Sabia ran through the tunnel, Duncan following closely behind her. Avariel bounded at her side, his ears pricked forward, his muzzle curled in a snarl, looking to protect his mistress. Tears stung her eyes, rolling freely down her cheeks. Her parents. They would surely be dead by now, and Howe's men would be looking for her desperately. A wail threatened to escape her throat, and she fell to her knees. Avariel moved to her side, leaning close to let his mistress rest her weight against his warm furry flanks. She buried her face in his fur and cried.
Everything was going wrong. Her family dead, her little nephew, so eager to learn from her, slain in cold blood with his mother. Her parents killed in the name of treachery by a greedy, foul arl. Her dreams were ended before they even begun. She had so many expectations- joining the military as a knight for Highever, or Gwaren. She wanted to be a lieutenant, a commander. She wanted to be at the side of the Teyrns and Arls when war broke out. She wanted to be able to fight, but still come home to a husband, maybe even children.
There would be none of that now, now that she was to become a Grey Warden. Tainted with darkspawn blood, she wouldn't be able to have children. No man would ever marry her. She would die in the Deep Roads, fighting monsters with her last breath. Her hopes for a normal life were gone, dead and cooling on the stone floor of the pantry with the blood of her parents. She didn't even know if Fergus wouldn't be killed at Ostagar by assassins sent by Howe.
Duncan gave her only a moment to hug her mabari before scooping her up in his arms and continuing to flee. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. She hated this man for making her father promise her life to him, but now, he was the only thing she had left. He was the only one helping her. She clung to him through her flood of tears. He was quiet as he neared the end of the tunnel, letting her cry. He said nothing as he whistled, two horses running up to him, a dappled grey gelding and a chestnut mare. Sabia was quiet, tears silently rolling down her ruddy cheeks as he helped her onto the mare. Avariel stood at attention, bounding behind them as Duncan urged his gelding into a gallop. The horses snorted eagerly, ready to run. Sabia looked over her shoulder at her home as it retreated into the distance. She couldn't stop thinking about how she would never see it again.
Over the week, as they made their way to Ostagar, only one thought whirled in her head: How to avoid this fate that had been chosen for her. How to escape. She thought of simply running away, but she didn't have proper supplies, and while she was a good fighter, there was no doubt in her mind that Howe would have men searching for her. Without help and supplies, she would surely be caught and killed. No, the best thing was to get to Ostagar. Where King Cailan's men were. Where Loghain's men were. That realization made her head snap up in revelation during a hasty meal eaten on horseback. Duncan looked at her in concern.
"Are you alright, Lady Cousland?" He asked, his brow furrowed as he swallowed a mouthful of dried meat. Sabia forced a small smile.
"Just tired, is all. Almost nodded off on Bridget's back."
She rubbed the mare's neck, who whickered happily, bobbing her head. She'd grown fond of the frisky horse over the past few days, and would be sorry to see her go. Duncan nodded and turned his sharp vigilant eyes back to the road ahead, leaving Sabia to think about her options. If she could get to him before actually joining the Wardens, she might have a chance. Surely Loghain would be willing to talk to King Cailan. Surely as the king's confidante, he could talk the king into having her released from the Warden's charge and under the banner of Gwaren. Surely Loghain, with all of his distrust of the Wardens, and his daughter's friendship with her, would be enough to have her released.
'Loghain can save me from this. I WILL have a shot at my dreams again,' she thought fiercely. 'Loghain will save me.'
The thought became a mantra that she repeated over and over, and it kept her from wanting to strangle Duncan every time he smiled at her.
..
The ruins of Ostagar came into view, and Sabia's breath caught in her throat. This was it. She and Duncan dismounted at the gates, soldiers coming to take their horses. Sabia patted Bridget's nose sadly, wondering if she'd ever see the playful horse again. Oblivious as only a horse could be, Bridget nipped at Sabia's shirt, making a playful sound. Sabia sighed as she was led away by Duncan. Almost instantly, a golden haired man in golden and silverite armor came striding up to them.
"There you are, Duncan!" The young man said, his blue eyes glittering merrily. Sabia instantly dipped into a curtsey as she recognized King Cailan. Duncan bowed to Cailan, his eyes shining a bit with friendly warmth.
"I almost thought you wouldn't make it, my friend!" Cailan said brightly. "I was hoping to have you at my side when we rode into battle. I am glad you have returned." He eyed Sabia, worry on his face. He recognized her. "This is Teyrn Cousland's daughter that you have with you, Duncan...why?"
Sabia kept her eyes on Cailan's greaves, and Duncan nodded.
"This is Lady Cousland of Highever, your Majesty, and-"
"And I bring you news, your Grace!" Sabia interjected, whipping her head up, her red curls fluttering around her face. Cailan looked bewildered.
"What news?"
"Teyrn Cousland and his family were slaughtered, Sabia the only survivor. At the hands of Arl Rendon Howe. No doubt he would tell you whatever story you would have liked, your Majesty, but I was fortunate enough to save their daughter. Their son, Fergus, is here, and could be in danger of being disposed of by Howe's men," Duncan said before Sabia could launch into a tear filled rage. Cailan's face was hard and pale, his eyes narrowed.
"Howe...why would he betray Highever like this?" He murmured, pacing away. He was silent a few moments before turning to Sabia, his face stern, looking very much like his father in that moment.
"Howe will hang once this battle is over. I promise you. Your family will see justice. Not that it will bring them back to you, my Lady, but Howe will hang for his treachery," he vowed. He looked pained then- the resignation of a boy trudging off to do chores he had no desire to do.
"If you'll excuse me, my Lady. Duncan. I have to get ready for Loghain's debriefing before he has his guards sending out a search party."
Sabia inhaled sharply, and Duncan flicked his eyes in her direction.
"The Teyrn is here?" She asked, trying not to sound too desperate. Cailan nodded and pointed to the north.
"His tent is that way. I know you are friends with my dearest wife, and I am sure he will want to know of what happened. You should speak to him as soon as possible. If his guards give you trouble, tell them I sent you," he said, handing her a small piece of parchment with his seal on it. Sabia clutched it to her chest as though it were made of gold, nodding with eyes threatening to spill over with tears. She bowed to him once more as he turned to go, then turned back to Duncan. He folded his arms over his chest and gave her a measuring look.
"You know Teyrn Loghain does not trust the Wardens. It might be a good idea not to tell him you are joining for now," he said cautiously. Sabia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"He deserves to know. He was my father's friend, and has every right to know. I won't lie to him," she said, turning on her heel and storming off towards Loghain's tent. Duncan sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Maker have mercy on me when the Teyrn finds out."
..
Loghain finished strapping his leg plates, and reached for his chest plate when one of his guards coughed just outside his tent to get his attention. Sighing, he set the chest plate back down and strode to the entrance, the plate of his legs and boots clanking. He blinked once to let his eyes adjust to the sunlight, then blinked again as he saw Sabia standing there, her hair a mess, her eyes red, cheeks ruddy and swollen, clutching Cailan's royal seal to her heaving chest.
"Lady Cousland... what are you doing here?" He asked in disbelief. "Surely Eleanor didn't agree to sending you to fight!"
Sabia let out a small sob, and Loghain quickly put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her inside the tent. Once the flap closed behind them, she flung herself against him, burying her face in his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist. She began sobbing, soaking his shirt. Loghain was quiet, unsure as to what to say. He stroked her hair a few times, making a few soft noises, trying to get her to calm down enough to talk to him. After a few moments, she quieted, pulling back to wipe at her tear-stained cheeks and swollen eyes. Loghain handed her a handkerchief, feeling out of sorts- Anora didn't cry much, he was unused to handling this sort of thing. She took it carefully and wiped her eyes with it.
"I... I'm sorry, your Grace," she said, her voice hitching. Loghain shook his head.
"What happened, Sabia? Why are you here?" He asked. Sabia hiccuped violently, her entire body wracking.
"A-Arl Howe... he... he killed my mother, my father, my sister-in-law and my little nephew. Even Lady Landra and her son Dairren. All slaughtered! He overtook Highever!" She wailed, pressing her face into his chest again, breaking into fresh sobs.
The look on Loghain's face was odd, a mixture of shock, anger and confusion. He was silent and still, Sabia's sobs the only thing in his tent making a sound. He finally pulled back, making her look at him with a gentle hand under her chin. Her emerald eyes were bloodshot and still shining with tears, and his mouth turned down even more at seeing them.
"We... we knew Howe's men were delayed, but we thought it just simple delays," he said carefully. "Maker help us, that the delay was destroying the Couslands."
Sabia hiccuped again, her spasming rib cage sending a jolt through Loghain's stomach. She sniffled, wiping her eyes.
"If only that were the only problem," she muttered. Loghain lifted a brow.
"What do you mean?" He asked carefully. Sabia looked at him, and he didn't see a young woman just reaching her prime in those eyes- he saw a wild she wolf being pushed into a cage, full of desperation and panic.
"Duncan... he... He made my father promise that I'd be a... a..." she trailed off and turned away from him, hiccuping again. Loghain grabbed her shoulders roughly and whirled her around, bringing her close.
"Promise you'd be a what?" he asked dangerously, knowing that name all too well. Sabia bit her lip, suppressing a wail.
"A Grey Warden!" She cried. "It was the only way Duncan would agree to save me!"
Loghain growled deep in his throat.
"I won't have it. What sort of man preys on the daughter of a dying man!" He snarled. "No, I won't have it! I had plans for you, Sabia. Ferelden had plans for you. You could be a Teyrna, a Bann, a lieutenant, or a commander. Even being a personal body guard for my daughter is better than you being a Grey Warden. I won't have it!"
Sabia gave a cry of relief and hugged him. She froze momentarily- it suddenly occurred to her that her cheek wasn't met by the cold unforgiving silverite of his signature armor- it was pressing against the slightly yielding flesh of his chest, only covered by the tear soaked cloth of his shirt. A sudden feeling of awareness flooded through her- the awareness of her own sex as she pressed against this mountain of a man, his pulse, skin and flesh warm and strong under her touch. A cruel painful heat rose in her neck and a bloom of tension flared in her belly as his scent reached her nose- the scent of clean sweat, silverite and the unmistakable scent of a powerful, virile man's musk. She pulled back, almost recoiling, and gave him a hopeful smile, hoping he hadn't noticed anything. Loghain put a hand on her shoulder, his steely blue eyes looking at her seriously.
"I will talk to Cailan. I won't have you in the Wardens. I will do my best to talk him into seeing about your release from the custody of the Wardens," he said. "For now, you stay here. I will have my men bring you something warm to eat."
He looked around awkwardly, not sure what to do with a young woman whom had lost everything in one night. What exactly did he say in this situation? He assuaged himself with the thought that he was already taking the first step by telling her he would talk to Cailan. His mouth set in firm line at the thought of that encounter. Cailan would be appalled at the thought of him trying to pull her out of the Wardens. As far as Cailan was concerned, the Wardens were gods among men. It was that foolishness that would get them all killed. He still believed the Wardens were up to something. His thoughts came to a halt as his eyes fell on the wash basin. He picked up a soft rag and dipped it in the water, wrung it out, and handed it to Sabia, still feeling awkward as he sat back down next to her.
"There. Wash your face. No lady should have tears on her cheeks unless she cries in happiness," he said gently.
Sabia might have flushed, he couldn't tell through the ruddy color that came to her cheekbones with her sobbing. She wiped at her face gently, then wiped her eyes, giving a great shuddering sigh, her rib cage wracking with another hiccup. Loghain winced, he'd never seen a woman cry until she gave herself hiccups like that. He got up and poured her a glass of wine. It was a weak wine, but robust in flavor, and hopefully would calm her down a bit. She took the glass with a small muttered thank you, and she took a few small sips, closing her eyes in appreciation at the flavor.
"Gwaren?" She asked. Loghain tilted his head.
"What?"
"The wine. Is it from Gwaren? I've only tasted a wine like this once before. There's something in it that tastes...wild. Like it's made from a fruit that prefers woods to tame sunny vineyards," she said, smelling the wine before taking another sip. Loghain felt his mouth curl a bit in a small smile. The woman knew her wines. Something of a noble was in her, after all- she wasn't just a sword maiden.
"It is. It's made from grapes, but berries from the woods are added in to give it its own unique bouquet," he said, pouring a glass for himself. He'd need it to talk to Cailan about Sabia's future.
Sabia made a small hum in her throat, swirling the wine in her glass before taking a longer sip, closing her eyes a bit. Loghain tried to ignore the fact that it had been years since he had simply sat and talked to a woman over a glass of wine- especially since this woman was half his age, as young as his daughter, and was the daughter of one of his friends. Never mind she was still shaken and broken over the death of her family. It was a measure of her inner will that she was forcing herself to make small talk and not collapse into sobs again. The flush was slowly fading from her face, lingering on her cheekbones, and her eyes weren't as swollen, brought down from dabbing at her eyes with the cold wet cloth. Her hair was damp around the base of her neck from her tears, the curls clinging to her skin. Loghain took another sip of wine, trying to look anywhere but at her, feeling incredibly awkward. Sabia lowered her glass, resting it on her lean thigh, looking at it fixedly.
"Thank you, my Lord," she said softly, almost to where he had to lean closer to hear.
"I... for what, my Lady?" He asked, frowning. She gestured helplessly with her free hand.
"For calming me down, and for talking to his Highness about relocating me from the Wardens. My father didn't want me to join them, but he had little choice," she said quietly. Loghain set his mouth in a scowl.
"So he really asked for you as a recruit in order to save you?" He asked with disdain. Sabia nodded quietly, and he cursed under his breath.
"Maker's breath. I can't believe he would LEAVE you there to die if you refused," he said angrily. Sabia looked up at him, her brow furrowed.
"I don't believe he would have let me die, but I do believe he made my father believe that so he'd agree to letting me join the Wardens. Either way, t'was a cruel thing for him to do to my father...to... to lie to him as he..as he d-..." She trailed off, biting her lip to keep it from trembling, and Loghain gritted his teeth audibly at the Warden's audacity. He got to his feet in one smooth movement, Sabia looking up at him.
"I'm going to talk to Cailan now. The Wardens think they can lie to Teyrns on the brink of death to recruit their children? No. There is only so much they can get away with."
He picked up his chest plate and began awkwardly strapping it on. Sabia got to her feet soundlessly and moved behind him to help buckle the straps. His face softened, and he stood still to allow her help go unhindered. She was quick, with deft fingers, and he turned to face her as he hefted the pauldrons onto his shoulders, his face unreadable as she helped him with the straps. Without a word, she picked up his cloak and handed it to him. He slid the cloak over his plated shoulders, fastening it in place as she moved behind him to straighten the length of fine cloth. He paused, debating with himself, but against better judgment, he reached out and stroked her burning cheek, giving her a serious look.
"I will try my best to save you from this. For you, and your parents. You deserve better than being thrown to the scoundrels who would parley with Orlesians," he said firmly. "For now, feel free to stay here. My men will bring you some supper. Take your time to calm down."
He withdrew his hand, sliding his gauntlets on. With a slight bow, he strode from the tent. Sabia moved to the entrance, watching him stride off, moving with all the predatory grace of a seasoned conqueror. His armor glinted, and his cloak unfurled behind him, the wyvern of Gwaren emblazoned on it. She felt her face sliding into a soft expression of admiration as she watched him go, and one of the guards paused to look at her curiously. She turned her face away, flushing, and saw Duncan from the corner of her eye- he was looking for her. She backed up into Loghain's tent quickly, ducking out of sight. One of the guards followed after her, holding a tray with a bowl of stew and some bread.
"The Teyrn said you'd want some supper, milady," he said kindly. She nodded and took it from him gratefully, the aroma of the stew reaching her nose. A simple meal, but it was warm, and would be heaven compared to a week of nothing but dried rations and the occasional skin-and-bones coney tossed on a spit to cook unevenly. She looked back at the guard.
"There is a Grey Warden looking for me. Can you not let him know I'm here? Please?" She asked, her eyes pleading.
It obviously had spread quickly that Lady Cousland, newly orphaned, and sister to the new Teyrn of Highever, was in the camp, and sympathies were with her. The guard smiled and nodded, making a crossing motion over his chest.
"Cross my 'eart, milady. 'E won't 'ear a word from me!" He said warmly.
Sabia gave him a smile of thanks as he left. She settled back down onto the bench, looking at her dinner. She was hungry, but wasn't ready to eat yet. She eyed the cot on the other side of the tent, and fatigue washed over her. She curled up on the sturdy cot, burying her nose in the soft blanket that had been thrown over it. It smelled of him. She closed her eyes and pulled the blanket down, wrapping it around herself, surrounding herself with his scent. She took comfort in it, in the fact that he was going to try to salvage the situation.
"Everything will be alright now. Maybe things will even get better," she murmured to herself. Surrounded by the warm blanket and the Teyrn's scent, lulled to drowsiness by the wine and crying, she quickly fell into the deepest sleep she'd had in a week.
..
Loghain strode up to Cailan, his face set in exasperated anger, his brow and mouth drawing up in an angry scowl as he saw Duncan moving in to stand near him as well. He moved his sights from the young king to the meddling Warden, brandishing a gauntlet covered hand at him, pointing in accusation.
"Warden, you've got some nerve doing what you did," he growled, his voice gravelly with his anger. Duncan looked at him, nonplussed, and Cailan blinked.
"Loghain, what are talking about?" He asked. Loghain curled his lip, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the Warden.
"You made a dying man think they only way his daughter would live was to join the Grey Wardens. Is that how your order works now? Preying on people going through strife and death? Stealing the daughters of nobility before the blood of their parents has a chance to go cold?" He demanded, drawing close to the man.
Duncan was quiet, but he thought to himself that the Teyrn of Gwaren had picked a very suiting symbol for his House, as he was reminded very much of a wyvern as the infuriated Teyrn circled him. He practically expected Mac Tir to snort smoke and breathe fire. He resisted the urge to scowl- he knew Sabia had run to him, despite his wishes she had stayed away. Now he had to deal with the angry friend of her deceased father. He held up his hands as Loghain moved ever closer.
"I did what I had to. I came to Highever looking for recruits, and she was the best choice. She is a good fighter, with a good head on her shoulders, and her father refused to even let me talk to her about the Order," he said. Loghain snorted in agreement.
"And a wise refusal that was!" He interjected, closing the distance between them. "The girl has other options. If her brother cannot be found, she's the only heir left to take over Highever. Unless you WANT Howe to become Teyrn of such a large estate? What's to say he wouldn't move after your order if he thinks he can get away with such treachery?"
Duncan gave him a weary look.
"No one has authority over Grey Wardens. Howe is not a threat to us. But as a noble and possibly the only heir to the Highever Teyrnir, he would be a threat to Lady Cousland. She would be safe with us," he explained patiently, earning another snort from the Teyrn.
"Is that so? I heard the ritual you Wardens do is lethal. How is she safe if she may not even survive the initiation? How is THAT thinking of her safety?" He asked heatedly. Duncan sighed.
"I choose my recruits based on prowess, stamina and overall health. Lady Cousland has a great chance of survival, and would be a very powerful Warden."
Loghain turned to Cailan.
"Surely you see the madness in this? This Warden told Teyrn Bryce Cousland that his daughter would only survive if he allowed her to be recruited. Took all of her choices away in one fell swoop. You've met Lady Cousland- you know about her from Queen Anora. Surely you know she has the potential to do so much!" He argued.
Cailan looked helpless.
"Loghain, I understand, and I know that you are upset about the loss of the Couslands, as I am. I... I don't have the authority to tell Duncan no. I cannot command him to release Lady Cousland," he said softly. "I think becoming a Grey Warden is an honor, though. I don't see why she wouldn't want it."
Loghain took a step back, his eyes disbelieving.
"Why she wouldn't want it? Your Highness, she's a woman barely into her prime. She could be an officer in your or my armies, a Teyrna, or even the confidante of Anora. She could be a wife and mother," he said, rounding on Duncan. "Did you tell her she won't be able to have children, Warden? That marriage is pretty much out of the question? Did you ask her if she wanted to throw all that away, Warden?"
Duncan met his gaze stoically.
"The Wardens need all the help we can get. Even in these days, we are met with opposition, and mistrust."
Loghain let out a bark of laughter, turning his back to Duncan, pacing a few steps, then whirling back around, his cloak billowing about it. He pointed at Duncan, setting his mouth in a snarl.
"You bring the mistrust upon yourselves, Warden. Antics like what you've done to Lady Cousland are what earn your opposition. Don't cry to the Nobles about not being allowed into their homes without suspicion, when you would recruit their children as they lay dying," he spat. Duncan folded his arms over his chest.
"She is too valuable to the Wardens. I will not release her, Teyrn Mac Tir."
Loghain struggled to keep his rage in check, and tried to keep his face from contorting. He failed.
"You over step yourself, Warden! You and your order have always had a hidden agenda, and you would have us give you our sons and daughters, the heirs to Teyrnirs and thrones, then have us lay down our weapons so you might hand us all over to Orlais!" He shouted, his harsh voice sounding through the ruins like the bellow of an angered dragon. A few Chantry sisters fled the area, startled, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. His nostrils flared as he took a few deep breaths, his chest heaving in rage. He moved a few scant inches from Duncan, pushing his face close to his.
"You'll be the death of us all, Warden. I only hope that the death you force on Lady Cousland is swifter and more merciful than the death you left her parents to."
Without waiting to hear what Cailan would say, he stormed off for his tent. He knew he couldn't save Sabia from this fate, thus the reason for his rage. He pushed his way into the tent, throwing his gauntlets off and onto the makeshift table. A small sound caught his attention, and he turned to see Sabia sprawled out over his cot. His face softened as he saw how she slept through the sounds of him taking off his armor- she truly must have been exhausted. He noticed her dinner sat untouched on the table, and that she hadn't even taken off her boots, her feet dangling off the end of the cot. She was lying in an odd position- it looked as though she'd started out on her side and turned her torso so she was resting her upper body on her back. One arm was flung up over her head, the other laying across her belly where the blanket was bunched up. He chuckled softly and pulled the blanket off her, shaking it out and covering her back up. She mumbled in her sleep, rolling back onto her side, sliding her arms under the pillow. He sighed, looking at her sadly, but he wouldn't wake her up. She was smiling slightly, her brow furrowed- she was having a bittersweet dream. He wouldn't wake her from that, only to pull her into this waking nightmare. Let her smile one last time. Against his better judgment, he stroked her cheek, pushing a lock of hair off her face.
"I've failed you, Sabia. I can't save you from this. I just hope you're strong enough to survive whatever hell they're going to put you through," he muttered, sitting on the end of the cot and watching her enjoy the last pleasant dream she'd ever have.
..
Sabia was quiet, as was Alistair, though they were quiet for completely different reasons. Alistair was in shock, knowing that the Wardens were dead, Duncan and Cailan along with them. Sabia was reeling from the news that Loghain had simply abandoned the field. She refused to believe he had betrayed King Cailan. The Wardens? She could see that. King Cailan? No. He wouldn't do that to Anora. He wouldn't abandon his son-in-law. He wouldn't have abandoned her. Her mind whirled as she thought about the reasons why.
The tower had been overrun. They hadn't lit the beacon on time. Sabia was positive of this. Most likely, by the time they HAD lit the signal, it was too late; King Cailan's forces were most likely overwhelmed. If Loghain had sent his men in, they all would have died. He had to think of Ferelden's defenses; if all of the soldiers died, who would protect the people of Ferelden from any threat? She shook her head, Alistair not even noticing. No. Loghain would never leave Ferelden defenseless. He would as soon kill his own daughter as leave his homeland with no soldiers to defend her. Alistair would talk of nothing but ill thoughts towards Loghain, and Sabia finally lashed out at him, stalking away to sit near the young witch, Morrigan. The young apostate was wary of Sabia when they first met in the Wilds, but her sharp wit and her tepid attitude towards Alistair made her warm up to her quickly enough.
"You are quiet," came the other's woman's clear smooth voice.
Sabia lifted her head, looking at Morrigan as she stirred the stew in the cauldron. She looked back down at the hands folded in her lap. She gritted her teeth, and Morrigan laughed lightly, her giggle sounding like windchimes.
"Your irritation with the Templar is most amusing. I approve," she said, ladling out a bowl and handing it to Sabia, who mouthed a soundless thanks, staring at the bowl in her hands. Morrigan snickered delicately.
"Tis for eating, dear Warden, even if it is pretty enough to look at," she said dryly, but Sabia smiled nonetheless, taking a sip from the bowl.
"It's delicious, Morrigan. Thank you."
Morrigan gave a half smile and nodded.
"Tis the least I can do. My mother did all the healing. I can at least fill your bellies."
Sabia sighed, going quiet as she finished her meal. Morrigan sat down next to her.
"The deaths of the King and Wardens are not what's beleaguering you. What is it, then?" she asked. Sabia knew she was just curious and prying, but it would be nice to talk to someone who didn't spit sparks and smoke at the very mention of Loghain's name.
"I don't believe he betrayed us. He did what he thought was best," she said quietly. Morrigan lifted a delicate brow.
"People will believe what they want. The truth is irrelevant when the only ones who know it are dead or the ones in question. It's the view of the public that will make lies become truth, and truth into wild rumors," she said bluntly, shrugging her slender shoulders. Sabia sighed.
"I just... it hurts that I won't be able to reach him," she said quietly. Morrigan tilted her head, almost birdlike.
"Was he your lover, then?" She asked. Sabia's face went blood red, then she lowered her gaze, recovering her composure.
"No... but he was my knight in shining armor... and he didn't save me."