Disclaimer: I own none of this. The ideas are mine, though.
Had some trouble sleeping, so I figured I'd do some more writing.
Just saying now that throughout the story, I may use some lines or quotes directly from the games. I won't try to highlight or mark each one, but I figure it couldn't hurt to mention it.
There will be point of view changes. I will do my best to label them, so it isn't too confusing.
In Dragon Age, there is a 'common tongue', or just 'common'. Other languages will be shown in italics.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Canticle of Threnodies 8:13
"And so is the Golden City blackened
With each step you take in my Hall.
Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting.
You have brought Sin to Heaven
And doom upon all the World."
Lyra Mahariel
Following behind Blackwall, Lyra glanced wearily at the open fields and approaching town. The man had explained that he wanted her to get used to being around humans, so that she wouldn't feel as anxious once they reached Ostagar. She had agreed with him at the time, seeing the wisdom in it, but now that the buildings approached, she was beginning to have second thoughts.
"Trust me, it gets easier over time. That's why we're starting small and buying some supplies here. We can leave after a few hours, but this will help."
"I know, but I'm still going to let you take the lead. I can't promise what I'll do if one of the humans here treat me like a flat-ear."
Laughing at her scowl, the man pressed on, raising a hand in greeting towards a farmer approaching on the other side of the imperial highway. Other than a brief look of curiosity, the two passed by the man without incident. Entering the town, the two were drawn to a crowd of people angrily shouting at a group of guards around a large humanoid in a cage. As they got closer, the group were dispersed by a woman in red and orange robes.
"-ou for guarding him. I know they're all angry, but we cannot just forsake sense and civility when we find it convenient." Nodding her head at the guards, the woman turned and noticed the two of them approaching.
"Hail, sister. What was that all about? Do you require assistance?" Blackwall asked.
"It is alright, the people are just upset and for a brief time, let themselves get swept up in it. The revered mother wants to handle this legally, so she sent me to soothe their anger." She replied.
Looking up at the massive man, Lyra's eyes widened. He must have been eight feet tall, with dark bronze skin and white hair. Pulling her eyes away from the prisoner, she took a moment to assess the woman in front of them.
'This woman has some experience. She carries herself like one of our hunters.'
Stepping forwards, the woman bowed her head slightly.
"I am Sister Leliana, a lay sister here in Lothering."
"I am Warden Blackwall, and this is Warden Recruit Lyra."
"Ooh, Grey Wardens? Are you on the way to Ostagar, then? We've been getting soldiers coming through here for weeks."
"That is our destination, yes. The darkspawn are massing in the south, but we will stop their advance before it truly begins."
"Well, I must report back to the revered mother, but it was nice meeting you. Maybe we will meet again after the battle."
Leaving the two to go back towards the center of the town, the two wardens glanced at the silent man in the cage.
"I didn't know you humans could get so large. Or is this uncommon even amongst your people?"
Growling slightly, the man opened his eyes and glared at her.
"I am not human. I would like it if you left me to my thoughts and not troubled me any further."
Blinking at the rude prisoner, Lyra looked at Blackwall. Shrugging, he walked past the cage and deeper into town. Sighing at the reminder that they'd have to go further into the human settlement, the two set off towards a group of wagons and tents. There were various traders yelling at passing groups of people, and coin being exchanged all around them. Handing her fifty of the silver coins, Blackwall smirked at her.
"Remember what I told you yesterday about the values of Fereldan currency?"
"One Hundred coppers to a silver, and one hundred silvers to a sovereign. Why not just call them gold, rather than a different name?"
Laughing at the question she had asked several times already; he gave the same answer he had previously.
"One of the first things you are going to learn when it comes to the nobility, customs, and other things like the trade system. None of it makes any sense, but everyone has gotten to used to the insanity they don't see the problem anymore. Things like the names of a coin are so small nobody is worried about changing them."
Scowling, she looked back down at the bag of coin in her hand.
"So, why do I have this?"
"I want you to try and get a few simple supplies, maybe a few health poultices. It'll be good experience. I'll be nearby grabbing a few other supplies, but it's a good lesson to learn before we move on."
Sighing again, she nodded at the man and accepted the task.
-line break-
"I'm not entirely sure how you managed that little feat. I sent you into the market with fifty silvers, and you came back with three sovereigns and more poultices than the two of us can use in a week in the deep roads!" Blackwall said, laughing at the confused hunter.
"All I did was help the child find his lost toy. His parents insisted I take something when they found out I was on the way to fight the darkspawn."
"You helped him find his toy, and saved him from a rather large spider the local guards had been slow to deal with. All in all, you should be glad they didn't try to drag you over to the chantry to let the chanter reward you. Usually, they offer bounties and other small rewards for local problems."
Scowling again at the warden, the two stepped back on the imperial highway and began the final leg of their journey to Ostagar.
-line break-
Faren Brosca
Carrying the firewood back to their small camp, the dwarf glanced over at the two humans he had found himself travelling with. They had spent the past two weeks hiking through woods and following the crumbling ruins of the old imperial highway. They were supposed to reach Ostagar by later afternoon tomorrow, assuming all went to plan. Aedan's hound lay by the fire, while the other one that belonged to his brother was sniffing at some grass nearby.
"Do you two remember what I told you about Ostagar?" Duncan asked once Faren sat down.
"It's an old Tevinter ruin, back from when they ruled most of Thedas. I don't know much beyond it was one of the fortresses they abandoned in the first blight." Aedan replied.
"They originally built it to keep other humans out, right?" Faren asked.
"Yes, the Chasind. They're a fragmented people, but can still sometimes pose a threat to locals. Most of them are peaceful, however. They're one of a few tribal groups in this area; the other you may encounter is the Avvar."
Nodding, the group settled in for the night, discussing the other forces that would be present at Ostagar alongside the other Wardens. When the topic of the forces from the Fereldan nobility came up, Aedan's face fell.
"I have to tell Fergus about… what happened. He still thinks the whole family is waiting for him back at Highever…"
Giving the man a moment, Duncan switched to another topic they had touched on briefly a few days prior.
"In terms of strategy, facing the darkspawn can vary depending on the size of the horde. For a smaller band, just rushing in and taking care of them quickly can be all that's needed. However, for larger groups or a true horde such as what we will face, you can't rush in, or you'll be overwhelmed. The trick here is that we all will need to hold our line and let them break themselves on it. As long as we control the battlefield and can keep them together, our mages can decimate them from above alongside the war machines. If things do devolve into a melee, it will be a much closer battle."
"Where are we going to be during all this?" Faren asked, not entirely sure how his checkered past would help on the battlefield.
"Some of the Wardens will be on the front lines with me, while another group will be led by one of my companions to create rockslides into the horde. It would mean the destruction of more of the ancient ruins, but the king would rather damage a ruin than throw away lives that could be saved by further action."
Nodding at the strategy, Aedan stirred the stew they had prepared earlier.
"I'll just be glad to not be eating rabbit any longer. They have to have some variety over there." Faren said, smirking when Aedan glared at him.
"It's nothing about your cooking, and everything to do with how gamey it is. Give me a roasted nug, or a bronto leg any day."
-line break-
Walking down the walkway into the main entrance of Ostagar, the trio all were greeted by a wall of silverite armor with a man in golden plate at its head. Recognizing the man from court, Aedan leaned over to Faren.
"That's King Cailan Theirin. He's the current ruler of Fereldan."
"He's also the son of Maric Theirin, the man who led the rebellion against Orlais. He disappeared at sea five years ago, however. Please try not to take his enthusiasm for lack of experience due to his age. He is a remarkable warrior, although stories of heroes and generals from ages past have left him wanting to earn his place among them." Duncan said, the trio falling silent as they got closer.
"Ho there, Duncan!" The king said, stopping the party.
"King Cailan? I didn't expect-" Duncan started.
"A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun."
"Not if I could help it, your majesty."
"Then I will have the might of the Grey Wardens, and their Commander, with me in battle after all! Glorious! The other Wardens told me you were coming with some recruits. We also had another fellow come by with one a few days ago. Warden Blackwall, I believe?"
"Warden Blackwall is here? I'll have to seek him out, then."
"I'm afraid he's already left. He said he had to leave immediately for Weisshaupt fortress, and that he was just dropping off one of your recruits. A Dalish, I believe. She's been scouting with the soldiers from Edgehall, helping us keep an eye on the horde, as it were."
"I thank you for letting me know, your majesty. I'll have to introduce myself later today."
"The other Wardens say that you had planned to search for more recruits in Orzammar and Highever, and it seems they were correct."
"It is as you say, your Majesty. May I introduce you to Faren Brosca, of Orzammar."
Bowing his head, the dwarf remained silent.
"No need to introduce your other recruit, Duncan. You are Bryce's youngest, are you not? I don't think we've ever been formally introduced."
"My name is Aedan Cousland, your Majesty, and I have the unfortunate burden to inform you of treachery amongst the nobility. Arl Howe attacked Highever while I was there, and I managed to escape with my companions here. I believe my brother, Fergus, is here as well? I… I need to tell him that our family is gone."
"I... I don't… Why would Arl Howe attack Highever? How can he believe he would get away with such treachery!?" Cailan exclaimed, turning towards one of his guards.
"I want you to find Fergus Cousland, and bring him to me as quickly as you can. I think he should know about this as soon as we can tell him, and I think he needs to talk with you, as well Aedan. I promise you, Rendon Howe will pay for this. As soon as we are done here, I will turn my army north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word."
"Thank you, your majesty."
"I'm sorry that I cannot help you further right now, but all I can suggest you do is vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being."
Nodding in thanks at the king, Cailan turned back to Duncan.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies."
"Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week."
"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow should be no different."
"I wasn't aware the campaign was going so well." Aedan replied, giving the king an odd look.
"I'm not even sure this is a true Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but alas, we've seen no sign of an archdemon."
"You… seem disappointed about that. Did you want a big scary monster to fight?" Faren asked bluntly.
"I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god! But I suppose this will have to do. Anyway, I must go. I wouldn't want Loghain to send out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens."
With that, the king walked off with his guards, leaving a weary Grey Warden and his two confused recruits.
"Are we sure we should have him in charge around here? He's taking the darkspawn threat about as seriously as I'd take some duster trying to beg me for a copper." Faren said quietly.
"What the king said is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here."
"You're worried that we've not seen their full might?" Aedan asked.
"Despite the victories so far, and the losses they've suffered, yes. The darkspawn horde grows larger with each passing day. By now, they look to outnumber us. I know there is an archdemon behind this. But I cannot ask the king to act solely on what I know." Duncan explained.
"How can you just know?" Faren asked.
"Grey Wardens have the unique ability to sense darkspawn. It gives us an edge while fighting them, and means that we all can feel the presence of the archdemon. It is constantly at the edge of my senses here."
"That sounds like something that the dwarves of Orzammar would love to make use of. Can this ability be taught?" Faren asked.
"No. This is an ability that cannot be taught or given. I cannot explain more now, but I can tell you more once you've been fully inducted into the Grey Wardens." Duncan said.
"Why is this ritual and the joining so secret?" Aedan asked.
"The Joining is dangerous. I cannot speak more of it except to say that you will learn all in good time. Until then, you must trust that what is done is necessary."
"Is there anything we should do before the ritual?" Faren asked.
"I have a few final things to gather. In the meantime, you should go meet up with Alistair, another Grey Warden that's already here. He can instruct you further, and help you acquire the final ingredient for The Joining. If you need directions to anywhere in the camp, feel free to ask any of the guards or soldiers."
With that, Duncan walked off, leaving them at the foot of the bridge. The two mabari ran off, causing Aedan to curse. Faren laughed, before chasing after them with the human, glad to be done with meeting the nobility.
As the two got further into the camp, Aedan slowed down, causing Faren to stop by him. Ahead of the two of them, the mabari jumped on and knocked over an armored man, causing the men around him to start laughing when they licked his face, despite his protests. Looking at his companion again, Faren noticed that Aedan looked a lot like he did when they had first left Highever.
"Fergus…" Aedan said, walking closer as the man stood up.
"Aedan? What are you doing here? I can't believe you came all this way because Cal missed me." Fergus said.
"Cal?" One of the men asked with a smirk.
"My son Oren named him, short for Calenhad." He explained.
"Fergus… we need to talk. Preferably alone." Aedan said, stepping forward and grabbing his brother in a hug.
Fergus hugged him back in confusion, before leading Aedan away, the two going off out of earshot of the others.
"I just figure I should warn you guys. You all are the men from Highever?" Faren asked.
"Yeah. What's wrong, did something happen?" One of the men asked, this time looking worriedly back at the pair of brothers.
"I think we should all go get something stronger to drink, or at least a place to sit down. I wish I didn't have to tell you all this, but you deserve to know. C'mon, I see a few rocks over there."
Faren led the men to a nearby group of rocks, getting ready to break the news.
'I swear by all the paragons and The Stone, I'm gonna help Aedan take down the bastard that did this.'
That's a wrap for today, people. I figured this would be a good place to stop, and leave everyone meeting for next chapter. Besides, I want to make sure I do our favorite resident shapeshifter justice : )
Until next time
Ameridane