When we awoke Alistair told me about his sister Goldana and asked if we could visit her in Denerim. He hadn't seen her before and worries that he might not have another chance too. I told him we would have to go there eventually. I think we were both using that to avoid other topics.
During our trip down Lake Calenhad we were hailed by a boat from one of the coastal villages. A Darkspan raiding party had arisen from the deep roads and was threatening them. They requested our aid. Irwin said that Conner should be fine even if we took an extra day to get to him. Helping the people was the right thing to do. And as the acting commander of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden I felt I had to test my abilities to command larger forces.
I set the mages and Leliana up on a ridge overlooking the road and had Alistair and I take positions on the flanks. The enemy was so few I felt it unnecessary to involve the local militia, a motley collection of boys and old men even more ramshackle than the one in Redcliffe. In hindsight that might have been a mistake. Wyne knocked them down with her earthquake spell and the others poured arcane bolts and arrows into them while Alistair and I went for their flanks. None of us gut a scratch on us.
Unfortunately Irving was so exuberant in our victory that he fell off the ridge, reopening one of his wounds. We patched him back up with healing magic but I'm unsure if he should be the one going into the fade.
Alistair gave me a rose he picked in Loathering. He felt it wonderful that something so beautiful could exist in a place with so much despair and wanted to keep the darkspawn from destroying it. He's so sweet. I told him he should hold onto it until Conner is safe. I won't let Alistair loose anyone else he considers family.