Well doesn't seem to like Notepad, which is what DarkRoom uses, but hopefully this'll be easier on the eyes. This whole chapter is subject to change because my thoughts were all over the place when I wrote it, and I think it shows quite a bit. I'll have the 2nd chapter up soon, too. Oh, and thanks for the reviews!

WITCH HUNTER

"I understand completely.", Alistair said. King Alistair; his voice was different now. Maybe I was just imagining it, but it wasn't as lively. I had ignored that I wasn't the only one to lose something to the Archdemon.

"No, Alistair, you don't. I pray you never do." I said. Friends shouldn't part on such solemn notes, so I put my hand on his shoulder and said "Maker be with you, friend." He nodded, as if urging me to go. I required little prodding in this, though.

First Enchanter Irving greeted me as I stepped down the cold stone steps, and he shook my hand fervently. In the end the Circle of Magi had come out ahead, though at great cost. The fees and fines of progress, I suppose, though what a maudlin thought. All my thoughts now were maudlin and angst. Perhaps I saw the journey ahead. There was only one road, and it would be long and lonesome. I wouldn't have Alistair's jokes to cheer me up when the path turned dark, nor Leliana's soothing voice to dispel the darkness of my own mind, or Mo-

I could not finish thinking her name without my heart growing fast, as if racing towards the end. My breathing grew haggard as I thought of myself perishing on the road, never again knowing her touch. I kept my composure, though. It was the greatest pain I had ever felt, but my appearance was numbed. Ever since the joining that feeling was there, that numbness, but now it was so great I wondered if it would swallow me. I had to find her, if for no other reason than to try and go without her would be my death.

Oghren paid no heed as I passed, but Sten beckoned with his eyes. I made my way to him. Each moment the inevitable trail would grow colder, but the Qunari was not one to be ignored. He let me go without taking much of my time, and after that I never saw him again. He returned to his homeland and I feel shamed that when finally he might have opened up to me and perhaps answered my questions I was in too great a hurry to ask them. I doubt he cared, though. Perhaps it was relieving for him, finally being free of talk from we shorter folk.

The guard led me to my escort and I walked through Denarim, and put on a brave and happy face for the people. They had suffered much, and perhaps the idea of a happily-ever-after ending would help them ease back into their old lives, for those of them who had anything to go back to. By the end I was nearly enjoying myself, my troubles forgotten, but I saw a flash of pointy black hair in the crowd, moving forward through the crowd. When finally she appeared I had to tear my gaze from her, but I could tell before I did that she was disconcerted at my scornful stare.

The parade ended at a wooden scaffold in the middle of the royal square. Alistair climbed it and gave a speech that seemed to drag on for hours about the strength of the people and that everyone's help would be needed to rebuild. He stumbled his way through it, but spirits were high and for the cheering he may as well have been a master orator.

I waited at the bottom of the scaffold, surrounded by guards holding back the tides of people who might crusn us under their adoration. Lady Anora was there, only 5 feet from me, but she didn't look at me. I didn't blame her; but a few days ago I had killed her father. I still don't know that that was the right decision. I will never know.

Alistair climbed down slowly, waving to the crowd as he did, and hopped over the bottom few rungs to the ground. He and the lady went toward the palace above, and the crowd followed. My escort had disappeared, which was fortuitous. I wanted none to be aware of my leaving until the act was done.

This was because I felt shameful. She had manipulated me through it all, and I knew it. Yet still I hunted her, even when she was done with me. A plaything discarded yet still eager to please. What a pathetic thing.

The gate out to the open lands of Fereldan was open and I was glad to avoid any other people. I was so anxious that their faces all seemed to blend into one- a face I longed to forget.

Finally, when I was out of sight of the city I went off the road a ways and sat down in the grass. The foolishness of my intentiones began to fully dawn on me. I was hunting a woman who did not want to be found. The ring I wore would let her know where I was at any time and yet I couldn't throw it away. It was the only sign that she had ever existed, apart from an empty hut in the Korcari Wilds.

I felt the despair for a moment, and the ring seemed to echo my sentiments. I wondered what that might mean as I fell asleep in the grass.