BioWare owns all but what I made up. : )

First let me apologize once again (I have been doing that a lot lately) for being so late in posting something. I hope you will forgive me. I have had real life getting in the way, and a case of heat exhaustion which KO''d me for a couple of days as well. I am afraid your intrepid author doesn't do well with the heat in summer. And the heat exhaustion was my own sodding fault. I am trying to get back on track and post more frequently. Again, sorry about the delay.

Shout outs to those lovely souls who put this story on favs, alerts, and me on fav author. I cannot tell you how much I love seeing those alert emails and how humble it makes me feel. So, to kalvion, Vylreth, Kyria Nyriese, LadyElle00, grimmxrabbit, roxfox62, eireainestower, and Velocity River thank you all so very, very, much! ^_^

And my love and thanks to my betas and friends. Night Hunter MGS who is my bootie kicker, content beta and dear friend; Ladyamesindy, good friend and dear friend, that tornado of ideas and stories, who keeps my use of 'had' in check; Violet Theirin who is my little Goldilocks, and one of the sweetest people I know; and Janni, wonderful, sweet, talented Janni. She is my grammar beta and really deserves a medal. Thank you guys! MUAHs! 3

Of course I cannot go without saying to all of you, my readers, lurkers, and reviewers just how much you mean to me. As a writer, it is so wonderful to know that your work is appreciated and even enjoyed. You all make writing Kai's journey just a hell of a lot of fun. My gratitude goes out to you all too.

Blessings!

Kai and Duncan left the sleepy hamlet of Redcliffe, heading out of the town proper by way of the muddy unpaved road of the village until they hit the cobblestone ramp leading to the ancient Imperial Highway built by the Tevinters when their empire had once stretched across Thedas so long ago. With only muddy footprints left behind them on the white granite surface, Duncan, Kai and Argus began the last leg of their journey towards Ostagar .

The traffic on the raised road was sparse as they left Redcliffe and traveled the avenue as it paralleled the edge of Lake Calenhad. There weren't many traveling the raised walkway until they reached the byroad leading into the Hinterlands and to the ruins of Ostagar.

They camped on the highway, using the lanterns taken from Highever for light, eating the dried meat and fruit in their packs which required no heating. Duncan explained that when the Tevinter Imperium built and maintained the roads, there were way stations where travelers, for a price could purchase firewood, and other sundries while staying on the highway. The stations had long since crumbled to dust being made out of wood and plaster. The Tevinters still used such a system today in their now greatly diminished empire to the north.

The trio spent their second night camping in companionable silence as Duncan read and Kai wrote in her journal, or lay back against Argus looking at the stars while they danced in a shimmering galaxy. It turned out that, Duncan was as addicted to the written word as much as she. He had not only bought her journal back in Watersedge, but several books as well. The one he had been reading on their journey he handed to her once he had finished.

Kai looked at the embossed cover. Dragons: Their Nature and Their Habits. Laying back and using Argus as her pillow, she cracked the book open. When she awoke the next morning it was to find the book laying across her stomach where it had come to rest as she dozed off. After a breakfast of more jerked meat and dried fruit, Duncan ushered them under way once again. Their footsteps made a steady clomping sound on the stone echoing off the high, sloping arches that graced the boulevard.

As they drew closer to the ruins of Ostagar the landscape became more mountainous and the traffic flow to and from their destination increased. Their fellow travelers consisted mostly of heavily armed, and armored, men and women. Even some warriors with mabari traveled along the road seeking the same destination.

The day wore on and what had been a distant hardly discernible set of building shaped silhouettes in the distance filled in and became solid buildings in the craggy landscape. When they had drawn close enough that Kai could see the copper green patina-ed domes shining in the sunlight, she knew it would be a matter of only a couple of hours and they would truly enter Ostagar.

Duncan had called for a break to give Argus some water from their water skins, and to rest their feet for a moment. The cool wind whistled along the valleys kissing her cheeks. Kai took the opportunity to plait her long raven curls into one braid which she tied off with a leather cord. Taking her sharp dagger, she cut the long ravel of hair off just below her shoulders. The sudden lessening of the weight had her almost off balance, and the curls sprang into tighter silken coils. She took a moment to look at the braid in her hand. The symbolism was not lost on her. She cut her hair cut to make way for a new role, as Howe's treachery had cut her off from her old life.

She sheathed her dagger and looked towards her fate, lying in front of her. Kai cast one last look at the twisted locks of her hair and dropped the plait to the ground before she started walking without a backward glance. Duncan caught up soon enough and they walked in silence until they came to the outskirts of Ostagar.

Duncan's deep and resonant voice broke the silence as they walked though the ruins towards the large wooden gate, "The Tevinter Imperium built Ostagar long ago to prevent the Wilders from invading the Northern lowlands. It's fitting we make our stand here,even if we face a different foe within that forest. The King's forces have clashed with the darkspawn several times. But here is where the bulk of the horde will show itself." Duncan stopped and waved an arm encompassing the valley spread out before them. They continued on towards the gate, Duncan announced their presence and the gate opened to admit them. They passed through the over-sized portal past the guard who then shut it behind them. "There are only a few Grey Wardens within Ferelden at the moment, but all of us are here. This Blight must be stopped here and now. If it spreads to the North Ferelden will fall."

Anything else Duncan had meant to say was interrupted by a jovial voice, "Ho there Duncan!"

Duncan's face registered surprise before he carefully composed it again. Kai was sure her own face registered the same shock at the figure now striding towards them in armor that glowed golden like the sun. He looked so much like Maric, it made her heart squeeze painfully. Prince, no king now, Cailan looked much as he had at eighteen when she had first met him in the garden oh so long ago; nor did he look much different then when they met at his father's funeral not five years later. He had filled out more, the jaw, widened, the shoulders broadened. And that youthful, devil-may-care smile and boyish expression (which had only been replaced at the funeral with one of infinite sadness) was the very one she remembered him for. Thinking of that day in the garden at the palace threatened to take her mind to Dairren, and back again to the devastation of her world. Kai choked back he tears, sadness, and the anger that threatened to overwhelm her so unexpectedly.

She balled her fists and took a deep breath and composed herself just in time to here Duncan's reply, "Your Majesty, King Cailan, I didn't expect..."

"A royal welcome? I was beginning to think you'd miss all the fun." Cailan grasped Duncan's forearm in a warrior's salute.

Kai watched Duncan's face make a subtle grimace at the king's words, "Not if I could help it your majesty." Kai could hear the eye roll in Duncan's voice, even if he didn't actually do it.

Cailan turned to look out at the valley below, "So, I will have the mighty Duncan at my side after all. Glorious!" Cailan's face wore an almost childlike expression of wonder. Duncan stood beside him facing out to the future battleground below.

Kai understood Duncan's desire to roll his eyes, but it was his response, and the exasperated tone (that Cailan seemed oblivious to) in which he said it, that made her want to burst into a fit of giggles, "So it would seem your Majesty."

Cailan changed the topic in that lightening quick way he was known for. "I understand you found a promising new recruit. Is this she?" Cailan turned and walked back to face Kai. For a moment he stood looking at her with mild interest. She watched his sapphire colored eyes get wide as he recognized her.

She barely heard Duncan, she was so busy, trying to read the king's expression. That, and he looked so much like Maric, who had been her childhood friend. It reminded her of one more lost loved one in her life. "Yes, your Majesty, allow me to introduce..."

Cailan cut him off, "No need, Duncan. You're Bryce Cousland's youngest are you not? I don't believe we've ever actually met, or was it that we were never formally introduced, my lady?" He winked at her and gave her a saucy grin.

"Yes, your Majesty, we were never formally introduced." She couldn't help but smile back, his grin so much like the one he gave her when they went to steal strawberries a lifetime ago. His next words stopped her smile and made her stomach feel as if broken glass had been poured into it.

"Your brother has already arrived with Highever's men, but we are still awaiting your father." She watched as the smile left his face as hers paled at his words

He expression turned to shock then concern when Kai grabbed his arm in a death grip, "Fergus is alive? Is he all right?" Kai thought her legs would fold under her, so great was her relief when he nodded. At his confused expression she thought she ought to tell him, "You don't know what has happened?"

"News from the North is unreliable. The rains have kept messengers by horse and by bird from reaching us. Information has been sporadic at best, and waylaid, or lost at worst." Cailan took one of her hands in his covering it with the other, "My lady, what has happened?"

Before she could try and explain, while somehow keeping herself from giving into the tears that threatened to fall, Duncan explained. "Teyrn Cousland and his wife are dead, your Majesty. Howe has shown himself the traitor." Kai and Cailan looked at Duncan. Kai could hear the undercurrent of sadness, "He used his troops to take over Highever castle. Had we not escaped he would have killed us and told you any story he wished."

Kai felt Cailan's hand grasped hers convulsively. His normal tanned face grew grey at Duncan's words and he dropped her hand to pace in agitation, "I...I can scarcely believe it!" He shook his head in disbelief, "How did he think he could get away with such treachery?" Cailan turned back to face Duncan and Kai walking to place himself before her, taking her hand as he had just a moment ago. "As soon as we are done here, I will turn my army north and bring Howe to justice. You have my word." He leaned in close so his guards could not hear, "My lady, Kai, I am so very, very sorry. I will see justice done, I swear it I have not forgotten your father's loyalty when my father died. And I have never forgotten the little imp who stole apples; or the budding young woman who wept the few sincere tears for my father at his funeral." His lips brushed her cheek lightly before he stepped back.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Kai flushed and looked down.

She looked up when Cailan's voice spoke in a normal tone again, "No doubt you wish to see your brother. Unfortunately, he and his men are scouting in the Wilds." Cailan's expression conveyed regret.

"When will he return?" Kai's felt relief and disappoint collide with guilt. Part of her wanted the comfort of her brother; the solid, stable warmth of him, her best friend. And following closely on the heels of that desire, the image floating on the surface of the abyss, of her sister-in-law and her nephew covered in blood;and how their parents had looked in the last moments as she left them to run for the hidden exit. Would Fergus hate her, once she finally told him how she had failed to save them?

She felt Cailan's hand sqeeze her own, "Not until the battle is over I fear. And we can't even send word." He grasped her hand tighter, "Again, Kai, I am so sorry."

She shook her head and cleared her throat, "I am not eager to tell him, your Majesty." She gave the king a wan smile.

Cailan spoke in a conversational tone once more, "Of that I a have no doubt. But you will see him once the battle is over. I apologize but there is nothing I can do. All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the darkspawn for the time being." He increased the pressure on her hand briefly before lifting it to his lips and grazing her knuckles with his lips, his blue eyes looking into her own.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Her heart felt as if it was gripped in a giant fist. Cailan released her hand and stepped back turning, to address Duncan once more, "I'm sorry to cut this so short, but I should return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies."

"Your uncle send his greetings and says to remind you that his Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week." Cailan flashed at grin at Duncan, waving his hand dismissively.

"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and this engagement should be no different." He gave Kai a cheeky wink.

"I didn't realize things were going so well." Kai looked at Duncan trying to gauge his reaction to Cailan's bold statements.

Cailan grinned wider, "I'm not even sure this is a true Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn on the field, but alas we see no sign of an archdemon." Cailan turned and looked longingly at the valley with its wooden defenses below.

"Disappointed, your Majesty?" Duncan cocked an eyebrow at Cailan's back.

"I'd hoped for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god!" Cailan's voice sounded to Kai's ears very much like her nephew when he had played 'imagine.' He continued his voice becoming wistful, "Oh well, I suppose this will have to do." He turned and smiled at Duncan. There was something behind that smile, it wasn't all as jovial as it seemed on the surface to Kai. Cailan perhaps sensing her probing gaze, hurried on, "Now I had best get back to my tent before Loghain sends out a search party. Farewell, Grey Wardens." Kai did a cross armed warrior's bow, while Duncan executed a simple bend at the waist as Cailan turned and walked down the avenue of the ruins, his guards surrounding him.

Duncan turned to Kai and flashed her a rueful smile, while sweeping his arm and indicating they should walk in the direction the Cailan and his entourage had gone. "What the king said is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here."

Kai gave him and impish grin, "Yet you don't sound convinced. And quite frankly, Cailan is hiding something."

Duncan stopped and gaped at her. "I should not be surprised I suppose, when you pick up on what others miss." He chuckled and shook his head, "Despite the victories thus far, the darkspawn horde grows larger with each passing day." Duncan looked off into the distance, his eyes crimping at the corners, "I won't lie to you, not that to do so would do any good at any rate." He grinned at her, "They look to outnumber us. I know there is an archdemon behind this. But I cannot ask the king to act solely on my feeling." She heard him sigh.

"Why not? He seems to regard the Grey Wardens highly."

"Yet not enough to wait for reinforcements from the Grey Wardens in Orlais. He believes our legend alone makes him invulnerable." Duncan nodded his head forward, indicating they should continue on. "Our Ferelden numbers are too few. We must do what we can and hope Teyrn Loghain's men can make up for the rest." Duncan stopped at the ramp leading to a long stone bridge where a large statue of a man in armor carved in marble stood, worn from years of rain and wind. Pennants flew, snapping in the breezed. "To that end we should proceed with the Joining ritual as soon as we have the preparations completed."

Kai smiled, "What do you need me to do?"

"Feel free to explore the camp as you wish, gather herbs for healing potions like you did on our way to Rainesfere. We could use them for the coming battle. All I ask is that you not leave the ruins or camp for the time being." He cocked an eyebrow at her and grinned when she wrinkled her nose at him and nodded in agreement, "There is another Grey Warden here by the name of Alistair. Seek him out as you explore. He is here somewhere, especially anywhere there might be cheese."

"Pardon, did you say cheese?" Kai laughed.

"Yes, well, when you find him, tell him to round up the other recruits. Argus can stay with me while I attend to some Grey Warden business with my second Bernardo." They both looked at the mabari who had barked his agreement to the arrangement. Duncan grinned at the hound and Argus's tongue lolling in a doggy grin. He shook his head and looked at Kai, "The Grey Warden tent is on the other side of the bridge." He pointed to the distant archway across the way, "You can find us there if you need us." Duncan smiled warmly at her and reached out and gently gripped her upper arm, before releasing it and nodding to Argus.

She watched them walk across the bridge together as she listened to the wind whistling between the mountain tops and through the valley, the snapping of the flags, the distant calls of the guards. For a place of war, it was surprisingly...peaceful. Kai looked around slowly taking in the crumbling stone ruins, the sparse tufts of grasses blew in the breeze.