Saitada actually growled when she saw the men lounging about on the bridge. For a moment, she considered telling Morrigan to find another way into the town, then one of the men looked up and spotted them. "Wake up, gentlemen! More travelers to attend to." He cocked his head at her. "Led by a dwarf, oddly enough."

Another of the bandits looked them over, eyes narrowing. "Err... they don't look much like them others, you know. Uh... maybe we should just let these ones pass..."

"Nonsense!" the first man said cheerfully. "Greetings, travelers!"

"Highwaymen," Alistair said. He put a hand on his sword. "Preying on those fleeing the darkspawn, I suppose."

"They are fools to get in our way. I say teach them a lesson." Morrigan tightened her grip on her staff.

"Now is that any way to greet someone?" The leader of the bandits drew himself up as though he were actually affronted. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple ten silvers and you're free to move on."

Saitada rubbed her forehead tiredly. "You should listen to your friend. We're not refugees."

"What did I tell you? No wagons, and this one looks armed."

"The toll applies to everyone, Hanric. That's why it's a toll, and not, say, a refugee tax."

"Oh, right. Even if you're no refugee, you still gotta pay."

"Forget it." Saitada looked up at them calmly. "I'm not paying."

"Well I can't say I'm pleased to hear that. We have rules, you know."

" get to ransack your corpse, then. Those are the rules."

"Do you really want to fight Grey Wardens?" Saitada looked up at where Jerath was standing next to her, and gave him a small nod.

"Did she say they are Grey Wardens? Them ones killed the king!" Saitada blinked at the bandit's words.

"Traitors to Ferelden, I hear. Teyrn Loghain put quite a bounty on any who are found. What do you say, gents? With that kind of bounty, we can retire! Let's be heroes to the kingdom!"

The bandit leader drew his blade, and Jerath stepped in front of Saitada, parrying it before kicking the bandit in the stomach and sending him backwards. Alistair and Brosca closed in on either side of Jerath as the rest of the bandits joined the fray. Morrigan gave a delighted laugh as she used her magic to start hurling rocks at the bandits.

"All right! We surrender! We-we-we're just trying to get by, before the darkspawn get us all." The bandit leader held up his hands after Jerath almost casually disarmed him.

"You picked the wrong target," Saitada said.

"Yes! Yes! Of... of course! We should've been more careful. I'm sorry." The bandit gave her a wan smile.

"This shoddy operation is pathetic." Brosca actually sounded insulted. "I could do better."

"Um... right. I guess so." The bandit leader gave Brosca a meek look. "I'm sorry?" he offered hopefully.

Brosca smirked at him in response. "Hand over everything you've stolen." Saitada turned to Brosca and raised an eyebrow. He gave her a cheeky grin, and she just shook her head.

"Yes! Yes, of course. The coins we collected are right here... just over a hundred silvers. The rest is in the chests we brought! I swear."

Saitada sighed. This game had gone on long enough. "We are turning you in to the authorities."

"There aren't any! Just the Templars, and they'll execute me!" The bandit leader started shaking his head.

"They'll do what they must. Come with us," Saitada said.

"I'm not going down without a fight." He went for his sword, and Jerath almost casually ran him through. The bandit leader gave Jerath a startled look, then fell to the ground and went still.

"Huh," Brosca said.

"What?" Saitada said, turning to look at him.

"He went down without a fight."

Saitada shook her head as Lenore laughed. Jerath cleaned the edge of his blade and shrugged. "Did you really just shake down the highway robbers?" Lenore asked Brosca.

"Figured we could use the coin," Brosca said. "Let's see if they got any good shit." He nodded at the crates and barrels the bandits had been guarding.

#

They entered Lothering somewhat better equipped. Saitada looked down over the filthy, beraggled city. Refugee tents were everywhere, and the wind brought the smell of unwashed bodies and dog. Alistair stopped at a landing on the staircase. "Well there it is. Lothering. Pretty as a painting."

Morrigan gave him a look. "Ah. So you have finally decided to rejoin us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed like too much trouble, I take it?"

"Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?"

"Before or after I stopped laughing?"

"Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked."

Cathiel stepped between them. "Leave him alone, Morrigan."

"But how can I? He is right there, speaking, eyes wide like those of a brainless calf."

"Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend your entire life."

"I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas, desiring to be more intelligent does not make it so."

Saitada struck her heel against the stone of the steps and both of them turned to look at her. They subsided at her glare.

"Anyway..." Alistair looked back over the village before turning to her. "I thought we should talk about where we intend to go, first."

"I need to look for Fergus. He might still be alive."

"He was out scouting the Wilds, wasn't he?" Alistair asked Cathiel. "That's what the king said." She nodded.

Morrigan shrugged. "Then attempting to look for him there would be foolish. He is either dead or he managed to flee to the north."

"Very sensitive," Alistair shot Morrigan a glare as Cathiel paled slightly.

"I am simply saying that it is foolish to mount a rescue when you have no notion where this man is and the Wilds are overrun with darkspawn. You will either find him somewhere outside the Wilds with other survivors, or..." She shrugged. "Not at all."

Cathiel rounded on her. "That doesn't mean I shouldn't look for him!"

"That's exactly what it means." Morrigan gave her a haughty look. "You wish to do this brother of yours a service? Avenge him. The time to look for survivors will come later."

Alistair pulled Cathiel away. "I think what Flemeth suggested is the best idea. These treaties... have you looked at them?"

"Yes, I have," Saitada said, touching the scroll case that was tucked safely into her belt pouch.

"There are three main groups that we have treaties for: the Dalish elves, the dwarves of Orzammar, and the Circle of Magi. I also still think that Arl Eamon is our best bet for help. We might even want to go to him first." He shrugged at Saitada.

"Why are you leaving it up to her?" Cathiel asked.

"Well, I don't know where we should go. I'll do whatever you decide." Alistair ran a hand through his hair helplessly.

"Now that is unsurprising." Morrigan folded her arms and smirked at him.

"Arl Eamon is a good man, but I don't know for sure he's where we should go. I'm not going to fight about it." He shook his head.

Saitada thought a moment. "Is there a way to contact the Grey Wardens?"

"Short of leaving Ferelden to seek them out, the only place to send word to would be Weisshaupt Fortress, and that's thousands of miles away."

Saitada nodded. "I'll figure it out as we go."

Cathiel blinked. "You'll figure it out? Who put you in charge?"

"Alistair just did," Brosca said.

"Now wait just a..."

Saitada held up a hand to forestall the argument. "We will resupply in Lothering before we head on to Redcliffe. After that, we can discuss our next destination."

Cathiel glared at her, Alistair by her side. Lenore looked from Cathiel to Saitada, face confused. Brosca folded his arms as he shifted to stand next to Saitada. Brehan met Lenore's eyes, and the mage gave a helpless sort of shrug in response. He sighed, and shook his head uncertainly. Morrigan turned away, focusing her attention on Lothering as though she didn't care how the confrontation worked out.

"We are following Saitada," Jerath's voice was quiet, but it held a note of finality. He started for the stairs.

"Fine." Cathiel waved a dimissive hand. "I agree with her plan anyway."

#

Lenore fell into step next to Brosca. She kept her voice low, pitched so as not to carry. "So, you are okay with Saitada being the new commander?"

"Of course."

"Shouldn't we put it to a vote or something?"

"Bah, waste of time. I'd just have to smack around anybody that didn't vote for her."

She mussed his hair teasingly. "Got a bit of a crush, do you?"

"What?" He looked up at her and shook his head. "No..." ain't that. I'm casteless. In Orzammar, that's about two rungs below 'thing I scraped off my boot last night'. But from the start..." His voice became sad. "Duncan always treated me like I was a person. Found out from him just how many strings Saitada pulled on to help me get into the Wardens. Even made sure I got this mace, one her own ancestor wielded. Since it can't be Duncan leading us no more, it's gonna be Saitada."

"I see."

He shrugged. "Besides, she was a military commander in Orzammar. Who better?"

"Cathiel?" Lenore asked, looking back over her shoulder at the now sullen woman.

"Cathiel didn't want to be a warden though. Sure don't think she actually wants to lead us, she's just used to giving orders."

"A fair point, I suppose." Her eyes went to the elf currently taking point. "What about Jerath?"

Brosca gave the kid a considering look. "He's the meanest thing I've ever seen with a blade, but I'm surprised his voice ain't still cracking. Maybe a few years from now. I mean, vote if you want, but let's face facts. Alistair doesn't want the job, and neither do I. You're smarter than a shaper, but you haven't been out in the world all that long. And Brehan..." He glanced at the Dalish man. "Heh, let's fight one war at a time. Best for the job is Saitada. Not sure why it's even up for discussion."

"I'm still coming to terms with the entire situation. It's been... you know, back in the tower, I used to think about how much I wanted to experience the world. How interesting it would be to just get out and have an adventure."

"And?"

"If it gets any more interesting I'm going to go crawl in a hole somewhere and pull it in after me."

Brosca laughed.

#

Saitada watched Brosca dicker with the rude merchant. She glanced over, then walked to stand next to Jerath. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?"

"Backing me up there."

"If we were fortifying a castle, I'd have backed Cathiel. We are hunting Darkspawn. You know them best. Likely as well as Duncan did."

She shook her head and smiled. "Very pragmatic of you. Still, I'm surprised on some level. Duncan said he conscripted you."

Jerath twitched a shoulder. "I believe he conscripted Brosca and Lenore as well."

"Only technically. They joined willingly enough, the conscription only smoothed the process for others."

"It is not the path I would have chosen." He looked down at her. "But it is not a path I am unwilling to follow. If that changes, I will let you know."

She looked him over. "I'd say you were a strange man, but then again, you are the first elf I ever met. Perhaps you are perfectly normal."

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Normal elves don't carry swords."

"Brehan does."

"He is Dalish. We have as much in common as you and Lenore."

"I have much to learn about your people, it seems."

"As do I." Jerath turned to face her. "He picked you."

"Hmm?"

"Duncan. You are who he would have designated. He was going to train you to take his place one day. He did not give me reason to doubt his judgment in the matter." He gave her a small bow. "Nor have you."

"Thank you, Jerath. That... that means a lot to me."

She looked away from him, and noted that Brosca had apparently finished bargaining. The merchant looked very unhappy. Hopefully, that meant Brosca had managed some sort of deal.

#

Brehan knew the men were going to be trouble the moment he set eyes on them. The man in fancy armor looked at them when they entered, and gave a slow, satisfied smile. A dozen men in armor arrayed around him. "Well, look what we have here, men. I think we've just been blessed."

"Uh-oh." Alistair nudged Saitada. "Loghain's men. This can't be good."

One of the soldiers looked around the inn, then back at Saitada. "Didn't we spend all morning asking about a dwarf by this very description? And everybody said they hadn't seen one?"

The commander smirked. "It seems we were lied to."

Brehan laid a hand on his sword as a young woman in pale robes stepped out of the crowd. Her accent was odd to his ears. "Gentlemen, surely there is no need for trouble. These are no doubt simply more poor souls seeking refuge."

"They're more than that. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them." The commander gave her a threatening look.

Brehan gestured for her to step back. "We don't need your help, miss. Please stand back."

"You don't need my protection," she said, looking over him and the rest of the group. "But these men will blindly follow their master's command even unto death."

"I am not the blind one! I served at Ostagar, where the teyrn saved us from the Grey Wardens treachery! I serve him gladly! Enough talk. Take the wardens into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else that gets in your way."

"Right! Let's make this quick." The rest of the soldiers started to stand up.

Saitada sighed. "Jerath?"

The commander hadn't even finished drawing his sword before Jerath's blade was at his throat. Brehan drew his own sword as next to him Cathiel aimed her arrow at the soldier that had spoken. The commander swallowed. Saitada didn't bother to move, her expression utterly contemptuous.

The commander swallowed, then glanced at Jerath. Brehan's lips twitched as he noted that Jerath just looked bored by the whole affair. The commander switched his gaze to Saitada. "All right, you've won! We surrender!"

"Good," the woman in the sunburst robes said. "They've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting, now."

Saitada squared her shoulders. "The Grey Wardens didn't betray King Cailan. Loghain did."

"I was there! The teyrn pulled us out of a trap!"

Anger filled Saitada's voice. "The teyrn left the king to die!"

"The Wardens led the king to his death! The teyrn could do nothing!" The commander's voice cut off as Jerath lifted his blade slightly.

"Want him dead?" Jerath asked Saitada.

"No." She narrowed her eyes at the soldier. "Take a message to Loghain."

"W-what do you want to tell him?"

"The Grey Wardens know what really happened."

"I'll tell him. Right away. Now. Thank you!" Jerath lowered the blade, and the men started to flee.

Brehan watched the soldiers practically scamper out of the door. Jerath sheathed his blade as the woman in chantry robes approached them. "I apologize for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help."

"I appreciate what you tried to do," Saitada said.

"I am glad you found it in your heart to offer those men mercy." Her smile was bright and warm. "Let me introduce myself. I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or I was."

"What does that mean?" Brehan asked.

"I joined the Chantry to live a life of religious contemplation, but I am no priest, not even an initiate."

"I am Brehan. A pleasure." He glances around, uncertain if he should introduce the others. Brosca was conversing with a merchant, trying to get them some more supplies. Cathiel was talking to someone she apparently knew. Jerath and Morrigan had moved to the door, apparently watching to make sure the soldiers did not return. Saitada seemed inclined to let him talk, so he introduced her, Alistair, and Lenore.

"They said you were a Grey Warden. I'm surprised you're an elf, but elves must want the Blight defeated as much as humans, no? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get." Her voice became matter of fact. "That's why I'm coming along."

"Er..." Brehan glanced at Saitada.

"I'm sorry, Sister, but you are very mistaken," Saitada said.

"Ah, I thought you might say that, but you see, the Maker wants me to join you."

"Right..." Saitada rubbed her forehead. "I believe this is where I back away slowly."

"I-I know that sounds... absolutely insane -" She turned back to Brehan and gave him a beseeching look. "But it's true! I had a dream... a vision."

"More crazy?" Alistair muttered. "I thought we were full up."

"Look at the people here. They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos... will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do, what you are meant to do, is the Maker's work. Let me help!"

"We need more than prayers, I'm afraid," Saitada said.

Brehan glanced at the dwarf. "We should not turn away help when it is offered."

From the door, Morrigan shot him a look. "Perhaps your skull was cracked worse than Mother thought."

"Thank you!" Leliana put a hand on his arm as she practically gushed with joy. "I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down."

Saitada was looking at him like he was insane. He sighed. She might have a point.

#

Saitada gave Brehan a look that combined amusement and annoyance. Brehan shrugged. "Cathiel may know Highever, but a commoner would know more about the people than a mage or noble, right? She could help."

"We don't know who we can trust." If she didn't know any better, she'd think the Dalish man was actually blushing. "Keep an eye on her. She's your responsibility." Saitada glanced over at the door. "Jerath, Morrigan, keep watch, make sure there are no more such surprises. The rest of us will see about getting some supplies and finding out what news we can."

Jerath nodded to her, then jerked his head at Morrigan. The witch followed him out of the inn. Brosca was bartering with a merchant, and Saitada's ears twitched slightly at the mention of poisons. It appeared though that their options were limited. Between them, they had less than three royals, and that included the money Brosca had extracted from the bandits and what they'd managed to get for the bandit's gear. Without resources, they were lost in the black.

The bounty on their heads limited their options still further. She'd thought to turn to the local nobility for supplies, but with Loghain's accusations, that was going to be dangerous at best. Hopefully, Alistair was right about them being able to count on Arl Eamon. If he turned them away... She sighed to herself. If he turned them away, they might have little choice but to head for the border and find the Orlesian wardens.

#

Jerath and Morrigan left the inn and headed back over the bridge. He could see the soldiers riding away. They would likely be back with reinforcements before too long, but it already looked as though staying in Lothering was not an option.

The walls had shifted again, and yet, they seemed stronger somehow. Something had changed there in the tower. Or maybe in the hut. In the fight with the bandits, it hadn't clawed at him. It had just... been there. His thoughts went back to the witch. Flemeth had been more amused that surprised. But then, he'd sensed something in her as well. He glanced over at Morrigan.

She caught his eye. "What do you want?"

"I'd like to ask you something."

"If you must."

He considered a moment, and decided to start with a smaller question. "Did you grow up in the Korcari Wilds?"

"Why do you ask me such questions? I do not probe you for pointless information, do I?" She gave him an irritated look.

"I'm curious. What's wrong with that?" He twitched a shoulder. If she didn't want to talk, that was fine by him.

She smirked. "Any number of cats could inform you of the answer to that question. But have it your way. What was it you asked? If I grew up in the Wilds? A curious question. Where else would you picture me? For many years it was simply Flemeth and I. The Wilds and its creatures were more real to me than Flemeth's tales of the world of man. In time, I grew curious. I left the Wilds to explore what lay beyond. Never for long. Brief forays into a civilized wilderness."

"And you remained unnoticed?"

"For the most part. Flemeth taught me well. For all that I had been taught, however, the truth of the civilized lands proved to be... overwhelming. I was unfamiliar with so much. So confident and bold was I, yet there was much that Flemeth could never have prepared me for."

"Very daring." He nodded to her. "That sounds like you."

Her laugh was surprisingly warm. "Equal parts daring and foolhardy, perhaps. Only once was I accused of being a Witch of the Wilds, and that by a Chasind who happened to be traveling with a merchant caravan. He pointed and gasped and began shouting in his strange language, and most assumed he was casting some curse upon me. I acted the terrified girl, and naturally he was arrested."

He raised an eyebrow. "That was quick thinking."

She smiled proudly. "Men are always willing to believe two things about a woman: one, that she is weak, and two, that she finds him attractive. I played the weakling and batted my eyelashes at the captain of the guard. Child's play. The point being that I was able to move through human lands fairly easily. Whatever humans think a Witch of the Wilds looks like, 'tis not I. Not that I did not have trouble. There are things about human society which have always puzzled me. Such as the touching -?" She looked at him. "Why all the touching for a simply greeting?"

"Touching?" He nodded. He didn't care much for being touched either. "Like a handshake?"

"To begin with, yes. What is the point of touching my hand? I find it an offensive intrusion. There were many nuances that Flemeth could never tell me of. When to look in another's eyes, how to eat at a table, how to bargain without offending... none of these things I knew. I still do not understand it all, truth be told. But, then, I gave up long ago any hope of doing so. When I returned to the Wilds last, I sword to Flemeth that I had no intention of leaving again."

"Yet here you are."

"Yes." She sighed. "Here I am."

He stood for several minutes, watching the horizon. The smarter refugees were already on the move, heading north or west. Those who managed to keep their goods or coin secure would undoubtedly be finding ships. Ostagar was going to cost Ferelden. "It's about dominance."

"Excuse me?" She actually jumped a bit, startled that he'd spoken.

"The handshake. It's about strength and power. Let me see your hand a moment." She offered it, and he took it in his, adjusting his grip to match his words. "If I shake your hand like this, you would know I was weak, perhaps easily intimidated. I would be acknowledging that I believe you to be the stronger of us. But if I shook your hand this way, I would be instead trying to intimidate you, or at least to impress you with my strength. If I held your hand longer than you would like, it would be a matter of control. I'd be demonstrating that I thought I had the right to your hand, and that I cared not for your feelings on the matter. And that I believed you powerless to stop me and wanted you to know that. Also, my holding on to your hand limits your options to defend yourself. I have your dominant hand in my control, leaving you vulnerable to my allies." He let go of her hand. "It became part of the social niceties to disguise the issue, and lack of playing any of these games can show someone has more friendly intentions or holds respect for you, or at least views you as their equal."

"I see."

He shrugged. "Nobles like to crush fingers as a show of dominance. They know that even if you are the stronger, their position gives them enough power that you dare not retaliate, and so the handshake is a way to force you to submit."

Morrigan examined her hand for a moment. "Thank you. That explanation does clarify matters indeed." She smiled at him. "Would that all would speak so frankly on the matter. Well, let's get on with it before the ground opens up and swallows us, yes?"

He nodded, and they began to walk through the village.

#

Cathiel and Alistair found their way to the chantry. Alistair gestured for Cathiel to follow him as he walked towards a man in armor. The man looked up as they approached. "Who...? I beg your pardon. I did not see you approach."

"Ser Donall...?" Alistair asked. "Is that you?"

"Alistair?" The man smiled broadly, then clapped Alistair on the shoulders. "By the Maker, how are you? I was certain you were dead!"

"Not yet." Alistair's voice was bitter. No thanks to Teryn Loghain. May I introduce my fellow Grey Warden? We are the last in Ferelden, as far as I know."

"Terrible news, indeed." He gave Cathiel a small bow. "Pleased to meet you, my lady. Might I know your name?"

"I am Cathiel Cousland. It is a pleasure to meet you."

His eyes widened at her name, and he looked over his shoulder before lowering his voice. "I trust you are staying discreet? With the bounty placed on your heads?"

Alistair's face revealed his outrage, but he kept his voice low. "We've heard Loghain's accusations. But he's the one who betrayed the king."

Ser Donall shook his head and sighed. "If Arl Eamon were well, he'd set Loghain straight soon enough."

Worry flooded into Alistair's face. "If he were well? What do you mean?"

"The arl is stricken with an illness that threatens his life. We have found no cure, either natural or magical."

Cathiel and Alistair exchanged a look. "When did this happen?" Alistair asked.

"Only a few weeks ago, but he has declined quickly. No one knows the nature of the illness, and even magic has done little to slow its progress." He sighed. "Our only hope now is a miracle. Every knight of Redcliffe has done in search of the Urn of Sacred Ashes. Andraste's ashes are said to cure any illness. But I fear we are chasing a fable. With each day, my hope dims."

Cathiel sighed, then reached into her belt pouch. "Your friend Ser Henric is dead. I have something of his." She offered him the items she'd found on the knight the bandits had killed.

"What?" Ser Donall was horrified. "And you have his locket? And a note?" He sighed. "Maker's mercy. Thank you for giving me these. I would never have known otherwise."

"We dealt with the bandits that killed him," Cathiel said, offering what small consolation she could.

"Thank you. I wonder how many of us have met similar fates on this mad quest." He sighed, and went back to his book.

#

Jerath was heading towards the stream when a voice stopped him. An elvish family stood by the water. The father nodded to him. "Greetings to you, good ser. If it... isn't too much to ask, might you spare some bread? Or anything?"

Jerath handed him the coinpurse he'd nicked from the rude merchant. "Here."

The man's eyes widened in stunned gratitude. "Thank you, that's very kind."

"Bless you! I knew another elf would help us!" the woman beamed at him.

He started to walk away, then turned back around. The man caught his eye. "Thank you again for helping us. It's been difficult since we were robbed."

"You were robbed?"

The man sighed. "Wasn't everyone? Those bandits have jumped every wagon and caravan in sight of Lothering."

"I met those bandits," Jerath said. He touched the hilt of his sword. "They're dead now."

"You..." The man's eyes nearly fell out of his head. "Killed them?"

"That's wonderful news! Perhaps our belongings are still there!"

"I can't thank you enough, friend." The man shook his head, his smile broad. "Even if we don't get everything back, it's good to know others will be safe." He took his daughter's hand, and began walking towards where the bandits had been.

The girl looked back at him as she followed her father. Her eyes were huge. She was looking at him as if he was some kind of hero. In the back of his mind, the rage felt... sated. He shifted a bit uncomfortably, and then went to catch up with Morrigan.