"Redcliffe village looks like a dump." Ana said, leading the way down towards the village.

"This was my home." Alistair said. He suddenly yanked both sisters to the side. "I need to tell you something. I should probably have told you this earlier."

"What is it Alistair?" Alina asked. "I told you before how Arl Eamon raised me, right? My mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took me in. The reason he did that was because...King Maric was my father. Which makes Cailan my half-brother, I suppose."

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Ana demanded. She suddenly smirked. "We could use this to our advantage."

"No! I didn't want anyone finding out at all. I would have told you but, it never really meant anything to me. I was inconvenient and a possible threat to King Cailan. I didn't want you to know as long as possible because those who found out, treated me differently." Alistair sighed

Alina put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay Alistair. We appreciate you telling us, and we will tell no one about this unless you want us to."

"Thank you, Alina."

Ana rolled her eyes and rejoined the others.

"What did the mutt say?" Morrigan asked.

"Not a mutt, Morrigan. Alistair is a bastard now. A royal one, i would seem." Ana smirked. "Come on, let's g-"

"Oh, thank the Maker!" A man dressed in rags and a hide helmet came running up to them as they neared a stone bridge. "Help has come. Please, you must help us."

"What's wrong?" Leliana asked.

"Walking corpses descend upon the village every night, stealing away our loved ones and killing them. Please, you must help us."

"Who is the leader of your village?" Alina asked. "We heard that the castle was closed."

"It is. Bann Teagan may know a way inside. Rumors speak of a demon, hiding within. No one is safe!" The man wailed. His cry was cut off as Ana slapped him hard enough to make him fall on his ass.

"Hush your crying, little man, and take us to Bann Teagan. Now."

He nodded quickly and stood up back to lead them down into the village.

"That was unnecessary." Alina hissed at her.

"Yet effective." Ana returned.

They were lead into the Chantry, passing the courtyard filled with sparring men. The place was filled with the women and children of the village, as well as the Chantry clergy and a few men. Bann Teagan was a redheaded men garbed in royal threads. He begged for the assistance of the the wardens, to which Alina and Leliana were only too happy to give. They were sent to Murdock who sent them on other errands for the attack at nightfall.

"Please explain to me again why we're doing this." Morrigan said as she, Ana, Sten and Hohaku walked along the docks. They were going to find Dwyn while Alina went to convince Owen to help the militia.

"Because Alina commands it." Sten grumbled deeply.

"For now, we will help the village, if that will get us into the castle even faster." Ana said.

"And we must do a bunch of pointless quests in the process?" The witch demanded. "We could storm the castle if we so desire. The four of us do not need them."

"Believe me, Morrigan. I would not hesitate to do so, except we have no way inside the castle. Redcliffe castle has stood against many an invasion from armies. The four of us could not hope to pierce its gates. Just wait, we will have our chance."

"You and your sister claim to want to protect the people of Ferelden against the Blight, and yet you waste time-"

"Morrigan!" Ana suddenly whipped around and stepped close to her. She instinctively stepped backwards, trapping herself against the side of a house. Ana was so close, that if the witch wanted to, she could kiss her right then. "Relax, and do what you do best. Magic, and pissing off Alistair. I love seeing both. Follow me, and I will not lead you astray. Do you trust me to do that?"

Morrigan nodded and nearly moaned when Ana glanced down at her lips. The rogue leaned back however and continued walking. Sten and Hohaku followed, leaving Morrigan to deal with the whirlwind of strange and powerful emotions surging around inside of her.

She was too close to the mage. The wretched mage that wants my heart. My rogue, my heart. I can smell her heat from across the lake. The mage wants her. Ana, is her name. Ana is the name of my heart. I will need to speak with her soon, show myself to her, and stop this madness that is that foolish mage that thinks she can steal my heart from me! I will slaughter that whole village before I lose her.

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