Chapter 33: Friend or Foe

Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls Series or the Dragon Age Series.

Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware

A/N: Sorry for the long wait but a lot of personal stuff came up over the summer. Sick dog, sick family, all while I was upgrading my PC. I just couldn't work up the ability to write. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. I'll be focusing on my Witcher/ES story for the next months after this.

28th of Solace, 9:45 Dragon/ 28th of Sun's Height, 305 4E

Oghren leaned forward over the carriage, moaning as he held a near-empty bottle. "Are we there yet?" he asked as he burped.

The magnificent red beard of the Grey Warden flailed in the wind as its wearer asked the question. It rested slightly at the front of the carriage, landing next to a young elf woman who immediately scooched to the side. And like Oghren, she too was a Warden known as Kahari. One forgotten to all of Thedas save for a select few as she was none other than the Hero of Ferelden.

Yet at the moment, Kahari could only scoff at her dwarven friend and grip the carriage reins tighter. "First Oghren, excuse yourself," she told him. "And second, the same thing I told you an hour ago, and a day ago, and several weeks ago. No."

"Well go faster, will you?" Oghren chided as he leaned back in. "I barely got enough materials to make half a keg."

"Thank the Maker, you don't," Kahari said. "Considering what that last batch of yours tasted."

Oghren chuckled. "You were being all moody. I had to get you out into a good mood. If you weren't my boss, then I'd have instead-"

"I'd be careful what you say next, Oghren," Kahari replied. "Morrigan taught me a few tricks when it came to having to deal with… your eccentricity."

"Now that's just mean, Warden," Oghren said, drinking the last of his bottle and tossing it out. Stretching and yawning, he slithered up to the front of the carriage. "If you're such good friends with Morrigan, why isn't she here?"

"I haven't the faintest clue," Kahari shrugged as she leaned back. "Nobody has seen her since she left the Inquisition two years ago. If I had to guess, she might have gone back into an Eluvian. Left for another world probably."

"Oh yeah… I forgot she did that. Uhh... that Morrigan," Oghren shook his head, "just thinking about her makes me-"

"Oghren."

"I was going to say dizzy," Oghren protested, huffing into a fit. "Not everything that comes out of ol' Oghren is dirty."

"It's certainly not refined, I can tell you that," Kahari replied. "Oghren, I know you just like to express yourself but can you please not talk at all when we meet with the Qunari? I don't want us to get killed the moment we meet them."

"What makes you think they won't anyway?" Oghren asked.

Kahari reined the horses in, putting the carriage to a stop before turning back to Oghren. "Because we're Wardens," she stated, "and if there's one thing the Qunari understands, it's those that have a clear role in society. Especially those who will very much be needed at least a few more times."

"But we're not with the Wardens anymore."

"They don't know that," Kahari said. Her hands jerked up again, slacking the carriage reins and riding off again. "What they do know is that Wardens are the only ones that can end Blights, thanks to the Arishok himself witnessing. They won't try to capture and convert us. That is if the meeting goes well."

"Well if it doesn't," Oghren said, tapping down on a large war hammer while uplifting his beard into a smile.

Kahari sighed. "Always the warrior."

"Heh-heh… what else would I be?"

Kahari solemnly shook her head. A slight smirk cracked from her though barely visible as she quickly hid it lest Oghren noticed. Her green eyes narrowed back onto the road, determined towards their destination. A long silent road with a large dust cloud over the horizon. A dust cloud that to Kahari's eyes was getting deceptively bigger.

With a quick snap, she halted the carriage. Oghren let out a thud and grunt, falling onto his back and cursing a dwarven saying.

"What the hell?" Oghren asked.

Kahari stopped the dwarf from ranting further with a hand wave and pointed ahead. The dust cloud ahead was gaining in size, no trick to the Wardens' eyes.

"Darkspawn?" Oghren asked, rubbing his eyes.

Kahari closed her eyes and furrowed her brows, leaning forward to the approaching cloud. "No," she said, shaking her head. "None around whatsoever."

"Then bandits then," Oghren said next. A spring emerged from his step as Oghren jumped from the carriage with his hammer, gleefully in hand. "I've been itching for a fight."

"Hold on," Kahari told him as she jumped down in front, "we don't know its bandits. It could be the Qunari."

"Hey, I'm not that drunk, Warden," Oghren said, shoving her off and pointing. "I can see those aren't Qunari."

Kahari veered her head around. Her eyes focused back to see that Oghren spoke true as several armored cavalry galloped ahead of the cloud. Atop them some armored soldiers, human-sized and clad in various heavy armors.

"Well, bandits don't have cavalry," Kahari remarked as she narrowed her glare. "Looks to be some soldiers. Tevinter, see."

Oghren did not relent however, still holding his hammer out as he approached forward. But Kahari stepped ahead once again in front of the dwarf, earning his ire in a form of a snarl.

On a sudden, Oghren's face turned to one of concern rarely seen and directed Kahari to look back at the soldiers. The group had doubled in size with chariots having joined the fray. And though their heads were covered in full helms, she could notice their eye slits focused squarely in their direction.

A loud groan emerged from Kahari as she looked back to Oghren with an eye, who smirked with a bit wry beneath his bushy beard.

"Looks like Oghren was right yet again," Oghren proclaimed as he twirled his hammer in his hands.

"Oghren was right ten times in fifteen years," Kahari replied as she pulled her sword and shield from the carriage. "You still got a long way to go before beating the seventy times I was right."

"Whatever. I'll still win by taking out more of these guys," Oghren said. "You'll owe me."

"We'll see."

The column of Tevinter cavalry galloped ever forward towards the two Wardens. Kahari assumed ahead with her large kite shield placed in front, flanked by Oghren ready to swing low with his hammer. The cavalrymen and charioteers drew out their swords and lances, ready to draw blood.

The two Wardens steeled themselves when their eyes went blank. The charging horsemen broke apart, splitting in two as they went around the Wardens' carriage. Befuddled, Kahari and Oghren could only exchange glances, with no answer to what had just transpired.

"You saw that… right?" Kahari asked Oghren as she glanced back to where the soldiers were.

"Uh…?" Oghren could only say, scratching his head as it wandered around. "Maybe ask them."

Kahari looked to the dwarf in confusion as he pointed to where the Tevinter soldiers left. As she looked along, her feet stepped back onto the carriage to get a look. Her eyes widened to what she surveyed. The entire group of soldiers killed to the last man, both horses, and riders lying dead in etched blood. With arrows and spears.

Before being able to entertain what had transpired, smoke swirled around the carriage as it blinded the two Wardens. The horses reared and bucked, shaking Kahari to the ground and nearly toppling onto Oghren.

The smoke swelled into the two's lungs as they hacked away. Only their ears could guide them to the sound of the carriage riding off before the smoke soon dissipated. Still, on the ground, Kahari groaned as her leg ached in pain.

"Uh… Warden," Oghren called to her.

Kahari, still groaning as she held her leg, responded. "What?" she asked as she slowly sat up.

It was without warning that her view was filled with speartips, merely inches from her face. All around her and Oghren were several spears held by Qunari warriors as they were revealed from the remnants of the smoke.

"Oghren… put your hammer down," Kahari commanded slowly.

Oghren shook his head. "No way," he said, moving his hand along his hammer's handle. "They-"

The Qunari warriors immediately thrust their spears upon Oghren's movements and almost pierced their faces. Oghren was pushed back against Kahari, signaling to the Hero of Ferelden to act.

"Kost, kost," Kahari said as she held her hands. "We're Grey Wardens. We are not with the Tevinters."

The warriors stood unmoved by her words.

"Kadan. I am kadan to the Arishok," she continued. "Who held the position of Sten while in Ferelden fifteen years ago. The Hero of Ferelden he worked with, who happens to be me."

The warriors' attention was now intrigued, at least what the two Wardens could perceive. They exchanged quick looks, their spears still pointed but not attacking.

"Parshaara!"

Immediately, the Qunari pulled their spears away in a perfect manner as if they were like golems following orders. The circle they formed around parted for a single Qunari. Unlike the others, he stood a bit shorter than the rest yet exuded an air of authority. Mind-numbingly so at least to Oghren as he rubbed his temple.

The short Qunari planted his heavy boots in front of the two, his figure still towering to them like a mountain. He observed them for several moments, his gray irises scanning at every part of them.

"Aqun-Athlok," the short Qunari said.

"I'm sorry?" Kahari questioned.

"One who is born as one gender but lives like another," the short Qunari explained.

"I know what you said," Kahari replied. "What of it? I already talked with the Arishok about it so there's no need to tell how I'm not meant to fight. I get it, our ways are strange."

"Not strange but lost and without purpose," the short Qunari said.

Kahari merely narrowed her eyes back at the Qunari soldier. He began to do the same when Oghren interceded between, displaying his dwarven confidence as he rested his hammer to the ground.

"Look, uh…" Oghren said, pausing for the right word.

"I am Karasten."

"Kara- karas… ah, I'll just call you short Qunari," Oghren replied, inviting a growl from the Karasten. "Listen, we didn't come here just to chat. We need to see the Arishok. And also get maybe a drink or two from him."

"Oghren," Kahari snapped with a glare.

"Fine, fine. A mug," Oghren said, insisting with a finger towards the Karasten.

"There will be no meeting, little bas," Karasten answered, turning to face Kahari. "It does not matter if you 'know' the Arishok, you are still bas. You cannot meet with him."

"It's important that we do," Kahari said. "The fate of Thedas hangs in the balance and it includes the Qunari as much as it does everyone else. I know this Kith here has orders and whatnot but we'll need your assistance in meeting with the Arishok."

Karasten paced around the Wardens, walking closer to Kahari. He stared intently at her, monotone in the eyes and mouth. No hint to what he was thinking. "Your knowledge of our words is higher than the other bas."

"And you can thank your Arishok for that."

"Now I know that is a lie."

"Not directly, of course," Kahari said, waving her hands up. "During the Blight, I'd hear him speak the words when he thought he was alone. It wasn't until I met some Tal-vashoth that I understood their meaning."

The Karasten merely grunted in response. A silence bequeathed him and the other Qunari. All eyes were on the Karasten, awaiting his response. Then, in a moment of pure impossibility, the Karasten offered his hand to Kahari.

To say Kahari was in disbelief was an understatement. Her widened eyes and gasps gave no justice to the amount of shock she felt. So caught within that feeling that it took Oghren of all people to snap her out of, coughing for her to take the Karasten's hand.

Kahari cursed between her teeth, her leg throbbing as she gained up her footing with Karasten's help. She had to lean on Oghren for a moment before being able to stand somewhat straight to the Qunari.

"I take it you believe my story," Kahari surmised.

"Many of the Qun have heard about you. The living Qunoran vehl from the south who fought alongside the Arishok many years ago," Karasten explained.

"So you'll help us then," Kahari said.

"No," Karasten said flatly.

"Ah… come on," Oghren interjected, groaning his displeasure as he lifted his arms. "She told you who we are. We're not chopped nug livers that you can just throw around. And I still haven't got my drink!"

The Qunari reacted with raised brows and lips, the first of any signs of expressions to Oghren's rant. The dwarf looked to fume with the red in his cheeks, ready to fight. But just as quickly as he quipped was he silenced with a quick slap to the back of the head.

"You have to excuse my friend here," Kahari said, holding Oghren close. "He is very… hard to handle when on long trips. Which is why I would appreciate it if you could take us to the Arishok so that I won't have to deal with his whining so much."

"Hey!" Oghren protested.

"The Qun demands our Kith to fight those known to you as Tevinter. Your mission is not a part of our purpose," Karasten replied and began to walk away with his soldiers in tow.

Oghren began to follow suit, nearly grabbing his hammer for a fight before Kahari scrambled to pull him back. "Oghren, calm down," she whispered

"Why should I?" Oghren asked. "Talking isn't getting us anywhere."

"It will if you stop interrupting me. Now shut up unless you feel like walking all the way to Par Vollen."

A soft argh released from Oghren as he turned away with arms crossed like a toddler. Kahari rolled her eyes and jogged behind towards Karasten.

"Karasten, you may not think my mission is of any importance to your purpose but it is," Kahari said. "I've come with vital information for the Arishok. Information about the Dragon Empire and the Emperor's plans."

"We know of the new bas and their Ataashi," Karasten replied without turning to face as he continued on.

"Then you know they're the greatest threat to everyone on Thedas including the Qun. They won't stop at nothing until they destroy your way of life," Kahari said.

The short Qunari corporal paused his steps abruptly, signaling the soldiers to fall in with his movements. His eyes looked with a serious demeanor to Kahari's eyes, his pupils taking in every detail of her face.

"What would you know of our way?" Karasten asked.

"I understand how it is to have a purpose," Kahari stated. Pressing her hand to her chest, she continued, "We Wardens have a duty, a dedication to stopping the Blights, no matter the cost. Even when there isn't a Blight, we always have to be ready for the next one. That is all."

"Yet you abandon your purpose."

"No, I simply recognized there was another path. It may deviate wildly from the standard path but in the end, it still reaches the same destination. The Qun demands you to fight Tevinter but you won't be able to if the Empire gets their way. Not unless I can meet with the Arishok."

The Karasten narrowed at Kahari, taking two steps forward. "Why?" he asked, mere inches from her face.

"So we both can fulfill our purposes," Kahari said, her expression matching that of the Karasten.

Karasten now cocked one of his eyes, a hint of surprise at the revelation from Kahari. To which the Hero took advantage of as she pressed further.

"You can still fulfill your mission Karasten even by helping us. I simply need to know where the Arishok is and require transportation to get there. Because otherwise, destroying Tevinter won't be an option. You don't want to fail the Qun now, do you?"

"Do not question our purpose," Karasten argued back.

"I'm simply telling you what will happen unless I can speak with the Arishok. Nothing more, nothing less," Kahari replied. "Now will you help me or not?"

Karasten grumbled in his throat like a dog over their food. But Kahari stood her ground, daring the Qunari to make the next move.

In yet another surprise, the Karasten left and waved over his hands to his soldiers. He talked in the Qunari language, much more complex than even Kahari knew as she cocked her head in confusion. Without haste, the soldiers ran fast across the plains. Smoke popped before them and in the blink of an eye, they were gone. Leaving a dumbfounded Warden to contemplate on her manners.

"Handling it my ass!" Oghren called, running to Kahari's side at break speed. "The hell are we supposed to do now? Walk!?"

"Yes because that's so bad!" Kahari argued. "I don't know if you haven't noticed Oghren but Qunari aren't exactly the most persuadable people out there. And I sure as hell got closer to them than you ever would."

"You talking about my height again?" Oghren roared, standing up as close to Kahari's face. His big beard flared out the crumbs and dirt, landing onto Kahari's legs.

The elf Warden in turn bent down to meet his face, hands on her hips as she retorted. "Not everything is about your height, Oghren!"

"You sound just like Felsi. Always complaining that Oghren can't live up to expectations, drinking all the time!"

"You do drink all the time!" Kahari raised, matching her volume with Oghren's. "Anyone with eyes and a nose could see or smell the trail you've left from the Korcari Wilds to Par Vollen."

"Oh yeah, well… uh… why are we fighting?!"

"Because I made the mistake of not realizing how demanding it is to look after what is essentially a man child that drinks all the time because he's so insecure!"

Closing as close he could be, the dwarf wound up for the biggest tirade in Kahari's face. Spit flew from his mouth as it opened and spoke.

"You know what, Kahari! I… I… ah… forget it," Oghren said, waving his hand as he slumped.

A worrying pout formed over Kahari, her anger gone like the wind as her eyes followed Oghren. The dwarf bellowed out a long sigh as he unceremoniously dropped to the ground to sit, arching his back. Misery clouding above his head.

Tepidly, Kahari approached back. Her hand reached out yet stopped short of his shoulder. Instead, she took a seat beside him and looked on with him in silence.

"I…" Kahari began, taking a moment to sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that Oghren. I let my anger get the best of me. I know you're doing your best for everyone, that's why you're here with me."

Oghren merely grunted and huffed, crossing his arms as he continued to look out towards the plains.

"You know I'm not great at talking about feelings, barely any better than Arishok," Kahari continued as she faced and leaned in. "But you and I both know you're not a terrible person. If you were you wouldn't even be trying to raise your kid or even care what Felsi says."

"I don't need you to tell me that," Oghren replied, sighing as he slumped lower. "I may be a drunk but I'm not an idiot."

"I never said you were."

"Then stop treating me like one!"

"I…" Kahari began to counteract before pausing with a stutter. "I don't mean to Oghren but understand this is important. Everything hinges on the Qunari joining the rest of Thedas against the Empire. If we can't convince them then…"

"Why do you care anyway?" Oghren asked, groaning. "Aren't we supposed to be neutral or something?"

"I could care less what those pricks back in Weisshaupt think," Kahari said. "They would let the world burn. Only caring when the darkspawn try to breach the surface. But you know they could more. Like helping the dwarves push back the darkspawn or even just helping people from bandits."

"Can't say I don't disagree," Oghren replied, shrugging. "And they don't let the Oghren drink or even make jokes."

Kahari chuckled. "The Oghren?" she raised a brow. "Talking like those Khajiit?"

"The what?" Oghren asked.

"The cat people," Kahari answered, cocking her head. "You know… from the Dragon Empire. Leliana gave us a report on the other races from Tamriel. You read it, didn't you?"

"I had to blow my nose," Oghren grinned, stating without tact.

Kahari lamented, shaking her head down. A smile crept from her mouth, chuckling through a quick breath. "Never change Oghren," she commented as she stood up. "Now then, it looks like we're going to have to walk to the nearest village or town. See if we can find a horse. Ready?"

"No."

"What do you mean, no? Oghren, I thought we were over-"

Oghren interrupted, pointing his finger ahead. Confused, she followed along and nearly gasped. Over to the plains Oghren pointed, two Qunari on horseback rode at a gallop to their position.

Kahari quickly dropped into a stance but then wavered as the Qunari slowed down. Without a word, their horses stopped before the two Wardens and immediately dismounted and walked away.

"Hey, wait!" Kahari reached out to no avail as the two Qunari dispersed into smoke clouds and disappeared.

"What the hell was that about?" Oghren asked as he rushed up beside Kahari.

"I… I don't know," Kahari answered.

She turned to the horses the Qunari left and spotted a piece of parchment strapped to the saddle of one of them. She hurried, ripping off and unfolding the parchment and read-aloud for Oghren to hear.

"Qarinus," Kahari read from the paper.

"Ain't that the first city the Qunari took from Tevinter?" Oghren asked.

"So you were listening," Kahari said with a smirk to which Oghren merely shrugged. "Seems I managed to get through to the Karasten after all."

"Really?"

"That or… he's sending us into a fully occupied Qunari city where we'll be killed on site. After of course, we say we're Wardens."

Oghren groaned, grasping the sides of his head. "These Qunari are really making my head hurt."

"Hey, there's no need to get frustrated," Kahari said, patting Oghren's shoulder. "We'll get there and you let me do the talking. I'll buy you a new cask while we're there."

"You really think it'll be that easy?"

"Hey if it's not, then I'll owe you."

Drip. Drip. Drip

That was all Kahari could hear as her senses of her eyes began to open up. A thin layer of water mucked over her eyes, masking her vision. However, her ears could give her a guess to her situation along with the tight feeling surrounding her arms.

"So… here we are."

"Oghren… is that-"

"You know, being sober has actually got me thinking and even questioning my actions. Like asking myself, 'Oghren why do you do this?'."

"Now, hang on-"

"I do this as a favor for my friend since she's helped me… a lot. Getting back with Felsi, drinking a barrel less a day, saving me from darkspawn. So I trust her when she says she has a handle on things."

Kahari paused from further speaking, her eyes now revealed to the sullen face of Oghren and thus she would let him speak his piece.

"And now here we are, hanging in chains at Stone knows where by the Qunari who are probably going to torture and convert us," he said monotonously. "So this is my denouement."

The last word perplexed Kahari, perking her eyes. "Oghren… where did you learn that… word? How long-"

"Two weeks!" Oghren roared, lunging forward as his chains held him to the wall. "I haven't had a drink in two weeks since we started and I'm losing it!"

It looked as though his eyes would pop from his very skull, red and veiny as they beaded over, who could only grit and waver in disgust.

"I've just been staring at you this whole time and… I'm starting to think…"

Kahari's disgust turned to indecency in a sudden turn. "Oghren, I swear…" she said, ready to berate.

"It's not my fault!" Oghren protested. "If you were a man, I'd still think of the same thing!"

"Parshaara!" a Qunari voice echoed from above.

"No, you shut up!" Oghren yelled back.

"Oghren," Kahari countered in quick succession, glaring at the dwarf to be silent.

"What! There's nothing else to do," he replied. "Besides, they aren't coming in here!"

In act of the Maker's retribution, the sound metal swiveling and banging alerted Kahari. To her left, several Qunari walked into their cells and crowded around her.

"Hey-" was all Oghren uttered out as an audible punch collided into his cheek.

"Oghren? Oghren?" Kahari called for her friend as the Qunari unlocked her chains. "What did you do?"

She was met with silence and a quick punch to the face. Stunned, Kahari could only blatter out sounds as her body was dragged against the floor. But focused down, her eyes updated to their location. Up to several stairs to cobbled roads flanked by the gawking noise of birds, they reached a red carpet before colliding face-first into them.

"Ow…" Kahari uttered, moaning as she lifted herself. "You couldn't be gentle at least?" she asked as she turned to see Oghren dazed and spluttered beside her on the floor.

"Gentleness is not for fools."

With a quick shake of her head, Kahari looked ahead to the voice. Towards the end of the red carpet laid a single chair with a Qunari at its helm. The Qunari was nearly bare-chested with only leather straps over the chest and giant red pauldrons, black greaves laid over with a red sash. With a familiar white braided hair over a hornless head, he stood and walked towards the Wardens revealing a magnificent braided beard.

"Arishok," Kahari said, nearly gasping on the first letter.

"It has been many years, kadan," Arishok said. "I am surprised you knew of my title."

"Well when I heard from a former Ben-Hessarath that a hornless Qunari became Arishok, it narrowed the possibilities down. And let's just say information from a certain elf gave me the right answer."

"Then you know you are an idiot. You and the dwarf," Arishok said, glaring down at Oghren.

Kahari had forgotten the dwarf and looked to her side a groggy Oghren, muttering out spiel as he leaned up against her.

"Everything hurts… everything hurts… without a drink," Oghren stumbled out, wiping his face. "Where- YOU!"

As if nothing happened, Oghren returned back to his normal self and began his tirade.

"You got a lot of nerve attacking us," Oghren ranted as he marched up. "Just because you're the bigshot Qunari around here doesn't mean you can lock up ol' Oghren! If I had my hammer now, I'd knock your ass down."

"You remember Oghren, don't you?" Kahari asked Arishok as she cracked a smile.

"The drunken dwarf that kept tripping me," Arishok stated.

"Oh yeah well-"

"Oghren you can argue with him later," Kahari interjected, interceding and pushing him back. "You know why we're here."

She turned to Arishok.

"Don't you?" she asked.

"You would not be standing here otherwise," Arishok answered.

"So you already have an answer then?"

Arishok nodded, his expression still unchanged as he did so. "I do," he said as he turned and walked back to the chair.

An awkward silence came as Arishok simply sat in his chair. An annoyance bequeathed Kahari as she felt a vein-popping from her forehead. She didn't know whether to thank or curse the Maker for keeping Arishok's demeanor the same.

"Well then can you tell me please?" Kahari asked. "And can you also explain your reasoning as to why you reached such an answer."

"You should have said so," Arishok replied as he leaned forward and to which Kahari growled at the smugness sensed.

"The Qun," Arishok continued, "will not 'help' the Thedosian Alliance. In fact, your alliance is viewed as a provocation to us. Be glad that we did not attack when it was formed."

A somewhat expected response, Kahari thought. The usual blatter of how the Qun was better, organized, and inevitable. She would have to use logic to bring him down.

"We're not planning to attack the Qunari," Kahari argued. "You know damn well the Dragon Empire is a threat to all of Thedas. Why do you think the nations formed an alliance so quickly? The last time they did so was during the Storm Age against the Qunari and the Blights. Neither of them as quickly as this alliance."

A brow raised from Arishok. "The Qunari are not like you. We will not falter," he said, brow receding back to the status quo.

"That's big talk, 'Arishok'," Kahari answered back, bending her fingers. "As I recall, you aren't doing so well against the Empire either. Unless of course, losing all of Rivain is some secret Qunari technique I don't know about yet."

Arishok's expression changed as Kahari finished, from stoicism to hidden rage. She exchanged the same expression in return, refusing to allow him the upper hand.

"Don't deny them," Kahari said. "You know it's true. You have to face the fact that the Empire is stronger than you. Even if you claim they aren't, you can't fight them and Tevinter at the same time."

"And what would you know about war?" Arishok asked.

"You were there. With me and Oghren," Kahari replied, pointing back to Oghren. "We barely defeated the Archdemon against a horde. Now we're facing a horde of intelligent soldiers and this time we can't just kill the leader."

The expression on Arishok still didn't change but Kahari noticed from a corner of her eye that his hands were gripping the chair's armrest tighter. Perhaps she could utilize his rage if it came to it.

"The Dragon Empire is too strong for either of us to stand against them alone," Kahari reiterated. Approaching much closer than she had, she stared down on the sitting Qunari. "Their dragons and mages make it all but impossible to face them in the field unless we match them in number. Their galleons make your dreadnoughts look like wooden planks in the ocean. And their Emperor is a very powerful man that not even Fen'harel will challenge so easily."

"And what of it," Arishok demanded, rising from his chair.

Kahari retreated back from how quickly he rose, slightly stumbling back down the stairs. The height difference exacerbated between them. It looked as though she were facing down an actual giant.

"Even if I acknowledge the facts, it does not change my answer," Arishok explained. "The Qun is a culmination of the body, mind, and soul. A perfect trinity. One cannot function without the other two or else there is chaos."

Fully towering over Kahari, Arishok shadowed over her and his pupils glowed with indifference. "To stop fighting Tevinter is to destroy the Salasari. Destroy our nation. That is why my answer is no."

With a glaring gaze, Arishok ended the conversation and proceeded to walk out of the hall. Leaving Kahari with her last option.

"I understand the cultural significance of the Triumvirate," Kahari said, rushing beside Arishok. "But you don't have to go against them alone. You can appeal to the others and-"

"Qunari do not appeal," Arishok interjected. "We decide."

Further infuriation set forth in Kahari, balling her fists.

"If you're not gonna help us, the least you could do is give us a drink," Oghren was suddenly heard as he ran up beside.

Compounded more exponentially was Kahari's irritation. "Oghren, please," she yelled.

Quickly she stepped in front of Arishok's tracks, halting him in place. But before she could speak, an audible swing of doors crashed behind her and several marching boots circled around. Full-length spears directed at her and Oghren, gleaming with a shine. Both it and the turtled armored Qunari wielding them.

"Can't we just go?" Oghren asked.

Kahari ignored him and the spears, facing back up to Arishok. "You called me kadan once. Friend," she said, enraging her voice to a grovel. "Do you not remember?"

"Why do you think you are even here to speak with me?"

"Then you also remember what I did for you," Kahari said. Refining her point, she pointed towards his sword. "You owe me a debt of gratitude. One that I am calling in… now."

Kahari knew that would manage to get through to Arishok. He was honor-bound and had to comply with her request especially in front of the other warriors. She could see it in his body language with his arms tensing and fists balling.

But instead of to her, Arishok spoke to one of the soldiers and said, "Asalaa."

Kahari didn't know what that one word meant but the soldiers seemed to as they all withdrew en sync. She swerved around in case they were planning something else but they instead departed to stand guard around the hall. Perplexity set in her as well as Oghren judging from the ruffling under his beard.

"You are adamant in seeing the Qun join with your alliance, kadan," Arishok said, directing Kahari's attention to the center of the hall. "You refuse to accept what is presented to you. And now you deign to bring up honor."

Kahari was now confused by Arishok's tone. Was he actually voicing disappointment?

"What do you mean 'deign'?" she asked.

"You lack honor yourself," Arishok answered back, swiftly turning around on a heel, "yet you attempt to debase me and in doing so the entire Antaam."

With a hand outstretched, a helmet landed perfectly from his palm to which Kahari glanced to see another Qunari who stood in front of a side door.

"Uh… Kahari?" Oghren penned with concern, tugging at her greaves.

Her heart skipped a beat as she witnessed Arishok charging at full speed. But she barely missed the attack as her whole world fell to its side. The body of Oghren collapsed on top of her, both narrowly missing the charging head of Arishok.

"The hell are you doing!?" Oghren demanded of Arishok.

Kahari was helped up to her feet, still in a daze to what was transpiring. Then a quick shove from Oghren brought her back to look upon Arishok brandishing out a greatsword.

"What are you-"

"You stray from your duty as a Warden, attempting to involve yourself in Qunari matters," Arishok said. "You and the dwarf dishonor yourself and show you walk in aimless purpose. Defend yourself, kadan."

"Ste- Arishok why-"

"Enough talking!" Oghren interjected, stepping in front of Kahari. "It's getting us nowhere. We'll just beat the crap out of him and make him join. And I'll do it this time."

"Keep out of this dwarf," Arishok commanded.

"Not a chance," Oghren replied.

Letting out a shout, the dwarf charged with his fists raised. Kahari had no time to pull him back from the foolish endeavor as she watched him charged without recompense. Yet Arishok gave him no heed and with one low slash cut across Oghren and tossed him aside.

"Oghren!" she yelled, rushing to her fallen friend.

However, her sixth sense took command and she dodged backward from a swing of Arishok's sword.

"What did you do to Oghren?" Kahari swiftly asked as she sidestepped another swing.

"He will live," Arishok responded, continuing forth with multiple swings.

Kahari grunted with effort avoiding his attacks. Despite its length, Arishok was able to swing the massive sword without effort. Back and forth she dodged until Arishok wound the sword up. With blistering speed, he swung down as Kahari narrowly jumped and rolled away.

A giant crevice left its mark on the floor and for a moment, Kahari was staggered. "If I'm fighting to prove myself, then why don't I have a weapon?"

Arishok grunted in response, pulling out his sword back into stance. "To see if you are the hero you claim to be."

Arishok charged forth once again, prompting Kahari to recover faster than usual. With his sword out in front, he telegraphed his moves to Kahari. She began to sidestep when on a dime his head butted into hers. The hardness of his steel helmet pummeled into her nose and jaws, unimaginable pain breaking in for a split second as she was launched.

Kahari couldn't retaliate in time as Arishok followed up with a strike to the chest with his pommel. She let out a cry, falling to her knees. But a huge kick to the face hurled her over to her back.

Dazed, she rolled over and groaned. Spitting, the ground drenched in blood spots as she struggled to look up to Arishok.

"You are much weaker," Arishok said as he strolled around her. "Or perhaps you deceived me of your true nature."

Kahari paid no mind to his words, instead focused on her bloodied nose and shortness of breath. And Arishok seemed to notice as well as she felt cold steel resting against her nape.

"You say I'm weak…" Kahari huffed, spitting out some blood and slowly turning up to face Arishok. "But so are you."

"And it seems you are blind as well."

Kahari couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. "No... but you and your soldiers are to the drunk and the stupid," she said, laughing out a smile.

Arishok raised his brow, lost in translation until his eyes grew wide to what she meant. But it was too late to realize his mistake and met his punishment from a stocky dwarf pummeling headfirst into his groin.

It was a first for Kahari to see Arishok let out such an expressive sound of pain. What made it the more surprising was the pain he seemed to have felt as he rolled over. Was the armor he wore decorative or was Oghren's head actually made of stone? The latter seemed more believable as Oghren chuckled a storm of healthy laughter.

"Not so tough now are you, you giant ass?" Oghren taunted with glee in his step. It was then he noticed the fallen sword and heaved it over his shoulder. "Guess I purloined your pike… heh-heh… wait."

Kahari rolled her eyes and chimed in. "You never were good with jokes," she said, rising up. "Now come on."

Arishok began to rise back up, pain in his groin still holding him back. Kahari and Oghren were swift to stop him. Oghren jumped down and kicked Arishok in the head, launching the helmet off. Kahari followed through, using Arishok's own sword pommel to bring down square to his face.

But even bleeding and dazed, Arishok still had fight left him in. Kahari knew and thus held the edge of his sword to his neck.

"Oghren, hold him down," she said and on command, her companion pressed down on Arishok's arms.

Arishok grunted. "You cheated."

"Me!? You're the one that decided to attack me and I had no weapon to defend myself with," Kahari frowned. "I had to improvise."

"And you punched me," Oghren added with a snort.

"That too," Kahari reiterated. "Now are you going to listen this time or are we going to have to fight our way out?"

"He's crazy," Oghren commented off to the side as he looked with eagerness. "Just kill him."

"We're not killing him, Oghren," Kahari dispassionately said as she looked straight back to Arishok. "Besides... I've proven myself. Haven't I?"

Kahari lifted the sword from his neck and offered out her hand. Arishok's eyes widened to her gesture, rife with confusion and hesitation.

"We were friends, Arishok," Kahari remarked as she began to explain. "Still are and we can work together just like back then. All I ask of you is one thing. Yes, it will require breaking our oaths, our commitments. But to defeat the Empire and defend Thedas from the Dragonborn, we'll have to sacrifice everything if we want to win. And I think you know that even if the Qun says otherwise."

And now it would be decided. Whether Arishok took her hand or not. Ally or enemy he would decide. Agonizing of a decision for any other person but Kahari… she didn't have to worry and clasped again in Qunari hands.

"Meravas, kadan," Arishok said with a smirk. "You've proved your mettle again."

"So that means you'll help?" Kahari asked, handing him back his sword.

Arishok nodded slightly with a grunt. "The Qunari will stop fighting against Tevinter… for now," he said, stressing those two words.

Kahari sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. The Qun has to spread to all corners and whatnot," she lamented, resting her arms on her hips. "And I assume any territory you've gained already… you'll keep."

Arishok answered with silence to her suspicion. It was the best she could hope for.

"That's it?" Oghren asked, breaking into the conversation. "We could have just beat him up this whole time! But you said… and I said… what the fuck!?"

Perhaps convincing Arishok wasn't the hardest decision Kahari had to make, she thought as she listened to Oghren launch into another tirade.

"Oghren, I-"

"I will give you a drink, dwarf if it will shut you up," Arishok interceded before Kahari.

"I…" Oghren paused, visibly stumped in his words. Kahari merely answered him with a stern look. "Well… it better be a keg at least."

"If it will get you to be quiet," Arishok said. "Imekari."

With that, Kahari had completed her mission. Yet, even so, no relief but instead more of a weighty burden. As she and Oghren followed the Arishok for their belongings, he informed them that more would have to be done. The Triumvirate would have to be convinced if the Qunari were to assist elsewhere besides Rivain.

"Of course there's more," Kahari said as she sighed out in frustration. "Then again, when has this ever been easy?"

Qunari words (Qunlat) Rough Translation:

asalaa - helmet

ataashi - dragon

bas - thing, purposeless

kost - peace

kadan - friend; loved ones; colleagues

karasten - infantry commander; corporal

kith - small military unit; a squad

imekari - child

parshaara - enough

salasari - triumvirate

qunoran vehl - mentor; essentially hero