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Chapter 4
Fergus trotted down the steps towards the throne room, but nearly yelped as he felt an arm grab him suddenly, and push him into a nearby servants' closet, slamming the door behind them. He grinned up at his raven haired companion, as she looked towards the door, waiting for the steps and voices to go by the door. "Morrigan, if you wanted to get me alone, you should have just asked," He smiled.
"You're incorrigible, you prig." She retorted. "Your sister is entertaining a few guests that we should possibly stay clear of," She said, crossing her arms across her chest.
Fergus rose a brow in thought, "Who?"
"I had scouted the trail earlier today, and followed a riding party led by a man by the name of Rendon Howe and his son. I was able to overhear before they arrived that they were sent to look for the surviving Grey Wardens from Ostagar. Namely, you and Alistair." She told him.
"Howe is a friend of my father's. Maybe if I explain to him what really happened to the King," Fergus began to go to the door, but Morrigan grabbed him yet again, slamming his back against the wall, staring up at him with her haunting golden colored eyes.
"Are you insane? Have you not heard what I said? It's obvious he seeks to capture you. He will not listen to reason!"
Fergus smiled at her sudden outburst at him, "Afraid you'll miss me?"
Morrigan snatched her hands back as though she touched hot coals, and backed away, "I will listen in on the conversation. Just, stay out of sight until they leave. Take no chances."
Before anything else could be said, Morrigan shifted herself into a raven, and Fergus watched her fly out of an open window.
"My lady, we have reason to believe that there were survivors from Ostagar," Rendon said to Kathryn, with his back turned as he drank out of a glass of wine that was given to them by the servants. He looked down into his glass, swirling the wine, and finally turned to her, "We understand your brother had joined the Grey Wardens before the battle?"
Kathryn's eyes narrowed slightly as she stared up at the Arl from behind her father's desk. She had brought Rendon and his son with two of their guards into the study to discuss the issues Rendon had come for. "Please do not think to taint my brother's memory, Rendon. You realize you step on dangerous ground if you dare do so." She stated, the Cousland temper beginning to rise.
He turned to her, smiling, and finally sat in the chair opposite of her across her father's desk. "I know your father had placed you as Teyrna in his absence. I apologize, my lady, however we had received reports along the Imperial Highway that Fergus had been seen with a party to include another Grey Warden," He handed her a parchment, "I had been ordered by the regent to the Queen, Loghain himself, to investigate, and question any possible traitors to the crown. The Grey Wardens had abandoned the King to die at the battle, and are now considered traitors, and have been officially banned from Ferelden," His brown eyes searched her face for any emotion as he spat his last sentence, "I thought you would be sympathetic to the King's death, especially."
Her eyes moved up from the parchment as his words, as she stood, "I am loyal to the crown of Ferelden. However, my focus is now what my father had placed me in charge of," She threw the parchment towards him, disgusted with his presence already, "Last I had heard, my father was still in Denerim for the Landsmeet. I haven't received any message from him just yet, so I assume he still is there. I will keep an eye out for any traitors, Arl Howe, however I haven't seen any yet. I assure you, that yes, while I am in mourning, as is the rest of Ferelden, over the loss of King Cailan, I will abide by law and turn in traitors to the Crown." Kathryn opened the door, looking at the guests in the study, "The guards will see you out."
She left them in the room, resisting the urge to slam the door behind her. Kathryn looked at the two guards standing outside of the study, "Make sure our guests leave quickly." She ordered them.
"Yes my lady," The guards stood at attention in response to Kathryn's orders, as she stomped down the hallway towards the sleeping chambers.
Rendon turned to his son, gulping the last of his wine. "She's hiding something." He told Thomas, "Either Fergus has come to see her already, and she let him go, or she knows where he's at and she's not telling us."
"Shall we proceed with the original plan then?" Thomas asked, as he picked up his helmet.
"Yes. Ride forth and send the message. I will go to Denerim. Meet me there." Howe instructed his son, as they all turned to leave.
Leliana held her hands up to stop Fergus, as she walked towards the door in response to the knock. She opened it, and bowed her head, "My lady," She greeted Kathryn.
Kathryn rushed into the room, gently touching Leliana on the arm, "We need to talk." She told Fergus and his companions he had gathered into his room.
Leliana almost closed the door, but opened it as she heard a bark. A black and tan mabari hound walked into the room, nearly pouncing on Fergus. "Hey boy! I was wondering when I would see you!" Fergus grinned, as roughly pet the hound.
The mabari nearly yelped in excitement. "Your's?" Alistair asked his friend.
"My sister's. Well, it's our's, but he imprinted on Kathryn a few years back." Fergus smiled, as he sat on the bench at the foot of his bed.
The mabari looked at the large Qunari that stood near the door. It walked towards Sten, and wagged it's docked tail up at him. "Hmm. Interesting creature," Sten stoically said, reaching down to pet the mabari's head.
After a few strokes, the mabari looked up at him, sitting attentively. "The mabari's are war hounds in Ferelden, Sten. It's considered a great honor to have one imprinted to you, and also considered a mark of nobility. They are truly fascinating warriors that I believe we can all learn from," Leliana smiled.
At that, the mabari barked happily, still staring up at Sten. "Do they understand?" Sten asked, as he knelt in front of the dog.
"Yes, they actually do," Kathryn spoke up, as she walked to stand next to the Qunari, as she was surprised to hear him actually speak since he had arrived.
He looked up at Kathryn, and tilted his head in question, "Surprising he'd imprint to you."
Alistair let out a laugh at Sten's quip. Kathryn shot him a glare, which quieted Alistair just as quickly. She looked down at Sten, placing her hand onto her hound's head, gently petting it, "You'd be surprised how good of a fighter I am, Sten." She looked up at her brother, missing Sten's quizzical glance to her, "Anyway, what I had come in for, was to talk to you all about my recent guest."
"I already know, sister." Fergus stopped her.
Kathryn's brow furrowed as she looked at her brother in question. "Morrigan had told us, and gathered us here to wait for you. We will leave immediately to avoid any trouble to you. We need to gather our allies, anyway." Fergus told his sister.
Kathryn's heart dropped, "And go where?" She shook her head, and began to pace the room. "No! You will not leave!" She told him. "They seek to kill you Fergus!" She looked up at Alistair, who dropped his head, avoiding to look at her, "Are you going to allow this? You're the senior Warden!"
"Ha!" Morrigan laughed out loud. "Alistair's been following orders from your brother from the start."
Fergus walked towards his sister, gently wrapping his hands around her forearms to stop her pacing. "Sister, please. We have to leave. If I know Howe, he will persist. The man is not stupid, he knows I would come looking for you. I promise, I will return once this is settled." Fergus told his sister.
Kathryn looked up at her brother, her hazel eyes welling with tears that she had refused to allow to fall. She shut her eyes tightly, quickly wiping the few stray tears, and looked up at him. "I can't let you go again. Not with what I had gone through when I got that message from father." She shook her head. "I beg you, please don't go."
Alistair looked up at the two siblings, almost jealous of the closeness they had. He had wished at that moment, that he was as close to his brother before Cailan had passed; but, Cailan had barely spoken to him while Alistair lived with their Uncle in Redcliffe before being sent to the Chantry. Cailan was too busy on being trained to be King, and according to Fergus, romping about with Kathryn before Cailan was married to Anora. Alistair saw the young little girl come out of Kathryn in her pleas to Fergus for them to remain in Highever. He looked at their companions, and saw they had noticed as well. Morrigan had already crossed her arms across her chest, rolling her eyes in disgust at Kathryn's moment of weakness; Leliana's face dropped in sympathy to Kathryn's pleas, and he was convinced Leliana would be ready to talk Fergus into staying. Sten stood in front of the mabari who still remained seated in front of Sten, staring up at him, as the Qunari watched the two siblings with curiosity at their relationship.
Finally, Alistair cleared his throat, and spoke up, "If I may make a suggestion?" He had to take a deep breath as he saw Kathryn look at him with sudden hope, as her brother hugged her in comfort, "We could use this as somewhat of a base? We can split up, and gather our allies. We'll be able to do that faster, anyway, and just, rally up here? Well," Alistair started to fiddle with his hands nervously as Kathryn watched him. Why was he suddenly so nervous? Maybe because he was afraid she'd kick his manhood yet again. He pushed back his anxiety, as he continued, "Well, not exactly here in the castle, but we can use the old Highever fort, can't we?"
Fergus let go of his sister, walking towards his friend, "No. I refuse to place my sister and the people of Highever in danger."
"And what of the Blight, brother? I had already sworn my men to you as allies," She looked at Alistair, smiling, "I think that's an excellent idea. You all will remain heavily supplied, I assure you."
"It's too close to Denerim. We have to stay as far away from Denerim as possible." Fergus intervened.
"I agree." Morrigan chimed in.
"We could stay at the old Fort, and since we will be busy gathering allies that will march here , it's a smart idea to stay close to the capital. Shouldn't we protect the capital above all costs against the darkspawn anyway?" Leliana asked.
"Then it is settled." Kathryn quickly stated, as she turned to walk out of the room. The mabari quickly followed her. "I will arrange for your things to be moved to the old fort first thing in the morning. We will make plans then."
"Kath-" Fergus started to follow his sister out of the room, and turned quickly to Alistair, pointing his finger at him in accusation, "When I get through talking her out of this because we will be placing my sister in danger, I will pull your heart out through your foot!" Fergus then turned to run after his sister, "Kathryn!"
Kathryn didn't turn as her brother walked up beside her. She continued to walk towards her chambers as Fergus followed. "Kathryn, you don't know what you're asking. The darkspawn can sense us, as we sense them. They will come after Alistair and I, and if that happens, that places you in danger from the blight. Even if they don't, it places you in danger of Loghain and his lackeys. If they find you harboring us, they will kill you. I will not let that happen."
Kathryn turned to her brother, "I appreciate your concern, however, Highever's men are here to protect the people. Who better to train them, than the Grey Wardens?" She smiled at her brother slightly, "I can protect myself and our people. However, you need a base of operations, do you not? A flimsy campsite along the way on the roads are not suitable enough for someone who is to gather an army against the Blight. Your army will need to know where to come to follow further instructions, and they will need to be well supplied. Ships continue to come into the harbor for our supplies from Antiva, Navarra, and Orlais. It will be convenient for your army, Fergus." She placed her hands onto his shoulders, looking up at him, "Please, believe in me, for once."
Fergus looked at his sister, "I do believe in you, but-"
"Fergus, I will follow you to the death. I have sworn my loyalty to you and your cause for the people of Ferelden. You must take drastic measures for the greater good. Now, you have a base of operations, which is your first need for an army." Kathryn told him. She turned, walking towards her desk, and took the quill pen, dipping it in ink. She quickly scribbled a message, and folded it, sealing it with her wax seal. She turned to give it to Fergus, "Have one of your companions take this to Brother Aldous at the Chantry. I will ensure that your merchant dwarf will be heavily supplied and involved in the trading as well." She turned him and began ushering him towards the door, "I must get changed to go to my training session with Ser Gilmore. And," She placed her hand on the door, ready to close it on Fergus, "I suggest you do something about disguising yourself. Brother Aldous will help you and Alistair with that. Especially Alistair," Kathryn rolled her eyes, "He looks too much like Cailan." She snipped before slamming the door in Fergus' face.
Fergus grinned for a moment at his sister's last statement. He looked down at the parchment in his hands, and turned, seeing his companions staring at him from his own chambers, waiting for orders. Alistair stepped towards him cautiously, as he stared at Kathryn's room door, "Did she say I look like Cailan?"
Fergus slapped his friend on the arm, staring at him intently, "It was just an observation." Fergus' protective side kicked in, "And she thought of Cailan as another brother."
He looked up at Leliana, "Can you head to the Chantry and take this to Brother Aldous? I will send Breean here with you," Fergus gestured to his sister's mabari hound.
Leliana smiled brightly, "Who's a good boy?" She smiled at the mabari.
The mabari looked up at her, wagging his docked tail happily, and barked. "Come on, boy!" Leliana grinned, as she walked towards the door.
The mabari barked happily, trotting after the pretty red headed rogue. "Are you sure your sister is thinking clearly, Fergus?" Morrigan asked him.
"I trust her," Fergus turned to the sultry mage, his heart leaping into his throat as she looked up at him. He swallowed the thought of how long it had been since he'd been with a woman, and cleared his throat, "Let's prepare to move to the Fort in the morning. We will also meet my sister in my father's war room in the morning to plan our movements to gather our allies."
AN - I know, it's a short chapter, and I plan on bringing Zevran into the fic in the next chapter, or the one right after that, depending on where I want to end the next chapter. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement to continue this fic. I've been thinking of it in my head, along with my other one, however this one is becoming fun to write while I'm playing DAO, yet again! I'm using an Alistair head-morph mod this play through, which is rather interesting, and I will base his "disguise" off of that, because in MY eyes, he still looks like the loveable charming dimwit that makes you laugh :) So yes, thank you! I will be posting pictures of the characters in my fic on my livejournal, which the link will be posted soon on my profile! :) Thanks again for the alert adds, and words of encouragement! Till next chapter! Don't forget to review :)