One Million Thanks to my Beta reader and the greatest cheerleader EVER, Lisa! I can't thank you enough!
Bioware owns all! They just let me take it out and play...
Cousland Castle bustled with activity. The King had sent word to Teryn Bryce Cousland that his men would be needed to help fight the darkspawn at Ostagar and plans were immediately implemented to have the soldiers underway within a fortnight. The darkspawn were not a threat to be taken lightly, and each soldier had to be fully armed and prepared to protect Ferelden. To that end, the officers in charge were double checking all supplies, the kitchens were working overtime to ensure sufficient provisions for the trip, and the rest of the castle staff was busy preparing for the arrival of Teyrn Cousland's closest friend, Arl Rendon Howe, and his own contingent of soldiers. The Cousland and Howe families had been allies for many years, and Bryce and Rendon had agreed to travel to Ostagar together, alongside their men.
Winding her way through the chaos, the Teryn's daughter, Zeva found herself swept up in the excitement of the preparations. Servants and soldiers rushed to and fro, and Zeva found herself inundated with cries of "Excuse me, Milady" and "Pardon me, Ma'am". Zeva had never been one to stand on ceremony and often asked those in service to her family to refer to her by her first name. Naturally, such requests were ignored by those who respected the Couslands, but a girl could still try, couldn't she?
A striking girl by any standards, Zeva was quite tall with waist-length ebony hair which she left unfettered to flow about her shoulders, much to her mother's dismay.
"A proper lady always pins her hair up to show her sense of style", Eleanor Cousland would remind her, using her ' mother' tone of voice, to remind Zeva that she meant business. Eleanor's pleas went mostly unheard, as Zeva had always been a spirited child and often let advice from her parents go in one ear and out the other.
Her eyes were of the brightest blue, interwoven with tiny flecks of gold. Her brother, Fergus, had been heard to remark that the very oceans would be envious of such color. As the youngest of the Cousland children, and the only girl, Zeva was given rapt attention from the moment she was born; both from her parents and her VERY protective older brother. She was the quintessential 'Daddy's Little Girl', and Bryce Cousland took great pride in giving Zeva everything she had ever wanted; the greatest prize of all being her faithful Mabari hound, Nihlus, who rarely ever left his Mistress' side.
As it turned out, Nihlus was the current reason for Zeva's purposeful stride through the castle's corridors. He had slipped out of her room early that morning, which was typically a sign that he was up to no good. Zeva knew that it was only a matter of time before someone was yelling at her to get that 'bloody dog' out of whatever mischief he had started, and she preferred to put a halt to any problems with him before they had actually begun.
"Excuse me, Lady Zeva", came a voice from behind her right shoulder, "Lord Cousland has requested that you come to the reception hall immediately to greet some guests."
She turned to find Ser William, one of the Teryn's guards, hurrying to catch up to her through the bustle of servants in the hallway.
She smiled as he approached, "Did he say who had arrived?" PLEASE let him say anyone but Arl Howe, she thought with a sigh of disgust. That man simply made her skin crawl! She had liked him well enough during her childhood, and she positively loved his sons, Thomas and Nathaniel, but as she had grown older, he seemed to pay closer attention to her than she felt was 'proper'. Often when she met him, his eyes would drift to the curve of her hips or her ample breasts before ever resting on her eyes. The last time he visited the castle, he had 'accidentally' stumbled into her chambers as she was taking a bath. After a string of apologies, and quite a longing look at the tub, he backed out and quietly closed the door. Zeva never mentioned the incident to her father, as she knew how much he liked and respected Howe, but she would have been happy never to see him again.
"No, Milady, he didn't say who had arrived, but I did see Arl Howe and some of his guards ride into the courtyard a little while ago," William answered politely.
DAMN! Zeva thought. Oh well, better to get the greetings over with quickly so she could avoid the lecherous fool for the duration of his stay. She thanked William and started to move away when suddenly she turned with a parting question. "You wouldn't happen to have seen Nihlus anywhere, would you, William?"
"No, Milady," he replied and quickly hid the look of dread on his face at the idea that the hound was loose and no doubt causing trouble somewhere. Nihlus had quite the reputation around the castle as being disobedient and unruly towards anyone except Zeva, and most of the staff was loathe to approach him outside of her presence.
Zeva sighed and turned to go, "Well, thank you anyway, William. I am sure he will turn up eventually."
"No doubt he will, Miss", William answered as he headed down the hallway, a slightly concerned expression on his face.
"I trust then that your troops will be here shortly," Teryn Cousland said to Howe in the main salon of the castle, standing in front of the fireplace with his hands clasped behind his back.
Howe responded, "I expect they will start arriving tonight, and we can march tomorrow. I apologize for the delay, my Lord. This is entirely my fault".
"No, no! The appearance of the darkspawn in the south has us all scrambling, doesn't it?" Bryce assured his friend. "I only received the call from the King a few days ago, myself. I'll send my eldest off with my men. You and I will ride tomorrow, just like the old days". As he spoke, he and Howe moved toward each other.
"True, though we both had less grey in our hair then. And we fought Orlesians, not monsters." Howe replied, his voice tinged with disgust.
As the door to the salon opened, Bryce laughed. "At least the smell will be the same." Both men turned to greet the newest arrival. "I am sorry, Pup, I didn't see you there. Howe, you remember my daughter."
Zeva stepped forward, keeping a respectable distance from the man she had hoped to avoid. As she feared, his eyes swept over her, starting at her feet and lingering a bit too long on her breasts, before finally moving up to meet her gaze. The emotions she saw in his expression made her feel as though she were the prime rib at a dinner full of hungry soldiers, although she didn't show it in front of her father.
When he spoke, the honeyed tones he used made her skin crawl. "I see she's become a lovely young woman. Pleased to see you again, my dear."
She plastered a bright smile on her face and responded, "It is wonderful to see you as well, Arl Howe."
Howe looked to Bryce and then returned his gaze to Zeva. "My son, Thomas asked after you. Perhaps I should bring him with me next time."
This time the smile she gave him was genuine. Howe's sons, Thomas and Nathaniel, had been close friends of the Cousland siblings since they were very young. Zeva's relationship with Nate had been more intimate than either family knew, though he was now in the Free Marches. "I think that would be a wonderful idea, Arl Howe. I have missed Thomas and Nate greatly".
Was that a flash of anger she saw in his eyes?
He recovered himself quickly and smiled, a bit thinly, she thought. "Wonderful! Thomas will be so pleased you remember him. He saw you recently at a fair in Denerim and has been talking about you ever since."
Bryce took the pause in conversation to regain his daughter's attention. "At any rate, Pup, I summoned you here for a reason. While your brother and I are both away, I am leaving you in charge of the castle."
Zeva had been dreading this moment. She had been allowed to train with the soldiers for battle ever since she was a small child, and her skills in combat rivaled any of the men stationed at Highever. Many were cautious about training with her, as she had bested most of them. When the call had come from the King a few days before, Zeva had hoped to be able to accompany Fergus and her father to Ostagar, and she was not a girl to give up without a fight. "Father, can't I go with you and Fergus?"
Bryce sighed at his daughter, knowing that she would not obey without at least attempting to change his mind. "Only a token force is remaining here and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes? There is also someone you must meet." He turned to the nearest guard and said, "Please, show in Duncan."
The door to the salon opened and Zeva felt her breath catch in her throat. Walking toward her was the most amazingly handsome man she had ever seen! He was taller than she, which was appealing in itself, as she towered over most of the Highever soldiers. His shoulders were broad, his arms muscular and he exuded an aura of strength and command. His skin was dark olive and he wore his coal black hair long. But it was his eyes that held her enraptured. They were of the deepest brown, with golden flecks to match her own. She felt as though if she looked long enough, she would lose herself in their depths. Zeva had never believed in the fairy tale 'love at first sight', but knew before he even spoke that she wanted him and no other man would move her in the same way again.
Duncan stopped near her father and bowed slightly before speaking. "It is an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland."
Maker's Blood, she thought. His voice was like the softest of velvet. She felt herself moisten at the thought of what he would sound like were he to lay with her, whispering his deepest desires into her ears.
She was rudely awaken from her daydream by Howe, who seemed shaken by the arrival of the handsome stranger. "Your Lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present."
Grey Warden? Zeva shouted in her mind. This keeps getting better and better!
Her father looked at his friend, confusion on his face. "Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced. Is there a problem?"
Howe quickly recovered himself and responded, "Of course not! But a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am... at a disadvantage."
Zeva's first thought in response to that was 'Yes, you are! You miserable pervert, you are at a disadvantage in EVERY WAY when compared to this man!'
She smiled at her private joke and returned her attention to her father, who now addressed her. "We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, it's true. Pup, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope."
Zeva regained her voice and looked directly into Duncan's eyes when she replied, "They are an order of great warriors."
Bryce, oblivious to the heat emanating off of his 'little girl' aimed at his newest guest, continued his conversation."They are the heroes of legend, who ended the Blight and saved us all. Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow Grey Wardens in the south. I believe he has his eye on Ser Gilmore." Zeva smiled at this. Roland Gilmore had served her father faithfully for many years, and he was an amazing fighter. She had always been his friend, and was proud that he had caught the attention of the Grey Wardens.
Duncan's next words caused Zeva's head to spin. "If I might be so bold, I would also suggest that your daughter would make an excellent candidate." YES! I would be a perfect candidate! She thought. Perhaps this was her chance to participate in the battle with Fergus!
Her father, of course, had plans of his own for her future. "Honor though it may be, this is my daughter we are talking about."
OK, girl, speak now or forever hold your peace... "I think I rather like the idea, father."
Bryce didn't even acknowledge Zeva as he moved to stand between she and Duncan and said, "I've not so many children that I'd gladly see them all off to battle. Unless you intend to invoke the Right of Conscription?"
Duncan noted the look of distress on Bryce's face and quickly answered. "Have no fear. While we need as many good recruits as we can find, I have no intention of forcing the issue."
NO! Zeva thought as she saw her dreams of heading into battle vanish before her eyes. Fergus and her father would go off to fight and she would be stuck here, dealing with boring political maneuverings and babysitting servants.
Bryce's shoulders visibly relaxed as he turned back to her. "Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's needs are seen to while I'm away?"
Wait - Duncan will be staying here? She thought. Suddenly the idea of remaining at Highever Castle held so many new possibilities... She smiled as innocently as she could, never taking her eyes from Duncan's. "Of course, father. I will make sure that Ser Duncan's every need is met." She noticed a slight tightening of the muscle in Duncan's jaw and something flashed briefly behind those beautiful eyes - could that be desire? Her heart leapt at the thought that he might feel the same way that she did.
Bryce Cousland, blind as always to the romantic notions of his daughter, smiled with pride, nodded approvingly and spoke to her. "In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me."
Zeva tore her gaze from Duncan long enough to question, "Are you trying to get rid of me?" She wanted to stay and hear the battle plans; anything to be able to remain with the handsome Grey Warden.
It was not to be, however. Her father chuckled and spoke again, this time with a tone of finality, "Be a good lass and do as I ask. We'll talk soon." Zeva, knowing she wouldn't win this argument, bowed slightly to Duncan and Arl Howe before heading for the door. In her rapt attention to Duncan, she had failed to note the expression on Howe's face. As soon as the Grey Warden had entered the room, Howe had noted how Zeva's body seemed to respond to him. Unlike her father, he had felt the heat between the girl and Duncan, and it filled him with an anger he had never known. NEVER would he allow Zeva to give herself to a mere Grey Warden! Since she had come of age, and developed in such a delightful way, he had known what her future would be. He was so close to revealing his final plan that he would allow no one, not even the 'Mighty' Grey Wardens, as that idiot Cailan was known to call them, to stand in the way of his acquisition of those things which he desired the most - Highever Castle and the ravishing young Zeva Cousland...