It had been five years since the Inquisitor had thwarted the Qunari Invasion and dismantled the Inquisition. Unbeknownst to many, her work was not yet done and continued to find a way to stop The Dread Wolf's plan, convince him to seek another path. Much had happened in those five years, elves all over Thedas, city and Dalish alike continued to disappear from the cities and countryside. The woods became much more dangerous and treacherous places to venture.

Ramia cared not for such dangers, as she held her staff close to her and strengthening the fires of her camp. A little girl shivered in her lap, curling up closer to her and finishing the last scraps of her meal. Ramia handed her unfinished food to the child and wrapped her furs tighter around them.

"This is yours."

"Eat Laisa, I am full." Laisa tilts her head up to look up at Ramia, her eyes bore into her and seemed almost vacant like she was looking through her more than at her.

"You're still hungry." Ramia puffed in gentle frustration, putting the food to the girl's mouth which Laisa gladly gobbled up. Grabbing the spoon and taking cue she continued to feed herself. Ramia leaned her head back against the trunk of the tree behind her. Cicadas and the wind blowing through the trees the only music for the night, it was peaceful and quiet. An unsettling feeling wouldn't leave her, Laisa and herself had been traveling though these woods for three days and had not countered anything, no animals besides critters and insects and even now the landscape seemed much too quiet for her liking. Something wasn't right.

Laisa jumped up to her feet, trekking forward a few steps. Ramia shot up after her holding her by the wrist. "Laisa? What is it?"

"They're coming!" Ramia heart lurched with fear and adrenaline as she grabbed Laisa into her arms, staff in hand and taking off with lightning speed. Laisa repositioned herself on Ramia's back as they continued to whip through stray branches and over creaks. The sound of several feet on their tail, their only sign to keep going. "Hurry!" Ramia barely missed a flying dagger, cursing through her teeth as she sent a bolt of lightning on a limp branch and setting it ablaze to slow down their pursuers.

Laisa squeaked and ducked her head into Ramia's hair, whimpering in fear at their attackers as they tried using magic of their own. "Keep your head down Laisa. We're almost there, don't worry." She continued to run, even as her feet screamed at her in protest she kept running. Barriers erected to keep their attacks off them so she could ran faster. Eventually they got to a clearing, Ramia's throat hoarse and burning as she tried to gain her breath. Small cottages and farms littered the landscape and she gave a sigh of relief to know they still remained on the right trail despite the attack.

Several elves came out of the shadows of the forest, some had vallaslin while others were barefaced. A young-faced lad lifted his bow to take a shot, Ramia's hand glowed a dark purple hue ready to strike and defend.

"Banalasal!"

One of the others in their group, a tall and lanky thing pushed down the boys bow before he could strike. "Banal dalal." Judging by the look on the young man's face as he kept his bow down and glowered in irritation, that man was the leader of their little group. Their leader removed his hood to show Mythal's vallaslin and a shaven head, a scowl on his face as he addressed her.

"You are proving more trouble than is necessary da'len."

The glowing orb in Ramia's hand expanded, generating currents of electricity to be ready at a moment's notice. The tattooed elf smirked at her spell, amused and unfazed. "Don't be a fool."

"Take your men and slink back into the forests. You'll have nothing from me."

The elven man took a step forward, hand reaching for his staff. The sound of barking in the distance alerted them all, two human men following behind them. Ramia blessed whatever powers out there for the opportune moment.

"They're gone…" Ramia looked back towards the forest, the elves pursuing them suddenly gone without a trace. Suddenly two mabari were jumping up at her and Laisa, barking with excitement. The two humans jogged up, torches and swords in hand.

"Boys! Get off them! Andraste's grace!" The younger man of the two grabbed the dogs by their collars corralling them together. Ramia forced a friendly laugh as she dusted herself off, pulling Laisa's hand back when she tried to reach for the mabari. "I'm sorry if we alerted your dogs, the hour is so late you must have been asleep"

"Well you're both just a couple of pups yourselves aren't you? What are you doing out at this time?"

Ramia lowered her gaze, bringing Laisa to her front and holding her close. "We were trying to make out way home but our cart was attacked, we've had to make due on foot." It was lie of course. It was safer for them not to know their true intentions. The younger man, the son most likely gestured towards one of the farms on the hill.

"You two shouldn't be this late, I'm sure you can stay with us-"The father cleared his throat, causing the boy to blush and laugh nervously.
"You're a mage girl, aren't you?"

"Yes sir…I wouldn't impose regardless." The old man hummed in thought, weighing the options. The son leaning in close in hushed tones.
"We can't just leave them out here…Mother won't mind as long as it's just one night." With a wiggle of his moustache, the farmer nods reluctantly but unwilling to leave the two girls to the cold, elves or not. With a nod of his head he leads everyone back up pass the fields and to the humble little home. The warm orange glow from the windows a welcome sight.

The house was as warm as it looked, a woman walked out of what must have been the kitchen. She seemed in a right awful mood, coming to be even more so at the sight of the unexpected guests. Hands on hips and foot tapping, the farmer's wife look at both men demanding an answer.

"I didn't realise as I was running an inn!"
"Love…hear me out…"
"Out! I want her….oh!" The woman gasped at the sight of Laisa, bundled up behind Ramia's back.

"Hello."

"Why didn't you tell me the girl had a baby?" Ramia couldn't help laughing at the quick change in the woman's attitude, clearly having a weakness for children.

"You're very kind all of you, I only wish there was some way to repay you."
"Nonsense girl, plenty of trouble out there. I'm afraid the only place you can sleep is the loft though, a bit cramped and the bedding isn't great."
"It's more than enough. Thank you."

"Well I was going to use the bath prepared for the dogs but I'll let you have it, they can go one more day in filth I should think." Ramia nodded in thanks and took Laisa to get her cleaned up. The attic was as bad as the woman had said but with their current situation she wouldn't complain. Laisa trailed behind her, giving Ramia the towel so she could dry her hair.

"They wanted to take me away."
"I know."

This hadn't been the first attack since the two had left on their journey, anywhere that wasn't populated could not be rested at for long. It was always the same attackers though. Elves. It was a sad time when you couldn't trust your own kind, but it started to become hard to tell friend from foe, to know who was on your side and who worked for Fen'Harel.
That's was what all this running was for wasn't it?

"You won't let them will you?" Ramia paused her task, turning Laisa around, giving her the warmest smile she could muster and kissing her crown.

"Of course not, you're my sister. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Laisa smiled, twisted her head this way and that. Always easily distracted, like her mind was moving from one place to the other. Ramia found it trying at times, it was hard enough with any other five year old but trying to keep Laisa focused and in the here and now seemed impossible at times.

"Bae wants to find me. He said I don't belong here." Ramia bit her lip, anxious.

"Yes you do."

"I don't." Laisa turned to look at her sister, giggling and jumping into her sister's lap. "I miss mamae." Ramia ran a hand though the loose waves of her hair then rising to change into looser clothing.

"I know. I miss her too. We'll see her again soon, I promise." Laisa wiggled into the covers, curling up against Ramia when she joined her in bed.

"I'm hungry."
"Laisa…"