Chapter One

Explanations


It was 8 hours and 43 minutes before we stopped – as the sky was lightening the horizon. Duncan said it would be best to travel at night. I had no idea or experience in camping so… I would defer to his judgement on this.

Duncan spoke, "Aedan – before we speak of anything else – you said you were joining us to 'get your nephew away' from Highever. But you didn't bring anyone."

Aedan motioned to me so I answered, "My master bid me to hide the boy away in my home… the coin at his hip. I'm a Gennie – a being of pure magic. Rub our 'lamps' or vessels and you get three wishes. The bigger a gennies' belly, the more magical they are and thus the more powerful the wishes they can grant."

"So you must be practically powerless," Solona quipped at me.

I blinked, "No – I am moderately powerful; you would be powerless. You have no gut – but the Jinni count the er… chest with the gut so having a nice rack helps. But I thank you – I know you meant it as a compliment. I have 8 bedrooms in my home – mine and 7 for future use when I am freed. A master must wish the Gennie free using their third wish to free them – Aedan has used only one of his wishes. He asked me to bring young Oren back from the brink of death. I did so, losing use of my abilities for the following 6 hours as it was a wish almost outside of my ability. I then chose to fight with him to avenge the young man."

"… There are 8 rooms in your house?" Aedan asked.

"Yes – and I know what you're thinking. Yes, we could all sleep in my house tonight – you'll just have to share with your nephew, though. I'm a proper lady and won't sleep with a man on the first date," I flashed him a charming smile.

He laughed, "Darn – there goes that plan. Alright – take us in?"

I nodded and we all landed in my kitchen. I waved a hand flippantly, "Help yourselves to the kitchen – I'm going to go put on pants and maybe a shirt."

"Maker – this place is nice…" I heard Solona mutter.

When I got back from washing the grime of the day off, I sat at the kitchen island with the others and said, "Oren still sleeps – the cub refuses to leave his side."

Aedan nodded to me, "My thanks. Uh… none of us can figure out your kitchen…" I snorted and waved my hand. The fridge opened and food began making itself – I was in the mood for pasta.

The others all watched. Alim asked, "Is this magic of yours… teachable?"

I thought for a minute, "I don't think anyone has ever tried before. I've already accepted I'm not back home. This is another world, I think. Hang on…"

I headed over to the phone on the kitchen wall and dialed my dad. The good news about our pocket homes were that we were all connected – we were never alone even if we were.

My dad was a Jinni – mom was actually a mermaid. We all knew what our mate would be and we always designed our homes around that. I had a large pool on the level below this one – I could sprout a pretty blue tail that matched my hair.

I knew my eventual spouse would be a human – so I didn't even bother looking at the elves or the dwarves in this group. Our eventual spouse was never a master either – so I knew it wasn't Aedan.

Maybe Solona? Or Duncan?

Dad answered the phone, "Angel?"

"Daddy – my coin must have gotten tossed through a portal; I'm in a new world. The witches here want to know if Jinni magic is teachable." I explained.

I glanced at the stove and waved a hand again – the pasta moved to strain itself while the sauce simmered; it was a sun-dried tomato sauce with Italian sausage, bell peppers and onions.

My father was quiet for a moment before he muttered, "Do you want me to visit?"

"You know that you're always welcome in my home, daddy – but I have a full house. I have 9 guests. One is my master and the other is… actually, can you come over? You're more powerful in the healing magics and mom is a mermaid so… the boy is under 10, I'd stake my magic on it. He was cut down after watching his mother fall. My matters' nephew. He was adorable and sweet to me. His only question to me was if I could bring back griffins."

Dad cursed, "I'll round up some griffins and get your mother. We'll stay in your pool for the night before coming home tomorrow."

"Thank you, daddy – though, you never answered; is Jinni magic teachable?"

"As long as the witch doesn't mind gaining a magical core and becoming one of us in essence. She or he wouldn't gain a lamp, but they might be able to do some of our magics. Like the telekinetic stuff mostly. This is dependent on them being able to do magic in the first place, of course. Without innate magical ability, it's not possible. We just don't teach witches usually because they feel themselves superior to us since they don't go through the servitude stage to keep them humble."

I thanked my dad and hung up, "My parents will make a visit in about an hour to heal Oren. And yes – our magic is somewhat teachable; but most witches don't dare to learn. For one thing, you'd gain a magical core – so you'd 'gain weight' and most witches back home are vain. For another, you can't learn the heavy stuff like 'breath of life'… you'd mostly gain the ability to do what I'm doing now – the easy magics like floating vegetables, cooking with a thought, or possibly moving the sugar across the table."

Mom and dad showed up within 25 minutes. Mom had blue skin, scales all along her arms, legs and sides, gills on her neck, green hair (I got my color from grandmother), and pink eyes. She wasn't thin, but she wasn't like a Jinni either.

Dad, on the other hand, was the Jinni King – meaning he was the most powerful of us at the moment. He was huge – he had to use double doors just to be comfortable so my house had that. He had purple hair from his Banshee father, green eyes and grey skin. He was holding a basket full of griffin eggs. I'd put them in the yard – I had a nice rookery there. I'd gotten glimpses of Griffins in the dream where I'd learned my mate was a human. I was starting to think that the griffins hadn't actually been important since they were extinct here – but they were a major sigil.

Was my mate going to be a Grey Warden like Duncan? The only way to know was to sleep with the one meant to be our mate. I wouldn't know until then.

I smiled widely, "Daddy!"

"My darling girl! Where is the boy?" he asked. I motioned, "The first guestroom on the left."

Mom smiled, her sharp, filed-looking teeth startling my guests before she headed off. Mermaids were masters of the healing arts.

Dad looked around the table, "Who's your newest master, girl? Let me get a look at them."

I pointed with a smile, "His only wish so far was for me to save his Nephew; but I've take on a crusade to also avenge his nephew. I promised his dying father."

My dad harrumphed, "Poor kid. Still – you seem a nice sort. Take care of my little girl, okay?"

"You have my word, Ser." Aedan said solemnly.

I motioned, "I just finished Dinner if you haven't eaten yet."

"We were almost ready to go to bed when you called – we've eaten, sweetheart. Oh, here are your Griffin Eggs – I wasn't sure how many to bring, so I collected 50 mating pairs. I know you have a place for them since your future mate might be connected to them." Daddy smiled and the basket of eggs headed out toward the rookery on his magic.

Duncan gaped, "Griffins? Those are… extinct…"

"Not where we're from – I was raised on the planet Elysion with my parents; it's connected to a place called Earth. Elysion has all the mythological creatures – Dragons, Mermaids, Sirens, Fae, Banshees, Jinni, and more. Griffins are to us what a dog might be to you. Loyal companions and basically members of the family. Speaking of Dogs…"

I pulled the steak from the oven to let it cool. I saw Barker perk up. I winked at him.

Aedan snorted, "So, what did you name the Griffin Cub that you 'pulled from the past'?"

My dad looked at me sharply, "You can time-walk?"

"Er… it's a new ability… and I named her Ariel." I smiled while thinking of the white and gold cub with silver eyes. My dad wouldn't drop the issue, "That's a rare ability, Angel. You should be bigger."

I bit my lip, "I… I know I should."

"Then do you know why you aren't?" he asked.

I shook my head, "No – the only thing I can think of is that I'm not meant to succeed you and if I'm bigger than this, you'd have to name me Princess. Right now, that title belongs to that one girl… Ziva. Her parents are a Jinni and a Pixie; it was to be expected that she'd be powerful. Or maybe my looks are restricted since mom is so thin? Is that a thing?"

"No – it isn't a thing. I guess you could be right. Ziva Flower is the current princess, but she can't time-walk."

"Neither can I – I can reach back, but I can't walk back. It's limited. Maybe something is binding my abilities? I've been in the servitude state for longer than most; bad luck in not finding a master willing to release me – so greedy, but that's how things work. I was supposed to have a break through a while ago, but I wasn't free yet." I sighed, sitting heavily while the food served itself.

My dad nodded, "That is a possibility. Hmm – I suppose we will know when the time comes. Everything happens for a reason, child. Very well…"

He trailed off as mom came down holding a very confused child. Aedan shot from his seat, "Oren."

Oren squirmed out of my mothers' arms and ran to his uncle while crying. My mom said, "You'd think he'd never seen a mermaid before."

I giggled, "Thank you mom – anyway, let me introduce you both. Everyone, this is my mother, Pearl – a mermaid. This means she lives in water – hence the scales and gills. Her feet turn into a beautiful tail in water too. My dad here is King Jamal – that means 'Good Looking' – of the Genies. Mom, Dad, this is Duncan of the Grey, my master Aedan Cousland, his nephew Oren, the witches Solona Amell and Alim Surana, the dwarves Sereda Aeducan and Faren Brosca, and the elf Darrien Tabris – he's mute. All but Oren are recruits to Duncan for his order."

"We will have one final stop before we go to Ostagar for the major battle against the Darkspawn. Evil creatures whose very blood is a plague. We will be meeting a clan of elves and hopefully recruiting one. Our main purpose, however, is to investigate reports of an ancient communicational mirror from Tevinter. They can become inflicted with the same taint that fills the darkspawn and thus taint others; killing them." Duncan said after everyone exchanged greetings.

My dad hummed, "Dark…spawn… huh – like that old earth… game… oh. Hmm – Angel, you have your computer here, yes? Go on the Steam application and download that old game that I liked years ago – Dragon Age: Origins. It may help."

I gave him a confused look but nodded. I pulled my Laptop from my room and bought the game. Actually, I bought the whole series – if dad said it would help, it would. I then set it to install before looking back at my parents, "So, you think I can teach these two Jinn magics?"

Dad began inspecting the two witches. He frowned, "Yes, but… they won't be able to do much. These two wouldn't be strong enough to cultivate any core larger than maybe the one your brother has."

Ooof – my brother was a stick-figure.

I nodded, "So… pulling sugar across the table, but not lifting more than a small dog?"

"Pretty much," Dad frowned. "It wouldn't be worth it – in my opinion. If you want to try, that's up to you. Maybe if you meet a stronger witch – one more attuned to our magics than these two – it'd be worth the effort. Anyway, your mother and I have stayed up too late as it is; we'll head down to the pool and turn in for the night."

"It's just getting light," Duncan said once they were gone.

"Oh, I noticed before, but your world and mine have opposing day-night schedules. If it's day here, it's night back home." I smiled.

"Is Ziva your sister?"

"No – like I said, she's the daughter of a Jinn and a Pixie. I have no close relation to her… oh, is this about the Princess thing? Jinni pick our kings and queens based on power, not blood succession. I'm going to go do what my dad told me to do, you can all pick whatever room is available. Mine is the one on the very end of the hall. Each room has its own bathroom, so I suggest you all shower – as always, red knob in the shower is hot water and blue is cold. There are spare bottles of soap under the sink if the ones already in there don't suit you."

"I have a question – this house… who built it?" Alim asked.

"Oh, I did – with my magic. I can expand it too, but that would take a few days depending on how much room is needed. I have all the luxuries of life – mostly because I wanted to spoil my mate when I finally meet them. I have a large pool, a well-stocked wine-cellar and bar, a bowling alley, a work-out room with all the equipment, walk-in closets, a massive library, a beautiful personal lake outside, a game-room, a few offices, a kids' play-ground, a sitting room with a conversation pit, large dining room as you can see, and even a home spa. I didn't anticipate needing more than 9 rooms, counting mine, too soon. I figured if I was blessed enough to have so many kids, we could make room as needed. I didn't realize I'd have people staying with me so we didn't have to camp."

"Well… wow." Solona muttered, "This place is huge."

"Not too big – 4 floors; 2 above ground and two below. Oren, you can feel free to play on the playground while we walk around Ferelden. That way, you'll be safe and you won't have to walk with us. You're very young, after all."

He nodded slowly, "But… I need to continue my studies."

"I managed to take a lot of books from your homes' library – you can study with Aedan and I in the evenings. You won't understand my books. They're in English – a language you won't know. I placed the books from your home into the room you were in, so of course you can feel free to study on your own. They're yours anyway. Aedan, your families money is in a corner safe in my treasure vault that I wasn't using – just say the word and I can get it to you."

He nodded, "Thank you again, Angel. You… you saved Oren; had your mother heal him and… I can never repay you for this. Once I've made my second wish and your mission to help me avenge my family is done, I'll free you – I swear it."

Weather he knew it or not, he'd made a binding vow with a Jinni. I smiled at him, "Since you've said it, I'll believe you. Thank you, Aedan – that's the only thing I could want."

I was about to leave when Sereda said, "Hey. How do you know when you've met your mate?"

I blinked at her and said, "Well, initially there's a strong attraction between us. But I won't know for sure until after I've slept with him or her. I just know that my mate is meant to be human. I thought they would be connected to Griffins since I saw those in the dream-vision we get on our 20th birthday so we can begin preparing for our mate… but since there were no Griffins here, I don't know any more."

"Maybe your mate is a Grey Warden? Our sigil is the Griffin." Duncan said.

I shook my head, "It doesn't work like that. Sigils aren't taken into account – I mean, I know I considered the possibility, but honestly… I could have just seen Griffins because I'm the one bringing them back to my mates' home world. We meet our mates when we're with our last master, so I could meet my mate any time in the coming days, months or years that it takes to fulfil the vengeance. For all I know, Solona or Duncan could be my mate."

"But not me?" Aedan asked with a charming smile.

"No – it's not possible for our mate to summon us a Jinni; we can't be servants to our equal so our mates can't be our masters." I smiled back, knowing that he wasn't remotely interested in me.

"And what if you had more than one?" Faren asked, "Dwarves, for example, always take more than one spouse – we have the lowest numbers in Thedas. Elves are a close second. Then the ox-men; Qunari – and finally, the humans. But birth rates are declining here; so it could be possible right?"

I sat back down, considering the question, "I… it is possible; mom is dads' third mate. He also has an Elf and a Dragonkin mate; I have no full-siblings. I was a difficult birth for mom and she wasn't able to have more. But I… oh. If both my mates were human, then that would explain the vision more. Usually, I'd have had different species for mates. I didn't even consider that the vision was telling me two human mates. This changes things. It was like I was seeing double – that makes more sense." I knew I was rambling almost incoherently but this did make more sense.

My vision had shown what I thought was a single human with an echo – but now I knew; it was two humans!

I stood abruptly, "I have to fix my room! I only put in one extra closet – I need to make another for my second mate!"

I grabbed my laptop and rushed off.


It was sundown as we all piled into the kitchen for 'breakfast' before we would get back on the road. My house was in a place where the cycle was mostly day-time; only 2 hours of night. I didn't pick that, but I wouldn't complain about the beauty.

But to compensate, I had installed thick curtains in every room of the house.

Solona came up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders, looking into my eyes very seriously as she said, "Take me to bed – I want to be your mate. Holy Andraste, this place is a wet-dream."

I beamed at her, "Thank you! I worked hard on it. But, is it me you want or my things?"

My eyes were shining in humor – I knew she wasn't my mate. I felt no attraction to her. She obviously felt the same, because her answer was, "I want you for your showers and the library."

Duncan was chuckling, "Well, I do not believe I would be your mate either, so your mate isn't in this group."

I shrugged, "I have time to meet them. I undertook a mission; and since I don't know what Howe looks like or who he is, I can't just summon him to us. Besides, that kind of magic is just outside of my ability range. If I knew him, I could share thoughts with my dad and have him do the summoning, but… again. Point is, we have time. Aedan can't even make his third wish until the revenge is carried out. Because I took up this mission while in his… employ. Oh – and to explain my presence in Thedas, I've come up with a backstory."

Alim said, "Don't leave us hanging – what is it?"

"I'm the bastard daughter of a foreign king – I came here to make a name for myself while searching out soulmates, a phenomenon unique to my people. We are prosperous and – as a gift for aiding me – I have gifted each of you with a Griffin Egg. You'll find the eggs in your rooms, other than Duncan. When I used my magic to try and find a suitable one for him, the magic rebelled. It was about time for me to pick my own name anyway – since I'll be freed soon, that means now. We keep the names our parents gave us as our second name after freedom, but we pick a name more suited to us." I sighed.

"Do you know what you'll pick? We should start calling you that now so that people don't get confused," Sereda said.

"Avalon. Avalon Angel of Elysion." I said.

"It's pretty. So you gave us Griffins?" Aedan asked.

"Yes – even Oren got one – but I feel bad that Duncan…" I muttered.

Duncan spoke, "It is for the best. I am… dying."

I blinked, "That would explain the magic rebelling. Well, I got started on expanding the house for more rooms. I'm doubling the initial count to make 18. The new rooms will be mirroring what is already there since the stairs are set up for it. There's plenty of room in that area anyway. Just don't try walking around on that side until it solidifies in a few days – you may fall right through the roof and break something – like a leg." There were nine rooms – 7 for guests, one was mine and I'd turned the ninth into a sort of office – on the second floor.

"Thanks for the heads' up." Solona said drily. I flashed her a smile, "Anytime."

We finished breakfast and headed out. We were apparently heading south, to a forest. The others were giving me lessons in history, geography, and nobility.

It took us three weeks to get to the edge of the forest. We found the cave Duncan spoke of easily enough – and I had played every origin in the game right up to Ostagar so far so I knew what was about to happen. My father had been right – I was in the game; the game actually existed. I was hesitant to play it and make those choices – fearful that I would mess with things here if I played any further than I got to in the real life.

Instead, I looked at the internet page detailing what choices would yield the best possible outcomes. Some of it confused me – who was Alistair and why would he need to be king? What was going to happen to the current king? Who was the secret companion? – but some of it was pretty straightforward. Saving the Anvil would yield Golems in the final battle, but a bad outcome for the dwarves; picking someone named Harrowmont would mean extinction, Seredas' brother Bhelen would mean expansion. There was also the matter of the Dalish when we called on them for treaties – if I hadn't looked it up, I would have doomed the wolves or elves simply because I wouldn't know that the curse could be cured.

I'd wanted to know how things happened in each of the origins, so I'd played as a female version of each origin and gotten those out of the way. My favorite at the moment was a female version of Aedan – if only because it was comfortingly familiar to me since I lived it. I wasn't sure if Howe looked the same as in the game, however, and I couldn't rely on that.

Solona spoke as we got near the cave, "Hey – you ever gonna take me up on that offer, Avalon?"

I looked at her, "Which one?"

"Taking you to bed," she clarified. The rest of the group seemed to freeze at her words. I flashed her a smile, "Well, who am I to turn down such a charming woman?"

She flushed a little, "Who's charming? Not freaking me."

I chuckled, "You're bold – it's cute."

"The tower was a place where people were less prudish than the rest of Ferelden. If you were over 16, chances were that you were no longer 'innocent'. I'm surprised you're bold, too."

I chuckled, "Sweetheart, I'm 4,000 years old. It's not like I haven't been with people before. No one saves themselves for marriage anymore."

"… that old, huh?" Alim asked – Solona and Aedan both popped him on the back of the head. I laughed, "Well, we don't age after 25; not until we have our first child. And we can only have children with our mates. And we only meet our mates just before or just after being freed from the Servitude State. So… until we're free, we're immortal. You saw that my dad looked older – he's getting on in years now. He's got maybe 2 decades left – our lifespan matches to our mates. If we have more than one, then it matches to the one who will live the longest. Mom was dads' youngest mate – he met her 300 years after the other two. See, it's possible that our mates could be at different times if we have more than one. So, while I'm preparing for both mates at once, I may not have more than one at a time. Mermaids live 5,000 years. Mom was already a thousand when she and dad met – but mermaids also look young until they die. I knew I'd have maybe 8 decades after I was freed since my mate – well, mates – are human. In a world like this, I'll be lucky to live another 50 years. But I'll be happy."

"You're so sure of that – what if your mates don't want you?" Faren asked.

I stumbled, "I… hadn't considered that. It's so rare… you're right. There's always that possibility… especially if my mates don't like sharing and I meet them both…"

The group got quiet – though I would swear that most of the others kept shooting Faren dirty looks.

We arrived at the cave and I spotted the elf on the ground. She was about 5'5 with brown hair and the markings with the bow and arrow on her face. She had a bow on her back and daggers on her hips. I almost flipped out – she looked exactly like the character I made. This strengthened my resolve to rely on Wiki and only play parts that have already happened.

Her eyes fluttered and I saw that they were violet in color – like mine.

With the others having the default names, I was sure her name was Lyna Mahariel.

Duncan lifted her and I pointed while using my magic to sense the direction of her clan. We rushed off.


I stayed with Lyna – and yes, that was her name – while the others when to clear the ruin with the mirror. I hesitated but said that they should keep an eye out for another Elf.

When questioned, I said, "People here wouldn't hunt alone if the area was dangerous… right? Or is that a thing here? I just figured she might have a hunting companion."

The Keeper – Marethari – had agreed that Lyna had been with a clan-mate named Tamlen. She described Tamlen to Duncan before they headed off.

I had told them that I'd keyed the coin to them, so if they wanted to go in, they just needed to tap three times – meaning that Aedan would have to be the last one in. The coin couldn't leave his possession as long as he was my master. It wasn't possible to interrupt a contract in progress.

I, of course, used my magic freely while helping to care for the young elf. Duncan had said that the Dalish weren't likely to turn me in – ever.

I learned why when we'd arrived – the Keeper and her First were both 'Mages'; what they called their Witches. It was tradition for the Keeper to be a mage. I summoned my laptop and my magic box – the box that connected me to the internet back on earth even though I was way out of range.

I looked up the Dalish.

The Dalish are nomadic elves that seek to recover, inherit and preserve the knowledge and sacred treasures of the two fallen elven kingdoms, the Dales and Elvhenan. They lead nomadic lives, wandering throughout Thedas. Their clans date back to the independent kingdom of the Dales and the Dalish themselves are their descendants. Many Keepers are descended from the nobility who governed the Dales. The Dalish are considered to have the "purest" blood from the time of Arlathan. They still revere the elven pantheon, and in a ritual to commemorate reaching adulthood each member of a tribe will have the symbol of their chosen god tattooed on their face.

That was what the site started off with. I hummed and sipped on my glass of orange juice – knowing that the Elves watched me in confusion as I stared at a metal 'box'.

I leaned forward and muttered as I read the 'motto' listed, "We are the Dalish: keepers of the lost lore, walkers of the lonely path. We are the last of the Elvhenan, and never again shall we submit… fascinating."

Marethari spoke and I almost jumped out of my skin – I hadn't heard her approach. She said, "Where did you hear of that, Da'len?"

I pointed to my box, "This tells me everything I need to know. I was curious about your people, so I was just doing some research. I apologize."

"And… what are you, if I may ask."

I closed the laptop, "That's fair – I did look up your people after all. I'm a Jinn – a genie. There are usually four types of Jinn – attuned to one element. Well, there used to be. The fire, water, earth and air clans. About 50,000 years ago, there was an event that merged the magics. Now they are different; cosmic. There are the Hinn – they appear mostly as dogs but hold the same general abilities as us. The Ifrit are strong and cunning winged creatures of fire; but they like ruins are aren't usually seen. The Jann are shape-shifting Jinn who like deserts and take the forms of tornadoes or whirlwinds. They have the ability to hide or reveal Oasis' in the desert – if they like or dislike particular travelers. Marid are powerful Jinn – and very proud. Like me, they could grant wishes to mortals – but they usually want to be beaten in battle first; or imprisoned or flattered. I don't recommend the rituals. Nasnas are human-animal hybrid looking Jinn. I don't know much about my distant cousins, though. Then you have the kind that look like me – we go by Genies these days…"

I explained our youth, life, magic and mates.

She looked fascinated, "So, your people are – by their very nature – beings of magic?"

I nodded, "Uh-huh – the bigger a Jinni is in the belly, the more powerful their magic – of course, the chest does count as the belly among the Jinn. My dad is the current King. I have no relation to the Princess – we succeed by ability, not blood. My mom is a Mermaid – a being that looks a lot like a human on top and a fish on bottom when in the water – she looks like a scaley human out of water. Her dad was a Siren – they sing to the sailors and lure them to crash into the rocks before drowning the ones that land in the water and are too slow to get away."

"That's… interesting."

I shrugged, "It is what it is. Their voices are so beautiful – their songs full of the promise of what you want most. But you were asking about Jinn – sorry, I get distracted."

Da'len – would you like to learn more about the Dalish from the Dalish? Hahren Paivel would be more than happy to teach one who has real interest in learning our ways."

"I would like that. I wasn't sure if it would be rude to ask since I am an outsider here. But perhaps it was ruder to do my own research without even asking. Ir abelas, Keeper." I said – I'd looked up the language.

Her eyes widened, "You know some of our tongue?"

"It is similar to the tongue the elves back home use – so the rhythm is easy enough to pick up for me – but some of the words… I found them in my research. I didn't butcher it, did I?"

"Not at all. I'm impressed, Da'len. Merrill will be happy to teach you some of our magic, Paivel will teach you of our history. You may learn with them until your friends return for you."

"Keeper… not to be rude but… there's something else. Lyna is tainted – you know that as well as I do. You've kept it at bay, but without a cure, she will die. Her only hope is to Join the Grey Wardens when she wakes. I will speak with Duncan – but we did hope to recruit someone from here anyway. The Dalish are the best archers one could find, if I understand right from my research."

"… You are right, Da'len – I will begin the preparations for her to leave with you. You will take care of her, won't you?" she asked. I nodded, "As best I can."

By now, I knew the secret of the Joining – that it was lethal. I hoped that each of the current recruits being potentially the warden would let them all live. I would see about getting Daveth and Jory released from their conscriptions – as I'd read, they were meant to die.

Marethari stood, "I will let Merrill and Paivel know that you will learn with them. And if you have need of anything from Master Ilen, do not hesitate to ask."

I nodded again, "Ma Serenas, Keeper. I will go find Ilen first."

She agreed and I headed off. I looked over Ilens' wares – he was weary of me. I hummed, "I need… 3 stalks of Elfroot, 10 seeds; another 10 of Deathroot; and two full sets of armor in Lyna Mahariels' size, and a nice bow for her – hers was broken when we happened upon her. In trade, I have some sturdy pots and pans as well as nice cooking utensils?"

Ilen looked over my offered items with a critical eye; this was a new set I'd asked dad to pick up for me – still in the original packaging. I'd intended it as a gift for the king… until I'd read that he would die.

He looked impressed, "I'll accept your trade, Da'len – though I appear to be getting the better deal."

"Then can you add two of your best daggers? Again for Lyna – hers were half-melted. Whatever happened in that cave, it wasn't pretty," I shuddered.

He sighed, "You are good to her already – what do you plan to use the plants for?"

"I plan to grow them." I smiled.

"Do you want ten of every kind of seed, then?" he asked. There were more? I nodded.

He handed me little pouches with labels. I could read them now – after three weeks of learning, I knew a good portion of the runes they used.

The labels read; Elfroot, Blood Lotus, Spindleweed, Deathroot, Deep Mushroom, Embrium, Rashvine, Arbor Blessing, Vandal Aria, Black Lotus, Crystal Grace, Dawn Lotus, Dragon Thorn, Royal Elfroot, Witherstalk, Ghouls' Beard, Prophets' Laurel, Rashvine Nettle, Amrita Vein, and Felandaris. I looked them over – noting that each was also labeled with a picture of what environment they grew in.

For Deep Mushroom, there was a picture of a dark cave. For Dawn Lotus, there was a picture of a sea-side.

It was easy enough to understand. I thanked him before leaving – I could see some people coming over to look over what he'd received in trade.

I headed over to Master Paivel next – Dalish Magics could be learned later without making a fool of myself; I'd already made a fool on the histories.

I sat and listened intently as Paivel schooled the children of the clan. He kept glancing at me – the kids did too – but I was intent on learning as much as possible today.

Magic was learned the next day – I knew I could learn their magics since Solona had already started teaching me a bit here and there; I was now able to use 'Arcane Missile' and 'Arcane Shield'.

It was all I'd learned so far.

Merrill taught me fireball and winters' grasp on the second day after we shooed off some humans that came to make trouble… but Lyna woke – as I knew she would – on the third day.

She took Merrill and Fenarel to look for the cave – I stayed behind to help get things prepared for us taking Lyna away.

Lyna had given me a complicated look when I handed her the pack of items that I had procured for her. I didn't blame her for not trusting me – in her shoes, I wouldn't have either. I suppose I felt guilty that I may have inadvertently messed with her timeline by starting that damn game.

In theory, I should test out the hypothesis more to see if it really was me – or if I was just making something out of nothing. I couldn't bring myself to risk it, though.

I was just finishing things and helping tie off the last Aravel when the whole group came walking back into camp.

Aedan came over and hugged me, "You don't want to see those things… you never want to see those creatures…"

I snorted, "Ugly little things, I take it."

"… they're twisted and rotting and… Avalon, you never want to see a Darkspawn." Aedan muttered into my hair. I squirmed, "Aedan – let me go. Please."

He did. I made him look at me, "I saw everything you did; smelled and heard everything that you did. When we are apart while you hold that coin, I am connected to you in every way while being apart. It's so that I can come if you call to me for your wishes. Yes – I know you threw up after the first one. I'm well aware that their blood is black and sickening. I know they smell like month-old decomposing bodies left in the desert heat with no scavengers nearby. When you left, I was still with you."

He shuddered, "Had I known… I'm sorry."

"Don't be – you have not seen the worst of things. I did some research while you were gone; things will get worse. You have seen the smallest and most harmless of the spawn – not the biggest."

Duncan heard me, "Which part do you refer to?"

"… Broodmothers." I said. Duncan nodded, "True enough – they are a sickening sight. They are also very dangerous – with long tentacles to keep enemies at bay. They are the breeders of the Darkspawn race. Now, I must speak with Marethari."

"She already agreed – Lyna will be coming with us. I've helped make all the necessary arrangements, got her everything she needs, helped pack the camp and sooth the Halla – one of which has chosen to stay with me and is already happily in her new habitat in my yard. I built a horse shed a while back meant for only giving them shade while they sleep or eat or drink, so she's there."

"Thank you, Ava. I will go make final arrangements then. The rest of you get cleaned up – we will leave as soon as possible. We can't afford to allow our newest recruit to die of the taint before the joining. I already sent word ahead to Ostagar before we got here – while we stopped at the inn on the road – so the King will want to meet you, Avalon. I didn't mention magic – just that you were the bastard daughter of a king who loved and cherished you and your 'background'. I did mention the Griffins. You should all keep your cubs out when arriving at Ostagar – it will help sell it."

They all nodded. All the griffins had hatched within the last three weeks – 50 mating pairs hadn't even filled half my roosting area. And dad had gathered enough to finish filling it last week. I had a full roost now – mom had sent a Harpy friend of hers to play Shepherd for them.

Lyna – right beside us – asked, "You have griffins?"

I pulled one – black and white with green eyes – from my home and passed it to her, "This is Willow – he's yours."

She gaped – as did all the elves around us – as she cradled the cub in her arms protectively, "M-Mine?"

"Yeah – I gave all the Warden Recruits their own cubs. They got to name theirs since they were there when they hatched. Maria named the rest – she's the keeper of my roost. I have, counting the Griffins given to the warden recruits in this group – 100 mating pairs." I nodded, "But Griffins are very easily found back home, so this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Ilen – standing beside us now – said, "Look at the cookware she gave us for your armors and new weapons, Da'len. She also gained seeds for each kind of herb and since we couldn't cultivate several of them anyway… we still gained the better bargain."

"Not really – that stuff is common use where I come from. I had planned to gift it to the king of Ferelden but I doubt he'd ever use it – you will. Besides – for me, it's easy to get those kinds of things. Quality armors and weapons? Not so much." I shrugged.

"To you, you got a wonderful trade – it is the same to us. So, I suppose we both profited." Ilen conceded.

Duncan called out, "It's time for us to go, now."

I glanced over, idly wondering when he'd headed over to Marethari to complete the details. Marethari walked over to Lyna – giving her a ring of some sort and a hug. As we walked past the parade line of people, each one reached out to pat Lyna in some way or form.

Lyna had her new Griffin on her shoulder and she was very protective of it. That seemed to be the benefit of bringing Griffins to a world where they were extinct – people would defend them at all costs. Hmm – I should look up how griffins died out here.

The others usually kept their griffins on their shoulder or in the hood of their armor too, so… I wasn't surprised. What I hadn't told them is that I'd marked the mates of their griffins for their future lovers. I wasn't sure who would have a lover or not, but if they took a lover, then they would have a wonderful gift for them.

Maria was also giving the recruits – and Oren – lessons on how to care for growing griffins. Not a single recruit missed a lesson on it. I was proud and it pleased the Harpy. Which was good – you didn't want to piss off a Harpy… ever.