(A/N: Hey, everyone. Sorry it took me so long to finish Star Wars but I'm finally done with it. Now let's see if I have this chapter down right, in the last chapter of the Cousland Family, we were celebrating Kenshin's birthday then he went to Denerim to pay his respects to his longtime friend, Terra. He met Leliana for the first time and also beat the living daylights out of Vaughan. He went to meet his god-daughter and she decided to stay with him and his family. Kira Tabris is the daughter of Terra Tabris and she is Kenshin's godchild. Leliana already escaped from Orlais and ended up in Lothering as a lay sister. Okay, let's get started already.)
Enjoy :)
Chapter 2: The Demise of the Cousland Family
Years had passed since Kenshin started to teach Kira how to use stealth. He showed her how she can use her surroundings as shadows. She knew that she couldn't get the hang of it, so she watched as her godfather worked his magic when she saw Fergus. Kenshin used the tree as his shadow and he waited for his brother to let his guard down. Fergus didn't know what was going on until he saw Kira, but he noticed that Kenshin wasn't there with her. Then out of nowhere, Kenshin jumped from the tree and speared him to the ground.
"And that is how you kill your enemies, Kira." said Kushin.
Kira clapped at his performance and noticed that he had become like a father to her. Oriana was walking by as she saw her brother-in-law using her husband as a combat dummy again.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, let go of my arm Kenshin." Fergus said
His wife was laughing to herself and she looked at how much Kenshin had grown into the man he was.
"Okay, Okay, I think that Fergus had enough training lessons for one day don't you think?" said Oriana.
Kenshin let go of him and Kira smiled at them.
"Why do I have to be the training dummy?" Fergus asked
Oriana shook her head and watched as Kenshin explained to Kira about how to use her surroundings as an advantage.
"He needed someone to be the dummy and you're it." Oriana mentioned.
Then she walked towards them to leave Fergus to wonder about it for a moment.
"Yeah well, I am more suitable to be a living-HEY!" Fergus complain
Then they all laughed at him when he admitted that he was a dummy and Kenshin knew that it was time for his godchild to have a pet.
"I think it's time that I take you to the Kennel to pick out your own pet." said Kenshin
Kira was surprised that he was going to give her a Marbari hound of her own. They all headed to the kennel that was filled with Marbari hounds puppies and Kira was excited to see the little puppies for the first time.
"How will I know which one is mine Uncle?" Kira asked
Kenshin and Fergus shook their heads and they knew that they couldn't help her.
"When I was your age, I didn't have help from my brother or my father when I picked Fang. I picked what was true to my heart and that's how I picked Fang." Kenshin explained.
Kira nodded her head and she closed her eyes and she used her heart to find her own Marbari. She heard a whine from one of the puppies and she opened her eyes to see that some of the Marbari picked on the little Marbari that have white fur and sky blue eyes.
"I think that I have found my Marbari hound." Kira asked.
Then she walked inside of the play bin and some of the Marbari saw her. They started to jump on her just to get her attention, but Kenshin knew that she would pick a special Marbari and he saw that she was ignoring some of them. Kira kneeled in front of the white Marbari, but the poor thing was scared when Kira picked it up.
"She is lonely just like me." said Kira
Kenshin took a good look at it and he looked underneath the Marbari to find the gender.
"I believed that you're right about one thing. It is a she, so what are you going to name her?" Kenshin asked as she placed her finger on her lip to think up a name for her marbari.
"How about Sorrow?" Kira suggested.
Then the Marbari licked her nose to approve with her suggestion.
"I have another name for you to call her: Abelas." Kenshin suggested.
Kira was surprised that he knows her people tongue.
"How did you know about the Dalish language?" Kira asked.
Kenshin smiled at her and he looked at the kennel master to give her the papers for her Marbari.
"Are you sure about letting a knife ears like her have a Marbari of her own?"
The kennel master inquired as Kenshin knew that he hated when someone called Kira knife ears, prompting him to reach for his swords, but Fergus stood in front of him to prevent it from happening.
"I know that you didn't mean to insult my brother's godchild because our father had put out a law against anyone that insults this child, stating that they go to the dungeon or to execution." said Kenshin.
The kennel master's face broke into a sweat and he looked at Kira for a moment.
"I am so sorry my lord. I didn't realize that she was your godchild."
Kenshin knew that Fergus was going to stop him before he did something worst.
"Fine, but don't insult her ever again or I might not be this merciful." Kenshin said
The kennel master bowed to him then to Kira.
"I am so sorry for insulting you as I didn't know that there was a law."
Kira nodded her head and handed him some money to pay for the Marbari.
"Thank you for imprinting Abelas to me." Kira said
The kennel master waved to them and saw that Kenshin looked more like his grandfather. Kenshin was talking to Kira about the responsibility of having a pet and how she must give Abelas a lot of love and if she showed signs of maturity, he must bring her back to the castle to start her training on being a war hound.
"I will take good care of her and don't worry uncle, I'll return when she reaches maturity." Kira said
Kenshin noticed that she looked a lot like her mother and he felt small hands wrap around his leg and he looked down to see his nephew, Oren Cousland. He was seven years old and he was upset that his uncle was training Kira instead of teaching him on how to use a sword.
"Uncle, you said that you were going to teach me how to use a sword." Oren said.
Oriana was looking at him with wonder while Kenshin knew that he was in trouble.
"When did this happen?" Oriana asked, she folded her arms and Kenshin knew that he did know.
"I thought that you told him yes." Kenshin said.
"No, I didn't!" Oriana said.
"That's what he told me-hey wait a minute here. Oren, you lied to me." Kenshin said
Oriana looked at her son for some answer and Oren was looking towards Kira to help him.
"I am not about to help you get out of trouble." Kira said.
Oren pouted when he knew that his mother was going to yell at him.
"So, you didn't know that he asked me?" Kenshin asked.
"No." Oriana answered.
"I told him to ask you and he came back and he said that it was okay." said Kenshin.
Oriana pulled her son to the side away from his father and uncle. Fergus knew that he wasn't going to have dessert after dinner.
"He sure has become more like you, brother." Kenshin said.
Fergus looked at his brother and smiled at him.
"Well, I do have the good looks and you have the brains." Fergus said
Then his brother started to laugh while Kira shook her head.
"Ha! Andraste's grace, you're full of it." said Kenshin as Fergus just looked at him and he took Kira to the stables to take her home.
"I think that I should travel by myself uncle, but I wish that I could stay a little longer." said Kira.
"And what? Listen to the people complain about the Teyrn's son showing an elf pity. I don't think that you want that." Kenshin said
Kira nodded her head and saddled up on her horse before Kenshin handed her a seal of the Cousland family.
"Ride swift and free my child." Kenshin said.
Kira nodded her head and she headed out back to Denerim. Kenshin watched as his godchild left the castle yard and one of his servants came to the court yard.
"My lord, your father requested your presence in the meeting room with the Arl of Amaranthine."
Kenshin knew that he was going to meet with Arl Rendon Howe.
"Looks like the King requested the aid of the Cousland family." Kenshin said
Then he headed inside and he knew that some of the Howe's men were standing at the front door of the meeting room. He heard their conversation behind the doors then he opened them to see that Arl Howe and his father were talking and Bryce saw that his son was standing in the doorway.
"Ah, pup it's good to see you! You remember Arl Howe?" Bryce asked.
"My daughter Delilah has been asking about you. Maybe I will bring her next I come here." Howe said.
"I am not interested in marrying your daughter Howe, but it is good to see you again though." Kenshin said.
Howe knew that he meant it and Bryce started to laugh.
"You see what I contend with, Howe? You can't tell my fierce boy anything, Maker bless his heart." Bryce said
Kenshin knew that his father wasn't going to force him to marry a Howe. He knew that his son wasn't ready to get married like his brother. "Pup, you do know why I have summoned you?"
"Let me guess, you, Howe, and Fergus are going off to war to face the Dark spawn with King Cailan's forces and you want me to stay behind to watch over the land." Kenshin answered.
Howe was shocked that he figured all that out despite being in his twenties.
"Maker's breath! This boy knows his way around guessing games, my lord." Howe said
Bryce just laughed at him and nodded his head.
"Well, he gets it from his grandfather. Now pup, I am entrusting the castle to you. Now, I need to tell Fergus to lead the men before me, but first there is someone I want you to meet. Please show Duncan in." Bryce said
The guard nodded his head and he went to get Duncan.
"It's an honor to be a guest in your halls, my lord." Duncan said, he bowed to Bryce then looked at Kenshin.
"Your lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present." Howe said.
Bryce looked at him and knew that it was going to be some problem between him and Howe.
"Duncan just arrived recently unannounced. Is there a problem?" Bryce asked
Howe just glared at him.
"Of course not. However, a guest of this stature demands certain protocols. I am at a disadvantage." Howe said
Kenshin sensed that something wasn't right about Howe.
"Pup, has brother Aldous told you of the Grey Wardens?" Bryce asked
Kenshin nodded his head and was shocked to see that Duncan was one of them.
"Yes, he told me that they fought with grandfather to defeat the fourth Blight." Kenshin said.
Duncan noticed that he looked exactly like his grandfather.
"That we did. And now there is a fifth Blight that haunts these lands and I am here to find recruits to join our cause." Duncan said.
Kenshin knew that one of his best friends would be picked to join.
"I think Duncan has his sights on Ser Gilmore." Bryce said
Kenshin nodded his head in agreement.
"If I may be so bold to suggest that your son would be given the right of honor to the Order." Duncan said.
Kenshin looked at his father with a shocked looked on his face. Bryce was upset that he heard Duncan offer the right to join the Grey Warden.
"Honor, though that might be, but this is one of my sons that you are talking about. I've not so many children that I'll gladly see them all off to battle. Unless you attend to invoke the Right of Conscription?" Bryce asked
Kenshin knew that the life of the Grey Wardens would mean that he would'nt see Kira ever again and be able to even have children of his own if he joined.
"It's a tempting offer, but I like my life with my family and I want to have children of my own to pass down all of my knowledge of fight and being a Teyrn." Kenshin said.
Bryce knew that he had matured and Duncan knew that he'd have no rights to take him away from his family.
"That's fine; I can see that your son has the courage to deny my request." Duncan said
"Thank you for understanding, but I must go to find my brother to tell him to lead the forces early." Kenshin said as he bowed to both Howe and Duncan.
He headed down the hall and saw his best friend Ser Gilmore, but he looked like he saw a ghost of some kind.
"My lord, thank the Maker that I have found you." said Sir Gilmore.
"Whoa, slow down Gilmore and take a deep breath. Now tell me what happened." Kenshin said.
"Well, I fear that your hound is causing a disturbance in the kitchen." said Gilmore
Kenshin brought his hand towards his forehead.
"Please don't tell me that Fang has gotten himself into the larder. That's the fourth time this week that he got in there. How in Andraste's name does he keeps getting in there?" said Kenshin.
Ser Gilmore just shrugged his shoulders. They headed to the kitchen to see what was going on. He saw two elves and his favorite nanny in the kitchen, but he didn't see his hound anywhere.
"You two get that beast out of the larder!" said Nan.
"But mistress, he won't let us near it," said one of the two elves.
"If I can't get into that larder, I'll skin both of you useless elves, I swear it!" said Nan, she turned around to see Kenshin there with Ser Gilmore, noticing that Kenshin was responsible for his hound's misbehavior. "YOU! That mutt of yours is making an awful mess of my larder and I want him out so I can prepare dinner for our guest."
Kenshin was scared of Nan because she always showed him all the wrong things that he had done when he was little.
"I will have him out before he causes more trouble." Kenshin assured her, he opened the door to the larder, seeing his hound sniffing around for something.
The war hound sensed his master's presence, turning around to see that he was standing behind him. Fang barked to tell him that there is something near and Kenshin shook his head at him.
"What am I going to do with you, boy? You made Nan so very angry at you and now she won't have any work done." Kenshin said.
Ser Gilmore heard something moving thus he pulled his sword out when Fang started to growl.
"I think your hound is trying to tell you that there is something here." Ser Gilmore said.
Kenshin pulled his dual swords from their sheath. Then they saw giant rats, but they tried their best to fight them off. Kenshin cut some of the rats in half while Ser Gilmore cut some of them to pieces and Fang ripped their heads off like they were his chew toys. Once the battle was over, Kenshin swirled his swords around before placing them back into their sheath and Ser Gilmore sheathed his sword as he wiped some of the rat's blood off his face.
"Well, I think that I have had enough rat problems for one day, if you don't mind my lord, I will be on my way." Ser Gilmore said.
Kenshin nodded his head and looked at Fang who started jumping on him. Then they both walked out of the larder and Nan noticed that Fang was eating some of meats that he took from the larder without his master noticing it.
"There, he is licking chops after helping no doubt," Nan said.
One of the elf servants saw a pile of giant dead rats. "Mistress, giant rats!"
"Calm yourselves, the rats are dead." Kenshin said
Nan looked at him, sighing with relief.
"I hope there are no more of them," she said as Kenshin shook his head to her. "Then the worst is over. Now, you two get back to work." Nan ordered
The elves started to complain. Kenshin was happy to see that Nan was getting back to work then he whistled for Fang to come and the hound ran towards his master's side. They started to head for Fergus' room when Kenshin saw his mother talking to Lady Landra, Darrien, and their elven lady and waiting. Kenshin noticed the elf woman and she was blushing when she saw him.
"Oh, Lady Landra, do you remember my youngest son?" Eleanor asked.
Lady Landra noticed that Kenshin had grown taller.
"How could I not? He has grown into a fine young man." said Lady landra.
"I remember you, you were drunk when we celebrated Fergus' wedding." Kenshin said
Eleanor just shook her head and Lady Landra started to laugh.
"Yes, I believe I remember shamelessly flirting with you and I thought that you were the king of Fereldan." said Lady Landra
Kenshin noticed that his mother was giving him at mean look.
"And right in front of your family." Darrien said
Kenshin extended his hand to him and he took it.
"You remember my son Darrien? I believe that you two fought in the last tournament." Lady Landra said.
"And you beat me hands down, my Lord." Darrien said
Kenshin was waiting for Lady Landra to introduce her lady in waiting.
"And this is my lady in waiting Iona." Lady Landra said as Iona was shy to speak and Lady Landra noticed that she wasn't saying anything. "Oh do say something dear."
Iona blushed and bowed to Kenshin.
"It's an honor to meet you, my lord." Iona said
Landra noticed that she was blushing and she saw that she looking at him.
"Don't look now Eleanor, I think that she has a crush on your boy." Landra said, causing Iona to blush even redder and look away from him.
"Shush Landra; you will turn the young girl scared." Eleanor said, Kenshin just shook his head and he knew that she was trying her best not to laugh.
"Maybe we should continue our discussion alone." Kenshin suggested.
"You are too kind my lord." Iona said
He nodded his head and watched as his best friend and the lady in waiting walked off to the study room. He knew that his mother wanted to talk to him about something.
"You should say goodbye to your brother before he rides off tomorrow." Eleanor said, Kenshin knew that she was right about him leaving.
"I will mother, but I noticed that you won't be here for long." Kenshin said, Eleanor nodded her head and she was looking straight up at him because he was taller than her.
"Yes, I am leaving with Landra for several days just to give you some space." Eleanor told him, he felt sad that she won't be there for him. She place her hand on his cheek. "I love you my little boy."
"I'm far from a boy, mother." Kenshin said.
Then she nodded her head and she just saw a little boy that stood in front of her, but she saw a man in front of her now.
"I know my darling. Every time I turn around, here you are as a full grown adult," Eleanor said, Kenshin headed towards Fergus' room,"I think that you should talk with that girl. I believe that she has a crush on you."
"I am hoping that you are not trying to set me up with that marriage route like you did last time." Kenshin said, Eleanor acted like she didn't remember the time she tried to force him to marry someone.
"I believe that this girl is special. Just give her a chance for me. Please." Eleanor pleaded, Kenshin knew that she will never stop until he said yes.
"If you promise to stop trying to get me married then I will talk to her." Kenshin said, his mother jumped for joy when he told her that he will talk to Iona, but he was waiting for his mother to agree to his terms.
"I will promise to stop forcing you to marry." Eleanor said
Kenshin nodded his head and he headed towards the study room to find her and he saw that she was reading one of his favorite books on the Dalish elves. She then noticed that he was standing in the doorway and she closed the book and placed it back on the pile that he had. Kenshin walked towards her and fang started to wag his short tail with excitement.
"That is a lovely dog you have, my lord," Iona said, Fang jumped on her lap. She scratched behind his ear, then his leg started to twitch with enjoyment and Iona knew that he liked it when she did it. "I think that he likes it when people scratch behind his ears."
Kenshin started to laugh and she saw some trophies that he had won and some that Fergus won.
"Yes, he does like that when I do it, although, I was hoping to get to know each other." Kenshin said as she started to blush when she saw a picture of him standing with his brother with his shirt off.
"What does my lord wish to know about me?" Iona asked.
He placed his hand underneath his chin to think up a question for her and he thought up a good question for her. "How did you become a lady in waiting?" Kenshin asked.
"Well, Lady Landra bought me from the Alienage and she made me a lady in waiting." Iona told him.
Kenshin noticed that she was hiding something that she wasn't telling. "I see. You must have family back at home that you miss a lot." Kenshin said.
Iona blushed at his guess and looked away.
"I have a daughter and she is seven years old." Iona said.
"I bet she looks exactly like her mother." Kenshin told her.
"You are too kind my lord, but she has more of her father in her." Iona said.
"Maybe next time you could bring her here." Kenshin said, causing her to blush when he suggested that she should bring her daughter to the castle.
"I am sure that she would love to meet you because she admired you ever since you brought the prize money to the Alienage," Iona said.
He just smiled at her and she started to walk towards him before she kissed him. She soon realized that she was kissing the second heir to the throne of Highever and pulled away from him.
"I am so sorry my lord, I didn't mean to do that and I know that an elf like me shouldn't be with a human like yourself, but-" Iona said.
She was interrupted when Kenshin kissed her and she wrapped her arms around him. Then they pulled away and Kenshin noticed that her eyes reminded him of Terra's.
"I would like to get to know you a lot better if you don't mind." Kenshin said
Iona nodded her head and she noticed that he was calm. Kenshin was about to leave to continue his search for his older brother, but Iona grabbed his hand then turned him around and whispered in his ear.
"I will arrive at your door when everyone else is asleep, my lord," she said, she licked it.
Kenshin nodded his head to agree. He started to head for his brother's room when he saw that Oren and Oriana were saying there goodbyes to Fergus.
"Is there really going to be war, Papa? Will you bring me back a sword? Oren asked.
Kenshin just shook his head because he knew that Oren will never stop asking for someone to train him how to use a sword.
"That's sword Oren and don't worry I'll find the mightiest sword that I can find." Fergus said, his wife felt sad that she had to watch her husband go and she didn't see her brother-in-law standing in the doorway.
"I wish that you didn't have to go, but it's the Maker's wish for you to pick up a sword to protect us." Oriana said as Fergus looked at his younger brother walking in the room.
"Don't worry my love, I will be fine. And here is my little brother to see me off. Now dry your eyes love and wish me well." Fergus said, Kenshin just smiled at his most precious people that meant the world to him.
"I could wait outside for your love fest to end." Kenshin said, Fergus started to laugh and Oriana knew that he didn't mean it.
"One day brother, you will find someone that you love." Fergus said.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I like to keep living if I marry a woman from Antiva." Kenshin said.
"He's right about that, Fergus. In Antiva, a woman fighting in battle would be... unthinkable." Oriana said, she looked at Fergus.
"Is that so? I always heard that Antivan women were dangerous." Fergus said.
Kenshin slap him in the back of the head just to shut him up.
"With kind words and poison, my husband." Oriana said.
Kenshin was shaking in fear and he looked at his brother.
"This from the woman that serves me my tea." Fergus said.
"Okay, okay, I think that is enough. Brother, father requested that you should take the forces to Ostagar early before." Kenshin informed.
Fergus was shocked to hear the news that the Arl had arrived early.
"So, the Arl has arrived early and I have to meet up with his men in Ostagar. I have to go, farewell love. So many dark spawn that need to be beheaded." Fergus told her.
Then Bryce and Eleanor arrived to his room.
"Not so fast son. We all just wanted to wish you well." Bryce said
Kenshin knew that he could have told Fergus himself.
"You could done this yourself, father." Kenshin said
Then his father knew that Kenshin was a little upset.
"And miss having both my children in the same room at the same time? Not likely." Bryce said
They starts to gathered around each other when Eleanor noticed that Kira wasn't among them.
"Where is Kira?" Eleanor asked
Kenshin forgot to tell them that Kira had went back home. He knew that this would protect her from being judge by Howe and his men.
"She went back to Denerim already and she said that she will return for some family time." Kenshin said.
Eleanor felt sad that she had something for her to have and she noticed that her son will give to her. They all gather around to give a prayer for both Bryce and Fergus safety and Kenshin knew was praying in his head to ask the Maker for his forgiveness and for Terra for not protecting her.
"And bring us some Ale and wenches while you're at it. For the man, of course." Fergus said.
Kenshin hit himself on the forehead and shook his head.
"Fergus! You going to that in front of your mother." Oriana said.
Oren was confused on this whole situation and he looked at his uncle to tell him.
"What's a wench? Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?" Oren asked.
Bryce looked at Kenshin to tell the boy and he shook his head no to him. Kenshin knew that this would be the death of him if he tell this to a young child.
"A wench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern, Oren... or, a woman that drinks a lot of Ale." Bryce said.
Eleanor just shook her head which Kenshin knew that this would happened.
"Bryce. It's like I am raising a pack of small boys." Eleanor said.
Kenshin just looked at her and he was shocked that she included him in the mix. Eleanor just hugged him as tight as she could.
"Hey, I didn't say anything." Oren said.
She looked at him and Oren tugged on his pants leg and Kenshin looked at him.
"So, you'll be able to stay at the castle with mother and me is that right uncle?" He asked.
Kenshin nodded his head and Oren looked around for Kira. He then noticed that she wasn't around and smiled with pure happiness.
"Will you teach me how to use a sword?" Oren asked.
"No, I am not falling for that again. Ask your mother." Kenshin told him.
Oriana looked to Oren and shook her head no to him.
"I never get to do anything," Oren complained.
"Maybe you should wait until you're old enough to wield a sword." Kenshin said.
Then they all started to laugh and head for the dining room for dinner. Nan made Kenshin's favorite dish, rabbit stew. Kenshin noticed that fang was hungry and tossed some of his chicken to his pet, but Iona couldn't stop staring at him. Nan started to scold him for giving Fang his food and he told her that he couldn't let Fang die of starvation. She knew that he was right and gave the hound some leftovers. It was getting pretty late so Kenshin started to head into his room to get some rest. He then felt that someone was at the door so he was about to grab his swords, but when the door opened up he saw that it was Iona in her nightgown.
"I thought that you would be asleep, but I wanted to tell you that I am falling in love with you. I want you to be my husband. My daughter always wanted a father in her life and she might like you because you cared more about us than your people." Iona said.
Kenshin just looked at the moonlight and saw how it augmented her beauty. She started to move in close to kiss him with all her heart then saw that his shirt was half-way open so she placed her hand on his chest and worked her way down to his started to glide his hands up her gown and he started to untie it. Iona stopped kissing him for a moment and took off her gown. Kenshin kissed her neck, eliciting a moan from Iona when she felt him kissing her sensitive spots. She pushed him down on the bed and she removed his pants then proceeded to position herself on top of him. She started moaning when she felt him inside of her and Kenshin felt her insides start to tighten. Then she started to move just to get the used to him and she moaned as loud as she could. Then Kenshin flipped her on her back and she suddenly felt him pounding her like a stuffed meat. Kenshin reached his climax and shot his seed inside of her before he collapsed on the opposite side of the bed.
Suddenly they heard something coming from outside of Kenshin's room and both rose up from the bed. Fang started to growl at the door and Iona didn't know what was going on outside while she looked to Kenshin.
"Your hound seems angry for some reason." Iona said.
Kenshin knew that his hound was trying to tell them that there are intruders outside. He hurriedly got dressed then reached for his swords (Note: He has two swords in one sheath like Zuko's dual swords.) to prepare himself.
"Hold on, I'll check what is going on out there." Iona said
Kenshin started to hear voices on the outside and it wasn't his mother or father.
"No wait." Kenshin said.
Iona just looked at him while she reach for the door knob, but the door was kicked open and she was shot with an arrow through her heart. Kenshin ducked under his bed and he saw feet and also saw that they were Howe's men because he remembered the symbol on the shields of the Howe family.
"Where is the youngest Cousland? The Arl ordered us to find and kill him before he escapes. We already killed the elf and now all that is left is the Teyrna."
Kenshin knew that something wasn't right the moment he saw Howe again. Kenshin then rolled some smoke bombs that soon exploded and filled the room with smoke. The guards started coughing and Kenshin unsheathed his swords and came out of his hiding spot.
"Where did all this smoke come from?"
"I don't know but I can't see anything."
Kenshin cut one of them down and then whistled for Fang to attack the last guard. Fang bit down on the last guard's neck to rip out his throat.
"Nice work, boy. I owe you some beef leg after this." Kenshin said.
Fang did a happy bark and wagged his tail and Kenshin sensed that someone was coming, but it was his mother.
"Oh, thank the Maker that you are alright, my son." Eleanor said
he cleaned the blood off his swords and sheathed them back in their sheath.
"I am mother, but they killed Iona." He said as Eleanor looked at the dead body in his room and was shocked to see the elven girl.
"I am so sorry my darling; we will give this woman a burial once we find help. For now, did you see their shields? Those were Howe's men. Why is he doing this?' Eleanor required.
Kenshin was in rage that Howe decided to attack his home while their defenses were down.
"I don't know, mother, but I will kill that bastard." Kenshin said.
Eleanor remembered that Bryce wasn't among them as well as Oriana and Oren.
"Have you seen your father, sister, or nephew anywhere?" Eleanor asked.
She was worried for their safety. Kenshin went to Fergus' room to check on them, but when he got there he saw two bodies lying in the puddle of blood and he collapsed to his knees. Eleanor came into the room and vomited when she saw the corpses.
"Oh Maker,... he was just a... little boy. My... little Oren." Eleanor sobbed in between pauses.
Kenshin was beyond rage and all he could think of was seeing how well he was going to make Howe suffer. He then reached for his nephew's hand and he placed his hand over his eyes.
"I promise Oren, I will make him suffer before I kill him. I will make him watch as I kill his wife, daughter, and sons in front of him." Kenshin said.
Eleanor nodded her head and they both went to find Bryce. Kenshin saw some of the Cousland Knights and they were fighting for their lives until one of Howe's noticed them. Kenshin unsheathed his swords while his mother readied her bow and both Fang and Kenshin charged at them. Kenshin had cut one of them down and Fang bit some of them as well. Eleanor shot some with her arrows while they were about to attack her son and Kenshin nodded his head at her before continuing to fight their way to the treasury where they kept the most important equipment for the Cousland family.
"The treasury is just behind this door, darling. We need to keep the family's sword out of Howe's hand. Here, take my key. You must keep the sword safe." Eleanor said
Kenshin nodded his head and he unlocked the door to the treasury. He saw that the treasury was filled with important things that meant the world to his family. He started to grabbed some stuff that he needed for the long travel when he noticed his grandfather's swords that were meant for him to have when he grew into the man that he is now. He grabbed some money to buy some food on his travels and saw his family sword, but Eleanor started to put some gear inside a bag before she tossed it to him.
"I made sure that everything that was important was in there even though I know that some of these are worthless." Eleanor said.
Kenshin just looked at the picture of his grandmother and she was holding on to a book and Eleanor put that same book inside his bag because she knows that he always loved to write his own thoughts in it. He heard noises coming from the main room and opened the door, but he saw a blood mage that was attacking his guards.
"Hey, you bastard, over here!" Kenshin shouted.
Then the mage noticed him and shot some spell. He started to do a front flip over the mage and cut its head off. He saw Ser Gilmore ordering the remaining forces to block the doors to keep the rest of Howe's men out.
"My lord and lady, thank the Maker that you both are still alive." Ser Gilmore said
Both Kenshin and Eleanor had sad looks on their faces that confused Ser Gilmore.
"Oriana and Oren are dead and we need to find my father and get out of here." Kenshin said as Ser Gilmore was shocked when he heard that Fergus's wife and son were killed.
"The Teyrn went to find you, but I begged for him to stay safe but he refused and just went. I will try my best to keep those bastards out." Ser Gilmore said
Kenshin knew that he couldn't convince him to come with them and headed to the larder, but when they got there things went from bad to worse because they saw Bryce Cousland on the floor bleeding to death.
"There you both are. Ugh. Thank the Maker." Bryce said, he was holding his side.
"BRYCE!" Eleanor yelled.
"FATHER!" Kenshin yelled.
They ran to his side and Eleanor saw his wounds.
"Maker's Breath! You're bleeding." Eleanor said
He struggled to get up, but the pain in his body wouldn't let him.
"One of us needs to warn Fergus about Howe's treachery." Bryce said.
Eleanor knew that he needed treatment for his wounds.
"Bryce, we will tell Fergus once you are healed." Eleanor said.
"I can't even stand nor be able to walk, my love." Bryce told her.
"Then we have no choice but to stand and fight through the end." Kenshin said
Eleanor knew that it was suicide for their youngest to die and knew that he had so much to live for. Then Duncan came walking in with his long swords and wiped some of the blood off of him.
"I am afraid that you might not get that chance." Duncan said.
Bryce was glad that there was someone that could help them.
"Duncan, you aren't obligated to the Couslands, but I want you to take my wife and son to safety." Bryce said
Duncan looked at Kenshin and found the recruit that he was searching for this whole time.
"I will take the Teyrna and your son to Ostagar where they will be safe on one condition." Duncan said.
Kenshin was concerned for his father's health and looked at Duncan to figure out the favor being asked.
"A new blight is threatening this land and I believe that I have found the recruit that I was looking for." Duncan said
Kenshin was shocked that Duncan was requesting for him to join the Grey Wardens.
"Are you mad? I am not joining the Grey Wardens just to die in the deep roads. I rather die on the battlefield." Kenshin said
Bryce started to cough and knew that his son couldn't turn his back on the world that is asking for the aid of the Cousland family.
"So, are you turning your back on what the Couslands stand for?" Bryce asked.
Kenshin knew that he was right, but didn't want to leave his family to join the Wardens.
"That's not fair! I just don't want to leave what I have to fight the darkspawn." Kenhsin said
Eleanor knew that he was afraid, but she watched him nod in agreement.
"Bryce, are you sure?" Eleanor asked
He nodded his head and made her think for the moment.
"Both him and Fergus will not fall at the hands of Howe and his forces. They are the last of our bloodline and they will carry out our will." Bryce said.
"Then I know what I must do. Kenshin go with Duncan, I will buy you some time to escape through the larder." Eleanor said.
Kenshin was shocked that his mother was willing to stay behind to fight all of Howe's forces.
"No! I am not about to let you stay behind to fight those bastards alone." Kenshin said
Then she raised her hand to stop him in his tracks and looked at her dying husband.
"I know that you are worried about me and I love you with all my heart, but I made a vow that in death do we part, I will stay at your father's side." Eleanor said
Then he looked into his mother's eyes to know that she was serious about all of this. Duncan heard the door to the castle burst open.
"We need to go. Howe's men had broken through." Duncan said, he started grabbed Kenshin's arm and Kenshin had tears in his eyes.
"Let me go! I will not leave them!" Kenshin shouted
Duncan knew that he won't be able to keep him quiet just long enough to get them away. He let go of him and picked up a heavy rock as Kenshin started to bang on the door and didn't see Duncan walk up behind him. Suddenly Duncan hit him up the side of the head and Kenshin collapsed to the ground then Fang started to growl. Duncan picked up Kenshin's unconscious body and made it to the stables. He saw Kenshin's horse Terra and knew that he had to take her with them. Terra was scared when she saw Duncan and started to jump with fear. He put Kenshin's body on her then she calmed down for a moment, but then Duncan climb on top of the horse and told her to go. She ran out of the stables without Howe's men noticing her. They rode far away from the castle and Duncan turned Terra around just to see the castle one last time before it burned to the ground. He felt sad that he had to leave Kenshin's mother back there with his father and Fang was sad that he wouldn't be able to see his brothers and sisters again. Duncan headed north towards Ostagar while Kenshin was still unconscious. Fang started to howl with sadness.
(A/N: There you have it folks and sorry that it took this long to get a new chapter updated. I am truly sorry for the delay because I've been working on Star Wars: The Chosen One, but it is finally completed. I know that Leliana wasn't in this chapter because I thought that this chapter would be about the death of his parents, but don't worry she will be in the next chapter and I will have more on the way. If you have question about this chapter don't hesitate to PM on my Profile and I will answer them as soon as I can.
Please Review :) )