Chapter 33: Homeland
As the sun rose over Denerim, Delia woke and readied herself for her morning practice. It would be a long day, so she decided to cut her routine short and only perform her stretches. As she walked back to her tent to begin packing Zevran walked up to her.
"My lovely lady, I should like to have a moment of your time."
She looked at him and nodded. Zevran took her arm and walked her to a fallen log at the edge of the camp. He motioned to her to sit and sat next to her, taking her hands into his.
"Mia cara, we shall be traveling through your father's lands today, and I must insist you travel close to me. I am most concerned with encountering his men and what they might do should they recognize you. While we were in Denerim I took the liberty of purchasing a new helm for you… while it is not something that I would like to see you wear with any regularity, I believe you should wear it today."
He pulled a bag from in back of the log and handed it to Delia. As she removed the helm, she understood why Zevran didn't want her to wear it regularly. It completely covered her entire head, with merely cutout areas for her eyes and mouth. The nose had a protrusion with an opening where her nostrils would be. As the helm was made of black leather, it almost had the look of an executioner's hood.
"Well, Zev… it is certainly different. I'm not sure if you are protecting me or working through some sort of fetish!" Her eyes glinted with laughter.
"Ah, ha, ha, that is quite amusing, really!" Zevran's grin grew wide. "Alas, my dear, I do not believe we shall have time for my fetishes today." He moved closer to her and put his mouth so close to her ear that his lips tickled against her skin. "Perhaps we could pursue that idea of yours tonight. You are most welcome to join me in my tent. Your wish is my desire, mi querida."
Laughing nervously, Delia stood up. "Well, I'll keep that in mind, Zev. In the meanwhile, I think we had best eat our breakfast and pack so that we can get our travels underway, don't you think?" She nearly tripped as she quickly turned and jogged across to the camp fire.
Zevran watched her as she rushed off with a low chuckle forming in his throat. As much as he tried to pretend that he could act as her brother, he found that she continued to intrigue him as a woman. He watched as she sat next to the Templar. When Alistair bent to her face to kiss her, the elf felt a pang of jealousy. He tried to tell himself that her protection was simply another contract, and he could have no room in his hardened heart for feelings for her, but it seemed to be a losing battle. Zevran took a deep breath, stretched, and walked to the camp fire. Leliana handed him a dish with eggs and bacon, and a tankard with fresh cider. He smiled at the bard and thanked her before settling down on the opposite side of the fire from Delia and Alistair.
Aeden tried to hurry everyone along in order to get onto the road as early as possible. He was also very aware that the route he had planned took their party through Bann Loren's lands, and he wanted to get through the area well before darkness overtook them.
It was midafternoon when they found themselves nearing the River Dane. Zevran had gone ahead of the main group to scout the road, and he rode back to them in a hurry. As he approached Aeden, the warden could see the worry on the elf's face.
"Loren's men have closed the road ahead. It seems they currently align themselves with Logain, and they fight the men from other bannorns who do not share their alliance. I suggest we find an alternative route."
Aeden frowned and pulled out his map. Delia moved her horse closer, hoping he would notice her, but when he didn't she cleared her throat. Aeden looked up at her and she smiled at him.
"Did you forget that I might know some paths that even your map wouldn't show?" When Aeden stuck his tongue out at her, she laughed heartily, but then pointed at a spot on the map north of their current position. "If you take us over here, there is a little used bridge that leads to an old hunting cabin. If we follow that trail, we can meet up with another path that will lead south again to the Lake Calenhad docks. The trails are so narrow that we will need to take the horses in a single file and it is far enough out of our way that we may need to camp in the woods for the night, but we can avoid my father's men with no problem."
"I suppose you will need to be near the front then, Delia. Might I suggest that you wear the, uh, helm that Zevran bought? Just in case, you know…" Aeden tried to hide his amusement at the sight of the odd helm, but his eyes gave him away.
Delia punched him in the arm, earning a yelp from the warden. "I will, only to conceal my identity, but don't you dare say a word."
Aeden took his hand and made a motion at his lips as if he were buttoning his mouth closed, but as she placed the ugly leather monstrosity on her head he couldn't help but allow his laughter to escape. When she shot him a nasty look, he put his hands out to each side, palms up and put as innocent a look as he could on his face. "Sorry, I just can't help it. You almost look like a darkspawn with that thing on your face. It's just not blotched enough."
With a humph, Delia kicked her horse and started north across the field toward the forest edge. They traveled for a bit along the edge of the woods until they found the path they were looking for. Delia allowed Zevran and Aeden to take the lead. As they neared the first bridge, Zevran raised his hand and motioned for the group to dismount silently. They tied the horses and quietly moved to the area of Zevran's concern.
As they reached the top of a hill, they noticed a group of Loren's men down below. They had a prisoner with them – a man wearing the colors of Cailan's army. A silent look passed between Zevran and Aeden, and with a nod from Aeden the group attacked the Bann's men. Before they could even reach them, one of the soldiers ran his sword through the prisoner, leaving him to his death on the ground. The warden's group easily overpowered the soldiers, leaving one alive to question. Their first concern was the wounded prisoner.
Aeden recognized the man as Elric Maraigne, one of Cailan's honor guards at Ostagar. Elric had always had a close relationship with the king, and seeing the man cut down in front of them before they could save him put salt in the wounds of all the losses they had already suffered. While Elric still drew breath, the man told Aeden how the king had left important papers at Ostagar as well as the sword of King Maric. Elric begged Aeden to go back to Ostagar and retrieve them from the royal chest, and even went as far as to tell him where to find the key. Aeden promised the man they would go, and he was able to slip into a more peaceful death.
Aeden then turned his attention to the one remaining soldier. Delia recognized him immediately as Ser Trent, the second highest ranking officer in her father's command. When the soldier refused to answer Aeden's questions, Delia stepped forward and removed her helm.
"What are you doing?" Aeden looked at her in alarm, but she put her hand out to stop him.
"Aeden, he will answer to me, then he will meet the Maker."
Ser Trent looked at the woman with amusement. "So, you have decided to play warrior? I never would have expected that from you, Lady Delia."
She narrowed her eyes at the man. "I don't play when the times are so serious. I am a Grey Warden recruit, and I suggest you mind your tongue."
The soldier laughed. "So, here your father has believed you to be dead and all you are doing is running around the country pretending to be a Grey Warden! Everyone knows they all died at Ostagar."
"So, my father believes me to be dead? And just how does he think I died?"
"Teryn Logain himself told him that you, your brother and your mother died at Highever when the Couslands' men mutinied. It was a good thing Arl Howe's men showed up when they did, or the good Arl himself would have been killed. It seems that Cousland's men hated him for his aligning with the Orlesians and they decided to stop him before it was too late."
Aeden walked over to slap the man in the face, but Delia stayed his arm. "Ser Trent, this man with me is Aeden Cousland. He and I escaped from Cousland Castle with the help of the Grey Warden Commander, Duncan. The events at the castle did not happen as you were told. It was Arl Howe who attacked and killed everyone in the castle. Teryn Bryce Cousland was no traitor – Rendon Howe is the only traitor from that day, although Teryn Logain proved himself a traitor at Ostagar when he quit the field of battle, leaving our king to die at the hands of the darkspawn."
Ser Trent's eyes grew wide. "You lie! Logain is the Hero of River Dane! He wouldn't be a traitor to Ferelden!"
Delia looked at the man gravely. "Ser Trent, you have known me for many years. You taught my brother how to use a bow. You taught me how to ride a horse! Have I ever lied to you or in any way been deceitful?"
"No, my lady, but to believe…"
"I assure you it is the truth. You were sworn to my mother's service. Has my father treated you well since her death?"
He looked down. "No, my lady. Your father treats those of us who were contracted to his service through your mother almost as if we are as bad as the Orlesians themselves." He grinned angrily. "You are actually doing me a service by killing me today. I have no other options in my life. It's either serve that dog of a man, or die in his service."
Aeden sneered. "I think you are doing a disservice to dogs everywhere when you compare Bann Loren to a dog…"
"Aeden…" Delia scolded.
"Sorry, Delia, it needed to be said." He smiled apologetically at her. "You know that we don't hold your father against you."
She looked back at the soldier and her expression grew grave. "As I see it, you now have two different options – you may either die at the hands of my friend, the Crow assassin, or you may join us and serve all of Ferelden by helping us to unite the country and battle our true enemy, the darkspawn."
Alistair jumped. "Do you really think this is a good idea? You already have the assassin, no offense, Zevran," to which Zevran smiled and shook his head. "Do you really want one of your father's men?"
She looked at Alistair and put her hand on his arm to comfort him. "Ser Trent is one of my mother's men. He was in her service for years, and had been sent to her by my grandfather himself."
"But can you trust him?" He looked at her questioningly.
Turning back to Ser Trent, Delia offered him her hand. "Ser Trent, please stand and look me in the eye. If you pledge yourself to our cause, I will know if I can trust you by what I see in your eyes." He took her hand and stood, and Delia's gift took over yet again. Placed as a squire with my grandfather as a child… his career has not been easy in my father's employ… he has been asked to torture the peasants for their taxes, much to his personal sorrow… he is a good man who has been forced to do many things he found immoral or at least unethical… he is trustworthy and wishes to right his wrongs…
Ser Trent stood and wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "My Lady Delia, if what you and your friends say is true, I would gladly serve you and Ferelden." He allowed a smile to play on his mouth. "You know, you remind me of your mother. She was always practical and kind. I never understood how a woman as lovely as she was could ever find herself with a man such as your father."
Delia's face grew sad at her memories of her mother's stories. "My father changed the way he presented himself to fit whatever situation he was in. My mother was a means to an end to him, and he tricked her into believing that he loved her when what he really wanted was my grandfather's power and position." She took a deep breath and straightened herself. "So, Ser Trent, do you swear your allegiance to us?"
He bowed in a soldier's salute, placing his fist across his chest. "My lady, I swear to you and your party my allegiance. I only hope that I may use my sword to help end the Blight we face and reunite Ferelden to the glory our country held when good King Maric held the throne."
Aeden moved to the soldier and grasped his arm. "Welcome to our merry band. By any chance, do you have a horse of your own somewhere nearby?"
Trent nodded. "Yes, they are about fifty paces to the west. Now that the others are dead, I suppose we could take theirs as well…"
Zevran shook his head. "No, we should send them back to their stable. If we bring too many of the Bann's horses with us, we shall only find more trouble, no?"
Aeden agreed. They retrieved Trent's horse and rejoined the rest of the party. As they mounted their horses to continue their journey, Zevran maneuvered his mount to Trent's side.
"My friend, I shall warn you right now that Lady Delia is under my personal protection. Should you decide at any time to betray her, I give you fair warning that I will be certain to watch you die a very slow and painful death. I guarantee that each of us in our party will be watching you, even though I make it my business to know everything that happens to each of us. Do I make myself clear?"
Trent nodded at the elf. "I have enough contacts in Antiva to understand who and what the Crows are. I assure you, Zevran, I have always respected Lady Delia. Her mother and grandfather were always very good to me, and I am only too happy to be working for people who I can respect. You will have no trouble from me."
Zevran nodded in response and then made his way to the lead position. They traveled for several hours before Aeden found a location to camp for the night. The group settled into what had become their routine for setting up the camp, and before long the tents were up and a fire pit was built. Aeden invited the others to join him fishing, and so Trent, Leliana and Wynne went to the river's edge. Wynne had never been fishing before, and she was so excited when she felt her first fish on the line that she nearly fell into the rushing water! Had it not been for the quick reaction of Trent grabbing her around her waist, she surely would have been doused.
The fishing party returned within an hour with more than enough fish for everyone to feast upon. Delia was feeling a bit spoiled. After all, the last few days they had eaten fresh eggs in the morning and the dinners had been either fresh meat from the Denerim butchers or the freshly caught trout they ate that night. After the full meal and the long day of travel, no one felt like remaining awake for long. Everyone retreated to their tents, save for Sten and Leliana who took the first watch.
As the camp slept, Delia's spirit wandered to the Fade. In her dream, her mother came to her. Smiling at her daughter, Landra held out her arms and gave Delia a hug. "I have missed you, Delia."
"I have missed you too. I wish…" Delia looked at her mother sadly.
Landra sat on a couch and patted the cushion next to her. Delia sat next to her mother and with her mother's arm around her shoulder she leaned her head onto her mother's shoulder.
"I know, child. I have felt your sadness, even from the distance of the Fade. We don't have much time, I'm afraid, and there is so much I need to tell you. The most important thing you need to know is this – as horrible a man as your father is, he does not believe the garbage that Rendon Howe has told him. I wouldn't trust your father, and yet when you are at the Landsmeet I believe your father will be instrumental in helping you. Until then, you must stay away from him. You can trust Trent – he will help you avoid your father as he knows his schedule. And please," Landra's eyes glinted in merriment, "please get rid of that awful helm! I can't stand seeing my beautiful daughter with that… thing over her face!"
Delia laughed. "Oh, you saw that, did you? It is awful, isn't it! I'll look for something a bit less… obviously disgusting!"
Both women laughed together. Then Landra faced her daughter and took her face between her hands. "Remember, my dear girl, I love you more than life itself. I couldn't be more proud of you and your companions, and I have every faith that you will be successful. Stay safe… and be happy." She kissed her daughter on the forehead, and then the world around her seemed to turn into a mist.
Delia woke inside her tent with a smile on her face, even though the loss of her mother stabbed at her heart. "I promise, Mother, to strive for both." Rolling onto her side, she fell back to sleep, feeling more confident in her decisions.