My prompt response. Hopefully it makes sense - my brain is tired...
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Perhaps it hadn't been the best idea to break into the Vigil. Particularly when it was full of Grey Wardens. Finding his target wasn't even here was particularly humiliating. They'd enjoyed telling him that very much he was sure.
Lost in his thoughts, it took Nate a while to notice the noise outside. It sounded like fighting. Fighting punctuated by the occasional scream of pain. Standing he moved to bars but he couldn't hear any better there.
Something heavy thudded against the door but it didn't break. He heard the thud again and then again, followed this time by the unmistakable sound of bones breaking. Swallowing, he tried not to think what could break a bone so loudly that he'd hear it through a locked door.
After a final thud there was a short silence, somehow more unnerving than the noises of battle had been.
After what seemed a lifetime the sounds started again. Not the same sounds, but still Nate knew they were sounds of battle. Whatever was happening it seemed to be depleting the number of fighters and finally stopped entirely.
Deciding it was over for now, he moved back to sit on the floor with his back to the wall. If anyone was alive they'd come for him eventually. If not he'd die here.
. . .
A woman. This must be her then. The Hero of Ferelden. She nodded to him then listened to whatever the guard was saying. The guard saluted her and then walked to the door. Yes, the Commander. She'd arrived late or he'd arrived early.
Nate was surprised when she unlocked the door and stepped into the cell. He wasn't restrained and she was alone apart from a mage. Not that he intended to attack her, but she wasn't to know that.
He refused to lie about why he was here. Say what they would about Howes, they couldn't say this one was a liar.
She seemed surprised that he'd admit he'd come to kill her and might try again if she let him go.
Then it was turn to be surprised when she did just that. Instructed the Seneschal to return his things and let him go.
He wasn't far down the road before he turned back. Curse it. Where did he have to go? Nowhere. There was nothing left for him in Marches. He'd expected to be dead by now, killed by the Wardens. Instead here he was, contemplating asking to join the very Order that was responsible for his father's death.
Nate found them on the road. It had been harder than he'd expected to ask but reasonably easy to convince her to agree. The two men with her hadn't seemed to think it was a good idea but she'd waved that off.
So here he was, a Warden, or near enough to it. Given a chance to redeem himself and his family name. If that was even what he wanted to do now.
. . .
"That's the Hero of Ferelden?"
Nate glanced over towards the Commander, then at the person who'd asked the question. The mage, Anders "Yes."
"Does she always wear that helmet?"
"I have no idea." The helmet in question had horns on it. It should look ridiculous, but somehow, on her, it looked, well, cute.
"She doesn't look very, hero like. I mean, shouldn't she be taller?"
"The Commander is a dwarf. I believe they're usually that height." Why ask him all these questions? Anders had been with the Commander when they'd come to the cells. Nate had assumed, wrongly it seemed, that the mage knew her. "You're a warden, aren't you acquainted with the Commander?"
"Oh, I've only been a Warden for a day or so. I didn't realise who she was. The Templars didn't feel the need to gossip with me. Rude buggers."
"Ah." Not quite sure how to take that, Nate settled for a general noise of comprehension. "I see." He was jerked sideways when the mage nudged him roughly.
"Nice looking female isn't she?"
"Anders. That's hardly an appropriate comment about your Commander." He managed, just, to stop himself grinning when Anders sighed loudly.
"Are you always so stodgy? Because, I have to tell you if you are, things are going to be very boring around here." Anders straightened. "Shh. Here she comes."
One lifted eyebrow was his only response to that. He hadn't been the one gossiping. "Commander."
"Oh, stop that." Buntie pulled her helmet off and tucked it under one arm. "Buntie Brosca at your service. Well, you're at my service I suppose, but you know what I mean." Smiling she looked them over. "If I can get two more like you I'll be suited."
"Pardon me?" She couldn't possibly mean that the way it had sounded. Could she? Nate glanced at Anders who shrugged.
"I like pretty things to look at while I'm fighting darkspawn. Makes it much more interesting. During the Blight, I had two you know. I took them everywhere with me."
"Did you?" What an, odd, female.
"Oh yes. I liked one so much I made him king." Buntie waited. This would be a good test of how they'd all get on. It took Anders longer, oddly, she'd pegged him as a joker.
"Very funny Commander." Nate grinned when she chuckled. This might not be as bad as he'd feared. "I do hope you're not intending that fate for us?"
"You, perhaps. Anders unfortunately not." Her head tilted when the mage made a disappointed sound. "We could make you first enchanter if you like? The job's probably still vacant."
"Maker no! I mean, thank you kindly madam, but I must decline." Anders bowed extravagantly. "I much prefer this."
"Well, your choice I suppose. You let me know if you change your mind."
She was joking, he knew that, but somehow Nate had the feeling if Anders wanted it, Buntie would find a way to get it for him. She was very much not what he'd been expecting to find. He'd come to kill her and focused on that, he'd not given much thought to who he was killing.
The Hero of Ferelden. She'd killed his father and her Order had taken their lands. His Order as well now. Ironic. Even more ironic to find himself feeling he might come to like her.
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