I sat and waited patiently for Duncan to return, all the while eavesdropping on everyone and everything going on outside. Some of the men were falling all over themselves about some elven girl wandering the camp; others were having a debate over who could throw a mabari the farthest. That one made me giggle as I pictured them even trying to pick one up without getting their arms bitten clean off. I just listened, anything to distract myself from the task that stood before me. This was it, the calm before the storm, and I needed to focus and ready myself to be sure I was prepared. Then I heard Duncan's voice approaching, conversing with another I knew wasn't Alistair. Why does it sound so familiar? I wondered as I stood to greet them.
In walked Duncan followed by a blonde haired man that I recognized instantly.
"Caden!" I screamed as I lunged for my twin, miraculously not knocking him down. He was laughing and roaring as he squeezed me far too tight but I didn't care. My brother is here, I thought, everything will be alright. I sighed as I started to loosen my grip to look him in the face. He grinned madly at me.
"In case you were wondering I'm insanely angry at you for being here right now but I missed you terribly so I'll let it pass for the moment," he babbled as he swung me off my feet and around in circles. I laughed hysterically as I noticed Alistair walk in slowly, jumping back to avoid being hit with my swinging legs.
"So…" Alistair drawled out slowly, pausing to look everyone in the eye, "what's this big meeting all about? Wow!" he exclaimed as his eyes settled on me. "You two really are twins. I didn't see it til now." Scanning my face, his eyes moved up from my chin to my eyes, locking them with his. The game never gave a lot of detail with regard to his eyes, they were always a bit too small to really take in, but from where I was standing I was floored. They were the color of aged bourbon with gold flecks around the pupil that seemed to almost glow. I felt the warmth of another blush start up as I released my hold on my brother's neck and turned away, trying to hide it. I truly did not remember ever blushing before in my life, how the HELL does this man make me do it almost on command? I rolled my eyes at myself and brought my cold hands to my face, trying to cool the skin as Duncan apprised the others of the situation. Caden came up behind me, grabbing my arm and turning me around gently.
"What is he talking about, Kora?" Caden asked quietly as he cupped my chin with his hand. I smiled, shrugging my shoulders.
"I'm not sure," I started to explain as I placed my hands on his arms reassuringly. "All I know is that my memories of my past are not reliable. What I can be sure of is what I know of the current situation going on in Ferelden." I turned to Duncan for confirmation. "Have you told them everything?" I asked softly. He shook his head and I sighed. "Alright, could you please give me a few moments alone with my brother? I'll leave it to you to fill Alistair in," I said as I turned back to Caden. "There is much to tell you."
As I finished my tale Caden was sitting in the chair Duncan had occupied earlier with his forearms on the table, his chin resting on them in contemplation, watching my face for any sign of everything being one big joke. I shook my head, knowing what my twin was thinking, and he sighed slowly and deeply, looking down at the table. He then sat up and away from the table, pushing the chair out to stand up and took me into a gentle hug. Cradling the back of my head he looked me in the eye, a single tear sliding down his cheek. Instinctively I wiped it away and pulled him close, clinging to one of the only people in the universe I trusted.
"You don't remember mother?" he asked in the voice of a small boy. In that moment I could see him as a child; smaller jaw line, blue eyes twinkling with mischief as he ran into a large red barn with a mabari following closely behind. I held on to that memory until it faded and smiled.
"I just had a flash of you as a boy, did you have a mabari?" I asked as I felt a tear fall down my cheek. He laughed and wiped mine away like I did his, grinning at me fondly.
"He was ours, Kora. He chose both of us," he said as he released me and crossed the room. With his back to me he shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I'm relieved you're alive but I wish we had more time."
"The battle!" I gasped as I came back to reality. "Does Duncan have a plan?"
"Let's go find out," he said as he crossed the tent and held open the flap for me to pass. I went through then followed him to the Warden meeting area. Duncan, Alistair and many others were waiting. Standing next to Alistair was a young woman. I glanced at her to see she had red hair and shining green eyes, obviously nobility by the way she stood with perfect posture and composure. Elissa Cousland. My heart sunk as my eyes dropped to the ground, but I had to brush it off. She is not you, you are not her and this is no game, I told myself as I forced myself to look at Duncan.
"As you all know, things don't always go according to plan," Duncan said as he looked into every face in the crowd that surrounded him. "and a Warden could die at any moment, any day. For some of you, that day may be today. For others, not. Regardless of the outcome, we are Grey Wardens."
"In peace, vigilance. In war, victory. In death, sacrifice." Every single one of those men and women spoke together, calmly, strongly as if their voices were one, with true faith in every syllable of every word, including my brother. I was proud and in awe all at the same time; proud of my brother and proud that I was able to bear witness to this bravery first hand, in awe of the bravery and allegiance that Duncan, their Warden Commander, instilled in them all.
As they dispersed I lagged behind and tapped Duncan's arm to get his attention. He nodded at me and, glancing at Caden, motioned his head towards the kennels. Without a word Caden and I walked over to the gated areas and waited. He must have a plan but what could it be to involve the dogs? After speaking to seemingly every warden he walked over to us slowly, making sure no one was to follow.
"Kora, get your pack," he said as he looked around to be sure we weren't being over heard. "We'll wait for you here." I almost ran to the tent, however, realizing I didn't want to attract attention, I slowly sauntered over and casually opened the flap. Waiting inside a few minutes, I grabbed the pack and walked slowly back over to Duncan and Caden who appeared to be chatting casually. Duncan smiled at me as if to welcome me into the conversation. "Do you still have your "favor" in your pocket?" he asked raising an eyebrow. I smiled and nodded, even giggled a bit. He grinned and started to walk away.
"Duncan!" I almost shouted. He turned to look at me curiously. "Maker watch over you."
"Maker watch over us all, my Lady," he said as he smiled again and walked away. My heart sunk at my next thought… There was a chance I would never see that man again. I pouted slightly and turned to look at Caden. He grinned down at me and winked.
"To answer your previous question, yes," he said as he looked around to see that everyone had left the area. I raised an eyebrow at him as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the kennels. He put his finger up to his lips to signal us to whisper and smiled mischievously.
"Duncan has a plan!"