"Do you think it is a real Blight, father?" Anne asked, watching him pace by the fire as she rested her chin on her hands. The rumors coming out of the south grew darker by the day, and she feared for what it meant if this was more than a large Darkspawn raid. She had studied her history well, under Aldous, and she knew how much devastation was caused by earlier blights. The thought of such death and destruction brought to Ferelden, to her home…it was too terrible to even imagine.
Even if it had helped delay talk of why a woman her age wasn't even betrothed.
"I don't know, pup. I hope not," her father said somberly, his tone echoing her silent fears. "But the Wardens seem confident, and we must battle the horde either way. Cailan and his troops should have set out for Ostagar yesterday, and we must join them soon."
Anne sighed, glancing down at the supply lists she'd been working on before looking back up at her father and brother with a wry smile. "When you say we…"
Fergus grinned and her father gave her a knowing look. "I mean me and Fergus, pup. You'll stay here, to keep watch over the castle and the lands. We can't abandon our people, especially if it is a true Blight."
Anne made a face. She agreed with her father, she did. She just didn't see why it couldn't be Fergus who stayed, instead of her. He was going to be the next Teyrn after all. So didn't it make more sense for her to fight at her father's side?
She knew better than to voice that argument, and instead nodded her acquiescence. Duty was the Cousland birthright, the responsibility to continually earn the right to their title and lands through hard work and dedication. She would do her part, and she would do it well. However much she might wish for other duties, other parts to play.
"Well, then let's make sure we have enough horses for everyone, shall we?" she said in a light tone, winking at her father.
Fergus groaned. "It was one time! And it was just a practice exercise anyways." He clearly regretted the words as soon as he said them, flushing in embarrassment that made Anne grin. No matter old Fergus grew, wife and child and all, he still forgot to think before he spoke and she loved him for it.
Their father just raised his eyebrows before returning to his seat and reaching for the nearest stack of papers. Fergus gave her a mock glare and poked her side when he sat down, but didn't say anything else.
Anne looked down at the desk and smiled. The weight of the Cousland name and responsibilities was more than worth it for her family, and she was going to make sure they were as prepared as possible to make it safely back home.
Her smile faded into a grimace. Besides, if it was a true Blight, they'd all get their fill of fighting soon enough.