Chapter 1: Prologue

He pressed himself against me and pushed me out of the way. My staff fell from my grip and landed several feet away, in the enemy's grasp. He pushed us against the wall, away from the danger of the battle. His rapid breathing on my neck reminded me of the times, oh so long ago, when we were together. Before I left, before I became this. I sighed to myself; those kinds of thoughts never help in times of battle. They never really helped in times of peace either.

"Maker, Nathaniel. Did you really have to push yourself against me so harshly?" I grumbled from my place on the wall.

"Be thankful, Mage. I saved your life." Nathaniel replied.

"Yes, well... the danger is over so would you kindly get off of me?" With what could have been hesitation, Nathaniel Howe, son of one of the most hated men in Thedas, pushed himself off of me and stalked away, twin blades in hand.

"Maker," I whispered. "Déjá vu."

Later that night, as we sat around the campfire made by our fearless Commander, Heon, I looked at Nathaniel out of the corner of my eye. He had been quieter and more brooding that usual today. I had tried my best to make conversation with him but the most I'd gotten in return was, "Will you stop pestering me, Anders?" before he marched off to the edge of camp.

Now, finally, I'd had enough. As everyone went to his or her own tents and bedrolls, I headed with Nathaniel to the forest. He was a good 5 paces in front of me and grumbled when he first heard me following him. I began to whistle, something he hated. Sure enough, he turned around, making walk right into him.

"Mage," He said angrily. "Why are you following me?"

"You looked in need of company." I told him.

"I don't need company," he turned and continued to walk. "Especially not yours."