Chapter 3 – Duncan of the GreyScales

As the two friends approach Beraht's shop which is actually disguised as an amorer's shop. Faren stops in his tracks and looks up at the cave sealing in his thoughts.

"You ok buddy?" Leske asks noticing Faren staring in place above.

"Just thinking…do you ever wish we just leave to the surface?"

"And leave all this behind? Its tempting but you know what happens when Kobolds leave right?" Leske warns.

Faren looks behind to gaze at all the busy Kobolds minding their business. Some are even heading to the proving arena, the greatest form of Kobold Entertainment where members of the noble or Warrior castes would fight to prove themselves to the ancestors. He would miss some adventures he had while he is in the carta. If he would ever leave Orzammar, he would bring his family and maybe try to find out what happened to his dad. Yet he needs to meet Beraht.

()

The two Kobold boys enter the shop. Inside they see Beraht leaning on the counter speaking with a green scaled female with two dagger behind her back as if they are flirting with each other. In truth, they are speaking about rumors of King Endrin's health and Bhelen is more sympathetic them.

"Who is she?" Faren whispers to Leske.

"Dude! That's Jarvia. She is Ber-"

"About time you sods showed up!" Beraht calls out interrupting Leske. The two friends turn their heads to see Beraht looking at them angry. "What took you two so long?"

Faren tries to come up with an excuse without lying. For sure he can't tell him that he let Oskiras get away. He is about to say something until Leske steps in, "We had some trouble searching for him until saw him in the Tavern."

"Annnnnnd" Beraht growls squinting his eyes eyes so hard, even his male exclusive horns lower along. He is even tap his foot and tail at the same time getting impatient. Leske exchanges a glance with Faren wondering if its ok to tell the truth. The female Jarvia does it for them.

"Why don't you tell him the fact you let that guy get away!"

The bolds gasp while Berath fumes showing off his sharp teeth.

"You sods really think I wouldn't find out! I have spies in the tavern. YOU TWO WERE SUPPOSED TO KILL HIM!"

"I couldn't just kill him like that! Instead, we threatened him to leave to the surface." Faren tries to explain. Then he takes out the Lyriam ore and shows it to him. "At least we have some of the goods he tried to hide."

Still angry, Beraht orders Jarvia to swipe the ore from Faren's claw and gives it to her lover. Beraht inspects it and puts it on the counter behind him. "Listen you dumb pup, your lucky you were one of my best. I would have killed you in the spot despite what you just gave me. However, there is this one thing errand I would like for you to do."

"And I am guesing I don't have a choice?" Faren gulps making Beraht grin even more.

"Now your catching on! Consider this errand as your chance to re prove you loyalty. As you probably notice, there is a proving right now in honor a special guest."

"a guest? Who?" Faren asks his boss.

"A dragon from the surface who calls himself a GreyScale have arrived not to long ago. I bet he is looking for recruits for this blight he speaks about."

"GreyScale? As in thee GreySales?"

Faren perks up at the mention of GreyScales. He has heard there are an order of warriors on the surface dedicated to fighting darkspawn. They are also known for their unique grey scale color. He has to ask. "How much do you know about the GreyScales?"

"How about you learn to sodding read! Right now we can't waste time. You see, I made bet to this noble by the name of Everd. What I want you two to do is use this drug." Beraht gives a strange substance to Faren.

Faren looks at the liquid for a moment before asking, "Are you telling us to drug Everd?"

"NO YOU DUNG FOR BRAINS! I want you two drug up his opponents. That way I could easily win the beat and earn back all that I lost from that smuggler you decided to let go got it?"

Both Faren and Leske nervously nod yes at the same time like a pair of stooges.

"Good. Now don't speak with me again until the job is done and don't mess it up!" Beraht threats before giving the boys his back. Faren however wants to ask Jarvia a quick question.

"What? Beraht gave you job did he not?" the female green kobold demands crossing her arms. Leske looks a bit nervous at what Faren is going to ask.

With a grin Faren asks her, "Is it true you are in bed with Beraht?"

"GET OUT!" she fumes and kicks him at the gut with a red blush on her face. Faren kind of sworn he heard Beraht laugh at his misfortune.

()

As instructed. Faren and Leske are to head to the proving so they could make sure Everd will win due to a bet their boss made. When they arrived at the entrance, a guard stops them.

"HALT! Castless are not allowed here unless you have a permit."

"We do!" Leske jumps in and shows the permits. With that cleared up the guard lets them through into the proving.

()

The Provings. The grand arena of Orzammar where many Kobold warriors fight to prove themselves in honor of the ancestors. The lobby itself is filled with many Kobolds hoping to either spectate or join in the fighting. Among the crowd a tall creature is seen standing. A Skywing dragon.

"Stone's embrace! Look Faren! It's the dragon, a GreyScale Beraht mentioned!" Leske points for Faren to see. That is a dragon alright. He is exactly Faren imagined. Tall in size, majestic wings, and a longer tail. He also lacks a big frill in contrast to Kobolds. Faren has so many questions he wants to ask that dragon. Not just about his kind, but also about this order, the GreyScales. He walks up to the male Grey Skywing.

"Stone met and blessing to your house. That was the proper greeting for an outsider last time I visited Orzammar. Has it changed? Or is there a reason you are looking at me so stangely?" The grey skywing greets with a voice of a wise man.

"I…don't really have a house but it is a great honor to finally meet a dragon like yourself!" Faren replies sounding amazed at the sight of a dragon for the first time. Who would have known that the first dragon he sees would be a GreyScale.

"My apologizes. The Concept of Kobold society is still very foreign to me" The dragon bows with an apology. A gesture that Faren is not very familiar with. Kobolds like him are just plain treated like dirt. "However, my name is Duncan. I say of the GreyScales but you already know that pleased to meet you."

"Like wise but I am Faren of…no particular house" Faren greets back sounding sad. Duncan senses it.

"Of course! That brand on your face. I do remember that"

Duncan speaks with a tone of sympathy. However, Faren just wants to ask.

"Is it true you are looking for recurits?"

"The GreyScales are looking for anyone who is will to have courage to fight the darkspawn. Many Greyscales are ruthless to their enemies, compassionate to their friends, and inspiring to their troops. Right not I better get going. Hope you find what you are looking for."

With that Duncan leaves for the provings. It was a great honor to even meet a dragon in sight. Yet along a GreyScale. The way he speaks, makes Faren dream of himself as a GreyScale warrior wielding his signature axe of choice slaying the darkspawn alongside his brothers. That is until Leske pats him on the back making him snap back to reality.

"You done day dreaming? We got a job to do!"

"OH right!" Faren remembers. He leads Leske around the proving lobby to where all the fighters are waiting for their turn. They go to Everd's room where they see a red kobold laying on the floor. He is drunk.

"Dammit! He is still drunk" Leske complains. "Maybe this is why the boss wants us to do this."

"no kidding," Faren snickers with a nervous smile. He knows that Everd needs to get his act his together or else not only Beraht will lose the bet but his only chance of survival will be gone. Suddenly the announcer shouts for Everd to get ready for the arena. Ancestors help me!

"Oh sod! They are already asking for him! Got any ideas?" Leske looks to Faren.

Faren takes a closer look at the drunken Everd. He is studying his red Scale color and comparing it to his. Then he looks at the armor set and greatsword that Everd is supposed to use. Faren gets an idea.

"What about I wear that armor and fight under Everd's name!"

"Really? I was thinking a crazy rockslide but that is an even better idea!" Leske agrees. "If you are going to do that you better keep that helmet on."

"Of course," Faren adds. "But I am not doing this for Beraht. I am doing this to impress the GreyScale!"

"Does not matter. What does matter is that the boss will get his money and all win! Would you like to use the drug?" Leske asks and points for Faren to take it out.

Faren looks at the drug for a moment and decides not to use it. He wants to fight fair and square and throws it away.

"You have a heart of stone my friend" Leske compliments before Faren rushes to wear Everd's armor and takes his Greatsword.

Little did Faren know, this proving is going to be a new beginning of his life and make an important change in history.