Distressing News

At twenty-two, Lady Elethea Cousland of Highever was already a well-known Ferelden noble. She was taller than her mother — Teyrna Eleanor Cousland. She had short-cropped dark red wavy hair, dark brown eyes, and had been told that she was attractive ... the most marriageable noblewoman in Ferelden. She felt that last one was more an insult to her intelligence and independence. But it did always make her laugh. Her intelligence and independence likely made her the least desirable to Ferelden's current crop of spoiled, unattached noble sons.

Currently, she was leading a caravan of needed goods and equipment back to Highever. With the load of goods from Denerim alone, they had to hire another wagon and teamster crew to drive it. With the Highever soldiers as guards and the servants and the camp logistics staff, it was a very large caravan, indeed.

Highever usually managed to take care of most of its needs itself; however, with recent tensions and a looming potential crisis ... some basic foodstuffs, good metals and building materials may prove to be needed more quickly than they could handle locally. So, Teyrn Cousland sent his daughter to head to the capital to pick up a few things.

Once the caravan left the woods of Pilgrims Path, Elethea — Elle, to her friends — stretched in her saddle. "Thank the Maker we're nearing Amaranthine ... and far, far, far away from Denerim. That city was worse than ever this time!"

Roderick Gilmore laughed. "All of us are glad to be away from Denerim, my lady." He winked. "However, you are the only one to be leaving with a fantastic set of Wade's drakeskin armor." Roddy was a knight of Highever. He was handsome and smart and strong ... and a childhood friend of both Elle and her older brother, Fergus. To Elle, he was closer to a second brother than anything else. He knew too many of her secrets!

Elle … or Pup, as her family loved to call her … always preferred to be prepared; hence, the additional equipment she purchased at Wade's in Denerim … which included her wonderful dark red drakeskin armor. It was completely silent during movement with absolutely no binding or bunching.

She grinned at Roddy. "After all the bartering and begging and arguing, I simply had to have a reward." She looked ahead at the cutoff to the city of Amaranthine. "Let's make a point to leave as soon as we can."

"Need an excuse to get away from the Bann?" Roddy asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Dear Maker, yes. Esmerelle can go on and on forever. I wish I could just sneak in and out, but she has spies everywhere." Elle shifted in her saddle to take out a bar of her dear Nan's nourishing riding rations. She grinned at Roddy. "My spies have told me that."

And, that was the reason Elle was so well-known. She now had a wide-ranging group of informants that she started when she was only thirteen. She looked at it as her solemn duty. And, a Cousland always did her duty!

It all began rather innocently. She had dressed in nondescript clothes and snuck out on her own to visit the Alienage in Denerim. She hated how the elves were treated by some of the nobility. The Alienage didn't trust her for a long time, but they treated this crazy human child with kindness, nonetheless. So, she started bringing them food … and training them to protect themselves even without weapons. Roddy's lady, Ser Darcy, was an excellent trainer in the unarmed fighting skills and Elle was usually tired and aching for days after a series of lessons. But, the elves benefited, so Elle persevered.

She made her very first real enemy in the Alienage when she was only sixteen. Vaughan Kendells had visited for some "sport" and tried to drag her away. By the time she and the city guard had convinced him of who she was, she made certain that he wouldn't be able to have any "sport" for a while. It was the first of many very, very angry conversations her parents had with her in public with grave encouragements to be more careful in private.

And … even more defense lessons in the sparring yard.

The upside of her adoption of the Alienage was that the elves who worked for the nobles in Denerim were very forthcoming about conversations they would overhear. Because of mentions of the commoners in these noble conversations, many of the commoners were part of her network as well — commoners that included the city guard.

Even the Queen benefited. Elle and Anora were friends, even though the Queen wouldn't listen to her about that Orlesian elf servant, Erlina. Someday, some concrete evidence would be found to hang that Orlesian spy. But, until then, Anora would insist that Erlina was the perfect servant … and the only one who could fix Anora's hair just the way she wanted. While "looking perfect" was certainly something to aspire to as Queen, surrounding one's self with a potential Orlesian snake-in-the-grass was ill-advised. Anora's father, Teyrn Loghain, agreed with Elle one-hundred percent.

As soon as they rode through the gate of the port city of Amaranthine and after she knew everyone had their assignments, Elle split from the group to head to Bann Esmerelle's estate which overlooked the very busy docks.

After she found out that Esmerelle was in the Free Marches visiting family … and thanked the Maker for that … Elle checked on the gardener at the Chantry. He was one of her Amaranthine contacts. He had left his signal of an upside-down bunch of Prophet's Laurel above the flower storefront to the right of the main gate. The store's owner — one of Esmerelle's spies — just thought it was a nice gesture on Gardener Goslan's part from time to time.

"Lady Cousland! I'm so glad you're here. I'd heard that you might be coming through Amaranthine." Goslan had been the gardener here for decades, and one of her best contacts for at least four of those years. Gardeners were one of those "invisible" groups that most of the highborn seemed to ignore. He wiped his hands on a nearby rag and indicated a place further down the hedgerow. "I'm afraid I have some distressing news, my lady."

He took a moment to look around to make sure they were alone. Unlike those who came to the gardens to gossip, this gardener was very conscious of who was around. He stepped closer. "Arl Howe has hired mercenaries from up north, my lady. Check with old Martin on the docks. Payin' those Marcher bastards rather than good Ferelden men!" the man grouched. Elle agreed wholeheartedly and passed the good man some Prophet's Laurel seeds she had just purchased for her own rooftop garden. They were expensive and somewhat rare. He was very grateful and promised to continue to keep his ears open for anything else that might come up.

Next, she quickly walked down to the docks. Martin was an elderly seaman who just couldn't pry himself away from the community on the docks of Amaranthine. "Lady Cousland, I 'spose Goslan sent ye' here."

"He did indeed!" She leaned closer to Martin and spoke quietly. "He told me some very distressing news, I'm afraid."

Martin nodded with a frown on his face. "Ye' know I'm no ass kisser when it comes to Arl Rendon Howe, but even I couldn't believe that old bastard would be so bold. I followed behind some mercs when they arrived and overheard a conversation. One of 'em said that Howe had already left the Vigil with half of them mercs who'd arrived a month ago. They was goin' to take the lesser-traveled, rougher Coast Road rather than the more direct North Road while this group of mercs went on to the Vigil. I heard Howe was 'sposed to meet up with your Pap, but why'd he take the long way?" He paused and looked into her eyes. "Ye' can imagine what that means, eh?"

"I can, indeed, Martin. Thank you for this." Elle quietly passed the man a small pouch of coins. This information was very valuable ... and distressing.

Howe should have been on his way to join with Elle's father, the Teyrn, her brother Fergus and the combined northern armies to aid King Cailan in routing a growing darkspawn incursion in the Korcari Wilds. (No one wanted to say "Blight", except Warden-Commander Duncan.) The fact that Howe left so early and took a circuitous route was most troubling.

Martin expertly nodded farewell and pocketed the pouch with no one nearby the wiser. Even Elle had no idea where he put it and she was pretty good about catching such things.

Since the Bann was absent, the Highever caravan was able to quickly gather the few remaining things on the list and get ready to head out immediately. Elle purchased several bolts of linen and burlap from Master Henley and was about to leave when his son, Albert, beckoned her to the side.

She sent the porters away with the fabric. "Yes, Albert, what can I do for you?" Elle asked with a smile. Albert had never confided in her before now.

He bowed. "I know this may be improper, m'lady, but I was wondering if you'd seen Lady Delilah lately."

The question brought Elle up short. "Well … actually … no, it has been quite some time, I'm afraid."

"We haven't seen her in Amaranthine for over a year, m'lady. There are … townsfolk here who have inquired about her." Elle knew Delilah was fond of Albert … and that Albert was sweet on that particular piece of forbidden fruit, but it did make Elle realize that she hadn't heard from her friend either … for a much longer time. Elle had just dismissed it as both of them being busy with their duties ... along with Elle having absolutely no desire to go to Vigil's Keep lately. But, maybe it was something more.

"I'll look into it, Albert, I promise. Thank you for mentioning this." She nodded farewell and left the stall, but her thoughts were troubled. Rendon was taking a much longer and unexpected route to Highever ... and Delilah hadn't been seen in Amaranthine for over a year.

And she thought Denerim had been bad!

A few days of travel taking her closer to home was hardly easing her disquiet until a growing spot of dust ahead on the road soon turned into an anticipated Highever messenger. Fortunately, the man was a bit early. "My Lady Cousland! Your Father bids you to hurry. Warden-Commander Duncan arrived awhile ago now and is anxious to be on his way south."

One of the caravan guards laughed. "You think old Jory bullied his way into taking the tournament and becoming a warden?"

Said tournament had taken place in Highever to show Duncan the best fighters of the Teyrnir. Even though Elle had frowned at the outspoken guard, she completely agreed with him. Ser Jory was a blind, pompous fool. Elle glanced at Roddy, to her left. Roderick Gilmore was the best of the best … and she had insisted he go with her — the unspoken reason was to keep him out of consideration. She knew that was selfish and possibly treasonous to the well-being of Ferelden, but, recently, she had been studying about the Grey Wardens and past Blights. She wanted to meet Duncan before she would willingly submit a lifelong friend of hers … or maybe even herself … to the order.

Then, she turned to the obviously tired rider. "Thank you very much. Hop on a wagon, get some water and food and rest your horse a bit. I have an urgent message for you to take back." She turned her determined gaze to the intersection up ahead — and the road that turned north to Vigil's Keep.

The Teyrnir had gotten advance word from Warden-Commander Duncan that there seemed to be a build up of darkspawn in the south ... so her father, Teyrn Bryce Cousland, wanted the castle to be prepared before he and Fergus went south to help push back the threat. He was leaving Elle in charge at Highever. She'd been left in charge before, so she wasn't frightened of the responsibility. She was grateful to show her quality. However, she did really want to be a part of such a momentous show of force. She was pretty good with her dragonbone rapier and silverite main gauche. Her bow skill was passable, but not as good as with her blades.

The rapier was a gift on her twentieth — an heirloom said to belong to her namesake, the Teyrna Elethea Cousland who had fought against the soon-to-be King Calenhad Theirin himself. The reason? To maintain the independence of Highever. She ended up losing, but Calenhad had been so impressed with her that he allowed her to retain the Teyrnir in exchange for her fealty. At least, that's what Brother Aldous had taught her.

Now, this mess with Rendon Howe put everything into a spin.

Elle's horse, Rebel, was getting nervous, as was her all-black mabari, Midnight. They were picking up on her thoughts as the men saw to the messenger's water and food.

"I know that face." Gilmore probably did know the projected actions to follow the look on her face at that moment. She had shared with him what she had learned in Amaranthine and he was as anxious to return home as she was.

Elle sighed. "I'm going to go up to the Vigil and check on Delilah. Keep going to the camp site we agreed upon earlier and I'll catch up." She leaned closer to him. "When he's rested, send the messenger ahead to alert Father that …" She held up one finger. "One, Delilah hasn't been seen in Amaranthine for over a year …" Two fingers. "Two, Howe hired mercenaries and that he and the men have left early using the Coast Road. And …" Three fingers. "Three, encourage Father to be careful and post extra guards and patrols. Tell him to tell Fergus if Father doesn't react seriously enough." She started to turn and then turned back to Roddy. "And, tell him to stay off the North Road, take the east-west dirt road through Bann Loren's lands. It'll be a bit slower, but he's more likely to survive."

"Well, I would ordinarily tell you that you're being paranoid, tie you up and put you in back of the wagon … but … you are going to be in charge soon, so I'd better learn to keep my thoughts to myself." Roddy gave her a smile while others in the caravan snickered. Then, he turned to two scouts. "Matin and Soren, go with Lady Cousland." He winked. "Follow her orders and no lip."

She slipped off her horse and said to her mabari, "Stay with the caravan, Midnight. They need the extra protection." After he moofed his disappointed agreement, Elle gathered a few essential items from a private chest on one of the wagons: a vial of deathroot extract, a vial of sleeping draught, a healing potion, an extra dagger or two (can't have too many), and a black scarf to wrap around her lower face. She also reached down and pocketed a couple handfuls of small stones and dirt. Matin had gone with her before so he was doing the same … all the while, instructing Soren to copy him.

When they were all ready, the three of them got back on their horses and rode swiftly. In a couple hours, they found a good spot to hobble the horses within sight of Vigil's Keep — once the kingdom's shining monument of impenetrable defense to rival Redcliffe Castle itself. Now, it was shoddy, undermanned and easier to sneak into than a Kirkwall tavern at high custom.

"Where are the guards?" Soren whispered.

Elle put her finger to her lips and shrugged. Matin quietly punched Soren on the shoulder and repeated the finger to his lips. However, Soren was spot on. There were four guards and one of them was asleep against the inside curtain wall. One was puking in the dried up herb garden and two others were arguing over some card game.

The three Highever sneaks could have simply walked right in if they wanted to. But, the Vigil had one good man: Seneschal Varel. They had to be watchful for him. Fortunately ... and surprisingly, the kitchen delivery door was unlocked, the huge cooking fires were completely out and the place had no people inside!

Elle led them up to the family quarters. She passed Rendon's bedroom … with the bloody door wide open. It took all her self-control to continue on. His office door was closed and locked … likely the only place where incriminating documents would be. But! They were here to check on Delilah.

Elle's once fiancé, Nathaniel, had been banished to the Free Marches for some reason that no one had been privy to. Thomas was snoring in his bedroom — no doubt sleeping off a drunken bender if the stale ale aroma off his clothes was any indication. Delilah's room … looked like a spare guest room. There were absolutely no personal items anywhere.

She turned a frown to the men with her. She decided to take a chance that Thomas was barely cognizant of his surroundings and slipped into Thomas' room. She shook his shoulder.

"Wha …" he croaked.

Elle whispered in one of her servant imitations, "M'lord, I'm new here. Where'd I take Lady Delilah's dinner?"

Thomas' hand flung around and clipped Elle on the mouth … hard! Matin had to hold her back from returning the blow. "Sh's locked ina Noth Tow, you idio," he croaked before snoring again.

Soren carefully wiped Elle's blood from Thomas' hand. Elle was surprised he had thought of that. Mouthy, but a good man, she thought to herself as she wiped her broken lip with the back of her hand.

Once they had backed to the doorway and double-checked that the hallway was still empty, Elle whispered … although it was very difficult due to her seething anger. "The North Tower! That bastard's locked his own daughter in the North Tower?! I'm going back to the Arl's office first."

Matin stopped her. "We'll be dead for sure if we're caught there."

Elle ignored his warning and slipped back down the hallway to Rendon's office. There were three damn locks, but Elle's mother had taught her well and she picked them in a few minutes. "Come inside with me. Listen for any guards."

She looked around the fairly sparse room. After checking that the heavy curtains were completely closed and pillows were lined up at the bottom of the door so no light would escape, she lit a small candle and took at least a half-hour looking around the walls and wainscoting with no luck. Then, she tackled the desk. Twice, they had to extinguish the candle when someone walked nearby. "At least, his guards are completely moronic," she mumbled the second time.

Elle was about to give up when Soren discovered that the front panel of the oversized desk was hollow. That made Elle grin devilishly. She had a pretty good idea how to defeat this secret hidey hole. A series of taps in the right places and pressure on the center and the upper left corner and the facade dropped down. It was a metal-lined, presumably fireproof, compartment packed with documents. They didn't have the time to read through any of them, so she simply swept them all into her backpack, replaced the facade and wiped it all clean.

"Maker's Mercy, we're going to hang for sure," Soren whined.

After sending a glare his way that would melt butter on a freezing winter's day, Elle showed them up to the North Tower. Sure enough, Delilah was locked in the same tower room as Rendon's wife used to be when he wanted her out of the way.

A quiet tap on the door followed her saying, "Delilah? It's me, Elle. I'm here to rescue you." And then, she started on the single lock to the door.

A frightened voice warbled a whisper. "Elethea Cousland! Have you lost your mind?!"

Elle opened the door, waited until everyone crushed inside and then closed and locked it again. "Soren, listen at that door with every fiber of your hide if you don't want to hang!"

She looked around the small, dank room. A single bed with thread-bare sheets and blanket. A single chair with a single table next to it. A rather large wardrobe. A washstand, empty of water. A single lighted chimney, running low on oil. "Are you expecting anyone tonight?"

Delilah was pale and frail and wringing her hands. "No, I've already eaten and everything's been taken away. Why are you here?"

"Albert." That was all Elle had to say before Delilah wrapped her arms around Elle's neck and started sobbing. Elle could see the anger in both men's faces as they listened. Elle nodded that Soren needed to stay closer to the door.

Elle — not unkindly — pushed Delilah away. "Something is dreadfully wrong here. We've got to get you out. Pack up some essentials quickly and we can make our way out." When Delilah started to hesitate, Elle added, "Your father's away from the castle and the guards have let down their vigilance, so now is the absolute best time."

Delilah didn't have any cases, so Elle helped her wrap up some dresses and essentials in a sheet. Once, they had to turn into statues when steps neared the door. The doorknob was tried, but not unlocked. Delilah assured them that was all they ever did.

They decided to wait until after the next check by the guard before they would sneak out of the room. As ill luck would have it that time, they heard a key fumbling in the lock. The three of them separated. Elle pressed her pocket's handful of dirt and stones into Delilah's hand and dove under the bed. Matin squeezed into the wardrobe and Soren slipped behind the heavy curtains.

From under the bed, Elle saw the brute who staggered into the room. He was sneering at Delilah who had slipped into her bed and pulled up the blanket. "Thas' jes where I wants ya, tart," the man rumbled as he reached down to loosen his pants. "Yer pap ain't here ta hurt me tonight and the others done gone ta sleep. There'll be nothin' left o' this place tomorrow. Jes you 'n me all night." He stepped closer. "Now, doncha scream and it'll go better for ya."

Just as he pulled the blanket back and noticed the packed sheet, Delilah threw the dirt and stones in the man's face. Elle slipped out from under the bed and jabbed one of her daggers — coated with deathroot poison, for good measure — into the man's leg just below his privates. Got a face full of hot spurting blood for her trouble. Soren grabbed the man's mouth and stabbed up into his back, likely piercing the rapist's heart. By the time Matin extricated himself from the wardrobe, the bastard guard was dead.

Elle wiped her face on the guard's shirttail and grabbed Delilah and her packed sheet. "Pull yourself together and we'll get out of here."

Delilah grabbed her arm. "I'm not leaving without Thomas."

"I knew that one was coming," Soren grumbled as he lifted the dead guard onto the bed, pulled up the blanket and tried to make it look like it was only Delilah sleeping.

"I seem to recall that Roddy ordered you not to give me any lip, soldier." Her glare told the man all he needed to know about just how thin the ice was that he was standing upon.

"Sorry, m'lady," he said … with a mostly sincere tone.

"Delilah, Thomas is passed out. One of these fine gentlemen would have to carry him." Elle knew it was hopeless to try to talk her out of taking Thomas — especially after the ominous statements by the guard — but she thought she'd give it a try. This episode so far had been rather upsetting, after all.

Delilah knew exactly which strings to pull ... and whose. She looked at Matin and beseeched, "Elle said that he's passed out. Can't you throw him over your shoulder?"

Elle couldn't help it. She rolled her eyes. Delilah's eyes were filling with tears and her lower lip quivered. If things weren't so horrible, Elle would accuse Delilah of being manipulative. As a child, Delilah was the queen of manipulation … until Elethea dethroned her.

Without even a moment's pause, Matin crumbled. "Of course, m'lady, but we need to hurry."

Fortunately, the bastard's words were true. There weren't any guards left inside. After Elle dosed Thomas with a bit of a sleep draught, he made absolutely no noise as Matin carried him out like a large sack of flour.

They snuck out of the kitchens the same way they snuck in. Just as they were ready to run to some shadows near the outer wall, Delilah pronounced her final requirement. "Thomas slipped me a note a few days ago. Seneschal Varel is in the prison." She nodded toward the door to the left of the entry stair.

"Why is he in the bloody prison?!" Elle hissed as quietly as she could. She was almost at her wits end.

"Just get him and he can tell you." She knew she shouldn't use her "charms" on Elle. She knew she didn't have to.

Elle took a deep breath and turned to the two men. "Take them to the horses and get ready to ride. I'll get Varel out and meet you there shortly."

"You might stab me for this, but I'm going along." Soren looked determined.

It made Elle smile. "Very well, hero. Let's go. Stay to the shadows. We'll go around and enter from the other side."

Again, with no interruption, they made it to the outer prison door. It was unlocked. Everything at the Vigil was making Elle's skin crawl. It was all wrong. Rendon Howe was a terrible human all around, but he wasn't stupid. Where was everyone?!

Varel lay slumped in his cell.

As she opened the door to his unlocked cell, she said, "Varel! Are you alive?"

After a few moments to come to, the man opened his eyes. Both were blackened outside and bloodshot inside. "Lady Cousland, what in the Maker's Name are you doing here?!"

"Rescuing you, obviously." She reached into her pack and pulled out a magical healing potion. "Drink this and then we need to go immediately." Before he could speak again, she held up her hand to stop him from saying anything else. "Immediately."

He smiled and drank the potion. Fortunately, they didn't break any of his bones, but they had beaten him severely. He was able to limp along quickly enough so that they were at the horses in good time. Delilah rode with Elle while Varel rode with Soren and Thomas was draped over the saddle in front of Matin. As they started out, Matin pointed to a line of lantern-lights heading toward the Vigil.

Varel shook his head. "He means to kill everyone left at the Keep."

"Father?!" Delilah, even in the low moonlight, looked horrified. "Father was going to kill us?!"

"Lady Delilah, your father has undergone some sort of disorder of the mind. He is not the man he once was. He hasn't been since he sent Lord Nathaniel away." Varel looked to Elle. "He also means to kill everyone in Highever when Fergus leaves with the Highever contingent for Ostagar."

All Elle said was, "Ride now!"

They made it to the camp just as Roddy, Midnight, and a group of soldiers were getting ready to come after them. Information was exchanged and emotions were allowed to vent … for a while.

When it reached a good waning moment, Elle jumped up on one of the wagons and asked for silence. "We are betrayed. Yes, we are betrayed by our countryman Arl Rendon Howe." Elle looked at the soldiers who were all nodding in agreement. Her voice broke just a bit … all she would allow it to break. "I was betrayed by the man who was to be my example of righteousness, as confirmed by ceremony in the Chantry."

She looked at Delilah who was sitting next to her brother who was still senseless to what had happened. "Lady Delilah and Lord Thomas were horribly betrayed by their own father." Looking toward Varel, she added, "Good Seneschal Varel was betrayed by a man he trusted, a man he'd been loyal to for many years."

Elle looked up at the star-filled sky and took a very deep breath. "We've already sent a warning to Highever. We will continue on at the best possible speed, but we will not be stupid. We will not go sleepless and tired. For, if that traitor sent mercenaries to kill his own daughter and son, he would not hesitate to place mercenaries along the North Road for an ambush. At the first light, we will head out. We will rest horses and mules as we need, but we will press on." Anger twisted her normally pretty countenance. "Maker grant me the chance to meet one of these mercenaries face to face."

She jumped off the wagon. "Maintain watches. Sleep when not on watch. We leave at dawn."

AN: And, so begins the saga of Elle Cousland!

Judy, thanks for understanding about the hiatus of What Have We Here and I hope you enjoy Elle!