Okay, so this chapter is all non-cannon and I really enjoyed writing it. I hope you enjoy the read. Please leave me a review to let me know what you think. Thanks again to my betas and my best friend/wife for constantly encouraging me to keep writing even when I have horrible writers block.
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Damien adjusted in his saddle as he and his companions came to a stop in the village of Lothering. Damien smiled at seeing a large in near the Chantry and climbed down from his horse. Night had already fallen and they were still several hours from Ostagar after near four days of riding from dawn to dusk.
"I don't know about you Duncan, but my horse could us a rest and my rear is killing me," Luke said rubbing his behind. The Warden laughed rubbed his mounts neck.
"I suppose we can stop of the night. If we leave at first light tomorrow, we could make the king's camp by midday," Duncan said taking a carrot from his back and letting the horse munch on it.
"I agree," Lady Cousland added punctuated with a bark from Brax.
Damien looked toward the inn, but then back to the Chantry. He had only been in a Chantry a few times. Most of the time he was kept out and fed from the steps by the sisters. The idea of being able to go into the Chantry to pray somewhat excited him. He was not the most religious man and there were plenty of things that he disagreed with the Chantry about, but he did find the buildings peaceful.
"You two go ahead. I'm going to go to the chantry for a bit," Damien said adjusting his hood and his cloak. He hung his arrows from his saddle and took the string off on end of his bow so he could slip it into the quiver as well.
"Let me have those. You don't want to leave these where someone might take them," Duncan said looping the quiver over his shoulder and heading toward the inn.
"Would you mind me coming with you? I need to pray for my family," Lady Cousland said softly. Damien nodded. He could not say no. She wanted someone with her so she could mourn her family. Damien understood very well. He needed to say a few words for his friends as well.
As the pair of them entered the chantry, Damien was awestruck. The ceilings towered over them with beams arranged in beautiful designs while statues made of gold, silver, and stone surrounded them. Damien had to resist the urge to whistle in astonishment.
Damien spotted a sister approaching them and lifted his scarf to cover his nose and mouth instinctively. He still was getting use to not having to hide his face from others. He turned so his hood and scarf completely concealed his identity.
"Welcome to the Lothering Chantry. I am Sister Leliana," a young red head said smiling warmly.
"I am Alyssa and this is Damien. We have come to pray…" she voice cracked as she spoke. Damien turned and saw tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Her family was murdered not but four days ago. She seeks peace from the Maker and protection as we travel to Ostagar," Damien said through his scarf.
"Of course. If you like, I can go retrieve the Revered Mother," the sister offered. Damien didn't know what good that would do. He was just there to pray that the Maker look out for his friend's souls and guide them to the afterlife. He did not need a sister for that, especially not the Revered Mother.
"No, that is unnecessary. I simply wish to pray for their souls," Lady Cousland said.
"I can stay and pray with you if it will help comfort you," the girl said. Damien noticed something about the girl. The way she spoke was refined, showing a background of schooling, most likely in Orlais judging from the accent. Her eyes possessed a unique softness to them Damien found comforting and alluring, like a serene, clear pong in a forest clearing.
Damien nodded toward the young woman before making his way to the front of the chantry and kneeling before the statue of Andraste before taking a seat in one of the pews. He reached inside his shirt and clenched his fist around the wooden pendant. That damned necklace and his scarf was all he had to remember his friends by and he hated that. He wanted to have something else; a sketch, an engraving, something to have so he would never forget their faces.
As he said his final good-byes to his friends, he felt a small presence. Not unlike the feeling he got around the blood mage in Highever, but pure. Magic that was not tainted by blood or demons, but this was the chantry, why would a mage be here?
Turning, he saw a young woman with raven black hair and delicate features making her way to the front. He sighed turning back trying not to draw attention to either of them. If someone figured out that she was a mage, they might sense he was one too.
"May I?" the girl asked motioning to the pew in front of him.
"Of course. This is the Maker's house, not mine," Damien responded. He wished she had decided to sit elsewhere but making a scene might draw unwanted attention.
"Are you here to pray for the troops at Ostagar?" the girl asked.
Damien shook his head releasing his hold on the pendant. "Saying farewell to my friends."
"I'm sorry. Were they with the king's army?" the girl asked.
"No. They were simple beggars in Highever. Killed when Arl Howe attacked the castle," Damien answered lowering his head.
"Maker, I'm so sorry," she said placing her hand on his. He could feel the magic within her. The purity of her heart shined in her magic like the sun and seemed to calm him. He released a slow breath and smiled.
"Thank you. What brings you here?" he asked.
"I am praying for the safe return of my brother and sister. They are with the Lothering militia in the King's Army," she answered moving from the pew in front of him to sit next to him.
"I could say prayer for them, if you want? What are their names?" Damien asked.
"Lillian and Carver Hawke," the girl answered.
"I will pray for them, and if I see them at Ostagar, I'll tell them you are thinking of them," Damien assured her.
"You are with the King's army too?"
"No, I was recruited into the Grey Wardens not but a few days ago. Same as my companion over there," Damien said motioning to Lady Cousland. The girl wept softly while Sister Leliana embraced her.
"Is she a beggar too?" the girl asked. Damien couldn't help but chuckle and he smiled broadly and genuinely for the first time in days.
"She is actually the daughter of the later Teyrn of Highever, Lady Cousland," Damien said softly.
"Oh," the girl said shortly as her cheeks turned red.
"Thank you. I have not laughed like that since my friends died. I'm glad I met you, miss," Damien said standing.
"I'm Bethany. Bethany Hawke."
"Damien."
They shook hands and the young man made his way toward the exit. Part of him wanted to look back, but something inside him told him to keep walking.
As he made his way toward the inn, he found he was not ready to retire yet and started walking around the town. It was nothing like Highever. The roads were much wider, most likely to allow wagons to pass each other. The buildings were simple and functional. Nothing too fancy like the upper district of Highever with the fine houses and uppity people. He smiled thinking about what his life might have been like if he could have grown up in a small village like this instead of Highever. Although there were worse fates. He could have ended up in the Circle of Magi locked in a Tower for his entire life, never able to see the sun or run across the roof tops and walls of a city. No, that would never be his fate.
He spent nearly an hour walking the empty roads of the village before returning to the inn and heading up to the room he and Duncan would be sharing. He found Duncan asleep on the floor, but the man's breathing changed the second the door opened. Damien smirked realizing the man was awake and waiting so see who he was before reacting. Damien closed the door softly and climbed into the bed. He could not believe how comfortable the wood planks and straw were compared to the cold ground he was use to. He settled in and within a minute was fast asleep.
000
Ostagar rose out of the hills like old bone in a grave yard. The pale stone towering over the land could be seen from nearly two miles away. Damien stared in dismay at the sheer size of the towers and archways. The Castle in Highever claimed the title of tallest building in the city, but these structures put it to shame in an epic way.
As they dismounted and handed their horses off, Damien spotted a troops of well armored honor guards approaching. The man in the center could only be King Cailan judging from his golden armor and multitude of guards.
Damien raised his scarf again. It was not that he did not trust the king and his guards, but he habit was to be as unrecognizable as possible. He preferred to move through areas without being recognized or remembered, made it easier to get what he needed without getting caught.
"King Cailan, I wasn't expecting…" Duncan started.
"A royal welcome. I was beginning to think you were going to miss all the fun," the king said patting the warden on the shoulder.
"Not if I can help it your majesty," Duncan responded. Damien pulled his hood lower and moved to the side to be as far from the conversation as possible. Duncan did not sound like he shared the king's enthusiasm over the battle to come. Damien made a mental note to ask the man about it later.
"Then I will have the mighty Duncan at my side after all. Glorious! The other wardens told me that found a promising recruit," the king said looking over at Damien and Lady Cousland. The youth turned away allowing the young noble to get all the attention. "I take it this is she?"
"Allow me to introduce you," Duncan began.
"No need to be so formal Duncan. Besides, the young Lady Cousland and I are acquainted. I believe it was the Independence Day Ball in Denerim, was it not?" the king said taking Lady Cousland's hand and planting a little kiss on her knuckles. Damien was slightly stunned to see the look of discomfort on the girl's face at the man's touch.
"It was your majesty, but I am afraid with our castle taken and my family dead, I little more than a Warden recruit now," she answered. Damien found her eyes searching for him but kept his distance.
"Taken? Dead? What? I had not heard. Duncan do you know of this?" the king exclaimed turning to the Warden Commander.
"Arl Howe has showed himself a traitor and attacked Castle Highever and slaying the Teyrn and his wife. I am afraid Lord Fergus and Lady Alyssa are the only survivors of the Cousland family," Duncan informed him.
"I assure you, Lady Cousland. The moment the darkspawn are defeated, I will turn my army north and bring Arl Howe to justice. You have my word," the king promised.
"Thank you your majesty," Lady Cousland said bowing.
"I am sorry to cut this short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with strategy," the king said smiling and nodding. He turned and made his way back toward the camp with his guards.
Damien emerged and lower his scarf as Brax nudged him with his head. Damien scratched the dog behind the ears and approached his companions.
"Why did you hide? To meet the king is… an honor," Lady Cousland said.
"For a noble, milady, yes, but for a street beggar like me…" Damien answered. He couldn't finish the sentence. He had great respect for nobility especially after the selfless act of Teyrna Cousland to stay with her husband to give them time to escape. He did not see that same character in the king but the potential was there.
"You are not a beggar anymore. You are a Grey Warden. Now, the two of you head to the quartermaster and get your new armor and clothes. After that, find a warden named Alistair and tell him to gather the other recruits by the bonfire. He'll understand," Duncan said. "Oh, and I'll keep your mabari with me. The quartermaster had a bad experience with a dog chewing up some of his leather armor a month or so ago."
Damien chuckled and watched Brax bound over to Duncan's side and walk right next to him before strapping his bow and quiver across his back and heading toward the bridge.
"You know, you don't need to hide now. You're a Grey Warden. It's an honor. Embrace it," Lady Cousland said falling in step with him.
"I am, but the Grey Wardens are a military force. Someone who can remain hidden will do the order some good I think. Trust me, milady, I am embracing my new life," Damien answered.
"Please stop calling me 'milady'. I'm a Grey Warden now just like you. Just call me Alyssa," the girl said sighing and shaking her head.
"I… I'm sorry… It just… I was trying to show you the respect you deserve," Damien said clearing his throat and pulling his hood down again.
"If you want to show me respect, respect my wishes and call me by my name," Alyssa urged.
"Alright Alyssa. It'll take some getting use to but I'll try," Damien responded as they crossed the bridge to the king's camp.
The canyon below let into the wilds and had line after line of palisades set up to defend against darkspawn attacks. Damien could smell the swampy air as it twisted up around the bridge from the Korcari Wilds. He could feel a presence in the trees unlike anything he had ever felt before; an ancient presence that he could not describe as well as an incessant darkness. It must have been the darkspawn. But a closer presence immediately took hold of his attention. It was a purer feeling than the other. It wasn't as strong as the darker force but it felt cleaner… better.
As they made their way through the camp, Damien watched as the Circle mages cast spells and enchanted the army's weapons. He wondered if they could feel him like he could feel them. Though… he was worried about whether or not the Templars could figure out what he was. He had seen plenty of apostates hauled off or killed in his travels. He had made it a point to steer clear of the armored hunters.
"Damien?" someone shouted from across the camp. The youth turned to see a man jogging toward him. He cocked his head curiously before the name popped into his head.
"Daveth? Andraste's ass, what are you doing here?" Damien shouted meeting the man half way.
Damien had met Daveth while he was traveling. The two had worked together for a few weeks filling their bellies and claiming a few coppers here and there but decided to split up when the guards came after them. Daveth claimed to be headed for Denerim while Damien continued south.
"Got caught stealing in Denerim. The guards were gonna kill me but this Warden named Blackwall saw me fight and recruited me. Sent me here," Daveth said embracing Damien. The youth laughed and patted him on the back. "What about you?"
"Borders on the same. Broke into Highever Castle to get some food right before Arl Howe attacked it. The Warden commander saw me fight and asked me to join up," Damien responded.
"So looks like we're gonna be Wardens together, huh? Should be interesting," Daveth said putting his arm around Damien's shoulders. "On a more important note, who's that?" Daveth pointed to Alyssa as Damien shook his head.
"She is out of your league buddy. She was the reason Duncan was at Highever in the first place, meaning you try anything and she'll kill you before the darkspawn can. Oh, and if she doesn't, her mabari will," Damien said shoving his old friend.