As they were wandering back towards the Keep, Sigrun was taking in the fresh air and was even smelling a tree.

"Mmm… tress smell good," she said blissfully. She then began sniffing anything she came across. "Grass smells good, too. And flowers, of course. The surfaces for of such wonderful smells. In the Deep Roads, all you smell is moist rock or dry earth. And darkspawn. There's a smell I won't miss."

He chuckled slightly. "You won't have to do. We smell them all the time."

"Unfortunately," she muttered. "The only thing worse than is the smell of darkspawn is the smell of broodmothers. Now there's a foulness that cannot be described." She then looked back at the trees. "But trees… tress smell good."

A few hours later, they reached the fortress, and at once, he approached Varel.

"We've got ourselves a new recruit," he said.

"Then I'll clear the room," said Varel.

A few moments later, he was standing in front of Sigrun and handed her the goblet.

"For this moment fourth, Sigrun, you are a Grey Warden," said Ragnar.

"Then let it be," she said as she drank.

Ragnar took the goblet away from her, and they watched. Seconds later, she collapsed, and he quickly examined her and was relieved to see that she was perfectly fine.

Once Varel had cemented to take Sigrun to a room, he immediately called for Sir Timothy; he had promised that he would make things up to him for losing the bridge. Since there was a very strong possibility that the Assembly would take steps to re-conquer Kal'Hirol and ifs they are successful, that would open new trade routes.

After making sure Sigrun was nice and comfortable in a bed, he went down to Herren and Wade. He handed over all the metals he found, and they informed him that they could make the best armour for his soldiers. Though reluctant, Wade began to forge new armour and weapons for the soldiers in the keep.

He then returned to see how Sigrun was doing and discovered that she was up and about looking quite excited. Once she saw him, she practically ran up to him.

"It's much easier fighting darkspawn on the surface," she said excitedly. "On a clear day, you can see leagues. I once heard a contraption known as a… hmm, a spyglass. I think it is called? My friend Varlan says they let you see distant enemies as though they were right beside you. Is that true? It sounds like magic."

Ragnar chuckled and rummaged through his things. "I have a spyglass right here."

Sigrun eagerly snatched it. "Oh! Oh, it's exactly as Varlan described? But shinier!" She then looked up at him, slightly nervous. "May I… keep it? I know I shouldn't. We're not supposed to have belongings in the Legion."

"Well, Grey Wardens are allowed to have things."

"As you say, Commander. Thank you!"

He met up with Anders in the mess, and judging by the way he was standing, he had been waiting for him for quite some time.

"May I point out that you're all right?" he said.

Ragnar shrugged. "Go ahead."

"You're all right," he then looked at him seriously. "Really, when the templars came for me, you could have decided I wasn't worth the trouble. But I apparently worth the trouble. Considering I'm usually a lot of trouble, I should be grateful."

Ragnar crossed his arms. "Oh, you're not so much trouble."

Anders smiled. "When you recruited me, I thought I was jumping from the frying pan into the fire. But being a Warden is almost tolerable. It's a pleasant stroll through the park—with darkspawn!"

"So glad I could make it happen for you."

"Your giver. I'm very grateful. I thought it was worth mentioning. Thank you, Commander. For everything."

He decided to meet up with Velanna and discover the means of her exile.

"Are you at all curious about my exile?" she asked as he wandered over towards.

Ragnar frowned. "Yes, very."

"The humans near where you met me were trying to drive my clan away. For a while, we resisted. Then they tried to burn us out. They would have destroyed the entire forest just to keep us from their farms," she said bitterly. "The others were afraid. Keeper Ilshae said that if I wanted to fight the shemlens, I should fight them alone."

Ragnar sighed. "And you left, even though it hurt you?"

"I think Ilshae expected me—wanted me—to back down, but I was too prideful and too angry. Thus I called Ilshae a coward, and I turned away from the clan."

"Did others follow you?"

"Seranni only fold me in the hopes of changing my mind. A few others wanted what I wanted and left with us. They are dead now."

Ragnar nodded. "Hatred has a great way of hurting those you're sworn to protect. It happens with Zathrian and Drago, great leaders who let their hatred get the best of them and others suffered because of it."

Velanna turned away from him. "Come, there is no point in dwelling on the past when there is work to be done."

He was wandering through the library and then found Sigrun looking at all the books on the shelves and looked at him.

"Wow. I've never seen so many books in my life," she said.

"They're all at your disposal," said Ragnar.

Sigrun happily grabbed one. "This one is a Vanan romance—pretty spicy, too, from the looks of it." She began to read through the pages and frowned. "What's an Antivan milk sandwich?" She continued reading, and then suddenly, her face turned pink. "Oh. Oh, I see. I'll just… put that back."

She then turned and looked at him. "I've only read one book. My friend Varlan taught me while we were in the Legion. He only had the one. He's dead now."

Ragnar crossed his arms and leaned against the bookcase. "Tell me about him."

"He was a noble, once. From House Vollney. I don't know why he ended up in the Legion. He wouldn't say." She then closed her eyes. "I saw death take my friends, knowing it would take him as well. I fought hard to keep us both alive. Varlan embraced the Legion's philosophy—that we were already dead. I couldn't let him go like that."

Ragnar closed his eyes and nodded. "Sounds like Varlan got what he wanted."

Sigrun smiled. "That's a nice way to think about it. Blow off the dust to find the veins of silver, huh?" She sighed and looked back at the bookcase. "If I'm going to get through all these books before the darkspawn find me, I need to get started."

He decided to leave her to it.

After handing Justice the lyrium ring he found in Kal'Hirol, Nathaniel his grandfather's bow, Velanna a blank journal and Wartihog Gateway pony, he decided to head towards the city with Sigrun, Anders and Wartihog to get supplies.

Their first stop was at the farms to help them with the darkspawn, but once they got there, they discovered that everyone had been killed. The only thing they could do was avenge their deaths by killing the remaining darkspawn.

Once they reached the city, they found the terrifying man, much to Sigrun took great delight just outside the gates. He returned the talisman to Colbert and Micah and headed on into the city.

They then entered the city itself and headed straight towards the market, and Sigrun looked around with great interest.

"Ooh! Fingers… twitching. So much shiny…"

He smiled at her. "We can buy anything you want."

She laughed. "I know better than to nick any of this. I was just… remembering. Growing up casteless in Dust Town, we took what we could get when we could get it." She sighed. "But that doesn't excuse what I was—a thief and a lying, rotten duster."

"I went down into Dust Town once, still can't understand why a proud race that the dwarfs treat their own kind so harshly. I mean, some of us Freefolk looked down upon the elves living in the city, but we never treat each other this harshly."

"I don't understand it either," Sigrun sighed. "But things can only improve now that King Bhelen is now on the throne."

"So long as he doesn't greedy with power," said Ragnar.

He had completely forgotten that Bhelen had betrayed his brothers, killing one and framing the other. They had run into Duran when they explored the Deep Roads, and he was lucky that he decided not to start a civil war.

They were walking up the hill when someone bumped into Sigrun. "Oh. Sorry about that, I—" She blinked. "Why, you ungrateful, backstabbing duster!"

He started to intercede, then glanced at his companion. She was staring as though she'd seen a ghost. "Sigrun, what's going on?"

"It's in the past. I don't think—"

The other dwarf stuck her jaw out at him. "Name's Mischa. I was a merchant until she ruined me." She was all but snarling. "I had her running errands. Trying to keep one duster out of trouble. I thought I was doing a good deed." She went back to glaring at Sigrun, folding her arms. "Then I hear House Bemot's lost a gold statuette of their Paragon. Next day, it turns up in my shop."

"Sigrun?"

"I… I tried to say no, but Beraht said he'd kill you if I refused! He needed to get rid of it!"

Ragnar had not met Beraht, but he had heard of him, and from what he heard, he wasn't exactly the pillar of nobility.

Mischa then began pushing a finger against Sigrun's chest. "House Bemot could have had me executed! You could've spoken up, told them the truth."

"And then Beraht would have killed me."

Ragnar quickly stepped in. "Sigrun has paid for her crime."

"I'm in the Legion of the Dead now. I'm going to die in the Deep Roads, Mischa."

Mischa just grunted. "I have to deliver these skins to the tanner. Need to make a living somehow. Out of my way, brand."

Sigrun sighed and looked at him. "It's in the past. We should move on, Commander."

He found Sigrun moping. It was a very odd expression on her face. She nodded when he approached. "I didn't think I'd ever see Mischa again. After all, she's exiled, and I'm in the Legion." She sighed. "Maybe the ancestors thought it would be funny to see me get yelled at on the street."

"She was too hard on you."

"No, she wasn't. It's all true." She leaned forward on the railing. "Mischa caught me stealing a leg of nug once, and instead of telling the shopkeeper, she… paid for it. She said the casteless turn to crime because we have no options. If she could help one casteless girl…" She rested her chin on the rail. "But I proved that I'm scum, just as they always said."

Ragnar crossed his arms. "Sigrun, I've seen firsthand what the Carta is capable of and from what I saw, you had no choice but to follow those orders."

"Doesn't change what I did."

Ragnar placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not the person you used to be."

"The Legion changes people. Some change for the better, others for the worse, but all of us change. I know now, having lost many friends, that friendship isn't something to be squandered." She brightened. "Perhaps I could make amends. Mischa said something about working for a tanner? I could visit, just to talk."

"I think we can look around."

"Thank you."

It took some doing, but they found where Mischa was working. They entered together and walked up to Mischa.

"You? Going to get me kicked out of Trader's Bay, too?"

Sigrun inhaled and then squared her shoulders. "I know that n-nothing I say will make things better, so I… want to give you this."

"A ring? What is this, a proposal? You're not my type." Mischa threw the words at Sigrun.

"It… it'll fetch a fair price, even on the surface. T-to help you rebuild your life."

Mischa turned the ring over in her hands. "This looks like the crest of House Vollney. Stole this off a noble, did you?"

Varlan's ring. Probably Sigrun's most prized possession. Ragnar put a hand on Sigrun's shoulder. "Keep the ring. I'll give Mischa some gold."

"How much are we talking? I reckon this thing's worth at least twenty sovereigns."

It was probably worth more than that. But it mattered to Sigrun. "Then take thirty."

Mischa's eyes nearly fell out of her head. She took the coins. "You've a true friend here, Sigrun. Try not to ruin it. And here's your ring—it must be important to you."

"It is. Thank you, Mischa."

"This will… go a long way. I could start another business. You've done right, Sigrun."

Sigrun made a happy grunting noise. She waited until Mischa walked away. "You didn't have to do that, Commander."

"No, but I needed to."

They soon returned to the keep, and Ragnar made his way over to Sigrun, who smiled at him as he entered.

"I need to thank you—for letting me join the Grey Wardens, for showing me the surface. But I hope you don't think I've abandoned the Legion."

Ragnar nodded. "I know you have not abandoned the Legion."

"In Dust Town, as I'm sure you know, my word meant nothing to anyone. Then I joined the Legion and took a vow to protect Orzammar. That's worth something. For once, I'm worth something. And I must honour that… even if it means I'll die."

Ragnar frowned. "That won't happen for a long time."

Sigrun gave him a sad look. "That's what worries me, Commander." She then took a deep breath and looked straight at him in the eye. "In the Legion, death looms over us constantly, like… like a dirty uncle. Here, death seems distant. When the surface is safe, I'm going back to the Deep Roads. For a Warden's last walk. For the Calling."

Ragnar's eyes widened. "You can't. It's not your time yet."

"You can't make that choice for me, Commander. Each Warden decides when she is ready, doesn't she? I finally understand what Varlan meant. I never accepted my sentence. Raging against it only caused me pain. Now that I've been granted a reprieve, now that I have a choice, I know what I must do."

Ragnar closes his eyes. "You've lost friends. I don't want to lose mine."

Sigrun looked taken aback. "I… I'm touched, but I've made up my mind." She then looked at him seriously. "But the darkspawn still threaten the surface, and that is my first concern."

Ragnar was walking past Wartihog's room when he heard him growl. "Sod it."

He stopped and poked his head into his room. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Stubbed my toe. Just one of those days. Actually, it's been one of those weeks." He sighed.

Ragnar started to keep walking and then stopped. "Would you like to talk?"

"This isn't going to make you think any less of me, is it?" He grunted. "Ah, who cares. I've just been thinking about Felsi and the nugget. Didn't do right by them, did I?"

"You're not a family man, Wartihog. Don't apologise for it."

Wartihog nodded. "I'm not Commander. The clay's been shaped and fired; nothing'll change me. I think Felsi knew, even if she never acknowledged it to herself. She knew I could never settle down again. I did once and… well, you know."

"It's done now. You can't go back."

"I know no point in beating myself over what I should have done for her." He sighed. "But the nugget… ah, that's got me all torn up inside, Commander. The little one won't understand."

He shook his head. There was the child to consider, and he knew from personal experience what it was like to grow up without a father. "There's no reason you can't be part of your child's life."

"Maybe I could visit once in a while, write some letters. That's the least I could do… as a father. And hey." He chuckled. "The little one will grow up thinking Daddy's a great hero."

"I'll even vouch for you."

"Oh, you… get going before I get misty-eyed. Go on."

"Commander," Wade's voice called out. "Commander!"

He walked over. The smith was smiling broadly. "Wade."

"It's done. My life's work. My greatest creations."

He blinked. He'd almost forgotten the items he'd left with the smith. Wade gestured grandly, and he followed. The golem armour was a work of art. Heavy plate, fitted together perfectly. He'd wager that once adjusted to fit someone, it would be nearly as easy to move in as leather. Wade claimed it was terrible and begged him not to tell anyone he'd made it.

The bow was well balanced, and Wade swore it would be as strong as an item crafted of aurum. He'd see what Nathaniel could do with it.

Then Wade handed him the sword. The hilt was unusual, crafted to look like a dragon, yet despite its ornamentation, it was functional. And it fit his hand perfectly. Sharp. Flexible. "It's incredible."

They were having dinner, and as he ate, Nathaniel glanced at Justice. Ragnar couldn't help but listen to their conversations. "Will you ever need to switch bodies, Justice?"

"I did not even wish to possess this one. Why would I switch to another?"

Kristoff's had been dead for days before the spirit had inhabited it. "You might need to. Unless you wish to look even more obviously like a corpse."

"I… would prefer not to think of it."

They had started back towards the Vigil when Justice spoke again. "This… thing you spoke of. Switching bodies."

"Not a favourite topic of yours, I take it?"

"Would such a thing be permitted? Would it not be considered… abominable?"

"If they're dead, it's not as if they need the body, Justice."

"But I can still feel the man who once lived. I know his life, his…" Justice shook his head. "It is not just a body."

"That's… good, isn't it?" Respect, rather than just a feeling of entitlement. He thought that sounded like the difference between a spirit and a demon. "I'd rather you felt that way."

"Perhaps you are right."

"What if you found a living body to possess?"

Justice stared at him. "Even if I knew how I would not possess the living. Such is an act for demons."

"What if the person were willing?" Ragnar now wished more than ever that he wasn't listening.

"Why would a mortal ever allow such a thing?"

"For life. For love. Perhaps together, you can do what they cannot do alone. If you gave instead of taking, I would consider you no demon."

"It is… something to consider. Thank you, Nathaniel."

Ragnar then decided that was the best time to leave and left with his food half-finished.

Nathaniel approached Ragnar, and it looked as if there was something he wanted to get off his chest.

"I owe you an apology," he said.

Ragnar raised his hands. "No need, it's fine."

Nathaniel shook his head. "There is a need. It's not fine." He took a deep breath. Clearly, this was difficult for him. "When I returned from the Free Marches, I was certain my family was destroyed for being on the wrong side of the war. But my father did it to himself. No conspiracies, just one stupid, selfish man. I should have known better."

Ragnar shook his head. "How could you have known?"

"I should have dug deeper—before I acted." He shook his head. "I was an idiot, and like a child, I blamed you and the Wardens. And here, you've even proven to be a friend of sorts. Or am I reading that wrong, too?"

Ragnar shook his head. "No, I'd like to be a friend."

Nathaniel smiled. "Good. You know, when you conscripted me, I would not have known I'd end up liking it. Anyway, let's be on our way. I don't want to take up more of your time."

Ragnar wondered around and found Justice pondering in deep thought. Apparently, he was able to sense his presence because he said, "I have been thinking of Aura, the mortal woman who was wife to Kristoff. I continue to envy their love. But envy is what a demon feels, a desire for something it cannot have."

"You aren't taking it from them. There's a difference," Ragnar pointed out.

"I… think I understand. You co-exist with both great darkness and great beauty. It must be confusing. Yet now, I find myself wishing it to be more. It is… enlightening. Thank you for bringing me to this world."

Ragnar smiled. "Thank you for remaining at my side."

Justice nodded in improvement. "Which I shall continue to do if you allow it. You have proven yourself a friend, Grey Warden. An example of all that is worthy in the mortal world. I am proud of what we will accomplish together."

Hiccup was now discussing trade arrangements with Celene, given that the south of Midgard was blighted land that was not going to be easy. On the other hand, he had established good relations with the dwarfs of Orzammar and the Freefolk Elves, but he was still in the very early stages.

"You have to understand my immediate priority has to be establishing homes and providing food for those who lost everything because of the Blight," said Hiccup.

"Naturally, but you don't seem to have a lot to trade with regretfully," said Celene smiling. "The sound of your country has suffered greatly because of the Blight, and as far as I understand it, farming has slowed down thanks to the Civil War. Additionally, I hear that bandits are roaming around attacking caravans a lot more frequently."

"I am trying to re-establish order, I've only been king for six months, and after the mess Drago caused, I'm actually surprised that we've been able to hold on. Thanks to him, the Treasury's practically empty, he spent all the coin hiring assassins to eliminate me, and they failed. I can't even ask for a refund as I was the target, not the client."

"Additionally, I hear that the darkspawn having retreated to the Deep Roads like they should have; in fact, I even hear rumours that there are new kinds of darkspawn terrorising the countryside."

"All true, but I have every confidence in my former brothers and sisters to solve the situation swiftly."

"So they have been reporting to you about what has transpired."

"Yes, and as far as I can tell, it seemed to be some sort of civil war with us caught in the middle. They verify the identities of the leaders of each fraction, and I imagine they are now coming up with a plan in order to eliminate."

"While I have every confidence in the Grey Wardens, I would hate to remind you that the Wardens that Commander Clarel sent have all been killed."

"According to reports, there was a cavern that led into the Deep Roads below the keep. And speaking from experience, the sheer number of the darkspawn can be overwhelming to even the Grey Wardens."

Celene nodded. "True, Grey Wardens may very well be able to end the Blight, but they are not as invincible as we would like them to be."

"What is a bit more concerning is that people still think the Grey Wardens are outdated. The fact that the Fifth Blight ended so swiftly and by only a handful of Grey Wardens hasn't exactly proved that we are needed."

"Neglecting the fact that it is the Grey Wardens that actually entered the Blight and the reason was ended so swiftly was because of your leadership. If anyone else had been there, I am certain that Midgard would have fallen."

"Ragnar and I barely survived the rules and for the untimely intervention of an urban legend. However, I believe that the Fifth Blight was only the beginning; I suspect another storm is coming we can only hope that we will be able to survive the aftermath."

"How can you be so certain that more danger will come?"

"Call it a hunch."