They went out into the Korcari wilds but it seemed more like a swamp than anything else. They had to deal with some wolves and while they did not pose much of a threat, Theron was surprised that they had attacked at all. Perhaps the presence of so many darkspawn was affecting the local fauna. They rescued an injured soldier as Daylen healed him enough to enable him to make it back to camp.

They hadn't gone much further when Alistair jerked his head up. "Darkspawn nearby."

Sereda scanned the area. "There." She pointed at the figures moving on a nearby hill.

Theron picked his bow and notched an arrow. "How do you want to do this?"

Sereda considered a moment. "You and Daveth stay back. Daylen, you stay with them and provide support from the rear. We'll flank. Alistair, Faren, and I will go from the right, Kallian, Elissa, and Jory will approach them from the left."

Daylen nodded, and stepped back to between Daveth and Theron both of whom were preparing their bows and notching arrows. Jory glanced back at the elves before taking the lead. Elissa followed, letting Kallian take up the rear.

Theron fired as many arrows as he could, shooting the ones on the top of the hill, as did Daveth, scattering the rest to come at them. Elissa stepped up to Jory's left, and the two of them went to work with mighty swings, slicing down some darkspawn attempting to escape.

Jory laughed, his expression a bit cocky. "Not so tough as all that, are they?"

Theron was about to agree when he saw a genlock coming from behind Jory. Theron was about to fire an arrow, but stopped when he saw Kallian cut the genlock's head before it could aim its crossbow, with four more darkspawn also falling down to her feet soon enough as Theron stared at the city elf, impressed.

Kallian was already wiping the blood from his weapons when Theron joined her and Jory.

Jory's jaw was practically dragging on the ground. "Where does an elf learn to fight like that?"

Kallian shrugged, and bent to a genlock whose throat he had cut, carefully collecting the still flowing blood into a vial. Sereda and the others came around to their side of the hill. "We got four." Sereda called out. "Daveth, Elissa, and Daylen got one each. How many did you get?"

Theron looked around at the bodies. "Eight."

Sereda gave him an impressed look. "I suppose the only thing left now is the scrolls."


Kallian wordlessly handed over the vial he'd finished to Theron before filling the remaining two. Jory gave her another look before falling in behind Sereda. Theron hesitated, waiting for Kallian to finish her task.

"What is it?" Kallian asked.

"I was wondering, where you learn to fight like that?" Theron asked.

"My mother taught me, before she died." Kallian said as she placed the two vials into her belt pouch, and headed after the others.

Theron looked at her and gave her a sympathetic look. "Let me guess: She was killed by shems."

Kallian nodded, looking sad. "Yes. Bandits in fact."

Theron placed an assuring hand on her shoulder. "If it's any consolation I lost both my parents to bandits and I never got to know them."

Kallian stopped and looked at him. "I'm so sorry."

"In clans, we only hear stories of our cousins that live in the cities. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that you consider it home." Theron smiled at her, impressed.

Kallian smiled. "It wouldn't be so bad if we had some sort of rights, but most people don't care what happens to us elves in the alienages and some of us would sale each other out just to save our own skins."

Theron gave her a sympathetic look. "You know, that might actually be saddest thing I've ever heard."

"I know." Kallian then noticed that Theron was clutching his sides. "Are you alright? You look a little… pale."

Theron took a breath. "I'm fine, it's just the taint in my body, don't worry." His face twitched, making her worry more. "I'm fortunate that Daylen was able to slow it, but in truth I do not know how long I've got."

"Hopefully long enough for this Joining to take place." Kallian said.


They encountered another large group of darkspawn. Sereda gave them a tactical plan before the band cut through easily under her direction. The darkspawn had fallen on a pair of soldiers earlier. Daylen wrinkled his nose at the condition of the bodies and groaned at the stench. One of them had been clutching a scroll case. Curious, Daylen opened it. A parchment and a small bag of ashes fell into his hand. Quickly, he scanned the parchment.

"What do we got?" Sereda asked.

Daylen read quickly the parchment. "From what I can tell, these men were looking for a pile of stones."

"Any stones in particular?" Elissa asked.

"A cairn of some kind." Daylen said. He tucked the ashes into his belt pouch, then looked over at the others. Elissa was filling the last vial.

"What kind of treasure would get these men wandering around while there's darkspawn around here?" Faren asked.

Daylen shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I'd like to find out." He pointed towards the top of the hill, where a pile of stones was visible.

Sereda looked over towards the others. She caught Elissa's eye, then jerked her head towards the hill. She gave her a nod, then gestured for Kallian and Theron to follow.

Hosting his robes up a bit, Daylen headed up the hill. There were ashes on the stones, and he bent to take a closer look. One could tell from an instance that that magical lingered around the stones, the likes of which he had never seen. From his pouch in his belt, he withdrew the container of ashes, then sprinkled them over the ashes. There was a faint surge of energy, and then nothing. Sereda raised his eyebrow at him. "Well?"

"I'm not certain." Daylen straightened, then turned towards the elves. His eyes widened and he stepped backwards.

Kallian and Theron turned immediately to see what she was looking at. "By the Dread Wolf!" Theron swore, as the demon surged towards them.

"Who summons Gazarath?" The demon's voice groaned as it aimed a blow at a dumbstruck Theron. Kallian tackled the Dalish elf out of the way and rolled back to her feet.

Daylen picked for his staff as the demon started to come towards where he and Sereda were standing. Below, he could see the others start charging up the hill. Kallian slashed her twin blades across the demon's back, and the thing whirled on her, striking out its long, razor sharp claws.

Kallian barely had time to duck, and Faren took the opportunity to leap forward and smash his mace into the demon. When it turned on the dwarf, Kallian closed in again. When it whirled at her, Faren and Sereda strick it simultaneously, him with a mace and her with her sword. It fell, tearing apart and vanishing as it did. Something clinked as it hit the ground.

"What in the Stone was that?" Sereda asked, panting out.

"A demon." Daylen said.

"How? Where did it come from?"

"Um..." Daylen glanced back at the stones, then to Sereda. "I think I might have summoned it."

Sereda stared at him. "Why?"

"It's not like I did it on purpose." Daylen defended.

Kallian bent and picked something up from the remains of the demon. The blade was ornately hilted, and the blade was traced with elegant runes.

Faren let out a low whistle as Kallian presented it to him. "Now that's something worth dying for."

Theron finally managed to pick himself up and looked at Daylen. "In future reference, it might be a best idea not to summon demons from the Beyond."

"Agreed." Daylen nodded.


"Why are you picking flowers?" Alistair asked.

"Numin'lin." Theron explained. "Juice from the petals can be made into an ointment that helps treat blight sickness." He pointed. "Elfroot. Treats just about anything. And deathroot, does pretty much the opposite of elfroot." He shrugged at the other man. "Mostly force of habit."

"And what's that one?" Kallian asked as Theron casually dug out a root without visibly slowing his pace.

"Ginger."

"Good, I can use that the cooking."

Theron looked up. "You can cook?"

"You won't find a living soul that has complained about my cooking." Kallian said proudly.

Alistair snorted.


Sereda held up a hand, then pointed. "Those ruins. I think that's what we are looking for."

"Matches the description." Alistair nodded.

"Do you sense any darkspawn?" Sereda asked.

Alistair cast out his Grey Warden senses before shaking his head. "None close."

Sereda nodded. "Stay together, keep an eye out. The sooner we get these treaties, the sooner we can leave."

"Agreed." Daveth nodded.

Sereda approached the box, but discovered that the lid was broken, and caved in as she suddenly realized that the contents had been removed. She started to stand up when she caught sight of a black-haired woman in black robes with piercing yellow eyes standing on the age-worn steps.

The woman started walking towards them. "Well, well, what have we here? Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn-filled Wilds of mine in search of easy prey? What say you, hmm? Scavenger or intruder?"

Sereda rose, and moved to stand in front of the others. "We are neither. The Grey Wardens once owned this tower."

The woman held out her hand and gestured at the ruins. "'Tis a tower no longer. The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse." She continued descending the stairs. "I have watched your progress for some time. "Where do they go," I wondered, "why are they here?" And now you disturb ashes none have touched for so long. Why is that?"

"Don't answer her." Alistair said in a loud whisper. "She looks Chasind, and that means others may be nearby."

The woman gave a contemptuous sweep of her hands. "You fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?"

"Yes, swooping is bad." Alistair rolled his eyes.

"She's a Witch of the Wilds, she is! She'll turn us into toads!" Daveth whispered, unable to keep the fear off his voice.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Witch of the Wilds? Such idle fancies, those legends. Have you no minds of your own?" She shook her head and smirked and turned her eyes upon Daylen. "You there, handsome lad. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine. Let's be civilized."

"I am Daylen." He gave her a polite nod. "A pleasure to meet you."

She smiled. "Now that is a proper civil greeting, even here in the Wilds. You." she said, looking directly at him. "May call me Morrigan." She looked back towards Sereda. "Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something in that chest, something that is here no longer?"

Alistair shook his head. "'Here no longer?' You stole them, didn't you? You're… some kind of… sneaky..." He frowned, then continued. "Witch-thief!"

"How very eloquent. How does one steal from dead men?"

"Quite easily, it seems. Those documents are Grey Warden property, and I suggest you return them."

"I will not, for 'twas not I who removed them. Invoke a name that means nothing here any longer if you wish; I am not threatened."

Theron then walk forward, his expression was emotionless though there was a sense of dread around him. "Then who removed them?"

"'Twas my mother, in fact."

"Can you take us to her?" Daylen asked.

Morrigan smiled at him. "There is a sensible request. I like you."

Alistair then leaned in and whispered in his ear. "I'd be careful. First it's, "I like you…" but then "Zap!" Frog time."

"She'll put us all on the pot, she will." Daveth said. He looked at Morrigan. practically shaking in his boots. "Just you watch."

"If the pot's warmer than this forest, it will be a nice change." Ser Jory said.

"Follow me, then, if it pleases you." Morrigan began walking as Daylen followed the witch.

Sereda glanced back at the others. Kallian shrugged but Theron was staring at the witch, a curious expression on his face. Sereda sighed, then followed after the elf.

"What's wrong?" Sereda asked, looking up at Theron. "Is it the blight?"

"No, but I advise we tread very carefully." Theron said.

"Then the name does mean something to you?" Sereda inquired.

Theron shook his head. "Not her, but if she's taking us to who I think it is, we should be careful."

"Care to elaborate?" Faren said.

"If I am right, then her mother is Asha'bellenar. The Woman of Many Years. I believe that the humans call her by a different name though I cannot remember which one." Theron explained. "She is not friend to the Dalish, but neither is she enemy. Our keeper's instructions regarding her were very clear. Be polite, do as she says, and then run like if the Dread Wolf was on your heels."

"Well, you're just a bundle of laughs." Faren muttered.


Morrigan emerged from the woods into a clearing that contained a small, slightly listing hut. An old woman, spindly with age, stood nearby, examining the small flowers on a strange looking bush. "Greetings, Mother. I bring before you Grey Wardens who—"

"I see them, girl." The woman's eyes were exactly like her daughters, yellow and they looked as if they could pierce right through your soul. "Mmm. Much as I expected."

"Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?" Alistair glanced at Sereda, his face clearly stating he was less than impressed.

"You are required to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide..." The old woman flopped a hand up and then down again. "Either way, one's a fool."

"She's a witch, I tell you! We shouldn't be talking to her!" Daveth whispered.

"Quiet, Daveth! If she's really a witch, do you want to make her mad?" Jory asked, glancing at Theron.

The witch smirked. "There is a smart lad. Sadly irrelevant to the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will. And what of you?" She narrowed her eyes at Sereda.

Sereda sighed. "I believe you're crazy and possibly dangerous."

"Is that all? Surely your mind stretches farther than these surroundings? And you?" She glanced first at Theron. "Does your elven mind give you a different viewpoint? What do you believe?"

Theron looked directly into her eyes. "Believed or not, some things must be accepted."

A strange expression crossed the old woman's face, and she barked a laugh. "There lies the answer I hoped to get. An open mind, yet not made of mush. Am I simply complimenting you? Wait and see! So much about you is uncertain..." She cocked her head at him. "And yet I believe." She looked to the side. "Do I?" She looked back at them, and showed a hint of teeth. "Why, it seems I do!"

"So this is a dreaded Witch of the Wilds?" Alistair asked, elbowing Theron.

"Witch of the Wilds, eh? Morrigan must have told you that. She fancies such tales, though she would never admit it! Oh, how she dances under the moon!" The old woman laughed.

Morrigan rubbed her forehead, looking frustrated. "They did not come to listen to your wild tales, Mother."

The old woman's tone became brisk. "True, they came for their treaties, yes?" She held out a scroll case. "And before you begin barking, your precious seal wore off long ago. I have protected these."

"You..." Alistair was about to object before processing her words. "Oh. You protected them?"

"And why not?" The woman asked, as Sereda took the scrolls from her. "Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this Blight's threat is greater than they realize!"

"How do you know all this?" Elissa asked. For some reason, they couldn't shake this strange feeling about her.

"Do I? Perhaps I am simply an old woman with a penchant for moldy parchments." Her laughter was mocking now.

"Thank you for returning them." Daylen said, bowing slightly.

Her laughter stopped, and she gave him another odd look. "Such manners! Always in the last place you look. Like stockings!" She shook her head. "Oh, do not mind me. You have what you came for!"

"Time for you to go, then." Morrigan said, waving them all off.

The old woman scoffed. "Do not be ridiculous, girl. These are your guests."

"Oh, very well. I will show you out of the woods. Follow me." Morrigan began striding back the direction they had come.


After Morrigan left them at the edge of the woods, Sereda again raised an eyebrow at Theron. "You've been quiet."

"I have a strange feeling about this." Theron said.

Faren snorted. "Don't tell me that the Dalish are really afraid of some nutty old bad"

"She was a mage." Daylen noted. "I could tell that much. So was Morrigan, that staff of hers had power."

"Apostates." Alistair said. "We should mention them to the Templars."

Faren looked up at Theron. "I can see why your people call her "The Woman of Many Years"."

Theron didn't even look at them. "She's older than she looks, she's been around for centuries."

They all stared at him as he re-entered into the ruins of Ostagar.