A/N As per my schedule here's the next chapter. :)

Read, Review, and Enjoy!


Days pass and everything seems to go as usual around our little group of saviors. Morrigan and I made some breakthroughs with mother's Grimoire and we're getting close to fully translating it.

Zevran got some heat from Erianne about hitting on a twelve year old, but he took it in stride and swore to always check their age before fondling, which... seems appropriate.

Contrary to popular knowledge we actually ran out of food on day three of our five day trip. Rather than starve, Alistair and I went out hunting and I was able to teach him a bit about survival. What to do when a bear is chasing you and you don't have a weapon, what water looks like and tastes like when it's poisoned... you know, the small things. He took it all in stride, but he still despises me for some reason. What REALLY got him to knock off his attitude was training with Sten. I swear he'd have been nothing but pulp without that proper shield wall stance. Afterwards Alistair steps over and plops down next to me to stare into the campfire as I cook dinner to say, "Sten's charge is terrifying." And pass out right then and there. Ha!

I still have no idea what's gotten into Morrigan and Leliana! They just don't want to talk to anyone but me, and only alone. Then when I DO talk to them in private they're angry as hell that I'm still talking to the other! TIS MADDENING!

Anyways, we're all at our wits end and I've decided to just let them think about it for a while, while I help Erianne plan out our trip to Denerim. "Ok, so... disguises?"

She shakes her head as we walk farther ahead than everyone else in the convoy, "No, we don't have anything to make a convincing one. How about we stick to teams and take out every guard from here to the palace."

"What good will that do?"

She sighs, "It'll get us a clear shot at taking Loghain out! The more I think about it the more I'm agreeing with Morrigan."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, "Yes, and that is absolute suicide!"

"Just hear me out!"

I sigh, "No, yes... sod it! Go ahead, we still have four leagues to go before we reach the gates anyways."

She smiles, "Ok, you, Zevran, and Leliana infiltrate the Palace at night and find the weak points, perhaps even get a schedule for Loghain's appointments. Then we just sneak in the next night and assassinate him in his sleep before anyone notices! The perfect crime!"

I groan as I see a hundred holes in her plan, "Yes, but how would we get INTO the palace without detection? I'm a shapeshifter so I'd be alright, but Leliana and Zevran stick out like your dog at an Orlesian ball."

She gasps in false shock, "Don't say mean things about Barkspawn! He has ears you know!"

I look behind us, "Yes, and it appears he's using them to root around in the food pack again. Hey!"

Erianne turns and whistles, "Barkspawn!"

The aforementioned troublemaker yelps in surprise and whimpers at getting caught snacking.

"No snacking!" Erianne reprimands. He lowers his head and moves back to join the group in the long march.

I smile at the sight of a downtrodden Mabari, "Anyways... what I was thinking is to just act natural, like you belong there and everyone will leave you and Alistair alone. We just have to fit in."

She rolls her eyes and watches me skeptically, "Is it really that simple?"

I smirk, "It could, if you know what you're doing."

"And you do?" I detect laughter in her voice.

"I'm a master at blending in Erianne, just think about all those times you saw me nearly get lost in the crowd when we sold off Owen's crap. I'm good at what I do."

She frowns at my mentioning of that fat sack of- Oh I mean... ex-husband. "Fine, but we'll need time... to..." She slows to a stop as she looks ahead.

I meet her gaze's destination and see a caravan guarded by a few armed guards while it's pulled by an ox and the owner walks along side. "What in the-?" I look more closely at the owner and blink as I spot a balding man with a bright golden shirt on, a strange mustache on his upper lip, and his posture shows he's from the upper class. "Hmm... you think we should say hello?" I ask Eri to my left.

She shrugs, "Sure what's the worst that could happen."

I glare at her, "What the sod Erianne! Now I'll have to keep ten rabbit's feet with me just to stave off your terrible timing!"

She just laughs as we walk up to meet the Caravan as it approaches.

The colorfully clothed man spots us and smiles, "Ah, a fellow traveler of the fair lands. Are you a seeker, perchance?" He asks with just a bit too much charm.

I weigh the options before stepping forwards with a serious expression, "I am Darien Scorpio, Seeker of the Chantry, what discovery do you have to report Ser...?"

His eyes twinkle at my words and he bows respectfully, "Oh my, I did not recognize! I am Beyha Joam, a merchant traveling throughout these lands. My packs are light, but I have a tome of strange origin: The Deus vi Eternus!"

I gawk appropriately and breath in false astonishment as I remember this from the game, "Rumored to be the last message to a sinful world from the Maker himself..." Erianne's eyes widen as she takes the knowledge seriously, and quite amusingly.

"Yes!" Beyha states enthusiastically.

"Hold on, wait a moment." Wynne walks past us and up to the fellow, "Didn't you sell a few copies to the Circle Tower?"

He coughs into his hand uncomfortably, "I have no idea what you are talking about, and neither do these large men carrying swords." I grab my staff and toss up an arcane bubble large enough to keep four of us safe, "Get them!" Instantly a sleep spell slams into my shield from a mage well placed on the hillside to our left. Everyone but four instantly pass out.

"Hold cover!" I shout as Morrigan, Zevran, Alistair and I dive behind the caravan, the only ones left standing. "Morrigan, Alistair, kill these fools! Zevran and I'll hit the ones up top!" They don't protest as Morrigan jumps into her massive poisonous spider form and tackles Behya Joam to stab her fangs into his chest and turn his insides into a clotted mess. Alistair engages the other four on the ground as Morrigan recovers from the massive bite and Zevran stays hidden behind my forcefield as we slowly make our way up the hillside. Precious seconds pass and only two are left on the ground while three archers and a mage pound our advance up the hill. "Yevarik reols!" I shout as I cut my hand open, using the blood that seeps through to toss pure fade mist into the one mage, forcing any demon that wants in to take it for gains.

"AH!" The mage screams and morphs into a dreaded Pride abomination, the Arcane Horror. "Hahahaha!" It flash-freezes the archers instantly and slashes it's claws into the first two, shattering them as we take out positions to assassinate it.

"That is a neat little trick you have there my dear elvish mage." Zevran whispers in my ear.

"Sure, whatever, just kill the sodding thing!"

"As you wish." He blinks from existence and I watch as the Horror kills the last archer with a crushing prism.

Come on, come on...

A shadow appears behind it and Zevran critically stabs the Horror multiple times, it screams out in pain for a moment before a fireball flies over me and explodes its head into seared pieces of flesh and bone. I stare as the steaming corpse falls to the ground, dead. "Hahahahahaha!" I turn to see Morrigan laughing at all our reactions to her perfect headshot. "T'would seem I have the last laugh of this battle."

Damn it Morrigan... that was... pretty amazing. Point for Morrigan.

Everyone slowly wakes up to find us with an extra cart worth of supplies and interesting items Bodahn says we could get for a mint if sold correctly, maybe even enough to pay for everyone's new equipment.

Thank you random luck!


We all get going back down the road and after a little while I hear some good old fashioned party banter start up in the cheap seats.

"I have a wonder Alistair, if you will indulge me." Morrigan asks from my right.

"Do I have a choice?" Alistair comments from my left.

"Of the two of you that remain are you not the senior Grey Warden here? I find it curious that you allow another to lead, while you follow." She says in a light, falsely kind voice I've heard on many occasions when she hunts her human prey.

Alistair looks at her with a raised eyebrow, "You find that curious, do you? Even with Erianne differing to Darien here? Why don't you go pick on her! Why me?"

Oh ho ho! We've got a change in the story folks!

Morrigan frowns in annoyance, "Tch, I only find it curious that you, in fact, defer to a new recruit. Erianne refers to an experienced mage advisor, not some sniveling imbecile. Is this a policy of the Grey Wardens? Or simply a personal one?"

Alistair looks over at Morrigan as we continue along the path, "What do you want to hear? That I prefer to follow? I do."

She smiles, amused, "You sound so very defensive."

"Couldn't you crawl into a bush somewhere and die? That would be great, thanks." Alistair is clearly not amused. Morrigan and I snicker for the last few yards as we approach the walls of Denerim to find Guards asking for whoever has seen the wardens at the gates. "Oh this isn't good."

"Thank you, Alistair, for stating the obvious." Erianne comments. "What do we do?" She turns to me.

I blink in surprise, "Wait, what? Why me?!"

She frowns, "You always seem to know what to do, well, do something!"

I pinch my nose and groan at having to decide for her, AGAIN. "Alright, Alistair and Erianne, go hid under all the crap we've collected for resale, your damaged armor will hide your outline if you're careful." They jump in the back of Bodahn's and Joam's cart and bury themselves in junk as we move up to the gates and are stopped by the guards from before.

"Halt in the name of the Regent!"

I wave fore everyone to stop, "Is there a problem here?"

The one on the left crosses his arms, "There might be, what is your intent on entering the capital?"

I frown, "We're trying to get inside the city to sell our wares. The darkspawn have been ravaging the countryside and we need to find a ship to get out of here."

He looks over the group, "All of you? My that will cost you a mint. How did you acquire all these strange... goods?" He looks over the two heaping carts of crud we have.

Leliana steps up, "We scavenged it from low-life's preying on those fleeing the darkspawn." I nod to her in appreciation.

"Hmm... well... alright then. Stay safe, the roads certainly aren't anymore." The right one responds as they let us pass.

We move up a while and into the market district to part our carts and start selling. I turn to Leliana and smile, "That was quick thinking Leli, thanks. You did great." She blushes and turns back to unpacking her personal items from the cart so they aren't stolen or sold by accident.

Point to Leliana, man this is going to be harder than I thought! They're both great and strongly independent women!

Erianne and Alistair hop out of the carts and sigh in relief that they made it, "That was actually really brilliant Darien." Alistair compliments me like I'm a dog.

"Yeah, thanks..."

Erianne rolls her eyes at him, "Don't mind him, he's just stubborn about losing my affections to you." I stare at her. "Hahaha! Oh man you should have seen the look on you're face! Haha! Priceless..." She wipes a tear from her eye and I push past her to get at my books.

Everyone's a comedian...


Erianne, Alistair, Zevran and I decide to go off and explore the area. Try to find missions we can do for money while we wait for Bodahn and Wynne to properly sell off all our extra gear. We pass the Chantry and I-

"Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him."

I cringe as the old batty of a Revered mother squawks her sanctimonious BS in my left ear. "What rubbish..." I mutter as we all step up to the Chanter's Board.

Lets see... oh it looks like those missions in the alleys are still a reality.

I take the letter about where local gangs met around Denerim and stuff it in my pack for later.

Ok, Loghain's Push, wow they actually named it that. How strange, and convenient.

I pocket that one to while Erianne and Alistair looks over something about delivering Lyrium potions to some templar at Redcliff. "Darien, you're a mage, is this legitimate?" Erianne asks just above a whisper.

I take the piece of parchment and decipher the terribly medieval hand writing.

Seriously its either perfect or atrocious around here. Do the common people not read and write or something? I know it's a bit much to ask but come on?! How the hell do they barter if they can't read?

"It seems legitimate, I'd go with it, give the mages every edge they can against the templars." I whisper back.

Alistair hears me and frowns, "Hey! Templars are there to protect the mages, from us and themselves."

Erianne rolls her eyes as I sigh, "Alistair, you're templar training is showing again..."

He scowls and stomps off, Zev, Eri, and I hot on his tail as he heads for the marketplace. "Alistair slow down!" Erianne shouts as we catch up. He freezes at her voice and visibly relaxes as she stands beside him.

He looks at her sadly, "I'm sorry, It's just so difficult to avoid arguing with him."

"I'm right here."

Erianne smiles, "Yeah, it's like he's a conflict-magnet." They laugh at my expense and I sigh as it relaxes Alistair even further.

Well... whatever keeps us from fighting.

"You know, they say you can get almost anything here, I once got pick-pocketed" Alistair comments as we enter the marketplace.

"You mean to say you will miss this pouch of coins?" Zevran states from behind us.

Alistair touches his empty pouch hook and turns to see Zev bouncing it in his palm, "Hey!" He swipes it back and moves the hook around to the front for easier protection. "Elves and their sticky fingers..."

Zevran and I snicker from behind him and smile as Erianne winks at her fellow elfs.

You know, I've never actually thought about me being an elf here. Strange.

I shrug it off as we enter Wade's shop.

Erianne turns to me as soon as we're all inside, "Alright, do we have the Scales?"

I pat the heavy as all hell pack on my back, "Yep, now lets drop these off and get back to shopping."

She shakes her head, "No, you're the one dealing with this, I'm a terrible barterer, Zevran will try to sleep with them, and Alistair is even worse than I am at reading people." She looks at him, "Uh... no offense."

Alistair shrugs, "None taken."

I moan in exasperation and step forwards to barter, like usual...

Creators I really need to teach her something other than basic war strategy.

Herren smiles as I step up to the counter, "Welcome friend! Welcome to Wade's Emporium. We have the finest armors in Denerim, maybe in all of Ferelden! How may we assist you?"

I swing the pack of scales around and crash them on top of the counter, startling everyone with the huge bang that echoes throughout the shop. "I'd like to make some sets of armor from these Drake Scales."

Herren stares for a moment before freaking out, "No, uh, no he can't."

I look over to see Wade walking up from his forge tucked in the corner, a curious look growing on his face as he takes in the scene before him. The splitting pack of scales on the counter, the hooded and shadowy elf standing there watching him like a hawk, and most important of all... Herren's distress. "Did I hear right?" He smiles as he looks in-between the scales and the mysterious elf. "You, you, uh- -elf- -you. You have Drake Scales?" He breathes in excitement.

I grin from beneath my black cowl, "I do, and I'd like a few sets of high quality armor made for my group."

He picks up a scale off the counter with shaky hands, "Oh my... look at this, Herren, it's real. Some never see a single scale in their lives!" He runs his large calloused hands over the small scale as his eyes flood with emotion. "I must make these!" He turns to me, ignoring his partner completely, "Tell the, uhh, customer, is it?" I incline my head respectfully. "I'll drop everything to work on these immediately!"

I smile at his eagerness but have one stipulation, "Ok, but make a demo set to heighten your skills before crafting the finals."

He grins like a child during... well... any holiday in this universe that gives everyone a great time. "Yes! Oh that is perfect!"

I cross my arms, shifting my body language to show how dangerous I am, tapping my gloved fingertips against my left bicep, "How much will this cost me?" I let the word slither out sinisterly.

Wade gasps, "Cost? I should be paying you friend. For the right, no the privilege-"

Herren interrupts him in shock, "Pay him? No, Wade no! We'll charge you-"

Wade returns the favor, "I'll hear nothing of that, Herren. This is my shop, and working on Drake Scales won't cost a bloody Orlesian penny!"

I smile at their relationship and let my arms fall to the sides, rustling the feathers on my robes a bit, "Hmm... I'll pay ten sovereigns for the first set, measured to my friend's size of course." I sense Erianne frowning behind me at the entrance. "Then if I like what I see I'll pay fifteen for each additional set I commission to be crafted."

Herren ponders this as Wade starts collecting the scales one by one, like fragile little glass pieces that might break if you handle them wrong, "Hmm... that will at least cover cost..."

Wade nearly jumps for joy, "Perfect, perfect! Think about the possibilities Herren!"

Herren rubs his forehead in slight pain, "I'm trying to stop." He sighs and looks at me tiredly, "Come by tomorrow to see your armor, I'll assume your friend is the elf over there?" I nod to him and he waves Erianne over for fitting. She glares at me as she walks by.


Half an hour later Erianne steps out from the back room with a surprised look on her face, "What?" I ask.

She turns to me, "He's gay."

"I know."

She frowns, "How? He seemed so... normal when you and he were talking."

I smile and look between Herren and Wade, "I just have my ways."

Herren sighs as he passes the measurements to Wade and walks back over, "That should be it, unless you have something else you want?" He growls out from the agitation of having to deal with another one of Wade's flights of fancies.

I bounce a coin purse in my right hand casually, "A pleasure working with you." I toss it at Herren who barely catches it as I turn and walk away with Erianne to meet up with Alistair and Zevran.

I love bartering with dedicated people, they just love their work so much that they don't care about the profits.

We step out and are immediately stopped by a dedicated knight of some sort with a groomed appearance and harsh eyes, "I recognize you, from Ostagar, Duncan's apprentice! You killed my friend... and good King Cailen. I demand satisfaction, Ser."

Erianne freezes up with Alistair while Zevran slips around for a better ambush position, putting me once again in the center of attention. "What? We don't know what you're talking about." I cross my arms to assert my intimidating appearance.

Ser Landry looks from Erianne to me and tenses up, "Y-your friend here is a Grey Warden. One of them who killed King Cailen! I was the-there!"

I slowly smile at him, letting the creepiness of my appearance set in before speaking in a light and confident voice, "Her?" I incline my head to Erianne, "A Grey Warden?" I laugh. "Tis a joke surely! You have to be kidding Serah! She is simply one of my crew! I picked her up in Orlais! Haha!"

Ser Landry cringes and looks to Erianne in apology, "P-pardon me, Ser. You must think I'm a fool." He blinks at her before sighing, "You really do look like..." He shakes his head and turns to walk off while muttering about drinking too much ale or something akin to being besotted.

We all regroup and Erianne turns to gawk at me in surprise, "How did you just do that?"

Zevran laughs, "It is the charm my dear Grey Warden! He is charming in his speech and very intimidating in his robes, a deadly combination for persuasion." He smirks at me in appreciation.

I scoff, "Avert your eyes you horny elf! I am not eye candy for you to stare at for hours on end!" I state playfully.

Zevran smirks, "I'm sorry, what did you say? I was busy admiring your ripped chest! How much can you lift! I bet you can do a double barrel."

Erianne and Alistair laugh at my expense while I blush at Zev's advances. "Uh... no, I don't lift."

"Even more curious! I must know your secret!"

I let out an exasperated sigh as he continues to hound me while we walk into the marketplace.


"Hey Alistair, did you know that there are over three hundred bones in the human body?" I ask out of no-where, deciding to form some banter of my own.

He looks over at me from on the other side of Erianne with a surprised look, "Really? Seems like a lot."

"Oh it is, you want to know were the smallest is?" I say kindly, a bit enthusiastic that I'm creating banter.

He shrugs curiously, "Sure."

I point at his ear, "In your ear, there are tiny bones that vibrate to allow you to hear the world around you on the inside."

Everyone stops moving to stare at me in shock. Alistair stares in horror, "You mean there are bones in my ears?! What happens if they break?!"

Wow, he's genuinely concerned... no offense but I get why Morrigan says he's a fool. An oblivious one at that, but a fool none the less.

I watch him curiously for any other reaction as I say, "Well... you go daft since they can't be healed, but don't worry they're well protected. Any blow that'll shatter those little puppies will probably cleave your head right off so you'll be just fine, no need to worry. Tis why your ears pop, there's a separate pressure in your inner ear than on the outside and when it becomes too unbalanced it pops to become more balanced."

"It pops?!" He nearly shrieks an octave higher. He reaches up and covers his ears with a terrified look.

Erianne pats his back to calm him down, "It's alright. Darien could you please leave the medical talk out of our conversations? We're already freaked out about magic enough, we don't need to worry about breaking our ear bones and going daft."

I cringe as I see Alistair seriously freaking out, "Oh, yeah, alright. How about I just talk about how to properly clean a wound without magic?"

"No thank you, please just shut up about medical stuff." Erianne states as she slowly brings Alistair back down from his hyperventilation.

Oh great, my banter sucks!

I sulk as we continue to walk around the marketplace, not really looking at anything to buy, just trying to keep my interesting opinions and facts to myself.

"Ah, why so downtrodden my mysterious little elven mage?"

I look up at Zevran and frown, "Well, my banter sucks and there's also the 'life as we know it is coming to an end' part with the Blight so..."

He laughs, "That is nothing to be sulking about! And I should know, I once spent an entire afternoon sulking about scuffing my boots." He comments as we follow Erianne and Alistair into the Gnawed Noble Tavern to book our rooms.

I stare at him as we sit down at the bar and order a pint each, "Your... boots?"

He finishes taking a swig of ale and looks down at his boots, all rotted out and torn from use, "Egh, oh heavens no! Not these unshapely things! I meant REAL boots, Antivan boots! Oh the smell of fresh leather does so much to the senses yes?" He smiles at me with that purely Zevran smile as I take a sip and I have to keep myself from doing a spit-take as I laugh.

"Haha! What is that? Some sort of euphemism?" I grin at him as he downs the rest of the first pint and orders another.

He covers his heart with a gloved hand and tilts his head to the side, "My dear Darien, what else would it be? I have a huge leather fetish. Or maybe not, it might just be because of my childh-"

I stop him, "Ok, how much have you had to drink?"

He looks down at his empty pint and grins, "Three pints."

I shake my head at him in exasperation, "How the sod, did you drink that much already?"

He smirks, "I was in hear a while back, while you and the two oblivious wardens were shopping for lotion for some reason or another."

"Why were you-?" I put it together and smile, "Scoping the place out, clever."

He raises his fourth pint into the air and I match it with my three-forths full one, "To paranoia!"

"To NOT getting drunk with a hands-y Antivan Assassin!" He frowns at me as I grab his drink and pass it to the drunk at the end of the bar who nods to me I thanks. "Go back to your room Zevran, I'm sure you'll feel those three pints in the morning."

He stands up to protest but staggers back to hold himself against the counter, "Wha-? I don't remember drinking that much? Wait..." He blinks as the Tetrom root takes effect, slowing down his metabolic process and forcing him to get ten times as drunk as normal. I catch him as he falls off the counter and start dragging him to his room. "You- you drug..." He mutters incoherently as his head spins from a massive hit on the subtle hallucinogen.

"Sorry Zev, but I've got other plans this evening than dealing with you for the next six hours." I carry him to bed and take his armor off before tucking him in with the sheets half-way over his body, like he usually sleeps. He passes out from the drug and alcohol within seconds.

I'm not even going to question the morality of that.

I toss my velvet cowl into a long black cloak around my person and make my way out and into the cool night air, mentally checking every corner for any unwanted watchers before stepping across the street and up to a certain scholar's townhouse. I press my palm against the thick iron lock and whisper, "Alen elo." The small lock lights up with green fade magic before clicking as it unlocks. I pull it off and pocket the corrupted lock as I move inside, wondering if anyone was even home this time of night, or if I could change the timeline just a little bit without wrecking the Blight.


A/N As always... have a great day and Ch. 19's coming tomorrow. I'm on a roll! :)