Another Warden for the Flock

Kassina woke early as she had slept in the forest with the wolf pack. She hadn't attented the party as there was simply too many people there and had opted to do guard duty instead.

In wolf form Kassina was hunting for breakfast when she picked up the scent of an intruder. He smelled human, but had that other small taint of a warden as well. Kassina thought she had met all the wardens and went to investigate. She watched from the woods for a moment as a lone man with a giant sword walked down the trail.

Kassina let out a short howl to alert some nearby pack mates to flank the stranger at a distance and also sent one of her sisters off to warn the Wolf of the strangers approach. Cautiously Kassina shifted to elf form and walked out of the woods just ahead of the stranger.

"Hello, who you?" She asked, a look of childlike curiosity on her face. Kassina found that her manner and her speech patterns often caused people to underestimate her, and that was always a good thing with a potential enemy.

Dice walked through the forest his heavy foot steps leaving deep indention's in the ground but his pace was measured and slow due to the two children behind him. The man stopped as he saw the elf and bowed. " Elvhenan Aneth ara atish’an. (Hello Elven Heart It is good tidings to meet you I come in peace)" His voice was gruff and deep with a powerful baritone for one who is use to calling out orders over loud noises.

He moved the giant blade to a comfortable position and a nonthreatening one as he stood looking at the elven woman. His size was amazing standing at seven feet and five inches tall he was a beast of muscle and power with a star shaped scar and many more scars over his body. However it was his eyes and face that worried most for it was blank of any kind of emotion except his words which were sincere.

His hand motioned for the two children who moved up slowly and positioned themselves on either side. "Elvhenan Da'len Souveri Isala (Elven the children or weary and in need of rest)" Dice stood there balancing both children with a large hand as he waited for the elf to decide.

Kassina stood and stared at the large man curiously. He seemed to have two cubs with him. The man spoke but she did not understand. She knew he spoke elvish for she recognized the words 'elvhenan' and 'da'len' but her elvish was even worse than her human.

"Kassina no know elf talk." she said, shaking her head in apology. The man didn't seem like a threat despite his giant size and the cubs with him looked tired. "Come. Others talk elf talk. Cubs tired, find food for cubs." She gestured for him to continue down the road and fell into step near him. She was close enough to speak but far enough that she could dart out of reach if he turned violent.

Dice only smiled as he lifted thew two children up onto his shoulders. "I apologize I naturally assumed but that is my fault. The Children or tired and in need of rest we have been traveling for many weeks with little sleep and even less food. I am a warrior sadly not much of a Hunter." Dice nodded and started down the road looking up at the two children who didn't know if they were hungry or tired more.

He pressed his head against each one and smiled. "Don't worry little one's food and rest will come shortly I promise as a Grey Warden I will not let you starve." He looked down at the elf woman giving her that smile that showed warmth but his eyes still were as cold as death. "I am Dice of the Grey Wardens. I thank you for assisting us."

Kassina nodded as the man spoke. "Cubs food, sleep. Yes." Kassina let out a serious of barks and howls to send one of the escort wolves on ahead to tell Calliara that some beds and food were needed for some cubs right away.

When she was done she looked back up to the man. "Food. Bed?" She was pretty sure that was the word humans used for the soft things they slept on. "Be ready camp in for cubs."

"Dice? Nice short name! Me Kassina. Part of warden pack, but no warden. Small alpha busy but white wolf help Dice and Cubs. Lots wardens camp."

Dice nodded wondering how long it was until camp the little ones needed food and rest soon. "It is good to meet you Kassina a powerful name I see you run with pack, Pack good, Strong, brave tell by Barks you lead with love and honor yes. Warden pack how many?" His voice had changed to mimic hers and speak the way she did with even some growling noises added in so he was talking wolf with her.

He turned his head seeing camp and thanked the Maker, He set both kids down holding there hands as they stumbled into camp.

As they approached the edge of camp one of the wolves returned to deliver Calliara's message. Kassina stepped infront of Dice and stood her ground.

"Kassina sorry, but stop. Wait for white wolf. Wolf say no strangers until she come." Kassina pulled two apples out of a pouch oun her belt and handed them to the cubs.

Dice stopped as well and nodded smiling. "Dice understand, No mad at Kassina. Will wait." He took the apples and lead the kids over to a tree and sat them down by the roots. He polished the apples off and gave one to each child smiling as he sat next to them so they wouldn't be afraid. Even sitting the man was big he held both kids like a father protecting them from something terrible as he whispered to them.

He looked at Kassina his dead eyes staring at her with that same icy look. "How long till Wardens come for Dice and children?"

''Not long'' Calliara appeared then, with a couple of blankets and a bag with hot bread and a waterskin with milk. ''I am sorry, Kassina. I was with the Commander, and I have to go back shortly''

The Wolf nodded to her, and then looked at Dice, studying him while giving the children the food and the blankets. ''Andaran atish'an, lethallan. I am lieutenant Calliara Mahariel of the Grey Wardens, and at the moment I am in charge while our Commander deals with some issues. I wish to know your name and where you're coming from before I let you enter the camp. Also, I'd like to know where did you find these two fearless warriors''

Speaking the last words to the children, Calliara's serious face turned to a warm smile

Dice was not startled by the woman having sensed her coming and he smiled wrapping the blankets around the kids and breaking the bread in half. "Eat this little ones I promise you will get more soon. Maybe a big bear I will bring down with my bare hands for you both." He chuckled kissing them on the forehead softly before turning to look at the woman and stood up. "I am Captain Dice Matrix of the Grey Wardens though Captain may not be right anymore. I was captain in the deep roads for two years hunting darkspawn. These two I found outside a cave where Darkspawn were said to come up, There father was using them as bait to lure out Darkspawn so he could ambush them and show off there heads as trophies. I killed the father and took the kids."

Dice looked at the woman his dead eyes staring right back at her without flinching as he waited her verdict if him and the children could come into camp. "Look if you can't let me in fine I get it but the kids are innocent and hungry at least allow them a fire and food and a warm place to sleep, I will stay out here under guard if I have too. Just let the kids go in."

He looks just like Griffinhart looks at everyone

That was what Calliara was thinking. While he was speaking she just nodded, and when he was done, the Wolf nodded one last time.

''Well done killing the father. Now come, the three of you. Kassina'' Calliara looked at the younger elf. ''Take them with the others. Tell Caterina, Fremelda and Sophia to take care of the children. Feed them, give them better clothes and prepare a place for them to rest, with the other cubs - Dartmoor, Khael, Takara... -. Also, let them meet Fenrir'' She smirked. ''A puppy does wonders with tired and scared people''

Looking again at Dice, the Wolf invited him to follow Kassina and her to camp. ''I have no reasons to not believe you, but I must warn you that you'll be watched until we're sure that you are who you say you are. Where did you serve? I am a Ferelden Warden and I don't remember you. We have Orlesian Wardens and from the Anderfels as well''

Kassina listened patiently as the others talked, picking up most of what they said. She nodded at Calliara's orders. "Yes Wolf. Food, sleep, puppy." She began walking toward the central fire pit knowing that was where Khael, Takara, and Dartmoor probably were, though she hadn't seen them yet today. Once she had the three strangers settled by the fire she'd go look for Fremelda and the other two.

Dice picked up the young boy and girl and smiled for they had drifted to sleep, he handed them gently over to Kassina and nodded his thanks then fell in step with Calliara. "Thank you Lieutenant I appreciate it and I understand. I served in the Deep roads I was a normal warrior when me and some dwarven friends made a pact to go down into the deep roads and kill as many Darkspawn as we could well a few months later we met up with a couple of Wardens and deciding safety in numbers we became a group. A year and a half I fought with those Wardens brave and dangerous both of them then one day I was blocked off by a earthquake which rained down large stones blocking us from each other. Unlucky me inside the room was a sleeping Ogre a big one and very nasty, Nastier than they usually are this one had been eating Darkspawn. Long story short we fought for hours before I cut it in half sadly I got a good few mouthfuls of Ogre darkspawn blood and The Wardens did there rite and than i was a Warden."

Dice looked around camp as they entered and nodded liking how the defenses were set up. "I was named Captain after the Warden Captain was ambushed and cut down before we could get there we killed the forty Darkspawn and as he was dying he promoted me to Captain though if I remain one fine if not that is as well. So who are we going to see?"

Kassina accepted the two sleeping children and walked ahead to the main fire. She went to the tent she knew to be Dartmoor's and pushed his feet out of the way so she could lay the two sleeping children at the bottom of the cot. She grabbed an extra blanket off the floor and wrapped it around them carefully.

"Shhhh..." She whispered to Dartmoor as she put the kids down. "Cubs sleeping."

"Keep eye cubs. Kassina be soon back." She said quietly as soon as she was sure he was awake. Then she ran off to find Fremelda and the two others Calliara had mentioned. She knew Fremelda was camped just outside the main camp and so went to find her first.

''First you're going to eat and rest. I'm taking you with Bowen Pentaghast, another one of our Wardens. He will keep an eye over you while I speak with the Commander. Once I'm done with that, I'll take you to speak with her''

The Wolf guided him to the biggest firepit, where the enormous Nevarran was already having breakfast, eating an incredibly enormous amount of food. When he saw Calliara and an unknown man approaching, he stood.

''Morning, sis'' He said, with a smile, and eyeing curiously at Dice. Calliara nodded.

''Morning, bro. I need you to take care of someone. This is Dice Matrix, a Warden. He came with two children that I sent with Caterina, Fremelda and Sophia to be taken care of. I have to speak with the Commander, and then I'll come to take him with her''

Bowen nodded, and offered his hand to Dice, with a friendly smile. ''Be welcomed among us, Dice Matrix. I am Bowen Pentaghast, senior Grey Warden. Please, take a seat and let us share the breakfast with you''

Dice stared at the man for a second his dead eyes peering into the other man's eyes and with a smile that barley lifted the corners of his mouth he took the man's hand. "Dice Matrix. It's good to meet a fellow Warrior and thanks for the invitation." He sat down reaching over grabbing great slabs of meat and with his knife he cut two of them into small strips and set them aside. "For the little one's there not very trusting of people giving them anything. Nice pair but very timid."

Shade grabbed the other meat and even though he was obviously ravenous he took his time using his dagger to slice the meat into portions and eat with dignity and manners of a Noble's son. He separated out the fat and ate only the strong hard to chew meat while saving the soft sweet slices into a pile for the kids. "She said Commander. I been in the deep roads for two years my friend! Maybe you can tell me who the commander is?" Shade looked up at the other big man when he spoke. His back was straight as a arrow his manners implacable and his way of speaking was formal but with a equal tone.

''Two years in the Deep Roads. Heck, the longest time I've been there were just... six months'' Bowen's eyes looked dark for a moment, remembering, but then his friendly smile returned.

The Nevarran sat down again and continued eating, with the elegant slackness of someone raised in a court in spite of his rugged shirt and chest protection. His massive armor was placed close to him, it seemed Bowen had been cleaning it before starting to eat.

''Well, then I guess it's in order a quick history lesson'' He smirked. ''Please feel free to ask or stop me. Our Commander is the Hero of Ferelden, who defeated the Archdemon during the last Blight, which happened this last year and a half. She is a hell of a dwarven lady, though and efficient, and we all love and respect her very much. The Fereldan Warden Order was... almost exterminated during the failed battle at Ostagar, where King Cailan died, as well as our last Commander''

A flash of pained light crossed Bowen's dark green eyes, but his smile still stayed on.

Dice sat back listening to the man talk and waited for him o finish. It was obvious the dwarven lady was someone of respect and had great loyalty amongst her men. That spoke well of a good leader. "I see so the Arch Demon was slain good very good and now the slayer of Arch Demons is Commander of the Wardens which is only fitting yes. I thank you Bowen for the information you have given me. Yes I spent two full years in the deep roads and I am making my way back to the Keep that was when I found Shawn and Samantha. There father was using them as bait for Darkspawn I am just glad it was me and my men who came out of hat cave and not those creatures. I killed the father and took the children as my own. I plan to stop at my family castle and leave the pair with my sister. They need a mother and she can not have children so it works out."

''I think that's a great idea. I hope their father burns in the demon's embrace as well'' Bowen smiled, drinking a sip from his ale. Yeah he was drinking ale even that early in the morning.

''I am sure the Commander will agree with you to leave the children in your family castle. And which castle is that? Are you a Bann, Arl, or something like that? I've lived in Ferelden for many years and yet the political classes confuse me. In Nevarra things are so much simple than here. We have some Arl and Bann's sons here, and Teyrn Cousland's daughter as well''

Dice nodded as he listened to Bowen talk. "I am the son of a Arl technically it is now my title since my brother has gone to the Makers side but I leave it in my sisters hands as caretaker. I have spilled too much blood to be that man anymore. One day maybe but not anytime soon I think. My castle is actually along this path a good two days ride. Had you kept going you would have been welcomed there by my sister."

Dice grabbed a mug of Ale and drowned it in a single gulp. "Ah nothing like Ale to wake you up but I prefer Mead in the morning. Those two years was harsh drinking disgusting water and eating fungi and animals that taste like taint. But I will no complain it was our choice and I hope what we did put a dent in there forces. So Bowen when do i meet the Commander?"

Fremelda was at her tent on the outskirts of camp, sitting curled up by the fire, her arms wrapped around her knees as she stared into the dancing flames. She was lost in her own thoughts. Images of people buzzed around in her head, including that of her brother; her mortal enemy. She sneered at the thought of him again, gripping her fists tightly.

Bowen shrugged, looking in the direction of the Commander's tent and then back to Dice.

''You will see her when she is ready. She has some meetings this morning, and some things to discuss with some people. Calliara would tell her that you are here and what you told her, so for now you should rest and eat''

"Fremmy?" Kassina called out tentatively as her nose led her to the woman. Kassina could smell her swirling emotions and wasn't quite sure what to make of them.

"Fremmy ok?" she asked in concern as she approached. She squatted down an arm's length from the other woman so she could look her in the eyes. "White wolf ask Fremmy help watch new cubs. Fremmy strong. Keep little cubs safe."

Fremelda popped out of her thoughts when she saw Kassina staring up at her. The steel blue eyes of the Queen of Thorns blinked a bit. "Hm? Yeah I'm okay... just remembering something." she yawned and then stood up. "New cubs? The new recruits? Most of them are old enough to take care of themselves." She said, placing her hands on her hips.

Dice nodded laying back. "Sound advice. I don't want to appear before the Commander dead on my feet." Dice closed his eyes pressing closer against the flames and drifted into a light sleep where the slightest shadow over him would waken him as he waited for the woman to bring him before the Commander.