Kaillen retired early that night, although dinner really did take a lot of out of her. Talking with Duncan was really intriguing as the man showed a lot of interest towards things like politics, he was happy to talk about his life as a grey warden which in turn, Kaillen showed a great interest too.

"For some reason I think these covers feel so much softer than usual." Kaillen muttered as she closed her eyes.

Kernan had followed Kaillen as he lay on the floor to sleep, his paws laying the foundation of what he slept upon

/

It wasn't until late that night that Kaillen was awoken by Kernan's barking. She got out of bed and wondered what was going on.

"Kernan…What's going on…" Kaillen muttered, the Mabari was still growling at the door.

Kaillen, now fully awake, reached for her swords and daggers and strapped them on quickly. Whatever Kernan was worried about, it wasn't good. Almost immediately a servant opened the door hastily and was in full terror.

"My Lady, Please help me!" He screamed. Kaillen lunged forward to drag him out of the way as an arrow flew past and embedded itself into the wall behind them. Kernan had lunged forward to attack the intruder.

"Get yourself to safety!" Kaillen yelled before charging in. She had no armor but the situation called for dealing with the intruders first.

Outside there were several armored men attacking, two with swords the other with a bow. Kaillen quickly lunged forward to disarm the first warrior, easy enough since he underestimated her. She caught a glimpse of the shield before Kernan had lunged at the archer and bite apart the bow easily. As Kaillen was distracted with the other warrior the first warrior had risen again to attack her. She turned around just in time to see an arrow fly into the warriors head and knock him away.

"Mother!" Kaillen yelled as she turned to the doorway to the hall. There, Eleanor was posed with a bow another arrow in hand.
"Kaillen are you alright?!" She asked as she ran close to her daughter to check if she was alright.

"Yes mother I'm fine. But these men! There…" She trailed off, there was no way they could be Arl Howe's men… right?

Eleanor bite her lip nervously. "I'm afraid they are dear. Get dressed, quickly!" She hurried Kaillen to get armored.

Kaillen quickly put on her best armor, grabbing her pack and filling it with whatever she needed. A strange sensation told her that she would need it.

A creeping feeling suddenly settled within Kaillen. Almost immediately she bolted towards the door to the end of the hall, her mother, realizing her intentions followed her face a mix of fear and concern. But it was already too late. Kaillen ripped open the door only to find Orianna and Oren lying on the floor. Dead. Kaillen barely had time to register her next thoughts. They will PAY for their treachery. A voice in her head growled.

"Oren! Oh Maker, Orianna…." Eleanor covered her mouth as a few tears slid down her cheeks.

Kaillen grimaced at the sight, biting her lip and swearing to avenge them for Fergus. "Mother…" She began. But Eleanor shook her head. "I\m fine Kaillen." She wouldn't turn to face her, only getting up silently and walking towards the door. Kaillen heard her mother muttering something along the lines of "He will pay." Before Kaillen and Kernan ran to catch up with her.

They quickly twisted down corridors and fought off many of the Arl's men, they had stopped at the treasury to retrieve the Cousland family sword (Thank the maker it was still there). Eleanor decided it would be best for Kaillen to wield it, the sharp edge with the Couslands family crest.

"Where to now mother?" Kaillen yelled over the roars of the fires. The men had set fire to the castle in various places, the fire wasn't really spreading but it was still enough to block several of their paths. The more carnage Eleanor saw, the more she looked paler and out of place.

"There not even taking hostages…" she muttered before looking up at Kaillen. Kaillen wasn't sure what to say to her, the carnage to her was horrifying, yes but she had to maintain a strong outlook. This wasn't the time for the sarcastic noble. This was the cold rogue. The one who was going to tear Arl Howe apart herself.

"We need to find your father." Eleanor replied firmly after a pause. With this slaughter, he should be in the escape route in the servant's larder!

"Then what are we waiting for! Let's go!" Kaillen yelled over the flames beginning in a fast paced dash towards the kitchen.

"You can't save him. Why not just save yourself?" A strange voice rang out. Kaillen couldn't even think through the fighting but managed out a "what?" within her mind.

"Don't want too? That's fine…That's fine…As long as you know what you want." The voice soon receded, leaving only a confused rogue in its wake, but this was no time to think about that.

Kaillen ran through the main halls, and found Ser Gilmore, he was holding back the door with a few others.

"Ser Gilmore!" She yelled out.

He turned to look at her, "My lady, Please! YOU MUST GET OUT OF HERE." He yelled.

"Come with us!" She yelled over the fire, but he shook his head sadly. "My job. Is too protect you, milady, so long as you live it's my job to protect you, even if it means my life." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "Atleast this way. I can atone for her, and I can see her again." He muttered, whispering the last part to himself.

"Daniella wouldn't want this Ser Gilmore!" She tried causing the Knight to momentarily flinch at the name.

"Kaillen, we have to hurry!" Eleanor tried, understanding Ser Gilmore's intent.

She bit her lip causing it to bleed, then turned and ran. She wouldn't cry. A Cousland isn't supposed to cry. They were strong. They rounded more corners, reaching the servants larder, there they found Bryce, covered in blood and dying.

"Dying…? No way…." Kaillen thought. She ran to his side and Eleanor to his other.

"Pup….You must…" Another explosion, a yell of, "They've broken through the gates!" and a sick feeling settled within Kaillen. Ser Gilmore would've, he…

"Teyrn Cousland." A voice rang out from the door way, It was Duncan, his blades covered in blood and armor the same, but his face was still calm, noble, calculating.

"Father! Please! Hang on!" Kaillen sobbed at his side.

Bryce reached his free hand up to Kaillen's face. "Kaillen it's… already too…late…" he gasped out.

"Hush Bryce! We can get you healing magic, get you out of here!" Eleanor tried, but Bryce shook his head.

"My lady I'm afraid it's already too late for the Teyrn," Causing Eleanor to shake her head at the truth.

"No…!" she cried out, bringing him closer into her arms.

"My wife and child….Please! You must bring them to safety!" Bryce gasped out, reaching towards Duncan.

"My lord…what has happened here is related to the evil now lurking the world." Duncan began, kneeling. "I will do as you ask, provided if I may ask for something in return."

"Anything….!" Bryce strangled out.

"I came here seeking a recruit, the blight demands I leave with one." Duncan replied, his stare now moving to Kaillen. She registered what he had meant, turning to face Duncan then to Bryce.

"Yes….I will do this!" Kaillen replied firmly, "and make Arl Howe pay!" she added in her thoughts.

"….Darling." Eleanor's voice cut through the conversation. "Go with Duncan." Causing Kaillens eyes to widen. "But mother!"

"Go! You'll have a better chance to escape without me!" Eleanor was resting Bryce's head on her lap now. Her voice was firm, her eyes sad.

Kaillen's eyes welled up with tears. No! She rubbed her face to rid them. Duncan stood, another explosion rang out.

"Pup…" Bryce's voice called gently, "Tell Fergus and Brendan what has happened. Find them..."

Kaillen kept nodding and stood when Duncan offered his hand.

"I love you both so much…!" She sobbed.

"then live darling for the both of us…" Eleanor replied, taking Bryce's hand. "I'll shoot every bastard who comes through that door to buy you all any time!"

Duncan turned to the door, "Let's go! We don't have much time!"

Kaillen ran alongside Duncan, though the exit, not looking back once. She couldn't, if she did, it would've been bad. The tears were welling up in her eyes, she didn't brush them away. She bit her lip again causing the taste of blood to go through.

"…Your strong, Kaillen." Duncan said to her softly.

Kaillen wasn't paying any attention, her blue eyes now seemed fragile as glass and distant. A flicker returned to her eyes and sparked something within her. She frowned then looked towards the exit with a determined face.

"Ill make him pay. For vengeance ill live on…"

/

The fires kept raging on. A lone girl stood in the main hall, assessing the situation. Her white hair was neatly tied into a pony tail, trailing off to the side. She was wearing a simple leather jacket with two crisscrossing belts with pockets; to her side she wielded two wicked swords and in her hands was a long wooden staff.

"Most are all dead…" She muttered, and then turned her gaze to a fallen Knight.

"Ah still alive are we?" She walked over to him and turned him around; his armor was matted with blood. The girl kneeled and put her hands over him.

"This should help you." Her hands glowed, the knights eyes began to flutter.

"Who…?" He choked out.

"It's fine… You're alright now." She replied, "Your name?"

"I'm…Ser Gilmore…" He replied his head spinning. The name seemed to shock the girl a little.

"I see. So you're Lady Da-… Well then. Shall we get out of here together?" The girl replied smiling. Her voice was becoming more slurred to him and he soon passed out.

Two men soon found their way into the room. One had the simple leather armor and two swords on his back, the other was wearing a full on a blue lined top, with matching black pants, he had a belt with a pocket on the side but didn't carry any weapons.

"Ah there you! We've been looking all over for you! Really now, don't leave us like that!" The man with the blue lined top stated with relief.

"Amell, you worry too much... This is Maria were talking about!" The other one replied rolling his eyes.

"Amell, Tabris… Were too late!" Maria muttered.

Amell seemed to wince at her words. "Shes going to have our necks." Tabris could only nod in unison with him.

"At least we saved this knight." He replied as he moved to help Maria.

"Yes… let's go now… back to Denerim to report." Maria muttered as Tabris and Amell supported Ser Gilmore.

"What should we do with him?" Amell replied gesturing to Ser Gilmore.

"Ummm." Maria thought for a moment. "Ah! Lets take him to Ostagar! We need to stop there for a moment anyhow."

Amell could only sigh. "Right then. I guess were carrying this Knight all the way there." He muttered.

"Yes, what are you going to do? Let the little girl carry him?" Tabris shot back rolling his eyes at Amell's comment. "I thought you were the smart one."

"I am. Just the lazy one too." He replied as if that was a compliment to him.

"Come on, we've got ways to go still!" Maria laughed as she drew her staff. She quickly waved the staff causing the air to ripple and them to disappear.

"Wow.. When'd you perfect that move?" Amell asked whistling his surprise.

"Just now!" Maria chirped happily leading the way out.

"Geniuses…" Tabris muttered, shaking his head.