The Dragon Age series belongs to Electronic Arts and Bioware.


"How was your night?"

Lyna was sitting across from Rhyann at the table, with Sophie situated next to her. Their belongings were piled next to the young elf, causing her shoulder to be pressed into the wall. It was only midday; the Gnawed Noble had yet to be crowded with the usual assortment of workers looking to unwind with a frothy pint. The only other people that occupied the tavern was what appeared to be a small band of mercenaries and a couple of regular drunks who probably made the building their usual haunt.

Rhyann nodded agreeably towards the question, watching as Sophie took a swig of whatever she was drinking. The archer was the only one who currently had a drink in front of her. "It went fine. Alistair had…King stuff to do. But, we got up early and had my finger sized for a ring."

Both Sophie and Lyna nodded in understanding. The blonde adjusted in her seat, eyes focused on the door. Lyna perceived this and snorted humorously. The archer was impatient, fingers tapping on the worn wooden table.

"What time are they supposed to arrive?" Moaned Sophie just as the door into the tavern opened. Her golden eyes sparkled momentarily, but instantly faded when a pair of leather-clad men with beards walked in.

"Really?" Grumbled the blonde. "I am going to kick Anders' ass all the way back to the Anderfels if he doesn't hurry up."

"Isn't Jowan with him?" Questioned Rhyann, head whipping behind her to see who had just entered.

"And Justice." Added Lyna. "And be nice to my healer, please. His usefulness outweighs the inconveniences he causes."

"I bet he stopped off at every tavern and brothel along the way to entertain himself with loose women." Muttered Sophie as she brought her chalice to her lips.

Rhyann gave Sophie a curious look, a look that begged for an explanation for her current demeanor. Lyna caught her glance and smirked devilishly. It was always a look that caused the young elf's blood to run cold.

"Don't mind her." Hummed the Dalish woman mischievously. "She's crabby because I made her get up earlier than she wanted."

A silence befell them after a series of surly looks aimed at the Commander were cast. This hushed moment was brief, disrupted by the creaking of the tavern door and the entrance of Anders and Jowan. Only the two mages approached; Justice was nowhere to be seen. Rhyann swiftly observed this, and figured that the other women had noted the folly as well when she could see that they both were surveying the men were a careful sort of attention paid. Rhyann noticed some changes in Anders, particularly. His wheat-colored hair had grown out a bit, and he was wearing it in a half ponytail instead of his usual style. His face was adorned with a three-day stubble that he rubbed once or twice prior to greeting them. It made him look a bit more rugged and wild than he usually appeared. And, he looked so sad. Like he would never know a smile upon his face ever again.

"Where is Justice?" Inquired Lyna as she ushered the pair to join them with a sweep of her arm.

"Can we talk about it later?" Anders fidgeted nervously, refusing to sit. Jowan, on the other hand, adjusted the belongings next to Rhyann so that the bench she was seated on could accommodate him as well.

"Uh, alright." The woman sounded suspicious, but honored the mage's wishes. "Would you two like to rest and get some food while we're here, or would you rather head out now? I'm fine with either, personally."

"I would rather leave now." Anders' response was curt and to the point. Jowan seemed upset by how swiftly the other man responded, but remained silent on the matter. There seemed to be some sort of agreement between the two of them.

Sophie paid her tab in full whilst the others prepared their belongings for travel. Their bags were distributed evenly amongst the five of them so that none of them became burdened. Rhyann found it odd that Anders had in his possession the traveling affects that Justice had brought along, but knew better than to bring it up. Something was bothering the man, something that more than likely went back to Justice. She just didn't know what.

With that taken care of, the Wardens left Denerim just before noon. This meant that they would be traveling by dark, Lyna reminded them. Jowan, however, assured them that he could make them some torches if the darkness proved to be too much of an obstacle.

All was fine for about an hour's worth of travel. Everyone was thoughtful and reserved, saving speech for a later time, which was all fine with Rhyann. She was still floating on air about her engagement and was dwelling over it quite considerably. Even so, it was a little disconcerting to have no chipper tunes sang, no happy humming or joyous whistling to join them. She looked to Anders, having expected him to begin at any moment, but he remained fixed on the path ahead of him, face twisted in a mournful scowl.

The silence had apparently chipped away at Lyna's resolve. She rode up to Anders, who only paid her a passing glance as she did so. This did not please her. The woman was looking for answers to his changed demeanor and her missing Warden. Nothing had been more obvious.

"When are you going to tell me what happened to Justice and why you're looking so grumpy all of the sudden?"

Anders sighed, shoulders sinking in a diminutive manner as he sought the proper words to give her. Though far from an eloquent man, Rhyann knew him to be quick-tongued and fast to respond.

"I…he's gone, Lyna. Sort of."

"Gone? What do you mean gone? Like, he left the Wardens?"

"No." Rushed Anders. "What I meant to say is that Kristoff's body was no longer a suitable host for him. The flesh was rotting quickly and he could only last so much longer in our world."

"Yes, and?" Lyna was impatient. The sound of her leather-clad hands tightening around the reins filled the air. "What happened?"

"I—you have to understand that I was under an incredible amount of pressure—but I was unsure if Justice would continue to exist if his host perished completely. He's my friend, after all, and…and I thought a willing host body—a comrade—would be more accommodating." Anders sounded pitiful, reminiscent of a child who had been caught doing something naughty. He hung his head, a shadow crossing his face in the process.

"So, from what I'm getting here is that you…you merged with Justice and now I have the both of you bundled up into a neat little parcel."

"I wouldn't phrase it that way myself, but pretty much." Anders' grip on the reins tightened. He was uncomfortable with talking of this much further. The others honored this and fell silent for the time being.

Night had long since descended on Vigil's Keep when the small group of Wardens arrived. A slight drizzle had taken the farmlands, rendering them damp and irritable when they rode through the gates and into the courtyard. Other than the construction that the builders Lyna had employed, all was sleepy there. The guards routinely posted offered brief greetings while they trotted on to the stables.

The ground beneath Rhyann's feet squelched unpleasantly as she was helped down from her horse. Mostly everyone else were already dismounted and headed into the fortress. And, just as quickly, the stable hands vanished to tend to the horses. Rhyann collected her belongings in a hushed manner, doing her best to ignore as her feet continuously became stuck and steadfast in the mud.

Rhyann was vastly ignored on her walk towards the Keep. This suited her well, seeing as she was technically a princess now. She didn't look much like one, wagered the elf in an amused snort to herself. No one would believe what they saw anyway. Thoughts consumed her much of her walk until she reached the marble statue of Andraste that guarded the Keep courtyard. Anders was standing there, face streaked with rain as he looked on the statue in contemplation. Rhyann positioned herself beside him, to which he only acknowledged with a slight turn of his head.

"So…" Started the elf, "how does that work? You and Justice, I mean." I hadn't registered with her that her inquiry was potentially rude or disrespectful. Her inquisitiveness outweighed either.

"What do you mean? I don't quite understand the question." The man's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Do you…do you hear Justice in your head? Does he talk to you? Does he—"

"—No, he doesn't talk to me." Answered Anders briskly. More than ever, the man seemed on-edge, nervous and uncomfortable in his own skin. Rhyann knew that sensation so well, so she was keenly aware of what it looked like on another. "I hear his thoughts as I hear my own. Sometimes I cannot even tell them apart." He rounded Rhyann, thin hands cupping around her narrow shoulders in a desperate attempt to earn eye contact with her. "Do you know what that feels like? To feel like you're a…a prisoner in your own body? To be alone in a group of people?"

Rhyann could hear it in his voice, the fear and the desperation. Whatever he did to warrant this change in both he and Justice, the mage was second guessing it now. Anders was revealing this very vulnerable side to himself to her, probably in an effort to receive something along the lines of friendly advice or an ear to listen.

She hadn't any advice. Rhyann knew sparingly of magic or how these things functioned. However, she could relate.

"Anders, I know very little of magic, nor do I believe it is my place to offer moral advice when such things vary from situation to situation. However, I know what it feels like to feel like an outsider looking in on my own life. I know what it feels like to feel lost and afraid and unable to do much about it." Rhyann brushed off his arms on his shoulders and grasped for both of his hands. Anders was trembling, probably from a mixture of his discomfort in himself and the chill of the rain. "What I'm trying to say is that if you ever need a friend to talk to, to listen without judgement, I am here for you."

Anders nodded. His face was still etched in an unfeeling manner. His eyes looked lighter, though. More hopeful. The mage slipped his hands from the elf's, using this escape to pat the girl's hands softly and only once.

"You have no idea how much that means to me. Truly." He sounded as though he may cry, but kept himself composed in spite of this. "I've just…I've seen how the mages have suffered ever since being brought to the Circle as a boy, and did nothing to stop it. Shit, I ignored it out of the selfish desire to protect my own neck. But now, I cannot ignore. I cannot sit by idly and expect someone else to do something."

Rhyann shook her head. "If you believe you should do something to help others, then you should. And, no matter the mistakes you have made or perceive you have made, you are a good man at your core."

"I…thank you, Rhyann. This change has been the trying sort on me. I cannot help but second guess myself."

The mage did not smile. Not then. Yet, like before, his eyes gleamed hopefully as he gestured for them to head into the fortress.