"Another round! But don't water it down this time, I want to feel the kick in it." The red-headed elf shouted as she slammed her mug onto the counter-top.

The shop-owner chuckled as he grabbed the mug and poured the young woman another drink. "I know this is a celebration, but you shouldn't be drinking too much ale, Shianni. We all know how you get when you drink too much." He said as he slid her back her drink.

Shianni grabbed the mug, bringing it to her lips and gulping it down. She let out a breath and wiped her mouth. "Don't worry, Alarith. It's all just fun tonight." She told him as she held out her mug for another drink. Alarith poured her another, but of the watered down pitcher. Despite what she said, he wasn't going to let her get drunk on his watch. An elf advising the throne and bann of the alienage didn't mean they could rest easy. Shianni grabbed the mug and turned to the crowd with her mug raised high. "To surviving the blight and victory!" The band of elves cheered as they took another swig of ale. Shianni turned to Alarith, setting her mug down. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she addressed him. "Our "Hero of Fereldan" is supposed to come back tonight. I'm going home to welcome her. I'll call this a night."

Alarith nodded as he turned to put the bottle of ale back in its place. "You take care of yourself, Shianni." He told her as she wobbled out of his shop.

Shianni stumbled out the shop, the door slamming behind her. She held her head as she struggled to walk to her home. Shianni straightened her back as she looked up at where the hospice used to be. She walked up to the door and put her hand on knob, reminiscing on everything that happened. From when the tevinter slavers first came to when her cousin had come and drove them off. The alienage used to be so populous, but after the purge and tevinter slavers, it seemed so desolate. Shianni opened the door and stepped into the pitch dark room. She was proud that they were able to rid the alienage of the Tevinter slavers, she just wishes she would've done more. She should've took charge, like her cousin did, instead of administering a one woman protest. She walked through the rooms, leaving out of the hospice from the back. Shianni went through the apartments, and made her way to the warehouse. From what she saw in the apartments, she can imagine how everything went down. Families being snatched from her home, women and children being dragged by their hair. Shianni sniffled, as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Shianni opened the door to the warehouse and immediately felt a presence as she stepped inside. She knew the warehouse wasn't completely deserted and she was torn on whether to run or try to deal with the possible threat herself. It would be smarter for her to run. She was still a bit tipsy and didn't have a weapon or anything to protect herself with. Shianni closed the front of her coat and pulled her hood over her head. She decided she'll slink around to see if there's actually any danger. If there was she would run and get help, and her bow. She pressed herself against the wall and peeked around the corner before going into any room. She was almost convinced nobody was in the warehouse when Shianni came to the other side of the warehouse, before the final room. However, before she can open the door she heard whispers on the other side of the door. She paused and put her ear to the door. She couldn't make out what was being said. Then suddenly, the talking stopped and she could hear footsteps approaching the door. She gulped, trying to contain the fear causing her to shake. She had to think fast. Shianni ran over to one of the barrels and reached inside. Shianni pulled out an empty bottle. She took in a sharp gasp as she seen the door knob turn. Shianni quickly smashed the body on the barrel, breaking it. The door opened and she hurriedly turned towards the door with the broken bottle raised above her head, ready to strike...but she wasn't ready for what it was. Shianni went pale, as two horned giants stalked towards her. They looked at her then looked at the bottle in her hand. Shianni tightened her grip on the bottle, reaffirming her stance. "Who are you? Were you with those Tevinter bastards?" The horned giants looked at each other. Shianni watched as they confabulated between each other. They must be speaking in their native tongue, Shianni figured. She jumped as the horned giants stopped talking and looked at her.

The one on her right, swiftly took the bottle from her and placed her arm back on her side. "Come." He said, leading her into the rear end of the warehouse. The other horned giant followed behind Shianni. Despite being scared out of her mind, Shianni walked with her chest out and her head held high. Walking through the door, she can see even more of the horned giants. A whole horde, damn near. She was regretting not just walking past the hospice and going home to rest. They stopped in front of another horned giant. This one was even bigger than some of the others, its horns too. The giant in front of her started talking to her captors in their their native tongue again.

Shianni cleared her throat and stared into the giant's eyes. "Do you speak the common tongue?" She asked him.

"I do." Spoke a voice, emerging from the darkness. It was an elf though.

Shianni gave the giant in front of her one more stare before turning her attention to the elvhen woman. "Who are these people, and what are they doing here."

"We are the qunari-"

"We?" Shianni interrupted. "You look like just another elf."

"A discussion for another time. We are here to deal with the tevinter slavers." The elf claimed. However, staring at her and studying the woman's face she had a feeling that this woman wasn't telling her the truth.

Shianni turned her head back to the qunari in front of her. "If that is true, why have you come now. You should've been here earlier. Those tevinter bastards are long gone now."

"We were delayed due to the blight, but we still came to make sure there weren't any stragglers."

Shianni continued staring at the qunari in front of her. She was worried, but she was doing her best not to show it. This man in front of her was intimidating, but she wasn't going to cower. "If there are any stragglers they are the slaves. I don't know for certain if they went back home, but they've moved on from here. Now why are you here?"The elvhen qunari paused and started speaking with the qunari. Shianni sighed and dropped her shoulders. Her trying to be brave last time did nothing, but cause trouble for everyone. So, she took her gaze from the qunari and lowered it. She tried her best not to be nervous, to remain strong, but she was becoming terrified thinking of what these qunari can do to the alienage. Shianni took another glance at the elf and qunari and seen the qunari still had his gaze on her. He wore a blank expression, so Shianni couldn't tell what he was thinking or of his intentions, but she decided to keep his gaze. The qunari started to speak back to elf, the elf nodding in understanding. The elf turned back to Shianni, but before she can speak Shianni addressed the qunari again. "Who are you? Are you their leader?"

"This is the Arishok. The qunari have business here and we would like to take advantage of the alienage's hospitality. Your people are in no danger of us." The elf reassured her.

Shianni relaxed her position. There are a lot of empty homes due to the purge and the slavers. "As long as you keep to yourselves you can settle in this warehouse, the old hospice, and the apartments." Shianni looked into the Arishok's eyes. her chest out and head held high. "I've lived here since I was a kid. I know the city and everyone in it. If there's anything you need from me, you need only to ask." Her eyes left the Arishok's as she danced them along his torso. From his chest to his arms to his stomach. Shianni turned her eyes away from the Arishok and blushed.

The Arishok murmured to the elf. "The Arishok would like for you to show him around the alienage."

Shianni nodded. "First thing tomorrow." She stated. The qunari made a path for Shianni as she walked past them and out of the door.

Shianni made her way home, thinking of the Arishok and the way he stared at her the whole time. She wondered if his gaze ever left her face to trail her body. Shianni shook her head as she unlocked the door to her home. When she walked in she was pleasantly surprised at who was there waiting for home. "Cousin!" She cried, running in to embrace her. Tabris returned Shianni's hug and held out to her a mug.

"Chasind sack mead." She told Shianni, as she took the mug from her. "Best liquor you will ever taste." The cousins settled in at the dinner table. "I've also made a mid-night dish." Tabris explained to her. "Roasted nug dressed with elfroot and berries."

Shianni looked at the meal prepared before her. It certainly looked divine, she thought as she cut a piece off and took a bite. "Definitely better than the rats we used to stew." She stated before taking a sip of the mead. "The drinks are better too, but enough small talk. Tell me about your adventures. The places you've traveled, the things you've seen, and the people you've met."

"Where do I begin?" Tabris asked herself. "I guess I should start with what happened after the battle."

xxx

Soris found himself outside the alienage gates, in the market district. He watched as a beautiful, bronze skinned woman struggled to pull a cart of, what looked to him, animal hides and skins. He, hesitantly, walked over to her and stopped right in front of her. Freezing when she turned her gaze to him. "D-do you need any help?" He stammered out, looking down to avoid her gaze.

The woman released a grateful smile to him. "Thank you! I have a new shop over there", she said pointing down an aisle where two popular shops also stood, "and I'm trying to move my merchandise in, but I've been having a hard time."

"So, you're a merchant?" Soris asked, taking a hold of the cart and following the woman across the market district.

Her feet moved to walk next to him, taking his arm in her hands, making him go stiff. "Yes, I sell the best furs and skins mostly, but also little trinkets here and there." She looked up at him once again, watching as his eyes flicked back forth. Following his gaze, the merchant was meet with curious eyes and disgusted faces from nobles and other merchants. "My name is Athaleyah. You can call me Leyah for short. What's your name?"

Soris drew his attention away from the crowd to set his gaze on the woman on his arm. "Soris." He answered to her.

"Well, Soris, I thank you for helping me with my cart." She says, as the two made it to the shop's door. Opening the door, she says to Soris, "Do you mind helping me set up? I can pay you for your trouble."

"Is is wise to be settling in?" Soris asks her. "A blight is coming! Shouldn't you be evacuating instead?"

"I know all about the dangers of the blight more than you." She assures him. "My home was destroyed."

Soris gazed at Athaleyah silently. "Lothering?" He asked her, receiving a small smile in return.

xxx

Shianni stared in awe at the armor and weapons her cousin gifted her before leaving. She gave her a dalish and studded leather armor set, paired with a short bow, called the Dark Moon, and a long bow, named the Mage's Eye. Along with the bows were twenty elf-flight arrows and forty arrows of filth. There were also jewelry/accessories and manuals dealing with the art of assassins and rangers, but she wasn't going to touch that until she proficient in using a bow. Shianni went to her vase and pulled out what little money she possessed. She wanted to thank her cousin with a gift of her own, but what can she get her that she can't buy for herself. Anything she gets would pale in comparison by quantity. Shianni stuffed the coins in a pouch and put it in her back pocket. Today she meets with the qunari. Early in the morning Shianni got up, took a bath, brushed her teeth, and styled her hair. She was very weary of the qunari so she decided to don her dalish armor set equipped with her short bow. Thanks to her cousin, elves bearing weapons was no longer illegal. Opening her door to leave her apartment, Shianni was greeted by the elf from the night before. "Are you here to escort me to the warehouse?" Shianni questioned.

"We have business to handle first." The elf told her. "I'm Tallis and I need you to answer a few questions for me."

Shianni walked out, closing the door behind her. "I told your Arishok I would show him around first thing in the morning."

"You agreed to show him around, but he didn't agree for it be first thing in the morning today. You'll help me first, then we'll see where that leads." Shianni slumped her shoulders and nodded. "You met with the Hero of Fereldan last night and had quite the discussion. The topic I'm interested right now in is the sea captain."

"Isabela." Shianni stated. She remembered her cousin telling her about the duelist, but didn't deem the situation noteworthy. Shianni glared at Tallis. "You followed me home and spied on me." Tallis opened her mouth to speak, but Shianni interrupted her. "Why ask about her anyways? I thought the reason you were here was to deal with the slavers. Was that a lie? Is that what the qunari are? No different from the humans."

"Qunari's are not liars. They're the most honorable people I know. They treat the elves better than any human and train them better too. You could learn a lot from the qunari."

"I don't know as much as I should, but I have an idea of them. I'm sure they've rescued many elves from the tevinter slavers, but-"

"There's more to the qunari than what your cousin told you."

"-Don't try to convert me." Shianni finished.

Tallis smirked at Shianni and looked her up and down. "That's not what I'm here for." She stated. As she started walking towards the alienage gate she took a coin purse from her back pocket. "We can talk while I get some things from the market district."

Shianni followed behind her. "If you heard the conversation, then what more do you need me to tell you?"

Shianni watched as Tallis picked up some rings, examined them and throw them back down. "Don't you think you should be going to the Pearl. My cousin said she was going north after the Blight, so if you're really after her you shouldn't be wasting time in this market district."

Tallis grabbed a handful of herbs and plants and handed the merchant a few sovereigns. "Seperate these and put them in bags for me, please." She told him. Tallis turned towards Shianni. "The warden is Bann and her first move is grant the alienage a militia then dip. Where did she go?"

Shianni scowled. "She went to Lake Calenhad to see off her friend."

"Friend." Tallis scoffed. She took out a pouch of almond nuts and started to snack on them. "You go to the Pearl. See if Isabela is still there. I'm going to check something out." Before Tallis could walk off Shianni grabbed her by her arm. Tallis turned around, her eyes big in surprise. She yanked her arm away from Shianni. "Touching already? If you were hoping to get lucky I don't kiss on the first date." She told her, as she continued to walk off.

Shianni watched as she walked off. "Your plants." The merchant said. Shianni grabbed the bags and put them in her backpack. Shianni looked in the direction of the Pearl, she thought about going to the Pearl, but then an image of the Arishok came to her mind. She wasn't sure what made her think about him, but she knew she had to see him.

Shianni made her way back to the warehouse. As she was approaching, she could see elves and humans alike, surrounding the back entrance. As she walk passed them, she noticed some of them began to follow her. Shianni looked to her right from the corner of her eye, she could see an elf run ahead of the crowd following behind her. Finally, arriving to the back door, Shianni can see a group of qunari around it. "Speak your purpose." They said to her.

Shianni looked around her, then up to the qunari in front of her. "I would like an audience with your Arishok." Shianni watched as the qunari exchanged words with each other. Shianni folded her arms and looked down as she waited.

"Enter." The qunari said as they stepped aside and allowed her to pass.

Shianni walked into the warehouse with her chest out and head held high. "Is there something you need?" The Arishok questioned.

"I have a proposal." Shianni said, looking the Arishok right in his eye. She watched him for a reaction, but when he remained impassive, she continued. "I want your kind to train the elves of the alienage in weaponry and in return we are at your disposal while you are here." She watched as the Arishok straightened, standing up to approach her. "The alienage is the best place for you and your people to be without being noticed or drawing attention." The Arishok stood in front of Shianni, towering over her. Being face to abdomen with the arishok really made her feel trepidation. Shianni quickly reached for her backpack and fished around in it until she found what she was looking for. "I understand you won't be able to leave the alienage, but I have a map of the city I believe can help your people." Shianni shoved the map in his face, lifting her arm all the way up. He removed the map from her hand, looking it over before meeting her eyes once again. "I would still like to show you around the alienage." She offered, keeping the arishok's gaze. Her neck started to hurt for looking straight up for so long, so against her better judgement Shianni rubbed her neck and looked down. It was then that she realized how close they were, barely a centimeter away from their bodies being pressed up against each other.

Shianni's ears perked up she heard the Arishok speak, his deep voice rumbling from his chest. "I have my own agents." He simply affirmed.

She looked up at him again. "It'll be hard to go anywhere without them being questioned. My people can give information for all sorts of things and get information with being a suspicion." She declared. She was eager to help her people gain the knowledge and the skill of not only using a weapon, but being able to move covertly. If they were able to do that, they'd be able to protect themselves better. Her cousin got them the weapons, but it was up to them to learn how to use them. She needed this, for herself and her people. She watched the Arishok as he searched her face before retreating back to his chair.

"Not everyone is fit to be a spy or wield weapons. My men will choose who they think will flourish in either of these jobs." The Arishok said, as he took his seat. He turned back to the red-headed elf, capturing her gaze once more. "Do you wish to learn as well?" He questioned her. Motioning to the arrow she had in her hand. Shianni smiled at him brightly, nodding excitedly. She opened her mouth to thank him, but was interrupted my a familiar voice.

Shianni looked over to see Tallis bent on one knee, her head down. "Arishok, I've searched the thief's ship and did not find the Tome of Koslun. It is likely that she has the tome with her at the inn." Tallis spoke.

Shianni watched as another qunari walked past her and Tallis, handing the Arishok a letter. He opened and began to scan it. "Tallis you are needed for a mission in Orlais. You leave immediately. The details will be given to you on your leave." He told her. The qunari who gave the arishok the letter, walked up Tallis. They started speaking in the qunari tongue as they made their departure. The Arishok turned his attention back to Shianni, staring at her before he spoke. "Why come to me with such a proposal?" He inquired as he watched her intently, awaiting his answer. His stare went from her eyes to her lips as he watched her lick them before speaking.

"Tallis said that under the Qun the elves are treated much better." She spoke softly, before meeting his gaze one last time. "I see this opportunity to help my people, give them strength, give them confidence-"

"You do well realize that the Qun would better them-"

"That being able to wield a weapon and have skills in stealth can better their perspective of themselves." Shianni corrected him.

"You think it is of the Qun to teach outsiders our skills?"

Shianni bit her bottom lip, once again drawing the Arishok's gaze to her lips. "It won't be nothing. With the skills you teach us we can put them use-"

"So long as we are here." The Arishok finished for her.

Shianni shook her head. "Each time you are here. The elves don't forget those who helped them in their fight."

The Arishok's eyes slanted, his eyebrows arched. "Their fight for what?"

Shianni strode across the room to stand face to face with the Arishok. "Our fight for freedom." She answered him.

"Then why help us?" He queried.

Shianni let her gaze falter, leaving the Arishok's. "The elves joined Andraste to free themselves from Tevinter as slaves." She returned her gaze to the Arishok's. "According to my cousin, the qunari are better at keeping their word than the humans are. For the sake of my people I hope that's true."

xxx

The two mages stood in the basement, at the first door. "Were you able to get the code phrase, Amell?" The elf mage asked her, ready to cast magic into the door.

Amell nodded her head. "Yes, I do." She confirmed, pulling out a piece of paper to recite the quotation written on it. The door opens and they quickly make their way to the Aeonar. Upon arriving to the cell, Amell turned to her male companion. "How are we going to undo the locks?" She asks him.

He looks at her in confusion. "You didn't get the key?"

"Greagoir has the keys." They turn to the female elf in the cell, curled up in the corner, seeming not to notice the pair. "Surana!" Amell calls.

Surana slowly turns her head to the direction from where the sound came. "Eadric, Amell." She mutters, barely above a whisper, her voice broken. 'What are you guys doing here?" She lets her head fall back, to rest on the wall behind her.

"We're getting you out of here, and then we're all leaving." Amell said.

Surana stretches her arms out in front of her, placing them on the ground to push herself up. "Leaving?" She repeats, stumbling towards the cell door. Amell didn't reply, just stared at her, studying her. She looked emaciated, her bones being pronounced from underneath her robes and her eyes holding dark circles under them. She'd been in here for nearly three months without any food or hygienic equipment. She smelled of urine, feces, and vomit. Amell and Eadric resisted the urge to plug their nose at their friend.

"The tower is under attack by blood mages and demons." Eadric spoke. "Greagoir has locked us in along with any templars that were presumed to be either dead or possessed. It's likely he's sent for the Rite of Tranquility."

"Which is why we have to hurry." Amell interjected. She quickly made a rock fist and hurled it at the lock over and over again.

"Magic won't work on these locks." Surana told them. "There's nothing we can do." She then turned to look at Eadric. "Destroy your phylactery before you go, that way it'll make it hard for them to look for you."

"We're not leaving you here." Amell said. She turned to male elf standing besides her. "There has to something we can do."

"I can try to pick it." Eadric declared.

"You know how to pick locks?"

"Vaguely. I haven't done it since I came to the circle and frankly I'm not super skilled at it; however, this doesn't look to be a complicated or an advanced lock. So, I should be able to." Amell stepped back, letting Eadric step in front of the cell. She reached into her hair and pulled out a pin for him to use. After a couple of clicks, the cell door opened, and out stumbled Surana. Amell and Eadric went on either side of her and put each arm around their necks to help her stand. "Let's hurry to Phylactery Chamber so we can destroy my phylactery and get out of here." Eadric said.

Amell and Eadric sat Surana on the stairs of the basement while they quickly made their way to the Phylactery Chamber. Surana sat down, wheezing, voice hoarse, mouth dry, waiting. Her hands were scraggly, hanging loosely at her sides. She didn't need a mirror to know the physical state she was in. She had been in that cell for nearly three months without any food or water. The only kindness showed to her was a collection of books to keep her busy...no, to keep her sane. If Amell and Eadric hadn't come, how long would they have left her in there? All this for helping a friend? No, not for helping a friend. For helping a maleficarum. It was a mistake, she knows that now. She shouldn't of trusted Jowan, he always seemed distant. He didn't get along with any of the other apprentices, but her. He was teased constantly when they were younger for always messing up spells or not being able to cast any. Surana offered to practice with him, seeing he needed the extra help, and they've been friends ever since. To her his magical prowess were below average, but enough to pass the Harrowing. Hearing footsteps, Surana looked up at the approaching pair, her eyes void of any emotion. They reappeared by either of her sides, helping her stand once more.

"Let's go." Amell ordered.

Once they made it out of the basement, Amell looked to the door where the barrier used to be. She looked to her fellow mage, Petra. "What happened to the barrier?" She questioned.

"Wynne removed it. She and a couple grey wardens are going to try to rid the circles of the demons and save the remaining mages." Petra answered.

Amell nodded and led the group towards the door. "What's the plan?" Eadric asked her.

"First, we're going to my room, I have a few things I need to get. Then, after the wardens clear everything out, we're going to the Harrowing Chambers. That's the only room with a window." Amell explained.

"We're going to jump out a window?" Eadric questioned.

"We won't be able to sneak out through the front. If we want to leave, we have no other option." Amell said. Eadric grumbled in reply, but didn't object. After arriving to Amell's room, they sat Surana on the bed. Amell went to a chest and pulled out a vial of lyrium, and a glass of health poultice. "I know it's not much", she stated, walking up to Surana, "but this is all I have." She put the vial to Surana's lips and tipped her head back to help her drink, picking up the health poultice next.

"Why are giving her that?" Eadric inquired.

Amell removed the top from the glass and put it to Surana's lips. "So, she can have something in her stomach. I know it doesn't replace water or food, but this should hold her down until we get outside to get some real food." Amell went back to her dresser, stuffing a pouch of coins in her robe, and looking to see if she had any spare robes she can give Surana.

Surana felt the cool, thick liquid pass her lips and drip down her throat. It didn't do anything, she wasn't hurt nor was her mana drained from her body. She was starving, feeling the two substance sit in her stomach as she licked her dry lips. She raised her eyes to meet Amell's when she seen her offer her new robes. Surana shook her head, returning her gaze back to the floor. She felt it unnecessary to change, seeing as they were going to be jumping feet first into a lake. The robes were going to get soaked, anyway, so why bother? She felt herself being picked up again, but shrugged off her friends, letting them know she was okay to walk on her own. Next they went to Eadric's room, so he can grab his pouch of coins along with a few other personal possessions; and last they went to Surana's room, so she could get her coin pouch, and other sentimental materials.

As the three walked through the tower they noticed the wardens and Wynne had slain every demon they must have come in contact with, seeing as they didn't meet any. Once they reached the last plight of stairs that leads to the Harrowing Chamber, Amell puts her ear to the door. She hears voices, but she can't make out what they're saying. She turns to her friends. "Let's wait out in this room, until they all leave." She whispers, pointing to a room behind them. Eadric nods his head and the three enter the room and wait. It's not long before they hear voices followed by a group of people. Amell watches the group as they leave until they are out of sight, leading her friends into the Harrowing Chambers.

They approached the window and stand in front of it. "What do we do once we're down there?" Surana asked, softly. Assuming they'd actually land in the water and not the ground the tower was built on, Surana wasn't sure if she would survive this jump. The other two had a chance, but she was weak, frail. She'd hit the water and die on impact, or break a leg, arm, sprain her ankle or back, making it impossible to swim resulting in her drowning.

"We swim." Amell answered, "and hopefully run into someone with a boat."

Eadric opened the window and stepped onto it. He turned around and held his hand out to Surana, helping her climb up. Amell came up on her other side, grabbing her other hand. The three looked at each other, taking a deep breath.

"One." Eadric started.

"Two." Surana whispered.

"Three!" Amell finished, and they jumped.

Surana hit the water with a hard smack against her body. Water rushed into mouth and her nose, suffocating her. She couldn't move, her body hurt too bad, she couldn't breath, she was drowning, she was going to die. Just as she was about to slip from consciousness she felt a hand on her back. Someone was pulling her up and above water. Surana emerged from the water, taking a big gasp of air. She was on Eadric's back, and he was holding on to a rift, Amell holding her hand out for him to take. Once they were all three on the rift, Amell and Eadric used their staffs to row the rift faster to shore. Surana looked across the lake to where she thought Kester must be. They were heading north of the tower to avoid the chance of running into templars if they docked at the Spoiled Princess. She leaned her head on Eadric's shoulders, tempted to drift off again, but didn't.

After a few hours, the rift finally reached the shore. Eadric carried Surana, bridal style, off of the rift. "Where do we go now?" He asked Amell as he sat Surana down.

"We're going to Denerim, but we need to lay low." Amell answered him.

"Why are we going to Denerim?" He questioned.

"The Phylactery Chamber in the tower only holds the apprentices' phylacteries. Ours are in Denerim." Surana said,her voice more audible. "For a time, they'll believe we died in tower during the attack, but when they go to dispose of phylacteries..."

"They'll see we're not dead and come looking for us." Amell finished. "It most likely won't be until after the blight is over, but it's best to deal with it now."

Eadric nodded in understanding. "I have family that I have to make sure are safe." He then turned to Surana. "Are you gonna be okay?" Surana nodded her head, staring into his eyes. Eadric would always hold a special place in her heart. He was her first crush, first kiss, first love, and first time. He walked up to her and gave her a tight squeeze, hugging her. Surana mustered up whatever strength she had and hugged him back. He kissed her on the forehead before letting her go. "I want you to have this." He said, stuffing a ring full of gems in her hand.

"Thank you." She said, closing her hand around the ring. She reached up to her ear, pulling out her stud diamond earring. "I want you to have this, too." She told him, handing him her earring. "To remember me by." Eadric took the earring, giving her a smile before turning and walking away. Surana walked up to Amell.

"You ready?" Amell asked her. Surana nodded her head and the two made their way towards Denerim.'

xxx

Princess Aeducan stood at the entrance to the deep roads. After hearing Harrowmont was crowned king she decided to come home, but she was hesitant. Would she be accepted? Would anyone accept her, believe her? She couldn't stay in the deep roads. She'd die. She'd lose her mind first, then she'd die. Not an honorable death, meant for someone like her. Swallowing all pride, fear, and doubt, Princess Aeducan made her way to the city. The guards noticed her immediately and stopped her.

"Halt, kin-slayer!"

Princess Aeducan lifted her chin up and straightened her shoulders, putting on a look of authority. "Take me to the king." She demanded. "I wish an audience with him."

"You think just because Harrowmont was crowned king you can come-"

"Now." Princess Aeducan interrupted.

The guards looked between each other before addressing her again. "Wait here!" He growled at her.

Princess Aeducan watched as the guards walked away from her, leaving her to herself. She let out a breath and let her shoulders slump as she waited. It had been hard living in the deep roads. Her skill with her swords is what kept her alive for the most part, but lucky for her she was able to meet up with the Legion of the Dead and fight alongside them. There was more than what was reported last time, if she remembers correctly, but that was probably due to deserters of Branka's house not willing to to throw their lives away chasing a lost cause. Eager to be out the deep roads, she went to the surface with the legionnaire's to help defend the surface against the blight, since that was the only time a dwarf can go to the surface and not suffer the consequence of being stripped of their caste. When the blight was over, she reluctantly returned, but decided she would not live out this sentence, since she was the one set up and falsely accused. That's why she's back now, to prove her innocence.

Princess Aeducan stood attentive, when she saw the guards return. "Harrowmont will see you." He snarled. Princess Aeducan nodded her head, once again lifting it as she made her way to the Diamond Quarters. She looked out of the corner of her eye, seeing the common-folk. They made faces, pointed and spit at her, said crude things about her. None of which were true, but it still hurt her nonetheless. She ignored it, pushing the pain back like she's always done since her mother died. 'Don't let themsee your tears', she told herself. She made a swift left, ready to go up to what she thought was Harrowmont's estate. "King Harrowmont no longer resides here. He's moved to the Royal Estate." The guard told her. Of course, how can she be so stupid to think he would still stay there. They walked to the Royal Estate, heading straight to the study. "Aeducan, Your Highness." He introduced and quickly left soon after, closing the door behind him.

"Princess!" Harrowmont said, coming around the table to welcome her into a hug.

Princess Aeducan returned the hug. "I am 'princess' no longer." She replied. Harrowmont gave her a sympathetic look. Aeducan diverted her eyes from his, not wanting to break under his gaze. 'Don't let them see your tears'. "I have a favor to ask of you." She told him, meeting his gaze once again. Harrowmont nodded his head, waiting for her to continue. "I would like you to overturn my exile and-"

"Done." Harrowmont interjected. "I will fill out a paperwork immediately-"

"Not just that." Harrowmont stopped and turned to young Aeducan. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, looking to him once again. "I want the opportunity to prove my innocence."

Harrowmont walked behind his desk and sat down. "How do propose to do that?" He questioned her.

Aeducan took her seat across from him and clasped her hands together. "I want to conduct a top secret investigation with as few people as possible and only those we completely trust."

Harrowmont nodded. "Dulin has been keeping his ear to streets. I believe he will have some information you would be interested in." He said, writing on a piece of paper. "I'm also going to give you this to help start you off with your investigation." Aeducan took the piece of paper from him, skimming it over. It was a list of names along with addresses. She knew all of these names, and it made her stomach sick to think that it was a possibility these people had anything to do with her brother, Trian's, death. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but there is urgent business I must tend to." Harrowmont said, rising from his seat. "I assume you'd want the pardon to happen after you prove your innocence, but in the meantime, let me show you where you can stay." Aeducan nodded, stuffing the paper in her pocket. She noticed he led her down an all too familiar path to the ghost of her past. "Your old room." He looked back at her, observing her reaction. Aeducan entered the room, taking in the view before her. It was her old room, exactly how she left it. Both her father and brother must not have had the heart to throw away her things. The thought brought tears to her eyes, and she blinked them back furiously. 'Don't let them see you cry'. She chanted in her head. "Now, I really must go. Good day, Princess." He told her before leaving.

Once the door closed, she let out the tears she's been holding back from when she came in the room, from when she returned to the city, from when she was exiled, from when Trian died. Her body shook tremendously, tears falling briskly from her eyes. She gritted her teeth to try to keep her sobs at bay, but they broke free, making her bit her lip in another attempt.

xxx

Amell and Surana had met a dwarven merchant on their way to Denerim. From him, Amell bought a change of clothes for them both and a pair of daggers for hunting. The had caught a fennec earlier and needed to skin it before they can eat it. Surana had one end of fennec, skinning it from his neck, while Amell had the other end, skinning it from it's rear. Surana had no idea what she was doing and if she was doing it right. She looked over to Amell to see she wasn't doing any better than she was. Surana stabbed the dagger in the fennec's skull, getting up to go to the fire. Amell copied her actions, following behind her. "What's wrong?" She questioned, the elvhen woman.

"Can we go to an inn? So, we don't have to sleep on the floor or make our own food." Surana whined.

"I would love to go to an Inn, but we only have so much money that we're going to need long after the blight."

Surana nodded her head, already knowing the answer to her own question. She turned to face her best friend. "Do you know where the Phylactery Chamber is, and how we're going to get in without being noticed?"

"My contacts tell me the building is next to the chantry, same set up like the basement tower."

"That means there's a code phrase?" Surana questioned. Amell nodded her head at the quesstion. "Do you know it?"

Amell shook her head. "Not yet, but my contacts are working on getting it."

Surana just stared at Amell, a curious expression on her face. "Who are your contacts?" She inquired.

"The Mages' Collective." She answered simply. "You didn't think that rift in the lake was by chance did you?"

Surana looked surprised. "You set that up?"

Amell just shrugged. "It kind of was by chance." She stated. "I've been talking to them about how me and some friends were going to escape, but I didn't think it'd be now or that they'd have the rift ready to go whenever."

"So, what's the plan?"

"We go in when they everyone is evacuated and the soldiers are out fighting against the blight." Amell answered, taking a swig of water.

Surana nodded her head in agreement. "What do we do after."

"After, we join the battle." Amell offers Surana some water. "Then, if we survive that, we live. We still stay low, but still live our own lives. Get married, have babies, whatever we want." A small smile graced Surana's lips at the the thought of having her own family. "Now come on. Let's finish skinning this fennec."

Surana nodded following behind her. "Let's catch a ram next time." She says.

"Rams are harder to skin, and they take longer, too." Amell pointed out.

"Yes, but it's bigger and can fill us up." Surana argued.

Amell chuckled at her. "Fine, but you're skinning it on your own first, since it was your idea."

xxx

"Lady Aeducan." Harrowmont's second greeted her. "Dulin Forender at your service." He bowed respectfully at her name before continuing. "His Highness says you wish to investigate your late brother, Trian's, death."

Aeducan nodded her confirmation. "He gave me a couple leads, but it's not going to be easy for me to move around so freely without drawing attention. Do you have anyone who can assist me?"

Dulin nodded. "Baizyl's daughters will serve as your eyes and ears. Use them as you will during your investigation." He motioned behind him, moving so the girls can be seen. "Lord Harrowmont also has this paperwork retrieved from the carta base, ordering a hit on Trian from Prince Bhelen."

Aeducan greedily took the paper from him, examining the contract. "This is just what I need!" She beamed. "But it's not enough. What are the whereabouts of Frandlin Ivo and the scout that was with us that day."

One of the girls stepped forward. "I'm best friend's with his daughter. What do you need of me from him?"

"What's your name?" Aeducan asked her, feeling uneasy about her being friends with his daughter. It was convenient, but could she really be trusted?

"Shadya. Pleasure to meet you." She greeted. "And this is my sister Sade."

Aeducan shook their hands, glancing between their faces. "Are you guys twins?" She questioned, watching as they nodded their head simultaniously. The twins were beautiful. They had sun-kissed skin, red hair, and hazel eyes. "Well, as I said, Frandlin was apart of the group that day in the deep roads. He and that scout knows Trian was already dead before we arrived. The scout, I figure was paid off by Bhelen, but I expected more from Frandlin. Is there a way you can get a confession from him, then I'll work on getting him to testify."

"Leave it to me!" Shadya beamed, scurrying out the room.

"Well, I see you have everything under control. Now, I must be going." Dulin interjected before exiting out of the room.

Aeducan turned to the other twin. "Do you want me to look for the scout?" She questioned.

"Yes, but before that," Aeducan pondered. "I need you to help me come up with a disguise so I can move freely without being noticed."

Sade clapped her hands, leading her to the mirror. "Leave it to me!" She beamed. She went in her backpack pulling out several different makeup products, and scissors. "Wait here. I'm going to go get a wig and a bag of commoner clothing."

Before Aeducan can object, the redhead had already sprinted out the room. Aeducan stared at the products in front of her. She had never worn makeup before, not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't know how to do it; but she always wondered how she would look with it on. Taking her attention away from the makeup, she refocused on the task at hand. If Harrowmont already had this paperwork proving Bhelen ordered the hit on Trian, then why did he give her a list of names and addresses? Are these people the ones who are oppressing him? Aeducan thought back to that day, she often did, how Bhelen was scamming from the beginning. Then it hit her. Where was Trian's team? And the trial, Gorim had said it went against everything that was tradition to go in Bhelen's favor. That's what these names were for! If she can prove if any of these people knew Bhelen was planning to ridding his siblings in order to be king and they backed him, not only would her exile be overturned, but she'd also be in the people's good graces once again. Hope filled Aeducan's heart as a smile was plastered over her face. She jumped when she heard the door open.

"Sorry it took me so long, I decided to grab some jewelry as well and kept dropping everything on my way here." The red-head explained.

Aeducan beamed a smile at her. "It's alright! I actually wanted to see if you hear anybody talking about me being back."

Sade dropped the jewelry on the dresser, making Aeducan jump. "Yeah." She drawled out, walking over to the bed and throwing the clothes down on it. "Some people are upset that you're here, and others want you to take the thrown as King Endrin's last living child." She walked back over to Aeducan standing behind her, looking at her through the mirror.

Aeducan shook her head. "I only want to prove my innocence so I can stay home. I don't deserve to carry out a sentence I was falsely blamed for."

Sade looked down, running her hands through her hair. "I know, but maybe after that you can marry my cousin?" Sade asked her nervously.

Aeducan turned around in her chair, staring Sade in the face. "Marry your cousin?" She questioned.

Sade let out a breath before meeting Aeducan's gaze. "You are King Endrin's only living child. After we prove your innocence, the people will want even more to put you on the throne."

"I can't do that to Harrowmont. He's doing a lot for me right now, and he was my father's second." Aeducan protested.

"He never wanted to be king. He only did because he claims King Endrin said to keep the throne from Prince Bhelen."

Aeducan just stared at the girl in confusion. "Why would he say that?" She asked, softly.

"Because he believed you were innocent, he believed you when you claimed Prince Bhelen set you up." Aeducan got up from her chair, going to the crystal orb in her room. "The people are resisting King Harrowmont; not letting him pass any laws, starting riots."

Aeducan took a deep breath. "Explain to me how marrying your cousin is going to fix anything."

"You know how king's go. Harrowmont is old, has no heir, and word on the street is Prince Bhelen has a baby boy with some casteless woman." Aeducan remembers her. Pale skin with the mark on her cheek, Rica was her name. "However, after we prove your innocence, Bhelen will be shamed, along with all others who helped him."

"So, it's a compromise." Aeducan spoke up. "I marry whoever will be decided Harrowmont's heir so that the people can stop fighting among ourselves." Sade nodded to her, gleefully. "Let's see how this goes." She stated, taking her seat at the dresser once again.

xxx

Amell and Surana hid behind the wall of the Denerim Chantry. When they had left the Phylactery Chamber, successfully destroying their phylacteries, darkspawn came swarming the place, killing everyone in sight. They had took the people of Denerim by surprise, not giving them enough time to finish evacuating the area nor armor up. They were outnumbered. The best thing to do is stay hidden until help arrives. The girls were still in their commoner clothing, not suitable to fight in. They'd have to make their way to the Wonders of Thedas shop to grab a couple of magical robes, armor, and a staff for Surana. Amell took the lead, looking out first to make sure no darkspawn noticed them. They stayed along the walls, moving quietly until it was time to cross into the alley where the shop was. The darkspawn noticed them immediately, making their way towards them with a sprint of their legs. Surana cast a blizzard on them, causing them to freeze in place. Then, the pair ran to the shop, quickly shutting the door behind them. They quickly grabbed the robes and armored up.

"There's too many. We won't be able to beat them."Surana said, grabbing her staff.

Amell looked around her before looking back at the door. "No, but maybe we can slow them down. Quick, help me put this stuff in front of the door!" She instructed. They pushed the desks and bookcases in front of the door. As soon as they were done, they heard banging on the other side. "Get ready!" Lucky for them they were in a shop where there was an abundance of health poultices and lyrium. There was a loud boom, followed by flying wood from the desks and bookcases. Surana and Amell shielded their face from flying splinters, ready to defend against the intruders.

There were three genlocks, four hurlocks, an ogre, and a emissary. Surana quickly aimed her staff, letting out series of frost and ice, freezing the ogre and hurlocks in place. Immediately, afterwards she trapped the ogre in a crushing prison, dealing it great damage. Amell followed suit with her, hurling a stone fist at one of the genlocks. She can feel magical energy surround her, try to weaken her, but she doesn't budge. She looks over to Surana and sees she trapped in a waking nightmare, disabling her cone of cold spell. The hurlocks jump over the bookcases and desks, making their way to the two mages. The ogre falling behind, to get around the desks. Amell swiftly lets out an anti-burst of magic, freeing Surana of the emissary's spell. Before the emissary can cast his next spell, Surana puts a force field on it. Seeing the hurlocks and ogre coming up the stairs, Surana rapidly casts a glyph of repulsion on the ground in front of them, sending the hurlocks back. She took that chance to take out a bottle of lyrium, drinking it furiously. Amell was battling against the genlocks, getting shot with arrows left and right. She engulfed herself in rock armor, in an attempt to protect herself from future hits. She lift up her arms, staff in hand, casting one of her biggest spells yet, inferno. It left her drained of any mana, but worth it, finishing the ogre off. Feeling Surana's healing magic surround her, Amell pulled out a big jar of lyrium, drinking it so she has enough energy to deal with the remaining darkspawn. She took her staff, hurling stone-fist at a hurlock. It was Surana's turn to cast one of her biggest spells, drinking an extra vial of lyrium to be sure she had enough mana. She was racing against the time. She had to cast this spell dealing with the remaining hurlocks and genlocks before force field and glyph of repulsion can wear off. She lifted her arms gathering the magical energy and finishing off with a raise of her staff, casting Chain of lightning. Just in time, as her two previous spells wore off, the lightening went from the remaining four hurlocks, to the two remaining genlocks, and finally doing the most damage to the emissary. Thinking fast, Amell put a spell shield around herself and an anti-magic ward around Surana to protect them from the emissary's spells. While Surana recovered from here depleted mana, Amell finished off the last of the hurlocks and genlocks. She turned to the emissary, striking him with magic before throwing a stone-fist, sending the emissary flying. The two could only strike the emissary with basic magic. Since it was only one enemy, they didn't want to waste even one lyrium, saving the majority of it for when they face the horde. Amell flung one last stone-fist as it, finishing the emissary off.

Taking a breath, the two went over to cases of health poultice and lyrium, grabbing one each to take with them. They quickly went to the market place, finding that the army has finally arrived. They set the two cases down, taking their staffs out to assist in fighting against the darkspawn. With melee soldiers here, the two didn't feel the need to take the offensive. Instead, Surana focusing on healing any soldiers, and Amell focusing on dispelling the emissaries magic. The two were a great addition to the army, saving many lives with their spells.

xxx

Cousland stood outside the doors to her old family home. All her memories from when she was a child to the day Howe ambuscaded the castle. So much blood...and the bodies-Oren, Oriana, Ser Gilmore. Tears came to Cousland's eyes as she remembered the last moments she had with her mother and father. Even after hearing about Howe and the things he'd done, the questions still lingered in her head: How could he do this? Why would he? Was it really worth it? Cousland drew in a deep breath and wiped the tears from her eyes. She felt her Mabari rub her head up against her leg. Her right hand instictively shot out to rub the dog on its head. "It's not all bad. Fergus is still alive, Howe was brought to justice, and Fereldan has survived the blight. Things can only go up from here." She said, as she approached the double doors and pushed them open. The castle was just as she left it, a mess, bodies and blood everywhere. She strode across the room and made way to her brothers room. There didn't look to be any guards, but of course. They would of had to survive the incursion and the blight. "We'll probably have to hire new ones." Cousland spoke. She finally reached her brothers room, but it was silent on the other side. Confusion painted her face, as she looked down at her dog. She watched as the dog barked and began to wag its tail. Soon after she heard footsteps approach from the other side, then door swung open. She stood frozen in place as she came face to face with her big brother, who did nothing, but stared back in return. Without knowing it, tears had came to her eyes and she was crying hysterically as Fergus embraced her into a loving hug.

"Sister." He said, sounding relieved. "It's been so long, I didn't know what became of you." Cousland returned the hug as she continued to sob into his chest. She didn't know what else to do, what to say, she could only cry. She felt Fergus pull away, and lead her to his desk as he sat her down, and offered her the rest of the coffee he was drinking. "You don't have to say anything. I'm just glad you're back, but I am curious to what happened that night. Where have you been?"

Cousland put the hot mug to her lips and sipped. She wanted to tell him, so he could comfort her. This whole time she pushed everything to the back, not allowing herself to mourn. She reached out to pet the companion that had been by her side throughout the whole thing. "That night they had attacked." She told him, her voice cracking. Cousland closed her eyes as she recounted the night of the invasion, unable to stop her tears from falling and her voice from cracking. When she was done, she began to sob again, and Fergus once again wrapped her into a comforting hug.

"It's alright." He whispered. "It's over now."

xxx

It's a lot, but bare with me, I wanted to get all there stories on the same track. Cousland, Soris, and Tabris will catch up in the next chapter. This first book will be about the protagonist characters in Origins, excluding Brosca and Mahariel since Tabris is the warden and their deaths are undebatable. I hope you enjoy and if you have a good story, leave me a review so I can begin reading it as well