The gates open for the Warden and his recruits. "Maker's breath!" The guard standing nearby exclaims as he sees them. "You look like you've all been through hell." His brows furrow. "Wait… weren't there more of you?"
"There were." Alistair replies, grimly. He turns to the other two. "I imagine you're both hungry and exhausted. I'll take the blood you collected and you can go find some dry clothes and get something to eat."
Both men hand him their vials and Roderick lowers his voice. "Forgive me Warden but I don't have much for clothes given my circumstances. Do you know of a place I can possibly get some? I don't have too much money…"
"The chantry may have some. They may ask you for a donation." Alistair shrugs. "Either that our you can ask the royal army's quartermaster."
Roderick thanks him with a smile.
"So, when will the Joining be?" Jory asks. Roderick was just beginning to walk away but stops to hear Alistair's answer.
"That's up to Duncan. Preparations need to be made and I still have to inform him of Daveth's fate in the Wilds. As you have said, he deserves proper treatment. We'll summon you when the time comes for you all to go through your Joining."
As the men split up to go their own ways, Roderick starts toward the large chantry tent. The eternal flame is lit in the brazier ahead but the pews themselves are empty. Coming up to the large statue of Andraste, he kneels before it and bows his head.
Maker, I thank you for ensuring my safety out in the Wilds and allowing for me to return to my love, Ana. Her world is filled with darkness after the murder of her family and I could not bear for her to be left alone here.
"Evening, my child." A kind voice says from behind him. "Welcome. The evening service will begin within the hour. Otherwise, you are free to sit and pray in the adjoining room."
He rises and turns to see the Revered Mother standing in the aisle. She offers him a smile as she motions to the flap leading to the adjacent area.
"Good evening, Revered Mother," He kneels before her and bows his head. "Forgive my intrusion and appearance."
She motions for him to rise. "You need no forgiveness, my child, for you have not offended anyone here. Andraste smiles on all those who are here to fight for the cause."
He rises. "Of course." He pauses. "Forgive me but I was told that you may have some spare clothes? I don't have much but I am willing to pay." He cheeks redden slightly. "Before arriving, my circumstances didn't allow for me to pack extra clothes."
The Revered Mother looks him over. "Of course." She nods. "Come with me." She motions for him to join her. Moving into the adjacent room, she motions to the large chest off to the side. "It's not much but you should find something good enough in there. While you change, I'll fetch you some water to clean up."
Roderick thanks her as she leaves him in the area alone. Removing his stained armor, he lets out a breath as it falls to the ground with a clatter as metal hits metal. Kneeling before the chest, he digs around and finds a few pieces when the Revered Mother calls to him before entering. She places the pail of water with a rag beside him.
"Thank you." he says as she begins to walk away once more. "Revered Mother?"
She stops near the flap and turns to look at him. "Yes, my child?"
He closes the chest and rises. "I have one more thing to ask, if you don't mind." She nods for him to continue. "I'm also looking for a young woman. Perhaps you've seen her? She has shoulder length dark brown hair… bright blue eyes?"
She smiles. "Ah. You must be the young man I've heard about. Unfortunately, she left here hours ago. She came here to pray for your safe return and it seems the Maker was kind."
"Seems so." He smiles. "Do you know where she went? I wish to show her that I'm alright."
The Mother thinks for a moment before frowning and shaking her head. "I'm sorry to say that I do not. She did not speak of where she was going after she left."
Frowning, Roderick nods. "I see."
"Perhaps you can check the mess tents? At this hour, I believe they are serving a late dinner for those who are out on patrol. Perhaps she has gone there?"
I doubt it since she's been having issues with the serving staff...but it's worth a shot . "Thank you, Revered Mother. Maker bless you."
"And you, my child." She nods and then disappears.
Fergus stands in line with Ana by his side. A silence had fallen over them and Ana tried to think of something to say. "The food isn't the greatest." She suddenly says. "Not like Nan's."
Fergus shrugs. "That's fine. I'm quite used to camp food. Father and I usually ate with the soldiers during our campaigns." He smiles sadly. "He always said there is no hierarchy in war. Men bleed and die, regardless of their station so why should we eat different food and sleep on fancy beds while our men slept on cots and lumpy bedrolls."
Yet it was that type of honorable mentality that led to his closest friend betraying him . Ana thinks to herself. "If only Howe had that type of mentality. That snake only cared about rising in station and didn't care how he did it."
Her brother reaches out to grab her hand. "Ana, I promise you that after this war, I will gather our allies and avenge our family. Howe will not get away with what he has done."
"I pray to the Maker that he doesn't."
Fergus gets his food and they sit down across from each other. As Fergus begins to eat, he watches his sister glance around as she subconsciously fingers the ends of her hair.
"I like your hair, by the way." He says with a smile. "It suits you."
"Ser Gilmore told me the same thing." She snorts. "It was not by choice but necessity." She shrugs. "Admittedly, I'm beginning to grow used to it but I still long for how things were before this nightmare."
"You two are still at it then?" Fergus chuckles as she shoots him a look. "I'm only teasing. I'm glad you have somebody from before. Things are difficult as it is. I'm glad you have somebody who cares for you and has your best interests at heart."
She nods. "Well we are. He only arrived here two days before you with Much."
"I wondered where your hound was but didn't want to upset you in case something had happened to him. You two have always been inseparable. Where is he?"
"He's….being looked after by the Kennel Master." She replies, looking down at her hands.
Fergus frowns. "Is he ill? Injured?" He sees her expression. "Ana, what aren't you telling me? Has something happened?"
"It's nothing." Ana says as she feels the tears beginning to form. "I'm fine."
He looks around them before lowering his voice. He leans forward. "Ana… Has somebody done something to you? Tell me."
Ana looks around once more. "I was...attacked but…" She quickly adds. "I'm fine now. Hawke was able to heal some of my injuries-"
"Who? Who attacked you, Ana?" Fergus demands, his eyes flashing. "I will make whoever harmed you pay. Where was Ser Gilmore? As your personal guard-"
"It was not his fault. Since he and I are to be made Grey Wardens, he was sent out into the Korcari Wilds with the other Warden recruits."
Fergus pushes his food away as he shakes his head. "Somebody should have stayed with you. You're a young woman with no fighting experience. I shall speak with Duncan about this."
"No!" She exclaims, earning a confused look from her brother. "I mean… I'll talk to him. I was just on my way to speak with him when I saw that you finally arrived. Tonight, I will tell him of the attack earlier."
"Earlier? You mean this happened just before I arrived?" Fergus hisses.
"No… I mean yes….It happened hours ago." She says, her voice cracking. "Please…. I promise you that I'm fine. Hawke helped me after it happened." Ana pleads, reaching for his hands. "Let's talk about something else. Tell me, aside from the news I gave you, how have you been?"
By the look on his face, she could tell that he didn't want to let the matter go. He sighs. "Well as can be expected. We were ambushed twice by, what I now assume were Howe's men. Many were lost but I managed to make it here in one piece." He pauses, frowning. "You said you're now a Grey Warden? How on Earth did that happen?"
"I'm only a recruit for now until I go through the Joining." She shrugs. "In return for Duncan's protection, Father promised me to the Wardens since they're in dire need. It was not my choice nor would I have chosen this fate if it was."
He nods and places a hand on hers. "Even so, while I'm not happy that you're here and going to be in the battle, I'm grateful that Duncan and Ser Gilmore helped you escape Howe's treachery. I suppose you becoming a Grey Warden is a small price to pay to ensure that you lived."
"I suppose." Ana mutters miserably.
Removing his hand, he takes another bite of his food and a swig of ale. "So what is this Joining?"
"There you are!"
They both turn to see Roderick walking toward them, dressed simply rather than in his armor. Ana's eyes quickly goes to the dark red scratch across his cheek.
Noticing Fergus, he quickly drops to his kneel. "My Lord, you've arrived!"
"Evening, Ser Gilmore. It's good to see you again, though I regret the circumstances that we're reuniting under." Fergus replies, motioning for him to rise. In moments, Ana rises.
"You're back!" She says, close to tears as she embraces him. She touches his cheek, tracing the scrape with her fingers before meeting his gaze. Her lip trembles. "You came back to me." She whispers. "I was so afraid you would not return."
"One of us didn't. Daveth is dead." Rory frowns. He holds her close and she winces. He Pulls away, concerned. "What's wrong?"
She shakes her head. "I'll explain later. Which one is Daveth?"
"The thief."
"Oh. Good riddance." Ana sneers. "I didn't like him."
She feels a bout of lightheadedness wash over her and clings to him until it passes.
"Are you sure you're alight?" He asks, helping her sit down. Both him and Fergus exchange a concerned glance.
Ana nods. "Were you able to complete the task? Did you find the scrolls?"
Roderick nods " Yes. Now we must wait for Duncan to decide on when we shall begin our Joining." He touches her hand.
"What's the Joining?" Fergus asks once more.
Roderick shrugs. "We have no idea. They have yet to tell us anything about it. All I've been able to wrangle out of Alistair is that it's a ceremony of sorts."
"How mysterious." Fergus scoffs. He motions to him."Come, Ser Gilmore. Grab some food and join us. If anything I believe you have earned it."