Archery practice became routine. Isa swore that Lea's blisters would soon fade and turn to the tough skin he needed to withstand the hardships of battle. Lea wanted to believe him. Other elves had commented on Lea's improved posture. Ienzo had stopped by their campfire late one night and had said nothing. He had squeezed Lea's upper arms curiously, given a look of awe and then gone.

The Keeper had taken to call Isa to him. At times the Keeper could be speaking with Isa until the fire turned to smoulders. Lea would wait as patiently as he could. Between hunting and archery practice, they had not had opportunity to spend their time together leisurely by the fire.

"The Keeper wants you in his tent," said Isa one evening.

"Me? What for?" Lea rose to his feet. "Have I done wrong?"

"Not to my knowledge. You've been careful with your…?"

"It's been weeks since I used it last," Lea said, wiping the palms of his hands against his sides. "Has he been scolding you?"

"He has been lecturing me to remind me of my role in the clan. But for our Keeper, that is normal. Be careful with what you say to him." Isa had held Lea's hand briefly before Lea walked toward the tent. It calmed Lea, strengthed him for what was to come.

The Keeper's tent was the same as the other's with the only difference being its color. A gray-haired elf stood guarding the tent. Lea had had very little to do with the elves of higher rank. He knew their titles, but not their names. This particular elf had eyes the color of amber and the sneer of a demon.

The Keeper Terra was a sturdy man. Lea had never seen him fight, but Isa had told him that the Keeper favored greatswords. In particular one given to him by their former Keeper. It hummed when drawn, a song of Death. Lea felt no comfort in seeing the Keeper sharpening the edges of his sword when he stepped inside and the curtains were closed behind him.

"Our talk is long overdue, shemlen," said the Keeper. He did not look from his sword until he had inspected it closely and deemed it proper. "I'm sure it is no secret what we Dalish think of your kind. But war makes for curious bedmates, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes," Lea said with a nod.

"I've heard troubling things. I wish to clear things with you to make your stay as free of trouble as possible."

"I'm all ears."

"Isa is our best hunter. He will be vital in our battle against the Darkspawn marching for Denerim. He is important to my clan. You are misleading him, shemlen."

"I… it has not been my intention. I'm grateful for the opportunity I've been given. Isa has done his best to turn me into an asset to the group. I have improved and I hope to prove myself when time comes."

"You do not seem to understand my meaning, shemlen. I do not want you near my best hunter. I do not want you to take his time. You are only with us until we join our brethren. I will not have any more of my people lost to the likes of you." The Keeper all but growled past clenched teeth.

"Are you...forbidding me to see Isa?" Lea asked. His mouth was dry. He could scarce bear the hours between their meetings. "Can you even do that?"

The Keeper glared at Lea as though he had dishonored Andraste herself in front of the Divine.

"I am King of my clan, shemlen. The responsibility of keeping my clan alive lies on me. Shems are threats. It is by my grace that you have not been struck down. You are to do what I command you to while you travel with us. Should my commands inconvenience you, shem, you are free to leave lest you want to die by my hand."

Lea had been raised to fear authority. Templars had put the fear of the Maker in him as it were. Templars were merely knights. Kings were things of fairytales. Men who had risen high enough to be as unreachable as gods. This Dalish clan was Lea's only place of comfort. This world had replaced his old one and he was the furthest thing from ready to once more begin anew.

Lea's heart was heavy when he stepped out of the Keeper's tent. He gave the camp a sweeping look in hopes to find Isa. Isa had moved to sit with Ienzo, Hatholdir and the Qunari. That camp fire was closer to the Keeper's tent. Their eyes met. Lea wanted to go to him, but what fool would go against the direct orders of a King?