It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. – Alan Cohen
Chasing Dax down was always a chore and by the time she caught up with him he was happily gnawing on a bone given to him by an Ashe Warrior. Evelyn shook her head as she approached and looked at the man, “I am sorry for any trouble he’s caused you.”
“No trouble at all. He’s a fine mabari.” He replied then moved to tend to his own hound.
Evelyn had heard of the Ashe Warriors from Ser Jean and how they treasured their hounds in a fight. She pet Dax thinking about the danger she was putting him in and sighed a bit. He just chomped away at the bone, pulling the bits of meat off it with his front teeth. She straightened herself out then looked around, “Well…Dax take that bone to where Duncan is and stay there.”
Dax seemed to ignore her as he cracked the end of the bone with his back teeth. Evelyn raised her brow and put her hands on her hips, “You hear me?”
A whine confirmed he did and he got up. With a toss of the bone in his mouth he trotted off towards the Wardens’ camp. Evelyn shook her head and went to take a look around hoping to find a bit to eat. As she walked she saw two large tents adjacent to each other. She recognized the royal banner but the other she didn’t. As she approached the King’s tent she looked at the guard who just watched her carefully. She just smiled a little then headed off to the other tent where the guard there was a bit more abrasive.
“Move along.” He ordered.
Evelyn raised her brow at him, “Pardon?”
“I said move along.” He repeated in an annoyed tone.
She wasn’t used to being ordered around by a guard and it showed in her eyes as she stared at the guard. He just stared right back at her. Her hands moved to her hips, “Whose tent is this anyway?”
“Teryn Loghain.” He answered and narrowed his eyes at her. His grip on his halberd seemed to tighten.
Loghain eh? Lets see who this guy is…“I wish an audience with the Teryn.” Evelyn shifted her weight as she moved her hands from her hips only to cross her arms over her chest. She casually looked at her fingernails, “Make it quick.”
The guard seemed a bit baffled by her request and studied her carefully. She was no ordinary woman. She seemed high born and not the regular soldier. He eyed her again then grumbled, “Stay here…I suppose you have something important to tell the Teryn.”
Evelyn grinned as she watched the guard disappear into the tent. She could hear some words but they were muffled. The tone sounded a bit annoyed and angry but shortly after the exchange out came a man with dark hair and piercing blue-grey eyes. If she was the timid sort she would have probably shrunk under him then ran off but it wasn’t her nature. She noticed his armor was Orlaisian and wondered why he would wear such a relic. Her eyes met with his and he seemed to raise his brow at her.
“Oh…you must be the new recruit Calian has been talking about.” Loghain said as if it was nothing. He studied her closer, “I heard of what Calian promised to you. I’m sure Howe will get what he deserves.”
Her eyes flickered a bit with anger but she controlled it. She couldn’t help but felt nothing of a disregard towards her family. Her anger faded slowly though her eyes showed determination to see justice served. Loghain took note of it but showed no emotion that indicated he approved of her.
“I am sure justice will be served to Arl Howe for his betrayal.” Evelyn said calmly as she stood her ground.
Loghain remained passive and changed the subject, “I’m sure as a Grey Warden you’ll be fighting alongside Calian?”
“I do not know.” Evelyn replied honestly and kept her eyes on his. Despite her age she wasn’t afraid of him but she did respect him for what he had done for Ferelden.
“If Calian has his way you will be. Now if you’ll excuse me there is a battle to be planned.” Loghain turned and headed back into his tent without even a backwards glance. The guard reassumed his post and gestured for Evelyn to move along.
She sighed then wandered around a bit longer. There were many soldiers seeking the blessing from the Chantry Sisters. She stood to watch the preaching. To her it seemed like a lie after losing everything she loved. Her
eyes shifted away from the blond preaching to the soldiers about the Maker and his bride Andraste. She spotted the Circle of Magi’s camp and figured it wouldn’t hurt to wander over there to see what was going on. There was an elderly woman standing off to the side watching the sermon that caught Evelyn’s attention.
“Erm...Hello?” Evelyn said not sure of the woman was a mage at first but after seeing the staff she had her confirmation. She hadn’t really seen mages before and wondered what they were doing here.
“Hello there.” The woman answered and smiled a bit, “You must be the new Grey Warden everyone is talking about.”
Evelyn blinked a bit, “I have a following already?”
The woman chuckled then smiled, “I am Wynne, senior mage of the circle.”
“I am Evelyn. Pleased to meet you, Wynne.” Evelyn offered her hand in a friendly gestured.
Wynne shook it and noted the manners and smiled, “Pleased to meet you as well. I take it you have faced the darkspawn before?”
Evelyn shook her head, “No, I haven’t.”
“Horrible creatures.” Wynne said as she looked at Evelyn.
“Have you?” Evelyn asked curiously as she watched Wynne’s reaction.
Wynne just nodded, “Only stragglers from time to time. I haven’t been part of a battle like this before. We can only hope it will go well.”
“Isn’t that what the Sisters are here for? To preach to us about the Maker so we have hope?” Evelyn didn’t sound like she believed it herself but she had to ask.
Wynne could tell there was a hidden pain but didn’t feel it was her place to question Evelyn. Instead she smiled warmly, “Hope is all we have in these dark times, but I think Duncan meant for you to do something other than talk to me.”
Evelyn just nodded and walked away from Wynne feeling that she probably should have kept her mouth shut. She was approaching the armory and saw a man trying to sweet talk a woman. Hearing the conversation nearly made Evelyn laugh but she kept quiet as she observed.
“I’ll take that as a no…Suit yourself then.” The man ended and watched as the woman walked away with an annoyed look. He turned around and looked a bit miffed when he saw Evelyn. His expression went from down on his luck to hello beautiful. Evelyn raised her brow at him, “Struck out eh?”
“Nah she wants me.” He said coolly before looking her over and realized she was the new recruit, “Hm well you’re not what I thought you’d be.”
Evelyn couldn’t believe he just said that, “And you wonder why woman flee from you?”
“That’s not what I meant…I mean you’re a woman.” He stammered.
“Shall I get you a shovel?” Evelyn shot back to him and crossed her arms over her chest.
He grinned a bit and was blushing, “Sorry that’s really not what I meant…It’s just that from what I’ve heard and seen.” He held his hand out, “I’m Daveth.”
She took his hand and shook it firmly then squeezed, “Evelyn.”
“So…Have you heard anything about the Joining?” Daveth asked as he withdrew his hand and tried not to shake it from the slight pain. Once he relaxed he looked at her awaiting her answer.
“Not really.” Evelyn admitted, “Do you?”
Daveth looked at her seriously, “Well I was sneaking around camp last night and heard that we’re getting sent into the Wilds. All the secrecy is making my nose twitch.”
“Paranoid aren’t we?” Evelyn grinned, “Even if they do send us into the Wilds like you heard why worry?”
“The Wilds are not a place to let your guard down. There are Chasind and the Witch of the Wilds…” Daveth replied with a hint of worry in his voice.
Evelyn just shook her head, “Well I’m not worried.”
“You sound like that knight…Well I better head back to Duncan. See you later.” Daveth said as he walked off and glanced back at her for a moment.
She raised her brow at him curiously and thought he was a bit jittery for being a recruit. Her head shook and she wandered up to see what was there. There were injured soldiers here and one in particular was out of control. He
looked as if he had gone insane and she felt pity for him. Whatever the darkspawn were it was enough to drive someone to insanity it seemed. Her thoughts were distracted by the preaching of another Sister and she looked to see that the gathering was knights rather than soldiers. She approached slowly and listened before the priestess turned to her smiling.
“Are you seeking the blessing of the Maker, Grey Warden?”
Okay this is creeping me out…Did Duncan just send a sketch of me while I was asleep to these people?Evelyn was put on the spot and she sighed a bit before nodding, “Please.” She knelt down and accepted the blessing though her heart wasn’t in it. Slowly she stood then noticed one of the knights looking at her. She tilted her head a bit and approached him, “Something you need?”
“Um no.” He replied then stared at her again, “You’re not what I was expecting.”
Evelyn clenched her hands into fists then let it go before she raised her brow, “Okay that’s the second time I’ve heard that phrase…So let me just spell this out…Yes I am a woman and I can handle myself rather well thank you very much.”
“I meant no offense.” He said and frowned, “I am Ser Jory from Highever.”
“Highever?” Evelyn repeated and frowned as she looked at him. She didn’t know there was another from her home here aside from Fergus’s men who weren’t at the camp anyway. Her eyes studied him and she thought she recognized him but she felt like an idiot for not being able to figure out where she saw him.
He looked at her confused, “Something wrong, my lady?”
“Sorry…It’s just I wasn’t expecting to see anyone from Highever.” Evelyn looked at him, “I am Evelyn Cousland.”
Ser Jory blinked then bowed his head, “My ladyship…”
Evelyn shook her head, “Please…” She touched his shoulder, “It is unnecessary Ser Jory.” Her voice seemed to quiver and he looked at her unsure of what to make of the situation. She heard him clear his throat before she
removed her hand, “Much has changed in Highever. We will talk about it later.”
“Of course, my lady. I will return to camp for now.” Ser Jory bowed a bit before taking his leave.
Once he was gone Evelyn looked around again before head back the way she had come. She wasn’t allowed in the army camp for whatever reason and felt that it was probably some order given by Duncan. As she passed some hanging cages she heard something.
“Psst…You…”
Her eyes scanned around until she spotted a man in a cage in nothing more than his underwear. She wondered what he had done to deserve such a punishment. The fact that he was trying to get her attention piqued her interest and she moved towards the cage, “Yes?”
“Got any food for a poor soul?” He asked hoarsely.
“Heh…Sorry but I’m looking for food myself.” Evelyn replied and saw him frown. From the look of it he had gone days without food or water, perhaps longer. He didn’t appear to be wounded but with all the dirt on him it was hard
to tell. She tried not to gag at the smell and sighed a little before starting to move, “Sorry I can’t help.”
“Wait! Please!” He begged and fell to his knees. The man was broken in spirit and she pitied him more.
She stopped and decided it wouldn’t hurt to listen to him some more. He looked at her then gestured to the guard, “I know he has some food. Perhaps you can get him to give me a bit? He stashed it away in his pocket. I can make it worth your while…”
“Worth my while? You think you have to bribe me?” Evelyn sounded amused at the thought then shrugged, “Well let’s hear it.”
“I have this key you see…It unlocks the chest over there by the tranquil fellow.” He said with a look that almost told her he was proud of that fact.
She couldn’t help but be more curious, “I see…And how did you hide this key?”
“Swallowed it.” He grinned then showed her the key, “Just got it back actually…A bit unpleasant.”
Ew…I think I won’t need to eat after all.“I’m sure it was…” Evelyn replied while trying not to look grossed out. She cleared her throat, “So you want food from the guard and in exchange I get the key that’s supposed to open that chest?”
“You got it lass.” He said with a nod and a smile.
Evelyn grinned a bit, “What if the key doesn’t work?”
“Well…I haven’t thought of that.” He admitted and sat back, “You see I lifted this here key from a mage. He was drunk so I just tried my luck. I was gunna take the contents of the chest but was caught and here I am. They call me a deserter.”
“So I see…What did you plan on doing after looting?” She asked plainly and crossed her arms.
“Well I was gunna leave.” He said then bah’d at himself for being so forthcoming with his plan.
Evelyn smirked a little, “Ah the truth. As much as I dislike those who would abandon their post I don’t see how it’s justice to starve a man.” She moved away from the cage to speak with the guard. He looked slightly peeved and was muttering to himself when Evelyn approached him, “Excuse me I’d like to talk to you about the man in that cage.”
“What about him? He’s a deserter.” He snapped.
She used her charm to soothe the guard, “Well I had a chat with him actually…”
“Bet it wasn’t much of a conversation.” He laughed then looked at Evelyn directly. The blue eyes he noticed quickly then the reddish hair. A pretty lass in the camp. He cleared his throat.
“He said he hasn’t had food or water for days.” Evelyn said softly as she frowned, “Even if the man is a deserter he shouldn’t be left to starve…”
The guard raised his brow, “Starve? Ha! His head should be on a pike for the others to see.”
“Oh that’s not what you really think is it? Here is a man who’s going to be spending his days watching a battle while starving. You could at least spare him a little bit of food. It might keep him quiet.” Evelyn smiled a little
letting a glimmer of hope show in her eyes. A hope that he would fall for her ploy to give her the food.
“Oh fine!” He grumbled then handed over a handkerchief that held some bread along with dried meat. “If anyone asks why he’s burping I’m blaming you.”
Evelyn smiled as she took it, “You have a good heart.” She didn’t wait for his response and walked back to the cage. The man looked at her hoping for the food. She showed him the bread and jerky, “Here.”
“Thank the Maker! You’re truly a good lass.” He smiled as he took the food and then handed her the key, “Deal is a deal.”
She let the key drop into the handkerchief then wrapped it up for safe keeping, “May the Maker watch over you, ser.” She wave a mock salute then went on her way. It seemed to make her feel better to help him out. She was reminded of her youth and for a moment a genuine smile played over her lips. Without even knowing it she had wandered into part of the ruins thanks to her distracted thoughts. The sound of arguing broke her from the trance and she found herself looking at two men bickering.
As Evelyn got closer she saw that one of the men was a mage and the other was a young man she wasn’t too sure about. The conversation came to an abrupt end as the mage stormed off and the young man saw her then with a roguish grin walked towards her, “You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together.”
She noticed his blond hair, hazel eyes and great physique. Overall he was rather handsome and he seemed to be the type that knew it too. Her eyes met with his and she noticed his curious expression. She coughed a little then responded to his supposed joke, “I’m sorry, what?”
He seemed to smile a little, “Nevermind. You must be the Grey Warden Duncan told us about. I am Alistair the newest Grey Warden.”
“Ah so you’re Alistair.” Evelyn mused and felt something familiar about him. She looked at his eyes again and couldn’t think straight. She smiled a little, “I am Evelyn.”
She offered her hand as a formal greeting and he looked at her before taking it. There was something when they touched. Her brow raised slightly as she shook his hand then pulled her hand back. He nodded a bit, “You know…It never occurred to me that there aren’t many female Grey Wardens…Why is that?”
Oh great him too?“So you want more women in the Grey Wardens?” Evelyn looked at him as she put a hand on her hip. She was amused to see his reaction as he quickly stood up straight then started to ramble.
“I was just saying that it would be nice to see more of them not that I’m a lecher or anything…Don’t look at me like that…” He cleared his throat and blushed just a little.
Evelyn laughed a little then shook her head before she changed the subject more for his benefit than her own, “So what was that about?”
“Oh you mean the mage? I was delivering a message from the Revered Mother. You see I used to be a Templar.” Alistair replied as he walked with Evelyn out of the ruins, “I guess she figured it was sort of a joke to send me…Lucky me.”
“So you’re a Templar? A mage hunter?” Evelyn asked as she looked at him curiously.
He glanced at her, “Well I never took my vows. Duncan conscripted me.”
“Ah.” Evelyn replied, “Um so what exactly is your duty again?”
“Oh I get to go with you into the Wilds.” Alistair grinned boyishly.
Evelyn didn’t have a good feeling about that and wrinkled her nose, “So you’re playing our nanny then…Wonderful. I leave Highever to be left in the hands of a nanny.”
“I’ll try not to embarrass you.” Alistair quipped and seemed to have found someone who could dish as well as take. He smirked to himself a bit then glanced at her again thinking she looked familiar for a second. It wasn’t until she glanced over her shoulder at him with a raised brow he noticed he had stopped walking. He just shrugged and caught up.
“Admiring the view?” Evelyn whispered to him.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Alistair replied with a serious look though she notice his eyes told her otherwise.
She shook her head as they reached Duncan’s camp. He looked relived to see them, “Ah I see you found Alistair. Now we can continue with the Joining that is if Alistair is done roughing up mages…”
“I’m sorry, Duncan. The revered Mother asked me to take the message to the mage.” Alistair frowned and looked down. He almost reminded Evelyn of a puppy.
“So she put up you to sassing the mage did she?” Duncan asked as he raised his brow. “Alistair we must try to keep peace. Try to remember that.”
Evelyn wanted to speak up but she held her tongue. She gave Alistair a sympathetic look before all attention was back on Duncan. He looked at each of them, “There is a task for each of you in order to complete the Joining. You
are to go into the Kocari Wilds to retrieve vials of darkspawn blood for each of you.”
“Vials of blood?” Evelyn asked as she looked at Duncan confused, “We need their blood? Isn’t it poisonous?”
“That it is, but it is part of the Joining.” Duncan said in a serious tone, “You will see why when we prepare for the Joining but there is another task you need to accomplish in the Wilds.” He turned to the fire, “Somewhere in the
Wilds there is an old Grey Warden fortress. It is probably ruins by now but in those ruins lies something very important.”
“Such as?” She raised her brow wondering why the Wardens would leave something important behind in the Wilds to begin with.
“They are old treaties that the Wardens can use to call upon allies to fight against the Blight.” Duncan replied and turned to look at her, “There is a protective seal on them that only a Warden can break. We need these treaties.”
“I don’t understand why we would leave something important like that behind.” Alistair said and seemed uneasy about the task. He looked at Duncan but didn’t question him further.
“So we basically need to fetch blood and get these treaties? Sounds…easy enough…” Evelyn didn’t like this but there wasn’t much she could do about it, “Um where do we look for the treaties?”
“Alistair will know what to look for. He’ll be guiding you.” Duncan replied.
All eyes shifted to Alistair who just smiled then muttered to himself, “No pressure…”
“Well what are we waiting for?” Evelyn said as she moved away from the fire. Dax was following behind her wagging his tail in anticipation. She paused hearing him panting then looked at him, “Sorry, Dax, but I think it’s best that you stay here. Duncan need guarding.”
“Ha!” Daveth laughed then walked up to Evelyn, “Duncan is a fast old bugger. I doubt he needs protecting…You on the other hand…” He grinned before the sound of a growl got his attention, “Nevermind.”
Evelyn grinned then knelt down, “Good boy.” She rubbed his ears, “Stay here and be a good boy. Duncan will watch you ok?”
Dax whined a little then barked before running back to Duncan. Evelyn slowly stood up and walked towards the gate that blocked the way to the Wilds. As the group approached the gate the guard perked up, “I hear you all are heading to the Wilds. Good luck. Maker watch over you.”
He opened up the gates and they slowly moved past them. Evelyn heard the gates close and she glanced back seeing Dax’s muzzle peering through the slants of wood. He barked at her and wagged his tail as if it wish her luck. She smiled then heard Daveth, “You coming?”
“Daveth it’s not polite to yell at a lady.” Jory chastised as he moved ahead.
Daveth shrugged and moved on with Jory. Alistair watched as Evelyn joined them and moved past him. He smiled a bit, “Well let’s get this over with.”
Modifié par tallon1982, 16 janvier 2010 - 02:55 .
Anyway enjoy. I hope I haven't butchered this too much. This is my first time writing like this.
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