Do not own Dragon Age

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9 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, Redcliff

It is in the early morning hours that the group arrived back in Redcliff. The false dawn breaking the horizon as they returned to the castle. Sereda is on watch, waking the others as she sees the group come into the main hall of the compound.

Irving and the other mages begin setting up. Solona asks for a report, Sereda telling her that nothing had happened, they have not seen or heard any sign from Connor.

"The village?" Solona inquires.

"All good, nothing attacked during the night." Sereda informs her.

"Jowan?" Solona asks, not seeing him, or Alistair.

"They decided to get breakfast started, since neither one of them could sleep. Shale is with them." Sereda tell her.

"Ugh, I don't know which I am dreading more. Alistair and Jowan's cooking, or fighting an Archdemon." Solona comments glibbly.

"Hey! It's not that bad." Alistair remarks, coming into the main hall with a tray of food.

"Of course, it's not, dear." Elissa chimes in, smirking.

"Don't worry, I gave him some tips on flavoring." Jowan adds, coming in with another tray., " Hey, Irving." Jowan throws out, walking past the man.

"Do I even want to know?" Irving asks rhetorically.

Solona chuckles.

/

The group eats, which turned out to be some what decent. Irving and the mages are set, but a light breakfast will help them for the ritual. Afterwards, Solona steps forward, then sits down on the floor. Irving begins, Solona slumps to the side. It is an hour later that she stirs, a little groggy, she turns to Irving, telling him it is done, the boy is free.

/

Alistair takes the lead, searching the floor. They find dead bodies, and live ones. Those who were once thralls of the demon. There memories are fuzzy, but otherwise is good health. They find Connor, passed out on the floor, next to his father's bed, who sleeps in the master suite. Solona rushes forward, checking him over. She tries one of her healing spells, to no luck. Teagan feels the effects it has, he is enamored even more to the lovely mage now.

Irving assigns a mage to stay with the Arl, and will leave the others here at the castle, just in case. He will wait to bring the boy back to the Circle, until his father can be cured, allowing them to have a proper good-bye. Isolde begins to cry, losing her son to magic. Alistair is watching Connor, who begins to stir. Solona kneels to greet him and introduces herself.

"I feel as if I've seen you somewhere. As if I saw you in a dream." Solona chuckles, and then explains what happened, she does not scold or condemn him.

/

"I...I'm so sorry. I..." Connor tries, mournfully.

"Hush, dear boy. It's alright. Everyone makes mistakes. It's what we learn from them that matters." Solona comforts him.

"Yes, ma'am." Conner agrees, "What happens to me now?" he queries.

"I am going to try to find a cure for your father. When he wakes up, you will be able to say good-journey. Then you will accompany Senior Enchanter Irving to Kinloch Hold, and you, my dear boy, will begin real training to be a mage." Solona explains plainly.

"Is it scary there? I've heard it's scary." Connor questions, concerned.

"Sometimes, I won't lie. But sometimes it's really wonderful. There are a couple of cats in the Tower, they are the real monsters, unless they like you. Plus, if something is frightening, just set it on fire, that usually works." Solona informs him, causing him to giggle.

"I think I can be brave. I want to be strong and make father proud. Mother will be disappointed though." Connor remarks, sadly.

"Then let her be disappointed. It's what you think of you, that matters most." Solona counters, smiling softly.

Connor smiles happily at Solona, leaning into her. Solona hugs him to her side, the two just sit there, comforting each other.

/

Isolde asks the group to search for the Urn of Sacred Ashes, said to contain the remains of Andraste herself. They are rumored to cure any malady. She tell them that a Brother Genitivi, who lives in Denerim is the best lead she has. He is a Chantry scholar, who has researched Andraste and the Urn for several years. Teagan states that he will oversee the Arling and get everything back in order, while the companions are pursuing the Urn. Solona and the other agree, needing a strong voice to counter Loghain.

Irving will keep an eye on Jowan, who is determined to stay at Redcliff and be of use, helping get the castle cleaned up. The enchanter remarks that perhaps everyone made mistakes in regards to Jowan. Solona squeezes his shoulder, agreeing.

/

The companions return to the village in the late afternoon, finding Bodahn set up near the Chantry again, this time actually selling his wears. Solona gets the tally from the give away, paying the sum. Bodahn says that it helped his business, some of the villagers commenting on how generous he and the Grey Wardens were. Solona checks in with some of the individuals around the village, making sure they didn't need anything else. Elissa comes out of the Chantry, sad, but hopeful. Leliana comes out of the blacksmith's shop, beaming. The three reunite, Elissa gave a woman the lockbox she had found, and forgot about from the Korcari Wilds. Leliana, saying that Valenna made it back to the blacksmith safely.

/

Solona sees Alim, on a platform up a hill, next to the tavern, with Zevran, just sitting, drinking a bottle of wine stolen from the Arl's castle, and chatting, watching the sunset together. Solona smirks, she figured the roguish male was right up Alim's alley.

/

Alistair and Elissa are seen strolling along the lake shore, talking, skipping rocks now and then. As Solona comes to what drew her by the general store though, hearing Dwyn, Faren, and Sereda arguing.

"Look pal, all I said was that I wouldn't mind a tumble with the woman. It's a compliment." Dwyn tries, nonchalant.

"And I told you, that she is not some two bit harlot, and you need to show her some respect." Faren counters, angry.

"That was as respectful as I get. It's not like mine will be the first dick she's seen." Dwyn remarks, dismissively.

"You stone fucked nug fart. I may not be a virgin, bronto tits, but I don't sleep around. It means something to me, you moss fucker!" Sereda throws back, pissed.

"Yeah right. I figured you were an easy lay, considering you're running around with casteless scum." Dwyn comments negatively.

"I happen to love him, you stupid fuck! If you say one more word about him, I will gut you!" Sereda shouts, her hand on her weapon.

"You love me?" Faren asks, astounded.

Sereda's eyes go wide, before running off, heading towards the tavern. Faren waits, three seconds, stunned, then follows after her.

"Oh well." Dwyn shrugs, before turning to find Solona waiting.

"I couldn't help but hear what you said of my friends. Perhaps you would like to get acquainted with my foot up your ass?" Solona queries, menacingly.

"No ma'am. I'm sorry. Let's just forget it. No problems." Dwyn stammers out, backing into the general store, locking the door behind him.

Solona chuckles. She returns to Bodahn, Faren can settle things with Sereda on his own.

/

Faren follows her to the windmill, cursing that dwarves are not distant runners, more sprinters.

"Damn it woman, slow the fuck down! I'm going to have a heart attack before I have a chance to kiss you senseless!" Faren shouts out at her.

"What?!" Sereda says, stopping suddenly and whirling around.

Faren barrels into her, knocking her over, him landing on top of her.

"I said slow down, you crazy nug humper. How am I to kiss you stupid, if I can't catch up?" Faren tell her, panting and smirking.

"You sneaky mother..." Sereda starts, before being cut off by warm lips crashing into hers.

The kiss is searing, to both of them. Faren pulls back to get more air, he descends again a few breath's later. Sereda rolls them, wanting to be on top, Faren doesn't fight her, grinning from ear to ear.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Sereda asks, sitting up, straddling Faren.

"Because I do respect you, salroka. I figured, if I saw a sign, I would drop a hint or three, or five. But I never saw anything, and I'm good at seeing signs. So I figured, you weren't interested." Faren explains.

"Well fuck. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me. I liked you since the Proving thing they arrested you for. Then, with everything that happened after, I figured I would flirt occasionally, see if you responded." Sereda informs him.

"Really? Well fuck me. I thought I saw a gleam in your eye then, that's why I thought you might be interested in me." Faren tell her.

"How about we go into the windmill, and see how far my interest is?" Sereda suggests, an eyebrow raised.

They both scramble to the door, slamming it shut. No one hears them over the sound of the windmill turning.

/

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10 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, The West Road

The companions are on the road to Denerim by mid-morning, The barmaid Belle, from the tavern joining them, she wants to open an Inn of her own, in the market. Alim tells them how she was treated by the owner of the tavern in Redcliff.

"I should have let the weasel be killed during the night battle." Zevran comments, disappointed with himself.

"I would not have mourned the bastard." Belle returns, disgusted thinking of him.

"Perhaps the next time we are in Redcliff, I might hear of an accident befalling the man." Alim alludes, smirking.

Belle and Zevran laugh, knowing exactly what the mage is implying. The three continue to chat, Lyna and Darrian adding their thoughts every so often.

/

Morrigan catches up to Solona.

"I finished my mother's grimoire." Morrigan states.

"Did you learn anything interesting?" Solona asks, already knowing what the book contains.

"It was...not what I expected. I did learn how my mother has been able to live so long." Morrigan begins, "She transfers her essence into the body of a younger woman, a daughter. That has been my purpose this whole time, to get stronger and become her new host." she informs Solona.

"I...I'm so sorry. What can I do to help?" Solona offers, sympathetic, knowing that it's a lie.

"I want you to kill her. To kill Flemeth." Morrigan suggests, determined.

"Are you sure?" Solona inquires, concerned, but not for herself or the party.

"Yes. I can't be there though, she'll try to possess me if I am." Morrigan says, her tone remorseful.

"Alright, I'll see what we can do." Solona tells her cryptically.

Morrigan expresses her gratitude for the help, then returns to the rear of the group.

/

That night, Solona discusses the proposal from Morrigan with just the Grey Wardens. Elissa reminds the group about returning to Ostagar for the King's documents. Solona nods, deciding to continue to Denerim, talk to Brother Genitivi, get a better direction for their next destination, and make plans then. The others agree, less running back and forth, the better. They return to camp, setting in for the night.

It is later that evening, most everyone is asleep. Solona is by the fire, looking at the map, when she senses darkspawn. Loki perks up, staring out, then sniffing around. The other hounds are doing the same. Solona rolls backwards, shouting out, just missing being hit by deadly claws. Loki tackles the creature, the noise it makes leaves little doubt.

Shrieks, several of them are tearing through the camp, Shale sends a boulder at one, knocking it back, crushing a side of it's body. Sten is the first to defend himself, sword swinging at another darkspawn, it's body torn in half. Belle races across the camp, diving under the cart, Bodahn and Sandal a few moments behind her. Alim sets weapons ablaze, Oghren setting a shriek on fire as his axe is embedded in his foe. Alistair, swings at a creature as it runs past his tent, slicing it open. Faren curses as he dodges an attack, Sereda kicks it's legs, then takes the darkspawn's head off. The mabari are tearing into the one that tried to get Solona. The last is stalking Darrian, who has tried to roll out of the monsters way, suddenly an arrow lodges in the darkspawn's throat, dropping it to it's knees, before it collapses forward.

Wynne points to a figure in the shadows, moving slowly toward the camp. Lyna pivots to take aim, waiting for the thing to come closer. When it reaches the light of the fire, Lyna drops her bow, shocked beyond thought.

"L.e.t.h.e.l.l.a.n, .e he.l.p m.e. I . . . I do no.t to hur.t you too. me. Le.t me be a.t ." the ghoul stammers, tormented.

"Tamlen?" Lyna gasps out, "By the Creators!" she says still stunned somewhat.

Darrian hands her a dagger, who has to hold his hand over hers to get her to grip it. She looks down at the knife, then back up at Tamlen. She steps closer to him, seeing his visage up close, she begins to cry.

"Ar lasa mala revas, mar Falon' Din ghilana ar." Lyna speaks sorrowfully, before plunging the dagger in the Tamlen's chest.

"Ma ser. , . ." Tamlen returns, relieved, dying peacefully.

Lyna stares at him for a several heartbeats, before screaming out to the night sky. The knife falls from her hand, Darrian wraps her in his arms, turning her to cry on his shoulder. He walks her back to her tent. Solona pulls out a plant stem, breaking it under Lyna's nose, causing her to pass out from the smell. Darrian lays her down, Solona bids him to stay with her tonight.

The others clean up the camp, setting a watch for the night. Everyone is disturbed by the evenings events.