Cathiel awoke to Griffon barking and growling. Dairren slid out of the bed, and tried to calm the hound. Griffon ducked away from him, and went back to growling. Dairren looked up as she climbed out of the bed.

"I'm sorry, I've been trying to quiet him, but he won't have it. I don't know why he's so angry."

Cathiel grabbed a robe and drew it around her. "Perhaps something is wrong."

"I thought I heard yelling when I woke up." He frowned, then cocked his head. "But now I hear nothing."

Griffon growled.

Dairren grabbed his pants and slid them on quickly. "Wait here. I'm going to see if there's something out in the hall."

He had barely opened the door when an arrow caught him in the throat. He stumbled backwards and turned towards her before slumping to the ground. Cathiel dove towards her sword just as the men entered the room. Griffon sank his teeth into the leg of the man that had killed Dairren, and Cathiel closed, slashing open his throat. The second man fumbled for his sword, and Cathiel shifted into the form Ser Gilmore had shown her just a few days ago. Her sword pierced the man's chest. It pulled from her hands as he fell. She swallowed, then ducked back and knelt next to Dairren.

He managed to tighten his hand around hers before he went limp. She closed his eyes, then let out a snarl and grabbed for her clothes.

#

No sooner had she buckled the leather breastplate around herself than she saw Griffon go on alert again. She slung her quiver over her shoulder, and grabbed her bow. A small cluck of her tongue signaled Griffon, and the hound surged forward, leaping on one of the men at the door to her parent's room. Cathiel drew and fired as Griffon slashed and tore. She felt a cold satisfaction when Griffon closed his teeth around the throat of the last man and jerked. There was a cruel snapping noise. "Good dog," she said.

The door opened, and Eleanor Cousland emerged. Her mother had managed to strap on armor of her own. "Darling! I heard fighting outside and I feared the worst! Are you hurt?"

"Those men killed Dairren." Cathiel's voice hitched slightly.

"What? Not Landra's son! But why? A scream woke me up. There were men in the hall, so I barred the door. Did you see their shields? Those are Howe's men! Why would they attack us?"

Cathiel felt a chill. "He's betrayed Father! He attacks while our troops are gone!"

"You don't think Howe's men were delayed... on purpose? That bastard! I'll cut his lying throat myself! Have you seen your father? He never came to bed!"

"No, I haven't. I was in my room."

"We must find him." Eleanor began to move forward.

Cathiel's eyes went to the other door. It was closed, and she heard no sound from inside. Her heart tightened. "We should check on Oriana and Oren, as well."

Eleanor's head jerked up. "Andraste's mercy! What if the soldiers went into your brother's room first? Let's check on them! Quickly! Then we'll look for Bryce downstairs!"

#

Cathiel slumped against the door frame as Eleanor ran to the side of the small corpse. "No! My little Oren! What manner of fiend slaughters innocents?!"

Her eyes flicked to Oriana. Her sister clutched a small knife in her hand, the same one Cathiel had given her for her birthday. A pretty little blade, meant to be strapped to an arm or thigh. It had been a joke, then. Just in case you want to stab someone over dinner. The corpse of one of Howe's men lay a few feet away. "I'll make them pay!"

"Howe is not even taking hostages!" Eleanor's voice was hot with tears. "He means to kill all of us! Oh, poor Fergus..." She stood, forcing herself to turn away. "Let's go. I don't want to see this!"

#

They paused at the top of the stairs. Eleanor looked out over the castle. "Can you hear the fighting? Howe's men must be everywhere."

Cathiel reached for another arrow. "Then we should take the fight to them!"

"Don't be foolish!" Eleanor caught her arm. "You would throw your life away! The front gates. That's where your father must be."

Cathiel pulled away. "We can't just let Howe win!"

"Listen, darling, we haven't much time." Eleanor stood in front of her, putting both hands on her shoulders. "If we can't find your father, you must get out of here alive. Without you and Fergus, the entire Cousland line dies here. If Howe's men are inside, they must already control the castle. We must use the servants' entry in the larder to escape. Do you hear me?"

"I want Howe dead!" She couldn't get the sight of Oren's little body out of her mind.

"Then survive and visit vengeance upon him!" Eleanor looked into her daughter's eyes.

Cathiel closed her eyes, then opened them again. She nodded.

#

Ser Gilmore had blood on his face. Cathiel fumbled for a kerchief before realizing she was being foolish. "Your Ladyship! My lady! You're both alive!" He rushed towards them. "I was certain Howe's men had gotten through!"

"They did get through!" She lifted her eyes to his, and saw her own horror and grief reflected.

"They killed Oriana, and Oren... I can't believe..." Eleanor caught herself, then looked at Ser Gilmore. "Are you injured?"

"Don't worry about me, your Ladyship. Thank the Maker you two are unharmed. When I realized what was happening, it was all I could do to shut the gates. But they won't keep Howe's men out long! If you've another way out of the castle, use it quickly!"

"We need to find Father!"

He nodded. "When I last saw the teyrn, he'd been badly wounded. I urged him not to go, but he was determined to find you. He went towards the kitchen. I believe he thought to find you at the servants' exit in the larder."

"Bless you, Ser Gilmore." She looked at the soldiers. She wanted to say something, anything. The words tasted trite. "Maker watch over you!"

His eyes met hers again, and she knew he knew. "Maker watch over us all."

#

They had to kill a half dozen men to reach the larder. Nan's body lay in the kitchen door. Cathiel felt sick at the sight. Inside the larder, her father lay in a pool of his own blood. He smiled when he saw them. "There... you both are. I was..." He struggled to breath. "Wondering when you would get here."

"Bryce!" Eleanor threw herself down at his side. "Maker's blood, what's happening? You're bleeding!"

"Howe's men... found me first. Almost... did me in right there."

"We need to get you out of here!" She began searching the larder. Bandages. A litter. Anything she could use.

"I... I won't survive the standing, I think."

She shut her eyes, and refused to hear the words he said. "Then we will stay and defend you."

"Once Howe's men break through the gate, they will find us! We must go!" Eleanor said, looking up at Cathiel.

"Someone... much reach Fergus... tell him what has happened."

"And take vengeance." Cathiel almost didn't recognize her own voice.

"Yes... vengeance." Her father's voice was weaker.

"Bryce, no! The servant's passage is right here! We can flee together, find you healing magic!"

"The castle is surrounded... I cannot make it."

Cathiel went for her bow as another figure entered the room. She halted when she recognized the warden. "I'm afraid the teryn is correct," Duncan said. "Howe's men have not yet discovered this exit, but they surround the castle. Getting past will be difficult."

"You are... Duncan, then? The Grey Warden?" Eleanor asked.

"Yes, your Ladyship. The teryn and I tried to reach you sooner."

"My daughter helped me get here, Maker be praised."

"I am not surprised." Duncan gave her a respectful nod.

Cathiel returned the nod with a grateful smile. "Thank you for saving my father."

Her face fell when he shook his head. "I fear your thanks are premature. I doubt I have saved him."

"Whatever is to be done now, it must be quick! They are coming!" Eleanor turned to look at the door.

Cathiel saw her father's face go firm. "Duncan... I beg you... take my wife and daughter to safety!"

"I will, your Lordship. But..." There was something in Duncan's eyes. She found herself shaking her head. "I fear I must ask for something in return."

"Anything!" Teryn Cousland said.

"What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in this world. I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one."

"I... I understand." Her father's eyes went to her.

Cathiel shook her head again. "What about Ser Gilmore?" she asked desperately.

Duncan looked at her. "Truthfully, you were always my first choice. I will take the teryna and your daughter to Ostager, to tell Fergus and the king what happened." His eyes went back to the Teryn. "Then, your daughter joins the Grey Wardens."

"So long as justice comes to Howe..." It was the Teryn speaking now, not the father. "I agree."

Duncan held a hand out to her. "Then I offer you a place with the Grey Wardens. Fight with us."

Cathiel shoved his hand away. "My duty is to take vengeance on Arl Howe!"

"We will inform the king, and he will punish Howe. I am sorry, but a Grey Warden's duties take precedence over vengeance."

"Howe thinks he'll use the chaos to... advance himself. Make him wrong, pup. See that justice is done! Our family... always does our duty first. The darkspawn must be defeated. You must go. For your own sake, and for Ferelden's."

Cathiel knelt next to him. "I won't leave you!"

Her father's eyes went to Duncan. The Warden nodded, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Then I have no choice. I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription and recruit you into the Grey Wardens despite your objection."

"I'm sorry, pup, but... it's better this way." He took her hand, and squeezed it gently.

"We must leave quickly, then."

"Bryce, are you... sure?" Eleanor's eyes shifted from the warden to her husband, then back again.

He gave her a smile. "Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery. She will live, and make her mark on the world."

Eleanor nodded, and returned the smile. "Darling, go with Duncan. You have a better chance to escape without me."

"Eleanor..."

"Hush Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time. But I won't abandon you."

"We can find another way," Cathiel pleaded. "We can fight."

"So we all die? No. Your place is with the Grey Wardens. Mine is with your father. At his side, to death and beyond."

"I love you both, so much." Tears streamed down her face.

"Then live, darling. Become a Grey Warden, and do what is right." Eleanor knelt next to her husband.

"I'm... so sorry it's come to this, my love..." Teryn Cousland took her hand.

"We had a good life and did all we could. It's up to our children, now."

"Then... go, pup. Warn your brother. And know that we love you both. You do us proud."

"They've broken through the gates. We must go now." Duncan had to grab her arm and pull her away.

"Goodbye, darling," she heard her mother's voice say as she jerked her arm free of Duncan and began to run on her own.

#

Duncan grabbed Cathiel's arm. He had to pull her the first couple steps, but then she hefted her bow and stepped forward, leading the way through the passage. She held up a closed fist and stopped just before the door. He gave her a nod, and drew his swords. She nocked an arrow and moved to the side of the door. At her nod, he opened it. Her arrow took the soldier on the other side through the eye, then Duncan stepped out and swept his sword through another. He took out a third and fourth, as Cathiel's arrows took out the fifth and sixth.

Cathiel sent a look back down the passage, but said nothing. Duncan began moving towards the camp where he had left the others, trying to stay low. They had almost made it to the edge of the forested area when he heard shouts behind him. He tossed a glance over his shoulder and saw a couple dozen Howe soldiers giving chase. He gestured for Cathiel to follow him into the woods and set a fast pace.

#

Brehan leaned against a tree, watching the other recruits. The dwarf woman and the mageling had their heads over a book, trying to teach the dwarf man how to read. The other elf kept to himself, and spoke rarely. Brehan gave him an appraising look. He moved like a mouse, self-effacing, trying not to draw attention to himself. Brehan smirked contemptuously. Mouse was a good description for the tiny man. He hadn't even raised his hands when Brehan had swung. He wondered idly if the kid had ever had a good meal. Then he shrugged, and walked to where the kid was sitting. Might as well try to get on good terms.

"There was a flat-ear that came to our tribe just recently from the city. Pol. Did you know him?" Brehan sat down across from the other elf.

Jerath didn't look up. "I heard there was a Dalish named Gunther. Do you know him?"

Brehan snorted. "There are a lot of Dalish, I can't know them all."

Jerath turned his gaze on Brehan without actually looking up. "No. I didn't know anyone named Pol."

Brehan caught the annoyed note in the boy's voice, and narrowed his eyes. "You don't have to be rude about it."

"True, what reason would I have to be offended by your assumption I know every 'flat ear' in Ferelden?" Jerath examined the sole of his boot.

Brehan waited a couple minutes for the kid to say something else, but he appeared to be focused on tending to what little gear he had brought with him. Brehan shrugged. "I suppose there are a lot of cities." He smiled warmly, leaning forward. "Did you ever consider coming to the Dalish?"

"Should I have?"

"Didn't you ever want to escape?" Brehan gave him a confused look.

"Escape what?"

Brehan frowned. He would have thought the answer was obvious. What kind of self-respecting elf would actually live in a shem city willingly? The kid finished tending to his boots, then drew them back on. He stood, and walked towards the other side of the camp, where he began checking over the donkey that carried most of their gear.

After a moment, Brehan began to feel irritated. The kid was flat out ignoring him. He rose, and went to where the younger elf was adjusting a strap. "You aren't going to make this easy, are you?"

Jerath sighed. Brehan found himself taken slightly aback as the boy turned and met his eyes. "What is it you want?"

Brehan looked around at the camp, then shook his head. "We are the only elves here."

Jerath arched an eyebrow. "So we should be bosom companions?"

Brehan gestured at where the dwarves were sitting. "Saitada and Brosca seem to get along well enough."

Jerath shook his head. "Neither of them start off conversations by referring to the other as a slur."

"I..." Brehan caught himself. "Oh..." He shook his head. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"How did you mean it then?"

"It's..." Brehan crossed his arms, then uncrossed them. He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know..." He gave a frustrated sigh. "It's not like I've spent a lot of time around Shems."

He saw the corner of Jerath's mouth twitch. "You probably shouldn't call them Shems."

"Oh?" Brehan asked, then he sighed. "Oh... right. Well, what do I call them then?"

"In my experience, most have names."

Brehan stared at the other man, and felt heat rising on his cheeks. The other man's expression didn't change, but behind him Brehan saw the mageling trying to hide a smile. Brehan glared down at the other elf. "Are you always this sarcastic?"

"Yes."

Brehan stared at him a moment longer, waiting for him to say something else. Jerath just stared back calmly. Brehan threw up his hands. "Ugh!" He stomped away from the camp in frustration. He glanced out over the rise, and stopped short. He grabbed a tree branch and quickly hauled himself up for a better view. "Saitada..."

"Yes?" The dwarf responded.

"I'm not familiar with human customs, but is the castle supposed to be on fire?"

Saitada looked in the direction he was pointing, then shook her head, "prepare for a fight, people. Looks like there is trouble."

#

An arrow slammed into the tree as Duncan pulled Cathiel to the ground. As the shouting behind them increased, they scrambled to get behind trees. Cathiel risked a quick look. "We are outnumbered almost ten to one," she said. "I don't have that many arrows."

Duncan nodded, and tossed her his daggers. She tucked them into her belt, and readied her bow. Duncan caught the first in the face with a blow from his sword as he came around the tree. Cathiel began picking off the Howe archers, preventing them from getting a clear shot at Duncan, but they began shooting back at her, forcing her to take cover. Duncan took an arrow to the shoulder before he managed to put a tree between himself and the archer, but it would not shelter him long.

He was about to order Cathiel to run, when flames exploded in the midst of the Howe archers. As the archers reeled in surprise, Jerath and Saitada entered the fray on either side of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brehan take up a shooting position next to Cathiel, while Brosca stabbed the soldier attempting to sneak up on the archer's position. Lenore sent another burst of fire at the archers, lighting them up for Cathiel and Brehan.

Saitada caught a blow on her shield, then brought her sword in low. On his other side, Jerath parried a blow with his sword before spinning and driving his knife into his opponent's spine. He yanked it out easily and then flipped it in his hand before throwing it into the eye of an archer taking aim at Lenore.

Duncan smiled to himself as the battle changed from a rout to a victory in the space of seconds. Saitada used her shield to knock the last soldier to the ground before running him through. Lenore emerged from her sheltered position and quickly began to tend to his shoulder.

Saitada glanced at Cathiel, then raised an eyebrow at Duncan. "I take it the situation changed?"

"Indeed. I'm afraid we won't be stopping in Redcliffe. We must make haste for Ostagar."

"We can pack up camp and travel through the night." Saitada responded. "Be well underway before more scouts come."

Duncan nodded, then flexed his shoulder and gave Lenore a brief smile of thanks. "Let's move."

#

Duncan sighed. The sun had risen some time ago, and they could no longer even see the smoke from the burning castle. Cathiel didn't look back. She hadn't said a word to him since they'd joined up with the others. He'd thought multiple times about saying something to say to her, but instead walked in silence.

He was fortunate, he supposed, that only Saitada picked up on his mood. She waited until the others were distracted to ask.

"You got her out alive."

"I left her father bleeding to death on the floor behind us, after making him give her to the wardens."

"Duncan..."

"Howe's men could have ridden us down and if I'd acted to protect a refugee, I'd be guilty of a crime. The Grey Wardens must remain neutral."

"But you could fight through an army to protect a recruit."

"I should have explained. She wasn't going to leave, she was going to stay there and die trying to get her parents out. And even if she made it, she was focused on Howe. She was going to get herself killed."

"But she would do her duty to her father."

"Yes."

"She'll understand, someday. It's not like you had time for much else. If you'd have been a few steps slower, we might not have reached you in time. She's got courage and spunk. I think she'll make it through the joining okay."

Duncan starred for a moment at the dwarf. "You know about the joining?"

"Don't worry. I haven't mentioned it to the others. But yes, I know. First I knew you were coming I went to the Shaperate and read up on the wardens. Plenty there between the lines, if you care to look. So many of you come to Orzammar to meet your ends. A few scholars cared enough to ask why."

"And you asked to join anyway."

"A heavy price. I can't go back to Orzammar, but I am still the daughter of their king. I will still do whatever it takes to see my people safe, no matter the cost. And so, I will be a warden. It is my duty. It is yours. And it is hers. If that didn't matter to her, her father's words wouldn't have brought her here either. I have the advantage of being a bit older than she is, but trust me when I say that someday, she will understand."

Duncan nodded. "Orzammar's loss is most definitely my gain."

She smiled. "On your feet, human. At eye level your beard is positively shameful."

Duncan laughed and stood up, brushing himself off. "The elves like my beard."

"Only because they can't grow their own. Not even the most delicate hands could braid that mustache, salroka."

"Saitada?"

"Yes?"

"We can put the word out, see if we can find Gorim."

Saitada shook her head. "I do not think the life of a warden would suit him. He'll be fine."

"That's not what I meant."

She raised an eyebrow, then shook her head and gave a small laugh. "Duncan, there was nothing like that between Gorim and I."

"Oh."

"We had some good times, back when we were barely old enough to have any idea what we were doing. Didn't take us long to realize we made far better friends than lovers. I wish him well, wherever he is." She sighed. "And I'm grateful to Bhelen for giving him a chance at making a new life for himself."

"You are grateful to Bhelan?"

Saitada sighed. "He is still my brother. And, if needs be truth, he will be a better king than Trian. Clearly he plays the game better than I did." She smiled at Duncan's expression. "Maybe you have to be a dwarf to understand."

"Or a queen," Duncan said quietly.

"I regret Trian's death." She looked towards the others. "But I don't regret being here. With the wardens." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "With you." She walked back to the others.

Duncan watched her go, and smiled.