Elissa, with Barkspawn at her heels, had just returned back from the Palace and rushed over to Duncan and the others. They were sitting at Valendrian's porch pouring them tea.

"I just heard what happened." Elissa said panting.

Duncan nodded. "Yes, our young spirited elf has been taken by Vaughn along with several of the bridesmaids."

"I've never been to a wedding like that one." Faren said. "I mean, I've heard of ladies being carried off their feet, but I didn't think they meant being carried off by a scoundrel."

Sereda gave him an amused look. "Since when have you attended a wedding?"

Faren paused before chuckling. "Point taken."

Daylen took a sip of his tea as he shook his head in amusement. "And I thought mages were treated badly."

Valendrian handed Elissa a cup of tea. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed the celebration so fast."

"You were trying to protect the girl for me." Duncan assured him.

Valendrian gave him a kind smile. "Yes, I thought if she settled down with a nice lad, she wouldn't go gallivanting off adventuring."

"The girl has fire in her heart." Duncan noted.

"Aye, that she does. She's just like a mother and I hate seeing her died just like her." Valendrian sighed and poured a cup of tea for himself. "Is it true that a Blight has come?"

Duncan nodded, grim look in his eyes. "Darkspawn have already begun gathering in numbers greater than we've seen in centuries."

"Not to mention the Deep Roads are particularly quiet and that means that their attacking the surface." Sereda noted.

Valendrian sighed. "It's hard enough in the Alienage during peacetime."

"Hopefully we can stop the Blight before truly gets underway." Duncan said.

"I hope you're right, old friend." Valendrian looked up as elves began to chatter. "They are back."


Duncan and his recruits followed Valendrian towards the newly arrived group.

"You have returned." Valendrian stepped up, worried. "Has Shianni been hurt? Where is Tormey's daughter, Nola?"

Valora shook her head, and tears started to fall from her eyes. "Nola didn't make it. She resisted, and..."

"…they killed her." Shianni finished.

"Nelaros, too. The guards killed him." Soris added.

Valendrian nodded. "I see." He looked at Kallian and Soris. "Would the rest of you ladies please take Shianni home? She needs rest."

Valora nodded and put her arm around Shianni before gently dragging her away. "Of course."

Valendrian waited until they were gone as he turned to Kallian. "Now tell me: what happened?"

"The arl's family just got a bit smaller." Kallian said.

Duncan's look turned grim. "Then the garrison could already be on their way. You have little time."

"We may need to leave Denerim for a while." Kallian nodded.

"Ahh, it has come to this!" Valendrian sighed.

"The guards are here!" One of the elves called out, approaching Valendrian.

"Don't panic." Valendrian said. He looked to Soris before walking towards the guards. "Let's see what comes of this."

"I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage!" The captain said.

Valendrian pushed way to the front of the crowd. "Here, Captain. I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?"

"Don't play ignorant with me, elder." The captain glared. "You will not prevent justice from being done." Duncan looked to his recruits and they both shared worried expressions on their faces. He then looked at the two elves, Soris was turning green, but Kallian merely stood there calmly. "The Arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace! I need names, and I need them now!"

The crowd started to murmur. Kallian put on a brave face and stepped forward. "It was my doing."

All eyes were now upon Kallian. The captain scoffed. "You expect me to believe one woman did all of that?"

"We are not all helpless, Captain." Valendrian's quiet voice held a note of anger.

The captain gave Kallian an appraising look. "You save many by coming forward. I don't envy your fate, but I applaud your courage." He raised his voice. "This elf will wait in the dungeons until the arl returns. The rest of you, back to your houses!"

Duncan stepped forward. "Captain… a word, if you please."

"What is it, Grey Warden? The situation is well under control, as you can see." The captain said calmly.

Duncan smiled. "Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription. I remove this woman into my custody."

Kallian gave him a shocked look. "You can do that?"

The guard captain growled in frustration. "Son of a tied down—" He swallowed the rest of his curse, knowing there was no way he could fight the Right of Conscription. "Very well, Grey Warden; I cannot challenge your rights, but I'll ask one thing: Get this elf out of the city. Today."

"Agreed." Duncan amiably nodded.

"Now, I need to get my men on the streets before this news hits. Move out!" The captain and the guards left the alienage.

Duncan turned to Kallian. "You're with us now. Say your goodbyes, and see me when you're ready. We leave immediately."

Kallian looked the frightened elves. "But what's going to happen here?"

"For the moment they are fine." Duncan assured. "There are far more important matters arising that endangers more than just your people. I needed a Grey Warden and I found one. That conscripting you saved your life is only circumstance." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you had to do to accomplish your mission. We need people like you. Now quickly, so your goodbyes. Your life here is over."

Soris managed, with some effort, to scrape his jaw off the ground. "Thank you. You really saved my hide back there..."

"I did what was right." Kallian said.

"As you always do." Soris nodded, smiling. "Well, I'd like to follow your example. No more daydreaming, I'm settling down. Valora's a good woman, and she has ideas on making life better for everyone here. Your father had the women take Shianni back to your place. Will you see her before you go?"

"Of course." Kallian nodded.

Soris hugged her tightly as she returned the hug. "Good luck, Cousin. You've been my hero since we were kids. It's just official, now."

Kallian smiled and walked over to a father's house.

"There goes one brave woman." Sereda said.

"If there's moral to this story it's never kidnap an elven bride on her wedding day." Faren said.

Elissa laughed. "That's an advice everyone should take."

"I'll say one thing. Things are certainly going to get interesting." Daylen said.


Kallian pushed open the door and entered into a house. Her father Cyrion was waiting, staring into the fireplace. He turned as Kallian walked towards him. "If… this is what the Maker has planned for you, then I guess it's for the best. Your mother would've been pleased."

"You're not pleased?" Kallian looked disappointed.

Cyrion looked sad.. "I just wish there was another way. I dreamed of grandchildren, family gatherings, and..." He sighed. "I'm sorry. This isn't helping. Take care, my girl. Be safe. And wise. And..." His voice started to break. "Well, you know. We'll all miss you."

Kallian then pulled him into a big hug. "Look after Soris for me?"

"Of course."

They then broke apart and Kallian hesitated before heading into the next room. Valora met her at the door. "There you are... Thank you. For me, for Soris, for everything!"

Kallian shrugged. "We elves have to stick together."

Valora then gave her a big hug. "You're the sister I always wanted." She then pulled away. "Shianni seems to have regained herself. I'll leave you two alone. Good luck, and thank you again."

Valora soon left and she entered into the entered the room. Shianni was sitting on the bed. She looked up at her. "You took all the responsibility for what happened. You're amazing, you know that?"

"I just did what had to be done." Kallian assured.

Shianni nodded, smiling. "You always do. They'll write legends about you someday. When the world was at its worst, there you came—fire in your eyes, like something out of a storybook. I'll never forget that." She sighed. "I love you, Cousin. Make us proud out there."

"I love you too, Shianni." Kallian said as she hugged Shianni. "You'll see me again, I promise."

Shianni smiled. "And when you do come back, you can show your amazing stories of being a Grey Warden." Kallian laughed. "Maker watch over you."

Valendrian was waiting for him as he left the house. "Well, I guess Duncan got his recruit after all."

"I look forward to be a Grey Warden." She then grasped his hand. "If Vaughan hadn't intervened, I might have enjoyed being married."

Valendrian nodded. "Yes, it would seem as if this choice was made for you. You were the reason he came here. Perhaps it's for the best." She then released his hand and looked into his eyes. "If you'll excuse me, I must tend to our people. Goodbye, young one, and Maker keep you."


Duncan and his recruits watched Kallian from afar as she said her final goodbyes to friends and family.

"She knew there were chances that she would die if she spoke up and yet she did." said Duncan.

Sereda nodded. "There's no questioning her courage."

"Or her skill." Elissa added. "If what the guards say is true, then she fought like a true warrior. It's sickening how poorly the elves are treated when they have so much courage and potential."

Sereda nodded. "I feel the same with the casteless, but at least the elves have a chance of making a name for themselves."

"Yeah, but still I feel for the poor girl." Faren noted.

Then they saw Kallian approaching them.

"Are you ready to go?" Duncan asked.

Kallian nodded. "I am."

"Good. Then we set out to Ostagar."

Kallian joined the rest of the recruiters they left the Alienage. As they walked, she couldn't help but look back and decided that she would do whatever she could to give improve the lives of the elves that lived there.