"Ed, you're going to have to work harder than that!" Giggled the sister, feinting to the left of her opponent's incoming grapple attack. Grabbing his arm, she heaved him over her shoulder, dropping to her knee, throwing him to the ground. A resounding thud gave her much satisfaction in her work. Just like Gampa showed me—she thought, very pleased with herself.

"Sal," he grunted as she released her grip on his wrist, "I'm just not as strong as you are." Retorted the brother, rubbing his lower back, looking up into her green/grey eyes.

"C'mon you Nug, get up." She offered her hand to her brother, who was squarely on his back. He took her hand, getting to his feet, and looked at his sister warily.

She shooed him back to his original position, near an ornate pillar that marked the trailhead of the path where they were practicing. I really don't want to get hit again. Why can't I get this?! He scowled in frustration at his sister's half dancing, half grappling, all strength ability.

She gestured to him to begin. "Again! This time, look for the weakness!"

"What is this blighted weakness I'm supposed to see!?"
That question stopped the girl for a beat as she considered it. She could see his movements coming before she realized it; knowing from her core which way to go, what to do next. She wasn't quite sure how to verbalize this knowledge.

"I'm not really sure, to be honest." She mused. "Gampa just… I don't know, showed me." She smiled, realizing the current weakness. "You should have come at me just now, goof! Just now, as I was caught in thought. Maker, you're slow." She teased.

The brother smiled, took the opportunity to win this round mentally, "well, maybe you shouldn't get deep in thought when you're fighting! 'Wouldn't want you to hurt that pretty head of yours." Laughing from the scowl on his sister's face, he knew he had struck a chord. "Can't I convince you to let me show you that trick I did with the roses that Gamma showed me?" He pleaded, the bruise forming in his back warning him that his sister would eventually win.

"Once you beat me." She grinned.

"I just did!" He retorted. "And, I didn't even have to lift a finger." He stood back, folding his arms around his elbows, and wiggling his pinky to prove the point.

"Nuh-uh!" She said, sticking her tongue out at him.

Coming upon the wresting children, the mother surveyed her pair, playing in the warm sun of the Free Marches summer. Her daughter, a lithe and strong young lady of ten. Her son, a graceful and gentle young man of 13. Both truly beginning to come into their own.

The pair was utterly devoted to one another, in the most peculiar way. While most older brothers protected their baby sisters gruffly and with force, or ignored them altogether, these two were the opposite. Saliah, full of light and life, would sooner take down a mountain than see harm come to her brother. Edwin, quieter and softer, would be the calm of her storm, reminding her to think before she acted. They balanced one another perfectly, from the day Saliah came into the world. She had never seen a brother so devoted to teaching his baby sister, doting on her every whim, reeling her in when she would get too wild. She chuckled to herself as she remembered when Edwin was ten or so, he informed his mother to leave Saliah's scolding to him, as she wasn't going to listen to her anyway.

Equally, she never saw a baby so enrapt with her elder sibling, delighting in all that he taught her. Saliah's balance to her brother was to push him to hurry up, be bolder, more brash. They were two sides of the same coin, and that truth made Aster proud and happy.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think that they would turn out to be so like her tribe. Both with a shock of silvery white hair seemingly spun from silk, the eyes of storm clouds, and the gifts of her people's mysteries. Her children lived to be out in the sun and in the elements, playing in the gardens and forests surrounding the family estate. Of course, they were attentive with their lessons, diligently learning their numbers and letters, as well as manners and etiquette. These were things required of the children and heirs of the Noble House of Trevelyan. However, They much preferred to be out in the air, with the grass beneath their feet, teetering at the edge of a stream, arguing over the best tactics to catch fish.

Coming back to the moment, Aster swelled with pride as her daughter put her son through the paces of the beginner warrior's training they had learned from their Grandfather's last visit. Maker, guide them wisely—she mused as she approached them.

"Alright Saliah," She said to the girl, "I think you've proven your point. Let Edwin have a turn and show you what he's good at, now."

Saliah relaxed her pose, "yes, Mama," she sighed, clearly annoyed that she wouldn't get to try again. "Did you see how I feinted and grappled? Just like Gampa showed me!"

"Yes, my darling girl." Her mother said, ruffling the messy topknot that held her daughter's hair.

"One day, I will walk as a warrior, yes?" Saliah asked, excited at the possibility walking proudly with her Grandfather's great maul one day.

"If that is what the Maker's wyld intends, Saliah, then yes: you will become a huntress and warrior of the Wyld."

Turning to his mother, Edwin quietly walked towards them. "Mama?"

"Yes, my sweet boy."

He paused, forming his question as he ran his fingers along the stone hedge of the walkway. He stopped, looking at her quietly with his storm cloud eyes. "Will I have to go to the circle because I'm good at what Gamma taught me?"

The question caught the Aster's breath in her throat. Magic wasn't the sin for her kind as it was in the rest of Thedas. Her mother, who would be labeled "apostate" if any one were to know of her, taught her that their magic was no sin. It was never corrupted by the taint of the Imperium. But here, in the Free Marches, magic was a sin for all intents and purposes. Its wielders: mages locked in prisons fashioned to look like towers of safety and protection. Their keepers: brutal, cruel men and women who would kill them under the guises of holy service and 'magic exists to serve man.' No, her son would go to no such place.

She leaned down to meet her son's handsome face, which was so like his father's. "If the Maker's wyld intends it for you, Edwin, you will go and stay with your Gamma and the tribe. She can fully teach you the ways of Druids. That training exists nowhere else in Thedas, and certainly in no Circle Tower."

"Why? Are the circles wrong?"

"No," she chose her next words carefully, remembering every fight she and her husband have had over her opinions on Chantry's magical traditions, "they…just don't understand our magic." She finished, hoping he wouldn't push the issue further. His magic had just begun to manifest, and she was still reeling from the implications of it, here in her husband's world.

The fights over Edwin's future had begun between them a few weeks before, just before her parents' arrived for their yearly visit. Arman, her husband, was of the world outside of the tribe, so of course he feared his son's gifts. He believed that he should go to the circle at Ostwick at once, so that he could be controlled. Aster fought him viciously on the matter, reminding him that neither the Circle of Magi nor the Chantry would know what to do with Edwin's gift, because her tribe's magic wasn't victim of the Tevinter influence. During her parents' visit, he drunkedly blamed her "witch mother" for making the magic a possibility to his heir. Aster's husband nearly forbade the Druidess' presence in his home any further. It had almost come to blows between Arman and her father, the chieftain of her tribe. She knew the outcome would be certain death for Arman. Her father's gift from the tribe's mystery was the strength of the land; a rare ability her daughter seemed to have inherited. She couldn't fathom the fall-out from that, nor did she want to. She told her parents to return to the tribe after the fight, promising to bring the children soon. Returning to her husband after her parents' departure, she quietly informed him that Edwin would go to no such place as that blasted circle, and that she would take him to the tribe if his powers should further develop. He acquiesced, citing that it was probably better that way.

Aster and her children turned and made their way to the rose gardens, near the patio on the east wing of their mansion. As they walked, Aster marveled at how her son would touch the plants, effortlessly making them more lush and green, just as her mother would. He would indeed make a fine Druid of the Arbor Wyld when he came of age. She chided herself slightly for the mild pang of envy she felt at her son's gift. Aster could also work this magic, but hers never manifested to any significant point. Aster was lucky if she could brighten a few leaves, let alone a hedge's worth of rose bushes as her son had just done.

"Ed, that's. . . that's so beautiful." Saliah said, in awe of her brother's quiet power that was so unlike her own. Aster couldn't help but be proud of her son, finally leveling his sister today. Her power made him unsteady at times. Growing up with stories of the proud, gallant knights of the Grey Wardens and other orders (including the Templar Order, she relented to herself), she knew that Edwin wished, at some level, he had a monocum of his sister's forthcoming capacity with battle. But, she also knew that her son was equally proud of Saliah's strength. Aster considered Edwin's power, which could eventually summon hurricanes and blizzards, if he should choose. She wondered, at that moment, which druidic path he would take when the time came.

"Thanks, Sal." Ed replied. Ever the kind one, he picked his sister a jewel-like rose from the plant. Saliah, ever the wild one, danced around with it, twirling and leaping in front of the two of them making all the noise in the world as she danced. Aster wondered what weapon would be dedicated to her beautiful, rambunctious daughter when she was named huntress and warrior . . . and prayed that the training would help calm the earthquake that rattled within the child. Maker knew Aster would accept all the help she could get!

As they came to the center patio, they passed the estate's main chapel of Andraste, Bride of the Maker.

"Mama?" Saliah looked to her mother after noticing the temple.

"Yes, dear."
"Is Andraste of the Maker's wyld?"

"I don't pretend to know the secrets of Andraste, child. Just know that she watches over us all." She pulled her close to her, kissing the top of her silvered head, holding back tears of pride and joy at her two creations.

"Mama, there's no need to cry," said Edwin gently, seeing her mother's glassy eyes.

"No, my sweet boy, there isn't." She pulled him in with her other arm. "I am just so proud of both of you. My beautiful, special pair."

"Children!" Aster called out to the rose garden, "The Lady Maera is here for tea! Come say hello."

"Yes, Mama!" The pair said in unison.

"They are inseparable." She said to herself, smiling. Turning back to her guest, she motioned the servants to begin their work.

"Aster, I simply must tell you how beautiful your gardens are. Who do you have working the grounds?" Asked her guest, Lady Maera of House Brallia, an insufferable gossip of a noblewoman. Sadly, her guest was of the sorts who you kept closer than your friends, for fear her gossip mongering would be aimed at you.

"It is simply luck, Maera. The Maker has blessed us with good soil and sun."

"Indeed! You know, at Ostwick Circle, where my brother is Knight Commander," the woman preened, dropping her brother's rank with the Order (as she always did), "they also have lovely gardens, kept by the circle's Tranquil. You really should come and see them with me the next time I go to visit him. The circle is actually not far from here, a few hours at most. It would be a wonderful afternoon trip. You must join me!" she pressed, eager to show anyone and everyone her brother's work.

Aster's cup shook slightly as she put it back on its plate, quietly wishing to be nowhere near that fade-forsaken prison. Gathering herself, she replied "thank you Maera, I will be sure to let you know when I can get away for a jaunt."

Catching the minor feaux-pas, Maera laughed at Aster's nervousness, "Dear woman, I wasn't suggesting you join the circle! Maker's breath," she eyed Aster playfully, "are you an apostate in hiding?" She guffawed, tickled with her joke.

Aster forced a polite chuckle in response. "Why no, Maera, it's just that the stories of your brother's gallantry set me a flutter, I must confess." They chatted a bit longer—or, more likely—Aster nodded politely as Maera hurried on, telling her of the latest gossip from Orlais. Maker give me strength, she thought as the woman prattled on.

As her children approached, Aster looked on, first in delight of her two. Her face fell quickly, changing to abject horror as her son. . . her sweet and gentle boy absent mindedly worked his gift over one of the Hydrangea bushes, sweeping his hand over its canopy. Aster quickly looked at her guest, to see if Maera had noticed. Her blanched expression, hand over her throat gave Aster the answer. Before Aster could think of something to explain the magic away, Maera hastily stood up, thanked her host and hurried out, mumbling an excuse of a forgotten appointment.

"Where is Lady Maera?" Saliah asked as they came up the stairs to the patio, bright and innocent.

"Children, we have to make ready to travel." Aster said quickly, watching the woman leave.

"But, why?" Saliah pressed.

"Because, Saliah," Edwin said quietly, looking at his mother's face, realizing his mistake "Lady Maera has gone to tell her brother about me."

Saliah tried to hurry and pack her things as her mother instructed. All she was told was that they were leaving, and she wasn't really sure why. She heard her mother run and tell her father of "what Maera saw." She heard her father tell her mother to calm down, that he would work it out with the Knight Commander, but that yes, in the meantime perhaps it "was prudent for the children to visit their grandparents… and time that they saw the tribe." Her mother, not calming down, said that she would be going with them, and would be back when she could. She had to get word to her mother that they were coming. And, that no, he couldn't come; he wasn't of the tribe. A comment, Saliah knew, her father hated to hear and was the sore spot of her parents' life together. She hated when they fought, which seemed to be a lot, lately. But, Papa just didn't understand Mama's family. He was probably just jealous, too—Gamma and Gampa were much more fun than Grandmama and Grandpapa. Grandmama always made her have tea with noble girls her age. Boring girls who wanted to giggle and gossip and pleat each other's hair. She much preferred playing with Ed outside, fighting pretend dragons that transformed from the ancient trees in the woods. Ed always played the mage, pretending to lob powerful spells at the monster, while Saliah expertly put the beast down using her great maul that she had fashioned from a tree branch and a stone she had found. That was much more fun than some boring tea party.

As she was telling her maid to take her bag downstairs, Saliah went to check on her brother. She hung through the doorway to his room as she always did, and found him sitting on his bed; his bag neatly packed in the corner. Edwin was as still as stone on his bed. He clutched the Elfroot plant that Gamma had given him to his chest, as he stared out the window.

"Ed?" She asked, approaching him quietly. "Are you ready?" She knew something was wrong with him.

"Sal, the Templars are coming for me."

"What? No! Mama and Papa just agreed that we are going to see Gamma and Gampa. That's the hurry, silly." She said, coming around to face him. She was shocked to see his face was tear-stricken, his nose runny, his eyes full of a fear she didn't understand.

"Saliah," he choked, "I'm have magic! They're coming to take me away!" He sobbed. "They're going to take me to the Circle and . . . and . . . I won't ever see you, or Mama, or Papa, or Gamma or Gampa again!" He finished his sentence half speaking, half wailing. Tears spilling down his cheeks in full swing.

She jumped on the bed and wrapped her arms around her brother, holding him with all her might.

"No, they're not! Stop being a baby." She tried to comfort him, not understanding why he was so frightened. Templars would never come to take him! Our magic is different. Gamma said so.

"Yes, they—" Edwin didn't finish his sentence. Dumbstruck, his eyes widened at the sight outside the window.

Turning around, Saliah saw what stopped him. There, approaching their home from the road were six Templars on horseback, leading a coach driven by two more. Their armor emblazoned with the Order's heraldry. Suddenly in a dead calm, she leaped into an action she knew was right from her core. She grabbed her brother's shoulders, and looked him in the eyes, steeling her gaze. "Get quiet, and hide." She quietly commanded. He looked at her, steadying himself in her gaze, and nodded. He wiped his nose as she turned and ran out of the room.

"MAMAAAAAAAAA" She shouted as she ran down the hall to her parents' suite. Bursting through the door, she found her Mother, hurriedly finishing her bag.

Looking up, her mother looked at her in exasperation, "Saliah, I told you to finish—"

"MAMA! TEMPLARS! THEY'RE COMING!" Saliah cut her mother off, pointing out the window at the invaders.

"Maker preserve us." Her mother responded, looking to where Saliah was pointing. "ARMAN! THEY'RE HERE!" She called to the other room of her suite. Looking back at Saliah, her mother ran to her. "Hide your brother. Protect him. Hide yourself with him."
"But Mama, I-" Saliah started.

Her mother stopped her with an index finger to Saliah's lips; a gesture that Saliah knew stopped all discussion. "Go."

"Yes, Mama."

Running back to Ed's room, she didn't see Ed. In his place by the bed, she saw a huge ball of . . . Elfroot? "Ed? ED WHERE ARE YOU!" She panicked, looking around the room.

"I'm in here, Sal. I'm not really sure how this happened." She heard a muffled voice from the plant ball.

"Ed you have to get out of there! I told you to hide! That's not a good hiding spot!"

"I can't get out! It just happened!" He said in a panic.

"Maker's bowels." She hissed. "Can you breathe in there?" She ran over to the snarl of vines.
"Yes, thank Andraste." Ed said back to her.
"Alright, good. Stay there." Think, Saliah. Think. She eyed the bedding, and threw it over the vine ball and closed the door to his room. Tying her silvery-white hair into a topknot, she braced herself against the door. They will not have my brother, she promised to herself and to Ed.

Through the door, she heard the group in the vestibule of the building. Muffled sounds that seemed to be her father speaking with whomever was in charge, and her mother pleading with them. "This is a misunderstanding." She heard her mother say through the door, trying to feign calm incredulity. Saliah could hear her panicked undertones; she knew when her mother was faking. Why do they sound so close? She wondered.

To her surprise, the door moved sharply. She braced herself to keep it closed, her pulse rising. She could hear her blood beat in her ears. The door pushed harder, and as Saliah adjusted her foot to keep her brace intact, the door exploded open. Thrown back, but not falling, Saliah quickly gathered herself, screamed, and bull-rushed the body back, not looking up to see whom it was. The Templar flew into to the wall opposite the door, crashing down with a grunt. Saliah moved like a flash of light and grabbed the doorframe and put her feet in the corners, staging her defense. "YOU WILL NOT HAVE MY BROTHER!" The young girl roared at the dumbfounded Templar trio still standing in the hallway, staring incredulously at this child who was in their way.

After a beat, the trio lunged at her. Holding herself in the door, she kicked one in their helmed face, leveraging her balance in the frame, sending him crashing across the hallway into the wall. Another received her shin in their groin, crumpling him to the ground, crying out in pain. She found herself feeding off the pain she clearly caused them. Panting, half exerted, but pulsing with a primal fury, she screamed at them incoherently. The third caught her torso as she kicked and screamed, trying to pull her from the frame.

"I need some help here!" She heard a surprised voice say, muffled by their helm. The first Templar, and the one who received a foot to his face, quickly stood and engaged in the unusual tug-of-war. Finally, they pulled her out and their path to Ed was clear. She writhed and fought to get out of their grasp, trying to throw her weight around to unbalance them, but she was weakened and spent. They each had their arms gripped around her, keeping her perpendicular to the marble floor. A new Templar went in and looked for Ed, making straight for the pile of bedding between his bed and the window.

"He's not in there, you ass!" Her feeble lie clearly not believed. The Templar pulled the bedding from the ground, revealing her brother's cocoon.

"Commander," the Templar called out of the room, "he's in here."

The Knight Commander emerged from the staircase, helmless. He was a tall man, gray-haired, slowly walking with the swagger of a well-trained warrior. Despite his creases and fearsome stature, she saw a pair of blue eyes that were clearly remorseful about the task at hand. The Sin of House Trevelyan was to be collected.

"Gentlemen," he said at the trio, "put the girl down; we are not here for her."

"Ser! It took three of us to pull her out of the door frame, Ser." One of the Templars said as he motioned his head between the doorframe and the struggling, raging child. It was then that Saliah realized that she had taken chunks of it with her, when they pulled her out. She slammed the chunks at the helm of the Templar who was closest to her head. The commotion gave her the weakness she sought. She forced her weight down and pulled herself out of their grasp. Upon landing, she rolled back to her feet and made for the discovering Templar near her brother, screaming as she approached.

The Knight Commander, who grabbed her and in one motion picked her up, gently hoisting her over his shoulder, abruptly stopped her approach. "Calm down child, no harm is coming to your brother. We must take him for his and your protection." He said softly, in an attempt to calm her down.

"PROTECT THIS!" She roared, her small feet kicking into his nose. She heard a satisfying snap as his nose broke. She began to rail again, trying to force her weight around as she had before.

While taken aback in the surprise, the veteran did not fall and held onto her. "MAKERS BREATH—WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, CHILD!" He roared back at her, all at once swinging her around and holding her against the floor, pinning her arms and legs behind her. Saliah could tell that his nose was bleeding badly; it was falling on her cheek. Good.

She also knew that she was had. He won.

They had her brother.

"Sweet Mother of Andraste, Steren Brallia, unhand my daughter this instant!" Aster shouted, rushing down the hall. The scene was unreal to her: her daughter, panting heavily, chest down, fully pinned beneath the weight of the Knight Commander of the Circle at Ostwick. His nose was broken, badly. He was bleeding all over Saliah's face. Maker, make that be only his blood or I will end him—she thought. One Templar was on the floor, rolling on his back, covering his groin and weeping behind his helm. Another had a considerable dent in his breastplate, and yet one more was helmless, holding it in his hand and trying to work the dent out of it.

"What is the meaning of this?!" She demanded, although she knew the answer already. Her daughter had done as she was told. Aster immediately chided herself for putting Saliah in this position. She needed to see what they said. She wouldn't forgive herself if this would cause her daughter harm.

"This . . .beast of a child took one of my men down, and kicked me in the nose." Knight Commander Steren growled as he released her, blood gushing from his nose. "Tell me, is she magic as well?" He demanded, his eyes flashing to Aster's, as Saliah ran to her mother.

"Maker, no." Aster said, as she inspected her daughter for any injuries, wiping the blood from her face as best she could. "No, she's not. She's spirited and terrified of loosing her brother, Steren." After being satisfied that Saliah was fine for the most part, she scooped up her daughter who had begun wailing and crying uncontrollably, hoarsely mumbling something about failing her brother. Trying to comfort her child, and fighting her own heartbreak, Aster focused her pain into maternal rage. Flashing her eyes back at him, "This isn't the first time you've pulled a child from their unwilling families. I'm sure you understand, Knight Commander."

"I . . . no, it isn't." He said, agreeing with her. "But, it is a first that it takes three of my men to control a 10 year old girl." He narrowed his gaze at her daughter's back.

"Perhaps, Commander, you should stop coddling your nieces and nephews when they join as recruits." She retorted, making her threats the way nobles would. "It would be so unfortunate if you were to be . . . found wanting in your command. Certainly three men being taken down by a child during a simple collection mission from a nobleman's home should be cause for an investigation on your ability to train and lead." She leveled her verbal sword.

"I see your point, Lady Aster." He relented to her. Turning stiffly to his men he shouted "take the boy, gently. I've already had my nose broken."

Seeing her son be escorted towards the door with the bag he had packed to go to her tribe nearly broke Aster. As soon as Edwin saw her, he ran to her, crying all over again.

"I'm sorry, Mama! This is my fault for the stupid Hydrangea!" He wailed, reaching for her.

She quickly put Saliah down and crouched in front of her son. "Edwin, you've done nothing wrong." She said soothingly, their faces close together. She snatched him to her, holding him tight. Looking over his shoulder, at the victims of her daughter's handy-work, she hissed "he's clearly going with you, Steren, may I have a moment to privately say good-bye to my eldest son?" She was thankful when Knight Commander Steren waved his men away, and took his leave down the stairs. She was equally weary that he never broke her gaze until he was below the level of her floor.

Once they were out of earshot, she pulled him back from her, looking deep into his blood-shot eyes, full of a pain and hopelessness that would be the end of her if she weren't careful. "Now, quickly my darling. You will not understand this now, but listen. Remember that you do not need lyrium, ever. Do not touch that poison. Remember that the fiends in the fade cannot manipulate you. Druids of our tribe can choose to let a spirit in; they cannot force themselves on us. Remember that the spirits in the fade can be your friend; if you let them be of their nature, they will guide you. Remember that you are of the Storm and of the Land." She held his gaze as she hurried through what she believed to be the most important things until he nodded, clearly confused. "Remember what I am saying to you. Never forget." She snatched him back to her bosom and hugged him deeply, with everything that she had in her. Fighting back the tears of utter sadness. "And most of all, Edwin. Remember that I love you with my everything." Her last words caught in her throat. Edwin heard it and began weeping silently into her shoulder.

"Now," she sniffed, pulling him back and wiping his tears, "say good-bye to your sister." She released him from her arms. She realized at that moment it would be the last time she held her son. The realization nearly broke her, but she was steadfast in trying to keep her composure. For Saliah's sake, to spite those men taking her son, for the name of her husband's line, I cannot break until they leave.

Watching her children wail and cry, blubbering apologies of failure and promises to write every day, twice a day, was surprisingly easier than she thought it would be. Perhaps, one day, my pair will be together again. Mages often break out of their circles. He would go to my people and those beasts in the Order would never find him. Andraste, please keep my son in your sights and in your mercy. Maker, I beg you to keep him safe. She quietly prayed as she watched her children's' hearts break. She let them hold and hug each other for a time, Edwin repeatedly kissing his sister on the top of her head.

Once she saw Commander Steren's head break the horizon of the banister, she knew there was no more delay. "Saliah," Aster said gently, petting her hair. She knew that it would have to be her daughter to break the embrace, especially now. "Edwin has to go."

"NO!" Saliah wailed savagely, tightening her grip on her hug and burying her face in her brother's chest.

"Saliah," Edwin said gently, whispering into Saliah's ear "you have to, or they will see your strength and take you, too. I need you to watch over Mama and Papa. Yes?"

"Nooooo," was her muffled response from her brother's chest, pushing herself closer with her brother and stamping her feet, making her topknot bounce. Aster could feel the vibrations slightly. Thank Andraste that she's weakened.

"Sal…" Edwin warned gently. He always knew how to get her daughter to comply. Maker, what will I do without the calm to her storm.

Saliah released her brother, scrambling up into her mother's arms, buring her head in her neck. Aster heard something about not telling her she's too big to be held being muttered from there. In response, she just adjusted her gangly, strong girl to her hip.

Leading her son down the stairs, she found her husband and the Knight Commander speaking quietly, by the main door.

"Go on ahead, Edwin." Aster instructed her son out the door, nearing her last vestiges of emotional control. Walking over to the pair of men, she shot her husband a quizzical look "Darling, what are the two of you discussing?"

"I was just telling Arman," the Commander cut in, before her husband could speak, "that perhaps it would be wise that Edwin go to a stricter circle than what we can offer him at Ostwick. What, with my ranks clearly lacking in training and discipline…" he trailed off, leveling his verbal sword at her. "Yes, I think that is for the best." Knight Commander Steren continued, easily keeping Aster's horrified gaze. "I believe there is a very good, strict Circle on the shores of Lake Calenhad, in Ferelden. I think a circle like that would do him quite well and keep him well protected. They have a very wise First Enchanter, and a strong Knight Commander. I do want what's best for the Noble House of Trevelyan, of course."

"Of…course…"Aster replied, venom hanging on every word. "Thank you for your kind vigilance, Knight Commander." He had her, and she knew it. She had no power to dictate where her son was sent, if it was outside the Free Marches. So, her son would reside in Ferelden. So be it. At least we know where, so my children can correspond.

"My pleasure, Lady Aster. I believe we've taken enough of your time today. I will take my leave. However, please keep in mind that I will be discussing the matter of your daughter's… unusual prowess with the First Enchanter at Ostwick. He may want to examine her to make sure she isn't manifesting. I will send word once I've heard his counsel on the matter." He put his helm on his head (careful to avoid his nose), stepped out to his horse in the courtyard, and mounted it. He gave the command to the coach drivers to move out. He turned, gave her weathered family an official salute and rode off.

Edwin looked back at them, bravely trying to smile and offered a single wave from the coach's back window. Aster hushed and cooed Saliah as her son's final farewell motion further destroyed her daughter.

Once the coach and its company were over the horizon, Aster followed Arman inside, still holding Saliah in her arms. After the door clicked shut, Arman turned and wrapped his arms around Aster and their daughter. The trio stayed there sometime, in total silence.

"Get our daughter out now, before they return for her." Arman whispered in her ear, breaking the silence. "I sent word to the tribe, when I realized she was fighting them off. Come back when you can."