Grey gaurdian. Part 1. Chapter 1.3

Chapter 1.3 Fergus's departure.

Elissa almost ran towards the noise, tapping her heels on the stone floor. In one of the corridors, she almost bumped into a young knight who was also in a hurry.

"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere", The red-haired knight smiled good-naturedly.

"Greetings, Sir Gilmore." Elissa smiled slyly in response.

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry," Gilmore laughed. "I just lost my mind looking for you."

Roland Gilmore had served as a squire at the castle of Couslands since childhood. Having a slight age difference with Elissa, they quickly found a common language and became friends, studying history and fencing with the same mentors. Roland became a constant accomplice to the games and pranks of the young daughter of Teyrn, which adults often turned a blind eye to. The children communicated easily, regardless of their titles, until one day, for reasons unknown to Elissa, Roland changed his first name to the tactful "milady." From then on, Elissa called him "Sir Gilmore." And there was so much resentment in this "sir", after all, she felt well that she was being moved away from her. However, the resentment has passed with age, but the funny game "Who is more polite than whom" has remained to this day.

"It looks like your dog is messing up the kitchen again."

"Yes, I'm afraid Nan's screams can already be heard by the whole castle," Elissa agreed.

"She threatens to leave."

"She's been threatening to do this once a week ever since she was my babysitter. He's just letting off steam," came the clatter of dishes, "... but let's hurry up anyway."

On the way, Elissa told Roland about the Grey Warden. Gilmore was overjoyed. He intended to pass the test at all costs and enter the order. Elissa was a little upset that he was ready to leave so easily, but seeing how happy her friend was, she just wished him luck. But Duncan said that she was also suitable....

* * *

The sun had already disappeared behind the tall towers of the castle, when Elissa, standing on the fortress wall, watched the line of warriors leaving to the south. Her older brother rode at their head on a horse. She was proud that her father was leaving Highever to her, but if she had been offered a choice...

"I wish I could go with you."

"Yes, it's a pity. It will be difficult to kill all the creatures of darkness alone." Fergus grinned, and Elissa poked him in the shoulder.

"Don't laugh."

"I'm not laughing, sis. I would really like to fight with you shoulder to shoulder, but what can I do? Another time. Protect everyone here, and don't go anywhere until I get back."

Elissa sighed and hugged herself. Fergus felt from afar that he was being watched, turned around and raised his hand in farewell. Elissa waved back. She wanted to go.

"Your father and brother have their own duty. You and I have our own," her mother told her.

A huge, toothy Mabari dog with smooth light brown fur whined nearby. He poked his wet nose into the hostess's leg, trying to cheer her up. Elissa stroked the dog's head and scratched him behind the ear. Mabari closed his eyes in pleasure and stuck out his tongue. The girl took another look at the soldiers leaving to defend the country without her, and sighed again. Finally, when all the soldiers had left the fortress, she descended from the wall, wished the passing guards a good evening, and went to her room.

Be polite to everyone. There is no shame in thanking and apologizing to anyone. No matter how high their position, people will judge them by their deeds. She is the heir of one of the two remaining Teyrnir in Ferelden. Only the royal family is above them. That's why she has to take care of those who have entrusted their lives to her. Duty comes first, that's what she was taught.

The Grey Guard watched the girl until she disappeared into one of the castle passageways. Thairn and Earl were still discussing the upcoming war, and Duncan went out for a minute to get some fresh air. The plague was gaining strength in the south, and the Grey Wardens were needed now more than ever, but still he was plagued by doubts.

When the Guard returned to the lords, they were sitting in chairs and drinking wine. The conversation seems to have reached a dead end.

"Does your daughter have a fighting wolfhound?" Duncan asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, I brought him back as a puppy. She had never been so happy with any gift. The elder sulked for a long time when the wolfhound chose her", Teyrn cheered up. He was always filled with pride when he talked about his children.

"What's the use of mabari if he's not trained to fight?" Howe noticed, it seems, and he was tired of discussing one war.

"Don't tell me. She diligently trained him in hunting and tournaments. They've been in real combat, too."

"Really? You didn't tell me, my lord," the Earl leaned forward.

"A year ago, Elissa, Oriana, and little Oren rode in a carriage for a long walk. They were attacked by bandits in the woods, God damn them. The daughter did not wait for rescue in the carriage, ordered the wolfhound to guard the door and grab the throat of anyone who pokes in there, and she went out to protect the carriage from the outside. She killed three people! And she was sixteen at the time. That day, I thanked the Creator for the fact that my family returned unharmed, and also gave a whole purse of gold to Elissa's fencing mentor.

"Impressive," Duncan mused.

Thairn's smile faded immediately. He got up from his chair and looked at the Guard seriously.

"However, we weren't talking about my daughter." He said, as if suspecting that Duncan was about to take his cub away.

"Yes, we said that King Kaylan called the Orlesians to our lands, whom we drove out with such difficulty thirty years ago", Earl How returned to the original topic.

"My Lord, King Kaylan has summoned the Grey Guards from Orlais, and the Guards have no nationality. Their main goal is to fight the Plague," Duncan said.

"And what about the legion of chevaliers that will come after them?" How persisted.

"If there is a pestilence, we will need any help." Bryce Cousland intervened. "Orley is not the same as before. There is now an empress on his throne, who, as I have heard, does not want a war with Ferelden."

"She can say whatever she wants, but Orlesians are Orlesians. If it is possible to defeat the darkspawn on our own, there is no need to invite enemies to our lands."

"I'm afraid our strength alone won't be enough." Duncan remarked tactfully.

"That's how? Then what do the Grey Guards do? That's their job, isn't it?" Rendon Howe continued.

"There are too few of us in Ferelden."

"Because you were exiled two hundred years ago, and for good reason."

"How, that's enough! I will not allow you to speak ill of the Grey Guards in my house!" Earl broke off, put down a goblet of wine and rubbed his eyes.

"I beg your pardon, my lord. I'm probably tired. If you'll excuse me, we'll continue this conversation tomorrow, when my people arrive. Now I would like to talk about more pleasant things."

"You're right. We haven't seen each other for a long time, and we only talk about the war. You see, years will pass, and we won't even notice."

"That's right, my friend, that's right."

Commentary on Chapter 1. Before the Storm

*Thedas chronology dates from the year of the ascension to the throne of the first High Priestess of the Church of the Creator and is divided into centuries. The priestess names the new age according to the signs revealed in the last year. It is now the 30th year of the ninth century.

**Stubble (common name) is the 10th month out of twelve according to the church calendar of Thedas.

Collage for the chapter about Elissa:

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