Sister Leliana & Sten of the Beresaad

Cobian followed Lawrien into the tavern, Faren and Calenhad following behind. They had lost the lamb to a little elven girl who squealed the moment she had seen it in relief. Lawrien had reluctantly parted with her new friend. The tavern was crowded and made it a bit of a struggle to get through but they managed, only for their way to get blocked off. Cobian saw their emblem and winced. Loghain's men.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here men? I think we've just been blessed!" The leader of the group said mockingly as his men began to block them off.

"Uh oh, someone after our bounties?" Faren asked quietly.

"Didn't we ask about these three this morning? Everyone said they hadn't been seen." One of the guards frowned.

"It seems we were lied to." The leader hissed.

"Or there could be the possibility we disguised ourselves earlier so nobody recognised us, or that we only just arrived in Lothering," Cobian began. "There are many actual reasons, but instead of thinking those through you just assumed everyone lied to you despite the large bounties on us? Either you are paranoid and have a need to be constantly wary, or perhaps Uncle Loghain has not been carefully evaluating his men. Or maybe his own paranoia has wiped off on others? Is that really a thing? Oh, that could explain so many horror stories freighting entire groups of people at once! Emotional reactions with a group of people for research would be an excellent study."

Faren groaned. Lawrien blinked at him. Ah, oops, maybe too much at once? The men looked at him blankly but the Captain sighed. "This is Lord Cousland for sure."

"Hi." Cobian waved.

Faren groaned again.

"I'm not sure about the elf, he looks kinda different. I think it's the nose." Another remarked, studying Faren who flushed, rubbing the back of his head while Lawrien struggled to hold back her laughter.

"Gentlemen." A red haired woman with an Orlesian accent interrupted, heading right their way. "Surely these are no doubt just more poor souls seeking refuge in these dire times?"

Faren nodded eagerly. "Exactly!"

"Nope. We're Grey Wardens," Lawrien replied, shrugging when Faren looked horrified at her.

"Why would you announce that when we're being hunted?!" Faren complained.

"I did nothing wrong!" Lawrien bristled. "And the Grey Wardens stayed behind to buy the others time to get out. I'm proud of them!"

"I am too, but we're being hunted!" Faren shook her by her shoulders.

"And I'll kick their asses!"

"They are criminals. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors you get the same as them." The leader looked over at him, scowling. "Remember Lord Cousland stays alive-"

Cobian clicked his fingers and Calenhad leapt, tacking the man to the floor, interrupting him. One of the soldiers tried to stab Calenhad but Cobian punched his throat and tossed him into one of the other guards while Faren tripped another, stabbed his dagger through the man's hand and into the floorboards. Cobian nearly jumped though when he heard something smash. The glass shattered over the floor while Lawrien gingerly held the end of the beer bottle, standing over an unconscious guard.

She shrugged when she caught him staring.

"Ciara told me I can't use most of my spells inside shops." Lawrien laughed. "Last time I burnt the shop down and Duncan had to pay for it to be rebuilt. I nearly made him cry that day."

He nodded. It made perfect sense.

"There, that's the fighting over. We can all stop now yes?" The redhead asked as she approached, looking over wearily at Calenhad, but he was only keeping the man pinned, not ripping out his throat.

Cobian knelt down before the man. "Deliver my message to Uncle Loghain."

"Uh-"

"It wasn't a suggestion."

"Y-Yes, my Lord?"

"Tell him I'm rather irritated that he's putting the blame on the Grey Wardens when we all know exactly what happened at Ostagar. Tell him I won't forget, and remind him what the true threat is. The Archdemon. The Archdemon who is a very large dragon and will happily eat everyone and possibly set everything on fire. Unless he doesn't use fire and perhaps another element, like lighting, or ice, there are so many dangerous possibilities-"

"You're getting side tracked," Faren said.

"Ah, yes. Tell Uncle Loghain the problem is the Blight, not Orlais, and that the present that was delivered to Anora better be safe, or I will have words with him."

"Present?"

"Nothing you need to worry about. Now, understood the message?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good. Go." Cobian gestured to the door, standing back up.

Cobian clicked his fingers and Calenhad went straight back to his side, licking his hand, Cobian couldn't help but smile and pat his head. The men thanked them shakily and bolted, Faren cleaning his dagger as they ran. A huff had them turning towards the doorway where Epona stood, looking unimpressed.

"You should have just killed them." Epona spat, stalking there way. "Not only did you just give confirmation to our enemy that we are alive you also told him were we are! What were you fools thinking?"

"We will be long gone by the time they reach Denerim,"Cobian offered but Epona only scowled.

Lawrien's attention was elsewhere though, on the redheaded woman with the faint Orlesian accent. "Who are you? And why did you say we were refugees? We're Grey Wardens."

"Don't just blurt that out to random strangers!" Epona snapped, smacking the back of the blonde's head who whined.

"But it's true!"

"I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the Chantry in Lothering, or I was." Leliana smiled kindly.

"What do you want?" Epona growled.

"After what happened in Ostagar you will need help yes? That is why I'll be coming with you."

Epona and him shared a guarded look. "Why the sudden interest, shemlen?"

"I thought you might ask. You see the Maker wants me to join you," Leliana explained and Epona's eyes narrowed. She looked ready to screech and much to Cobian's amusement both Faren and Lawrien stepped back from their red headed Warden.

"Uh, care to expand on that?" Faren asked helpfully.

Lawrien laughed. "Look, Epona! She's as weird as you!"

Epona slapped her head again.

"I know it might sound insane but I had a vision!" Leliana sounded desperate to convince them, much to his surprise. "Look at these people, they are lost in such despair and darkness! The Maker must wish to help them!"

Epona shook her head. "Right, because your Maker has cared to help through everything else thus far."

Leliana frowned. "We murdered Andraste-"

"I had nothing to do with it." Epona scowled.

Cobian choked on his breath. Lawrien laughed, a full hearty laugh, that left her clutching someone's table which earned her some annoyed glares but she didn't pay them any attention.

Faren butted in, more hesitantly. "Look, I don't care about this whole Maker deal-"

"But-" Leliana began while Epona smirked, looking victorious.

"But maybe you could tell us what skills you have?" Faren continued and immediately Epona threw him a betrayed look. "I'm trying to help!" he squeaked, throwing his hands up in surrender.

"I wasn't always a lay sister. Truth be told I did have a rather colourful past before it," Leliana offered slyly.

"Yes but what skills? Do you use daggers? Just a knife or cook-"

"Because cooking's important," Epona mused.

"If you want to eat whatever Alistair makes then be my guest." Faren wrinkled his nose. "It's almost as bad as Shianni's Denerim special." He then lightly nudged Lawrien with his foot. "Lawrien? What do you think?"

Lawrien's laughter eased off and her eyes bored into Leliana, her gaze unwavering and firm. Leliana looked startled but met her eyes and Lawrien nodded.

"I like her." Lawrien said.

Epona scowled. "Why?"

"She wants to be better than she is. She wants to help." Lawrien mused and it earned her a baffled look. "I like people who try." Lawrien smiled at Epona. "And she's just as weird as you, and having two of you around would be amazing, right, Epona?"

Epona glowered.

"You hear the Maker too?" Leliana gasped.

"No." Epona's tone was dry as sand. "I hear the Archdemon."

Leliana froze.

"And it's telling me to eat people."

Lawrien grinned. "But we'll eat it first! Kill it and cook it!"

Faren sighed. Cobian offered him a smile, which Faren, while rolling his eyes, did return in the end.

"So, welcome to the Grey Wardens," Faren said to Leliana. "Beware, we're crazy."

"We're all also emotionally complex," Cobian said, holding up his notebook. "I've already nearly filled Lawrien's first page with notes."

"Yes!" Lawrien cheered.

"It wasn't a competition."

"And yet I'm still winning."

.::.

Torph laid down on the grass and groaned. Another attack from some stupid fuckers who wanted to die by Grey Warden. How did humans not know that dying by Grey Warden was a stupid ass choice? He was a gutter rat, hardly even a dwarf, and even he knew not to mess with Grey Wardens!

"Why do all these assholes want to die Grey Warden style?" Torph complained.

"Money," Narascha said plainly.

"I'd never attack a fucking Grey Warden over coin!" Torph choked. "I'm greedy, but nobody should ever be that stupid in their life. These dumb fucks."

"Yeah, I don't understand humans either." Narascha shrugged. "Their lack of appreciation for the Grey Wardens baffles me. That's the second group who have tried to collect our bounties."

Morrigan chuckled. "Now if only you didn't become a Grey Wardens."

"I'd be dead. Orzammar style," Torph grunted. "Ain't pleasant."

Narascha hummed. "Yeah, a shame too, your fight in the Proving was fantastic-"

"Wait-" Torph choked. "Shit. I forgot you saw that!"

Narascha smirked. "Of course I did, duster. I was even impressed."

"I impressed you?" Torph blinked. "Holy shit. Most fighters don't impress you."

"That's why you're a Grey Warden and not them." Narascha smiled. "You were better than any of them."

Torph scoffed. "Me? I'm not even a true dwarf."

Narascha eyed him. "Hm, I guess not. You do look so much more like an elf."

Torph laughed. "You know that ain't what I mean!"

"What, a human? I guess you do have a beard-"

"Eat shit, Princess," Torph chuckled fondly.

"You two are odd creatures," Morrigan huffed. "And speaking of which, the elf left us."

"Ah, yeah, she's gonna be spotted quickly," Torph said.

Narascha grimaced. Torph snorted. It was true. A red headed Dalish elf? Rather noticeable. Also rather noticeable was the huge ass qunari in the cage. Narascha looked rather curious by him, but so far hadn't commented.

"Surprised humans can put you in a cage," Torph said as his greeting.

"Those men said you were Grey Wardens." The giant sounded bored.

Probably from sitting in a cage. Or standing in his case. Poor fucker couldn't even sleep like that, right? Saying that, probably didn't deserve the sleep. Torph had heard the nervous chitter chatter of Lothering's folk. This guy had murdered an entire family except one kid.

Torph sat up, huffing. "You better not be after our bounty too. I'm already fed up of this shit."

"My people have heard you are powerful and strong. Guess not all legends are true." The qunari still looked blank faced. Fucking hell, Torph had met rocks with more personality.

"Says the asshole in a cage," Torph remarked. "Didn't I hear something about you killing a few folk?"

"Then you know of my crime."

"Yeah. How much did you get paid to do that then?" Torph raised a brow when the qunari stiffened. "Aw, don't be shy. I've seen you guys kill a whole bunch of people for money."

"You know where he's from?" Narascha's brow furrowed.

"He's a qunari. The Carta hires them sometimes-"

The qunari snarled. "Those aren't qunari! They wear our faces, but they aren't us."

Torph snorted. "You sound like the nobles. To them my kind ain't real either."

Narascha grimaced.

"You should be making use of him," Morrigan said. "Don't leave him here to starve to death or eaten by the darkspawn. Not when such a creature would be useful."

"Yeah, after he butchered a farmer's family," Torph scoffed. "Only the little girl survived as he slaughtered the rest."

"How do you-" Narascha blinked.

"I listen. A handy thing to do, Princess, but I doubt you've needed to listen to the peasants all that often."

"Sometimes you peasants talk too much," Narascha teased.

Torph grinned, but it fell as he stared down the qunari. "At any rate, I wouldn't trust this fucker to have my back, not if he wasn't even paid to slaughter that family."

But Narascha was studying the qunari with a thoughtful look. "I don't think he meant to kill them..." she said softly.

Torph scowled. "So he's crazy then?"

"I've seen dwarven warriors return from the Deep Roads panicked and paranoid. They lash out, but they always get that look in their eyes after they've calmed down." Narascha's face hardened. "The same look you have right now, Qunari. You panicked and regret it."

"Yeah, they panicked because fucking darkspawn. Not over a bunch of farmers! That's like beating up a fucking merchant back home because of lost a shoe." Torph shook his head.

"Depending on the noble..." Narascha murmured.

Torph wrinkled his nose. Fuckers.

"This creature would be excellent at fighting the darkspawn," Morrigan insisted. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way, dwarf."

"Don't let yours get in the way either, witchy. He's deadly and paranoid. Might actually murder us in our sleep."

"Do you seek atonement?" Narascha asked, surprising him.

What was she up to?

"Death will be my atonement."

Narascha hummed. "So you prefer to die?"

"I would prefer to die in battle." The giant narrowed his eyes, seemingly confused. "But my choices have been made."

"Well, you could be helping us save the world from a Blight," Narascha offered. "That could be your atonement."

"Very well." Simple as that huh? "I am Sten of the Beresaad, of the qunari people."

"Seriously, Princess?" Torph glowered.

"Lawrien can take a look, and if she hates him, we'll kill him," Narascha whispered, then raised her voice. "I'm Narascha of the Grey Wardens. This is my fellow Warden Torph and our companion Morrigan."

Sten nodded and kicked the gate down, stepping out his cage. Yep, Torph still hated this idea, especially with the crazy paranoid qunari who could kick down metal, but the women were insane.

"Let's get a bit further out of town." Narascha began walking away. "Hopefully the towns people will stop trying to kill us if we're out of sight."

"Sure, but when fuckers are hungry they do pretty much anything for food, even attacks Grey Wardens apparently." Torph picked at his ear. "Might be merciful putting them outta their misery."

Narascha's brow furrowed. Torph raised a brow at her, and she looked ready to ask more, but Sten spoke up, almost hesitantly.

"You said you are a Grey Warden?" he asked Narascha.

"Yeah, a recruit until Ostagar," Narascha said. "So I might not be able to answer a lot of questions about them."

"You're a woman."

Narascha blinked. "Yes."

"Then you cannot be a Grey Warden."

Torph choked down a laugh. Okay, maybe the qunari would be murdered before he could kill them all. Telling the Princess she wasn't a Grey Warden? Ha! He's dead.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Narascha asked, her voice had turned sharp, a warning bite to it.

"You are a Grey Warden, so it follows that you can't be a woman," Sten insisted. "Women are priests, artisans, shopkeepers or farmers. They don't fight."

Morrigan scoffed. "Would you care to test that?"

"That's not true everywhere. Some races, or religions, yes, but there are plenty of female fighters. Ferelden has a high amount of them," Narascha said, still an edge to her voice, and her eyes had gone hard, her posture almost defensive.

Torph frowned at that. Why would she be so defensive?

"Why would women wish to be men? That makes no sense!" Sten protested.

"They wish to be women who fight."

"Do they also wish to live on the moon?" Sten scowled. "That's as attainable."

"Yes, my brother said the same thing," Narascha spat. "But I bet his ass, I bet all his men, and the only reason I'm no longer-" She cut herself off, breathing in heavily. "Here is the thing, Sten. I'm a woman, and I'm fighting."

"One of those things can't be true."

"Alright, want me to strip naked and beat the shit out of you?" Narascha offered, her voice light, but her eyes still had that dangerous edge to them. "I think that will solve the problem."

Torph choked.

"I don't understand you." Sten's brow furrowed. "You don't choose. You simply are."

"People choose things everyday," Narascha argued.

"Do people choose their race? The colour of their hair? The size of their hands?"

"No, but you choose what to do." Narascha smirked. "I could have married and had kids, I choose not to. I choose to fight. But you won't understand that, not until I show you otherwise."

"Damn, I thought she was gonna kill you," Torph laughed as Narascha pressed on.

"If she is a woman she couldn't-"

"A woman can easily poison your breakfast in the morning," Morrigan chuckled. "You best hope none of us know how to."

"Shit, yeah, because Epona will if you say that crap to her!" Torph cackled.

The calm was cut off by a man's cry. Narascha was off without them, bolting up a set of stairs with a battle cry. Sten charged after her, he still looked confused, while Torph and Morrigan ran after the pair. Sten tore a greatsword out of a hurlock's hands and swung it right back into it, cleaving it in two while the Princess was driving two genlocks away from what appeared to be a dwarven merchant. The man was clinging to a younger dwarf who seemed to be watching Narascha intently.

Torph leapt after Narascha as Morrigan's magic cut through the air, taking down another darkspawn. Torph finished the last one with a bomb, exploding it into pieces. Sten startled, staring him down, but Torph ignored the nutter.

"You saved us! Thank you so much!" The older dwarf instantly greeting them, one hand clutching the younger dwarf.

"This was you heading out of here I take it?" Narascha asked, wiping her axe down.

"Yes indeed." The old dwarf nodded. "I was hoping to get away before those things arrived. Thank you again for saving us."

"It was no problem. Safe travels, salroka."

The old dwarf grinned and patted Narascha's shoulder. "And to you as well. Come Sandal, let us be off, my boy."

Narascha looked over at Sten with a frown. "You should probably put that down, all their weapons will be tainted," she murmured before looking over the pair of merchants again. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but wonder, are you selling any greatswords? Something that isn't tainted by the Blight?"

He watched as Sten reluctantly parted with the weapon, grumbling to himself. Narascha frowned, explaining she had no coin, even after saving the dumbass' life he still wanted money? Torph rolled his eyes. Figures. He walked over, nudging Narascha out of the way. The dwarf eyed the mark on his face, but surprisingly there was no disgust.

"Since we saved you and your kid's live you could give us a cheeky little discount." Torph winked.

"Her blood sings," the boy said.

They paused, staring at the kid who smiled warmly at Narascha. Narascha blinked, even as the boy reached out, placing something into her hands.

"It's beautiful," the boy said. "Like home."

Narascha softened, and smiled. "Just like home," she said back, squeezing his hands.

"Sandal?" The older dwarf frowned.

"She sings. It's good singing." Sandal grinned. "I want to help."

Torph frowned, because singing blood? Fucking hell. What the hell was wrong with the Princess? Was that an Aeducan thing or something? Well, if her singing blood gets them help, that would be nice. But still, bloody hell.

The old dwarf shifted, but sighed and nodded. "Alright, you can have the greatsword."

"Thanks." Narascha's smiled, but her smile grew when she met the kid's gaze. "And thank you especially."

"Keep singing. You have to keep singing," Sandal insisted.

"I'll do my best?" Narascha offered, as she took the sword, handing it to Sten. "This should hopefully be better." Sten took a few practise swings, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Good enough?"

"Yes, thank you."

"No problem. In regards to anything touched by the Blight I suggest cleansing it by fire. We used to do that within the Deep Roads if something was corrupted by their taint," Narascha advised.

Torph didn't get her. She could have been a pampered Princess, yet she chose to fight. He'd sit about all day eating grapes if he could. But she preferred all this, her and her singing blood. Damn it, first Lawrien with her empathy and could feel everything someone does, Cobian was Cobian, Faren was the kid of the world's greatest thief? Then Epona started hearing the fucking Archdemon of all things, and Narascha's blood sings to people!

They were all freaks. His team were freaks and he was stuck with them.

Shit. He, Ciara and Alistair were the normal ones.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Hope you all got spoiled and are ready for 2023 :D It's going to be a busy year for me. I want to publish the 2nd book of my The Warden of Strar series (The Thieves of Brait) and an avalanche of games I'm excited for are coming out (some possibly but heavily hinted at) next year too :D This is gonna be fun! Anyway, hope you all have a good New Year :)