Chapter Seven: The Eve of Battle

Yvaine and Duncan approached the tent and through the slightly opened flap they heard raised voices and heated words, apparently the Teyrn and King were getting into a rather nasty argument. Quietly they entered, trying not to attract too much attention to themselves as they neared the strategy table Loghain was on one side with Cailan on the other, both were gripping the edge of the table and yelling at the top of their lungs.

"No, Cailan! Under no certain circumstances are you to be at the front of the line with the Wardens!" roared Loghain. "You are the King of Ferelden and without an heir, we cannot take needless risks with your life while your reign hangs in the balance!"

Cailan rolled his eyes, exasperated at the speech he had obviously heard a thousand times before. "Fine, Loghain, let's hear your new strategy since you detest mine so much."

Loghain unrolled a scroll and started placing pieces on the map, animating what he already had on paper for all to see. "You will remain at the rear line while the Wardens and mages will be at the front, I will be off to the side with reinforcements, when the beacon at the Tower of Ishal is lit that is when I will approach with my troops and flank the horde from the middle. This is our best plan of attack, Cailan, victory is assured if we follow this strategy."

Cailan scrutinized the strategy closely, his brow crinkling in concentration. "This looks good, Loghain. I can't find a flaw, as usual."

Yvaine looked at the old teryn and saw the arrogance on his features as he watched the King look over the scroll, she glanced over at Fergus whom had yet to acknowledge her entry. She felt her heart fall to her stomach, her brother was only six years older than she was but he looked almost twenty years her senior, she was amazed that in just a few short days he had changed so drastically. His face appeared drawn and pale with several wrinkles forming around his eyes, he looked as if he had not shaved in days and in his hair she caught glimpses of silver. 'Has he always looked like this and I haven't noticed?' she wondered as she continued to examine her brother's appearance.

Cailan glanced up from the table and saw Yvaine and Duncan standing a few feet away. "Duncan, Lady Yvaine," said Cailan as he flashed a smile at Yvaine.

Hearing his sister's name roused Fergus from his thoughts, when he saw her standing there he jumped up from his chair and embraced her, glad that she had made it through the ritual unharmed. "Yvaine, I'm so glad to see you're alright," said Fergus. "I thought for sure I might've lost you."

Yvaine relaxed in her brother's embrace, glad for the feeling of relief and familiarity it brought. "Don't worry, Fergus, you're not going to be rid of me that easily."

Fergus gave a shaky laugh, trying to separate the humor from the pain. "Thank the Maker for that, Sister."

She was released from his grasp only to be hugged by the King, he spun her around in a circle a few times before settling her back on the ground, the mischievous gleam still dancing in his eyes. "Congratulations, Yvaine! You are a lucky woman indeed, I'm glad to see you went through the Joining unscathed."

"Thank you, your Majesty," said Yvaine smiling. "Although, it was not accomplished without great sacrifice, I'm afraid." She looked directly at Fergus as she spoke. "Ser Jory and Daveth were lost."

"May the Maker guide them home," whispered Fergus, he was quite shaken now that he realized exactly how close he had actually come to losing his sister.

"Yes, yes," interjected Loghain, scowling at the young nobles, "as terrible as that is, we still have a war to win. Cailan, there are a few details we must sort out before we conclude this meeting."

Cailan sighed and resumed his position at the table. "Yes, alright Loghain, what do we need to determine?"

Yvaine noticed the smug look on Loghain's face when the King had given into his demands, the look suggested he had control of the situation but Yvaine had a feeling it was the other way around behind closed doors.

"Well, there's the matter of lighting the beacon," said Loghain, making a show of pointing at the model of the tower on the table map. "We need a small party of a few soldiers, not too many to draw attention but enough to be able to fight off any obstacle."

Cailan nodded his agreement. "You're right." He looked up and squarely at Duncan. "I think it should be Alistair and Yvaine, do you disagree, Duncan?"

All eyes turned to Duncan whom seemed undisturbed by the sudden attention. "I agree, your Majesty, it is a wise choice."

"Surely your Majesty is not thinking of giving such an important assignment to two inexperienced Grey Wardens?" asked Loghain, trying to control his temper.

"My Lord, the Circle is prepared to offer it's services to this important mission," said a mage from the corner, "perhaps it would be a better choice—"

Cailan held up his hand to silence the mage. "Thank you for the offer, but I have already made up my mind, Alistair and Yvaine will light the beacon with a small company of two additional soldiers."

"Then let me offer my services to the cause," said Fergus. "I will join my sister and Alistair on their assignment."

Yvaine gasped, she had not expected Fergus to jump in to be at her side, she thought he would be with the other soldiers from Highever. "Are you sure?" asked Yvaine, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Fergus nodded and he turned to Cailan. "Is this acceptable to you, your Majesty?"

Cailan smiled, humbled by the fierceness his friend had in protecting his younger sister. "That is perfectly acceptable, Teyrn Cousland, although I would've preferred you at my side I know you have a duty to your family."

Yvaine and Fergus smiled at Cailan, glad that he had agreed.

"If that's all, then I would suggest that Yvaine and Fergus should return to the camp and get some rest," said Duncan, his tone indicating to the group this was not a mere suggestion but an order.

"I agree with Duncan," said Cailan.

"What a surprise," mumbled Loghain, only Yvaine heard his words.

Duncan nodded. "Then it is agreed, you two are free to return to camp, I will speak with you and Alistair at a later time." She glanced back at him and knew by the look he was giving her she was to refrain from discussing this meeting with Alistair until he returned.

Yvaine and Fergus nodded, they bowed to Cailan and exited the tent, both nearly running towards camp when they were clear of the entrance.

"Maker, am I glad to be out of there," said Fergus when they were far away enough from the King's tent. "Cailan's a great friend and King but he shouldn't rely so much on Loghain's advice, yes he's won the battles for us so far but eventually he will be wrong, and Cailan's luck will have run out."

She gave a sharp nod in response. Fergus was right, no matter how great of a general Loghain had been to Maric and now to Cailan, he would make a mistake and it would cost everyone dearly unless Cailan learned to make his own strategies. "But until that day, we are stuck following Loghain. I hope Alistair made some food, Maker, I'm starving!"

When they arrived at the camp they were relieved to see Alistair sitting by the fire with a large pot of stew bubbling, the smell wafted towards Yvaine and Fergus and they dashed towards the food. They grabbed two wooden bowls and spoons from a box next to some supplies and ladled stew into their bowls and took a hunk of bread from the basket, when they had their food they sat down near Alistair and tucked into their supper.

"Either the stew is that good or you both are too hungry to really taste it," laughed Alistair sometime later when they had finished their bowls in record time.

Fergus helped himself to another bowlful. "I think it's a bit of both actually, Alistair, though I'm not sure what's gotten into Yvaine, that's her third bowl already."

They looked over at Yvaine who was now forgoing silverware and just slurping the stew straight from the bowl. When she felt their eyes on her she slowly lowered the bowl, somewhat self conscious about how she was eating. "What?" asked Yvaine as she wiped her mouth on her gauntlet, staring at both of the men.

Alistair and Fergus burst out laughing, between the look on her face and the way she had been eating, there was ample amusement. Yvaine tried to be embarrassed but could not resist joining in with the merriment even if it was at her expense, it just felt good to be able to laugh again with her brother.

"I guess I should make rabbit and cabbage stew more often if the lady fancies it so much," chuckled Alistair as he ladled himself a fourth bowl. "Though I'm sure you're more accustomed to eating fancy dinners with a variety of meats and cheeses. I could ask Duncan to start buying a few different meats for supper, if you like, make you feel more at home. I wouldn't mind a few different cheeses every now and again, come to think of it."

Yvaine smiled, she knew he was only being funny but still, there was some kindness to his words. "That's quite alright, Alistair, unless you plan on bringing in a variety of ales to go along with the meat."

"If that's what would make you feel at home, then I shall procure you all the ale you can drink and the meats you can eat," replied Alistair attempting to be serious though the playful gleam in his eyes told her otherwise. They held each other's gaze for a moment longer than most would have, and this did not go unnoticed by Fergus.

"Is this your first time in combat, Alistair?" asked Fergus as he filled Yvaine's cup with some water.

Alistair nodded. "Being in real combat, yes, fighting darkspawn no. I've fought those monsters before and let me tell you it certainly puts your life in perspective when you see those ugly faces coming at you."

"I don't think I would, Yvaine, do you know?" asked Fergus, giving his sister a subtle wink.

Yvaine shook her head. "Of course not, Fergus, it's not like we've ever fought darkspawn before. They must be even uglier than those creatures we fought today."

Fergus gave a firm nod. "You must be right, for surely if we came upon darkspawn we would know what they looked like."

Alistair shook his head, realizing his mistake. "Alright, alright, I get it. Could you two stop doing the tag-teaming thing? It's not fair."

"What do you say, Fergus? Shall we stop ganging up on him?" asked Yvaine, her brown eyes glinting mischievously in the firelight.

"Sounds like an excellent plan, Yvaine, I heartily agree with you," retorted Fergus, winking at his little sister.

"Maker, you two are impossible!" groaned Alistair as he covered his face with his hands and fell onto his back, feigning exasperation. "I have half a mind to separate you!"

Yvaine held out her sword to him, her voice serious as she spoke. "Then please, make it quick." Alistair let out another groan as she and Fergus laughed until they could not breathe.

"I can see why your nanny had trouble with you, Yvaine, you're positively incorrigible!" sighed Alistair, giving her a small smirk. While being the target of her jokes was not exactly ideal, he did enjoy seeing her laugh and smile, when she did her entire face lit up and the sound could chase away even the worst fears.

She settled herself on the ground, making herself comfortable on her bedroll. "If you say so, dear Alistair, though I'm sure half of Ferelden's nobility would agree with you."

Alistair repositioned himself so he could face her while still keeping his distance, he was not unaware of the look Fergus was giving him now, as if he would have actually done anything if he were not here. "What do you mean, my lady?"

Yvaine rolled her eyes, she would really have to have a serious talk about him calling her 'my lady'. "What I mean, Alistair, is none of the other nobles in Ferelden's elite circle approved of my upbringing. I was very young when this first started, having always been captivated by swords and the beauty of armor, so my parents allowed me to partake. Sadly, due to the meddling of a noblewoman, I learned the things that were expected of being a woman in my high noble standing while still learning the art of sparring."

"That was a day I'll never forget," chuckled Fergus, ruffling his sister's hair.

Yvaine huffed as she pushed a few fly away strands of hair back from her eyes. "You so enjoy reminiscing about every moment I was ever humiliated, don't you?"

Fergus nodded as he started sharpening his blade. "You know I do, Yvaine, they're my absolute favorite memories."

Alistair's ears perked up. "Okay, now you have to tell me."

"It's too long of a story," protested Yvaine.

"It's not like we have anything better to do," said Alistair with a smug smirk. "All we're doing is hoping Duncan comes back before dawn."

She sighed heavily, the only reason she was going to repeat this story was because they still had to wait up for Duncan, nothing more. "We were visiting Arl Eamon and his wife Isolde in Redcliffe one summer, I was about eight or nine, keep in mind I've known how to spar since I was four even if it was just with wooden swords. Anyway, Fergus and I were out playing with some of the children that were visiting at the same time we were."

"Which kids?" interrupted Alistair, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Yvaine crinkled her brow as she tried to remember. "Well, it was me, Fergus, Cailan, Nathaniel Howe, Anora, Delilah Howe and this stable boy that was hanging around. We were playing outside in the courtyard, Cailan was showing off his new sword that the arl had given him as a Name Day present, mostly for the benefit of Anora and Delilah. They were watching us from the stairs, playing with these ugly looking glass dolls, I remember they tried to get me to play with one of Anora's spare ones but I refused. Instead I was running around, playing a spirited game of chase with the stable boy."

"If I remember correctly, Sister, the stable boy was chasing you and you were trying to trip him," teased Fergus.

She waved her hand as if dismissing the comment. "Details, details. Like I was saying, we were playing, and at some point Nathaniel challenged Fergus and Cailan to see how far they could climb the tree Arl Eamon had growing in the courtyard. Nathaniel made it maybe halfway up before dropping back down, Fergus made it just a little bit higher and then Cailan made it the furthest. He then proclaimed that no one could go higher than he did, well that was a challenge I couldn't refuse, so I started climbing up the tree myself much to the horror of Delilah and Anora, of course. No one actually tried to stop me, they just told me I'd get in trouble since I was a girl and all and shouldn't be climbing trees like the boys. I easily surpassed Cailan's mark and I got to the highest branch, I stood there for a few minutes before climbing back down."

"That was a mistake," sighed Fergus, laying on his bedroll with his hands cradling his head.

Yvaine stuck her tongue out at her brother before continuing on with the story. "Anyway, I climbed down the other side of the tree instead of the one I had climbed up, it just so happened there was a huge mud puddle on that side of the tree and very few knotholes for my feet, the fact I was in a long dress didn't help a whole lot either. I had made it a quarter of the way down or so when I put my foot in a knothole and I slipped on the hem of my dress, I lost my footing and just dangled there, barely holding onto this small little branch. I guess I screamed or something as I fell because I felt someone grab onto me but it wasn't enough and we fell into the mud anyway."

Fergus broke out into poorly repressed giggles, the image of his little sister covered head to toe in mud still as amusing now as it had been then.

"It turned out that the stable boy had tried to catch me," continued Yvaine, pointedly ignoring her brother's laughter. "He was just as covered in mud as I was but that didn't matter to me, he had probably saved me from a broken limb, so I gave him a small peck on the lips for such a selfless deed. Fergus and the others, of course, had to make everything worse by laughing and retching instead of helping us up or asking if we were alright. I remember Fergus asked why I'd kiss such an ugly ogre."

"And you said 'A lady always gives a knight a favor'," said Fergus with a small grin. "That boy turned so red I thought his head had turned into a tomato!"

Alistair's ears turned a slight red color.

"And you lot continued to pretend to vomit, especially you, Fur-guts," scoffed Yvaine, hitting her brother with her pillow. "Anora was no help either, she said I couldn't give a knight any favors since I wasn't a proper lady."

"As you say, Y-paine," sighed Fergus, sitting up and hitting her in the face with his own pillow. "You forget that Anora said the two of you were going to get married someday."

"Get to the part where you were forced to learn how to be a lady," said Alistair, wondering why falling into the mud puddle had anything to do with it.

Yvaine sighed and then smiled at him. "Patience, good knight, all good things to those who wait. Where was I?" She paused a moment and then clapped her hands. "Oh yes, the mud puddle. As it turned out, the arl's brother was arriving precisely at that moment, needless to say he was quite surprised to see me and the stable boy covered in mud but he didn't scold us or anything. He just told the stable boy to go back to the kitchens and wash up, and the rest of us walked back to the castle with him, I had planned on making a run for it to my room before anyone could get a good look at me but that didn't . . . pan out exactly."

Fergus burst out laughing. "Nope, not at all."

"Isolde started shrieking, saying I had gotten mud all over her Orlesian silk rug," said Yvaine, blushing slightly. "She then told my parents I was a horrid little girl that wouldn't ever be a proper woman, I remember standing there all mud covered with my head hung, I had never been so embarrassed in my entire life. That wretched woman kept saying I was a shame to my parents and my noble title, that if I didn't behave myself and learn how to be a proper lady I wouldn't amount to anything more than a spinster. I didn't know what a spinster was at the time but I knew it wasn't a nice word, I think I started crying at that point and my mother and father took me back to my room. They washed me up and told me I didn't have to eat dinner with the Arl, Mother said she'd eat dinner with me which I thought was much better than eating with the Arlessa."

Yvaine paused, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. "She came back with a tray of food and started talking to me about how when she was a little girl she had gotten into a similar situation. She said that afterwards her mother had told her it was time to become a proper young woman, I started to protest, saying I wanted to learn how to be a warrior instead of being a lady. My mother understood and said she'd give me the same deal her mother gave her, I could learn how to be a warrior as long as I also learned how to be a proper lady as well."

"Sounds like a fair deal," said Alistair thoughtfully.

"I wish I had had your sense back then Alistair," said Yvaine sadly. "I thought it was the worst possible option in the entire world, I cried of course and threw a tantrum, saying that she wouldn't have done this if it hand't been for Isolde. She then said that I had embarrassed her and my father which was why she was giving me this deal, so both parties could be happy. That sobered me up quickly to say the least, I had never wanted to be an embarrassment to my parents, so I conceded to her wishes and started learning how to embroider, and dance and walk in heels."

"And don't forget those pretty dresses, Vaine," teased Fergus which only earned him another hit with the pillow.

"So when did your mother let you choose between becoming a lady or a warrior?" asked Alistair, drawing little circles in the dirt beside his bedroll.

Yvaine shrugged. "She never really let me choose either, I've just sort of evolved into both, I guess. I prefer wearing armor to a dress but I know which forks to use at a dinner and how not to unintentionally insult someone. I like climbing trees and running but I love reading and I know how to play music."

"You truly are a rare woman, Yvaine," sighed Alistair, turning onto his back. "Whatever happened to that stable boy."

Again she shrugged. "I'm not really sure, that wasn't the first time we had met but when I went back a couple of years later, he wasn't there anymore. I thought he had runaway from the estate or something, I asked Bann Teagan once and all he told me he was someplace safe."

Alistair snorted. "Oh yes, someplace far far away from everything he knew and the people he cared about. I guess he did have some luck, knowing you must've done him some good."

She gave a little smile. "I doubt I did him any good, but I like to think he had a nice life, married maybe with a home. He told me once he slept in the same room as the castle dogs!"

"Yes, and you got it in your fool head to go out there and join him," scoffed Fergus. "You were a very strange child, Yvaine, Mother and Father never really knew what to do with you."

"Which is why they left me to my own devices," remarked Yvaine.

"You and Mal and your devices," sighed Fergus as he pulled the blanket over his shoulders.

"Mal?" asked Alistair, slightly jealous.

Yvaine nodded, her smile bigger now. "My cousin, Amalthea. She lives not too far from here, actually. I wish I could see her again, possibly warn her and the family about the darkspawn." She looked sad now as she gazed in the general direction of her cousin's house.

"Well, if all goes as planned in the battle tomorrow, you won't have to tell her anything," said Alistair brightly, trying to make her feel better. "By the way, what did Duncan say about our role in the battle?"

Yvaine glanced at Fergus who sharply shook his head. "That he'd speak about it more with us after he was done discussing the strategy with the King."

He sighed heavily. "Of course he did, I wish he would just come out with a straight answer for once instead of being vague."

"He gives you the same runabout too?" chuckled Yvaine. "It was agony for me, he didn't tell me much of anything unless it was a direct and simple question."

Alistair joined in with her laughter. "And here I thought I was the only one he treated that way. Glad to know it was nothing personal."

"As far as you know, Alistair," said Duncan as he approached the spot where the three warriors were sitting. "I need to speak with you three, it's about tomorrow's battle."

"Finally!" exclaimed Alistair, sitting up eagerly, facing his mentor.

Yvaine gently shook her head. 'Don't be too eager.'

"Has something changed?" asked Fergus who was now sitting up.

Duncan shook his head. "No, it still remains that the three of you plus one more will be responsible for lighting the beacon at the Tower of Ishal."

"What?!" cried Alistair, unable to hide his disappointment. "You mean, I won't be in the battle?"

"No, I'm afraid not," said Duncan grimly. Alistair looked as if he were about to protest but Duncan held up his hand to silence him. "This was a direct order from the King himself, he asked for you and Yvaine by name."

Alistair rolled his eyes and gave a soft groan. "Fine, but I'm drawing the line if the King orders me to put on a dress and dance the Remigold, darkspawn or no."

"Would you do it for me if I asked?" teased Yvaine.

He looked over at her and grinned. "For you, maybe, but it'd have to be a very pretty dress."

"Deal," laughed Yvaine and he joined in.

Duncan loudly cleared his throat. "If the two of you are quite finished." Alistair and Yvaine stopped laughing long enough to give Duncan their full attention. "The tower is located close to where we entered camp, do you remember seeing it when we arrived, Yvaine?"

She nodded. "Yes, it's just across the bridge, right?"

"You have an excellent memory," said Duncan kindly. "The three of you need to cross the bridge, enter the tower and make your way to the top, once you reach that point there should be a large fireplace that will light the beacon. Alistair knows what the signal is, so look to him for when the time is right to light the beacon."

"I have a feeling we won't have much time once the battle starts," said Fergus grimly.

Duncan nodded. "Once the battle begins, you'll have less than an hour to get to the tower before the signal is given, if you aren't there by the time the signal's given then Loghain's men will be unable to flank the horde."

"Will we be allowed to join the battle once our little errand is done?" asked Alistair, unable to prevent the acid dripping from his words, he was not happy about not being in the battle right from the start.

"For the time being, you will stay with the teyrn's men and keep the tower protected," said Duncan sternly, indicating this was not negotiable.

Yvaine decided to ask the question she knew was on all of their minds. "Duncan, what happens if the archdemon appears?"

The air became thick with apprehension, they had all been thinking the same thing after all.

"We soil our drawers, that's what happens," said Alistair his tone light but his eyes glinting with anxiety.

Duncan chose to ignore the comment. "If it does, leave it to the senior Wardens. I do not, under any circumstances, want heroics from any of you."

The three warriors nodded, understanding Duncan's orders completely.

The older Warden smiled kindly at them. "Now, I want you to get to bed and rest up, we have a great deal to prepare for tomorrow and it would do none of us any good to be too tired to hold a sword."

"Or a torch," mumbled Alistair, hoping Duncan did not hear his words.

"I will see you three tomorrow," said Duncan and he started walking towards the other end of camp. The three warriors watched him go, none said a word, all too deep in thought to really speak.

"I guess we should be getting to bed," said Fergus finally and he laid back down on his bedroll, wrapping himself in his blanket like a cocoon. Shortly afterwards, Yvaine and Alistair distinctly heard the rumbling of Fergus' snores.

Yvaine smiled as she laid on her bedroll and pulled her blanket over her shoulders though she had propped herself up on her elbow. "You know, he's slept like that for as long as I can remember?"

"Really? And snored like a bear with a cold?" quipped Alistair as he followed suit and got into his bedroll. He propped himself up so he was eye level with Yvaine, admiring how warm her eyes looked in the firelight.

She gave a throaty chuckle. "Yeah, I used to be able to hear it across the hall even with the door shut." She grew quiet a moment, her smile fading slightly as she turned to Alistair. "Thank you, Alistair."

"What for?" asked Alistair, raising an eyebrow.

"For trying to make me feel more at home," she said with a slight yawn, she was dreadfully tired but she did not want to close her eyes, not yet anyway.

Alistair felt a small grin on his lips, then he remembered something he had meant to give her earlier but had almost forgotten, he reached into his rucksack and pulled out a small pendant. "Here, I meant to give you this right after your Joining but you had the King's meeting to attend."

Yvaine reached over and took the necklace from him. Upon closer inspection she saw that the pendant dangling in the center was a small vile filled with an off color mixture. "What's this?"

"Well, it's tradition that after your Joining you fill a small vile with the blood from the ritual and wear it around your neck," said Alistair, his attempt at explaining the necklace falling flat, she gave him a wry look in response. "It's not some strange thing I just came up with on the spot as an excuse to give you a present, it's a symbol all Grey Wardens wear to remind us of the sacrifices made on the night of our Joining. I still have mine," he pulled out a similar necklace from under his armor, "see, no tricks."

Yvaine gave him a coy smile as she put the necklace on. "Thank you, Alistair, this means a lot to me."

He smiled. "Well, I'm glad you like it, now I think we should sleep we have a day of killing darkspawn ahead of us." He moved so he was laying on his back and he pulled his blanket over his head, soon Yvaine heard soft snores coming from the junior Warden.

She laughed quietly as she settled down in her bedroll, staring up at the stars above, hoping that wherever they were her parents were looking down on her and keeping her safe.