Natia and her companions exited the merchant's storefront where Jarvia's hideout led into. Natia brought a hand up to her face and pinched the bridge of her nose. She could feel a headache coming on. Whether it was induced by stress or she hit her head during their last scrap, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she needed a drink.

"You know, you didn't have to scare that poor man in there," Leliana said.

"If he didn't know about the secret passage leading to the carta hideout then that's his own fault," Natia said sharply. She started walking in the direction of the nearest tavern.

"Where are you going? We have to meet with the prince," Leliana called after her.

"You guys go ahead. I need to make a detour," Natia called back over her shoulder.

Her three companions looked at each other. Wynne looked to Alistair and said, "What she just went through must have been hard for her. Perhaps you should go talk to her."

Alistair didn't refuse. Out of the three of them he had known Natia the longest, and he knew her the best. If any of them could get through to her it would be him. "You're right," he said. "You two go ahead. We'll meet you at the palace."

Leliana and Wynne agreed and started heading towards the palace. Alistair went in the opposite direction. If he knew Natia as well as he thought, he imagined she'd go to the nearest tavern. That's how he found himself at Tapster's Tavern. Upon entering the tavern, he spotted her already at the bar nursing a tall glass of ale.

He took a seat beside her on the short than average barstool. She didn't look up or acknowledge his presence. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

She took another drag of her ale then said, "Talk about what?"

"What just happened," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"You seem really shaken up about it," he said.

"No, I mean why are you doing this?" she asked.

"Well, you were there for me when I met my sister. I suppose I wanted to return the favor," he explained.

She looked at him then for a moment and nodded. Looking back down at the countertop she said, "I thought he was my friend."

"And you're upset that he betrayed you," said Alistair.

Her grip tightened around her flagon. "I'm not upset, I'm furious. After everything we've been through how could he do this to me?"

"It's not your fault," said Alistair.

"How could it not be? I left."

"You couldn't have known it would turn out like this."

"No, he was right. I forgot how things worked here."

"Even so, you're not solely at blame here. Leske made his choice. Things didn't have to play out that way, but that was the path he chose."

Natia sighed. "You're right. I just thought he would have been happy for me. He was the one who convinced me to go with the Grey Wardens."

"It sounds to me like he wanted what was best for you, but if given the choice he would have gladly taken your place. Life as a Warden must be far more desirable than the life of a casteless."

Natia smiled sadly. "You don't even know the half of it."

"Then tell me."

Natia looked up at him, surprised. "Are you sure? My stories might offend your righteous sensibilities."

Alistair smiled. "Try me."

Natia smiled back at him, a true smile that reached her eyes. "All right then, but first I'm ordering you a drink. You haven't lived until you've tried Dwarven ale."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret this?" Alistair said apprehensively.

"Don't worry, brother. "I'll take good care of you."