70 réponses à ce sujet

[odiedragon]

Chapter 9 Snippets:

"Just over that ridge," Duncan said, pointing. "I will cover you from here, but it is up to you three to bring them down."

Alistair spoke up first. "So we just, what, charge up the hill and tap them on the shoulder?"

Ser Gideon barked a short laugh. "You first, we'll be right behind you!" He elbowed Aldemund. "Right Mundy?"

"If you keep making all that noise, it will no longer be an issue," Duncan chided his recruits.

"Lemme go first, I kin sneak up on 'em and mebbe slit the leader's throat. When y'hear the screaming, that's when I'll be looking for my backup, got it?" With that, Aldemund disappeared like a candle being snuffed out, slipping along where patches of shadows fell from the tall trees above.

"Alistair,” Duncan turned to the almost-Templar, “when you get close enough, keep an eye to their rear line. If you notice any magic being put to use..."

"Right, right, smite them with the Wrath of the Maker," Alistair quipped. "Because that worked so well the first time."

Duncan sighed. "Still your tongue, lad. Darkspawn are no laughing matter."

"Yes, Duncan," Alistair replied, chastised.

He knocked an arrow in his ironwood bow, a relic he had carried for years after stumbling upon one of the roving tribes of Dalish elves. He had found no suitable recruits, but the Keeper had given him the bow in order to aid the Grey Wardens' cause.

"Don't mind him, ser, he's always had a loose tongue." Gideon had several years on Alistair, and they remembered each other faintly from when Alistair lived in Redcliffe Castle. Duncan had spoken at length with him after bringing Alistair to the compound and, fortunately, the former knight had very little interest in Alistair. It did not seem prudent to inform him of the truth when the it meant so little to him. He could pass that truth along to while in his cups, and the fewer Wardens who knew the better.

An inhuman scream pierced the air.

.oOo.

He started awake yet again in a cold sweat. It had to be the proximity to the Darkspawn that was causing the nightmares. They had been spotted now and again in the Korcari Wilds for over a decade, and even with the efforts of his Grey Wardens their numbers appeared to be growing. Duncan shuddered. This time, the dream had been through an emissary's eyes, and he had watched as the creature cast a spell that shook the very roots of the earth. A giant slab of granite fell away, almost caving in the whole tunnel, but when the dust cleared it appeared that there was space at the top of the pile of rubble where the horde could continue digging. And dig they did...

If they were still digging, that meant that they had not yet unearthed the archdemon. Duncan tried to take some small consolation in that, while ignoring the fact that the intoxicating song he had heard sounded much louder than it had in his previous dream.

The dream had left him fully awake and unwilling to go back to sleep, so he hastily put on his armor and stepped out of his tent. Alistair sat with his back to what was left of the fire, staring out into the darkness.

“Go get some sleep, lad,” Duncan told the boy. “I won't be sleeping much more tonight.”

Alistair turned toward him, looking concerned. “More bad dreams?”

Duncan cleared his throat. “I would appreciate it were you not to speak of my nightmares to the other men. We shall speak more of them later, presuming... we shall speak more of them later.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Duncan regarded the boy. Visually, there was so little of his mother in him, and yet one did not become a healer mage if one did not at least have a greater than average empathy for others. Perhaps it was just easy to overlook when all he could see in Alistair's face was Maric with a Templar-issued haircut.

“You can go get some sleep, so that I only have to worry about Aldemund setting our pace in the morning.”

“No, no, you're doing that all wrong,” Alistair shook his head.

Duncan was taken aback. “Wrong? How so?”

“It should be something more like...” Alistair cleared his throat. “'Don't worry about me, Alistair. You know me, I survive on burnt stew fumes and elfroot tea. Sleep is optional.'” He spoke in a ridiculously low and gruff voice, and Duncan couldn't help but crack a small smile.

“But I am not you,” Duncan replied, trying to return his typical mask of seriousness to his face. “I know that not all things that happen to me should be twisted into self-depreciating humor.”

Alistair winced, then chuckled. “Ow! Got me pegged, now don't you?”

[Gilgamesh1138]

YAY! Does the squeeing happy dance!

[Miri1984]

I read this on FF and didn't review because I had a clingy girl on my lap. So will review here. SQUEE. Loved it. Loving the Duncan perspective. Loving Alistair. Loving the detail and ... well... EVERYTHING. Keep it up .

[odiedragon]

Thanks ladies



I'm re-playing Elisara through DA:O, and I got through the origin last night Just added a few details that would affect Duncan's POV, but hopefully that'll help. Though, we have to recruit Jory and Daveth before we get there....

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL ah dumb as a post Jory, and sexy scamp Daveth. I love when he says "Oh I'll watch your back." Translation, your bum. LOL! I can't wait odie!

[odiedragon]

I'd so love for Ellie and him to sneak off and find a tree or something, but I think she's still gonna be to emotionally f-ed up at that point In fact, I'm wondering if she won't react badly to Daveth... "My family is DEAD and you're HITTING ON ME?!" *rage*

[Gilgamesh1138]

Or it could be the life is short, so damn short lets do it ( it is common actually for people faced with death to do it like rabbits, ah psychology classes, in college).

[odiedragon]

Well, I've already established in my head that she's NOT doing Duncan for that reason... I dunno, maybe. I'll have to think about it. The timing is just so awful that I just don't know when they'd be able to manage it.

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL true, timing is important!

[MelRedux]

I've read this since the beginning, and just realized I never jumped over here to comment!! I wanted to let you know I LOVE this story. Your Cousland is exactly like I imagined mine...a little bratty and a little ****ty....lol. She's the typical noble girl, thrust into an incredible situation. I can't wait to see how you see it change her!!

[odiedragon]

Wow, thanks Mel! 

I started a new HNF game this weekend, to help inspire me through the gameplay chapters... and I about choked when Oriana was all "You would bring shame upon our house!" or whatever if you joke with her about sleeping around.  Oh, sister, you have NO IDEA.  :happy:

The more I think about it though (and the Daveth comment above has really got me thinking) the more I think she may have only slept with potential matches, you know, to try before she buys. :innocent:  It would still give her the reputation that I'm going to have Duncan play off of when talking to Bryce, but she wouldn't have banged every Tom, Dick, and Gilmore than crossed her path.

Now there's another thought... I wonder what her "relationship" with Ser Gilmore would have been... I suppose if he's the son of a bann he could have had potential for a match, maybe.... more to ponder.

As for Daveth, I'm wondering if she doesn't find a way to sleep with him (might have to mess with the timeline a bit), because by the time she gets to Ostagar she'll be over the initial shock of her grief... and then may start thinking it's okay to sleep with anyone she chooses.  After all, she's not a Cousland anymore (she'll come back around though), and she can't do anything and she can't find Fergus and... well hell, what's the point of NOT sleeping with him if he's willing?

She's still not sleeping with Duncan, even though she may come onto him in Highever

[Gilgamesh1138]

Okay how do you get Oriana to say that? I have missed that totally! I get the I won't be sleeping alone with Fergus and he calls you a saucy minx and she gets all in his grill. But you can joke with her about it?



LOL see odie that was my line of thinking with Daveth...

[MelRedux]

I just pictured the nobles being ****ty, and always sleeping with each other.  As you said, like a try and buy.  The people you've had her sleep with so far make sense.  And sexy times with Nathaniel is always a good thing, no matter what the situation
I don't think Duncan or Daveth or make sense.  The way I've seen my PC: The slaughter of her family was a real slap in the face from reality for her, and puts things in persepctive.  Gone are the days of sexy time with random nobles.  And of course, once she meets Alistair, she learns what real love is  *sounds of "awwwwwww" from the audience*.  But that's just my perspective.

edit: it keeps censoring slu-tt-y

Modifié par Mel_Redux, 24 mai 2010 - 09:44 .

[odiedragon]

Gilgamesh1138 wrote...

Okay how do you get Oriana to say that? I have missed that totally! I get the I won't be sleeping alone with Fergus and he calls you a saucy minx and she gets all in his grill. But you can joke with her about it?

LOL see odie that was my line of thinking with Daveth...

I'm not sure how it happened, but she was all scandalized and stuff.  I was like "Right, like Antiva's all straightlaced!!"

I think I have a save right before then, I'll see if I can figure out how it happened.

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROLF her being all upset at ****ty is funny considering Antiva...yeah.:lol:

If you do I would love to know how. But don't sweat it if you can't. 

I can't wait for more of your Cousie.

Modifié par Gilgamesh1138, 24 mai 2010 - 10:29 .

[odiedragon]

Mel_Redux wrote...

I just pictured the nobles being ****ty, and always sleeping with each other.  As you said, like a try and buy.  The people you've had her sleep with so far make sense.  And sexy times with Nathaniel is always a good thing, no matter what the situation
I don't think Duncan or Daveth or make sense.  The way I've seen my PC: The slaughter of her family was a real slap in the face from reality for her, and puts things in persepctive.  Gone are the days of sexy time with random nobles.  And of course, once she meets Alistair, she learns what real love is  *sounds of "awwwwwww" from the audience*.  But that's just my perspective.

edit: it keeps censoring slu-tt-y

See, that's kind of how I see things playing out, except in my first playthough with Elisara she slept with Leliana and Zevran before even giving Alistair the time of day.  So honestly I don't think she's going to be in a healthy enough place to get that perspective until she gets over the "random sex feels good, and nothing else does" stage.  I see the whole thing as making her care less about what happens to her, not more.  Somewhere while sleeping with Zevran, however, I think she'd start coming more around to your way of thinking.  The enormity of what she's doing will start sinking in, and suddenly meaningless sex will lose its appeal.  When that happens, she starts believing (in her mind) that Duncan was wrong, you can't leave behind who you are (which I think is believable for a noble's daughter who's been raised to see her lineage as special) and she needs to start living up to the Cousland name and finding a way to get revenge on Howe.  So she breaks it off with Zev, and Alistair finally gets the hutzpa to talk to her about more than Grey Wardening.

So, I think we're kinda on the same page, but with an extra darker step involved before we get to the end

Modifié par odiedragon, 24 mai 2010 - 10:35 .

[Lintanis]

I

[odiedragon]

Chapter 10 Snippits:

It was an unpleasantly hot day in early Justinian when Duncan received a message from Teyrn Cousland of Highever. It seemed the Teyrn had taken it upon himself to call a tournament "for the Honor of the Grey Wardens" two months hence. Duncan rubbed his forehead in frustration. These events tended to bring him recruits that more often than not died in the Joining, and were most often a waste of time for all involved. But to offend one of the highest ranking nobles in all of Ferelden would hurt their cause greatly. He would just have to make sure to stop in Amaranthine, and perhaps some extra stops at smaller farm holds along the North Road, in order to offset the bother of keeping the peace.

Duncan folded the parchment and placed it within his desk drawer before heading down to the training yard. Quietly, he found one of the shaded benches along the wall and sat down. Two of the new voluntary recruits were sparring, and Duncan feigned interest in the proceedings. His thoughts lingered on this proposed tournament in Highever, and how best to politely word his response to the teyrn. It was then that he remembered the stories he heard about Teyrn Cousland's youngest from the times when King Cailan invited him to the palace for various feasts and celebrations. A fierce fighter, they said in public, but in whispers they spoke of her more bawdy tendencies. She had dallied with enough noble's sons that her exploits seemed to be common knowledge, and people wondered how the teyrn and teyrna would find her a suitable match. If the girl, or perhaps woman by this point, was as good of a fighter as the tales said, recruiting her could offer the Couslands a way to preserve their honor. A delicate matter for certain, but perhaps one that Duncan could use to his advantage. Though he supposed the tales of the girl's prowess with a blade could well be exaggerated, as could the stories of her other exploits. Good recruits were hard to find however, and he knew he would consider the matter further the closer he got to Highever.

.oOo.

The serene humming undercurrent of noise in the main chantry hall enveloped Alistair as the outer door closed. Rarely was such a room truly quiet, for there were always Sisters, Templars, and various townsfolk about. Forcing the unpleasantness of his encounter with Ricard out of his mind, Alistair took a seat on one of the benches beneath the main altar. One of the sisters who were circulating around the nave would acknowledge him soon enough.It was so very odd, sitting in the middle of a chantry as a visitor and not as a resident. He knew that Arl Eamon had made him attend Chantry services at times during his youth, but all of his more recent memories were tied to his Templar training. It was then that he realized that he hadn't said an honest to goodness prayer since he had left to join the Grey Wardens. He didn't feel guilty about this, but after ten years of forced daily prayer time, it certainly felt strange. Closing his eyes, Alistair fell back into the comfort of familiarity.

So. I suppose it's been awhile, Maker. Sorry about that, but the Grey Wardens are more into the whole Darkspawn thing rather than the holy flagellation thing. I'm sure you understand, they say the Darkspawn were your idea in the first place. I know I was never one of your more devoted followers, and you must have known that too, given that I all but stopped communicating with you as soon as I was no longer living under your roof. I do want to say thank you for allowing me to leave the Chantry. No hard feelings, I hope. You know me better than I know myself, or so the sisters always said, so you had to have known that there are better Representatives of your Divine Will running around Thedas. I also should thank you for sending Duncan to me. Without him... well, I really don't want to think about that. Know that I am grateful however, and I hope I can do more good in this world as a Grey Warden that I ever could have as a Templar. So let it be.

Modifié par odiedragon, 15 juin 2010 - 11:36 .

[TotoroTori]

yes! A new chapter *goes off to read*

[odiedragon]

Chapter 11 Snippets

“What, Duncan? Have you lost your mind?” Kylon exclaimed. “This man has been in our custody several times now, and always manages to escape or find some way to have his sentence reduced. He deserves the gallows. What use could you possibly have for him?”

“I could make him a Grey Warden. We need men with skills of all types, not just fighters, in order to fight the encroaching Darkspawn horde.”

Kylon snorted. “Not a chance, Duncan. I respect you and your order too much to allow you to recruit such a low-life.”

Duncan crossed his arms. “Then I invoke the Right of Conscription.”

“Andraste's ass... alright, Duncan. You will always be something of a mystery to me, you know that?” Kylon shook his head. “But it's your business, I suppose. You must have more tolerance for incompetence than I do.”

Duncan nodded. “Daveth, once you have been untied, please follow me. And don't get any ideas about running off. I don't believe the Sergeant is in a forgiving mood.” He turned, heading back toward the North Gate and what was probably a very confused Alistair.

“Well what do you think of that?” he heard Daveth exclaim. “One minute I'm crow fodder, and the next I'm a sodding Grey Warden. Funny how things work out, eh, Kylon?”

“Just get out of here, you shiftless wretch,” Kylon grunted. “If I see you lift one finger out of line again, Grey Warden or no, I'm stringing you up from the nearest gallows. Understand?”

It did not take Daveth long to catch up with Duncan. “I should have made off with Grey Warden purses more often! I've never been rewarded before for snatching something, except by my own back-patting. And my belly. He's awful happy when I make a good strike.”

“This is not a reward, Daveth,” Duncan replied sullenly. “Becoming a Grey Warden is both an honor and a trial. We must sacrifice who we were to become what we are, and then some.”

“Well, that sure doesn't bother me!” Daveth quipped. “What shall I give up first? Sleeping in dirty hovels? Going to bed hungry more often than not? Oh, how about the fleas? Yes, I think they'll be the first thing to go. Can I get a bath before we start out on our Grey Wardening?”

Duncan groaned. “I don't know if I can handle two jokesters on this trip.”

.oOo.

“Wait,” the junior Warden interjected. “He cut your purse, didn't he? And now you're recruiting him?! Duncan, have you lost your mind?”

The old man rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated. “Alistair, we have discussed this before, and I will not discuss Grey Warden recruiting standing in the middle of an open market.” Daveth considered his fate, trekking across all of Ferelden with Righteous Mac Righterson and Stoneface Gravelypants. This should be a barrel of fun.

Might as well keep things interesting.

Daveth put on his most confident stride and walked over to Alistair, putting his arm around him. “Fear not, Junior Ser.” He felt the other man tense up under his friendly touch. “This Warden thing sounds like a fine deal, and if it means no more knicking coin from the rich to feed Poor Daveth, then that's how it'll be. And you'll be with us to keep my hopeless self in line, right?”

“Right,” Alistair grumbled in response, gingerly removing Daveth's arm from his shoulders. “You may kid now, but I'll be keeping an eye on you.”

“Make sure you wash it off before putting it back in your skull then. I hate when I get dust in my eye, don't you, Duncan?”

Duncan ignored him, taking the donkey's lead in his hand. “We should be off. We have dallied enough for the day, and I'd like to get out of the shadow of Denerim before nightfall.”

“Well then what are we waiting for?” Daveth asked. He bowed in Alistair's direction. “Wardens first, ser!” The other Warden narrowed his eyes at him as he turned and headed to follow Duncan. Daveth couldn't help but compare him to a stray puppy, traipsing after the butcher's wagon hoping that a scrap or two would fall into the dirt.

[odiedragon]

Chapter 12 Snippits

"Then we shall await you at your convenience." Teyrn Cousland turned to the two knights flaking the pavilion entrance.  "Nicolas, Robison, escort the Wardens to the castle once he and his men are settled in."

The knights saluted as the teyrn and his entourage turned to leave. Daveth watched them go with great interest. He whistled under his breath once they were out of earshot. "Now there's a wench with fire in her! I'm surprised her doting father doesn't keep her locked in a tower."

"Leave the dealings between us and the teyrn to me, Daveth. These situations are always delicate, even when those involved have known each other for many years."

"Sure, sure... still, I can't help but think what fun it'd be to pick her pocket, if you kn-"

"And that's quite enough of that kind of talk, Daveth." Duncan scowled at his new recruit, but relented quickly, chiding himself for his hypocrisy. A teyrn's daughter was no anonymous mage locked in a tower, however. "There are plenty of other opportunities for such entertainment at events such as these. If you must find them, stick to those who wear skirts and not daggers, for your own safety."

"Why Duncan," Daveth said with a chuckle, "I had no idea you were such a prude! The ones who know how to properly wield a dagger are always the best between the sheets."

Duncan's scowl grew deeper. "I am through with this discussion."

"Suit yourself. I think we broke Pretty Boy over there, so you're at least doing better than he is!"

Duncan turned to regard Alistair. He could not tell if it was shock or disgust that painted his face with such a disturbing continuance. "Are you alright, Alistair?" he asked warily. The words broke Alistair's stare. He snorted. "So, she finally got a mabari. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He turned and began fumbling with the straps holding their bundled belongings.

He must remember the Couslands from his time under Arl Eamon's care, Duncan realized. This was surprising, since it was Duncan's understanding that Eamon had kept him out of court matters as a matter of course. But small, curious boys had a way of getting into places where they did not belong. Either way, it was none of his business. Alistair's past had been decided for him by others. It was his future that was in Duncan's hands.

.oOo.

She grabbed his hand, gesturing toward the nearby trees. They slipped off together, the guards stationed outside the pavilion entrance ignorant of their movements. It did not take long for the ambient noises to change from those of a human encampment to those of the forest.

"So where are we going, my lady? Some abandoned woodcutter's cottage? Or are we taking a basket of goodies to Grandma?"

Lady Elisara smiled. "I have my own place up in the hills. You'll see." She grinned wickedly, her eyes glittering in the moonlight. "Got the idea from a friend of mine, though mine is a true cave and not just an overhang of rock."

"A friend, or a 'friend'?" Daveth asked. Yep, he was still drunk.

Elisara took on a haughty air. "Does it matter?"

"Of course not, oh fearsome red lady," Daveth replied. "Just making conversation."

"Save it for when we arrive. We'll have plenty of time to talk then."

"So long as it's not only talking you're after in the middle of the night..."

"We shall see, Ser Warden," she replied coyly. "All in good time."

It had certainly better be good after being forced to stumble through the woods in the dark of night, Daveth grumbled to himself. Fortunately, it did not take much longer to arrive at their destination. He smelled the fire within before seeing the faint glow which revealed the entrance. The very small entrance that required Elisara to crawl on hands and knees to access. The same lovely view twice in one night. Daveth feared that his luck would not hold true, but there was no chance of him giving up on luck just yet.

The cave was roughly shaped like a dog's leg, sharply turning to the right about twenty paces or so from the entrance. The left side featured a small alcove, which was where the small fire had been set earlier. Her ladyship threw several logs on it, building the flames back up so as to better light the small cavern. In the corner opposite the dog-leg chamber was a thick pile of pelts, which was where his warrior woman was heading. She patted the place where she wished Daveth to sit, and he hurried to join her.

"I'd offer you a proper chair, but as you can see, I don't have one at present."

"That's alright, Milady Firehair. This seat seems much more comfortable, don't you agree?" Daveth grinned wickedly.

"Firehair? Do you mean that in the 'burns so bright as to rival the sun' way, or in the 'wildfire out of control' way?"

"Can't it be both wrapped into one?" He reached up, running his fingers through the bits of hair around her face. "I've never seen the like, in all my days. Plenty of redheads, sure, plenty of blondes trying to be redheads..."

"It's a special dye, laced with lyrium. I found it in a particularly disreputable shop in Highever years ago, and haven't stopped using it since. Mother is convinced that I'll grow out of it, which is mostly why I've kept it up to be honest."

Daveth chuckled, reaching around to the leather tie that held most of her hair back. "I want to witness it in its full glory."

"Go right ahead."

He removed the tie, placing it on the makeshift bed. Elisara shook her head, her hair falling around her shoulders and over her armor-accentuated breasts. "Maker's Balls... that must take a lot of dye."

Elisara giggled. "And bleach! But we did not come here to discuss my hair, Ser Warden."

"Call me Daveth."

"Only if you call me Elisara."

"I much prefer Firehair, but if you insist..."

She giggled more. "Firehair is fine, Daveth." She began fumbling with the buckles of his leather armor. "Daveth, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. You look like the type of man who can keep secrets."

"I'm good at finding them out too, Milady Firehair. But your secret will be save with me, Warden's Honor."

"I thought you said you weren't a true Warden yet."

"I'm practicing."

"Fair enough," she said, grinning. "There will be an unknown warrior in the upcoming tournament, wearing unmarked armor and bearing a shield with a snarling mabari on it." She began loosening the buckles on her own armor. "I want you to make sure that Ser Duncan takes notice of the warrior's skills."

"Another 'friend' of yours?" Daveth asked as he shrugged out of his under-armor padding.

"You could say that, but not in the way you mean," Elisara explained as her own armor fell away. She reached behind her neck to untie her own armor padding.

"Allow me," Daveth offered, reaching around her and undoing the knotted strings. He nuzzled and licked her now-bare neck as he worked, making his way down her shoulders as the undershirt fell away. He moved his hands to the clasp at the back of her breast bindings.

"So you will do this for me, Daveth?" She wedged her head between his face and her shoulder, catching and holding his gaze.

"That and more, my red lady. Much, much more..."

Modifié par odiedragon, 11 septembre 2010 - 12:34 .