Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age or Star Wars

Quite a few of the looks for different Dragon Age characters who appear, are taken from the game Heroes of Dragon Age


Dragon Wars: Rebellion

Episode 9: Opening Salvo

Rendon Howe got what he deserved. His children would never talk to him again, but he felt like he had gotten everything he deserved. By putting all of his lot in with the empire, he had been allowed to keep his Arlship of Amaranthine and take the Cousland's land of Highever. He wore the uniform of an imperial officer, had a place at the Ferelden court, and was considered the number one person to go to if the empire ever needed help. Finally, all of his sacrifice was paying off. He had a legion of Stormtroopers and access to tech few lords were allowed. The two legged, imperial walkers marched with his troops. He was on top of a horse, and the rest of his lowly troops were walking. They were on their way to Denerim, to take part in a parade, celebrating the anniversary of the empire's arrival. Cailan often looked for reasons to celebrate, the brat was denying reality with his parties.

"ARL HOWE!"

He suddenly stopped, and the troopers went onto the alert. They followed Rendon's eyes to the hilltop, where three elves stood. Two women, both blonde haired, but the other had armour and pale skin, whilst the second had her hair tied up and wore robes that exposed her arms and the middle of her chest. They both stood either side of a bald Dalish elf, wearing brown and green robes.

"Who dares stop the imperial army?" Howe demanded, removing his pistol from his holster.

Suddenly, an arrow pierced his hand, making him drop his weapon. He looked towards where the arrow came from. His eyes widened, seeing a man he often thought about every day. Nathaniel was like his sister, taking more after their mother with his dark hair. The young man stood in a blue and silver coat of arms, silver armour covering his legs and arms, readying an arrow for his bow.

"Nathaniel, I allowed you to leave my house, now you stand against me, have you no shame?" Rendon asked.

"The shame is yours father," Nathaniel retorted.

"Even if your friends are mages, you are outnumbered, turn back and I may forgive this," Rendon said.

"I'm not alone though!"

The ground was shaking, and in the distance Rendon could hear howling. The troopers kept their blasters ready, and the Walkers looked around. Suddenly, a Ferelden Frostback dragon swooped down on the Walkers, grabbing one and lifting it above the floor, striking and toppling the second Walker. Soon afterwards, the dragon dropped the Walker, slamming it head first into the ground. Rendon kept his horse steady, looking to the mages as the troopers shot randomly at the sky.

Lanaya, Valana and Zathrien removed their staves and slammed them into the ground. Roots began bursting out of the grass, wrapping around some of the troopers. The other troopers were either shooting at their barrier, or trying to cut the bound ones free. They were distracted, and they were too late to discover what was shaking the ground. Sylvans ran into the legion, kicking the troopers, or picking them up and throwing them. Rendon's shock was shared by all the troopers, many of whom had previously scoffed at the idea of walking trees. The legends of Thedas rampaged through the troopers, their blasters useless at range.

At the back ranks, the dragon swooped downwards again, shooting fire into the whole troop formation. Many were burnt, and others crawled across the ground. They were confused and distraught by the sudden attack from Thedas myths. None were prepared for an attack, they were weak and easy pickings for the rest of the Thedas legends. Swiftrunner and his werewolf brethren leapt into the fray, tearing off limbs and biting down on necks. Rendon's horse screamed as several werewolves ran by it. Witherfang herself emerged from the pack, the white wolf howled, striking fear into the overrun troopers. Rendon was suddenly thrown off his horse, watching in horror as the animal was dragged to the ground and gutted by the werewolves.

"Impossible, impossible," Rendon whispered as he got off of the floor.

He had twisted his ankle in the fall, and began limping away from the massacre. Witherfang jumped on top of a trooper, ripping pieces of her neck out. The old oak himself picked several troopers off of the ground and threw them across the field. Green armoured Dalish and Ferelden Ash warriors moved to the helpless troopers, stabbing with swords and hacking with axes respectively. Lines of troopers began to make their way up one of the hills, attempting to get an advantageous position. Dalish in green armour and Avvar tribesmen lined up with Nathaniel, knocking back their arrows. the projectiles rained down on the troopers, most bouncing off of their armour, but others hitting their joints and bringing them to the ground.

The fourth wave then emerged from the hill the troopers tried to retreat up. A golem known as Shale walked with Dwarven warriors and rogues, crushing several troopers whilst the others cut their throats. Howe continued to limp up one of the hills, until a blaster bolt hit his leg. He fell to the ground, screaming in pain. The man remained on his knees as a shadow loomed over him. Howe looked up in fear at the tall man standing above him. He had short dark hair, and a tattoo over his eye.

"Hello Arl Howe," Aedan Cousland said.

"You, you cannot touch me, I am an imperial officer," Howe said.

Aedan leant down and flicked Howe's forehead. He huffed, standing back up, before stomping on Howe's blaster wound.

"Because of your betrayal of my family, I was never able to know my father or mother, my brother and I have had to watch as you abused the people of Highever, our people. But no more, we're going to take it back, and you Howe, I'd kill you now if not for Nathaniel and Daylen's insistence on keeping you alive. You're going to live as our pawn, because that is what you deserve," Cousland explained, before he kicked Howe across the face, knocking him unconscious.

When the last trooper fell, the rebels cheered, all of that and no lives were lost on their end. Nathaniel looked at his chronometer, they had achieved all that with only the time readers to aid them. With great magic and the power of nature itself, they were able to beat five hundred troopers. The second phase of Daylen Amell's plan had succeeded.


Highever

Isabela adjusted her bandanna, rubbing her helm one last time. She'd take to the field, just like all of the warriors in her ship. She brought the boat into the harbour, a quick visit to her office and she emerged with her knives strapped to her back and a black leather corset around her chest. Whilst her first mate oversaw the transfer of goods, she met with the main group of rebels. As 'mercenaries' they simply went to the nearest tavern. But the tavern owner had cleared the place out, leaving only them. There was Isabela, Fenris, Sebastian, Varric and a red haired elf woman named Tallis, she wore green leather armour with a hood attached to it, dark green trousers with brown boots and green pads on her thighs, brown fingerless gloves started at her elbows, with green wrist guards on them, brown pads also covered her shoulders.

"Thank the maker you're here, I've been hiding these, for some time," the bar keep said, grunting as he lifted a chest onto the table they sat at.

He opened it to reveal five explosive charges. All of which would be operated on a timer. Each of the 'heroes' of the dragon age took the explosives, putting them in their pouches. The bar keep then unravelled a map of Highever.

"Here's the factory, the security station is there, then there is the fighter launch pad, there are four fighters there. Security there consists of the basic Storm troopers, locals simply pass through, no one in Highever can pilot a fighter so they mostly leave them be. Then there is the barracks, its overlooked by an old bell tower, it's in disrepair but there should be a spot for you to snipe from," the man explained, looking at Sebastian.

He'd already pretty much told Sebastian where to go, and the former prince wasn't going to correct him.

"The main gate is where the first security checkpoint is, this is the most heavily populated area in terms of Storm troopers, that's where things get tricky. Innocent people are going to die if we blow that area."

"That's the area I'll take then," Isabela said, causing the others to look at her. "My actions have killed the innocent before," she shrugged her shoulders.

"Then there's the second problem, the communication outpost, now this is the one that needs to be destroyed. If not, they'll warn other nearby outposts of what's going on here. By succeeding in destroying it, you'll draw the attention of the shadow guards there," the bar keep continued.

"Shadow Guard?" Isabela raised her eyebrows. "Sounds ominous, the sexy kind of ominous."

"They're force users, not strong enough to be apprentices or acolytes, but not weak enough for the empire to ignore, they're skilled with their sabre staffs, and completely fearless," Tallis explained.

"I'll take care of them," Fenris said.

"You sure you'll be okay broody?" Varric asked.

"If it was anyone else it would be a suicide mission, I'm the only one who has a chance of surviving," the former slave, now a free rebel smiled.

"Then I suppose I'll take the checkpoint at the factory, I assume all the defences inside are automated," Tallis said.

"They are, Tethras," the bar keep turned to the dwarf.

"Then that means I'll take the landing pad," he sighed.

"At least they'll never see you coming," Sebastian quipped.

"Don't use jokes choir boy, it doesn't suit you," Varric retorted.

The party began making their way out of the bar, when Varric stopped Isabela.

"I need to say something Rivaini, about the mission," he said.

"Why whatever is it Varric?" she asked.

"I'd keep those explosives, I don't think we'll need to blow up the checkpoint for the main gate, it's the most heavily populated area right. I have a feeling once the fighting starts, once it's clear that the advantage is ours, people will flock to our banner. Rally them Rivaini, rally them," Varric explained.

Isabela put a hand to her chin, thinking deeply about the plan. In truth, she didn't want innocent blood on her hands.

"In that case, you should go to the security checkpoint, I will handle the landing pad," she said.

"Rivaini, you're a woman after my own heart, see you on the other side," Varric nodded his head, a respectful sentiment that Isabela shared.

The five split off in their intended directions, whilst miles from the city, Marian, Aveline and Bethany led a group of mages and rebels in stolen Storm-trooper armour. Leading the Apostates was Anders, who chuckled as he looked at Highever.

"Now what?" he asked.

"We wait," Marian said.

She put on a pair of goggles and made her way over to the speeder bikes they had taken. Marian checked her chronometer, just like Charade and the bombers were doing in Highever. Flying the bike around the border of Highever, Marian scouted the defences. There were two border patrols, the ranks of which were filled by freshly recruited and trained troopers, local boys who wanted a fight but had no real idea what a fight was. Either they were fully committed to the imperial occupation, or somewhere in their hearts, they doubted the empire, hated it for the abuses it committed. Marian wasn't going to count on any defectors, she flew back to her party and pointed out the gap in the enemy formation.

Anders led a contingent of apostates, barbarians and a few Dalish arcane warriors and hunters. The key to taking Highever and Amaranthine was being quick about it. The explosives were one part distraction, another part sabotage of the enemy's vital systems. Daylen suggested destroying these parts first, but did not have the means to do so. There was a gang in Amaranthine that stole from the empire, and smuggled goods in through a secret path, whilst in Highever, things had become so lax that the imps never noticed one or two explosives missing from inventories.

Linking up with Marian's group, Anders smiled at her. She smiled back, but Bethany quickly clicked her fingers. Anders loved his freedom, and he loved many people. Marian wasn't chaste or even free spirited, but she never denied who she liked. The rebels moved through the gap in the imperial patrol, through a field of long grass. They kept up a slow pace, crouching as low as they could, practically crawling through the grass. All the while, Marian kept an eye on the time, everything had to be perfect.


Amaranthine

Varel was local to Amaranthine, and though he didn't deny that the empire had made the lives of the people of Thedas better, he hated what they had done to their civil liberties. He'd fought in the rebellion against the Orlesian occupation, and he was going to fight against the imperial occupation. Varel checked the chronometer his friends in the resistance gave him. Everything had to be timed perfectly apparently, the old smuggler's path was the best way in, but it was also the longest. That took up some time, Varel expected them earlier, but they were a little bit delayed.

Discovery wasn't an issue though, Varel remained calm, even when a Storm trooper came into the smuggler's cave. His armour had blue paint on his shoulders and helmet. He lifted off his helmet, revealing a blonde haired man. Garevel was another Amaranthine local, he had been part of the city guard for years. He too hated what the empire had done to the world. His help had been invaluable in getting everything ready. Two of his men brought in a crate filled with Storm trooper armour, all with the same blue highlights as his.

They waited, and the boats finally arrived. Men and women, fighters, rogues, mages, all emerged from the boats. Those who knew how to pass as troopers began putting on the armour. Others took up explosives and rifles Varel had secured. They kept them concealed with their cloaks, and walked out onto the markets in front of the city. Garevel and his contingent of disguised troopers however, took to a different path, a tunnel that smugglers used for escaping. It took them to the meeting point. There, Aedan Cousland and some of his men were preparing their own armour. All of Aedan's men, including his lover Mhairi wore heavier armour, with blue scout visors above their eye lenses, back packs with additional weapons, and much heavier weapons than the basic rifles Garevel's men carried.

Aedan himself wore Stormtrooper armour with a blue commander's pad on his right shoulder, and an additional black pad on his left. Black utility pockets had been placed on his chest plate, his belt had more equipment space, and had additional holsters. Blue cloths were attached to either side of his belt, ending at his knees. The blue highlights were also on his arm armour, his chest plate, and his shin guards were also blue. He attached his pack onto his back and checked over his two pistols, placing both in their holsters before picking up his rifle. With his free hand, he picked up his helmet, highlighted blue like the others, but with a fin on the forehead, and an antenna attached to the left side of it. Looking towards Vigil's keep, Aedan began leading the men, his troopers towards it. He put on the trooper helmet, ready to take the Howe ancestry home.


Taming of the Dragons-Crestwood

Crestwood was a village under imperial occupation. The mayor wore the imperial uniform, but the presence of the Stormtroopers was low there, limited to a Walker, a hover tank and four speeders. When Flemeth flew down in her dragon form, she put the fear of the dragons into the troopers, and the villagers themselves. Once Daylen, Alistair, Leliana and Morrigan disposed of the troopers, and bound the mayor, they addressed the people of Crestwood, telling them about their inevitable assault against the empire. Then of course they showed them the symbol of the rebellion, the item they would use for rallying others, the crossguard sabre. The young, and veterans of the Orlesian rebellion flocked to fight, getting together slingshots, hammers, swords, whatever they could use as weapons. Those who knew how took the E-11 imperial blasters to use, and mounted the assault vehicles.

"That sabre is of more use to you as a symbol than a weapon," Flemeth said, leading the four through the plains.

Her form had changed, now she looked more like the image of the great Mythal. She wore gauntlets and boots that went up the length of her limbs, they were copper coloured and had gold highlights on them. Her shirt had a gold pattern on it, and exposed part of her chest, with blue hair covering her shoulders. She wore a dark and gold headdress, and her hair itself had gone white, it stuck out towards the back of her head, forming four dragon like horns.

"After we've secured our forces, I'm going to give it to Alistair," Daylen said.

"You made it," Alistair said.

"Yes but you're the better swordsman."

"Besides, he already has a light sabre," Flemeth laughed.

"Why have we come here?" Leliana asked.

It was the question that had been on everyone's mind, and it was that moment Flemeth chose to stop. She summoned her staff, a long pole with a sickle blade on the top of it. The witch raised her hands, magic coursing on the clawed finger tips of her gauntlets. Suddenly, a cry came from the nearby hilltops. A great dragon came from the hills, flapping its gigantic wings. The dragon's scales had a pattern of purple and yellow across it, its horns curved, much like a goat. When it landed, it bowed its head to Flemeth.

"There is a great power in dragons you know, why do you think the empire is trying to gather them? Ah but that should be a tale for another time, we must keep the secret, for the surprise to be grand," Flemeth laughed, turning to the four.

She looked over Alistair, Daylen and Leliana, shaking her head at the two men, before she rested them on the red head.

"Step forward pretty thing, I think this one suits you just fine," Flemeth said.

She grinned as Leliana nervously walked forward.

"How strong is your faith?" she asked her.

"I know that you are not a god, but I believe there was a Maker," Leliana said.

Her voice, her eyes, were so full of determination. It made Flemeth laugh as she walked behind Leliana.

"I can't wait to see if that faith wavers, when you find out the truth," she said.

Despite her confusion, Leliana continued looking at the dragon as it crept closer and closer towards her.

"Remember your faith girl, remember your belief, perhaps the Maker and the force are aspects of the same coin, put your faith in them as you make the connection," Flemeth explained.

Leliana slowly, and cautiously raised her hand. The words of the witch echoed in her mind, as too did the prayers of the Chantry. Then she chanted to herself, I believe, I believe, the maker loves me, the force is with me. Slowly her eyes drifted shut, and gently, she touched the dragon's nose, rubbing the scales. When she opened her eyes, they seemed brighter, changed almost. The bard, resistance leader, Nightingale of Orlais, the sister of the chantry, moved around the dragon. It raised its wings for her and knelt. She climbed onto the dragon's back, much to the awe of her companions.

As she flew the dragon upwards, taming it, mastering it, she seemed more beautiful to the two men than she ever had been before. Her faith in the maker, in the force itself gave her more power than any Sith. As the opening salvo began, the Northern Hunter flew over the marching rebel army. Loghain looked up, raising his sword and rallying his army to yell out in triumph.


Denerim

Cailan groaned as he got out of bed. His lover for that night had left nail markings on his back. If it was anyone else it would be treason, but the Sith were as much the rulers of Thedas now as they had once been. That and there was something darkly attractive about Sith apprentices, Keili was no doubt an attractive woman. But Keili was nowhere to be found, instead there was Kaius standing over the bed. Putting on his dressing gown, Cailan moved towards the table with his food, grapes, apples, ham and cheeses, as well as wine, the kind of things Kaius didn't need to eat.

"That's unnecessary king Cailan," Kaius raised his hand in refusal.

The Sith lord walked out onto the balcony, looking across the streets filled with troopers, the bangers with the Imperial seal on them.

"Quite a party you have prepared King Cailan," Kaius said.

"It is all in celebration, we have had fifteen years of peace, save for the doomed resistance, why can't they see that this is for the best?" Cailan's question was spoken mostly to himself, so Kaius ignored him.

In truth, the Chagrian lord understood exactly why they all fought so passionately. Cailan was not stupid, he knew strategy, was educated, and he had somewhat of a ruthless mind for politics as well. But he was still very much a sheltered man, someone who did not understand the concept of imprisonment, of struggle.

"How is the guard at the gate?" Kaius asked.

"Governor Price insists on the full contingent of guards, but who would attack us on the anniversary in broad daylight?"

"The daring my king, the daring," Kaius smirked, walking away from the king.

He walked through the corridors of the castle, passing imperial droids, servants of both human, elf and Twi'lek origins. Then there was the Elite guard, the silver clad, red visored warriors, carrying pikes and holding them in front of their chests to salute him. A man in a cloaked, white uniform walked over to Kaius, not bowing, not even saluting. It was no insult, Kaius knew Governor Price as a former man of the army, a fighter, and a general, but the bearded and scarred man was tired. Kaius hoped some of his fighting spirit might get reignited, otherwise, it would be a short take over.

"We've lost contact with Lieutenant Howe's forces," he said.

"Is he a lieutenant?" Kaius asked.

"The rank changes every week, it's not as if the inflated and egotistical man actually understands rank, I called him an Inquisitor the other day and he didn't correct me," Price explained.

"You're having the guard increased, good governor, but if I were you I would draw the Riot troopers away from the Alienage and put the security forces there," Kaius said.

"They're locals, and they have blasters, commander Vaughan and his lieutenants Jonaley and Braden are also well known for their appetite for killing elves, I've had to reprimand them several times."

"Perhaps now will be a day for...poetic justice," Kaius chuckled.

"What do you mean lord Kaius?" Price asked.

Kaius suddenly stopped, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he grinned.

"You may want to check the Western gate," he said.

Price began a crisp pace down the castle corridors.

"Its begun," the Sith lord whispered.

At the Eastern gates, bored Stormtroopers wagered with one another over a game of Pazaak. Only three were focused on patrolling the ramparts. When one had his back turned, a harpoon latched onto the ledge. Cautiously he approached it, his blaster raised. Suddenly, a giant of a hand grabbed his arm and threw him over the ledge. The second trooper got a knife pierced through his eye lense, and the second met his target, who had successfully climbed up.

"You're kidding me," the trooper said, laughing at the red bearded dwarf in front of him.

Oghren let out a growl of fury, drawing the axe from his back. The trooper kept laughing, until his neck was twisted around.

"I could have handled that," Oghren said.

Sten of the Barrasad simply shrugged. He wore plates of iron armour, though had his arms exposed. Though still very much loyal to the Qun, he drew his precious sword from his back. The green clad, Antivan assassin Zevran quickly finished climbing over the rampart, throwing the body of his target over the other side. Once the three bodies were across, they signalled to the rebels below. Six Knight-troopers suddenly jumped over the rampart, their jump packs blazing. Sliding down their targeting antennas, they aimed at the guards below. Simultaneously they fired, killing the distracted guards. Cullen nodded to the three infiltrators, and they began moving down to the next gate. To differentiate themselves from any loyalists in the city, the Knight-troopers painted their armour in different ways. For Cullen, he added a lion's face to his left breast. He removed a light from his belt, flashing it at the Knight-trooper infantry. Greigor returned the signal, and both men checked their Chronometers, there was a slight delay, and a much greater need for pace now.


Kaius decided he would walk through his favourite parts of Denerim, before the fun started. He visited the library, walked amongst the markets, were normal, honest men and women tried to work free of harassment. Then there was the alienage, where the elves were trying to get on with their normal routine, knowing they could never truly enjoy themselves under the watch of Vaughan. Kaius walked past the troopers, admiring the tree that was the last bit of the elf culture they held onto. He'd always admired them, the alienage elves, they abandoned the old, outdated ways, to forge a new way. Within them also, was the potential to rebel.

Migration was common amongst space faring species. Kaius's ancestors left their home world to colonise a new one in the unknown regions. They found their new home, built a government and lives for themselves. But then the Sith came and enslaved them. Their home became nothing more than a mining colony of the empire. Kaius was born a slave, he knew struggle and abuse every day. Yet there were times of true happiness, times he spent with his father, shaping rock to form art. Then the times with his mother, listening to the memories passed down their line, of a better time, of their original home world itself. But the times that truly empowered Kaius, that truly made him the man he was today, was the times he would be punished. He became the embodiment of Chagrian defiance against slavery, whipped nearly every day.

Then Darth Vice found him, impressed with his strength, he manipulated the shift patterns of the guards, so that Kaius would have the perfect opportunity to murder the overseer. Kaius did so, earning the right in Vice's eyes to become his apprentice, even though his actual force potential was limited. But that was not the end of Kaius's struggle, it only got worse from then onwards. Vice's training regime was brutal, never hesitating to use pain as a reprimand for Kaius's failures, or even sometimes just for a hell of it. Through struggle and pain, Kaius's determination and strength only increased. In time, Vice even admitted that Kaius was a better fighter than he had been in his prime. Kaius used the force, the dark side, and the light, but was never dominated by the darkness. Nor did he try to serve the light in anyway.

Yet still he was not free, and that still made Kaius feel sad.

"PLEASE STOP!" he heard the scream of a woman.

Following the scream, and the blood lust, he saw his apprentice. Keili had dressed herself in Sith Raider armour, the uniform of a warrior. She held the red sabre of an Acolyte, someone she had obviously bullied into surrendering it to her. But what truly angered Kaius was whom his apprentice was standing over. She had already killed a blonde haired elf woman, her body was being shaken by a little elf girl, her daughter. The girl had brown hair, only a glancing resemblance to Surana. Keili raised her sabre over her head and swung it down. With a hiss, Kaius extended his own blade, catching Keili's. The sparks touched the top of the girl's head, and she shielded her mother's body. Releasing his rage, Kaius pushed Keili back, and put the sabre to her neck.

"Such a strong and great warrior you are my apprentice," Kaius snarled, squeezing Keili's hand until she dropped her sword.

"Master Kaius I..."

"Don't, I mean it, there are one or two Sith lords whom have lost themselves in the darkside, and even through their indecent and cruel acts, they remain powerful. You however my apprentice, are a simple serial killer, violence without direction, and for petty hatred will only enable you to scratch the surface of the power the force can offer you," the Sith lord explained.

He deactivated his blade and with the force picked up the acolyte's sabre.

"You wish to fight, your time will come, he will be here soon, he will start the fire," Kaius said.

"Daylen," Keili whispered.

"Yes, show him the power of the dark side, show him the strength of your passion!"

Keili took the sabre, igniting its blade and smiling in joy. The mere mention of his name, had turned her into another monster entirely. Kaius looked at the elf girl's eyes, he'd sparked something inside her too.

'Hope, you've given them hope Daylen Amell, let's see if that hope is wasted, don't disappoint me, my apprentice,' Kaius thought.

His eyes lit up in joy, as the cloud of an explosion, rose out of the centre of Denerim. From the palace balcony, Cailan looked at the cloud in horror, the rebels within the city saw it as the signal. The battle for Ferelden had begun.

Next Episode 10: The battle for Ferelden part 2: Strength in unity


Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time, more dragons, and the fighting really starts.