Dragon Age: Vendetta
Prologue
Summary: Rendon Howe has taken everything she's ever loved. Friends. Family. Love.
Driven by hatred and vengeance, she has sworn a blood oath to bring him to justice. But as a Grey Warden, she must learn to accept her fate and put aside her hate.
Disclaimer: This story was inspired by Snafu1000's story, Moments in Time, including the layout of the map, and placements of certain NPCs. Kudos to her and her awesome story. I STRONGLY recommend you guys read it if you haven't, it's an awesome F!Cousland/ Leliana story.
I've also borrowed the concept of how my Cousland character declares her blood vengeance from A Mother's Love, by lord of the land of fire. Also an awesome writer, who dabbles in other series.
Lastly, my iteration of the Cousland character is mine, along with any Original Characters I may create. Otherwise everything else belongs to BioWare.
Vengeance. Her blood demanded – craved – for vengeance.
Brooding darkly over the fire, young Guinevere Cousland scowled at the man one the other side.
Commander of the Grey, Warden Duncan
The man who knocked her unconscious and took her away from Highever, when she intended to remain until she could drag her mother out. She had known with a heavy heart that her father was a lost cause. He had been right. He wouldn't have survived the standing. But her mother was fine. She could've easily escaped with them. But she had stayed behind. And died with her father.
While her pragmatic mind couldn't fault the Warden, the young woman was angry at him. Hated him even for what he did. But she hated someone else with far greater vehemence than she could ever muster towards Duncan.
Rendon Howe
Her veins boiled and burned at the very thought of the oily bastard who betrayed and destroyed her home and family.
After two days of nonstop travel, she had been finally granted a respite. Seated in front of the meagre fire Duncan had put together, she continued to glare at the Warden. Her back hurt and her feet ached. But she knew understood why they hadn't stopped until now. But it didn't stop the pain that spurned within her heart. She looked at the Highever shield, and Cousland family sword next to her.
She had seen the sword only a few times, and every time it took her breath away. Crafted with the finest silverite and engraved beautifully with the family heraldry at the blade's base, it's been her family's pride and joy for centuries. Meticulously cared for and maintained, not once had this sword been shattered. Only beaten and worn.
Abruptly standing up, she picked up her sword, ignoring the look the Warden gave her, and drew the blade. The metallic rasp as it was drawn echoed through the night. For a moment, she gazed upon her reflection. What she stared back was an unfamiliar sight. Dusty blond hair, dull purple, and a face devoid of expression. She had changed. More than she had realized.
Laying its edge upon left palm, before Duncan could even speak, she sliced across, coating the blade in her blood.
Extending her hand out, she gazed down upon the Warden, and spoke with greater clarity than ever before. "With you and the Maker as my witness, I swear this: From this life into the next, I will not rest, until Rendon Howe pays for his crimes, and falls before my blade." Blood freely dripped and fell upon the fire, unnoticed by all.
She clenched her hand, and firmly declared, "I have sworn vendetta."