Chapter 3: New Beginnings

"…You still hear the whispered tales every so often," Varric Tethras told his small audience. "From Orlais, to Ferelden, and even the Anderfels, those two have been sighted. Sometimes they're just a pair of apostates, trying to outrun the Chantry's hunters. Other times, they're a couple of Fade creatures that protect other mages and minorities with powers that rival anything Thedas has ever seen. But always, they're together, just like they always knew they would be." He sat back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap and looking at his guests.

"That was very interesting," the elf said, pushing black hair even further behind her ears. Her blue eyes held a spark of recognition with a few things that Varric had said, and he observed her more closely. The gray cloak she wore covered her armor almost completely, but it was impossible to mistake the staff she carried on her back. Her companion, by contrast, didn't cover up his silver armor, and seal of the Grey Wardens was rather visible.

"But is it true?" the human asked, smirking a bit. His brown eyes were playful, but Varric wasn't about to let himself be dismissed.

"You came to me, Warden," he reminded the man. "You asked me to tell you the story of the Champion as I knew it, and I did. Now you accuse me of lying?"

"Not lying. Just… Embellishing."

"I'm a storyteller by profession," the dwarf pointed out, leaning forward. "There's bound to be some embellishment in there. It's not like your Order doesn't its own heroes and legends, you know. How many of those stories are completely true?"

"At least one," he replied, running a hand through his blonde hair and grinning.

"Alistair, please," the elf admonished lightly, placing a hand on his arm.

"Oh, all right. I'm sorry I doubted you, ser Dwarf."

"It's all right," Varric replied, with a smile to the woman. "But let me ask you something: Why did you want to hear about the Champion? Because if you'd just asked the Chantry, their Seekers could've told you everything I just did."

"I avoid prolonged exposure to the Chantry. You understand," she tapped her staff, and Varric nodded. "As for the Champion? I was curious about a few things, and you've satisfied that."

"Call me crazy, but why in Andraste's name would you be afraid of the Chantry? The Wardens are legends on the battlefield, and I doubt any Templars could stand up to you. Or your bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?" The man seemed a bit confused, but the woman chuckled.

"I'd say that defines what you do rather well, wouldn't you agree, love?"

"I guess. It just makes me seem... I dunno, less important?" She bent and kissed

him quickly, to which he blushed, and Varric whistled softly.

"You're important to me, and that's all that matters," she said, standing up and adjusting her cloak.

"So we're going?" Alistair asked as he stood as well.

"Yes. We have some friends to locate." As they turned, Varric stood as well.

"Madam, if you don't mind me asking, what is your name? I never caught it."

"Do you want my name, or my title?" The Dwarf's eyebrow went up.

"Both." She smiled at him, bowing slightly.

"I am Talia Surana, the Hero of Ferelden, and Former Commander of the Grey of Vigil's Keep. It has been an honor meeting you, Varric Tethras." His eyes widened, and Varric shifted his gaze to the human.

"Then you're Alistair Theran? The bastard son of King Maric?"

"Oh, I'm a bastard all right," he replied with a grin. Talia nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, and he laughed. "But yes, my father was once King of Ferelden."

"And you're a Grey Warden? The two of you just… Travel around collecting local gossip? Doesn't seem like something heroes would do."

"We're not acting on behalf of the Wardens," Talia explained. "I just want to find my friend; to help him. But if he's with the Champion of Kirkwall, I doubt he needs much help."

"Still, it's another adventure," Alistair said with a shrug.

"Send my regards to Hawke and Blondie if you see them, would you?"

"I will, Varric. I promise." Then she and Alistair were leaving the Hanged Man, and Talia pulled the hood of her cloak up on instinct.

"So, where to now, my Lady?"

"Wherever we hear about the next sighting. It's going to take a while to find them, but we can do some good along the way."

"Never a dull moment?" She smiled, taking his hand.

"Not in this lifetime." The two Wardens set out, their mission still ahead.