Chapter 3: Betrayal of Howe
Date still unknown. Approximate date is April 10th, 900 A.D. 1300 hours(military Calendar)/ Ferelden, Cousland Estate.
I walked the estate in my usual Battle armor and saw several soldiers walk by. Each stood straight and saluted. And I saluted back. Funny how after just a few short weeks, we practically got everyone who's military to act like soldiers of the U.S. Army. I walked up to the door that led to where Teryn Bryce was meeting another Teryn. I quickly stood straight and saluted as Aedan walked up as well. "Michael, no need to salute, you're my brother now remember?" Aedan asked.
"Right, sorry. Just used to the chain of command is all. I liked being the Presidents son in the Army, following orders like the ordinary trooper," I said.
"Not anymore. Now you give the orders and you're a noble," Aedan said.
"Great, now I just don't give orders to a handful of people, I give orders to a bunch of people, great," I said.
"You alright?" Aedan asked.
"Not really. It's been four months now since we were sent back in time. I've practically forgotten what it was like back then or later or… you know what I mean. I've worked with nothing but my hands and what I had on hand, and I got to say… I cant believe I'd do anything else," I said.
"Um, in my language?" Aedan joked.
"I mean I hope the army never comes for me. I could stay here forever," I said.
"That forever may be short lived. The Darkspawn remember?" he said.
"Darkspawn, smark spawn. They come this way, we'll waste them before they get close," I said.
"Good, remind me to have some cotton in my ears," Aedan said. We walked into the chamber and saw Teryn Bryce talking to Teryn Howe.
"Ah good to see you again pup," Bryce said.
"Yes the young champion. Hoping to pass us in the field of battle?" Howe asked.
"No, just fighting the good fight," he said.
"You know my daughter was talking about you, Michael," Howe said.
"Great, I'm barely in this ti-, country I mean, for four months and I'm already being hit on by ladies in waiting?" I asked.
"Yes, I think I may have to bring her next time so the two of you can meet," Howe said.
"Hey chief! Did I just-?" Jake said over the radio.
"What was that?" Howe asked.
"Oh, sorry. In my country we're still working on a new way of communication. We call them… walkie talkies. Cause with them we are capable to communicate with our forces with ease," I said.
"Tell me what is your country's name?" Howe asked.
"The United States. Our ship took some heavy damage and we barely made it to Ferelden before the damn thing sunk. Sadly with all of our navigation charts as well. Plus we were also exiled," I said.
"Hey where's my wrench? Joseph! Where the hell did you put the wrench?" Old Man shouted. I turned the radio's volume down this time as to not freak out Teryn Howe any more.
"What were the charges?" Howe asked.
"Dereliction of duty… and desertion. Well the desertion was for a couple of my men while I was charged with insubordination," I said.
"I understand desertion and dereliction of duty but what is insubordination?" Howe asked.
"Basically I punched my commanding officer and disobeyed direct orders," I said. We didn't want anyone else to know we from a different time period so we just came up with bull crap stories as to who we were and why we were in Ferelden. didn't want to be burned at the stake and labeled worshippers of… whatever passes for the devil around here.
"Ah well hope you don't do that around here. Especially now with the Darkspawn out and about," Howe said.
"No need to worry sir. The Teryn's already got that covered. Plus with the Darkspawn rapidly approaching, I'd rather not end up outside the Castle with no reinforcements," I said. I noticed a guard run up and whisper into Bryce's ear.
"Ah seems as though we've got unexpected company," Bryce said.
"Who?" Aedan asked.
"A Grey Warden believe it or not. I'm not sure which one it is though," Bryce said. Grey Warden? Here? Man, this just keeps getting better, I thought.
"Forgive my intrusion Teryn Bryce but I need to talk to you," said the Grey Warden.
"Of course Duncan. what do you need?" Bryce asked.
"Sire as you know, Grey Wardens numbers in Ferelden are just too few. I've come looking for new recruits," Duncan said.
"Well, Ser Gilmore should make a fine recruit though I'm not sure if anyone else would," Bryce said.
"What of your sons? Aedan and Michael for instance," Duncan said.
"Aedan, no. but Michael, it's his decision," Bryce said.
"Why are you just allowing to go and not giving Aedan a chance sir?" I asked.
"Because I'm already sending, now two if you decide to go, one son off the fight the Darkspawn. I'm losing all three to the war. Not unless Duncan invokes the right of conscription," Bryce said.
"While this war calls for the need for more Wardens, I will not invoke the right unless absolutely necessary," Duncan said.
"Huh, you get to stay out the war a little longer bro. lucky you. Sorry Father but I will sign up for the Grey Wardens. Sounds they need every recruit they can get their hands on," I said.
"I will not stop you my son. I hope you will your family proud," Bryce said. Family, still cant believe I'm technically a noble, I thought.
"Thank you father. I better inform my troops as well though," I said.
"Take your time, I don't plan on heading back to Ostagar until morning," Duncan said.
"Yes sir," I said. I left and went to my troops. Joseph was watching some new troops training hard against Old Man and Javie. "Joseph, what's going on?" I asked.
"Javie and Old Man are testing some of the fresh meat. especially since most of our trained troops are going to that fortress south of here. God I can't believe it was only a few months ago when we all thought that Grey Warden stuff was bullshit. Now, we're standing in the middle of future ruin and in the middle of one of the biggest fucking wars next to World War One!" Joseph said.
"Hey hate to burst your bubble man but World War One paled in comparison to the first Blight remember?" I asked.
"Whatever chief. Point is, well we're pretty screwed. All we got to defend the area are these guys, and they're greener than grass," Joseph said.
"What?" Aedan asked.
"It's an expression from where we come from. Basically means these guys are just rookies with no combat experience unless they have the right skills and training, I wouldn't want them to be defending a piece of cheese, let alone a whole damn area such as Highever. So unfortunately looks like you'll have your hands full troops. At dawn I'm off to Ostagar, I'm finally going to be a Grey Warden. Ah if only the whole of the U.S. Army and my father could see this. Then I could really have some fun," I said.
"What's so fun about joining an order where you fight Darkspawn your whole life?" Joseph asked.
"Well I give up my old identity and can draft any one to the cause without anyone's permission. But not without incident mind you. But the Army can't exactly do shit about it," I said.
"I'm sorry but could you put it in small rookie terms?" Joseph asked.
"Basically I quit the Army without the hassle of paper work and they cant say shit about," I simply said.
"Ah thank you," Joseph said. A young female elf, dressed in elegant attire, walked by following a visiting noble woman and noble man.
"Hey Aedan there she is," I said.
"Huh?" he asked lying.
"You know. Iona. She totally likes you, trust me when I say don't let her end up with some wimpy soldier," I said.
"Okay. I'll be back," he said. Aedan went off and left me, Joseph, Old man, Javie and the recruits.
"Hey where's Jason and Jake?" I asked.
"Off some where's else in the castle. Hope they don't break anything. Hate to end up paying for it. I just got paid too," Javie said.
"Don't worry we didn't do such things," Jason said.
"But um we might have pissed off some new recruits," Jake said.
"Can't we ever go a few weeks without you pissing someone off?" Old man said as he threw a recruit over his shoulder.
"Remember this now lads! Now matter how old the enemy looks! *grunts as he throws a Cousland soldier* He can still kick your ass," Javie said.
"How much you got riding on this?" I asked.
"about fifty sliver. That says Old Man and Javie whoop ass," Joseph said.
"I'll see your silver and raise you three sovereigns, but on the recruits," I said.
"You're on," Joseph said.
"Recruits! All you now! Hit 'em hard, fast and heavy!" I shouted. Every recruit quickly charged and soon overwhelmed Old Man and Javie. "hahaha, I won. Pay up trooper," I said.
"Damn it. Fine, here you go," Joseph said as handed me three gold coins.
"Dude you gotta stop betting some much cash," Jake said.
"And you gotta stop talking in your sleep about your girl. It's annoying as hell," Joseph said.
"Yeah I gotta agree with the rookie. That shit keeps me up at night. Normally I'd go and find a nice quiet artillery bombardment but as it turns out they only have ballista's and no damn gunpowder," Jason said.
"Shut up. I miss her… I may never see her again," Jake said staring into the sky.
"Oh lord. What you need is trip to the 'Pearl' in Denerim my friend," Jason said.
"No what I need is my girl. I… sometimes I don't know what I'll do," Jake said. Lately Jake's attitude had gone to hell since he began to lose hope on returning to our time period. Aedan came back after a few minutes with the biggest smile anyone had seen.
"What up with the face sir?" Joseph said.
"Lets just say I got lucky," Aedan said sheepishly.
"Aye coromba… now Aedan is gonna be a breeder?" Joseph asked with a chuckle.
"Bad news for the gene pool," Jake said.
"Nah you already took that bro," I said.
"Haha good one chief," Javie said.
"Alright recruits! Training's over for now! But make ready! Come tomorrow, the lives of your families and others are in your hands. The rest of our regular forces are headed for Ostagar to face an enemy worse than anything any of us have ever seen. Now until they return, we will defend Highever to our last breath. Dismissed!" Old Man shouted.
"Well that's all the training we can give them for the time being. So I heard you're headed for Ostagar chief?" Javie asked.
"Yeah. Gonna be a Grey Warden to boot," I said.
"Whoa, now we cant make fun of you," Jake said.
"Yet you still will I bet," I said.
"Probably, most likely. Yeah I think so," everyone said. We talked for about another half hour before Aedan showed up.
"Ten hut!" old man shouted. We snapped to attention as he approached.
"At ease," he said. It had taken a while for Aedan to actually say that since he always expected us to just stand straight.
"So how'd it go with the elf girl?" I asked.
"Well I'll let you know tomorrow. I'm seeing her tonight actually," Aedan said.
"Say what? Nice one sir! didn't think you had in you. Damnit I lost four sovereigns!" we all said. We looked at Jose with his losing four sovereigns remark.
"Who the hell did you bet that with?" Javie asked.
"um me," Old Man said. He even held out his hand which was begrudgingly filled with four gold coins.
"just when we thought we heard it all," I said. We chuckled gave our best regards to Aedan. "Alright people. Back to work. We'll reconvene at the mess hall in the morning so you may see me off. Dismissed!" I said. We split up and went about our regular duties. But little did we know of what would happen later that night.
Later that night…
I walked on my usual patrol route when I heard the sounds of fighting. Swords hitting armor and shields with multiple cries for help. "Alpha three, Alpha six we have situation. Near Aedan's quarters! Pass the word!" I said. But then I could hear the unmistaken able sound of gunfire. A sound I hadn't heard since we left our time. I ran to my "brothers" room and was attacked by an unlikely enemy, Howe's troops. My rifle made short work of them but I was unable to stop them from killing Lady Couslands old friend. I ran further hoping I could save Aedan and his mother. Luckily I was just in time for them but not Iona. She lay dead with an arrow in her chest.
"Michael! Help me!" Aedan shouted. He was trying to take down three Howe soldiers but was about to be overrun. I fired at the bastards and left only one last soldier left. Aedan gladly shoved his sword into the survivors gut and slammed his shield into him.
"Brother! Mother!" I said running up.
"It's good to see you. And on our side. That Bastard Howe will pay for what he's done!" Aedan said.
"Maybe but that will have to wait. Where's your men? We need to leave!" Lady Cousland said.
"I don't know. I cant raise anyone on the comms. But I heard machine gun sounds. Sounds like their putting up one hell of a fight," I said.
"Were putting up a fight sir!" Old Man said over the radio.
"Old Man! Where the hell are you?" I shouted.
"Our patrol route was overrun! Howe's men are everywhere! Why the hell are they attacking? Goddamnit! Fire fire! We're heading to the front gates and will try to regroup with Ser Gilmore, Javie and Jake! Move it troopers!" Old Man shouted.
"Copy that trooper. Well our guys are cut off from us and unfortunately they report the same damn people that tried to kill you and… SHIT!" I exclaimed. I turned and looked at the door leading the Fergus's family's room. I opened the door and found one of the sights every soldier, no matter how hard or combat trained they are, hates… dead civilians. Worse, with Fergus's wife's body was his sons body. Both dead from multiple stabbing wounds. "Jesus… Son of a goddamn bitch!" I said.
"NO! my little Oran," Lady Cousland said as she looked at the sight.
"NO! I'll kill every goddamn Howe soldier for this," Aedan hissed.
"I've seen this before but they were always head shots, no suffering. Not this, bastards are lucky I don't have a missile. All units, we have two civilians down. Fergus's wife and son are KIA. Report back," I said.
"This is Jake. Howe forces have overrun the northern area. Javie and Joseph are retrieving our gear from the barracks. Falling back now!" Jake said.
"Copy. Well we better get to the front gates. And hope we see plenty of Howe forces on the way. In the name of the Couslands!" I shouted. We ran back toward the gates and found my team, all lugging heavy equipment bags, fighting with Ser Gilmore and his men.
"They just keep coming!" Jake shouted.
"Then just keep shooting!" Old Man shouted back. A mage in rear with several Archers quickly shot small wisps of light at my men… only watch as they merely dissipated over the armor. We tested every known weapon in this time period and found a perfect calibration of the armor's extremely untested and even more extremely untested shield systems.
"Man if we didn't have this armor I'd be really scared of the glowing lights their staffs are shooting," Joseph said. But then he was knocked over when a arrow quickly smashed into his visor.
"Don't get cocky Damnit! Those arrows can still bypass our shields," Old Man shouted.
"Copy that!" Joseph groaned. I quickly opened up with a burst from my rifle and left the mage with a massive hole right where his eye should be. The fight lasted barely two minutes after that.
"Quickly bar the doors! We cant allow any more of them to enter." Ser Gilmore said to the few remaining Cousland soldiers. "It's good to see the three of you alive. I cant believe this is happening though," Ser Gilmore said.
"Just like frigging Africa all over again," Old Man said.
"Yeah but with more swords and arrows and magic going on. Javie give me a hand with this bench. we block the door with these, we give everyone here more time to run!" Joseph said as he grabbed one of the several benches in the main room.
"No, we are too many and too wounded. we take everyone and we'll slow ourselves down. I and my men will stay and try to buy you some time. You men wont have to worry since your armor gives you speed," Ser Gilmore said.
"We don't leave people behind Gilmore. Ever since Michael joined our crew, we haven't lost any of the team and we ain't about to start now," Jake said.
"Out of the question. I must agree with Ser Gilmore. if we leave now with just us, we'll reach the kings forces at Ostagar and let him know of what's happened," Lady Cousland said.
"Shes right troopers. I don't like it anymore than you but we got to warn the king of this. the Couslands are the first to fall to Howe. who says the bastard will stop after here? he may very well continue but right now we have to evac the Cousland family," I said.
"But sir, this is where the U.S. Army will come for us. we leave here and they wont find us! we need to fight back! I cant just leave sir!" Jake shouted. he raised his rifle at me and I trained mine on him.
"Goddamnit trooper. I now how distraught you are. you don't think we are? But face it, Army ain't coming for us. we on our own. so put your damn gun down and lets get out of here!" I said.
"I cant chief. I miss her, I run from here… then I lose all hope to find her!" Jake said.
"Jake, ease up. We'll find a way home. Don't forget, there's a tower full of mages who can help us. We beat the darkspawn, we go to the Mages and we go home. I promise," I said. Jakes rifle trembled as he decided what to do.
"OKay, I'll follow you lead sir. now lets get of here," Jake said as he lowered his gun. We continued to the Kitchen away from the Castle and found not only several more Howe soldiers but also, a badly wounded Teryn Cousland.
"NO FATHER!" Aedan exclaimed as he ran to his wounded father.
"Bryn!" Lady Cousland exclaimed.
"Shit! Medic!" I shouted. Old Man and I ran up and began to diagnose the Teryns wounds. Old Man's visor lit up as the onboard experimental A.I. scanned the Teryns body. The results were not good.
"Damnit. He's got internal bleeding. A shredded kidney and… in other words, he's not gonna make it. Not unless we get him to a hospital," Old Man said. I read in his mind where he thought, an AMERICAN hospital in the future anyway.
"Please, you have advanced equipment. These wounds should be easy for you!" Aedan pleaded. He turned to me and said," Please brother. Help our father."
"I… I can't. I'm a soldier, not a doctor. Our medical kits aren't equipped for this kind of injury. If the whole U.S. camp here had been teleported to this time with us, we might've saved him but. We cant! We'll have to leave him. Come on we have to go," I said.
"Yes I agree with the soldier. We must leave immediately," a familiar voice said. We looked to see a blood covered Duncan passing by our rear guard. We eventually convinced Aedan to leave his father but sadly were unable to do the same with his mother. Lady Cousland was gonna stay and help the Teryn hold off what Howe men they could. We opened the nearby escape door and left the Castle. But now Duncan had two Grey Warden recruits from Highever. Prior to us leaving, Teryn Cousland gave Duncan permission to make Aedan a Grey Warden. We left our burning castle behind and headed for the Kings forces in Ostagar. But what we didn't know was that we were leaving one hell hole and going to an even bigger one.
May the Maker watch over us in this trying time as the preacher of this time would say.