It was over a year since the death of the Mother and her horde and things in the Amaranthine territory have settled down. A new seneschal had been assigned as things started falling into a lull of routine. Oghren was drinking away and keeping up his letters to his family, even taking the time to visit the 'nugget' as he described his child. Oghren would even spin yarns of tales of glory as he made one recruit to swear off drinking ever again after she unfortunately got into a drinking contest with the dwarf. Sigrun continued to joke about going off to her Calling early, though something or someone always managed to give her a new assignment to complete. Just the same the cheery yet bleak dwarf was a sight none in the Keep wanted to see vanish. Nathanial continued to clean up his family's name, continuing to build his relationship with his sister and her family. After a long time pursuing darkspawn pockets, Justice returned Kristoff's body to his widowed wife as it left her the body to mourn. It's uncertain whether or not the spirit survived this separation and if it did where it might end up pursing its black and white justice. Anders has disappeared with little left to follow him. Despite her prior distain for humans, Velanna singlehandedly saved an entire human village from a darkspawn assault before aid arrived. Velanna has proven a capable Warden even as she continued her search for her sister.

With this newfound peace, and time for him, Theron finally got back to his search for Morrigan. Deesh and Shadow accompanied him in his search, along with the mabari that was saved in Vigil's Keep. Deesh had no care for the beast that seemed to have grown attached to her, "Why did we bring another of these things with us?"

Shadow started to pat the mabari's head, "Come on, you don't want to have one of these bruisers on our side?"

Theron knelt to it as well, "Besides, we never got her name, so we need to name her before we continue."

Deesh continued onward, "Call it whatever you like."

Shadow started to comfort the mabari as she started to whine, "Ah, look you made her upset." Despite Deesh not stopping, Shadow gently rubbed the mabari's head, "If she won't name you, I will. How about Strider? How does Strider sound?" The mabari happily barked at the name, jumping around. "Who's a good girl. Still, it's too bad Jigsaw couldn't join us. I know how much he liked Morrigan."

"Being one of the strongest and smartest mabari around, they've been using him to help repopulate the numbers lost during the Blight. Not to mention Kallian took him with her to help that dwarf Jerrik searching for his brother's expedition team to find Amgarrak Thaig."

Deesh hissed, "It's the least she could do given the cushy job as the new bann of Denerim's alienage. Though from what I hear she hasn't utilized Zevran's skills to her advantage."

Any direct trail to find Morrigan has long since disappeared after the Battle of Denerim and the death of the archdemon. Theron was hoping to find a clue or even a scent for Strider to use to start their search in earnest. With Flemeth slain, Morrigan had little to fear and all to gain by ransacking her former home.

Even returning to the remote hut, the area was surprisingly untouched by the darkspawn horde during the Blight, most likely a residual effect of Flemeth's presence or magic scaring them away. Theron paused a moment to look at the area they had fought Flemeth in her dragon form, though now there was little evidence of such a battle taking place.

Deesh however was looking around, examining the ground. "Be alert, we aren't alone."

Shadow looked around, "Not sure I see any signs of someone getting here before us."

Deesh flicked the mud off her fingers in Shadow's direction, "That's because you're not used to hunting in a swamp. This intruder knows how to erase their presence in a forest. But they were careless and did not make up for the softer ground here."

"Then when we enter the hut, Strider will sniff out this person and we determine what to do from there." Deesh agreed with Theron's plan, donning her cloak once more to pretend she was qunari once again.

Slowly they entered the abandoned hut as Strider started to sniff out the intruder. Among the dust covered abode, someone had recently lit the fireplace, clearly, they weren't expecting company. Strider started to snarl near a wall as the one behind slowly appeared with sword drawn. She was an elf, a Dalish for certain given her tattoos. The moment she saw Theron though she eased her stance, "Oh! Aneth ara, you startled me." Strider seemed confused yet also at ease. "Of all the things to encounter in these Wilds, I never expected one of our own. Have you news of the witch?"

Theron bowed, "I am Dalish, but I left my clan some time ago. I'm Theron. These are my traveling companions," pointing to Deesh and Shadow. Deesh turned away while Shadow just waved.

This confused the young warrior who hesitantly waved back, though she grew concerned by Theron's words, "You left? Was there…some kind of trouble? Actually, I forget my place. When I saw you, I assumed another clan had agreed to help us." She bowed in kind, "My name is Ariane. If you are not tracking Asha'bellanar, can I hope you came to this place seeking Morrigan?"

Theron looked away for a moment, thinking of how to explain himself somewhat. "What happened is between Morrigan and me."

Willing to accept that, Ariane explained her reason for her search, "Morrigan stole an ancient book my clan has guarded since the days of Ariathan. We were the only ones with such a piece of our history." Ariane turned to the lit fireplace, tired of not gaining any traction, "Everything we once had, all legacy of our ancient magics were stripped from us, first by the Tevinter magisters, then by the wretched Circle. And Morrigan took what little was left."

Theron knew, if the book was her goal, Morrigan would certainly steal it, but he wanted to be certain. "How do you know Morrigan stole it?"

"One month ago, she visited our clan in the name of friendship, and took great interest in our history. She knew exactly what she was looking for." Just as Theron feared, "The keeper allowed her to see the book. Two nights later, it was gone."

Shadow was more curious about the book's content, "I know you said it's from your golden age, but what's so special about this book?"

Ariane quickly explained, "For almost two thousand years, the Dalish people have been wanderers, a shadow of what we once were. This book—as much of a mystery as it is to us—is one of the only clues on how to reclaim that past. My keeper, Solan, says it was a treatise on something the ancients called 'Eluvian'. The word is as old as the book itself, and its meaning has been lost. Save perhaps to Morrigan."

Deesh huffed, clearing her throat to sound different, "So what now?"

Ariane pleaded with Theron, "Help me. We both want Morrigan, and we can aid each other. The Book of Eluvian was reclaimed for my clan by an elven mage, who stole it from the Circle of Magi before defecting. And still other such treasures remain with the Circle. Have you any standing to request entrance?" She twitched, nervously pointing out, "You…said you are no longer with the people."

Theron smiled as he recounted, "I left my clan to join the Grey Wardens."

"The…Then you are the one who slew the archdemon?" Her awe returned, a reaction they had not seen in a while, "I knew it was one of our own, but…I never expected to meet… They'll have to let us in! Ma serannas, let us go immediately!"

Theron stopped her, "Before that we're going to have to deal with some unwanted guests."

Strider was growling at the door just as Deesh started to pull out her sword. "Why are they here?"

Shadow looked to the door, readying her sword, "Didn't you guys say this place was abandoned and untouched?"

"We did… meaning they either followed us…"

"Or something let them in." Deesh moved to the door, sneaking a peak at what was waiting. It was a small group of darkspawn, from what she could see, there was an archer and mage on the elevated land but Deesh could still smell three more not in view.

She quietly signaled what she could see, and what might be waiting for them. Shadow looked to the fireplace as she waved to Deesh to stop her. Without another word or motion, Shadow started to climb up the smoke-filled chimney. Shadow had a few slips with her hooves and the smooth stone, but she managed to finally reach the top. She could see the mage and the other darkspawn that surrounded the entrance.

Shadow used the smoke for cover so she could get ready and take out the mage. That should be more than enough of a signal to attack. With a sniper rifle leveled, targeting the mage's head and blew it away while using the shot recoil to throw her weapon above her head while sliding back down the chimney. While the darkspawn mage fell, confusing the other darkspawn, as the hut door is kicked open and those inside rushed forth.

The battle itself was rather fast, leaving Shadow little else to do when she finally got outside. Strider was finishing a genlock as Ariane and Theron cleaned their blades of darkspawn blood. Deesh was nowhere to be seen, that was until she slowly dragged herself out of the muck.

Deesh had little mind or reason to care about removing the gunk off herself, rather she almost seemed to revel in it, in her own silent way. While they were all separated, and Shadow was dusting the soot and ash off, she walked over to Deesh to whisper, "Didn't think that nose of yours could tell the difference between darkspawn so accurately?"

Deesh gave her the most disgusted look. "I smelled their approach, I used magic to see them." She waved a hand over her face to show her eyes glowing blue. "Though in your case, using Detect Dead works just as well." With their next destination set before them, they headed toward straight for the Circle of Magi.

There was no trouble reaching the isolated tower in the middle of the lake, in fact the templars welcomed Theron's party. A senior templar was even waiting for their arrival, "Welcome to Ferelden's Circle of Magi." Noticing the mabari, he quickly asked, "Please, keep your hound under control. Some of the apprentices are easily startled. And I see you have a Dalish elf with you."

Ariane was used to such human remarks, more than eager for a brawl, "Is that a problem?"

Theron quickly reminded the templar, "I'm Dalish, too. And proud of it."

The templar quickly bowed, "My apologies, Warden. The Circle is glad to have you as a guest. As you can see, things are much changed from when you were last here." Given the horror show that the tower was last time.

Theron looked around, "Where's Greagoir?"

"Greagoir is in Denerim, attending to some important business. My name is Hadley. I lead the templars in the knight-commander's absence."

Seeing no need to speak any further with this templar, Theron politely added, "I need to go to the library."

"If you're looking for a book, you can start in the index section. As the Warden-Commander, you and your guests are free to explore the first floor of the tower without an escort. Good day to you."

As Hadley walked away, Ariane, whispered, "I see why Keeper Solan did not want me to come here. It is all too tempting to overturn the tight order of their little world…"

Deesh leaned over, "This tower fell under the control of a mage who unleashed demons that resulted in a massive number of dead. Would you prefer seeing that instead?"

Ariane paused for a moment, thinking about it. "Maybe. Definitely better than the stares I'm getting now."

Even with some templars looking at Ariane with distrust, traveling with the Grey Warden who slew the archdemon gave them some level of anonymity to proceed through the hallway.

Shadow looked to the dorms, openly wondering, "Do you think we'll meet up with Neria or Daylen here?"

Theron shock his head, "The last I heard Daylen was helping Wynn with reversing Shale's condition to become a dwarf again. He's probably doing so as an excuse to travel outside of the tower. As for Neria, I doubt she wants to see us anytime soon."

Deesh snickered, "You mean after I blasted her about her blind loyalty to the Chantry and their deluded religious practices. Ended up in a bigger heated argument, before I secretly lit her robes on fire and walked away."

"And seeing how our presence has probably been told throughout the tower, we won't be seeing her today."

Though entered the larger chamber before the library, they stopped after seeing a familiar face. "Enchantment?"

"Sandal? What are you doing here?"

"Enchantment!" Strider was a little curious about the estrange dwarf, as Sandal happily clapped, "Enchantment."

"Yes." Hadley soon arrived, standing next to Sandal.

Theron immediately asked, "Where is Bodahn?"

Hadley bowed, "Bodahn is trading in Redcliffe. If you're interested in his goods, I believe Sandal has some of them to offer you."

"Not at the moment, but we will if we need anything."

Shadow glanced back, "Glad to see that that special child is still doing well. Can't imagine the zany adventure those two are getting themselves into now."

Deesh slowly glanced back to Sandal while walking toward the library, "I'd rather not. They survived, mostly because they tagged along with us during most of the Blight. But something is definitely special about that one." Not wanting to discuss the darkspawn slaughter that Sandal stood amidst during their charge toward the archdemon.

Not too far from where Sandal was offering his services was the archway to the library. As soon as they entered Neira almost stumbled backwards looking up, "Look at all of these books! I've never seen so many!"

Deesh proceeded without a moment's thought, "I've seen a larger collection."

Shadow tried to say otherwise, "You have to at least appreciate the effort it took to gather all of this."

"Not really. Since this is being reserved for the mages and select few given proper permissions. Even then what good does all of this do if one cannot use it or propagandized toward the ideals of the Chantry."

While walking through the library, Neira had a wicked smirk about her, "You, hound," lowering herself to start whispering, "You think you can sneak up on the mage over there?" Strider whimpered in confusion, "How high do you think he'd throw those things if he turned around and saw you looming over him?" Strider swiftly responded with a snarl, "Oh, lighten up. This place is like a tomb. A few surprises would be good for them." She then started barking authoritatively at the elf. Neira playfully complained, "Warden! Your dog is lecturing me again…"

"You probably deserved it."

Hermaes had been very busy copying and acquiring certain books from various libraries throughout the land to add to his collection in Apocrypha. He recently hit a snag with the Tower's more restrictive areas. Hermaeus could easily brute force his way through the security spells laid about, however he has noticed several magical artifacts and objects that may expose his appearance to the world of man resulting in Vaermina discovering his continued activities amidst her realm. In particular, a human turned into a stone statue is rather difficult to pass by without it noticing or possibly even 'dreaming' about the encounter for Vaermina to uncover.

Seeing the little reptilian returning this is place of knowledge meant something was afoot and possibly cause enough of a disturbance to allow Hermaeus to continue his work unimpeded. Though curiosity peeked seeing a new Dalish elf traveling with them. As the Dalish obsessed over their lost history, this might be a good opportunity to find or obtain new knowledge forgotten to the passage of time. It was strange that Sanguine did not mention that she had begun moving away from Amaranthine, though given his track record of slothfulness Hermaeus wasn't too surprised. Regardless of his associates, Hermaeus did not plan to miss an opportunity like this. He reconvenes with the others once the plans the mortals have becomes more apparent.