Wandering Hearts

by Shenachie

A member of the wandering Maharial tribe suddenly finds more in her world than previously dreamt of in her philosophy.

2. Recovery

Disclaimer: Bioware owns DragonAge and all related materials – and most of the dialogue. I am simply grateful they allow others to play in their world.

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Chapter Two – Recovery

Kaslyn opened her eyes and her vision focused on the notched beams of wood arching over her head. Scents of wood and leather, and faint sounds of quiet elven voices were familiar. Peering about, she recognized the neatly stored blankets on the shelves, the shutters open at the window, and the weapon and armor racks stationed in the corners. All of which quickly oriented her on the fact that she was home - under her bear-fur blanket in her own bed in the vixens' aravel to be precise. Sitting up, she remembered feeling hot and cold, sick and achy, but apparently that was all over now. Her brain still felt a little sluggish but she decided movement should remedy that and looking around, she found her clothes and weapons neatly arranged close by. Getting out of bed, she pulled off the linen shift she wore, swiftly donned her deerskin leathers, and smoothly pulled her thick, unruly hair back up into the usual, high ponytail to keep the majority out of her eyes. By the time she buckled on her weapons harness, and positioned her quiver properly, her insistent bangs had worked themselves loose and were back as usual around her face. Ducking out of the aravel, she paused at the top of the studded ramp. Eyes used to the dim interior of the landship took a few moments to adjust to the day and she shaded them from the first bright stab of sunlight until they compensated.

The sun was well into the morning and a casual glance confirmed that, sure enough, she was back in her home camp. A short distance from the bottom of the ramp where she stood was a fair-haired hunter with his back to her. She thought at first it was Tamlen but realized he was a bit taller and leaner just as Fenarel turned his head at the soft sound of her footsteps descending the incline. Fenarel had hair slightly darker than Tamlen's light blond and he wore it a little longer except for a braid in the front which started over his right eye and ended up dangling behind his left ear. His eyes were a deep green and he wore the more complex version of Tamlen's vallaslin on his face. His expression lit up when he saw her.

"Kaslyn! You're awake! You've the gods' own luck, lethallan," he hesitated then explained, "You're back at camp. Everyone is worried sick about you. How do you feel?"

"Fine, Fenarel, but a little groggy," she replied easily. Her eyes started roaming the area as she stepped just in front of him. It wasn't like Tamlen to be absent when she was ill. Usually he was the first person waiting for her when she came out of the aravel – unless he had been sick, too. A heavy feeling of dread settled into the pit of her stomach. The hunter's next words startled her.

"We thought you would die," Fenarel shook his head at her apparent nonchalance. "The shem who brought you here said there wasn't much hope. Seems he was wrong," he added proudly.

Kaslyn suddenly felt disturbingly clueless and adrift. "There was a human?"

Fenarel's eyes widened curiously as he said, "A shem brought you back two days ago. You don't remember him?"

Kaslyn's eyebrows arched and she stupidly asked, "I've been here for two days?!"

Fenarel was obviously worried now. Only a few years older than Kaslyn, he had never seen her so disoriented. "He was a Grey Warden and appeared out of nowhere with you in his arms." He paused to see if any of this was registering but her face remained blank so he continued. "You were delirious with fever. He said that he found you outside a cave in the forest, unconscious and alone. He left you here and ran off again. The Keeper's been using the old magic to heal you."

Kaslyn rubbed at her face with both hands. Fenarel's words were provoking memories - not of this human he spoke of but the cave and her last glimpse of Tamlen. She dropped her hands from her cheeks and looked sharply at her fellow hunter. "Is anyone looking for Tamlen?"

"Of course!" He responded immediately, "Most of the hunters are off looking for him right now." Her intention to go search for Tamlen herself was clear and he quickly added, "But the Keeper wanted to talk to you as soon as you awoke. Stay here – I'll get her." With that Fenarel left.

Kaslyn was restless and pacing by the time Keeper Marethari joined her. She was escorted by Fenarel, who veered off to wait by a neighboring aravel, and another hunter who continued on past Kaslyn with a respectful nod. Keeper Marethari's vallaslin was much more elaborate and complicated than most in the clan and was enhanced by the few, fine lines of age that also marked the older woman's handsome countenance. Two shoulder-length braids framed her curious expression while two more braids were looped front to back to contain the rest of her long, silver hair. Her green leathers were intricately stitched and accented with gold rings, fur trim covered her shoulders, and a gold medallion flashed at her throat. Examining Kaslyn for a few moments with her wise, gray-green eyes, the clan leader spoke, "I see you are awake, da'len. It is fortunate Duncan found you when he did. I know not what dark power held you but it nearly bled the life from you. It was difficult even for my magic to keep you alive."

Kaslyn's attention immediately latched onto the unfamiliar name the Keeper had uttered, "Duncan? Is that the one who brought me back?" A vague memory of a dark face flickered briefly through her mind.

"Yes, he introduced himself as a Grey Warden," Keeper Marethari answered. A tiny smile hovered on her lips at the young hunter's indomitable curiosity, but the reason behind the Warden's appearance sobered the Keeper, and she went on. "Duncan thought there might have been darkspawn creatures inside the cave. Is that true?"

"I'm not sure," Kaslyn blinked at the older woman, "What does a darkspawn look like?"

"Like a man but dark and tainted with evil. Perhaps you fought one in the cave and it wounded you," she suggested but the hunter was already shaking her head negatively.

Kaslyn did not remember anything that fit the Keeper's description. "There were giant spiders and dead men that walked."

"Walking corpses?" Keeper Marethari mused and shook her own head, "Dark magic but not darkspawn… I know not what the other creatures might have been." She glanced sharply back at Kaslyn. "What else did you find? What is the last thing you remember?"

"A mirror," Kaslyn promptly replied, "Tamlen touched it."

"A mirror?" The Keeper repeated, puzzled, "And it caused all this? I have never heard of such a thing in all the lore we have collected…." She turned, took a few steps away from the young hunter, and sighed, "I was hoping for answers when you woke but there are only more questions." She crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her fur-clad shoulders as though bracing against the direction her thoughts were taking her, and continued, "And Tamlen remains missing. He is more important than any lore in these ruins." She glanced thoughtfully back at Kaslyn, "If he is as sick as you were, his condition is grave…. Duncan returned to the cave to search for darkspawn but we cannot rely on him to look for Tamlen as well. We must go ourselves, and quickly." She turned back to the young hunter, gently gripping Kaslyn's upper arms in her hands, and asked, "Do you feel well enough to show us the way, Kaslyn? Without you we will not find it."

"I don't know," she replied. "Is my sickness gone?"

"Your fever broke and the signs of whatever illness snared you are gone … but truthfully, I don't know if you are free from it or not," The Keeper answered honestly. "I wish I knew more. Still," she added encouragingly, "you seem well enough now. We must watch your condition but without you we will not find this cave."

Kaslyn knew that if Tamlen was going through anything similar to what she vaguely remembered feeling, he would be completely incoherent. Fear suddenly gripped her that he might be dying somewhere in the forest alone. If she was Tamlen's only hope, then this was no time to think about herself. She felt fine anyway. "Then I am ready to go," she answered firmly.

Keeper Marethari smiled, "I am relieved to hear it." Her pleased expression turned serious again and she dropped her hands from the girl as she told her, "I am ordering the clan to pack the camp so we can go north. Take Merrill with you to the cave. Find Tamlen if you can but do it swiftly."

"The clan is leaving?" Kaslyn asked with surprise.

"If there is any truth to what Duncan said, then darkspawn may show up in these parts soon. We must get away from that horde," the Keeper explained, "but that is not our only concern. Did you encounter any humans out in the forest?"

Unlike the latest events, Kaslyn's memory of three days ago was quite clear and she nodded, "Three of them. We drove them off."

"Although you hurt no one," Keeper Marethari remarked with a resigned frown, "These humans roused their nearby village against us. As everywhere, our people are not welcome here. We have stayed too long and we must move on – quickly."

"Are you not interested in the ruins and the mirror?" Kaslyn wanted to know. Was it all for nothing? Had she and Tamlen risked it all for nothing?

Reading the dismay in the young woman's eyes, Keeper Marethari soothed, "I would be lying if I said I was not." Her gaze became compassionate but unyielding at the same time, "But whatever knowledge lies in that cave is not worth our children. I send you back with hopes of finding Tamlen and that is all."

"Why do you want me to take Merrill," Kaslyn boldly asked then. Did the Keeper really want to risk her First in that cave or was it to make certain that Kaslyn came back? The clan would not immediately depart, leaving two hunters unaccounted for, and she would not leave without finding Tamlen.

Keeper Marethari's expression did not change as she explained, "Merrill knows a degree of my magic. Tamlen's chances of surviving the journey back are greater with her help." She paused, "I also wish for Merrill to see this cave and mirror. She has a sense for these things, and could shed light on the nature of this illness."

Kaslyn's concern for Tamlen expanded to include her clan-sister. "But doesn't Merrill risk getting ill as well?"

"You recovered," the Keeper pointed out, "and Merrill will, too. Still," she added, "be careful…, should you come upon this strange mirror again, do not touch it."

Kaslyn swallowed and the heavy knot in the pit of her stomach tightened a few more notches. She had her orders. "Take Merrill to the cave and find Tamlen. I understand," she accepted with a curt nod.

The Keeper raised her chin and urged, "Go quickly, for Tamlen's life hangs in the balance."

"Pray for me, Keeper," Kaslyn murmured as she turned to leave. She was anxious to get back to the cave to start her search, but as she left the Keeper she caught a glimpse of Fenarel leaning on an aravel nearby. He jerked his chin up indicating he wanted a word and reluctantly she walked over to him.

"Is the Keeper sending you back to that cave to look for Tamlen?" Fenarel asked curiously.

"Does everyone know about the cave?" Kaslyn asked in return.

"Yes," he promptly responded. "The clan's been talking about it since that Grey Warden brought you back."

"Why do you want to know?" Kaslyn asked. She was restless to get going and did not want to waste any more time on talk.

"I want to go with you," he answered. "Keeper Marethari probably won't approve but I can help find Tamlen."

Kaslyn thought quickly. She supposed that was true. Fenarel was a solid tracker. Anything she missed he would likely catch – as long as he did not catch this illness as well. There was the matter of the Keeper's orders, but she had not said Kaslyn could not take anyone else, only that she had to take Merrill. Still … she finally replied, "It's too dangerous, Fenarel. I'm only supposed to take Merrill."

Fenarel scowled fiercely and insisted, "Tamlen's my friend, too! I want to help find him! If Merrill can risk it, so can I."

Kaslyn sighed. She would have felt the same way in his boots and she could not deny his bravery. "I suppose I won't stop you then…. All right," she nodded, "come with us."

His stubborn expression cleared and he remarked, "Good. I'll follow you, just to make sure Merrill doesn't go running to the Keeper when you tell her I'm coming."

Kaslyn arched a confused eyebrow and blinked at the taller hunter. He demanded to go with her and suddenly she was telling Merrill he was coming along? She absently shook her head at such odd logic and turned to go find the Keeper's apprentice.

Kaslyn trotted quickly through the camp, waving in response to the many greetings from relieved clanmates, and finally spotted Merrill's slim figure waiting on the other side. Merrill's short hair, partially caught up in numerous small braids, was as black as a raven's wing. Her vallaslin was tinted with a shade of purple, her favorite color, but her leathers were predominantly gold and mimicked the design of the Keeper's outfit. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Kaslyn!" Merrill hailed her with a smile when she saw the hunters draw near. Her gray eyes sharpened and she grew serious. "The Keeper told me I'm to accompany you back to those caves. As her apprentice, I may see something you missed but our main objective is to find Tamlen, of course. We must make haste," she urged, "he may not have much time."

"How much of our lore do you know?" Kaslyn inquired of the older girl. Merrill was an eager scholar of the elven knowledge they had been able to collect so far, and was always reading something. There had been talk when they were younger about whether Kaslyn or Merrill would be chosen as First to the Keeper but while one girl had been keenly interested in the position the other had not. As far as Kaslyn was concerned, Merrill was much better suited to apprentice to the clan leader than she ever would have been.

"Less than I'd like to," Merrill admitted modestly then added, "I know some of our old magic as our Keeper does and I'll know about these relics if I see them." She sighed impatiently and added, "The Keeper isn't sending me to collect anything, however. We're worried about Tamlen."

Kaslyn knew that had to grate on her clan-sister who was as eager to recover any history of their people as any other Dalish. Still, this was no mere scouting expedition. "Aren't you worried about getting sick?"

"A little," Merrill confessed with a shrug, "but the Keeper cured you. How dangerous could it be?" She raised her chin and said, "Even if I get sick, finding Tamlen – or something valuable – will be worth it."

Again, Kaslyn was proud of the ready courage of her clan; still, "That cave isn't some quiet place to take a book. How much did the Keeper tell you?"

"Enough to pique my interest…and my concern," Merrill admitted, "You can explain the rest on the way."

More than ready to get going, Kaslyn started for the forest. "Let's go."

Merrill stopped her with a hand on her arm and, gesturing to the tall hunter behind, asked impatiently. "What about Fenarel? You didn't think I'd notice him?"

Merrill was sharp, Kaslyn's opportunistic humor pointed out, no doubt about that.

"I'm coming to help. Tamlen's my friend, too," Fenarel answered defensively.

"We were supposed to go alone," Merrill said with some exasperation. She divided a look between the two younger hunters and said, "Have you asked the Keeper about this?"

"Should I ask her?" Kaslyn asked, startled. How did Merrill know they were to go alone? Although Kaslyn did not want to risk anyone else in the cave, she had seen what could happen with only two hunters. Taking a third as backup surely could not hurt.

Merrill scowled at Kaslyn, "You said the cave is a dangerous place! You want to risk Fenarel getting hurt? Or worse?" She cut her narrowed eyes back to the fair-haired hunter.

"I should decide whether I'm willing to risk it or not," he replied quietly.

"Go tell the Keeper that, then," Merrill challenged in the tone of someone about to get somebody else in trouble.

Kaslyn did not take well to ultimatums. She was focused on finding Tamlen and this argument was not helping. Fenarel's quiet mettle had impressed her, however, more than Merrill's obstructionism. Kaslyn nodded, "We'll do that." She ground her teeth at yet more delay and started back to the Keeper with Fenarel trailing. She had been in enough trouble lately and Tamlen needed her now.

Kaslyn found Keeper Marethari near the central fire not far from Hahren Paivel. Marethari's eyebrows arched with surprise before her expression became stern. "I see you have not left with Merrill yet. Is there something you need?"

Kaslyn promptly answered, "I want to bring Fenarel with us to the cave." Struck with sudden inspiration, she added, "I've just recovered from being sick, and Merrill's not that strong, so neither of us would be enough to drag an injured hunter back to camp. Fenarel's a good tracker and he's stronger than both of us."

Keeper Marethari's intense gaze turned to the young man nearby. "Fenarel, are you certain? I am already putting Merrill and Kaslyn at risk; I don't want to lose you, too."

Fenarel straightened his shoulders and replied, "I want to help, Keeper. If we can find Tamlen, it's worth the risk."

The Keeper was momentarily thoughtful then slowly nodded her head. She divided a glance between the two hunters and said, "Very well, then. You have my permission – and thank you for asking for it."

They nodded and wasted no time on the return trip to Merrill.

"You're back! Are you ready to go now?" The dark haired woman inquired.

"Let's head out now," Kaslyn acknowledged. Fenarel fell into step behind her.

Merrill gestured to him with annoyance, "What about Fenarel?"

"We asked," he replied easily. "The Keeper has given her leave."

Merrill frowned and started to say something else but Kaslyn had hit the limit of her patience and continued on into the woods. Fenarel followed, forcing the mage to fall in behind them. Pausing for a moment to consider, Kaslyn recalled where she and Tamlen had encountered the humans three days ago. She took them to that point, and then began retracing the path she and Tamlen had taken to the cave. Bearing west, they soon left the obvious deer trails.

"I doubt anyone has come searching so far out in this direction," Fenarel quietly told them after a while.

They were skirting the edge of a gulch and had just passed a stone outcrop when the breeze cast an unfamiliar stench in their direction. Looking across the hollow, the elves saw two, strange-looking beings. They were shaped vaguely like men but that was where the similarities ended. Before Kaslyn could do more than wonder what they were, an arrow whistled over her right shoulder. Immediately she grabbed her bow and returned fire. Merrill and Fenarel quickly stepped up beside her and commenced attacking the same target. Merrill, focusing her magic through her staff, unleashed bolts of arcane energy while Fenarel's longbow rapidly and accurately loosed arrow after arrow. When the first creature staggered, Kaslyn quietly suggested Fenarel change his aim to the other one that was also shooting arrows at them, and he swung his bow arm to the right. Just before the second creature could seek cover behind two small trees halfway around the edge of the gully, Fenarel cleverly pinned it in place with an arrow through its leg and kept firing. Kaslyn and Merrill finished off the first monster then joined their efforts with Fenarel on their remaining foe. The Dalish were clearly the superior archers and the second monster soon toppled to the dirt as well.

Weapons held ready, the elves cautiously approached the nearest prone creature. They had never seen the like. It was hideous. Its skin was a darkly-mottled greenish color and spiked ears sat high on its hairless skull. The small, beady eyes were nearly hidden under a heavy brow and the nose wasn't much more than two holes virtually smashed between its eyes. Instead of lips, the broad mouth was lined with sharply pointed teeth. It looked to have stood about their height but was easily twice as broad, and probably two times as heavy, as any of the Dalish. Crude and filthy splint-mail covered most of its body and in its clawed hands it carried a rough bow that Kaslyn recognized as similar to the one Tamlen had discovered in the ruins. Death did not improve the smell.

When they were sure their enemies lay dead, the elves put away their weapons. Kaslyn paused, startled, as she realized she still carried Tamlen's longbow. She remembered asking him to trade bows with her before they had reached the cave and, glancing around, her breath caught. The exchange had happened near this very area, she recalled with a lump in her throat. It was as though her best friend was still looking after her. Merrill's anxious voice provided a distraction as Kaslyn slowly clipped the bow to her weapon harness.

"What were those things? Were they darkspawn?" The mage was looking right at the red-haired hunter.

"You're asking me?" Kaslyn responded. "I don't know!"

"I've never seen anything like them! You can smell the evil on them." Merrill's expression was troubled. "Where did they come from? Were they here before?"

"I think I would have noticed," Kaslyn replied wryly and Fenarel smirked. Although Merrill was more wood-wise than the average human, she spent most of her time with the Keeper and was not as familiar with tracking or fighting as the hunters were. Kaslyn realized that Merrill's tone was sharp from the unexpected surprise, but she was relieved to note that the mage's inquisitiveness appeared to be quickly overcoming her fear.

Merrill collected herself with some small effort and urged, "Let's move on and hope we don't meet any more of these monsters." She paused then looked at Kaslyn curiously, "Before we go, are you all right? Were you hurt during the fight?"

As the three of them had stood within a stride of each other during the entire length of the skirmish and neither of the creatures had come anywhere near them, Kaslyn thought that was a strange question. "I'm fine," she answered, "Why do you ask?"

Fenarel wore a concerned expression of his own and remarked, "You … do look quite pale, now that Merrill's mentioned it."

"I'm fine," Kaslyn reassured them. Absently her fingers reached back and lightly brushed Tamlen's bow.

Merrill studied her for a few more seconds before relenting, "Well, I'll keep an eye on you. You're only just recovered from your illness." She went on more briskly, "But let's not think of that now. We should move on."

Fenarel and Kaslyn insisted on scavenging anything useful from the corpses and were a bit disturbed to find a minor healing poultice and a flask of acid. If these were the darkspawn the Keeper had mentioned, it was somewhat disconcerting to realize they were not completely animalistic if they were capable of making use of such items. Kaslyn knew neither of her companions was familiar with the acid so she carefully tucked it into one of her own pouches. After a brief debate, they decided to leave their arrows in the bodies as both a warning to others and as a precaution against bringing anything dangerous back to their camp. Continuing around the perimeter of the gulch, Kaslyn noted where she and Tamlen had dispatched the two wolves that had attacked them, and soon they passed through the clearing where the dead halla had been reduced by scavengers to a few scattered bones and scraps of hide. They were on the right trail. Eventually, they came across a neat but empty campsite. While Kaslyn crouched to examine what was left of the fire, Fenarel investigated the bedroll and provision pack left nearby. There was no real heat emanating from the ashes and Kaslyn deduced that this fire might have burned in its stone circle last night but had not been recently active. Fenarel shook his head, indicating he had found nothing of interest, identification, or value. They were careful to leave everything exactly the way they had found it and spoke together near the dead campfire.

"I wonder whose camp this is," Merrill asked the question in all of their minds. She looked at Kaslyn adding, "Do you remember it being here?"

"No," the red-haired hunter answered. "This wasn't here. It's fresh."

Merrill mused to herself, "The Grey Warden said he was returning to the cave. Perhaps this is his camp." She looked around and went on, "If so, he's not here now and we've seen no sign of Tamlen. Maybe we should … Wait …, do you hear that?"

Kaslyn and Fenarel had exchanged concerned glances about the silence before Merrill had noticed but Kaslyn softly affirmed, "No forest creatures. It's too quiet."

"Exactly," Merrill murmured. "The forest is … too still. Something's in the air … something unnatural."

The three of them instantly faced outwards with their backs to each other, scanning the area with their senses alert. Nothing was immediately detected and Kaslyn quietly warned them, "Tamlen and I felt the same thing in the cave."

"And now it's affecting the forest?" Merrill asked. "Maybe that mirror unleashed some kind of sickness. That would not be good."

Fenarel snorted, "That's an understatement."

Merrill shot him a quelling glare and urged, "The sooner we find this cave and Tamlen, the sooner we can leave. Take us there quickly."

Kaslyn was about to comply when their noses were again assailed by that inhuman stink and something crashed through the underbrush not far from where they stood. Moving swiftly, the elves caught a glimpse of more battered armor, and drew their weapons. As silent as the forest's own shadows, the Dalish approached the three darkspawn unnoticed, and were able to get the drop on their foes. One of the creatures loosed only a few arrows before it dropped its bow, grabbed its blades, and charged at them. Urging her companions to keep firing on the other two archers, Kaslyn exchanged her bow for her dar-misus and intercepted it. Behind her, she heard Merrill quietly mutter something and suddenly the blades of Kaslyn's daggers lit with magical fire. Grimly pleased, Kaslyn stunned the darkspawn and was quickly educated by the first stroke of her blade that these creatures were considerably tougher than anything else she had ever fought; no wonder it took twice as many arrows to bring them down. Slipping behind her opponent, she sought any weak points in its armor or hide, but before she was able to kill it, the creature shook off her distraction, and, fortunately, turned its attention to her instead of her clanmates. Dodging a sword swung at her head, she parried the crude dagger that came more slowly at her midsection. For such a brawny creature she had expected a much stronger blow. Kaslyn heard Merrill's voice again, and realized the Keeper's First had spared a second to weaken the monster with magic before continuing to launch arcane bolts at the others. Spotting an opening, Kaslyn darted forward to come up beneath the creature's guard, plunged her long knives through its neck, and then simultaneously swept them apart. It lurched with the force of her strike then tumbled backwards to the ground. Eyeing the remaining two darkspawn, Kaslyn judged that Merrill and Fenarel's combined attack on the second one was most effective, so she planted her bloodied blades in the thing's chest at her feet and pulled out her bow to start shooting the third monster. Soon, the second creature dropped and all their attention was focused on the remaining darkspawn which also quickly crashed to the ground.

Relieved to find none of them had been seriously injured, Kaslyn put away her Tamlen's bow. She retrieved her dar'misus, and used the rags the monster wore to carefully clean the black stains from the blades, before returning them to their sheaths. Seeing the black ichor that leaked from the corpse Kaslyn had dispatched, the Dalish agreed that leaving their arrows had been a wise decision. After hastily searching the bodies and collecting two, small pouches of copper coins, Kaslyn took the lead again and headed further west. Although they kept a careful watch, there was no trace of Tamlen. Eventually they came to the cave opening, where they paused for a moment before cautiously entering.

Merrill and Fenarel looked around curiously as they stepped into the first chamber. It was just as dark and dank as the first time Kaslyn had been there but the sinister pall that hung heavy in the air had grown markedly stronger since her previous visit. Kaslyn noted two more darkspawn bodies similar to the ones they had already seen but she was more interested in finding any signs of Tamlen. Her heart ached when she realized what was left of his scent was days old.

"So these are the ruins," Merrill commented softly, "Interesting." Once again the dismal and oppressive atmosphere commanded hushed tones from its visitors, and the mage continued to examine her surroundings with her eyes before quietly musing, "They're definitely of human origin yet elven artifacts are scattered amongst them. Nothing explains the monsters though." Her voice turned brisk, "But we must find Tamlen – or what's left of him. I can't imagine he's still alive with those creatures about."

Oh, Kaslyn had really needed to hear that. "Don't talk like that!" she insisted, "You don't know!"

Merrill turned compassionate eyes on her friend and apologized. "You're right. We should explore further before I go on about my fears. I'm sorry."

"Let's not waste any more time," Fenarel urged, "If Tamlen's alive, he needs us!"

They proceeded further into the ruins warily. Pausing by one of the misshapen bodies of the giant spiders, Fenarel caught Kaslyn's attention with a soft noise. He arched an inquiring eyebrow as he nudged the decaying corpse with his booted foot, and she answered with a short, silent nod. One corner of his mouth twitched and a fleeting expression told her he was impressed.

They crept through the doorway and into the hallway running north and south. Another darkspawn lay sprawled in the passage here and the other two elves looked their questions at Kaslyn who shook her head, indicating that these remains were not present on her first visit. Examining the carcass, they found the creature had been quickly and efficiently killed with a minimum of cuts in places of maximum vulnerability. The faintest scent of something else that was not darkspawn clung to the corpse, tickling their noses, but it was not strong enough for any of them to identify.

Peering in either direction, Kaslyn sensed no recent signs of Tamlen. Deciding to retrace the original route she and her best friend had taken the first time they were here, she turned south and they found another monstrous corpse lying in the floor in front of the statue of the woman holding the flaming bowl. This monster, too, had been dispatched by the same skilled fighter with the unrecognizable scent. They paused for a moment so Merrill could get a good look at the stone figure, and then they approached the next room.

The door was still open but the dead spiders had been kicked aside and their dry scent had been replaced by fresh darkspawn stench. Hastily exchanged glances assured they were all aware of the monsters, and the elves silently drew their weapons. Stepping just inside the door, Kaslyn drew her bowstring back and let fly with an arrow at a darkspawn standing in the southwestern corner underneath the cocoon she had searched with Tamlen's help. Movement caught on her left alerted her and, swiftly swapping her bow for her dar'misus, Kaslyn darted into the room as another darkspawn closed with her. After parrying its first strike, she was about to thrust her flaming knife into the darkspawn's neck when an arrow thudding into the back of her right pauldron caused her to miss and she realized there was a third creature in the room.

While Fenarel rapidly fired arrows at the original target, Merrill had stepped into Kaslyn's place inside the doorway. Spotting the shaft in her clan-sister's shoulder, she called, "Command me!"

"Focus on the first target," Kaslyn replied grimly. She stunned her opponent and took the moment's respite to take a quick view of the situation. Between Merrill's magic and Fenarel's arrows, the creature in the corner was nearly dead. She could hold off the one she was currently engaged with for a little bit yet, but the third one had a clear view of her. Fortunately, the partially open door provided cover for her clanmates, and deciding the archer was the next biggest annoyance, she called, "Behind you!"

"Yes!" Merrill answered

"I'll follow your lead!" Fenarel acknowledged.

The darkspawn shook off the distraction and Kaslyn again had her hands full. The creature's attacks were brutally obvious but, Creators, it was strong. From the corner of her eye she saw the first archer topple to the floor. Parrying a thrust at her vitals, she teased her foe around so she could see the other two elves adjust their positions to engage the remaining darkspawn archer, but she was soon forced to concentrate on her own battle. Eventually Kaslyn saw an opportunity and swept one long dagger through the creature's neck, neatly beheading it. She turned for the third monster but it was on its last legs. An arrow that shattered a portion of its ragged armor combined with a bolt of arcane energy and the remaining darkspawn dropped.

Kaslyn cleaned her blades again before putting them away and started yanking the three arrows from her shoulder and leg armor. None had penetrated. Unfettered by magic, the creatures were vicious fighters up close, but she had taken only a few minor scratches. Leaving Fenarel to examine the bodies, Merrill approached her. The Keeper's apprentice insisted on applying a lesser health poultice to one cut then startled the hunter when she brushed one hand under Kaslyn's bangs to feel of her forehead. Kaslyn looked at her curiously but Merrill only remarked, "You're a little warm."

Kaslyn wryly pointed at the body on the floor next to her.

"Perhaps," Merrill agreed reluctantly.

Fenarel rejoined them, displaying two more pouches of copper coins, and carefully handed an acid flask over to Kaslyn who tucked it away with the first. There was no evidence Tamlen had been in here lately and Kaslyn continued to retrace their original path. She led them north to the short hall with the statue and saw these doors were still open as well. Nothing was in the brief passage here but they could detect more darkspawn in the chamber beyond. Familiar with all the debris and the obscuring columns in the far room, Kaslyn silently indicated that they should let the darkspawn come to them. Fenarel nodded his understanding but Merrill looked slightly confused until Kaslyn whispered her instructions in the mage's ear. She nodded her comprehension, and when they were ready, Kaslyn moved forward through the hall.

As suspected, the first creature they encountered was not far from the second doorway and was on them quickly. While Fenarel and Merrill fired arrows and arcane energies at it, Kaslyn attempted to stun it, but unfortunately fell prey to its version of the dirty trick at the same time. Eventually blinking her eyes clear, she was alarmed to find Fenarel had harnessed his bow and was lunging at the darkspawn with his knife which was also ablaze thanks to Merrill's magic. Fenarel was a skilled archer but he was dismal with a blade. Letting him temporarily hold the thing's attention, Kaslyn nimbly dodged behind the monster and plunged her own blazing dar'misus into its back at the same time a second creature charged from behind a pillar at them. The first darkspawn tried to turn on the red-haired hunter, but Merrill had obviously weakened it with magic, and Kaslyn was easily able to parry its attempted strike before sweeping both her long daggers in unison to the left through its vitals then back to the right through its neck. By now the other creature was on them and wildly swinging a mace at both hunters. As Fenarel slashed at it with his fiery knife and Merrill pumped more arcane bolts into it with her staff, Kaslyn spun behind its back and with three sharp jabs, the thing was dead. Keen elven ears picked up the sound of a third monster's harsh, guttural breath, and slipping silently through the gloom between the pillars and the scattered piles of rubble, the Dalish hunted for their remaining foe. Sliding through the shadows around a column, Kaslyn spotted the darkspawn across the room, not far from the northwestern hallway. Soundlessly placing her knives on the floor, she drew her bow. The creature lurched as her first arrow took it in the chest, and when it raised its own bow at her, another arrow and a lance of magical energy finished it. The elves regrouped in the center of the chamber, cleaned their blades, and made certain no one was seriously injured. A search of the repugnant bodies yielded more copper coins, a minor lyrium potion, and a vial of a thick, dark substance.

"Deathroot extract," Kaslyn carefully tilted the bottle and identified the toxin, "Even a quick sniff of this sludge is enough to cause hallucinations."

"You keep it," Fenarel urged with a grin.

Kaslyn nodded and made certain the stopper was in tightly before putting the poison away carefully.

They explored the room but there was no trace of their missing clanmate. The smell of darkspawn was everywhere here and the Dalish continued cautiously into the northwestern passage. Kaslyn had just cleared the corner into the second north/south hall when there was a sudden clattering echo. Looking back, she saw both Merrill and Fenarel caught in a couple of well-disguised, leg-hold traps she had not even noticed. Before she could react, a bolt of green fire slammed into her side. Her head snapped around to find herself under attack by three more darkspawn, and her eyes widened as she realized one of the monsters was evidently a mage. Apparently the vile sorcerer was trying to utilize magic derived from the power of nature against the Dalish, but the People's lives were closely tied to the world around them. As a result, their bodies were more in tune with natural forces and the creature's offensive magic merely stung against Kaslyn's skin. Instantly she unslung her bow and started shooting arrows at the monstrous mage even as she ducked and dodged the barbed shafts of the two darkspawn archers.

Seeing their clanmate beset, the two snared elves frantically worked to free themselves. Fortunately the traps were meant to hold, not hurt, and eventually they managed to join her. Late into the skirmish, they both boldly placed themselves between their beleaguered clan-sister and their enemies.

"I am here!" Merrill called as she pointed her staff at the darkspawn sorcerer and began her own spell-casting.

"The Dalish will prevail!" Fenarel vowed as his longbow launched arrows at their foes.

With her friends covering for her, Kaslyn hastily smeared a health poultice along the reddened skin of her left side, where she had taken most of the hostile spells, then rejoined her clanmates in the fray. Soon the darkspawn sorcerer fell dead and the two remaining archers were quickly dispatched by the elves' concerted efforts. Yanking a few arrows from their leathers while the mage regained her energy, Kaslyn urged Merrill to continue a little further down the hall to examine the elven statue. The hunters turned their attentions to searching the repulsive corpses and were intrigued to find relatively superior armor and generally better equipment on the sorcerer than on the rest of its kind. After recovering another vial of deathroot extract, an iron dagger, and a small bag of copper coins, they joined the Keeper's First who was studying the statue.

"This is remarkable!" Merrill softly exclaimed as they reached her. "Do you recognize what this is?"

"Tamlen and I thought it might represent Falon'Din," Kaslyn ventured.

Merrill agreed, her fascination evident, "That might very well be the case."

After a brief explanation of the layout of the hall they were in, Kaslyn quietly volunteered to run a search of the far end while the others waited where they were. Fenarel insisted on accompanying her, however, and Merrill concurred she should probably go with them, but was clearly torn at abandoning the statue so soon. Kaslyn solved her dilemma by inviting the mage to remain with the figure while they checked the southern end of the passage for any signs of Tamlen. Merrill glanced worriedly at the hunters before peering down the dimly-lit hall. It was easy to see the corner from where they were, and she agreed that they would not be too far from each other should trouble arise. Swiftly trotting to the far end, Fenarel waited at the turn to stay within sight of both women while Kaslyn took the extra few steps to check the door. It was still locked and they returned to Merrill.

Kaslyn's heart had grown heavier with each explored chamber. She had not said anything to her clanmates but she had already known what they would find in the corridor beyond the elven statue. They had still sensed no recent trace of Tamlen in this passage and she knew the figure stood across from the last room in the ruins. If Tamlen was not in there … there was nowhere else for them to search here. Having already cleared the room on the other side of the locked door, it was obvious Tamlen had not come this way, but Kaslyn was determined to make no assumptions. She would know for a fact he was not here by checking every square inch of these ruins personally. She and Fenarel rejoined Merrill, who was ready to continue, and they turned for the door. Kaslyn warned them about the charm trap, the undead previously encountered there, and what she had initially found past the closed door. While her clanmates waited apprehensively, the red-haired hunter gingerly crossed the dark circle. Nothing happened and they were all relieved. Kaslyn noticed that the unidentified scent they had barely managed to detect earlier was stronger here and she noiselessly gestured to the others that she smelled something human. None of them recognized the scent, although now that it was clearer, something about it seemed mysteriously familiar to Kaslyn.

Cautiously she pushed the heavy door open to the last chamber in the ruins. Instead of a mutilated bear, the elves were met with the sight of a tall, black-haired man regarding the shimmering mirror. His arms crossed before him, he stood motionless with his back to the door, plainly revealing the sword and dagger he carried over leather armor of a style that was foreign to the Dalish. Four darkspawn bodies lay sprawled on the stone floor around him. The elves exchanged curious glances between themselves then walked into the chilly room. He turned at the sound of their approach, uncrossing his arms, and suddenly Kaslyn recalled the blurry face she had seen in her fevered dreams. His voice confirmed what her nose had been suggesting.

"So you're the ones fighting darkspawn. I thought I heard combat," he greeted them pleasantly in a rich, deep voice. A few dark strands escaped the short tail confining the rest of his hair to fall over his dark brown complexion, and the expression under his midnight-colored beard and mustache was friendly as his gaze swept over them. When his black eyes came to Kaslyn, they kindled with recognition and wonder, "You're the elf I found wandering the forest, aren't you? I'm surprised you have recovered."

Reacting to his affable tone, Kaslyn replied in kind, "So you're Duncan, the Grey Warden who saved me. My name is Kaslyn of clan Mahariel."

Duncan's smile widened at her amiable demeanor and he remarked, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kaslyn. The last time we spoke, you were barely conscious."

The other Dalish apparently took their cue from the red-haired hunter and the mage greeted him with a nod of her head, "Andaran atish'an, Duncan of the Grey Wardens." She touched a graceful hand to her chest, "I am Merrill, the Keeper's apprentice."

"And I am Fenarel of the same clan," the tall blond hunter added. He looked at the man with some curiosity, "Did you … come here alone, human? Battling all those creatures?"

Duncan nodded at the young man. "Yes. Though I must admit, you took a great deal of pressure off me." His eyes returned to Kaslyn and he asked with some mild apprehension, "Your Keeper did not send you after me, did she? I told her I would be in no danger."

"No," Kaslyn answered, "Though we knew you might be here. We're looking for our brother, Tamlen."

Duncan's expression grew thoughtful as he regarded her. A great many things were falling into place for him now. "So you and your friend Tamlen both entered this cave? And you saw this mirror?"

"Yes," Kaslyn agreed, "Tamlen touched the mirror and I blacked out." She winced inwardly. That admission made her sound like such a novice, she thought. She was intrigued to notice Duncan's face become troubled.

Duncan frowned, "I see. That's … unfortunate." He noted their understated surprise that he would be concerned about their welfare. Like most of the Dalish, he surmised, they did not normally find considerate humans. He continued to explain. "The Grey Wardens have seen artifacts like this mirror before; it is Tevinter in origin, used for communication. Over time some of them simply … break. They become filled with the same taint as the darkspawn. Tamlen's touch must have released it …. It's what made you sick – and Tamlen, too, I presume."

Kaslyn looked away and chewed her lower lip as her mind swiftly examined this information. If the mirror was made by the ancient Tevinters, there likely would be no one left who would know how to fix it. It was impossible to return to the Keeper with it: The mirror was far too heavy for any – or all - of them to move. According to the Grey Warden the thing was tainted, anyway, and she refused to put her entire clan at risk from it. She took a deep breath and decided she and Tamlen would be the last to fall victim to this evil thing. Her resolute gaze rose to meet Duncan's and she responded, "Then we should destroy it."

He inhaled deeply and raised his chin, wondering how much she had worked out. He scowled in accord with her steely tone and replied, "I agree. So long as the mirror exists, it is a threat to anyone nearby."

"I do not fear this sickness," Merrill spoke up, "The Keeper knows how to cure it."

Duncan might have imagined the doubt flickering through Kaslyn's eyes as he glanced toward the raven-haired apprentice. "She may have weakened it but she cannot cure it." His regard returned to the red-haired hunter. "Your recovery is only temporary. I can sense the sickness in you and it is spreading. Look inside yourself and you will see."

Despite being saved by the man, Kaslyn was not entirely sure she could trust him completely yet. Her gaze went briefly to her friends then back to him as she coolly replied, "Perhaps there is … something to what you say."

Duncan frowned, "Confirm it with your Keeper later, if you like. For now we must deal with the mirror … It is a danger." He turned and drew his sword as he approached the glass where color still gently swirled. With a single blow the mirror shattered with a loud crash. There was a bright, momentary flare and a short, rumbling growl which quickly subsided. Duncan slowly lowered his left arm from before his face and waited, but the glow of soured magic soon dissipated. He returned to the waiting Dalish. "It is done," he reassured them. His eyes sought Kaslyn, "Now let's leave this cursed place. I must speak with the Keeper immediately, regarding your cure."

"What about Tamlen?" Kaslyn reminded him.

"There is nothing we can do," Duncan answered.

Kaslyn frowned and insisted, "I'm still alive. He could be, too."

Duncan's expression became stern and his deep voice intoned, "Let me be very clear. There is nothing you can do for him." He saw her face grow stubborn and explained, "He's been tainted for three days now, unaided. Through your Keeper's healing arts and your own willpower, you did not die but Tamlen has no chance." Because he was gazing at her he caught the pain sparking behind her blue eyes and relented somewhat, "Trust me when I say that he is gone. Now, we should return."

Kaslyn felt her throat tighten but managed to ask. "Won't there at least be a body?"

"The darkspawn would have taken it," Duncan replied gently.

"Why would they take his body?" Fenarel asked, "Not to … eat it, I hope …." He swallowed audibly and all three elves looked aghast at the concept.

Duncan shook his head. "Darkspawn are evil creatures, and it's best to leave it at that." He glanced down and away from them for a moment before adding, "I'm … sorry."

Kaslyn was again intrigued that the man seemed genuinely perturbed by their plight. Still, Duncan obviously knew more than he was telling them. Tamlen may have called her soft for her dealings with humans but she was not stupid. "Why not just tell me what the cure is?"

"It's not that simple," the Warden answered. "I would tell you more but I must first speak with your Keeper."

Her gaze narrowed on him briefly. He was clearly not going to say anything else concerning the illness but she needed to know that no more would suffer as she and Tamlen had. Finally she accepted his reticence and asked, "Can we just leave the cave like this? Is it safe?"

Duncan was impressed that despite her own dire circumstances, Kaslyn was thinking beyond herself, and responded, "With the mirror destroyed, I doubt the darkspawn will return."

Merrill spoke up again, "Can we return later and search through the ruins? We could learn from many things here besides the mirror."

Duncan shook his dark head. "The cave is not safe. Everything here was exposed to the mirror's taint. If your people must come here, they should cleanse it with fire."

By now, Kaslyn had come to a decision. She had felt a barely noticeable twinge in her chest when Duncan had destroyed the mirror but when the glare had subsided, she had glimpsed the cavern opening beyond, where she had not been able to explore the first time. The faint trace of Tamlen's scent seemed to end at the mirror but it might be possible that he had managed to crawl somewhere through there. If she did not investigate now, she would always wonder, and she was under the Keeper's orders to find her clanmate. "I'm not ready to give up the search just yet."

The only one there who appeared surprised was the Grey Warden. His black eyebrows arched uncertainly for a moment before he offered, "If you prefer, I can wait outside while you look around but I assure you, he will not be here." He paused then added, "I suggest, however, leaving sooner rather than later. You are sick, whether you feel it or not, and it does you no good to linger."

Kaslyn's blue eyes met his black ones squarely, but she was not belligerent as she quietly said, "I just want to look around to make sure." She intended to be thorough. She had to know.

Duncan sighed, "As you wish. I will see you back at my camp." It was no wonder she had fought off the taint with determination that fierce, he thought to himself as he strode from the room. As he left the ruins he paused to examine the darkspawn the Dalish had killed. They might be young hunters but the accuracy of their arrows and their obvious combat abilities were remarkable.

Kaslyn waited with downcast eyes until she could no longer hear the sound of the Warden's footsteps then turned her head slightly to address those behind her. "Merrill," she asked hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"What do you think has happened to Tamlen?" Kaslyn asked very quietly.

Merrill paused then softly answered, "I dread to think of it. If he is as sick as you were…." Her voice trailed off. She reached out and gave the hunter's hand a compassionate squeeze with one of her own, and said, "Even if the worst has happened, we cannot leave his body unburied."

Kaslyn nodded. She breathed a shaky sigh then asked, "What do you know about Grey Wardens?"

"Not much," the mage admitted. "They're an old order that saved us from darkspawn in the past but I thought they died out long ago." She glanced towards the door where Duncan had disappeared and said, "I'm told they deserve respect, though it was odd to see a shem in our camp for so long."

Fenarel asked, "So where to now, lethallan?"

Kaslyn jerked her chin at the opening behind the broken mirror. "The only place left," she answered, "Tamlen and I got this far. I wanted to explore further but Tamlen insisted we check out the mirror."

"Have you…?" Fenarel asked hesitantly.

Kaslyn shook her head. "No. His scent is days old and I haven't picked up anything remotely fresh. Have you?"

The tall hunter shook his own head negatively.

"Let's continue," Merrill gestured for Kaslyn to lead them up into the opening.

The Dalish examined the tall mound of dirt but there were no signs of any elven tracks. Scrambling atop the incline, they came across a half-buried, old chest and Kaslyn made short work of the ancient lock to pull out a pair of rough leather boots. Although the tunnel ahead was dark, enough light filtered in from the mirror chamber to reveal a long passage sloping downward. Several crumpled forms were visible and Kaslyn descended into the gloom to check every one of them. All seven skeletons turned out to be anonymous which proved both disheartening and a relief. Several massive roots with no apparent way through them blocked the end of the cave, and nearby they discovered another locked chest and a strange statue on the floor of the cavern. After Kaslyn quickly liberated a pair of heavy chainmail boots from the trunk, they turned their attentions to the stone bust. Without warning, they heard a rasping growl familiar to the red-haired hunter. Instantly, the Dalish turned and saw that all the skeletons they had passed on the way down were getting to their bony feet.

"By the gods!" Merrill breathed in horror.

"They don't bleed," Kaslyn smartly informed them, "but if you break them enough, they will fall." She nudged Fenarel to get his dismayed attention and added, "The bones can be brittle - even to arrows. Get to work."

His head jerked with acquiescence as he reached for his bow. "I'll do it!" Before he could grab his longbow, however, the nearest three skeletons were on them. Merrill easily dispatched one with a roaring gout of fire from her hands. Kaslyn took a little longer to finish off the second one with her dar'misus then took the third one's attention so Fenarel could put away his knife. He tried to be stubborn and insisted on helping the smaller hunter - until Kaslyn pointed out they were taking arrow fire from the remaining four undead and could he please get on them with Merrill? He grimaced then did as he was asked.

Kaslyn broke a few more bones and the third skeleton fell motionless to the dirt. Her blades were not poisoned by any strange bodily fluids so she put them away, grabbed her bow, and joined the others shooting at the remaining undead. They worked their way up the tunnel, taking each awkward archer one by one, until the last one near the very top dropped. With the battle ended, the Dalish confirmed no one had any injuries, and then investigated the statue. It appeared to be a simplified representation of the head and shoulders of a stout man with a long beard.

"One of the Keeper's books mentioned a short-lived trade with the dwarves," Merrill mused. "I remember one commemoration said something about 'dwarves who dug too high, and too frugal, and struck elves'." She meant it as a funny story and Fenarel grinned appreciatively but Kaslyn could only nod. This was the last place left to search in the ruins and, as the Grey Warden had warned, Tamlen was not here. There was no trace to find and no trail to follow where he might have gone. Climbing back out of the tunnel, they checked the skeletal remains for anything useful, but the only thing salvageable was an old iron longsword that was plain but well-crafted.

Pausing near the broken mirror, Kaslyn regarded the shards and her eyes stung. She could not say how or why she thought so, but she somehow felt that Tamlen was not dead. She did not know if it was merely denial on her part but somehow she knew that he was alive somewhere, even though he was far beyond her reach. Feeling the weight of a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, she reached up to cover it in thanks and found that the warm fingers belonged to Fenarel. Behind her, the other two elves exchanged an unhappy glance and Merrill hesitantly said, "The Grey Warden is waiting. He's probably right that Tamlen isn't here. We should return to camp."

Kaslyn nodded and tore her eyes away from the broken glass. She left the room and turned north then east, bypassing the chambers they had fought their way through, to go directly back to the very first hall and back out to the first atrium where they had entered. She hesitated again where the tiled stone floor met dirt. This was it. She turned and looked one last time into the ruins, saying a silent farewell to her clanmate, best friend, and first love, before she led the others out of the cave.