The Grand Tour of Vigil's Keep Who: Ordhan Wyland, Falina Byjr Where: Vigil's Keep When: 12 Moloris, Dragon 9:45 Summary: Ordhan fulfills a promise and, in the process, makes a cherished friend. Rating: A for Adorable
Ordhan wasn't sure why he had offered to give a tour. He didn't give tours; he tagged along when required, hoping that he was not expected to say anything. The closest thing to showing anyone around he had done recently was directing Enchanter Keigwin to her room when she and her fellow mages arrived. It was a short walk, mostly in silence, and would hardly be a highlight over her visit. They hadn't spoken since. This, however, was Falina's first day at the keep; when she arrived, she was brimming with excitement, wide eyes coming her surroundings and brilliant smile ready for whoever spoke to her. It would be a pity to dampen that. Ordhan entertained no delusions about how engaging a person he was, or how interesting his conversation. It wasn't that he didn't want to bother--quite the contrary, he was looking forward to seeing the friendly dwarf girl again--but his confidence that he wouldn't bore her to death was flagging.
They had agreed to meet near the gates, which seemed as good of a place to begin as any. Ordhan stood there now, though it was still earlier than they had agreed. Plenty of time for rest had been allowed for Falina; he knew that her journey had been long, likely all the way from Orzammar, and given the rarity of horses in Ferelden, she likely walked most of the way. Ordhan, meanwhile, had just come from the early morning's watch. There had been time to shed his armor for civilian's clothing, a simple tunic and trousers replacing the heavy chainmail and its trappings. The air was cool against his face, a slight breeze stirring his hair and rustling through the grass as he idly paced by the pathway.
For some reason the fact she was a dwarf was making him anxious. Well, he knew the reasons. He idolized dwarves and he knew it. Their people, locked in eternal combat against the Darkspawn, were to him heroes to a man, whether or not the individual had even seen one of the creatures. The fact that they bore the burden of their nearness was enough. Beyond that was the fact that their short conversation of the previous day was practically the extent of his interaction with dwarves. Ordhan hated giving offense to anyone, whether he respected them or no; with people from other lands, the opportunity for misstep was even greater.
At least he had learned a little about Falina. She was, in fact, one of the recruits--an uncomfortable thought, considering what she'd be facing. Her age was difficult to tell from her appearance; he had seen too few dwarves to have a feel for guessing, but she was certainly very young. If she had been recruited, however, she must be at least of age, or close to it. Despite appearances, Ordhan would have to make sure not to treat her as a child. After all, she would be a Grey Warden in a few days, counted among his heroes.