Betrayal of The Grey: Part I
Kieran was turning in his bed again. He was having another strange dream. Morrigan gently placed her hand on his forehead hoping to calm his dreaming. As he settled down, she took a moment to look at her son. Kieran was such a handsome lad, and so intelligent. More often than she'd like, Morrigan felt terribly guilty about being the reason why her son couldn't live as a normal boy. Aedan's words rung in her head, and once again wished she had just defied Flemeth and never gone through with the ritual. Perhaps she and Aedan would be together in the Cousland ancestral home, and Kieran would grow up not wanting for anything, being happy and perhaps even inherit the Teyrnir of Highever. No! Stop it! Morrigan chided herself. No good ever comes of wondering what could have been. People like her and Aedan were not normal, but Kieran might've been if she wasn't selfish, all she could do now was fulfill her purpose and protect Kieran from the world's dangers.
The Witch of the Wilds pulled out her personal journal that held all her secrets and magically unlocked the sealed cover. This book held intimate secrets she wanted to no one else's eyes to look upon. And from the pages of her journal she pulled out two pages that were most precious to her. The first was a hand-drawn picture of herself smiling gently. The paper was worn, being roughly ten years old, but the picture was still as vibrant as the day it was drawn. The second was a small portrait of Morrigan with her son and the man she loves, Aedan Cousland. She was holding his arm while he held their still infant child, and all of them were smiling.
Morrigan hugged the pictures to her chest like treasures. How she longed to be with her beloved Warden once more, the time they spent together after he found her was truly the happiest of her life. She longed to see his beautiful blue eyes, be held in his powerful arms. To hear him whisper, "Mo Siuile Orga Whurnin", his Golden-Eyed Darling, in her ear once more. But then the Calling came, and she needed to prepare her son for the future ahead.
And now the Elder One was threatening the whole of reality, and she must aid the Inquisition in his downfall. Morrigan still remembered the vivid detail of that horrid future Rajmael visited, and she knew he told her the truth. Of how Corypheus tore apart the very fabric of reality, how Aedan had been tortured like an animal for over a year with the Blight slowly killing him. And worst yet, how her beloved was forced to watch the Elder One murder their child. Morrigan would never let that happen, not so long as she drew breath. She would protect her baby.
Morrigan tucked her son in and kissed his brow before leaving him to sleep. Ever since she joined the Inquisition, Morrigan and Kieran have kept mostly to themselves. Kieran would sometimes go exploring around the Keep and try to socialize with some of workers and children that resided here. It was good to see her boy trying to interact with others. Socialization is very important to a child's upbringing, or so Aedan said. It was hard to argue, such luxury was denied to her as a child, and it did very little to prepare her for the real world, or improve her disposition. Only Aedan was able to overlook her asocial attitude.
Morrigan had to admit, she wasn't at all that surprised to Leliana again, and head of the Inquisition's espionage no less. Morrigan did her best to avoid talking to her, for the two of them never really got along even when they aided in ending the Blight. The two of them had seen each other and exchanged a few words only a few times in the Orlesian Court, but both felt it best to just stay away from one another. Morrigan was quite surprised that Cullen was the general to the Inquisition's forces. She never would've believed such a thing from the first impression he left on her when they first met back in Kinloch Hold during the Blight. A sobbing, pathetic wretch in a cage, ready to smite any and all mages who looked at him wrong, then again most Templars were probably like that anyway.
Kieran was now sleeping well, and it was time for her turn in, too. Morrigan still had much to do, and what she was working on for the Inquisitor still needed preparation and perfecting. The Chasind witch blew out candle next to her nightstand and resided herself to sleep. Perhaps…just perhaps, she and Aedan would be reunited in the lands of dreams.
The Next Day….
Kieran had found one one of Leliana's messenger ravens injured in the garden. Apparently, the poor creature was knocked out of the air by the powerful Frostback winds and landed in the garden, and Kieran returned it to her to be healed. Despite Morrigan's wishes, Leliana and Kieran would talk and try to get to know one another. There was a certain amount of fun to be had in having a secret friend, especially when it was one your mother didn't approve of. Leliana could see so much of Aedan in Kieran. Their eyes, their hair, and even their faces. Put some paint on Kieran's face, and he was his father's spitting image. And beneath that polite, quiet face, Leliana could feel Aedan's strength in Kieran. Oh, she adored having time with this boy.
"Will she be alright?" Kieran asked sincerely.
Leliana couldn't help but smile, this boy's innocence was just so touching. "She'll be just fine, Kieran. Thank you so much for returning her. How did you find her?"
"I heard her calling for help, but no one else listened. The raven wanted to return to the Nightingale."
"Well, thank you so much. You're like a little knight rescuing an injured creature."
Kieran's cheeks blushed bashfully. "My father always told me that I don't need to be knight to do the honorable thing. But thank you."
"Well, you're father sounds like a great man." Leliana knew in her heart who Kieran's father was, but if Morrigan didn't feel like telling the world neither would she. As Kieran left, he walked past Enchanter Vivienne, apparently she had returned from Samson's base, meaning the Inquisitor had returned. The former Imperial Enchanter looked less than pleased to see the young boy walking around.
Leliana noticed the look n Vivienne's face, and didn't like it. "Is something wrong, Enchanter?"
"Oh, nothing you need to concern yourself with, dear. I just simply can't fathom how the Inquisitor can just give that wretched apostate from the Wilds and her bastard offspring free range of this keep." Vivienne answered with disgust reserved for cockroaches. "It's like this Inquisition has no civilized standards. It's repulsive, really."
Leliana felt that thing scrathing at the base of her skull. That little voice that tells someone to just hurt another when they're being a bitch. But Leliana was still a lady and would refrain from such an…uncivilized act. "Enchanter Vivienne, while Morrigan and I have our differences, she was still my comrade once, and I will not stand here and listen to you speak of Kieran with such undeserved cruelty and disrespect. Kieran is a sweet and wonderful child, and his father is a great man. And if his father were here, he'd smash your pretty head into the wall and break every bone in your body for speaking that way about either of them. If he wanted to be generous, and he usually isn't."
"My, my, I didn't realize you were so close to the boy." Vivienne raised her eyebrow curiously. "Or perhaps you're simply close to the boy's father. He must be quite the somebody for you to speak so strongly on his behalf."
Being a master player of the Game, Leliana knew when someone was fishing for something. "Who Kieran's father is, is no business of yours, lest you by some miracle, work up the courage to ask Morrigan yourself. But we both know you don't have that in you. Just know this: if you say another word about Kieran, I'll know. And should I hear of such talk, I will act on his father's behalf. And while I could never even be half as brutal as he is, I promise you this: you will regret it."
"Making threats like an ill-mannered dog-lord? My, my, Leliana, how uncouth." Vivienne smiled with that condescending look in her eyes.
"I don't make threats, Enchanter. Now, did you come here for a reason?"
"I just came here and thought I'd ask to use your couriers to relay a message to the capital. I've such important matters to tend to back in Val Royeaux. As I'm sure you can imagine."
"You've got coin of your own, hire your own people to deliver it. My agents and the Inquisition's couriers are not your personal messenger boys. They've much more important things to do than help you with your personal matters. As I'm sure you can imagine." Leliana gave Vivienne that look she learned from Aedan.
"Very well, dear. I shan't bother you, then. But do try not to scowl so hard, you're getting wrinkles."
"And you should watch your diet a little more closely, Vivienne. At your age, your metabolism isn't what it used to be, and you're getting fat." With their little spat finished, Vivienne and Leliana both resumed their respective duties. It was times like this Leliana wished she could take Aedan's approach to people who were so disagreeable; by beating the them to the ground and bludgeoning them with a blunt instrument. But that was not her way, and it was not the way Rajmael had been trying to show her. Death is not always the answer, eve when it seems like the only way or the easiest. Oh, what this Inquisition could accomplish if the Hero of Ferelden were here. With Rajmael and Aedan both leading their forces, the Inquisition would be unstoppable, and Corypheus would know the true meaning of fear. But alas, it just wasn't meant to be. All she could do was try to perform her duty to best of her ability, and pray that Aedan was alright, and that this Inquisition could stop Corypheus' mad scheme on their own.
~XoXoXo~
Kieran had seen manors and castles before, but nothing he'd seen in Orlais could compare to Skyhold. His father used to tell him stories about how he restored the fortress of Vigil's Keep beyond its former glory. How places of power and authority should have strong walls, and be unassailable. His father would not have been impressed with the castles and manors he and Mother lived in while they stayed in Orlais, his father didn't like Orlesians to begin with. But Skyhold would have impressed him, the Inquisitor and his people did a wonderful job restoring it. The magic that existed within the very stones of this place gave it more protection than anyone could realize. Mother said it was the elves who first set the foundations of Skyhold, but the magic here was older than the elves.
Kieran saw someone walking through the Keep's grounds. A tall man with dark hair wearing Fereldan styled armor and Grey Warden colors. Was it him? Was it Father? Kieran ran up the steps and to the upper courtyard to try and reach him. Maybe he's finally returned, Mother would be so happy. But Kieran's hope was turned into disappointment. The dark haired Grey Warden was definitely not his father. He carried a quiver of arrow and a bow, instead of an Ash Warrior's axe. This man's had an aquiline nose and broad features, and he did not bear the familiar blue Alamarii war paint on his face.
"You're a Grey Warden..." Kieran observed sadly.
"I am indeed, young man." The Warden said kindly. His voice sounded like gravel being scraped on the ground.
"But there's no darkspawn here. Why would Grey Wardens be at Skyhold?"
"Sometimes our duty compels us to go elsewhere in order to combat the darkspawn effectively." The Warden archer took a good look at the boy before him. "You...look familiar. Is it possible I know your father?"
Morrigan watched from a distance as her son spoke with Warden-Commander Nathaniel Howe. Aedan once described the last remaining son of Arl Howe to her in great detail. She had to admit she was rather surprised when she learned that her love placed the Grey Wardens under the authority of the son of one of the very men responsible for the Order's destruction in Ferelden. The son of Arl Howe, who betrayed and murdered Aedan's family. But then, Aedan was a good judge of character when it came to the measure of a man's honor and sense of duty. Morrigan's train of thought was broken when an unwelcome but familiar scent of stale liquor mixed with vomit and body odor, accompanied by a stomach churning belch right behind her. There was only one creature in all of Thedas that could be so repulsive.
"Morrigan! By the Stone, I knew I recognized ya! I see ya still got them fine legs." Oghren laughed crudely.
"Oghren, I see you still haven't grasped the concept of proper hygiene." Morrigan groaned. The witch took a moment to observe the dwarven warrior. The thick locks of knotted beard still hung from his cheeks like red ropes, and his once bare chin now had a matching twisted goatee hanging from it. Oghren's bright red hair now had streaks of grey along his temples and along his beard. But despite the fact that Oghren was getting older, he still held himself with that overbearing sense of confidence and strength he had back when they fought in the Blight. Being a Grey Warden had done nothing t diminish his skill and standing as a warrior.
"So...that's Aedan's little ankle bitter, huh?"
Morrigan was a little shocked. How could Oghren know that? He was never that sober. "How...how can you know that?"
"Bah, call it a father's intuition, Morrigan. And I'm not nearly drunk enough to not see Aedan in that boy. Ha. I always knew you two had it in ya." Oghren smiled up at the witch through his thick beard. "So...that's why The Hero of Ferelden retired from the Wardens and gave his position of Commander to Nathaniel all those years ago. I knew it had to be a woman, and you're the only woman that guy can't get over. And you could probably call it another father's intuition."
"Ugh! Please, spare me the thought of you procreating." Morrigan gagged. She have would almost blushed from such a comment if it came from anyone else, and not Oghren with his rancid breath "What woman in her right mind could possibly want to copulate with you of her own free will?"
"Oh, yeah. I knew there was a reason I missed you." Oghren chuckled.
"I'm curious, Oghren. What brings two Grey Wardens from the Order in Ferelden here to Skyhold?"
"You know that Champion of Kirkwall guy? Hawke? We received word at Vigil's Keep from the guy. Nathaniel owes Hawke a favor, and was told to bring this news directly to the Inquisitor."
"Warden-Commander Howe, Ser Oghren?" Josephine called. "We are ready for you in the War Room. The Inquisitor shall be with you shortly."
~XoXoXo~
The two Wardens bade farewell to Morrigan and her son, and were guided to the War Room. It was an impressive looking chamber. Nathaniel took a glimpse at the large War Table and saw the amount of Inquisition operations all over that map. The Inquisition was responsible for all this activity? And here Nathaniel thought being the Commander of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden kept him busy. He can't imagine how the Inquisitor gets his job done.
The room doors busted open and an elf with red hair tied into a long knotted ponytail came in. Judginhg And he looked pissed.
"Alright, someone give me something. I want to know how I can keep kicking Corypheus in the nuts."
"Actually, Inquisitor, you may get your wish. We already have something you'll want to hear." Josephine stated.
This elf from the Dalish clans was the Inquisitor? The Herald of Andraste? Nathaniel had heard the stories, but didn't believe them at first. From what Nathaniel recalled from Velanna, no true Dalish would ever venerate the Chantry, the Maker or Andraste. How odd that an institution devout to the worship of the Maker, and the former hands of the Divine would serve a man who most likely didn't worship the Maker.
"And who are you?" Rajmael asked curiously.
Nathaniel stood and addressed The Inquisitor with respect. "My name is Nathaniel Howe. Warden-Commander of Order of The Grey in Ferelden. And I have news concerning The Champion of Kirkwall and Warden Stroud."
That instantly caught Rajmael's attention. "Please, continue, Warden-Commander Howe."
"A week ago, I received word from Hawke at Vigil's Keep via raven that he and Warden Stroud will be meeting in an old smuggler's cave in the village Crestwood. It's a small trading and fishing village north of Lake Calenhad. The message gave me very specific instructions that I was to bring this news directly to you. I also bring a warning that you must heed; apparently the Wardens of Orlais have orders to arrest and detain Stroud for betraying the Grey Wardens, or so Warden-Commander Clarel has stated."
If Hawke was sending them this news, then it meant they finally had the lead they'd been looking for. Maybe now they could finally find out what the connection was between the Grey Wardens and Corypheus. Maybe they could even discover what The Elder One's plans were.
"Why would Ser Hawke trust you with this information?" Leliana asked.
"Because I owed Hawke a favor. A few years ago the Wardens mounted an expedition into the Deep Roads where Hawke had journeyed. We were overrun by darkspawn and everyone in the expedition had been killed. I would have certainly died down there if my sister Delilah hadn't sent Hawke down there to find me."
"If the Wardens have orders to arrest Stroud for betrayal, then why aren't you aiding them?" Cullen asked. "What betrayal are they speaking of?"
"I cannot say what he's been accused of. It's...complicated." Nathaniel evaded. "But as to why I'm not helping them; Aedan Cousland once made it very clear to me that the Grey Wardens of Ferelden's sole purpose for existing is to stand our post and protect Ferelden from the Blight. Not make back alley deals or partake in skullduggery for our own gain. And after what Warden-Commander Clarel did all those years ago, I don't fault Aedan's logic."
"Why? What did Clarel do?" Josephine asked curiously.
"She went and made the fatal mistake of pissing off the guy who killed the Archdemon singlehandedly." Oghren answered with pity.
"Here, perhaps you should read this. It will explain better." Nathaniel handed the Inquisitor an aged letter written years ago.
Rajmael observed the sharply written handwriting on the letter and read it out loud.
To the simpering, conniving bitch known as Clarel de Chanson, Warden-Commander of Orlais,
I don't know how stupid you think I am or how stupid you must be to think you can go behind my back and believe I won't find out. Nothing happens in this country without my knowing! I know that after I refused to accept your foreign Warden's into this country, you tried going over my head and petitioning Arl Teagan to grant you entry. After meeting with the men you sent to me, I am convinced more than ever that your men, and therefore you, are more concerned with the fucking Blight and its darkspawn than you are about the people this country. The fact that you chose to undermine my authority instead of meeting me with honor only proves where your loyalties truly are.
Allow me to be perfectly clear so that you will understand how deathly serious I am. I don't trust you, nor do I trust anyone who serves under you. I know you're still butt-hurt over not being able to combat the Blight years ago. I know you will do anything to combat the Blight, and that worries me. You and your men would willingly commit the murders of many, and use the Blight as your excuse to do even worse crimes. I've seen the devastation caused by such blind obsession and disregard, it was the same excuse Avernus used when he destroyed Soldier's Peak. I command the Wardens in Ferelden, I decide who's worthy to protect her. And no one, not you or the First Warden, or anyone else can make demands of me and come out unscathed.
You may think that I'm just blowing smoke, or just using my authority to secure my own position, and I don't give a fuck. The stories you've heard about me can't even begin to cover the truth, because I'm capable of being infinitely more vicious than you can imagine. If you ever cross me like this again, I will know. And I will hunt you down in whatever keep or outpost you're holing up in, and I will not only murder you, but I'll kill any and every sorry fucker that stands in the way of me butchering you like the miserable cow you are. And if you doubt my words, ask the Archdemon.
Fuck you,
Aedan Cousland, Warden-Commander of Ferelden.
PS: You can tell the First Warden that he can go fuck himself and die, too.
Rajmael folded the letter back up. He and his advisors all had a surprised look on their faces. Oghren, on the other hand, couldn't stop chortling like and idiot.
"Sweet Sylaise, this guy swears a lot!"
"Ugh. That was definitely Aedan alright." Leliana groaned.
"Is the Hero of Ferelden always so...profane?" Josephine asked rather stunned. Her hand was shaking so bad she threatened to drop her quill.
"Actually, no." Leliana answered honestly. "Usually, Aedan isn't so cordial."
"Why would the Hero of Ferelden be so opposed to his own Order? That seems beyond odd to me." Rajmael inquired.
Oghren shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Commander Cousland has...seen things. Things some Warden, and other people, are willing to do to stop the Blights. And they weren't pretty. Some lines shouldn't be crossed."
"I have seen some of the things Oghren refers to." Leliana informed. "At Soldier's Peak and in the Deep Roads. I fully understand Aedan's fears."
"That can't be. There's no way the Wardens would ever do anything to endanger the world. Our sole purpose for living is to save people." Blackwall denied.
"Corypheus himself is a darkspawn, and supposedly one of the seven who breached the Golden City. Perhaps the Grey Wardens have insight that we don't possess." Dorian suggested.
"Either way, we need to find Stroud and Hawke. Find out the truth, and what is really going on." The Inquisitor stated.
"Oghren and I will accompany you. We've received no word or intelligence from the Order in Orlais for far too long. And they have not answered our calls. It's time we had some answers as well." Nathaniel affirmed.
"Then let's waste no time. Let's get to Crestwood."
Meanwhile, In Crestwood...
It had been almost a week since Hawke sent word to Nathaniel at Vigil's Keep. He himself had arrived here not all that long ago after Stroud sent him word about his whereabouts. Surely he must have gotten it to the Inquisitor by now. But Hawke had been adamantly clear that only Nathaniel and one other person he trusted must deliver that news to the Inquisitor. Seeing as how Nathaniel would have to travel all the way from Vigil's Keep to Skyhold alone, Hawke knew it wouldn't be an immediate journey, but he also knew Nathaniel was a capable man and he would get the job done. For now, he would keep watch on the outskirts of Crestwood and make sure that no one followed him, or find Stroud.
It was raining heavily right now. Rain, snow and wind was a constant thing in Ferelden. Hawke had been gone from his native homeland for so long he'd forgotten how much he'd missed the cold and bracing weather of Ferelden. Back in Kirkwall it was always hot and the air always smelled of body odor from all the people being so close together in the crowded city, the stench of the sewers and Dark Town beneath them, and the overbearing scent of the sea and incensed perfumes trying to cover it all up. Hawke, Bethany and Aveline had to fight their gag reflexes and try not to puke from the very smell of the air their first few weeks in Kirkwall. But here...the air was cold and the rain made it smell fresh. And then there was that familiar scent of wet dog that all Fereldans knew. Hawke wished he could have returned to Ferelden under better circumstances. He came back to his country the same way he left: as a man on the run.
All these feelings of nostalgia made Hawke think of the friends and loved ones he'd left behind. Hawke pulled out the necklace that hung around his neck and looked at the trinkets that hung from it, each an item from those he loved most. His mother's wedding ring, a band of gold with the image of a swan set in diamonds that was enchanted by his father. He kept with him ever since his mother died in his arms. The sylvanwood ring that depicted the Great Betrayal he gave to Merrill, his vhenan. She gave it back to him so that he would always know to return to her. The Rivaini talisman that depicted a naked woman before a sun and moon. A gift from Isabela to remind him of all the times they shared together, and would continue to share, and it was enchanted by a Rivaini seer to protect him from demons. Just thinking about the night he shared with the two women he loved when they gave him these threatened to give him a nose bleed. Then there was the amulet with his family's crest that Bethany fashioned for him before Aveline took her away from the Free Marches.
More than anything in the world, he wanted to be with them again, his sister and the two women who held his heart. To laugh with Varric and Aveline, he even, somehow, managed to miss Fenris' bitching. Everything Hawke did and had ever done was for his friends and loved ones. He unleashed Corypheus and helped bring ruin to the world. Now he had to make it right before he could ever be with his loved ones again.
Hawke saw someone approaching him from a distance in the rain. He could only make out their silhouettes, the rain and darkness made it difficult to see. Judging from the way they strode and stood couldn't there was no way they could have been any villager or fisherman. Soldiers? No, if it were anyone from the military they'd have been here to assist the village, and they certainly wouldn't show up in such few numbers. Hawke's sword hand began to twitch, were these the bandits from Caer Bronach? No. No mere bandits could wear such well crafted armor. Hawke could see them now, and his sword hand was now itching to be used. These were no bandits or soldiers: it was the Wardens.
There were four of them, a scouting party. They were being led by a man of veteran age wearing an open-faced helm and carrying a well crafted dwarven sword. Then there was a plain looking woman with fair hair strapped with daggers and a compact crossbow strapped to her waist, definitely a rogue-type fighter. Then there was a taller man with dusky skin with a large war hammer slung over his shoulder. And finally, there was narrow faced man, probably Orlesian judging from that fancy rapier and ridiculously curled mustache waxed under his nose.
"Garret Hawke! The Order of the Grey has strict orders for the arrest and detainment of Warden Stroud. And we know that you have been corresponding with this rogue Warden." The Senior Warden ordered. "You are to come with us and tell us everything you know concerning Stroud's whereabouts."
"Please come peacefully. We have nothing but respect for you, and only want to bring Stroud in for his own good and the good of the Order." The fair haired lady Warden insisted.
Shit. Hawke should have anticipated that having him and Stroud in the same place would attract unwelcome attention. One of the villagers in Crestwood must have spotted Hawke and told these Wardens where he was. This would complicate things. But Hawke wasn't going to back down. "No, I refuse."
"Serrah Hawke, please, be reasonable..."
"I am under no obligation to you; your Rite of Conscription means nothing to me. And I will not be forced into anything against my will." Hawke said dangerously.
"What you desire matters little, our orders still stand. You can come with us willingly, or we can take you in." The Senior Warden warned.
There it was, right there. That same callous disregard that Warden Janeka had when she sent the Carta to attack his family. How she cared only about releasing Corypheus so that she could use him as a damned weapon, regardless of what lives they destroyed. And it was the same unapologetic attitude Larius had when he threatened his father into using bloodmagic. These Wardens had that same blind disregard, and Hawke wasn't going to yield to it.
Hawke's hand rested on the his greatsword, Celebrant. "And now you've got two choices: you can either leave now, or you're not leaving at all."
The Senior Warden drew his silverite sword. "Our orders are clear. You are to...Gagkh!"
Within a split second, Hawke unsheathed the Celebrant from his shoulder and swung it horizontally at the Senior Warden before he could even finish his threat. The black blade of The Champion cut through the Warden's silverite armor like it was paper and cut through the man's abdominal muscles, intestines and spine like they were nothing, cleaving him perfectly in half at the waist. The Senior Warden's intestines, stomach and spleen poured out of his torso, while a fountain of blood erupted from his still standing waist.
"You bastard!" The fair-haired rogue screeched.
In her rage, the female Warden lunged at Hawke with incredible speed, trying to stab his eyes out. The Champion ducked beneath and quickly snatched the compact crossbow from her waist as she jumped over him. The instant her feet touched the ground, she came face to face with her own crossbow in Hawke's hand. The bolt went straight between her eyes and out the back of her head.
The remaining to with the rapier and the hammer came at the Champion simultaneously. Hawke narrowly dodged the immense hammer head, but got right into the swordsman's reach and line of attack. Hawke allowed the swordsman's blade to hit him. The thin rapier couldn't pierce Hawke's masterfully crafted Champion Armor, and snapped in half. Hawke caught the broken sword tip out of mid-air and threw it like a dagger into the massive Warden's throat. The Warden grabbed his neck and fell to the ground as his last breath gurgled out of his mouth. The last Warden with the stupid mustache reached for a dagger in the small of his back, but before he could pull it out, Hawke's greatsword came down through his head, splitting his skull, and his stupid mustache in half.
Hawke pulled his sword out the Warden's chest where his stroke stopped. The rain washed their darkspawn tainted blood off his sword. Hawke realized this was going to cause more problems than it would solve. When the Warden realize that these scouts failed to return they'll send more people to find them. But neither Hawke nor Stroud could afford to abandon this place. Hawke knew that the Inquisitor would be coming here looking for them both. They just needed to wait a little longer.
The first thing Hawke needed to do was dispose of these bodies. He had heard that there was a wyvern nearby here. He would dump the bodies near its lair and make it seem like the wyvern had killed them. Hopefully that would be enough to fool the other Wardens for a little while longer. He just wished the Inquisitor would get here faster.
Sometime Later...
It had been a few days since Nathaniel delivered the Rajmael the news about Hawke waiting for them in Crestwood. On their way there, they were met up another Grey Warden. Another dwarf, casteless Carta judging from her elaborate tattoos. Both Nathaniel and Oghren seemed surprise to see her.
"Sigrun!? I thought you went on your Calling." Nathaniel said accusingly.
"What can I say? I love seeing that look on your face whenever I come back unexpectedly." The dwarven scout laughed. "It's not my fault you keep falling for it."
"He-he-he. Don't worry, Sigrun. I never get tired of seeing you. Especially when it's a surprise." Oghren chuckled lecherously, making Sigrun groan in disgust.
"How did you know where to find us? anyway?" Nathaniel asked.
"Oh, Seneschal Garevel told me. And I'm a scout, remember? Finding people is what I do." Sigrun turned her attention to Rajmael. "And this must be the Inquisitor. Wow, you've got really pretty eyes. And does that glowing hand of yours make shaking hands difficult?" Sigrun's eyes went as wide as saucers and gasped like it was her last breath. "Eeehhh! Oh, my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You're Varric Tethras! Sweet Ancestors, I love your books! Can you sign my helmet? Please!?"
"Anything for a fan." Varric chuckled as he happily obliged.
"Ooh! Your chest hair is even more masculine than I imagined." Sigrun giggled.
"Hey, I got some hair you can run your fingers through, sexy lady." Oghren said suggestively.
"Ugh! I'm afraid of what I'll find hanging, sticking, or living in your hair, Oghren." Sigrun said with a grossed look on her face.
With the newly arrived Warden accompanying them, they found the village of Crestwood was being overrun by demons, and bandits were preying on the helpless. The Inquisitor couldn't leave the people like this, but unfortunately the Rift that was sending the demons was under the freaking lake. They had to clear out the keep of Caer Bronach in order to reach the dam and drain the lake so that they could get to the Rift. Mayor Cedric seemed apprehensive to accept their help.
Rajmael and his companions witnessed first hand what Nathaniel and Oghren were capable of. They decimated the bandits in Caer Bronach and the demons in the tunnels like killing them was old hat. Rajmael had never seen dwarven berserkers before; Oghren summoned a rage within himself that surpassed any giant's, and he wielded that war hammer of his like it weighed nothing as he crushed their bodies and flattened their heads.
Sigrun was a sneaky, but tenacious fighter, and had no problems fighting dirty. She wore very heavy armor for a rogue, but she moved like she was wearing regular day clothes. In one hand she carried a heavy hand-axe, in the other a sharp dirk, and she wielded both to vicious affect, hitting every in their joints, vital areas, and the really sensitive bits. She laughed at their enemies , even the demons like this was just a walk in the park to her. She had absolutely no fear of death or pain.
Nathaniel's mastery of the bow was so great it was almost elven, but not quite. Every shot made its mark, no arrow was wasted as he fired in rapid succession into the heads, hearts and vital areas of every bandits, beast and demon they came across. Oghren was like a madman drunk on bloodlust, while Nathaniel was a cold as ice, focused only on the task at hand. Being former comrades and brothers in arms to Aedan Cousland, Rajmael had no doubt that these two Wardens must've killed every manner of thug, demon, maleficar and monstrosity that ever existed. Rajmael remembered all the demons and Venatori he saw The Hero of Ferelden kill with just his bare hands and his teeth when he was in that future in Redcliffe. The mere memory of that man murdering everything in sight still sent a shiver up his spine.
With the dam freed, they were able to drain the waters that flooded Old Crestwood and reach the rift in the tunnels. And while they were at it, they discovered that during the Blight ten years ago, Mayor Cedric herded all the villagers who had been infected with the Blight into those tunnels and flooded the village while they were in it. Everyone who was not infected was taken away from there, but those who were, suffered the horrible fate of drowning in the dark of those tunnels. He did it to save the rest of the village, but lied to them for ten years saying that it was the darkspawn who flooded and drowned their families. And like a guilty man, Cedric ran before Rajmael could confront him. No matter. Rajmael would have Leliana track him down and bring him to Skyhold to face judgment. But that was a matter for another time. For now, they had to make their way to that old smuggler's den and find Hawke and Stroud.
While they made their way some of Rajmael's companions took the opportunity to chat up the two national heroes that were in their midst.
"So...you're a Warrior from the Warrior Caste. Abandoned by his Paragon wife, and left Orzammar to join a great Hero on a quest to save the world, and with no other purpose in life, you deiced to join the Order." Varric listed to Oghren.
"You writin' a book or somethin', ya beardless cloud-gazer?" Oghren grunted.
"Well, I'm thinking about it. There's not a whole dwarven heroes in human literature, and yours seems like it'd be a great foundation for a story that'll grab everyone's attention." Varric answered.
"Really? Huh. Be sure to capture my heroic charisma and godlike battle prowess. And maybe throw in a couple of chariots pulled by trained mabari war hounds, that'll get everyone's attention."
"Don't get your hopes up so quickly. There's still some personal adjustments I need to censure and edit out." Varric informed.
"Yeah." Sigrun agreed jokingly. "Like the lack of personal hygiene, excessive drinking and inebriation, the lecherousness and being an all around sod with a hammer?"
"And that's just to start." The two dwarves laughed at Oghren while grumbled under his breath. He decided to ignore Varric and continued to stare sternly at Iron Bull.
Iron Bull could feel Oghren staring at him. The dwarf's gaze, and odor didn't sit well with the giant mercenary. "There are reason you keep looking at me, runt?"
"I used to know a qunari called Sten. He was as loud and as fun as a tomb, but he knew how to swing a sword. 'Cept he had no horns."
"Yeah, not all of us are born with horns. Guys like him are usually believed to have some great destiny or purpose for them." Iron Bull informed.
"Heard ya were...what'd they call it? Ben's-Got-Wrath?"
"It's Ben-Hessrath. But, yeah, I used to be. Why? You heard of us?"
"You could say that. A little bit after the trouble in Amaranthine, some of your guys broke into Vigil's Keep and tried to assassinate Dworkin Glavinok for creating explosives. It didn't end too well those guys." Oghren answered grimly.
Iron Bull shifted uncomfortably. "Oh. Yeah, I heard about that. The Ariqun wanted explosives to be a secret known only to qunari. What...er...what happened to those guys?"
"They were stupid and sorry enough to piss off Aedan sodding Cousland, that's what." Oghren grunted. "Ya see, they killed several members of Keep's staff trying to get to Dwarkin, and The Commander was none too happy about that. So he had their hands and feet cut off with flaming hot axes, and thrown to a pack of really, really hungry pigs."
"Vashedan." Iron Bull cursed under his breath. "I heard that guy had a few bats in his belfry."
"Hey, if anyone's stupid enough to get on that man's badside, I say ya deserve to die. That man's a Paragon of Destruction." Oghren bragged.
"Believe it or not, by a freak accident I've actually seen Aedan Cousland in action." Dorian confessed. "I certainly wouldn't want to get on his bad side"
"Oh, trust me, the two of you'd already be on his bad side the instant he saw." Oghren chuckled. "The last time he saw a mage from Tevinter, that sorry duster was kidnapping elves from the Alienage to sell as slaves. Aedan peeled that guy's bald head like an orange after biting his top slaver's throat out. If you were lucky, he'd just kill ya both."
"And if we were unlucky?" Dorian asked nervously.
"He'd kill ya real slowly."
Dorian and Iron Bull became stiff and rigid as their minds flooded with the various kinds of horrible execution. Just the very thought of what Aedan Cousland could do to them sent a shiver straight through their very souls.
While Dorian and Iron Bull were wondering what possible methods of death at the hands of the Hero of Ferelden, Nathaniel tried to converse with his fellow Warden, Blackwall.
"So, you're Warden Blackwall of Val Chevin? The Constable of the Grey?" Nathaniel asked.
"Yes, that's me. Why do you ask?" Blackwall inquired as though he were being interrogated.
"I heard about you some time after I joined the Order. I heard how tried to fight back against Loghain's decree of keeping the Wardens out of Ferelden. After seeing what happened to my homeland when I returned, I wish you succeeded."
"I tried my best, I really did. Blight's are we Wardens are supposed to be here for. Loghain had no right to keep us from our duty." Blackwall lamented.
"Do you...do you feel that some of our brothers and sisters have wasted their lives after being denied the chance to combat the Blight? And now whatever it is that Corypheus might be doing with them?"
"No." The Constable of The Grey stated as fact. "We've devoted ourselves to a righteous cause, and the only time our brothers and sisters will have died in vain is if we forget that cause."
As the two Wardens were conversing, Sera couldn't stop giving Nathaniel the stink eye. Ever since they cleared out Caer Bronach, almost everyone had been saying how great of an archer he was. And it was pissing her off.
"So...Nathaniel, you're a noble." Sera said with distaste in her mouth.
"That sounds more like an accusation than an observation." Nathaniel noticed. "But, yes. I was a noble."
"That's real weird. You ain't like most nobles I know. Most nobles I know don't do nothin' but laze around and bark orders and people all day while being pampered like they own the world."
"Well, that's because you've spent far too much time in Orlais. In this country, we don't have time for such trivialities." Nathaniel scoffed. "You'd know that if you weren't so busy looking for trouble."
"Yeah, well, pickings are better in Orlais. They're bigger pricks with fatter purses." Sera admitted
"I must admit I'm surprised, Warden-Commander Howe, that you would even join the Wardens. Given the unfortunate fate they brought upon your family." Vivienne stated indifferently.
Nathaniel flashed Vivienne a deathly glare. "Be very careful how you speak of my family, Enchanter."
"Oh, have I caused offense? Do forgive me, I was merely curious as to why you would join the Order responsible for your family's downfall. From what the stories state, The Hero of Ferelden showed your father no mercy." The Imperial Enchanter's tone was still laced with disrespect.
"My father...earned his fate, and everything that happened to my family was his fault. And the Howes have not fallen yet. There are those of us who still remember what nobility is."
"Oh, yes. I'm sure you think so." Vivienne said with fake sincerity, and Nathaniel knew it, but would not be baited. "You knew that maleficar who started the Mage Rebellion, did you not? Anders, I believe?"
An air of forboding fell upon the Wardens, and their eyes all turned to Vivienne at the mere mention of that name. Obviously, she touched a soft spot with all of them.
"We fought together during the Amaranthine Crisis, yes. What about him?"
"I'm curious as to what kind of man he was. As his former companion you must have surely known what kind of madness he was capable of." Vivienne said condescendingly.
Nathaniel had enough and turned to face the disrespectful mage. "Anders was a healer, and a good man who wanted to live in peace, but people like you wouldn't leave him alone. While you were sipping fruity drinks, and rubbing elbows with the nobility, he was fighting alongside us to protect this nation. I was proud to call him my comrade."
"Keep it up lady, and I'll put something you don't want where you don't want it." Sigrun warned.
"Not if I break her legs first." Oghren said dangerously.
"Enough!" Rajmael ordered. "I will not have infighting amongst my allies and companions!"
"A most sensible attitude, dear." Vivienne said haughtily.
"Vivienne, bring up the rear." The Inquisitor ordered.
"Pardon me?"
"I said bring up the rear. I'm tired of listening to you being an utter bitch for the sake of being an utter bitch. Now get going!" Rajmael glared at her until she finally obeyed, and still she walked with that sense of arrogance in her step.
Sensing the need to defuse the situation before there was a fatality between the Wardens and Vivienne, Cassandra decided to finally satisfy her curiosity with a question that had been bothering her for a while. "Warden Nathaniel, what can you tell me about the Hero of Ferelden? I keep hearing varying tales about him, but I have no way of knowing which ones are true."
"I wasn't with Aedan during the Blight, and all things considering, I'm glad I wasn't." Nathaniel sighed. "You'd have a better time asking Sister Nightingale or Oghren."
"I would, but Leliana is always apprehensive to speak about it, and she's been rather...withdrawn since the Divine's death. And I can't trust if what that dwarf says is true, or just something he conjured in drunken haze."
"Fair enough." Nathaniel took a moment to think. "What can I say? He loved being a Fereldan, and loved this country almost like it was his god. Everything you've heard about his brutality and ferocity is true. The man was a walking apocalypse with anger issues. He was the most vicious man I ever met, but he was also the best man I ever met.
"But he did such terrible things to people, both you and Leliana have said as much." Cassandra stated.
"Well, no one's perfect. He killed people in horrible ways so that no one else would threaten what he tried to protect." Nathaniel explained. "And given the dire circumstances that surrounded him, I doubt blame him. He was capable of fearsome loyalty and terrible vengeance. And he would have gone to the ends of the world for what he cared for. He...embodied everything that was great and terrifying in Ferelden."
"I...I only ask because...Would he have agreed to become Inquisitor if we asked it of him?"
There was an awkward silence with a lone cricket chirping somewhere in the background. Then all three Wardens busted out laughing as if the Seeker just said a really funny joke.
"You're joking right!? Ya gotta be sodding joking!" Oghren guffawed while holding his sides.
"Hey! Hey, Seeker, while you're at it, why don't ask him to tongue-kiss a broodmother! That's just as likely to happen!" Sigrun said between laughs and snorts.
Cassandra stood there, stiff as a board, with a slight blush in her face, feeling like she just made a complete ass out of herself.
Nathaniel finally regained his composure and wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm sorry, milady. But if you actually knew Aedan Cousland, you'd realize just how ridiculously funny that question is. No, Aedan would probably have laughed at you harder than we did just now."
"I...had heard that had disregard for religion, but surely he would have joined with what was at stake." Cassandra insisted.
"I think he would have surprised you, Seeker." Nathaniel answered. "And Aedan didn't have disregard for religion, he flat out hated it. To quote the Hero of Ferelden 'he hates anything that would force itself on to another man, and force him to his knees'."
"Hey, remember that time the Grand Cleric in Amaranthine called Aedan's mother a failure as a parent and an Andrastian for raising a heathen like him?" Sigrun reminded.
"Oh, yeah. He sent that old biddy flyin' across the room. Heard she couldn't eat solid food for six months, and was too scared to do her sermons for a year!" Oghren laughed.
"No, my lady. There's not a doubt in my mind that Aedan would never have aided you or the Divine." Nathaniel continued. "Knowing him, he'd have sat back and watched as the Chantry burned to the ground and laughed at those trying to gather up the ashes."
Cassandra wasn't convinced. "Even with the world ending around him, you truly think someone with his accomplishments, who you revere as a leader and hero, wouldn't have lifted a finger to help?"
"Not unless you convinced him that everything he would do was for Ferelden."
"Not just Ferelden, but for the whole world!"
Nathaniel stopped in his tracks. "Do you really think what happens to the rest of the world matters to him? If you do, then you're sorely mistaken. He hates anything that opposes the ideals of this nation, or those who would threaten. Orlais, Tevinter, the Qun, he'd kill them all to keep this kingdom safe. This country is all that matters to him. His love for this country goes beyond patriotism. Ferelden is his god, and he fight only in her name."
Cassandra felt a sting of disappointment inside her, she had truly hoped the Hero of Ferelden was someone they could have relied on. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. "I...I see. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. His devotion to his country sounds remarkable. I wish I could feel the same for mine."
"It can't be that bad not having the Hero of Ferelden. You could have done far worse." Nathaniel insisted. "Aedan once told me that there was nothing more fearsome than a pissed off Dalish elf with access to powerful magic that only they have knowledge of. And from what I heard about Inquisitor Lavellan, I'd say you came out on top."
"She tries to come out on top. Every time they're in bed!" Sera laughed. Most of the others started snickering under their breath while Cassandra blushed and shot Sera a dangerous glare.
Rajmael loved seeing Cassandra blush, she looked so cut when she was embarrassed. While everyone was taking this time to chat up their new Warden allies, Rajmael decided to take this as an opportunity to satisfy his own curiosity.
"Nathaniel, what can you tell me about this Warden Stroud. Do you know him?"
"I've met him only a few times, but I mostly know him through reputation. And it's a formidable reputation, indeed." Nathaniel answered. "From what I've heard when I was squiring in the Free Marches, and when I was traveling the Deep Roads that Hawke and Varric discovered I learned a little bit more about him. He was from minor noble Orlesian family, and was top of his class in the Academie de Chevalier. But his whole family got caught up in the merciless machinations of the Orlesian Grand Game and were wiped out."
"And this is why people hate Orlesians. They treat murder and fratricide like it was a game, and reward murderer while spitting on the victims." Rajmael said with disgust.
"And that's the truth." Nathaniel agreed. "Anyway, not willing to let one of their best students lose his life to the Game like the rest of his family, Stroud's instructors called in Clarel de Chanson, who recruited him to the Order. Stroud has since cemented his reputation as the best swordsman in the Order and has trained many Wardens over the years. I'd say half the Wardens in Orlais were trained by him."
"Sounds like he should be in grand standing with the Order."
"You'd think so, but for the past few months, it seems that he's committed some crime against the Order." Nathaniel shook his own head disbelief. "I don't know what happened exactly, but it seems like the Orlesian Wardens were hunting him for some reason, but then all contact with them just ceased. Even after I tried to contact Warden-Commander Clarel, I got no response."
"Yeah, that could be because your predecessor left quite the impression on her." Rajmael laughed as he remembered the impression Aedan left on him.
"Yes. He always did have that effect." Nathaniel agreed.
A Short Time Later...
"This is it. This is where we are to meet Ser Hawke." Nathaniel pointed to a cave they were approaching. An as they got close, sure enough, there was Hawke, every inch of him, waiting for them.
"I'm glad you got my letter, Nathaniel. I have to admit, I was beginning to think none of you were coming." Hawke sighed with relief.
"Well, what can I say? Saving Crestwood from certain doom is time consuming." Rajmael chuckled.
"I'm glad you were able to help them, but while I was waiting I was discovered by several Wardens who tracked me here. They left me no choice but to kill them."
"We ran into a few of them as well, but they gave us no trouble."
Hawke grunted angrily. "Then they know they're getting close to finding us. Quickly, we must see what Stroud has to tell us."
Hawke and the others made their way into the cave, they'd been waiting for sometime for this kind of information, they needed to have it now. As Rajmael took a look around the cave, never noticed or heard the highly trained footsteps of the master swordsman walking behind him. But he did hear the ringing of dwarven steel being unsheathed. Rajmael's own hand rested on his sword, ready to kill whoever was behind him.
"You're going to look awful silly with that dwarven sword shoved up your ass." Rajmael warned. He slowly turned to see a man in his late forties to early fifties holding a worn, but very sharp dwarven longsword at him. His greying hair was close cropped with the side shaved and had a thick hongroise styled mustache right beneath his nose. From the way this man was standing, and held his sword, Rajmael knew this guy was definitely a master swordsman. This must have been the Warden they were looking for.
"Easy!" Hawke bade the swordsman. "It's just me, and this is Inquisitor."
"My name is Stroud, and I am at you service, Your Worship." The Warden said with a thick Orlesian accent as he sheathed his sword and respectfully saluted the Inquisitor.
Rajmael took his own hand off his sword. "Glad to hear it, because I could use all the help I can get. What can you tell me about what's been going on with the Wardens? Does it have anything to do with Corypheus?"
"I'm afraid is has everything to do with Corypheus." Stroud answered dismally. "When Hawke here slew Corypheus in the Vimmark Mountains, Weishaupt was content to just put the matter to rest. But an Archdemon can survive wounds that seem fatal, and I feared Corypheus might posses the same power. I discovered clues, but no proof, and was ordered to drop the investigation. Then, every Warden in Orlais began to hear the calling."
A shocked and outraged look came over Hawke. "What? This whole time we've been working together, you chose to keep that from me? Do you realize how many questions we might have answered if we knew that?!"
"I am sorry, Hawke, but it was a Grey Warden Matter. And I was bound by an oath of secrecy." Stroud said apologetically.
Rajmael remembered reading about the Calling in some of the books he read at Skyhold. "The Calling signals the end of Grey Warden's life. Like a siren's call, it beckons to them against their will."
"All the Wardens in Orlais hearing that right now? They think they're dying." Hawke finished.
"Yes. And I think it has everything to do with Corypheus." Stoud confirmed. "If the Wardens fall, who will stand against the next Blight? That is our greatest fear."
"And Corypheus is manipulating their fear to make them do something desperate, foolish and likely involving some form of forbidden magic. Am I right?" Hawke demanded.
There were other questions Rajmael wanted answered. "Wait a minute, Corypheus is a darkspawn, likely one of the first of them, how can you not know what he is or what he is capable of?"
"I am sorry, but even as a Senior Warden, I've only heard the vaguest whispers of Corypheus." Stroud answered. "From what Hawke has told me, he seems to possess the same ability to call those tainted with the Blight like an Achdemon. And like the darkspawn, we Wardens are tied to the Blight, and we feel the voice of the Archdemon just as the darkspawn do. That must be how Corypheus created this false Calling. But the Wardens all think this Calling is real, that is all I am certain of."
"What about you, all of you, are you hearing this Calling now?" Rajmael asked in concern for all Wardens present.
"Sadly, yes. I feel it like a wolf circling around a campfire." Stroud answered dismally. "Whatever creature created it, does not know the love or light of the Maker, but at times...I can almost make out the words. We must uncover what Corypheus has done, and put an end to it. This cannot stand."
"I don't fear the Calling. And worrying about it only gives it power. If anything, it will only strengthen my resolve." Blackwall said confidently.
"We've been Wardens for over ten years now. We all hear the faintest glimmer of the Calling anyway." Nathaniel informed.
"Sometimes, I like to try dancing to it." Sigrun said with her chipper tone.
"Bah! I'm too used to being buzzed for some darkspawn lullaby to bother me." Oghren scoffed.
"None of that answers my question, Stroud." Hawke interjected angrily. "What idiotic plan are the Wardens going to attempt that Corypheus is manipulating them to do?"
Stroud sighed sadly, as though someone close had hurt him. "Wardens are the only ones capable of slaying Archdemons. Without us, the next Blight will consume the world, and their will be no Aedan Cousland to save it." Stroud looked at them as though he were confessing a crime. "Warden-Commander Clarel spoke of a blood ritual to prevent further Blights from happening before we all perish. When I protested the plan as madness, my own comrades turned on me."
"I fucking knew it!" Hawke spat. "Anytime you Wardens are backed up into a corner, you use any method and excuse to come out on top, no matter how horrible, and you always use the Blight as your excuse! Just like when you threatened my mother and blackmailed my father to make him seal Corypheus for you!"
"This is exactly why The Hero of Ferelden didn't trust Warden-Commander Clarel in the first place." Nathaniel said damningly. "There are lines even we are not supposed to cross! How can the Wardens of Orlais do something so insane?"
"This is a discussion for another time, Warden-Commander Howe. Time is of the essence." Stroud evaded. "I have just learned that the Wardens are gathering here, in the Western Approach. They are using some ancient Tevinter ritual tower. For what I purpose, I am uncertain. But if we are to discover what they are planning, then we must go there now. I suggest we split up and rendezvous there so that no one sees us coming. I will scout ahead and send word if anything happens."
As Stroud left the cave, Rajmael took a good look at the coordinates on the map. The ritual tower was not far from Griffon Wing Keep, right on the edge of the Abyssal Reach. Just looking at that spot on the map reminded Rajmael why the Wardens were so important. It was from that giant anus in the earth, the darkspawn poured out of their like an ocean of black evil and covered half of Thedas, and only the Wardens were able to drive them back and end the Blight. For centuries, every culture, even his people regarded the Wardens with respect. But now they were allying with Corypheus, the embodiment of the very threat they were suppose to be defending the world against, but now, they were doing his bidding. The Grey Wardens consisted of some of the greatest warriors, tacticians and mages in all of Thedas, and now, Rajmael may very well need to bring all the might the Inquisition could must to crush them, despite all the sacrifices this Order had done for a thankless world. All Rajmael could say right now was...
"Where the fuck is Aedan Cousland when you need him?"
Language Codex:
Mo Siuile Orga Whurnin: Ancient Alamarii, translates as "Golden-Eyed Darling."
Vashedan: Qunlat, translates as "Crap" or "Trash".
Author's Note:
Alright, so now we've got a new arc starting, and a lot of cameo appearances. Sorry there wasn't a whole lot of violence in this chapter. There's going to be a lot more cameos, and lot more blood and guts in the upcoming chapters, I can promise you that. I own and claim nothing. Please review.