A/N: Thanks for all the previous comments. :)

dash . kiwi - She talks 'ow she talks fer a reason, boyo. Annoyin' people jus' may be a bit o' tha' game she plays, ifn ya get me. ;)

If my wording or general form seems sub-par, my apologies. I seem to have lost my beta to the Real Life monster.

Note for those who missed the change in Part 11: Changed the Knight of Redside's name. Sten Cookies to those who get the reference.

Part 12: Ruffled Feathers

"Look, we're not saying to make like this Ser Ed- . . . whots his name again?"

Aedan sighed in irritation, "Ser Egglemore."

"Right. We're not saying to make like this Ser Egglemore shouldn't mean anything to the two of you. We're saying that there be a time and place to be delicate and that weren't one of them," Kallian crossed her arms and looked at he and Jory.

"And all we're saying is show a little decorum and respect," he repeated for the third time. "Those were men who have died fighting darkspawn. Died fighting to protect Ferelden."

"Hey, at least I didn't suggest to sell the ring," Daveth said as he relaxed on the fallen column. "I was getting it off the finger the quickest way I knew how. Figured if it were that important to you, the last thing you'd want to do is damage the ring by trying to yank it off the hard way."

Aedan opened his mouth to respond, then snapped it shut. He supposed using that sort of logic it would make sense in a macabre fashion. Maybe he was simply upset because he'd sat and drank with Ser Egglemore not more than a few months ago. It was also perhaps the accompanying thought that Ser Egglemore and the men from Redside could have easily been Fergus and some of their men from Highever. The chill he felt when he realized he could indeed know the men and women lying dead on the field had gotten to him. Logically he understood it could happen, but the effect of it didn't hit until he saw it. He was also feeling guilty that he was glad it wasn't Fergus.

"Honestly speaking, if we could of stayed longer and get all those bodies on a pyre and see to them proper then I wouldn't have minded it," she turned and hopped up lightly to sit next to Daveth. "But as Alistair said, we wouldn't of wanted to get stuck out there till nightfall and with just five of us that's exactly how long it would of taken."

"Long story short, squire, I wasn't meaning to be disrespectful," he draped an arm over a raised knee. "Was meaning to get us out of there and away from the stench. Them things smell worse than the sewer ditches in Pauper's Field."

"And that's sayin' somethin'," Kallian murmured with a nod.

Aedan looked down at the ground a moment, pursing his lips. He was raised learning to be respectful to the dead. The bodies of the dead needed to be treated with reverence and seen to properly least you risk upsetting those who have gone on to the Fade. Especially those who died violent deaths. If you didn't then ghosts and demons invade carrying the rage they had in death back to the land of the living. At least that was what Mother Mallol and some he knew from the Chantry had taught.

The thought of Mother Mallol and the violent deaths the night of Howe's betrayal rushed back at him suddenly. Would the ground that Castle Cousland stood upon suddenly be haunted ground? The fire would have burned any bodies there, but the blood. There was so much blood spilled in rage and violence. When he returned there would the ghosts of his mother, father, and the others be endlessly roaming about?

Physically he shook his head of the thoughts. It wasn't good to do so at this juncture. A camp on the edge of battle where decisive thoughts and actions counted was not the place to ruminate of spirits raising from the dead. The few times he was able to pry out of his father about the battles in his past always came with a simple lesson; leave the dead behind and fight on so you could live and not make those deaths in vain. Not all bodies could be seen to and you could only hope the crows and other carrion feeders would do the job a pyre could not. Though initially unsavory, it seemed both Daveth and Kallian had the right of it.

He huffed out a sigh then looked over to Jory who sat nearby upon a bench, "What have you to say about this?"

Jory frowned faintly, "I still say it was distasteful, but . . . we do now have his ring and can send it to his wife. To give her a sense of closure, at the very least."

Aedan nodded. That settled it. No harm to Ser Egglemore's honor was truly done here, so the mater should be dropped. Before he could say anything, Alistair returned to their camp with Duncan in tow. The others got to their feet and Duncan began speaking.

"Welcome back. Alistair said that you all fared well out there," he looked at them each in turn. "None of you hesitated when it came to battling the darkspawn and you all managed to cooperate with one another, regardless of differences. Well done."

"This mean you get to tell us about the Joining ritual now?" Kallian asked hopefully.

Duncan gave a small exasperated sigh, then gave her a wry smile, "No."

Aedan felt his own shoulders slump and the others had similar reactions. He was also expecting to be finally told what the Joining was all about and shook off the disappointment with a sigh.

"In due time," Duncan continued. "It will take a full day for the mages to prepare what is needed. For tonight, get some food, some rest, and prepare to head out again tomorrow morning."

"What, again?" Jory groused. "Is there more we have to gather for the Joining?"

"No, this has nothing to do with the Joining," he shook his head, "but an effort must be made towards the task and I have every confidence you will all be up to it. Consider this as something to keep you all busy instead of waiting anxiously."

"What is it that we have to do?" Aedan asked, figuring a distraction would be good for them all.

"There was once a Grey Warden archive in the Wilds, abandoned long ago when we cold no longer afford to maintain such a remote outpost," he explained. "It has recently came to our attention that some scrolls have been left behind, magically sealed to protect them. The task had been given to Alistair, but you four will accompany him. Think of this as your first official Grey Warden assignment even if you are not official Grey Wardens just yet."

"What kind of scrolls are these?" Aedan inquired, feeling intrigued.

Duncan answered as he looked at him, "Old treaties, if you're curious. Promises of support made to the Grey Wardens long ago. They were once considered only formalities. With so many having forgotten their commitments to us, I suspect it may be a good idea to have something to remind them with."

Daveth twisted his lip, "What? We have to remind people that if they don't fight the Blight, the darkspawn will destroy everything?"

"It may sound absurd," Duncan sighed and shook his head, "but time, politics, old hatreds, and Chantry given traditions tend to dilute such basic truths. These treaties are not strictly just to the King of Ferelden and his people. I had hoped that we would have Dwarves, the Dalish, and the mages here at Ostagar already." There was a furrowing of his eyebrows and something of an edge to his voice then, "But convincing people to comply to such a threat is turning out more complicated then it should be."

"But the Circle of Magi are here, are they not?" Jory questioned.

"They are, but there are too few," Duncan stiffened where he stood, obviously trying to temper himself. "The Circle had sent only seven mages. Not nearly the number I had expected. I had planned to head to the Circle Tower to convince the Templars there to release more mages to the cause, but unforeseen circumstances lead me back to Ostagar." Duncan's eyes flitted to Aedan as he said it. "I had wanted to put a mage or two in every contingent. As it is, we will have to manage with what we have for now."

"What if these scrolls ain't there," Kallian tilted her head slightly. "I'm taking it's been, what, decades since the Warden's have been at the outpost?"

"Centuries is more like it, Kallian," Duncan nodded. "It is possible the scrolls may have been destroyed or even stolen, though the seal's magic should have protected them. Only a Grey Warden can break such a seal."

"I don't understand," Alistair interjected. "Why leave such documents in a ruin if they're that important?"

"It wasn't a ruin when the Warden's left it, Alistair. It was assumed we could someday return," he replied, then added more softly. "A great many things were assumed that have not held true."

"Wait a minute," Alistair's face scrunched up in confusion, "you are talking about the same outpost we scouted when we first got to Ostagar, correct?"

"Indeed."

"But I don't recall seeing anything there that looked like it was an archive," he shook his head. "There was nothing but overgrown vegetation, a stone foundation and a few walls and columns."

"I discussed that with Havard," Duncan turned a little in Alistair's direction. "He thinks that perhaps your group might have missed it the first time out. Especially since you were not specifically looking for anything there. It could possibly behind some of those overgrown plants or maybe under some of the collapsed portions of the ruin."

Alistair immediately sighed, "You mean we might have to go digging under stone rubble?"

Duncan gave a simple smile, "You might have to do a bit of labor, yes."

Slumping his shoulders, he looked at Aedan, "All junior Wardens seem to receive the 'missions' involving moving of heavy objects or some other drudgery. We'll need to remember to bring some picks or shovels of some kind."

Aedan tried not to snicker, "That seems to go for any man's army, but I didn't think it would apply to the Grey Wardens."

"No such luck," Alistair grumbled.

"You could always go back to peeling potatoes, you know," Duncan deadpanned at Alistair.

Straightening his posture, Alistair plastered on a smile, "Or we can happily and gladly head out into the dangerous Wilds to retrieve said important documents with no complaints and no grumbling. We may even whistle a happy tune along the way."

The rest of them chuckled while Duncan sighed and shook his head, "You have your task. Alistair will help show you were to get your meals and help with sleeping arrangements. You have the rest of the eve to yourselves. Rest up and I will see you all on the morrow when you return."

"You're all set," Alistair said as they settled down to a meal of thin stew and bread. "I'll join you again here bright and early tomorrow morning."

"What? Not sticking about to sup with us recruits?" Kallian smiled as she said it. She liked Alistair well enough and if they were going to be junior Wardens right next to him, then it only made sense that they all got to know one another better.

Alistair paused and looked at her. Her eyebrow quirked slightly as she saw something almost mournful in his eyes. It slipped away when he smiled at her, but only slightly.

"Not meaning to be rude, but I . . . I need to speak to the other Wardens about a few matters," he nodded his head, and Kallian got the distinct impression is was more due to being satisfied with the excuse rather than reassuring her of things. "So enjoy your meals, get a good rest. I'll see you all in the morning."

The others gave their good nights to him and Kallian sat herself down on the log being used for a bench. They were given use of the large tent that was supposed to be for Duncan, but he was staying with the other Grey Wardens instead. She found it a little suspicious that they would give simple recruits the use of a nice warm tent near a bonfire, but then she took one look at Aedan and gave a guess it was more for his benefit. It was the only reasonable explanation she could think of. There were logs, benches, and fallen columns they could easily use for seats and they were comfortably spread about in a semi-circle about the fire.

"Do it just be me," she ventured before taking up her bowl and bread, "or does he seem sort o' distant?"

Daveth shook his head, "He's been like that since the start with both me and Jory. Here I thought it had to do with us being blokes, but he seems to be treating a pretty lady such as yourself just the same."

"Go on ya," Kallian grinned as Daveth waggled his eyebrows at her. "Honestly, he seems an alright sort. Maybe he's not supposed to be overly friendly with us till we're officially full Wardens?"

"I think it has more to do with that, rather than having to do with anyone's looks," Aedan said as he broke off a piece of bread. She noted the slightly flat tone in his voice and twisted her lip a little. "Not unusual for newer members of an order to be hazed a little. We'll probably get more of the same from other, more senior members."

"But I would not take it too much to heart," Jory added. "I recall when I was first knighted that some of the other older knights liked to give us younger ones a light ribbing. It is simply meant in jest and a means to make the nervous ones more relaxed."

"Even so, you'd think a bloke who wasn't going to be the most junior member anymore would be a little more excited about having us about," she stated.

"Right," Daveth said with a snort. "Then he can kick us about to lift the bale and tote the barge. And here I thought we were supposed to be doing nothing but fighting darkspawn."

"Someone has to keep the boots clean and armor polished," Aedan said around the bit of bread he chewed, then snapped his fingers. He finished chewing before he said anything more. "Speaking of, any of you know what quality armor the Quartermaster has?"

"Decent enough quality," Jory answered. "Certainly not better then what you already have."

Aedan grunted mildly then tapped the chest of his plate armor with a finger, "Maybe not better, but lighter and without any obvious markings. I can't keep going around wearing the Cousland heraldry when- . . ." he stopped, casting a glance at Jory. Kallian knew what he was trying to get at.

"When you're gonna be a Grey Warden, aye?" Kallian offered.

He looked at her, then gave a small thankful smile for the way out, "Right. A Grey Warden. I should be wearing that symbol soon and no others."

"What about his special stock? Maybe he's got something there that will suit you just right." Kallian suggested.

"Oy!" Daveth snapped a look at her and it took a second for Kallian to realize what she just did.

"Special stock?" Jory asked in confusion.

"Oooh, sod," she winced and looked at Daveth. "Just let the cat out of the bag, didn't I?"

"Right out, luv, right out. Point Charly out to 'em why don'tcha?" he sighed in dismay.

"Weren't trying to be a snitch, clinker," she shifted uncomfortably where she sat. "Just trying to help a bloke, eh?"

Aedan gave an audible sigh, "As amusing as these backstreet colloquialisms are, just what are you talking about?"

Daveth stood and pointed a finger at him, "Hey, hey! That seventy-five bit word best not be some sort of insult to the lady here."

She saw Aedan give Daveth an even look and sensed the air starting to bristle between them again. That brought Aedan's attitude to light again and gave Kallian the notion to take an opportunity while it presented itself.

Patting Daveth's arm lightly, she stood up with a light grin, "Easy, boyo. He was talking about how we was talking. No offense meant." She looked at Aedan as she explained, "The Quartermaster has some extra stock he's got for sale. Probably wares he's collected himself to sell on the side. He might have something lighter with stronger straps and thicker padding to it. I can help you talk to him about it."

Jory sat up a bit, his eyebrows furrowing, "Are you to say the Quartermaster is selling things that are not from the King's army supplies? He shouldn't be doing that!"

She glanced at Daveth who rolled his eyes and sat himself back down with a shake of his head.

"Hey, don't knock it," she said, flicking a finger at one of the daggers at her hips. "Managed to get me a far better set of blades and armor than the army supply could offer."

"That is taking coin out of the crown's coffers, you know," Aedan quirked an eyebrow up at her. He didn't say it in an accusing tone and it sounded like he just want to make sure she was aware of the facts and possible consequences.

"And putting it towards protecting my hide and your backs with better gear," Kallian crossed her arms, knowing full well what it all meant. "I call it a fair exchange."

Aedan's eyes narrowed at her for only a second, then a small grin showed, "Alright. I'll buy that. I take it you know what to say to the Quartermaster to get him to show his extra wares?"

Nodding as he stood, Kallian motioned with a hand, "Can probably even get him to shave a few bits off the final price."

"You mean you condone this?" Jory said, obviously disbelieving. "You are a lord of the realm, the King is your peer. You would stoop to something like this?"

Aedan quirked an eyebrow at him, "Jory, there are worst things a person could do than buying better armor from a minor black market. I rather would spend the coin on something worth our collective lives."

"Should I come along?" Daveth asked almost too quickly, interrupting any further protests from Jory. Looking at him she saw his eyes flick back and forth between herself and Aedan. "Y'know, help whittle the Quartermaster down even further or something?"

"S'aright," Kallian shook her head lightly. "Think I can manage."

Daveth twisted his lip just a little bit, the corner of his mouth turning downward. When his eyes glanced at Aedan one more time with the tiniest hint of a glare, she inwardly sighed. Saying nothing further, she set off on her way towards the Quartermaster. Aedan caught up and matched her moderate pace.

"So nothing so bright and clanky, aye?" she started, thinking it best to start with the easy small talk.

"Or as heavy, as I said," he removed one of the metal bracers, revealing a set of leather ones underneath. "Had the weather not been so chilled I probably would have sweated five pounds right off while we were out there."

Looking at him from head to toe, she shook her head, "Hmm, doesn't look like the most comfortable outfit to take a stroll in, no. How did you manage to keep it going on our trip here?"

"We weren't fighting along the way, for one," he opened and closed his hand, flexing it a few times. "And overall we didn't have much to carry along the way. On the road we were guaranteed some rest at night, but here we aren't sure when the next attack will be or for how long we'll be fighting or how long we'll need to travel. Rest might not come to us for stretches of days."

"Sound like you know what you be talking about," she tilted her head slightly. "You ever been in a big battle like this before?"

"Never a campaign this large, no," he looked around, surveying the various tents and soldiers. "There hasn't been anything this large since the days of the rebellion. I've only been through smaller hunts. Bandits, highwaymen, particular Banns becoming unruly. Fought an apostate mage and his bandit group once, but Father and others have taught me enough to know a little of what to expect here."

Kallian was quiet for a moment, then she started to snicker, "So you'll be popping your proverbial battlefield maidenhead here too, eh?"

Aedan had gotten used to some of her sense of humor along the way to Ostagar, but on some occasions she still caught him off guard and wondering just how crass her humor could get. This was one such occasion.

He nearly tripped over his own feet and looked at her in near horror, "Oh for Maker's Sake, you would put it that way wouldn't you?"

She simply laughed. There was no doubt in Aedan's mind that she was enjoying the joke just for his reaction. If he was going to get used to it, then he best start giving as good as he was getting.

Straightening his shoulders, he said suggestively with a light grin, "Well, I'm not saying I don't know where to put the battering ram, but the first time through the gate is always a rough go."

His statement left Kallian blinking at him with a slightly shocked expression and Aedan couldn't help but laugh at the look.

After a second she started laughing again as well, "Alright, alright. Tit for tat. I see how it goes now."

He had to admit it felt good to laugh a little. Genuinely laugh and act somewhat normal again. Only somewhat. Then her grin started to disappear and the laugh lines around her eyes eased.

"It be a shame, though," her voice was softer now and she looked to his chest and the Cousland heraldry etched into the metal. "To have to hide what you are, I mean. Not wear your family's crest cause of what happened." She looked up at him again. "That bother you?"

Looking at the leather bracers with his family symbol on it, his steps slowed, "I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. Rather still wear it if I could get away with it."

Her head tilted in the other direction, also looking at the bracers, "Then why not hold on to a bit of it? Just keep hold of those and keep them covered when you wear them."

He grunted once, "I suppose I could, but I will be a Warden now so . . . " Even as he said it he felt his own eyebrows furrow.

"Doesn't mean you're not part of your family anymore," Kallian shook her head. "You can't get rid of the fact you're a Cousland anymore than I can get rid of the fact I'm an elf."

With it spoken so simply it made perfect sense for him to keep the bracers if nothing else. They were gifted to him by his mother.

He nodded after a while, "You're right about that."

"Course I'm right," she immediately answered and gave an indignant sniff.

Aedan could only snort, grin, and shake his head at that. As they walked on, an uncomfortable silence started to filter in between the two of them. He didn't want it there and he couldn't explain why it was sinking in. Half of it did have to do with her. She was suddenly oddly quiet, looking around as if looking for something to talk about. Aedan also was coming up short on what to say to her now. There were several things he could say, but he wanted to avoid them right now.

"So . . . what's your gripe with Daveth?"

Shooting a look at her he saw that she was an odd picture of calm. Kallian had clasped her hands behind her back, looking at him expectantly.

"I don't have a gripe with Daveth," he said, glancing back to make sure they were out of earshot.

"Go on ya," she shook her head, some of her short black locks falling into her face with the motion. "I know when a bloke has got a problem with another bloke and you've got one. It be a little obvious."

He sighed and started to look anywhere except back at her, "I've more of a problem with the way the two of you . . . treat each other."

"You mean us carrying on with the flirting?" her tone was far too smug for his liking.

He didn't dare look at her and, try as he might, he couldn't stop himself from gritting out his words, "Yes, the flirting. This isn't the time or place for such behavior, Kallian."

"Then I suppose we're supposed to wait till after we possibly die to do it?" she let out a small huff of breath. "It just be a little fun, for Maker's Sake. It's not like we're smuggling in ale and getting pissed enough to lay with one another."

"Might as well be," Aedan mumbled under his breath, but before she could ask or react he continued. "We're at the edge of battle here, not celebrating Satinalia in Antiva. It's one thing to keep your morale up, but another to keep doing it to the point of distracting yourselves and others." The next words came tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop it and even as he said them he looked over at Kallian with the realization it was not the right thing to say, "Besides that, I think you could do better than him."

"What?" her arms dropped to her sides and she stopped walking to turn and look at him. Her eyebrows were fully furrowed and the incredulous stare she gave him confirmed that his words were definitely the wrong ones to use.

Oh, that's just marvelous, Aedan berated himself. Stick your foot firmly in your mouth, why don't you? Here, let me slather it with butter so it fits in easier.

He sighed and raised his hands in the form of surrender, "What I mean is -"

"You think I can do betta than 'im?" he winced as her words interrupted him. He already knew that the thickness of her accent was equivalent to just how upset she was and this time some of her words were slurring together. "Oh, well, then I'll jus' go ahead 'n spurn Daveth because your vaunted wisdom and insights are just sooo much keener than mine. All that time ya spent bein' lord o'er others most certainly gives you that soddin' right ta tell me something like that!"

The way her voice oozed with sarcasm immediately set him on edge, his voice came out with more bite than he really meant to use, "I thought you understood I'm not like that."

"Do I? Really? I know you so well?" she snapped. "Look, I might owe you for doin' what I did ta you, but tha' don't be a flag o' surrender I be wavin' so you can go ahead and rule o'er me, m'lard."

"Rule over you?" he repeated, now the one to look at her with an incredulous stare. "And you don't owe me a damn thing, woman. What are you on about?"

"You know what I'm on about," she almost looked ready to spit. "And I ain't havin' it! I don't belong to you 'n I ain't your soddin' property neither! I'll see who I like, when I like, and if you don't soddin' like it then tha' be just too soddin' bad!"

Kallian stormed off, but he was too taken aback to think to reach out and grab her. Rule over her? Owe him? Not his property?

Sweet Maker, and here I thought we'd gotten over the notion that I was some domineering, autocratic, despot, he frowned at her back as she continued to stomp away. Or maybe her outburst was just anger talking.

He noted other soldiers looking at them both oddly. Their voices had risen rather considerably. With a shake of his head he continued on his way to the quartermaster. Any aid she was about to give him had just been abolished and calling out to her was just going to gather more attention to them.

Aedan knew she wasn't going to take his words well, but the way she had quickly turned irrational was jarring. How he was going to tackle opening up talks with her again without her snapping his head off wasn't immediately coming to his mind. He had thought they'd developed enough of a rapport that he could be a little candid with her. Such was apparently not the case. Trying to figure how her mental recesses worked was almost beyond his ken. Perhaps it did have to do with the fact she was elven. He did his best to try and overlook the fact as he always did with any of her kind he'd come across. It was a habit he tried to develop on his own ever since his time with Oralyn.

What would you have said to all of this, Ora? Am I wrong to think that Kallian could do better? Am I judging her too high and Daveth too low? Or do I not have the right to judge at all?

Thinking of Oralyn made his heart ache. She was out there, somewhere, right now. Hopefully hiding from Howe's men and keeping herself safe. She wasn't dead and he had Kallian to thank for that.

And it's perhaps why you do think highly of her, his steps slowed a tad. She had helped your people escape certain death without doing it for rewards or accolades. You know she has a good heart . . . and Daveth you are still unsure about, but only because you just met the man today. Ugh, Aedan, you are judging too soon, give the man some room to prove himself. He's to be a brother-in-arms so best start treating him as such. And just what right do you have to say who Kallian can and can't be with.

He was going to have to apologize to her. For judging, for thinking he had the right to try and protect her, for immediately doubting Daveth, all of it. Perhaps he could crack the ice and jokingly say that next time he'll wait a few days before acting the overprotective brother. Provided Daveth didn't suddenly challenge him when he got back to camp.

Cooperate with one another, despite our differences, he mentally sighed. Right.

A/N: Next Chapter - Feather Patterns