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[DreGregoire]

Part Three: Awakening from a Nightmare and an Averted Confrontation.

Aonghas rolled over, sat up, and covered his face with his hands as a tremor ran through him as the terrifying dream of darkspawn and the dragon like creature faded. After a deep breath Aonghas lowered his hands and gazed around the campfire. He was amazed to see tents set up that he wasn’t even aware they owned. The only companion he could see was Alistair sitting calmly by the fire and as Aonghas met his gaze the ex-templar spoke quietly, “Bad dreams, huh?”
 
Aonghas shrugged and watched as Ser Gilmore exited a tent on the far side of the fire and further in that direction Aonghas could see another fire and the shape of Morrigan standing out against the flickering flames.
 
“You were shouting in your sleep. Loud. And not in a good, this-is-private way, either.” Aonghas looked quickly back at Alistair and was unable to fight a twitch of his lips at the man’s quip. “You see, part of being a Grey Warden is being able to hear the darkspawn. That's what your dream was. Hearing them. The archdemon, it... "talks" to the horde, and we feel it just as they do. That's why we know this is really a Blight.”
 
Aonghas felt an irrational surge of anger as he realized that Duncan must have known that there really was an awakened archdemon. “Duncan should have told King Maric and Loghain that! Makers Breath, Alistair, if Duncan had just told them the truth all those soldiers could have been saved!”
 
“He did tell them. He said he felt the archdemon's presence. Everyone just assumed he was guessing. It takes a bit, but eventually you can block the dreams out. Some of the older Grey Wardens say they can understand the archdemon a bit, but I sure can't. Anyhow, when I heard you thrashing around, I thought I should tell you. It was scary at first for me, too.”
 
“Why didn’t you tell me this all before?” Aonghas glared at Alistair but managed not to yell too loudly, “You should have told me days ago!”
 
“I know. I've just been so distracted with the, you know, massacre of all my friends and the war and all that... sorry,” answered Alistair sarcastically with little sincerity added to his apology.
 
Aonghas surged to his feet and stepped towards the sitting man. “You just think you are so clever but the truth is you are just a scared little boy that can’t find his way out of his own head! What else are you hiding from me? What other little grey warden secrets are you going to keep from me until it’s amusing and convenient for you to tell me?”
 
“My Lord Aonghas, calm down,” admonished Ser Gilmore as he came around the fire and placed himself between the seated Alistair and Aonghas. Aonghas fastened his gaze on his father’s squire and met the older man’s gaze. Aonghas could feel himself cringe inside as the look the squire leveled at him closely matched the type of look his father would give him when he was out of line. Aonghas, angry at his own reaction to Ser Gilmore’s words, found himself trying to stare down the squire.
 
Alistair voice intruded upon the contest of will power. “You're up now, right? The merchant that we helped in Lothering has joined us and mentioned that he wishes to travel with us. That’s his wagon. Morrigan suggested we get back to Lothering by sunup.”
 
Aonghas looked away from Ser Gilmore with a sigh of relief and turned to look where the now standing Alistair pointed. Aonghas left Ser Gilmore and Alistair by the fire and he was barely out of hearing range when he heard Ser Gilmore apologize to Alistair for Aonghas’ behavior. Aonghas was suddenly concerned that Ser Gilmore might tell Alistair more than was appropriate and he started to turn around to speak to the squire when the Merchant and his son approached him.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 23 juillet 2011 - 01:46 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Four: Repaired Armor and a Whirlwind Visit from a Relative
 
Aonghas called out to the rest of the camp after finishing his conversation with the Merchant, Bodahn, and the Enchanter of Ruins, Sandal, but Ser Gilmore called out to Aonghas. “Wait. I have repaired your father’s armor. Do you wish to wear it, My Lord?” Aonghas stopped and treaded slowly back to the squire. Aonghas didn’t speak but he removed his robe and switched it for the padded under armor shirt that the older man held out for him.
 
Aonghas felt unable to speak as the Squire helped him on with the armor but as the man tightened the armor straps he spoke softly. “Thank you, Rory. This armor is all I have of father now.”
 
Ser Roland Gilmore didn’t speak but after securing the last buckle he turned Aonghas around to face him and spoke gently. “You have your memories. I am sorry about your parents, I wish I could say that they escaped but they did not.”
 
Aonghas nodded and turned away abruptly, “Let’s get back to Lothering and see what information we can obtain.”
 
Aonghas removed his helm and slung it over his arm as the party entered Lothering from the lakeside of the town. The party all turned quickly when they heard a woman call out to Aonghas. “Aonghas Cousland!” A dark auburn haired woman who appeared to be in her late teens jogged up to Aonghas and flung her arms around him, “I just knew when I saw that armor from a distance and then your hair that it was you. Carver and Seireadan wrote us about you. You are a grey warden now?”
 
Aonghas hugged the woman back as tightly as she held him. “That would make you my cousin, Bethany. I am a grey warden. Alistair and I are the last of them in Ferelden.”
 
The woman pulled back from him and spoke, “Seireadan and Carver haven’t returned from Ostagar. Do you have news of them?”
 
“I’m sorry, Bethany. I was wounded at Ostagar and when I came to I awoke far from the where the battle occurred.”
 
“I hope they make it back. Seireadan has unique abilities, I’m sure he is keeping Carver safe. I’m sure you have things to do, but mother would like you to come by if you get a chance. We live just on the other side of the Lake. I have to go!” Bethany left as quickly as she had come; leaving Aonghas standing stunned. Finally Aonghas turned back to the others and walked further into the town.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 24 juillet 2011 - 08:32 .

[erynnar]

Just in case I didn't say it, I loved this before the rewrite! Please keep going!

[DreGregoire]

Aww thanks, Erynnar. I'm enjoying replaying my Aonghas playthrough as I do this. Lotsa fun .

[DreGregoire]

Chapter Ten: Lothering
Part One: First Full Day in Lothering

Aonghas was making a beeline for the merchant cart when Ser Gilmore gripped his arm and pulled him around to a stop, the squire raised a finger as if to say wait a moment before releasing Aonghas. Aonghas watched as Ser Gilmore went over to an elf couple and their daughter. Aonghas moved closer and came into hearing just in time to see Ser Gilmore hand over some coin to the elves. Aonghas placed his hands on his hips and glared at the squire. “They were robbed by the bandits and had nothing,” Ser Gilmore announced as he walked back and gripped Aonghas’ arm firmly and pulled him a few steps away from the elves. Aonghas shook off the squire’s grip and the party walked to the merchant in time to witness an altercation between the Merchant and a chantry mother and a group of villagers.

-------------------
Aonghas stood fully helmed as he watched Ser Gilmore speak to a few of the people who had been price gouged by the merchant. Alistair’s words echoed in Aonghas’ mind, “I bet you make allies everywhere you go.” Aonghas knew they would need coin for what they planned and lots of it, so he had felt he had no choice but to side with the merchant. He knew this merchant wouldn’t hesitate to buy from him now and the satisfaction Aonghas felt about this was short lived when he realized Alistair and Ser Gilmore were displeased. Roland hadn’t said anything but the man hardly needed to say anything to make Aonghas feel small when the man was so efficient at echoing the looks Aonghas’ father had leveled at him since he was a child. Aonghas looked around for his fellow warden and was surprised to see the man was speaking to the chantry sister.

“Tis insane for them to cater to these people. Look at your squire handing over coin to those miserable men.” Aonghas looked quickly towards Roland again and sure enough the grateful people were thanking him heartily before approaching the merchant and purchasing some goods. “Ah and now Alistair is giving coin to the chantry priest, wonderful. Perhaps dividing the coin among us is a poor choice.” Aonghas didn’t answer Morrigan because he knew she was right, as long as the two men had coin they would give it to those in trouble.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 14 août 2011 - 12:04 .

[erynnar]

Oh nice! LOL! Love Morrigan.

[DreGregoire]

Awww, thanks Erynnar. Morrigan's comments are priceless in origins so I figured she deserved some of my creative time. It can't all be about Aonghas, Ser Gilmore, and Alistair. or can it? hahaha *hugz*

[DreGregoire]

Author Note: Hey all sorry for the really short additions but it has been slow going for me lately. To be honest there is so much that I want to share that "happened" in Lothering that I feel it's necessary to show short little bursts, otherwise this chapter would probably be way to long. LOL. Most of all I'm enjoying foisting off all these quests we went through in the game onto Alistair and Rory. It's enabling me to let Aonghas show his true colors a little better. Why should he be nice when those two are nice enough for ten people. hahaha. Enjoy!
------------------------------

Chapter Ten (continued)
Part 1B

-------------------------
Aonghas fiddled with a piece of silver as the young boy asked after his mother. “I saw her over there somewhere; across the bridge.” Aonghas fought a smirk as the boy thanked him and ran across the bridge in search of his missing mother.

“Aonghas, how could you?” Aonghas smirked at his fellow warden’s tone of disbelief, but before he could respond Ser Gilmore snatched the silver Aonghas had been playing with and jogged across the bridge after the lad. Aonghas met Alistair's glare with a grin as the man brushed by him to join Roland and the boy across the bridge.

[DreGregoire]

Authors Note: Hi all, this section went a little differently than I thought it would but I'm pleased with the direction things are headed.  Still on the short side. Enjoy.

-----
Part Two: The Bandits

“We have to do something about them. They are preying on refugees.”

Aonghas sighed deeply at Alistair’s earnest and determined tone and responded in exasperation, “Alistair, they’ll just be replaced by others.”

“That does not mean we should not take care of these bandits while we are here. If we can make a difference for even one person it is worthwhile,” pointed out Ser Roland Gilmore.

“Let’s get a move on, these bandits need to be taken care of now,” Alistair demanded.

Aonghas sighed and gave Morrigan a glance but the witch was chastising his hound again. Aonghas gave a shrug and pulled his shield and sword free and turned to lead the way to accost the bandits who had extorted coin from them.

Aonghas could feel the tension within him coming to the fore as he reflected upon the men he had been forced to kill during the attack on Highever. Most of the deaths that night had been instinctual as he tried to save himself and his mother, but this time his life wasn’t threatened and he couldn’t help but wonder if he could kill the bandits as easily as he had those men that night. Glancing at the determined faces of Ser Gilmore and Alistair, Aonghas could tell the two men were ready to eliminate the bandits. Aonghas wanted to stop and turn around and avoid confronting the bandits, but he knew he had already tried the patience of his fellow warden and the squire with his earlier actions. He felt a confusing need to prove to them both that he was capable of putting the needs of others before his own. The anger he felt about this urge to prove himself caused him to be short and abrupt to the bandits when they confronted them and the ensuing fight left little room for Aonghas to question how he felt about killing more humans, but as Aonghas used his shield to push the bandit leader off of his sword he had to fight his sudden urge to be sick.

Aonghas composed himself quickly and began looting the dead bandit’s bodies with the others watching. Where were his feelings of regret for killing these men? He could hear Ser Gilmore and Alistair talking about feeling better about things now that the bandits were dead, but Aonghas felt nothing as he turned over another body and searched for valuables. He had performed this same action repeatedly on darkspawn and he couldn’t help but feel as if he should feel differently about doing this to humans, but he did not.

That day they killed three more groups of bandits in the surrounding area of Lothering, but nothing more shattered Aonghas’ composure that day. When they settled for sleep at camp that evening the numbness he felt in his mind frightened him. He was beginning to feel a disconnection to things around him, almost as if he was someone outside of himself watching his actions from a distance.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 28 août 2011 - 06:35 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Three: Family

Aonghas stood stretching in the early dawn light and after issuing an overstated yawn he approached Alistair and Ser Gilmore, where the two sat working on their armor and arms. “I need to go and see my cousin. We will meet up in town at midday.”

“Are you sure it is wise to go alone? I could go with you,” offered Ser Gilmore.

“No it is best I go alone, but I will have Majestic with me. I doubt anybody has moved into the area we cleared out just yesterday.”

“Any objections, Alistair,” questioned Ser Gilmore. Aonghas tensed, insulted by Ser Gilmore’s deferring to Alistair, and was ready to insist on going alone; however, Alistair just shook his head in the negative as he wrestled with a damaged buckle. “We’ll see you midday then,” declared Ser Gilmore before moving to help Alistair.

Aonghas glared at the squire’s dismissive tone and turned on his heel abruptly and returned to his gathered gear. Aonghas called Majestic to him and they slipped into the woods to head for the outskirts of Lothering.

Aonghas found the high path on the far side of the lake easily enough after crossing a treacherous natural rock bridge at the town edge of the lake. He only had to ask one boy fishing which way the Hawkes lived. The boy had bluntly told him they were the last house along the path and that he should be careful because the boy had heard tales of the dangers on the pathway. Aonghas chuckled as he and Majestic traveled the path because the boy had seemed to truly believe that something haunted the pathway. Aonghas had passed close to twenty farmsteads before the path turned sharply into the woods and lead him away from the lake a good distance. He passed a couple of smaller homesteads that stood across from each other and he waved back at a young man who waved to him as he passed the homes. Aonghas was surprised to find that just as the boy had stated the path ended at a small home. Aonghas paused to view the small hut and the good sized garden; he could hear some farm animals and could see a small structure looming behind the hut. His long appraisal of the homestead was abruptly interrupted as the same man he had waved to joined him in looking at his cousin’s home.

“You are looking for the Hawkes?” Aonghas turned to look at the grinning man and returned the man’s grin. “Miss Bethany told me to be looking out for you. You must be Aonghas. A bit of excitement happened in the night.”

“The good kind or the bad,” questioned Aonghas?

“Definitely the good kind,” answered the man before gesturing Aonghas to follow him to the hut. “Mistress Leandra and Miss Bethany are beside themselves with joy.”

Aonghas joined the man in walking around the hut to the back yard, where a scene of family bliss awaited. Aonghas stopped and stared as the man moved forward to join a group of neighbors as they gathered chatting. The gathered people didn’t hold Aonghas' attention for long as he spotted Seireadan and Carver sitting one on either side of a woman who could only be their mother, Lady Leandra. Bethany was flitting around them all as she punched Carver in the arm one moment for taking a mug she had brought for Seireadan and the next bringing a new one for the elder brother. Aonghas stared at Leandra the longest as the woman’s smile of joy made his heart ache. So he wasn’t the only one who had survived Ostagar. What were the chances?

Aonghas shook himself and turned to walk away from the happy little domestic scene but Bethany spotted him and cried out his name, “Aonghas!” Aonghas turned back in time to catch her as she flung herself into his arms. “Oh, Aonghas, I am so glad you came! I was afraid you had moved on without visiting! And look! My brothers have returned to us.”

Aonghas continued hugging Bethany as her brothers and mother approached. Aonghas met Carver’s gaze for a brief moment and was struck silent by the look of desperation in his cousin’s eyes. Aonghas avoided Seireadan’s gaze as Leandra took Bethany’s place in hugging him tightly. “We thought you had chosen not to come see us. It is good to see you, Aonghas.” Leandra pulled back and gazed into Aonghas' eyes seeming to search for something but she must have been satisfied with what she found for she stepped back with a smile to allow Carver to clasp Aonghas’ arm.

Carver rested his free hand on Aonghas’ shoulder and met Aonghas gaze and spoke earnestly. “We thought you had been lost with the other wardens. I am glad to see you well. When Bethany and Mother told us you were near by we wanted to go find you. It is good that you have come.” Carver released Aonghas and stepped back to allow for Seireadan to have his turn.

Aonghas stared hard at the ground as he sensed Seireadan move towards him and he stared even harder at his cousin’s boots as the man stood before him. The sudden and unexpected animosity that surged through him took Aonghas by surprise and he had to fight against the urge to throw off his cousin’s touch when the older man grasped Aonghas’ shoulders lightly.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 19 octobre 2011 - 03:37 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Four: Blindly Lashing Out

Aonghas barely realized he had lashed out at his cousin until he felt the knuckles of his right fist split from connecting with his cousin’s jaw bone. He was in shock that he had lashed out at his cousin and couldn’t really figure out why he had, but he didn’t even struggle as Carver roughly grabbed him by his arms and shoved him away from Seireadan. He barely registered Carver’s harsh whisper as he stared at Seireadan who seemed as shocked at his actions as he was himself, “Don’t you dare do that again.”

Aonghas looked around quickly and saw that the gathered people had stopped what they were doing to stare and he felt his face heat up and he tried to pull out of Carver’s grasp and beat a hasty retreat, but Carver refused to release him. Aonghas stopped his struggle immediately when Lady Leandra chastised him, “I don’t know what has happened between the two of you, but I know you were raised better than this, Aonghas.”

Aonghas felt his face burn hotter, but he didn’t avoid her gaze as she frowned at him. Taking a deep breath he begged her forgiveness, “Forgive me, Aunt Leandra. I meant no disrespect to you.” Carver released him as Lady Leandra continued to hold Aonghas’ gaze.

Once released Aonghas stepped forward to face the woman and she touched him lightly on the cheek before speaking. “It is not I you owe an apology to. Can you find the strength within you to give an apology to the one you stuck?” Aonghas wanted to say yes, but he knew it would be a lie. The negative shaking of his head made Leandra sigh dramatically. “Very well, it is best that you and Seireadan take your disagreement into the privacy of our home.”

“It’s alright, Mother. I know what the problem is. I kept Aonghas from going after Fergus.”

“And now it’s too late! I have no way to find him!” Aonghas shocked himself with the depth of anger his accusations held.

“Despite you believing otherwise, you had no way of finding him then.” It took a moment for Aonghas to follow Seireadan’s comments and then he felt a deeper rage at the man’s insinuation that Aonghas wasn’t capable of being successful.

“I am a very capable tracker, Seireadan!”

“But you wouldn’t have been able to survive,” responded his cousin in a calm and slightly mocking tone. “You know nothing of surviving alone in the Wilds.”

“You don’t know that,” Aonghas cried out in anger at Seireadan’s lack of faith in his abilities.

“I notice you don’t deny your lack of skill in survival but instead you are trying to turn it back on me. I know the training you have received and nothing in it suggests that you have gained the skills necessary to survive, especially since you were not a grey warden at the time.”

“I could have found him and saved him,” Aonghas argued weakly.

“You don’t know that, Aonghas. Take being a grey warden and make it your own triumph.”

Aonghas spit on the ground in disgust, “Being a grey warden is no great thing.”

“Being a grey warden is a great honor, Aonghas Cousland!” Aonghas stared at Lady Leandra as she continued, “How could you even speak of them with such disgust? You are part of one of the greatest callings in Thedas and you are not happy?”

“I didn’t want or ask for this. I never wanted to be a warden,” stated Aonghas as calmly as he could.

“We don’t all get to choose our destiny, but yours is one that is worthwhile and honorable,” stated Lady Leandra with conviction.

Aonghas fought against the logic in everything his relatives told him and he spoke sullenly as he realized there was no way they were ever going to see his side of things. “I should go. You all have much to do I’m sure.”

“You are not leaving yet, Aonghas. You will join us for breakfast and tell us more of what has happened to you.” Aonghas wanted to deny Lady Leandra’s demands but his own mother had trained him too well and when she gestured for him to join them he moved to obey without a thought to anything but obedience.

Carver and Bethany kept him busy answering their questions as Aonghas told his tale and then Carver told of his and Seireadan’s escape from Ostagar. Seireadan remained uncharacteristically silent until Aonghas prepared to leave and even then his words seemed carefully thought out. “Be well and safe, Aonghas.”

Aonghas didn’t answer his cousin but gave the man a nod before turning and heading back into town to meet up with his companions.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 19 octobre 2011 - 07:54 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Five: Aggression

Aonghas walked back into Lothering with what could only be considered a less than pleasant attitude. He could see the others surrounding a cage and as he approached he could hear the being within the cage chanting phrases from the Qun. The others moved aside to make room for Aonghas as he made his way closer to the cage; however, Aonghas stopped further away from the cage than he had planned. In silence Aonghas took in the size of the creature and its golden toned dark skin and unusual features. After a short while Aonghas stepped out from where he stood slightly behind and between Alistair and Ser Gilmore and approached the cage, pausing just shy of arms reach from the Qunari, he stared up at the stern looking creature. He noticed the beast did not have horns. Aonghas met the gaze of the giant and it seemed to him that the man-like beast took his measure in the briefest of moments and found him lacking. Aonghas looked away uncomfortably but then raised his chin and glared at the creature, but before Aonghas could speak the Qunari spoke in a deep rumbling voice.

“You aren't one of my captors. I will not amuse you any more than I have the other humans. Leave me in peace.”

In his irritation at the creatures reaction to him Aonghas pretended not to recognize what the Qunari was. “You sure are ugly, what are you?” Behind him Aonghas heard the simultaneous gasps of surprise from Alistair and Ser Gilmore and a soft snort of laughter that could have only come from Morrigan.

The creature met his gaze and Aonghas felt again as if the Qunari had judged him and found him lacking, “A prisoner. I'm in a cage, am I not? I've been placed here by the Chantry. I am Sten of the Beresaad--the vanguard--of the qunari peoples.”

Aonghas and the others questioned Sten a bit longer before moving away from Sten of the Beresaad. Aonghas felt that they should leave Sten to his fate but Alistair spoke up saying. “Qunari are renowned warriors. If we could release him, perhaps he might help us.” Aonghas knew then that Alistair was more than likely right so they made their way quickly to the chantry to ask the Revered Mother to release the prisoner.

Aonghas all but laughed in the woman’s face when she tried to get a tithe out of them and she wasn’t pleased. Aonghas wasn’t surprised she refused to release the prisoner, but as the others turned to walk away Aonghas brought up the subject a second time and once more the Mother refused so Aonghas threatened her and her reaction to his intimidation sent a thrill of pleasure through Aonghas. Morrigan’s amused response almost made Aonghas chuckle but it was followed quickly by Alistair’s demand to not get out of hand. When the Revered Mother questioned what the world had come to for Aonghas to threaten her Alistair spoke up explaining and begged her to give them the key. Aonghas felt a surge of anger at Alistair for interfering, but his anger turned to fury when Alistair answered the woman’s further question about being assaulted if she didn’t hand over the key with a strong “No, your Reverence. I will not allow that to happen.” Aonghas glared at Alistair but the older man ignored him.

“I have more important matters to concern me. Here... take the key to the creature's cage and begone! Do not return.”

Aonghas took the key the woman thrust at him and turned to go and it was then Alistair met his gaze briefly and the look of angry reproach the man shot him gave Aonghas pause. Aonghas stood frozen in fury even as he fought a sudden urge to attack Alistair as the man walked away. Aonghas only moved when Roland gripped his arm and urged him to leave. “We best leave, My Lord.”

They released Sten from the cage and the party moved quickly to their camp outside of Lothering. Aonghas claimed he was expected back at his cousin’s place for the night so he rolled up his bedroll and he and Majestic headed off. Ser Roland Gilmore told him to be careful, but other than that nobody spoke. Aonghas and Majestic settled down in the forest just out of range of hearing from the camp but they could still see the fire in the distance. Aonghas wrapped his arms around Majestic as the hound lay beside him and pressed his face against the hound's and faded into the consciousness of the mabari, his one safe haven from all things. The feeling of safety and security he felt in the consciousness of his hound was just what he needed to fall asleep.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 03 novembre 2011 - 05:26 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Six: Where is Aonghas?

Ser Gilmore was eating his breakfast while watching the sky begin to lighten in preparation for dawn. He could just see the sun peaking over the top of the trees when a mabari, larger than Majestic, appeared at his side. The hound whined and eyed the last piece of his jerky. Ser Gilmore laughed and held out the piece to the hound. The hound took it and gobbled it up quickly.

“Hello, Roland.” The Cousland Squire picked up his sword as he turned his head to the right to stare at the man who stood five paces from him; he hadn’t even heard the man walking into camp. The longish auburn hair of the man glowed nearly red in the sunlight that was streaming down from the top of the tree line, reminding Roland of Eleanor Cousland. The man smirked at him and spoke, “I’m Seireadan Hawke, Aonghas’ cousin; we met as boys. This is my brother, Carver.” Roland looked to where Seireadan gestured and sure enough there was a short haired young man who appeared near Aonghas in age with Seireadan’s same hair and eye colors. He had to guess if Seireadan and Carver had been the same age people would have mistaken them for identical twins. “Where is Aonghas?”

Roland stood in alarm, “What do you mean? He was spending the night at your place.”

A look of concern chased the smirk from Seireadan’s face even as Carver snorted out a mirthless laugh, “Typical.”

“He didn’t spend the night with us, Roland. Which way did he leave from camp?” Ser Roland Gilmore responded instinctively to the sound of command in the older Hawke brother’s voice and he walked to the edge of camp where he remembered Aonghas leaving from. He watched in anticipation as Seireadan squatted and identified the tracks.

“Well, hello. We have visitors?” Alistair’s voice sounded so cheerful and upbeat that Roland smiled.

Ser Gilmore turned to regard Alistair, but before he could speak Carver spoke up. “Blast, if I didn’t know he was dead and if you didn’t look younger, I would have taken you for King Cailan.”

Ser Gilmore started and looked at Alistair more closely and realized that aside from the hair and minor differences in facial features Carver was right. Alistair laughed nervously and spoke, “I’ve gotten that reaction in the past. Trust me I’m no kingly royal. I am the grey warden, Alistair.”

Roland and Carver both laughed but Seireadan stared hard at Alistair in suspicion before speaking, “Aonghas has obviously taken off on his own, Alistair. I’ve found his and Majestic trail. I would like to go look for him on my own. Will you all wait here for me?”

Alistair nodded agreeably and spoke in concern, “I thought he was with your family, but he must have misled us. I hope he hasn’t been injured.”

“I’m sure he’s fine, Alistair.” Seireadan nodded and began following the trail as he spoke, “Coming, Carver?” Roland and Alistair watched the two disappear into the trees before turning to each other.

“You think he just wanted to be alone, Ser Gilmore?” Alistair was staring into the trees with a concentrated look as if he was trying to see or sense Aonghas.

“That would be my guess. I hope we are right, because the alternative isn’t so good.”

Suddenly Alistair took five steps forward and then spun around to grin at the squire, “I’m positive he is fine. Did you leave me any breakfast?”

Ser Gilmore chuckled and teased the man, “You have to get up early to get breakfast.”

“Right, that’s why it’s unlucky for all of the others not to be up before me.” The two laughed as Alistair took a large portion of rations. Ser Gilmore smiled in amusement as Alistair proceeded to inhale the food.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 11 novembre 2011 - 03:00 .