The Human Noble Origin – Part 3
Epona panted, staring at the two bodies bleeding out on the grass. The bear humans had attacked her without warning, right when Epona's hands wouldn't stop shaking. They were still shaking, even now, and Epona slumped against the tree she had been trying to doze in.
Her body felt like it was on fire, and at the same time numb from all the pain. It was uncomfortable and confusing and she hated it.
"Well, it looks like you spilled some of my men's guts." Someone laughed, and Epona forced her eyes open, gritted her teeth against the pain, and tried to lift her bow.
It dropped. Her fingers twitched and the sight made her heart race. The heavily armoured human walking into the gardens looked amused, and barked another laugh when her bow fell from her hands.
"This is a Grey Warden recruit?" He sneered. "Adorable. Then again, you did kill my men, so I shouldn't underestimate you. I'll give you a nice, clean kill, elf."
Epona tried to grasp her daggers, but they felt clumsy in her hands. Her fingers wouldn't hold them properly.
This was bad. She was dying already. No, not already. She needed a bit more time! For Tamlen and Lyna and everyone back at home-
The man charged, lifting his sword, and Epona only just managed to throw herself from the tree. It was sliced into, the cut deep into the trunk. It gave Epona just enough time to crawl back, her arms throbbing. Her heart pounding. Then her back met against a wall.
No. She wasn't used to enclosed spaces. These damn walls-
The man yanked his sword free and stalked up to her. "You're done."
He swung, but someone was on his back in the next second, yanking him backwards. The swing just missed her head. Epona shivered, but paused when she saw Faren jab the man's eyes with his fingers. The man screamed, tried to swing at him, but he had no real momentum with Faren on his back. Faren drew his dagger, yanked the man's head back, and sliced his throat.
The man choked and gargled as he fell. Faren wasn't crushed beneath him though, he threw himself back off the man's back and approached her, just as the man hit the ground.
"Are you alright, Epona?" Faren held out his hand.
She took it, grimacing as he pulled her to his feet. "Ah, yes, ma serannas, Faren. I am in your debt."
Faren smiled sheepishly. "I don't know what that means, but hopefully something good?"
"It means 'thank you'." Epona frowned at the corpses. "Who are these bear men?"
"The old lady in the kitchen said they were Arl Howe's men. The funny nose guy if you listen to Lawrien at all."
Epona frowned. "Yes, I believe I remember the 'funny nose guy'. Torph used the same title for him as well."
"Yeah, it looks like he's betrayed Teyrn Cousland," Faren said. "Which was a dumb idea. If any of the Lords and Ladies escape tonight they will tell Lord Fergus, who in turn could tell King Cailan-"
"And they will kill the funny nose man?" Epona asked, hesitantly. She wasn't sure who half of these people were that Faren just mentioned.
"Lord Fergus, Lord Cobian and King Cailan have been raised as pretty much family, since Teyrn Cousland is an advisor to the crown. One of King Cailan's most trusted advisors in fact. If the Cousland family tell King Cailan what happened here, he will have his army go deal with Arl Howe once the darkspawn are taken care of." Faren grimaced. "So the Arl has royally fucked himself over. Well, if anyone gets out of here alive."
"Anyone?" Epona furrowed her brow, even as she tried to pick up her bow.
"Vaughan used to discuss these kind of situations with his friends, gleefully, I might add." Faren scowled. "For this to work in Arl Howe's favour he would have to kill everyone here. If anyone loyal to the Cousland family lives, they will spread word of what happened here, and King Cailan cares for the Cousland family highly. If anything bad happens to them, he will be furious."
"Shemlens." Epona scoffed.
"Always want to break things, don't they?" Faren joked.
Epona didn't know why he was joking. That was all shemlens did.
"Now I'm thinking we should head back to the kitchens." Faren headed for the shadows, folding himself neatly in among them, and Epona followed his heels. "The angry cook Nan said there was an escape route for the Cousland family there. That's where hopefully our fellow Grey Wardens will be."
"What about the servants and guards?"
"They will have their own escape routes reserved, but it's getting to them through all this fire and Howe's men that will be the problem. I've already sent more than one servant on their way, but there are a lot of bodies." Faren grimaced. "I hope the Cousland family got out alright."
"Why care about the nobles?" Epona frowned.
"Because they have the best reputation for being kind." Faren smiled. "Vaughan hates them, and anything he hates is a good thing for me."
"You speak as if he is still alive..." Epona said softly, hesitantly. He couldn't possibly wish that shemlen bastard was here, right? That would disappoint her. It would only prove what many of the Dalish thought of their flat ear neighbours.
That they were weak without the humans.
"Nah. But he's been apart of my life for so long that it's hard to talk about him any other way." Faren chuckled bitterly. "Honestly, a city elf, I live in slums, I've been Vaughan's pet, and yet Duncan wanted me as a Grey Warden. It's insane."
"He must have seen something in you," Epona said. She wasn't too sure what made him special yet. Epona had been about to become their Warleader back home, so she could see why Duncan wanted her to live.
She would be an asset once she regained her strength. If she did. Epona needed to. But she hoped to see what made the rest of the recruits special too. If they were any match against her old life.
.::.
Lawrien hated feeling overwhelmed, but she was growing dizzy from all the fear, anger and panic smothering her. She tried to cling to Narascha's thrill, the sudden spike of hunger, the singing, but it was growing lost in all the pain.
She managed to follow Torph's sudden spike of joy into the armoury. He was right at the back with gems, marvelling over them. Lawrien sat heavily down next to him, and stared at the doorway as Cobian brought out the Cousland sword and shield. Calenhad's tail wagged and he bounced up at the shield excitedly.
The sword and shield felt like the Couslands. It was the same with Faren's fancier dagger, it felt his but not his. Lawrien couldn't explain it, especially not now when her senses were so delicate and sensitive with all the terror and anger hitting her from everyone in the castle, even if the feelings were being cut off sharply, one by one.
Lawrien shivered.
"Hey, Lawrien?" Torph began, throwing her an anxious look.
"Yeah?"
"You can sense emotions, but you didn't sense that the Arl was going to betray these guys. How does your empathy thing work?"
Lawrien rubbed her aching head. "He felt good the entire time he was here. I don't understand how. He was planning to kill everyone, yet the entire time he felt loving and happy, as if they were family-"
"Huh, so he even managed to out act your empathy." Torph blinked. "Fuck."
Lawrien scowled. "I don't like it."
"He outplayed us all," Teryna Cousland said softly, pained but angry. She still cradled Oren close, and thankfully the child still dozed, but he was drifting in and out of sleep.
Everyone was relieved at that. But then Lawrien paused, because she felt Faren and Epona's anger, and felt more lives die out, swift and relentless. A decent sized group too. She stood up, and frowned. That had been near the library.
"Faren and Epona just killed a lot of Howe's men." She frowned. "They found something they didn't like."
"I don't think any of us have found much we like tonight," Torph said, admiring some shiny stone, biting it before pocketing it.
"We best hurry to the escape tunnels," Teryna Cousland said firmly. "Hopefully we'll find your father there, Cobian."
"Hopefully. Difficult chance. He might have been with Howe-"
Teryna Cousland winced, but smoothed her expression almost immediately. Lawrien could still feel the pain and turmoil though, even as she tried to sooth Cobian.
"We must hold out hope. Your father is a strong man."
"Yeah, he is. Hopefully he was the one to stab Howe first." Cobian didn't believe her though.
Lawrien paused. There was more anger, Ciara's cold, sharp anger. She could feel Duncan's rage too, burning like hot fire beneath his skin. She tried to cling to them, but life kept going out like tiny sparks. Like the babies in the Circle.
Lawrien bit her lip. "They won't stop..." she whispered softly.
"Kid?" Torph frowned.
"They keep going out..." Lawrien shook her head and leapt to her feet. "I can't sit here. I need to fight back."
"You can't go by yourself." Torph went to stand, but she dismissed him.
They all jumped when screams suddenly started up, then were cut off, one by one. Lawrien froze, because those screams had been right outside. Torph was instantly on his feet, jewels discarded at his feet. Cobian was instantly between his mother, Oren and the door, Calenhad right by his side, growling. But she felt Ciara's cool, sharp anger brush against her and Lawrien smiled.
"Ciara!"
A man crashed to the floor at the doorway, a dagger plunged in the back of their head. Ciara strolled by, yanking it out and cleaning it off the man. "Good, you're safe." Ciara nodded to them. "I just need to find Epona, Faren and Ser Gilmore now."
"Faren and Epona are together," Lawrien said.
"Good. They have a better chance that way." Ciara nodded. "Lawrien, protect the others. Duncan instructed me to find Lord Cobian, but since he's with you-"
Lawrien grinned. Ciara knew she'd protect him in her stead. "I'll take care of them. I promise."
"Good. See you soon."
"See you soon."
"You don't wish to remain with us?" Cobian asked. "We have more of a chance at breaking past Howe's men. We have an exit underground-"
"I have other duties to attend to," Ciara said smoothly. "Besides, you're with Lawrien. You'll be fine."
Lawrien smiled. Ciara always had so much faith in her and it was heartening. "Stay safe," Lawrien said, laying her hand on Ciara's shoulder.
Ciara didn't release her daggers, but nodded. That was more than enough for Lawrien. She watched Ciara go and shivered when more lives around Ciara vanished. They were people killing the Cousland family though, so Lawrien tried not to feel sympathy. It was just hard not to when some of those people didn't even want to be here, but wanted the coin to look after their families, or wanted to fulfil the oaths they had sworn to Howe so long ago.
Cobian gestured for the door. "We best go too."
"I wish I could bring this room with me." Torph petted a treasure chest. "So beautiful."
"I don't think we can bring it with us," Lawrien admitted.
"Yeah, that sucks," Torph sighed. "C'mon, kid. Let's go."
.::.
It took them some time to catch up with Narascha. Bodies littered the ground right up to the main hall where she was cutting down bear soldier after bear soldier while the Cousland men held the main door shut, blocking it off as best as they could. Torph eyed her as she cut down the last bear man in the room, and grimaced when she didn't bother cleaning off her axe or herself before dragging another piece of furniture over to the door, yelling at the men to hold it shut.
"Cobian!" Ser Gilmore rushed to his side, searching him. "Thank the Maker you're okay. I couldn't get to you. I had to hold the door-"
"I'm glad you're alright." Cobian's shoulders slumped in relief. "Thank you."
"I wouldn't thank me yet." Ser Gilmore stared at the main door disdainfully. "We won't be able to hold for much longer, even with the honourable dwarf protecting our backs from those of Howe's men that got in."
"I sent some archers up to try cut down those that are battering the doors," Narascha said, marching up to them, leaving bloody footprints staining the ground. "But they got overwhelmed by Howe's own archers and had to retreat. We're on a limited time, if you have an escape route we've got to use it now."
"You look terrible." Torph wrinkled his nose.
"I'm a frontline fighter," Narascha pointed out. "Of course I'm messy."
"Yeah, but bits of flesh sticking to your armour is a bit much," Torph insisted, jabbing some away with the tip of his blade. It slid off Narascha's armour, who shrugged.
"Put some fear into the heart of my enemies. Much easier to do with humans than darkspawn." Narascha smiled fiercely.
"You have been very helpful, my dwarven friend, but also rather terrifying," Ser Gilmore said, straightening his back. "Your Ladyship, my Lord, please hurry to your exist. We already volunteered to hold Howe back."
Torph frowned. Why volunteer for that? Why were they giving up their lives to save the Cousland family? Didn't they all want to go home? He startled when Lawrien laid her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it, before pulling away.
"We need to hurry. It won't last much longer," Lawrien said, turning to Cobian. "Cobian-"
"Please don't die here for me," Cobian pleaded. "You wanted to be a Grey Warden-"
Ser Gilmore softened, shaking his head. "And before that I always wanted to be your friend. I am glad you honoured me with it."
"You honoured me, Roderick," Cobian choked out, voice shaking. "That's why I ask this of you."
Ser Gilmore smiled. "I've always hated that name."
Cobian smiled shakily. "I know."
"You're such a brat," Ser Gilmore laughed shakily. "I'll miss you. But I would die a good man in your service, and yours alone."
Cobian flinched, but nodded. "I have seen no evidence of a Maker but as you would say it, I hope the Maker watches over you. And if there is a chance, please come back to me."
"And what are the chances I survive this?"
"If you stay now? Extremely low," Cobian admitted.
Ser Gilmore smiled warmly. "Do not fear for me, my friend. I will go and meet our Maker with a smile upon my face. And you will join me, after you are old and grey and head full to burst with all the knowledge you have crammed in there."
Cobian laughed shakily. "I'll make sure to tell you all about it."
"No need." Ser Gilmore shook his head. "I'll be watching. Now go. You must."
"Thank you, Ser Gilmore," Lady Cousland said softly, then bowed her head. "Thank you, everyone. May the Maker watch over you all!"
That earned many cheers. Torph didn't understand it. Why weren't they fleeing? Why did they care so much about a family that probably didn't even know their names? What the hell was up with that? He would never stay behind and die to save Beraht, and neither would he do the same for him. It was all business. The same with Leske. Leske would save himself first.
It was everyone for themselves in this world.
"Come, duster," Narascha called. "It's time to go."
Torph numbly followed.
.::.
Ciara cut down everyone in her way. At least Howe's men. She only warily regarded Cousland's men, who would be high alert and possibly murderous. Ciara was not about to get stabbed from a paranoid blade or a stray arrow. That would not be productive.
She came across the library and her frown deepened when she saw the old book keeper sprawled across the ground in a bloody pool. He had offered her access to his precious books. He had chatted happily with her about history, eagerly even, and Ciara's heart sunk. Ciara prayed for him, but dismissed the room after seeing all the sliced Howe men littering the room, cut with daggers and filled with arrows.
Obviously Epona and Faren had cleaned up in here then.
It seemed that Faren and Epona had taken to the roofs after the bloodbath in the library. Ciara grimaced at the thought. She would not be able to follow as nimbly as the skilled elves, so she stuck to the ground, despite it being a battleground.
Ciara blanked when she reached the Chantry.
They had murdered Mother Mallol with a quick cut to the throat, kinder than most deaths, but it still left Ciara drowning in that cold, smooth anger. She easily cut down more of Howe's men, stripping the life from them as they did the kind woman who had shown Epona to the gardens the moment the Dalish elf had retreated from their guest rooms. Who had brought Epona tea and told Ciara where Epona was resting. She hadn't once berated Epona for being an elf or being Dalish.
Mother Mallol who had planned to stay up all night for all the men going to war in Ostagar. To help sooth them and care for them as best as she could.
Ciara murdered them all. Every last Howe soldier she came across died to her blades.
It didn't take her much longer to find the elves. They were debating what to do next by the kitchen rooftop. Faren insisted that the cook, Nan, had told him there was an exit for the Cousland family in the larder, and that their guests would probably use the same one, while Epona argued that it could be a trap and that this 'Nan' could be the enemy.
"Has anyone told you that you're paranoid?" Faren asked dryly.
"Has anyone told you that you're a trusting fool?" Epona rasped.
"Has anyone told you that for a pair of rogues you are far too loud?" Ciara teased from below, staring up at the pair who hid within the shadows. "Most people certainly wouldn't see you, but they would hear you."
"Hello, Ciara," Faren greeted, peering out the shadows. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Shemlen." Epona nodded. Ciara eyed her and saw the pale skin and shaky hands and heard how breathless she was.
Shit. She wasn't doing well. Duncan really was pushing her too far. They needed to be in Ostagar yesterday.
"Faren, you said there is an exit?" Ciara tilted her head.
"Yes-"
"Good, this Nan can be trusted enough right now, as the Cousland family confirmed this to me not too long ago," Ciara said, startling the pair.
"You ran into the shemlens?" Epona coughed harshly. "But they aren't with you?"
"I left them with Lawrien and Torph. They will catch up to Narascha and they shall catch up to us."
"What about Duncan?" Faren asked.
"Not sure. He'll be fine though," Ciara said. "Come, into the kitchens."
The door was jammed. Ciara scowled, Faren jumped down beside her and knocked on the door in a pattern. Ciara paused, but smiled. Ah, of course, he and Nan must have came up with a password in case he returned to her. The old woman opened the door, armed with a butcher knife. Faren waved, even as Epona landed beside them, startling Nan into flinching.
"I'm glad you're safe," Faren said warmly.
"Only thanks to you taking out those men earlier, elf," Nan scoffed. "We owe you our lives."
"Ciara!"
She glanced back down the hall and paused when Lawrien appeared at the end of it, puffing and panting. "The main doors are about to go down!" she said, ushering the Cousland family past, and the dwarves. "We've got to go!"
"We haven't found your father," Teyrna Cousland said to Cobian, who grimaced.
"Perhaps he was taken already?" he suggested quietly.
"No." Ciara shook her head. "He was with Duncan before, albeit it injured, but he would have been safe with our Commander."
"Unless he got overwhelmed," Torph grunted.
Lawrien snorted. "Nah, he'll be fine."
"He'll only die to darkspawn," Ciara agreed.
"You speak of me as if I weren't here."
They paused at Duncan's grumble and looked inside the kitchen. The Teyrna rushed to her husband's side who sat on a chair, nursing his wound, while Duncan knelt by his side, trying his best to treat it. Iona trembled at the back of the room with two other elves, wringing her hands nervously. Faren immediately went to her side, shocked.
"Iona, what are you doing here?"
"Faren?" she gasped.
Ciara ignored their reunion and began barricading the door with Narascha's help. Lawrien slumped against the wall, brow furrowed and her head cradled in her hands. Ciara winced. Lawrien must be overwhelmed by all the fear and death. Her empathy had probably drained her. Torph went to the elves, looking baffled by everything.
"I'm glad you're safe," Teyrn Cousland rasped, stroking his wife's hair, then softening when Cobian knelt at his side, Duncan pulling away. "You're all safe-" His eyes searched, and he frowned. "Where is Oriana?"
"Oh poor, Fergus!" The Teyrna struggled to contain a sob, stilling when Oren stirred weakly, whining softly. Her voice lowered into a whisper, cradling Oren soothingly until he settled once more. "I'm sorry, Bryce. I couldn't protect her-"
"You did your best, as did you, pup." Lord Cousland leaned his forehead against Cobian's who closed his eyes. Calenhad licked Lord Cousland's hand, whining. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry-"
"I'm alright-" Cobian tried.
"I can't imagine what is going through your head at the moment," Lord Cousland whispered softly. "I wish I could help, Cobian."
Cobian closed his eyes. "I'll be okay..."
But he looked pale, and his hands were shaky. There was a wild look in his eyes, a terrifying, bright glaze to his eyes that made Ciara wary. It seemed to set Duncan on edge too, because he paced nearby Cobian, as if ready to haul him off.
"I'm sure you did the best you could, my lady," Nan said sternly.
"I'm glad to see you alive, my old friend." The Teyrna smiled weakly in her direction.
"I'm sure without the boy here I would be dead, my lady." Nan nodded in Faren's direction. "He kept me and these two useless elves alive."
A bang echoed throughout the castle. It left the room silent, chattering ceased. The Teyrn and Teyrna went pale as did their son.
Nan snarled. "They've gotten through the bloody doors! Damn that Howe bastard! If I get my hands on him..." Her hands twitched, as if they held Howe's throat in them already.
Cobian stood, sword drawn, but Duncan grabbed his wrist. "There is nothing you can do here anymore."
Cobian shivered. "Not enough men. He waited for that. Waited for us to be weak all this time. Right? All this time?"
"There is no time, darling!" Lady Cousland pressed a kiss to his head and pushed Oren into his arms. "Carry him."
"Duncan," Bryce coughed. "Please get my family out of here!"
"I need something in return from you," Duncan said sadly. "This, I'm sorry to say, pales in comparison compared to what the Darkspawn are capable of. I need more recruits for the Blight. It demands that I leave here with one."
"...I understand..." Bryce had looked up at Cobian before looking away again.
Ciara watched as the Teyrna handed a key over to Faren who rushed towards the larder exist with Nan and Torph right on his heels. The other elves followed after them. Lawrien lingered for a moment, looking hesitant and their eyes met as she stood in the doorway, Epona by her side.
Ciara waved her away, hoping Lawrien would get far enough away from the castle or at least deep enough into the tunnels to not feel the Cousland family's anguish anymore. Her sister had suffered more than enough. Lawrien seemed to agree too because she finally turned and rushed out after Faren, Epona stumbling after her. Ciara would stay with Duncan for now though, keeping an ear out for any footsteps that drew near. She could hear the fighting in the main hall, all the screams and crashing swords. Narascha palmed her axe, eyes burning, facing the door.
"Cobian, I would like to formerly offer you a place among the Grey Wardens," Duncan said gently, aware of how confusing and horrifying things must be right now. Ciara knew though that he would be ready to drag Cobian out, even if he had to toss the young Lord over his shoulder.
He would refuse to leave without another recruit for the Blight.
Cobian made a frantic noise, looking between his parents and Duncan, even as he clutched Oren tight. Oren whimpered, stirring, and Calenhad whined at Cobian's feet.
"Shh, it's alright love. We'll see Howe pay for what he's done but right now we have to fulfil our duty. Go, my darling," Lady Cousland pleaded.
"You're strong, pup, you will survive this and become even stronger for it. Now go, protect the world from the Blight. The Grey Wardens need you and Ferelden does too," Bryce said, ruffling his son's hair. "We love you. Tell Oren we love him too."
"Hurry, my Lord." Duncan grabbed Cobian's arm, dragging him along.
"I love you both," Cobian choked out, but didn't fight Duncan's grasp. He was lead out, Calenhad on his heels. Narascha carefully keeping herself between all of them and the door.
Ciara only glanced back once, and it was to see the Teyrna, with a fire in her eyes, draw her bow and aim it right at the blockade. Ciara slammed the larder door shut behind her and followed Duncan down into the dark tunnels of the escape route. Closing the hidden door made a cloud of dust choke her, but she ignored the discomfort and locked it.
Nobody should be able to follow them down.