Judy: Thanks My Spanish speaking Guest: Aedan is not an asshole all the time. But he will be prickly. He is just wary of magic and now fearful after Jowan. And the death of his family. And frustrated with the delays in getting to Ostagar. Friesan Pirate: welcome. Thank you for favoriting the story. Hope you enjoy.

Their amusement was getting on my nerves. I knew they weren't truly laughing at me, but it felt that way. It was likely because I was just thrown out of the only home I'd ever know. I was five when I came to the Tower and didn't remember my life before that.

I had met Anders that day. Or at least that is what he told me later. They had returned him to the Tower for the fourth or fifth time. We sat waiting for the First Enchanter together. At least I wouldn't be there when they made him tranquil.

And then there was Jowan. How could l not know he was a blood mage. Better question, how could he be so bad at regular magic and so powerful with the forbidden kind.

The way he treated me was as if we weren't even friends. The more I thought about it the more I wondered if he included me so I would be held responsible for his escape. Which meant he was going to betray me before I did it to him. Was his goal to have me be made tranquil. If he was escaping, then he wasn't all that worried about himself. Which didn't make sense with the way he was going on and on about tranquility.

I stood expecting the boat to rock wildly like it did when I stepped down off the dock. But the long flat bottom must have distributed my weight enough that movement didn't affect it. I moved carefully to the back of the ferry where I could see the outline of the tower.

"Don't mind Aedan," Duncan said coming up behind me. "He isn't old enough for life to knock some of the arrogance out of him. And he has had a rough couple of weeks."

I only grunt noncommittedly.

"Rhiannon, you have to understand, the Chantry teaches mages …"

"I know the Chantry's rhetoric. I'm a mage. I've been punished my whole life for something I didn't ask for or even want when it showed up. They say they are afraid of us because we can become abominations, but they treat us as if we already are. There are hundreds of thousands of mages that never give into a demon or turn to blood magic. But when one does it's 'see I told you mages are evil.' I thought, with what you said the Grey Wardens were more enlightened than that."

Duncan sighed and looked over his shoulder at Aedan knowing the young man was listening. "We are. We have seen that there are worse things out there than blood mages, abominations and demons. There are former Templars and Mages who work together and even like and respect each other. But they had to learn a different way. And that doesn't happen overnight."

"Well obviously he didn't learn." I spat.

"That's because he is only a recruit like you. He has no experience outside of his home castle. The Circle was his first time he saw a mage. So of course, the blood magic causing the damage it did only reinforced all the things his priest told him was true about magic. And on top of that he just watched his whole family slaughtered in an act of betrayal."

I suddenly felt for him. To have your family killed was terrible but to have to watch it happen. And if I was honest with myself Jowan's actions shook me. Which meant for someone taught mages were bad it would terrify them, and they might lash out.

"I am not suggesting that Aedan was right, but the person Irving described you to be was someone who could forgive and give second chances. Please, try because one day you might be dependent on him or him on you to work together and watch each other's backs. He will come to see a practical side of magic, that I promise. He will judge you by the woman you are not the talent you have."

I nod softly to let him know I will try. I also decide that if I can judge Templars by their individual actions, I should allow him the same chance. Duncan turned to leave when I ask him who the mage was that gave him a practical lesson in magic. He told me an elven mage named Fiona.

I continued to stand there for several minutes until I felt the ferry bump the side of the dock. My new life was about to start and for several moments it terrified me keeping me rooted to the boat.

"Rhiannon, come. We have much to do before we can be on our way," Duncan said when it didn't look as if I had noticed we'd docked.

I accepted Kester's hand for assistance to step up onto the dock. The boat lurched again but this time I was prepared and didn't squeal. I walked down the dock following Duncan and looking around for the man he called Aedan.

"He will be back. Come. We didn't get a chance to eat. You can help me get the fish ready." Duncan said noticing my attention.

"All right. But I am not sure what I can do to help."

"We need to clean and cook the fish."

I just stared at Duncan. I had eaten plenty of fish. It was staple living on an island in the middle of the lake. But tonight, was the first time I had seen a whole live fish.

"You have no idea what I am talking about, do you?"

I frowned and shook my head. "I am sorry. I mean I understand the concept, but I was not one of those who were allowed in the kitchens. Only the tranquil were allow weapons. Knifes were considered weapons."

Duncan snorted.

"But I can learn. If you want to teach me."

"Not tonight, Rhiannon. But I promise before we get to Redcliff, I will have taught you, how to catch, clean and cook a fish. Why don't you take this pack over there by the fire and go through the contents and get familiar with them."

I did as I was told. I had been sitting there on the bench long enough for Duncan to have cleaned the fish and put it over the fire to cook. I had become entranced by the healing tome Irving had given to me. I had read the letter he included twice. He'd set up the situation with me help Jowan so I would be conscripted by Duncan.

I was startled out of my reading by a barking. I looked up and saw a black beast bearing down on me. He was the size of a small horse. I jumped to my feet in fear. "Of Fade, what are you?"

"That's my Mabari, Rabbit. You do know about Mabari, right?"

"Of course, I know what a Mabari is. I am Ferelden after all. I read all about them. The looked smaller in the book."

Aedan narrowed his eyes wondering if she was insulting him. But he noticed how Rabbit was prancing around her happily. And the fact she looked utterly amazed. "Have you never seen one in real life?"

I shook my head and held out the back of my hand for him to smell. "We were not permitted anything but cats and those only because they hunted mice."

"Then let me introduce you. Rabbit this is Rhiannon, the mage. She is going to be a Grey Warden like us. Rhiannon, this is Rabbit. He is as tall as a dwarf and just as wide. And when he gets excited, he forgets to walk or run and just jumps around like a rabbit."

"Hello Rabbit," I said breathlessly.

Rabbit barked back and shocked I looked at Aedan. "Did he understand me?"

Aedan grinned responding to my joy and nodded his head. "You can talk to him and he will respond. It might take you some time to understand his growls and barks. Until you do, I can translate. I've had him since he was born. My father's bitch Samme whelped him three summers ago."

"He's…you're beautiful. And your ears, they are so soft." I tentatively patted his head.