Alistair turned away from Shepard's stunned expression, his cheeks burning in embarrassment and anger. For a second he had been positive Aiden had been about to put an arrow through his head. And for what? Helping the potentially crazy lady? As if he'd never brought questionable people into their little party. There were times Alistair wasn't sure if his fellow warden was the nicest guy alive, or completely unhinged. He could smile and simper like the best politician and then turn on a dime and stick a knife in a dying man's back.

He shuddered remembering the caged man at Ostagar. One moment they were chatting about a key and a last meal, and next the man had been clutching his neck, gurgling out his last breath. Alistair often privately wished he had the courage to confront his comrade. Maybe he could figure out what made him tick? Preferably, he thought sardonically, before Aidan decided arrows made nice head adornments for ex Templars.

"Ah, here we are." Alistair intoned as they pushed through a clump of bushes. "Camp!" He gestured gallantly for Shepard to step forwards, covering his unease with a bright smile. "We have an extra tent we bought in Lothering that should suit you just fine. I'll go grab it from Bohdan's cart and set it up for you. Then we can have our nice little chat about all the crazy things we've seen today" He gave her his most charming smile, trying to put her at ease. Not exactly an easy task given the chilly atmosphere. "Why don't you, uh, go and stand over there?" He gestured vaguely to an empty spot by the fire. "Just while I get this all sorted.

She smiled back at him hesitantly. "Alright. Thank you for all your help again, really." Shepard took a step away from him and paused. "You sure my being here won't cause you any trouble?"

"No no no! No problems! Aiden just needs some time to warm up to you is all!" He shifted nervously. "Trust me, he's really not as scary as he seems. Cross my heart and all that."

Shepard stared at him doubtfully, eyes drawn to Aiden as he sat amidst the central fire. His blue eyes were locked deliberately on her every move, his hands methodically sharpening his daggers. Alistair shrugged sheepishly, feeling his stomach squirm the longer she regarded him. He was quickly coming to realise that Shepard had a way of being effortlessly intimidating.

She huffed, swaying slightly on her feet. "Listen, why don't you just point me in Bohdan's direction, and I'll set up the tent? It's something every soldier gets taught in basic and it'll give you a chance to talk to your friend? Clear the air."

Concerned Alistair dipped his head down, trying to catch her eyes. "Are you sure? Maybe we should get your head looked at first, hmmm? You seem…. unsteady?" Boy did she ever. Maybe it was the light from the fire, but her tanned skin had paled significantly since she had first removed her helmet in the forest. Catching sight of her eyes he frowned at her dazed expression.

Blinking quickly Shepard tilted her head up. Awareness snapping over like a mask. "I'm good. I can wait," She gestured over his shoulder to the other warden. "Don't think your friend can."

Sighing, Alistair straightened, not willing to argue. "Right, that might be a good idea, given the reception we received." He pointed her in the direction of the dwarf's cart, eyeing her carefully. "Bohdan's just over there. He's a stout little fellow, can't miss him. He's probably asleep though, so you might just want to snag it from the back."

With a nod she stepped around him, strolling passed Aiden un-phased. Her gait was strong and even despite the slight glaze to her eyes. Deliberately she met the other warden's gaze until he glanced away, smirking instead to take in the circle of tents set haphazardly around the perimeter.

Turning from watching her retreating back Alistair instead gave his fellow warden the dirtiest glare he could muster. Sure make the assassin feel welcome, but not the woman who had saved his life? The faint sound of stumbling footsteps had him quickly turning back to Shepard only to see her climbing easily into the back of the cart. Reassured, he shifted back around only to blink and find his fellow warden gone.

"What were you thinking Alistair? Bringing her here?" Aiden was suddenly beside him, voice pitched low beneath the crackle of the fire. Stupid sneaky rogue.

Placing a hand over his racing heart Alistair met the other man's eyes. "I was thinking we could use all the help we could get." Alistair faced him fully, shoulders straightening at his fellow warden's serious expression. "She saved my life, Aiden. I couldn't just abandon her in the Wilds."

His fellow warden curled his lips into a sneer. "She could be a spy, an agent of Loghain, of Howe!"

With a snort Alistair tossed his hands into the air. "Does she look like a spy to you?" He shoved his finger into the shorter man's chest, bowling over the protest forming on his tongue. "Not to mention, you recruited the actual agent of Loghain sent to kill us! Or did you forget that part?"

"That's beside the point, she could be dangerous!"

"Oh, and the elven assassin who tried to kill us isn't dangerous in the least? At least she didn't try to drop a tree on us!" With a sigh Alistair tilted his head skyward in exasperated benediction. "Look, I think she can help us, and I think we can help her. She's… not like anyone I've ever met before." At Aidens sarcastic snort, Alistair snapped his head downwards. "Not like that you lecher!" He opened his mouth to continue then paused as Aidens eyes widened in alarm, focused behind him. Quickly turning his head he froze in sudden apprehension, conversation forgotten as Shepard paused next to Shale. With a jolt he rushed forwards, images of her being squished beneath the cranky golem's feet flashing through his head. Aiden chuckled darkly before cursing as he was abruptly pushed out of the way. Heart in his throat Alistair sprinted up to her swaying form.

"Shepard, ah!"

"That's not something you see every day." Shepard told him as drew next to her, heaving in a worried breath. She gestured to the golem standing in front of them. "We have things like this where I'm from, though, they tend to be a bit duller."

"You do?" Alistair inquired breathlessly. "You must come from a pretty amazing place then. As far as I know, Shale here is the last of its kind."

She smiled sadly. "Sometimes," She paused, "but ours aren't nearly so mystical looking."

"I could say the same about it, could I not?" Shale replied, its massive stone head rotating to take in Shepard's unusual armor. She jerked in surprise, taking a quick step back, eyes widening in alarm. "And the other warden has returned as well?" The golem flicked Alistair a dismissive glance. "I'm surprised it managed to avoid crushing its squishy head."

Alistair pushed a hand against his breastplate, twisting his expression into a mockery of pain. "Thank you, Shale! You know I missed you too? You're all heart. I was even thinking about you right before I almost got squished by an ogre. Would have been poetic in a way, right?" With a tug he pulled Shepard away from Shale's empty glare. Without a control rod, he wasn't quite willing to trust the golem's charity towards people. Especially a potential mage.

Shepard moved away from his guiding hands, ignoring his distressed whine. She turned to study the glyphs and crystals along Shale's arms. "Shale is it?" She turned her head to meet the golem's glowing eyes, "Nice to meet you."

"Does it think such flowery words will stop me from smashing its fleshy head?" Shale asked, pushing it's two stone hands together in a flattening motion.

To Alistair's surprise Shepard simply laughed. "No, I don't."

"Flattery will indeed get you nowhere here." Aiden agreed coldly as he finally moved closer.

Shepard turned to meet Aiden's eyes, her face tightening. "Listen, I'm not here to cause any trouble. I just need a place to sleep and some help contacting some friends. After that," she spread her hands, "I'll be out of your hair."

"Friends in Denerim I suppose?"

"No space." She pointed up at the sky, one eyebrow arched mockingly.

Aiden paused, looking briefly incensed. "Jokes are not amusing. No wonder Alistair likes you."

Alistair's mouth snapped open in indignation but Shepard cut across him.

"Who said I was kidding?"

Silence descended on the little clearing, so thick it was nearly choking.

"So, it is crazy then? How disappointing." Shale muttered into the stillness.

"Oh look, tent!" Alistair exclaimed, plucking the canvas from the ground. "Come Shepard, we can set it up right over here and then take a look at your head." He immediately moved toward the fire, placing the package down next to his own dilapidated structure. He had never been more grateful that most of the camp's inhabitants slept so soundly when not on watch. This was certainly going to be one hell of an explanation.