Finley tapped the edge of her folded note against her hip as she trotted forward, taking in her desert surroundings. She normally didn't make it this far west, but on the few occasions she had, it always baffled her that people said nothing grew there.

There were plenty of things, flowers and animals alike that were unique to this region, and she rather enjoyed crossing paths with them.

Or, she did when she wasn't leading others around. Bull, Dorian, Alistair, and Sera were traveling with her, and they were proving to be brilliant company, as usual.

However, the closer they got to their destination, the more fidgety Finley got, and the faster she walked.

The others were a good few yards behind her now. As Dorian called out that they didn't know whatever spell she was using to stay above the sands, she paused and looked down. She had a variety of spells that she cast on herself to help her get away from pursuers, and she kept realizing that she still used them, without sharing her knowledge with others.

Just as she considered going back to try to cast the spell on the others—she wasn't completely sure she could, honestly—she noticed a figure down in a small grove of trees at the bottom of the sand dune she'd just crested.

She stilled, forgetting her companions as her fingers gripped her letter tighter.

The Warden-Commander, Dev Brosca had sent word that she was coming back from the far west, and she had said she would meet with Finley. Ever since she'd gotten the letter, she'd had butterflies in her stomach.

Warden-Commander Brosca was one of the heroes who stopped the Blight, and if Alistair's stories were accurate—he was an honest sort, so they probably were—then Finley owed a great deal to her. Alistair may have slain the archdemon, but it had been Warden-Commander Brosca's intelligence and willingness to take charge that had gathered their army and given Alistair the opportunity to end the Blight.

She was a hero, and Finley could hardly believe she'd get to meet the dwarf, in the flesh.

It seemed too good to be true.

Barely able to keep herself from bounding down the sloping dune, she hurried, barely noticing the calls from her companions to wait.

However, as she drew closer to the figure in the grove, she paused. It was not a dwarf waiting for her in that small copse, but a human man.

He was tall, with dark hair that hung to his shoulders, a prominent nose on his angular face, and a tan from wandering in the outdoors often. More importantly, however, he wore the blue and gray of the grey wardens.

He noticed her before she could decide if she wanted to backtrack and wait for the others, and held his hand up in greeting before starting toward her.

"You're the inquisitor, I assume?"

She stood a little straighter and nodded. "I'm here to meet the Warden-commander."

"And I'm here with an apology on her behalf." The man stooped into a short bow, one that echoed years or practice.

A noble?

Finley appraised him again, wondering if she was supposed to bow back or ask for a title or… "She…couldn't come, could she?"

"She's been delayed." He paused and then motioned to himself. "I'm Nathaniel Howe, and I came to take you to her."

Instantly, Finley perked up. "So I can still meet her?"

Nathaniel seemed a bit taken aback by the question, though he was quickly distracted by the sounds of Finley's companions coming down the slopes behind her. He started to reach for his bow, but stopped himself when he saw who was coming.

No doubt because of Alistair.

Sure enough, he offered Alistair a quick salute and then motioned off toward the west. "Dev is going to be thrilled to see you."

Finley listened intently as the two wardens exchanged greetings. While Alistair's taste in friends wasn't always the best—that he could enjoy Garrett Hawke's company was beyond her understanding—this Nathaniel character seemed alright.

Once they'd had a chance to introduce everyone, Nathaniel looked back at Finley and cocked his head. "Shall we?"

The fact that he was asking her because she was technically the highest ranking person present flew right over her head, and she had to take in a slow, steady breath before she could get too excited.

She was going to meet the Warden-commander after all.

With a nod, Nathaniel led the way.