"Remind me not to anger you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Darragh. And don't pretend like you don't know what I mean."

I did know. And maybe it was better this way. Every time I got close to team members, I wound up getting hurt or betrayed. I turned and faced him, having to look up since I was on a lower step. "I wasn't angry. I had a decision. It was him or you. And it seemed as if he'd built a rapport with the girl."

It sounded weak even to me and I continued. "I had reasons that had nothing to do with him not sharing personal information."

Alton just grunted letting me know he didn't believe me.

"Alton one of the benefits of being a commander in a military organization is that I don't have to share my reasons for what I do. Most of the time people don't understand in the beginning but later realize I did know what I was doing."

"You just reduced one of Ferelden's greatest warriors to a babysitter because he didn't want to tell you about his family.

I stepped up on the same stair so that we were closer to the same level and said, "No. I did not turn him into a babysitter. I sent a warrior with a woman who is more afraid of the man forcing her to work on the docks than caring for her own children. I sent a warrior to secure the room so other men would not assume and take advantage of three lone women. I sent a father who understands children on a level you and I do not. And finally, I sent a solider who would follow orders no matter the reason without needing an explanation."

"I don't follow orders?"

I roll my eyes and huff a deep sigh. That would be his takeaway from the whole discussion. There were times when he really reminded me of Zevran. "You do know I can make military decisions without emotions factoring in, right? I used to play chess all the time with a templar who taught me to strategize and think several moves ahead."

Alton just shrugged and said, "I am not the one you need to convince."

I close my eyes and count to ten and stomp down the stairs following the tall man. "Then if that is the case both of you can return home."

He gave me a small mocking bow and said, "I wasn't talking about us."

"Who me," I challenged.

"Tell me something, are you the Warden Commander or the King of Ferelden's lackey?"

I sucked in air through clenched teeth. I knew Cailan's visit and trip to my rooms was going to come back and bite me in the arse like a darkspawn that wouldn't die. "I am here on Warden business, Alton. Alistair is the Kings brother, but he is also a Grey Warden. He has created a danger for both the Wardens and Ferelden royalty. While here I was looking into the refugees. They were my idea not the kings. And you've seen them. Do you really think we should ignore them?"

"No but I think you can help them without becoming a hard-arse. And if you are not careful that is the only method you will be able to handle people. You sit on the edge and the moment someone disagrees with you… by magic you become this fire breathing dragon everyone must walk around avoiding. You said you played chess, then remember patience is part of the game. It may feel personal but most of the time it's not."

"Are we talking about how I handled Whitney now? Paying back the money was excuse. I gave her a job where she can provide for her sister without becoming a hardened criminal or prostitute. I placed her in a situation where she can't leave if she gets frustrated and angry. She's had to grow up too fast with no guidance doing whatever it takes no matter the consequences. She needs to understand trickery and deceit are not the only tools she can use. She is also going to need Ser Alec, who is a father of three girls, can do that for her. It will fill the void without trying to replace her father."

He didn't say anything else. He just turned on his heal and started walking towards the long ramp that lead to Lowtown. I was rooted in place. Had I become a harridan? Someone people only put up with because they had too. Or worse, because I killed the archdemon and they were afraid of me.

No I couldn't let him cause me to doubt myself. He didn't know what I had gone through up until this point. It was easy for him to say I was harsh. He only had to worry about himself. I can't imagine what the Seneschal was thinking when he sent them with me. Alton would be on the first boat back to Ferelden when the refugees started returning home. Setting my jaw, I followed him Teyrn whining in confusion over the sudden change in temperaments.