Hey, guys! It's DeadlyMaelstrom711 again. I apologize for the long hiatus and not being more productive in providing more chapters to the story.
Lately, I've been running out of ideas so I had to re-read the Dragon Age lore and play some more Dragon Age games to get the wagon moving again. Also I had some "personal" issues to resolve before graduating from my university and have been looking for a full-time job before inevitably beginning to pay back my student loans.
Again, sorry for not announcing my hiatus. But I'll be throwing myself back into Life Endures And A New Generation Will Be Born and will be seeking feedback.
With that being said, here's some more!
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9:32 DRAGON
Denerim
For the past several days, almost weeks at best, the random acts of violence against Warden-Commander Cousland and his family have grown. Nobody knows for sure what the assailant's reasons were, but nothing was being left to chance. In response, the Denerim city guard were forced to increase it's patrol and inspect both visiting and exiting dignitaries.
Local residents and ruling nobles were uncomfortable with tightened security; some were reluctantly supportive, others were more vocal about it. But once word reached King Alistair and Queen Anora, they issued a royal decree declaring that the Warden-Commander and other members of House Cousland were officially under the crown's protection.
Leliana had already returned home with her son Adrian in tow, accompanied by Warden Velanna and a small contingent of Grey Wardens. After thanking her rescuers, Leliana had tended to her son's well-being. To her relief, the boy was relatively unharmed. What the Tevinter assailants wanted with her son, Leliana did not know; but once it happened, she became ever the more determined to ending this threat.
"Now, now, my little one," Leliana cooed to Adrian. "Mama's here to protect you. It'll be alright. I promise."
Adrian looked at his mother unresponsively, his big blue eyes looking into hers as her words were setting in. Leliana did her best to hide her anguish from her child. She had to be strong, for him, for her family. But still... the thoughts of Sharana, Ashira, and Malya's lifeless bodies continued to weigh heavily on her. How they were cruelly taken from this world by cruel, vicious men.
'Maker, forgive me,' she prayed silently. 'Please accept their blessed souls into the Golden City; Maker, guide them to the arms of your beloved Andraste.'
Leliana felt a tear stream down her cheek and wiped her eyes, causing young Adrian to gently pat his mother—as if he's attempting to cheer her up. Leliana chocked a laugh, picking her son and held him close.
"Thank you, little one. Mama's feeling better now."
The sun had begun to set, emanating a orange-yellowish hue. Leliana had taken a moment to regain composure as she looked out the window, waiting for the return of her husband. They had much to discuss after all.
She had one of her maids send Adrian to his room for his nap time. The maids bowed respectfully and carried out their lady's request. Leliana turned one last time to look out the window before setting herself down in front of the fireplace.
"Aedan. Where are you?"
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Denerim Marketplace
Warden-Commander Cousland had been seen approaching the gates of Denerim, carrying a book in one arm that Morrigan left for him to take. He wasn't sure what was in the lore, and quite frankly, it kind of concerned him considering Morrigan's nature and her habit for exploring the unknown. Dangerous knowledge, even forbidden ones.
For now, Aedan would have to review it at another time. He had enough on his mind already. As he approached the marketplace, the Warden was stopped by a city guardsman.
"Hold on! Sorry, milord. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to wait here momentarily."
Aedan eyed the guardsman. "Whatever for, guardsman?"
"Pardon my manners, serah. But there has been an increase in security lately. I imagine you weren't informed of the notification in time, given the nature of your business in Amaranthine."
"Then get to it. I cannot afford any further delays."
"Right. You remember those men who attacked you earlier? Well, their attacks have become more unorthodox and more aggressive. Recently, however, we just learned that these... assassins, if you want to call them, started targeting rather prolific figures."
"I'm well aware of that fact, private. Considering that these men have already made their presence known to me and the rest of the Wardens at Vigil's Keep; most notably their failed attempts on my life."
"Well about that, ummm..."
"Lad, what are you trying to tell me?"
The guardsman took a deep breath, anticipating Aedan's reaction. "They've... showed up again, ser. They attacked Lady Leliana and your son, but they—"
He couldn't believe his ears. The same people who attacked him had just gone after his family? In a rush, Aedan abruptly cut him off mid-sentence. "Andraste's mercy! What are their conditions? Are they alright?"
"They're unharmed, milord. Just rather shaken by what happened at Crestwood."
Aedan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Maker. Where are they now?"
"At your estate. I can take you there if you want."
"No need, private. I can get there on my own. Dismissed."
The guardsman saluted and left to return to his post. Aedan in the meanwhile had dashed to his estate to check up on his family. He had known the Tevinter assailants had gone after him and failed, but he never expected them to go after Leliana or Adrian.
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Cousland Estate, Denerim
Aedan made his way to the main hall, taking quick glances left and right. When he couldn't find his wife, he proceeded into the library, but no luck. The Warden finally entered the bedroom and found Leliana, glancing into the fireplace before noticing her husband's presence.
"Leli," Aedan said.
"Dearest."
Aedan knew what had happened and took a seat beside Leliana, placing a hand on hers—giving a gentle squeeze, one she returned. Still not budging an inch from her position.
"I heard what happened. Are you..."
Leliana shook her head. "Adrian and I are fine, but... They killed them. They're dead."
"Who?" Aedan asked.
"My maids," Leliana answered in a somber tone. "Sharana, Ashira, and Malya. They're... they're gone."
"I'm sorry, Leliana."
Leliana looked at Aedan, her lip slightly quivering as she tried not to show emotion. "Adrian, our baby... They almost..."
Aedan held Leliana close the moment he heard her voice crack. He had never seen Leliana this upset since their encounter with Marjolaine during the Blight, but even more so considering the life of their son was threatened by people they had never met.
"Why would they do this? I don't... I don't understand."
Aedan broke eye contact, his gaze turning momentarily towards the fireplace. "I wish I knew. But whoever these people are, they will not lay so much as a finger on Adrian's head. I swear to you."
Leliana looked at him unconvinced. "How can you be so sure of that? You've seen what they can do, what they're capable of. What assurances do you have that these men won't come after us again? Tell me. How do you plan on stopping them?"
Aedan opened his mouth, but quickly shut it. He wasn't particularly sure exactly how to prevent such an incursion—a rather unpredictable incursion. Whether or not he was acting more on his emotions as a father or a weary Warden.
"I want to believe you more than anything, love. I really do. But this cannot continue. Our family, our child... They don't deserve this kind of treatment."
"No, they don't, Leli. Maker willing, fate will be on our side in this fight."
"That's not even a plan; just more promises."
Aedan glanced back at his wife. "Who says there isn't one already?"
Leliana stood there, looking directly at Aedan. "What do you mean?"
Aedan stood up from his seat and wandered towards his desk. Opening a drawer, he pulled out some parchment containing ancient writings dating back to the time of ancient Tevinter.
"In order to anticipate where our foe will strike, we must determine the origins of these cultists. For now, all we have at our disposal is information. We know our reach only extends so far, so why not stretch even further?"
Puzzled, Leliana approached her husband. "You want to... track them?"
"I have contacts in some corners of Orlais, the Free Marches, Nevarra, even within the very halls of Weisshaupt itself. If we play our cards right, then we could discover their plans and counter them. But I cannot garner the results on my own nor could I guarantee that this will end things for good. I will need your help."
Leliana looked at the gathered documents assembled before her and quickly noted what Aedan was suggesting: managing a spy network; someone to hide from within the shadows and infiltrate enemy ranks to gather vital information. If successful, they could be able to anticipate where the Tevinter cults may strike before they even have the chance to pull it off.
"I know this seems to be asking a lot, but can you help me?"
Leliana looked at her husband, contemplating on his proposal. On one hand, she wanted to ensure her family's safety by routing the enemy; the other wanted nothing more than to live the rest of her life raising her family. But she knows full well that this might not be possible so long as these cultists remain a threat.
"Of course, dearest. We're in this together."
Aedan smiled. "Thank you, Leli. I'll begin making the necessary arrangements in the morning. For now, it's time to rest. Let's get some sleep while we still can."
Leliana nodded and went to get dressed into her nightgown. Aedan removed his Warden regalia and soon joined his wife in bed, leaning close enough for the two to kiss each other goodnight. As the candle and fireplace went out, it can be assumed that despite their efforts, neither of them could get any sleep.
Tomorrow was going to be a long, long day.