Kanta48 I am glad you like the look back to the blight. Thanks for commenting. Judy. Thank you. My Spanish speaking guest :Muchas gracias por comentar (google translate)

I returned a little after midday to the warden's camp and the smell of roasted meat made my mouth water. The king had turned out to be a great hunter and cook. Of course, he had Teyrn's help.

And I found Teyrn trying to defend Cailan from a redhead in Chantry Robes and a white-haired warrior half the size of the ogre.

I saw red when the sword slashed the side of my hound and heard the yelp of pain. Without thinking I put both my hands out, pulled from my mana and let lose several fireballs in quick succession. I turned to electrify the other one when I felt the point of a sword in my back.

"It is not wise to attack a Grey Warden and his party when you are trespassing in his camp."

I turned and faced the dark-haired male who was two years my senior. "Really. When we got here the camp was deserted. Besides as a Grey Warden myself I have a right to be here."

"Andraste's tits, Rhiannon. I thought you were thieves. Better yet we thought you were dead. Wait how did you survive? You deserted, didn't you? That's why you never made it to the Tower."

"No. I did not abandon my duty. Duncan gave me a different assignment."

Aedan lowered his sword and stroked his goatee. "Are you telling me that a mage who can't cook, can't set up a tent, or walk more than ten miles without needing a break found our camp. Its more possible that thieves found our campsite and you found the thieves."

"Oh right," I said sarcastically. Because thieves are going to put up a tent in camp. Have food roasting over a fire and put a bathtub in a tent by the lake. If we were thieves, we would have stolen the property we wanted and left before you ever got back. I know you're a spoiled self-centered noble but are the Cousland's really that stupid?"

"No! But spies pretending to …"

"Fade take you Aedan. You were there at my conscription. I joined the Warden's just like you did. Your right I can't do a lot of things you can. I didn't have the freedom you did. But I fought the Darkspawn just like you do. My magic equals or bests your swords any day."

"Then where were you? You never came to help us at the tower. We almost died. It was just Alistair and I waiting for you. What were you sitting back with Loghain watching everyone we knew die? Then thrall a solider to do all the things you can't do and pretend to come find us?"

"Of all the motherless mongrels. You know what you inbreed son of … no I will not insult the hounds like that. I was on the battlefield. Fighting and surviving. I was at the king's side. I fought with Duncan. I wasn't being whisked away to safety by Flemeth."

"Good job with that. Both are dead."

Cailan cleared his throat they were in the middle of a stalemate and nothing was going to be accomplished by yelling at each other. And he wanted to make sure that Rhiannon didn't give away his secret defending herself. "Where is Alistair and Morrigan?"

"Why would that matter?" The large warrior asked. "Are you or are you not a Grey Warden?"

"Yes."

"Then you are welcome, in the camp, no? I am Leliana."

"Good for you," I say grumbling. I am angry at Aedan for his comments. I am angry at her for the wound she gave my hound.

"Rhiannon," Cailan admonished.

"What?" I hedged. "Fine, Morien but she injured Teyrn."

The redhead slid both short swords into scabbard on to her back and said, "I am so sorry about that. I thought … oh never mind. I am sorry. They say music can soothe the savage beast. Maybe I could sing to the hound."

I huff out and disgusted sigh laugh mixture, "Are you saying my Mabari is a savage beast?"

"Rhiannon," Cailan chastised.

"Yes. He fought like a beast. He is a noble warrior."

I found myself smiling even though I didn't want to and grudgingly gave in. "Fine maybe he will enjoy it while I heal him. But none of those religious songs you Chantry type are so fond of."

"Very well. I think I know just the one. And then you can tell me about this washtub. I don't think I've had a bath since Lothering."

I looked at Cailan and asked. "Morien, when the food is…"

"I'll bring it."

Cailan was telling me that he had the situation with the warrior and the warden in hand. Especially since the large metallic skinned warrior had put his sword away and was trying to tend his wounds. The king held out his hand and I knew he was looking for a healing balm. I resentfully gave it to him. He winked once to tell let me know he felt the same way but needed to make peace.

Teyrn limped to the tent more losing blood than I liked. I felt foolish standing around arguing with Aedan when my hound could have been bleeding to death. I don't know when I had become so argumentative. I'd never been that way in the past.

"Lay down. If this hurts, I am sorry. But after I get done, I will get you a crunch and some cooked meat."

Teyrn whimpered in agreement and awkwardly slumped to the ground, laying with his wounded side up. What surprised me is that the redhead sat down on the ground beside him and put his head in her lap. And Teyrn allowed her

As I put my hands over the wound on his side and called on my mana, I could hear her softly croon about Andraste and a Mabari. I didn't hear the words as I was focusing too hard on the spell but could see the thumping of my hound's tail. The lady with the funny accent might be all right after all.

I was ecstatic when the blood stopped flowing and the skin and muscle began to knit closed. What I had been practicing on with the tree worked on human and hound flesh. I couldn't wait to tell Cailan.