9:32 - DRAGON

The search was taking longer than Jowan hoped.

They were well into the new year, and he was beginning to lose track of how many days they'd been on the road due to the fact they had been dead center in the Korcari wilds for what felt like weeks now. He was sure it had to be the new year, the moon suggested as much, but exactly what day escaped him.

Jowan was beginning to wonder if they'd ever find the Dalish at this rate.

"Do you need rest?"

The elf's voice pierced the silence of the forest, startling Jowan into nearly dropping his staff, "Oh! Sorry, I was just thinking… it's, I'm fine."

Galel continued cutting a path through the forest with the blade on his staff, it was some of toughest terrain Jowan had ever traversed. But he was an ex-circle mage, and how difficult their current path may have actually been, was up for debate.

Regardless, Jowan was finding himself more bored than exhausted and decided to strike up some small talk to better know his companion. They had been on the road for some weeks now, and it was dawning on him that he had done most of the talking.

"Tell me Galel, what do the markings on your face mean?" he asked, rather bluntly, "I read that they were to show which Elven God you worshipped."

Galel continued his relentless pace, silent for a moment before shrugging, "I suppose what you've read is correct."

"So, which God do you worship?"

"I was marked for Elgar'nan, god of Vengeance."

"Ah, they, erm, look quite nice," Jowan felt suddenly awkward. An Elven God of Vengeance didn't sound very pleasant.

As if sensing his companion's unease at the revelation, Galel looked back at Jowan, "And what god do you worship?"

Jowan shrugged, ducking beneath a branch, and narrowly avoiding another, "I, uh, well the Maker I suppose," he paused for a moment, "to be truthful, I haven't really put much effort into the worship part…"

Galel laughed, "Well then, I suppose you and I have something in common."

Jowan chuckled, and the two men continued forward in a comfortable silence.

It was a few more hours of walking, and Jowan was beginning to wonder if they were really heading anywhere at all when they abruptly found themselves in a small clearing.

Galel looked over to Jowan, "No matter what happens-" he whispered, "don't unsheathe your staff, don't respond aggressively."

Jowan wanted to ask what was going to happen, but after a few weeks on the road together, and a few close calls, he had long learned to trust the elf's judgement.

Galel stepped forward, cautiously with his hands raised in the air, "I seek an audience with Keeper Lathalgar."

Jowan blinked, and the previously empty clearing was now filled with Dalish hunters. All armed with bows and blades, each one trained on them. He instinctively twitched toward his staff, but he remembered Galel's warning. Swallowing his fear, he raised his hands in the air like his companion.

"Andaran ati'shan, Galel," a small, older elven woman stepped forward, her face covered in dark tattoos in the shape of a tree, "it's been too long." She turned a colder gaze toward Jowan, who offered an awkward smile in response, "I'll assume you have a worthy reason to bring a shemlen here."

Galel lowered his hands, and the small elven woman gestured toward the other hunters to lower their weapons in turn. Jowan let out a small sigh of relief and let his hands fall to his sides.

"This shem is named Jowan, and I owe him a blood debt," Galel placed a hand on Jowan's shoulder.

He didn't know what to do, opting to awkwardly place his hand on his chest, "It's… uh… nice to meet you all."

The woman's gaze remained suspicious, "Welcome, Jowan," she looked back at Galel, "What brings you back? You know you cannot stay."

The elf bowed his head, "I know, Eria, but we need help from the Keeper."

The way Galel stressed the woman's name betrayed a familiarity between the two. Or so Jowan thought, "Jowan's loved ones are being held prisoner and we need help finding out where."

The woman sucked in a breath, "What you ask is no small favor."

Galel's expression hardened, "I believe I've earned this favor."

Eria's expression remained firm, "I suppose, but that's for the Keeper to decide."

What's the big deal about some information?

"Then you'll take us to him?" Galel insisted, taking a step towards Eria, it was then Jowan noticed just how different his companion appeared in comparison to the other Dalish. His behavior, his clothing, in nearly every way something was slightly less… elfy.

The Dalish hunters surrounding the clearing raised their weapons again, but Eria quickly ordered them to stand down, "Oh please, he is our brother."

She turned to Jowan, "Give me your staff."

"What, I-"

"Give it to her," Galel commanded.

Jowan put aside his urge to argue. If he wanted to help Lily and Kena he had to go along with their ways, "If you insist."

"I do," Eria quipped.

He pulled the old staff from his back and handed it to Eria. The elf quickly passed it to another hunter who disappeared with it, "You'll get it back when you leave."

She gestured forward, "Now follow me."

Galel leaned over and whispered in Jowan's ear, "Just stay close, the Dalish can be very jumpy."

"No kidding," Jowan whispered back. He noticed one of the hunters give him a dirty look and he wondered just how good Elven hearing was.

They made their way through a small clearing; he wouldn't have even noticed the path if it hadn't been for Eria's direction. The old woman was quick on her feet, and far more agile than Jowan. He kept failing to dodge the lowest hanging branches and he was certain he was going to have at least a dozen blisters from how often he'd stubbed his toe on the gnarled upturned roots.

Galel on the other hand, seemed right at home moving flawlessly through the silva. He was bigger than the other elves, but his gait was just as agile. Jowan felt increasingly awkward at how loud and stumbling he was, he swore a few of the other Dalish escorts had chuckled when he nearly tripped, thankfully, just as his embarrassment was reaching new heights, they exited the small path into a wide clearing.

Campfires, tents and halla crowded the grove. The Dalish seemed well settled. Their wagons, all more intricately carved than the next, were slightly sinking into the ground as if they had been in the same spot for too long.

"Dalish craftsmanship is quite amazing!" Jowan exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

Galel seemed distracted, "Aravels, Dalish landships," he murmured.

Eria turned to face the men, "Wait here, if the Keeper agrees, he will come."

She walked away, leaving the men alone by the edge of camp. Jowan looked around, surprised, "Is it safe now?"

"My people aren't as quick to anger as some, but keep your hands visible, we are still being watched," Galel warned.

Jowan swallowed a lump of uncertainty, "Well, this camp is quite cozy. Erm… the landships, aravels…" he pronounced the word slowly, "I read the Dalish wandered, but it seems this camp has been here a long time."

The elf turned to Jowan, "My people have found a safe place, far from humans and other… dangers. The Keeper insisted we try and build a home. Not to wander aimlessly unless we needed to."

Jowan detected a hint of sadness in Galel's voice and decided against pursuing the topic further.

Toward the center of the camp, Jowan spotted a tall elf approaching them. His hair was long and silver, his visage heavily weathered with age. The tattoos on his face were a dark green and trailed down his neck, disappearing beneath his crisp white collar.

Galel strode forward to meet the old man, and Jowan figured it best to follow.

"Keeper Lathalgar," Galel bowed his head, placing a hand over his heart, "It's good to see you again.

The old man ignored Jowan completely and swept Galel into a hug.

Jowan felt like a third wheel, and awkwardly twiddled his thumbs at the scene unraveling before him. Galel seemed frozen at first, but he slowly returned the hug.

The old man finally released Galel and turned to the apostate, "So I'm told you saved my son's life," he extended his hand toward Jowan, "I thank you."

Realization dawning over Jowan, he quickly smiled and returned the handshake. He was acutely aware that the other elves near them had stopped milling about and were openly staring, "Thank you for welcoming us to your camp Mr. Lathalgar!"

Galel cleared his throat, "I'm sorry to bother you Keep-"

"Come now Galel, you can call me father," the old man tsk'd, turning around, "let's speak in my tent, I'm afraid if we continue on out here, the others might forget there is actual work to be done in camp today."

Galel chucked and gestured for Jowan to follow.

The Keeper's tent was spacious and warm, a small fire was burning in the center and the walls were adorned with beautiful red tapestries.

"You have a beautiful home!" Jowan blurted out as he sat by Galel, "I never imagined-" he caught himself before he said something offensive.

The Keeper smiled, sitting in front of his son, "Thank you, the comforts one can indulge in when properly settled far exceed the traditional lodgings of most Dalish."

Galel took off his traveling cloak and laid it aside, "Father, I haven't come for a visit."

"I figured as much," the old keeper mused sadly.

"We need to find a place the shemlen call the Aeonar."

The old man's expression went dark, he grabbed a dry log and tossed it into the fire, "I've heard of this place, it belonged to the people who destroyed ours."

"It's Tevinter, that's all I know of it," Jowan interjected, "They keep it secret, it's-"

Galel held his hand up to silence, Jowan and looked back to his gather, "Can you help us?"

The Keeper turned away from Galel and toward the fire. The energy in the tent seemed to go dark, "I won't risk… what you ask."

"It's the only way," Galel interjected, the resemblance between the two men was unmistakable now, though Galel's features were sharper than the keeper's, and Jowan noticed they were also far more frightful in the firelight, "I don't care to speak with demons, but the spirits might-"

The Keeper leapt to his feet, towering above Jowan and Galel, furious, "Your fascination with spirits WILL end in your possession if you don't-"

"I know my strength, father, it's why I left!" Galel stood face to face with his father.

The old man's expression hardened, "You know the rules."

Galel softened his expression, and Jowan tried his best to remain out of the way, "Father… please," he placed his hands on the Keeper's shoulders, the firelight dancing upon their faces, "I didn't come here to fight, I only need a clue, a small thing to help us on our way."

The old man waved his hands over the fire, the image of an imposing building forming in the smoke, "This is the Aeonar."

Jowan found himself leaning toward the image, "How… how do you know what it looks like?" He asked, fascinated at the magic he was witnessing.

The old man rubbed his chin, his eyes seemed to be focused beyond the fire, "Because it's where they took my first born."

He sighed, waving the image away, "She tried to free a caravan of mages, there was a Dalish child among them," he turned to Galel, "they gathered any mage they found along the way, and took them all, guilty or not." The Keeper began to pace back and forth, his brow furrowed, "The veil was thin there, so I found her."

He seemed lost in a painful memory, "She was taken already, by a demon of pride."

Galel seemed shaken, "Why didn't you-"

"Why do you think, foolish boy?" he shook his head, "No, I knew you'd try and free her, and I would lose you too."

The old Keeper looked at Jowan, "I never found the exact location, my daughter was lost by then, and the risk too great to pursue," the Keeper seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if unsure he should share his next words, "You... you will need to find it in the fade."

Galel swallowed, "Who should I speak to?"

The old man massaged his temple, "The spirit, the last time I spoke with it, it lingered by the old falls, and knew only of the shadows the Aeonar cast."

"Very well," Galel's tone was grim.

The Keeper met his gaze again, "I suppose you're leaving then?"

"It's what's best."

Keeper Lathalgar again swept his son into a hug, "Come visit next time, a real visit."

Galel gripped the old man's shoulders and was silent.

Jowan scratched at his elbow awkwardly, trying to give the two men space.

The odd duo quickly moved away from the Dalish enclave. Keeper Lathalgar made sure they were given provisions and fresh bedrolls for their journey.

Eria seemed more than happy to make sure they were leaving before she threw Jowan's staff back at him, "Safe travels."

"Erm, thank you."

Galel smiled sadly, "Thank you, Eria."

The old woman gave a judgmental look at the duo before disappearing into the forest. Jowan was acutely aware that if someone had a sword to his throat, he wouldn't be able to remember where the clan was hidden.

"How your people find their way in this labyrinth is beyond me," Jowan muttered, examining his staff for damage.

The elf laughed, "Magic my friend, you couldn't feel it?"

Jowan slapped his forehead, embarrassed, "Now I feel stupid…"

Galel began moving further up the path, "Come now, we still have time, we'll need a quiet place to find your friends."

"And how will we do that? Are you going into the fade?"

Galel laughed, "How else do you propose we speak with the spirit?"

Jowan threw his hands in the air, "Well I don't know, but isn't entering the fade and communing with demons dangerous?!" Jowan swatted a branch out of his way, "I mean, I've read about it, it's not safe."

The elf shook his head, "No it's not, but what choice do we have? We have to do this, or else we've travelled all this way for nothing."

"I don't know..." Jowan muttered, "I don't want you to hurt yourself to repay me, if you're doing this for some debt… then… I free you from it."

Galel stopped in his tracks and gave Jowan a curious look, "You would do that, so easily?"

"I mean… I'd like the help but- I've hurt too many people asking," Jowan swallowed the lump in his throat, "I won't be that man again."

The elf leaned on his staff, as if thinking, he looked back to Jowan, determination on his face, "I always pay my debts," Galel began walking forward again before pausing, "Although, I thank you for the sentiment."

"No, thank you," Jowan stuttered, "for… for helping me."

And with the awkwardness rising just a bit too high, even for Jowan, the two men pressed on in silence.