In The Land Of Ever - a Morrigan-Cousland tale (Completed)
Débuté par
Esbatty
, oct. 19 2010 09:35
#51
Posté 03 novembre 2010 - 10:42
Esbatty
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Well if it wasn't for The Force Unleashed 2 and Fable 3 it would be right now during my days off. Instead Thursday night/friday morningish
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#52
Posté 04 novembre 2010 - 01:39
Morrigans God son
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Esbatty wrote...
Well if it wasn't for The Force Unleashed 2 and Fable 3 it would be right now during my days off. Instead Thursday night/friday morningish
I'm playing Fable 3 atm, I just became King! ( Evil King, that takes all the kingdom's money.) >
Thursday/Friday? Right got it.
#53
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 05:34
Esbatty
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INTERLUDE - Daughters
Even in her eldritch enforced captivity in the Arl of Denerim's estate she had busied herself with reviewing any proposals that expressly required the signatory to be the ruling monarch as she had never been one to sit idly by. But here she sat staring out in the wide yonder of the graying blue skies of Denerim, like some starstruck chambermaid.
Anora having been long ago promised to Cailan, grew up with all the assurance of her spot on the throne, long endeavoured to be the Queen that supported the kind of King that Cailan fancied himself to become. Dutiful, calculating, and resolute in all that they do, but even with his passing she was quickly presented with another Crown's Prop. A Cousland, of all people, and a Grey Warden of all things.
She initially took solace in the fact that should her Father fail to slay the Archdemon that with the Warden's killing blow he too would pass and she alone would retain the throne. It was a pleasant shock they both survived, the Warden not only keeping her Father alive but also delivered the fatal thrust ending the fell beast's life but not his own. Cousland was a bit of an enigma from then on, the feats he performed could be performed by a well organized group of silver tongues and hardened warriors but in a single man, nigh impossible to fathom.
Again she found herself romanticising her husband. Her King. Her King-Consort, the Hero of Ferelden. But like any man with the position, power, and titles he held - when word came from some of the soldiers of Amaranthine that in his brief time as Commander of the Grey that he had bedded at least once another Warden, a Dalish mage even. With years of practice Erlina, her Elven handmaiden and confidant, was quick to hush the scandal with sovereigns and thinly-veiled threats. Both women were no stranger to her first husband's cuckoldry but this time it stung far far more.
She knew of the Apostate that had accompanied him throughout The Blight, and her tenuous connection to the infamous Flemeth. The Wilder Woman was one of the members of the party that masqueraded as a guard during Anora's rescue, and also the orchestrator of The Warden's rescue when he had allowed his own capture. Even then the whispers of the two being more than allies in the quest end The Blight had floated through the taverns and into Erlina's pointed ears.
Upon meeting him Anora could see the young noble revelled in the bloodshed and darkness that spread across the land. Before this all she knew of him was from jubilant talk of his exploits at tournaments, but this was to be expected of every person who bore the name of Cousland by either blood or marriage. They were always a strong House, with pride tempered by loyalty, their only fault was that the rest of the nobles did not share their views.
Sitting there she never noticed Erlina approaching her from behind, brush in hand, until she felt the bun of hair unfurl and brush against her neck.
"I thought I said I'd be in the study shortly", Anora spoke hiding the start she felt inside.
"I know, but unfortunately that was well over an hour ago. I searched for you in your chambers but something told me you were in - His."
"Something or someone?"
"Intuition, Mistress."
"Ah."
"You do not mind?"
"No no, go on. As long as someone is doing something constructive."
In Erlina's time serving both in Gwaren and now Denerim, she found the members of the House of Mac Tir communicated their feelings through subtle gestures and intonations rather than fully voicing their concerns or worries. A private Father-Daughter moment could be little better than a nod and grasp of hands but told more that a public embraced shared shortly after her wedding ceremonies. Anora's sigh told the Orlesian Elf of conflict and longing, which was unusual to find in the Queen until these last pair of years of relative peace and prosperity.
"Any word from - Father?" Anora inquired.
"In his latest missive he sends his regards and asks again about the usual goings on of Ferelden and basically anything that could possibly excuse him away from the Order at Orlais."
This brought a slight chuckle to the Queen, freeing her from the somber that pervaded the stone clad room.
"Anything else?"
"He wonders again about the chance of an heir."
"Beyond the usual, Erlina."
"Ah yes, he sent me a small package from my family in the Alienage."
"Truly?"
"Indeed, Mistress. Its my Mother's journal and some portraits of the rest of my family done in Charcoal. Would you care to see them?"
"Later, Erlina, with supper if you're still interested in sharing."
"Yes, Mistress."
"So, nothing else of note of his time with the Wardens?"
"You understand how he is, my Queen. Your Father is well aware I review your correspondence so there was a second letter sealed with the Mac Tir signet."
"I shall - take care of that later. Much later, Erlina."
Together they sat in silence as Erlina continued her soft strokes of her Majesty's golden strands.
A soft cough, issued from her attendant.
"Yes, Erlina?"
"Ah, it appears some cultists were found on march to Highever, to burn an effigy of the King and possibly more for killing their scaled deities. Some even spoke of him defeating a creature that had no name in the King's Speak that commanded the Drakes they protected to attack and be slain by the King himself."
"He did what?"
"It is just the words of the Mad. Nothing more, Mistress. Although it was said he was accompanied by an Elven woman and a Mage when he entered the Dragonbone Wastes. That they returned from their travails in the area with only his Hound."
"Elven Mage?"
"No, my Queen, I spoke of a Dalish warrior and a Mage named Finn from the Circle Tower."
"I - understand."
Erlina stopped her ministrations, "Do you wish for me to...?"
"What of his companions? Specifically any of the non-Wardens that are capable of tracking him or at least willing to venture where he has gone?"
Erlina quietly contemplated her next response, as she searched her memory for anyone who was not gone nor had undertaken the Joining.
"Zevran Arainai, the Antivan -- ah, former Antivan Crow is still here abouts, Mistress."
"The assassin, really?"
"The King did speak quite favorably of his skill."
"I have also heard Arainai was unable to kill him even when lying in ambush and greatly outnumbering him."
"Yes but neither could the Archdemon and its horde- nor your Father and his plans, for that matter."
"Hmm, then... very well, send for him. We will speak in private and will pay what he wishes."
"As you require, my Queen."
Anora closed her eyes and kept count of the brush's rhythm.
Even in her eldritch enforced captivity in the Arl of Denerim's estate she had busied herself with reviewing any proposals that expressly required the signatory to be the ruling monarch as she had never been one to sit idly by. But here she sat staring out in the wide yonder of the graying blue skies of Denerim, like some starstruck chambermaid.
Anora having been long ago promised to Cailan, grew up with all the assurance of her spot on the throne, long endeavoured to be the Queen that supported the kind of King that Cailan fancied himself to become. Dutiful, calculating, and resolute in all that they do, but even with his passing she was quickly presented with another Crown's Prop. A Cousland, of all people, and a Grey Warden of all things.
She initially took solace in the fact that should her Father fail to slay the Archdemon that with the Warden's killing blow he too would pass and she alone would retain the throne. It was a pleasant shock they both survived, the Warden not only keeping her Father alive but also delivered the fatal thrust ending the fell beast's life but not his own. Cousland was a bit of an enigma from then on, the feats he performed could be performed by a well organized group of silver tongues and hardened warriors but in a single man, nigh impossible to fathom.
Again she found herself romanticising her husband. Her King. Her King-Consort, the Hero of Ferelden. But like any man with the position, power, and titles he held - when word came from some of the soldiers of Amaranthine that in his brief time as Commander of the Grey that he had bedded at least once another Warden, a Dalish mage even. With years of practice Erlina, her Elven handmaiden and confidant, was quick to hush the scandal with sovereigns and thinly-veiled threats. Both women were no stranger to her first husband's cuckoldry but this time it stung far far more.
She knew of the Apostate that had accompanied him throughout The Blight, and her tenuous connection to the infamous Flemeth. The Wilder Woman was one of the members of the party that masqueraded as a guard during Anora's rescue, and also the orchestrator of The Warden's rescue when he had allowed his own capture. Even then the whispers of the two being more than allies in the quest end The Blight had floated through the taverns and into Erlina's pointed ears.
Upon meeting him Anora could see the young noble revelled in the bloodshed and darkness that spread across the land. Before this all she knew of him was from jubilant talk of his exploits at tournaments, but this was to be expected of every person who bore the name of Cousland by either blood or marriage. They were always a strong House, with pride tempered by loyalty, their only fault was that the rest of the nobles did not share their views.
Sitting there she never noticed Erlina approaching her from behind, brush in hand, until she felt the bun of hair unfurl and brush against her neck.
"I thought I said I'd be in the study shortly", Anora spoke hiding the start she felt inside.
"I know, but unfortunately that was well over an hour ago. I searched for you in your chambers but something told me you were in - His."
"Something or someone?"
"Intuition, Mistress."
"Ah."
"You do not mind?"
"No no, go on. As long as someone is doing something constructive."
In Erlina's time serving both in Gwaren and now Denerim, she found the members of the House of Mac Tir communicated their feelings through subtle gestures and intonations rather than fully voicing their concerns or worries. A private Father-Daughter moment could be little better than a nod and grasp of hands but told more that a public embraced shared shortly after her wedding ceremonies. Anora's sigh told the Orlesian Elf of conflict and longing, which was unusual to find in the Queen until these last pair of years of relative peace and prosperity.
"Any word from - Father?" Anora inquired.
"In his latest missive he sends his regards and asks again about the usual goings on of Ferelden and basically anything that could possibly excuse him away from the Order at Orlais."
This brought a slight chuckle to the Queen, freeing her from the somber that pervaded the stone clad room.
"Anything else?"
"He wonders again about the chance of an heir."
"Beyond the usual, Erlina."
"Ah yes, he sent me a small package from my family in the Alienage."
"Truly?"
"Indeed, Mistress. Its my Mother's journal and some portraits of the rest of my family done in Charcoal. Would you care to see them?"
"Later, Erlina, with supper if you're still interested in sharing."
"Yes, Mistress."
"So, nothing else of note of his time with the Wardens?"
"You understand how he is, my Queen. Your Father is well aware I review your correspondence so there was a second letter sealed with the Mac Tir signet."
"I shall - take care of that later. Much later, Erlina."
Together they sat in silence as Erlina continued her soft strokes of her Majesty's golden strands.
A soft cough, issued from her attendant.
"Yes, Erlina?"
"Ah, it appears some cultists were found on march to Highever, to burn an effigy of the King and possibly more for killing their scaled deities. Some even spoke of him defeating a creature that had no name in the King's Speak that commanded the Drakes they protected to attack and be slain by the King himself."
"He did what?"
"It is just the words of the Mad. Nothing more, Mistress. Although it was said he was accompanied by an Elven woman and a Mage when he entered the Dragonbone Wastes. That they returned from their travails in the area with only his Hound."
"Elven Mage?"
"No, my Queen, I spoke of a Dalish warrior and a Mage named Finn from the Circle Tower."
"I - understand."
Erlina stopped her ministrations, "Do you wish for me to...?"
"What of his companions? Specifically any of the non-Wardens that are capable of tracking him or at least willing to venture where he has gone?"
Erlina quietly contemplated her next response, as she searched her memory for anyone who was not gone nor had undertaken the Joining.
"Zevran Arainai, the Antivan -- ah, former Antivan Crow is still here abouts, Mistress."
"The assassin, really?"
"The King did speak quite favorably of his skill."
"I have also heard Arainai was unable to kill him even when lying in ambush and greatly outnumbering him."
"Yes but neither could the Archdemon and its horde- nor your Father and his plans, for that matter."
"Hmm, then... very well, send for him. We will speak in private and will pay what he wishes."
"As you require, my Queen."
Anora closed her eyes and kept count of the brush's rhythm.
#54
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 06:33
Lord_Anthonior
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Very interesting, now the perspective of Anora that's one thing I wouldn't have expected to see and it does look good to be included, as for Loghain, he is still alive hehehe in all my games I kill him, mostly to punish him for the crimes but anyway also good to keep him busy in Orlais. It was a very good interlude and also good to keep the suspense for some more days to know what Morrigan does at the tent as she and the Warden try to heal up.
I liked the interlude and that other companions were mentioned as some previous quest too, good to get this part of the story still tied with the events in the game.
I liked the interlude and that other companions were mentioned as some previous quest too, good to get this part of the story still tied with the events in the game.
#55
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 06:45
Esbatty
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Originally I was on the fence going between Mage Warden and a Noble Warden, but I thought a noble warden going missing would cause more of a stir. Then hey... we'll have him be King-consort too. And then I started writing - then realized, hey - what the hell is going in Ferelden in his absence. *SNIP* yeah was about to let cats out of the bag.Lord_Anthonior wrote...
Very interesting, now the perspective of Anora that's one thing I wouldn't have expected to see and it does look good to be included, as for Loghain, he is still alive hehehe in all my games I kill him, mostly to punish him for the crimes but anyway also good to keep him busy in Orlais. It was a very good interlude and also good to keep the suspense for some more days to know what Morrigan does at the tent as she and the Warden try to heal up.
I liked the interlude and that other companions were mentioned as some previous quest too, good to get this part of the story still tied with the events in the game.
And sorry I didn't put a warning that it was Morrigan-less, but it needed to be addressed. He is an AWOL Monarch who has guards and duties and responsibilities, someone is gonna notice he is gone. But yeah, 8.2 is coming later tonight, I wrote the interlude yesterday but i needed to double check some things about Erlina other than she was a smokin' hot elf servant of Anora's.
Expect another interlude or two during later chapters. Glad you enjoyed it L_A, I was kinda expecting some booing and hissing for both bringing up Anora and ignoring Morrigan and Cousland.
#56
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 07:07
Lord_Anthonior
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Esbatty wrote...
Originally I was on the fence going between Mage Warden and a Noble Warden, but I thought a noble warden going missing would cause more of a stir. Then hey... we'll have him be King-consort too. And then I started writing - then realized, hey - what the hell is going in Ferelden in his absence. *SNIP* yeah was about to let cats out of the bag.Lord_Anthonior wrote...
Very interesting, now the perspective of Anora that's one thing I wouldn't have expected to see and it does look good to be included, as for Loghain, he is still alive hehehe in all my games I kill him, mostly to punish him for the crimes but anyway also good to keep him busy in Orlais. It was a very good interlude and also good to keep the suspense for some more days to know what Morrigan does at the tent as she and the Warden try to heal up.
I liked the interlude and that other companions were mentioned as some previous quest too, good to get this part of the story still tied with the events in the game.
And sorry I didn't put a warning that it was Morrigan-less, but it needed to be addressed. He is an AWOL Monarch who has guards and duties and responsibilities, someone is gonna notice he is gone. But yeah, 8.2 is coming later tonight, I wrote the interlude yesterday but i needed to double check some things about Erlina other than she was a smokin' hot elf servant of Anora's.
Expect another interlude or two during later chapters. Glad you enjoyed it L_A, I was kinda expecting some booing and hissing for both bringing up Anora and ignoring Morrigan and Cousland.
Well friend, if you were expecting some booing I can still boo you for posting the neutral post in the hating alistair thread, I would have expected some other Morriganians to speak up against alistair but I was basically all alone hahaha.
But that's okay. It's your story and based in your playthrough so I can't boo if you kept Loghain alive or Anora or make Morrigan the mistress intead of the main romance I respect it because is not my fanfic is yours so it's fine.
I would...maybe hiss if you keep Morrigan calling the Warden fool, I mean c'mon they are together now so she can be more giving, after all, she waited for him and hoped the warden wanted to come with her through the Eluvian by his own will. The rejection of the proposal at the beginning was funny and very Morrigan like but she can't keep it like that all the time, though it makes the story interesting to see at what times she gives in.
I agree, Erlina was a smoking hot elf servant, I did like her "bla bla bla...no?, bla bla bla no?" thing during her dialogue, very Orlesian to stay whithin lore.
I agree also that they don't know that the Warden is gone and left his responsabilities but I kinda see that they will eventually because of the interlude and their perspective have come in play in the fanfic. Very cool!!!
#57
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 07:17
ximena
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BOOO. NO MORRIGAN AND COUSLAND?! I will blow this thread up!
Haha. Just kidding. XD
Seriously though, I liked the interlude. DW's beginning next chapter is kind of the same. Haha.
Haha. Just kidding. XD
Seriously though, I liked the interlude. DW's beginning next chapter is kind of the same. Haha.
#58
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 07:23
Lord_Anthonior
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ximena wrote...
BOOO. NO MORRIGAN AND COUSLAND?! I will blow this thread up!
Haha. Just kidding. XD
Seriously though, I liked the interlude. DW's beginning next chapter is kind of the same. Haha.
:oDW's next chapter teasing news!!!!
tun tun tuuunnnnn!!and ok then...BOO!! though very good interlude.
#59
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 07:32
Esbatty
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Lord_Anthonior wrote...
Well friend, if you were expecting some booing I can still boo you for posting the neutral post in the hating alistair thread, I would have expected some other Morriganians to speak up against alistair but I was basically all alone hahaha.
It's your story and based in your playthrough so I can't boo if you kept Loghain alive or Anora or make Morrigan the mistress intead of the main romance I respect it because is not my fanfic is yours so it's fine.
I would...maybe hiss if you keep Morrigan calling the Warden fool, I mean c'mon they are together now so she can be more giving, after all, she waited for him and hoped the warden wanted to come with her through the Eluvian by his own will. The rejection of the proposal at the beginning was funny and very Morrigan like but she can't keep it like that all the time, though it makes the story interesting to see at what times she gives in.
I agree, Erlina was a smoking hot elf servant, I did like her "bla bla bla...no?, bla bla bla no?" thing during her dialogue, very Orlesian to stay whithin lore.
I agree also that they don't know that the Warden is gone and left his responsabilities but I kinda see that they will eventually because of the interlude and their perspective have come in play in the fanfic. Very cool!!!
Its based on my original playthrough where I went back through my saves and found one about 10 hours or so back before the end and changed a bunch of late game decisions. And a totally different Awakenings run. And we will not speak of Amgarrak that was a bad time that still haunts him to this day. (Come back to me Ruinic Golem, we were good together.)
But yeah this is the story of Morrigan's man who made alot of cut throat decisions then love had go and weaken everything they accomplished. So she's not gonna let him live down being a "fool" for a good long time. When she left him - he was living out a noble's destiny to rule. Thats what nobility exists for to rule their land(s). All he had to do was stay away. If had simply let Morrigan be, just let her do her thing since the very beginning, there woulda been no Flemeth showdown - no Vartarrel fight - etc etc etc. Familiarity brought about alot of unnecessary pain and heartache to a very cut and dry relationship.
But yeah, Loghain is not everyone's cup of tea, but Cousland understands what was going down. Loghain left Cailan and the Wardens to Darkspawn, Cousland had Amaranathine's citizens and darkspawn invaders immolated. Hard decisions needed to be made in the heat of battle.
Anora couldn't be left to her devices especially upon talking to Loghain and his no intention of having her killed despite her ever convincing "doubt" as to Loghain was capable of doing such to his own queen, let alone daughter. Plus Alistair didn't want to be King he had no upbringing or education about doing such, so Cousland took that arrow for him despite Morrigan's inability to share or playwell with others.
Besides the Morrigan-Alistair dynamic really hits home for past relationships between my own friends and women I've seen. So I can't help but love Morrigan and Alistair.
But seriously, Morrigan is on the fence with the Warden still. She promised loyalty to him but the baby comes first. That has been the point from the get go - they would not have ever met had Flemeth and Morrigan not come up with the Dark Ritual scheme. So the baby, comes first. Everything else is just cherries on top and thus very optional. But we shall see how things go. So far they've had zero time for rest... so we shall see.
#60
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 07:32
Esbatty
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Great minds brain alike.ximena wrote...
BOOO. NO MORRIGAN AND COUSLAND?! I will blow this thread up!
Haha. Just kidding. XD
Seriously though, I liked the interlude. DW's beginning next chapter is kind of the same. Haha.
#61
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 11:05
Esbatty
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CHAPTER 8.2 - 40 Miles To The Sun
"You're - useless to me - in this - condition", Morrigan panted as she was laid on her side, coupled to her lover as he was locked about her like a spoon. His still wounded back had culled more than a number of their favored positions leaving them to become slightly more creative in their passions.
"Us wardens are renown for our - improvisation, you must admit", he teased before leaving another careful bite on neck. She reached back and grabbed a handful of his hair as he continued to thrust forth.
While lacking the voracity of past encounters, they found themselves enjoying one another in new ways. Morrigan had to continuously bat her lover's hands away from her breasts, having engorged during her current separation from the child, for they held a renewed fascination with Cousland. His grip, while gentle still caused quite a bit of discomfort due to the unspent milk, which he had eagerly volunteered to remedy.
"Enough!" she loosed in a hushed cry, again tearing his paws off of her chest to which the Warden relented. Even lost amidst shared moans and grunts a corner of her mind still awaited the return of her child and his unnatural keeper.
Bemused, Cousland watched the woman haphazardly redress in a near-quiet flurry of limb and cloth. Never had he seen Morrigan so - overwrought for such a thing as propriety. This Wilder Woman born to a creature such a Flemeth and having so long lived in a hut studying tomes and scrolls, and all things arcane, was now - not reduced as she might imply - but rather promoted to such a state of motherhood.
His own state of nudity brought him back to the present when his own raiment were slapped into his nethers rather violently.
"Ow, woman! Careful its still-"
"Shush, I've no immediate use of it. Now get dressed and tarry no longer", she commanded before she strode out of the tent with renewed purpose.
"Father would've just adored you", he spoke under breath before carefully removing the various clothing which included buckled leathers from his lap and tenderly dressing himself. His thoughts immediately went to his weapons and armor, the climate of this area was far different from the cold and damp of Ferelden. Here the dry heat would eventually crack the straps and expand the metal eyelets and hinges that kept the plates together, he'd have to adjust and treat them soon to keep them in working order should another unforeseen threat descend upon them. With that he exited the tent and decided to share a word with the Mother of his child.
"Now listen here, woman now that-" the words stuck in his throat.
Before him stood Omen and Morrigan, the child safely in his mother's arms but behind them a small party of armed men arrayed in a patchwork of styles of armor last seen in painting from ages past. At the forefront of this curiously armored force was - no it couldn't - or could it be?
"Duncan?", his voice thick with shock.
"Hail, young Cousland. Its been quite some time since we last spoke, has it not?"
***
End of Chapter
"You're - useless to me - in this - condition", Morrigan panted as she was laid on her side, coupled to her lover as he was locked about her like a spoon. His still wounded back had culled more than a number of their favored positions leaving them to become slightly more creative in their passions.
"Us wardens are renown for our - improvisation, you must admit", he teased before leaving another careful bite on neck. She reached back and grabbed a handful of his hair as he continued to thrust forth.
While lacking the voracity of past encounters, they found themselves enjoying one another in new ways. Morrigan had to continuously bat her lover's hands away from her breasts, having engorged during her current separation from the child, for they held a renewed fascination with Cousland. His grip, while gentle still caused quite a bit of discomfort due to the unspent milk, which he had eagerly volunteered to remedy.
"Enough!" she loosed in a hushed cry, again tearing his paws off of her chest to which the Warden relented. Even lost amidst shared moans and grunts a corner of her mind still awaited the return of her child and his unnatural keeper.
Bemused, Cousland watched the woman haphazardly redress in a near-quiet flurry of limb and cloth. Never had he seen Morrigan so - overwrought for such a thing as propriety. This Wilder Woman born to a creature such a Flemeth and having so long lived in a hut studying tomes and scrolls, and all things arcane, was now - not reduced as she might imply - but rather promoted to such a state of motherhood.
His own state of nudity brought him back to the present when his own raiment were slapped into his nethers rather violently.
"Ow, woman! Careful its still-"
"Shush, I've no immediate use of it. Now get dressed and tarry no longer", she commanded before she strode out of the tent with renewed purpose.
"Father would've just adored you", he spoke under breath before carefully removing the various clothing which included buckled leathers from his lap and tenderly dressing himself. His thoughts immediately went to his weapons and armor, the climate of this area was far different from the cold and damp of Ferelden. Here the dry heat would eventually crack the straps and expand the metal eyelets and hinges that kept the plates together, he'd have to adjust and treat them soon to keep them in working order should another unforeseen threat descend upon them. With that he exited the tent and decided to share a word with the Mother of his child.
"Now listen here, woman now that-" the words stuck in his throat.
Before him stood Omen and Morrigan, the child safely in his mother's arms but behind them a small party of armed men arrayed in a patchwork of styles of armor last seen in painting from ages past. At the forefront of this curiously armored force was - no it couldn't - or could it be?
"Duncan?", his voice thick with shock.
"Hail, young Cousland. Its been quite some time since we last spoke, has it not?"
***
End of Chapter
#62
Posté 06 novembre 2010 - 04:04
Brockololly
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Ha- very nicely done! Duncan returns!
#63
Posté 07 novembre 2010 - 02:32
Esbatty
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Ah yes, praise from Caesar! *bows*Brockololly wrote...
Ha- very nicely done! Duncan returns!
#64
Posté 07 novembre 2010 - 08:35
Esbatty
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CHAPTER 9 - In Keeping Secrets
"Duncan?", the Warden repeated, his eyes wildly dancing back and forth across the sight of his old mentor.
"Yes?" his predecessor asked, standing there clad in a variety of leather and plate armors that had clearly seen better centuries. His beard had a peppering of gray, and a general weariness could be seen in his eyes.
Morrigan watched as the scene unfolded, her Warden suddenly dropped to his knees nearly prostrating himself, his head bowed low. She'd witness Cousland at various states throughout journeys but never humbled as he was now. It was nearly more than she could bear as she edged away from the pack of men that Duncan seemed to be the head of.
"I - I... Alistair, he-", Cousland stuttered, almost sobbing.
"I know, I know", Duncan squatted and placed a reassuring hand on the Noble's shoulders. "When Riordan arrived here he informed us of what transpired and what you had accomplished in- our absence. Alistair made his choice, as did you both. The Grey Wardens are not about doing what is Good but rather what is Right - what is necessary in ending The Blights as they come."
The Warden looked up, eyes reddened, "Riordan?"
"Yes, he was here- if only briefly. The next Wardens that arrived were a peppering of those who had undertaken The Calling in the Anderfels and other regions, and after some talk with the Dwarves learned of the victory in Ferelden. What was curious were the reports from the handful of Orlesian Wardens that had been sent to Ferelden to reinforce the ranks - where they said you personally slayed the Archdemon but lived becoming both King and then appointed as Warden-Commander by Weisshaupt."
Cousland cleared his throat and arose, an uneasiness washed over him as Duncan held him in gaze of suspicion. He looked to Morrigan and caught her glare, this world was old and dangerous. Already attacked by those that populated this place, how would Duncan and those that stood with him respond to the news of his pact had made with his beloved? That the child that had remained oddly quiet since his arrival carried within the essence of the tainted fiend that commanded the deaths of nearly all the Wardens in Ferelden.
"He survived by strength of will - alone," Morrigan spoke up and continued with a few choice words dripping with disdain, "from what I've heard you yourself saw something in him when you bothered to recruit him. Is it not true that Grey Wardens are warriors without peer? Who can possibly ever claim to have brought low an Archdemon and lived to tell? No one but this - man - before you."
With this Cousland straightened up a bit, the Witch's disapproval he'd more than likely hear of later.
"Hmm," Duncan contemplated her words his eyes settling on the little squirming bundle in her arms. "A child?"
"'Tis mine", she quickly asserted.
"And mine", Cousland intoned.
"We - have not seen a child in all our time in this world. I must say this all very curious and a bit disquieting. You are unlike the rest of the Wardens that have arrived, yet you are not driven to madness by our presence like the other denizens that follow an endless loop of a path to nowhere."
"Enough insinuations, do you have reason for following our companion and child to our camp, hmm?" Morrigan held her ground and narrowed her gaze.
"Ah, yes," Duncan replied slightly unnerved, "our scouts reported of some odd fires they had seen in this direction and I have led a small band here to investigate if any drakes or dragons had fallen upon any new arrivals."
She arched a brow, "Dragons? There are dragons here? Most odd."
"Yes, their numbers were few at first but for some reason Drakes and Dragonlings, and the odd Dragon started to appear over time. Even a High Dragon has been reported by scouts but have yet to make an assault on the fortress."
"Fortress?" Cousland's interested piqued.
"To the North - or what passes for North", the men about Duncan uttered contemptuous murmurs. "Do not worry, men. This man here can be trusted."
"Its not him we worry about, Ser", one of them gestured at Morrigan and Omen. "The - hooded one."
"Our son's caretaker, I assure you."
"She is somewhat odd", Duncan offered.
"And she can speak for herself, thank you", the demoness piped up. "I am-"
"None of their concern", Morrigan interjected, "as they will be on their way back to their uninteresting, far away fortress now that they are aware that there is neither a Dragon nor obvious threat present in our tiny little, once rather private camp."
Duncan looked from Cousland to Morrigan, sweat had made their clothing cling to various parts of their bodies and matted their dishevelled hair. He cleared his throat as a bit of a blush rose to his ashen cheeks. "Ah - yes, well... if you do decide to seek aid from us, we are about a day's journey to the North."
With a slight gesture of his hand the men fell in line, turned and began to venture back from whence they came. There was still so much Cousland wish to know but he reminded himself that he had given up even being a Grey Warden when he followed Morrigan. Rule was no longer his life, nor was the Order, it was now his Family and he would honor and cherish it.
"If anything, Duncan, it was good to see you again."
The old Commander of the Grey nodded before turning heel and following the procession.
"Duncan?", the Warden repeated, his eyes wildly dancing back and forth across the sight of his old mentor.
"Yes?" his predecessor asked, standing there clad in a variety of leather and plate armors that had clearly seen better centuries. His beard had a peppering of gray, and a general weariness could be seen in his eyes.
Morrigan watched as the scene unfolded, her Warden suddenly dropped to his knees nearly prostrating himself, his head bowed low. She'd witness Cousland at various states throughout journeys but never humbled as he was now. It was nearly more than she could bear as she edged away from the pack of men that Duncan seemed to be the head of.
"I - I... Alistair, he-", Cousland stuttered, almost sobbing.
"I know, I know", Duncan squatted and placed a reassuring hand on the Noble's shoulders. "When Riordan arrived here he informed us of what transpired and what you had accomplished in- our absence. Alistair made his choice, as did you both. The Grey Wardens are not about doing what is Good but rather what is Right - what is necessary in ending The Blights as they come."
The Warden looked up, eyes reddened, "Riordan?"
"Yes, he was here- if only briefly. The next Wardens that arrived were a peppering of those who had undertaken The Calling in the Anderfels and other regions, and after some talk with the Dwarves learned of the victory in Ferelden. What was curious were the reports from the handful of Orlesian Wardens that had been sent to Ferelden to reinforce the ranks - where they said you personally slayed the Archdemon but lived becoming both King and then appointed as Warden-Commander by Weisshaupt."
Cousland cleared his throat and arose, an uneasiness washed over him as Duncan held him in gaze of suspicion. He looked to Morrigan and caught her glare, this world was old and dangerous. Already attacked by those that populated this place, how would Duncan and those that stood with him respond to the news of his pact had made with his beloved? That the child that had remained oddly quiet since his arrival carried within the essence of the tainted fiend that commanded the deaths of nearly all the Wardens in Ferelden.
"He survived by strength of will - alone," Morrigan spoke up and continued with a few choice words dripping with disdain, "from what I've heard you yourself saw something in him when you bothered to recruit him. Is it not true that Grey Wardens are warriors without peer? Who can possibly ever claim to have brought low an Archdemon and lived to tell? No one but this - man - before you."
With this Cousland straightened up a bit, the Witch's disapproval he'd more than likely hear of later.
"Hmm," Duncan contemplated her words his eyes settling on the little squirming bundle in her arms. "A child?"
"'Tis mine", she quickly asserted.
"And mine", Cousland intoned.
"We - have not seen a child in all our time in this world. I must say this all very curious and a bit disquieting. You are unlike the rest of the Wardens that have arrived, yet you are not driven to madness by our presence like the other denizens that follow an endless loop of a path to nowhere."
"Enough insinuations, do you have reason for following our companion and child to our camp, hmm?" Morrigan held her ground and narrowed her gaze.
"Ah, yes," Duncan replied slightly unnerved, "our scouts reported of some odd fires they had seen in this direction and I have led a small band here to investigate if any drakes or dragons had fallen upon any new arrivals."
She arched a brow, "Dragons? There are dragons here? Most odd."
"Yes, their numbers were few at first but for some reason Drakes and Dragonlings, and the odd Dragon started to appear over time. Even a High Dragon has been reported by scouts but have yet to make an assault on the fortress."
"Fortress?" Cousland's interested piqued.
"To the North - or what passes for North", the men about Duncan uttered contemptuous murmurs. "Do not worry, men. This man here can be trusted."
"Its not him we worry about, Ser", one of them gestured at Morrigan and Omen. "The - hooded one."
"Our son's caretaker, I assure you."
"She is somewhat odd", Duncan offered.
"And she can speak for herself, thank you", the demoness piped up. "I am-"
"None of their concern", Morrigan interjected, "as they will be on their way back to their uninteresting, far away fortress now that they are aware that there is neither a Dragon nor obvious threat present in our tiny little, once rather private camp."
Duncan looked from Cousland to Morrigan, sweat had made their clothing cling to various parts of their bodies and matted their dishevelled hair. He cleared his throat as a bit of a blush rose to his ashen cheeks. "Ah - yes, well... if you do decide to seek aid from us, we are about a day's journey to the North."
With a slight gesture of his hand the men fell in line, turned and began to venture back from whence they came. There was still so much Cousland wish to know but he reminded himself that he had given up even being a Grey Warden when he followed Morrigan. Rule was no longer his life, nor was the Order, it was now his Family and he would honor and cherish it.
"If anything, Duncan, it was good to see you again."
The old Commander of the Grey nodded before turning heel and following the procession.
Modifié par Esbatty, 07 novembre 2010 - 08:58 .
#65
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 08:45
Esbatty
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CHAPTER 10 - Landslide
The windless, rouge landscape played host to silence once again as the travellers packed up their meager camp. Omen busied herself by arranging tiny bundles of various plants that occasionally dotted the path she traversed while the child's parents recuperated. Here she tied them to a leather strap cut from one of the two crossbows that would allow her to carry the carefully cut bundles across her back as they air dried.
Most of the time she spent out in the strange wilderness of this dead world was spent looking for food and water, but also she would hum and sing to the boy. Even though her own children were products of her will and her husband's fantasies, the Witch and Warden's son was far different from anything her "family" had encountered as they explored the mortal realm. The child's eyes were much like his Mother's, a sharp honeyed-amber, and when they locked upon her she'd shiver. For all her power in The Fade, and her dealings with other demons and beings of various capabilities and intent, none had ever shaken her such as this one babe.
Ever quiet, the child rarely made a peep besides a half-wailed cry of hunger or a burble of passing gas, thus why she felt the need to fill the quiet with song. His queer presence was enough to recall her time in The Fade, the place she had spent so much time attempting to be free of, and now it felt a comfort to her after her harsh reception upon arriving in this static land. Yet even still she adored the child in the absence of her own.
Morrigan, on the other hand, was more intent on the safety of their group as she scrounged for heavy stones to place on the crude, hand dug graves Omen had constructed the previous night. She'd have to be more conservative with her use of Blood Magic in the future. The creatures that attacked them acted as men in their own presence but it only took so long before they became savage. When a pair of Vaughn's men pursued her as she and the child fled, she thought to scare them off with a fireball, instead she now had two flaming enraged attackers. Drawing upon her life force again she awakened the terrors of their former lives within them and with that they panicked and fled.
She was indeed thankful that the Warden accompanied her, while her magic was indeed formidable, some of the situations in this world would be better to rely on cunning or blades than spells and totems. With the back of her hand she wiped away a sheet of sweat from her forehead as she stood back and inspected her labors. Hopefully the weight of rock piles would hinder the dead men as their bodies stitched together before they clawed their way back to the surface.
Looking back towards the main campsite, Morrigan spied her Cousland as he broke the damaged tents down, a process that usually went much faster but with the head of the bolt still stuck within him, putting too much strain on his back muscles would cause it to saw further into him and bleeding would start anew.
"Warden," she called to him, "I'd care to speak with you."
"Speak or yell?"
Morrigan sighed and crossed over to him, not lifting a finger help him though.
"I wish to converse with you, civilly, about the Wardens."
"Yeah, thought as much. What of it, Morrigan? You want to know if I wanted to go with them to the fortress? That I was intrigued as to why they did not attack us like the others? Or that dragons exist here and that they seek out the Wardens?"
She stood there patiently listening, staying true to her word.
"Well its true. For an infinitesimle moment I considered going. Such is my nature since taking over a kingdom and an entire Arling dedicated to the Wardens, but I cast that thought out as quickly as it came. I am not here for that. That part of my life is over - long over. It might as well be beneath your diligent stonework there."
The witch pursed her lips for a moment before replying, "And your - display?"
The Warden turned away from her and continued bundling the tent stakes he had already collected.
"Well?"
"Alistair was like a - no matter how much his existence displeased you, I - care for him. No matter how much he hates me for my choices, I still care. Its just that so much has gone on, Duncan being... just being here, me seeing him, me getting to meet him again. It just wasn't fair."
"So?"
Cousland quickly turned to her with an incredulous face.
"Ugh, what I mean is - his time will come, maybe soon as he is quite on his own by his personal choice and without you to save him - from himself."
"Thanks?"
"Just do not do that again. Do not show weakness before - our Son. You are his example and as such the man he model himself to be."
He finished the last wrap of twine about the stakes and tied it off, "Well I am only a man, Morrigan."
"Fine. Out here, before everyone else and the eyes of child, be strong", she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned in closely, "but you remember this, and remember it well, you may only share your weakness with me."
He rested his rough hands on her hips, steadying himself as their lips met. Like a pair of adolescents rather than a long passionate kiss it was rather several short kisses, at the end of which he witnessed her smile. By the Maker he silently wished he left at least one the tents up.
"You're smiling like a cat content, Woman."
"What of it?"
"Does that make me the canary?"
"I do believe I prefer my prey to be much larger", she laughed.
They released each other and both began placing the camp assembly into their respective carry sacks.
"Something just came to me, Morrigan."
"The tents are packed and you are far too indulgent with your Son's milk."
"No, no, it just occurred to me that every time I go on to some venture involving you there are always demons or dragons involved."
"Think of it this way, My Love. At least it is not required of you to lug about some dusty old tome."
Cousland narrowed his eyes at her before producing a large book with Ancient Elven script across the cover from one of Morrigan's bags. Morrigan's head sunk low for a moment.
"Blast and damnation!"
"You forgot to leave it behind. Ariane is probably livid."
Morrigan sighed deeply, "it shall be returned - someday. Not soon, but when He is ready for what is to come."
The windless, rouge landscape played host to silence once again as the travellers packed up their meager camp. Omen busied herself by arranging tiny bundles of various plants that occasionally dotted the path she traversed while the child's parents recuperated. Here she tied them to a leather strap cut from one of the two crossbows that would allow her to carry the carefully cut bundles across her back as they air dried.
Most of the time she spent out in the strange wilderness of this dead world was spent looking for food and water, but also she would hum and sing to the boy. Even though her own children were products of her will and her husband's fantasies, the Witch and Warden's son was far different from anything her "family" had encountered as they explored the mortal realm. The child's eyes were much like his Mother's, a sharp honeyed-amber, and when they locked upon her she'd shiver. For all her power in The Fade, and her dealings with other demons and beings of various capabilities and intent, none had ever shaken her such as this one babe.
Ever quiet, the child rarely made a peep besides a half-wailed cry of hunger or a burble of passing gas, thus why she felt the need to fill the quiet with song. His queer presence was enough to recall her time in The Fade, the place she had spent so much time attempting to be free of, and now it felt a comfort to her after her harsh reception upon arriving in this static land. Yet even still she adored the child in the absence of her own.
Morrigan, on the other hand, was more intent on the safety of their group as she scrounged for heavy stones to place on the crude, hand dug graves Omen had constructed the previous night. She'd have to be more conservative with her use of Blood Magic in the future. The creatures that attacked them acted as men in their own presence but it only took so long before they became savage. When a pair of Vaughn's men pursued her as she and the child fled, she thought to scare them off with a fireball, instead she now had two flaming enraged attackers. Drawing upon her life force again she awakened the terrors of their former lives within them and with that they panicked and fled.
She was indeed thankful that the Warden accompanied her, while her magic was indeed formidable, some of the situations in this world would be better to rely on cunning or blades than spells and totems. With the back of her hand she wiped away a sheet of sweat from her forehead as she stood back and inspected her labors. Hopefully the weight of rock piles would hinder the dead men as their bodies stitched together before they clawed their way back to the surface.
Looking back towards the main campsite, Morrigan spied her Cousland as he broke the damaged tents down, a process that usually went much faster but with the head of the bolt still stuck within him, putting too much strain on his back muscles would cause it to saw further into him and bleeding would start anew.
"Warden," she called to him, "I'd care to speak with you."
"Speak or yell?"
Morrigan sighed and crossed over to him, not lifting a finger help him though.
"I wish to converse with you, civilly, about the Wardens."
"Yeah, thought as much. What of it, Morrigan? You want to know if I wanted to go with them to the fortress? That I was intrigued as to why they did not attack us like the others? Or that dragons exist here and that they seek out the Wardens?"
She stood there patiently listening, staying true to her word.
"Well its true. For an infinitesimle moment I considered going. Such is my nature since taking over a kingdom and an entire Arling dedicated to the Wardens, but I cast that thought out as quickly as it came. I am not here for that. That part of my life is over - long over. It might as well be beneath your diligent stonework there."
The witch pursed her lips for a moment before replying, "And your - display?"
The Warden turned away from her and continued bundling the tent stakes he had already collected.
"Well?"
"Alistair was like a - no matter how much his existence displeased you, I - care for him. No matter how much he hates me for my choices, I still care. Its just that so much has gone on, Duncan being... just being here, me seeing him, me getting to meet him again. It just wasn't fair."
"So?"
Cousland quickly turned to her with an incredulous face.
"Ugh, what I mean is - his time will come, maybe soon as he is quite on his own by his personal choice and without you to save him - from himself."
"Thanks?"
"Just do not do that again. Do not show weakness before - our Son. You are his example and as such the man he model himself to be."
He finished the last wrap of twine about the stakes and tied it off, "Well I am only a man, Morrigan."
"Fine. Out here, before everyone else and the eyes of child, be strong", she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned in closely, "but you remember this, and remember it well, you may only share your weakness with me."
He rested his rough hands on her hips, steadying himself as their lips met. Like a pair of adolescents rather than a long passionate kiss it was rather several short kisses, at the end of which he witnessed her smile. By the Maker he silently wished he left at least one the tents up.
"You're smiling like a cat content, Woman."
"What of it?"
"Does that make me the canary?"
"I do believe I prefer my prey to be much larger", she laughed.
They released each other and both began placing the camp assembly into their respective carry sacks.
"Something just came to me, Morrigan."
"The tents are packed and you are far too indulgent with your Son's milk."
"No, no, it just occurred to me that every time I go on to some venture involving you there are always demons or dragons involved."
"Think of it this way, My Love. At least it is not required of you to lug about some dusty old tome."
Cousland narrowed his eyes at her before producing a large book with Ancient Elven script across the cover from one of Morrigan's bags. Morrigan's head sunk low for a moment.
"Blast and damnation!"
"You forgot to leave it behind. Ariane is probably livid."
Morrigan sighed deeply, "it shall be returned - someday. Not soon, but when He is ready for what is to come."
#66
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 09:17
ximena
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Haha. I approve of this chapter. I always had the image or Ariane and Finn looking confused after the warden goes through the Eluvian with Morrigan. With Ariane going, "He didn't even ask about the book!" and Finn just blabbering about the Eluvian. XD
#67
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 09:38
Esbatty
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ximena wrote...
Haha. I approve of this chapter. I always had the image or Ariane and Finn looking confused after the warden goes through the Eluvian with Morrigan. With Ariane going, "He didn't even ask about the book!" and Finn just blabbering about the Eluvian. XD
And thats probably going to be addressed further in the next Interlude.
But glad you enjoyed it! I've been waiting to write that moment for a while now... Blast and Damnnation, indeed.
#68
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 09:53
Lord_Anthonior
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I liked the chapter too.It was a good point about Ariane and Finn, I suppose they couldn't stay just like that and watch the warden walk through the eluvian with Morrigan, it was a shame dog didn't followed suit but it's okay and I mean in the DLC.
I believe because of the other interlude that Ariane and Finn might be call upon at least Finn for a report of his exploits once returning to the circle. Still, Morrigan is right about not to show any weakness infront anyone else, a Cousland must always stay strong.
I believe because of the other interlude that Ariane and Finn might be call upon at least Finn for a report of his exploits once returning to the circle. Still, Morrigan is right about not to show any weakness infront anyone else, a Cousland must always stay strong.
#69
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 10:53
Esbatty
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Lord_Anthonior wrote...
I liked the chapter too.It was a good point about Ariane and Finn, I suppose they couldn't stay just like that and watch the warden walk through the eluvian with Morrigan, it was a shame dog didn't followed suit but it's okay and I mean in the DLC.
I believe because of the other interlude that Ariane and Finn might be call upon at least Finn for a report of his exploits once returning to the circle. Still, Morrigan is right about not to show any weakness infront anyone else, a Cousland must always stay strong.
I told everyone, do not worry, the softeness will come in time. Its coming. No worries. etc etc. And now it is upon us!
But yes do expect another interlude right soon. But not too soon, I got my days off coming up later today so I'm gonna just space out and finish Fable 3 before tackling the rest of The Force Unleashed 2: Force Unleashier.
Although right now I'm on the market for new music, I've got a buttload of new soundtracks I picked up off of ebay and pawn shops but I need new bands. I have Smashing Pumpkins, Evanescence, Nirvana, Garbage, Bush, No Doubt, and Nine Inch Nails on constant roation. Its like I'm still stuck in High School in my musical tastes. So yeah I'm open to new bands in the rock and alternative genres.
#70
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 11:14
Lord_Anthonior
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Esbatty wrote...
I told everyone, do not worry, the softeness will come in time. Its coming. No worries. etc etc. And now it is upon us!
But yes do expect another interlude right soon. But not too soon, I got my days off coming up later today so I'm gonna just space out and finish Fable 3 before tackling the rest of The Force Unleashed 2: Force Unleashier.
Although right now I'm on the market for new music, I've got a buttload of new soundtracks I picked up off of ebay and pawn shops but I need new bands. I have Smashing Pumpkins, Evanescence, Nirvana, Garbage, Bush, No Doubt, and Nine Inch Nails on constant roation. Its like I'm still stuck in High School in my musical tastes. So yeah I'm open to new bands in the rock and alternative genres.
I'll be busy building a brotherhood next week, after that I'll be working on my first attempt of fanfic. :?As for music, I think I'll go mostly with OST's because I lost concentration with songs and their lyrics.
Another thing, Cousland is still wounded isn't he? Morrigan....
When have humans ever being patient? the only ones I could think of must are in temples and meditating other than that....
Nirvana and NIN!! cool!
#71
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 11:27
ximena
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Hrrrmmm. I don't really listen to any of the new bands. Well I do but they're local bands with songs in my language so yeah. >_>
XD My playlist consists of old songs like yours too. Hahaha. But Trent Reznor's band with his wife has their EP out and it can be downloaded for free. Just search How to Destroy Angels.
XD My playlist consists of old songs like yours too. Hahaha. But Trent Reznor's band with his wife has their EP out and it can be downloaded for free. Just search How to Destroy Angels.
#72
Posté 09 novembre 2010 - 11:39
Esbatty
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Yeah he is wounded still... thats been like a day and a night since he was bullseyed in the back. So if you're implying repercussions for that... maybe... maybe not.Lord_Anthonior wrote...
Esbatty wrote...
I told everyone, do not worry, the softeness will come in time. Its coming. No worries. etc etc. And now it is upon us!
But yes do expect another interlude right soon. But not too soon, I got my days off coming up later today so I'm gonna just space out and finish Fable 3 before tackling the rest of The Force Unleashed 2: Force Unleashier.
Although right now I'm on the market for new music, I've got a buttload of new soundtracks I picked up off of ebay and pawn shops but I need new bands. I have Smashing Pumpkins, Evanescence, Nirvana, Garbage, Bush, No Doubt, and Nine Inch Nails on constant roation. Its like I'm still stuck in High School in my musical tastes. So yeah I'm open to new bands in the rock and alternative genres.
I'll be busy building a brotherhood next week, after that I'll be working on my first attempt of fanfic. :?As for music, I think I'll go mostly with OST's because I lost concentration with songs and their lyrics.
Another thing, Cousland is still wounded isn't he? Morrigan....
When have humans ever being patient? the only ones I could think of must are in temples and meditating other than that....
Nirvana and NIN!! cool!
@Xi and L_A: yeah all my music taste is frozen about a decade back. So far I've just been delving into covers of some of my favorite songs just to test the waters of current pop music. Not bad, not bad at all.
#73
Posté 10 novembre 2010 - 10:26
Morrigans God son
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"Speak or yell?" Haha, I'll remember that line next time I'm about to get a lecturing.
#74
Posté 10 novembre 2010 - 06:21
Esbatty
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Be it king, warden, husband, or father... lectures are inescapable part of life:devil:.Morrigans God son wrote...
"Speak or yell?" Haha, I'll remember that line next time I'm about to get a lecturing.
#75
Posté 12 novembre 2010 - 11:25
Esbatty
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INTERLUDE II - The Fragile
In her time as Queen, Anora has had to put forth a strong front before her people, the Nobility, and even foreign Dignitaries which sometimes meant doing things she normally would never actively pursue. Wearing armor before a major conflict was one, most of that involved the tedium of being adorned in fine plate and then the tedium of its removal, but today involved two more things she didn't relish. One of which was ride a horse, which was not particular necessary in Ferelden's past as they were more of a luxury for Royalty and Nobles, had become a necessity following the Orlesian occupation where armored Chevalier stormed into battle decimating the mabari packs and infantry lines. Yes, her Father insisted upon her instruction for combat purposes, but once King Maric's tutors got ahold of her she learned to ride like a proper Lady.
Neither set of lessons were forgotten but at this time the horse's gait was leaving her a bit queasy, and it was no boon to her that she was currently trotting about the top deck of the newly finished Royal flagship on a rather windy day. Again, more of Maric's tutors had taught her high winds made for a choppy sea, the roiling of which gave her complexion a touch of green. Even with Erlina's advice no amount of pressure on the flesh between her thumb and pointer finger could quell the nausea completely. At this time, Vann would have chimed in with a quiet whispers of comforting distractions to focus her mind away from the vessel's lolling, instead she had to maintain a forced grin with eyes that plead for the Maker's Mercy while quietly bruising her right hand.
Her husband had commissioned a small set of ships in order to help ferry back Ferelden refugees that has scattered across Thedas due to the Blight. It was both a message to his people and the other nations that they did not forget their citizens, nor the kindness of those that accepted them in their time of need. It was a costly measure in light of the thousands that sojourned into The Free Marches, Orlais, and other reaches of the continent; but he had always been insistent that they reunite as many families as possible and that many could not possibly afford to return on their own.
While most of the small fleet were transports and smaller security vessels, the flagship itself would carry supplies for the refugee's voyage and the gifts for each of the nations they would visit. It was due to the concerted effort of both the Merchants Guild and the people of Orzammar that they could afford to even provide gifts of precious stones and rare metals, so it was at present that representatives from the Merchants Guild and King Bhelen's court were giving overly long speeches extolling their pride in their contribution to the rescue effort.
Their efforts were most welcome but came with a price that Anora still did not agree with, the usual trade levies taken in the Arling of Amaranthine and with all trade done with Orzammar were heavily reduced. Nevertheless even in the King's absence she did not seek to change agreements behind his back as he had often acquiesced to her own dealings in the kingdom with little hesitation. Thoughts of the errant Cousland only made her stomach sour further, and she emitted a light burp she prayed no one heard.
"You are quite excused, your Excellency", a voice whispered up to her.
Her eyes widened a bit, that was all that she dared reveal of her surprise and embarrassment. The voice that spoke carried an Antivan accent, and with a carefully timed shifting in the saddle she allowed her gaze to search the area around her, to which she spied a Shield-Maiden that now stood next to her mount that was not there when she had boarded. A polite fake cough allowed her to lean forward and notice the pointed ear hidden by a strands of hastily gathered blond hair.
"Thank you... Zevran", she whispered back.
"Ah, most good of you to remember me, your Highness. The Warden's choice in women was always - impeccable. Err, the King's, I should say."
"Should we be doing this - here of all places?"
"The money men and the bearded ones have so much nothing to say, why waste the day with their hot air when we can whisper things that shall be lost to the winds."
She thought on this a moment before responding, "Fine. So I take it Erlina already compensated you for your services?"
"Oh I dare not charge the wife of my good friend, The King. But your silken flower of a handmaiden did pay a fairly - handsome - price for arranging this meeting", she could almost hear the grin in his voice, "but if you are so inclined to discuss the payment feel free to ask your fair Erlina. I'm sure she'll have quite the tale to share."
Anora's interest was piqued but already the Merchants Guild representative had cleared his throat and had begun his half of the proceedings.
"So, I wish for you to locate - him, for me."
"Him?", Zevran questioned for a quick moment, "Oh, you mean. Oh, that dastardly fiend left on a clandestine adventure without me? I... am crushed."
"Please, bring him back to - home. Or at least if he cannot-", she couldn't finish her sentence, as another burble of her stomach threatened disaster.
"Oh my Queen, I... understand", he dared to cast a quick glance up at her as she leaned forward in the saddle, "and may I be frank, sea foam is not a good color on you."
"I am fine", she lied.
"Dare I say you look to be in a - particularly fragile condition, saying this as the women in the place I was raised often feared being caught in such a state."
"You do dare too much, Elf" she glowered like a true Mac Tir.
"Then I shall leave you be, and use my overly perceptive powers of detection towards finding your fugitive," but before he departed he added, "might I inquire if this is possibly the reason he fled or does he simply not know yet?"
"Just go!" Anora half burped-half commanded, she mashed a gloved hand to her mouth to hold back any further emissions. The assassin's words brought a welcome distraction as her thoughts clouded her nausea. A moment passed and with her innards calmed, she looked back to the side of her horse and found herself alone in a sea of pomp and circumstance.
In her time as Queen, Anora has had to put forth a strong front before her people, the Nobility, and even foreign Dignitaries which sometimes meant doing things she normally would never actively pursue. Wearing armor before a major conflict was one, most of that involved the tedium of being adorned in fine plate and then the tedium of its removal, but today involved two more things she didn't relish. One of which was ride a horse, which was not particular necessary in Ferelden's past as they were more of a luxury for Royalty and Nobles, had become a necessity following the Orlesian occupation where armored Chevalier stormed into battle decimating the mabari packs and infantry lines. Yes, her Father insisted upon her instruction for combat purposes, but once King Maric's tutors got ahold of her she learned to ride like a proper Lady.
Neither set of lessons were forgotten but at this time the horse's gait was leaving her a bit queasy, and it was no boon to her that she was currently trotting about the top deck of the newly finished Royal flagship on a rather windy day. Again, more of Maric's tutors had taught her high winds made for a choppy sea, the roiling of which gave her complexion a touch of green. Even with Erlina's advice no amount of pressure on the flesh between her thumb and pointer finger could quell the nausea completely. At this time, Vann would have chimed in with a quiet whispers of comforting distractions to focus her mind away from the vessel's lolling, instead she had to maintain a forced grin with eyes that plead for the Maker's Mercy while quietly bruising her right hand.
Her husband had commissioned a small set of ships in order to help ferry back Ferelden refugees that has scattered across Thedas due to the Blight. It was both a message to his people and the other nations that they did not forget their citizens, nor the kindness of those that accepted them in their time of need. It was a costly measure in light of the thousands that sojourned into The Free Marches, Orlais, and other reaches of the continent; but he had always been insistent that they reunite as many families as possible and that many could not possibly afford to return on their own.
While most of the small fleet were transports and smaller security vessels, the flagship itself would carry supplies for the refugee's voyage and the gifts for each of the nations they would visit. It was due to the concerted effort of both the Merchants Guild and the people of Orzammar that they could afford to even provide gifts of precious stones and rare metals, so it was at present that representatives from the Merchants Guild and King Bhelen's court were giving overly long speeches extolling their pride in their contribution to the rescue effort.
Their efforts were most welcome but came with a price that Anora still did not agree with, the usual trade levies taken in the Arling of Amaranthine and with all trade done with Orzammar were heavily reduced. Nevertheless even in the King's absence she did not seek to change agreements behind his back as he had often acquiesced to her own dealings in the kingdom with little hesitation. Thoughts of the errant Cousland only made her stomach sour further, and she emitted a light burp she prayed no one heard.
"You are quite excused, your Excellency", a voice whispered up to her.
Her eyes widened a bit, that was all that she dared reveal of her surprise and embarrassment. The voice that spoke carried an Antivan accent, and with a carefully timed shifting in the saddle she allowed her gaze to search the area around her, to which she spied a Shield-Maiden that now stood next to her mount that was not there when she had boarded. A polite fake cough allowed her to lean forward and notice the pointed ear hidden by a strands of hastily gathered blond hair.
"Thank you... Zevran", she whispered back.
"Ah, most good of you to remember me, your Highness. The Warden's choice in women was always - impeccable. Err, the King's, I should say."
"Should we be doing this - here of all places?"
"The money men and the bearded ones have so much nothing to say, why waste the day with their hot air when we can whisper things that shall be lost to the winds."
She thought on this a moment before responding, "Fine. So I take it Erlina already compensated you for your services?"
"Oh I dare not charge the wife of my good friend, The King. But your silken flower of a handmaiden did pay a fairly - handsome - price for arranging this meeting", she could almost hear the grin in his voice, "but if you are so inclined to discuss the payment feel free to ask your fair Erlina. I'm sure she'll have quite the tale to share."
Anora's interest was piqued but already the Merchants Guild representative had cleared his throat and had begun his half of the proceedings.
"So, I wish for you to locate - him, for me."
"Him?", Zevran questioned for a quick moment, "Oh, you mean. Oh, that dastardly fiend left on a clandestine adventure without me? I... am crushed."
"Please, bring him back to - home. Or at least if he cannot-", she couldn't finish her sentence, as another burble of her stomach threatened disaster.
"Oh my Queen, I... understand", he dared to cast a quick glance up at her as she leaned forward in the saddle, "and may I be frank, sea foam is not a good color on you."
"I am fine", she lied.
"Dare I say you look to be in a - particularly fragile condition, saying this as the women in the place I was raised often feared being caught in such a state."
"You do dare too much, Elf" she glowered like a true Mac Tir.
"Then I shall leave you be, and use my overly perceptive powers of detection towards finding your fugitive," but before he departed he added, "might I inquire if this is possibly the reason he fled or does he simply not know yet?"
"Just go!" Anora half burped-half commanded, she mashed a gloved hand to her mouth to hold back any further emissions. The assassin's words brought a welcome distraction as her thoughts clouded her nausea. A moment passed and with her innards calmed, she looked back to the side of her horse and found herself alone in a sea of pomp and circumstance.
