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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4395 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age universe. I am making no money off of this fan fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 3
The Arrival at Ostagar
Alistair paced back and forth in the camp at Ostagar. He clutched Duncan's letter in his hand and read it over and over again. How could Duncan possibly believe that recruiting a noble was a good idea? Alistair guessed that was what his letter was about, it was hard to make out as Duncan had written it in such a hurry but it said:
I've a new recruit from Highever who is a noble. Long story, will tell you when I arrive at camp.
Alistair was hoping he would arrive sooner rather than later. He had so many questions…
"Duncan!"
Alistair turned and followed one of the other soldiers that had spotted him in the distance. He was shocked to see him covered in blood. Alistair furrowed his brow when he saw a woman who was also covered in blood. What was most odd was that this blood was not like Darkspawn blood. This was human blood. He looked again at the woman and noticed that she looked like she were asleep.
"Alistair, take her please."
Alistair did as Duncan asked him and lifted the woman into his arms. Alistair blinked as he stared down at her. Despite the fact that she was covered in blood, the woman was beautiful no doubt…but who was she and why was she with Duncan? More importantly, where was the new recruit Duncan had mentioned in his letter? He jumped down from his horse and beckoned for Alistair to follow him.
"Come Alistair, we must take her to the healers."
Alistair followed Duncan and promptly began to ask questions.
"Who is this? Where is the new recruit and why a noble of all people?"
Duncan turned sharply and looked at Alistair.
"I will answer your questions in a moment, right now we need to leave her in the care of the healers."
Duncan turned and entered a tent where three mages sat. One of them was an older woman with silver white hair and kind blue eyes. She stood immediately as Duncan approached her.
"Maker preserve us…what has happened?"
Duncan moved out of the way for Alistair to place the woman on a small cot.
"It is a long story, Wynne. She has fainted from shock…can you bring her back to us?"
Wynne nodded.
"Yes, I will clean her up as well. I will retrieve you when she has come to."
Duncan nodded graciously.
"Thank you, Wynne. Come Alistair, we need to speak in private."
Alistair obligingly followed Duncan outside of the healer's tent and away from the others. Duncan turned to look at Alistair and sighed.
"The woman that I have brought with me is the new recruit. Her name is Bridget Cousland. Before you say anything I suggest you rethink your prejudices. Not all nobles are alike, Alistair and Bridget is quite the exception. Her family was murdered tonight; one of their very good friends betrayed them. She is in shock from the recent events…that is why Wynne is with her now."
Alistair's eyes widened. He looked at his feet and sighed. He felt so stupid for thinking that just because the new recruit was a noble didn't mean that they would be stuck up and snotty.
"Bridget is a very formidable fighter and can hold her own against at least three enemies at a time. I believe she is a strong and cunning woman. If any make it through the joining…it will be her. I have business to discuss with the king. If Wynne comes looking for me, tell her that I am with the king and meet with Bridget yourself. Explain to her what is going on for I believe she will have most likely blocked the night's events out of her mind. Be kind to her Alistair. After what has happened…she needs a friend."
Alistair nodded.
"Yes Duncan. Forgive me for my silly prejudice. It was stupid."
Duncan gave him a understanding smile and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"You have every right to have that resentment Alistair…but do not judge people just by their name. If you will excuse me, I must speak with Cailan."
Alistair watched as Duncan walked off. Next thing he knew he felt something wet and slobbery touching his hand. Alistair whipped around to see a mabari staring up at him and wagging his tale.
"Duncan…?"
Duncan turned back around and chuckled.
"Oh yes that is Bridget's dog, Zeus. Be nice to him and he'll be nice to you."
Alistair gently petted the pooch on his head and the dog barked in happy compliance. He sat underneath the tree and decided to wait for Wynne to summon him. Alistair however ended up falling asleep and was not woken up until hours later.
"How is she?" Alistair asked groggily as Wynne nudged him.
Wynne sighed sadly.
"She is distraught, but strong. I explained some of the situation but not all as I knew you would be better at that than I. She is over there under the tree."
Alistair followed Wynne's gaze to see that Bridget had chosen to get as far away from everything else without actually being outside of the camp. She sat underneath a large tree in the distance that was on top of a small hill. Alistair noticed that Zeus had already made his way towards her. He thanked Wynne and followed the dog.
Bridget sat and stared out at all the other soldiers. She had finally gotten her wish to be in battle although this was far from how she had wanted that wish to be granted. Zeus approached her and licked the side of her face. Bridget smiled and hugged his neck tightly. He was the only thing left of home now. The only family she had left.
"Um…hi there."
Bridget turned to see a soldier standing behind Zeus. He looked…different from the others that she had seen. Whereas the other soldiers all had very stern and mean faces…this man's face was kind as were his honey colored eyes. She had never seen hair like his before, it was rather different sticking up in the front, but it suited his demeanor. Bridget stood.
"Hello." She replied softly.
Alistair hoped she couldn't tell that he was kind of staring at her. Duncan was right…she was a formidable recruit, Alistair could tell just by looking at her. Her long hair was pulled back into a bun, though instead of a tightly bound one, she had hers in a loose one. She had a kind face and beautiful, crystal blue eyes…but they were puffy and bloodshot. Alistair knew she must've been crying. He blinked and brought himself back to reality before she realized he was staring at her.
"I'm Alistair. Duncan told me that you are a new recruit."
Bridget nodded.
"I'm Bridget…just Bridget."
Alistair smiled at her.
"Well it's nice to meet you, Bridget. I'm a Warden too, I'll be helping you when Duncan sets up the Ritual."
Bridget looked up at him.
"You're a Warden too?" she asked.
Alistair nodded.
"Yes I am. Please don't be offended when I say this but I am rather surprised you are a woman…not very many women become Grey Wardens. In fact…I can't really think of any."
Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"I may be a woman but that does not make me any less capable of killing Darkspawn or anything else."
Alistair swallowed. Touchy topic, he shouldn't have brought it up. She was probably the type of girl who had been told that she was "too delicate" to hold her own in battle and should stay at home where she belonged. Alistair cleared his throat.
"I completely believe you, Duncan even said out of all the recruits, you are the most promising."
Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"Really?" she asked.
Alistair smiled and nodded.
"He did."
There was a short, awkward silence that followed. Alistair shifted his weight from foot to foot and said,
"So is there anything that you wished to ask me?"
Bridget looked up at him.
"How did you become a Warden?" she asked.
Alistair smiled.
"I had a feeling you'd ask that. Well I never knew my parents and I was raised in the Chantry. They trained me to become a templar…but I never really wanted to be a templar…Duncan came looking for new recruits one day and found me. I never got to take my vows so I'm not actually a true templar, but I do have their skills."
Bridget nodded.
"Sounds like you and Duncan are very close."
Alistair chuckled.
"Yeah we hit it off pretty well. I always wondered why he chose me despite that there were others that were skilled far more than I was. He always said he chose me because I had such a good character, and that mattered above all else."
Bridget's eyes widened suddenly. She looked up at Alistair.
"Did Duncan mention my brother at all? Is he here? He was supposed to arrive yesterday,"
Alistair looked at her.
"Well if you're up to it, we can go and ask,"
Bridget nodded and grabbed Alistair's hand.
"Yes, I need to find him, he's all I have left!"
She pulled Alistair along down the hill before she realized she had absolutely no idea where Duncan was.
"Perhaps you should lead for now." She suggested as she let go of Alistair's hand and looked away. Alistair smiled sadly. He knew how eager she was to see her brother, if he were even here. He would hate to see her if he too had been killed. Alistair led her to Duncan's tent near the edge of the camp leading out to the Korcari Wilds. Duncan looked up and smiled at her.
"I am so pleased to see that you are alright. And I see that you have met Alistair. Are you ready for the Ritual?"
Bridget nodded.
"Well yes I am, but I was wondering if you knew whether or not Fergus was here since he left yesterday."
Duncan furrowed his brow.
"I believe he is, but he is on a scouting mission in the Wilds and will not return for some time. I am sorry."
Bridget sighed.
"Very well…I am ready to begin."
Duncan nodded.
"Good. Alistair, gather the others. It is time we begin."
- 3
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- 5
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The Last of the Couslands