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Dragon Age: The Grey Guardian
Автор: Акили
Description:
The Last Plague ended four hundred years ago. People sincerely believed that the creatures of darkness had been defeated forever. However, at 9:30 of the Age of the Dragon, the legendary order of the Grey Guards once again sounds the alarm and predicts a new Plague in the kingdom of Ferelden. The commander of the Grey Guards, in search of a recruit for the order, finds himself on the threshold of Highever's castle.
(a book adaptation of this gorgeous game)
Dedication:
To those who fell in love with this world and had a good time there with their friends. Now it's time to collect them again and go back there again.
Special thanks to Danil Koutsev, who encouraged me during the work, as well as to the modders Tinimaus, SarahCousland, DahliaLynn, Kajana for inspiration.
Author's notes:
— This work is an unofficial novelization of the computer game Dragon Age: Origins and is written as a tribute to this legendary creation.
— Those who have never heard of Dragon Age can freely read this work as an ordinary book.
— The work reflects only the main storyline without secondary quests, but with additional episodes from me, so there is a "Missed scene" in the genres. By definition, this work is fanfiction anyway.
— I have carefully studied the universe through computer and role-playing games, books, the encyclopedia "The World of Tedas", the dragonage.wikia website, interviews with screenwriters — that is, a lot of research work has been done on the world, therefore...
— ...The canon is God here, but I am the queen. AU and OOS are our worst enemies. However, some of the canonical scenes have been slightly changed due to the prose format.
— I was playing the game in Russian voice acting, but I got to know the original game in the process and tried to bring everything to a common denominator.
— My character: Elissa Kusland. I really love her story, I hope you will too.
— In the comments, please, no spoilers. There are also those who are not familiar with the plot of the game.
Элисса: https://vk.com/photo-90036768_456239608
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Карта всего Тедаса (на всякий случай): https://pp.userapi.com/c849020/v849020504/8c57b/ikd3WJVmylw.jpg
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The Prologue
Sometimes it is difficult to separate the truth from what has become a legend. And when the legend concerns the Grey Guards, all their deeds are all the more like fairy tales that make children forget their fun and listen in awe, and young people are inspired to do great things. The founding of the order became a legend, as did what happened before it.
There was once a mighty Tevinter empire that stretched across almost the entire Thedas continent. Its inhabitants worshipped Ancient Gods, intelligent dragons, who bestowed power and protection on their worshippers. Temples were erected in their honor and festivals were held.
They say there were seven of them.: The God of Silence is Dumat, the God of Chaos is Zazikel, the God of Fire is Thoth, the God of Slaves is Andoral, the God of Beauty is Urtemiel, the God of Mystery is Razikal and the God of Night is Lusakan. They taught their charges magic and promised power to those who worshipped them.
One day, the first priest of the God Dumat heard his whisper in the dark. The Dragon called to enter the Shadow in the flesh — the kingdom of dreams, spirits and souls — and in the very heart of the Shadow — the Golden City — to sit on the empty divine throne. Then the priest will gain unprecedented power. The other Gods promised their priests the same thing, and so the seven mortals, at the cost of terrifying sacrifices, tore the veil between the world of the living and the Shadow and entered the Golden City. But they did not see their patrons, but saw the Creator on the golden throne — the true Creator of the world.
He told them who they had been worshipping until now — false Gods, and as soon as the feet of the priests touched the Creator's domain, the Hail turned black and collapsed. The Creator, in anger, threw people back into the mortal world, turning their bodies into an ugly likeness of their souls, desecrated and hungry only for the destruction of the creatures of darkness.
The priests, having set foot on the ground, began to infect all living things with filth and went underground to demand from the Ancient Gods an answer for their deception and betrayal. They found Dumat, but as soon as they touched him, the taint of their bodies infected the Ancient God.
The dragon awoke, shook himself, spread his wings and rushed skyward, leading the legion to the surface from the darkness. Then the Plague began. For almost two hundred years it raged, it almost wiped out races, cities and empires. Armies of humans, elves, and dwarves gathered more than once and fought back, but the dragon, nicknamed the archdemon, always returned.
And then the Grey Guards came. Battle-hardened warriors of all races and classes tamed the evil and used it to defeat the archdemon. They sacrificed everything to save the world and won. Dumat was defeated, and the darkspawn that followed him disappeared deep underground.
Since then, there have been three more Plagues, three tainted Ancient Gods, and each time humanity has been led to victory by the Grey Guards. That's how the legends of great heroes were born.
Four hundred years have passed since the last one.
People have forgotten both the dangers and their rescuers, but the Guards are always on duty. Perhaps darkness is coming to earth again right now, which means it's time for a new legend. Sometimes it's hard to separate the truth from it. And when the legend concerns the Grey Guards, all their deeds are all the more like fairy tales.
I'm not going to tell a legend, but a story about people.
Komm:
https://pp.userapi.com/c849128/v849128534/180501/TWEohaeGo-E.jpg
Chapter 1.1 Duncan arrived at Highever.
9:30 of the Age of the Dragon*.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds and the crimson crowns of the trees. Small drops fell from the leaves and disappeared into the yellowed grass. After the rain, the forest smelled of moss and earth. Despite the beginning of the stubble season, the air still felt pleasantly cool in calm weather.
Duncan walked along the manicured path to the castle, whose tall stone towers were already visible on the horizon. It was only an hour and a half by horse from the city on the direct road here, but Duncan decided to walk. The hunting grounds of the Highever Tarn were indeed worth a look, but Duncan was on his way to the castle on business, so even though he admired the forest and hills, he did not deviate from the direct path.
Soon, the path turned into a cobblestone road. The majestic fortress of gray and white stone stretched out in all its glory ahead, and the sun was sinking to the west and almost touched the spire of the tallest tower.
The guards at the outer gate of the fortress noticed from afar a swarthy man in combat attire, with a sword on his belt and a pair of daggers on his back. They gripped their spears tighter, ready to stop the intruder if he tried to pass without asking, but the man stopped himself and greeted warmly:
"I welcome you. My name is Duncan. I am Commander of the Grey Guards of Ferelden. I recently wrote to your Teyrn about my request, and he kindly invited me to his castle. Does Knight Sir Roland Gilmore serve here?"
One guard nodded and disappeared through the gate, the second guard kindly invited the guest to proceed to the courtyard of the fortress. Duncan glanced briefly at the laurel wreath carved into the stone above the gate and entered the open door. There he was asked to wait until he was reported to Thairn.
Duncan was left alone, looking around the bustling courtyard. As in the city, preparations for a long hike were in full swing here. Elf and human servants scurried back and forth with armfuls of things, passing baskets and travel bags. Several dozen soldiers and knights lined up in even ranks, their commanders called the roll and gave instructions.
Along with the clatter of the marchers, the sighs of those who came to see off their relatives and the voices of curious children who climbed the walls to watch the solemn action could be heard. A few boys even tried to slip into the soldiers' ranks along with the warriors, but they were quickly chased away and urged not to interfere. Soon these soldiers will go south to defend their country, and not from anyone but from the formidable creatures of darkness.
Duncan took a few steps along the bridge leading deep into the fortress, under which there were wooden and stone buildings from various warehouses and servants' houses to the armory and barracks. Hearing the clink of steel and the nearby sounds of battle, the Guard craned his neck and peered over the wall of one of them.
On the sand training ground, two knights were fighting within a fenced circle. At least that's what Duncan thought from their armor. Both had the same symbol on their shields that he had seen above the gate, a laurel wreath that looked like two wings— the symbol of the house of Teyrn.
One knight was noticeably smaller than his opponent, but he fought with him on equal terms, and even surpassed him in agility and speed. He had a long blue crest on his helmet, and his smoky gray armor stood out from the brown scaly armor of his comrades who were watching the battle.
The second knight was much bigger and broader in the shoulders and with a heavy gait. He tried to catch his more agile opponent in a power duel, but he successfully avoided the obvious trap and struck from the flank, not giving him a chance to seize the initiative and attack.
An elderly knight, who was watching the duel, motioned to a soldier standing to the side to join the fight. He hesitantly followed the order, but after entering the circle, he began to actively attack the knight in gray armor. The battle accelerated.
The little knight tried his best not to get between the two opponents and, constantly moving, tried to strike one or the other, and, when necessary, used the shield as a weapon and the sword for protection. Finally, a large knight drove him to the edge of the outlined area and began to press the shield to force the enemy into the kill zone.
The soldier decided to take the chance and attack from the side. The little knight froze in place, tensed, and then, when the soldier was only a step away from him, abruptly, like a spring, leaned to the side, slipping out from under the pressure from the front with the help of the shield. The large knight, due to the disappeared resistance, fell forward just in time to bump into a soldier who jumped out into his path, and together with him flew out of the circle, and even knocked the poor guy to the sand.
There was a burst of laughter, cheers and whistles from the onlookers. Even their mentor, an elderly knight— grinned, raised his hand and said something, apparently declaring the winner. The little knight put his shield behind his back and took off his helmet, his disheveled dark hair scattered over his shoulders and back.
Woman. Pretty young. Perhaps the youngest of the soldiers and knights present at the training, men and women. The girl approached the fallen soldier and gave him her hand. He seemed embarrassed and did not dare to hold out his hand, but the girl smiled and said something, insisting. The soldier hesitantly took hold of the outstretched palm and used it to get to his feet.
A new pair of rivals entered the outlined circle, but Duncan did not look at them. The girl stepped aside, put down her helmet and sword, took off her gauntlet and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her mentor came up to her and started talking and showing her something with an imaginary sword and shield in his hands. The girl looked at his gestures and nodded.
"Grey Guardian," a soldier approached Duncan.
"Who is this girl?" Duncan asked, pointing at the winner.
The soldier looked over his shoulder at the training ground.
"Oh, this is Milady Elissa, the daughter of Thairne." he replied and returned to the original topic. "Teyrne Kusland is ready to receive you."
Duncan looked back one last time at the young warrior, who at that moment was also called by someone from afar. She shouted, "I'm coming!" and disappeared behind the walls of one of the buildings. Duncan followed his guide to the castle gate.
The Kusland house was a series of isolated stone buildings connected by rows of arches and ceiling-less corridors leading upward. Decorative ivy covered the walls. The masonry was cracked from antiquity in some places, and scaffolding stood here and there. Duncan was led to the main hall, from which small corridors branched off like a network of rivers leading deep into the castle. The guard quietly went inside.
Tyrne Bryce Cousland was standing by a huge fireplace at the far end of the room, stunning in its size, and was not alone. He was talking to another nobleman, who was as gray-haired as himself. Duncan tactfully stayed at the entrance, admiring the rich surroundings, and catching the conversation out of the corner of his ear.
"...So your soldiers will be delayed?" Thairn asked the other man.
"It's the rainy season in Amaranthine, so they could be hampered by bad weather. I'm sure they'll start coming tonight or tomorrow morning. I'm sorry for the delay, my lord. It's my fault. I should have announced the collection earlier."
"No, no, it's okay. No one expected the darkspawn to appear in the south. I myself received an order from the king to march just two days ago", Thairn slammed his fist into his palm. "Then it's settled! I'll send my senior with my men, and we'll wait for your soldiers and ride together, just like in the old days."
"That's right, only then we were young and fighting for our country with the Orlesians, not..." The nobleman shivered, "with monsters."
"But the smell of this war is the same." Teyrn grinned and turned his attention to the girl in the doorway, and his gaze immediately warmed up. "I'm sorry, little wolf, I didn't see you," he smiled.
Duncan immediately recognized the young warrior from the training ground, except now she was wearing a turquoise dress, and her hair, which was still messy after the fight, was pinned back in a bun. Elissa approached the interlocutors and made a slight bow.
"Hou, do you remember my daughter?" Thairn introduced her.
"I see she's grown into a beautiful lady." Hou replied politely. "It's good to see you again, my dear."
"Greetings, Earl," Elissa nodded back.
Rendon Howe and Bryce Cousland had been good friends since the last war with Orlais, but Elissa had only seen Earl a few times, and since the last one he had a lot more wrinkles, but she would never forget that hooked nose and would recognize Howe for a hundred steps.
"My son, Thomas, has been asking about you. Maybe I should take it with me next time." Howe asked casually.
"What for?" Elissa looked away busily, as if she didn't understand what was being said, to which Thairn and Earl just laughed.
"`Why?' she says! She's a lively girl," Howe remarked. "She's just like her mother."
"You see who I have to deal with. Now my daughter decides everything on her own, God bless her," Teyrn sighed with a smile.
"I've heard rumors that you raised your daughter as a warrior. It's quite unusual... although I don't see the point in it."
Teyrn did not react to the last remark and turned back to his daughter:
"Your brother and I are going to war, so I'll leave Highever in your care."
Elissa already knew that her father was not taking her with him, but her childish stubbornness still persisted:
"I want to go with you."
"I'm sure you would have proved yourself, but think about your mother. She's already worried about me and Fergus. What will I tell her if I let you go to war? She's going to kill me."
"If you don't let go, I'll kill you!"
Thairn laughed:
"Don't make me choose which of my favorite women to fight. By the way, your mother holds a stronger sword."
Elissa couldn't argue with that, even though she'd never seen her mother in combat. But he and his father had met during the war with the Orlesians, and they had defended Ferelden together with weapons in their hands.
"Of course, I'm asking you a lot," Thairn continued. "There are only a few guards left here, and you will have to maintain order on the lands. Just in case, be careful. Don't you know the saying `a cat goes out of the house, a mouse goes dancing'?"
"I'll do everything, just come back." Suddenly, Elissa said seriously, the stubborn child disappeared, and the heir of Teyrnir stood in front of the father.
Many had heard stories about the last Plague, and they all agreed that it was a time of darkness, fire, and death, when the heavens themselves turn purple and blood pours onto the earth instead of rain. For a moment, Elissa imagined that their land and green forests could turn into smoldering coals, and crows would swarm on the ruins of dead cities, and shuddered. She didn't want her father and brother to go to a place where all this had come true, but they had to protect Ferelden.
"Your brother and I are going to war. Who knows what might happen."
Teyrn looked up at the window, blocked by angular wooden patterns, from where warm sunlight poured in a slanting column. Thairn looked at Elissa again and took her by the shoulders.
"I'll tell you one thing: you're my daughter, I love you very much, and if the worst happens, you'll be a worthy successor to the Cousland family."
Elissa frowned. She didn't even want to think about the fact that her family wouldn't be around, and she would be left alone with great responsibility. No, the father and the elder brother will return, and everything will be as before. Damned creatures of darkness! It would have been better if she had gone with the army instead of Fergus, or at least looked after him, both of them.
"Let's not talk about sad things!" Suddenly, Teyrn Bryce said cheerfully and stroked his daughter's cheek. "Let's think that the Creator will take care of us, and everything will be fine", Elissa nodded with a smile. "Little wolf, I'd like you to meet someone." Thairn turned to the guards at the gate. "Please invite Duncan."
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.
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:
https://pp.userapi.com/c850024/v850024865/b854c/OvoRpGxdYvs.jpg
Chapter 2.1 The deaths of Oren and Oreana.
It was a clear night. Elissa was sleeping peacefully in her room when she was awakened by a sharp sound. She lifted her head from the pillow, listened, and rolled over, closing her eyes again. The sound was repeated and got louder. The dog responded by barking restlessly. The girl heard a clang, a thud, and voices.
How's soldiers must have arrived.
Suddenly, a noise was heard very close, just outside her door. Elissa shuddered. Chase growled angrily.
`No one should be here,' she thought quickly as the door to her bedroom swung open and a panting servant appeared in the passage.
"My Lady! The castle has been attacked! Beg..." The servant exhaled sharply and collapsed to the floor, with an arrow sticking out of his back.
Elissa screamed and rolled off the bed. Two armed soldiers ran into her room... not her soldiers. One of them drew his sword and wanted to attack her, but mabari bit into his leg and wouldn't let go. The second one aimed his bow at her. Elissa barely had time to jump away, run across the bed and take the shield off the wall before another arrow came loose from the bowstring. The swordsman tried unsuccessfully to get rid of Mabari. He swung the weapon, but the dog let go of his leg and bit into his wrist with his fangs.
"Shoot that dog!" The swordsman shouted, trying to shake mabari off his arm.
The archer aimed at the dog, but was hit by a thrown shield and was distracted for a second. Elissa tore the blade from the swordsman's weakened hand and plunged it into his flesh to the hilt.
"Chase!" She commanded the dog and pointed at the archer, who put an arrow back on the string.
Mabari took off and attacked the enemy. He did not have time to dodge and fell to the floor with his throat bitten through. Elissa took a deep breath and put her hand on her chest, calming her racing heart.
What happened?
A thud around the corner and rude voices made her tense up again.
Mom!
Elissa gripped her sword tightly, grabbed her shield, and ran to the other room where the noise was coming from. The footsteps of bare feet on the carpet were almost imperceptible in the dark, and the enemies heard her from behind too late. One of the soldiers who was banging on Teyrna's door didn't even have time to turn around when the blade entered his back. Mabari hung on the arm of the second, and Elissa cut off the enemy's head. Blood covered the floor and the hem of her chemise.
"Mom!" Elissa pounded on the door, which immediately swung open, and Teyrna Eleanor appeared in the doorway.
"My soul, are you hurt?" she grabbed her daughter by the arms and examined her.
"No, it's not my blood," Elissa shook her head. "And you? Are you... dressed?"
Eleanor stood clad in medium armor.
"I'm fine," she smiled. "When I heard the noise, I bolted the door and managed to get dressed. Thanks to you, they couldn't break in on me", She looked at the dead enemies, and the smile immediately faded. "Look at their shields! They're How soldiers!"
Elissa followed her mother's gaze. She hadn't noticed it in the semi-darkness, but now, under the torch, she could clearly make out the image of a bear on a wooden shield, the symbol of the house of How.
"Our soldiers left the fortress, and How's men freely entered here... Mom!"
"The scoundrel! I'll slit his lying throat myself! Have you seen your father? He never went to bed."
"No", Elissa shook her head, her panic growing. "And Oren? Oriana?"
"The Creator's Breath! And suddenly... let's go to them, quickly!"
Fergus's room was opposite Elissa's bedroom, but there was no sound outside the door. The girl burst inside and froze on the threshold, her breath caught in her throat. Moonlight flooded the room through a small round window near the ceiling. The boy and his mother were lying on the floor in their nightgowns. The white fabric turned dark red.
No, it can't be... Elissa rushed to the child and began shaking him by the shoulders. Oren!
"You'll take care of them, won't you, sis?"
"Of course, rely on me!"
"Will you protect us, Aunt?"
"Of course, Oren."
Oren!
"What if the castle is attacked? Are we going to see dragons?"
"Oren!" called Elissa, confused.
"Dragons are dangerous, they eat people."
"Wow! I want to see it!"
Oriana? Elissa rushed to her daughter-in-law and put her ear to her chest. It wasn't beating... Oriana!
"Fergus! You're the one who ruined the baby!"
"What? I didn't say anything!"
Oren!
"Will you teach me how to fight with a sword, Dad? Take it, scary rabbit! All the monsters are afraid of my sword of truthfulness!"
"Truthfulness?"
Oriana!
"We teach him honesty."
They're dead.
The thought made my vision blurry. Sobs choked my throat. My eyes refused to believe it. His hands, wet and slippery with blood, refused to let go.
"My little Oren... the scoundrels! Kill an innocent child! Poor Fergus..."
Eleanor hugged the lifeless boy to her chest. My heart, unaccustomed to losses, was bursting, beating in spite of me, not giving up, but bleeding and in pain. Teyrna kissed her grandson one last time and lowered his dead body to the floor, and then put her hand on the shoulder of her still-alive daughter.
"Come on, honey," she said sadly. "No need to look at it anymore."
I promised him....
"I promised him, Mom," Elissa whispered, clutching the bloody body of her brother's beloved.
"Come on," Eleanor repeated. "We have to find your father. He needs us."
"Yes," Elissa nodded, and with difficulty brushed away the grief and tears that threatened to drain away.
Business first. Then the emotions.
Elissa ran into her room, took off her shirt, and opened the closet. She wrapped a strip of cloth around her chest, pulled on a shirt, pants, and boots. Except she left her armor and sword in the armory yesterday when her father called her. Elissa cursed under her breath.
There was a mail tunic without sleeves in the closet. She quickly put it on her shirt, tied her hair with a leather cord, picked up a shield and an enemy sword and went out into the corridor. Her mother was waiting for her, an arrow to the string, ready to use her weapon if anyone dared to come near them. Nodding to each other, they hurried downstairs. Elissa glanced at the duffel bag on her mother's shoulder.
A fire was raging in the castle, smoke and the smell of burning crept through the corridors. The only thing that kept me from suffocating was the open sky overhead. The sounds of battle could be heard from all over the castle. Elissa could barely make out what was ahead. They saw servants running away, but they didn't know where Teyrn was. Hou's soldiers were also looking for him and all the surviving Couslands.
"Mom, what should I do?"
"We'll find your father and get out of here through the back door."
"What about our house? Are we just going to leave him?"
"Don't be a fool! Can't wait to die?" Eleanor took Elissa's face in her hands. "Listen to me, honey. If we don't find Bryce, it's your duty to survive and get out of here. Without you and Fergus, the entire Cousland family will end here."
Elissa shook her head. Her shoulders were shaking. She didn't even want to think about such an outcome.
"Let's go find Dad." She answered in a trembling voice and ran forward without unnecessary arguments.
Each swing of the sword ignited the flames raging inside Elissa. She killed without thinking, as if she was used to the sight of death. There was no fear. Anger, desperation drove her forward. The laurel wreath on the shield was covered with the blood of enemies, and thoughts of relatives burned in his memory.
While fighting, Elissa heard her mother moaning behind her and was distracted.
"Mom!" She shouted and immediately felt a sharp pain. The arrow stuck in the back of his left shoulder. Elissa gritted her teeth.
"Chase, protect Mom!" she shouted.
The huge mabari rushed to obey the command. Elissa, gritting her teeth, held the block as a shield against the knight who was bearing down on her with all his weight. He pressed her against the wall and was so close that Elissa could feel his breath through his visor. He was a living man with the coat of arms of a family that had recently been friendly to her family, and he was still trying to kill her.
The arrow from behind pierced the wound, penetrating deeper, the shaft cracked from the pressure. Out of the corner of her eye, Elissa noticed how the archer was already aiming at her temple, but she was trapped and couldn't move.
Damn it! Get moving!
But before the enemy could fire, another blue-feathered arrow pierced his throat.
"I'll do the same with How when I meet him." Teyrna challenged.
Mabari grabbed the knight's leg and pulled him away from Elissa, giving her the space to strike. Another enemy was defeated. He's the one who's dead, and they're the ones who survived.
The girl exhaled, tried to pull the arrow out of her shoulder and almost howled, she could only break off the shaft and endure the pain.
Then.
Elissa looked back at her mother. She was breathing heavily, resting her palms on her knees, and looked tired but unharmed. They nodded to each other and ran on, leaving red footprints on the stone floor. Eleanor had hoped to find Thairn in the main hall, and they had paved the way there with blood.
Chapter 2.2 escape from Highever.
Elissa opened the door. The fireplace and torches were burning brightly in the hall, and the corpses of the Couslands and How soldiers were scattered all over the room. The portraits on the walls are splattered with blood. The air was so saturated with smoke that it was difficult to breathe. A handful of warriors were shouldering the main gate, which was being heavily pounded on.
"Roland!" the girl shouted, seeing a friend among the living defenders.
"Your Grace! My Lady!" Gilmore left the gate and ran up to them, his red hair matted with sweat, and a drop of red rolled down his cheek. "What a blessing that you are alive! Thairn was trying to find you."
"Where's the father?"
"He was seriously injured, but refused to leave. He said he'd be waiting for you at the back door in the storeroom, but he ordered me to hold the gate."
"Can they be retained? We killed many How soldiers inside."
"The castle cannot be saved, my lady. You need to leave."
"Then come with us!"
Gilmore froze for a moment, and then smiled and shook his head.
"If I go with you and the gate falls, you won't have time to get out. Run away."
"God bless you, Sir Gilmore." Teyrna said with sadness and respect.
"Roland!" Elissa grabbed his arm in a panic and shook her head, and Gilmore suddenly hugged her.
Elissa froze in surprise in his arms and only heard a whisper in her ear:
"I'm happy to protect you until the last moment. Thank you for your kindness."
Roland abruptly pulled away and ran back to the gate. Elissa took a step towards him, but was caught by her elbow by her mother.
"Did you hear what Gilmore said? I have to run. Don't you dare follow him!"
The gates continued to shake with heavy blows, as if they were being hit by a battering ram. The boards began to give way and crack. Elissa looked back at the defenders one last time-they were determined to stand to the death. For them. They stay to die for the Couslands and they know it, and she leaves, using their lives as a shield.... Suppressing her emotions with difficulty, Elissa ran out the side door into the hallway.
I won't forget.
The kitchen was nearby, but I had less and less strength to run. Elissa jumped and stumbled over the corpses of soldiers, knights, and servants. She recognized the faces she had so often wished good morning and evening to. I knew who had the day off and what they liked to do at their leisure, but now I was memorizing what their last emotions looked like. Fear, tears, regrets, despair, sadness and pain. They've done nothing to deserve this.
The kitchen was brightly lit by a fire. The fireplace was already lit, the vegetables were laid out on the table, but the kitchen knife was lying on the floor, as was its owner.
"Nan!"
Elissa rushed to the nurse, but she did not answer, just lay limply in her own blood with disheveled gray hair and a forever silent heart.
`How are you, my lady? I hope you're being good and not getting into trouble?'
Nan!
"Thank you for saving your old babysitter. God knows, I don't need to keep an eye on you anymore."
"May you find peace with the Creator, Nan" Elissa whispered, hugging her one last time.
Here's the storeroom. There's a torch burning.
"Bryce!" Eleanor shouted and ran inside.
Elissa left Nan and followed her mother. In the semi-darkness, she made out the figure of her father, lying on the floor and clutching his wound with his hand. His bright doublet was blackened with blood.
"And here you are," he smiled so warmly, as if he was waiting for his family in the armchair of the living room, and not bleeding on the cold floor.
"Bryce, what's going on? You're covered in blood!"
Eleanor fell to her knees next to her husband. Her former concentration evaporated, and the panic and helplessness that Teyrna had kept to herself for the time being appeared on her face.
"I... tried to find you, but Hou's people found me before" Thairn coughed, and Elissa could see that every word was coming out of his father's mouth, and his voice was hoarse. "Oriana? My grandson?"
"The soldiers killed them," Eleanor said bitterly. "It's just us."
Soldiers with a bear symbol on their shields. Rendon Howe's soldiers. If he could, he would have clenched his hands into fists with the same force he used to clench a sword. He remembered how nonchalantly he used to talk to How, how they used to laugh and tell each other stories. Bryce wrote to him when Oren was born, telling him what a celebration they had arranged for the whole of Forever, and invited an old friend to stay. In response, How sent only meager congratulations and referred to his busy schedule. Bryce Cousland was not offended, How had always been like that, ever since they had almost died together in the battle of the White River. And now...
"The king will punish this traitor!" I could still see the peaceful horseback riding and carefree conversations.
"Father!" Her daughter's worried voice made Teyrne look at her, she was ready to cry and sounded broken. "How are you? Can you walk?"
Her father was bleeding profusely. Elissa took out a handkerchief and pinched his wound, she didn't know what to do anymore, how to help! She still refused to believe what Teyrn had already understood... and accepted. He gently squeezed his daughter's hand and looked into her eyes.
"I'm afraid I can't get up anymore, little wolf." Elissa shook her head. They've already abandoned everyone to get here to find him! She can't lose her father either!
"No, you can do it. You... you came here, didn't you?"
"Duncan brought me," Teyrn smiled. "The castle is already surrounded, I can't go any further."
"I'm afraid Thairn is right."
At the unexpected voice behind her, Elissa jumped up and drew her sword. A Gray Guard stood in front of her. In the semi-darkness, she could only see the faint glow of a torch on his blood-spattered armor and his calm gaze.
"Are you Duncan?" Eleanor asked. She didn't feel threatened by the stranger.
"Yes, Your Grace. Thairn and I have been trying to find you" Duncan replied, ignoring Elissa's sword and mabari's wary posture.
"My daughter helped me get here."
"I'm not surprised," the guard looked at the girl carefully, and she, having made sure that he was not dangerous, put away her weapon.
"Duncan, will you help us get Dad out? He can't walk."
"No, little wolf. We won't get far this way."
"I don't care! If necessary, I'll drag you myself!"
Elissa began to turn over shelves, clearing the way to the secret door. She found the lock in the wall and pressed on the right stones. The wall slid open, revealing a long corridor from which a fresh wind blew.
"Bryce, here's the back door. Let's run together, we'll find healing magic for you." Eleanor urged.
Instead of answering, Teyrn looked at the Guard.
"Duncan, please take my wife and daughter to a safe place."
"I will, Your Grace, but I will have to ask for something in return."
The Guardian suddenly replied.
Bryce was ready to do anything to save his family, to give everything he had. But what can someone who is on the verge of death give?
"Your unhappiness pales before the threat posed by the creatures of darkness. I came to your castle in search of a recruit. The danger of Pestilence does not allow me to leave with anything."
Bryce looked at his daughter sadly. If it allows her to survive... and if it's necessary for Ferelden to survive.
"I understand..."
"You want me to" Elissa forgot all about the darkspawn and the Guards, her only concern was the safety of her family.
"To be honest, I originally came here for you. Besides, you got through How's men to me. I think the Creator's intention is clear," Duncan said.
"It's my duty to take revenge on How!" Elissa replied harshly.
"The King will take care of it," the Guard retorted, "and our task is Pestilence. I'm sorry, but the duties of the Grey Wardens are more important than revenge."
"But how?.."
"Little wolf, listen," Teyrn took his hand away from the wound and covered his daughter's hand. "How believes that this chaos will help him rise. He's wrong. Fergus and the king will find out about everything and punish him. But duty has always been paramount in our family, and if Ferelden needs a Grey Guardian..."
"Bryce, are you sure?" Eleanor was wary of the idea.
"Our daughter will not die here. She will live and leave her mark on the world." Bryce handed his daughter a sword with the symbol of the Couslands and a family seal. "Go to Ostagar, little wolf, find your brother and become a Gray Guardian."
What Guards? What kind of Plague? Which Ostagar? Father! Elissa held his hand and cried.
"I'm not going anywhere without you. I'm not leaving..."
"Then you leave me no choice," Duncan's voice hardened. "Despite your objections, I am conscripting you into the Grey Wardens. You're coming with me."
"What?" Elissa looked at Duncan, confused.
The right to conscription is the law.
"I'm sorry, little wolf. It's better this way." Teyrn looked into his daughter's blue eyes, so similar to his own, and smeared wet tracks on her cheeks. "Now go."
Eleanor closed her eyes for a second, and then suddenly slung the strap of her travel bag over Elissa's head.
"Darling, go with Duncan. I'll be a burden to you," she said gently.
"Mom!"
"Eleanor!"
"Don't, Bryce", Teyrna replied steadfastly, a single tear slipping out from under her eyelashes. "To buy them time, I'll kill every bastard who comes here, but I won't leave you. And you, honey, run."
"Mom, please don't leave me!" Elissa was crying.
"My place is here, with your father, and yours is with the Grey Wardens from now on. Become one of them and act according to your conscience."
Tears fell from under her eyelashes and drowned in bloodstains on the floor. The girl held her parents' hands and could not calm down, sobbing was suffocating, her heart was bursting with pain, tears burned her eyes.
The noise outside the castle grew louder, and smoke from the fire reached the storeroom.
"I'm so sorry, my love," Bryce whispered.
"We have lived a good life. I don't regret anything. Now everything is in the hands of our children." Eleanor hugged her husband.
"Go on, little wolf. Know that we love you both."
"There was a deafening crash" the gates fell "... and we are proud of you."
"Run away!"
Elissa grabbed the family sword and the ring.
"I love you," she choked with tears, being dragged by Duncan's shoulders. "And I'll do everything." Elissa swore.
"Goodbye, my soul..."
"I'll do everything!" Elissa turned and ran down the hall. "I'll do everything. I'll do everything. I'll do everything. I'll do everything..."
Mabari whined sadly and buried his wet nose in Teyrna for the last time.
"Protect her, okay?" Eleanor said softly, stroking the dog's head. "Come on, run after her."
The dog took off and ran after his mistress. Eleanor closed the secret door and blocked the passage with barrels. She managed to take her husband's hand and see his last breath. Bryce Cousland is dead.
Footsteps sounded close, and silhouettes flashed in the kitchen doorway. Tayrna Hayever raised her bow.
Commentary on Chapter 2. Blood on the wreath
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Chapter 3.1 On the road
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