-After Dinner-
.
After a meal and a little embarrassment given to Elissa, everyone went about the castle. Tracker had used some subtle magic to relock some of the doors that Arl Howe unlocked. He also kept an eye on Duncan. The Grey Warden had tried to get Fergus to speak with his mother. It did not work at all.
Ser Roderick Gilmore made it over to Thrasher at one point. He was one of the knights that belonged to the Castle. A fair warrior with an unknown fate after the fight that happens here later. He would make a decent Warden. As well as a fine warrior to add to Elissa's entourage.
"Thrash how are you doing?"
"Huh, good." Thrasher turned to look the man in the eye. Not to far away, he could see Lady Landra who dies later, Iona an elf, and her lady-in-waiting, and Elissa talking. Lady Landra's son Dairren, was talking with Lady Cousland. 'Trying to marry her daughter off again. Such a shame.'
"What do you think about me becoming a Grey Warden? As a man that travelled, it would mean a lot to hear your assessment."
"Go and do it. But remember that they have their tricks so be careful. Some of the tests are ghastly." Thrasher leaned in when he spoke. "They sometimes mess up with initiations. Not everyone is perfect in the ancient craft. Take a strong restorative before starting and try to be in the middle for a better taste. Keep an anti-poison herb under your tongue."
*Breath!* A small bit of air containing D.G. cells travelled into the man. A great tool for spying and giving information. As well as making sure the man survived the night and the ritual later. The cells will devour the Darkspawn blood he drinks among other issues.
"That dangerous?" Roderick couldnt believe it. But he listened. "I will make sure not to fail. I will tell the Warden at once. Thank you." He gave Thrasher a pat on the shoulder and left.
System: Task: Save as many forces as possible. Rewards: Stronger Presence in the World, Title ???, 500 points, Companion Pull. Failure: The World will resist you more.
"Hmm. Time for some fun." Thrasher moved throughout the place. Heading for the Chapel. "As I live and breathe, Mallol. How are you?"
"Oh?!" Startled, Mother Mallol turned to Thrasher. She was suprised since he could expose her. "Running over she hugged him like a long-lost friend would. "Please stay quiet." The two soldiers in the room thought nothing of it and continued on there business.
"To think I could catch you by surprise. How goes the role of a Mother?" Thrasher played along. A Mother in the Chantry was about the same as a Pastor or a higher-up nun as far as he was concerned. He didn't care really. But the woman was also a spy from Orlais. He met her a few times in his travels. "Like it here?"
"It is well. I do love it actually. Peaceful for the most part." She was serious. Stay undercover to long and it started to get to you. She felt a little off with Thrasher remaining so close to her. 'What is this young man planning?' She took a step back opening the distance between the two. "Something tells me you bring trouble."
"Yes. Arl Howe." Mallol flinched at that. "You already know."
"Haa, unfortunately." Mallol sighed heavily as she leaned against the bookshelf. "I was afraid this would come to pass. But what are you going to do?"
"Create some trouble. You should make plans to escape now. Keep your cover from getting blown." Thrasher caught her arm holding it gently. "It would be a shame if such a fine woman as yourself gets captured."
"Ehem!" Mallol pushed her arm free. "The Chantry does not allow such things. But I will seek you if need be." Elissa had come into the room at that time. "I will see what your cousin wants."
"Such a shame." Thrasher walked by and gave her smack on the ass. "Good tidings Mother Mallol. I will reflect a tiny bit on myself."
"Big slut." Mallol grumbled. Her cheeks slightly stinging from the smack. "How can I help you dear."
"Well I wanted to talk to my cousin but while I have you, I need a little help in making a decision." Ellisa looked at the soldiers who also had a shocked look. "In private."
.
-A small talk-
.
Thrasher came across Fergus and his family. The young boy Oren was excited that a Grey Warden was here. His mother Oriana was at her wit's end already.
"Calm down little one." She admonished the boy.
"But mother when do we get to see a real life Warden?" Oren bounced around. The only way an excitied child could do.
"Well, to think I am chopped liver." Thrasher walked over putting on a smile. "I am a bit of a warrior myself. Fought all kinds of beasts and monsters. Stuff that makes grown men weep into the night."
"Really cousin!?" Oren stared at Thrasher wide eyed. He settled down enough that Orianna said nothing.
"If, your mother and father permits, I can tell you a few tales. You just have to show the best spots in the castle as payment for mischief."
"I will come with." Fergus said. "Ellisa just told me father wished for me to head out ahead of time to meet up with the others."
System: Persuasion 22
"That sounds like a bad idea. Your father must have forgotten about the bandits on the road. You do remember that Arl Howe's troops are supposedly delayed? Having you go out, would be a terrible idea. It must have slipped his mind after I angered him."
Thrasher was a little persuasive pointing a few of the things that happened recently. With him having travelled the roads after the Arl's men, it gave more credit to what he said.
"Most likely. With those dogs Trace has, I can see how you were able to avoid detection. That sword you have is beautiful by the way." Fergus looked at the Blade of Olympus. Even restrained it was a work of art. "That armor is something else as well. Can you make me one? Not today of course."
"Of course. Just give me a few months."
The three walked out onto the ramparts. Talking and carrying on. They talked for hours until little Oren fell asleep. A few patrols that looked sluggish were pointed out. Fergus excused himself to see what was wrong with them. Taking a few poultices with him.
Thrasher walked back inside turning the boy to his waiting grandmother. She watched the three talk from the upper area. Especially mindful of how Thrasher suggested he would be better off leading the family estate and not joining the front lines. Emphasizing the man's family needed him more than he knew.
"Thank you Thrash." Eleanor said kindly. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I appreciate the effort."
"Think nothing of it. I am just doing as I please." He walked away spotting Tracker and Ellisa. The latter already making eye contact with him. But he bumped into someone else before then. "Oof, sorry about that."
"Ah!" The elf Iona bumped into him. Catching her before she fell made the woman blush. Even though he was not an orc anymore, Thrasher had a lot of power. "Thank you."
"No problem. Partially my fault."
"Easy there Trevelyan, she is.. hic.." Lady Landra had partaken of the sauce a little more than she should have. Drunk and barely standing on her own. ".. she does need a fine husband. But.. you.. hic are not looking."
"Lady Landra, I believe you had to much to drink." Iona blushed.
"Easy fix." Thrasher touched her forehead reliving her of the affliction of alcohol. 'Cure Poison, Restore Health.'
*Thuumm!* The gauntlet lit up as the magic was applied.
"Nice armor." Ellisa commented. She was glad it was not his own magic. If Thrasher was called an apostate, all kinds of trouble would come about. The Apostate was a horrible to call a mage that was not part of the circle. If you said it in a certain way.
"Thank you dear. I feel better by the second. But can you let an old woman go?" Lady Landra was a little embarrassed. But the effects were to good. 'Or keep holding me like you are. This old woman does not mind.'
"If you were not married I would hold you longer. But I am not a home wrecker." Thrasher flirted back setting her up.
"Yes.. marriage." Lady Landra looked at Iona with a sultry grin. She caught the way the elf looked at Thrasher dearly. "She is not though. Nothing wrong with having a little fun. Especially after all you have been through. I will retire for the evening."
"But Lady.." Iona was more embarrassed then she had ever been. But that was part of the way Lady Landra was. She always said what she wanted. "Do not mind her. She is a little eccentric."
"To bad. I would enjoy spending quality time with you." Thrasher gave her a smile and looked to Ellisa. "What are you up to Cousin. Tracker is taking care of you yes?"
"I am just having conversation Warchief. Your cousin would make a fine warrioress. She is very sharp." Tracker said calmly.
"Yes, he is. Trace is quit the honorable one. Unlike someone who flirts with members of the Chantry."
"To be fair, she is really hot. I am a weak man." Thrasher held back from laughing.
"Before my mother comes around, I want your honest opinion. Do you think I should join the Grey Wardens?"
"No. But I think you leave the catsle carving your own path is good. The Grey Wardens will provide an opportunity of course." Thrasher was calm as he spoke. Testing to see how much Ellisa could resist the will of the World on her own. "You are an adult and the life of a Lady seems boring for you."
"Thank you. That is all I wanted. Excuse me. Oh, Iona.." She got the elf's attention. "Come with me. I have something I think you would like. You can take it back with you for later." With a nod she followed with.
"I found all manners of poison around the place. The hounds found a few traces of alcohol poured on wooden structures. A torch to them will cause all manners of problems." Tracker starts explaining once everyone was out of ear shot. "I set a few traps to make sure who ever sneaks in will have a problem."
"Good work. I will leave sniffing out ambushes to you. I rather get stuck in the thick of things." Thrasher went over what to expect afterward.
It was agreed the hounds would patrol a little on their own. One at Fergus place in case something happens. Like his father finding out he hadn't left. Another dog was at Lady Landra's room.
Once the two seperated, Thrasher came across Iona. She was at his room waiting out side fiddling with her dress. Nervous as can be. Mother Mallol was there as well.
"Inside ladies. Do not want any one talking about us." Thrasher ushered them inside. "Ok, so say your piece or get out." He started by removing his items into his inventory. The magic was shocking to them. But they thought nothing more of it.
"Haaaa!" Mallol sighed heavily. She received a message that confirmed an attack was going to take place. She also was outed by another spy. She was effectively "burned" now. "I have no where else to go. I won't make it out alive."
"Make it out alive?" Iona asked.
"An attack is imminent on the castle. But we are ready for it. Do not worry about Lady Landra." Thrasher leaned back on the bed. Supported by his arms. "I will make sure you get back to your daughter."
"You knew?"
"Yes. I do not mind. It is just some fun after all. Now if you need some help, I can provide it for you of course. You do not have to sleep with me of course."
"Offer me as well?" Mallol asked.
"Sure." He gave a grin.
"Good." Thrasher smiled pissed her off. She disrobed showing a very lovely body that did not belong to a member of the chantry. Battle scars from close encounters along her side. "We played cat and mouse long enough. Time for me to have a little fun." She crawled on the bed pushing him back.
"Hey, I was here first!" Iona said. She shocked them both as she disrobed joining them a little tentively. "If things go wrong, I rather not miss out."