9:27 Firstfall/November 10th
"She just saved our son Fergus." Oriana breathed out. I was somewhere in between shock and surprise. Fergus Cousland. Son to Bryce Cousland and brother to the DA:O noble origin player character. I rubbed my scrapped hand awkwardly.
"Many thanks stranger, how can we repay you?" Fergus helped Oriana get up with Oren in her arms, finally soothed. His question snapped me out of my reverie.
"Uh no! No, I don't need repayment. I'm just glad he's safe." I said quickly before a few guards came by to ask Fergus questions. I took that as my scene to leave. I limped slightly before gathering the yarn that I dropped. The balls were soaked with mud but a good scrub should do the trick to get them cleaned again. I had a feeling that someone was watching me and looked back. I didn't see anyone and then I was hugged by a very worried Rael.
"Nia! Are you ok!? Andraste, look at all those scrapes! I'm so sorry for leaving you alone! Come on, let's get you to Thomas' and get you a salve." Rael quickly rambled before grabbing onto my arm to help me walk.
"Rael, seriously I can walk by myself." I laughed, shivering from my wet clothing.
"You nearly got squashed and you think you're fine? You're not ok. I know this, it was scary wasn't it?" Rael comforted me. I realized that my shivering wasn't just because I was cold. I was extremely scared. So many things were passing through my mind all at once and yet my body was moving on its own. The second I grabbed Oren, I leaped, praying, hoping that the horse would miss me. If not, I could have gotten a broken leg or worse.
Now that the adrenaline has gone down, I felt like throwing up. Who knew being so heroic was so emotionally damaging? I took deep breaths to try to calm down my fast beating heart. In the end, I started to laugh because I had no other way to cope.
"Oh God, you were right. I nearly died." Again, is what I thought to myself. I cleared my throat and Rael held me tighter until we got to Thomas' shop. He gave me a double take.
"Don't tell me you both got into some trouble. I won't stand for that in my shop." Thomas said gruffly.
"She nearly got tackled by a runaway horse and carriage." Rael snapped. He gingerly sat me down before going and putting some silvers down on Thomas' desk. "An Elfroot salve, please." Rael glared and said tersely. Thomas looked slightly guilty before taking the money and giving him a bottle. Rael nodded before coming and helping me up to my room.
I sat down on my bed while Rael gathered some water to warm over the fire. A few shaky tears came out as I calmed down over all. My body hurt and the events kept on playing in my head. Fergus Cousland. I just met Fergus Cousland. I have never once really questioned the fates of the origins until now. I watched Rael gather some cloth and check the water with his finger.
Canon wise there was only one origin that was destined to be the Hero of Ferelden. Only one can be chosen and then the rest? If Rael doesn't become the warden, he'd be killed in the rebellions before the slave trading comes along. The Cousland family would get decimated by Arl Howe's men. The mage origin would get shipped off to Aeonar. The dwarven noble would be killed in the Deep Roads. The dwarf commoner would starve in Jarvia's prison. The Dalish elf would get killed by the taint. I took a really good long look at Rael as he brought the bucket of the warmed water.
He took my arm and started to slowly clean my scraps. He handled me gently. I felt his calloused hands run down my skin, checking everything with a sharp eye. I didn't want him to die. Rael was my first real friend but meeting Fergus Cousland only reminded me of what was going to pass. Rael took the bottle of the salve and started to rub it on my skin.
"They should heal quickly. By this time tomorrow, you won't even have anything to remind you of today." Rael smiled and noticed my somber expression. He gave me a toothy grin and patted me on the head. "Don't worry. Things will go back to normal tomorrow! Ah! Your balls of yarn are messy. Hm, I guess I could clean them for you." Rael mumbled, getting up and holding them. My leg still hurt but I got up and gave him a quick hug. He got tense for a second. He smelled salty like the ocean and musky. "H-Hey!"
"Rael…don't die ok?" I held him tighter. One of his arms settled around my shoulders and the other patted my head before he returned the hugged and put his head on top of mine.
"This really got you spooked huh? I promise I'm not going to die. I'm made of tougher stuff than that. Besides…I don't think living is that hard anymore." Rael chuckled and his body vibrated. I felt myself smiling and feeling more at ease. "Anyway, you still need to finish up on your legs. I'll go wash your yarn for you." Rael let go and went out. I washed the rest of my scrapes and put the Elfroot salve on them. They seemed to tingle and get warm. It wasn't an unpleasant experience and they smelled good too. Now if only the potions were better tasting.
9:27 Firstfall/November 13th
For the past few days, I had a feeling that I was being watched. No joke. It could be that I was being paranoid after what happened in the marketplace a few days ago but I could have sworn that there was something out there watching me.
After my life saving day, I went back to work the next day. My whole body felt like a bruise and I didn't feel up to working but I did. I went to work, went back to Thomas, took a bath to ease my muscles, and practiced with my quill again. Rael was right. My scrapes were all gone by the next day.
After that day was when I started to feel like someone was watching me. Out of the corner of my eyes, I would spot something and look back only to find that no one was there. In the bakery I was fine but when I went out I got that sensation again. I tried not to pay any attention to it until around the second day. Rael told me not to worry that it could have been just my nerves playing with me since the market place day.
Then I noticed footprints in the snow on my way home. Someone has been watching me but I don't know who or why. I haven't done anything wrong and, if it was a guard, they would have come up to me instead of sneaking around. I have caught someone's interest and my mind is going wild as to who. Here's to sleepless nights, ugh.
9:27 Firstfall/November 14th
After work, I came out of the bakery and let out a breath from the rush of the chill. It snowed last night and it was piled high. I took a few steps back toward Thomas' until I felt that eerie sensation of being watched again. I was getting tired of this.
I took a tight turn which would have led to the street right behind the person. I did quiet footfalls before reaching the street. The person who was following me looked around in confusion. I had a hand where the hidden knife was. Instead of attacking, I stood up straight and crossed my arms.
"Ok I've had enough of this. You've been following me for four days now, what is your deal!?" I snapped. The person turned around. They had a mask up with a hood over their face. My stomach sunk as I felt that I was in over my head. They pulled down their face mask.
"You have done well. My employer wishes to speak to you." They said.
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on." I asked with mixed bravado. The person smiled.
"This is something you can't refuse. Follow me if you are curious." They put up their mask again and started walking toward the marketplace. I had two choices; go or not go. Whether it was fate or curiosity, I decided to follow. We went into the marketplace but the person walked even further, closer to the estates owned by the nobles. I started to feel a little silly with my rough clothes and my cloak while the nobles where going around with their very nice fur clothing. I pulled my cloak more as I felt embarrassed before we stopped at a very big estate.
The person nodded towards me as we passed the front gates and into a side passage. There were a few elves working, going to and fro into the rooms. I felt like an outsider but the person weaved through the rooms. Then we entered what looked like to be the main hall and my heart nearly stopped. Oren and Fergus were at the table. At the head was who I assumed to be was Bryce with Eleanor next to him. The person took off their hood and face mask completely. It was Oriana. She gave me a sly smile while I tried not to gape like an idiot.
"Ma!" Oren ran toward her and she carried him, settling right next to Fergus and kissing him quickly on the lips before Bryce cleared his throat. I naturally stood at attention with my hands clasp right in front of me.
"I have heard many things about you Ms. Nia. I have you to thank for my grandson being alive today." Bryce said sincerely. My nerves were getting the better of me but I had to stand firm.
"I saw a child in danger and my first reaction was to save him." I looked down, trying to make myself look smaller.
"And it's that reaction that benefited my family. Oriana began looking as to who you are." Bryce's voice boomed in the main hall. I could see a few servants being slightly curious as to who I was. I gulped.
"I am in need of someone to take of my duties and one of those is my son Oren. I have never seen someone that would put their own life at risk for him which is exactly what I need. You are a very hard worker from what the bakery I visited told me. You also take care of others such as that elf boy that frequently visits you. It is these qualities I am looking for in a handmaiden. The fact that you were able to intercept me was also something I was looking for. After all, a son of a noble can be seen an easy target to those wanting to harm my family." Oriana explained all of this. It was almost too good to be true. They wanted to employ me?
"I…I am indebted to the man who is housing me right now." I mentioned.
"Your debt will be cleared away as long as you accept the position." Bryce boomed. Fergus had a playful smirk on his face while Oren was enjoying his mother's attention. Eleanor was seated and enjoying this from what I can tell.
"I am honored and would gladly accept your employ." I bowed low.
"Good. We will be staying in the capital for the next week before we move to Highever Castle. I expect you would have gathered all your things. The debt will be taken care of in the coming days." Oriana explained. I nodded while trying not to lose my head.
"Lana, may you see her out please?" Bryce asked. An elf came by and led me out of the estate and, before I knew it, I was out in the cold again. I couldn't really believe what was happening. I couldn't remember the walk back to Thomas' but, as soon as I was in my room, I hit my head on the desk. It hurt. It hurt. This wasn't a dream. In a week I would be leaving Denerim to Highever and be employed by the Couslands. Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?
Yay! Beta'd by FearaNightmare, the most awesomest beta!
So as you can see a few changes on how she got employed. After all, it has to be someone good at protecting. Oriana is Antivan which means she's used to having assassins around and Nia, with her quick thinking and the ability to spot her, she thought it was a good choice. :3
Shout out to HellaRose, kilgaxe, HollySutterlin and Blooddoll1 for favoriting/following! Thank you Chimera Spyke, Syutaku, and Anon for reviewing! Please Review!