Chapter 2 - Dragon 9:24, 12th Bloomingtide

'All set?' Maria asked Anora while she checked laces of saddle.

'Yes, let's go.' Both mounted their horses and waved goodbye to Mahria's mother.

'Don't stay there too long, my girls. I want you here, safe and sound, long before sun will set down.'

'We won't be out that long, mother. I bet we will finish our gossips before dinner.' Mahria smiled to her mother and waved her also. Then she and Anora turned their horses and dashed through the gate. They galloped for several minutes, after that both slowed horses. After an hour they got to their destination. It was cliff alongside coastline with magnificent view. Women started to unpack blankets and food and sat next to each other.

'Okay. Now we can talk, so don't make me wait any longer and tell me what's the matter.'

'Eh.' Mahria exhaled and looked at her friend. 'You know that my father and Arl Howe want me to marry Nate, right?'

'Don't state the obvious. You told me many times. But... That was just talking... You think that they really agreed?' Anora eyes were wide open. 'Did they talked with both of you?'

'No. Not yet. But I see it coming.' Mahria shook her head and the looked at the see with sad eyes. 'He is my friend, Anora. But I don't love him. I don't want him and above all... I... I don't want to be caged.' Mahria wanted to talk freely with her friend and know she spilled every thought to Anora. 'I told you we were intimate few times. But then he got serious and I had to end it. He will take my freedom and we will only fight. So I was wondering... But no. Before that I'll need to tell you something more.' Young Cousland turn again to look at Anora. 'I'm afraid that... Cailan... Ugh how to say it? That Cailan try to court me and I don't like that. I don't want that. He asked once if I'd like to be a queen. I just turned and run away from him.' She looked at Anora with a guilt all over her face. 'Please believe me, I hadn't encouraged him nor allowed him to get near me. Ugh. Just say you believe me.' Mahria took friend's hand in her and looked at her with fear.

'I believe you, silly. Although it makes me mad at him. How could he do such a thing to both of us?' Anora was angered by Mahria's news. 'I'll take care of it. I promise you that, my dear. And is that all? Cause I think biggest thing wasn't said yet.'

'Yes. Now is the big thing. Anora, I need you to think carefully of what I'm about to say.' Mahria stood up from blanket and started to walk from one side to another. 'I need you to find me husband. You know all of our noblemen. The thing is that I want to be free, I want still be who I am after the marriage. I can gave birth to an heir of that man and later he can just left me in peace.'

'What did you said?' Anora asked but her look was saying that her thoughts started to run through her head.

'That I want to keep my freedom?'

'No, no, no. Last part... About an heir.' Anora also stood up and started to walk towards end of a cliff.

'Yes, I can produce heir with him. Maybe if he'll be good with my term we can be sort of friends and allies.' Both of them stared at the sea for a couple of minutes, silently.

'Mahria. I think I can arrange something. Do you trust me?' Anora turned her face to young Cousland. 'I can't say now what I have on my mind. I need to have talk with someone. But trust me in this: I won't hurt you in any way.' Her face serious as well as her look.

'I trust you, silly. And I'm relieved that you want to help me.' Mahria hugged Anora gently and rubbed her back. 'Now, let's end this grave topic. Now, tell me about all gossips. Who slept with whom, all juicy part please.' They both chuckled and returned to the blanket. Both women sat and started chatter about Denerim noblemen and other silly things. As they almost finish Mahria smirked. 'My dear friend, I think we have trespassers.'

'Heh, so Nathaniel didn't cared about your threats.' Anora knew when she looked at her friend that she shouldn't look around nor give away that they know about Nathaniel and Cailan hiding in the bushes a bit further from their spot.

'I love this place because no one would come near without me noticing.' Mahria stood up and smirked. 'Stay here and observe.' Then she approached horses and hid behind them.

Meanwhile Nathaniel and Cailan were hiding in the bushes. Nate was really reluctant when Cailan said he wanted to watch both women and listen to their talk. But he came with him. He was just pissed about Cailan stalking skills. For there were none.

'What are they talking about?' Young prince strained his ear but all he heard was hum of the sea and wind.

'I told you, Cailan, it's futile. I know this spot very well and I also wanted to overhear their cackling once. I was beaten severely after that as Mahria found me.' 'And she will find us know, it's just matter of t-.' But he couldn't finish his thought as arrorw passed near his head and pinned to the tree next to him. 'What the…?' He looked around to Mahria standing with a bow in a distant.

'Nathaniel Howe!' She yelled while chuckling. 'Your stealth skill is getting worse and worse by year.' Young Howe stood up with his hands above head.

'Don't kill me you brute! I surrender!' Then he and Cailan came out of the bushes. 'And don't talk about my skills while one who let us out was our mighty Prince.'

'Heh, that's right. I owe you apologize.' Mahria patted Nate on the shoulder and turned to Cailan. 'Better try to practice creeping and hiding, Cailan. One day you might lose your head, mark my words.' Then she gestured towards blankets. 'Come eat with us. We've finished our gossip session anyway.' As Cailan and Nate have seated themselves, Mahria sat next to Nate and put her arm around his neck. 'Now Nate, tell Cailan where he was wrong.'

'First, he was too loud and his footsteps were too heavy. Maker's breath man, you were caught on every branch.' Nate laughed while he felt hot inside. He really liked when Mahria was nice to him and touched him. 'Second thing, you exposed yourself few times to look above the bushes. Mahria have eyes of an eagle. She sees everything and anyone. And when she sees her pray, she will catch it. Ouch!' Mahria twisted his ear painfully.

'Stop talking about me like I'm a predator who kill or beat everything around.' She frowned. 'You're no fun at all.' After that, to his discontent, she took her arm from him and moved away a bit.

'Laugh all you like… but anyway. You're betrothed or no? Tell me, I'm curious.' Cailan looked at Mahria fascinatet. She avoided his eyes, looked for a second on Anora.

'No, we're not. But judging my father and Arl, it may be soon.' Mahria looked at the see for a while and then turned to Nathaniel. 'But I think Nate won't see it coming as he might be killed one of these days. As he try very hard to unleash goddess of fury.'

'Yup.' Nate nodded in assent.

'Stop this nagging.' Anora stated and clasped her hands. 'Let's eat. And I'd like to hear some of male point of view about some young nobles and heirs. I've heard that men gossip more than women.' And they started to chat and laugh. After few hours they returned to Highever castle in good moods.

HIGHEVER TRAINING GROUNDS

As they returned Mahria made an appointment for a friendly duels between her, Nathaniel and Cailan. After dinner they gathered in the courtyard and proceeded to training grounds. While they walked Teyrn Bryce, King Maric and Teyrn Loghain approached them.

'What are you doing, lads?' King Maric asked with huge grin on his face.

'We're going to get our arses kicked by our fair lady.' Cailan stated and smiled to his father. 'Uncle, maybe you would be a match for her, as nor Nate, nor I am.' Cailan looked upon Loghain. Mac Tir trained Cailan since he was boy, but still Cailan was too inexperienced and couldn't outwin older one.

'That's great idea son. Bryce would you agree?' Maric clasped his hand and looked at Bryce with plead in his eyes.

'Your Majesty, it will be an honour to lend my daughter for a duel with Hero of River Dane.'

'Loghain go quickly and put on your armor. I need to see that.' Mac Tir sighed with restlessness but went to his chambers to put simple leather armor on him. Although he showed irritation outside, inside he was grateful that he could spar with young woman. He had great expectations about this duel. He came back to training ground only to see Cailan on the ground. 'That will be something...' He thought to himself. When prince descended from the ground, Loghain took his place opposite young Cousland.

'Your Teyrnship, before we start, let me just say it's an honour.' Mahria stated and took her offensive position. Loghain only smiled at her and also took such position. He didn't wait long since she dashed to him and attacked. Steel of their swords clashed several times. After brief introduction Mahria charged. He pushed her back with his mighty blow. She stopped few foots behind and hung her head for a second. When she looked up again Loghain saw disbelief and encouragement in her eyes snowy eyes. 'So now we'll get serious.' He thought to himself before she launched another attack. This time she was quicker, she danced around him with her sword hitting his time to time. Loghain parried all attacks. Marhia also evaded his attack with gracious movements and at the same time she tried to attack swiftly. At that time all soldiers went out of the barracks to watch Loghain and Mahria's duel. Teyrna Eleonora and Anora also came, alongside with Teyrn Howe. It was really hard for audience to assess who's winning. 'He's growing tired.' Mahria thought to herself. 'Now's time to show my death blow.' How she was wrong. She jumped to Loghain with a fake attack then turned in the air to attack from other side. But he was faster. She realised too late that it was over as she had his sword at her throat. Then she realised what happened. She looked into Teyrn's icy eyes with shock.

'You were serious with me.' She stated silently while gasping.

'My fair lady, you deserve that.' He replied hoarsely with small smirk on his lips. 'It was an honour, lady Mahria. You are a splendid warrior.' Mahria straightened up and bowed.

'I'm sorry about my word, your teyrnship. Please forgive me I was...' Loghain rose his hand to silence her.

'There's nothing to be sorry for. My lady, please.' Then he looked around. 'I think we need to snap our audience of their shock as well.' Then he approached Maric and Teyrn Bryce. 'I hope we gave you quite a spectacle.'

'My friend. It was long time since I saw such a great duel.' Maric exclaimed. 'Both of you are magnificent swordsman. Cailan, you should practice more, cause your display was poor.' He looked at his son but Cailan didn't hear him nor he saw world around him. His eyes was locked on Mahria. 'Son! Wake up. The show has finished.' Maric patted Cailan in the arm.

'Aah, ah. Yes.' Cailan turned to Maric then to Loghain. 'Uncle, I was surprised. You were more than serious with her.'

'Heh, that's because you two are idiots.' Mac Tir pointed his finger at Cailan then at Nathaniel. Then he turned behind to look at young Cousland while she chatted with some soldiers and drank water. 'Just like Rowan but no Rowan at all.' He thought and smiled to himself.