This is war. I can hear people screaming and smell fire ravaging villages from where I live in the mountain. I can smell this horrible scent, I know who they are: a Darkspawn horde.

When I try to see through the valley, I can perceive that an army is coming toward my direction. Should I decide to stay and fight for this place that I have been living in since I was born?

I have been training for combat, I'd even feel like I could become a fierce warrior if anything would happen to the people I am loyal to. But at the same time, I have never really felt home here, me and my dad live in this place with this guy who thinks he "owns" us. He did beat me a couple of times when I was young. My dad took a lot too, since I am in this world I have always known my father with only one eye. For this I am not sure I'll protect this guy should anything happen to him.

I try to move my father quietly. When looks at me, he understands straight away that I am worried. After he assesses the situation, he knows I want to run away and make it on my own. But dad makes me understand that if I decide to go, I'll be on my own. He'll stay with this guy. But why? I don't get it. We've been miserable for years, working hard for no ounce of a reward.

I run away, higher and higher without turning back. My heart races when I hear my dad agonizing in this place of despair. I decide not to cry, and to move forward.

I run for days without turning back, I think I will survive if I make it to Ostagar where more people will be fighting. Surely they will need someone like me. I head south-east, I can see the Fortress. Though a dark smoke is emanating from the highest towers.

When I get there, I have to fight through these living corpses and kill. I have no weapon except my strength and my speed. When I make it through the safe area, someone catches me and forces me into this closed area with "others like me like they say.

I have no food, no water, nothing. I can't believe I left my dad and what I chose to not call "home" to be imprisoned. Days and nights are passing by. Some of my mates in my cell are being forced to leave, they never come back. I am desperate.

Until that day. I see this person they call a "Grey Warden" looking at me. And I understand.

Grey Warden, I choose you. I imprint you. No matter where you go; I'll fight for you. My jaw, my paws will be the most fatal weapons on your side. Give me the name you want, I'll be loyal to you until my death. Me, your faithful Mabari.