After leaving the Korcari Wilds, the trio takes the Imperial Highway, this ancient route is one of the most important of the country, being responsible for integrating the far south, Ostagar to the north, Lake Calenhad Docks. Even in spite of its age it is in good condition and it was frequently patrolled by the Bannorn, thus it stands as one of the best alternatives for a safe travel.

They reach Lothering after the last remains of light succumbs to the dark, the village starts to sprout its lights. The weather is pleasant, Elissa grins, luck seems to be on their side, they were able to follow a plan to the letter for a change.

As they approach the village, they see turned wagons, opened boxes, And there goes our plan, Elissa motions them to follow, she draws her daggers, Alistair quickly does that too, Morrigan sighs. They approach the wagon, Elissa crouches looks at the wheels then tries to turn one of them, it is in order. Bo stays at her side and Morrigan looks into the content of a box, Alistair is protecting their back.

Morrigan turns to them, and opens her hand, there are grains in it, "It doesn't seem broken, stay alert f—", Elissa was saying when she was interrupted by Bo's angry growls and a unfamiliar, soft voice.

"Well, it seems your curiosity did pay off, for us, that is," a lean man approaches, followed by three others, one archer behind him, next to the trees, a short man with a sheathed sword to his right and a big one, holding a big, two handed hammer to his left, besides the the lean man and the big one, they seem tense. Elissa moves past Alistair, Bo is still at her side, Morrigan tails her like her own shadow, "Hold your dog missus," he says pointing to Bo with his head, Elissa hushes him. "Good lass, now the toll to enter Lothering is ten silvers."

Elissa only tilts her head, Alistair is about to say something but the man interrupts him, "Didn't you hear me girl?"

"They don't look like the others," the big man says, their leader nods and sighs. "Jus' pay up, there's no toll. We're robbin' yeh all," the big one says.

"Duh, even a genlock can see thi—", their leader is interrupted by a sparkling snowflake in front of his nose.

In a swift motion, Morrigan pointed her staff towards his head, her eyes are wild, she licks her lips like a wild animal about to kill its prey. The other brigands try to reach for their weapons, "Now, now, that would be most unwise, your friends are too tense, ask them to throw their weapons, and put their hands on the heads," he promptly waves his hand in a descending motion. She nods to Alistair and with no delay he kicks their weapons far from their reach. "It's time for us to have a little chat," Elissa says.

Alistair says, approaching Morrigan, "Preying on the those fleeing the darkspawn."

"I say we kill them and be done with it.," Morrigan says, her eyes fixed at the man.

"Let's change roles, shall we? Our toll is, how much do you have?" Elissa asks.

Frostbite starts forming on the tip of his nose, "One hundred silvers, i-it's all yours, take it," he hands her a small leather pouch.

"What about the rest of the goods?", he keeps silent, swallowing hard, "I suppose we shall see if there's a cure for frozen heads, then," Elissa shudders and slowly turns to Morrigan.

"No! It's on our camp, five minutes from here," Elissa nods, "we, we can take you there," he is sweating, his eyes are wide.

"Tell us where is it."

"Follow the track it is near some rocks to the east."

Elissa tips her chin then shakes her head, "I do think, you're lying. A pity…", Alistair frowns at her.

"Ah! Ok, it's near those hills nearby…"

"See it doesn't hurt to say the truth. Now to the authorities," Elissa says, Morrigan sighs.

The bandit's face twists, he frowns, "B-but they will kill us."

"They may kill you, that's true. It's not certain, though. You may offer to join the militia and help them, a sudden change of heart. Now here you face certain death."

After a moment, "Agreed! Off with this, I can't feel my nose!", Elissa nods to Morrigan who in turns sighs, lowering her staff, a bit, dispersing the spell, seeing that Elissa is frowning she lowers it fully.

"Just don't forget how you felt being at the other side of the blade. Not to mention being unable to carry your own goods," Elissa says.

They escort the brigands to Lothering, they are soon approached by two fully armored templars. One of them wears a tabard, "Knight Corporal," he turns to Alistair, "these men are bandits, they have been attacking travellers, all the stolen goods are, according to them, at nearby hills."

He nods, "Follow me." He waves to other two armed men, probably guardsmen to come to him, he orders them and his fellow templar to take those men to the barracks, he turns to Elissa, "As for you all, report to Ser Bryant at the Chantry there may be a reward," pointing to a building, he nods and leaves.

On their way to the chantry Alistair stops and looks to the village, "Isn't this place beautiful?", Elissa stands at his side and looks to the village, it actually feels that she is looking at it for the first time.

She nods, "Yes, it is seems rather cozy, indeed. The road lies to the side of it, a temple in it's middle, it must be a pacific place to live."

"Yes, and it's oblivious to its doom." A wicked grin forms in her face, At least now, out of the wilds, his mind may diverge from the fallen," Morrigan says pointing to Alistair.

"Maker! Not again! What would you do if your mother was slain?"

"Before or after laughing."

Elissa laughed, "Sorry, I wasn't expecting this answer."

"You don't have many friends, do you?" Alistair asks.

"Don't you see she is was joking Alistair?" Morrigan bears a serious face, Elissa coughs, "Anyway, we have to decide our next step." Both nod, "Let's see Ser Bryant, rest, resupply and gather information. Then we move."

"Sounds like a plan," Alistair says. "Orzammar and the Circle are to the north, the Brecillian Forest lies to the east," he tips his chin. "we also have Redcliffe."

"Let's take out Loghain first," Morrigan says, "then we recruit them."

Alistair is about to say something but Elissa is quicker, "That's a possibility, anyway, right now I'm not in a clear state of mind to take decisions, we have to rest," she motions them to follow her.

As they approach the Chantry, Morrigan chuckles and says looking at a statue of Andraste, "Fools, all of them. Praying for help from a prophet they burned and a god that turned His back not once but twice."

"Morrigan, I think it'd be better if you wait for us at the tavern," Elissa says. "Keep your ears open and… behave." Maker! I'm starting to sound like Nan.

"I will," she says. "Thank you," that smug smile back in her face.

Elissa finds the building huge, for the standards of Lothering. She tells Bo to wait next to the door, they push the door and enter. The building is full of templars, at the end of the building matrons are seem praying, trying to fill people's hearts with hope. They see a dark skinned templar giving orders to others, his voice is firm and he has strong features, the pair approach him.

Alistair respectfully nods, "Excuse me sir, we're looking for Ser Bryant," Elissa says.

He nods, "That would be me. And you are?"

"Wa… Elissa. We've been told by a… Knight Corporal," Alistair nods, "to report about the brigands."

He sighs, "Not again. How many times will we need to drive them away?"

"I'm sorry, sir. But we've solved the matter," he looks at her, a raised eyebrow. "We took them to the barracks, the stolen goods are at a nearby hill," she takes the bandit's pouch and offers him, "this is the money they had gathered."

A sand blond templar approaches, "That's true, sir. I was the one who received them, the leader wants to join the militia."

"Doesn't he now? I'll deal with them later. Thanks anyway, Corporal, you're dismissed" his subordinate does a crisp salute and leaves, he then turns to them, "I think a reward is in order."

Elissa stutters, Alistair says, "Thank you, sir, tending to her wounds is reward enough," he nods.

Elissa tries to hide a smile, without looking at Alistair, she once again focus on Ser Bryant "Sir, if I may ask, what's the situation of Lothering?"

"I wish it were better," he sighs. "You seem to be the fighting type, so you must already be well aware about Ostagar," both Wardens frown, "news about darkspawn is driving people towards north. There are too many refugees, and all the problems that comes from it, as you well know."

"But what about Arl Leonas Bryland? Where are his men?" Elissa asks as soon as he finishes, regretting her slip of the tongue, both men look at her, the templar raises an eyebrow.

Ser Bryant clears his throat, "He left with Teyrn Loghain," Elissa feels Alistair tensing, "there are almost no soldier left here, only a bunch of guardsmen."

"Is that why your templars are stationed out there?" Elissa asks.

He nods, "We are acting as peacekeepers as you well noticed, the clerics are treating the wounded and seeing to people's spiritual needs, Mother Miriam is in charge of the Chantry here."

"Thanks for the information, sir," they shake hands.

Ser Bryant puts the coins in a pouch of his, and returns the leather one to Elissa, "There's a cabinet at the pantry. It has more than we can carry, a pity I can't help you."

He turns and a key falls from his hand. The two Wardens look at each other, Alistair grabs the key, "Alistair, he left some coins here. Take a look at the cabinet while I'll go to the sisters."

Elissa is directed to the ambulatory by a templar, much to her surprise, a sister is there, she seems to be as young as herself, she is also a few inches shorter than Elissa, she has soft features, blue eyes and short fiery red hair, a very beautiful woman, if Elissa ever saw one. She opens a broad smile at Elissa, when they get close, Elissa can smell flowers. "Welcome, you must be the one everyone is talking about, she says."

"If it's bad things, then yes, that's me," both women laugh, the young sister points to a small wooden stool.

"If being able able to not only getting rid of brigands but also convincing them to join the militia, without dropping blood is bad, I crave to see what is your good."

Elissa feels blushing, she rubs her forehead, "By Andraste, news do run fast here."

"This flock, they are afraid," the sister says, in a whisper.

"I take you're not from here."

"Well, you're a perceptive one, but stubborn, if I may say," she says, smirking, gently pointing to the stool.

"Oops," Elissa quickly sits down and start removing her boots, slowly, "Ouch! These blisters, you're the youngest sister, I've met, pardon my bluntness."

The sister chuckles, "Technically I'm not a sister, I'm a lay sister," Elissa tilts and frowns, "that means I didn't take my vows yet," she says while removing the bandages from Elissa's feet, her hands are quick and precise, her fingers are nimble.

"It's just that I found it fascinating, I mean, you are young yet, you seem to have found your place."

"Oh? I trust His hand, that's all." She says, standing up and taking a small pack. She kneels next to Elissa and unwraps her pack, there are bandages and small flasks. He picks one of them, and applies a olive viscous liquid on her hands then starts massaging her feet, proceeding to carefully wash it." They're fine, now. You won't be needing to use any bandages."

"There are two more wounds, arrows." Elissa says while removing her armor, the young sister helps her and turns to her wounds, "Maker's breath, don't take me as impolite, my name is Elissa."

"I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. I'm Leliana."

"Likewise," Elissa closes her eyes while Leliana removes her bandages, she repeats her name for herself. "Leliana," the redhead looks at her, blowing strand of red hair from her face, "your name, it's very, I don't know… musical, it's beautiful."

She looks at Elissa, a small smile takes shape in her face, "Thanks, no one has ever said that. Elissa has its charm, it's strong."

"Actually, it's quite ordinary," she says, "fitting," she whispers.

"Do these wounds hurt, or they just bother?"

"Bother. Just a little," Elissa smiles.

"They are almost healed. If you haven't received first aid…", she takes some bandages and a paste, "can you move your arm freely?", Elissa nods, moving it in as many directions as she could, Leliana nods and takes some of that green paste of hers on her hand, upon putting it on Elissa's skin, she quivers, "Elfroot gives us a sensation of cold, sorry for not warning you," she says chuckling. "Now it's just a matter of covering the wound, tomorrow you can remove them, there isn't any risk of infection or any problems with your movements."

"Only two scars," Elissa says.

"Only two scars," Leliana mimics her.

Elissa briefly shakes her head and says, "Oh, I'm not complaining, I was very lucky."

"Indeed, the Maker must have something in store for you," she smiles at Elissa.

"Thanks, Leliana," the young priestess starts stowing the items into her healer's kit, "Hm, I don't want to abuse of your kind soul but… could you help me get rid of my stench."

She laughs, "Sure, I'll be right back," she puts her healer's kit back in the shelf and leaves. She soon comes back with a wooden bucket and a piece of cloth on her arm. She hands her the cloth and puts the bucket next to her feet. "Suit yourself."

Elissa frowns, her eyes dart from the cloth to the bucket then to Leliana, a few times. After some moments, Leliana tilts her head, her hands go to her hips then Elissa gasps, "Oh! Thanks."

The sister chuckles, "Welcome to Lothering, Elissa." She then leaves the ambulatory.

She sighs, I suppose that's how they bath, no huge bathtubs filled with scented water with maids rubbing her, back at Cousland Castle, she used to play with her brother and the other squires then she'd go straight to bath, and that means about four or five times a week, a rather obscene amount, Fergus didn't have to stay in an impeccable state. Her years, living in Redcliffe helped turn this in a normal amount, she lived inside the Castle walls, next to Arlessa Isolde's vigilant eyes, who was strict in her education as a woman.

Elissa sinks the clothing in the bucket, wringing out the cloth and, to her surprise it has a faint rose fragrance from the water. She supposes that the last she thinks she hasn't bathed for about a week and a half. While she wets the cloth and rubs she chuckles at disconnected images of Nan struggling to bath a little and dirty version of her come to mind, her father holding her under his arm, like a small package, telling her mother he had found a little mabari puppy.

She shakes her head, dismissing those memories of old, rubbing her skin feels like removing a layer out of her, now it is one of those times that she can enjoy being alone, in silence, not to think about what was, should or will be but to focus solely on the task at hand, cleaning. She left her belly and her left shoulder as the last places, she takes extra care for not undoing Leliana's work, she gently touches her shoulder's bandage, The fallen won't be forgotten.