Chapter 51) Highever Castle

Nuada POV


"Look, Nuada!" Fergus whispered excitedly in my ear. "Look up to the horizon!" Blinking slowly, I did as he asked and tilted my head. It was a castle. It was another stone castle, old and simple. What was so exciting about that? "That's home, Nuada." This was Highever Castle? This was the 'home' everyone had longed for? "We're finally home, Nuada." It was another strange place. The only difference was that we were supposedly staying there. This was where we 'lived', here in Fereldan.

Still, I smiled up at Fergus, not wanting him to see anything less, and he took the smile as agreement with his joy. That made things easier.


"Michalis, take your group down the western corridor and provide cover for Charles's squad. Sarra, charge through the north to take attention off Bran's group." People scattered at my words and others jumped up to receive their orders or to give reports. It was constant chaos and I was the sole bit of calm within it. Well, it would be more accurate to say I was the sole bit of order. Nothing about this was calm.

A flicker of movement on my left made me turn and I saw Cleon jump down from whatever perch he'd been on. Quickly, he signed out enemy movements, adding, 'Took out the northern leader in an ambush. Leliana sniped one of the enemy generals in the south. They are chaotic, and desperate, refusing to surrender.' Of course they weren't. Still, I was glad I'd decided to put Cleon on this. He couldn't be on the frontlines, his lack of hearing was too much of a detriment, but his sight was still fantastic, and he was still skilled at ambushes. Maybe he should coordinate with Zevran to learn actual assassination skills. 'What do you want me to do?'

'Make sure-' I began to sign. A yell behind me made me whirl, Cleon following suit just a second later. I wasn't sure who yelled, but I saw why. Three Amaranthine soldiers had broken through the back lines, straight to where Layla was tending to soldiers on the field. One soldier was decapitated by my shield. Cleon threw his dagger into the back of the second one's neck.

The third, surprisingly, had their arm caught, and held, by Layla. As Cleon and I pushed towards her, glancing at each other to make sure we weren't just seeing things, I saw her eyes turn a strange silver-purple, and a glowing pattern of vines and flowers twist up her neck and right side of her face.

She shoved the soldier back, cold glare on her face, and she picked up a fallen sword and swung it. I had no idea if I should be more startled that she easily sliced the man in half, armor and all, or more appalled at just how bad her handling was.

"Oh, hello," she greeted Cleon and me, smiling far too brightly. She let the sword clatter to the ground to sign for Cleon. I noticed she could not move her right hand. "I do not like having another person's memories in my head!" Her eyes slowly turned to their normal brown, the vine-like markings receding. "I also shall be sick, later." I nodded, accepting that. "I think I broke something, though." She glanced at her hand. "How did I do that?"

"It's called improper handling of a sword," I deadpanned. I realized how that could be taken, and started snickering, unable to help it. Cleon did the same, shoulders shaking as he covered his mouth, and Layla stared in confusion. "You had a really bad grip and were really just jerking about…" I needed to shut up. "Cleon, you tell her. I'm just making it worse without even trying."

Cleon, still shaking, kindly signed out for me, 'you had improper posture, and thus broke your wrist because swords are heavy. Nuada, there, is killing me with accidental innuendos.'

"What are you…?" she began. Her face instantly flushed as she got it. "Nuada!" She batted me on the shoulder before healing up her wrist. "How is the strategy going? Wynne says there's far less wounded than you anticipated." That was a small miracle there. "Morrigan reports that the naval battle is going well." I was so glad I had Morrigan watching outside while she made sure Fergus didn't blow himself up.

"There have been a few hiccups, but lots of tiny ones are much better than one giant one," I answered, finally managing to calm down. Still, this tiny one was going to be big if I didn't catch it now. "Layla, fall back a bit since this area has been compromised. Please just use normal spells if you can help it until we actually train you up on swords." She nodded, smiling warmly before racing off. I smiled back before turning to Cleon. "Cleon, for now, direct Leliana to take care of the western, and then take care of the east. Afterwards, go to Fergus and Morrigan to assist them. Come back to me the second something changes outside with the water." Cleon nodded, smiled at me wryly as he gave me a sarcastic salute, and quickly disappeared into the shadows.

"Lord Nuada!" I turned as a soldier called my name, and felt my smile grow at their giant grin. "Just broke through!" they reported. "Orders!"

"Press forward!" To emphasize my words, I started running for the front. "Push them out! Send them scattering into the hallways to be picked off by the others!"

It wasn't until I was inside the room, adapting to the new setting and preparing new orders, that I realized just what this room was. We were right in front of the main doors. This was where… this was where I had last seen Father, where I had last seen Mother. This was where I had said goodbye to Rory, and joked about owing him some pints. This was where Highever fell before.

But here I was, weeks later, seizing it once more. I didn't have to run away this time. I was stronger. I had friends, who were stronger than anything, who I could actually trust. I had loyal soldiers, ready for the good fight. This time… this time, there would be no retreat.

"My lord!" I glanced over at the panting soldier. "The south…" they managed to get out. I nodded, showing I understood the rest, and they smiled gratefully when I passed them my canteen of water. The south… I needed someone I could trust there, someone the soldiers would listen to…

"Alistair!" I called, after a moment's thought. It didn't take long at all for him to appear in front of me. There was a gash on his cheek, but he still managed to smile with good-humor. "I need you to lead a squad directly."

"What?" he replied, gaping. He shook his head and I had to resist the urge to grit my teeth. "Nuada, I can't lead! I'm an idiot and…" He trailed off suddenly, looking around. I watched him in confusion, wondering what was going on. "No, never mind. Forget I said any of that." He faced me again, and I was taken aback from how his eyes blazed with determination. If I hadn't already known he was Uncle Maric's son, I would've guessed it right now. It was the same exact look when Uncle Maric had prepared himself to do the impossible, and succeed with flying colors. "What do you need?"

"There are soldiers to the south that are desperate and disorganized." I kept my voice calm, words even. He nodded. "I need them shut down. It's your discretion on how to do that, though I will be most vexed if you die, so avoid that."

"Oh, I'm too stupid to die. Just ask Morrigan." That got me laughing. "Just take whoever or-"

"Take whoever you think will work best. Getting them to not destroy the back lines is more important."

"All right." He gave me a reassuring grin and a little salute before heading off, shouting out names. I was… actually pretty impressed at how quickly he'd learned their names.

But that was something for another day. I looked at where the new holes in the lines were and shouted orders to adjust for them as Alistair and his group headed south. Now, I expected two things from here, so it was probably close to time to see which one was…

"Nuada!" There was Leliana, sliding on some blood as she ran to me. "Western general sniped," she told me breathlessly. I nodded, knowing that wasn't the reason she'd been sprinting. "Thomas, however, seems to be using the battle as a distraction to escape." So, it would be that one. Sadly, it didn't surprise me at all that Thomas would run. He'd always been quick on his feet. "What do you want me to do?"

Before I could answer, Cleon appeared, signing even before he stopped in front of me. 'Naval battle won. Our soldiers are coming in as reinforcements. Aiden and Sten are following the original plan.' Good, as I'd kept that in my head while plotting the rest. 'Alistair handling the south nicely.' Good. 'Caught what Leliana reported as I ran up. What do we need to do?'

That was the rub. I closed my eyes to think carefully before nodding. "Find Zevran and Elspeth, and then you four chase after Thomas," I ordered, signing carefully to make sure there would be no misunderstandings. They were the fastest, and Elspeth would know what needed to be done once they caught him. This would be fine. "Go, quickly." They both nodded and disappeared into the chaos.

I returned my attention to the battle, feeling a grin split my face.

Father… Mother… Everyone… just watch. We'll win this, reclaim the castle, and then you can rest easy as we save Fereldan. So, just watch us. Watch how strong we've all become. Okay?


Author's Note: Another battle in Highever Castle, this one turning out MUCH better than the first. Signs of character development, Arcane Warrior shows… not much else?

Next Chapter – Chasing Thomas with Cleon