Prologue

The secret door was easy enough to find, even hidden as it was underneath a large barrel of ale. Bann Teagan's ring worked just as he said it would and the four of us slowly made our way down the stairs.

I wrinkled my nose at the pungent smell of mildew and dead carcasses of who knows what sort of vermin who made their homes down in the dark dungeons of Redcliff Castle. I strained to see through the darkness, passed Alistair's shoulder, as sweat poured into my eyes and down my arms underneath the heavy silverite armor I wore.

I couldn't help but think of how unnatural it was to feel such weight on my body and the feel of the sword and shield in my hands wasn't much better. I nearly laughed at the thought of feeling so much more vulnerable in that armor than I ever had in my circle robes.

The stairs opened up to a small room filled with only a few crumbling boxes and with one lone door on the opposite wall. Behind me I sensed Liliana and Zevran move to either side of us, both pulling bows from their backs and each knocking an arrow. I watched Alistair's body tense under his own armor and felt the hairs on my arms and neck rise as I surrounded myself with my new Arcane battle spell, instantly making the armor seem lighter than air.

None of us spoke, our group instinct taking over as we quickly crossed the room. Without a moments hesitation Alistair let out a loud bellow as he kicked the the door open.

The next room was long and lined with tiny jail cells on either side. Crowded around the very last one was a group of three undead soldiers. The cries of the poor soul they tormented reached my ears just as Alistair let out another battle cry to draw their attention and charged forward. Summoning a spell to my lips I lashed out with my magic, freezing the closest one as Alistair brought his sword down on it in a crushing blow that left it in pieces on the floor.

Tightening the grip on my sword and shield I moved into my own charge just as two arrows flew past me and embedded themselves each in the remaining zombies. Both seemingly unfazed though, only descended upon Alistair's assault. Seconds later I was upon them, bringing my sword down in what still felt like my first battle stroke since I had found that vial within the Brecilian forest.

It didn't take very long for us to win the battle and when we were done I felt the adrenaline pulse through my body like I had never felt it before. I eyed the corpses warily, feeling unnerved – at least when darkspawn finally fell they stayed that way. I still half expected the disembodied limbs to bounce up and continue fighting.

Then I heard the one voice I thought I would never hear again.

"Hello! Is there anyone out there?" Jowan's voice sounded panicked.

Alistair had his helmet already pulled off and stood in front of the mage's cell. "No worries. We're here to help."

"Oh look at how nicely he treats the prisoners," Zevran laughed and leaned against the wall. "He shall be a king like no other!"

"Would you just shut up about that already," Alistair said irritably.

"Oh and here I was trying to give you a compliment," Zevran shrugged.

"Why are you down here?" Liliana asked, interrupting their banter.

"Well my beautiful bard, it would appear that he is a prisoner," Zevran quipped, "As I'm sure you heard me allude to only moments ago."

"Yes, I think we can all see that," Alistair said.

"Or he could just enjoy locking himself in cages." The former Crow offered, smirk still gracing his lips.

"He's the mage the Arlessa told us about," I said as I took my own helmet off and stepped in front of the jail cell.

The rest of the color drained from Jowan's face as he saw me and his lips parted in a barely audible, "You!"