I finally found Alistair. He was stuck on errands on the order of the Grand Cleric, who was using him to convey a message, to the mages. He used to be a Templar you see. This encampment is like a party,everyone gets along so well. He is a very glib fellow,especially one who was raised by the Chantry. I like that.
He also resembles King Cailin to an astonishing degree. They must be related. Then again the Therin's are related to just about every family in the country by this point, certainly all the Highborn ones. Apparently he was forced into the Templars against his will, and Duncan had to risk offending the Grand Cleric to conscript him, something Alistair is eternally grateful for by the way, so he must be someone of value, or the Chantry wouldn't care if he left. I know of several houses who pledged young children to the Templars. But I won't pry. If he wants to keep such things a secret than that's his business, I certainly have no room to judge on that front.
And Daveth was right, Duncan does intend to send us into the wilds. We need to collect three vials of Darkspawn blood,one for each of us, plus some old treaties from a ruined outpost, those should come in handy if the worse happens. Collecting the components is supposed to be some sort of team building exercise, I myself would have gone for trust falls. Alistair is the most junior member of the order and so will accompany us into the wilds like a chaperone. It's like when I was young and they sent Fergus to chaperone me at formal gatherings. Of course Mother always told me I was their to spy on him and keep him out of trouble. And having the other their did put a damper on the worse of our debauched antics. I wonder if I'll see Fergus out in the Wilds. Maker I hope not.