WARNING!: SPOILERS AHEAD!

If you're here, it probably means you've read my main story, Into the Game. If you haven't, you might enjoy it, but some things won't make much sense. This side story is about what Duncan's been up to since splitting up with Maya. Some of it you probably already gussed, but some things will be new, so beware of spoliers. I will let you know in my main story at what point its spoiler free to read this, so wait for it if you'd like, but I did write it to be read as it came out. Then again I don't mind spoilers myself so YMMV.

Short Story 1: Duncan's Travels

There are many famous fortresses in Ferelden. Fort Drakon and fort Connor were two such places, that boast a long history and high defensibility. None of those, however, held a candle to the dwarven city, Orzammar.

As a self-sustained city, Orzammar was built to withstand significant outside pressure. Resting its enormous bulk underground made for a huge military advantage. Additionally, there was a single way in, which was through a fortified set of double doors, guarded all day and night by dwarven warriors.

It was impregnable. Impregnable, that is, for all except one little detail. Of course, one would need to be either incredibly bold or incredibly stupid to brave the Deep Roads.

Duncan was neither. After all, he was uniquely qualified to face the darkspawn. He was a Grey Warden, sworn to the defense of the land against anything Blight related.

And right now, the biggest threat was the Archdemon itself.

Cutting down the last darkspawn of the horde, he took a step back, taking in his surroundings for a few seconds before deeming it safe enough to sheathe his weapons. Regarding the massacre around him, Duncan sighed. The truth was, he needn't had to slay them so brutally. He would only admit it to himself, but walking away from Ferelden, the zenith of this Blight's darkspawn activity was easily the hardest thing he'd ever done. And he was old and weary enough to have gone through a lot. It felt like he was abandoning his duty.

Yet, he believed in the strange woman from another world.

He scoffed to himself, a wry smile forming on his lips. Even to his own mind, the thought sounded preposterous. An over complicated ruse -and he knew about those-, but a ruse nonetheless.

And yet, he believed her. Precisely because Duncan was adept at them himself. He'd seen no sign of deception from Maya Bellerose. It didn't hurt that he remembered with startling clarity how she'd save his life.

Flashbacks of a fire-riddled battlefield passed through his eyes. His strength fading, his vision blurring, he remembered the helplessness at the thought that that was it. That the Blight had happened in his time and that he'd failed. Failed Thedas, failed his comrades in the Order, failed to keep his promise to watch over Alistair.

The confusion and the quiet rage he'd felt when he'd realized they'd been betrayed. That there would be no help from the general's forces.

And then, he was being jolt awake. Forced to walk by a woman. A frightened woman, he could see in retrospective. He'd woken up the next day to learn her unlikely story, and he knew then that she was no liar. A brave soul sent to him in the time of his direst need. Who still wanted to do more than was her share.

Duncan smiled to himself. He had chosen to trust her, yet he still doubted. He couldn't help it.

Which was a large part of the reason he'd gone out of his way to Orzammar. So he could…

"Halt! Who goes there?"

A guttural voice snapped Duncan out of his musings. There, in the distance, he could see several short figures. All armed and ready to fight.

"Peace, friend. I…"

"Duncan? Paragon's teeth, is that you?"

A dwarf stepped forward, quickly followed by two others flanking him.

"Lieutenant Kardol" Duncan nodded "Stone-met"

"Well, I'll be. Of all the nug-humping lucky bastards to meet down here I would expect to see you, if you weren't dead"

Duncan hid a grimace "I would ask for your discretion regarding my presence here"

Kardol threw his head back, letting out a bark of a laugh "I should tie you up and parade you down the city. Alright, my lips are sealed. That goes for you nug-humpers, too" the lieutenant called back to his troops.

And with that, Duncan's mind was at ease. Lt. Kardol was a man who said what he meant up front. There wasn't a political bone in his body, and Duncan, as well as the men and women under his command, had long since appreciated that straight forward attitude of his.

That, and that the Legion of the Dead functioned independently from the dwarven kingdom of Orzammar. Whether Maya was right about the governing situation in Orzammar or not, that fact alone wouldn't change no matter who was sitting on the throne.

Regardless, Duncan didn't think it was a bad idea to make sure "Tell me, friend. Is the situation in Orzammar as dire as they say?"

Kardol began guiding the way back to camp as he answered "Worse. The King is on his deathbed, his son is a blighted bastard and his competition a soft-bearded weakling. The one dwarf that could've made some sense of the situation died and started all of this. Shouldn't have anything to do with us, but we all know some of that dung is gonna make its way down here"

Duncan nodded, mentally adjusting his plans "Aeducan's second child is dead, then. You are sure?"

"Must be. Haven't seen hide nor hair of the poor sod"

There was a barely noticeable hitch in Duncan's step "Perhaps we should confirm his death, then. Lest he be alive still"

"There are few places he could've gone that the Legion itself hasn't been to since the whole shit-show began. But, sure. Ain't no difficult task to have a look" Kardol shrugged, obviously not thinking they'd find anything.

"As the Warden-Commander in Ferelden, I thank you on behalf of the order"

Kardol glanced at Duncan sharply. He just made it clear it wasn't a friend asking. This was Grey Warden business.

Kardol sighed "Back from the dead and already causing me to work extra. Fine, Warden-Commander, we'll get you the dwarf or the corpse"

Despite his crude manner of speech, Duncan knew he could trust Kardol with the task.

After that, they reached the Legion's camp. The people there stared at Duncan like he'd sprouted out of the ground, which wasn't that far off from the truth.

Kardol told them in few words to keep quiet about their visitor and they all began settling down for the night, known by them by their keen dwarven senses. Duncan had been sleeping whenever the need struck him, only slightly concerned about being attacked. He was a light sleeper and a veteran Grey Warden. There was zero chance of a darkspawn sneaking up on him. Not that he slept much anyhow.

But looking at the people around him he had to admit; being between numbers again was a welcome relief.

Duncan snuck around the torn down homes of Dust Town. Despite the tattered cloak that covered him from head to toe, it was inevitable for him to attract attention by sole virtue of his height. Luckily, he was very good at being stealthy, and so he'd managed to sneak all the way through Orzammar Commons to his current location in the Castless district.

From his place in the shadows, Duncan could keep watch on his fourth lead to the Carta Headquerater's entrance. He'd been at this for a few days already, and he still hadn't found the right place. Maya had assured him it was there though, and with no better clues he had to believe her. Again.

But Duncan was a patient man. And his patience was usually rewarded.

This time was no exception.

He'd been observing dwarves come in and out of buildings. Men and woman who didn't look like beggars. The silhouette of weapons beneath their cloaks was obvious. Clearly, the disguises no more than token attempts to create the illusion that there was nothing to see. Everyone in Dust Town knew who they were. He could see the fear in the real beggars when they watched them pass.

Once again, Duncan bid his time, awaiting his chance, which he found when a single woman came out of a half crumpled, non-descriptive building; just one more per the norm in Dust Town.

He stuck to the shadows with ease as he sized up his pray. After making sure nobody was following her, he made his move.

"Do not say a word"

The dwarf tensed up as soon as she felt the knife on her throat. She tried to say something, which prompted Duncan to put pressure on her neck. A sharp inhale, and the dwarf froze again.

Duncan shoved his prisoner toward the closest alley. A premeditated location, where he'd observed people rarely passed.

"The entrance. Where is it?"

"I don't snitch to no topsider" she spat.

No sooner had she uttered those words, Duncan withdrew the knife, turning to face the carta member, grabbing her by the neck -injured from the wound he'd inflicted, he saw- and shoved her up against the alley wall.

Duncan was a patient man, but it'd been days.

The Warden-Commander looked her dead in the eye, with an intensity he reserved only for enemies.

"The entrance. Where. Is. It" He enunciated each word carefully.
The woman gulped audibly, unable to finish the motion thanks to Duncan's grip on her neck, fear widening her eyes as she realized this man was not one to be trifled with.

When she didn't answer for a second time, Duncan applied more pressure, making the dwarf gasp and claw at his hand. He let her struggle for a few seconds before allowing her to breathe again.

"Th–the base is below the city. You can get to it through the wall of the third house on this row"

Duncan's eyes narrowed dangerously "The token"

"Here! I have it right here. J–just put it through the slot in the wall"

Duncan took the finger bone the woman offered from her cold fingertips.

The woman looked at Duncan with a mixture of terror and hatred.

"Will you let me go now?"

Duncan's knife flashed. A second later, the woman dropped to the ground. Dead.

He sighed. He didn't enjoy killing, but he couldn't let the woman walk away without the certainty that she wouldn't find a way to alert the other Carta members.

After hiding the body and making sure he wouldn't leave a trail of blood behind, Duncan followed the dwarf's directions towards the aforementioned house.

He found the house with little trouble. The real problem was how to get inside without anyone seeing him. He didn't think the secret dwarven entrance would be too conspicuous, but he didn't wish to risk it.

He turned to a nearby beggar instead, one he'd paid for information before.

Pay attention to the beggars. They know more than they let on and are desperate for money.

Maya's advice had been frankly unnecessary. He'd long ago found that hunger and little to lose made a good target for bribery.

The dwarven woman stood abruptly when he finally let his presence known; right next to her.

"You again! What is it you want this time?"

"A distraction, if you could"

She scoffed "Three silvers"

Duncan handed her five "A big one, please"

The woman smirked "Anything you need, darling"

Duncan went into stealth again as he watched her leave for a more populated area. Several seconds later, he heard a commotion. A few shouts later, every able body in this side of Dust Town made its way in the direction the dwarf had gone.

Taking it as his cue, he slithered towards his goal, unnoticed.

The door didn't seem special in any way. Just in case though, he first tried to gauge the keyhole, and soon noticed it was merely for appearance's sake. Next, he looked for the slot the Carta dwarf had mentioned, finding it easily. He quickly inserted the token, hearing a soft click of the door unlocking.

The last thing he heard before going through was several bouts of roaring laughter. He felt a little sorry he couldn't stay to watch whatever the beggar woman had cooked up as a distraction.

If Duncan hadn't spent a time in the Deep Roads, he'd have been impressed such tunnels were able to remain a secret beneath the city of Orzammar. As it was, he was familiar enough with dwarven mining to be underwhelmed with the tunnels that comprised the Carta Hideout. If anything, Duncan wished they'd be a little more complex, making his job at sneaking around easier. Not that he had a problem doing so, but if he was to bring an extra passenger or two things might be a little more challenging.

Sorry, can't tell you exactly where they'll be, but you might wanna explore until you find them. Go ahead and skip the first few side rooms, they'll be somewhere further down, almost near the end. But before the leader for sure, so you won't have to fight the whole Carta. Heh, anyway, good luck!

A small smile formed on his lips. She really was not as helpful as he had hoped.

Duncan slipped past another guard, then waited until he was out of sight before advancing. He was grateful no one had spotted him yet. Hiding a body in these tunnels would be nearly impossible. He had half a mind of killing whoever crossed him and be done with it, but even he would have trouble against so many Carta members. A senseless massacre wasn't his way either. He'd do it if it came to it, he'd just rather not.

Duncan kept alert as he moved forward, eyes and ears sharp. He skipped the first three wings, heeding Maya's advice as far as his caution would let him, and began peering in from the third onwards. There wasn't much movement though, so aside from the two times when fortune looked his way and he was able to peek as someone else opened and closed the door, he had to get creative. He would take what chances he could, pushing the door open when someone banged it on his way out, as if it'd just bounced back; throwing pebbles until someone came to investigate, allowing him precious seconds to gauge the inside of the room from his hiding spot.

Good thing he was a crafty one.

After patiently repeating this pattern for what felt to him like hours, he finally made it to the prison. He'd almost been discovered twice and was found out once. He'd had to kill all five members in that room and break the lock so the others would have a harder time trying to get in. With all the blood, hiding the evidence of his passing would take more time than it was worth.

The first thing he heard when he cracked the door open was the goading.

"…too good for you? For your fancy noble palate?"

Duncan couldn't make out the grumbling response, but he could guess at its contents when the clattering of a plate being thrown along with colorful dwarven curses made its way to him.

"Starve to death then! Stonecursed duster…"

Another sound dull noise, like someone had hit the jail bars with something metallic along a bout of laughter and Duncan took his chance to step inside the room.

The inside was lit with glow-light enchantments, much as the rest of the tunnels. Unlike other rooms, this one had a turn, making it impossible for Duncan to observe the situation properly from where he was standing near the entrance. Of course, that also meant they couldn't see him.

A few steps in allowed him to discover a trap. He deftly avoided it and hugged the wall. All he could hear were the guards talking between themselves. Based on the number of voices, there were at least three guards. Even if there was one or two more, the odds were feasible; provided he was able to disarm or incapacitate at least one of them.

Duncan unsheathed two daggers and stepped forward. In the split second that took them to notice him, he hurled the blades towards the nearest guards. His aim was true, and both guards toppled over, a growing pool of blood from the wounds in their throats.

The remaining three snapped their crossbows at him.

So there'd been five. Duncan was glad the fight was now in his favor.

Duncan jumped as shots were fired. He assessed the situation: two in the corner, one further away from the cells, near him. He dashed towards that one, taking out a third blade.

The dwarves fired again, but Duncan was expecting it. We ducked and slashed at his target in a sideways motion. The attack connected with precision, making the guard go down on one knee. Duncan took advantage of this, sidestepping behind the dwarf as two more shots were fired. One of them missed entirely; the other went through the fallen dwarf's side, causing him to yell in pain.

Before he could regain his momentum, Duncan grabbed the dwarf with his free hand and unceremoniously cut his throat with the one holding the blade. A final gurgle and his head dropped.

Dead.

Outraged cries rose from his surviving comrades, who began shooting indiscriminately. Duncan was able to block most of the tirade with the dead guard's body. A single arrow nicked him on the forearm; he ignored it and plowed on until he was within range. He pushed the now arrow-riddled body onto one of the dwarves and jumped on the other one. The dwarf defended himself with the crossbow as best as he could, but the battle was lost to him as soon as Duncan managed to close the distance with the ranged fighter.

He turned to deal with the last guard, surprised he hadn't heard him attack yet, only to find him being strangled by two scraggly arms. He watched as the dwarf made a last attempt at scratching the limbs that choked him before he heard a snap and his neck fell forward, followed by his entire body as he collapsed to the ground.

The Warden-Commander's tired eyes met equally tired green ones, a lighter shade than Kallian's deep emerald, he noticed. They belonged to the same scrawny prisoner who'd somehow managed to snap the neck of one of her captors. She was clearly starved, her dwarven stocky constitution reduced to a modest built and gaunt cheeks. He thought he saw blood on her scalp, but realized it was her hair, a fiery red covered in dirt that stuck to her forehead, nearly blocking her sight. Almost hiding the tattoo that marked her as Casteless.

In spite of her appearance, Duncan found that those same washed out eyes regarded him with startling clarity.

Ah, this was the one he came to get.

"Please… stranger… let us out. I see you bear no love for Jarvia. Please, help us. One of the guards has the key"
Duncan's eyes darted to another jail, were a second prisoner stood. A man, this time. Unlike his prison-mate, he seemed well fed and healthy, without obvious signs of harm other than those from the imprisonment itself.

He took a step back, trying to have them both in his sights, before speaking directly to Brosca.

"My name is Duncan. I am the Warden-Commander in Ferelden. I will save you and your friend, but I must ask for something in return. I ask that you agree to be conscripted as a Grey Warden"

The man let out a curse. Duncan kept his gaze in the woman, whose widened eyes remained her only reaction to his offer.

Brosca regarded him for a moment. With clear effort, she unhinged her jaw.

"Why?"

"I am aware of what happened at the Provings. It is individuals such as yourself that we need in times of Blight. It is why I am here. What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in the world. I came here looking for a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one. You would have to travel with me to the surface and battle the darkspawn"

Brosca glared at Duncan like she wasn't half his height. In his mind, Duncan took in her circumstances, her body's condition, and her still fighting spirit, and approved.

This woman alone was worth the trip.

Brosca clenched her fists. Teeth gritted, she let out a simple but clear "Yes"

Duncan nodded and without wasting any more time, crouched next to her cell to pick the lock. It was faster than searching the bodies for the key.

"I must see that my sister is alright before we leave" Duncan said nothing, hands still focused on his task "Beraht may be dead, but if Jarvia is still a threat to her…" her tone left no doubt as to what she'd do to the now Carta leader if she intended any harm to befall on her sister.

"Salroka, those guys must've cracked your skull. You're not still considering staying, are you?"

"I already said I'm going. But I don't want to leave Rica unprotected"

The door unlocked. Duncan stepped back and allowed Brosca to come out. The dwarf wasted no time, heading for the only chest in the room and promptly took out what Duncan assumed were her confiscated possessions. He turned and began working on the second lock.

"Well, don't you worry about that. Ol' Leske'll take care of her"

"That's what I'm afraid of"

"Your sister, Rica Brosca, correct?" Duncan said without taking his eyes off his task.

"How do you know that?" Broska snapped, her voice taking a defensive edge.

Duncan didn't look back "I have been gathering information on Orzammar's main players for days" he lied smoothly "Your sister is pregnant with the child of Prince Bhelen Aeducan"

Duncan stood as the lock clicked open, then turned to find the angry dwarf shocked silent for the first time.

"Shite. Sodding Beraht got what he wanted. And he's dead. Now that's poetic" the other dwarf, Leske, said with a smirk. He opened his mouth to continue speaking when his eyes widened at something behind Duncan.

As the Warden turned to see what had alarmed the dwarf, a knife was sent flying, just missing Duncan, finding its target as the knife the fallen guard had raised clattered on the floor. Duncan wasted no time delivering the final blow, and the guard collapsed again, truly dead this time.

Duncan turn to face Leske "Thank you, friend"

The dwarf puffed his chest "Heh, least I can do"

"Rica is… are you certain?" Brosca asked, getting back on track. Duncan nodded "I need to see her. See that she's safe for myself. If she has a daughter Bhelen might toss her out anyway"

Duncan watched as the two friends finished equipping their armor and grabbed their weapons, taking a moment to tie a quick bandage around his injured arm. Leske recovered an iron axe and a dagger and strapped them both to his back. Brosca reached into the chest with one hand and lifted an iron maul as big as herself with apparent ease.

A warrior, then.

"That might prove difficult" warned Duncan "Orzammar has been thrown into a political turmoil over the last month. Word is Prince Duran killed his brother, Prince Trian. He's been exiled to the Deep Roads, where he is presumed to be dead. Right now, High-General Pyral Harrowmont is Bhelen's main competitor for the throne, as King Endrin has been sick since his son was banished. They don't expect him to last for long"

Leske swore "Bronto's piss. How long have we been down here?"

"As you might expect" Duncan continued "Bhelen is keeping your sister under close guard in order to protect her and his child. Due to circumstances I will share later, I am currently also thought diseased, and I'd like to keep it that way for a time. Unfortunately, that means I cannot request for a meeting with either of them"

This time, it was Brosca's turn to swear. Aggressively at that.

"I am afraid we've run out of time. I've left a trail on my way to you. We must depart before the whole Carta learns of your escape and head for the Deep Roads ourselves"

Brosca glared at him with barely suppressed violence "I can't leave without making sure my sister will be safe" she repeated.

Duncan held her stare "You will be able to come back at a later date. I must insist we leave now"

They faced off against each other, neither of them backing down. Eventually though, Duncan won, as Brosca looked down, holding back her frustration upon encountering a superior opponent.

Duncan's tone was not unkind when he added "I cannot begin to explain how, but I have it on good authority that your sister will be well until our return, and that she'll give birth to a healthy boy"

Brosca's eyes narrowed suspiciously "How"

"Later" he insisted.

A heartbeat later, Brosca nodded, the fight draining out of her somewhat.

"Great. Now that you've made the sensible choice, let's get the dust out of here"

Duncan agreed with Leske "Yes. The tunnels are mainly empty, but let us be as stealthy as we can"

Leske turned out to be a rogue, like Duncan, making it easier for him to follow along. The problem happened to be Brosca, who appeared to have all the subtlety of the maul she carried. It was pure luck no one in the side rooms heard the commotion each time they had to fight. On the plus side, Duncan had the chance to see his latest recruit in action. She was every bit as powerful as he'd been led to believe. Brosca's fighting style was blunt and brutal. She would overwhelm her enemy with sheer force, stunning her target with the pommel of her weapon before slamming her maul on them. Unhesitant and unrepentant.

Duncan also noticed that, while not as adept in combat, Leske worked well with Brosca. He was fast and confident and covered well for his friend's blind spots, which appeared to be quite a few, given her reckless abandon when fighting. And while Duncan would wager she'd rather take a hit than bother dodging, it was also clear she trusted her partner.

After walking all the way to the entrance, tired and battered, they finally made it outside, back in Dust Town.

"This… is this my house?"

Brosca looked around, touching the few possessions inside the small home, looking… lost.

"Alright there, duster?" Asked Leske, a hint of concern in his voice.

"…Fine. Sodding Carta. This works. I'll get some things quickly"

She went to the single chest in the room. Upon opening it, she let out a curse.

"Empty"

"Maybe Rica took them with her when she went up-city" Leske offered.

"Mayb– Ah, stone no!" Brosca exclaimed, burying her head in her hands "She thinks I'm dead!"

Leske approached her cautiously "Salroka…"

"I know, I know!" She picked herself up and turned to glare at Duncan. Again "Let's hurry up and get out before I change my mind"

Duncan decided not to mention her word was already binding her to do so. He assumed she was expressing herself more in anger than anything else.

"Then let me make my offer formal" he said instead "I, Duncan of the Grey Wardens, extend the invitation for you to join our order. Keeping in mind you have already given your word" he added quickly upon the sly look she adopted.

The dwarf rolled her eyes and let out a sigh "I, Natia Brosca, accept"

Duncan's eyes crinkled as he smiled "Before this witness, I hereby recruit you. Know that you are most welcome"

And with that, he led the way towards Orzammar Commons.

Brosca let the helmet Duncan had painstakingly acquired fall on the floor "Sodding hate helmets"

"What, afraid it'll cover your beauty, salroka?"

Brosca hit her friend on the shoulder, scowling. Not seriously, though, judging by Leske's laughter afterwards.

"Duncan! Stone-met, my friend. Back already?"

"Stone-met, Kardol. I trust you've been doing well since I departed"

"In less than a week?" Kardol snorted "Been attacked by darkspawn six times since you left. If this isn't a Blight I'll eat my beard. The Legion's been getting its exercise, at least"

Duncan smiled "I have no doubt, my friend. Let me introduce you to my newest recruit. This is Natia Brosca"

Kardol laughed heartily "Stone-met, friend. You'll be filling big boots. Hope you're up to some killing"

Natia looked taken aback by the lieutenant's sudden friendliness, but masked it quickly "Just point me to the nearest darkspawn"

"Ha! Spoken like a Grey Warden! Or a Leggionaire" he smirked.

"We will stay the night with the Legion, if you don't mind me imposing on your hospitality again" Kardol made a dismissive hand motion at Duncan's statement "Did you have any luck on the search I asked of you?"

The lieutenant's expression became serious as he held Duncan's gaze. A second later, it turned into a bark of a laugh "You nug-humping bastard. Yes, we found the lucky sod. He's licking his wounds back at camp. Go meet him when you're ready" and with that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the three to follow at their leisure.

"Well, that was… uh"

Duncan liked Kardol, but he couldn't help but agree with Leske's ambiguous assessment of his friend.

"I guess this is where we say goodbye, salroka. Go find some trouble for me, aye?"

Natia grimaced, but nodded "Don't go finding too much trouble yourself, duster"

Leske laughed "Now when have I ever?"

Duncan lifted a hand "A moment, Leske. It is true I came to Orzammar after hearing of Natia's prowess, but you have proven to be someone the Grey Wardens could benefit from having in their ranks. It is a dangerous road, and you would have to leave all you know behind, but should you wish it, I would make the same offer as I did your friend"

Leske gaped at him "Sodding yes! I can't believe it! I'm gonna be a sodding Grey Warden!"

Duncan smiled at his enthusiasm. It was rare to find someone so willing. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a small smile on Natia's lips.

With a nod, Duncan led them towars camp, hoping to find something to fill Natia's empty stomach.

He knew from Maya that Natia would make it. He really hoped Leske did, too.

"I think they really cracked my skull back then; I could've sworn you said he's Duran Aeducan"

"You did not mishear. That is indeed the prince"

The three of them stared at the dwarf owlishly gazing up at them from a cot on the ground.

"I thought you said he killed his brother" Leske muttered.

"That is the general consensus, yes"

"So why save him? Will you also conscript him?" Wondered Natia.

"That remains to be seen. Stone-met, my lord. How are you feeling?

"I am no longer a Lord, Ser Warden, as you well know" Duran answered simply "Call me Duran. I am alive, which is more than I had hoped for. I hear you were the one who asked the Legion to look for me. You have my thanks" he inclined his head.

Duran Aeducan was an oddity, Duncan found. Despite being royalty -or former royalty, as it may be- he had no arrogance. No air of authority he'd come to expect from nobles. He had been one of his choices in regard to recruits, but he wondered if he'd find in him the same fire he'd come to recognize in both Kallian and Natia.

The warden inclined his head as well "My name is Duncan, I would say 'of the Grey Wardens', but you know that already. I only suggested you might still be found, it is Lt. Kardol and the Legion you should thank" And, he'd only known because of Maya. But letting her have credit for the information would put her in danger. Duncan would keep her secret from even his new recruits. At least for the time being.

"I have. But without your suggestion, I wouldn't be here. I am in your debt nonetheless"

Duncan merely nodded.

"Duran, I am afraid I must ask you to repay that debt. A blight is coming, the Grey Wardens are in need of talented individuals such as yourself. You have a choice. Join me and become a Grey Warden, or else wait until we come back to ask for Orzammar's aid in the campaign against the darkspawn, ascend to the throne, and provide us with the help we need"

Duncan heard a gasp from behind him, but he was focused on Duran. The former prince, however, appeared largely… underwhelmed.

"Orzammar's aid… I remember reading, in the Shaperate's memories, about an old treaty made in the time of King Eram. The Grey Wardens already hold the leverage they need to request aid. Why would you need me?"

Duncan was, if he said so himself, an experienced man. He'd led a hectic life and was rarely surprised. Duran, however, had managed just that.

Duncan looked again and caught it this time. There was deep intelligence in this man's iron grey eyes.

"I am sorry to be the one to tell you this" he said after he recovered "Your father, King Endrin, is not doing well. Rumor has it he doesn't have long left. I myself have good reason to believe those rumors to be true"

"…I see" Duran said after a while. His tone and his face remained placid, but when Duncan looked down, he could see his knuckles were white from his grip on the blanket "Indeed. If Orzammar is left without a ruler, there will be no one to issue the order to aid the surface. You would need to make sure someone is in the throne before that happens. As of now, the options are Prince Bhelen, of course and… Pyral Harrowmont, most likely"

Just as Maya had said. For him to reach the same conclusion purely by deduction… This man was frighteningly smart.

"You would have me be an option? Even if I killed my brother? Why not support the other two?"

Duncan understood his way of thinking. His sole goal was to stop the Blight. For that, it didn't matter who sat in the throne of Orzammar, so long as he followed the treaty.

"Because, despite our friendly relationship with Orzammar, Grey Wardens have scarcely few dwarves in their ranks. I would hope fostering a closer relationship would open the doors to more dwarves joining the Order in the future as well"

Understanding made Duran's eyes light up "A pity, considering we've been closely acquainted with darkspawn for generations"

Duncan nodded. Those were his thought exactly.

"You should know, however, that my name has been erased from the memories. Even were you to convince the Assembly that I didn't kill Trian, my name will not be reinstated so easily. It would take…"

"A paragon. Yes, that is within our calculations"

Duran nodded "That might work, provided Branka's still alive"

Duncan didn't say anything this time, and simply held his gaze.

After a few seconds, Duran nodded, his deep voice adopting for the first time the air of authority Duncan expected from the start "I agree to your terms, Duncan of the Grey Wardens"

"Which terms, my l– Duran" he corrected himself.

"I have not yet decided"

Duncan blinked "And by that, you mean…"

"I mean I will accompany you to the surface along with your recruits. I will see for myself the damage the darkspawn are causing outside the Deep Roads. And when it's time to return to Orzammar, I will have an answer ready for you"

For several seconds, Duncan couldn't say anything. Once again, he found himself surprised by Duran. He couldn't remember the last time a person had surprised him so.

Ah, other than Maya, the otherworld traveler, of course. He would have to thank her when he saw her again. Duran was every bit worth the trip as was Natia. And hopefully, Leske.

"Very well" he said finally "I have heard of your talent in battle, and I would not turn down such an offer"

"Good" Duran nodded, a smile playing on his lips, all signs of the former prince gone "Truthfully I have always wanted to see the surface. It is hard to believe one could fall into the sky, and I've been eager to see for myself"

Duncan smiled himself "Then allow me to introduce you to our traveling companions. These are Natia and Leske, our newest recruits"

Duncan waved them over from where they stood, a few steps back. Close enough that they'd heard the entire conversation.

Duran blinked at them "Stone-met, my name is Duran. I look forward to traveling with you both"

"Uh… right, stone-met" murmured Leske.

Natia glared at him, arms crossed "In my part of Orzammar, we just say 'hello'"

Duran didn't hesitate "Hello, then, miss"

Natia scowled "Don't call me that"

"Hello, Natia. Forgive me for not standing to greet you. I haven't recovered from my wounds, and I will heal faster if I don't push it"

She opened her mouth to say something else, thought better of it, and answered by turning on her heels and walking away.

"Er, don't take it personally, my lo– uh… yeah. She's like that with everyone"

"Alright, I will not" his answer was as unaffected as it could be. Duncan noted how his eyes, with what he thought of as his rarely focused look, followed the retreating figure of the angry dwarf.

…it wasn't any of his business.

"Rest now, we will depart tomorrow, provided your injuries allow you to brave the Deep Roads once more"

Duran turned to him, the peaceful expression back in his eyes "I shall do my best to get better"

Duncan and Leske left, the latter to find his friend, the former to arrange bedrolls with the Legion quartermaster.

He thought back on the last few days and was satisfied with the results. He'd accomplished everything he'd set out to do. There was still the matter of getting to Orlais and back to aid Kallian's group, but he had no doubt he could trust her and Alistair to do what needed to be done. He found himself feeling glad they had Maya to aid them, as, in spite of his misgivings, her words had proven effective in reaching his goals.

And while the Blight would be won without him, he would still find a way to make the outcome better.

And there it is! The first side story. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it :)

Btw, I have some ideas about what the next few will be, but I'm open to suggestions, so feel free to let me know if you've got one.

Cheers!