The Human Noble Origin - Part 1
Roderick Gilmore groaned. He couldn't find Cobian anywhere. He had searched his rooms, the training grounds, the guards room, but so far Gilmore wasn't having much luck. That was, until he reached the bar. Except Cobian wasn't munching on snacks while the guards drank and chatting their ears off. No, surprisingly he was the one serving drinks. But not even alcohol, it looked liked water and tea. All while trying to read a book and hand out supplies.
"How did you even brew tea in a bar?" Gilmore blinked.
"Roderick!" Cobian greeted happily, but was speaking way too fast. "Here, take these to the guards doing delivery for the second load at the main gate. They will need refreshments-"
"I prefer Gilmore..." he complained, but accepted the tray. "Also your father has requested your presence."
Cobian waved him off dismissively. "Sure, Roderick. Anyway, I need all that water delivered then you could help me carry some packages to the carts. I want to make sure all the soldiers have warm blankets, and extra in case some at Ostagar go without."
Gilmore sighed. He had been completely ignored.
"My Lord." Gilmore raised his voice to try catch his attention. "Your Lord father has requested your presence!"
"Yes, I know he has. I've been ignoring the summons. There's far too much to do and I shall be able to greet Uncle Rendon later. Unless I get a sore throat, or I bite my tongue. Extremely sore. Can make talking more painful." Cobian scooped up some scrolls, handing them off to a passing serving girl. "Send these to the Captain at the first post please. Ah, also check in with Master Bertus and his apprentice Nelaros, and send my deepest apologies for disturbing Nelaros wedding plans."
The smith's elven apprentice? Honestly, Cobian had better things to do than apologise to an elf.
"Your mother has also said you must deal with Calenhad. He's tormenting Nan again." Gilmore tried again. He was way too used to his Lord ignoring summons and orders and doing whatever he felt was more helpful first.
"Nan can handle Calenhad. He'd only nip her. Unless of course she gets a disease from the bite mark, but that should be only if Calenhad draws blood. He doesn't draw blood unless people are actually a threat, and usually it's to me." Cobian was racing all about the place, handing more things to other people. "Roderick, that water will get cold. No, wait, it's not tea. Tea gets cold. Water is fine."
Great, he was rambling again. Now he was completely off task. Where was Lord Fergus when Gilmore needed him?
"Lord Cobian, have you been studying again?" Gilmore asked desperately.
"Yes, on moral support for soldiers. There aren't many studies on it, but I find the healthier our men are the more motivated they are to fight. That means Cailan will need plenty of supplies to motivate the men to fight on his behalf. If he's playing it smart he'll be safely behind his troops since he has no heir."
Gilmore blanked out at this moment. Cobian rambled on for a while, passing out more water, tea and blankets, along with even more scrolls, before finally Teyrn Cousland himself appeared with Arl Howe in tow. Thankfully Teyrn Cousland looked amused, while Arl Howe looked exasperated.
"Dear boy, you're rambling again." Arl Howe shook his head.
"Hello, Uncle! Hello, Father!"
"Cobian, you're running the servants ragged." Teyrn Cousland smiled.
Cobian blinked and finally looked up from his work. "I've been making sure they change shifts-"
"I mean their heads." Teyrn Cousland poked Cobian's forehead, chuckling. "You've been rambling, pup."
"Ah." Cobian looked around, and probably saw all the blank, dazed stares. "Yes, that makes sense. It does tend to happen."
"You're also speaking too fast," Arl Howe teased. "Nobody can keep up with you."
"Oh." Cobian took in a deep breath, then finally exhaled. "Alright, sorry. I was lost in my own thoughts." He was notably speaking slower, thankfully. Gilmore was used to him, but a lot of people weren't. "How can I assist you, Father?"
"For one thing, you can stop giving Ser Gilmore grey hairs," Teyrn Cousland teased. "But there are important guests I would like you to greet."
"I just greeted Uncle Rendon," Cobian said dryly.
"Not him, pup," Teyrn Cousland laughed.
"Who are these mysterious guests?" Arl Howe frowned.
"A surprise. They arrived just this morning, unannounced. Come along!" Teyrn Cousland waved them all to follow. "You as well, Ser Gilmore. I believe our guests would like to meet you."
Ser Gilmore had no idea why highly respectable guests would wish to meet him, but he wouldn't question it. He obediently followed, only stopping long enough to drag Cobian along when he hesitated, eyeing the scrolls. They arrived in the main hall, and Gilmore had no idea what to make of the men and women in front of him.
All he could do was stare at the griffons upon their chests in awe.
.::.
"Cobian, this is-" Father began.
"They aren't your bannermen. They wear no house crest. Are they mercenaries, mercenaries for hire? No, you wouldn't have them brought here, you would have them sent sent immediately to Ostagar to provide relief for the forces already there. They also wear the armour of Grey Wardens, or at least most of them do. But what are Grey Wardens doing here? Should be in Ostagar. Are they looking for shelter? No, we're in the North, shouldn't need shelter here. Oh!" Cobian grinned. "Recruitment purposes! Only a small possibly of skilled fighters here though. Who would you recruit? Fergus and I nobility and Grey Wardens in Ferelden tend to stay away from nobles with little children for the sake of not causing offence. Gilmore, of course!" Cobian bowed his head. "Welcome to Highever."
There was a pause of silence. An awkward silence. Father sighed at him, and Cobian laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. That was until the blonde teenager and mage threw her head back and laughed.
"I love this guy!" She grinned. "He's really smart."
"What the fuck was that?" The male dwarf blinked.
"I swear you shemlens drop your young on their heads..." The Dalish woman smirked, but winced when the brunette woman jabbed her side with a sweet smile.
Cobian studied the group before him. "A mage with a fire elemental speciality, a casteless dwarf, a warrior dwarf, a noblewoman, a Dalish elf and a city elf."
"How does he know I'm casteless? He's a human!"
The female dwarf smirked. "Guess he can smell your stench, Duster."
Cobian paused thoughtfully, then perked up. "The mark upon your face. I studied it when I was looking into dwarven politics-"
"Why would anyone willingly study that?" the female dwarf complained.
"It was fascinating!" Cobian smiled.
"How do you know about my fire?" The blonde grinned.
"The burns on the edge of your uniform," Cobian explained. "It would take a high amount of mana and control to burn a Grey Warden's armour. Thus either you're a fire elemental, or you fight a lot of people with a control over fire."
"Why are Grey Wardens here?" Uncle Rendon hissed to father, who looked taken aback.
"Is something wrong?" Father asked softly.
"No, I just..." Uncle Rendon shifted. "I don't feel prepared. You know how I don't like that..."
"Does anyone?" Father laughed.
"It is very helpful for studying people's emotional reactions and range," Cobian admitted. "You can learn plenty through facial expressions and body language. Currently Uncle Rendon in stressed. Things have changed. Not according to plan or on point. It has induced stress and confusion. Although I don't understand why. Uncle Rendon has never had such negative reactions to surprise guests before. No, usually he tends to welcome them warmly. Is the upcoming war forcing a new reaction based on stress levels? Fascinating..."
He earned quite a few blank looks. Father shook his head in disapproval. "Cobian," he began. "You aren't allowed to use family in whatever new study you wish to delve into. I believe I've told you this."
"Ah, sorry. I hear hugs are good for emotional support?" Cobian hugged his Uncle, who stiffened. He made sure to pat his back. "There, there." He smiled when Uncle Rendon softened against him and ruffled his hair. "Ah, it worked! Hugs are a boost for moral. I must tell Cailan-"
"You are not having the King hug all his subjects," Father groaned, prying him from Uncle Rendon by the back of his neck.
"Of course a half-wit like Cailan would." Uncle Rendon grumbled beneath his breath. Father glared daggers at him.
A little bit harsh. Cailan was actually a smart man, he only acted foolish. But Uncle Rendon was cranky and stressed, so perhaps this was a new response? No, Uncle Rendon always complained about Cailan, just never in front of so many people.
Cobian paused. "Perhaps an emotional speech instead?"
"Inspiring more like," Uncle Rendon huffed. "It's all he's good for. Praising fantasy-"
"Enough, Rendon. That is our King you speak of," Father scolded, then bowed his head to the Grey Wardens. "Forgive me. My son's attention span tends to cause distractions-"
"Thought exercises good to train brain into focusing-" Cobian began.
Father barrelled over his idea. "Perhaps we should discuss the upcoming battle, Duncan? Cobian, how about you take the other Grey Wardens to the dining hall for some food and drink? No doubt they are tired and hungry from their travels."
"Ah, tasks to complete to keep me busy and distracted." Cobian nodded. "Perfect. I can study future Grey Wardens and current Grey Wardens in a new habitat."
"What the heck is a habitat?" the male dwarf asked. "And what does he mean by 'study'?"
"No, you're not studying our guests." Father roughly poked his forehead. "Focus, pup. I'm leaving you in charge of the castle while Fergus and I are away."
"Mother will be here to keep an eye on me?" Cobian tilted his head.
"You do tend to get distracted easily." Father smiled fondly, ruffling his hair.
"Not distracted. Thoughtful." Cobian grinned.
Uncle Rendon groaned. "I'd argue against that, but you do tend to fix more problems when you begin rambling, even when you give us all a headache."
"Uncle Loghain does tell me I need to speak slower." Cobian tilted his head. "Maybe he's becoming deaf?"
"I don't think that's the problem," Uncle Rendon said dryly.
"I wouldn't tell him that." Father shook his head. "Ser Gilmore, please make sure Cobian doesn't wander off and actually escorts our guests to the dining hall."
"Of course, your Lordship." Ser Gilmore bowed, then grabbed the back of Cobian's shirt. "Come along, my Lord."
"Ah, yes, I need names for my new test subjects!" Cobian brightened, waving the Wardens his way, even as his father groaned. "I have so many questions too. Is it true you eat much more than the average person? Do you need less sleep? Are you really immune to the Blight?" He ignored it when Ser Gilmore began to drag him out, the Grey Wardens following like ducklings. "This is the best day ever!"
"I'm being sent to war and this is his best day ever." He heard Father complain, but paid it no mind.
There was so much to learn.
.::.
Bryce groaned.
"What's wrong?" Rendon asked, blinking at him, bewildered.
"I was supposed to send Cobian off to tell Fergus to begin marching," Bryce sighed. "This is why I'm turning grey so early. My baby boy is too smart for his own good and nobody can keep up with him."
"That's one way to put it..." Rendon said dryly.
Bryce would normally take offence to that, but it was Rendon, Rendon who always spoiled Cobian rotten, when most others would be freaked out by him. Honestly, Bryce had been given suggestions to hand Cobian to the Templars just to make sure there no was demon inside him.
He had almost punched Lady Isolde for that comment.
Thankfully Eleanor bet him to it. She had broken Lady Isolde's nose too.
It had caused tension between Cailan and Eamon, since when Eamon complained Cailan had sided with them. He even warned Eamon to make sure Isolde never spoke to a Cousland like that again, or any member of his court. Loghain almost smiled that day. It had been scary. But he did like seeing Orlesian's suffer, so that made sense.
.::.
Ciara prayed for patience. They had all sat down for lunch, and Lawrien was telling Lord Cobian everything about them. How she and Ciara broke the Circle rules trying to free their brother, who they didn't know was a blood mage at the time. Almost blurted out about how Narascha used to be a Princess, until Torph surprisingly cut in and told Lord Cobian about how they murdered the Carta's leader who he's known since he was a kid. Then Lawrien even told Lord Cobian about how they murdered the Bann that Faren used to serve.
Ser Gilmore looked ready to explode.
Cobian looked absolutely delighted.
"It would seem that you, Roderick, might need to break the law to join the Grey Wardens-" Cobian began.
"Absolutely not!" Ser Gilmore snapped.
"The only new recruits who may or may not have are Epona and Narascha," Cobian insisted. "It's a rite of passage-"
"Don't make me find Nan." Ser Gilmore glowered.
"But it's for a study on Grey Wardens-"
"You've never studied Grey Wardens before. Besides, weren't you just studying something about soldiers and their moral?"
"Yes, but there is no law to say I cannot study multiple topics at the same time," Cobian huffed.
"There should be..." Ser Gilmore muttered.
"That would make for a boring life." Cobian smiled warmly. "Besides, why wouldn't I wish to study something my oldest friend is most passionate about?"
Ciara was amazed at how quickly Ser Gilmore's ire turned soft. He ruffled Cobian's hair, shaking his head fondly. "My Lord, you are going to give me grey hairs."
"I thought I had already done so?"
"More grey hairs then." Ser Gilmore frowned at them. "Also, I thought Grey Wardens were supposed to be neutral, but you helped your dwarven friend murder a Carta gang leader, and your elven friend murder a Bann."
Lawrien laughed, rubbing the back of her head. "We tried really hard not to get involved."
"You looted the noble's bedroom." Torph grinned. "Didn't you take a lot of gold off that fucker?"
"Yep!"
"Yes," Ciara coughed. "We tried really hard not to get involved."
"You stabbed a man in the back of the head." Epona smirked.
"He had been ordered to murder an innocent bystander," Ciara said. "Grey Wardens are supposed to protect people from monsters. I merely did my duty."
"You have an answer for everything, don't you, shemlen?"
Ciara smiled. "I try."
Lawrien yelped, startling them all. She was frantically searching her pockets, before she sobbed. "I lost the money!"
Faren perked up. "Oh! That's why I had extra money then."
Ciara paused. Faren took out a pouch that was definitely Lawrien's, and handed it back to her. But why had he sounded so confused that he had it in the first place? Honestly, these new recruits were just as crazy as Lawrien.
Torph cackled. "Oh no, you're one of them!"
"Them?" Faren blinked.
"Us street rats pickpocket pretty much in our sleep," Torph said. "But some of the kids in my part of town began doing it without even realising it. Got some of them into a lot of shit too. It just became a habit for them that they lost control of their fingers."
"Hide the good silver," Ser Gilmore muttered to Cobian.
Cobian beamed. "I want to see him steal things without him realising it."
"No." Ser Gilmore scowled.
"But it's interesting. Is it a twitch in his fingers or is it a pattern in his memory that causes such things-"
"No!"
Cobian huffed. "You're no fun."
"COBIAN COUSLAND!" The door slammed open, startling them all. Ciara nearly threw her dagger, only aborting the motion just in time when she saw the elderly woman. "You get your damn hound out of my kitchen right this instant!"
Cobian paled and raced out of his seat. "Nice meeting you all!"
He followed her out the dining hall instantly. Not even being distracted for a moment. Ser Gilmore looked victorious at that. "Nan is the only one who can keep Lord Cobian on track," he said proudly. "I hope to one day be as skilled as she is in controlling him."
"He doesn't like seeing her upset." Lawrien blinked. "She gets angry and loud and makes him sit still in a corner until he behaves. He hates sitting still without anything to do."
Ser Gilmore blinked. "How-"
"It's complicated." Ciara frowned at Lawrien.
"It's not-" she protested, but Ciara stomped on her foot, earning a yelp. Instantly Lawrien's fingers snatched her hair, yanking at the strands, and Ciara hooked her foot around Lawrien's leg, sending them crashing to the floor.
Yes, it was embarrassing fighting in the middle of a Teyrn's dining hall, but Lawrien started it. It took Ciara ages to make the perfect bun for her hair, and the little brat ruined it again!
.::.
Duncan took one look into the dining hall, saw Lawrien and Ciara fighting on the floor, and walked on. He was not dealing with that again.
The last time he tried Lawrien dragged him into the dog pile.
.::.
"Now that you have your dog under control, what do you need to do now?" Nan asked, raising a brow.
"Return some books to Aldous, help Mother Mallol tidy up, and see off the men. I also have research notes for Cailan!" Cobian grinned, even as Calenhad bounced at his feet, trying to snatch the cheese in Cobian's hand.
"And your brother?" Nan frowned.
"Oh." Cobian deflated. "Yes. He's away too... I'll need to see him off too."
Everyone was going except Cobian. It wasn't right. He should be going to protect them, the important people. Uncle Loghain was a Teyrn, Cailan was the King of Ferelden, Fergus was the heir to Highever and father was one of Cailan's top advisors and the Teyrn of Highever. But no, for some reason they had all decided to leave him behind. The one who was incapable of caring for Highever, but could fight to protect them. Cobian was a good fighter. That was when his head clicked into place, where he wouldn't lose concentration. Fergus said it was amazing. That he was a monster on the battlefield.
So why was he being left behind of all people?
He felt the last of his cheese being snatched out his hand, but paid it no mind.
Nan softened. "I know you're worried, especially since Fergus is actually one of the few people who keep you calm, but you're not alone. We're here for you too."
Cobian smiled shakily. "I'm glad. Besides, it's not only him. You keep me focused too, Nan. So does Calenhad." He petted Calenhad's ear, who nuzzled his hand happily, licking his fingertips. "Father said that Mother would be here too. There's already three people here to keep me in line. We'll work together to look after the castle until Father and Fergus return home."
"That we will." Nan nodded. "Now go on, go see your brother."
"But, he's saying goodbye to Oriana and Oren?"
"And he'll want to say goodbye to you too. Now go." Nan shooed him away, slamming the kitchen door shut behind him and Calenhad.
"I guess you've had all the treats you're getting today," Cobian said, patting Calenhad's head. "Let's go, Calenhad. I... I better wish Fergus good luck and farewell."