In the Royal Palace of Denerim Loghain was addressing the Bannorn with his daughter, Anora the Queen of Ferelden, standing by his side.

"…and I expect each of you to supply these men. We must rebuild what we lost at Ostagar, and quickly. There are those who would take advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat this darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation."

Bann Teagan, younger brother of Arl Eamon Guerrin then stepped forward. "Your lordship, if I might speak?" Loghain nodded and Teagan looks to the Bannorn and the Queen. "You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good." Loghain looked down at him with a fixed expression. "But what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most…" He hesitated as if trying to find the right word. "Fortuitous."

Bannorn gasped with horror and Loghain looked furious. "Everything I have done has been good to secure Ferelden's independence. I have not shrink my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!"

Teagan glared up at Loghain. "The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!"

Loghain gritted his teeth and gaze down upon the Bannorn. "Understand this: I will brook no threat to this nation… from you or anyone!"

The Bannorn mutter to themselves as Loghain walked off into a huff. Anora looked deeply troubled and looked down upon Teagan as he began to walk away.

"Bann Teagan, please!" she begged.

Teagan looked up at her with a firm expression. "Your Majesty. Your father risk civil war. If Eamon were here…"

Anora expression was one of sadness. "Bann Teagan, my father is doing what is best."

"Did he also do what was best for your husband, your Majesty?" Teagan then walked up leaving behind a grieving Anora.

Sereda led her party towards Lothering, but they were stopped by a group to armed men. "Wake up, gentlemen! More travellers to attend to." He cocked his head at her. "Led by a dwarf, oddly enough."

Another of the bandits looked them over, eyes narrowing. "Err… they don't look much like them others, you know. Uh… maybe we should just let these ones pass…"

"Nonsense!" the first man said cheerfully. "Greetings, travellers!"

"Highwaymen," said Alistair. He put a hand on his sword. "Preying on those fleeing the darkspawn, I suppose."

"They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson." Morrigan tightened her grip on her staff.

"Now is that any way to greet someone?" The leader of the bandits drew himself up as though he were actually affronted. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on."

Sereda narrowed her eyes. "You're toll collectors, then?"

The bandit leader looked at her cheerfully. "Indeed! For the upkeep of the Imperial Highway!" He then gestured to the mess around them. "It's a bit of a mess, isn't it?"

Faren crossed his arms. "Perhaps you should charge more, then."

The bandit leader blinked. "You want to pay more? Well, we'll happily accept donations."

Faren shook his head. "I'm just saying it's rough business was such a pittance."

"I could be mistaken, but that sounded threatening."

One of the bandits looked nervous. "Sounded like a threat to me."

"Interesting, because you seem a bit outnumbered," said the bandit leader gesturing to all his men.

Sereda smirked. "It's hard to be outnumbered by common thugs."

The bandit leader sighed. "Well I can't say am pleased to hear that. We have rules, don't you know."

"Right. We get to ransack your corpse, then. Those are the rules."

"You can certainly try," said Sereda pulling out her sword.

The bandit leader smirked. "Well, this is going nowhere. Let's finish this, gents!"

The bandit leader drew his blade, and Kallian stepped in front of Sereda, parrying it before kicking the bandit in the stomach and sending him backwards. Alistair and Faren closed in on either side of Kallian as the rest of the bandits joined the fray. Morrigan gave a delighted laugh as she used her magic to start hurling rocks at the bandits.

"All right! We surrender! We-we-we're just trying to get by, before the darkspawn get us all." The bandit leader held up his hands after Kallian almost casually disarmed him.

Elissa narrowed her eyes. "Get by? You're a criminal!"

"Yes, I'm a criminal; I admitted. I apologise."

"This shoddy operation is pathetic." Faren actually sounded insulted. "I could do better."

"Um… right. I guess so." The bandit leader gave Faren a meek look. "I'm sorry?" he offered hopefully.

Faren smirked at him in response. "Hand over everything you've stolen." Sereda turned to Faren and raised an eyebrow. He gave her a cheeky grin, and she just shook her head.

"Yes! Yes, of course. The coins we collected are right here… just over a hundred silvers. The rest is in the chests we brought! I swear."

Sereda turned her gaze upon the bandit leader. "We are turning you in to the authorities."

"There aren't any! Just the Templars, and they'll execute me!" The bandit leader started shaking his head.

"They'll do what they must. Come with us," said Sereda.

"I'm not going down without a fight." He went for his sword, and Kallian almost casually ran him through. The bandit leader gave Kallian a startled look, then fell to the ground and went still.

"Huh," Faren said.

"What?" said Sereda, turning to look at him.

"He went down without a fight."

Sereda shook her head, Faren could see a small smile crossed her face. Kallian cleaned the edge of his blade and shrugged. "Did you really just shake down the highway robbers?" Sereda asked.

"Figured we could use the coin," said Faren. "Besides I think we can put into a lot better use than they would have." He nodded at the crates and barrels the bandits had been guarding.

They entered Lothering somewhat better equipped. Sereda looked down over the filthy, bedraggled city. Refugee tents were everywhere, and the wind brought the smell of unwashed bodies and dog. Alistair stopped at a landing on the staircase. "Well there it is. Lothering. Pretty as a painting."

Morrigan gave him a look. "Ah. So you have finally decided to re-join us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed like too much trouble, I take it?"

"Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?"

"Before or after I stopped laughing?"

"Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked."

Elissa looked at Alistair with concerned look. "You have been quiet, Alistair."

"Yes, I know. I was just…" He closed his eyes. "Thinking."

"No wonder it took so long, then," said Morrigan rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend your entire life."

"I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas, desiring to be more intelligent does not make it so."

Sereda cough to get their attention and both of them turned to look at her. They subsided at her glare.

"Anyway…" Alistair looked back over the village before turning to her. "I thought we should talk about where we intend to go, first."

"I need to look for Fergus. He might still be alive," said Elissa.

"He was out scouting the Wilds, wasn't he?" Alistair asked. "That's what the king said." She nodded.

Morrigan shrugged. "Then attempting to look for him there would be foolish. He is either dead or he managed to flee to the north."

"Very sensitive," Alistair shot Morrigan a glare as Elissa paled slightly.

"I am simply saying that it is foolish to mount a rescue when you have no notion where this man is and the Wilds are overrun with darkspawn. You will either find him somewhere outside the Wilds with other survivors, or…" She shrugged. "Not at all."

Elissa rounded on her. "That doesn't mean I shouldn't look for him!"

"That's exactly what it means." Morrigan gave her a haughty look. "You wish to do this brother of yours a service? Avenge him. The time to look for survivors will come later."

Alistair pulled Elissa away. "I think what Flemeth suggested is the best idea. These treaties… have you looked at them?"

"Yes, I have," Sereda said, touching the scroll case that was tucked safely into her belt pouch.

"There are three main groups that we have treaties for: the Dalish elves, the dwarves of Orzammar, and the Circle of Magi. I also still think that Arl Eamon is our best bet for help. We might even want to go to him first." He shrugged at Sereda.

"Why are you leaving it up to her?" Kallian asked.

"Well, I don't know where we should go. I'll do whatever you decide." Alistair ran a hand through his hair helplessly.

"Now that is unsurprising." Morrigan folded her arms and smirked at him.

"Arl Eamon is a good man, but I don't know for sure he's where we should go. I'm not going to fight about it." He shook his head.

Sereda thought a moment. "Is there a way to contact the Grey Wardens?"

"Short of leaving Ferelden to seek them out, the only place to send word to would be Weisshaupt Fortress, and that's thousands of miles away."

Sereda nodded. "I'll figure it out as we go."

Elissa blinked. "You'll figure it out? Who put you in charge?"

"Alistair just did," said Faren.

"Now wait just a…"

"Listen we need someone in charge who is commanded men before and dealt with darkspawn. Now while you lead men before you've never actually led them against darkspawn. Sereda fills both of those categories."

"Before we do anything we need to resupply in Lothering and then we head on to Redcliffe. After that, we can discuss our next destination."

"All right, we'll follow you," said Elissa.

They began walking down the steps and Kallian leaned towards Faren and lower her voice, pitched so as not to carry. "Don't want to become the new commander yourself?"

"I was a Carta thug and while I excel at double-dealing, I have no idea how to command an army.

Kallian smirked. "Got a bit of a crush, do you?"

"What?" He looked up at her and shook his head. "No… She wouldn't fancy a guy like me. I'm casteless. In Orzammar, that's about two rungs below 'thing I scraped off my boot last night'. But from the start…" His voice became sad. "Duncan always treated me like I was a person. Found out from him just how many strings Sereda pulled on to help me get into the Wardens. Even made sure a mace, one her own ancestor wielded. Since it can't be Duncan leading us no more, it's gonna be Saitada."

"I see."

He shrugged. "Besides, she was a military commander in Orzammar. Who better?"

"Elissa?" Kallian asked, looking back over her shoulder at the now sullen woman.

"Elissa, I would trust if we were defending a castle, but leading an army against the entire darkspawn horde? I don't think so."

"Okay, what about Theron?"

"I admit the elf is skilled, but he's more an ideal scout than a commander. Alistair doesn't want the job. Daylen smarter than a shaper, but he hasn't been out in the world all that long. And don't take this long way, but like me you don't have any experience."

"I take your point."

Sereda watched Faren bicker with the rude merchant. Faren had apparently finished bargaining. The merchant looked very unhappy. Hopefully, that meant Faren had managed some sort of deal and once he was done she walked up to him. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?"

"Backing me up there."

"Well, I meant every single word on it."

Theron knew the men were going to be trouble the moment he set eyes on them. The man in fancy armour looked at them when they entered, and gave a slow, satisfied smile. A dozen men in armour arrayed around him. "Well, look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed."

"Uh-oh." Alistair nudged Sereda. "Loghain's men. This can't be good."

One of the soldiers looked around the inn, then back at Sereda. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a dwarf by this very description? And everybody said they hadn't seen one?"

The commander smirked. "It seems we were lied to."

Theron laid a hand on his sword as a young woman in pale robes stepped out of the crowd. Her accent was odd to his ears. "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."

"They're more than that. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them." The commander gave her a threatening look.

Theron gestured for her to step back. "We don't need your help, miss. Please stand back."

"You don't need my protection," she said, looking over him and the rest of the group. "But these men will blindly follow their master's command even unto death."

"I am not the blind one! I served at Ostagar, where the Teyrn saved us from the Grey Wardens treachery! I serve him gladly! Enough talk. Take the wardens into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else that gets in your way"

"Right! Let's make this quick." The rest of the soldiers started to stand up.

Sereda sighed. "Theron?"

The commander hadn't even finished drawing his sword before Theron's blade was at his throat. Then quick as a flash Daylen blasted one of the soldier that had spoken with a jolt of electricity. The commander swallowed. Sereda didn't bother to move, her expression utterly contemptuous.

The commander swallowed, then glanced at Theron. The commander switched his gaze to Sereda. "All right, you've won! We surrender!"

"Good," the woman in the sunburst robes said. "They've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting, now."

Sereda squared her shoulders. "The Grey Wardens didn't betray King Cailan. Loghain did."

"I was there! The Teyrn pulled us out of a trap!"

Anger filled Sereda's voice. "The Teyrn left the king to die!"

"The Wardens led the king to his death! The Teyrn could do nothing!" The commander's voice cut off as Theron lifted his blade slightly.

"Do you want him dead commander?" Theron asked Sereda.

"No." She narrowed her eyes at the soldier. "Take a message to Loghain."

"W-what do you want to tell him?"

"The Grey Wardens know what really happened."

"I'll tell him. Right away. Now. Thank you!" Theron lowered the blade.

Theron smirked as the soldiers practically scamper out of the door. He sheathed his blade as the woman in chantry robes approached them. "I apologize for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help."

"I appreciate what you tried to do," said Sereda.

"I am glad you found it in your heart to offer those men mercy." Her smile was bright and warm. "Let me introduce myself. I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or I was."

"That accent of hers is Orlesian," Elissa whispered.

Theron turned his attention upon Leliana with great curiosity. There was something about her that he hasn't experienced ever before, but he wasn't sure what it was.

"What does that mean?" Theron asked.

"I joined the Chantry to live a life of religious contemplation, but I am no priest, not even an initiate."

"I am Theron. A pleasure." He glances around, uncertain if he should introduce the others. Faren was conversing with a merchant, no doubt trying to get some more supplies. Elissa had wondered off to talking to someone she apparently knew. Daylen and Morrigan had moved to the door, apparently watching to make sure the soldiers did not return. Sereda seemed inclined to let him talk, so he introduced her, Alistair, and Kallian.

"They said you were a Grey Warden. I'm surprised you're an elf, but elves must want the Blight defeated as much as humans, no? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get." Her voice became matter of fact. "That's why I'm coming along."

Theron wasn't quite sure how to answer. "Why so eager to come with me?"

"The Maker told me to."

"Can you…" Sereda rubbed her forehead. "Elaborate?"

"I-I know that sounds… absolutely insane—" She turned back to Theron and gave him a beseeching look. "But it's true! I had a dream… a vision."

"More crazy?" Alistair muttered. "I thought we were full up."

"Look at the people here. They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos... will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do, what you are meant to do, is the Maker's work. Let me help!"

"We need more than prayers, I'm afraid," said Sereda.

Theron glanced at the dwarf. "We should not turn away help when it is offered."

From the door, Morrigan shot him a look. "Perhaps your skull was cracked worse than Mother thought."

"Thank you!" Leliana put a hand on his arm as she practically gushed with joy. "I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down."

Sereda was looking at him like he was insane and part of her can't help but agree.

Sereda gave Theron a look that combined amusement and annoyance. Theron shrugged. "Elissa may know Highever, but a commoner would know more about the people than a mage or noble, right? She could help."

"We don't know who we can trust." If she didn't know any better, she'd think the Dalish man was actually blushing and sighed. "Keep an eye on her. She's your responsibility." Sereda glanced over at the door. "Dayeln, Morrigan, make sure we don't have any more surprises. Everyone else let's see if we can get some some supplies and finding out what news we can."

Daylen nodded to her, then jerked his head at Morrigan. The witch followed him out of the inn. Faren was bartering with a merchant, and Sereda's ears twitched slightly at the mention of poisons. It appeared though that their options were limited. Between them, they had less than three royals, and that included the money Faren had extracted from the bandits and what they'd managed to get for the bandit's gear. They won't last long without any more resources.

The bounty on their heads limited their options even further. She'd thought to turn to the local nobility for supplies, but with Loghain's accusations, that was going to be dangerous at best. Hopefully, Alistair was right about them being able to count on Arl Eamon. If he turned them away… She sighed to herself. If he turned them away, they might have little choice but to head for the border and find the Orlesian wardens.

Daylen and Morrigan left the inn and headed back over the bridge. He could see the soldiers riding away. They would likely be back with reinforcements before too long, but it already looked as though staying in Lothering was not an option.

He stood for several minutes, watching the horizon. The smarter refugees were already on the move, heading north or west. Those who managed to keep their goods or coin secure would undoubtedly be finding ships. Ostagar was going to cost Ferelden.

He then glanced over at Morrigan.

She caught his eye. "What do you want?"

"I'd like to ask you something."

"If you must."

He considered a moment, and decided to start with a smaller question. "Did you grow up in the Korcari Wilds?"

"Why do you ask me such questions? I do not probe you for pointless information, do I?" She gave him an irritated look.

"I'm curious. What's wrong with that?" He shrugged. Part of him wasn't surprised that Morrigan wouldn't be so forthcoming.

She smirked. "Any number of cats could inform you of the answer to that question. But have it your way. What was it you asked? If I grew up in the Wilds? A curious question. Where else would you picture me? For many years it was simply Flemeth and I. The Wilds and its creatures were more real to me than Flemeth's tales of the world of man. In time, I grew curious. I left the Wilds to explore what lay beyond. Never for long. Brief forays into a civilized wilderness."

"But you kept going back to the Wilds?"

"Would you not do the same? Your world is unforgiving and cold place. The Wilds I hail from his home to me, and I am a natural denizen. For all that I had been taught, however, the truth of the civilized lands proved to be… overwhelming. I was unfamiliar with so much. So confident and bold was I, yet there was much that Flemeth could never have prepared me for."

"Very daring." He nodded to her. "That sounds like you."

The way she laughed was nothing what he expected. He expected it to be cold and cruel, but instead it was warm and joyful. "Equal parts daring and foolhardy, perhaps. Only once was I accused of being a Witch of the Wilds, and that by a Chasind who happened to be traveling with a merchant caravan. He pointed and gasped and began shouting in his strange language, and most assumed he was casting some curse upon me. I acted the terrified girl, and naturally he was arrested."

He raised an eyebrow. "That was quick thinking."

She smiled proudly. "Men are always willing to believe two things about a woman: one, that she is weak, and two, that she finds him attractive. I played the weakling and batted my eyelashes at the captain of the guard. Child's play. The point being that I was able to move through human lands fairly easily. Whatever humans think a Witch of the Wilds looks like, 'tis not I. Not that I did not have trouble. There are things about human society which have always puzzled me. Such as the touching—?" She looked at him. "Why all the touching for a simply greeting?"

"Touching?" He blinked. "Like a handshake?"

"To begin with, yes. What is the point of touching my hand? I find it an offensive intrusion. There were many nuances that Flemeth could never tell me of. When to look in another's eyes, how to eat at a table, how to bargain without offending… none of these things I knew. I still do not understand it all, truth be told. But, then, I gave up long ago any hope of doing so. When I returned to the Wilds last, I sword to Flemeth that I had no intention of leaving again."

"Well, I'm glad it worked out this way, at least."

"Yes? Let's ignore the entire darkspawn threat and the presence of a simpleton as Alistair as one of the few Grey Warden allies you have at your disposal, then. Not that I lack appreciation for the intent on your comment. Thank you. Well, let's get on with it before the ground opens up and swallows us, yes?"

He nodded, and they began to walk through the village.

Elissa and Alistair found their way to the chantry. Alistair gestured for Elissa to follow him as he walked towards a man in armour. The man looked up as they approached. "Who...? I beg your pardon. I did not see you approach."

"Sir Donall…?" Alistair asked. "Is that you?"

"Alistair?" The man smiled broadly, then clapped Alistair on the shoulders. "By the Maker, how are you? I was certain you were dead!"

"Not yet." Alistair's voice was bitter. "No thanks to Teryn Loghain. May I introduce my fellow Grey Warden? We are the last in Ferelden, as far as I know."

"Terrible news, indeed." He gave Elissa a small bow. "Pleased to meet you, my lady. Might I know your name?"

"I am Elissal Cousland. It is a pleasure to meet you."

His eyes widened at her name, and he looked over his shoulder before lowering his voice. "I trust you are staying discreet? With the bounty placed on your heads?"

Alistair's face revealed his outrage, but he kept his voice low. "We've heard Loghain's accusations. But he's the one who betrayed the king."

Sir Donall shook his head and sighed. "If Arl Eamon were well, he'd set Loghain straight soon enough."

Worry flooded into Alistair's face. "If he were well? What do you mean?"

"The arl is stricken with an illness that threatens his life. We have found no cure, either natural or magical."

Elissa and Alistair exchanged looks. "When did this happen?" Alistair asked.

"Only a few weeks ago, but he has declined quickly. No one knows the nature of the illness, and even magic has done little to slow its progress." He sighed. "Our only hope now is a miracle. Every knight of Redcliffe has done in search of the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Andraste's ashes are said to cure any illness. But I fear we are chasing a fable. With each day, my hope dims."

Elissa then remembered the locket and letter they found on a knight that one of the bandits had killed. She reached into her belt pouch and gave him the items. "Your friend Sir Henric is dead. I have something of his."

"What?" said Sir Donall horrified. "And you have his locket? And a note?" He sighed. "Maker's mercy. Thank you for giving me these. I would never have known otherwise."

"We dealt with the bandits that killed him," said Elissa, offering what small consolation she could.

"Thank you. I wonder how many of us have met similar fates on this mad quest." He sighed, and went back to his book.

Theron was heading towards the stream when a voice stopped him. An elvish family stood by the water. The father nodded to him. "Greetings to you, good sir. If it… isn't too much to ask, might you spare some bread? Or anything?"

Theron gave him a few coins. "Here."

The man's eyes widened in stunned gratitude. "Thank you, that's very kind."

"Bless you! I knew another elf would help us!" the woman beamed at him.

He started to walk away, then turned back around. The man caught his eye. "Thank you again for helping us. It's been difficult since we were robbed."

"You were robbed?"

The man sighed. "Wasn't everyone? Those bandits have jumped every wagon and caravan in sight of Lothering."

"I met those bandits," Theron said. He touched the hilt of his sword. "They're dead now."

"You…" The man's eyes nearly fell out of his head. "Killed them?"

"That's wonderful news! Perhaps our belongings are still there!"

"I can't thank you enough, friend." The man shook his head, his smile broad. "Even if we don't get everything back, it's good to know others will be safe." He took his daughter's hand, and began walking towards where the bandits had been.

The girl looked back at him as she followed her father. Her eyes were huge. She was looking at him as if he was some kind of hero. He felt a bit uncomfortable before he went to join the others in order to plan the next move.