The others were currently darting through the crowd on the other side of the street, wary of potential onlookers or overly curious humans. A knot of elves could quickly be overlooked, even in a city as divided and discriminatory as Kirkwall. But they were still out of the alienage before their allotted time, so their presence drew several unwanted gazes from around the market.

Bes grumbled as they marched along, shuffling his feet as he went. "Can't believe I let myself get roped into this. All for Merrill and a bloody shem."

"Lay off, Bes," Nereen said. She ducked behind a fruit merchant's stand and skillfully nabbed an apple from one of the boxes as she went. She tossed it to him. "Haven't you ever been in love?"

"Not for long."

The blond elf rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

Venuris, bringing up the rear of the group, glanced behind them and added, "Merrill's been good to us. Kept the Templars and the city guard off our backs. And this Hawke woman she's eying has done wonders for the elves in the alienage. Didn't you hear what she did for Feynriel and Arianni?"

"Feynriel had to leave the city after they got involved," Bes pointed out. "Ran off to join the Dalish."

"But if the rumors are true," Venuris patiently said, "Hawke and Merrill helped him from becoming an abomination. If they hadn't, the whole alienage would have suffered."

Bes grunted.

"Besides," Venuris continued, "remember that time your daughter caught the tremor sickness? Merrill helped heal her. Brought her back from the brink of death. That has to count for something."

"I'm still here, aren't I?"

Nereen sighed as she snuck around a towering, armored Templar knight. "Then shut up and keep an eye on this Kylee. We don't want to lose her."

Bes scowled at the Templar as they passed. "So what do you think this woman is up to?"

Nereen shrugged. "I dunno. She could be a mercenary, a hired assassin, a thief. Or – scariest of all – there could be nothing wrong with her and we're chasing her for nothing."

"You really think Merrill's wrong about her?"

"No," she quickly corrected. "Don't listen to all that bullshit about first impressions. They can be very accurate. And Merrill has sharp eyes; if she thinks this woman is hiding something, then I believe her."

Bes rubbed at his chin. "I'm still not convinced. What do you think, Venuris?"

She didn't answer. Bes scowled and looked back at the redhead, frustrated at her constant moodiness. "Venuris, are you giving me the silent treatment again?"

The quiet, red-haired elf was nowhere to be seen.

Bes fell short, motioning for Nereen to halt as well. His eyes darted across the markets, but his friend had seemingly vanished into thin air. He saw bustling humans, scowling dwarves, and the stoic Templar just a few paces away, but Venuris was gone.

"Where the hell did she go? She was right behind us!"

Nereen shook her head, brows knitted worriedly. "Venuris is quiet, but doesn't make a habit of sneaking off. What happened to her?"

Bes just shrugged, beginning to get concerned. His companion quickly tapped his arm and set off back the way they had come, gesturing for him to follow close.

"Come on," she called. "Maybe she ducked down a side alley for some reason."

"Hope she wasn't nabbed by someone," he grumbled. "I knew coming to the markets before our time was a bad idea."

"Just shut up and help me look for her."

They cautiously moved back down the street, sharp elven eyes raking the market for any sign of their friend. Venuris was usually easy to recognize because of her fiery red hair, but said hair was nowhere in sight. Nereen was getting more worried by the second.

Lowtown was a dangerous place. The Coterie operated with impunity through these streets, and the local guards were hard-pressed to handle them. They could have easily snatched a weaponless elf from her unsuspecting friends. If they had, Venuris would likely never be seen again.

In an act of desperation, they flagged down the heavily-armored Templar they had passed earlier. Nereen wisely hid her daggers from view and adopted her best sad face, which Bes referred to as her "kicked puppy" look.

"S-sir?" she stammered with mock-nervousness, hooking her arms behind her back. "Have you seen our friend? Her name is Venuris. She's an elf like us, and she has bright red hair. We can't find her!"

For a moment, she thought the Templar would send them on their way with a swat upside the head. But – to the relief of both elves – he nodded and pointed down a nearby alley. "She just went down that way. Following a hooded man. I assumed they were acquaintances."

Nereen smiled with almost genuine affection and said, "Thank you, sir. Enjoy the warm weather."

"And you, citizen." The Templar turned back to his perusal of the market.

Nereen grabbed Bes' arm and tugged him toward the alley. "Come on. We can still catch them!"

The blonde took off down the side-street, Bes hot on his heels.

The tiny, crooked side-street was as cramped, dirty, and littered as any other part of Kirkwall. There was an angry-looking dwarf skulking in the shadows and a battle-scarred human mercenary leaning against a doorway, but nowhere in sight was Venuris' fiery hair.

Nereen flagged down the dwarf. "We're looking for our friend. Red hair?"

The stocky man grunted and gestured further down the alley. Nereen grinned and patted him on the shoulder before sprinting away. Bes, unused to such strenuous activity, was now panting hard and clutching at a stitch in his side. But he did his best to keep pace with the much younger and fitter elven mercenary.

It was only a few moments before Nereen frantically gestured to stop and pressed herself against the wall of a branching street. She held a finger to her lips, listening intently.

Just around the corner, Bes could hear raised voices – one of which was clearly Venuris. Nereen narrowed her eyes and quietly unsheathed the daggers from her belt. Without raising her voice, she mouthed, "Wait for my signal."

He nodded and clenched his fists. He wasn't sure how helpful he'd be in a fight, but he was prepared to defend his friends to whatever end.

Nereen counted down, then threw herself around the corner with a shout. Bes was right behind her, fists raised and a battlecry in his throat. But he barely made it a few feet before he heard the metallic ring of a sword being drawn from its sheath. The next instant, Venuris' voice cried, "Wait!"

Bes instinctively halted, but Nereen was not so easily swayed. She threw herself forward, toward the tall hooded figure that was towering over Venuris. The tall figure was holding an intricately-inlaid sword that seemed to catch the sunlight along its edge.

Nereen struck with both daggers, but the hooded man caught both blades on the edge of the shimmering sword. There was a loud clang and the gold-haired mercenary was thrown back a few steps. The hooded figure did not allow her to regain her footing; he stepped forward and planted his boot in Nereen's chest, sending her careening to the ground.

She grunted in pain and reached to grab her daggers, but the hooded man kicked the weapons away in a spray of dirt and dust. A moment later the shiny blade was held to her throat.

Bes, who until this point had been stupidly standing and watching, suddenly came back to reality and sprang forward to his friend's defense. He pulled back his clenched hand – tiny in comparison to the hooded man's much larger stature – and moved to throw the hardest punch he could.

The hooded man moved with seemingly supernatural speed. A hard, armored fist knocked his arm aside and within the blink of an eye, the shiny sword was hovering inches from his eyes.

"That would be most unwise, my friend," the hooded man growled.

Bes was sure he was about to die. He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting to hear the whistle of the sword as it sliced through the air toward his neck. But instead, all he heard was Venuris shouting, "Wait!"

The blade didn't descend. Bes slowly opened his eyes to see Venuris at the hooded man's shoulder, heatedly explaining, "These are my friends! The ones I was traveling with before you yanked me off the street!"

The hooded man stared at Venuris, then glanced back to the others. After a moment that felt far too long for Bes' comfort, the sword finally lowered and disappeared into a silver-inlaid scabbard on the man's belt.

"If that is the case," the man said slowly, "then I offer you my apologies."

"Apology accepted, I guess." Nereen coughed as she rose to her feet and brushed dirt from her clothing. "And… who exactly are you?"

"A newcomer to this city," the hooded man said. "One who is in dire need of help."

"You're going to want to hear him out," Venuris said. "If he's telling the truth, Merrill's shem is in terrible danger."

I think I'm getting the hang of this… what does Varric call it? Espionage?

Merrill moved through the streets with far more ease now. With Tallis just behind her, she ambled past the market stalls and pretended to peruse the various wares offered. Her arms were linked with Tallis' – the spy had insisted they continue their escapade as a couple, in case Hawke or Kylee caught sight of them again – and she made sure to keep an eye on Marian just ahead of them.

Currently, Hawke and her new lover were at a clothing merchant's stall, looking through the dwarf's collection of robes. Hawke pulled out a strange-looking number that was made of some diamond-patterned yellow plaidweave, which Kylee – thank the Creators – quickly vetoed.

One thing we have in common I guess, she thought, quickly turning her attention back to the fruit vendor in front of her. We both agree that Hawke should not be allowed to choose her own clothes.

She smiled to the vendor and handed over a few coppers for an apple. Next to her, Tallis bit back a smile and murmured, "You're catching on, Merrill. I think I can make a Ben-Hassrath out of you yet."

Merrill blushed as they turned away and continued down the street. "This is supposed to be about Hawke, not me."

"Well, right now Hawke isn't doing anything besides trying to look like a fool." Tallis nodded down the street, where Hawke was trying on a conical hat with a feather in the brim. Kylee was frantically trying to snatch it off her head.

"Do you still think Kylee is dangerous?" Merrill shuffled her feet. As much as she hated to admit it, her theories about Kylee were beginning to fall apart; she seemed like a perfectly normal woman. "We've been following her for a while now, and she doesn't seem to be doing anything wrong."

"I'm holding back judgement until I know more. Even the most skilled infiltrator has to let their cover slip sometime."

Merrill thought back to Varric's tales of Leliana, the Orlesian bard who had been sent to kill Hawke almost nine months ago. According to the tale, Leliana's plot had only been discovered when she recognized Isabela from a previous encounter – and Isabela promptly pinned her to the wall with throwing knives.

Somehow, Merrill got the feeling that Kylee wouldn't transform from a secret enemy to a trusted friend like Leliana had. But as she watched the golden-haired woman shopping and laughing with Hawke, she couldn't help but feel a small twinge of guilt.

What if Kylee really was innocent? What if everything the others said about her was true? If so, Merrill had let her own jealousy and suspicion turn her against someone who might become the love of Hawke's life.

The thought alone sent a shiver of bitterness down her spine. Even if she is innocent, she found herself thinking, I still don't think she and Hawke should be together.

She knew it wasn't fair. She knew it wasn't nice. But she also knew that no amount of self-deprecation was going to change her mind. She scowled and thought, Hawke is mine. And I'm not going to let some strange farmhand from the north steal her away."

"You really love her?"

Merrill started and glanced over at Tallis, who was looking at her with a cocked head and a knowing smile.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Merrill quickly said.

"I can't tell if you're a terrible liar," Tallis chuckled, "or you think I'm an idiot."

"I don't think you're an idiot!"

"Terrible liar it is, then." Tallis put a hand on Merrill's fur-lined shoulder pad. "I can see it in your eyes every time you look at her. I can see it in your body language every time she comes near. Hell, I could see it back when we were in Orlais."

"I just…" Merrill struggled to find the right words. "I hurt her once. Badly. And I don't know if she even cares about me anymore because of it."

"She does. I know she does."

"How?"

Tallis sighed and casually wrapped an arm around Merrill's waist, continuing to depict their cover as a devoted elven couple. For the first time since Merrill had met her, the elven spy seemed uncomfortable.

"Hawke and I didn't spend much time together," she eventually said. "We never really had… feelings for each other. You know?"

Merrill was familiar with the idea. Isabela had invited scores of lovers to her bed, seemingly without emotional commitments to any of them. While Merrill never thought she could ever be as casual about love as Isabela, she did understand that others had different views than her.

"I understand," she eventually said. "Your relationship was more… erm, physical."

"I think relationship is a strong word, but otherwise you're right. But even in the few weeks that we were together, I could tell that Hawke had eyes for someone else." Tallis guided them toward a merchant selling shields adorned with the Kirkwall crest, always keeping Hawke and Kylee in sight. "At first I didn't know – or care – who it was. But then I realized that of all her companions, you were the one she cared about the most."

"And how…" Merrill's heart fluttered. "How could you tell?"

Another knowing smile from Tallis. "She never touched you. Not once."

Merrill frowned and thought back. It didn't take long to realize that Tallis was right; Hawke kept her hands to herself whenever she was around Merrill, and she could count on one hand the number of times the Ferelden mage had actually touched her.

With the others she was very casual: she would mess up Carver's hair, good-naturedly punch Aveline's shoulder, or arm-wrestle with Varric. She would ruffle Anders' feathery pauldrons, kiss Isabela on the cheek, and do her best to smudge Sebastian's pristine white armor.

But when Merrill was around, there was no such playful roughhousing. The only times Hawke had touched her was when the mage was comforting her in times of grief or doubt, and…

And when we kissed, she thought.

"She gets nervous around you," Tallis said as the continued down the street. "She doesn't know what to do with herself around you. Doesn't trust herself. So she keeps her distance as best she can. And she doesn't do that with any of your other friends."

Merrill licked her suddenly-dry lips. "But… but how do you know that… that it means she still has feelings for me?"

"I'm assuming you two aren't all touchy-feely now either. She still keeps her distance."

"More than ever," Merrill found herself saying. Her eyes widened at the thought, but she quickly pushed away the butterflies rising in her stomach. "But it doesn't matter. Hawke would never choose me anyway."

"And why not?"

"Because look at who she can choose! Her lovers are always so beautiful. How could I possibly be as pretty as Kylee, or Isabela, or…"

She trailed off, blushing as she finished, "…or you?"

Tallis' lips quirked up and she squeezed Merrill's shoulder. "You aren't exactly bad on the eyes yourself, Merrill. But romance takes more than just good looks. People need chemistry. They need to understand each other, to work together as seamlessly as cogs in a machine. They are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. They can't escape it, and don't even want to."

"You say that like you speak from experience."

Tallis' gaze darted away and she cleared her throat uncomfortably. A sad, faraway look came into her eyes. "I guess you could say I do."

Merrill could tell the spy didn't want to elaborate, so she let the matter drop. Tallis quickly continued, "You and Hakwe are drawn to each other, there's no denying that. And until you sit up and embrace the fact that you love her, you'll find no peace. Either you'll wither away from indecision and nervousness or be forced to watch as Hawke pairs up with someone else."

"I…" the words caught in Merrill's throat, like they were fighting to stay buried within her. "You're right. I do… love her."

As soon as the words passed her lips, it felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. All the butterflies in her stomach came to life once more in a tingling swarm that settled just behind her heart. But unlike before, it wasn't a sickly sensation. Instead, she felt excited.

Once would not suffice. She had to say it again.

"I love her. I love Hawke."

Tallis nodded. "That's my girl. Now you might want to pay attention: your competition is getting away."

Merrill turned sharply to see Kylee trading a few hurried words with Hawke and stepping away. Merrill's heart skipped a beat at the sight. They would finally get to see what the woman was really up to.

It looked like she was asking for a restroom break, but there was a hurriedness about her motions that didn't look like someone in desperate need of a toilet. She was jumpy and nervous, just like she had been in the Hanged Man the previous night.

She was scared.

Tallis must have seen it too, because she narrowed her eyes and murmured, "I think this is our window."

She clasped Merrill's hand tightly in her own and set off down the street, not bothering to stay concealed now. Kylee, meanwhile, was hurrying away from Hawke and fumbling with something in her pocket. She disappeared down a narrow side-street, ducking discreetly out of sight.

The two elves were hot on her tail. Tallis glanced down the street before stepping after the human woman with Merrill in tow. She pressed a finger to her lips, indicating they should remain silent as they followed the telltale scuffle of Kylee's shoes on the course gravel of the Lowtown streets.

Kylee's pace was brisk and confident; definitely not the walk of a woman who had never been in the city before. She made a few twists and turns just in front of the duo that was tailing her, turning corners swiftly and without hesitation. She walked this way through the maze-like streets for a few minutes before she suddenly stopped in an isolated, dead-end alley.

Tallis pulled them up short, pressing her back to the wall just around the corner. She could hear Kylee muttering something only feet away. Merrill's heart was racing; she had never done something like this before, never eavesdropped on someone from such a short distance.

The human woman's boots scuffled in the dirt again, then there was a dull thud as something heavy landed in the dirt. Tallis risked a glance around the corner, then narrowed her eyes and gestured for Merrill to move up.

"You're gonna want to see this," the redhead murmured. Then she took off, swiftly switching to the other side of the street to flank the entrance of the dead-end alley. The two elves watched with bated breath, Merrill's eyes wide and staring while Tallis' were narrowed in suspicion.

Kylee had tossed a hefty crystal into the dirt at her feet. It shimmered in the sun, glowing a dull scarlet and thrumming with powerful magic. It was smooth and flat, shaped into a circle with glowing runes etched into its polished surface. Merrill had never seen a crystal like it before, but could feel the energy pouring off of it.

Whatever it is, she thought, it's definitely not something a farm worker should have her hands on.

There was a small sense of relief at knowing she was right to mistrust the woman. But that quickly vanished as the sun danced across the surface of the crystal and the mysterious object sprang to life. There was a sudden, near-blinding flash of light that made Merrill shrink away behind her corner again. Tallis threw a hand on to shield her eyes, but Kylee simply stood and waited.

When the flash faded, Merrill peeked around the corner once more to see a man standing above the crystal.

It wasn't quite a man, though. She could see through him, as if he was a ghost or specter of the Fade. His features were obscured, and he was more a silhouette than anything else.

It must be some kind of magical projection, she thought. The crystal must be a communication device, like the Eluvian.

The man was tall and thin, almost too thin to be human. Some kind of thick collar was wrapped across his shoulders, and his fingers stretched out long to end in wicked-looking talons. He was wearing a tall hood that hid his face from view, but Merrill could see various oddly-shaped… growths sticking out of one side of his face. When he spoke, his voice echoed as if from down a long tunnel.

"Report," the figure boomed.

Kylee bowed her head. "I'm getting closer, my lord. A few more days and it should be done."

"I am displeased with your lack of progress," the figure snarled. "The magic that continues to hound me is powerful. I cannot regain my full abilities until the shackles that were bound to me are cast aside once and for all. Only the blood of the hawk can accomplish that."

The figure towered over Kylee, who shrank back in turn. "I was granted but a taste. To be fully freed, I need more."

"You will have it, my lord," Kylee assured him. "I just need time. To make it all look like an accident, or pin it on one of the allies that surround her."

"Your plans do not concern me," the see-through man shuddered as the magic flickered. "All that matters is your results. If you cannot do what must be done, I may be forced to use more… intimate methods."

Kylee grimaced. "That's not necessary. My mind is still not fully healed from last time."

"Then see that my orders are obeyed. Tear her throat out with your bare fingers if you must, but bring me the blood of the hawk. Plans are being set in motion that will not wait for you."

Kylee bowed her head. "I understand."

"Ensure you do. I will not tolerate another failure."

With that, the magical projection flickered out. Kylee sighed and quickly scooped up the crystal, tucking it out of sight back into her pocket.

Merrill's heart was racing. She knew it! She knew that Kylee had meant to hurt Hawke. And what's more, she was going to try and pin the crime on one of her friends! She couldn't let that happen. She had to intervene. To warn Hawke somehow or stop Kylee here and now.

The latter seemed the far more enticing option. She glanced to Tallis, who seemed to be thinking the same thing. Kylee needed to be stopped before she could do any real damage to Marian or her friends. They could explain everything to Hawke later.

The elven spy jerked her head toward the blond woman and mouthed, "On three."

Merrill nodded and curled her hands into fists in preparation. She felt her mana swell up within her, preparing for a magical outburst that would overwhelm Kylee.

"One…"

She felt lightning begin to crackle around her fingers.

"Two…"

She could hear Kylee's footsteps growing closer. She was just around the corner now. A few more seconds and—

"Merrill?"

The young elf squeaked and spun toward the new voice. Her heart plummeted into her chest as soon as she saw who was standing behind her. The lightning that had danced along her fingers instantly blinked out with a quiet pop.

Hawke was standing just behind her, a confused look on her face. She had obviously followed Kylee to see what was taking so long.

"What are you doing here?" Hawke asked. "Are you in trouble?"

"M-Marian!" Merrill stammered. "I didn't think… didn't know that…"

Kylee turned the corner now and jumped when she saw Merrill standing just around the corner. "Oh my!" she said, her voice as sweet and innocent as ever now. "What are you doing here?"

A blossoming look of hurt was crossing Hawke's face. "You… you had a lightning spell in your hand."

"No, Hawke, I—" Merrill frantically tried to explain herself. "I was just—"

"Spying on me?" Hawke finished. "Trying to hurt my girlfriend?"

"No!" Merrill gasped. "No, I would never…"

Kylee stepped up to Hawke's shoulder and clasped the mage's hand tightly in her own. "Then what were you doing?"

"I was with Tallis! We were… we were just touring the markets together."

"Tallis?" Marian said slowly. "Merrill, Tallis hasn't been seen since we left Orlais."

"Well, yes, but she's back now! Look, she's right—"

But when Merrill turned to point out the redheaded spy, she found only an empty street where the woman had been standing. She had vanished.

Her heart sunk into the pit of her stomach with nauseating speed. She turned back to Hawke with a desperate look on her face. "Hawke, you have to believe me—"

A scowl was darkening Marian's features. "Isabela told me you weren't a fan of Kylee. But I never thought you'd go this far to try and snoop on us."

"Hawke, I was only trying to—"

Hawke's voice had an angry, steely edge. "I don't care what you were trying to do, Merrill. I don't like people spying on me. Especially my own friends. So why don't you go back to the alienage and keep your nose out of my personal life?"

"Hawke—"

But the woman shook her head. "I don't want to hear it Merrill. I don't know what you're up to, but whatever it is stops now. Leave me and my girlfriend alone."

"But I—"

"I don't care," Hawke pressed. Merrill was about to say more, but saw the fire in Hawke's grey eyes and knew it was pointless. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as Hawke glared at her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

Hawke shook her head. "I'll need more than just that, Merrill. We'll talk about this later."

Kylee nodded and angrily added, "And if I catch you spying on us again, I'll call the city guard. They'll have you locked up for stalking."

Hawke didn't speak up to contradict her. The two just turned away and headed back toward the markets. As they retreated, Kylee shot one last look over her shoulder; a furious glare that sent a shiver down Merrill's spine. Then, after a few moments, they disappeared from sight.

Merrill was left standing in the dirty alley, heartbroken and alone.

Tallis hurried away from the markets, eager to put as much distance between herself and Kylee as possible. She didn't know what she'd seen in that alley or who the mysterious man in the projection was, but she knew the information was valuable and had to get to the right hands as quickly as possible.

She felt terrible for abandoning Merrill, particularly when she'd spotted Hawke coming to investigate. But Merrill could take care of herself and this information was for more important. Besides, the distraction and suspicion that Merrill created had given her the perfect window…

She cautiously reached into her pocket and pulled out the strange red crystal. With Kylee's attention focused on Merrill, she'd managed to slip the crystal from the woman's pocket and flee before anyone saw her.

She'd never seen anything like it before. It shimmered and pulsed with a charge not unlike lyrium crystals. But this was colored a deep, blood-red scarlet.

It felt… wrong, somehow. Like it shouldn't exist. There was a malevolent air about the whole thing, and it made her slightly uneasy just carrying it around. She grimaced and shoved the crystal deep into her pocket, hurrying away into the depths of the city.

She didn't make it far before she heard someone call her name. With a muttered curse, she turned to see Merrill's friend, the mercenary Nereen, hurrying toward her.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't go shouting my name from the rooftops." Tallis lowered her voice to an angry hiss as the blond-haired elf approached. "No one's supposed to know I'm here, remember?"

"Forget that," Nereen said brusquely. "You need to come with me."

It would be a cold day in hell before a bas ordered her around. Tallis glared at the woman and said, "I have business of my own to—"

Nereen interrupted her. "We found someone who has information about Kylee. You're going to want to talk to him. Now."

That made Tallis stop in her tracks. She glanced over her shoulder, then took hold of Nereen's arm and led them toward the shelter of the buildings on one side of the street. "What information did you find out? Who the hell is she, and what the hell—" she pulled the crystal from her pocket, "—is this?"

Nereen's eyes widened when she saw the blood-red crystal. "Oh no. So he was telling the truth."

Tallis narrowed her eyes.

The mercenary rubbed her eyes and said, "This whole situation is worse than we thought. The short version is that Merrill's shem is in terrible danger, and right now we're the only ones who can help her."

"And how do you know that?"

Nereen sighed and gestured over her shoulder, where a very familiar cloaked man was making his way toward them with Bes and Venuris in tow. As soon as he was close enough, he reached up and pulled his cowl down around his shoulders.

His face was thrown into the light, revealing short-cropped black hair and a large black mustache that stretched down past his chin. A faint scar stretched over one eye, and his face bore the chiseled and hardened visage of a veteran warrior. When he spoke, his voice was thick with a heavy Orlesian accent.

"Greetings," he said, bowing his head. "I have been told you may be of some assistance in this matter."

Tallis warily eyed him up and down. "You're that man… the one that was lurking around the Hanged Man the other night."

"And unless I'm mistaken, you are the woman who attempted to pursue me as I left."

So he saw that, she thought. Sharp eyes, this one. "Who are you?"

"Allow me to formally introduce myself." He bowed his head again. "I am Jean-Marc Stroud, a senior member of the Grey Wardens of the Free Marches. It is my hope that, with your help, we can stop this madness before it is too late for all of us."