Asleena bravely strode out of her home, but her confidence reduced to giddiness when the unfamiliarity of walking in a straight line presented itself. She swallowed a retch, aware that Duncan's eyes were on her.

"Do you need a moment?" He queried, concerned.

"No," she responded. "But the sooner we get to Ostagar, the better."

Silence followed their short exchange. Asleena trudged through the mud of the track, eyes fixed on her boots. She felt betrayed.

How could Jowan do this to me? She asked herself. She had told the Senior Enchanter of her plan, but had never suspected Jowan of actually dabbling in blood magic. Greagoir had been all for making her tranquil, but Duncan provided the Right of Conscription and she had escaped before the story had gotten all around the Tower. She knew that her friend Anders would be spitting hot coals right about now and the thought made her chuckle. The laughter died in her throat as she realised that she would never return to the Tower and hot tears scalded the corners of her dark eyes.

Asleena had not noticed the sun slowly dipping beneath the horizon and was surprised to hear Duncan call to the party to make camp. She lay out her bedroll beside the fire, trying to keep warm. She lay on her back and gazed up at the star spangled sky and closed her eyes with a shuddering sigh. Sleep would not come easily for her this night.

"I'm giving up all magic, I just want to be with you, Lily."

"I don't know who you are, stay away from me, b-blood mage…"

The Fade demons masquerading as her friends terrified her.

"Why did you betray me, Asleena? I thought we were friends." Fade-Jowan accused her.

"You betrayed me, Jowan. You lied to Lily and me." She countered.

"But you told Irving of what we planned. How could you?"

"Yes Asleena. We could have escaped, but because of you, I am now languishing in Aeonar."

"I'm sorry, Lily!" Asleena cried. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"But it did happen. And you're to blame."

The demons advanced on her and-

Asleena sat up with a jolt. Duncan was at her side, shaking her.

"It is time to continue on our way, if we are to reach Ostagar by nightfall." Duncan informed her. It was pale dawn and the sun was bright and golden against a white sky. The clearing where they had spent the night was sun dappled and warm. A river bubbled along beside them. But even amidst all this beauty, Asleena saw nothing, save for the faces of those she knew in her heart that she had betrayed.

Asleena was exhausted. She had walked further than she ever had before, and her unsteady boots had worn through. But finally, they had arrived at the impregnable fortress of Ostagar. She had already spoken with the king and been sent to find a Junior Warden named Alistair. Before he departed, Duncan pressed a small bag of coins into her hand, instructing her to go and buy herself some battle robes. Soon, she was clad in the stylish Archon robes supplied by the Quartermaster. She then sought out Alistair, and was immediately enraptured by his sense of humour.

"…and here I thought we were getting along so well. I was even going to name one of my children after you. The grumpy one." Asleena had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing aloud. He had certainly distracted her from her black mood from earlier in the day. The conversation quickly ended, and he approached her with a smile.

"You know, one good thing about the Blight is the way it brings people together." He said with a grin. Asleena was taken with him before he had finished his sentence.

Sorry everyone for the tiny chapters, but they'll get longer soon enough. Please review. Golden Cheese knife of Awesomeness to Ygrain33 and Purple Candy corn for their extremely insightful reviews.