#nat brosca

[nebulouswinds]

tagged by @dungeons-and-dragon-age for WIP Wednesday. (Thursday.) I have fallen severely into The Locked Tomb so don't have any Dragon Age stuff...but I do have a blurb written up imagining my Nat Brosca in TLT. so. here.

--

"I would have done it," Nat says, proudly keeping the whine out her voice.

"Done what, infant?" Mercy asks back - sharp, disinterested.

"Fucked him. Distracted him. Whatever Augustine needed that for. You didn't need to protect me."

"You're an infant. It was handled."

There's a half-sadness behind that. Nat knows how to hear it, even with twenty years' practice of hiding. Rica sounds like that sometimes. Sounded. She's probably dead now. The Edenites had been getting too brave for a while.

"Besides," Mercy adds, voice glinting over broken concern, "what use is breaking you now? He needs you against the Beast."

"I know you think it kinder," Nat roughs out, unsure where she's headed, "that we should die before we reach the Beast. You're probably right, by the way - but we've been cannon fodder for sixteen years. We - I - haven't died yet. I don't really care about being protected. 'Sides. I've sold my body to worse before. Another few hours in exchange for a quick go with the Emperor Undying? Child's play."

Mercymorn's eyes are soft. Too soft. Nat steels herself straighter, fighting fatigue and the urge to hide.

--

Thanks for the tag, Laya! I'll rb this to both my dragonage and tlt blogs but figured it would go here best lol. I know I'm too deep into TLT and it is officially a Special Interest when I started lifting Nat into it & can't work on Nat's actual longfic any more

[andnatiabrosca]

2 or 5 from the codex prompts for Nat?

2. a letter written by your oc's family member

[letter from the Hero of Fereldan's sister, date uncertain. found unopened in a dusty residence chamber of Denerim palace, wax seal cracked with age. the script is a block style, uncommon to Fereldan. portions of the letter appear in an unknown language]

Little Sister - I'm not sure you'll get to read this. Not sure where you're at these days. Not sure if you're alive, to be honest.

If you do get this, I wanted to tell you about back home. I'm taking a break from being Ambassador for a while. Things are getting big enough to take care of at home, and our relations are pretty good with the surfacers. I'll be hosting some of their ambassadors down in Orzammar.

[an unreadable paragraph]

Endrin's getting big. Bhelen's talking about him going [illegible]. You know I don't want him to go. I figured I could take some time with him before that, you know? I've got to go home to take care of Mother's funeral, anyway, since you're not here.

That's right, I'm not sure you got my last letter.

Mother died a couple months ago. Finally drank herself to her grave. I'm not going to say I'm losing sleep over it, but I wish she'd figured out to stop.

I'm sure you're happy she's finally gone. She hated you so much. I'm not sure how I feel.

[an unreadable paragraph]

I'll see you sometime, [illegible]. I hope you get to read this, but after four years - you're probably dead on me. If you aren't, and you get this - let me know you're still alive. And come give your little girl her mama back.

Rica

[hawke-ondary]

made nat some custom face textures. oh yeah baby. its all coming together

[dragonagesummer]

the every-origin-is-true worldstate is a tragedy but it's also a comedy specifically because of the soap opera levels of drama happening between Nat Brosca and Aeducan between leaving Orzammar and returning

[dungeons-and-dragon-age]

I mean, I'll send Nat Brosca for the new Blorbo Bleebus meme if you're interested lolol

[ask game]

Mostly went with vibes here bc i feel like i don't know that much about her yet :') She sure is a blorbo tho <3

[trulycertain]

Gifs of your OCs flirting

Tagged by @withthebreezesblown. Oh good lord, I don’t really think I have that many flirty GIFs... let’s see... Wait, I swear I had some flirty-women gifs... Why are my OCs all dudely?

(Tagging: @cherieofthedragons, @nanahuatli, @latefortevinter, @lavalampelfchild again.)

Gal “I did not fucking plan for this” Trevelyan:

Yvaine (the moment when she means it is about when the panic sets in):

Morgana:

OK, or:

Kosh (the git knows what he’s doing):

Nat Brosca (just don’t ask her to be earnest, OK):

Patience:

[tabletpensandbookends]

[silvanils]

Happy Friday!! For DADWC: "I'm pregnant," from Cute Shippy Starters for a pairing of your choice. Bring the drama :D

Thanks for the @dadrunkwriting prompt!

I decided to run with an idea I’ve had for my Aeducan/Brosca pairing for a LONG time. They escaped to the surface together during the Blight and become a pair of wandering mercenaries. Then, one day, they get a BIG surprise...

This wasn’t supposed to be possible.

Only about half of Dust Town’s population were actually fertile — and Nadia had known for a long, long time she fell into the half that wasn’t. She’d tumbled plenty of people and nothing had ever come of it, and that suited her just fine. She’d never felt like she was missing out.

Meeting Duran hadn’t changed that, either. Not really. He was handsome, of course, and sweet to her. Any noble hunter would have been lucky to snag him, give him a son he could dote on. A sweet little boy who’d grow up to be just as wonderful as his father…

She’d told him from the start she couldn’t give him that, but that had never been what he wanted from her anyway.

We have each other, Nat. That’s all we really need.

It had been fifteen years since they’d come to the surface. Fifteen years they’d been together, loving and laughing and never once thinking they needed anything more.

And yet, here she was, coming home from the healer with much bigger news than either of them had expected.

“Well?” Duran asked, dusting dirt off his hands as he stood up from the patch of garden he’d been working on. “Did they manage to get everything sorted out?”

Nadia ran to him, and he scooped her into his arms without thinking. She felt a warm ache bloom in her chest. As gentle as he is strong, she thought.

“I’m pregnant,” she said.

He set her down and looked at her with a stunned look of pure surprise and wonder that she’d kill to have preserved in a painting. “Really?”

“Probably due in the spring,” she said, unable to hold back a choked laugh. “We’re going to be parents, Duran. Crazy, right?”

“Crazy,” he agreed, amusement and wonder twinkling in his eyes as he looked at her. His brow was still furrowed slightly with concern. “Crazy and wonderful.”

[curiousthimble]

Fictober Days 21-26

If you're just joining in, check out my entire Fictober 2021 collection, featuring a new Hawke and two new dwarf OCs!

Whoops, I'm a couple days late! Sorry about that!

Day 21: What did I say? Characters: Duran Aeducan, Morrigan Tags: dirty dreams, Morrigan teases

“Duran, you were a general in the army, were you not?” Morrigan asked, watching him with those weird golden eyes. They reminded Duran of antique gold, like what his father had kept in the vault in Orzammar. They made his skin crawl.

“Technically,” he said gruffly, wishing he’d drawn watch with Natia. Morrigan always made him feel like she could see underneath his flesh and into his guts.

“Then why do you not take control of this quest?” the witch asked, eyes on the needle in her hand as she mended a hole in her cloak. “You are older and more experienced than Alistair, even if he is the senior Grey Warden.”

Read More

Day 22: No Promises Characters: Hawke, Justice, Anders

Anders grabbed Catriona by the waist and pulled her against him, their lips colliding. The sheer relief was almost more than she could bear as her lips parted for him. Her fear of Justice had been rooted in anxiety, the worry that she would never— could never — be more than a means to the end of their quest. But if Justice truly loved her…

“Anders, wait.” She broke away, gasping for breath, and rested her forehead on his shoulder. “I need to know something before we do this.”

“Your question is for me. What is it?” Justice asked.

Read More

Day 23: This Time, Do What I Say Characters: Leliana, Alistair, Duran Aeducan, Natia Brosca

Nat watched Duran and Alistair spar, sweat dripping down their faces and grunting with every swing. Even though she hated him, she had to admit that Duran was a dwarf built for fighting.

“Is he attractive for a dwarf?” Leliana asked, sitting beside her. They’d made camp a little earlier than usual since they’d be at Redcliffe in the morning, and Duran had taken the opportunity to test Alistair’s skills— which was stupid, because they’d been fighting darkspawn at every turn ever since Ostagar.

Natia made a disgusted face and shuddered. “Maybe. My sister and his brother are a...thing,” she said. “But he doesn’t look much like Bhelen, more like their oldest brother Trian.”

“Did you know Duran in Orzammar?”

Read More

Day 24: Is This Supposed To Impress Me? Characters: Alistair, Duran Aeducan, Leliana, Natia Brosca Tags: PTSD, Deep Roads Trauma, Dust Town Trauma

Natia stirred her spoon in the murky green stuff in her bowl. Alistair can’t be allowed to cook, she thought, lifting what she thought might have once been a wild leek and examining it. Thank the Ancestors, Sten knows how to make bread.

“Well, eat up,” the slightly-senior Grey Warden said cheerfully, shoveling the soup into his mouth so quickly Natia wasn’t even sure if he was tasting anything.

On either side of him were Duran and Sten, doing the same thing. Natia glanced at Leliana’s untouched bowl and decided that she would seek out Bodahn later for something a bit more appetizing.

“Why don’t I play something?” Leliana suggested, setting her bowl on the ground behind the log she sat on.

“Something with a good beat,” Duran suggested, wiping broth from his beard. “I want to dance.”

Read More

Day 25: Do You Even Know What Time It Is? Characters: Anders, Female Hawke

It was Anders muttering to himself that woke her. With a contented sigh, she rolled toward the sound, blinking sleepily. “Anders, come back to bed,” she said, reaching a hand out for him.

He looked over his shoulder at her, giving her that charming smile that made her knees weak. “I’d love to, but I have to finish this.”

“Finish it in the morning,” she said, throwing back the sheet and exposing a long length of her leg. “I can give you something to write about until then.”

He chuckled before putting down his pen and coming to stand by the bed. “Will you?”

Read More

[nodid]

A Masterpost of Blorbos

Check out my Artfight maybe?

From the story in my head I’ll never do anything with

OC: Nicky Bright

OC: Kana Hawna-Murdock

OC: J

OC: Rosie Kynnersley

OC: Susie Muney

OC: Burn Murdock

OC: Danny Pairotte

OC: Edward Thorne

The Magnus Archives OCs

OC: Bryn Dall

OC: Nat Ealer

OC: Diti Evine

OC: Sylvie Faurot

OC: Gwyar Fowells

OC: Aytaç Kılıç

OC: Shirō Monomyō

OC: Mušentur

OC: Robert Shillwell

OC: Samuel Wint

Dragon Age OCs

OC: Quin Brosca

OC: Dent Hawke

OC: Isiik Lavellan

Stardew Valley OCs

OC: Sprite

DND Characters

OC: O'Doone

OC: Caoilfhionn Ceridwen

OC: Avandir Charthe

OC: Lilohymm Clinkaad

OC: Auðvin Dúfrsson

OC: Salvage Eindelle

OC: Fawnbeard Ellies

OC: Hamm

OC: Iris

OC: Lady

OC: Teresandros "Teren" Lios

OC: Sinjin Logrime

OC: Gentle Nerole

OC: Rough Nerole

OC: Vrill Nodid

OC: Zinnoa Oldstone

OC: Sigh Paper-Rustle

OC: Ruins of the Past

OC: Elret Anser Osmin Flyngin Flynwan Flynyver Perret Shiteroad The Seventh IX

OC: Icabba Veint

[nebulouswinds]

taking votes on today's projects because I'm in a lot of pain but also feeling good (general) so want to do Art

[andnatiabrosca]

two truths and a lie (2)

#2 of tagged by @herearedragons and @layalu (thus completing my contract) (probably will do more)

[hawke-ondary]

deciding my brosca is now named sela. rip the name nat i loved you but ur kinda boring and i like making unique blorbos

[magicrobins]

Dragon Age Dual AU Worldstate

Long post, all under the cut.

Edits may be made as details are added or changed.

(I typed this the best I could remember us discussing the details a while ago.)

Shared with: @bxtgrl (Nat), @jellyfishlovesloki

Dragon Age Origins

Heroes of Ferelden: Namera Cousland (sword/shield warrior, Alistair romance), and Piras Surana (mage, Zevran romance).

Companion OCs: Sylvas Mahariel (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Tamlen Rendlin romance), Sarabeth Tabris (archery rogue, Leliana romance), Christian Amell (mage, Morrigan romance), Rendlin Amell (sword/shield warrior, Sylvas romance), Paige Brosca (dual-wielding rogue, no romance), Atlen Mahariel (dual-wielding rogue, Jowan romance), and Noah Talbot (two-handed warrior, Anora romance).

All companions except for Loghain are recruited.

Companion decisions: Returned Sten’s sword, defeated Flemeth for her grimoire, sent Marjolaine away, and helped Alistair find Goldanna.

Namera has a mabari, Konroy, and Piras got a mabari after Ostagar, Sammy.

Broken Circle: Sided with the mages, gained some Templar supporters, and managed to save First Enchanter Irving.

The Arl of Redcliffe: Helped Redcliffe prepare and fight, Piras used lyrium and the help of Circle mages to fight the demon in the Fade, Connor alive, not possessed, and Piras and some companions helped Jowan escape at night (Sylvas directed him to Atlen for protection).

The Urn of Sacred Ashes: Urn wasn’t poisoned, and word about its discovery eventually got out.

Nature of the Beast: Sylvas helped Namera and Piras broker peace.

Paragon of Her Kind: Rendlin had a son with Mardy, restored Mardy’s son’s birthright, Dagna left to study, defeated Branka and destroyed the Anvil of the Void, Namera supported Harrowmont, Piras supported Bhelen, and the choice was ultimately left up to Rendlin who surprised everyone by choosing Bhelen.

Stone Prisoner DLC: Matthias and Amalia both alive, and neither are possessed.

Warden’s Keep DLC: Piras gained the Power of Blood, Sophia killed, and Avernus allowed to continue research under more ethical restraints.

Denerim: Helped Sarabeth figure out and stop the city elves from disappearing, rescued Anora, and Namera killed Howe in combat, avenging her family.

Landsmeet: Loghain killed by Alistair, Alistair became King of Ferelden, and later married Namera, making her Queen of Ferelden.

The Battle of Denerim: Alistair took part in the Dark Ritual with Morrigan, only Grey Warden to die was Riordan, and Namera and Piras killed the Archdemon together.

New Grey Wardens: Sylvas, Christian, Rendlin, Paige, Atlen, Noah, and Jowan joined the Grey Wardens after the Battle of Denerim. Sarabeth joined the Grey Wardens in the beginning of Awakening.

Namera and Sarabeth belong to @bxtgrl.

Piras, Sylvas, Christian, Rendlin, Paige, Atlen, and Noah belong to @magicrobins.

The Golems of Amgarrak DLC: Namera and Piras helped Jerrik, however they both vocally objected to the idea of bringing back the creation of golems.

Witch Hunt DLC: Christian follows Morrigan through the Eluvian.

Dragon Age Awakening DLC

New companion OCs: Halin Andras (mage, one-sided Nathaniel romance), Hannah Caron (two-handed warrior, Jaden romance), and Jaden Kader (archery rogue, Hannah romance). Companion OCs from Origins returned with Namera and Piras, as well as Jowan, a canon character.

Piras is named Arl of Amaranthine.

All companions recruited and joined the Grey Wardens.

Oghren and Felsi reunited.

Both the Keep and Amaranthine were successfully protected after hard battles.

The only casualty of the battles: Justice was “killed” when Kristoff’s head is chopped off while defending Vigil’s Keep.

Piras and Namera side with the Architect against the Broodmother and allow him to live.

Zevran eventually returns to Amaranthine, and he and Piras marry at Vigil’s Keep.

Majority of companions stay with the Grey Wardens, though Velanna eventually leaves after believing she saw her sister.

Halin Andras, Hannah Caron, and Jaden Kader belong to @magicrobins

Dragon Age II*

*The timeline of DA2 is being edited to better fit in with the timeline of Origins. We have it to where the Hawke family were younger when they fled Lothering, and the Hawke siblings were indentured for more than just a year in Kirkwall.

Champions of Kirkwall: Derek Hawke (mage, eldest sibling, Fenris romance), and Vera Hawke (mage, Anders romance).

Companion OCs: Kenrick Lolani (two-handed warrior, Merrill romance), Stella Montgomery (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Isabela romance), Talia Fredericks (dual-wielding rogue, Sebastian romance), and Jaxton Montgomery (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Tallis romance).

All companions recruited, and all relationships are friendship.

Companion decisions: Carver became a Grey Warden, Bethany became a Circle mage, Bartrand lived, convinced Varric not to keep the lyrium idol, Isabela returned with the Tome, didn’t turn Isabela over to the Qunari, didn’t convince Merrill to destroy the Eluvian, didn’t kill Merrill’s clan, and Aveline married Donnic.

Mages fully supported.

Prologue: Both Bethany and Carver live, Bethany is gravely injured from the ogre attack, Vera and Derek join the smugglers, and Stella and Jaxton join the mercenaries.

Act 1: Derek and Vera sometimes disagreed when it came to letting mages go or returning them to the Circle, Saemus saved and returned to the Viscount, Kelder killed, the slaver Danzig killed, Derek and Vera both own the Bone Pit, Feynriel sent to the Dalish, defended Ketojan, left Bethany in Kirkwall, and took Carver to the Deep Roads.

Act 2: Gascard killed, didn’t side with Varnell, didn’t side with Petrice, Javaris was alive and well, helped with the raiders on the cliffs, freed Feynriel and allowed him to leave for Tevinter, and Derek and Vera killed the Arishok together.

Legacy DLC: Sided with Larius, defeated Corypheus, and found Malcolm’s Will.

Mark of the Assassin DLC: didn’t make Tallis angry, and Jaxton kissed Tallis.

Act 3: Met and let Zevran go, later aided by Zevran in the battle against Meredith, rescued Nathaniel, reunited Charade and Gamlen, handed conspirators over to Orsino, Derek disapproved and Vera approved of Anders destroying the Chantry, Anders was spared, Sebastian and Talia left for Starkhaven, vowing revenge on Anders and the Hawkes, the Hawkes and companions had to flee Kirkwall and go into hiding; to protect Vera, Derek solely took on the Champion of Kirkwall title; and Derek and companions spread false information that there had only ever been one Champion.

Derek Hawke, Stella Montgomery, and Jaxton Montgomery belong to @magicrobins. Vera Hawke and Talia Fredericks belong to @bxtgrl. Kenrick Lolani belongs to @jellyfishlovesloki.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Inquisitors: Aya Lavellan (dual-wielding rogue, Cullen romance), and Galen Lavellan (mage, Dorian romance).

Companion OCs: Elaith Lavellan (mage, Solas romance), Nova Adaar (two-handed warrior, Iron Bull romance), Lilya Avery (mage, Blackwall romance), Jacob Lombardi (archery rogue, Josephine romance), Ju-long “Striker” Trevelyan (archery rogue, Cassandra romance), Mordecai Bayley (dual-wielding rogue, Lace romance), Ricka Cadash (dual-wielding rogue, one-sided Varric romance), Ozera Herah (dual-wielding rogue, Sera romance), Rasha Andras (two-handed warrior, Arven romance), Arven Karaas (mage, Rasha romance), Ai Trevelyan (mage, Krem romance), Zhen Trevelyan (mage, Bailey romance), and Bailey Carrian (archery rogue, Zhen romance).

All companions are recruited.

Companion decisions: Dorian reconciled with his father, Blackwall left prison with his true identity revealed and eventually joined the Grey Wardens, Iron Bull saved the Chargers and became Tal-Vashoth, Cassandra discovered the Book of Secrets, Harmond was kept alive but forced to work for the Inquisition, Cole became more human, Solas freed his friend, Varric pursued the red lyrium source lead, Vivienne gained the snowy wyvern heart, Cullen was encouraged not to use lyrium, Aya and Galen did favors for the Du Paraquette family, and Leliana was inspired.

Exploring Thedas: Reached the inner sanctum of the Temple of Pride, helped the refugees, gained the allegiance of the cultists, closed the rift in the lake, claimed Griffon Wing Keep, investigated the dwarven ruins, rescued troops from the Avvar, kept Fairbanks’ nobility a secret and helped him defeat the Freemen, killed Imshael, and captured Suledin Keep.

Operations: Failed to save Clan Lavellan, Sutherland’s company was successful, Jecin and Celeste married for love, and both Johi and Charade were recruited.

The Wrath of Heaven: Aya and Galen claimed to not know whether they were chosen by Andraste or not.

Champions of the Just: Elaith sent to Therinfal Redoubt with a few companions under the disguise of an Inquisitor, offered the Templars a free alliance, and Ser Barris is alive and promoted to Knight-Commander.

In Hushed Whispers: Aya and Galen went to Redcliffe with a few companions, and offered the mages a free alliance.

Tension was high in Haven among the Templars and mages, many uneasy with the Inquisition allying with both groups.

In Your Heart Shall Burn: Cole arrived at Haven, and Aya and Galen both stayed behind to fight and distract Corypheus.

Here Lies the Abyss: Derek Hawke, Stella Montgomery, Kenrick Lolani, Jaxton Montgomery, and canon companions except for Sebastian and Anders arrived at Skyhold upon Varric’s request to aid in the trouble with the Grey Wardens; Derek, Stella, and Kenrick fell into the Fade with the Inquisitors, a few companions, and Stroud; Stroud chose to stay back in the Fade, telling Derek to find his cousin (Christian Amell) to lead the Grey Wardens because it’s common knowledge the Heroes of Ferelden and several of their companion Wardens have gone missing; Derek, Stella, and Kenrick had to pull Aya and Galen out of the Fade to get them to leave Stroud behind; the Grey Wardens are offered a free alliance to rebuild their strength and ranks; and Derek urges the Inquisitors and Leliana to find Christian Amell, who at that point was a high ranking Grey Warden.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts: Christian Amell was found attending the ball with Morrigan and joined her and Kieran at Skyhold, Empress Celene lived and Grand Duchess Florianne both lived, Celene continued to rule and reconciled with Briala.

What Pride had Wrought: Galen chose to respect the temple’s traditions, Aya chose to follow the quicker route through the temple’s underground, Galen managed to get the alliance and help of the guardians, Samson and Calpernia were the Inquisition’s nemesis, Aya destroyed Samson’s armor, Galen talked to Calpernia and convinced her that her loyalty was misdirected, and Aya and Galen decided to share the price and drank from the Well of Sorrows together.

Doom Upon the World: Aya and Galen made no formal support for either Cassandra, Leliana, or Vivienne for Divine, not wanting to choose between their friends; Aya and Galen defeated Corypheus together while their companions and Inquisition forces fought off the demon horde; and Leliana was chosen as Divine Victoria.

The Descent DLC: The earthquakes were stopped, and the secret origin of lyrium was discovered.

Jaws of Hakkon DLC: Discovered and met Ameridan, shared the truth about Ameridan, killed the dragon, and Aya and Galen both gained a legend-mark from the Avvar.

Trespasser DLC: Iron Bull remained loyal, the Inquisition was disbanded at Aya’s order, and Aya and Galen vowed to redeem Solas.

Aya Lavellan, Jacob Lombardi, and Lilya Avery belong to @bxtgrl. Nova Adaar, Mordecai Bayley, and Ricka Cadash belong to @jellyfishlovesloki. Galen Lavellan, Elaith Lavellan, Ju-long “Striker” Trevelyan, Ozera Herah, Rasha Andras, Arven Karaas, Ai Trevelyan, Zhen Treveylan, and Bailey Carrian belong to @magicrobins.

Anything post-Trespasser can be discovered through asks or fanfics! <3

[cometladyicarus-blog]

Before They Were Wardens - Natia

“So, you want me to tell you the story of the Wardens?” The room darkened as the curtains were drawn. The speaker leaned back and tapped the mechanical crossbow almost his size. “Sure you don’t want me to just tell the story of the Champion? That one's got less backstory, more action. Less need for a map. Fewer characters to keep track of too.

“Fine. The story starts with an old Warden man, but I think he's not where the Wardens’ story really starts. He's just where their stories meet. I should start with…”

Orzrammar is one hell of a city, or so it is said. The young Princess of Orzrammar was likely the most excited when her little brother was brought to the world. But on the other side of the city, another dwarf girl's heart broke as her month-old little brother refused to wake up.

With the third brother failing to make his sixth month, she and her mother were sent away from her father. He didn’t want to let them go, she knew. He hugged her and gave her a pair of daggers to keep hidden.

“With these, you can always remember where you came from. But do not be seen with them.” She took his warnings to heart. She wiped her eyes dry, nodded before promising to not shed tears unless her blades were taken from her.

“And never let them see me cry. I’m a Duster, but I’m stone underneath.” She smiled at him. “I am stone.”

“Yes, you are, my Nat.”

Her father didn’t take on a new mistress, nor did he marry after his daughter was sent from him. He vowed he would try to make her life easier than the life of other Casteless girls. Maybe Beraht would be willing to take her as an enforcer.

Two years later, Nat's mother gave birth to another girl, apparently the last child she could bear. The woman lashed out at her daughters, slowly losing her mind to moss wine, mixing up which girl had which father to the point of claiming both were fathered by a useless man who went to the surface.

The five year old Duster girl set her shoulders and marched to the shop, bold as blades, and without preamble, made the first of many bold proclamations.

“Heard you need new workers. I can work. I can move where no one can see. I can make sure things get where they need to. I can work.” She grinned at the older dwarf, unashamed of her brand. She knew who she was.

Bharat snorted and waved her off. “Go home, girl.”

She grinned wider and walked up into his face. “No. I need work. You can use someone like me. You don’t have to try and find someone like me. I’m right here.”

The Carta boss sighed. “Sure. If you can bring me Princess Aeducan's little golden ball.”

She nodded and left. Poor bastards thought he had seen the last of her, and a young boy two years her elder snickered before being smacked upside the head.

The path to the palace wasn't hard to go through, not when she moved like she were scrubbing at the floor the entire way. Nobles, always willing to believe two things - that they're powerful, and that the tasteless are morons.

The Princess' hall was empty. Odd for someone so important. She crept along the walls, falling to her knees and resuming her disguise.

“The Princess is just downright odd. The people love her, but she refuses to do her royal duties in favor of playing with that Warrior caste boy. With swords!”

The two servants gossiped some more as they walked down the hall to the far end door, pausing to dust at items along the way.

“Oh, Prince Trian. If only he weren’t so cold.”

“I dare you to enter his room.”

Nat crawled her way to the middle hall, standing up to open the door. The room was almost like her room, but bigger. With nicer stuff too. Not like her room in appearance really, but the Princess seemed to keep things orderly.

Shaking her head, she set to work, searching through the box of toys and not finding the ball. She looked under the bed and saw it as the door opened on the other side.

Nat crawled under, tucking the ball into herself.

“With Behlan around, now I can finally stop dragging that dumb ball around.”

“My lady, it was a gift to you.”

“From a man my father wanted me to marry and produce extra heirs with in case Trian had something stupid happen. I’m only six! Why should I have to deal with all this?” The girl’s voice commanded respect as she walked to a wall and pulled something down. “Come on, we should keep practicing at the field.”

“Very well, my lady.”

The door closed, freeing a sigh of relief before she had to crawl from under the bed and find a place to tuck the ball. At least it wasn’t a very big one, so she stuffed it into her shirt and started to clean her way out.

She was almost out of the castle when a girl walked up to her and crouched next to her.

“Thanks for taking that damn ball. Hope it brings you more happiness than it did me.”

The casteless girl turned to see the smiling face of Princess Aeducan before she spoke at a louder volume. “And don’t forget to clean the outside of the palace, casteless.”

Nat ran when she was free. The Princess spoke to her! That could be bad, but no guards were following, so she should hurry along. She walked into the Carta shop and asked for Beraht.

And grinned when she placed the golden ball into his hand. The older boy laughed at the sight of the Carta boss' shock.

“Well, I’ll be damned. And your name is?”

“Natia Brosca.”

[eleplay]

thinking about the dwarf wardens @ rain thing... and just rainy warden camp days