It really wasn't the place for a girl her age; most twelve year old girls were interested in dresses and fine silks, not politics and talks of fighting Darkspawn. Young daughters of Arls, Teyrns and Banns liked spending time in their mothers' salons or with their friends, laughing and talking of future courtships, finery, sampling perfumes and exchanging meaningless rumors- a room filled with the excited, sometimes angry, speech of politicians and generals, talks of the economy, and political events were not the entertainment of a young woman.

Sabia Cousland was not like an average young noble, however. Dressed simply, but elegantly in a slim dark silk dress, her ruby red tresses swept up, stubborn curls framing her face, her eyes glittering in excitement, she listened to the conversations with eager eyes, never leaving her father's side, almost part of his shadow. Her eyes flicked from one leader to the next, admiring fine armor, impressive weapons, and biting her lip, trying to suppress the flush that threatened to cover her cheeks as she saw a few war heroes, some of them her idols. Bryce Cousland smiled at his daughter warmly before turning his attention back to Bann Loren. Sabia offered a small curtsey and smile to the friend of her father before casting her eyes around the room again, her ears straining to catch it all. A comment about Darkspawn caught her attention, and she focused on it intently.

"The Darkspawn seem to be a small problem now. The Chasind, however, may turn out not to be," said a rich baritone voice, a stately figure coming into the room in accompaniment with it.

Sabia's breath caught in her throat and she bit her index finger to suppress the unladylike squeak that threatened to erupt from her throat. She hid behind her father, her face redder than the uncontrollable curls of hair that she now frantically tried to tuck behind her burning ears as Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir strode into the room with all the grace and pride of the veteran hero he was. Bryce glanced down and behind him, saw her expression and bit back a warm chuckle, earning a look of mortified exasperation that only a young teenager could make. He said nothing more and turned his attention to the Teryn, nodding respectfully at him.

"The Chasind are causing trouble again, I assume?" Bryce asked, looking a bit perturbed at this news- Gwaren was closer to the Kocari Wilds, but the Chasind kept to themselves for the most part. Loghain turned and nodded at Bryce, his brow furrowing.

"Yes. A few of my scouts caught wind of an apostate, and chased them into the woods to turn over to the Chantry templars... they were ambushed by what I can only assume is a group of Chasind. I won't stand for those barbarians attacking my men on my own land," he said, his voice set with a harsh edge. Bryce nodded in understanding.

"I'd do the same, were my family threatened. Your Anora plays near those woods, does she not?" He asked. Loghain gave a curt nod, folding his arms over his chest with a clanking of his shining armor.

"She doesn't play outside as much, as she's grown from liking pants and mud to dresses and reading, but I won't have barbarians near my home."

His eyes flicked to the glimmer of red behind the other Teyrn.

"Now who is this, Bryce?"

Bryce chuckled and stepped aside to reveal Sabia, who still stood with her back to the both of them- trying to regain her composure. She stiffened as she felt her father move, and she turned in a swift fluid movement, instantly sinking into a curtsey, her eyes fixated on Loghain's plated feet. Bryce chuckled again.

"Loghain, I don't believe you've met my youngest- this is my daughter, Sabia," he said proudly. "She's fond of talks of war and politics, so I decided to take her to the Landsmeet to give her a taste of what she may inherit one day."

Loghain looked at Bryce, lifting a brow.

"Didn't you say your son was to become Teyrn?" He asked. Bryce nodded.

"He is, but I doubt my Sabia here will be content with being merely the little sister of a Teyyn her whole life. S'that right, pup?" He asked, smiling at his daughter.

Sabia straightened, looking everywhere but Loghain's face, her expression a mix of eagerness and flustered excitement.

"Yes, Father! I want to be part of the King's army- a lieutenant, or even a general, defending Ferelden," She said evenly, but her voice shook slightly. She cleared her throat, then put on the coy courtier's mask her mother had taught her, risking a glance at Loghain.

"Though, if Fergus doesn't...WANT to be Teyrn...I would not be adverse to being Teyrna, Father, when you tire of your post," she added, her voice sweet to cover her sly, playful tone.

Bryce and Loghain both gave a hearty laugh, and Sabia felt her heart skip a few beats as Loghain's steely blue eyes sparkled with approval at her, his handsome stern face bright with his smile. He took her hand and kissed the back of it politely

"Pleased to meet you, Lady Cousland. I dare say you're every bit the spitfire your mother is," he said. Sabia flushed and repressed the urge to clutch her hand to her chest as he released it, curtseying again.

"I am honored to meet you, Teyrn Mac Tir," she said. "Father told me so much about you and the good things you did for Ferelden."

"Practically idolizes you, she does," Bryce said, and Sabia looked mortified- how could her father embarrass her like that in front of the Hero of River Dane? She wanted to melt into the floor or flee the room. Loghain either was used to such commentary, or noticed the young girl's embarrassment, and did not respond directly to the comment.

"Hopefully not as much as Cailan idolizes the Grey Wardens and legends, I should hope. Heroes, legends and idols aren't perfect and can disappoint you," he replied, his tone becoming dry. Sabia bit her lip- she immediately had wanted to assure him she didn't, but she sensed another type of social trap, and kept quiet, her hand moving to the breast of her gown, under which her new pendant rested. Bryce sensed it, too, and smiled evenly.

"She knows whom to truly listen to, and that's herself and the Maker," Bryce replied, putting his warm strong hand on her shoulder. Sabia nodded, chancing another look up at Loghain, widening her smile from a small demure expression to a genuine warm smile. Loghain returned the gesture, and she felt her stomach bottom out.

"Who else would raise their children with such level heads, Bryce? You and Eleanor have fine children, and they do you proud," Loghain said.

"For now, at least, until they become teenagers and become rebellious!" Bryce laughed. Loghain shook his head, laughing in agreement.

"True enough, Bryce. True enough, but we never want the pups to grow up, do we?" He looked at Sabia, and she knew he was comparing her to, or thinking of his own daughter- either way, she didn't mind the attention from her favorite hero.

"They'll always be little ones with pigtails and skinned knees, summer flowers in their hair and dolls clutched in their arms."

Sabia cocked her head politely, a bit taken aback by the tender sentiment- one her father agreed with, as he put his hand on her shoulder. Loghain motioned to Bryce.

"Come, then. We'll talk of this later. The other Arls are arriving." He turned his piercing gaze on Sabia. "This Landsmeet will be rather boring, I'm afraid. I hope the next one you go to will be much more exciting."

Sabia felt a sense of foreboding, and she gave Loghain a small smile.

"Not TOO exciting, I should hope, your Grace. An exciting Landsmeet means trouble for Ferelden, doesn't it?"

Loghain gave her a wry look, sizing her up, then laughed.

"No, you're right. Let's just hope there's more than talk of simple barbarians at the next Landsmeet you attend."