Ten Versus Blight

by Fulade

At the start of the Fifth Blight, Duncan has enough time to recruit more Wardens than just one. These new Wardens will have to do whatever it takes to stop the Blight. All Origins exist, including two mages (Amell and Surana) and two nobles (Cousland twins). Elements from the mods mentioned in my profile info have been implemented. Some deviations from the original plot.

24. Knight's Valor

Chapter 24: Knight's Valor (Aedan)

- Please, tell me what happened to my brother. I need all the details, - asked Aedan.

Aveline sighed as she began her story.

- We went there for a scouting mission. We reached the Chasind village almost without losses, but Fergus was frightened of something and did not want to risk the lives of the wounded. He took a Grey Warden guide and one mercenary, a disgusting man, with him, and sent me and the rest back. That's the whole story.

- Thanks, Aveline.

- I'm really sorry. I will pray to the Maker that Fergus and those who accompanied him return safe and sound.

Aveline left to mind her own business, and Aedan thought. The lady knight could have mentioned the mercenary for a reason. Could this mercenary also serve Howe and somehow manage to kill Fergus?

There was no time to think and search for this mercenary. Aedan needed to find two recruits from the knights.

The search didn't take too long. Aedan noticed a stocky man with a two-handed sword and a girl with a sword and shield practicing near one of the walls of the fortress. The girl noticed Aedan and knelt down. The man removed his weapon.

- Milord! – loudly shouted the female knight.

- I thought everyone knows that I was expelled and and no longer a lord, - said Aedan. - My sister is the one who deserves this politeness more. Well, I'm not the lord anymore, call me Aedan, for that matter. You're from Highever, right?

- That's right, mi... Aedan. My name is Mhairi, - said the girl, getting to her feet.

- And I'm Jory, - the male warrior continued. - I come from Redcliffe.

- How did you both end up here? - Aedan asked.

- When Warden-Commander Duncan arrived in Redcliffe, Arl Eamon announced the tournament, I heard about it and immediately rushed there, - Mhairi said. - Jory and I made to the finals and for an hour we couldn't decide which of us was stronger.

- Duncan only needed one knight, - Jory said. - He only wanted to take Mhairi into the order, since she has no family. But I insisted that Duncan take me too.

- He didn't want to take you for some reason. Do you have a family? - Aedan asked.

- My wife, Helena, is pregnant. She's about to have a baby.

Aedan was struck by the knight's words. He was sure that Oriana would be alive now if Fergus had stayed at the castle, and so he didn't understand why Jory wanted to leave his family so much.

- Your wife is about to give birth, and instead of being with her, you went to the Grey Wardens. Are you crazy? She needs you more than Duncan does!

- Who would go instead of me? Every knight wishes to join some honorary order like the Grey Wardens. It's a great honor for me! And for my family too! My wife and future child will be proud of me.

Aedan thought that Jory's wife and unborn child could hardly be proud of his corpse, but decided to remain silent.

- As you say. Duncan came with me and three other recruits. Our Joining will begin soon. Everyone's gathering at Duncan's tent!

Aedan followed the knights to the Warden-Commander's tent. He immediately considered Jory an extremely unreliable warrior, hiding fear and cowardice behind knightly bravado.