We're halfway to Lothering when a loud series of barks reaches my ears. I freeze on the road and see a shape moving in the bushes up ahead. Alistair, Morrigan, and I all draw our weapons. I'm preparing myself for a wolf when a gigantic Mabari bursts from the foliage and stops right in front of me. The tan dog is large enough that his head reaches my neck, has a wrinkly face (with a black muzzle), and a stub tail. I smile and begin cooing to the beast. The Mabari's ears perk up and his brown eyes lock on mine. Instantly, I know who he is.

"I think this is the dog I saved at Ostagar!". Nobody can speak as the hound turns around and growls at the path ahead of us.

I turn my attention upwards and see a Hurlock Alpha and three Genlocks blocking our way. The leader begins drawing his weapon and screams. The Mabari howls and charges forward. He's going to get himself killed! I rush forward and attack with the dog. I sink my sword into a Genlock as the Mabari slams into the Hurlock's legs and knocks him to the ground. I decapitate another Genlock as the dog sinks his fangs into the Hurlock's neck. He's actually not a bad fighter. I start to head towards the other Genlock, but Alistair and Morrigan finish it off before I can. Everyone (including the dog) regroups in the middle of the path and we all put our weapons away. Now all that's left is to take care of the Mabari.

I dig around in my pack until I find a fatty chunk of deer meat that Morrigan brought along. The dog cocks his head as I kneel down beside him. Carefully, I hold the meat out to him. The hound sniffs the meat, seems to consider it, and knocks it out of my hand as he leaps at me. A gigantic amount of weight crushes my chest and a slobbery, sticky tongue begins attacking my face. Automatically, I begin flailing and kicking. The Mabari seems undaunted and keeps lapping away at my face. I shudder at the wetness and stink of meat that overcomes me. Laughter reaches my ears, but eventually someone takes pity on me and yanks the Mabari away from me.

Morrigan is shaking her head and chuckling as the dog tries to wiggle out of her grip. I leap up and begin clawing the slobber off of my face. Morrigan eventually stops laughing, Alistair calms down, and the dog flops down on the ground while whimpering. Finally, my face is clean and I go back over to the dog. My friend slowly releases him as I kneel beside him. I carefully reach out and begin playing with the dog's pointed ears. The Mabari smiles and licks my hand.

"I like him. He's coming with us.". Morrigan scoffs before saying something that causes me to laugh harder than I ever have before.

"We now have a dog and Alistair is still the dumbest one in the party.". I stand up and begin walking away as Alistair bitches. I'm a few feet away when I call for them.

"Alistair! Morrigan!". I hesitate for a moment.

"Duncan!".


When we reach Lothering Duncan is walking to my left, Morrigan to my right, and Alistair is trailing behind me. We're walking down a stone bridge to the settlement when a group of armed men approaches us. Two of them come forward and motion for us to stop. I halt, but feel my stomach begin to clench in rage. These men are clearly bandits! I should cut them down where they stand before any of them can speak! One of the men starts to open his mouth to speak. In fact, why don't I do just that? I slide my sword out from my back and swing it at the men. One of them goes stumbling back while the leader shakes in place. There's a large scratch in his armor that's oozing a tiny bit of blood, but he isn't dead.

The rest of his men instantly draw their weapons and begin attacking. I throw my head back and scream before charging at the group. Morrigan is running backwards and firing off tiny spells as quickly as she can, Alistair is struggling to defend against three enemies, and Duncan is right beside me. My Mabari snaps at the ankles of my foes and holds strong ones down for me. He'll even rip at their flesh and sink his fangs into them when he gets the chance. I end up needing his help greatly. He fends off weaker enemies as I go after the bandit leader. The leader and I slam our swords at one another as quickly as we can without any tact.

I feel his sword bang against my armor and nick my exposed scar, but my attacks are doing more damage. I'm crushing his armor and cutting the mail that connects his entire suit. The battle finally turns when Duncan grabs onto his leg and yanks him to the ground. I drop my sword down and stab at the man's exposed throat. Blood washes over me and I smirk as I rip the blade from him. I whistle at my dog (who's nibbling at the body). Duncan looks up and goes 'hmm' while cocking his head to the side.

"Can you do anything about this gory mess?". The Mabari barks and begins lapping at my armor. A gigantic smile splits my face and I pet the dog as he works. He's literally the single cutest thing I've seen in my entire life! If only I had a small army of Mabari hounds... Alistair and Morrigan walk over and begin talking to me, and they ruin mine and Duncan's bonding moment. The hound still licks away, but I stop petting him to listen to Alistair.

"I think we need a plan-". I look to Morrigan and see a sneer on her face. The woman meets my eyes and her expression changes. A smirk crosses her lips and she nods towards me. Does she want me to stop Alistair? Morrigan's eyes flicker to Alistair and she nods once again. That must be it. She must want me to shut Alsitair up before he starts annoying her.

I flip around to my fellow Grey Warden and shut him up.

"I have a plan, a destination, and an idea. Just shut up and enjoy the walk because I know what the fuck I'm doing.". Alistair stares at me in a stunned silence, but doesn't try to stop me when I push past him and begin walking down the steps towards Lothering. The tiny village is dirty, crowded, and the youngest building looks like it's a hundred years old. I sneer at the condition of the multiple refugees walking around and trying to get the chaotic village into order. Why isn't anyone doing anything to help them? They're Shem, but they're still fleeing Darkspawn. I shake my head and continue deeper into the city.

As I walk I think of a plan. Duncan is still lapping at my ankles as I go, so it makes it a little hard to think. I can probably go to the Dalish camp the human Duncan marked on my map. One of the treaties requires them to help, so it's a double win. Alistair will get the people he needs to fight the Blight and I'll get the perfect sanctuary to hide out in until the Blight ends. I'm still thinking when I see the perfect building. A leaning tavern has a sign hanging above it, but all I can make out is the picture of a mug of ale. I quickly ask the opinion of my fellow travelers, but only listen to Duncan and Morrigan's views.

"Do either of you want to stop and get a drink before going and setting up camp?". Morrigan makes a sour expression, but consents.

"I could rest my feet and have a glass of wine.". Duncan sits down and puts on what a swear is a 'contemplating' face. He actually looks like a scholar figuring out a complex equation to end the threat of the Blight itself.

"Bark!". That's a 'yes' from Duncan. Alistair begins shaking his head at the notion.

"We need to set up camp and-". I raise my arms and cut him off with a happy scream.

"To the tavern!". The citizens of Lothering cower and look at us oddly. They only look at us even more oddly when Duncan jumps into my arms and I carry the gargantuan, barking Mabari towards the inn. Morrigan offers a wry chuckle as she follows after me and Alistair groans.

Most of us are celebrating until we get into the inn. The dingy, two-story building itself isn't too shabby. A few tables with a roaring fire beside them, a bar, and an upstairs sleeping area like a loft. The reason we all stop is the three armed and armored men that see us, stand up, and block our path. I drop Duncan to the floor and he snarls at the enemies. I draw my blade as my friends draw their weapons. The armed men do the same. For a moment both sides just stand there with their weapons drawn. Then, the leader of their side speaks.

"You're the Grey Warden we've been asking about this entire morning! You betrayed the king!". I'm about to snarl off a threat when a soft, delicate voice speaks from my left.

"Maybe everyone should calm down and take a breather.". I take a deep breath and feel my chest and insides clench. That soft, euphonious voice is practically making me weak in the knees. I've never heard a single voice as pleasing to my ear since my mother died. I begin putting my sword up and nodding at the person I haven't looked at (my eyes are stilled locked on the armed men). I decide to agree with whoever that wonderful voice belongs to.

"Yes, I think we should-". The leader lunges at me and I'm instantly back in 'warrior' mode. My vision begins to shake and my ears ring enough to block out that voice that had me almost melting.

I slash and hack without thought. A few hits dent my armor and a nice new nick is added to my face, but the main thing that gets through is the fountain of blood that cascades over me during the battle. However, before I can strike the killing blow someone stops me. A gentle, callous hand wraps around my own naked wrist and stops me. I feel my sword sliding out of my grip. Someone catches it and puts it back on my back. I look over at the owner of the hand and almost stop breathing when I see her. She's wearing bloody robes of a chantry sister and daggers strapped to her back, but that's not what catches my attention.

The woman's striking blue eyes, cascading red hair, and beautiful complexion cause me to struggle to even think. She's beautiful, her voice is amazing, and she's- A SHEM! Shem! Just another shem... The woman's delicate touch leaves me and I find myself longing to have another interaction with her. The sister grants my wish by talking to me.

"Spare these men. Let them go, they've learned their lesson.". Morrigan scoffs, but I ignore her for once. Instead, I shake my head and vaguely motion at who I'm assuming are Loghain's men. The thugs flee, but I never take my eyes off of the woman. A gracious smile graces her lips and she thanks me.

"I'm glad that didn't end in more bloodshed.". I nod and keep trying to think of anything to say. The sister beats me to it.

"I'm Leliana! It's a pleasure to meet you.". She holds her hand out to me. I automatically reach out and take it before shaking her hand. I can't feel her soft skin through my armor, but I can see her smile. Finally, the woman speaks again and graces me with her voice.

"Did those men claim you were a Grey Warden?". I nod and her smile gets bigger.

"Excellent! I'd like to join you in fighting the Blight!". I know I must look like an idiot because I can barely ask (mostly moan) a single word.

"Why?". Leliana drops my hand and stands up straight.

"The Maker sent me to aid you!". Morrigan laughs and I can't say I blame her. I don't believe in the Maker in the slightest. However, this sweet, kind, and beautiful woman obviously does. I do the only thing I can.

"Welcome aboard!". Morrigan's laughter dies and is replaced with snark.

"Did you hit your head harder than mother thought?". I pay Morrigan no mind and begin handing better supplies over to Leliana. The sister offers me a grateful, happy smile and a twinkle of her eye. My spine tingles and my bones turn to jelly. Leliana begins strapping her new weapons to her back and I make a good use of time. Mostly by making sure everyone's happy.

"Alistair! Go make camp and stay there!".