Cullen sat proudly in his ornate seat atop the dais beside his wife. Though he should have been paying attention to the man petitioning them, Evelyn had the matter well in hand allowing him to bask in the beauty and strength of his Lady. Her noble breeding had served her well, sitting with her back straight away from the back of the chair, solely invested in the conversation - unlike him. While the Avvar were typically poised in a more relaxed manner, her elegant posture was more befitting her stature. Her long braids and simple feather headdress complimented the hues of her hair and eyes. She wore a maroon sleeveless dress, leaving her toned arms on display, pointing and gesturing with her mage's staff. Ever since the night, they consummated their bond, his thoughts were consumed by her, as if she had bewitched him.
No, he truly knew why.
Evelyn wanted to bond with him for life. Nothing had lifted the weight off his chest as that simple confession. Despite the happiness it would bring them, it would anger others who'd want to have her strengthen the clan's blood through several marriages for her. Other Holds would petition for her hand as well, but all attempts would be in vain. Even the gods might take issue with it, but Cullen would lay many offerings at their feet to sway their will. She was to bear him three children and there wasn't a living soul nor god who could take that from him. Yet, even as his future seemed secure, the prophecy's looming threat over Evelyn was ever-present. Every time she passed the main gate, her eyes would focus on whatever lay beyond it. They knew the Grey Wardens were coming and that their time was limited.
Having no notion of who these blighted warriors were vexed both of them. Evelyn worried they'd not be reasonable in the case she did get pregnant, while Cullen fretted after what manner of men they were - or if they were even men. Would they be the honorable sort or the opposite? Could he fully trust in their ability to protect his wife while on this quest? Thankfully, after sharing their concerns with their brothers, Owayne readily agreed to accompany Evelyn. Even Branson voiced his desire to go, but his arm was still not able to wield a weapon. Regardless, his brother-in-law's skill and acumen for sniffing out trouble would greatly waylay many of the Thane's concerns, not to mention that Evelyn would have a trusted companion.
With relative peace restored to the Basin after Axlan's death, it would be safer for the Phoenix to travel while Wolf-fang Hold scrambled to elect new leadership. From his earlier correspondence with the other Holds, many were experiencing the symptoms of the Blight's runoff from the mountains, yet were near no breeding places for darkspawn. The pattern that appeared before them, however, seemed to show that the source of the Blight was rooted in the three southernmost territories: Redhold, Stone-Bear, and Wolf-Fang Hold. With their land having been taken care of, that left their other two neighbors still in need of cleansing.
"Right, my Thane?" Evelyn's voice drew him out of his thoughts.
"Yes," he simply agreed as if he was paying attention, picking his head up off his hand. With a glance from her to the farmer petitioning them, their content nods allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
As the man went to leave, the dulled daylight showed it was still raining. Wet and muddy footprints had been decorating the Great Hall's floor all day and people came and went. The Basin had been drenched by three days of the spring rains. Though it was steady and light, with no break in the gray clouds, nothing was spared by the Lady of the Skies' waters. Cullen didn't mind though, for besides nurturing their crops the rain would slow travel, and that would mean…
"The Grey Wardens are here!" Rylen's voice called from the doors. His soaked muscular form was followed by two smaller ones. He continued as he approached the dais, "We ran into 'em while on the hunt." Gesturing for them to stand before the Hold's leadership, Cullen and Evelyn shared a tense look as the day they feared had finally come.
Two men bowed their heads before them; one a dwarf and the other a lithe man. The Thane's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized their visitors. The Child of the Stone had bright red hair and a long beard sporting two thick braids. His eyes were widely set, making him look a bit simple-minded, but he had the calm demeanor of a warrior, surrounded by the large Avvar around him. The dwarf had a large battleaxe strapped to his back of great quality, no doubt made from the legendary forges of his people. The other man was a mage, from the staff on his back. His dark wet wavy locks hung hiding his eyes. His pale skin was stretched across an angular face, and Cullen would've sworn he was an elf if it weren't for his rounded ears.
"Thank you, Rylen. Welcome Wardens, I am Cullen, Thane of Redhold and this is my wife, Lady Evelyn."
The two looked back and forth from each other, clearly unsure how to proceed. The dwarf looked to be the more senior of the two, talking like he was constantly chewing on something, "Thanks, um, Thane," the dwarf began, "I'm Oghren and this is Sorin Cyrus. We heard you have some darkspawn troubles."
Evelyn stood suddenly from her seat, "Are you a Knight-Enchanter, Ser?"
The drowned mage nodded, the water dripping from his locks, "I am, my Lady."
The Phoenix stepped closer to him with a smile beginning to pull at her lips, "Truly? I am as well! Or rather I was." She eyed the young man with an interest, "My former title was Knight-Enchanter Evelyn Trevelyan of Ostwick, or simply The Phoenix of Ostwick."
Sorin's eyes widened, "So you are her then? The rumors were true."
"Well, I doubt that," she said in good humor, "the Chantry was happy to villainize me, but I assure you, I am her and no maleficar. I still uphold the honor of our guild." Cullen watched as he stared into her eyes, and though he couldn't see them, he knew Sorin was staring into the inferno of her resolve. After nodding his head in understanding back to her, Evelyn glanced back at the Thane with a look of relief.
"So, you're The Phoenix? You'll be who we're traveling with to kill the darkspawn?" As one, the couple narrowed their predatory gazes on Oghren. "Meaning no offense, Hold Lady, but unless you're hiding an army of Avvish warriors in your skirts, how is it the three of us are to sodding kill hundreds of darkspawn? That is what your letter said, or was I drunk when I read it? There's a high probability of it, actually."
He is a drunk, duly noted, Cullen thought, collecting what he could of their characters.
"I don't have a hidden army, but I have this," she held out her marked hand to them. Oghren opened his mouth, but she cut him off, "All will be explained over dinner tonight at our home, for you are wet, tired, and no doubt in need of a drink." The weary travelers nodded enthusiastically in their soiled armor.
"We'll have someone show you to your guest quarters and see to your needs." He waved over to the crowd for some volunteers to help settle them in, and before they knew it, the Wardens were on their way out of the Hall. Dismissing the rest of his people, he, his Lady, Cassandra, and Rylen lingered after it emptied. Spinning and falling into his arms was Evelyn, holding to him firmly. His two dear friends all wore frowns knowing what their arrival meant for her. And just like that, the sands of the hourglass counting the time before her departure began to run, and there was nothing they could do to stop it.
***
With the help of her sisters, Evelyn had prepared a feast for their new allies. She knew Cullen's first impression of them was nowhere near as favorable as her own, but regardless she already felt comfortable knowing what she was getting with Sorin. Even Oghren had an odd familiarity about him being a drunkard like her favorite brother. Still, she hoped to get a better feel for the two Wardens who she'd be traveling with.
The first part of dinner was focused on exchanging pleasantries of the introductory type, such as where were they from and how they came to be a Grey Warden. Thankfully, neither were criminals saved from the block, but both willingly joined after the Fifth Blight. Oghren had actually fought alongside the Hero of Ferelden and followed her into the order, while Sorin converted to gain more freedom out of the Circle where his talents would be better utilized. Slowly, her anxieties about the two of them subsided and she found herself enjoying their company - especially that of her fellow Knight-Enchanter.
As they digested their main courses, Mia and Rosalie volunteered to ready the dessert as they talked business. Cullen began by telling them of the prophecy and the recent events with the others chiming in here and there. Following that, Evelyn explained her mark and her meetings with the gods. She had the distinct advantage of 'speaking Lowlander' so her explanations of the bizarre happenings were easier for them to follow.
"Well, call me Andraste and throw me on a pyre, if that ain't the craziest shit I've ever heard… and I've fought an Archdemon." Oghren and Sorin exchanged looks of astonishment.
"Yes, I was of a similar mind when it was all first happening to me as well," she admitted folding her hands in her lap.
Sorin crossed his arm, tilting his chin down as he peered up through his raven locks, "So, do you have a plan? We aren't exactly experts on the Frostback Basin, or your people for that matter?"
"The plan is simple," Cullen interjected with his authoritative voice, "you will escort my wife to the two Holds where we believe the Blight's taint is coming from. With your abilities, you'll track down the source and she'll destroy it using Hakkon's mark."
The Grey Wardens nodded in deep thought together as the women placed fresh plates down on the table. "And these other Holds, do they know we're coming? Or are we to expect trouble?" Sorin asked his tone and face revealing no emotion.
"Stone-Bear Hold is aware and grateful for the assistance, but I'm not sure about Wolf-Fang for they are still trying to elect their new leadership." Cassandra inserted herself into the conversation, "Our contact within their walls says Axlan's bastards among several others are fighting for the Thaneship still."
"I'll do all I can to assure your safety before you go there," Cullen took her hand in his, and she smiled at his sincerity, "even if I have to march our warriors down there and take the Hold for myself." A quick glance at Cassandra had her snickering to herself as the shield maiden nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Well, we have time before such measures need to be taken. Let us assess things with Thane Svarah Sun-hair first." Evelyn was happy for the break from the planning as dessert was served. "Now, let us enjoy the rest of our evening, for tomorrow we can meet in front of the maps and plot out our journey."
***
The day was dragging on after a long planning session with the Grey Wardens in the Great Hall. Their strategizing was halted when the two asked to review maps and some accounts of past Blights in the Basin. They did agree to leave in two days, not wanting to wait around in Redhold if the problem resided in a different Hold. With little time to pack, Evelyn swiftly began the task. She grabbed what she could, feeling drained by the knowledge that she would probably be gone for at least a month or two. The timing was not ideal, but it seemed it never was when it came to the prophecy and the gods. Wanting to bring some cheer to her husband, who had gone out to hunt to clear his gloomy mood, Evelyn decided to bake him one of his favorite Marcher treats.
Approaching one of the farmer's stalls, she perused their selection of berries, testing their firmness. After a few minutes, she noticed the woman at the stand suspiciously flicking her gaze behind Evelyn. Believing her to be watching something of interest going, she continued to pick out the best blueberries from the display when she realized the usual ruckus of the lively market had died down considerably. Freezing, she felt her mana rising within her in response to an unknown threat. Gazing up at the woman, who was now trying to hide a cheeky smile, the Lady of the Hold sighed with a smile.
"Bethac, would you be so kind as to set these aside for me until I can come back tomorrow for them?"
Chuckling to herself, the kind-eyed woman, placed her produce under the counter. "Aye, my Lady, but if yer walkin' about before midday - or able to at all - the Thane didn't do his job." The mage went wide-eyed in shock, though as to why she was still surprised by Avvish candidness, she had not a clue. "I'll drop 'em off at yer home, save ye the walk," she concluded with a wink.
Evelyn smirked biting back a laugh and turning slowly watching as the clan backed out of the center of the square. Taking a few cautious steps forward, she sparked fire around her in a protective cloak watching the giddy crowd. They all knew and calls to their kin to come and watch echoed out from the against the cliffside of the great stone lioness watching the sunset above them. "Come out you cowards!" She joked playfully.
"Pull!" Owayne's voice rang out. As if in slow motion, a small pouch was thrown at her, then torn open by a passing arrow. The projectile was shot with expert precision, embedding itself in the thatch roof of the Great Hall, missing the crowd. The powder that dusted her was one of her brother's concoctions to dispel magic. Immediately her flames went out, and with the fine dust sticking to her she couldn't cast from her hands. Lifting her skirt, she quickly pulled her spirit blade, whose magic hummed as she brandished it.
For a moment all was still as her foes were hiding amongst the spectators. Despite her fierce glare out at them, they remained anxious with anticipation. To her surprise, the Grey Wardens had arrived to witness the spectacle, asking those around them what was going on. She laughed to herself, knowing she probably should've mentioned this to them, but they could learn Avvish customs as she had.
While distracted, a light purple bubble surrounded her with a flickering orb of lightning above her. Dorian strode dramatically through the throng of people, a haughty hand raised holding his static cage in place. "Well, my dear, it seems you weren't such a challenge after all. Did you think you'd be any match for our combined abilities?" The other conspirators - all her close friends- slowly appeared.
Evelyn laughed sarcastically, "Dorian, you know this can't hold me." Stabbing her blade into the cage, the gold flames sparked against the purple barrier. After a few seconds, she took it away and pushed an arm through it. The spell deteriorated instantly as she was covered in the dispelling dust. "Oops," she feigned innocence.
"Hmm, I feel like I should've anticipated this," he twisted the end of his mustache, "oh that's because we did."
From behind her the roar of Cassandra sounded, as she charged Evelyn. Unable to fade-step, she was forced into a melee with the Head Warrior. Judging how well she did against Cullen during the challenge, she suspected this would go similarly. For honor's sake, the Lady of Redhold was determined to put up a good fight while she formulated a plan in her head. Allowing Cassandra to have her on the defensive, Evelyn stepped her way back to the nearby well, discreetly wetting her hand and ridding it of the powder. She didn't have her staff - a stupid move on her part, all things considered, though she had only stepped out for fresh blueberries - which limited her greatly.
Backtracking still looking for an opening against her experienced foe, something tripped her and she fell back on her bottom. "My turn… oops." Evelyn looked up at Dorian who was using her words against her. Spinning her legs - as much as she could in her dress, another poor choice - she caught the Tevinter mage's ankles knocking him down. Cursing at her in his native tongue, she rolled with him, grumbling out, "Darling, save it for your husband!" There were laughs and cheers from those closest to them, but the grappling had a purpose.
Landing with him on top, Cassandra was forced to stop when the mages pushed up and Evelyn kicked Dorian into her. He bounced off her shield, knocking her back a few steps, allowing the Marcher to make a run for it across the market square toward… well, it didn't matter, they were supposed to catch her.
Jogging backward, taunting after the duo's failed attempt, Evelyn didn't see Dhara step out from cover. "Not so fast, my Lady!" Coming to a skidding halt, the Knight-Enchanter couldn't help but let an 'oh no' escape her as the Augur gestured for the Hold Beast to join her. "Kitsa, fetch 'er up."
Having no choice, Evelyn was forced to put away her spirit blade, unwilling to harm their Hold Beast even by accident. A wise decision, Phoenix. Now, be a good little bird and let me catch you, the lioness dipped her front legs and head low, her shoulders moving up and down and her tail flicking wildly.
"Oh, come on, Kitsa! Really?!" The crowd hooted and hollared watching their beautiful Hold Beast ready to pounce her. Holding her casting hand out, when the cat jumped, Evelyn shot a force spell at her, knocking her back down to the ground. Shaking off the light hit, Kitsa came at her more aggressively, trying to make the mage misfire giving the lioness an opening. Evelyn, experienced with this tactic, was not fooled by it. For now, the other conspirators backed away not chancing getting tackled by the large cat, as did the spectators.
Circling each other, she passed by Owayne sitting on a barrel casually watching the duel, "Hey, are you really helping them, brother? You know what this is about right?"
He gave a disgusted grunt, "I do, but neither do I care to be mauled again by one of these giant beasts, so best of luck!" Hopping off his seat waving, he called over to his drinking partner, Dorian to join him, and the two simply left in the direction of the Mead Hall.
Letting her guard down for an instant, a rope was suddenly looped around her wrist, yanking her off to her right. "No!" She shouted as Kitsa lunged for her again, but was once more struck back by a spell cast by her free hand. This time the lioness stayed on her feet, digging her claws into the dirt as she was pushed away. Glancing at the source of the rope, she spied Dhara holding her steady as if she were a wild beast. Grabbing the rope, she burnt it off of her, but it left her exposed to Kitsa.
Finally, pinning her down by the shoulders, Evelyn struggled against the meaty cat to no avail, growling and throwing her limbs about. The women were quick to move in, grappling with her arms and legs to tie them, and before Evelyn could do anything more, one of them dusted her with more dispel dust. Unable to use her magic to escape, the deafening roar of the crowd seemed to have pronounced the outcome of the chase. Ceasing her resistance from the ground, she looked up at her friends standing and celebrating around her with wide grins.
"Yes, yes, well fought. You caught me," the Lady of the Hold smiled up at them laughing while inspecting herself hog-tied like someone's dinner.
"Now, Evie, we need yer sacred oath as Lady of the Hold to not use yer magic to escape the rest of the day. Do we have yer word?" The Augur in her wild skins, pelts, and lion headdress gave her a stern look.
"You have my word, Augur."
A smile was slapped on her apprentice mage's face a moment later, "Good! With that settled, let's get you in a bath then to the Thane's bed!" Another round of cheers rang out as Dhara, Cassandra, Rosalie, and Ilara took her to the Augur's home to prepare.
Soaking in the aromatic water, Evelyn couldn't help but become a bit nostalgic at bathing in her hut again. The day of her arrival in Redhold months ago, it was here she first learned about part of the prophecy. She had been so scared and frustrated then as her fortunes forever changed. Part of her wishes she could go back and send herself a sign that it was all for the best. Now, her mindset was in complete contrast to that time. As Dhara and Rosalie tended to her, Cassandra had gone out to rendezvous with Rylen, and Ilara was preparing their room for the evening.
"Does Cullen know you're doing all this?" Both women snickered, shaking their heads. "Ros, even I know your brother hates surprises, even good ones."
"Cul can be too serious at times, and I only wish to see him have a happy ending for once," a sad smile graced her lips as her brown eyes drifted off into memories.
"Considerin' what the Hold Spirits told Evie, he should be a very happy Thane," the Augur muttered while washing Evelyn's long two-toned hair.
"Oh? What's the news?" The two mages smiled warmly at each other as they imparted the words of the Spirits to the youngest Rutherford. The more Evelyn told the more Rosalie bounced and squealed, her voice was so high-pitched, she had to plug her ears, "I'm going be an aunt again! What a little clan we'll have! Good thing we're doing this then, Auntie Ros wants a little Thane to spoil rotten!" The Phoenix rolled her eyes, allowing them to believe she and Cullen had yet to sleep with each other. So little of their business was private that she'd take their ridicule over having to admit to it only to have to divulge all the sensual details.
When they finished, the three walked back to her longhouse, followed by a gaggle of people still merrily invested in the whole affair. Evelyn couldn't help but laugh at the advice and comments yelled and traded among the crowd. Some of the women even giving the menfolk an earful about how to properly make love to a woman. Whisked inside unceremoniously, the Augur stayed outside to explain to everyone their part once the Thane returned from the hunt, that no one was to say anything about what happened.
Upon entering the bedroom, Ilara had outdone herself as a feast of savory finger foods was laid out on a table. Mead and even a bottle of wine with a note from Dorian were placed out, making the room into a cozy retreat for the evening. Wildflower bunches and lovely-smelling herbs such as lemon balm, lavender, and rosemary were tucked into every crevasse and place where they could be, making the room resemble a peaceful meadow. Wheat stalks were symbolically included in the décor as well, wishing the bride to be as fertile as their fields. As she looked about in awe of the decorations and food, she became vaguely aware of someone sliding her clothes off.
"Don't give me that look," Dhara complained having returned, "yer modesty be damned!" Trying to ignore what they were doing, she distracted herself with the sight of the rustic-themed décor until they draped something over her. "There, ye have to give him somethin' to rip off of ye." Looking down, two pieces of thin muted red linen hung from her shoulders in a V, just hardly covering up her lady parts.
Guiding her over to the bed, she gave them both weary looks, but she had given her word to cooperate, so there was nothing to be done. As the women bound her wrists with rope to the bedpost, Evelyn couldn't help but wonder, "Ros, shouldn't someone else be helping me with this and not you?"
She rolled her eyes, "While I am your sister, it is by rite, not blood. It's not like I'm going to sit here and watch. The Augur may want to though to make sure the knotting was finally consummated…"
"W-what?!" A sickening stab pierced her gut. Looking back and forth between the two younger women revealed that they were holding in giggles. Evelyn let out a sigh, "For fuck's sake, can you two ever just not take advantage of my Lowlanderness?"
"Never!" At Rosalie's reply, the two sputtered out in howling laughter.
Scowling at them, Evelyn turned up her nose, "Where I'm from, we consider the things that transpire in the marital bed private. Besides, I'm not sure our… activities would be suitable for you anyway."
"Ye fucked once," Dhara's droll tone was irritating, making her feel old and even more like a "prude" Lowlander, even if it was accurate.
"You can't entirely blame her, Dhara. Evie did offer one night before the Knotting, but my brother spurned her." Rosalie was not helping in revealing that, and Evelyn gaped like a fish trying to find words for her embarrassment.
"Truly?" The blonde Rutherford nodded sadly in reply as her new sister-in-law scoffed at the implications still unable to voice a defense. "Well, I suppose Evie really isn't his type."
"I'm not sure about that anymore, it seems his taste may have changed from what I've gathered."
"Changed? Ros, she's the opposite of what he's had in the past! She's a larger woman, that for sure, and his wives were the quiet type, ye ken? No screamin' or hollerin,' and certainly not the fightin' type." Reduced to nothing more than a silent spectator as her pride and virtue were discussed while tied to a bed, Evelyn chewed her lip and nodded her head wondering why she hadn't fought harder earlier. "Are ye suggesting he's found he likes it, eh? Sweet and gentle love got borin'? Even if Evie told us about Wintersend night as if she was a virgin, I bet she's a lioness in the furs."
"D, so help me, another word from you and you will see a flaming lioness!" She snapped and Evelyn's face flushed with both indignant fury and embarassment. Even if they had no clue about the true nature of their relationship, she did not agree to be subjected to this. With flickering orange irises, set on the Augur, Rosalie climbed atop the bed and began placing her hair in a pleasing way around her shoulders. "For the love of the gods, Ros, get off the fucking bed! This is awkward enough with you!"
She was met with nothing but guffaws from the two, while the blonde carried on unaffected, "We are simply doing our Avvish duty in helping along the prophecy. Some of us would like to have children before the next age." Leaning back admiring her work, she eyed Evelyn impishly then blew gently about her neck.
"Stop that! You're giving me chills!"
"That's the idea," Dhara's eyebrows bobbed and at first she didn't know what she meant until her eyes pointed down to her breasts that had reacted to the sensation. "I don't believe even our stubborn Thane will be able to resist ye lookin' like that."
Growling, Evelyn yelled, "Get! Both of you! I've had just enough--" Rosalie and Dhara jumped and sped for the exit. As the Lady went on, in the background of her scolding, the front doors had opened.