Ana stared out the window, watching the raindrops trickle down from the middle of the tall windows.

"Lady Ana!" Aldous, the resident historian and tutor of Castle Cousland, snaps. "Were you listening?"

Turning to face her tutor, she stares at him with a disinterested expression. "Yes."She sighs.

His eyes narrow skeptically. "Oh? Care to repeat what I said?"

She idly drags her fingers over the closed cover of Families of Thedas. "Something about the Couslands." She gives a half-hearted shrug.

Seeing her blatant disinterest, Aldous sighs heavily. "What I said was that for generations, your family, the Couslands, have ruled over the lands of Highever. Your family is known for and has earned the loyalty of your people by ruling with justice and temperance."

Ana rolls her eyes. "I'm aware of how my family is received by the peasants. We're loved!"

"You are." He nods. "Do you remember how your family took power?"

"When the Orlesian Empire occupied my country, my father and grandfather served the embattled kings of Ferelden."

Surprised she remembered some of her lessons, he smiles. "Very good. And who serves the crown in your family in these times of the oncoming Blight?"

"My brother, Fergus." She frowns. "Only, instead of fighting against Orlais like our ancestors did, he's going to be riding out soon to join King Cailan's army at Gwaren."

"Not Gwaren." He corrects. "The King is camped out in Ostagar."

Ana gives a nonchalant shrug. "Does it matter? I overheard some men at dinner last night say that this might not be an actual Blight. Sure, there's darkspawn crawling about on the surface but that's not unheard of." She straightens. "After All, the deep roads are full of them! There's a good chance that some found their way to the surface and spooked some peasants, who do what all peasants do, which is lie. I bet the ones who brought the news to light were drunk or lying around doing nothing."

Hearing her pompous statements, Aldous frowns. "Now, now Lady Ana. Keep in mind that these peasants are the ones that you and your family serve."

Ana scoffs. "Serve?" She straightens and narrows her eyes at the older man. "They serve us. My father is Teyrn and he answers to no man but the King."

"That's not-"

"And," she interrupts, her tone growing more tense with each word. "I am the Teyrn's daughter and youngest child. I do not rule over the thieves and farmers. I am merely a vessel which can be traded and sold to men so that I may produce children." She slumps back in her seat, shooting him a contemptuous look. "What's the point of all this?"

Aldous opens his mouth to reassure her that this is not entirely true when there's a sharp rap on the nearby door. Both of them look over to the doorway where Ser Gilmore stands. He gives a small bow. "Forgive me, Aldous" He says, his gaze staying on the older man. "There's a bit of an issue regarding Lady Ana's mabari that requires her assistance."

Rising from her seat, she walks over to him, her brows creased. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Much?"

Ser Gilmore nods before raising his brows at her tutor.

"Go on." Aldous sighs, giving them a dismissive wave as he takes a seat at the table. "We can continue later."

Ana follows Roderick out into the hallway, waiting until he shuts the door behind them before turning to face him. "What's happened?" She asks with a worried frown.

He shoots her an amused grin. "Nothing too dire. He has the kitchens in a bit of an uproar again. Nan has caught him in the larder and is threatening to quit."

"Are they incapable of just shutting the doors?" She sneers. "What do they expect? He's a dog who, when he sniffs out food, has to go find it."

"No matter how hard the kitchen maids try to keep him out, he finds another way back in." He shrugs, giving her a smirk. "You know how mabari hounds are. He'll listen to his mistress but anybody else runs the risk of having their arm bit off."

"Much bite an arm off?" She snorts. "He's far too friendly for that."

"He growls at Howe a lot." Roderick points out.

She grins evilly. "That's because he looks like a rat."

Roderick laughs as he motions off in the direction of the kitchens. "Regardless, your mother sent me to accompany you until the matter is settled. So, shall we?"

Ana nods and they begin walking down the long hallway, barely talking as servants, guests and guards alike occasionally pass them. Finally, Roderick decides to make conversation.

All we have to do is follow the yelling." He chuckles. "As you know, when Nan is unhappy, she lets everyone know it."

"Oh, I know that." Ana matters, rolling her eyes. "When one of her elven kitchen maids spilled something, I could hear her ranting and raving from two rooms away!"

They turn the corner and the faint yelling in the distance grows louder.

"I don't know if you've heard but there's a Grey Warden here at the castle." He says, shooting her an eager grin. "I've heard he's recruiting." Ana stops walking and, when he notices, Roderick stops as well. "What is it?"

"Are you thinking about joining?" She frowns. "You want to leave me?"

"What? No! Of course not! I-" One of the patrolling guards pass them and he gently grabs the back of her elbow and leads her away onto an empty nearby corridor. He lowers his voice. "Of course, I don't want to leave you." He frowns, gently brushing her cheek. "I love you."

"But?" She asks, knowing it's coming. "Does this have to do with last night? When I said I didn't want to get married right now?"

He sighs. "Kind of." Seeing her hurt expression, he rushes to explain. "I'm not doing it to spite you, my love." He says gently. "As you know, I'm a knight but my father is a minor lord in the Bannorn and our land is a glorified farmstead."

Ana holds back a grimace and waits for him to get to the point.

"If we do get to marry in the future," He says, grabbing her hand. "I want to be able to provide a life worthy of a woman like you. To do that, I need to do more and raise my status. By joining and fighting along the Grey Wardens, I can build a reputation and maybe even move up in station if the King is pleased with what I do." He offers her a smile. "Then I can come home to you a hero."

Hearing the idle chatter coming from down the hall running perpendicular to the one they're in, Roderick removes his hands from her and steps back slightly, straightening,

She turns away from him with a pout. "Do you even know anything about the Grey Wardens?" She asks.

He shrugs. "Only what everyone hears. With there being so few of them here in Ferelden, it's hard to find the opportunity to see one."

She turns away from him and starts walking. He quickly falls into step, his eyes trained on her as though trying to read her expression. "Well, I've seen how skilled you are when it comes to wielding a sword." She muses. "I've heard that they only recruit the most skilled warriors."

He nods. "So, I've heard. It would be quite disappointing if that proved to be false."

The walk at a leisurely pace, ignoring the shouts and occasional crashes that come from the kitchens. "Have you ever seen a darkspawn?" She asks, shooting him an incredulous look. "That is, after all, what they're known for fighting, correct?"

He hesitates for a moment. "Yes..." he nods. "I admit that I've never see a darkspawn. You hear about them attacking homesteads and travelers but, admittedly, I thought they were just stories." He frowns. "There was a guardsman who returned a while back who encountered them. The way he described them was something out of a nightmare!"

"Then why enlist?" She asks. She looks at him, the sadness evident in her electric blue eyes. "I've heard that once you join, that's it. There'll be no coming back." She feels the tears prickle her eyes as they start to form. "If you join, we can never marry let alone see each other again!"

He opens his mouth to speak when a loud crash sounds from the kitchens. "We'll have to discuss this later." He says. "We should hurry."

Together, they take off towards the sound. Bursting through the door of the kitchen, they hear Much's barks from the other side of the larder door while Nan stands before it, her hands on her hips as she glares at the two elven servants before her. Their heads remain cast downward, looking off to the side of them as Ana and Roderick enter the room.

"Get that bloody mutt out of the larder!" Nan hisses, pointing to the larder door.

The female elf keeps her head down. "But mistress, it won't let us near it!"

"If I can't get into that larder, I'll skin both you useless elves, I swear it!" She growls, apparently oblivious to their presence.

"Um...calm down, good woman." Roderick says softly, attempting to quell the tension mounting. "We've come to help."

The older woman turns to them, pointing an accusing finger at both them in turn. "You and you!" She shoots Ana a glare. "Your bloody mongrel keeps getting into my larder! That beast should be put down!"

Ana's eyes narrow. "Excuse you?" She scowls. "Actually, that's my larder since this is my father's castle. I'd watch that tongue of yours before it gets cut out!" She smirks as the woman's eyes widen. "Or perhaps you should be put down! You are getting up there in age after all."

Nan purses her lips, fuming. "Just get him out of there." She growls. "We have a castle full of hungry soldiers and we need to get into the larder so we can get started on feeding them." Turning on her heel, she points to the two elves. "You two! Stop standing around like idiots and get out of their way!"

The three of them walk off to the side as Roderick and Ana approach the door. They exchange a glance before she pushes it open and enter. Assorted vegetables line the shelves and tables as they glance down at Much who paces back and forth, his snout lowered to the ground as if on a scent trail.

"What are you doing, boy?" Ana asks, watching as he walks over to a pile of grain sacks. He lifts his nose from the floor before tilting his head at it.

She frowns. "Are you hungry?" She asks, walking toward him. He gives a sharp bark and Roderick comes to stand beside her.

"I think he may have found something." He says, watching the dog as he nudges the sacks with his nose. "He smells something..." He looks down at Much. "Is there something behind the sacks, boy?"

Much barks excitedly. Unsheathing his sword, he holds out a protective arm before a confused Ana. "Shut the door and stay behind me." He says. She quickly does as he says and, as soon as the door shuts, he starts walking over to the sacks. Kneeling before the pile, he starts to remove the sacks, his sword poised for whatever danger loomed behind them. One by one, he moves the sacks until finally he makes a sound of surprise.

"What is it?" Ana calls from near the door.

Roderick turns to look at her. "There's a hole." He says, grimly. "Looks like there's-"

"Rats!" Ana exclaims as two run past Roderick from the hole in the wall. Moving away from the door, she jumps up on the table, spilling a couple potatoes onto the floor in her haste. "Kill them! Kill them!" She shouts.

She watches as Much and Roderick dispatch of the two rats and the 4 others that run out. Once the rats are a gory mess all over the larder floor, Ana's eyes scan the ground beneath her perch. "Is that all of them?"

Much walks over to the hole, sniffing before giving an affirmative bark. Roderick sheathes his sword and walks over to her and offers her a hand to get back down. "I think it's safe now, my love." He says. She hesitantly takes his hand and allows him to help her down before smoothing down her dress. "Are you alright?" He asks.

She nods. "Yeah..." She scrunches up her nose. "Ugh. Disgusting!"

"Seems like Much here wasn't raiding larder at all." Roderick says, casting a glance at a bloodied Much. "They looked like the rats from the Korcari Wilds. Best not to tell Nan; She's upset as it is."

"Is it settled?" They hear from the other side of the door.

Holding out a hand, Roderick motions toward the door. "We should get out there to let her know that the situation has been handled."

She nods and takes his hand. "Korcari Wilds? That's quite a ways away. How did they get up here?" She frowns.

Roderick shrugs. "Who knows? Careful where you step." Guiding her around the gore on the floor, they make it to the door. Releasing each other's hand,they exit with Much in tow.

"Well?" Nan asks. "Is it settled then?"

"Yes, it's settled." Roderick nods. "Sorry about the mess."

"What mess?" Nan fumes. Seeing Much, she crosses her arms over her chest. "Ah! There he is! As brazen as he please! Licking his chops after getting into the roast no doubt!"

"Watch what you say." Ana growls. "If it wasn't for Much here, you'd have a lot more to gripe about. Much was sniffing out the rats."

Nan's eyes widen. "Rats?"

Ana nods, a smug grin creeping up. "Yeah...big ones."

"Rats?!" The female elf exclaims. "Where they grey?"

Roderick nods and the male elf exclaims, "Those rip you to shreds!"

"Then you can thank Much and Ser Gilmore. They killed them all." Ana turns to Nan with a sneer. "So, go on; Apologize."

"What?" Nan squawks. "For what?"

"For being rude to Much." Ana sneers, motioning to her dog. "Go on. Apologize to him."

The old woman scowls at him. "I bet that bloody dog led them in there in the first place!"

Much whines and Ana shakes her head. "Not unless he traveled to the Korcari Wilds without me. That's where those rats were from!"

"Oh no!" The elven woman cries.

Nan sighs. "Great...now you've gone and scared the servants!"

Much whines once more and Ana opens her mouth to berate her again before Nan directs her attention to Much. "Don't even try it." She says, flatly. "I'm immune to your so-called charms."

Much whines again making her sigh. "Fine." She walks over to the table where they were preparing the food and returns with a couple chunks of meat. She tosses them on the floor before him. "There. You can have some pork bits. Now you can never say Nan never gives you anything."

Much gives her an appreciative bark before he wolfs down the meat. Nan shakes her head, wrinkling her nose as she watches him. "Bloody dog." Ana hears her mutter before she turns to look at her and Roderick. "Thank you again, My Lady." She bows her head to her than Roderick. "And you, Ser Gilmore. Now we can get back to work."

Roderick frowns. "You might want to clean up the larder first since that's where the food is."

Nan glances at the larder with a heavy sigh before turning to the servants. "You two! Quit standing about." She snaps, motioning to the larder. "Go get that cleaned up so we can return to preparing the food."

The male elf sneers at her as he starts leading his shaken female counterpart towards the room, muttering under his breath. "Miserable old bat."

"Old bat, am I?" She snaps. "We'll have to work double time to get a suitable dinner prepared for the Teyrn and his guests. So, get to it and no complaining!"

The servants walk into the larder and the woman gives a scared squeak which is instantly hushed by the man. Nan turns back to us, the tired lines in her face showing her age. "Just keeping order up." She says, as if trying to explain her previous outburst. "That's why your father keeps me around." She gives Ana a tight-lipped smile. "After all, you're a grown woman of eighteen now. You no longer have me chasing after and taking care of you." Her expression softens a little. "Thank you again for coming to your old nanny's rescue."

Before Ana has a chance to reply to her sudden display of affection, Nan's brows crease as she points to Much, who lazily licks the remaining meat juice from the floor. "That blasted hound is more trouble than he's worth! He is!"

At the mention of him, Much raises his head and whines.

"Don't start with me." Nan says, her tone losing some of its bite. "You've got all you're getting today." She turns to look at Ana. "And what about you, My Lady? Keeping yourself safe and behaving well I hope?"

"I've been staying safe," Ana nods, a smirk forming. "But well behaved? That would be far too boring."

"Of course." Nan snorts. "That's exactly why you made your nanny old before her time!" She chuckles. "Do you remember that old bedtime tale I used to tell you about the dog that bit?"

"Maker," Ana groans, rolling her eyes. "Not this again..."

"Do you?" Nan chides.
"Of course I do." Ana sighs, placing a protective hand on Much's head. "How could I forget? You told me the story the night I got Much and each night after that."

"And? Do you remember the moral of the story?"

"I do but, unfortunately, we really need to get going, Nan." Ana says quickly, walking back towards the door. "Perhaps another time?"

Nan purses her lips as she watches Ana begin to leave. Before Nan could say another word, she ducks out the room and is shortly followed by Roderick and Much.

The door shuts behind her and she leans against the wall. "Maker... did you see the size of those rats?" She frowns. "How did they even get here?"

Roderick shrugs. "I have no idea but I should go report to your mother to tell her that that crisis was averted." He offers her a smile. "You should probably return to your lesson. I imagine Aldous will not be happy with you idly roaming the castle."

Ana snorts. "What's he going to do? The old bat can barely stay awake for an entire lesson. Besides, I should look for Fergus. He's leaving for Ostagar tonight and I would like to say goodbye."

"The last I saw him, he was speaking with your father in the great hall."

"Then that's where I shall begin my search." Smiling, Ana looks around before sneaking a quick peck on his lips. "Tonight?"

His lips curl up into a smirk. "Of course, My Lady." Turning on his heel, he marches back down the hallway, leaving Ana to watch him before making her way towards the hall with Much walking alongside her. Passing servant and guard alike, they mutter an acknowledgement as she passes which she ignores. As she draws near to the door, she catches a part of the conversation between her father and somebody else.

"I trust, then, that your troops will be here shortly?" Bryce asks, standing before the large fire pit with his hands clasped behind him, staring into the flames as they lick at the logs.

Rendon Howe fidgets beside his longtime friend, anxiously glancing at the doors as though a horde of darkspawn were waiting to burst in at any moment. He clears his throat. "I expect they will start arriving tonight and we can march tomorrow." He glances at the richly embroidered fabric that hung over the Teyrn's trim form as he turns to look at him. Howe bows his head. "I apologize for the delay, my lord. This is entirely my fault." His eyes flick over to the guards nearby who stare straight ahead.

Bryce shakes his head. "No, no." He walks over to Howe and clasps his shoulder, offering his friend a smile. "Do not fret, my friend. The appearance of darkspawn in the south has caught us all off guard." His smile falters. "I was surprised to receive the summons from the king only days ago." His hand drops as he lets out a sigh. Just by looking at him, one can tell the impact the news of the blight has had on him. With the preparations being made for the upcoming march and ensuring that everything was in order for their return, the excitement has begun to wear on him making him look at least ten years older.

"I'm sending my eldest off with my men." He says with a grin. "You and I will ride tomorrow, just like the old days!"

"True." Howe drawls. "Though we were much younger then, with less grey in our hair. Also we were fighting Orlesians, not...monsters." He frowns.

The door opens at the far end of the hall and Ana enters the room. Seeing only Bryce, Howe and a few guards, she frowns.

"At least the smell will be the same." Bryce chuckles, turning to greet his daughter. "Ah, there you are, pup!" He grins. "I was going to speak with you later but I'm glad you're here." He glances down at Much. "And I see you brought your faithful protector as well."

Much gives him a happy bark which makes him chuckle.

Ana raises a brow, her eyes flicking to Howe as Bryce places a hand on her shoulder as she comes to stand beside him. He beams at her. "Howe," He says, glancing to the other man. "you remember my daughter, Ana?"

Much lets out a low growl at Howe, who scowls at him. Ana touches his head. "Calm down, boy."

Howe smiles politely at her. "I see she's become a lovely young woman." He says, bowing his head. "Pleased to see you again, my dear."

Plastering a smile on her face, she bows her head. "A pleasure as always, Arl Howe." She turns her head to speak with her father but is cut off by Howe.

"My son, Thomas, asked after you. Perhaps I should bring him with me next time."

She frowns, glancing at her father. "To what end? He's only a boy!"

Both men laugh but her frown remains in place. "Ha!" Howe grins. "To what end", she says!" He glances at Bryce. "So glib too. She's just like her mother."

"I wish you wouldn't speak about me as though I'm not here." Ana mutter, irritably.

Ignoring her comment, Bryce smiles at her. "See what I contend with, Howe?" He teases, reaching up to touch her cheek affectionately. "There's no telling my fierce girl anything these days. Maker bless her heart."

"Quite talented, I'm sure." Howe nods. For a flicker of moment, his fake smile falters. It reappears so quickly that, for a moment, Ana is unsure if she actually saw it. "One to watch."

Her eyes narrow slightly as she watches him. There's something in his tone that unsettles her but she couldn't place what. She pushes it from her mind.

"Anyways, Pup, as I was saying, I'm glad you're here." Bryce smiles. "I have something big to ask of you."

With Howe's mention of Thomas, her brows knit together. "Oh?"

Bryce nods. "While your brother and I are away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."

She gapes at him. "Me? Surely mother is more fit for such a task? She is, after all, the Teyrna."

"Pup, I know this is no small thing I ask of you. There will be a small group of men remaining here for your protection if that's what you're worried about. Maker forbid, if something were to happening to Fergus and I, you'd be next in line."

Ana feels Howe's stare and ignores it. "I'm not worried about my safety." She frowns. "I'm just confused about why me, of all people! I have no actual experience of managing a castle!"

"I know that," Bryce insists. "But this will be your time to learn! You'll need to keep peace in the region while I'm gone. You know what they say about the mice when the cat is away."

"But father..."

Bryce holds up a hand. "Enough, Ana. My decision is final." His expression softens as he looks at his daughter's panicked expression. Stepping toward her, he takes her face in his hands. "Your mother will be here to assist you, if you need it. You can do this, Pup." A guard walks up to them, muttering an apology as he whispers something in Bryce's ear. He nods, thanking him. Dropping his hands, he smiles. "Also, there's someone you must meet." Before she can ask what he means, he turns away from her and motions to the guard near the door. "Please... show Duncan in."

Her brows crease. "Duncan?" She asks. "Father, if this is another su—" She starts to say but trails off as a man, probably close to her father's age and donned in plate mail with a large eagle emblem embossed on the chest enters the room. His tanned face is set in a solemn expression as he walks toward them, his dark hair pulled back from his face in a small ponytail. His face is moderately lined and there's a bit of greying in his beard and at his temples but, even for a man of his age, he's quite handsome.

"It's an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland." The man says, his voice deep and laced with a Rivaini accent. Turning his head, his dark eyes land on Ana and he offers her a small smile before bowing his head to her. "Lady Ana, I presume." He says. "A pleasure to meet you."

Howe's eyes widen as he looks Duncan over. "Your lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present." He says with a frown.

"Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced." Bryce shrugs. "Is there a problem?" He raises a brow.

"Of course not!" Howe exclaims. Both Ana and Duncan turn to look at him and he clears his throat. "I just mean that a guest of his stature and rank demands certain protocol." His eyes flick to Duncan. "I am...at a disadvantage."

"No need to worry. I doubt that Duncan will be saying long? If he does, Ana will be sure to make the necessary preparations for him while we're gone." Turning to look at his daughter, whose gaping at him, he smiles. "Isn't that right, Pup?"

"I, uh..." She stammers.
Seeing his daughter's discomfort, he continues. "It's rare when we have the pleasure of having a Grey Warden in our midst, Duncan." Bryce grins. "Please forgive our surprise."

"It's quite alright, my lord." Duncan says with a slight nod.

Bryce turns to Ana. "Pup, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, correct?"

As all men's eyes turn to her, her cheeks redden. "Um...yes, I believe so." She mutters, thinking back to her conversation she had earlier with Roderick. When she and Rory were talking about it, she knew what she was talking about but yet now, as Duncan's eyes watched her, she found herself drawing a blank. "Um...They're skilled warriors, right?" She asks, lamely.

"That's right." Bryce nods. "They are the heroes from the legends. They are renown for ending the Blights and saving us all."

"Right!" Ana nods. "So," She glances at Duncan. "What brings you here?"

"He's here looking for recruits to join the Grey Wardens and fight in the South alongside the King." Bryce answers. Hearing this, Ana feels her stomach knot up as she knows what he's about to say next. "I believe he has his eye on your guard, Ser Gilmore."

She closes her eyes as she suddenly feels like she's been hit in the gut. Noticing this, Bryce frowns. "Pup, are you alright?" He touches her arm and she opens her eyes to look up at him with a fake smile.

"Of course! I guess something at dinner didn't agree with me."

"Are you sure?" He asks. "Perhaps you should go lie down."

"No, I'm fine." She insists, even as she begins to feel a bit lightheaded.

"Very well." He nods. His head swivels to look at Duncan. "Will you be saying long?"

"A day or two." Duncan nods. "There's another young man I would like to speak with from your guard ranks, if you don't mind."

"Not at all!" Bryce turns back to Ana. "You'll see that Duncan's needs are seen to while I'm gone?" She nods. "That's my girl." He beams. "If you haven't already, I recommend that you go say goodbye to Fergus. He should be leaving fairly soon and it'll be a while before you see him again."

"That's actually why I came." Ana says. "I was told that he was here speaking with you. Do you have any idea where he might be?"

"In his chambers upstairs, no doubt spending some last moments with his wife and my grandson." He smirks. "Hopefully in time, you too will have a husband and chi—"

"Right." Ana cuts him off. "Thank you. I'll go find him." Saying goodbye to the three of them, she calls to Much and quickly heads out the door.

Chuckling, Bryce turns back to the two men." Now then, where were we?"