We followed her into the tiny house. I'd never been inside one of the houses in Dust Town and had to say, if anything, Sigrun downplayed the poverty. "Tell me," I said, sitting across from her.

"I'm fine, but Runi isn't." I waited for her to continue. "She's alive," Helka said. "For now." I groaned. Whatever this was, it couldn't be good.

"Well, what happened? Is she hurt? Sick?"

"In jail," Helka said, grimacing. "They're going to send her to the Deep Roads, to the Legion."

I sighed with relief and everyone but Anders gave me a strange look. He glanced at me and we shared the same crazed grin, both enjoying the thought of saving someone from that fate. "This shouldn't be a problem," I explained quickly. "What did she do?" Helka sighed and looked away, obviously not wanting to tell me. I leaned down and put a hand over hers. "Please, tell me. We can help."

"I don't think you'll want to, Commander." She pushed her hair back and made a face. "She killed a man."

"Well, did he deserve it?" I asked. Anders chuckled and Rose gave me that 'our Commander is crazy' look I knew so well. Ronan's expression was somewhere around 'Maker, save me from this lunatic' and 'perhaps the Chantry had a good reason to want her dead.'

"I have no idea," Helka said, looking crushed. "I don't know the details. I mean, I'd think he deserved it. She wouldn't even work for the Carta, Ruri isn't the kind of person that kills for no reason."

"All right," I said. "I'll go get her."

"What?" Helka said, shocked.

"You heard me. I'm going to get her out of jail."

"Can- can you do that?" she asked, her dark eyes wide.

"Of course I can," I said.

"We're going to, um, break someone out of prison?" the templar looked at me, horrified. Ronan was not adapting well to the heat of Orzammar, apparently. He looked incredibly uncomfortable, and kept wiping his face with a rag.

"What?" I blinked at him. "No! We're going to ask them to release her. And then, if they argue, I'm going to remind them who I am and invoke the Warden right of conscription." I shrugged. "We don't care what anyone's past is. Never have." Rose gave me a pointed look when I said that, tilting her head slightly towards the templar.

"I know, I know," I said to her.

Anders sighed, catching our exchange. "Already had that pointed out to us," he said. She gave me a small, satisfied grin.

"This may complicate things, Maggie," Anders pointed out. "I don't think they'll want us hanging around with her until tomorrow." I winced, he was right. When Duncan conscripted me they wouldn't even let us stay long enough to get the few belongings I owned.

"All right. How much time do we have?"

"They're sending her first thing tomorrow," Helka said.

"You packed and ready?" she nodded. "Where is Runi now?" Helka gave me directions to the prison on the edge of the Commons. I asked Rose and Ronan if they had to pack, neither did. Thankfully Anders was such a neat freak he folded everything and returned it to our bags as soon as it was worn. Our bags were already packed and ready on the table in our room, with clothes for tomorrow on top.

"I don't own anything," Ronan reminded me. I nodded.

"Anders, grab our packs and then get all the recruits, have them meet us…" I paused, trying to think of an appropriate location. "By the Commons door to the Hall of Heroes," I concluded. It was easy to find, and we had to pass through there to leave.

"Helka, can you go with Rose? Get Ruri's stuff for her, then find the Wardens and let them know we're leaving tonight, soon as we can. Hopefully it hasn't been long enough for any of them to be too drunk yet, but you may need to do some herding or help them pack." She and Ronan both gave me a shocked look, but I ignored it. "Check Tapsters first. If anyone's really bad get Anders, he can use magic to sober them up."

"What about me?" Ronan asked.

"You get to help me spring this poor girl from jail," I said, grinning. "It'll be fun."

Anders leaned down to whisper in my ear once we were out in the street. "Might as well take advantage of the time it'll take to get there, no one will let us live it down if you don't speak to him soon."

"That's my plan," I whispered back.

"Don't let him kill you," he added. "Not that he could." I laughed and kissed him on the cheek, sending everyone off.

"Right," I turned to Ronan. "Off to be big heroes."

"You don't even know why she did it," he pointed out.

I lowered my voice. "Look at this place! People here aren't even allowed to hold most jobs, it's an actual real law." His eyes widened at that. "Andraste's tits, I don't care why. If she tells me she had a good reason that'll be enough."

We walked out of Dust Town and passed through the Commons, eliciting glances on the way. Two humans stood out. Something caught my robes as we passed through a side street. I turned and saw a young boy looking up at me.

"Are you a mage?" he asked. "Can I see you do magic?"

"Sure," I told him. Ronan, predictably, shifted next to me, looking even more uncomfortable than he had been. "Don't be such a templar," I told him. "I'm not going to burn a house down or anything." I pointed my hand at a stone wall and the boy gasped as ice covered it before clapping his hands and running towards the wall. "Watch out," I warned him. "It'll be very cold!"

"Dwarves have a thing for magic," I explained to him as we walked away. "They don't grow up hearing that we're all monsters so everyone's just curious instead of scared. Drives Anders nuts, though. He says we might as well dance for people's amusement when I do things like that."

"I assume you don't have to worry about vows," he said dryly.

"Thank the Maker, no. Maintaining our sanity is difficult enough as it is, you've seen what we do."

"It's not always like that, though," he said. "It couldn't be."

"No," I agreed. "Usually it's worse. We lost two recruits when the darkspawn attacked us between here and West Hill. A third ran when she saw them. Almost lost Rose," I added, shaking my head. I still felt guilty for barely being able to heal her in time. "This time? No deaths, no major injuries, and we met our objective. A real success."

We continued on in silence. "Commander, can I ask you something," he asked when we were near the prison.

"Go ahead," I said.

He shifted, looking nervous. Seeing him in the light of the Commons I realized sweat was actually covering his face. "I, um, I lost my pack in the deep roads," he began. "And, well… the Chantry doesn't tell people this, but templars all—"

"Maker's breath, I'm such an ass," I said, cutting him off. He'd been with us for almost a week now. I kicked myself, amazed he wasn't vomiting and hallucinating in the corner somewhere. Retrieving a small glass bottle from my pocket I passed it to him. "Here," I said. "I'm really sorry. I should have remembered. If I forget again just please let me know." No wonder he was sweating so much.

"You knew," he said, shocked, after quickly finishing the potion.

"Alistair told me about it. We all have our Chantry leashes, he said. Granted, that was after we stopped eyeing each other nervously across the campfire in silence, him wondering when I would turn into a giant rage abomination and me wondering if that would be the night he'd cut my head off."

"That's not it," Ronan said. "It's unfortunate, but it's a side effect. The skills we use wouldn't work otherwise."

"Have you ever tired?" I asked him. He shook his head. "Well, I've seen Alistair take down emissaries and blood mages without any trouble. And he trained a Qunari warrior we knew how to do it, too. Trust me, that is just the templar version of a phylactery." He looked queasy. "Welcome to my world," I told him with a shrug. "At least you can quit. They can still find me no matter where I go."

"I suddenly feel very used," he said. "More than I did already, in any case, which says quite a bit."

"Sorry," I offered. "I figured you knew. Anders can help you if you want to quit. He's a fantastic healer."

Ronan shrugged. "It doesn't matter at this point. I suspect after we go to Denerim I won't exactly be welcomed to active duty again."

I sighed and pointed at a bench outside a small café. "Sit," I ordered, walking to it. He joined me.

"You've been nothing but honest with me," I began. "If you promise to keep that up, I'm going to be completely honest with you."

"I told a group of heavily armed Grey Wardens I had been sent to kill their commanding officer," he reminded me. "If I was going to lie, that would have been the ideal time."

"You have a point," I admitted. "So, you seemed surprised that I don't care why she killed that man. Fact is, I do. I'd like it to be self defense or something. But that's me as a person. As a Warden it doesn't matter if it was just to steal his purse. She's good, and I need her. We take anyone. Criminals, killers, thieves, apostates, maleficar, it doesn't matter. Always have. Sure, quite a few people simply want to join, and they're just as welcome. Once someone undergoes the ritual to become a warden it doesn't matter what they did before."

"And that system works?"

"Sure? Why not?" I shrugged. "You'd be amazed how loyal and dedicated people become when they're saved from prison or execution. Of course, there are many reasons we're so devoted to our cause, but most can't be revealed until after someone undergoes the Joining."

"I can see how that might work," Ronan admitted. "Although it does surprise me, considering the reputation of the Wardens. Knowing that the people everyone reveres as great selfless heroes are the lowest of society…" he shook his head.

"You don't get it," I told him. "Desperation drives people to horrible things, sometimes. It doesn't make them bad. Stealing to keep from starving, killing for your freedom, using forbidden magic to stay alive. Who wouldn't do that, if they had no other options?"

"Blood magic?" he said, eyebrows raised. "You're defending blood magic. What good could come of that? It controls minds!"

"Everyone always says that," I muttered, more to myself than him. "You know, I've seen actual mind control once. Uldred. And he had to torture people for days first, even then it didn't work on everyone. And he was so far gone I watched him turn into an abomination right in front of me before I killed him. Sure, someone can confuse darkspawn enough to get them to fight each other, but that's closer to a hex of misdirection, and they've barely got minds as it is. But to walk over to, say, the king and tell him to carry out a complex order? Not a chance."

"I can't believe that. Why would anyone bother if not to control thoughts, knowing it's a death sentence? What other purpose is there?"

"Because it's powerful," I said simply. "It is so unbelievably powerful. You've seen the damage I can cause with normal magic. A single blood magic spell makes that look like… a child practicing after their first lesson. That's why we allow it. It's power that can be used against darkspawn."

Ronan looked away from me, covering his face with his hands briefly as he leaned back on the bench. I could hear him groan. "It's true, isn't it?" he said after a moment. "What the grand cleric said… it's true. You are—"

"I am," I agreed, watching him carefully to see if he would reach for his weapons. "Not every mage in the Wardens needs to be, I don't require it. I'm the only one now, but everyone knows. I won't use anyone else's blood to fuel a spell, and I don't even know how to control a mind. But the rest? I'll throw anything I can at the darkspawn, the more the better. And more than once it's been the only reason we returned home at the end of the day instead of all dying in some darkspawn lair."

"So why are you telling me this?" he asked. "I was going to help you. I believed you. Why now?"

"You haven't figured it out?" I said, surprised. He shook his head. "Because you don't have to go back to the Chantry," I said. "Not if you don't want to. But I need to make sure you know what you're walking into, since I can't have someone at my back unless I trust them."

I watched the play of expressions across his face. Confusion, surprise, fear, and back to confusion again. "You do remember that I was sent to kill you, yes?"

"I'm surprisingly forgiving," I said. "Usually far more than this. There's been more than half a dozen assassination attempts against me. You wouldn't be the first, or even the second, who went on to fight on the side of the Wardens after." I grinned at his look of surprise before taking a breath. This was the part I didn't want to say, perhaps even more than admitting to being a blood mage. "It has been pointed out to me, by more than one person, that I… haven't been exactly fair." I blushed and went on. "I'll admit, I don't like templars. It isn't anything personal against you, but I grew up in the tower. I'm still not over it. So, there's that. But, I also know a lot of templars are very, um… strong in their beliefs. They may make good Wardens individually, but wouldn't be willing to live and fight at the side of blood mages and apostates, or wouldn't take orders from a one. I can't have anyone who would ever turn on a fellow Warden."

"That is… a good deal to think about," he said. "I'm no expert, but from what I have understood, becoming a Warden isn't some simple oath, either."

"No, it's not," I admitted. "It's a ritual, and it does change you. Not who you are fundamentally or anything that horrid," I assured him, "but it's physical and mental. I can't discuss the specifics now."

"Many of the senior Enchanters at the tower were privy to Warden secrets," he said. I nodded, I knew that much since they prepared the Joining at Ostagar for Duncan. "From what I've overheard, right after the blight ended, some die in the attempt?"

"I can't discuss that now," I said. "Once you decide, I can tell you more. But from that point there's no going back."

"Can I think on this? Do you need an answer now?"

"No, take your time," I said. "I couldn't let someone who helped us go to Aeonar when I knew I had a way to spare them. The Wardens saved me from a similar fate." I stood up. "Come on, we have a jailbreak to finish."

We headed over to the prison, still collecting curious looks. Part of me expected a dagger in the back at any moment, but I didn't want to act paranoid. "This should work out well," I said, trying to move into a more casual conversation. "Once we're done here everyone else should be ready and waiting. I don't like the idea of having to stand around and wait."

"Hm?" he said, clearly not paying attention. "What? Oh, yes, that makes sense."

Leaving him to his thoughts I walked into the prison. A man at a counter looked over at me, recognition flashing on his face after a few seconds. "Commander," he greeted me. "What can I do for you? I don't believe we have any of your people here. They just got a warning."

I sighed. "I wasn't even aware of that," I admitted. "I'm sorry. What did they do?"

He shrugged. "Nothing serious. They had a bit too much to drink, there was a slight ruckus in Tapsters earlier. We know our brew hits you surfacers like a ton of bricks."

"I'm so sorry about that," I said, blushing. "We just got back from a long expedition in the Deep Roads, I think everyone was a bit too wound up. Do you know who was causing the problems?"

He shrugged. "So you can holler at them? Nah, don't bother, it was minor. Wasn't even their fault, someone in the crowd got a bit too friendly with one of your ladies and her fellow Warden took offense. I shouldn't have said anything at all. What can I do for you?"

"You have a young woman locked up," I began. "I've been told she was involved in an incident in Dust Town. Her name's Ruri, she has very light hair, worn in a long braid?"

"Ah, the murdering brand," he said. "What else did she do?"

I asked to see her, and he looked at me like I was insane but didn't argue. "Suit yourself," he said, opening a door and gesturing me to follow. I gestured for Ronan to wait in the lobby and followed the guard. A row of cells composed the bulk of the next room. I saw Ruri in one, her hair was a mess and she'd clearly been crying.

"Can you leave us?" I asked the guard. He nodded and walked out, closing the door.

"Here to yell at me?" she asked, not looking up.

"Well, I hadn't planned on it. I mean, if you really want I can give you one of the rants I already have prepared. Any preference on the topic? I can go with personal responsibility, teamwork, or you can get my lecture about responsible use of magic. That's one of my best."

"Oh, you're a funny Warden? Didn't know they made any of those." She rolled her eyes, looking up at me. "Why are you here?"

"To ask you the same thing," I said. "And to help."

"What's there to ask? I killed someone."

"Did you have a good reason?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. He's a noble, I'm just a brand."

"No," I told her. "You're a Warden. We're getting you out of here."

"What?" she looked at me like I was insane. "You didn't even ask me why! And how?"

"Doesn't matter why," I said. "You can tell me if you want, but I won't force you. You said you had a good reason, that's enough for me." I walked over and knocked on the door.

The guard walked back in. "Done here, Commander?"

"Just about," I told him. "I'm conscripting this woman, please release her to my custody."

He started to argue but cut himself off halfway through. "It doesn't really matter what I say, does it?"

"Not really," I admitted. "You know it's my right."

He sighed and unlocked the cell. "Just… get her out of here. I don't want a riot on my hands."

"Understood. And thank you for cooperating."

He sighed. "Just go. I'll never hear the end of this from my boss."

I thanked him again and left, offering Ruri a clean rag from my pocket so she could wipe her face. "Do you need to say goodbye to anyone before we go?" I asked her.

"No," she said. "I don't have any family. I have to get my things, though. That armor you bought me, the new weapons…"

"Already taken care of," I told her. "We're ready whenever you are. Did they take care of you? Have you eaten?"

"No, it's okay. They fed me, I'm all right," she said, still looking numb.

"Well, let's get out of here, then," I said.

Ruri nodded and followed us. I saw Ronan pat her on the shoulder briefly, an expression of pity on his face. I made sure we stayed close together in the Commons, and although there were comments no one tried to approach us. Once the door came into view I could see everyone gathered around, waiting. Anders was passing out small jars of a salve to the new recruits. He broke away from the group as we approached, running over to us and falling into step beside me. I quickly put on my cloak and took my pack from him.

"Here you go," he said, passing a jar to Ruri. "Something I mixed up. It's much colder on the surface than you're used to, that will help you adjust. And it should keep you from getting burned by the sun as well. Just a little, rubbed into your exposed skin."

She accepted the jar. "The sun… burns?"

"Kind of like splashing yourself with really hot water," I told her. "Since your skin isn't used to it. When I left the tower I got the worst sunburn. It's not agonizing or anything, but it isn't fun." She nodded, not looking any more reassured, and applied the salve as we walked.

"Any problems?" he asked me.

"Not at all," I said. "The guard was surprisingly understanding." Ruri broke off from us, rushing over to embrace Helka. I could see her quickly pulling armor on over her clothes and getting ready to set out.

"And the other thing?"

"I'm still thinking about it," Ronan spoke up. "I thought mages supposed to be good at keeping secrets. You two aren't exactly subtle."

"We get that a lot," Anders said. "Sorry." Ronan shrugged in reply. "For what it may be worth it's really a good deal of fun if you enjoy killing evil things. And the other bit was rather… disturbing to me as well. But if you put that aside she's one of the nicest people around. Apart from that, which I don't care for, either. Best not to argue, though. Not unless you have several hours to kill. She'll give you a lecture involving quotes from the chant, elaborate explanations and analysis of the passages to explain why she thinks her position is right, and diagrams."

"I'm standing right here," I reminded Anders, elbowing him. He laughed and put his arm across my shoulder.

"Like I said: not exactly subtle." Ronan shook his head. "Are all Wardens insane? Is it one of those side effects of the Joining she won't talk about, or do you recruit exclusively among the mad?"

"Ah, I've missed that famous templar charm," I teased. We reached the rest of the group. "Everyone ready?" I asked. Most nodded, but I noticed everyone looked rather nervous.

"Right," Oghren said, stepping forward. I winced as he swayed on his feet. "The big shiny thing in the sky during the day? That's the sun, don't stare at it. Trust me." They nodded. "You might puke at first. It's that 'fresh air' thing they all talk about. It's sodding cold, it's always raining, and it smells like dogs up there. Oh, rain? That's water from the sky. But it's snow now. Same thing, just frozen." He grinned. "But the ale? Fantastic. No dirt in it! No sodding traditions and castes to make you miserable, either. And if you like heavily armed lunatics you won't find a better bunch than us."

"Thank you, Oghren," I sighed. "I'm sure that was… very helpful."

"You know me, just happy to help," he said, swaying his way over to the main doors.

"I can't believe he was married to a Paragon," I heard Telka comment.

"Never ever bring that up to him," I whispered to her. "He had to kill his own wife after she went insane. You didn't see what she did, I was there. You'd drink, too."

"Yes, Commander," she said quickly. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize. Just letting you know we don't really discuss it, and with good reason." We passed through the hall quickly. Oghren paused by the statue of Branka. Anders caught my eye and nodded before hurrying everyone past. I went over to stand with him.

"I remember the day they put this up," he said, looking at it. "She didn't even want to come. We snuck out early, went home, had little party of our own." I put my hand on his shoulder. "Still miss her sometimes," he said.

"I know," I replied. "I'm sorry. I wish there had been some other way."

"Not your fault," he said. "It's hers. She did it to herself." Oghren shook his head. "I was so sodding mad when she didn't bring me. But if she did…"

"Did you ever think she might have known something would happen? Maybe she left you to keep you safe?" I didn't know if that was even remotely close to the truth, but if it made him feel better I'm sure the Maker would allow me a white lie.

"Huh," Oghren said. "Never thought of that." He reached up and patted the statue on the cheek before turning and walking away. "Enough of this weepy crap," he called back over his shoulder. "Let's go scare the new kids with the sky."