The Other Cousland
Chapter 4
I still do not own Dragon age, a shame I know. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Please leave feedback so I can improve! Here we go!
The sun was directly overhead as the giant fortress of Ostagar came into view. It was beautiful and breathtaking, like nothing I had ever seen. Tall towers reached for the sky like they were trying to rise to the very heavens above. Large marble columns lined the road as it led us towards the army camp. Wide arches still stood in places while completely collapsed in others. If it was this amazing as a ruin, I could hardly imagine what it looked like when it was first built.
Slightly ahead of me Duncan was explaining to Aedan about the darkspawn, the blight, and the other Grey wardens waiting for them. Just overhearing how monstrous the darkspawn sounded made my heart pound. I wanted to grab my brothers and ride far away from here.
Before we made it to the bridge that would take us into the heart of the camp we were stopped by a small group of soldiers led by none other than King Cailan himself. I hadn't seen the King since the night of my 16th birthday and that had ended on a sour note. Seeing him striding towards us in his golden armor so arrogant and proud I knew I made the right choice about choosing Rory.
"Ho there Duncan!" Cailan smiled, extending his arm out and grasping forearms with him.
"King Cailan, I didn't expect a.." Duncan didn't even get to finish his sentence before he was rudely interrupted.
"A royal welcome? I was worried you would miss all the fun!" Cailan smiled.
"Not if I could help it, your majesty." Duncan replied.
"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all! Glorious! The other wardens said you found a promising recruit, I take it this is he, and a maid?" Cailan finally noticed my brother and I. My brother snorted, holding back a laugh at the scowl I sent Cailan's way. I knew I looked rough from traveling for so long but how could he mistake me for a maid?
"Allow me to introduce you, your majesty." Duncan began before once again being cut off.
"No need Duncan. You are Bryce's youngest son are you not? I don't think we have actually met." The King smiled.
"Yes your Majesty, my name is Aedan, and you remember my sister Adara?" Aedan was trying not to laugh at the look that crossed Cailan's face as he looked to me completely horrified. Did I look that bad? I heard a slight chuckle and turned to glare at Duncan who covered his mouth and pretended to cough. Cailan quickly looked away from me and back to my brother, I was dismissed, guess he was still mad about my birthday..
"Your brother has already arrived with Highever's men, but we are still awaiting your father." He said.
"You don't know what happened?" I blurted out. Aedan put a gentle hand on my shoulder and I immediately shut up.
"He's not coming, he died when our castle was taken." I could tell it was hard for him to get the words out.
"Dead? What do you mean? Duncan, do you know anything about this?" Cailan asked, alarmed.
"Teryn Cousland and his wife are dead, your Majesty. Arl Howe has shown himself a traitor and overtaken Highever Castle. Had we not escaped, he would have killed us and told you any story he wished." Duncan explained calmly as Cailan walked a little away from us, visibly upset by what he was being told.
"I… can scarcely believe it! How could he think he would get away with such treachery!" He turned to face us with a look of anger and sadness painted across his face. "As soon as we are done here, I will turn my army north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word."
Cailan made his vow with such conviction it made my heart pinch. He had walked up to my brother as he made his vow and was now standing in front of him. I believed he would do as he promised and it brought me relief knowing we were not alone anymore and that justice would be served.
"Thank you, your majesty." Aedan said bowing his head in gratitude.
"No doubt you wish to see your brother, unfortunately he and his men are scouting in the wilds." Cailan explained.
"When will he return?" I asked, feeling worried.
What if he was ambushed by those evil creatures? What if he was hurt right now with no one to care for him? My breathing picked up and I began to panic, my eyes darting back and forth between his.
"Not until the battle is over I fear. Until then, we can't even send word." He began looking a little uncomfortable. "I apologize, but there is nothing else I can do." He turned away from me and spoke to my brother again. "All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being."
Aedan once again bowed his head and put his arm around me to comfort me.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Aedan said in a steady voice. I wish I could appear that calm.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies." Cailan sighed.
"Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week." Duncan relayed the message.
"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've already won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow should be no different." Cailan grinned. Now that's the cocky arrogant Cailan I know, I couldn't help but to roll my eyes and before I realized what I was doing I retorted.
"You sound very confident of that." I quickly covered my mouth, my eyes wide with horror that that actually came out of my mouth. It seems without mother there to scold me my mouth had a mind of its own. Aedan looked at me sternly but I could see his lip twitching in amusement.
"Overconfident some would say, right Duncan?" Cailan smiled widely and laughed. Well atleast I wasn't going to be punished, I hope. Then Duncan's words sent a chill of foreboding up my spine.
"Your Majesty, I'm not certain the blight can be ended quite as… quickly as you might wish." There was something that he wasn't telling us, something he was holding back.
"I'm not even sure this is a true blight . There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but alas, we've seen no sign of an Archdemon." Cailan replied, sounding down.
"Disappointed your Majesty?" Duncan asked, sounding surprised.
"I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted God! But I suppose this will have to do." Pure disappointment was evident in his voice and slight annoyance. I was right, this man is a fool, drunk on his own importance. Once again I was thanking the Maker that I was not chosen to be this idiot's bride. "I must go before Loghain sends out a search party, farewell Grey Wardens, my lady."
We all bowed as the King finally left and Duncan turned to face us.
"What the King said is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here." Duncan told us.
"Yet you don't sound very reassured." My brother replied saying what I was thinking out loud. Something felt off. Duncan motioned for us to keep moving toward the main camp.
"Despite the victories so far, the darkspawn horde grows larger with each passing day. By now they look to outnumber us. I know there is an Archdemon behind this. But I cannot ask the King to act based solely on my feeling." Duncan seemed frustrated.
"Why not? He seems to regard the Grey Wardens highly." Aedan asked.
"Yet not enough to wait for reinforcements from the Grey Wardens in Orlais. He believes our legend alone makes him invulnerable. Our numbers in Ferelden are too few. We must do what we can, and look to Teryn Loghain to make up the difference. To that end, we should proceed with the joining ritual without delay."
"What is the joining ritual?" I asked quickly.
"Nothing for you to worry about my dear, something every Grey Warden goes through don't worry. Why don't you take Scamp and Sundance into the camp and get settled while I get your brother ready to meet the other wardens?" Duncan reassured me. I felt uncomfortable and looked at my brother, I was scared for some reason. He nodded his head and ruffled my hair as I took our hounds and walked towards the heart of the camp.
There were so many people going every which way. Both hounds pressed close to my body on each side, protecting me and growling when anyone came too close. I didn't really know where I was going or what I should be doing. I know Duncan said to get settled but I had no idea where our tents were or even if I would be camping with my brother and the other Grey Wardens.
"Those are some amazing specimens!" a man near the kennels walked over to me looking at the Scamp and Sundance.
"Thank you, we have had them since they were pups." I replied, fondly rubbing Sundance's head.
"So you know a lot about the breed then?" the man asked excitedly.
"Yes, I used to help our kennel master back in Highever." I smiled.
"Do you think you could help me? One of the hounds is really sick from swallowing darkspawn blood and his owner died during the last battle. I have some medicine that might help but I need him muzzled first. The poor fellow is in a lot of pain and won't let me close. Without this medicine he won't last and I would really hate to have put down such a promising member of the breed." He explained.
"Poor thing, of course I will help! Scamp, Sundance you lay here and wait for me." I said giving them both one more caress each. I quickly followed the kennel master to the pen of the sick hound.
"Just go in and let him smell you and we will see if he responds." He said opening the gate. I nodded and slowly walked into the pen with my hands out to the sides to show I was not a threat. He was a beautiful boy, a darker fawn than Sundance and Scamp and massive. I had never seen a mabari this size before.
When I first entered he growled and shakily stood aggressively, but after a quick sniff he immediately relaxed and perked his ears forward evaluating me. I could tell he was a smart boy by the way he watched me and that he was indeed in a lot of pain.
"Easy boy, my name is Adara and I am here to help, it's going to be ok handsome. Let me put this muzzle on you so we can help you feel better." I slowly knelt down and he made his way to me on unstable legs. It must be taking all his strength to stand and walk. I gently rubbed the side of his massive head and he whined pitifully, leaning into my caress. "It's going to be ok, strong boy."
I quickly put the muzzle on him and he plopped to the ground with a huff exhausted. "That's a good brave boy, i'll be back to check on you and maybe bring you a treat ok?" He looked up to me and whined softly. I pet him gently trying to soothe his worry.
"That was amazing!" The kennel master said walking into the pen with the medicine. The hound acted like he was going to get up but I laid a gentle yet firm hand on his back. He looked at me and whined again.
"It's ok brave boy, I will stay with you." rubbing under his chin. The kennel master quickly administered the medicine and the hound fell asleep. He sighed as he got up and walked out of the pen. "What's wrong?" I asked closing the gate behind me.
"There is an herb that grows here in the wilds that might help his chances but I don't know of any patrols going out. He is in pretty bad shape and I wish I had it in stock." He explained.
"My brother is a Grey Warden recruit, maybe he can help us get some!" I said excitedly.
"That would be great, it is very distinctive looking, it is a solid white flower with a blood red center, I could save a lot more hounds if I had some." He explained. I nodded my head and quickly began looking for my brother. He had to be here somewhere… I soon spotted Duncan near a large fire not far from the kennels and made my way quickly to him.
"Duncan, do you know where my brother is?" I asked slightly winded.
"He went to gather the other recruits why? Are you ok?" Duncan looked at my flushed face with concern.
"I'm fine, I was helping the kennel master when he told me there was an herb here in the wilds that could help save the lives of many hounds that swallow darkspawn blood, so I was hoping we could find a way to gather some." I explained in a rush.
"Your brother and the other recruits are about to go into the wilds to try to find some lost Grey Warden property. I will tell them what you need and have them bring it back with them. Before you get worried, they will not be going near the horde of darkspawn we will soon be fighting and I am sending a Grey Warden with them to keep them safe." Duncan smiled kindly at me as a let go of the breath I was holding when he said they were going into the wilds.
I described to him the flower that was needed and asked him to tell them to bring back as many as they could find. Hopefully they find a good amount, I saw what darkspawn blood could do to the hounds and wanted to save as many as possible. I was quickly shooed away and once again found myself not knowing what to do.
Sundance and Scamp had wandered over to the fire looking for me while I was talking with Duncan and were fast asleep by the time I had left. I hadn't gotten far when I saw a sister of the chantry carrying a large bundle of linens heading quickly towards the upper part of camp. She was moving so swiftly she lost her balance and began to fall. I hurried towards her to steady her, making sure none of the linen fell.
"Thank you child, I would have had to reboil these linens had they fell and there are many wounded that need attention." the sister thanked me with a tired smile.
"Do you need help sister? I can help with minor wounds and stitches." I volunteered.
"Maker, bless you my dear, I can use all the help I can get. The mages are doing a fine job dealing with the more serious injuries but there are more minor injuries that need tending." She led me up the hill to where they were treating the injured and after washing my hands thoroughly began making my rounds in tending to the injured.
The sister was right, most of the injuries just needed a good cleaning and bandaging. A few needed stitches for accidents on the training field or careless sword wielding. I tried hard to stay busy, not thinking about both of my brothers out in the wilds with those evil creatures lurking around. No I couldn't think about that or I would drive myself crazy with worry.
"Excuse me miss, I got a pretty deep cut here could you take a look at it please?" the most smooth husky voice said behind me. A voice like that should be illegal!
"Give me just a moment and I will take a look." I replied without turning around. I washed my hands again and turned to face my patient.
The first thing I noticed were his eyes, the color of honey and so warm with a hint of pain. The second thing I noticed was the ugly gash in his left bicep. The wound was jagged and torn, not neatly sliced like a normal sword wound would have been. It was bleeding freely and the skin around it was red and angry looking.
"Holy Maker! How did this happen?!" I asked, quickly and carefully examining the torn skin. I kept my attention on his arm instead of looking back at his face which, if I was being honest with myself, was the most handsome I had ever seen. A wave of guilt washed over me. How could I think that way about a man that wasn't Rory.
I took a deep breath to hold back the tears threatening to overflow. I missed Highever and my family, and I really missed Rory. I was already cutting the sleeve of his shirt away so I could get better access to the gaping slash. Treat the wound, he is no different than any other soldier I tended to today.
"I was fighting a group of darkspawn and a Hurlock swiped me with his blade. It's my own fault for thinking I was quicker than him." The man shrugged nonchalantly and then winced when the shrug moved his arm.
"You were out in the wilds? Were you near Highevers' men?" I stopped what I was doing to search his face, silently saying a prayer to the Maker for good news.
"No miss, I am a Grey Warden. I took a group of Warden recruits out on Warden business. I was the only one injured." He informed me. So he was out there with Aedan. I let out a sigh of both disappointment and relief. Aedan was safe, but we still hadn't heard anything about Fergus. I nodded my head and went back to cleaning his arm.
"It's going to need stitches and you will have an impressive scar." I told him when I was done making sure it was all cleaned out.
"Oh goody, just what I wanted!" The man blurted out with humor. I couldn't help but smile.
"Well I aim to please." I grinned. When he began to blush I realized how that sounded and my face turned crimson. "I didn't mean it like that! I meant that I like making men happy! People! I mean I like making people happy! Oh Maker what am I saying!" I was so embarrassed I covered my scarlet face with my hands. His laughter echoed off the stone walls around us.
"Here I thought I was the only one that put my foot in my mouth and embarrassed myself. You have nothing to fear, miss, I understand what you meant. You seem to be a very caring person." He smiled gently at me and my heart began to pound and not just from embarrassment.
"I will have you stitched up and fit for battle in no time. I will put this poultice on first to numb the skin." I quickly applied the poultice and began sewing up the wound. He only winced every once in a while and I worked in silence stealing little peaks here and there at his handsome face. I could feel his eyes on me and I tried not to blush while I finished patching him up. I finished before I knew it and it was time to send him on his way.
"Here is some of the Poultice I used, it will help it to heal and with the pain. Take it easy for the rest of the day and you should be battle ready by tomorrow." I handed him the container, not meeting his eyes.
"Thank you miss, I appreciate you patching me up. After the battle, I hope to see you again." He tucked a hair behind my ear and my eyes jerked up to meet his. He was smiling sweetly and blushed. I could only nod and smile just a little as I am sure I was blushing as well. His grin widened and he turned and walked away. Once again the wave of guilt hit me, I felt like I was betraying Rory. I would take care not to run into this handsome soldier again.
Night began to fall and I made my way back to the kennel to check on the hound I helped. According to the kennel master, the Wardens brought back plenty of the herb and he was now well supplied. When I went to the pen to check on the hound he seemed to be doing much better, he even gave a little happy woof to see me. I scratched behind his ears and told him I would check on him tomorrow before making my way back to where I saw Duncan last. Thankfully my brother was there waiting for me but the look on his face made my heart stop. When he saw me he walked toward me with purpose.
"Adara, I have been waiting for hours, where have you been?" Aedan seemed agitated yet relieved to see me.
"I was with the Chantry sisters and healers helping with the injured, then I stopped at the kennels to check on my new friend." I explained. "What's wrong?"
"In the morning I want you to ride to the town of Lothering just north of here. I already found a couple of our men that were left behind to escort you. I want you far away from here when the battle begins." he instructed.
"No! I can help!" I said angrily. "I am not some china doll in need of protection!"
"I saw what we are up against, I won't be able to fight with a clear head knowing those monsters are anywhere near you. Please little sister, I need to know you are safe." Aedan pleaded with me.
"Very well…" I said in disappointment. "First light I will go to Lothering, for you. You just promise me that you will stay safe."
"I have no plans on letting those creatures best me, besides we still have to bring justice to Howe and I promised that we would do that together." He smiled but I could tell he was still worried. What had he seen out there?
"Thank you, you have put my mind and heart at ease. Let's get some rest, tomorrow will be long and difficult." Aedan looped his arm around me and led me to the tent I would be sleeping in. Sundance was already there on my bedroll fast asleep. "Good night little sister, I love you." Aedan gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek and left me to sleep.
As I quickly got out of the nasty clothes I had been wearing, Sundance woke up and stretched moving so that I could lay down. I climbed under the covers and Sundance snuggled into me huffing softly. I didn't want to leave my brother but I also didn't want his attention to be divided where he could get hurt or worse. I didn't have much of a choice, the story of my life.
My eyes became heavy as I fought sleep. I was beyond exhausted but so much was running through my mind. The hound I had helped, the soldier with the honey eyes, and having to leave for Lothering in the morning. Sleep eventually won and I drifted off wondering what tomorrow would hold for us all.
