"Thank you, Iona. Dairren. I'll head for the war council in a minute. Dairren. You should get into your armor as well. Iona. Please help him. You are dismissed."
The two shared a concerned look but obeyed his words and left the tent. Aedan sighed once he heard their footsteps fade before looking at himself in the mirror. Gone was the mix of mail and leather armor he wore during their escape from Castle Cousland. Replaced a different set of armor. One that Fergus was supposed to wear before the battle began.
Aedan wore a set of heavy steel plate armor and a blue, short-sleeved wrap shirt worn over it. Over the armor and shirt, he wore a blue, sleeveless coat with a black fur mantle and bears the heraldry of the Couslands on the back. He also wore a mail shirt underneath the armor. His arms were protected with a set of steel spaulders, couters and vambraces while his legs were protected by a set of poleyns, greaves and sabatons. Tied to the large leather belt around his waist was the Cousland Family Sword. He also carried a dagger with him just in case.
With his brother lost to a Darkspawn ambush, the position and duties of Teyrn of Highever fell onto him. Just the thought of Fergus made him think of all he had lost. Sending a sharp stab of pain in his heart. Ever since he became the new Teyrn, Aedan's thoughts were always filled with questions. Why did this happen? Why did Howe betray them? What had his family done to deserve such a cruel fate? Will he be able to fulfill his duty as Teyrn? Will he bring Howe to justice for what he had done and avenge Castle Cousland?
So many thoughts ran rampant in his mind but he locked them away. Knowing that he needed to his mind to be focused on the battle unless he wanted to lose his head to the Darkspawn.
Aedan grabbed his heater shield bearing the Cousland heraldry and secured the straps around his left forearm before making his way out of the tent. The two Cousland Knights standing guard outside his tent straightened in his presence. They had been part of his brother's retinue and would have joined Fergus in his scouting mission had his brother not insisted that they remain in camp. Telling them that it was a simple scouting mission. When news arrived of the ambush and that only one soldier survived, the two Cousland Knights swore never to leave their new Teyrn's side. Aedan was grateful for that but he had other plans for them.
"Ser Alton. Ser Bryer." He greeted with a nod.
"Your Lordship."
Aedan never thought he'd be attending a war council with the King but he was obliged to attend along with the only other Teyrn in Ferelden and the Arls that were currently present. Unfortunately, he was not well-versed in the art of war unlike his father. He had taken a life before obviously but he had never faced Darkspawn before. Though he has read about them and the Grey Wardens. An Order of great warriors whose sworn duty is to the cleanse the land from the Darkspawn or something along those lines.
They were exiled from Ferelden and had only been recently introduced back to Fereldan society by King Maric. He had seen their camp. Their numbers barely passed twenty. Even with the arrival of new recruits, they're still too few. Speaking of recruits, he could see Ser Gilmore becoming a fine addition to their ranks had he survived the Sack of Castle Cousland. He was great with the blade. A good man. Loyal to a fault.
'Damnit.' Aedan cursed himself. His mind once more drifted back to Highever and that night.
Aedan shook his head as he walked up the steps to the entrance of the ruins of a cathedral where Arl Bryland was waiting for him.
"There you are, lad. The council hasn't started yet. We are still waiting for the King."
Leonas looked at Aedan and a look of nostalgia crossed his features.
"Look at you. You look just like your father. I'm sure he's proud of you but more than that. By the Maker's side, I know he and Eleanor are glad that you are alive."
"Thank you, Arl Bryland." He replied. Keeping his head low. "I must admit. I'm not ready to take up the title of Teyrn or the responsibilities that come with it."
"You'll do fine, lad." Leonas patted him on the back. "You are Bryce's boy. You'll learn as you go. Now. The King isn't here yet so feel free to look around while we wait. Just try not to stray too far from the cathedral."
"Of course, Arl Bryland."
Aedan thanked the older nobleman once more before taking in the sight of the ruined cathedral. He could only imagine what it looked like before it became ruins. Not just the cathedral but Ostagar itself. Given time and resources, perhaps the King could have fortified the ruins of Ostagar. Rebuild it if he was willing.
So busy was he looking up at what used to be the cathedral's ceiling that he didn't notice the Elf walking towards him. They were was looking at the ground in deep thought and only realized there was someone in front of them until they bumped their head into Aedan's chest and fell on their backside to the ground.
Aedan looked down when he heard a yelp in front of him and saw a woman with long blonde hair rubbing her forehead. She glared up at Aedan who rubbed the back of his head.
"Son of a tied down- "
The Elf looked up at the person who bumped into them only to see Aedan's towering figure holding his hand out.
"I apologize, my lady. I didn't see you there. I was distracted."
Aedan saw the Elf mutter something under her breath before grabbing his hand and allowed herself to be pulled up her feet.
"It's fine. I wasn't really looking at where I was going."
She moved to leave but her legs shook and he barely caught her before she fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?" He asked as he helped steady her posture.
"Not really."
Aedan frowned and decided to get a good look at her. She was a lot shorter than Marian whose head barely reached his chin. If he had to guess, she's half a head shorter than the woman from Lothering. She also had long blonde hair that was slick with sweat. Add the fact that she looked like she had just run from Lothering to Ostagar, it made him wonder what she had been doing before bumping into him.
"Perhaps it's best that you sit down for the moment."
"Yeah." The Elf muttered. "Yeah. I think that's for the best."
Aedan guided her towards some flat debris and gently sat her down. He watched as the Elf placed her head in her hands and let out a long suffering groan.
"I didn't think being a Grey Warden was gonna be this bad."
That earned her a raised brow from the young Teyrn.
"You're a Grey Warden."
"Yup." The Elf removed her head from her hands and looked up at Aedan. "Duncan conscripted me from Denerim before the guards could get me."
"And why exactly were the guards after you?"
The Elf didn't answer for a few moments and Aedan thought that was the end of that before she suddenly spoke up.
"I killed the Arl of Denerim's son for raping my cousin, Shianni... and his men for killing my husband when he tried to rescue us with my cousin, Soris. Killed every Denerim guard in that estate. Guards came to the Alienage the next morning wanting the one responsible. I took sole blame. Left Soris out of it to keep him safe. Duncan then conscripted me with some right or something. Now here I am."
Aedan grimaced. He can see why she had to be conscripted. If she had been captured by the guards and thrown in a cell, the best she could hope for was a hanging but Vaughan was the Arl's only son. There was no doubt she would've received a more brutal and painful punishment.
"If it's not too impolite, may I ask the name of your husband?"
"Nelaros. Father said he was an accomplished smith in Highever or something like that."
Aedan's eyes widened in recognition. He remembered seeing Nelaros in the Highever Alienage with his father and brother but that was when he was just a boy of ten. Nelaros was still an apprentice. He could vaguely remember his father commissioning something to the smithy Nelaros worked in.
"Nelaros. Yes. I think I remember him." Aedan muttered. Unaware of the wide eyed look the Elf was giving him.
"You knew him? How?" She asked. Her voice incredulous.
"Vaguely. I was a boy back then. He was an apprentice to the smith if I recall. My father commissioned something to their smithy and paid a hefty sum for it too. Almost fifty sovereigns if I remember correctly."
The Elf abruptly stood up and looked down at Aedan with narrowed eyes.
"Who are you?"
Aedan blinked before standing to his full height and introduced himself.
"My name is Aedan Cousland. Teyrn of Highever. It is an honor to meet you, Warden."
The young Teyrn bowed his head slightly and offered a disarming smile to the blonde Elf who looked at him with shock.
"Oh shit."
"Can we be of service, Your Lordship?"
Aedan turned to the voice and saw a man carrying a sword and a dagger on his back accompanied by a younger man with a sword and shield. The former had black hair that was tied back and had Rivaini features while the latter was Fereldan through and through.
"Good evening, gentlemen. I was just telling Warden... " Aedan paused and looked towards the Elf. "I apologize, Warden. I forgot to ask you for your name."
"Kuh~ " The Elf's voice cracked and she cleared her throat. Her cheeks taking on a reddish tint. "Kallian Tabris. Your Lordship."
"A pleasure, Warden Kallian." He then turned towards the other two. The older man introduced himself first.
"Duncan. Warden-Commander of the Fereldan Order of Grey Wardens. This is Warden Alistair. Is there something we can help you with, Teyrn... "
Aedan repeated his introduction from before and Duncan and Alistair bowed their heads in a gesture of respect to the Teyrn.
"Actually, Warden-Commander. If it's not too much to ask, can you tell me about the Darkspawn? About the threat we face tonight."
"Unfortunately, I must attend to the King first. Alistair can answer any of your questions in my stead."
Duncan bid them farewell and walked away. Leaving Aedan alone with Alistair and Kallian.
"Well, Your Lordship. Ask away." The former stated.
For the next half hour or so, Aedan learned as much as he can from Alistair about the Darkspawn as well as the Grey Wardens. The whole time he spoke to the man, Aedan couldn't help but think he looked somewhat familiar. It was on the tip of his tongue and it irked him that he couldn't understand why Alistair looked so familiar. He didn't voice any of that, however, and simply took in the information the Warden provided.
Soon, the King arrived with his retainers as well as Duncan and Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir. Aedan and the two Wardens followed the King towards the large table at the end of the cathedral to begin discussing their plan for the battle.
(Line Break)
"Loghain, my decision is final. I will stand by the Grey Wardens in this assault."
"You risk too much, Cailan. The Darkspawn hordes are too much for you to risk playing hero in the front lines."
"Well. If that's the case, perhaps we should wait for the Orlesian forces to join us after all."
Aedan inwardly winced. To say that in front of Teyrn Loghain, a man who had fought with the King's father, Maric, against the Orlesian occupation was just asking for it. .
"I must repeat my protest to your fool notion that we need the Orlesians to defend ourselves."
The young Teyrn could tell that the older man was holding back and preventing himself from outright screaming at the King. Especially in present company. If they were in private, however, Aedan was sure that Teyrn Loghain would not hold back. Even if King Cailan was Maric's son.
Aedan tuned them out in favor of looking at the others attending the meeting. There was Duncan, Alistair and Kallian. A blind man could see the Elven Warden felt out of place; Arl Bryland stood to his side and looked at the King and the Teyrn of Gwaren with a stoic expression; There was a mage with a bald head and thinly veiled arrogance. He could've sworn light reflected off the top of the mage's head but it could've just been his eyes playing tricks on him. There was also a Revered Mother there who did nothing but glare at the bald mage all night.
He was brought out of his musings when the King and the Teyrn finally decided to talk about the strategy for the battle.
"The Grey Wardens and I will draw the Darkspawn into charging our lines and then... "
The Teyrn of Gwaren groaned and placed his hands on the table.
"You will alert the tower to light the beacon." Loghain continued with exasperation. His patience wearing thin. "Signalling my men to charge from- "
"To flank the Darkspawn." The King cut him off. "Yes. I remember. This the tower of Ishal in the ruins, yes? Who shall light the beacon?"
"I have a few men stationed there. It is not a dangerous task but it is a vital." Loghain answered.
"Then we shall send our best." Cailan looked at the Wardens. "Send Alistair and the new Grey Warden to make sure it's done."
Aedan furrowed his brow at that and the young Teyrn decided to voice his thoughts.
"Are you sure this is wise, Your Majesty? I'm sure Teyrn Loghain's men are more than enough for the task of lighting the beacon. The Grey Wardens are needed in the battlefield."
"They are but as Loghain said, lighting the beacon is vital to the plan. I see no one better than the Grey Wardens to fulfill such a task."
"Very well, Your Majesty." Aedan conceded.
"The boy may be green but he has a point. Besides. You rely on these Grey Wardens too much, Cailan. Is that truly wise?" Loghain questioned.
"Enough of your conspiracies, Loghain. Grey Wardens battle the Blight, no matter where they're from."
It was obvious there was no changing the King's mind. Duncan suddenly spoke up.
"Your Majesty. You should consider the possibility of the Archdemon appearing."
"There have been no sightings of dragons appearing in the wilds." Loghain countered.
"Isn't that what you're men are here for, Duncan?"
"I... " Duncan looked like he wanted to say something else but settled for nodding. "Yes, Your Majesty."
It was here that the bald mage decided to join in.
"Your Majesty. The tower and the Grey Wardens are unnecessary."
Even the man's voice sounded arrogant and annoying to Aedan's ears.
"The Circle of Magi- "
"We will not trust our lives to your spells, mage!" The Revered Mother harshly cut him off. "Save your magic for the Darkspawn."
"Enough!"
All eyes turned to the Teyrn of Gwaren as he glared at the two.
"This plan will suffice. The Grey Wardens will light the beacon."
It was clear as day that Loghain didn't like that decision one bit. As if saying those words were acid to his mouth. The King, however, didn't see it that way.
"Thank you, Loghain." Cailan then looked at the Grey Wardens. "I can't wait for that moment. The Grey Wardens battle beside the King of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil."
The King's adoration of the Grey Wardens was plain to see. Though Aedan wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It matters not as they were dismissed to begin preparations for the coming battle.
(Line Break)
Dairren let out a sigh through his nose as Iona finished putting on the last pieces of his armor for him before his mother's lady-in-waiting handed him his sword. The very same one he used to fend off Howe's men after they cornered them in Castle Cousland's library. That was the first time he took someone's life. He thought the first life he would take would be a Darkspawn's but that night it seems fate had other plans.
His hands shook as he thought back to the pair of lifeless eyes staring back at him. Those dead eyes that stared into his soul. Wondering if his mother shared the same dead look when Teyrn Aedan found her.
Dairren was shaken from his thoughts when felt a small weight over his gloved hand and looked to the person it belonged to. Offering them a small smile as his shaking stopped.
"Thank you, Iona."
The Elven Lady-in-waiting smiled back before pulling away and bowed low.
"Of course, my Lord. Anytime."
Dairren watched her leave before looking at himself in the mirror.
His armor consisted of a red gambeson with a collar of mail and a set of grey iron spaulders, couters and greaves. Around his waist was a girdle and a sword belt to hold his weapon's scabbard. His legs were protected by
This was it. Time to earn his spurs. There was the possibility that he could die in this battle and he confided in Teyrn Cousland about it while he and Iona dressed the Teyrn for battle. Aedan told him that they would not die today. Not until they wreak vengeance upon Rendon Howe.
Just the thought of the Arl sent a burning rage in his heart. A rage that he would gladly unleash upon the Darkspawn. The sooner the Blight ends, if it is even a Blight, then the sooner they can arrest Howe and make him pay for the massacre in Castle Cousland. For the murder of his mother and countless innocent lives that night.
Dairren took a deep breath and released it before stepping out of his tent. All around him were Highever soldiers preparing for tonight's battle. Like himself, they too were furious with Arl Howe and demanded retribution. Their want for justice for their Teyrn and Teyrna and the words of the current Teyrn inspired them to channel their anger towards the battle. Reasoning that the sooner they defeat the Darkspawn, the sooner they can bring Howe to justice.
"My Lord."
Dairren turned to the speaker as a Cousland soldier approached him. He recognized the man as among the surviving Cousland Castle Guards. Braddock.
"Is something the matter, Braddock?"
"Teyrn Aedan asks for your presence. He said to rally the men. The battle is about to begin, my Lord. He said to gather at the valley with the rest of the army."
Dairren nodded and turned towards the camp.
"Soldiers of Highever. The battle is about to begin. Teyrn Cousland needs his men. We rally at the valley."
Highever Soldiers moved to formation before marching out of the camp. The Cousland Castle Guards, however, remained in the camp. He moved to follow the soldiers but stopped to spare a glance at the people that remained in the camp. When he could not find who he was looking for, Dairren shook his head and walked alongside the soldiers.
In the sky above, lightning flashed. Followed by the crack of thunder. Rain began to fall as soldiers of Ferelden marched towards the valley. To fight beside their King against a growing darkness. What they do not know is that they march to their doom.