I was awoken quite rudely by Carver dragging me out of bed.
Carver was definitely better at living on a farm than I was. I mean seriously, he's awake now. Geez.
Oh, I just remembered something. I took out my list of things to do after getting ready to head out and quickly added:
5. Find Meeran in Lowtown at night.
6. Help Izzy's friend what's-his-face.
7. Invade Fenris' house and pay a friendly visit and see how he's doing.
8. Check up on Anders?
Hah. I remembered everything. I think. Varric mentioned some rumors going on but didn't have sufficient information on them to act with it.
Man… I thought as I looked at my list, I was supposed to talk to Hubert on the day I helped out Izzy, but the shinies in the shops were calling to me, so it totally slipped my mind.
And now Carver was pulling me out the door. I barely managed to throw my list into my pocket in time. Why's he in such a hurry? It's okay to be fashionably late, doesn't he know anything?
We met up at the Hanged Man like planned, everyone was already there and waiting.
"Hawke, I had to get up at dawn too," Varric grumbled, "why do you get to sleep in and be late?"
"Because I'm fashionable." I replied.
"More like she's horrible at waking up in the mornings." Carver sighed.
"Shhht," I scolded him, "everyone ready for a lovely mountain hike?"
"If we're going, we should leave now if we want to make it back before sunset." Fenris said.
"Indeed!" I said starting to walk off.
I was actually really just pretending to know where I was going. I don't think Carver and Varric caught on yet. Awesome.
Apparently, a group of the Flint Company Assassins that I was supposed to kill were hiding up Sundermount. And we rather conveniently stumbled upon them. And then killed them. Two more groups to go. I think. That's what the note said.
Alright, time to talk to the Dalish.
And they don't like me already. Awesome.
Even Fenris is being a bit hostile to them.
I thought we were supposed to be getting on their good side because of Dragon Lady.
Oh well, guess that plan failed.
Time to introduce myself to the Keeper. Whoever that is.
"Marethari?" I asked after being directed to a solitary elf standing by the camps fire.
"Andaran atish'an, travelers. Indeed I am Keeper Marethari." she replied.
I liked her voice; it had a soothing grandma-feeling to it.
Not that I'd really know what a grandma really sounds like. I've never met my own, but from my observations of the families in Lothering, she fits the bill.
"Let me look at you." She said as she moved to inspect me closer.
Yep, just like a grandma.
"There is a light in your heart, human. Don't let it go out. You will need it." She said after stepping back from me.
I feel like Father said the same thing to me when he got super drunk one time.
"I was told to bring you this amulet." I said returning to the task at hand.
She took it from me and inspected it.
"Are you the leader of these Dalish?" I asked dumbly, "why did the witch tell me to bring this amulet to you?"
"I am the Keeper of this clan," she nodded, "it is my task to guide my people and to ensure the old ways are not forgotten.
"As for Asha'bellanar, I am tied to her, just as you are, by a debt that must be repaid."
"Your guards said you spoke of me," I said as I fidgeted around watching her inspect the amulet, "how did you know I was coming?"
"I listened," she replied, "to the wind, to the birds, as the hunters do, to my dreams. I watched the stars."
This how I imagine most elves think.
"There is great wisdom to be found all around us," she continued, "if you know how to listen for it.
"But I was not certain. Nothing is certain."
That's true. I don't really believe in a future that was laid out and set in stone. I don't believe I'm just a piece used to carry a story on. I make my own choices, and to look at the future is to understand that there is uncertainty everywhere.
Talking to her was comforting in a way, so I continued my questioning spree.
"Exactly what have I been carrying around? What is this amulet and why is it special?"
"It is a promise; child," she said solemnly, "made by one whose word still has weight. And therefore it has terrible power.
"There are few things in this world stronger than a promise kept. Remember that."
That makes sense. I mean demons make pacts with mages and that's why they get out of control and go crazy. Like Anders. He made a promise to a 'spirit' and now he's stuck with him.
"Tell me how this burden fell to you, child." She asked continuing her inspection of the amulet.
"Well, you see," I started, "we were escaping Lothering when all of a sudden we were cornered by a group of Darkspawn.
"We fought valiantly and when it seemed that hope was lost, a dragon swooped down from a cliff, roasted some darkspawn, turned into a witch, and saved our asses in return for bringing you this amulet.
"Between you and me, I think I got the better end of the deal."
"You are blessed by luck then. I will pray that Mythal watches over your path." She said returning the amulet to me.
I don't really know who Mythal is, but I can use all the help I can get. So please watch over me?
"The amulet must be taken to an altar at the top of the mountain, and then given a Dalish rite for the departed," she said, "then return the amulet to me. Do this and your debt will be repaid."
"Are you going to teach me this rite?" I asked.
I hope I don't have to do it. I'd probably mess it up.
"I will send my First with you; she will see to it that the ritual is done." She replied.
Great, someone who knows what they're doing.
"And when it is complete, I must ask that you take her with you when you go."
"First? First of what?"
I don't understand Dalish. I'm sorry for being an ignorant human. Please don't hate me.
"Your people would call her my apprentice or heir," she explained, "Merrill would have taken my place as Keeper, but she has chosen a new path. Please guide her safely from here."
"She knows that Kirkwall is a horrible place right? Especially for elves?"
"It is her wish, and I must grant it." Marethari replied with finality, "You'll find Merrill waiting for you on the trail just up the mountain. Dareth shiral."
After walking a to the mouth of the trail I stopped and leaned against Carver and buried my face into the arm I was leaning on him with.
"More mountain climbing. Why? Why are there so many mountains? Why do we have to climb them all? Do I look like someone who can climb mountains?" I whined.
"Get off it Sister and let's just go." Carver said shoving me away.
"Varric, you feel my pain right?" I said turning to Varric, "with your small legs, you're not cut out for this either right?"
"Why do you think dwarves build things in or under mountains?" Varric replied.
"See? I'm not the only one, and Fenris doesn't even have shoes, what if he steps on a sharp rock or something?"
"Please don't use me as an excuse to get out of your quests," Fenris sighed, "we do what we must."
"Let's just get going so we can get home by evening," Carver said shoving me forward, "lead the way Sister."
Great, leading the way on a hike that I've never been up before, we are going to get so lost.