Dragons and Thrones: A Reborn Terror
Chapter 13 of my crossover story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Yup, he sure does :)
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, I did my best, glad you think so :)
mr I hate znt nobles kill em: We've had this discussion before, she won't, she will be up against something far worse for any Mage, Templars, one Templar in particular, who will appear as a POV character in this story.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
UmbraVenator: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, here you go :)
wazzup11: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; yeah, it's good :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Loghain
The sixty year old Grey Warden Loghain Mac Tir stood by the roadside, looking around cautiously. His dark eyes were narrowed, deepening the furrows around them.
'After that incident at the Storm Coast…Rogue Wardens seem to be everywhere.' He thought sadly. 'Now I have to keep my eyes open, this may be my last chance to go to these other lands to seek help.'
He sighed as he remembered that incident, where the two people from the other lands, Arya Stark and Syrio Forel parted ways with him. Arya had got on board the ship and he and Syrio ensured it left with her on board, Syrio however had died in the battle against the rogue Wardens. That still distressed Loghain, he still couldn't fathom the strange behaviour of the Grey Warden's that had gone rogue. It seemed more and more were falling to the strange behaviour, all talking about some Elder One.
The wind ruffled Loghain's black hair as he scratched the stubble on his chin. 'They could be waiting for me, in there…But I have no choice. This is my only chance, otherwise, I might never get to these other lands.'
So he stepped back out onto the road and began to follow it, making his way to the large castle before him, Highever, seat of the Cousland Family.
He thought of the recent history of this mighty and proud family, one of the two remaining Terynir's in Ferelden, the other being Gwaren where he once ruled before becoming a Warden. They had been powerful, enjoying immense favour and were popular with their people; then Arl Rendon Howe of Amaranthine launched a coup against them, for his own profit, killing everyone in the castle and taking it for himself.
Rendon Howe died in the Fifth Blight, at the time Loghain had counted him as an ally. Now he was disgusted at what the man had done. One member of the Cousland family survived, Fergus Cousland, eldest son of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland, who ruled Highever at the time of the coup. He now ruled the lands of Highever with the same firm yet fair control his father and mother had.
'Yet he is the one I must convince to help me, even though he knows about my past connection to Howe…This will not be easy.' Loghain thought to himself.
Taking note of his blue and white armoured clothing, typical regalia for a Grey Warden, the guards at the gate straightened up and one spoke with authority.
"Greetings Grey Warden, what brings you here today?"
Loghain spoke carefully. "I seek an audience with Teryn Cousland, however, I am not here on Warden business, this is a…personal matter."
The guards shared a looked and the one who spoke before replied. "That should still be alright, I'm sure Teryn Cousland will agree to see you, please, follow me."
Loghain did so, wary, as some sixth sense, that had nothing to do with the Blight within him, was telling him that things weren't safe here for him. Not helping matters was the fact he was searched by the guards and relieved of all possible weapons.
They entered Highever's great hall, where Fergus Cousland sat on his throne like seat, waiting for them. Fergus Cousland was nearing forty; yet his short hair was still unbroken brown, as was his short beard and moustache; his brown eyes retained the warm, almost relaxed air they always had, care lines were visible on his brow, but little else showed the stresses of leadership on his face. Fergus quirked an eyebrow as Loghain bowed.
"Well, I heard we had a Grey Warden visiting, I wasn't expecting the infamous Loghain however." Fergus remarked in greeting, a sly smirk on his face.
Loghain remained as stoic as ever. "Teryn Cousland, I am here on a personal matter, I am running out of options; you may be my last hope."
He could see Fergus analysing what he said; the smirk changing to simply a wry smile.
Finally he spoke. "Well, what could it be, what could make a man like you swallow your pride and ask me for help?"
Loghain sighed. "I require…a ship, I aim to go across the sea, to these new lands…Where I hope to gain help; there are problems within the Wardens and…"
It was then two things happened, Loghain noticed Fergus' expression darken and recognition appear in his eyes at Loghain's mention of problems. Then, the doors opened and two more people entered. Loghain immediately tensed when he saw they wore the regalia of the Grey Wardens. One was a human male of forty, with long black hair flecked with grey, a black soul patch beard and grey eyes.
The other was a Dwarf with flaming red hair and a short beard with a braided long moustache and brown eyes. Loghain silently cursed as he recognized them, Nathaniel Howe and Oghren, two Wardens who knew him well.
Sure enough, the moment they saw him they recognized him and glared.
"Loghain!" Nathaniel growled. "We've found you at last, you'll answer for betraying the Wardens!"
Oghren snarled. "C'mon, they take our weapons from us now this, no worries, I'll pound you with my fists!"
Loghain shook his head. "The only Wardens I have killed have been those that have attacked me. That have gone rogue and serve some, Elder One. The Wardens that have vanished and abandoned their duty!"
Nathaniel scoffed. "You expect us to believe this?!"
Fergus then cut in however.
"Gentlemen that is enough, you are in my halls and I demand you all shut up!"
All eyes turned to him, he was glaring, gone was the laid back man he usually was. Here was the Teryn of Highever, wielding his authority and making it clear where the power stood here.
Once he had their silence, Fergus spoke. "Loghain speaks the truth, Nathaniel, unless you are willing to admit that the Wardens want me dead?"
"What, just what is that supposed to mean?!" Oghren snarled.
"The last time the Warden's visited, they tried to kill me, they were also carrying this." Fergus explained; one of his men producing something. "Anyone who has read the Tale of the Champion will know what that is."
Stunned silence fell as they beheld a fragment of Lyrium, with one key difference, it was red, not blue.
Luckily, much to Loghain's relief, Fergus' words seemed to have convinced the two Wardens of Loghain's innocence.
"This is a curious matter." Nathaniel remarked, once the Red Lyrium was secured away. "I must look into this; in the meantime, I'll also try and get the other Wardens off your back, Loghain."
Loghain nodded and thanked him.
"What of, what we were discussing beforehand, Teryn Cousland?" He then asked.
Fergus smiled. "A ship, leaving for these new lands, is due to leave the following morning; I can make the arrangements, you just need to be there to board it."
Loghain smiled; relieved, it seemed like, at last, things were going right.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.