Age of the Dragon 5: Dragons, Riders, and Kings

Vigilance - Gwaren

The following day, Adaia woke with nervous excitement filling her body. Kissing Cyrion before leaving and hugging her darling son close, she almost wanted to back out and stay with them. But that fire returned, and she reluctantly returned her son to her husband and set out to find Fallyn.

She found the elven woman staring towards the stables with an exasperated expression, Murtagh holding both children and also staring.

"My Lady?" she said nervously.

"Good morning, Adaia," Fallyn turned to her. "Forgive me, I was lost in thought."

"No, I did not mean to interrupt," she said.

"Hold your head high, Adaia," Fallyn chuckled. "You are no lesser than anyone else. You bow your head in respect only to Kings worthy of the name."

Adaia looked up towards the woman, straightening up as she considered those words.

Fallyn's eyes roamed over Adaia, assessing her and her clothing.

She glanced at Murtagh, who left wordlessly.

"My Lady?"

"He's fetching something more suitable for training," she said. "Since I do not know what level you're at, we'd best start from the very beginning."

"Of course," she said.

They stood silently, a commotion over by the stables drawing Adaia's curious eye, when Murtagh returned. He held a pair of trousers and a tunic in one hand, boots in another.

"These should fit," he said. "If the boots don't fit correctly, tell us immediately. You do more harm than good by trying to push through the discomfort."

"Thank you, my lord," she said graciously.

He nodded, then stepped away so she could slip past into a private place to change.

The clothes were soft, luxuriously so, and fit perfectly. The boots fit comfortably, already well broken in and smooth.

Once dressed, she gathered the clothes she had been wearing and wandered back out, unsure.

Fallyn looked back and nodded. "They fit well. I'm glad."

"My Lady... these clothes..."

"They're mine," she said. "Well, let's first see your flexibility and endurance level. We will begin with stretches to warm your body and then jog."

Fallyn then taught her a series of stretches that left her breathless, sweaty, and very self-conscious. But she was able to do them, for the most part. Once Fallyn was satisfied, they did a gentle jog around the manor.

Or at least, Adaia assumed it was supposed to be a gentle jog. The manor building itself was larger than most houses that Adaia had ever seen, and by the end of it, Fallyn had her doing more stretches to 'cool down' her body before encouraging her to bathe and 'take things easy'.

This was the way of things - she would stretch and jog in the early mornings, and in the evenings, Fallyn would walk her through basic steps and movements, and then they would meditate. There were brief times during the day when she could be with her husband and child, and she was afraid her tired and sore muscles would not allow her to hold him, but Cyrion was ever ready to assist. And this was her process for several weeks.

During that time, she learned the man in charge of the group called "the Night Elves" was the newly appointed Commander of the Army, Commander Loghain. When she wasn't with her family or training with Lady Fallyn, she was training with and scouting on behalf of the Night Elves. Fallyn had joined her the first few times, showing her what to look for and teaching her to move like a shadow in the forest.

"My Lady," Fallyn turned to look at Adaia. "How long does the army plan to stay here?"

"You've not been told?"

Adaia shook her head. "I'm just an elf, My Lady, and they don't share such information with me."

"I am also an elf, Adaia," Fallyn said.

"Some elves are an exception, my Lady."

Fallyn grimaced, and Adaia suspected it was related to the elven woman who seemed to skulk about in the Prince's shadow.

"And some that really shouldn't be," she grumbled. "Forgive me. Despite my years, I still find it impossible to speak with young men logically."

Adaia chuckled.

"And to answer your question, I have also not been given a firm answer. For now, they feel that Gwaren is an easily defensible location, and so will remain as long as they can," Fallyn said.

"There are too few ships," Adaia said. "If the pass doesn't hold, then there is no hope for escape that way. And if the Orlesians choose to come by ship, then we're trapped on two fronts."

Fallyn nodded. "If it comes to that, you and your family will be kept safe. You have my word. Even if Fang and Thorn must leave Murtagh and I behind to protect your family and ours."

Adaia glanced above, where a black dragon was slowly circling, then over at the docks, where the head of a red dragon could be seen floating in the water.

"I... wouldn't know how to..."

"No need," Fallyn chuckled. "They know what they must do and will protect you all."

Adaia smiled at her.

"I do not know why the Maker set you on my path, nor do I know why you would protect us continually... but I am grateful," Adaia said.

Fallyn's eyes held a deep sadness.

"The fates of our children depend on us both," she said cryptically. "I foresee your children playing a pivotal role in shaping Thedas's fate."