Chapter 4

It was early morning and Nate sat in the crow's-nest, his favorite spot, and surveyed the horizon. It was a beautiful, calm day. Gentle waves rocked the ship and seagulls dove at the ocean, crying out when they missed their target. The port at Amaranthine should come into view later that day and Nate's mind was absorbed with planning. The more he thought about his father, the greater his need for vengeance.

Travis woke as the sun brightened the hold. He wandered to the food and water that was set up and had a small breakfast. He couldn't understand how Nate could enjoy sea travel and he was looking forward to being on solid ground again. He hoped Nate was wrong and he could start training as a Grey Warden.

Finally, in the mid afternoon, the shout of "Land Ho!" was heard from above. The entire hold resounded with the cheers of the weary travelers. It took a few more hours before the ship docked. Nate and Travis disembarked onto the wharf and looked around. It was early evening and the Amaranthine port was starting to close down for the night, so Nate took Travis to the Crown and Lion Inn to treat him to a hot dinner and a comfortable bed.

The Inn was bustling with dinner traffic and by the time they finally got a room and a table, they were both starving. While they waited for their food, Nate scanned the Inn's patrons, looking for any familiar faces. It had been seven years since he left and a lot had changed. The Blight had increased the population of Amaranthine to bursting and Nate didn't see anyone he knew.

When the waitress brought their meals, Nate asked, "What's the latest gossip?"

"Well," she answered, "Grey Wardens from Orlais are at the Keep to train new recruits, they still need workers to help in the rebuilding of Denerim, and apparently there was a Cousland still alive after the slaughter at Highever. I heard he's been named Teyrn."

"What about the Hero?" Nate asked, trying to sound casual.

"She's supposed to be in charge up at the Keep, but no one has seen her. The nobles are getting a bit restless, there have been rumors of attacks by darkspawn on some of the farmlands and they want answers," she looked at Nate, "I have other tables to wait on, so I can't chat any further," and she walked away.

Nate sat quietly, eating his meal and thinking about the information he had learned. Finally he made a decision, "In the morning, let's head to the marketplace and see if we can find jobs," Nate said. He hoped that he could get more information from the business owners.

"But, I want to go to Vigil's Keep." Travis said stubbornly.

"Yeah, I know. We will, but you don't want to rush into anything." Nate persuaded. "Besides, we can find out better from a smithy what the status up at the Keep is."

"Alright." Travis yawned.

Nate smiled at his young friend, "Right now, let's head to our room and get some sleep."

Nate wasn't sure how he was going to take care of Travis and avenge his father, but he was sure he needed better armor, equipment and information.

...

The morning dawned overcast and gloomy. Nate and Travis ate their breakfast and ventured into the city. Nate was amazed at how little had changed. They wended their way through the streets towards the marketplace. It started to rain as they looked for an armor smith's shop.

The rain was keeping people indoors, so Nate wasn't able to get any information on the streets. He spotted the sign for the armor smith and opened the door.

"Welcome," a man said, approaching them, "I am Albert, owner of this shop. How may I assist you?"

"I'm Nate and this is Travis. He's looking for work." Nate said and shook the man's hand.

"Well, I hadn't thought about taking on an apprentice, but with the Wardens moving into the keep, I may have more work than I can handle," he said musing.

"I have a letter from Umberto in Antiva." Travis said.

An attractive young woman entered the shop from the back room. "What's going on, Albert?" she asked looking at Nate and Travis curiously.

Albert smiled and said, "Well, this young lad is looking for an apprenticeship..."

"Nathaniel?" The woman exclaimed, startled.

"Yes, I am, but...Delilah?" the two hugged while Travis and Albert looked on confused.

"Well, I guess you know him." Albert said.

"Albert, this is my older brother Nathaniel. Nate this is my husband, Albert," she introduced.

"Brother? You mean the one that went north to the Free Marches?" he asked as he shook his hand again.

"You two are married?" Nate asked, then sighed, "I've heard some strange rumors about father, so I came back. This is Travis, my friend."

"Let's go into the house. You can close the shop for a little while, can't you?" Delilah asked.

"Sure." Albert responded, locking the shop's door.

They settled at the kitchen table and Nate looked at Delilah. "What is going on? Tell me everything you know."

Delilah looked at him. "You've been gone for so long, Nate. Where do I begin?"

"Start with you. When did you get married? I thought Father was trying to push you onto Fergus Cousland?" he asked.

She took a deep breath, "Albert and I have been married for almost two years. Fergus got married shortly after you left. He married a sweet lady from Orlais and had a little boy. I think he was five."

"Was?" Nate interjected.

"Father got very power hungry Nate. He started meeting with Teyrn Loghain MacTir and spending more time in Denerim. He got so angry with me when I fell in love with Albert and got married, that he practically disowned me," she said sadly.

"What about Thomas?" Nate asked.

"Thomas became one of Father's knights," she responded.

"But, Thomas didn't like fighting. He was a skilled weapon craftsman and wanted to go to Orzammar to study with the dwarves." Nate exclaimed.

"Well, Father wouldn't hear of it and Thomas wanted Father's approval so badly that he agreed to stay. I got into an argument with Thomas about it and I haven't heard from him since," she said sadly.

"What about the rumors that father turned traitor?" Nate asked.

Delilah looked at the table and Albert squeezed her hand with his. "Father had his army attack Highever castle and kill everyone." Tears cascaded down her cheeks. "There were no survivors, Nate. Even the women and children were killed."

Nate looked at her in astonishment.

Delilah said quietly, "When King Cailen died at Ostagar, Loghain proclaimed himself regent and Father became the most powerful man in Ferelden. He boasted the titles of Teyrn of Highever, Arl of Amaranthine and Arl of Denerim. " She looked into Nate's eyes. "He went crazy with power. He did terrible things during the Blight."

"I don't believe you. Father must have had a reason to do these things." Nate said stubbornly. "I'm going to confront this Hero that killed him. "

"Oh, Nate. Can't I change your mind?" Delilah asked concerned.

"No." Nate rose. Travis watched his friend, concerned.

Albert looked at Travis and said quietly, "What are your plans, Travis?"

"I had wanted to become a Warden, but..." he said sadly, looking at his angry friend.

"You can work for me." Albert decided. "We have a spare room that you can have as long as you want."

Nate looked at Albert, "Thank you. I appreciate that." He looked at Travis and said, "You stay here and build your life."

"But..." Travis said as Nate turned his back and walked out the door.

Delilah ran to catch him. "Brother, listen to me. Don't throw your life away. Father wasn't the man you knew."

"It doesn't matter. He was my father. As the oldest, it is my responsibility to avenge him," he gave her a quick hug and hurried away.

...

Beth surveyed the infirmary, the survivors had been straggling in all evening and Anders was showing signs of fatigue. She approached him and said, "Why don't you go rest? You've done a good job, but I don't need you becoming a patient."

He smiled at her, "I'll sleep here in case someone needs me during the night. What are you going to do?"

She sighed, "I'm going to check up on the others and make sure we're free of the darkspawn."

"Don't you forget to rest too, Commander," he said.

She nodded and walked out of the infirmary. The rain was steady and she hurried over to the soldiers barracks and entered building. The place was a shambles, beds overturned, doors barely hanging on hinges and holes in walls. Beth shook her head at the destruction. Ohgren and Dworkin were at the far end of the room.

"Quite a mess, eh Warden?" Ohgren asked moving a bed out of the way. "It's gonna take a lot of hard work to get this place back into working order."

"Yes, it will." Beth replied. "The Queen was supposed to be sending recruits for me to test. I hope they are still on their way." She watched as Dworkin tried to upright a set of bunks. "Don't worry about that now, Dworkin. Go get some sleep and we'll tackle this in the morning."

Dworkin nodded, turned to Ohgren and said, "I have some ale in the servants quarters if you want to join me."

Ohgren grinned, "I won't turn that down." He nodded to Beth, "Warden."

"Goodnight you two." Beth responded watching them leave.

She took one more look around the barracks and left. She spotted Margaret and Fenton in the courtyard. They were hurrying towards the main building. She followed them into the main hall.

"What's the situation?" Beth asked.

"We took care of a few darkspawn, but there don't seem to be anymore." Fenton replied and looked at the two women. "I'll take first watch. You two should rest since you've been traveling all day."

Margaret looked at him gratefully and Beth nodded, "Thank you, Fenton." The two women headed towards the living quarters. Fenton hesitated then headed towards the dining hall.

...

The gloomy day turned into a stormy night as Nate guided the horse he bought towards the keep. He approached the outer stone walls and got off the horse tying it to a tree. Using the darkness of the night, he worked his way inside. 'No guards?' he thought, 'That's mighty suspicious,' he headed towards a door into the kitchen. The door was not locked and as he opened it he was shocked at the state of the room. A battle had been fought here, but not that recently. As he reached the other door, it opened and a soldier stood there. Nate went for a small dagger he kept at his waist, but the soldier was faster with his sword.

"Hold it right there. Are you friend or foe?" Fenton asked.

"Depends." Nate answered. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one putting you in a cell until you tell me what you are here for, or until the Warden-Commander is awake to decide your fate," Fenton replied grabbing Nate's dagger.

Nate shrugged and allowed himself to be taken to the dungeon, where there were a few barred cells. The soldier put him in one and locked it. Nate looked around the bare cell. 'I hope this works,' he thought.

...

Beth was up at her usual pre-dawn hour. She had rested on the battlements, leaning against a tower. She couldn't sleep in a room, she felt too confined. She descended the stairs, Bear trotted along with her, occasionally stopping to sniff the air. Beth walked into the courtyard and surveyed the pile of arms that had been collected. Selecting a decent looking bow and a quiver full of arrows, she walked out of the keep towards the forest. Bear excitedly began tracking for her. Beth heard the snort of a horse and looking around spotted one tied to a tree. Curious, she went up to the animal and stroking its neck, looked it over. Beth decided to take it with her. Bear quickly scented out a deer and Beth's expert shot brought the animal down quickly. She slung the carcass over the horse and walked back to the castle. Inside the keep, she put the horse into the only stall still standing in the stable and gave it fresh water and hay. Beth slung the deer over her back, made her way into the kitchen and began working.

Sunlight shone into Margaret's room and she sat up. It had been a pleasant change to sleep in an actual bed. She got up, dressed and decided to see if there was any food in the destroyed kitchen. When she opened the door to the kitchen, she was amazed. The kitchen was clean and arranged for a meal. The warden was standing by the fire stirring something in a pot. The smell was delicious and Margaret's mouth began to water. Bear was curled up at the fire happily gnawing on a large bone.

Ohgren looked up from his bowl and said, "Morning. The Warden makes the best Ferelden stew you've ever tasted. Come and eat."

Margaret sat down and Beth set a bowl of stew in front of her. She took a tentative taste, letting the savory meat and spices fill her mouth. "This is wonderful," she said as she ate.

Beth moved the pot, so the stew wouldn't burn and sat down herself. It wasn't long before Dworkin, Anders and Varel joined them. Beth watched as these new companions enjoyed the breakfast. Anders took several bowls of stew back to the dozen injured men they had found.

Fenton came in from the outside door and said, "Warden-Commander, I caught a thief during the night. He's in a cell in the dungeon."

"That must have been his horse I found this morning," Beth mused out loud. "Sit down and eat, Fenton, then you can go rest. I'll take care of your prisoner. Margaret, Ohgren and Dworkin, please start repairing the barracks."

"Yes, Commander," they all said and headed out to their assignments.