Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for this update. I've been spread a little thin lately. Hope you enjoy!


Flemeth wasn't dead. The thought had stuck with him all throughout their meal, and while the others talked and laughed about surviving the fight against the dragon (and other dangerous scrapes they'd run into in the past), Harry and Morrigan both fretted over the notion that they would have to deal with the ancient (quite possibly-immortal) witch again one of these days.

And she was likely to be unhappy to see them when that day came.

"We should check on Shale and the golems," Sirius said when he noticed how distracted Harry seemed. "I don't know if they could have reached Orzammar yet, but they're bound to be getting close, right?"

"I'll go find out after we eat," Harry replied with a shrug.

"If they're close, come back and get the rest of us," Sirius added. "We should all be together to speak with the dwarven politicians."

Harry chuckled and turned to wink at Morrigan. "He just wants to make sure I don't get too pissed off with them."

"Understandable," she agreed with a slight nod.

"I definitely want in," Oghren said. "It'll be something to see the looks on their faces. Useless, ruddy bastards- the nobles are all content to play their games and squabble for power while the rest of us bleed and slowly get pushed further and further back by the darkspawn. Only the warriors and the miners really know how bad things are. Well, and the casteless too. But nobody gives a damn about them."

"That's a problem in and of itself," Harry sighed. "I'm surprised Orzammar hasn't fallen apart already. There aren't enough of your people left for so many of them to be cast aside and ignored like that."

"Most of 'em end up in the Carta," Oghren replied. "With good reason, plus there's always room for more lyrium smugglers on the surface. Heh, I think they probably sell a lot more of the stuff than we do through 'official channels.' Don't know how long that will last though."

"What if the golems haven't arrived yet?" Leliana asked. "What shall we do while we wait?"

"I don't want to get busy searching for the Dalish until we've finished everything with Orzammar," Harry answered.

"Um, I do have something..." Oghren muttered. "A favor, Harry. If we could talk- in private."

"Sure."


Harry held the door to his room and waited for Oghren to shuffle inside.

"Huh, nothing fancy," the dwarf said as he looked around. "I would have figured you'd save the nicest, biggest room for yourself."

"This tent is from a long time ago when I had a rather large family, and I did not want to listen to all my kids arguing about the rooms they wanted, so they're all the same," he answered with a small grin as fleeting memories washed over him. "That's also why there are attached bathrooms for them all. A lesson I learned quickly, and thankfully magic allowed me to fix things so that arguments over who got to shower first in the morning were less of a problem than for normal people."

"Well, if you had kids, then maybe I'll bug you for help if there are ever any little Oghrens running around," he laughed.

"We'll have to find you a lady friend for that," Harry said.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about," Oghren replied. "An old lady friend of mine named Felsi. She came to the surface awhile ago, and now that I'm up here I figured maybe I should look her up."

"An old flame?" Harry asked.

"Sort of," he shrugged. "I knew Felsi when we were younger, but the families arranged things with Branka, so we didn't really get a chance. When Branka ditched me, Felsi was about the only good thing in my life. Maybe now... well, you mentioned second chances, right? Maybe this is part of my second chance? Will you help me?"

"Of course," Harry replied. "Do you have any idea where she is?"

"Last I heard, she was going to take care of her mother who had gone to the surface and was supposed to be working near that mages' tower place."

"Oh, that's handy." Harry smiled at a piece of good news for once. "I know the area pretty well. We can go there later, maybe tonight or tomorrow if you like."

"Thanks."


Half an hour later, he had cast several protective spells over himself, just in case, before he apparated to where his tracking spell put Shale and the golems. Harry didn't want to pop into the middle of a battle unprepared.

His concern turned out to be unnecessary though as the golems were merely stomping along through one of the cavernous paths of the Deep Roads.

"So, the little mage returns to check on us?" Shale asked with a smirk.

"I had hoped that your progress was going well," he replied.

"We shall arrive in Orzammar soon," Caridin said.

"I should get the rest of my party ready then."

"Yes," Caridin agreed. "We shall have to make the politicians stop their posturing in order to properly prepare for the war."

"I hope they'll listen to you," Harry said.

"I share your worries," the ancient golem replied. "The people will suffer if the nobles won't listen to reason."

"Should we meet just outside the city?"

"That is acceptable," Caridin said.

"I'll be back soon."


The rumble grew louder and louder, a deep sound reverberating down the tunnels coming from the mines.

Harry just smiled as the marching golems came into sight. He'd already been chuckling to himself as he saw a dwarf messenger go running past, likely to warn Orzammar of the approaching horde made of stone and steel.

The rest of his group was gathered around a conjured table as Sirius learned a local card game known as Wicked Grace. From what little Harry could tell, it seemed a bit like poker. He was staying out of it though so he could be ready for the golems.

Plus, he'd never been that good at card games, and a wise man knows his limits.

He'd saved his ability to bluff for when it really mattered- like trying to convince the world that he was a Grey Warden until he could stop an Archdemon. Speaking of which, he was going to have to look up a couple of possible ways to do that. The spell he'd thought of originally may likely not be powerful enough to contain something like a massive dragon, due to its connection to the taint and darkspawn. The Soul Trap was one of the darker spells he'd learned of over the years, but it could theoretically do the job. Too bad he hadn't known of it when dealing with Voldemort all those years ago.

Something a bit bigger and flashier might be necessary for the Archdemon, but its ability to fly would likely make things difficult.

As the sight of Caridin neared, Harry put those thoughts away.

"Well met, Harry Potter," the steel golem spoke as it led the others of his kind marching forward.

"To you as well," he said with a bow. "I trust you had no problems with the journey?"

"There were sadly few darkspawn for me to crush," Shale complained.

"I'm sure you'll find more on the surface, my old friend," Caridin said with a deep, booming laugh. "But first, we have nobles to remind of their duty."

"Indeed," Harry agreed as he picked up his pace to match the longer strides of the golems.

Behind him, Oghren fell in next to Shale. "Hey there. How's my favorite rock lady?"

"I was better before I saw the drunken dwarf," the golem muttered.

"Did you have fun with your old comrades in arms?"

"Perhaps I should stay with them rather than put up with the annoyances of the awful fleshy creatures," Shale replied.

"Well, I'm sad to say that you missed out," Oghren chuckled. "Harry took most of us to see Morrigan's mother, and now that was a real swamp witch. The nutty old bat was standing there waiting for us right next to the bog."

"Does it have a point?" Shale sighed.

"I was just about to get to the best part," he continued. "You know how Morrigan can turn into a bird?"

"Remind me to kill her later," the golem complained.

"Her mom had her beat," Oghren said with a grin. "She turned into a dragon. A dragon! By the stone, it was a glorious battle!"

"And I missed out on it," Shale grumbled.

"Yep," Oghren smirked.

"Maybe I should squish a dwarf of two," she replied. "Just to make me feel better. Come here, little dwarf."

Oghren ran ahead of them as fast as his short legs could carry him, laughing until he was past the gate guards who were staring at the procession heading their way.

Harry allowed Caridin to take the lead.

"We have come to speak with the Assembly," he said. "The time for their petty squabbles is at an end. The Blight comes, and we shall show the surfacers our might as we crush the darkspawn."

"Send word!" the head guard Faren yelled, his shout making the nearest man start running off. "I'd have a path cleared, but I'm sure that will happen regardless."

"Your consideration is appreciated, none the less," Caridin inclined his head. "It has been a long time since I've been to Orzammar, but I believe I still know the way."

"Good luck," Faren replied as he and the other guards stood aside.

"That would be handy about now," Sirius laughed as the organics in the group walked in the middle of the golems.

"You think we'll need luck?" Leliana asked. "This seems like a grand enough statement that even the most stubborn and proud of nobles will have to listen."

"We can only hope," Wynne agreed with a sigh.

"Call me old and cynical if you like, but I don't ever trust any politicians," Harry chuckled.

"A wise position," Morrigan nodded.


They trod up to the Diamond Quarter of Orzammar, the upper layer of the cavernous city, and soon reached the grand hall known as the Assembly. The doors were already opened for them, and a dozen or more golems soon took up positions on either side, an honor guard as their leader Caridin went inside flanked by Seldrek and Shale, two of his oldest companions. Harry and his group followed in their wake.

Angry voices were bellowing at each other from within.

"Lords of the Assembly, I call for order!" Bandelor the steward spoke as he tried to calm things down.

"Then cease the delaying tactics," Bhelen replied.

"It seems little has changed in the last thousand years," Caridin interjected, his voice booming even louder than his heavy steps as he walked down into the middle of the room. "Too much bickering when there are more important things to worry about."

"Who are you, golem?" Harrowmont asked.

Seldrek, took a step forward to announce his leader. "Here stands Paragon Caridin, greatest of all smiths, he who has led us all for the many years since he created us. Be respectful mortals."

"Well met, Paragon," Bhelen said before turning his gaze to Harry. "So, I see the Grey Warden went in search of one lost Paragon only to find another."

"It seemed necessary, both to hasten my attempts to quell the Blight as well as to end the chaos I saw here in your great city," Harry replied.

"You are most welcome here, Paragon Caridin," Harrowmont said with a slight bow. "Perhaps your wisdom could help break our stalemate."

"The Aeducan line is older even than I," the golem said as he looked to the prince. "Orzammar only stands now because of your ancestors, Prince Bhelen. The Grey Warden spoke with me, and he believes you are the one who can best help the dwarves to rise above their position and reclaim some of what has been lost over the centuries. Are you willing to take up the burden of such responsibility, not merely for your own gain, but to best serve the people of Orzammar?"

"I am," Bhelen said.

"Then, I say it is time for you to ascend to the throne, and we can all get to work at driving back the menace of the darkspawn."

"At last, this farce has ended and I can take my rightful place on my father's throne," Bhelen replied as he took a step forward.

Steward Bandelor bowed. "Let the ancestors find you worthy, first amidst the lords of the houses, the King of Orzammar."

Bhelen turned to Harrowmont. "Do you acknowledge me as king?"

"I cannot defy a Paragon," Harrowmont replied, his shoulders sagging in defeat as he kneeled down. "The throne is yours... King Bhelen."

"Then as my first act as king, I call for this man's execution! Guards, seize him!"

Many grumbles came forth at the new king's pronouncement, even as the guards seized the defeated challenger, and Morrigan whispered to Harry, "At least the new king is decisive."

"I just gave the throne to a sociopath," he muttered in reply.

"You could always remind him of to whom he owes his throne," she suggested.

"I'll probably have to at some point."

"Orzammar cannot afford to be divided in even the best of times," Bhelen spoke to the crowd. "Certainly not when another Blight endangers us. Anyone undermining my reign is serving only the darkspawn. I will return to my palace to gather my generals and prepare our forces for the surface."

He turned to Harry. "I will see you there, Grey Warden. We should speak before you return to your quest on the surface."


The golems were first to depart, heading for the gate that led out of the Frostback mountains and down east into the lands of Ferelden. They were going to head to the Circle Tower at the north end of Lake Calenhad, which was the closest place of power that Harry had already allied with- Redcliffe on the other hand was too far south and out of the way, especially if they ended up needing to march further east to Denerim.

As for his friends, they had taken a portkey back to the tower. A little bit of experimentation had been necessary to make sure that Shale could use that form of transport, and thankfully it had worked. Harry was going to follow them later as he had a couple of final preparations to make before leaving the dwarven city.

There was a banquet underway in the palace later that evening. Vartag Gavorn spotted him upon his arrival and pulled Harry aside.

"King Bhelen has asked me to take you to a private meeting," he said. "There is one last bit of business that needs some measure of discretion."

"Alright," Harry nodded and followed him towards a large stone door manned by well armed guards that led into the private quarters of the royal family. The sounds of the party were cut off as it closed behind them.

A young and very pregnant dwarven woman with red hair was standing in the hallway. "Gavorn? Is this him?"

"It is, Rica," he nodded. "How is your sister?"

"She is mostly recovered."

"You should remember to thank your King for his mercy," Gavorn said with a smirk.

Rica blushed.

"Take us to her," Gavorn added.

"Of course," she said. "Follow me, Grey Warden."

"Rica is King Bhelen's consort," Gavorn explained as they turned down a second hall and went through a doorway into a large open set of rooms.

Judging by the brand upon her face, she was also casteless, which was a very interesting fact for Harry. How many kings would not only sleep with someone from the very lowest portion of their society, but actually keep them around afterwards? The thought made him slightly less worried about siding with Bhelen.

Laying in a bed on one side of the room was another redhead.

"Natia, I've brought a guest," Rica said. "This is the Grey Warden who ventured into the Deep Roads. Warden, this is my sister."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Harry said.

"I'd get up, but my big sister has been fussing over me for days," Natia replied with a smirk.

"You were starving and half dead when they smuggled you in here," Rica scowled.

"She had fallen out of favor with the Carta," Gavorn explained with a snort. "But Bhelen saw an opportunity. Are you ready to serve your king, girl?"

"I can hardly refuse, now can I?"

"How is she going to serve?" Harry asked.

"Our king is cunning," Gavorn replied. "He knows the reach of the Carta and the ties they have to the surface that most of our society officially turns a blind eye to. In turn, they are smart enough to work with the King when possible. Since she has no caste anyway, Natia is going to be one of our agents that can travel to the surface and disappear into the crowds when need be."

"They want me to act as a go between," Natia added. "An errand girl, and possibly more."

"It will be dangerous," Rica fretted over her sister.

"I've likely seen and done worse already," Natia shrugged.

"Not worse than a Blight!" Rica replied.

"It doesn't sound like I'll be on the front lines," Natia tried to soothe her sister.

"We wanted you to meet her, Grey Warden," Gavorn said. "So you will know that she carries King Bhelen's authority with whatever messages she may bring you, in spite of her appearance."

"I see," he nodded. "It's good to meet you. Call me Harry."


It wasn't long before he could make his excuses and leave behind the palace, but he had one last thing to do in the diamond quarter. Further past the building that held the Assembly, he quickly made his way to the Shaperate. Inside, sitting at a table and scribbling away on a piece of parchment, he found Dagna.

Harry smiled to himself at how many redheads there were among the dwarves. Maybe that was part of what he liked about the people of Orzammar?

"Having much luck?" he asked.

She was startled as she looked up, but soon smiled and practically squealed out, "Harry! You're back already?"

A passing shaper shushed them as he walked down the aisle.

"I am, and prepared to take you to the Circle Tower, if you're ready to go," he grinned back at her enthusiasm.

"Just let me finish this," she agreed as she went back to her place in the book she'd been reading, making a few last notes before putting her things away and returning the book to a shelf. She hefted a pack that had been sitting beside her place at the table.

"That's everything?" he nodded to it.

"I wanted to be ready to leave," she answered. "Plus, my father has been arguing with me every time I see him. He just doesn't understand... what I want to do with my life."

"I am an orphan, so I never had to personally deal with that, but I've seen friends go through similar problems," he said quietly. "I don't know the man, but he may mean well, even if that doesn't come across."

"I don't want to be yet another smith," Dagna frowned. "There's too much to learn, too much to see, that I can't stand the thought of just staying down here forever."

"Alright." Harry knelt down beside her and waved her closer. "You'll need to hold onto my arm. It's a bit of a bumpy ride, but try to exhale before we go."

"Are you going to show me some magic?" Her eyes lit up as she stepped close to him.

"A very unique type of magic," he smiled in response as she took his left arm. "Remember, exhale when we go, alright? I'll count down. Three, two, one-"

And with a crack, they left behind the city of the dwarves.


"And here we are," he finished as they arrived. Being still on his knees, Harry helped to stabilize the girl as her wide eyes immediately started taking everything in around her. "Welcome to the Circle Tower, or what I'm told is properly called Kinloch Hold."

"That was amazing!" She hugged him and then went back to looking around. "I've never heard of magic that could transport someone over such a large distance before."

"It's a type of magic that comes from far away," Harry replied. "Just like I do."

"You're not from Ferelden?" she asked. "What Circle did you train at? By your accent, I'd guess maybe somewhere in the Free Marches, but-"

"It's much farther than that," he chuckled. "And it's a very long story, but for now, let me introduce you to a few people. The First Enchanter Irving will be quite interested in your aims, I believe."

"I don't know how I can ever repay you for this," Dagna said as they left the quarters Irving had set aside for Harry's use when he traveled there.

"Learn what you can about magic, and perhaps your insight will teach us all something," Harry replied. "That will be payment enough for me."

As they stepped out into the hall, they almost immediately ran into Alia and Galen, who were walking side by side and talking about something.

"Harry, you're back!" Alia smiled and then she caught sight of Dagna. "Is this the dwarf you were telling us about?"

"It is," he said as he put a hand on his short companion's shoulders. "Dagna, let me introduce you to a couple of the younger mages here in the Tower, two friends of mine. Alia Surana and Galen Amell."

"You're both mages already?" Dagna asked. "You look young enough to still be apprentices."

Galen laughed. "It sounds like you already know more about the Circles than we may have thought. You're also correct, Alia is the most recent of us to have passed her Harrowing. I myself only did so a few months ago."

"It's nice to meet you," Alia added as she stuck out her hand. "Any friend of Harry's is a friend of ours."

Dagna shook her hand and looked up at Harry. "I think I'm going to like it here."


"So... um, Harry-" Oghren nervously began.

"Felsi, right?"

"Yeah, she's supposed to be near here."

Harry nodded and grabbed onto the dwarf, apparating them to the little hamlet on the shore of the lake across from the tower. "Let's go find her."

Oghren grumbled as he held his stomach. "I don't know how you mages can handle that awful feeling."

"I got used to it after awhile," he shrugged. "Shall we start at the tavern? That seems like as good a place as any to look for information."

"I reckon there can't be too many dwarves around here," Oghren agreed. "They're bound to know her if she's here."

"Or maybe a place to start if she's moved," Harry added.

"That would be my luck," Oghren chuckled. However, stepping inside, they found that maybe his luck was starting to change. "There she is. Would you mind helping me out here, Harry?"

"I could be your wingman," he replied.

"Actually..." Oghren thought for a moment and exhaled. "Maybe you should talk to her first. I don't want to get my hopes up if she's not single... or if she's still mad."

"Okay, I can do that," Harry said. "Give me a minute."

He walked across the half empty bar to yet another dwarf with red hair. Harry smiled at how prevalent it seemed to be among the dwarves and hoped that his friend could find some happiness with her, although he had a feeling that he should be on guard for the usual fiery temperment. After all, a woman who could get romantically involved with Oghren of all people couldn't possibly be soft spoken.

"What can I get for you?" she asked, looking bored. He took that as a good sign that she hadn't seen Ogren yet.

"I was hoping to talk to you, actually."

"Me... why?"

"I'm a friend of Oghren's," Harry answered with a grin.

"And you admit it?" she snorted. "You don't smell drunk. Get kicked in the head by a bronto, did you?"

"I've been accused of worse things, I'm sure," he chuckled. "Can I ask what he did to get on your bad side?"

"What happened? Is that a serious question- have you met Oghren?" She sighed as she wiped down the nearest table. "He got drunk- drunker than usual, even. Took off his pants and challenged a roast nug to a wrestling match at my father's funeral. He lost, by the way. The roast got him in an arm lock. He sat there crying for half an hour before someone pulled it off him."

Harry laughed. "I think I can imagine that. I'm sorry he chose such a poor time, though. But, I would guess you must have had some fun times too, right?"

She shrugged and looked away. "Maybe."

"I'll be right back."

Harry crossed over to the doorway from where Oghren had been peeking at them.

"Well, how did it go?"

"She's still put out with you about the nug at her father's funeral," Harry replied.

"That fight was rigged," Oghren argued. "Anyway, the guards said it wasn't worth pressing charges. So there's no call to hold a grudge. Well, I'm going to give it a shot. Just be ready-"

"I've got your back," Harry said confidently, hoping the positive reinforcement would help.

Oghren walked over with a swagger. "Are you sure you're not a baker? Cause you got a sodding nice set of buns."

"Well, look what the nug dragged in," Felsi drawled in response. "I should have known you were in the neighborhood by the stench. What are you doing here, Oghren?"

"Eh, just trying to kick back with a pint," he shrugged. "Fighting darkspawn's a lot of sodding work, you know?"

"You're fighting darkspawn?" She raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Me and Harry, the Grey Warden here," Oghren replied.

Harry gave a little wave. "We're back from Orzammar recently. There should be forces arriving here once they're ready to march. The golems will probably get here first."

"Golems?" she asked. "Really?"

"Oh yeah, we found ol' Paragon Caridin himself," Oghren grinned. "Harry made a deal with him and all his pals to come help with the war on the surface."

Felsi still didn't look convinced, but she wasn't giving them quite as much of the cold shoulder. Harry patted his friend on the shoulder. "Oghren's trying to find a new start, and helping me stop the Blight is part of that." He looked down at his friend and nodded towards Felsi.

"Er, yeah, it's a second chance to do something useful," he grinned. "Maybe finding you here could be part of that second chance?"

"What... so it's fate?" she scoffed. "I thought you were still looking for Branka. What about that?"

"Oh, we found her," Oghren growled. "She was even crazier than I remembered. Too obsessed with finding the Anvil of the Void... and she..."

Harry interjected, "Branka had done unspeakable things. I destroyed the Anvil of the Void and stopped her."

"Huh," Felsi muttered. "Sounds like you're a strange friend to have then."

"He's a mage," Oghren shrugged.

"That explains it," she nodded.

Harry just smiled at them- they probably had a point. When had his life ever been normal?

"Anyway," Oghren began, "I've been thinking about you, Felsi."

"What do you want, Oghren?"

"Nothing. I just thought I'd see how you were doing is all. Now that I'm on the surface too and all..." He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her. "Well, that and maybe grease up the bronto, if you know what I mean."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, you've seen me, but you'll have to go back to Orzammar for the bronto."

"We're heading to look for the Dalish next," Harry piped up. "But we'll be back around here sooner or later, if you two want to catch up more."

Oghren nodded. "Ah, well, it's been fun, but I better go."

"Wait! You're leaving?"

Her reaction would have made Harry smile if he weren't trying to help Oghren be smooth- or something like it anyway.

"You just got here," she continued. "I haven't called you a shaft-rat yet."

"You can't keep the Archdemon waiting," he said with a grunt. "If you hurt its feelings, it just might turn the whole Blight around and go home. Can't have that now; I've got too many heads to bust. Besides, I'm hoping to get to fight another dragon soon."

"Well... you don't need to fight it right now, do you?" she asked. "I mean, you could have a pint first. You could call me a surly bronto, I could tell you that you smell like nug droppings..."

"We have a lot of things to do," Oghren replied. "But I'll come back for that pint when they're settled. You frigid deepstalker."

"Fine," she smirked. "But you better not keep me waiting, you worthless, copper-plated sword-caste."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Harry followed Oghren's lead as they left the bar, amused as hell by their banter.

"So, how long do you think this business in the forest is going to take anyway?" the dwarf asked.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. "If it gets boring, I'll bring you back here and buy a round."

"I may just take you up on that," Oghren replied. "Sodding elves, prancing around in the trees."


"What can you tell me about these elves that we're going to search for?" Sirius asked. "I have a feeling they're nothing like the ones I've met."

"The Dalish are nomads who tend to avoid human settlements and travel the wilderness," Leliana replied.

"Far too much blood spilt over the years," Morrigan added. "Don't be surprised if we get a rude reception from them."

"From who?" Harry asked as he stepped inside the tent.

"The Dalish," Shale replied. "Although why we're bothering with a bunch of whiny little brats who want to hide in the forest is beyond me."

"The darkspawn threaten the forests as well," Wynne pointed out.

"That is hardly my concern," the golem snorted. "The forests are filled with trees. Doesn't it know the horrible beasts that make their homes in trees? Just have the little mage burn it all down- it would save us all a lot of trouble, if you ask me."

"I'm sorry, Shale." It was a bit of a struggle to keep himself from laughing. "But I am not going to burn down the forest just to spite its avian dwellers."

She sighed morosely. "I don't suppose I have anything better to do in the meanwhile."

"You know I may have something that will help," Harry said after thinking for a moment. "Let me see if I can find it."

He stuck his arm down into his mokeskin pouch again and waited until he could grip a large handle. Pulling it out with a grin, Harry beckoned the golem outside of their tent.

"What is it?" Shale asked, looking askance at the device he held.

"It's an umbrella," Sirius said. "A big one too."

"I was friends with Hagrid, remember?" Harry chuckled.

"What does it do?"

"Normally, it's used to keep the rain from falling on you, but I think you may want it for a different reason," he explained as he demonstrated the button to push that caused it to spring open.

"Driving away feathered vermin," the golem replied with a grin. "I knew I liked the little mage for a reason."

"Glad to be of help," he grinned as he then explained how to close it when not in use.

Once the rest of the group had gone inside, Morrigan reminded Harry of his promise to teach her how to apparate. The light was starting to grow dim, but he spent the next half hour explaining the process to her and she began trying to force her magic to cooperate in learning the new talent.

She was clearly annoyed that it hadn't come as easily to her as most of the spells she'd learned from his world, but Harry knew better than to comment on her disgruntlement.

He hoped that maybe she would take her frustrations out later when they went to bed.


They left early the next day, first portkeying to the blackened remains of Lothering, where most of the group was alarmed at the charred ruins. But Harry didn't waste time in getting the magic carpet out, and they were soon flying to the southeast, all eyes peeled as they searched for the elves.

"This may take awhile," Wynne sighed. "The Dalish usually don't want to be found."

"Perhaps I should take flight and search for awhile by myself," Morrigan suggested.

"Let me try something first," Sirius said as he quickly transformed into Padfoot. His ears perked up and Harry slowed the carpet for a moment. The grim barked and raised a paw to point to the southeast, so Harry headed in that direction.

Transforming back, he spoke up. "Dogs can hear much further away than humans, and I heard something like violence this way."

"Everyone grab your weapons then," Harry said.

"Now we're talking," Oghren chuckled.

Morrigan was the first to spot the two groups in a small clearing. "There! Dalish battling..."

"Are those werewolves?" Sirius asked. "But it's day time."

"Different world, different rules," Harry responded as he fired down the strongest repulsion curse he knew, forcing several of the combatants apart. The werewolves growled and then ran off deeper into the wilderness. A couple of the elves were wounded though, and two of the hunters aimed their bows at the carpet as they flew down.

"Some new form of shemlen magic?" One of them spat. "Why stop us from killing those mongrels?"

"It looks like they were winning, mate," Sirius countered as he motioned to one man who had a chunk torn out of his calf.

"I can help, if you'll allow it," Wynne offered. "I have specialized in healing magic."

"The curse that runs within those tainted creatures is strong," a female elf said as she stepped closer and waved Wynne over. "We will not turn away aid for our friend, though."

"But Mithra!" one of them began to protest.

"We will take our wounded back and Zathrian can decide what to do about these outsiders," she replied.

"Fair enough," Harry said. "Is Zathrian a clan elder then?"

"He is our keeper," Mithra answered.

"That sounds like just the man I need to speak to then," he nodded. "We are here on Grey Warden business, about the darkspawn and the Blight that threatens these lands."

"We are not far from our camp," she said. "Follow, but know that we will be keeping an eye on you."