Waking to find Duncan's bed empty, Ana sits up in her cot. Regardless of being the only one in the slowly brightening tent, she self-consciously pulls the thin blanket up around her chest and looks around her. Outside the tent, she can already hear people going about their business. She could even hear Duncan's guards quietly speaking with one another just outside the tent flaps.

Slipping off her cot, she quickly strips off Duncan's sleep shirt and redresses in her clothes from before. Exiting the tent, she winces as the early morning sun glints off a passing templar's armor and raises her eyes to shield herself. Turning from the blinding light, she turns to look at one of the guards standing watch. "Excuse me"

He turns and looks at her through the slit in his helmet. "Yes Miss?"

"Where has the Warden-Commander gone?"

"He's in the training yard with the other Wardens, Miss." The younger of the two guards says from behind her. "He should be back within an hour or two."

"I see…" She says before pausing. "Did he speak of anything I was supposed to do?"

They exchange a glance before the first one shakes his head. "Not that I'm aware of. Perhaps you could head down to the mess tent. I believe they're still serving breakfast to the late morning patrol."

Nodding, she raises her chin. "When Duncan returns, inform him that I'll be near the entry way of the camp if he needs me."

They nod and Ana heads out toward the mess tent as they had suggested. As she gets closer, she can smell the bacon, eggs and fresh bread and feels her stomach grumble with expectation.

When she arrives, a long line of soldiers in royal army livery, a couple Grey Wardens and lay sisters talk amongst themselves as they await their turn. Ana groans and comes to the back of the line. Crossing her arms over her chest, she checks every few seconds for any progress and groans each time, receiving looks from the others ahead of her. Impatient, she taps one of the lay sisters on the shoulder. Their conversation stops as the woman turns around.

"Yes, my child?" She asks.

"Forgive me, sister." Ana smiles sweetly. "I'm really hungry and I'm in a bit of a rush…"

"The line is moving up." The other sister says, looking Ana over. "You'll just need to wait. We're all hungry."

"Sister Augustine…" The older one chides.

"Yeah, I know but it's going really slow." Ana interrupts. "I need to go ahead of you and –"

"No." Sister Augustine says, her brows creasing. "You can wait your turn just like the rest of us. Maker bless you."

Before Ana can interrupt again, both sisters turn away from her.

Slowly but surely, the line dwindles until finally it's her turn.

"Finally!" She mutters, stepping up. The woman begins to ask her what she wants when she notices her. Her cheerful smile falls.

"Oh, it's you."

Ana steps back slightly as though hit. "Excuse you?" She hisses, putting her hands on her hips as she looks down her nose at the woman. "Do you have a problem with me?"

Receiving only an impatient look, Ana rolls her eyes. "Okay then. I'll have—"

Casually, the woman takes the stack of nearby plates away. "Actually, we're all out and no longer serving."

"Yes, you are. You were just serving people before me."

She shrugs. "We're all out."

"Listen, I'm a friend of the king." Ana snips. "I need to eat something so I can—"

"That's too bad." The woman sneers. "We're all out of whatever you want." Turning to look behind her she yells for the next person.

"Wait!" Ana frowns. "But I haven't eaten! I need food!"

The woman shrugs nonchalantly. "That's not my problem. Move along."

Once more, the woman calls for the next person as Ana's stomach once more gives a defiant grumble. Somebody behind her tells her to move along and she glances around at the unfriendly eyes looking at her from the nearby tables and line behind her. As she turns to look at the woman once more, she gets shoved forward by the person behind her and almost trips before shooting them a glare. Angry tears prickle her eyes as she steps off to the side before finally leaving.

Tears begin to blur her vision as she blindly flees the mess tent. Half-way across the courtyard, she hears the faint incantations of a preaching chantry mother in the distance. Pausing, she wipes her eyes and looks around until she sees the small raised platform erected behind a large Andraste statue surrounded by a small crowd of people gathered around the cleric. Ana slowly makes her way toward it, listening to the woman's words as they carry through the open area. "Through blinding mist, I climb. A sheer cliff, the summit shrouded in fog, the base endlessly far beneath my feet. The Maker is the rock to which I cling." She intones. "I cannot see the path. Perhaps there is only abyss. Trembling, I step forward, in darkness enveloped."

Ana comes to stand with the group of people who nod and mutter in agreement to the woman's words. She watches the woman as she inhales a shaky breath and listens. The woman's eyes flick to each person as she speaks until her eyes fall on the young woman standing near the edge of the group, her eyes red and her face full of sorrow. She smiles at her. "I am not alone." She says. "Even as I stumble on the path with my eyes closed, yet I see the light is here."

Long after the woman's sermon, when the others had slowly broken off to get back to their tasks, Ana walks around to look up at the carved statue of the prophetess herself. Even through centuries of weathering, the statue's face seems to be untouched as her kind gaze look down with her hand outstretched to those in need. Now Ana, betrayed and alone, kneels before her, closing her eyes as she clasping her hands before her and bows her head in prayer.

Maker, my enemies are abundant. Many are those who rise against me but my faith sustains me; I shall not fear the legion, should they set themselves against me.

Ana feels the tears once more welling up in her eyes.

Andraste, I beg you to bless and guard my loved ones from all harm to which my enemies will rain down them upon them and keep them safe so that they may all return to me.

"I've never seen you on your knees before."

With an irritated sigh, Ana opens her eyes to glare at Alistair standing beside her. The sun glints off his armor and the sheen of sweat coating his reddened face and neck. "What?" She hisses.

"I didn't mean it as a bad thing! It's good to see you on your knees before me. I mean, him." His face reddens. "I mean, praying…. before him— him being the Maker."

Ana rises back to her feet and brushes the dirt from her knees as an embarrassed Alistair continues to nervously ramble.

"I just mean, I've never seen you pray before while here." He says finally, muttering a curse under his breath.

"I've only been here for less than a day." She points out, turning away. He starts after her and reaches out to touch her arm before she spins around to face him. "What do you want?" She growls. "Don't you have some Warden thing to do?"

"I was just training with the others."

"So?" She sneers.

He reaches up to rub the back of his neck nervously. "So, I was going to head to the mess tent and… I was wondering if you would like to…join me."

Recalling the embarrassment from earlier, Ana shakes her head. "No, thank you." She lies. "I'm not hungry."

Alistair frowns as she turns and begins to walk away from him. "Oh. Okay…" He calls. "Maybe another time."

Time moves at a crawl as Ana inconspicuously stalks around the camp in search of something to eat. Her stomach growls in retaliation as she turns away from the succulent looking apple and dark bread left on the plate near the snoozing guard. He sits on a chest while a tranquil man works away at a table.

I am not a thief. She chides herself. I am the Teyrn's daughter. Surely, I'll be able to find some food somewhere.

She walks around, pretending as though she's on her way to do something when a sudden breeze wafts the smell of roasting meat past her and she feels her stomach knot up, her stomach begging for sustenance. "Maker's breath…" She groans, her eyes fluttering closed at the delicious scent. She pauses beside one of the pillars near the edge of the camp and leans against it. Her mouth waters as visions of platters of succulent roasted chicken and duck, seasoned to perfection with rosemary and thyme. She licks her lips as she envisions the knife sliding through it and the juices dripping down onto the platter…

"I wouldn't recommend doing that in public if I were you."

Ana's eyes snap open as her eyes dart toward where a bearded man with black hair leans up against a fence, his arms crossed over his broad chest and a smug grin on his handsome face. She feels her cheeks burn.

"I don't know what you're referring to." She says quickly, raising her chin. He imitates her, closing her eyes and licks his lips. Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, she purses her lips in attempt to suppress the embarrassed giggle rising to her lips. He opens his eyes once more and smirks.

"By the way you're blushing, I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." Pushing away from the fence, he comes to stand before her. "Not that it wasn't incredibly enticing to watch. However, most of these men, including those in your order, have not seen their wives and girlfriends for some time now. With the mage women locked away for the most part and the only others being from the chantry or part of the royal army…"

Ana raises a hand. "I get what you mean." She states making him chuckle. As looks at him, her eyes narrowing as she tries to recall where she's seen him before. "Do we know each other?"

"In passing, My Lady." He says, receiving a confused look. The corners of his mouth curl upward. "My tit of a younger brother, Carver, ran into you when you were crossing the courtyard. I'm Nate. Nate Hawke."

"Ah yes." She replies, her face contorting as though she ate something foul. "I remember you two. What brings you here?" She motions around the mostly vacant area, dotted with crumbling archways, walls and what looks to have once been chapel of some sort. "It's a little creepy to have you scuttling around out here on your own."

"Scuttling, am I?' He snorts. "For your information, I was returning from my hunt in the forest across the bridge when I spotted you."

Hearing this, her eyes flick over to where he was stand where, sure enough, there sits a bow and two rabbits hanging out of a worn leather pack. Once more, the image of roasting meat fills her head making her mouth water as she can practically smell the delicious aroma. "You're allowed to hunt?" She asks, her eyes not leaving the pack.

"Of course. I usually prefer to kill and cook my own food when possible." He replies, watching Ana as she stares hungrily at his pack. He smiles. "Hey now. My eyes are of here."

Her eyes snap up at him. "Hm?"

He smiles. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes…" She says before quickly shaking her head. "I mean… No." She averts her gaze.

"I'm willing to share my game. Originally, I shot two in case Carver returned from his patrol early but, my luck, he'd just end up eating in the mess tent with the others." He shrugs. "I have enough and considering that you probably haven't eaten today…"

She looks at him, her eyes wide. "What? No! I have. I just—"

"Ana, I know you're being starved out."

Eyes narrowing, she glares at him. "How dare you make accusations! I—"

He cuts her off my holding up his hands in surrender. "Relax. That wasn't a judgement. It was just an observation." Her face changes to confusion and he continues. "I was there in the mess tent when you and that other Warden were getting food last night. Carver and I had just returned from a patrol with the others and we went there to eat. Today, I overheard the cooks talking about some stuck up princess demanding fancy food and how they no longer will serve you." She glares at him once more and he raises his hands ahead of him. "Again, not a judgement, just an observation."

Pursing her lips, she averts her gaze as the heat rises to her cheeks. "I should go…"

"Hey…" Nate frowns. "I didn't bring it up to embarrass you. I could use some company while I cook. You are free to join me if you wish and will get some juicy rabbit out of it." He smiles. "What do you say?"

Crossing her arms over her chest, she eyes the pack once more as she debates whether or not she should take him up on his offer. Hunger pangs cloud her thoughts as she feels her mother's dagger on her belt.

Leaning against the pillar beside her, Nate waits patiently and examines his nails.

Overwhelmed by her need of food, Ana then straightens and raises her chin. "Very well. I would like to dine with you, Ser Hawke."

"Glad to hear it, Princess!" He chuckles, straightening. "Also, you can just call me Nate."

Retrieving his pack and bow from the fence, he motions for her to follow. "Come on. Carver and I set up in one of the ruins not far from here."

She follows him as he weaves in and out of the crumbling structures moving further and further from the main area of the camp. Taking notice of decline of other people, she starts to feel a flicker of worry. "We're quite a ways from the main camp." She comments, glancing warily around at the deserted ruins around them, the crumbled pillars and remnants of structures almost resembling tombstones. Stopping near a semi-intact archway, she frowns as she looks back the way they came. "On second thought, I should probably return to my Commander's tent. I'm sure Duncan will be wonder where I am…"

Picking up on the underlying worry in her tone, Nate turns around to face her. "Well, we're here." He announces, motioning to the two tents flanking a small campfire. Removing his pack and quiver, he sets them near one of the logs beside the fire and retrieves his two rabbits. "If you're uncomfortable, you're more than welcome to head back to the main camp." Nate says, motioning back the way they come.

Reaching for her dagger under her cloak, she remains where she is. "Why are you so far from the main camp?" She asks. "And be honest with me."

Sitting down on the log, he places one of the rabbits on his lap and looks up at her. "Honestly? It wouldn't be a good idea for me to be so close."

She swallows but manages to keep her voice even. "Why?"

He sighs. "Can you keep a secret?"

Like what? How many bodies are buried nearby? She thinks. She nods. "Yes."

Turning to face the fire, Nate holds out his hand, palm up. Before Ana has a chance to ask what he's doing, a small ball of fire appears at the center of his palm. Turning to her, he smiles as her eyes widen and she backs up against the archway. "Don't worry, Ana." He says. "I won't hurt you." As he says this, he turns his palm over and Ana watches as the fall turns into a stream of fire that envelops the stacked wood in the campfire. His hand extinguishes and he motions for her to sit on the log opposite of him. Remaining where she is, she looks between him and the fire.

"You're…. a mage." She mutters, her brows drawn together. "But… where's your staff?" Her eyes dart over the little camp.

"I don't carry one." He shrugs. "I prefer to be known as a warrior and wield a sword."

"But… you're a mage." Ana repeats, lamely.

He nods. "Yes, I think we covered that with the flames coming out of my hand thing."

Slowly crossing toward the log he offered to her, she sits down and watches him with a perplexed expression over the flames. "You're an apostate." She breathes. "That's why you don't want to be near the main camp; because of the templars."

"Now you're catching on, Princess." He chuckles. Pulling out his dagger, he starts working on his rabbit.

She looks at him flatly. "I'm not a Princess."

"Mhm."

"I'm not!" She pouts. "I'm—"

She instantly clamps her mouth shut which earns a curious glance from her companion.

"Yes?" He smirks. "You're what?"

She bites her lip as she tries to determine whether or not she should reveal herself. After all, he just revealed a huge secret to her.

"If it helps, I'm obviously very good at keeping secrets." He smirks.

She looks at him through the flames. "Why do you always call me, My Lady?"

"You carry yourself like a noblewoman for one." He shrugs with a smirk. "After I called you it the first time, you didn't correct me. Many women tend to correct such things. Also, from the way you acted in the mess tent, it's apparent you're used to better treatment."

She sighs. "You're right." Her eyes flick up to meet his. "I'm of noble birth. Well…" She looks down at her hands as she feels the tears starting to well up. "I was. I'm not sure what I am now."

"If you don't my asking, did something happen? Lost fortune or something?"

"Something like that." Ana shrugs. "Have you heard of Bryce Cousland?"

"Yeah." He nods. "He's the Teyrn of Highever, I believe. Is he a relation of yours?"

She nods. "He was my father."

Hearing this, his brows draw together. "Was?"

She doesn't speak but instead nods. Pausing his cleaning of his rabbit, he watches her through the flames and frowns. Poor girl. Something must have happened but it would be best not to pry. Perhaps I can ask her about it at a later time. He clears his throat which makes her look up. Captivated for a moment by the way her blue eyes seem to glow in the firelight, he almost forgets what he was going to say next. He plasters a smile on his face. "I hope you don't mind my asking, My Lady, but do you have anybody special waiting for you back in Highever?"

Sniffling, she lets a chuckle escape. "Maker, do you hit on every woman in Ostagar?"

"Of course not!" He exclaims with feigned offense before smirking. "Only the incredibly beautiful ones." He winks.

He smiles as she chuckles again. "It's complicated." She says. "He was a knight who worked for my father. Our castle was attacked and we fled." She says, her smile falling as sadness begins to take its place. "We had to split up and now I'm waiting to see if he'll show up here. We're supposed to join the Grey Wardens together."

"Sounds like quite the story." Nate says with a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure he'll be here soon."

"I pray that you're right."