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9 Cloudsreach 9:41 Dragon

Crestwood, Smuggler's cave,

Oh Leliana,

Something happened last night, well, early this morning: Alistair and I, we battled undead together.

Maker's breath, I am now harboring a fascination for the man.

Your stories only intrigued me. And the information in the dossier, especially that damn drawing, made me naturally curious...

Now, I'm faced with this man and he's oddly charming.

This just sounds ridiculous, right? I've only known the man for a day!

I feel a bit ashamed, honestly. Is it the right time for this sort of thing? I should focus on our task, instead I'm thinking about Alistair, wondering who he is and wanting to find out more about him.

Last night, prior to fighting, we had a nice conversation and I began to see hints of your Alistair. I feel as if he's reluctant to allow his true thoughts into the open and perhaps the impromptu conversation allowed him to drop his guard. We became distracted from our duty and as some walking corpses came upon us, we were forced to fight.

I must say, that man is battle seasoned and his prowess on the field is unmatched. We had some trouble starting off with placement, but after a few moments, we found a pleasant dance. I had no staff and so he rotated around me, protecting me, all the while allowing my spells the chance to fly beside him.

He... he trusted me, a mage. Do you remember how long it took Cassandra to get used to fighting beside me? He knew that those creatures had a weakness to fire and my spells lit them up like kindling.

You should have seen him, pivoting around, drawing me to him, pushing me behind him safely... He may not be a tactician, like Cullen, but he's got control and command of battle, no doubt about it. I'm curious to see what he could do with a larger group...

There was a lull, a single moment, after the last one dropped where he turned to me, with the rain falling steadily on us both. We were both breathing heavily, we were mere inches apart. I looked at those honey-brown eyes and those full lips and I was completely, utterly, enraptured.

Has it been so long since I've stared into a pair of sincere, passionate eyes? Maker's breath, I feel like an adolescent girl again, peering shamelessly at the handsome Templars in the sparring ring.

I was fully distracted by him and the rain was beating on the ground, damaging my hearing. We stood there, chests heaving wildly, when an arrow came from behind him, piercing his shoulder, through the space between his chest plate and collar, right above his heart.

As you can well imagine, this broke our reverie.

As he fell to his knee, he made an opening for my casting, and I threw the hottest flame spell I could conjure at the lone undead archer that was encroaching our position. The thing burst into flames and collapsed into a fiery heap. I knelt down to him and helped him throw his other arm over my shoulders as we moved quickly from the path as not to attract more walkers.

As we neared the entrance, Cassandra and Solas emerged from the cave to berate me for not alerting them to the attack.

Before the injury, I noticed his fight style was akin to a Templar's. Though Alistair was more fluid in his movements, unencumbered by that heavy armor and tabard. I'd swear he's had the training, though curiously, your dossier didn't mention his past as a Templar.

Our fight keeps replaying over and over in my head. The man loves battle; there was raw passion there and I felt… enlivened by it.

Maker, what am I getting myself into?

Admittedly, this is a welcome, if ill-timed distraction from the pressures of a leader's life.

Looking forward to your reply and desperately seeking your advice.

G

…

Gwen finished the letter, sealed it and set it on a pile for the courier. She sat at the desk inside the cave finishing up her correspondences after a small breakfast.

Alistair was sleeping near the fire, remarkably peaceful, his scale mail and chest armor removed, and shoulder already well on its way to normal, thanks to Solas' incredible healing abilities. Solas sat next to his ward, cross-legged on the ground with a book in his lap. Gwen smiled at the thought of him doing the same for her, not but three months ago when the mark threatened to kill her in her sleep. From the other side of the cave, Hawke sat on a large boulder with a pliers in hand, repairing the Warden's scale mail as best he could.

There was a simple flow to the morning and everyone seemed willing to help one another regardless of the job. Another smile crossed her lips; this was a good group of people to travel with.

Placing all of the letters and documents into a waterproof canvas bag, she placed it under the table and strolled out to the cave mouth for a bit of fresh air. She spied the Seeker several paces away, cleaning up the mess of the fight.

"Cassandra." Gwen ran out in the rain to the warrior, pulling the hood of her gray woolen cloak over her head as they met. She was searching the corpses for anything of value before throwing them onto a nearby pile to burn.

"What is it, Inquisitor?"

"I want your advice."

"Of course, you need only ask." The Seeker's mouth curled into a small smile at the Inquisitor's words. She tossed an ash covered arm and shoulder bone onto the growing pile.

They walked a short distance away from the corpses and Gwen spoke again. "I want to recruit Alistair and Hawke into the Inquisition."

"Hawke is reckless, and we have already have a Grey Warden ally: Blackwall."

"First, Blackwall isn't here. When I asked him to join us in Crestwood to meet Alistair, he said that he had some other business to attend to in the Hinterlands. Second, I think they'll both be useful allies but specifically, Alistair has experience that I deem invaluable to the Inquisition's success here in Crestwood."

"Such as?"

Gwen let out a puff of air, "You should have seen him fighting last night. No offense to your style or skill, but he revels in the battle like no one I've ever seen. The man has finesse, mobility, and he's a good protector. He also mentioned being in Redcliffe during the Blight and said it was overrun by similar walking corpses. Apparently, they fought them off with great success. He's the only reason our fight this morning went so… well."

She kicked at a stray skull in disgust, sending it flying to the pile. "It was my fault he got an arrow through the chest. I wasn't watching his back."

"It wasn't your fault. You were two against many." Cassandra placated her.

"I suppose. Perhaps that's why I'm so eager to have him travel with us in this dreadful place. The more people we have, the easier it will be for us to snuff out the enemies."

The Seeker sighed, unconvinced and offering her counsel, she spoke, "I can see your point about recruiting him, though, I'm not sure he will. They intended to leave for the Western Approach before sundown. He seemed determined to make it there as soon as possible."

"Yes, he did seem eager." Gwen mumbled to herself and stood, puzzling for a moment. "Do you think it wise for them to travel alone, then wait for us to meet them there in a few weeks?"

"I suppose we could direct them to one of our camps in the area, perhaps they could entertain themselves-"

"For weeks?" The Inquisitor shook her head, forming a plan as she continued. "We have little more than a toehold in the Approach right now. They'd be waiting for us, wasting their time, their skills... and he admitted to me last night that he hates waiting. Do you think they'd hear reason if I asked them?"

"You must be tactful about it, but yes, I think they would listen to you. However, they may not accept your offer."

"I think I can convince Alistair," Gwen said, smiling slowly, "if I plan to offer him our full and undivided attention when we reach the Western Approach."

"Without considering your advisors' opinions on the matter?"

Gwen pursed her lips and nodded slowly. "I don't have the time to wait for their response. I just want to know that I have your support and I will consider that my council."

"Of course you have my support, as always."

Gwen clasped her hand around the Seeker's shoulder as they walked back to the bones. The two threw the rest of the bodies onto the larger pile. With a flick of her wrist, Gwen set the pyre aflame, again using the hottest fireball she could expel. The flames torched the bones and within minutes there was nothing but ash left.

"We should move. That could draw attention."

Cassandra nodded.

As they walked back to the entrance, Alistair emerged and scanned the horizon. His expression softened when he locked eyes on Gwen and for that, she was grateful. She'd need that kind of camaraderie if she was to convince him to join her. Gwen understood that relationships change when allies are made to protect one another and shed blood together.

Fighting the rogue mages and Templars in her Circle rebellion brought her closer to Edmund, and it had happened again with Solas, Cassandra, and Varric as they worked their way through the Hinterlands. The solid trust was one of many reasons she kept them with her on her current missions.

Gwen's face flashed with concern when they neared him. "Should you be up and about?"

"I'll be fine. I've had injuries before, you know. Lots." Her cautious tone made him smile. Alistair rubbed his shoulder, flexing his arm at the elbow. "Your healer is quite good at what he does, I might add. I'm barely sore and only a little stiff."

Gwen lowered her hood as soon as she stepped into the cave entrance and bit her lip with worry. "I'm glad you're OK, and I feel terrible about your injury."

The man smirked. "I'm a resilient guy."

Cassandra and Gwen made eye contact, lifted a brow, and shared an amused smile at the Warden.

"Where were the two of you?" He asked them, eyes squinting, gazing behind the women.

The Inquisitor responded. "We cleaned up the bodies from our earlier altercation."

"Ah, I'm assuming that blackened spot of earth is your doing then?"

Her fingers came to her mouth, covering her widening grin. "Yes."

Cassandra broke in, "Her methods are effective, if somewhat... overzealous."

Their joined laughs resounded through the cave mouth as Cassandra began walking inside. She paused a moment when Gwen held back with Alistair.

"Go ahead, Cassandra. We'll be right behind you."

The Seeker nodded and walked into the cave interior. Gwen waited until she was out of sight before turning around to see Alistair, his brow lifted with a charming curiosity.

"I have a proposition for you and Hawke." The mage said vaguely, taking a step towards the cave. "Will you hear me out?"

He looked a bit dismayed. "You know, I really should be getting on to the Western Approach... but, I suppose we could stay a bit longer."

"Thank you. I promise, I'll just keep it short. And should you refuse my proposal, then you can go about your own business as soon as possible."

Alistair stood, waving his good arm ahead of himself. "Ladies first."

Gwen smiled and stepped into the cave, making her way to the main room where the rest of her companions waited, conversing quietly. "Would you all come in here? We need to do some planning for the days to come and I have something in particular I'd like to ask our newest allies."

When the six companions found their place around the room, they all looked to the chestnut haired woman expectantly. In a pang of nervousness, a spark escaped Gwen's mark and she blushed, reaching across the table to grab a pair of long deerskin gloves. She pulled them up her forearms as she began to speak.

"Alistair, Hawke, what would you say if I… we... asked you to stay on with us here in Crestwood, at least until the business with the lake rift is finished?"

Hawke tilted his head and looked at Varric who shrugged. "The Grey Warden and I are a matched set. We share the same mission and so, I go where he goes."

Alistair paced about the room and considered what she said for a moment. "I…" He struggled with his words before putting on a professional tone and answering, "I would say that, though personally I may desire to help these people, my duty is to the Grey Wardens."

"Hmph," there came a dissatisfied noise from Gwen.

She bent over the table with her arms spread, looking down at the map of Crestwood before her. "Please, don't take offense to what I'm about to say."

There was a pause, then she stated, "What you intend to do in the Western Approach, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me... strategically."

Suddenly and uncharismatically, the Warden's face contorted. "What is that supposed to mean, exactly?"

Gwen paused, hearing the tension in his voice. From behind her, she felt Cassandra place a warning hand on her shoulder and the Inquisitor lightly nodded her off. Collecting her thoughts, she proceeded with what she hoped would be friendly attempt at criticism. "The two of you intend to travel there alone and wait for us to arrive before you even visit the ritual tower; you admit you need our strength added to your own to complete this task, correct?

Alistair rounded on her, clearly agitated, his voice rising slightly as he spoke. "I thought the days of headstrong young women overruling my plans was over, but I see the Maker has a sense of humor."

The Grey Warden's outburst brought all eyes in from their corners of the room and not a word was spoken. He continued feverishly without allowing Gwen to interject. "You're barely an adult and you ask me in here, under the pretense of some sort of proposal, to question my tactical skills?! I've been with the Warden's for nearly ten years. TEN years. You and I fought a couple of corpses this morning and now you think you can casually judge me on my stratagem?"

The words were cutting, but the Inquisitor stood taller, her hard eyes following him around the room. Gwen attempted to placate him, her voice still calm despite her heart racing. "You were brilliant this morning, and I have no qualms about your skills in battle, but be reasonable… I know how to strategize and utilize my resources in the best possible way. Four solid months with my advisors have afforded me that."

Almost ignoring her plea, he stood still and with a sad desperation in his voice, he sighed. Hawke left Varric's side and stood next to him, trying to calm him down with a steady hand. He just shook the archer's hand from his arm and came to stand directly across the table from Gwen.

Pounding the table, he stared into her sage-green eyes. "I have to do something. They're going to destroy themselves! I cannot... no, I will not allow it!"

Gwen looked up into his fiery stare and gave him an imploring look. He was first and foremost a Grey Warden and it was clear he had a rigid plan in place, however faulty it had seemed to her. It occurred to her at that moment that unlike her, Alistair had no one to advise him, save the wild and unruly Hawke. The Warden was riding blind and doing the best he could. He'd been a soldier forced into this position and he needed help.

Overconfidence had clouded her usual finesse and she took a deep breath in an attempt to repair the damage. "You mistake my words for harsh criticism, when all I want to offer you is a stronger solution. I'm sorry. I truly didn't intend to upset you. I know we barely know one another but, just listen to what I have to say, that's all I ask."

He said nothing, but gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

"You said yesterday that waiting makes your irritable. I can guarantee that you'll be waiting should you decide to leave Crestwood before us."

Hawke finally spoke up. "We'll be waiting, you're right, but I'm sure there's something we can do in the meantime."

Gwen cut in before the rogue could speak again. "Be realistic- you'll be waiting for weeks with nothing to do but walk around in the desert, lacking the support you'll need to do anything more than… than twiddle your thumbs!"

Hawke nodded, a sly grin creeping onto his lips. "I happen to like twiddling my thumbs."

Gwen blinked slowly at him with a raised eyebrow before returning to her point. She pressed her long finger at the map location of Crestwood. "The Inquisition is needed here, and I don't leave unfinished business before I depart an area. I want you here with us. Help us finish and then we'll help you. We can return to Skyhold together where we can gather information and prepare before we head into the Approach. I can even write to my advisors and have them send a forward scout into the area." She paused, waiting for their reaction.

Though his expression was still angry Alistair calmed down considerably and answered her. "I appreciate what you're trying to do and I understand, despite my outburst, but I'm still not totally convinced. It just seems… wrong not to head directly at my enemies."

She walked up to him then, her voice was calm and kind as she spoke in a near whisper. "Believe me, Alistair, I understand more than anyone. If I could, if I was strong enough alone, I'd walk right up to Corypheus and end him before more blood is shed. But, that's not the way things work. We have to plan and organize. There could be weaknesses we could exploit that we'd never know if we went directly at him. More lives could be lost without preparation."

Alistair's shoulders dropped in defeat and he turned to face her. "You're right, I suppose."

With his first small move toward acceptance she ranted on. "You and I, we make a decent team both organizing our information, and on the battlefield. In one short day, we've proven that. Imagine what we can do together in a week, a month even! By the time we're ready to confront the Wardens, you'll have a group of companions that work together like a well-oiled machine."

Varric broke in, "You haven't been training in persuasion with Nightingale, have you?"

"Varric…" She rolled her eyes at him. "Not helping."

The dwarf only shrugged and grinned at her.

Gwen was still perched next to the Warden. "Don't listen to him: this is not a farce. I'm speaking from what I see and what I know to be true, Alistair." She held out her hand for him to take, should he choose to.

He stood tall and looked her straight in the eye, "I will stay with you here, until the job is done." His right hand reached out and held hers. "But I'll keep you to your promise: As soon as we're finished, you help me." She felt a slight squeeze before he let her go.