As the Warden's little party left Redcliffe early the next morning, a light snow was beginning to fall. Sunlight filtered weakly through the clouds overhead making the chill in the air seem sharper. Alistair was unsurprised to hear Bodahn's voice rise up out of the cold in some dwarven tavern song as he drove his little team of donkey's forward. His clear tenor rang out over the travelers from the back of the line. Sten, the giant Qunari, lead the party. Deylan was just behind, already in quiet conversation with Morrigan. It still surprised Alistair that they got along. Deylan was so... nice and Morrigan was just... well, mean. The golem, Shale, thundered along at the back of the line keeping a rear guard. Leliana was scouting, her red hair making her visible as she flickered in and out of the shadows ahead.

Ilaria walked along behind Deylan and Morrigan in talking softly with Wynne. They'd been drawing together more in their shared grief. He'd been unable to speak to her since that night in the kitchen despite his attempts otherwise. Preparations for their travels had kept everyone busy. The villagers of Redcliffe had been helpful preparing them for their journey. They had happily supplied extra provisions and winter clothing for the group.

The large mabari hound that had been following Deylan padded along next to Ilaria. It was true, she'd shown far more interest in the hound than her fellow mage. Deylan's interest in the mabari was intellectual at best. He'd shown no interest in claiming the hound as his own and showed little inclination to keep it in his company either. Ilaria had fawned over the beast the moment she laid eyes on it, scolding Deylan for his neglect. Alistair still found the memory of her chiding Deylan amusing. After telling him in no uncertain terms what she thought of his neglect of the animal, she had promptly named him Dax and taken over his care. Alistair was unsure of how imprinting would work in this circumstance. Dax seemed mildly confused but was taking enjoyment in the attention he was receiving.

He'd been about to approach her that morning as they gathered to leave but the something in her eyes had stopped him. He'd heard from one of the guard that she'd visited the blood mage in the dungeon. It was apparent that her mind was elsewhere and given her reaction several days before on the boat, he was confident that her thoughts were still with Jowan this morning.

When they stopped to camp for the night, Alistair was about to offer to help Ilaria set up her tent when Leliana suddenly appeared. She quickly drew Ilaria into conversation and they worked together to set up the tent and began preparing dinner. Leliana was delighted when Ilaria light the damp wood for their fire with magic and Ilaria seemed to find some comfort in her contagious mood. Over the next several days, the two women spent a great deal of time talking together and soon became good friends. They often included others in their conversations but Alistair found his plans to speak to Ilaria alone foiled time and again.

On the fifth night, they camped in a small copse of trees nestled against the steep curve of a hillside. The night sky was pristine; covered in glittering stars. It was also bitterly cold. Alistair kept watch at the edge of the firelight. It was unnecessary since the opinionated golem, Shale, had joined their little group. Shale never slept and kept guard each night but sometimes Alistair just felt better if he kept watch at least part of the night. It came as a surprise to him when a shadow flickered before the firelight. He turned to find Ilaria standing beside him.

"Mind if I join you?" she queried. She had on her traveling cloak and had a thick blanket wrapped around her.

"Be my guest," he replied, gesturing to the open space next to him on the thick log. "Can't sleep?"

She eyed the look suspiciously before sitting carefully beside him facing the fire. "No." Her reply was punctuated by a resounding snore from Dax who was asleep in her tent. She smiled indulgently. "My feet are cold and I can't seem to get warm enough unless Dax is snoring in my ear. Not very conducive to sleep."

He looked her over for a moment before laughing softly. "Aren't you a mage?"

"Well, yes. I didn't want to send your templar senses tingling..." He couldn't tell in the firelight but he thought she might be blushing.

He smiled. "Don't mind me. I'm traveling with four mages. I'm just expecting to feel magic all the time."

"Very well then," she said and after she released a breath slowly, he felt the familiar swelling of magic. He watched her lips move carefully and soon felt warmth envelope the two of them. He found himself relaxing into it. He hadn't realized he was so cold.

Ilaria slid off the log and sat on the ground with her toes stretched toward the fire. After a few moments of companionable silence, Alistair came around and joined her allowing his shoulder to brush against hers. He puzzled over why he felt so comfortable around her. She was beautiful and that generally helped him feel awkward enough. She just seemed to radiate calm; though now it seemed tinged with a heaviness that made him wonder if she still thought about the mage in Redcliffe's dungeon.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his tone soft and warm. "You've seemed a little... out of sorts since we left Redcliffe."

Her eyes lowered and the fringe of her eyelashes was visible in the firelight.

"I didn't realize I'd miss the Circle so much. Well, not the Circle really, but the life I had there before... friends." She stared into the fire and he could see the sparkle of tears brimming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry..." he began but didn't know how to continue. Duncan's face flickered in his mind and his own loss weighed heavy on his heart.

"I guess... I just keep waking up expecting to find myself back in the tower with either Neria or Anders poking me out of bed. And sometimes, waking up alone is just... depressing."

"Oh, um... I didn't realize that you were... involved with anyone... err... I mean..." he stammered.

"Oh, no. It's not like that. I wasn't in a relationship, physical or otherwise. Just Anders... He escaped from the Tower... a lot. The last time they put him in solitary confinement for a year. When they finally let him out, he didn't like to be alone. We were best friends, comfortable together. He'd come to my bed just so he didn't have to be alone. I guess I got used to not having to sleep alone."

There was a soft hoot followed by the unmistakable flutter of wings. Shale's voice reached them from across the grove. "Did it hear that? There are birds nearby! We must be watchful. Disgusting creatures..."

Alistair and Ilaria broke into muffled giggles. Shale had said little since they left Redcliffe other than to complain about birds or deliver insults. Her issue with the feathered beasts had become a source of amusement to most of the party.

"I can hear it laughing. We'll see who's laughing when the birds come..." Shale's voice tapered off as she stomped away from the firelight.

Alistair watched Ilaria's face as she smiled and was struck by how alive she looked when she smiled. For that moment, the weight of recent days seemed to lift away from her. She turned to look at him and her smile softened as their eyes met.

"Has anyone told you you're very handsome?" He was unable to hide the look of surprise on his face. "I'm sorry. Sometimes my mouth talks before my head thinks." She began to turn away.

"No, it's okay. You just caught me off guard." She returned his smile. "There was the one time in Denerim... but those women were not like you. Why? Are you saying you think I'm handsome?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't think so," she grinned and bumped her shoulder against his.

"So... do I get to say the same?"

"Only if you think so."

"Oh, I think so. I'll just surprise you with it when you're least expecting it." He bumped her back.

"I don't know," she teased, "I'm pretty hard to surprise."

"Well, I can be pretty sneaky."

"Phfft... Not in those boots."

"I could be barefoot."

"In the snow?"

"Okay, I admit, it would be pretty cold. Maybe I'll just wait till spring."

She smirked. "I won't hold my breath then."

There was a comfortable pause filled by the snapping of the logs burning in the fire. Alistair was content to watch the light flicker over Ilaria's face but found himself distracted by her long slender fingers reaching toward the fire. After a moment, some of the brilliant flames seemed to leap into her hand as she beckoned them. They twisted over and around her hands as she played with them. Then, with a quick gesture, they vanished.

"Thanks for your company," she said warmly as she rose.

He reached out and grabbed her hand gently, drawing her eyes back to where he sat on the ground.

"You really are beautiful," he said sincerely.

Her responding smile left him feeling warm and light headed.

"Good night, Alistair."

"Good night, Ilaria." He watched her disappear behind the flaps of her tent and sighed contentedly as he looked up at the stars.