AN: This is a short chapter, but I've abandoned this story for so long that I've almost forgotten where I was going, so I'm just writing without a plan, trying to jog my memory. Don't worry. It's coming back. I am sorry that it took so long. I've just been a bit preoccupied with some personal matters, but things are slowly returning to normal. So, with the exception of any unexpected bouts of crippling writer's block, long delays like this shouldn't happen again.
As Duncan approached, I frantically tried to think of what I was going to say to him. How was I going to explain to him how I knew of Loghain's betrayal before it had even happened? This was not a very well thought-out plan. But still, I knew I had to say something. But before I had even begun to form a coherent sentence in my brain, he was upon us.
"Duncan." Judd greeted, with a wide smile, shaking his hand enthusiastically. "So you are back from Highever, then? All is well, I hope?"
I breathed an audible sigh of relief when I realised that it wasn't me that Duncan had come for. It was Judd. Duncan's gaze flickered over me, curiously, and I puffed out my cheeks, looking around with what I hoped was an innocent expression on my slowly reddening face, but which probably made me look as guilty as sin.
"I'm afraid not, Ser Judd." Duncan replied, his voice deep with regret. "Arl Howe has revealed himself as a traitor. His soldiers descended upon the castle the night I arrived there."
Judd was visibly taken aback by this, his face greying as Duncan spoke.
"Maker save us." He gasped. "And…the Teyrn?"
"The Teyrn and Teyrna were murdered." He said, sympathetically, clapping a hand on the other man's shoulder. "I am sorry. I know you knew Bryce and Eleanor for many years."
"He was a good man. A good man. He did not deserve to fall to such treachery." I didn't know where to look. This was all so real. Judd looked devastated. I didn't know what I had expected, but I certainly wasn't prepared for this. I glanced over at the younger men, and they seemed to be as bewildered and unsure of the situation as I felt.
"Arl Howe will pay for his crimes. But right now, we must try to lay thoughts of vengeance aside. The Horde will be upon us soon enough." Duncan said, his sympathetic tone taking on a businesslike edge.
Judd nodded.
"Of course. Of course. We just had a bit of a run-in with a few Darkspawn stragglers, ourselves." He replied, still looking crestfallen, but trying to sound upbeat. "I might not be here to tell you myself if wasn't for this young lady." He turned his body towards me slightly and, with a start, I realised that he and Duncan were looking at me.
"Really?" Duncan asked, studying me. I blushed under the scrutiny of his piercing eyes, and shook my head, blustering.
"Oh! It was nothing. Really, I just…"
"Nonsense!" Judd smiled. "She's quite the little fighter. Didn't expect it from a girl of her years, I must say. I was impressed."
Even through my embarrassment, I couldn't help but feel a little patronised. But I knew that he meant well. Determined to change the subject, and because I was curious as to how the events in this timeline were unfolding, I fixed my gaze on Duncan.
"I'm sorry, terribly sorry about the Couslands, but I must ask…were there any survivors?" Judd whipped his head round to look at Duncan, the hope in his eyes clear to see. To my lasting relief, Duncan nodded.
"The Teyrn's eldest son left with his men before the attack. The youngest arrived here with me. He is my latest recruit."
I nodded.
"Good. That's good. Thank Christ for small mercies, eh?" The men looked at me, oddly, and I realised my mistake. "Uh…thank The Maker, that is." I mumbled.
"So, you got your recruit. That's good news, at least." Judd offered. "And a fine young lad he is, too. Duncan is a Grey Warden." He explained to me. I nodded, and forced myself to look surprised. "Well, if you're looking for any more recruits, look no further than this one here. I've never seen anyone take down Darkspawn like she did."
I laughed, making it clear that I found that notion hilarious. I would not, under any circumstances, become a Grey Warden. I felt uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was headed in, until Duncan smiled.
"I'm sure you would make an excellent candidate, miss…?"
"Duval. Lauren Duval." Bond. James Bond.
"Miss Duval. We are always looking for new recruits." He didn't seem to want to press the matter, though, so I smiled politely.
"Uh…yeah, I'll….definitely think about it." I lied.
"I must bid you all farewell, I am afraid. I have three new recruits to prepare and very little time in which to do it. Judd," They shook hands, and he turned to the other two men, inclining his head politely and shaking each of their hands in turn. "Miss Duval," He turned to me and extended his hand, "It was a pleasure to meet you. And do think about my offer. I have known Judd for many years. He is not a man who is easily impressed so, I must say, I am intrigued." I grinned, shaking his hand. He nodded once more and turned to leave, but he had taken only half a step when he turned back, reaching for my hand which was now back by my side.
"Hey!" I called out, instinctively pulling my hand away. I looked up at him and noticed the lines on his weathered brow were furrowed with concern. "What…?"
"Your hand. You are bleeding." He said, urgently. I stifled a laugh.
"Oh, I'll survive." I replied, cringing, and throwing Judd a look that said "overreact, much?", but Judd was frowning down at my hand as well, looking as crestfallen as he had done when Duncan had delivered the news of his old friend's death.
What was their problem? I had survived my first fight with Darkspawn with the smallest of cuts on my finger. Their concern seemed ridiculous: until I looked down at my hand. Thick black ooze mingled with my own red blood: arterial spray from my killing blow to the last Hurlock had covered my hands.
"The taint..." I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. I looked up at the men who were watching me with solemn expressions, like I was a dead girl walking. "No…it's fine, I feel fine." I insisted, shaking my head in denial.
"You will not feel its effects yet." Duncan spoke slowly, calmly, as though he had delivered the same speech to countless others before me. "But even now, the taint courses through your blood. It is…a death sentence, messere. The only known cure is to…"
"…become a Grey Warden." I finished for him, rolling my eyes. "Oh, well, fancy that! I knew, I knew something stupid like this would happen. Flemeth just always gets her way in the end, doesn't she?" I said this last part to myself, too angry to care about the strange looks they were all giving me. My brain was screaming at me as everything that I knew about Grey Wardens flashed through my mind: the thirty year expiry date, the nightmares, the unfavourable odds of even surviving the Joining ritual in the first place…but without it, I was dead anyway. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, I made my decision, and prayed that I wouldn't regret it. I sighed, pouting huffily up at Duncan. "Well, if that offer of recruitment still stands…I would very much like to not die, please."
AN: Please review! I'll do better with my updating next time. Pinkie promise.