Valendrian paced back and forth across his porch. "I pushed this celebration too quickly. I should have been more subtle, and Vaughn never would have gotten wind of anything."

"You were trying to protect that boy, from me," Duncan said.

"Yes, alright, yes. I figured if he was already married to that lovely young woman, he wouldn't get griffins in his eyes."

"He's got fire in him."

"Aye, that he does. His mother did as well. It got her killed. Now, it may have done the same to him." Valendrian sighed. "Jerath is a good lad, and his father is one of my dearest friends. Maker, he's just a boy." He poured a cup of tea for Duncan, then one for himself. "Is it true then, there is a blight coming?"

"Darkspawn are already beginning to gather in numbers greater than we've seen in centuries."

Valendrian sighed. "It's hard enough in the alienage during peace time."

"We have warning this time. Perhaps we can stop the blight before it truly gets underway."

"I hope you are right, old friend." He looked up as elves began to chatter. "They are back."

#

Duncan followed Valendrian towards the newly arrived group.

"You have returned." Valendrian took in the sight before him. "Has Shianni been hurt? Where is Tormey's daughter, Nola?"

Valora shook her head, and tears started to fall from her eyes. "Nola didn't make it. She resisted and..." She pressed a hand to her mouth.

"...they killed her," Shianni finished.

"I see," Valendrian said. He looked at the boys. "Would you ladies please take Shianni home? She needs rest."

Nesiara sent a look at Jerath before replying. "Of course." She put an arm around Shianni's shoulder, then gently led her away.

Valendrian waited until they were gone. "Now tell me: what happened?"

"Vaughan's dead," Jerath said.

"Then the garrison could already be on their way," Duncan said. "You have little time."

"We may need to leave Denerim for a while," Jerath said.

"Ahh, it has come to this!" Valendrian glanced at Duncan.

"The guards are here!" someone shouted.

"Don't panic," Valendrian said. He looked to Soris before walking towards the guards. "Let's see what comes of this."

"I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage!" the leader of the guards called out.

Valendrian pushed his way to the front of the crowd. "Here, Captain. I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?" He kept his voice calm.

The captain sneered. "Don't play ignorant with me, elder. You will not prevent justice from being done. The arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace!" Duncan's head came up slightly, and he looked at the two boys. Soris's face was green, but Jerath merely stood there calmly. "I need names, and I need them now!"

The crowd started to murmur. Jerath stepped forward. "It was my doing."

Duncan saw Valendrian close his eyes for a moment before turning to look at the boy. The guard captain scoffed. "You expect me to believe one man did all that?"

"We are not all so helpless, Captain." Valendrian's quiet voice held a note of anger.

The captain gave Jerath an appraising look. "You save many by coming forward. I don't envy your fate, but I applaud your courage." He raised his voice. "This elf will wait in the dungeons until the arl returns. The rest of you, back to your houses!"

Duncan stepped forward. "Captain... a word, if you please."

"What is it, Grey Warden? The situation is well under control, as you can see."

Duncan smiled. "Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription. I remove this prisoner into my custody."

Jerath gave him a startled look. "You can do that?"

The guard captain growled in frustration. "Son of a tied down-" He swallowed the rest of his curse. "Very well, Grey Warden; I cannot challenge your rights, but I'll ask one thing: Get this elf out of the city. Today."

"Agreed," Duncan said amiably.

"Now, I need to get my men on the streets before this news hits. Move out!"

Duncan turned to Jerath. "You're with me now. Say your goodbyes, and see me when you're ready. We leave immediately."

"Understood."

"Do not take long. I agreed to have you out of the city forthwith."

Soris managed, with some effort, to scrape his jaw off the ground. "Thank you. You really saved my hide back there..."

"I did what was right."

"As you always do." Soris squared his shoulders. "Well, I'd like to follow your example. No more daydreaming, I'm settling down. Valora's a good woman, and she has ideas on making life better for everyone here. Your father had the women take Shianni back to your place. Will you see here before you go?"

"Of course."

"Good luck, Cousin. You've been my hero since we were kids. It's just official, now." Soris watched the younger man walk away, then looked at Duncan. He blinked suddenly, then touched the crossbow at his side as though just remembering it was there. "Um... this is yours."

Duncan accepted it, then the quiver of bolts. He noted that very few were missing. "What happened in there?"

Soris shook his head. "He killed them. There must have been thirty guards. I think I killed one. Well, three, but two were just finishing off ones that were already dying." He looked up at Duncan. "I've seen him practice. Spar a little. This was the first time I actually saw him fight." A trace of defiance entered his eyes. "The wardens are lucky to have him."

"We are," Duncan replied.

#

Jerath stood before the door for a moment. The rage was behind the wall again, but he could feel it still. The wall twisted and shifted. He'd stretched it too far, believing that the sacrifice would be worthwhile. It was somewhat daunting to learn that he was apparently going to live. He put his hand on the door, then stepped inside.

His father was waiting, staring into the fireplace. He turned as Jerath walked towards him. "If... this is what the Maker has planned for you, then I guess it's for the best."

"You're not pleased?"

"I just wish there was another way. I dreamed of grandchildren, family gatherings, and..." He sighed. "I'm sorry. This isn't helping. Take care, my son. Be strong. And wise. And..." His voice started to break. "Well, you know. We'll all miss you."

Jerath managed a smile. "Look after Soris for me?"

"Of course."

Jerath hesitated, then walked towards the next room. Valora met him at the door. "There you are... Nesiara, your betrothed has returned!"

"I'll be right there."

Valora hesitated a moment, then threw her arms around him. Jerath tensed, then let her hug him. "Thank you..." she said as she released him. "For me, for Soris, for everything. I'll never be able to repay you." She looked over as Nesiara entered. "Well, I'll leave you two alone."

Nesiara's eyes glistened. "Thank you, Valora. What happens now? Your father said you're becoming a Grey Warden... You're leaving, aren't you?"

"I'll be back for you."

Nesiara shook her head. "No, you won't. The Grey Wardens can't have wives or family." A tear made it's way down her cheek.

Jerath closed his eyes, then reopened them. "Nesiara, I'm sorry."

She shook her head, then injected a note of cheer into her voice. "For what? Saving my life? Being selected for one of the world's most noble callings?" She held out a hand, and he took it. "I'll be all right. Maybe Valora and I will start a business." I guess we'll never know what might have been." She leaned forward, and kissed him softly. Then she let go of his hand. "Your..." her voice hitched slightly. "Friend is waiting. Be safe out there."

She walked in the direction Valora had gone. He inhaled, then entered the room. Shianni was sitting on the bed. She looked up at him. "You took all the responsibility for what happened. You're amazing, you know that?"

"I just did what had to be done."

"You always do. They'll write legends about you someday. When the world was at its worst, there you came - fire in your eyes, like something out of a storybook. I'll never forget that." She sighed. "I love you, Cousin. Make us proud out there."

"I love you too, Shianni." He picked up a pillow, and tossed it at her. "Enough with the mushy stuff!"

"Silly man." She hefted the pillow threateningly. "Then get going, already!"

#

Valendrian was waiting for him as he left the house. "Well, I guess Duncan got his recruit after all."

"It was not by my choice." He left it at that. There was no need to tell Valendrian that he'd not intended to survive the day.

"No?" Valendrian asked. He shook his head. "Either way, it's out of my hands now. If you'll excuse me, I must tend to our people. Goodbye, young one, and Maker keep you."

#

Duncan watched Jerath return from saying farewell. The young man had fully accepted that he was most likely going to die the moment he spoke up, absolving his friend and the women of any action. That took courage. And yet the young man didn't seem to be basking in the hero's treatment the other elves were giving him. He looked like a man who had done what was needed, and accepted the cost. Like a warden.

Duncan gave the young man a moment before asking, "Are you ready to go?"

Jerath nodded. "I am."

"Good. We will need to pick up the others before we leave."

Jerath nodded, and fell into step beside him. As they walked out of the Alienage, Jerath started to hand back the sword. Duncan shook his head. "You keep that. Where we are going, you are going to need it."

Jerath nodded, and put the scabbard back on his hip.

"Was that your plan, from the beginning?"

"Pardon?"

"You knew the guards would come. Was stepping forward your plan from the beginning?"

"The women are safe. Soris is safe. The Alienage has one less threat to worry about. One life seems a small price to pay for all that."

Duncan nodded. There was something the boy was leaving unsaid. He shook his head, and decided it did not matter. "That it does. Of course, you should refrain, in the future, from issuing challenge when unarmed."

A dagger appeared in the boy's hand, and he offered it to Duncan, hilt first. Duncan blinked. "My mother said this dagger was a gift from one of the few humans for whom she held any respect," Jerath said.

Duncan took the knife, and turned it over in his hands. He recognized the inlaid griffin on the handle. "It would have been a shame to be killed by my own knife." He handed it back to the boy, and watched as it vanished once more.

#

Saitada gave Duncan a smile as he entered the inn. Alistair followed her gaze and waved, and the older man began making his way towards them. A young elf boy trailed along behind him.

Duncan gave them a nod as he approached the table. "I hate to cut your festivities short, but we must be leaving earlier than planned. Harl, you and Alistair stay here until the other wardens arrive, then head on to Ostagar. We'll catch up with you there."

"Trouble?" Saitada asked.

"Nothing to be concerned about. We will head back towards Highever to pick up the last recruit."

Harl nodded. "We will see you at camp."

Saitada, Brosca, and Lenore returned to their rooms and packed quickly. Duncan met them at the stables, and Saitada realized the child that had been following him earlier was still there. Her eyes went to the sword at the boy's side. Brosca jerked his head at the elf boy, "who is the kid?"

"This is Jerath. He is our most recent recruit."

Saitada raised an eyebrow at Duncan as Lenore blurted out, 'but he's twelve!'

"Fifteen," the elf said quietly.

"But that's..." Lenore started to say...

"Old enough to carry a sword," Saitada interrupted. "Duncan, I got the impression we were in a hurry?"

Duncan nodded.

#

Saitada stretched her legs a bit to catch up to Duncan before matching his pace. She glanced back to make sure they were out of earshot from the others. "So, he's what, a pickpocket?"

Duncan smiled. "Among other things, yes."

"Those other things including being a child."

"He is small for his age, it makes him look somewhat younger."

"He is fifteen, he said it himself. Granted, that's old enough to carry a sword in Orzammar, but not old enough to be allowed to actually do more than drill with it. He'd need another three years before being allowed to actually join the army."

"He can handle the blade, if that's your concern."

"You know it isn't."

"I was not much older when I became a warden. I think he will surprise you." He glanced back. "He certainly surprised me."

Saitada nodded. "I suppose we can just consider him a trainee for now."