Dragon Age Origins:
Last of the Couslands
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Dragon Age, its script or characters. Also I make no money from this Fan-fiction.
Sorry this took so long to update, been playing Mass Effect Andromeda so…. Yeah probably going to write about that as well ^^
Update: Some spelling errors corrected.
Previously:
"Are there any more men in this part of the castle?" I ask walking over to stand next to her.
"No dear I killed the last few on my way here I think"
"I had to kill one" I say glancing over briefly at the three men "Max killed the other two"
"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to do so again if we are attacked. No mother should ever have to ask her child to do that… but I need you to live through this okay. Do you think you can?"
"If I have to… yes" I say removing my gaze from the three men and looking up at her "I believe I can"
Chapter Seven: I lose everything
Moving into Oriana's room we find something horrific, both Oriana and Oren lying dead next to each other. Blood coats the floor in every direction. Whoever did this is more of a monster than the Darkspawn.
"No!" Screams mother falling to her knees and reaching for her grandson.
"How can he do this! He means to kill us all, even innocents!" She shouts looking up at me.
I'm frozen in the doorway speechless, barely able to keep a grip on my weapons. How can anyone be so brutal, little Oren... he didn't deserve this, neither did his mother...
Poor Fergus how I am i going to tell him, his son and wife both dead...
Sheathing my sword I wipe at my eyes with the back of my hands, riding them of the tears temporarily. I pull out my knife instead, I can throw it if someone surprises us.
Placing my hand on her shoulder I say
"M, mother, nothing I say can make any of this better... but we have to leave... find Fergus. He deserves to know" I stutter, barely able to keep my voice from breaking.
She stands slowly, my hand slipping from her shoulder and heads in to the hallway so I follow.
"Howe will pay for this. We must find your father, I have not seen him all evening"
I pale at that
"You don't know where he is?"
"I'm afraid not, he never came to bed"
Oh no... My eyes widen in realisation.
"Darling, are you alright?" She says approaching me.
"The last time I saw him, he was talking with Duncan and Arl Howe. If Duncan left and Howe got father alone..." I tail off finishing the thought in my head, not daring to say it aloud.
He may already be dead...
"I'm sure if you're farther suspected anything he would have ensured that he would not be alone with Howe"
"That's just it though, their old friends mother. Even if father became suspicious of Howe I'm sure he wouldn't have thought he would go this far just to seize the castle. And at a time like this, during a Blight"
"You been suspicious of Howe for some time now haven't you?"
"Yes but I've had no proof. I discussed this with Fergus but damn it I should have talked to father" I say hanging my head.
"Do not blame yourself dear, as you said none of us would have thought Howe would go this far. To murder children... he is truly evil"
"We should take this to the king, he will see to it that Howe pays for this treachery" I seethe
"Yes, but first we find your father and flee. I fear there is no saving the castle"
"I hate to say it but I agree. The quicker we escape the sooner our family will have justice"
Once we reach the main hall we find Ser Gilmore and a few of the remaining guards barricading the main doors.
"My Ladies, I am glad to see you're alive. I had feared the Arl's men had gotten though" he's says running up to us.
"Some did, I am afraid we must flee the castle" Mother says.
"Go we will stay here, ensure you have time to escape safely"
"Have you seen my father?" I ask
"He said something about using the secret exit in the kitchen"
"Right, we'll head in that direction then…. And thank you Ser Gilmore" I say placing my hand on his shoulder.
"It has been an honour, my Lady" he replies gripping my hand for a moment, then running back over to help the guards.
Me and Mother race in the direction of the kitchen. Once there I desperately search for my father, finding him lying on the ground clutching his side. There's blood everywhere and he looks so pale.
"Bryce!" shouts mother, rushing over to him.
Looking at him I know there's no way we'll be able to get him away from the castle in time…
"Some of Howe's men found me… I fought as best I could. You need to leave without me" he says hanging his head.
"What!" Me and mother shout simultaneously.
"You must… I will not survive the standing"
"Then I will stay as well" mother says looking him in the eye.
"I can't just leave you here" I plead
"Pup you have to… you must find your brother"
"I will escort her to safety" a voice says from behind me.
I jump, turning around to face Duncan.
"No way. I won't go with you" I say angrily.
"It is the only chance you have of surviving. You must become a Grey Warden"
"All this works out great for you doesn't it? You get your recruit and don't have to worry about bothering nobles because my family will be dead!" I shout
"Lana…" my father whispers.
"No, I don't trust him" I say turning to face my father.
"Then trust me pup. Escape, find your brother and help him save Highever."
"Your fathers right dear. I am so very proud of you but you have to go with Duncan. We would only slow you down" She says tears escaping her eyes.
"But Howe will…" Kill you… I finish in my head, hating myself for even considering leaving.
"Then do not allow him the victory he craves. So long as even one Cousland survives he will have failed to destroy our family" father says then nods to Duncan "You have my permission, please escort my daughter to safety"
Duncan tries to take my arm but I shrug away from him. Kneeling to hug my parents, not caring about the blood seeping into my clothing.
"I love you both so much" I sob
"And we love you Lana" mother cries into my shoulder, father echoing her.
"We must leave now" Duncan insists
I hate that he's right…
I turn and follow him to the hidden exit. Looking back one last time at my parents. My mother clutching my father's hand to her chest, desperately trying to sooth his pain. Father not moving his eyes from her face. They both turn to look at me… together right at the end… and then I'm running, leaving the only home I've ever known.
Highever burning and in ruins behind me.
Everything's over… I may as well be dead. But Fergus will need my help, he has to know what happened here.
Once me and Duncan are a safe enough distance from the castle I turn around. You can barely see Highever in the distance.
"I'll come back" I promise "Once the Blight's over, I'll make sure Howe pays for this"
Thanks for the review saying they'd prefer longer chapters. All future chapters will be at least 2000 words, depends on if I feel the chapter ends right.
I wanted to make this one longer but figured I should post something so no one thinks I've forgotten about this story.
As always let me know if you notice any errors, any ideas are welcome and please review.
