After a hot dinner of venison, potatoes, greens and gravy (I had two), a few servants brought us to the guest quarters. The ladies were shown to their rooms first, then Sten, and finally Alistair's and mine. Our rooms were placed next to each other at the end of the hall. When the servant opened the door to my room, all I could do was stare and gawk at the massiveness of it. There was a huge wardrobe, a writing desk, a balcony, fancy paintings, rugs, and vases with flowers. And then my eyes landed on the bed. It was a four-poster bed with red and gold drapes and thick down pillows and quilt. I must have been staring at the bed for too long because I was startled by a hand on my shoulder.

I looked up at Alistair, who's eyebrow was perked up, and a big grin on his face. "What? Never seen a bed before?" He patted my shoulder and entered his own room.

I looked back to it. "I've never seen one as big as my house."

"Ser?" I turned to the servant girl who brought me. "Would you like for us to draw water for a bath?"

Bath? Things couldn't get any better, could they? "Yes, please?"

The servant motioned for other servants and they started carrying buckets of hot water from down the hall into an adjacent room I hadn't noticed earlier. While I waited for them to finish I walked over to the bed and examined it. The drapes and comforter were made of an elegant Orlesian silk with beautiful leafy embroidery, red and orange and blue accents. The comforter and pillows were so full of down, I bet it would feel like I would float. I wonder if all humans had bed like these, not the mattresses and blankets we had that were filled with straw and hay, and sometimes cotton.

"Ser," the servant girl said, pulling my attention away from the bed. "Your bath is ready. If you wish, you could leave your leathers and armor out here and we will have them cleaned and mended for your trip tomorrow?"

I nodded. "That would be wonderful. Could you leave some bandages as well? I have an injury I'll need to re-wrap."

She bowed her head. "Of course ser. We'll wait a few moments before we come for them. There is shampoo and soap by the bath, fresh towels, and a robe waiting for you as well."

"Thank you."

She and the other servants left, closing the door behind. I started disrobing myself, quickly unbuckling my armor and placing it on the edge of the bed. I quickly slipped off my leathers and made my way to the bathing chamber.

Instead of stone, like the rest of the castle was, this room was blue Orlesian tile, with white patterns. The washing basin and chamber pot were made of white porcelain. And then there was the bathing tub. It was also porcelain, but it was huge! I had never seen one so big before. It could probably hold Alistair lying flat and then some. It was full of steaming water with bubbles floating in it, and two buckets of cold water next to the tub, so I could cool it down if need be. I reached into the water to test it, and figured it to be just the right temperature and carefully stepped in.

As I sat down, I rested my arms on the edge of the tub an leaned my head back and breathed in the steam. This felt like heaven. I could just stay in this tub forever. The bandages that wrapped around my torso were starting to come loose from the steam so I quickly removed them and leaned back again, careful not to let my stitches get wet.

A bark was heard from outside, and when I looked over to the door, it burst open, Pendragon flying through and leaping into the hot water, splashing it over the edge of the tub. "Pendragon!?" Pendragon sat in the tub across from me, his tongue hanging out and looking at me with the puppy dog eyes.

"Messare!" I looked to a servant who was at the door. "I'm so sorry, messare. I was taking him to the kennels, but he slipped out of his collar."

"Don't worry about it. He can stay," I said. Pendragon seemed to like the idea, barking his approval and licking my face.

"As you wish, Messare." The servant bowed and closed the door.

I chuckled. "Messare?" I turned to the Mabari, who was panting. "Hear that, boy?" The dog whined, tilting his head. "It's not everyday an elf is called 'Messare' by a human." Pendragon barked, then jumped out, shaking the bubbles and water off his short coat.

I turned to the edge of the tub and found the vial of shampoo and poured some into my hands and started lathering it up in my hair. After I finished with the shampoo and grabbed the bar of soap. It was a rare treat to use soap as an elf. We usually could only afford to buy lye bars to wash with. I took the bar and a wash cloth and rubbed it in and then started washing myself.

Soon, I finished the bath and stood up and out. I grabbed a towel that was hanging by the basin and wrapped it around my waist, and took another to dry my hair. I found a comb and quickly brushed my hair, then tied it back with a leather strap. Next to the basin was a small jar of small sticks, which I took one and started chewing on the end till my teeth were cleaned, then rinsed my mouth. After I dried myself and Pendragon off, I pulled on the robe that was left for me and left the bathing room.

The servants had taken my leathers and armour and had lit a large fire in the fireplace. Pendragon ran over to the mat that lay in front and plopped down. I headed straight for the bed, climbed under the covers, and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep.

For once, since my Joining, I had a restful sleep, not one dream or nightmare; I was ready to face whatever the world would throw at me. After my armour was returned to me, I dressed and ate with the others and headed straight for the stables. The Arlessa had provided horses, like she promised. Ser Perth brought us a map of Ferelden, drawing the best route to take to get to Kinloch Hold. We thanked them, and started on our journey.

Well, attempted our journey.

"Darrian?" Alistair asked, riding next to me. "Have you ever been on a horse?"

"No, why?"

"For one, you don't have to hold onto it's neck."

My arms were wrapped right around the beasts neck and my legs tightly around it's body; I had a Void of a time just getting on the animal, and it was the smallest the stable had. I probably looked ridiculous.

"I just don't want to fall off," I explained.

Leliana came up beside me, chuckling. "Here," she said, stoping both our horses. "Sit up. Place your hand on the reins, like so," she said showing me her hands, and I fixed mine. "An now your feet need to rest in the stirrups."

"And what if my feet can't reach the stirrups?"

She looked down, and sighed from irritation. She swung her leg over and came off her horse, and came to mine. I moved my foot so she could adjust my saddle. Alistair chuckled. "They really need to make saddles for elves, don't they?"

I rolled my eyes, and felt Leliana move my foot into the stirrup. This time, it rested perfectly in the proper place, and Leliana moved to fix the other side. Now with both feet in the stirrups, Leliana pulled her long muscular legs over her bay horse and showed me her grip on the reigns again.

"But, what do I do with my other hand?" I asked, noticing her reigns only in the one hand.

"You can either rest it to the side, or grip the mane."

"Grip the mane?" I asked. "Wouldn't that hurt the horse?"

"No. Don't worry."

So, I did as was told. and took hold of the white and black paint by the mane. When I nudged the horse to go forward like the others, the horse just nickered and shook its head. I nudged it again and again, but it still wouldn't move.

"Darrian," Alistair said. "You don't have to vice grip the horse with your legs."
I relaxed my legs a bit and nudged it again, this time the horse started to finally walk. Once we got out of the cliffs, we sped the horses up to a trot. It took me a bit to understand how to move with the horse like Leliana instructed, but I was slowly getting the hang of it. "I guess this isn't that bad," I said to Pendragon who ran beside the horse.

Suddenly, the horse neighed loudly and I found myself being thrown over it's head, flat on my back onto the dirt road. I coughed and groaned from the air being forced out of my lungs. "Darrian, are you alright?" Leliana asked.

I felt a large hand grab my leather shirt and pulled me up till I was standing. I looked up at Sten, who decided not to ride, and nodded my thanks to him. "What happened? I was doing exactly what you said."

From behind, we could hear Morrigan laughing. "Maybe you should ride on the Qunari instead! He'd be easier to ride!"

I glared at her, brushing the dirt off my butt. "Yeah, yeah. Kick an elf while he's down. Thanks."

"The witch threw a lightning bolt at the horse," Sten said matter-of-factly.

"Morrigan!" Leliana said, glaring at the mage.

"Oh, come on! It was hilarious!" she said, still laughing.

"Morrigan!" Alistair said, glaring daggers at her. "Incase you have forgotten, we need to get to the Circle Tower, sooner rather than later, if you please. We don't need any more people getting thrown off."

She returned the glare, no more mirth in her eyes. "And incase YOU'VE forgotten, I'M an appostate. I have no desire to be trapped behind walls, thank you very much."

"Please," I said, reaching for my horses reigns. "Can we stop the arguing? I'd like to be able to reach the Tower in as few pieces as possible, thank you."

Not much was said after that only the few tips Leliana gave me about my riding. By the time the sun was at it's highest, we stopped by the Lake for a break. We sat on the ground taking a few bites of some dried meat an fruit, while our horses grazed near by. I had to stretch my legs to get the blood circulating again. It made me wonder how some people rode horses constantly. We resumed our journey soon after.

It wasn't long when we heard a scream near by and we headed off the path in that direction, despite Sten and Morrigan's protests. There were wagons thrown on their sides. The oxen that had pulled them, lay dead, along with the owners of the caravan. An elf came into view holding a dagger up to a woman's neck who's hands were tied up behind her back and being held by the elf's other arm.

"Messares! Please!" the woman cried, struggling against the elf's grip on her.

Alistair and I got off our horses and we took out sword and bow. As I knocked an arrow, Alistair called to the elf. "Release the woman and you can leave freely!"

"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" he replied. The tanned elf spoke in a smooth Antivan accent, had light blonde shoulder length hair, partially tied back in a braid. He had three tattoos that followed the curve of his face. Alistair and I could easily take him down, if only I didn't have such a bad feeling. I could tell by the gleam in his amber eyes that there was something wrong.

"Al," I said, keeping my bow aimed at the other elf. "There's no way that one elf could have done all of this."

"You think their's more?" Alistair asked, holding his sword and shield ready. I nodded.

Just then an arrow shot out from behind a tree, narrowly missing my shoulder. Quickly I turned and shot where the arrow had come from. and a body fell from the tree. Half a dozen archers and half a dozen more rouges came out of their hiding places, surrounding us. "Kill the Wardens!" the elf called out, releasing the woman, and grabbing a second dagger.

We all sprang into action. Leliana and I stood back to back shooting the archers left and right, the others started taking down the footmen. The woman that was 'held hostage' started casting fire spells, just nearly missing us as we dodged her attacks, which Morrigan quickly counter-spelled with ice.

Once all the archers had fallen, I dropped my bow and took out my daggers and ran straight for the tattooed elf. He smiled as our blades met, scraping against each other. I pulled away and tried to aim for his shoulder, but was blocked again. I jumped back and flipped over him, but was met by his piercing eyes and daggers again. It didn't matter what kind of manoeuvre I used against him, he easily blocked me. I was starting to get frustrated with him, especially since he was laughing and taunting me.

"Common, young one! Hit me!"

He swiped his one dagger at my face, cutting my cheek. That was it. I blocked his blades that came at my chest, and kicked my knee in his groin. He bent forward in pain, and I took his blades and threw them to the sides and knocked the back of his head with the hilt of my dagger. He fell face first on the ground and I got onto his back and held his arms behind him, keeping him from hitting me. The rest of the fight continued around us, but I concentrated on the leader underneath me.

"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill us?"

I don't know how, but the elf managed to get me on my back underneath him and now held my blade against my neck. "I don't think you are in any position to ask questions or make demands," he said chuckling. I tried to kick him but his legs firmly held mine down. "You know," he said, voice smooth as chocolate. "It's a real shame I have to kill such a young vigorous lad like you."

Just as he lifted my blade to strike, a blade from behind came to his throat and he paused. "I suggest, that you drop the dagger and get off of him," Leliana said, leaning down to speak in his ear.

He nodded and did as he was told. Leliana motioned him toward a tree where he sat down at the base of it. Alistair came up behind him and tied his hands behind his back.

"Alright," I said standing up and placing my daggers and by bow back in their hilts. "Now, let's try that again." I got down to his level and looked him in the eye. "Who are you, and why are you trying to kill us?"

He sighed. "My name is Zevran Ariani; Zev, to my friends. I belong to the infamous guild of assassins, the Crows. I was employed by a very large taciturn fellow by the name of.. Oh, what was his name?" He raised an eyebrow, staring into space as if looking for the answer in the trees. "Middle aged… grey hair… kind of ugly…"

"Loghain?" Alistair asked.

"No, no… Though he was working for him…" He started tapping his foot on the ground. "What is his name?"

I crossed my arms across my chest. "Well, how are we supposed to know?"

"That's him!" he exclaimed. "Howe! Arl Renden Howe!"

Alistair looked at the elf with shock on his face. "Renden Howe is working for Loghain?"

I looked up at him. "Who's Howe?"

"He's the Arl of Amaranthine. I can't believe that he would side with Loghain…"

"Well," Zevran said, "he has. He heard of your survival at Ostagar, and sent me to illuminate you. And, before you ask, I am not loyal to Loghain. I'm just doing my job."

"Is he not paying you?" my fellow Warden asked.

"My guild, yes. Me, no. But, that does not matter, since it seems I have failed, so, my life is forfeit."

"Forfeit?" I asked.

"Si," he replied. "If I return without my contract complete, they will kill me and send someone else. Even if you release me, and I kill you, they'd probably kill me for failing the first time."

I raised my eyebrow at his willingness to share this information with us. "Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?"

"Just that if your ever considering joining the Crows, I wouldn't suggest it if you're the ambitious type."

"Why are you even telling us this?" Morrigan asked, standing behind me, probably glaring at him.

"Why not?" he replied with a large toothy grin. "I was not paid for silence, not that I offered it, precisely."

Leliana came up next to me, looking down at the Crow. "What should we do with him? He's being very cooperated."

"Well," Zevran cut in. "Here's the thing. As I said before, my life is forfeit. If you don't kill me, the Crow's will. So, let me serve you, instead."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, as I enjoy living, and you are one to give the Crows pause, I'd rather take my chances with you."

This was quite a proposal. I wasn't sure, I mean, he did try to kill me only five minutes earlier. "I don't know."

"I could shine your armour, cook, sharpen swords," he listed. "Or I could 'sharpen your sword,'" he said with a smirk and wiggling his eyebrows.

I could feel my ears warming up, which he noticed and chuckled. I cleared my throat. "Or, you could serve us as another blade."

He gave me a toothy smile. "I would be honoured, Warden."

I knelt down and cut his binds. "Darrian," I corrected him, helping him to his feet.

"Wait!" Morrigan exclaimed. "We're taking the assassin with us? Have you lost all sense? Your brain must have seeped out of your skull."

I sighed. "Yes, Morrigan. We are taking him with us."

"Don't you think we have enough dicks for brains?"

"Do you want him to ride with you?" I asked, glaring at her. She crossed her arms and pouted. "Didn't think so."

"Shall I be riding with you, then?" Zevran asked.

"Unless someone else wants to share there horse with you." Everyone took a step back from us. "I suppose you are."

We all returned to our horses. I pulled myself up and helped the assassin and headed back to the old Imperial Highway. Zevran's arms came around my chest and pulled me flush against his chest. "Um, Zevran, what are you doing?"

"You're not sitting properly," he replied.

"Oh," I said. " There's etiquette to riding a horse?"

"Of course, Darrian," Leliana said, riding next to me.

"You have never ridden before, have you?" Zevran asked.

"No."

"I could tell."

Once we returned to the road, Zevran's hands started slipping their way down my chest and abdomen, quite uncontrollable for my tastes. "Zevran, What are you doing?"

"Just exploring," he said, as if there was nothing wrong with it.

Pretty soon, his hands started their search lower and lower, till I grabbed them and put them to the side."Zevran, please."

"Please?" he asked with mirth in his voice. "Well, how can I when you keep moving my hands?"

"Please, DON'T," I said, emphasizing my words. "Or, I'm going to tie your hands behind your back."

"Is that a promise?"

"Darrian," Leliana chuckled. "I think that is something he would enjoy."

I turned my glare back to the other elf, who's smirk turned into a cheshire grin and eyebrows wiggled. I sighed and shook my head, turning my focus back to the road ahead of me.

By night fall, I was about ready to strangle the assassin; his hands kept wandering around my body and he eventually groped me. It was then that I elbowed him in the chin, sending him flying off the back of the horse. Of course, instead of being dismayed, he took that as me playing rough, and jumped right back up to continue his annoying touching.

When we reached the tower, well after it was dark, I was amazed how tall and large it was. Although I supposed it had to be in order to hold so many mages and Templars. Instead of going straight across the water, we decided to stay the night at the small inn, the Spoiled Princess. We took two rooms, each with two beds. Sten decided to stay outside and keep an eye out for any more assassination attempts. He did come in for dinner, but left for the night, Pendragon on his tail.

After the hot meal, we went to our rooms; Alistair, Zevran and I in one, Morrigan and Leliana in the other. I removed my armour and my leathers, only wearing my leg gins and pulling on a thin sleep top; Alistair did the same. Zevran, on the other hand, not only removed his leathers, but his shirt as well, exposing his perfectly moulded chest. There were identical tattoos on his chest that matched the ones on his face. Because there were only two beds, he and I were forced to share since Alistair took up an entire bed by himself. I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a comb through my thick hair, watching Zevran unbraiding his own sun blonde hair. His eyes met mine and he smiled. "Don't worry, amigo. I'll try to keep my hands to myself, tonight." I rolled my eyes and placed the comb back into my pack and made myself comfortable in the bed.

I woke to darkness. It was still night no moon shone behind the clouds. The only light came from the small embers on the small fireplace. I had turned over during the night, a rare occurrence for me, and was now facing the other elf, who's chest was in my face. For a while, I just watched him, studied his face, which had a couple small scars here and their, but he was still very handsome. I mean, for a guy.

"Are you falling for my good looks?" Apparently he wasn't asleep, as his amber eyes cracked open to look at me.

"I'm just trying to figure you out," I replied.

He smiled. "What is it you are 'trying to figure out?'" I was a bit timid about asking, thinking the questions on my mind too personal to ask after just meeting him less than 12 hours ago. "It's alright," he said, sensing my hesitance. "Ask me anything."

I thought about which question to ask first. "How did you join the Crows?"

He chuckled. "I did not join by choice, if that's what you are asking. My mother bore me in a whore house and died. I guess you could say she was my first victim," he said with mirth. "The whores raised me till I was seven, then sold me to the Crows. I was apparently a bargain."

"You were sold?" I asked. "You mean, like slave? They allow slavery in Antiva?"

"It-ti is not the same in Antiva. Similar, but not the same." He continued with his story. "As I said, when they bought me, I was only seven. The younger the better, so they say. And so, I have been with the Crows ever since. Well, until yesterday, that is."

"And, why leave?" I asked. "There must be a reason why you wanted to leave."

His smile disappeared, and his amber eyes fell. "They forced me to kill the woman I loved."

I was not expecting an answer like that, not from this man who seemed to flirt with anything with a heartbeat. But, I guess, even assassin's have normal feelings as well. "I'm sorry."

His smile came back, this time a bit more sweetly. "And what about you, handsome? Why did you join the Wardens?"

To be honest, I didn't want to think about it, let alone talk about it. I mean, it was too early to trust him with personal history. "To make a long story short, I was conscripted. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." A vision of that day quickly flashed before my eyes. "It seems so long ago."

"How long has it been?"

"I was conscripted a month ago, but officially joined only a week and a half ago."

"Really?" Zevran asked with shock. "What about Alistair?"

"I think a few months before."

"And he has put you in charge?" He paused for a moment. "I wonder why."

I shook my head. "Don't know. He said I would be a better leader."

"He does not see himself a leader?" I shook my head again. "Well, if it helps, I think you'll be a fantastic leader in your endeavours against the Blight. Which reminds me, I was going to ask, why are we going to the Circle Tower?"

I quickly explained to him about the Treaties and of the young boy, Connor. "Ah, I see," he replied. "So it does have to do with the Blight." I nodded. "Well, we only have a few hours till morning, so I suggest we try and sleep a while longer. Unless you wish to do other things," he said, his voice changing to a smooth tone an wiggling his eyebrows.

Rolling my eyes, I turned over to face away from the rogue and closed my eyes. "Good night, Zevran."

When morning finally came, it was still pretty dark, due to the clouds that surrounded the giant tower. The clouds, despite the wind, seemed to just stay right where they were, throwing lightning here and there along the lake. The inn keeper served our meal in the tavern and explained to us that there was something going on in the Tower, but none of the Templars would explain what. After the meal, we paid him and left.

As we approached the dock, a Templar stopped us saying no one was to cross. After a few brief words and a small threat we were quickly admitted to the other side.

Once inside, it felt even more gloomy than it was outside. There were Templars here and there, some looked to be injured, others distressed. We followed the Templar who let us in, leading us to his superior, who was currently giving orders to the two knights at the large doors that lead to the rest of the Tower. "Ser, someone here to see you."

The elder man turned to us, and gave him a glare of displeasure. "Ser, Carroll, I specifically ordered, NO ONE was to be allowed across!"

"I- I know, Ser," Ser Carroll said, almost whimpering. "B-b-b-b-but they insisted that they were Grey Wardens."

"Wardens?" He shooed the man off and stepped towards us. "I am Knight Commander, Ser Greagoir. I am in charge of the Templars in Ferelden. I'm afraid you caught us at a-" he paused. "A difficult time."

"I'm Alistair," my fellow Warden said. "And this is Darrian. We are here seeking aid against the Blight. We have the Treaties, documents that deman-"

"Yes, yes. I know about the Treaties," Greagoir interrupted. He sighed heavily. "I really wish I could assist you, but we are in the middle of our own melt down right now."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What has happened?"

"Some of the mages have started to rebel against us and have taken over the Tower. There are demons and abominations everywhere. They've killed so many already."

"Blood magic," Alistair murmured to himself.

"Unfortunately, yes." Greagoir looked to the great doors that had been bared shut. "We've had to keep the doors locked so to contain them inside. I'm afraid the Tower is lost. I have already sent word to the Grand Cleric in Denerim, and have requested for the Rite of Annulment."

"The what?" I asked Alistair.

"It gives the Templars permission to destroy the Tower," he replied, sorrowfully. "And everyone inside with it."

My mind froze for a moment. I was completely and utterly shocked that anyone could do such a thing. I knew mages could be dangerous, but they were people too. Why destroy them all when something goes wrong without a fair trial? It just wasn't right. "Ser, there must be another way!"

The knight shook his head. "The only way I will veto the Rite is if I see the First Enchanter, alive. And he must tell me, himself, that the Circle is not lost."

"Then allow us to find him."

He came right up to me and glared at me. "No one is allowed in there. I cannot risk any more lives till I get word from the Chantry. Only they can allow entrance."

"Good thing I've never listened to the Chantry, then," I said, glaring right back at him. I then marched over to the large doors guarded by the two Templars. "Open this door!" I ordered. The two guards looked down at me through their helmets, then to each other and laughed loudly. I probably looked pathetically puny compared to them.

"Darrian," Alistair said. "We can't go in there."

"We have to, Al. We need Arl Eamon, and the only way to save him is to get the First Enchanter to free his son." I paused, then crossed my arms across my chest defiantly. "Unless you don't mind your uncle dying."

I knew that what I said was low, but I needed Alistair to agree with me. I knew he would not allow his beloved uncle to die. He gave a heavy sigh. "Your right."

"I cannot allow this." We turned back to the Knight Commander. "If I let you and something happens to you, what am I going to say to the Chantry when they start asking questions?"

I kept my arms crossed, looking at the man. "Just tell them we threatened the lives of everyone in the tower and surrounding areas. Tell them you had no choice."

He kept his eyes on me, but seemed to be thinking about what I said. He sighed before speaking again. "Are you sure? Once you go in, there is no turning back. I will bar the doors and will only open them again when I see the First Enchanter or when I have the Rite in my hand."

"I'm sure," I responded, confidently.

He looked to me, then to the rest of our team. For a moment I thought he would send us away, but then he turned to the men guarding the doors and nodded his head. The two men turned and pulled out the plank of wood that kept the door locked. One of them pushed the door open and stepped back at attention and our group walked through. "Remember," Commander Greagoir said. "We will not open the door until the First Enchanter stands before me." After that, the door closed with a heavy bang, followed by the sound of the plank being placed back on the door, locking us in.