Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.
Chapter Two: One Mans Greed
Castle Cousland - Highever
Aedan Cousland walked confidently down the corridor towards the family quarters of Highever Castle. The two guards at the door snapped to attention and he nodded as he walked by into the guest quarters area. As soon as he walked through and into the family section containing his, his parents and his elder brothers rooms he heard the high pitched voice of his young nephew Oren.
Aedan smiled as he leaned against the doorframe of his brothers room and took in the sight of the happy family.
"Is there really going to be a war Papa? Will you bring me back a sward?" Oren asked
"That's 'sword' Oren." Fergus Cousland corrected gently. "And I'll get you the mightiest one I can find. I'll be back before you know it."
Aedan smiled at the large grin that suddenly appeared on his young nephews face at the promise of a sword.
"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is… disquiet." Fergus's wife Oriana said quietly.
"Don't frighten the boy love. I speak the truth."
Oriana didn't seem convinced so Aedan decided to make his presence known. "Don't worry so much sister." Aedan called out from his place by the door making the young family jump. Aedan had always called Oriana sister ever since he was a young teenager when Fergus had married her. "Fergus isn't exaggerating for once. The reports from the south do indeed say the battles go very well."
"You see love, nothing to worry about!" Fergus proclaimed boldly giving his pretty wife a kiss.
"Should I wait outside?" Aedan asked with a laugh ignoring the loud 'yuck!' from Oren.
"Ha! When there's a man in your life you'll understand." Fergus teased.
Aedan's preferences for men were well known in Castle Cousland but thankfully with Fergus as the elder of the two brothers it hadn't caused a problem. Fergus would inherit the title of Teryn and then Oren, Aedan never had to worry about taking a wife and producing an heir. Which was a good thing as Fergus had joked that Aedan would need a substantial amount of wine and a very manly woman to be able to physically do it.
"No fewer than three if you please." Aedan teased back not intending to let Fergus escape unscathed.
"Ouch, that would hurt the reputation of this house brother. So if it's true I'll have to teach you how to be discrete." Oriana deadpanned only the twinkle in her eyes letting the others know she was winding her husband up.
"Oooo that's not an image I wanted!" Fergus exclaimed draping his arm dramatically over his eyes. "Is leaving you in charge of all those young muscular guardsman such a good idea little brother?"
All three of the adults lasted only a moment before bursting out laughing much to little Oren's confusion.
"Anyway Fergus." Aedan said seriously after he'd recovered. "Arl Howe's men are delayed, again, so Father is sending you off this evening with our troops. Arl Howe's should finally start arriving tonight so he'll set out with them some time tomorrow."
"The Arls men are delayed again? They were supposed to be here two days ago. If they moved any slower they'd be going backwards. Well I suppose I best go and get the men ready to march. Are you satisfied with the forces Father and I are leaving you?"
"Ideally I'd like a few more but you need them more than I do. I may recruit and train some more to make up the difference while your gone and to send you reinforcements should you need them." Aedan answered carefully seeking his hero's approval.
"That's my little brother. Always thinking ahead! We needn't worry about the castle with you in charge." Fergus approved
"I still wish I was going with you." Aedan muttered mutinously.
"Well if its any consolation I'm sure I'll freeze in the rain and snow and be completely jealous of you up here all warm and safe. The south's winters are legendary."
"I am positively thrilled that you will be so miserable husband. That should get you back here quickly." Oriana commented with a smirk.
Fergus just rolled his eyes. "We'll I best get underway, so many Darkspawn to behead, so little time!"
It was as he turned to the door that he realised why Bryce Cousland had chosen Aedan to send the message to him. He had wanted his family together one last time before they headed out to war. "You weren't thinking of leaving without saying goodbye to us were you?" he asked as he and Eleanor entered.
"Be well my son." Eleanor said embracing her eldest. "I will pray for you every day you are gone."
"A good shield would be more useful." Aedan muttered and then dodged as his mother tried to clip him round the ear.
"Watch it boy or I'll join them as well and leave you here in the north on your own." Eleanor scolded fondly.
"In Antiva a woman in battle would be.. unthinkable." Oriana noted. She was still not accustomed to all of the differences in Fereldan.
"Is that so?" Fergus asked lovingly snaking his arms around her waist. "I always heard Antivan women were quite dangerous."
"With kindness and poison only my Husband."
"Enough, enough." A chuckling Bryce Cousland said before trying to send everyone to bed.
Aedan was about to go when he felt a tugging on the edge of his armoured skirt.
"Mama says you're going to be watching over us while papa is gone. Is that true uncle?"
Aedan cringed I wish he wouldn't call me uncle. It makes me feel so old! "Yes that's true Oren." Aedan replied smiling down at his adorable young nephew. "But it's not going to be that exciting."
"What if the castle is attacked! Will there be dragons?" Oren asked hopefully.
"Dragons are terrible creatures Oren. They eat people." Oriana scolded lightly.
"Yeh! I want to see one!" Oren said excitedly completely unaware that that was not the reaction his mother had been looking for. Aedan had to smother a grin as Oriana shot Fergus a look that promised great pain on his return.
"Are you going to teach me how to use a sword uncle? Then I can fight evil to!" Oren asked excitedly.
"Absolutely! Lets go!" Aedan replied. He'd been wanting to teach Oren for ages.
"I'm thinking no." Oriana interjected with a weary tone.
"What about poison can I learn about poison?"
"Absolutely! Lets go!"
Oriana grabbed Oren's collar as the young boy tried to run out of the room to the library. "Fergus there are times your family causes me great pain." She said in despair.
Fergus chuckled. "Mind your mother Oren. And you! It's a good job you're being sent to bed early."
"I don't mind. I have someone waiting for me!" Aedan whispered with a goofy grin on his pretty face.
"What?! You lucky dog!" Fergus exclaimed. "We'll I hope he's worthy of your time or I'm going to have to have a chat with the fellow."
Aedan shook his head. Every potential mate he had flirted with from pretty, slender elves to muscular House Cousland guards had been scared off by Fergus. Even his best friend, the elven blacksmith Nerus, was intimidated by Fergus.
"Have a nice march in the cold and the rain big brother." Aedan delivered the parting shot as he headed to bed.
Fergus's response was lost to the wood of Aedan's bedroom door as he shut it behind him with a massive grin on his face.
"Mmmm such a pleasant grin, and I didn't put it there. Should I be worried?"
Aedan's grin widened even further as he took in the sight of Dairren stretched out on his bed in nothing but traditional Fereldan underwear.
"Oh I think you can defiantly make me do more than smile" Aedan replied with a wink.
Castle Cousland – Gone Midnight
Aedan was pretty positive that when his father had told him to go to bed this was not what he had in mind.
The lithe young lord let out another long moan as his porcelain skin was treated to the light touches and firm caresses of the older, more experienced and very very skilled Dairren.
Skill that the lesser noble was currently putting to good use to get vengeance on Aedan for his flirting in the study.
Dairren nipped at Aedan's collar bone as he finally crashed their naked bodies together.
Taken completely by surprise Aedan saw stars and made noises that would have had the most jaded Denerim whore flushed and panting with desire.
Dairren halted their pleasurable exploration when Cain began barking and growling at the door.
"I'm going to murder that dog!" Aedan cursed pulling Dairren back down to continue. That was when both of them heard a faint yell before things went quiet again. Cain stopped barking and growled menacingly at the door.
"Did you hear that?" Dairren asked as he left the bed to go and see if he could calm Cain down.
"The yell? Yes, sadly." Aedan griped as he pulled on his armoured chest piece. "I'm in charge of the castle so I'll have to go and check it out."
Dairren nodded in understanding as Aedan finally got his breast plate on and slipped his daggers into place.
"I'll wait for you to return. Do you want me to put Cain out in the hall while you finish dressing?"
"Please." Aedan said distractedly as he searched for the armoured skirt, gloves, boots and knee, elbow and shoulder pads. Dairren had been very eager when undressing him.
Dairren nodded and moved to wards the door. With an almighty crash the door was kicked in and an arrow embedded itself in the young nobles heart.
"Dairren!" Aedan called out in shock and horror but the younger Cousland had been trained well. His first dagger was thrown before he even realised what he was doing and the sword wielding intruder went down to a dagger in the throat. The archer followed him a moment later with a dagger to the ribcage left exposed by his armour as he drew back the bow to fire again.
Looking up in pain from the floor Dairren had seen the intruders fall to his lovers blades but even as Aedan rushed to his side and knelt down to try and help him his vision went black. I hope he makes it. was the last thought that Dairren had before his spirit departed to return to the Makers side.
As Aedan cradled the dead body of his first love in his arms he registered movement outside his room in the family chambers. The family chambers that were supposed to be guarded at all times.
Aedan had room for only two thoughts. Dairren was dead and Highever was under attack.
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