A/N: Because I promised a prize to Cibiripilli, this is dedicated to her. Not sure if it's going to be few choice chapters, or a full-length thing xD

That said, I hope everyone who reads enjoys this. Sten's pretty awesome.

Prologue:

Things are fun by the Sea.

Sten

The kadan had decided to travel back to Seheron with me, and we boarded the ship that had left the capital at dawn, along with the strange tides of this land. She had seemed harried, as these people would have called it, eager to leave the land that she had just saved. I did not blame her. The smell of dogs and rubbish was overwhelming. The ship was fast, and when we finally reached Par Vollen her ceaseless amazement grew somewhat unabashed. It was only when we were almost refused passage that she fell silent, a somewhat impossible task for humans.

This was homecoming, the smell of the sea, the incense, the tea—everything I had longed for, here again within reach. The kadan was enthralled, and her presence would be hard to explain; women were not fighters, they were priests, artisans, farmers and shopkeepers— but I knew that she would not allow herself to be delegated to that.

The attention we drew was at best curious, and this did not escape the kadan, her armor was worn for precisely that motive. We did not wish anyone to discover her presence as a Saarebas, the consequences of which would be most… tragic. She was but a child, and also a warrior, something that should be highlighted to the furthest extent possible.

"Sten— should I be calling you that, even here? Isn't every commander of the units a Sten?" The kadan was looking up at me, a perfectly blank look on her fair face. I knew that look. She was trying to appear innocent.

"It is sufficient." It would not be proper for her to refer to be by any other name.

"Fine. Have it your way." Her attentions returned to those leading us to the arishok and I briefly wondered if she was upset, her abrupt silences always seemed to indicate that it was so.

The arishok simply listened to my account of the Blight, but I knew that he was considering my companion—her height, gender and armor a stark contrast to her status as a Grey Warden. As expected, he wasn't convinced.

Kiera

The arishok wanted me to prove myself—apparently he did not think women were fighters, as the qunari believed. We expected that, Sten and I, but I was rather more shocked that my abilities would be put to the test with a demonstration—how this came to be I don't know. Warriors stepped forward as Sten was ordered aside and I drew my blades in anticipation (more of panic than expectation).

"Choose your opponent."

"What? Why?" Dear Maker—I survived a battle with an Archdemon to do this.

The reply was swift and cutting. "It has been said that Grey Wardens are legendary warriors and strategists."

"And that is the basis of this test? To see if I am worthy to stand among your people?"

"No. It is to see if you are worthy to stand among yours."

"I don't even… Fine." I stood in front of one of the kossiths and nodded. "Him."

The rest of the warriors stepped back as a smaller group of them appeared the back of the one whom I had chosen. I was to fight a small band of them. Oh Maker.

xOxOx

P.S.: I'm sorry this chapter is so short. Heh. Please let me know if you like it with a review! (Or if you're shy, a PM.) I also welcome suggestions, the qunari lands are terrifyingly foreign to me!