My thanks to Wyl for his continued support for this story. Sorry it's taken so long to update (I won't comment on the timeframe if you don't). Getting back into the swing of things…just, well, wow. This story had also garnered some more alerts and favorites. Reviews are awesome, so don't be shy!

Chapter 13

The Halla Tainted

After the disappointment of finding the Dalish camp abandoned, the pair turned their path toward the Wilds. Despite having no solid leads as to the direction Rikhard was now traveling in, the pair decided upon that course based upon the briefly touched upon subject of Flemeth during their conversations with Marethari. Truly, the Witch of the Wilds was the only lead the pair had.

They would break their campsite down before the sun rose each morning, traveling well into the night to the last vestiges of sunshine. Spired shadows and uneven grounds made traveling deeper into the night too dangerous for the pair.

And never, during their week long sojourn through the Brecillian Forest, did the pair feel completely at ease, always glancing over their shoulders as the prickling feeling that they were being watched – followed – tingled along the highly aware pair's nervous system, prickling along their spines, burning at the base of their skulls. Several times, either Duncan or Adaia would call a halt to their progress, slipping steadily lightening packs from weary shoulders, to pull either blade or bow free of their resting place as they peered into deepening shadows and gloomy crevices within the eerie primeval woods to seek out those who watched their progress.

Nothing revealed itself to the observant pair, and yet neither could shake the feeling of being scrutinized as they continued their journey from the ancient woodland to the more traveled Kings Highway. Only once they had moved beyond the border of the wooded wild lands did either allow themselves to relax. Whatever had been traveling unseen by their sides had turned back once the perimeter of the ancient wood became visible.

Once free of the trees, the pair turned their course south-east, heading toward the Wilds. Adaia led the way with calm determination, recalling the path to the unchartered wilderness from her time prior to and during the rebellion. She smirked as she recalled the seemingly wild tales the Whimpering Fool and Loghain had told her of their first rather disastrous foray into the realm of Asha'bellanar. While Maric had spewed out tales of prophesy and dire words, Loghain had merely shrugged his shoulders, declaring that the woman that had shown them the way out of the wilds had been senile and crazed. As much as she loved her dark-haired and stoically inclined friend, Adaia had found herself believing Maric's tale over Loghain's sensible explanation.

After all, her clan had had many dealings with the Woman of Many Years. She was fully aware of the ancient witch's propensity for inserting herself into any historically motivated action whenever possible.

The Dalish hunter was therefore surprised when her strong southerly route was turned more easterly by her human companion.

"Duncan," she said with exaggerated patience. "If you wish to get to the Wilds anytime soon, we should keep to a more southerly course…"

Shaking his dark head, Duncan turned to his friend, noticing her confused expression. "Sorry, Adaia. Call it a hunch, but I think we should cut through the ruins."

A heavy frown marred her lovely features as stormy eyes scanned the horizon, tracing a path toward the Tevinter ruins Duncan wished to traverse into. The young Warden recognized the anger seething behind those eyes, and felt himself flinch as she took a sharp intake of breath.

"I think I have had enough of old shemlen ruins, Duncan."

Astounded his flinch had not been in vain, Duncan stepped closer to his companion. "Look," Adaia turned her attention to him, the dark gray of her eyes clearing slightly. "It's just a hunch – a guess – but the amulet led Rikhard into an old Tevinter ruin back in the Forest…"

"Those ruins had also been of elven influence," the Dalish was quick to remind her human companion, the gray once more permeating her eyes as her anger continued to build. Duncan blinked once, dark eyes fixed upon Adaia's as a realization came upon him. It was not solely anger that darkened her eyes to storms, but intermingled with fear.

Adaia Mahariel Tabris was afraid to travel within the confines of the Tevinter ruins.

Not that Duncan was fool enough to bring that little tidbit to the elf's attention. No, he liked his head firmly upon his shoulders. He had also been thoroughly enjoying the growing friendship between the two, knowing fully how fortunate he was that this almost xenophobic elf would count him among her few shemlen friends. In fact, this day had been the first time she had even uttered that word, shemlen, since they had left the cleared remains of her clan's former campsite.

Now, how to convince her without bringing attention to the fact he knows that she's more afraid of going into those ruins than she's willing to admit? With a slight shake of his head, the young warden knew that there would be no going around it.

"Still Tevinter," he countered with the barest of shrugs, watching as that frown deepened. "Look," he turned fully to face her, pointing toward the east. "That amulet obviously led our missing Warden to those ruins in the forest, right?" Here, Adaia nodded her agreement, eyes narrowing slightly as she focused her attention upon the young man. "Now, doesn't it make sense that perhaps – just perhaps – there is something within the ruins of the wilds that may attract Rikhard?"

Sighing with a shake of her head, Adaia pressed fingers to the bridge of her nose. "It seems too…simple," she muttered. Raising her blonde head, she shifted her gaze southwards. "Did we not discuss Asha'bellanar with Marethari…?"

Keeping his eyes fixed upon his companion, Duncan gave a nod, adding "Of course I do." He stepped forward a bit, bringing Adaia's attention back to him. "However, I really…" sighing with exasperation, Duncan ran a hand through his long, dark hair. "Look, Adaia, I know it seems strange. But, I've been running my entire life on hunches." A blonde brow quirked up in wry amusement, matching perfectly the smirk that tilted up her lips.

Flushing slightly, the young Grey Warden drawled out, "Yes, yes, I know. And look where it's gotten me," he grinned then. "But, it's also gotten me out of even more scrapes. Of course, yes, they were scrapes I got myself into, so I really should have learned..." He paused at the elf's amused expression, his flush deepening slightly. Coughing slightly to cover up his embarrassment, he continued. "Anyway, I have a hunch that the amulet it tied in with Tevinter. And…"

Raising a long fingered, calloused hand, Adaia interrupted the youth's verbal stumbling. "Okay, Duncan, okay," she acquiesced with a deep sigh. "We shall travel onward to the ruins and see what we can find there." The look of amusement changed, darkening slightly. "However, once we are through there, and we find nothing…"

"We'll resume our trek toward the depth of the Wilds," the Grey Warden agreed as he shouldered his pack back into place upon his shoulders. "Got it. Understood. I completely agree."

Staring at him for a moment, the elf then simply shook her head, adjusted her own pack, and turned away. "You had best hope we find something, Duncan."

Looking at her back, the young man let out his held breath and glanced up to the sky. Mouthing "Thank you" into the air, he jogged to the elf's side, matching her stride for stride toward the ancient ruins of Ostagar.

)0(

The great ruins of Ostagar came into view ahead, the ancient Tevinter fortress sprawling over several acres bordering the Korcari Wilds. Even at that distance and despite centuries of abandonment, the ancient power of the Tevinter Imperium almost radiated from the structure, chilling the young Warden to his very core. Frowning, he glanced back at his companion, who merely took in the sprawling, towering mass of ancient stone with a mere glance as they continued their pace forward.

As the sun peeked over the horizon at the start of a new day, the travelers stood before the arched entryway that led into the ancient ruins. Adaia had stopped, her gray-blue gaze moving upwards, and upwards still, taking in the sheer enormity of the fortress itself. Duncan stopped as well, his own gaze trailing over the ruins in awe at the sheer enormity of the structure. High stone walls reached up toward the sky, their jagged edges creating a false horizon. Where once ceilings had protected the stone floor, now only open sky could be seen. High arches indicated where doorways once stood, and in the distance towers could be seen, their tips piercing into the sky. Taking in a deep breath and letting it slowly out, Adaia stepped under the first arch and into Ostagar. As they walked along the uneven stones of the pathway, Duncan pointed toward a ramp to their right. "That is the Tower of Ishal," he explained. "It is named for its architect and was considered quite a marvel of architecture in its day."

Keen eyes taking in the ruins before them, Adaia quirked one brow as she turned her gaze back to her companion. "'Quite the marvel'…for human architecture, you mean." There was no condescension in her tone, merely a faint, teasing quality that stopped Duncan in his explanation to raise a dark brow in response.

Chuckling, sweeping one hand out grandly, the Grey Warden remarked, "I am certain that, compared to the wonders of Arlathan, this is just a stable, so" there was a mischievous twinkle in his dark eyes as Adaia's lips twitched slightly, "you really should forgive us quick children."

With a roll of her eyes, the Dalish woman turned away, shaking her head. "Come on, quick child," was accompanied by a short chuckle.

Grinning, Duncan stepped quickly to fall in step beside the tall elf. A small sense of triumph threatening to turn the grin into an outright smile.

"Don't push it," Adaia growled from beside him, causing him to miss a step as they passed beneath one crumbling archway and into Ostagar.

)0(

Hours later, as the sun reached its midpoint in the sky, found the pair standing in an open courtyard at the very base of the ancient fortress. Standing near the center of the courtyard, Adaia turned in a slow circuit, gazing up the crumbling walls, age stained with lichen growing upon the rough surface within the shadowed areas, moss creeping along the cracks and crevices. Higher her eyes turned, blinking in the afternoon sun as she took in the soaring buttresses, still majestic even in their decay. A small smile turned the corners of her generous mouth upwards; despite having been built by the Tevinter Imperium, the very people responsible for her own people's downfall, she could not help but be impressed. The very age of the ancient fortress spoke to her.

As his elven companion stared at the structure around and above them, Duncan stepped closer to the base of the Tower of Ishal, his eyes traveling upwards to where the bell tower stood atop the ancient tower. A slight nagging tickled along his senses, and he frowned, stepping away and turning, his eyes narrowing as they sought to peer into the deeper shadows the obscured the crumbling base. With a sidelong glance toward the Dalish warrior, he stepped closer, concentrating his senses toward the darkness. The tickling sensation increased, and he now frowned deeper, understanding what he sensed even before conscious thought took over.

Darkspawn.

He was certain that what he sensed came from below ground, somewhere deep beneath him. Stepping back and away, he turned, hurrying his pace toward his companion. He had no intention of facing the enemy of every Grey Warden now. Not with Adaia's safety in jeopardy should he do so. He had felt guilty taking her from her family at such a crucial time. He had no intentions of subjecting her to any further danger than necessary.

And hunting out a darkspawn nest was not a necessity at this time.

Consciously slowing his pace, he gained Adaia's side, encouraging her that they now leave the ruins, and follow the path into the Kocari Wilds. Trying to ignore the questioning look upon her lovely face, Duncan turned and led the way from the courtyard, through a ruined gate and into the Wilds.