I never liked that my day constantly began with mornings. I hated mornings. But here I was on yet another morning, waking up to the insistent shake of the stranger turned roommate and her detestable cheery voice wishing me that wonderful oxymoron "good morning". Resistant to her attempts I groaned and slammed a pillow over my head.

"C'mon, we have to go," Audrey said, refusing to give up. "The 7th bell already struck and if you want breakfast and what may possibly be our last bath for two weeks, you need to get up now."

I shrank further into bed.

The pressure lifted from the bed and I thought at first she had relented until moments later I smelled eggs and bread. Peeking out I checked that she was no longer nearby by and then reached for the offering of food she had left beside me, sitting up just enough so that I could cradle the plate in my lap and enjoy the meal without having to make eye contact.

Despite this being the morning that I would depart for the Hinterlands, it was proving to be one of the more decent ones. Lately I had been joining Josephine in the mornings for lessons on etiquette and politics which meant I was forced to be sociable long before I was ready. Audrey was more accommodating, content to let me stew in silence until I broached conversation. I glanced at her in appreciation and almost dropped my sweet bun.

"What happened to your face?!"

"Oh," she said startled and touching her lip gingerly. "Does it still look that bad? I haven't checked since last night."

The left half of her bottom lip was about 2x its normal size and her jaw was slightly swollen. The beginnings of a dark bruise were starting to show as well and I had the brief thought that I would most likely be using Adan's recipe sooner rather than later.

"Yeah, it looks bad. How did this happen? And don't just tell me you tripped."

She giggled nervously. "Well, you know I've been going to the stables every night and there's quite a few large beasts there; and well, I got on the wrong side of one of them by accident."

"Did you get kicked?"

"Certainly makes me sound a bit dumber when you put it that way. Anyways, not kicked, just knocked." She scratched her ear. "I'm not looking forward to telling Varric about it that's for sure."

I smiled in sympathy. "I think your big worry is probably going to be Cassandra," I said and Audrey's face scrunched up pitifully. "Take an elfroot potion. It's going to be a long day and you don't want to start it out in pain."

She followed my advice, albeit reluctantly and though I had felt the affects of the potion before I had never actually observed how it worked. Fascinated I watched her skin clear of any signs of bruising, the swelling disappear, and the small cut on her lip shrink, scab, and then vanish. It was marvelous. She poked at her parts afterwards, amused by the change as well.

I finished my meal and got ready in silence as thoughts about the upcoming departure began to fill my head again. What if I failed? What if my inexperience on the battlefield resulted in the injury or death of someone else? What if I was more a burden than a use? Worthless.

I closed my eyes and dumped the water pail over my head, hoping it would cleanse my mind as well. The thoughts I was having were useless and nothing productive would come of entertaining them. Better to focus on something else. So I reached, and with my senses I found Audrey - warm sunbeams on a windowsill; and then further until he was there - the deep peace of space and galaxies. I took a deep breath and focusing on their presence set myself to getting ready. As the bell chimed for the 2nd of 8 times I took one last look around the cabin and then softly closed the door.

It was a cold morning. Overcast and solemn. There was no audience as we walked down to the stables, but a crowd had gathered around our departure point. News that the Inquisition was taking action had garnered quite a bit of interest in both our supporters and dissenters and I was happy to remain unrecognized as I pushed past the folds and into the clearing. The rest of the travel party was already present and instantly pressed in upon us as we drew closer.

"Keep them back," Cassandra called to the guards watching the crowd. "Good morning Heralds. Are you ready to depart?"

"We're ready to leave at your signal. I didn't expect such a turnout for our departure. It makes everything feel so real," I replied while looking around. There was really only one person I was searching for and I found him standing beside one of the horses, tucking something into one of the saddle packs. I only allowed myself a brief look before I met Cassandra's gaze again.

Cullen crossed his arms. "Everyone is depending on you. They have a keen interest in this mission as it's the first of its kind for our organization. All eyes will be watching for your success."

Or failure I thought, even though he had not said it. "We'll be doing our best."

"We have complete faith in you," Leliana assured us.

My stomach did flips, but I shoved the queasiness down and smiled.

"I hope the list was sufficient. I'm afraid there will not be much comfort to be had on the road, but I tried to think of everything within reason," Josephine burbled, clutching at her tablet. "Let's see, did you get your cloaks and gloves? Are they to your satisfaction?"

"My goodness Josie," Leliana laughed, "your worry like a mother hen. They will be fine. Here, let me show you both your horses"

Our mounts were slightly separated from the others and while Leliana showed us the best spots to tie our saddle bags I watched from the corner of my eye as Solas mounted up. He sat tall in the saddle, hands folded lightly over the pommel and reins, Varric was beside him chatting as usual and I saw Cullen and Cassandra in a discussion nearby as well, but he looked apart from it all. Imperial. An odd contrast against the humble outfit he wore. He was barefoot as usual, but he had at least chosen to wore a thick beige cloak for the journey.

I swung myself into the saddle, settling comfortably onto the worn leather and arranging my own cloak around me. It had been ages since I had been on the back of a horse, but I had ridden often at my friend's farm when I was young and as my fingers wrapped around the reins I was happy to discover that it was just like riding a bike; one never truly forgets. We moved out in a line, filing one by one past Cullen, Josephine, and Leliana to nod our farewells and then we we were gone. Out past Haven and into the wintery woods that guarded the small town.

For the first portion of the day, we mostly rode in contemplative silence with Cassandra leading, me behind her, Audrey and Varric next to each other, and then Solas bringing up the rear. The woods came and went in patches, but the ever downwards trajectory remained. Sometimes sharp in its descent and then in other spots slow and winding. It was slow going. More than once I appreciated the effort of the caravans and merchants that made this journey to supply Haven and I was making mental notes of ways to improve the road for them, especially if and when heavier snowfall came, when I noticed Cassandra had dropped back to walk her mount alongside mine.

"Are you alright?" She asked, and I replied positively. "I must admit I was surprised that you agreed to accompany us into the field so readily. After what you experienced on the mountain I thought you would have more hesitation."

"You thought I might run?"

"That is not what I am saying. It has occurred to me though that I know very little about you. Could you tell me about yourself."

"I'm not exactly sure what you would like to know. I don't recall much of who I was or where I came from. I'm not even sure what I was doing at Conclave," I replied, aware of how my voice carried across the empty expanse of road. "But I'm happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of my ability."

"It is not an interrogation," Cassandra huffed. "I am simply interested in getting to know you better."

"That's what she said right before she hauled me off in chains," Varric called out and I heard Audrey giggle next to him.

Cassandra glowered, indignant. "I did no such thing. You must stop exaggerating Varric."I thought that would be end the end of it, but after a few moments of silence she spoke again."I hope you do not take my questions as personally as he does," she said turning back to me. "But I was curious how you find Haven? Is it very different from what you were used to?"

"Haven has been wonderful. I have found help wherever I looked, the meals have been amazing, and I find it refreshing to be amongst people outside the Dalish. It was beginning to feel stale there." I paused, to fiddle with my reins and guide my placid mare around a low hanging branch. I was nervous to say the next part, but I puffed out my chest and went forward with it anyway. It needed to be said and now was better than never. "The only issue I have is the place of elves in society. So far all positions of importance seem to be held by other races and I find most of my kind in areas of servitude such as the two maids we have, or the tavern waitresses, or the linen changers in the clinic. It is strange to receive such high treatment from those at Haven because my mark is depended on, but to know that I come from a race that is viewed as something-less by most who live there. I hope my time with the Inquisition will go a long way in improving these conditions."

"I see. I was not aware."

"I know, most are not," I agreed evenly, biting back a more severe response. "The Dalish are guilty of it as well, projecting those same feelings onto anyone that is not Dalish, but I don't believe any race is below or above each other."

"What do you believe?"

"That's hard to answer. I don't really know at the moment to be honest. I know what I want to believe, but I don't know if I truly believe in it yet. However, I do believe you made the right choice though. Starting the Inquisition."

She caught my eye and held it for a few seconds before she turned front again.

"Thank you for that. It is comforting to hear."

"I- wait," I paused, twisting in my saddle to face Audrey and Solas. " Do you feel that? I think I sense magic nearby."

Audrey's ears perked up and a look of concentration tightened her features, but I could tell she hadn't felt it. Solas was a harder read. He met my stare calmly. "Which direction?"

I pointed right and at Cassandra's signal we departed from the road to make our own path through the woods. We had not gone far before both Audrey and Solas confirmed a magical presence nearby as well and as we broke into a clearing I saw the rift. It was a smaller sized one and did not appear as if it has caused much damage if any, since its appearance.

"What's the plan here?" Audrey asked.

"Don't die," Varric supplied.

Cassandra made a sound.

Not trained for war, our mounts became anxious beneath us and we decided to leave them at the wood's edge instead of risking them bolt if we pushed them too close. Luckily we had already made it quite a ways down the mountain and the snow was only an inch or two deep at this point. Making our way on foot was no problem at all. The fight was a different matter. Though it was a small rift, we had an unbalanced party with only one melee fighter, and that made getting close enough to the rift an issue. Audrey and I spent most of our time moving out of melee range and because of that we had little time to act as offensive casters, relying mostly on defensive fire wall spells to ward off oncoming enemies to give ourselves enough time to relocate and try to disrupt the rift again. As the last entity fell, Audrey and I raised our palms in unison to close the tear. It was an exhilarating moment. To feel how far I had come since the last time I had faced a rift, and even though I still had much to learn, it was a good checkpoint for me to realize that I had truly improved in some regard.

The diversion over we reclaimed our horses and headed back onto the main road. Once the excited chatter about the fight died down I drew my mount alongside Solas's.

"You did well," he said, greeting me with a smile.

My stomach tightened. Butterflies.

"Thank, you, you've been an excellent teacher."

"But?" He raised an eyebrow.

I smiled weakly. "I feel behind. I know part of me is just being over-eager, but I really want to be able to do more. Audrey and I were still completely reliant on you three during that fight and even though I can tell how much I've improved since I awakened, it doesn't feel like it's enough. I just wanted to know if there was anything I should be doing to speed up my learning process. Reading material? Fade exercises? Practices while I ride?"

"You have accomplished much already in such a short time," he replied with a brightness in his eyes. "Do not overextend yourself. We will have a lesson tonight when we make camp and I will recommend books to you as I find them. Practicing while we ride could be done, but we risk being at a low energy state if a fight catches us unaware and also of putting some of our companions ill at ease."

"I understand. I'm sorry if I seem too pushy on it." I dropped my head, breaking eye contact. "I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am that you have even taken the time to teach me."

"Of course," he told me politely and then a silence settled between us for a while before he spoke again. "What did you have in mind when you mentioned Fade exercises?"

"I don't know exactly," I stuttered, trying to ignore the feeling of heat rising to my skin. I regretted mentioning anything about the Fade now as I should have known he would latch onto it. "I haven't really felt comfortable enough to explore much there yet, but I supposed I could perhaps be practicing spell casting there? I haven't tried yet, but I assume one can cast spells in the Fade or if not I was at least thinking I could practice the staff movements. It wouldn't alter my physical abilities at all of course, but it should condition me mentally."

"Casting in the Fade is certainly possible though the process is different - much more direct. If you don't mind me asking, what has been your experience in the Fade so far?"

I smiled and met his gaze. For a moment he wore no mask and his eagerness to know was apparent so I indulged him. Willing to share with him what I had not even been willing to share with Audrey. I told him about the forest I woke in every night, how I navigated a small portion of the Fade and what I saw, and also about the glowing light that hovered around the edge.

"That is most likely a wisp. Curious, but very shy," he confirmed. "I am surprised that is the only attention your presence in the Fade has attracted. There have been no others?"

I shook my head, aware that we were now trailing a few paces behind the others of our group. It made me bold.

"Is there a way to encourage the wisp to come closer? I don't want to attract any attention per se, but I should like to get to know and perhaps befriend some of the spirits in the Fade."

He looked at me in silent amazement at first before he broke into a small smile. "You are quite unexpected."

I met his eyes, fully intending to reply, but my throat suddenly felt thick. Like a bottle of maple syrup had been poured down it.

The moment passed and he began to speak on how I could befriend the spirits attracted to my area of the Fade and also how I could begin to seek certain ones out, though he warned me to not attempt it for quite awhile. We continued to talked undisturbed until we encountered the next rift. After that Cassandra seemed determined to ride by my side and conversation resumed its normal lull, filled occasionally by an odd comment, a story from Varric, or his and Audrey's attempts to play a game of ispy.

All in all the first day went better than I had expected. We had closed a total of three rifts that day and by the time we dismounted to make camp I was tired, but not as sore and worn out as I had assumed. Camp duties were split evenly, with Varric volunteering to hunt, Audrey taking charge of caring for our mounts, and then Cass, Solas, and I setting up tents, the campfire, and the latrine.

Dinner was packed bread and fruit and the two rabbits Varric had freshly caught. Belly fully and wrapped up in my cloak near a warm fire, I was nearly dozing when Solas approached.

"Are you ready for the lesson this evening?"

I was tempted to wave him off, but I knew I couldn't afford to do so after the complaint I had made just earlier today. Groaning, I unwrapped myself to fetch my staff and then followed him and Audrey to a small clearing next to camp.

It was a short lesson that night. Focused on defensive maneuvers such as deflecting spells, counter attacking, and controlling the space between the opponent and myself. I was grateful when it ended and felt my feet dragging as I returned to camp. Luckily, I was not on watch this evening and I was able to crawl right into my bedroll with barely a word to anyone. My tent was small and mine alone. It could fit two if pressed and I had thought of sharing it with Audrey at first, but decided after a week on the road with no certainty of bathing that it might be best to sleep separate.

I slept easily that night with no fear or anxiety on what tomorrow would bring.