Chapter 12) Origin of the Noble Champion – Last of the Couslands

Cleon POV


"Normally, it's Lyna waking me up in the middle of night because of a nightmare," Ashalle teased gently as she runs a comb through my hair to get out the tangles. I remained silent, embarrassed that it had rattled me so much. I was already eight! I was too old for this! "Da'len, this would be easier if you'd go by the fire."

"There was fire in the dream," I mumbled, pointedly looking away from that source of light and warmth.

"Really?"

"I… I dreamed that someone we trusted went through the forest with torches, in an attempt to burn us out." I twisted to look at her. "That won't happen, right?"

"Of course not." She kissed the top of my head. "Dalish only trust Dalish, and Dalish would never betray each other."

"Okay."

"Would you like to sleep with me tonight, Cleon?"

"…Please?"

"Of course, da'len. Anything to make you feel safe again."


"Oh, so Iona's daughter is the girl who gave me flowers? I'll have to tell her in the morning. She raised her daughter to be so sweet!"

"I'm sure she'll enjoy hearing that, Mistress Layla. Did you get enough to eat?"

"Yes, I did! Lady Eleanor was so nice to me when I told her I could not eat meat. Did you get enough?"

"Yes. The Couslands made certain no one went hungry tonight, I gather."

That was part of my problem. 'No one' included their elven servants. Of which, there were a lot of them. And they were treated well. Equals to the other human servants. You'd think I'd be happy with that, but it just made me uncomfortable. When I saw that Vaughan, I was certain that all the beliefs were correct. That most shem'len were worthless bastards with power complexes and no sense of bravery at all. That Duncan and Layla were exceptions that proved the rule. But now, I had an entire… family? City? Section of a country? They all believed that elves weren't below them. They treated them as equals. It was unnerving, really.

I'd done my best to find the hidden flaw, the hidden sign that all shem'len were like that. I'd probably been belligerent about it. Aiden had certainly given me a lecture about being polite, before apologizing for it. But there was nothing. Nothing. It was like these Couslands had nothing to hide.

"Cleon, did you get enough to eat?" I jolted out of my thoughts to see Layla leaning over me. Normally, that would've been impossible, but I was curled up in a chair in the room Aiden and I were sharing for however long we were staying in Highever. "Was it not fun?" she asked, looking confused. "I had fun! The joking and teasing they all did was relaxing." Glad it was for someone.

"I particularly liked that one joke Arl Howe played on Teyrn Cousland," Aiden noted with a soft laugh. "The one Lord Nuada and Lady Elspeth joined in on."

"There were many," I reminded. Oh, so many. They were all like the Clan, with the joking and teasing. But not like the Clan at the same time, by bringing in the guests and servants as if everyone was equal.

"Oh, sorry. I meant the one about the soap." I had no idea what he was talking about. "Cleon, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Layla pressed. Oh, great. She was frowning now. "You have been acting strangely all day."

"Ever since Teyrna Cousland greeted us with hugs this morning," Aiden added. I didn't need to be reminded of that. She hadn't cared one bit that I was an elf, or a Dalish. She'd seen the discomfort, and had taken measures to try and make me comfortable. I didn't think she realized my discomfort was because she was so nice. "Did the food not sit well with you?"

"It was fine," I stated. It was, truth be told. Nicely cooked, but simple food. Teyrn Cousland had apologized for the simple fare, but extravagancy during a war wasn't something they did unless they had to. Practical. "I'm fine."

"Did you have any weird tripping incidents earlier?" Damn it, Aiden! I was trying to keep those hidden!

"Are you all right?" Layla asked, now looking worried. As I knew she would. "Is it the-?"

"I just need some air," I interrupted, standing up. I made sure not to look at either of them, grabbing my pack as a convenient excuse. "Don't wait up, Aiden."

"W-wait!" I didn't. Just left the room and turned down the hall as fast as I could to get away. I needed to think a bit. And glare at offending limbs that would seize up at random moments. I hadn't actually told anyone about it, but Aiden had noticed the sometimes odd movement. Layla, probably, knew what caused it. Duncan definitely seemed to know, and kept a close eye on me. It bothered me to be so closely watched. I hadn't been sick since I was a child, and now suddenly I was sick again, and everyone seemed to be watching me closely, like I'd collapsed at any moment. I didn't need that irritation when I was trying to figure out these strange people and-

And I ran right into someone. Literally. I was really out of it today, if I was doing that. I hadn't done that since my first days of training as a hunter. Worse, though, was the fact that I'd run right into that Nuada who'd showed us around earlier. I couldn't help but study him again as I steadied myself. As if I'd get a different opinion the second time round. But no. Nothing. Still the same shem'len with long black hair tied back in what Aiden called a 'ponytail' as if it were both practical and vanity. Still had the same blue eyes that looked like they saw everything and nothing. Still wore the smile of a fool while moving with the grace of a hunter. Still wore simple clothes that appeared more expensive than anything that Vaughan character wore. Everything about him was just like his home. A contradiction of everything I knew.

"I know I'm good looking and all, but is that really the reason you're staring?" he asked dryly, with a good-natured smile. "What's wrong?"

"You're a mess of contradictions," I retorted. I kept wondering if bluntness would throw them off. "I can't make sense of them."

"Hmm? Oh, well, I think I can drop the mask a bit, if you promise not to tell." Mask? "Uncle Duncan said you were trustworthy. And suffering from the Taint."

"I'm fine." The reply was instinctive.

"I've a feeling you and I have similar definitions, neither of which fit the norm." Still, I could see him relax, just slightly. Things fell into starker relief. The seeing everything. The air of a fighter. The practicality. "Anyway, was there a place you were wandering too or did you just need to wander a bit?"

"The latter." But then again… "But I wouldn't mind finding that garden again."

"Here. I have to pass it on my way to the library anyway. I'm meeting Iona."

"For what?"

"An intelligent discussion followed by… well, something I find fun." He shrugged. "She seemed interested, at least. I just need to make sure she is offering because she wants to, not because she feels it's expected."

"And if it is?"

"I like my partners willing, not questionably consenting."

"…You couldn't be less like that Vaughan."

"I thank you for the compliment!" He laughed before pointing the way to go. "I actually almost killed him once."

Huh? "You did?"

"That slipped out, didn't it? Damn." He sighed ruefully. "Yes, I did. He was making untoward advances towards Elspeth during a party. He grabbed her hard enough to bruise. I broke his elbow and leg and would've collapsed his windpipe if she hadn't stopped me." He what?

"That sounds a bit excessive, but we are dealing with younger siblings." I studied him again, this time noting the similarities between him and that Elspeth. "I think it was mentioned you two were twins?"

"Yes, we are, but the similarities in looks are mostly because we're siblings, not because we're twins. I don't think you got a look at Fergus, but the three of us all look alike. Elspeth and I take after our mother in terms of features, but all of us got Father's black hair and blue eyes."

"You wear your hair longer than others I've seen." Much longer. Mid-back, just like his sister.

"That's mostly because I'm lazy," he laughed. "I never bothered to get it cut while growing up, and now I'm too used to it being long. I'm not the worst when it comes to vanity, though. Uncle Loghain always makes sure to have these two little braids falling right by his face, no matter what the circumstances are. We tease him silly about it." And who was 'Loghain'? "Cailan always makes sure his hair is brushed and tied back just right too." That was the king of these shem'len, right? "I'm sorry. I'm rambling."

"It's fine." Not sure if I wanted to ask about any of that, though. "Which of you two in the younger? Between you and Elspeth?"

"Elspeth is. She's the baby of the family. Why?"

"Nothing." Huh. I didn't think… "I… have a younger twin myself. Lyna. We don't look much alike, though. Not in coloring, at least."

"Oh, so you understand why I get so protective." His smile was soft. "Can you tell me about your sister?"

"Not much to tell. She's equal parts annoying and endearing, like any other younger sibling. She's pregnant now, though. And… and a widow, too."

"I'm sorry to hear that." The scariest thing? He looked it. "Was it related to why you're afflicted with the Taint?"

"And how do you know that?"

"Elspeth asked Uncle Duncan because she saw you moving oddly earlier." I… I thought I'd been moving fine. Yes, my arms were less responsive and weaker than they should've been, but otherwise… "If you were asking about how I guessed it was related, though, it's simple. If Elspeth was pregnant, and a widow, I'd fake my death if that's what it took to get around Uncle Duncan's Right of Conscription." He shrugged. "The only reason I wouldn't would be if staying was more painful."

"…You're smarter than you like to portray, aren't you?"

"Well, if you're stepping out into a battlefield, wouldn't you want your opponents to underestimate you?" His smile, right then, took a decidedly menacing look, before it morphed back into the carefree smile I'd seen earlier today. "Regardless, this door here will lead you to the Garden." He pointed to a side door I almost hadn't seen. "Stay out for as long as you'd like, Cleon. There's no curfew here. I would recommend some sleep, though. Elspeth, Mother, and I plan on dragging your recruits to the beach tomorrow." Beach?

"Have fun?" I returned as he walked away. He laughed and waved over his shoulder. Weird shem'len. Weird… and a bit dangerous, actually. All the more because I could understand him. I had some things in common with him.

I wasn't sure how much I liked that, to be honest.


The garden was… relaxing. Strange, but relaxing. There were no trees, but the flowers almost made up for it. I wished I could show it to Merrill, Lyna, and Tamlen. They would've loved it.

Sighing, I sat up from where I'd laid down to just bask in the night air and starlight. There was this section of the garden that was just soft, sweet-smelling grass, as if designed simply for laying down. Well, it might not have, but I'd done it anyway. Nature was best when you were laying next to it, after all, and… and was that smoke I was smelling? Grumbling, I stood up and went to find the source of it. Idiotic shem'len treating fire like it was a toy, and not with respect. They had fires almost everywhere. Surprised nothing had burned yet.

My search led me inside, to both my relief and my disappointment. I didn't want fire anywhere near the beautiful garden, but I also didn't want to return to the stone castle. Stone was cold and unyielding. Unfeeling. How could anyone prefer it to the trees or flowers? At least the shem'len here thought to bring some of their flowers inside to decorate the halls. It made it a bit easier to bear it. Of course, the smoke smell kept growing stronger and I found myself becoming nervous. Smoke always meant fire growing up, and there were only a handful of places where 'fire' didn't mean horrible danger and-

My thoughts stopped as I turned a corner and found two armed and armored men dumping some liquid onto some curtains, and carrying torches. "What are you two doing?" I demanded, unnerved. The smell of the liquid was… awful. It was like poison, but worse.

"We've been spotted?" one asked, twisting to face me. He wore a helmet that covered his face. "What were the orders for that?"

"Kill, of course," the other one answered, drawing a sword. I saw the bear imprinted on his armor. "Everyone dies anyway." What? "Let the nosy knife-ear be one of the first. Set the place on fire."

Though I was startled, I let my instincts take over. I killed them both, earning some minor cuts for my trouble. Obviously, they hadn't expected an elf could move fast and efficient enough, or that I could actually use the daggers on my belt. I had to catch the torch as the second one fell, trying to figure things out. I couldn't quite grasp it. Why were they trying to set the place on fire? Shem'len were idiots, but… but enough thought, I needed to tell someone.

I held onto the torch just long enough to put it somewhere I thought was safe, before sprinting full speed down the halls, hunting for someone who could explain, clearly, what was going on. Was it an attack? Wait, of course it was. But who? This place, for all its unnerving contradictions, had seemed highly defensible. Who could've snuck in arsonists?

"Rendon, is something the matter?" That voice. I recognized it. That was Teyrn Cousland, the one in charge. Like… like a Keeper, but without magic. Like the Hahren in the Alienage, but shem'len. Yes, if anyone should know what just happened, it should be him. Based on the faintness, I was still a distance away. But getting closer.

"Everything's fine, Bryce." And that was his best friend. Arl Howe, or something? Even better. He'd be able to help his friend with this. Maybe he knew something. Just had to get to the room. "Just a little unsteady. I must've had too much wine at dinner. Can't drink like I used to."

"I know the feeling, friend. Here, I'll help you to your rooms. It's late."

"Thank you, dear friend. Thank you."

I finally found the room the voices were coming from and swung in. "Sorry, but there are these shem'len… who... are…" I tried to explain, but the words died as I took in the scene. Arl Howe had a dagger in his hand. A bloody dagger. Teyrn Cousland had a dagger in his stomach. A bloody dagger. I could process those two events. What I couldn't understand was why there was only one dagger.

"Hmm?" Arl Howe removed the dagger and sneered at me. "Ah, a witness," he sighed. "Pity. I'd hope for this dagger to just kill him, but I suppose I should-" I moved without thinking again. Knocked the dagger out of his hand, and hit his throat as hard as I could to try and collapse the windpipe before targeting that spot on the chin you could hit to completely knock out a person. He dropped like a stone, as expected, but I had to wonder if I hit him hard enough. Under normal circumstances, I would've been certain, but the weakness in them wasn't something I could account for. Should I take a dagger to him, just to be certain? I had three to choose from, after all. The two I owned and the one somewhere on the floor.

A wet, hacking cough reminded me this wasn't just about killing and I whirled to help Teyrn Cousland. "Hang on," I told him as I wrapped one of his bloody arms around my shoulder. He was using his other hand to keep his guts inside his body. "Where do I need to take you?"

"Main hall," he gasped out. "Thank you."

"No problem."

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault." I carried him out of the room and picked a random direction to go. Hopefully, not the wrong one.

"I didn't think… he'd succumb to jealously." Huh? "I thought he'd… rise above the hatred. That he wouldn't… wouldn't betray me." Betryal. I'd heard about it, of course. In the stories. In history. But I couldn't understand it. It was right in front of me, and it made no sense. It was something I never had to experience outside of vague nightmares. "Not after the Rebellion. Not after all we fought for. I… I always saw the good in him. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing!" Why was he apologizing? It wasn't his fault at all! I knew that much, at least. "Save your breath."

"Ah… yes, you had come in for something." You were kidding me. He needed to shut up and focus on surviving! "What was it?"

"Fire." It was all I could say.

But that was enough for him to understand. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing now?"

"Because he means to kill everyone." I went cold at the thought. "And you're been dragged into the situation. I'm sorry."

"Not your fault, so shut up and focus on keeping your guts where they're supposed to be." There was noise up ahead. "I guess we're close." Hopefully, someone could help me with him. I wasn't sure how to treat a stomach wound like this. Simple bandaging didn't seem like it would be enough.

"Warden Cleon! Your Lordship!" Oh, I knew this shem'len who appeared in front of me. Gilmore or something. He was supposed to be guarding the castle. "My apologies, sirs," he continued softly. "The castle has been breached." I could hear a thud and looked up to see the main gates were shut, and soldiers were doing everything they could to keep them shut.

"What is it with shem'len and apologizing for things that aren't their fault?" I growled. "You got…" Betrayed. The word was strange and heavy. "There are soldiers trying to set fire to the place."

"Yes, I know. That's how I found out. Teyrn Cousland, I'm afraid Lady Landra and Lord Dairran are dead." I remembered them from dinner. Landra had joked about dirty things (that would've gone over Merrill's head), and Dairran had tried flirting with Elspeth while talking to Teyrn Cousland about supplies for the march. "A fire started in their room. There was no way to get them out."

"I see," Teyrn Cousland murmured. "A letter needs to be sent."

"I've made a note of it. The ones who started the fire… they're wearing Amaranthine colors and shields."

"Yes. I know."

"Very well." He nodded, eyes dark with black hatred and worry. "I will keep trying to secure the area. There are some soldiers who managed to slip in." He looked up. "Ah, Warden Duncan, thank you very much." Duncan?

"I made it to the family wing, but found no one," Duncan informed Gilmore, stepping up with a bloody sword in hand. I didn't think he noticed I was there with Teyrn Cousland. "I'm not sure how good that is."

"We know we can let that wing be lost, at least."

"Duncan," I called to get his attention. I wanted someone to take a bit of control here. My head was spinning.

"Cleon, I'm glad I found one of you!" Duncan retorted, smiling in relief. 'One'? Wait, what about Layla and Aiden? "Bryce? What happened?"

"I misjudged and everyone is paying," Teyrn Cousland mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault, old friend." He took Teyrn Cousland from me. "That's a bad wound."

"Worse are being inflicted. I'll be fine." But there was something in his eyes that made me nervous. It reminded me of Zaphikel, my first teacher in hunting, right after he'd been bitten by that poisonous snake. He'd died two hours later, long before anyone could get help. "Cleon, correct me if I am wrong, but you are fast, and elves see better in the dark than humans, yes?"

"Yes," I answered softly. Why would that matter now? "As a hunter, I was trained for stealth, speed, and the ability to see in most conditions as perfectly as possible."

"Then, forgive me, but I must ask a favor of you." He smiled at me, and I was struck by how unnerving it was that he could force one with blood pouring out of him. "Do you know Oriana and Oren? They were at the dinner."

Lady Oriana, who shared stories of her colorful home country across the sea. Little Oren, who had been so excited to meet a Dalish and begged for songs and stories when he woke up tomorrow. Yes, I knew them. "Yes."

"I need you to find them, please. They aren't trained for combat." But just them? The wife of his son and his grandson? What about his wife? What about his children who were still here?

I'd never understand shem'len. "All right. I'll see what I can do."


For a stone building, the place could burn in a hurry. Fire and rubble blocked my way as I tried my best to hunt for Lady Oriana and Oren in this mess. Everywhere I turned, though, I found either brutal fighting or painful dying. No one was untouched, and not a single person that lived in this castle wasn't fighting to protect someone or for their own lives. At some point, though, I found a staircase and wondered if I should climb up to see if the two were up there. I almost did. What stopped me was the head tumbling down. The rest of the unfortunate person's body followed soon afterwards.

"Good evening, Warden Cleon." I thought I knew the voice, but I had to look up for confirmation. Elspeth, as stone-faced as she was earlier today. She was still dressed in the fancy dress she'd worn earlier, but this time, the blue cloth was nearly completely stained crimson. She held an equally bloody sword in her right hand. "I apologize for the chaos," she continued. Her voice was even. Calm. How? "But I'm glad to see you're well." This was glad?

"Well, I can see why your dad didn't tell me to look for you," I noted dryly, nudging the body off to the side. "You're handling yourself just fine."

"Father is alive?"

"Last I checked."

"I see." She nodded, still not showing any hint of emotion. "You have my thanks."

"Right." Creepy. "Well, I need to find Lady Oriana and Oren, so if you-"

"Oriana is dead." She delivered the news as if it happened to someone that she hadn't known. "Oren is missing."

"Oh?"

"He wanted to avoid bedtime, so he took to playing hide and seek. Eoin went after him. Oriana and I were following when the fires started. As we ran, we were ambushed. Oriana shielded me." Ah… "I need to get to the vault."

Wait, what? "And that vault is more important than your nephew?"

She strolled down the steps, right past me. "You are free to explore the second floor. Perhaps you will see something I didn't. But I must make it to the vault."

I seriously thought about knocking her out, since she was obviously out of her mind, and carrying her to help, but there wasn't time to do that. I glanced up at the staircase again, before deciding to just follow the crazy lady. I'd just make the assumption that she'd scoured that second floor as much as she possibly could've. Besides, if that dog was with the boy, then the boy was likely as safe as possible. "So, what about this vault is important?" I asked as I caught up. She moved somewhat fast, for a shem'len, but it wasn't hard to match her pace.

"It is not the vault," she explained. "It is something stored within the vault that I need."

"What? Money?"

"Money is not worth lives. This is." Dread wolf, take this infuriating woman who wouldn't give me a straight answer! "Someone is coming."

"I don't hear anything."

"I see them." What? How could she see anything through this damn smoke?

Well, apparently she could, because Aiden appeared from the smoke, coughing almost violently. I noticed absently that he had his pack. Lucky. "My apologies, but my eyes are a bit watery," he managed. "But, Cleon? Lady Elspeth?"

"Yeah, it's us," I told him. He smiled in relief. "Do you know what's going on?"

"I'm standing in front of the only two not-dead people I've seen since this blasted mess started, but that's it."

Only two? "Where's Layla?"

"I don't know. We separated because we heard yells from two different sides, and then the ceiling fell in, cutting us off from each other. Lucky we weren't in the rooms, though. We would've been trapped."

"Okay, plan, find Layla." I turned and saw Elspeth had already walked off. "Hey! You could wait a bit!" She didn't even slow down. "Creators preserve me. Come on, Aiden. She's a bit crazy."

"Right, right," he laughed off, chasing after her. "What is going on?"

"We're under attack."

"From who?"

Surprisingly, it was difficult to explain. "They wear bears on their armor."

"Amaranthine then. Was Arl Howe betrayed?"

"…No."

"Ah." And suddenly, he looked like he understood everything. Glad someone did. "Right then."

"There is someone up ahead," Elspeth called back. She'd paused by a corner in the hallway. "There are at least two, actually."

"Okay, how can you see through the damn smoke?" I demanded as I peered around the turn.

"I… have experience."

"How?"

"An assassin once tried to kill my brothers and me with fire. I had to see our way out." And she said it like it happened to someone else. "I can only tell shapes, though."

"Is someone there?" Oh, I knew that voice. "Please, can someone help?"

"Mistress Layla!" Aiden called. He knew it was her too.

"Thank the Maker! I have a wounded man here, and nothing is taking!"

"It is nice to hear others are alive," Elspeth mumbled. Still had no emotions. "We should help." And without even waiting for Aiden or me to agree, she went through the smoke.

"Assuming little thing," I muttered.

"Cleon, she's the same height as you," Aiden pointed out. I glared and he shrugged. "And she is right."

"I don't take kindly to orders."

"I don't think it was." Huh? "But this is. Move."

"Ugh, fine." Stepping into the smoke went against every instinct I had, but I went anyway because Aiden was right about us needing to move. Of course, as I stepped out of the smoke, I found Aiden nowhere behind me. "Aiden?" No answer. "Aiden, this isn't funny." Still nothing. "You can't have gotten lost. Where is there to go?" Apparently where he couldn't hear me. "Creators, I'd appreciate some help, not tricks, please." Sighing, I continued down the hall, away from the smoke. Hopefully, I'd just find Aiden later. Alive. And well. Not like Tamlen. Aiden wouldn't just disappear like Tamlen, right?

I'd almost convinced myself when I found myself in a large, open area. A nexus of paths, or something. To my surprise, I also found Elspeth was sitting on the ground, a guard resting on her lap. She was gently brushing the hair out of his face. Sweat and blood matted hair out of a soot streaked, blistered face. And she was singing. Very softly. I could only really make out the tone. I wondered why. Aside from the blood on his face, he looked just fine. But then I looked at his bottom half and figured it out. The entire lower half of his body was charred, beyond the point of help.

"Do shem'len sing to the dead?" I asked softly.

She glanced up and, for a fraction of a second, I thought I saw some sort of emotion flick across her face. But it was gone in an instance. "Do Dalish sing?" she asked back.

"Yes."

"I see." She looked back to the soldier. "We don't. I'm just singing him to sleep."

"To sleep?"

"His name is Jacob. He is seventeen years old. I am singing him a lullaby to comfort him while he goes to sleep."

"You mean die."

She glanced at me again. "He doesn't know that."

"How can he not?"

"He doesn't know it's me. He thinks he's at home." What?

"Sister?" the boy croaked. Sister?

"It's okay," she whispered, turning her attention back to him. "I'm right here."

"I can't see very well, sister. Everything's blurry."

"That's sleep coming for you. Here, I'll keep singing to you."

"Okay." He smiled. "Sister, I'm a bit cold."

"I'll find a blanket for you after you go to sleep." She looked up to see me still standing there. "Layla is down the hall. She was upset that she couldn't save him."

"Yeah, she would be," I mumbled. I was so confused. "Be back."

"All right." She went back to singing and I ran down the hallway to where she said Layla had gone. I should probably find her quickly. This place was a mess and upset people were distracted, and I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her.

Thankfully, though, she wasn't far. Sorta. She'd stayed in a place where she could easily be found, at least. I saw her immediately and waved as I approached. She smiled shakily when she saw me, trying to wipe away the tears she'd been crying. "Cleon!" she yelled, waving back. She was still a distance down the hall, so it echoed weirdly. "I am so glad to see you!"

"Yeah, you too," I replied. "What are you-?" The soldier appeared from nowhere, by my sight. As if he materialized from the wall or something. And he was swinging the mace down, right at Layla, who was turning because she could see the horror on my face, but had no idea what was going on. I had to run. I had to save her. But I was too far. I could through the dagger, but what if I hit Layla instead? What do I-?

It turned out I didn't have to do anything. Because suddenly, there was another person there, protecting Layla with a shield as the mace swung down. The shield buckled, but didn't break. The protector twisted to knock the soldier off balance and landed a kick on the soldier's knee. As he fell, the protector snapped up, twisted his elbow, and then slammed a punch on his throat to collapse the windpipe. Then the protector turned and I gawked when I realized he was Nuada. And he was slipping off the shield. What was he doing?

"Get down," a voice whispered in my ear before jerking me to the ground. Just in time to avoid the shield being thrown over my head. And apparently hitting a soldier that was sneaking up on me. In the throat. "Nuada, I would prefer you not attempting to decapitate people with a shield." Oh, that was Elspeth. She'd been the one to drag me down. "Honestly, we're covered in enough blood."

"I'm sorry," Nuada laughed. I twisted and saw he was actually smiling. How does someone kill two people like that and laugh? "I didn't like the idea of him sneaking up on Cleon. Hello, there, by the way. Did you enjoy the garden?"

"Until the fire, yes," I answered shakily. I was getting past my limit of weirdness tolerance today.

"That's good to hear. How are you, milady?" He offered a hand to Layla, who took it. She wobbled as he pulled her up, but he held her steady. "You look like you've been crying."

"There… there are a lot of wounded," she mumbled. "I have been trying to help, but sometimes…"

"I'm sorry," he whispered to her. WOULD THESE SHEM'LEN STOP APOLOGIZING?! "Is it just you three?"

"Aiden is around here somewhere," I told him. "I don't know where. I lost him in the smoke." I remembered something. "Where's Iona?"

"She's dead." Creators, that was blunt. "Where were you heading?"

I pointed to Elspeth. "She insisted the vault."

"Oh, that's perfect. I was heading there myself."

"I don't suppose we could get an explanation for what's so important?" I sighed. No answer. "Of course. Well, I insist we find Aiden first, since we know he's alive." He'd better be, at least.

"Actually, there's one thing I want to take care of first," Layla whispered. She grabbed Elspeth's sleeve tightly. "Your wrist is broken, and your other wrist is sprained. Please, let me heal them." …What?

"Ah, yes, thank you," Elspeth murmured. She brought up her arms and Layla immediately went to work on them. "In the chaos, I had forgotten." How could you forget a broken wrist? That hurt.

"When did you break your wrist?" I asked.

She was quiet for a moment. "It was sometime after Oriana died, but before I picked up that sword. That's why I was wielding it in my right hand. I'm left handed."

"The strained wrist probably came from holding the sword wrong," Nuada commented, picking it up. He showed no reaction to his sister by marriage being dead. "You never did learn how to wield a sword."

"She seemed to know her way around one just fine, considering the beheaded soldier I saw," I noted dryly.

"I can wield a knife," she explained. "I just used the sword like one."

"It's no wonder you sprained it, then," Nuada sighed. "Layla, thank you for taking care of her."

"It is no trouble," Layla mumbled. She seemed entirely focused on the healing. "It is nice to see magic be useful again." She ducked her head a bit. "Thank you for saving me, though."

"Think nothing of it." He looked back down the hallway. "Is that Aiden running towards us?"

I turned and smiled when I saw Aiden. "Where did you go?" I demanded.

"Took a wrong turn," Aiden answered, slowing to a stop. He was panting. How long had he been running? "I'd ended up in the library. There's… no one there, by the way." All were dead, then. Did that include that old scholar who taught? "Well, not anymore. There were some soldiers, but now they're behind me."

"Ah, I see." …Wait. "By behind, you mean…?"

"Run."


Round and round we ran. No idea of where we were going, basically. Just away from the group of soldiers who not only seemed intent on catching us, but seemed to grow at every passing second.

"I know we don't really need a destination when we're running for our lives," I began at some point between breaths. "But is there one?"

"We're going to the vault," Nuada answered. He was the only one besides me who could talk, it seemed like. "I thought we said this already."

"Oh, well, that's nice, but where is the bloody room?"

"Actually, we're right here. Turn left everyone!"

We all rushed into the room indicated and slammed the door behind us. "Okay, they seemed intent of getting in here," I grumbled. "What's so damned important?" Neither noble answered me. Just examined a door on the far wall. "I'm getting sick of not knowing stuff."

"Look at it this way, Cleon," Aiden gritted out as he held the door shut against the crowd trying to get in. "You know as much, if not more, than the rest of us."

"That's not a comforting thought."

"What about this is meant to comfort?" He turned his attention away from me. "Mistress Layla, is there a spell you can do to get them off of us?"

"I…" Layla began shakily. She looked terrified. "There are a few. But… but I do not want to kill them."

"Well, nice for you to take the moral high ground, because they seem intent on killing us," I snapped. She winced and I felt instantly guilty. "Layla, we need to get that crowd away from us. Even if you can only just stun them, that would be great!"

"I… I know a couple of glyphs?"

"Any assistance would be lovely," Aiden noted, wincing as the door splintered right by his face. "Uh oh. This isn't going to last-"

"You know; you all could've yelled to get our attention." And suddenly Nuada was there to help hold the doors shut. "We thought you three were arguing or something," he explained. "Aiden, shift your feet and bend your knees. It'll give you more stability."

"Yes, milord."

"Strange your sister isn't helping," I mumbled.

"I imagine she's not helping for the same reason you aren't," Nuada retorted. An axe splintered the wood next to his eye, but he didn't twitch. "Great speed and agility, but not enough muscle where needed to hold something back. Besides, she's in the middle of something." Like what? "Door isn't going to last long." Stop being nonchalant.

"I have the glyphs," Layla called. "Whenever you are ready, I can cast them."

"Cleon, when we move out of the way, make sure they can't get Layla," Aiden ordered.

"Yeah, okay," I replied. "Get moving. The door is about gone anyway."

"Right. One… two…" Both he and Nuada jumped back from the door at the same time, and the door crumbled as if their weight had been all that had held it up. The soldiers outside surged forward, but Layla cast a spell. It formed on the ground in a strange, glowing shape and the soldiers seized up as if stunned. She cast another spell on top of the first 'glyph', a different one based on the pattern, and they all shot backwards as if shoved… and looked as if they'd frozen in place.

"What happened?" I asked, staring at them. They barely looked like they were breathing.

"I am not sure," Layla answered slowly. She looked confused. "I cast a glyph of paralysis and a glyph of repulsion. I have done so many times in practice. I have never seen such a reaction, though."

"Speaking of reactions, get back!" Nuada ordered. Aiden and Layla obeyed immediately, and he grabbed my arm to make sure I did too. Good thing, too, since something small was lobbed over my head to hit the center of the paralyzed group. I heard something shatter shortly before the area erupted into flames. The soldiers weren't even able to scream as the fires devoured them.

"What was that?" I asked.

"It was a combination of a fire bomb and a combustion grenade." That nonchalant explanation came from Elspeth, who was sitting in the corner. "They are difficult to carry long, because of how fragile they can be," she continued.

"Where did that come from? Your blouse?"

"Wow, you've got some racy thoughts," Nuada teased as Elspeth shook her head and went to the door. "No, she made it."

"When?"

"Well, she made it here, of course. If you know what you're doing, it doesn't take long to make at all, apparently." He shrugged. "Oriana taught her."

"Why did she do that?" Layla asked softly. She was staring at the charred corpses. Aiden was holding her. "Why did you prevent me from helping them, Aiden?"

"You do realize we have to get out of here too, yes?" Nuada pointed out bluntly. The smile finally fell from his face. Good. It was creepy. "They weren't going to let us."

"They were incapacitated!"

"Yes, they were, and now they're dead, like all the people they've killed."

"If we use their methods, then how are we better?"

"Welcome to war, where such thoughts don't matter." He leaned down to look her in the eye. "But I'm very curious on something, Layla. Your spell paralyzed them. Perhaps it was a more powerful one than you expected, but you specifically cast a spell of paralysis with the intention of using another spell to launch them back. Under normal circumstances, that would mean you stunned them, before sending them flying into the walls. Those walls are made of stone, meaning any impact could hurt them. In that heavy armor, it's possible they could've been permanently damaged, if not outright killed. But that's not what happened. You just gave them a very strong paralysis. That means they were barely able to breath, unable to move. They could see. They could hear. They could taste. But they couldn't react to anything. They just lied there, watching the world crawl by, unable to do anything."

"Hey, enough," I snapped, grabbing his shoulder. Layla looked ill. "Why are you telling her that?"

"It's simple really," he explained. No smile, but also no anger or regret. "Elspeth simply killed them. That is a brief bit of pain, a brief bit of fear, and then nothing but the Maker's judgment. Okay, the circumstances were a bit brutal – you should work on that dear twin – but, ultimately, she just killed them. Layla, however, gave them a very drawn out terrifying experience." There was a smile now, but it was decidedly bitter. "I wonder how different that is from the Chantry and their Rite of Tranquility." And then he turned away, like he hadn't been brutally tearing into Layla. Seriously?

"Are you all right, Mistress Layla?" Aiden asked her softly. She was tearing up, shaking, and looked incredibly ill. "Mistress Layla?"

"I'm going to punch him," I growled. "One moment."

"Later, Cleon."

"You can hit him now," Elspeth called back then. "While it needed to be said, it was at an uncalled for time."

"Aren't you supposed to be on his side?" I asked. "As his sibling."

"That rule doesn't apply when he's being untactful and stupid." Well, someone would get along fine with Lyna, emotionlessness aside.

"Speaking of stupid, guess who doesn't have his damn key?" Nuada sighed. Was he not affected at all? Seriously? "Maker, damn it all. You don't have yours, by chance, Elspeth?"

She shook her head. "I hadn't expected I'd need it," she mumbled. "But we must get in there. If he gets a hold of a key and gets them, Highever is in trouble." Okay, seriously, what was so important in there? "Nuada, apologize to her later, by the way."

"Hmm? Not now?"

"No, you should squirm in guilt a bit, and I doubt she'd believe you. High stress is no excuse to slip."

"It wasn't that. It was the combination."

"I know."

"Care to inform the rest of us?" I asked dryly. "Before I punch him."

"As I said, you can go ahead," Elspeth replied. "I need him conscious, though. He's heavy." I'd probably go through with it if she weren't saying it with such a stone face.

"Ay! my own twin sells me out!" Nuada bemoaned. "Oh, woe is me!"

I almost retorted something, but I heard a snicker and turned to see Aiden trying to hide laughter. "Are you serious?" I grumbled.

"I… do find it amusing?" Aiden sheepishly admitted.

"Thank you, my good man!" Nuada laughed, taking a bow. "Thank you! Think you can help me see if the heat has weakened the door some?"

"Yes, milord." He handed Layla to me. She was still shaking, and I felt a wave of anger hit me again.

"How can you joke with him?" I growled.

"Because he's not wrong." Aiden gave me a look. "Would you be so angry is Layla wasn't the target?" I… honestly had no answer to that. No, I did, but I just didn't want to say. Not when she was obviously hurt. "I see."

I wondered if I should say something, but decided against it. Just hugged Layla as she shook and tried not to cry. "It'll be okay," I mumbled. "It'll be okay."

Everything was silent for a while. The only noise was the other three trying, and failing, to open the door. After a while, though, Layla gasped. I looked down and saw her pull out a small rod from her pocket. "I had forgotten about this," she mumbled, staring at it. "I never took it out."

"What is that?" Aiden asked. He'd stepped back from the door and happened to catch sight of her. "A magic wand or something?"

"It is a Rod of Fire. We use it for experiments in the Tower. It has enough power to melt a lock."

"Can you use it here?" Elspeth asked. Layla hesitated. "If you can't, that's fine."

"In fact, even if you can, you don't have to if you don't want to." Surprisingly, that came from Nuada. "I'm serious," he added when she just stared at him. "You don't have to."

"You just yelled at me."

"I… think I more bullied than yelled, but that's a technicality on something completely different. I was talking about how your 'better' actions were actually worse. This, however, is whether you act or not. There are other ways to get a key to this place, so it's not required."

She continued stared before getting this rather angry look on her face. "You bullied me. You made me feel like the most worthless, idiotic monster on the face of Thedas, and now you're being nice?! You cannot do that!"

He winced. Oh, so he was feeling guilty. Good to know! "That was then and this is now?"

"I ought to use the blasted rod on you!"

"Feel free. But, if you could get that lock either on the way or first?"

"Argh, you are impossible!" She turned to face the door and held up the rod. "You are absolutely impossible!" A stream of fire erupted from the thing, melting the lock almost immediately. "Ugh!" Though Aiden and I exchanged a slightly worried look over the fact that an angry Layla had fire, the two nobles didn't seem bothered. They just shoved the door open and raced inside.

"Grab whatever you like," Nuada called over his shoulder as the three of us stared at the gold and gems and armor in the thing. "Wait, no, you should grab gems over gold. They're more valuable. Oh, and Aiden, grab a set of armor while you're here!"

"Do we now get an explanation for what was so important?" I demanded as the other two just stared. The two ignored me for a chest way in the back. "Hey!"

"We should take some gems until they're willing to talk," Aiden suggested.

"Why?"

"Money. What if we get separated from Master Duncan and have no access to his funds?" Ah, that made sense.

"Wait, so we are stealing?" Layla asked. She sounded almost scandalized by the thought.

"It's not stealing," Aiden corrected. "They're letting us."

"But it is their wealth."

"It's actually only a fraction," Nuada commented, walking up with some armor. "This is mostly just the stuff that wouldn't fit in the other places." What? "Well, that's excepting the family treasure, of course." He shoved the armor into Aiden's hands. "Aiden, I think this might fit you. You should try it on, and take a weapon from here while you're at it. You don't have one."

"Did they break into here too?" Okay, new voice. I was ridiculously happy to hear another living person. "Oh, I hope I'm not too late."

"Mother, we're in here," Elspeth said. "It's just us."

"Elspeth?" And suddenly Teyrna Cousland was in the doorway. I was started to see her fully armored and wielding a bow. "Nuada? Oh, thank the Maker, you two are safe." She surged forward, grabbing her children in a hug they returned. I noticed how tightly they were holding on and wondered if… if they'd been trying to keep a brave face this whole time. "Oh, my precious babies. Are you hurt? Did they touch you?"

"We're fine, Mother," Nuada replied. "These lovely people have been keeping us safe and sane." We had?

"Then I'm in their debt." Not only did she release her children to give us smiles, but she even hugged us. "Thank you. So much."

"Your husband was in the main hall last I saw him," I mumbled, more than a little startled. "He tasked me to find Oriana and Oren." Which, I hadn't done, actually. Not really. Oren was still around here somewhere.

"Did you?" I shook my head. "I see."

"Oren is still missing, Mother," Elspeth explained softly, gently touching her mother's shoulder. "Eoin is with him."

"And, he's Fergus's son. He can hold on a little longer. I know it." Her voice shook, but her demeanor was no-nonsense. "Layla, come here."

"Yes, ma'am?" Layla yelped, startled.

"We need to get you some armor. Simple cloth isn't going to block anything." She wrapped an arm around Layla's shoulders and dragged her off to a corner of the vault. I turned to see how Aiden was taking all the recent stuff, only to see Nuada and dragged him off to a different corner to help him with the armor. Oh… kay… then…

"Here." And then Elspeth was right in front of me, handing me some leather armor. "You will need better," she mumbled to the ground. "Things will likely only get harder from here."

"I…" I wanted to protest, but realized something. My armor was back in the guest rooms. The guest rooms closed off. They were gone. "Ma serannas." She merely nodded and ducked away. I noticed her picking up a sword and shield. "What's that?"

"It is the sword and shield of the family." She didn't seem to know how to hold the things. "They are as old as Highever itself."

"Is that what was so important?"

"Yes, it is." She glanced at me before looking away again. "Highever has no crowns. We think them silly. We are a family of warriors, and that is how we see ourselves first. Our battlefields may differ, and our weapons are various, but we are all trained to fight." Huh? "These two things are the symbols of rulership in Highever. If… if he gets them, he can claim Highever, and the law would be on his side."

"That's why you were so desperate. That's why it was worth lives." It… it actually made sense. "To protect the rest, you…"

"A Cousland does what she must to protect the whole. No matter the costs, she will do what it takes to protect the innocent who should not have to fight." She ducked her head. "Excuse me, please." She walked off and for one moment, I swore I saw tears. I turned away instead of following, changing into the armor. It was good quality, better than what I wore back with the Clan. Strange to be colored light blue, though.

I finished with the buckles around the same time Nuada finished helping Aiden and Teyrna Cousland finished with Layla. I thought little wrong with Layla's armor, but Aiden frowned. "Forgive me, your ladyship, but does her stomach not need to be protected as well?" he asked carefully. I was a bit confused. Most female hunters in the Dalish opted for baring their midriff, so it didn't seem weird that Layla was only wearing armor on her chest.

But Teyrna Cousland sighed. "It does," she agreed. "But the full leather was too heavy for her. This is the best compromising. When you get out in the field again, make her get water or something to help build up strength."

"Of course, milady."

"And you two!" She rounded on her twins. Nuada had picked up another shield, and Elspeth had slung a bow and quiver over her shoulders. "Why haven't you grabbed armor?"

"Mother, none of the armor here fits, remember?" Nuada commented lightly. "You put our sizes in one of the storage places." Storage places?

"Ill-fitting armor would be detrimental to us," Elspeth added. "We're trained."

"Right, of course," Teyrna Cousland sighed. "Can't believe I forgot that. Let's get moving, dears. I'd rather not get boxed in here. It would get very messy, very quickly."

"Messy?" I asked.

"Wounds are messy." Okay, suddenly a lot about those two nobles made sense. "Come on. I know it's been rough, but one more bit of running and then we'll be able to all work out a plan." She smiled reassuringly, and I was reminded a bit of Ashalle. "Let's go."


We arrived in the main hall to expressions of relief and joy, but it fell flat to me. I'd seen the fire. I'd seen the soldiers. As I stood there in the main hall, with everyone scrambling around, something hit me. This contradictory place that Duncan, Layla, and Aiden found so wonderful… it was dying. It was falling. Just like the Dales of the past. It was going to be lost. They had to know this. Yet they still kept fighting, and none showed fear. Had my ancestors been this insane too?

"I'm glad to see you're all well," Teyrn Cousland was saying. He was sitting in a chair, carrying a sword. There was bloody on the sword, and I wondered if he had someone been fighting with that stomach wound. A stomach wound that was only bandaged, and badly at that. "The situation is going poorly, though."

"Bryce, that much is obvious," Duncan sighed from nearby. He was practically drenched in blood. Some of it was his own, based on the bandages I saw.

"Many things are obvious, Duncan. I'm stating it because there are many who refuse to see it." He looked to all of us. His wife, standing at his shoulder. His children, standing on the other side. Me, who didn't do what he asked, but smiled at anyway. Layla, who was trying to heal as many soldiers as possible. Aiden, who was helping the soldiers find more things to barricade the collapsing doors. All of the soldiers still fighting. All of the servants who chose to fight instead of flee. He looked at everyone, and I could tell he knew them all by name. He knew their families. He knew their ages. And he knew that we'd all die if something didn't change right then. "My dear, can you assist me?"

"Always, Bryce," Teyrna Cousland whispered as she helped her husband stand. I wondered briefly if my own parents had been like them, before they died. "Always."

"Thank you." He smiled at her, placed his free hand on hers, and turned his attention to the room. "I have new orders for you!" Everyone stilled at the words. "They are simple. Retreat."

There was a second of reeling silence, before the room erupted in protests. Everyone's voices blended together. "You can't be serious." "We can still fight." "We can't let those traitorous bastards win!"

But Teyrn Cousland held firm. "Highever is not this building." His voice was soft and strong. Unyielding and commanding. "Highever is not these lands." Huh? "Highever is its people, my good soldiers, and I wish for you to protect them with everything you have." Its people? But… but my people had spent centuries trying to find a homeland. "The land will heal. The buildings can be rebuilt. But you can never replace a life." Yet this shem'len said different? That there was no need for it, so long as people survived? "Now, my friends and soldiers, listen to this final order of mine." I… I had trouble understanding this, truth be told. Even if I hadn't wanted the homeland like the others, to hear someone so casually dismiss it was… "Stagger a retreat and protect the citizens of our beautiful home!" It was just so strange.

But not to these people. No, they just saluted, bowed, and went to work. Dividing the labor, choosing who would leave first. They shoved Layla and Aiden back to our little group with praises and thanks, and ran.

"Won't he feel lucky?" Elspeth murmured. I almost thought she was being sarcastic. "He gets to see a Cousland's back."

"He'll feel lucky until he realizes the trick we pulled and make him a ruler without any rights," Nuada added. He sounded almost cheerful about the prospect.

"But now we must make sure there are rallying points," Teyrn Cousland murmured. He looked at Duncan. "I know this is a large favor, but can you get Nuada and Elspeth out of here?" Duncan looked ready to protest, but Teyrn Cousland cut him off with a look. "You need to leave here now before the place is completely surrounded."

"Yes, I know that," Duncan mumbled. But I could see it in his eyes. He didn't really want to leave. Because this was his friend. I could understand that so well. I'd been forced to leave Tamlen behind, after all. "Yet…"

"Well, Duncan, you've been after me for three years," Nuada commented lightly. "So, how about I join and we escort Elspeth down south? Should be good for the political nature, right?" Stop talking so nonchalantly when your home was dying!

"I… yes," Duncan replied, looking a bit ill and a bit startled. "Yes, that would be-"

"Perfect! Let's get moving then." Okay, wait, why wasn't he having second thoughts about leaving his dying father behind?

"Take the passage by the larder, dears," Teyrna Cousland instructed. "He doesn't know that one. You'll be safe, if you move quickly."

That's when something clicked. He only requested his children. Did that mean…? "Are you not coming with us?" I found myself asking.

She shook her head. "I will stay with my husband, of course." What? "I'm no Orlesian wallflower. I have a bow, and I'll use it until my last breath to buy more time." She smiled. "Mothers are strong, Cleon. We can fight for a long, long time if that keeps our children safe." But… but…

"I love you, Mother," Nuada whispered. He was just accepting that? Seriously.

"And I love you two. Always and forever." She gathered them in her arms for one last hug before stepping away. "You'll need to run."

"Right." He knelt down to hug Teyrn Cousland, who did his best to return it. "Farewell, Father."

"Stay safe," he whispered. "I've always been so proud of you two. I know you'll be fine." He let go of Nuada, only to hug Elspeth. I noticed his weakening grip, but she didn't seem to care. "I love you, pups. Be careful."

"Goodbye," Elspeth mumbled, stepping away. She looked around a bit before calling, "Rory?" The knight appeared at her side instantly. Where had he come from? "Oren is still missing. Eoin should be with him."

"I will find and protect them both," he promised her. "Fret not, milady. They will be safe and sound when you come back."

"Thank you." I saw her smile then, and thought I also saw it shook. "Stay safe until we meet again, Rory."

"And you, milady." He bowed and turned to Nuada. "Try not to drive them insane, milord."

"I'll try," Nuada laughed. His grin was wide. "I expect some dashing tales later, over a pint or ten."

"Until then, milord." He saluted Nuada and then raced off, down the hallways. Going to look for the two, just as he was asked.

Then, suddenly, we were leaving. We were just leaving. Duncan had me by the arm. Nuada had Aiden. Elspeth had Layla. The three led the way out of the main hall, not once looking back as they ran as fast as they could. I thought about digging my heels, to go back and help, but got the feeling that Duncan would pick me up if that's what it took. So, we just ran. Ran down the burning hallways. Ran past the corpses. Ran over some of them as we reached the kitchens and headed into the larder. I barely noted the old woman amidst the soldiers, a bloody cleaver revealing how she'd chosen to go out. Fighting.

As we slid into the hidden tunnel in that larder, the war cries and screams of the soldiers left behind followed us. I had a feeling I'd never forget them, no matter how hard I tried. Shem'len or not… they fought like Dalish. And that was terrifying.


A village nearby had seen the flames and opened up all its doors for anyone trying to escape. They gladly let us in when we arrived, blood streaked, soot-stained, and tired beyond belief. A few actually cried to see Nuada and Elspeth were safe. They made arrangements immediately for us to get baths and clothes and places to sleep. Most of them were asleep now, actually. At least, I thought they were. I wasn't though. I'd found a spot to sit by a window and just… watched. Watched the fires in the distance. How many were dying? How many would escape? The questions, surprisingly, weighed heavy in my head.

"Can't sleep?" I looked up as Aiden appeared beside me. "I can understand that," he murmured, staring out the window. "I keep hearing the screams and smelling the smoke."

"I haven't tried yet, so I don't know quite yet if I'll be able too," I replied. "How are the others?"

"Master Duncan appears to be asleep, but I thought I heard crying through the door. I didn't knock, of course."

"Why not?"

"Master Duncan is a commander and that means putting on a brave face no matter what. I know that much, at least."

"I see." I could understand that. "The others?"

"Mistress Layla finished crying herself to sleep an hour ago. I think she's asleep from sheer exhaustion, though." Ah. "Lord Nuada and Lady Elspeth are also asleep. I'm not sure if they cried or not, but they did arrange it so that they were sharing a nest of blankets and pillows, instead of sleeping in their separate beds." Now that I could really understand. Lyna and I would share blankets when we were depressed by something. "Our hosts seemed to have retired as well. I overheard them making plans to wake up early, though, to go and help survivors."

"That's kind of them."

"Are you all right?" he asked me.

"I'm confused," I answered after a moment. "I'm angry. I really want to at least destroy something. Preferably an image of a damn bear."

"Have you?"

"No."

"Better than me." I frowned and he smiled sheepishly. "There was this glass ornament of a bear in my room."

"'Was'?"

"It's… a pile of broken glass now. Embedded in the far wall."

"Ah." I looked down at the ground. "Do you think anyone could get out of there?"

"Perhaps some of the adults. The ones who can run." He hesitated before continuing, "I doubt any children will get out, though. Particularly Lord Oren. He'd be a primary target."

"If that little boy had that giant mabari within sight, then I'm sure he's fine," I found myself saying. The thought of Oren being dead, after being so happy and full of life, was just too sickening to keep for long. "That mabari seemed worth three Dalish hunters in a fight, and intelligent enough to use his strengths."

"Perhaps you can tell Lord Nuada and Lady Elspeth that in the morning. They might appreciate it."

"Maybe I will." Maybe they wouldn't be as unnerving in the morning. I still needed to punch Nuada, though.

"Regardless, I doubt this will be permanent." Seeing my questioning look, he explained further, "The King is good friends with the Couslands. It's well known that he looks… looked… to the Teyrn and Teyrna as a second set of parents, and viewed all of their children as siblings. He won't stand for it. Few in that army will, actually. That's a lot of people to anger at once."

"Are you so certain that man didn't plan for it?" I asked. Aiden was silent. "You're not."

"I have to hope, Cleon." His voice was soft. "I have to hope this can be fixed. That is an entire city at the mercy of a madman. Humans might fare well, but elves? Elves never do." He turned away. "Are you coming to bed, Cleon? It's late, and we've an early morning."

"In a bit," I muttered, looking back out the window. "Someone has to witness the fires dying." And if I saw that despicable man again, if he survived our encounter… well, I'd probably let Nuada or Elspeth get first crack, if I had to be fair. But if I didn't? Oh, I was going to rip him apart. Elgar'nan lend us the strength to do it, if the need arises.

"Very well. Just get some rest." I nodded my head and tried to wave, only to realize my right arm was completely numb and unmoving. Again? I was getting tired of this. It hadn't happened during a fight, yet, thank the Creators, but still. If it did, I would be in a lot of trouble.

"Mythal, I ask for your protection until I can take this cure." I whispered, staring at the fire. "I ask for your protection of the shemlen who might still be alive. And for those who have passed on, Falon'Din, I ask you guide them gently to rest." Because… because they had been good shemlen, and the world had too few already. "Blessed Creators, please hear my whispered prayers."


Author's note: And we're at the last of the origins! Yay? I changed up a few things here, nothing big. Yet. There will be changes later in the story that are born from the slight changes here. I promise you all that. Cleon as narrator here was fun, truth be told, because he's so used to humans like Howe, not the Couslands. And… god, this was a long chapter. How did this origin end up so long?
I think it's stated somewhere, can't quite remember, where elves, and dwarves, have better night vision than humans, and their eyes actually glint in the dark, like a cat's. Glyph of Paralysis + Glyph of Repulsion is actually a spell combo in Origins. Paralysis explosion. Very useful. For those wondering, yes, Nuada and Layla are being paired. I just wanted them to have a different beginning than the other three couples, something not hard, given their personalities.

Next Chapter – we're starting in on some traveling chapters again. Layla POV, on the race down to Ostagar. See you then.