We moved swiftly through the Wilds with Morrigan showing the way, each of us taking extra care to move around the horde without instigating a large battle. I went so far as to make Morrigan swing around them more than she thought necessary—for my sake. I did not know how alluring my soul would be to the darkspawn, or from what distance they would be able to sense me.

I made us rest before we came to the bridge on the imperial highway, staying just out of sight from it behind a cluster of trees. It felt like it had been ages ago since I last fought and couldn't say I was looking forward to doing so. Absently, I wondered how skilled I was in persuading people to see things my way. I supposed I would see soon enough.

I unsheathed and resheathed my blades a few times, testing how quickly I could draw them before finally letting them fall at my sides. Alistair, noticing my odd behavior, pulled himself up from the stump on the ground before strolling to my side and leaning against my tree.

"Rosalind.." he began with a careful tone in his voice. Like he was walking on eggshells around me - something that I found I hated.

"I'm fiiine, Alistair," I said, quickly cutting him off before he can voice his concerns.

He raises a brow. "Are you really? You look as though you're mentally preparing yourself for a fight you don't want to face."

I glanced up at him, just a little uncomfortable he could see right through me. "Maybe I am. Lothering is North of Ostagar. There will most likely be many soldiers there who either escaped with their lives or deserted. Soldiers who will know our faces." I looked towards where I knew the bridge to be. "Also, I'm pretty sure there's highwaymen waiting for us and people like that piss me off."

He put his large hand on my head, ruffling my hair which promptly had me squealing as I tried to smack his hand away. He looked pleased at the reaction he pulled from me, giving me a large grin. "If there are, we'll deal with them. If it wasn't just highwaymen that you were foretelling, I'd say you are starting to sound like you know what's going to happen," he winked. He had meant it to be humorous, but it was a little too close to the mark, making me uncomfortable.

Titan decided at that moment to stand up from where he was laying next to me and press his flank against my leg. As if he was trying to ease the unrest I felt. I smoothed my hand over his coarse fur, a small smile curling my lips.

Adrien looked up from his conversation with Morrigan. "You know, you might be onto something, Alistair. She does seem a little more 'all-knowing' than strictly necessary from a little sister."

Morrigan looked over, eyeing me curiously. Thankfully, however, she didn't say a thing about me telling her she would join us. Damn, I'm not good at pretending I don't know anything.

I looked upwards innocently, pulling on the most innocent look I could muster. "Hmm, I wonder."

Adrien narrowed his eyes at me. "She knows something."

My small smile evolved into a smirk as I lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. "I must keep my sources private. You understand." I bit my lip, trying to look mildly perplexed. "But you know, now that you mention it.. I think I dreamed about the highwaymen. Maybe I can see a bit of the future?"

I pulled on my knowledge of the Inquisition, remembering how Leliana had once mentioned something about someone 'charming' people and foretelling the future. It could be possible in the world. Maybe.

"I heard of people who can do that at the Orlesian court, though I think the majority of them are charlatans." They all eyed me suspiciously as I pushed off the tree and bounced on the balls of my feet before setting off down the road. "Let's go see if I'm a charlatan!" I called over my shoulder. Maybe if I acted like this, offhandedly mentioned things and they came true.. They'd see me as a true 'seer'. Even if I was mostly lying. It would help to stop a lot of meaningless stress.

They followed me, allowing me to lead them onto the bridge, highwaymen hanging about, sitting on the edges, eating a meal in small groups and others counting the spoils they had gained from robbing others.

Not a word spoken and yet they were already pissing me off. I glanced behind me, raising my brows at my party and giving them my best 'I told you so' look before turning back to the robbers. One man in particular walked up, meeting me. While he had a certain charm to his face, I could tell as soon as he opened his mouth I would take particular pleasure in shutting him the hell up.

"Wake up, gentlemen! More travelers to attend to. I'd guess the pretty one is the leader." He put his hands on his hips, looking at me like he expected me to fall over myself at his mysteriousness and dreamy eyes. I could have gagged.

"Err.. They don't look much like them others. Uh.. Maybe we should just let these ones pass..." A man said as he moved to his superior's side, obviously the muscle to his brains. He was large and just a bit stupid looking, though he had said the smartest thing yet.

The arrogant one looked at him like he was offended. "Nonsense." He turned his bright smile back to me, winking. "Greetings, travelers!"

"Mistake number one," Adrien muttered from the back.

"Preying on those fleeing the darkspawn," Alistair ground out, his sense of justice just as strong as I recalled.

"They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson," Morrigan quipped.

"Now is that any way to greet someone? Tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on," the highwayman boss said, shaking his head at our lack of manners.

I looked at him unimpressed. "Toll collectors then?"

"Indeed! For the upkeep of the Imperial Highway. It's a bit of a mess, isn't it?"

"A liar and a thief. Probably should have loosed my arrow as soon as we rounded the bend," I sighed, reaching up to pinch my brow. "Titan?" I called as I dropped my hands to my sides. My hound gave a happy bark, awaiting my command. I pointed to the man, voice dripping with disdain. "For opportunist extortion of innocent civilians that are fleeing with what little they can carry.. Disable."

Titan gave a rumbling growl in his chest before he propelled himself through the air as if he were a plane taking off on the runway. Such a majestic dog.

.

I stood before a group of very naked men with only their small clothes. Before us was a pile of leathers, stolen goods, weapons and coin. I didn't want to kill them.. No, just make them feel the same kind of hopelessness their victims might have felt. Alistair and Adrien went about binding their hands behind their backs, every once and awhile looking up at each other to share a look about how evil I was, no doubt.

They couldn't deny this was both justice and mercy while Morrigan's lesson had been taught and looked rather pleased to see the men at such a disadvantage. Who says you can't please everyone?

The lot of them were yelling in indignation of our treatment of them, but I wasn't bothered whatsoever. I was extremely confident in my decision and no amount of them yelling would change that. The damage to their egos and pride would be so great that I doubted they would ever forget my face.

I bent over them, hands settling on my hips. "You will run through Lothering with only the skin on your backs. Time to feel a little bit of humility, hmm?" I glanced over at Morrigan, offering a small smile. "We'll gather up their gear and sell it in the town. After all, it will help to fund the war efforts, yes?"

She nodded, looking rather pleased. "'Tis likely they came upon it from unclean ways besides."

"Indeed."

Adrien and Alistair finishing, we managed to get them to run for their sad lives before gathering up their gear and supplies. Most of the stolen goods would be given to the Chantry—perhaps they could return them to where they belonged before Lothering was to be evacuated.

.

"Ahh, Lothering. Pretty as a painting."

Adrien looked over at Alistair, amused. "Remember when Fergus brought us here a few years ago?"

"And you were propositioned to by a tavern wench.. That wasn't a tavern wench?"

Adrien's face burst into flames, quickly looking over at Morrigan before looking away, entirely embarrassed. He glared darkly at Alistair, "I told you never to speak of that!"

Alistair looked more amused than he had in days, grin widening. "You really can't blame me for the feelings you invoke in those of the same sex."

Adrien's eyes turned devious as he dropped his arm over Alistair's shoulders. "Are you trying to tell me something, Ali? I've never seen you like that, but there's no other man I trust more than you.."

Alistair made loud sputtering and gasping noises as he quickly shoved away from Adrien, wide eyes finding me as I tried to stifle my giggles. "Rose! I am not like that—you know I'm not like that, right?" He looked at me like my opinion was the only thing that mattered. As if me thinking he was gay would kill him inside.

Finally gaining control of my giggles, I gave him a serious look. "I will accept you as my brother, Alistair," I said dryly. My straight face only lasted for a moment before I bounced, resituating my heavy pack and ignoring his scandalized expression. "We should talk about where we plan to go after this," I state, amused smile pulling on my lips as I slid over to Adrien. In the pecking order that was forming, he was my second, and Alistair my third. Though, Adrien and I were really just joint leaders in the end. Especially since I need him to.. Carry on after I was gone.

The thought sobered me quickly, my expression sliding off my face. Luckily, they would think it was because I thought hard on where we would go from here.

I already knew where we were going: the Broken Circle. We would need the mages to free Connor to gain Arl Eamon's support. It would be odd to see him and have no real reason to dislike him. He did not harm Alistair's childhood because of his jealous wife. It did not mean he was not capable of it. I wouldn't let him make a pawn out of the ginger warden I vowed as I glanced over at him, lips curling softly at the sight of him sulking.

.

They had thought I was mad when I informed them Sten would be joining us. Crazier still when I managed to talk the old Chantry woman into giving me the key. He was a murderer—one that would repay his debt to society by battling the Blight. What they didn't realize was that my soul had basically set the difficulty on the hardest setting possible and we were going to need every ounce of help that we could get.

I only prayed, as we moved towards the tavern, that Leliana's having seen me in a vision would help to cement my 'visions' to the group. That they would take my warnings seriously.

We reached the door to the tavern and I paused with my fingers wrapped around the handle. I looked behind me—a large hound with war markings, three armored people in Grey Warden gear (not many had noticed the colors yet, instead calling us knights), a large Qunari who we'd barely gotten plate big enough to fit him, and a scantily clad woman who's shirt's neckline plunged to her navel.

"We're going to cause a scene," I mutter to myself as I shook my head and turn back to the task at hand. "Be alert, friends." It was all the warning I could give them before opening the door.

I, of course, was the one whom Loghain's men called out to.

"Well, look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed."

"Uh-oh. Loghain's men," Alistair remarked as Titan whined.

"This won't end well," Adrien sighed.

Loghain's commander turned his head as his second spoke, eyes narrowing at me. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a woman with this very description? And everyone said they hadn't seen her?"

I took a moment to glance down at myself. I did admit, my long red hair did sent me apart, but I didn't think it would be to this extent. Why didn't they ask about Alistair's features? He was a ginger—we are a dying breed, in and out of video games. Or even Adrien? He was the spitting image of our mother with his dark hair and bright green eyes. But no, they have to pick on the redheaded step child, the one who couldn't stand in the sun for long periods of time. I grumbled under my breath, looking up at the men as I caught a flash of blue eyes and red hair in the corner of the room. Leliana.

I swear, I was going to round up every ginger in all of Thedas.

"It seems we were lied to," the commander stated, looking just a bit more intimidating than before.

Leliana strode across the room with purpose, eyes kind as they looked to me. "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."

"They are more than that!" the soldier insisted, eyes burning as he glared at me. "Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get same as them," he threatened.

I let out a soft sigh. "Nothing we say can prove our innocence to you. The outcome remains the same, even if Loghain uses his power to shame the only order who can end the Blight."

"Enough talk!" the commander demanded. "Take the Wardens into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else that gets in your way."

The commander's second quickly nods before reaching for me as he pulled out a set of irons, no doubt intending to clap me in them.

"The hell you will!" Adrien roared, yanking me back as Alistair quickly maneuvered in front of me, shield already raised in my defense as he bashed the man away.

Blades drawn, the tavern quickly erupted into screams from both bards and patrons as everyone drew to the walls, away from the weapons and bloodshed. Adrien and Alistair did a quick number on the men before us, the Commander moving to the back to escape most of the fighting—he had a terrified look on his face. After all, we did have three very pissed off males and a Qunari. You'd think he would have thought that one through.

With a soft twing, I quickly drew an arrow back, striking a man on the stairs who was aiming at Alistair. He was our tank, obviously I needed to cover him.

Maybe I was a little pissed as well, my aim just a bit better than usual as the arrow buried itself into his knee.

I gave a sudden bark of laughter, no doubt freaking out our enemies and my companions—I'm sure I sounded crazy as my arrows found their marks in all of the men's knees, each time making me laugh just a little more when they fell to one knee.

Haha, Skyrim jokes.

"Alright!" The commander called, letting his weapon drop to the ground to call a cease fire. "You've won. We surrender."

I slowly replaced my bow over my shoulder, walking deliberately over one of the bodies of his men. "Carry a message to your leader. Tell him the Grey Wardens know the truth." I narrowed my eyes at him, giving him the dirtiest look I could muster. "Tell him he dug his grave the day he crossed the Couslands," I growled.

"I'll tell him! Right away—now. Thank you!"

The man was more pleased about leaving with his life, the last few men that hadn't been killed moving as fast as they could—arrows sticking out of their knees.

I turned to Leliana, who was obviously pleased we'd spared some of them. "I apologize for interfering," she says, looking us over. "I could not just sit by and not help."

I smile kindly to her, bowing just a bit. "Thank you for your assistance sister. I am sorry it had to end in so much bloodshed."

Her eyes drifted just a bit to my brother, causing my brow to raise as I quickly recruited her to our cause.

After all, you couldn't have too many gingers. Especially when she would become a vital part of the Inquisition.

I forced myself not to be distracted by the most emotionally gripping installation of the Dragon Age world. Especially by the thoughts of a certain Egg-Head that I hated as much as I loved. (Part of me wants to make scrambled eggs and the other half just wants to make him love me. And not betray me.)

I tried not to get misty-eyed as I accepted Leliana's help and made sure we had all the supplies from the tavern-keeper as we needed for the journey.

.

I was unrolling my bedroll when Adrien joined me in my corner of the camp, standing over me as I combed the ground for rocks and sticks that always seemed to appear after I laid down. I huffed as I worked, finally getting annoyed with the eyes I felt boring into me. I sat back and craned my neck to look up at him, giving him a dirty look.

"Yes? Do you need something, brother dearest?" I might have snapped a little. It had been a long day—and a long walk to where we decided to set up camp and we were still a day and a half away from the Circle's tower.

Adrien looked perfectly amused at my attitude, shaking his head. "You don't realize it, but your bursts of emotion are actually quite amazing to behold, baby sister."

I glower at him for a moment before rational thinking sinks in—he had lived at least half of his life with a sister that had the emotional capacity of a block of wood. I quickly shook the thoughts of Plank from Ed, Edd, and Eddy, cursing the strange cartoons from my childhood.

"Sorry," I murmured quietly, letting my eyes fall from him. I just felt dirty and gross from all the walking. I didn't need to take it out on anyone.

A leather bound tome that I somehow recognized was pushed into my sight, causing me to blink up at my brother as I slowly reached out for it.

It was perhaps the only thing the person I was before.. before I got here, that is, had an attachment to. It was so strong that I could vividly recall long nights lit by candles and the smell of ink as she wrote in this book. I reached out for it hesitantly, eyes wide as I look up at Adrien.

"How..?"

"How did I have your diary when I couldn't have possibly walked back to the family suite to grab it?" Adrien raised his hand, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Well, you see... I had taken it from your room while you were sleeping—before Howe attacked. I had planned to read it, get my dose of seeing my sister's real feelings that she didn't hide from a book." He let out a sigh, shaking his head. "I never read it. I'm sorry I stole it."

I shook my head as I held it to my chest. "I'm not. This might be the only time I'm thankful that you're a sneaky brother." This would be more useful than he knew. Memories were fuzzy and this would help with painting a picture of the Cousland family, one I longed to know more of.

He rolled his eyes. "'Sneaky brother'. I was going more for devilishly handsome, or savior of all things I care for."

My brow arched. "I don't think so."

He shakes his head at me like I'm a lost cause, turning to leave. He pauses, however, slowly turning back to me. He lowered himself on his hunches, pushing my hair away to look at my forehead. He stared intently at it, frowning.

"..Can I help you with something?"

"No, simply curious." He lets my hair fall back before carefully pushing it behind my ear. "I spoke to the tranquil mage, before the battle. He... You acted like that before the attack." His lips thinned in thought, green eyes flickering between the two of mine. His hand dropped onto my shoulder, squeezing it. "We lost our parents that day.. And the pain will stay with me until I die. But I take comfort in the fact that even if I lost my mother and father... My sister was returned to me."

Tears stung my eyes and I tried to blink them away quickly. Adrien smiled sadly, hand moving from my shoulder to my cheek.

"Crybaby and all."

"Shut up, jerk."

"Shhh, I'm glad to see my words have such an effect on you." He wraps his arm around me, pressing my head against his shoulder.

I smacked him with my diary.

"Shhhh."

Alistair paused as he made his way to the river, eyes blinking at our sibling bonding time. I looked over Adrien's shoulder, no doubt giving him a glimpse of my tear streaked face.

"Did he make you cry?"

I sputtered, crying a little more at the love I could feel—these two were my knights.

Adrien quickly shooed Alistair away—the man giving me a look that said he wanted to talk before we left camp. Anxiety filled me just a bit.

Once I was calm again I sat on my bedroll, my fingers stroking the tome that would tell me of the life before I appeared. Adrien settled at my side, sharp eyes watching me carefully.

"Sister."

I looked up at him, blinking.

"What you said today, in the tavern, to Loghain's man. It's been bugging me."

I tilted my head, remembering the words I'd uttered. I'd allowed my emotions to get the better of me when I thought of what Loghain would hear of us. I wanted him to know that I knew what he was doing. To wonder if the wardens were several steps ahead of him. I knew sparing the commander was the right move, knew that now he would know Wardens had survived the battle. What men Loghain could send our way would, not to mention the bounty on our heads, would only rise as the end grew near. The attention he showered upon us would distract him from the border where other wardens would poor into Ferelden. I looked over at my armor that I had carefully taken care of. I wasn't ready to give it up. The cosplayer inside of me screamed at the idea of wearing plain leathers of a mercenary.

Adrien spoke—I'd almost forgotten his presence, so lost in my thoughts. "'Crossed the Couslands', you said. Was that for dramatic effect... Or do you know something, little sister?"

Adrien waited for my answer patiently as I thought of just how much I could tell him and how much I would need to water down into a half truth. I considered for a moment longer than I should have before nodding.

"As the queen's father, Teyrn Mac Tir has named himself Regent. He has awarded Rendon Howe the Arlship of Denerim... And named him Teyrn of Highever."

My brother's eyes narrowed as he let out a curse. "And you know this.. How?"

I breathed out through my nose loudly. "If I told you, you would not believe me."

"Is it the same way you knew about the bandits on the king's highway? About Sten? Hell, I'm pretty sure you knew about Leliana and Morrigan from the easy way you converse with them. Like you know exactly what you need to say. It's like.. you've gained a silver tongue when I wasn't looking." His head tilts as he eyes me. "And yet, you still act somewhat clumsy with me and Alistair."

"Sounds like you put a lot of thought into this, big brother."

"I admit, it has been bothering me."

I smirked up at him, "Wishing you knew what to say to get them to like you?"

He shrugged a single shoulder, his expression saying he obviously wouldn't ignore advice if offered.

"I'll give you a few hints, dearest brother. Morrigan knows nothing of the real world outside of the Wilds. She has been out of it before, but she acts as if usual customs that you and I know as easily as breathing are foreign to her. If you wish to know her on a more intimate level, you will need to tread carefully and slowly." I purse my lips a little as I think of Leliana. "Leliana is like a flower. Pretty and smells nice, but she could be poisonous. Her life has not been simple, but she is one of the sweetest souls I know of. I can tell you she will have a very important part to play in Thedas, even after the Blight is over."

Adrien looked like he was thinking carefully, lips pursing. "Leliana said she had a vision from the Maker. Do you think what you know... Is it similar to that?"

"Then.." My brows furrowed. "You believe me?"

He rolled his eyes. "You don't remember this, but you always did seem to know everything. It used to be an infuriating gift.. But it went away when your personality dulled. I've almost.. missed it. And, you have to admit, it certainly comes in handy. You give us warning before we're potentially attacked, know what to say. I'm pretty sure this makes you the best candidate to lead us.. Especially since Alistair and I are only your senior as wardens by a few minutes."

I snort, head shaking. "I suppose that's why you've let me take the lead so often, hmm?"

He shrugs. "Maybe I like smacking my best friend over the head when I catch him looking at my sister's backside."

I gaped at him. He shrugged again nonchalantly. "Ros, you honestly can't say you didn't know."

I sputtered, no doubt closely resembling a fish as my mouth opened and closed.

"You're blushing."

"Shut up!" I used the large leather book to smack his arm.

"Hey! Those are precious memories you're hitting me with!"

I grumbled, lips creasing downwards. He was right though, with all the information I knew about Grey Wardens, I was basically the senior member of the order between the three of us. I let out a breath as I calmed myself before carefully putting my book away into my pack. I held out my hand to Adrien, letting him help me stand as I helped him to stand.

"You reminded me about something. I need to talk to the both of you before we sleep. Give you two some information before we keep moving. Would you grab him? We'll talk a little ways out of camp—Warden secrets and all."

Adrien nodded silently as he turned away from me, over to the fire where Alistair had reappeared, sitting on a stump of a log and looking into the flames. It reminded me of Duncan a few nights before Ostagar went to hell. He'd done the same thing.

Even if he didn't have the same tie to Duncan this time.. I could feel him quietly mourning.

I turned away from him as Adrien clapped him on his shoulder, grabbing my quiver and bow on the off chance I saw any wildlife. I moved quietly out of the camp, somehow knowing without a doubt that no one had even noticed my disappearance.

A sad thought occurred to me that I would have to someday use that skill to leave them.

.

Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews, favoriting, and following! I'm really glad you've enjoyed this thus far. To show my appreciation, a long chapter once more! (Chapter was previously about 1,700 words. Now it's nearly five thousand! Love me.) We're getting somewhere my friends! We have a full party now! (Not that we didn't before, but you know. And it won't really be full until we get Wynne with her heals. Those heals.)

Have a great week! (Yay for daylight savings!)

Jane