Ana stirs from her slumber as she hears a low growl come from nearby. "Much?" She calls into the darkness. She can just barely make out her dog's form as he stands near the door, emitting a low growl. "Much, what's wrong boy?"

He remains at the door. Taking her robe from nearby, she places it around her before grabbing the candle from her bedside table. Using the dying flames of the fireplace, she lights the candle and looks over where Much is. "What's wrong?" She asks coming to stand beside him. "Is it another rat?"

As soon as she says this, she hears a loud crash from outside the door. "What the—"

She starts to open the door when it flings open, hitting Ana and sending her back onto the floor. "What the he—"

A man, fully clad in armor appears before her, sneering as somebody from the hall calls out, "Hurry up and kill the young Cousland bitch!"

Ana's eyes widen as she scrambles back, exclaiming as she touches the still lit fragment of candle that flew from her hand during her fall. The man makes his way toward her, raising his blood covered sword as he prepares to strike her when his eyes widen. A blade appears through his center before disappearing as it's extracted. Ana screams before the man collapses to reveal Ser Gilmore, his bloodied sword hanging at his side. He looks down at the frightened Ana, frowning as he sheathes his sword. "Ana!" He exclaims, rushing to her side. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he feels her shaking and instantly draws her to him. "Are you alright, my love?" He whispers.

It takes a moment but she weakly nods. Her mind is full of questions but she can barely make a sound as her gaze falls on the man nearby, a pool of blood forming around him. Roderick rises and peeks out the door before returning. "Get dressed. We need to get you out of here."

She remains still, but finally finds her voice. "What?" she squeaks.

Kneeling before her, he takes her hands in his and pulls her up onto her feet, holding her arms as she sways. He sidesteps to extinguish the nearby candle with his boot before looking out the doorway once more. "Hurry." He hisses. We don't have much time!"

"M-my handmaiden—"

Roderick shakes his head. "She's probably down in the servant's quarters. We need to get you out of here, NOW." Nudging her towards her wardrobe, he glances nervously at the door. "Dress warm."

"I-I don't understand." She frowns. "What's happening?"

His grim expression did little to comfort her. "The castle is under siege."

Her brows crease as he urges her to hurry once more. "What do you mean?" She asks. "Who would possibly attack us in the middle of the night? Nobody knew about Fergus taking most our forces! How would they know—"

"It's Howe's men." He says quickly. "His men were never delayed but instead were lying in wait for your brother to leave with the forces so they could attack."

"But—"

"Ana!" He snaps. "Now isn't the time! Throw something on and let's go! We need to get you out of here!" He glances around. "You'll need a weapon. Do you have your sword here?"

"Of course not!" She says, sorting through her dresses with shaking hands. She casts a glance over her shoulder. "All weapons are locked in the armory."

A yell sounds in the hallway and Ana grips the black gown to her chest, her eyes widening as Roderick unsheathes his sword. The man barely makes it by the door before he lets out a pained cry before he slumps to the floor with an arrow sticking out his back. Roderick raises his sword, ready to fight before Eleanor appears, bow in hand. "Ser Gilmore!" She exclaims. "My daughter! Where is she?"

"Mum!"

Sheathing his sword, Roderick steps aside. Seeing her child, her face brightens as she runs and pulls her daughter into an embrace. The gown drops to the floor as she holds her mother tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, my darling girl!" Eleanor sighs, stroking Ana's hair. Pulling away, her eyes look her over. "Are you hurt?"

Ana shakes her head and is pulled into another embrace. Once her mother pulls away, Eleanor turns to Roderick. "Ser Gilmore, have you see my husband? Is he alright?"

"I'm not sure, your ladyship." Roderick frowns. "As soon as I sensed what was happening, I raced here to ensure that Lady Ana was alright."

"We're being attacked by Howe's men!" Ana exclaims. "Why is he attacking us? I thought he and father were friends?"

Touching her daughter's cheek, her eyes search her daughter's frightened ones. "I don't know. Whatever the reason, it's not safe here!" Shouldering her bow, she bends down to retrieve the gown at their feet. "We need to get you dressed." Glancing over her shoulder, she calls to Roderick. "Ser Gilmore! Guard the door while I help her."

"Yes, your ladyship." He nods.

Quickly, she helps her daughter into her gown and turns her around to begin lacing it up. "Mum…" Ana says quietly, her lip quivering. "I'm scared."

"I know, darling…" Eleanor sighs. "But you must be brave." Once she finishes, she turns her child to face her, reaching up to wipe the tears spilling down her cheeks. "If only your brother—" She begins to say before suddenly breaking off. Her eyes widen. "Oh no…"

"What?" Ana asks, trailing after her mother as she quickly makes her way toward the door. She rushes down the hall and bursts into Fergus' room. "No!"

Ana and Roderick quickly run after her and stop before the doorway, watching as Eleanor kneels before the slain bodies of Fergus' wife and child. Ana quickly turns away,burying her face into Roderick's chest as he looks on grimly.

"My little Oren!" Her mother wails. "What type of villain slaughters innocents like an unarmed woman and child?!"

Holding Ana close to him, he looks out at the scene. "Looks like Howe doesn't plan on taking hostages." He says grimly. "He plans to kill everyone!"

Much runs into the room and sniffs Oren's lifeless hand. He whines, nudging it.

"That bastard!" Eleanor exclaims, rising to her feet. She wipes her eyes. "I will slit that lying bastard's throat myself!"

Leaving the room, they check the other rooms and find more slaughtered innocents. At one room, they have to push at the door since Iona's corpse lies in front of it as though she was cut down before she could run for help. Further inside, they are met with the gruesome sight of both Dairren and his mother, Lady Landra, lying on the bed with their throats slit.

"No.." Eleanor sobs into her hands. "Lady Landra, Iona and Dairren… all dead. If they hadn't come at my request—"

Grasping her mother's shoulder, Ana wipes some tears away. "It's not your fault, Mum." She sniffs. "This is Howe's doing."

"It is…" She nods. Turning to her daughter, she frowns. "I need to find your father. He never came to bed so he's probably near his study."

"Mum, it's too dangerous!"

The look she gives Ana chills her to the bone. "What do I care of danger? My only grandchild is now a ravaged corpse."

Ana purses her lips as Eleanor turns to Ser Gilmore. "If Howe's men are inside, that must mean they already have control of the castle. From the Larder, there's a service entrance that can be used as an escape route. Take my daughter there. Once I find Bryce, we'll meet you there. Understand?"

Roderick bows his head. "Yes, your Ladyship."

"No!' Ana shakes her head. "I won't leave you!"

Taking her daughter's face in her hands, she kissed her on the forehead. "Do as I say, Ana." She whispers. "Your father and I will be there shortly. "Reaching onto her belt, she removes her dagger and places it in Ana's hand. "Take this, just in case. Be safe, my girl."

Before Ana can argue any more, her mother quickly runs off towards the sound of the fighting in the distance.

Grabbing her arm, Roderick tugs her toward him. "Come on. Fastest and safest route would be to cut through the library and use the hidden passage we used to take to get sweets from the kitchens."

With a final glance in the direction her mother went, she runs after Roderick with Much hot on her heels. Reaching the door of the library, Roderick holds his hand up for her to stop while he peeks inside before urging her forward. Lying near one of the bookshelves, they stumble upon Ana's tutor, Aldous, his eyes wide with fear. Kneeling beside him, Roderick says something before closing the old man's eyes and standing. "He was a good man." He says before motioning for them to continue.

Moving one of the bookcases, he reveals a small, dark passage way with cobwebs lazily strung from lack of use. "Come on." He says, motioning for her to go.

"But there's spiders!" She frowns, casting an apprehensive glance at the entrance. With an annoyed grunt, he retrieves a nearby torch and thrusts it towards her. "Here. Burn them and we can light the way." He glances around anxiously before waving them through. "Hurry up!"

"Come on, Much." She says, her hand shaking as she holds the torch before her. Ducking into the short space, she burns the cobwebs away as she inches forward.

Once she's far enough in, Roderick quickly ducks in behind her before sliding the bookshelf back into place. Walking up to her, he takes the torch and walks ahead, burning various cobwebs as they come near. They walk in silence, the sound of their footsteps being the only sound they can hear besides the occasional roll of thunder from outside until Ana steps on something and hears a squeak.

"Rat!" She cries. She starts to scream but is silenced when Roderick quickly swivels around, pinning her against the damp wall of the passage as he presses a gauntleted hand over her mouth. "Shh!" He hisses, his eyes wide. "We don't want to alert them to where we are. You need to be quiet. Understand?"

She nods and he removes his hand and motions for them continue. Shivering from the dampness seeping through her gown combined with the cold of the passage, she hugs her arms around herself and quietly trails behind him. Coming to the kitchen entrance, he motions for her to wait while handing her the torch. He peeks out from the tapestry concealing the entrance along with the various sacks of grain, barrels and crates.

"Well?" Ana asks when he returns.

"It looks clear." He takes the torch from her and quickly douses it in a small puddle that had somehow accumulated within a dip in the cobblestone. "Just in case…"

They carefully climb through the entrance and over the sacks of grain. In her haste, Ana trips over something and falls forward. "What the—" She starts to say before gazing into the bulging eyes of Nan's corpse. She starts to scream before quickly muffling herself with her hand. She scrambles away just as they hear a voice from nearby and the clanking sound of armor on the ground as they come towards them.

"Lady Ana!"

Quickly looking up, she recognizes the face of Duncan. Sheathing his sword, he reaches down and helps her to her feet. "It's such a relief to see that you're all right." He says, glancing up to nod to Roderick. "Ser Gilmore, I presume?"

"Yes, Ser." Roderick he nods.

"Duncan," Ana interrupts. "My mother is still out there looking for my father!"

Duncan, shakes his head. "Do not worry. Both are in the larder." He says, motioning towards the door that hangs ajar. He frowns. "Your father, however, has suffered a serious wound, your mother is sitting with him now."

Pushing past him, she runs into the room to find her parents on the ground. Her father's face is pale and contorted in pain, clutching his lower abdomen while Eleanor kneels beside him, whispering comforting words.

"Mum! Dad!" She rushes over and kneels beside her mom. Tears well up in her eyes as Bryce looks up at her.

"There you are, pup." He says weakly. "I was wondering when you would get here."

Her worried eyes travel down to his hand which is streaked with fresh blood. "Dad… what happened?"

"Howe stabbed him." Duncan says gravely, entering the room with Much and Roderick in tow. "He meant to kill him but luckily I found him. Howe fled and I brought him here."

Turning back to her father, her lower lip quivers. "We're right here near the servant's entrance." She says desperately. "We can escape. We'll get you bandaged up—"

Bryce shakes his head. "No. I fear that I won't survive standing."

Her voice shakes with emotion as tears prick her eyes. "But… but we have to get you out of here!" She says, grabbing her father's hand, oblivious to the blood now soaking her sleeve. She glances around, helplessly. "Perhaps there's something in here that can help…"

Squeezing his daughter's hand, he shakes his head. "Oh, my darling girl… if only that were so."

"If Howe's men break through the hall where I have the remaining men stationed, they'll come here. We need to act now." Duncan says.

Bryce nods, squeezing Ana's hand. "Pup, it's up to you."

Her eyes widen. "What?"

He grunts, his face contorting once more. "You need to… reach Fergus. He needs to know what's happened here."

Ana shakes her head violently. "No! I'm not going to leave you!"

"Bryce, my darling." Eleanor says. "We're close to the escape route. We can find you healing magic!"

Bryce shakes his head. "Howe has the castle surrounded and I'm not going to make it." He sees his wife's face tear up with a pained look on her face. "Besides, being wounded, I'd only slow you down and draw attention when you got outside."

"He's right." Duncan says.

Turning to look at him, Ana frowns. "You're a famous Grey Warden. Can't you take down Howe?"

He shakes his head. "Even with my skills, I'd be outnumbered. From what I've seen already, they already seem set on killing everybody in the castle, myself included. There's no other option but to flee."

"Then I beg you, Duncan." Bryce says, between waves of pain. "Take my daughter and wife to safety!"

Duncan bows his head. "I will, your Lordship." He agrees. "But, I fear I must ask for something in return."

"Name it!" Bryce exclaims. "Anything you want, it's yours!"

"What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in the world." Duncan's gaze slips toward Ana. "I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one."

Closing his eyes, Bryce bows his head. "I…I understand."

"Being a Cousland, she's not safe anywhere. As a Warden, I can protect her."

"What?" Ana exclaims, her eyes widening. "I can't be a Warden!" She glances at the equally shocked Ser Gilmore. "I can barely swing a sword!"

"Your fellow Wardens and I can teach you at Ostagar."

"What about Ser Gilmore?" She gapes.

Duncan looks at him. "He can come too, if he so chooses. Either way, we need to go."

"As long as Howe gets justice served to him, I agree." Bryce nods.

Duncan nods, motioning to Ser Gilmore. "We should leave quickly then."

"Bryce…" Eleanor says. "Are you…sure?"

Her husband nods. "Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery." He says, his jaw clenched against the pain. "She will live and make her mark on the world."

Eleanor nods. "Then it's settled." She turns to look at her daughter, reaching up to touch her cheek. "This is it then, Darling. Go with Duncan. You'll have a better chance to escape without me."

"Eleanor..." Bryce begins to argue before he coughs, blood dribbling down his chin.

"Hush, my love." She frowns. "I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time but I refuse to abandon you. Not now, not ever."

"But Mum…" Ana sniffs.

"No, Ana. We need you to live. While it's not what we had planned for you, become a Grey Warden. Do what's right!"

Bryce lets out a pained cry. "I'm…so sorry it's come to this, my love…" He says, the fatigue of his wound starting to take its toll as he begins to sink down.

Tears run down Eleanor's cheeks as she holds his head close to her chest. "We had a good life and we did all that we could." She says comfortingly, stroking his hair. She looks up through her tears at Ana. "It's up to our children now."

"Then…go, pup." Bryce sputters, bloods spilling down his chin and staining his teeth. "Know that we love you both very much. Do us proud."

"I'll try." Ana whispers, trying and failing to hold back her tears. "I love you, Mum and Dad."

"And we love you, darling." Eleanor says, giving her a sad smile as she pushes a shield and sword belt towards her. "Take this. You'll need it. It's our family shield and sword. Keep it safe. I don't want it landing in that traitor Howe's hands."

There's a loud crash and Ana's eyes widen. "What was that?"

Walking over, Duncan grabs her arm and pulls her up. "They've broken through. We need to go."

Stooping down to clumsily grab the sword and shield, Ana, Roderick and Much quickly follow Duncan toward the back passage. Before ducking through, Ana casts a last glance back at her parents.

"Goodbye, Darling!" Her mother calls. "Warn your brother!"

Ana nods just as she's pulled through and follows the others down the passage.