she could return the one she had borrowed from Duncan, though she really, really liked it. Her coin purse was a few bits away from completely empty.

Shiva was the first of the recruits to return to Duncan. She handed him his dagger. When everyone else was present, Alistair introduced the recruits to each other. Ser Jory was a wide-eyed, chivalrous type from Highever. He looked a bit lost. Daveth was a rogue, attractive and scruffy. He had a long, chiseled face and full lips. He did nothing to hide how his eyes wandered along Shiva's body. Leske had been talking to the other recruits when they approached. He already got along well with Daveth.

"Good, you're all here. Let us begin. You five will be heading to the Korcari Wilds to collect three vials of darkspawn blood. There are also some Grey Warden documents in some ruins to the north. Return here when you have retrieved them."

The recruits understood what they had to do and headed for the wilds under Alistair's guidance.