Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age Inquisition or the characters and places within. The only thing I can claim full ownership of is Noyala.

Chapter 1:

Lelia tromped through the camp, keeping her eyes on the ground. Things had changed in the past month, since her father's death. Her father had been her best friend and he was gone now. He didn't even need to die, which only fueled Lelia's anger and pain. That anger and pain caused her to become isolated from the rest of her clan. Lelia spent most of her time in the hunting or scouting in the forest then socializing with her clan. Perhaps that's why the Keeper wanted to see her. Lelia could handle a lecture. It wouldn't change much anyways. She needed to deal with this on her own. And her father's death left a lot to be handled.

Much to her dismay, the Keeper wasn't alone. Of course, why would the Keeper be without their First? That shouldn't be too bad, except the Keeper's First was Lelia's own sister. The very person that Lelia was fighting to avoid the most. Noyala's green eyes landed her and there were no words, just awkward staring. Lelia and Noyala had never been close. That was a lot of Lelia's own fault, but she justified it to herself with the fact that Noyala, being a mage, was always busy training. Especially after she was named the Keeper's First, and since Lelia was always busy hunting, they would never have time for talking.

"Ah, Lelia. Nice of you to be present," the Keeper said, disturbing her thoughts and pulling her attention from her sister.

"You said you wanted to speak me, so here I am," Lelia shrugged. The Keeper's face was unreadable as ever, much to Lelia's frustration.

"Noyala, leave us. There are things your sister and I should discuss alone." The Keeper said.

"But Keeper-" Noyala was silenced by one look. With a final glance at her sister, Noyala walked away. Lelia turned to the Keeper, who nodded for them to walk.

"I understand you've been having a hard time since your father's death, Lelia. He was a valued member of the clan and his loss was felt by all." Lelia kept her eyes down, her hands balled into fists. This wasn't something she wanted to discuss. She could deal with it on her own. "I've also heard some of the thoughts you've been having." Lelia stiffened at those words. She knew what thoughts the Keeper was referring to and she had only voiced them to one person; Alavin. The poor love sick fool was always around her until recently and he was the only one near her right after her father's funeral, when she had let this thoughts slip.

"I don't think they're entirely unreasonable, Keeper," Lelia dared to say and she received a hard look from the Keeper. "In light of recent events, I don't think some control is asking too much." The Keeper sighed as they came to a stop and turned to face each other.

"Da'len, you know this isn't a widespread problem," the Keeper said. "It was a few young mages with good intentions."

"Good intentions that got my father killed." Lelia said firmly. "And I'm sure we're not the only clan who has had problem with our mages, hence why we can't have too many mages in a clan."

"I know, Lelia," the Keeper's voice was firm and hard, almost making Lelia shrink back. "And, as I understand it, your father volunteered for it."

"According to the blood mages," Lelia huffed. "Their word doesn't mean much. Their motives didn't make much sense either. As well intentioned as you say they are."

"They just wanted protection, Da'len," the Keeper sighed.

"Protection from what? We have very few problems with the humans." Lelia said. "It was foolish and stupid."

"Relations with humans are always unpredictable and they can turn very bad for us. Regardless, those responsible are gone and I don't think it was necessary for you to bring up Circles."

"The shem have made it work for them for a while." Lelia argued. The Keeper raised an eyebrow at her.

"Have they, Lelia?" The Keeper asked. "I trust you know of the tense relations with the mages and Templars currently. Which brings me to the true reason I wanted to speak with you. There is a Conclave happening to broker some sort of peace between the mages and Templars. What happens there will impact all of us. As such, I need you to venture to this Conclave and observe it. When you return, relay to me what happened. Perhaps while you're there you'll learn why Circles serve no one at all."

"Very well, Keeper," Lelia nodded. "Was there anything else?"

"Yes. Perhaps when you've returned you can stop treating your sister as you do," the Keeper fixed her in a stern glare and Lelia looked away. It's not as if she didn't try but there were blocks in her relationship with her sister. It was okay when their father was alive. Not great, but okay. "She is no blood mage and Noyala doesn't have it that in her. And it's not her fault your mother died."

"I know," Lelia sighed. "I'll do better, Keeper."

"Good. Now go prepare. You leave immediately." Lelia nodded, walking off.

Packed and ready to go, Lelia stood at the edge of the camp. Leaving shouldn't be hard but the what the Keeper said about Noyala kept bouncing in her head. If there was any hope of fixing things with her sister, she should say good-bye to her. With a huff, Lelia turned around only to find her little sister standing there, looking at her expectantly.

Physically, you'd never know that the two were sisters. Just their eyes were the same, both green like their mother. But where Noyala had long blonde hair and soft face free of blemishes and looked very much like their mother, Lelia took more after their father. She had black, shoulder length hair and she had a scar on her lip. An unfortunate fight with one of the boys when she was a teenager. She won, but that's besides the point.

"Were you just going to leave without saying good-bye?" Noyala asked. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."

"I was just coming to find you, actually," Lelia said. "I suppose it's time for me to stop being so bitter, since we're all each other has left now."

"You do, do you?" Noyala asked and Lelia could see that Noyala meant for her words to be biting but Noyala didn't have it in her. She was far too kind.

"I'm sorry, Noyala. I've been having a hard time and I've been unfair to you." Lelia sighed. "When I get back we'll make things better. I promise." Noyala nodded.

"Then be careful. From what the Keeper says, things are very volatile between the mages and Templars.""I will. Look after the clan. I'll see you when I return." There were no hugs, just nods between the sisters before Lelia turned and walked out of the camp. The promise she made was hanging over Lelia's head like a sword. It was high time she stopped distracting herself from these issues she had with hunting or scouting. She'd have to face them head on and mend things with her only surviving family member, after the Conclave.