It wasnt that Lilith had wanted to lose the elf, on the contrary, he had been the first male she had contemplated letting have her in as long as she could recall. She had even snuck up to him one night as he slept, and caressed his, no doubt lyrium tattooed, manhood through his leather breeches(how his lovely lyrium laced body lit up). She had almost pulled it free when he moaned the name... Miriam; and that settled it for her. She had kissed his forehead, wished them both many beautiful children, and left. Time to fly, Orlesian style - was there really any other way?

She had gotten as far as the border of Ferelden before she decided to resume human form, and wash at a stream. The village the stream abutted was pleasant, and so she decided to give them all something to gossip about; aside from the Wyvern sighted landing by the stream.

She had enjoyed the stares, licentious and approving,and became aware of being followed almost immediately. Still, she waited till she was well out of the village before turning to meet her group of admirers. To say she was astonished was putting it mildly.

They were the cutest little children, all ten of them; all bright smiles and shinning eyes; so innocent, so harmless, so sweet, and so thorough in their attack on her she had no chance, or wish to put up any resistance. She was surprised to wake up, not surprised by the pain she was in. She was still where they had struck her, in the forest, but for some reason they had stopped before finishing her. They were still surrounding her, only they were asleep - standing.

"Ahem."

She turned to the sound, and found herself at the feet of a frail, robed man of some fifty years old, his face gaunt, his eyes wide with what she at first thought was the ecstatic realization of dominion over a woman out of his class being at his mercy. Strangely enough, she was still fully dressed, though her dress had been torn during the attack it was torn nowhere embarrassing, and places on her thighs where she had been fiercely bitten had completely healed. Odd behavior for a man who was clearly a blood mage, and based on his robes and rings , Tevinter trained. "I take it you want something of me?" she asked.

"I do," he said, his voice a hoarse whisper, as he looked down at her in her humbled state, "I'm Jowan, I'm a friend of your father. I'm here to keep you from being... well, supper."

"Your odd for a blood mage."

He smiled, "I never had the intention of becoming one. I was a mage apprentice in the circle of Ferelden, an errand boy to an ambitious fool named Uldred. I wanted to advance so I did as I saw him doing."

He helped her to her feet, another strange action.

She had the decidedly strange impulse NOT to kill him.

"Thank the Maker, I appreciate folks with that impulse; especially toward me." He said with a genuinely grateful tone.

"Did you just read my...?" she almost managed to ask.

"No, just your desire. Side effect of being a reformed blood-mage. Your mother is waiting for you. She received word you would be in the region - she seems maternal... for Flemeth's daughter. Go see her... I'll look after the kids."

"What's wrong with them?" She was genuinely concerned... she loved kids, they reminded her of Genlocks.

"Old Tevinter trick, lyrium laced blood enthrall. Only this is a very potent form, rarely seen do to the danger to the controller."

"What danger?"

"Madness. This would warp even Uldred. If the controller is still sane... they are very powerful."

She felt almost giddy, "Magister powerful? as in one of the original four?"

Jowan looked at her intently, "Let's hope not. You should go see your mother. She's over in a house on the outskirts of the village you just passed... look for the blood roses in bloom. It's not their season. She will be within."

Lilith left.

Jowan watched her leave, "Maker the thoughts she puts in my head. I almost wish I was tranquil. Aeden would flay me. Morrigan won't be that kind."