So guess who we'll be seeing within the next chapter? Zevran and his wonderful innuendo lol. Please leave a review guys? They make me smile like a young dwarf tasting alcohol for the first time xD

Aedan made it abundantly clear that none of us wanted the breakfast Morrigan paid for last night, refund or not. He still looks a little pale, and Bodahn has him riding in the cart today. Leliana hangs around it, speaking to him constantly. Wolf lies with him, another to keep him company while I lead the group on to Redcliffe. Far in the distance, I can see a pillar of smoke rising into the air. It seems to be coming from the road, so I leave it be until we draw closer, heading off on my own to investigate. I find a pile of human and elven bodies stacked and burning, filling the air with the stench of burning flesh. I gag, covering my mouth and nose with a hand as I rejoin the others.

"What was it?" Alistair asks.

"Bodies," I say, eyes watering. My voice cracks and I scowl. "Built up and set aflame. I suspect darkspawn."

"Most likely," Morrigan agrees.

"We should keep moving," I say, setting off again. "If we are lucky, we will see Redcliffe tomorrow evening."

I keep the group going at a steady walk all morning, deciding it's time to stop around three. Aedan's fallen asleep, skin still pale, and we let him stay like that, although Leliana climbs in with him and Wolf, staying silent the whole time. The rest of us pass out rations to each other, munching on a rather bland lunch. I give Alistair my cheese, feeling guilty for being mad at him and because I'm not all that hungry, which surprises him. While they finish eating, I sit off on my own, staring at the blood pendant I wear.

Alistair's words from the Joining flash through my mind.

"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you."

I roll it around my hand one more time before using my bow to stand. I look back at my followers, talking and arguing more often than not, and smile. I lost a life to get here, but in turn, gained a new one. And a dysfunctional, whiny, hateful family that can't stand anyone but Aedan and I, but a family nonetheless. The thought makes me laugh. Alistair looks up at the sound, raising an eyebrow, but I shrug and shake my head. He smiles past a mouthful of cheese before going back to talking to Wynne. He seems to like her well enough. That's a good sign for him. For anyone, really.

"Ready to move?" I ask.

"Looks like it," Alistair replies, standing.

"Then let's go," I say, turning on my heel. I stop and wait several yards out of our roadside break-camp, watching for bandits and listening for darkspawn. Hope buzzes away contently, happy to be away from demons at the moment. While I wait, I unroll the map tucked into my belt, holding it up to see. I follow the road we are on down to the juncture leading east and west. I've crossed Lothering off, knowing all too well that the horde would have gotten to it by now. Amaranthine has also been crossed off, but I'm not sure why. I have a small town at the foothills of the Frostbacks circled with a question mark beside it. I've never seen that village on a map before, but I want to check it out sometime. Rumors were going around the inn this morning about a man selling a control rod to a golem in Sulcher's Pass, which leads down to the village, Honnleath. A golem would be very useful.

I hear the wagon begin moving, so I roll the map back up, tying it with a piece of cord, and tuck it into my pack.

I do not understand, Hope says.

I jump a little, surprised. She's been quiet all day. What?

What is bothering you. I don't understand the blatant and pointless feeling of hopelessness.

I pause, staring at the ground. I...I don't feel hopeless. Do I?

I'm not sure I do, either, I admit.

As we walk, I focus on the lake, searching the horizon for the castle. I know it will be quite some time yet before it is visible, but any shred of normalcy will make me feel better and hopefully pull me out of the slump I've been in all morning. Anything will do. Even-even darkspawn. Fighting would help.

I'm not eager for more bloodshed though.

I sense someone coming up behind me, signaling I've been slower than usual, and I pick up the pace, ignoring whomever it was. The rest of the party lags behind a little, but I don't say anything to keep them moving.

"So Alistair," Morrigan starts.

"Dear Maker," he replies. "What could you possibly want from me?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just curious if it was common practice for Senior Wardens to allow the recruits to lead," she says.

Alistair sighs loudly. "They grew up learning how to lead. It's smarter to allow them to take control."

If your father wasn't afraid of having a bastard son, you would know how to as well, I think, looking back at them.

They stop talking after that and there is only the wood turning on Bodahn's cart. It is a methodical sound, moving at the exact same speed at the exact same volume.

What a boring day.

Short chapter :( But Zevran is coming, I promise!