Thank you Judy. To my Spanish/Latin guest.. I am glad that you find Cailan and Rhiannon funny. Me too. I love writing them. We going back to Kirkwall for a few but they will be back.

We are back in Kirkwall with Hawke and the gang right after the confrontation. (Chapter 14)

9:32 Dragon, 19 Guardian– Low Town, Kirkwall

"The answers to those questions and the story best told over several pints. And as it is going to take longer than we have the time to go into now." Alton said responding to the two nudges in the center of his back.

"We were in the middle of an investigation when our hounds noticed your … friends. Since no one on the street was coming to your assistance we decided to lend a hand." Darragh added.

"Thanks for your help on that. Why don't you come by the Hanged Man later tonight? Have those pints on me and relax? I am always in the market for a good story." Varric offered.

I thought for a moment the Hanged Man was where we were going before our thief sidetracked us. If Aveline wasn't going to be there we should have no problem. I tapped Alton three times to signal affirmative.

"I cannot say when our task will be completed but we would enjoy sharing a drink with fellow Fereldans. And maybe you can share a few stories of the refuges in exchange."

"Just make it within the next few days or it will have to be in say a month when we get back. Several of us are going on a deep road's expedition."

The dwarf had piqued my interest with the deep roads. But now wasn't the time to ask. After expressing, a need to leave and become interested in a trip underground would only invite questions.

I waited until they were far enough away and said, "Our thief left us an invitation. I think maybe we should take her up on it."

"How much did she steal?" Alton asked.

"Twenty silvers. Not much for us but as I look around here could be a ransom. And I can imagine plenty of people trying to take it away."

Darragh compressed his lips in disgust. "She is not eating enough. My five-year-old ls heavier than she was. I would hate to see what her sister is like."

"Your five-year-old is half dwarf which means her bottom is filled with rocks," I playfully mock my companion. "So let's get some food and go find our wayward Ferelden waif. She is as good of a beginning as any other refuge to get this charity off the ground."

"So you're going to pretend the food is for her. If we don't feed, you soon you're going to waste away to nothing. I think your stomach is louder than your dog." Alton said teasing me.

I blushed slightly. Nathaniel is always teasing me about my growling stomach. That is until his complains just as loudly. Then the two of us tease Oghren that we can't tell the difference between his stomach and his snores. I was starving. I hadn't eaten in over eight hours. "Really and here I thought my stomach was louder. Teyrn is gentleman."

Teyrn barked happily in approval and Darragh snorted.

Getting back to the topic I said, "Darragh why don't you take Alton and Enid, get some food for us, our thief and her sister. Teyrn can track her and Enid can find me."

I watched as my bowman passed a gold coin to the other man. Darragh made a show of biting the coin before flicking in the air and catching it. Alton gave us both a dirty look. My look must have told them I was confused because Alton started to explain.

"Darragh bet me that you would try to abandon us within five hours of landing. I said you would wait at least a day. We've been on land maybe three hours."

I grimaced and huffed a deep sigh, "I wasn't abandoning you. Teyrn is an awesome war dog but he is not a scenting hound. Her trail is getting colder and I wanted to get on it before we lost it completely. And I didn't want Darragh to have no protection. He starts buying stuff people are going to know he has coin. With you watching his back he is less of a target."

"And what about you oh fearless leader. Who is going to watch your back? The idea was to not draw attention to yourself. What do you think would happen if you take on a band of thugs by yourself and win? And your magic will draw templar attention." Darragh said trying the voice of reason.

Alton chimed in, "You know Commander we are not here because you can't do this alone. All of Ferelden knows you can. We are here to make you look invisible while you're doing it. Now you are Commander of the Grey and can order us, but when you get back to Ferelden you will have to put us on report for disobeying a direct order."

"Have I no authority then," I asked.

"Yes. If you truly ordered us to stand down, we would obey. Neither of us would dishonor you like that. We are appealing to your wisdom not to give that order," Darragh supplied.

"Garavel suggested this be a team effort as the task was as large as it is. You can give orders, but I didn't come to be a solider and fall in line. I came to protect Ferelden's hero even if it is from herself. Call me insane but it won't do much for my reputation if she dies or is taken by Templars on my watch."

I hated when people used reason on me. There wasn't a whole lot I could argue about unless I wanted to look like a fool. "Alright what do you suggest?"