Castle Cousland was a lively place; in its earlier years, children's laughter filled the halls as the little lord and lady chased each other around. Fergus was the heir, born 10 months after Bryce and Eleanor married. Briar was a surprise, a baby of golden curls born after 6 years of disappointment.

Fergus instantly adored his sister, vowing to protect her. Naturally, this never stopped him from chasing after her and pretending to be a monster under her bed.

Briar was a troublemaker, truly the youngest daughter, often found under tables or behind bookshelves causing mischief. In her teen years, this transformed, and the girl would still be in the library, instead reading restricted books, and out in the courtyard, sparring with the young Ser Gilmore.

At the age of 19, Briar had become a bright young woman, roaming the castle in long dresses and simple armour, her Mabari hound not far behind. 'Snuffles' was a lively dog, following his mistress wherever she instructed. Naming her war dog something so mundane and 'cute' never failed to bring a smirk to Briar's face.

"My Lady," A small servant meets her as she exits her room "Your father has requested your presence in the main hall,"

Briar sighed, smoothing her dusty green dress "Thank you, Gina,"

"Of course," the girl nods, hanging her head low "I should inform you that Arl Howe is here,"

"Oh for - " Briar catches herself, biting her lip; it takes another long sigh before she's moving through the familiar home, her leather boots catching on the cobblestone.

It was not that she disliked her father's best friend. It was just that well...she disliked him.

She couldn't admit it of course, but Howe was tiering, a greying thin man who valued his nobility over family. Briar remembered when he sent his oldest son to the Free Marches, his daughter Delilah had informed Briar that no begging could dissuade him.

"I trust your troops will be here shortly?" Bryce Cousland is standing facing a roaring fire, Howe stands back, two guards stationed behind him.

"I expect they will start arriving tonight, and we can march tomorrow. I apologise for the delay, my lord. It is entirely my fault,"

He was here for the blight then, as she suspected. Her father had received news that soldiers would be needed on the front lines a mere week ago, and now he and Fergus would be leaving to bring the fight to the darkspawn.

She did not envy them.

"I'll send my eldest off with my men. You and I shall ride together, just like the old days!"

"True, though we had fewer grey hairs then and faced Orlesians, not monsters,"

"At least the smell will be the same!" The teryn's eyes wander to the edge of the hall, where he finds Briar "I'm sorry, Pup; I didn't see you there. Howe, you remember my daughter?"

Briar enters the room properly, and although Rendon smiles, she can hear the small scoff that exits as she comes into the light. Her attire was hardly lady-like, with her dress covered by a chainmail corset, two short daggers hanging off a metal belt settled on her hips. A third dagger was strapped to her thigh, and her sandy locks had been braided away from her face by her mother the night prior, leaving short waves to cascade just below her shoulders.

"I see she's become a lonely young woman. Pleased to see you again, my dear,"

"And you, Arl Howe, is your family joining you?"

"Oh no, I left them in Amaranthine, well away from the fighting in the south. They send their regards. My son Thomas was asking after you; perhaps next time I shall bring him," Thomas was two years Briar's junior and in all conversations had blatantly ignored Briar, especially after she bested him in training.

Perhaps she could play the fool. "To what end? Thomas is quite a few years younger than me,"

"To what end?" Rendon laughs "So glib too! She sounds just like her mother when she talks like that,"

"You see what I must contend with? There's no telling my fierce girl anything these days, maker bless her heart,"

"Quite talented, I'm sure,"

Briar's cheeks flushed slightly, it was as if she wasn't there.

"At any rate, Pup, I summoned you here for a reason. While your brother and I are away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle,"

"Oh," Briar pauses for a moment, she expected her mother to take up her father's duties, but she was hardly complaining, becoming head of household for a few weeks would hardly kill her.

"Oh?"

"I shall do my best, Father," she smiles

"I trust you will, dear girl, but this is no needless task. I ask you to take on a great responsibility. Only a token force is remaining here, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away yes?"

"Good thing I have a Mabari,"

Bryce can't help the endearing smile he lets slip "Keep your wits about you, Pup," he glances back "There's also someone you must meet. Please, show Duncan in,"

A taller man enters the hall, a longsword strapped to his back next to a dagger, silver armour clatters as he walks, and he holds himself like a soldier.

"It is an honour to be a guest within your hall Teryn Cousland," he had a deep voice but seemed well-versed in interacting with nobles. Briar watches as Howe takes a sharp intake of breath.

"Your Lordship, you didn't mention a Grey Warden would be present,"

"Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced. Is there a problem?"

"Oh, course not," he laughs "But a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am..." he searches for the words "at a disadvantage,"

"Not used to that?" Briar quips

"We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true," Bryce turns to his daughter "Briar, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope?"

"They're an order of warriors. They fight darkspawn when they come to the surface,"

"They're our great protectors, the ones who ended the blights, yes. Duncan is looking for recruits before he joins his fellow Wardens in the south. I believe he's got his eye on Ser Gilmore,"

Before Briar can begin to question what she's heard, Duncan is interrupting her train of thought.

"If I might be so bold, I would suggest that your daughter is also an excellent candidate,"

She can't help it: she laughs.

"I'm quite content with my position; I assure you, I have no desire to become a Grey Warden,"

"Do you hear that Duncan? My daughter is not interested. So unless you intend to invoke the Right of Conscription...?" Bryce steps forward, almost daring Duncan to challenge him.

He doesn't take the bait.

"Have no fear. Although we need as many good recruits as we can find, I've no interest in forcing the issue," Briar recalled Brother Aldous mentioning that the Grey Wardens had been forced out of Ferelden and were only slowly returning.

"Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone,"

"Of course," she smiles kindly at the warden "I just hope you don't expect anything too fancy for supper. Potato stew is my favourite,"

"Don't torment the man, my dear girl. In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me,"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she teases

"We must discuss of the battle plans in the south. Be a good lass and do as I've asked. We'll talk soon,"

"So serious," Briar pouts, but she leans up to kiss her father on the cheek before leaving.

She barely makes it a few meters before a strong force steps in front of her "There you are! Your mother told me the teryn has summoned you, so I didn't want to interrupt,"

"Hello to you too, Ser Gilmore,"

He laughs, shaking his head "Pardon my abruptness, my lady. It's simply that I've been looking everywhere for you,"

"Hm, everywhere? I've never had a man so eager to talk to me," Gilmore blushes slightly, and Briar decides to let him off the hook this time "Good thing you didn't interrupt, considering father's company,"

He picks up on the disdain in her voice and smirks ever so slightly "Ah yes, I heard Arl Howe was here,"

"Pleasent company as always. Father made me leave while they discussed battle plans. I'm sure if I wait a few minutes, I can return and pester him,"

"I fear you'll have to do that after your mother's task: I hear your hound has the kitchen in an uproar,"

"Again?" Briar runs a hand down her face

"Nan is threatening to leave,"

"Ah, she always does that. She was my nanny once if she didn't quit then, she won't now,"

"Your mother disagrees. She insists you collect the dog and quickly. You know these Mabari hounds. He'll listen to his mistress, but anyone else risks having an arm bitten off,"

Briar sighs but starts to walk towards the kitchens "You're just upset about that time he tripped you up,".

After a fight with some very large rats in the kitchen, Briar finds herself back in the main hall: she was worried. Her father and Fergus were off to fight some terrifying monsters, but she just had to sit back and let them.

Bryce notices his daughter hanging by the edges of the room, and he walks over to greet her

"Shouldn't you be finding Fergus, as I asked?"

"Will you two be okay?" she asks abruptly. For a second, Bryce doesn't see Lady Cousland; he sees a young Briar, scared and clinging to his leg.

"Well...We're hardly going for afternoon tea with the king," Briar rolls her eyes, and he wonders where she got her personality from? "But know this, you are my darling daughter," he takes both her shoulders and forces her to look up at him "I love you, and I trust you completely to carry on the Cousland name if the worst should happen,"

Briar gulps.

"That's a lot of pressure,"

"Don't worry about me, dear girl. You'll have enough to occupy your mind while I'm gone,"

Her father dismisses her gently, and Briair wanders the castle, popping her head in to see the servants - who promise to serve her well in her temporary position - and even checking on the treasury, where she finds the two guards playing cards.

"Enjoy your game, boys,"

"You are very graceful, my lady,"

"Oh, tell me something I don't know,"

After a while, she supposes she's stalled enough and heads towards her brother's quarters, running into her mother and her guests - Bann Loren's wife and son, plus a lady in waiting.

It only takes a few minutes for the conversation to change from Lady Landra's drinking habits to why Briar isn't married yet.

"I can handle my own affairs, thank you Mother,"

"All evidence to the contrary,"

Lady Landra excuses herself, and once alone with her mother, Briar allows her back to slouch slightly and relax "What if something happens to Fergus and Father?"

"It is in the Maker's hands now," Eleanor gently grabs her daughter's face, cradling it "We must cope the best we can,"

"Hm, Will you be staying in the castle?"

"For a few days, yes, then I'll travel with Lady Landra to her estate and keep her company for a time. Your father thinks my presence here might undermine your authority,"

Briar scoffs "Please, you know me, I'll have everyone in line in a week... I don't think you should go,"

"I won't be gone long," Eleanor promises, stroking Briar's cheek. They stay there a moment before Briar breaks the silence

"I should go,"

"I love you, my darling girl. You know that, don't you?"

"Of course I do, I love you too,"

"You've grown up so fast," Eleanor muses ", and now Bryce is leaving you in charge of the castle...I suppose there's no point in dwelling on it. I turned around and here you are, a fine woman in your own right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Briar gently takes her mother's hand off her cheek "I shall see you later,".

She finds Dairren in the library "Hello again. Your castle's study is wonderful. Might I ask who's collection this is?"

"Well, I suppose it's the families, although that isn't the answer you wanted. My grandfather expanded the collection,"

"Yes! He was something of a scholar, right? An interest in magical studies?"

"Done your research, have you?" Briar teases, "I thought you were a warrior yourself?"

"I am, but truly, books are my passion. Years ago, I wanted to join the Chantry as a scholar, but Father wouldn't hear of it,"

"And waste that pretty face of yours? Your father had the right idea,"

"Ha!" Dairren laughs, a blush coming to his cheeks "You flatter me my lady. You must have passions of your own,"

"I find myself in combat training most days or here in the library, recently poisons have piqued my interest,"

"Truly? That is an odd area of interest, though I have heard rumours about you... but I assumed that's all they were,"

Briar raises a brow "What else have you heard about me?"

"Everyone says that you're more likely to succeed the teryn than your brother is. That the Courland line has never been stronger. I don't know about here, but outside your castle, people discuss your family a great deal. Some say your father should have been king instead of Cailan. But it is just talk I think, borne from affection for your father."

"Oh," Brair stands still for a moment, that was a lot to take in "Well, my father is a good man. I'm glad others see it,"

"A very political response, my lady," Briar nods and walks to the other side of the study, starting up a conversation with Iona; she seemed sweet, discussing her daughter fondly before wishing Briar luck in the coming months.

Eventually, Briar finds her brother in his room, kneeling down to speak with his son, Oren. "I will be back before you know it,"

"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is...Disquiet," Orianna watches nervously, fiddling with her hands.

"Don't frighten the boy, love, I speak the truth," Fergus glances up and sees Brair enter "And here's my little sister to see me off!" he stands, wrapping an arm around Orianna's waist "Now dry your eyes love, and wish me well,"

"Ugh, you two are nauseating," Briar teases.

"Ha! When there's a man in your life, you'll understand,"

"No fewer than three, if you please," she watches their faces drop.

"Sister, that would-" Orianna is interrupted by Briar's loud laugh.

"Oh, you should see your faces! Men are overrated," Briar sighs "All they do is go and fight in wars, and then half of them run off screaming after speaking with me," Orianna hides a laugh, and Fergus grins.

"One day, you'll meet a man that can handle you, mark my words,"

"Hm, you shall be missed, brother,"

"If it's a consolation, I'm sure I'll freeze in the Southern rain and be completely jealous of you up here, warm and safe,"

"I am positively thrilled that you shall be so miserable, husband,"

"Do you think the battle shall be over quickly?" Briar asks in a hushed tone, ensuring her nephew can't hear. Fergus puts a strong hand on her shoulder.

"Word from the South says that the battles have gone well, dear sister. There's no evidence that this is a true blight - just a large raid,"

"Could it be true?" Orianna questions

"I'll see for myself soon enough. Pray for me, love and I'll be back within a month or two,"

"I'm sure you'll find comfort knowing it's me running the castle whilst you freeze your tits off in the South, brother. Father sent me with a message. He wants you to leave with the men this evening, and he shall join you tomorrow,"

"Then the arls men are delayed. You'd think his men were all walking backwards,"

"Well, we can't expect the men to be smarter than their leader,"

"Sister," Fergus scolds, yet there's no real intent behind it as his lips turn into a smirk "Well, I'd better be on my way. So little darkspawn to behead, so little time," he turns to his wife "Off we go then, I'll see you soon my love,"

"I would hope, dear boy, that you planned to bid farewell to us before you leave," Bryce and Eleanor appear by the doorway; Eleanor enters first and cups Fergus' cheeks.

"Be well, my son. I will pray for your safety every day you are gone,"

"You could have delivered your message yourself, Father," Briar moans once he comes to stand next to her.

"And miss having both my children in one place before I leave?" he pulls her into a side hug "Not likely,"

"The Maker sustain and preserve us all," Orianna begins a prayer "Watch over our sons, husbands and fathers and bring them safely back to us,"

"And add brothers to that list,"

"And bring us some ale and wenches while you're at it," Fergus adds, Briar laughs as Orianna turns to her husband glaring "Er...For the men, of course,"

"Fergus! You would say this in front of your mother?!

"She's heard worse,"

"What's a wench?" Oren asks, "Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?"

"A wench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern Oren...Or a woman that drinks a lot of ale,"

"Bryce! Maker's breath, it's like living with a pair of small boys. Thankfully, I have a daughter,"

"I'll miss you, Mother dear. You'll take care of her, sister, won't you?"

"Mother can handle herself; she always has," Briar chuckles "But of course,"

"It's true, they should be sending her, not me. She would scold those dawkspawn back into the Deep Roads,"

"Well, I'm glad you find this so funny,"

"Enough," Bruce laughs " Pup, you'll want to get an early night. You've much to do tomorrow,"

"Okay," Briar drawls out, Fergus laughs.

"Getting sent to bed early, are we?"

"Have fun on the long march," Briar smiles sarcastically "In the cold,"

"Oh, if only you could come with me,"

"Mother would forbid it,"

"At any rate, it'd be fun fighting side by side...maybe next time. I'll miss you. Take care of everyone, and be here when I get back,"

"Always," Briar turns but is caught by Oren's voice.

"Mama says you're going to be watching over us while Papa is gone. Is that true, Auntie?"

"Auntie makes me sound old," Braor complains, looking up at her brother, she kneels down to talk to Oren "Yes, it's true, but It's not going to be very exciting,"

"What if the castle is attacked? Will there be dragons?"

"Dragons are terrible creatures, Oren; they eat people," his mother informs

"Yeah! I want to see one!"

"This is your influence, Fergus,"

"What? I didn't say anything!"

"Are you going to teach me to use a sword, Auntie? Then I can fight evil too! Take that dire bunny! All darkspawn fear my sword of truthiness!"

"Truthiness?"

"We've been teaching him about honesty,"

"Ah, I see. Well, Oren you'd have to ask your mother,"

"Hmm, I'm thinking 'no'"

"What about traps?"

"Again, No"

"Poisons?"

"Oh, yes! Those are fun," Briar agrees

"Yay!"

Orianna quietly turns to her husband "There are times your family causes me great pain,"

"Now, now, mind your mother, Oren. Briar..." Fergus ends up just sighing, and his sister laughs, standing

"I never get to do anything!"

"Perhaps we can find an old wooden sword set to practice with," Briar suggests, then whispers to Orianna "Blunt tools to ensure he doesn't stab anyone,"

"If you should need any assistance in the coming days, I would be glad to offer it,"

"Thank you,"

"Right, now off to bed with you," Bryce speaks up, Eleanor hanging off his arm.

"I'll see you bright and early tomorrow,"

Briar nods and wraps her arms around Fergus "Be safe,".

When the soldiers come, Briar hears the screams, her servants running, the groundsman rushing in before being shot in the back.

It happens too fast.

Snuffles is guarding the door, teeth bared, all whilst Briar grabs her daggers. When the door opens again, Snuffles pounces, and Briar must face the soldiers on her own, barefoot and in her nightdress.

She fights surprisingly well. These were soldiers, slow in their heavy armour. They underestimated her, and when her poisoned dagger slit their throats, she saw a brief glimpse of regret. On closer inspection of their bodies, Briar notices the Howe family crest on their shields, and her stomach drops.

That bastard.

When her mother arrives, it allows her the extra protection to drape a fur robe over her body, slip into her boots, and grab her off-the-shoulder pack, filling it with potions and poisons.

Then she runs, her night dress splattered in blood.

She finds Orianan and Oren before her father, bodies sprawled on the floor, slain in their own room. She has to guide her mother out when she lets out a loud cry

Together, they navigate the castle, and Briar can only stop a few times to find the servants, ushering them out of the castle towards the kitchen. She recovers her family's sword and in the brief few seconds she has, covers her hand with a sob while her mother straps a shield to her back. She'd never used one, finding it too heavy, but Eleanor insisted, she wouldn't let Howe take it; it was her father's.

They find said man on the floor, eyes half shut, hand covering a wound.

"There...you both are. I was-" he's cut off by his arm weakening, sending the other half of his body to the floor.

"Father!"

"Bryce!" The two rush over, and Eleanor cradles her husband's head in her hands "Maker's blood, what's happening?! You're bleeding!"

"Howe's men...found me first. Almost did me in right there," Briar is frozen, kneeling with scraped knees at her father's side as he stutters out words.

"I'll kill him..." she mutters slowly "I'll -" she chokes out another sob.

"He can't get away with this, the king will -" Bryce is cut off by his own violent coughing.

"Bryce! We must get you out of here,"

"I...I won't survive the standing, I think,"

"No, you'll be fine," Briar grabs his arm "You've got to get up!"

"Oh, my darling girl...If only will could make it so,"

"Once Howe's men break through the gate, they will find us! We must go!" Eleanor urges

"Someone must reach Fergus, tell him what has happened,"

"Tell him yourself,"

"I wish I could,"

"Bryce, no, the servant's passage is right here. We can flee together, find you healing magic,"

"The castle is surrounded! I cannot make it,"

"Please, Father," Briar begs.

"I'm afraid the teryn is correct," Briar turns, dagger drawn; she finds the Grey Warden in front of her, sheathing his weapons "Howe's men have not yet discovered this exit, but they have surrounded the castle, getting past will be difficult,"

"You are Duncan then, the Grey Warden?"

"Yes, your ladyship. The teryn and I tried to reach you sooner,"

"My daughter helped me get here. Maker be praised,"

"I am not surprised,"

Briar is still standing with her dagger drawn, watching Duncan carefully "Are you going to help us or what?"

"Duncan, I beg you, take my wife and daughter to safety,"

"I will, your Lordship, but...I fear I must ask for something in return,"

"Naturally," Briar scoffs.

"What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in this world. I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one,"

"I...I understand," Bryce says slowly, his eyes landing on Briar.

"No! I refuse! You have some gall, my father is dying! I don't care about your darkspawn. Be a good man, pick him up, and let's go!"

"And how will you survive?" Bryce asks

"I am-"

"I will take the tenya and your daughter to Ostagar to tell Fergus and the King what happened. Then, your daughter joins the Grey Wardens,"

"So long as justice comes to Howe...I agree,"

"Then I offer you a place within the Grey Wardens. Fight with Us," Duncan turns to Briar

"I refuse," Briar collapses to the floor, grabbing her father's hands "Please, we can get you out of this. I will not go with him if it means I must become a warden!"

"Howe thinks he'll use the chaos to advance himself. Make him wrong pup, see that justice is done,"

"I do not need to be a warden to do that!"

"Our family has always put our duty first," he squeezes her hands "The darkspawn must be defeated. You must go. For your own sake and for Fereldens,"

"I don't want to," Briar cries

"Then I have no choice," Duncan speaks "I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription and recruit you into the Grey Wardens despite your objection,"

"What?" she turns to look at the older man; he doesn't look regretful "How- You can't-"

"I am sorry, Pup, but it's better this way,"

"Bryce...are you sure?" Eleanor asks quietly

"Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery. She will live," he coughs, blood splattering onto the floor "She will make her mark on the world,"

"Darling," Eleanor turns "Go with Duncan. You have a better chance to escape without me,"

Before Briar can object, her father is reaching out to his wife, "Ellie-"

"Hush Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time. But I won't abandon you,"

"We can find another way, Mother," Briar pleads "Please don't make me go without you,"

"So we all die?" Eleanor looks at her daughter, dressed in a bloodied gown, tears running down her face "Your place is now with the Grey Wardens. Mine is with your father. At his side, to death and beyond,"

"I'm so sorry it's come to this, my love," Bryce cries into his wife's lap and she cradles him against her.

"We had a good life and did all we could. It's up to our children now,"

"Then go Briar. Warn your brother. And know that we love you both. You do us proud,"

There's a loud crash, and Duncan pulls Briar up "They have broken through the gates; we must go," she tries to break free of his grip, but Duncan pushes her forward towards the exit. She turns back, screaming for her parents.

"Goodbye, darling,"

"No! Mother!" she bangs against Duncan's chest "Get away from me! Father! Please!"

Her screams are drowned out.