Solona spent a good deal of the next hour reassuring Jowan he was, indeed, safe from the Circle and the Guerrin family before making her way back to the ship with Irving, the other mages, and the templars in tow. There was much to be done before they departed for Honnleath, and there was little time left to waste if they planned to leave that afternoon.

The first thing the Warden needed to take care of was securing passage for those returning to Kinloch. Fortunately, because of the time she and Garrett had spent together over the previous few days, she knew that convincing him to return the mages and templars to the tower on his way out of Lake Calenhad should be a fairly simple task. Once that was accomplished, she would need to find the rest of her team in Redcliffe Village and gather supplies and horses for Miri, Jowan, Wynne, Cullen and herself while they were there. Solona absolutely refused to ride with Alistair again, not that it was a wholly unpleasant experience having him pressed against her, but the notion of being squeezed between him and that pommel was more than she could bear.

When she strode up the gangplank of the Call, she was greeted by the sight of Alistair and Garrett leaning against the rail with glazed over eyes and goofy smiles on their faces. As she approached them, the unmistakable scent of burning elfroot lingering in the air left no doubt as to the reason for their behavior. She stood over Garrett, glaring at him with hands on her hips.

Why must I be the only adult around here?

She realized she needed to ask a favor of the captain, but she was furious that she was the only one who seemed to be taking anything seriously. She cleared her throat, preparing herself to give both men the chiding she believed they deserved. It would do nothing to dissuade a pirate's improper behavior, of course, but it certainly would make her feel better. She just had to control her temper enough to ensure he would still perform the task she required of him. When Garrett peered up at her with a mischievous, sexy smirk, however, every ounce of belligerence within her deflated and she could do nothing but shake her head with a defeated sigh.

"Well, hello there, love," he drawled, his speech slightly slurred as he held up a silver flask. "Care for a bit of rum?"

Against her better judgement, Solona plopped down onto the deck next to him and leaned her back against the rail then pointed to the pipe in his other hand. "I'd rather have some of that, if it's all the same to you."

He flinched in surprise. "You smoke?"

She scowled as she grabbed the pipe from him. "Of course I smoke. I am a Circle mage, after all."

"Forgive me, love," he said. "But I don't know that much about Circle mages, truth be told."

"Alcohol is rarely allowed in the Circle, and only for the most senior enchanters unless apprentices or mages are bold enough to try to filch it. Elfroot, however, is fairly easy to come by, especially if you have a friend who's a healer. What else do we Circle mages have to do for fun but get high and have sex? Considering we don't get to leave to pursue other avenues of entertainment."

"That actually doesn't sound all that bad to me," the pirate joked. "Except the never being able to leave part. I don't think I could handle being stuck within the same four walls every day of my life."

Solona harrumphed. "Well, we didn't really have a choice, now did we?" She took a long draw from the pipe then handed it back to the captain before expelling the smoke from her lungs. "Speaking of the Circle, I was wondering if I could ask a small favor of you."

"Anything," he replied then waggled his eyebrows. "But if you're wanting to go back to my cabin, you'll have to give me a few minutes to pick myself up. My legs are a bit wobbly at the moment."

Considering how high the captain was, Solona wasn't certain he would be able to walk, let alone perform sexually. "As tempting as that offer is, Garrett, there's something else I require. I need to get the mages and templars back to the tower before the end of the week in order to fulfill my end of the bargain with Greagoir. The only way I can possibly do that is to get them there by ship."

"So you'll be needing the use of my lady again?" he asked.

"In a way," she replied. "I need to travel south to the village of Honnleath, and it's imperative that I get there as soon as possible." She traced a line down the exposed area of his chest and set her lips in an ever so slight pout. "So, I was wondering, since I'm sure you'll be heading north to return to the sea anyway, if you wouldn't mind too terribly much to return them to Kinloch for me?"

Garrett took her hand and lightly kissed her fingertip. "I would be happy to, love, but I'm afraid I'm not going that way." When Solona's brows knitted together in disappointment, he smiled. "I'm heading south. Martinez, however, would be happy to grant you that favor as soon as I tell him to."

The mage's head tilted to the left with a confused expression. He was heading south. Did he mean to travel with them?

"South?"

"If you don't mind me tagging along, that is. I hope you didn't think it would be that easy to get rid of me."

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a long, soft kiss then pulled away to stare into her eyes, his lips curled into a lopsided grin. The effect was mesmerizing as Solona became completely lost in his aquamarine gaze.

"I'm not quite ready to give up my distraction yet," he told her. "The past few days have been absolutely amazing. I'm just hoping you agree."

Solona's stomach fluttered with a thousand butterflies. In that moment, she came to the realization that, try as she might to resist, she had fallen in love with Garrett. Just like Anders, he would never love her back, of course. He made that perfectly clear from the beginning. She knew it would end in disaster, that he would only break her heart in the end, but she was powerless to stop it.

But you're already in love with one man you can't have. You love Alistair, remember? Don't you?

She peered over at her fellow Warden, propped up against the rail with hazel-green eyes glassed over between drooping lids staring slack-jawed at the thick grey clouds above. He rolled his head to the right and grinned at her with the dopiest grin she had ever seen in her life. His broad chest shook with a small chuckle before rising and falling with a contented sigh, and Solona's heart began to thunder at the sight. There was no question, no doubt in her mind, she was in love with Alistair too.

But how is that even possible? How in the Maker's name can you love two men this deeply at the same time?

She thought of Anders, how much she had loved him, how many years he held her heart, how he still did and always would.

You still loved Anders when you fell in love with Alistair. Is it really that much of a stretch that you love Garrett as well? But isn't that wrong? Don't you have to choose?

Solona's guts churned at that notion. Regardless of her feelings for either of them, it would never be a choice she was forced to make. Neither would return those affections. She needed to force her feet back to the ground and return to reality. She had a job to do. There was no time for such ridiculously childish sentiment to get in the way. Her smile waned until her visage became devoid of all emotion, and her countenance was once again hidden by the guise of indifference.

"If you insist on coming along, I suggest you find a way to sober up quickly. I intend to depart Redcliffe in two hours."

Before heading out for the village to help Solona gather the supplies they needed for their trip to Honnleath, Garrett gave Martinez orders to prepare the Call to set out for Kinloch and then Jader before coming back to Redcliffe. When that was done, he gathered the personal effects he required for the journey into a pack and left it next to the door to be easily retrieved when he returned from the village.

As he and Solona made their way down the winding path into Redcliffe, Garrett mulled over why he kissed the mage the way he had. At first, he tried to tell himself it was because he was a bit squiffy from the combination of rum and elfroot, but he knew it was a lie as soon as the thought crossed his mind. It was more than that. His fool heart was trying to steer his rudder in a direction he didn't want to sail. What started out as a distraction to get his mind off Miriana and keep his emotions in check was quickly becoming a predicament he didn't want or need.

Garrett watched Solona from the corner of his eye as she marched along next to him. Her expression was aloof, her face chiseled marble, delicately beautiful in its lines, but hard and cold. He had seen her let that guard down a time or two when he held her to his bare chest. Those moments when she favored him with a rare and genuine smile, her eyes resplendent with a kind of happiness and contentment she seldom permitted herself to feel. The fact that she allowed him to see that side of her only served to make his conflicting emotions that much more difficult to endure.

Bugger me. I can't let this happen. Not again.

He had to do something, say something to take his mind off his fool heart's ridiculous obsession with getting broken again, but every time he looked in her direction, he found himself praying to the spirits he'd catch a glimpse of any sign that she was delighted to be in his company.

Get it together, Captain. Get your head out of the bloody clouds before you fall to your death.

Mercifully, Solona interrupted his self-torment when she placed her hand on his bicep, halted her forward progression, and spun on her heel to face him with a pensive frown. "What are you going to do with the Tevinter?"

"Care to elaborate on that, love?" he asked.

She folded her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to her right leg. "I mean, are you sending him away with your ship or are you leaving him here in Redcliffe? Or is it your intention to take him with us?"

Garrett shrugged. "I don't see where I really have a choice in the matter. I'm sure as the bloody void not going to let him get anywhere near my lady again. After what we saw, I won't subject my crew to that kind of danger. And I daresay, I can't maroon him here. These people have been through enough, wouldn't you say?"

"True," the mage agreed before heaving a sigh. "I suppose he'll just have to tag along, then. Maybe we can find out exactly what he is and find a way to destroy him."

"Your sister told me he's taken to strolling through her dreams. She also said the bastard's got more than one demon possessing him and some kind of stone in his gut."

Solona's brow furrowed, and her lids narrowed in deep concentration for several moments. "It can't be," she mumbled. "It's not possible."

"What's not possible?" the pirate queried.

"There you are!" a familiar voice cried out from the bottom of the hill they were crossing over. "I was beginning to worry."

It had been nearly two years since he last laid eyes on her, but there was no mistaking the flaming red hair of the woman running toward them. He had known Leliana since they were both twenty-two when she secured passage on his ship from Antiva to Orlais. That first time, she attempted to pay her fare by trading sexual favors, but Garrett refused the offer. Instead, he bargained for trade contacts in lieu of coin, which ended up being more profitable for him than what he would have charged her anyway.

Although he always found the bard attractive, their friendship never developed into a sexual relationship. At the time they met, Garrett had just become involved with Maggie and vowed to remain faithful to her. Even so, each time Leliana was aboard the ship, she spent nearly every moment in Garrett's cabin, playing wicked grace, drinking, and engaging in long conversation. That didn't keep the rumors of a torrid affair between the captain and Leliana at bay as far as the crew of the Call was concerned, however, and no one said a word to dissuade the scuttlebutt.

After Maggie broke off their engagement, Garrett was too broken and too bitter to begin a relationship with anyone. Because of that, he wasn't willing to take the chance of getting involved with Leliana just to lose her as a dear friend. It worried him when she disappeared for so long and none of her old contacts knew where she had gone, so the captain resolved himself to the notion that she was most likely dead.

When Leliana finally caught up to them, she stopped short, her blue eyes wide with shock. "Garrett?"

"Hello, love," he grinned. "It's been a long time. I figured you for dead. Nice to see I was wrong."

The redhead leapt at the pirate and threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his hips in a frantic body hug, giggling like a small girl. He squeezed her tight to his chest and kissed her cheek then extended a sideways glance at Solona, which was met with an angry glare.

"I take it you two know each other?" she questioned, her left brow raised with contempt.

Garrett set the bard's feet to the ground. "Aye, Leli and I are old friends, aren't we sweetheart? In fact, I believe you spent a good deal of time wearing some of her clothes when you were on my ship."

"No wonder they were so short," the mage scowled.

She was obviously angry about something, though Garrett had no idea why. Was it possible she was jealous? He quickly pushed that idea from his mind. Even if it were somehow true, it was one notion he didn't want to begin to entertain.

"Solona," Leliana began, oblivious to the other woman's irritation. "There's a man in the village asking about you. He's wearing Grey Warden armor."

The space between the mage's brows disappeared. "A Grey Warden?"

"Yes," the redhead nodded. "He nearly scared the life out of me when he tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around. I swear he's bigger than Sten. He said his name was…"

"Sithig," Solona beamed before sprinting off down the hill.

Sithig waited patiently by the Chantry door for the woman with flaming red hair to return. Of all the people in the village he could have questioned about Solona and Alistair's whereabouts, he wasn't really sure why he asked her. Perhaps it was the color of her hair that caught his eye and made her stand out among everyone else.

It was the same thing that drew him to his Kattrin the first time he saw her while he and his father were visiting a neighboring clan. While his sire bartered with the other chief, Sithig stood nearby scanning for threats. That was when he spied glints of copper reflecting the sun within thick waves of auburn, and when she turned he was greeted by the most beautiful sight he had ever witnessed. From that moment, from that very second, his heart belonged to her and no other, and he would do anything required of him to win her favor.

"Sithig!"

Solona's cry interrupted his musings, and he was grateful for the distraction. He was nearly floored when the typically somber mage embraced him in an uncharacteristically warm hug. What could have happened in the time they were apart to bring on such a change? Perhaps she and Alistair finally spoke the words they longed to say to each other, and it was love that gladdened her heart.

The Avvar skimmed the area behind her, but didn't see Alistair anywhere. Instead, he spotted a man dressed in black leather striding toward them with the redheaded woman at his side. Sithig pulled back from Solona's embrace and peered down at her with concern.

"But where is Alistair?"

"I left him back at the ship to ready our gear and help my sister pack."

"Sister?" the Avvar questioned with a bewildered expression.

Solona sighed. "It seems we have a lot of catching up to do."

"Sorry, ser, there's not a horse to be had in all of Redcliffe Village after all the undead attacks. Even the ones the Grey Wardens brought were killed in the last fight. You might see if Master Dennet up at the castle has some available."

Garrett massaged his temples with the thumb and middle finger of his right hand. He volunteered to take Leliana and gather the supplies and horses they required while she escorted Sithig back to the ship to meet up with Alistair. So far, he had come up completely short. The local merchants' shelves were nearly bare, with only scant supplies that were of little to no use to the Grey Wardens and their companions. Even the packs of travel rations were gone. He did manage to procure the tents and bedrolls needed for himself and the other new members of the party, but, beyond that, there was nothing. Now, he was being told the horses were all gone too.

The captain was fairly certain the castle's stablemaster wouldn't part with any of the arl's mounts without asking permission first, and Garrett wasn't about to kiss that bastard Teagan's ass to get it. Stealing the horses was always an option, but he would be hard-pressed to get that many out of the stables, especially in daylight. Besides, Solona would most likely frown on that idea. She already pressed her luck once by conscripting her friend, Jowan, after what he had done. No need to completely sever the ties she desperately needed to fight the darkspawn if it wasn't necessary.

He regarded Leliana with a shrug. "Looks like we're shit out of luck on this end too, love."

"I suppose we are," she sighed. "It's a shame about our horses, though. I rather liked mine. I even gave her a name, Grace."

Garrett couldn't help but chuckle. It was just like Leliana. Although she was a bard, trained in the arts of subterfuge and murder, she still retained a soft spot for animals, children, the helpless, and the downtrodden. For her to hold onto that bit of innocence and consideration was refreshing for someone in her profession. Anyone else may have been shocked to learn she chose to join a small cloister as a lay sister when she decided to go into hiding, but it didn't really surprise Garrett. For all her skill, it still bothered Leliana when she was forced to kill anyone she felt didn't deserve it, and murder was always used as a last resort to complete a job if it could be helped at all.

The pirate returned his attention to the farrier. "Well, mate, if you can't help us out with the horses, could you at least point us in the right direction to get some supplies? The village merchants seem to be running short."

The man's brow furrowed in deep thought for several moments. "Actually, I did hear something about a couple of dwarves who set up a merchant's cart outside the village yesterday. Maybe they have what you're looking for."

Garrett tilted his head in a small bow before flipping a silver in the man's direction. "Thanks, mate. Appreciate your time."

"You are most welcome, my lord," the man grinned upon catching the coin. "Anytime."

Garrett and Leliana made their way to the village gate. Just beyond, they found a large wooden cart with an old ox hitched to its front and two dwarves sitting next to it, leaning against the front right wheel. Upon spotting the approaching humans, the older of the diminutive men scrambled to his feet with the other following suit a moment later. The elder dwarf greeted the strangers with a warm smile.

"Hello there, ser. Bodahn Feddic's the name." He pointed to the grinning dwarf standing at his side. "This is my boy, Sandal. I've got plenty of goods here if you're willing to take a look. Everything from food to dwarven relics. Anything you need."

"Hallo," his son greeted as he rocked back and forth from heel to toe.

The captain walked around to the side of the cart and scanned its contents. There was an array of items separated into small crates, apparently categorized by function. There was quite a bit of useless junk, but there were also a lot of things they could use on their journey, including open areas perfect for storing several packs, tents, and bedrolls."

"I can see you favor carrying a sword," the older dwarf observed. "If it's enchantments your looking for, my boy can fix you up with the best."

Sandal clapped his hands. "Enchantment!"

"He's a bit simple, my boy, but he's rather good at enchanting. A savant. That's what one of those tranquil fellows called him once. Though I'm not rightly sure what it means, but he seemed impressed by my boy's skill. "

Garrett scratched at the scruff of his chin as he considered Bodahn's claim.

Enchanted weapons fetch a fair amount of coin on the black market, especially if they're good quality. If I could snag a few at a cheap enough price, that may make up for some of the lyrium missing from the shipment.

The pirate chose a well-crafted longsword with a rune slot from the pile of weapons in the cart, spun it, and presented the handle to the young dwarf. "Show me what you have, mate."

Sandal laughed and jumped up and down excitedly as he grabbed the hilt. "Enchantment!"

"That's right my boy," Bodahn beamed as he lowered the tail board. "Show the man what you can do."

The younger dwarf clambered up onto the back of the wagon and dropped the sword on top of a crate of food then snatched a small box full of runes and began proudly displaying them to the pirate with a wide grin. "Enchantment!"

"How about a fire rune, then, mate?"

The boy's head bobbed up and down for a few seconds before he went to work. While attaching the rune, he held his tongue out on the left side of his mouth in deep concentration. In only a few minutes, he was presenting the blade with a triumphant grin.

"Enchantment!"

"May I?" the captain asked, holding out his hand.

When Sandal relinquished the weapon to him, Garrett turned the sword over a few times, marveling at the way the rune was set seamlessly in the metal. It was one of, if not, the best enchantments he had ever seen, especially given the short amount of time it took to finish. It would certainly be worth Garrett bartering for more if he could garner a fair price.

"How much?" he asked.

"Well," Bodahn replied, scrunching his face in thought. "With the price of the sword and the rune, plus my boy's time. I'd say, fifteen sovereign should do it."

Garrett mulled it over in his mind. That blade would fetch at least twenty-five gold on the market, probably more. If he could trade it to his contact for twenty, that would give him five for his own pocket. Not a lot, but there was still a chance he could cut a better deal with Bodahn.

"I tell you what, mate," he began. "My companions and I are heading south and without any horses available, it's going to be a right pain in the ass. So I find myself in need of a way to haul our gear other than on our backs. From what I can see, it looks like you've got some extra space in that wagon of yours. If you'd be willing, I'd like to hire you to travel along with us and carry our gear. I'd also like for you to make up nine more of these and I'll bring someone back with me to collect them when I return. For let's say, a hundred sixty?"

The older dwarf crossed his arms over his barrel chest and pursed his lips. "That's a mighty generous offer, ser, but with all the darkspawn about, especially in the south, it's a dangerous proposition. I couldn't do it for less than two hundred twenty-five."

Even though it was worth that amount to spare him the inconvenience, Garrett was accustomed enough to dealing with dwarves he knew better than to settle for the first counteroffer. "Did I mention that some of my traveling companions are Grey Wardens? You couldn't be in safer hands when traveling. One seventy."

Bodahn nodded and offered his hand. "One eighty and you got yourself a deal."

The pirate clasped the dwarf's wrist and shook. "Then we have an accord, mate." He untied the coin purse from his belt and tossed it to the other man. "A hundred now and the rest when I return."

"Me and my boy will have everything ready when you do," the dwarf promised.

Alistair didn't think he'd ever been happier to see anyone in his entire life than when he saw Sithig walking up the gangplank at Solona's side. He always knew the man was a mountain, but he had no idea how he managed to survive the battle at Ostagar. He didn't even look any worse the wear with the exception of a new minor scar on his cheek.

With tears in his eyes, the prince clasped the larger man's wrist then drew him in for a hug. "Damn, it's good to see you alive."

"It's good to see you as well, my friend," the Avvar said in his typical, gentle tone. "For a while, I thought I was the only one left. Solona tells me you've picked up some new companions along the way, including the younger of the witches. I met a few of the others in the village. The Qunari, in particular, is a most interesting man, as is the captain."

"Quite a team we've assembled, isn't it? A witch, a Qunari, a pirate, a couple of Circle mages, and a Chantry sister."

"There is something to be said for diversity, my friend," Sithig reminded him. "I'm sure each one brings something valuable to the cause, no matter what their background."

"Well, we've certainly done our best to provide variety," Alistair joked before turning his attention to Solona. "Where's everyone else?"

"Where's Garrett, you mean?" she teased.

Alistair groaned. She knew. Was his desire for the pirate really that obvious? He wondered if Garrett had realized it as well. Had Alistair's growing unnatural obsession been a topic of conversation between Solona and the captain on their trip to the village?

"Don't worry," his fellow Warden reassured him as if reading his thoughts. "I'm fairly certain he hasn't caught on yet, and I swear I won't be the one to tell him."

Sithig appeared confused. "I feel a little lost. Tell who what?"

"Never mind," Alistair told him, shaking his head. "It's not important. So where have you been all this time?"

"I spent a good deal of my time in the hut of a Chasind healer named Olga. She tended my wounds and cared for me until I was well enough for travel. After I left her, I came north looking for a sign the Wandering Witch told me I would find near Redcliffe." He reached into a pouch at his waist and pulled out a small lump of hardened clay with feet then handed the thing to Solona. "I almost forgot. I found this among a clearing off the road. It's yours, is it not?"

A small smile curled the corners of her lips. "It is. Thank you for returning it."

The loud bark of a mabari echoed from the dock as Harley came bounding up the gangplank. He ran straight toward Alistair and skid to a halt at his master's feet. His tongue dropped out of his mouth as he began to pant, anticipating a welcoming scratch behind his ears. Alistair happily accommodated the dog's wish by dropping to his knees and lightly digging his nails into the animal's fur.

"Hey, boy. I missed you."

"It's a fine beast," Sithig remarked. "Mabari are strong warriors favored by Hakkon."

Alistair's brows knitted together. Something the Avvar said had him vexed. "You said the Wandering Witch told you to come here?"

"Aye," the larger man answered. "She came to me in a vision."

As Sithig related the story of everything he went through during the battle and in its aftermath, Alistair began to seriously question if the man was even human or not. How was it possible that he survived any of that, let alone all of it?

"I am truly sorry for the loss of your kin, Alistair," he offered in apology. "Your brother was a valiant man."

"How did you know?" the prince asked. "That he was my brother, I mean?"

"He confided in me while we walked to the field of battle. He asked of me if he died and I yet lived, to tell you he was sorry he never got the chance to know you and to remind you that the blood of dragons flows through your veins, and that blood will give you strength as a king."

Alistair shook his head with a quiet and bitter chuckle. It was complete and utter bullshit. Cailan had to know where his brother was since their father's disappearance five years ago, and never once did Alistair receive a visit or even a letter from the man. If Cailan truly wanted to know him, there was opportunity there, he just didn't take it. His apology was nothing more than the final posturing of a dying king.

As for the dragon's blood, Alistair could only surmise it was something not passed on to him. There was no inner strength within him, nothing of any real value. The only thing that made him the future king of Ferelden was his name. Someday historians would look back with sympathy for the nation over the ruin he caused and the shame he invoked upon the crown and his family's legacy. The only hope Ferelden had of surviving his reign was if he could muster enough intelligence to appoint good advisors.

Harley tipped his head back and began to sniff before letting out a series of loud barks then taking off at a run toward the gangplank where Garrett was approaching with Leliana. The mabari halted in front of the pirate and began whimpering and wagging his tail. The captain knelt down in front of the dog and observed it through narrowed lids for a long moment until the man's shoulders slumped with a heavy sigh.

"Harley, my boy," he choked as he bent forward and nuzzled his cheek against the dog's head. "I guess it's just you and me left of the family now."

By the time they made it out of Redcliffe, there were only a few precious hours of daylight left to travel by. Since they were headed to his home village, Cullen volunteered to lead the procession south. Solona was appreciative for his aid, but she made sure their conversation regarding the journey remained strictly business and excused herself as soon as she was able. Cullen was already a bit unstable, and the last thing she wanted was to push him off the deep end by getting into personal matters.

She was unsure what to make of him or her emotions given their last meeting before she left the tower to join the Wardens. He had told her he loved her, the first man to ever utter those words to her. After all the months they had been apart, she wondered if he regretted that confession, if he ever meant it in the first place. As she walked, she absentmindedly rubbed her thumb across the tiny sword and flames etched into the pendant clutched within her fingers.

"Everything alright, then, love?" Garrett asked from her left. In her introspection, she hadn't even realized he was there.

She gave a curt nod. "Yes."

"I notice you hold onto that thing a lot," he observed, indicating to the amulet and then to Cullen. "I'm guessing it belonged to him? A token of affection?"

"Something like that," she admitted. "But I'd rather not talk about it. If it's all the same to you."

"Fair enough," he relented. "In that case, maybe you can finish what you were going to tell me back in the village before Leliana showed up. About our Tevinter friend?"

Solona's brow furrowed. With everything else going on, she had completely forgotten about Remus. She needed to talk to her sister, to get the full description of the stone Garrett mentioned. She only prayed to the Maker it wasn't what she suspected it might be.

"I need to talk to Miriana first to be certain," she replied. "I don't want to worry anyone needlessly until I do."

"Understandable, love. I'd do the same thing in your position."

The hint of a smile graced the corners of the mage's lips. She adored the way he called her love, even if he used that designation for every woman he met and didn't really mean anything by it. At least she could pretend, if only for a second…

What in the Maker's name are you thinking? Stop it!

"Excuse me, Garrett," she said as she began to take longer strides forward.

She needed to talk to Miri, but more than that, she needed to put as much distance between herself and the pirate as possible. Chiding herself for allowing that small moment of weakness to overcome her, Solona hastened her steps. She only hoped her twin was willing to speak to her after their argument the previous day.

"Sister," she began in a whisper when she finally caught up to Miri. "Garrett told me about your troubles with Remus. I have a few questions in that regard."

The other woman shrugged. "Alright."

"He mentioned something about a stone?"

"Yes," her twin nodded, her eyes wide with fright. "He showed it to me in my dream. It was inside him."

"What did it look like? I need every detail you can remember."

The space between Miriana's brows disappeared. "It was black, possibly onyx or obsidian and about the size of a man's thumb. It had some kind of dark red runes etched all over its surface and it glowed crimson, like blood. And there were demons, I don't know how many, exactly. It looked like about a dozen. Each one had a different form, taking on the face of different humans and then disappearing."

Solona closed her eyes and released a heavy sigh. It was just as she feared. It had to be. There was no other explanation for the things her sister described. She indicated to the back of the procession where Garrett and Alistair were trudging along in front of the merchant's cart.

"Come on. They need to hear this too."

When they reached the back of the line, Solona called the pirate and her fellow Warden to gather around her. With a glance ahead to ensure Remus was far enough away not to hear, she began her explanation.

"I think I know what we're dealing with here. It's called a Legion Stone. It's something I came across in an ancient text in Irving's private library last year when I was doing research for a dissertation on demonology.

"Around the time of Andraste, a magister named Gaius Rex had created a device using blood sacrifices to bind four demons into it. Gaius found using the blood of kith and kin was more effective and could harness more powerful spirits after he killed his own daughter for the ritual. Unfortunately, when he attempted to utilize the accursed object, the demons assumed control of his body and he destroyed several small villages in his wake. Eventually, the magisterium was forced to work together to end the possessed man's reign of terror and lost a number of high ranking magisters in the process. The details of Gaius's research were locked away in a heavily warded vault beneath the Argent Spire, never to be touched again.

"I'm not sure how Remus came to be in possession of such a thing or how anyone was able to retrieve Gaius Rex's research, but it gets worse. Magister Rex's stone contained the power of four demons. Miri says there were closer to a dozen writhing around inside Remus. Do you have any clue what that means?"

Alistair waggled his head. "Yeah. It means we're fucked."

"Fortunately," Solona continued. "With the exception of that little outburst back at the castle, somehow, Remus seems to be maintaining at least some control over it. We just need to ensure that he remains calm for as long as we can until we find a way to destroy either that stone or him."

"Or both," Garrett put in. "I've got to tell you, knowing all this makes me wish we'd left his ass back in Redcliffe."

Solona placed her hand in the middle of the pirate's chest to stop him. "Don't you get it? He could destroy Denerim with little more than a thought if he wished to. Someone needs to talk to him. To find out his motivations and possibly what's stopping him from allowing the demons to take over completely."

"I'll do it," Miriana volunteered in a soft voice. "He trusts me."

"No," her twin refused. "You already have enough troubles of your own with possession, Sister. What is it exactly that resides within you?"

Miriana donned an apologetic expression. "It's a spirit of Faith. She's watched over me since I came into my magic."

"You mean you've been possessed this whole time?" Solona questioned. "Since you were a child?"

Miri shook her head. "No. She was with me then, not inside me. I didn't become possessed until I was on Garrett's ship, when the kraken attacked. She told me she would save everyone, but I had to agree to allow the possession."

"You mean you did that to save me and my crew?" Garrett asked, taking a step toward her. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't have done it. Not that I'm ungrateful for it, but..."

She peered up at him with doe eyes full of admiration. Full of…love. How did Solona not see it before? It was too late to save her sister from the heartache of falling in love with the wrong man. She was already under his spell.

"I couldn't let you die," Miri whispered. "I just couldn't."

Garrett's lips turned up in a wistful, half smile as he brushed a loosened tendril of sable hair away from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. "Thank you, love. I'm not sure I deserve such trouble, but thank you."

Solona felt like she had been punched in the gut when the pirate took a step back and cleared his throat. She wasn't sure if she was more upset that, at least in part, he returned her sister's affections and jealousy had reared its ugly head, or if it was due to the fact that he behaved with Miri exactly the way Anders had with her hundreds of times over the years, confusing her to the point of madness. Either way, her sister was going to get hurt. Garrett was going to break Miriana's heart and she was powerless to prevent it. To make matters worse, she felt a tiny crack in her own heart as well.

Men! The lot of them can go to the void.