Dawn arrived to find Lhiannon and the Grey Wardens boarding a boat to sail Lake Calenhad from Redcliffe to Kinloch Hold. The trip by boat would shave almost two days off their journey back to Vigil's Keep. Lhiannon wanted to get Isolde into the dungeon there as soon as possible. She was also looking forward to seeing Varel and her Wardens again, especially Loghain. Though they were only parted for a couple of weeks, it felt like an eternity.

Captain Garavel and two soldiers raced east along the West Road before the sun was completely over the horizon. Lhiannon had given Garavel a sealed scroll containing a message for the King, bidding him to come to Vigil's Keep as soon as possible. The written message was slightly vague, which is why Lhiannon ordered Garavel to Denerim; he could give the King as many details as he wished in person.

The boat sailed across a relatively tranquil Lake Calenhad, gently rocking with the motion of the water. The smell of the water on the wind served to chase some of Lhiannon's melancholy mood away. Unfortunately, not everyone had a steady stomach on the trip. Lhiannon found herself casting a number of healing spells at Sigrun. The dwarf was just getting used to having a sun and sky above her; putting her in a boat to be gently rocked by the waves was too much for the dwarf to handle. She spent most of the trip below deck in a hammock, her arm slung over her eyes when she was not gripping a bucket for dear life, begging the ancestors to come and take her back to the stone.

It was early the following morning when the spire of Kinloch Hold came into view off in the distance. Lhiannon wished that she had the time to stop and speak to the First Enchanter regarding recruits for the Grey Wardens, but with Isolde in her keeping, she simply did not have that luxury. She made a mental note to schedule a trip to Kinloch Hold as soon as time permitted. The boat gently sailed to a waiting dock, not far from where the North Road and Imperial Highway met. Their horses and carriage were unloaded from the boat and prepared to continue their journey over land. As Sigrun stepped onto dry land, she fell forward, seemingly trying to hug the ground beneath her.

"Oh, bless the ancestors! Solid ground! It's not stone, but it's better than that sodding water." Lhiannon laughed out loud as she watched Sigrun drop a kiss onto the dirt, then try to spit the dirt off her lips as she stood.

Lhiannon and the soldiers secured Isolde to a seat in the carriage with a long chain, not wanting the Arlessa to try and escape at some point during the journey. Sigrun climbed up in the carriage with her, sitting across from Isolde with her dagger drawn. Isolde warily watched the dagger as they traveled, occasionally muttering in Orlesian. Jowan was also in the carriage next to Sigrun, awake now, but still weak from his Joining and unable to ride one of the horses just yet. Lhiannon felt a great sense of relief at seeing her friend open his eyes for the first time as a Grey Warden.

As they traveled on horseback along the North Road, Nathaniel came up beside Lhiannon after one of Isolde's fits of angry muttering. "How much Orlesian do you know, Lhi?" Nathaniel asked, a grin spreading across his face.

"Very little, Nate. Colorful metaphors, more or less. Why?"

Nathaniel jerked his head toward the snarling Arlessa of Redcliffe. "She doesn't have very nice things to say about you. About any of us really, but especially you."

Lhiannon looked at him with feigned sadness. "I'm hurt. Really."

One of Garavel's soldiers spurred his horse to come beside Lhiannon and Nathaniel. "Commander," he began, looking at the rapidly setting sun ahead of them. "Shall we make camp for the night, or just rest for a couple of hours before moving on?"

"I want to return to Vigil's Keep as soon as we can. We can stop for a couple of hours to rest; I'll stay on watch with Sigrun. The rest of you should try and get some sleep."

Nathaniel looked at Lhiannon with concern. "And what about you, Commander? You also need your sleep."

Lhiannon scoffed slightly before giving both Nathaniel a small smile. "I can rest for a bit in the carriage, once we get back on the road. We need to keep moving."

"What about Isolde?" Nathaniel asked. "You want to take a nap with her right there?"

Lhiannon waved her fingers, a magical mist dancing among them and a grin on her face. "That's what a sleep spell is for. Pleasant dreams, Isolde." Nathaniel shook his head, chuckling.

They stopped just before sunset, those who would be resting rolling out their bedrolls on the ground. Lhiannon stepped off her horse and walked over to the carriage, peering inside to check on Jowan. Lhiannon was pleased to see Jowan awake and talking to Sigrun, while Isolde glared with hate at both of them. He smiled broadly when he saw Lhiannon.

"Hey, Lhiannon," Jowan grinned.

Lhiannon gave Jowan a broad smile. "How are you feeling?"

Jowan moved to exit the carriage, his feet slightly unsteady as he stepped outside. Lhiannon caught his arm to steady him. "I'm feeling a lot better. I've actually been able to heal myself a bit."

"Good, I'm glad to see it." Lhiannon looked at him, the smile dropping from her face. "Jowan, I should warn you—now that you're a Grey Warden, you'll be having dreams…"

Jowan waved her concern off with a small laugh. "Oh, I've already had a dream about the darkspawn. It was nowhere near as bad as some of the ones I've had about Fade demons."

Lhiannon's brow furrowed. "You've already dreamed about darkspawn. And it wasn't bad?"

"Not at all," Jowan said, shaking his head. "It appears that I can block some of them. If I can ignore Fade demons, darkspawn should be no problem at all."

With a laugh, Lhiannon shook her head. "It truly figures that you would be the one to block the dreams. After the difficulties you had with the Joining, I feared the worst. Just consider yourself lucky we recently defeated a Blight; those dreams would have been bad."

"Do you mind if I ride one of the horses when we get moving again?" Jowan asked, looking warily into the carriage. "The Arlessa isn't the most friendly company. I've heard more foul things come from her mouth than I would have heard at The Pearl in Denerim."

"My Lords and Ladies, the Teyrn of Gwaren."

Cauthrien was standing next to the chair Loghain used to conduct the business of court, calling the proceedings to order. Bann Ceorlic and Thorne sat off to the side and watched as Cauthrien motioned to the back of the hall for the guards to bring in the conspirators. The guards brought in five heavily chained prisoners, all of them shuffling forward and not meeting the eyes of the various nobles gathered in Loghain's hall. They were brought before Loghain, where he appraised each one with his cold, blue stare.

"You are accused of the attempted murder of Seneschal Thorne and sedition against the Teyrnir of Gwaren, each crime punishable by death," Cauthrien said, looking at each of the men in turn. "What have you to say in your own defense?"

The five suspects looked down at their feet; their faces hard and saying nothing.

"Seneschal Thorne," Loghain began, turning toward his right. "Can you identify any of these men as those who attacked you?"

Thorne nodded. "I can, Your Grace. All of them attacked me while I was traveling through town."

Loghain turned his attention to the Bann. Ceorlic held himself stiffly in the presence of the Teyrn, a sheen of sweat on his brow and a single drop slowly rolling down his temple. "Bann Ceorlic; can you identify any of these men as one who came to your home and attempted to include you in their plan of sedition against the Teyrnir?"

Ceorlic nodded, pointing to two of the men. "Yes, Your Grace. The two men on the far left were the ones who approached me at my home."

"And what was it they wanted you to do?" Loghain asked.

Ceorlic shifted his weight from foot to foot, clearly nervous under the Teyrn's scrutiny. "They wanted me to withhold my taxes and grain, Your Grace. They asked me to have my people withhold their contributions as well. They asked me to have my people refuse to work in Gwaren. Their goal was to disrupt the daily business of the Teyrnir so that you would be forced to abandon your title, leaving it open for one of their supporters."

"I see," Loghain said, rubbing his chin. "And did they say where their support and funding would come from?"

Ceorlic nodded emphatically, answering quickly; he wanted these proceedings to end as quickly as possible. He was anxious to put distance between himself and the imposing Teyrn. "Yes, Your Grace. It came from Redcliffe."

"Did they mention why they came to you?" Loghain asked.

With a nervous cough, Ceorlic nodded again. "They said it was because we have history. That I could help be a catalyst for change." As Loghain held Ceorlic's gaze, the Bann shook his head emphatically. "I would never betray you, Your Grace. You and King Maric were most generous to me."

Loghain's brows lifted slightly. "Indeed," he nodded. "Your loyalty has not been forgotten." Loghain meant his statement to be both agreement with the Bann and a reminder; a subtle warning that Ceorlic's loyalty was not an option.

The proceedings continued for the next hour; Cauthrien called several more banns and lords forward to either support or refute the charges against the conspirators. All had said these five were the ones responsible for the attempted sedition. They surrendered the sovereigns they received from the conspirators, and in turn, Loghain granted them mercy with a stern warning: their names were now marked. If they were found guilty of sedition or any other crimes against the teyrnir later, justice would be swift and uncompromising. They would face forfeit of their lands and death on the gallows. Turning his attention to the five perpetrators, Loghain glared at each one for several moments, reviewing the testimony he had just heard.

"It is clear to me through the testimony of these numerous witnesses that the five of you are guilty of attempted murder and attempted sedition," Loghain stated, rising from his chair and walking down to the five men. "I would suggest that if you have anything to say in your own defense, do it now before your sentence is carried out."

"Your mage will never rest. She will never find peace or sanctuary. We will hunt her until she draws her final breath.

"Your lands will fall into chaos and you will join her in death if you insist on meddling."

Loghain looked at the man standing second from the left. He was a small man with dark eyes and a plain face. Someone who could easily blend in to any crowd and not be noticed. Loghain drew his sword and approached him, his jaw clenched as he moved close.

"And who is 'we'? Tell me, and go to the Maker with a clean conscience," Loghain growled, his glaring look causing the man to take a half step back before he gathered his strength and stood tall.

"Magic must serve and never rule. Those that consort with them are bound to their fate," the man stated defiantly, refusing to say any more.

Loghain nodded, his expression turning dark. "So be it then." He grabbed the conspirator's shoulder and plunged his blade through the man's chest, the end coming through the other side streaked with blood. The conspirator gasped, a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. He held Loghain's stare with a defiant gaze of his own before he slowly slumped to the ground and died.

The other four conspirators stared wide-eyed at their companion's body before shifting their eyes to the Teyrn and the blood streaked sword he held in his hand. Loghain looked at each of them in turn. "Would any of you care to say anything?"

They stared ahead, their expressions defiant. Loghain stood in front of each one, glaring at them as he waited for them to speak. None of them had.

Loghain turned to Cauthrien. "Get them out of here. Carry out their sentence." He walked back toward the dead conspirator crumpled on the floor, a pool of blood growing beneath him to cool on the stone floor. "Get this thing out of here." Loghain looked up from the corpse to the gathered nobles in his hall. "Court is concluded," he barked, leaving the hall and returning to his office.

Cauthrien nodded, motioning for the guards to lead the prisoners back to the dungeon before shepherding the nobles out of the hall. Two other guards came forward to gather the cooling body of the conspirator on the floor.

She carried out the sentences herself when she arrived at the prison shortly thereafter.

Lhiannon thought the hulking form of Vigil's Keep never looked better as her group of riders approached the fortress. When it had become clear earlier in the day that they would arrive home that afternoon, she found her anticipation and excitement growing. She had caught the leader of the conspiracy against her. One new Grey Warden was joining them. A bright joy settled into her heart at the thought of seeing Varel, her Wardens, and Loghain again. Especially Loghain. Her heart sang at the thought of seeing him again; she missed him greatly in the weeks they were apart. He would be completely recovered from his encounter with the draining spell at the Stark farm; that is, until I get my hands on him tonight, she thought wickedly to herself, a grin spreading across her face. She thought of the feel of his skin beneath her hands, warm and soft, yet firm under her touch. Pleasant memories of his calloused hands wandering on her flesh caused the heat to build within her blood and she heard it clamoring for release. He would be lucky to escape unscathed, as randy as she suddenly felt.

They entered the walls of the compound, where Lhiannon ordered the guards to take Isolde to the dungeon. She turned to Nathaniel, Sigrun, and Jowan and motioned for them to follow her into the Vigil. Varel and her Wardens were waiting for them in the hall, all dressed in their Warden armor. They were an inspiring sight. Her eyes took in each of her Wardens; Lhiannon's stomach dipped when she saw that Loghain was not among them. Casting her tainted senses out, she tried to sense him nearby, but failed. She felt the smile on her face falter.

Lhiannon motioned for Jowan to come forward as they stopped in front of the assembled Wardens. "Everyone, this is our newest Grey Warden, Jowan."

Anders quickly stepped forward with a large grin and shook Jowan's hand heartily. "Hey, Jowan. It's great to see you again. Lhi told me you destroyed your phylactery, you lucky bastard. You'll have to tell me how you did it."

Jowan laughed as Anders quickly pulled him forward to meet the others. As they moved off, Varel moved to Lhiannon's side. Varel had seen the look of great expectation on Lhiannon's face as she entered the hall and watched it quickly fade as she looked about and did not see Loghain. Varel thought of Lhiannon not only as his Arlessa but as a close friend or family member and it broke his heart to see her hopes dashed.

"Commander, come with me to my office."

"A moment, Varel," she said, turning toward the gathered Wardens. "Give me a short bit to speak with Varel and center myself. I'll be back shortly to give you all a briefing on the trip to Redcliffe." Moving back toward Varel, Lhiannon looked at him, dread creeping into her stomach. "What's happened, Varel? Where is Loghain?"

"He is fine, Commander, but had to leave a number of days ago for Gwaren."

"Gwaren?" Lhiannon asked, her brows furrowing in confusion and irritation as they walked the halls toward Varel's office. "What in the bloody hell did he go to Gwaren for? I left him in charge of Vigil's Keep while I was away."

"Ser Cauthrien called him there. The conspirators were trying to make inroads in Gwaren to try and force Loghain to choose between his teyrnir and the Grey Wardens." They had arrived at Varel's office and he motioned Lhiannon to enter ahead of him. She pulled off her cloak and set it on the chair next to her, settling into the other one while Varel reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a piece of parchment. He held it across the desk to her; she reached out and took it, looking at the wax seal on it before returning her gaze to Varel.

"He left this for you. It tells of what happened."

Lhiannon frowned and opened the letter, scanning the contents. Loghain's precise script brought a melancholy mood upon her as she read what he had written there. The letter explained the bribery of nobles, the beating of Thorne, and Cauthrien's capture and interrogation of the conspirators. After she finished reading it, she returned her eyes to Varel; he was looking at her with concern.

"Damn Isolde and her scheming," Lhiannon growled, angered at the contents of the letter. "Did Loghain say when he would return?"

Varel nodded. "He had hoped to be back in about a month. If all goes as he hoped, he should be back in two to three weeks." Varel leaned forward, his hands clasped together on his desk. "He was reluctant to leave, knowing that you entrusted him with Vigil's Keep. He felt, however, he had little choice but to go and see to matters there."

With a scoff, Lhiannon gave Varel a small, melancholy smile. "Yes, I can imagine that he was reluctant. He is not one to shirk duty. It must have been grave if Cauthrien felt she had to call him there. He trusts her judgment with little question."

"That is exactly what he said, Commander." Varel rose from his chair, coming around the desk and settling into the chair next to Lhiannon. He reached out and took her hand. "I can see that you not only rely on him, but miss him and are vexed with the situaton. You are not only my Arlessa but also my friend; it pains me to see you distressed."

Lhiannon squeezed his hand gratefully. "Sometimes I wish it was simply the darkspawn we were fighting and not this political nonsense. Thank you, Varel. You are a good friend and a brilliant seneschal. I could ask for no better." She rose from her seat and, dropping a light kiss on his cheek, gathered up her cloak and left for her quarters.

With a sigh, Lhiannon closed the door to her office behind her moments later, bolting it so she would not have unexpected visitors barging in on her. With her angry yet melancholy mood, she wanted to have a few minutes alone. She knew that she would have to brief her Wardens about the trip to Redcliffe in a short while, but wanted to quickly clean up and center herself first. Coming back to the Vigil to find her Second gone to Gwaren had not been anticipated; she would have to see what fires needed to put out soon.

She walked into her living chambers, peeling off her riding leathers as she did so. There was a tub full of clean water waiting for her as she entered her bedchamber, continuing to remove her leathers and place them on the stand along the wall. As she turned toward the tub to heat it up, she noticed a small item resting on her pillow. Curious, she walked toward it and saw that it was a parchment not unlike the one she had brought back from Varel's office. Lhiannon sat on the bed, picking up the parchment and breaking the seal. She unrolled it, seeing Loghain's familiar scrawl upon it. She began to read.

Lhi,

I apologize for having left so suddenly. You entrusted me with the Wardens and Vigil's Keep and I hope my departure has not disappointed you too greatly. I had not intended to travel to Gwaren this soon, but circumstances there required my presence. Varel can give you the details if he has not done so already.

Know that my heart is always with you.

All my love,

L

Lhiannon could not help the smile that spread across her face nor the lump that suddenly formed in her throat. "He called me 'Lhi'," she chuckled to herself. "He's never done that before." Placing the letter on the bed beside her, she cast a flame spell on the water to heat it before settling in for her bath.

"It is done, Your Grace. Their bodies burn as we speak."

Cauthrien stood in the doorway of Loghain's office, her hands clasped behind her back waiting for permission to enter. Loghain looked up from the paperwork on his desk and waved her in. Thorne was also there, seated across from Loghain. His bruises were almost completely healed and his limp nearly gone. The splint on his arm was to remain for another couple of days as the bones continued to heal.

"Excellent, Cauthrien," Loghain said, setting seal on the last of the documents outlining what transpired at the day's proceedings. "I have had just about enough of these conspirators causing trouble for the Commander and Ferelden."

"Do you think we have seen the last of them, Your Grace?" Thorne asked, gingerly fingering the splint on his arm.

Loghain shrugged and sighed. "I honestly don't know, Thorne, and that troubles me. As for Gwaren, I believe they will think twice about trying to gain a foothold here again. Our justice is swift and uncompromising."

"I have ordered the army to keep watching for any other suspicious activity, Your Grace," Cauthrien said. "I have also sent a few soldiers out into the countryside with Bann Ceorlic and some of the others. They are posing as farm workers. If they hear of anything suspicious, they are to report to Gwaren immediately."

"Very good," Loghain said as he replaced his pen in the inkwell and neatly stacked the blank parchment on his desk. He turned his attention to Thorne. "I do not mean to rush you Thorne, but when do you think you will be able to return to duty? I must return to Vigil's Keep as soon as possible."

Thorne held his splinted hand up. "The mages say I should be ready in just a couple of days, Your Grace. I am most anxious to return to duty. All this convalescing is making me jittery."

Loghain snorted humorously at his seneschal. "I understand completely." He turned back to his lieutenant. "Cauthrien, I would like several candidates from the army to accompany me back to Vigil's Keep. We need to add to the Grey Warden's ranks."

"I have a number of candidates in mind for you already, Your Grace," Cauthrien confirmed. "With your permission, I will take my leave and tell them to make ready to leave at your command."

"As soon as the healers give Thorne their blessing, I will leave for Vigil's Keep."

Lhiannon had been practically locked away in her office, pouring through the paperwork that had been mounting on her desk since she left for Redcliffe and Loghain left for Gwaren. Anders was supposedly in charge of the Grey Wardens while they were both gone, but it had appeared that paperwork was not high on his priority list. Lhiannon swore that once she caught up on her paperwork, she was going to drag Anders into her office by his ear and make him complete some of her paperwork, just to torture him with it. She had been back from Redcliffe for several days and it seemed she hardly made a dent in the pile.

"Commander, may I have a word with you?"

Lhiannon looked up from her desk to see Varel standing in the doorway with a young woman at his side. She was petite and fair, with blonde hair that she wore in braids pulled back from her brow and temples.

"Of course," Lhiannon said, standing and motioning them in. "Have a seat."

Varel guided the young woman into the office as Lhiannon came around her desk to greet her. "I am Warden Commander and Arlessa of Amaranthine Lhiannon," she said, holding her hand out to the young woman, who took it and shook it firmly.

"My name is Aura," she said, her accent sounding Antivan to Lhiannon's ears. "My husband, Kristoff, was one of the Grey Wardens sent from Orlais not long ago."

"Kristoff was sent to investigate sightings of darkspawn in the Blackmarsh. It's an area of the arling that few people venture into," Varel explained.

Lhiannon nodded her understanding, turning back to Aura. She was worrying with the sleeve on her dress, a look of deep concern on her face. "Kristoff hasn't returned yet. I had hoped that with the attack on Vigil's Keep that he was safe and still investigating the Blackmarsh. I fear for his safety, Commander. He should have returned by now."

"You have been staying in Amaranthine this whole time?" Lhiannon asked.

Aura nodded. "Yes, Commander. I have been staying at the Chantry of Our Lady Redeemer, praying for Kristoff's safe return." She leaned forward, grasping Lhiannon's hand in her own. "Please, Commander, can you search for him? Even if it is to confirm my worst fears? Not knowing what happened to him is breaking my heart."

Lhiannon put her other hand over Aura's, looking into the woman's eyes with sympathy. "Of course, Aura. He is a fellow Grey Warden. We look out for each other. I shall take some of my Wardens with me and see if I can find your husband, one way or another."

Aura sat back, visibly relieved and a great sigh escaping from her lips. "Thank you, Commander."

Lhiannon turned to her seneschal. "Varel, please find Aura a room here in the Vigil. She can remain here while we look for her husband." As Varel nodded his agreement, Lhiannon turned once more to Aura. "Vigil's Keep is at your disposal, Aura. Make it your home while we search for Kristoff. If you need anything, please ask any one of us."

Aura nodded, a grateful tear slipping out of her eye. She dashed it away with a delicate finger. "Thank you, Commander. Maker's blessings on you."

The Grey Wardens and Varel were gathered in Lhiannon's office later that day, planning the search for Kristoff in the Blackmarsh. Anders, Nathaniel, and Jowan stood off to one side, bantering quietly among themselves. Oghren propped himself up against a wall, disgruntled that Lhiannon had pulled the tankard of dwarven ale out of his hand as he entered her office. She had also cast a healing spell on him, causing the pleasant drone of ale to leave his body. Sigrun and Velanna sat in the chairs across from Lhiannon's desk, quietly discussing the significance of tattoos each of their races had; it appeared Sigrun's perky demeanor had broken through the elf's prickly attitude and the sight of them chatting caused Lhiannon's mouth to turn up in a slight grin. Varel stood near the map on the wall while Lhiannon was perched on the corner of her desk. Loghain's absence was like a large hole, both in the ranks of the Grey Wardens and in her heart.

Lhiannon cleared her throat to bring the meeting to order. "I've called you all here to discuss a missing Grey Warden, Kristoff. He was one of the Orlesian Wardens sent here just before the darkspawn attacked Vigil's Keep. Kristoff went to the Blackmarsh to investigate rumors of the darkspawn massing there; he hasn't returned. Varel and I have spoken to his wife and we have agreed to search for him."

"The Blackmarsh is a nasty place, Commander," Nathaniel said walking over to the map and pointing to the area in question. "I've always heard that it was once inhabited, but it's just a deserted swamp now." Nathaniel paused, his brow rising in amusement. "We used to dare each other as teenagers to camp out there for one night. No one ever took it."

"There was a village there at one time, Commander," Varel began, pointing to a location on the bay. "A small port was here. According to the legends, one day all the trade stopped and the village and its populace ceased to exist. That's just legend, of course."

"Legends often have a basis in truth," Velanna said, turning toward Lhiannon as she spoke. "I would not discount such tales."

"You speak true, Velanna. I have no intention of disregarding the legend," Lhiannon agreed. She turned back toward Varel and Nathaniel. "What else can you tell us of the Blackmarsh?"

"There have been reports of strange creatures sighted there, Commander, though no one has ever brought one back," Varel remarked. Nathaniel turned and put his hand on Varel's shoulder to gain his attention. "Don't forget the lights, Varel. Supposedly, people saw strange lights there."

"So, let me see," Sigrun said, beginning to count on her fingers. "We have a deserted village, strange creatures, missing people, and weird lights? Sounds like a job for the Grey Wardens!"

"Are you volunteering to go then, Sigrun?" Lhiannon asked with a grin.

"Sure! I'm dead already. Sounds like I'd fit right in there."

Lhiannon laughed, hearing the others snorting and giggling in the room with her. She looked toward Nathaniel. "It goes without saying, Nathaniel, that you'll also accompany me. You're from Amaranthine, so what knowledge you have of the area would be most welcome."

Nathaniel nodded his head. "Wouldn't miss it, Commander."

Lhiannon turned to Anders. "We will likely need your healing skills on this journey, Anders."

"Oh, without a doubt," Anders said, crossing his hands over his chest. "I won't say any more about your lack of healing prowess." He jabbed Jowan in the ribs. "You never made her practice her healing skills? What were you thinking?"

Jowan shrugged. "What was I to do? Practice blood magic openly and then ask her to heal me? Yes, that would have gone over well with the templars."

"Velanna," Lhiannon said, turning to regard the Dalish elf. "While I'm gone, please work with Jowan on magic other than blood magic. I told him he's not to use it unless absolutely necessary."

A scowl crossed Velanna's face, which was not uncommon for her. "I understand, Commander."

"How long does it take to get there?" Sigrun asked, turning in her chair to look at Varel and Nathaniel. Both men regarded each other and shrugged. "A day there and a day back?" Nathaniel asked Varel, who nodded in agreement. "That sounds about right, Warden."

"All right everyone," Lhiannon said, standing up in front of them. "We shall leave for the Blackmarsh in the morning."

Garavel and his guards rode into Vigil's Keep as Lhiannon and the other Grey Wardens were making final preparations to leave for the Blackmarsh. The Captain quickly rode up to where Lhiannon was speaking to Varel, leaving final instructions for him. He leapt off his horse and ran up to Lhiannon.

"Commander! I bring a message from the King," he said, nearly breathless as he stopped and handed Lhiannon a scroll. The wax holding the letter closed bore the seal of Calenhad, the King's seal. Lhiannon quickly opened it and scanned the contents.

"What does it say, Commander?" Varel asked, moving to her side and peering over her shoulder.

"The King and Queen will be here in two weeks to hear the charges against Isolde. They have also sent messengers to Redcliffe, Rainesfere, and Highever asking Arl Eamon, Bann Teagan, and Teyrn Fergus Cousland to attend." Lhiannon handed the scroll to Varel, who quickly read it before placing it in a pocket in his armor. "Thank you Garavel."

"I shall begin making preparations for their arrival, Commander," Varel said, nodding to Garavel in greeting.

Lhiannon mounted her horse and held her hand out to Sigrun, who scampered into the saddle in front of her. Lhiannon was glad that the stable boys had a saddle on hand that would accompany both of them on one horse. "We'll be back soon, Varel."

"Good luck, Commander. Maker watch over you."

One Warden home and one to go. Well, home for thirty seconds before having to run off again. :)

I'm not 100% happy with this chapter, but it was needed to keep the storylines moving in the direction I need them to go. More action in the next chapter.

So, why wouldn't Varel mention Kristoff's absence before? My thought is that with the Blackmarsh being a wild, almost completely uninhabited part of the arling, it would take some time for Kristoff to comb the wilderness tracking down the darkspawn, complete his investigation, and report back. Aura, being Kristoff's wife, would notice when his absence became unusually long, something Varel may not know as he and Kristoff would have only recently met.

Shout outs and many thanks to my reviewers Shakespira (whose advice has no measure), nithu, Arsinoe de Blassenvile, Aura of Darkness Night, and Enaid Aderyn (who gave me a further point to consider). Many thanks to you.

As always, thanks to you readers who take time out of your busy days to give me a few moments to spin my tale.