Chapter 4: By the Hilt

Thedas, Kingdom of Ferelden, Ostager

Corava

Corava slept long into the next day, not being woken by anyone. When she did open her eyes to look around, she was alone and the coat the elf had been wearing was placed over the chair. Her eyes immediately went for her weapons and armour and she threw herself out of the bed. Searching through everything and finding it all accounted for, she began to relax. Sitting on the end of her bed for what felt like an hour, she just reflected on what had happened and where she was.

Thedas, an unknown planet. There were four intelligent races and she had met and spoken in depth with a king. Something called a blight may be happening but spirits were still high. As far as she knew, she was the last Asari and she was vulnerable in a place she didn't know.

Stepping out of the tent and blocking her eyes from the bright sun, she looked around the encampment. Soldiers stood guard, people were feeding those large dogs, and the servants seemed to be milling about until they were called for. Seeing the woman that she had lent the cloak to, she made to call out but couldn't remember her name, she hadn't even asked her name. Terribly rude of me. Instead she waved out until she was seen, then the woman came over.

"Did you sleep well?" The woman asked.

"I wasn't interrupted, so yes." Their gaze met for a moment before the elf looked down. "You can look me in the eyes, I know I must be a strange sight to behold." There was a nod and then the elf looked up studying her. "Would it be possible to get some food, and some cleaning equipment for my gear?"

"O-Of course Ma'am. I'll get it to you as quick-"

"Take your time. I am not too hungry as of yet. Water would be preferable to food." Corava gave a smile and the elf nodded. "What's your name by the way?"

A little shocked at the question, it took a moment for the elf to answer. "Asharen."

"A lovely name. I am Corava, sorry for not introducing myself last night."

"I-it's fine." The elf, Asharen seemed flustered and a moment later took off.

Corava just laughed and returned to the inside of her tent where she sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands. Groaning, she remained like that until the tent flaps open. Asharen had a bucket in one hand and a mug in the other.

"For cleaning and drinking." Asharen spoke softly.

"Thank you. Will you remain here, tell me where you're from and what it's like under human rule?" She wasn't surprised when Asharen chose to stay as she had posed a question. Based on what she recalled from the previous night some of the soldiers could get a little handsy.

As Corava set about cleaning her armour, she listened to Asharen talk and found out a few things. Elves now lived within or nearby human settlements in places called alienages, segregated and often locked off from the human parts if violence or disease breaks out. The elves were typically left to fend for themselves while the more well off humans ignored and waited for whatever it was to pass.

Asharen spoke gently and at length too, saying that although elves could move into human parts, many often returned due to bullying and theft or property, often involving violence by a group of humans. Though there were those who got lucky and became servants for nobles or wealthier common families, some even living in a small room of a large house or manner, until they aggravated their masters or did something wrong. Sometimes it was just a simple bad mood and the elf would return, often beaten.

Denerim housed the largest alienage in Ferelden, which was where Asharen was from and would return to upon the conclusion of the war. She was hoping to impress a noble, or even the king himself with her attitude and swiftness in getting tasks done upon coming to Ostagar. But since then she often sought peace thanks to the soldiers actions.

To Corava it sounded like the elves who Cailan had said were the masters of Thedas, were now just a little above slavery. Something that bothered her greatly. Sure, Ilium had indentured servants, but never slavery, though she refused to accept the difference and hated whenever she went to that planet.

Asking Asharen about her family and friends, the elf filled her in on that too. A mother and father who had come down, along with a sister and two brothers. One brother had become a hunter while the other was a servant like her. Asharen's sister though had been claimed by a nobleman and was usually gone for days at a time before returning sore and used, just wanting to be left alone. That's when Corava gave a growl.

"If one of them ever takes it too far with you, let me know. I have no problem breaking their nose and fingers." Asharen, frozen for a moment, began to giggle and smile.

"You'd be assaulted in response, but thank you for the offer." A bittersweet smile on her face.

For the rest of the day Corava took up Asharen's time, even if they were sitting in silence she was giving the elf a break. Whenever someone called though, she would leave to help and then return, coming and going every twenty minutes or so, but always she returned.

It continued like that for a few days as Corava continued to recover and learn. During that time she would ask both Asharen and her fellow servants questions, often finding herself surrounded by a servant or two. Soldiers and well dressed men glared at her only for Corava to give them a pleasant smile in return. She had been seen with King Cailan more than once, talking and sometimes sharing a simple laugh, though they were mostly learning of one another. Corava about Ferelden and its politics, Cailan about the other species and of what he learned was the Milky Way galaxy. She couldn't very well be touched so was mostly ignored, even as she walked through the parts of the camp she was allowed to go to.

Being barred from the warden's area, she had explored the layout of the fortress and its battlements several times over those days. Stretching her legs and finding different and beautiful spots amongst the ruins to simply meditate, or to perform stretches and do some light exercise.

Cailan too would request her measurements be taken for some reason, as well as have her hold several swords until she found a hilt she liked the feel of. He would cave upon her questioning him though, he was having a blade made for her, as well as some armour. It was a kindness she hadn't expected, and being made at the king's request she was sure it was going to be wellmade.

It was on her fifth day after crash landing on Thedas that she went to Cailan's tent one morning as the sun barely started to rise. She told one of the guards to wake the king as she needed to speak with him urgently. She would wait patiently outside, dressed in a simple attire that was padded pants with boots. A padded jacket too with thick gloves. When Cailan appeared in an alert and almost worried state, Corava just smirked.

"I think it's time you show me what you can do with a sword, King Cailan."

"Oh ho! Guards, collect myself and my guest here a practice sword and shield." He ordered.

"No shield for me." Corava called after the two that started heading to fetch the items.

Cailan gave her a look and went to change into something padded himself. Corava just walked a few steps away, looking about and waiting for the guards to return.

Taking one of the wooden swords, she would give it a few swirls to get a feel for it before going over a few training patterns to refresh her memory. It wasn't until she heard a whistle that she realised Cailan was watching. I'm getting too comfortable. She thought, though realised it could be that hyperfocus on swordplay coming to the surface again.

"Seems like you remember how to hold and move a blade easily enough. Let's see if you can still spar after?" Corava knew what he was asking and smirked.

"Let's call it three years" She answered, falling in behind Cailan and following until they got to the sparring ground.

There were many people at the training area, soldiers and knights, nobles and gamblers. Hmm, something I could get in on myself. She knew she would need money, and if gambling was her way to open the door to getting herself a fair amount she was eager, though didn't have a lot to trade.

"King Cailan! You're going to train today?" A knight asked, walking up with somewhat heavy armour. Not nearly as heavily plated as Cailan's or Loghain's, but still with a lot of protection.

"More of a sparring match. My guest here believes that she can best me in combat." There was some chuckling from those gathering to watch their king do battle against a strange creature.

"I would bet on you any day, Your Majesty." The knight bowed and as he did, Corava whistled.

"I'll take those odds. What's the wager?"

The knight looked to Corava and then back to the king. "Ten gold says King Cailan beats you."

"Ten gold… alright then." She looked at Cailan and smiled. "Anyone else want to bet against me? I'll match your bets." She declared, getting a few more people talking and throwing out numbers of their own.

Sharing a look with Cailan, she knew what he was thinking. She didn't have any gold to give if she lost, meaning she was either overconfident and about to be in trouble, or she was sure she was going to win this sparring match.

Once all the bets were placed, the knight counted down the two combatants and the match began. Cailan moved in quickly, a heavy arcing blow that Corava ducked before darting forwards, thrusting her blade at his chest thinking it was all too easy, only for the King to block and counter attack.

Cutting his attack short and pulling the blade close to his body, Cailan glanced her strike off to his right, turning Corava's body to follow the momentum. Feeling a heavy slam into her back, she went with it, tucking and rolling, hearing the wind from a slash that had followed the shield bash.

Getting to her feet and turning on him, there were cheers from the men and women watching. Surprised by his skill, Corava turned to observation in hopes of studying his movements. Not bad for a human. Twirling her blade in her hand, she would let Cailan come again.

Parries and dodges, Corava remained out of reach of the king, examining his footwork and trying to test his stamina. She would throw her own brief counter attacks in, probing his defence and keeping him on guard.

Some booing started to occur when it seemed like she was just avoiding him, so the next time Cailan stepped back from failing to strike her with a combination of thrusts and slashes, Corava followed him. Her first blow was heavy, connecting with Cailan's shield before she saw another horizontal slash coming. Ducking below the strike, she gripped her sword with two hands and started standing, powering herself towards the strike of Cailan's. Meeting his return strike and forcing it upwards, her eyes would flick to his. Winking at him, she would feel the resistance against her foot as she kicked the king in the back of his knee.

Falling to one knee, Cailan brought his shield back only for Corava to strike it away. She was going in for the killing blow as Cailan moved his sword in the way and let Corava's strike flow down to his right. He followed up with another slash as his arm was freed up. Not bad, good. Corava thought as she removed her right hand from the blade to catch Cailan's wrist, halting his strike just as he started.

Tapping the back of his neck with the sword she held in her left hand, Corava grinned. "Looks like I win the first round, King Cailan." She teased, letting his hand go and stepping back.

There were most whispers of disbelief as Cailan got back to his feet, a little sweat on his brow. "Fair is fair. Those who bet, hand your gold over to Elric." Grumbling from those who just lost a fair bit of money had Corava and others laughing. "Lucky you won, what were you going to pay them if you lost?"

"Well, men are easy to please." That made Cailan's cheeks darken just a fraction. "I was going to ask for a loan, potentially putting myself in your service until I had paid off the debt." She answered honestly.

"Maker, I would have accepted your offer most likely, even if it was just for your knowledge, given you're not lying. Not that I can prove anything. But your stories are intriguing at least." A simple signal from him had a servant bring them both over a drink.

"And now that I've won, shown you my skills?" She asked.

"I would pay you better, not only for good stories and information, but for being a good protector." He looked at her as they both took a break.

"Let me think about it over the next few days. I don't want to swear any oaths in case one of my people finds me. I would hate to be tied here until you release me from it."

"A fair point, I shall think too on the conditions if I make you such an offer then. But for now, how about you teach me some of your skills?" Cailan hinted.

"Give me the day to properly familiarise myself with a sword in my hand again, and I'll show you a thing or two. Something from a different species perhaps, one that moves differently from humans, or just a little awkwardly."

Cailan was clearly interested and with a quick nod of agreement, the duo started training again. For the most part it was less sparring but more going over patterns and sword drills, making sure Corava covered off things that she had learned on and off over her more than a century of swordplay. Cailain would pick up a small thing or two himself though, and throughout the day with more sparring sessions, he found himself the victor more than a couple of times.

As the sun began to set and the ruined fortress' structures began to cast long shadows, they called it a day. From the betting, Corava had made a total of just over eighty gold, mostly from the nobles and knights who had bet on their king during their first match.

Walking back towards Cailan's tent, drenched in sweat and with sore hands and aching muscles, the human and Asari were in high spirits. A runner approached them both and bowed, looked startled and a little scared upon Corava's appearance.

"My King, Fergus Cousland, son of Teryn Bryce Cousland, has arrived with troops from Highever."

"Excellent! Have his men feed and have Fergus come to my tent. I wish to catch him up to speed. Corava, would you like to join us?" Cailan's offer was appreciated, but she had other ideas.

"You will have to excuse me, King Cailan. But I would rather not be there to… distract from the information you impart to him. And this way you don't have to worry too much about what you say." She gave a small bow.

"Very well. I shall inform him of your appearance so he is not startled upon seeing you around. Do you wish anything brought to your tent?"

"A bucket of warm water to clean myself with, and a large meal. If you would be so kind."

"Done, I'll have those brought to your tent. The usual servant?" He asked with a studious look.

What are you thinking? "Yes, she has informed me a lot about her people and their conditions. I would like to hear more."

"Very well. I will see you tomorrow perhaps, though I don't think I'll be doing any more training." He chuckled and departed for his tent, no doubt going to clean himself and appear more regal for one of his key vassals.

Corava for her part cleaned up quickly and once Asharen brought the food in, she asked the elf to take a seat and help herself. She explained as repayment for teaching her so much about the elves in Ferelden. Asharen would eventually ask Corava what she was and the Asari let her know a little. Building up some trust with the servants, she figured she might one day be able to hear a few of their secrets they might have overheard.

So the next few days went by with Corava training with and sparring against many of the members of Cailan's noble friends and his knights. Her skill with the blade only grew with each passing day as she refamiliarised herself with her past teachings. It was clear that she was one of the best sword wielders in the encampment. At least until news of the Grey Warden's Ferelden leader has returned.