Chapter 1

The birth of a savior

"My father was a great man for whom the three values of faith, honor and family were important. Chosen by the Maker to be the rightful king of Thedas, (King of the Kings). It was he who united all the races against the great evil."

- Keran about his father.

Procession Cousland

In western Ferelden, a procession rode along a highland road between the Frostback Mountains and Lake Calenhad. At the head of the procession rode soldiers, carrying a Cousland banner, clad in steel chain armor, armed with a steel long sword. The banner depicted a laurel crown on a blue background, it had been a symbol of the family whose ancestral seat was in Highever for over five hundred years. On the other hand, the ensign was followed by other soldiers and knights. The soldiers were armored with chain mails and armored wrochites, long Fereldan swords with a double wide groin, a round handguard, a light blue hilt, (it was a standard Ferelden hilt) and they also had a triangular pressure shield trimmed with leather, with the symbol of the Couslands on them. And the knights were equipped with steel plate armor, while their weapons were long heavy lances, long Fereldan swords with a handguard showing three leaves, one on the right, the second on the left, and the third in the center, a handle with a wrapper that was alternately interlaced with a tulip-shaped pommel, together they formed the nevarial hilt. Additionally, as a cover they had small steel shields with senior laurels and in the center the coat of arms of their families. The whole team consisted of thirty-two men, that is, five knights plus their commander and fifteen armed men each rode a Ferelden horse, but the heraldic horses had armor, they all represented themselves very dignifiedly, showing the majesty of the Cousland family. The procession was divided into two parts at the front of the cavalrymen with fifteen armed men and a troop, the other part protected the carriages consisting of five knights and ten armed. Their lord was Tern Bryce. Aedan Cousland was the sixteenth tern of the Tall, 36 years old, a tall, well-built man with brown eyes and black thick, short cropped hair neatly arranged. The lord was clad in heavy silvery chain armor, cloaks bearing the sign of his family, and the weapon of the long family sword of the zveridium, and a steel shield with the coat of arms of the High, pinned to a beautiful white Ferelden horse. The Terna family rode in a beautiful and modest carriage with painted laurels on both sides, harnessed by four white horses. In the center of the carriage was Terna Eleanor, she had dark blonde hair braided in braids and arranged in two dolly pairs of light golden eyes and her figure was usually slender and shapely, but her belly was slightly bulging as she was expecting a baby. Inside were two more children, Terna and Terna, Fergus and Marion. Fergus was seven years old, he inherited his father's appearance and brown eyes, and he inherited his mother's brown hair, his parents said he was a very mischievous child. Marion, on the other hand, was calm, always trying to behave in company, she was intelligent for her age, and she was only 5 in the spring, she resembled her mother with dark and blonde hair, the same facial expression only left after her father. All three of them were dressed in simple, but also elegant, outfits. Eleanor wore a beautiful blue dress with laurel leaves embroidered on the sleeves with white thread, the dress emphasized her condition and her breasts, she wore gray flat heels on her feet. typical for ferelden in black leather and trimmed inside with wool for protection against the cold. Marion wore a black and red dress with gold embroidery on her arms showing a pattern similar to her mother's, and her legs were dressed in beautiful dark yellow shoes with short heels. He was driving in the carriage, and Terna's midwife and manor at the same time was about 45 years old slender with a calm expression on her face, she had graying marks on her brown hair, and her eyes were green and her name was Eowyn. Dressed in yellow and gray linen dresses. The procession followed the imperial trail, holding a two-line formation, meaning that each warrior had his or her left. Along both sides of the road there was a forest covered with light snow. The pines looked beautiful in the winter time of the year, terna and her children were watching this landscape from the window of the carriage. If you could see yourself well, you could see Lake Calenhad. Marion moved closer to her mother, she hugged her, and Eleanor took her with one hand and asked - What happened honey?

- I just wonder if I will have a brother or a sister? - she asked with a little embarrassment, then added - Because I would prefer a little sister.

- It better be a boy, - Fergus continued - because our father needs more male offspring.

Marion looked at her mother with sad eyes

- Besides, boys are stronger and made to rule - the boy said proudly.

- Not necessarily Fergus, women can also be strong, e.g. Terna Elethea, who fought against Calenhad the Great, and then became his most faithful vassal. - a voice said as it rode over to the right side of the coach.

Terna looked out the window and saw her husband Bryc. She smiled and offered him a sticky right hand in greeting. She loved her husband dearly and knew he would love her, too, despite their arranged marriage. She finally gave him two wonderful children, and a third was already on his way.

- How do you feel, beloved, is our little one still hitting you? - tern asked with concern in his eyes.

Eleanor stroked her stomach and replied with a hearty smile - Currently not. - continued - I'd rather admit Fergus is right as he's okay with a hard copy of them and I feel like he could be a son.

- If you say so, it must be true - he said with a smile and added - After all, you were sure about these two, and of course you were right.

- You've just learned that you shouldn't question your mother's intuition after losing your bet on Marion. - Eleanor said it with a malicious smile. Bryce winced, wanting to say something, but he thought "Better not to risk it, because he is a master of rhetoric, so I will lose the game ", then he looked up at the sky "Maker what I got into ". Then he looked up at the grounds and their children " But I think it was worth it " he thought.

- At sunset we should get to we should reach a village called Dracohille. - Bryce announced seriously.

- I understand, darling, but I sense that something is bothering you - Eleanor said with concern.

- Take it easy, it's just a caution from the time of the war that I have left - tern reassured his wife. Terna looked, then nodded her head.

Ambush

But Tern sensed some danger that might soon be there, and his instincts rarely failed him. The horse's ash, then he rode ahead and joined the soldiers at the beginning of the retinue. They rode so quietly for an hour more, just in front of the bridge suddenly Cousland stopped and gave the order. - Everybody stand! - he looked around to his left, then to his right.

- What happened my lord? - asked the soldier behind the area.

Bryce showed everyone to be quiet, he waited a moment to listen to the sounds of the forest, it was quiet until too quiet, then he shouted - Everyone in position! - he continued - Create a double cordon around the carriage! Now now!

The terna warriors obeyed the order and began to surround the coach, forming a double oval circle. Two trees in front of the bridge have fallen to the ground, and in the same way at the back of the procession block both roads. Slowly, strange creatures began to emerge behind the trees, with a gray skin, deformed face, sharp fangs and eyes as black as night. They were clad in black at first sight, scruffy armor, helmets that obscured their faces in some of these monsters, iron gloves on their hands and armored boots on their legs. intended for chopping. Their swords were perfect for chopping, as they had a choppy curved shape, and so were the axes, but their blades looked quite distorted. The mace and clubs, on the other hand, were only simple, with the first ending in the shape of a ball studded with spikes, and the clubs equipped with hooks and blades. The shields were shaped like a convex cross, a sloppy circle, or a gouged crescent. Each of these creatures made a terrible roar, grinning its sharp fangs and waving its weapons overhead. The monsters then formed formation, realizing that the ambush had failed, launching a furious attack from both sides, while, seeing what was happening, Bryce ordered - Sir Roland, you will take command on the left side of the carriage.

- My ternie was as ordered. the knight replied. - then he drove to the left flanker.

- The first rank is ready to charge. - the ruler of Highever ordered. Armed soldiers were the front line, and the disappearance of five well-trained knights. The left side of the carriage, led by Ser Roland, lined up in three lines. The first ranks consisted of five men, followed by four armed men, and finally six warriors. As the enemy's lust lunged, Bryce raised his sword skyward and screamed - Without mercy! To charge !

Then the first line on the right side formed a wedge pattern

- First line! Cut out the enemy - for a signal commanding the other side of Roland's defenders. The skirmish began, on the right side he was leading his men to attack, and on the left flank Roland stood and watched, ready to send more men to support. Both lines formed a wedge-shaped thrust, bumping into the enemy with tremendous momentum at least in Terna's positions. Roland's side was slightly troubled by the terrain advantage the opponent had, the vanguard was not so strong, and hand-to-hand combat soon followed.

- Second row by two to the left and right flank of the enemy and charge! - the knight commanded the commander and added - if the losses will regroup with the survivors and attack both enemy wings. chopped into pieces. Then the surviving trio made a tactical retreat while Roland devised his next action.

Four knights carried out the order perfectly, while in the center there were losses, one of the soldiers was executed from the horse and brutally butchered, the other was pierced with a throat, and the third was pulled from the mount and chopped into parts. Then the surviving trio made a tactical retreat while Roland devised his next action.

- Riders with your horse and form a wall of shields! - he shouted and added - four forward, two back and cash bows and arrows.

The soldiers obediently carried out the order, pleasantly frightened, formed a line ready to defend the death of access to the carriage. The monsters were approaching and they were thirsty for blood then Roland screamed - Now! - and hurled spears at the enemy, and the archers behind them sewed their bow incessantly. The creatures reached the shield-bearers, and a fight ensued. The opponent was pushing hard, trying to break defenders, Roland fought the hardest with his two-handed Fereldan sword, taking one creature after another. He made a mighty swing and the three monsters were beheaded, he caught sight and did a quick block from the side, then he went from defense to stab, plunging the blade into the enemy's left chest. Another monster made a cut from above, which, unfortunately for the monster, was paired, the blade slipped and the knight made a cut above the head, halving the creature in half. However, there were too many enemies, and the infantry became more and more overwhelmed, but suddenly the surviving riders appeared behind the wings and attacked the monsters. The cavalry attacked and ran away and then attacked again, inflicting heavy losses on the opponents. The infantry, on the other hand, was breathing effectively the enemy, hitting with shields and maces, slashing, forging with swords and daggers, hitting monsters. The creatures, seeing that their attack did not give anything, departed, but the commander of the knights only waited for him and shouted - Go ahead, brothers! Cut them to the trunk!

The soldiers attacked with redoubled force, killing one monster after another, pushing the enemy forces back into the mountains. Meanwhile, the n on the right side of the carriage looked a bit similar. At the beginning of the fight, the avant-garde had the desired effect, tern Bryce and the enemies one after the other. He killed the first with a smooth blow to the head, the second with a cut from below, the third he stuck his blade into the neck as he escaped the fourth with a blow from the grinder, and the fifth with a diagonal cut. The momentum of the charge began to weaken, and gaps were now emerging, and the monsters took the opportunity to force their way towards the carriage. As the first line charged the knights who were killed, these creatures were missed by the armed cavalry and charged at their positions. Knights dismounted from their mounts, drew melee weapons and slowly moved towards the monsters. They killed them quickly, not leaving the carriage. Tern, seeing that his knights effectively defend his family, could fully focus on the enemy in front of him, but she did not look very good, he noticed that he had lost four warriors including the ensign, one of the soldiers saved the banner from falling. Tern realizing that the attack begins to sink into the number of enemies.

- Ride! Pull back into position! Now now! Bryce shouted to his men, then began to walk toward the carriage as did the mounted soldiers. Returning to their positions creating chiclinic7 waiting for further orders. Bryce, seeing that the forces of the owl's enemy were on the way, turned to his warriors - Let's prepare, brothers, time to send these foul beasts into the abyss.

Soldiers and knights obediently formed a wall consisting of two lines. The first row knelt and put their shields on themselves, and the second row stood behind the veil of their shields on the flanks of the steel knights to keep the monsters from passing. The monsters struck quickly, but their attack crashed into the people's shields like a wave against a rock. Tern encouraged his warriors - Come on, brave warriors of mine, show these nasty bastards that it is not so easy to defeat the Couslands and their knights.

The soldiers and knights, motivated by the words of Terna, began to arrange an intimate slaughterhouse for the monsters. Being aware that they had no chance, they retreated, but a few managed to slip through to their misfortune, Lord of the Highs noticed them. Two of them pledged, Bryce wasted no time, one had his head split open, and the other was stabbed through with his sword. The others tried to get into the doctor's office, but when they opened the door, young Fergus fell at one with a dagger, stabbing him in the head of the attacker, the other was eliminated by his father who chopped off the beast's head.

- Cheek boy. - he praised his son with pride in his eyes and added - Come back inside and the guardian, sisters and mother and the rest.

Fergus obediently obeyed his father and entered the carriage, closing the door. Bryces went to the side of the fight and noticed that enemy forces were regrouping, as was Ser Roland's side. As both sides of the carriage prepared to repel another attack, a mighty roar was heard everywhere. Bryce looked up at the sky and saw the huge dragon. The dragon was really big, like two long barns that were placed for us. He had golden scales, claws large enough to catch four oxen. The spines on the head of the flying reptile were arranged like a crown, a long muzzle with razor-sharp teeth, and the wings looked like a bird's. Tern, thinking that it was the end, bowed his head and said a prayer softly, but then the dragon's fire began to incinerate the monsters who escaped but in vain. The dragon fire killed all the beasts turning them into a pile of ash, then the dragon flew away from the mountains.

The birth of a king

Seeing this, Bryce and Roland and the rest of the retinue couldn't understand what had just happened, then suddenly a woman's scream rang out. Bryce looked in the direction of the carriage, then immediately ran there, fear in his eyes to see what had happened. When he opened the carriage door and went inside, he saw that Eleanor was beginning to give birth. The midwife looked at Terna and said - We have to move Terne to the lake to have evidence.

Bryce took his wife gently in his arms and walked out of the carriage and called - Roland, gather all the knights, come with me. - continued - Sergeant Calum, take the soldiers and unblock the way and protect my children.

They both nodded and proceeded to obey orders. Tern, together with Terna and the knights, and the midwife set off towards the lake. Eleanor's discs could be heard, but nevertheless they saw the dragon burn these strange creatures, that there were only slightly melted armor, and where nowhere to see a lightly flaming fire. They passed a few more trees and reached the shores of Lake Calenhad.

- Put Teyrne right on those blankets I'm laying out right now. - she said emphatically, unfolding the blankets. Tern obeyed and carefully laid his wife down on the bunk.

- Sir Roland, put a helmet on water and heat it on that fire, then bring it back by default. - Eowyn said calmly. The knight carried out the order to take off his helmet, took some water and headed towards the fire. The rest of the coats of arms stood guard, ready to protect the two Couslands.

- Aaaaaa! Hu, hi, hi, hu. Aaaaaa! - screamed Eleanor, trying to breathe. Bryce was kneeling next to her, holding her hand and saying - A little bit dear. Can you do it.

Eleanor glared at her husband, which made him tilt his head slightly, and beads of sweat appeared on his foreheads from a slight fear. Éowyn looked at the marriage with mild amusement, then Terna started screaming again, the midwife looked between her legs and said - Really a little more, my lady. - she continued - You can see the baby's head.

Eleanor gathered her strength and screamed - Aaaaaa! Hi, hi, huh. Aaaaaa! Then the courtly took the child in her arms, but something was wrong. The baby didn't scream or move

- What happened, Eowyn? Why can't I hear my baby? - Teyrna asked fearfully.

- I'm sorry, your lords, but the baby is dead. - said the midwife tearfully and added - It's a boy.

Bryce took the baby in his hands then Roland appeared hot water and saw his sovereign in despair.

The Miracle and Blessing of the Maker

The knight walked over to his terna and saw the dead baby "Maker, why have you taken this moment of joy from us portal of hard and exhausting struggle?" he thought. Then a voice rang in his head "Take off your cloak, then soak it in the water from the helmet, then wrap the baby in a coat at the end dip the baby further wrapped in the lake." the voice continued "When you do, you give the child to the parents and then tell his father to stand on the cliff with the child" Roland didn't know whose voice it was, but decided to trust him. With his knightly cloak he dipped him in his helmet, he went to his master and mistress and asked - My lord please give me this child I believe can be saved.

- What are you talking about, do not you see is dead, nothing can be done anymore. - he said it crying.

Then Eleanor, hearing what the knight said, grabbed her husband's arm and said - Please give our baby to Roland - she continued with tears in her eyes - if there is even a shadow of a chance, let him do so.

Bryce though reluctantly gave his son to his knight. Roland took the baby, laid the cloak on the ground, unwrapped the baby from his garment and wrapped it in his cloak. He said softly - Maker, help it. - Then he got up and started walking towards the lake. Alone overcurrently, he took a breath and then he entered the water, closed his eyes and lifted towards the sky, placed his right hand on the baby's tiny head, then slowly lowered the baby in the lake. He stood there for a few minutes, suddenly he felt a movement, the child howls from the water, he revealed the boy's face and then a cry sounded. Eleanor looked incredulous, showed her husband the same "Thank you, Maker" they both thought. Roland came out of the water, gently handing the baby over to his hands.

- Thank you, Ser Roland. - she said with tears in her eyes and a happy smile.

- And I thank you my friend. - Teyrn Bryce said respectfully and cheerfully.

- My lord, please take the child and stand with him on that cliff - he said pointing to the right of them, then he added - and raised the baby to the sky, asking the Maker to bless your son.

Shocked, Tern thought about his knight's words, but decided to trust him. He took his son in his arms and went to the cliff. He stood by the lake and raised his baby marten.

- Maker, please bless my son, save him from evil, become his rock. he begged humbly and added - If it is your will, make this boy your instrument to follow your orders.

Then the clouds in the sky began to swirl, creating a bright vortex of light. From the light came a powerful and warm voice. I hear your plea, Bryce Adena Cousland. - the voice went on - I told your knight what to do because thanks to this he was washed from the sins of his ancestors, as your ancestors used to do.

Bryce didn't know if he was dreaming, the same was with his wife and the knights.

- I will make this boy my tool with which I will defeat the servants of the dark Creator Malgorok. - said the Creator and added - I will make him ruler, and the kings of Thedas will emerge from him. I will hand over the enemies of his kingdom into his hands. It will be so, and his people will rule until the last day.

Everyone was stunned at the words of God.

- I will give him the power to win the hearts of all races on Thedas and restore the abilities of his ancestors. - Having finished this sentence, the dragon flew from the mountains. It was the same that saved them from the monsters as they rode the imperial trail.

The dragon landed and looked at Terna holding his son, then the ground put, then the Maker voice was, - Don't be afraid, Bryce, approach this creature with a child. '' Tern hesitantly obeyed the Creator's command. He approached slowly, taking careful steps and not losing his vigilance. Eleanor watched fearfully as her husband approached the golden flying reptile, and Roland was ready to go to his master's aid. Dragon he looked at Bryc as he stood in front of him. He measured his eyes, then shifted his gaze to the baby. The majestic creature closed its eyes and bowed, then turned and flew away. Bryce was shocked that what he had just seen would shake off after a while and he saw the white girl. But it was not the kind of egg he saw in the books, it looked like an oval stone covered with flawless white scales.

- Raise this egg, my Ternie, for it is meant for your youngest son whom I have chosen. - said the Maker and added - The dragon will not hatch until the boy is ready.

Bryce picked up the egg then everything calmed down and it was as if nothing had happened. Then tern felt a gust of wind and heard "I'll be with him." Tern returned to his wife, his friend and the knights.

- What happened here must remain between us, or King Maric will want my son killed - Bryce said seriously.

- My lord's order, I swear I will keep this secret, it won't come time for this boy until the end. - Roland said proudly.

- We also swear by our lives and in the name of the Maker. - the knights announced.

- I will take this secret to my grave if I have to. - Éowyn was sworn in.

Eleanor looked at her husband holding their son in her arms when she heard her. She looked at her little boy and smiled, then Bryca turned - Only one thing remained. - continued - What will we call our son?

- I have already chosen names for our little boy. - said the tern.

- So what are these names? - Teyrna asked curiously.

- His name will be Arthur Ronald Cousland - Bryce said, glancing at his friend who was honored and bowed his head respectfully.

Lord of the Darkness

The group moved towards the rest of the retinue who were just finishing unblocking the way. Ternthave the baby because his wife was still so exhausted after giving birth that two knights helped her walk. Fergus and Marion ran quickly towards their parents because of longing and to see their youngest siblings. Bryce and Eleanor hug their children, then showed them their little brother. Most of the little brother, oddly enough, felt Marion, who could not take her eyes off Arthur. Fergus, on the other hand, was interested in the strange stone that Ser Roland was carrying. Eleanor and the children and her four got into the carriage, Roland put the egg in the chest of the territories, then rode his horse, Bryce got on his horse, and when his friend and then continued on, elsewhere in the far south beyond the Korkaria Wilderness and the southern Avar Mountains. In the heart of a dark territory, where the earth was covered with black stones and the air was stale and nowhere else poisonous, a menacing roar sounded in the mighty dark fortress. The fortress had stone walls reinforced with a black solid. Four towers were placed on each side of the pentagonal walls that surrounded a huge tower. The tower was made of a material similar to that of the walls, only it was covered with powerful spells, so you could see black mana floating up the monumental building. The whole fortress was surrounded by a wide river of lava, with only one metal bridge leading inside. Suddenly, when the roar sounded, the top of the tower lit up with a sinister fire, the fire was black like the darkest cave.

- Nooooooo ! the figure in the dark armor shouted. The figure was dressed in black plate armor, and on it a seven-headed dragon was won. The plate epaulettes looked like little scales and went down to the elbows, the gloves were black with sharp points on the fingers hand. The shin guards and knee pads had the usual grooved shape, while the shoes were armored, perhaps made of shells. On the head was a helmet covering the face that looked like a crown attached to a mask.

- What happened my lord? - asked another masked person who entered the throne room.

- I have been able to prepare my plans for years, and now I have sensed a Maker who has blessed the Wanderer King. - he announced furiously.

- So we will find him and kill him, ending the dynasties of the First Kings of men. - said the dark lord's servant.

The dark figure stood up and walked over to his spokesman - Be silent! If it were so simple, I would have got rid of the last descendants of the royal family of Draconia. - the figure continued calmly - I will wait until they reveal themselves and then I will destroy them all and finish what I started 4000 years ago.

- It will be as you command, Grand Magister Morius. - his servant said.