The smell of fresh earth was crisp in the air along with the minor sulfur that leaked through from the lava coming down away from the garden. All in all, another great day! I yawned as I saw the farmers get to work, my red hair coming down my face.

It was odd to see your people flourish after centuries and centuries of them slowly dying out. A few farmers gave me nods and others, prayers.

It was also odd when a duster grows up to become a Grey Warden and a Paragon.

Oh mother would be turning in her grave right now, I chuckled.

"Paragon Brosca, a word if you please?" Jerrik Dace said, coming up to me as I was tending to the workers.

"Dace. Odd that you come down to the lower levels." I said gruffly. Dace's mouth became hard set. The deshyrs were still a touchy sort. The fact that the farmer's caste became their biggest coin bringer was a sore topic for most of them.

"Yes I know." Jerrik said politely. Even more sore was the fact that this duster, casteless nobody became a Grey Warden AND a Paragon! Ha! "I came here because I need your help."

"Is it about that expedition that your brother went on?" I asked.

"The very one. He and the rest of them have not given any word since they went. I need to go find him Paragon. I need your help to do this. No one can combat the Darkspawn as well as you and your Keepers." Jerrik said. I sighed. I was hoping to go home with my wife and kids but, hey, got to keep up the Grey Warden motto and kill all those darkspawn into mush.

"All right. Let me get my things and we'll set off as soon as we can." I said. Dace's face was one of relief.

"Thank you again Paragon."

"It's my job to help you nobles out isn't it? Last living Paragon and all." I bellowed out. Dace grumbled. I went off back to the home that was built for me near the farms. I went in and saw Haile, my wife, walking around with my son. My face lit with pride.

I remember when I was a duster, fumbling around for work and trying to put food on the table for Rica. That time seeing Haile was a taboo, something I couldn't do even if I tried. The first we met I was hustling a merchant for more money for Beraht. She was walking around, doing some chores for a noble. As soon as I saw her, I knew that my heart was taken.

The thing was dusters like me were looked down upon. Casteless, unwanted, to be thrown away. I had no chance with her back then but now? By the Stone, the Ancestors favored me!

"You're back so soon?" Haile asked. I chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm going to be going out again. Not with the Keepers but with Dace. It seems like their family's expedition didn't go as planned." I said, going up to the armor stand and putting on the dragon bone armor that I got. I saw Haile's eyebrows furrow with worry. I sighed and hugged her. "Don't worry. I am Derek Brosca and I'm not dying."

"I know…I will pray to the Ancestors for your safe return." Haile said. I kissed her on the forehead.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the Stone will protect me." I said. I got my hammer and put it on my back. I grabbed my son and kissed his head. "I will be back. Let Leto know about the switch! I'm sure he'll do fine looking over the farms for me." I said. Haile nodded and I went out. Dace was waiting for me at the gates that led into the farms.

"Do you have any more resources we can count on?" Dace asked.

"Let's go up to the Keep in the Diamond Quarter. We'll get a few things then we'll head out toward the Deep Roads. Anyone you'll be bringing?" I asked as they crossed the Commons.

"Only Snug like usual." Dace said. I guffawed.

"Bronto rider!"

"Paragon Brosca you are trying my patience." Jerrik sighed, rubbing his face.

"Got to know me someway right!?" I laughed out loud. We got through the stairs and I went up to the Keep. The Keepers of Orzammar kept it busy. They often rotated based on how difficult the Deep Roads were. Considering we were nearing their breeding grounds, most stayed right next to the Legion of the Dead to better defend themselves. The Legion and the Keepers both fighting against the scourge and darkness to keep our city aloft.

A few of them patted on my shoulder, a few more drank to me as I passed by the Room of Memories. Engraved into the stone all those who have lost their lives fighting against the darkspawn. Fighting them was never easy and will never get easier.

I went over to the supply room and got a pack to fill with the necessities for traveling through the Deep Roads. Dry bread, jerky, plenty of water, dried fruit, and a small tankard. Jerrik followed me to the map of the Deep Roads that we were able to outline.

"All right. Where did you say was Amgarrak?" I asked. Jerrik traced the route from the Aeducan Thaig to the Ortan Thaig but further east, away from the places we've managed to secure.

"Right here. This is the road to Amgarrak. We were receiving reports as they continued on but they all stopped as soon as they got to the proposed location. I know my brother is a good warrior. He couldn't have fallen easily." Jerrik described.

"Fine. We'll have Snug take us there. If I can get a few Keepers as well-"

"I would rather keep this information away from them Paragon." Jerrik said. I stared at him and stroke my beard.

"What is it that you were hoping to find in Amgarrak?" I asked.

"I won't reveal that information unless you agree to help me." Jerrik said. I laughed out loud and slapped him on the back.

"Looks like you got a set of stones defying a Paragon! All right! It's been a while since I set off on my own. Get your things Lord Dace! It's time to move out!"


So the order will be Talen, Derek, and then Eren, then back again so no one will be confused. :3 Go to my deviantart that's listed in my profile to see the updated drawings of all the Wardens!

Trivia: The dwarven commoner origin states that they are actually younger than Rica but I always thought of them as older and I loved the older brother perspective so it stuck for me.

Shout out to FearaNightmare, naturaetsophia, manosad, Chimera Spyke, Narliea, and Sovereign X22 for following!

Thank you Dforce76 and Chimera Spyke for your reviews! Please Review!