I glance up at the Sun again. Yep, another day spent going toward the sunset… this Arl Eamon, instead of South Reach. Dropping his pack, Crybaby stretches and declares we'll reach Red Cliff tomorrow. Morrie thanks him for "stating the obvious"; being an impolite jerk, he replies by insulting her. Didn't your mother teach you how to speak to women? She was thanking you… idiot.

Mistress doesn't say anything, she just gives them an annoyed glare while trying to get the fire going. Qunatic suddenly appears beside us, carrying a filled pot. You sent the crazy guy to get water? He probably filled the cauldron with sand!

I hear Chirpy off to one side… chirping away to herself. Something about praising the maker. She must have confidence in Mistress' cooking, complementing the meal before it's even finished. We'll be lucky if she manages not to burn it again, honestly…Furgus was sick for days from the meal, the last time he and Mistress went camping.

He wanted a distraction from his 'upcoming wedding' – I guess he got exactly that.

Shaking my head about, I stand up. I need to stop thinking about the Pack. They aren't coming back… Glancing at everyone eating, I decide to go find food. Between Mistress' cooking, and Qunatic filling the pot with his drool, I should really find something else to eat. A Lord must have standards, after all.

I creep about for a while… Old Dwarf is still cooking when I go past them, and I'm not in the mind to wait. Bored, I arrive at Morrie's tent. I haven't seen her go Bird today… and she doesn't like trophies in her tent, so no meat here. I do notice some herbs in the corner. Grandma always said these things were good for you, when Awren complained about them on his plate. I won't argue…

They aren't very filling, though, so I eat a few more and wander back to the fire. Mistress tosses me some dried meat, as I sit beside her. She's very quiet, watching the others as they split into groups. Old Dwarf and Young Dwarf are doing something by their wagon, Morrie and Qunatic are talking, same with Crybaby and Chirpy. You aren't alone… you've got me. I butt her leg as a reminder. She smiles sadly, and rubs my ears. "At least you're still with me."

Well, yeah. Always.

She mutters to herself about "last watch" and retreats to her tent… I feel all warm and tingly. Those herbs must have been for an energy concoction, I think. I feel so… primed! Even my hearing – I can hear both conversations. Qunatic's making a provisions list, equipment for Morrie to buy when we reach Red Cliff. Armour, a new helmet… raw chew? He tells Morrie it depends on her teeth, what she should buy. Now he says he also wants an iron bar. A heated one.

…

I knew it, the guy's out of his mind.

Morrie must agree, because she quickly leaves for her tent.

Crybaby is asking Chirpy if she's somebody's sister, and she replies by asking about how he must be a brother. Yes, idiots, most people have families. Are you two only just learning this?!

Crybaby then tells her that he used to scream, until his brothers had to check on him. How is it that everybody didn't start calling you Crybaby?! Especially your family, if that's how you acted as a pup. Maybe his family only invite him home for Satinalia.

She looks confused by his weird little story, and says she never did something like that. Okay, she's not crazy like him… makes sense, the other two women are normal. It's just the men… so I better keep an eye on those Dwarves. Young Dwarf does look a bit strange in the eyes, now I think about it.

Trying to shake off the extra energy, I start reorganising the spare fire-wood. I've got the stack looking much neater when Chirpy sits down to watch me.

"You're such a handsome dog. I think that every time I look at you."

Thank you! I was right – she's definitely not crazy.

"Lady Cecile… I lived with her after my mother died…" Oh… and idiot Crybaby had to pry about your family! "She had a dog. A small one, bred to fit under the arm and in the lap."

Why?! Who wants a dog that can be beaten in a fight by rabbits?

"What was his name, again… oh yes, Bon-Bon."

What.

"Oh, Bon-Bon was a terror. He would hide when he saw you coming…"

Of course he's a coward, with a name like that.

"And then, he would attack your ankles! Razor-sharp teeth, in the ankles. Very painful…"

… Are you sure he's even a dog?! The man you bought it from may have told you he was some weird pedigree Frostback dog… but he probably just sold you a rat!

"He attacked me, once. Latched onto my leg. I thought it was a diseased rat!" It was! "I kicked out, in panic. Bon-Bon flew across the room, and over the bannister!" That fat rat, went splat?

"He survived… but he never came near me after that."

… I would expect not. Thankfully, I'm too heavy to throw off a balcony… but I promise not to bite you, anyway. I'm a warhound, not a rat!

She strokes my back a few more times, and goes to bed as well. Who's on first watch, then? ... Ah, Qunatic.

After some time passes, he gestures to me. "Hound." Yes?

He holds up a large, thick branch. "I found this, while gathering fire-wood." Okay…

"I wish to verify your strength. Try to take it from my hand." … I think he wants to play. Did you get into the energy herbs, too? Fine… but we have to keep quiet, the others are sleeping.

Watching me walk over, Qunatic locks his feet into a stance and wraps both hands around the branch. "Begin."

Man… this road just keeps on going. I shouldn't have stayed up, playing with Qunatic, so late. Mistress has gotten pretty far ahead now, and I'm too tired to run after her… Where's Morrie?

I walk over, and follow her pace. Morrie. Morrie? Morrie! Morrie!

She finally looks down. "You ate my entire bag of herbs, you foolish dog. Do not think I am unaware of where it went."

I left a couple… I think. Anyway, I need more. I'm starting to crash, over here…

"'Tis your own fault for being so entirely gluttonous. Several of those herbs were poisonous. You should be pleased they did not kill you."

Haha, Nan used to make the same excuse to try keeping me from inspecting meat deliveries. "One of these hams is poisoned, you bloody mongrel! Just see if it isn't!" … It never was. So… what do you say?

"Do not be ridiculous. I am certainly not going to give you more, even if I did have more to give."

Oh, please?! I'm so tired!

"Ugh. You have some nerve, creature. And your breath leaves much to be desired. Off you go!"

… Come on! We both know you carry extra supplies!

Her face finally relents. "…We shall see. I promise nothing."

That's a start… I wonder if I can get someone to carry me. Just pretend I'm one of those under-arm pedigree Frostback rat-dogs! … Qunatic could probably lift me. I hear a squeaking sound behind me. … It's a rat-dog, coming to bite our ank… no, it's the Dwarves on their wagon. The wheels are just making noises.

I have to bark a bit to get their attention, but they let me up to ride with them. This is more like it!

We start down a long slope, and I have to brace myself so I don't fall off… the group's up ahead, by a tree and a single house. Man, looks like there's a town even further down! That's a lot of water, out there… this must be Red Cliff.

I watch the others, and especially Mistress, finally notice me sitting up on the wagon. Crybaby shakes his head, Chirpy laughs… and Morrie groans. "See? Your bothersome mongrel is fine and well. And still taking advantage of people."

They were waiting for me? That's nice. I give an appreciative bark, and jump down. She's still muttering, but her eyes don't mean it. Mistress, though… she's got a right angry glare.

"Max!"

Oh boy… I've only heard that tone twice. She's not happy at all…

"… We didn't know what happened to you. When Morrigan said you had gotten into her supplies, and said you might have been poisoned…" Her face goes sad, and she stares over to the lake. "… Never again. Understand? I need you…"

… I'm sorry. I won't do it to you again.

"… Come on. Let's just go find Eamon."

I don't think I remember the guy. Just what Mistress said about him, to Morrie. "He is the Chancellor, but he's not as popular as Alistair thinks. As I understand it, most nobles think he only got the spot because he was the King's uncle. Probably true… if we're lucky, his brother will be there. Teagan's much more respected, and usually plays go-between Eamon and the Bannorn anyway."

"And yet you follow the fool's advice, rather than go to this Leonas person?"

"… He's right, about that being what Loghain or Howe would expect. We've no reason to go to Redcliffe, so they won't be looking for us there."

"Tis true enough… let us hope the fool is not over-estimating his hometown lord's influence."

"Hmm. Eamon's not the kind to take in orphans, so I don't think Alistair's mother was just Eamon's maid… he dodged my question, about his father."

"Perhaps you're right. It would be fitting, if his one decisive act turns out to be begging his father for help."

We're approaching a bridge, when Crybaby whispers something to Mistress.

"… I'm not going to like this, am I?"

He pulls her aside, and they keep talking. Morrie's got a smug look on her face, like she knows already, and Qunatic is asking Chirpy something.

"…So you were not a priest, did none of their duties, and took no vows, but you lived among them?"

"Yes" she peeps back.

"You were… a house guest, of the Chantry?"

"Um… sort of?" Before she can say any more, Mistress' voice raises angrily.

"Does Loghain know?!"

"… I suppose so. He was King Maric's friend, after all-"

Whatever they're talking about, I guess she's done with it… because she storms away. He looks pretty guilty, so I keep him from following her. Standing off by herself, she shoots him a foul look. Her hands are clenching at her waist, and she looks ready to hit something. Morrie goes over, carefully. "… Not what you thought to hear?" Luckily, I can still hear them.

"Oh, much worse… that lying sack of shit! His helmet must be why I didn't realise… fuck. This is probably the last place we should have come…"

Morrie's now looking curious… and also a bit too worried to actually ask. Mistress' hands almost claw at her hair as they slide over her head. "What do I… fuck! I suppose we have no choice now…"

Chirpy has a hand on Crybaby's shoulder. "You… only now told her the Arl was sick? Is that what she's mad about?"

He shakes his head. "No… no. This is a different reaction, from I usually get… I should have said something sooner…" What's he hiding now?

Mistress paces off toward the bridge, and the boy waiting over there. "Have you come to help us?" Oh, that's a good greeting…

"… Help you?" Mistress weakly asks.

"… You don't know? Has nobody out there heard?" he replies, confused.

Crybaby steps forward. "Yes, we know the Arl is sick…" Mistress stiffens, and turns to frown at him. … That's Grandma's angry stare! I didn't know Mistress could even do that. Shit, Crybaby, you've gone and done it now…

"Do we?" she asks coldly.

The boy looks at everyone in a panic. "The Arl could be dead, for all we know! Nobody's heard from the castle in days!" Mistress turns back at this, one of her eyes twitching a little.

"Monsters come out of the castle every night, and attack us until dawn!" Her lower lip curls back, and she bites down on it.

"The Arl's troops haven't defeated them?"

"Most haven't returned, after the Arlessa sent them out!"

"She sent away all of them? Wh-"

"To find a cure for the Arl – they say he was unable to be woken, before any of this began…" The boy notices her face darken, and pauses. "… I should take you to Bann Teagan. He's the only one holding us together." He begins walking away, and Mistress spins around to Crybaby.

"So you also forgot to tell me that the Arl was sick? Or about the monsters?"

He backs away. "I… Ser Donall didn't mention any monsters! "

"… That Knight, back in Lothering?" She looks over to Chirpy now. "Did you know, too?"

Chirpy looks pointedly at Crybaby. "I figured he had told you, when we changed course to come here… I didn't know you were coming in blind."

Mistress laughs bitterly, before turning back to Crybaby. "So this is why you argued with our plan?! Pretending we'd be safer here… so we could beg help from a man apparently on his death bed, who Loghain knows you would come to…" Mistress grabs him by the shoulder, and punches him in the face, before shoving him to the ground. "Well, I hope getting to see this place again will be worth it…" She and Morrie follow after the boy without another word, and Qunatic stares at Crybaby for a moment before joining us.

"… Do we continue?" Morrie asks.

"That depends on what Teagan can tell us… I suppose I know why your mother bothered saving him, now."

"That still puzzles me… what did he tell you?"

"… He's the King's half-brother."

Morrie and Qunatic both snort mockingly. "This is why the Qunari appoint people by merit, not birth."

"Most wise indeed, I must say" Morrie agrees. "Unfortunately, talking to the Chantry airhead might have saved us the wasted travel…"

Mistress shakes her head. "Don't remind me… lucky me; I stumble into the one time keeping our strategy hidden from an Orlesian was a bad decision."

We step into a large building… there's children and Fussy Women everywhere, and the boy's waiting for us down the end with some other man. He steps forward. Before he says anything, Mistress offers a curt salute. "Bann Teagan."

"Greetings…" he looks at her armour, lingering a bit long on the chest-piece, "Grey Warden. You were…not at Ostagar?"

"I was… but I was stationed outside the battle. Word has reached you, then?"

Bantegon pauses. "I have heard the Regent's account of the battle… but I remain unconvinced that is what actually happened. Apart from yourself… is it true, the Wardens all perished?"

She shifts her weight in frustration. "You wish to ask about Alistair, I presume? Yes, he managed to live… and I've not yet killed him myself."

"She shows true patience in the matter" Qunatic adds, as Bantegon splutters and narrows his eyes when Morrie chuckles at his expression.

Good old Alistair - I tested him in one playthrough, and got all the way to reviving Eamon without him mentioning who his father was. If I remember right, Eamon actually tells you first. Alas, I couldn't find a plot contrivance not to bring him to Redcliffe, so no repeat of what that Warden had to say to Alistair...

My truly pragmatic Wardens would simply skip Redcliffe, after you hear in Lothering that Eamon's sick - the game demands otherwise, but I wanted to acknowledge it seeming a wasted move to Wardens like The Mistress.

Thanks to everyone reading, Pervinca for the review and GrayHeart for the fav'ing. I hope you all continue to enjoy.