When the sun rose, we headed back to the inn, had a quick breakfast and then went shopping for supplies. The merchant was pricing everything outrageously, but when he saw our weapons, lowered them. We bought two tents, food, cook wear, whetstones, sword oil, and even a shaving kit for Al, and a few other necessities. Then we left Lothering behind us and started our trek west.

We only walked about half a bell when we heard some children laughing and yelling. We reached a clearing and found half-a-dozen children and some prison cages, one which had a tall man inside. The children were throwing sticks and stones at the man, who stood about 7 feet tall, not even flinching. He was odd looking, with grey skin, large shoulders and arms to match, and even had a set of horns on his head. What is this man?

"Hey!" Alistair yelled, and the kids ran away screaming.

"Oh," Leliana exclaimed. "The poor dear." She ran up to the cage and looked over the man. "Are you alright?"

"I am content," he said with a low monotone voice.

"I personally don't see contentment standing in a cage," Morrigan said.

Pendragon whined and pawed at the cage door.

I stepped forward. "May I ask why you are here, Ser?"

He frowned at me, then looked straight into nothingness. "I am Sten, of the Beresaad; a Vanguard of the Qunari people. I committed murder of a household and am paying my atonement. I been here for 20 days. It shall not be long till I depart from this world. Now leave me in peace."

"This is a proud creature," Morrigan said. "If you cannot find a use for him, I suggest you release him, before the darkspawn come, for mercy sake." She turned to my fellow Warden, with a smirk on her face. "And put Alistair in his place."

Alistair gave a bit of a hurt look. "I wasn't expecting mercy from you, but THAT, yes."

I looked up at this - what did he call himself? Qunari? - and saw how thin he was. Much as someone would expect from being held in a cage for nearly three weeks. Could someone really last that long? Well, when you're that big, I guess they could. I remember him saying he was a vanguard. Which meant he was a warrior. Hmmm... "So, Sten. Death will be atonement for your crime?"

The Qunari looked down at me, the frown still on his face. "Is that not what I said?"

"Well, I was just thinking-"

"Oh, Morrigan cut me off. "That must have hurt."

I glared at her, but didn't respond. "Thinking that there could be another way to repent."

"And how, little elf, would you suggest I do that?" he asked.

"You could come with us to fight the darkspawn."

He looked up and down at me, then at the others and replied, "You are Grey Wardens?"

"The two of us are," Alistair said. "They're just assisting us."

"My people have legends of the Wardens," Sten said. "They are great warriors and strategists." He looked at the two of us. "I guess, not all legends are true."

"Hey, it's not our fault!" Alistair said angrily. "The rest of our order was killed by the darkspawn.

"Do you mean to say," he said, "that the two of you are the only Wardens left?"

"In Ferelden, yes," I replied. "And we could really use all the help we can get."

Sten was silent for a moment, contemplating his options. He then took a deep breath and sighed. "Very well. I shall accompany you in your quest, and once it is over, I shall return to my homeland."

I bowed my head to the giant of a man. "Thank you, Sten. You're help is appreciated."

"Now, as for the matter of opening this cage," Sten continued. "The only key is with the Chantry Mother in Lothering."

"You mean, we have to go all the way back?!" Morrigan exclaimed.

Leliana stepped forward, taking something out of her belt pouch. "Not to worry. I've got it." She pulled out two long pieces of metal and knelt down in front of the cage and started picking the lock. It wasn't long before we heard a click and the door swung open.

We all stepped back to allow the Qunari to exit and stretch his limbs. I could see now there was a huge difference in size, even compared to Al. "And, so, it is done," the Qunari said. "I will follow you into battle, and in doing so, I shall find my atonement."

He walked over to a tree, where a chest sat, and pulled out large armor and began buckling it on. Once he had it on he turned around to face us. "Where is your weapon?" I asked.

I was surprised that his frown could grow deeper. "It was stolen from me."

"Stolen?"

"That is what I said, is it not?" He said, angrily.

I put my hands up. "Yes, I'm sorry. Do you know how it was stolen?"

He glared at me for a moment before answering. "My Beresaad and I were attacked by the darkspawn. They were killed. I was thought to be dead. When I awoke, Asala was gone."

"You named your blade?" Morrigan asked, unimpressed.

"That was the name my Greatsword was given. I can only assume that it was taken by scavengers, thinking me dead."

"Well," I said. "If we can find it in a market or someplace, we shall get it back."

"I highly doubt that. It could be anywhere in Thedas."

"I said if."

"Anyways," Morrigan said. "I hate to interrupt, but we have places to go, people to see, and I'm getting antsy. If you don't start walking, I'm just going to go by myself."

"Yes, your majesty!" Alistair exaggerated, bowing low towards her, making Leliana laugh. "Immediately, your majesty!"

Morrigan glared at the warrior. "Do not mock me."

"Oh, is someone oversensitive? OUCH!"

I chuckled as Morrigan knocked him on the head with her staff. "Next time you'll really be turned into a toad, Al. I'd watch myself if I were you."