So this is probably going to annoy some of you, and that is fine, but I'm changing the setting slightly and starting from Origins instead of Inquisition. The reason being I have found a youtuber who has played and recorded all of the dragon age games, and since they don't have reliable transcripts, this is the best I can do. And for those of you who liked the fact a had someone Jaune wouldn't recognize, don't worry, there are plenty of characters to choose from, and I can get away with changing things like species and such. If anyone wishes to no longer follow this story after the change that is fine, it's your choice and I wont hold it against you. Thank you all for your time and attention, as this is my most viewed story so far, I hope you all enjoy, and please continue reviewing, favoriting, and following this story.
The youtuber is Liara Gaming, in case you wanted to know.
Sienna, an elf of dusky skin, ebony hair, and amber eyes, is awoken from her slumber by a redheaded elf with pale skin and brown eyes, this is her Cousin Shianni.
"Wake up, Cousin! Why are you still in bed?" The elven woman asked. "It's your bid day!"
Sienna sits up to reply. "Huh? What? Did I oversleep! Argh…"
"Yes. Your father and I figured you deserved it." Shianni replied. "You do remember what today is, don't you?"
"Someone's wedding?" Sienna asked.
A double wedding! You're getting married, and so is Soris!" Shianni exclaimed. "That's what I came to tell you! Your groom, Nelaros… he's here early!"
"I don't think I'm ready for this." Sienna said standing up.
"Well, it's going to happen anyway, so hold your breath and jump in!" Shianni soothed. "There's going to be music, decorations, feasting… weddings are so much fun! You're s lucky!"
"Maybe you should be the one getting married." Sienna grumbled.
"All in good time, Cousin. This is your day, not mine!" Shianni replied. "All right, I'll stop tormenting you, I should go talk to the other bridesmaids and find my dress… Oh, Soris said that he'll be waiting for you outside. So move it."
With her piece said Shianni leaves, Sienna walks over to her footlocker to retrieve her dress. She also takes the Health Poultice and small Grease Trap, can't be to careful. She changes into her dress, an expensive garment featuring finely embroidered silk panels and elegant stitching in gold and silver thread. With her dress on, Sienna walks into the common room and talks to her Father, Cyrion, an elven man of dark hair and pale skin, he wears a gray shirt with a brown sleeveless tunic, fastened at the waist with a belt, and brown pants and boots.
"Ah, my little girl. It's… the last day I'll be able to call you that. Oh, I wish your mother could have been here!" Cyrion sighed.
"Me too, Father." Sienna agreed. "Well, what should I be doing?"
"All right, time for you to go find Soris." Cyrion instructed. "The sooner this wedding starts, the less chance you two have to escape."
"A small chance is still a chance." Sienna replied.
"Still have your mother's smart mouth, I see." Cyrion chuckled. "Oh, one last thing before you go, my dear. Your martial training… the swordplay, knives, and whatever else your mother trained you in. best not to mention it to your betrothed."
"I take it you didn't say anything?" Sienna asked.
"Well, it's not exactly something that would have made it easy to find a match for you." Cyrion answered. "We don't want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake."
"The humans who killed her made a bigger one." Sienna hissed.
"Our world is full of so many injustices." Cyrion sighed. "Take this. Your mother would have wanted you to have it. It's the very least I can give you, as you start your new life." Her Father handed her her Mother's boots. "Go on, then. I still have some things to do, and Soris is no doubt waiting for you."
Sienna puts on her mothers boots, then heads outside, into The Denerim Alienage, a miserable makeshift ghetto of scrap wood and loose stone buildings, as she exits, she runs into a group of drunken elves, one is… singing.
"Oh, there once was a woman, she lived in the sea, I didn't love her, but I think she loved me, I brought her diamonds, rubies, silver, and gold. But all she wanted was to be saved from the cold! She begged me to catch her, convinced me I should! I promised her a house, all gray stone and wood! We made love in the sea, we made love on the shore, I was there for playing, but she wanted more. But there's one small problem, you see; I can't grant her wish! My wife gets suspicious when I come home smelling like fish." A redheaded elf… sings.
Sienna shakes her head, scowling, as she walks over to the group.
"Well, hello. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" The redhead slurred.
"You're drunk!" Sienna exclaimed.
"It's a wedding, isn't it?"A dark haired elf in dreads slurred, causing the redhead to cheer… for much to long.
As Sienna walks away she hears the dark haired elf slur. "I wouldn't mind taking one of those bridesmaids home."
As Sienna walks away, she notices an older elven couple talking.
"Well, it's around the eyes, mostly." The woman said.
"I till don't see it. Whenever I look, I just see the mother." The man replied.
"The mother was far more delicate." The woman chastised.
"It's the same sort of nose, you must admit that." The man retorted. "The breeding shows…"
"There you go again with breeding." The woman moaned. "We're not horses, you know."
"Of course not, but bloodlines are important. That's all I'm saying!" The man defended.
"I think the whole notion is ridiculous." The woman scuffed.
"Well, you've got the freedom to think so." The man said. "You come from good stock."
As there conversation wanes, Sienna approaches.
"well, it's the lucky bride herself." The woman gushed. "Hello, dear."
"Now, love. She probably doesn't remember us." The man chastised.
"Oh, of course. I'm Dilwyn, and this is Gethon." The now named Dilwyn greets. "We were friends of your mother's. We haven't seen much of you since she… well…"
"What can you tell me about my mother?" Sienna asked.
"Your father still doesn't speak of her, does he?" Gethon asked.
"Adaia was beautiful and full of life." Dilwyn gushed. "And a bit wild."
"She wanted you more than anything. It's sad she never got to see you all grown up." Gethon sighed.
"We just wanted to see you today and express our good wishes." Dilwyn consoled
"Thank you." Sienna replied.
"We've saved a bit of money for this day. We'd… we'd like you to have it to help start your new life." Gethon professed.
"I can't accept this." Sienna said.
"Please, we want you to have it." Dilwyn pleaded.
"Very well, for you." Sienna caved.
"Maker bless you." Gethon proclaimed.
Sienna turns and walks away, as she does, she sees the Alienage Tree, and next to it, a family of three packing there thing in a tiny hand drawn cart.
"Hurry up." The Father sighed. "Waiting around won't make it any easier."
Sienna walks up to the family.
The Father turns to greet her. "Many blessings, young one. We hoped to stay for the celebration, but we must be off."
"You're not staying for my wedding?" Sienna asked.
"I wish we could." The daughter sighed.
"The human who owns our building has decided to sell it for storage space." the father explained. "We can't afford to live anywhere else here, so we're leaving Denerim."
"Where are you going?" Sienna asked.
"The Ostagar ruins." The daughter shutters. "The army camp there is calling for laborers."
"We wanted to look for work in Highever…" the mother added.
"But that's just not possible." The father said.
"Why not?" Sienna inquired.
"Moving o a different alienage isn't easy, travel and bribes cost money." The father explained. "Humans are a suspicious lot, I've heard the ones in Highever are worse than here."
"You could stay at our place for a while." Sienna suggested.
"all three of us in one room with your father, you, and your new husband? Are you crazy?" The father asked.
"What my husband means is, you're very generous, but… we don't need charity to solve our problems." The mother intervened.
"I understand." Sienna sighed. "Good luck to you."
"Many thanks." The father said. "Again, blessings on your day."
As Sienna walks away, the daughter goes after her.
"Wait… can I talk to you a moment?" She asked.
"Of course." Sienna replied.
"I apologize for my parents. They're too proud to accept help, much less ask for it." The daughter explained. "My parents will labor in the army camp, and they'll expect me to do the same, but… I don't like the idea of being surrounded by human soldiers who haven't seen a woman in months."
"Maybe you should stay here." Sienna suggested.
"I would, but my father would have to believe I have a future here…" The daughter sighed.
"Let me talk to him." Sienna decided.
"Really? All right, if you think that will help." The daughter said.
Sienna walks back over to the girls father.
"Hell again." The father greets. "Isn't your wedding soon?"
"I wanted to talk to you about your daughter." Sienna said.
"My daughter?" He asked.
"Yes. I think I have a way that she can stay here." Sienna said.
"I don't take advice from children, nor do I plan to split up my family." He dismissed. "Now excuse me."
"I'm not speaking for my self." Sienna interjected.
"That's… unusual, I'm listening." He replied.
"She should stay with my father." Sienna suggested.
"I see, he'd shelter and provide for my daughter?" He asked.
"He would." Sienna answered.
"I don't know… what do you think, love?" He asked his wife.
"Well, she'd be among family." She answered. "When we've made enough, we can return…"
"And you, Nessa?" He asked.
"Your will, Father." Nessa answered.
"That's my girl." He praised. "Hmmm. Very well, first she'll help us be away, then return to stay with your family. Thank your father for me."
"Thank you." Nessa beamed.
Sienna then returns to Cyrion.
"Don't you have a wedding to prepare for?" Cyrion asked.
"I told Nessa she could stay with you." Sienna answered.
"Nessa?" Cyrion asked. "I thought her family was leaving for the army camp."
"Just think about what the humans would do to her out there." Sienna pleaded.
"I… suppose she can stay. She is family, after all. And if we don't stick up for each other, who will? Very well." Cyrion agreed.
Sienna leaves her home once more and stops by Alarith's Store. It's sparsely stocked store, but in an alienage it's the best you'll find. Sienna walks up to the counter and speaks to Alarith, a ginger elven man dressed in make shift clothes, much like the rest of the alienage.
"What are you doing here?" Alarith asked. "you should be getting ready for your wedding!"
"I'm just making sure you're attending." Sienna inquired.
"Of course I'll be there." Alarith reassured. "Now shoo!"
As Sienna leaves the store and makes her way to find Solas, an elven man named Taeodor catches her attention.
"Hello, there. Congratulations on the big day!" Taeodor cheered. "Have you seen Soris?"
"I'm looking for him myself." Sienna replied.
"Well, if you see him, ask him to come by and say hello, will you." Taeodor asked.
With that done, Sienna was once again sidetracked from her goal, this time by a sour-faced ginger woman, named Elva, next to her son.
"So I see you got yourself a big handsome hulk of a husband." Elva bitched. "Excuse me if I don' congratulate you."
"Is something wrong?" Sienna asked.
"Don't act like you care. Your father has the money to get you a great match. Meanwhile, what did I get?" Elva hissed. "A fat, old man who smells like the docks and wouldn't know what to do with a woman even if he was sober."
"What does that have to do with me?" Sienna asked.
"You think your better than me? Well you're not!" Elva scoffed. "I may have a poor match, but at least I have some dignity. Wench."
After that… fiasco, Sienna walks away and find an elven beggar.
"Ma'am? Spare a coin for a man who was ruined trying to help his family?" The Beggar begged.
"Tell me your story." Sienna asked.
"I worked on the docks, living day to day, never knowing if my family would go hungry… The humans always left us the dangerous work in the high beams of the warehouses, or in the water." The Beggar mourned. "I was rigged up, cleaning the side of a ship, when it drifted against and my legs were crushed between."
"You didn't receive healing?" Sienna gasped.
"Magical healing? On an elf?" The Beggar scoffed. "The human foreman had me hauled out and dumped in an alley. My sons didn't find me until day's end. So now I live on the charity of those who don't even have enough for themselves."
"Here you go." Sienna said giving the man a bit of money.
"May the Maker's eyes look down with love on your day." The Beggar blessed.
Now, with no more distractions, Sienna finally found Soris, a redheaded man with pale skin and brown eyes, in his own fine embroidered silk.
"Well, if it isn't my lucky cousin. Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?" Soris inquired.
"Is running away still an option?" Sienna asked.
"Are you insane? Where will you go? Into the woods to live with the Dalish elves?" Soris exclaimed.
"It could happen…" Sienna mused.
"Live in the forest with the savages, far from humans? Sounds like a dream." Soris said. "Hmm. Not that we'd know where to find them. Besides, why would you run? Apparently, your groom's a dream come true. My bride sounds like a dying mouse."
"I"m sure she's quite nice." Sienna comforted.
"Great. I'll spend the nest fifty years with a 'nice' girl who hides grain away for the winter…" Soris joked. "Let's go introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before you say 'I do'."
On the way to meet their betrothed's, Sienna and Soris cross paths with Taeodor.
"There's the man of the hour. How are you, Soris?" Taeodor asked.
"I'm well." Soris answered. "This is my cousin, the bride. The other bride… not my bride!"
"we've met on occasion." Taeodor replied. "Blessings on this day, both of you."
"Thank you." Sienna replied.
"There is something you should know, Soris. My brothers won't be coming. They… left to find the Dalish, you see." Taeodor sighed.
"You mean the elves who still live in the woods?" Sienna asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. Even Alarith swears that Dalish saved him on his way to Denerim. Nonsense." Taeodor scoffed.
"Alarith? The shopkeeper?" Sienna asked.
"Indeed. He told my brothers that, when he was fleeing his homeland, he found the Dalish – or they found him, I don't really remember." Taeodor explained.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about it. They were probably just taken in by another old story." Soris comforted. "Taeodor, it was great seeing you. I'm sure your brothers will show up in a few days, embarrassed and hungry."
"I hope so. I should go. Best wishes to you both." Taeodor sighed, before walking away.
Sienna and Soris then finally walk towards their betrothed.
The following scenes contain physical abuse and suggestions of rape, and may be uncomfortable for some.
They walk towards a group of elves, waiting for the weddings, when a human man in fine nobles attire walks up behind them and forcefully grabs an elven woman.
"Let go of me!" She yelled as she broke free from his grasp. "Stop, please!"
"It's a party, isn't it? Grab a whore and have a good time." The noble cackled. "Savor the hunt, boys. Take this little elven wench, here… so young and vulnerable…"
"Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!" Shianni yelled.
"Please, my lord! We're celebrating weddings, here!" An elven man pleaded.
"Silence, worm!" The noble yelled, slapping the elven man.
"I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved…" Soris whispered to Sienna.
"I won't let these humans abuse us." Sienna whispered back.
"Fine." Soris whispered. "But let's try to be diplomatic, shall we?"
The noble turned and saw Sienna. "What's this. Another lovely one come to keep me company?"
"You need to leave at once." Sienna demanded.
"Ha! You hear that, Vaughan?" Another noble said.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" The now named Vaughan scoffed.
Shianni looks around and sees a jug, she runs toward it. Soris try's to subtly shack his head at her, but Vaughan sees and turns around, just as Shianni throws the jug at him, it hits and he collapses, unconscious.
"Are you insane?! This is Vaughan Urien, the arl of Denerim's son!" Another noble yelled.
"w-what? Oh, Maker…" Shianni exclaimed.
"Take him home. If you don't mention this, we won't." Sienna advised.
"You've a lot of nerve, knife-ears. This'll go badly for you." The other noble fumed.
As the nobles left Shianni approaches Sienna and Soris.
"Oh, I really messed up this time." Shianni moaned.
"It'll be all right. He won't tell anyone an elven woman took him down." Soris comforted.
"I hope so." Shianni sighed. "I should get cleaned up."
"Is everybody else all right?" An elven man said, walking up.
"I think we're just shaken." An elven woman said. "What was that about?"
"Looks like the arl's son started drinking too early." Soris nervously laughed. "Um, well let's not let this ruin the day." Soris looks to Sienna. "Uh, this is Valora, my betrothed."
Sienna looks the man up and down. "And this man must be my betrothed."
"A pleasure." Nelaros greeted. "Soris said much of you – some of it was even positive."
"Hey, I just wanted to give you a sporting chance to run." Soris laughed. "I'm… sure the two of you have a lot to discuss."
Soris and Valora leave, as Nelaros turns to Sienna. "Well, here we are… are you nervous?"
"Sort of nauseated, actually." Sienna replied.
"I'd thought I'd stay calm, but now we've met… Let's just say I'm not calm." Nelaros said.
"How do you feel about moving to Denerim?" Sienna inquired.
"It was hard leaving Highever, but your father's matchmaker spoke highly of you, and rightfully so." Nelaros replied. "Denerim itself seems friendlier than Highever… perhaps because it's so large that humans take less notice of us."
"Come on, Cousin." Soris whispered. "We should let them get ready."
"We'll see you two in a bit." Valora said. "Don't disappear on us."
"Or we'll come find you." Nelaros said… creepily.
As they walk away, Soris catches Sienna's attention.
"Don't look now, but we have another problem." Soris warned.
"What do you mean?" Sienna asked.
"Another human just walked in. could be one of Vaughan's or just a random troublemaker." Soris replied as they look over and see a bearded man, with a low ponytail, in an armored robe with two swords on his back. "Either way, we need to move him along before someone does something stupid."
"Right. Let's go talk to him." Sienna replied.
"Let's do this quickly." Soris warned.
They walk over to the man.
"god day, I understand congratulations are in order for your impending wedding." The man greets.
"Thanks, but please go. I'd rather avoid any unpleasantness." Sienna asked.
"What manner of unpleasantness might you be referring to?" The man asked.
"The Alienage just isn't a good place for humans to be." Sienna answered.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intentions of leaving." The man replied.
"Fine." Sienna said. "Maybe we can compromise."
"She keeps her composure, even when facing down an unknown and armed human." The man said, as an Elder walk up to them. "A true gift, wouldn't you say, Valendrian?"
"I would say the world has far more use of those who know how to stay their blades." Valendrian replied. "It is good to see you again, my old friend. It has been far too long."
"You know this human, Elder?" Sienna asked.
"May I present Duncan, head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden." Valendrian introduced.
"What's a Grey Warden?" Sienna asked.
"They are great warriors, child, sworn to protect our world from the darkspawn." Valendrian answers, then turns to Duncan. "But my question remains unanswered. Why are you here, Duncan?"
"The worse has happened: a Blight has begun. King Cailan summons the Grey Wardens to Ostagar to fight the darkspawn horde alongside his armies." Duncan answered.
"Yes… I had heard the news. Still, this is an awkward time, there is to be a wedding – two, in fact." Valendrian said.
"So I see. By all means, attend to your ceremonies. My concerns can wait, for now." Duncan replied.
"Very well, Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for the Maker's sake, take your places." Valendrian commanded.
"Please, do not let me interrupt further. We shall speak more later." Duncan dismissed, until Sienna came back immediately with questions. "Was there something else?"
"I have questions." Sienna stated.
"By all means." Duncan answered.
"I'm curious about the Grey Wardens."
"What would you like to know?"
"What exactly do Grey Wardens do?"
"We dedicate our lives to fighting darkspawn wherever they appear, doing whatever it takes to stop them. It is our only charge."
"Are there elven Grey Wardens?"
"In fact, some of our greatest heroes have been elven. The Warden Garahel, he that slew the last archdemon, was such a one. I could tell you a great deal more about them… but I suspect you've other things to do at the moment."
"How do you know the Elder?"
"Valendrian and I have known each other for almost twenty years… since the time I tried to recruit your mother, in fact."
"You tried recruiting my mother?"
"I did. Your mother was a fiery woman. She would have made an excellent Grey Warden."
"So what happened?"
"I never made the offer. Valendrian convinced me that it was better for her to remain here with her family. As there was no Blight and thus no immediate need for recruits, I deferred to his wishes. But it seems she passed her training on to you, am I right?"
"How did you know that?"
"I have already heard a great deal about you, if you must know. But we can speak more of this later. You have a wedding to attend."
"Why are you here? Are you recruiting?"
"All in good time, I suggest you have your celebration while you can."
"Alright. Goodbye."
"My best wishes to you both."
With her curiosity sated, Sienna and Soris walk to the raised platform on which they will be married. With most of the town coming to witness the occasion.
"Ooh! Soris! There you are, I was afraid you'd run off." Valora joked.
"No, I'm here, with Nelaros's blushing bride in tow!" Soris exclaimed.
"You look radiant." Nelaros complimented Sienna.
A Priestess walks onto the platform, causing Soris to say. "It looks like everyone's ready."
"Good luck, Soris." Sienna cheered.
"You too, Cousin. Maybe it won't be so bad, after all." Soris said… in front of his bride-to-be.
"Friends and family, today we celebrate not only this joining, but also our bonds of kin and kind." Valendrian announced. "We are a free people, but that was not always so. Andraste, the Maker's prophet, freed us from the bonds of slavery. As our community grows, remember that our strength lies in commitment to tradition and to each other."
The Priestess walks forward. "Thank you, Valendrian. Now, let us begin. In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light, I –"
The Priestess is interrupted by Soris pointing to Lord Vaughan storming through the Alienage with an escort of guards, knocking a boy over in their haste.
"Milord? This is… an unexpected surprise." The Priestess exclaimed.
"Sorry to interrupt, Mother, but I'm having a party and we're dreadfully short of female guests." Vaughan laughs, stopping behind Valora.
"Milord, this is a wedding!" The Priestess protested.
"Ha! If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties, that's your business. But don't pretend this is a proper wedding." Vaughan scoffed. "Now, we're here for a good time, aren't we boys?"
"Just a good time with the ladies, that's all." The noble with a chin beard laughed, the one with the pedo stache laughed as well.
Let's take those two, the one in the tight dress, and… where's the bitch that bottled me?" Vaughan hissed.
"Over here, Lord Vaughan!" pedo stache yelled, grabbing Shianni.
"Let me go, you stuffed-shirt son of a –" Shianni yelled.
"Oh, I'll enjoy taming her." Vaughan purred. "And see the pretty bride…"
"Don't worry, I won't let them take you!" Nelaros declared.
"I won't let them take Shianni!" Sienna growled.
"Ah, yes… such a well-formed little thing." Vaughan sighed, looking to Sienna.
"You villains!" Nelaros cried.
"That's quite enough." Vaughan laughed. "I'm sure we all want to avoid further… um, unpleasantness."
"Take me, but let the others go!" Sienna demanded.
"That wouldn't be much of a party now, would it?" Vaughan asked. "Oh, we're going to have some fun." Vaughan laughs as chin beard knocks Sienna unconscious.
When Sienna comes to, she's in a prison cell, with Shianni, Valora, and an unknown elven bridesmaid, crowded around her, a little ways away, Nola is praying.
"Maker keep us, Maker protect us, Maker keep us, Maker protect us-" A traumatized Nola repeats.
"Stop it! You're driving me insane!" Shianni growled, then notices Sienna waking up. "Oh, thank the Maker you've come to. We were so worried."
"Is everyone all right?" Sienna asked.
"We're scared but unharmed. So far." Valora answered. "They locked us in here to wait until that… bastard is 'ready for us'."
"Then we need to get out of here!" Sienna declared.
"Forgive me if I don't hold my breath. The door is locked and solid, and we're unarmed!" The Bridesmaid fumed.
"Maker keep us, Maker protect us, Maker protect us-" Nola continues to chant.
"Great! Now this, again." Shianni snarked.
Sienna decides to scan the room, and when she does, she sees a strangely clothed human, the man, boy really, has blond hair and fair skin, his clothing is in tatters, his armor little more than scrap, and the only thing on his person is a metal sheath for a sword. Deciding to ignore him for now, she turns to Shianni.
"Look, we'll… do what they want, go home, and try to forget this ever happened!" The Bridesmaid whimpered.
"She's right. It'll be worse if we resist." Valora agreed.
"It'll be worse if we don't!" Shianni snapped.
"Someone's coming!" The Bridesmaid warned.
"If you see an opportunity, take it." Sienna ordered.
They turn to face the group of guards that had entered, the head one speaks. "Hello, wenches – we're your escorts to Lord Vaughan's little party."
Nola stands up and yells. "Stay away from us!"
The head guard strikes her down in response, she falls back, blood gushing from the new gash in her throat.
"You killed her!" The Bridesmaid cried.
"I suppose that's what happens when you try teaching whores some respect." The head guard spat, before looking to his right. "Now, you grab the little flower cowering in the corner. Horace and I'll take the homely bride and the drunk." He then turns to his left. "You two, bind the last one. She's a scrapper." He then leaves.
"Don't worry; we'll be perfect gentlemen." The guard with a mustache said.
"Now, you heard the captain. Be a good little wench or you'll end up like your friend there." The other guard threatened.
"Try it. See what parts you lode first." Sienna growled.
"Ha! Horace was right: She's a scrapper!" Mustache cheered.
"Uh… hello?" Soris called walking into the room.
"Ooh, look at this. A little elfling with a stolen sword." Mustache said.
The guards walk towards Soris, but he slides the sword to Sienna, causing them to turn around.
"Oh, sod." The clean shaven one said.
"Hey!" A voice rang out
When the clean shaven guard looked to the voice, the only thing that greeted him was a white heater shield and a sickening crunch. Sienna used this distraction to plunge her given sword into a gab in between Mustache's helmet and gorget, severing his spine from his head and killing him instantly. When the guard lay dead, Sienna and Jaune stood over Nola, while Soris knelt next to her.
"I… can't believe they killed her! Are you all right? They… didn't hurt you, did they?" Soris asked before turning to Jaune. "And thank you stranger!"
"you're… welcome…" Jaune said, before thinking. "These guys are dressed like medieval soldiers, and I've never seen a Faunas with ears like that, and those guards didn't have Aura, where in Oums name am I?"
"No time to talk, you two. The others need us." Sienna commanded.
"That Grey Warden, Duncan, gave Nelaros and me his sword and crossbow, but that's ass we have." Soris informed.
"We'll grab weapons as we go." Jaune said.
"Agreed. Let's go."
"Nelaros is guarding the end of the hall. Let's figure this out with him." Soris suggested. "We should hurry before something happens to the others."
Jaune grabs a sword from one of the guards. "Alright, let's strip this place of anything useful, no telling what we'll run into, and you two, get into that armor." Jaune said before thinking. "And if what I think is correct, those two won't have Aura either."
"What about you?" Soris asked.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Jaune smiled.
When the armor is stripped from the corpses, they discover it's too heavy for Sienna to wear, though she made excellent use of one of their short swords in her off hand, as Jaune was changing, Sienna notices his back was heavily scarred, and that he had a brand on his upper back.
"What's that?" Sienna asked.
"Let's just say… this isn't the first time I've had to escape a place I didn't want to be in." Jaune chuckled humorlessly.
"Well, looks like I'll be using it after all." Jaune sighed, hoping to get the two civilians in armor. "So this is how we'll advance, I'll run point and be a distraction, while you two stay back… what's your names?"
"Soris."
"Sienna."
"Okay, I'm Jaune." Jaune greeted. "Soris, keep your distance and use that crossbow. Sienna, your clearly trained, but since your unarmored, I want you skirmishing, okay?"
The elves nod, and with their plan made, they advance into the next room, the kitchen.
They are noticed by the cook. "What's this? I don't recognize you, elf! Wait… is that blood? You're bandits! Outlaws! The guards will make quick work of – unnngghhh"
The cook is knocked out by his assistant, another elf. "You've no idea how long that shem's had it coming."
"Have you seen a group of elven maidens?" Sienna asked.
"Elves?" Jaune thought.
"Yes. Dragged them to Lord Vaughan's quarters, they did. You should hurry if you want to help them." The elf warned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting out of here before the storm hits."
After looting the kitchen for anything useful, they enter the dining hall, and run smack dab into some off-duty guards.
"Where did you get a weapon, elf?" A guard demanded.
"Uh-oh…" Soris said.
"Oh, come on!" Jaune complained.
"You better talk quick, scum!" Another guard demanded.
"I was… er, they were… Oh, sod it." Sienna tried, before throwing a knife into one of the guards neck, killing him instantly. Leading to another short bout of fighting. They make their way into an Armory, where Sienna finds some leather armor to wear. They continue until they enter a room, just in time to see Nelaros be killed by the Captain of the guard.
"See? I told you there'd be more. Elves run in packs, like rodents." The Captain said.
"Should we keep the knife-eared bitch alive?" A guard asked.
"They killed our boys. She dies." The Captain ordered.
"You killed Nelaros!" Sienna cried.
"You bastards! He was unarmed!" Jaune yelled.
"Ha! He squealed like a stuck pig when he died. Let's see if you two do, too." The Captain said, leading to another fight.
The guards charge the group, Soris fires a bolt into the neck of the right guard, while Sienna takes the right guard, and Jaune guns for the Captain. Sienna has some trouble getting past the guard's shield, until she uses a trick her mother taught her, and stuns him, letting her finish him off. Jaune meanwhile, charges the Captain, he blocks an overhead swing, and charges his blade with Aura, and cleaves the Captain in two.
"Nelaros… I'm so sorry." Soris wept.
"He died to save me." Sienna trembled.
"Let's make sure it wasn't in vain." Soris said.
"We will." Jaune declared.
With that the group fought through the castle, looting all the while, taking anything useful. They fought through many guards, some dog trainers, and what Jaune would later find out, a Mabari. Until they finally found Lord Vaughan's quarters, they entered to find Shianni on the floor with Vaughan, Pedo Stache, and Chin Beard standing over her.
Lord Vaughan turns to them. "My, my. What have we here?"
"Don't worry; we'll make short work of these three." Pedo Stache said cockily.
"Quiet, you idiot! They're covered with enough blood to fill a tub. What do you think that means?" Vaughan scolded.
"You tell me." Sienna growled.
"All right, let's not be too hasty here. Surely we can talk this over…" Vaughan negotiated.
"If you have something to say, say it." Sienna growled out.
"here's our situation. You are skilled, obviously. We fight here, perhaps you could even manage to kill us…" Vaughan said turning to look at a painting. "My father won't let that go. You pigsty of an alienage will be burned to the ground." He turns back towards the group. "Or you turn and walk away… with forty sovereigns added to your purses. You take that money and leave Denerim tonight. No repercussions, and you can go wherever you like."
"What about the women? Will you let them go?" Jaune growled.
"The woman stay. They'll go home tomorrow, slightly worse for wear, and you'll be long gone." Vaughan answered. "that's the deal. Take it or leave it."
Sienna looks to Soris, he shrugs his shoulders slightly, she looks to Jaune, who nods to her with a cross between blood curdling fury and determination on his face. She looks to Vaughan. "I'm going to enjoy killing you."
"Bah! I always regret talking to knife-ears! Now I'll just gut your ignorant carcasses, instead!" Vaughan fumed.
Vaughan and his two cronies charge the group, in nothing but their embroidered doublet's, Pedo Stache takes an arrow to the knee, stumbling him, and then while he's on his knees, an arrow right between his eyes, Chin Beard is simply beheaded by Jaune, while Sienna toys with Vaughan, like a cat playing with it's food, after Vaughan misses his initial strike, Sienna takes his hands with her short sword, then slashes the tendons in his knee with her other sword, and for the coup de grâce, takes his head off with a scissor motion of her blades.
Soris runs up to Sienna, breathing heavily. "He… he's dead. Tell me we did the right thing, Cousin."
"Of course." Sienna replied.
"They forced our hand, Oum knows what would have happened to those women if we hadn't stepped in." Jaune soothed.
"I hope you're right." Soris sighed. "I… I'll check the back room for the others, Shianni needs you."
"And I'll keep watch until we're ready to leave. It's probably best that I'm not the first thing they see."
Jaune said, walking out the door.
"D-don't leave me alone… please… please, take me home." Shianni sobbed.
"Can you walk?" Sienna asked.
"I… I think so…" Shianni trembled. "You killed them, didn't you? You killed them all."
"Not just them, all the humans who hurt you." Sienna answered.
"Good. Good…" Shianni replied.
Valor walks out of the back room with Soris.
"Is… she going to be all right?" Valora asked.
"She'll live. How are you?" Sienna asked.
"A bit rattled. They said they were… saving us for later." Valora answered. "I can't believe you came for us. Thank you."
"Er… we should go. Soon. As in now." Soris warned.
"I agree." Jaune said walking into the room. "The longer we wait, the more guards are likely to show up."
"Yes, I've had enough of this place." Sienna agreed.
"I'll take the rear guard. I can't wait to leave this place." Soris replied.
"And I'll run point." Jaune stated. "Let's go."
The group leave the castle, as they exit the gates, Valendrian and Duncan await them.
"You have returned. Has Shianni been hurt? Where is Tormey's daughter, Nola? And who is this?" Valendrian inquired.
"Nola didn't make it. She resisted, and…" Valora chocked up.
"… they killed her." Shianni continued.
"Nelaros, too. The guards killed him." Soris added.
"And this is Jaune, he helped us escape." Sienna answered.
"I see. Would the rest of you ladies please take Shianni home? She needs rest." Valendrian commanded. "And thank you young man for your assistance."
"Your welcome." Jaune mumbled shyly.
"Of course." Valora replied.
"Now tell me: what happened?" Valendrian asked.
"Vaughan's dead." Sienna answered.
"Then the garrison could already be on their way. You have little time." Duncan warned.
"I'm not sure what we should do." Sienna admitted.
An elf runs up to them, shouting. "The guards are here!"
"Don't panic. Let's see what comes of this." Valendrian cautioned.
A group of five guards enters the Alienage, the head guard, grizzled and grey, declared. "I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage!"
"Here, Captain, I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?" Valendrian plays ignorant.
"Don't play ignorant with me, elder. You will not prevent justice from being done." The Captain spat. "The arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace! I need names, and I need them now!"
"These people have a hard enough time as is, I'll say I did it, after all if my suspicion is correct, I might not even be in Remnant anymore." Jaune thought.
With his plan set, Jaune was about to step forward, until Sienna beat him to it.
"It was my doing." Sienna said, stepping forward.
"You expect me to believe one woman did all of that?" The Captain asked.
"We are not all so helpless, Captain." Valendrian retorted.
"You save many by coming forward. I don't envy your fate, but I applaud your courage." The Captain complimented. "This elf will wait in the dungeons until the arl returns. The rest of you, back to your houses!"
Jaune steps forward to intervene, but once more he was beaten to it, this time by Duncan.
"Captain… a word, if you please." Duncan inquired.
"What is it, Grey Warden? The situation is well under control, as you can see." The Captain replied.
"Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription, I remove this woman into my custody." Duncan commanded.
"You can do that?" Sienna and Jaune asked.
"Son of a tied down – very well, Grey Warden; I cannot challenge your rights, but I'll ask one thing: Get this elf out of this city. Today." The Captain demanded.
"Agreed." Duncan complied.
"Now, I need to get my men on the streets before this news hits. Move out!" The Captain commanded.
"You're with me now." Duncan said, stepping in front of Sienna. "Say your goodbyes, and see me when you're ready. We leave immediately."
"And if I don't ant to be a Grey Warden?" Sienna inquired.
"You would prefer a swift execution?" Duncan asked. "I needed a Grey Warden and I found one. That conscripting you saved your life is only circumstance. You did what you had to do to accomplish your mission. We need people like you. Now quickly, say your goodbyes. Your life here is over."
Soris walks over to Sienna. "Thank you. You really saved my hide back there…"
"What will you do now?" Sienna asked.
"No more daydreaming. I'm settling down, Valora's a good woman, and she has ideas on making life better for everyone here." Soris answered. "Your father had the women take Shianni back to your place. Will you see her before you go?"
"Of course." Sienna answered.
"Good luck, Cousin. You've been my hero since we were kids. It's just official, now." Soris smiled.
As Sienna walks away to talk to Shianni, Jaune turns to Duncan.
"Sir? Can I have a minute of your time?" Jaune asked.
"Of course, what is it?" Duncan replied.
"What does a Grey Warden do?" Jaune asked.
"We dedicate our lives to fighting darkspawn wherever they appear, doing whatever it takes to stop them. It is our only charge." Duncan answered.
"What is a darkspawn?" Jaune asked.
"Horrid creatures of darkness and despair. "Duncan answered. "I should warn you boy, the life of a Grey Warden is treacherous, and often short, you'd be giving up your life as it were."
"Creatures of Darkness, huh?" Jaune chuckled. "Truth is, I don't have a life to give up, not anymore, and this was more of a formality, whether you said yes or no, I would have found out about them sooner or later, and fought them all the same."
"Ha! I like your character boy, we just might make a Warden out of you." Duncan laughed.
Sienna meets Cyrion outside their home.
"If… this is what the Maker has planned for you, then I guess it's for the best. Your mother would've been pleased." Cyrion sighed.
"I hope so." Sienna replied.
"Take care, my girl. Be safe. And wise. And… well, you know. We'll all miss you." Cyrion mourned.
Having said goodbye to her father, Sienna walks into her home, and find Valora waiting for her.
"There you are… thank you. For me, for Soris, for everything." Valora rejoiced.
"Be good to Soris." Sienna smiled mournfully.
"I will, I swear it." Valora promised. "Shianni seems to have regained herself, I'll leave you two alone. Good luck,and thank you again."
Sienna walks into her old room, finding Shianni.
"You took all the responsibility for what happened. You're amazing, you know that?" Shianni gushed.
"How are you holding up?" Sienna asked.
"I'm… all right. As far as the others know, Vaughan just roughed me up a bit." Shianni answered softly. "I just don't want them treating me like some fragile doll." She sighs. "I love you, Sienna. Make us proud out there."
"I love you too, Shianni." Sienna answered tearfully.
"Maker watch over you." Shianni blessed.
Sienna, hopping she'd done enough to help Shianni, dried her eyes, and set off to find the Elder, who was next to Jaune and Duncan.
"Well, I guess Duncan got his recruit after all." Valendrian said grimly. "And more."
"There's a whole world out there, you know." Sienna said, trying to cheer the Elder up.
"Indeed. It only saddens me that it has taken this for you to find it." Valendrian replied. "If you'll excuse me, I must tend to our people. Goodbye, young one, and Maker keep you."
Sienna turns to Jaune. "Your coming with us?"
"Yup." Jaune said, popping the 'P'. "I had already planned on being a hero and saving people, and this seemed a perfect way to do so."
With her curiosity sated, Sienna turns to Duncan.
"Are you ready to go?" Duncan asked.
"I am." Sienna replied.
"Good. Then we leave for Ostagar immediately." Duncan said, as he pulls out a map. "We will be traveling south through the Hinterlands to the ruin of Ostagar, on the edges of the Korcari Wilds. The Tevinter Inperium built Otagar long ago to prevent the Wilders from invading the northern lowlands. It's fitting we make our stand here, even if we face a different foe within that forest."
With their path set before them, Jaune and Sienna travel with Duncan, unknowingly set along a path that will change history.
And done, sorry for switching out stories on you guy's, but since I've found someone who's done all three games in a similar manner to which I'll be writhing, I figured I'd have a better shot at it, so to speak, and let me know how the action scenes turned out, they might be a little short, but I figured if I drew them out, especially with action being one of my weaker points, it would get boring fast. Thank you all for reading, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter and stick around for more.
This is Bmwoodstock signing off.