Epilogue: Three Months Later

The wardens had finally returned to Ansburg.

Stroud and his people had finally reached their place in the rotation schedule. They would be given a two months pass to spend with their families and friends before returning to active duty.

For some, that would be easier than others.

Stroud chose to remain on base; he wished to spend some time exploring the library. The senior warden had not spoken with his family in years, and he was not entirely sure where they even were now. The order had become his family; his recruits were like his children. He chose to remain. In case any of them needed him.

Alistair chose to return to Cumberland, he was technically an exile and could not return to his homeland. Fortunately, his wife Lyna had chosen to take ship from Amaranthine to spend some time with him. The hero was angry that her husband was no longer welcome in Ferelden, but they had to respect Queen Anora's wishes.

Brother Nigel decided to take a trip to Orlais, to visit Siobhan at the warden base in Montsimmard. The two had been writing to each other for months, and after almost five months apart, the two wanted to be together again. Things were not easy for Siobhan in Orlais, the Templars were starting to crackdown harder on mages, and every time she left the safety of the warden base, her movements were watched.

The Wardens complained to the Chantry, but Divine Beatrix's servants assured them that there was nothing they could do. The warden commanders began to wonder who was truly leading the chantry, the priests or the Templars.

Loki also chose to remain in Ansburg. Stroud had expected the Dalish to spend some time with his clan, but it turned out that that was not possible. The elf had apparently been banished from his clan. He had apparently attempted to overthrow their keeper and seize control of the clan for himself. The young keeper had defeated him, and had sent the elf into exile.

Loki had nothing but his studies now, and his duty, though Stroud doubted that the elf had given up avenging himself on his betrayers.

The twins chose to spend their time travelling, focusing on the various taverns and brothels of the Free Marches. They intended to impress the elven women they met with their tales of the many courageous battles they had taken part in. Arthian's scars had earned him respect among not only the wardens but the elven women they encountered. The two brothers were hoping to not have to buy their own drinks on this little adventure.

Carver decided to return to Kirkwall. He had received a letter from his mother; the family had reclaimed the estate. Garrett was now considered a lord in the city of chains.

Carver could not help but smirk at that, his apostate brother, a nobleman.

And apparently he had even taken a lover, Mother wrote of Garrett's Rivaini friend, the sailor girl from lowtown. She was apparently spending a great deal of time with him.

Garrett and Isabela, Carver had shaken his head at that, apparently Mother did not realize what time of woman Isabela was.

He decided that it was best not to mention it.

The young warden hated to admit it, but he was feeling a little bit homesick. He wanted to see his family again, to walk the streets of Kirkwall.

He needed to go back, and…he was not going back alone.

Arika had agreed to come with him, to meet his family. The reaver seemed a little nervous about that, but Carver was not dissuaded.

He wanted his family to meet the woman he had fallen in love with.

Lin had finally managed to talk her family into coming to Ansburg. The stipend she earned serving with the order allowed her family to live safe, and not have to rely on thievery. The village was a bit higher paced than what her family was used to, but Lin was confident that they would adapt.

She had just returned from visiting them the night the attack had happened.

The attack that sent her, Carver, and Arika on another adventure, an adventure that many would never believe.

IOI

Lin had just crawled into bed when the alarm bell started ringing. It was well after midnight, but the attackers had failed to take into account the effect darkspawn dreams had on the sleeping habits of the wardens of Ansburg.

Twenty wardens responded to the attack, and met those assaulting their base. Lin had fought them in just her shift and a pair of leggings. Her arrows striking the invading force with deadly accuracy.

The battle was over before it had even truly begun.

The next morning the wardens checked out who it was that attacked them.

The identity of the attackers came as quite a surprise.

IOI

"Dwarves," Lin said coldly.

The twelve attackers were all dwarves. They wore no heraldry that she recognized, but it was clear that they had been both well-armed and well organized.

Stroud looked closer at one of the bodies; the man had a tattoo on his forearm the senior warden did not recognize.

"Why would dwarves be foolish enough to attack us?" Lin asked Stroud.

The senior warden shook his head, he had no idea.

Fortunately, the wardens had an expert on hand.

"These are Carta dwarves," Nug said, the newly appointed senior warden had just returned with his scouting group yesterday.

It seemed that he had returned a bit too soon.

"Carta?" Lin asked; she did not recognize the name.

"Casteless gang from Orzammar, they have branched out in recent years," Nug informed her, "Usually they stick to smuggling lyrium or luxury goods. Not sure why they would attack us."

"Are you certain these dwarves came from the Carta?" Stroud asked him.

"Yup," Nug replied, rolling up his sleeve, his arm was tattooed with the same mark as the attackers.

Nug had been Carta once, just like these poor dead bastards.

"We found a letter on one of them," Stroud said handing it to Nug, "We can't read it though, it is written in cypher."

Nug regarded the piece of Vellum, the dwarf sighed, he knew some of the old Carta cypher's but not all.

Luckily he knew this one; the paper was a set of orders for the dwarven commander. Those ordered shocked him.

"They were after Carver," Nug informed them.

"Does it say why?" Stroud asked.

Nug shook his head; all the note said was that the Carta needed Carver alive, nothing more.

Lin immediately became worried about her friend. Carver was currently travelling on the old road between here and Kirkwall.

A lot of good spots for ambushes along that route, the elf should know. She had used them herself.

Her duty to her friends was clear.

"Carver and Arika have to be warned," the elf exclaimed, "I will leave for Kirkwall tonight. Hopefully I can catch them on the road."

"You should not go alone," Stroud said.

"Yeah lass," Nug agreed, "Let me dig up some of the lads from my scouting group. I'll go with you, we can find new boy together."

Lin shook her head, normally she would agree, but time was of the essence. If the Carta realized that Carver was not at the base, they would shift their attention to the roads.

Carver and Arika were both good fighters, but if they were out-numbered?

Even two wardens as skilled as her friends would fall under those conditions.

Lin would not let that happen.

"I will move faster on my own," she said heading to gather her armor and supplies.

"One more thing lass," Nug said stopping her.

She turned and looked at him.

"This letter," he said holding it up, "It seems the Carta wants Carver's older brother as well."

Lin considered this.

"So they may just wait until Carver reaches the city, and try to take them both?"

Nug nodded, that made sense.

Lin's eyes narrowed.

"If what Carver says about his brother is true, it maybe the Carta who are in trouble, still I'm sure that he will not want his brother to face this enemy alone. He shall have my bow… if he desires my help."

Stroud did not like it, he did not like the thought of sending Lin off alone, but he understood why she was going.

As the elf said time was of the essence.

"I shall remain here," Stroud offered, "Should the Carta send any demands for Carver."

"And I shall be here if they do," Nug said grimly, "We may need to rescue Carver and Arika. I'll happily help to give these bastards a bloody nose."

Stroud nodded thanks to his friend.

Lin turned and headed for her room, she wanted to be on the road quickly, Carver and Arika had a good two days head start.

It would be difficult overtaking them, difficult…but not impossible.

"Lin," Stroud called after her. It seemed that he had a bit of advice for her.

She paused.

"Maker watch over you elf," he said with a slight nod.

She returned it.

"Maker watch over us all," the elf murmured under her breath.

The archer hurried to her room, she hoped that she could catch up with her friends before the Carta did.

If she failed, she promised herself that the dwarves would not profit from this attack.

She would see them all dealt with.

The carta would learn not to involve themselves in warden business,

It had been a mistake for the carta to come here.

She intended to see that they all pay for it.

One way…or another.

Fin

Author's Note: Carver, Arika, and Lin's tale will continue in Love and Legacy, the first chapter should be up soon.

Plus, if anyone is interested in Hawke in this universe, my story What would Mother Say takes place in it as well. The two brothers will meet again in Love and Legacy.

I would like to thank everyone who has left the kind reviews, and I welcome anymore. Thanks and I will see you all next time.

DG