Grey gaurdian. Part 1. Chapter 1.2

Chapter 1.2 The Grey Guardian.

Elissa didn't even notice that someone was waiting for them at the other end of the room. A man with the image of a warrior in armor and with a weapon. His dark hair was pulled tightly into a ponytail, his temples were silvered with gray, the lower part of his face was covered with a thick beard, and deep wrinkles lay around his attentive brown eyes. Judging by the dark color of his skin, he could have been from Rivain or had ancestors from there. Elissa had never met such people before.

He approached Thairn and bowed his head politely. I am honored to be your guest, Thairne Cousland.

"Duncan is the Grey Guardian," Bryce introduced him. "We rarely get the chance to see members of their order. Little wolf, I hope Teacher Aldous told you who they are."

Legendary warriors who flew into battle on griffins, fought monsters and saved people from darkness. True, the griffins are now extinct, the Gray Guards have only a coat of arms left of them, but this part in fairy tales has so far been the most beloved for children. But instead, Elissa just said:

This is an order of great warriors who defeated the darkspawn four hundred years ago.

"I'm afraid that victory wasn't final," Duncan replied. "No more than three weeks ago, we noticed that a whole horde was gathering in the south of the Korkari Wilderness. Fortunately, King Kaylan heeded our warnings and raised an army."

"That's where we're going. To the fortress of Ostagar," Teyrn confirmed. "Duncan will be here for a while and will look for recruits for the order. I think he's noticed Sir Gilmour."

"My Lord, I don't want to be impertinent, but your daughter could also be suitable", The Guard cautiously remarked.

Teyrn's good mood instantly evaporated, he stood between his daughter and the Gray Guardian and said sternly:

"It may be honorable, but we're talking about my daughter."

"My friend," Howe interjected, "you said yourself that the Grey Wardens are heroes."

"I don't have so many children that I send them all to war," Kusland stood his ground, "so, Duncan, if you don't intend to resort to the Right of Conscription..."

"You have nothing to worry about," the Guardian replied conciliatingly. "Even if we need people, I won't force anyone."

Thairn relaxed and turned to his daughter:

"Little wolf, make sure that Duncan doesn't need anything in my absence." Elissa nodded. "And now we need to discuss how best to fight in the south, so go upstairs, wait for your brother and tell him to lead the army to Ostagar without me."

"Where's Fergus?"

"He's probably with the soldiers now, but I'm sure he'll go upstairs later. He won't leave until he says goodbye to Oriana and my grandson. So go ahead."

Thairn spoke to Earl Howe again and bent over the map on the table. Duncan wasn't involved in the conversation yet, and Elissa motioned for him to take a few steps back and asked quietly:

"Did you really come here for Sir Gilmour?"

"There aren't many decent candidates in all of Ferelden. I wrote to your father asking him to look for recruits here, and he invited me, suggesting this Sir Gilmore."

"And what will you do?"

"I'll test him. If he doesn't fit, I'll head south at once and join the king. The battles with the darkspawn have already begun."

"Can you test me?" Elissa looked meekly from under her brows.

Duncan smiled.

"To be honest, I've heard of you. They say you are skilled and eager to fight. The Guardians would love to have you in their ranks, but I will not go against your father's wishes. Although ancient treaties give me the Right to Conscription, which is more important than even a royal decree, we try not to apply it. Our order is too small to recklessly incur the wrath of the Ferelden aristocracy."

"I'm not asking for that, I'm just asking for a test."

"Well, with great joy. If you'd like, we can talk about recruitment later, when your father and Earl are gone."

"Actually, I'm still here," Thairn called over his shoulder.

"I just offered to satisfy the other person's curiosity," Duncan smiled.

Elissa glanced back at her father and Earl, who were talking, and lowered her voice:

"Is it really that serious in the south?"

"It's hard to say," the Guard said thoughtfully. "In previous battles, victory was easy for us. Some even believe that this is not a Plague, but just a major raid by darkspawn.

"What's the difference?"

"The plague begins when the creatures of darkness find the archdemon underground and awaken him. It is he who leads them to the surface to destroy and contaminate all living things. Without the archdemon, they are scattered and not so dangerous."

"There was no mention of any dragons." Hou replied, looking up from the map.

"My Lord, the archdemon has not been seen yet, but I feel in my heart that it is a Pestilence."

"And the king agrees with you, since he's raising an army?" Elissa asked.

"The King listens to the Grey Guards," How interjected again. "I have heard that he is fascinated by the legends of your order and therefore indulges you in everything."

"How, those are unworthy words," Thairn said sternly.

"He only repeats what he has heard from others." Duncan said matter-of-factly. "Whatever the reason for the King's support, I will accept it. Our main goal is to stop the Plague."

"Earl How, you don't seem to have a high opinion of King Kailan, but you fought for his father in the past," Elissa addressed Earl.

"And Kaylan is far from him, which is a pity."

"I've heard that King Kaylan is a good man. Don't you think so?"

"You never know what I think of him," Earl shrugged, "if only he would think more often."

"Hey, stop it! He is our king!" Thairn raised his voice.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, but the girl asked herself." Hou said softly, "according to the freedom of action you've given her. I was just expressing my opinion."

"Little wolf, I thought I told you to go upstairs." Thairn looked at his daughter urgently.

Elissa turned to Duncan.

"But I wanted to..."

"You'll have time for that later... and by the way, do I hear a dog barking from the kitchen?"

Everyone fell silent at once. Elissa listened and heard barking, the clatter of dishes, and the painfully familiar swearing.

"Oh-oh. I'm sorry," she nodded goodbye to Duncan and Earl and quickly left the main hall.