"Good morning, papae!" Tabris greeted. She had woken up at the crack of dawn to see her father off before he left for court. She made him an omelet for breakfast, and set his plate before him at the table. "Here's some orange juice for you, papae."

"Thank you." Cyrion took a bite out of his omelet. "I've missed your cooking." He hummed in delight. He watched as Tabris joined him at the table, eying the necklace she wore around her neck. It looked to be a tooth of some sort. "What's this?" He asked, motioning to it. "I don't remember you mentioning how you got it." Last night, at dinner, Tabris had recounted her adventures of the blight to her family. She didn't leave out a single detail, trusting only her family to know the whole tale.

"A friend gave this to me." Tabris answered. She smiled as she thought of the friend she received the gift from.

"Oh?" Her father questioned. "Care to share?"

Tabris looked up in thought. "The friend I seen off at Lake Calenhad. He gave it to me before he left." She answered in honesty.

Cyrion nodded. "That's right, the qunari."

"Qunari?" They heard a feminine voice ask. Soris and Shianni had just woken up, and were making their way to the kitchen to help themselves to some breakfast. "What's this about a qunari?" Shianni asked again.

"Tabris's qunari friend gave her that necklace as a parting gift." Cyrion answered.

Shianni settled at the table between Cyrion and Tabris, and across from Soris. "Sten gave you that? What is it?" She asked as she examined the necklace.

"It's half the tooth of a dragon." Tabris answered. She took a sip of her orange juice, nonchalant about the conversation being on her necklace.

"Half a tooth?" Soris chimed in. "Where's the other half?"

Tabris shrugged. "I imagine he has it." She answered, coyly. The memory of when he gave it to her coming to mind.

That day she helped Sten prepare for his journey. She packed his backpack for him, making sure he had all his stuff. He had his paintings, the qunari prayer book, food, water, his armor and weapon. He was ready to go. She gave Sten his pack to carry himself, then led him out of the inn. Once they were at the dock, Sten just stood there with her silently. Tabris turned to give him a quizzical look on why he hadn't boarded the ship yet. "Sten?" she questioned.

He pulled, what looked to be a handkerchief out of his helmet he was holding and placed the gift in her hands. "For you, kadan." he said, and watched as she opened the cloth to reveal the necklace. Tabris stared at the necklace in awe. She had seen when Sten had taken a tooth out of the archdemon's mouth, but she would've never guessed he had planned to give it to her as a parting gift. Tabris looked to Sten to thank him, but found he had already boarded the ship. It wasn't until then she noticed a similar necklace around his own neck. She waved to him, blowing him a kiss to which he just looked perplexed at.

A soft cry brought Tabris out of her thoughts. "I'll get her." She told Soris. She hopped up from the table and hurried to get to the crying baby. "I got you." she cooed, as she cradled the baby in her arms. She walked over to the cabinets to look for some baby milk to feed the child.

"Wenna should be here soon to feed her." She heard Soris say.

"Why isn't there any baby milk?" Tabris questioned.

"Wenna breastfeeds her." Soris answered.

"Where did the milk from last night come from?" Tabris questioned, clearly confused.

"Wenna pumps each night, so Tathas has food at night. As a wet nurse, she has pump regularly. When Valora was taken, she had plenty to feed Tathas." Tabris nodded her head. She was just grateful Wenna stepped up when Tathas's mother was taken.

Opening a cabinet in the kitchen, Cyrion pulled out a light basket of doggie treats. "Mabari!" He called, and the mabari slowly woke up, stretching her limbs out before making her way to Cyrion. "Come, girl!" He commanded and threw a treat to her, to which she caught in her mouth with ease. "Alright, I'm off. I'll see you all at dinner." Cyrion announced.

"Wait!" Tabris shouted. She handed Soris his daughter, and got up to pull another basket out of the cabinet. "I made this for you for lunch." She said, as she moved to hand her father the basket. Her father gave her a grateful smile, and then turned to leave with her mabari in tow.

Just then, the door swung open and in walked Wenna. "Good morning!" she greeted. She walked around the table and planted a kiss on Tathas's forehead. She took the baby from Tabris, and excused herself to the bedroom, so she could feed Tathas.

Suddenly, Shianni stood up from her seat, hastily making her way to the door. "Where are you going?" Tabris questioned.

"To train!" She yelled over her shoulder, and just like that she was gone.

That reminded her. "Do you plan on training as well?" Tabris asked Soris.

"I have to help Leyah again today." Soris answered her.

"How are you supposed to help her if you can't fight? What if something happens?"

Soris paused. She did have a point. With what little soldiers there was, bandits were always trying to make a move. He most definitely should polish up on his skills. He finished off his breakfast and downed the last of his orange juice. "Alright, let me just tell Leyah I won't be able to come in to work today." He said. He placed a kiss on his daughter's head before leaving out the door.

Tabris collected all of the dishes and put them in a bin. She wasn't scheduled for court until a couple of days. Until then, she was enjoying spending time with her family.

The request had bore success. Cousland had promised pay even to those who needed to be taught, and room and board for those who needed it. Many of the recruits were elven and some were even, to her surprise, children.

"Thank you for coming." She shouted over the crowd. She was grateful that none of them went running for the hills after seeing the state of the castle. "I would like to ask you guys to form two groups. those looking to be soldiers in one and servants in another." She watched as five people separated themselves from group, hoping that they were the ones here to be servants.

Fergus came up beside Cousland to address the crowd next. "Soldiers, come with me and servants, stay with my sister." Relief swept over Cousland's face as she watched the bigger group follow Fergus to the main hall.

She focused her attention to the elves standing before her. "May I know your names?" She requested.

"My name is Nessa, and these are my parents." A ginger-haired girl said, and motioned to two gray haired elves behind her.

A blonde elf stepped up next, she recognized her immediately as her old servant. "Nesiara, my lady."

Cousland nodded her head, then turned her attention to the last elf. "Is this your daughter?" she asked, very surprised to see a child.

Nesiara shook her head, never having seen the child before. "My name is Amethyne." The child said.

Cousland nodded her head. She figured the child was either an orphan or the only one physically capable to provide for her family. She wasn't going to turn her away knowing there were worst paths for the child to walk. "Ok, Amethyne, you can be my special little helper." she whispered to the girl, giving her a wink. "As you can see this place is in pretty bad shape. You four will work together, then I will assign you, your individual jobs." She addressed the group. Cousland turned and started towards the main hall, Amethyne close behind her.

I'll have the elder lady cook, the elder man tend to the livestock...hm, maybe Nessa and Nesiara can clean and do the laundry. It was a good thing there was only a handful a soldiers. They weren't an army, but big enough to go up against bandits or to be considered a small, mercenary group. The livestock wasn't looking too good either, another thing she would have to invest in. They only had one druffalo.

Cousland turned to Amethyne. Maybe she can assist the cook, but right now...oh! She took a sharp turn, the main hall no longer being her destination. "Would you help me replant my garden?" That wasn't too bad right? They're just going to dig out the dead shrubs and plant new ones.

Amethyne nodded her head. She scanned the dead bodies as she walked through the castle, grateful that she was lucky enough to escape the ire of the darkspawn.

Aeducan sat on the steps of the newly, introduced chantry. She was waiting for Rica. With the news of a rebellion being plotted, she had to cover as much ground as possible. She sent Sade to investigate House Bemot and Meino, and Shadya to investigate House Ivo and Gavorn. All these were houses who supported her brother. She believed these houses were the reason she wasn't given a fair trial and, thus were partially to blame for her exile. While House Helmi, Dace, Ortan, and Vollney supported Harrowmont; thus she had no reason to suspect them of anything.

Aeducan stood from her position, recognizing a certain redheaded brand cautiously coming towards her. "Rica?" she questioned.

The redhead nodded her head. "How do you know me?" She sounded nervous.

Aeducan stepped down from the stairs, motioning Rica to follow her. "I'm a friend." She assured her. She led the casteless dwarf to Tapster's Tavern, and ordered them both a mug of mead. She led her to a table in the far back, sitting where she can be able to watch if anyone tries to come near. "How are you? Is your drink okay?"

Rica nodded her head as she sipped from her cup. "Why did you want to meet me?" She asked, in a hushed tone.

"I'm hoping we can help each other." She answered, looking around. She didn't know how to go about this, but she also didn't want it to take up too much of her time. "How do you like staying at the Gavorn's." By studying the brand, Aeducan can tell she was very nervous and scared. She had to think of something to put her at ease. "You can trust me."

"They're great, better than living in Dust Town." came Rica's short reply.

"And the baby?" Rica stood up immediately at the mention of her baby, ready to make a quick exit. Aeducan shot up with her, taking her wrist to keep her from fleeing. "I mean neither of you harm! I just want to help."

Rica looked to Aeducan, considering her words and searching her face for any signs of deception. When she was convinced the woman before her was genuine she retook her seat at the table. "Who are you?"

"I am Sereda of the servant's caste." It was a lie, but Aeducan couldn't trust her to not run back and report to the Gavorn's. "I'm investigating Trian's death on behalf of an Aeducan." She explained, honestly.

"Oh." Rica lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact with Aeducan. "I don't know anything. I can't help you."

Aeducan gave Rica a solemn expression. "Please?" She was at a loss for words. She couldn't think of anything to say to convince this brand she was in no danger of her. "The Gavorn's will not know you talked. If that is what you fear, you are welcome to join me at the royal palace." She hoped this was enough to convince Rica to confide in her.

Rica scanned the area around them. "I do know that days before the feast, Bhelen was meeting with quite a few people." She whispered.

"Do you know who exactly he was meeting?"

Rica shrugged, taking a sip of her mead. "Beraht" the crime boss, "someone from the warrior caste" no surprise there, "and a mercenary, from the surface, I believe."

Aeducan perked up at this. If someone from the surface was involved, it would most definitely complicate things. How does she expect to find a mercenary topside? She didn't have time to question every surfacer. The search would be endless. "Can you tell me who he met with in the warrior caste?" If anybody knew this topsider, it was the people he was meeting with. She'll just have to narrow it down.

"Bald, green eyes, brown-braided beard."

Aeducan let out an exasperated sigh. That didn't help anything. "Okay, how did you know Bhelen was meeting with these people?"

"I had a sibling who used to work for the crime boss." That's how she knew he was meeting with Beraht.

"What about the warrior?" She pressed.

"I was on my way to meet him. He was with his second when I seen them come in here, so I followed them." Rica told her.

"Here? They met in here?" Now Aeducan understood why Rica was so nervous. There weren't only spies in here, but one of the culprits could actually be in here as well. Aeducan quickly did a survey of the room, scrutinizing every visible face. None were outright looking their way, but she could tell many were straining themselves to get a ear in on their conversation. "Did you see or hear anything regarding the conversation being had?" Rica shook her head. That was as much as she knew. Nothing more, but it did help in her investigation, greatly. At first, she thought Ivo's betrayal was from fear of Bhelen, but he was plotting against her from the start. Had she known, she would have never let him have the reward of the proving, or have him accompany her, of course. "Thank you, Rica. You have been a great help."

Rica nodded her head and finished off her mead. She took a shaky breath as she looked to Aeducan. Her face looked terrified. Aeducan immediately straightened, alarmed, doing another survey of the area. Her eyes quickly landed on a dwarf with an ale in his hands staring at her hard. "I have to go." She heard Rica say.

Aeducan nodded her head. "Some twins will meet with you to escort you." She told Rica, her voice barely above a whisper. "We talked about the baby, and nothing else."

Rica nodded her head, and scurried out of the tavern without a second thought. Aeducan grabbed her mug and gulped down the rest of her mead, her gaze never leaving the fully armored dwarf. She had a dagger in each of her boots, but wouldn't be able to hold against him in her servant's uniform. Preferring not to be confronted in the tavern, she quickly made a beeline for the exit.

Surana looked upon the land that used to be Lothering. She knew it had been destroyed some time ago, but couldn't resist the urge to come visit it. This is where she was born, and the only home she knew outside of the circle.

"How do you suppose to find anything amongst this rubble?" Her roguish companion asked.

Surana turned to Zevran. "You're right. This place is completely desolate. I just thought, maybe, by being here, it would jog a bit of my memory." Surana slumped her shoulders in defeated. The last thought she had of her mother was a dream she had a few years back. It was the same recurring dream being all she remembered, but nothing of what was said. "You think the people here were able to escape?"

"I would like to imagine, although, I wouldn't bet on it." Zevran offered to her. "So, what do you wish to do now?"

Surana shrugged. "This was a waste of time." She muttered.

"Come now." Zevran cooed as he rubbed Surana's shoulders. "We cannot stay in one place. Let us go north."

Surana nodded her head. She fell in step with Zevran as she followed him north. "I really like you're accent. Where are you from?"

Zevran smirked at her. "I hail from the great Antiva. Such a gem, she is. I would show you her someday, if you wish."

Surana smiled at Zevran. "That sounds like a great idea. It would be nice to travel the world."

"We do have that chance, seeing as we are both on the run." Speaking of which, Surana slowed down her steps. "What is wrong?" Zevran asked, when he noticed her slow down.

When Surana left the circle, she knew she would have to move around a lot, but it seems traveling with Zevran, she would have to stay on her toes. "Those men who attacked us weren't templars."

"So it seems, unless they were simply undercover." Zevran shrugged.

Surana squinted her eyes at him. "You said they were after you."

"As did you." Zevran countered. He turned on his heel, and continued walking along the dirt path.

Surana scampered after him. She wasn't about to let him off scotch free. "Stop dancing around the question. I'm traveling with you, so I deserve to know."

She watched as Zevran considered her. He has to know that she's right. If they're caught by the templars, only she would be dragged back to the circle and made tranquil, but if they come across whoever's hunting him, she could be caught in the crossfire. "I agreed to travel with you, but only for a time. If this is conditional, then you may go off on your own."

Surana slumped her shoulders, giving up for the time being. She looked west to where Redcliffe Village was directed. She expected Eadric to be there looking to visit his mom. "Before we go north, can we stop by Redcliffe Village?" She asked.

Zevran followed her gaze, and gave her a small nod before they started off in that direction.

Shianni had taken up residency in Valendrian's old house. She had spent the night at her cousins' house out of excitement of Tabris being back, not wanting the night to end, at the time. Although she wanted to spend more time with Tabris before she had to leave again, there was work that needed to be done. She went home to grab a basket of food she had made before going to her Uncle Cyrion's house. After she grabbed it, she quickly made her way to the warehouse, passing the training grounds on her way. She wouldn't admit it, but she was eager to see the Arishok. She found herself drawn to him, since she first laid eyes on him. The door to warehouse swung open upon her arrival. Shianni jumped back, slightly in surprise. "Enter." A voice came from the other side.

Shianni walked in with her head held high. Her heart jumped in excitement as her eyes settled on the Arishok. "Arishok." She greeted. "I've brought you some food. I made it myself."

The Arishok rose from his seat and made his way to the front, motioning for Shianni to follow him. They came to a stop in front of a table and Arishok sat himself at the head of the table. Shianni took the seat adjacent from him and set up his plate in front of him. The Arishok just sat still, staring at the food silently. Noticing his hesitation, Shianni took his fork and took a bite out of his food. "Safe to eat. See?" She encouraged in between bites. "Tasty, too, if I do say so myself." She handed him back his fork, so he could eat, and took out a bottle of wine to pour a glass for them both. Shianni settled the cups in front of them and took a sip of her own wine. She knew the Arishok was enjoying his meal, but she didn't think it would bother him if she asked him a question. "What does it mean when one of your people gifts someone half the tooth of a dragon as a necklace."

The Arishok remained silent as he chewed on his food. He took a sip of wine before directing his attention to Shianni. "The Necklace of Kadan, it is a symbol of commitment. 'Though our bodies may be apart, our souls are as one."

"Together forever, like...a ring, a marriage ring." Shianni looked in awe at the Arishok. From what her cousin told her, the qunari were a very disciplined people. There was a certain way for things to be done, and a reason as to why. She would have never thought the qunari to be so sentimental. "The qunari present these necklaces to each other instead of rings?"

"It is not marriage, there is no ceremony. It is simply a gift, a symbol of commitment, a promise."

Shianni propped her elbows on the table and drew her hands together under her chin. "Wouldn't a better symbol be an offspring?" She questioned, very interested in knowing what the qunari think of babies. As a disciplined people, she expected the only reason qunaris had babies were to reproduce.

"If they are lucky, 'though it is rare." Shianni gave him a quizzical look. She wondered why two people in, what she would call, love couldn't be together, much less have a baby with each other. The Arishok continued eating his food, unperturbed by Shianni's silence. He knew outsiders had different ways than the Qun, that he himself couldn't begin to understand. "If one has the pleasure of having a partner, it is assigned. Otherwise, we procreate with whom the qun decides for us."

Shianni slumped her shoulders. She was right, even partners and sex were critically based desicions, but why was she disappointed? The same could be said for her own people, right? Almost. "Similar to the elves of an alienage. Our partners are chosen for us by our parents or the Elder. I'm not sure how the dalish marry, however."

"Your brethren who walk the forest." The Arishok recalled. He seemed to be really interested in these group of people, but Shianni only knew so much from what her cousin told her.

"They seemed only a myth to the elves of the alienage. Only two of our kind had, had the pleasure of actually meeting them. The shopkeeper, Alarith and my cousin, Tabris."

"Is there a difference between your people and the elves who walk the woods?" The Arishok had finished his food and was now sipping on his wine.

"I wouldn't think so, but apparently the dalish think differently. They see us as no different than the humans because they think we have abandoned the old ways of our ancestors. They call us flat-ears." Shianni was crushed when she learned this, especially after hearing how amazing they were.

"There are also those who have also abandoned the qun. We call them tal-vashoth." The Arishok spoke.

Shianni locked her gaze with his. "It seems our people have more in common than we think."

Aeducan took a quick glance to her right before she went left and made her way towards Dust Town. Relief flooded through her body when she seen Sade had stayed behind to wait for her. As she expected, the warrior followed her out of the tavern. Aeducan strode across the dust plains to an empty alleyway where no one can intervene or watch the interaction. She quickly drew her daggers from her boots when she saw the warrior come into her view, Sade hot on his heels. A fight instantly broke out between the the three with Aeducan on the defense. She knew this couldn't go on too long without drawing any attention. She needed to figure out a way to knock him out without killing him. She cast her gaze to Sade who met it with a single nod. Sade had done considerable damage to the warrior, enough to draw his attention away from Aeducan. Aeducan took the opportunity to run off and find a huge rock to smash over the warrior's head. "Aeducan!" Sade called, trying to catch her breath.

"Help me tie him up." She ordered. After he was tied, the two ladies dragged him to an abandoned home that use to belong to Rica and Kalah.

"Who is this man and why did he attack you?" Sade asked.

Aeducan pointed to the crest on his helmet. "Warrior caste." She answered. "Who's insignia is this?"

Sade observed the crest. "The warriors of Haver, that is their emblem."

Aeducan had a sneaky suspicion about this warrior. She removed his helmet from his head. "Bring Rica, she may know who he is. Then, I want his quarters searched. When he wakes up prepare him for questioning." Sade nodded her head, and turned to leave. "Wait", Aeducan called. "Tell me what news you have learned."

"Both houses were promised a boon if Lord Bemot and Lord Meino ruled against a fair trial for you. I have retrieved the papers." Aeducan put her hand out as Sade handed her the papers. She remember them at her feast trying to persuade her father into trading contacts with Kal-Sharok, completely against tradition. It seems they had similar goals with Bhelen. She supposed she couldn't fault Lord Bemot and Lord Meino for Trian's death. It seems they weren't involved in his murder, just used the opportunity to get their wish.

"Very good, anything else?" She questioned, as she skimmed through the contract.

Sade nodded and took a huge gulp. "It seems Trian was accompanied to the deep roads by men from both houses of Ivo and Gavorn."

"Yet, he was found alone."

"The men were tasked to lead Trian to the intercross and jump him." They attacked him. "After Trian was killed they were to quickly return to Orzammar."

"No." Aeducan whispered, turning to Sade. "Bhelen wouldn't risk the guards seeing men return from the deep roads without the king's party. They were with him. They were his men."

"But, Aeducan, Bhelen may have planned it, but his men were with the king."

"And Trian's were with the wardens. Follow me, Sade." Aeducan needed her to keep up with what she was saying. "Trian and Bhelen's teams were made up of men from Houses Ivo and Gavorn, and the warriors of-" She looked down at the helmet in her hands, remembering the warriors back then had the same insignia on their helmets, "Haver." It wasn't a clear picture, but the pieces were slowly coming together. She just had to figure out where the carta fit into all of this. She didn't believe a group of casteless thugs could best Trian.

"There is one more thing. It seems a few members of the carta were spared. They may know the detail of the contract between Beraht and Bhelen."

"Where do I find them?"