The ball was a large event. Neria had refused to wear a corset, she wore something similar to mages robes, but the gown flowed more. Alistair and her spent some time with the citizens dancing and swinging between partners. Alistair noticed a familiar looking man, an elf. One of his guards distracted the King, saying he should be going inside to greet some nobles. The King told his guard to inform Neria, they should be opening the ball soon.

Nathaniel saw Alistair come in without the Commander, whispering in the King's ear, "Where is she."

"My guard is fetching her."

"Something isn't right, she is always watching your back. She would have seen you come in."

Alistair looked at Constable, "Go get her then. She probably is just enjoying herself."

Nathaniel noticed her from behind, her back seemed overly straight. Putting his arm around her waist, he heard some young women giggle. He saw the Elven man she was speaking to.

"Who is this, darling?" the elf said to smoothly. "You don't even write to me to say who has your affections." He moved to brush her hair, she flinched.

"Neria, we are needed inside." Nathaniel raised his free arm in suspicious way, signaling a Grey Warden guard.

Neria opened her mouth, then closed it and nodded. Nathaniel guided her back inside, appreciating the Grey Warden distracting the elven man while slowly moving him away from the festivities.

Back inside Alistair saw how small she looked, the last time he saw her like that was in the Alienage. It dawned on him who that familiar man was, and mentally kicked himself. Elissa noticed how startled Neria seemed, approached her.

"The nobles are getting a bit restless. Perhaps you and Nathaniel, Alistair and myself should open the ball at once. Can you do this Neria?"

Neria, in her small voice, "It was supposed to be the birthday people."

Elissa, "Damn supposes. Besides you and Nathaniel paint such a lovely picture." The queen motioned to the Orchestra who started, she grabbed her husband and pulled him into a waltz. Nathaniel did the same for Neria, when he noticed a curt nod from the Warden. "The man you were speaking to early, he has been gently ushered him into a prison cell. We can deal with him tomorrow."

Neria spoke in a tiny voice her eyes watery, "My father is in prison."

Nathaniel was at a loss, hoping the song lasts longer. She probably shouldn't be making decisions right now. This wasn't the woman he was used to, this was a woman who had been beaten down by something. "We will rectify the situation in the morning. For now let us dance, and enjoy your birthday." At the end of the song Nathaniel gave her a kiss, cupping her face to wipe away the tears.

Oghren, bless him was right there to take Neria hands. It wasn't quite a dance, they pretty much traversed the ballroom walking sideways. Oghren occasionally yelling, Neria laughing. Then Alistair, then Arl Eamon, and then Elissa who had some people chuckling. Neria was back in her guise of Noble woman, socializing and disarming everyone with her smile.

Alistair speaking to Nathaniel, "Do you think we could kill him while he is in prison?"

Nathaniel gaped, "Sure he is an ass. Who really withholds a birthdate from their child. That doesn't justify murder."

Alistair looked at him, brows furrowed, "She never told you what he asked for in exchange or how she alerted the templars to her powers?"

Nathaniel, uncomfortable. "No."

"Don't take it personally I think she would have kept her silence forever if she didn't see the bastard. The repairs have gone very nicely on this place, though I suppose once you clean off the blood everything looks better."

Nathaniel, grateful for the topic change, "Yes thank you for the stonemasons, we couldn't have been ready for this without them."

"Neria and I should stop outside in the courtyard again, but I'm hesit-" Alistair suddenly couldn't hear anything, expect for an eerie sound, it was beautiful. He suddenly wanted to bite into someone's flesh. Nathaniel shook him.

"You heard too your majesty?"

"Wait-you heard the calling too?"

"Look."

Alistair saw every grey warden silent, eyes wide with worry. Neria whispered hastily to Elissa and Garevel. Then she rose her hand to silence the orchestra, "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for your attendance here celebrating our King's and my birthday here in Amaranthine. I would like to apologize, a grave Warden matter has arised so unexpectedly. While we must take our, extremely, rude exit please consider Sir Garevel and Her Highness your hosts. Grey Wardens to the basement."

The Wardens inspected the area, to see if there were any unwanted ears. Nathaniel informed the commander that the guards were still at their posts. There were only 20 Warden's in the basement.

Neria whispered to Velanna, "Any ideas."

She shook her head, "The calling was so flitting, its nothing like what Avernus had documented."

Woolsey rubbing her neck, "I hate being the most senior Warden. Velanna is right the calling doesn't come in short bursts affecting multiple Wardens at once."

Neria drawled, "What fun."

Ser Pounce a lot growled and ran off deeper into the basement. One of the more sensitive Wardens mentioned darkspawn.

Neria called out, "we are all armed. Decide if you are sober enough to fight."

Nathaniel muttered, "You aren't armed."

"I am a weapon." electricity flowing over her knuckles.

Alistair, picking up a spare shield. Drawing his sword. "This is a trap you know."

Neria, "More than likely it's the Architect knocking on the door."

Alistair, "Doesn't he know making people think they are going to die, is a rude way to announce yourself."

Nathaniel, "When have darkspawn followed social etiquette."