Caer Oswin
The two days en route were without incident; however, when they did arrive, the gate guards told them that Bann Loren was away. He didn't know where. Something about the brusque way the guard acted twerked Elle's paranoia, already on overload.
Lady Landra insisted that they all stay that evening at Caer Oswin. Duncan was anxious to get on the road, but admitted that a bath and a bed for the night would be appreciated.
Elle requested to stay in her mother's room that evening. While bathing and getting ready to go down to dinner, Elle shared her misgivings about Bann Loren's absence. "Is he going to help Howe, I wonder?" Elle whispered to her mother.
Eleanor sighed. "I share your misgivings, my darling girl, but have absolutely no proof. I am beginning to wonder if we're all going to turn into Loghain before too long."
A crash in the throne room was followed by loud voices … and sounds of fighting.
Elle, garbed only in smallclothes and a long, linen shift, grabbed her weapons and headed for the door.
"Elethea Cousland! Put on your armor. Don't be foolish." Her mother tossed over Elle's her new drakeskin greaves and added, "From Wade?" At Elle's grin, she added, "Order me a set next time you're in Denerim. Wade has my measurements." Then, the Teyrna slipped on a tight leather armored undergarment and donned her dress over it.
"Leather armor under-dress! What a magnificent idea! Those Court events can be most deadly!" Elle opened the door for Midnight to run out. "Go see if you can help, boy!" Then, she laughed as she slipped on her armor — fairly quickly with her mother's help. "I'll probably need to use my most persuasive arguments to keep Herren from bitching about taking up Wade's time on another set … but, maybe I'll simply say it's for you. They all love you. Come to think of it, I should have said that for my set." She draped on her sword scabbard and slipped in her weapons.
The two ladies quietly snuck out of their room and made their way downstairs. Dairren and Duncan were standing over the bodies of two of the guards. Dairren explained, "They killed the Oswin guards that remained and hid the bodies in the courtyard. I didn't recognize the guard and he made me nervous, so I looked around with Duncan." He looked at Eleanor. "Mother is locked in the family quarters, Your Ladyship. You should join her … please, she could use the solid comfort."
Eleanor frowned. Elle knew she hated to be put in the liege lord's "strong" lady role, but she was so marvelous at it! They took Eleanor there and then split up to start a comprehensive search of the Caer. Of course, Dairren wouldn't allow helpless "Lady Cousland" to go off on her own.
Before Elle and Dairren finished searching, however, Bann Loren galloped through the gate. "Dear Maker, Dairren! Who killed our men?! Was it that bastard Howe?!" Loren slipped off his horse and ran to hug his son.
"I'm not certain, Father," Dairren said. "None of them were polite enough to stay alive to speak with us." When he noticed Duncan coming down the stairs into the courtyard — dragging one of the assassins — Dairren amended his statement. "Ah! Apparently, our Warden-Commander was more successful in reminding one of his manners."
Duncan shoved the man forward. "Speak."
"We heard you was in bed wi' the traitor Teyrn, we did! We heard ol' Loren was all sympathetic ta them Orlesians! Some of Howe's finest found me and hired me. I talked all me fellow workers to come wi' me to keep ya in line!" The man was Ferelden to his bones. Elle was curious how Loren would handle him, but kept silent. This was Bann Loren's justice to mete out.
Loren looked at Duncan. "Are there any others alive?"
"I'm afraid not, Bann Loren." Duncan nodded toward the gate where the Bann's real soldiers were riding through. "You should probably send some of your men to search to be certain. These were mediocre fighters, at best. One actually fell on his own sword ... unintentionally." Duncan shook his head. "I assure you that I shall not be conscripting this one."
"Hey! I could be a Grey Ward'n as good as you!" The man did stand to face Duncan. (Brave or stupid, Elle was wondering.) "If ye hadn't tripped me, I'da killed ya."
Ah … stupid, then.
"Old Mancreese will be very disappointed to lose so many men for the harvest, Norald." Bann Loren put hands on his hips. "Yes, I know this man. He was angry with me for levying a two sovereign fine on him for damming up the Barring Stream and depriving the Morrin farmhold of water."
When the man opened his mouth, Bann Loren held up his hand to stop him from speaking. "You've gone too far this time, Norald. I must maintain order. Your punishment for this treasonous act will be execution. Your wife will be compensated for your loss in income for one year." Loren nodded to Duncan and Dairren who held the thrashing man's arms. "Maker have mercy on your soul." One thrust of Loren's sword ended the man's life quickly.
That was when the Bann seemed to notice Elle standing there. "My dear lady, I am so sorry to have put you through that."
Elle frowned. "I just wish it had been Howe, instead."
"Me, too, my girl. Me, too." Eleanor chimed in as she and Landra walked out of the keep.
"We saw you ride though the gate and came down to greet you, Loren," Landra said. She smiled at Dairren and added, "It seemed that our son had things well in hand."
"Well then! I have good news for you Highever ladies to make up for this spectacle. When your messenger rode through here, he stopped to water his horse and alert us to Howe's treason. I gathered who I could and, first, checked the North Road to see if you needed help, Lady Elle." He grinned. "But, of course, you and your fearsome Midnight must have handled it on your own. So, then we rode hard for Highever and missed you. However, we did arrive in time to witness High Justice on Howe! With everything he'd done, it was a cut and dried decision. The traitor's last words were, 'I deserved more.'"
Eleanor mumbled. "Sorry I missed the bastard's passage to the Void."
"Well, we cannot abide treason to weaken us at this time … and plans to sell elves to the slavers! I was surprised Bryce didn't just gut him immediately." Loren turned to Elle. "It seems that your brother cut quite the swath through Howe's men and paid mercs. Completely routed them. Came to a standoff in front of the Chantry. The Revered Mother was firm in her grant of sanctuary until that Howe boy, Thomas, and his sister walked up and told the truth about their father's treachery. The Templars threw the snake out. I was there by then. His Lordship had already sent for other Banns close by to stand witness."
Loren shook his head. "I read through Howe's treasonous documents. My Lord Teyrn was fair and equitable. His justice was swift and more merciful than I think I would have granted Howe. Anyway, after that, I left immediately and we rode hard to reach here as quickly as we could. Shame you just missed seeing it. Poor Lady Delilah. Oh yes, your father asked me to tell you that Mother Mallol was fine."
Elle smiled. "Thank the Maker! And, thank you for letting me know about Mallol." Then, she cocked her head at Duncan. "Well, it seems, Warden-Commander, that my reason for going to Ostagar has changed. I still feel obligated to report it all to the King, but I no longer have to treat for retribution." She turned. "Bann Loren, may I request that you see Mother back to Highever, while Midnight, Duncan and I go to Ostagar."
"I would be happy to, but Bryce already sent a contingent to do that very thing." He motioned to some of the soldiers standing nearby in Highever livery. "Because of all this turmoil, Fergus will be tied up for a good while before he can head south. Since there is a delay, Ser Gilmore is going to make another swing through the farmholds to see if he can garner more recruits. Are you certain you will be safe, Duncan? Just the three of you?"
Duncan looked to Elle who nodded. Then, Duncan replied, "Actually, I think the three of us will be fine, my lord. We will be able to ride swiftly and quietly."
Eleanor smiled at Loren and the soldiers. "Thank you for your vigilance and aid, Loren. It warms my heart to know that Highever still has such staunch friends."
Loren smiled. "Thank you, Your Ladyship! But, tonight, let us have a good dinner, some fine wine that I've been saving and some friendly conversation about anything but war or treachery!"
The evening went almost that way, too. The only difference came after Duncan told everyone … after dinner … about the upcoming Blight. He was quite certain there was an Archdemon leading the horde. Dairren glanced at his father and then announced that he would be volunteering to join the Grey Wardens. Everyone but Duncan tried to talk him out of it.
However, in the morning, Dairren was also riding at Duncan's side as they turned south.
"I would like to make a stop by Kinloch Hold on the way south. First Enchanter Irving wrote to me about a promising young recruit. Hopefully, we can be in and out of the Circle Tower in a few hours." Duncan laughed. "But, I fear that will be a vain hope. It might take a day or two of convincing. Greagoir isn't very disposed to handing over mages to anyone but the Chantry."
Dairren shook his head. "Excuse me, Duncan, but wouldn't a mage Grey Warden be a bit more of a hindrance than help?"
Elle scoffed and Duncan turned to her. "You have a different thought, Lady Cousland?"
"Dairren, I'm surprised at your squeamishness." When he frowned at her, she continued, "I mean no offense, but you must take everything the Chantry says with a rather large grain of salt — especially concerning magic."
"Is this feeling because of Howe's sanctuary in Highever or based upon some solid evidence?" Dairren jutted his chin out.
Now, Elle recalled why she could only take Dairren in small doses. Bann Loren was a very devout Andrastian and had trained his son in the same mold. "That incident has a bearing, no doubt. But, Dairren, imagine the fearsome destructive power the Chantry espouses of all mages. Now, imagine that same destructive power unleashed upon a horde of darkspawn … by a Grey Warden mage." When he was about to argue, she raised a finger. "Now! Also imagine the vast healing power of magic." She shrugged. "I would guess one mage is worth a dozen or more other fighters."
Duncan chuckled at Dairren's look of outrage. "If I may interrupt this conversation before it gets out of hand. Lady Cousland is correct in the absolute value of magic when fighting darkspawn." He leaned to look at Dairren. "Just as magic was absolutely vital during any of the Chantry's Exalted Marches." Then, he sat back in his saddle. "The Grey Wardens value the input of the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander of a Circle. That does not mean that we won't accept an apostate who seems skilled. We must do whatever it takes to end the Blight."
"But what of abominations, Duncan? Surely apostates are only one step away!" Dairren huffed.
"To put things into perspective, Dairren … if every mage in the Circle at Kinloch Hold turned into an abomination, it would still pale to the destructive force of a Blight. If a Grey Warden lapses into an abomination, we will handle it. Thanks to a few Grey Wardens who were once Templars, many of our warriors have similar abilities to control abominations." Duncan rode slightly in front, but was still able to hear and speak.
"Quite handy against darkspawn mages, I would assume." Elle was surprised when Duncan turned in his saddle and looked pleased.
"The last recorded instance of a Grey Warden abomination ... that I know of ... actually happened here in Ferelden, when the then Warden-Commander Sophia Dryden tried to take on King Arland two centuries ago. The small bits of information we have indicate that there were Grey Warden abominations during that struggle." Duncan sighed. "It could have been fact, or it could have been creative reporting by Arland. A very sad tale all around and one of the reasons that station and country should never play any part in the affairs of the Grey Wardens."
"Have you been up to the Warden's Keep in the north, Duncan? Where Dryden made her stand against Arland?" Elle had read about the incident between Dryden and Arland. This conversation again made her disappointed that she hadn't taken the time to explore those old caves up to the rumored keep.
"Nay. I've been contacted by a descendant of Sophia's, but things have been speeding up and I simply do not have the time now." Duncan shrugged.
"Arland was not one of our more respected Theirin kings, that is true." Dairren was still frowning. "After the Blight is defeated, when do you think I'll be able to return home, Duncan?"
Elle laughed. "Sorry, Duncan. I guess he wasn't listening to that part last night."
"As I said last night, Dairren, once you join the Grey Wardens, you become a Grey Warden. No more titles. No more allegiances to family and country." Duncan was beginning to look a bit put-out.
"But, surely, if the Blight is defeated, there is …" Dairren didn't get to finish his haughty statement.
Elle wanted to throttle him.
Duncan turned his horse to stop in front of Dairren's horse which quite ably stopped them all. Even Midnight sat at attention. "In War, Victory. In Peace, Vigilance. In Death, Sacrifice. That is our life, Dairren. You will be a Grey Warden until you die. Since it seems that I failed to make that clear to you, I will give you an opportunity to change your mind, turn around and go home." He leaned forward in his saddle. "We are less than a half-day away from Caer Oswin. At this moment is your decision time. Stay or go home. I shall hold nothing against you if you wish to leave."
"I can never even visit home?" Dairren was crumbling. Elle couldn't tell which direction just yet.
"Allow me to tell you some naked truths, Dairren. The life of a Grey Warden is difficult, mostly thankless, absolutely focused and extremely deadly. If we are in Denerim at the Warden Compound, all wardens do write home and receive letters from home. If you get stationed in the Anderfels, that courtesy is not even allowed." Duncan awaited a reply.
Elle sent a small wink toward Duncan and then said to Dairren, "Duncan said all these things last night, Dairren. That's why your father and mother were so upset. I fear you were already contemplating how to go about defeating the Blight and not truly paying attention." She smiled at Duncan. "It is Dairren's strong suit, Duncan, and why he would be a good strategist." Then, she sighed. "I think you should go home."
Dairren glared at Elle. "I would look like a coward!"
"Not at all!" Elle smiled brilliantly at him. "You would be like a very wise man who contemplated all the issues. It takes time to contemplate them all … and now, you have. You've asked insightful questions and were given even more to contemplate. You can honestly go home and tell your father and mother that you feel your duty lies more with your heirship and responsibilities to your bannorn."
He sighed. "I do not wish to shirk a very clear danger to Ferelden."
Duncan smiled. "Lord Dairren, if things become more dire, you can always come to see me again."
"That is true." Dairren became thoughtful. "Are you certain you will be all right if I return home, my lady?"
"This is Ferelden, Dairren. It is my country. Howe is dead." She grinned. "I shall be very much all right!" The man nodded farewell and turned his horse. After he had galloped far enough away over the hill, Elle added, "Coward."
Duncan chuckled and headed toward the cutoff road to Kinloch Hold. "To be clear, Lady Cousland, we do not usually allow defections ... but his attitude would be more disruptive than helpful at this point. On the other hand, if you ever agree to join the Grey Wardens, I would not allow you ride away."
"Thank you? I suppose?" She chuckled and added, "I can also see that forcing a noble's son into service might cause trouble with future recruitment."
"That is also true," he said as he started a canter toward the cutoff. "But, depending upon the future, that courtesy may fall by the wayside, as well."
"I promise you, Duncan, that if it becomes my absolute duty to swear to the Grey Wardens, I shall without hesitation." She chuckled. "But, I haven't decided if that is the best path for me ... or for the Grey Wardens. I can swear that I shall do everything in my power to aid the Order regardless of my amending the title to my name or not."
Duncan stopped his horse and smiled. "I believe you ... and thank you."
Dear Andraste, why does he have to be so attractive? Elle said in a silent prayer to the Maker's Bride.
...
AN: Okay, maybe Elle's a bit fickle, too. ;) Next week ... mages! So much easier in this timestream because poor Duncan has time for a little recruitment ... and able people to help him! :)
The Invisible Pretender, thank you for your uplifting words! Hope you continue to enjoy the tale. :)
