Rising from his bed, Cailan calls for his valet to fetch him warm water to wash. He groans as he stretches and takes a seat at the ornate, carved wood table that was brought in as a gift from his paramour. He begins to reach for the silverite pitcher of wine that was brought to his tent each morning when he hears a familiar, feminine voice call out somewhere outside of his tent. Feeling interest stirring within his loins, he rises and walks over to the tent flap and peeks through at the young Cousland woman walking across the camp with a russet colored mabari following nearby. The morning chill seeps through the flaps and he feels it on his exposed torso. She is quite a lovely young creature. He thinks to himself. Those luminescent blue eyes, full lips, pert breasts and plump little ass…
One of this guards finally takes notice of him peeking through the canvas and immediately straightens. "Your Majesty." He greets.
Cailan's eyes remain on Ana as she walks, his eyes transfixed on the swaying of her hips.
The guard shoots a nervous glance to his companion on the other side who shrugs. "Majesty?"
Glancing at the man, Cailan smirks. "Call for my steward."
Ducking back inside the warmth of his tent, he busies himself with preparing a couple glasses of wine until his steward enters. He pivots and his steward dips into a low bow. "You summoned me, Majesty?"
"I did." Cailan says, picking up his wine and taking a sip. "Send a message to the General. I know that he has been impatient to discuss matters about our allies. I plan to follow in my father's footsteps and form the greatest army ever seen in all of Thedas." He smiles. "Not since my father took up the throne after dispatching of the usurper Meghre has anybody seen such numbers. I plan to bring together elves, dwarves and humans alike alongside the famous Grey Wardens. It'll be glorious!"
His steward watched him with a flat expression. General Loghain always spoke about the King's naive ambition and how little Cailan resembled his old friend. Even know, when Cailan talked about the battle that was to come, he spoke about it as a child would tell his nanny about the imaginary monsters and battles he fought while playing outside. It seemed as though the lad either ignored the true vision of war or that he simply ignored it.
"Do you wish me to summon him?" He asks. "I believe he's currently breaking his fast in his tent and speaking with his lieutenants."
Cailan wrinkles his nose at this suggestion. "Ugh, no. I can't handle having that old grouch lecturing me before I've had a chance to eat. Just send him a message that we shall meet later. For now I want to speak with the Warden-Commander. It's his ideas I most wish to hear."
The steward bows. "Very well, Majesty." He mutters. "Anything else?"
Cailan waves him off and he begins to back up toward the tent entrance when he holds up his hand. "Actually, tell my chefs that I'm ready to eat and to make enough for Duncan as well."
As his steward dismisses himself and disappears from the tent, he smiles to himself.
Ser Jory twitches nervous, his head snapping in the direction of every little sound. Taking notice, Gilmore places a hand on the old knight's arm which makes him jump. He quickly apologizes.
"Are you alright?" He asks with a frown.
Jory says nothing for a moment before shaking his head. "Did you not hear what that man said?" He whispers. "An entire patrol of seasoned men killed by darkspawn."
"There's no need to worry, good man. As long as we're careful-"
Jory shakes his head violently. " soldiers were careful and look what happened to them! They were overwhelmed."
Alistair hears this and glances over. "Everything alright over there?"
Jory stops which forces the others to stop as well. "No. I'm no coward or anything but I think Daveth was right. We should head back. It's too dangerous."
"Told you." Daveth says willfully as he crosses his arms over his chest. "This is madness!"
Alistair sighs. "I understand your concern but I can assure you that we are not in danger of walking into a horde of darkspawn."
"How do you know?" Daveth sneers.
"Who cares how he knows?" Gilmore interjects. "Alistair is the Warden here and has done this many times." He shrugs. "Besides, our test is to overcome the dangers we face out here."
Jory frowns. "That's true, I guess."
"Know this, Ser Jory." Alistair says. "All Grey Warden can sense the darkspawn. No matter their cunning, they won't take us by surprise. That's the reason that I'm out here with you."
Daveth scoffs. "You see, Ser knight? We might die, but at least we'll be warned about it first!"
The other two men glare at him and Jory frowns.
"I don't know why but that's actually somewhat reassuring."
Daveth gives the other two men a cocky grin.
"Don't grin just yet, Daveth." Alistair says. "While I'm here, that doesn't mean this will be easy." Sighing, he readjusts his pack. "Let's just get a move on."