#ockissweek18

She had worked odd jobs, and when people asked about her home life, she merely told them a sickness had swept away her family and what money they had had, and explaining that she’d been training to be a lady’s maid, thus her knowledge of fabrics, dressage, music and all things manners and politeness, and no knowledge of the basics of cooking or cleaning, she was able to get some jobs learning how to do those things. After all with no family line to back her up, only  a few cousins with titles that wouldn’t claim her, she was unable to obtain a situation for which she’d been trained.

Which is how she found herself working at a tavern in Highever. The tavern bard had even been so kind enough to teach her to play the lute when they both had a few free moments. Lynnette had a talent for it, and with her fair features, she would certainly have the makings for a decent bard. But that came to an end when she was offered a position working for the Teryn! Or rather, in his kitchens. Which was fine with her, that got her away from drunk men with grabbing hands. Though they did have soldiers there, but she’d been told the Teryn and Teryna were rather good about making sure unwanted attentions stayed away.

Whether it was luck or the Maker smiling on her, Lynnette had been told to wait a few days, to let everything settle once the soldiers had gone off to stop the Blight before reporting. It was later that night that Highever burned. Fleeing for fear of what could happen to them, if the rumors of slaughter in the keep were true, Lynnette packed her things and resigned at the tavern, taking off with the bard. She learned songs as they went, and even composed a few of her own, though they did need work and Reena had been more than happy to help her with that.

But Denerim was where they parted ways, Reena to head North, perhaps even to the Free Marches, and Lynnette knew going South was probably a death wish, but she couldn’t stay in Denerim either. It seemed, however, her choice was made a little easier, when rumors of a Warden and their companions in the city was heard. Lynnette even heard through her Collective contact they were doing work for them, and she arranged for a meeting.

Joining had been fairly easy, even with Wynne -- Maker why had it been WYNNE -- protesting that Lynnette was an Apostate, a dangerous one. But Morrigan had pointed out that she, too, was a dangerous Apostate, and Lyonesse hadn’t done away with her yet either. Specializing in creation magic, specifically healing, was probably the one perk that sealed her joining the rag tag group. They’d taken her back to camp, and she settled her bed roll next to the Orleasian bard, comparing lutes, and trading songs. 

Through a bit of gossiping, she found out that their leader was indeed Lyonesse Cousland, and Lynnette was eager to see what sort of revenge was to come from their beloved Warden. 

One night, on a rest day that they’d all seemed keen on, she was idly strumming, glancing at Leliana when she asked what she was playing. 

“I have never heard of that tune.” Before she could speak up, Lyonesse answered her. “It’s the Soldier and the Seawolf. My mother forbade that be played around us. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it in full.”

Nodding, Lynnette played and sang, keeping an eye on their blonde leader. Tears were welling up into her eyes, and she was clutching her necklace. She should stop, but she felt compelled to have Lyonesse hear the whole of the song.

“ When the soldier met the Mistral’s crew Not a word of their great deeds he knew And the Seawolf he took for a servant lass Great Andraste, what an ass!

“ ‘Fore the Seawolf’s ire, no man could stand Soldier felt his death was close at hand Two great steps back did he retreat And the cliff side crumbled 'neath his feet. “

Strumming still, she gave a small smile and finished the song out, setting her lute down. Cracking her knuckles, she set her lute aside. Their warden had moved closer, sitting in front of her at some point and when Lynn stood, their Warden did too, towering over her.