Judy: thanks for the comment. Gemini Sage Welcome. Thanks for following- As for him focusing on just those mages...yeah he has the ability to be dense. Them squabling .. thats two Alpha personallities. (Not that Rhiannon knows how deep her strength is yet) Thank you for the comments. RachealAmadon - welcome and thanks for favoriting I hope you continue to enjoy. Kanta48- With Aedan one step forward two steps back. Howe was a loyal vassel. he was at one time one of his fathers best friend and hero. It makes sense for Aedan to try and find something to blame. The Dagger came from "The Calling" as did the Archetict and Remillie. But yeah it will be imprortant later on. Thank you for the comments.

"Ho there Duncan,"

"King Cailan," Duncan said grasping the blond man in gold armor forearm in greeting. "I didn't expect a.."

Duncan was cut off mid-sentence. "A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun. But one of my soldiers saw you on the road."

"Not if I could help it your Majesty."

"Good then I will have the mighty Duncan at my side after all. Glorious." Cailan said falling in step with Duncan.

Aedan and I just looked at each other not sure what to make of our monarch blatant hero worship of the Grey Warden commander. There was a familiarity in his tone that said they had a less formal relationship than King and subject.

As I thought about it for a moment, I realized that while Duncan was considered the leader of the Grey Wardens according to Aedan, he never acted as if he was. Other than setting the pace and keeping the peace between Aedan and me.

While I was contemplating this the King had made his way to Aedan for introductions.

"You are Bryce's youngest are you not? I don't think we've actually met."

I watched as Aedan stiffened at his father's name but kept composure enough to give a civil greeting."

The king told him that Fergus had already arrived with the men of Highover but the were still awaiting his father. I watched as Aedan's face clouded in anger and frustration. I was surprised his words were still civil while his tone was anything but when he told the King Bryce was dead.

The King paced away distraught at the horrifying news and asked Duncan to confirm it.

"Arl Howe has shown himself a traitor and overtaken Highover Castle. Had we not escaped he would have killed us and told you any story he wished."

I heard Aedan scoff when the King had trouble find both the words to describe his disbelief and how he thought Arl Howe thought he would get away with his crime. But there was no quivering or doubt when he made Aedan the promise of going North with his army and bringing Howe to justice.

To say I was impressed was an understatement. I glanced at Aedan to see what he thought and noticed the look of determination stiffen his spine making him stand taller. He asked, "What kind of justice?"

I sucked in air surprised at him questioning the King like that. But it must have been something in the warrior code because the King didn't react and promised that Howe would hang. He offers small condolences in that it wouldn't bring Aedan's family back.

I couldn't help but to think of how great of a king we had.

Aedan lost his smile when the King told him that Fergus was scouting in the wilds with his men and would not be back until after the battle. When Aedan opened his mouth to protest Duncan laid a hand on his shoulder and said, "the battle will be over soon, and you will be reunited. Until then we have other matters that we must see about."

I could tell Aedan didn't like that but agreed.

Cailan turned his attention to me and then back to Duncan. "Is this all the Tower could spare as a greater commitment?"

"No, your Majesty, this is Rhiannon Amell. She is also to be a Grey Warden. We have very few of them in our ranks."

"Hello Rhiannon. The Grey Wardens are desperate to bolster their numbers. I am glad to be able to help them. I trust you have several spells to help us in the coming battle?"

I had never spoken to anyone so important, so it was difficult to find my tongue. But his easy-going manner and lack of formality allowed me to blush through a bumbling answer of being just out of my apprenticeship.

He waved off my nerves with a quick remark of being more than capable.

I heard what was suspiciously like a snort from Aedan but when I jerked my eyes away from the king, I found the noble looking innocently off into the distance. I was still watching Aedan with narrowed eyes when Cailan mentioned having to get back to Loghain. My jaw dropped when he said the regent couldn't wait to bore him with the details of strategy.

I was only half listening as Cailan tried to convince Duncan that this wasn't really a blight. I was still trying to figure out if the King was being serious when he spoke about his Regent. It was slightly concerning when the King used bore me and strategy details.

Aedan was the first to speak. "That was the King of Ferelden? He doesn't seem to think the Horde is a problem. Maybe he's right and this is just a large raiding party."

Duncan frowned and watched the King walk away before turning to us. "The King is right. They have won several battles against the Darkspawn here."

I could tell by his tone of voice there was something he wasn't telling us. And Aedan's desire for revenge was keeping him from noticing. "You don't sound reassured."

Duncan motioned us to keep moving while he explained that while we had successful battles the Horde kept growing daily. And now outnumbered the army the King assembled. He explained that he knew there was an Archdemon behind all of it, but he couldn't ask King Cailan to take his word for it.

Aedan chortled and responded why not since he held the Wardens in high regard. He said only a fool would have their hero tell them of danger and tell your hero he didn't know what he was talking about.

Duncan chastised him and said we must not speak of the King that way. He was just over eager to be serving Ferelden. He was one of the few Grey Warden allies. And then he started speaking about a joining ritual and my heart dropped to my stomach. Magic was full of rituals and a good deal of them weren't pleasant.

"I was hoping for a bath and a hot meal."

Duncan chuckled and said, "I agree. We have until nightfall to begin the ritual and the preparations."

Aedan interested in the joining started asking questions about it and found himself frustrated when Duncan said it was there was a danger to it but he could say no more. Both Aedan and I were surprised when we found out there were two recruits waiting for us.

He gave us permission to explore the camp as we wished but asked us not to leave it. When we were done, we were to seek out another Grey Warden by the name of Alistair.

I stood there, shoulder to shoulder with Aedan and we watched Duncan walk off toward the bridge. We waited until we could be sure the older Grey Warden was out of earshot and began to talk among ourselves. Aedan started.

"What happened? Cat have your tongue. The King asked a question and you couldn't talk? Let me guess from the way you were blushing you were too busy thinking about how handsome he was?"

I could see the grin and his body language said he was teasing but I wanted to thump him. Yes, the King was good looking, but it was his friendly manner that intrigued me. I would have thought he would be stuffier and more rigid than that. "No. I was thinking what an amazing man…king to take his entire army north to make sure you got vengeance. Now you and Fergus don't have to fight alone."

Aedan was speechless for several minutes. "Agreed. Maybe I shouldn't have called him a fool."

"Maybe," I agreed.

He shrugged. "You find that bath. I will see what I can do to find some men on the field from Highover."

"But.. but Duncan said to stay in camp."

"Yeah? Do you do everything your told?"

As I watched Aedan walk away, I realized I did. I hadn't even thought to question Duncan nor would I have ever thought about leaving the camp because he asked me not to. I wondered how long I would continue being obedient without a thought to why I was obeying. But it was a simple request and there would be plenty for me to see in the camp. I did not need to venture outside. I set off down the road behind Duncan who was on the other side of the bridge by now and Aedan and Rabbit.