This story follows BioWare's DA:O game play and story line, using the characters, locations and some backstories, but have added bits that of my own imagination and characters that are my own. I have rated this M for mature for blood, strong language and sexual content. All comments are welcome. Thank you!

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With the help of Sten and Alistair, we were finally able to get one of the heavy village gates open but felt that whatever the reason was they had been sealed, it might be best to keep them closed. We left the horses with food and water in the empty stable and there was little evidence that it had been used recently. I look up at the guard towers and found that where there should have been men stationed, there were none. I looked to the closest buildings and found evidence of battle.

"Dear Maker! What could have happened here? Where are the guards? There was no one in the towers and I haven't seen any patrols," Leliana said, having seen everything I had.

"I think the question should be where is everyone? A village this size should be teeming with people and animals," Morrigan added as we continued past scorched houses. "One should hear the sounds of children about."

We stopped at the decomposing remains of various livestock, their stench overwhelming as we quickly moved on. So far there had been no human bodies and I was hopeful that meant they were hidden yet alive.

"Wardens!" called out Sten, who had approached the bridge ahead of us and as we joined him, he pointed down to the main part of the village. "It appears they have taken refuge inside the Chantry," he said as we spotted a man approach us.

"Hello there!" Alistair called out. "Can you tell us what has happened here?"

"Are there any more of you?" he asked.

"No, just what you see here," Alistair replied and the man visibly deflated.

"Doesn't anyone know what has happened here? We sent word to the King…" he started to say when Morrigan interrupted.

"Your King is dead at the hands of the darkspawn horde," she informed him and Leliana stepped forward when the man started to tremble and took a step back.

"We heard that the Arl had fallen ill and have come to see if we can offer our help," she said soothingly as she approached him. "My name is Leliana. My companions and I travel with these two Grey Wardens. Perhaps we can be of assistance?"

"My name is Tomas," he said as he looked at Leliana. "I can take you to see the Bann. He can tell you more than I can."

He turned and walked back down the path he used to reach us with Leliana at his side. Alistair followed with Sten and my mabari, but I stayed behind when I noticed Morrigan had a peculiar look upon her face.

"Is something bothering you?" I asked her.

"I can sense something strange is happening here," she said as we slowly followed the rest, stopping as we reached the gates that led to the castle. "It's coming from here, Warden. Whatever is plaguing this village, its problem stems from the castle."

"Can you tell what it is?" I asked her.

"It will take me sometime," she said.

"Let me know as soon as you find something out, Morrigan," I said and she nodded.

"Kat, are you coming?" Alistair called out and I turned to them.

"Alistair, you and Leliana go to meet with the Bann," I said as I approached them. "Sten, check the fortifications around town. Whatever is happening, it hasn't spread past the village and it needs to remain that way. If we can contain it here, we will."

"And where will you be, Warden?" Leliana asked.

"Where there is bound to be more than a few people willing to speak to a generous stranger," I said and smiled. "And I could really use a stiff drink."

It was easy to spot the tavern overlooking the rest of the village. I split off from the rest of my companions and continued on my own, all the while removing my cowl and loosening my hair. I walked in and immediately spotted the red headed bar maid, choosing a seat on the right, well away from the few drunken men that were obviously not proper soldiers. Whatever happened in Redcliffe, I thought to myself, caused the Bann to arm ordinary villagers…which is never a good sign.

I looked her over as she passed by and noticed how closely she once might have resembled me. She smiled when she noticed my scrutiny and as she passed by once again, gave me a discrete nod towards the back room where she was headed. I gave the overweight tavern owner a quick glance before getting to my feet and followed her.

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Leliana spotted me as I left the back room shortly after the bar maid did. She gave me a knowing look as she watched Bella continue to smile as she retrieved drinks for the other patrons and I got into a heated discussion with the owner. According to my new friend, the owner Lloyd hadn't received the proper persuasion to join the town's defenses and I was quick to give him one: death.

To show her appreciation, Bella brought over a few glasses of good ale, pausing long enough to trail her fingers across my shoulders as she walked away.

"Making new friends, Warden?" Leliana asked slyly as she drank.

"Oh, Bella was very helpful," I replied, picking up my drink as well.

"Did you notice the elf over there?" she asked softly and I nodded.

"Let's go have a little chat, shall we?"

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"So the elf admitted that he was sent to spy on the castle?" Alistair asked a few minutes later. He had noticed the commotion caused by Lloyd joining the town's militia, as well as an elf no one knew but had seen in the tavern.

"After some convincing, he finally admitted he was," I said and glanced at Leliana.

"It sounds as if someone knew this was going to happen," Morrigan said.

"What did you find out?" I asked her.

"Only that whatever is attacking this village is coming from the castle," she said. "It is very powerful magic."

"Can't we just go straight there, instead of waiting for tonight then?" Leliana asked. Bann Teagan had explained that the attacks came every night.

"Whatever this is has cast a powerful barrier over the entrance," Morrigan explained. "Unless there is another way in, we will have to wait."

"Sten, how are they on defenses?" I asked the silent warrior.

"The men are poorly trained, Warden. It is a surprise to me that they have lasted even this long," was all he said.

"Was it difficult to convince the blacksmith to return to work?" I asked Alistair and he looked at me guiltily.

"Only after convincing him we would do everything in our power to locate his only daughter…"

"You actually convinced him we could find her?" Morrigan asked. "If she's been stuck in the castle all this time, she is most likely dead!"

"Then he will at least have a body to bury, Morrigan." I looked at her outraged face and sighed. "Did he at least have weapons or armor that Sten could use?"

"These weapons are inferior but they will do," Sten replied.

"Then we wait," I said, looking around the table at my companions and sipping the new pitcher of ale that Bella brought me.