"Well Alistair, this is Gwaren." Teagan smiled at the excited look on the boy's face as they continued east along the road that led them initially through farmsteads before the Mac Tir estate came into sight on a rise to the left.
"Is that where Jayden lives?" Alistair could barely sit still on the horse he was so excited.
"It is. Gwaren was little more than a small village when Loghain became Teyrn. It now once more has a thriving port and farm holds and has become quite a busy centre of trade. Not as busy as Denerim of course; but certainly impressive."
Alistair listened with rapt attention as they cut off from the main road and took the road that continued uphill to the Mac Tir estate. He grinned as he saw Jayden at the gates. The visit was marred by only one thing; Alistair couldn't tell Jayden that the wish he had made on his behalf had come true in a way neither of them could ever have imagined. His grin broadened; while the situation was far from perfect he knew his father loved him and that was all he had ever wanted. He glanced to his friend firmly believing it was because of Jayden that he now knew his father and brother.
Jayden hopped from foot to foot waving to Alistair, grinning in excitement. "Alistair you're here at last! Hello Bann Teagan." He turned back to Alistair. "I can't wait to show you everything."
Alistair grinned and dismounted the two boys hugging before Jayden showed them to the stables.
"Dad said I have to let you get settled; but I thought we could go to the beach after lunch."
"That sounds great."
Jayden smiled happily. "I'm so glad you're here, we will have lots of fun I promise. Come on I'll show you your room."
Alistair said a quick hello to Jayden's family before he was pulled away by his excited friend. He dumped his pack on the bedroom floor sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. "It's lovely."
"Come and see my room." Jayden urged grabbing his arm.
Laughing Alistair allowed himself to be dragged along. Large windows flooded the room with light, gauze like silver material hung from the windows fluttering slightly in the light breeze. Above the fireplace opposite the bed was a huge map of Thedas. A smaller map of Ferelden was to its right and a map of similar size of Antiva to its left. A bow hung on hooks below a shelf on the wall opposite the windows, a quiver and arrows hanging beside it. On the shelf above there were three statuettes; a dragon, a wyvern and a wolf and on the shelf above that was a carved ship. Next to the bed near the shelves was a small bookcase filled with books and on the opposite side of the bed was a chest of drawers. Above the bed was a tapestry of horses. "Wow, your room is brilliant!"
Jayden grinned and reached under his bed and pulled out a small wooden box. He hesitated and then glanced to Alistair worrying at his lip. "I've had this since I was little. Anora gave it to keep my treasures in." He flushed slightly. "Do you want to see?"
Alistair nodded eagerly sitting on the bed next to Jayden. He carefully took the box as Jayden went to the bookshelf hunting for a book. His eyes widened as he saw his own letter carefully placed beneath three quartz crystals; several old coins, some small rocks and something like a rune stone he had seen in a book once. "I wish I had a treasure box."
Jayden smiled and handed him a small book of dragons. "In case you want to read something in bed tonight."
Alistair grinned. "Thanks. All my favourite stories have dragons in them."
xXx
Alistair gave a delighted gasp as Jayden led him down to the sandy cove, gazing out at the sea that touched the horizon. "There is so much of it." He whispered in awe.
Jayden grinned. "I love sailing. When I'm older I will have my own ship and I will sail as far as the sea goes. You could come with me."
"You'd want me to?"
"Of course."
Alistair couldn't help grinning, still surprised a noble wanted to be his friend. He wondered what Jayden would think of him if he knew who his father was. He was almost glad he needed to keep it a secret not wanting to risk changing the friendship.
"Come on I want to show you something." Jayden led Alistair up through the rocks, while he was sure footed he was aware Alistair was less sure of himself and made sure his friend knew where to put his feet without being too obvious. He led them to a cave entrance, a tunnel leading upwards.
Alistair was relieved the moss on the cave walls seemed to give off a soft green light so the tunnel was at least partially illuminated. "Where are we going?"
"Trust me, you need to see it."
Alistair followed close behind him. "Should we be here?" He whispered.
Jayden glanced back and smiled. "As future Teyrn I should know the land I will be responsible for."
Alistair gave a soft laugh. "Which means we shouldn't be here."
"It's not far." Jayden declared with a grin.
Alistair hurried after him; his eyes widening as they reached a natural platform. He stared into the larger cave, startled to see water rushing down onto the rocks below them which formed a natural pool. The stone gleamed with quartz crystals and various plants grew at the water's edge, a wide shaft of sunlight reaching them from a gap in the rocks above. "Makers breath!"
Jayden grinned and led Alistair down to the edge of the pool. "Rath; Lyra, Zef and I found this place last year. We've never seen anyone else come here, it's our secret place and now it's yours too."
Alistair glanced to him startled. "Won't your friends mind?"
Jayden grinned. "Of course not!"
Alistair turned startled as a screeching noise echoed around the cave; seeing a flash of red hair before he was sprayed with water as Rathnal dived into the pool.
Zef leapt in after him; while Lyra made a more dignified entrance using the route Jayden and Alistair had taken. Grinning at Jayden, Lyra turned to Alistair before holding out her hand. "I'm Lyra you must be Alistair."
"Yes." He mumbled shyly clasping her hand.
Lyra grinned and pushed him sending him backwards into the water.
Alistair surfaced gasping and spluttering staring at her in shock.
Lyra put her hands on her hips and grinned. "Welcome to The Wyverns."
Alistair glanced behind him to Zef and Rathnal who were both grinning. "Is this some kind of initiation?"
Lyra chuckled and sat on the edge of the pool flicking her toes in the water. "Not really. Zef and Rath did that to me and Jay when we found this place. I just really wanted to do it to someone else." She grinned mischievously. "Sorry."
Alistair wiped hair from his face and grinned. "Why The Wyverns?"
Rathnal moved to Alistair's side. "We did want the Night Elves, but since Jay isn't elven we went for something none race specific. Well I guess a Wyvern is specific, but well it just sounds good."
Jayden smirked; diving into the water swimming closer to the fall. "It seemed to fit; what with us being in Gwaren."
"Don't your parents wonder where you are when you're here?" Alistair asked curiously.
Lyra cast him a wide smile. "As long as we are back for meal time no-one bothers us."
Jayden dived beneath the water and surfaced over a minute later gasping slightly. He swam over to Alistair and handed him a small piece of quartz crystal. "You have to hunt a bit to find the loose crystals, each Wyvern has one."
Alistair stared in awe before closing his fingers protectively over the quartz. "Thanks." He whispered, overwhelmed by the gesture.
Jayden grinned. "Come on we have tons more to show you."
xXx
Alistair woke the following morning to warm sunlight filtering through the curtains and a wide grin on his face thinking about yesterday's adventures. He wished Bethany and Carver were here knowing they would all get on well. Rathnal was clearly the joker of the group and he teased Zef relentlessly. Zef gave as good as he got, but surprisingly Lyra was the more mischievous of the three. Jayden had promised to take him to the Alienage today and Alistair leapt out of bed not wanting to waste any time.
Jayden knocked on Alistair's door moments later. "Good you're awake. Let's have breakfast and then we can go to the Alienage. You'll love it. The Alienage elder is a man named Alok, his title is Haren. He's really nice and knows lots of interesting stuff."
"Are you sure it will be alright for me to go to the Alienage?"
"As long as we introduce you to Haren Alok it will be fine." He grinned. "He is Rath's grandpa so he definitely won't mind since Rath thinks you're fun."
Alistair flushed unable to hide his grin. "He does?"
Jayden nodded for emphasis. "They all do, see I knew you would all get on." He hesitated. "You do like them don't you?"
"I do."
Relaxing Jayden hurried them into the dining room, patting the seat next to him.
Aelfraud smiled at the excited smiles of both boys. "So what are you two planning to do today?"
"We are going to the Alienage grandpa; so Alistair can see where Lyra, Rath and Zef live."
"Ah I see." He smiled at Alistair who was watching him shyly. "And what do you think of Gwaren so far young Alistair?"
"I think the sea is amazing." He whispered, clearing his throat. "And it's very beautiful here."
"It is." Aelfraud blew on his spoonful of porridge. "And how are you enjoying Rainesfere?"
"Bann Teagan is the best and I am learning lots."
Aelfraud smiled to himself seeing the smile tug at Teagan's lips as he entered the room overhearing the latter part of their conversation. "So Alistair, what do you think you will do when you are older?"
Alistair worried at his lip and then smiled as Teagan sat opposite him; Loghain, Celia and Anora joining them. "I would like to be a Knight, but I think Knights have to be noble and I'm just a commoner."
"Just a commoner? I will have you know my boy I am a commoner and there is nothing 'just' about it."
Alistair flushed looking horrified. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you."
Jayden grinned nudging him. "Grandpa isn't offended."
Aelfraud smiled warmly. "No indeed, takes a lot more than that to offend this old man." He smiled at Alistair's relieved look. "So a Knight, a worthy goal indeed and don't let being a commoner stop you. Did you know Calenhad The Great was the son of a merchant? He became the first King of the Theirin line." He winked at Alistair. "Just proves you don't have to be born noble for great things to happen."
Loghain raised an eyebrow at his father in law who gave him an innocent look before returning his attention to his porridge, his lips twitching in a barely restrained smile.
xXx
"Wow, that's amazing." Alistair gazed up at the bronze Night Elf at the entrance to the Alienage. He glanced to Rathnal, Lyra and Zef who had raced over clearly having been watching out for them. "Do you still have Night Elves?"
Rathnal shook his head. "With no war I guess there isn't really a need."
Alistair spied the Vhenadahl and gasped at the sheer size. "Has anyone ever climbed to the top of that tree?" He hesitated at the shocked looks of the three elves.
Jayden winced. "That's the Vhenadahl Alistair; it's a sacred tree of the elves."
Alistair flushed. "I'm sorry I didn't know."
Rathnal recovered first and smiled. "No problem Ali, just don't climb it or we will have to kill you."
Alistair nodded dumbly not convinced Rathnal was joking.
Zef gave Rathnal a playful punch and nudged Alistair. "Take no notice of him, well apart from the part about not climbing the tree." He leaned closer whispering conspiratorially. "I tried climbing it once when I was little. Maker I've never seen mom so furious. I wasn't allowed out for weeks! I was so bored!"
Rathanl draped an arm over Alistair's shoulders. "We should introduce you to grandpa and then we can play." The friends tugged Alistair to the Haren's house, Rathnal leading them inside. "Grandpa this is Alistair."
Alok smiled warmly. "Ah, I have heard much of you Alistair. You are most welcome here."
Flushing slightly, Alistair smiled shyly. "Thank you Haren Alok."
"Well go on then all of you; off you go and play."
Alistair ran after the others as they explored the Alienage; listening intently as they answered his many questions.
"What shall we play now?" Zef gasped falling onto the grass. "I'm tired of the battle of River Dane."
"Why don't we be Warden's battling the blight?" Alistair cautiously suggested. He grinned as their eyes lit up.
"I'm Garahel." Lyra yelled out.
"Garahel was male." Zef huffed. "I want to be him."
"Well tough you can be the Archdemon."
"Why do I always end up the awful things?" Zef huffed.
Jayden grinned and leaned against Alistair. "They will be arguing all afternoon."
xXx
The week had flown passed Alistair was having so much fun. Today he and the other Wyverns were at the docks.
Zef pulled Alistair away from watching the ships; he was desperate to play a trick on the others and had realised that Alistair was just as mischievous as him given half a chance. He glanced up feeling a flutter of panic. "Here comes trouble." Zef hissed under his breath, all thoughts of mischief vanishing.
Alistair looked to him startled; seeing four human boys about the same age as him, the leader maybe slightly older, walking towards them. "Why are they trouble?"
"With any luck you won't find out." Zef gripped Alistair's arm and tugged. "Come on, maybe they won't have seen us." He ducked them behind some crates as the boys passed.
Michael narrowed his eyes. "Isn't that Mac Tir? Maker is he playing with elves again?"
Simon shook his head. "Michael give him some slack."
Michael snorted derisively. "It's bad enough that the elves roam freely. They've been thinking themselves better than they are ever since Mac Tir started visiting the Alienage. Did you hear about that Night Elf statue? My father said he doesn't know what the Teyrn was thinking. He said it has started a dangerous precedent."
Simon raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean elves will think they are as good as humans. Jayden is a disgrace to the nobility. I suppose it isn't surprising, his dad was a commoner after all."
Henry and Peter muffled their sniggering as Simon glared at them.
Alistair glanced to Zef seeing the fury on the young elven boy's face.
Michael headed in Jayden's direction, Henry and Peter hurrying to remain at his side.
Simon sighed and followed after them.
Zef gripped Alistair's arm. "Come on, there will be trouble for sure. Michael hates Jay; he thinks his father should be Teyrn even though he's a minor noble. I bet no-one in Denerim has even heard of his family name. He's certainly no hero like Jay's dad is." They kept behind the crates; Zef charting them a steady course to where Jayden, Lyra and Rathnal were still admiring the ships in the dock.
"Hi Jayden." Simon stated loudly, robbing Michael of his surprise attack.
Jayden turned and smiled to Simon, nodding in acknowledgement to the other boys. "There are some awesome ships today."
Michael put his hands on his hips. "Don't you think playing with the help is beneath you Mac Tir?"
Jayden kept his face neutral. "I'm not playing with 'the help', Michael."
Scowling, Michael took a step forward. "What is your fascination with elves? They breed disease you know."
Jayden kept his fury locked within him. "Don't be silly Michael, who's been telling you that rubbish?"
"My father!" Michael snapped.
"We'll just go back to the Alienage." Lyra stated softly gripping hold of Rathnal's arm as she spied Zef and Alistair.
"You have as much right to be here as anyone else." Jayden stated; careful to keep his voice as neutral as his face.
"See, that right there is the problem!" Michael spat. "Elves are nothing more than vermin!"
Lyra caught Jayden's arm seeing his fists clench. "Don't Jay, come on let's just go."
Jayden allowed himself to be tugged away, but he kept his eyes on Michael.
"Urgh is that thing your girlfriend?"
Jayden ran at Michael before anyone could stop him sending them both to the ground as he tackled him. He hit Michael hard in the face, steel eyes dark with rage. "Don't you dare disrespect Lyra or any elf ever again!" He snarled.
Michael tasted the blood on his lip; his own anger dissolving to panic, despite being three years Jayden's senior there was something in the younger boys eyes that made him stay very still, something primal and terrifying.
"You're going to apologise to them sincerely, but especially Lyra!" Jayden growled.
Michael nodded, swallowing hard as Jayden moved back from him. He glanced to the elf girl. "Sorry." He muttered before he hurried off, a shocked Peter and Henry following him.
Lyra barely took her eyes from Jayden; panic, anger and something she didn't truly understand seeming to constrict her chest.
Simon hesitated. "Jayden I … I don't agree with Michael, you know that right?"
"Then why are you friends with him?"
Simon sighed. "Because my father expects it, just like your father expects you to be friends with me." He turned and walked passed Zef and Alistair before glancing back. "He won't say anything, I'll make sure he doesn't cause any trouble." He smirked slightly. "Did you see his face when you hit him?"
Jayden winced. "I shouldn't have done that."
Simon hesitated and then walked back to him. "Maybe when we are older we will have to figure stuff out diplomatically; but while we are still kids, I reckon we can use our fists once in a while. Besides, he really did deserve it." He glanced to Lyra. "Just because I'm with them doesn't mean I think like them."
Lyra nodded slightly, her heart still hammering in her chest.
Jayden allowed a slight grin. "You know they will say you've been hanging out with me too much."
Simon shrugged. "So what."
Jayden grinned as Simon winked and hurried after the three boys. He turned startled as Lyra shoved him against a stack of crates.
"Don't you ever do that again!" She snapped.
Jayden stared at her startled. "But he …"
"I don't care! What if he had hit you back and you'd got hurt? What if he tells his father? What if your dad stops you from coming to the Alienage?"
"Lyra!" Jayden winced as Lyra stamped her foot.
"Don't you dare Jayden Mac Tir! I'm never speaking to you again!" She stormed off towards the Alienage muttering angrily to herself.
Zef shook his head. "Girls!" He gave Alistair a cheeky grin. "She shouts at Jay more than she shouts at me and she shouts at me a lot!"
Jayden glanced to him in confusion. "I was defending her!"
"Girls are weird Jay." Rathnal consoled. "Come on we better catch up to her."
Alistair fell in beside Jayden as they moved up the bank. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Jayden flushed. He hadn't told anyone he had been practicing since hitting Thomas, suspecting a single sparring session would not be the last of the repercussions from the Arls son. "I guess I just picked it up watching the guards when they practice hand to hand."
"You really scared him."
"I don't know why, he's much bigger than me."
"Yeh and you took him down like he was a straw dummy. Maker I've never seen you look angry before, I hope you're never angry with me."
Jayden winced. "I'd never be angry with you." He sighed. "Dad's going to be pretty angry though."
"Why? That other boy said he wouldn't tell."
"He won't need too, half the dock saw. I bet my dad knows before we get home." Jayden lowered his gaze and trudged towards the Alienage; in trouble with Lyra and his father was not the way he had expected this day to turn out.
xXx
Lyra finally calmed down enough to stop glaring at Jayden and eventually sat next to him as they ate snacks. "Thanks." She whispered softly, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
Jayden gave a relieved smile. "So you're not mad at me anymore?"
"No I just … Jay you can't do that."
"Do what?"
"Piss off nobles." Rathnal stated flopping down next to them.
"So I was just supposed to let him call you vermin, call you a thing?!"
"It's just words Jay." Lyra whispered, not even convincing herself. She glanced up startled as Jayden shot to his feet the fury back in his eyes.
"Words are powerful!" Jayden snapped. "They lead to wars and slavery and people getting hurt. People twist things and then you lose friends. Well I'm not losing any of you! Not to some stupid noble mouthing off about things he doesn't even understand!" The smile on Alistair's face caught Jayden by surprise. "Why are you smiling?"
"I'm just really glad I have a friend like you." He grinned at Jayden's flushed cheeks.
Lyra gave a wide smile and impulsively hugged Alistair. "We are The Wyverns and we stick together, no matter what."
The children thrust their hands into the centre of their circle. "Wyverns rule!" They chorused.
xXx
Loghain glanced up as Jayden and Alistair returned. "Jayden come here please I'd like a word."
"Told you." He whispered to Alistair, obediently moving to his father.
Alistair moved off to his room to wash up for evening meal worrying at his lip hoping Jayden's father wasn't too angry with him.
Loghain fixed his son with a piercing look. "We fight only when there is no other alternative Jayden, so would you like to tell me what led to that display on the dock?"
Jayden paled realising his father hadn't just heard about what had happened, he had witnessed it. He let out a shaky breath and explained what had happened. "I know I shouldn't have hit him dad, but I was so angry."
Loghain knelt beside his son. "This is partly my fault I suppose; you received no punishment when you hit Thomas. I am disappointed that you resorted to using your fists. We must be better than that Jayden, even when hitting someone is something we really want to do."
Jayden flushed and lowered his gaze. "I'll try to do better dad, I promise."
"I know you will. You will not go to the Alienage for two weeks."
Jayden's head snapped up, alarm in his eyes. "But dad …"
"No but's Jayden, you must learn there are consequences to the actions you take."
Jayden lowered his head again. Two whole weeks of not seeing his friends was definitely not worth the satisfaction of hitting Michael.
"Now go and get cleaned up."
Jayden silently left the room keeping his gaze on the floor.
Aelfraud entered from the adjoining room and moved to Loghain's side. "Wasn't that a little harsh my boy? He was defending his friends."
"Yes and he raised his hand to another noble." Loghain shook his head. "I have never seen myself more clearly in Jayden then I did today. He has a temper even if it is rarely seen … he needs to learn to control it now."
Aelfraud gently patted his arm. "His temper has only been ignited in the defence of his friends; I do not see that being a bad thing. Besides I remember you getting into a fight or two as a boy. In fact I remember you having a tussle with a noble to defend my daughter and you weren't much older than Jayden is now."
"Exactly my point. My father told me I had to be better than that and he was right."
"Your father would be proud of the man you became, I know I am."
Loghain flushed slightly at the praise; the ache for his own father flaring deep within his heart. "Aelfraud I have struggled at times with the nobility, perhaps more so since I was given the Teyrnir. I do not wish Jayden to struggle as I did. His behaviour will be scrutinised by all, he must be able to control himself."
"Jayden is a good boy Loghain; you have taught him well, but he will slip every now and then, he is only human after all."
Loghain sighed. "Anora never gave us this trouble!"
Aelfraud chuckled. "You were not here for her more colourful tantrums."
xXx
Alistair glanced out of his room and caught sight of Jayden trudging down the corridor looking utterly miserable. "Jay?"
Jayden slipped into Alistair's room and sat on the edge of the bed letting out a deep sigh.
"I guess you're dad was really angry then." Alistair whispered settling next to him.
"Worse!" Jayden muttered. "He's disappointed in me. Dad saw, he must have had business with the Dockmaster. I can't go to the Alienage for two weeks!"
Alistair gave him a gentle nudge. "It's not so bad. At least he didn't ban you forever and I'm not going back home until the day after tomorrow."
Jayden smiled before he glanced to the floor. "Dad's right though, I have to do better."
Alistair worried at his lip; thinking Michael deserved the hit. "If I was brave enough I'd have done the same thing." He was surprised as Jayden shook his head.
"You'd have found a different way, a better way."
"What makes you say that?"
Jayden gave a warm smile. "You're just that kind of person."
"And you're not?"
Jayden slipped off the bed and moved to the door. "I will be."
