It had taken nearly two full weeks of traveling before the group finally came in sight of Denerim, and when they did, the sun was already setting. Alistair had suggested that the group make camp off the road, as the Denerim City Guard closed the gates after dark, and were particularly suspicious of anyone trying to get in. Thanks to the soldiers Loghain had left in Lothering, and the Antivan Crow assassins that Endrin had encountered, they knew two things: first, that Loghain had declared the Grey Wardens outlaws and traitors, and second, that he wanted them dead very much. And since Bann Teagan had informed them that Loghain Mac Tir had seized power through his daughter, Anora, then it was very likely that he had also taken up residence in Denerim. Neither Endrin, Eebon, nor any of their companions could understand why Loghain, a revered hero, would betray his king and leave hundreds to die and the hands the darkspawn, nor why he claimed the regency. Eebon, Alistair, and Wynne had sworn that Loghain was an honorable man, and one of the greatest Fereldans in the kingdom's history. All the Wardens had met Loghain just prior to the Battle of Ostagar, and even Roaran and Kylae had thought him to be a decent man.

Endrin glanced down from her perch, high in the branches of an oak tree. The tree was mostly leafless as the winter was coming, and it provided Endrin with a clear view of Denerim stretched out beneath her. Her human companions had been correct, the city was massive. Endrin had heard stories of human cities that stretched farther than the eye could see. While Denerim couldn't quite claim that right, it was very close. Again, Endrin had found herself completely dumbfounded and awestruck by the size and scale of human architecture. I wonder if Arlathan was this big, or Halamshiral, Endrin thought. On the far side of Denerim, she could see a very tall tower reaching up so high that it seemed as if the builders had been trying to touch the very sky itself. Eebon had told her that the large structure was Fort Drakon, older even than Ferelden, and was the heart of the Ferelden military. Endrin thought that it looked like the Circle Tower.

The young Dalish Warden glanced away from the darkening city and to the Wardens, mages, and fighters that had chosen to follow her. Am I really fit to lead these people? Endrin wondered. Why me? I think that Dharr or Eebon would have been a much better choice than me, but they both refused to take command. They all tell me that I'm doing a good job as a leader, and that they are happy to follow me, but sometimes I think that they are just trying to make me feel better. Her eyes drifted to Sten. Sten on the other hand… now he is a true warrior, as is Eebon, and they both have faith in me. Perhaps I should have more faith in myself as their leader. Endrin took one last look at Denerim, then started to make her way down the branches of the oak tree.

Leliana was telling the story of Avaline, the Knight or Orlais. Endrin had heard bits and pieces of it from her perch up in the tree. She'd never heard the tale before, but didn't doubt for a moment that it was true. An infant human girl abandoned by her family because they wanted a boy, only to be found by the Dalish, and trained to fight, then pitted against the humans in a tournament and advancing to the final event, only to be discovered as a woman and murdered. Endrin took a seat on a fallen log between Alistair and Wynne, and cut a piece off of the roasting boar over the fire just as Leliana finished her tale, saying that when the crown prince became king, he allowed women to fight and join the military, so all women warriors of Orlais revered Avaline.

Endrin adjusted the wolf-skin cloak she wore almost constantly now to ward off the chill and said, "You're sure that there are cities bigger than Denerim?"

Alistair and Eebon both nodded. Eebon said, "Absolutely. My father made frequent diplomatic trips to Val Royeaux. I went with him once when I was maybe seventeen years old. Val Royeaux is easily two or three times the size of Denerim."

"You've been to Val Royeaux?" Leliana asked.

Eebon chuckled. "Isn't that what I just said?"

"Oh sorry…" Leliana said. "It's just that I lived there for the better part of my life, and I can't help but miss it."

"It was certainly very grand." Eebon said, "But not for me. Highever is the only city I want to live in anymore. It's my home. Orlesians talk too much, they use five words when three would have sufficed just fine. Too much… fluff? I think that would be the right word."

Leliana laughed quietly at Eebon's description of Orlais. "I've always considered myself a Fereldan, and Ferelden my home. But at the same time I miss Val Royeaux. So many beautiful and fine things there, and the culture was so… I don't know how to describe it… Rich? Exquisite? This might sound crazy to you, but one of the things I miss most is the shoes."

"Shoes?" Eebon repeated, not knowing what to make of it.

Endrin muttered, too quietly to be heard, "Oh no, not the shoe thing again." During her most recent visit to the Tower, Endrin had been forced to endure a rather extravagant lecture from Leliana on the different kinds of shoes, and how they added so much to the persona of a beautiful woman, or a dashing man. Endrin hadn't understood much of what had been said.

Sure enough, Leliana launched into another long winded, mostly one sided discussion on shoes, and how they did so much to accentuate the person wearing them. Wynne and Kylae both seemed to have limited interest in what she was saying, while both dwarves and Endrin didn't have a clue. Eebon and Tylis both seemed to find the whole thing funny. Endrin wasn't sure how long it was before Leliana finally stopped talking about shoes.

"Kylae." Endrin said. "I imagine that you will be wanting to see your family again?"

Kylae looked up surprised, ever since their initial meeting at Ostagar, the two elves had scarcely spoken to each other, and when they did it was usually in five words or less. "I… really hadn't thought about it." Kylae answered, and the truth of her answer surprised even herself. Her family and the events that had unfolded in the alienage had constantly been on her mind for the first few days after leaving home. But after that, almost as soon as she reached Ostagar, there had been so much going on and the gravity of becoming a Grey Warden and what laid before them had drowned out everything else. "Yes!" Kylae said, "Yes, I definitely do!"

Endrin nodded. "We could stay for a day or two if you wanted. Let you catch up with your folks, and see your old friends. You can never know when you might be able to see them again."

"I…" Kylae was stunned by the offer. "Yes, I want that." She had to swallow her pride before she said. "Thank you Endrin… That's… very thoughtful of you."

Endrin nodded, and returned her attention to the piece of roast boar meat in her hands.

Eebon nearly choked on his own food as he swallowed it, then handed the rest of his meal to Dune, who ate it so fast he practically inhaled it. Eebon's voice was heavy with sadness when he said. "I would give anything to see my family again for just five minutes. Anything." He stood up and walked away into the darkness.

Dune nearly got up and followed him, but he sensed that Eebon-master needed to be alone for a while. Kylae-woman must not have sensed the same thing because she immediately stood and followed Eebon-master. Dune shrugged his canine shoulders. Maybe Kylae-woman could do what he himself could not and comfort his master.

"He's still hurting." Wynne observed.

"Yes he is." Tylis answered. "Having never had a family myself, I don't know how I would react if I suddenly lost it. But I only hope that I could control myself as well as Eebon is doing."

Endrin finished her slice of boar meat, and moved to cut off another. "Tylis," She said, "Your family isn't necessarily the one that you were born into. You can choose your brothers and sisters, your father and mother. Like I said before, Tamlen was my brother, Ashalle is my mother."

"True." Tylis answered. "But don't have anyone that I would call family." He considered what he'd just said, "Except for maybe Leandra and her children. And as soon as I can, I'm going to find them. I want to feel what you all have, but I have never known."

"I hope you do." Endrin said, "I really do."

Eebon walked back and forth maybe some eight feet or so. He was wringing his hands and trying to hold back the tears that were welling up behind his eyes, his face a mask of pain, loss, and rage. Eebon finally fell to his knees, fists clenched, he looked up at the sky, only visible through a small patch through the trees. Eebon growled and released his rage in a roar that started in his gut and flew up and out through his wide open mouth.

"Eebon?"

It was Kylae's voice. Eebon was relieved when she didn't ask him if he was alright, he was so sick of everyone always asking him that, and then he would tell that of course he wasn't alright. "It's not a good time to be around me right now." Eebon growled.

"But I'm staying." Kylae said. "Eebon, I feel for you, and I care about you. I'm not just going to hang around when you're the happy Eebon, I'm going to be here for this too!"

Eebon stayed where he was on his knees. When he looked up at Kylae, the elf took a step back out of instinct. The fires of battle were burning in Eebon's eyes, she'd seen that look before, but only in the middle of a fight. But there it was all the same, the berserker rage had him. Eebon slammed his fist into the ground, then he did it again, and again. Even in the darkness Kylae could see a dark fluid dripping from his bare knuckles, blood. Eebon looked at his bleeding hand, he seemed confused by it, like he didn't even remember hitting the ground and couldn't understand why he was bleeding, he stood to his feet and flexed his fingers a few times.

Kylae moved to Eebon and took his hand, wiping away the blood with the bottom of her shirt. "Eebon…" She said his name but couldn't think of anything else to say.

"I want to kill someone." Eebon's voice was ice.

Kylae couldn't have been more startled by the statement. "What, why?" She asked, "Who do you want to kill?"

"Howe." Eebon said the name like a curse. "Arl. Rendon. Howe. But anyone will do… Battle… killing… it makes the pain go away. It makes me forget… at least for a little while."

"There are other ways to make the pain stop." Kylae said, even though she didn't have a clue what she would say next, and she knew Eebon was going to ask.

"Like what?"

Acting only on instinct, Kylae let go of Eebon's hand and placed her own hand over Eebon's heart, she could feel it beating. "Like this." She said. "You need to listen to this."

Almost immediately, the rage burning in Eebon's eyes started to die. Eebon felt his knees start to grow weak as the rush of emotions hit him with full force. Eebon melted into Kylae's arms. He couldn't speak, but maybe he didn't need to. Kylae just held Eebon, holding his head to her chest, she stroked his hair. "It's okay." Kylae said quietly. "I'm here… I'm here for you." She held him in silence for several minutes before Eebon finally found his strength again and stood straight once more. Kylae looked up into his eyes, it was dark, and beyond the shape of his face and the glisten of his eyes, she couldn't see anything, although she imagined that his face had softened.

Eebon looked down at Kylae. She was only half his size, and by all appearances she was the delicate one, but there was a strength inside her that was greater than all his physical strength and power. She had calmed the rage that was inside of him, and once more brought peace to him over the deaths of his family. "Kylae… you… I don't know… I don't know how to say thank you."

Kylae smiled, relieved to have the old Eebon back. "Well, you could start by saying 'thank you'."

Eebon's hands moved to Kylae's shoulders. "Thank you." He whispered. Then leaned down and kissed her. Kylae's arms looped up and around his neck. Eebon felt Kylae press her body against his own, and their kissing became more passionate. Eebon's hands moved to Kylae's hips. It was strange how he had went from two emotional extremes in the space of only a few minutes. Eebon moved his kisses from Kylae's lips to her neck.

Kylae's eyes drifted skyward and she felt herself gasp. She'd never had anyone kiss her like this before, and it felt so good! Kylae pulled away slightly, but only because she wanted to feel Eebon's lips on her own again. Kylae pushed her tongue inside Eebon's mouth, she'd never Orlesian kissed before, but ever since Shianni had barged into her room one day, bragging about how she had done it, Kylae had always wondered. Wow, she thought, Shianni was right, this does feel good!

It was Eebon who finally broke away first. He took several steps backwards, thankful that the darkness concealed the bright red he was sure his face was.

"What?" Kylae asked, not sure why Eebon had so abruptly ended what the two of them were sharing. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Eebon answered. "You've made me feel better than I can care to remember, but… I…" He sighed, and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Now I'm the one who doesn't know what to say and is stumbling over himself… You're very… special… to me Kylae, and I think that you feel the same way about me. I really don't want to ruin anything that might happen between us by rushing in too fast."

"You think we're going too fast?"

"I don't know. I really don't. I've never felt the way I feel for you with any other woman…" Eebon sighed deeply, he wasn't even sure he believed what he was about to say. "I just… I just think we shouldn't be so quick. I'm sorry, I hope that doesn't sound completely dumb to you."

"Actually it does sound pretty dumb! But… I suppose I can see what you mean." Kylae answered. "But I really don't see how anything we've done was wrong or needed to be stopped. It felt good, really good. I guess I should say now that you are very special to me too. And whatever happens to us, I don't want to lose you. Not to the darkspawn, and not to your own grief and rage."

Eebon stepped closer and took her hands in his own. "You won't lose me." He said.

Kylae stood on her toes and kissed Eebon lightly on the lips again. "Come-on." She said, and started to lead him back to the camp.

Endrin kept watch most of the night from her perch in the oak tree, shortly after the sun rose she saw the city gates open and loudly called down to her sleeping companions to wake up and get moving.

"Kadan." Sten said, "I think it would be better if I stay here in the camp."

"May I ask why?"

"I thought that the reason would have been obvious. The people of this country view the qunari as little more than savages. I would likely be killed without trial or even fair warning."

Endrin cocked an eyebrow. "I'd say that's a good reason. Yes, in that case I think you should stay."

"I think I shall stay as well." Morrigan said, "I have no desire to see another such city again."

Endrin raised an eyebrow again. "Does anyone else want to stay?" Then before anyone had the chance to answer she said, "No? Good, let's go."

Before leaving the camp, Eebon removed his Blood Dragon Armor, and donned his old double thick chainmail once more, he said something about how the Blood Dragon Armor made him too conspicuous, and how too many people in Denerim already knew who he was. Alistair likewise left his shield behind, as it was marked with the symbol of the Grey Wardens. Endrin rubbed some dirt onto her face in an attempt to conceal the Dalish tattoo that dominating her face, and pulled the hood on her wolf-skin cloak up. As the group approached the gate, Endrin kept her face pointed at the ground some six feet in front of her. They passed through the gate without challenge from the guards. There weren't many Dalish outside the Brecilian Forest, and even fewer traveling in the company of humans and dwarves, Endrin's facial tattoo marked her as one of much wanted Grey Wardens.

Once through the gate, Endrin seemed to relax marginally, then stopped and stared open mouthed at what she could see of the city. A lot of buildings she could see were three or even four stories high. The ruins of Ostagar and the Circle Tower were quite a bit larger, but this was different, this was a city! A real, city! Endrin wondered how long it had been since a Dalish had been to Denerim, or even if a Dalish had ever been to Denerim. Endrin couldn't help but feel that she was making history.

"Endrin!" Eebon said, and from the tone of his voice, it was probably the third time he'd called her name.

"Huh, what?" Endrin said, "Sorry, I was just… I've never seen a real city before."

"What do you want us to do?"

"Hmm… Oh yes… Uhh…" Endrin's eyes drifted back to the buildings and city walls all around her, she couldn't get her mind to focus. "Umm… Roaran, Tylis, go and get us some supplies. Healing and mana potions if you can find them. We'll definitely need more salt for our cooking. Tylis, I know you're a mage and all, but some armor would not go amiss. And Roaran, I won't tell you not to steal anything, because we all know you will, just try to keep it to a minimum."

Roaran chuckled. "I'll do my best, but no promises!" The others all laughed at that comment.

Endrin's eyes drifted up and came to rest on the spire of Fort Drakon, and she found her mind starting to wander again. She forced herself back to the present. "That's… a big tower." Endrin found herself saying. "You're sure there are bigger cities that this?" She shook her head rapidly. "Sorry about that… Leliana and Wynne, go see if you find this Genitivi's place. From what we learned at Redcliffe, I doubt he'll be there, but try and find some clues as to where he might be." Her eyes started to drift again. "There sure is a lot of brown in this city… Sorry, sorry… just kind of hard for me to focus right now. Umm… Dharr and Eebon, try and raise some funds for us, maybe try the chanters board again."

Eebon said, "As suicidal as this might sound, the city guard might have a few jobs as well."

"Do whatever you think is best." Endrin said, "Just be careful and don't expose yourselves."

Eebon nodded in response.

"Alistair," Endrin continued. "You're with me, we're going to try to find your sister."

"Hey!" Kylae butted in. "What about me?"

"Go back and see your family of course!"

Kylae's eyes widened, and her face opened in smile. Without saying a single word she turned ran off towards the alienage. The others as well turned to go about their assigned tasks, all but Alistair and Endrin. "Hey, Endrin?" Alistair said, but there was no response. "Endrin?" Still no response. Alistair looked at his friend to find her staring with a far-off look in her eyes at the buildings and her other surroundings again. He reached over and touched her shoulder, Endrin nearly jumped.

"What, what?!" Endrin almost yelled. "What happened?!

Alistair found he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "I just wanted to say thank you again, for helping me with this."

"Oh, yeah… Umm… Wait until we find her before you thank me."

Eebon's eyes moved up and down the chanters board, he tried to ignore the incessant chanting coming from the priest standing next to the board. There were numerous jobs listed, some with clearly listed rewards, others only promising a reward, and others with reward listed at all. "Oh… now that is interesting!" Eebon said.

"What is it?" Dharr asked.

Eebon tapped one of the papers nailed to the door. "It seems that the chantry has listed a troop movement of a sizable army into the Bannorn, and is asking us to render all the assistance we are able to."

Dharr chuckled, "Well we can certainly do that if we are ever in that area. What else is on there?"

"Well…" Eebon tapped several other contracts. "Most of these are the kind of stuff that craftsmen would be interested in. There's one about a war widow who needs a roof repaired. A new well needs to be dug outside the city, that kind of stuff… Now let me see… Ah-ha! Finally! I think we got one."

"What is it?" Dharr said again.

"It looks like the there's been an over-abundance of gang related crime in the city slums, and the guard are undermanned to deal with it. They're asking for anyone with the experience and the know-how to deal with the problem.

"Sounds like our forte my friend. You ready?"

Eebon reached over his shoulder and brushed his fingers against Yusaris' pommel. "Always!" He said. As the two Grey Wardens left the chantry yard they saw Leliana and Wynne inquiring one of the priestesses about where they could find the scholar, Genitivi. Eebon nodded as he passed.

"Off to save the world again, are you?" Leliana asked.

"I just wish it would stay saved!" Eebon laughed.

After they were out of earshot, Dharr glanced up at his towering friend and said, "You know she likes you."

"Huh?" Eebon grunted. "You mean Kylae? Yeah, I kinda figured that one out on my own."

Dharr rolled his eyes, but otherwise his expression remained unchanged. "No, not Kylae, you stone-head! Leliana! Please tell me you're not that blind!"

"What?!" Eebon said, completely lost.

"Great ancestors, you humans really are a dense lot aren't you?" Dharr shook his head. "You're the only one she jokes around with like that, and I've seen the way she looks at you when you're not paying attention… which is almost all the time!"

"But I barely know her!"

"So what? I'm just telling you because it's going to become an issue eventually. Especially if your feelings for Kylae continue to grow."

"You know about that too?"

Dharr slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. "I swear, all humans are bumbling idiots! How you ever advanced past stone clubs and tomahawks is something will confound me for the rest of my life! Of course I know about you and Kylae! Something you lot would do well to learn is that the less you talk, the more you notice."

"My Lord?" A voice from behind them said. Eebon did not recognize the voice, but Dharr instantly reacted to it. "My Lord Aeducan? Is that really you?"

Dharr only knew one dwarf whose voice was that gravelly, and who had always refused to call him by his first name, despite that fact that everyone knew he preferred just, 'Dharr'. He turned around to find that he was correct in his assumption. "Gorim!" He yelled happily, for once his face broke into a wide grin. "This is about the last place in the world I would expect to find you!"

The two dwarves came together, clasping the other's right forearm then pulling close, reaching around with their left arms in a brotherly hug. "And it is the last place I had thought to find you my Lord!" Gorim said, "How did you make it out?"

Dharr chuckled, "Short version, myself and the Duster were exiled into the Deep Roads to die fighting the spawn, but Duster had other plans. He kept saying that he could smell air that was strange, and he guessed that it led to the surface. It took us days to get there, but we eventually made it, shortly after that we were recruited into the Grey Wardens."

"The Grey Wardens? My Lord, that must be such an honor! And I don't believe for a minute the lies that Loghain and Howe have been spreading about you."

"Thank you Gorim." Dharr rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Are you ready to follow me into battle once more?"

Gorim sighed sadly. "My Lord… I will always be your man. But please… do not ask me to take up the sword once more. On my journey from Orzammar I was ambushed my bandits, I made it out of there okay, but they broke one of my legs in the battle, and it never healed properly. I can walk good enough, but running and fighting would be impossible. Not only that… but I also married a surfacer up here, and she is with child now."

"Married…" Dharr said, his voice reflecting the shock he felt. "And… you'll be father soon? That's amazing, Gorim! You must be so proud!"

"I am, my Lord. I can no longer follow you into battle, although there are other ways I can help you. My wife's father is an exile from the smith caste, and is the best smith in Denerim. I can see to it that you and your big friend are properly outfitted with proper dwarven weapons and armor. Also, now being a merchant, I hear a lot of things. I can keep you informed on what is going on in the city, and with various nobles."

"Any help that you could offer us would be welcome." Dharr said.

"My Lord Aeducan, there is something else. Before I left Orzammar, your father summoned me, and gave me something to pass on to you… It's at my home, if you would care to follow me."

Dharr nodded. "Of course my friend." He looked back to Eebon. "Looks like the back alley justice will have to wait."

Eebon nodded. With Dharr heading off he suddenly had no job left in Denerim. "I'll just… stay here in the market and do… I don't know."

Leliana knocked on the door for the third time and still received no answer. "Can you see anything?" She asked Wynne, who was looking in through one of the windows.

"No." Wynne answered. "It's pretty dark in there, and it looks to be in good order, but I can't see anyone."

Leliana tried the door and found it locked. Without hesitation she produced a long, very thin dagger and metal pin, hooked on one end. She went to work picking the lock, humming a happy tune to herself. She had the door open in less than ten seconds.

Wynne looked suspiciously at Leliana and said, "And just where exactly did you learn to do that?"

Leliana only shrugged. "I don't really remember. You'd be surprised how harrowing the life of a traveling minstrel can get. A girl has to learn various skills to protect herself, no?"

Wynne borrowed an expression from Endrin and raised a single eyebrow. "If you say so."

Leliana stuck her head inside the door. "Hello?" She called loudly.

"Yes?" A voice called from the next room, and momentarily a man who looked far too young to be a chantry scholar appeared. "What are you doing here? Who are you?"

"I'm sorry to intrude." Leliana said, pulling the door open wider and stepping inside. "We're looking for one, Brother Genitivi."

"I see." The man answered. "He's not here. He hasn't been here for months. I am his assistant, Weylon."

"Do you know where we can find Genitivi? It's important."

"I'm afraid I don't know where he might be." Weylon answered. "Like I said, he has been gone for months. All he told me before he left is that he would be investigating something near Lake Calenhad. Some knights from Redcliffe came a few weeks ago looking for him, I sent them to Lake Calenhad and then they disappeared, I have not heard back from them either."

"Why would they report to you?" Leliana asked.

"Oh…" The question had clearly caught Weylon off guard. "I, umm, asked them to send word back here if they found him."

"I see…" Leliana said, the suspicion was evident from the way she said it. "What was he researching over there?"

"No, no!" Weylon said, "You'll just want to go after him."

Leliana's suspicion was growing, and Wynne was also beginning to catch on that something was wrong with this whole scene. Leliana said, "Don't you care what has happened to your employer? Don't you want him back?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I want him back! It's just that… if he's wandered into danger, then I don't want to put more innocent souls into the same danger as well."

"Uh-huh." Leliana said sarcastically, her hand slowly inching towards a dagger she kept sheathed on her belt, her intuition telling her something was very wrong here. "We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. Now tell us where he is."

"Look, I already told you that he left months ago. I went through the notes he'd left behind to try and find where he went, and all I discovered is that he was investing an artifact near Lake Calenhad."

"But just a minute ago you said he told you he was going there."

Weylon's eyes widened. "Yes… he did, but after he left I went through his research to see if I could find anything more…" He stopped when he saw the disbelieving looks on both of their faces. "Oh I give up!" He said, "I'm tired of charade!" Electricity started to crackle around his hands, and Leliana and Wynne both realized they were dealing with a mage.

Leliana's hand flew to her dagger and she threw it at the man, who jumped to the side and the dagger that was intended for his heart buried itself in his shoulder. The man screamed in pain and held out a hand towards Leliana, lightning exploded from his hand, but before it connected, Wynne erected a magical shield which absorbed the lightning bolt. Leliana drew her shortsword and lunged forward, striking with such force that the blade entered his chest all the way to the hilt, the tip exited through his back. The man, whoever he was, didn't scream. The only sound he made a quiet exhaling sound, then he fell to the floor. Leliana knelt next to the corpse and yanked her weapons out, then started patting down his pockets.

"What are you doing?" Wynne asked.

"I doubt very highly that this was actually Weylon, and whoever he was, then he definitely wasn't Genitivi's assistant, therefore, I doubt that Genitivi is really at Lake Calenhad. So I'm looking for clues as to where he really is."

"Good idea. I'll go check the study."

Alistair and Endrin stepped outside again. Alistair mournfully closed the door behind him., then turned, his eyes shifting around the market district. There was a small group of children playing with a large brown mabari that they both recognized as Dune. Dune seemed to be enjoying all the attention immensely, gleefully running from, and chasing the children in turn, growling happily and gently nipping them when he got close enough. Alistair counted, "There's five of them." He sighed sadly, "I suppose those are my nieces and nephews."

One of the children pulled herself onto Dune's back, straddling him like a horse, laughing and commanding her 'steed' onward. Dune barked happily and obliged her, marching proudly through the market like a war horse.

"I thought that family was supposed to accept you." Alistair said, "And she… she blamed me for our mother's death! How was that my fault?"

"It wasn't, Alistair." Endrin said, pulling up the hood on her cloak again. "She was just looking for someone to blame and you were a convenient target."

"But she's my sister!" Alistair whined.

"No she's not!"

A child's squeal drew both their attention and they looked up to see the girl who had been riding Dune tumble off to land in the dirt. They saw Eebon standing with his back against a merchant's stall a short distance away, he laughed and shook his head.

"She's not your sister!" Endrin said again. "You had the same mother, but she's not your sister."

Alistair seemed not to hear her. "What is it about me? Why does everyone hate me? No one has ever cared about me… except for Duncan, and he's gone forever now."

"Not everybody hates you." Endrin said softly. "You have friends."

"Yeah, like who?"

"Like Tylis, and Wynne, and Leliana, and Roaran."

Alistair looked down at Endrin's dirt covered face. The dirt really didn't do a very good job of concealing her tattoo. His eyes found hers. Endrin's green elvish eyes seemed to echo the same sadness for him that he felt for himself, and something else too, something that he'd never seen in her eyes before.

Endrin rested a hand on his armor covered shoulder. "And… I care for you."

Alistair was almost stunned into silence. "I… don't know what to say to that. But… thank you?"

Endrin nodded. "You are welcome. Would you like to go back to the camp for now and spend some time alone?"

"No." Alistair shook his head. "I've spent enough time alone for one lifetime. I'll stick with you."

"Alright." Endrin said and gave a small smile. "Let's go find out what's going on with Eebon, and where Dharr went."

Kylae glanced behind her. There were now two children riding Dune and commanding him to 'charge'. Dune was beginning to struggle under the weight, but it was clear he was still having a good time. Kylae saw Eebon standing with Alistair and Endrin and watching Dune with amusement. A small crowd of onlookers was beginning to gather to watch the spectacle as well. Kylae had to laugh, Dune might have been a war dog, but he was still a dog and enjoyed a good play time every now and then.

Turning back towards the alienage, Kylae was surprised to see the gate leading into her walled off community was closed. Strange, she thought, I can't ever remember that gate being closed… or a guard being posted outside. She approached the guard who seemed to be daydreaming. "Why is the alienage closed off?" She demanded.

The city guard eyed her suspiciously. "You must not be from Denerim. There was a riot a while back, a number of the elves broke into Arl Urien's palace and killed his son Vaughan. After that-"

"No we didn't!" Kylae yelled. "I was there!" She was talking without thinking. "I was one of the elves who got into the palace, Vaughan was fine, that bastard was still alive! But my cousin was raped and my betrothed was murdered, and all you shems can think of is-"

"Keep your voice down!" The guard ordered, trying his best to keep his own advice. "Look, we guards are swamped as it is already, so please, don't start causing any more trouble."

Kylae was still yelling, "Oh there won't be any trouble, as long as you let me in there right now!"

"I would." The guard said, "Believe me, I would, but I can't. Teyrn Howe's orders, no one gets in or out. Now please, just turn around and walk the other way."

"No!" Kylae said, she didn't even realize she'd pulled her daggers until she had both daggers in an underhand grip, more efficient and powerful slashes that way. "Let me in there right now!"

The guard's shield was already on his arm, and he reached for his own sword. Kylae already had it worked out in her head how she was going to kill the guard. Move inside the range of his shield to avoid being bashed with it, slice the nerves in his sword arm elbow making that arm useless. Opposite dagger in the groin where the armor was weak, he would bleed to death in a matter of seconds, and then a quick slash across the throat, just to be sure.

Kylae started to move in, but two powerful arms wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides and lifting her off the ground, pulling her backwards. "Kylae, don't do this!" It was Eebon's voice.

"Let me go!" Kylae screamed. "I have to get in there!"

Eebon kept pulling his charge backwards, trying to calm her, "Kylae," He said, attempting to keep his voice quiet, and to keep his own berserker rage in check, "Killing him wouldn't help anything, you can't get that gate open by yourself, it would take at least three people to open the gate."

"Let me go!" Kylae demanded again. "He said there was a riot in the alienage, I know how the shems put down riots! My people, my family are in there! They're dying Eebon! THEY'RE DYING! I have to get in there! I have to help them! Now let me go!"

Eebon kept trying to talk Kylae down, and Kylae acted as if she wasn't hearing him and kept demanding to be released.

More bystanders and guards were starting to gather. Endrin had been standing by, trying give Eebon his space and calm Kylae as he was the one who knew her best and understood her, but now more guards were approaching and they were obviously wanting to take Kylae down. For some reason however, the guard who appeared to be in charge was holding his men back and repeatedly ordering them to keep their weapons sheathed. Endrin finally intervened. "Eebon, get her back to the camp, now! Do not let her come back here. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Eebon nodded and started moving away towards the gate again, Kylae was still screaming and demanding to be released. A few of the guards moved to stop them, but the guard in charge commanded them to let the pair go and return to their duties, then he strode towards Endrin. Endrin went rigid at first, fearing that she had been recognized as a Grey Warden or they would try to arrest her, but the guard stopped a respectful distance away from her, kept his hands away from his sword and dagger, then removed his helmet to reveal a friendly looking face and short cut dark hair.

"I take it you're the leader of this group?" The guard asked.

"Yes." Endrin said reluctantly, "I am."

"My name is Sergeant Kylon. I think we should talk." Endrin hesitated and Alistair protectively came to her side. Kylon said, "Don't worry. You have nothing to fear from me."

Kylon led the two Wardens to a corner of the market where there was no one nearby and they were safe from prying ears. Kylon rubbed his face with a gloved hand and groaned to himself, "Just once I'd like to have a boring day at work…" Then he focused on Endrin and Alistair. "I'll get right down to it. I know that both of you, and a number of others in your party are Grey Wardens. Sketches of your faces were passed around the city guard, but don't worry, first off I don't believe the story that Teryn Loghain brought back with him from Ostagar, and second the market district is bad enough already. I'm really not sure we can take any more issues."

"Thank you." Endrin said. "I promise we'll be gone in another day at the most, and there won't be another scene like that one."

"Actually I was hoping I could convince you and your friends to stay on for a few days."

Both Endrin and Alistair were shocked at the guard's statement.

"Look," Kylon said, "The city is at the worst I've ever seen it. We've got refugees pouring in by the hundreds if not thousands! They have nowhere to stay, and most of them don't even know anyone here, and they're starting to turn to crime to provide for themselves. As if that isn't enough, the more organized criminals are preying on them left and right! I have few enough reliable men, and we're overwhelmed! I was hoping… that I might be able to hire on you and your Wardens to help restore the peace."

Endrin and Alistair looked at each other again, then Endrin asked, "Would you excuse me for a moment?" And pulled Alistair to one side. "What do you think about this?" She said quietly.

"Grey Wardens don't take sides in matters not directly involved in fighting the darkspawn. But I think maybe we should make an exception in this case. Would there really be a downside to helping the guard clear out some criminals?"

Endrin nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. And we might be able to bring in some support to the Grey Wardens."

"Okay." Alistair said, "Let's do it."

The two of them walked back to the waiting Kylon. "We accept." Endrin said, "But I have two conditions. First, we need to be paid. After we're done buying supplies, we won't have any money left. Second, I want a promise from you that you'll do whatever you can to spread the word that we Grey Wardens did not betray King Cailan, and that we seek only to end the blight."

Kylon took all of two seconds to consider it, then held out his hand. "We have an agreement."

Endrin shook his hand. "Ma serannas."

Eebon hadn't been able to set Kylae down until they were outside the city gates and she finally calmed marginally. As soon as Kylae's boots touched the ground and Eebon released her, Kylae whirled around and hit him in the face.

"Why did you do that?" She demanded. "You should have helped me! My people are in there dying, and what do you do? You pull me away!" Kylae hit Eebon again.

Eebon said nothing, and just kept walking back towards the camp. Kylae was walking backwards, all the better to look Eebon in the face as she continually yelled at, and hit him across the face. Eebon just took the beating, and the verbal abuse. He seemed more like Dharr as he continued to make his way to the camp, his face unchanging, as if cut from stone, his eyes staring almost blankly ahead.

Just before the two Wardens came to the beaten deer path that would lead back to their camp, Eebon caught Kylae's hand as it flew at his face again, and when she swung with her other hand he caught that as well. "That's enough!" Eebon said firmly.

Kylae opened her mouth to yell something else at him, but Eebon beat her to it. "Shut up, Kylae! Just shut up and listen to me! I know how you feel, believe me, I know better than anyone else how you feel."

"How do you know?!" Kylae yelled. "You haven't…" She suddenly stopped herself as the realization hit her. "Eebon, I'm so sorry… I… I didn't mean to…"

"I know." Eebon said, doing his best to keep his voice even, and to keep the rage that was building inside him under control. "Kylae… My family is dead. Not maybe dead, not probably dead. They are dead. There's only me, and there's a slight chance that my brother is alive, although as much as I hate to admit it, I know that the chances he still lives are extremely slight. And you know as well as I do, that if I could bring them back, I would. But I can't, they are gone!"

Eebon let go of Kylae's hands, and put in his own hands on her shoulders. "I think that your family is still alive. In fact, if they are anything at all like you, then I know they are. And I promise you that before we leave, you will see them again. Okay?"

"Alright." Kylae said. "I believe you… And I'm… sorry for hitting you."

"Don't worry about it." Eebon said. "I understand. If I was in your place I probably would have done the same thing."

Endrin and the others who had stayed in Denerim returned that evening just before sunset. Roaran and Tylis were both carrying packs of supplies. Roaran was now sporting a set of scaled armor, and just by looking at it, they could all tell it was of much higher quality than the chainmail he had received at Ostagar, he also had a new battleaxe, this one appropriately sized for a dwarf, one edge serrated, all the better for dealing with unarmored foes, the other edge was smooth, better for armored enemies.

Dharr also carried a new targe, although it was only new as in none of the others had seen it before. The shield badly scratched and scarred from too many weapons to count, although the symbol of Aeducan was still clearly visible on the shield's face. Dharr also wore a suit of heavy plate armor, judging from the color it was silverite. With the exception of dragonbone, silverite was the strongest known substance, it was unlikely that any weapon could cut through armor that thick and that strong, it was basically a mobile fortress, and was worth a fortune. Dharr had chosen to retain his old war axe however.

Endrin caught Eebon's eye and motioned him away. "Everything alright with Kylae?" Endrin asked when they were out of earshot from the others.

"I think so." Eebon said. "She's still on edge, but she's okay for now. I… might have told her that she'd get to see her family before we left."

Eebon wasn't sure what kind of reaction Endrin would have to the news, although he wasn't expecting Endrin's mischievous smile to spread across her face, nor for Endrin to say "I'm way ahead of you Eebon."

"Huh, what?" Eebon said, feeling lost.

Endrin's smile remained. "Me and Alistair thought up a plan today. If Kylae is up to it, then I'll be taking her back to Denerim right away."

"I see… Is there any way I can help?" Eebon asked.

"No offense Eebon, but no. Anyone else will just get in the way."

"I want to help." Eebon said, and he regretting saying it as soon as the words had left his mouth.

The smile vanished from Endrin's face. She wasn't angry, and if her expression was any indication she was only concerned. "Eebon, I know. Believe me, I know that you care for her. But really, you can't help us in this. The fewer people involved the better." Then her mischievous smile returned. "And don't worry about Kylae, I'll take good care of her!"

Endrin hadn't even finished laying out her plan before Kylae accepted her offer and the two elves set off, leaving everyone else in the camp to wait for the pot of stew to finish cooking. Eebon wasn't in much of a mood to eat however, and he wasn't in a mood to socialize either, and began wandering the now dark woods around their camp. He was trying to clear his head. Eebon wasn't sure how long he wandered alone before walking up on Alistair, who had his back against a tree and was staring vacantly at a small patch of stars visible through the forest canopy.

"Hello Alistair." Eebon grunted.

"Eebon." Alistair replied.

The two Grey Wardens had never exactly been friends. Despite going through the Joining together, which usually proved to be a bonding experience, and going through numerous smaller adventures together, the two young warriors had never advanced beyond a casual relationship. Eebon tended to think Alistair acted like a child, and was annoyed by his pranks and jokes. Alistair on the other hand thought Eebon was something of a stiff, and took everyone and everything too seriously. The two of them had not spoken a word to each other since Eebon had decked Alistair just outside of Redcliffe.

Eebon continued his circuitous walk around the camp, but Alistair called after him. "Eebon, wait."

The former noble stopped and turned to look at the former templar. "What is it, Alistair?"

"I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on something."

Eebon raised his eyebrows, although he doubted Alistair could see it in the dim moonlight.

Whether he could see Eebon's reaction or not, Alistair continued. "What do you think about relationships… between Wardens I mean?"

Eebon wondered if Alistair were referring to the feelings between himself and Kylae, or between Alistair and Endrin. Judging from what Endrin and Dharr had said, the group had already figured out that he and Kylae shared strong feelings for each other, but on the other hand, Eebon wasn't blind. He'd seen the way Endrin seemed to relax when she was near Alistair, how Alistair's juvenile sense of humor seemed to put her at ease, and how Alistair couldn't seem to hold Endrin's gaze for more than a few seconds without either blushing or looking away.

Eebon chose to avoid that particular discussion and answer Alistair's question directly. "Well, just like you, I've never known a woman Warden prior to our friends Joining… Maybe that's why Duncan never addressed it. But from the standpoint of a soldier, I remember the master-at-arms back at Castle Cousland saying that there was nothing wrong with having feelings for a fellow soldier, as long as you did not allow those feelings to put the unit as a whole in danger. Does that answer your question?"

"Not really." Alistair shrugged. "But I guess it will do for now."

Eebon shrugged and grunted in return and went back to his slow walk around, then he thought better of it and looked back to Alistair to find him staring again at the same patch of stars. "Alistair?"

"Yeah?"

"Sorry… about hitting you back at Redcliffe." Eebon groaned, it was a rare occasion for him to feel an apology was necessary. "I was angry, and I let my anger get the better of me."

Alistair smiled like an idiot, which didn't help to raise Eebon's opinion of him, and said, "No. I think I'm the one who should apologize to you. I was talking without thinking… I do that I lot. I think I might have even deserved to get punched. If nothing else, it brought be back to reality."

"I guess we were both out of line." Eebon said, the apology was going easier than he had expected, and his opinion of Alistair rose a notch or two

"I guess we were." Alistair agreed, he held out his hand, "No hard feelings?"

Eebon stepped forward and they clasped each other's forearms. "None whatsoever."

"Good." Alistair smiled. "And Eebon… sooner or later we're going to have to tell the others about the price of becoming a Grey Warden."

Eebon went rigid. He vividly remember when Duncan had first told him of the terrible price that all Grey Wardens eventually paid. Alistair had handled the news better than Eebon had, while Eebon had been nearly inconsolable for days, and truth be told, he still wasn't quite at peace with it himself. He couldn't even begin to imagine how the others would take it, and at that moment he feared more than anything how Kylae would react. From what he'd witnessed so far, Kylae was one of the most unforgiving people he'd ever met. Eebon could only hope that she wouldn't hold it against him too badly.

"I know." Eebon said, "…But, not now."

Alistair frowned, "They'll need to know sooner or later." He said again.

"Later." Eebon said. "Later." He repeated, and walked into the darkness once more.