I got another chapter knocked out and I wanted to share with you all asap! Please review. I really love hearing from you guys. It helps so much to know that you are reading. More to come! (before 2016 XD)

The castle was a wreck. Blood, bodies, furniture thrown about, screams and yells from soldiers and staff engaged in the slaughter. Aedan ran through the halls with his mother and his mabari; making his way as fast as he could to Orianna and Oren's room.

Nothing had gone right after he pissed Claire off. Arl Howe had shown his hand. His forces attacked after Highever's own forces had left for Ostagar. They were caught off guard. No one could expect such a betrayal from the Cousland's oldest allies. The castle was taken by surprise and put up a futile resistance. Only the knights of Highever and Aedan's family still fought. While they hoped for mercy for the staff of the castle, all of them knew that Arl Howe would not spare any of those who still resisted him. Even now he had no idea where the other knights were or how many of them were still alive. And worse, where was his father? All questions without answers, but he had to keep moving. To protect Oriana and Oren, they couldn't even fight to protect themselves.

Dear Maker please let them still be alive!

Aedan rounded the corner to see men wearing the emblem of Amaranthine attempting to break down the door to Orianna and Oren's room. Yelling a warcry he and his mabari Skyler rushed at the four intruders.

Aedan charged with his shield up into the first man. Hitting him from the side and knocking him into the second. Skyler crashing into the third man, ripping and tearing with her fangs. Eleanor took down the fourth man with her arrows as the two of them charged forward. A quick stab into the neck took care of the first man Aedan had tackled. But the last man standing, originally the second man, had regained his balance and faced off with Aedan.

They crashed into each other's shields. Aedan couldn't see his face through his helm, but he could smell rancid beer and tabacco. Before they could disengage again Skyler sunk her teeth into his thigh. The previous three had gone down with gurgles, little suffering because their deaths were quick, but when Skyler pulled a chunk the size of a loaf of bread out of his leg the man dropped his weapons and screamed bloody murder. Aedan quickly brought his shield up, smashing it into his face, then swung his sword down, ending his cries.

"Oriana!", Aedan banged on the door. "It's Aedan! Please! Open the door!"

Please by all that is good let them be alive and unhurt!

The door to the room was flung open, but before Aedan could say anything he came face to face with a familiar rapier blade. Claire was on the other side of the door trailer her blade at his throat, Orianna and Oren huddled on the bed. There were bodies strewn about the room, and Claire herself had blood stains on her armour. She quickly looked behind him, taking in the mabari and his mother, before turning her attention back to him with a smirk.

"I typically don't invite men into the bedroom on the second date, but I suppose I'll make an exception for you."

Several hours before the attack.

Claire looked up from the butter knife she had been bending into shape. Aedan had left her the basket, and inside there was a small dulled knife, most likely for cutting cheese or spreading butter. Hardly a deadly weapon, but Claire didn't plan on fighting with it.

Glancing down the row of cells she made sure that she was not being watched. Satisfied that she was alone she quickly stood and wedged the knife, now bent into a lever, into the hinges of the cell door. Gently and slowly pushing her weight into the small metal piece she worked the first of three joints loose, pulling the bolt that held the metal hinge out. Claire had to work slowly and quietly, or else risk being caught. Although it was starting to grind on her nerves. She was never the most patient person and prison breaks required a lot of patience.

Dammit all to pit. I should have swiped a key from the guard or something. This process is going to take forever! Claire cursed in her head. She was so close to getting Howe, but as of right now she was forced to move so slow she could barely contain herself.

Of course it didn't take forever, but it took long enough that the sunlight that was streaming into the cell block turned orange, then red. Claire made sure to stop ever once in a while to stretch and keep her body limber, in case someone came in she would have to fight her way out of the hold. Finally all three hinges were disassembled and she could slowly; very slowly, lift the cell door off its post and lower it onto the floor.

Luckily, there were no guards posted within the cellblock. Watching prisoners was dull work and they trusted the cells to hold them in. Besides there was only one exit, and they could guard them just as effectively by sitting right outside the entrance. Claire had heard Ser Gilmore be relieved from watching the prisoner earlier. He also gave the new guard strict orders not to enter the cells for fear of them getting even with Claire.

A noble sentiment. Certainly a step above the crude, crass, beasts that I met in the square. And it certainly makes escaping easier. Claire crept up to the door and put her ear against the wood. I don't hear anything outside. And the lock on the door has the same type of hinges as the cell door…. Ugh… more slow work trying to get these off.

This time Claire had to be even more careful, she couldn't risk being caught here. So she carefully pried the back of the lock out of the door, exposing the inner mechanisms. By this time it was getting dark, and she was running out of light. So she placed the knife in position in the mechanism. Just one quick turn would open the door. Before opening the door however, she crept back to her original cell and grabbed the plate and bottle that came in the basket Aedan gifted to her. Taking a steadying breath, she threw them as hard and far as she could out the small cell window. The result was two distinct crashes as they hit the ground some distance away.

"What was that?" asked one of two guards posted outside the cell block.

Claire quickly moved back to the cell door listening intently. She could make out the jingle of chain mail as the guards moved to investigate the sound. As soon as she was sure they had moved far enough away she turned the knife in the door lock and let herself out. Looking around quickly she found herself in a guard room. She had been blindfolded and dumped into the hold earlier and didn't get to see anything on the way into the castle. Looking down to her left she saw a locked trunk. The very same one Gilmore had shown Aedan earlier that day, though she didn't know that. All she knew was that it looked like a good place to store weapons, probably her weapons.

Another quick look around the room revealed a cask of beer sitting at the table in the center of the area. On it were two helms, gloves, a shield, and a ring of keys.

Drinking on the job? Haha thank the Maker for idiots. Claire grabbed the keys and tried two before the trunk opened revealing her effects. (*) Quickly strapping her dagger and rapier to her belt, and reaching into her pack to withdraw bracers and leather armor with mail built in, Claire made her way to the door while equipping herself. At the door she turned to toss the keys back onto the table. Leaving the room unchanged. As if she was still in her cell.

Just she was about to open the door herself, screams started to ring throughout the castle. The door she was reaching for blew open and in the doorway was a man in full armor, the insignia of Amaranthine embossed on his chest piece. Before she can open her mouth, he yells and charges at her.

With a yelp Claire backpedals into the room and vaults across the table. The warrior draws a wicked looking mace, one that was clearly just being used judging from the blood that still coated it, and brings his shield off his back into a ready stance. On the other side of the table Claire narrows her eyes and draws her rapier. She raises it in salute and dashes forward.

One strike, one kill.

Whatever the warrior was expecting it wasn't a full frontal assault. He swung his mace slowly, much to slowly to catch the duelist, and though he tried to parry the rapier with his shield, it was too late. With a cry Claire lunged past his swing and stabbed her weapon around the shield and under his chin. As quickly as she engaged, she disengaged putting enough distance between her and her opponent such that and last ditch attempts at hurting her would end in vain. She quickly wiped her sword and sheathed it. As the dying man gurgled his last few breaths Claire glared at the insignia on his armour.

Amaranthine? They are attacking Highever? Why? They are supposed to be allies! Highever's armies have left for Ostagar. I guess if Howe wanted to stab his oldest friends in the back, now would be the time.

Stepping over the dead warrior, Claire started running up the stairs into the main castle. All around her she could hear fights breaking out, though if she was honest, most of it was a slaughter. The servants and staff of the castle didn't stand a chance. Rounding the corner into the main hall she saw three knights of Highever engaging a group of a dozen invaders. Though finding Howe pulled at her she couldn't just run by. Hesitating for just a moment, she drew her rapier once more and saluted. Crying a shrill war cry she engaged one of the Amaranthine warriors herself.

Don't spend more than a few blows on a single enemy, you don't wear plate to protect you, so you must be faster than your opponents Claire. Old lessons ring through her mind as Claire attacks. Never leave an opponent without making sure they cannot harm you. They are not dead until you make sure they are dead. Otherwise they may just be injured, and they will continue to fight.

Her moves are a dance of blades. Lunge, a direct vital hit. Disengage, ensure opponent's death. Engage new opponent, parry, lunge again, another hit, disengage, ensure second opponent's death, engage new oppo-, parry attack, riposte counter, another death. Attracted more attention now. Three of the warriors are closing on her. Footwork, dance to the left so they are all in a straight line, they have to move around each other to attack at the same time. While they are moving, step in, stab at foot, stab through the eye, disengage, parry attack from the one on the left, finish off the one stabbed in the eye, slash the neck of the one stabbed in the foot. Draw dagger, parry wild stab from the first of the three, spin around the back and backhand stab through the ribs.

With Claire's sudden addition and quick elimination of six of the enemy attackers, she and the remaining knights cleaned up the rest with ease, even though it was six against four. As the last of the enemies went down, one of the knights, clearly the leader approached her.

"A duelist indeed! I've never seen anyone move like that." the man lifted his helmet visor to reveal Ser Gilmore.

Claire smiled at that. Gilmore was good to her, even when he had no reason to be.

"Well met Ser Gilmore. I'm glad you still live."

"Hmm. Yes I suppose for the moment.", Gilmore grumbled. "I see you escaped. Well I'm grateful for your help. We would not have lived past that last fight without you. But now I am duty bound to ask you a question."

Gilmore points his sword at Claire.

"Are you involved in this?"

A moment passes when Claire's smile fades and is replaced by a look of disgust and hate.

"I would never work for that monster Howe."

Another moment passes and Gilmore lowers his sword.

"I am glad to hear it. Though I may not know your true reasons for being here tonight, I believe that you are not here as part of this invading party."

"Now, I have a favor to ask. Nay, to beg of you. Please, try to find the Lady Orianna and her son, the young Lord Oren. My knights and I are mustering here to try to defend the castle, but I cannot spare anyone to search for them. Many of us were killed in the surprise attack, and more still are with our forces at Ostagar. We few who remain are charged with defending this keep. Will you help me Lady Claire?"

Claire looks down for a moment. Then back up again at Gilmore.

"You are right in assuming I have my own reasons for being here. I have my own goals to accomplish, but I do owe you one. You kept the guards off me while I was in my cell. My time here, short as it was, was better because of you. I will find your lady and her son."

Gilmore and the other knights smile at her.

"Thank you, you've no idea how much you've put our minds at ease. The Lady Orianna's room is up that flight of stairs and across to the end of the hall, now hurry!"

Claire nods and spins on her heel, sprinting up the indicated stairs. She runs down the hall and sees two warriors entering the room at the end of the hall. She sprints in after them and through the door to see Orianna protecting Oren with her body, both warriors raising their weapons to deliver a killing blow.

"FACE ME YOU COWARDS!", Claire yells as she draws her rapier and steps in.

She stabs and kills one before he can blink and a quick parry, riposte takes care of the second. Wiping her sword she turns to Orianna.

"Are you alright my Lady? Any injuries?"

Orianna just gapes at her, not sure what to make of the blonde beauty that swept in and killed her attackers. Before she can respond there is another commotion in the hallway. Claire runs to the door and slams it shut. The two intruders earlier broke the lock to get into the room. Claire quickly pulls a dresser behind the door to jam it shut. There are men on the other side of the door now, attempting to force their way into the room. Claire orders Orianna and Oren to hide at the bed. She herself turns to face the intruders. But before they get in there is another scuffle in the hallway. And suddenly a man screaming as if he lost a leg.

Claire moves the dresser out of the way, as she is doing so she hears Aedan banging on the door and calling to Orianna. Swinging the door open and holding Aedan at blade point she takes in the situation, and can't help but insert a little quip.

Aedan completely gobsmacked at the scene in front of him. The last person he expected to see was Claire, but by the Maker he was glad she was there. She was even flirting with him.

"Did I hear that correctly? I thought I only hear you say that in my dreams."

A full grin was on Claire's face now, and she opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Eleanor Cousland. Though she saw that they were two of a kind, there were other issues to deal with.

"You two make a lovely couple, but at the moment we have bigger issues. I am Eleanor Cousland. You know my son, and have saved my daughter in law and grandson. I am very grateful, but now we must leave!"

At his mother's words Aedan sombered up.

"Of course, we have no time to lose. Claire will you come with us?"

Claire hesitated, "I came here looking for someone, I can't leave without finding him."

Eleanor stepped in, "The castle is overrun, the only thing that awaits you if you stay here is death young lady. Is it worth it to find this person?"

After looking into the older woman's eyes Claire looks down, "I suppose not."

Aedan meanwhile had gone to Orianna and Oren, the two of them were safe, but scared. After reassuring them they all stood and as a group made their way back to the main hall.

Gilmore was still there but with only a half dozen knights. They were trying to bar the main doors, which were being hammered on the other side by a battering ram. Gilmore saw them all come in and shouted across the hall.

"My Lord and Ladies, Highever is finished. The castle is taken, but you may yet survive. Please make your way down to the larder, use the secret exit there to escape. You must survive and right this wrong!"

Aedan was visibly distressed at his friend staying behind to protect them and ran to him to help bar the doors. Gilmore grabbed Aedan and shook him while whispering a low, but serious argument. In the end Aedan clapped his old friend's forearm and ran back to the waiting group. They all made their way down into the larder where they found Bryce Cousland and Duncan waiting.

"Bryce!" cried Eleanor.

"Ah my love, I was wondering if you had managed to save the others. I'm afraid I can't leave with you however. I was not fast enough. It seems my age is catching up with me."

Bryce was clutching his stomach. A deep laceration with organs protruding, lots of blood, and no chance of recovery on a battlefield. Everyone there knew at once that the Teyrn was not walking out of the castle. Aedan and Eleanor both objected but were cut off by Bryce.

"Enough! We do not have the time to squabble. Pup, you must take Orianna and Oren away from here. Find the King, make this right. Your duelist companion seems to have helped you earlier perhaps you can help again?", the last part of the question was directed at Claire, who nodded in agreement. "And Duncan will you help my family?"

Duncan nodded as well, but had some conditions. "I came to Highever to find a Grey Warden recruit. I cannot leave without one."

Bryce looked at Duncan now, a silent conversation passing between the two men.

"Very well." Bryce looked over at his son. "Aedan you must become a Grey Warden. Do whatever you need to do to survive."

Aedan who was starting to tear up nodded silently, kneeling at his father's side. He was joined by Orianna and Oren, who came over to say their own goodbyes.

"Grandpa?"

"Be brave little Oren" Bryce reached out and rubbed Oren's head. "There will be tough times ahead. But you can make it. You've got Cousland blood in your viens."

"Bryce."

"And you Orianna, make sure you take care of both my sons. They are troublemakers, need a strong hand to hold."

Orianna just nodded her head, tears streaming down her eyes.

"And my wife-"

"Don't say a thing Bryce, I'm not leaving you."

"Well, I was actually going to beg you to stay- ouch!"

Eleanor gave him a light swipe for joking at a time like this. Bryce looked over at his son.

"Make sure you find a woman like your mother for yourself one day pup. Someone that you love and who will always set you straight."

Aedan also simply nodded. Too overwhelmed to say much.

"I love you dad."

Claire had moved away to give the family some privacy. She was standing watch by the door. Suddenly she turned and ran back to the group.

"They are coming!"

Duncan opened the passageway and the group ran down the tunnel and away from the castle. Away from the death, and into the night.

Thanks for reading! Once again please review! Any comments and criticisms help a lot as I am still learning. Even if you just enjoyed reading saying Hi makes me feel so happy! Thanks again.

(*) Commodore Norrington my effects please.