**Disclaimer**

I do not own any of the character of Dragon Age. They are all the property of Bioware and EA Games.

Looming over the dark waters of Lake Calenhad was the tower of the Circle of Magi. This was where mage apprentices went to learn how to become proper mages. It was here that the magically gifted of Ferelden learned various spells, as well as how to deal with demons- creatures notorious for infecting such places and morphing their victims into abominations. Alistair marveled at the mammoth size of the stronghold, its amplitude only accentuated by the sunset. How many mages could a place like that hold? He had never befriended a mage of The Circle before, even while training as a templar. The former Chantry servant was frustrated that Duncan had left him standing on the docks. He had waited an entire day for his Grey Warden superior to return with news of the Circle's additions to King Cailan's army, which was fighting the darkspawn south at Ostagar.

He had passed most of the day eating cheese and sipping ale in The Spoiled Princess -the only inn for miles around. It was a small establishment with more than a few shady characters lurking in comber candlelight behind tables or amidst thin clouds of smoke from pipe weed. The fresh air and the panoramic view out on the docks proved to be a baffling contrast from that tavern. The ferryman, Kester, he was something else.

"Since it is best known as the Tower of the Circle of Magi these days, many people forget that the great tower sitting in the middle of Lake Calenhad existed long before the Circle", he narrated folding his arms over his weathered plaid shirt. The man was good for a laugh, which Alistair found far more favorable than the shadows of the nearby inn. The vinegary old man referred to elves often in conversation as "knife-ears" without even realizing it.

"Kinloch Hold" Kester had called the tower though he seemed to want to say little more about The Circle and more about his boat, Lizzie.

Named after his Grandmum, it was.

As the sun was beginning to set low on the horizon, Kester had begun rowing the ferry back across the lake at the request of the templars. Alistair stared out at the timeworn crumbling remnants of what was once a durable bridge from Kinloch Hold to the shoreline. The once lively afternoon sky had just transformed into a massive, flowing orange ceiling as the ferry began making its way back toward the dock where Alistair stood waiting patiently for Duncan. The tower appeared menacing- a formidable blood red foe- juxtaposed by the Ferelden skyline. And the ferry drew ever closer. From dockside he could make out three figures standing on the transport; one person, whom he assumed was Duncan, was wearing armor.

Who was this third person?

Could it be a mage of The Circle?

Perhaps a new Grey Warden recruit?

As the excitement rose inside him the natural light around him dimmed more by the minute. It was fully dusk by the time the ferryman and his two passengers reached the docks. The ferry drifted back and forth as Duncan steadily stepped onto the docks and looked over toward Alistair.

"I trust things went well with The Circle?" Alistair rejoiced strolling over to his fellow Grey Warden.

"The Knight Commander and First Enchanter refused to send additional mages to aid the army of the King. But I wouldn't say our trip was unsuccessful," Duncan held out his hand to the ferry's second passenger. They could be described through no detail beyond a hooded cloak and an intricate mage's staff placed with a timid thunk onto the docks; it was a walking stick of unthinkable power. As the unknown party stepped off the boat a pale hand emerged from beneath the regal purple cloth and found Duncan's grip. The stranger stepped forward and pulled back the hood of their mantle. She was a human mage with snow white skin and a blanket of mesmerizingly luminous blond hair. She bore a grim expression as she looked up at Alistair with eyes as brilliant as sapphires.

"A pleasure to meet you, I'm Alistair" he blurted, sounding more cheerful than intended. He extended his hand in front of him as a gesture of greeting and assumed it would be well received by the mysterious beauty. With an uncertain gaze she looked down at his hand, then back up. Alistair lowered his hand slowly and looked to Duncan inquisitively.

"Alistair, I would like for you to meet our newest Grey Warden recruit, Solona Amell, formerly of the Circle of Magi," Duncan stated as he waved his hand casually before the mage, a thoughtful gesture. She inhaled deeply, and in greeting managed a shallow bow and a brief smile. As Solona arched Alistair noticed orange mage robes beneath her cloak.

"This is her first time outside of the tower since she arrived as a young child. Many things you and I take for granted will be strange to her, but I'm sure you'll be able to teach her enough about the Blight by journey's end at Ostagar". Alistair clasped his hands together and grinned from ear to ear, "I'm sure we're all anxious to head south and exterminate some darkspawn".

Duncan stepped forward with one arm gently nudging Solona away from the ferry, "I won't be joining you in Ostagar for at least a month. I'm going to make my way north from Redcliffe through The Bannorn toward Highever. I must receive word from Arl Eamon and Teryn Cousland for King Cailan." Alistair was just about to open his mouth and argue his case to continue traveling with Duncan but before the breath had left his lips the sharp tone of the Warden Commander cut him off. "Every new Grey Warden recruit will be vital in the battles to come. I entrust you with the passage of our new friend," he stated firmly. Alistair nodded compliantly and fixed his eyes on his new cohort. Solona's attention was captivated by the water's surface which now reflected the dangerously red hue of the setting sun.

"Solona?" inquired Duncan. She slowly turned her head upward and met his gaze. "Alistair is a new Grey Warden but you can trust him, we'll meet again before you know it. Ostagar is only a few weeks of uneventful travel to the south," the Warden Commander attempted to convince the mage in her tentative emotional state. Solona nodded and managed a quiet, timid thank you. Her voice was no louder than a single drop of water hitting the infinite lake and the sweet, pure tone filled her company with ease.

"How could you possibly call The Hinterlands uneventful, Duncan?" Alistair questioned, raising an eyebrow emphatically.

Duncan's smile bent his onyx beard as he addressed the Grey Warden's latest addition, "Solona is a very capable woman, I'm sure a little danger won't be the death of the two of you."

Alistair also turned to Solona, "You know, I've never seen a mage in action outside of The Circle of Magi. I'm curious to see what you can do."

Duncan stepped briskly along the creaking dock toward the shore. He grabbed Alistair mildly by his forearm, "Might I have a word alone before I depart?"

Alistair subtly turned around and followed, listening to the Warden Commander. "I realize this is a rare opportunity to learn but you mustn't bombard her constantly with questions...", his voice trailed off and Solona's attention was grabbed by the ferryman standing on the raft behind her.

"I imagine you have something to do with the ongoing maleficarum hunt," Kester inquired curiously and leaned his aching bones on the pole he used to push his beloved Lizzie.

Solona studied the ferryman for a moment then leaned on her staff to mimic the positioning she had observed in him and rebutted, "Kester, my friend was not maleficar. And don't be vindictive, she had a name: Neria Surana. No matter how badly I wish I could go back and do things differently I just cannot. I understand it was a mistake to attempt duplicates of her escape for others. Regretfully it was too late for Lily and Jowan and by then I was simply serving my First Enchanter and my Circle".

Kester laughed and inclined on the pole even more. "I know you can take care of yourself, my lady, but do you really think running off to fight darkspawn is your best option? Is it going to be a better alternative than Aeonar?"

Solona scoffed at his last question as she too leaned more on her staff. She smiled sweetly at the ferryman but her glance shot upward when her named was called from the shore. Alistair was standing at the end of the dock. Duncan was nowhere to be found. Solona stood up straight and took a steady, calming deep breath in; she needed the moment to tame her nerves.

"May the Maker watch over you, m'lady," Kester bestowed with a genuine smile.

She looked down at the ferryman one last time, "May He watch over us all"; her reply carried an air of composure as she started toward the shoreline.

"Where is Duncan?" Solona inquired.

"He has started across the lake to Redcliffe, but no matter- he'll be back in our graces before you know it," stipulated Alistair; the orange-red flush of the setting sun reflected off his splintmail as he turned his back on The Circle Tower. "How is it exactly that you haven't been outside the tower since before you came to join The Circle?" he questioned raising an eyebrow. Solona also turned her back on the tower but found herself doing so without the confidence she had come to expect from herself in tense situations.

"Mage apprentices are not permitted to leave the tower," was all she could bring herself to state.

"So you're an apprentice?"

"No, I am a fully declared mage."

"How long have you been a fully declared mage for?"

Solona paused and lowered her head slightly in shame. "Not very long."

Alistair chuckled and crossed his arms as he probed further.

"What did you do to catch Duncan's attention so effectively?"

Solona faced the surface of Lake Calenhad as the sun sunk farther from sight. She now saw faint stars dancing above the horizon. The mage pulled her hood back up as the cold of the world outside The Tower chilled her.

"You sure ask a lot of questions," an exasperated sigh slipped from her lips but her eyes remained fixed on the lagoon. Alistair turned and stepped next to magical charge, the gesture accentuated him being just over one head taller than her.

"I can do a lot more than that, I actually used to be a templar but I am a fully declared Grey Warden as of five months ago."

Solona winced slightly at the mention of templar but otherwise her attention belonged entirely to the lake.

Silence ensued.

The Grey Warden, however, refused to remain in the discomfort of silence. He took a deep breath before continuing his brief monologue, "You see there was a tourney and I fought my very hardest but I didn't win. Duncan was still impressed and I was so eager to take up sword and shield for the Grey Wardens. We were fighting the most ferocious evil Thedas has seen since the last Blight and..."

At last Solona tore her gaze from the distance and looked up at Alistair, her eyes again twinkling with a sapphire shine. "You are happy with the path you have chosen to take, then?" she questioned, with spark of desire lighting her tone. He nodded and beamed with pride, "Oh, most definitely; Duncan saved me."

Solona bit her lip uneasily and with a final breath beheld the monumental Circle Tower one last time, "Me too."