Chapter 1: Arrival

Solona Amell gawked at her surroundings, amazed and a little frightened. Heavy black doors closed behind her with finality as she entered the Circle Tower of Ferelden, Kinloch Hold. Ten-year-old Solona padded across the marble foyer, nudged forward by a firm Templar hand that steered her towards an elderly man in long, grey-green robes.

"Welcome child, to your new home. I hope you had a good journey and that you will be very happy with us. My name is Irving. I am the First Enchanter of the Circle. Think of the tower mages as your new family, and please child, if you have any needs, speak them freely."

Solona was unsure how to respond, overwhelmed by all the new things surrounding her. She opted for a nod and the grey bearded man smiled at her kindly, eyes twinkling. Deciding she liked him, Solona endeavored to be a bit braver.

"Thank you," she managed in a small voice. "My name is . . . Solona."

"Politeness is a golden quality Solona. Well done. I will have someone take you to your new room, so you can meet your fellow apprentices." He gestured towards an arched door at the far end of the room and another elderly person in long robes came forward, this one in blue and yellow, female, with long grey hair hanging to her waist.

She took Solona's hand and escorted her patiently through the tower. Walking through the hallways, Solona saw books, so many books. Solona loved books. Her previous life made no time for education or reading. Instead, she listened to stories from travelers or elders. Eager to please their awestruck little spectator, they told her many tales and her imagination ran wild.

For the rest of the trip, she concocted endless adventures to fit into all the books she saw. Abruptly, all thoughts of dragons and sword fights dissipated as heavenly aromas from the kitchen wafted towards her. Grumbling noises erupted from her tummy and her escort wisely diverted them into the kitchens.

"Have anything to feed the skinny thing, Lora?" The elderly lady asked an elf woman in brown robes and a cream apron.

"Certainly, Enchanter Filda. Just finished a batch of pot pies for the Templar boys. They should be comin' round to fetch 'em just now. Pipin' hot, be careful lass." Lora handed a steaming pie to Solona.

Solona tried not to gulp it all down immediately. The road had been long and the Templars who had brought her here had shared their meals, one had even offered her snacks of dried fruits and nuts, but growing girls need to eat.

"Thank you, miss." Solona took the pie from the smiling elf-cook.

"Sweet isn't she, Lora?"

"Indeed, I wish more folks had her manners. I do hope she'll make friends. Those apprentices can be mighty unruly sometimes. Lil' Anders is such a handful sometimes. I had to chase him out three times this week, stealin' handfuls of flour. Couldn't bring myself to tell Greagoir."

Listening to all of this with great fascination, she wondered if Anders would want to go on adventures with her. Between mouthfuls of gravy and meat chunks, she also made a mental note to avoid this Greagoir person.

"Oh, hello Cullen. They send you down again, hay?" The elf turned to the kitchen door where a young, strawberry-blond boy of about 14 stood, wearing a maroon tunic, adorned with the flaming sword of Andraste. Solona had seen the tunic worn by chantry members. An in. . . ini . . . ciate. . . or something.

Seeing someone closer to her own age and filled with pride from recent compliments, she decided to be friendly with this boy too. "Hello, Cullen."

Young Cullen's eyes nearly popped out of his head in surprise, but he managed to regain his manners and stammer a hello in turn. Just short of grabbing the tray of pies from Lora's hands, he darted out the kitchen.

Lora and Enchanter Filda burst out laughing. Solona was confused and a little upset.

"Fret not child," Lora giggled, "them Templar boys are terribly shy."

"Indeed child, don't let Cullen's behavior disturb you. He's not very sociable and spooks easily. You'll meet plenty of other children who are more at ease."

Solona nodded. Hoping that maybe in the future she'd be able to make up for startling Cullen.

"Come, Solona. It's getting close to afternoon and we should get you settled before everyone turns in."

Sleeping on a cloud, in a bed more comfortable than she'd ever experienced, warm after a steamy bath and full to bursting with delicious pot pie, Solona dreamed of fighting dragons with Cullen, hoping in her heart to make many friends, very soon.